#i'm going to try my best to post every day but

[dduane]

Just a local update

For those who'll be wanting to know how I'm doing: I think right now the line from The Right Stuff is probably apropos. I'm "maintaining an even strain."

I sort of have no choice, because there's a lot of bureaucratic stuff surrounding Peter's loss that has to be dealt with, and there's not really anyone else to fall back on: in terms of local legalities; this burden falls on me. (shrug) So, I'm keepin' on keepin' on. It's not easy, when half your world has ended: but there's nothing else to do.

Just repeating the news that I just edited into the original post about all this: the "funeral expenses" issue is now handled.

And I want to thank EVERYBODY who so incredibly generously has stepped up to assist. You are all, every one of you, in my heart right now... not least due to the many, many kind things you've had to say about Peter. Current events mean I'm going to be backed up on the thank-yous for some days yet. Please bear with me.

For those who feel inclined, the Ko-Fi account here is open as usual for those who might simply want to drop something into the pot tagged "GNU Peter Morwood."* I'm looking into his notes about his preferred charities so that I can split all such donations in those directions. (For example, P. lost a beloved cousin to childhood leukemia, so I'm looking around for appropriate cancer charities. ...But more of that later.)

In local issues: I'm still waiting for word from the coroner as to when Peter's post-mortem will be happening. (I had hoped it might be today, but there's no news yet.) Not much to be said about this except that the sooner that's all handled and resolved, the happier I'll be. Then other adjacent issues can start being dealt with.

At the physical end: I haven't been sleeping terribly well, but that's probably no surprise. My appetite has been almost nonexistent, but that at least is very slowly starting to recover (to the point where at least food is no longer a source of "no interest whatsoever" or of active distaste). Right now it seems I get better results from eating out instead of cooking in: so that's the way things will go in the very short term.

But for now, pretty much all I can do is sit tight, try to keep household business from getting out of hand (why does it suddenly take so much energy just to do the dishes? ...like I don't know perfectly well why), and wait for Forces Beyond My Control to get moving.

Meanwhile, let me take a moment here to thank everybody who's expressed concern about the state of my wellbeing (and that at a time when I care a whole lot less about it than usual). It's heartening, and I very much appreciate it. I promise to do my best to do right by myself, on all of your behalf. (Behalfs? Behalves? Pfft.)

Thanks again, everybody. —D.

*People are also reminding me that the financial health of the household's still-living member in the immediate future is also an issue here. 😏 Heaven forbid I should argue the point. If you want, tag such donations as "DD" and I'll note that. ...And thanks again, all. I can always count on y'all to look after me. ❤️

[that-smallinjured-bowylamb]

how do you think Riddle, Lilia and Azul would deal with having a wife who is dedicated, sweet, loving and a bit scatterbrained sometimes… but they’re also scary protective, mama bear instincts. Someone hurt her man and she’s gonna end your whole career. . (If they ever have kid together, some fae or human or mer person tries kidnapping their kid, they sneer at the wife and the boys, and wife comes flying in with murderous energy, and scares the shit out of the kidnappers (scared the husbands too). and wife goes over to their kid and hugs them while the kidnappers flee, kid hugs mom, while crying “mama” happily)?

A/n: SRRY FOR THE LATE REPLY I WAS TLAKING WITH SOME OF MY FRIENDS AND COMMENTING ON SOME POST !!! BUT ANYWAYS IVE BEEN DAYDREAMING OF THIS FOR DAYS ON END AND IM SO HAPPY SOMEONE MENTIONED IT !!! THANK YOU FOR REQUESTING AGAIN @nesting-dreams !!!

💋🪽Wifey material, but can still kick ass💋🪽

Characters: Riddle Rosehearts, Lilia Vanrouge [💋🎀], Azul Ashengrotto

Warning ⚠️: slight cussy, Reader could be fem but I'm using "you", reader kicks ass, I'm bad at describing fights helpp, reader taking a slipper and chucks it at a mer (Azul's part), reader does a suplex on somebody (Riddle's part), Reader went full-out on brawling (Lilia's part), OOC bc future, you have a child (scary), and ofc, my Grammer is so indescribably amazing.

Summary: You are a dedicated, sweet, a little bit of a scatterbrained wife. You've sworn to be with him, always and forever, taking responsibility for bearing a child as well, you were such a sweetheart, despite being a little forgetful, he still loves you very much. Oh, and your child as well, "Hehe, silly momma!" [Insert name].

But... what happens if your man/kid gets hurt/kidnapped? Oh, suddenly, those perpetrators are in a boxing ring with you.

Riddle Rosehearts

You and Riddle were a happy married couple, sure you get into quarrels but you've managed to work it out somehow, despite for your scatterbrained-self, you were dedicated and sweet. Slightly protective of him, he didn't really know about that part, really. Especially when you stare into a woman's soul for flirting with him, he didn't take notice at all. So, when he turns around, your there, all sweet and flowery with that cute tendency to forget something or another. He's blushy around you, just like the day he caught feelings for you. And, your child [insert name] really loves you! You're the best momma! So what happens if...

Your man gets hit:

•Riddle was surprised by the sudden punch this guy made. He stood up, wobbling from the sheer impact, pointed his wand (or whatever he could use as a Harry Potter stick)and was ready to say the magic words (Miska, muska! Mickey Mouse!), "Off with your!-" another sudden move. It was you.

•Man's just watched his wife, throwing herself to that man, round-house kicking him, with a straight face. Then suplexing that guy with raw strength.

•He's not sure if he's the wife or nah.

•So, in the end. He has to be the one that stops you from beating the guy to the dirt and turning the guy into a DIY plant (Aye, at least it counts as a breathing organism that you surely took out to harvest).

•He gifted you, [your favorite chocolate in a box and your favorite flowers in a bouquet], [the clothes you've been eyeing out for months in your favorite color], [the food you wanted to try out again bc it was so good], [your favorite limited edition shirt], and lastly the dinner he paid for you.

•...Not before calling the cops on this guy's ass.

