#i will forever hate hbo for this

[circusbythesea]

"This is only a waste of our time Cause soon we'll be leaving Will this strength still be mine? I'll look out for you 'til I die, 'til I rot" - I Want To Know Your Plans by Say Anything

[fonthoura]

Life can get pretty sticky when you're a man-boy with huge puppy eyes and a profoundly damaged psyche. Not forgetting the daddy issues, of course.

[kencoded-kengirl]

can i just say something? back at your sister’s wedding, we had been promising the whole world that we could pull off the takeover and then you just went all around, the very next day, telling them all that your dad’s plan was actually better. no, it was implied, lightly, as a little... god! part of a tactical kind of joke. will you explain to me… the joke? because i don't get the fucking joke. MY GOD, STEW! i don't get the joke, i don't get the joke. it was something that dad said, that wasn’t true, that i needed to say. but you stood by his side, and he told you to say it, and you were like "okay, well, that sounds good to me." fuck's sake, i'm not doing this right now. you know i was in serious trouble, that was a play. you were okay because you are a tough fucking bitch who will always survive because you do what you need, you will do what — are you even listening? i was okay? — you will do whatever you need. yeah? really? yeah, you sure you're not projecting, because that is actually you. should we have a real conversation? with a trojan horse? no. that was a friendly thing. that was a friendly thing. yeah. sure. real friendly. yeah, no, i'm a trojan horse, you're a swan, you're a... you're a snake. actually, no, you're a fucking vampire. "here's a severed horse’s head for your ex-wife’s apartment, stew, why aren't you laughing?" i wonder if we shouldn't clear the air. yeah? yeah. sure. i think you can be a very selfish person and i think you find it very hard to think about me — what the fuck? — and i think you shouldn't have even signed those papers, actually. what the fuck? what the ACTUAL fuck? you proposed that to me. you proposed the bear hug at my lowest fucking ebb. i had relapsed, what was i supposed to say? perhaps "no"? i didn't want to hurt your feelings. thanks! thanks for that! yeah, you really kept me safe while you ran off to hide behind daddy. fuck off. you're a junkie — and then, and then… — obsessive junkie — you hid, you hid from me because you were so scared of how fucking awful you are. you were only with me to get to power. you got it now, stew, you've got it! I'M WITH YOU BECAUSE I LOVE YOU! bullshit, you're fucking me for my DNA, you were fucking me for a fucking ladder because your whole family is striving and parochial. that's not... thats not a fair characterization. no? well, your dad loves me more than he loves you, because he's cracked. you want to... you want to actually clear the air? fine. you betrayed me. YOU WERE GOING TO LOSE ME FOUR BILLION DOLLARS, KEN! AND THEN YOU RAN AWAY TO NEW MEXICO AND YOU WON'T TELL YOUR FAMILY ABOUT US BECAUSE YOU NEVER EVEN THOUGHT, HONESTLY, THAT YOU’D BE WITH ME MORE THAN FOUR FUCKING YEARS, I DON'T THINK! YOU AGREED TO THE VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE! YOU AGREED BECAUSE YOU WERE TRYING TO BACKSTAB ME! you're just... YOU’RE A BACKSTABBER! YOU ARE INCAPABLE OF THINKING ABOUT ANYBODY OTHER THAN YOURSELF BECAUSE YOUR SENSE OF WHO YOU ARE, KEN, IS THAT FUCKING THIN! oh yeah you read that in a book, stew? YOU'RE TOO FUCKING TRANSPARENT TO FIND THAT IN A BOOK! you're pathetic, you're pathetic. youre a masochist and you can't even take it. i think you are incapable of love, and i think you are maybe not a good father to your children! well, that's not very nice to say, is it? i'm sorry. i'm sorry, but you... you... you have hurt me more than you can possibly imagine. and you, you took away the last year i could've had with my dad. no. yes. no! yes. you tricked me and you made him hate me! it's not my fault that you didn't get his approval. i have given you endless approval and it doesn't fill you up because you're broken. i don't like you. i don't... i don't even care about you. i don't care. have we cleared the air, huh? feel good now? yeah. yeah. fucking great. tip top. you don't deserve me, and you never did. and everything came out of that. so fucking flat.

[tomshivendgame]

tomshiv - the only exception

Sarah Snook: I think Shiv does love Tom but it’s the thing that she can’t possibly relinquish into. She really struggles to be vulnerable but it is there.

SUCCESSION WRITERS I AM IN YOUR WALLS-

[inhumanfuckingdogman]

If youre watching succession right now then die.

[flanaganfilm]

Mr. Flanagan, I’d like to ask a question and I deeply hope that it does not offend or upset you. I am strongly considering canceling my Netflix subscription due to their new password sharing policy. However, Midnight Mass is one of my favorite shows of all time and I know it isn’t available on DVD, and I’m also profoundly anticipating your take on my favorite Edgar Allen Poe story. So I wanted to ask your take on people accessing your work through, uh, other means. If it’s something that’s offensive to you or will harm you or the other people who work so hard on these shows, I’ll happily keep my Netflix just so that I can keep supporting your work. I respect you far too much as an artist to do otherwise.

Again, I really hope I’m not upsetting you by asking this question. Thank you for everything, and I hope you’re having a great day!

(NOTE 6/4/2024: I'm editing this entry because, well over a year since it was posted, some journalists dug this up and used it to create click-bait headlines that are misleading, out of context and artificially combative. While I was of course disappointed over the years that Netflix opted not to release my work on physical media, I never experienced any hostility or aggression in those discussions, and I sincerely regret the manner in which this post was used in the press this week.)

Hi there - no offense taken whatsoever, in fact I think this is a very interesting and important question.

So. If you asked me this a few years ago, I would have said "I hate piracy and it is hurting creators, especially in the independent space." I used to get in Facebook arguments with fans early in my career when people would post about seeing my work on torrent sites, especially when that work was readily available for rent and purchase on VOD.

Back in 2014, my movie Before I Wake was pirated and leaked prior to any domestic release, and that was devastating to the project. It actually made it harder to find distribution for the film. By the time we were able to get distribution in the US, the film had already been so exposed online that the best we could hope for was a Netflix release. Netflix stepped in and saved that movie, and for that I will always be grateful to them.

However...

Working in streaming for the past few years has made me reconsider my position on piracy.

In the years I worked at Netflix, I tried very hard to get them to release my work on blu-ray and DVD.

It became clear very fast that their priority was subscriptions, and that they were not particularly interested in physical media releases of their originals, with a few exceptions.

While companies like Netflix pride themselves on being disruptors, and have proven that they can affect great change in the industry, they sometimes fail to see the difference between disruption and damage. So much that they can find themselves, intentionally or not, doing harm to the concept of film preservation.

The danger comes when a title is only available on one platform, and then - for whatever reason - is removed.

We have already seen this happen. And it is only going to happen more and more. Titles exclusively available on streaming services have essentially been erased from the world. If those titles existed on the marketplace on physical media, like HBO's Westworld, the loss is somewhat mitigated (though only somewhat.) But when titles do not exist elsewhere, they are potentially gone forever.

The list of titles that have been removed from streaming services is growing.

I still believe that where we put our dollars matters. Renting or buying a piece of work that you like is essential. It is casting a vote, encouraging studios - who only speak the language of money - to invest more effort into similar work. If we show up to support distinct, unique, exciting work, it encourages them to make more of it. It's as simple as that. If we don't show up, or if they can't hear our voice because we are casing our vote "silently" through torrent sites or other means - it makes it unlikely that they will take a chance to create that kind of work again.

Which is why I typically suggest that if you like a movie you've seen through - uh - other means, throw a few dollars at that title on a legitimate platform. Rent it. Purchase it. Support it.

But if some studios offer no avenue for that kind of support, and can (and will) remove content from their platform forever... frankly, I think that changes the rules.

Netflix will likely never release the work I created for them on physical media, though I'll always hold out hope.

Some of you may say "wait, aren't The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor available on blu-ray and DVD?" Yes, they are, because they were co-produced with Paramount, and I'm grateful that Paramount was able to release and protect those titles. (I'm also grateful that those releases include extended cuts, deleted scenes, and commentary tracks. There are a number of fantastic benefits to physical media releases.)

But a lot of the other work I did there are Netflix originals, without any other studio involvement. Those titles - like Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, and the upcoming Fall of the House of Usher - along with my Netflix exclusive and/or original movies Before I Wake and Gerald's Game - have no such protections. The physical media releases of those titles are entirely at Netflix's discretion, and don't appear to be priority for the studio at this time.

At the moment, Netflix seems content to leave Before I Wake, Gerald's Game, Midnight Mass, and The Midnight Club on the service, where they still draw audiences. I don't think there is a plan to remove any of them anytime soon. But plans change, the industry changes.

