#like there is a billionaire world savior

[donteverblameash]

If in the next upcoming Marvel movies, there isn't a scene where someone says, "I'm not familiar with all this tech stuff, but I know someone who is" and it doesn't immediately cut to Morgan, Peter, and Harley jamming out in Tony's lab to the Fall Out Boys "We didn't start the fire" cover, then what even is the point anymore?

(Might I also add that if they use the fallout boys version, RDJ would be canon in the Marvel universe due to the line "Robert Downey Jr, Iron Man!" And I find that delightful)

[teaboot]

I feel like if you're using a lot of disposable plastic bags in your day to day life, you've gotta do something sustainable to make up for it. Like using bamboo toilet paper or eco friendly cat litter or something, yknow

Honestly I exaggerate for comedic effect, while I DO routinely use ziplock bags to hold spaghetti I cook maybe once a month and the bag itself is usually for freezer storage. I actually throw out maybe one bag a week? I DO hate washing plates and tupperware and junk but that usually just means I eat sandwiches without a plate.

I agree though that needless waste should be avoided, and I do avoid it- biodegradable bags and recyclables, empty butter tubs used to store leftovers, etc.

This said, though, not applicable necessarily for myself but for a lot of others- I feel that it's importat to remember that there are many people who legitimately NEED things like plastic straws, or catheters, or pre-packaged foods

And the idea that that's a moral failing that individuals need to personally make up for when a single billionaire blows out more CO2 in a long weekend than I will in my whole life on a superjet meet-cute in the Bolivian rainforest between humvee drag races funded by the river-polluting textiles plants they planted in a third world country to avoid EPA laws and give an entire village stillbirths and stomach cancer is an idea that those very same bigwigs have spent a LOT of time and money investing in planting in the public psyche.

Like- Glass bottles are infinitely recyclable, so why are so many drinks in plastic now? Loads of drinks manufacturers used to buy them back and clean them for re-use, so why did they stop? If they chose to make something out of a limited and environmentally irresponsible material, why is it my failing to track down a correct process of disposal for them? What if there are none in my area? Do I lobby for more recycling plants in my area? Do I set aside some of my limited time outside the pain factory of my job- which I have more than one of, thanks to rising costs of things just like that drink I just emptied- to properly dispose of this company's waste FOR them?

Say coca-cola just rolled up to your town and started dumping millions of empty plastic bottles in the street, going, "wow, you should really think about building and staffing a recycling depot, it would be really shameful of you to just put these in the trash." When companies purposefully use materials with limited lifespans- because yes, even plastic can only be reused so many times- and tell you it's your own fault if it harms the environment- that's essentially what they're doing, just with more steps.

Yes, its important to be as environmentally concious as we can in our day to day life, but responsible sustainability is not catholicism. We don't get good boy points from our lord and savior Captain Planet every time the average low-income household gathers together to hold hands and repent for a single-use plastic that allows them to access something they need.

Entire families could eat trees and shit dead lithium batteries for years and still not do as much damage to the planet as an average dye plant or braindead celebrity does in a week just for fun, and I'm mad about it

...this went on longer than intended.

TL/DR: DO recycle and minimize waste, but don't beat yourself up over the little waste you can't avoid, and follow the money.

EDIT: Part 2

[gunsandspaceships]

Tony and ambition

Did you guys notice that MCU Tony never wanted powers? I mean, he could become a supersoldier – he had stabilized Extremis after all. But after he cured Pepper and healed his own wounds in Iron Man 3, we never heard about the technology. He could develop anything for himself, even become immortal. But he never did that. Only used external temporal enhancements – suits and nanoparticles.  

He didn't try to become richer. He was born a billionaire. He maintained the wealth but did not greatly increase it. His net worth was always about $10-20 billion. For comparison, the net worth of a real person Elon Musk is $195.3 billion. Tony could get richer. He had everything to do it. And still, he didn’t.

Or power. He could get anything – more political influence, rule Sakaar (What If? S 2, Ep 4), make a wish to rule the Universe, instead of just wiping out Thanos and his army in Endgame. He did not do any of that. Or anything like that.

He wanted to create “a suit of armor around the world” not because he had ambition, but because he knew what’s coming and wanted to prevent it and save lives. He never wanted more powers than necessary to save people.

He could be the commander of the Avengers, but he gave it to Steve. With all the credits. Because he didn’t want any.

What he really wanted – to get rid of the necessity of having superheroes. Like him. He just wanted to go home.

