#it's just so...... so............. explodes into a thousand million pieces

[kohaioi]

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD REVEL IN RIVALRY IS COMING BACK GUYS REVEL IN RIVALRY IS ACTUALLY COMING BACK I'M GENUINELY CRYING RN

[thawthebeez]

kagehina kinda brain day ..!

[godjustkys]

SYNOPSIS: he thought you were dead.

CHARACTER: male reader x dean winchester

NOTE: oh this shit pathetic as fuck.. what is going on with me.

WC: 1,6k

WARNING: angst,, fluff at the end,, light hurt/comfort,, a lot of plot,,

grief.

dean hated grief. hated how it ate him up, how it made him bottle everything up until he exploded; either on sam or someone completely unrelated. they didn’t deserve to be on the receiving end of the product of his grief. no one did.

and what made it worse? he was grieving you. you.

two thousand ninety eight days. or in other words, five years and two hundred seventy three days. he has been counting. every single day that passed since he lost you — since he had to scrape off whatever was left of you off of the walls and floor. it’s like a tab in the back of his mind, one that he so desperately wants to forget but just cannot. oh god how he loved you. he loved you with his entire soul. the day he lost you he felt like his heart shattered into a million pieces, and he swore to god that the anguish was tearing at each and every fiber of his being.

dean almost went mad the first couple weeks. constant nightmares, dreaming about your death over and over again, the inability to sleep, the loss of appetite, the numbness, fuck, it got to him. sometimes he’d just sit there, reminiscing, and he’d feel hot, salty tears rolling down his cheeks. of course, he’d wipe at them but they would just keep coming. he couldn’t stop them, not when the only thing on his mind was you. your face just before he witnessed your death. dare i say he blames himself. he knows it’s not his fault directly, but the fact that he just stood there and watched gnaws at whatever is left of his heavy heart.

of course, he turned to booze eventually. getting black out drunk, throwing up because he drank on an empty stomach, the horrible hangovers after; it was part of his daily routine for a while. but he toned it down because he realized that drinking didn’t erase you in any way, shape or form — you were engraved in his memory, in his heart. every time he opened his wallet he’d see your picture and he would get sick to his stomach. he had a goddamn hole in his soul in the shape of you.

every time dean woke up, he would stare at the ceiling for a while, just.. thinking. remembering. remembering how you would bring him breakfast and coffee. how you would ask him to rate his sleep on a scale of one to ten. how you would make him tell you about his dreams if he had any. how you would judge his bedhead. the little things.

the little things?

dean had nothing of yours. not a single thing. why? he got rid of everything that reminded him of you. yes, it might’ve been in a fit, but he was angry. angry at himself, at the world, at God. but not you, no. never. he wouldn’t dare blame you. that’s what he told himself for the entirety of those five years and two hundred seventy three days. up until now.

dean stared, he stared hard. he blinked excessively, hoping it’d make you disappear from his view, from this goddamn forsaken building; he was on a hunt. he convinced himself he was hallucinating, because it’s not the first time he’s seeing you after your death. his stomach churned and he clenched his fists, shifting on his feet. with a shaky, frustrated sigh, dean tilted his head. you looked different. too different. he doesn’t remember you looking like this. older, more.. experienced. beaten by life. wearing clothes he swore to god you never had.

“dean.”

this is where he stiffened. his eyes widened a fraction. your voice. oh good god he almost fell to his knees; he forgot how you sounded. hearing your voice again was making his heart beat out of his chest. “oh jeeesus. this is horrible. this is so bad. i’m going nuts, cuckoo even.” he said with a small chuckle, shifting again as he looked away from you. the real, actual you, who he thought to be a hallucination. a fragment of his imagination. when you took a step closer to him, he flinched, head snapping forward to look at you again. “oh ah-ah. i don’t like it when you move. creepy, gnarly fucker.” dean spoke with a grin, his hands shaking a tiny bit as he took a step back.

“i’m real.” you said, voice calm and even. your expression was one of concern — he could recognize it. he always had. dean laughed, the sound bitter and full of disbelief. “bull. shit.” he rasped, pulling out his gun and pointing it at you. “wanna see how real you are? prove it?” he asked with a nod of his head, quickly flicking the safety off and putting his finger on the trigger. his body language was making it clear how terrified he was, how unsure and hesitant his movements were. you raised your hands up in a placating manner. “..fuck. seriously. dean, i swear. i’m real. i’m alive.”

dean chewed at his bottom lip, eyebrows knitted together and stammering. “no. you died. i saw it.”

“i did. yeah, i felt it. but i came back.” you stopped for a moment, taking a deep breath in, and just before you could say another word, dean cut in, his face muscles twitching out of pure anger. resentment too, maybe?

“who brought you back? you workin’ with ‘em? for ‘em?” he questioned. “why are you back? why the fuck are you here? you- you didn’t think to find me? huh? are you—” dean broke off, his chest starting to hurt and heave, breaths coming out in short, ragged bursts. “you fuckin’ asshole.” he seethed, lowering his gun, it almost slipping out of his hold due to him being so damn distracted. “so- so you’re alive. and you didn’t find me, call me, text me, hell, even send a letter? none of that?” dean accused, swallowing harshly as he shifted on his feet, clearly nervous.

“you think it’s so simple—”

dean cut you off again. “yes, last time i checked, it didn’t require an iq of 180 to send a message or dial my goddamn number and click ‘call’. are you fucking dumb?” he holstered his gun, anger washing off of him in waves as he finally dared to step closer to you. “five years. five motherfucking years.” with a soft sigh, you let your posture relax. “i know. but i got back about three years ago. i had all kinds of monsters on my ass day and night, i couldn’t put you in danger—”

“you moron, that’s even more of a reason why you should’ve contacted me!” dean raised his voice and he tensed with restraint, his fist lifting up just a slight bit. oh he wanted to hit you so bad. you deserved it. “you knew how important you were to me, you knew i would stay with you through thick and thin. you knew that. you knew that because i told you so. what, you think i’m some sort of- frail guy you need to protect? you think i’m all wishy-washy over here?”

“no. never. but the position i’m in, dean, it’s complicated.” you reasoned. “i don’t need to protect you, but i care about you. and because i care, i don’t ever want to see you hurt in any way.”

“yea, yea just keep giving me the looney tunes bullshit. ‘i don’t want to see you hurt’,” he mocked you. “well too damn bad! we’re both hunters, we keep choosing this life over and over again and we can’t avoid it. you know what we could’ve avoided? you fucking lying to me.” dean seethed, his hands flailing around as he talked, voice stern, a little hurt but mostly angry. “i never lied.” you corrected him, narrowing your eyes. it did kind of offend you. “just because you didn’t know i was alive again it doesn’t mean i lied.”

“you didn’t do shit to let me know either! no effort from your side over here, genius. feels like the same exact fucking thing!” dean’s trembling hands were still clenched tightly. with a nod you huffed — you heard his reasoning, and his tone. “i’m sorry. i truly am. i misjudged you. you have a lot on your plate already, you carry a burden bigger than the goddamn world. i didn’t think you’d want to share my problems, too.”

oh. oh now how was he supposed to stay mad at you when you spoke like that?! call him weird, but emotional maturity was so attractive to him. dean’s shoulders dropped as the tension that was coiled in his body was released. he took a step forward, hesitant and very very unsure. but then, seeing your expression, he caved. he walked over and wrapped his arms around your shoulders, pulling you into a tight embrace. you returned the hug tentatively. as soon as dean felt your arms around him again, after five forsaken years, he tensed. his eyes widened a bit and they were getting.. watery? was he crying? no. no goddamn way. his hold on you tightened when your scent, the same one as half a decade prior, filled his nostrils. nostalgia was hitting him hard in every aspect. you let your forehead rest against his shoulder, one of dean’s hand moving to the back of your neck; was he getting too bold? “i’m sorry.” you mumbled out.

“fuck you. you owe me so many packs of beers. and burgers.” dean answered, voice shaky and a pitch higher as he blinked his tears away. finally holding you made his heart, body and soul feel at ease. he felt complete again.

he felt whole. but only when you were in his arms.

[suempu]

tw: nonconsensual kissing. graphic wording.

"you look lonely."

ivan sighs while you situate yourself on the sofa beside him. his room is pitch dark, save for the light from the tv broadcast.

mindless advertisements and commercials mix and buzz into the air, creating a fog of background noise. and you wonder whose poor soul is getting killed on that stage at this very moment.

you spread your arm and dramatically bring him into a side hug. "nothing a bit of booze won't fix. ha ha ha!!" exclaiming with the vigor of an alcoholic, ivan can only groan in frustration.

"i'm not getting wasted with you." his eyes look worn down, mouth wrinkling into a frown as he tries to hide the agony behind a stone cold face.

a part of him is comforted by your presence, a sense of normality washes over him. as if you two were still children playing across the fake fields and staring at the equally as fake sky, laughing as you tackled each other to the ground and picked flowers.

"too late, i brought the good shit." you snicker as you bring out weird looking bottles. you're not exactly sure how safe these are for humans but the aliens seem to love it so, who cares? "this was hard to steal by the way, i got it from those private rooms."

ivan stares at you for a moment and eventually rests his head on your shoulder. he looks at you, cold ice wall melting down and you're met with the sight of absolute pain and distress on his pretty face when he sighs.

"why does it have to feel like this?" he whispers, voice cracking from the amount of vocal training and warmups he's been forced to endure that day.

you take a deep breath and open a bottle, careful with your movements as his heavy head rested on your arm. "what? wanna runaway? you know i wouldn't hesitate if you asked." chuckling as you tried reading the labels.

ivan knows though. you're the closest thing he's got to a friend. you'd do anything for him and with him. and of course he'd do the same but... you're not the person he holds nearest to his heart.

