#i love their lu dynamic but i also think they should stand as their own characters yknow?

[autumnoakes]

since playing twilight princess again i cannot get behind the lu fandom characterization of twilight and wild i'm sorry. like i think twilight would be an overprotective big brother figure towards wild, absolutely. but wild doesn't take that sitting down. he doesn't like being coddled, and it's pretty clear (side note: i do really appreciate the analysis posts about wars and how hard he's been on wild potentially pushing wild closer and closer to a rather big memory. you can sort of see how twilight is not happy with how warriors is acting, but he's not saying anything right now. probably because it's not his place to, and also probably because wild wouldn't want him to right now).

i think that twilight and wild have a very different relationship to what most of the lu fandom thinks. they're close - that much is obvious from how they react when the other is hurt, and how twilight pushed through the rest to get to wild during the memories comic. but i think that a lot of the time, it feels like wild only exists around twilight, or he can't be left without twi otherwise he'll "do something stupid" or whatever. wild doesn't exactly appreciate twi's protectiveness or his advice all of the time, but he still looks up to twilight. despite whatever went down when they first met, wild worked to gain twi's trust in order for them to be so close. they're equals - just like the rest of the chain are equals. and yes, wild does a fair amount of dumb things and he's impulsive about it, but i would like to argue that twilight also does a fair amount of dumb things (in game and in comic)

(i think it also kinda feeds in to how wild is sort of infantilized by the fanbase. he's already not exactly trusted by the rest of the chain (legend especially, for some reason), and i think i'd like to explore that and how his relationship with legend formed. they seem to think he's sort of a loose cannon, especially after the previous arcs. wild hasn't seemed to realize it yet, but i do think something is coming, especially with him and warriors)

[chenqingssuibian]

Jiang Yanli and Wei Wuxian for the ask meme

two-for-one special, huh?

from this post!

How I feel about this character:

Jiang Yanli: ULTIMATE EXAMPLE OF CHARACTERS WHO DESERVED BETTER. Jiang Yanli is everything. She is the it girl. She is my favorite female character except for MAYBE A-Qing. She makes me wish I had a big sister, y’all. God, I wish she had gotten to meet her son - like, actually meet him, and get to know him. (When she died, he was... what, a year old at most? Not MUCH personality there, gotta say.) I wish she had gotten to grow old, man. Jiang Yanli was born to be a grandma, and the fact that she never got to be. Is upsetting. My girl is artistic, she is smart, she is brave (standing up to Jin Zixun!!!! A man who is 100% stronger than her!!!!! From a much stronger and wealthier sect!!!!) and GOD is she kind. Yanli, my beloved <3

Wei Wuxian: He is the main character and he is the main character for a REASON. This man? A mess, through and through. He is also a genius and he will not let you forget it, nor will he let you forget how SEXY he is. Yes Wei Wuxian we know your ass is fat you don’t need to remind me. I love this freaky lil necromancer. So sexy of him to invent that. He doesn’t have a SINGLE uncomplicated relationship, no, that’s too easy. He doesn’t even get to have a simple relationship with A-Yuan, because of course he doesn’t. Wei Wuxian is a flawed man who has committed atrocities and kindnesses in turn. He is simultaneously a grave robber who desecrates corpses on the regular, and ALSO the kind of dude who will attempt (and succeed) to resurrect a guy who he barely knows, even though it seems hopeless, because he is duty-bound. He takes his debt to the Wen siblings so, so seriously, he takes so much so seriously and that is why he doesn’t put effort into, for example, naming his weapons, or other bullshit. He has priorities, man. I love him. 

Romantic Ships:

Jiang Yanli: I’m a slut for xuanli, my token straight ship. Half of it is because I just really love Jin Ling, and if they weren’t a thing... he wouldn’t be either. But ALSO: Jin Zixuan resents her not because she’s her, but because he is being forced to marry her. Once that pressure is pulled off (though honestly? Not completely, because let’s be real - Madame Jin was probably pushing for that marriage all through Sunshot) and he gets the chance to... actually get to know her? He falls in love, y’all. I like to think Jiang Yanli, softhearted as she is, made him work to woo her as much as she was able. Gotta put effort into Jiang Yanli, Zixuan, it’s what she DESERVES! Other than them, yanqing is very good! I read some fics where she married Lan Xichen, which was lovely, and then there’s that series where she gets married to Jin Guangyao instead of Zixuan (though I can’t remember the name of it, rip.) There are very many options, for Yanli, and all of them good. give her a harem

Wei Wuxian: Wangxian goes without saying - they’re the core of the series, after all, if I didn’t like them at least a little... there wouldn’t be a point in me running a blog for this series, would there? Ningxian, unrequited or otherwise, is also very sexy. Wangningxian, too, and, as mentioned in the ask about Lan Xichen, I am into xixian! Xiaoxian also slaps - I’ve written a blurb for them, and plan on expanding it into something larger... at some point. Also, there are some really great (though DEFINITELY not for the light-hearted) xuexian fics out there, if you’re interested.

Non-Romantic Ships/BroTPS:

Jiang Yanli: Yanli and her brothers, Yanli and Wen Ning, Yanli and Everyone, Basically. Everyone should be friends with Jiang Yanli. She is very friend-shaped, and honestly? If everyone was her friend, a lot of shit would’ve gone down better. 

Wei Wuxian: I think the dynamic between Wei Wuxian, Jiang Cheng, and Jiang Yanli is just. So fuckin’ delicious. There are layers of love and devotion and propriety and conflicts of all of those things and GOD. I love them. I also thing Wei Wuxian should’ve been a menace as a child on the streets with Xue Yang. I would’ve liked to see it. Nie Huaisang is also a Very Good Bro, who I love him with immensely (and also think he should kiss a little bit)

Unpopular Opinion:

Jiang Yanli: Not to NSFW, but a lot of y’all seem to think she’s the kinkiest bitch on the block, and honestly? I don’t see it. I think her favorite position is missionary. I am so sorry to the pegging stans I just don’t think she has the core strength to make that good.

Wei Wuxian: HE. IS. MORALLY. GRAY. AT. BEST. Particularly during Sunshot and the immediate aftermath, but honestly, Wei Wuxian is not the liberator of the people, or something. He is a very talented man who, when he feels it is the right thing to do, will do anything - and what is right can be subjective and situational. He’s his own villain in a lot of ways, and the villain of many other people’s stories. Honestly, I can’t blame people for being afraid of him, or trying to put limits on what he can do - unchecked power is always bad. Always. Even when someone I like has it. 

What I wish would happen/had happened in canon:

Jiang Yanli: Uh. I wish she had fucking LIVED? I get WHY she had to die, so Jin Ling could... be Jin Ling, and Jiang Cheng would finally have something he really, truly couldn’t forgive Wei Wuxian for. I get that her death is the final nail in his coffin, or whatever. But seeing her simply get INJURED for him would’ve been enough, I think? I don’t think she needed to die, is what I’m saying, and I think MDZS could’ve been even more interesting, narratively speaking, if she hadn’t. Then again, I’m a Xuan Lu simp, so it is possible I simply wish we had had More Of Her.

Wei Wuxian: Therapy, as always. Otherwise, he’s pretty much got it made? Man came back from the dead, got some old friends back, solved a mystery, found out his sort-of son he raised in a graveyard for a while wasn’t dead at all, and then got married to the love of his life. He’s good on that front. Reconciliation with Jiang Cheng is really all I want, past that.

[syncogon]

[QZGS meta] what’s in an OP? dawning glory (pt 3)

(part 1) (part 2) 

This is the third and last post in my little series analyzing the opening theme of The King’s Avatar Season 2! Honestly, this whole thing became way longer than I was expecting. I guess this is what happens when all my immense amount of love for this series, accumulated over years of no-donghua-updates, overlaps with my immense amount of love for anime openings. 

Watched the first and second episodes yesterday, and they really sparked a lot of joy. :D I missed Blue River so much :D

Yesterday, they released the OST for Season 2, which includes the TV cut and full versions of the OP and ED, as well as two insert songs, and the instrumental versions of all of the above. I’ve yet to find anywhere that lets me download the audio files (hoping they’ll be reuploaded to youtube or bilibili soon), but in the meantime you can listen here. They’re really good songs!  https: //www. kuwo. cn/album_detail/15792659

Anyway, let’s finish up this OP analysis!

Now here, we reach the true climax as we enter the chorus section. This next segment is definitely the highest-energy part of the entire opening. It’s a montage of Happy’s characters showing off their moves, timed to the music; there’s not too much deeper meaning, but damn if it doesn’t look fantastic. The animation flows from one character and scene to the next so smoothly, so beautifully, it’s just incredibly hype to see. This is what you get when you specifically choreograph/animate sequences for the opening instead of just reusing shots from the main show! (Parts of some of these shots appeared in episode 1, but I do honestly think that it’s more likely that the show reused shots from the opening than the other way around, just because of how perfectly the OP fits together. I also don’t think it’s super noticeable in-show; I’ve just been watching this obsessively.)

In particular I love the line that kicks this all off: “just put on your battle armor and step onto the road to the unknown.” Specifically, though, the rhythm of the lyric is, “jiu pi shang zhan jia ta shang wei zhi qian fang,” with emphasizing accents on the -ang sounds. This isn’t how you would divide the phrase naturally, but because the (syncopated!!) melody accents these notes/syllables, the rhyming effect really stands out and it feels as clever and satisfying as a rap lyric. Moreover, the emphasis times juuust right with the attacks of Soft Mist, Steamed Bun Invasion, and Windward Formation, a perfect example of how music and visuals mutually reinforce each other for maximum cool effect. 

It’s generally easier to rhyme in Chinese than English, because of a smaller phonetic vocabulary. From the chorus onward, the key rhyme is on the “-ang” sound (think “ahng” or “ong”, not “aang” like the Avatar), which is a good choice - powerful, reverberant. The asymmetry of the syllable’s use in this section - the song’s lines are all different lengths at this part, so you’re kept on your toes as to when the pattern will reappear - helps add to the engaging excitement of the song. This is also the syllable used for most of the rhymes in the second half of the first OP. 

jiu pi shang zhan jia ta shang wei zhi qian fang

hui qi shou zhong wo jin de na shu guang

you ni men zai lu shang__

shi li liang

I really love One Inch Ash’s design. Concealed Light had a big redesign for this season, and honestly I like it as well. And notice here that he’s holding a book - exactly how we left Luo Ji when we saw him last! 

“Waving the light clenched tightly in our hand” - that is to say, brandishing our light as our weapon, no matter what form it may take - a sword, a book, our hope and determination. 

On a purely musical note (ha), right at this point, specifically the measure beginning with “那束光,” you can hear a three-note “ooo” harmony line in the background, and wow it’s so subtle but I love it so much! A similar three-note line actually appears earlier too (during the “crossing the frozen finish line,” right as the music is building up), also to great effect.  

We follow Concealed Light’s gaze upward to the building to see Deception running along the wall, from which he does a flip and slashes downward with twin blades. I love that transition a lot, but my favorite transition of this entire sequence has to be the following one:

Yes! Deception’s cross slash resolves perfectly into the cross held by Little Cold Hands. It’s so fast and so natural you don’t even notice it, and that’s the absolute beauty of it. The first time I saw this, I was in awe - the animators really brought their A-game to this, far better than I ever would have dared hope for this series.

And Little Cold Hands is so pretty! When we got our first art of her official design, the comments were filled with people simping for her, and honestly, valid. I’m surprised her hair is purple instead of pink, but that’s just a minor thing. 

