#in a way i kind of think that’s the whole point

[sa2sugu]

....hi everyone......... i know that some of you already know about this but i have a bl comic that is currently being published on lezhin. it's called "처음의 여름" or "a first of summers". it's explicit and i'd be really happy if anyone who is interested in this type of thing or my art gives it a read.

you can read the english version at: https://www.lezhinus.com/en/comic/first_summer

(or the korean version here if you're into that): https://lezhin.com/ko/comic/first_of_summers

you can also follow me on twitter: https://x.com/pppanghouse

i have gotten many messages asking me if i was the one behind a first of summers (because apparently my art style is very recognizable i can't hide from you guys!!), and i've been ignoring them for months (sorry, everyone) because i was never fully proud of the work that i was putting out there. i still don't think i am at a point where i can confidently promote my work like a normal person would because me and shame are like this -> 🫂. but i am working on getting better at managing my shame and making this post is a step towards that goal. in a way, i felt more reluctant to post about it here because i see the connections i've made on tumblr as real tangible friendships rather than parasocial ones so it's even more embarrassing.

as a lover of yaoi, slice of life and queer media, i tried to make something that i personally would like to read, in an art style that i would have found inspirational when i started digital art. here are some panels that i am kind of proud of ahh hee hee

to be honest it feels very very weird to "make a story" and "share it with people", because i've never done something like this before and having to offer my personal themes and internal symbols to people in the hopes that some of you may resonate with them feels like i'm running down the street with my whole ass out in the open. idk how people do this.

also, i know a lot of you consume media illegally and i know that i alone can't stop you from doing that. which is why i'm all the more thankful to anyone who chooses to support me by buying the chapters on the official websites. i'm slowly learning that this (working on stories and drawing) might be something i want to keep doing and get better at, so i'm so deeply grateful to those who make that possible for me by supporting me financially. it always feels super nice when people show appreciation for my art and recommend it to other people and talk about it.

anyways, so that's me. i have a lot more to say but this post has already gotten long enough, and none of it includes any information on what the comic is about lol so here's a short synopsis: hyeonseon is a 40yo divorced salaryman who, after having a bit of a midlife crisis about where he is at in life, decides to learn electric guitar. his teacher, yeoreum (which means summer) is a 24yo college student who is also having a bit of a crisis of his own aaaand falls for the older dude. uhhhh and as i said it's explicit they are fucking it oppa homo style, and it does deal with themes related to age gaps but please don't come for meeeee!!!!!!!! i tried to make it tasteful and chose to work with age gaps because i had something to say about the concept of adulthood/life, also i enjoy a dude who's a little old getting dicked down by a younger lad what do you want me to say, damn......

if you have any nice things to say about my work then weeheee please go ahead, thank you

[bakuhve]

i just. i just think katsuki would be the absolute best boyfriend in the world.

but at the same time… like.. it’s gonna take a fat minute to get to that point. my katsuki and reader are always gonna have the dynamic of she fell first and hard but he fell absolutely harder. like face smashed into the ground, concrete cracked beneath his body, harder.

your story was never mutual love at first sight, no. you fell first. the kind of fall that leaves you breathless and stumbling, but still willing to get up and run straight toward him again.

you admired katsuki in every way imaginable. his strength, his drive, the way he never wavered even when the whole world seemed to be against him. your admiration turned into something deeper, something that made your heart squeeze and stomach flip. and you didn’t bother hiding your crush.

why should you? why would you ever keep your adoration for the man you loved a secret?

so you let it show. you gravitated towards him during class breaks, in the little favors you did for him without him asking, in the shameless way you told him over and over again that you liked him.

but back then, katsuki was an idiot.

a dumbass so hyper-focused on hero training and his own ambitions that he barely spared a thought for anything else. he knew you had a crush on him- how could he not? but at the time, he equated it to nothing more than annoying persistence. some stalkerish, over eager need to be by his side.

and oh, how he wants to throttle his past self for thinking this way.

because somewhere along the line, after countless battles, after seeing you at your highest highs and lowest lows, after realizing that no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t shake you off- he started to not mind your presence.

then he started looking for it.

started craving it.

and like that, he fell.

only by the time he realized it, you weren’t the one constantly chasing anymore.

now it was him hovering near you at all times, subtly making excuses to be closer. he stole glances, catching himself staring at your hands and wondering what it would be like to just hold them.

and when you finally got together, when it turned into something real, katsuki was left fumbling into unfamiliar territory.

because he had no experience being this stupidly and sickeningly in love.

was he doing this right? was he too much? was he not enough? what the hell did a girl like you see in him?

and most of all, were his hands too damn clammy to be holding yours right now?

but then you squeeze his hand. and he squeezes yours back.

and just like that, all his doubts settle. because you’re his person. and he’s yours.

but yeah anyways lovesick reader and even more lovesick katsuki on top

[seasidefallenangel]

now say i'm the only one you need

ranking the bllk men on how good of a boyfriend they are ft. isagi yoichi, bachira meguru, chigiri hyoma, nagi seishiro, mikage reo, itoshi rin, itoshi sae, karasu tabito, otoya eita, yukimiya kenyu, michael kaiser, alexis ness

song from here listen to it to get a kiss from me

༄ isagi: 10/10

one third of the “perfect boyfriend trio.” he’s incredibly attentive of all your needs and overall is very good at balancing his soccer career with your relationship. dictionary definition of “walk him like a dog.” anything you say goes and he’s more than happy with things being that way. actually has a pretty high tolerance for whatever things you might put him through, he tends to be good at solving problems before they can spiral out of control. the most you’ll have to deal with is the fact he can be kind of on the more awkward and shy side of things, unsure how to really be in a relationship. he wasn’t really popular or well known at all before blue lock, so at most he had crushes that were one-sided. his friends joke and tease about how you’ve got him wrapped around your finger. he doesn’t even care that they’re right.

༄ bachira: 9/10

the thing with bachira is that you’re not gonna date him unless you’re okay with all of his quirks, so there’s really nothing “bad” or unexpected going into the relationship. at his worst he can be clingy and a smidge overbearing, but he’s terrified of you deciding you want something more, better than him. he’s very easy going because of this, and really won’t have any disagreements with whatever ideas strike you. you’re actually a rock in this life, and he feels safe confiding all the thoughts clawing at his mind when he’s being held in your arms. despite what people may think, he does have a calmer temperament to him - generally after practice or late at night. he’s a big cuddle bug and will most likely fall asleep on your stomach, clinging to you so you can’t leave him.

༄ chigiri: 5/10

rose-glasses off, chigiri kinda sucks. he’s very selfish without the whole egoist thing going on, and it’s confirmed in canon that a lot of people get turned off by his personality after being drawn in by his looks. he obviously has some interest in you if you’re dating, but that doesn’t mean his bad traits magically go away. his mindset is very “me before you.” if you’re arguing he’s going to bring up points for the sole purpose of hurting you because he has to be right. he has too much pride to admit when he's wrong but also to apologize for his actions. on the opposite side of that, though, is compliments and the like are easy for him to give you. he’s pretty open with his opinions so if he likes a certain thing about you he has no qualms with telling you as such. he would never deny you're dating and generally likes to show you off, wanting everyone to know he bagged an incredible person. he’s not the worst person to date, but it probably won’t be worth anything as a long term relationship.

༄ nagi: 6/10

nagi is my favorite character and that’s why i need to say this. he does have some merit for what it’s worth. he’s very physically affectionate and is also really easy to be around. i see him as being more open to compromise if you’re stern enough with him. he might complain a bit but he’s not that hard to convince. the biggest issue with him is that he just… doesn’t care. if he goes to a new cafe with you it’s cause you asked him, not because he wanted to. it’s not that he doesn’t love you, he just doesn’t process things like this in his brain. the concept of ‘doing things for your partner before they ask’ doesn’t click. he’s not a mind reader, so isn’t just being vocal about what you want the easiest? he doesn’t really expect much from you as a partner so easily grows confused at why you have these random demands and expectations from him when you know exactly how he is. it might not be a dealbreaker, but it does make you question if he’s ever actually enjoying his time with you.

༄ reo: 8/10

reo’s biggest issues are 1.) he's absurdly jealous and 2.) his money. the thing with his money is the fact he uses it almost as a deflector of sorts. if you have a genuine problem you need to sort out with him, he's giving you new jewelry, designer bags, dinners at michelin star restaurants instead of talking it out. he doesn’t want to give you the chance to bring up your displeasure in regards to something he’s done. it’s his default answer because it’s the only thing people have wanted from him. reo is actually very scared of conflict. he’s worried you’ll leave him at the first sign of him not being the picture perfect boyfriend that’s expected from him, which ties into the jealousy. if someone has a trait you admire, he’ll mold himself to fit that thing you seem to like.  he hates when you even acknowledge other people’s talents or attractive features  (save for nagi.) speaking of nagi, it’s played out but i do believe he’s the only person reo will share you with. if nagi wants to cuddle, kiss, act like your boyfriend, reo has no issue as long as he’s involved too. when you’re someone reo truly loves, he’ll let you do pretty much anything to him with no repercussions. it’s very easy to take advantage of him as long as you promise stay by his side.

༄ rin: 7/10

no matter how much he denies it, rin tries very hard to be sae. he wants to be the nonchalant boyfriend, never losing his cool and making it seem like you’re always running back for more. in truth, he couldn’t be more obvious about how badly he needs you. he has this sort of non-stop identity crisis going so he’s going to have this front of “fine with you, fine without you.” he wants you to think he doesn’t need you that bad because he’s worried you’ll see him as weak. the thing that makes it obvious is that when you’re threatening to leave because he’s just too hot and cold, he caves instantly. teeth gritted, he’ll ask what you want him to change, what kind of person should he be for you? after sae, he became so desperately starved for love that the second you started dating  he felt like he was suffocating, always needing your validation but unable to ask for it. similarly to reo, he’s easy to take advantage of if you insinuate that you’re unhappy with something currently in your relationship. be gentle because you can break him apart and he’ll always think it was his fault.

