#i know there is so much more than that and I'm probably grasping at straws here but still

[the-herdier]

Please excuse the cringe but as someone who doesn't have to use a cane but DOES likely have hypermobile knees and also had hip dysplasia as a baby that may still be affecting her gait I feel like I can relate to Viktor juuuuuust a little bit sometimes because that screwed-up gait means I trip and stumble over my own feet ALL THE TIME and it is so annoying.

[darlington-v]

i do not see a lot of white people talking about this in regards to sinners, but i actually felt very... seen? very validated by remmick in this movie. WHICH, LMFAO, PROBABLY SOUNDS LIKE A RED FLAG? BUT HEAR ME OUT.

it was more in that like... idk i think he was written in a really complex way, and it was in touch with reality. like it was real. like it felt... not good, it does not feel "good" to know, to see, and especially to feel the way that whiteness hurts people and the way that it keeps you out of environments that are... healing? that are based in connection. it did not feel good to feel the way that the characters that represented me on screen were never in that barn, right?

but it does feel validating. it makes me feel less crazy because a lot of white people can't face whiteness. a lot of white people either are racist and they don't care, or they do care so they're not hateful and they think that makes it good and fine, or they're self-effacing. they can't look it in the face.

like he felt validating because like... the choice of making him irish, and to make him know what it was like to be connected to something and to have a people, and to just not have it anymore. that when he tried, it wasn't the same anymore. that he was disconnected, he couldn't get what sammie had.

it felt validating. it makes me feel less crazy because a lot of white people do want that, and they will either not admit it or they will grasp at straws to replicate it and it will never work out because white people coming together as a people is a people uniting under whiteness. and whiteness is a culture built upon insecurity and exclusion, so it will never be the same.

if white people want connection to a people, if we want connection to culture, and we want it to be wholesome and fulfilling in a way that white culture cannot and will never be, we must seek cultures whose crux isn't being white, and is more encompassing than our race.

and that's why it is not the same, and it will never be the same, and it is sad. and it's nothing i'm going to wallow in self pity over, because like there are other cultural identities that are so much more important to me than my whiteness. but it did feel good for this film to look me in the face and like tell me like. i'm not wrong, it's not the same, and it is sad. this vampire's story is both pitiful and sad and he is still wrong.

and that felt good, it felt good that this film was a celebration of black culture, it felt good that the film included chinese-americans, and it felt good that i was not there and it was treated as something that is sad and pitiful in a subtle way. like the sadness about remmick feels subtle, and it's so good because otherwise it would feel like too much, i think.

BUT IT FEELS GOOD BECAUSE I THINK.... white people want to pretend like its not real, or they do want to wallow in self pity. and this film like did neither of those things it was just brutally honest and it felt really good.

it is sad. it is something he's missing. there IS something missing.

[umbramoons]

TECH MOMENTS PT. 20

The Bad Batch S2 E1: Spoils of War

We finally made it to Season 2! AKA Tech's Season, so it's obviously the best season, lol (Also, some of the points from this season were written immediately upon my first viewing, so if anything comes off as a little EXTRA unhinged, that's probably why.)

- “Does this unscheduled break mean you are fully versed in every ship in the Imperial fleet?” THERE HE IS! MY MAN IS BACK! ❤

- “That does not give you a pass on your studies.” Yes, I use this when I lack motivation. (Also, he has a little smile when he says this. He’s such a nerd, and I love him for it.) ❤

- That little smirk he gives Omega when she rolls her eyes at him. There's definitely a lot of affection between the two. You just have to look closely to see it! ❤

- Omega says, “we caught something.” TECH WAS FISHING WITH HER. ❤

- Lol, he sounds so disgusted by the sight of all those crabs swarming over his ship.

- The way he yells Omega’s name when she falls out of the ship. HE WAS SCARED. ❤

- Telling Omega to grab the line, because he KNOWS she can do it.

- "IT IS AN UNSCHEDULED STUDY BREAK." The delivery of this line is just flawless. I missed this man so much. ❤

- HE GOT FLIRTED ON! HE DESERVES IT. Phee is so real for that. I’m just happy that now it’s canon that he’s seen as attractive in-universe. (Respect to Phee for immediately picking him out instead of Hunter, who most people see as “the hot one”. Not that he's not conventionally attractive, he's just more commonly the typical choice, at least among fans.) Also, how he’s just totally oblivious and corrects Phee’s comment. ❤

- There's this tiny movement in his eyes when Phee first calls him out. He's subtly checking her out, too! Sure, it's more observation than admiration at this point, and it's such a little thing, but still. (I don't care if I'm grasping at straws here, I was a shipper from day one, and this is how I cope now.)

- Phee also gestures specifically to TECH when she says “top team” before walking out.

- He’s standing with his hands folded behind his back all politely while they’re discussing going against Hunter’s orders and ARGH he’s always just so adorable to me.

- "She does have a valid point." Always listening to reason even though he’s still no fan of Cid.

- That subtle little nod he exchanges with Echo before he goes to talk to Hunter about using the money to help fight the Empire. Tech could totally have become a rebel pilot. COULD YOU IMAGINE HIM FLYING ALONGSIDE HERA IN THE REBELLION?! I know that never happens, but that would have been amazing. He’s an old man now and he’s just like, “Your skills have certainly improved.” And Hera goes, “Fifteen years of practice will do that for you!” ❤

- Okay, my official opinion on the armor change. I really like the orange and black on Tech. We all like to make fun of his “jeans” but I genuinely think he’s not quite as thin as he was before (not by much, he’s still a twig, but we’ll talk about this later) so his blacks wouldn’t have been a comfortable option anymore. I’m sad about the fact he painted over the little eight-bit lightning skulls on his helmet (but at least we can see hints of them in good lighting), I need a sticker of those, but I kind of love the black stripe running up the bridge of his nose. It makes his eyes pop even more. That, and his goggles look like they’ve been painted over; they’re not as much of a steely grey anymore. This makes the variation in lenses even more obvious (he cycles through lenses from a dark sunshine-yellow to a color that’s practically completely clear. We know he has more than one set of goggles, we saw at least one extra pair in their barracks back in Season 1.) I’m glad he didn’t go as crazy with the colors as Hunter did, though. It works for him, but it wouldn’t have been as good on Tech. Adding that dusty teal to the look would have been a little too much. And in terms of the color choice, I like to think that his armor has the most obvious black accents because he has the most obvious connection to Crosshair. Symbolism. We love to see it. (Speaking of, Orange for creativity and passion, Black for balance and sophistication. Fitting traits and colors for my man, I would say.) 

- “Imperial escort ships.” THE SHOT WHEN HE SAYS THIS, HOLY- 

- "They will definitely notice when he does not report in."

- The pleased way he holds his head when he opens a crate and sees it packed with credits.

- "That is concerning."

- When Echo says that he can’t get the container open, Tech instantly turns around and takes a step closer, as if to see if there’s anything he can do.

- "If I am incorrect, we will instantly be sucked out and perish. I am seldom wrong." THE CONFIDENCE. (Also, I love how serious his eyes are when he says the first part, as if he’s teasing Omega.) ❤

- Echo tells him to wait to congratulate himself until they escape, and Tech just points out that that’s going to take a minute. Like he can’t wait that long. That probably wasn’t his intention, but it made me smile. When a character’s arrogance isn’t unfounded or rude, I kind of enjoy it.

- MY MAN IS STUNNING IN THIS ORANGE LIGHTING. ❤

- Casually throwing a stun grenade like he’s done with this conflict. 

- "You are correct. I am impressed." THE SMILE IN HIS EYES, STOP. ❤

- Being smart and opening the crate to use the lid for cover.

- I love how Tech takes the lead in this situation. He’s such a boss here.

- "That is going to be a problem!"

- Can I just say it feels like Tech got another glow-up (albeit a slight one)? Because my man has been looking absolutely GORGEOUS. ❤

A tangent on why that is! I think It's because his face has filled out a little more. His cheeks aren't as hollow, and they're a little more rosy. Like, compare Tech in early Season 1...

To Tech in early Season 2.

He's still got those high cheekbones, and the change is very slight, but it's almost like his face has softened out just a little bit. ANYWAY that's all from me for this week!