When your kid almost got kidnapped:

Listen, you're kid is intelligent, but got SOME of your genetics (Rosehearts blood is strong, damn), the kid was left-handed (<-at least how I picture it, you can imagine smth else, though), smart, and almost mature (<- that is, until you arrive at home and the kid did a 180° switching back to a playful kid), and was almost sweet to every stranger (but gives nasty side-eyes at suitors that tries to flirt w/ you whenever you both go shopping), so imagine to your surprise you see your child being DRAGGED by the arm bc of SOMEBODY (And Riddle is a witness before he could do sht cuz your faster):

Lilia Vanrouge [Hanafubukki PLEASE NOTICE ME 🙏🙏🙏]

•What the fuck. Why does he ALWAYS deliver LATE? And why do you turn into Sonic the Hedgehog whenever something happens?? This, has gotta be from the time you were at NRC weren't you? (Or nah, and it was smth else completely)

•Nvm that. Now he's wondering where you've even learned these things.

• "Mommy!!" Cried [insert name], running straight at you, and you, of course, hugged your child back.

•Man, Riddle loves a good wife that knows how to kick ass. And maybe, he could break the cycle with you.

You and Lilia had a very interesting history together (just imagine with me, okay?) And he could never ask for anything else, when he gets nightmares of the war, you somehow know this, always wake up and stay beside him as long as needed until both of you fall asleep. Always there when he needed help but never spoke aloud about it, and always tending to his needs while he tends to others and yours. You, were his great balance in life, though he never showed the signs he was hurting, maybe it dulled overtime, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt. So, you were there, you've helped and that was enough for him. And the two of you had a child, [insert name]. The child took their mischief, playfulness, and maturity from their father. While they've taken your dedication and sweetness from you, of course. But the thing is, you and [insert name] were both forgetful of things. But, don't worry, the three of you can be one, happy, but clumsy of a family. So, when the time some random fuck-ass fae comes to hit/kidnap your man/kid? Nah, I'll win.

When your man gets hit:

•The fae had the audacity to flirt with you, now had enough audacity to hit THE general of Briar Valley? HECKS NAWH. The fact is, either the fae didn't realize it was Lilia or was a drunk. [<-but even so, no one can deal with Vanrouge even if they aren't sober]

•As soon as he was about to retort, you came into his vision...

•And round-house kicking the fae with raw strength, even going as far as to tackle him down, stomp on his crotch, and molly-wap the guy towards the air.

•So, let's do a 2nd marriage but this time he's the bride and you're the groom.

•Hmmmm... That strong ass gorilla-like grip you had there... he's thinking he'll be put into his place if he ever dare to cross you.

•Which, will never happen, of course. (Fortunately.)

•Welp! He's doing the chores this time! Please don't look so stern my dear! You'd get wrinkles if you do! Here, a kiss might help you! *Ignoring the guy who is in a current state of physical and psychological pain.*

What if your kid almost gets kidnapped by a fae?:

Now, I'm not saying your kid might be dumb, but although getting genes from Lilia and all. The kid still has some of your genetic, otherwise, that ain't your kid. So, imagine looking away for 1 millisecond, only to see your kid following a man with candies in his pocket, Lilia had already halted the fae, but that didn't stop you from bolting over.

•When Lilia saw you running over like a mad bull, he knew he had to step aside.

•That fae almost met their creator.

•The fact that your child was encouraging and cheering you on was funny to Lilia. Look at his child, aren't they so cute? Aww! And look!- *You bitch-slapping the fae on the ground.* A strong wife he has! Hah! All of you must be jealous he pulled a baddie. (And totally not trembling in fear)

•So after that, you all went back to being that wholesome family that went out for a very wholesome outing together.

Azul Ashengrotto

To start off, Azul had become a successful shady- business man, you became his wife, then the two of you had a child. Which, uncle Floyd and Jade loved to play with and prank Azul. Oh, but this time? Your genes got HALF of the child and HALF of Azul's. And I'm talking abt appearance. So they kinda looked like you, but in mer version. Not sure if they had your eyes or Azul's eyes bit no matter what, your child has the charm of that of a merfolk from the deep-sea. So what will you do, if your man/kid gets hit/kidnapped?

Your man gets hit:

•In no fucking way did that mer just TAINTED your beautiful husband with that hand.

•So when Azul regains composure and sees you holding a slipper, "Honey... What in the fucking sevens are yoU DOING!?-" *Cue to the slipper at max velocity like it's in a speeding dial to contacting the great sevens up above, then gets CHUCKED at the mer in the face, the air vibrating within vicinity.*

•.... babe, what are you exactly? What if our child has that same strength as you- *Gets interrupted by you hugging him.* "Aww, Zuzu, are you okay? You're not hurt anywhere are you?" ... Yes he's fine, just a little bit shaken... [<-Literally]

•So fast forward to him spoiling you in a way someone gets threatened at gunpoint. It's like your the mafia boss instead of him.

•Yeah, his clients are NOT going to mess with Azul's husband. (Did I say husband? Yes. So is he the wife now? Also yes.)

What if your kid gets kidnapped?:

Your child isn't dumb, nor smart. But your child still has underdeveloped strength, so in comes Azul with his two big-ass blueberry popsicle giants. But before they could do anything, a terrifying aura comes rushing in and Azul froze recognizing it was you, as the Tweels witness a practical murder in glee from the usually sweet and dedicated 'wife' of Azul, wondering if they'll ever find the same type of wife like you.

•Holy sevens, here we go again. Didn't this happened last time?

•You were there, forcing the mer to get tf out of that forsaken water, but even if the mer tried to escape under water, you followed with abnormal strength and speed.

The mer kidnapper: "WHAT THE FUCK IS THATTT????" *He said while swimming away from the oncoming silhouette of an angry mother.*

•Yes, your child is safe. Just witnessing you shoving a rock in the mer's throat, flipping him twice, spinning him across the air, and throwing him upwards into the sky, then blasting his dehydrated ass towards the sun.

•Yea, you were officially the man of the house. Not him, damn.

THE END!

