#i would rewatch fma but i would like to Not have to watch my two faves die again

[cable-salamdr]

Actually one of my favorite things about fma/b will always be that you get all of these short jokes thrown at Edward and it could have just been that that’s it: he’s just short for some reason (because he doesn’t drink his milk)

But then Arakawa went “No no, Ed is short because actually he’s been feeding his own nutrients to his brother’s body (which has been in limbo & chilling with god this entire time btw), and as soon as that connection begins to waver he does actually end up growing quite a bit still, until he’s taller than Winry.” and she just expected me to feel normal about that

[fanfictionstuff]

Envy x Reader

So, I have a weird friend who somehow never watched FMA. I was rewatching it and mentioned it to her. She fell in love with Envy's character. She went to find fanfics, and there is nothing. I remember reading a good amount when Brotherhood first came out, and for the original incorrect FMA, so I guess they were all deleted when fanfiction.net did that purge smh.

So she begged asked me to write something for her. Because I do feel guilty and know how it feels not to find fanfics for a character you like...I decided to write it for her. Maybe two parts. This part already has 10,500 words but I'm not sure if I like it or not. 🙃

IDK but there will be smut in the second part as part of my friend's request.

Envy is referred to as he/him.

I love Envy's reactions in this scene lmao

It was a really stupid idea. Most people have sensible friends to prevent them from doing something this stupid. Not only do you not have enough friends, but the ones you do have don’t stop you from doing stupid things.

Furthermore, one of the friends who didn’t stop you is the same one who led you to this predicament. You had been laughing at her while she held the book up to your small group, claiming that it could summon demons, among other things.

“There’s no way that’s real. If it were real, there would be demons or other supernatural stuff happening all over the world. You’re being ridiculous.” You had scoffed at her. Another friend asked her if she planned to do one of the summons or rituals. “No. You don’t mess with stuff like that.”

“It’s not real.” You scoff again.

“Well ____, if it’s not real, why don’t you try it?”

You gaze down at the summoning circle crafted from rope and sticks. Is this right? Holding the book open in your left hand, you compare the circle illustrated in the book with the one on the ground, shifting your gaze back and forth. “It needs blood?” you murmur to yourself, translating the text with your phone.

You awkwardly stare at the uneven circle and then at the book. Do you even have anything to draw blood with? Yes, you have a small pocket knife. Will you use it to draw blood? No. You aren’t gonna risk an infection for this. Shifting your attention back to your phone, you notice something: a bandage. It's from a small, yet painful, papercut you had earlier in the day.

Without a second thought, you remove the bandage and drop it in the center of the circle.

“Okay, that should do it. I think.” You shrug. “Wait, what language do I read this in?” Do you read it translated or attempt to read it in the native language?

You decide to go with the language of the book. Latin? It doesn’t matter. Sighing, you place your phone in your back pocket and begin to read the words. Fumbling over every few words as you read.

Nothing.

“Huh. I guess I either did it wrong, or it just doesn’t work,” you laugh lightly, thinking it’s probably both. Turning away from the circle, you reach for the bag that carried all the rope.

“Hey! You!”

You pause and slowly turn around. Something is in the center of the summoning circle. Something that speaks. Confusion washes over you. Did your dumbass actually summon something? Mia is going to have your head.

You stare down at the small green creature in disbelief. “Hey! I’m talking to you!” it snaps, glaring at you.

Slowly, you lower yourself until you’re squatting down in front of it. “Hi?”

The creature seems unimpressed by your attempt at a greeting, and it glances around the circle. “Did you summon me? Why would you do that?!” It snaps at you.

“I didn’t—” it gives you an unimpressed look. “Okay, so I didn’t mean to.” 

“So, you didn’t mean to summon me?” 

“…yeah.”

“You summoned me, and you didn’t mean to? Why are humans so stupid?” it remarks casually, tossing an insult your way. You frown—an odd worm-like creature just insulted you. You lean in slightly for a closer look. It has six tiny legs, a tail, and… a strange mouth? You struggle to comprehend its appearance.

“Sorry, I, uh, didn’t expect it to work. Honestly, I was trying to prove to my friend that it wouldn’t. I don’t know what to say.”

“You can start by telling me where I am.” 

“Uh…what do you mean? Like—” 

“Idiot.” Another insult your way. 

Awkwardly, you mumble the name of the nearest city. It looks at you like you have three heads. “Where?” It snaps at you. “What country?” 

You answer it.

The little green thing stares at you like you’re crazy. “What? How far is it from Amestris?” 

“Where?” 

“You really are an idiot.”

Huffing, you stand back up. “How do you spell it? I’ll look it up.” You pull out your phone as you question it. It looks curiously at the device but doesn’t comment on it; instead, it tells you how to spell it.

“…That’s not a country; it’s the name of an old queen from around 400 BC.” You turn your phone around to show the creature, and it quickly scans the text.

You have to hold back from asking, 'Who's the idiot now?’ As you hold the phone up to the odd creature, you lean in more to get a better look at it. Wait, you watch as it’s eyes scan the text. It can read? “So…what are you anyway?”

“A homunculus.”

You slowly stand back up and tuck your phone into your pocket. “Okay, well, what do we do now?” Honestly, every instinct inside you screams to run. But you are the one who summoned it. So, you ignore your instincts that might have been able to save you from what happens next.

“I don’t know.” It glances around its surroundings before fixating on you with an intense stare. After a few minutes of what feels like an awkward staring contest, the creature suddenly dashes toward you and scurries up your leg. You let out an involuntary scream, falling backward onto the ground as you frantically try to shake it off.

Avoiding your hands swatting at it, it runs until it’s on your shoulder.

It bites you.

You scream again.

“Stop screaming!” It snaps, “You’re going to burst my eardrum!”

Your shoulder burns as you lift your hand to cover the open wound, forgetting about knocking the parasite thing off your body. “It hurts!” you snap back at it. It scoffs at your reaction. “You’re weak.”

“So?” You turn your head, trying to catch a glimpse of the creature when you remember it’s on your shoulder. “I never claimed otherwise. Get off me.” You swipe at it once more, but it simply shifts to your other shoulder.

“I want you to take me into town.” The creature stares at you expectantly.

“Why would I do that?! You just—”

“I’ll bite you again,” it warns.

“What? Why did you bite me the first time? That's not a normal bite. Are you venomous? Do I need to go to the hospital?”

The asshole scoffs at you and climbs up and causally sits on top of your head. “What are you doing?!”

“Didn’t I tell you to stop screaming?” it scoffs. “I’m trying to figure out where I am.”

I’ll just take it into town, and once we’re there, I can just leave it wherever, and I’ll never have to see it again. Maybe I’ll even wake up in my bed and realize it’s a weird dream at some point. You choose to ignore the fact that if it were a dream, the bite wouldn’t have felt that painful.

After a few minutes of walking in awkward silence, you decide to question it. “So, do you have a name?”

“Envy.”

“I’m ______.”

It doesn’t acknowledge your introduction, and the rest of the walk to the town is quiet, except for the occasional twig snapping beneath your feet. Envy moved back on your shoulder at some point, its tiny claws digging just enough into your skin to remind you of its presence. The wound from its bite throbs with each step. 

"You walk too slowly," it complains after a while.

"Sorry, my shoulder hurts," you mutter.

"Your blood tastes strange," Envy remarks suddenly. "Different from what I'm used to." 

"That's... disturbing," you mutter, quickening your pace. The trail opens up to the outskirts of town, small houses coming into view. “Is that a car?” Disbelief fills its voice. “What year is it?” It hisses. 

“2025, why?”

“I came from 1915.” 

Curious, you google cars from 1915. “Hey, Envy, is this what cars look like where you’re from?”

The creature's tiny body stiffens on your shoulder as it stares at your phone screen. "Yes. Something like that." There's a different tone to its voice now—something almost vulnerable beneath the hostility.

You frown; you just uprooted this creature from whatever world it came from. Guilt twists in your stomach. As you approach the town's first buildings, Envy suddenly darts beneath your collar, its cold body pressing against your neck. "Hey!" you protest.

"Shut up," it hisses against your skin. "I can't let people see me like this."

The warmth of its breath against your neck sends an uncomfortable shiver down your spine. "Fine, but stop moving around so much."

Walking through town with a homunculus hidden against your neck proves more difficult than you'd imagined. Every time someone passes, Envy presses closer.

“So, what are you going to do, Envy?” 

Envy shifts on your shoulder, its tail brushing against your neck. "Find a way back to where I belong, obviously. And you're going to help me." 

"I don’t know—" 

"You'll help me," Envy interrupts, leaning closer to your ear, its voice dropping to a whisper that sends an unwelcome shiver down your spine. "Or I'll do much worse than bite you." 

The threat hangs in the air between you, and you swallow hard.

"Fine," you mutter, trying not to look like you're talking to yourself. "This is my fault, I guess.”

 Envy snorts. “You guess?”

 “I’m sorry, okay? I need to go home first. I can't exactly research interdimensional travel standing in the middle of the street." 

Envy makes a sound that might be in agreement.

The walk to your apartment is, thankfully, short. Once inside, you lock the door, and Envy immediately slithers down your arm, landing on the coffee table. 

"This is where you live?" it asks, tiny eyes darting around your modest living space. 

“Yes," you reply, heading to the bathroom to clean the bite wound. It's deeper than you expected, with strange purple marks radiating from the punctures. Should I go to the hospital? You frown at the mark as you touch the edge with your fingers.

When you return, Envy has crawled onto your laptop, tiny legs pressing random keys. 

"What is this device?" it demands.

"It's a computer," you explain, gently moving Envy aside to close the random applications it had opened. Envy scurries back onto the keyboard, staring at the screen with what you could swear is fascination. "Your world's technology is... interesting." 

You sink heavily onto the couch, the reality of your situation finally hitting you. "So you're really from another world? Another time?" 

"Keep up," Envy snaps but then appears to deflate slightly. "I was in the middle of something important when you brought me here." Its tiny body trembles with what might be rage. 

"What were you doing?" you ask, genuinely curious despite your better judgment. 

"Dying," Envy says simply. 

The blunt response catches you off guard. "I'm... sorry?" 

"Don't be," it hisses, turning away from you. "It was my choice. Better than continuing to exist with humans mocking me." Envy's tiny body curls in on itself slightly, recalling the situation with Edward Elric. "But somehow, you brought me here instead." 

You lean closer, fascinated despite yourself. "Mocking you?" 

"Don't!" Envy snaps, whipping around to face you. "Don't you dare feel sorry for me. I've killed more humans than you've ever encountered." 

The casual admission of murder should terrify you, but something in Envy's tone—an element of desperate bravado—causes you to doubt its complete truthfulness. Or perhaps the small, pitiful form diminishes the reality of the threat. 

"If you're so dangerous, why do you need my help?" you ask, pressing your hand against your throbbing bite wound. 

Envy's tiny eyes narrow. "I need to figure out a way back. Or at least..." Its voice trails off, and for a moment, the creature appears almost forlorn.

"At least what?" you press.

"My other form," Envy mutters. "This pathetic body is just what's left after..." It shakes its head. "Never mind. You wouldn't understand it."

You reach for your laptop, being careful not to disturb the creature. "Let me research homunculi. Maybe there's something that could help.” As you type, Envy crawls closer, its body warm against your wrist. You fight the impulse to pull away.

"This is pointless," Envy hisses after you've gone through several websites about alchemical homunculi in mythology. "These are just human tales. None of this is real where you're from." 

"What exactly do you want me to do?" you snap back, fatigue and the pain from your bite making you irritable.

Envy is quiet for a moment, its tiny body unnaturally still. "I need... energy," it finally says. "In my world, I was powered by something called a Philosopher's Stone. It contained... life force.”

A chill runs down your spine. Hadn’t you read something like that a few years ago? But what you read said…"Life force? Like... souls?" 

Envy's tiny head tilts up to look at you. "Maybe you’re smarter than I thought." 

"Thanks," you respond flatly. "So what, you need to consume souls to return to normal?" 

"Not necessarily souls," Envy says, its voice now softer. "But life energy... yes. In this form, I'm weak. Pathetic." The last word escapes as a hiss of self-loathing. 

You gaze at the tiny creature, attempting to decipher what it's conveying to you. "So you need to... what? Kill people?" 

"Don't sound so shocked," Envy scoffs as it crawls closer to you. "Humans kill each other all the time for much less significant reasons." 

"That doesn't make it right," you argue, unconsciously leaning away. 

Envy's small body trembles with what could be laughter. "Right? Wrong? Those are just human concepts. I'm beyond such trivial morality." 

Even though it's small, there's something profoundly unsettling about its manner of speaking—a casual cruelty that sends chills down your spine. 