[arofishskull]

Didn't listen to Malevolent today but I remembered that a new weird character such as Kayne being added to the cast means that I'm legally obligated to throw things at a wall and see what sticks. I haven't had many theory-based posts since the ending of season 1 since season 2 was very much about survival in the dreamlands without the subplot of finding out what the fuck John is and what his intentions. (I used to use "it" to refer to John and the king but because of how human John became and his desire to continue to grow into that direction as a person I feel like "he" is now a more accurate description than "it") Anyway, Kayne: I'm gonna swing and say that he could be related to Shub-Niggurath in some way. I might be remembering something completely wrong but I think Shub-Niggurath was described as a purveyor of chaos, destruction, and decay, as well as that its summoning to Arthur's world would end up in its destruction. Now, dear reader, you might be asking what straws I am grasping on in order for me to consider that possibility. Well! Kayne is incredibly powerful, easily able to fuck with the King. Kayne described itself as a god while the King is just a king. King's are appointed by the gods so the implication here could very much be that the King can rule over whatever it likes because the gods will let it. The King already has strong impact on people and Kayne just casually slaughtered an entire city for entertainment. Kayne could easily destroy worlds. The reason it doesn't if it was Shub-Niggurath? Well, that would be the exact same reason it's observing Arthur and John; Entertainment. Sure, slaughter and demise is a way to kill time for Kayne but that's temporary. And seemingly also only a temporary past time for Kayne. It must get boring if you get too much of it. Do I think this theory is true? Probably not. Kayne can traverse through the worlds, Shub-Niggurath apparently needed a ritual for it. Though one can argue that this source is unreliable and made up by mortals. It would be interesting if Kayne purposefully let the King wander through the portal to Arthur's world simply to see what happens, or to watch destined events unfold. Still, Shub-Niggurath was more described as a force of nature rather than a bored god. Surely the dark dimension would have infinitely different things to busy Kayne with since it's the dumping ground of an infinite amount of different worlds. I wonder if Kayne could go to the dark dimension? According to John, nothing leaves from there. Then again, John and the King are probably less than a drop in the ocean next to Kayne. I have one more wild theory though: Kayne also mentioned someone named lilith! I know she will have a speaking role because she's prominent enough to show up in the suggested hashtags when I tag my malevolent posts. So, what do the names of Kayne/Cain and Lilith have in common? Abrahamic(specifically jewish, in Lilith's case) creation myth! Kayne might literally be Cain From The Bible, murderous instincts and possible insanity after an unfathomably long life filled with guilt included. Maybe God cursed him to an eternal life? Alternatively, he could just be God From The Bible. Seemingly all powerful? Check. (seemingly) All knowing? Check. Existence of fate that he can see? Also check. The naming convention of having a Kayne/Cain and a Lilith drop in the same conversation seems too obvious to be nothing. Or maybe it is. But it feels like it shouldn't be. All creatures from myth have the possibility to be real in the worlds of Malevolent so it just seems likely that the most famous myth of modern times would be brought up eventually.

[moonflvver]

Starlight

character: Katsuki Bakugou x reader

warnings: angst (with fluff)

a/n: This is probably one of my favorite pieces about Bakugou that I've written. Also, I'm clearing out my drafts so expect an influx of posts over the next few days. And I'm getting back into mha so trust that there will be lots of Katsuki content in the future lol.

w/c: 1297

He was running his fingers through his hair as his jaw clenched. “What the fuck do you want from me then? What do you want? Because I just can’t figure it out. No matter what I do for you it’s never enough.”

You sighed, you were getting tired of having the same argument with him over and over again. And now of course he was turning this on you. Of course Bakugou Katsuki just couldn’t fucking admit that he was in the wrong for once. 

“What I want is for you to care about yourself Katsuki. I want you to stop overexerting yourself and coming home with an injury every other night. I want to trust that you’ll be safe when you’re out there.” You were trying your hardest not to let him hear your voice shake but it cracked mid-sentence nonetheless. 

It was just too much. God you loved him, of course you did. But he was too stubborn for his own good and he refused to stop pushing himself to the very edge of his limits. But that’s the thing about Bakugou, he’s a star. I mean it sounds silly to say but it’s true. 

He’s not just good at what he does, he’s great. But there’s something in him that refuses to let him enjoy what he has at any given moment and that’s the problem. They say that the stars that shine the brightest burn out the fastest and you know Katsuki better than anyone, so it’s clear to you that he’s just one mission away from crashing and burning. Which is why you can’t stop. If he won’t care for himself then you have to do it for him. 

“You don’t get it do you? I can’t just stop doing my job. People need me, people depend on me. I keep this city safe. I won’t drop it all just for you.” He shouted back. 

“Just for me, are you serious? Do I really mean that little to you, that you’d choose your own self destructive tendencies over me?” You’re crying now, tears are running down your face as you look at him. “I need you too, Katsuki.” You mumble, looking up at him.

Fuck. He looks exhausted and you’re sure that you don’t look any better, especially not after all of the crying you’ve been doing. But it’s clear that the long hours he’s been working have taken a serious toll on him and it makes you sob just a bit harder. 

His head is in his hands now as he says, “Shit y/n I didn’t mean that. I just-” But before he can finish you stop him. 

“I can’t watch you implode like this, I can’t stand by while you do this to yourself. I was so stupid to think that you’d actually change. But it doesn’t matter. You’re still that same impulsive, stubborn little kid that you were in highschool.” He knows you don’t mean it, he can tell by the fatigue that’s evident in your voice. You’re done. You’re clearly just grasping for straws at this point. There’s no fight left in you anymore and it’s all his fault. Fuck, of course he ended up pushing away the one person who’s remained consistently by his side.

The person who makes him lunch, who reminds him to take care of himself. Who always texts him on patrol asking him how he is no matter how late it is. He can’t let you leave, he just can’t. He wants to scream, he wants to fucking cry, he wants to let himself crash and burn and he doesn’t want you picking up the pieces. He just wants to be left alone but there’s a part of him that needs you more than the air that he breathes. And that part of him just can’t allow you to go. 

He’s taken you for granted, he knows that. He knew that his rise to the top would put a strain on your relationship but he had convinced himself that he would be able to figure it out. I mean of course he would, Bakugo Katsuki can do anything. Right? Anything except for preventing himself from getting completely and utterly blindsided by his own goals apparently. 

You’re grabbing your keys to walk out and take a breather but then he stands up, abruptly grabbing your arm.

You look up at him in mild shock. “Bakugou what are you-” 

“Don’t go.” He says, and it comes out as a quiet whisper. “Please don’t go, I’m sorry. Okay? I am so fucking sorry, just please don’t leave.” You don’t think you’ve ever heard him sound so desperate.

He looks down, lets your wrist drop. And now he’s just waiting for you to say anything, anything at all. You sigh, dropping your keys back down onto the table. “Okay.” 

“Okay?” He echoes back as his head comes up and you see that his eyes are full of tears. 

You step forward taking him into your arms and he buries himself into your chest as you stroke his back. You inhale that familiar caramel scent that always seems to linger around him, a scent that reminds you of home, a scent that never fails to make you melt into his arms. He makes you feel so at home whenever you’re near him, you just want to hold onto him forever. You open your mouth and just as you’re about to say something to him he pulls away, pausing for a moment.

“I know.” He says quietly. “I know that it’s been hard for you. It’s just that no matter what I do, no matter how much I achieve it’s just that. Fuck. It’s never enough.” There are tears falling from his eyes. His long lashes are coated in the salty drops of water that won’t stop cascading down his face as he continues, “I get into this insane mindset that I could just be doing everything better, that I could be stronger, that I need to try harder. And I end up pushing you away. I end up hurting you and it’s not fair to you and I’m just really tired.” His voice cracks as he finishes and all you want right now is to take away everything that’s weighing on him and put the burden on yourself. 

Really that’s all you’ve ever wanted, just to make him hurt a little less. Because seeing him like this makes your heart ache. How could he ever think that he was anything less than good enough? Katsuki Bakugou is a star. And sometimes his light is blinding and it overwhelms you. But he’s also capable of illuminating everyone and everything around him. And he needs to know how important he is. 