༄ sae: 9/10

i’m gonna go against the grain and say that sae is actually a great boyfriend because he wouldn’t bother getting into a relationship to begin with if he didnt think it’s worth his time. he’s an incredibly self assured person so he has no reason to be all wishy-washy with who he’s interested. sae’ll make it clear he wants to date you and obviously you’re reciprocating because duh, he’s sae itoshi. from the get go he’ll remind you that soccer is his career, his lifeblood, and while he loves you more, his priorities lay there. the fact he straight up admits it instead of letting it become a festering issue is exactly why he’s so good because neither of you will have wasted time in the relationship. he’s also easier to talk to than one might think. sae generally believes drawn out arguments are pointless  and wasting energy on them doesn’t help anyone, so any that you two have are squashed pretty quickly. affection comes pretty easily to him but he can be a little emotionally absent at his worst. it’s not really something that changes over time, but he has other methods of making sure you know he adores you. it’s very “what you see is what you get.” if you’re acquainted with him at all, there’s really no negative surprises or unexpected twists that put a damper on the romance between you both. if nothing else, he makes sure the whole world know exactly who you belong to, and it leaves you with no room to doubt he plans to keep you by his side forever.

༄ karasu: 10/10

one third of the “perfect boyfriend trio.” this is generally a shock to people who know the kind of company he keeps around but the thing is that karasu doesn’t approve of otoya’s behavior. he goes from insinuating otoya could be doing better things with his time than leading girls on to flat out telling him he’s pathetic for not holding down a relationship. most of the girls who have their hearts broken by otoya fall in love with karasu right after from how kindly he treats them and the way he apologizes for his friends nasty habits. karasu holds a lot of respect for you as a person since he’s attracted to people he can analyze and read into. a common bonding activity is just him asking your opinions on certain topics or how you’d approach a theoretical situation and he’ll sit back and listen, trying to dig into your mind. he’s also very self aware of his flaws and will admit he isn’t perfect but is always working to better himself (“his weakness is that he can't be nice to people he thinks are mediocre and knows he needs to fix that.”) it’s not like you’ll never have issues, but he always resolves them in a way that doesn’t add tension or doubt to your relationship. he’s also good with all 5 love languages and prefers to show them all to you, but if you have ones you prefer or dislike then he can easily adjust. he’s always listening to you, learning about you, wanting to be the best version of himself he can for you.

༄ otoya: 6/10

the glaring bone of contention with otoya is obvious to anyone who knows him - but not in the way you think. otoya can be a good boyfriend if he wants ; he knows what girls like, what makes them happy, how to keep them satisfied. he’s had enough practice for it to be second nature. once you're in a genuine relationship with him, he’s going to treat you pretty well. thing is - that’s exactly his problem. in the back of your head you know why he’s so good at this. you know you’re an idiot for thinking you can change him despite the fact you did. it’s just impossible to believe. every time he tries to reassure you that yes, you’re his only, he doesn’t want to go back to his old ways, you’re just staring at him thinking to yourself, ‘wonder how many times he’s used this line on someone.’ you’re just never going to have a sense of security with him because there’s always this lingering "what if" bouncing around. the worst part is that it’s not an unreasonable line of thought. mindless paranoia is one thing, but there’s so much proof against him that you’d be more humiliated for assuming he isn’t cheating on you - you can’t date a serial cheater and be really that mad or shocked if he does. you know what you signed up for accepting his confession, so your entire viewpoint is that it’s a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. you can never ever say with full confidence he's 100% yours, even when he is.

༄ yukimiya: 10/10

one third of the “perfect boyfriend trio.” i know it’s like beating a dead horse since this is a commonly shared sentiment but he really is incredible. a big part of the reason why is actually the fact he’s emotionally mature. he’s in tune with how he feels and knows how to convey it respectfully but isn’t so set in his ways he can’t see what points you want to make if you were to disagree on something. something else is that he’s very good at reading your micro-behaviors and can fall in line pretty well with how you act without compromising his own personality (in comparison to how someone like bachira or alexis would.) if you tend to be on the shyer side, not really one to defend yourself, he has no issue stepping in and solving whatever problem is going on. on the flip if you are more outgoing and not scared to bite at people then he'll fall back, only intervening when he can sense things’ll get ugly if he doesn’t tug on your leash a little bit. something he particularly enjoys doing is picking up hobbies or skills that you enjoy or would appreciate. he’ll learn how to cook if you hate it or asks you to read your favorite books to him at night, wrapped in his arms while he presses a gentle kiss against your temple. 

༄ kaiser: 4/10 to 8/10 

the thing with kaiser is that he’s a really good boyfriend, but you have to go through hell to get to that point. he has so many walls and has all these little “tests” where he tries to catch you using him for his money, status, looks, etc. kaiser wants to convince himself that love obviously isn’t real ; look at his parents for god’s sake. so he’s always trying to plan some “gotcha” thing and catch you in the act. the issue is, he doesn’t. you’re really like this from the bottom of your heart and he can’t wrap his head around that fact. so he goes to the emotion he knows best - anger. he’s lashing out at you for lying to him, accusing you of all sorts of things because surely there’s no way this is real, that he has something fully his, someone who cherishes him and sees him for his best. this entire process isn’t a few months either - this is a good two or three years. he has a lot of built up trauma to navigate both on his own and with you. if you somehow have the conviction to get through this then he’ll be a really incredible guy to have around. he loves you so fiercely that he’d rather die than let the one good thing he’s been gifted to slip from his fingers, but everyone in your life is going to hate him by then and insist he hasn’t changed, feeling like you’re going to eventually be broken by him.

༄ alexis: ?/10

alexis is actually pretty similar to bachira, just more extreme. in any other context, his obsessions would be viewed as something of concern or distasteful but dating alexis means you already would know about it and in turn only get into a relationship if you were okay with it. it’s not as if his attachment to kaiser is a secret. if you’re going in with the “i can fix him” mentality then you’ve doomed yourself already. you have to already accept his quirks and such to really reach him in a way that matters. a relationship with him is this unending back and forth. you're actually not really going to be viewed as this untouchable deity because he's already yours. he doesn't have to prove his worth like with kaiser. the thing is that kaiser molded who he is now so kaiser is kind of his tie to humanity - without him, alexis doesn’t really have much keeping him tied to earth. don’t think you’re not important to him because and he’s going to insane lengths for you to accept his unhealthy outlets of showing his love and devotion to you. he feels so much more human with you because you’re giving him the attention that he has to beg kaiser for but without the requirements to earn it - you just love him naturally. he’s not trying to prove that he deserves your love, he’s trying to prove that he loves you just as much back but he doesn’t know how to do it normally. he doesn’t know how to offer himself to you in a way that isn’t self destructive. he’s stuck in this non-stop cycle of you trying to convince him he doesn’t need to like earn your love and him thinking that it’s you saying he’s not doing enough to to earn your love and thus he goes to more extremes. if you can handle it then he’s great for you, you’ll never question that he’s madly in love with you. but if you get overwhelmed then he grows more unstable, and you’re stuck trying to make him better while he makes himself worse to hopefully get you to finally praise him for shattering who he is.

[keferon]

In addition to Swerve and Starscream knowing what Blurr’s living (and dying through), I do wonder if Swindle wouldn’t know in his own way too?

Because I could easily see if they spent any lengthy amount of time together in idw universe that Swindle would start to make observations and realize that something is different for Blurr even if he didn’t know exactly what was going on in full detail.

(And would Blurr possibly give it away — in the moment of relief after Swingle saves his life? Would he slip? Let down his guard just a little in thinking it was over and the loop was finally broken?)

Ooohhhh imagine if at some point Blurr gets. Like. Drunk maybe? Or high on painkillers or something like that?

And he just starts talking and talking and TALKING about the whole death loop thing because he's hammered and because he needed to talk about it so fucking bad.

And Swindle at first thinks "oh he's just fucking with me okay" but then he starts noticing little details. The way Blurr mixes up names. The way he sometimes seems to know mechs he never met before. One day after some thoughtful watching Swindle just corners Blurr and like "Tell me that story about different worlds but without drugs and on normal speed!"

And yeah. I think Blurr would tell him.

I'm imagining Blurr being like "It's different but kind of the same. Dramatic. Sorta heroic. And consistently gory."

And then Blurr dies and it is exactly what he was describing.

And maybe he is fast enough to send one last message to Swindle before he gets completely destroyed. Something very quick and short like "I'm gonna miss you."

[zorosangell]

Hi!!! First off I wanna say how AMAZING ur writing is like truly WOW. I loveee how you write jealous Zoro, but I neeeedd some jealous, possessive reader. Reader don’t play about Zoro just as much as he don’t play about her. You can also totally add some spice if you want *wink wink*

⛥ﾟ・。 stall

synopsis: after you catch a girl trying to spike zoro's drink, all hell breaks loose... hell being you.

cw: fluffy fluff, comfort, a whole lot of profanity, reader's crashout is incredibly valid, reader is a BADDIE, nami is a down ass bitch, girl talk, zoro looooves his girl.

a/n: i'd be this crazy too if I had zoro as a bf

"Look at her! All giggly and shit... he's never said anything that funny his whole life," you huffed, brows furrowed and lip jutted in a pout as you watched from the window of the bathroom door.