"There has to be another way," you insist, wincing as the bite on your shoulder throbs. 

Envy crawls up your arm, inspecting the wound it left behind. You flinch as its tiny legs brush against the purple-edged punctures. 

"Your blood..." it remarks, almost thoughtfully. "It's doing something unusual." 

With growing alarm, you glance down at the wound. The purple discoloration has spread slightly, and the veins around it darken. "What did you do to me?" Your voice rises with panic. 

"Nothing intentional," Envy replies, sounding almost intrigued. "But it seems my essence is having an effect on you. Interesting." 

"Interesting? I'm being poisoned by an interdimensional parasite, and all you can say is 'interesting'?" You stand up abruptly, almost sending Envy tumbling off your shoulder. 

"Careful!" it snaps, digging its tiny claws into your skin to stay attached. "And I'm not a parasite. I'm a superior being." 

"Superior beings don't usually end up as tiny worms hiding in strangers' collars," you retort, immediately regretting that you antagonized the creature.

To your surprise, Envy doesn't bite you again. Instead, it makes an annoyed sound. “Just give me some of your blood; I want to test it.”

"My blood?" Disbelief fills your voice. "You want me to... what? Cut myself for you? I’m not doing that." You weren’t interested in cutting yourself when you were stupidly playing with the summoning circle; you’re still not interested in doing it now.

"Don't be so dramatic," Envy scoffs. "It’s just a small amount. The bite I gave you is already bleeding anyway." 

You hesitate, your hand hovering over the wound on your shoulder. The purple discoloration has spread further, forming a web-like pattern beneath your skin. "And what if I refuse?" 

"Then I'll take it, regardless," Envy states plainly. "Though, it may become... messier." 

“Fine.”

You scream in pain as Envy's teeth dig into your already wounded flesh. The sensation is different this time—more intense, like liquid fire coursing through your veins. Your vision blurs, darkening at the edges as an unfamiliar warmth spreads from the bite throughout your body. 

"Stop," you gasp, but your voice sounds distant, even to your own ears. "Envy, that's enough. What happened to warning people!”

The creature disregards you, persistently drawing your blood with disturbing eagerness. You attempt to swat it away, but your limbs feel heavy and unresponsive. The room tilts sideways as you fall onto the couch. 

Just as darkness begins to completely overtake your vision, Envy detaches from your shoulder. "Your blood..." Envy's voice sounds different—somehow fuller. "It's compatible. More than compatible. It's perfect." 

It’s the last thing you hear before you pass out. 

"Much better," Envy purrs, stretching his newly formed arms above his head. "Still not my full power, but at least I'm not that pathetic thing anymore." His eyes scan your slumped form on the sofa. “I can’t take more from her, or she’ll die.” He sighs to himself, unsure if any other humans in this world have similar blood; he’s not willing to risk killing you for now. He easily lifts you up and begins walking toward your bedroom.

When you wake up, you’re in your bed, and relief washes over you. It was a dream. But as you sit up, a sharp pain in your shoulder reminds you it wasn't a dream at all. The room spins slightly, and you press a hand to your forehead, trying to steady yourself. The bite wound throbs under your fingertips, the strange purple veins still visible but no longer spreading. 

"Finally awake?" 

The voice—smooth and mocking—comes from the doorway. You snap your head up, and what you see makes your breath catch in your throat. 

Standing there is not the tiny green creature from before but rather a slender figure with long dark hair and striking violet eyes. He wears a tight black crop top paired with a skort, showcasing his pale skin and lean, muscular build. His smile is predatory, revealing teeth that appear just a touch too sharp to belong to a human. 

"E-Envy?" you stammer, pulling your blanket tighter as if it could offer protection. 

"The one and only," he purrs, gliding into the room with a fluid grace that is as beautiful as it is fearsome. "Thanks for the blood, by the way. It seems you're rather... nutritious." 

You stare at him, unable to process the transformation. This beautiful androgynous person bears little resemblance to the tiny worm-like creature that you met in the forest. "How...?"

"Your blood," Envy explains, examining his own hand with evident pleasure. "It possesses properties similar to a Philosopher's Stone. Not as powerful, but..." he flexes his fingers, smiling. "Enough to restore this form, at least for a while." 

You attempt to stand but instantly regret it as dizziness overtakes you. Envy moves with unnatural speed, catching you before you collapse. 

"Careful," he says, his voice mockingly sweet. "You've lost quite a bit of blood. I wouldn't want my new food source to hurt herself." 

His touch feels cool against your skin, his fingers gripping your arms with enough pressure to come off as a warning. 

"Food source?" you repeat, pulling away from him. "I'm not—" 

"Oh, but you are," Envy interrupts, his violet eyes gleaming. "Until I find a way back to my world or a better source of power, your blood is what's keeping me in this form." He leans in closer, and you can feel his breath against your cheek. "Unless you'd prefer that I find someone else? Perhaps that nice elderly neighbor of yours? Or the child I saw playing in the hallway?"

Your stomach turns at the implicit threat. "You wouldn't."

"Wouldn't I?" Envy's smile broadens. "You have no idea what I'm capable of or what I've done." He trails his fingers along the mark he has left behind. "Don't worry; I won't take too much at once. That would be... inefficient."

You try to steady yourself, mind racing. "How much do you need?"

Envy shrugs, an elegant roll of his shoulders. "It’s hard to say. This form needs maintenance." His hand reaches out to touch your face, tilting it up to examine you. "But I suspect that small, regular feedings will work best. For both of us."

His fingers against your skin make your heart race—fear, you tell yourself, nothing else.

"Do you know why my blood is special?” you ask, making an effort to keep your composure.

Envy drops his hand and sits on the edge of your bed, completely uninvited. The mattress sinks slightly beneath his weight—he feels solid, tangible. You’re tempted to poke him in a ‘is this real’ way, because how the hell did the parasite change into this attractive person?

"I don't know," he admits, a look of genuine perplexity crossing his face. "Based on what you’ve said and what we read on your…computer…humans in this world shouldn't possess any alchemical properties in their blood. And yet..." He gestures to himself. "Here I am." 

You watch him warily, noting how different he appears in this form—still dangerous, still cruel, yet possessing a strange, captivating beauty that makes it difficult to look away. His androgynous features, lithe body, and violet eyes seem to see right through you. Moreover, he appears to truly revel in this form. Although his name is Envy, in this form, he comes across as more vain than envious.

"So I guess you’ll be my new roommate?” You make a light joke, trying to brush on the fact you’re basically being forced to home him.

Envy shrugs and looks up at you. "Unless you have a better suggestion?" 

You stare at the man. Is there a better suggestion? No, not at the moment. As long as he doesn’t hurt you, it should be okay for now, right? “We need some rules.”

Envy raises an eyebrow, seeming amused. "Rules? You really think you can set rules for me?" He suddenly sits up and leans forward until his face is inches from yours. "Don't forget what I am, human." 

You bite your lower lip and glance away. “Actually…I kind of already forgot.” 

“Seriously?” 

“A lot has happened, okay?”

Envy stares at you for a long moment before bursting into laughter—not the mocking kind from before, but something more genuine that transforms his face. It's oddly charming, and you can't help but stare. 

"You’re odd," he says, shaking his head. "I've threatened you, bitten you, drank your blood, and you've... forgotten what I am?" 

You shrug, wincing as the movement pulls at your wounded shoulder. "Like I said, it's been a weird day." 

Envy studies you with unnerving violet eyes. "I'm a homunculus—an artificially created being. Although the term 'human' may be a stretch. We exceed humans in every aspect." There's a practiced arrogance in his tone, yet something beneath it feels hollow. 

"If you think you're so superior, then why did you end up as a tiny worm?" you ask, unable to hold back your curiosity. 

His expression instantly turns dark. "Watch your tongue," he snaps as the fleeting moment of camaraderie dissipates. "That form was merely a temporary setback." 

You raise your hands in surrender. "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"

Envy's eyes narrow dangerously, but after a moment, he leans back with a dramatic sigh and changes the subject. "What 'rules' do you propose?"

You need to learn more about him. Is he truly dangerous, or does he just have a nasty bite? "First, no hurting anyone," you say firmly. "Second, you can't leave the apartment without me. Third..." you pause for a moment, "you need to let me know when you need... blood. No more surprise attacks."

Envy considers this, gently tapping a slender finger against his lips. "Boring, but acceptable—for now." He suddenly stands and strides over to examine his reflection in your bedroom mirror. "This form isn't quite right," he murmurs, more to himself than to you. "I'm not at full strength."

You watch him as he meticulously runs his hands over his body, examining his appearance with a critical eye.

He raises an eyebrow upon noticing your gaze fixed on him. With his back still turned, he speaks to you through the mirror. “Like what you see?” He questions with a cocky tone. 

A flush of warmth spreads across your cheeks as you're caught staring. "I—I was just curious about how you can change your form like that," you stammer, striving to regain your dignity.

Envy turns away from the mirror, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Sure you were." He strides back toward your bed. "It's my ability. My true form is..." he hesitates, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face, "...not important. Anyway, this is my preferred form, but it’s still not quite right.”

"What's wrong with it?" you ask carefully. To your eyes, his figure is striking— unnervingly beautiful in its androgynous perfection. 

"It's not as strong as it should be," Envy replies, flexing his fingers. "Limited. I can't transform into anything else." He suddenly turns to you, his eyes shining. "I'll need more blood soon." 

Your hand instinctively moves to your wounded shoulder. "You just took some." 

"And much of it was used to sustain this form," he replies smoothly. "Don't worry, I won't drain you dry... not yet." His smile is all teeth. 

You swallow hard. "You promised to warn me first." 

"Consider this your warning," Envy says as he steps closer to the bed. "Not right now, but soon. Tomorrow, perhaps." He reaches out to gently brush a strand of hair from your face, the gesture surprisingly intimate. "You should eat something. I need you to be healthy." 

The casual way he talks about your body as if it's just a resource for him sends a chill down your spine. "I'm not cattle," you protest, but your voice lacks conviction. 

"Of course not," Envy replies, his voice soothing, yet his eyes retain a predatory gleam. "Cattle are replaceable, but from what I know so far, your blood is unique. It may be common among humans in this world, but I’d rather be safe and keep you healthy just in case it isn't." He glides a finger along your jawline, his touch as light as a feather.

"Lucky me," you mutter, attempting to dismiss the peculiar flutter in your stomach at his touch. You tell yourself it's merely fear, nothing else. 

Envy pulls back, stretching his arms above his head. The movement causes his muscles to flex, and when he notices you staring, he winks. "You know, there are ways I can repay for your donation.”  

Your face flushes with embarrassment at the implication, and you raise your hands, quickly shaking your head. "No, no, I—"

He cuts you off. "Rest. Recover. I need you strong. We can talk about the different ways I can repay you later.”

As he strolls out of your bedroom, you sink back into your pillows, the exhaustion and blood loss finally catching up to you. Your life has changed dramatically in just a few hours—from simple curiosity to becoming the reluctant blood donor for a homunculus with a superiority complex.

You can hear Envy moving about your apartment, rifling through drawers and cabinets without any regard for your privacy. You've invited a predator into your home—all because of that stupid book and your curiosity.

When you next open your eyes, you find the room has grown darker. You must have dozed off. A dull ache radiates from your shoulder as you sit up slowly, testing your strength. Though you're weak, the dizziness has finally subsided. 

"Finally awake again?" Envy's voice comes from the doorway. He's leaning against the frame, arms crossed over his chest, watching you with those unsettling violet eyes. 

"How long was I out?" you ask, voice raspy. 

"A few hours," he said, pushing off from the doorway as he approaches the bed. "Your world is odd; there are so many devices I don't recognize." He sits on the edge of your bed without invitation. “I see that humans kill each other constantly. At least some things remain consistent across worlds." 

You struggle to sit up straighter, maintaining a cautious distance between you and Envy. You can hear the TV from the other room, it sounds like some kind of action movie. "That's just fiction—TV shows and movies. Real life isn't like that." 

"Isn't it?" Envy's lips curl into a knowing smirk. "I also found your 'news' channels. Wars, murders, betrayals—seems humans are the same despicable creatures everywhere." He leans closer, his hair falling forward to frame his face. "Humans are the same, no matter where you go.”

"Not all humans are cruel," you argue, feeling an odd urge to defend your kind. 

Envy laughs, the sound both musical and mocking. "How adorably naive." His hand reaches out to touch your wounded shoulder, pressing just hard enough to make you wince. "Humans pretend to be kind, to care for one another, but when tested..." His fingers trace the purple veins spreading from the bite. "They always reveal their true nature." 

