#i'm afraid of putting out awful stuff

[suhtorus]

dogs out. zenin toji

fluff ‐ parents au. ₊˚⊹ ᰔ slice of life, mom!reader, unnamed 2yo daughter, megumi is four, and tsumiki is six. preschool teacher!nanami cameo ♡

little sunshines au

"moooooom! the baby took her shoes off again!"

tsumiki's voice has you peeking your head from the kitchen, trying to catch sight of your little girl. you're about to call your husband's name when he walks into the living room and picks your daughter up from the floor.

"dont like 'em?" he smirks, holding her tiny foot up and inspecting it.

she grins cheekily at her dad, proudly wiggling her little toes and showing off the sparkly nail polish on them.

"spaw-cle!"

finally done with the dishes, you join them and see her crocs discarded by the couch.

"again?"

"let her be, ma." toji has her foot against her cheek, both of them giggling at the silliness of it.

"she has to get used to them, toji."

he finally meets your eyes and sees the stern look in them. slowly, he puts your daughter down while she looks at him in confusion. toji doesn't have the heart to force his youngest to do stuff she doesn't like. but after three kids and years of marriage with you, he knows this is a battle he won't win.

"sorry, kiddo."

—

two days later, he's standing by the gates of the kids' school, waiting for them, when he notices something odd.

his face quickly switches from boredom to concern once he spots nanami holding his baby girl in his arms, her face visibly blotched from crying.

"she wouldn't stop taking her shoes off during class. I'm afraid we had to take... drastic measures." the blond man hands her over, visibly tense at toji's reaction. tsumiki and megumi stand next to him with matching frowns, having seen (and heard) their baby sister's cries. "school's policy."

"daddy!" she's bursting into tears as soon as she's in his arms, her watery eyes set on his concerned ones. "want 'em off!"

toji looks down at her feet and sees the brown tape around her pink sneakers, clashing horribly against it and causing him to sigh in defeat.

"baby, you can't keep taking your shoes off." he's patting her back in comfort, letting her sob against his shoulder while he turns to nanami again. "any advice? my wife and I have been struggling for weeks."

having seen this before, nanami recalls a piece of advice given from a couple who struggled with this, too. "try to find a pair that she likes. they don't have to be sneakers—the school isn't strict with that."

and suddenly, toji has a brilliant idea.

—

"princess, c'mere."

both you and your husband enter your daughter's room, sitting on the floor, and she comes closer with her plushie hanging from her hand.

toji places a box in front of her, your demeanor slightly anxious as you wait for her reaction. for a two-year-old, you're aware that she can be the toughest crowd sometimes.

her eyes are fixed in front of her, watching her dad opening the boring, brown box until pink and glitter are all her brain can process.

"woah..." she's clearly in awe, her little hands quickly grabbing the tiny pink heels and slipping them on her feet. "mommy shoes!"

the heels clack loudly against the floor, her steps uncoordinated and clumsy, but she can't stop giggling happily, walking back and forth.

"what did i tell you, ma?" toji's grin is smug, his arms wrapping around you while you play it off with a roll of your eyes. the sigh of relief is obvious from you two. "problem fixed."

he hasn't even finished gloating when you spot megumi standing by the door with his hands covering his ears, glaring ominously at toji.

"don't be so sure, honey."

[kiragecko]

The Husband and I just made some really exciting progress in problem solving together, and I wanted to talk about it!

Our eldest, Nq Stickperson, really struggles to clean up or throw stuff away. Our house is filled with piles of papers, some of them a decade old. Old wrappers are hidden under them, and he gets distressed and cries if we try to throw the wrappers out. Our attempts to support him have been really ineffective, and the kid is a teenager now! We're wanting him to be able to be independent some day, no matter how long in the future that is.

Yesterday, Husband and I sat down for date night, and tried to work through the problem. Why weren't we effective? What was stopping us?

Pretty quick, it became obvious we weren't on the same page, but we couldn't figure out why. I kept getting defensive before we had really gotten anywhere. He was getting flustered, and then passive as I got more worked up. We had to keep resetting.

I decided to make my context as clear as possible, and talked to the Husband about I would have needed if I was in my son's place. I would have needed to be told that what was being asked of me was painful and awful. Getting rid of beloved possessions HURTS! I would have needed someone to walk me through how I actually felt then - the constant fear of loss, the stress because there was so much stuff that I could never actually find what I cared about, the distress about never being allowed to bring anything home, because there wasn't room for it. Someone to help me recognize that I'm in pain NOW, and even if the fix will hurt MORE, that pain would end. This pain isn't going to without action. And then comfort and sit with me while I ranted about how much the situation sucked, and CHOOSING pain was a garbage choice, and I hated this.

Then the Husband brought in what he would need. He would have needed someone to walk him through all his stuff and see if he cared about ANY of it. Stuff just shows up in his life, unwanted and in his way. He struggles to organize, or recognize if things can be thrown out. Someone walking him through those executive function tasks is his main need.

And that cleared up what our issue was. The Husband kept starting by talking about how our son's stuff wasn't wanted or valuable. I'd dig in my heels, feeling like our son's emotions weren't being validated. And it would be so early in the discussion, we didn't have anywhere to fall back to!

After realizing this, we were able to stop making it about us, and actually talk about our son.

I tend to give him a lot of support STARTING, because executive dysfunction is real and mean, but almost none for the actual organization and prioritization. "Sorting" and "thinking" are nearly synonymous for me, so I'm not even sure HOW to walk someone through it! That's just ... how thinking works? Just do the thinking thing on the objects? But my son isn't good at organization, and just ends up lost and abandoned by someone who said they cared.

Meanwhile, my husband tries to help our son recognize that he doesn't CARE about this stuff, so he can let it go. But my son does care. A lot. So that doesn't work either.

Eventually, we realized that my Husband could break down organization further than I could, and suggest simpler tasks for me to support our son through. We realized I could get Stickperson to neatly stack his papers. Maybe I could put them in folders after, if he was okay with that.

-

I told my son the plan this morning and he got excited and wanted to do it before school. He choose papers to hand to me and told me what group they went with. (More organization skill than he's shown before!) I made little stacks, and slid the stacks into folders. Then I labelled the folders.

3/4 of the living room sheets dealt with in 5 minutes! He's spent HOURS trying to deal with them, moving them around, crying because he can't let go of anything. I haven't been allowed to touch them because he was afraid I'd throw them out.

Now we have three folders and I can see the floor. All because my Husband and I worked through our own issues enough to actually see our son's.

[izels-writing]

j. potter — how forever feels! [4/7]

Pairing: james potter x hopeless romantic!fem!reader

Summary: the stars have aligned and you and james’ futures have intertwined.

Warnings: fake dating!!!, backstory specific reader, mentions of DV!! (TW), mentions of violence, mentions of alcohol addiction, james potter is a sweetheart!! (Let me know if i miss anything!)

PART ONE — PART TWO — PART THREE — PART FOUR

a/n; i lowkey forgot abt the series until a few days ago 😓 but im graduating soon so i have an excuse!!

TAGLIST: @hisparentsgallerryy @ilovejamespottersomuch @eli-com @froggiedragon @butterflygxril @d1lf-loverrr

let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist!

the train ride from hogwarts was fun, but nerve wracking. you were afraid of meeting james' parents, even with everyone assuring you they were the sweetest people on the planet. what if they didn't like you? what if you intruded on their family time?

you bounced your leg anxiously as you flipped through the daily prophet, not actually reading anything. james, ever the observant boyfriend, put his hand on your thigh to stop it. he broke away from his conversation with remus, peter, sirius and b/f/n—who had taken to becoming friends with you all as well.

"you alright?" he whispered, squeezing your thigh gently. it almost grounded you.

you nodded. "yeah, yeah, why wouldn't i be?"

"well, you're vibrating," he pointed out.

you sighed, putting the newspaper down in your lap. "i'm utterly terrified, like i could throw up right now if i had had breakfast,"

"what're you nervous for?" james chuckled, turning to look directly at you. it was one of the many things you liked about him, whenever you spoke to him, he gave you his full attention.

you bit your lip. "well, i just thought we'd keep our parents out of this whole situation—i mean, what if your parents don't like me?" you asked quietly, low enough so that b/f/n, sirius, remus, and peter didn't hear you guys as they carried on their own conversation.

james gave a thoughtful look and smiled softly at you. "they're going to love you, if i like you, they'll love you too. as for the whole parents thing, i don't have to meet yours—i'd like to, but i won't force you,"

you frowned slightly and nodded. you didn't want james to meet them, not because of him—he was perfect and respectful—but because of them. you had a lot of issues at home, issues you didn't need anyone but b/f/n to know about. "yeah, it's probably best you don't meet them. but are you sure? you're sure they said it was alright for you to bring me around?"

james tried to not appear hurt that you didn't want your parents to meet him. and if your face was anything to go by, you hadn't realized it. instead he forced a smile.

"they were ecstatic to have you over," james assured, squeezing your thigh once more. you felt a jolt of heat through your body from his warm hand but said nothing.

"okay, okay," you let out a breath. "i'm good, i'm okay,"

he smiled at you, in that soft, comforting and gentle way he always did. he wrapped his arm around your waist and quickly returned to the conversation between your friends, ignoring the stinging in his heart at your rejection of him meeting your parents.

——

as you, remus, sirius, and james got out of the taxi—your heart was thrumming loudly in your chest. you went to grab your stuff to carry it inside, but james beat you to it, shouldering both your and his luggage gracefully.

"i can carry my own things, james," you chuckled nervously. you certainly didn't want his parents to think you demanded he do these things for you.

"yeah, no, my dad always says that a lady can carry her own things but it doesn't mean she should," james recited, doing an awful impression of his father. you, caught off-guard, laughed.

"well, ladies and remus," james added with a grin, satisfied that he'd made you laugh. he nodded over where sirius was carrying his and remus' luggage.

you rolled your eyes playfully as the four of you walked up to the front of the house. potter manor was huge, littered with windows all around the outside and gave a huge wooden fence to wrap around the backyard. from one window, you could see the library. a built-in library!

james and sirius walked up first, james opening the door with his key. he finally pushed the door open, all four of them stepping inside.

"we're home!" he yelled out to no one in particular. as you stepped inside, you could smell sugar-cookies being baked.

"oh! monty! they're here!" a beautiful voice exclaimed, walking quickly out of the kitchen. you four were met with a tall, tan woman with dark hair and hazel eyes. she smiled widely—and she almost looked like james when she did.

"mum!" james grinned, throwing his arms around his mom. remus and sirius went next, hugging her tightly. you stayed back, smiling at the display of affection they showed her. as they pulled away, her eyes landed on you and you chuckled.

"hello," you smiled softly.

"mum, this is y/n—my girlfriend," james smiled, putting his hand on the small of your back as he introduced you to his mother.

you stuck your hand out to shake it, but she shook her head. "oh, you're even more beautiful than the picture sirius sent me of you two! come here!" she smiled widely, bringing you in for a bone-crushing hug. you chuckled and hugged her back gently, feeling a sense of relief.

she pulled back. "fleamont potter! get over here now!" she yelled out. you all flinched at the woman's stern voice, but you were even more surprised when she turned back to you with a gentle smile.

"excuse my husband, he starts working in his study and it takes a village to bring him out," she chuckled.

"it does not!" a manly, kind voice called back. your eyes widened as you looked at james' father. he was the exact replica of james.

he was hot.

"boys!" he grinned, pulling all three of them into a hug. remus blushed, though not entirely noticeable as the attractive older man pulled him into a hug. you smirked subtly, hiding it as you pretended to wipe your  nose. remus glared at you playfully.

"dad, this is my girlfriend, y/n," james introduced, smiling between you and his father.

"it's nice to meet you," you smiled, shaking his hand.

"merlin's beard, mia's right! you are even more beautiful in person!" he chuckled, shaking your hand kindly.

you felt your cheeks flush a deep pink and this time it was remus' turn to laugh subtly at you. "thank you, sir. thank you both for allowing me to join you this holiday," you smiled.

"of course! we've been dying to meet you!" james' mother exclaimed happily. "now why don't you get settled into james' room while i finish baking these cookies?"

james looked at his mother. "don't you need any help, mum?" he asked politely. ever the gentleman he was.

"no, no! show y/n around! i'm almost done anyway, besides you are disastrous in a kitchen," she joked. she moved you all up the stairs, pushing you toward the bedrooms. you giggled at her comment and she smiled in response.

james led you up the stairs, a hand on your hip as you walked up first. sirius and remus followed suit, exchanging knowing glances as you approached the top of the stairs.

"your house is amazing!" you gasped quietly. "it's so nice—and it has two floors!"

"thank you, mum and dad are really proud of it," james replied.

"you're very special, y/n," sirius teased. "she only makes sugar cookies when it's a special occasion,"

you smiled. "well, they smell delicious,"

sirius grabbed remus' hand, leading him to his own room. "we'll be in my bedroom, settling in, don't come looking for us!" sirius smirked, dodging remus' smack of his head.

you and james turned to each other and laughed, walking into his bedroom. you felt your heart thrum again, you'd never really been into a boys bedroom before. you marveled at the room, seeing the various trophies and quidditch posters and...snow globes?

"snow globes?" you questioned before you could stop yourself.

james blushed lightly. "uh yeah, i like collecting them. have no idea how the muggles did it!"

you chuckled. "they're cute, i like them,"

james set your stuff down by his bed as you sat down in it. you lied back and groaned softly, feeling the softness of the mattress.

"god, your bed feels like heaven," you mumbled.

james grinned. "you do not want to know what i was thinking," he laughed.

you titled your head back, getting a view of him upside down. you laughed. "clearly, i don't,"

"so, i figured i can sleep on the floor?" you asked.

james gave you an incredulous look. "why would you do that?" he asked.

"well, it's your bed, y'know...? i figured it'd be in bad taste for me to sleep in it," you explained as though it were obvious.

he shook his head. "look, if remus or sirius come in here at night and see either of us sleeping on the floor, our cover will be blown! we have to sleep together!"

you bit back a smirk. "maybe you should reword that,"

he blushed lightly. "you know what i mean! we can have a clear boundary line if you want, but we're both sleeping on this bed," james cautioned you.

"alright! alright!" you gave in, a little easier than you should've.

"lovely, now let me show you around," he smirked. "wait until you see the library,"

you jumped up. "library?!"

——

the last few days, euphemia—who made you call her such—had tried her hardest to make you feel at home. she cooked a dish you'd mentioned only once, she allowed you to help her decorate the tree, and she baked you various baked goods. by the end of the holiday, you were sure your pants wouldn't fit anymore.

meanwhile, fleamont had a more calm approach to making you feel at home. he let you read the newspaper in the morning after you were done with it, given you were the only one interested in it, and even secretly let you use his coffee-maker—despite making it off-limits to the boys.

nonetheless, both of them made you feel right at home. you couldn't even remember why you had been so nervous in the first place.

over the past few days, the heat at night had also ceased to work. the potters liked to keep it cold in the house, and give you were easily cold, you shivered yourself to sleep each night—stealing most of the cover from james, who managed to sleep shirtless.

you had borrowed his hoodie and his sweatpants to sleep and even then you were freezing. you were practically vibrating under the covers. james, who could feel you shivering beside him, had yet to fall asleep.