A/n: sorry if it took awhile!!! @nesting-dreams !!

[dreaming-of-epiphanies]

𝓪𝓬𝓪𝓭𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓬 𝓻𝓲𝓿𝓪𝓵!𝓣𝓸𝓶 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓭𝓬𝓪𝓷𝓸𝓷𝓼

Description: A series of headcanons about being Tom Riddle's academic rival because let's be real, that's definitely the trope he'd have.

A/N: While I work on part 2 to Locked Out (and hype myself up to post smut for the first time... on that note, check out the poll at the end of this please!), I thought I'd share this! academic rival!Tom is my favorite.

Warnings: Suggestiveness (like very clear, but not spice... yet).

Additional notes: I'm not sure if this'll make sense, but if you want to hear the vibe I get when I imagine academic rivals Reader x Tom slowly falling in love, listen to Champagne Coast by Blood Orange, specifically the part starting around 1:53. :)

Okay I've been talking too much so here are the headcanons:

--

Your rivalry starts off early, like first or second year early. Tom is used to being the only one to answer questions in class (or at least answer them right), so when you raise your hand and beat him to it for the first time, he’s immediately intrigued (and annoyed) by you. 

The rivalry is a one-sided one for a couple of years, until near the end of fourth year you ask the professor about O.W.L. exams and if you should start preparing for them over the summer. Tom takes this chance to scoff and rather loudly remark how he’s already started studying- over a month ago, in fact. You fix him with a pointed stare and innocent smile, saying you were simply asking for the other people in the room, and that you’d actually begun two months prior. 

When you’re both chosen as prefects for fifth year, the stakes become higher. Tom makes it a point to brag about his marks whenever you’re near. He even goes so far as to boast about them in class when he knows you’ll overhear him. He’s trying to intimidate you and make sure you know he’s the top student. What he doesn’t expect, however, is for you to stalk up to him one day in the library and shove your paper in front of his nose. You scored half a point higher than him on your latest Defence essay. And that right there is when Tom realises he might’ve messed with the wrong person. 

He’s always glaring at you from that point on. He’s always looking at you in class; while you’re studying in the library; during meals in the Great Hall. And you’re glaring back. If he beats you to answering a question right in class, your glare is shooting daggers at the back of his head. When he grabs the book you need to write an essay before you, you watch him until he’s done. The second he is, you snatch it out of his hands and he watches your retreating form.

He memorises when your prefect schedule is so he can study more during those times. Now he’ll have a slight edge on you. What he doesn’t know is you’re doing the same thing when he’s on patrol. 

You start to sit next together in class, just so you can see the annoyance on the other’s face when you answer first. Really, each of your scowls are so satisfying. Has Tom’s smirk always been that cute? 

He doesn’t admit it, but he likes your rivalry. He likes the challenge. He likes being up against you. He tried to challenge someone else in a class you don’t share once, but it wasn’t the same. 

If you get the same mark, you both go to the professor and ask for feedback. Whoever gets the least amount is declared the unofficial winner and you correct your essays together in the library, exchanging glares every so often. Over time, these glares turn into glances.

And you start studying together nearly every night as well. It only makes sense- you’re in the majority of the same classes and you have to make sure you each have all the opportunities to get the best score. Maybe he marked down something you didn’t. Maybe you heard the professor hint as to what would be on the exam while he was preoccupied taking notes.

When you get sick, he gives you an exact copy of his notes. He has to make sure you stay a formidable opponent to him, after all. He wouldn’t want his win to be hollow when he does score higher than you. 

Everything changes when you’re paired together for a project in the winter of sixth year. You have to have productive conversations and not just argue about your marks. You meet in the library more frequently (even though you study there together every day). And when it closes, you both go to his dorm to continue working on it. Seeing Tom in his dorm casts him in a new light. You’ve never seen him outside of the library, class, or the Great Hall before. Is that why you’re suddenly captivated by how he looks?

The project opened up a new avenue of communication with Riddle now: friendly conversation. He’s surprisingly enjoyable to talk to. You find yourself laughing with him more than you should. Academic rivals aren’t supposed to look forward to seeing each other, are they? 

And yet you do. You always glance at him in the Great Hall or the corridor. He nods when he meets your eyes. Then you start smiling at him when you see him. He smiles back. And then he starts meeting you outside of your classes when you have a period apart, and walking you to your next one or to the library or the Great Hall. 

You start congratulating each other when the other scores higher than you. You start looking forward to the smug smirk you give each other. Why does your stomach flutter at his triumphant smile? Why does he think about the proud look on your face whenever he closes his eyes?

It isn’t until Tom skips one of your studying sessions and you miss him that you realise what’s happening. Merlin’s fucking beard, you’re in love with him you might possibly have a very small crush on him. 

And now that you’ve realised it, you can’t shut it off. The spark of happiness you feel whenever you see him. The heady rush you feel when he steps too close to you. The butterflies in your stomach when he meets your eyes. You’re falling, and you’re falling fast. (You’ve already fallen. So hard.)

Tom realises it one day when the two of you are reading by the Black Lake and you abruptly put your book down, running and leaping into the water. It’s so unexpected and he can’t deny the way he wishes he could freeze time when he sees you get out of the water, your dress soaking and hair dripping as you come and sit back down next to him, purposefully flicking some water onto him. 

Now that he’s realised it, he can’t stop looking at you. He couldn’t stop before either, but now he really can’t resist. The way you laugh. The way you smile at him. How you briefly touch his hand to get his attention when you’re studying in the library one day. It takes everything in him not to reach over the table and haul you into his lap right then and there to kiss you.

Of course you both think about kissing. A lot. Like, more than you know you should. When Tom’s head is bent over his parchment and you’re staring at his lips, the sweep of his hair, the firm grip of his fingers on his quill. What else could he do with those fingers? Tom can’t seem to tear his gaze from your mouth either. When you’re at the Three Broomsticks one day for a Hogsmeade trip and you pop a teacake into your mouth, he literally has to close his eyes to look away. The image is seared into his mind and he keeps picturing the way your fingers hovered at your lips at the most inopportune times.