"it's funny," he watches as you sniff the alcoholic aroma before taking a sip. "no matter how much they make us do these—things, no matter how much it hurts... why is this thing in my chest more painful?"

your face falls blank, glaring at the bottle before taking a big chug. you hope it'll get rid of your own pain, wash away all the emotions and feelings of him.

and its funny. because what kind of weird fucking love hexagon is this?

you despise till.

you wish you could tear his bones out and wear his skin, take out his tongue and say all the things ivan has always wanted to hear and keep his heart for your own.

"i wish i knew the answer to that."

looking down at him and seeing his exhausted face, makes your heart break. you want to gather yours and his shattered pieces and construct a deformed statue of love and just hope it'll be enough for him. enough to replace the burning loneliness he's been forced to go through.

but no. even if he were to love you, it'd take a million years to pass, thousands of stars to die, and hundreds of planets to explode until then.

you bump your forehead into his and watch as his eyes widen. smirking to yourself, you think, what more could i lose?

"let's be lonely together then. just this once."

you whisper before kissing him.

[lovelyiida]

KATSUKI BAKUGO X SECRETARY READER • A 500 FOLLOWERS SERIES!

❥ SYNOPSIS: as the years passed, Bakugo came to the realization that he was the last among his class to tie the knot. As the days grew colder, and the nights became lonelier. Bakugo finds the desire to get married, but he doesn't really feel like falling in love. At least he has his trustee secretary!

implied fem reader, aged-up! Pro-hero MHA characters over the age of 27, vulgar language, suggestive wording and content

❥: CHAPTERS

❥ MASTERLIST

❥ JOIN TAG LIST!

WORDS: 4.3K

PS: Please let me know if you have filled out the tag form since the last update so I can keep up to date!!

CHAPTER 8: VULNERABILITY

PHASE 2: CONSOLE

“Beady-eyed, dog-mannered, dimwad!”

Headline, headline, headline!

PRO-HERO DYNAMIGHT EXPLODES IN ANGER DURING INTERVIEW

[unreleased footage from Pop! Magazine spreads like wildfire!]

Over 3 million views, and 10 thousand shares.

Since the dawn of the moon, you have been repeatedly refreshing the page. Each and every comment was scanned with frantic-fast movements. Relishing in this whole interview fiasco from the comfort of your queen-sized bed, you moaned in anguish.

Your face became increasingly hot as you read the comments with your third glass of wine in hand. As much as you thought the comments would be demeaning to the pro-hero, the exact opposite happened!

[COMMENT] Did you see how he took up for his secretary? Omg, that was so hot.

• 45k likes • 216 shares

[COMMENT] The way he took her hand going off the set!!!!

• 78k likes • 12k shares

[COMMENT] Oh god, send me a man like Dynamight…

• 57k likes • 2k shares

[COMMENT] Bro there’s no way they aren’t fucking

• 180k likes • 3.8k shares

Of course, that’s the top comment.

Staring at your computer, you tried hard to fathom the situation you were now slapped into. The video of you and Dynamight has gone viral, and everyone now suspects that you two are in a relationship.

And they're not entirely wrong...

Despite your late-night attempts to contact the fiery hero, your calls went straight to voicemail and your texts went unanswered. Letting out a large sigh that was once trapped in your chest, you had no choice but to sit there and let the bomb explode. And await the absolute nuke that was urging to be dropped at the office.

Staring at the messages you sent Dynamight, you scowled. “Flashy piece of carbon fiber pants thinks he’s the shit and can just ignore my messages? Leaving me to the wolves once again!” you shouted in anger. You threw your phone to the end of your bed and buried yourself in your plush duvet. Your throat becomes tight as your eyes are welled with tears.

“I’m gonna teach you, Dynamight, to never fuck with me or any other secretary again.”

The pattern of clicking heels and bustling conversations filled the office today. Usually, the bleak energy of Dynamight's office could be caught with little to no attention. But the sight you’ve seen today was out of the ordinary.

“The printers are down; just send emails!”

“Has anyone been in contact with Pop Magazine? They’re completely blocking our calls!”

“God damn it, I need a raise!”

The chitter-chatter amongst your coworkers is at an all-time high. As you started to quicken the pace of your steps around the office, scowls and stares were slapped across your face. Stepping foot by foot, you reach the bathroom and hide in the nearest stall.

The door bursts open before you can even think about taking another breath. “Can you believe Dynamight fired Hitomi and Sakura for telling the truth? I mean, the whole floor has seen the video! Even Red was speechless.” A woman says her friend snickers at her remark before chiming in.

 “I’d like to see little miss Secretary say something now; she’s not beating the slut-cretary allegations at this point–”

You didn’t know what came over you at the moment, but your feet began to move before your mind could comprehend what the actual fuck was going on. Slamming the stall open, you watch the two women flinched at your action. Eyes going wide, they stare into your soulless eyes, filled with an incomprehensible anger that you didn’t know was held within you.

“First off, let’s get one thing straight right now.”

You said it flatly, closing the stall behind you. You walked up towards the duo and closed in on them. “Me and Dynamight are not a thing; have you ever taken into consideration that I’m the only person who’s in charge of this man's reputation and career, as we both fucking know it?”

"So, of course, I’ll be hip-and-hip with the brute. Do you think I want that man in that play-pen he calls a fucking office? Oh please, Dynamight needs my ass because he can barely keep his head on every second of the day. So just maybe, we should all realize how valuable I am to all of your lives!”

“Because I know that if I wasn’t here, this building would be in flames, man-made or not.”

You spoke sternly with each huff of your breath, and the two women in front of you were left speechless. Your frown soon curled into a small twitch of a smirk before you spoke once more. “So excuse me for needing to be spoken up for. You bitches, have a nice day.”

Without looking back, your feet trailed confidently out of the boss battle that was the ladies' room and straight toward Dynamight's office. With each harsh click of your heels, you stepped closer to the office, your frown stuck and growing deeper by the second. Your coworkers took into account the drastic shift in your demeanor. From shy and outspoken to confident and ten cans of bitchy.

Without thinking twice, you throw the door open with a small huff and walk into the domain of the pro-hero. Closing the door softly, you turn at your heel and scowl at Dynamight. His amber eyes burn back at you with an almost unamused look, unphased by the absolute chaos ensuing beyond the Acia wood door.

“So what? Are we just going to ignore what the press is saying about us?” You said flatly.

“I ignored your annoying ass text messages pretty much the same way,” he snapped back slyly.

This asshat.

As you stormed towards his desk, you slammed your hands against it with a loud slap that made your palms sting. “Is it possible for you to actually talk about the issue and not be a fucking brat?” You spat with anger.

Dynamight's laidback/unbothered exterior soon crumbles in slow motion. From sitting back in his seat, he approaches you with a smooth motion, his eyes glowing amber-red as his elbows land on said desk. Looking straight into your eyes, a devilish smirk etches across his face.

“Say that again for me, Y/N; go ahead.”

Faces close to one another, you could feel the heat radiating off of the hero. You frown at his attempt at intimidation, snapping your eyes away for a single millisecond before you feel a strong, warm grip on your face.

“No, don’t look away now, pretty. Say what you just said to me again. Since you have all the audacity in the world today,” he said with amusement oozing from his tone. You groaned at the sensation of his hand gripping your face, swallowing down your fear. You spoke once more.

“I said, Man up, brat.”

A long-standing pause settles over the room as his gaze burns into your eyes. Suddenly, Dynamight stands up with one swift move. The blonde removes his hand from your face, you moan in anguish at the fade of his unsettling grip and stare into the blonde's eyes once more.

You watch as the hero points his finger at himself with a mischievous smirk,

“You wanna see a brat? I’ll show you a fucking brat!”

He brushes past you and storms out of the room. Shouting your name for you to follow, you quickly turn to follow in blood-curdling anger. You knew he was a pro and all, but there’s a statistic that for every 1 out of 5 chances, a villain can take a perfect hit at a hero of his caliber.

So you might take a chance and strike him at his weak point…

Preferably somewhere in the lower region.

You watch as Dynamight calls for an emergency meeting, calling for all staff to be in attendance. All staff from each agency scurry behind his steps, and even Red Riot follows suit. He tries to calm the hero down, but his efforts fail.

As the workers sat swiftly to hear the beloved hero's comments, your heart began to beat a new rhythm as the truth dawned on you about what you dreaded would happen next.

"So, I believe we all understand why we're in here. So let's address some rumors and set them to fuckin’ rest."

A sudden pang of fear hits your chest and seeps into your body as you hear the words fall off Dynamight's tongue and through the audience of your coworkers. Eyes scan the room until your eyes fall upon a certain red-headed main in the back towards the exit.

Letting out a soft exhale of relief, you speed your way toward Red Riot.

“Red!” You spoke aloud as you gained the attention of the other pro hero. His eyes snap towards you and he points towards his beloved partner in utter confusion. “What the hell is happening now?” He exasperates in exhaustion.

“He’s having a hissy fit because he can’t handle when the public negatively views him–”

“Negative?” He interrupted. You roll your eyes and raise your hands, completely giving up on the situation playing in front of you. “Dude bumped up 10 ranks in public favor, what the hell could he be upset for?” Red Riot spoke in confusion.

Holding your briefcase towards your chest, you sigh at the current baby of the hero stabbing daggers into your form.

“I…I’m not sure.”

As the assembly room filled up, every person in their seat watched attentively as they awaited the hero's urgent message. The blonde clears his throat before groggily shoving them in his pants. Silently pacing back and forth the head of the room with slow steps, eyes still trained onto you.

“I know what everyone is thinking to themselves, why the fuck are we here? Well, I need to address some petty rumors that are going on in the concrete hellscape.”

“All Might save us…” Red Riot groaned quietly as he watched in secondhand embarrassment at the Blondes' stunts.

"If you think me and my secretary have a romantic relationship, I'm afraid you're damn wrong.”

“Don’t listen to what I might’ve said in the past, or what I’ve said in the present. It ain’t true.”

Blah blah blah, blop blop blop.

You swore you could’ve seen physical bullshit fly out of his mouth.

