#like i would've written more but work likes to stifle me

[kila09]

SHIPPER TAG GAME

tagged by @gloster

1. What ship were you completely obsessed with when you were a teenager, but now you don't care anymore?

-not really obsessed, but I'd have to say Nick/Maddie from PR: Mystic Force. I really liked their dynamic and tbh, it was that couple that introduced me to fanfics because I went googling for info on Melanie and Firass

2. Which ship would you consider your first one?

-oh that's an easy one: Tommy/Kim. The moment I saw them on screen, I started shipping them before I even knew what shipping was. They were my OTP before I even knew what that was. Even at that young age, I was taken in by their chemistry, their understanding and acceptance of each other, the slow build up of their relationship...just...their everything. Honestly, it was because of this ship that i could not get into Disney fairytales because they did more to convince me of true love than any Disney movie ever did.

3. Your first fanfic belonged to which couple?

-Tommy/Kimberly. After I learned what fanfic was from searching Maddie/Nick...I stumbled upon a Tommy/Trini story and it didn't sit right with me lol. I kept thinking "Tommy and Kim are meant to be" and then I started writing a story about them. Took my weeks, after I'd written the first seven chapters, to work up my courage to actually post that first chapter.

4. Do you remember the first couple you saw a fanart over?

-more than likely Nick and Maddie.

5. Did you ever get into ship discourse?

-uhm....I mean, not really? I've responded to one or two anon posts or even made a post or two about a ship but actual discourse? I usually have those discussions with my friend

6. Did you used to have a NOTP or have it currently?

-ha! Did I ever! And still do: Kataang, Klance, Hinny, McRolls, Tommy/Kat, Jason/Kim, Dramione, Romione.

7. Who were the couple in the last fanfic you read?

-well, I'm currently reading three fanfics right now, so the couple in those are: Zutara, Tododeku, KinnPorsche

8. Currently, do you have any OTPs?

-ohh yeah: Tomberly, Drarry, Sheith, Zutara, KinnPorsche, Tododeku, DickKory, Geraskier

9. Is there any couple, to this day, you are extremely mad about not getting together?

-yes. I'm pissed they broke Kim and Tommy (rumor was, the letter wasn't even the original storyline but they did it because they wanted the fans to let go of Kimberly and accept Kat); Sheith (they had the best chemistry and the show kept drawing parallels between them and other couples on the show, including Keith's own parents); Zutara (they just made sense and I think Katara would've really blossomed even more because Zuko never would've stifled her or encourage to forego her own culture); Drarry (sure as shit, if one of them was female, it would've happen, so I don't see why it couldn't happen anyways. Plus, I feel they would've understood and balanced each other a lot better than their Canon couples).

10. Is there any ship you used to dislike but now you think they are kind of interesting?

-nope.

11. Do you have any ship that, in the past, was considered normal but now would be canceled over?

-i dont think so, no.

12. What was your favorite crack ship?

-i don't think I had or have one tbh.that.

13. Who is the couple you read more fanfics of?

-its split btwn most of my OTPs tbh.

14. What do most of your ships usually have in common?

-hmmm...idk, equality, I guess. The way they understand each other, how they are each others safe space in a way, how they can be themselves (all facets of themselves, e.g., angry, happy, messy, etc.) with each other, the way they're different but also the same in some ways

15. What do you absolutely hate in a ship?

-a bully/victim dynamic that is labeled as enemies-to-lovers; when a miscommunication happens and the person immediately runs away/avoids the other without giving them a chance to explain, which leads into the miscommunication going on for more than 2-3 chapters (even worse when it's a 15 chapter story and the miscommunication happened in like ch 2 and you're on ch 12 and it...is...still...going on)

Tagging: @tomberlylove, @the-badger-mole, @moerusai, @teamironmanforever, @luckydragon10, @ink-and-dagger, @mymcdanno, @angstosaur

[mermaidsirennikita]

Yeah the sex scenes were...not tame necessarily, they were still pretty graphic, however they felt more perfunctory? Also Massimo was barely in the movie. It really felt like they didn't want the book plot with Massimo but tried to kinda do the whole bait and switch with Nacho being a better option because he's less unhinged and dangerous I guess? While stretching out the already paper thin plot for another sequel. I kinda wished they either totally ignored the book and did something else or leaned into it and had Massimo go full villain.

They felt very perfunctory--and while I think Michele and Anna have great chemistry, to me the sex scenes were shot and choreographed in a way that stifled their interplay that made the sex scenes in the original movie really hot, and the sex scenes in the second movie like... honestly still hot, but also very *fun* in an intentionally goofy way.

I have a lot of theories about what went wrong, lol. I think that first off, they never expected the first movie to perform the way it did. Which, like, yeah I guess in theory, but at the time it released especially--mid-pandemic, when everyone was horny and sad, this movie gave what was essentially viewed as softcore porn (and though I do wonder if there was some unsimulated sex occurring at points, it was not that, but still) PLUS a wish fulfillment jetsetting fantasy. Like, nothing about the story is that crazy if you compare it to mafia romance novels, but you just really hadn't seen shit like that onscreen before. And English-language cinema in particular has been moving in such a puritanical direction that the movie would've been shocking to those viewers anyway, even if the pandemic hadn't been a factor.

And the reason why it resonated, also, was that a lot of the movie was in English. Maybe not particularly smoothly-written English, but English.

Here's where I'm gonna start speculating lol. I do not think they originally intended to, if sequels were ordered, deviate from the source material as much as they did. Those books were, from what I understand, successful in Poland and I think they saw that movie as being successful in.... largely Poland. Right? Maybe it would do some numbers as a streaming/VOD success in Europe at large (like many European movies made for smaller home markets do)--I don't even know that they could bet on the Italian market, as mafia fetish movies understandably can sting there. I don't know that the first book was available in English until after the movie came out.

I believe that the reason why there is so much English in that movie, despite them thinking of a smaller market initially, is simply practical. Casting Polish actors as Italian mafiosi would've, frankly, taken a lot of mafia fetishism away; and you weren't gonna find a lot of hot Italian actors fluent in Polish, or hot Polish actors fluent in Italian. So while the Polish characters do speak Polish at points, the Italian actors do speak Italian at points, they *rather realistically* communicate together in English and we just solve a lot of the language barrier issues you would run into. In the book, I think the whole thing is Polish with some Italian dialogue thrown in for shits and giggles, but here you have a language that a lot of Europeans have picked up secondhand, and that in itself made it way more accessible to a worldwide market, and boom--you have a huge hit. Compare it to the similarly hot Through My Window, a movie I actually love--that's a Spanish movie where everyone is speaking Spanish, and despite similarly being based on a European ~erotic novel~ it didn't blow up as much. IT SUPER SHOULD because it's just as bonkers, if a lot more uplifting lmao, but it didn't. And I don't think, again, that the English dialogue was used to sell the movie worldwide lmao I think it was largely just a necessity of working with a bunch of actors from different countries who happened to have basic English in common.