This all comes crashing down one day when you get a perfect mark on an exam Tom knows you didn’t study as well as he did for. You start arguing and before you know it, it’s turned into a full-blown shouting match. You’re screaming at him for being a prick, he’s shouting at you for being lazy, and then he loses his train of thought because his attention is suddenly diverted to your lips. You stop screaming when you see his odd stare. He looks up in confusion before seeing your eyes are on his lips. And then all of a sudden you’re kissing and he has you pressed up against the wall. 

The kiss escalates fast. Years of pent up tension and feelings let out and as soon as it’s over and you’re lying together on his dorm bed, Tom asks you to be his girlfriend. You accept. 

Your rivalry only increases after that but somehow it makes it more fun. Now you can argue about marks and make out in the Room of Requirement twenty minutes later. And if you score higher than him? Well, be prepared for the ferocity with which he’ll kiss you. 

You each get Head Boy and Head [Girl/Boy] in seventh year. You study together for N.E.W.T.’s. There’s nothing left to compete for, and once you graduate you fear your rivalry will dissipate. But no, it remains just as strong, just with other things now. Who will be the first to make coffee for the other in the morning? Who will suggest the best date night idea? Who will propose first? (Tom wins that one). 

At your wedding, everyone’s speeches in some way mention the rivalry that brought you two together and how glad they are that it's stopped now. You just roll your eyes and smile at each other because you know it never has and never will stop.

And when your first child starts showing signs of competitiveness, the two of you exchange a knowing look and finally decide you can both be the winners. (Each of you secretly thinks they won, though). 

--

A/N (again): So if you read Locked Out (linked at the top of this post!), it's set up pretty well for a spicy part 2. I've never posted spice before, but I want to, so do you guys want that as well? (I'm making part 2 no matter what, already over 4000 words in!)

@viperify thought I'd tag you here since we both love academic rival!Tom 🤭

[dereks-unrelenting-heart]

SFTH Chaotic Highlights (Sorry About My Nan)

Briefly posting these out of order because I am way too fixated on this play. It has the psychological horror of a cult, one of Tom's eldritch villains, and dark humor, this shit was made for me-

The few minutes of vague trauma recounting as Sam and AJ internally debate which of them is gonna drop any information at all

As well as who the grandson of the title Nan is going to be, because I feel like Sam was ready for the role at first with the 'that was embarrassing'

"I just think it's good when things like this happen just to sit with it for a second, before you.. have a breakdown" Most real thing an AJ character has ever said

Jim asking if his own nan is still alive, whether AJ knew it at the time or not, as if even he was kinda hoping she wasn't

"Who invites their nan on their bachelor party??" Jamie asking the real questions. Unfortunately for him, this is the least weird thing that's going to happen on this stag do

Luke finally gets to experience the joys of playing a chaotic farm animal

They've had plenty of problems with names before, but idk if I've ever seen two actors try to give a character a name at the same time until now

Hey what the FUCK did Ethel do to Big Jim Clive's wallet?? WHAT WAS HER SHOW?!

Yet another instance of Luke's minor characters being incredibly well done- Like everything he says sound genuinely mortified

"I just feel shattered, you know?" I'm using this. You ca take this line from my cold, dead hands, it's how I'm describing every minor inconvenience in my life from now on

Also it was funny and all, but Sam was fucking dying like it was a joke from earlier in the show or something-

Anyway #JusticeForBigJimClive #AndHisWallet

"Listen, I've stood by you for a lot, but that?? I just don't understand.." - the man who's about to go through a cult initiation for his 'best friend'

"Are you my best friend?" Jim is the only one who would feel the need to ask this question at this point

Tom's using the shirt around his waist to symbolize Ethel flashing Jamie is some great stagecraft, I must say

It's the 'nanananana' build-up to an anticlimactic 'ethel' for me

Had to google what an air tag was, but yeah those are pretty big to spike a drink with

We never did get clarification for why Ethel said the wedding was her big day

Rip headphone users for AJ's "I KNOW" I forgot about it for the rewatch and fucking OW MY EARS-

"It's pre-used" Don't eat the bacon, Jamie. I repeat, DO NOT EAT THE BACON

"THANK GOD" "She- what do you mean thank god?" "Sorry, I mean oh god.. thank you" I said enough about this in another post but someone get Jamie tf out of here

"You've got so many teeth" Jericho flashbacks

I've made a post now on the Lucy/Julie thing, but to summarize, idc that she changed her name at the end, I will always call her Julie. It feels disrespectful not to-

"Listen, listen- She's asleep!" Jamie was not convinced of that. He just didn't want Jim to inject her with adrenaline to bring her back again. I see right through you, Jamie-

I just wanna know when exactly the first thought of 'Ethel is a cult leader' happened. Because there's a pretty good chance it was Luke when he said there was a statue dedicated to her

Okay on rewatch, that was definitely the moment. Luke knew what he was doing to the plot

I'm convinced that Luke saw Sam playing all these problem causing animal characters and thought 'fuck it I want in', resulting in this play's sheep scene. He is having the time of his life being a sheep, getting to chew on Tom's shirt and shit. He is laughing his ass off while causing problems for his other character. I love watching the boys have fun-

I know it's because he's brainwashed, but I fucking love Luke's german farmhand character being the only one in the room who is not only comfortable around Ethel, but actively excited to see her

Ethel calling the farmhand 'good boy' is the second time in a row Luke has been called that during a longform

"She seems happy here, why don't we just leave her with this guy?" Honestly a great idea, why would anyone be against this

Stag. stag. stag. STAG. STAG. STAG.

"Not one seat each" Why was my first thought not them sitting on each others' lap, but sharing the chair half-and-half, like two people fighting over a seat in musical chairs

"Be a good mate" "You're really pushing that" Is he, Jamie? You're about to willingly go through so much for him, is sharing a seat really pushing it for you?? Pining gays istg-

"I'm here for my best friend's stag do. I will do what he wants to do for the rest of the weekend, and then we will move on." Buddy. I am not doing that shit for my best friend. You are in love.