"She is kinda hammin' it up," Nami agreed, peaking along with you. "But that doesn't explain why you dragged me out here."

"'Cause I needed someone to spy with. And I didn't wanna look crazy doing it at a table."

"Hon', you look crazy now!"

"Hey!"

With a harsh sigh, you came off your tippy-toes, your heels making a soft clack against the bathroom tile as you turned to your red-headed friend.

"I do not!"

"(y/n), you are in your best dressed while stalking your boyfriend from the grimy bathroom of a dive bar," she deadpanned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I love you... but this is insane."

Slowly, you deflated, shoulders slightly sinking at the facts presented for you.

It did look kind of crazy.

'A warranted kind of crazy...'

The girl out there with the annoyingly silky hair and infuriatingly beautiful dress had been practically throwing herself at Zoro since the moment she saw him.

And it had only been a week since you and the crew arrived at Asaashi.

The Sunny was in need of repairs, so the crew docked at a nearby port island in order to give Franky enough space and time to fix her up.

And guess who happened to be the harbormaster?

Every day, without fail, she had managed to tail your swordsman, following him and showering him with praise whenever she could.

You hadn't had not two seconds alone with him before she came barging in with some excuse like a pirate crew she needed help collecting from or boats she needed help destroying.

You knew Zoro had never—and would never—entertain her advances, but being his girlfriend, you couldn't help but feel some type of way.

"She knows exactly who I am, and she knows exactly what she's doing," you stated, firmly, pointing at the window. "I can't just sit around and do nothing, Nami."

"Well, hanging out in the bathroom surely isn't helping."

With a sigh, she stepped closer, resting a comforting hand on your shoulder.

"You've got more history with that idiot than that girl could ever know. And if you actually think she has a shot with him, then maybe you aren't as smart as I thought you were..."

"Hey!"

Amused, Nami let out a small snicker, before focusing on the task at hand.

"You're his girlfriend. And you've got every right to walk out there and plop yourself down on his lap. Kiss him! Shove your tongue down his throat! Lay your claim, girl! Men do it all the time."

Surprised, your nose scrunched.

"Really?"

"You think Zoro starts getting hot and heavy with you whenever Sanji's around just for fun?"

She paused a moment, thinking about her statement.

"Well... yes, for fun, but it's also a power-play."

Shaking her head, she returned to her point.

"So be bold! Take charge! Show that bitch who's boss!"

"Yeah!"

"Yeah!"

With new determination, you turned on your heel, throwing the bathroom door wide open and storming out.

Only to immediately rush back in.

"She's coming! Hide!"

"(y/n)!"

Quickly, you snatched up Nami's wrist, dragging her into a stall and shutting the door just in time for the woman and her friend to walk in.

"Oh, my god, Siva, the guy you're talking to is so hot," the friend commended, audibly plopping her bag down on one of the sinks. "Where did you find him?"

"At work," she smirked, going straight for the mirrors to check her makeup. "His crew's been docked here for about a week. We've been getting to know each other better."

"I'm surprised a man like him isn't snatched up already," the friend remarked, slowly gliding the bright red lipstick across her lips.

"Oh, he is," Siva grinned, her lips curling in an almost witch-like expression. "But she's practically out the picture already."

At that, anger began to bubble in your stomach, your brows furrowing at the statement.

'Oh, she fuckin' didn't.'

Just as you were about to open the door, Nami looped her arms under your armpits, frantically holding you back.

"Clearly not enough. He hasn't touched you all night," the friend reminded, beginning to touch up her eye shadow.

"All week," Siva corrected, annoyed, as she grabbed something out her dress pocket. "But this little baby's gonna change all that."

You and the navigator paused your struggle for a moment, brows quirking as you both peeked in the crack of the stall to see what she was holding.

It was a small bottle.

"Few drops of this in his sake and he'll be up for anything."

"Few drops? He'll need ten bottles just to get a buzz," the friend scrunched her nose.

"Nuh-uh. Whole bottle's enough to kill a dragon."

You were clenching your fists so hard, your knuckles were turning white.

"What about the girlfriend?" the friend asked, amused.

"What about her? She'll be old like last week's shoe sale. Tossed out and left with the trash."

"Girl, you are bad..."

"It's good to be."

"Y'know what's gonna be really good?!"

Without hesitation, you kicked open the stall door, the resounding boom scaring the shit out of them

"When I kick your fucking ass!"

Seamlessly, you kicked off your heels before launching forward, grabbing Siva by her silky hair and letting off a rapid-fire round of punches, her poor balance easily taking you both to the ground.

"My extensions!" Siva shrieked as you tossed a clump of fake hair, attempting to lift her arms in order to shield her face.

"Siva!" the friend gasped, quickly moving to assist. "Don't worry! I'll get her!"

"Get who?" Nami scoffed, hopping on one foot as she attempted to take off her heels and take out her earrings. "You're not jumping my girl, bitch!"

Stalling for time, Nami stepped on the girl's toes with the point of her heel before finally managing to get it off, promptly snatching her up before she could grab you.

"Get the fuck off me, you fucking cunt!" Siva spat as you continued to throttle her head.

"Shut the fuck up!" you barked, tossing her into a tiled wall.

"Oh, that is fucking it!" she growled, brows furrowed and newly invigorated.

"C'mon, bitch! I'm right here!"

With a roar of anger, she charged you, slamming you both against another wall before you flipped her over and tackled her out the bathroom, taking the door completely off its hinges.

"Keep fuckin' trying me, hoe! I'm not scared of you!" you spat, the two of you right back where you started as you grabbed her hair once again, slamming her head against the hard wood of the door—Nami still being in a fist fight with the friend in the bathroom.

"Ohhhh, shit! Cat fight!" a random patron exclaimed, calling the attention of the entire bar.

Everyone cheered, letting out shouts of oohs and aahs as you whooped the woman's ass, the sight honestly a marvel as you did so effortlessly, without devil fruit powers nor freakish strength to back you up.

Just will and a whole lot of grit.

Though, it wasn't long before a certain pair of strong arms grabbed you, pulling you away from the woman as you frantically thrashed around like an angry cat.

None other than your boyfriend.

"No, Zoro! M'not done beatin' her ass!" you whined, attempting to wiggle out of his tight grip.

"Yes, you are," he shut down, instantly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We're leaving."

"Nami-swan, please! A goddess like yourself shouldn't dirty your hands with things like this!" Sanji pleaded, attempting to pry your red-headed friend off the other girl.

"Fuck that! This bitch tried to pull my hair out!"

"Yeah! Run away, bitch!" Siva taunted, sitting up from the ground with a painful wince.

"Run away?!" you scoffed, eyes wide. "Oh, hell nah! Zoro, let me go!"

"No," he denied, tossing you over his shoulder before starting toward the door. "Let's go, cook! Hurry the hell up!"

"Give me a damn second! She's got a death hold on her!" Sanji grunted, finally managing to loosen Nami's grip on the friend's neck before pulling her off.

"My fucking teeth!" Siva screeched, cupping at least five in her palm with horror.

"Thank my man, bitch! He's the only reason you're still breathing!" you barked, grabbing a nearby man's drink and tossing it at her. "Have fun suckin' sailor dick, toothless!"

"Fuck you!"

"Eat my ass!" you pulled down your eyelid, sticking out your tongue as you waved around a humongous chunk of hair. "Bald-headed bitch!"

The following shriek was high enough to shatter glass, but it sounded like music to your ears as you laughed, tossing her extensions on the ground as Zoro finally exited the bar.

With a sigh, he started in the direction of the Sunny—per Sanji's instructions—glancing back at you with a raised brow.

"You wanna tell me what all that was back there?" he asked.

Slowly coming down from your high, your shoulders slightly sank, arms crossing over your chest.

"She won't be coming around you anymore," you huffed, firm and final.

At that, Zoro finally realized what this was all about, forcing a small smirk to curl on his lips.

Letting out a chuckle, he pressed a soft kiss against your thigh, his large palm giving your ass a quick squeeze.

"Crazy woman..."

[cherryyluvs]

Late Night Confessions

late night calls and movie nights with you slowly turn into something more.

It started with late night calls. They were innocent, Mark would call you after a long night of fighting villains or finishing his part time in Burger Mart. Just to hear that sweet voice of yours before bed.

“You ever just sit on your roof at 2am and think about how weird life is?” He said one night, voice laced with exhaustion and fondness.

“Mark it’s 2 am.” You whined sleepily. Burying yourself deeper into your blankets. “And you're still wearing your suit, aren't you?”

“… Maybe,” He admitted, a sheepish chuckle slipping through the phone. “But if i take it off now, that means i have to get up and shower and i'm way too comfy talking to you.”

You groaned, rolling onto your side. “You're the worst”

“And yet, you're still on the phone with me.” He teased

You rolled your eyes but the smile on your face was undeniable. The calls became a routine after that. He would call you when he was tired, when he was happy, when he wanted to just hear your voice. And honestly? You didn't mind one bit.

Then came the movie nights, they started as a casual thing. Just two best friends hanging out and binge watching cheesy action films or terrible romcoms while demolishing a ridiculous amount of popcorn.

Tonight, though something felt.. Different.

You were both sprawled out on his couch, snuggled up next to Mark, wrapped in a fuzzy blanket that was his but you'd stolen it ages ago. And a ridiculous superhero movie playing in the background, but neither of you were paying attention. Your head was resting against Mark’s shoulder, and at some point he hesitantly draped an arm around you.