So, the movie blows up as a total surprise, and everyone LOVES Massimo and Laura together, and that's clearly the clincher that the big market is into. Yes, the original book fans may prefer Nacho, and the author, Blanka, who is, it appears, *quite involved*, may prefer Nacho... But at this point? Most of the movie's fanbase can't even get a copy of this book in decently legible English, let alone all the other languages people are reading in. We may hear about how great Nacho is in summaries from book readers, but we don't give a flying fuck because we love Massimo, and we love Michele Morrone's ridiculous Instagram where he posts shit like "here's a selfie of me with pink eye, but sexy".

And so rather than just overriding the source material entirely to please the core movie fanbase, which is what they should have done because even now, most people who've watched those movies haven't read the books... They kind of picked a middle ground. They didn't choose a lane. And that, to me, is the primary sin of any love triangle. You may wanna play both sides at first and create a great tension with two super lovable viable options (this is super challenging) but in the end... Unless you're gonna go with polyamory, which was never an option here because of who Massimo is as a character... You have to SOLIDLY pick your side as a writer. So many writers fuck this up by not picking a side soon enough, or, in this case, by really not picking a side at all. Whether or not the viewers/readers/what have you agrees with your choice, you just have to pick something and stake your proverbial pussy on it.

Also, because they were playing both sides but only did so after that first movie, just as it occurred with the books... The audience was already very invested in Massimo and his ridiculous antics and crazy sex scenes. Nacho comes in and it's like "oh, he's the healthy choice, you should like him because Nacho Good". First off, no he isn't, he is also a mafioso and was a part of this large scale twin hoax trickery to confuse this woman into thinking her husband cheated on her... Second of all, who cares??? Does anyone??? Think anybody??? Who liked that first movie??? Cares about The Good Guy???? Nacho was there to please people who bitched about the first movie but also were undeniably turned on by it, so they crawled back to the second and got to feel morally superior because the fake gardener is *Nice*.

And to top it all off, because again, they were playing both sides, Massimo was never nearly as villainous as his book counterpart, so Laura goes from a fun crazy sympathetic party girl heroine to someone who like... Acts as if she didn't know the MAN WHO KIDNAPPED HER BEFORE SHE WILLINGLY MARRIED HIM was a crazy mafioso, and? As if he's wrong? To be concerned about her and wanting to know here whereabouts? When people are constantly trying to kill them? Something she knew was a thing? Before she married him? Like yeah girl, he's crazy and being a mob wife is complex, but I think these things were established yesterday.

Anyway, rant over, but I basically think that someone did not have the balls to go "hey lady, we'll pay you for the rights to your books and all, but you don't get to have a say from here on out and we're not aiming to please you or find a middle ground, it's our vision now". Compare to say... Schmidgerton, where Julia Quinn has on the record said that she has zero control over what Shonda and her team choose to do. She is a consultant, but she does not have a creative input provision in her contract, and she can give her opinion but it doesn't mean much at the end of the day. She agreed to that with a full and open mind because she liked the deal, and that's totally fine, and it doesn't surprise me at all that Shondaland would expect an author to give up any influence. I mean, most of the time, authors and book fans aren't owed shit--but I do think that some productions bite themselves in the asses by trying to appease everyone, which was especially frustrating here because I imagine book fans were a very small fraction of the audience for these movies.

[euarchontoglires]

would've posted this on my twitter priv but i don't wanna feel stifled by the character limit so here it goes

i am fully aware of the controversy behind some of the amphibia staff being pr0\shitters. however i'm not letting that impact my enjoyment of the show because as an asian-american, the joy of seeing asian representation in a large-scale cartoon far outweighs the discomfort i feel about those who worked on it

that being said, i definitely believe you need to be wary about separating art from artist. but that entails actually thinking critically about which aspects specifically can't be separated, instead of just going "this whole thing is automatically Bad because a Bad person made it." in amphibia's case, it's the fact that so little attention gets called to how marcy and sasha, Literal Actual Children, are holding such high rankings in amphibian society. and ESPECIALLY sasha being employed as a literal child soldier.

to be clear, i do not think it is a bad approach. many children's cartoons have kids in empowered positions, and i think it's interesting how the calamity trio are being seen differently from actual frog children due to being physically bigger than even most adult amphibians. however, combined with the context of some of the staff's views, it makes me raise an eyebrow. amphibia isn't some magical fantasyland where kids can live out their dreams of being a watered-down TV-Y version of a knight or a king. it's a proper country with very fleshed-out worldbuilding, with its own share of heavy societal issues that parallel our world's, and the show is definitely not one to shy away from heavier topics

which is why the implications of 13-year olds being in the military and government almost never being brought up is so surprising to me. sasha didn't HAVE to be written as the co-leader of the toad military. marcy didn't HAVE to be written as the king's advisor.

but here's the thing. a lot of pr0\shitters don't see children's show protagonists as children, but rather people with personalities of vague maturity that can play any role and theoretically anyone can self-insert themselves into. usually with only slightly less maturity than the adults at the least. and in most cases, that's fine—protagonists like that can resonate with a wider audience than just little humans of a similar age. usually them doing adult things is all cool and good, and in the cases where they're doing something a child Really Should Not Be Doing there's commentary on it (ex. animorphs). but when it comes to particularly sensitive topics that regularly get defended by people in power in real life—i.e. age gap relationships and sexual abuse—it's hard to ignore the optics of putting a child character in such a situation, even if they're a collection of lines that acts simultaneously like an adult and a kid. and this is where the trope of putting kids and adults on relatively the same status level starts to break down. sasha being a child soldier just ever so slightly toes the line between "eh it's just a cartoon" and "what the fuck why is no one concerned about this", and that's why i think her being written as such is a direct reflection of Those staff members' attitude towards fiction.

additionally, the general vibe of the show just kinda. feels like a cartoon made by and for weirdo adults who complained that children's cartoons didn't cater to them enough. as much as i enjoy the internet/nerd humor, it's hard for me to not feel cynical about it. or about some of the more risqué jokes/scenes. or about marcy getting impaled in the chest at the end of s2. i'm sure it's just because disney's censorship toned down every other intense scene, while they couldn't with marcy's scene because it was both leaked beforehand and Plot Important, but it feels to me like it was included for pure "oh my god this show is so DARK and ADULT!!!" shock value. i'm glad i don't interact with the fandom because i'm sure if i took a drink for every person using those jokes and scenes to "prove" that the show was "really" made for older folks, i'd die from liver disease

also that one line of sprig saying "i can't believe we tried to kill each other over a piece of fiction!!! :)" in the ship war episode genuinely made me consider dropping the show

[cajunroe]

big short anon here again . might i please chat with you about porter/danny and/or jamie/charlie because you are the only human being i know of that i actually CAN talk to about them. :)  — Anonymous

Okay I was gonna answer this yesterday and then got swept up in some fuckery but now I have TIME and I’m going to say a few things.