"It's like an A24 film" Big thank you to Sam, for being the reason they all leant into that theme for the rest of the show

"My name.. Is WILHELM." Jamie, exasperated: "... great."

The fact only the subtitlers acknowledged Sam repeatedly calling them 'numchucks'

"I think he wants us to fight" "WHY? Why do you go to that??" To be fair, my mind also went to that..

Jim: *tries to kill Jamie* Jamie: *doesn't attack him back and is entirely undeterred in his loyalty/friendship* I know what you are

"Wilkommen.. To the Cabaret!!" And just like that all the musical theater nerds lost their minds

I haven't even seen Cabaret, but I've heard the first song and immediately knew and was thrilled about what he was doing

Nah Tom was right in this instance, Sam he had a German accent and everything ofc this isn't Ethel

I like the subtle acting of Jamie saying 'NO!' to the request, and when Jim follows it up with the next word, Jamie looks at him with a very distinct 'you're doing this?' expression. Bro looks more betrayed than when Jim tried to murder him

Emcee living for the drama is so real

Emcee casually sitting on his stage partner's corpse as well as offering him the microphone

"Me neither" the audience laughs but like. That was incredibly unsettling.

"How's the best man?" Very suspicious thing to ask, Fake Julie

"I love you and I always have.. And I would never betray you" Okay but you didn't say you pwomise him, so I'm hesitant to believe you

Jamie's "Are we in Bristol??" to "WE'RE NOT IN BRISTOL!" pipeline

So.. am I the only one who thought Jamie was talking to Julie in the ending scene before Sam clarified he was her mother?

Ethel throwing her shirt onstage with her little 'eh!' noise is so funny

"For convincing me to invite your nan to my bachelorette party" INSANE THING TO AGREE TO JULIE

She's also horribly suited for cult brainwashing wtf did you set her up for Jim-

Also just noticed yet another parallel between Jamie/Jim and Amanda/Clarissa, with the same actor who played the ignored love interest also playing the role of priest at the wedding

Luke immediately going for the bridal hold in AJ's arms and being so content there

Conclusion: It really would've been better for everyone involved if Jamie got together with Jim instead. Jim doesn't have the girl who came onto his best friend, Jamie gets to be with his crush, and Julie doesn't have to change her name to Lucy. And Luke is very good at playing brainwashed cultists, which is the exact reason I'm excited to see his episode of Black Mirror. Oh, also I really hope this longform continues getting the attention it deserves, it's so fucking good

[tawked]

You gotta realize that Catholic superheroes are all exclusively the kind of Catholic that would fight the Pope, which is actually most Catholics.

I think secular people mistakenly believe anybody outside of Rome likes or cares about the Pope? Maybe this is actually a bias I have because I'm from the place where the guy who designed the practice of priest shuffling and out-of-court settlements to avoid embarrassing the church was Cardinal, but Catholic culture as I've experienced it is far more local parish-based. Mistrust of the big church structure is phenomenally common and every Catholic I've ever met has a strict "don't let your son become an altar boy" social policy lol.

Anyway, hear me out,

Hellboy: vocally and violently antifascist. Would fight Benedict and most post-Benedict Popes. Would roll with Pius XII on the whole anti-Aktion T4 vibe. The Mystici Corporis Christi? Banger. Could use some of that these days with the the whole, y'know, governments across the world working to roll back disability rights and protections type beat we have going on. Hellboy would not be a fan of Pius XII weird "anti-Bolshevism" views because "hey pal, some of my best friends are Jews." He's such a dinosaur he is not aware who Leo is and probably still thinks Benedict is Pope.

Daredevil: does understand the potential of systemic power. Does understand the realities of the law and its enforcement. Does understand what the Pope, as the monarch head of a legalistic culture, could potentially achieve with policy, ie. making it compulsory for priests to disclose what their peers are up to to the police with all evidence under threat of excommunication. Does not like child abusers.

Would not vibe with Cardinal Pell's Melbourne Response or its adoption throughout foreign western governments, or the relocation of priests to places like Papua New Guinea. Would fight the Pope for that much alone, but especially because Leo directly participated in priest shuffling and suppressed investigations while he was a Cardinal. He'd demand the Pope confess to him, listen to that man's heart race as the fear of consequences set in, devote time to a legal case, realize the futility after the Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse and its French equivalent both achieved nothing, and proceed to roundhouse kick his fucking teeth out in a never-ending and futile war against shuffled priests. The Pope in this context becomes like a child abuse version of Wilson Fisk.

Helena Bertinelli: famously not a fan of big patriarchal organizations. Famously aware of how corruptible such institutions can be. Extremely aware, as someone who was raised rich, lost that, and now lives on a teacher's salary, how much money is moving through the church and how much of it is going to Pope thrones and art installations instead of homeless shelters. Not someone who likes being made less because she's a woman, and would not respond well to Leo's whole "allowing women to be equals within the church wouldn't solve anything but might create 'another problem.'" What other problem, Leo? she loads he silly wrist crossbow thing. What other problem, Leo? What problem are you alluding to that giving women equal access to the pulpit would create, Leo?

Like, you gotta understand guys, Catholics don't really worship the Pope. Most Catholic publications are basically anti-Pope and the people running defense for dumb shit Popes say are usually just people who agree with whatever that dumb shit was, trying to use him to make it look like a powerful institution is on their side. It is extremely normal for them to immediately flip to opposing the Pope when he says something they don't like, ie. gay people might have souls and perhaps throwing them in prison is bad.

[alexsl-universe]

My masterpiece

Summary: Bucky is gorgeous, even with everything he's been through, he's still the most beautiful person you've ever met, and you think some colors would just make him more handsome, why not do that?