The point is things change, and each of those titles - should they be removed from the service for any reason - are not available anywhere else. If that day comes - if Netflix's servers are destroyed, if a meteor hits the building, if they are bought out by a competitor and their library is liquidated - I don't know what the circumstances might be, I just know that if that day comes, some of the work that means the most to me in the world would be entirely erased.

Or, what if we aren't so catastrophic in our thinking? What if it the change isn't so total? What if Netflix simply bumps into an issue with the license they paid for music (like the Neil Diamond songs that play such a crucial role in Midnight Mass), and decide to leave the show up but replace the songs?

This has happened before as well - fans of Northern Exposure can get the show on DVD and blu-ray, but the music they heard when the series aired has been replaced due to the licensing issues. And the replacements - chosen for their low cost, not for creative reasons - are not improvements. What if the shows are just changed, and not by creatives, but by business affairs executives?

All to say that physical media is critically important. Having redundancy in the marketplace is critically important. The more platforms a piece of work is available on, the more likely it is to survive and grow its audience.

As for Netflix, I hope sincerely that their thinking on this issue evolves, and that they value the content they spend so much money creating enough to protect it for posterity. That's up to them, it's their studio, it's their rules. But I like to think they may see that light eventually, and realize that exclusivity in a certain window is very cool... but exclusivity in perpetuity could potentially limit the audience and endanger the work itself.

[henrycangelbaby]

In which: “It's not that the amount of love I had changed, but I feel so proud about it now, like that I want to shout from the rooftops and tell everyone of my loved ones how much I love my wife, MY wife, ya know?”

Or

An interview gives unique insight into Pedro Pascal and his vast amount of love for his wife

I make my way through meeting the cast of HBO's unexpected hit “The Last Of Us” rather easily.

Bella Ramsey lives in a far nicer apartment in London than anything I would have been able to afford at the same age. Despite their fame and talent, they remain settled and down to earth, dressed in an outfit a little too cool for me to understand and eager to show me around their lovely apartment that is decorated in a way that I quite liked but I'm sure my baby boomer father would find offensive. I even end up meeting Ramsey's girlfriend, a fellow actor (who I admittedly had never heard of) who is equally as young and pretty as Ramsey is. They are both lovely and down to earth, a sentiment I don't often find relatable working with celebrities.

Kaitlin Denver is in her late 20s and still looks like she could be in high school. She lives in a shared house with her sister, whom she also shares a music career with. Despite the controversy surrounding her character in the show, she seems to remain completely unfazed by the backlash and threats that surround Abby Anderson. Denver merley shrugs when I ask her how she deals with it, leaving me to assume her vices when it comes to dealing with unprecedented hate.

I meet other stars of the show too. Gabriel Luna has all the southern charm of Tommy Miller and more, making me question whether he really does any acting when playing the sweeter, younger Texan brother. Isabela Merced is very beautiful in person and is also far shorter than I had imagined. What she lacks in height she makes up for in personality and charm.

Of course, when you think of the stars of The Last Of Us, there is probably someone else that comes to mind. Securing an interview with Pedro Pascal is probably one of the harder things I have had to do in recent years. It's not that Pacal is hard to come by; in fact, in recent years we haven't been able to escape him. I originally doubted that I would even be able to secure an interview with the internet's "daddy." Pascal has had a busy few years, and this one is no different. With multiple projects coming out this year, including the new season of The Last Of Us and his highly anticipated entry into the MCU as the iconic Richard Reed, it seems that everyone wants a piece of him. While all the other actors on this list do have notable careers outside of the show, the point of this interview series was to be able to interview the main cast members of the show in anticipation for the new season; however, I found that same sentiment hard to carry across when interviewing Pascal. I don't want to spoil the show for anyone, but I will just say that he won't be back next season. Whether that's due to internal conflicts or simply being too booked, we’ll never know.

I was rather ecstatic to receive a phone call from someone on his team letting me know the time and date for our interview. Like normal, I'm given an NDA to sign before receiving any personal information, such as his address (which I did require for the purpose of the interview). But everything else seems to go off without a hitch. 

I was admittedly nervous to meet him. In the best way possible, his reputation definitely proceeds him. Pascal is only ever described as kind, loving, funny, and any other positive synonyms for a massive sweetheart that you can think of. I personally have been a big fan of his work since he played forever thirsted over narcos agent Javier Paner. I know they say you shouldn't meet your idols (and trust me, I've had my fair share of heartbreaking realizations that someone I once admired is actually a piece of shit), but I had high hopes for meeting Pedro. And I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. 

I arrived at his home in Los Angeles ten minutes earlier than I should have. Not that I'm kept waiting, as before I can get a second knock in on the door, a young woman flings it open, smiling at me tightly. She quickly lets me in, introducing herself as Pascal's assistant, offering me tea or coffee, and ushering me to sit down on the comfy-looking couch while I wait for her boss to arrive (which she insists should not be too long). I take a moment to look around the room while I'm waiting. The room is sweet and welcoming, much like the rest of the home, which feels very well... homely (like stepping into your best friend's house and chatting with their parents at the dinner table). It's a hard feeling to describe, such a sense of nostalgia from a place that I had never been in before. It feels fitting though that a man so beloved as Pedro Pascal should have a home that feels so nice. I snoop to get a closer look at the photos that hang up on the walls and sit on cabinets. Most of them seem normal. There are a few faces I recognize within the photos; Oscar Iscac can be spotted alongside a younger-looking Pascal in one of the photos on the wall. I spot John Favro amongst a few people in a photo that looks to have been taken on the set of The Mandelorian, but apart from that, the photos seem normal. They depict family and friends in various places over various years; it appears that Pascal cherishes his relationships with loved ones above all else. 

I'm stopped in my snooping by another face in one of the photos, a face I recognize instantly, a face that has been all over the internet and tabloids for some time now. Pedro's wife. The photo is the first one in which she features prominently, sitting alongside what I can only assume to be one of her husband's sisters. It's a sweet photo, one that I can imagine Pedro was on the other side of, grinning wildly while taking. Y/N Pascal is an elusive figure that the media and her husband's fans have been trying to know better for a few years now. She is what is best described as a "normie," that is to say that she is just like you and me; that is perhaps what makes her so interesting to fans. She doesn't appear to have any ties to the industry; she isn't some big-wig producer's daughter; in fact, despite their insistence, fans have been unable to find anything on her. She has no public social media accounts, no company profiles online, and no one she went to high school with has come forward with a tik tok horror story (yet!). The couple are shrouded in mystery; no one seems to know how they met, where Y/N is from, or even the highly shrouded question of her age. She certainly appears younger than Pascal by a good few years, and I'm sure that I could find thousands of posts online speculating (or being downright nasty) about how young she is. But out of respect for the happy couple, I leave it a mystery. 

The sharp heels of the sensible shoes that Pascal's assistant is wearing suddenly come back into earshot. She warns me to be ready with my stuff as “they” will be home soon. I don't think twice about her words before hauling ass back to the couch and trying to pull myself together. It's not long before I hear the front door open. Amy (Pascal's assistant that I had only just remembered the name of) runs to the door. I walk slower behind awkwardly, not wanting to intrude (despite the fact that I had spent the last ten minutes snooping around what was essentially a stranger's house). I peek round the corner to be greeted with Pascal's broad back. He is facing away from me, talking to his assistant lowly. His assistant finishes speaking and moves past me, wishing me luck in passing. Pascal doesn't turn around to greet me yet; in fact, he drops down onto one knee to reveal to my utmost shock his wife. Neither of them pay me any mind as he begins untying her shoes for her, ever the gentleman everyone believes he is. 

It's not a second later that the man of the hour turns around to greet me. He smiles widely at me, and I find myself blushing slightly at his unwavering eye contact as he introduces himself. He only introduces himself by his first name, not something I find often when meeting famous people; they are often eager to give me the name that everyone knows and loves them by. It seems a bit of a strange phenomenon in Hollywood that has missed Pascal. His wife then steps forward to introduce herself. I hate to be the bearer of bad news to the millions of jealous fans, but Y/N Pascal is strikingly beautiful; even as I meet her in her own home with no makeup, she glows ethereally with a striking smile that looks like it belongs on the cover of a magazine. In that moment meeting her I quickly see why Pascal holds her in such admiration.

Much to my disappointment, that is the first and last time I see her during the interview. Pedro ushers her away somewhere out of sight with a protective arm around her shoulder. I can hear him mutter to her lowly, promising to be quick. Before kissing her goodbye with an "I love you." It makes my heart ache with a longing. Much like the rest of the internet, I wish I had a man like Pedro Pascal. We chat for a while, while exploring his house, he speaks passionately about his career, which he clearly loves. He has a flame behind his eyes as he speaks about his long-winded love for the cinema. He tells me stories of his famous friends that are featured on his walls. We laugh together, and he very much reminds me of an old friend. Even though I should be interviewing him, I let him talk, rambling on about things that I didn't find important enough to put in this interview, but they certainly put a smile on my face. 