Look, I have the biggest and best-known narrative boner for ships that are basically competitive assholes whose bond is forged in the fire of the most high-stakes atmospheres imaginable and both of these ships definitely qualify, but like, in totally different ways? But god, I am consumed with Jamie/Charlie thoughts lately because they’re just so goddamn sweet. Like, as sweet as a ship like that could be. Good boys who want to be assholes and are trying their best but still really like each other and have each other’s backs, ugh. I have all these feelings about Charlie harboring this secret crush on Jamie for months that he thinks is totally hidden and he thinks he’s being so suave, and it actually completely shocks him when Jamie kisses him during a time of great stress and pressure? Because, uh? He didn’t know he was being so obviously? But oh my god it’s Jamie and he’s so tall and smart and looks like Superman and anyway he’s going to give himself permission to give into this because, uh, it’s good, it’s very good, he can love this and let this happen.

And on the other end of the spectrum – god, my kingdom for finance bros in love Porter/Danny, Danny with his cockeyed optimism and obsession with trying new restaurants and ability to get under Porter’s skin and keep him from being too cynical all the time, and Porter hates that Danny has that gift but also it’s kind of nice to not be so angry and guarded and snarky all the time, it’s nice to have someone go out of his way to make him laugh and make him do new things. God, I’m sorry, it’s just – it’s canon, they went on a date at the end! They found love in a hopeless place! Anyway they have a house upstate now and a massive Great Dane loping around their big Duane Street luxury high-rise and they push each other to be better and more competitive and make each other better in private and it’s just. It’s my favorite dynamic. Uggghhhh.

@lizdexia Well, your Insurance series literally gave me life so I understand and 100% respect your boner.

YES. I can’t help but think of Jamie being entirely oblivious to just how attractive and charming he can be. Where Charlie is all nerves and skittishness, Jamie is calm and content. Even though they both want the money, power, and glory (p.s. uhm that is the song for any ship in this damn movie) they want each other more. Not entirely in a romantic or sexual sense, but they’ve grown so accustomed having the other around and knowing that they’re always in this, together, it’s nearly impossible for either of them to think of the other not being there. 

Also, yes “good boys who want to be assholes,” who become good boy assholes. They’re assholes to those who deserve it and have had it coming. They witnessed, first hand, what tacit approval and blind corruption can do. It nearly broke the world. After their big short, their done with that...sort of. So rather than manipulate the manipulated, they manipulate the manipulators. Like they’re not only becoming more incredible traders and investors, but they’re becoming greater, maybe even better than Mark Baum, at finding the massive amounts of bullshit on Wall Street. But for them the most important thing is that they’re doing it together. I feel like it’s an ‘everyone knows but them’ type thing. They’re both pining so hard and neither of them sees it. But it’s good because they’re good and they’re on a winning streak and are working too much to even notice anything besides the endless numbers on endless pages.  

Until one day, a really “up shit’s creek without a paddle” day, they lose and they lose big. It won’t kill them, hell, after their biggest trade, it won’t even make a dent, but it hurts. It always hurts to lose, but this time they lost to the bastards that have been swindling innocent people for years. Their loss is incomparable to the thousands that will lose their jobs, homes, families, and whatever else the heartless pieces of shit on Wall Street decide to take. When it’s done, they’re apart from one another for the longest time since they moved all the ratty, comfortable furniture into the small and stuffy garage, Jamie’s chocolate lab he’s only confidant. Jamie eventually convinces himself that they can’t let their first setback, not matter how large, stop them. He goes to Charlie, not only because he needs to just be with him, to make sure he’s okay, but because Charlie is the only one that knows. He’s always known exactly what to say, exactly what to do. 

Jamie’s almost always felt something more than friendship since Charlie first offered to help Jamie “diversify his portfolio.” Jamie thought the excitable guy was trying to hit on him so he’d said yes, but when Charlie got into dividends and return rates, he realized the cute dork, touching his glasses too much, was serious. The rest is history, Jamie’s always felt something for Charlie, but there was always something, too much work, too much risk, too many other people in their lives. But now? Now it was just them. No interference, no numbers, no work. Just them. Jamie realizes he hasn’t truly been with Charlie, alone, for a very long time. It’s easier to ignore repressed feelings when their lives revolve around work, but now their lives are revolving around one another’s despair and Jamie has nowhere to hide anymore.

Neither does Charlie. 

But unlike Jamie, Charlie doesn’t repress. No anything he’s ever felt has been at the forefront of his thoughts since he was born. Of all the emotions he feels three the most: anger, excitement, and love. Right now all three are rushing through his veins and consuming him. He’s angry for losing, for all the bastards that get a nice payday while people loses their lives because he made a mistake, moved too quickly, didn’t sell at the right time. He’s excited because it’s been three days and he’s finally able to lay eyes on Jamie. He’s angry that he’s excited. Above all else, he feels a rush of unadulterated love for Jamie because he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t try to pry or bring Charlie out of the shell he recedes into whenever he feels like a failure. Jamie just drops a greasy pizza and cold six pack on the floor and they eat and drink in comfortable silence until Charlie starts talking. He doesn’t stop, going on and on about corruption and pressure and concepts of time and eventually works himself into, what Jamie know will be a horrible panic attack. And Jamie…he’s tired and emotional drained and he just wanted regular Charlie, not existential Charlie. He’s also had more than his fair share of the six pack, Charlie never really had a taste for beer, so he’s not functioning at his regular level. By the time the idea is fully formed in his head Jamie already has his fingers curling against the back of Charlie’s hair, thumbs caressing the high cheekbones. He enjoys the shock and stammering from Charlie for half a moment before pressing his lips gently against his best friend’s. He expects so many things, anger, rejection, or even ridicule. After pining for Charlie for so long Jamie just savors and commits to memory every single sensation he can. The last, very last thing he expected was for Charlie to push him against the wall and kiss back with a fervor and heat that could rival any fire. When they finally pull apart, lips bruised and bright red, they’re wearing matching smiles. Charlie steps back and holds out his hand as he gestures, not to the bedroom, but to his office. Their work wasn’t done, was never done, but they were going to do what they did best and they were going to do it, together. 

YEAH uhm this got away from me on my lunch break but I just have SO MUCH to say about them and Porter/Danny and my coworkers think I’m weird because I was giggling and smiling because these two are so cute and sweet, but still angry and vicious in the chaotic good way they always are.

LASTLY, please don’t get me started on fucking Uncle Ben who, when they tell him they’re together, talks about chakras and getting them “seeds for their garden,” before berating them about the financial and spiritual value of composting.