Word Count: 2.748

Bucky x Artist!Reader

Warnings: Trauma mention, slightly mentions of wounds, fluff, love for Bucky (If i miss anything please tell me)

A/N: Hello, this is my first time posting a fic, I was inspired by this post, I haven't written in almost a month, but @buckys-arm-and-rios-dagger reblogged it and I felt a spark to write again, so here it is, I hope you like it, also, English is not my first language, so let me know if there are any mistakes, have fun :)

It was a quiet evening, Bucky was in a day off with you, both decided that just chill and rest at home was the best to do, at some point you play with his arm drawing patterns with your finger, and then you got an idea

“Baby, can I draw in your arm?” you say looking to him as he reads some book, he stops and look at you

“Why?” he asks a bit confused

“I’m bored and you have huge arms and so much space to draw on” you say looking at him caressing his arm

“If makes you happy go ahead” he says kissing your forehead and go back at his book

You smile and go grab some of your makeup and sit next to him thinking in which arm you’re going to start with, you look and wander what to do, you decide to start with his left arm, so you start outlining some patterns and coloring with diverse colors, blending them to make it more cute, he takes a moment to look at you and see what you’re doing

“Is this a that new one you bought?” he asks looking at you and moving his arm

“Shh don’t move” you say grabbing his arm and letting it stay still

He do what you say and keep still while you do your art, grabbing some golden eye shadow and highlights making his golden parts get more highlighted, when you finish it's very pretty, but his other arm looks in need of some colors too, so I go to the other side 

"I will draw in this arm too, can you hold the book with the other hand please?"

You say looking at Bucky grabbing his attention again

"Sure doll, have fun" he says and changed the hand he is holding the book

You kiss him and begin to draw various patterns and things, like a small shield of Captain America, a heart with yours and his initials, some flowers, a mini Sam with red wing and a mini Steve looking amused to how big Bucky is, you also draw a small version of you kissing his neck, that tickles him a bit.

"Stay still just a bit more, I'm almost finishing here"

You say doing the line art.

"It tickles doll, but I will try my best"

He says holding a laugh a bit

When you finish his right arm was very colorful, some very pretty arts and funny things you did to him, you smile and lean back in the couch 

"I'm done, what do you think?"

You say looking at Bucky 

He close the book and put it in the arm of the couch and look at his arms, he smiles seeing every pretty you did, he loves every detail in both of his arms

"I love it doll, but I can't see what you draw on my neck, take a picture so I can see it, and also take pics of everything you draw on me, it deserves to be kept as a memory"

He says smiling to you

You smile back and take a first pic of the drawing on his neck, with the perfect angle and him smiling 

"What do you think?" You say showing the picture to him and he laughs a bit 

"Loved, i should tattoo this one, i love it more than the others" he says and kisses you

You make out on the couch for a bit, Bucky got a bit sad that some of the drawings smudged but you assure him that it's okay, you can draw more later.

On another day it’s really hot day and he is wearing shorts, something that grabs your attention to his beautiful legs, your mind go straight back to the day you draw on him and you got more desire to do so again. You two are watching some show on the TV, you do the same and start to draw patterns with your finger on his leg before you ask him.

“Baby, can I draw on you again? Your legs look so good to draw on” you say looking at him and pounding to him

“You want to do it again?” he asks looking at you and you nod to him “Go ahead and have fun baby” he says and grab your face and kiss you

You smile kissing him and went to grab your makeup again but remembered that it smudged, so you go and grab some Crayola markers and sit next to him

"This won't smudge easily, only if you put water on it"

He looks at you and just nod and go back at watching the show, you start drawing some simple things, flowers, dome doodles, and you decide to draw a small version of you laid on his thigh like you were in a big comfort carpet saying "Remember i love you and you're amazing" on as speech bubble, you draw some Steve and Sam laid on the other leg having a "chat"

"It's comfy but i don't want to stay here when he gets naked" Sam said

"I don't want to be in here when they start to make out, that would be too much to handle" Steve said to him

You keep doodling in his leg and when he notice the drawings on his leg he laughs 

"I don't think I want them in there either" he says looking at you smiling 

"We can wash them away later" you say sitting on the floor painting a wakanda cloth pattern he has on his calf

"It's for the best, the only one that can see you naked it's me" he says caressing your face as you look at him

"Or... we can give them quite of a show" you say smirking maliciously, and he does the same and grab your face and start to kiss you

You two make out on the floor of the living room, and later in the bed, and also later in the shower, and only there you realized the drawings aren't coming off, at least not all of them, some parts are and others don't, so when both of you finish bathing you go look if you grab the wrong markers.

"Oh fuck" you say realizing what you did

"What happen doll?" Bucky says getting out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped on his waist

"Hmm, I have bad news" you say a bit shy and he looks confused at you "I maybe have used some permanent markers on you"

"Okay i don't think is a problem, i can wash them away later right?" He says and you press your lips together "I will be able to watch them away right doll?" He ask and bit anxious now

"Yes, but not in one bath, it takes a few baths to wash them away completely" you say to him a bit shy

He looks at you a bit anxious, but starts to laugh 

"I think we will give them more then one show" Bucky says still laughing and you laugh with him

It took almost a week for the drawings to fade away, and it was funny to see Steve and Sam slowly fade away in his leg

One night Bucky arrives tired from a mission, it was a bit complicated one, he takes a bath and laid down in bed tired

"Baby can I give you a massage? I think will help you to relax" you say worried by Bucky tiredness 

"Sure doll, but having you by my side already relaxes me" he says smiling with tired eyes

"Turn on your tummy and let me relax you more" you say kissing him and going grab a lotion to help with the massage.

You get on his back and start to massage his back, feeling him relax more and more, you get him totally relaxed when an idea comes in your head, you have some gouache that you’re sure it goes away quickly, so you finish his massage and go closer to his face to ask

"Can I paint on your back? I promise this time it will go away in the first bath" you say and he open just a little bit his eyes

"Sure doll, have fun" he says to you and close his eyes again, you kiss his cheek and go grab the material you will need

You grab some paint brushes and the paint and stare at his back thinking what to do.

After some time you decide to do the starry night of Van Gogh, but making in a way his arm are part of the painting.

You start the firsts paint strokes with some blue shades, putting some on his metal arm and shoulder, you also decided to make some of the yellow parts with golden paint, to also give more relation with arm, slowly it begin to turn more and more look alike with the reference, you even lost track of the time.

