#it means the world to feel included and i love you so much!!

[whenhypen]

falling for you, this is for you

jake x gn!reader, 1087 words playlist - blossom by enhypen, fallin’ by dawn content warnings: established relationship, fluff, small amounts of skinship, one mention of reader being compared to a “disney princess” but it’s not really gendering the reader and is more for comedy.

(masterlist)

author’s note: this is the first fanfic I’ve ever written! please give feedback and suggestions (positive or negative), so I can improve. I tried my best to not include the reader having a specific gender or race to keep it inclusive, but please let me know if there are gendered terms or things that could elude to race!

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the park as cherry blossoms fell in the gentle breeze. It was Valentine’s Day, and Jake had been looking forward to this moment all week. He had meticulously planned every detail, wanting to make it special for you. As he reached the park, he took a deep breath, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.

You were already there, sitting on a bench under a flowering cherry blossom tree, petals fluttering around you like delicate pink snowflakes. Jake’s heart raced at the sight of you. You looked so perfect, focused on a book. He approached you quietly, not wanting to interrupt.

“Hey there, Valentine!” he said, a playful smile spreading across his face.

You looked up, your eyes lighting up. “Jake! You made it!” You closed your book and stood up, giving him a warm hug. He wrapped his arms around you, feeling the comfort of your presence.

“Of course! I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he replied, pulling back to look at you. “Ready for a fun day?”

“Absolutely! What’s the plan?” you asked, curiosity sparkling in your eyes.

Jake grinned, his excitement bubbling over. “First, picnic time! I packed some of your favorite snacks and a few Valentine’s Day goodies!”

Your eyes sparkled with joy. “You really thought of everything, didn’t you?”

“Only the best for you,” he said, winking. Jake led you to a cozy spot on the grass, where he had laid out a checkered blanket adorned with heart patterns. As you both settled, he pulled out a basket filled with heart-shaped sandwiches, strawberries with chocolate (STRAWBERRY WITH CHOCOLATE), and cookies decorated with pink icing.

“This looks great!” you exclaimed, your mouth watering.

“I’m glad you think so!” Jake said, handing you a heart-shaped sandwich. “I made sure to include everything you love—no mayo, just how you like it.”

As you both enjoyed the picnic, you talked about everything and anything. Jake loved hearing your laughter, especially when you made fun of his attempts at “cooking.” 

“I mean, who knew heart-shaped sandwiches could be so… avant-garde?” you taunted.

“Hey, it’s called creativity!” he hit back, giggling. “I’m basically an artist.”

After finishing the picnic, Jake asked, “How about we take a walk around the park? I heard there’s a cute pond nearby with some Valentine’s decorations.”

You nodded, eager to explore. As you walked, side by side, the gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the sound of laughter from nearby children filled the air. Jake felt a sense of peace, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with you.

When you reached the pond, you were captivated by the sight. The water sparkled under the sunlight, and ducks paddled lazily across the water’s surface. You leaned over the bridge’s railing, eyes wide with wonder.

“They’re so cute!” you exclaimed, pointing at the ducks. “Look at ‘em!”

Jake chuckled, his heart swelling at your enthusiasm. “They are. Wanna feed them?”

You nodded eagerly, and Jake reached into his bag, pulling out some bread he had brought (don’t actually feed ducks bread! It causes digestion problems. feed them quinoa instead). He tore off small pieces and handed them to you. Together, you tossed the bread into the water, watching as the ducks quacked and splashed around, eagerly eating the treats.

“This is so much fun!” you laughed, your joy infectious. “I feel like a Disney princess!”

“Just wait until the squirrels start singing,” Jake joked, rolling his eyes dramatically. “Then we’ll know we’ve made it.”

After a while, you both decided to sit on a nearby bench, enjoying the view of the pond. Jake turned to you, his expression serious for a moment. “I’m really glad we could do this together. I’ve been looking forward to it all week.”

You smiled, cheeks turning warm.

As the afternoon sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a pink-golden hue over the park, Jake suggested, “How about we take a few pictures to remember today?”

You agreed enthusiastically, and he pulled out his phone. He snapped a few candid shots of you, capturing your laughter and the way the sunlight danced in your hair. Then, it was your turn to take pictures of him. You playfully posed, making silly faces that made him laugh.

“Okay, now let’s take a serious one!” you said with a mock-serious expression, trying to stifle your giggles. Jake straightened up, putting on his best model face, and you couldn’t help but burst into laughter again.

“Seriously, though,” you said, wiping your tears of laughter from your eyes. “This day has been perfect.”

Jake smiled, his heart swelling with happiness. “I’m glad you think so. I wanted it to be special for you.”

As the sun began to set, the hues of orange and pink turning blue, you both settled back onto the bench, the warmth of the day wrapping around you like a cozy blanket. The park was starting to quiet down, the sounds of laughter fading into the distance.

“Do you remember our first Valentine’s Day together?” you asked, leaning your head on his shoulder.

“Of course! We were so awkward,” he chuckled, recalling the memory. “I think I tripped over my own feet trying to impress you.”

You laughed, nudging him playfully. “And I spilled juice all over your shirt! I thought you’d never want to see me again.”

“Never! You were too charming for that,” he replied, his voice softening. 

You looked up at him, your heart fluttering at the genuineness in his eyes. “You make everything better.”

As the last rays of sunlight dipped below the horizon, Jake took a deep breath, gathering his courage. “I know today is about celebrating love, and I just want you to know how much you mean to me.”

“Happy Valentine’s Day, Jake,” you echoed.

As the stars began to twinkle in the night sky, you both sat in comfortable silence, hand in hand, knowing that this day would be etched in your hearts forever. The cherry blossoms continued to dance in the gentle breeze, a beautiful reminder of the bond you have.