AND very lastly, should we discuss Danny/Porter now because they need their own discussion :D

[cherrycheridarling]

'someday maybe' | t.h.

tom holland x singer!reader

warnings: one swear? fluff and angst? kisses

summary: you're so close to finishing your second album when your manager pushes the deadline, your ex tom helps you write the final track.

{listen to someday by michael bublè and meghan trainor (if you want)}

wc: 2.1k

"Someday maybe when we're old and grey,"

"Yes, yes. I know. You are not being a very helpful manager right now, Noelle." you spoke to your phone as you paced around the living room, "Okay. I'll get working on it. Bye." you huffed and threw your phone against the couch.

Your album was due to be released in two months and you needed one more song to tie it all together. Your manager, Noelle, was pushing you to finish the song so she could start the promo of the album.

You were incredibly grateful for your career, but the pressure weighed down on you everyday. Never ending.

With a final groan you picked up your acoustic guitar and sat on the couch. Picking at the strings, trying to find a melody. You hit record on your voice memo app before strumming away.

"Someday maybe when we're old and grey, we can be in love once more. 'Till then I won't give my love away. Darling, I'm forever only yours." you sang softly.

You and Tom had a joyous relationship. A love that only ever existed in movies and fairytales. The type of love story that gets told for generations and onwards. But alas, all good things must come to an end.

Your breakup was calm, serene and clean. A mutual agreement as if your whole relationship had been a business deal. There were no loose ends or jealous passive aggressive remarks made. Just maturity and respect for one another.

Your pinky still held the promise ring he gave you. A token of appreciation. A reassurance that he'd always be there for you. And he lived up to his word.

Tom walked in and sat across from you, startling you, "Sorry. Didn't mean to scare you. Whatcha writing?"

"Need a final song for the album. Sorry for showing up unannounced. I just get better inspiration here, with all the memories, you know?" you timidly looked back down at the guitar.

Tom nodded, "No need to apologize. We gave you a spare key for a reason."

You couldn't stop yourself from spilling the words from your lips, "That was when we were together."

You could hear the awkward silence start to fill the room before he spoke again, "Still our best friend, Y/L/N."

The pain that crossed your features was instant. Being addressed by your last name felt like a stab to the gut. Especially by Tom.

You nodded before playing again, "Can I help you write it?" Tom asked as he sat next to you.

"Dancer, gymnast, actor and now songwriter. How many hidden talents have you got, Holland?" you teased making him laugh.

He shrugged with a smile, "It's kind of like writing a poem, right?"

You pondered on his analogy before slowly nodding, "Yeah, it kind of is. Give it a go."

You began playing the melody and he listened intently for a few moments before singing, "I love seeing you happy. I miss seeing that smile. It's been such a long time. A– Nope. Nope. Nuh-uh. I can't do it." he shook his head aggressively with a loud laugh as you stopped playing.

"No!" you quickly protested, "That was amazing! Don't leave me hanging, c'mon." you nudged him with your shoulder before strumming again.

"Alright, alright." he ran his hands down his face, "And although I don't have you, I know now that I need to?" he paused and gave you a skeptical look before you nodded again, "Somehow make you mine. Mmm."

"Oh, okay. He's giving ad-libs and all. Get it." you nodded as he laughed.

You were so engrossed on Tom actually writing a song with you that you didn't focus on the lyrics he was singing.

"And I won't lie, it's hard seeing you with him 'cause I know he can't hold you like I can." his mood seemed to drop by a thousand as the words left his lips.

"When can we meet this boyfriend of yours?" Harrison flicked your forehead from across the booth.

You, Harrison, Tom and Tuwaine were all sat in the local pub. Pints of beer in front of each of you as loud music and chatting filled your ears.

You shrugged, "He's picking me up, so possibly tonight."

Tuwaine's eyes lit up, "Fina-fucking-lly. I swear you've kept him hidden for years."

"We've only been together for three months, T." you laughed lightly with the group of boys.

And they met him. It wasn't the smoothest of introductions, but an introduction nonetheless.

"Boys, this is Kai. Kai this is Tom, Harrison and Tuwaine." you gestured to the parties as they all shook hands and gave polite greetings.

"So," Harrison started, "What do you do for a living, Kai?"

Kai cleared his throat, "I'm a Senior Resident at Kingston Hospital. Working towards being Head of Pediatrics."

Tuwaine and Harrison both nodded, impressed by his profession. Tom's face remained expressionless as he stared at Kai with cold eyes.

"Do you have any siblings, Kai? Any psycho ex-girlfriends? Any wacky cousins?" Tuwaine joked making everyone laugh. "'Cause Y/N has a lot of wacky cousins."

"We could be in love once more,"

"Hey!" you gasped with a laugh.

Kai pulled you closer to him as he laughed, "No, no wacky cousins or psycho exes, but I do have an older sister and a younger brother."

This game of ask and answer continued on for a few more minutes. Tom didn't say a word, just sipped his beer and burned holes into Kai with his eyes. If looks could kill, Kai would be six feet under.

Kai was a sweetheart, but you two ended ages ago. His work got too much for him and your job had you touring and travelling every second.

You picked up after him with the chorus before diving into your own verse, "I remember that love song. I sang every word wrong, but you didn't mind, no, no."

"I love the things you do. It's how you do the things you love. Well it's not a love song, not a love song. I love the way you get me, but correct me if I'm wrong. This is not a love song, not a love song!" Tom belted the 'Austin & Ally' song from the top of his lungs.

"Your turn!" he pointed the pretend mic in your direction.

You laughed, not knowing any of the lyrics, but still wanting to participate, "I love that you not a licket! And you own a watch and chicken! We got a car!" you sang with full confidence, making Tom burst with laughter.

"Yes! Sing it, darling!" he cheered you on, "Absolutely butchering the lyrics, but sing it!"

"Being stuck inside a car. If it's not a doe, don't kiss it! I can't hear a missing, when there's a shoe inside the ceiling! If you really need to fart, you can lunch on a pig farm! Love song! Love song!" you couldn't even hear the song in the background, your voice overpowering it.

Tom was hunched over from laughing before he came back up and planted a soft kiss on your lips, "You are one hundred percent ridiculous and I love it."

You brought yourself back to reality and sang again, "And I'll admit that I miss you, but only if you do. 'Cause you know that I'm shy. And I can't lie, it's hard seeing you with her. 'Cause I know she can't love you like I can."

Tom's eyes met yours as the words fell from your gentle lips. His mouth was slightly agape as you continued to strum.

"You are absolute rubbish. Imagine coming in eighth. Embarassing." you laughed as you crushed Harrison in a game of Mario Kart.

He shoved you with his shoulder, "You're such a try ha—"

"—It's always the same, Tom! How can I trust you? You follow gorgeous models on Instagram and expect me to trust you?" Nadia's voice cut Harrison's words off.