When you finish Bucky is already in a deep sleep, he is in such a peaceful sleep you decide to not wake him up, you take a picture of him sleeping and the art you made on his back, you stand in the bed to capture perfectly all of his beauty and the beauty of the art you did, you’re proud to relax him and happy for making such a masterpiece.

You put away the paint and brushes and go to sleep next to him, he embraces you as always, every night he hugs you until both of you are sleeping, it's like an instinct now, he feels you come close and grab you to his side so both of you sleep in peace.

On the next day Bucky wakes up first, he goes to the bathroom and don't notice the art on his back, only when he goes take a bath some blue and golden colors appears on the floor, he got a bit scared, he still a bit sleepy, he sees if it's the shower but nothing in there, he sees his arm, but none gold had fell, he puts is hand on his back and feel the paint, he got relieved that nothing had happened to him.

He takes a shower and tries to take the paint away from his back, only in the end to realize maybe you haven't took a picture, you love to take pictures of your art, and he knows that, so as he thinks in a way to undo what he did, maybe remake himself maybe? No, it would be easier to go back in time, Steve did so why can't he?

Suddenly you appear in the bathroom, he freezes for a moment, not knowing what to do

"Good morning handsome" you say still sleepy going to the toilet 

"Good morning doll, had a good sleep?" Bucky asks a bit shy and afraid to tell you what he did

"Amazing as always my love" you say to him sitting in the toilet "And you? You got pretty tired yesterday"

"Amazing, the massage you gave me relaxed me so much" he says looking at the shower floor that got tons of gold and blue spots on

"I saw, you slept in such a cute way I didn't want to bother you, but you know your arms still the best place to sleep" you say smiling to him "And you got a chance to look at the painting i did in you?" You ask cleaning yourself, Bucky freezes again, how can he tell you?

"About that..." he says, he don't want to hurt you, but he knows that if he hides will be worse "I take a shower and erase it all, sorry" he says sad 

"Oh no problem I took a picture of it" you say washing your hands and Bucky sights relieved he didn't ruin your artwork, and you look at him confused 

"I thought I had ruined and you didn't took any pictures, I was so afraid of hurting you" he says to you 

"Oh honey, don't be afraid to tell me, I understand it, I won't get sad about it" you said after drying your hands and holding his face "I love you no matter what" you say and kiss him

He kisses you back holding you close to his body, holding you like the most precious thing in the hole world

"I love you too doll" he says while hugging you

When you're trying to get some inspiration you went to look at something on your phone, but nothing is giving you the creativity spark you need, until you see your lock screen.

It's the picture of Bucky with the Van Gogh painting on his back, the golds of the paint and his arm sparkling perfectly, that's it! That is the spark you needed, and you go and plan everything you will need, and name it "Project Masterpiece Kintsugi".

You tell Bucky you plan, how he is perfect to be in the arts, how he is the main spark of inspiration to do this project, he loves and accepts to be part of it.

So the preparation begins, you buy the golden paint, sketches how it will be, how you're going to picture it all, how everyone will be edited and displayed, how each part is crucial and needs to fit perfectly to work.

And after a while everything is ready, many bottles of golden paint had been emptied and some paint brushes got a bit stiff, but your masterpiece is ready, but it isn't just your, is Bucky's and many others masterpieces.

You made various pictures of persons with golden marks on them, representing pieces they lost and were replaced, or that were broken and glued back together, and the main picture is about Bucky.

He is sitting in a stool with a white background behind him, he is being covered by only a silk cloth on his intimate parts, and many golden marks on him, some straight others crooked, some big and small, in many ways, all coming from his arm as a starting point.

It's the poster of the exhibition, with the name of "Masterpiece Kintsugi: perfect as I am", you got this space with the help of a friend who also loved the idea, it has many pictures of different peoples and the ways they're broken or lost something.

A few of your favorites are of a lady who had breast cancer, her wound was covered in golden paint and flowing to her chest and arms. Another is of a person who lost their leg due a traffic accident, the person is using a golden prosthetic leg with some flowing up his leg. Other is about an old lady who had lost her husband and two sons though her life, she was wearing a silk cloth just like Bucky but exposing her belly, you draw a golden spiral in there that went to her chest, neck and face, she is in her 80's, she is one that has so many golden lines, she had seeing many things, and told you many history’s about her life, and you listened and wrote them all, every picture have a small note about theirs losses, and some even has some audio of the person telling their story and how they found happiness after all that, also having a picture of you, actually two.

One was you just alone, some golden coming from your head, some from your heart, some from your arms, you always had trouble finding yourself, and life had not being easy on you, and on yout note says "I was lost, I didn't think I could find happiness, but something changed..." and the next picture is one of you and Bucky holding hands

You're looking at each other and smiling, his golden marks and yours almost connecting, and the note in this one says "I found everything i needed with him, he healed me and I healed him, we found perfection in each other, 愛してるよ Bucky"

At the begging of the exhibition has a description of what Kintsugi means, and now at the end has another explaining it again and what the last words in the previous note says, it means “i love you” and is not commonly used, only spoken between married couples in very serious and sentimental moments, for last has your and every person who participated signature on it too.

I hope you liked it :)

[cmchill]

Highly self-disparaging vent under the cut, regarding my productivity and effort and suitability for hiring.

[softgothbabe]

I think maybe being a person is just really fucking hard

[wereh0gz]

Is my discomfort with my boobs gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia, or just a general discomfort with the sensations of having a human body that comes with possible neurodivergency

[tokyoteddywolf]

22 isn't very much at all, I think.

[toastingpencils37]

Bruh, the ninja's aim with the cannon is fucking ass.

Every damn time.

Lowkey also going to vent in the tags for a minute

[despairforme]

[icewindandboringhorror]

Apparently I can meet my goal of roughly 400,000 words in 6 months if I just somehow write at least 2,200 words a day ghbjh... Almost 2,500 today... huzzah...

