#i mean this in the most respectful way possible

[ahgasegotarmy116]

Desiring Defiance | Kim Taehyung | One Shot | Teaser

Summary: Taehyung as a Mafia Lord takes care of his own, but when his priority becomes you, imagine his surprise...and delight when he figures out you want nothing to do with him. Pairing: f!reader x Mafia Lord Taehyung (Contract Marriage) (Taehyung's pov) Word Count: TBD Warnings: Smut, Explicit Language, Weapons, Drugs, Violence etc. (I haven't finished it so I'll add more warnings when the full fic comes out) A/N: I wanted to get this out to see if there's any interest in this story since I usually write fics for Jungkook but I'll be writing it regardless. Just wanted to have an opportunity to get a taglist going if possible p.s. This is my first Mafia fic and it's barely edited so pls have mercy on me 🥲 Requested by @bluehaven143 💜

"I've scheduled the jet for your birthday and have alerted the local staff to be ready for your arrival" my assistant relays, my men and I having a leisurely meeting and therefore feeling comfortable sharing in front of them since they're usually a part of those plans.

"You should book this new stripper I found while we're there. I've heard that she leaves her patrons thoroughly…satisfied" one of them says, wiping his nose off after inhaling a line of a white powder that we all know leads to no good.

I wave him off, knowing if I let him run his mouth the suggestions will go from crude to vulgar if left unchecked.

"No stripper?" one of the guys chimes in, feeling as though he got a toy he was entitled to taken away from him.

"You guys aren't coming this year" I say after telling my assistant we'll discuss this matter later.

"What do you mean we're not coming?" another chimes in, looking utterly betrayed. "I have other plans in mind this year" I inform, loosening my tie, it suddenly feeling a little too tight.

"Who are you going with if not us?" another asks, the notion completely ridiculous from their self centered viewpoint.

"My wife" I say, pulling out my phone to check her location, seeing that she's still at the office when she was supposed to be home an hour ago making me sigh and stand up, the group raising to their feet as a sign respect.

"You mean the woman you paid to marry you?" one of them mumbles, making a bold statement leaving me chuckling darkly while shaking my head, my pace slow but deliberate as I walk up to him, resting my hand on his shoulder before drawing my gun seconds later and placing the barrel against his temple.

The cold steel on his skin makes him shudder, the implications of what just one single pull of it's trigger could do to his life. His very well being dancing in the palm of my hand, oh so tempting to snuff out but I show some restraint and press the gun a little harder against his temple making him lean over, trying to get away from the no doubt painful pressure.

All the rest of my men are frozen in place, knowing better than to intervene, knowing that any sign of fear or questioning of my judgement could result in the intent to kill being pointed towards them.

"I suggest you watch your fucking mouth when you talk about my wife" I growl and he nods, apologizing profusely, sinking further and further down onto the floor, practically shaking with fear and when I cock the gun I can see the way his body tenses up in restraint, holding back the wince he no doubt wants to let out.

I stand there for a while, debating whether or not I should make an example out of him in the most extreme way possible.

I ultimately decide to withdraw my gun, placing it back on my person, fixing my suit jacket and running my fingers through my hair, letting out a sigh.

"Take him out back" I say and turn to walk away, leaving his pleas for mercy to fall of deaf ears.

He should know better. They all should know better than to question me or my judgement. Leaving me turning back to address the rest of the group once the guilty party is taken away, his wails for mercy soon being exchanged for wails of pain, muffled by the door now separating us.

"My business with my wife is none of any of your concern. Plus, it's not like many of you remember the reason we go abroad at the end of the year anyways, so there's no need for you to be included" I say and they all turn their eyes down disappointed but not surprised that this was cemented as a result of one man's sin.

"Make sure there aren't any loose ends I need to tie up while I'm gone…or when I get back" I say giving a pointed look to all of them, resulting in a unanimous sound of intent to do as they're told.

"Clean up my office. I don't want to see a single crumb or anything out of place when I get back" I say looking at one man in particular that has been crunching on a bag of chips since I walked in leaving him closing and setting it aside.

I leave with a unison farewell from all as I head to my car that's been pulled around front, waiting for me.

"Where to sir?" my driver Andrew asks once I get in the back seat, the only one I let speak freely in front of me. "My wife's office" I say leaving him humming. "You don't approve?" I ask, cocking my brow at him through the rear view mirror but he finds no fear in it.

"She's requested not to be disturbed until she's called for a ride home" he relays leaving me sighing, debating on whether or not I should respect her wishes. She's always so stubborn when it comes to work and does everything she can to keep my claws from sinking into it.

I don't feel like listening tonight though, especially not after what happened.

I want to see her. I need to see her.

"Sir?" he asks, trying to see if I've changed my mind given the new information. "My wife's office" I repeat and sit back, knowing I'm making the wrong choice but I won't let anyone keep me from getting what I want.