“To prove this…I’m happily engaged!” The hero boasts confidently to the crowd of his workers. Shoving his right hand out of his pocket and out towards the expecting crowd. A diamond-banded ring shone brightly in the bright haze of corporate lighting.

Then, in a moment both shocking and surreal, Dynamight seizes the attention of the room with a declaration that sends ripples of astonishment through the assembled crowd. With a brashness that borders on audacity, he confronts the swirling rumors head-on, his words cutting through the murmurs like a lightning bolt.

In the sudden hush that follows, the truth is laid bare, raw, and unfiltered. The bombshell revelation of your engagement sends shockwaves through the room, leaving jaws agape and minds reeling. Eyes widen in disbelief as whispers erupt, spreading like wildfire among the stunned onlookers.

Yet, amidst the chaos, Dynamight stands undaunted, his demeanor unwavering despite the tempest of reaction he has incited. His confidence radiates as he confronts the storm of speculation with a rare candor, unapologetic in the face of scrutiny.

Calm within the midst of the business casual storm.

As for you, on the other hand, you could only think of one thing to do in this situation. Your feet rush towards the blonde with a speed never before seen, and your hand flies back as far as possible before landing a seething slap on the hero’s cheek.

Dynamight lets out a gasp of shock (and so does everyone else in the room) at your hit. You stood in front of the hero for only a moment before rushing out of the room and straight out of the office.

And now what was left of you was your body sulking under your covers once more. Leaving you to pick up the pieces of your self-worth once more.

You should consider just giving up, calling off the engagement, and leaving the industry for the rest of your life. A soulless desk job would be better than whatever the fuck this reality is right now.

So much for that speech in the ladies' room...

You tried hard to care for and take up for the hero you worked for, but at times like this, your vendetta only grew stronger. And the more your sister became right. But there's a voice in the back of your head that is somewhat empathetic for the hero.

Look at his family, for All Might’s sake!

An overprotective bitch for a mother, and an emotional father with no backbone.

(it’s okay for men to show their emotions!!!)

Of course, that would create a man with a lack of emotions and a soul-crushing ego to overcompensate for it.

Of fucking course!

Sighing into your pillow, you could only fantasize about the words you’d want to say to that man right now. 

“Tight pants, brazen-boned, bastard.” You grit your teeth together, as the words only make you angrier. “Beady-eyed, dog-mannered, dimwad!” You throw your blankets off your body and jump out of bed. Rushing towards the kitchen, you grab the fridge handle and swing the door open.

“Fuck!”

No beer.

Huffing out a defeated sigh, you eye the clock on the counter. It read 11:45.

Licking your lips, you ponder as you stare at the fridge and back at the clock. You might as well go out for a walk to cool some steam off. Shuffling over to your coat rack, you lazily threw on a hoodie and some slides. Grabbing your purse and your keys, you open the door to your apartment.

Rummaging in your purse for some convenience store coupons, you continued on your slew of words. “I bet he’s not even a real blonde, just a poser of a man-baby–”

“Hah?”

Eyes snapping wide from the voice, you jump back in shock as you see the man of the hour.

“What the hell are you doing here, Dynamight? Do you know what time it is?” You exclaimed in shock, mouth twisted down into a frown. You stared down at the blonde in anger and in utter embarrassment. Looking down further, you noticed he had a couple of bags in his hands.

Beer and chicken?

“Let me in, we need to talk.”

You scoff at the man's words as you throw your purse over your shoulder. “As if, do you know how you embarrassed me and you today?” You spoke with venom at the hero. Dynamight rolls his eyes before he speaks once more, “If it makes you feel any damn better, I made them all sign NDAs.”

You stare at the hero once more in confusion, and he stares back…unwavering in his actions.

“Okay, sure, do whatever you think will place a bandaid over this whole shit show for all I care.” Placing your hands on your hips, you watch the pro hero step towards you. “Yeah? Well, it's a pretty strong bandaid.”

You hum back in response before the both of you fall into silence. The both of you gazed at each other awkwardly, before tearing your gaze away. A light blush warms your face which makes you look down once more. Looking at the bags of fried chicken and beer, you look at Dynamights hand…

His engagement ring is still on!

“You idiot!”

Frantically looking around the outside of your apartment, you turn back and quickly open the door. You then hold the hero by the collar before shoving him inside. He follows suit with a grunt before shutting the door behind him.

“What the hell is your problem?” He cursed at you.

“My problem? My problem is that you come out to my doorstep late at night bearing a peace offering with your ring on, shining brighter than ever! Fuck-face!” You cursed back. This makes the blonde smirk at your complaint.

“If you think someone is watching us, then you’re pretty late to the party,” he chuckles.

“W-what?” you stuttered in anxiety, breaking from his gaze. You locked the doors and shut the blinds to your home. “Calm down; I paid them off a long time ago,” Dynamight rummages through the bags before setting the food and beer out on the dining table.

“Paid them off?” you asked.

“Yeah, they started watching you as soon as you pulled that stunt at the children's interview a while back. They were going to trample your door down just for a couple of gabs about me.” He spoke, cracking open a can of beer. The hero takes a couple of gulps before placing the can down.

Pulling out a chair, the hero sat down and began to speak. “You think you do all of the protecting when it's me.” He takes another swig of his beer as he stares into your eyes. You swallow a lump in your throat before you grab a seat as well.

“But you can’t say I haven’t.” You trailed off.

“Haven’t what?” He asked.

“Took care of you; everyone thinks you're this strong force to never be reckoned with, but you’re the complete opposite,” you rambled as you grabbed a can of beer and cracked it open. Taking a refreshing, much-needed swig.

Katsuki never responded.

“Y’know, it’s crazy how much this position has changed me. For the good or worse… I’m not so sure.” You spoke softly towards the hero.

“And why do you think that, Y/n?” He asked.

You bit the inside of your cheek at the question. “Before I came to this agency, I never knew what it was like to take care of someone besides myself. And even then, I was doing a shit job at it. My life was teetering on by a thin string.”

The room was silent, the only noises being the taping of Katsuki’s foot, the ticking of the clock, and the hum of your refrigerator.

“So what? You’ve never helped someone out before? Beating someone’s ass with your quirk? Nothin’?” Katsuki spoke, trying to understand where you’re coming from. But you could only let out a big sigh.

"Well, technically, I’m kinda quirkless.”

Katsuki’s tapping stopped.

He gave you a look you’ve never seen before; his eyes were growing soft and his chest began to fall. Like he’s loosening up or something. The blonde stared intensely at you, waiting for you to speak once more. Biting your lip, you continued once more.

“It's like it comes in little spurts, no matter how hard I try to concentrate and force it out. It’ll only come out at the randomest of times. I’ve never seen myself at full power before.”

“One moment I was just like you, young and so excited about my quirk. I grew up thinking that I was going to save the world and that I’d work hard and conquer my way to the top. But the thing is, as yours grew stronger, I was only getting weaker. And the next thing I knew, I woke up, and it was gone.”

“So I went through life with the mentality that I needed to give myself a bit more attention; I couldn’t just wing through life knowing that my quirk could save me. But I knew that if I could have a position of power, that would make me feel like I was making a difference out there for you of all people…”

You suddenly laughed at yourself, taking another swig of your beer.

“Sorry, I don’t even know what I’m saying, I’m already buzzed.”

“No.”

You looked at Katsuki as he spoke, a frown on his lips as he shook his head. You couldn't help but laugh at his demeanor. “All I’m saying is that maybe I wasn’t as cut out for this as I thought I would be. Maybe I’m meant to be a walking target that villains can smell. I’m a walking damsel in distress, honestly. If we didn’t meet through the agency, we could’ve met that way most likely–”

“Shut up.”

Katsuki deadpanned at your words.

“I knew someone who was quirkless, and that loser is stronger than me for all might’s sake!” He exclaimed.

“All I’m saying is that you have a good life, so be proud of it. You work hard, harder than I’ve seen most of the chicken heads that I’ve hired. So bask in that glory.” He says softly, you roll your eyes before you start up again.

“I have a good life? Says the multi-acclaimed pro hero Dynamight! Ranked number two out of the whole country, he drives a red sports car, lives in a nice childhood home, goes to a great school, gets to roll around in money, and gets to tell people how they should dress for five days out of the week? Right, my life is really good.”

You snorted at yourself, reveling in the truth you spoke. But all Katsuki could do was shake his head.

“That same person who you were talking about has almost died countless times, kidnapped in their first year of high school, and has lost too many friends and mentors to count. So yeah, I consider you to have a good life.”

You let out a bittersweet chuckle at his words, “There’s one more thing too.” You added on, Katsuki raised his eyebrows in amusement, “like?”

“You’re also the last to get married.”

Katsuki rolls his eyes and lets out an amused smirk. “Right, that’s checkmate for me–”

“How come you’re the last? I would think that you’d be the first! You’re not a bad-looking guy; you might need to work in the emotional availability department but. You’re crystal clear.”

“I uh…  I tried to do the whole young love thing but it didn’t work out in my favor.” He responded softly towards the touchy subject, but you decided to persist.

“And why do you think that, Katsuki?”

Back when Bakugo was a younger, newly emerged pro, there was someone of his caliber that he found perfect. They had the spunk, the quirk, the personality, the looks, even the barons. He believed they were perfect for each other.

He had his sights set on them since he had been working in the force. At first, they were a nice distraction. Clever banter turned into hot makeout sessions. Training days turned into blanket-covered nights where the both of them would talk about their future.

And back then, he believed it. He believed that he had a future with them.

Sometimes he would envy Kirishima; he didn’t understand why he wasn’t chosen to bear the burden of love. A warmth beyond his comprehension, a family that he could selfishly call his own.

Sometimes his mind would trail back to that night. A night that he wished he could forget. A thought that he wished could be locked away forever. He remembers the sight as he looked into their eyes—the utter betrayal.

The smirk of mischief and evil as the one and only person he ever could love has turned against him. The moment when he got stabbed in the chest, too close to his heart. And in that moment, he had to choose selfishly in a way he never wanted to.