[litchi-tea]

ngl this outfit has gotta be one of my faves

[painsandconfusion]

Writers, here’s your reminder that you should be doing warm-ups!

Athletes need to warm up. Musicians need to warm up. Artists need to warm up. Heck, I even have to play a few matches in video games before I get into a groove every day.

Warm-ups help you get into the right headspace, give you more control of your actions and word choice, get you comfortable in your physical setting (eg: with your keyboard, notebook, tablet, or whatever you're writing with), and spark creativity.

Even if you don’t think you have spoons to write, sit down and do a couple warm-ups. If you still don’t want to, that’s alright. But. I think you’ll be surprised how often they help break that ice.

5-15 minutes is all you need. I personally set a timer for ten minutes each time and do not stop writing until the time is up. Your warm-up can be anything at all so long as it gets you writing and starts nudging those creative juices.

Here's some common warm-ups:

Journaling. Just jot down some notes about your day. Feel free to really lean into something that you noticed. We're going for description and details -- try to avoid settling into a spiral or focusing on something negative that will upset your creativity.

Short story prompts. Type that into Pinterest and pick the most ridiculous, cliche thing you can. Write a little scene, story summary, or even a rant about why you do or don't like the prompt. Just write.

Vocab challenge. If you like a bit more critical thinking to get you in the zone, have a random vocabulary word generator spit out five or so words. Check their meanings and jot down a little story or thought that includes all five. You get more familiar with beautiful and descriptive language, and it gives you a much narrowed prompt (which is lovely if you're like me and suffer each time there's an open-ended task assigned).

Character moments. Try putting your character into a generic setting and write down almost meticulously what their thought process would be. Follow them realizing they've just stepped in mud or dreading the start of the day. Pick a mundane thing and describe them working through it. This will not only get your writing going, but it will wake up the character's voice in your head.

Ongoing storytelling. Did you know that Whinnie the Poo was A.A. Milne's warm up story? He would jot down a quick little story with those very basic characters and did so every day. Whatever came to mind. He kept writing little tidbits on the same characters and eventually it turned into a series. Having that ongoing plot with isolated scenes and simple characters can help you feel more motivated to sit down and write.

Get-to-know-you-questions. Google a list of basic first-date questions (there are a million out there) and answer one yourself. Go into specifics. Where do you most want to travel and why? Let yourself ramble until the question is fully answered.

Writer's block blues. This is a favorite of mine. If you're truly stuck, write about being stuck. Eg: 'I'm supposed to write for ten minutse, but that feels so stupid and impossible. No one is goign to read this anyway. I have no ideas and the page is so overwhelming when its blank. I used to be able to write on and on and nothing could stop me. it was like breathing. but now I have nothign and do nothing and I can't even do a stupid prompt-' Even the rambling and ranting got me writing. It made things easier. It made writing this post easier. Also -- notice the typos? Yeah, don't fix those. You're in writing mode, not editing mode when you're doing this. If you edit while you write, you're forcing yourself to stay in your executive and calculating headspace rather than falling fully into creativity and dream. Ignore the mistakes. That's for future you to handle.

I've officially rambled far too much, but I hope that helps even a little bit. Live well and write often, my friends. Best of luck to you <3

[h1biscusgal]

I fucking entered the void.

Long post ahead!

@premiumbitch I owe u every shit wtf, your method was INSANE?

REMEMBER HOW I TOLD Y'ALL IMMA BE ENTERING THE VOID ON MY BIRTHDAY???? I did it, and guys it's literally the easiest shit idk why some people see it as smth big 💀

I didn't manifest anything, why? Because guess it or not I actually just wanted to be familiar with it, I love how I'm slowly knowing everything is mine, and yesterday I didn't want to manifest anything I just wanted to try the void out especially bc I have been studying sm these days, I wanted a break.

Now I've been eating up that mindset that I'm a master at the void, which let's be obvious, everyone is, they just need to get to the point and slowly realize it, it has to click.

Okay I'm going to stop yapping and fucking get into it 👍🏻, either way, yesterday night, at 1:32 AM or smth, after the day turned 6th April, I got in bed and made myself comfortable, and simply told myself I'll enter the void under 5 minutes, which actually and unsurprisingly, it was the case, I used a standard boring ass method too yk, the one where it's usually always what people do.

On my back, started slow breathing, and i set the intention of keeping myself awake when my body sleeps (best advice I got from idk who it helps sm) and then I let myself sink in the bed for some minutes, like I just laid there, and already I immediately was in the SATs.

So naturally I affirmed for the void, knowing I'm already in there, and mf I slipped in there after two or three minutes of affirming, just saying "I am the void." Or "I am in the void."

I think the reason I actually got out myself or sometimes used to slip in and back, is how I immediately focused on my body signs or anything connected me to myself, so I have a note to myself next time, to allow it naturally happen and focus just on the blackness behind my eyes.

ANYWAYS I STAYED THERE FOR LIKE I THOUGHT 2 OR 3 MINUTES BUT IT WAS A WHOLE WHOPPING 1 HOUR TF, and get that, how did I know it's the void? I just wanted to see stars there and I fucking did 🎀

IMMA GO CRY I FINALLY AM THE CREATER OF MY OWN REALITY.

anyone reading this, babes please don't give up, genuinely don't, I've been in this game for 6 years and I know a lot of people that'll leave for this long, saying they have no patience, girly you can do it if I did, I used to be in SUCH a bad place you can't even imagine, I pulled my shit and started living in the end for 2 months (and no it doesn't take two months, I just was stubborn af and kept slipping in and out my beliefs).

Special thanks to them for keeping my motivation up 💗

@joc3lynn @catherineaboutlife @salemlunaa @premiumbitch @prettygirl444sblog @mercifulstate @shimmershifts @littlemissprettyprincess @luckykiwiii101 @carlyshifts111 (I adore her oml her RAS thing? ATE the fuck up)

And of course can't forget @gorgeouslypink but idk if she's here anymore? And every old blog back in the 2022 and 2020, I adore y'all sm even though I don't have your blog's names 😔🎀.