You close the distance between the two of you and you swipe your thumb under his eyes hoping to clear away his tears. Your hand lingers for a moment and then you cup his face. “You are good enough. I get that it’s hard, I know how much pressure you put on yourself. But I need you to know that I see it. Even if no one else does. I see how much of yourself you’re putting into your job, I see how deeply you care.”

 He’s staring at you, practically dumbfounded. But then his eyes soften, “Thank you. Thank you for seeing me.” It comes out almost as a sigh, like he’s finally able to let go of the air that his lungs have been holding in for the past half-hour. His shoulders relax and your hands find their way into his hair as you bring him into your chest once again, mumbling into his hair. “How could I not see you? You’re too bright to ignore.”

[queerstudiesnatural]

re: the prototype being elliot ludwig

i think that's still the most solid theory for who the prototype is, but there are a couple of plot holes with that theory, which can be explained although with a stretch of the imagination :

1. harley sawyer was studying the prototype, which seems to suggest he didn't create it himself. and it wouldn't make sense for the prototype to have been created by someone like dr white or some other doctor. in fact, if that was the case, sawyer could have just asked them how they did it instead of studying the prototype himself. which leaves one possible answer: ludwig turned himself into the prototype. maybe ludwig knew he was dying and wanted to try and salvage his brain/intellect, or maybe he wanted to be immortal to stay with poppy. that would explain why harley sawyer was so frustrated with the prototype.

2. the drawing of mommy long-legs in ludwig's office doesn't count imo as it's clearly a continuity error, since ludwig was dead by 1990 and mommy long-legs was created in 1991. so it doesn't make sense, whether ludwig is the prototype or not. actually, if anything, it can be proof that ludwig was still alive in 1991 despite being declared dead, perhaps living as an experiment who was still living in his old office for a while. idk, i'm grasping at straws, but i think it's pretty safe to say the mommy long-legs drawing shouldn't be taken into account (it was the result of a fan art contest so maybe they just didn't think too hard about placing it there).

3. let me know if you can think of more evidence against ludwig being the prototype?

ok now onto my second theory:

the prototype isn't elliot ludwig per se, but he was made by ludwig, maybe as a companion for poppy? a sort of brotherly figure? this makes a lot of sense to me, as the prototype could think of himself as ludwig's son and heir, maybe wanting to take back control of the factory that is his "birth right".

a possible addition to this theory is that the prototype is the one who killed ludwig, maybe accidentally, maybe on purpose, and then made ludwig part of himself like he's now doing with the dead toys. maybe the prototype has ludwig's consciousness/brain capacities attached to himself, making him, like doey, an amalgamation of several consciousnesses.

we know the prototype is adding toys onto himself, probably to gain their strengths and capabilities, as most of the toys are akin to rabid animals now due to years of trauma and starvation. but if he attached a freshly killed (or still alive?) ludwig to himself, then maybe part of the prototype is a fully functional and conscious elliot ludwig.

or he was just created by ludwig as a companion for poppy, but had other plans for himself than just to play house with a doll.

either way i think the "it's time to come home" monologue the prototype gives at the end of chapter 4 is pretty much undeniable evidence that there's a family connection there, whether it's fatherly or brotherly

[oshinohoshi]

Oshi no Ko Chapter 162 thoughts

Putting aside my issues with the story and characterization, I like this chapter. It makes me feel things which is a strong suit of Oshi no Ko.

Sorrow, horror, and sweetness... it has a little of everything.

As an avid Ai stan, the parts with Ai hit me right where it hurts

Ai's smile below is everything. She loved those kids so much

I'm reminded of the bottom right art. Ai never did get to see their red backpacks but at least the little Hoshino family made happy memories together

Aqua looking after his sister is so sweet. It would hit harder if we had more of the twins interacting past vol 1 but it's still nice

I'm not sure how I feel about Aqua deciding he was reincarnated to protect Ruby. I can't quite put my finger on what's bothering me. Perhaps it's that he's once again making his life's worth revolve around someone else

Or that this disregards one of my favorite lines in the manga: "[God] brought two people who never had a mother in a real sense and a mother who gave birth to soulless children together"

There is a crucial element missing to Aqua's apparent life's purpose and her name is Ai

@aihoshiino's post explains this better than I ever could (thanks @insertusername99 for pointing this out to me)

LMAO I just read Claire's thoughts on the chapter after typing this and she brought this up too. Bc it's so true!

The art is so good. Mengo is amazing

HIKARU

He gets his own damn section because he's just so... AUGH

I'm baffled as to how killing Ruby would bring him closer to Ai

How does "the weight of his sin" help him manifest Ai's presence? Maybe his guilt over his involvement in Ai's death brings her into sharp relief through suffering and embracing his dark side amplifies that? I'm grasping at straws here

I still think his reaction to the DVD was genuine but if so, it feels like he should have had a change of heart

After learning Ai wanted to love him, why would he turn around and try to off their daughter?

Of course his logic is twisted, but it should work with what we know about him!

If you have thoughts, please share

Anyway, I want to compare Aqua's memory of Ai (left) to Hikaru's vision of her (right)

She looks ethereal in both. A fragile being. Ai looks over her shoulder smiling gently in Aqua's mind. She might turn away at any second but she's not gone yet. However, she has her back to Hikaru, beyond his grasp

In both panels Ai is not dressed as an idol. Those who love her remember her as she was when she wasn't on stage (or uhh that's what I want to say but I don't know what to make of Hikaru's view of her anymore)

Moving on...

Shadow Gorou. Until now he's been a manifestation of Aqua's guilt and self-hatred yet now he's dragging Hikaru to the bottom of the sea. Sure, I guess?

I'm probably wildly off the mark here, but it almost shows how harmful Aqua's attempt to kill Hikaru is. Shadow Gorou is scary

And despite Aqua's white stars, he looks horrified and in pain choking his dad. It doesn't look like a triumphant finishing blow

Given the giant moon behind Crow Girl, I guess we should stop calling her that as it seems that Tsukuyomi is not a stage name. But she'll always be Crow Girl to me

Next chapter (3 week break!!): Miyako is not having any of this dying to save Ruby bullshit. She will roll up on a motorcycle and pluck Aqua out of the sea using Ichigo's fishing pole. I have been predicting the fishing pole being a major player in the Hikaru/Aqua conflict for dozens of chapters and I know I cannot be wrong.

[shkika]

Got any Headcanon backstory of how each iterator was named? Like, how did No Significant Harassment get his name? How did Five Pebbles get his name? Etc, etc. I'm curious what you think!

OHH what a fun ask to make up stuff on actually. Sure I have some headcanons. Iterator names are so so fun, because there's a lot you can do with them.

Different local groups could have themes perhaps on their names. Or perhaps their names are phrases or sayings or derive from them. I will go with each colony having their individual meaning for the iterator name.

Sliver of Straw- I've talked about her name extensively here! (x) Please check it out, because I LOVE her name. Basically means needle in a haystack + shortening it to SOS is genius. Just the best.

Looks To The Moon- I don't know if this is the most original take, but I do think her name has a lot of meaning especially if you take into account that she's one of the first or at least an extremely old iterator. I compare it to the landing on the Moon in a way even if it sounds silly. This impossible to reach place is now something well withing reach. Her name is to represent looking at opportunity at the impossible and striving to achieve it. Which can connect to.. well answering the impossible ascension question.

Five Pebbles- This is such a hard one for me. But since the game makes such strong parallels between those two. Making them opposites and such it makes sense to see that in their names. While Looks to the Moon's name is grand and aiming for high achievements. Five Pebbles' name could perhaps be about the smaller mundane things. Finding the solution in a little nook or cranny somewhere close to you. A place where you'd least expect it.

One name is to aim hight and strive for the impossible. The other is about staying low and finding the answer in the small things in life. Which is hilarious if you look at their actual characters. With FP making the bold dangerous decisions and experiments and LTTM vibing like a much more grounded character than him. I love those two.