[mediocre-shark-tales]

End of the First Season

Masterlist

Trigger Warning- slow burn of increasing themes including sexism, SA, depression, and implied grooming

After the season wrapped up, I finally found a moment of calm. The chaos of F1 had slowed, and I was allowed a little breathing room. But even with the peace, I couldn't shake the constant ache in my body. I thought the bruising I had gotten from the Abu Dhabi crash would eventually subside, but it never did. Every day, it seemed to hurt a little more, so I finally caved and went to the doctor to get checked out.

I wasn’t prepared for the news. It wasn’t just bruising. My ribs had cracked, and so had a bone in my right forearm. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks—no wonder I’d been hurting so much. But, being me, I just shrugged it off. If there was one thing I’d learned over this crazy season, it was how to power through. And if I could make it through that wreck, I could handle a couple cracked bones, right?

I needed to break the news, of course, but I had a little fun with it. I posted on Instagram, sharing all the high points of my 2024 season—my wins, my podiums, the laughs, the frustrations. But as the last picture in the post, I slid in a photo collage of my X-rays. Just for the shock value, of course. 

The response was exactly what I expected. I saw the comments flood in—fans, media, and especially the drivers. They were all so concerned, immediately freaking out about me being in pain, even though I was smiling through it all. Some of the messages I got were hilarious, like Lando calling me crazy for not telling him sooner. “You’re seriously not a robot, right?” he texted me, complete with a couple of eye-roll emojis.

And then there was Max. Max Verstappen. He was texting me every five minutes, demanding I go see another doctor. "You should’ve told me. I would've taken care of it for you." Like he was going to fly out to Monaco just to be my personal healthcare assistant. I almost laughed at how protective he was being, but honestly, it was sweet.

Liam, of course, had the most dramatic reaction. "y/n, what the hell?! Why didn’t you tell me about this?" he practically screamed down the phone. "This could’ve been a big deal! You could’ve been seriously hurt!"

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Liam, calm down. I’m fine. I’ve been dealing with it. It’s just some cracked bones.”

But he wasn’t having it. "That’s not something you ‘just deal with.’ You need to get checked out, properly. I’m seriously getting worried now."

At that point, I had to assure him—no more freaking out. Everyone was so sweet, though. Even Carlos sent a message telling me to take it easy and that he was looking forward to seeing me next season. “Just don’t go crashing again, okay?”

I even caught a text from Fernando, who simply said: “You’re strong, but next time… maybe take it easy?”

The support from all the drivers was overwhelming, but honestly, it was what I needed. The kind words, the check-ins, it made me feel like I had a big family backing me up.

I had also made the decision recently to buy an apartment in Monaco. It wasn’t something I’d planned at first, but Lando convinced me it was the perfect move. He was all about the idea of having me live close by so we could hang out in the off-season when I wasn’t visiting family back in the U.S. Plus, Monaco seemed like the kind of place where I could really start fresh, living on my own but still be surrounded by people who understood the craziness of F1 life. Lando lives just above me, and we joke that I’m now not on "Lando’s level".

It’s been nice, honestly. I can walk around without the chaos of a race weekend looming over me, and sometimes, it feels like a different world entirely. Having drivers around gives me a sense of comfort, knowing I’m never too far from a friend, and I love that Lando is nearby for spontaneous hangouts. He’s been a solid support system, and having him in Monaco means I never really feel alone. It’s just nice, knowing that someone’s always nearby, especially after everything I’ve been through.

Franco and I were sitting in the lounge of my new Monaco apartment, just a couple of glasses of wine between us as we talked about the future. There was this quiet tension in the air—nothing too obvious, but we both knew what it felt like. He was leaning back on the couch, legs stretched out in front of him, eyes focused on the half-empty glass in his hand, but I could tell he wasn’t really looking at it.

He sighed, finally breaking the silence. “I don’t know what’s next for me, to be honest. Alpine offered me a reserve driver contract with them, but it's basically the same thing I have at Williams. The only real difference is that they are telling me they will take Jack out of his seat if he doesn’t do well. So I get paid more and have a more likely chance at racing again with them or I get loyalty points and probably never seat the steering wheel for another season with Williams.” His voice carried this layer of frustration I hadn’t heard from him before. He ran a hand through his hair, and I could see the weight of it all on him. He wasn’t the kind to complain, but I knew how badly he wanted that full-time seat. I could tell by how hard he fought to stay on the grid this season.

“Don’t let them make you feel like you have to settle,” I said softly, my words maybe a little more sincere than I meant them to be. He was one of the most talented drivers I knew, and he deserved to have a seat that would recognize that.

He let out a bitter laugh. “It’s not like I have much of a choice, is it? The grid’s stacked, and Alpine knows I’ll have to take what I can get. But I don’t know… maybe it’s not where I want to be.”

There was a pause between us, and I watched him carefully, sensing that this was more than just a conversation about racing for him. It felt like the moment he was letting himself be real, vulnerable in a way he rarely showed.

“Franco,” I started, but the words faltered in my mouth. I didn’t know how to make him feel better, not when I knew what was next for me. He had been my rock in so many ways this season, and now it was my turn to be there for him. But it felt like something more was hanging in the air, something unsaid.

He met my eyes, and for a moment, there was this quiet, unspoken connection. “I don’t want to leave, you know?” he whispered, almost as if he were saying it to himself more than to me. “But I don’t know if I have another option.”

I didn’t know what to say, so instead, I just leaned over and put a hand on his arm, my fingers gently brushing his sleeve. It wasn’t anything dramatic, just a small gesture, but it felt like the right thing to do. We stayed like that for a while, just sitting in silence, letting the quiet of the room fill in the gaps of our thoughts. When finally a thought came to me, “You know, I was in the same predicament before becoming Aston Martin’s Reserve driver?” 