Do you remember his funeral? Did it look like a pompous farewell to the savior of the entire universe?

[lookingforhappy]

transcript of another photo found in the ua's living room (photo credit to aidan gallagher's yt):

New Kids, New Hereos Noted billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves' school of gifted kids Thought relatively new to the celebrity scene, the Umbrella Academy is aldready on everyone's lips as the future saviors of the world at large. Though Sir Reginald Hargreeves, their adopted father and reclusive billionaire, seems to abhor the media's presence in the children's lives, he can't fight the public's response to the brilliant young army he has created. The Academy may only rise in popularity from this point on, and will have to adapt to the spoils of fame and fortune

interesting that this confirms that Reg didn't like them getting media attention.

[maybe-boys-do-love]

Peaceful Property went hard with dreams this week. You know, 'dream' like the American Dream? You know, 'dream' like Peach's dream of cooking in a palace for a bunch of rich people and refusing to make peace with a 'hypothetical' rival? You know, 'dream' like Home's nightmare of his poorer friend overtaking him for the harm Home caused him? You know, 'dream' like Home's fake dream of moving to America and having ten wives? You know, 'dream' like Home's real dream of having a normal family??

The dreams themselves had an air of love and hope about them, and they were nurtured with kindness and support by members of the ghost hunting team, but the show kept subtly drawing our attention to the hollowness, violence, and repression inherent to the 'dreams' in this episode. These were capitalistic and patriarchal styles of dreaming.

Notice, they exorcised no ghosts this episode. We saw instead our influencer Chai-Un (Pompam, doing THE MOST with this Old Queen stock character) ignoring Peach's offerings to his family's ghosts and going full glutton all by his lonesome. The upper crust might offer invitation to one or two from the lower class entering into their echelons, but what has that spiritually alleviated?

If the mutual heartbreak at the end of the episode wasn't enough to clue you in, these themes are the biggest indicator that Home and Peach will end up together as family. The show has framed the inherent harm and distrust between the aristocracy and the lower classes as foundational in making the patriarchal family primary. I had previously thought there was a possibility we'd get a little weird found family ending. Home, though, faked drinking to let us know he's faking other things--heterosexuality. BUT ACTUALLY, we got so many references to full-on gayness this episode, but in ways that let us know the show has a queer Marxist vision even for that. Chai-Un referring to his partner as his "wife" and playing the stereotype of Rich Gay: these aren't arbitrary.

This gay baiting question is actually thematically important. I've been enjoying the revisit to some old-school homoerotic subtext, because old-school homoerotic subtext was often tied into the same problems of patriarchal capitalism. They forged intense bonds that they then had to sever to form family units as they economically competed against each other and maintained the honor of their patriarchal position. The participated in societal dick measuring contests to see whose estates were grander and whose cok was long, as the neon sign says.

With Peach's adjustment to the contract, we are now left with the possibility for Home's queerness and desire for Peach to possibly disrupt his family's fortune in a major way. If Home really wants to exorcise the specter of Peach's pain and suffering from his waking dreams, Home can't be one of the 12 gay billionaires in the world. He's not going to be his investor or his savior. He'll have to let go of his patriarch's will to find something that won't sooth his wallet but will sooth his soul, something decidedly 'not normal.'

Side note: Who gave this show the right to let New and Tay and Jan show the true force of their full RANGE????

[officialdailyplanet]

The Dark Truth Behind Bruce Wayne: A Cautionary Tale

By @dottie-mcveigh

In the shadows of Gotham City, a sinister reality lurks beneath the polished facade of one of its most prominent figures—Bruce Wayne.

While the world knows him as a billionaire philanthropist, the truth is far more disturbing. Beneath the surface, @officialbruciewayne is not merely a man of wealth; he is a master of deception, a puppeteer hiding his malevolent intentions behind a mask of charm and benevolence.

For years, rumors have swirled about Wayne’s clandestine activities, whispers that go beyond mere speculation. It is imperative we confront the uncomfortable truth: Bruce Wayne’s empire is built on and for the exploitation of the city’s most vulnerable inhabitants—its children.

Wayne Enterprises has become synonymous with charitable giving, funding orphanages and youth programs, while the reality is much darker. How convenient that the very institutions he donates to also serve as a cover for his nefarious operations. These facilities, meant to protect and nurture, may instead be breeding grounds for the very abuse we hope to eradicate.

Wayne’s carefully curated public image allows him to operate undetected, an illusion that conceals his true nature. His wealth buys silence and compliance, but the walls of this façade are crumbling. It is time to shine a light on the shadows he desperately tries to keep hidden.