You pull away from his touch. "Is that why you hate humans so much?"

His expression hardens immediately as he leans in closer, his face just inches from yours. "I see you for what you truly are—weak, pathetic beings who pretend to be noble while slaughtering each other over imaginary lines on maps."

Something in his voice makes you pause. Beneath the contempt, there's an emotion you can't quite identify—something almost like longing. 

"If we're so pathetic," you ask quietly, "why does it bother you so much?" 

Envy freezes, his violet eyes widening slightly. For just a fleeting moment, a hint of vulnerability flashes across his face before being swiftly concealed by anger. 

"It doesn't 'bother' me," he snaps, jerking away from you suddenly. "I just find your species' hypocrisy amusing." 

You're not convinced, but you know better than to push. Instead, you swing your legs over the side of the bed, testing your strength. "I need to eat something," you mutter, the emptiness in your stomach making itself known with a loud growl. 

Envy watches you with a neutral expression as you stand, swaying a bit. "You’re weaker than before," he comments, though his tone holds less mockery than it did before. 

"Blood loss tends to do that," you reply dryly. 

To your surprise, Envy moves to your side, wrapping an arm around your waist to steady you. His touch feels warm against your skin, and his strength is evident in the effortless way he supports your weight. "I told you I need you healthy," he says, his breath tickling your ear. "You're no use to me dead." 

You want to pull away and refuse his help on principle, yet your legs feel like rubber, and the room tilts dangerously. With reluctance, you lean into him as he guides you toward the kitchen. 

"I can manage," you insist weakly, even as you stumble slightly. 

Envy makes a dismissive sound. "Clearly." His arm tightens around you, and despite everything, there's something oddly comforting about his solid presence beside you. 

In the kitchen, he unceremoniously sets you down in a chair. "What do you need to eat after losing blood?" he asks, opening your refrigerator and peering inside with curiosity in his eyes. 

"Red meat, leafy greens, anything high in iron," you reply, watching him cautiously. It’s odd to see him casually rummaging through your fridge.

"You have... none of those things," Envy observes as he looks at the refrigerator with a look of disdain. "Just packaged foods and leftovers." He picks up a takeout container, sniffs it, and wrinkles his nose before tossing it into the trash in the corner of the room.

"I didn’t exactly expect to become a blood donor today," you mutter. "There's probably some spinach in the freezer."

Envy turns to the freezer, yanking it open with more force than necessary. "This?" He holds up a package of frozen spinach and examines it suspiciously. 

You attempt to stand to help.

"Sit," Envy commands, pushing you back into the chair with one hand. I need you to be functional, which means you need to eat. I'll prepare it." 

You watch as Envy inspects your kitchen, opening drawers and cabinets with increasing frustration. There's something almost comical about him attempting to navigate a modern kitchen. 

Eventually, he gathers everything he needs, and to your surprise, he starts preparing the meal… and he’s doing it correctly. "You know how to cook?” 

He shrugs. “I had to act as a housewife a few times. I had to cook to play the part.” 

You stare at him in confusion. "How did you act as a housewife?” 

"I can shape-shift," Envy says casually as if explaining something obvious. "When I'm at full power, I can take any human form." He stirs the spinach, adding a pinch of salt he found in your cupboard. "I've been soldiers, servants, nobles, children... whatever was needed for the mission." 

"That's..." you search for the right word, "interesting." 

Envy's lips quirk into a smirk. "It's useful. Humans are so easily fooled by a familiar face." He glances at you over his shoulder. "I could become anyone you know, and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference." 

The thought sends a chill down your spine. "Please don't." 

"No promises," he replies, turning his attention back to the food. As Envy cracks eggs into a pan with surprising skill, you find yourself observing him. His graceful movements and confident posture—everything about him is captivating in a dangerous way. 

"You're staring again," Envy comments, amusement lacing his voice without him even looking back.

"Sorry," you mutter, feeling embarrassed at being caught again. "It's just... strange to see you cooking my dinner." 

Envy turns, spatula in hand, an amused expression on his face. "Is it? I told you—I need you healthy." 

"Right," you say, observing him as he places the eggs on a plate next to the spinach. "My blood is special." 

"Exactly," he says, placing the plate in front of you. "Eat." 

The food smells surprisingly good. You take a cautious bite, then another, your hunger overcoming your hesitation. Envy observes you eat with an intensity that is slightly uncomfortable. 

"This is actually good," you admit between bites. 

"Don't be so surprised," Envy replies, casually leaning against the counter. "I excel at everything I do." 

You roll your eyes at his arrogance but continue eating. "So," you say between bites. "In your world... what were you doing before you ended up here?"

Envy's expression darkens. "I told you. Dying."

"Right, but... why?" You wish you hadn’t asked as soon as the words escaped your lips.

Envy's expression becomes one of cold hostility as if the very air in the room has turned icy. His violet eyes narrow ominously, creating the impression that the temperature has dropped several degrees. "That's not a conversation we're having," he states, each word as cold as ice. "Never." 

You swallow hard and lower your gaze to your plate. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—" 

"Of course you did," Envy interrupts, his tone laced with disdain. "Humans always seem to be so curious about matters that don't concern them." He turns away, his back tense with frustration. "Just finish your food." 

The silence that follows is thick and uncomfortable. You eat without really tasting the food, fully aware of Envy's presence—his controlled breathing and the slight tremor in his hands reveal a powerful emotion just beneath the surface. 

After finishing your meal, you clear your throat. "Thank you for the food." 

Envy doesn't respond right away. When he finally turns back to you, his expression is carefully neutral, with the earlier vulnerability locked away behind a mask of indifference. 

"You should sleep more," he says, his voice disturbingly calm. "Your body needs to recover." 

For the third time, you wake up, wondering if it was all just a dream. To your left, the clock shows just past eight in the morning. There is no sound coming from your house. Could it truly have been a dream?

You push yourself up against the pillows, wincing slightly as the movement strains your injured shoulder. The ache confirms that it was no dream. With cautious fingers, you peel back the edge of your shirt to inspect the bite. The purple veins have faded somewhat, but the puncture wounds still feel tender and inflamed. 

"It's healing," comes a voice from the corner of your room. 

You jump, your heart leaping into your throat as you see Envy. He's sitting in your reading chair, one leg draped elegantly over the armrest, watching you with those unsettling violet eyes. "Do you always watch people while they sleep?" you ask, pulling your blanket higher. 

"Only the ones I find interesting," Envy replies, his lips curving into that now-familiar smirk. "And you, human, are becoming increasingly interesting to me." He rises in one fluid motion and approaches the bed. Today, there's something different about him—though you can’t really put your finger on what it is.

"You look... better," you observe cautiously. 

"I feel better," Envy acknowledges, stretching his arms above his head. "Your blood has worked wonders. I'm nearly at full strength." 

"Does that mean you'll be leaving soon?" you ask, uncertain whether to feel hopeful or oddly disappointed by the possibility. 

Envy laughs, his voice rich and melodious. "Leave? Where would I go?" He perches on the edge of your bed, as uninvited as ever. "Besides, I still require regular… maintenance." His gaze drifts to your shoulder, pausing on the bite mark. 

You instinctively cover the wound with your hand. "You promised you'd warn me next time." 

"And I will," Envy says, his voice lowering into a silky purr. "Consider yourself warned. I need more today." 

A flutter of anxiety intertwines with another feeling in your stomach—one that you're hesitant to recognize. 

Your heart pounds as you face Envy, the weight of your predicament striking you again. His violet eyes follow the pulse in your neck, and you wonder if he can feel your fear. "Now?" you ask, hating how small your voice sounds. 

"Soon," Envy replies, running a finger along the edge of your blanket. "First, you should eat again. Strengthen yourself." His lips quirk into that predatory smile. "I prefer you to be willing." 

"I'm not exactly willing," you point out. "I'm just avoiding the alternative where you hurt other people." 

Envy tilts his head, studying you with an unsettling intensity. "Noble. Or maybe selfish? Keeping me all to yourself?" He leans in closer, his hair grazing your cheek. "Are you certain it's only fear that makes your heart race when I'm near you?" 

You push him back, your hand resting against his chest. He is solid and warm to the touch. You pull away as if he burned you. "I feel like you were given the wrong name.” 

“Oh?” 

Gently, you rise from the bed. “Your name is Envy, yet you appear more vain than anything else." 

Envy narrows his eyes, yet an amused smirk tugs at the corners of his lips. "Vain? I understand why you might think that." He follows you into the kitchen. "Vanity is merely a... side effect." 

You open the refrigerator, thinking about what could help replenish your blood. "Side effect of what?" you ask, not looking at him. 

"Of perfection," he replies, but there's a hollow note in his tone that makes you look over your shoulder. 

He leans against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, watching you with those violet eyes. For a moment—just a fleeting second—you catch a glimpse of something raw and wounded beneath his arrogant facade. 

"Why envy, then?" you ask, turning back to the fridge to grab eggs and spinach once more. You’ll have to go shopping later today. "What could someone like you possibly envy?" 

“I need more blood.”

“You can wait until I eat!”

“No. I can’t.”

The sudden harshness in Envy's voice makes you turn around quickly. His eyes have changed—the violet irises now burning with an intensity that sends a chill down your spine. "I've been patient," he says, moving toward you with a predatory grace. "I rather you be more willing, but it’s time. Now." 

You back up until you hit the counter, the cool edge pressing against your lower back. "I thought you wanted me to eat first, to be stronger. Why do you suddenly want my blood?”

"Plans change," Envy replies, now standing directly in front of you. His hand reaches up to tuck a strand of hair behind your ear, the gesture almost tender despite the hunger in his eyes. "Don't worry. I won't take too much." 

Your heart pounds against your ribs as he leans in, his lips gliding against your neck. The sensation sends an unwelcome shiver through you—fear intertwined with something else you refuse to acknowledge. 

"Will it hurt?" you whisper, your voice barely audible. 

Envy leans back a bit, studying your face intently. A flicker of surprise passes through his expression, possibly due to your resignation rather than any form of resistance. "Less than before," he murmurs. His fingers trace along your collarbone, pushing aside the collar of your shirt to expose the still-healing bite mark on your shoulder. The purple veins have receded, but the puncture wounds remain tender and slightly discolored.

"Relax," Envy orders, his voice a silky whisper against your skin. 

You close your eyes, bracing yourself for pain. Instead, you feel his lips press against your shoulder again, this time, he presses two kisses against the wound. Then his teeth break your skin.

The sensation is different from before—a sharp sting followed by a strange, spreading warmth rather than searing pain. You gasp, your hand reflexively coming up to grip his shoulder for stability as your knees threaten to buckle. A moment later, there is a knock on the door, and Envy glances at it with a smirk. “You should get that.” 

You push him away and head to the door. Before you can reach it, the friend you borrowed the book from is already calling you. “______!”

“Go ahead, answer it.” Envy smirks at you. 

“Then go to the bedroom.” 

“No.” 

“Envy-” You're cut off as your friend knocks again, calling out to you. “Fine. I don’t care. Do whatever.”

As you head for the door, you try to think of a way to explain the oddly dressed man in your house. 

You open the door just a crack, trying to block the view into your apartment. Mia’s face brightens when she sees you. "There you are! I've been calling you all day! Did you try the ritual? I was so worried when you didn't answer, I thought maybe you accidentally summoned a demon. I told you-”

"I'm fine," you cut her off, forcing a smile. "Just feeling a little under the weather." 

Her expression shifts to concern as she studies your face. "You look unwell. Are you sick?" 

"Something like that." You resist the urge to glance over your shoulder, knowing Envy is somewhere behind you, listening. 

"Can I come in?" She attempts to look around you. "I was thinking I should take my book back. Hopefully, before you accidentally summon a demon. I know you said you don’t believe in it, but…" 

Your stomach drops. "Now's not really a good time—" 

"Who's this?" A voice comes from directly behind you, making you jump. His arm slides around your waist in a gesture of casual possessiveness, pulling you against him. 

You glance over your shoulder, not recognizing the voice. Behind you, a brown-haired man with warm green eyes has you pulled against his chest. 

Mia’s eyes widen in shock as she takes in the stranger holding you, her gaze moving rapidly between your faces. "Oh! I didn't realize you had... company." 

You freeze, unable to process what's happening. That’s Envy right? He said he can change forms. The man behind you is definitely not the Envy you've come to know—gone are the androgynous features, violet eyes, and dark hair. Instead, he appears completely normal-looking with soft brown hair and warm green eyes that crinkle at the corners when he smiles at your friend. He’s even wearing normal clothes a green t-shirt and jeans.

"I'm James," he says, extending his free hand while keeping the other firmly around your waist. "You must be one of _____'s friends?" 