"are you okay?" he whispered.

"how are you not freezing?!" you whisper-yelled. he looked down at his shirtless torso and shrugged.

"just warm-blooded, i suppose," he replied quietly.

"well, i'm not! what the hell!" you replied harshly.

he frowned. "anyone ever told you that you get cranky when you're cold?" he asked teasingly.

"anyone ever told you i'm going to shove my wand up your arse if you call me cranky again?" you spat back. he laughed quietly and you felt a smile grace your face for a moment.

you did get cranky.

"come on," he said suddenly, sitting up. "let's get you some warm tea,"

you nodded quickly and sat up, hesistant to throw the duvet off of your body. but james pulled it off, despite you pulling it away from his grasp. you curled into your body. he sighed and reached over, picking you up off the bed and setting you on the floor on your feet.

"you're such a baby," he whispered.

"and you're a meanie," you whispered back.

"are you five?" he snapped back. you frowned and shoved him gently, walking with your arms wrapped around his one arm. he was warm. really, really warm.

james lead you both into the kitchen and seeing you grimace at the cold floor, he lifted you onto the counter—you taking the opportunity to hold onto his biceps as he did so. he placed you on it and slid over to the stove, pouring water into the kettle before placing it on the stove.

he got out two mugs and grabbed your favorite tea, that was conveniently stocked at his house despite the fact that he had never heard of it before you mentioned it. he placed two bags into each mug.

"thank you again," you smiled softly.

he chuckled and looked at you, eyebrows furrowed slightly in confusion. "what for?"

"inviting me here for the holidays, making me feel at home, it was really kind of you. i didn't want to admit it, but i was afraid of spending christmas alone..." you explained, smiling lightly at him.

"of course," he grinned, shaking his head. "you don't have to thank me for that, no one should spend christmas alone. especially not my girlfriend..."

"fake girlfriend," you reminded joking even though you really hated making the distinction.

"right, fake girlfriend," he chuckled. he looked away and stared out the window.

"are you alright? i can tell something's been on your mind...what is it?" you asked gently. you studied his face, he looked conflicted and a little sad.

"it's nothing..." he replied softly. he tried his best to give you a reassuring look. but it really looked like he was a kicked puppy.

"james, come on. just tell me, i know you," you assured. "whatever it is, it's okay,"

he took a deep breath. the tea kettle began to hiss and he quickly walked over to take it off the stove, pouring the boiling water into each mug. you cursed the very specific coincidence and frowned. he handed you your cup and grabbed his own, leaning against the kitchen island across from you. there was about two feet of distance between you both.

"james..." you said.

"i know this is fake and all, and i never want to pressure you into anything, but...i just gotta ask...why don't you want me to meet your parents? you barely wanted me to meet your sibling," he blurted quietly, looking at you in the eyes.

you sighed and set the tea down beside you, leaning forward slightly to look him in the eyes. "it's not because of you, if that's what you think..."

"then what is it?" james asked quietly, placing his meg beside him as well.

you took a deep breath. "my parents are not like yours... my dad used to be a drunk, used to hit my mum, me, and my sibling. my mum for a time became a shell of a woman. but she stayed, because she loved him. because she wanted us to have a father,"

you cleared your throat, feeling a ball rise to your throat. "two years ago, he got into an accident—almost killed him and my mom," you explained. "he vowed to get sober and to his credit, he did."

"but i just can't see him as anything other than the angry man i grew up with. and he tries to fix it with me and my siblings, but the way i grew up? that's never going to change." you shook your head.

james' expression softened. "i'm sorry, i made it all about me..."

you smiled lightly and shook your head. "it's okay, you couldn't have known.."

"can i ask...?" he mumbled, losing his confidence before gaining it quickly again. "is this why? why you're scared of love?"

you swallowed thickly and nodded. "yeah, i suppose so... i never want to be stuck with a man who treats me like that because i love him..."

james shook his head. "well, thinking that's what love looks like isn't true. you should know, you read all of those romance books,”

“reading about love and experiencing love are two different things,” you countered. “besides, i wouldn’t know what love feels like.”

he pushed himself off the kitchen island, walking over to you and standing in between your legs that were hanging off the counter. he place his hands on either side of you.

“maybe i can show you?” he asked softly.

his face mere inches from you, you looked down at his lips for a second before looking up again. you took a deep breath and smiled softly.

“how do you propose you do that?” you asked quietly.

“like this.” he mumbled.

he leaned close you your face, his lips brushing yours. the second they did, it was like a fire ignited in both of you. you quickly pulled him close by his neck, crashing your lips down onto his. he slid his hands up your thighs, before settling them on your waist.

it was unlike any other feeling you’d felt before. your lips molded together like they were made for each other and you knew you were running out of breath—but you didn’t care. you could kiss james potter forever if this is what it felt like.

after a moment, he finally pulled away, his glasses askew slightly. james rested his forehead against yours and you grinned, fixing his glasses.

“if it wasn’t clear, i think i’d like that very much,” you smiled.

“oh it was clear, alright,” he grinned teasingly.

after a few minutes of sipping at your tea and talking like you hadn’t just kissed (breaking rule number one, mind you!), you both returned upstairs. you were still freezing, praying to all things holy that his room had warmed up a bit from the time you were downstairs.

it did not.

you carefully got under the duvet, james doing the same. nonetheless, you were freezing.

james wiped his eyes and began to yawn, closing his eyes for a second. he opened them again and peeked over at you as you started shivering again.

“c’mere,” he muttered sleepily.

he grabbed your waist and pulled your closer to him, wrapping his arms around your waist. your back was to him, so you turned around swiftly and placed your cold hands on his chest. he was hot and not just in the aesthetically pleasing way.

“thank you,” you muttered.

“anything,” he grinned through closed eyes, peeking down as a proud look dawned over his face as you curled into him.

within minutes—you were asleep.

——

“y/n, honey! do you want to help me make the christmas eve dinner?” euphemia potter asked, leaning into james’ doorway as you sat there. you looked up from your book and grinned, nodding quickly.

“i’d love to,” you replied. you quickly followed the woman down the stairs, tying your hair up.

“i’m making roasted ham plus some other vegetables and sides,” euphemia grinned. and eerily, she still looked so much like james—it almost freaked you out.

you could’ve sworn you drooled as she explained. “sounds delicious, euphemia,” you smiled.

“start by cutting those vegetables for me while i prep the ham,” she instructed kindly, settling beside you as she prepped the ham with all the seasonings.

you were quite skilled with a knife, so cutting the vegetables was an easy task for you.

“who usually helps you with this?” you asked curiously, though a little afraid you might’ve take someone else’s job.

“oh, just me, dear. i can’t trust those chaotic boys in the kitchen, no matter how much i love them,” she chuckled. “fleamont helps where he can, but the man could burn water somehow,”

you chuckled. “well, i’m glad im here then. to help you,”

she smiled widely. “i’m glad you’re here too and not just for your help. merlin, i’ve never seen james’ relax so much since that evans girl came over. i liked her, but you’re a breath of fresh air. he really cares for you, dear,”

you blushed. “thank you, i’m glad to be here with him. and you all. you’re all so kind and welcoming, nothing like how it is at my house. usually there’d be some fighting, holidays are a bit tense for my family,”

euphemia frowned. “well that’s no way to spend time with family,”

“tell me about it,” you agreed.

“you’re welcome here anytime, y/n. i know i’ve been a little overbearing these last few days, but i want you to feel welcome,” euphemia laughed.

“you’re not overbearing and thank you,” you smiled at her.

a rush of footsteps came down the stairs, all three boys in the house were dressed for the cold weather. they were going with fleamont to do some last minute shopping. james smiled widely at the sight of you and his mother bonding over cooking.

“dad! we’re ready!” sirius exclaimed. you smiled softly at the fact that sirius had been so welcoming into the family—especially given his biological family.

fleamont came out of his study, dressed for the cold weather as well. he grabbed the pouch of floo powder from the table and smiled at his wife. “well, we’re off, honey. is there anything you need while we’re out?”

euphemia thought for a second. “i don’t believe so, you four have fun,”

james looked at you. “do you need anything, y/n?”

you smiled and shook your head, cutting the last vegetable. “not at all, you have fun.”

“well, let’s go boys, to diagon alley!” fleamont announced, all four walking over to the fireplace. one by one, they used the floo network and disappeared in the green fire.

euphemia quickly finished the ham and put it in the over. she turned to you and smiled.

“well, we have a few hours before they’re back,” she smiled, almost mischievously. “now, i normally wouldn’t do this—but you’re almost of age,”

she walked over to a cabinet and pulled out two wine glasses along with a bottle of wine. your eyes widened a bit in surprise and you laughed. “mrs. potter, how scandalous!”

“oh, what they don’t know won’t hurt them,” she waved off. she poured you both a glass and you both settled on the couch.

within fifteen minutes, you’d both almost finished the bottle—and the wine drunk talking had ensued. it was a rare occurrence for you to get wine drunk, but you only live once.

you doubled over in laughter as euphemia continued to tell her story, holding onto the couch for support.

“and then, mr potter asked me to marry him!” she cried in laughter, joining you in your laughter.

you laughed. “after all of that? merlin, the man has balls,”

she laughed. “yes, well, i said yes anyway. i love him, he’s a good father and a good husband,”

“james is a good boyfriend,” you commented, smiling softly at your own mention of him. “he’s so kind and understanding. he always listens and i just don’t remember my life without him,”

euphemia grinned. “well, potter boys have that affect. i would know,”

you smiled sadly. “i just don’t want to lose him,” you added.

“believe me, dear, you won’t,” she assured.

but she didn’t know what you did. she didn’t know your arrangement would end once lily evans plucked up the courage to ask him out. and you couldn’t even tell her.

“yeah, you’re right,” you lied smoothly, taking another sip of wine.

[blackknight-kai]

Hello! I've been reading your works and I absolutely love it 💖💖 you're actually the first few people who got me into this fandom, and for that I'm eternally grateful ☺

As for the ask, is it ok if I ask general yan HCS of both monkeys? Maybe with fem reader? NSFW is fine. Thanks so much and have a good day! ❤

OOoOOooOOkay! So Ima give this my best shot! Keep in mind I do more ‘soft’ yandere mainly because I do like me a bit of romance with my darker stuff. I WILL add some darker things at the end though!! (I don’t delve into yan often so bare with me 🫶🫂 I’m learning)

Keep in mind before proceeding this isnt your typical HC everyone :)! It’s going to have some Non Con/stalking/whatever comes to my mind. I went with whatever direction my brain was going so I hope this came out okay!

Warning: Yandere ideas

Destined One

At first you didnt notice anything different about him compared to anyone else outside of the obvious physical traits and some personality traits. He’s reserved, quiet, and focused entirely on his goals. His determination and strength is something that awes you to this day. Something you do notice about him though is that hes observant. Always taking note of his surroundings and using his senses to keep himself aware of what going on. When you first started traveling with him he seemed to almost…ignore you a bit. As though you weren’t really a scratch on his so called journey and mission. But over time you start to notice him staring at you and watching you. It’s a little intense but you just chalk it up to him being him, maybe he’s curious about his companion finally?

- [ ] He hadnt really thought much of you when you first joined him. It honestly took him a bit of time to realize he’d grown a bit….attached to you. His eyes always following your every move and his ears always listening for you. Your scent? He has that memorized.

- [ ] DO is going to start off subtle about his attentions towards you. He’s not going to be rash, unless something pushes him to it.

- [ ] He’s ALWAYS watching you. Always knows where you are and what youre doing.

- [ ] His feelings for you go from zero to almost 100 - although he’s silent about it at first. You’re going to notice him staring or even sometimes getting things you needed for you before you even knew you needed it.

- [ ] DO doesnt do things in half measures. He’s focused. Which means once he’s turned his attentions on you, ALL of him is focused on you.

- [ ] DO knows it’s wrong, but cant stop himself from doing some of the more…inappropriate things with you. Such as watching you while you bathe or change.

- [ ] *Non Con - He’s going to end up touching you while you sleep. Be it an accident at first (yeah right) or he just doesn’t stop his urge to do so. But he’s going touch you because you’re too inviting to him. He won’t go so far as full on sex, but you will be caressed and eventually as he gains confidence you’ll find marks you’re not sure where they came from. He’s going to decide the very first night his hands slip under your clothes that you are his.

- [ ] No one else will EVER see you or touch you like he had. Ever.

- [ ] He’s going to be hyper attentive to you, lulling you into this sense of “Aw he cares for me and takes care of me”. While YES he does, it’s also to further his own goal in regards to you. The foods he brings? Not every time, but sometimes might have a little something in them that makes you a little…sleepy. Pliant. So he can run his hands under your clothes or leave little marks on you without you making a fuss. Your body will NOT be afraid of his touch, he’s going to make sure of it. Sex is still something he’s reserving for…claiming you fully. For now, he’s going to take his time getting your body just used to his hands and the way he makes you feel with them or his tail.

- [ ] He’s going to manhandle you, sit you where he wants you and if you fuss he’s stubborn and won’t budge about it, using his strength to hold you where he put you, to the point you let him have his way because it’s not worth arguing over.

- [ ] You dont realize it but he’s also been scenting the hell out of you, your clothes, and even your bed furs. To you, it just smells like a combination of you, the forest, and of him - which you dont think anything of because he carries stuff for you a lot.

- [ ] But him scenting that stuff? It’s a very loud claim especially since it’s not just him rubbing his face or neck on the items….no he’s rubbing those materials around his cock and balls. Getting his musk all over it.

- [ ] On you, he will be a bit more subtle with his scenting. Wrapping a tail around you or brushing his hand through your hair or against you as he walks by. But sometimes DO shoves his hand down his pants, coating his hand or even tail in his musk and then rubs it on you. You are HIS.

- [ ] He’s jealous as all hell too and will make it known by how he behaves towards others in regards to you. Does NOT like anyone even looking at you, it makes him want to carry you off to some makeshift nest and KEEP you there, to prevent wandering eyes.

- [ ] Speaking of, as soon as his journey ends thats exactly what he wants to do. If he doesnt have a place in mind he’s definitely going to make sure he finds one. It will be the nest for the two of you. He will make sure he gets you everything you need so you wont need to go out.

- [ ] Before that though, he’s going to do everything in his power to make sure you know that you’re his and he’s going to make sure you dont want anyone else.

- [ ] When his journey is over, immediately youre thrown over his shoulder. He’s carting you off to your permanent home, away from any dangers or the possibility of someone stealing you away from him.