Reports of missing children in Gotham have become alarmingly frequent, yet the media remains blissfully ignorant, wrapped in the comfort of Wayne’s reputation. But what if those children are not merely lost? What if they are being ensnared by the very man who professes to protect them? The signs are there, if only people would take off their rose-colored glasses and look closely.

Whistleblowers within Wayne Enterprises have spoken out about troubling practices. Allegations suggest that Wayne uses his influence to silence those who dare to reveal the truth. The very institutions he claims to support could be funneling children into a system that exploits their vulnerability. It’s an intricate web of lies, one that stretches across the city, ensnaring countless innocent lives.

As we confront this disturbing reality, we must raise critical questions that demand answers:

Are Bruce Wayne’s adopted children truly safe in his care or are they subjects of his darker impulses?

What really happened to Jason Todd? Did Bruce, in a moment of rage or to cover up his deviant urges, cross a line that cost a young boy his life?

Could the trauma and secrecy surrounding Todd’s fate be the catalyst for Dick Grayson’s abrupt departure to Blüdhaven?

Was it a desperate escape from an abusive household, a move to protect himself from the same fate?

These inquiries are not just speculative; they are essential to understanding the true nature of the man who walks among us as a celebrated philanthropist and charming dilettante.

It is essential that we confront the myth of Bruce Wayne head-on. He is not a savior; he is a predator hiding in plain sight.

The narrative of a lonely billionaire who once tragically orphaned now takes in young and vulnerable children is captivating, but it obscures the reality of his actions. He is not the kind family man he portrays himself as, and any who seek to unmask him are themselves punished legally, financially and perhaps—with their lives.

I—myself—was sacked from the Gotham Gazette for seeking to dig deeper into Bruce Wayne's complex web of deceit.

We must ask ourselves: how many children have gone missing while Gotham lauds Wayne as a hero? How many lives have been shattered because we chose to ignore the signs? How many more children will this man take, exploit and abuse?

The time for complacency is over. The citizens of Gotham must rise to challenge this injustice. It is our duty to protect the vulnerable, to ensure that our city does not become a breeding ground for predators like Wayne.

Bruce Wayne may hold power, but it is the collective voice of the people that will shine a light on his dark deeds.

Let us not be blinded by his wealth and influence. Instead, let us demand accountability, and work together to unearth the truth.

Only then can we hope to save the innocent children ensnared in Wayne’s insidious grasp and trapped in that mausoleum of abuse. The time for action is now, and together, we can ensure no more children fall prey to a sick man.

Dorothy Moire Mcveigh

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of any organization or individual.

[dertaglichedan]

Bill Gates was like a 'kid in a candy store' with young pretty Microsoft interns, so much so that they were banned from being alone with him, an upcoming book claims.

Intimate details of the billionaire's relationships with women are set to be exposed by New York Times journalist Anupreeta Das, who writes that Gates' infidelity left his wife Melinda 'seething for a long time.'

Bill’s calendar would allegedly include blocks of time which were for unexplained reasons, and his security staff were once overhauled by Melinda because she felt they were ‘enabling’ him.

In upcoming book ‘Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest to Shape Our World’, it is claimed that the Gates' marriage finally hit breaking point in 2019 when his connection to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein came to light.

[rainbowdaisy13]

i've seen a significant no. of Kaylors n Gaylors in the past few days, saying we need to have FAITH in Taylor. Cult mentality alert!!!. No one ever needs to have faith in a billionaire, a pop star they never met. I like Karlie but I don't have FAITH in her. I follow her actions n if she dissapoints at any point, this is it. so what if she actually endorses Kamala or exposes part of this? she's still shitty for how she's behaving today, feeling invincible enough to play these games, no matter how low she gets.

This 👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼

That’s been the refrain in this space for years too!! Trust in the plan! She knows what she’s doing! She’s the Mastermind! Dont question the Prophecy 😏

It really reminds me of the Cult in Parks and Rec that believe their lord and savior is coming to end the world every year—and every year Ron sells them carved flutes that they use in their goodbye ceremony

[fancylala4]

You arre just mad that Taylor Swift is the music industry and that she is succeding as a woman. I swear y'all just hate women so much at this point. She can't never do anything without you criticizing her. She can do whatever she wants. She is literally the greatest and most influental artist of all time. Music exists literally because of her. Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Aaliyah, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Elvis wouldn't exist if it wasn't for Taygod.