No Significant Harassment- People find his name really weird which is amusing, because it's really not! To me at least. It can very simply mean "No real harm done". Which I think is probably the intention and it suits his funny guy personality quite a lot. In a way his name could mean peace! A fun hc I discussed with @creeket is that perhaps before NSH was built the colony was divided into four factions/houses that hated each other. The iterator was a reason for them to unite and work on something together which is what the four connected diamonds on his forehead represent.

Seven Red Suns- Okay this is one of the names I struggle the most with. My headcanons about SRS which I've mentioned before is that their colony is very religious and made them as an actual god, treating him as an actual all knowing god much muuch more than the other iterators are treated to the point Seven Red Suns has actual political power (which they really don't want to have). So I think their name is supposed to express how grand and impressive they are. Seven as in complete, perfect. Red is a royal, regal color and of course Suns further cementing their godhood. It makes me think of how the sun is often personified or given a deity to represent it. It can be a cruel leader that dries the land, but also give life and light.

Of course there's many ways to take it in completely different ways. Red stars if I'm not mistaken are the coldest.

Chasing Wind- I also really really like this iterator name. I like to imagine it as either one of two things or both. Chasing after something that is right in front of you yet just barely out of grasp. Like y'know the wind! Or your head is Chasing wind. Having an abundance of thoughts or ideas. Your imagination and creativity running wild and free like the wind!

Unparalleled Innocence- It's so on the nose haha. There is no buts or anything that is a direct opposite to her name in my headcanons. She's a very well meaning innocent person. She was the last iterator to be ever made and lacks a lot more context than the other. She was based of the concept of a child. Which of course children are known for their innocence and unique approach to the world.

[marta-bee]

I've been thinking about the cleanup after Helene, and while the material needs are so very important, what I'm really grieving just now is the loss of place, and the loss of story that comes with it.

See, so much of Appalachia, at least the corner of southern Appalachia I'm familiar with, is bound up by an oral history, and it's situated in a certain place and in a nexus of particular people as your neighbors. Which isn't to say Southerners don't write, or that Appalachian Southerners in particular don't write. But somehow the story changes. There's an ineffable quality that I loved, hearing scandals and ghost stories and all sorts of local accountings shared at the church youth group camp-out or family BBQ's or over beers sitting on someone's back porch.

And now there's whole small towns, places that almost don't deserve that name, that are just gone and that probably aren't coming back, or if they are, they'll be different. It seems like such a small thing to be struck by. But it weighs heavy on my heart tonight.

So if I may offer some suggestions aside from donating to the recovery (which everyone absolutely should do if they can) : Read an Appalachian story.

The Bitter Southerner is a favorite podcast of mine, though they've not updated in years. The season two episodes "Progress, Heartbreak & Art: The TVA" and "Hillbillies Need No Elegy" seem particularly on point. And the TVA one tells the stories of some real bangers of local women. Just remembering those stories makes me smile.

I've not read it yet, but the way people talk about it in that second episode makes me think "Appalachian Reckoning: A Region Responds to Hillbilly Elegy" (ed. Edward Karschner) is also worth a read. Just on general principles with J.D. Vance in the cultural bloodstream, but perhaps now more than ever.

"Talking Appalachian: Voice, Identity and Community" (Amy Clark) was more nonfiction than story, but still really interesting.

"Ghosts and Haunts from the Appalachian Foothills: Stories and Legends" (Linda Crider) has lots of good local history and .... what do we call urban legends when there's no urban at hand? rural legends? ... Particularly fun in this our season of the spooky.

"A Place Called District 12: Appalachian Geography and Music in The Hunger Games" (Thomas Paradis) This one I haven't read yet, but judging from this interview it might be interesting for people wanting to tap into the region through more fannish lenses.

Honestly, I'm grasping a little at straws here. If anyone has anything worth reading, please let me know so I can add it to the list.

Also, at the risk of being too flippant, I'm wondering if it might be time to take a crack at reading Vulgarweed's and htebazytook's "The Bone Fiddle." Not that there's ever a bad time, I suppose.

Seriously. Seek out these stories if you can, always but especially now, and if you have any good recommendations along those lines let me know.

[exo-raskreia]

hi my dear, i have to say i love your blog and how you get over those pitiful ichihime statements

i want to know how will you explain or if you have another post that explains... how time doesn't interfere between ichigo and rukia

bc i always see how ichihime fans say how fucked up their ship is just bc of their age. i mean, we understand that time goes different between both worlds, but it's like they just refuse to understand it

also how it is not so much about age but connection, understanding and equal interests, they also seem to forget isshin and masaki

i'd be glad if you can answer, thank you much for all your posts 😭 it makes it easier to like ichiruki, sometimes ichihime fans just make it so hard, like you're committing a crime

Oh, thank you! ☺️

Antis really think an unrealistic age gap is a problem in a FANTASY or SUPERNATURAL setting? Especially in the Bl3ach universe, where there's already a canon couple with that trope? Doesn't it sound silly?

They act as if Mortal X Immortal ships don't exist, as if they aren't a popular trope/dynamic in many forms of media. They call IR problematic because of it, but turn around & ship pairings like Yato & Hiyori (Noragami), Inuyasha & Kagome, Tomoe & Nanami (Kamisama Kiss), etc. Yet, they cross the line at IR?

They conveniently forget or ignore the fact Ichigo is a product of Isshin & Masaki, a canon couple that the antis support & like to use as "parallels" with their mid ship (even though those of us who can read know IM parallels IR). Isshin was probably way older than Masaki, older than Rukia even, yet once again, the antis cross the line at IR?

Hypocrisy, much? They only bring up the age gap when it's convenient for them. When they want to grasp at straws to invalidate IR. But all their arguments have a counter-argument to them 🤷‍♀️. IR is just that powerful 😌.

Ichigo & Rukia vibed so well right off the bat, getting on a first name basis early on, & often seemed to share the same brain cell 🤣.

Souls in Soul Society age much slower & differently than living humans. Rukia was the equivalent of Ichigo's age, so she was "15" in SS terms when they first met. Antis like to act as if she's some ancient hag or s*x goddess who's going to corrupt poor innocent Ichigo, yet Rukia showed to be quite innocent in many matters, not to mention, she thought kisses were only for greetings in one of the early chapters 💀. Out of the two, I'm pretty sure Ichigo would know more than her in these matters...

(I've also seen this stupid argument against HitsuKarin. They be calling Hitsugaya an "old man"!! Like, seriously?! How is he gonna "corrupt" Karin—by giving her a large stack of paperwork?! He's about 10-11 years old in SS terms, the equivalent of Karin's age, who was 11!! Then they both conveniently aged up to 12-13 after the 17-month timeskip... Just what was Kub0 getting at?!🤦‍♀️)

Not to mention, Ichigo felt very at home in Soul Society & got along so well with all the "ancient geezers & hags" there, even going as far as calling some of them by first name & hanging out with them like old buds (such as Renji). No wonder Ichigo didn't feel like he belonged in the Living World much; he really was born in the wrong generation (or world), lol... 🤪 He always showed to be more in touch with his shinigami side... (no wonder he chose that out of all his hybrid sides in TYBW, & yet... 😮‍💨)

Anyway, don't engage with the antis. Ignore/block/mute them. Follow the age-old fandom rule: just ship & let ship. Don't let the antis ruin your fun. There's so much IR content out there 😄.

[dddesc]

@stalkerthetiger you say this as a joke but i've actually put a lot of thought into this. in the preview for the dentist episode, dedede says...

"last four teeth"...? potential implications that he had more than that at one point?

...i'm inclined to believe otherwise for two reasons.

his mom has four teeth.

--however! this alone doesn't mean he never had more than four. maybe it's bad genetics and she also happened to lose all but four of her teeth. but, speaking of genetics...

2. the baby gescarsaurus, made from escargon's DNA, has four teeth.

this is the whole reason i feel like snails in anikabi must naturally have that amount. the baby gescarsaurus has no reason to be born with so few if escargon wasn't also born like that.

all this being said, there are drawings both on the model sheets and in the series itself that contradict the amount of teeth he has, with one model even featuring a row of teeth underneath the four main ones.