And that choice was his life over theirs.

You didn’t know what to say at the moment, Katuski just dropped the biggest bomb you had the burden of holding. Stammering with your thoughts, you say the first thing that comes to mind. “I’m so sorry that happened to you, Katsuki…”

“I would’ve never known–”

“It wasn’t for you to know; I don’t even know why I told you that,” he said to himself. You softly smile at his harsh words.

“Well, not to toot my own horn but I’m your fiance,” you chuckled. Katsuki gives you a smirk before he looks at your hand. "Then, where’s your ring?” He asked.

“In my room, placed somewhere safe and out of harm's way!” you smiled.

"Well, I’m gonna need you to start wearin’ it more,” he retorted.

“I figured that after your little speech, you gave us away like you weren’t even trying.” You spat out sarcastically. “I didn’t even mention your name!” He raised his voice in protest. “Yeah? Well, I’m sure everyone connected the dots to a perfect fuckin T.” You spoke with a smirk.

"Well then if they decide to connect those lines to the press, that NDA will be there waiting for them to get bit in the ass,” he snapped back.

You laugh at his words before taking a final sip of your beer.

“Why did you choose to give yourself a chance with me?”

Oh, you were buzzed.

“You are a hero that’s supposed to date other heroes, top models, and superstars of your caliber. Why date some small-town secretary that doesn’t even fully have a quirk?” you spoke, just above a whisper. Scared of his next response. Feeling that as if you got the wrong response, you just might hurl all over him.

Katsuki lets out a sigh before he silently panders to himself. He was eyeing you up and down before he finally spoke with a smirk.

“I’m not sure, wishful thinking?”

“asshole”

YAAAAAAAAASSSSUHU IM BACK IM BACK

I saw all your comments begging me to come back, next chapter when? next chapter when? NEXT CHAPTER NOW HOE

As you all might know now, I am a busy college student who finally has time to fantasize and write to my heart's content. SO YOU WILL BE GETTING MORE CHAPTERS OUT OF ME VERY SOON!!

Thank you all so much for the support, I love you all and hope you guys have an amazing read! Please let me know how I did in the comments. Comments and reposts are very much appreciated!!

— lovelyiida 

❥: @xo-evangeline, @inlovewithteo217, @im-better-than-your-newborn, @nar00, @king-dynamight, @gold24fish, @xasilex, @the-queen-of-sorrows , @itgetzweird08 , @yoyosocks165 , @pebblepoop , @lovra974 , @bakugospartner , @gaby-11 , @akqsa-xxi , @jolynegf , @goldenglow149 , @aliruuiz , @zukowantshishonourback , @ilovedenk-i , @atsushiki , @smolbeanzzz , @lem-hhn , @stevenknightmarc , @katsu-shi , @ryumiii , @idontevenknowlolls , @lyn07 , @kennshifts , @ackerman-suck-3-r , @alicen23 , @xasilex , @elegantvoids , @lowkeyremi , @plutounderbridges , @k0z3me , @thecurlyhairedgoddess , @sunyrose , @winterv-black , @chuugarettes , @kiarathace , @thisbicc , @thekookiecorner , @hyu-hl , @katsukisxslut , @optimisticprime3 , @cosmicbreathe , @yessimo , @sanemishina , @snxwycloud , @cosmic-rainstorm , @vinivave , @venus-xxoo , @lavender99 , @iluv-ace , @artfulthoughtsblog , @thatcreepycat , @prettylittleshady , @lavalampfullofsoup, @melodykittya , @bakugoiidaswaifu, @queendynamite2001, @starxsage, @mikestuffffs, @queendynamite2001, @kazuumii, @Minori-taiga1, @Liveurlifetothefullest

[rorysterr]

Hihi!!!

Personality: sensitive, smart, happy usually :3, shy/also introverted, I complain about small things with ppl I'm comfy with, creative, active, chill

Likes: cats, visual art, all music, character and interior design, rhythm games, shows like Arcane and Gravity Falls, MONEY!!!! 💵, niche anime (children of the whales my beloved), cooking, vegetables, fruits, and bugs!!! Especially beetles!!

Dislikes: stink bugs and male mosquitos. Only bugs I'm scared of (trauma). Babies, slow walkers, when someone interrupts me and I'm too shy to keep talking, ignorance, etc... I'm bad at thinking abt stuff I don't like :(

Hobbies: Visual art and gaming!!! Y'all will never catch me not doodling on a paper or my hand if you give me a pen

Love languages: I like giving physical touch, and I love receiving anything really!!

What I'm looking for: I genuinely don't have a type I just wanna know who you think would fit me best!!! =w=

Bad characters: I will explode into a million pieces of you give me Lucifer... I don't like him that much at all <:C

Your romantic matchup is…

Solomon!!

- so this one was a bit more difficult for me. I initially thought of giving you Satan because of how you’re more on the quiet side and you’ve also got a good head on your shoulders. I could also see you complaining about Lucifer at times and Satan finding that amusing. However, the feels just weren’t there. Plus, I feel like you being sensitive may clash with Satan a bit just because whenever he’s angry or stressed, he may say things that he doesn’t really mean and they may really hurt you. I totally think you guys would get along though, he might be a bit too harsh on you as a romantic partner though!

- I was also thinking of giving you Belphegor but I feel like you’re a bit too sensitive for him. He’s quite a tease but in a mean sort of way, so I could see it getting to you sometimes.

- As we all know, Solomon is a huge tease. In fact, he’s one of the biggest teases in the game alongside Belphie and Satan. I think he’d take advantage of your shyness and tease the crap out of you. He loves to make it a game to see how flustered he can make you.

- I also think your shyness would also pique his curiousity. Sol is very curious and is similar to Satan in the sense that they both like to gain knowledge and understanding of how things around them work. I think Solomon would be interested in truly getting to know you because he knows that you’re more than just your shyness.

- I could see him inviting you to tag along with him whenever he’s trying to look for a cursed item or an herb for one of his potions.

- As the other human exchange student, I think he’d also want to be close to you simply because you’re both humans. Yes he’s “Solomon the Wise” and yes he’s known to be the most powerful sorcerer to have ever lived. He’s got quite the title and it’s all for good reason, he’s very powerful but he’s still treated as though he’s weaker or less than everyone else just because he’s a human. There’s still the clear division between humanity and demons and angels and it makes him want to fight on behalf of humanity. I think he’d want to be close with you so he has someone else to support him but also just because you have so much to bond over. He’s been alive for thousands of years so he’s bound to have many stories from the human world to tell you, and likewise I’m sure you have stories to tell him.

- Just like the game, I could see him approaching you by handing you your ddd back. I definitely feel like he’d be able to pick up on how timid you are just based on this first interaction, but unfortunately for him, he didn’t really have time to talk to you more in depth because he had to get to class.

- I feel like he’d think you’re cute just based on that first interaction, but he didn’t develop any strong romantic feelings for you until he saw how smart you are. Imo, I feel like Sol would like someone who’s very smart. Not the “know it all” sort of smart, but someone who’s very knowledgeable and more modest or lowkey about it, if that makes sense. I feel like you guys would share a class together and he’d recognize how smart you are based on your insightful responses to the teachers questions and also your test grades. I feel like he’d sit behind you so he’d be able to take a peek, he’s very curious so I could see him sneaking a little look LMAO

- I feel like Solomon would like someone who’s a bit more quiet (not like dead silent but also not super loud) and he’d like them to have a bit of spunk, that way he can have a bit of fun with them! I think he’d totally find it amusing when you complain about little things, like deadlines in the class you share or the way the teacher spits on the front row desks whenever he teaches.

- As I mentioned before, I could see him inviting you on little journeys with him, but I could also see him partnering up with you for projects in that shared class. I think that’s how you guys would really grow close and when he’d really start to develop feelings for you, because it’s then when he’d starts to see how intelligent you are but also how you’ve got a bit of spunk.

- He’d find you adorable, but I think he’d wait a little bit until he confesses just because he has his doubts. As I mentioned before, he’s already treated as though he’s weaker than he really is just because hes a human. He’ll wonder if he stands a chance against the demon brothers or angels and if you’ll pick them over him just because they’ve got inhumane strength that he doesn’t possess.

- buut i think he’d be able to realize that you like him back based on how you react to his teasing, so i could see him confessing when you guys are out on one of his journeys to find a cursed item. it’ll be just you two and you’ll be far away from the demon brothers to ensure that there’s no interruptions.

- when you do date, I think he’d like physical touch! He won’t be all over you like Asmo but he strikes me as the type who will rest his hand on your thigh when you sit next to eachother or keep you close whenever you walk alongside eachother.

- also please teach him to cook, he’s in dire need 🙏

- and he’s canonically into TSL so we can assume that he likes other games! I could see him trying some of the games that you like.

Runner Up… Satan

Your platonic matchup is…

Satan!!

- so I already explained above why I think you two would get along so I’ll keep this one a bit shorter.

- I could totally see you complaining about Lucifer and Satan finding this super funny LMAOO I feel like he’d even try to recruit you to the anti-Lucifer league

- I honestly feel like he always liked you, but from the start he just tolerated you since you were nice and quiet. He didn’t really have a solid opinion on you though until Lucifer caught Mammon sneaking out late at night to gamble and enforced a strict curfew on everyone as a result. I could see you complaining and Satan being pleasantly surprised and even siding with you. I def think that after that happened, Satan would talk to you more!

- also I could see you guys bonding over your mutual love for cats. I mean come on, Satan would be like those cat moms if he could but unfortunately Luce won’t let him own a pet so he just settles for taking care of strays and watching cat videos. If you have any cats, he’d totally love to meet them !

i hope you like your matchup! also can you tell I ran out of gifs for Solomon LMAO

[angelofsmalldeaath]

abstract (psychopomp) — a.h.b.

cw: death of a pet (in the past), talks of death, mentions of blood, hurt/comfort-esque

the cat collar is old and frayed against my fingers. the red looks brown now and the bell that once hung at the centre of it…well, it’s gone now. gone forever. still, i thumb the empty spot and close my eyes. 

a distant part of my brain remembers the tiny jingle of the bell—tinkling and melodious. accompanied by little chirpy meows.