- [ ] Here is where he’s a bit more…demanding and forceful. See, by this point he knows your body wants him, he’s smelled and felt how wet you get for his touch and he’s seen your eyes on him. You’ve been slowly pulled into his orbit once he has you in his chosen space he’s going to have all of you.

- [ ] He’s not going to just strip you and shove himself in, no. He still wants to make sure your body is willing. So he’s going to be more bold and more obvious about his touches.

- [ ] Bathing alone? Not anymore. Changing alone? Nope. Unless he’s gone doing something like gathering food or a quick patrol, your body is for his eyes. He will let you have some modesty but he’s going to slip his hands under your clothes when he pleases and feel your soft warm skin.

- [ ] You’re going to be awake when his tail or fingers forcefully slip between your legs, he’s going to pull orgasms out of you until your awake conscious learns to relax for his touch like your sleeping body and conscious do.

- [ ] You wont be allowed to leave, he will make sure a clone is around you at all times if he cant be and when youre sleeping he’s wrapped around you, his limbs like vices.

- [ ] Your skin will be marked with his bites and some claw marks, not deep enough to truly harm but enough to remind you of him when he’s out of sight.

- [ ] He will slowly get you addicted to his taste as well, slipping a pre or cum coated finger into your mouth as you orgasm so your brain learns that his taste means pleasure.

- [ ] When he takes you he’s going to be gentle but firm, he wants you to feel good but also wont let you resist him. He’s CLAIMING you now. His fangs will bite into you, this time with the purpose to scar his claim on you.

- [ ] After this, he’s going to make sure youre always ready for him, is not above using a clone to keep you spread open and wet for him via cock warming or a prefucking. You will be molded to the shape of his cock.

- [ ] He’s also going to slip inside you when you sleep, waking you as he ruts into you or touches your body.

- [ ] Your body WILL know that his touch means pleasure, but if you resist he’s going to make sure you remember your place. He will be rougher with you. Wanting you to submit.

- [ ] He will always pamper you after, cuddling you and cleaning you. But his cum will remain inside you until he’s ready to help you wash it out.

- [ ] He’s going to make sure you are so reliant on him, his touch, his presence, and all he does for you that you wont remember that his possessiveness isnt normal, that he’d stolen you away without asking and that he continues to lay his claim on you.

- [ ] No, youre lulled into a sense of belonging with him….youre his to care for, protect, and take.

- [ ] All in all and in general, Destined One is a quiet but firm yandere lover. Only when you really push back/push his dominance does he get too harsh with you. Depending on WHEN he finds you will depend on how quickly he steals you away. But he’s going to take care of you, you are HIS mate and mates are to be cared for, protected. He knows it’s not exactly normal to keep you the way he does, but something in him wont allow for you to even have the possibility to consider someone else. He’s going to show you that HE is the best for you. That HE knows the best for you. He may be jealous and possessive but he wont harm you so much so that you would be repulsed by his touch. No, he wants you pliant and giving in when he reaches for you, relaxing in his embrace or even seeking his touch out. If you take your pleasure with out him, he’s not going to let you sleep, it will get to the point you will end up passing out and he will keep going. He’s going to take you again when you wake. Your pleasure is for him to take and give.

Wukong:

Wukong is…very friendly to you. He also is a very good, if sometimes annoying, traveling companion or protector. So you really don’t notice anything out of the ordinary with him in the beginning. By the time you do it’s honestly too late for you. He’s lulled you into his intricate web and there’s no escape from him. Because he’s had his eyes on you and what Wukong wants, Wukong gets. He also knows there is no one else better than him for you.

- [ ] He knows almost immediately after meeting you that he wants you. It’s not a normal ‘want’ either. It’s the kind of greed he that claws at him from the inside desperate to get out and get a hold of you.

- [ ] Wukong will temper SOME of his more…greedy tendencies down. At first. But he has a way about him that is very demanding and commanding. Being the King and powerful being he is.

- [ ] He has a way of making you feel comfortable around him, as though you belong by his side. He’s going to make sure you see HIM as your protector and someone to go to for help or anything you need.

- [ ] Wukong will be outright flirtatious with you, but he wont be overtly forceful with his touches right away. He wants to get you warmed up to him and used to his ‘casual’ touches. Something he does NOT do for others but you dont need to know that.

- [ ] He definitely disguises himself when you go bathing, be it a fish in the water or a bug flying about. He wants his eyes on you at all times. Yes, this means he may brush against you often while in his forms of trickery.

- [ ] Would absolutely disguise himself as a woman in a bathhouse if you went to one and offer to help you bathe. (He will fish for compliments about himself if you mention him traveling with you)

- [ ] Wukong is going to be manipulative in a way you dont even realize. He’s mouthy and cunning so he’s going to use his words to steer you in whatever direction he wants things to go in.

- [ ] He’s also very opinionated and stubborn, sometimes using that to his advantage to get you to submit to him with some kind of benefit after, be it something he gets for you or he’s just all around more pleasant. He’s subtle about it all at first.

- [ ] Everything will be orchestrated to his needs/wants even if it LOOKS like it’s yours, because in his mind he knows what’s best FOR you.

- [ ] You’re going to wear clothes he finds for you (will probably take your preferences into consideration because he wants you happy but will definitely get things that suit his taste too), you will periodically have to share his clothes (because he dirty’s yours on purpose or ruins them).

- [ ] He wants you to rely on him for most things, getting you food to cook, personal effects/items, etc. Essentially hes going to be a sugar daddy LMFAO but in a way that he’s not necessarily giving you money, he just gets the thing for you while you wait for him because he wants you getting used to HIM taking care of you.

- [ ] *Non Con - Wukong will definitely slip things at times into your food or drink, wanting to make you think your having lovely dreams about him but in reality he has you in his lap, your legs spread wide open, one over each of his knees as he’s caressing your body or filling your hole with his tail or fingers. The wet sounds filling the air while youre out of it. Come morning there wont be a trace on you - besides the ever present lingering scent of his on your skin thanks to how touchy he is in general. Through this he explores your body, getting it needy for his touch.

- [ ] He’s also going to cum on you while you sleep or will rub his precum on the inside of your panties so when you wear them you dont even realize what he’s done as its mixed with your natural discharge of fluids that end up on your underwear throughout the day. But HIS precum and scent is pressed directly against your pussy all day.

- [ ] Depending on the situation - he may steal you away right away or he might wait and bide his time, getting you to be relaxed with him before he takes you away for himself.

- [ ] Either way, once he has you to himself he’s going to get more intense. He may not penetrate you right away but he’s going to make you crave him, until you finally beg him to bully his cock into your hole.

- [ ] He’s going to press against you all the time, rubbing his body on yours, striping you and bringing you to the edge of pleasure with his fingers, mouth, or tail until UH OH, you didnt beg him to claim you. Oops….cant orgasm because you clearly dont need him like you should. But that doesnt mean HE cant cum. So he’s going to do so and rub it into your skin or cuming against your mouth as he holds it open. Wukong wants to cum in your pussy but he holds back, instead cleaning his cock off with your panties and making you wear them all day. Showing ownership over you.

- [ ] As mentioned before, hes mouthy. He’s going to be good at using his words and voice to pick at things and make you question things. Including calling you out on your body’s reactions to him. He finds it amusing when you try to hide it. He’s going to dig into those things about you and make you squirm - get you worked up as he whispers filthy things to you. Things you might not even have thought about but now you are.

- [ ] All you’re going to know is him, what he can give you and what he does for you. He’s made sure of it. So by the time you finally beg him to stuff you full, finally fully submitting to him and giving up your stubborn pride, he’s not going to hesitate. He’s going to press you down, ass up face pressed to the floor or bed with his hand on the back of your neck as he holds you down. His cock is going to enter you in one thrust and he will be nice for just a moment to let you spasm around his shape. Wukong will coo at you and the second you even slightly relax hes going to pull back and thrust in hard. The way he takes you that first time is total dominance, you will know who you belong to and where you belong. His finger prints will be bruised into your skin and his bite mark on you as he fully claims you as HIS MATE.

- [ ] He’s going to take care of you after though dont worry, he will be gentle and kiss your body. But he’s going to make you orgasm no matter how sore or overstimulated you are - this second round will be softer. The part of him that loves you and wants to pamper you taking over.

- [ ] Wukong wont have any issue playing with you in front of his monkeys (adult ones), so if there’s a meeting going on expect his tail to wander where it shouldn’t, slipping inside you. Or he will have a clone who’s bullied his way between your legs under the table. He might even have you sit on his cock, keeping still as he deals with whatever monkey business is going on. No one will ever see an intimate part of you, he wants to keep that for himself. But they will hear you screaming his name and they will see his marks on you.

- [ ] Over all Wukong as a yandere is much more vocally and mentally manipulative. He is also raw power and strength not used to being denied. If youre too stubborn or push back he’s going to show you who is boss and why HIS way is best. He wont ever truly harm you, but youre going to know punishment / consequences for your actions if you displease him. You’re his mate, so he’s going to take care of you but it’s going to be in the way he deems best. If you fully give yourself over to him he will pamper the absolute fuck out of you while also probably pushing your boundaries here and there. Because he LIKES showing his ownership of you. Wukong wont mind you taking your own pleasure but for every orgasm you have (essentially taking them from him) he’s going to have some form of punishment lined out for you. Your body is going to know the feel of him and him alone, or him and his clones because he has zero problem with pushing you to your limits with his clones, wanting to see you cock drunk on him.

General Both:

- [ ] Regularly walks around with your juices on his chin or on the fur surrounding his cock.

- [ ] Good at after care but doesn’t hold back when he wants something

- [ ] Loves seeing his marks on your skin and presses against them regularly with his fingers to watch you squirm and remember how you got the marks.

- [ ] Not above using all the tricks in the book to get you.

- [ ] Will happily chase you down if you run - into predator/prey stuff.

- [ ] Sensitive to your returned (given willingly) affection.

Extra dark -

these are harsher so skip if you don’t like: Doing a “both” here because it’s easier. These are in general terms so different AUs/situations apply

- [ ] Very jealous & possessive. If someone shows interest in you…they aren’t gonna live long.

- [ ] Will manipulate the things around you without you knowing to get what he wants which is YOU. Be it people or events etc - will make himself look like a good option/only option you have. (If he has to clone into someone or kill someone / make them look bad he will do it)

- [ ] He thinks he knows what’s best for you so whatever he needs to do he will and you will learn that too.

- [ ] Will kill someone you may have been interested in/with/might be married off too.

- [ ] Will assert his dominance by fucking you/making you scream for him in front of someone who had eyes on you/dating you/married to you/getting married to you while a clone of his holds them captive- will kill them after he’s done showing the person who you belong to.

- [ ] Will have you cock warm him while he’s doing important things (WK kingly duties etc). Doesn’t care if others are in the room but they better not LOOK at you. That’s the rule.

- [ ] Will use you until he’s done - especially if you fight him. But he’s going to make sure you crave him and his touch/pleasure.

- [ ] Rough with you, you will have his marks on your body at all times be it scratch’s or bites and bruises. (Might make a special mark - maybe his initials)

- [ ] Going to keep you open and wet for him for when he needs you. Loves you cock drunk and mindless. Uses you as stress relief too after a hard day/fight

- [ ] Would absolutely baby trap you.

- [ ] If he wanted to really play with you, he’d capture you, fuck you, and release you with his cum still filling you (he’s going to be near by don’t worry). He will do this many times until all you can dream about is him/his touch. (Yes he could just keep you but he wants to mentally mess with you - make you crave the pleasure he forces on you)

- [ ] In that same category- will spike your food/drink and will fuck you into his shape. You’ll wake thinking you had some erotic dream but in reality he had genuinely claimed you.

- [ ] Will stalk the fuck out of you, you’ll catch him out of the corner of your eye because he WANTS you to. Wants to smell your fear a little because it excites him.

- [ ] Will make you walk around with his cum on your skin/In you - you WILL smell like his.

- [ ] Will get you anything you need but takes his payment from your body/pleasure. (Publicly too)

- [ ] You will wear the things he picks for you, some for his eyes only. Be it body jewelry or sexy items. When you’re in public you wear his favorite colors on you or the things he adorns you with.

- [ ] Fighting him is useless and only eggs him on - push him too much though and he WILL assert his power over you. You won’t be moving anywhere and will feel his ‘punishment’

- [ ] Mentally/emotionally will make it so you are so far gone on him and dependent on him you don’t even consider escaping anymore.

- [ ] Because while he’s dominant and forceful he adds enough sweetness to keep you addicted to him. Yes, he will take care of you and your basic needs and even provide good after care. You are his mate at the end of the day.

- [ ] You sleep with him every night - snug against his body. (If he hasn’t stolen you away he’s definitely sneaking into your bed)

- [ ] Regularly uses his clones not only to monitor you but to keep you ready for him. Might play punishment games if you cum while being touched by a clone.

- [ ] If someone tries to help you escape you’re going to be given their head as a trophy.

- [ ] If someone tries to take you from him, he’s going to level mountains.

- [ ] Might test you to see if you will try to escape….punishments as consequences.

- [ ] Will protect you with everything he has and any children you give him.

- [ ] Depending on the situation is suspicious if you returning affection - but if he sees it’s genuine he’s going to be smug as fuck and also very vulnerable about it but won’t show that.

[tinyshyteacup]

Taglist: @kellynickelsgirl00 @i-doutt-it @beth-isnt-home @darylandbethfanforever9 @brianna-merlim @pumpkinkpieandtomato @smashleywow @imadisneyprincessiswear @clementineslawyer @pandaofsilentdeath @dixonsbridexx @imadisneyprincessiswear @staley83 @death-in-a-tar0t-card @straw--b3rry

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TW: cussing, Merle is well ... Merle, angst, walkers (Zombies), gaslighting, manipulation, Woodbury, the Governor.

Part 8

Between Brothers - Part 9

The next morning, you were still marveling at the strange luxury of waking up in an actual bed when a crisp knock echoed through your apartment door. You padded out of your bedroom, noting that Merle's door across the small hallway was still closed.

You opened the door to find a polished brunette woman, clipboard in hand and a practiced smile on her face.

"Good morning! I'm Rowan, sort of the Governor's right hand around here," she said brightly, her voice carrying the kind of cheerful efficiency that belonged in corporate offices, not the apocalypse. "I wanted to talk to you both about how you can contribute to our little community."

The sound of voices must have roused Merle, because his door creaked open and he appeared behind you, shirtless and scratching his belly, eyeing the woman with his usual blend of suspicion and crude assessment. Damn, even the office girls in this place got some meat on their bones, he thought, before his attention shifted protectively to you. But ain't none of 'em got what my lil doe's got.

"Merle," you said quickly, your cheeks flushing as you turned to face him, "put a damn shirt on."

"What's the matter, sugar?" Merle drawled, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he noticed your flustered state. "Ain't nothin' you ain't seen before. 'Sides, maybe the lady here appreciates a man who ain't afraid to show what God gave him." He flexed slightly, clearly enjoying your discomfort.