He shook his head, not making eye contact yet. “Before Aston Martin I was driving only as a test driver for Redbull, no chance at racing only at being available when their own drivers reserve or not couldn’t be there. Then Aston Martin came to me with a contract, be their reserve driver. A team with a literal multi world champion driver and a driver who was the owner of the team’s son. So basically, my only chance at driving was someone getting sick or hurt. Or I could stay with my red bull contract and earn loyalty points but probably still never see the steering wheel during a real race.” I looked at him, seeing his expression change. “It was a tough decision but I listed out the pros and cons of each. In the end, Aston Martin gave me the most potential to grow into the F1 world.”

Then, he looked at me, and there was this flicker in his eyes, something I hadn’t seen before. Something that felt real, honest. And I knew in that moment that we were both feeling it—that subtle pull between us. But neither of us said anything about it. Instead, we just let it linger, both of us too scared to do anything about it. “So what I think you need to do is think about what would help you grow or just what you want to do for your future? Is your future still F1 with Williams? Or do you want to explore other options to see what happens?”

His expression changed to one almost deep in thought. I pulled my hand back, giving him a small smile. “You’ll figure it out. You always do,” I said, trying to lighten the mood, even though my heart was beating a little faster than usual.

He smiled back, a little half-hearted, but genuine. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you, Y/N.”

“Same here,” I replied, my voice softer than I meant it to be. And for a moment, it felt like we were more than just teammates, more than just friends. But neither of us made a move. We just stayed there, pretending it was enough to be in each other’s company, not acknowledging the unspoken feelings simmering beneath the surface.

The moment passed, and we both knew it. But neither of us could shake the feeling that things had changed, even if just a little.

Post-season testing was in full swing, and I found myself behind the wheel of a Red Bull. Well, technically, it was a VCARB test, but they had thrown me and Yuki into the main team’s car—basically the 2024 title-winning machine before it would be slightly modified for our ‘junior’ team.

The car felt incredible. The downforce, the grip, the way it responded to even the slightest inputs—I had driven a strong car before, but this? This was on another level. It was a taste of what could be possible with the right setup, and I couldn’t help but grin every time I pushed it through a turn.

“Oi, don’t get too comfortable in that seat,” Yuki’s voice came through the radio as we wrapped up a practice run. “You still have to share it next year.”

I laughed, pulling into the pits and hopping out, only to be immediately greeted by VCARB’s social media team. I had already been warned that their content crew was… a little too good at capturing moments. The internet had already fallen in love with the way Yuki and I had been interacting over the past few weeks, posting clips of our playful bickering, him teaching me random Japanese phrases, or me teasing him about his food choices.

Case in point—before I even had my helmet off, Yuki was standing beside me, pointing at my water bottle with an accusing glare. “You forgot to drink again, we never saw the water button activate”

I groaned. “I was driving.”

He snatched the bottle out of the table and unscrewed the lid. “Drink. Now.”

“Bossy,” I muttered, taking a sip just to get him off my back.

Of course, VCARB’s media team caught the whole thing, and I had no doubt it would be on their Instagram story in minutes.

Later that evening, while cooling down after the day’s sessions, I found myself sketching out ideas for my new helmet. My current design had meant so much to me, but with a new chapter starting, I felt like I needed something fresh. Something that still honored my journey but signified a step forward.

I sat in the VCARB lounge, my sketchbook open in front of me, absentmindedly doodling designs. Maybe something sleeker, sharper—still keeping the essence of my previous helmets, but with a modern touch. I knew I wanted to incorporate the sea turtle shadow again, but this time, maybe in a way that intertwined with something symbolic for myself.

Yuki plopped down beside me, peering over my shoulder. “You’re making it blue, right?”

I rolled my eyes. “Just because I drive for VCARB now doesn’t mean my entire identity is changing.”

He grinned. “Fine, fine. But if you don’t put at least a little VCARB energy into it, I’ll be offended.”

I smirked. “I’ll think about it.”

Truthfully, this whole transition was already feeling better than I had expected. The team was welcoming, the car felt strong, and Yuki had quickly become an easy person to be around. For the first time in a while, I felt like I had something solid to look forward to with my future in this sport.

Now, I just had to survive another season of teasing from Yuki and VCARB’s relentless social media team.

Netflix: Drive to Survive – Post-Season Interview

The cameras were rolling, the dim lighting of the Drive to Survive interview room setting the scene. I sat in the chair, legs crossed, hands fidgeting slightly in my lap as the producers got everything settled. It felt weird, really. Looking back on the season as if it was just a chapter in a book rather than something I had physically, emotionally, and mentally endured.

The interviewer gave me a reassuring smile before jumping straight into it.

“This was your rookie season—or, well, partial rookie season. And it wasn’t exactly an easy one. How do you even begin to reflect on everything that happened?”

I let out a breathy laugh, shaking my head. “Honestly? I don’t even know where to start. It was the highest of highs, the lowest of lows. I don’t think I ever imagined just how much this season would take out of me—physically, mentally. I came into it with so much to prove, knowing that I wasn’t even guaranteed a seat for next year. Then the Vegas crash happened, and suddenly everything shifted. I had to rebuild myself from the ground up—again.”

“You mentioned the Vegas crash—arguably one of the scariest moments of the season. How much did that affect you going forward?”

I swallowed, running my tongue along the inside of my cheek. “It’s weird because at the time, I was just focused on getting back in the car. I didn’t want to sit out, I didn’t want to give people a reason to doubt me. But looking back? I should’ve given myself more time. I was hiding injuries, pushing through pain I didn’t even fully understand. It wasn’t until after Abu Dhabi, when I finally went to a doctor, that I realized I had been racing with cracked ribs and a fractured forearm. That… that hit me hard. Not just because I knew I had been reckless with my own health, but because it made me realize just how much I feared losing my place here.”

“And now, even after proving yourself with a few Grand Prix wins, multiple podiums, and signing with Cadillac, you’re still facing uncertainty. How does that feel?”