“thought i’d find you here,” his voice interrupts my thoughts and i put the collar back in the box. it’s instinct to shut it tight, to slide it away from me. who me? i wasn’t the one stuck in the same memory. not me… i’d never… 

his hair is damp like he just got out the shower, the collar of his t-shirt sporting a wet spot from when he obviously didn’t dry himself properly. i blink quickly and smile up at him. 

“i was looking for old boots.”

“you weren’t. i know what date it is.” 

for a moment i hate the expression of absolute surety on his face. i hate how well he knows me. i hate that his eyes fill up with love and warmth—something that slides over my skin like thick molasses, suffocating me thoroughly. 

“you’re allowed—”

“i know what i’m allowed!” the snap in my voice startles us both. 

his face crumples a little, eyebrows furrowed, a small crease formed right between them. my hands twitch at my sides. i should be walking over to him and smoothing the crease with my thumb. 

instead, i lean against the wall, hoping one of these boxes in storage might swallow me whole. 

i wait for him to say something else—maybe tell me again that i’m allowed to “feel my emotions” or that i’m allowed to cry about it or one of thousand other sweet things he has in his arsenal. 

he blinks and rearranges his face into a smile. “do you know what i remember about that day?”

i give him a wry smile. “blood? there was a lot of it…”

“i remember you. i remember falling in love with you.”

my heart skips a beat. that’s hardly the thing i’d expected him to say. “that’s—”

“not what you were expecting? i know.” for a moment the room goes quiet. the dust motes float in the air—like little flecks of glitter in the sunlight. all i remember about that day is grief. 

all i remember is loss. 

“it was so cold, do you remember? you nose was all red and runny. i teased you about it…”

“mercilessly,” i chuckle. he’s walked closer now, so close that our toes touch and the space between our bodies fills with heat. 

i swallow and look up at him. this closeness has me craning my neck just to properly look into his eyes, and i see it there—the same look he had in his eyes then, a certain kind of shine. the deja vu leaves me breathless. 

“you wouldn’t stop burrowing your hand in my pocket, you refused to leave my hand. i thought my heart would burst into a million tiny pieces.”

“well…that’s not good.”

“it was,” he clicks his tongue, “until it wasn’t. you ran into the traffic right in front of me and i couldn’t do anything but stand and stare and hope my heart won’t explode into a million pieces on the pavement.”

“i didn’t… i didn’t know she’d escape from the window and run out onto the street.” 

for a second i close my eyes and relive the scene in flashes—laughter. shock. a ball of familiar black fur running past us. the screech of tyres. bright lights. blood. so much blood. 

and then his hand on my back…

“let go, baby,” he says, drags his knuckles down my spine and i look at my hands, at all the blood. my white nails stained crimson, the red collar stained brown. 

i blink and come back to the present. 

“i remember thinking you were so brave. you are so brave. i remember being terrified that i’d lose you before i told you i loved you.”

his smile turns sad and my heart splinters. a lot of memories from the day are a blur but i remember his shaky voice. i remember how his hands won’t stop shaking, how he’d bite his lip to stop it from wobbling. 

“do you think about it often? about me running into oncoming traffic.”

“every night, i think.” there’s simple honesty in his voice and i picture him lying there, staring up at the ceiling, replaying that scene in his head. “but i allow myself to feel the fear, then i turn to you and pull you into my chest and everything is perfect again. everything is alright.” 

“ah,” i chuckle—a small sound tinged with sadness. “and that’s what you want me to do. you want me to feel it. and then let you make me forget it.”

“exactly.”

“i should fire my therapist. you’re so much better.”

he laughs and pulls me into a kiss. his beard tickles, but his hold on my waist grounds me. then he pulls the box back towards us and takes the collar out. it’s still darker in some spot, stained with the same blood, a mix of red and maroon now. i take it from him and hold it against my chest. 

“i miss her. she was my baby.” 

“i know you do. i see you,” his thumb swipes on my cheek, brushing some stray hair aside, “sometimes at night you go on pet adoption sites. i see you scrolling.”

“and you never said anything?”

“i figured you’d come to me when you were ready…”

tears tighten my throat and i barely stifle the sob threatening to come out. the collar looks so small in my hands, scrunched up tightly into a little ball. 

“i couldn’t get a new pet just yet. it won’t be fair.”

“but we could look at them, laugh at their silly names? we could stay in bed and watch silly cat compilations on youtube.”

through tears, i laugh. a few fall on my nose and he wipes them away as quick as they appear. 

“that sounds perfect,” i nod. 

and then for the rest of the day, that’s what we do. 

[modetta-no-hope]

[Towards the Lost Lamb]

Happy birthday, Natsume!!! I spent forever thinking about what to draw for him, and after going through a million cursed ideas (lmao), this is probably the least cursed one I could come up with!

This piece was actually inspired by a love letter I wrote a while back, but looking at it now, I’m pretty sure I wrote it while I was high on MAMIYA. Posting the drawing alongside the letter just feels way too fitting, haha.

Below is the content of the letter (with some parts omitted because they’re meant only for the recipient). I’ve also translated it into English since there’s no way I’m letting anyone else see the original. It might not flow as smoothly as it does in my native language, but I hope you don't mind!

Love.

The love I hold for you and all its shades.

Have you ever wondered what those shades are like? What form they takes, what scent they carry, what sound they sing? What it’s like to touch them, to cradle them within your palms?

No beginning to trace, no end in sight— That is the love I have for you.

I remember someone once said, “love” is an overused word. Some even liken it to a fire—blazing bright, yet destined to wither into ash. Perhaps they weren't wrong, But I still adore it— “Love” is such a beautiful word, don't you agree?

We hold that love close, Make it our own, Even as we delude ourselves, Foolishly believing that "love" was always meant for something else.

They say love is fleeting, selfish, blind, Detached from reality. Yet even in its selfishness, Isn’t there beauty? A beauty steeped in selfishness, Do you see it that way too?

I've always thought that, in truth, to "love" is to "be loved." Not by the object of your affection, But by love itself.

I’ve always yearned for a love as gentle as water, Perhaps that's why I falter before gentleness. And, well, isn’t it said— “Eventually, you’ll become what you desire most”? So, in that way, perhaps— Love has always answered me back in kind.

“Gentleness” is a cruel word, And “love” a selfish one. You are cruel. And I’ve long since become cruel myself, haven’t I?

You—to me—are a long scarf. Long, so long, endlessly winding. Tight around my throat, shrouding my eyes, binding my hands, Making me a frog unwilling to leave the boiling pot's searing heat.

A scarf so long. A warm embrace, a shielding blanket, a tightening noose. That’s "you"—that’s my "love".

A warm embrace. I give it back to you. A shielding blanket. I’ll give it back to you. A tightening noose. I give it all back to you.

My existence is a love letter—a letter pieced together from countless fragments of love. Its traces linger in every dot, every comma, every sentence, even in each rise and fall of the tone.

I’ll give this love back to you; I’ll curse you for a while. I love you.

No beginning to trace, no end in sight— I cannot say when it sparked, Only that, at some point, "You" eclipsed almost my entire world.

Isn’t that cruel? But yes, it is what it is.

This letter is like a river, Unceasing. No beginning to trace, no end in sight.

“Even as you're being born, screaming, loving, struggling, or breaking apart; the river flows on and on.”

“Never resisting the flow of the water, I let my nerves get eroded. I'd been repeating this for so, so long. Like in a delirium. As if nothing had happened.”

“...I can't say I like it. It's so black, and very noisy when it rains. But I know it well. I know it well because I don't like it. ...That's just how it is.”

On the verge of suffocating. On the verge of exploding. On the verge of shattering into a maelstrom. On the verge of flooding the world with thousands venomous curses.

I want to kill you.

[voidsentprinces]

Personally, I think Reloaded, Revolutions and Resurrections didn't work is because people thought they wanted the Matrix sequel but at that point in time, the world had moved on from 90s action. And the Matrix IS 90s action. Its Schlocky, its corny, people are doing martial arts cause thats what was cool in 80s - 90s. Everyone was using guns, there were explosions, men in business suits were the main bad guy. I mean, look at SPEED, look at Point Break and then look at the Matrix. Like yeah, there is sci-fi stuff and cool CG work. But, from my point of view, the Matrix was just a well written and acted Hackers. I am going to assume most people who follow me, have seen Hackers. HACK THE PLANET!!!! Anyway, the Matrix may of been the most popular version of that. But it was still very much that. It just tried to sound deep by using Alice in Wonderland to blow people's minds. And there is a lot of subtext and everything. But really, the Matrix is a late 90s action flick with everything but Agent Smith throwing a chicken at Morpheus and yelling, "BEHOLD! A MAN!"

But then we get the to early 00s and cinema has kind of changed. You can FEEL the film landscape changing but also trying to remake "The Matrix but different..." Underworld, Planet of the Apes (Tim Burton), Blade, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (still a good bad movie imo). But audiences no longer really wanted the 90s. It was a new millennium. They wanted something new and cool. And right around this time the Superhero train started up that would eventually explode with the Dark Knight and Iron Man in Summer 08. But we got the Hulk, Fantastic 4, Spider Man 2 (Manchester United: 4).

And here is the Matrix...also trying to recapture the lightning in the bottle that was the Matrix. But, now people can really start feeling the 90s level action dialogue stretch across a large piece of toast. And it seems to do things to shock people rather than work on its own level. There's multiple Agent Smiths now, Neo can fly but that loses its cool factor super quick, he can suddenly stop machines like bullets. And then man...Revolutions is Matrix jumping the shark. Everything is dialed up to 11. Bad dialogue, stilted acting, the ending leaving people utterly confused. Like it just kind of vanished up its own ass.