You rolled your eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Really? ... You're impossible."

"Aw hell, honey, you're cute when you get all proper on me," he chuckled, but made no move to cover himself. "Tell you what, I'll think about puttin' on a shirt if you ask real nice."

"Come on in," you said politely to Rowan, trying to ignore Merle's teasing, your accent thicker with embarrassment. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Oh, that's sweet of you, dear, but I can't stay long. Lots to organize!" Rowan bustled in, immediately taking charge of the small space, seemingly unfazed by Merle's state of undress. "Now, Merle, the Governor mentioned you'd be working security - patrols, supply runs, that sort of thing. Very important work."

"Damn right it is," Merle drawled, puffing up at the recognition. "Ain't many folks know how to handle themselves proper out there."

"Exactly!" Rowan's smile turned to you. "And for you, dear, we have some wonderful opportunities. There's the community garden - we always need help with the vegetables. The childcare center could use another gentle hand. And of course, there's cooking duty, laundry rotation, mending clothes..." She rattled off the list like she'd memorized it.

You blinked, your brow furrowing slightly. "Those are... those are all very nice, but what about patrols? Or supply runs? I've been out there with Merle for months."

Rowan's laugh was like tinkling bells, dismissive and patronizing. "Oh sweetie, that's dangerous work. Wouldn't you rather stay here in Woodbury? Leave all the rough stuff to the men who have the training and experience. You'd be much more suited to the nurturing roles - helping with the sick, teaching the children. That work is just as important as the other work, of course." Her eyes flicked meaningfully to Merle.

"Besides, I'm sure your man wouldn't want anything happening to such a pretty little thing."

"Oh, we're not—" you started, but Rowan steamrolled right over you.

The way Rowan had called him 'your man' sent an unexpected thrill through him, even as he watched you try to correct her. Damn right I'm her man, a voice in Merle's head insisted, though another part of him knew it wasn't that simple. Should be, anyway. Girlie needs somebody to look after her, and ain't nobody gonna do it better than me. She'll come around eventually. Just gotta be patient, let her see what she's missin'.

"Now, I know it might seem limiting at first, but you'll find that the gentler work here is deeply fulfilling. There's real satisfaction in creating a proper home environment." Rowan continued.

Something uncomfortable twisted in Merle's gut at her words, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. 'Course I don't want nothin' happenin' to her, he thought, his eyes fixed on your face as you tried to speak up. But she's tougher than this bitch gives her credit for. Hell, she saved my damn life.

"I'm not trying to rock the boat," you said carefully, glancing at Merle with a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "But I mean, I've been living outside the walls, isn't that experience?"

Merle watched your face, seeing something flicker there - confusion, maybe irritation. That's it sugar, he thought. Don't let this pencil-pusher tell you what you can and can't do.

"Oh, I know you have, honey, but that's survival. This is civilization." Rowan's tone was so sweet it could have given you diabetes. "We have systems here, roles that work. Besides, don't you want a break? Time to get your bearings?"

"I'll... think about it," you said finally, your voice smaller than Merle liked hearing it.

"Wonderful! I'll put you down for garden duty to start. Very peaceful, very safe." Rowan made a note on her clipboard. "Merle, Martinez will find you after breakfast. He'll show you how we do things here."

After Rowan left, you were quiet as you helped Merle adjust the straps on his prosthetic - Milton had dropped it back to Merle last night, but every strap had been undone.

"Penny for your thoughts, lil-doe," he said, watching your face in the small mirror above the bathroom sink.

"It's just..." you started, then shook your head. "The jobs she mentioned for me. They're all very... traditional, aren't they?"

Merle felt a flicker of something that might have been doubt. "What you mean by that?"

"Cooking, cleaning, childcare. While the men do all the protecting and decision-making." Your accent made the words sound softer, less accusatory than they might have otherwise. "I swear I saw a woman with weapon yesterday during our tour."

Shit, Merle thought. She's got a point there. Did see a girlie with a rifle. "You think that Rowan gal was trying to pigeonhole you?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I'm overthinking." You finished with the straps and stepped back. "What do you think?"

Merle was quiet for a moment, turning the prosthetic to check the fit. Truth was, part of him liked the idea of you safe in a kitchen or garden, away from anything that could hurt you. But another part - the part that had watched you handle yourself on the road, seen you make tough choices when you had to - knew you were capable of more. Softer than butter on the outside, but anyone who can burn off a man's stump without flinching ain't no delicate flower. He thought to himself.

"Tell you what, sugar. Let me get the lay of the land first, see how things really work around here. Then we'll figure out what's best."

Smart play, Dixon. Don't rock the boat too early. But keep an eye on things.

An hour later, Martinez arrived with the swagger of a man who knew his worth in a dangerous world. He was compact and moved with the confidence of someone who'd survived through a combination of both skill and luck.

"Ready to see how we do things around here, Dixon?" Martinez asked, his rifle over his shoulder.

Merle sized him up with the automatic assessment of a man who'd learned to judge threats quickly. "Lead the way, amigo."

Martinez led him to the wall first - an impressive structure built from stacked shipping containers, their rusted metal surfaces painted with watch numbers and sector markings. Above the containers, old truck tires had been stacked and wired together, adding another six feet of height and making it impossible for biters to get past the rubber surfaces.

"Smart setup," Merle admitted, running his eyes along the fortifications with interest. "Containers give you good solid base, tires make it hard for them dead bastards to climb. Who thought this up?"

"Combination of ideas," Martinez said, leading him along the perimeter. "Governor had the vision, we had the manpower to make it happen. Took us three months to scavenge enough containers."

"Bet that was a bitch," Merle said, examining the welding points where containers had been fused together. "These things weigh what, eight thousand pounds empty?"

"About that. Had to use a crane truck we liberated from a construction site. Pain in the ass to get running, but worth it." Martinez kicked at one of the containers. "Thing is, biters can't push 'em over, can't climb 'em, can't dig under 'em worth shit."

"What about the gaps between containers?" Merle asked, pointing to the seams.

"Welded shut, then reinforced with steel plates. Governor insisted on redundancy - if one section fails, the whole wall don't come down."

They walked further along the perimeter, Martinez pointing out details that spoke of serious tactical thinking. "See them kill holes? Spaced every ten feet, angled downward. Biters mass up against the wall, we can thin 'em out without exposing ourselves."

"Now that's smart," Merle said with genuine approval. "Most folks just build a wall and hope for the best. This is military-grade thinking."

"Governor's got experience with this kind of thing. Knows the difference between a fence and a fortification."

As they walked, Martinez peppered Merle with questions about survival tactics, combat experience, the kind of shop talk that built camaraderie between fighting men. "So you been out there long? Must've seen some serious shit."

"Long enough to know what works and what gets you killed," Merle said, his chest puffing with pride.

"We got Six-hour shifts," Martinez explained. "Two guards per section, overlapping coverage. Radio check-ins every sixty minutes."

Merle nodded approvingly. "Not bad setup, though I'd have positioned crossfire points here and here." He pointed to spots that would provide better coverage. "And them rifles y'all are carryin'... when's the last time anybody cleaned 'em proper?"

Martinez raised an eyebrow. "You got experience with weapons maintenance?"

"Son, I was cleanin' guns before you were out of diapers." Merle's tone carried the condescension of a man who'd grown up with firearms as tools of survival. "Military don't always teach you boys how to really maintain your equipment. Just how to follow orders and march in pretty lines."

"I wasn't military," Martinez said evenly.

"No? What then - street gang? Cartel?" Merle's tone turned knowing, drawing on every stereotype he'd ever absorbed. "Bet you boys thought you were tough shit with your fancy automatic weapons and your turf wars."

Martinez's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "Something like that. But this ain't the old world, Dixon. Different rules now."

"Rules don't change human nature, amigo. Strong survive, weak get eaten." Merle was warming to his theme, feeling superior and confident. "Good thing for y'all that you got somebody who knows how to really fight joinin' the team."

"Damn right," Martinez agreed. "Man with real combat experience is worth his weight in gold these days. Most of these civilian types, they panic first time they see biters."

"Panic'll get you killed faster than anything," Merle said, examining one of the rifles leaning against the watchtower wall. "This piece of shit's been fired recently but not cleaned. Bolt's gonna jam on you when you need it most."

"Show me," Martinez said, genuinely interested.

Merle field-stripped the rifle with practiced efficiency, pointing out carbon buildup and improper lubrication. "See this? Firing pin's gonna stick. Probably already misfired once or twice, am I right?"

"Yeah, actually. Johnson mentioned it yesterday."

"Course he did. Gun don't lie, but it'll sure as hell get you killed if you don't treat it right." Merle's hands moved with the automatic competence of decades of experience. "You want this thing to work when them biters are climbin' your wall, you maintain it proper."

They continued the tour, Martinez carefully feeding Merle's ego while taking mental notes. Every display of tactical knowledge, every piece of weapons expertise, every story about surviving in the wasteland - it all painted a picture of a dangerous man who could be useful.

"What's your ammo situation?" Merle asked as they examined another section of the wall.

"Better than most places. Governor made sure we stockpiled before things got really bad. Plus we got a guy who can reload shells if we're careful with the brass."

"Smart. Ammo's gonna be the new currency soon enough," Merle said. "You boys ever deal with raiders? Living ones, I mean."

"Couple times. Nothing we couldn't handle." Martinez's tone was casual, but Merle caught the slight tension.

"Raiders are worse than biters," Merle said with authority. "Biters just want to eat you. Raiders... they get creative. Torture, kill, or worse. Takes a special kind of bastard to handle that business proper."

"You sound like you know from experience."

Merle's grin was cold and humorless. "Let's just say I ain't above doin' what needs doin' to protect what's mine. Sometimes you gotta be the monster to keep the real monsters away."

Martinez nodded approvingly. This was exactly what the Governor wanted to hear - that Dixon had the stomach for the darker work that kept Woodbury safe.

"I bet. That girl of yours she seems... sweet. Innocent." Martinez's tone was carefully neutral. "Must be nice, having someone to come home to."

Sweet don't even begin to cover it, Merle thought, images of you flashing through his mind - the way you'd carefully cleaned his wounds, the soft sounds you made in your sleep. Got curves in all the right places too, not that any of these bastards are gonna get the chance to notice.

"She's special, alright," Merle said aloud, his voice carrying a warning edge. "Real special."

The tour continued with more technical discussion - patrol schedules, weapon assignments, communication protocols. Martinez was impressed despite himself with Merle's knowledge. The man might be a racist asshole, but he knew his business when it came to survival and combat.

"Governor's got a real setup here," Merle said as they finished examining the perimeter defenses. "Man knows how to build something that lasts."

"He's always looking for the right people to help maintain it," Martinez replied. "Men who understand what it takes to keep the peace. To handle the problems that civilian leadership can't stomach."

"Every community needs somebody willin' to do the hard jobs," Merle agreed. "Jobs that require a certain... flexibility when it comes to methods."

Martinez smiled. Perfect. Dixon was already thinking like an enforcer, already separating himself from the "civilians" who couldn't handle the brutal realities of their world.

"Your girl's lucky to have found someone who takes that seriously." Martinez said with conviction.

The praise hit its mark, and Merle practically glowed with satisfaction. This is what I been needin'. Place where folks understand what I bring to the table. Where they appreciate a man who knows his business.

"Governor's got a good eye for talent," Martinez added as they finished up, filing away every word for later report. "Knows how to spot the real deal when he sees it. Knows how to reward men who prove themselves useful."

Merle preened under the praise. "Damn right he does. Takes one to know one, I reckon."

"Man with your skills, your experience... I got a feeling you're gonna fit in real well here. Maybe even move up the ranks, if you prove yourself."

"I ain't afraid of hard work," Merle said, his chest puffing with pride. "Always been the kind of man who earns his keep."

As they walked back toward the residential area, Martinez felt satisfied with his work. The tactical talk had done exactly what the Governor said it would - made Dixon feel valued and respected without being too obvious about it. The man's ego was thoroughly stroked, and he was already starting to see himself as part of Woodbury's inner circle.

The Governor had been right - looked like the girl was the key to controlling Merle Dixon. All they had to do now was keep stoking that fire, keep making him feel like his value as a man depended on his usefulness to Woodbury.

That evening, the main street of Woodbury was transformed for a community dinner. Tables stretched down the middle of the road, lit by lanterns and string lights that gave everything a warm, festive glow. The smell of real food - grilled meat, fresh bread, actual vegetables - filled the air like a promise of better times.

You'd changed into one of the dresses Rowan had dropped off. It was simple, brought out your eyes, but you where just grateful it was clean.

Merle's throat went dry when he saw you emerge from your bedroom. Jesus, he thought, his eyes tracking every curve the fabric clung to. Look at her. Like somethin' out of a damn magazine, Bet she'd arch her back real nice if I put my mouth on her. Keep it together, Dixon.

You took a seat at one of the long tables with some of the other residents, chatting quietly about the meal preparations and the children running between the tables. Merle found himself at a different table with the Governor, but his eyes kept drifting back to you, watching the way you smiled at something one of the residents said, the way you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Don't you two look wonderful tonight. Merle, I hear great things about your first day." The Governor smiled as he handed Merle a beer, his smile warm but not quiet reaching his eyes.

"Just doin' what needs doin'," Merle said, but he was practically glowing with pride.

"Martinez tells me you have some ideas about improving our defenses. I'd love to hear them." The Governor's attention was like a spotlight, making Merle feel important, valued. "A man with your experience... well, that's exactly what Woodbury needs."

"I got plenty of ideas," Merle said, leaning back in his chair with the confidence of a man who knew his worth. "Been thinkin' about your weak points, your sight lines. Y'all got good bones here, but you're missin' some key defensive positions."

As they talked shop, Merle felt himself relaxing under the Governor's attention. This was what he'd been missing - respect, recognition of his skills. Not just being tolerated or endured, but actually valued.

"Your patrol routes could use some adjustment too," Merle continued, warming to the subject. "And that armory of yours - hell, some of them weapons ain't been cleaned proper in months. Give me a week and I'll have your boys shootin' straighter than they ever have."

"That's exactly the kind of leadership we need here," the Governor said, his voice carrying genuine admiration. "A man who knows how to take charge, how to protect what matters."

The Governor's eyes drifted meaningfully toward where you sat, chatting with the other residents. "Speaking of protecting what matters... it's wonderful to see her settling in so well. She looks happy, peaceful. You've done right by her, Merle. Not every man could keep someone safe in times like these."

The praise hit Merle like good moonshine, warming him from the inside out.

"She's somethin' special, that one," Merle said, his voice thick with pride and possessiveness. "Don't make 'em like her anymore. Soft as hell, but tough as nails when she needs to be."

"A woman like that brings out the best in a man," the Governor continued, his tone carefully calculated. "Makes him want to provide for her, protect her. Give her the kind of life she deserves."