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. “Yeah… it’s tough. I signed with Cadillac for 2026, which is exciting, but next year? I’m on loan with VCARB. It’s a temporary situation. There’s no telling how things will go, how I’ll fit into the team, how the car will perform. And then after that, I’m moving to a completely new team, a completely new project, which—don’t get me wrong—is an incredible opportunity, but also terrifying. I won’t have the stability that some of these other drivers have. I don’t get to settle in and build a team around me. I have to constantly prove myself, adapt, and just hope that everything works out.”

“Do you think about that often? The uncertainty of it all?”

I huffed out a laugh. “Every damn day. But that’s the sport, isn’t it? You never really know where you stand until half through the season. I just have to trust that I’m here for a reason.”

“You had a lot of support from fellow drivers this season, some of them clearly becoming very close to you. How much did that mean, especially in a year as chaotic as this one?”

I smiled at that, shaking my head slightly. “I don’t think I would’ve survived this season without them. Lando, Max, Lewis, Carlos, Franco—they all helped me in different ways. Max was like this overprotective older brother, always making sure I wasn’t pushing myself too hard, which—ironic, considering it’s Max Verstappen we’re talking about.” I laughed. “Lewis was there in a more subtle way, just letting me talk through things when I needed to. Carlos and Lando, well… they made sure I never took myself too seriously. And Franco… Franco understood in a way no one else could.”

“Speaking of Franco, He’s not on the grid next year, but you are. What is that like?”

I exhaled softly. “It is hard. Franco deserved a seat just as much as anyone else. He knows that. We have had a moment together where we both acknowledged that, no matter what happens, we’ll always support each other. But it’s bittersweet. I’m moving forward, but I don’t get to have him there with me next season. It’s just another reminder of how brutal this sport is.”

“Despite all of that, you still seem… excited.”

I let a small smirk tug at my lips. “I mean, yeah. It’s terrifying, but it’s also incredible. I get to drive a Formula 1 car for another season. I get to be part of the chaos. And, hey, if nothing else—at least Yuki and I are going to make VCARB’s social media team’s lives very entertaining next year.”

The interviewer chuckled. “That’s for sure. Final question—if you could say one thing to the version of yourself that started this season, what would it be?”

I sat with that for a moment, thinking. Then, with a slow, deep breath, I met the interviewer’s gaze.

“I’d tell her she should allow herself to lean on her friends more, to allow her grid family to help her when situations go downhill. But even when they get terrifyingly bad, she’s gonna get through it, after all, mama didn’t raise no bitch” I smiled mischeviously knowing that was the last question and while I had done well the entire time not swearing, the last word would have to be beeped for tv.

Pre-Season testing

My first partial season had long ended. The whirlwind of emotions, the battles on and off track, the celebrations, the heartbreaks—it had all been wrapped up into one chaotic, unforgettable year. And yet, as I stood there now, staring at the package in front of me, I realized it was only the beginning.

The VCARB garage was quieter than I had ever heard it. No roaring engines, no frantic radio chatter, just the distant hum of mechanics working in the background as the pre-season test wound down. Yuki had already disappeared somewhere—probably off to grab snacks or cause some minor chaos—and the crew had mostly filtered out, leaving just a handful of us behind.

I ran my fingers along the edge of the box, my name printed in bold letters on the lid. This was it. A new chapter. A new beginning. A new identity.

I glanced up at the lead designer, who gave me a small nod, encouraging me to lift the lid.

My heart pounded as I peeled back the protective wrap, the first glimpse of my brand-new helmet catching the dim garage light. I inhaled sharply, my fingers brushing over the surface, tracing the details I had agonized over for weeks. This wasn’t just a helmet. It was a statement. A promise.

A warning.

Something is coming.

I smiled to myself, feeling that familiar rush of adrenaline, that unwavering hunger for what came next.

The season was over.

But the story was far from finished.

[phoenixyfriend]

Hi have some more silly Jaster Mereel/Duke Kryze stuff from me and @threebea.

The Duke* took all the braincells in the divorce.

Do you think there are any holos of one of the Kryze girls as a toddler wandering around with Jaster's helmet on because he wanted to be an Indulgent Stepdad who let them play pretend with his gear.

It's my favorite Bit to see in fics that include both Children and Mandalorians. Let the 3yo try on the helmet and wander around pointing finger guns at people!

Duke: Bo'ika what do you have? Bo: A blaster! Duke: NO! Jaster: The safety's on it's fine! Bo: (shoots a teacup) Duke: ://///// Jaster: I may have showed her how to turn off the safety…….. she's already three she should know how to aim!

The Duke and Jaster need to be opposite ends of My Kids Should Be Competent.

Jaster: What do you mean Satine’s five and you haven't brought to the woods to have her skin and prepare a rabbit so she gets a less traumatic introduction to the concept of taking a life? Duke: What do you mean Jango doesn't know calculus yet? He only knows the languages with fluency? He's thirteen! He should have a degree already!

For whatever reason, Qui-Gon: This is Obi-Wan. He's really good at feeling the force and I love him. Obi-Wan: (Covered in mud and leaves) Jaster/Duke: …… Obi-Wan: And I can do calculus AND skin a rabbit 😄 Obi-Wan: [whispers to Qui-Gon] That was right, right? where's my new ship model. Qui-Gon: shhh

Obi-Wan, at a later point: Oh, I killed people. It sucked. But they were trying to kill me, so. Jaster: …oh my god this must be how Adanai feels when Jango says literally anything.

Jango: I think I make your boyfriend uncomfortable. Jaster: Of course not. You're like a son to him. Jango: I told him how I shot Tor Vizsla in the head when I was eight and felt my childhood end. Jaster: ….. Adanai doesn't like blasters is all. Jango: Ohhh okay got it (walks off) Jango: So I choked him to death 🙂 Adanai: And you were ten. Jango: Almost eleven. Adanai: that's… great champ.

* We refer to him as either the Duke or Adanai in this post, as the canon spelling is a bit. Uncomfortable for some people due to real-world religion reasons and he's not a large enough character for a minor spelling change to cause too much trouble for readers.