BUT. those model sheets are dated june 2001, and there's a model sheet dated december 2001 that was made specifically to correct how his smile was drawn from episode 23 onward. while he does still ocassionally grin with a full set of teeth after that point, it's much rarer, and i believe he's only seen with an actual row of teeth once and very early in.

from a technical standpoint, i feel like this was probably done to closer match the cg model, which never had visible teeth aside from the major ones. it did grin/grimace maybe a couple times, but it always looked clunky doing it and, if i'm remembering right, was only ever done on the early very-ugly mouth rig he starts the series with.

i hate that mouth rig with my life. i don't recall exactly when it stops showing up as often, but it's mostly prevelant in the first dozen episodes. it must've been annoying to work with, because it spends its entire screentime looking very. very. very. bad

anyway.

real snails have thousands of teeth on a flexible, tongue-like band called a radula.

the action of using their radula wears down their tiny teeth immensely, so, like sharks, they replace them regularly -- and rapidly! if i'm to go off of escargon being related to literal snails (which do exist in anikabi), it would seem like that's a nifty process to keep around.

...but he's scared of losing teeth!

so i guess he can't replace them. unfortunate to have lost that evolutionary trait!

i guess all this doesn't HAVE TO mean he didn't have more than four teeth at some point. for all we know, snails could be born with four main teeth and then grow secondary rows of as they age, and then he happened to lose all but four by episode 23. which also happened to his mom, presumably. i just feel like i'm starting to grasp at straws with that logic.

but hey. this is all just a theory. a gay theory

[platinumgigi]

you know, in light of the Great James Somerton Callout Double Feature™ recently, it made me think back to when i used to watch James' videos. i wasn't an avid fan and never watched his streams or anything so i couldn't have any inkling of the plagiarism on my own, but this all now reminded me of one instance where he made a point of something in one of his videos that was so blatantly wrong, it made me wonder "wait...did you even watch the thing you're talking about?"

and that was with his video on the Owl House, because i believe there was a bit near-ish to the end where he's talking about the open queer representation in TOH, and at the time the video came out the show itself hadn't concluded yet, but he mentioned alongside the not only very canon Lumity as representation the show had to offer, he also mentioned...that the show was hinting at there being a potential romantic relation between Hunter and Gus????

and that had grabbed my attention and made me confused, because...no?? did we watch the same show??? cause if you've watched the Owl House not only would you know that Hunter was 16 and Gus was 12, which is really stretching it in terms of acceptable age gaps, but also...their relationship was not like that, and didn't have any sort of romantic subtext to try and grasp at. the way they hung out and interacted was much more of a "dudes being bros" way (silly headbump handshake, comforting each other in their insecurities and what people saw them as "weak" for), and i'm pretty sure even at the time the episode came out where Gus and Hunter officially became friends, Hunter was already showing signs of crushing on Willow???

so, in retrospect, it now occurs to me that the reason James mentioned that was not because he had simply misinterpreted Gus and Hunter's interactions and the shows intentions for them in the future, but it was deliberately James grasping at straws to shoehorn in some kind of MLM representation into the show where there wasn't any. and while, yeah, in an openly queer show, still not seeing yourself represented kinda sucks, but James Somerton is clearly a person who doesn't value anything in the LGBTQ+ community other than the G. he thinks being a gay man (especially a cis white gay man) is the only real way of being queer, or at least the most "oppressed" type of queer, probably because news media only ever gave significant attention to the deaths of cis white gay men during the AIDS crisis, and that is pretty much James' only point of reference in "historical events that happened to queer people" because god knows he didn't care enough to research and write on his own, let alone research and write about queer history involving queer people who weren't cis white gay men like him.

and it's especially shitty that he that he tries to force this idea of Hunter and Gus having romantic subtext right after he talks about Luz and Amity's relationship. i'm personally not the biggest fan of Lumity within the story of the Owl House, but the representation is really great, especially for something in a disney cartoon. so him trying to then detract all the sapphic representation that Lumity provided and even built the show upon with an MLM relationship that not only is weird in context but also never even happened?? the AUDACITY.

and what gets me even more is that, by the end of the show, while Hunter does end up in a relationship with Willow, it's not a straight relationship. it was confirmed by the show's creator Dana Terrace after it concluded that Hunter is bisexual and Willow is pansexual, and while yeah, real shame that there wasn't any actual expression of those facts during the show's runtime, it's still nice to know that they're queer, and thus their relationship is queer. it's also great to have a canon bi/pan couple when there's STILL an immense infighting problem between bi and pan people thinking that one of the sexualities is trying to erase the other due to their similar (but not same) definitions. so having them not only coexist but also be in love is great!

but you just know, you just KNOW, that even if James' video was made after the show's official conclusion, he would probably either:

A: ignore Hunter and Willow's relationship and try to play on plausible deniability that they're just friends since they never had any great romantic gestures like Lumity's confession and many kisses

or

B: make a shitty argument out of it that the Owl House "could have gone leaps and bounds further with their representation, but Disney was so homophobic that Hunter couldn't possibly get to also be gay, so he had to end up with a woman :("

and while i think both are probably just as possible as each other, my money would be on option B, because god damn it this man can't praise a piece of queer media if it doesn't somewhat center around or involve gay men, and leave it to James Somerton to try and project himself onto the white teenage boy and think that if he were gay, that'd somehow make the story better.

this man actively hates women, especially queer women whom he loves to pretend are actually straight women, and if he had the chance would still do everything he can to try and make a queer relationship between a man and a woman into some woeful narrative of "what could have been" if they just made the man gay.

god, from this singular moment alone where i had a very questionable opinion of James, the knowledge i have now completely recontextualizes everything. this guy is a plagiarist, a misogynist, but most of all, an internalized homophobe who replaces the word "gay" in the content he steals from with "LGBTQ+" and "queer" because he actually *would* just like to use the word gay, but if he did it would make it more obvious that he's plagiarizing, so he instead makes "queer" and "LGBTQ+" be synonymous with gay to make it look like he's actually being inclusive.

and i don't really remember much about his video about Korra, i don't know if i even watched it, so the only frame of reference that i have is what Hbomberguy said about it in his video, and i frankly do not want to go and give James anymore views he has not earned and will never deserve, but i think he did a similar thing in trying to grasp at straws with a potential queer relationship between Mako and some guy who i don't remember (i really didn't watch much of Korra sorry) but that also kind of was not the case of their relationship at all either, from what i've heard. at most it was just people shipping them, especially since the footage James Somerton used in his video was from a fucking ship AMV and not even from any of the high resolution episodes. so again it seems like there's an instance of James trying to shove in an MLM relationship that doesn't exist in a show whose lead representation is a WLW couple.

again i could be wrong, and correct me if i am, but unless there's a convenient re-upload of that entire video on another channel or even another video website, i'm not going to give James' channel any more attention than it unrightfully has.

fuck this guy.

[majorsoapfan]

(Omg the text fits)

I made you a thing :D It's still a draft version but I thought you might like it for the Good Luck Babe! Twinkhaw AU (and Hannah might too but idk how much you two have talked about it lol)

It’s fine, it’s cool You can say that we were nothing but you know the truth And guess I’m the fool Held my arms out and kept waiting knowing what you’d choose Didn’t wanna call it off But you would never call it love You only wanna be the one that I call baby You can play the part as perfect son Try to find a girl and ignore the feeling You can say it’s just the way things are Make a new excuse, another stupid reason Good luck babe, well good luck babe You’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling Good luck babe, well good luck babe You’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling And although I care I don’t wanna be your secret little love affair So I cry, it’s not fair I just need a little lovin’, I just need a little air You can play the part as perfect son Marrying a stranger, never feel that feeling Pretend that it’s just the way things are Grasp another straw, another stupid reason Good luck babe, well good luck babe You can’t stop the world, you can’t stop the feeling Good luck babe, well good luck babe You can’t stop the world, can’t escape the feeling And when you wake up next to her in the middle of the night With your head in your hands, she’s nothing more than your wife And when you think about me all of those years ago You’re standing face to face with “I told you so” You know I hate to say “I told you so” I know you hate to hear it but I told you so!  You can keep on trudging on and on Live your empty life, never feel anything We both know it’s not the way you are Live in your delusions till you see some reason Good luck babe, well good luck babe You cannot stop the world, you can’t fight the feeling Good luck babe, well good luck babe You cannot stop the world, always dreaming of me You cannot stop the world, cannot stop the feeling The world will never stop, and you won’t forget me

Oh my God, I love this!!! I seriously love this so much! This is so good and so perfect for them! Thank you so much, this is perfect and I love it!