The house is beautiful; it's decorated nicely and feels authentic and homely. It's not massive, not overly obnoxious in the way many celebrity houses are; it's still big, the kind of size that screams loving family. I don't mean to make assumptions, but it almost feels like it's been brought with the idea of a growing family in mind. I complement the house easily. Pedro smiles at me. For the first time in the interview, he refers to his wife. He tells me that he hadn't cared where they lived; “anywhere is home when you are with someone that you love,” but insists that she had loved the house the moment they first saw it. "She has better taste than me,” he tells me with a loving glint in his eye. "She did a good job.” I compliment, he nods and smiles, "always thought I was biased 'cause I’m married to her, but glad to know it's not just me." I feel awfully privileged to get an insight into Pedro's fondness of his wife. It's not often that he speaks about her publicly; she gets mentioned in passing during interviews and is often spotted at events with him, safely away from the cameras, but it's clear to the general public that his marriage is a part of his life that he wishes to keep away from public scrutiny. 

Its towards the end of the interview that I do ask him about his marriage. We walk past a wedding photo that depicts him and his lovely bride squashed together on one seat, smiling widely at the camera. He doesn't say anything when he notices me peering at the photo. I ask him carefully if he thinks being a married man has changed him. He ponders for a second. "Probably,” he answers me carefully. It's not the response I had expected from him, so I quickly encourage him to go on. "I suppose it has in a way,” he continues. “It's not that the amount of love I had changed, but I feel so proud about it now, like that I want to shout from the rooftops and tell everyone of my loved ones how much I love my wife, MY wife, ya know?” I smile and nod at his explanation. I understand what he is saying—such a sweet sentiment that it makes my heart warm. 

We don't speak for much longer after that; he briefly mentions a few upcoming projects, which he seems excited for. I ask him what he has planned next, after his next few big projects are done. He hesitates for a second. “Truthfully,” he says, “I plan on taking a step away for a bit.” I ask if he wants to settle down more. “Yeah, that's part of it; I mean, I’m not getting any younger.” He tells me, “Things are changing soon, and I just want to be settled with my family.” He finishes. I wonder for a moment what he is referring to when he mentions these soon changes; I don't ponder on it too long; much like a crazed fan, I have a few theories floating around in my head. 

We wrap up the interview from there; he is as polite and gracious as he has been the entire time, shaking my hand and thanking me for my time. I try to thank him for the interview and for letting me into his house, but he simply shakes his head at me, insisting it was his pleasure. He disappears soon after that, saying he has something to attend to (and speed walking in the direction that his wife disappeared to). I'm left to see myself out; I don’t snoop too much after I’m left alone. I make my way back to the front of the house, peering around as I go. I peek inside one room that appears to be in the middle of some kind of renovation or do-over. There are multiple pieces of yet-to-be put together furniture on the ground as the walls look to be in the middle of being painted a pastel purple color. 

I’m about to leave when something catches my eye—on the table by the front door, which has various bits and bobs scattered over it, but none of these catch my eye. I step closer to get a clearer view of what appears to be a small black and white photo. I quickly realize what it is: tucked beneath the wallet I had seen Pedro place down before our interview began is an ultrasound. I smile knowingly as my theory is proven correct; the Pascal family is about to be adding another member. 

Congratulations to Pedro as his wife on the upcoming addition to their family.

[ladyaryawolf]

Talking about Daemon and Aegon and I'm really so upset with HBO. Not surprised. Truly upset.

Because we see clearly Aegon II loving Jaehaerys. We see his love for his trueborn son. We see Aegon grieving for Jaehaerys. We see him filled with wrath. We see him sobbing. Mourning his dad son. To the point that even if you don't like him. You pity him. I felt his pain. And I despise that man.

Tom made a great work with it. Ngl.

But Daemon? We were robbed of every interaction he could have with any of his children. We dont see him near Aegon III, nor Viserys II. The connection he should have had with Jace and Luke? Non-existent. We don't see him near Baela nor Rhaena, and it is truly a crime for me. Rhaenys seems to be the only parental figure these two had.

They deleted every scene Daemon is with the girls (especially the one where he comfort the twins after Laena's death) turning him into a distant parent who doesn't care with his children's pain and only cares about himself and a little about Rhaenyra.

Baela said herself she even may hate him.

And what is the reason for it? Because he is ruthless? And have a "dark past"? He is not afraid of spill blood?

Aegon II was a serial rapist. Even in the show. He couldn't care less with his bastard children. He gladly watched his bastard children fight till they died or have been severely injured.

Why does he deserve to be seen as "a good parent" and mourn, and sob, while Daemon doesn't even have a line with neither Baela, Rhaena, Aegon nor Viserys? It's unfair.

I really feel bad for Matt. It can't be easy dealing with show runners painting your character in a bad light every chance they have for personal reasons of all things.

They could give us a good scene of Daemon bonding with his children, just one, but they had a preference to show Alicent riding Crispin, and I'll forever be bitter about it.

[malarkgirlypop]

Come Away With Me (Eugene Roe x F!Reader)

So @footprintsinthesxnd had a 'Saturday Night Live ask' and I asked her what her ideal date was and with what BoB man. No one was surprised when she chose her man Gene! @footprintsinthesxnd has kindly made the most stunning moodboard to go along with the story, so head over to her blog and find the post with the #bobcollab tag!

Based on the HBO show and the actors who portray the characters, no hate to anyone involved. Keep reading

Tag list: @next-autopsy @panzershrike-pretz, @xxluckystrike @bucky32557038ww2 @b00ks1ut

Y/N rubbed her lips together staring in the mirror, her finger carefully rubbing away some of the lipstick she had on her lips. She stood back giving her face and hair a once over. She took a deep breath trying to steady her nerves. Why was she so nervous? It was just Gene. 

Y/N had known Gene for years, being next door neighbours and childhood friends they had grown up with each other. They were hardly ever apart. Their bond they shared was everlasting. 

Or so Y/N thought. 

When Gene broke the news he was signing up for the war she broke down immediately. The thought of him going away and maybe never coming back was the most gut wrenching feeling. But Gene said he wanted to make a difference, to help. He didn’t go to kill, he went to heal. There was no stopping him, he was set in his ways. He had always been stubborn. As much as they loved each other they butted heads on occasion. Always an agree to disagree situation, where they accepted they didn’t think the same and moved on. But Y/N loved that about their friendship, they were constantly challenging each other to think broader, to see things in a different light. 

When Gene left they promised to write to each other. There was a flurry of letters back and forward, but they slowly dwindled. Gene didn’t have time and Y/N had started her new job. Y/N wanted to write to him so desperately but didn’t want to burden the man with her ramblings, thinking he would have better things to do. 

Y/N couldn’t believe it when it was announced the war was finally over. Her heart soared, Gene would finally be home. Y/N had waited patiently for her best friend to arrive back. His mother had let Y/N know he was going to be home that week. Everyday Y/N rushed home from work to see if he had returned yet. 

She walked down the street briskly, nearly running. A cab pulled in front of his house. She stopped dead in her tracks, the familiar figure exiting the car. 

“Eugene!” She cried, running down the road. He turned knowing the voice that called him. A small smile tugging at his lips. She charged straight into the man, almost bowling them both over. He enveloped her in his arms, enjoying the familiar scent of her. Y/N hugged him so tightly, ensuring it wasn’t a dream or illusion.

“Ma mouche, gosh have you gotten stronger.” He said hardly able to breathe. She loosened her hold, realising she might have been hurting him. 

“Oh, sorry.” She smiled up at him. “I missed you so much.” She quickly wiped the stray tears from her face. He smiled, but it wasn’t his usual smile. The sparkle she knew, didn’t twinkle in his eyes like it used to. 

“I missed ya too.” He said. They stood staring at each other unsure of what to say. There was so much that Y/N wanted to tell him, so much she wanted to ask. But she couldn’t form the words, not knowing where or how to start. See when Gene had been away Y/N had realised that maybe she loved him, more than what she believed she had. Her mother always teased them that they were in love, and she was just waiting for them to both figure it out. Yes, she loved him as a friend. But there was always something more she wanted, yearned for. They hugged, but she wanted him to hold her longer. They spoke, but she wished she could listen to him speak forever. They loved each other, but she wanted him to love her. They way she loved him. 

“Gene, I know you just got home. But I was wondering if you wanted to spend some time with me, only if you’re free. I’m sure you’re so busy, and everyone probably wants to see you-” Y/N rambled on, trying to hide the blush that rose to her cheeks, since when was it nerve wracking to speak to Gene.

“Of course I would!” Gene cut her off, before she fainted from talking so much without taking a breath.   

Y/N smiled brightly at the man. “What do you want to do?” She asked, he hummed in thought, tapping his finger on his chin. 

“How about a surprise?” Gene grinned, Y/N was shocked, she didn’t expect that answer from him. 