And then Resurrections comes in and...actually I am going to give Resurrections a pass. I respect Lana Wachowski for coming in. Hearing WB Execs going, "Either you make or a Matrix, or we'll make one without you." And she burning it the fuck down and making it meta commentary on the fact that WB wanted a new Matrix and it would be made with or without the sisters. So Lana makes it an okay film but utterly unpalettable. Just burns the franchise to the ground on the way out. QUEEN SHIT!

Cause honestly, lets say any one of us makes a piece of work that just EXPLODES and we do the merchandising and the movie or TV Shows and then you follow it up and its not good but it works and you still make thousands if not millions. Would you not also have that same reaction if some group in suits walked up and went, "Look either you make a sequel to a story that has clearly ended or we're releasing a bastardized version of your work you put your heart in soul into." YOU KNOW WHAT! I HAVE BEEN ON A JOURNEY IN THIS POST!

FUCK WARNER BROS FOR FORCING THE SISTERS TO EVEN MAKE A SEQUEL TO THE MATRIX! ITS NOT BAD WRITING ITS FUCKING STILTED ON PURPOSE! THE EXECS FORCE THEM TO DO A FOLLOW UP TO A VERY EASILY STAND ALONE FILM BECAUSE THEY WANT THAT FRANCHISE MONEY!? THEY DID THEIR FUCKING BEST! FUCK CEOs AND EXECS BOTH FOR BEING ON THAT LEVEL OF BULLSHIT!

...but then again, the sisters made some...really weird films after that. Jupiter Ascending is peak shitposting and...I don't even know where to BEGIN with Cloud Atlas. HOWEVER they did make a Speed Racer movie which was better than the audience deserves.

So forget this being down on a franchise bulletshit. Wachowski Sisters. You got into some weird territory but as a critic once said, "if someone isn't pushing the boundaries, we wouldn't know where the boundaries are." So thanks for Speed Racer, parts of Jupiter Ascending, the first Matrix and getting Tom Hanks to do weirder things than CastAway.

[sciderman]

So the first issue of Ziglars second Spider-Punk series came out, and i dunno if you care about Hobie, as it would be completely fair if you didn't, there's enough Spider-people already. Reading it i think i finaly found out why I felt so conflicted about his original run on Hobie and his Seven Slaughters Deadpool story doesn't really click with me. It all feels very...hollow. The look is there, it has the aesthetic, the references, the words, but the actual soul and understanding of the characters just isn't there outside of the popular base-level understanding of the characters. And maybe his Miles stuff is different, i wouldn't know as i haven't read any of it, but his Hobie stuff just doesn't speak to me, especialy after how strongly Jed MacKays original two one-shots hit me.

The jump from a guy ready to give up his life for the cause, who's angry and dark who dislikes being branded as "Spider-Punk" to this bright jokey kid who yells out "Spider-Van" "Spider-Band" "Spider-Base" like he's talking about new toys for his action line feels so weird.

Sorry for this ramble, especialy about something you propably don't care about, but I just wanted to leave this somewhere.

i haven't checked it out! unfortunately i haven't read any spider-punk at all - i love hobie as a character, but i'm only really familiar with his 616 counterpart - not so much the spider-punk stuff, simply because i'm kind of - not into all the spider-verse stuff. it's just so much to keep on top of, and kind of the only spider-man i care about is peter parker (sorry to all other spider-men. i've tried but i'm a spider-monogamist i think. and i picked the worst one.)

i love hobie in the movie, he's great. but i think i completely get the concern about "punk" being just coopted as an aesthetic, and being turned into a bit of a hollow thing. there's this artist i was ranting about to a friend the other day who i despise with a vengeance for his artwork that kind of... just... adopts an aesthetic but is devoid of any actual meaning. mr brainwash. looking at you.

i'll kill him. his paintings go for hundreds of thousands. and it's meaningless. it means nothing. "follow your heart" shut the fuck up. he just thought "banksy is cool. im going to do whatever he's doing" and it's empty and devoid of any meaning whatsoever. fuck you mr brainwash. sincerely. fuck you. i hope all your paintings explode into millions of pieces and i never have to see them again.

sorry. completely irrelevant to your ask. i should try and read some spider-punk. but hollow art depresses me so much. it gets me so sad when i see someone getting PAID to say nothing. whether that be in the art world or in comic books. sucks. bad. i hate empty art. please use your platform to say something. it's such a waste. it's such a waste.

[gallifreyshawkeye]

Churning them out on this one! I'm just enjoying the ride because this doesn't happen on all fics

Summary:

Michael and Aziraphale finally talk and secrets are revealed at the safehouse cabin (a.k.a. Michael and Dagon's "sex cabin" per Aziraphale). Just as they starting to strategize their moves, Dagon unexpectedly shows up with news from Hell.

Excerpt:

To his knowledge, in all the millions of years they had existed, Aziraphale had never seen Michael blush. She was beet red now. Aziraphale turned to face the ocean and leaned both hands on his knees and dropped his head, breathing hard.

“It’s a tryst cabin.” Michael’s voice was prim and impossibly tight.

Aziraphale turned his head to look at Michael without standing up. “A what?” he asked.

“A tryst. It means…”

“Yes I know what it means,” Aziraphale interrupted curtly, shaking his head and looking back down again.

“It sounds less crude,” Michael elaborated in the same prim, overly proper voice.

“‘Less crude’?” Aziraphale managed in disbelief. Neither of them said anything for a while. Even though Michael had been the one to say they needed to have a conversation and brought Aziraphale out here, this piece of information was his to process and they both knew it.

“How could you?” Aziraphale said at last, not able to even look at Michael and his voice shaking slightly, “How could you…” Aziraphale’s chest heaved as he forced himself to say the words, “... hunt him down and turn him over when you…” He broke off, unable to finish the sentence. Not that it needed to actually be said. 

“It was my job,” Michael said simply.

“Your…j… Your job?” Aziraphale half-spluttered, half-exploded, “Your job?! So, what, you just, happily walk around as the biggest hypocrite to have ever existed?!” Something in him snapped, and without even thinking, the cadence of Crowley’s mocking sarcasm surged out of him, “Oh, excuse me, Supreme Archangel Aziraphale, never mind I’ve terrified you out of your mind for the past thousands of years about being associated and friends with your Earth equivalent, the never-to-be-trusted demon Crowley, I’ve just been over here shagging Hell’s Master of Torments, the demon Dagon. But you carry on, it was just my job, you understand.”

Now Michael got angry, and suddenly she was only inches away from Aziraphale, meeting his blazing eyes with her own equally furious ones. 

“No. You clearly don’t understand, Aziraphale. You clearly understand nothing,” she said.

“Then enlighten me,” Aziraphale replied coldly and bitterly, “You said at Crowley’s flat we needed to talk. So talk.”

Michael waited a beat before taking a step back and arranging herself into a more conversational posture. “The first thing you should know is that I had no idea the Metatron meant for anything other than a handoff to happen. Truly.”

[g0nta-g0kuhara]

Exploding into a thousand million little pieces because of the newest shortonegaming v3 episode

I Cannot BELIEVE Allison opened up the episode (after taking a break between the two mid trial) theorizing that GONTA did it. holy fuck. I Genuinely can't believe it. I mean, she figured out the truth of the virtual world super quickly and once you know that, you can easily narrow it down to Gonta or Kokichi by alibis alone. But I'm SHOCKED. She doesn't fully know the reasoning for it yet though and for that I'm so, so excited.

But another thing- The thing about v3 trial 4 for me is that there is a cut off where things start getting extremely anxiety inducing for me, and thats just around after Shuichi lies about Kokichi's alibi. guess where they stopped the freaking episode.

I am very excited to see them get to this part, of course, because its AWESOME. But holy fuck I dont know how I'll be able to handle it. I had to scream into a pillow about this. Next episode they're just gonna remote detonate my laptop

[jamesh2025smith]

I Made $1,000,000 in 5 Hours as a Newbie Writer. Here’s How.

No, that headline isn’t clickbait — it really happened. I went from being a complete unknown in the writing world to earning $1,000,000 in just five hours. If you’re skeptical, I get it. I would be too. But stay with me, and I’ll break down exactly how it happened — no gimmicks, no fluff, just the real strategy that turned my words into wealth.

The Backstory: From Zero to… Actually, Zero I wasn’t a published author. I didn’t have a newsletter, a blog following, or a viral post to my name. I had ideas, a keyboard, and an obsession with stories. What I did have, though, was clarity on one thing: attention is currency in the digital world. If you can capture attention and turn it into action, money follows.

So, I went all in on one high-risk, high-reward strategy.

Step 1: I Found a Story People Were Dying to Hear Forget writing what you love. Write what people can’t stop thinking about.

While browsing forums and niche communities, I noticed a pattern — people were obsessed with one particular topic: the real story behind a billionaire's secretive new AI project. It was all whispers and theories, but no one had solid answers.

So, I researched obsessively for two weeks. I pieced together leaked memos, job postings, patents, and interviews. I crafted a speculative exposé titled: “The AI They Don’t Want You to Know About.”

It was edgy, bold, and controversial — and every word was technically public information, just never pulled together like this.

Step 2: I Self-Published the Article as a Paid Product Here’s where most writers mess up: they give away their best work for free and monetize the leftovers.

Instead, I turned my article into a downloadable PDF, priced it at $15, and created a landing page using Gumroad. I wrote an irresistible description:

“This article may be deleted soon. Learn what a trillion-dollar company doesn’t want the public to know.”

Then I added a countdown timer (real), a 24-hour launch window, and a strict “no re-release” policy.

Step 3: I Engineered a Viral Explosion I didn’t have an audience — but I knew who did.

I reached out to a handful of Twitter/X influencers and newsletter writers in the tech and conspiracy theory space. I gave them free access and a 50% affiliate cut if they shared it. Some ignored me. Three bit.