You pretended to not notice the way his heart was racing. “Okay but tell me why this guy just threw a whole car at the villain instead of, i don't know? Punching him?” Mark muttered, trying to focus on anything but the fact that you were curled up against him. You giggled, feeling his voice vibrate through his chest.

“I don't know invincible, maybe you should take notes.” He groaned, tilting his head back against the couch, “Don't remind me. I get that enough of that from william” You hummed in amusement, snuggling a little closer.

Mark stiffened for a moment before relaxing. He wanted to say something but every time he worked up the courage, the words were stuck in his throat.

Now or never.

He took a deep breath. “Hey uh, can i tell you something?”

“Hmm?” you replied, eyes half lidded from the warmth and comfort. His throat went dry. This was not how he pictured confessing, he had a whole plan! Flowers maybe. But with your head leaning against his shoulder, he couldn't think straight.

God why am I like this?

“I, uh like you. A lot! Like more than just friends kind of like you.” You froze, looking at his face, he was so red. Like, cartoon tomato face red.

“Mark..”

“And i know that was super awkward, and i totally just ruined the movie night but i had to say it befor-”

“Mark.”

He gulped. “Yeah?” You smiled, soft and mischievous. “Just kiss me already.”

His breath hitched, eyes wide as you reached the collar of his shirt and pulled him down. The moment your lips met, he melted. Completely.

Every late night call, every lingerie glance, every accidental touch , it all led to this.

Judging by the way you were smiling against his lips, you'd been waiting for this just as much as he had. The warmth of his lips , nervous but eager. It was all so sweet.

When you finally pulled away, his face was still red and grinning like an absolute idiot. “So… does this mean I can finally stop pretending I don't stare at you when you laugh?” You snorted, swatting his chest.

“You stare at me? Mark!”

“Hey! That's unfair. You can't just exist and be this cute. It's distracting !” He huffed, burying his face in your shoulder.

You couldn't stop the giggle that bubbled up. “Well, if it makes you feel better i also stare at you too.”

Mark smiled “Great. So we've both been embarrassing this whole time.”

“Yup” you said, popping the ‘p’ with a smile. “But now we get to be embarrassing together.” He beamed at you, eyes soft and full of something deep. “Yeah. I like the sound of that.”

You settled back into the couch, Mark pulling you more closer and you knew. This was only the start.

[hanniescookie]

a guide to applying lip balm - lsm

pairing - seokmin x f!reader

genre/warnings - best friends to lovers, fluff, lots of kissing, implied makeout session, cursing, use of petnames

wc - 1.3K

summary - your best friend asks you to teach him how to apply lip balm, but that spirals into something else.

A/N - seokmin applying lipbalm with one hand and then blowing a kiss will never leave me, but i failed to Inspire this fic completely from that. nevertheless, i am happy to finally post 😣🤍

| @maestro-net

“That is not how you apply lip balm, Seokmin.”

You remark with a sigh, watching your best friend move his lips around as if trying to catch the balm, rather than smoothly gliding the stick across his lips. It's a bit awkward and humorous but cute at the same time.

He grins, popping the lid back on and turning to you. “Teach me how to apply it then.”

You can't help but laugh at his request, his eyes sparkling with curiosity as he hands the lip balm to you. You stare at it for a second longer, before mindlessly scooting closer on the couch.

“Okay, let me show you," you say, taking the sleek tube from him without much thought. You twist off the cap, revealing the soft, shiny balm inside.

"First, you want to make sure your lips are clean and dry," you explain, gently wiping Seokmin's lips with your thumb. He sputters a little at the contact, and only after seeing his expression do you realize what's happening.

Your first instinct is to blush furiously, and your hand falters against his jaw. You refuse to look straight into his eyes for more than a second because the look that he's giving you makes your stomach flip.

How could you be so dumb? Why in the world were you teaching him how to apply a stupid lip balm?

“You can use tissue paper,” he says in a low voice. His lips move against your thumb and your whole hand vibrates. It's nearly like an electric shock.

It dawns on you rather late that he's implying he wants you to go on and also that his lips are messily moisturised because he applied lip balm some minutes ago.

You don't want to go on. You don't think you have that kind of self control—being in such close proximity to your best friend who you've loved for years and not kissing him.

You swallow, backing away a little to find some tissues but he's already holding one for you to take. Though you can't tell when he grabbed it, you take it and carefully begin dabbing it on his beautiful lips.

Once the balm is somewhat removed, you hold the stick up to his lips. "Next, you want to apply a small amount of balm to your lips," you continue, demonstrating the correct technique. "Just glide the stick across your lips, making sure to cover them evenly."

You hope he fails to catch the way your hand is shaking, but you successfully see how his cheeks have turned pink. It gives you a little boost of confidence. Is he affected too?

"Now it's your turn," you say, handing the lip balm back to him. Seokmin takes it, his fingers brushing against yours, and you guide his hand to help him apply it smoothly.

However, he stops. You raise your brows questioningly.

His words are all over the place when he speaks, his finger pointing to his mouth. “I— uh I already have lip balm on, so…”

Your eyes widen slightly, realizing that you indeed just applied it for him.

“I'll wipe it off.” He reaches for the tissue box on the coffee table, and you don't know what, but something stirs inside you. Something so intense that you grab his wrist to stop him.

“I have another way to wipe it off.”

Stupid stupid stupid. Why would you say that?!

Seokmin genuinely looks confused, his eyes turning bigger as he stares at you. He looks adorable, and much more kissable now. You want to dump every common sense in your body and do what your intrusive thoughts are telling you.

Stupidly, you do exactly that.

You lean closer to him, fingers tightening around his wrist as your lips press against his glossy ones. You can't believe the sigh that leaves your mouth at the touch—you feel like you have starved for his lips.

Seokmin seems a little frozen at first, his eyes widening even more if it's possible. Then he shuts them tightly, his heart pounding uncontrollably in his chest. He can't seem to move, because as much as he has wanted it for years, he can't take any risks. Not with you.

He waits till you pull away without kissing him at all. It was just a firm press of your lips together, and both your ears are hot.

The look on his face makes you assume that you have fucked up. Your heart drops and you sputter out apologies that he can't hear. Seokmin is too busy staring at your lips, and reminiscing how they felt against his own.

Your train of apologies is interrupted by his sudden voice. “I think my lips aren't completely wiped yet.”

You pause. Everything in Seokmin's living room feels dead still. The whole world falls silent. Until he speaks again, his voice so low you fear you would've missed it. “You could–you could try again.”

Your lips find him in the next second. This time, you can't tell if it's his sigh or yours, because you're too engrossed in the feeling of his soft, glossy lips gliding against yours.

It's a gentle kiss, soft yet urgent in a way that tells you he's waited as long as you. Your hands wrap around his neck, fingers tangling in his hair as he pulls you closer by the waist, almost in his lap.

By the time you pull away, you're both breathless. His forehead rests against yours as you both try coming down from the high.

Now it hits. You've crossed this line that you both had carefully drawn over the course of your friendship.

You pull your head back a little, staring at him. His lips are slightly puffy, and his hair are messy on his forehead. He looks more kissable—it almost feels insane. But you do not let your intrusive thoughts win this time.

“Seokmin.” You call out gently. He hums, big eyes meeting yours in a way that makes him look incredibly small. You have so much to say, yet what comes out is entirely stupid and baseless.

“Do you want to continue learning?”

“Learning what?”

“How to apply lip balm.”

Seokmin giggles. The sound makes your head cloudy. You don't know what has caused him to laugh like that, but you know you would do anything to continue making him laugh.

His large hand cradles your face, suddenly making you feel smaller. “Will you wipe it off like this again?”

You fail to control the smile that takes up your features. It's a little shy, a little goofy and mostly surprised. “Does this mean you like me?”

He raises his eyebrows, his warm face lighting up more. Slowly, he nods, making you gasp.

“Fucking hell, dude.”

He bites his lip, and tries to contain his beautiful smile. “Don't dude me. I prefer baby now.”

You stare at him in complete shock, unable to believe how things have spiraled in a matter of few minutes.

It's stupid of you to look like a deer caught in headlights after kissing your best friend and hearing his confession, because now he's starting to look unsure.

“I mean—you don't have to call me baby. I was just saying it as a joke. I don't—do you even like me?”

It's your turn to giggle. You all but throw yourself on him, holding his face in your hands and pecking his lips. “I have liked you for years, baby.”

Seokmin thinks he can faint. If somebody were to tell him that the world is ending right now, he wouldn't bat an eye. He will die gladly in your arms with the memory of you calling him baby.

When his lips find yours again, you know that once this high is over, you both will likely have a lot to talk about. But for now, you let the lip balm in his hand poke your back as you kiss him. You'll deal with the practicality as it comes.

[believesinponds]

I am a teacher and our recent district professional development training was literally on how to use Gemini to help plan lessons.

It was absolutely ridiculous. We had to do a Google-produced training and practice how to write prompts in a certain style so that the chat bot would be able to output the right kind of information. The whole time all I could think was, “What is the fucking point here? Why aren’t they just spending four hours teaching us how to come up with our own lesson ideas for differentiation?”

That was the big draw, by the way. Gemini will help you come up with ideas for lessons and activities. As if there isn’t a treasure trove of those already out there online, curated by actual teachers. As if Gemini didn’t learn its shit from those existing databases anyway.

It’s disgusting. I’m actually disgusted. I really, really hope it goes downhill in education, too, but I’m nervous.

I did leave really nasty (academic) critical feedback, though.

I feel like the big push for AI is starting to flag. Even my relatively tech obsessed dad is kinda over it. What do you even use it for? Because you sure as hell dont want to use it for fact checking.