You looked at him with wide eyes, his expression matching yours.

"Those women that I follow have been my friends for ages. Who I follow on a stupid app shouldn't effect how much you trust me."

You paused the game, cutting off the theme song, "How long have they been fighting like this?"

Harrison sighed, a long groan following, "A few weeks. I think it started when she saw that he liked your Instagram picture?"

You stammered, "M-my post? She got mad about my post?"

Harrison nodded before opening his mouth to speak, but Nadia cut him off again, "And she practically lives here! How do you think it makes me feel seeing my boyfriend play house with a superstar?!"

"Aw, a superstar? I'm flattered." you joked making Harrison stifle a laugh.

"I've been friends with Y/N since we were in nappies!"

"I can't be with you if you're going to be friends with her."

Your laughter abruptly died at her words. Harrison stiffened beside you.

"Y-you can't be serious. You can't make me choose between you and her."

"Why? Because you're gonna choose her?" you could hear her voice crack.

"I-" Tom couldn't make out a sentence for a few moments, "Yeah. I'm gonna choose her."

Your heart fell from it's place, stopping at your feet. Harrison brought a hand to his mouth, "H-he chose you. He chose you!" he whisper shouted before you shushed him.

"Of course. I don't know why I expected anything different. I think I'll be going now." Nadia's footsteps approached the living room.

You and Harrison scrambled to look as if you weren't eavesdropping on their argument/breakup.

Tom followed close behind her, "I'm sorry. I really am."

She nodded, hand on the doorknob, "I know. Goodbye." she stepped out of the house, slamming the front door shut in the process.

Tom let out a breath of relief before turning to you and Harrison who were staring at the Mario Kart home screen with the infamous tune playing.

"You guys are terrible actors."

"'Till then I won't give my love away,"

"I'm forever only yours." the both of you finished the song in unison.

There was a moment of silence before you reached over and ended the voice recording.

"T-that was really good. You can change what I wrote, I know it isn't as good as anything you would've written, but I tried. And it was actually pretty fun and I never knew how difficult songwriting was un—"

"—Kiss me." you cut Tom's rambling off.

His eyes grew wide, "W-wha—"

"—Kiss me, Holland."

He swallowed, a small smile stretching on his lips, "Thank God."

And with that, he leaned in and pressed his lips to yours. Interlocking like missing puzzle pieces. Moving in sync like waves in the ocean. Soft and sweet, but filled with passion. You could feel his smile against your lips causing you to grin.

His hand came up to pull your face closer into his. Caressing your jaw, fingertips playing with the hairs on the back of your neck. His other hand holding your hip in a tight grip. Pressing the pads of his digits into your flesh, scared that you might slip through his fingers again.

One of your hands was pressed flat against his chest. Steadying yourself, the heat of the kiss threatening to throw you off of your axis. Your other hand tangled itself into Tom's curls. Pulling and tugging lightly causing small groans to fall from Tom's lips. Your fingernails scratching his scalp. Pulling him impossibly closer to you.

"I want my ten pounds." Harrison's voice snapped you and Tom out of your make out session.

Him and Tuwaine stood in the doorway, shit eating grins on their faces.

Tuwaine laughed before placing a ten pound note in Harrison's palm, "You guys couldn't have waited until next month to get back together?"

"You two were betting on us?" Tom laughed at his mates who nodded.

You shook your head with a smile, "Absolute idiots, all of you."

Harrison let out a happy sigh and pocketed the money, "Today was a good day. Had a sick ass shoot. Got ten pounds. And my best friends are finally together again." he waltzed into the kitchen with Tuwaine, leaving you and Tom alone again.

Tom's shy expression met your gleeful one before he spoke, "Someday came a lot sooner than expected, huh?" he chuckled.

You nodded with a laugh, "It certainly did and I am not complaining."

He sent you a wide grin before cupping your face and connecting your lips to his again.

"Darling, I'm forever only yours."

[rinisbowen]

I think nini has been written a bit wonky because Olivia was leaving. If you were going to write for nini what direction would you have taken her?

ahhh oh gosh hi anon thanks for the ask, i love this sort of conversation so much truly <3

well first and foremost her favorite color wouldn't be black... the writers are wrong about this and i will scream this from the heavens...

but seriously all jokes aside, i'm happy to talk a bit about what i would've wanted for nini going forward, should things have gone in a more... continuous direction from her ongoing arc through season 2 that began in season 1.

even just that conversation she and gina had in the season 2 finale threw me for a bit of a loop at the end there admittedly. 'wow nini you're so good at lifting people up you're a wonderful supportive friend' apparently equals 'nini you should go work on music professionally in la with my music producer older brother who solely exists this season because jordan fisher cameo and because it's a great and easy way to write nini off the show'.

also for the same convo- the whole 'the chocolates were about me and you'... makes zero sense given... literally every ounce of context to the situation up to and including the fact it's a stretch to say gina and nini have much of a friendship... the majority of the time... let alone one where nini thought gina 'should finally truly trust' her. but that's not relevant to this post. i can rant about that later.

--

but what i think would've been a fantastic storyline for nini in the future, should i be writing her, would be to do something with one of her most consistent character traits- how much she really is at her best when she's supporting her friends and lifting other people up, as gina says. so much of what makes nini, well- nini, is how she feels when surrounded by people who she loves who love her back. that was one of the biggest issues with yac, it was so cold and impersonal. and it stifled her creativity, which is also a huge problem for nini whose arc is about finding her individuality, but i think the extent to which nini needs (or at least values, bc y'know- Independence) community is something the show drives home... a lot. or it sort of does- and i extend it in my mind bc it's consistent and i appreciate those things that actually are... consistent.

what i would want to do, following the lines of her conversation with miss jenn in the car in 2.04 (a very crucial scene actually), and following her actions in 2.12 where she does miss jenn's job for her and boosts ricky's confidence when no one else could, is have her lean into a position where she could support her fellow cast mates and become something of a leader. like was what she decided to do with emily in 202 a little bit of a rash move for such a stuffy private school, yeah, but she Did Something, and that's very nini. she made something new out of what they were given... what i think would be a very well thoughtout storyline for nini, is becoming the assistant director / director's assistant to miss jenn at east high. alternatively, should miss jenn take a step back while she focuses on actually acquiring a teaching credential and such, maybe miss jenn could advise nini while she takes on the role of a student director, or even a co-director like lily was at north high apparently.

nini loves theatre in the sense that it gives her this community of people who love to create and tell these stories... stories that maybe sometimes she's too afraid to tell in her own words ala her conversation with her lola in 101.