[kacievvbbbb]

Hello there. I really do love the post and how you discussed about Yor and Anya’s bond and it’s importance but there’s something in your hashtags I feel misleading.

Yor is still the nurturer. Far more than Loid has ever been. She’s the one who comforts the entire family. And what do you mean by inversion of gender roles?

Hi! Thanks for the ask and the compliment! 😊🌸

And sorry about that my tags are usually just ramblings that I feel I can't explain well enough to include in the post so they are often my thoughts in their purest most half-formed half intelligible When I said Loid takes on the "nurturer" role I didn't mean to imply that Yor wasn't a nurturer she's the emotional backbone of the family of course often helping Loid see things in a way a child might see them or a family. she makes their family work. But what I meant is that she doesn't do things a traditional society would assign to the "nurturer" aka the woman in fact she often flounders in those roles Loid takes up the cooking, the shopping, he does some cleaning (even tho I believe they mentioned Yor mostly handles that as a balance) Loid is the one mostly in charge of Anya's schooling and general enrichment, he does the entertaining when they have guests. These are things that society would usually assign to the mother for all intents and purposes he manages the household, he's the "homemaker" and part of that is because he's a control freak and he's so desperate to make this work for the success of Operation Strix that he will happily fill in all of the spots that Yor cant and have her focus solely on being a "believable" mother to Anya. And we know this kind of gender stereotypes exist within the world because of Yor's friend's reactions to her inability to cook (I think they mentioned she'll never get a man or how did she get a man without these skills or some variation of the phrase) and we see it when the interviewer derides her for having her husband cook at the start of the show. So it is a subversion of the expected gender roles and it is a big enough worry that Yor has been shown to be scared that she will be reported to the secret police. so it is a deliberate gender subversion at that. now think of the role Yor plays in Anya's life, how she fits into it. Shes a symbol of strength and protection in a very physical sense this isn't a role usually ascribed to women and mothers especially in anime. It's a role usually given to a father. The person that you call when your in trouble, who you think is the strongest person in the world, who is your own personal hero. Think of Jiraya, Shanks, Nanami, Whitebeard, Roger etc. Yor fulfills all those roles for Anya. Yor is the one that any goes to for sports lessons, and advice on how to beat up bullies and its Yor that any first and foremost calls out for when shes in a tight spot. It's Yor that teaches her these lessons about strength and self belief and maybe shes not as gruff as the typical adopted anime dad but she fulfills the same role. Its not a mistake that when Loid is reassuring Yor on her skills at being a mother because Yor thinks shes doing terrible because she cant do all the stereotypical "mother" things. Loid tells her that her strength is enough.

he says this specifically after saying that all he remembers about his own mother was that she was strong too so why would he think Yor was the perfect mom? If through all the trauma and the pain loid has experienced the only thing he remembers about the life he used to live is that his mother was strong why wouldn't he want that for Anya? so yeah that's kind of what I mean by gender inversion. I dont know how much of this is intentional or if the mangaka is specifically doing this. but he's not outright subverting gender expectations but he is breaking them wide open examining them picking them apart and turning them on their head. Like look at the fact that its Yor that gets all the cool anime fights with the flashiness and pushing human abilities to the limit. Their fight scenes in code white showcase this especially. Yor fights the inhuman machine in this giant sprawling battle full of flash and hype while she performs superhuman deeds while Loids fight while very artisticly rendered and still fun is very basic hand to hand which makes sense for them Loid is a spy fighting is his last resort its about efficiency while Yor is an assassin she literally fights and kills for a living. The manga is not afraid to showcase to you at every turn that if Yor and Loid where to engage with straight fisticuffs Yor wins 10 times out of 10. And like now really think about the last time in a shonen especially a female protagonist fight had even near as much hype as even a secondary main male character never mind the male protagonist. And here Yor consistently has the most intense attractive fights we are waiting for her fights that's an inversion if I've ever seen it. Again I dont know how much of this is intentional and it is definitely way more complex than this and I am not calling any other anime mom weak or whatever but I just think about when I took a Classics class and we were on the section about greek heroines my professor mentioned how in greek mythology Greek heroes are marked by their ability to overcome (even when it ends in tragedy) while Greek heroines are marked by their ability to endure. And I think about that alot

Its all about how they managed to survive all the suffering they had been through and dont get me wrong the ability to endure is a great strength but it is a "passive" one and so is thereby assigned to women

[hollowed-theory-hall]

Do you think if Harry met a younger version of Tom Riddle before he became a murderer He would save him? Do you think you would feel empathetic for him? like Sure, he's kind of a little s***, but he's just a little kid that, at the age of 4, probably just wants somebody to adopt him and feel loved. He definitely doesn't get that at Wool's orphanage, and I think Harry would understand that. I think Harry would see another hungy orphan who gets hurt for having magic they don't even know about. I think he might see another kid that the world failed.

P.S. I FUCKING LOVE YOU'RE WRITING it helped me get out of art block 😭

Anyway, have a lovely day❤️

First off, can you please not censor yourself, tumblr lets you say whatever you want, if you want to say "shit" say "shit" like you said "fucking" later in the ask. Or any other word for that matter. There is no reason to censor yourself on tumblr (this isn't tiktok or youtube) so please do yourself a favor and don't censor yourself. Just say what you mean.

Second, thank you very much 💕 glad I could be of help!

Third, as to your questions, well, I talked about tommary/harrymort here. I like the concept of time travel tommary when Harry goes to Hogwarts with Tom. it's a trope I used to enjoy immensely and I still like it as a concept. But again, I'm talking about when they're both at Hogwarts. I'm not the biggest fan of Harry going back in time to raise Tom (including the not romantic iterations of this trope). It just, never really vibed with me and I have no interest in exploring it personally.

But, could Harry show empathy to a young Tom? 100%. Harry is willing to show empathy and forgive a Lord Voldemort in his 70s after all the murders, so a 4-year-old Tom who's still innocent would be no problem.