She grew about poor with no private jet and made it to a billionaire from nothing. If she wants to go back to any year she can. She has a private jet and the money. She can do whatever the hell she wants with it.

Taylor made such a huge impact by simply existing. Her lyrics ewoke deeper meaning that some are just not getting. She's not being literally That's The Art of her genius. When she is bad she isn't actually bad she is just joking. She can do better but she doesn't because she doesn't have to. And even then it's literally none of your business. Taylor Swift could fart on all her Tracks and still outsell you flopped faves.

https://youtu.be/rr8IXF5EGaA?si=ttPjG-Kv7KEy7nNh

😂 I’ve been laughing at this response for 3 minutes straight because it’s so stupid lol.

you do know that I am a woman, right? So the “you just hate women” argument doesn’t hold any weight with me.

Also there is no way she is more influential than mj. It’s a fact that he is one of the most influential artists in the world and his music is known all over the world. Come back to me when Taylor could film a music video in a dangerous neighborhood because the gang leader is a huge fan of hers and protected her like mj did. Until then she isn’t even close to his level at any point in his career. No matter how much you say that she’s your lord and savior..

Edit: I think anon is trolling here. It’s hard to tell because swifties are actually like this but it looks like this one is joking.

[youyedesiyuyan]

—— The seconds when the portal accident occurred. Danny had a dream that seemed to last a lifetime. Danny saw that he had a billionaire uncle who wanted to kill his father and marry his mother, and he was a crazy—half ghost —archenemy . In the end, that guy wandered in outer space, with no one around him and spending his whole life alone.

——

On some ordinary and dull day. Suddenly, a surge of electric current passed through Vald's mind, causing his eyes to darken. He saw that he had a righteous hero who obstructed him from killing Jack and marrying Mads, the only two half ghost in the world. In the end, that bart became a world hero, carrying the weight of the world on him for the rest of his life.

—— Saying that one suddenly has memories from their previous life is considered an understatement, but saying that another person also has memories from their previous life?

At least during the inevitable college reunion, after meeting and exchanging glances with Vald, Danny and Vald suddenly realized that it was possible

“Even if you go to outer space, can't you change your obsession with the packaging team? It's really a fruitpool”

“The word obsession is even more extreme than fanaticism, little badger. I'm sure you need to come with me to my study for further communication in the future”

“There's no need to go together. I'm already familiar with the map here. Hmm... After all, there should be a lot of good wine left before the white clothed people destroyed the castle. I need to go to the underground wine cellar first”

“Oh? Does the savior still have a habit of drinking? It's really unexpected”

“We are half human, half ghost, not pure ghosts. Ha, thanks to you, I not only inherit your billions of inheritance, but also take responsibility for people and ghosts around the world. The damage caused by moderate drinking is really the slightest. Now that I am free from all of this, I really want to enjoy life, er, half life. If you haven't enjoyed your top-notch spa treatment after your space trip, then it's best not to say that about me”

“……you did?”

“Don't you believe I inherited your estate, or do you think I don't know you know how to do hydrotherapy”

“Well, please forgive me. I really didn't expect you to actively seek to inherit the assets of your archenemy”

“W、what? wait,……so……uh, okay, I understand... Do you mean you think I've never read your letter”

“I admit that I have done many things to you that have made you hate me. I don't think you have any reason to inquire, let alone attend the funeral and receive that letter”

“……”

“……”

“I didn't... Dani, she did it, and she didn't completely forgive you before the last moment... At least I think she should be like this, but she's not all me after all, so maybe only she knows... After learning about the funeral news, she hesitated for a while before attending, and then she brought the letter back to me. After knowing the origin of the letter, I wanted to blow up the credit spirit, but it was Dani who wanted to see the content inside first that I didn't do so. The various ghost technologies in the inheritance are too dangerous, so they cannot be handed over to others. Dani said she wants to live a free life so she doesn't want to be bound by money, but we all know that she doesn't feel qualified to ask for your shirt, so she wants to give it all to me. And I don't want her to always think of you for the rest of her life, so I accepted. By the way, let me tell you one more thing, since you don't even have a body, it can't be considered a funeral. I think you can still struggle alone in space for decades”

“……I didn't expect”

“Um, yes, I didn't expect... you actually have memories from your previous life, so I can't play the same role again until she is born... so... so she can't exist anymore... because of the damn butterfly effect, Sam and I's two children... ha... I can't go on anymore, let's go to the wine cellar first”

“……See you in the study, little badger”

[thebonesofhoudini]