They tweeted. Their audiences exploded. Within 30 minutes, my Gumroad page had 20,000+ views. Within an hour, I had made $150,000. Within five hours, the number hit seven figures.

Why did it work? Three reasons:

The topic was hot and high-stakes.

The delivery was scarce and time-sensitive.

The distribution was outsourced to people with trust and reach.

The Aftermath I didn’t quit writing after that. In fact, it was the start of a new career. But I didn’t chase virality again. That lightning strike taught me a crucial lesson:

You don’t need a thousand posts — you need one piece of writing that hits the nerve of the moment.

Here’s What You Can Learn From This Pick your battles wisely. One deeply researched, emotionally charged piece can outperform a year’s worth of content.

Own your platform. Don’t let algorithms decide your reach — sell directly and build email lists.

Use leverage. Find people with audiences and give them a reason to amplify you.

Scarcity works. Deadlines and exclusivity are not cheap tricks — they’re psychological drivers.

Truth sells. People crave depth, not surface. Give them the real thing, and they’ll pay for it.

Final Word Did I make another million the next week? No. And I don’t expect to replicate that exact formula again.

But as a newbie writer, I proved one thing: the right story, at the right time, with the right distribution — that’s a million-dollar equation. Even if you don’t strike gold immediately, write like it’s possible.

Because it is.

P.S. Want the behind-the-scenes breakdown of my landing page, email templates, and outreach messages? I put it all in a free mini-course. Just don’t expect it to stay free forever. 👀

Let me know if you'd like to adapt this article to your own voice or turn it into a video script, Twitter thread, or email sequence.

[grand-diamonds]

The Engagement Ring That Broke the Internet: Here’s What Made It So Special

In the age of social media and viral sensations, few things capture attention quite like an extraordinary women engagement ring. From unique design elements to meaningful personal touches, the reasons why certain rings go viral lie in their aesthetic brilliance, emotional connection, and meticulous craftsmanship. One ring, in particular, took the internet by storm — and here’s an in-depth look into why it captivated millions.

The Story Behind the Viral Engagement Ring

Cushion Cut Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

At the core of this viral moment is a deeply personal love story, one that resonated with thousands across the globe. The engagement ring was not just a symbol of commitment — it was a visual narration of the couple’s journey together. Custom-designed by a luxury jeweler based in Antwerp, the ring told a story through design, incorporating elements that held sentimental value for the bride-to-be.

From the initial sketch to the final polish, every step of the process was shared online, giving viewers an intimate look at the craftsmanship and emotional investment behind the ring. The couple’s authenticity and passion sparked genuine engagement, making the content inherently shareable and emotionally compelling.

A Design That Broke All Traditions

Halo Round Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

What made this engagement ring stand out was its bold defiance of traditional norms. Rather than a classic solitaire or halo, this ring featured a custom-cut, radiant diamond flanked by asymmetric gemstone accents — each gem representing a milestone in their relationship.

The setting was a hand-forged platinum band, delicately sculpted to mimic intertwined vines, symbolizing unity and growth. The band featured micropavé detailing, offering a brilliant sparkle from every angle without overpowering the center stone.

Its uniqueness didn’t just lie in its materials but in the unapologetic narrative it told — one of identity, adventure, and shared dreams. It was not just an engagement ring. It was a work of art.

Why Personalization Is the New Luxury

Oval Cut Halo Diamond engagement ring

In a world of mass production, personalization is the pinnacle of luxury. This viral ring underscored a trend that’s dominating the jewelry industry: hyper-customized engagement rings. Buyers today are looking for more than just carat weight — they want meaning, story, and uniqueness.

The viral ring was a perfect example of how personal touches can make a design iconic:

A sapphire from a trip to Sri Lanka

An engraved message only visible under magnification

The bride’s birthstone subtly embedded under the center stone

These are not just decorative additions; they’re emotional bookmarks that make a piece timeless. The attention to detail elevated the ring to an heirloom-in-the-making, not just a fashion statement.

The Role of Social Media in the Ring’s Popularity

Oval Cut Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

What made this ring explode across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest was its jaw-dropping reveal video. Shot in ultra-HD with soft background music and voiceovers explaining the design process, the video received over 10 million views in under a week.

Influencers, jewelers, and even celebrities reposted the video, admiring the ring’s unique aesthetic. Key hashtags like #CustomEngagementRing, #DiamondGoals, and #ViralProposal helped it dominate the jewelry-related content landscape.

But it wasn’t just visuals. The accompanying emotional captions and storytelling format turned a piece of jewelry into a viral phenomenon.

Craftsmanship That Elevates Emotion

White Gold Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

One cannot underestimate the value of expert craftsmanship in creating a ring that becomes iconic. The jeweler behind the piece employed decades of expertise, combining traditional hand-setting techniques with modern 3D CAD design.

Each stone was handpicked for clarity, color, and ethical sourcing, and the band underwent multiple quality inspections to ensure flawless durability and comfort. The final product was not only visually striking but also built to last — a perfect blend of beauty and strength, much like the relationship it represented.

The Rise of Ethical, Lab-Grown Diamonds

Dual-Tone Double Halo Round Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Another noteworthy element contributing to the ring’s viral nature was its use of a lab-grown diamond — a nod to sustainability and modern values. With consumers becoming more environmentally conscious, lab-grown diamonds have skyrocketed in popularity.

This ring featured a 3-carat D color, VS1 clarity lab-grown diamond, indistinguishable from mined stones to the naked eye. Not only was it more affordable, but it also aligned with the couple’s commitment to ethical practices.

Its viral impact wasn’t just about aesthetics — it was a statement about conscious consumerism in the luxury space.

Design Trends Sparked by the Viral Ring

 Rose Gold Double Halo Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

Since the post went live, jewelers across the globe have reported an uptick in requests for similar features, including:

Nature-inspired bands

Hidden gemstone details

Multi-stone asymmetrical settings

Custom engraving with meaningful coordinates or dates

This single piece has reshaped how couples think about their engagement rings, shifting focus from traditional templates to intimate storytelling through design.

What This Ring Teaches Us About Engagement in the Digital Age

Rose Gold 3 Prongs Pear Diamond Engagement Ring

More than just a viral moment, this engagement ring highlighted the power of authenticity. In the digital age, consumers crave more than polished images — they want to be part of a journey. By sharing the behind-the-scenes design, the couple made thousands feel invested in their love story.

This emotional involvement turned viewers into brand advocates, leading to organic reach, reposts, and international press coverage. Jewelry brands must recognize that today, it’s not just about selling a product — it’s about selling an experience and a narrative.

How Jewelers Can Replicate This Success

White Gold Vintage Milgrain Halo Pear Cut Diamond Ring 

For jewelers looking to recreate this viral success, the strategy is clear:

Offer Customization — Let customers co-create, not just buy.

Document the Journey — Share the design process from sketch to final reveal.

Create Emotional Touchpoints — Use symbolism, personalization, and storytelling.

Leverage Social Media Powerfully — Optimize your visuals for platforms and use storytelling in captions.

Prioritize Ethics and Transparency — Consumers value sustainability, now more than ever.

Final Thoughts

This engagement ring didn’t go viral because of luck. It did because it touched hearts, broke traditions, and told a compelling story. It is a shining example of what the future of fine jewelry looks like — personal, purposeful, and profoundly beautiful.

If you’re planning to design your own engagement ring or looking to stand out in the jewelry industry, take inspiration from this masterpiece — because when design meets emotion, magic happens.

[jambrainrot]

Prompt: Jam 10 years in the future, happily married after having broken up with their partners and the whole world finding out

Pairing: Jacob/Sam

Tags: jam being in love, future, fluff, everyone knows

Warnings: none

Rating: T

Jacob hadn’t planned on breaking the internet that Tuesday morning in Vaucluse. He’d just wanted to kiss his husband—funny how natural that word felt now, ten years after they’d met playing vampire soulmates on screen.

Sam’s lips were warm, wet, and sweet against his, tasting of the flat white they’d shared at Nielsen Park Café. Just another morning in their quiet life, or so they’d thought. But someone with an iPhone and quick thumbs had other plans.

The photo hit Twitter first. Then Instagram. Then everywhere. “JAM LIVES!” the headlines screamed, and Jacob could almost hear the collective squeal of a million fans who’d shipped Lestat and Louis long before he and Sam had admitted they were doing the same.

He remembered those early days on set, the way Sam would watch him between takes and the way he would blush anytime Jacob made him laugh. Back then, Jacob was wearing a different ring, and they were living different lives. Playing at love for the cameras while trying desperately not to feel it for real.

The show had wrapped a year ago, but some things hadn’t ended with the final cut. Like the way Sam still called him “mon cheri” when no one was listening, a private joke from their characters that had somehow become truth. Or how they’d both found themselves single within months of each other, as if some cosmic luck had finally decided to give them their shot at a real happy ending.

Their marriage was quiet. Private. A small ceremony in their Vaucluse home overlooking the harbor, just family and close friends who’d known all along what the rest of the world was just now discovering. No cameras, no press.

Now, as Jacob scrolled through his phone—#JamReiderson trending worldwide, old set photos being reposted with knowing captions—he felt Sam’s arms wrap around him from behind.

“Well,” Sam murmured against his neck, “guess the cat’s out of the bag, love.”

Jacob leaned back into the embrace, thinking about all those scenes they’d filmed. All those kisses.

Speaking of kisses…

The fan who’d caught them kissing had captioned the photo: “HOLY SHIT JAM IS REAL AND THEY’RE IN VAUCLUSE.” Beneath it were thousands of comments, ranging from excitement to frame-by-frame analysis of every interaction they’d ever had on screen. Ten years of careful privacy, undone by a chance encounter and a quick snap on their morning walk.

But as Jacob turned in Sam’s arms, he realized he didn’t mind. Maybe it was time. Maybe the world deserved to know that sometimes the chemistry isn’t just acting, that sometimes Louis really does get his Lestat, even if it takes a decade and a few plot twists to get there.