There's an advertisement featuring a woman surreptitiously asking her phone to provide her with discussion topics for her book club. And like... what. Is this the use case for commercial AI? This the best you could come up with? Lying to your friends about Moby Dick?

[tokoyamisstuff]

Hear me out…

Variants finding out that reader who is their S.O in their universe is dating somebody else in this one

All the possible reactions from them ESPECIALLY if the seeing reader again was their main motivation for coming to this dimension in the first place

(Pretty please can you include No goggles Mark and the variant that got blown up with Rex,,,,he had such an evil yet sweet and soft voice it still scratches my head so good)

Warnings: every red flag imagineable, forced relationship, abduction, manipulation, canon-typical violence + death, not proofread

He's calm. Too calm. Because he knows exactly how to resolve this.

You'd surely hate him if he was to kill your mate - which wouldn't be a hindrance, but still bothersome - so instead he resorts to more sophisticated measurements.

Got your partner dangling helplessly in the air while making it crystal clear that if he was to ever approach you again, the consequences would be worse than death.

Of course he'd be there to comfort you immediately after you get broken up with 'out of the blue'. You'll never know.

Surprisingly, I think he'd be the most chill about it. After all, he knows best what it's like to try and fill the void with meaningless partners.

But anyways, it's time you stop this bullshit, because your real soulmate is here now. He wouldn't even feel threatened by this nobody, confident that you'll eventually see just how much better he is in every way.

However, he is not a patient man. If you take too long to accept your fate, he might have to become a little more aggressive in his attempts.

Oh, so you want to make him jealous? Cute. Challenge accepted.

But don't be fooled by his confident facade, on the inside he is seething with rage and heartbreak. There's no way to calm him down, couldn't care less and didn't ask for your opinion, feelings, or whatever excuse you'd come up with to soothe his hurt pride.

He'd keep your 'pathetic attempt at replacing him' around, torturing him for his own amusement, and also as means of punishment because you 'cheated' on him. To 'mark his territory', he will constantly force your partner to watch the things he does to you.

In between his cruel way of venting his anger, he'll have brief moments of weakness, revealing just how desparate he is for your affection.

Won't harm your partner if you comply and come with him. They're insignificant either way.

He's pretty chill about the whole situation, certain that given time you'll surrender to your new circumstances. Treats you strict yet caring - as far as he is able to be - and gives you clear instructions of how to act around him.

Other than that, you'll be granted a rather peaceful life with as much freedom as he is possible to give to make you adapt easier. Asks you to never mention your ex in any way, though. Sore topic.

As far as he's concerned, your life before his arrival never existed.

This whole situation is weirdly amusing to him. He'll have a fit of laughter seeing you with this fucking loser, slapping his ankle and acting all silly, while degrading them and also you for choosing someone like this.

Will challenge your partner to a 'duel to win your favor' just for the fun of it. Might even let them land a hit or two, just to toy with them. We all know how this ends, but hey, it got the point across pretty well.

Afterwards he'll act all cheerful and whimsy, twirling you around and expecting you to be thrilled that he's here and got rid of this 'disgrace' for you.

Would be very underatanding. You are not to blame, after all. It's just that your kind is so weirdly obsessed with the concept of love, that you'd rather stay with the wrong companion than be all alone.

But now he has arrived, and by Viltrumite logic you should practically launch yourself onto the superior choice.

Acts as callous and neutral as always, claiming that this union is strictly strategical, but in reality it's eating him alive that he keeps failing to recreate a bond similar to the one you had with your partner.

At some point he pours out his heart, despite having a hard time to verbalize those feelings he was never taught. It's a beginning, though.

Amused, at least initially. But his mood is pretty erratic in general and can switch drastically.

Depending on your reaction, he might either adapt to the situation pretty easily or do something he regrets later. It's a thin line honestly, and there's no right or wrong action.

Most likely he's a petty bastard and will disregard your partner completely. Flirts with you constantly like a damn bully that tries to steal someone's girl in the most disrespectful way possible. And given his power he just knows neither of you have the guts to resist his antics. If you do play hard to get however, it only spurrs him further!

He can work with whatever you decide on doing.

This is his breaking point.

As soon as the reality of the situation sets in, he'll have a complete mental breakdown. You're finally in reach and yet so far away, with someone better that can provide a normal life for you.

Without any hope to hold onto, he'll start destroying everything in his path in a nihilistic fenzy. Without you, nothing matters anymore - it's better to end it all and take everyone with him.

You'll sacrifice yourself by making the heroic offer to stay at his side if he spares your world - and really, he'd rather have you like this than not at all.

Abducts you right then and there, no questions asked.

This man is so lost in his delusions that he seamlessly continues where he left off with his world's version of you. He refuses to acknowledge that you're a completely different person and gets unstable if you act any different than he expects you to.

The most horrifying thing is that he's a talented manipulator without even trying to be. Gaslights you into obedience by claiming it's the only way to keep you safe, and his gentle way of tending to you in huge contrast to his true nature. Over time he's able to actually make you care for him in a twisted way.

His intentions might be pure, his methods on the other hand are anything but that.

But hey, he never seeked out to be absolved anyways. All he wanted was to have you back.

Be prepared to hear all insuslts in the book being hurled at you.

Kills your partner out of a whim, but regrets his approach later on since he should have made them suffer way more. You can be glad he has a soft spot for you in his heart, otherwise would've died right then and there together.

Better make up to him after your 'mistake' by every means necessary. Get on your knees and beg for his forgiveness - even though you have no idea who he is or what he is talking about.

But hey, luckily he just can't be mad at you for too long.

Bonus: Retro Invincible

"I'm not mad, just disappointed" he states flatly with that smooth, balmy voice of his. He is definetly mad. Run.

Takes his sweet time ending the life of the person that dared defiling you with their unworthy touch, making you watch the entire thing so you'll 'learn your lesson'. And don't you dare to scream or even cry for them, or he'll unleash pain a thousand times worse.

Becomes awfully possessive afterwards. Even while holding you in captivity he'd still find reasons to lash out randomly at people he deems suspicious. You are always under his scrutiny, and the fact that you'll never truly be his is slowly driving him insane.

What a cruel turn of fate for both of you, eh?

[nathanbatemanfucker]

Fault Lines Ch. 1

request: wanted to know if you could write something where the reader is a ex-winter solider (just like bucky, but maybe she doesn't lose her arm) and how she struggles to accept Joaquin. An overall angst to fluff.

pairing: joaquin torres x ex-super soldier!f!reader

contents: canon typical violence, blood mention, illusions to abuse and torture, ptsd and other mental illness, enemies to lovers, angst

wc: 1,479

an: this series is based off of this request here! this series has truly poured out of me and is nearly done, and with all the other bits i've been writing, i'm probably just going to post it as quickly as i can as not to lose steam. i hope yall like it, i'm a little nervous as i've avoided writing this time of character before in fear i wouldn't do her justice. pls be kind!

fault lines masterlist

Someone has been ahead of Sam and Joaquin at every turn. Once might’ve been luck. Twice was suspicious. Three times? That meant someone else was hunting Hydra too—and winning.

And while Sam, Joaquin, and everybody at S.H.I.E.L.D wanted Hydra wiped out, they also wanted to know who was doing it and why.

They don’t know where this person is getting their intel. A mole, a hacked database, or maybe just a particularly desperate, sloppy faction of Hydra. Either way, it’s getting frustrating—because every time Sam and Joaquin show up, ready to extract information, all they find are bodies cooling in pools of blood.

Not today. Today’s a setup.

There’s snow on the ground, crunching beneath their boots as they grow closer to the rendezvous point. It’s still falling, freckling their dark clothing as they slip between the trees, far enough from each other to not garner attention but close enough in case things go awry. 

“Whoever this is, they’re dangerous,” Sam mutters, voice low in Joaquin’s earpiece. He scans the abandoned Hydra hideout from the cover of a half-collapsed outhouse, gunpowder and metal still thick in the air. “They’re calculated. They know what they’re doing.”

“So do we,” Joaquin counters, shifting his weight as he waits for the signal to continue moving through the treess.

“Yeah, but listen. As far as we know, it’s one person. And they’ve taken down whole squads of Hydra. No stray casualties. No blood spilled but the ones they were after. Who do you know that can do that?”

“If you let me upgrade the suit—”

“I’m serious, Joaquin,” Sam cuts in, sharp. No room for their usual back-and-forth. “Whoever this is doesn’t just have tech. They have something else. It’s inhuman.”

Joaquin swallows hard, the words settling in his chest like a weight. Sam’s instincts are good. If he thinks something’s off, it is.

The plan is simple: lay low, watch the meeting point where Hydra’s last known contacts are supposed to regroup, and wait for their mystery hunter to show up. If things go south, they intervene.

Joaquin already has a feeling this won’t be clean. Minutes pass. The winter wind howls through the wreckage, biting at their cheeks and rattling loose metal. 

It’s subtle. A shadow flickers at the edge of his vision.

Joaquin goes still with focus, eyes locking onto your figure as you slip through the ruins with silent precision. Even with the snow on the ground you don’t make a sound, its almost as if you’re floating. You move like a ghost—controlled, effortless. A hood hides your face, but everything else—your stance, the sharpness of your movements—radiates readiness. Like you’re expecting a fight.

He sees your shoulders rise and fall and then, you strike.

Hydra operatives barely have time to react before they’re taken down with brutal efficiency. A knife flashes once, twice—only when necessary. The rest fall under precise, bone-breaking force. No wasted movement. No hesitation. It’s methodical. Programmed into muscle memory long ago.