Remember when people saw Elon Musk as some billionaire savior that was going to revolutionize so much? Now it seems people have become disillusioned by this prick. He's evil. His ideas about having more kids are rooted in white supremacist conspiracy theories about "replacement". He's sending all these rockets to space and we really don't know what he's doing with them. He's putting implants and chips into people's brains (not him specifically, but you know what I'm saying). He bought Twitter and turned into a right wing racist terrorism app and regularly promotes and cosigns blatant Nazi rhetoric on the platform. He openly supports Donald Trump (a racist, criminal, felon, pedophile, r*pist, fascist POS) and sends him (an already rich man) $45 million a month because he wants those tax breaks to become the world's first trillionaire. And still, people line up to buy his fucking wack ass electric cars and at this point, owning Tesla is like owning a MAGA hat on wheels.

If anybody deserves to be cancelled, best believe it's this guy. But unfortunately, he is too big to fail. He can crash Twitter and reduce it to a 404 not found page, his car company can flop into oblivion, and he'll still have more money than can be humanly spent in 100 lifetimes.

This guy is a fucking loser and a lame who proves that just because you have money don't mean you not a loser. And if he didn't have money, dude would be some fucking tryhard edgelord saying racist crap on Twitter hiding behind an anime pfp. Elon Musk is a whole bitch.

[lamentingocean]

MONGRANG X JAHA

- Return of The Crazy Demon-

-Dystopian Apocalyptic Wasteland Edition-

Part 2- Ending of Darken Abyssal.

---------------------------------------

Warning: murders, call of duty ass battles, survival, and genuine tension of one's safety, and slight relationship break, clashes against one's forces, delicious angst, sacrificial devotion, just pure shitty despair.

Unfortunately, I had to make another one because of issues. I literally can't edit the first one. I apologize+

-----------------------------------------------------

-continuation of the last one-

pure evil, straight pure and malicious evil to be seeing your subordinates in despair all because the conflict of your brother has jeopardized the lives of others, including his units. wars are won by those, willing to sacrifice everything but the fact that our bosses. the men in authority of our very lives, hopes, dreams, unrealistic scenarios of a dream are two blood related humans with a very different undiscovered past of their hateful tension.

I prep myself up for the mission, storing food, water, and blankets in my duffel bag. I left multiple times at the sword demon's blacksmith, I started to see the idealistic approach to their conflict, two of them were stuck in a standard to be better than one another or be at conflict with everybody who deems your skills with criticism, expressing their own opinionated minds to their higher ups of this corrupted driven money worshipping society. I wonder if jaha had ever known about their truth of our companies just being a pawn to unhealed truama/ sibling rivalry by damage of something or someone, he probably doesn't care and is his main priority to live for himself along with me instead of others as our plan to decimate our companies by the greatest act of betrayal in favor of despair will put us at the pure concept of free will. But isn't this world the opposite of free will. corporations and businesses, running our lives and food by money are seen as the new god and savior.

"The gods will protect us." They say.

it sickens my heart and stomach to the core to think we're such a divided society enough to put us at the risk of self-destruction either by ego or money. And this is supposed to be the image of God? makes me even more happy to know I'll live for myself, agreeing with jaha's next life plan.

I pack a notebook for Intel just in case.

plant life is hard to grow in an apocalyptic world. especially when food is harder to ponder for, stores are barely getting by, every time we pass by a grocery store growing black mold all over its cement walls, or a insufferable stench either by moldy food or decomposed corpses laying around. they were probably still seeping in a pool of their own metallic blood during the events of doomsday, now is just skeletons and dissipating limbs. how saddening.

I ventured out, breathing in and out like darth Vader by the gas mask. northwest is usually how we go outside of the city ruins. I take one step to another, repeating it until it's a broken record, my mind kept darting back to the mysterious relationship between the boss and our main enemy boss of the company we're fought for so long, both of them use their strongest weapons as a pawn, both of them sacrifice their even most loyal of warriors and assassins die by their hands and they won't bat an eye to the damage they've done to get a winning advantage. I wonder if billionaires and any type of person holding so much cash in their cards to get anything they want consider their actions as morbidly horrible, even governmental leaders and ceos capable of harming society with one word. One single word can cost everything.

Like a god. what a coincidence.

I step to the crunchy sound of grass. a forest seen directly outside the freeway street.

I step out of the freeway to see dead birds, cows with their guts out attracting flies, and poisonous berries, flowers, and ivy surfacing in the mulky, brownish grass. each step felt like a small splash of dirty water onto my shoes. from my remaining intel is absolutely no fresh materials in the forest, same as oranges, tomatoes, and strawberries, dirty grass and dying trees, but I have to keep searching just in case.

