#it wasn't something good from the very beginning

[yes-no-maybe-soo]

I just found out about this singer called Sora Sayuri who has made an entire album of songs inspired by Love and Deepspace and omfg I need all of you to drop whatever you're doing to give it a listen!!

I'm being so serious when I say you need to listen to it! This woman is so insanely talented! Her voice is heavenly, ethereal! The lyrics are chef's kiss and so are the instrumentals and she can do several different genres, even eras, of music! Some of the songs are very emotional and romantic, others super peppy and fun, others seductive... the Daddy's Home one did something to me ngl

And guys... the Sylus songs... the Sylus songs

(*Audio cinema, that is)

They're my favorites ofc. Because I'm biased but also because as a Sylus main they scratch all the right itches. 10/10 from me. Over the fucking moon

A tip though... don't listen to A Requiem For The Departed when you're out walking. Just don't. I did and

Yeah no. Couldn't keep it together. The dam broke. And I'm not even on my period. It's just that heartrending and beautiful...

Out of all the songs it's for sure the Magnum Opus (imo). My heart was swelling from beginning to end.

The Song I Forgot is also very beautiful and emotional, but in a more uplifting way. A sequel to A Requiem For The Departed.

Criminally Yours and Knockout have entirely different vibes, but are just as good in their own ways. Knockout gives me like 70s/80s Rocky vibes. It's super fun and fits Sylus so well. And Criminally Yours is a love song to Sylus' wild and dangerous – but to MC also loving – side, and is also about MC embracing her own reckless and outlaw side. Both songs really portray MC's loyalty and pride and love for her boyfriend in such an upbeat and engaging way 🫶🏻

This wasn't meant to become a mini review but I'm a certified yapper so shdghfj

Anyway, go do yourselves a favor and listen to the album ☺️❤️

[cambridge-nps]

I wrote a silly little thing about Tommy hiding the fact he wears glasses from Buck. Unfortunately, since i'm incapable of writing sexy times this is gonna have to stay g :(

Here's a small snippet:

“Be honest with me,” Buck said, arms crossed, “do you think Tommy is seeing someone else?”

Ravi choked. “What?”

“I’m serious. He keeps sneaking off with his phone.”

Ravi wiped his mouth and gave Buck a look. “Buck. Buddy. That man has stolen two helicopters for you.”

Buck waved it off. “Light domestic terrorism aside, I’m just saying something’s up. You think maybe he’s bored? I’ve been working tons of doubles lately so I haven’t had time for my normal gym routine. I think my butt’s gotten flat.”

“Tommy talks about your butt like it’s a religious experience.”

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If you see any spelling or grammar mistakes, please let me know.

You can read the whole thing below or on A03 -> Clearly Into You

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Buck wasn't usually a jealous guy. Okay. That was a lie. It had all started early one morning, Buck was balancing a banana nut muffin in one hand and a mug of coffee in the other when he noticed Tommy ducking back into the bedroom with his phone. Again. It was the third time that morning. This was after the incident yesterday—Tommy had disappeared into the garage just to “check a message,” and when Buck rounded the corner with a fresh cup of coffee to surprise him, Tommy had nearly jumped out of his skin. Buck's gut had churned then. Now it was practically staging a rebellion. He didn’t want to be that guy, the paranoid boyfriend, the clingy one, but when your long-term, ruggedly hot firefighter boyfriend starts acting like he's guarding the Missing Link every time his phone buzzes, you begin to worry. And Tommy? Tommy was the definition of sketchy lately. Buck had mentioned it casually to Tommy that night in bed. “You’ve been kind of... phone-private lately, huh?” Tommy had just snorted and rolled over, kissing Buck’s shoulder like that was an answer.

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The next day, Buck strolled into the living room with a dish towel slung over his shoulder and a faint whistle on his lips, just in time to catch Tommy snapping his phone screen off like he’d been caught looking up something deeply illicit. The speed of it was unnatural. Almost Olympic-level. Buck stopped mid-step, eyebrow lifting. “...Was that the nuclear launch codes, or…?” Tommy, sprawled on the couch with an exaggerated air of innocence, blinked up at him. “What?” “You just closed your phone like I walked in on you sexting a senator.” Tommy made a face, scoffing. “Don’t be ridiculous. I was—watching a video.” “Uh-huh,” Buck said, folding his arms. “Why’d you practically throw it across the room like it bit you?” Tommy shifted, “Reflexes. I’ve got cat-like reflexes.” “Oh, is that what we’re calling ‘panic’ now?” Tommy sniffed, nose tilted. “You startled me.” Buck peered at Tommy suspiciously. “What are you hiding?” “Nothing.” “Is it porn? “What? No!” Tommy didn’t even look up. “It was an educational video on new fire safety procedures.” Buck snorted. “Is that what we’re calling it now?” Tommy grinned. “Hey, I know “movie night” is a shared activity and I take our joint research sessions very seriously.” “Oh, joint research, huh?” Buck said, crossing his arms. “Because I distinctly remember you fast-forwarding through the plot last night.” “There was a plot?” Buck rolled his eyes but couldn’t stop the laugh that slipped out. “You know for a guy who claims he likes character development, you sure skipped a lot of dialogue.” “I’m just efficient,” Tommy said, smug. “Besides, I already know how it ends.” “Oh yeah?” Buck asked, stepping closer with a teasing smirk. “And how’s that?” “With both of us hitting pause because it got us a little too inspired.” “You know,” Buck murmured, eyes soft but sharp, “you’re very good at distracting me.” Tommy blinked, doing his best innocent face. “Am I?” “Mhm. Suspiciously good.” Buck kissed the corner of Tommy’s mouth, then pulled back just enough to look at him. “Almost like you’re trying to steer me away from asking what was going on with your phone earlier.” Tommy froze—just a flicker, just for a second—but Buck caught it. “It’s nothing, Evan. I promise.” And with that Tommy got up and walked into the kitchen.

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A few days later, another incident occurred when Buck showed up unannounced to Harbour Station to surprise Tommy with a sandwich from their favourite deli shop, which was the romantic equivalent of a bouquet of roses in firefighter terms. He spotted Tommy sitting alone in his truck in the back lot, hunched over his phone like it owed him money. Buck tapped on the window. Tommy jumped so hard he dropped the phone into the footwell. “Hey,” Buck said, peeking in. “What’re you doing out here?” Tommy looked mildly panicked. “Nothing! Just... decompressing.” Buck leaned into the window. “You know, when most people decompress, they don’t clutch their phone like it’s a cursed artifact.” Tommy fake-laughed, and kissed him on the cheek. “You're cute when you're nosy,” while casually sliding his phone back into his pocket. Suspicious. Very suspicious.

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After another non-answer from Tommy regarding his secretive phone use, Buck finally cornered Ravi in the kitchen of the 118, where Ravi was busy shoveling pasta into his mouth between calls. “Be honest with me,” Buck said, arms crossed, “do you think Tommy is seeing someone else?” Ravi choked. “What?” “I’m serious. He keeps sneaking off with his phone.” Ravi wiped his mouth and gave Buck a look. “Buck. Buddy. That man has stolen two helicopters for you.” Buck waved it off. “Light domestic terrorism aside, I’m just saying something’s up. You think maybe he’s bored? I’ve been working tons of doubles lately so I haven’t had time for my normal gym routine. I think my butt’s gotten flat.” “Tommy talks about your butt like it’s a religious experience.” Buck blushed. “Well. Still.” Since Buck’s falling out with Eddie—that argument in the kitchen that had left more than just words simmering—his friendship with Ravi had unexpectedly deepened. What started as casual conversation and shared beers had turned into real camaraderie, with Ravi naturally folding into Buck’s life outside the station. That meant spending time with Tommy too, and to Buck’s quiet delight, Ravi and Tommy hit it off effortlessly. The two shared an easy banter, trading dry humour and obscure movie references like they'd been friends for years. Ravi rolled his eyes. “Tommy’s not cheating. He’s obsessed with you. He just—sometimes he gets weird when something’s wrong with him. He doesn’t like looking vulnerable.” Buck narrowed his eyes. “So you do think something’s wrong.” Ravi shrugged. “Probably, but not something scandalous. He’s just not good at asking for help, you know that. Remember he tried to splint his own ankle last month with a clipboard and duct tape.” “…Yeah, okay. That tracks.” Ravi pointed a tomato sauce covered spoon at Buck’s chest. “If Tommy is hiding something, it’s probably because he’s the one embarrassed. You ever think of that?” Buck frowned. “I don’t like it when you’re right. It’s bad for our power dynamic.”