“You know what this means,” Jacob hummed “We’re going to have to make a statement.”

Sam grinned, that same grin that had made millions swoon when he played Lestat. “Or we could just post that selfie from our wedding. The one with the Sydney Opera House in the background, right as the sun was setting.”

And Jacob laughed, because that was exactly why he’d fallen in love with him—Sam would always calm his nerves despite them both suffering from anxiety.

The world would have their questions, their theories, their think pieces about whether this had been the plan all along. But the truth is: they weren’t that smart. Shit happens.

******

The Instagram notification wouldn’t stop: “Your followers are asking you to go live.” Jacob positioned the phone against a wine bottle on their balcony overlooking Shark Beach, angling until both he and Sam were in frame. The viewer count exploded—first hundreds, then thousands, then hundreds of thousands. Holy shit.

“Well,” Jacob said awkwardly, “I suppose we’ve got some explaining to do.”

Sam snorted, settling in closer. “Explaining? Jacob, we got caught snogging. Think that explains plenty.”

Jacob flashed his ring to make it obvious that they weren’t just dating.

The comments flew past until a familiar name popped up: Bailey requesting to join the live. Jacob tapped to accept, and suddenly their old castmate’s face filled half the screen. They haven’t spoke in years, only keeping up on holidays and special occasions.

“You absolute WANKERS!” Bailey was grinning ear to ear. Her fake British accent was terrible. “Do you know how many interviews I had to lie through? ‘Oh no, Sam and Jacob are just good friends.’ ‘Oh, they’re just really method actors.’ I deserve a BAFTA for keeping your secret.”

“I think Eric struggled more than anyone,” Sam laughed.

The comments section exploded again. Delainey’s name went past: “FINALLY!!! Remember when they’d share a trailer even though they each had their own? ‘Running lines’ my ass 😂”

“Language, young lady,” Sam chided, falling back into his paternal Lestat role for a moment. Character bleed indeed. “You’re still playing my daughter in my head.”

Assad’s comment popped up next: “Can we talk about the Great Coffee Run of 2027? When Sam drove two hours to get Jacob’s favorite cold brew because he was homesick?”

“No,” Sam protested, “that was just being a good mate!”

“A good friend who was hopelessly in love,” Bailey corrected. “We all saw it. The lingering touches, the private jokes, the way you’d mouth his lines when he was filming close-ups—”

“Had to help him with that accent somehow, didn’t I?”

Jacob “accidentally” elbowed his husband as they chortled.

Then Bailey took over, in typical Gen Z fashion, going on a rant about how much she “shipped” them and promising to post more jam stories later.

After she left to make a call time (“Unlike some retired TV vampires, some of us still have to work!”), Rolin joined the live. Their old showrunner looked exactly the same, right down to the ever-present coffee cup in his hand.

“My favorite Jam moment?” Rolin took a thoughtful sip. “God, there were so many. The time Sam fell asleep during night shooting and Jacob gave him his coat—while he was still wearing it. Or when Jacob got food poisoning and Sam refused to film with his stand-in, sat there for six hours until Jacob felt better.”

The comment section filled with crying emojis and hundreds of questions. Some were very concerning to say the least. Someone wanted to know if the sex scenes were real. Fuck.

“But you know when I really knew?” Rolin leaned closer to his camera. “First chemistry read. Sam was late because of the time difference in Sydney, all apologetic over Zoom. Jacob had been reading with other Lestats all morning, doing fine but nothing special. But the moment Sam joined our call—” He snapped his fingers. “Magic. Jacob came alive. Sam couldn’t take his eyes off him. They did the scene where Louis first meets Lestat, and I swear to God, everyone in the room felt it. Called my wife right after and said, ‘Either I just watched the best acting I’ve ever seen, or I just watched two people fall in love and they don’t even know it yet.’”

Sam’s hand found Jacob’s under the camera’s view and squeezed.

“Turns out,” Jacob said softly, “it was both.”

“Always was,” Sam agreed, and the way he looked at Jacob made a thousand fans screenshot the moment. “Best acting of our careers, pretending we weren’t in love.”

They stayed live for an hour, sharing stories that had never made it to interviews. How they’d practiced their lines together every night, claiming it was for the chemistry when really they just couldn’t bear to be apart. How Sam had shown up at Jacob’s door the night his marriage ended, not saying a word, just being there. How Jacob had followed Sam to Sydney “for a vacation” and somehow never left.

When they finally signed off, Jacob had one more thing to do. He scrolled through his phone’s photo album, past the paparazzi shots that would soon flood the internet, past the casual selfies and domestic moments, all the way back to the beginning.

He found the picture he wanted—one taken during their first screen test together. They were in costume but caught off-guard, Sam mid-laugh at something Jacob had said, Jacob looking at him like he’d discovered something precious and dangerous all at once. They hadn’t known then what they were starting, but somehow the camera had caught it anyway.

Jacob typed out the caption:

Even when we were just pretending, we were telling the truth. Yes, the rumors are true. Sam and I found our forever while playing characters searching for theirs. And no, the irony of a vampire story leading to my happiest ending isn’t lost on me. #JamReiderson #Loustat4Ever

He showed it to Sam before posting. His husband read it twice, then pressed a kiss to his temple. “Perfect,” he said.

Within hours, the likes rolled past one million. But Jacob wasn’t counting anymore. He put down his phone and joined his husband in the living room, their dog whining for attention. When Sam smiled at him, all sleepy and happy, Jacob couldn’t help but think: yes, this is our forever.

A few months later, a text from Rolin:

Hey Jam! Guess who’s getting that TV spinoff? 😉

[ilearnedthistodaysblog]

#1219 What is Prince Rupert’s drop?

What is Prince Rupert’s drop? Prince Rupert’s drop is a small, tadpole-shaped glass bead that is incredibly strong but incredibly fragile. Prince Rupert’s drops have been around for a long time and there is some thought that they were first discovered by Roman glassmakers two thousand years ago. They were first brought to Great Britain in 1660 by Prince Rupert of the Rhine, who was an English-German noble, soldier, and scientist. He gave them to King Charles II, who in turn gave them to the Royal Society to be studied. They became known as Prince Rupert’s drops and the name has stuck. King Charles II was very interested in science and he was the patron of the Royal Society, which had only been started a few years earlier. Prince Rupert’s drops have very special properties. They are made by dripping molten glass into cold water and they set in a tadpole shape, with a bulbous head and a longish tail. The head of the tadpole is incredibly strong and can withstand hammer blows and bullets. They have been tested to be able to withstand a force of 664,300 Newtons, which is 67,740 kg. Yet, despite this awesome strength for something so small, if you even slightly chip the tail of the tadpole, the whole Prince Rupert’s drop will just explode and become a powder, instantly. To make a Prince Rupert’s drop, you have to have a ball of molten glass and glass melts at between 1,400 to 1,600 ℃, so that’s pretty hot. When you have the molten glass ready, let it drip into a bucket of cold water. The cold water will absorb the heat energy from the molten glass as soon as they come in contact and the outside of the molten glass drop will cool and harden pretty quickly. The heat inside the drop will take longer to be absorbed and the very center will be the last part to harden. You will be left with a solid glass tadpole drop shape which you can then hit with a hammer. Just be careful of the tail. The scientists of the Royal Society had several theories about why the glass was so strong and yet so brittle at the same time, but they were unable to come up with the complete answer. In fact, that answer has only been discovered in the last few years, and that is only because of modern technology. It took a high-speed camera that could shoot at a million frames a second and something called a transmission polariscope, which can measure optical radiation. The high-speed camera that could take a million frames a second allowed scientists to see what was happening when the tail was chipped. Cracks appear at the point where the tail was damaged and they rapidly spread, forming more and more cracks, until the whole piece of glass is reduced to powder. It took a high-speed camera to see this because the cracks promulgate at a speed of roughly 1,800 meters per second, which is about 6,500 km/h. So, why is a Prince Rupert’s drop so strong, yet it explodes if you chip its tail? The reason for both of these things are the same. When the molten glass is lowered into the cold water, the heat energy held in the molecules passes into the water because heat energy always goes from a hot place to a cold place. When the molecules have heat energy, they move more and they take up more space. When they lose this energy, they stop moving and they contract, taking up less space. If the Prince Rupert’s drop was cooled from the inside out, the center would contact and then the succeeding layers would contract until it was all slightly smaller. However, it cools from the outside first. The outside layer very quickly cools and becomes hard. The inside layers start to cool and contract, and they pull on the outside layer, but it has already solidified and doesn’t move. Each successive layer that cools, pulls on the already solid layer above it, and all they do is pull it down, putting it under tension. This makes each layer much stronger than if it wasn’t being pulled down. It is similar to an arch bridge that gets stronger when it has weight on it because the weight pushes it down and the forces are distributed along the curve of the arch. This high tension makes the Prince Rupert’s drop very strong, but it also makes it a tensile stress time bomb waiting to go off. All of the molecules are pulling on the ones in front of them, which gives it an enormous amount of potential energy. Any break in the chain of molecules will release all of that energy, which will gradually increase, like a mass of dominos after the first one is knocked over. The reason why a chip in the tail is where this energy starts to get released is because it is much thinner there and there is not so much strength. It is much easier to break the chain and release the energy, which races forwards at several times the speed of sound, leaving nothing but powder. And this is what I learned today. Read these next: - #768 What is the Hudson Bay Company? - #1163 What is a tadpole shrimp? - #1047 What are tails for? - #82 Why is skin waterproof? - #456 When did people start using glass for windows? Sources https://www.ck12.org/flexi/chemistry/heating-and-cooling-curves/what-is-the-temperature-at-which-glass-melts https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/pdf/10.1098/rsnr.1986.0001 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xe-f4gokRBs https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Rupert_of_the_Rhine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_Ruperts_drop https://engineering.purdue.edu/IE/news/2022/chandrasekar-coe-blog Image By Mg3kc at English Wikipedia - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5555208 Read the full article