Not even her.

~~~~

Please let me know what you think and comment or click the link to join the taglist <3

Taglist: @jkslipppiercing @trina864 @kaitieskidmore97 @goddesofimortality @coolbluedude @coralmusicblaze @whoa-jo @00frenchfries00 @pastelpinkjoon @joonwater Taglist continued in the comments 💜

[zeroducks-2]

tags by @nicky-olives

I strongly agree with this point, however I think it's important to note that what's being discussed here is the fact that there is an effort from DC's part to erase every form of found family dynamic and non-heteronormative relationships from their stories, which is a different topic from the ship and let ship conversation.

What I mean with this is that of course everyone can ship Bruce and Dick, regardless of the circumstances. If Dick was Bruce's biological son there would be nothing wrong with shipping them, because it's not real and it's just people having fun playing with dolls. However queer people from all over the world have been identifying with Bruce and Dick's relationship, especially during a time where gayness and gay relationships were way more taboo and dangerous to actually perform than they are now. Queer men especially identified with how the trauma of the loss of their families makes Dick and Bruce similar (and having an estranged family was very frequent among queer people, back then even more than today), but they choose to find another family in each other. Bruce and Dick share a secret that is one of the most important parts of their life, and they can freely be themselves with each other, no need to lie or pretend. And despite the respective escapades to keep an appearance of normalcy when it comes to their "public life", they are each other's most important person, the one they could never part from,

Again, this is not something DC did *on purpose*. But queer people read into it and then DC caught on, and and for this and other reasons they started pushing the narrative of "they are father and son, and you're gross and weird if you ever think for a second that they could have THAT kind of relationship! You freak of nature! Degenerate!" And lots and lots and lots of baby queers keep nodding to this, and they shame fellow queers by repeating this same rhetoric because it works.

It's not just about ship and let ship because it's fictional, it's about a very important part of queer history which is getting flushed down the drain to protect the sanctity of a "family" which is not real and is not even a family, and about how DC itself has been complicit with this for years, same as it is complicit with pushing narratives such as how nuclear family is the only possible kind of family, biological family is more important than adoptive family, and how two people who have even just some sort of vague relationship of cooperation are "brothers" and cannot therefore have a romantic relationship.

More on that point, think of Tim Drake is now out as bisexual and has a canonical boyfriend. It would be legitimate to wonder if his first crush was Dick Grayson, or even Bruce Wayne, while growing up and seeing all these very handsome boys in skintight suits. And so DC avoids this conversation by doubling and tripling down on how Dick and Tim are BROTHERS, and how (implicitly, pushed by their own fans who are queer themselves) thinking that Tim might have a crush on him is something only a freak of nature would do. Same goes for Tim and Bruce, because they are FATHER and SON.

Of course we can ship whatever we want regardless of the dynamic. But DC has been doing this for years and a huge, HUGE chunk of their fans are lapping this narrative up, and using it to hurt other fans. It's at this point a vicious cycle.

What's up with batman and the erasing of queer history? Sry I try to interact with fanon as little as possible

There is no simple or short answer to this but to try and not make it a wall of text - Batman/Robin has always been a staple of the queer community, so much so that to this day there are "brudick" graffiti in big cities and lots of older gay couples have been using them as a reference for solid partnership which endures in spite of adversity.

Originally there was no indication anywhere that Bruce and Dick were in the roles of father and son, rather they were partners against crime, one the shadow of the other, and they would share everything both when it came to crime fighting and in their everyday lives. They're shown sleeping together, going on lake trips together, finishing each other's sentences and Dick being viciously jealous every time Bruce would "replace" him with any of the women he used to have flings with such as Talia or Selina.

Did DC mean for them to be read as a queer couple? No, of course not. Bob Kane and others wrote a partnership, an unbreakable bond which would allow these two men to overcome any obstacle together, and queer people read into it as queer people always do.

Someone else read into it though: Frederick Wertham, who called Batman a pederast and used Batman and Robin as an example of how the evil comics would corrupt young minds to send them on the way of perdition and sin. He wrote all of this and many more infuriating shit in his book Seduction of the Innocents, which was then the major influence in creating the Hayes Code, which is the reason why we never had queer characters in comicbooks and movies and anything really for decades (and we're still struggling today).

Wertham and the Hayes Code did not stop the queer community from loving Batman and Robin though, therefore what started happening was the more subtle shift towards Bruce and Dick having a father and son relationship rather than a partnership. You can see this clearly with Jason Todd for the first time: Bruce takes Jason in and treats him as his own son, the narrative calls them father and son, and there is no doubt in the mind of who's reading that Bruce perceives Jason as his child. It all went steadily downhill from there.

Nowadays, writers have Dick say character assassinating things like "I love you dad" to Bruce, Tim saying "we will save our dad" to Damian, and everyone in the fandom acting like this has always been the case and actually you're weird and you should be sent death threats for shipping Brudick, because "UMMM that is literally his son?!??!?!?". DC has been pushing the idea that these folks are a nuclear family for a while now, but whoever has actually read the comics knows it's not the case, and it used to be very different before.

Brudick, among queer people, used to be entirely uncontroversial. While Wertham raged about how it corrupted the minds of young men and the Hayes Code prevented queerness to be anything but vaguely hinted and coded in the text, queer folks didn't care and kept having matching Batman and Robin shirts.

Today queer people will call you a pedophile and a groomer and try to doxx you for posting Brudick art because apparently they're doing the fascists' job for them, either because they are genuinely misguided or because they think that if they're enough morally pure they will have a spot among the chosen ones, hell if I know. What I know is that they'd suck Wertham's cock and balls if he wrote Seduction of the Innocents today, and it's DC's fault too with their erasure of every found family dynamic among the batclan, and the way they've been pushing the idea of a "batfamily" instead, in which everyone has a strict role of son or brother or father, and shipping them makes you the antichrist.

[biancadoes1]

Hi,

First off, thank you for posting my post. Organized Anon. I never thought people would care what I had to write, just had to get that off my chest and I love a good list lol. I guess, I have more so here is part 2. Lol

Today will be the Wild West west for Lukolas. I see people sending in post that are all over the place.

I myself am not a lukola -per se. I love Nic and Luke. I would love if they dated. But I like to remain neutral. I find it is the best for me. For me.

I am seeing posts saying Nic and Luke are beefing bc he did not post for her bday and she has not liked her post. My advice is to not engage with people who think Nic is dating Jake. It is a waste of time. You could have ET standing next to you saying aliens are real and they still will not believe you. It doesn’t matter about posts talking about the meaning of sweet one, they will not listen. The only thing to prove a jakola wrong is to let them use their brain. Trust me, if you ask question that requires thinking, in a respectful way, they will not know how to respond or what to do.

again, saying Nic is with JD bc she went to his premiere is childish. Saying she is mad with Luke and she has been showing JD off since Luke went to Rome is childish. Saying there is beef between them is childish. yes, I am even calling so called Lukolas on this site out who are agreeing with things.

there is nothing we can say to prove or show. But again, ask yourself those key questions.. if she is dating Jake and they have been out an about all this time, why not just post or tag that is who she was with in her photo. Nic has a brain and smart. We know they went to the WT movie together and we know they spend time together so why not post or tag him- and she might later do this- but why be public with JD on certain days and private with him on other days- makes no sense. No logical sense. People already think they date, so why hide him on the bday post. -Because his is most likely isnt dating him. This is just from rational thinking.

again, think rationally. Why would two adults- who play a beloved fan favorite of Polin be beefing and put in on SM for the world to think so. It’s bad for the product. Look at the Amazon show, culpa tuya. The leads are apparently beefing and yea people are talking but Polin is a different type of love story. Shonda would not let dirty laundry out so stop with the beefing theory. People sound like children. And these are grown adult women. Stop thinking that people are vindictive and want to manipulate others. Go seek therapy and figure out why toxicity is a driving force in your life. If Nic was beefing, why is Luke all over her end of year dump. His photo is on the back of her phone. At the least, they are besties.

now the million dollar question- why did he post for Claudia Bday and not Nic. There are only two possible reasons. A. JD is her man and he did not want to take away from JD on her special day. OR B. Luke is her man or her and Luke are getting close and decided to make it private - no attention. I believe the latter based on rational clues. Extra extra eyes were on them this year. Commenting on her SAG post was loud but not posting is louder. Personal stays private.

Could I be wrong yes- lol. But I’ll leave with this. If Nic is dating JD, you will have people saying she trolled the fandom. And if you are being honest, it can be seen that way. Posting and not posting jd. Jd trolling as well, saying things like people want me to marry Luke , doing that audiobook. It’s just too much. And she will get push back and fans will leave. I don’t care how nice people think JD is, he is not worth losing fans for. But let’s not think on this. We will cross that bridge, when or a big big big big if we need too. thanks!!!

.

[charmac]

thoughts on charlie learning how to read?

As to the effect, I think we’ll have to wait to see what really comes of it, considering the very final joke of the episode is he thinks “guest” on the scoreboard says “ghost,” they definitely made a point to make it clear he’s not necessarily literate by any means beyond “enough to graduate kindergarten”

I do like what Justin and Patrick, the EPs for Abbott said about the longevity of that establishment:

In the end, it’s definitely what Sunny and Charlie Day decide to do with this canon. We know the Abbott ep was filmed before any of the episodes for Season 17 of Sunny, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they do stick with the idea that Charlie doesn’t struggle as much with reading and writing and maybe has a little kick in him to keep practicing.

Personally on the existence of the storyline now incorporated into Sunny canon, I think they did it in such a fantastic way it’s hard for me to argue anything against or say anything negative. I loved watching it. The thing I love about Abbott is the heart they have in the stories and how real a lot of what they address and tackle in childhood-into-adult development is, and you feel that here, for sure. And we’re watching Abbott, not Sunny, so it’s something removed from the purgatory of the bar.

For those of us that know and love Charlie, I think it’s hard to not feel soft toward this idea that (even if it doesn’t stick or it’s so so basic) there really truly are ways for the Gang to develop and improve on their faults/stubbornness to change, provided it’s treated the right way. And that can only be done (and maybe only continue) in a completely different environment, like Abbott.

The tragedy of Sunny and the Gang is that they’ll never treat each other in that way and therefore can rarely develop. It’s not that they don’t necessarily care, but that their communication methods are so crude and fulled by (often trauma-born) selfishness, they can never give each other the support needed to help improve each other. They make each other miserable in most cases, but they’re also content with that because they almost equally inflict what they take on....

Though Sunny isn't all complete misery, as we all know. They do love each other in fucked up ways and (maybe) almost wish they could help each other in certain respects. Mac's support and encouragement of Charlie being able to read is evident in many Sunny episodes, so it really warmed my heart that Charlie was so eager to show Mac how he had learned and could do a more difficult part of the book for him :) In my opinion, they kept it well aligned with Sunny canon. The Gang don't have the tools to teach Charlie to read, but they do all support and even partly enjoy him learning if they don't have to do it themselves.

I think what we see of Charlie in the Sunny episode will be interesting. Since he's the A plot in Abbott, I have to imagine he has a minor role in Sunny, but will certainly be present. If the idea here is that everyone other than Dennis is serving to distract the teachers, and Charlie only learned to read for the week and goes back to his baseline state of illiteracy, I think I would accept that too.