There’s something especially powerful about how she raises her cross in time with the lyric “having you all here [with me] on this road,” and then the cross flashing brilliantly with “it’s power.” More than any other role, the healer is a team player. And this theme of team togetherness is particularly important for An Wenyi, who is deeply moved by the team’s perhaps illogical faith in him. Remember that analogy Ye Xiu tells him, of the straw tied to the deluxe mitten crab? 

An aside: listening to this, I always thought the line should be 有你们在身旁 instead of 有你们在路上, because it still fits the rhyme, because my past experience has somewhat conditioned me to expect that phrase, and because the full message of “having you by my side is power” just makes me wanna tear up like what a good line! So it felt like a missed opportunity that they didn’t use that. But as it turns out, the final iteration of this chorus in the full version of the OP does, in fact, use “by my side”! And I think making this tiny tweak to the lyric the final time you here it just makes it that much stronger :’)

I’m also just a big fan of the “it’s power” melodic flourish in general, since it comes as a surprise. You kind of expect the melody to end with the previous phrase, but the extra notes here add a really nice emphatic beat to finish off the line. 

So to recap the transitions: we see Soft Mist falling from the sky and get a close up of her face as she stabs her spear; this takes us to a closeup of Steamed Bun’s face facing roughly the same direction before we zoom out to his torso and he slashes from lower left of the screen to upper right; following the motion of that slash we see Windward Formation’s torso rotate in that direction as the camera zooms out farther; we follow the rays of his attack to see One Inch Ash drawing his sword; we zoom in on the flashing blade and zoom out on Concealed Light’s glowing book; we follow his gaze upward to see Deception running along the building behind him; Deception leaps and slashes and the slash becomes Little Cold Hands’ cross, which raises up and triggers an explosion. It’s just so dynamic and smooth even without taking place in one continuous setting, and it just really, really gets you hyped. 

Also, starting from Happy’s team picture at the start of the chorus, which is during the day, it feels like Soft Mist and Steamed Bun’s moves are at late afternoon, Windward Formation and One Inch Ash take us to nighttime, and then you can see the first rays of morning in Concealed Light and Deception’s segments. This continuity also definitely helps with the feeling of natural flow through these scenes. 

Anyway, this entire action segment is just so beautiful, I could watch it on loop. But we still have the final segment of this OP to analyze, so let’s keep going.

After the action sequences of the climax, we settle down a bit now as we approach the end. Here we see the Excellent Era team picture, in the same style as the team pics we saw earlier, but presented separately. It makes sense, as the role they play in the story is different from the roles of all the other teams. 

Sun Xiang, Liu Hao, and Cui Li are at the bottom. Because we’re panning up, these three are the first we see. At first glance, the way they’re positioned is fairly consistent with the team pics we’ve seen already: Captain Sun Xiang at center-right, the largest figure; vice-captain Liu Hao, manager Cui Li in the background. 

Sun Xiang’s position and expression is really the only one that fits the healthy pattern of the teams we’ve seen already - looking toward the camera, a confident (though arrogant) smile. He might be misguided, but there’s hope for him yet. Notice how Liu Hao isn’t even looking at the camera, which as we’ve seen before is somewhat of an indication of how unified and focused the team is toward its goal; instead, Liu Hao is doing his own thing, determined to prioritize his own desires over what’s best for the team. And manager Cui Li is in this image too, despite not even being a player. His sinister presence reflects the unhealthy interference of the business side in the gaming side. Excellent Era’s downfall comes about because of its prioritization of profit over victory.

As we pan up, Excellent Era’s logo comes into view. It’s larger than any of the other team logos we’ve seen so far, spanning around three-quarters of the screen whereas the others looked to span no more than half. Excellent Era’s legacy is a weighty one, to date the only team to have ever won three championships, and consecutively to boot. 

It’s this immense, shining logo that seems to be casting Tao Xuan on the left into shadow. He cuts a large figure, reflecting the deep impact his actions have had upon the main plot of this story, even though he’s only now appearing for the first time in the donghua.

However, he’s also turned away from the camera, such that we can barely even see his closed eye. Because of that, it’s difficult to read his expression, but the impression given by this pose is not one of vindictive pride, but one of shame, as though he can’t quite bear to face what he’s done. On some level, no matter how he might try to rationalize it as necessary, Tao Xuan knows that his profit-driven betrayal of Ye Xiu was a pretty awful thing to do. It might be this amount of guilt that leads him to offer Ye Xiu a wish granted, a tribute to their years of friendship and partnership before their ties are severed completely.

In the end, Tao Xuan’s greed leaves him with nothing really to show for it. What had he gained? What had he lost? Those realizations are still a ways off in the story, but I like how this OP is already hinting at the depth of his character. Tao Xuan isn’t some glasses-flashing, evil-laughing, one-dimensional antagonist; he is in fact very realistic for the setting. We can condemn his actions and priorities, but at the same time we can understand how he ended up here.

As for Su Mucheng, her eyes are closed as well. She’s brightly illuminated, but pointedly turned away from all of the others in Excellent Era; she knows the direction of her future, and that it no longer lies with Excellent Era. Her loyalty was always to Ye Xiu, and as soon as he was banished, her relationship to the team was professional and nothing more. 

“This light hidden in my heart is burning” - there are many ways to read this lyric and what exactly the light referenced here is, but because the line is paired with this image, I naturally think about Su Mucheng’s situation. Despite her pretty-vase, sweet-girl appearance, she holds a deep, profound anger at everything that happened regarding Excellent Era. It’s a testament to her immense strength of character that she lasted the remaining one and a half years of her contract in this hostile environment. 

Yet even as she resolves to cut ties, there’s a sadness in her expression. She was here from the very beginning as well, when Excellent Era was no more than an internet cafe, and it pains her immensely that the powerhouse, championship team that they and her brother had built from the ground up would ultimately meet this tragic end.

It’s interesting to note that both of the “redeemable” characters here (namely Su Mucheng and Sun Xiang) are on the right, more brightly-lit side of the screen, so there’s a nice little dividing line you can draw there. Sun Xiang’s eyes are still looking toward the left, though, revealing how his character development still has yet to play out.

From there we cut to Ye Xiu holding Lord Grim’s account card. He’s standing back on top of the roof from the beginning of the OP, now in full daylight.

As mentioned… the animators really went ham on the bangs animation.

Ye Xiu turns away from the railing, the camera cuts to an image of Happy’s logo on a flag waving in the wind, and then we zoom out to see the current members of Team Happy gathered together in uniform, standing proud in the light of day. Left to right, Steamed Bun, Tang Rou, Luo Ji, Ye Xiu, An Wenyi, Wei Chen, Chen Guo. Presumably, this will be Happy’s lineup by the end of the season. 

Up until now, we’ve only seen the real players separate from each other - they’ve all been in different places, never even in the same frame together. (This, of course, also contrasts the pro team pics that we have, which show everyone together.) Halfway through the OP, we got the group shot of them meeting in game with their characters. And now, they’ve finally met up in the real world as well. 

One thing I like about this final pose is how it compares to the final pose of the OVA OP. It’s the same kind of power-pose vibe, but there we only had Ye Xiu, Chen Guo, and Tang Rou. Look at how we’ve grown since then! They’re well on their way to being a proper pro team! 

And that’s a wrap! With this final image of Team Happy gathered together, we’re ready to enter the episode proper. 

So let’s talk about the OP as a whole. Generally, an OP serves a couple of main roles: a) tells you a bit about what the show is about, b) gives you an overall feeling / mood for the show, c) gets you hyped and ready to watch the upcoming episode.

How well does this opening achieve those goals? Pretty well, as we’ve seen. Past OPs did a pretty good job of setting the mood, but they honestly just put some pretty visuals on the screen, only vaguely aligned to the music, and called it a day. This OP, however, has a cohesive storyline to tell, framed around Team Happy’s coming together (following the tagline of this season). Even in such a short span of time, it manages to convey so much information about its story and characters, both overt and implicit (as I hope this series of posts has managed to convince you). Paired with the music, which has its own deeper meanings encoded in the lyrics, the OP becomes incredibly effective and memorable as it makes its statement.

I mentioned an “interest curve” earlier (interest in the sense of interesting, not the money); this is part of the standard formula for anime opening songs, in my experience. I’m a little too lazy to draw a graph myself, so take a look at this image:

(source: https: //www. researchgate. net/figure/Example-of-an-interest-curve-for-a-successful-entertainment-experience_fig1_333917625 )

Although not all of the relative heights and segment lengths are accurate in this specific case, hopefully the general shape of the interest curve is enough to demonstrate my point. You’ve got the A-B peak at the opening instrumental segment, the C-D peak/arc over verse 1, the D-E-F peak/arc over verse 2, then the sharp F-G-H peak over the chorus before dropping off for a smooth landing right into the episode. This general pattern is effective at holding the viewer’s focus and managing their excitement over the course of this one and a half minutes. 

Visually, the OP is just such a treat for the eyes. I’ve already talked about many of the little details I love - lighting, character designs, animations, transitions, etc. - but all in all the new animation studio is doing a really good job here. An OP is how you hook people, and I’d definitely feel comfortable using this to try and bait people into watching this show. 

One comment I want to add is about the incorporation of the credits, which we didn’t see until the episode premiere. I don’t think there’s anything too exciting to say (and I also don’t have access to any images right now since the OP was only shown in episode 2), but the fonts and styling were a nice choice - it gave a gaming vibe, but if I recall it still used a serif font, so it didn’t feel overly modern - and the text positioning generally complements instead of distracting. I also liked how they showed the lyrics! I didn’t really expect them to include them onscreen, or if they did, I thought they would just be plain subs like they were in this video. But in the actual OP that plays at the beginning of the episode, they’re as much a part of the art as the credits!

If I had to make any criticism, my biggest complaint about the OP is, I think, the singers. I think having two different singers trade off can work nicely, but in this case, the switches are jarring because their voices are so different. The first singer has a lower, gravely voice, while the second singer’s voice sounds much brighter and more nasally. Furthermore, the first switch doesn’t come until we’re fully halfway through the song, which means that by that point we’re already used to this first singer. It’s also strange that they’d switch back to the first voice at the climax of the song, when I think the second voice would suit the high-energy segment much better. Switching from second to first right at this point feels like we’re actually taking a step down in energy, which is the opposite of what should be happening here. 

Still, my main problem isn’t with the voice switching but with the voices themselves, and I think the voices are something I could get used to. The third switch, going from the first voice back to the second voice during the shot of Excellent Era, is much less jarring than the others - I actually like how it feels like the solo is passing naturally from one person to the next, emphasizing the ideals of this not being a single-player game and all that. For that transition in particular, I think (because of the added “it’s power” flourish) it happens too quickly for one person to sing it comfortably, so having another person pick up the line works best. And I do like how the voices sound when they overlay together for the final lines of the song. 

So, overall? Overall, this OP is really damn good. It’s everything I could have asked for and more. After such a long wait, the OP, at least, does not disappoint, and I’m extremely excited to see what the series has in store for us. 

If you’ve read to this point, thank you! I like this series a lot, as you can probably see, and I’m treating it as my glory :)

[henshengs]

stripedroseandsketchpads replied to your post “I am so passionate in my belief that mdzs instantly becomes twice as...”