(I think that I'm probably going to end up thinking of these lyrics instead of the actual lyrics whenever I hear the song soon.)

[whoevenheckinknows]

Last Stand (DickJay Week 2025 Day 6)

Fandom: Batman All Media Types

Rating: T

Warnings: Choose Not To Use Archive Warnings

Relationship: Dick Grayson x Jason Todd

Characters: Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Bruce Wayne, Damian Wayne (mentioned), Alfred Pennyworth (mentioned)

Tags: DickJay week 2025, Dickjay week day 6, secret relationship, time travel, angst, fluff and angst, minor character death, well major character minor to the story, he doesn't get better but we're sent back in time where he's still alive so its fiiiiine, call him schrodinger's tim, sorry tim, and bruce i guess, and everyone else in that timeline, hurt/comfort, jason Todd and Damian wayne meet in the league of assassins, established relationship, Implied/Referenced Underage Relationship(s), is it still underage if you're mentally in your 20s? , probably, no beta we die like jason todd, or tim in this fic, Do not post to other sites, Cross-Posted on Tumblr, POV Third Person

Summary: "Batman… B has fallen. Initiate 'Last Stand'." Or that. Dick's heart sinks. Despite knowing it was a possibility, he hoped it wouldn't come to this. It's supposed to be their last case scenario, as the name suggests, their 'Last Stand'. Dick glances at the machine on the other side of the room. The machine that, when activated, will send Dick and Jason into their own bodies, a few years in the past. The goal is to try and prevent the invasion that is slowly but surely overwhelming them. But… Dick really doesn't want to leave anyone behind. OR Dick and Jason get sent into their past bodies, to when Jason first becomes Robin and Dick is Nightwing. And considering how much has changed for them, it's hard for the two to come to terms with what is now their lives.

AN: What's this? Plot? In my DickJay Week fic? Its more likely than you think. I'm actually pretty proud of this. I'm considering continuing it eventually, but we'll see how that goes.

21 Dick Grayson is Joker|Secret Relationship|Petplay (Consensual or Otherwise)|"Hush, little wing"

~~~

"This is Red Robin to the Batcave." A voice speaks over the coms. Dick lifts his head from where he's tucked into Ja- No, he's Red Hood right now- into Hood's side. Ti-Red Robin's voice sounds pained, although Dick can't tell if it's a physical or emotional pain.

"Hear you loud and clear, Red." Hood speaks up when Dick doesn't say anything. He's too busy thinking about what Red Robin could be calling about. Hopefully, although unrealistically, he's calling to say they won. That everyone is okay and heading home. Maybe he's calling them into the battle. Dick is starting to grow antsy sitting on the sidelines and watching everyone else fight in a battle that Dick should be a part of. Or… or…

"Batman… B has fallen. Initiate 'Last Stand'." Or that. Dick's heart sinks. Despite knowing it was a possibility, he hoped it wouldn't come to this. It's supposed to be their last case scenario, as the name suggests, their 'Last Stand'. Dick glances at the machine on the other side of the room. The machine that, when activated, will send Dick and Jason into their own bodies, a few years in the past. The goal is to try and prevent the invasion that is slowly but surely overwhelming them. But… Dick really doesn't want to leave anyone behind.

"Can you make your way to the cave? We don't have to leave you behind."

"No can do, Wing." He hears a choking sound from Red Robin. "I've… I've been hit. I won't make it in time."

"I'll come get you!"

"No, Dick." Oh shit. Real name. "You knew this could happen when you agreed with the plan. You have to leave me."

"But-"

"We all agreed that you and Jason are our best chance at changing things. You work best together given how close you are. And you're the two eldest, as well as most experienced. Depending on how far you go back, you'll have the most power to change things."

"What about B? Why couldn't he have come? He would have had the best chance of us all." Dick's grasping at straws in his grief, he knows it. It doesn't matter if B could have. He's dead now. But, he doesn't want to leave. Once he does, he will never be able to return. He'll never hear this version of his brother's voice again.

"B was the captain of this shit-show of a ship. You know as well as I do that once it started to sink, he'd do anything in his power to try and save it. Up until he inevitably went down with it. He would have never agreed to leave." As if all of them aren't the same way.

"Still-"

"Dick." This time the voice comes from his side. He looks over to see Jason, sans helmet or even domino. He doesn't say anything else, but Dick can read his eyes better than anyone else can. They have to go.

Dick feels something slide down his cheek. Jason lifts a finger to wipe what ends up being a tear away, and Dick breaks. He's pulled into a broad chest as he lets out sobs, for the family he's already lost and those he now has to leave behind. He feels himself being herded, but as much as he wants to fight it he knows he can't.

He hears the telltale sound of Jason turning on the machine. Another sob escapes him. He's herded again, pulled away from Jason's chest to sit inside the machine. Jason sides beside him and pulls him back into his side. The final countdown looms in front of them, giving them just a few minutes while the machine warms up and calibrates. They spend the first minute letting Dick catch his breath and calm his sobs. After that, Jason uses the time to talk to Tim. Dick can only listen.

"Ya know, Timmers. I'm not sure I ever said it out loud, but I'm sorry for the shit I put you through."

They both hear a strangled laugh from the com.

"Save it for a me who'll be alive to appreciate the gesture." Dick's breath hitches again slightly and Jason shushes him, kissing his hair and rubbing soothing circles into his back. "Maybe you'll save him a lot of trauma if you do." A deep, shuttering breath over the com. "But for what it's worth, I forgave you a long time ago, Jay."

Jason nods his head, and Dick can see his eyes misting just a bit. A sound comes from the machine and the countdown begins to flash.

00:10

"I guess this is it then."

00:09

His voice sounds weak, and Dick knows that his injury is finally getting to him.

00:08

"Get somewhere safe, Baby-"

00:07

"-Bird, there could still be hope for you!"

00:06

A gasping laugh, followed by a wet cough.

00:05

"I doubt it." Finality in his struggling voice.

00:04

Dick wastes some of his few precious seconds letting it sink in that after this-

00:03

-he'll never see his Tim again. His little brother. His Baby bird.

00:02

A weak breath, so weak Dick is shocked the com even picked it up. He knows he has to say something before he's too late.

00:01

"You know I love you, right? I love you so much, Tim." He's not sure if it's the machine cutting off any response, or if Tim…if Tim's…

00:00

But the only response Dick hears is silence.

~~~

It's disorienting, suddenly going from sobbing 30-something year old body Dick who was sitting on a bench, to stoic faced younger Dick that is currently standing in the middle of Wayne Manor. Unlike what movies led him to believe, there's no jolt as his mind moves from one body to the other. No visible indicator that any change has taken place. But mentally? Mentally, Dick is a mess, him mind trying to catch up with its new body.

He's not actually confused about what's going on, as he looks in front of him at Jason. He knows exactly when this is. But…no. This isn't right. They're only supposed to have gone a few years back. But the small boy in front of him tells a different story. Tells the story of the first time Dick ever met Jason.

In the original timeline, Dick remembers how he confronted Bruce about giving away Robin, about adopting a child so soon after his ward left. How Dick lashed out, barely acknowledging the other boy in favor of yelling at Bruce. Of course, that old anger has long since mellowed, having four other Robins and fifteen or so years to come to terms with what had happened. Yet here he is once more, and Dick doesn't know how to react. The emotional whiplash definitely isn't helping.

Dick does what Bats do best, and pushes his emotions aside. He first needs to check for certain that the Jason in front of him is the same one he traveled back with.

Dick clears his throat, although the mucus of his sobs don't exist in this body, and sticks out his hand. "It's nice to meet you, Jason."