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The truth broke open like a scene from a soap opera. Buck walked into the kitchen one evening after a shortened shift to find Tommy squinting at his phone, held at arm’s length. Then—he reached into the drawer. Pulled out a sleek pair of reading glasses: Slim, black-rimmed, very distinguished. And slipped them on. Buck gasped like a Victorian man seeing a naked ankle. Tommy spun around, glasses in hand, caught red-handed. “Don’t say anything,” he muttered. “Please. I know. It’s awful.” Buck stared. “That’s what all this has been? The secret phone stuff? The whispering? The disappearing acts?” Tommy looked sheepish. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.” “Like what? Sexy librarian-core? Because it’s working.” Tommy groaned and sank into a chair. “No, I didn’t want you to see this version of me. I’m officially ancient. Glasses for the phone. Next it’ll be pill organizers and orthopedic sandals. You’re going to realize I’m some tragic, washed-up old man and run off with someone who can read a menu without squinting.” Buck blinked. “…You think I’m going to stop loving you because you need reading glasses?” Tommy looked truly miserable. “You’re still in your thirties. I’m—well, not. And look at me. The greys, a back that makes that clicking noise when I get out of bed. And I didn’t want you to—” Buck took a step forward. “Didn’t want me to what?” Tommy rubbed the back of his neck. “Realize how much older I am than you.” Buck stared at him, heart lurching. Then he stepped in, gently took the glasses, and placed them back on Tommy’s face. “You look like a sexy professor who teaches Advanced Fire Tactics at the Academy. Honestly, I’d enroll twice.” Tommy snorted. “And for the record?” Buck continued. “Yeah, your body’s incredible. You’re all tall and muscly, with those ridiculous forearms and muscles on top of muscles in your biceps that’s not even fair. And the flecks of grey in your hair? I’ve been trying to act normal about it, but it makes me want to climb you like a rope ladder.” Tommy laughed, the tension cracking at last. “But even if you didn’t look like that,” Buck added, quieter now, “I’d still love you. Because of how you show up. Because of how you make me feel like I matter, even when I’m being annoying or insecure or irrational.” He cupped Tommy’s face. “You’re smart. Snarky. Kind. You give a crap about people, even when it costs you something. That’s what I fell for. And that’s not going away.” Tommy looked at him for a beat, the barest shine in his eyes. “So... you’re okay with the glasses?” “Like you wouldn’t believe,” Buck whispered. “Want me to keep wearing them?” Buck said, grinning. “You might wanna bring them to bed. Just saying.” Tommy kissed him — slow, smiling against his lips. “You’re a menace.” “But I’m your menace,” Buck said.

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Tommy had been hesitant at first—wearing the glasses only when he was home alone, taking them off the second someone knocked at the door, and absolutely refusing to wear them during social gatherings. But Buck noticed. Of course he did. And over time, with quiet compliments and casual sincere praise, Buck chipped away at whatever insecurity was holding Tommy back. Now, Tommy wore them without flinching. Still a little self-conscious, maybe, still adjusting to the feel of them on his face—but the difference was noticeable. He didn’t hide anymore. Buck noticed that, too. Tommy adjusted his new glasses on the bridge of his nose, squinting at the mirror like the frames might suddenly shapeshift into something more flattering. “You keep looking at yourself like you’re trying to figure out who you are,” Buck said from the doorway, arms crossed, leaning just enough to make it obvious he’d been watching for a while. “I look like a dad trying to figure out how to work his own thermostat,” Tommy muttered. “You look like a sexy professor who could ruin my life in under ten seconds,” Buck said, dead serious. Tommy turned, raising an eyebrow over the rim of the glasses. “Ruin your life, huh?” “Oh yeah,” Buck said, pushing off the doorway and walking closer. “Like, ‘talk sternly to me in a quiet voice while handing me back my overdue essay face down’ kind of ruin.” Tommy smirked. “You have a whole fantasy worked out already?” Buck shrugged. “Not my fault you put those on and suddenly I want to sin in a public classroom.” Tommy laughed, cheeks a little pink. “You’re ridiculous.” “You’re hot,” Buck shot back, stopping just in front of him. “I mean—you were already hot. But now? Now I want to make bad choices with you in a very well-lit, academic environment.” Tommy leaned in slightly, eyes glinting. “So what you’re saying is… I should wear these more often.” Buck grinned, voice low and warm. “I’m saying if you don’t, I might start leaving textbooks around the house just to tempt you.” Tommy reached up, slowly removing the glasses and setting them aside. “Well. That sounds like dangerous encouragement.” Buck stepped closer, practically nose to nose now. “Good. I like a little danger.”

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[lovejongseob]

Jongseob's firsts

All sfw except for the very last paragraph. Soul version here !!

First love:

Jongseob is shy, and he wouldn't approach you first. Watches you from afar, but with a heavy heart. He's analyzing everything you do, and falling deeper and deeper in love with every detail. Unfortunately, he lets his mind run until he finds things to be anxious about, and reasons you couldn't like him back.

First date:

A good example of Jongseob getting nervous over small things, you would have to take the initiative and ask him out. He spent way too long figuring out what to wear, what to say, how to act, he ended up a little awkward at first. He's comfortable by the end of the night though, and wishes he had just calmed down from the beginning.

First relationship:

You're going to see a lot of you taking the lead here, especially at first. Even if it's your first as well, it's like his mind just goes numb around you, and he can't think of what to do. Jongseob is flustered easily and nervous often, but he warms up and gets closer to you as time goes on.

First touch of affection:

I'm thinking of holding hands, playing with the other's hair, or fleeting kisses to the hands or cheek. These are the build ups to further things, but he holds them dear in his heart and remembers all the times you first did it. Jongseob would always ask before doing anything. He would only surprise you with physical touch after dating for a while and telling him on your own that it was okay. Besides light hitting while laughing, in which his arms just move on their own.

First kiss:

Jongseob's first kiss would be gentle, soft, slow to go in, fast to pull apart. You both asked each other so many times before doing it, yet both of you looked shocked the other actually did it. He wasn't the first to ask, but after you kissed once, he was the one to ask for a second. He trembles a bit before and after kissing you, but he feels serene for the few seconds his lips are on yours. It's innocent, but laced with a little desperation with how long you've both been waiting to do this.

First night sleeping together:

He doesn't know how, but in the morning, Jongseob woke up tangled in your arms and legs. Your head was laying on his chest, and he would just barely breathe to keep you from waking. When he tuned everything else out, he swore felt your heartbeat against him. That night, he respectfully decided to sleep on the other side from you to keep you from being uncomfortable. You assumed he wasn't ready to be that close yet, so you let him keep his distance near the edge. In the middle of the night, it's him crawling over to you.

First shower together:

Facing away from you, closing his eyes when he needs to turn over. He would feel guilty about being a 'creep', so hes really careful to not sneak any glances.. but accidentally.. He really doesn't mean to ! But when you asked for help washing your hair or back, his eyes just did what eyes do. Jongseob is stuttering a little bit or just goes quiet, and you can clearly feel the energy in the room shift. He can handle a little teasing, but he really appreciates reassurance and telling him it's okay.

First time:

Hes as excited as he is nervous. Hes really wanted to for a while, but waited until you wanted to just as bad. He doesn't mean to possibly tease you, but he needs to know you want this. Has you on top because he doesn't want to hurt you or make you uncomfortable, which is true, but he didn't mention it's also a huge turn on for him. Slow, soft, but it's passionate. Loves taking what you give him, but can't help lifting his hips into yours when he's close. It's something he does unconsciously. A lot of whining, sucking in his breath. Definitely have to quiet him down when he comes.

I'm going to write the nail date request soon !! it will be out hopefully tomorrow / later today, but within two-three days at the most. thank you for reading !! sorry if one paragraph of smut isnt the best find in the smut tags, im mainly using it for people who want to block it.