^^ (I do like Yanli's big sister issues and like, the way in which she kinda. Grows into those stereotypes, and also I usually keep JC bc the family dynamic in my AU of '2 older sisters that he's somehow expected to be in charge of/who are meant to defer to him and it's WEIRD' is smth I'm attached to but... v v interesting on both counts... I'd love to hear thoughts if you had more?)

so I know it’s an unpopular opinion, but Yanli never grew on me. There’s definitely a lot of interesting potential there in her parentification and eldest daughter syndrome, but canon never does anything with it that satisfies me. She is defined solely as daughter/sister/mother, never allowed to express any emotion besides gentle concern for the men to whom she is a morality pet/motivation object, and her role in the narrative is to be fridged. Xuan Lu is an amazing actor but I can’t stand the character.

Make her male though, and, well, he’s still flat, but male characters are so rarely this kind of morality pet that I’m suddenly interested. Especially once we consider why a male character would end up in that self sacrificial caretaking role, why he’d be disqualified as a sect heir. I end up imagining basically Nie Huaisang as an eldest child: untalented and uninterested in cultivation or combat or politics, also gay as hell, possibly visibly so in a way that damages his credibility as an heir (though I know very little about gender nonconformity in a xianxia setting).

Jiang Cheng, meanwhile, is a kind of common trope of The Unfavorite Brother that I usually can’t stand because it’s never executed quite the way I want it. MDZS pulled off a miracle and actually did execute it just to my tastes, but she’d still be so much more interesting as a woman with that kind of storyline. Her love of roughhousing with her brother becomes something she is even more ashamed of, not simply because her mother hates him and Jiang Cheng’s love feels like a betrayal, but because tomboyish behavior isn’t proper and Jiang Cheng is very concerned with propriety and appearances and pride. Her feelings of inadequacy become so much sharper when Wei Wuxian, head disciple, is there being male and perfect and everything her father thinks a sect leader should be. Her resentment of Wei Wuxian’s shamelessness and freedom is bitterer. Her despair after losing her core is more acute because without cultivation, she has nothing, she’s just a girl. And yeah, her relationship with her mother is even more toxic because Madame Yu is also projecting all her own issues with the patriarchy onto her daughter. 

Then there’s Jin Zixuan and Wen Qing. In the book it’s stated that madames Jin and Yu made a promise when they were young that if their firstborn children were the same gender they’d be sworn siblings, and if they were different genders they’d be betrothed. So in this universe, Jiang Yanli and Jin Zixuan are sworn brothers, and I think Jin Zixuan becomes deeply attached to him. We see that he has an affection for those he perceives as underdogs- defending MianMian, defending the maid he thinks is bringing him soup, defending Jin Guangyao to their father. I can see him becoming protective of his older sworn brother who the other young cultivators are disgusted by because he is so weak and unmanly. 

I think the Jins would push for a Jiang Cheng/Jin Zixuan betrothal but Madame Yu would oppose it because Jiang Cheng needs to stay in Lotus Pier and rule, either directly or in Jiang Yanli’s name, because otherwise there’s a real chance Wei Wuxian ends up in charge and she can’t stand that thought. 

Then there’s Wen Qing. Jiang Cheng meets her at Gusu Summer Camp and loses her entire mind, because gay first crushes often feel like more of a Huge Deal than straight ones. And she freaks out because she has to be perfect so she can be Sect Leader, she cannot spend all day fantasizing about Wen Qing railing her!!! Da-ge I think I’m gay pls help 

[grlbandit]

Opening lines: why they’re important and examples

As I’m rewriting my novel, I’ve been thinking a lot about opening lines. There is a lot of pressure to get it exactly right. After all, it is the first thing your readers come in contact with and determines whether or not they are going to keep reading.

First lines are supposed to hook your reader. Getting them to keep reading is the most important, but a first line should also accurately reflect the tone of your story and highlight your voice. 

It sounds like a lot to do, but the good authors do it seamlessly. There is a level of ease to their work where they are showing you just enough to pique your interest without trying to do too much. And it doesn’t always take a lot of text to get there. 

Here are some that I pulled from books around my house as well as a few on my reading list:

“Marianne answers the door when Connell rings the bell.” --Normal People by Sally Rooney

This is very simple, but does a great job of of setting up the theme and power dynamic that continues throughout the book.

“The morning one of the lost twins returned to Mallard, Lou LeBon ran to the diner to break the news, and even now, many years later, everyone remembers the shock of sweaty Lou pushing through the glass doors, chest heaving, neckline darkened with his own effort.” --The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

I love how Brit Bennett drops you right into the action. This line provides a ton of information and set up (the lost twins definitely grabs my attention), while doing it in such a beautiful and detailed way.

“It’s too damn cold of a day to be out on a hunt.” --Warcross by Marie Lu

I’ve read a lot of Marie Lu and what is great about this line is that it gives you a lot of information in very little space. Hunt leaves you curious about who this main character is and what she does, while too damn cold shows both voice (damn) and setting (cold).

“The drain looked the same every time, with all the people screaming as they ran away from the giant dark cloud of chaos but never running fast enough.” --Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth

Again, Veronica Roth is dropping you right into the action. This ominous imagery really sets the tone for the novel.

“It began the usual way in the bathroom of the Lassimo Hotel.”  --A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

So much is packed into this little sentence. The bathroom of the Lassimo Hotel is super specific, while it began the usual way makes you want to keep reading to find out what “it” is.

“One of the very first bullets comes in through the open window above the toilet where Luca is standing.” --American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

Another great example of starting in the middle of the action and immediately connecting you to the character (Luca).

“He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air.” --The Maze Runner by James Dashner

While The Maze Runner is by no means my favorite book, I think James Dashner is an incredible world builder and pulls you in right away with his imagery.

Now that we’ve looked at those, here are some general tips as you go to write your first line:

Start right in the middle of the action

Consider tone when writing your first line

Don’t start with dialogue

You don’t have to cover it all in the first line: just enough information for your reader to want to keep going

What are you reading? What first lines drew you in? I want to know! Feel free to reblog or comment with some of your favorite first lines.

Previous Posts:

Getting notes and how to use them

Thoughts on rewriting while writing

Writing when you have a day job

Note: edited with extra information/analysis

[somedayonbroadway]

I’m not the same anon (Lu)- but I reallyy wanna hear the cancer one, I’m really curious.

Well hi Anon that’s not Lu! I’m so glad to have you!

Read this brainstorm below!

Okay, so in this universe, Race and Jack are full brothers and Crutchie is their half brother. Race is once again the youngest (because I love writing them this way).

Jack is raising Race after fighting their father for custody. Their father was mentally abusive, something Jack only caught onto when his best friend Davey questioned him about their relationship. Their mother died a couple years after Racer was born from an overdose.

Their dad had an affair with another woman, resulting in Crutchie. He got divorced to his first wife, who took Jack, and then waited around for Charlie to be born only to leave his mistress with his illegitimate child and have what he thought would be a one nighter with his ex wife, resulting in Racer. They got remarried after he was born.

I love their odd family dynamic.

Anyways, Jack takes custody of Race when he’s twenty one. Race is only eleven. He’s an energetic, very active kid who loves to run and dance and sing and jump on Jack’s back and wrestle with him. He’s just a little ray of sunshine.

Charlie stays with his mother because she takes care of him and Jack knows that. But it’s still hard for him to be separated from his other brother.

One day, when Race is about thirteen, he comes down with a fever. Jack doesn’t think much of it. He keeps Race home from school and stays with him and takes care of him like any parent would.

Only Race doesn’t get better. He loses a lot of weight much too quickly and after about a week and a half of what Jack believes to be the flu, Jack finally scoops his baby brother up and takes him to urgent care where they do a lot of blood tests on the kid.

It isn’t too much longer before they find out.

Race is hospitalized at this point. Jack is sitting with him, holding his hand while he slips in and out of consciousness. The doctor comes in and tells them he has the results. As gently as he can, he tells the boy and the boy’s big brother.

Leukemia.

The first thing Race asks is if he’s going to die. He can see the fear in Jack’s eyes. That’s what scares him the most.

The doctor is kind and patient and describes a few different treatment options. Jack doesn’t let go of Race’s hand the entire time. And when the doctor leaves, Race still doesn’t fully understand, so he asks Jack what’s going to happen to him, if he’s gonna be okay and Jack tells him he’ll be right back, that he needs to make a call or go to the bathroom or something and he leaves the room and completely breaks down.

He has to call Charlie and tell him. And Charlie (eighteen at this point) immediately drives down to the hospital to see them. He finds Jack sobbing in a waiting room. Jack is so scared of losing his littlest brother.

Crutchie calms Jack down enough for him to go back into Race’s hospital room where Crutchie immediately lays with Race and lets his little brother curl up against him. He holds Race while he cries and starts apologizing like it’s his fault this is happening.

Jack somehow lays with them and holds them both and tells Race that none of this is his fault and that it’s all gonna be okay.

Race is hospitalized as he receives treatment. They start him on chemotherapy. He begins to lose his hair quickly. Jack stays with him at night and Crutchie changes his entire schedule around to stay with Race during the day. He takes night classes.

Race constantly feels like a burden and tells Crutchie and Jack to just leave him and go home and sleep in their own beds but they always manage to cheer him up. Charlie is constantly buying him gifts like blankets and beanies and books. Jack feels guilty because he can’t afford to buy Race gifts and pay for his treatment at the same time. But Race is always just excited to see Jack when he comes in.

Race is a pretty shy kid when he’s not with his brothers, so growing up he didn’t have too many friends. He mostly clung to his brothers and would’ve rather been with them than anyone else. But he gets a whole bunch of letters from his classmates. He hates them. They make him feel like some kind of charity case, like people only care because he might be dying.

Some kids come to visit Race. Half of them admit it’s because their parents made them. But a couple of them stick around because Race actually takes a liking to them. Albert DaSilva and Oscar Delancey.

Albert and Oscar are different than the others. They treat Race like anyone else, rather than talking down to him or treating him in different ways. Albert admits that he lost his mother to cancer way after Race meets him. Oscar just always liked Race and understood his sense of humor.

Jack is thrilled that his baby finally has some friends and some people that make the hospital say a little more tolerable for him and people who can stay with him along with just him and Crutchie. Crutchie often sits on his computer doing homework while Albert, Oscar and Race talk and play card games.

At some point, when Jack comes back to the hospital, he finds Albert and Race curled up with each other on his bed. Oscar tells him that Race fell asleep and started crying for Jack and Crutchie had gone to get some coffee so Albert just cuddled up next to him and hugged him.

Jack would take pictures. He’d be so happy that Race had friends who cared about him so much.

High school would eventually start for Albert and Oscar. Race would still be in the hospital. Since he was getting some side effects from all the treatment, they’d need to keep him there most of the time. Race constantly tells Jack how he misses his own bed and his own free will. There’s only a few days at a time when Race is allowed to go home and he always looks forward to them.

But he feels inferior when his friends get to go to high school and he doesn’t.

Meanwhile, Jack is working two jobs during the day while also trying to get a third to support Racer. But that’s just making it harder on Race who only wants to see his brother all the time.

After a couple more months of struggling, Race is done with the treatment and is said to be cured.

Race is ecstatic. Jack and Crutchie even more so.

Race goes to school with Albert and Oscar where he realizes that high school is actually horrible and he hates it. He and Albert and Oscar are typically trying to finds ways to hide from their peers and terrorize the popular kids.

They start doing a lot of pranks and Oscar is the one who starts getting them to do things that just along the border of illegal

Jack becomes a cop and busts them doing stupid shit all the time, going so far as to put cuffs of Race at some point and pretend to arrest him. It scares Race enough to knock it off.

Everything is as normal as it can be for two years after that.

When Race is sixteen, they get the news.

It’s back.