“Are you sure, Gene. I can plan it, you will probably be so busy.” Y/N said worried about burdening her friend. 

“Ma mouche, stop fretting!” He laughed at his friend, he looked at her longer. She was nervous with new people, but they had known each other nearly their whole lives and he had never seen her so flustered. He thought maybe it was because of the distance and time they had spent apart. It was like meeting someone for the first time again. 

“We can make a day of it. I’ll come pick you up tomorrow around eleven, how does that sound?” Y/N looked up at Gene, eyes sparkling full of joy. She nodded excitedly. His mother had rushed out of the house after that, pulling him inside. He only was able to manage a small wave as he was dragged away. 

Y/N sat nervously on the staircase by the front door, she had gotten ready so early. Not being able to sleep a wink at all last night. She was too busy planning. She was going to tell him today, confess her true feelings to Gene. The thought made her stomach flip, so many what if’s flooded her brain. The last thing she wanted to do was ruin what she already had with him. 

Ding dong, Y/N bolted to her feet hearing the familiar chime of the doorbell. She smoothed down her dress and hair, taking a deep breath and opening the door. There on her doorstep stood Gene, in casual clothes, but looking handsome as always. She glanced down at his hands, they thrust out the flowers he held. Y/N looked at him shocked. 

“For me?” She grinned, taking them from him, bringing them up to her nose to sniff. They smelled heavenly. The bouquet had flowers from his mothers garden. His mother had the most magnificent flowerbeds, she giggled imagining Gene stealing the flowers from her garden. Y/N knew well enough that Gene wouldn’t have asked and just taken them without telling her. 

“Hold on, let me go put these in water.” She left him standing on the doorstep, running and putting them in a vase. 

“Shall we go?” She asked, closing the door behind her. He nodded, leading the way. They walked down the road, chatting about life. Gene didn’t bring up the war, making conversation about other things. 

“Where are we going?” Y/N said as Gene stepped off the path and down a small track leading into one of the meadows that was on the outskirts of their street. 

“I told you, ma mouche, it’s all been planned.” He smiled, extending his hand for her to take. She smiled holding his hand as they walked down the dirt path. At this time of month it was late spring, the weather was warmer, but not too hot yet. The flowers all in bloom and new babies of all kinds being born. It was as if life was restarting again, becoming anew.  

Y/N gasped as they approached the clearing. She could see under their favourite tree they used to play under as children, was a picnic blanket. An assortment of food lay on top. It overlooked the meadow that was teeming with wildflowers. 

“Oh Gene!” Y/N covered her mouth, feeling choked up. “This is perfect!” She ran ahead to get a better look at the perfect picnic he had created. 

“Gene!” She squealed, turning around to tackle the man into a hug. He held her back as she held him tightly. “Do you like it?” He asked into her hair.

“Like it! I love it! Gene, you didn’t have to do all this!” She pulled back to look at him, showing her gratitude all over her features.   

“Anything for ma mouche.” She rolled her eyes at the nickname, it means my fly in french. Gene had been calling her ma mouche for years, one day he said it and it stuck. They never discussed between them what he meant by it. Y/N had assumed he called her my fly because she annoyed him but he could never get rid of her. 

“Yes I know, annoying like a fly.” She mumbled. A confused expression appeared on Gene’s face. 

“What?” He asked, trying to figure out what she meant.

“Cause I remind you of a fly, that’s why you call me that.” She smiled at him, it was a funny nickname, he was only teasing. His brows furrowed together. 

“Y/N, no. That’s not what I mean at all. Is that what you thought the whole time?” He seemed upset. She nodded confused at why he was so overcome with concern. 

“Oh Y/N, I’m so sorry I didn’t mean for you to think that.” He reached out cupping her cheek. 

“Well, what do you mean then?” She asked, tilting her head. 

“Ma mouche, it’s short for my butterfly. Mon papillon.” Y/N looked at him shocked, unable to form words. My butterfly was a lot different than my fly. 

“You have always been my butterfly. So bright and colourful, everything you touch comes to life. You make me want to be a better person.” Gene said holding her face in his hands, his eyes shone with love.

“Gene, what are you saying?” She asked hoping she wasn’t reading into his words.

“I love you.” The words she had been so desperate to hear from him easily fell from his lips. A gentle whisper for only them to hear. Everything stilled and muted. They were in their own bubble. Gene was unsure if Y/N had heard him, she stood so still. 

“You do?” She uttered, overwhelmed with joy. Her heart beat so hard it hurt, she felt like she could burst into tears. “Gene, you love me?” She asked again to confirm she had heard him correctly. 

“I do.” He chuckled, still holding her face in his hands. “Do you love me?” He asked, unsure of what his friend was feeling, was she happy, sad? He couldn’t tell. 

“I love you more than words can say.” Her face broke into a beaming smile. She pulled him into her arms as his hands slipped from her face to hold her close. She pulled back, unable to stop grinning. Gene smiled down at her, relishing in her adoration. He bent down, placing a soft kiss to her lips. The kiss was sweet and tender, but only short as he stepped back. 

But he hadn’t known the fire that he had awoken in his lover. Y/N’s hands flew out catching his face, she pulled him down to her. This time the kiss was more passionate, she kissed him like she would never be able to touch her lips to his again. Gene wrapped his hands around her waist pulling her closer. The kiss was everything that Y/N had dreamed about. Being held in his arms as they tasted each other, like forbidden fruit. Y/N lips parting softly as Gene found his way into her mouth, their tongues swirled together. Their breaths mixed together as they grasped each other with roaming hands. Gene’s lips moved from Y/N’s to her neck, as she tilted her head back. His soft lips pressed harsh kisses along her throat. Y/N stilled his movements when she moved his face back up to her’s. They paused, foreheads pressed together, their breaths fanning each other’s faces, noses slightly touching. Savouring their kiss together. 

“More than words.” Y/N whispered, Gene understood her completely. There were no words to say to express their love, but there were acts, thoughts, touches, that represented it.

Y/N felt so giddy she thought she could faint, as Gene and her sat on the blanket eating the food he had prepared. Fresh fruit, a cheese platter, pastries, freshly baked cookies. Gene had thought of it all. 

“Would you like some chocolate strawberries?” Gene asked, pulling out a punnet of strawberries from the basket. 

“Ah, my favourite! Gene, how did you get these?” She took the box from him, bringing it to her nose to smell the aromatic fruit.       

“I can’t tell you my secrets.” Gene grinned at her, as she pretended to pout. He chuckled, reaching out to tickle Y/N under her neck. She laughed trying to get away from him but he snatched her up quickly, jumping on top of her. She squealed and giggled trying to get away from his onslaught of attacks. 

“Gene, ahh, Gene!” She laughed breathlessly, trying to stop him but he had her pinned down. They laughed together as Gene slowly stopped. Their faces inches apart, a smile pulled to Y/N lips, as she lifted her head to kiss him. Her lips pressed to his gently, letting the feeling linger before laying back down to stare at him. 

“I missed you.” She uttered, feeling tears prick in her eyes. A sadness overwhelmed Y/N, she was unsure of where it had spurred from. But it was a moment of stillness when everything finally crashed down. All of the worry she had in his absence, the realisation that she loved him. Then she had him back in one piece, and then all of today. The confession, the kiss, it had been so much, everything Y/N had hoped for. But it scared her all the same, now she really had something to lose. 

“I missed you so much.” She whispered, as Gene watched her concerned, her tears slipped down her cheeks into her hair. He moved off of Y/N so she could sit up. She moved into his arms, clinging to him desperately. 

“It’s ok ma mouche, I’m here now.” Gene stroked her hair, as she cried into his shoulder. Gene’s stomach knotted, he hated to see her so hurt. He hated being away from her for so long. After a long day on the front lines he would often think of her. He kept all of the letters she sent, and would re-read all of them when he missed her, which was constantly. He couldn’t articulate to her what he had been through during those times, he didn’t want to burden her with those images. He was sure if he told her that she would tell him it wasn’t a burden, and that it was better to share the load than carry it all by himself. But reliving it was just as painful. He was sure with time he would be able to open up slowly. But for now he wanted to focus on them, on being home. The war was over and he wanted to move on from that time, he could do that with Y/N.

“I’m sorry.” She mumbled into his neck, sniffling softly. She sat back wiping the tears from her face. “I’m ruining this.” She shook her head, feeling bad. 

“Hey. I know it’s a lot, I feel it too. But it’s fine we have each other now. You can cry to me anytime.” Gene said, wiping away the stray tears she had missed, an adorable smile on her lips. He leant forward to kiss her again. “I’ll kiss it all better.” She sniffed chuckling. 

“You can tell me anything too Gene.” They sat in silence letting her words settle. They both knew what she meant. He nodded, pulling her close. 