[sirfrogsworth]

Some additional thoughts and clarifications...

Looking back, I think I made it seem like motivated lighting was good and unmotivated lighting was bad. That was not my intention. My issue has more to do with watching something with almost exclusively motivated light and then a scene with unmotivated light breaks that train of immersion.

Or, like with West Side Story, the unmotivated lighting breaks the intended facade. The filmmakers wanted a soundstage to look like a New York City street. But the lighting made it look like a Hollywood soundstage. People had already seen the show on a stage and I think the artistic intent was to avoid that impression. But their lighting limitations made that illusion difficult to pull off.

Some people gave the impression that motivated lighting was less artistic or less emotionally impactful because it is grounded in realism. And lighting should be thought of more like music where we don't question where the music comes from.

I like the spirit of that analogy, but I'm not sure it fits. You choose music to fit the mood and emotion of the scene. And the genre and tempo of the music needs to be motivated by what is happening.

If a movie has a scene where someone is weeping because they learned they have a month to live and Eye of the Tiger starts to play, that could really break immersion.

If your film is grounded in reality, it would make sense that the lighting matches that.

Beyond that... "grounded in reality" and making logical sense does not mean the lighting is 100% realistic. It is still very crafted. In fact, motivated lighting requires a lot more design and artistic thought.

Which is why I would argue that motivated lighting can be more artistic and impactful.

When you don't limit yourself, sometimes that can lead to poor artistic choices. If you give a kid a box with a thousand crayons, you're probably going to get a drawing with a thousand colors.

You get a Zack Snyder movie.

Limitations and constraints on art often help creativity and force you to use your problem solving skills. If you can do lighting however you want, you may be tempted to just film everything on a green screen and use magic CGI lighting in post. Or you may pick an ugly environment and use good lighting as a way to improve the aesthetics. You end up using lighting as a crutch.

But if you constrain yourself to a more motivated lighting philosophy, that can force you to seek out places with beautiful light. To find locations that already look amazing without any additional light. You may be inspired to build amazing sets with the lighting design in mind from the beginning.

Motivated lighting is harder to make look good and requires more effort. And I believe that when art requires more effort, you tend to get a better end result.

Motivated lighting isn't just DPs wanting everything to be realistic for realism's sake. It requires more thought. It makes more sense. And if you can create beautiful, motivated light, it usually looks better.

Severance is widely considered to be a beautiful show. And it uses nearly 100% motivated lighting. They built a lot of the lighting into the actual sets.

That is not to say unmotivated, stylized lighting cannot look cool.

Wes Anderson overlights his films to great effect. He relies on vivid color palettes and strong symmetric composition to inform his aesthetic. He wants you to see all of the details in the frame as clearly as possible.

Sin City uses strong contrast for its aesthetic design.

The lighting is more photographic than filmic, with strong edge lighting. A very common style when photographing athletes with muscles.

And then you have John Wick, which uses a heavy mixture of motivated and unmotivated lighting.

I think this lighting style is called "make it look fucking cool."

I guess my big clarification is that I wasn't advocating for one type of lighting over the other. I love unmotivated lighting. Almost all of my photography is unmotivated lighting. But I wouldn't use studio lighting to do street photography. And Spielberg wouldn't light Saving Private Ryan like John Wick.

It's just a genre of lighting to choose from.

My post was about what to do when motivated lighting interferes with the legibility of the action on screen. I was curious how much this bothers people. And what approach they preferred to solve the problem.

Is it best to abandon the philosophy and lose your stylistic consistency?

Should we explore new solutions like the day-for-night scenes in Nope?

From the poll it seems people are split between "stay in-genre as much as possible and cheat when you have to" and "I just want to see everything."

Personally, I think cheating when you have to is probably where I land. Space helmets bother me, but I do like to see the actor's face.

But I would like to see more cinematographers experiment with new ways to represent darkness on screen like they did with Nope.

And once most people have OLED-style screens with HDR, I think this problem will be easier to manage.

In this scene, they are in the middle of the woods under a canopy of trees. They show the sky and there is no moon.

The light has absolutely no motivation.

Motivated lighting is a philosophy where all of the light sources on screen have a logical source. The light from a smartphone on someone's face. A lamp next to the couch. Sterile overhead office lights.

Often filmmakers will still use their own custom light sources, but they will simulate these things to give the impression the light has motivation.

Compare this to when all they really had were bright spotlights and insensitive film. An indoor scene just couldn't have this warm and cozy feel. And the light was just blasted in from everywhere.

Black and white helped a lot. You could still get dramatic effect despite things needing to be overlit. Or you could play with contrast ratios and shadow.

All the stuff you need to see was very bright and exposed well onto film and all the stuff you didn't was very dark.

But there was no graduation in between. It was hard to be subtle.

And when television and movies went color, this black and white contrast advantage was lost.

You can see EVERYTHING. And look at those sharp shadows. Everyone is just being blasted in the face with lights.

This sitcom lighting persisted long past when it was necessary. It became part of the sitcom language.

I think M*A*S*H was one of the first shows to subvert the overlit sitcom aesthetic. They began to play with lighting that had more motivation.

But aesthetic standards are hard to kill. And despite the heavy influence of M*A*S*H, sitcoms persisted all the way into the Friends era.

Her lamp isn't even on. Everything is just lit by God.

I don't think you will see a living room or kitchen scene lit like this very much from here on out.

People are getting used to lighting making more logical sense.

With the advent of LED lighting that can be any size, shape, and brightness, as well as cameras that can interpret very dark images, modern shows can now use bright and dark as narrative tools.

I think Severance does this well, and still keeps everything properly motivated.

But this newfound flexibility has created new problems. If you can film dark things, how dark is too dark? And how do you make sure the audience can see all of the important visual information?

The two worst examples of unmotivated lighting are always space helmets and cars.

It's a conceit. You gotta see the faces so these things are usually forgiven.

But the biggest debate in the realm of unmotivated lighting is night scenes. People have lots of opinions on how best to use light in the dark.

This is because following a motivated lighting philosophy can be especially tricky. Particularly if your setting is a secluded area without any artificial light sources.

Many cinematographers will try to give some sense of moonlight. But moonlight is very hard to replicate, so the effect usually ends up looking pretty fake.

This scene during a blackout in Die Hard 4 looks like they took the brightest light they had, mounted it as high as possible and said, "Fuck it, that's moon-ish."

If the DP is hardcore into motivated lighting, they just make the screen really really dark, like the Long Night battle in Game of Thrones.

The really really dark option bugs a lot of people.

Froggie Tangent about Dark Scenes:

I originally thought people needed to adjust their display settings. But then I realized not everyone watches content in a darkened room like a vampire. But if you find a show or movie is too dark, turning off any room lights will help a lot. Watching it in HDR will also help. And watching it on an OLED will help even more.

Scenes this dark are mostly a fad. DPs are experimenting with the possibilities of new technology. But sometimes they forget not everyone has that technology yet. And they forget some people watch stuff on their phones in a room full of sunlight.

Eventually the fad will fade, we will all adopt better screens, and the darkness will land somehwere between "I can't see shit" and "it would never be that bright in real life."

[End of tangent]

In the olden days, since film wasn't sensitive enough to do scenes in the dark, almost everything needed to have unmotivated lighting just to make sure their film wasn't a grainy mess. And as a culture, we sort of got used to that style. They'd mess with the contrast ratios to give the feeling of night, but if you think about where the light is coming from too hard, it won't make any sense. They took a Broadway theater approach to lighting and so a lot of movies felt like they were on a soundstage.

The 1961 West Side Story is a good example.

They've got a spot light hitting them, but not the building behind them. I guess that could be an overhead street light. But street lights are meant to flood the area like an ever expanding donut of light. A spotlight is like a directly projected cone of light. It is perfectly pointed at the side of their face and not coming from above.

She has some magical purple light coming from... somewhere.

And then they are in an area under a bridge, far away from any lights, but they've got soft fill light with a bright rim coming from the right.

Speilberg's version has much more motivated light.

This one is a bit of a cheat, some very bright source off in the distance. But it feels more plausible to the brain and gives a better sense of darkness. It feels like some kind of industrial lighting. Or a security light at a junkyard.

Here he straight up shows you where the light is coming from. And his preference for anamorphic lenses.