"Hell yes," Merle agreed emphatically. "Girl like that needs a man who can take care of her proper. Someone who knows how to handle business, keep the wolves away from the door."

The Governor nodded approvingly. "Exactly. And when a man provides that kind of security, that kind of protection... well, a woman appreciates it. Shows her gratitude in all the ways that matter."

Merle's pulse quickened at the implication. His imagination ran wild with possibilities, thinking about you looking at him with something more than friendship. Bet she'd be real grateful. Bet she'd get on her knees and—

"'Course, takes time to build that kind of trust," the Governor added casually. "A woman has to see a man in action, see that he can deliver on his promises before she truly appreciates what he brings to the table."

Emboldened by the Governor's words and the admiring looks from other residents, Merle felt a surge of his usual brass confidence. He pushed back from his table and strode over to where you sat, the alcohol and praise making him bold.

Without warning, he reached and put his arm around your shoulders - a possessive, claiming gesture. His fingers brushed against the soft skin of your neck as it moved around you.

Soft as silk, he thought. Wonder if she's this soft everywhere.

You jumped like you'd been shocked, your body going rigid under his touch. "What the hell are you doing?" you hissed, your voice low but sharp with surprise and confusion.

The residents around you went quiet, their conversations dying as they sensed the sudden tension. A few eyes from other tables turned to you both, the moment stretching awkwardly. Merle's face stuttered, embarrassment and wounded pride warring in his chest. His fantasies crashed down around him as he realized he'd badly misjudged the situation. But he covered it with his usual crude humor, his laugh rough and forced.

"Can't blame a man for wantin' to show off his favorite girl, can ya?" His voice carried just enough lewdness to make it sound like typical Merle, but you could of swore you saw something flickering in his eyes. "Hell, if I don't keep an eye on you, half the men in this place probably gonna try to snatch you away from ol' Merle."

Your expression shifted from surprise to clear exasperation, your eyes rolling skyward as you let out a frustrated sigh.

"Really, Merle?" You scoffed.

Play it off as a joke. That's it. Just Merle bein' Merle. She'll come around once she sees what I can do for her. Governor's got the right idea - show her I'm a provider, a protector, then she'll be putty in my hands.

The Governor had followed him over and chuckled indulgently, as if watching an amusing but harmless display.  "Careful Merle, the world's full of people who'd take advantage of a gentle heart like hers. Men who might promise her things they can't deliver, make her think the grass is greener somewhere else."

Something in his tone made Merle's protective instincts flare like a struck match. The idea of some other man putting his hands on you, making promises to you, taking what Merle had fought so hard to protect ...

Over my dead body. He thought Any sonofabitch tries to take her from me gonna find out real quick what kind of man they're dealin' with.

"Ain't nobody gonna take advantage of her while I'm around," Merle growled, his hand tightening slightly on your shoulder.

But before the Governor could respond, you spoke up, your voice carrying an edge that surprised everyone but Merle.

"Boys, I appreciate the concern, but I'm not helpless." Your accent made the words sound deceptively soft, but there was steel underneath. "I've made it this far, haven't I Merle ?"

The flash of spirit in your eyes, the way you straightened your spine and lifted your chin - made heat curl low in Merle's belly. There she is. My fierce lil-doe with her claws out.

Merle barked out a genuine laugh, relief and pride flooding through him like a tide. "Governor, let me tell you somethin' - you don't want to get on the bad side of her, Looks sweet as pie, but she's got fight when she needs it." He grinned at you with something that looked almost like respect.

The Governor's eyebrows rose with interest. "Is that so? Well, that's even better. A woman who can handle herself when necessary, but knows when to let her man take the lead."

"'Course, she's gentle as a lamb with folks who treat her right," Merle added, his voice taking on a possessive warmth. "Ain't that right, sugar?"

You gave him a look that was part exasperation, part something else he couldn't quite read. But you didn't move away, and that felt like a victory.

"I should probably get back to helping clear these tables," you said, your voice carefully neutral.

The Governor watched you walk away with calculating eyes before turning back to Merle. "She's something special, that one. A woman like that... she deserves a man who can give her everything she needs. Security, comfort, a real future."

"That's what I'm plannin' to give her," Merle said, his voice thick with determination and desire. "Soon as I find my brother, soon as we get settled proper... gonna make sure she never wants for nothin'."

And when I do, when I prove I'm the man she needs, she's gonna be mine in every way that counts. Governor's right - it's just a matter of time.

The Governor smiled, satisfied that his seeds were planted deep. "I believe you will, Merle. I believe you will."

While the men continued their political posturing, you found yourself drawn into conversation with Milton, who'd appeared at your elbow with his nervous energy.

"Fascinating social dynamics," he murmured, watching the interplay between Merle and the Governor. "The way leadership structures form in crisis situations..."

"You study people?" you asked, genuinely curious.

"Among other things. But lately, I've been more interested in the biters themselves." His voice dropped, becoming more intense. "I have a theory that they might still be... aware. Trapped inside their own bodies, remembering fragments of their old lives."

The words hit you like a physical blow, your breath catching in your throat. Your own beliefs, the ones you'd carried from your home, had always taught that the soul was sacred, that consciousness was precious. The idea of those poor souls trapped in rotting flesh, aware but unable to escape...

"That's..." your voice came out as barely a whisper, "that's horrible."

Milton nodded eagerly, not noticing how pale you'd gone. "Exactly! If I'm right, if there's still some part of the person left inside, then what we're doing - the killing, the destruction of the bodies - it might be mercy. Or it might be murder. The ethical implications are staggering."

Tears pricked at your eyes, your heart breaking for every walker you'd seen fall, every shot fired, every blade that had found its mark. Were they screaming inside those decaying shells? Were they begging for help that would never come? Had you been killing people ?

"Excuse me," you mumbled, standing abruptly. "I'm gonna get another drink."

Later that night, back in your shared apartment, the weight of Milton's words crashed down on you. You'd held it together through dinner, through small talk, through the Governor's penetrating stares and Merle's weirder then usual behavior. But now, in the safety of four walls and a locked door, you couldn't hold back anymore.

The tears came in quiet, broken sobs as you sat on the edge of your bed, your hand pressed to your mouth so you wouldn't disturb Merle, who you assumed would most likely make fun of you.

All of Milton's words echoed in your head - the possibility that every walker might still be in there, trapped and screaming.

Merle found you like that when he walked past from the bathroom, his expression immediately shifting from post-dinner satisfaction to alarm. The sight of you crying hit him like a punch to the gut, stirring up protective instincts.

Jesus, what the hell happened? Who the fuck made her cry? His mind immediately went to violence, to finding whoever had upset you and making them pay.

"Hey now, lil' doe, what's got you all torn up?" He sat beside you carefully, his voice gentler than you'd ever heard it. The mattress dipped under his weight.

"Sugar, c'mon talk to me. What happened?" He kept his hands to himself for now, though every instinct screamed at him to touch you, make it better somehow.

"Milton," you managed between sobs, your accent thick with emotion. "He thinks... he thinks they're still in there. The walkers. Still aware, like there trapped..."

"Aw, hell, honey." Merle's voice was rough with understanding. "That crazy scientist got you thinkin' too hard about shit that don't matter."

Gonna find that pencil-necked little bastard and show him what happens when he upsets my girl. Gonna make him sorry he ever opened his mouth.

"But what if he's right?" You looked up at him with tear-stained cheeks, your heart breaking all over again. "What if every time we... what if we're hurting people who can't escape?"

The sight of your face, streaked with tears, made something crack inside Merle's chest. He'd seen you scared, seen you tired, seen you angry - but he'd never seen you like this before.

Merle was uncharacteriscally quiet for a long moment, studying your face in the lamplight. Most people would have dismissed your tears, called you weak for caring about the dead. But he'd seen your strength, knew the size of your heart.

Too good for this world. And that little shit had to go and poison her mind with some crazy theories.

"Honey'," he said finally, reaching out to brush a tear from your cheek. He used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the moisture beneath your eye. His fingers, calloused and rough from years of hard living, moved with surprising gentleness against your soft skin.

"You got the biggest heart of anyone I ever met," he continued, his thumb tracing along your cheekbone without him really realizing what he was doing. The gesture was tender, protective, nothing like the crude way he'd thrown his arm around you at dinner.

"But you can't carry the weight of that shit. You'll drive yourself crazy."

Another tear spilled over, and this time he caught it with his knuckle, his touch feather-light.

"Listen to me, lil' doe." His voice was serious now, more serious than you'd ever heard it. "Even if that nutjob's right, even if there's somethin' left in there... what we do ain't cruel. It's mercy. We set 'em free."

You leaned into his touch despite yourself, the movement pressed your cheek more firmly into his palm, desperate for comfort, for someone to tell you it was okay to feel this way.

"It just hurts to think about," you whispered, and another tear slipped free.

"I know it does, sugar. I know." Merle's arm came around you carefully, tentatively, ready to pull back if you objected. When you didn't, he drew you closer, his hand settling on your back with the same careful pressure he'd used on your face.

"You ain't gotta carry this alone, sugar'," he murmured his lips close to your ear. "Ol' Merle's here. Ain't goin' nowhere."

[sophi-aah]

do you have any current favorite fics??

Oh man -- Im afraid this will turn into a fav author post pretty quick lol, bc all my fav fics come from relatively the same people

And my thoughts are not really coherent lol, theres a reason I draw rather than write, I might just keysmash my way through this one!

btw, the order of this is not the ranking, I just can't choose the ultimate one to save my life

ok actually lets get to it:

August by @cordeliaandthecocoapuffs [CordeliaRose on Ao3] and August (will's version) is cannon in my heart and many others', I have reread this fic more times than I can count, I have all of the chapters downloaded on my phone, Cordelia is one truly good writer and her comedic timing is impeccable it made me laugh so much, shes got such a good grasp on the characters and their dynamics, its so silly one chapter and angsty the next, I have a crocheted sun plush that I named sol the sun plushie [fic reference] , almost all my headcannons come from this masterpiece -- I could yap forever I love this fic and Cordelia's other solangelo pics are also strongly recommended, [ESPECIALLY i'm put in awe (of something so flawed and free) archeologist Nico and trauma surgeon will!!!!!! and Sex Education Percy Jason and Nico!!] I just love everything lol [ur gonna hear me say that ALOT]

Will Solace and the Socialites of Olympus University by @sarcasmandships. No words. just hearts and exclamation marks. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<3333333333333333 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No but seriously Stella's writing is so fucking beautiful her use of metaphors and similes and poetic shit is absolutely phenomenal. And the angst. OH THE ANGST. and the fluff for someone apperantly new to writting fluff and silly stuff [according to her authors notes] is just mwuah GOLDEN!!!!!!! The character arcs and the topic of class difference also deserves a mention bc OMG STELLA HOW. and sarcasmandship's other fics like the Silence Between Heartbeats and her other oneshots like Hauntings and Wantings[living for the silliy victrian ghosts-], All the Bruises I Don't Mind Bearing[fluff at it's diabetes-inducing fluffiest], and If You Didn’t Want Me to Ruin Myself Over You, Maybe Don’t Write Me Into Every Lyric and Leave Out the Ending [enemies to lovers sexual tension ahhhhh my shit MY SHIT] also deserve a mention bc they are all just SO BEAUTIFUL.

A lot of my fav fics comes from @wordsofasarcast, their fic Ice Blue, Trippin' Over You was the first solangelo and pjo fic I've ever read, I was only on the Titans Curse at that point but Sarc STILL managed to get to my heart despite me having no idea who half of the characters are. Their fic Dolce Dissonance is one of my absolute favorites, I'm a sucker for popster/famous AUs and enimies to lovers and emotional rollercoasters and this fic has ALL THREE. Attached the whole way, broke my heart, put it back together, broke it again, and so on! [CHAPTER 44 MY LOVE] Their oneshot I Will Try to Stay On My Side of the Couch is also an absaloute banger it pulled my heart out stomped on it and placed it back in at the end [oh the unrequited love was so beutiful]. paper hearts (we're burning matches) is one of the fluffy ones and Please Hold is so fucking funny and it's so wonderful ALL OF THEIR FICS.

Wings by @the-sunniest-angels chopped me up, put me in a blender, chucked me across the room, stabbed me multiple times more, beat me to even more of a pulp, flushed me down the toilet, stomped on me and chopped me up some more in the BEST. FUCKING. WAY. POSSIBLE. THE PLOT IS DELICIOUS. THE ANGST IS TOURTUROUS. THE EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER BEING LIKE ONE OF THOSE DEADLY ONES WITH LIKE G-10 FORCE. Sunny also owes me plenty of tissues and the fic playlist hits HARD. Sunny's other fics are all fantasy AUs and THEY ALSO HIT HARD. Sunny's worldbuilding skills are fucking godly and you should also def check out their fics!!

Hold On to the Memories (They Will Hold Onto You) by @grumpylia explores the background characters and makes them and camp half blood seem so much more interesting! with the main series you dont really get to see how the background characters are doing but with this it really gets the stress of the war and the chaos and friendship of chb! Each chapter is a RIDE and the character developments are so well crafted! This was the height of my Tratie phase and I still treasure it today. It is on hatius tho but the 9 chapters we have are ABSALOUTLY AMAZING.

Binary Stars by @onetiny-inkdropuniverse. Can you tell I really like emotional rollercoasters??? Inkdrop is such an amazing writer and her chapters are also really poetic. It starts as a 3 days in infirmary fic and a few mental breakdowns later we're here almost re-writting ToA. The cute moments are to be cherished and the angst is, as usual, to be expected. [Chapter 98 helped me ace my piano recital just by how sad it made me so I projected it all onto Chopin lol.] Also Inkdrop's MAKEOUT SCENES. SHE IS BLESSED BY SOME GOD OF KISSING I SWEAR I COULD READ HER MAKEOUT SCENES ALL DAY.

another one of my fav authors are @mediumgayitalian [queencontrarian (negativefouriq) on Ao3]. Their writing style is so unique and their fics are all also my absolute favs!

I'm SURE there are more but for now ive ran out of steam, its the middle of the night so ima sleep now. hope u enjoyed my yapping!

[theheightofdishonor]

GL Recs Masterlist

I've watched a couple hundred gls now and so I thought i'd put it to good use and help other people find some. There's not enough gl rec lists anyway

First things first, I'll like to direct you to https://mydramalist.com/list/1xrpwdW3 which is a gl rec list on mdl with more than 200+ titles + links. It's an EXCELLENT resource, kept up to date and even tracks upcoming titles.

Now for stuff that I've watched and thought are decent. I'll link all of these to their mdl page and the links to watch the show can usually be found in the comments. If you're new to gl, be warned that a lot of these are pretty short, ranging from 1-30 minutes.

1 in 10,000 (2018) Korea. This is a soulmates piece told in 3 parts following two girls through different parts of their lives. I think this got more confusing as it went on but I really liked Act I and I think it's worth watching. It's beautiful and angsty and a bit artsy. I'm pretty sure it has a happy ending but don't quote me on that.