Race goes pretty much hysterical right away. He runs from the room. He can’t accept it. He doesn’t want to be bedridden again, he doesn’t want to be away from his friends, he doesn’t want to fall behind in school, he doesn’t want to be helpless anymore.

Jack runs after him and Race tells him he should just give up, that he doesn’t want to do it anymore. And Jack asks him if he wants to live and Race says yes. So Jack tells him he needs to fight.

Jack would have to calm him down while Crutchie asked the doctor some more questions while he himself tried not to cry.

It would be harder this time. The treatment would be even more brutal for Race this time. It would be ten times harder for him because Jack is now a cop, training to be a detective who works long, odd hours. He hardly gets to see him. But Charlie is there for him as much as he can be. Albert and Oscar come all the time for him, especially when he texts them for cuddles.

He has a lot of trouble sleeping in the hospital which causes his friends to get him things that are fuzzy and soft and warm. They help him with his studying and his homework.

And Jack is often the one to get Race to sleep.

And that brings a lot of comfort to Jack. See, Jack is struggling at work. He is a junior detective. He was being trained by a man he had once been very close to. A man named William Snyder. The guy turned out to be dirty. Jack knows it and no one else does and he’s going to turn him in.

He just waits too long.

One night when going in to visit his baby brother, after being told Race was sleeping for the first time in days, he enters only to find Snyder standing over the kid, petting his forehead and watching over him while he sleeps. Jack freezes and starts to tell Snyder that he needs to leave, but Snyder doesn’t.

He starts to make threats. He tells Jack that he needs to back off before some really unfortunate things begin to happen. Jack still tries to argue. So Snyder quickly injects Race with something and tells Jack he can either get help for Race or call for back up in time to catch him.

Jack opts for saving Race before he can even think. He tries to shake Race awake but the boy won’t wake up.

Snyder injected him with some kind of poison. They catch it, but Race is even more sick for a week afterwards.

Jack is furious and spends a lot of his time trying to figure out where Snyder has gone. He can’t find him.

Race is understandably scared to death and hates it whenever Jack leaves and has an even harder time sleeping. He actually gets Jack to call out of work a few times because he’s scared of Snyder coming back.

Eventually, Race is released from the hospital once again and he goes back to school, a bit more cautious about who he talks to and is a bit more reserved than he had been before. He and Oscar begin to fight a bit.

Race hates it. But it’s hard for him to stop. Especially with Jack working 24/7 on finding Snyder.

One night Race goes home to find Snyder and Jack fighting inside. They have been for a while. Race realizes immediately that Snyder has intended on killing Jack quick and easy when he sees the silencer on the gun they’re both reach for.

Jack tells Race to run. Race does, but he’s still not his strongest and he doesn’t want to leave his brother. He only makes it into the kitchen before he hears a gun go off.

He runs back out to find Jack on the ground and Snyder standing over him. Jack reacts fast and pulls Race down behind him, trying to protect him.

Snyder hears the cops coming. Someone heard the commotion. Snyder goes to run, but gets caught and Race is left with Jack bleeding out in his arms.

After years of fighting to survive, Race never thought he’d switch roles with Jack.

Jack is having trouble breathing while the cops call for an ambulance. Race asks him if he wants to live. Jack says yes. So Race tells Jack that he needs to fight.

Jack dies twice before he’s stabilized at the hospital.

Charlie rushes to Race’s side as soon as he gets the phone call. Race cries himself to sleep in Crutchie’s arms.

The doctor comes out to tell Race and Crutchie that Jack is alive and Race runs to him immediately. He holds Jack’s hand the whole time.

Race curls up at Jack’s side while he recovers, and Crutchie watches over them.

And eventually, maybe everything’s okay.

Yep. A lot happens here. Any questions?

Part of me wants to write something where Jack has cancer. But we’ll see.

Anyways...

Thanks, Anon!

[dammitadolfnomorecake]