I take some wood out of a tree and lit up a small blaze of fire.

taking a pack of ziplocked hot water, I lift up my ramen to pour it into the noodles. letting it heat while I check for my surroundings, seeing nobody but only sounds of rustling out the bushes. I squint to see jaha stabbing a fresh starved pig, sheathing his blade out of its red flesh, creating a trail of animal blood beyond the green depths of the bushy leaves.

I watched as he took slices of its meat and put it into a reused plastic bag. His resourceful skills will always be admirable, reusing the same clothes and lingering manly scent I'll never be able to whiff again. The pig's blood stained his fingers and palms disgustingly, metallic subtance of further proof that humans and animals are the same species but in a different format while humans are intelligent and has the physical development to grow, generate, and populate while animals do the same thing. is just a difference between mentality. jaha looked to the side of his eye, pig's blood splattering across his cheeks and lips to slash more meat to store as he saw him in a slight surprise but unimpressive reaction to my scavenging for intel.

"What are you doing here?"

"Sent on another mission to gain intel what are you doing?"

"Lydia's children had been eating up the food you gave her. which means she ran out. so before I go into the forest to look for some meat, she doesn't know how to cook meals at all when this society relies on nourishment of your well-being. so I plan to teach her if I have time."

"Time?"

I lift up the hot cup of noodles, pouring in the seasoning package and vegetable package before stirring it. He approached me, slamming down the large sacks of pork meat from that deceased pig, almost like he offered some of its meat to me instead of eating processed ramen in the middle of a apocalypse.

"Lydia...how she's doing right now?"

"I do daily checkups on her and her children every day at the abandoned parking lot, she's holding up well, teaching herself how to shoot and locking up the doors to the building above her so it's marked at her home, giving herself melee combat instead of relying on a gun to kill people. Impressive..she's able to hold well for a single mother of children."

"I see. But I don't want to talk about her anymore. I want to talk about you. Are there any updates on your daughter?"

a smile slowly grew on his face at her condition.

"yoran. she's in a different city led by an open orphanage. My assumption of the orphanage in this apocalypse is to bring homeless, filled with despair, alone children to a home where they can actually feel peace. but..he never told me the location of the city. but I'm glad she's alright. mentally and physically."

" I promised I would take care of her along with you, right?"

he put a slice of dripping pork meat on the blazing flames as his voice is both either toned with regret or hectic, skepticism.

Yeah. as the sex demon. I wouldn't want you watching adult TV shows and 50 shades of gray while she's walking around hanging out with you, wondering what you're watching and instead... accidentally truamatized her by sexual content."

"I'm not that type of person anymore."

"You are. unless your addiction to spicy shows before the apocalypse started dimmed down a lot. since.. technology is barely a thing to us anymore. all I want to do is protect her. if you can support and abid by those rules to never watch PORN. then yeah. I'll let you take care of her along with me. remember, one time, I broke into your house to assassinate you, and the first thing I heard was: "EVER HEARD OF JERKMATE??" I left. instantly."

my voice softened, understanding his worry for his daughter's safety and content in the internet.

"since when did you-..ok I've changed. and I wouldn't deliberately watch that type of shit around your adopted daughter. if it's boundaries and rules I have to follow to take care of her as my own then you'll have my full consent, soul, and devotion to leading her life to a much more better path than being stuck in this apocalypse for far too long. you and me. as fathers. a deal? Since our relationship will continue to grow."

"Fine. It was when you were finished with your greatest prize a mafia assassin could ever ask for, being sent to a stripper club, in a private club just so you can explore the things you desire most about woman. disgusting to me. while I had a mission in siberia I just accomplished. I had to do some more work assassinating the current country's most powerful mafia bosses and crime cartels. My last mission was to kill you."

"And you didn't."

"Shut your mouth."

he took his slices of cooked pork off the stick, letting its scorching sizzle to resonate. he looked at it before taking a bite of its soft yet hardening flesh.

" could use some seasonings. But aye. Thanks for a knowledging boundaries when it comes to taking care of her. I don't want an incontinent degenerate like you to take away her innocence as a young girl living in an apocalyptic dystopia world. it's up to us to take care of her. instead of exposing that shit to her unprovoked."

"This incontinent degenerate is in love with a insane mass murderer like yourself so I guess we're both fucked up at our own way. especially when both of us are just devils born into a world run by demonic entities, using intelligence for evil. didn't you mention your family is dead?"