Afraid of (2019) Korea. A short film about a girl struggling with her sexuality. Yeah, I know, there's a THOUSAND of these but I do like this one. It's beautifully shot and there's a lot of heart.

Am I the only one with butterflies? (2018) Korea. A girl blogs about falling in love with the manager at her new job. I like part ii better than part one but it's just cute and the pining is very similar to het kdramas.

Anonymous high school girl (2022) Korea. A low stakes love triangle. Good chemistry, low budget, awful kisses.

The Beauty of the Law (2023) China- If you're not familar with chinese gls, I think it's certainly something to get used to. This is like in the top 1% of the category. It's an ad for Adolph Shampoo and i'm going to let you know that they're going to appear often on this list because they make excellent gls. It's a historical about a female unlicensed lawyer trying to help a woman escape her abusive marriage. Makes great points about gender imbalances and women's historical lack of legal rights in China. (f you like this one, Sheng Wei, one of the actresses stars in 50%+ of all chinese gls, check her out)

Beguine (2018) Thailand - It's if the school dancing scene in My School President was a 30 minute sequence with two girls. No plot but adorable.

Cat in the eastern palace (2020) China - Watch this just to have the surreal experience of seeing like 3 whole cdrama arcs which normally take 20ish eps executed in a 7 minute timeframe. Also because it stars laoji who's in the other 50% of chinese gls. As for plot, it's about a cat spirit and a girl pretending to be the crown prince.

Clasper (2021) Thailand - And they were roommates! I liked the production, the dialogue and the acting was pretty decent.

Couple of Mirrors*** (2021) China- Wait to watch this because it will ruin you for everything else. This is like typical thai bl length, like 12 45~min episodes. It's a historical mystery about a wealthy woman who finds out about her husband's affair with her bff and the photographer she enlists to help her. If you watch one thing out of China, watch this.

Dear My Girlfriend (2021) Korea - A group project ft love triangle. It´s pretty classic. A girl starts dating someone who likes her only to realize she might instead be in love with her best friend. The editing is cute. It's a touch angsty as love triangles are and pretty well done.

Dear Uranus (2021) Taiwan. Another school love triangle. Does feature an adorkable female character, you know a bit awkward, a bit cutesy, if you hate this archetype, ignore this one. Personally I think the chemistry for the lead couple was lacking (genuinely shocking considering taiwan tends to be great at this) but both the love interests are hot and I am not immune to hot women

The Demonic lord and the virtuous cultivator (2021) China - Avoid this if you don't like toxic yuri. I personally love it so this is 10/10 for me. Orphan gets taken in by a benevolent benefactor who turns out to be her parents' killer and eventually....you know what go watch it.

Encore Martha (2021) Taiwan. One of the few gls about older women. A tomboy reunites with her first love. This one's only available on gagaoolala so you'll either need a subscription or sometimes they promote it for free. If you can find it though, it's worth a watch.

Family Plan (2016) Korea. This is a bit of an odd one to describe. The first half is two high school girls who are dating. And then the second half is their relationship as adults where they marry guys and use it to have a kid that they raise as theirs. I liked how this examined how two gay people would go about their relationship in in a world where they can't freely be with each other.

Favorite Girl (2022) Thailand. Very standard plot about a girl suffering from a breakup and her roommate but something about it stuck out to me.

Five steps to accept farewell (2016) Korea. Warning for unhappy ending. This is all pure angst, a 9 minute snapshot into a breakup. I like how it's done and the messiness of the situation.

Fragrance of the first flower (2021) Taiwan. A beautifully shot, beautifully acted, slightly too short show about two ex-lovers reuniting ft. all the angst about living in a homophobic society. It stayed in my head for weeks after I first watched it.

Girls Blood** (2014) Japan. A movie about 4 "girls" in an underground fight club. warnings for rape, trauma, domestic assault. One of the main characters is a trans man. There are sex scenes. It's very queer and I highly recommend.

Girls Love** (2016) China. Pre-censorship China had some very wonderful queer work and one of them was this movie It's about a girl who falls in love with her hot butch roommate ft all the tropes AND we get to see them function in a relationship instead of the movie ending when they get together. Warning for both characters being forcibly outed at the end. (nothing bad really happens to them after though). Also do NOT watch the sequel. If you go to mdl, everyone else will also tell you not to watch the sequel and I foolishly did not listen to those people because I liked these girls so much and I suffered for my mistake.

The Girls on Rela (2016) China. It's an anthology of short, I wouldn't say stories, more like moments, sponsored by a lesbian dating app. Each one's really short but the acting and scripts are all pretty good.

The Girls on Rela Season 2** (2016) China. This is sponsored by the same company but it's a totally different format. It's one long show about two girls cohabiting. Pretty well executed if a bit slow.

Graduation, Present + Propose (2021) Korea. A short about a high school girl giving a graduation present to her crush. What it does it does well. It's pretty.

The Handmaiden (2016) Korea. Historical set movie about a conman and thief girl who plot to steal a heiress’s fortune. I make it sound boring but that's only because it's a pretty popular movie and everything to be said about it has already been said.

Happy to have you here (2021) Thailand. Two friends have a sleepover and figure out their feelings. This is definitely in the top 20% for this trope, even though they rushed just a tad into the kiss.

Hello, spring is coming (2019) Korea. I'll let you read the synopsis for this one. What you need to know is that it's pretty, well acted, has good chemistry and is as brightly colored as a lollipop. It's a bit disorienting, parts of it doesn't make a lot of sense but it's a fun time.

I broke up because of you (2023) Korea- A bartender and their client catches feelings for each other. The dynamic is nice, the kiss less so but it can be forgiven.

I’m her weapon (2022) China- It's kinky, it's angsty, it's 3 minutes long and still fits in a separation arc. I would pay money for an extended version.

Kanojo no Kuchidzuke Kansensuru Libido (2022) Japan - two girls fall in love in a hospital. I like the tone of this one.

The L Bang** (2015) China- Another Rela production. It's a 4 episode comedy about a bunch of lesbians + (1) gay man who live in the same apartment complex. It's got queer friendship, queer acceptance and queer love. It's just wonderful. It feels like 2000s American sitcoms but queer and Chinese.

Led Astray by Love (2022) China- Fairly long for a cgl. A girl gets transported to a manhwa and falls in love with the ruler. Sunshine/grumpy. This baby is 52 minutes long and covers like the same amount of plot as word of honor does in 30 something episodes.

Legend of Yunze (2021) China - A human and a half demon vanquish demons from a village. It has a second season and a special that I haven't watched yet.

The Lost World** [Xia Ye Zhi Dao Feng De Tian] (2023) China - After watching as much cgl as I have, I was shocked to see Laoji in a modern piece. This is a college setting running-into-a-childhood-friend trope. The pacing and chemistry are both pretty good. It's one of my favorites from her.

Love in the Tinder Age** (2019) Korea- A black comedy about a bullied lesbian's failed suicide attempt ft psychics, ghosts and a teacher/student relationship. It's not really a gl because the main character doesn't get a romance BUT it's really fun so you should watch it anyway.

Love of Secret** (2022) Thailand- More of a slice of life than a love story but it's cute and fluffy and the main character very much is in a relationship. The actual plot is about a med student who's hiding both her relationship with her best friend and her dreams to be an idol. I found it positively charming.

Lover’s Concerto** (2002) Korea- Calling this a gl is a stretch. It's more just queer? The girls were most likely in love but they don't end up together and the movie itself doesn't really have a happy ending. I did find it beautiful though.

Mayfly angel (2024) Korea- Classic discovers-feelings-for-bestie-after-a-breakup plot. Warning that this is angsty and they don't end up together. But I found it realistic and I liked that they felt like two real people. Take that how you will.

Miss shen and the woman warlord (2023) China- a woman cross-dresses as another young woman's fiance and they fall in love. Despite how i describe it, there's a decent amount of plot and some political commentary.

More or less than 75 celsius (2019) Korea- A tea master and her supervisor fall in love. It's sparse and short but cute.

My Dear (2021) Thailand. A drunk girl confesses to her friend and luckily for her, it's mutual. It's 5 minutes long but it uses its time well and the acting is nice. It feels a bit like gmmtv's confessions. If you like it, the production company ShakeShoulder makes TONS of gl shorts and i'd recommend checking them out.

No distance left to run  (2022) Hong Kong. a 15 minute short film about how fame causes issues in a pop star's relationship. Unhappy ending. The song's a bop though and it's well done.

Nü er hong** (2023) China. I forgot to mention but this one, the legend of yunze and the lost world are all produced by the same studio. They do a lot of fairly long chinese gls. The story is about these two beings from an alien world who crash land on earth and are hunted. One is a healer and the other is a killer, they're in love, the killer goes insane so her lover kills her. Unbeknownst to them, they're immortal so the killer wakes up with no memories 200 years later. The pacing is better than some of their earlier stuff but it's not quite perfect here yet. It is one of my favorites from the studio though and it ends happily.

Our relationship ended before it began (2022) Korea. A barista falls in love with her manager at a coffee shop ft gender roles, miscommunication and the classic "cool one picks on the nice one to show affection" trope.

Pyramid Game** (2024) Korea. This is more gl adjacent like Devil Judge and Beyond Evil. There is a secondary gl couple that's more explicitly canon though. If you've watched other kdramas about school bullying, this is pretty similar except it's an all-girls school and everyone is so gay. It's got so much heart and is one of my favorite shows of the year.

Really, Lily? (2019) Korea. A 6 minute short about two girls who visit a cafe and beats up two men who were making homophobic remarks about them. It's surprisingly comedic and the coloring is bright to match. Features a pretty decent kiss. Watching it, I wished it was longer but what's there is still good.

Secret of us (2024) Thailand. The only longform thai gl that i've liked enough to finish. It's about an idol who comes back to win over her doctor ex. It falters from ep 6 onwards but until then, the show is really good at showing the emotional thought processes of the characters and the way they construct the story is compelling, even though I don't even like second chance romances.

Shackles (2023) China. Another one from the Chinese shampoo ad. The pairing itself is not my favorite but it's so cool that this is basically a warning against nuclear pollution AND features chinese mythology that's used in the brand's marketing. Like a 3 in 1. It's so interesting.

She Makes My heart flutter (2022) Korea. Baby lesbian finds out her aunt runs a lesbian bar and starts working there. It's so goddamn cute but it has this weird relationship with homophobia where everyone in the show is apparently 100% ok with queerness but a lot of the aunt's actions is so driven by her being a queer person in an unaccepting society. A bit like how Moonlight Chicken deals with Jin and Li Ming's different attitudes towards being queer except they don't dwell on why the aunt is the way she is or what she's been through. Anyways, it's worth a watch.

Sleep with me (2022) Philippines. A 6 episode series about two girls who are disabled in different ways fall in love. One of them can only sleep during the day and the other is in a wheelchair and the show does a pretty decent job at showing how these disabilities affect their lives and their relationship

Soshite, Yuriko wa Hitori ni Natta** (2020) Japan. If you follow me, you may have seen me talk about this show earlier this year because I found it and promptly fell in love. It's not quite gl but Mizuki's actions are all driven by the fact that she's in love with Yuriko. It's queerer than you would expect, less queer than you might want. It's a supernatural-adjacent school horror about a girl who's new school has a weird thing where every year, a girl named Yuriko becomes "Yuriko sama" and rules the school while everyone else in that year with the same name mysteriously dies. Yuriko's best friend Mizuki plots to make the sweet innocent Yuriko the newest Yuriko-sama to save her life. It's weird, there's plot holes everywhere by the end, it definitely vilifies it's gays and the ending is weak but it's such a compelling watch.

Stand-in love (2023) Philippines. 2 best friends have a ‘stand in’ relationship where the straight one helps the lesbian one learn how to court someone but they end up falling in love with each other. Like 20 min long and I love it.

Ti Shen** [The substitute] (2017) Taiwan. The mdl synopsis can describe the plot better than I can but it's a romance between an idol and a normal girl that's split into two parts. The first half is about them meeting in high school, the second is when they reunite later on a movie set where one of them is the other's stunt double. I think the first part could've been a bit longer but it's a great movie.

Transit Girls (2015) Japan. Stepsisters. Happy ending though and it's fairly long. I liked this mostly because I like Japan's moody stuff. I also liked how they handled the male love interest.

Truth or Dare (2022) Korea. A 10 minute short about two girls who like each other playing truth or dare. It does a great job at building tension and revealing things without saying it.

Tsukuritai Onna to Tabetai Onna** (2022) Japan. A woman who loves to cook comes to an arrangement with her neighbor who loves to eat. Japan does food-centered dramas better than everyone else and this is no exception. The romance itself is slow and you watch how their dynamic changes through this and the season two that came out this year.

The Twelve flower gods: Camelia (2020) China. A xianxia romance about a girl falling in love with a flower but it's a minute twenty so I promise you're not watching for the plot. You're watching to witness the ridiculous amount of innuendos that they manage to fit in under two minutes.

Twin souls of destiny (2023) China. Xianxia romance between two elves, one who is made from the memories of the other's past life. I want someone else to watch this so we can discuss whether or not this is selfcest. The color combination is interesting because I very rarely see lovers in red and purple. The time travel is confusing but it's a good time and laoji is in it.

Until Rainbow Dawn** (2018) Japan. Movie about two deaf girls falling in love ft homophobic parents. The director is a deaf lesbian herself so the movie does a wonderful job in how it depicts deafness and their relationship. It's really well done

When the light pours (2022) Korea. A girl's boyfriend wants her to sing him a song so she enrolls in guitar lessons and ends up falling in love with her teacher. The girls don't get together and I really wish they had! So if you watch this, don't watch the ending and pretend that they did end up together.

[brain-rot-tmnt]

To everyone who felt personally victimized by this post of mine (which is, apparently, a lot of you)

This is for you:

---

“Well, whaddya think?” Mikey asks the gang, taking a step back from his latest creation.

The four of them are grouped together on the small landing just at the top of the stairs of their new lair. They just finished unpacking the last boxes the night before, and over breakfast this morning Mikey declared it was high time they inaugurated the new space with a mural of their team name.

In true Mikey fashion, it hadn't taken him long. With just a short break for lunch he managed to finish it up before dinner, making sure his brothers were all present for the last touches.

He wipes away the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand, inadvertently leaving a smear of red paint in its wake, and watches his brothers expectantly.

Leo is the first to step up, immediately gushing over his baby brothers ‘mad skills’. But Raph and Donnie stay back, looking confused.

Raph tilts his head to the side and squints a little, but Donnie is the first to speak.

“I daresay I hate to be the bearer of bad news, ‘Angelo, but I'm afraid that's not how that’s spelled.”

“What?” Mikey squeaks, and he worriedly glances between Donnie and the mural. He can't see any spelling mistakes, but if Donnie says it's there…

“Yeah, what Mikey said.” Leo backs up his brother. “What are you talking about, 'Tello?”