The lasting effect of the plot doesn't matter too much to me. I think instead the idea that, in the right environment, Charlie can learn to read (and even gets some sense of pride and excitement out of being able to read) but Paddy's and the Gang are really what hinder him from being able to do so (despite the Gang not necessarily against the idea, and considering the fact that Charlie contributes to and prefers the environment they've created) reinforces the Sunny that we hold dear.

[palefacestudentlove]

Kintsugi.— lewis hamilton

In Japanese culture, there is an art form that provides solace with sacred touch. Kintsugi. A broken object is put together again, glued and repaired with gold. A proof of how the deepest wounds and the darkest days have no power in destroying what one chooses to fight for. A story, telling the power of healing that love and care holds. Highlighting the flaws of the object with a golden shine. Unleashing the beauty of the history that every unique piece carries. Kintsugi. A symbol of solace even in the middle of chaos the world offers. The same kind of love we are about to learn from two beautiful souls.

Mercury. The planet that orbits the sun the fastest. Glorious in its game. Beautiful to imagine. This one however, happened faster than Mercury’s game. It raced light and time, painting shame with bold colours on those two fastest elements. Swift. Quick. No longer than a blink. Everything muted the second his car hit the barrier. Everything went silent. As if the world had lost its music and the birds forgot how to sing. And it was suffocating, how the blue sky in its glory appeared mocking that afternoon. 

He was smoothly weaving through the pack, making his way to the front as he overtook. One car. Two. Three cars. Majestically painting another masterpiece of his own on the track. A master leading and teaching the pack and the whole world, to engrave a beautiful story, carved by blood, sweat, tears, and respect. It was graceful, the way he danced on the track. Refined and poetic. And like all other dances, this one carried a story too, a plot of its own. One that is about to make the whole world whisper. One that would dull all notes of melody, even the most majestic orchestra. One that would make the dictionary lose its purpose in giving meanings to things. And definitely one that would make one person’s heart stop. Y/N.

Love, on its own, is a cruel game. It'll give you the most unimaginable. Painting a million different shades on the canvas of life. Building a huge tree house for you to lay in, safe from the danger and threat offered by the world below. Unfortunately, like every other thing this world has seen, it carries a darkness too. One second you look away, it'll rip out the carpet from beneath your feet, letting you fall into an endless abyss. Pushing you off the cliff even if your hands are clawing to hold on, to climb back. 

Lap 50. A car slammed into the barrier of Turn 7 with a force that shook the whole track. Making every single garage went silent. And when the dust cleared, she saw it. She couldn’t even whisper when the world demanded her to scream. Car number 44. Red flags raised. Safety car and medical car deployed. Little Gracie was kept close to her hip. One hand drawing circles on the little girl’s back. She didn’t have the power to look down, to look into those same brown eyes the little girl inherited. Her gaze was on Bono. Unmoving. The man hasn’t looked at her yet, his hand on his headset. Calling. Asking. Checking.

“Lewis, are you okay?”

Trying to be as calm as possible, as demanded for his job, Bono’s voice broke through. Steady but still noticeably strained. A few seconds passed. Silence. A few more seconds stretched longer, carving an open wound in her chest that grew longer and deeper as the seconds passed. Loneliness tapping a gun to the back of her skull. Waiting to claim its desired bullseye. Every single second that passed, every single murmur, every single whisper, every single turn of head, she was hoping it's to tell her that this was all just a dream. A stupid nightmare she'll wake up from soon. But there’s nothing. Not even the faintest sound of his breath. He’s not hitting the radio button. He’s not moving. In vivid details, complete with their own music, her mind orchestrated every worst case scenario like a finale. Someone will always have to be the first one to leave. This story is a centuries long inevitable fate. No one holds the power to deny it. But even then, her heart begged. No, not yet. Not today. Give us more time, please.

In every single love story the world had witnessed, it always spoke of sacrifice. Things like: I would die for you, I would burn for you. But that wasn't the case with Y/N and Lewis. Never had been, never will be. For these two beating hearts, it has always been different. I would live for you. I want to try, for you. That's how it has always been for them. Y/N is a midnight storm. A dark cloud stood loyally on top of her head, wherever she went. She had long accepted and made peace with that. But Lewis. Oh Lewis. He had shown her and gave her every single reason to live. Teaching her that she deserves way more than just surviving. 

So how? How will she find a way to survive this? If Bono turned his head toward her, and  told her that they had failed Lewis. That they had failed her, Grace. How will she go through her Sundays at home? Waking up to his side of the bed cold and empty? Eating breakfast alone after sending Grace to school? God, Grace's first day of school without her daddy? Will his chair at her school's sports day be empty too? No one to carve a poetic line along her shoulder with soft kisses while she prepares breakfast? Every single one hitting the harbour in waves. And she's drowning. But Bono called again, more urgent, but still calm. There’s two people waiting inside the garage for Lewis, and he couldn’t, he didn’t even want to imagine how he’s going to face those two if this ends badly.

“Lewis, talk to me mate.”

As if the heavens saw the scenarios her mind orchestrated, a faint whisper of breath went through the radio. Say something. Please.

“Yeah mate, I’m okay. Just… thinking about how I’m going to explain that to Y/N.”

Bono turned toward her and Grace, nodding calmly, exhaling a tension he’s been holding in too. Only after that, she could finally remember how to inhale and exhale. A relief. Like a clueless tiny toddler who just conquered the world with their very first wobbly step. Her hold on Grace was tighter, grounding herself in the safety of her daughter’s hair. Closing her eyes, because fear still lingers at the corner of the garage, and silence still has its hands on her shoulder. 

On the screen, the paramedics were rushing to his side as he carefully climbed out of the metal wreckage that no longer has the silhouette of a car. He was walking, but slow. Way too slow through the lens of her eyes as she watched in silence.

Lewis, on the other side of the page, was trying to not lay a single touch on his ribs as he made his way to the medical car. Don’t. She’s watching. His right hand however, raised two fingers shaped like a peace hand sign, before tapping it on the top front of his helmet, where his forehead should be. A sign. A language only him and her understand. A way of saying or showing i’ll be fine or you’ll be fine. She saw it. He knows she’s watching, witnessing. I’m living, Y/N. For you. For us. She turned her attention away, gathering their things, following Anthony who had stood beside her the whole time. Preparing for what would be a painful evening at the hospital, no matter how short or long. 

Everything that happened at the hospital was a blur to her. Pale fluorescent lights, murmured conversations with the doctor. Something about bruised ribs and nothing broken but he’ll be sore for a while. The hospital room they were in was too cold. Was it just the temperature playing its part, or the eerie chill in her bones that refused to leave? She didn’t even know. Y/N stood stiff at the corner of his hospital bed, Grace nestled in the crook of her neck, dozing off. Anthony sat on one side of the bed, one hand on Lewis’ thigh as the two men spoke in hushed tones, not wanting to wake Grace up, or pushing Y/N more to the edge of the cliff. 

She heard it all, as the words floated freely in the cold air of the room, but her eyes were too focused on the floor. And it’s torturous, how his eyes kept darting to his wife even as he was talking to his dad. Searching, calling, yearning, but her eyes refused to meet him. She couldn't even bring herself to even whisper. When all he wanted at that very moment was for her to scream in his face. Yelling. Telling him how worried she was. Put the blame on him. But she couldn't. Maybe, if she loved him less, her mouth would be able to do its job, spitting words, sentences. 

He had so much power over her. One that no one possesses. One that would make even the mightiest knights to lay down their shields on the ground, surrendering in defeat. She gave him that power. Handed it to him in a delicate box, wrapped with a fragile ribbon of love. Anthony’s gentle voice broke her unmoving gaze, offering her to take Grace into his arms, noticing how she hadn’t let go of the little sunshine since they left the track.

“No. She’s fine here. I’m fine.”

Hesitantly, Anthony nodded. Because he understood. She needed Grace in her arms. Not only because the little girl needed her, but also and mainly because she needed something to keep her from breaking down. Something to hold on to, to hide her shaking hands, to silence the trembles in her fingers. What isn't a part of ourselves will never hold the power to disturb us in any way. And maybe, just maybe, that's why all this shit disturbed her so much. Because it's a part of her that the track threatened to silence earlier today. Him. Her Lewis. That's why every tick, every breath, every whisper disturbed her mind so deeply, like a tsunami claiming its dominance through the alley it keeps on swallowing. So when Lewis called her name, she abruptly walked out in a careful manner. Leaving the room without sparing a glance at her husband. Something about wanting to check everything with the nurse before they leave, she said.

The flight home was unbearable. The luxury of the private jet did little to ease the tension. Nothing changed during the car ride home too. Suffocating him harder than his bruised ribs. Her eyes never left the window. Arms and hands hugging and caressing Grace’s back as she fell asleep in her arms. A rare occasion whenever Lewis is present. 

His brown eyes however, never left her tired face. Flickering to her every few minutes. His heart further declined, stretching its descent deeper and deeper as the tension in her jaw became apparent to him. The same one his lips had traced a thousand times in between the sheets, in the mornings where he would hug her from behind as she prepared breakfast.

Once the car pulled into the driveway of their house, Y/N immediately got out, carrying Grace inside without waiting for the man who had been waiting to see her eyes, hear her voice. Lewis stayed in the car for a silent few minutes. Weakly, his head fell back against the headrest that felt harder and rougher than the gravel. A long breath was exhaled. Shaky. His tears were pooling in his eyes. This wasn’t how he wanted to come back to her. This wasn’t what he meant every time he promised her to come home safe before every single race.

Come home safe. A phrase that she never missed to whisper in his ears as she hugged him, before every single race. Since the first race she attended after he handed her his heart, body, and soul. A promise. One that he would always reply with a soft I will, before kissing her lips and leaving another one on her forehead. 

Time. That’s what she needs right now. So that’s what he gave. When he finally stepped inside the house, he beelined his way straight to their bedroom. She wasn’t there. Probably in Grace’s room. In the kitchen maybe. Anywhere but close to him. Anywhere but in his arms. The shower he took was longer than usual. His body was in pain, but the wound in his heart was the one that digs deeper, through the flesh, deep into the marrow. Marking its territory in his heart with a bold move.

When he came down, the smell of curry hit him. Warm, but still unsettling. She had cooked his favourite dish. As he stepped into the kitchen, she was already placing his plate out. Just one. On his seat at their dining table. For him alone and him only. She’s not eating with me. He hesitated as he sat down, heart clenching. Eyes not meeting her. The soft hum from the kitchen light was the only calming thing in the room. It mingles with the clinks and clatters of the dishes and kitchen appliances as she moves mechanically. Creating a melody he never heard before, hating it as soon as the first note hit.

“Love,” a call to her. Soft and gentle. Even while his hands are clammy, shaking, to reach her skin. Not a single spoonful had gotten into his stomach ever since he sat down.

“Eat, Lewis.”

Even while her heart was breaking, leaving cracks as it declines and descends, she still prepared him dinner. Straightaway once they’re home, not caring about herself not getting even a single beat of rest. Making sure he’s not eating his meds on an empty stomach. But god, he hates how it sounded when that “Lewis” fell out of her soft lips just now. He always loved how his name sounded when she said it. How it sounded when she’s ‘mad’ at him for stealing her chocolates, how it sounded whenever he came up with stupid unhinged ideas, and how it sounded as he slipped in and out of her, pouring himself empty for her.

So he willed himself to finally find her, her eyes. A silent but loud plea. 

Look at me please.

She didn’t

Y/N please, look at me. Please. 

Again, nothing. But the knife plunged deeper this time. Because this time, he saw it. She was deliberately dancing around the kitchen, keeping her hands and mind busy. Cleaning, rearranging, wiping every single useless thing in the kitchen. Even the ones he had never seen or touched before. And it was so bright and loud. In visions and sounds. How she wasn’t even half as delicate and gentle as she usually was with everything. She’s retreating. He knows she was silently retreating into that one dark place in her beautiful mind. The one place she only pays a visit when the whole world is too much, when she feels like she is not safe. As if not a single corner on this earth is safe for her anymore. Not even in their house. Not even in his arms. She’s not feeling safe. He couldn’t let her retreat and seek shelter there. And he needs her eyes. Hell, he missed them.