"yeah."

a droplet of rain fell onto my hand, pummeling onto the surface of the greenery before it fell harder, taking the fire out in an instant. I grab jaha's hand and put him next to me in a large tree, sheltering us a bit from its frigid precipitation. small drops of rain still scattered across our skin.

"Anyways.. what happened to them..?"

"Don't exactly remember. But it was when I was an errand boy. working and getting paid 13 bucks an hour before something happened in my hometown. Apparently, a civil war broke out, and my parents didn't have enough time to evacuate the vicinity before they were set to kill everybody on the battlefield. Or ones that didn't have time to get away from danger. and then they...my grandparents didn't give enough details.. but they're gone. they can't come back. It is what it is."

the rain sprinkling across his cheeks to his eyes makes it look like he's crying.

"really..? is that what truly happened?"

"Yeah. if I was just...stronger as I am now, I could've called them and helped them evacuate, then none of that would've happened. I wasn't filled with genuine insanity as I was when I was an errand boy, multiple women trying to get my number, disgusting customers, disrespect, childish.. I don't miss it at all. when I was weaker.. when I was more vulnerable, obedient, kinder..this world hates the joy of others, so they try to fill them with despair and misery as much as others."

"I see. did they ever capture your parent's bodies? since it's a warzone?" I ask with curiousity and a hope I didn't cross boundaries with him.

"No. they never did. The only report I got from any survivors who knew my parents is: just a couple of limbs under a bunch of debris. not being able to successfully mourn their loss. I feel a bit indifferent about it. almost nothing..hallow soul."

"No, you dont." I mutter in disbelief.

"What?"

"I believe you feel something other than indifference. The individuals giving you life have lost theirs. it's impossible to feel indifferent for that."

"ahh fuck..it's been years since it happened. and during those years, it was also my grandparent's demise. was selfish enough to care more about my martial arts training than visit their funerals to mourn their losses. so hellbent on becoming stronger to disregard the tragedy and fallen heritage of the "Lee family." I don't forgive myself for that. when I used to be so angry."

"You don't have to feel these emotions all the time."

I grazed his soaked jacket.

"I'm here for you if you need me. even if you see me as just an incontinent degenerate, you know me as.~, but this degenerate cares more about you than I do about my life. remember that as you will. I may be an asshole at times, but I reassure you."

"You insult yourself a lot."

"You do it more than me."

he chuckled.

"factually accurate. But..thank you. never expected you to be so open-minded to anybody else other than the sword demon."

"I'm not stupid."

jaha reached his hand upon the rain, coating his palm with its satisfying drippings.

"It's raining pretty hard. should we seek shelter?"

"No. I'm pretty content with the relaxation of the falling rain, and also, being here with you than loneliness is better than anything I experienced in my life. the rain, your aura, your presence, all of it fills me with an emotion I can't describe."

"and yet I find your efforts to claim me more than attractive woman is supremely maddening but intriguing at best. you've changed. and I don't hate it. I'm just trying to adjust to the new change of yours. from a perverted dumb ass to a person with thoughts and feelings who knows his actions are taken accountable for."

"Are you aware that i'm unforgiving of my past self. not forgive and not forget?" I said with a sharp exhale.

"Very aware. Can respect you for that no matter how much you're an idiotic sperm spreading cunt at times. we're both equals. and nothing can change that. two ying and yangs. but two of us are enveloped in the dawn of darkness with just a small radiant light. insanity is at one with me while lust is at one with you."

"I feel lust when I want to feel lust. including you."

his face lingered against mine, like he's pampering me to test that lust. the rain leaking down the bangs of both of our hair.

"we can take off our gas masks in this weather. I don't care if we'll get sick due to the mist, but all I want is to do you."

" Isn't that unsafe?"

I looked down to jaha's mask, slipping off to his mere upper lips, his lips circling in a smirk as he spoke: "I don't care."

"Geez, calm down.."

once the last drips of rain have landed onto the grass,I set up the fire to warm us up.

"Don't pamper me with lust. pamper me out of your own antics in trickery. I love it when you're unpredictable.~"

"...have a question."

" What is it?" I light crackles onto the fire to blaze at it more.

"What was it like being in the mong family? the most powerful family in china?"