Donnie opens his mouth to answer, but Raph speaks first. “Donnie's right guys. There's no ‘Z’ in Mad Dogs.”

“Just so.” Donnie nods. “It should be spelled with an ‘s’, as is proper.”

“Seriously?” Leo arches an eyebrow at his twin. “That's the problem?”

“Hey! It's a real problem! Our team name is serious stuff Leo, we gotta make sure we all get it right.” Raph huffs in Donnie's defense.

“I just thought it looked cooler…” Mikey whispers at the floor, dejected.

“And it does, little bro. It looks way cooler! Don't listen to those lame-o’s, I'm on your side here. Mad Dogz with a ‘Z’ for life, baby!” Leo throws a celebratory arm around Mikey's shoulders and grins at him.

Despite his sour mood, Mikey can't help but be caught up in Leo's exuberance and a small smile cracks his face.

“Wha-? We can't go having two spellings of our name!” Raph argues. “That'd be too confusing!”

Donnie ignores their big-brother showdown and tilts his head to one side, then the other, further studying the mural. “On second thought…” He muses, almost absently. “Mikey may have a point. From a linguist standpoint it makes no sense, but it’s true that from an aesthetic point of view it has a certain… je ne sais quoi.”

“Well get used to being confused then, because I ain't budging.” Leo pulls Mikey closer protectively and glares at his big brother.

Raph glares back, and the two of them end up trying to stare each other down.

“Donnie, I know you know I don't know what that means. Stop using big fancy words Raph doesn't understand!” Raph breaks eye contact with Leo to bark at Donnie.

“What it means, dearest brother, is that I, too, am siding with Mikey on this one. It does indeed ‘look cooler’.”

“What!? Not you too, Donnie!”

“It's just you now, big guy.” Leo says, smiling smugly as Donnie joins him to stand on Mikey's other side. “C'mon, are you really gonna say no to this face?” He grabs Mikey's chin and points it towards Raph like a weapon.

Mikey knows his role here all too well, and immediately he puts on the biggest, wettest, saddest puppy dog eyes he can manage. “Please, Raphie?” He begs in his sweetest baby brother voice. “I worked so hard…”

The act comes easy, considering he really did work hard and he is legitimately sad about Raph's dismissal of his totally very cool and awesome spelling. So it doesn't take much for him to dial those emotions up to 11.

It works like a charm, just like it does every time, and Raph visibly crumples like a wet tissue.

“Aw heck. Fine. Mad Dogz with a ‘Z’ for life.” He deadpans the words like they're being dragged out of him, but his face breaks into a lopsided smile as he reaches out a hand to fist bump his baby brother.

[mcflymemes]

PORTAL 2 PROMPTS *  assorted dialogue from the 2011 video game, adjust as necessary

when life gives you lemons, don't make lemonade! make life take the lemons back! get mad! i don't want your damn lemons!

best case scenario, you might get some superpowers. worst case, some tumors.

science isn't about why. it's about why not.

the next test is very dangerous.

before the wright brothers invented the airplane, anyone wanting to fly everywhere was required to eat 200 pounds of helium.

to help you remain tranquil in the face of almost certain death, smooth jazz will be deployed in three... two... one.

please disregard any undeserved compliments.

all right, i've been thinking.

what am i supposed to do with these?

do you know who i am?

oh, i like this guy.

he says what we're all thinking.

you can head on back to your desk.

well, this is the part where he kills us.

hello. this is the part where i kill you.

i know you.

no! i'm not listening! i'm not listening!

you're lying!

you're not just a regular moron. you were designed to be a moron.

i am not! a moron!

now who's a moron?

could a moron do that?

i can't see it though. maybe it fell off.

do you want to go and have a quick look?

are you alive? that's important. should have asked that first.

i'm going to work on the assumption that you're still alive.

i'm just going to wait for you up ahead.

i'll wait one hour.

brilliant! go team!

i think we can put our differences behind us.

hi. so. how are you holding up?

good, that's still working.

here are the test results.

you are a horrible person.

i'm serious. that's what it says.

we weren't even testing for that.

don't be alarmed, all right?

good work getting this far.

i wish i could take it all back. i honestly do.

i'm in space.

if i were ever to see her again, do you know what i'd say? i'd say "i'm sorry." sincerely.

i am sorry. i was bossy and monstrous... and i'm genuinely sorry.

you made it through! well done!

okay, follow me. we've still got work to do.

what's happening?

okay... don't move.

so i've got an idea, but it is bloody dangerous. here we go.

they told me that if i ever turned this flashlight on, i would die.

they told me that about everything.

i don't even know why they bother giving me this stuff if they didn't want me to use it.

look at you, soaring through the air like an eagle.

i'm different!

prometheus was punished by the gods for giving the gift of knowledge to man. he was cast to the bowels of the earth and pecked by birds.

it won't be enough. the answer lies beneath us.

oh, it's dark down here, isn't it?

i'm proud of you.

now we are a family again.

that last test was seriously disappointing.

just work with me.

some of my best friends are actually orphans.

you look ugly in that jumpsuit.

that's not my opinion.

i'll be honest. we're throwing science at the wall here to see what sticks.

no idea what it'll do.

i knew someone was alive in here!

you'll know when the test starts.

oh thank god you're all right.

i thought you were my greatest enemy, when all along you were my best friend.

the best solution to a problem is usually the easiest one.

i'll be honest. killing you? is hard.

i had a pretty good life. and then you showed up.

you know what? you win. just go.

it's been fun. don't come back.

this sentence is false.

to be honest, i might have heard that one before.

you know, i'm not stupid.

i realize you don't want to put me back in charge.

i'm being serious. i think there's something really wrong with me.

we should get our stories straight.

no, we're not stopping!

don't make eye contact, whatever you do.

i feel awful about that surprise.

oh, that's sad. but impressive.

we're running out of time.

you've probably figured it out by now, but i don't need you anymore.

i'm afraid you're about to become the immediate past president of the being alive club.

the square root of rope is string.

okay, what you're doing there is jumping.

you know what? that's close enough.

you saved my bacon.

is this a jailbreak?

the next test is very dangerous.

it's been a long time. how have you been?

i've been really busy being dead. you know, after you murdered me.

you out having yourself a little adventure?

no, don't get up. i'll be right back.

you're unqualified!

what if this hurts? what if it really hurts? oh, i didn't think about that.

get your hands off me!

i can't see a thing! what just happened?

i don't have any bullets.

did you feel that?

you were busy back there.

that's funny. i don't feel corrupt.

i've got an idea! do what it says!

look how small you are down there!

do you have any idea how good this feels?

sorry, fellas. she's married. to science.

let me answer those questions with a question. who wants to make sixty dollars?

yes, all right, okay, this is getting tiresome.

well done. good. aren't you little miss clever. little miss smashy smash.

does it actually make you feel good when you do that?

it's not impressive.

what is this, like a hobby for you now?

i'm beginning to actually take it personally.

it's like an insult to me.

oh, there goes another one.

it's vandalism! it's pure vandalism!

it's just us talking like regular people.

are you going to open this door?

where'd you go? come back!

[redflagshipwriter]

Hot Ghouls Chapter 11 1/2

masterpost

“It’s hard to believe that these people aren’t on any warning lists yet,” Jason mumbled to himself at the base of the sidewalk where he’d parked the rental bike. He had his hands in his pockets as he craned his neck upwards, trying to be stoic about the Fenton residence. A van was parked on the street, probably theirs. Weirdly, it had a big canvas draped over it. All he could see were the tires.

The base of the house was an unremarkable brick rectangle, taller than it was long. But the customization job had not been subtle. There was of course the enormous neon sign that Jack Fenton had probably designed. He wondered if he saw Madeline Fenton’s guiding hand in the shitty space-age aesthetic of the hulking metal goliath crouched on top of the brick building.

There was zero percent chance that was legal, which led to the question of why the city officials weren’t enforcing building safety on an obvious hazard.

Jason blew out air and snorted. “This is definitely the place.” He jogged up the unkempt lawn and hit the bell. An alarm started whining inside.

His hackles went up. A hand curled towards a gun, but didn't fully commit.

A joyful whoop came from inside the house. It was quickly followed by a bellowed “Coming!”, and then a huge thud.

Very normal, thanks.

‘Is that really just their doorbell?’ Jason thought, aghast.

The door was wrenched open. “Hello, hello, come in!” A beautiful middle-aged woman was there, looking up only slightly to make eye contact with Jason. She had faint laugh and smile lines.

“Hello,” Jason said, hesitating. “Do you need to finish up in the lab?” He gestured at her outfit, a little unnerved to see protective equipment just out in the open. It made him feel underdressed. It was always a bad idea to be wearing less protection from chemical warfare than someone else in the area. His Gothamite sensibilities considered it both a faux pas and a tactical error.

Madeline Fenton made a flapping hand gesture to blow the idea away. “No, I'm at a good spot!” The grin she gave him was somehow sharklike. “Jeremy, honey, won’t you come in?”

‘Said the spider to the fly,’ his subconscious filled in for some reason.

Jason shook it off, thanked her, and entered the house. Then he drew his gun on the thing that levered out of nowhere to point at him.

Turret. It was a fucking gun turret, in the entryway.

Madeline Fenton let out a cheerful “Huh!” and put her hand on top of the turret. There was a faint beep as she disengaged whatever alarm that had been. “You don’t have any stowaways, do you?”

She was not a good enough actor. He didn’t know what the hell that he meant, but he could hear real tension beneath her cheerful tone. “No, ma’am,” Jason edged. “Not that I know of.”

There was a pause. It felt a little heavy. Jason slowly holstered his gun, despite the wary suspicion that he actually might need to defend himself.

The moment passed. Dr. Madeline Fenton whirled around and cupped a hand to her face to sweetly shout, “Jack! Honey! Our guest is here!”

Something extremely heavy thudded. The floor actually shook under Jason’s feet from the impact.

The smile on Dr. Madeline Fenton’s face didn’t falter. A chill went up his spine.

‘She has to be on a watchlist. No way. I just didn’t find it.’

He followed her to the living room where she gestured for him to take a seat. A huge man burst through the other door.

“What did they feed you?” Jason asked blankly. “Do they have more of it?” Sure, he’d never fit in his current gear, but Talia had deep pockets for custom armor.

Dr. Jack Fenton had a hearty laugh. The couch creaked when he threw himself on it, but impressively, nothing broke. “Standard stuff growing up I’m afraid,” he said cheerfully. “I feed myself an awful lot of fudge, though! Maybe that’s what did it.”

While he was talking Jason barely noticed Madeline Fenton had slunk off in horrifically perfect silence, like a red-haired Talia. He respected that, but he did not like it.

‘She’s going to be the Doctor to me,’ Jason decided. ‘Jack is just Jack. I’m tired of calling them the same thing.’

“Oh,” Jason pretended to just now notice that someone was gone. He looked around. “I’m sorry, where did Dr. Fenton go?”

“Just getting refreshments!” Jack said cagily. He leaned forward. “Now, Jeremy, son-” he was cut off by a low siren coming from his wrist. He paused. He lifted his hand and pointed it around the room. The noise got louder when he pointed it at Jason.

[janitorhutcherson]

you know a character we don’t speak about enough? billy from burn. okay, not one of the best movies ever, but unpopular opinion: one of my fave characters. he’s just so SCRUMMY!

on that note: headcanons.

cw: nsfw towards the end (knife play, gunplay, rough activities), mostly fluff! drug usage, fire (mwah no skin), hinted (but is he really) death

• although he may have robbed a place, billy isn't an evil person. in fact, he's extremely well loved by the community. he's the type of man to help old ladies with their groceries, tip well at coffee shops ... at least as well as he can. this is why when it went public that billy had robbed a place, many people were in shambles. "you mean sweet, sweet lil ol' billy? are you sure? oh my goodness, what has that boy gotten himself into?"

• before he started dwindling in some not-so-great activities and found himself owing a bunch of money, billy was an 'aspiring' artist. he'd play his guitar sometimes at the local bars. people would tell him "you could be something one day, y'know," and billy would just scoff and laugh -- but deep down? he'd dreamt of maybe, just maybe getting out of his silly town and being something, but he knew it wasn't possible.

• billy wasn't always the mess he is now. at one point, he had a full on family, hopes and dreams, but he pushed almost everyone away in an attempt to keep them from being dragged into his mess of a life. that is, everyone except you. you'd been the constant shining star in his life, refusing to let him push you any further. you'd clean his wounds after bar fights, tuck him into bed when he'd drank too much, and even take care of him when you were scared he'd OD. he hated putting you in those situations, but he knew he could never get you to leave.

• billy is the type of boyfriend to not let you lift a finger, for the most part. you do so much to keep him safe, to take care of him when he is at his absolute worst, that he won't even let you so much as make your own glass of water. before you can even fully stand up, he's up on his feet, asking what he can do for you. "hungry, darling? need something to drink? a bath? what can I do for you? just tell me and it's yours." while billy was nice to everyone, he would only do anything for you.

• billy is super protective. given his traumatic past of losing people he loves, hurting people he loves, and witnessing awful things, he is constantly on edge. the moment something seems off in a situation, his eyes stay on whatever or whoever seems odd, his arms staying wrapped around you. he's ready to pounce at the slightest movement. on that topic, nobody wants to know what happened last time someone tried to catcall you. lets just say the guy left with a black eye and billy left with an upset partner who kept scolding him for going a little too far.

• he's a huge softie. he'll buy you flowers, burn CDs for you, sing sweet little songs in his sultry voice with a little rasp from smoking. he loves holding you and swaying to music, kissing behind your ear and holding you in bed. he's BIG on physical touch, because he's afraid if he lets go, you'll dissipate in his arms, ceasing to exist as if you were only a dream. while he is a major romantic, it's only for you. god forbid you point it out, or he'll get all grumpy and pouty, a deep crimson blush on his cheeks, grumbling on and on about how annoying it is when you point is out. "oh shut up, I'm your boyfriend, okay? I'm, like, just bein' good to you and stuff, like a boyfriend does."

• while billy is a sweet and gentle lover, in bed it's a different story. of course he'd take care of you after, but during, he'd ram into you with direct eye contact, hand wrapped around your neck. vile insults and strings of curse words would come out of his mouth as he'd continuously abuse your insides. he's a big fan of knife play, too, carving his initials into your soft skin, watching as it bleeds, knowing you'd never be able to get rid of his mark. on top of that, he'd let you mark him too, because while he loved making sure everyone knew you were his, he wanted everyone to know he was yours.

• okay, let's get the obvious out of the way here. billy is a die hard gun owner. he's got a pistol he uses, and sometimes, billy likes to take the bullets out of it, and push the barrel into you, watching as you squirm. sometimes he'll stick it in your mouth, watching as your pretty lips wrap around the metal coo'ing soft words to you. "oh god, you're so pretty like this, baby. yeah, 's a good job, keep sucking, gorgeous..."