“Sweetheart.”

The sweet nickname fell out of his mouth softly, but still stern. Enough to catch her attention, forcing her to slowly turn her tired body around, facing him. The man she almost lost. The man that made her almost lost herself. Finally, that pair of eyes. Those deep beautiful eyes that never failed to draw him in, calming him. Those eyes that hold so many layers he never wanted to stop peeling and discover. Those eyes that made him surrender, leaving him breathless. Finally, those exact same eyes that he fell in love with and still, will always be in love with landed on him. Soft and warm, a gentle kiss from the sunrise, before they shifted in just one swift blink. A cold flame, scolding him, scorching his face, leaving him no place to seek refuge. 

But fuck. She’s… beautiful.

“Come here please…”

She sighed, running her hand through her hair, pushing it back. Her hair is getting longer. A beat of silence. Please, come to me. And slowly, very slowly, she walked over to him. Crossing the small physical space between them that felt a thousand miles away emotionally. Once her body was close enough, reachable to him, he reached for her. His hands crawled its way back to one of their homes, her waist. Reminding him what he almost lost today. Tattooing a thought in his mind, about no matter how often his hands had laid there, it would never be enough. He pulled her closer to him, leaving no space in between except for the thin material of her soft blue shirt. His eyes were threatening to cry in relief, when she didn’t even fight him as she claimed her way in between his legs. Weakly, he let go. He let his head fall onto her soft stomach. I should have kissed it longer this morning. Breathing her in, inhaling a deep one. Unbelievably grounding and calming. Her right hand that hung loosely on her side now made its way into the collar of his white t-shirt. A soft caress before softly massaging away the tension in his left shoulder. 

Oh gosh. Her touch. Her scent. Her. 

It’s still not enough. These weren’t enough. If his body wasn’t sore and screaming in pain, he would have begged her to let him give and pour. He would have been on his knees tracing his favourite path inside her thighs whispering his apologies again and again like a broken record before carrying her into their bedroom. So he moved his hands to her small back, drawing soft and gentle circles against it. She got it. The whole exchange was him talking. It’s him laying down his apologies. It’s him pulling her out of that dark place in her mind, saving her. A knight even in his low point. It’s him asking her to be with him, right here, right now. 

I love you. I need you. Please.

“Eat with me.” “I’m not hu–”

Immediately, he raised his throbbing head. Don’t lie. He was looking her deep in the eyes, silencing her mouth and mind. Staring and reminding her. I know you. Reminding her he knows her. His wife. His last love. His home. The mother of his child. His safest place. He knows that her throat hasn’t swallowed a single drop of water since they left the pale and sickening hospital, let alone touching the tiniest bit of food. Even in this weak and fragile state, he cares. About her, more than himself. So please, let him care and lay down the safety net she needed. Let him catch her like she always does for him without a miss, not even once. Let me take care of you, love.

It’s a losing game, this whole exchange. This whole conversation that they are having only with their eyes. Honest. Open. It’s a game she should have surrendered before she even started playing. He’s patient. Persistent. Always the same strategy. Always the same tactic. Although this time, it took him more and longer to claim the gold medal. She swallowed an empty lump. 

He won.

“The food is getting cold.” “Sit down with me then.”

Her hand reached the nearest chair, placing it next to his before sitting down. His eyes never left hers. Not even for a second since they were laid on hers just now. His right hand found a way home to her small back as she started with the food. Gentle circles, ups and downs under her shirt, against her skin as she fed him the first spoonful. Warm. Safe. Soft. She stared at him after the first spoonful, waiting for a reaction. He gave her a soft wholesome smile. It’s delicious. 

But her stare lingered, hands unmoving, not preparing for a second one. He stared back, delicately.

She nodded. You’re okay.

He nodded. I’m okay.

She had no strength left to hold it in anymore. The dam had been destroyed. Freeing her tears that were flooding. Her head nestled into the crook of his neck. A lost traveler taking shelter and seeking solace under the shade of an enduring tree canopy. Stopping the downpour of her fears. Letting time pass without a worry. Like Neptune travelling its orbit. His arms wrapped around her. A blanket draped over her trembling figure. Silencing the noise outside. Not forgetting to kiss her long on top of her head. A constant so grounding and reassuring. 

He saw it today. It wasn’t the first time. But today, it shone brighter, sang louder, danced bolder, and stood stronger. Her strength. Her trying to keep it all in her together, all alone, for him, for little Grace. But at that moment, he didn’t want her to. He wanted her to lay her fears and worries bare and naked in front of him. He wanted her to feel safe, be safe. Here, in his embrace. The only place where he will give everything to silence her storms, leaving them weakened, lifeless. 

His wife. The woman who has a hold of his whole heart. Had fought herself violently today. Baring her teeth to her own emotions. Drowning it down with all her might. All because of an almost. But this moment, right now. Her, safe in the hold of his arms, the fog finally cleared out. Both of them had no hold on perfection. And the world won’t sit still. At any time, at any given moment, it will send down cruel war and games to make them crack. Today however, it became clear as a sky. Bleed if they must, cry if they have to, but neither him or Y/N will ever let go. With her, it’s worth it. With his Y/N.  Every crack worth a story to tell.

This is the kind of love Lewis and Y/N fights for. Fractured with cracks at times, but made and built stronger, more historical, more beautiful, through the tears and smiles they pour empty to mend it. Their own piece of Kintsugi.

“You came home.” “For you.”

[hugintheraven]

#gelphie isn't even canon right???

That's a very good question. So, Wizard of Oz has been queer as fuck basically from the beginning, but when it's a children's book series from 1900, that means magical transformation into different genders, women being treated as capable people, and Dorothy and Ozma living together and "embracing" or "kissing" in ways that could be girls being girlfriends or girls being girlfriends. This continued in various ways through the various adaptations. Like, the concept of an explicit canon didn't exist outside of religion until the comic books of the 1950's or so, and there were actual laws about promoting homosexuality until very recently, so talking about canon queerness in the Wizard of Oz canon is asking the wrong question.

When the Wicked novel dropped in the 1990s, it left it ambiguous what exactly was going on between the two of them, though there is an on-page kiss and the author has openly spoken about it being a possibility he intentionally left space for but did not confirm or deny.

The musical(and movie) continued this tradition. Galinda and Elpheba are the most important people in each other's lives. They kiss, they fall asleep in each other's laps, they fight, they lie to each other/themselves/everyone else, they both date the same dude, we get power ballads about hating each other and the differences in their philosophies, the framing device of the musical is Galinda loving Elpheba too much to respect Elpheba's choice to sacrifice herself...

Are they canonically having sex? No. Is it possible given what we see? Yes. Is whatever they have going on much more significant than actual sex? Absolutely.

They love each other, in whatever way you want to read that phrase, and both fans and performers have take that to heart. I wouldn't trade For Good for canon sex in a second, and I'm not alone in that, but that doesn't mean they aren't also having sex just offscreen every time since they got back from the club. The space is left open for reader interpretation.

Top Femslash Ships Bracket - Round 4

This poll is a celebration of fandom and fandom history; we're aware that there are certain issues with some of the listed pairings and sources, but they are a part of that history. Please do not take this as an endorsement of anything included in the bracket, and refrain from harassment.

[genderqueerdykes]

How to deal w a longtime friend that at some point became a radfem? I was bad at recognising it back then when there were clear signs and didnt know how to argue, so i stayed passive and argeeable, esp since im a nonbinary guy n shes a (sorta questioning) cis girl.

When i showed discomfort with her doing the "i hate all men" type stuff she's said "omg you're not one of those 'not all men' types" and bc i didnt know at the time i backed off, n she also mentioned how she sees/treats both trans men n cis men the same

I mean ive always felt like she's treated me that way, or that i felt like i needed to stay silent or had more priviledge when around her, despite being pre-everything and pr much closeted in my everyday life, or felt more like i was a binary man around her when im not

She has also been sorta weirdly sex/kink negative or made fun of it, for some time i figured that it was just a bit bc of her being sex repulsed n her being immature, but i still felt sorta more ashamed regarding my kinkiness/sexuality around her when not (were both on the aroace spectrum, though i figured out more recently)

Also parroting radfem rhetoric about "well the sex industry is harmful" (..every capitalistic industry is harmful) and when mentioning kinks/fetishes for some reason often brought up "but what about those kinks where people get off to women starving themselves/having problems w their weight" which is like?? Yea okay if they are doing that to real people thats bad but like what kink/fetish spaces do you hang out in where that would be the first thing you'd bring up??

I also once remember her mentioning that she felt weird about her own connection to masculinity, which i sussed and esp now sus might be due to her being this man-hating

She's told me "you don't have an issue w the 'man vs bear' thing since you're a guy right?" but i didnt feel like arguing at that time so i just agreed and quickly moved onto another subject

Looking back at older texts, she's also said before that im "one of the few men she actually respects"

I've realised how harmful and bull radfem rhetoric is now, n i want to keep a distance from her, but idk how to deal w it bc ive always been the more agreeable and peace-keeping one between us

i'm so sorry you had to go through this. radfems are possessive of the identities of everyone around them to the point of coming up with the most asinine bullshit to make other people feel insecure and question themselves and just go along with whatever the hell they're saying. it's toxic and abusive.

whenever i talk about transmasculine and trans male issues, i get those "oh you're one of those not all men types" as well. it's such a useless thing to say. like if the thing you're opposing is people making blanket statements about women and being treated like a monolith, why are you doing it to someone else? that's the example you're setting, but yet you expect different treatment? double standard.

the sex & kink negativity in radfeminism is exhausting, too. it's not progressive. a lot of people choose to go into sex work and enjoy it. some don't mind it. some are okay with that being their job. a lot of people are exploited, but not everyone is. like you said, it's the capitalist corruption of these industry that causes problems. like you said, people instantly jump to the worst possible conclusion when the subject of kink comes up

the normal song and dance is "men who are into BDSM are only straight guys who are misogynistic and want to beat women. women who are into BDSM are scared and confused and being taken advantage of and are enabling abusive men." they have very few arguments and they're all so far out of left field that it's not relevant to the type of conversation you're having in that moment. making blanket statements about all kinky people being abusive in some way... that's profiling.

at this point its your choice if you continue to interact with her. if you do, you are allowed to stand your ground and tell her that those kinds of things make you very uncomfortable and that it's just not okay. if she can't handle that, then it's not your job to try to change her mind. if she cares about you, she'll treat you with respect. i hope that's the case, but you don't owe time or energy to people who treat you like garbage. good luck, stay safe

[pompomchihuahua]

On Sanemi and Giyuu: A Journey of Misunderstandings

Sanemi and Giyuu have possibly one of the most misunderstood dynamics in fandom that I've ever personally seen. And to truly understand their relationship, I want to briefly talk about Giyuu and how his past affects his relationship with the other Hashira.

Let's start with Giyuu.

The Hashira that was never meant to be. Giyuu's life is one built on sacrifice and regret. First with the loss of his sister, Tsutako, after she sacrificed herself to save him. He falls into a depression and feels that he should have been the one to die instead when his sister, who was set to be married in one day, had so much "more" to live for.

Sabito then delivers the infamous slap. The shock and pain of life help to pull him back into the moment when Sabito tells him not to waste his sister's sacrifice, that she knew exactly what she was giving up when she hid him.

And he manages to get through to Giyuu for a while. Until Final Selection, when Sabito tragically gives up his life to save Giyuu and everyone else taking part in Final Selection that year.

From there, Giyuu spirals, forgetting the lesson Sabito taught him on mount Sagiri. He devotes himself to his training and quickly ascends the ranks, but believes himself unworthy of the status of Hashira because of what was sacrificed to get him there.