🏰⚔️🐲🐲👑 DMODT 50 - update

Curled up with Luca, Eren was in a state of shock. His hand hadn't left his stomach since the healer had left them. He wasn't supposed to be pregnant. No. He couldn't be pregnant. It was impossible. He'd given up that part of his soul, and lost Levi's clutch because of it. This was wrong. All of this was wrong. This was the wrong bed, in the wrong manor, in the wrong country, and to the wrong alpha... He wanted to run, to scream, to claw the life inside of him out, but none of that happened because he just felt so numb to the whole concept of being pregnant... again. Hearing a soft knock on the door, the omega knew it was Armin. Not just because of the lightness of the steps, or the honey smelling soap he used, but because Mikasa refused to let anyone else near his room "Come in!" Luca chirped as he stretched before walking across the blankets of the bed and jumping down with a light thud. He knew when it was breakfast time, and he knew Armin usually brought breakfast up. Given he wasn't allowed to take any herbs that weren't approved by the royal healers, his friend stopped by to collect the herbal powders prescribed for morning sickness, before visiting him. Opening the door, Armin smiled down at Luca "Hello. Are you hungry? I've got some mince for you, as well as your milk" "You're spoiling him" "He's a growing boy. Speaking of growing, how are you feeling today?" "I haven't thrown up yet" "That's progress" There was that, and the smallest of bumps his belly had become in the past few weeks since being told of his pregnancy. He couldn't escape the truth, so why couldn't his mind just accept it? Closing the door, Armin went about fussing over breakfast for Luca. So far no one had tried to get rid of the child, and he didn't know if he was disappointed or not by that "I was thinking we could take Luca for a walk today? It's warm outside, so your lungs should be alright" With no fireplace in his own room quarters, cold nights now meant spending most of his time in shower for the steam. The constant flow of hot water could only come from magic sources "That'd be nice" For Luca. Eren just wanted to stay laying in bed. If he left the window open, the eagle carrying his updates from Eldia would fly right to his bed "Awesome. I did suggest we ride down to the port and take a look around, but Mikasa said it was too dangerous" "For who?" "You. She knows you don't love riding, and that you're not that great at it" "Actually... I can ride quite well now. I wouldn't mind going down to the port" "Really?! You want to go riding? I thought you didn't like horses" "They're not all that bad. I prefer them to ships" "Did you and... never mind..." God. He really should be over it all. It'd been 3 months since Levi left, and everyone was still on eggshells about the topic "We rode for about three weeks. Down from what they call Europe. Though, for about two of those weeks we crossed the desert on camels..." Levi had laid claim to his body, flooded him with his seed over and over. The baby inside of him was supposed to be Levi's. The alpha was everything he wanted in the father of his child. He knew how wrapt he would have been, and how attending and kind... He would have taught their child to ride a horse and wield a sword... The hand against his swell rubbed at it slowly "It's ok" "It's not ok. We wanted children, Armin. We wanted that dream and future. Now I'm pregnant to the wrong alpha, who I haven't seen since he found he was to be a father" "Isn't that a good thing?" "It is. I just... I know it's foolish, but he was... soft? at the party. When I got sick, he actually growled at the people trying to help, then carried me to the carriage" He didn't have feelings for Zeke. But not knowing why he helped... left him wondering if the was ok. Or if he'd seen something like that before with a pervious lover. The man was a sleaze, yet had limited his man-whore ways since they'd wed "Eren, you do know who he is and what he's done?" "I hold no illusions over Zeke's character, and I'm quite sure he'd erase Eldia if he could. But that won't change this... inside of me" "I still can't believe you're actually pregnant" "I can't either. I don't know if it's a clutch or a human child, so I can't say how long the pregnancy will last" "You're around 12 weeks, aren't you?" "Yeah. I've only had sex with Zeke those two nights. When he first told me we'd be wed, I was scared he would force himself upon me each night. It's nice to know all these black scales of mine repulse him enough to keep him away" "I was scared too... I thought you wouldn't be able to come back from what he'd done to you" "Armin, it hurt. It hurt so fucking much... but we all had a dream for Eldia. If it's for the sake of peace, I'll find a way to be ok" The handle of the cup in Armin's hold snapped. Armin letting out a long breath as he placed it down "Armin?" "You shouldn't have to just be ok! I might be a stupid kid, but I don't get it. I don't get how you can sit there, clearly not over your alpha, and still hurt from his leaving you. And you sit there, and... you weren't supposed to fall pregnant to him. When do you get your happy ever after? It's not fair Eren. I don't... you shouldn't have to have to this baby if you don't want it. You shouldn't have to sleep with someone like him, just to keep Eldia safe. You're not even a real prince. If I was prince, I would have married you and kept you in Eldia, where no one could touch you. I hate this place, and I hate what it's doing to you!" "Armin..." "No! You keep talking about peace, but this all too much! I hate it! He broke you and left you! And you still love him! I can't even be mad at him, because he wasn't mentally stable! I want to punch him in the face for leaving, and I want him to come save us from all of this!" Climbing out his bed, Eren walked over to Armin. Gathering his friend into his hold, he nodded "I hate him for leaving me. For leaving Luca. But I'm still in love with him.... I still love and want to be with him... I tried to hide how bad things were, but even that didn't keep him beside me... some nights I can't sleep because I'm so worried that he's hurt somewhere out there. That he's lying in a ditch somewhere bleeding out, and I'll never see him again... we wanted... we wanted a baby so badly, Armin... it's supposed to be his..." Vomit filled his mouth, Eren half shoving Armin away as ran to the bathroom. In his mind, his omega was one great big mess. It hated him for thinking of aborting the child, while Eren hated himself for not being able to. Armin was right. He needed to get out of the manor. Having choked down breakfast, and kept it down for longer than half an hour, the four of them headed out to back lawns of the manor house, as Mikasa wouldn't let him on a horse in his "condition". This was least faking feeling part of whole castle grounds. Long ago another building had stood on the site of the manor, its thick foundations were blackened and broken yet left standing as show of strength. Marley's soldiers had swept in and raised it to the ground, though no one knew just when that was exactly. Eren hated that Marley had destroyed something that would have taken decades to build, but the fact they were still there was proof of something outside of polite fakeness. Enjoying the feeling of the sun, Eren was sitting on the grass beside Armin, while Luca chased Mikasa around as Mikasa tried to work out. Even if the female alpha was annoyed at her having her workout disturbed, she'd become much more adept at hiding it from Luca, calling it stamina training instead of playing chasey. Luca might not have got the concept completely, but he was happy to chance Mikasa around. Sighing to himself, Eren accidentally interrupted the game in front of him, Luca abandoning Mikasa as he came bounding over to Eren "It's ok, Lu. You can keep playing" Chirping, his son swiped at his hand "You want me to play?" "Lu! Luuuuuuu!" "Luca, Eren is..." "Armin, it's ok. Luca hasn't had the attention he deserves since I first found out I was pregnant. I don't want this to impact on my time with him. Luca, you've got to give mummy a chance" Cocking his head sideways, his son smacked his hand again "Ok. Ok. I'm coming" Chasing around after Luca, it turned into a proper game when Armin joined in. His stomach didn't feel great, if anything it felt worse by the second, but Luca was so damn happy as they played. Caught up in their own world, Mikasa was the first to stop playing. Her hand going to her sword. This simple action was enough for Eren to gather Luca up, as he looked for the threat designated by his sister "It's Queen Dina" Queen Dina. He'd been going out of his way to avoid her "We should return to our quarters. She doesn't like me being outside of my room" Mikasa nodded "I know. I've caught Yelena following us more than once. She likes to try and blend in with the rest of the guards here" "Zeke saved her life. She sees him as god, and he didn't help matters" Huffing, Armin wiped his face on his shirt "If she's that great, why didn't he marry her?" "Because she doesn't come with a country that's filled with resources" "She's also not part dragon" Eren nodded quickly "There's that. When Zeke mounted me the first time, he only took scales from my back. If it'd been her, she would probably have realised that there's magic in the scales on my face, rather than the ones on my back. She's stupid for following Zeke, but, still, I get the feeling her mind is always racing and thinking of what comes next. I'm sure Queen Dina would have preferred her as daughter than me" "Eren, don't say that. You're... you're more than your dynamic" "Mikasa. Was that a compliment?" Mikasa's face reddened, Eren feeling himself smile as he pulled her close "And you're the best sister in the world" "I don't know about that. You disappear for months, then when you're finally back, it still feels like you're not here" And there went his smile, kissing his sister on the forehead, he released her "I know. It's been hard, for all of us. I'm getting still getting there... and this baby. I swear my hand's been glued to my stomach since I found out. I wasn't supposed to be able to have children, and now... it's a whole lot of confusion" Mikasa bit her lip "Maybe... maybe the prince was sterile? And not you?" "No... I did a spell that used part of my soul. The part responsible for new life. That's why this..." He gestured to his stomach "...was supposed to be impossible" "I feel like there's a lot you've been keeping from us" "An omega has to have his secrets. We should head in" Queen Dina was standing in the ruined walkway as they approached, making it impossible for the four of them to avoid her. Luca really didn't seem to care much for the woman, his son seemed to perceive her as a natural threat. Reaching Dina, Eren gave a small bow "Your Majesty" "Prince Eren. What do you think you're doing?" "I'm sorry?" "You're in no condition to be debasing yourself this way. I know my son married an unevolved ape, yet I thought perhaps you were more trained than this" "I was simply playing with my son" "It's unbecoming and an eyesore. You may be married to Zeke, but do not think for a moment that I don't know you do not love him, nor do you avail yourself to his bedchambers in the evenings, as you should be. Do not forget you are a guest at our home, and do not think I have forgive you for such disappointing conduct the night your pregnancy was discovered. You've been nothing but a burden to the royal household since you stepped through that front door. The only thing protecting you here was the foolish slip of paper my son signed, so start being a better husband to my boy, or..." Mikasa's anger swelled, stabbing at his nose and flaring his nausea "I'm sorry that caring for my people, and wishing their happiness first and foremost is seen as something disappointing to you. Furthermore, what does or doesn't happen in either of our bed chambers is not your concern. Zeke has chosen to seek sexual pleasures elsewhere, so this child inside of me may very well not be the first conceived, but it is the first in a legal and binding marriage, making it heir to the throne of Marley" Besides, with Zeke's sloppy technique, he was more likely to squash the baby out of him than make him feel any kind of pleasure. Queen Dina pursed her lips "Remember your place. Now, return to your room" Eren gave another bow, before doing just that. He didn't understand Dina at all. Yes, she was royal blood, but Zeke's father hadn't been, or so he'd overheard. Was she still grieving for the man who was long gone? If so, shouldn't she understand how Eren felt? Returning to his room, Eren dismissed Mikasa and Armin. He didn't want to be babysat, and given he intended to shower and sleep, he believed he didn't need an audience. Bathing with Luca, his son nuzzled into his swell. He seemed to have grown more and more attached to the life inside of him, as Eren's stomach had started to show. Stroking Luca's head, the small dragon trilled happily "I know. You're going to be the best big brother in the world. You're my pride and joy, baby boy. Mummy is pretty tired, do you want to take a nap with me?" Yawning widely, Luca was definitely ready for a nap "I love you. Very much, don't forget that. Mummy's sorry he's been so sad, but he's going to try really hard to do better" Climbing up so his back feet sat on Eren's stomach and his front feet sat on the omega's shoulders, Luca head butted his mouth like he was trying to tell him to be quiet "You're such a good boy. I'm so proud of you. Daddy would be proud of you too. It wasn't fair you didn't get to know what he was really like. He was the kindest, gentlest alpha I'd ever met before Zeke ruined all of that. But we have to keep our heads down and not be mean to Zeke. He has the power to take you away from me, and I can't let that happen. So no matter Zeke or Queen Dina does, mummy will be just fine because I have you, Luca" Luca cooed softly, nuzzling his face as licking at his lips in his form of a kiss. His son's innocence was so pure. He loved him more and more with each passing second... Was it possible that when the baby came, he'd be able to love them in the same way? Would he be able to hold them and not think of Levi? And would he even be allowed to hold his own child, or would Dina see that they were taken from him before he even laid eyes on them, or had them suckle from his breast? Gathering Luca up, he felt so incredibly alone, despite Luca being in his arms. * Eren's morning sickness returned with vengeance, as did his longing for Levi. The herbs the royal healers had been supplying him no longer seemed affective after his 14th or so week, leaving Eren bedridden day and night. Armin was now handling most of the correspondence to and from Eldia, and Mikasa was convinced the healers didn't care for Eren or the baby. He knew it was hard for both of them being in Marley, but what he was supposed to do? He'd told them to leave, but they wouldn't go. He'd asked to return home when forced to dinner with Zeke and his mother, but Queen Dina had promptly changed the topic. He was so tired of being tired. Even keeping his eyes open for longer than a few minutes was growing harder and harder. It felt as if the child inside of him was draining all his strength. Sleeping fitfully, Eren woke with a start at the sound of breaking glass. Confused at first, his brain didn't even have time to think before rough hands were pulling him from his bed. A knife pressed firmly to his belly, the blade slicing through his nightshirt, then skin as Eren struggled. He could hear 5 of them... where were the other 3?! Screaming, he wished he wasn't so fucking exhausted. His body wouldn't cooperate with his desire to escape "Let me go!" "He's the one? The dragon?" "Indeed" Starting to scream, a hand was shoved against his mouth "Shit, we need to get him out of here" "Relax, no ones going to hear. They've already took care of his guards" Luca had stayed hidden under the blankets, but as Eren was pulled backwards, his son launched himself at the ankle of the alpha closest to the bed, biting the man with his tiny razor sharp teeth. Giving a pained howl, the alpha kicked out, Luca sent flying into the wall across from them where he smacked it against it with a loud thud "The little fuck bit me!" "Leave it! Whatever it is, it's probably dead" His scream of Luca was muffled, as his magic raced to his fingertips. He could handle being hurt, he'd come to expect it, but Luca. He was pregnant. Hormonal and in mother mode. They'd made a horrible mistake. Snarling, Eren took a breath through his nose, before forcing out a fiery breath. Jerking back with a scream the alpha stumbled away, tripping over his own feet at he continued to scream at the stump of where his fingers used to be. Yelling something, Eren turned his breath on the second alpha, the man's clothes catching on fire as he roared in pain. He wanted them dead. They'd hurt his son. They'd dared to hurt him. He'd burned his lips and throat by summoning his breath too soon, but as he took another breath, his breath was cut short by a third man shoving something sharp into his neck. Eren's hand flew to his neck, ripping out a long and nasty looking needle. Turning on the man with a look so cold that the alpha nearly shat himself. They'd planned this. They'd planned this and they'd dared to hurt his son. Grabbing the man by the throat, the human clawed at his arm as Eren lifted him with one hand, with the needle in the other, he'd pulled from his neck, he plunged it into the man's own neck over and over. The man screaming, and gurgling as blood spilt from his lips... In that moment, Eren came back to his senses. He... he wasn't this person. He didn't want to hurt people... he... he didn't want people to think he was a monster... His mind had gone blank when Luca had hit the wall. He hadn't heard anything. He hadn't felt anything but rage. His heart pounding so loud it drowned out the banging coming from Zeke's room, the alpha yelling his name as he finally kicked his way through the door with enough force to move the desk "Guards!" Dropping the man in his hold, Eren stumbled back, terrified of what he'd down to his would be attackers, and even more terrified of what had been done to Luca. Tripping over his own feet, blood ran from his stomach as he tried to get to Luca. Zeke catching the omega before Eren could faceplant "Eren?!" "Lu... Luca" Hefting him up, Zeke carried him into his room, laying him down on his bed before striding off. The alpha reappeared with Luca a few moments later, his son bleeding from one nostril as he whimpered miserably "Luca..." Surprisingly careful, Zeke lowered Luca into his hold, Eren cradling him in his arms as he started to sob "Get a healer in here! And take those men to the dungeons for questioning! See they're healed enough so they don't die until they've talked!" Sinking down, Eren shrieked in fear when Zeke pressed something to his stomach. Zeke smelt so fucking angry... Eren's nerves shot as he whimpered, trying to escape the mad alpha "You're bleeding. Stay still. The healer is coming" He didn't need a healer, Luca did. Placing his hand on Luca's chest, he closed his eyes, letting his magic flow into Luca. Luca didn't even have the magic to heal himself, his son whining sadly as Eren healed him. It only took a few moments, but his tears still flowed "Eren!" "It's fine..." "You're bleeding. The baby... you could lose the baby" Oh... so that's why it hurt down there? He should heal himself... Nope, he was going to be sick. Slumping sideways, he threw up. Why was he so fucking dizzy? And why was Zeke calling his name? It was unnerving to wake up in Zeke's bed. Especially when he didn't have anything in particular that he wanted to talk to his husband about... He'd been poisoned by whatever had been in the needle, apparently scaring the fuck out of everyone when he vomited blood. Eren couldn't remember that, he could only remember the fear of being attacked, his body was still trembling thinking about it. Standing at his window, Zeke was quiet. Eren sitting up in the alpha's bed with Luca in his lap as he waited "I suppose you wish to know why I want to talk?" Something about Zeke was off. Maybe it was the attack? Or was it the baby? "I don't know. We haven't spoken about the baby since my pregnancy was announced" Even at the awkward dinners, when he'd been able to attend, it was almost taboo "That's just it. You weren't supposed to be able to fall pregnant... How is this possible?" "Well, when an alpha and an omega..." Zeke shot him a glare, Eren sighing softly. Humour wasn't going to work. They'd healed his stomach, but he was on bedrest for the next few days... and wasn't allowed to return to his own room for some stupid reason "I don't know how I'm pregnant. I mean, yes, you mounted and knotted me. I honestly didn't think it was possible. The spell I used to seal Obsydin's sword took that part of my soul... It's because of you that I lost everything dear to me. Carrying your child was not part of my plans, ever" "So this... this wasn't your attempt to get revenge against me?" What? Did Zeke think he planned to get himself attacked? Or that he'd lied about his infertility "Revenge? Revenge! I could have my revenge on you a hundred different ways. Bringing an innocent child into this world to be caught up in this... it revolts me. Carrying your child revolts me, but they are innocent and committed no crime" "It's mine?" "Who the fuck else have I slept with? My room is beside yours, you would have heard. You heard me being attacked didn't you?!" "Alright. There's no need to be so abrasive" "You're telling me, to calm down? Isn't that rich coming from you?" Zeke's eyes narrowed as he snarled "You made you own choices. You chose to marry me for the sake of your country. You have then overturned every single one of my decrees and plans for Eldia. You're surprisingly tenacious, and not at all the weak willed omega you seemed to be in Eldia. At first I thought only to own you, to show your kingdom nothing was unattainable..." He hated being in Zeke's bed. It made his skin crawl, and the scents upset his omega "You don't see forcing me to keep this ridiculous collar on as a form of ownership! No wonder all your mages comes to us. The way your country treats its people is terrible" "Eren" Zeke's voice was a firm growl, warning him he was going too far. He didn't have the strength to argue "Fine. Whatever. What did you want to talk about? I don't know who attacked me or why? They did know I was a dragon, but you haven't exactly held back in telling everyone I am" Zeke shook his head, pushing a thin smile to his lips that looked creepy "There were two things. I wanted to know if the child was mine" "As far as I know. I've only slept with two alpha's in my lifetime. You know that. What's the second thing?" "Why do you cry at night? Almost every night since you've come here, I've heard you cry" Eren didn't care if Zeke knew he was fucking miserable. He just didn't see the point of raising the topic "Really? Do you get off on my pain and misery?" "Your scent bleeds into my room beneath the door" So his scent was annoying Zeke? There wasn't exactly anything he could do about it, Eren already knew how extreme it could be as swung back and forth with his yoyoing moods "Then you should know exactly why I'm sad. My alpha. My mate and my dragon rider, because of you, he's gone. He went insane because you wanted to mess with dragon magic. He took the sword and he left me behind, after promising me we would return to Eldia together. That we'd protect our people together. I'm in a country that wants to erase mine. I'm pregnant to the wrong alpha. Married to an alpha whom I know would love nothing more than to hurt me, and your mother thinks I'm a disgrace to you and your family. Oh, I was attacked for no good reason. You got your wish. You finally got to fuck me. What more can you possible want?" "I... didn't think it would be like this" "What? You thought I'd embrace you with open arms? That I was enough of a slut to accept any alpha who showed me a little bit of attention, then drag them into my bed? Zeke, you are the one person in the whole of existence that I cannot forgive" "You don't understand! You..." "No, Zeke. I don't. I really don't..." "I expected to hate you, yet..." The "yet" part sent a shiver up his spine "May I... I'll never lay hands on you again, but please can I touch your stomach..." "To confirm I'm pregnant?" "I already know you are. I have my crystal, remember" "Then why?" "Because... I... I don't know. When I saw you... I was angry" Well that made sense to no one. He didn't want Zeke to touch him, but he had kicked the door in and gotten Luca to him before his son suffered any more pain "Just this once. For helping Luca. I didn't thank you for that. He may be a dragon, but he has nearly no magic of his own" Pulling his night shirt up, Eren then covered his junk "Alright. I can't guarantee I won't be sick again. There are too many scents in this room, but... it is what it is" They were waiting on a new door for between their rooms, and for bars to be placed over Eren's windows. He could have done it himself, buuuut, bedrest. Walking over to him, Zeke sank down on the bed to place his palm on Eren's stomach "It's hard..." "That's because there's a baby growing inside there" "Your skin's soft..." "That's because omega's are soft by nature" Eren squirmed, wanting to rip Zeke's hand off his stomach "I... haven't been honest with you" Tell him something he didn't know "I recognised one of those men who attacked you. I remember him talking with my mother. You're not safe here anymore" "I wish I could be surprised, but she has always hated me" "You're not mad?" Eren lifted Zeke's hand off his stomach, pulling his shirt down "I'm not surprised. It's not like I can act though. I will not let Eldia be destroyed in war" "How can you care for that country?" "That country, is the country I was born and raised in. Marley, Draecia and Eldia used to be the same kingdom, the same blood flows through all our veins" "Ok. Ok... I see I am upsetting you. I will leave you to rest. Yelena and Mikasa are standing at the door if you require anything" Eren nodded, he really was kind of sleepy and would be until the drugs in his system passed "Thank you" His husband gave him a strange look that Eren couldn't decipher, leaving him to mull over their strange conversation as Luca slept beside him.