• as we all know, billy gets charred. crisped. scorched. cooked. grilled. roasted. seared. burnt. this is what seems to be his ultimate demise, until it's not..... but then it is again, at least we thought. in reality, billy barely escaped. he'd awoken up, pain all over. he tried his best to make his way back home, somehow, by the grace of god making it. when he showed up back home to you, worried as hell, and a little angry at him until you saw the state he was in. your anger instantly turned to worry as you rushed to his aid, gasping as you begged for an explanation. billy, being the stubborn man he is, simply weakly scoffed out, holding up a shaky palm as if to say 'wait.' "no need to get all worked up, darlin', it's just a little burn." to that, all you could do is roll your eyes as you got to work on trying to save your burnt boyfriend.

[mizgnomer]

Behind the Scenes of The Star Beast - Part Four

Excerpt from Digital Spy's interview with Ruth Madeley:

This past weekend saw the return of Doctor Who, with the first of its 60th anniversary specials 'The Star Beast'. In the episode, we were introduced to UNIT Scientific Advisor Number 56, Shirley Anne Bingham. Like Ruth Madeley, Shirley is a disabled woman who uses a wheelchair, however, as Ruth told Digital Spy in our exclusive interview: "Her being in a wheelchair is the least interesting thing about her – and that's what you want." Shirley is straight-talking, no-nonsense and not afraid to put the doctor in his place. "She knows exactly who she is, she's ballsy, she's northern and she's not frightened to take the lead. And I think she's a great addition to the whoniverse," Ruth said. She also laughed here, at her use of the word "whoniverse", and explained that she wasn't a huge fan before appearing on the show, despite "having a great respect" for it. However, this didn't stop her from being in awe of David Tennant and Catherine Tate, who she said, it was incredible to watch working. "I love that Shirley isn't a gusher when she meets The Doctor because I'm so not like that," she laughed. "I found myself sat next to David at the read through, and realised I was just staring at him. I'm really uncool!" Very early on in 'The Star Beast', a fellow UNIT officer started to act awkwardly when he realised that Shirley can't get up the stairs to access the rocket, to which she cut him down with: "Don't make me the problem." It's a sentiment many disabled people have felt in an inaccessible world, and Ruth points out that "it was so important to show that the problem isn't us, it's actually all the stuff around us". "I'm having 'Don't make me the problem' put on t-shirts," she joked.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who posted set photos!

Additional parts of this set are in the #whoBtsBeast tag. The full episode list is [ here ]

[strangegutz]

Not sure if this is a thing your struggle with, but how do you develop enough confidence in your ideas to actually commit them to materials? Especially with sculpture and 3d stuff I'm so afraid of actually starting because I do not have the money to replace stuff if I mess up or don't like the results

I think the most important thing to keep in mind is that there's never a net 0 gain from making art, especially when youre just learning something- yes, it might feel like youre wasting money if you mess something up, but you DID learn, and are less likely to make the same mistake next time, or now know a different angle to tackle it from.

You're building that art skill, right? But there's another skill you're building as you create that a lot of people don't think about- the ability to salvage a piece of shit! You now know your material, and you know how you constructed your piece, you know how you put it together, so you can take it apart again. never forget that you CAN walk things back- Even if you're completely finished and it's been sitting on the shelf for a while and you hate it, you can take that thing back down off the shelf, tear it apart, and give it some kind of new life. The name of the game with multimedia art is "juryrigging"

I understand though, I'm broke, I'm constantly worried about money, and I'll be honest, using something expensive that doesn't work the way I wanted can send me on a bit of a spiral, so I get it, but you must remember that you are building that skill no matter what!

Even more honesty: there's been a couple dolls that I've thought were god awful. I hate em. Don't like looking at em. They did really, really well. Still getting notes, sold right away, etc- sometimes we're the only ones that notice that we messed up. I still finished those pieces, people still loved em, and I know better for next time, lol

As an added note, there's a place here in my city that's kinda like a craft supply thrift store- see if theres anything like that near you, along with raiding fabric store remnant bins, couponing, etc, craft stores can have some great sales sometimes!

in summary: unfortunately the best way to gain confidence is by doing, but you'll always come out more knowledgeable than before!

[seokjinsonlyone]

How do you think each of the members are like as a best friend? I'm curious as to your take. You always somehow get them spot on.

a/n: first of all,,, thank you!!! second idk if this is what you was looking for but it turned out to be a luh calm mini headcanon,,, lemme know what u think 🫢

namjoon:

wants to hang out 24/7; always tries to make you be friends with his other friends so he can have one huge super group of friends to hang out with all the time

lowkey your biggest opp; like you’ll be having a heart to heart ranting about your life and what’s going on and “why is it always me? 😩” and then he’ll read you for filth detailing exactly why whatever’s happening is happening and what you need to do to fix it; and you sitting there like 🤥 because you was just tryna complain

perpetually busy but will literally drop whatever he’s doing the second you say you need him

seokjin:

people wonder if y’all are even friends because all you do is bicker because neither of you can fight the urge to play devil’s advocate on every single subject

the type to be the brother you never wanted; always tryna scare your boo things away; loves either going to your family home or having you at his; randomly puts you in headlocks to assert dominance; posts awful 0.5 pics of you on his close friends story

he may play with you but he don’t play about you; he can be mean to you because he loves you but it’s a no for everyone else; 100% not afraid to check someone who say something slick about you

yoongi:

likes to buy you random gifts in lieu of actually expressing affection

takes pride in being your bestie; if anyone else claims to be your best friend he’s gonna look at them funny and give them some push back; goes to you later on to confirm that He is in fact your best friend as if you’re not allowed to have more than one

regardless of whether it’s his cup of tea or not when you want to do something with him he always goes along with it

hoseok:

sends or tags you in every single video he finds even slightly amusing and expects you to react to them all; (bonus) you’d definitely make one of those muni long made for me videos

the one you call when you’re bored at work and y’all stay on the phone yapping for the rest of your shift

your shopping buddy!; sometimes you’ll both order a stuff online or maybe you’ll go thrifting or to target or something and then go back to his place and do a lil fashion show with all the stuff you bought

jimin:

would have the type of relationship with you that makes prospective partners suspicious because y’all are too close; it’s not your fault that people don’t understand y’all soul ties!!

the devil on your shoulder at all times; he’s the one you go to when you want validation to do something you know you shouldn’t do

whatever someone tells jimin they sign up to telling you too; you’re a package deal <3; there’s an actual tea party that takes place once a month that’s dedicated to spilling tea

taehyung:

the type to stick beside you no matter what; doesn’t matter how wrong you are no one gon ever catch him on anyone else’s side

has an uncanny ability to talk you into his harebrained schemes so you’re always getting into escapades and shenanigans

follows you on spotify to monitor and critique what you’re listening to; you’ll get random screenshots of what you’re listening to and what he thinks you should be listening to; never admits when you put him on to an artist or song

jungkook:

a fellow dnd warrior; may not have your back immediately but he will always have it eventually

you speak in terms of tiktok audios and obscure references of things that happen in your day to day life that were unreal

y’all will agree to go on a diet together and then proceed to watch mukbang/cooking videos for 3 hours and end up breaking the diet within a day of starting it

[howlingday]

The Worst Possible Thing

Yang: What the hell... What kind of idiot proposes on the first date?

Ruby: (Sipping boba) Maybe it's some kind of late-bloomer panic?

Weiss: (Sipping boba sadly) ...I don't know what to say.

Ruby: I mean, I could see him getting turned off or something, but I don't think Jaune's the kind of guy to get mad about it.

Weiss: Well, no, he wasn't mad. Not that I saw. He just said he was leaving all of a sudden.

Yang: Geez, of course he's not mad. He's afraid! Panicking! Dare I say, he's probably even freaking out!

Ruby: Welp! That's it, girls. Game over. Mission failed. We'll get 'em next time.

Yang: Yeah. About time to put the ol' dream out to pasture.

Weiss: H-Hey! Quit screwing around and help me out here! I mean it! I have no idea what's going on anymore!

Ruby: (Sighs) So, the date was fine, right?

Weiss: Y-Yes. I mean, I suppose I was nervous and awkward at first, but no more so than Jaune was, I guess? And he ended up having a lot of fun! Or, at least, I think he did. Actually, now that I think about it, maybe he had already given up on me at some point...

Ruby: Ugh... Was I this panicky and full of self-doubt on my first date? She's completely different from the "Heiress of the Schnee name".

Yang: Well, hang on just a sec. This is Jaune we're talking about, right? I don't think he's the kind of guy who sits around when something doesn't feel right. If he wasn't feeling it, he would've booked it outta there.

Ruby: Well, if the date was fine, then you must have said something stupid at the proposal. What did you say? Tell us everything!

Weiss: Wh- Du- Now?! I'm already so embarrassed, I don't think I can!

Yang: Look, Ice Queen- if we don't know what you said, exactly word for word, then we can't help you. Now, spit it out!

Weiss: (Gulps) Uh... Well, at first, I told him about how I've been through a lot going from spoiled rich girl to someone so poor... And how I treated him back in Beacon. I told him that I'm not as strong of a fighter as he is, but I'm doing what I can to improve myself. I told him how I've cut back on caffeine, sugar, and losing my temper.

Weiss: That's about the most of it.

Ruby: Mm... I don't see anything wrong yet. No red flags here.

Yang: ...So? Then what?

Weiss: Um, well... Oh! I said I didn't have much to offer him, but I would do my best to make him happy, and that's when I proposed!

Ruby: ...

Yang: ...

Ruby/Yang: UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGH...

Weiss: What?! That was it!

Ruby: Weiss, Jaune is working his ass off, but he's living his dreams right now! Do you really think he needs some hero huntress to swoop in and save the day?

Weiss: (Opens her mouth, Struggles to say)

Yang: Look, I get what you were trying to say, but if there was any point where you screwed up, it was right there.

Weiss: I...

Ruby: Sounds like we have our culprit. But just to be safe, what else did you say?

Weiss: W-Well... After that...

Weiss: I said that I admired how responsible he was- how- how it's really impressive for a man like him to do what he does...

Yang: I'm sorry, you said WHAT?! Did you really say "for a man" like that?!

Weiss: H- Huh? Was that bad?!

Ruby: Weiss, stuff like, "for a man" or "even though you're a man", they all come off as pretty sexist, even if you're saying it around just us girls.

Weiss: Really?!

Ruby: I was expecting maybe one or two, but you're popping off a whole bunch of red flags... Why do I have a bad feeling about the rest of this story?

Yang: You're not the only one. So, what else did you say?

Weiss: ...W-Well, I mentioned his family and his team. He really goes out of his way for them, you know? And because of that, I said I would take care of his bills and he could just stay at home!

Ruby: Aw, shit... I know you meant well about him taking things easy, but do you really think Jaune's the kind of huntsman who's just in it for the money?

Weiss: I know there's more to it than that!

Yang: Maybe, but the way you said it mighta been misinterpreted to mean something else. Something worse. I get you were panicked, but there has to be a better way to say that, right?

Weiss: Oh... Dust! Agh! What I wouldn't give to go back and do it all over again!

Yang: Well, let's make sure there's nothing else that went wrong. Was there anything else you said after that?

Weiss: Yes... I said that even if Jaune did stay at home, I'd help out with the chores. And then, if we had a child together, we could all visit Pyrrha's grave together...

Ruby: ...

Yang: Is that it? You didn't say anything else to make this worse?

Weiss: ...No, that was the last of it. I think.

Yang: Well... You certainly ended this party with a bang. You said you'd "help out with the chores". Noble, but it doesn't earn you any points. All you did was give the impression that you think chores are a "man's job".

Ruby: And, depending on the person, talking about having a kid can be shaky ground at the least. Some couples can't even have kids, so it's not like marriage is all about starting a family.

Yang: And you topped it off by planning a visit to Pyrrha's grave... You're basically saying you wanna rub it in Pyrrha's face that you finally beat her at something. That there's no other reason for you to be with Jaune.

Weiss: I... C-Come on... Are... Are you saying every single little thing I said was wrong?! (Head in her hands) This sucks... What the hell do I do now...?

Ruby: (Sips, Shakes drink)

Yang: Well... You might have to apologize.

Ruby: Uh-huh. He might be done with you, but that's at least better than saying nothing.

Weiss: Okay... I need to make things right...

[cogentranting]

Actually I lied earlier. My biggest complaint about the finale is that it felt more like a Punisher episode than a Daredevil episode and that's not a compliment.

It felt more like a Punisher episode because most of the action in the episode was focused on Frank, even the fight that had Daredevil in it. And I get that part of the reason was that Matt was injured but he WAS fighting in that scene. And then Matt was off finding the documents with Karen for a large part of the second half and felt decentralized from the story.

And what that meant was that for the most part the action was very Punisher-style action. And I mean that in a very derogatory way.

Frank Castle only works for me as a character in Daredevil season 2.* The reason he works there is that the show has a very clear line drawn. It says we sympathize with Frank, we even like Frank, but what he does as the Punisher is wrong. Matt puts him in jail for it and that is portrayed as a victory. Now, he later gets out, and Daredevil teams up with him, but he does so while still managing to curb at least some of Frank's violence, and if I'm remembering correctly we end the season with Matt believing Frank is dead. And the season maintains throughout that Punisher is over the line. It toys with how similar Daredevil is to Punisher and it works because there is the understanding that for Daredevil to be like Punisher would be bad.

This episode on the other hand seemed to want to have its cake and eat it too more than DD2 did. Because we do have Matt coming back from that fall at the beginning of the season, saving Fisk's life, getting between Frank and the cop. And that's all good. But then at the same time it frames it in such way that we're supposed to cheer when Frank guns down a bunch of people. (AND we have Matt choosing not to kill the cop, only to have the show kill him anyway with a grenade ten seconds later.) And I don't want that, I don't like it, and I do think the violence crosses the line. (It's exceptionally weird tone for them to take when the same episode clearly establishes that some of people aligning with Fisk are doing so only because they are afraid and think they have no choice. That doesn't excuse them for what they're doing but it does make it weird to have a "look how cool Punisher is as he shoots them in the face" moment, especially following an episode where Matt is so committed to not killing that he takes a bullet for Fisk.)

And again, it's both that that kind of action is not something I want to watch (its gratuitous and also kind of boring) and that it is in direct conflict with the themes and character arcs the show is trying to develop.

And then to top it all off you had the scene with Fisk killing the commissioner which was awful and I hated it, and the netflix show (for the most part) grew out of doing stuff like that after season 1, so it was regrettable to watch them move backwards like that.

*I do enjoy all of the conversation scenes with Frank this season. Especially the one from earlier when he talked with Matt about Foggy. He's an interesting ideological foil for Matt (I think MORE interesting than Fisk) but I think they get indulgent with his action scenes and start celebrating elsewhere the show is clearly against.