As a result, he isolates himself from companionship. In the light novel, Ubuyashiki says this about Giyuu: "But Tomioka has deliberately cornered himself. He looks backward because that's what he wants." The guidebook says, "The Water Hashira keeps a distance from the other Hashira and the rest of the corps."

As I mentioned in my post on Sanemi's pack-centric nature, it's not right to even call Giyuu a lone wolf at this point in the story because he does not want companionship.

Giyuu, like many characters, is trapped in the past and self-destructing via isolation.

That's not to say he doesn't subconsciously want it. Humans are social animals who crave contact on our most basic levels; of course there is always going to be some part of Giyuu that wants human contact. This subconscious desire for human contact can be seen in the way he views the other Hashira.

The first thing I notice is that he rates the Hashira based on how much they talk to him. If they don't talk to him, he doesn't speak with them.

I mean, just look at that piddly openness score! Sanemi has twice the level of openness and the light novel outright calls him "unsociable." Muichirou, who is described (and this is a direct quote from page 140 of OWB) as "basically an empty puppet" has an openness score of 40%.

And I'd like to emphasize that it is very much not just Sanemi that has complaints about Giyuu's behavior.

His isolation affects not just his social life but his job as well with Uzui saying in the light novels: "We're finally cutting loose the uncooperative Water Hashira?"

Even Rengoku chips in, saying "we have to stand tall and tell him our complaints," just a few sentences later.

During the Hashira meeting at the beginning of the training arc, Amane asks them on behalf of Ubuyashiki to unlock the marks for the sake of defeating Muzan, but, Giyuu, resigned that he would never earn a mark and does not deserve to stand with the Hashira, leaves the meeting.

It's easy to forget that we, as the viewer, have all the context and that other characters don't. To the other Hashira, this comes across as Giyuu actively shirking his duty as a Hashira.

Sanemi stops Giyuu, stating that he can't leave until they "decide what our respective roles will be!"

To which Giyuu responds "It has nothing to do with me."

Shinobu outright asks Giyuu to explain himself to which he simply says "I'm not like the rest of you."

As the viewer, we know he means that he is not on par with the others, but to characters like Sanemi, who has spent his life in poverty and thus, looked down upon, this sounds all to familiar.

Sanemi even outright says: "I don't like the sound of that. You said the same thing before, didn't you, Tomioka? You're looking down on us?"

Giving him a very clear chance to explain himself.

However, Giyuu just turns his head and walks away, leaving Sanemi with that assumption.

This is without going into, how, during the very same meeting, Giyuu calls Sanemi a "simpleton," completely unprompted.

As much as I love Giyuu, he doesn't make a very good case for himself in the eyes of the other Hashira.

So, what changes? How does Giyuu go from actively avoiding contact to this:

Well...

Simply put... his relationship with Tanjirou.

His brotherly bond with Tanjirou is one of the most beautiful storylines in Demon Slayer and I could make a whole post devoted to them if I had the time. But to put it shortly, Tanjirou helps Giyuu learn to open himself up to companionship again. Suddenly, we see a shift in Giyuu. And the light novels make a very heavy distinction between the way Giyuu was acting before Tanjirou's influence and after: "The way Tomioka was now, Tanjirou was sure he'd be able to be friends with everyone."

Unfortunately for Tomioka... he has a hard time convincing Sanemi that he isn't making fun of him and that he want's to be friends.

His face in the light novel is described as: "his face seemed like he was making fun of anyone who spoke to him."

Aka he's got a major case of RBF and a very flat tone with very little intonation. Which means that when Giyuu tries to reach out to Sanemi through ohagi (a treat typically enjoyed by children!), between his face, voice, and previous history of insulting Sanemi, it seems only logical (to Sanemi, the audience knows different) that Giyuu is making fun of him once again.

I've already discussed in length how Sanemi is a pack-centered person (here) and how it also affects how it sees Giyuu. How his loner archetype is the antithesis of what the mighty wolf stands for.

So how does Sanemi go from thinking that Giyuu is a self-centered asshole to smiling at him like this?

By finally, finally, in the end, proving himself as part of the pack and a team player.

Finally, on the battlefield, they are equals and Sanemi sees Giyuu for his true self; willing to sacrifice everything for the good of humanity and for his family.

As for Sanemi's huge shift in attitude in general at the end, well, that's a different post.

Regardless, Sanemi and Giyuu's relationship is one fraught with misunderstanding and is a prime example of how someone's mental state can clash with someone else's. You never know what someone else is going through. For Sanemi, he fundamentally doesn't understand that it is Giyuu's guilt and desire to not see anyone else lose their life in his name that drives him to isolate while Giyuu can't see that his isolation comes across as arrogance to someone who has spent their whole life in a position of being considered "lower."

All in all, they have an incredibly interesting dynamic that I think is taken for granted.

[themalhambird]

I put Next Generation on for background noise while crafting, got distracted by just. Straight up watching it, and that means it's time for my longstanding tradition of [insert current media fixation here] Star Trek AU: Rings of Power edition.

Gil-galad is Captain of the U.S.S Lindon. He is not paid enough. Yes, the Federation doesn't use money, he's still not paid enough. His First Officer (on this diplomatic and scientific vessel) likes to stun first ask questions later, and his chief engineer does things like strip all the engines down and rearrange everything inside them instead of sleeping because "the ship was complaining the wires were itchy."

Celebrimbor is the chief engineer in question, from a small planet and a people with an affinity for crafting and machinery beyond most humanoids, but Celebrimbor takes it to a whole other level. He and the Lindon talk to each other. He made a little mechanical mouse to keep the plasma conduits company, got thrown in the brig for refusing to dismantle it when an Admiral doing an inspection orders him to, and got released from the brig 72 hours later when taking the mouse away from plasma conduits ended up triggering a series of engineering catastrophes.

Galadriel is first officer. She and Gil-galad disagree often, but are still a strong team. Elrond is communications officer, though he's trying to pick up as much medical knowledge and experience as possible because he's 1) genuinely interested but 2) Celebrimbor and Galadriel both have a tendency to Get Into Situations and knowing one end of the med scanner from the other comes in handy.

Adar is... okay picture this. There's an old abandoned mining colony on an astroid littered with scrap, and the Lindon needs spare parts after taking heavy damage in a storm or something, so Galadriel and Celebrimbor beam down...and are immediately taken captive by a group of the mineworkers- humanoidish beings calling themselves Uruks- abandoned when the capitalist shitbags had finished stripping the place bare. Adar refused to leave and has been struggling to keep the small group surviving, aims to have them thriving, but the whole place is powder keg. Anyway, respective reactions to being captured:

Galadriel: I am going to fight my way out of this with my bare hands and my teeth if I have to >:-/ Celebrimbor: All this broken machinery is easily fixible, i just need a few days- in exchange for being able to return to our ship with the parts we need? :D

Anyway while Celebrimbor is being helpful and Galadriel is being mad about it, the Uruks move against Adar because stuff has been shit for so long, and stuff explodes, and Adar ends up helping Galadriel and Celebrimbor make a run for it, at which point Celebrimbor is like. "Look, come back with us to the Lindon. There's nothing here for you, we can drop you off somewhere-" and that is how Adar ends up stalking around the Lindon or skulking in the engine room like a grumpy cat. He ends up sidling into an unofficial ship's security role thanks to a series of Episode-of-the-week type shenanigans.

Sauron is a reoccurring problem. He first boards the Lindon as Halbrand, an ambassador needing conveying around several star systems. Charming, model passenger, gets on very well with Galadriel in particular. The series of incidents and arguments that break out while he's on board are nothing to do with him. Elrond thinks something's *off*, but can't articulate why. Anyway, Halbrand leaves them. And then it comes through that Star Fleet never had any record of him...

A year or so later a new engineer is assigned to the Lindon- Annatar. By the time he's exposed, Celebrimbor's nearly blown up the whole ship up and a whole raft of Star Fleet engineering secrets have been stolen...

[dootznbootz]

I don’t have a link but I saw a post along the lines of “EPIC fans trying to gaslight themselves into thinking Odysseus wouldn’t cheat (he does in the books)” and I nearly had a conniption.

Some people WERE arguing he was assaulted, but other people were saying it depends on the interpretation and saying he has a child with Circe and that he stays on the island with her for a year. I also saw someone say he was just lying about being assaulted on another post about it.

The Odyssey/EPIC fandom is so exhausting I’ve thought about blocking everything sometimes ngl. It’s so hard to filter out posts like that. But there’s so much amazing art and content about it I don’t want to stop seeing it.

No, like that's the struggle of it.

I Love Epic and I technically got into the Odyssey BECAUSE of Epic. But I'm a hardcore Odyssey girly. I adore it so much. I've read 8 translations at this point because I love it so much and it's fun for me! And Epic is in no way a replacement for the Odyssey (Jay even says that it's not! he's simply inspired by the Odyssey) and it feels like high quality fanfiction of the Odyssey (FUN! JOYOUS WHIMSY! I still like it! :3 ).

But holy shit, like, both Epic AND Tagamemnon fans can be so fucking exhausting. (I am a fan of both. I can say this.)

(Obviously I'm not talking about everyone. <3 I've made many friends and have met lovely people in both fandoms.)

Like while yes, Epic!Odysseus isn't coerced/raped by either of the goddesses, that's simply because of the fact that Jay simply felt like he wasn't well equipped to handle such dark topics to that extent. And I honestly respect him for that! He knows his limits with the story he wanted to tell and that's good! And in general I think he did a fantastic job handling the aspects of it he did touch on (Coercion with Circe's threatening in "There Are Other Ways" is done well imo.)

(ngl, I kind of take back what I said about "Not Sorry for Loving You". I think a lot of my reaction was initially from my fear of how fandom would react. But I've been delightfully surprised seeing how (for the most part) Epic Fandom has really come through to show the "fucked up-ness" of that song)

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ODYSSEUS IN THE ODYSSEY IS A SHITTIER HUSBAND BECAUSE HE, IN THE ANCIENT TEXT, CANNOT SAY NO TO A GODDESS.

Greek Mythology isn't like Percy Jackson where 12 year old Percy beat Ares. (I was a PJO KID TOO!) It's not "Odysseus didn't try hard enough" fucking victim blaming btw because HE LITERALLY CANNOT REFUSE OR THEN HE'LL (AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE CASE OF CIRCE) WOULD DIE!!!

Like I wrote a whole ass essay on Circe's Situation (I feel so preachy and shitty about having to constantly bring it up but I will as much as I have to to get people to listennnn) and in general, if you can't see what's happening with Calypso, you've got your head up your ass and/or are just looking away because you don't like the actual implications of what's happening. For the main "gripe" I've seen with Calypso with how "He enjoyed her company at first", @lyculuscaelus has a great essay breaking that down.

And before? ODYSSEUS HAS NO LISTED CONCUBINES! And he brings up Penelope often in the Iliad!

And the whole "lying about being assaulted", I'm sorry but if someone is holding the "Men were so sexist that they couldn't possibly care about the women in their lives or have been victims" idea, then why would Odysseus willfully share that he was raped by women? Who, as they say, were viewed beneath him? Why would he lie about something that would put him in such a humiliating light?

Btw, Menelaus (sealy boy!!!) even says that he's being held captive by Calypso with what he learned from Proteus! Menelaus isn't known for telling stories!

I feel bad as like, I used to LOVE going into the tags and finding creators I haven't seen before and cheering them on! Art and Fics and yay! But like... It's sometimes so disheartening going in there and seeing nonsense or bad takes ;~;

Honestly, as much as I DO enjoy Epic, I think that hopefully once the hype dies down a lil, it'll chill out more :') We'll all be okay!

[rey-jake-therapist]

So I keep reading that Sauron and Galadriel couldn't have spent sexy times together because it would have bound Sauron to his form, which I'm pretty sure is wrong, so I searched Google and found something funny dating from 2013. 'Couldn't not share it.

"Sex as means to reproduce.