[modernlifehistorian]

Timeless “Mrs.Sherlock Holmes” Lucy/Wyatt/Lyatt Reactions

Okay so I knew if I had put my Lyatt reactions on the other post then it would be too long for any sane person to read, so I’m going to put these thoughts onto a different post to save us all a little time. 

Buckle in clockblockers, cause this one is going to be a doozy. (please don’t be daunted by the length! I worked really hard on this so I want people to read it lol)

Lucy “Maybe I Will/Someone Has To Do Something Now” Preston

First off, Lucy Preston is the most brilliantly written female heroine on TV in the history of anything ever.

She is not having any of Flynn and Wyatt’s bickering. They are all there to do a job, and she’s not going to let this petty squabbling get in the way of that. This is too important.

Her heart eyes for history get me every single time. She’s been to so many points in time, yet every trip there is something that brings back that childlike wonderment in her eyes. This is the biggest sign of resilience that a character can show. It’s one thing to just not let tough times turn you cold, but it’s a completely different level of strength to not only fight the desire to turned cold and calloused, but instead to remain bright-eyed and excited about the things you love even when the rest of your life kind of sucks. This is a different kind of strength.

“What I do and who I do it with is none of your business.”

She tells Wyatt that he has no business criticizing her for who she spends her time with, and she’s darn right. He made his choices, now she gets to make hers.

“So please stop acting like you’re the one who got screwed.”

FINALLY. Finally Lucy tells him what’s on her heart. He hurt her. He pulled the rug out from under her. Also I love how honest she is about her pain. A lot of women on TV would never come clean for fear that it would make them look weak or emotional, but Lucy isn’t like that. She knows her feelings are justified and her right to feel them fully is justified, but what makes her strong is she is not going to let the feelings dissuade her from doing the job. And he has to realize how hard this is for her, but they have a job to do, and she’ll be damned if anything stops her from doing it.

“Then get the hell out of the way.”

Lucy Preston isn’t an overly outspoken person especially in the context of their time-traveling adventures. Keep a low profile, get the job done seems to be more her style except you know Hollywoodland, but like the NASA guy who needed to be put in his place, she just cannot help herself here. Because when the chips are down, when the fate of who knows how many people are on the line, she will not be silent. The future of women hangs in the balance, and Lucy will not let anyone, not a historical hero, not Wyatt, prevent that from happening. I love her passion.

And then her humility, when Grace gets up and gives the speech Lucy intended to give, she doesn’t remember that it was indirectly her doing, that without Lucy there to smack some sense into her that she wouldn’t be standing up there. But Wyatt is there to remind her. Just like he always is.

Also Lucy fighting the sleeper for the gun like THAT’S MY GIRL. 

“I’m not going to be that woman. That’s not who I am.” 

PRAISE LUCY PRESTON. Again, here is the writers doing this love triangle thing right. She will not be the other woman. She will not even put herself in a position to make it possible. She has too much integrity and too much heart to cause anyone that kind of pain. Even if it causes her even more pain.

“Same place as always. Kicking ass and saving the world.” 

Okay do you realize what she implies with this scene??!!?! It might seem innocent and funny, but it’s so much more than that. She’s giving Wyatt the hope that they are still Lucy and Wyatt. They are still Logan and Preston. It would be easy for her to shrug off his question here or even say something that might cause him more guilt or pain, but she doesn’t do that. She is implying hope for them moving forward, and that again shows such strength on her part. An normal person would feel that they couldn’t carry on as they did before things like Hollywoodland and undead wives happened, but Lucy is bigger than that, she won’t let this ruin what she and Wyatt had. 

Wyatt “I Think You Did It” Logan

This guy, are there even words? Yes there are, and I’m going to share them right now.

“I’m warning you.”

I said it in my other post and I’ll say it again THIS SCENE IS NOT ALL ABOUT JEALOUSY. In Wyatt’s Delta Force eyes, Flynn is a terrorist who is in Wyatt’s home, with Wyatt’s family, getting closer to the person Wyatt loves. He has every right to be concerned. Flynn has done little to prove to Wyatt that he’s any less of the mad man he was in season 1. So don’t go raging about how Wyatt’s just a jealous rage monster because he’s concerned for everyone’s safety. 

*Casual wave to wife*

Okay, but for real, man, you’re significantly failing to hide your disinterest, For all you know she could be dead again when you get back. But let’s be real all that’s on Wyatt’s mind is Lucy and the fact that Flynn is getting into the Lifeboat with his team. 

“That is not what I meant.”

I haven’t witnessed it yet, but I get the feeling Wyatt will take quite a bit of heat for this scene, but can we take a second to look at his face while he’s talking to Lucy here? His brows aren’t furrowed, his eyes are wide, his nose isn’t scrunched. Anyone with two eyes can see that he isn’t coming from a place of anger, but of sincere concern. Yes, he doesn’t deliver it in the best way, but I mean this is they guy who thought “not hideous” was the best thing to say to Lucy to explain how beautiful she was. The guy isn’t the best with words. But he’s scared in this scene, scared of Lucy getting hurt. But Lucy is still correct, it’s not any of his business anymore.

ALSO can we take note of how Wyatt literally takes Lucy’s lead in almost all circumstances. He literally waits for her to move and he follows because of how much he respects her and trusts her. As the soldier it would make perfect sense that he leads in case of danger, but instead he trusts Lucy to lead them in the right direction. Love aside, this is such a beautiful partnership I don’t even know how to deal. And on top of that in the scene where they go deliver the news to the suffragettes about Alice, when he gives her the little head nod of encouragement, telling her “you’ve got this.” “tell them what needs to happen”

“Doesn’t mean you should quit.” 

Wyatt is Lucy’s number #1 supporter and this is only a small example of it. He lets her take the lead and then steps in when she needs a little back up. And also we know that here he’s talking about the men he lost in that fateful mission. The ones that at the Alamo sent him into PTSD induced flashbacks that Lucy pulled him out of. If it hadn’t been for Lucy, I doubt he would’ve had the stability to talk about his loss and pain so openly, but he does it for her and because of her.

“I’m not going to let you get hurt.”

The look of heartbreak in Wyatt’s eyes in this scene almost brought me to tears. He finally understands the gravity of their situation because Lucy finally came clean about what she was feeling. And yet I will say that he has a right to be hurt as well. He’s in an impossible situation: in love with one woman while married to another that was supposed to be dead and was dead when he fell in love with the other woman and then undead suddenly when he finally got together with the other woman. Pretty damn complicated. And he’s also the one who has to live with knowing how much he hurt the woman he loves. He might have gained something from all this although not really but he lost a lot too.

Protector vs. Overbearing body guard

This is possibly one of my favorite things about Lucy and Wyatt’s partner dynamic. Wyatt’s original purpose on these missions was to take out Flynn while also protecting Lucy and Rufus. But he doesn’t do it like a lot of other men might. His method of protecting Lucy is defensive more than offensive. His method of protecting her doesn’t involve keeping her out of any harm’s way, but instead being ready to step in when the danger arrives. He worries for her safety, yes, so any man in love does, but he also knows Lucy, and knows her stubbornness, and knows the best he’ll be able to manage is being ready to defend her when it becomes essential for him to do so.

Also I love the unspoken communication between them when Lucy steps into the march, their eye contact, and Wyatt’s constant looking back to make sure he can still see Lucy, and it’s only when Rufus and Flynn demand his attention away from Lucy that Lucy gets taken. 

*Let me make heartbreaking eye contact with Lucy when Jessica throws herself into my arms*

Okay, but seriously, Wyatt, just cut if off already. Everyone and their dog can see where your heart is and it’s not with the woman who flung herself at you. This scene is so full of emotion for being so short. Like Wyatt could easily have his focus on his wife get caught up in the thrill of having here there, alive, but nope his thoughts go straight to Lucy. He hardly takes a second before he opens his eyes to  meet hers. He has no interest in showing his wife that he’s happy to see her too. 

Lyatt Lyatt Lyatt Lyatt.

Where to begin? 

With Alamo Parallels... or at least with Alamo-related development.

Let’s take a look at some dialogue from The Alamo, shall we?

Wyatt: It’s just a letter.

Lucy: It’s not just a letter. It’s the letter that created Texas; no pressure or anything.

Wyatt: You’re in your own head just write something, anything.

Lucy: Oh I can just say whatever I want like you did with Bowie?