And here he uses bright train lights to create silhouettes. This is clever because it allows everything to be very dark but everyone is still legible in the scene.

I'm torn. Because I study light. And so I am very aware of how shows and movies are lighting things. And unmotivated lighting sticks out in my brain. Like when I watch someone miming playing the guitar. Or using a camera improperly. When you know too much about something, inaccurate onscreen depictions just drive you nuts.

There are some techniques being experimented with to make night scenes more legible while maintaining lighting realism. I think the most promising is the infrared day-for-night process used in Nope.

But maybe it doesn't need to be solved. Maybe DPs should just light the night even if it doesn't always make sense. Maybe general audiences just do not care and I am a big nerd who should be ignored.

[writingdevil]

Something-something Smitten becoming a desparate, homicidal mess towards damsel or thorn. Maybe all other voices of reason have gone quiet for whatever reason and the narrator convinced him that the only way into her heart is a very literal one? Maybe there's some other reason? Idkidkidkk-

(Oooohh that's a really good idea! I've had the thought of Smitten becoming easily misled and not seeing the logic of his actions because of his passion for love before, so we'll see how well he fares! Enjoy!)

(Warning- Violence, dark themes and vibes)

"Where is she? Where is my love?!"

He walked on unsteady legs, inserting himself as the one in control, keeping the Decider back and safe. Smitten knew what needed to be done.

He blinked, but he wasn't sure where he was going. All he felt was an insatiable, desperate urge to find her, to find his other half.

His darling, his beloved, his precious, his love that he couldn't bear to be without. Smitten needed to be with her. Without her, he was nothing. The Decider, and even the other voices, protested at this at first, but thankfully, they had all gone quiet.

He's sure that they're just waiting in anticipation for the moment that he and the princess are reunited. Once Smitten showed them that what he was doing was the right thing to do, they'd shower him in love and praise and allow him to keep control of the body. Smitten would be able to keep them all happy!

He took another step forward, panting as he frantically looked around him for a flash of that stunning dress or that beautiful hair of the princess.

"My love?" Smitten called out. "My love, please! I only wish to capture your heart with my passion!"

His fear and frustration mingled together into a dangerous mix, making him bat his arms out at any and all obstacles that were keeping him from his love.

Then, to the left of him, something bright and beautiful darted away, and Smitten gasped, feeling his heart swell with joy and relief.

"My darling, is that you?" he yelled out, his body being pulled towards what was undoubtedly the love of his life. His walking turned to jogging, turned to sprinting, until his feathers were getting caught on branches- and that's right! They were in the woods! They had just freed the princess, but the day wasn't saved yet. Smitten still had something to prove.

His wings flapped behind him in excitement, as he fought to keep up with the princess. Why was she running from him? Why couldn't she see that everything he was doing was for her?

He kept up the chase, until he was only a few steps behind her, watching her tail flick about wildly, poor dress tattered and dirtied.

The princess blessed him with a glance over her shoulder, and she let out a gasp that must've been one of delight, but accidentally tripped in the process.

She fell to the ground with a grunt, and Smitten's heart ached at the sound of her pain, and he rushed over to help her.

But as soon as he was close to her, close enough for his shadow to coat her in shade, she spun around sharply, and Smitten cooed sympathetically at the cuts all over her arms, and something in his brain reminded him that this was Thorn.

Her eyes were wide and full of aggression, and she tried crawling back along the ground, before Smitten grabbed her by the forearms, keeping her in place. "My love! Oh, how I have missed you! I was beginning to fear some monster had gotten to you."

Thorn didn't reply, but instead glared at him, as it Smitten was someone not to be trusted. But that was okay. He knew how to change her mind. The Narrator had given him the perfect declaration of love.

He took a deep breath in, kneeling in front of Thorn, who squirmed on the spot, and he could only assume it was because she was nervous.

"Never fear, darling," he softly said to her. "I know the way into your heart, and I will show how deep my devotion for you goes."

At that moment, Thorn let a yell out, and something swiftly came for his face, but Smitten luckily managed to catch her wrist at the last second.

He turned to look, and let a noise of delight out at seeing the pristine blade in her hand.

"Oh thank you for this, darling! You always know exactly what I need! This is why we're meant to be together."

He easily plucked the blade out of her grip, and he gently shushed her quiet sounds of fear, feeling her shaking beneath his grip. "It's alright, my dear. There's no need to be scared. I know the way into your heart, and then everything will be perfect."

He lifted the blade over his head, his eyes pinned on the spot where he knew Thorn's heart would be.

'The only way into her heart, little voice, is to reach in and grab it for yourself. That's the only way to prove your love to her.'

The Narrator was right. This was the way of love, the way of their love.

He angled the blade just right, his heart breaking at her terrified thrashing, but he held firm. She'd recognise, in time, that this was the right thing to do.

"I love you," he whispered to her, and then he brought the blade down.

"Smitten!"

The bird in question froze, feeling something push to the forefront of his mind, through force and sheer determination.

"Smitten! Stop this!"

He would know that voice anywhere. It was the Skeptic.

"Smitten, what are you doing? Why are you doing this?"

Smitten sat up straight, the blade hovering a few inches above Thorn. "I'm claiming her heart," he said aloud. "I'm showing her how strong my love for her was."

"By stabbing her?"

"By taking her heart for myself!"

There was a pause, most likely Skeptic processing his words. Then there was a heavy sigh, and although Skeptic still sounded stressed, his initial panic had died down now.

"Smitten, don't listen to whatever that Narrator told you to do! He's trying to trick you!"

"But it's true!" Smitten protested, ignoring the way Thorn flinched below him. "This is the only way to ensure that I earn her love!"

"Are you sure about that? Look at her, Smitten. Really look at her."

Smitten obliged, gazing down at the princess on the ground earnestly.

He saw how luscious and beautiful her hair looked, even with the thorny vines tangled in them. He saw her big, sparking eyes, so dazzling, so hypnotic, so-

-scared?

Smitten frowned, bringing his arm away from her slowly. Her eyes, usually so full of love and joy in his mind, were now filled with terror, and on the brink of tears- because of him.

She was shaking in fear because of him. She had been running away from him.

...Smitten was the monster.

A choked gasp escaped him, horror strangling his heart. He quickly scrambled to move away from her, to get her out of harm's way- the harm being him.

He dropped the blade, uncaring that Thorn immediately swiped it and clutched it to her chest for protection.

An awful weight was pressing down on Smitten, the weight of what he almost had done crushing him down to the forest floor. He hugged himself, his breathing picking up, and he found that he didn't know where to look or what to do. Smitten had always tried to be the one that the princess could love, that could protect her- but he was just another threat to her safety.

"Smitten."

But then there was Skeptic.

"Smitten, come back to us. Let us take care of this. Let the Decider back in."

That- Smitten could do that right.

So he took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slipped back into darkness, where the princess would be safe from him and his wickedness, hopefully forever.

[thedivineden]

Anatomy Pt. 3

pairing: Armin Arlert x Reader

genre: smut

words: 1.4k+

notes: collegeau!, nerdmin, light flirting.

AN: I know it took me a while but we are so BACK!! ENJOY!! Part Two ૮ ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶ ა

"Are you going to let me in or are you going to keep staring?" I wasn't wearing anything very special. When I said that, he chuckled and moved aside to let me in.

His dorm is like mine; it has a tiny kitchen and a good-sized living area with two doors along the rear wall. I assumed it led to Armin's room, and I figured it was Eren's. One obvious clue is the soccer poster.

Armin observes you moving about and examining his area; he stays silent and merely follows you a little. It would be interesting to see how you would react and how quickly you would settle in.

Armin will gladly play all of this alone with you as an uninformed bystander. "Your dorm layout is the same as mine, minus all the papers and clothes laying around," you say, interrupting his thoughts. Even though Sasha might outdo you guys in the food sphere." When I laugh, he laughs too, and he apologizes for the mess.

He attempts to tidy up slightly partly due to embarrassment creeping up on him and seeing you had nowhere to sit. However, even after he clears the couch off, you don't sit down, instead asking if you two were going to his room.

Checkmate.

As he shows you to his dorm room, Armin's smile almost touches his ears. Having you in his space makes him happy. to be able to observe his test subject up close at last. You were surveying his room in the same way that you were surveying the living room.