Mia takes his hand, clearly flustered. "Yes, I'm... I just came by to check on _____ and pick up a book I lent." 

Envy—now "James"—smiles warmly. "That's so thoughtful of you. _____ has been feeling a bit under the weather, so I've been taking care of her." His thumb traces small circles on your hip, the gesture is both possessive and intimate. 

"I can see that," Mia replies, a knowing smile spreading across her face. You frown but choose not to comment, not wanting to drag her into your own foolishness. “Actually, could I ask you for a favor?” You lean your weight against ‘James’ as the effects of your unwilling blood donations and lack of sustenance start to catch up with you. Envy keeps his warm smile and wraps his arms around you, keeping you against him comfortably.

“Sure, what do you need?”

“Could you pick up some groceries for me?”

Mia gives you a confused look, and you can’t blame her. After all, why would she pick up groceries when there’s a perfectly capable man right behind you? “I really wouldn’t ask if I didn’t need it,” you quickly add, pulling out some cash. “I don’t have anything to eat, and I don’t feel well enough to go grocery shopping myself. James can’t go because—” you pause, trying to think of an excuse.

“Because I’m taking care of you, my love, I was so worried when you passed out last night.” Envy, it seems, is an incredible actor, complementing his ability to shift forms. He gently grasps your head and turns you to face him, leaning down to brush his lips softly against yours. “I can’t leave you now.”

Your first instinct is to push him away, and he takes a step back as your face burns with embarrassment while you cover your mouth. Mia completely misinterprets your reaction and coos at you. “Aw _____, don’t be shy because I’m here.” She gushes.

Envy gazes at you with a soft expression, his eyes reflecting a feigned warmth. “She tends to be a bit shy at first,” he chuckles, drawing you back into his arms in what appears to be a tender embrace. “Would you mind picking up the groceries for us?” he asks Mia, placing a gentle kiss on your cheek.

She falls for his acting and quickly agrees.

As soon as the door closes behind her, you push Envy away once more. "What have you done? Oh my God, she’s going to tell everyone! She’ll tell my parents! Oh shit, she’ll text or call my mom before the day is over!" Panic sets in as you pace the floor.

Odd red sparks flash around Envy, abruptly halting your movement. The kind-looking, handsome man morphs into the beautiful yet arrogant homunculus.

“What do I do?!” You snap at him.

He raises his arms while shrugging, “Guess you’ll have to introduce your parents to James.”

“I don’t want to introduce my parents to James!”

He places his hands on his hips and slightly leans forward. “Why? Prefer me like this?”

You take a deep breath. “I can’t introduce my parents to James because when you return to where you came from, my parents and everyone else will have so many questions—countless questions!” You shift your tone, mimicking the incessant and comment that would follow. “Where did James go? He was so sweet. I really thought it would work out for you; you seemed like a perfect match.” You scoff, rolling your eyes in exasperation.

Envy raises a brow. “Who knows, if I’m stuck here unable to leave, maybe you can marry James.”

“James isn’t even my type!”

“You’re going to make James cry.”

When you shoot him a look, he laughs and steps closer, wrapping his arm around your shoulders. “Aw, you’re cute when you pout,” Envy teases. “If James isn’t your type, tell me what is. You could have the perfect husband or wife—what do you want?”

 “Why would I want to marry you?” You snap. “Wait, why are we talking about this? It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours.”

“How else are you going to explain a man living with you?”

“You’re my new roommate!”

Envy’s eyes dart toward your bedroom—the only one in your one-bedroom apartment. “Sure, that’s believable,” he says, sarcasm dripping from the words.

“Well, you’re going to sleep on the sofa anyway, so—” 

“No, I’m not.” 

You freeze. “What do you mean? I only have one bedroom.” 

Envy nods. “The bed is big enough for two people. I’m not sleeping on the sofa.” 

“I’m not sharing a bed with a stranger!” 

“You did last night.”

You freeze. Did Envy sleep in your bed last night? He dismisses your concerns. “You’re being dramatic. If it’s that much of an issue for you, I can just change forms to—"

“Being a different man doesn’t help.”

"—to a pet.”

Your eyes widen. “You can do that?” When Envy nods, you grab a random pillow from the sofa and toss it at him. “What are you doing?" he asks as he lifts his arms to block the pillow, glaring at you. “You could’ve turned into a fucking gerbil or something when she was here, and instead, you choose some random dude to be my boyfriend?”

Envy smirks. “Are you breaking up with me _____?”

"You can't break up with someone who isn't your boyfriend," you retort. "This is insane. How did I go from trying to prove a book was fake to having a homunculus pretending to be my boyfriend?" 

Envy's smirk widens as he steps closer, invading your personal space with practiced ease. "Would you prefer I be your actual boyfriend?" His voice drops to a silky purr. "I can be very... accommodating." 

"This isn't funny, Envy," you say. "We need to sort this out. Mia thinks I have a boyfriend now, and she's going to tell everyone." 

"Is that such a problem?" Envy asks, flopping onto your couch with casual grace. "James seemed quite the catch. Handsome, attentive..." He smirks at you. "A great kisser." 

Your face heats at the memory of his lips against yours. "That was completely unnecessary." 

"Was it?" Envy's violet eyes glitter with amusement. "It certainly convinced your friend.”

You cross your arms, trying to ignore the flutter in your stomach. "You're changing the subject. What am I supposed to tell Mia when she comes back with groceries?" 

"The truth, obviously." At your alarmed expression, Envy rolls his eyes. "Not about me. About James. That you met recently, hit it off, and now he is staying with you while he looks for a place." He stretches his arms above his head, the movement emphasizing his lean, muscular form. "Simple, believable, and it explains my presence."

You sit heavily on the armchair across from him, burying your face in your hands. "This is a disaster." 

"You humans are so dramatic," Envy says with a dismissive wave. "Your friend seemed pleased that you found someone. Shouldn't you be thanking me for improving your social standing?" 

You look up sharply. "Improving my—? I don't need a fake boyfriend to 'improve my social standing,' thank you very much." 

Envy studies you with those unnerving violet eyes. "No? Then why did your friend look so surprised—and relieved—to see you with someone?" 

"That's not—" You stop, unable to formulate a proper defense. The truth is, Mia had been trying to set you up with people for months, convinced you were spending too much time alone. "That's beside the point." 

"Is it?" Envy leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "From what I've observed, humans place great value on pairing up. Having a partner seems to elevate your status among your peers." His lips curl into a knowing smile. "And you seemed quite flustered by our little kiss."

"It caught me off guard," you protest, perhaps too quickly. "I didn't expect you to do that." 

"And yet," Envy says, leaning even closer, "your heart rate increased significantly. I could feel it." He taps his own chest. 

You look away, unwilling to engage with his provocations. "Can we please focus on the actual problem? How am I going to explain to Mia when you eventually leave?" 

"Who says I'm leaving?" Envy stretches languidly. "For all we know, I could be stuck here indefinitely. Your blood seems to be sustaining me quite well." He studies his hand, flexing his fingers. "Better than I expected, actually." 

You stare at him, torn between frustration and grudging admiration for how easily he navigates this charade. "Fine. But I'm not introducing you to my parents."

"Yet," Envy adds with a wink.

Before you can respond, there's a knock at the door. Mia has returned with groceries, faster than you expected. You shoot Envy a panicked look.

Red sparks dance around him as he transforms back into James, his features softening into the handsome, approachable man from before. "Relax," he smirks. "Let me handle this."

It passes in a blur as James charms Mia, taking the groceries and thanking her profusely. He tells her an elaborate story about how you met at a coffee shop two weeks ago, complete with details about your favorite drink and how adorably flustered you were when he asked for your number.

You sit in stunned silence, watching this performance unfold. James is the perfect boyfriend—attentive, caring, and completely devoted to you. He casually mentions future plans—a weekend getaway, meeting your parents—all while maintaining eye contact with you, silently daring you to contradict him. 

When Mia finally leaves, promising to call you later for "all the details," you collapse onto the couch, emotionally exhausted. 

"That wasn't so bad," Envy says, reverting to his preferred form in a flash of red light. "Your friend adores James." 

"This is insane," you mutter, watching as he begins unpacking the groceries Mia brought. "You realize we've created a completely fictional relationship that I now have to maintain?" 

Envy shrugs, examining a package of steaks with interest. "It's no different from any other human relationship—built on lies and pretense." 

"That's not true," you argue, following him into the kitchen. "Real relationships are built on trust and mutual respect." 

"How quaint," Envy drawls, placing the steaks in the refrigerator. "And how many of these 'real relationships' have you experienced?" 

You open your mouth to respond, then close it again, swallowing your rebuttal. The truth is, your romantic history is rather lacking. Envy notices your hesitation and smirks.

"That's what I thought," he says, a hint of genuine curiosity beneath his mocking tone. "So why not enjoy the benefits of a fake relationship? No emotional investment, no risk of heartbreak, and your friends stop pestering you." He smirks. “I’ll even let you enjoy the physical part of relationships.”

You begin helping him unpack the groceries, needing something to do with your hands. "Because it's dishonest. And complicated. And temporary." You pause, glancing at him. "You are planning to find a way back eventually, right?" 

Something flickers across Envy's face—uncertainty, perhaps even fear—before his usual mask of arrogance returns. "Maybe. Maybe not." He examines a pack of steaks. "These steaks look decent. I'll cook them for dinner." He moves around your kitchen with surprising familiarity. "You need iron to replenish your blood."

“So, if you never go back, you’ll be by fake boyfriend forever?”

Envy smirks at you. “Don’t be ridiculous; I’d eventually have to upgrade to husband."

“Why me?” You groan, dropping your head. Your hands tremble slightly, and suddenly you realize how weak you still feel from the blood loss.

Envy notices immediately, stepping closer to steady you as you stumble. "You need to eat," he says, his tone lacking its usual mockery. "I took too much earlier." He easily lifts you and places you on the bar stool. “What do you want for lunch?”

“I don’t care.”

“You don’t care? Already acting like a difficult wife.”

“I’m not your wife.”

“Yet.”

You straighten in the seat and point accusatorily at him. “You’ve gone from a fucking parasitic creature to someone playing my boyfriend within twenty-four hours. What the hell are you?”

Envy huffs, “I’ve told you—I am a homunculus.” As he speaks, he starts chopping some vegetables. "And you are the one who interrupted my death by bringing me into this world.  You’re fortunate I don’t simply keep you tied up and indulge whenever I please. Fortunately for you, I enjoy entertainment. Now, eat before you pass out. I need you alive, after all."

You take the plate he hands you, staring at him warily. He’s going to make this a lot more complicated than it has to be. As you hesitantly take a bite, Envy watches you with open amusement. "Good girl. See? I'm not all bad."

You roll your eyes. "Don't push it."

A comfortable silence settles between you as you eat. Envy leans against the counter, arms crossed, looking strangely at ease in your kitchen. It's unsettling how easily he’s integrating himself into your life within twenty-four hours.

 Your eyes scan his lean body, curious about why he dresses this way. Is it common in the world he comes from? Envy looks on with amusement as you openly admire him. He suspects you’re unaware of your gaze, but that won’t prevent him from teasing you. “So, you really do prefer this form, huh?” he grins.

You choke on your food, coughing as you try to regain your composure. "What? No! I was just wondering about your clothes."

"My clothes?" Envy looks down at himself, the crop top and skort combination that seems so out of place in your world.

"Yeah. Is that... normal where you're from?"

Envy's lips curl into a smirk. "No. It's my preference." He does a slow, theatrical turn. "I like how it looks. The freedom of movement. The way it accentuates my perfect form." He strikes a pose that's half-mocking, half-serious. "Does it bother you?"

"No," you say too quickly, feeling heat rise to your cheeks. "I was just curious."

“Would you rather I change?” 

“No.” 

Envy raises a brow, you said that way too fast. 

"Interesting," Envy purrs, leaning closer. "You seem quite adamant about keeping me in this form, these clothes. I wonder why?" His violet eyes glitter with mischief as he studies your flushed face. 

"I—I just meant you can wear whatever you want," you stammer, focusing intently on your plate. "It doesn't matter to me." 

"If you say so." Envy stretches languidly, the movement deliberately drawing attention to his exposed midriff. "Though I must say, the way your eyes linger suggests otherwise." 

You set your fork down with more force than necessary. "Can we talk about something else? Like how we're going to handle this whole situation?" 

"What's there to handle?" Envy asks, stealing a piece of food from your plate. "You provide blood, I pretend to be your doting boyfriend when needed, and we both get what we want." 

"And what exactly do I get out of this arrangement? I never said I wanted a pretend boyfriend." you challenge. 