Wyatt: Yes. You say what’s in your heart. Quit pretending. All the middle school drama like we’re from San Felipe.

Lucy: That’s the job. That’s my job.

Wyatt: No the job is Flynn.

K, are we sure these are the same two characters we just saw in 1919? Yep. In the Alamo, Lucy is so uncertain of her ability to change the world through words, and Wyatt’s main focus is eliminating Flynn. In 1919, Lucy doesn’t hesitate a second before deciding she’ll give the speech without hardly a hint of self-doubt, and Wyatt’s main focus is Lucy’s safety. They’ve grown so much from each other that it’s nuts. 

“Our one night relationship?”

I love how she can’t bring herself to call it a one night stand or a hook up or something that plays it to be less than what it was for her or for him. They really did begin something that night, and it meant a whole hell of a lot more than some casual fling. 

“She did it!” “I think you did it.”

No one else is there quite like Wyatt Logan to remind Lucy how amazing she is. How invaluable she is. And I think in this moment they both kinda forget about Jessica because she’s so receptive to his touch and he’s so eager to find her with his arms to make sure she’s safe. And the look they share. Good grief was I the only one who yelled “Just kiss already!!!” because that look was so full of love. Like I can’t even... I need a minute.

“There’s something strange about you.”

IS IT THE INSANE AMOUNT OF LOVE THEIR IN BECAUSE THAT’S PRETTY STRANGE. But seriously all the sly side looks, good grief, you two, you’re doing a pretty sucky job at not being in love. 

THE ENTIRETY OF THAT LAST FREAKING SCENE. 

Okay, but first off, they get back, change out of their clothes and Wyatt goes straight to find Lucy, to make sure she’s okay. Like, sorry Jessica, Wyatt has more pressing concerns. And the first thing he does is try to remind Lucy of her success, that because of Lucy’s influence Grace went onto change the world for the better, and when he realizes that it isn’t about the success, that it was about the one woman who doesn’t get credit, doesn’t get remembered, doesn’t get the recognition she deserves, and when Lucy says that she’s the only one who will ever remember, Wyatt tries to remind her that she’s not alone. He’ll keep Alice’s memory alive with her.

And then his attempt at physical comfort *excuse me while I go cry* I love the look on his face before he reaches out for her. It’s so full of love and concern and a desperation to ease her mind. It’s exactly what he would’ve done before this whole Jessica thing, and it would’ve helped then, so he’s hoping it’ll work now. 

They’re whole relationship has been very tactile, from buckling seat belts, to covering each other while under fire, to finally the most intimate physical interaction of any, and now because of that last one, Lucy, specifically, cannot go back to the smaller gestures of touch. Because even the most innocent of touches transport her back to when all she could feel was Wyatt and the sheets of Hedy’s guest house, and, even for how strong she is, she can’t continue being constantly reminded of the time where she almost had everything. 

“Lucy, I still care about you. I can’t make that disappear.”

Basically the gentle way of saying he loves her. But seriously think about it. Back at the Alamo, he says “Jessica. Everyone I care about it gone.” At that point the only person in his life really had been Jessica and he doesn’t say he loves her, no, he says “care” because even with Jessica love was tough for him. It was so hard for him to give his heart away. But with Lucy, she stole his heart before he had a chance to fight for it, so in this scene while “care” might seem like an innocent word, any simpler man would’ve said “love.”

“Wyatt, you are married. You are happily married. To a woman you love.”

Anyone else take notice of the only one saying Wyatt loves Jessica is Lucy? She says it here and back in 2x04 when they’re on the phone. “She’s your wife and you love her.” I’m waiting for the moment where Wyatt says anything of the sort, but I don’t think we’ll see it because we all know that Wyatt Logan isn’t a liar, and he cannot tell a woman he doesn’t love that he loves her.

“I have to accept that, and you have to accept that.”

Yeah, for all those out there who think Lucy’s totally moved on from Wyatt LOL cause no, she’s just as in love as she was in Hollywood. Sorry not sorry ‘bout ya. And I love that she adds that he also had to accept that, like she sees through the facade he’s putting on. Even though she keeps telling him that he’s married in love with someone who isn’t her. I think in doing that she’s trying to convince both of them of that.

“We can’t keep living in the past.” *cue shared smirks because thats all they do*

OKAY BUT THESE TWO DORKS I CANNOT DEAL WITH THEM. Even in the middle of this heartbreaking conversation, they cannot help but be their goofy selves. His little smirk and eyebrow raise saying “you do realize what you just said, right” and her little smirk and head scratch, saying “yeah I probably should’ve thought that one through a little more” THEIR UNSPOKEN COMMUNICATION IS ONE FOR THE AGES. This is the stuff love is made out of. 

“Okay, but Flynn?”

She smiles while he gets all riled up here, and you know I think she was thinking here? “There’s my hothead.” Because it’s so him to blow something so small out of proportion. Something that wasn’t actually anything. And this whole interaction is just as precious as can be. With the whole “Cool...” *skeptical look from Lucy* “I mean thank god.” These two couldn’t be more in love if there wasn’t an undead wife standing in between them.

“No one understands what we’re going through.”

THANK YOU FOR FINALLY SAYING IT. Everyone on tumblr being all self-righteous like you would know exactly how to handle this situation can now shut their traps because this is just an incomprehensible situation. And they are the only ones they can relate to now.

“You getting a second chance with Jessica is the closest thing to a miracle I have seen.”

Alright, people, there is a reason that when Lucy says this, they focus on Wyatt’s face. No happiness, no sense of agreement, he just kinda has this blank expression because he doesn’t know if he really agrees with her. Throwing Jessica in the mix has torn a hole in the life Wyatt built without her, and he’s not sure if having Jessica is making him better. Hint: it’s not

"I’m no Alice Paul.” “No, you’re Lucy Freaking Preston. That’s pretty damn good.” 

SO MANY FEELINGS. First, Lucy doesn’t understand how amazing she is and like while they were in the crowd in 1919, Wyatt is there to remind her. And the words might sound eh, but it’s the voice that he says it with that scream IRONIC UNDERSTATEMENT. When he says pretty damn good, he actually means that no woman they’ve met or will meet could compare the the woman standing before him. She’s everything. More courageous than any soldier. More intelligent than any physicist. More than what her family wants her to be. More than what she believes she is or ever could be, and only one person sees that. And it’s the man standing in front of her. And he knows her better than anyone because of the very fact that he knows that he will never be able to fully comprehend  her. She’s the sun. Something you can’t look directly, something you have to look at through a filter or by shading your eyes because alone she is too powerful for any one to comprehend.

The necessity of breaking eye contact

When I’ve talked about unspoken communication, I’ve never talked about when it’s too much. When too much is said without a word being shared. That’s what happens here. They’re looking at each other with every emotion on display, and they have to look away because too much has been said through just looks. Too much truth has been revealed, so they have to look away and have to change the subject.

“So where does that leave us?

Wyatt desperately needs some hope to cling onto when it comes to his relationship with Lucy because like always he’s following her lead. Wherever she wants them to be for now, that’s where he’ll start. But he wants something. He needs something. And she gives him the hope that maybe they can continue as Lucy and Wyatt, as Logan and Preston. 

So where is Lyatt left as of right now?

With so much still unsaid. You see it in that final moment. When Wyatt takes forever to turn away because he wants to say more. You see it in his hesitation, in the grit of his teeth. I almost see that as him calling himself a coward. A coward for not being able to say it. Tell her what she really is to him. And then as he turns away, she opens her mouth, ready to call him back because she’s not ready for him to leave again. Because as much as she’s hurting, she also wants her best friend back. 

These two are not finished coming clean about feelings or intentions or thoughts or whatever. They have so much to tell each other, and if the writers have any mercy we’ll see it by the end of season 2, but I have never been more certain of Lucy and Wyatt being endgame then I am now. Anyone who can’t see it by now is in denial of the obvious. 

Thoughts from anyone who made it all the way through?

@chasethesun18 @enchanted-keys @timelessbae12 @dopemixtape @chloeswans @wyatttoldme @bestshipcaptainswan @thebracingbibliophile @simply-anya @thedanceneverends @amazalina

[markwatkinsconsumerguide]

Consumer Guide / No.102 /  Singer-songwriter Lu Cozma with Mark Watkins. 

MW : How is this RED different to the original release?

LC : The re-release of RED has been a welcomed and positive focus during these rather challenging times. Steve and I are unable to meet physically to record or develop new music and since there had been an interruption of availability of our music in recent years we thought we’d get our music back out into the world digitally.

MW : How did you and Steve Askew come to form a musical collective?

LC : I was looking for a music collaboration once upon a time. I’d got fed up with my own company both creatively and performing live solo. Nick Beggs, a mutual friend of ours, put us in touch and hey presto. Steve and I immediately got to work and RED became our first release, to which we toured live.

MW : At the time, what did you learn from RED (record) producer Martin Rushent? And in 2020, as you reflect back on those recording times - any fresh insights / thoughts to add?

LC : Martin and I had worked together several years before RED. He heard me sing at a festival and approached me to work on tracks that he wanted to develop. He was unafraid to take risks and push the boundaries with sound & song. 

As a vocalist, I felt very at ease because he was extraordinarily astute at capturing a good vocal delivery. Not many producers are! He championed new artists such as myself and was so generous with his time, advice and expertise.

I look back very fondly on our Askew/Cozma/Rushent studio adventure. He always brought a light-hearted, fun dynamic to recording, mixing, and producing. Well, it seemed to be his approach to life.

MW : You've also recently re-released your EP, LOCKDOWN ; how has that been received?

LC : Aptly named and aptly timed for a re-release of LOCKDOWN! We couldn’t have foreseen it, but we ran with it and the response has been extremely strong and positive from long standing fans of our music and now new, which is really heartening.

MW  : During lockdown you've been interviewed for a YouTube channel....tell me about that...

LC : I’m not sure how that came to be. Lockdown forced itself upon us all and I made a short video to reach out to anyone who needed support. Shortly after, I was asked if I’d be interested in being interviewed about my views regarding the changes and potential challenges we face since March this year.

I refuse (for the most part) to be beaten by negativity. If allowed, we can easily spiral into the abyss of existential crisis and become emotionally immobilised with fear. I don’t wish to impose any such negativity on anyone… I would rather encourage, support and listen. The interview seemed quite helpful in this regard, even if it only reached one person in a positive way. 

MW  : Looking forwards, what's the shape of things to come, for your music and touring?

LC : Adapting to change and being flexible with change is a must currently. It’s not time quite yet for Steve and I to meet in the studio - even though we have new songs to formulate, revisit and create, but the time will come and we’ll respond to it. 

We’ll just go with the flow and look at how we might like to perform in the coming months. We’ll likely release new music before we go out live.

MW : What's caught your eye culturally in the last few months, or so?

LC : Watching obscure movies on BFI (British Film Institute) Player has been an absolute joy. I’ve chosen not to have a television – just generally not interested, but when I’m with family we’ve been immersing ourselves in film noir, world cinema and indie.

MW ...and what's caught your ear, musically?

LC : In answer to the above and to this… I’m immersing myself in Celtic sounds and culture. 

There is an inner need for me to re-engage with my roots. British native culture and contemporary Celtic music seem to be interwoven in my life presently. 

I’m slightly obsessed with monoliths and ancient sites and peoples, rituals and ceremonies. 

MW  : ...which books have you had your nose in?!

LC : Lighter material I’ve enjoyed are Irish and Scottish myths and legends and contemporary twists on this by Sharon Blackie.  