You saw how tidy it was in contrast to the cluttered living room. He had a sleek black desk with two enormous monitors in one corner, and his desk was adorned with Valorant, Minecraft, and other gaming memorabilia and souvenirs. He has his twin mattress tucked under his well-made black-covered bed. Assuming he wouldn't mind too much, I chose to sit on his bed. Also, he is blocking my way to the computer chair, so the only place I can go is the bed.

He knows where he wants you. He planned it before you even arrived.

I praised his room and the Eenderman plush toy that hung over one of his monitors while seated on the bed. "You like Minecraft?" lights up his eyes; he's so adorable. I nod and tell them that every year on my birthday, I practically put my parents out of business with Minecraft-related items.

Over the course of the following hour, Armin gradually made his way to sit beside me on the bed and inquired about my life, my likes and dislikes, and whether or not I was content with my time on campus. Armin initially begins examining you from the inside out. Prior to him manipulating you and making you talk about him. After a while, Armin sat next me, but he is incredibly elusive about certain parts of his life.

"What makes you tick?" Armin asks me, staring into my eyes as though something had changed. I ask him, perplexed, "Tick?" I consider my response and ask, "In what ways?" while he nods his head up and down. With a slight smirk on his lips, he chooses to give me a vague response once more, giving me the upper hand. "Anything you're comfortable with sharing, just know, I'm all ears."

I wasn't aware of how close he was earlier as my mind was struggling with what to say next. increasing my anxiety and filthy inner thoughts tenfold. This whole time, our fingers have been grazing one another; it's a subtle yet powerful kind of intimacy.

"What are you going to do with this information once it's divulged?" He leans in close, and I can feel his pinkie slowly encircling mine. "That depends on what's divulged, nothing malicious, unless that's what you're hoping for." He moves closer to me as soon as our pinkies clasp, our bodies touching as though they were attempting to melt into one another.

"Open mouth chewers."

He stares at me perplexed for a bit before laughing, "That's it?" Is that all that makes you tick? | I laugh along with him, but his proximity makes me nervous. "Liars." Armin's eyes darken briefly before he inquires about my ability to detect deception.

"I wouldn't say I know exactly when someone is lying to me but it always comes out eventually." He simply shakes his head in agreement, encouraging me to continue. "Intimacy." His pinky tightens around mine, and his leg moves almost uncomfortably next to mine. "What kind of intmacy?" he asks quietly.

Armin is beginning to believe you enjoy the game as much as he does. "All kinds: intellectual, emotional, and physical. "I want it all. He loves the sound of it, at least for the most part. "I think we've got one of those handled, don't you?" he adds, leaning in so close that our lips barely touch. I can feel my heart waver, and I nod my head slightly. "Yeah, maybe we do."

Just as I was ready to close the gap between us, Armin's dorm door flew open. Connie, Eren, and another guy stand in the doorway. I draw away from Armin, reclaiming the space we shared seconds ago, pinkies no longer joined. Armin is on his feet, pushing them out the door with an array of "Oooh's," and Connie inquires whether this is the "project" Armin mentioned he is working on.

Once everyone has left the room, including Armin, I can feel my breathing returning to normal. I don't even try to hear the conversation on the other side of the door. My mind is reeling with how close he was, and how captivating his intellect and behaviors are. A few moments later, Armin enters the room, his face flushed and frowning. I stand up and get my belongings, figuring I've overstayed my welcome. "Do you want to watch a movie?" he asks, strong yet calm.

"Oh, it's okay with me. What will we be watching?” I say as I return my backpack to his computer chair after letting it slide off my shoulder. “They've already chosen one and placed an order for pizza, so I'm not sure. I hope you enjoy meat lovers.” I want to spend time with him, but I hoped he wouldn't notice my disappointment when "others" was mentioned in the movie invite.

"We don't have to go out there now, If you want more time to...talk." I could hear a recommendation, more like a faint cry, to continue. I sat back down on the bed, and he followed, sitting next to me and closer than before. Our legs and shoulders are touching, and Armin lightly brushes his leg against mine, "Are you even listening to me?" I giggle and shake my head, knowing that all I can think about is us almost kissing. "What's on your mind then, pretty?" He leans in closer, not wanting to miss up this opportunity again. I tease him, "Nothing is on my mind; why? Do you have anything on your mind?

He seemed taken aback by my lighthearted question, and Armin contemplated whether he would give in or continue the game between you two. He knew he didn't have much time, but he couldn't rush this. He understands how it feels to tease, to elicit desire from someone, and he wants to do it with you.

He wants to learn you from both inside and out, including your innermost secrets, desires, and dreams. That would not occur if he rushed. "What's your type?" His question confuses me; it's not our continuous playful banter. "I don't have a type...I just appreciate people who push me in all parts of life. intellectually, emotionally, and sexually. Armin's heartbeat quickened somewhat as a result of your omission.

Understanding that you, too, feel the same way he does. You cut through his thoughts and returned his question. Armin responds almost immediately: "My type?" clever, capable, confident, witty, empathetic, and wonderfully gorgeous, like you.." he whispered the last sentence, just enough for you to hear but wonder what he was saying. Armin, on the other hand, refused to reveal what had passed through his gentle lips, leaving you guessing.

"What was that, Arlert?" Would you like to share something with the class? You say, laughing, knowing your heart is beating faster than you can imagine. He smiles and continues, "Nothing you need to know..yet." He gets out of bed, leaving me wanting more from our conversation. "We should probably meet them out there before they get restless." I smile and nod, allowing my less-than-pure thoughts to fade as I follow him.

[becauseimanicequeen]

I followed you during the 4minutes run and was entertained by your theories. Are you watching Reset and do you have theories about time jumps and such here?

Hi, Anon!

Thank you for following my 4 Minutes theories. I don't know how you managed because they were many and most of them delulu, lol. But thank you anyway.

To answer your question: Yes. I'm definitely watching Reset. Getting to watch Peterpan kiss boys again and Pond in a great role again is heaven to me. (Also, it's great getting to see First, Shell, and Winner again, (and Thada's delicious secretary, I mean, what the fuck?! I'm delighted!) even though Peterpan and Pond were the pull for me.)

Do I have theories? Abso-fucking-lutely.

Will I post about them/expand on them? I wasn't planning to. Mainly because I'm busy, but also because I stumbled upon and skimmed through two (or three?) posts that have similar theories to mine while I was lurking on my tumblr home feed for a few minutes last night.

But, since you asked, I can summarize my timeline theories for you...

I think there are at least 3 timelines at play (as someone has already stated):

The timeline we were introduced to at the beginning of the 1st episode (the one where Armin is killed)

The 1999 timeline Armin is sent back to

And a reset that's already happened (most likely Thada's reset)

The reasons I believe there's already been a reset, and why I think it was Thada's, are:

Thada was a fan of Armin from the very start of Armin's career (even though he wasn't a very good actor). To me, it felt like Thada was encouraging Armin to keep up with his acting career, as if that was either what Thada knew Armin wanted (to be a great actor) or because it was a key for them to cross paths at one point or another again after Thada's reset (since Thada's company, Crown, seems to be an entertainment company of sorts). It could also be a combination of both, of course.

At the reward ceremony at the start of the episode, Armin looked at his watch backstage and thanked TD/Thada (who might've given Armin that watch in the first place, considering how many Thada has himself), and there was a shot focusing on Thada's watch as he sat in his CEO lounge watching the ceremony. I feel like the focus on Armin's watch was a foreshadowing of what was going to happen, while the focus on Thada's watch was a clue of what had already happened.

I don't know how many fantasy/supernatural elements the show will include, but, if Thada had given Armin that watch, it might be the reason (or part of the reason) they experience resets. And, if so, that watch might've been Thada's "insurance policy" that Armin, too, would be sent back in time if something happened to him.

The short scene at the end of the episode, where Thada watches Armin act out his death scene and gets emotional watching it, paired with what he says (something about Armin's acting being so real and that Thada couldn't believe it made him emotional, or something like that) felt like he was reacting from the perspective of someone who had already seen Armin die irl (which I think happened before Thada's reset). It might've also led him to believe that Armin has been through a reset too (considering Armin now knows what it feels like to die and can portray that so well in his acting, at a point where he should be a novice at it) and it might be a reason Thada, therefore, chooses to stop lurking in the shadows.