My answer depending on what that s-word means: I. Couple Glue: Sauron: Not interested in such thing. Wears only friend in his world on his finger until he looses both. Valar: They surely had a couple thingy. Tantric sex that Sting hasn't dreamt of or something. Maiar: Not as apparant as the Valar but probably yeah. II. Love pendant (Obsession) Sauron: The REAL baddies in Tolkien's world aren't some misunderstood emos (for which he has my respect). They don't love or obsesse over gals. EXCLUSION: While he was a blender, he might have faked it (if it was useful for him he would have). Valar/Maiar: Dunno. Probably. Possibly. They want the couple thingy, after all? III. Physical activity Sauron: Surely. I mean why not? And the time argument is irrelevant if we exclude the love/obsession/couple thing. Valar/Maiar: The ones that were happy to try new things surely… Unless it was binding to human form and/or the couple thingy was great enough. Wizards: The time argument holds, as they will also engage in a love/couple thingy. The old age probably protected them from it. Saruman, just as Sauron, was a complete Baddy: yeah he prolly did it. He even got new clothes, as he probably tried to tell himself that the women actually liked him for himself. IV. Reproduction Sauron: Deffo not. Immortals probably had some way to control this, as there was no overpopulation issue in ME. But he would probably kill his women and eat the babies before he conceives possible competition. Valar: Couldn't. If the tantric thing was also as good as sting thinks - lucky bastards. Maiar: Had probably something to do with choice."

To be clear, I didn't write this stuff: Source

More seriously, regarding the subject itself:

From Tolkien's essay Ósanwe-kenta, Vinyar Tengwar #39:

Here Pengolodh adds a long note on the use of hröar by the Valar. In brief he says that though in origin a "self-arraying", it may tend to approach the state of "incarnation", especially with the lesser members of that order (the Maiar). "It is said that the longer and the more the same hröa is used, the greater is the bond of habit, and the less do the 'self-arrayed' desire to leave it. As raiment may soon cease to be adornment, and becomes (as is said in the tongues of both Elves and Men) a 'habit', a customary garb. Or if among Elves and Men it be worn to mitigate heat or cold, it soon makes the clad body less able to endure these things when naked". Pengolodh also cites the opinion that if a "spirit" (that is, one of those not embodied by creation) uses a hröa for the furtherance of its personal purposes, or (still more) for the enjoyment of bodily faculties, it finds it increasingly difficult to operate without the hröa. The things that are most binding are those that in the Incarnate have to do with the life of the hröa itself, its sustenance and its propagation. Thus eating and drinking are binding, but not the delight in beauty of sound or form. Most binding is begetting or conceiving. "We do not know the axani (laws, rules, as primarily proceeding from Eru) that were laid down upon the Valar with particular reference to their state, but it seems clear that there was no axan against these things. Nonetheless it appears to be an axan, or maybe necessary consequence, that if they are done, then the spirit must dwell in the body that it used, and be under the same necessities as the Incarnate. The only case that is known in the histories of the Eldar is that of Melian who became the spouse of King Elu-Thingol. This certainly was not evil or against the will of Eru, and though it led to sorrow, both Elves and Men were enriched."

So it's clearly said that the most binding is "begetting or conceiving", in other words: making babies. Melian lost the ability to change form ever again because she conceived Luthien, not because she had sex with Thingol (yeah I know that one event often leads to the other, but Elves are known for being able to decide when they want to conceive, and I presume it's the same for a Maia). And even in this case, in the text it's said that begitting and conceiving are the "most binding" things a Maiar can do, but it doesn't straight out state that it automatically involves losing their capacity to shapeshift... But then, Melian is the only example of Maia who had a child, and she remained in an Elf form.

Regarding everything that's not begetting/conceiving, it would take Sauron to use his hröa (his body) during a certain time before losing the capacity to shapeshift. And if I understand this text well, it would be the result of him getting attached to this hröa, in a way: he would be so used to this form that he would also lose the desire to leave it.

[b0n3s-is-gay]

Idk if you’re doing requests but I need someone to write head canons for the greasers being sub and into dry humping please 🙏🙏🙏🙏 Maybe even one shots/drabbles? I would love for you to write this but If you don’t want to, it’s Ok! I respect that! Anyways have a good day xx

Fuck yeah! I live for submissive men, give me a moment!!

Darrel Shaynne Curtis:

Let's get one thing out of the way, this man is hardly submissive but he wants to be. He's all tough and mean on the outside because he's the older brother and works almost 24/7, he's going to need some time for someone else to take care of him from time to time given that he's a young man and that he also does like being on top.

He's a whiney sub but he really tries not to be. If you're just making out while sitting on his lap or he's sitting on yours, he's going to end up grinding on your thigh and whimpering in your ear.

When it comes to dry humping with a subby! Darry, he's really sensitive. He's good at controlling his climax when he's on top but when he's on bottom and is humping against you, he's so so sensitive.

Praise him, praise this man. He needs it, he craves that validation from you. Tell him he's a good boy and he's having to bit his lips to keep himself from cumming on the spot. He's got a praise kink through and through.

8/10 because HOLY FUCK, he's a damn good sub but -2 points because it's rare to get that kind of Darry most nights.

Keith "Two-bit" Mathews:

He's a brat. Don't listen to anything else, this man is a slutty, bratty pillow prince. He doesn't care what you do. Degrade him, praise him. It doesn't matter because he will cum all the same.

When it comes to dry humping, he's not picky. If you're at a drive in and sitting in a car, he's going to get on your lap while making out and start humping your thigh (With permission of course, he's a brat but not a monster.)

When you two are together and getting intimate with him on bottom, he tried to power bottom but it doesn't work out in his favor. He'll degrade you but to fix that, just fuck with his chest a little bit while he's being bratty and he'll sort himself out.

While he is a pillow prince, he'll repay the favor after he's been overstimmulated to hell and back.

6/10 because you're getting bossed around while fucking. It was going to be 7/10 but -1 point because he's mean about it.

Dallas "Dally" Winston:

Not really bratty, not really whiney... He's somewhere in between emotional because Dally doesn't do vulnerablilty unless he's comfortable with you, and even then, it's rare that he is.

When he subs, he's going to try and control what he can because he doesn't want to let go of that control.

When Dally is dry humping, he's not shy about it. He wouldn't do it in public, fuck no, but if you're in your own space, he's not shy about rutting his hips against your thigh while kissing you.

When dry humping, Dally is slow about it, trying to keep this going as long as possible without getting too worked up. He likes to have his pleasure and moments of vulnerability with you. And yes, you could probably get him to cry as he does try and overstimulate himself often in the sub space.

9/10. He's great to dom and take care of with. Just be sure to treat him right.

Steve Randle:

This man doesn't sub. He just doesn't. The most you'll get out of him is him being a power bottom. My apologies.

He'll dry hump you while making out though, grinding up against you while your lip locked in private.

3/10 because he's no sub.

Sodapop Patrick Curtis:

Sodapop is a switch, try to tell me otherwise. You get Dom Sodapop just as much as you get Sub Sodapop. He's generally a quiet sub mainly because he's biting and sucking on your neck the whole time.

When you're topping Sodapop, he's easy going. If you're making out on a night that he's subbing, he's going to grind against you with a lip sucked between his teeth to keep quiet.

Sodapop can be loud, he doesn't sit still. When he's subbing, you're going to need to restrain him (do it, he doesn't mind it at all. It adds to the experience for him).

He's sensitive. Don't get me wrong, when he tops, his pleasure takes a back seat. He can hold out, he cums last, but when he subs and it's about his pleasure? Oh it's over.

10/10 would sub again.

Johnny Cade:

Johnny is always the sub in this relationship unless he suddenly feels jealous. So when Johnny subs, it's another regular tuesday.

He's soft, but communicative. When he wants to be, he can get loud. Like if he's grinding against you, skin to skin, and you're praising him? Calling him a good boy? The whole east side is fucking hearing you. I don't make the rules.

You cannot get him to do anything public. You just can't. He is the oppsite of Two-bit, he won't do it. Speaking of not like two bit, he's also not a brat.

Praise kink. He has a praise kink. Call him a good boy while he's grinding against you and I swear he will grin at you.

10/10. Is Johnny inexperienced? Yes. Does that matter at all? No.

Ponyboy Michael Curtis:

No

Nope

Nada

Nein

He's younger than me while the rest of these characters are either the same age or older than me. No.

[r4bbitmilk]

Am in the mood to yap right now so I'd like to express my feelings for Suo Hayato (because if I talk about about skr I fear I'll start feeling nauseous from excessive emotions again).

First off, my thoughts are no where as well-researched as those cooler fans who make analysis threads on Suo and his mysterious background and Chinese (probable?) origins and themes, but i do have lots of feelings for him, and one of those is cuteness aggression. You'd think the way i draw Nirei-kun like a fluffy sunny pomeranian made of cheese curls means I find him the cutest, and trust me he is definitely in my top 5 most squishable characters of all time, but the way Suo Hayato is simultaneously "the mature friend" and a disgustingly immature childish fool makes me want to squeeze him with two hands until some strange fluid bursts out of his eyepatched eye and I discover he was a slime monster disguised as a person this whole time.

Suo Hayato is obnoxiously adorable. He never gets his hands dirty, doesn't even let his closest friends see him eat or drink things that aren't water coffee or tea, and his fight style allows him to knock people out without so much as wrinkling his clothes. diva??? princess??? He's far worse, actually. He's a babygirl. I'm sure there's a reason for it, and I fear it'll be sad and depressing and possibly even painful to read, but for now it's hilarious. Like if I sneeze on him will he want to kill me? Would I see that rare glint of rage in his eyes if I wipe a cheetos dust finger on his crisp white changsan? So spicy

And then you get to the part where he cares sooo deeply about his friends. His patience to let skr figure out his emotions? The way he was out for blood when Nirei got hurt, and without hesitation said yes to training Nirei to become a (relatively) more capable fighter? All the times he'd lovingly smile at class 1-1's antics? I know what you are... fake idgafer....

Don't even get me started on the whole "let's climb the stairs to adulthood together" thing. Calling Kanuma immature? yea totally. Implying that he too is immature thus they gotta climb it together? hell yeah. That's probably not the right interpretation, but i find it silly. He is probably 100% capable of reigning in his emotions and being a sensible mature person, but the little shit-eating grin on his face tells me he finds that boring, so he'd rather make you so angry you mald and die.

And that's why i love Suo Hayato so much i want to fight him. No, I need to fight him. I love and respect and even resonate with his characterization so much that i feel the need to dig my fingernails into his flesh and unravel what else is hiding behind that smile that we only ever see crack when Tsugeura is annoying him. I need to see what else I can make Suo Hayato do or say if i rile up his emotions enough. I need to land a blow to his face that'll reveal what's under his stupid eyepatch.

Not to mention he's stupid beautiful. That's too many good things to say for one character. I need to beat his ass. All these strong emotions and he's not even my 3rd favorite character of the series. This windbreaker shit is insane.

[xoxorealitygalore]

CHILL BABY

Summary: Yami navigates the chaos of life while searching for peace, with Jacob by her side, encouraging her to embrace imperfection and trust the process. Together, they discover that although life may never be free from chaos, it is possible to find stillness within it, ultimately transforming both of their paths in unexpected and profound ways.

Pairing: Jacob Fatu x OC

December 2024

Even now, after years in WWE, that unrelenting attitude was still a defining feature of her persona. It had earned her the reputation of a loose cannon, a reputation that, despite all the progress she’d made, still lingered around her like a shadow.

“I don’t know how to shut up. I don’t know how to stop fighting,” Yami was saying into the microphone, her voice unmistakably confident but tinged with a hint of self-awareness. “I don’t know how to be calm. I’m just classy with attitude. Like, when I got signed to WWE? It was because Mark Henry saw me fighting at a gas station and told me about WWE.”

Her words caused the host to chuckle, but it was Jacob Fatu, the other guest on the podcast, who seemed to pay the most attention. He was leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed on Yami as she spoke. His usual easygoing demeanor had shifted, and for the first time since he’d joined the podcast, he seemed slightly distracted—distracted by Yami’s raw energy, her unguarded self-expression. In the six months since they had crossed paths, Jacob had developed a subtle admiration for her, but hearing her speak this honestly—about her struggles, her flaws, her ambition—made him admire her all the more.

“But I’m working on it,” Yami continued, the smile on her lips softening as she leaned back slightly in her chair. “I’m in therapy and anger management. I’m getting better. Really. It’s just hard, you know? It’s like I’m constantly fighting myself just to stay calm. But I’m doing it.”

Jacob, who had spent years in the ring wrestling with his own demons, understood exactly what she meant. The road to self-improvement was never easy, especially when your profession demanded a level of aggression that often spilled over into your personal life.