I also work with vulnerable people in the community and I like to be informed with professionals that offer person centred approaches to trauma and complex emotional and psychological needs. 

My main reading on these subjects are Dr. Gabor Mate and Peter Levine. 

MW :  As a guest on 'Desert Island Discs', what would you select as your eight records?

LC : Not sure I can be disciplined enough to choose eight favourites. The whole of Bert Jansch’s works takes me past eight! Nick Drake, Morcheeba, Rush, Mike Oldfield, Bowie. I really enjoy the seventies and eighties eras and generally go where the mood takes me… which is interchangeable. 

MW : The one of the eight you would play the most (and why)?

LC : Nick Drake’s ‘Northern Sky’ - a track off his 1971 album, Bryter Layter -  it lifts my spirits every time. It has an innocent quality to it.

MW : How about your book choice?

LC : ‘Far from the Madding Crowd’ by Thomas Hardy - originally published in 1874.

MW : Luxury item?

LC : Soap.

MW : Any how do you think you'd fare on the island?

LC : I think for the most part I’d be quite content on my own with nature, although I think I’d be useless foraging for food, which doesn’t bode well for a solitary life on an island I suppose. 

Maybe a hotline to Deliveroo should be my luxury item?!

MW :  If you could choose to live in any period in History, what would you pick? 

LC : I love the Edwardian era and style of clothes, both men’s and women’s, but I’d imagine that would become rather wearing (excuse the pun) after a few days!

MW :  What great work of art would you like to own, and why?

LC : ‘Bird In Space (bronze)’ by Constantin Brâncuși. It’s elegant, beautiful and speaks volumes in its simplicity. 

MW :  Rounding off, where can new fans and your own "Cozmanaughts" (i.e followers) locate you on social media?

LC : Lu Cozma music & news can be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and our music can be found on all digital platforms.

https://www.facebook.com/LuCozmaOfficial/

https://www.instagram.com/lucozma/

https://twitter.com/LuCozma

© Mark Watkins / August 2020

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BTS Fic Recommendations

There seems to be a weird divide in this fandom between reader x member and member x member stories, but I’m just here in the middle like “all Bangtan smut is good smut!” A good story is a good story and good writing is good writing. Some of these have no smut at all and some are so filthy that I can’t believe I’m recommending them, but, you know, BTS ruined my life and I have no shame anymore. 

I’ve probably read hundreds of BTS stories by now and these are the ones that I go back to over and over. I tried to pick only one per author, but all of these authors are amazing and you should go check out their whole masterlists. These are the authors that I personally fangirl over and stand in awe of. None of these are particularly similar to mine (eg. they are way better) and none of them are particular similar to each other. These are the fics that, for whatever reason, I couldn’t forget about after I read them.

Warning: Some of these are very explicit, so use caution. Anything marked with an M is definitely NSFW. 

Hope you enjoy!

New Recs! 

New as of 4/30/18

same damn hunger (M) by marienadine - Yoongi X Hoseok - I am weak for Yoonseok and this fic does an amazing job capturing the push and pull of their relationship. I think this might be my favorite fictional Yoongi I’ve yet read, striving so hard to be tough, but secretly and vulnerable softie. 

Dig Deep (M) by @johobi - Yoongi X Reader - Tentacle kink is not in my usual list of things I am interested in, but this was so enjoyable and weird and sexy and compelling that I actually sat in my car for 15 minutes not driving anywhere just so I could finish it. I love the level of world building in this tentacle porn. There are real characters and backstory and whole alien species with foreign biology. It is awesome. And the ending is so surprisingly sweet. I love how Jo kept all the things that can be sexy about this genre but made it all consensual and fun.

Completed Stories

All of these are stories that I’ve read more than once, and I am sad every time they are over. 

Transference (M) by @jeonjagiya - Hoseok x Reader - There is not enough Hoseok fiction in the world, but this story’s tantric therapist Hoseok goes a long way to making up for that. Probably my personal favorite male lead in a reader-insert story. Such an incredibly sexy story that feels real. I am madly in love with Iris and have read all of her stories more than once. Her sub!Jungkook story almost killed me.

In the Twilight Air (M) by @trilluvium - Yoongi x Jimin - Yoongi and Jimin are dorky best friends who lose their virginity together.  I don't think I've ever read a one-shot that made me feel so many emotions! It was so cute and sweet and felt authentic to what a good first time would actually be like. Originally this was a one-shot but Trill has expanded it and I am loving every new chapter. I have read Trilluvium’s whole masterlist and am in love with everything she’s ever written.

Good Boys Like Bad Girls (M) by @wildernessuntothemselves - Reader x Taehyung - I read this story and was hesitant to recommend it for a long time because it is so incredibly intense. All the characters are terrible people and the smut is both exceedingly hot and exceedingly disturbing. I cannot stop thinking about this story. It remains one of the stories that has stuck with me the longest after reading it. I care about all of its messed-up characters so much and the ending is devastating in such a perversely satisfying way. But seriously, don’t read this if you want all of your protagonists to be good people and do good things. This is not that story. I admire Moe so much for how unique and unapologetic her ideas are and have enjoyed a lot of her other writings as well, even if they all unsettle me in different ways.

Jasmine (M) by @btssmutgalore - Reader x Jungkook - Jungkook x noona is my favorite thing ever and he’s so well-captured here: nervous, but sexy at the same time. I’m also a huge fan of Business which is a very very sexy threesome with dom!Tae and sub!Jungkook. 

Playing to Win (M) by @tayegi​ - Taehyung x Jungkook x Reader - I am such a sucker for Taekook threesomes, but I particularly love this one because of “I hate you but you’re so sexy” thing going on with the reader and Jungkook. I haven’t a chance to read all of Lu’s astoundingly large masterlist but some of my other favorites of hers are her new MadScientist!Tae story, her Jungkook wolf stories, and this awesome fuck-or-die Jungkook story. Lu has an amazing ability to come up with such clever and unique fic ideas and all her stories are hilarious in addition to sexy.

Milage May Vary (M) by @crossfilth - Taehyung x Jungkook - Rix is the reason Taekook is my OTP (I have two OTPs and two biases, can’t help it). I love every single one of her stories. They are so incredibly sexy, but also so full of real emotion and great dialogue. This is Rix’s longest work so far and it is phenomenal, really sexy, but also really interesting character development and compelling love story. Her entire masterlist is amazing. 

Love at First Touch by @bagelswrites - Jimin x OC - I am such trash for soulmate AUs and this is my all-time favorite. The OC is so well-realized with her own flaws and struggles and you really feel for her throughout the story. This also has my absolute favorite fictional depiction of Jimin. I personally find Jimin very hard to write and he is so often written out-of-character, but this story really nails his signature blend of insecure, vulnerable manliness. The author did so much research to make sure this story lined up with BTS’s actual timeline in real life. Bagels is my hero. 

Thursdays are for… (M) by Arguileless - Taehyung x Reader x Jungkook - My favorite story in the “dating one member but really want to fuck a different member” genre. It’s all smut, but manages to reach 17,000 words. This version of Taehyung who is wildly adventurous and dominant is incredibly sexy. This story started my Taehyung as bias-wrecker problem.

tear the moon from the stars tonight (M) by euphoriae - Yoongi x Jimin - Historical AU with so much real research behind it, I’m blown away. At first, the “jimin is a slave” premise sounds ridiculous, but the rich context, attention to detail and world-building quickly make you forget about it.  I learned a surprising amount of Korean history because of this story, and the love story here is beautiful. One of the very first fan-fictions I read and it showed me how literary fan-fiction could be. 

Inc. (M) by @park-loins - Seokjin x Yoongi - BTS meets The Office. Had me cackling over and over, but also desperately rooting for the love story. Can’t believe this is the same author that also wrote the heart-breakingly beautiful Reprise.

you have 1 new message by bazooka - Namjoon x Jin - I think everyone in this fandom has already read this story, but on the off chance you haven’t, you should. It’s starts as totally hysterical and then becomes amazingly sweet. 

Love is not possession (M) by kuragecharms - Jungkook x Jin - More A/B/O because I am trash. I really love all of kuragecharms’ wolf stories. This author was also the first to sell me on Jin x Jungkook as a ship and now I’m a big fan.

Bloody paws in the snow (M) by pandorasumbrella - Yoongi x Hoseok - My all-time favorite A/B/O story. Does such a great job building an incredibly detailed world. This is the first work in an elaborate trilogy that is so beautiful it breaks your heart. 

Nirvana (M) by syubology - Jimin x Hoseok - Jimin and Hoseok struggle with their feelings for each other. One of the first fics I ever really loved. This story does a terrific job of depicting BTS as BTS and the possible ramifications of a relationship within that dynamic. 

In Progress

For where there’s sun you’ll find a moon by @bulletproof-dork-boys - Yoongi x Taehyung - I am huge a greek mythology nerd and I am super excited to see where this Taehyung as Hades, Yoongi as Persephone story goes.

SAVE ME (M) by agnes_viviane - Jungkook x OC - Adorably awkward OC befriends Jungkook on accident, then falls in love with him. Makes me cackle with glee and second-hand embarrassment every time I read it. Full of all my favorite things: awkwardness, angst and Jungkook. Agnes is the sweetest and taught me a lot of important things about the correct ways to address people in Korean and how to properly use Korean in my stories.

Touch Me, Touch You (M) by @deathbyyoongi​ - Yoongi x Reader x Hoseok - Yoongi + Hoseok + smut + angst + mild D/S… it is all the things I am weak for in one story.

The Fitting (M) by @noona-la-la-la​ - Jungkook x Reader - Noona-la-la-la writes really excellent, realistic but still super sexy smut and all of her reader inserts are adult women, often older than the boys. I also really really enjoyed Unexpected which is Yoongi smut and Conditioned featuring sub!Taehyung.

Grey Area (M) by @blushoseoks - Yoongi x Reader x Jimin? - Soulmate AU where everything is more complicated than it should be and so wonderfully angsty. Such an interesting take on the Soulmate AU.

The Purge by @jungblue - Hoseok x Reader - I just found jungblue and everything I’ve read from them so far is phenomenal! I love this fic in particular because it is such a different idea than anything I’ve seen before and stars Hobi!

The Unwanted Alpha (M) - by RedPantherVitality8 - Jungkook x Reader - Combines A/B/O with noona x Jungkook angst. No faster way to my heart.

Leave your mark (M) by @inarsics - Jungkook x Jimin - A/B/O is my big weakness/guilty pleasure. I love this story in particular for its interesting take on the genre, where all the alphas have gone extinct. Also, Jimin has a little brother and it’s incredibly sweet and adorable.

i like how desperate you seem (in the way you look at me) (M) by fatal - Jungkook x Jimin - A “classic” of BTS A/B/O subgenre. Super slow-burn that keeps you on the edge of your seat and desperate to know what happens next.  

your taste is so sweet on my lips (M) by @pinktteokie - Hoseok x Taehyung x Yoongi - My favorite polyamorous story. The slow-burn is so good and the way the relationship moves from a relationship between two people to a relationship between three people is fascinating.

read between the (panty) lines (M) by @lunaticmyngi - Yoongi x Jimin x Jungkook - I fangirl so hard about everything from TheHalesNyx. How she manages to write so many different requests and have them all be so well-done, I have no idea. This prompt started off so filthy, and became such an intensely emotional story. You feel so much sympathy and angst for all three members in this story. Her entire masterlist is amazing.

Obviously, there are many other amazing fics that I just haven’t read yet, or accidentally forgot about. As I find more, I’ll add them to this tag #fic rec.