Those are just some of my thoughts on the timelines and why I think Thada has already had a reset.

I don't know about you, but I also get Triage vibes in this show, where the time gets reset every time one of them dies. So, I think that we will see at least one more reset:

Either one where we get to see Thada's previous reset (perhaps through his retelling of the events)

Or a future reset based on this 1999 timeline, when one of them gets killed again

Or both

Or possibly even more of them until they eliminate the threats to their lives (which seem to come from both directions)

Anyway, those were just a few of my thoughts on my theories after the first episode.

Thank you for your ask.

[thornstocutyouwith]

He just gave a simple little grin at her laugh when he compared himself to Tarzan. But that was honestly how he had felt. He had spent most of his adult life locked up. Now, what was he supposed to do with himself, and his lack of knowledge on the outside of that? As Adalicia spoke, he listened. Laughing weakly "I wasn't thinking about it. But now that you mention it, I could at least try the towel part." He returned jokingly. Adjusting himself in his seat, he wasn't laughing, but looked amused, still. As Ada finally continued, her amusement seemingly dissipating, he glances away, "No, probably not. I'm told I'm very good-looking." Though he didn't really grasp how much people would be willing to be with him, even if he had gone and murdered someone.

How could he understand that? When he went in, he was a scrawny young man, a twink, as many in prison wanted to call him. He didn't stay that way, obviously, at least, he didn't let them keep thinking he was their bitch. Now, he just didn't know what to do with himself. He was a criminal, and not even a good one. Not even the worst kind. He was so sure he would never have a real job. Or any real opportunities. What poor woman would tie herself down to a man like him? Even if he wasn't bad to look at? What kind of man would he have been to let a woman do that to herself?

Eclipse stayed silent, contemplating these things, and the lives he could have lived. With a woman, he could have had. But certainly never would. Mostly because he couldn't live with the ruin his mistakes would bring onto them. He had ruined his own life, it didn't mean he had to go around ruining another person's. Even with this thought, he thought of the opportunity Ada was giving him. How he might ruin it just by being there, too. He sighed, feeling sorry for that time. But with this, he could try to be selfish. Maybe he could keep his ruination away for long enough to save himself, maybe in this he told himself, he might be wanted, without the risk of ruining a life from his own mistakes.

At her following question, one why they had them up so early, he shrugged "That's just how prison is. some prisoners work, of course, so they need to be up earlier. Mostly it's just a punishment. Though we are allowed to sleep any time during the day, the cells are open and enemies from other groups could be lurking if your not careful." He turned his head away "So your best bet is to sleep at night, like everyone else, and wake up, like everyone else. Turns out the prison gets more money if we don't all kill each other."

Where all that money was going, he couldn't begin to guess. At her response to how long he was in prison, he nodded his head "Yeah. That's most of my adult life, if not, all of it." Eclipse frowned a little as he listened to her continue. Then looked at the phone as she showed him something on the screen. Cellphones had changed drastically since the last time he had seen one. He didn't even look at the app for a moment as he took in the sight of the phone "Uh huh." He finally said, sounding confused. The app looked pretty silly to him.

"So it must be pretty good, looks…silly." Eclipse couldn't help but to say. Though he had no idea what it was called, the function seemed familiar to what a few of the newer inmates would talk about. Eclipse bites on his bottom lip, not saying anything for a moment "What's it…for?"

A few of Ada's father's men went to prison themselves, but the only person she was exposed to before Eclipse, was her bodyguard - aka her shadow she was also trying to stay hidden from. Though he never talked about it with her, oftentimes just responding with it sucked whenever she asked him about his time in prison. Considering, that her shadow was involved too much in her life, she didn't feel as guilty about asking him about his life including the time he spent in prison as she does with Eclipse. Whatever he didn't and did want to talk about, she wasn't going to press him about it.

Adalicia laughed when he compared himself to Tarzan. "Just don't go swinging on vines with nothing but a towel cloth on your waist. It's still frowned upon." Though the visual made her think...perhaps a little too hard. "Although I don't think many would mind the sight." She lightly joked. For whatever reason, that visual made her think of horseback riding and how badly she wanted to return to it, however, when she went to offer to take him some time, she saw the wince he made. Yes, she wanted to ask what that was about and if he was okay, but she reframed herself - knowing it was probably a thought or memory he might rather keep to himself. Argo, she stayed silent.

Keeping her back somewhat to the entrance, Ada could still see what was behind her from the mirror above the counter. So, far she remained hidden from her shadow and the people she potentially pissed off. Sure a Davis is always supposed to be charming, but there were times when she was more of a Ferdinand than a Davis. Either way, she pulled her hat back out and placed her jacket back on. She knows she'll have to hear about knowing how to mouth off to people as well as ditching her bodyguard - again, but she was tired of having someone attached to her hip when she's already proven she could handle her own. But her father remained a paranoid old man. Maybe when her older brother takes over, things will change and she can finally be a proud Ferdinand and Davis.

Ada couldn't imagine a good night's sleep would ever come out of prison. On top of that to be woken up early, couldn't have been fun. She gets cranky when she's woken up now and then at 4 in the morning to go on her morning runs, she couldn't imagine doing it every day to spend the time confined and around...not the best kind of people. Just out of nerves of not knowing what to say, Ada began to crack her knuckles. A tick she wished she would have grown out of, but clearly, she hasn't. "What did they have do with getting up so early?" She asked, hoping it wasn't the wrong question to ask.

Jesus. Twenty fucking years. A new appreciation crossed Ada. Twenty years that turn most men completely men and he still appeared to be sane. At least on the front, he did. "Right. Okay." Reaching for her phone again, she opened up an app she gets the majority if not all her news from - TikTok. "If you haven't heard of the app already, it's one of the most popular. Anything you want to know about or see will more than likely be on here." She said giving him her phone. The majority of her feed is current events, funny videos of animals or people getting scared, books, witch stuff, arts, motorcycles, and a few touches of people going apeshit. "Embarrassingly it's entertained me enough times where I spent nights awake scrolling on this app." She laughed into her drink, but unfortunately, it was the truth. As much as she loves reading, or spending time on her bike, when she's not working at either jobs Ada often finds herself on TikTok to pass the time and escape her reality.

[somegrumpynerd]

Actually it turns out I had more thoughts about that post that I forgot about lol

Would Nightmare actually give up his boys? Yes and no

If it was just a black and white situation of they're miserable, they don't wanna be here, they have somewhere better to be, then yes. He would leave them out to wherever they needed to be despite his own feelings and very quickly realise afterwards just how much he'd gotten used to the noise and company. I think he would get a little clingy with Dream about it, which I'm sure Dream would find very weird after everything but not unwelcome, he did miss his brother after all.

(If he couldn't attach himself to Dream's side for whatever reason, I think he might just sit in his castle and go insane. Or maybe he'd just spend all day at Ccino's trying really hard to project that he just likes the atmosphere and isn't lonely as hell)

But the thing is, most of them don't have somewhere better to be. Horror has his au, and Nightmare would keep up the supply of food even if Horror said he wanted to quit at this point, so he would understandably let him return home. Killer, Dust and Cross effectively don't have aus anymore though, and they tend to get into self-destructive habits when they're left to their own devices. (Obviously bringing Color and Epic into the mix to make sure Killer and Cross are taken care of eases matters, but Dust doesn't really have any friends outside their group he could go stay with - that Nightmare knows about at least).

The flipside of this is that his boys may not necessarily want to be given up. I think if Nightmare got really in his head about this he could easily end up convinced this is the right thing to do without ever asking them if it's what they want, with potentially terrible results. He's established such a pattern of always returning to find Killer when they get seperated, that if he never showed up Killer might just keep sitting there and waiting for him greyfriar's bobby style, refusing to leave because he's certain his boss is coming back.

[lightgamble]

DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN | 1.09

Hey, this is it.

[mimiyanna]

Yippeeeeeeee

[non-fantasy]

Hello!! I saw your post about the game you're making - it sounded fascinating, and out of curiousity about a genre I don't know much about I got into a visual novel/dating sim related rabbit hole.