I think Harry would struggle, though, to look at the innocent child and envision the dark lord in his head. It's not that he'd be mean to Tom, I don't think so, but he'd constantly be on the lookout for Tom turning evil. He'd expect it to happen — which is not great for a parental figure, all in all. I just, don't think the balance of that dynamic is going to be amazing, even if Harry is willing to show empathy and forgive Tom, it doesn't erase everything that happened from his mind. (Which is why I prefer them when Tom is older and maybe already murdered Myrtle, he isn't innocent, but Harry doesn't feel innocent either and it's a more equal, push-and-pull dynamic that is very explosive. Tommary/Harrymort is a pairing I like only in very specific flavors. Even when it's platonic/familial and not romantic I'm quite picky about it, lol).

Like, I think Tom would turn out better with a time-traveling Harry as a caregiver, but it depends a lot on how old Harry is when he goes back in time, what was the state of the world he left behind, why he went back in time, how he did it, etc. Becouse all these things could really make a difference in how Harry interacts with a young Tom and how he goes about raising him.

[lovelucilfer]

candy corn and skittles for sasuke and twix and snickers for chrollo!!!!!

Kendall, the sweetest strawberry in the patch!! 💖

I'm sorry for getting to this so much later than planned. But even some for Chrollo too ahhhhh! Thank you so much for asking!! 🥺💕

candy corn – what cute/corny/cheesy nicknames do you use for each other?

Sasuke isn't big on nicknames, and when I say this what I mean is that he's not really one to use them. That doesn't mean he isn't fond of the ones I use for him!! Which are babe, sweetheart, and love (unless Naruto should overhear and decide to mimic me, then he isn't so fond). As for me, Sasuke usually just prefers to call me by name. But when we're alone or out of earshot of other people, and he feels like flustering me? Then I'm his lil' tomato.... 😳🍅

skittles – what color(s) remind you of the other(s)?

I was hoping to get this one!! Sasuke is deep navy and dark blues for me. Kind of like the night sky? Because that's when I feel the safest and most at peace, and he gives me the same feeling. Also because blues symbolize trust and loyalty. And though I associate myself with yellow, I think white makes Sasuke think of me more. White is a fresh start. It's pure and true (like my love for him), it's in the onigiri I make for him, it's a blank page or canvas (and I'm an artist). It's also like I'm another light in his life? Very... if he's the night sky, I'm the stars sort of thing kdjbvhjvfbdjd 👉👈

twix – in what ways do you complement each other?

This is the hardest one to answer so far. >.< But I think that Chrollo and I are both quite reflective thinkers, who really crave to understand the things that interest us deeply? Even if those interests are entirely different, I think we have a lot of respect for how the other's mind works, and so conflict is minimal. I'm also a very good, attentive listener, and I think Chrollo appreciates that I remember details of the endless things he tells me. And I feel the need to mention that I am a Taurus and he is a Scorpio... and I think that speaks for itself.

snickers – what’s the dumbest/silliest thing that makes all of you laugh?

Hmm, in the au where I am also a nen user, and frequently commissioned by Chrollo to assist the troupe with heists... we like to people watch while we're playing our parts at whatever grand event he has his sights set on upending. We'll see who can get a better read on the other guests, or otherwise come up with ridiculous fake lives/backstories for everyone who passes by. In the au where I'm a civilian/have no idea who he really is, we do this in parks and cafes. 🤭

[rings-of-power-realm]

Literally crying (the good kind) after watching that trailer for like the fifth time today and I'm just so overwhelmed because this show Middle Earth and everyone in it is so important to me and these trailers have been so epic and beautiful full of emotion and light and dark and everything I love from Tolkien and LOTR films (since the trilogy was how I first got into Middle Earth) and I never thought I'd see something that would compare to LOTR Trilogy but The Rings of Power truly does. I care so much about these characters just like I do Frodo and Sam and Aragorn and Eowyn etc.

And it also makes me emotional hearing Bears beautiful rousing score once again he is gonna knock it out of the park. Im crying at Celebrimbor at Elronds desperate fight to save the world and people he loves at Galadriel and the huge weight she carries. I am so invested in them all.

It looks phenomenal from the music and costumes to the dialogue and set pieces this world is real they have made magic and it deserves so much appreciation so much love because I can see that it is made with heart and soul and is a story for all time, one that I am so grateful to hold so close.

[relicsongmel]

The Hawthorne twins suffered more than Jesus

[ollylotl]

I WANT TO HEAR YOUR DAKOTA N VYNCENT THOUGHTS SO BAD please tell me about them.....

oooh dakota and vyncent…, where do i start. i warn you i don't normally do like. character analysis writing type posts? so please excuse if it's bad.

they have perhaps the most strained relationship out of the prime defenders. but that's not necessarily a bad thing. it's really compelling. they're very similar but also very different at the same time. and maybe this is why they can sort of grate against each other sometimes, but is also why they are such good friends who can rely on each other.

vyncent grew up living a life that, while not necessarily comfortable, he was familiar with. he was happy and he had a support system in the greats and his parents. that got ripped away from him very suddenly and he got dropped in the deep end of a world entirely unfamiliar. meanwhile dakota (from after his parents death onwards) had a very difficult childhood. he spent many years without a support system - his parents gone, his aunt struggling herself and not able to care for him as he needs. but he's had time to learn to deal with that. rockfall/new haven is where he's grown up, and he knows it like the back of his hand. so they're both struggling but like in opposite ways? where vyncent has been okay for most of his life but now he hasn't had a chance to adjust, while dakota's been going through it for longer but that means he's been able to adjust and is familiar with the rules of this world.

they also have opposite ways of coping with bad things / tackling their problems. dakota shuts down. vyncent lashes out. dakota is determined to never take a life. vyncent comes from a world where fighting to the death is normal. dakota not only trusts, but idolises heroes. vyncent has been nothing but let down by them and doesn't trust them at all.