Joaquin feels his stomach turn, not even the cold air can keep his head clear. He’s seen this before. This kind of combat. The precision, the control. The lack of wasted effort.

“Sam,” he whispers, tension winding tight in his spine. “This isn’t just some ex-agent cleaning up loose ends.”

“I know,” Sam says grimly. “I’ve seen that kind of fighting before.”

The last Hydra operative collapses with a wet groan. Blood pools at your feet, staining the snow but it doesn’t phase you as you remove your knives from bodies and clean them on your sleeve. You pause, breath steady, then turn your head slightly, surveying the space around you. You can feel them watching. 

Sam doesn’t hesitate. He moves first because he knows the last thing they need is for you to find them first. That only ends in more blood. “We’re up.”

The second they step forward, you react like you were trained to. Like a cornered, wild animal. Your body pivots fast, hand already reaching for another knife—but Sam raises his hands in a rare show of non-hostility.

“Easy,” he says. “We’re not Hydra.”

“I know who you are,” you cut in. Your voice is even, but the weight behind it is enough to make Joaquin’s pulse jump. “And I don’t want to hear it.”

Because yeah, you know exactly who Sam Wilson is. You know his green little sidekick, too. And more than that, you know his boyfriend—how he went from committing some of the worst atrocities Hydra ever assigned to shaking hands with senators. How his sins were washed clean because he had the right people to vouch for him.

You don’t have people like that. You’re not Bucky Barnes. And you don’t think you want to be.

“You have to hear it,” Sam says, regret laced through his voice. “Or we’re gonna have to take you in.”

You scoff. “Try it.”

Joaquin takes a slow breath as Sam glances at him. A silent you’re up.

You’re quiet, weighing your options. And then, with an almost imperceptible shift, you move. Fast. One second, Joaquin is standing his ground and the next, he’s dodging a strike that would’ve knocked the breath from his lungs.

“Damn, alright, shit—” he manages, stumbling back, hands up. “Hold up. Hold up. We’re the good guys here.”

You don’t lower your stance, but you hesitate when he doesn’t try to fight back. It’s slight, but Joaquin sees it. Despite your speed, your breathing is even. Controlled. Regimented.

He exhales slowly, heart still hammering. “You haven’t killed a single innocent person. That tells me you’re not the monster they tried to make you.”

Your face shifts for a moment but whatever is there is too fast for Joaquin to name. His voice softens. “I’ve seen people who fight like you. You were trained to be something you didn’t ask to be. That’s not who you are, right?”

His words somehow sneak their way past the walls you've put up and strike you in your heart. Because he’s right, you didn’t ask for it and its not who you are. Its who you were made to be and you’re just finishing the job. He sees it in the way your shoulders shift, in the microexpression you aren’t able to hide this time.

After a long beat, you lift a hand and push your hood back— he can see you clearly anyway. “No, it’s not.”

Joaquin’s breath catches.

He wonders if this is what it felt like for Sam when he and Bucky finally were able to connect and see each other as human. He can feel the weight of all you’ve experienced and all you haven’t just in once glimpse. From it, Joaquin feels nothing but sadness for you, imagining all you endured in your captivity. 

“Come with us.”

Sam steps forward. “Whoa, Joaquin–” 

You give them both a bitter smile, cutting Sam off, “Don’t worry, captain, I‘d rather die of frostbite out here anyway.”

“You're not helping.” Joaquin scolds you, looking between the two of you before pulling Sam to the side, his expression confused. “Sam, c’mon. What would Bucky do?”

“Don’t bring him into this, man.”

“I didn’t bring him into this, he is this.”

“He was,” Sam says firmly. 

“He was, and you helped him out.”

Sam sighs– Joaquin was right. It hadn’t started out that way, Sam had needed Bucky’s help. He doesn’t even remember when or how the lines began to blur; he just knew that when he was with Bucky things felt…right. They’d been lucky though, finding that in each other.

 “So what, you wanna try to save her?”

“Don’t you?”

You clear your throat behind them, and they both turn around to meet your gaze. “One; I can hear you. Two; I don’t need saving.”

“I bet you could use some back up though,” Sam insists, looking at you over Joaquin’s shoulder. “Whatcha think about that?”

He’s not wrong. You could benefit from a free ammo re-up. It’d be nice to sleep in a place where you know there are harmless, good guys. Where the walls don’t morph into haunting faces and close in on you. 

“I think there better be a hot shower and meal for me when we get there,” You start towards their tracks but when you don’t hear them moving you glance over your shoulder at them. “You princesses coming?”

“How’d you know which way?” Joaquin asks, brows knitting together.

“The tracks,” You answer easily, taking a couple more steps in that direction. You hear a soft purr. “And now the engine.”

Sam glares at Joaquin. “You left the car running?”

The two start their usual bicker and you lead the back, wondering what you’ve just gotten yourself into. Maybe something as good as what Bucky’s got— most likely none of that and more pain. That’s all you’ve ever known.

> ch. 2

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[keferon]

"I'm gonna miss you."

Those words, have kept rotating through my mind.

If Blurr really does get just enough time to send them to Swindle before the end in idw and if this universe somewhat mirrors idw canon

In IDW Swindle dies, basically, well before when Blurr would. And then is brought back by the other combaticons.

Because they miss him? Maybe? That’s what Swindle’s led to believe initially. But there were always other reasons and more to it then that.

So then Blurr — would he be the only one that had missed Swindle just for being Swindle and for being gone?

And then his last words to Swindle being “I’m gonna miss you” take on a whole new layer of meaning.

Because that’s it. This time Blurr’s gone. And Swindle would know by this point what that means. Blurr’s gone. Forever.

Not dead. Not permanently. But forced to move on in a way that is in some ways worse. Because their separation — the distance between them is now permanent.

If I remember correctly Swindle was resurrected because he had valuable information. Like. Combaticons cared for him at a certain level yes but they mostly needed what's in his head.

So yeah. Swindle I imagine would be very attached to someone who values him because of him. Not because of what he has to offer.

And. Well. Now they have the infinite amount of dimensions between them. Because Blurr never ends up in the same world twice.

Also I think we need to just bullshit our way through all kinds of imaginary IDW-like, Animated-like, Tfp-like AUs because I don't want to spend all the time on wiki checking for specific timelines of every continuity haha

[deansnotstraight]

This is going to sound like it kinda contradicts the point of the post but I really really think it doesn't actually-

This also implies that whatever reasons he has for the ways that he does embody classic American masculinity, those reasons probably aren't just shame at being soft! You can make an argument that there's reasons other than just "he is most happy and comfortable with traditionally masculine behaviors and presentation" and in some cases there are very obvious reasons, such as daddy issues or pure practicality, and yes he absolutely says shit which indicate strongly that he is uncomfortable with outright feminity or queerness in men

—though it's so often towards Sam and I wonder how much of it is like, some insane sublimated bullshit of needing Sam to be normal bc he absorbed John's fears about Sam being evil without either of them ever acknowledging that even to themselves, whatever that's a whole other post—

but I think at least as long as the options for gender expression is limited to those traditionally allowed to cishet men, a man who wears flannel and heavy boots and fixes cars and eats burgers is in fact the kind of man he wants to be.

And having spent a statistically significant portion of his life in dive bars and truck stops and fucking gun shops, he is very aware that guys like that can be pretty shitty and that those guys are generally very insistent that all the things about them that suck are very closely tied to the things that he shares in common with them. Not just the clothes and the cars and the food but also the emotional repression and the trauma and the spends-all-his-time-around-other-men.

And so seeing endverse Dean gets to him. He knows it's real, and it's bad, and there but for the grace of [error: not found] go he. But he doesn't like, change any of his "macho" shit after that. That's still who he is.

What I'm getting at is that the misinterpretation I think people have isn't in believing in some front Dean puts up of masculinity, it's in not believing it. Assuming that it must all stem from insecurity, because that's the only reason for someone to be Like That.

And he's not a guy who's comfortable with himself by any means, or without internalized homophobia and misogyny, but I think he is someone who is very comfortable with being uncomfortable. There's no version of himself that he can imagine who he doesn't have fear and shame about, very much including the one he chooses to be. And so I think if he wanted to be Dean Smith he would be, you know?

The point I'm getting at is mostly that I think Dean is generally a very real and sincere person. There's a million layers of trauma and bullshit under there but that's not some kind of secret. He knows he's fucked up, and he doesn't really care if other people do to.

Thinking randomly about how Zachariah's attempts to "recruit" dean initially started in making him feel ashamed about "steaming a latte" or listening to NPR or something "soft-" coded.

But then! A much more effective nightmare scenario turned out to be the bruh-huh-huh and beer can crushing of Endverse.

Dean was more afraid of being that than being that.

And like, that's just fascinating, isn't it? Zach assumed Dean would be ashamed of the "wussy" world of Dean Smith, but it was actually... the opposite. And this is sooo like a microcosm for how Dean gets misread, isn't it?

[mahi-wayy]

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞..?

pairing : dean winchester x fem!reader

length : 1.1k

fandom : supernatural

warnings : mention of depression, mental health struggles, that argument from s9 ep13 ( I lunderstood sam but he shouldn't have said what he did ) dean's signature emotional repression, hurt with little to no comfort because dean doesn't allow it.

ʟɪʙʀᴀʀʏ

“No. Dean…I wouldn't.”

The words hit a lot harder than he ever expected to actually scratch that because he never expected Sam - his baby brother - to say he won't save him if he was dying.

Something closes up around his throat. He wants to yell at Sam, say something, say anything at all before the man walks out but he can't. He can barely see the younger Winchester walking out of the kitchen.