They lay in each other's arms, staring up at the clouds. Y/N laid with her head on his chest and listened to his comforting heartbeat. His steady pulse was strong and firm, she could hear him breathing gently. His hands played with the ends of her hair, twirling them around his fingers in an absent-minded motion. 

“That one looks like a bunny.” She pointed up to the sky to the white fluffy shapes that drifted past. He hummed in agreement, staring up at the twilight sky. Gene felt so fulfilled just being here with Y/N, he couldn’t ask for anything more. He checked his watch, sitting up abruptly, sending Y/N flying onto the blanket. 

“Gene!” She laughed thinking he was playing around. She watched him, he looked nervous. “What’s wrong?” She asked shuffling forward to sit closer to him. 

“We’re late!” He announced, standing up and hastily putting away the picnic. Y/N watched confused. 

“Late? Late for what?” She helped Gene pack away the picnic even though she had no idea why he was in such a hurry. 

“I can’t tell you, it’s a surprise.” He glanced over his shoulder, as she shook her head laughing. 

“Gene!” She whined playfully. 

“Come on, Y/N.” He hurried her, as he grabbed her hand dragging her away. They made their way back to the road, a cab pulled up in front of Gene’s house. 

“A cab? Where are we going now?” Y/N asked as he opened the door for her to get into the car. All Gene did was tap his nose, she rolled her eyes. She knew Gene well enough to know he would never reveal his surprise. 

They sat in the back seat holding hands and chatting quietly, as the scenery flew past. Y/N tried to keep track of where they were but as night fell it was harder to make out their location in the dark. The cab finally pulled to a stop, Gene thanked and paid the man. He helped Y/N out of the car. They stood on the bustling street in town in front of a dance hall, the music from inside spilling onto the street. 

“Are we going dancing?” Y/N asked delightedly. Gene smiled seeing her reaction, taking her by the hand and leading her into the building. The music and chatter filled the hall. People danced and drank as the jazz band played. Y/N watched people swing dance on the dance floor as onlookers clapped and cheered. 

“Shall we?” Gene asked with his hand outstretched. Y/N nodded enthusiastically, taking Gene’s hand, as they made their way to the floor. The song ‘In the Mood’ blasted from the lively band onstage. Gene and Y/N danced together, laughing and smiling. Gene twirled her around, Y/N skirt floating out around her. They danced for hours, stopping occasionally to get a drink and rest before they went out onto the floor again.

They danced the whole night away, the band slowly bringing down the tempo for the remaining few couples who swayed gently to the music.

The familiar melody of Etta James’ ‘At Last’ was played by the band. Gene and Y/N held each other close as they listened to the lyrics being sung. Y/N sighed contentedly. Pulling back to look at Gene. 

“Today has been perfect.” She smiled sweetly at him. Overcome with so much love and joy. Today had been the best day ever, but she knew every day spent with Gene would be even better.

“You’re perfect.” Gene whispered into her ear placing a kiss to her cheek. She blushed furiously, shy from his charming words. 

“I love you.” She kissed him on the lips.  “More than words.” He finished for her.                                       

[viserya-firstofhername]

hotd 2x08 live reaction

I shall release these without edit, listening to Muse and I shall not give a single fuck:

After how many fucking years, for me, to agree with Criston fucking Cole. What have I made of myself???

Doughty ambassador!!!! I should ask for your hand in marriage immediately

A Lannister humiliated tis my jam forever

Getting those Brethren Court vibes is on point. I see you Condal, I am a fan of At World's End also

I want you to fuck my wives YES I want me to do the same miss

I WILL NOT ALLOW IT, yes, you shall NOT

DO YOU NEVER SLEEP WITCH—No I do not, Daemon—this so beautiful

I do not wish for my bestie girl goth witch to walk about with her hair tied, I shall have her only in her full wilde hair glory and I shall finally understand why men in my life wish for me to not tie that fuckload of mane of mine own

THE SAP THE JUICE

I do not entirely appreciate Daemon’s development, but I 1000% appreciate Simon Strong

They leaked the scenes on purpose I am calling it I was over it five days ago, but the CGI is atrocious still and you guys.....

I swear I just saw Leo Ashton there in that last second that was lovely Ewan

Syrax *me incoherent sounds* we are soulmates bbe

Daemon, you are a whiny-little-bitch-man-child, but I love you, because I am too a little whiny bitch meself. Going for the forehead bump again

SIMON MVP OF THE SEASON

Nooooooooo I do not wish for the Gullet in 3x01 please do not do it to me hbo I hate u so

I shall endavour to improve meself. Fullstop.

'I will continue as I began. Alone.' Lovely truly, I get you dearest ser

I love it in a wide shot when for a few seconds I cannot tell if 'tis Rhaenyra or Helaena. I also love them both so dearly, as well as the bestest Kate Rhodes James the woman-casting-director that you are

'I resented you for what you wanted' but dialogue weak so sorry dears you cannot reach Otto Highlevels, like a midwife

A slightly pointless scene tho, I ought to have had more Jace instead

Let them think what they must is sssssuch a mood tho

Ramin, Ramin! RAMIN! FOREVER my beloved

Generally underwhelming just a bit but also lovely and also please don’t do the Gullet in 3x01 I WANT MORE JACE

A testament to having seen leaks and still enjoying what I saw immensely. Both the unpleasurable and the opposite

Good fucking gods the Gullet how i wished they push it to like mid s3 but NO WE CANNOT HAVE what we want

[atopvisenyashill]

apologies if this comes off wrong, but I really did hate the way they made rhaenyra's grief(of losing her mother) about alicent in a way by having her be forced to meet the king, like couldn't they have waited atleast a day or smthg. They really didn't explore her trauma and the neglect, that she obviously faced by viserys that a large part of the fandom need to be explained to that viserys was a shitty father to her as well

also the narrative is always making viserys seem he didn't do none of that. Like this man cut open his first wife and abused the second till he was unable to. If they wanted him to be one of the good guys, they needn't have made him do that?

Sorry for the rant lol

ya so i think there’s three types of issues with hotd - there’s “not attached to canon” issues (shout out sara hess), there’s “not enough time” issues (hbo i will hunt your ceo for sport), and then there’s “sure do have some weird social opinions in that writers room huh” and i think that rhaenyra suffers a LOT from the “not enough time” issue but especially in season one (whereas alicent suffers from that - in part - in s2 but is more or less solid in s1).

there’s imo this continued issue with rhaenyra being so involved with plot she doesn’t get character moments to flesh her out. millie imo has the stronger writing but it’s still a BIG ass problem because it’s like - i just don’t think the audience at large realizes a) how much she’s grieving, stressed, overstimulated, and not thinking clearly during the millie years and b) the same way that alicent takes her anger at being forced to be a child bride out on rhaenyra bc she can’t take it out on otto & viserys, rhaenyra very much takes her anger at how she’s being dicked around bc of the succession out on alicent because she can’t take it out on viserys. and in the same vein as aliotto, nyra can’t take that anger out on viserys bc like - she loves him. he’s the patriarch. he chose her to carry on the family, and the throne becomes synonymous with viserys’ love so she can’t ever give it up because giving up would mean admitting that maybe viserys set her up for failure.

now EYE feel like this is really clear but it obviously ISNT as clear as it should be because even discounting the absolutely stupid & disingenuous way people will, for example, frame her “pushing out heirs” line, i think because she isn’t allowed to really SIT in her fear of dying in childbirth and her grief over aemma and the way her grief can never resolve itself because that means admitting viserys is a jag off, people just gloss over it and miss it when it is a huge driving force (arguably thee driving force) of her character and her actions.

which gets into the viserys writing. i’ve said it before i’ll say it again. i think he’s the best written character in the show, i think he’s the best adapted character from the book, but viserys is so well written and fleshed out and now he’s dead and a lot of the other characters are painfully underwritten. so was that screen time well used???? feels like maybe not!!!! it’s nice that they really got that core of viserys is that he murders his wife & regrets it forever & that’s why he is the way he is wrt the succession but well, rhaenyra is the co-lead of the dance, not viserys, and we should have seen more that rhaenyra’s trauma over her mother is also a driving force of HER actions as a young girl/young woman over her father who they knew was going to die a quarter of the way through the story.

and then you get to alicent. alicent in s1 js very well written (up until the fucking prophecy) & comes across clearly because she has the time to have the plot heavy AND character scenes. now i think, as the other co-lead, that’s important. but it’s also like. well. alicent doesn’t have very much choice when it comes to marrying viserys and viserys is very much the one with the most responsibility here. i think cutting the scene where rhaenyra calls alicent a whore was good bc even tho it’s very in character (and juicy as hell), i don’t think it gets across the core issue here - which is that, regardless of alicent’s feelings on the matter, aemma JUST DIED & nyra's dad is remarrying her best friend. that’s an insane situation to be dealing with and rhaenyra is right to be so peeved. and it’s like you say - she talks derisively about the way aemma is treated but always stops short of blaming viserys. not only is her father shacking up with her fucking best friend, but her father essentially turns alicent into rhaenyra’s worst nightmare (“made to push out heirs” for an old man who CLEARLY doesn’t love her). rhaenyra just has to live with it; she can't escape it, she can't stop it, she can't ignore it. i just don’t think they gave nyra the room to really show US how badly this is affecting her (whereas we get alicent picking at her fingers, the whole sequence where viserys calls her to his bed at night, scenes where she’s holding aegon & looking miserable, viserys just out and out negging her in public). rhaenyra just runs around too much, her character has no room to breathe, and that is to me the main issue with her writing - if what drives her character is kind of opaque because they never give her a minute to stew in it onscreen, well maybe they're not doing too good of a job getting her across now are they!