i think about that scene in season 1 so much where they're at mark's house, and tide has been taken, and dakota's just shut down. vyncent starts yelling at him because he's lost everything he had in this world and can't afford to just stop like that. it's just the perfect example of how their opposite experiences and coping mechanisms cause them to clash.

more extremely, when william gets killed. dakota completely breaks down, while vyncent starts attacking even more furiously. then vyncent is like. almost pleading (? you could say? not sure if thats the word) with dakota to just get up and fight because he can't do this alone. he can't do this without dakota. he couldn't have done any of this without dakota.

but in perhaps the more simple ways, they're quite alike. they're the epitome of dumb teenage boys. i mean, they'll just break into a duet on the train. they goof off together - the shopping cart race, that one scene in the gym in season one.

so. like. they lean on each other. they both don't have much to rely on. but they have each other. i think vyncent was probably, even if its a large part subconsicous, feeling betrayed when dakota left over the s1-2 timeskip. likewise how dakota felt betrayed over the bino and mark thing / mal amulet / belltech, etc. etc. but they stick together. no matter what they go through they get out of it, and they get out of it together.

so. okay apologies for taking so long to say so little. essentially what i like most about dakota and vyncent's friendship is that duality of relying on each other both out of necessity and because they're the only ones who really get each other, and also having the energy of like. "hey bro how many slices of pizza can i fit in my mouth at once. hey bro bet you cant backflip off of this building. hey bro let's do a karaoke duet of breaking free from high school musical"

as vyncent himself said in late season 2. they're brothers. (falls over and sobs)

[sapphicautistic]

my partner's family is 100% how i'm going to get covid

[spacedlexi]

it honestly frustrates me when i see people reduce the ericsons cast down to "just some teens in the woods" acting like theyre no different than any other group of lone teenagers from other existing properties and treating them like an overused trope

it is sooo important to acknowledge the "troubled youth" aspect of the whole equation. theyre not just some random teens in the woods clem stumbles across. these kids were abandoned by their families for their various "difficulties" and fucked up by The System before the outbreak even began. and then once zombies started roaming the streets their familes never came back for them and the adults that were in charge of taking care of them just left them there to rot in that old boarding school (except for ms martin who was like their lee 🥺 the only person who ever saw them as the scared traumatized kids they were and died protecting them)

the whole aspect of them already being fucked up by the adults that controlled their lives is like.....kind of important when discussing the whole "delta is stealing kids to force them to fight in a war they have no real part in and want nothing to do with" aspect of the season. and its important when comparing them to clem and her journey of also suffering at the hands of the adults around her forcing her to become self reliant. AND its important when discussing the "just trying to build a safe home (and future) worth fighting for in this world that wants them dead" aspect of the season as well

these kids were forced to come together to survive. and a Lot of them didnt... theyre the only family they have left and you can tell that even when they argue with each other theyre still a close knit group who looks out for each other. theyre a Real family before clem even gets there (and its why what really happened with the twins and brody and marlon hits them all so especially hard)

all of this is what REALLY makes ericsons such a perfect home for clem. its a Real community of her True peers. theyre not Just teens. they mightve had a layer of safety clem never had by at least having walls to keep them safe. and having the benefit of the school being hard to find. its the only reason theyre still alive when clem shows up. but theyre also some of the only people who can Truly understand where clem and aj are coming from. and its why it hurts so much when they vote to kick them out. but its also partially why she merges back into the fold so easily when she returns. plus the fact that shes Really the only one who has any idea what shes doing. shes their rock and she makes them feel safe because underneath it all theyre still just those scared traumatized kids ("EVERYONE is scared, clem..." vi was Definitely including herself in that 'everyone'), and on some level, so is clem

they saved clementines life. and she saved theirs. "the school was supposed to help them with their trauma, now they help each other" its about the LOVE the COMMUNITY the SUPPORT!!!! and thats the shit that makes good zombie media honestly 👌

[medicinemane]

I don't know... horrible things happen all around the world and it's not a competition

Atrocities are committed against multiple groups in multiple parts of the world at the exact same moment, and none of them erase each other. They all matter, all the people in this world who are being brutalized matter. There shouldn't be any line you draw where one group doesn't actually matter as much as another

You're welcome to prioritize your energy towards helping one group or another, but what's not ok is invalidating or dismissing people who are actively being harmed

Same goes for trying to figure out which social group has things worst (and lets be honest, always using a US lens)

Like... maybe the important thing is to prop each other up and help everyone get on their own feet rather than trying to... pick fights about if physical disabilities or mental illness are less respected (I'm trying to pick a more absurd example but sadly I've seen exactly that argument happen before). Maybe it doesn't really matter and what matters is helping who we can when we can

I'm tired of it, I'm just fucking tired of it. Support people, champion them when the world is just brutalizing them, but you don't need to throw a single other person under the bus to do that

Which seems to be an absolutely impossible lesson for people to learn

[ladyseidr]

vanessa headcanons / portrayal notes but i'm too lazy to make her headcanon banner or even write coherent thoughts so you just get a bullet point list:

definitely a reluctant follower but as things progress she gets more. . . attached might be a strong word, but she stops hating glitch so much. this does not last once she escapes him obv

like it's literally: oh funny rabbit guy but this is a glitch i need to figure out -> okay i hate his vibe -> get out of my head i hate you -> i might as well learn to live with you -> i've completely isolated myself from all friends except you so i guess that makes you. . . almost a friend -> post-game deeply traumatizing by the violating of like. literally having her autonomy taken away from her

still carries deep guilt and resentment for the murders during moments where she's fighting back / he's not in control at all

vanessa is the only fucking character in fn.af who would genuinely seek therapy after every thing and i think she should get an award for that

researches the franchise + william af.ton in a lot of detail when The Hell Begins and is horrified but also has to deal with glitch being very fond of his very dead creator

basically, not in the suit: glitch is like an annoying little voice in her head who she has to stop herself from arguing out loud with in the supermarket

in the suit: he's like. not Literally in control but heavily, heavily, heavily influences her thoughts and actions. can make her think almost anything is the right decision