“Therapy, huh?” Jacob said, the gentle smile on his lips betraying the curiosity in his tone. “Sounds like you’re doing the hard work. Not everyone has the courage to face themselves like that.”

Yami shrugged, a playful glint in her eyes. “I don’t have a choice. Life keeps throwing punches. Might as well learn to take them and throw a few back, right?”

The host of the podcast, who had been silently observing the exchange, couldn’t help but notice the shift in Jacob’s demeanor. There was something in the way he was looking at Yami—something that suggested there was more between them than just casual conversation. The host smirked, sensing an underlying tension that hadn’t been there before.

“I mean, it’s kind of impressive, to be honest,” Jacob added, his voice warm with an unspoken fondness. “You’ve come a long way from that fight at the gas station.”

Yami laughed, but the sound was tinged with a sense of nostalgia. “Yeah, that was a moment, huh? I don’t even remember what started it. I just know it was a fight and, well... I tend to go all in when it comes to things like that.”

“You’ve got fire,” Jacob observed, his tone more serious now. “I respect that.”

Yami caught the sincerity in his words and felt something stir within her. The dynamic between them had always been friendly, but now it felt different—charged, almost magnetic. She wasn’t sure if it was the way he was looking at her, or the fact that he understood her in a way most people didn’t, but something about the conversation felt personal in a way it never had before.

“Enough about me, though,” Yami said, abruptly flipping the script. “You’ve been wrestling for years. Everyone knows your family’s legacy. You’ve probably heard that question a million times by now, but... I gotta ask.” She leaned forward slightly, her tone teasing, yet genuinely curious. “I know your cousins on jail TV were your inspiration for becoming a wrestler. But, if you’d never seen them on TV, do you think you would’ve still ended up being a wrestler?”

Jacob was taken aback by the question. He’d expected to talk more about his own journey, his own experiences, but Yami had taken the conversation in a completely different direction. For a moment, he was silent, pondering her words carefully.

“I don’t think so,” he said slowly, his voice thoughtful. “Maybe I would’ve, but I don’t think I would’ve taken it as seriously as I did. I saw my cousins on TV, and it made me believe it was possible. That it wasn’t just something that happened to other people. It was something I could do, too.”

Yami nodded in understanding, a faint smile playing on her lips. She had always admired how Jacob carried himself—grounded, humble, despite the legacy of his family. But hearing him speak so openly about his inspirations made her see him in a new light. He wasn’t just a product of his famous relatives. He was his own man, with his own dreams and struggles.

“You’re a lot deeper than people think,” Yami said, her voice almost softer now, as if the dynamic between them had shifted again.

Jacob chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. “I’m just a big guy with big shoulders. I try to keep things simple.”

Yami smirked. “Big guy, huh? Yeah, you don’t exactly blend in.”

Jacob laughed, but there was something else in his eyes now—a warmth that hadn’t been there before. Yami, noticing it, shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Was it possible? Had the connection between them been growing under the surface without either of them noticing?

The host, sensing the change in the atmosphere, decided to wrap up the interview. “Alright, folks, that’s all we have time for today. Thanks for tuning in to the podcast. Big thanks to Yami Rosnay and Jacob Fatu for joining us today!”

As the host reached over to stop the recording, Yami and Jacob exchanged a brief but meaningful look. Neither of them spoke, but something unspoken passed between them—a realization, perhaps, or the beginning of something new.

“So, lunch?” Jacob asked, his voice low and casual, though his eyes held a hint of something more.

Yami hesitated for a moment, then smiled. “Sure. Why not?”

Lunch wasn’t what either of them had expected. What began as a simple, casual meal soon evolved into something deeper. The conversation flowed effortlessly, and before long, they were talking not just about wrestling, but about their lives outside the ring—their dreams, their fears, the moments they didn’t always share with the world.

Yami found herself surprised by how comfortable she felt with Jacob. There was an ease between them, a sense of trust that had developed organically. It was almost as if they had known each other far longer than they actually had.

“I know you don’t exactly talk about your personal life much, but...” Yami trailed off, taking a sip of her drink. “You’ve got a lot going for you. How do you balance it all? Family, wrestling, everything?”

Jacob leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful. “It’s not easy. Sometimes it feels like everything’s pulling me in different directions. But I try to stay focused. My family is everything to me. And wrestling... well, it’s in my blood. It’s not just a job. It’s a part of who I am.”

Yami studied him for a moment, her brow furrowed slightly as she considered his words. “Sounds like you’ve got a pretty solid foundation,” she said. “I wish I could say the same.”

Jacob chuckled softly. “We all have our battles. But it’s how we fight them that matters.”

There was a silence between them, a quiet understanding passing through the air. It wasn’t just the shared experiences of being professional wrestlers that bound them together; it was the unspoken connection that had begun to grow over the past few hours.

“Yami,” Jacob said, his voice a little quieter now. “I’m glad we did this. I didn’t expect... I didn’t expect this.”

Yami smiled, the tension that had once filled the air now replaced with something softer, warmer. “Me neither. But I’m glad we did, too.”

As they finished their meal, the subtle flirtation that had existed between them earlier evolved into something deeper. Something neither of them had planned, but something that neither of them could deny.

And as the day came to a close, both Yami and Jacob found themselves wondering if this was the beginning of something far more complicated—and far more meaningful—than either of them had anticipated.

[witchthewriter]

What do you think would happen if Gwayne Hightower stayed and took Criston Cole's place as a guard and hand? Would Rhaenyra and Gwayne be close? Would Gwayne be close with his nephews and niece? Would Gwayne and Criston be close? Would Rhaenyra still have her children with Harwin? What would change in the story? Would the Dance still happen? What would his relationship be like with the characters?

I have questions

Brilliant question! Well ... I think the outcome of the civil war and its events might have been different. Most likely smoother. Not necessarily in a good way...⋆.˚🦋༘⋆

Also, I think you mean what if he stayed in King's Landing in Season One. And became, essentially, Criston Cole's role? I'm just going to go with that ‧₊˚✩彡

As a Hightower himself, Gwayne would be extremely loyal to his House, his sister and his father (although I don't think Gwayne likes his father all that much...) But ultimately, I think his decisions would likely have aligned with The Green's goals to place Aegon II Targaryen on the throne over Rhaenyra Targaryen.

If Gwayne showed respect for Rhaenyra’s claim or worked to mediate the brewing conflict, their relationship could have become a bridge between the Greens and Blacks, potentially delaying or altering the path to war.

However, we should start in the past.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐫𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞? I think they would. Gwayne is a few years older than Alicent; I think Rhaenyra might have this warped vision that Gwayne is practically the male version of her best friend. This would cause conflicted feelings in Rhaenyra. A crush would form, and possibly be a small wedge between Rhaenyra and Alicent. I don't think Gwayne would let anything happen between he and Rhaenyra though.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞? As he'd be at court when Alicent married Viserys and children started being born - he'd have a very big role in their upbringing. For example, Gwayne would act as a mentor or protector for his nephews, particularly Aemond, given Aemond's fiery temperament. If he treated them with care and respect, they might have grown to admire him, further solidifying his influence within the Greens. However, Gwayne’s potential attempts to bridge divides might have led to tension with Aegon II, who lacked political foresight and could have viewed Gwayne’s diplomacy as disloyalty. I think he would absolutely adore Helaena and Daeron. I can see Alicent and Gwayne taking all four of them for picnics. Bonding with each in different ways. Like Criston Cole was the male figure in the kids lives, so would Gwayne be. However, he would have the rank, respect and place to actually pull them in line. 💢𝑨𝒆𝒈𝒐𝒏 & 𝑮𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆 = Gwayne might try to connect with Aegon through shared discussions of duty and honour. He might've encouraged Aegon to focus on his kingship duties rather than indulge in reckless behaviour. 🌻𝑯𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒆𝒏𝒂 & 𝑮𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆 = Helaena’s love for creatures and her prophetic dreams could intrigue Gwayne, and he most definitely would encourage her unique interests. He could also serve as a calming presence in her life, treating her with respect and kindness when others dismiss her eccentricities. ⚔️𝑨𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒅 & 𝑮𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆 = They could bond over combat training, and strategy. Gwayne might also serve as a stabilizing influence on Aemond’s fiery temperament, encouraging him to channel his ambition constructively. ⚖️𝑫𝒂𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒏 & 𝑮𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆 = They might bond over shared ideals of knighthood, loyalty, and service. Gwayne could take pride in Daeron’s maturity and work to mentor him further, fostering his growth as a capable and honorable leader.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐆𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞? Criston Cole and Gwayne wouldn't be close. Criston’s aggressive and rigid loyalty to Alicent and Aegon would have clashed with Gwayne’s more balanced and diplomatic approach. Gwayne’s higher rank as a member of House Hightower would have made Criston feel overshadowed, leading to rivalry.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐑𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐧𝐲𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧? Of course she would! She would still have been married to Laenor, and the romantic aspects of her life would be the same. ˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲? With Gwayne being a bigger role in the story, he would influence things greatly. For example, his approach would likely have been less provocative than Criston’s, potentially delaying or softening the lead-up to war. Gwayne might have attempted to have a compromise between Alicent and Rhaenyra, possibly suggesting a power-sharing arrangement or gradual transition of power. Without Criston Cole pushing for immediate aggression, events like the Crowning of Aegon II and the Storming of Dragonstone might not have happened as quickly or violently.

𝐖𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧? Yes, it would sadly still happen but would look very different. The divide between the Greens and Blacks wouldn't be resolved by Gwayne’s efforts. However, his diplomacy might delay open warfare or make the initial battles smaller and less devastating. With fewer provocations (like Criston’s crowning of Aegon II), things would play out differently. Who knows, maybe Aemond wouldn't be so filled with anger and humiliation, that he wants revenge. Hence, Luke's death ... might not happen. Would Rhaenyra have a stillborn? Could Visenya have survived? I'm not sure... I have a feeling that Aegon being crowned had a direct influence on Visenya's birth. Not just the stress but a supernatural/magic moment. Exactly what happened with the Amethyst Empress.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐛𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬? ✹ 𝑨𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 ⋆ Dynamic: Fierce Loyalty, Protective Brother ⋆ Gwayne would be Alicent’s most steadfast supporter and confidant. His loyalty to his family, particularly Alicent, would be unshakable. Unlike Otto, who uses Alicent as a political tool, Gwayne might genuinely care for her well-being, both as a sister and a queen. ⋆ Act as a calming presence, provides emotional support, Alicent would talk to Gwayne over Otto. ✹ 𝑹𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒏𝒚𝒓𝒂 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒆𝒏 ⋆ Dynamic: Cautious Neutrality, Potential Mediator ⋆ Gwayne’s relationship with Rhaenyra would be complex, shaped by his Hightower loyalties but also his own diplomatic temperament. Unlike Criston Cole, who turned bitter, Gwayne might maintain a professional and respectful relationship. ⋆ He'd treat her with respect, act without aggression and listen to plights. Remember when Rhaenyra had just given birth and Alicent wanted to see the baby straight away - I think Gwayne would influence Alicent to stop doing things like that. ✹ 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒔 𝑰 𝑻𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒆𝒏 ⋆ Dynamic: Respectful Advisor ⋆ Gwayne’s relationship with Viserys would be one of respect and duty. Viserys, who values peace and stability, might find Gwayne’s diplomatic approach refreshing compared to Otto’s manipulation or Criston’s aggression. ⋆ I have a feeling that behind closed doors, Gwayne thinks Viserys is a bit of a coward or passed his time. Yet, those opinions don't see the light of day. Gwayne knows how important words are. ✹ 𝑶𝒕𝒕𝒐 𝑯𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 ⋆ Dynamic: Dutiful Son, Subtle Rivalry ⋆ Gwayne would be loyal to Otto as he is family and influential in House Hightower but they would chafe against each other. He'd question his father’s more manipulative and aggressive tactics. ⋆ Otto might view Gwayne as a useful tool to execute his plans. Their relationship would depend on Gwayne’s willingness to follow orders. If he challenges Otto too openly, it could lead to tension within the family. ✹ 𝑳𝒂𝒓𝒚𝒔 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ⋆ Dynamic: Distrust and Unease ⋆ Gwayne’s honorable and straightforward nature would clash with Larys’s secretive and manipulative tendencies. ⋆ They would hate each other. Completely. Gwayne would see straight through Larys, and call him 'The Snake.' I think it would cause distress in the relationship with Alicent, as he doesn't know why she keeps him around. ✹ 𝑯𝒂𝒓𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝑺𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ⋆ Dynamic: Respectful Camaraderie ⋆ Gwayne and Harwin could have a relationship built on mutual respect, particularly if both serve as prominent knights or advisors at court. ⋆ Harwin, who values loyalty and straightforwardness, might appreciate Gwayne’s more measured approach compared to someone like Criston Cole. ⋆ This could also mean that those rumours about Harwin & Rhaenyra might lessen. And the training session would be equal; no Criston Cole choosing favourites.