like here's the thing, nini's songwriting is something she's been doing this whole show... it's not inconsistent for her to want to try to do something with that obviously, she's learning that it's okay to dream big, do things for herself, but her songwriting shouldn't be nini's big achievement that satisfies her entirely, because that's something that would inevitably become either isolating, stifling (because chances are it'd become more about writing what others want from her, or maybe, if they'd gone in the direction of her take an attempt at doing Songwriting professionally, and not having her be like- a singer songwriter in her own right, writing music for other people... wouldn't be very satisfying for our nini. nini's songwriting is heavily personal, and it's about her finding her voice... a way to say the things she can't say out loud or sometimes even admit to herself...

there are valid questions to be made about why on earth nini thought it was appropriate to drop the l word for the first time to ricky on a public instagram post... given she of all people would know that that would be... a lot for him... but a) nini can be a touch impulsive when her feelings are strongest (this is something else fairly consistent about her), and b) i think saying i love you for the first time for nini... was probably a pretty scary thing... and that song- though she probably should've played it for him privately in her room and not- posted it on instagram, was probably the only way she could have the courage to actually say it to him. nini (particularly season 1 nini), has a hard time speaking for herself. the feigned confidence she displays through 1a... is an interesting storyline because of it. it's why so much of a lot of that stuff she's doing there can feel so surface for some people. she's pretending... though in a different way than of course say ej is.

but yeah- pursuing songwriting could've been her season 3 arc, but it wouldn't have logically worked out as nini's longterm end goal passion... it doesn't fit with her character arc from my perspective. it should've failed as a Big Dream Opportunity like YAC inevitably did... and then nini would be brought to realize what she actually likes about theatre... and it's about people. that's why i want to see nini directing... she's good with other people, and she really is at her best supporting them. little miss chorus line from 101 has been gabriella, she's tried the Serious Acting School, she's been a fork again (and truly just been happy to be a part of this with her peers), and she's seen that what she loves is the joy of bringing this spirit to other people. the confidence that gabriella gave her by the end of season 1! like look at her little scene with steph about her first named part! this is what nini's meant for.

nini being a theatre teacher one day like miss jenn (but better than miss jenn of course, given... everything)... would honestly be a way more consistent story than nini maybe being a popstar in the next few years (and i'm SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL that the writers didn't just jump headfirst into doing that for her sendoff this season.)

--

i could probably talk a lot more about this... but yeah that's... a bit of insight on what i would've wanted for nini (and could see as realistic choices even, if things hadn't changed like they did.) as well as insight on nini herself, from my own point of view. if anyone wants more thoughts on her and this... feel free to let me know. also if you have thoughts on what i've said here feel free to also let me know, i love sharing this stuff with other people <3

[jean-kayak]

Anon Request: Y’know the “What’s good shawty, yo man still around?” vid on TikTok? Welp, rather than it be a prank, let’s have Y/N actually get hit on in the middle of her zoom class by some random classmate. Sis is open and happy with her relationship, so this scum thought he had a chance since he didn’t notice her bf was in the room with her and could hear him! Before Y/N could reject him or cuss him out, her man’s is already front and center talking to the pissant. Since I woke up and chose violence: Let’s have Iwaizumi, Atsumu, Daichi, and Kuroo react to this 🌚

A/N: lmfao anon this made me laugh, hope you like it!

Warnings: Atsumu’s and Kuroo’s is a little nsfw LMAO

Tags: @iwascrybaby​, @mxhriii​, @her-majesty-kiara

💪You were in a breakout room, but the other two people weren't even helping you do the work, which you just shrugged off bc you knew how to do it

💪But you did wish that the other guy in your breakout room wasn't helping you, in fact, you wished that he would just leave the call

💪He wasn't even trying to be slick with his flirting, and it was so annoying considering you were already taken

💪You had already told him that you were taken and really happy with your relationship, but ofc he just took that as a challenge

💪Iwaizumi just happen to walk in the room, not really paying attention to you, focused on finding something he was looking for

💪"So, you still happy with your boyfriend?"

💪That makes him freeze, and then he's looking over at you, who hadn't even noticed him come in

💪He walks over to you, leaning down next to you, and you jump slightly. "And you are?"

💪The guy freezes, shock written on his face, and Iwaizumi raises his eyebrows waiting for an answer

💪He stutters over his words, and he cuts him off. "You think you're being slick by flirting with my girlfriend?"

💪"Listen, man, I was just--

💪"I hear you say some shit like that again, I'll find you."

💪The guy doesn't even turn his camera on anymore lmao

💪And you're a little embarrassed, and the guy doesn't even talk to you anymore, only hesitantly asking you if you know the answer

🏐Your professor had assigned partners for a project that you had to do, and you've been working on it for about a week and had got nothing done

💪Sometimes he won't even speak 💀

💪And Iwaizumi is always there in the background every time you have that class, making sure he doesn't say anything again lmao

🏐Even though you told him that you both really needed to get this project done, and that you had a boyfriend, and yes you were very happy

🏐The guy you were partnered with made it his main mission to try and flirt with you every minute of your meeting

🏐You were beyond frustrated, and the day you were about to say something was the day that Atsumu walked in while you were on the call

🏐"Hey, baby, have ya seen my shoes? I can't find them anywhere."

🏐"Don't tell me that's the infamous boyfriend."

🏐Atsumi freezes for a split second before he scoffs, and then he's calmly walking over to your desk, but you know that he's fuming on the inside

🏐"So, you're the only messing with ma girl, eh?"

🏐The guy shrugs, egging him on. "Yeah, and what're you gonna do about it?"

🏐He huffs as he leans down so that he can look at him. "Well, I could fuck her right in front of you, show ya how well I do it."

🏐"Atsumu."

🏐"What? Sounds like he needs to see who's name yer screaming every night."

🏐Before he can say anything, Atsumu's gripping the hair at the base of your neck, yanking your head up before meeting your lips in the filthiest kiss, and you can't help but let out a moan

🏐He pulls away, a string of saliva connecting your lips before he turns to look at the guy

🏅Your lab was broken up into different groups, but your TA wasn't getting the groups right

🏐"Ya got somethin' to say now?"

🏐Will make you sit on his lap the entire time you're on the call (then after he'll make sure that you're screaming his name for the rest of the night)

🏅And it just so happens that the guy who's in the wrong group is heavily flirting with you

🏅This means that sometimes there were people who were in the wrong group

🏅You're trying to talk to the two other people in your group, and you can tell that it's making them uncomfortable, but he doesn't seem to care

🏅You try to ignore it, but it's getting bolder and bolder

🏅What he didn't know was that Daichi heard it all

🏅He gets up from the bed before walking over and wrapping his arms around you

🏅"This guy bothering you?" he says, looking from you to the screen

🏅You watch the two other people covering their laughs as they try to focus their attention on something else while muting themselves

🏅"This conversation doesn't sound at all like," he looks down at the paper you're working on. "Cell respiration."

🏅Now you're smiling along with your other classmates, biting your lip to try and stifle your laugh

🏅And the guy tries to recoil. "Look, I'm just trying to make simple conversation."