[oddlyhale]

I got curious to see if there was any red flags of what lead to the shutting down of RT beside the obvious controversy and did I found a rabbit hole.

If you head to the RT reddit Chesla Atkinson made a post about the email she recieved from Jordan Levin the General Manager of RT about the cancelation of RTX2024

https://www.reddit.com/r/roosterteeth/s/Py84R0ELHy

Scroll down to a username by Bobthemine criticize how that RT is taking away big earnings for the company. To which Barbara Dunkelman the Creative Director answer that there are three things.

1) If it making the company lose money

2) people who are fraeting it don't want it anymore

and get this

3) not showing any signs of growth or potential for profitable

https://www.reddit.com/r/roosterteeth/s/tczkHYp2Eo

Barbara the commented to another post about how it confusing to supporters who are suprise at the cost of that RTX in order to make profit for RT as well as the hesitation for vol 10. To which she explains that JUST A MINUTE of animation of RWBY cost $12,500 to $35,000 she confirm they could no longer paid this amount of money thus the cancelation of RTX2024 and finding alternate way to make money.

https://www.reddit.com/r/roosterteeth/s/A8mRiuyzOu

Hence why the partner ship with Crunchyroll as RT couldn't be able to paid the cost anymore and why Vol 9 almost didnt happen. This wasn't the first time she mention this about the financial state of RT

https://www.reddit.com/r/RWBYcritics/s/7sQeGmFDeB

Now I'm not trying to be a crazy conspiracy theorist here BUT considering the fact RT stop airing the show on YouTube and if you wanted to watch the show or any other RT shows you had to go to their website. Then season 2 of Genlock being transfered to HBO MAX before being shutdown completely. And the cherry on top all of the scandals that was happening with the company itself.

Everything was a dam waiting to any moment now.

Sure it was popular and trending on Tumblr and Twitter. But just because it was popular here and other sites isn't enought to keep the company standing.

Now this is just my opinion. I really don't think any company is going to pick RWBY for nostalgia purpose yes but with all the controversy, bad handling of finances, and how Barabra states the show need to be profitable (which it hasn't been even with the partnership of Crunchyroll). RWBY will now forever be tied with RT failings and no company wants to touch that.

I also doubt know if RT was genuinely serious if RWNY found another home but with them being vague I'm pretty sure they actually meant it as "we are actually hoping for someone to but this show and we don't actually have a company in mind" so yeah #greenlit volume 10 is more like #please some help a us out

^ ^

Really interesting things that everybody should read!!

They really took RWBY for granted, that's what I'm getting out of this!

RT has a love-hate relationship with RWBY because they begrudgingly have to fulfill the show, but really they want to promote their other projects and 7 thousand podcasts that nobody cared about. They want the old-fashioned Roosterteeth back (gaming, jabbering, podcasting, bro-ing around), but with their fame dwindling and not catching up to today's mainstream, they basically put RWBY through the wringer just for attention.

They never grew up. They never took responsibility and they failed themselves.

When they're destined to shut this year, now they care about RWBY because they know the show is their money maker. Reality hit them like 5 freight trains and it forced them to get a grip. There's nothing wrong with needing help (begging for any company to pick up RWBY,) but they also need to do their part and fix their problems. No company would want to be back-loaded with their bullshit if they don't get themselves together.

I mean even Crunchyroll couldn't help them forever. I wouldn't be surprised if CR didn't want RWBY after their run with V9. If Amazon picks it up - because Amazon tends to pick up anything - then I may be intrigued. Sometimes Amazon airs hits or misses, just like A24 or Netflix.

[weclassybouquetfun]

I have a passing knowledge of Jaime Reyes' Blue Beetle from the character's appearance on SMALLVILLE, BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD and these panels.

Milagro, you are so real for this.

And this is where my true knowledge about Blue Beetle comes from - Ted Kord's Blue Beetle and his friendship with Booster Gold.

Blue & Gold Forever.

So with only knowing the bare minimum about Jaime I was able to watch BLUE BEETLE with no expectations. It's an incredibly vibrant, fun and heartfelt film. I'm concerned at its low box-office showing, but films with bigger leads and bigger budgets have also failed at the box office, or at the very least, didn't recoup it's budget and marketing. There has never been anything that was a guaranteed box office success. I would rather it tried to get eyes in theaters than get lost on HBO Max where it was originally slated for release. Here's hoping National Cinema Day on Aug 27th (where theaters are selling tickets for $4 for all formats) will bring more people to the tent.

Too true.

My thoughts on BLUE BEETLE

Nothing but SPOILERS.

THE GOOD

Xolo Maridueña (COBRA KAI) is a great Jaime. If you have seen Maridueña across these five seasons of COBRA KAI, it's not surprising. He has shown consistently that he can play humour, dutifulness, vulnerable and excel at action.

Big up to COBRA KAI's annual blow-out fight sequence.

Oddly enough, at the end of the film I didn't think we got to know Jaime beyond a cursory level, but I'm sure if they did a deep dive on him I would complain about that too as my issue with origin story films is that so much real estate is given to building up the history of the character, that the plot and action seems relegated to the final act. But I guess BLUE BEETLE gave us all we need to know about Jaime.

Good egg, duty bound, gets hard from hugs (and kudos to this film for actually having a character who gets horny. Comic book films are nearly always a sexless thing, but my guy Jaime pulling his shirt down to cover his crotch after Jenny's (Bruna Marquezine) tale of woe was refreshing.)

-Really liked Jenny Kord. She wasn't the typical damsel in distress. She's formidable in her own right. She and Jaime doesn't feel rushed or shoehorned in. I especially loved the fact that they didn't just make her the love interest,

Though she and Xolo are great together,

but also gave her - in the Reyes - a new family. If she and Jaime were to go pear-shaped we can just know that Jenny still has a place within the Reyes clan.

-We have not one, but two new members to the Legion of Great DCEU Family Members. Joining the mom and dad of SHAZAM, AQUAMAN's dad, THE FLASH's mom is BLUE BEETLE's Alberto Reyes (Damián Alcázar) and Nana Reyes (the Oscar nominated Adriana Barraza).

Still waters run deep and Nana proved that. She's not just up in her room sewing and watching reruns of "María la del Barrio". She is sitting back waiting to showcase her experiene while fighting in the revolution.

And Alberto Reyes! He was this film's King T'Chaka. Always with a wise word, strong, caring. I hate that he had to die and I think it's a worn out trope that a hero has to suffer loss in order to come into their greatness, but it worked. Long Live Alberto Reyes!

Just enough George Lopez to not be annoying. He's funny, but only in small doses IMO so he was just good enough and used well enough that it wasn't eye-rolling. I really loved that he wasn't just there for the obvious comic relief, instead Uncle Rudy is a brain.

The opening along had me hyped. It set the tone and it lent to idea of the scarab being from space, but the inclusion of a classic Blue Beetle comic sketch just ::chef's kiss:

-Director Ángel Manuel Soto listed which stories he pulled from for this film,

but I see a lot of BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD episode "Fall of the Blue Beetle" in the bits where they go to Ted Kord's home/lab.

-The way they took OMAC/Kevin Kho backstory and merged it with Carapex's. In the comics OMAC was a Cambodian child of war, in this film Ignacio/Carapex was left an orphan and trained by the School of the Americas (rebranded Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) whose training manuals advocated tortuing and blackmailing civilians. Using Kord Industries as not just a amorphous shady big tech corp, BLUE BEETLE's writer Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer and Soto tied Kord Industries to the realties of what big corporations are doing globally.

This ties into another thing I loved about the film - it had a strong cultural identity. From Nana using Vivaporú (Vicks Vapor Rub) as smelling salts to rouse Jamie, to El Chapulín Colorado(!!!).

The idea of gentrification that affects people across colour lines and specifically targets people of lower income.

The full integration of Jaime and Khaji-Da being exemplified by Khaji-Da (voiced by singer/actor Becky G) speaking Spanish.

THE BAD

-Is there someone with less screen prescence than Susan Sarandon? I don't know how she was ever a thing. I guess they needed a "name" but there several other actors like Anjelica Huston or Sigourney Weaver who would have done something more with that role. Carla Gugino. Anyone else!