Envy's smile turns predatory as he leans across the counter. "The knowledge that I'm not out there causing chaos. And..." he pauses, his voice dropping to a silky whisper, "protection. The world can be dangerous for a lone human with such special blood." His fingers brush against yours on the countertop. "Who knows what other creatures might be drawn to you?" 

You pull your hand away, though the warmth of his touch lingers. "Are you threatening me or offering protection?" 

"Can't it be both?" Envy's smile is all teeth. "I'm simply pointing out the reality of your situation. You summoned me—who knows what else might be out there, sensing your unique... properties." 

"Wait, wait, wait," you mutter, pushing your now-empty plate away. "So, you think there might be something else out there that could want to harm me or something?" 

Envy shrugs and carries your plate to the sink. "Think of me as the devil you know. Imagine how many are out there that you don’t know," he says while turning on the water and actually washing your dishes. The domesticity of the moment feels jarring against his words. "Besides, James seems quite fond of you. Would being stuck with him really be so terrible?" 

You observe him carrying out mundane chores in your kitchen. "James isn't real," you say flatly. “Also, I haven’t seen you do anything besides change forms. Are you truly dangerous? Could you kill someone, or would you just run around biting people?”

Envy smirks, and before you can grasp the situation, a peculiar green entity coils around you, pulling you closer to Envy. “W-what?" you stammer as its grip tightens, leaving you frozen and unsure of how to respond to this strange occurrence. “Well?” he prompts, and you realize that the green, tentacle-like appendage is actually his arm. “What do you think?” he questions as the appendage constricts around you even more. “Am I dangerous enough for you?”

"Let me go!" you gasp, struggling against the inhuman grip. The green appendage feels strangely alive, pulsing against your skin as it holds you firmly in place.

Envy's violet eyes gleam with satisfaction at your reaction as he pulls you closer. "Still doubting my capabilities?" he purrs, his face inches from yours. “I could snap your spine without breaking a sweat. I could transform my arm into a blade and pierce your heart before you could scream." 

His grip loosens slightly, allowing you to breathe easier, but he doesn't release you. "But then, who would feed me?" he adds with a wink. 

You glance off to the side, trying to ignore how your heart races at his proximity. 

"I must admit, you’re becoming more entertaining by the hour," Envy grins, the green appendage finally unwinding from around you. It retracts back into his arm in a flash of red sparks, leaving his form perfect once more. 

You step back, putting distance between you. "Glad I can amuse you while you drink my blood." I can’t believe I got myself into this bullshit. You deflate a little at your own stupidity. 

Four days. 

You’re able to keep the homunculus secret for exactly four days. The only one who knew about him was Mia. You wake up to a text on the fourth day. 

Invite James for dinner. Love you. 

“I’m going to kill Mia.” You grind your teeth as you stare at the message from your mother. 

[scienceoftheidiot]

I was tagged by @dairogo @lynyangell and @donttouchmyempire 😱😅 thank you 🥰

Last song : Unt by Pinhead Gunpowder. Can't believe they had an album out last year, twenty years after I started listening to them!

Last movie : The Truman Show. No comment it's still so good every time I rewatch it

Last book : the last one I finished was a re (re re re re re ?) read, L'Homme aux Cercles Bleus (The Chalk Circle Man) by Fred Vargas, because I had read another by her just before (Quand sort la recluse) and wanted to keep going because these two had similarities. Crime story set in Paris with slightly over the top characters, I do recommend most of the Adamsberg series. The one I'm currently reading is Smoke by Dan Vyleta. It's a second read too, because I have not been reading in a while and I'd rather re read to get back into it. This is fantasy in late 19th century UK.

Last TV show : well I'm still in front of Ink Masters. Which... Okay I know I'm going to be alone there but honestly while I love to watch this... this really doesn't make me want to get a tattoo ever 🤣 (this has never been a plan, I like tattoos on others, I would never commit to one myself)(thinking of more piercings in my ears but sensory shenanigans will probably stop me from doing so)

Sweet/savoury/spicy : all of those. I'm a food lover, I will try everything. I know I have a relatively good tolerance to spicy for a French - and I love spicy stuff, but if I have to chose ONE I'll go for savoury.

Relationship status: married for 5+ years, together for 13+. Husband status: currently sleeping with his head on my lap. I should shake him we should go to bed lol

Last thing I googled: BEF dunkirk gas mask. We're getting ready for VE day celebrations and since we're the ones supplying most of the uniforms we have to be on top of the stuff we present. And we didn't really know how to attach the gas mask pouch so we needed photos 😅

Looking forward to : tomorrow which is a day off for everyone including my husband so we get to sleep late lol, VE day celebrations, and Royai week

Current obsession(s) : FMA, Royai, Havoroyai, and uuuuh that's it lol I've a one track mind 😅

Tagging, and you do it only if you want : @rizaposting @goneadrift @musing-and-music @liber-what-ia @littlewitchbee @littleragondin @mabonetsamhain @curatedstupidity @sassydefendorflower whoever sees this and wants to do it

[stackslip]

you're inspiring me to rewatch 2003, it was my favorite between the two when i watched them but I forgot most of it in the decade since. also you're good at highlighting exactly how mangahood doesn't work. I actually watch 2003 before reading the manga and I remember thinking the ending of

it's really fucking frustrating to me that people basically closed ranks around Brotherhood as the 'real one' and dismiss 2003 as a regrettable mistake/error in the One True Canon. I've always really loved that 2003 and Brotherhood diverge it's such a unique collection of art

also I want to rewatch the two sequel movies (Milo's and conquerer of Shamballah) god I love bleak writing

i have never watched the second movie but i remember really enjoying conquerors of shamballah. granted, i was like, 14 then lol. there was a lot that i didn't catch in fma 2003's themes at the time, but same as you, i watched it before i read the manga (and i finished the manga before watching brotherhood) and i remember even then i was disappointed by some of its aspects. then in my early 20s i was like well manga/brotherhood is better bc it's better executed (as like. a mid shounen lmao) and bc it has greedling (i do still love greedling, if only bc i looove body sharing as a trope), but i still thought 2003 had lots of good aspects and couldn't understand how people went from "fullmetal alchemist is one of the best animes ever" to "fma 2003 was a mistake and all bad and stupid actually and its female characters suck compared to mangahood which has MUCH better female characters" (i was thoroughly unimpressed by fma's base female characters. loved mei and lan fan but come on they were hardly given so much depth). not to mention how disappointed the manga version of the homonculi were. like i remember when sloth in the manga was first introduced being SO disappointed.

in retrospect, i think mangahood's status as The Best Animanga Of All Time when even at the time i liked it most i found it..... decent to good at best, and quite overrated, has made me sour on it quite a lot. like it felt impossible to talk about anything i disliked about it bc despite having such a highly praised status, people get irrationally angry and defensive over any criticism of the manga or brotherhood's themes and story. they'll either claim its depiction of genocide and fascism is really good, or when you criticize it they'll go "well it's a shounen, why are you criticizing it for being a shounen!" (i think shounen can do and engage with these themes thoughtfully! and i think if you're gonna use these themes and depict genocide so viscerally you got a duty to do it right to the end or at least TRY to do so). it's when i started rewatching clips of 2003 and being really impressed by the clips, and how much they held up if not actually blew brotherhood out of the water. and it's also my own maturing in terms of politics and understanding of fiction that made me even more open to what 2003 was doing even though i remembered it did fail in some aspects! like, i don't think as a 14 year old i much understood the nazi thing, and as a young adult i was like "eh that was a bit weird" but it's in the past few years in my criticizing of what brotherhood and the manga fuck up that i suddenly realized "oh. 2003 was actually saying the quiet part out loud instead of using this as an aesthetic for its world!"

i was unsure how much 2003 would hold up on a rewatch tbh, and there ARE clunky if not bad parts. making human barry the butcher a serial killer who dresses as a woman to get his victims is............ a choice. it's very typical 90s/2000s transmisogyny and even though it's only one episode it left a real bitter taste in my mouth. the anime filler episodes are not nearly as strong as the main plot episodes (even when they have anime-only content!), though i appreciate the effort to make them thematically relevant to the series and make many of the anime-only characters direct parallels to ed and al. they clearly saved the animation budget for important parts, and it suffers in some episodes (i am fine with that, i watched lots of mid 2000s anime who had the same issue. not everyone can use its budget allocation and limitations like rgu). i don't like the end of the one episode where the tomboy kid suddenly becomes feminine at the end bc she's happy now lmao.

but from episode 1, it's already so much more committed to some of the themes and ideas that harakawa evoked as flavour or background but barely dug into. she was making a fun action shounen with a large, lovable cast, and that's..... fine. it's just not interesting to me, at least outside of greedling's whole thing. it's got SUCH a melancholy feeling to it, it feels like it's digging into the literal guts of arakawa's world and characters. i also actually really appreciate that while it keeps touches of humor, it wayyyyy tones down the gags that are there every four pages or so--arakawa can make it work in the manga, but in brotherhood it's near unbearable how you can't one one serious scene without someone doing something goofy.

i will say, a little thing that i REALLY in 2003 like that's pretty personal is the way the alchemical circles are drawn and used. this might sound weird, but the way i learned about fma's existence was when i was i think 9-10 years old and bought a french anime magazine, and it had a whole part on fma 2003 including a two page spreader detailing the alchemical circles and their uses. it was my first ever impression of fma and i loved the look and feeling of them. there was something occult and dark about the way they were presented in that magazine that coloured my experiences when i watched the anime on a fan page in 244p max with terrible fansubs

[crows-murder]

2024 writing roundup

thanks for the tag @bobtheacorn !! 💜

words posted:

127, 796!! which is a little pleasantly surprising to me because i felt like i wrote so much less this year lol

but a win is a win!!! that's my second highest year!!!!

additional words written:

*kicks all my unfinished wips under the rug* lets not focus on that lol

fandoms:

- rise of the tmnt

- batman

- psych

- macgyver (2016)

- lord of the rings: rings of power

highest kudos + highest hit one-shot:

doubt comes in and kills the light for both! 2, 567 hits and 337 kudos!!

new things I tried:

writing-wise i mostly stuck to what I know and generally like (whump and some flavor of hurt/comfort). i did write a fic in a slightly different, more experimental style since the character was drugged to the gills and hallucinating, but i don't know how well that turned out lol

fic I spent the most time on:

this year? i'm a little ashamed to say this title doesn't go to alll the ashes in my wake, my largest writing project in years, but a fic I HAVEN'T EVEN POSTED YET

its a tales of the tmnt fic I've been working on since the show came out and kind of my second brain child (sorry, number one spot still belongs to ataimw, my baby. my beloved <33)

its a very ambitious project bc its essentially me giving these boys a farmhouse arc, which means adding in shredder, AND ALSO CASEY!!! i created a casey for this show, specifically for this fic, and i actually love her so much.

it's been so much fun plotting out this fic and i've written a whole lot for it (and yet i still haven't finished writing the first chapter lmfao)

i kinda had to step back at some point bc i was genuinely tweaking out anytime i thought about it. i genuinely stated going a little crazy ahdjfkkf. and also the hyperfixation shifted a little, but im determined to post at least the first chapter sometime this year!!

fic i spent the least time on:

For sure paris brest + catacombs. It's 1k, my shortest fic in a long while and I wrote it in like an hour or so, barely edited it before sending it off into the void.

favorite thing i wrote:

a hard question to answer, as always, but i think i'm gonna go with it's the fear not the ghost (that keeps me haunted) bc i always love writing steph. she's my fav girl ever <33. and this fic is generally very dear to me. its actually a pretty old wip, from 2022 or something, that i never actually got to finish, but it was one of my favorite dc fics and i wanted to post it to motivate me to actually go and finish it so!! here's hoping for chapter 2 in 2025!!

favorite thing(s) i read:

FUCK YEAH FIC REC TIME

I'll Be Right There by Smuffly is probably my favorite psych fic i read. it is SO good and really well written. had me invested the WHOLE TIME and i even read it two more times anfkfkfk. i absolutely love shawn's characterization as well as all the other side characters, it felt like it could've straight up come out of the show. the fic was really well-paced and the mystery and intrigue had me HOOKED.

i wonder if your therapist knows everything about me by paperclipbitch is a queen's gambit modern au. I recently rewatched the queens gambit and immediately went on ao3 to read fics. I would sell my left kidney to get the second chapter. I loved their fake marriage au as well, their writing is always sooooo *chefskiss*

More recently: Travelling Incognito by roseveare. its an fma fic I definitely wouldn't have found without my good friend @sassydefendorflower (who has been witnessing my descent into insanity as i watch fma) recommending their stuff. i, personally, am a BIG fan of outsider pov and this one is genuinely so so good. i also really like their other fma fics, their writing style is so wonderful and i love the way they write ed.

writing goals for 2025:

finishing all the ashes in my wake is honestly my biggest goal for this year. motivation kind of died a little bit, and also life got insanely busy for me, but it should calm down a little and i hope i'll have more time to write!! i really haven't had a lot of time to spare for my hobbies like writing and reading and i've been really missing it, so i'm going to make an active effort to write more as well!! i really miss it

another goal is to finally get to 100 works on ao3! i'm currently at 92, and i really think this year will be it 💪

also, and this is something i doubt i'll achieve in only one year, but i'm at about 500k words and i'm aiming for 1 million 🤞

new works:

so many!! i'm working on a prequel series for fmab centered around ed and becoming hero of the people. i also have a more introspective fic in the works focusing on the tma-esque horror of the fact thst ed and ling straight up got eaten and stuck in an endless void full of blood water. fun time!!

i also have another big project lined up, the totmnt farmhouse arc fic i mentioned previously!

tagging @sassydefendorflower @goldenraeofsun @aeligsido @witchofthemoss @pickledcarrotsandradish @a-canceled-stamp @cuephrase <333

[chirpingchorus]

i think i saw you posting about fma 03 possibly a month or so ago, i forgot how long its been but you popped up under the tag again. hows the show treating you? thoughts from when you first started?