🏅Daichi chuckles as he unwraps his arms from around you, moving so that he's leaning them on the desk

🧪You had decided to join your class early because you had tended to forget

🏅"Let me make something simple then. Keep flirting with my girlfriend, and I'll find you on campus. Simple enough?"

🏅After that, the guy makes sure he's sent to the right group

🧪And you had your camera on, but you didn't really pay any attention to it, focused on your phone, so you didn't notice that someone else joined

🧪Of course, you had the time wrong, so you were in there about fifteen minutes early

🧪"If I had known there were really pretty girls in this class, I would've been on time."

🧪You look up from your phone, and you see that you both are the only ones in the class, and you can see Kuroo lift his head off the bed as you give the guy an awkward smile

🧪He keeps it up, and it's pretty obvious that you're taken, Kuroo's name dangling around your neck

🧪"Kuroo? Is that your brother or something?"

🧪Kuroo sighs as he gets up, moving you out of the chair so that he can sit down

🧪"That's a good joke, man," he says, crossing his arms as he leans back in the seat

🧪The guy chuckles. "Don't tell me this is him."

🧪"Don't tell me you're flirting with my girl," he counters. "Don't think I can't figure out where you are right now," he says, pulling out his phone

🧪"Hey, man, relax. I was just being nice."

🧪Kuroo scoffs. "Keep being nice and see where that gets you."

🧪Kuroo pulls you into his lap, his fingers instantly moving into your shorts, luckily out of the camera's view, but you can't help but bury your face in his neck

🧪The guy's eyes widen when he sees what he's doing and Kuroo smirks

🧪"Say something "nice" to her one more time. I dare you."

[honourablepranksinatra]

Can I ask what your opinions on Winston's character are? Personally, I hate how they handled him in the first seasons. WinAly-era Winston is when he's written best,,

Yes of course!

I completely agree with you. The way they handled him in the early seasons was just so wrong in my opinion. When he came onto the show, it was pretty obvious that they were unprepared and didn't really know what to do with him (which was understandable in the first few episodes, because it was Coach that was meant to be a main character; Winston's character didn't exist). But then it quickly became less acceptable when they barely developed Winston's character at all the entire first season and only a little bit in season 2.

If you asked me what Winston's personality was in the first season in particular, I genuinely wouldn't know what to tell you even though I've watched the show many times. There aren't even very many iconic lines from Winston in the first few seasons, because he wasn't developed enough for the character-based humor the show relied on to actually work with him. He also didn't have any long term romances (and his romances often inexplicably fizzled) vs all the other main characters that did, he had little screentime with the central character (unfortunately this continued for most of the show), and worst of all his friends didn't really seem to appreciate him that much and treated him like a second-rate friend. There are multiple episodes where his friends don't come through for him (like when everyone forgets his birthday, when Winston's girlfriend makes dinner to get to know all of them and only Cece and Coach show up even when Winston stressed how important the dinner was, and when everyone leaves the restaurant even though he spent all day getting their table). Even Nick, who was apparently his lifelong friend from childhood, was shown to be much closer with Schmidt. The writers just didn't treat him with care for a long time.

However, Winston ended up becoming one of my favorites on the show. He became whimsical and fun and non-toxic and was such a genuine person. I love his obsession with Ferguson and his bird shirts and his pranks (which is why I made my name on here a reference to this). I was so happy when he got to be with Aly (who I also love) and they were really cute together. Also his friendship with Cece... immaculate. My main issue with his character in the later seasons is that he became a cop. It was just so out of character, to the point where Jess acknowledges in universe that she didn't think he'd actually go through with it because was so unlike him. It's made worse by the fact that he's Black because it follows the TV trend where the Black character is made to be the cop. It also bothered me that they never showed his wedding!

Basically, it's even more disappointing how Winston was in the earlier seasons because he ended up becoming such a good character. We could've had that version of Winston a lot earlier, and it would've improved the show so much as a whole. Lamorne Morris is just so talented (I mean the "I am Theodore K Mullins" speech was improvised!!) and it feels like he was stifled for too much of the series, which he just did not deserve.

[genshin-obsessed]

[moth]

happy birthday pocket!

i had no energy to make this a genuine fluff drabble it's 12:30 am here

----

Groaning, Diluc runs his hands up his face. Tf was he gonna do on your darned bday when his freaking schedule is full of ABYSS ABYSS ABYSS ABYSS ABYSS MUAHAHAHAHA

He mumbles something about perhaps gathering a small bouquet of small lamp grass before discarding the idea, thinking that it wouldn't be enough to resemble all the love and adoration he had for you. He unties his hair, letting the crimson locks rest against his back as he picks up the quill once again, writing away. 'Perhaps a letter will work for now. After I return from my duties, all my time will go to them for sure.' Smiling, he begins to pour his heart into each words written down on the parched paper.

----

Flopping down on your couch, you flip through a magazine of advertisements. Man, you were hungry. And what's better than grabbing some leftovers from what Diluc had cooked for you two the other day? You smile at the thought of the sight of your husband in the kitchen with an apron on, hair tied into a high ponytail as he works his magic. Gaze shifting to the ring on your finger, your eyes soften at the ruby gem, reminding you of his beautiful crimson eyes.

----

He quickly slips the letter into your mailbox, yes the two of you do not live together(yet), rushing off elsewhere. Probably outside of Mondtsadt's walls to make some abyss mages perish. He first starts with Brightcrown Canyon, moving from area to area- Man, this guy is traveling all across Mondstadt, excluding Dragonspine, with the image of your smile on his mind at all times. I mean, what can I say? He's obsessed with you. If you got injured? In the blink of an eye he'll be hurling a freaking phoenix at what, or who hurt you. If someone insulted you? "Sorry, did you say something to my lovely wedded partner here?" he questions, ticked off with a very concerning smile on his face. He wraps an arm around your shoulder, opening his eyes which send a chill down the insulter's spine. "That's right. We're married, got a problem? Call them a hilichurl on drugs, they're my hilichurl on drugs. A random, dumb idiot? My random dumb idiot. Back. Off."

----

Shuffling over to the random fridge in the kitchen, you look around the kitchen before giggling and taking out the leftovers from "Once Upon a Time in Mondtsadt", his specialty. You slip the plate onto a rack, placing it on the stove, somehow warming up the meal.

----

Diluc jabs the hilt of his claymore into an abyss mage, twirling his weapon around and stabbing the monster right in the face. He opens the map, noticing that he's already in the second to last area. A new motivation! A small hum of satisfaction is heard before he proceeds to massacre the popularity of abyss mages in Mond.

----

You slip the plate of warmed-up "Once Upon a Time in Mondstadt" onto the counter, hopping onto a high stool and rubbing your hands together excitedly. Grinning, you cut off a piece of the steak and let it enter your mouth, the texture and flavor instantly making you float up to heaven.