If you don't mind my asking, do you have any recommendations? VN or datesims or both! or any adjacents too.

(thank you, and good luck with the game!!)

YIPPEE!!!

i'm a huge fan of it gets so lonely here because it does a lot of cool things with the narration and multiple playthroughs. her tears were my light does similar things with the multiple playthrough thing and it was the first visual novel to really open my eyes to what the genre could be like! and because apparently today is horror yuri day i will add liar liar and liar liar 2. the artstyle is very cute! and there's blood!

for less horror yuri and more dating sim, i am currently completely obsessed with tokimeki memorial girls side 1-3, the dating sim/visual novel/stat-raising hybrid that inspired a lot of otome games—— and for good reason, too, because it's JUST THAT GOOD. i almost exploded something trying to play the fourth game but i will not let that stop me

in pure visual novel, i have to recommend heartbaked, it was one of those games i played in my free visual novel frenzy when i was younger and it really stuck with me! i still think about the radley ending.

i adore adore adore pacthesis games and i would love to direct you to my number one favourite and inspiration, number days sim date, because the intertwining of plot and romance and friendship was wonderful. xolga and mr toko is more point and click but check those out too

i love you was REALLY GOOD and i adored it. if you want proactive women and blushing boys this is the game for you! kill them with blushing right now

senpai please look at me was good!!! i love it! absolutely worth sticking around for all the bonuses! very short and sweet and you will love it

sweetest valentine is a game. in a genre called :). if you don't know what :) means don't worry about it!

play yuki 4p for lesbians and its sequel, scheme, for even more dumb lesbians. i am absolutely begging you to click those links because the names are too long for me to type out and i don't know if googling lesbians scheme will bring you to the masterpiece properly

hermes and gry is REALLY FUNNY but also one of those games that opened my mind to how complex the ren'py system could be. you made a map, a constantly-updated journal, an inventory, and the best damn ending ever? i was screaming when all my evil schemes came together. absolutely 10/10 worth it if the creator wants my liver i'd hand it over

hot coffee is SO SO SO good that i ended up reaching out to the creator just to praise it so much please play it please i'm on my knees please

speaking of games i am begging you to play

absolutely play i want to pursue the mean side character and my sweet zombie!!!! tsun is a great artist and the stories are good and you have to have to have to have to play okay!!! tsun is also making i just want to be single which is so so so cool the game of the year every year and it hasn't been released yet and you need to become. a fan okay because aro pride is right now

[scienceismygirlfriend]

Reading asks:

2. Flops! Or 9. Compels me tho

2. flops! i consider this one a flop because i really wanted to like it BUT. i did not enjoy Things In Jars. it had a great premise, and i love a ghost sidekick as much as the next guy, but it just did not come together for me. and the most frustrating this is that the things i didn't enjoy about it don't seem to be the things that bothered anyone else who didn't like the book so i didn't even get the cathartic release of reading the two star reviews of the book!!

9. compels me tho: this is maybe a goofy answer but i read the first dinotopia children's novel (Windchaser) while on a road trip and it's pretty simple and predictable but DINOSAURS THOUGH. i don't know why i never read this as a child (i devoured A Land Apart from Time) but i know i would have been soooo annoying about it if i had. it's cute!

[britneyshakespeare]

there are some rsc productions i've watched that i had mixed feelings about but others that hit them right out of the park and i've noticed it has little to do with how much i like the play itself (in the tempest 2017 dir. gregory doran i found that to be a hindrance to my enjoyment, liking the version in my head when i read it much more) (whereas with antony and cleopatra 2017 dir. iqbal khan i think it's just about a perfect realization about what i enjoy the play in so much and josette simon's performance is one of my favorite things i've ever seen on stage). but i've been watching two gentleman of verona 2014 dir. simon godwin/robin lough and it's just so fucking funny. the play itself is, well no one argues it's shakespeare's strongest and it has some obvious flaws in the ending (if you've read it you know what i mean by that) but i do think its premise is still wildly entertaining and interesting, there's some good jokes and beautiful poetry, it's just overall not the strongest character-driven comedy. this production though might just be the best possible version of the play. the song they give turio to sing to silvia is so good and then the performance is so hammy and camp in a way i didn't expect it to be. the original music is amazing and i think the modernized clothing and set pieces are really well done. like bravo

[lolab4t]

off duty - fluff

18 + part two

pairing: avenger!bucky barnes x fem!avenger!younger!reader summary: after a rare night off, you stumble back into avengers tower at 2 am.. tipsy, feet hurting, and definitely not expecting to run into bucky barnes on the couch. word count: 5.8k warning(s): light cursing, alcohol consumption/intoxication, fluff, use of nicknames, humor, age gap, mild suggestive language, reader is a young adult avenger, reader is described as wanting to party a/n: here's my first fic! it's a throwback to the avengers before the infinity war. i really hope you enjoy :) and if you do, please like, comment, or reblog! <3

cherry - lana del rey

being a young adult and an avenger at the same time wasn't easy. you wanted to be like others your age... party, stay out late, maybe dance with a random guy you found mildly attractive under the dim nightclub lighting, then bolt when you actually saw his face in the light. hell, you would settle for just shopping or grabbing lunch with your friends, however mundane that sounded.

but, as a full-time avenger, you weren't privy to this lifestyle. the main issue was your schedule. being an avenger isn't exactly a 9–5 job... it's more 24/7. you're meant to always be ready to jump into a mission when needed. with your time mainly consisting of training, meetings, and missions, you didn't exactly have free time.

this didn't stop your friends from pushing, though, and they eventually got through. so, after a few long conversations of begging stark, here you are, stumbling into the elevator of the avengers tower at like 2 in the morning, ever so slightly intoxicated. who can blame you? it was your first night off in a while; of course you took advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and got shitfaced. you might regret it during training later that day, but for now, all that mattered was that you had fun with your friends.

you did regret wearing heels, though. you wanted to trade in your boots for something more fun tonight, but god, did your feet hurt. you were also dying to get out of your minidress. considering your wardrobe now reflects your job and only consists of suits and very little casual clothes, you had to borrow this dress from your friend. you were beginning to remember why you never liked to wear dresses even before joining the avengers.

the elevator dinged, and the door opened to the top floor, the avengers' quarters. you dragged yourself out, hair messy, dress slightly hiked up, and feet already blistering. your makeup made it clear you had been sweating on a dancefloor not long ago. you headed to your room when a voice stopped you in your tracks.

"where ya been?"

you turned to the source, shocked to see bucky barnes sitting on the sofa. he was laid back, one arm draped lazily on the backrest, and the other on his knee. he was almost smirking, likely having a good idea of your whereabouts based on your appearance.

you and the winter soldier weren't exactly close. he was a very quiet and reserved guy, usually a man of few words. your interactions mainly consisted of short conversation and sometimes catching him staring at you on the quinjet or in meetings. you never really thought much of it.

but his tone... his expression right now was different. it was weird, but a good weird.

"why're you awake?" you huffed, walking toward the couch.

"couldn't sleep," he stated simply, scanning your form with that smug look on his face. "you have a fun night?" he chuckled to himself a bit.

"yeah, i went out with some friends," you replied, sitting on the couch. you began fiddling with your heels, wanting to go ahead and relieve yourself of the pain. however, the alcohol was messing with your coordination, and you were struggling rather pathetically.

noticing the pout forming on your lips and the clear trouble you were having, bucky snickered, speaking in his gruff voice, "need some help?"

you looked up at him and nodded, still pouting. without a word, he moved a bit closer to you and curled his fingers around your ankles, a soft gasp escaping your lips as he rested them across his lap. you were reclining into the corner of the sofa now, watching him in shock. he hummed as his fingers slipped through the straps of the heels, sliding them off your feet gently. he set them down carefully, his free hand absentmindedly rubbing your calves.

"i've never seen you in anything but your boots," he grinned, turning his head toward you. "so, how much did you drink?" his grin turned into a knowing smirk.

you scoffed, pulling your legs away, drawing your knees to your chest. the short dress wasn’t doing you any favors, and you were probably flashing him, but bucky never looked. he was a gentleman... at least in the ways that mattered. you groaned, rubbing your face sleepily. no point in pretending.