Ultimately, it was Criston Cole's aggressive nature that escalated tensions and alienated potential allies. While the Dance of the Dragons wouldn't have been prevented; it would have been delayed or there would be less casualties. Including the dragons.

[twelvevi]

You've inspired me to take a deep dive into reading over every chapter in the Manga that has information on the M family siblings. It's been an adventure and I've noticed some interesting things. Brace yourself, this is about to be a long one lmaoo.

For a minute I thought that we had both might have been incorrect in assuming that both deceased M family brothers were the second and third children, respectively. Then I remembered that Ch 72 calls Winter the 4th child. It just drives me crazy, she seems so much older than Alice, but we're limited in how old we can estimate her age by the need to keep the gaps between Milo's and Alice's ages consistent with what the manga depicts.

In chapter 108, Spitz asks Winter about Milo's siblings. In response, she says, "Milo's little sister Alice was killed by him a long time ago... His little brother Eli died in a feud, and Teo was killed by the person in that video... that just leaves me."

We do know that Teo and Eli are the second and third children, but we don't know anything beyond that except that Eli is younger than Teo (Teo is described as brother and Eli is described as little brother, consistent with the way Alice is described as little sister and is the youngest of the two female siblings). We haven't explored the possibility that Teo and Eli could be twins. It would decrease the needed gap in age between Milo and Winter, leaving leeway for a large age gap between Winter and Alice. Of course there's nothing in the text that supports or refutes the possibility of there being a set of twins in the family. That would make it possible for Winter to be two years younger than Milo instead of three.

Also, you are so right about Alice burning the cookies intentionally in Winter's flashback, she admits to it right there in Chapter 115 and I just glossed over it the last time I read it. Chapter 115 is packed with information that completely blows most of the assumptions I made about Alice's age out of the water.

Page/Panel #9 of 115 has the following exchange between Milo and Alice:

"When we were kids, I stomped on the burnt cookies you'd made... did you... burn those on purpose too?"

"Yep, I just played the part of the foolish girl. On my second birthday, I decided to have fun deceiving all of you."

"!!"

"I mean, I was so bored."

"Did Winter know?"

"She never caught on. She just thinks of me as her poor little sister."

So! We have some interesting takeaways here:

1. Alice has been "conscious" of the family dynamics since age two and that age is the point in time at which she decides to start playing dumb. This completely blows away the point I made in my last reblog about Alice being 6-7 in Winter's flashback. Generally speaking, humans don't develop the skills needed to be able to convincingly lie and accurately grasp more abstract concepts like success and failure until around the age of 6-7. At first, I put Alice as younger than this benchmark because I assumed that she didn't intentionally burn the cookies and wasn't able to understand that this would taken as a failure by her brother. My mistake was assuming that Alice was a child of relatively normal intelligence. Alice openly states that she was able to do the kind of thinking I'd assume her to be capable of at age 6-7 at age 2. This makes Alice's age at the time of Winter's flashback more ambiguous.

There is another way to interpret Alice's statement about her second birthday. She could be stating that she chose to burn the cookies on her second birthday as her first act of intentionally clueless behavior. That would put her at age 2 in Winter's flashback. I don't think that that is accurate when the way Alice is drawn is taken into consideration. She doesn't look like a toddler in Winter's flashback.

2. This exchange does give us some good information about Winter. Milo and Alice are geniuses while Winter, time and time again, has been shown to be of a more average intelligence. That means that Winter probably hit her developmental milestones at ages more consistent with normal children than her siblings. So Winter probably was not capable of abstract thinking, like the kind needed to understand her family's dynamics, until age 6-7. Because we know that Winter appeared uncomfortable with allowing Alice to give Milo the burnt cookies in the flashback, we know she was capable of that abstract thinking at that time. She understood what the outcome of Alice's actions would be. That puts Winter's age in the flashback at age 7 or older.

Armed with the possibilities that Eli and Teo could have been twins and that Alice could have been younger than age 6 when she burnt the cookies, there's a greater number of possibilities when it comes to estimating the ages of the five Moriarty family siblings.

If I assign ages based on what the siblings look like in Winter's flashback, then I'd say:

Winter: 7-9

Milo: 11-12

Alice: 3-5

At the time of Alice's death:

Milo: 17

Winter: 12-15

Alice: 8-11

At present:

Milo: 24-26

Winter: 21-24

Alice 17

This isn't a big change from the guess I put out recently, but in light of my review of Ch 115, Ch 72, and a couple other chapters, this is what I come up with. I feel like the only real change is that Winter's memory is shifted further into the past. These ages are consistent with what I feel we can know about the siblings based on Chapter 115.

When it comes to Milo and the way he interacts with his sisters, you make a good point. Milo would have been trained from a young age to take the reins on the M family, meaning he would be taught the ins and outs of running a crime family as well as the weapons knowledge that comes along with that. Because of this, I agree that it does make sense that he is more mature than the girls. You're right to describe Milo as a pre-teen in the flashback. Milo being 11-12 rather than 13-14 in the flashback makes his behavior to his sisters make more sense. I get the feeling that a part of his reaction is motivated by wanting to distance himself from the childishness that he sees in his sisters. That interest in distancing oneself from childhood/being perceived as childish, I feel, is much more strongly felt at ages 11-12 than 13-14. By the time you're 13-14 you have the milestone of being a teenager that makes you feel like you're not a child anymore.

I still want to say that Alice is 10 or younger at the time that she was murdered by Milo. I understand that you feel it might not be possible for a ten year old to understand how to tamper with a gun.

So, why I do think it's possible in this case:

The M family and its members have a vastly different relationship with violence and weapons than the average person. Even Ron, who is raised by someone that has defected from the family is taught how to use knives, pick locks, and was exposed to weapons like guns before the age of 6 (see the auberge case). Now, we know he doesn't use guns at present in the story because he is awful with them, but it is not outside the realm of possibility that he was taught how they worked/how to use them when his dad was alive.

You may say: "Who on earth is letting a 6 year old use a gun?"

To that, I have to say (as someone who has a family that used to hunt as a pastime), "Wayyy too many people are." Believe me, a five year old can be taught how to use a gun (this is ill advised, obviously).

Anyway, back to the manga:

The five M family children very likely had an education in weapons that surpassed that of Ron's, given that their parents fully expected them to contribute to the family business by the time they were 17. The M family also seems fairly egalitarian when it comes to having both male and female members of the family organize and commit crime. So we can assume that all 5 children got an exceptionally in-depth education in weapons, including guns, at a very young age.

In Winter's flashback, we see Milo playing with a rifle before he is brought the burnt cookies. He is not being supervised at the time. Clearly, the adults in his life were comfortable with letting him use a gun alone.

Taking into consideration Alice's extreme intelligence and the assumption that Alice likely had already used guns on her own by the time Milo "killed" her. I do not feel it's a stretch to say that she (at age 9-10) could have tampered with a gun to make it ineffective. It truly could have been as simple as switching the bullets out for blanks or rubber bullets.

That's my updated take. Thank you for pointing those things out, it made me go looking for new information. If you remember something else in the manga that contradicts what I wrote let me know. This is fun😂

The M family Age question

Ever since Akira-sensei revealed Ron's age, I've always been curious about the other characters ages, especially the M family, since they don't even have an age range to go off of, however in some chapters from part two of the series, we finally get some clues to use...so here are those clues and my little analysis

*If I get anything wrong in this analysis, I apologize in advance

*Beware of spoilers (ch.96 and onwards)

I'm focusing on Mylo, Winter and Alice, since they're the ones currently alive in the series, and also the ones we have more info about.

First is to make sure we're all on the same page, even if most people probably know this

From Chapter 72

Mylo's the first child, Winter is the fourth, and Alice is the fifth and final one, with 5 of them (plus teo and the other one who died in a feud or something), for the ages to make sense, there atleast needs to be a one year age gap between each of them (because it wouldn't make much sense for their parents to give birth twice in a year, and we're counting 9-10 months as a year btw)

Next is...

Alice Moriarty's age reveal

From Chapter 115

From here we can tell that, she's probably 16-17. she says that she was going to take over the M family at age 17, but "six months before that" Mylo got defeated by Ron.

With that, now is the time to pinpoint where we are in the timeline right now, first is when the cruise incident happened

From Chapter 96

October 25th would've been when the cruise arc ended, aka the "six months before that" Alice mentions, with the "that" meaning the day she turns 17. With all of this we can assume her birthday to be around April, which is close enough to Mylo's birthday(March), so it's probably okay to not take their birthdays into consideration, since they would turn one year older around the same time.

*Assuming she's roughly 16 years and 9 months old, we can round that up to 17 since we don't need to consider the months

In conclusion, Alice is probably 17 years old

From the same panel from Chapter 115, the line "That's the same age as when you became head of the family", tells us that, Mylo was 17 when he became the head of the moriarties, in a later scene we learn that, that's the same age he was when he shot Alice dead (or rather, attempted to do so)

From Chapter 115

Even though this doesn't really help us right now, I still thought I should mention it, just in case it was ever mentioned at what age did Alice supposedly "die". Though I don't recall it ever being specified.

With Alice's age and the one year age gap between all siblings, we can get a rough estimate of-

What age do each of the Moriarty siblings need to be atleast?

*Basically, the youngest they can possibly be

Mylo 21

The second son 20

Teo 19

Winter 18

Alice 17

It would look something like this, but then in a later chapter, this is said

From Chapter 146

Mylo is confirmed to be the one behind the bloody field trip (the one in charge of it), which means, atleast 5 years would have had to pass after he became head of the M family, which would make him atleast 22 in the current timeline

Finally, Winter being the 4th child, would need to be atleast one year older than Alice, and atleast 3 years younger than Mylo, which would make Winter around 18 or 19 years old

From Chapter 72 (this isn't important,I just think they all look adorable in the flashbacks)

In conclusion,I think that Alice is 17 yrs old, while Mylo is probably 22 yrs old, and winter's probably 18 or 19 yrs old.

Than again let me remind you all, that except for Alice, these are just the ages they atleast need to be

However I think there is definitely more to this, since I don't actually think only 5 years passed after Mylo became the head of the M family, I mean it's hard to believe that the first thing he did after becoming the leader, was to make Ron's life miserable, not to mention since Ron is canonically 23, this begs the question, is Mylo older than Ron or younger than Ron ? And also, is he older than Toto ? Or maybe even Spitz ?

That's when you come in, if you have any thoughts about this, whether you have evidence from the manga or if it's just a headcanon, I'd like to hear what everyone has to say about this, so please share your thoughts