I have finished the show and am currently rewatching it! Yes, already. I’m at ep. 16. I’m not much of a TV person, but I consider it my favorite show right now, and I really want to write some fic for it once I’m done with my rewatch and have a better grasp on the plot/characters.

From the first episode, I really loved the show and knew it was something special. There was a period of time where I could only watch one episode a day, and that would be the part of the day I’d look forward to most and save for last.

I liked the ending in concept after I let it sink in a little, but I was still a bit confused by some things, and I really wish the finale had another episode or two built-in. (Better yet, I wish we got a full season for the Shamballa storyline…)

I see things a bit differently on my rewatch. For instance, I liked episode 4 the first time I watched the show, and I think I put it higher than episode 3 on the tierlist I was trying to make. (A crime, I know.) Now, 4 is the lowest episode, and 3 is the highest. Overall, the show drags in a couple story sections for me, but is by and large very entertaining, and the perfect pace for me.

In other words, 03 is treating me pretty well. Thanks for the ask!

[ardentpoop]

omg I love your takes and I LOVE scar and al, thoughts on brotherhood?

my fma phase feels like it was a million years ago now but to be clear I did read the whole manga + watch both the 2003 anime series and later the remake in 2009-2010. I was one of those fans who loudly expressed a preference for the original anime largely due to nostalgia, though I wouldn’t have admitted or even recognized this at the time.

in retrospect I’m pretty sure my opinion was influenced by me vastly preferring the relative (visual) roughness and more muted color palette of studio bones’ earlier animations to the Glossier and more Uniformly Modeled look of fmab. but I don’t actually know much of anything about the behind the scenes of 2D animation and I was a dumb baby teen when I experienced both of these shows. the other thing that sticks out in my fuzzy memory is that I very much liked that the original fma diverged from the manga as I was not a fan of the shonen-typical character-cluttering world expansion that for the record is very comparable to common critiques of cw supernatural. I also was originally drawn into fma for the relationships between the main characters and the smaller, emotion-heavy story arcs rather than the grander military arcs, so the original anime being a bit more disjointed and eccentric than fmab really worked for me. much like the difference between early-seasons spn and late-seasons spn, fma 2003 also happens to be more intentionally somber in tone (horror slant) whereas fmab 2009 was - in keeping with the plotting and overall tone of the manga - more consistently action-oriented and comedic (action adventure slant). you can guess which of the two I tend to prefer as a viewing experience.

I would have to rewatch both with my adult brain to give you a serious breakdown though. the original series is one of those stories that fundamentally changed me when I first consumed it; particularly ed and al’s backstory, the chimera arc, the homunculi, and scar’s intro. comparatively fmab was like….. fine. its OPs/EDs were more visually impressive and earwormy than those of the original series though, I’ll give it that.

[dootznbootz]

Thank you for the tag! I'm sorry it took so long to get to but I just got done dogsitting a very difficult dog and have a cold so a bit slow :')

3 ships: OdyPen (Odyssey. They've consumed me), Nalu (Fairy Tail), and Zelink (The Legend of Zelda).

First ship: I've always been a hopeless romantic so I loved shipping even before I even knew what it was but I would say that it was probably Nalu lol. Not my first manga/anime but the first ship that had me in a chokehold

Last song: Kingdom Dance from Tangled

Favorite childhood book: If you mean like, picture book, I love the Skippy Jon Jones books and for chapter books, I loved PJO (I have deep nostalgia for it now more like) and a book called "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech. I've read it like, 4 times. Even read it aloud for my mom to hear.

Currently reading: multiple books because I'm insane 🙃 Pride and Prejudice (I like the story, hate the writing style. This is the biggest reason why I'm reading so many at once; I need a break from it.), LotR: Two Towers, rereading King of the Wind, And a Nordic folklore book. (I try and read a chapter each day if I can. I just finished a book called Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley and I finished it in one weekend, it was that good.)

Currently watching: Rewatched Gravity Falls recently (Yippee!), and have been watching FMA: Brotherhood for the first time (I've reread the manga multiple times but I've never seen the anime)

Currently consuming:Broccoli and Raspberry Tea made locally currently :3

Currently craving: Something warm and savory. I have a bad cold right now with a sore throat :')

This was fun!

I'm tagging @thehelplessmortals @cygniavenue @fangirlofallthefanthings @nikoisme @iroissleepdeprived @perroulisses @nysus-temple @superkooku @mythology-void @aaronofithaca05 @bumblebeehug and anyone else who wants to! Feel free to ignore btw!

Tagged by the lovely @jalapenobee!!! Hi Bee!! <3

3 ships i like: LoidxYor from Spy x Family and just all my OC ships who have been living in my head rent free for years. Mainly AdamxOlivia (EverHart), MarigoldxSolomon (MariSol) and HollyxNate (Hate). I could talk about them for hours so if anyone has time to waste...

first ship ever: Jeroen and Mara from Het Huis Anubis (the original Dutch/Flemish version of House of Anubis). The enemies to lovers was amazing!!! And then they didn't happen!!! It's been like 18 years and I'm still bitter

last song: Only Me When I'm With You - Taylor Swift

favorite childhood book: I honestly have no idea... But my mum used to read from a Winnie The Pooh book when I was small and there was this poem in there about Piglet going on vacation and going to England and France and Africa and all... And would still be back that evening and I still know it by heart :)

currently reading: My Vampire Plus-One - Jenna Levine

currently watching: A advent calendar unboxing on youtube. I haven't really watched any shows lately (if anyone has recommendations, let me know!)

currently consuming: Tea

currently craving: Some peace and quiet!!

Tagging the following lovely people!!

@silversoulstardust @actually-the-devil @currentlyinflames @keeeegs

[bleachbleachbleach]

The Bleach Live Action is a Reason to Live

I didn’t do any writing last night, because we rewatched the Bleach live action movie instead. We saw this movie for the first time during Lockdown Summer #1, after watching the FMA live action. Basically, it went “wow, that was the worst movie I’ve ever seen, I wanna watch another one.” At the time, my co-blogger had already pandemic read/reread the Bleach manga, but I didn’t yet know that (or this blog) was something I was going to choose to be doing with my life. Suffice to say, the context of watching this film last night was very different than the first time! 

We’ve now seen many live action anime adaptations, and many anime stage plays (musicals, 2.5Ds, whatever a “Naruto Live Spectacle” is). With this broader appreciation of the genre, and a deeper and refreshed understanding of Bleach, this movie is still in my Top 5 Live Action Adaptations!* It slaps, this Ichigo is my favorite live action Ichigo, and Renji literally made me drop my salad bowl because he and Byakuya are so funny in this movie. Love it, no notes. * I think this Top 5 goes: 1. the Rurouni Kenshin movies, 2. Death Note III, 3. Kids on the Slope, 4. Bleach, 5. ???????

The Bleach live action has big “It’s a Summer Movie!” energy/style, so if you liked the Bleach live action, you should watch that one. If you didn’t like this movie but thought it might have potential, you should watch that one. If you would have preferred this movie be about Rukia and Renji making a student project film, you should watch that movie. (No, but you actually should. It’s genuinely wonderful.)

Anyway, the Bleach live action also features Ichigo and Ishida conversing a very normal distance apart from each other:

As well as Renji, fresh from his stint on Soul Society’s Next Top Model and having taken Tyra’s advice about “ugly pretty” and angles to heart:

(Tits out Renji came to execute Rukia, which is how you know it’s a formal occasion.)

According to my co-blogger, this guy is best-known for playing female roles in kabuki theatre, which precipitates here in An Interpretation of Renji. But also I would definitely read the AU where Renji joins the Hanbantai Players and becomes best-known for playing female roles in kabuki theatre.

Miyavi’s Byakuya pairs perfectly with Abarai “Strike a Pose” Renji, also offering An Interpretation of Byakuya’s hair, among other things:

Granted, the best thing about these two isn’t in this movie, but in the underground sequel, titled Kate, where Byakuya discovers that he enjoys roleplaying as Yakuza/Finance Renji’s live-in boyfriend:

You see, in the Bleach live action, Byakuya and Renji have the patience to spend an entire training montage in the Living World after having encountered Ichigo and Rukia for the first (or second, in Renji’s case) time, just like... hanging out? I guess?

My best explanation for this is that the Kuchiki have a summer penthouse in the Greater Tokyo Area, and Byakuya figures that while they’re there to execute Rukia and Ichigo, they might as well turn down the sheets, let some air in, etc.

So while Ichigo and Rukia are involved in their second or third training montage of the film, Byakuya and Renji go off to do penthouse things. There, nurtured by the unexpected inspiration of the relative freedom of the Living World and a vast expanse of spare time while they wait for the clock to run out on the training montage, their roleplay relationship begins.

The Bleach live action also took its credits animation cues from the cinematic experience that is 2Fast 2Furious, which of course is a timeless and always welcome aesthetic nod. You can’t watch this film and be left wanting. It is perfect.

[gayleviticus]

fma 03 TV ending thoughts

finished rewatching FMA 03 for the first time in about 8 years today

FMA 03 was the first anime I ever properly got into, all the way back in 2015, so it’s one I have a ton of feelings about. Unfortunately for various reasons at the time my only way of watching the show was DVDs from the library, which meant I never got a chance to watch Conqueror of Shamballa. Instead I pieced together whatever desperate fragments of plot summaries I could find, but there was always this lingering, unsatisfying sense of unfinished business and heartbreak that i never got to see the elrics reunite

Eventually I got interested in other stuff and forgot about FMA, so I still haven’t seen Shamballa to this day (I will though. Soon). I read the manga and watched Brotherhood intermittently, and I enjoyed it, but it didn’t scratch the itch 03 left. Something about it’s more straightforwardly happy ending rang hollow to me.

Anyway, when I rewatched 03 recently I found my love for it largely vindicated, and even deepened. Arcs that felt meandering gained a little bit more clarity knowing the big picture, and I really loved the shows emphasis on character and its melancholy tone instead of epic shounen battles.

There are aspects I think are awkwardly handled – I don’t feel like the writers knew entirely what to do with the Greed arc – but for the most part I really enjoyed it. It’s messy, but in the way that anything dealing with really interesting ideas that can’t be confined to a 51-episode anime has to be – the Homunculi alone have so much potential.

However, there was one thing that sticks unsatisfyingly in my mind – the ending. Now, to be fair, it’s clear to me now that you can’t really judge 03s ending independent of Shamballa. Not having seen 03 for 8 years, not having actually seen Shamballa ever, and also not being able to cope with ambiguity well at that age had drawn a vastly sharper line between the two than I ever remembered.

03’s TV ending is so obviously, optimistically gesturing towards a continuation. At the time I overly-literally misread this open-endedness, even knowing full well that Shamballa existed. I had this weird mindset of ‘If I don’t see them reunite, it doesn’t happen’. But watching it now, it’s very clear the intent of the ending is to establish that Ed and Al will meet again – even if Shamballa had never seen the light of day.

But it leaves me with weird feelings about the TV ending nonetheless. It has its flaws – not giving enough space to key emotional beats, a final episode that feels like it speeds directly past the climax to an epilogue without a strong sense of denouement.