Bruce stares at Dick in his equivalent of shock, not expecting the mundane reaction from the supposedly hot-headed teen. Dick doesn't know what happened in the seconds leading up to the switch, but he can only hope it's the beginning of the interaction, and that he didn't just go from screaming to calm in the matter of seconds. Bruce doesn't say anything, so he cautiously assumes that's the case.

What Bruce doesn't know is that with the hand not being held out, Dick is currently having a separate interaction with Jason, in a sign language the bats have yet to make up in this time.

That you, Hood?

"Ya sure 'bout that? Ya seemed pretty angry when ya first walked in." Jason's street accent is thick, and Dick wonders how much of it is a show for Bruce. That is, if this really is his Jason. While he still has the accent in the future, it's definitely toned down and only really brought out when he's acting as Red Hood or when he's particularly fired up.

Yeah it's me. Play along, we'll debrief later.

"Yeah, well, that was before I saw just how cute you are!" Dick can't help the tease. It's not like he's lying. Jason really was a cute kid, something Dick didn't pay attention to much the first time around. A blush overtakes Jason's face, easier to notice than if he were still his older self, even if he's doing his damnedest to hide it behind a look of indifference.

"Shut up, asshole. 'M not cute." He says it with the same scowl he used in the future. Dick has to hide another coo at it.

"Sure kid, keep telling yourself that."

You're enjoying this too much, Dickwing. Remember why we're here.

Dick sombers immediately. It's not that he forgot what just happened, but he was glad for the distraction. Bruce once again fails to notice the sudden inexplicable change, although Dick did learn to hide his reactions and emotions from the best so he's not too surprised. Besides, he's already looking so bewildered at the interaction, there's no need to confuse the old man any more.

"Oye, old man." Jason speaks up as he grabs Dick's arm. "I'mma go grab some snacks from Alfie, then show Dickie my room. Bond 'n shit. Don't 'sturb us, ya hear." He starts to drag him through the halls before Bruce has time to respond. Dick wishes he could have taken a picture of his dumbfound face as he's pulled along, but the memory will have to suffice.

The two make their way to the kitchen to grab snacks in silence, only stopping briefly to greet Alfred. They don't dare speak any more until they've made their way into Jason's room and the door is locked. Dick laughs lightly as Jason lets out a loud groan of aggravation and flops onto his childhood bed. It's not his full laugh, he's too emotionally drained for that, but the fact that he can laugh at all during all of this is a testament to just how much Jason's presence affects him.

Dick takes a moment to analyze the boy in front of him. His mind is having trouble processing the fact that somehow, this scrawny young boy eventually turned into the big bad Red Hood. Into the man he knows and loves. Sure, logically he knows that the Lazarus Pits played a huge part in it. but it's still hard to imagine.

Jason groans again and speaks, although his voice is muffled by his pillow. The only reason Dick can actually understand him is experience. "Why the fuck did we get sent back so far?"

"I'm not sure. But there's nothing we can really do about it. The machine was one way, and this time doesn't have the technology yet to change it." As much as he wishes it wasn't true, they are stuck here now.

Jason groans louder. "You tellin' me I'm stuck in the body of a prepubescent boy?"

Dick sits down on the bed next to where Jason's head is and starts to slowly run his hands through the younger man boy's hair. "Seems that way, Jay. Think we should tell Bruce?"

"I don't feel like dealing with his goddamn bullshit paranoia. Can't we just figure this shit out on our own?"

"You gotta remember, Jay. Bruce was a lot less paranoid before your death." They both go quiet at that.

Jason whimpers quietly. "Am I gonna have'ta relive my death?"

"Oh, sweetheart." Dick pulls him closer, so that his cheek now rests on his thigh. He continues to run his fingers through his hair. "Of course not. We can prevent your death this time, you don't have to go through that again."

Jason sits up onto his knees and looks at him. "But we shouldn't mess up the timeline. Without me dying, Timmy won't join the family. I won't be at the League to protect Damian as a baby. So many things could go wrong. Factors we won't be prepared for when the invasion comes."

Dick pulls Jason into a hug. "We'll figure it out. We can catch Timmy taking his stalker photos and bring him into the family early. And you won't even have to apologize to him if there's nothing to apologize for now. We can go to the League and take Damian with us. You can protect Crime Alley just like you did as Red Hood. There's so many things we can change for the better now that we have the chance."

Jason leans into the hug, wrapping his arms around Dick and huddling as close as he can. Their positions are reversed to the ones in the cave. Dick doesn't know what to think of that, think of the fact that he's once again bigger than Jason. How will all of this affect their relationship?

Jason speaks. "And what about this? Us?"

Dick lets out a questioning hum, as if those weren't some of the same thoughts that were starting to run through his own head.

"I'm currently in a twelve year old's body. Doesn't matter how old I am mentally. And you're basically an adult. No one's gonna let this slide. But… " Jason squeezes him tighter. "I don't want to have to give you up, Dick. You'll all I have right now."

In all his worrying, Dick didn't even think about that. Here his boyfriend is, mentally still the same as he was just a few hours earlier. But it's like he said, he's in a twelve year old's body now. How are they going to navigate this?

Dick doesn't want to suggest it, but he has to for both of their sakes. "We could always wait-"

"No!" Jason doesn't let him finish the thought. He uses his tight grip on Dick to push him onto his back, and pins him to the mattress. "I waited so long to get you the first time. I sure as hell am not going through that again."

"I don't know what you want me to do, Jay. I'm the adult here, in the eyes of the law. If anything were to happen, if we were to get caught-"

"So we don't get caught. We're trained by goddamn Batman. We know how to avoid detection. I love you too much to let you go, Dick. I can't let you go." Dick caves.