-The establishing CGI of Kord Entrerprises was basura. There was a tangible change in F/X as if mid way through post-production they found out WB-Discovery was moving it to theatrical release and they effects crew got a cash infusion.

-While I came around on the character towards the end, I wasn't a fan of Milagro. Glad they aged her up but she fell into the trope of annoying movie sibling and it grated.

THE REST

-Harvey Guillen's character died in the film (good!) and he appears to be dead again on HARLEY QUINN (not good. There is no way Nightwing's death sticks).

-Soto and James Gunn says that Jaime has a future in the DCU. While an interview snippet is making the rounds where Soto says he would like Jason Sudeikis (TED LASSO) to play Ted Kord, I don't really believe that is true as the source is from an online site I'm not familiar with and people lie for clicks.

Yes, Buster. All. The. Time.

-While comics! Jaime lives in El Paso, Texas, film! Jaime lives in Palmera City - on El Paso St. - which was created for the film (and appeared in the comics months ahead in a tie-in). Soto found inspiration in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico. But I wonder what Palmera City's real-world city will be when James Gunn finishes the DC Map that he say is being redone. Maybe because over the years Metropolis has been Chicago/Delaware/New York.

Metropolis is not in Delaware, GTFOH.

[tomshivendgame]

tomshiv - miss independent (ne-yo)

Tom worshipping Shiv was actually the most relatable thing he’s ever done in the entire series

[helloitstsyu]

Focus On Me - Tom Cruise [18+]

my masterlist

Summary : Tom makes you wait all day long while he does his endless meeting. Can you wait till he's done, or will you act up in the end to gain his attention back to you?

Paring: Tom Cruise x Female Reader

A/N : Aaahhh this is my very first writing content, can't believe i have the guts to put it out. I hope y'all like it as much as i do. I'm sorry for any grammar mistakes or typo cause English is not my first language.

Warnings : smut, curse words, oral sex, minor dni

Tagging : my favs writers cause y'all are so talented and y'all inspires me endlessly @youlightmeupfinn @malavera @cherrycola27 @call-sign-shark

You keep pressing that same button on your remote TV. You keep jumping from one platform to another, Netflix, HBO Go, Amazon Prime, and Disney + but no shows or movie that seems appealing to your eyes anymore. You either have watched them or... you're just too tired to watch another movie or another episode of a series. You spend your whole day in front of the TV while your man is busy with his endless meeting in his office room.

Looking over at the clock, 5.42 p.m.

You recall earlier that Tom said he'll be done by 7 and by then you two will head out for a dinner outside. So you push the red button on the remote to turn off the TV. You push yourself to stand on your feet and move from the big cloudy-like couch to your shared bedroom.

You hop for a quick shower just to freshen up then you do your simple makeup routine and you blow dry your hair so it falls straight naturally. Going to your shared walk-in closet, you think to yourself which look will you wear for tonight's little date out?

"Let's go a little casual shall we?" You talk to yourself.

You then decided to go with a simple look. Just a silk champagne-colored tank top with a pair of jeans and Louboutin's stiletto. You also wear some jewelry, the diamond solitaire necklace that Tom got you last valentine's day.

Taking your black coat and your purse you're ready to head out. Looking at the watch around your wrist, it's 6.52 p.m. Seems like there's no sight of Tom leaving his office room yet.

Well, he still has 8 more minutes before you'll barge into his office and drag him out yourself.

Now you sit back on the big cloudy-like grey couch and you keep looking toward that corridor waiting for Tom to come out any moment by now.

You keep checking on your watch, 6.55, 6.58. Minutes feels like forever now.

When the clock turns exactly at 7.00 pm you gasp slightly.

"Ok maybe wait till 7.01" you said to yourself.

Let's give him another minute. Maybe he finishes exactly on 7.

You try to be patient by shifting your mind to your phone screen. You scroll down your social media, instagram and twitter, looking at the edits and tweets from your fans, they always manage to bring a smile to your face and make you feel better.

Looking at the corner left of your phone. Your eyes widen when the time tells it's 7.15 already.

"What?! Oh, you've got to be kidding me, Tom," you sigh.

You throw your phone down and steps toward his office room.

Knocking on the door but you don't bother to wait for his answer, you just push it open. Tom still sits on his chair eyes focused on the iMac screen in front of him. The familiar voice of Christopher McQuarrie fills the room.

Geez, he's still in a damn meeting huh.

You're standing still by the door, leaning on the door frame, and have not to step inside his room. His eyes shifted from the screen to your figure. Tom quickly put his hand on the mouse and click on something which I'm guessing he was turning off the microphone or the camera.

"Gosh, really, Tom?" You cut him and pouted.

Tom silently curse to himself. He lost track of time and accidentally forgot that he promised you earlier to take you out for dinner.

"Honey... I'm so sorry, 10 more minutes," he said with a guilty look on his face.

"I'm starving!"

Nope. You're not really hungry yet, you just want him to get out of this room you hate so much and just be with you for the entire night.

"We're nearly done, I promise you, 10 more minutes, and you look beautiful sweetheart," Tom smiles.

You roll your eyes, "Fine," you sigh and walk inside of his office room.

"10 more minutes or I'll drag you out of this room myself" You sit on the sofa in front of him. Tom grins at you, he always finds amusement when you're annoyed, he told you that you look adorable when you're upset.

You sit there silently, crossing your legs and hand holding your face. Your eyes are glued on your husband while his went back to the screen already.

McQ already asking back for his opinion over some input for a stunt. Tom then shares his opinion and his ideas for another daring-impossible stunt that he will do for the next movie. Yeah, yeah, when Tom and McQ are put together, everything comes sensational. The creativity and dedication these boys give in to make a movie and to entertain the audience are out of this world. And that, you always adore that about your husband. Although sometimes it annoys you when he got very busy and has little time to spend with you.

Your eyes then went down. Tom's wearing that blue jeans button down, which he kept the first few buttons undone revealing his beautiful tanned skin. His hair is slightly longer than usual, cause he'll be filming as Ethan Hunt. And my oh my, you like it longer like that. The way he's so focused on the meeting and how he explains the ideas from his head is appearing to be sexier than how you should've found it.

Maybe it's because you're missing him. Maybe it's because you're needy now of him.

Or maybe it's just the way he is. Everything about this man always makes you crazy for him.

Tom glances at you shortly and a slight smile appears on his face when he founds your eyes didn't even shift a centimeter away from his figure.

You look over at your watch. It's 7.26 and yet he's still rambling to describe how he wants the stunt to be exactly like how he pictures it in his head.

You stood up in front of his table and just point at your watch around your wrist. Tom doesn't even bother to look at you back and just lifts his hand in the air telling you to wait again.

You click your tongue and tilt your head to the side. He's really testing your patient here huh.

He ignores you again and just gives you that same hand gesture telling you to wait again.

But you had enough.

Looking around his table, suddenly a brilliant idea popped on your head. You take one rubber band from the little bowl he has on top of his desk and you tie your hair up in a ponytail.

Tom took a glance at you which you only repay with a playful bratty smirk. Someone then ask again for his input and his eyes went back to the screen.

You drop to your knees and crawl carefully under his desk.

"Yes, I'll have it confirmed to the studio soon. Uh---"

Once he found you under the table and in between his legs, Tom's eyes widen at you in shock.

"What are you doing?!" He mouths at you silently. But you didn't answer him and only grins at him.

You run your hands on his thighs. Even though they're covered with his jeans but you can feel his bulky muscular thighs underneath. Tom shifted in his seat but he try to remain calm in front of the camera. Your hand starts to slip underneath the button-down to find the button and the zipper of his jeans. Tom tries to stop you but you push away his hands from you and you stare back at him sharply then you continue to unbutton and unzip his jeans.

"Uh... Don't we have a meeting, Chris, with uh... paramount next Thursday?" He continues. You could hear a clicking sound from his mouse.

"What are you doing?!" He quickly asks as he holds both sides of your arms.

"You made me wait! You can't keep your focus on me so i have no choice but to fish for your attention, baby- McQ's asking for you. Answer him." You told him.

His eyes went back up to the screen and he unmute the mic again to answer McQ.

"Uh.. yes, sorry what was that McQ?"

"Are....you okay?" McQ concerningly asks.

You nearly chuckle there but you hold it in. You continue to unzip his jeans and take out his shaft through the fly hole. Tom hisses when you have your fingers around his cock.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry, I thought I see mice down here." He cleverly lies. "What was that Chrissss" he hiss again and slightly jolted when you put his member inside your mouth. His eyes widen and his hands are firm on a fist.

"Um... i was saying, we'll have it confirmed to paramount at that meeting, right?"

"Mhmm" Tom mumbles and try his best to not groan in front of the camera while you are down on your knees in between his legs and have his hardening member inside of your mouth.