All the plot beats themselves are fine imo. I think the reveals about the alternate world or the souls of the dead as fuel for alchemy are really thematically rich, the small-scale confrontation between Ed and Dante and its accompanying battle of ideals is great, and there’s a kindve sense of melancholy and dread as we descend towards our finale in the ruins of a dead city. But I think there’s something a bit off about the pacing of these beats and the framing.

A better version of the 03 ending for me would look basically identical on a Wikipedia plot summary. But I think it would emphasise what to me feel like the core strengths of 03s interpretation of Fullmetal Alchemist – the character drama, the emotion, the existential melancholy, the deep brotherly love Ed and Al have for each other but also the weight of all the horrors they’ve endured, the bitter truth of a world where equivalent exchange is not absolute versus these boys’ ideals.

This feels like where 03 was heading. And of course, it’s really not that far off. But I dunno, I feel like the emotion of Al resurrecting Ed, and then Ed sacrificing himself in turn isn’t given the space it so desperately needs. And this too would be fine if 03 was willing to sit with the ambiguity, I think, but after quickly dispensing with the necessary sacrifices it then proceeds to a pretty optimistic ending that basically flat-out assures us everything will be OK.

It’s funny, because I found it so unbearably sad when I first watched it (granted, amplified by the IRL sadness of not being able to watch Shamballa), but now I think it’s not angsty enough? these children should never know happiness (kidding. a little)

BUT with all that said – obviously I am missing out on the actual proper ending not watching Shamballa so!!! We will see how that final piece of the puzzle slots in. tldr is that fma 03 is not really a complete ending in itself anyway but i underestimated how much so

[yaboylevi]

FMA FES - Roy & Edward

I’m a bit seiyuu fan, so when I heard there were original Roy & Ed moments in it, I had to buy the “Fullmetal Alchemist FESTIVAL” DVD released in 2004 (a recording of a live event with voice actors and other artists of the FMA03 series). As far as I know, there hasn’t been an english translation yet.

Below are the new narrations by Ed’s and Roy’s voice actors together, respectively Romi Park and Okawa Toru. Sorry for the crappy quality of the videos, I had to take them with my phone while I was watching the DVD on TV.

                            --- FMA 03 end of series spoilers ---

Edward, alone, has a brief monologue about coming to understand that he cannot turn a blind eye to all the wrongdoings committed by others anymore, only focusing on his own dream. That’s a monologue that is similar to the one in the final scene he has with Mustang in episode 48, “Goodbye”.

And that’s the same scene Okawa and Park re-enact live right after. You can rewatch the original scene here:

Immediately after this anime scene’s live dubbing ends, they let us hear Roy and Ed’s thoughts about their last interaction, those good-byes. Video here.

Ed: “What else was I supposed to say at that moment?” (enjoy Romi Park’s voice cracking here…)

Roy: “I thought that one day, we would have walked the same road. But I was wrong, our paths were very different.

Ed: “You think so? In the end, I feel like they were the same after all. But there's no use in realising that now...

I died, and was brought back by Al’s sacrifice. So there was only one option I had left.”

[the anime’s actual scene resumes with Ed sacrificing himself to bring back Al.]

As soon as Ed “dies”, Roy’s monologue begins. 

It’s the one that can be found in this magazine. Up until now I only presumed it to be Roy’s, based on the speech pattern used, but now I have confirmation that I was right! Find the video here.

There is a new sentence, though, voice-acted by Okawa, that isn’t in the magazine spread. It’s the one I highlighted in bold:

When I heard that you vanished, Somehow I immediately knew That you were not dead, but alive.

You might have meant to give up your life as a price for your brother’s, But you had learnt that lesson once already: Nothing can be given in exchange for another’s life.

You had just gone on a journey Away from equivalent exchange, Away from the atonement towards your brother, Free from the force known as Alchemy. You had become, for the first time, Edward Elric.

It was you who decided to undertake that journey. That’s why I believe, Someday, We will meet once again…

[Anime resumes with episode 51, the dialogue that we already know of is not voice-acted live.]

Ed: I had meant to give my own life as the price for transmuting Al. And yet, I’m still alive. Maybe I did obtain something without paying the price after all. Or maybe Al is still in there…

Hohenheim: You two have been journeying together. The people you met during that time, the things you saw, your pain, your effort, everything that you have experienced… That could be the price you paid, couldn’t it?

[lady-of-the-spirit]

1, 6, 7, 8, 10, 19 (and what would you use it for), 28, 36, 37, 44, 99!

1.What were your summers like as a kid?

We'd usually go visit my great grandmother for a week or two, or we'd fly to LA to see my aunt and uncle for a week or two. Before she died, we'd sometimes drive to see my great aunt. Lots of just chilling out, or running around, doing whatever we wanted. There was one summer, maybe two, where my parents were both working full time and so I went to an all-day summer program and I remember that being fun.

6. What’s your favorite outfit?

summer edition: Casual outfit is a pair of shorts - usually either cotton and black with white spots or a pair of pink denim shorts - and a pink striped tank top. More fun 'formal' outfit is this new sundress I just got but really like, which is black and has lemons all over it.

not restricted by season: black pants (short or long, I have both) and my snake-patterned crop top.

7. Does seeing people in love make you happy? Sad? Annoyed?

Depends on how in love they are. Like, I roll my eyes a little if I see two people obnoxiously in love or just having excessive PDA. But in general if they're not obnoxious about it, I think it's cute.

8. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal?

Yep! More than one. I have two giant unicorns from childhood I refuse to get rid of, a stuffed dinosaur (I think a raptor, idk), Clifford the big red dog, a No-Face from Spirited Away, an Edward Elric from FMA, a little black jackal (this kind), a little purple unicorn, a little brown puppy, and a cow Squishmallow.

10. Hike to a mountain top to watch the sunrise or drive out of town to stargaze?

I liked your answer of hiking to watch the sunset and seeing the stars. but realistically, driving out of town to stargaze.

19. Power of invisibility or flight?

I think invisibility would enable me too much to give into my more anxious and shy side, so I have to choose flight. I'd just like to fly, you know? I want to fulfill some of the dreams I had as a kid of just flying around. and it would make it easier to go places without public transportation.

28. What’s your favorite holiday tradition?

don't know if this counts, but my family does this thing for all of our birthdays where the birthday person chooses a restaurant and we go there for dinner. for an actual holiday, I like on Christmas when we all sit around all morning and open presents one by one, going in a circle and watching everyone get and open their presents.

36. If you could learn one language fluently what would it be?

ASL would be really handy. (pun not intended but I'm not taking it back.) I think Japanese would be useful as well (and I could just fucking buy the manga I want instead of having to wait for translations), or Thai so I could communicate with my friend and her family in their native language.

37. Would you fly to the moon if given the opportunity?

If it's the full astronaut experience, no. I'd absolutely get sick. I would if it was a more fantasy-esque trip where I don't feel discomfort.

44. Do you have a favorite quote?

“On April 19th I made bread” —Latin graffiti in Pompeii (CIL IV.8792)

99. . What’s the last show you binged?

A Discovery of Witches, season 1. idk if that counts because I watched the first 4 episodes months earlier and then the final 4 in one day. if not then the closest would be me rewatching a lot of episodes of Santa Clarita Diet over the past week. I don't really binge-watch shows.

[haleigh-sloth]

I'm doing a rewatch of fmab too! I'm showing a friend who has never seen it so it's really enjoyable to see their reactions to everything for the first time! But just revisiting it seriously puts me in a much much better mood and genuinely just gives me hope and appreciation for good stories and life in general, like it just makes me content and happy lol. It doesn't matter how many times i rewatch it, it's always so engaging and the characters are so likeable or if they're not likeable at least very interesting! ughhh i love it haha I was wondering if you knew anyone who does metas on fmab though? i've never really come across any which is kinda sad. It seems to be one of those anime that people watch and love but don't talk about heaps, although i only watched it for the first time maybe 2 years ago? so I missed when there was a lot of hype about it i guess haha

Two years ago? That's well after the hype died down lol.

It makes me nostalgic too, rewatching it. It brings back so many childhood memories. Me and my bestfriend waited up every Saturday for the new dubbed episode to air on cartoon network 😭

As for the metas, I WOULD LOVE TO WRITE SOME. The problem is, I only really write metas when I need to find the answer to a question myself, or when I get an ask prompting me to look deeper into some aspects of a story, or when there's something new to analyze.

FMA is so old and I've watched/read it so so many times that I don't know what questions I would need to seek out answers to. That's why receiving asks always prompts me to write my best posts, because other people help me figure out what to pay attention to and what not to.

I don't know any blogs that actively write for FMA though unfortunately. But if I started receiving asks for it giving me things to look deeper into in the story, I absolutely would write some.

I have made a couple of comparison posts for FMA when talking about BNHA though, specifically regarding redemption arcs. And I've mentioned FMA in some analysis posts pertaining to other things. I'll link them below:

Redeeming Murderers

My Favorite Redemption Arc

Manga Panel Analysis

I didn't bother to read this one I just know I mention Scar in it

That's as far back as tumblr was willing to let me go. I hate this website. Lol.

[kingofthewilderwest]

princesstokyomoon replied to your post ... ... ... can we see the list?

kovu was the first crush baby me ever acknowledged i had, so seeing simba on this list is very validating lol

[high fives] Disney made those lions way too hot for their own good. Kovu would probably be on my list if I had watched the second Lion King movie more recently. It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, but I remember being gripped by him when I was younger. So if he magically appears on that list later...... a rewatch happened.

writingstellar replied to your post ... ... ... can we see the list?

-is queer -has a type -that type involves dark hair and eyes ...my dude do you also like them kinda damaged? Because I think we have the same taste lmao

Bruh. Bruh. I wasn’t going to admit it in the tags, but TOTALLY. When they’re damaged is when my heart melts. I relate to their struggles and issues, I yearn to care for them, I feel for them, I love them. [high five on the same taste]

maski1 replied to your post ... ... ... can we see the list?

"Elizabeth Hawkeye" ? I think it was stated her name really is "Riza" ? When I watched ATLA when I was little I didn't like Zuko. Now he's my favorite character XD Gotta watch The Dragon Prince but before, I have to watch TLoK (and before that, read the chapters that were never adaptated). I'm curious, why Aladdin? Linguini is underrated

I started replying to you in the comments of the original post, but you always have such fun conversations, so I had to hop onto here and expand!

1. Regarding how I present the names on my list, I try to give a character’s full name, so long as there is strong evidence-based canon that gives or implies their name. In a few rare cases, like Elizabeth Hawkeye, there are fans who would dispute me on this, but I can give a very good account based deeply in canon for why I have the name listed as it is. If people want to agree or disagree with me at the end of the day, I don’t mind either way.

Regarding Riza... there are two types of scenarios she is called “Elizabeth” in Arakawa’s writing. One scenario is when everyone in Team Mustang is given code names. I imagine zero fans care about that as evidence. Havoc’s code name is Jacqueline, and that obviously isn’t his real name. Riza being called “Elizabeth” on the phone when Roy is disguising his operations by fake flirting doesn’t count for proof by itself. But the other instance is Roy calling her “Elizabeth” to Madame Christmas. I think most fans read that as Roy simply extending the code name for anonymity reasons. However, given Madame Christmas knows a ton about Roy’s emotional investment in Riza, and I’ve encountered some..... translational difficulties that the official English versions have with names... I think the latter’s a good cue.

Riza in older English translations and older merchandise was legitimately named “Liza,” and Liza is a common nickname for Elizabeth (especially for the time period Fullmetal Alchemist is roughly evoking). I talk about the translation weirdness here in much better depth. As you may know yourself, given your own language background, this would not be the first time the English translators made stupid mistakes with FMA names. Viz Media initially gave Xerxes the clusterfuck spelling ‘Cselkcess’ before they realized what the word was supposed to be. Ling Yao’s name has danced between Ling and Lin, despite Arakawa herself putting the Romanized spelling of his name in some drawn panels. I have seen Ranfun, Ranfan, and Lan Fan all within official FMA merchandise. Viz Media couldn’t even get a kid’s name “Kyle” down right in their translations... originally he was called “Khayal,” because at that point in time, they didn’t have a good grasp of the world (and ergo name base) that Arakawa was drawing from. Jean Havoc’s name should have been given a French pronunciation rather than sounding like ‘Gene,’ and if you wanted to Anglicize his name one step further, you could’ve named him John Havoc more accurately than what we got in the anime dubs.