----

It's.. Raining... Diluc is soaked. Soaked.

----

Setting down the fork and knife, you get off the stool and walk towards the front door. 'Perhaps mail has arrived already..' Opening the door, you check the mailbox and are met with a nice looking envelope. It's a pastel scarlet-ish color, with a white lacey pattern along the edges. Slowly scooching back inside, you close the door and open the envelope, unfolding the letter.

Dear (Y/N),

Happy birthday, dearest. I would've had something planned for today, but unfortunately the abyss has eaten up my schedule once more. But if the sun hasn't sunk when I get back, would you like to spent some quality time together? Perhaps we could eat out at Sara's, or go sight seeing. Perhaps the sun going down would be nice, stargazing sounds fun. Many ideas have circulated around my head while I was writing this, however do be prepared to accept a bouquet.

'Oh honey I'll make sure to have the bouquet somewhere on display in my house, fosho.'

You mean a lot to me, and since Father's passing, you've been here for me at all times. When we were younger, when Kaeya was taken under Crepus' wing, when all three of us had those good times.. Ah, it's always nice to recall the kind moments we shared.

You stifle a laugh, remembering how Kaeya had accidentally frozen Diluc- But then the ice slowly started melting with an angered Diluc underneath.

My entire heart is dedicated to you. If you have a wish that I can grant within my power, please ask for such. Even if it counts as spoiling you rotten, I'll love you no matter what. You've made my life so much easier, and whenever you can you also help me out with the abyss. Not that I'm fully supporting such, since you're putting your life into danger which is what I do not want.

'And you are too, fighting the abyss as well,' you chuckle. 'My love, please take a break for once.'

Now I must end this short, due to me being behind schedule already. I need to set out ASAP. See you soon, I love you.

-Love,

Diluc.

Your heart flutters at the last three words, oh how it always does so. But your cheeks can't help but blush at the words written down.

----

Trudging up your doorstep, Diluc knocks on the door. The sun.. had already fallen. You open the door by a crack, peeking through and immediately swinging it open at the familiar redhead. Wrapping your arms around him, you sigh contently and rest your head on his chest. "I missed you..," he mumbles, pressing a light kiss to the top of your head. "Why don't we head inside? Ah, before that.." The darknight hero takes out a bouquet, as promised in the letter, the flowers glowing a wonderful blue. Small lamp grass. So, he went with his original plan. Lovely. He hands it to you, patting your head before making his way inside.

--END

carp i am so tired it's now 1 am

well uh

gn pocket hope you enjoyed this <3 <3 <3

Hello Pocket! I'm here to wish you a quick Happy Birthday!!

[Cicada]

You've become a year older! How sad.. But nonetheless, congratulations on making it this far! Both me and Moth are very proud of you, even if you're technically the bigger one here, and we're always encouraging you!

Thank you for being a wonderful writer, and person in general.

-Cicada.

It’s official :’) I am Diluc’s hilichurl on drugs

On a more serious note, thank you so much Moth!! You didn’t have to do this, but you did and it makes me very happy! I really appreciate it💖💖 this was definitely my bedtime story lol even though I have I think one more! This was adorable, I got to be married to Diluc- UGH IT MADE ME SO HAPPY!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!! Just the thought of this made me tear up😭😭 you’re awesome, thank you my friend!

And Cicada, yes I know I’m getting older 😔 I’ll be ancient soon enough- but thank you. To you both! Your words mean a lot to me too💖💖💖

I hope you both have a wonderful day/night💖

[yazthebookish]

And don't get me wrong, I'll hate it too if he pulls this off with Gwyn. This is more of an "Azriel issue" than it is about Elain or Gwyn or Mor.

Mor was annoyed about his overprotectiveness to the point she even feels bad about upsetting him, then Elain will be too because he is doing the same thing with her. It's not new.

And I am sure these issues will be more obvious even if he ends up with Gwyn. It's part of his journey.

However, Sarah is always about couples that compliment each other. Gwyn is a breath of fresh air and it was refreshing to observe Azriel going from being extremely upset to calming down within five minutes after a little chat with Gwyn. The same person Cassian says he will have a better luck moving a mountain than making Azriel open up. She managed to pull him out of his head. She's also challenging and quite straight forward. She won't take his shit if he pulls this off with her. I think it's about time someone gives him a wake up call over his behavior because the IC have been appeasing him so far until Rhys couldn't take his shit on Solstice either.

And speaking as someone that has not shipped Azriel with anyone prior to ACOSF and was open to any possibilities, if SJM wanted to convince me and many other readers of Azriel and Elain, she would've succeeded to do so. The way she as written them, at least for me, doesn't indicate she's building them up as an endgame couple more like rebounds.

The bonus chapter made many readers uncomfortable and mad about Azriel for a reason.

Me pointing Azriel's issues does not erase the fact that I love him as a character, because admitting that he is flawed and has issues shows that he is not just a one-dimensional character and when we dive deep into his head, there will be more to him that will shock readers and change their minds about him.

However, it did show that the dynamic between Elain and Azriel is... unequal? They do not compliment each other? The biggest issue is how Nesta used to coddle and stifle Elain, Azriel is imitating the same thing. No wonder Sarah drew parallels between Nesta and Azriel. They are obstacles for her growth.

I won't say Azriel was never nice to her or was toxic because he did help her in ACOWAR and he did nice things for her. Whether people see it as a budding friendship or a blooming romance. And I can't say that Sarah never considered them as a couple because no one knows what she originally planned. She might have or maybe never. However, as of ACOSF, most of the signs point to them not working out. Their dynamic is not equal. He is making statements on behalf of Elain based on assumptions and without even speaking to her. They don't challenge each other in any way either because their dynamic is already unequal.

How is that fine but Lucien giving Elain her space and visits occasionally is him suffocating her with his presence when he barely does anything? It's unfair to Lucien. So Lucien either doesn't care about his mate enough that he is able to give her space or he is forcing himself on her by his occasional visits where he barely says a word to her if she is not being receptive.

@ahrene just made a post regarding Lucien not causing Elain more stress by harming Graysen made me think of this:

Too much. Azriel only said coldly, “If Lucien kills Graysen, then good riddance.”

The battle to the death was so brutal that it was only enacted in rare cases.

“I’ll defeat him with little effort.” Pure arrogance laced every word, but it was true.

Lucien had encountered him, I realized. Somehow, in living with Jurian and Vassa at that manor, he’d run into Elain’s former betrothed. And managed to leave the human lord breathing.

But Elain lifted her chin. “No matter what, don’t kill him. Please.” “We’ll try—” “Swear it.” I’d never heard that tone from her. Ever.

Elain cut in sharply, “I am not a child to be fought over.”

Really, if Elain was privy to the way Az would handle situations versus the way Lucien does handle situations, which do you think would be her true choice?