( okay it's not as simple as "in the suit" and "out of the suit," but you catch my drift. she can absolutely "come out of it" while wearing the suit, and she can def be under his control while not )

i said it before but: scene girl in high school. like, she has rainbow extensions when not under glitch's control, of course she was a scene girl

genuinely loves the glamr.ocks, despite everything

generally i don't want to go with her owning / being in complete charge of the pizza.plex because that's silly to me, but i don't have an alternative, esp because like who would it be??? i just shrug.

genuinely concerned abt gregory or any other kid who gets in, esp because she Knows What's Going On. she literally knows that she's a threat herself.

favorite animals? cats and horses

took the help wa.nted job because, like. she needed the money + she's absolutely a gamer so it seemed fun. especially because she had never played VR before

doesn't have a favorite color and will argue if you try to get her to pick. definitely enjoys bright colors, though

absolutely thought fazb.ear entertainment was full of shit from the start, but she wasn't actually that familiar with the history, so

literally will adopt gregory post-game. tries to act kind of like a big sister but never had any siblings so she's incredibly lost fdhskfashfjdlsah

introvert, but enjoys having a small, close group of friends. she ghosts them during the glitch stuff, but the ones that matter are there for her when she gets back ( and def understand when she. . . kinda explains what was going on )

although "i adopted a kid" "you w h a t " FDHFKDSHJFHS

has absolutely nothing to do with her parents, for valid reasons

completely traumatized post-game to the point that she questions whether her own thoughts are "really" hers. she seriously doubts her own sanity at times, is often scared she didn't "actually" get rid of glitch, and questions her ability ( and worthiness, given her actions under brainwashing ) to take care of herself, much less gregory

like i mention on her page, i'm open to writing any ending and don't treat one as canon on this blog. however, it should be noted that i'm not a fan of the burnt.rap ending ( fully biased by the fact that i don't like burnt.rap's existence ). that's not to say i'm not willing to write it, but i'm prob not interested in writing directly with burnt.rap himself

as also mentioned on her page, she's a lesbian, so there won't be any shipping with her and glitch or william ( or any man lmao ). if glitch still wants to be weird, that's on him, but she won't be receptive period.

loves creative stuff!! is an artist ( esp with pencils or digital, but can paint a bit ), enjoys decorating her apartment, and adores dressing up in pretty clothes!

also genuinely enjoys programming. yes, it is soured for her post-game.

will self-sabotage herself even pre-game ( eating nothing but takeout, not getting outside enough, isolating, etc ). therapy helps post-game.

[reflectionsofgalaxies]

gonna do the stupid thing for my stupid mental health

[smol-tired-binch-blog]

hate how im now at a point where im legit like kicking my legs and grinning like an idiot over fictional characters SEND HELP

[humanityinahandbag]

I'd like to tell you all a story about my grandmother.

My grandparents raised their children, four girls (one of them my mother), to be fighters. My aunts marched in Washington for women's rights with babies strapped to their chests and like to joke that all of the grandchildren who came from that line (including myself) were born with picket signs in their hands.

But it started with my grandparents. They fought hard for what they believed in. They marched against Vietnam. They marched for Martin Luther King. They marched for women's rights. They marched for a better future.

But let's talk specifically about my grandmother for a moment.

My grandmother unfortunately passed away in 2016. She had to watch the first Trump election and did so knowing that it would probably be the last election she'd ever see. And there is some argument there that she could have given in to fear and defeatism. She could have decided none of it was worth it, and she could have decided that fascism had won and the world was over.

But she did something else instead.

To give some context, my grandparents had friends who were Republicans. I say were, because they shifted from the normal Republican towards the MAGA Republican we see today. And despite a very clear message from my family about how we felt, they were more than ready to still come to the funeral as if everything was normal. Like their beliefs were normal. Like they were welcome to celebrate someone who had fought so hard for the rights of other people.

These were people who would have absolutely used their rhetoric to scream and shout if they were left out or disinvited.

And so my grandmother, even past her final moments, pulled the most brilliant, petty move I've ever seen.

She'd decided ahead of time that everyone who had known her was more than welcome to attend but that she wanted everyone attending the funeral to donate money. That was the requirement to be invited. And so everyone did just that. There was no talk about what the donations were for, just that they were appreciated. I want to say that the assumption was the money would help pay for funeral expenses and give the family some support while we grieved.

Except that wasn't the case.

Because in those final moments of the funeral, the rabbi stepped forward to thank everyone, and then very cheerfully announced;

"Arlene was so happy to know just how many people were coming to join us here today. She couldn't have been more proud of her family. And I'm sure she would have been elated to see just how much money you all gave today to Planned Parenthood."

When I say that the faces of those people are enshrined in my memory, I mean it. The anger, the devastation, the rage, the betrayal. It was an absolutely gorgeous display of true defeat at the hands of a boss ass old lady who literally fought with her last breath and threw up both middle fingers all the way out the door.

What I'm saying is this.

It is very easy to feel defeated. It is very easy to think that everything is over, and there's nothing left for us to do. It's very easy to say that fascism won, that fear won, that hate won.

But that's only true if you let it be true.

There is always more that we can do. There is a future that is still worth fighting for. And it's more than possible, even when it doesn't seem like it.

And fighting is going to look different every time.

Some days it will look like picket signs in our hands.

Some days it will look like spending time with friends and family and people you love and knowing that you have a community that supports you and your vision of a brighter future.

And some days, it's pulling absolute natural level 20 petty trickster shit even after you've left the world.

Because you can always make an impact and you can always add a little brightness to life, and if that means tricking a group of MAGA idiots into throwing their money behind Planned Parenthood in the middle of your own goddamn funeral then that's what it means.

Keep fighting. People have done it before you. People will continue to do it after you.

And enjoy the little victories.

(Even the petty ones)