You pull out his cock from your mouth and you pump his cock while you lick and sucks his balls. Tom takes a deep sharp breath and grips your arm firmly. His blood starts to surfacing, making him look flushed.

Tom quickly turns off the camera.

"Shitt!" He exclaimed. "S-sorry guys i think something is wrong with my camera," he lies.

Tom pushes his chair back till it hits the wall behind him and he also pulls you with him. He's giving you more room for you to work on, so you don't stay in the small room under his desk.

You put your index finger in front of your lips telling him to stay silent before you take his cock again and put it inside of your mouth. Tom bucks his head back at the contact of his cock inside your warm mouth. He pulls back his head again to meet your eyes.

"Are we done, McQ?" He asks.

Huh, now you're asking to have it done.

You just keep on doing your job there in between his legs. Sucking on his member, bucking your head up and down, and stroking the remaining length of him that you couldn't take to your mouth. Tom runs his finger through your hair. Holding the back of your head while you keep bobbing your head at his length, taking him as far back to the back of your throat.

"One more Tom, about Norway--"

Tom quickly mouths "Fuck" as he rolls his head.

He wants to have the meeting ended instantly. He wants to be able to groan and moans loudly now. More than that, he wants to have you. He wants to rail you now on top of his desk.

"I have asks Michelle to have it booked for mid-March, is it okay?" McQ continues to asks.

".....M-Mid march?" Tom thinks. "Isn't Oscar's in mid March?"

"Um... yeah, March 12th i think-- wait you're going to the oscar?" McQ asks back.

Hid member starts to pulsating inside of your mouth. You could feel that he's close. Tom put his fist to his mouth, trying his best to hold back not to come right now.

"Tom?" McQ calls again.

"Yesss! Yes, still here." Tom answers

"Are you sure you're okay? You sounds like you're out of breath..." McQ asks confused to himself.

"I'm okay, I'm.... really. Okay." Tom sigh and his grips on your hair tightens.

"About oscar... We'll-- Mmm... we'll see! We'll see later about it." He tries to answer the question as normal sounds as possible.

His jaws fall agape and his eyebrows pinched together. Tom buck his head back again and close his eyes shut. He's so close.

"Okay, then i guess that's all for this meeting. Any thing more you want to add, Tom?" McQ asks before closing it.

"N-no!! Thank you guys!" Tom's practically trembling.

"Thank you, I'll end the zoom, see ya" McQ said before the iconic system sound when a zoom meeting ended played out.

Tom quickly opens his eyes again, looking at the iMac screen to confirm it himself that the meeting is ended.

"Ohh-- you little slut!" He finally could verbally react to your sinful actions.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.... keep sucking me like that, you fucking minx!"

Tom's hand on your head, helping you to guide your movement down at his length. He also starts to buck his hips upwards, fucking your mouth.

"Oohh, honey, I'm coming!" He breathlessly said.

A few more swipes of your fury tongue on his sensitive head and he burst his seeds to the back of your throat. His muscles flex. And he grips onto you hard, hard enough to maybe let a bruise afterward. But you love every time he left a love mark on you.

You slowly pull your head back and his cock falls out from your mouth. You swallow his seeds and clean the remaining mess of his around your lips and on your fingers. You suck one by one of your fingers which are glazed by his precum mixing with your spit.

Still with a panting breath, Tom chuckles at you.

"You..." he shook his head.

"Now I got your focus on me," you said with such a sultry tone.

"Oh darling, you know you always do have 'em"

You clicked your tongue and roll your eyes but then you both laugh at it. Tom pulls you for a kiss then. It was a long warm and deep kind of kiss. One that always makes you certain that you are the number one priority in his life. And that he loves you, more than anything in this world.

Tom then breaks away from the kiss and rubs your cheek softly. He stares at you deeply with such adoration in his eyes.

"Wow darling," he whispers.

"You sure gonna wish you'll never have meetings at home from now on," he said with a devilish smirk on his face.

You're sure you start a new challenge for him. But at least, now he knows not to make you wait again.

[herohimbowhore]

The One Direction to F1 Pipeline and Fan Culture

In contemporary fan spaces, we could make hundreds of connections between being a fan of X and becoming a fan of Y.

One Direction to Marvel (could also be 1D to MCU to F1)

Harry Potter to Game of Thrones

Disney to HBO

Gossip Girl to Marvel

The possibilities of making connections are endless.

However, to understand fan culture in spaces like Twitter (it will actually pain me to write X so it's Twitter) as we progress beyond just sports culture, we just need to look at the One Direction to F1 pipeline.

One Direction, despite only being a band for like five years and going on "hiatus" in January 2016, changed fandom forever and was a formative experience for so many current F1 fans under 30. Being a fan of One Direction has ingrained a fan culture within our zeitgeist.

While One Direction may not have a presence in fan spaces anymore, the behaviors that we learned from that period are still very much present.

So what behaviors of 1D fan culture are present in F1 fan culture?

Hacking security cameras and knowing things we probably shouldn't:

Now, am I in support of this? Not at all. I don't think you should be hacking and essentially stalking drivers or any celebrities, but that's a discussion for a different time.

But if anyone was even slightly aware of One Direction at their prime in the early 2010s, then you know that there was little that Directioners were not able to hack. (cough birth certificates and hospital records cough).

We can see that same behavior, especially when it comes to Charles Leclerc. Footage of him purchasing a suitcase was leaked. His address was leaked and fans showed up at his doorstep.

Which just reminds me of a story Louis once told where he tweeted about not having milk and some fan dropped off milk at his doorstep.

You can't have a favorite/You can't hate someone:

In hindsight, I think we can all agree that this idea was mostly promoted due to purchasing power.

There were five dolls for the five members. If you were a Harry girlie, you'd buy the Harry doll. If you were a Zayn girlie, you'd buy the Zayn doll and so on. However, the issue with this was that the Harry and Zayn dolls were flying off the shelf, you'd be hard-pressed to find them. The Niall and Louis girlies, while less than the Harry and Zayn girlies, were dedicated to Niall and Louis. Leaving the Liam dolls all alone on the shelves...

So, the you can't hate one member and be a true Directioner narrative was created.

And if you've spent even a few moments on f1twt, you'll be able to see a similar narrative in F1.

If you hate a driver or criticize them, then there's a high chance that at least a few people will call you a fake fan. Or you can't be a Ferrari fan if you like Charles and hate Carlos (or vice versa). Or how are you going to the paddock when you criticized one driver the previous year when they weren't on the team (iykyk).

But, I find this a bit disingenuous. Unlike One Direction, which was a band, F1 is a sport. You can have a favorite and dislike someone else. Criticism is actually a good thing (as long as you're not being hateful for no reason).

Fan Projects and Involvement/Analysis:

One Direction fans were known for the projects they had and for getting involved.

Wearing orange when they performed in the Netherlands during the Take Me Home tour

The "We Are 1D Family" signs from the 2014 San Siro concert

Lighting up the stadium with different colored lights

The No Control project

With F1, especially this year, there were the friendship bracelets. While popularized this year by Taylor Swift, is like the fan projects that we would see in the One Direction era.

Other aspects of this include looking at the driver onboards and making sure that information is shared online with others and analyzed.

Commentary and race direction don't focus on every single driver's race and often times things are missed or ignored. Fans looking through the data, videos, and everything else help shed light on how individual races went and correct public narratives. It's double checking if there was damage, impeding, driver error, car problems, etc.

Daniel's onboards and data from Austin and Brazil come to mind. Without that information, those wouldn't be considered great races for him. He was finishing behind his teammate. But onboards from Austin revealed that he had debris stuck in his front wing, which hadn't been mentioned by race commentators. In Brazil, while a lap down, he spent most of the race right behind Yuki playing the team game. If you didn't see the data, then you wouldn't know that's where he was on track or that he was 3rd fastest.

I would relate this to the fan projects centered around Louis, Niall, and Liam. Those were always about correctly attributing credit and giving attention to them when the media was focused on Harry and Zayn.

Making It Your Own:

There's no question that if you're a fan, you're going to want merch to support your favorites.

However, it's usually not so great.

One Direction fans were creating their own shirts and other items because not everyone wanted to walk around wearing a "Mrs. Styles" t-shirt or one with the album cover. Fan-created merch was filled with cool designs for clothing, custom shot glasses, posters, etc.

In F1, not only is most of the team merch filled with sponsors, but it's also insanely expensive. (I might love it, but I'm not spending $200 for a cardigan.)

Fans create a diverse and creative range of merch that is affordable. Fun t-shirts, stickers, jackets, posters, etc.

At the core essence of being a fan, is taking something and making it your own. Especially when it comes to bad, expensive merch (what was that 10 in a row shirt for Max???? or just about any team shirt with the hundred sponsors they have) and good, expensive merch (Daniel needs to stop putting out enchante collections. I am a grad student, I cannot keep affording them.)