His head is spinning and his throat is still clogged up with what felt like a fucking boulder. He turns away bracing a hand on the steel counter - Sam's words keep looping in his head and it's making him restless and frantic.

He walks out of the kitchen - more like a stumble - doesn't pay attention to anything or anyone around until he reaches his room and puts on his headphones.

A familiar drums and bass of rock bands drown his own uncharacteristically pounding heart and he falls back in the pillow.

The music keeps up but it only distracts him so much because all he can think is what Sammy said to him.

▪︎ ☆ ▪︎

You didn't mean to eavesdrop on the conversation - it was a simple coincidence - Dean wasn't in his room and neither in the library, so you thought he was drinking a beer or two.

Your feet stop before you can step in the kitchen just as your ears catch Sam talking. It makes you frown as you listen to him address the whole Gadreel over deal, you agreed with man just allowing an angel to possess him and then not even letting him know was a mistake on your boyfriend's part, but with every word he said something heavy settled on your chest.

Something that felt like it was crushing your heart.

Selfish? Doesn't want to be lonely? You don't know if Sam was on the right topic anymore. You hear Dean too, his temper is rising with a tone of frustration - a common reaction to when he's misunderstood - but then Sam says he wouldn't save Dean if he was in his place and it makes your eyes widen.

It's quiet after that. Too quiet. You could hear your own heartbeat.

Sam walks out first. His steps halting when he sees you. You know he knows he said a little too much but he won't say anything - too much pride? maybe you don't know.

He brushes past you after a moment of nothing being said. You contemplate whether or not to step in the kitchen to check on Dean when the said man stumbled out - his movements a little clumsy - he didn't even notice you walking in the opposite direction to where Sam went which meant he was heading for his room.

You follow right behind him but stay staring at the closed door. You knew he was hurt but the thing was you knew he wasn't okay - more than usual - since Gadreel went all betrayer and killed Kevin.

Sure he carried all sorts of pain and guilt since you knew the man but after Kevin it was like physically affecting him.

He was either wide awake or slept in way past his usual time, he was skipping at least meal everyday in name of work, was more irritable than he usually was, his posture was becoming slouched - as if a physical weight was pressing down on him - and he just didn't seem fully present always lost in thoughts and by the look of his eyes in those moments they were not kind thoughts.

You knew what all these signs pointed to, remembered reading them under a title of depression way back - don't remember but you knew you had read that.

And as far as you knew Dean, he would be well in his ‘I'm fine. I'm good.’ method of coping with emotions and refusing help but you would be damned if you left him alone.

So with that resolve you took a deep inhale before exhaling and lifted your hand to the door knob.

▪︎ ☆ ▪︎

Dean's eyes open when the sound of door opening barely makes it past the music blasting through his headphones.

He looks up to find you poking your head in clearly worried and all he could muster was to fold up his lazily stretched out legs as an invitation that she could come in.

He closes his eyes again right after, not opening them even when the bed dips beside him. He didn't want to ignore you but he didn't have the strength to have a chat about anything really. He just wants to listen to his music and sleep off for a day or two if he's graced with it.

“I'm fine.”

He forced when he could practically feel the worry roll off her in waves - cringing at his voice when it came out hoarse than he intended.

He opens his eyes and tilts his head to look at you - you're curled up to his side like a warm weight - he sighs, unbinding his arms and letting you slip under one of them to rest against his chest.

He doesn't look you in the eyes. He can't look in your eyes because he knows that you don't believe a thing he would say.

He knew you could see through more than half of his bullshit and chose not to press him but he isn't quite sure that if looked down at you that he won't break down.

That he won't start crying the moment you tell him it's fine. That he won't cry about anything and everything he felt tightening around his airways with some kind of vice-grip starting from the heat of the fire he still felt every 2nd November to the face that his own brother - the one he always wanted to protect but couldn't do it right anytime - won't come to save him if he was dying or trying to kill himself to save the world or for the greater good.

So he doesn't, doesn't look down at you even when he feels you looking up at him. Your breath warmth against his neck.

He just presses you closer to himself until you're almost on top of him - letting your weight press him down - running his hand up and down on your back as his eyes close again focusing on his music and feeling you under his fingers.

He was fine. He will be fine.

He has to be fine.

If he can't be a good brother or a stable lover. He has to be fine enough to be a good hunter. That's the least he could do for everyone.

a/n : so me and @bejeweledinterludes had this convo about dean ts songs yesterday and this is kind of what happened.

tags : @bluemerakis @deansbeer @daylighted @soldiersgirl @h8aaz @titsout4jackles @bejeweledinterludes @littlesoulshine @mostlymarvelgirl @jmoonk @yawnzshit let me know if I forgot you or you want to be added or removed!!

[cherrychilli]

18+ Eddie Munson x F! reader, reader has an oral fixation, slight blood play, biting, tiny bodily injury (it's all consensual) WC: 771

A/N: It's been a while so I can't remember what exactly spurred this idea on but I thought it was super romantic and I had to write it. Think of that what you will. Enjoy!

It started when you began biting your finger nails when you were younger. The urge only stayed with you, progressing as the years went by, the only improvement being that your nails were no longer marred because you found other things to latch your lips and teeth on.

Eddie knew about it long before you two got together, never showing any judgement even those few times you forgot yourself and left bite marks on the pencils he let you borrow. He used them just the same, even favoring them over his unmarked stationary whenever he mapped out a new campaign or song, running his thumb along the little depressions carved in the shape of your teeth.

And when you started seeing each other you couldn't help wanting to place your lips on him in this way too. For a start, you'd bite him over his clothes, always making sure to be gentle. Then on his bare shoulder, his bicep, his forearm, his waist, anywhere you could fit your teeth over him.

He found the whole thing endearing, lucky for you.

It's always gentle at first, light biting and nibbling to calm yourself. But then you found yourself wanting to mark him too.

At first it was just a bunch of hickeys, like splashes of wine on his alabaster skin but when you sucked on his fingers your mind turned full with thoughts of a particular kind of mark you wanted to leave on him.

A mark much more significant than the rest.

You tried to hide it at first but he could always tell whenever you were holding back. Eddie treated you delicately when he managed to coax it out of you one evening, large, warm hands cupping your cheeks, the sweetest smile on his lips and all just for you.

You were reluctant at first, afraid of possibly hurting him but once you finally let it out, Eddie was onboard instantly.

"Are you sure? it's going to hurt", you tell him, still not entirely convinced this was a good idea.

"Baby, I'm built for pain, look at me", he pulls up his sleeve to show off the puppet master tattooed on his forearm, gesturing to the others as well as a reminder that he's more than capable of enduring pain after all those lengthy stick and poke sessions.

"Okay...but if you change your mind at any point you have to tell me Eds, promise?" you make sure to let him know only for him to reply, grinning. "There's no way this isn't happening, babe. I'm all yours so let me have it".

So carefully, you hold his left hand by his wrist, kissing the pad of his ring finger before you slowly take it into your mouth, sucking lightly on the digit, taking more and more of it into your mouth until you could reach the knuckle.

There's always that whisper of arousal that rises up like smoke whenever he lets you do this to him, the sight of your soft lips circling him so perfectly, the slippery silk of your tongue draping over his callused fingers.

But the best is yet to come.

Your eyes flick up to his face and he gives you the go ahead with a nod, no hesitation evident on his face. Only excitement.

So you bite down, harder than all the times before but still showing some restraint. Copper and salt flood your mouth, confirmation that you've broken the skin and you immediately pull away to look at Eddie's bloody finger. You lick up as much of the blood as you can, red working its way between your teeth.

You both sit there staring when most of the bleeding ceases, a thin, jagged bleeding ring carved into his skin.

If anyone were to ask him which of all his rings he liked best he'd say it's this one - the one that'll never come off. The one that matters the most.

"Okay. Now it's your turn, beautiful", he smiles at you and you smile back all excited, eagerly placing your left hand in his.

When Eddie bites down it feels like the beginning of something new, your ring finger throbbing with a matching bite mark and you couldn't feel happier about it.

Once the blood clears and the wounded skin heals over the next couple of days you look at your matching scars, overcome with emotion because they mean so much more than any band of gold or silver or any of the finest jewels ever could.

Your commitment to each other is bone deep and written it blood and you wouldn't want to have it any other way.

[shouts-into-the-void]

Montresor caring about Will didn't come out of nowhere, Lenore was just mad: a biased completely unbiased post

The thing we need to remember as a rule is that Montresor's default personality is rude and antagonistic even when he's not actively trying to be an aggressor, which means you have to look at what he means rather than necessarily the things he says. He's a clear victim of abuse, who reacts to feelings trapped, cornered, threatened, panicked, or humiliated by lashing out. From what I have gathered, it seems like his mother may have been the type of person who was nice one minute, then became abusive at the drop of a hat, and/or acted loving while claiming she "had to do this for his own good", and he was clearly raised in a very strict religious environment where he didnt have a lot of control/was punished for things he couldnt help. As a reaction, Montresor tries to force an aggressive response out of anyone he feels threatened by, because at least then it's predictable and he feels in control. Okay, great, Montresor analysis out of the way, moving on.

Our first real look at Will and Montresor as a unit is when the clusterfucks (side note: I've seen a lot of people calling them the acoleets now? Far less funny, absolutely not) are discussing their spectres. During this conversation, Montresor is actually hyping Will up, and even when he agrees with Ada that is sounds useless, he makes sure to assure him that it "looks really cool though."

We only really see Montresor become outright violent and dangerous once it's revealed that only one person can win a new life. We see him actively panic about it, and while we don't really get a lot more context for him yelling at Will in the moment, I think its relevant that this is the moment when he starts treating Will less nicely, because now it's a competition and everyone else is potentially out to get him. Hell, he even immediately begins joking around with Will after telling him to shut up, so it's clear that he's acting out of stress and fear immediately after the revelation.