"Oh, Jay. I'm not going anywhere." He puts his arms around Jason's back and pulls him down to lay on top of him. He kisses the top of his head. "I promise."

~~~

The first night is the worst. Dick finds himself laying on his old bed, in a bedroom he hasn't used in years despite it being maintained by Alfred. In case he ever needed it, he was told. He fell asleep once already, but woke up only an hour later with visions of being too late in his mind. Too late to save Tim. Too late to save Jason. Too late to protect all those he left behind. Just… too late.

It's nearing midnight when he hears his bedroom door creak open. He looks up to see Jason standing there, bathed in the light from the hallway. He hears a small sniffle come from the younger man boy.

He opens his arms and Jason doesn't hesitate to rush into them. They lay there in silence for a moment before Jason speaks up.

"Damn kid body. Makin' me more emotional and shit." He mumbles into where his face is currently squished in Dick's chest.

"Jay," Dick looks down at him softly, but he's too busy hiding his face to see it. "You know you're allowed to be upset, right? Everyone we love is gone. Sure there are versions of them here, but they're not the versions we know."

Jason doesn't respond at first. Eventually, he whispers, "My Wonder Woman poster is still hanging up."

Dick feels a pang in his chest. He knows exactly which poster Jason's talking about, Jason had told him the story of what happened to it a while ago. Not long after he started coming around the manor again, he went into his childhood room. When he saw it sitting exactly as it was when he left for Etheopia, the anger took over before he could stop it. When he finally calmed down, the room had been trashed, including the first poster Bruce ever bought him, something he had treasured until the very end. It broke something else inside of him, seeing the shredded pieces in front of him.

Jason continues, finally looking up at Dick. "It's worse than when I returned. Because this isn't a frozen memorial, intentionally kept to remember a dead kid. It's a lived-in bedroom. There's missing stains, toys I threw out years ago... It's different, yet exactly the same. It's the bedroom of a young boy who doesn't exist anymore, and it's my fault."

"You shouldn't be sorry for surviving." Dick cups Jason's cheeks in his hands. "Both this time and when you died before. We did what we had to, and hopefully this way we can prevent so much harm in the world."

Look, Dick knows he's being a hypocrite saying that, OK? But, what else can he say in this situation?

Jason leans into the hands on his face. "I guess."

"I'm glad you're here, Jason. Maybe you're not. Maybe Bruce won't be if he finds out. But I am." He leans down and plants a light kiss on Jason's lips. He leaves his lips close as he whispers, "I love you."

Dick knows he's trying to hide it, but Jason's eyes tear up just a bit at his words. "L've ya to, Dickie." He mumbles into his lips as he connects them again.

End Note: Fun fact, this was supposed to be longer (I have so many ideas) but I ended up stopping before I got burnt out. One of the additional scenes was supposed to be a smut scene that included the "Hush little wing" prompt directly following where the fic ends. Who knows if I'll ever write it.

If there's any errors, feel free to say in the comments. Or if you just want to talk.

Come talk to me elsewhere

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[nashusglasses]

1. sweet, sticky, thick and pretty

(note: I can't stop listening to Bruno Mars!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! technically the title is from silk sonic but anywho :3) note 2: Not to be too anecdotal, but I was a loser all my 4 years of university. Don't know why I always have the urge to write about messy college experiences when all I did was make one singular friend. I also only ever went to *one* official frat party! Absolute Loser behaviour!! What I'm saying is I'm projecting hard and LOVE writing about hot asshole men!!!!!!!!! Oh boy!!

PAIRING. gojo/reader SETTING. college au WARNINGS. alcohol and drug consumption, player!satoru but in the sexiest way possible. suggestive content SUMMARY. It's too late for this.

Satoru’s got his white shirt dirty with grass stains. You don’t know what kind of roughhousing Suguru put him through before you got here, but all you know is there’s a keg outside in the backyard and Satoru’s hair is mysteriously wet. You get your answer when he tries to stick his tongue down your throat and he smells too much like beer.

“Absolutely not.” You block his mouth with a hard hand. “Can you please move? I just saw Natsume here.”

“I don’t fucking care. Kiss me.”

“Or what?”

Something coy flashes in Satoru’s face. He probably thinks he’s got you trapped. Hopeless in the dark corner of this hallway, and if you strain your ears hard enough you think you hear weird squelching noises from the room behind you. But all you feel is the annoyed urge to push him back till he stumbles off, embarrassed. There’s nothing more insistent than a drunk Satoru. There’s also nothing you want to punch more than a drunk Satoru.

“I called you. Thirty six times.”

“It was twice, and I was napping after my exam.”

He rolls his eyes. “Pish posh. Listen. Come over tonight.”

“No.” You shove at his shoulder. Except it’s a little rougher than you anticipated, but it’s still nice to see him lose balance. He won’t get angry. Not when he’s horny out of his mind. “I’m finding Natsume now.”

“What if I said pretty please?”

“Then I’ll shove you harder till you eat shit,” you snort. But you don’t get very far when you try to walk on ahead. Satoru’s strong when he wants to be. He’s got a hot hand wrapped around your wrist, a cement block for weight when you try to pull back.

“Stop ignoring me,” he says. “I told you I wanted you.”

“And then I told you I never wanted to see you again.”

“Sometimes I hear things and then I choose not to understand them,” he explains. He closes the distance again. You wonder how many girls have fallen prey to this tactic. Using his height for advantage, the way the corner of his mouth lifts when he wants to look needy. You know he’s grasping at straws, though. His contact list is heavy with the chance to get his lap wet whenever he wants, and even though you’re not sorry for being the additional number, you’re angry that he ever thought you’d be the easier lay.

“Okay. I’ll say it one more time. Just for you.” You tiptoe up to his ear, make sure your every breath lands hot where it’ll make him shiver. “I don’t want you to call me. I don’t want you to look at me. And I want you to leave me alone.”

Satoru’s placid. No expression to dissect when you stand back down, and his grip is lax now. Natsume’s probably halfway done with that first pre-roll she told you she had. You’re almost greedy for the heat in your chest that blunt promises. Sitting on that scratchy couch while your head gets light enough to reconsider Satoru’s proposition. 

You won’t. Even if you do miss the way he feels under you. A part of you wants to say that it’s only out of self-respect, but it’s funny seeing him so desperate. You’ll gloat about it later when Natsume asks you where you’ve been.

Something in Satoru clicks, and he’s grabbing your wrist again. “There’s just–something about you.” 

“Satoru, you’re drunk. We’ve been over this. I know I’ve got godly legs and a tight pussy but you’re just–”

“A man whore,” he finishes for you.

You nod sympathetically. “I’m glad you get it. Do you want me to find Suguru for you?”

“I want you to kiss me,” he complains. “Holy fuck. I’m–I’m fucking drunk. And I told you I wanted you, and I told Akane that she has great tits but not as great as yours, and she slapped the shit out of me, and I told you I wanted you but you don’t want me back.”

“Why the hell would you say that?” You’ve seen her before. Linguistics 202. She’s smart, has killer fashion sense, and Natsume hates her because her eyelashes are long and curled and not fake at all. “You’re so goddamned stupid. I’m going now.”

“I know. I know I’m stupid. Just–before you go.” You raise an eyebrow. “Don’t block my number. Please. That’s all I’m asking.” 

You’ll give him points for begging. The door to the room with mysterious noises opens, and two girls with messy hair filter out noiselessly. No witness to Satoru’s groveling. But you’re kind, so you leave him with a wet kiss to his cheek just to see his eyes go wide. 

“Tell Akane you’re sorry. Then come find me when you’re sober,” you say. 

When you turn around, you text Natsume to find where she is. 

You don’t notice Satoru squeezing his eyes shut, cheeks burning hot, half-hard from the feeling of your mouth on his skin.

[parkminijiminie]

First of all, welcome back!!! I missed you so much!! Your blog is a gem!!! -and are you gonna be back permanently or are you taking another break? Second of all, I haven’t watched the travel show but I saw a lot of clips and honestly, they just seem like friends. Yeah there is some moments where you’re like wow wtf is going on here but if u look at it from a different lense, it seems like friends enjoying time together because of them were busy with their own lives. I also didn’t expect jungkook’s personality to be like that. Obviously idk him in real life so I can’t really know how he acts in real life but idk he just seems weird? But I don’t think there is anything between them. Most jikookers were excited for this how because it was gonna prove that they are in a relationship but honestly they are just grasping at straws at this point, and so am I guess. All the big fandoms had band members ships like on direction and many kpop fandoms ship two members on the group too like winter and Karina from aespa although she was dating that actor💀 and finally I would just like to say that jk was hanging out with tae more than jimin although I think that jk’s friendship with tar isn’t really anything special except for bros having fun but yeah, seems weird. Sorry my thoughts are all over the place lol.

Hi! I am sort of back. I lurk around and react when I have the need to discuss smth with other people. Otherwise, I just long on and read what other people are saying. I think I will never be active full time because I simply don't have the time, but I love this space a lot, so I'll never really leave either.

To me, JM and JK look so far as people who were once a romantic item but no longer are, but remained in each other's lives just more distantly. The whole show looks to me like them, trying to deepen their bond and friendship again. I think during the time the US episodes were filmed, they were both single and probably spending the most 1:1 time for months, so some of their usual old tendencies resurfaced, like old habits. I am very curious to see the other episodes. I know lots of people are waiting for the show to give answers about the nature of Jikook's relationship, but I don't think we will get them but we could at least maybe see that made them enlist together after barely spending time alone in the beginning of the year.

JK definitely spent a lot more time with Tae in 2023 compared to previous years, but I don't think their relationship is especially deep. They're buddies and share similar interests. They were also free at similar times, but I'm not sure there is any deep emotional connection there. The fact that JK called Tae definitely surprised me, but then we all saw how rudely JK hung up on him. I'm finding it hard to say where JK's head was in the first half of 2023, and I sort of can't really connect to JK of Jan-July 2023 like I did in the past. It seems to me he was very determined to be this cool, successful man at that time. It's also interesting that JM didn't spend time with neither him nor Tae up until July last year. That's also unusual.

Shipping aside, these two episodes really made me appreciate JM even more. I've always known how gracious and sweet he is, but he was such a good sport even when very sick, so appreciative, mature, yet fun and light and emotionally present. My standards when it comes to him are always high, and he somehow always manages to surpass them. I think he would be a great influence on anyone, and he especially well balances JK. It's sort of sad how I am already seeing people using JK's words to attack JM when Jimin was such a supportive friend for JK during this whole trip. I appreciate JK saying he is "obviously grateful" that Jimin came. Maybe he already had told that to JM many times, but it was important for the audience to hear it as well, considering how JM gets hate for "forcing JK to go on the trip" 🙄