"too much," you muttered.

"yeah, i can tell. you practically stumbled out of the elevator," he chuckled, eyes following your every move.

you let out a half-laugh, sheepish. your head dropped to rest on your knee as you sighed.

"kill me."

"not tonight, doll. i’m off duty."

your head lifted slightly, an eyebrow raising. "did you just call me ‘doll’?" you snickered at the old-fashioned nickname, trying to hide how much it made your heart beat faster.

he smirked, leaning back again with that maddening ease. "i dunno. you kinda look like one."

was he flirting? surely not. he probably saw you as some annoying kid.

"alright, old man. what do you call natasha then? sugar? darling?" you smiled lazily, thinking of more old-timey terms of endearment.

"hell no. she’d break my jaw," he grinned.

"and you think i won’t break your jaw?" you smirked, raising a brow.

bucky scoffed out a laugh. "oh, i'm sure you can, but i don't think you would."

"if i wasn't tipsy, i might've. you're getting off easy this time, grandpa," you giggled, starting to slur your words. your eyelids were beginning to feel heavy, and you found your head resting on your knee again.

bucky laughed at your slurred speech, not sure if it was the alcohol or just exhaustion. "you okay, doll?"

"mhm," you hummed, obviously dozing off.

"alright, i guess i'll babysit the lightweight," he joked, his grin never faltering.

you eventually drifted off, and so did bucky not long after. you both slept better than you had in a while. that was, until you awoke to the stunned faces of the other avengers. they definitely weren't expecting to find you in bucky's arms on the sofa. hell, you weren't expecting it either.

thanks so much for reading <3

18+ part two

[ccsainzleclerc5516]

You’re My Baby Too

Pairing: Lando Norris x reader

Warnings: none

You'd think that the second pregnancy would be a breeze. You already know everything about how it goes, how to prepare, what to expect, but in your case, your second pregnancy was dreadful.

First trimester, horrible nausea, you spent half your time over the toilet with Lando holding your hair. Your baby boy was so much bigger than Isla it made your back hurt like crazy all the time, and the worst thing of all was that your baby boy didn't wanna come out.

You prayed you wouldn't give birth before Lando finished the season, so when the season ended you were relieved. But then your due date passed, and nothing happened. Then five days passed after your due date, nothing again. 10 days after your due date - the baby just doesn't wanna come out.

You were frustrated, exhausted, and tired of being pregnant. You just wanted to be able to see your feet again and be able to get up off the couch without Lando having to pull your hand.

"It's because you make such a good home for him he doesn't wanna come out, love." Lando tried to calm you down in a nice way, not even realizing that he irritated you with that because he's been saying that for the last 10 days and your nerves have become very thin hearing it.

"I swear, if you say that one more time.." You barked rolling your eyes at him while holding your still very pregnant belly.

"I'm sorry, I'll shut up.."

“Thank you.” You glared at him.

He didn't hold it against you for your brazen response because he understood that it had become too much for you. Lately, he's been walking on eggshells around you because everything has been annoying you, and he didn't want to be the one to contribute to that.

When the twelfth day passed since your due date, you realized that too much time had passed and you even started to worry a little that something was wrong. So Lando decided to take you to the hospital, where you very clearly told the doctor that you weren't leaving the place until you gave birth.

You thought that by some miracle, as soon as you stepped into the hospital, labor would start and you would just pop the baby out and everything would be over in less than two hours just like it was with Isla, but of course that wasn't the case with this baby.

"I think we have no other choice but to induce the labor." The doctor said.

"Okay, how long does it take?" You asked. "Is it like natural labor or?"

"Induced labor can last from a few hours to a few days, it depends. It's most often completed within 12 to 18 hours from the start of the procedure."

"Oh my God" You sighed in despair with tears in your eyes and Lando immediately squeezed your hand to offer you at least some comfort.

"Does it hurt more than a normal birth?" Lando was very concerned about how painful it would be for you. While you were giving birth to Isla, Lando was of course by your side, and even though it was much shorter and easier, he was still terribly shaken to see the pain you went through.

"I don't want to discourage you and scare you right from the start, but many women have said that induced labor is more painful."

And boy oh boy was it painful.

When they gave you the drip to induce contractions, that's when the real agony began. The drip makes contractions stronger and more frequent and you can't even begin to explain what you'd compare that pain to.

You were sweating.

Crying.

Gripping the sides of the bed and Lando's hand, which at one point you thought you were going to break.

You honestly felt like dying. What was supposed to be the most beautiful experience of your life was quickly turning into a nightmare.

Lando was heartbroken seeing you like this. He was putting cold compresses on you, hugging you, kissing you, comforting you, begging you to endure this.

"I'm so sorry baby, I wish I could go through this instead of you. I'm so sorry."

He didn't leave you for a second, except when you caught a 5-minute break from the contractions and managed to close your eyes for at least a moment and calm down. Lando said he had to go to the bathroom.

He lied actually. Instead he went to the hallway outside your room where his parents were patiently waiting. By the look on his face, Cisca and Adam could see that Lando was not well and that he himself was traumatized.

Lando didn't say anything, he just hugged Cisca and buried his face in her neck, soaking her shoulder with tears.

"I'm so fucking scared for her. It wasn't like this the first time." Lando cried quietly.

"Oh honey, y/n's going to be alright, I promise you. I know it doesn't seem like it right now, but soon this will pass and you'll be going home with your baby." Cisca comforted trying to lift his spirits. "Honey, you need to get yourself together, alright? She needs you right now and you need to be there for her."

When labor finally began after 14 long hours, you were running out of strength. You were so exhausted that you weren't sure if you would be able to push the baby out.

"Push y/n, push!" The doctor encouraged.

"I c-can't" You cried breathing rapidly. "Lando, I can't do it.."

"Come on baby, you can, I know you can. Just a little bit more and it's done, I promise. You've got this" He was pushing your hair out of your face, holding your hand, and holding your leg at the same time.

"Come on, push, push! I can see the head!"

Finally, the baby's cry was heard and soon the baby boy was on your chest. As soon as you saw him, all the pain instantly vanished.

He was so perfect. So worth it.

Lando couldn't contain his emotions as he rested his head on your shoulder, carefully observing his baby.

Later that day, when everything had calmed down, Lando was still there by your side. He couldn't be separated from you nor did he want to. His gaze shifted between you and the baby watching you both sleep peacefully.

He was tired too. He didn't really remember the last time he slept, but he knew you had it worse than him anyway, so he didn't even think of complaining.

"Lan?"

"Hey, love" His face lit up when you opened your eyes. When he saw you smile, it brought energy back to him. He took your hand and pressed a kiss to it. "Did you get some rest?"

"I did, why didn't you?" You asked him when you saw the huge dark circles under his eyes and the same clothes from the day before yesterday. "Baby, please go home, I know you're exhausted too."

"The only way I'm getting out of here is with you two."

You didn't want to argue with him because you knew it was pointless. You were just grateful that he was there and that he was yours.

"My pretty, pretty girl. I'm so proud of you." Lando said softly caressing your cheek and looking into your tired eyes. "I love you so much you know that, right?"

"I know, I can feel it. I love you too, so much." You say before kissing him. "Where are our kids?"

"This little guy is sleeping here without a care in the world."

"And Isla? She didn't come with your parents?"

"No, I told them not to bring her because I knew you'd get too emotional if you saw her, and I wanted you to rest as much as possible."

"You should've told them to bring her, I really miss her and I can't wait for her to meet her brother." You said, but you could still see the worry in Lando's eyes. "I'm fine, Lan, I promise."

"We're done with the kids. Our family is complete now."

"Lan.." You chuckled.

"No, I'm serious. I never want to see you go through so much pain again. It's been so hard to watch you like that and not be able to do anything and I'm not putting you through it again. "

"It was worth it tho. Look at him, he's so perfect. I'd do it all over again for our baby"

"I know, I know, but you're my baby too." No matter how many children you have, his protective attitude towards you will never change.

"Oh, love.." You pulled his hand to get up from the chair and come sit on the bed next to you so you can cuddle up next to him.

"I can't wait to take you home, both of you." He said quietly kissing your forehead.

You rested your head on his chest, knowing that wherever you are, as long as he's there, everything is fine.