The interaction that immediately follows this is the incident with Morella and Ada, and I find it notable that Montresor goes out of his way to include Will. (when he makes sure to let you get your turn humiliating a woman to prove her loyalty to the group #romantic 🤡)

Later, during the Spectre vs. Students lesson, when Berenice bites Will and he asks for help, Montresor immediately tells her to leave him alone. While he seems mildly annoyed with Will the whole time (kind of understandably, because Will keeps screwing up the plan) he only says anything particularly horrible after Berenice slashes him across the face with her knife, which clearly pisses him off in general. We see him letting Will nap on his shoulder afterwards, which isn't super important I just think it's cute.

Montresor clearly sees them as a unit, as he still involved Will with the plan despite Will messing up the previous night with Duke and stops Will from helping Annabel with Ada despite not having a real reason to do so by saying "We'll sit this one out." Like it should have gone without saying that if he's not doing it, Will isn't either. Then the next day, the fact that Montresor comes to get Will specifically so they can walk to breakfast together? Knows what his toothbrush looks like and goes out of his way to give it back? The little flick on the forehead when he calls him a churchmouse? That he picks up on Will's distress and immediately goes to collect Ada to save him? I see you, fake-ass idgafer.

Which brings me to my next point, which is that it is Lenore on her enraged, vengeful tirade who claims that Montresor hates Will. She claims it's due to his behavior towards Will when he came to get him, but I think its pretty clear she only says it to upset Will. And Will can't think of anything nice Montresor's ever done for him because he's stressed, thinks he's about to get shot, and his self-confidence is super low. He even addresses the fact later that Montresor goes out of his way to save him all the time.

I also think now is a good time to point out that Montresor only seems to physically hurt Will in any significant way when he's been having a flashback. His expression when he comes out of his death flashback to find himself attacking Will is shocked, and while he doesn't apologize, his response does come across as apologetic. He has a similar expression when he wakes up from Ada's vision choking Will, only he looks incredibly panicked that time because he'd done actual damage. The expression on his face when Lenore points out what he's done is pained. I think this runs back to Montresor telling Will not to touch him, I'm pretty sure part of his trauma revolves around physical touch and when he's having an episode of PTSD/not fully aware of his surroundings he lashes out instinctively at the person touching him, which unfortunately means Will, who is a very physically affectionate person (man has 13 siblings and it shows.) Which is unfortunate, because I think Montresor also seems to be a very tactile person, and he actually goes out of his way to be touching Will a lot.

Another interesting thing? Montresor only ever addresses Will by name, which is very significant with context. The nicknames Montresor gives people are meant to mock them, so by only using Will's name it subtlely signals that he holds him in higher respect (or at least in more genuine regard) than the others. In Will's flashback, Sally–someone who went to school with him and was in all the same classes–doesn't remember his name, only that he's one of many Wilson siblings. So for Montresor, who can't even remember his "ace in the hole" and current fling's name, to be constantly making it a point to say he knows who Will is, is a great indicator of his actual feelings. By contrast, Will calls Montresor "Monty" exclusively, the only nickname he receives that is genuinely affectionate and something he never attempts to make him stop calling him.

Which pretty much brings us back to the events of the current episodes, which I've already talked about the significance of in another post. I know this is probably insanely biased for multiple reasons and im sure theres a bunch of little tidbits I've forgotten , but do with it what you will.

[motley-box-rose-1]

This is a really well thought out take on the show! I just finished the series, so I’m still mulling over the feelings and ideas that it left me, but the show as whole felt very…. Not just women-centric, but really focused on marginalized people. Which is probably obvious, because each character could be read in that way, but that aside there does seem to be a definite focus on Bride, Nina, and women in general. Honestly, I don’t think the show comes off as misogynistic at all—or at least not enough for me to get that read on my first watch. All of the female characters feel autonomous, multi-faceted, distinct from one another, visually unique, and are genuinely entertaining. just as importantly, they’re allowed to have moments of horror and vulnerability that reflect types of real experiences that people—and women—go through.

I guess I can admit that the show feels a bit *thirsty* at times, but honestly it feels way less creepy than some actual comic books I’ve read, the superhero genre notoriously being all about showing off abs and butts and boobs. I don’t think it crosses a line beyond in that area, or if it does then I wouldn’t say it focuses that lens exclusively on women.

However, getting back to talking about what you bring up, I’m still trying to piece together the over arching theme(s)—the WHY behind how each episode was structured. The show never gets preachy, but there are some specific moments that stand out as being there to SAY something.

To sum all this up, thanks for pointing out Rick Flag and WHY he was paired with Eric. It makes his role in the narrative much more clear, and also explains and gives context for how he chooses to handle Eric—Rick doesn’t care about Eric’s intentions towards Bride or whether she’d actually want Eric to find her. Maybe it crosses his mind for an instant very early on, when Rick visibly realizes that Eric is totally off his rocker, but he’s obviously willing to set that aside for the sake of pursuing what HE wants and considers more important. And while I wouldn’t label Rick as necessarily a bad guy who has malicious intentions, I don’t see him as a particularly strong character either. And by “strong” I’m referring to moral integrity and backbone. Rick has morals and good intentions, sure, but he neither sticks to his values either Ilana, nor does anything to really help the monsters despite acting like he views them as people and saying he wants the group to trust them. And maybe you could blame the Ilana thing as Rick just being lonely and naive? But that little dalliance and his reaction to Circe’s news comes off as kind of immature, especially when he’s supposed to be an older guy who’s been around the block.

Anyway, that’s just me rambling. Regardless, it’s nice to see some great posts related to this show!

Spoilers for Creature Commandos

I saw a post on her critiquing James Gunn’s portrayal of women in his show Creature Commandos. This post states that he usually does a very good job of writing women, but this just isn’t it and cites Princess Ilana’s sexual advances towards Flag, Nina’s nude portrayals in the bath, The Bride’s backstory, and Amanda Waller’s comments on Circe’s outfit. And while all these criticisms are completely valid I would like to raise a point that these scenes exist to critique the way women are viewed not just in society, but especially in comics

Creature Commandos hinges on women. Women are the center of everything.

Firstly, we have The Bride, who many point out does not even have her own name. She is made for a person who does not care for her or anyone yet feels entitled to her to the point of pursuing her for centuries, determined to capture her even if he has to knock her unconscious to do it. She is groomed by her father and taken advantage of. Eric’s continued pursuant of her leads to him teaming up with Flag.

Next, we have Rick Flag who initially comes off as a stand up guy. He doesn’t like the sexual advances of Princess Ilana… until he does. It’s repeated that he’s a much older man, which while he’s hot, leads to him infantilizing her. He views her as this innocent princess which is why Circe’s vision causes him to flip out and show his true colors. He immediately tries to accuse Circe of lying, and when no one believes him states that Themyscira isn’t event real, to which he has to be reminded that it is. His next action is then to team with Eric and try to discredit the expert on Themyscira. He refuses to see women outside of how he wants to see them, and while he’s not entitled and violent like Eric they are teamed up together thematically for a reason because they will burn the world down to get the girl they believe is theirs whether that girl exists or not.

On that topic, Themyscira is brought up as a recurring theme throughout the show. Almost every episode it is brought up in some capacity and it’s very existence is constantly called into question by the men of the series. The news anchor says it may not exist despite the fact that Circe is there in the present. Rick Flag denies it exists, and must be reminded it is. Despite this he stalks a woman and breaks into her house to prove that 1. She’s full of shit and 2. She’s not a real expert. When Themyscira is acknowledged to exist it is met with blatant misogyny.

The picture used on the news is of girls in bikinis. The Sons of Themyscira feel entitled to it because it is a land of all women. Even when Flag is corrected by someone about Themyscira’s existence that man then says that a land of women sounds like heaven, implying sex. Even Waller comments on the inherent sexuality of Circe’s costume.

To that comment, I think it is meant to point out how sexualized female characters are. Something we saw with Suicide Squad (2016) vs Birds of Prey, is a break down of the male versus female gaze. What does a woman’s outfit look like when it’s designed for sex appeal vs practicality. I think Waller’s call to attention to Circe’s outfit is to call into question would SHE dress herself this way? Obviously male artists are going to draw her that way, but why does SHE choose it. It meta-reflects how women are being portrayed in comics especially when most female costumes start out hyper-sexualized.

Finally, Nina nude. I think, once again, this is done intentionally and on purpose. Nina is the only character who does not want to kill. She hasn’t. She has no abilities outside of the water and really shouldn’t be on the team. She’s vulnerable, but you don’t see how vulnerable she really is until it’s shown her naked, cramped into a tiny bathtub. She’s alone and out of place despite literally being in her element, and she still has no protection. She is physically vulnerable the way the The Bride, Ilana, Circe and all women are vulnerable to the male gaze and men’s attitudes towards them.

Female solidarity is what keeps the plot moving, and male Interference is what creates the drama and conflict. Circe views Ilana as a literal threat, not just a helpless princess. Amanda Waller believes Circe immediately, and when there are still doubts she calls in an expert. She trusts The Bride to lead the team because the Bride won’t fuck Ilana. The Bride looks after and protects Nina because she knows Nina isn’t supposed to be in jail or in a combat situation at all. However, Flag’s infantilization of Ilana + Eric’s violent entitlement towards The Bride has led to a horrible team which have jeopardized the mission and may have caused Circe’s future to come true.

In conclusion, let James Gunn cook.