With all that said and done, a character named Liza who is sometimes referred to as “Elizabeth” seems to me a logical enough indication she would have been born as “Elizabeth Hawkeye.” In any other circumstance, if I met someone who was called Liza but at one point got called “Elizabeth” by people who knew her in her past, I would conclude she was named Elizabeth. So yeah. Some people may disagree with my logic, but that’s the short of why I have it. XD

If other people are curious: another character whose name might disputed on my list is Rufus from Deponia. There’s some information in the obscure Deponia roleplaying book that says his father used to be named Landgull. Rufus was offended when his father changed his name from Seagull to Landgull to distance himself from Rufus (ergo, it wasn’t a first name change, which would’ve been irrelevant to disowning your blood relation to someone); Captain Seagull was always referred to by a title which usually goes with a last name; and ergo it’s likely Rufus could’ve grown up as Rufus Landgull. Even though the games never ever ever actually call him that.

2. NOW GOING ONTO THE ZUKO THING. Dude, I feel you. When I watched Season 1 of ATLA, I hated Zuko. By Season 3, I loved him and he was my favorite character. They did a magnificent job not just creating the character and giving him an arc, but allowing his personality to be increasingly revealed to us as audience members.

3. Why Aladdin? As a kid, I was obsessed with Aladdin. Now that I’m older, I still think his cheeky, adventurous, charming, but genuine yearning spirit are appealing. And he has sUCH pReTTy eYeSSS!!! So yeah. 

4. Linguini is VERY underrated. What a dear.

[ja-khajay]

2020-2021 Animation Watch(ed)list

I haven’t posted about animation in a while that I remember, and I know a lot of my followers are into it as much as me so I decided to make a list of the animated movies and series I watched on the past year or so, coupled with my short, spoilerless take on them. Enjoy!

Organized by

Things I saw for the first time

Things I rewatched

Under a cut for the sake of your dashboards! PS: I have not added any images yet. If you are interested in knowing more about the visuals of these movies, I might make an old fashion ask-prompted imageset list.

Part One: Things I saw for the first time

The Bear’s Famous Invasion of Sicily

Movie, 2019, Italian/French

9/10, a delightful little movie with amazing visuals. It feels like an animated picture book.

One of those “plot is in the title” media! I had never heard of this before but was heavily recommended it by my family members, who all loved it! It’s a sweet story, nothing groundbreaking but the unique colorful visual style alone makes it worth it.

The Castle of Cagliostro

Movie, 1979, Japanese

10/10. Reminded me of all the books i loved reading as a child

I assume its because it’s so old and the art style and themes are so different that it gets little to no love compared to other Ghibli movies, which is a shame! It’s fun with an endearing cast and as always, great animation and music

Mushishi

Series, 2006, Japanese

10/10 three episodes in I knew it was going to be my favorite series ever

One of the few things I’ve seen I’ll describe as life-changing. It’s absolutely lovely but never toots its own horn about it. Humble, calming, emotional and surprisingly mature. It’s pretty impossible to binge due to how intense the experience is. I just want to walk in the forest now...

FMA: Brotherhood

Series, 2009, Japanese

6/10 Dissapointing adaptation of a classic story

I read the manga for this when I was in middle school and remembered loving it. The animated version does an ok job of presenting the characters and worldbuilding and has some nice action scenes but overall looks really damn cheap and just. Not very good. Seeing I already knew most of the plot I did not have the element of discovery that made me marvel so much reading the original. It’s still a nice series but I really recommend reading it instead.

Code Lyoko (s1+2)

Series, 2003, french

3/10. 1.5 being for the opening song alone

This show sucks ass if I hadn’t been watching this with my bestie I would have dropped it two episodes in. The art style is ugly the stories are always the same and the first season has a (later removed thank fucking god) LITERAL “erase any consequences” button as a plot device in every episode. If you watch it for one thing let it be the nostalgia factor of early 00s Vidya Game Plot

The Legend of Hei

Movie, 2019, Chinese

7/10. Impressive visuals and a poor story

I finally watched this, peer pressured by the load of gifsets on my dashboard! It’s a sweet movie with really impressive animation, sometimes a bit too flashy for my taste (the action sequences go so ham they become not very readable...) but the story was just ok? The setting is barely explained and you are instead bombarded with vague epicspeech about powers and stuff that made me fondly remember Kingdom Hearts lol but that asides it’s a really good time! I need to watch more Chinese movies the few I know are just delightfully off the shits in how they approach action and I love that

Hunter x Hunter

Series, 1999, Japanese

9/10. Superior to the recent one!

I first got introduced to the series via the 2011 one. Comparatively, the 99 series focuses way less on action and way more on the characters, which I love because that fits my personal preferences! Despite mediocre filler episodes and some weird slight pointless plot changes, what it changes from the original manga doesn’t have much of an impact on the characters. The animation quality isn’t always consistent including a huge art style change for an arc (???) but it’s overall pretty nice. The series really shines in the last arc it adapts.

Oban Star-racers

Series, 2006, Japanese/french

9/10 a lovely surprise

This series is completly obscure despite having been created by people famous for their other series (Cowboy Bebop, Code Lyoko that i can name) and it’s a crime! It’s a kids show but without being stupid about it who tells the story of an inter-planetary race. If you liked that one scene in the star wars prequels you know what I mean. It’s got surprisingly nice animation for a TV series, and some truly great character design. The art style is a bit unique in a not for everyone sense, but I didn’t mind it much. It’s also THE most offensively 2000s series i’ve seen in terms of visuals. y2k kids assemble

The Little Prince and the Eight-Headed Dragon

Movie, 1963, japanese

8/10. Classic fairytale format with incredible visuals

Watched this for the art style because I know it inspired Samurai Jack, and it delievered! I dont’ have much to say about this one, it’s a very simply film but it’s sweet. For my pirates out there if you want to find it in good quality with english subtitles it’s VERY hard to find. If you just want to see the looks of it, it’s on Youtube with portugese subs.

We now enter the Gobelins Shorts Zone....!

My Friend Who Glows In The Dark

10/10 makes me cry each time

Pure delight...great animation writing everything. A little short about death and friendship but not in the way you imagine!

Colza

9/10

Visual treat...homely and nice :) not far from a 10 but a 9 because nothing about it is that groundbreaking

Sundown

9/10

If you’ve ever been ten minutes from failing a group project because of a single dude you will REALLY enjoy this. Loved the colors and personality

T’as vendu mes rollers?

10/10

It’s SUCH a sweet little short I loved that one so much

Dix-huit kilomètres trois

10/10

Surprisingly well written dialog. Visuals are great but the humanity of the characters carries this to another level

Un diable dans la poche

9/10

Amazing visuals and the most tense/creepy of Gobelin shorts i’ve ever seen. Chilling

La bestia

8/10

I had some issues with the pacing. Interesting story and visuals choices but I was not fond of the art style

Goodbye Robin

5/10

Confusing but predictable. Both at once??? Yes!

Le retour des vagues

6/10

Cool animation stuff but felt pretty pointless

                                                                ***

Part Two: Things I rewatched

Ruben Brandt: Collector

Movie, 2018, Hungarian

10/10. Underrated as hell

Watched this fully blind for the first time in an animated festival and rewatched it with friends. It’s a crime I never see anyone talking about it given the amount of whining I see about the lack of both adult animation and 2D movies? This film is a unique love letter to art in the form of a weird mix of charming crime story and psychological horror with amazing visuals. I recommend watching it blind and also buying it to show appreciation for how nice it is!!! WATCH THIS MOVIE...

Mononoke

Series, 2007, Japanese

10/10 Visual/storytelling masterpiece in the weird shit departement

If you can stomach intense stuff watch this. The visuals are incredibly unique and beautiful and under the jewel tones and art direction high takes it’s a really cool horror series. My only obstacle to enjoying it the first time I saw it was how dense it is - simply put, it’s so...culturally Japanese it’s not very accessible to me who doesn’t know anything about the culture? Watching it for the second time helped understanding the stories more! 

Corto Maltese in Siberia

Movie, 2002, french

9/10 but really close to ten. A great adaptation!

I’m a huge fan of the original comic so I entered this a biiiittttt suspicious it would suck but it was a really pleasant surprise! It has all the wonder and charm of the original and the animation was surprisingly good for the little budget. If you’re not familiar with the series, it’s a sort of geopolitical action/adventure movie but with it’s own really poetic vibe to it. It’s almost impossible to find online but happens to be fully on YouTube so go ham I guess?

Redline

Movie, 2009, Japanese

10/10 cinema was invented for this, actually

Every review of this movie i’ve seen gives it five stars and starts by talking about how immensly stupid it is. I’m no different. It’s a masterpiece of escalating energy with the depth of a puddle and it fucking rules. It’s free on YouTube too so there really is no excuse to not watch it. Watched it for the first time on a huge cinema screen and despite this my second rewatch on my small laptop was as/even more enjoyable. If you watch this stoned with friends you might travel to another dimension

Spirited Away

Movie, 2001, Japan

10/10 deserves the love it gets

I watched this a single time as a kid and had little memory of it! I mean it’s Ghibli you know it’s going to be good as hell but this one rly shines in how colorful and detailed it is and in it’s world! It made me remember I had a huge crush on the dragonboy as a kid. I’m gay now

Kung-fu Panda (1&2)

Movie, Usa

10/10. KFP fucking rules

Honestly my favorite franchise of the whole disney/dreamworks/pixar hydra. It’s fun as hell, doesn’t skip a single beat and has amazing animation and character designs. If something is a good time I will not care if it’s deep or not and boy I fucking love these movies

Sinbad, Legend of the Seven Seas

Movie, 2003, Usa

5/10 Some great some really bad and overall generic

I tend to hate american cinema and this includes that era of animation I have no nostalgia for. Sinbad is in a weird place because I love adventure stories and the visuals of the movie absolutely deliver but it’s very predictable and TANKED by the addition of the female character, pushed in your face as “look we have woman!!!” despite her writing being misogynistic as hell lol. The evil goddess rules tho. This movie would have been a solid 9 if instead of the girl the two dudes had kissed

[evilelitest2]

what do you think of anime/manga as a medium for storytelling/art? I really like your analyses on Fatal Flaw on all sorts of pop culture genres and mediums and would like your take on it!

hmm....that is an interesting question, because I have a really good way of telling what my opinion of it is.  Ok well Manga is easy, I thin Manga is like western comics, it has tremendous potential if it can just discipline itself a bit. Its actually the exact issue that Manga has.  The two I’ve spent the most time on are Vinland saga and Berserk 

Anime...I don’t know.  I love animated visuals as a medium because I like how uninhibited it can be and how much storytelling it can transition into a single frame, but I never know if i....get Anime.  Like I watch some anime, namely 

Death Note (first season only) FMA (2003 is better) Now and Then Here and There, everything by Studio Ghibli, EVA (Neon Genesis Evengellian) , Baccano, Berserk (original), Ouran Host Club, Melencholy of Harahi suzumiya, Mushishi, Attack on Titan (but lets be clear its fascist as fuck), Madoka Magica,  Azumanga Daioh, Higurashi no Naku Koro ni, and part of digimon Trainers.  

I mean I actually I’ve seen more, i just...don’t like most of it, like I utterly don’t get the appeal so much of what people say is classic anime. 

So that feels like a pretty solid selection of anime, but I also have never seen Cowboy Bebop, and I am really not part of the anime cultural scene.  So when I watch a lot of anime I have this awkward feeling of

“Is this stupid or do I not get it?”  

Like there are so many bad storytelling conventions in anime, its like Japan had the ability to do decent pacing taken away from then as punishment for Denying the Rape of Nanking, I don’t know what it is, but almost every anime plot feels simultaneously too rushed and like every episode is 50% padding.  Like, was anime at home drunk while every other medium went to “Basic story telling” class (video games arrived late).  Because with so much anime out there, its weird to me that you have 20 min episodes filled with like 5 mins of content, the constant repeating of information the audience were already told, and then characters stating out loud “OMG I AM THINKING THIS THING AT THIS MOMENT”  Or other characters going “NOBODY COULD POSSIBLE DO THE THING....OMG HE DID THE THING....WELL HE CAN”T POSSIBLY DO THE OTHER THING....OH CRAP HE DID THE OTHER THING”

And i’m left going “Is this just terrible story telling infecting the entire medium, or am that one asshole at the modern art museum who is like “WAH THIS ISN’T REALISTIC WHY?”  So i’m always left being like “Is there a medium thing that is going over my head or like a Japanese cultural reference that I just am too ignorant to be aware of, or is this entire genre just reusing tropes mindlessly without ever wondering why and its chocking up the entire genre”

So....I have thoughts on anime, but I’m always willing to try more out.  Once I finish rewatching Breaking Bad I’m going to finally watch Cowboy Bebop.  

@afriendtokilltime @randomshoes this question is for you guys as well, what are your thoughts 

Btw, i’m glad you are a fan of the Fatal Flaw Series, we talk about a few anime in it if you are interested.