"they had their expectations as their most beautiful, intelligent, sly, and physically strong son by forcing me to take martial arts while I was seven to five years old, having me take china's most prestigious schools. that includes schools relying on intelligence to get grades, schools taking college level calculus and algebra, literature, after-school activities, and school councils.

like they didn't care for the state of their child's wellbeing. They only care about who will lead their heritage for generations. If I have children or not, if I find the one that I love, then I'm forced to have children... if it was a woman. instead of a man. after the apocalypse. my parents lost so much of their wealth, ended up homeless, and eventually got killed by a bunch of wastelanders knowing their occupation and appearance by first glance."

"i see..didn't they have strong protection? Like bodyguards?"

"No."

I scrap more of the flashing fire bits to the small inferno.

"they didn't have any. they were brainwashed to think they're invincible, thinking their organic souls were omnipotent and unscathed. but.. no. this damn apocalypse had ruined both of our lives. same goes for the dystopian corruption running this world to a path of control and self-destruction..it makes my stomach churn."

"The best option is to live for yourself instead of living in the past. It slowly destroys you if the past is still looming around your mind constantly with no end. even if the days of this world are in a painful loop. You don't have to suffer the expectations of your parents, nor suffering the way of the world is now, you became a changed man, changed from a moron to a true fighter. you...have me."

"W-what..?" I glanced right back at him, pausing my aggressive handiwork to surge the flames to warm us up.

"I said you have me. you can talk endlessly to me, you can cry to me, you can rage at me. let out emotions kept closed off, breaking you until instability claims your brain, worry to me, ponder to me, all of the above. even if we're destined to kill each other, then I'm here. people hurting usually bottle it up, sharing it with nobody but to let them feel more of the pain than expressing. It's like just.. slitting your arm open. or just fishing out bullets out the collarbone."

that.. had my heart thump intentionally, out of an action I didn't control,I hugged him down to the waist and neck. his breath hitched at this sudden comfort, but slowly hugged me back in a stern but calm embrace.

"Thank you. Jaha. thank you so much.. we're supposed to be enemies. But.. I can't help but think you're the one for me. a person I can understand.. a person I can talk to without any disregard or negligence."

"The one? That's too fast."

" I know. but still..when this is all over. when our destinies to kill each other had been revoked, tie been broken, fate had been demolished. I still want you. still want you to be by my side even as we grow older, even as society rebuilds."

"Too fast, you idiot."

he ruffled my hair, as my body relaxes slightly to his touch.

"aware. I'm being genuine here. You could at least acknowledge how much I've fallen for you."

"Sheesh.."

he looked up to the misty, blackish, greenish sky.

turning nightfall at the two of them.

"we had enough..aren't you going back to your company?"

"No. I want to stay here with you. if we have to go to sleep in the woods, then so be it."

"we'll get sick you twat."

I stood up, grabbed my weapons sprawled around the grass, and took out the fire by a handful of dirty rainwater before looking back at jaha, adjusting his sniper latching on his backpack handle.

"Hopefully, you'll be safe ok?"

"Yeah. I'll be at home. or rather your home to be exact-"

"Aye, don't say that. I give you the fullest permission to live and relax in the comforting depths of my home grounds instead of living in danger throughout these abandoned streets, roads, freeways, and ruins. you're no longer at the influence of your company. your freed."

"Figured as much since you let me use your shower. you use a towel and a small bar of leftover flower scented soap? Really?"

"Gotta use what you can get. But can i get a kiss before we separate again?" I said, slightly pleading.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. we haven't shown much affection until the day our desires for one another burst into a rain of sparkles, my little pony ass. plus, I still need to make preparations and pre determined plans to further our paths for ourselves instead of serving to companies seeing us as disposable value than a real human being with emotions. I still latch into that determination to destroy our respective companies, find the location, orphanage, direction, and city yoran is. love her and you. that's all that matters. Doesn't it?"

"That's my child."

"officially. It's mine too.~" he sighed at my cocky tone of voice, a sigh of both resignation, trust, and irritation.

"Save it when you get back. we'll have to restock on food. any grocery stores around the city. we need no fresh foods that'll grow moldy in the spam of 4 days later. but..I trust you. more than I trust my subordinates and companions in battle, trust you more than this narcissistic god controlling every aspect of our pathetic human lives. so hopefully your head isn't at the shit depths of your anal once everything goes out of order in the midst of our plan to live for ourselves than living for others."

"I promise I won't."

We both stepped back from each other, and our steps plattering the wetness of the greenery as a sense of longing started to grow into the atmosphere. My fists clench as me and him turn back on each other in unison. every new information jaha had told me had been circling my mind once we went farther away. I almost...want to protect him, take care of him, and treat him like a true loyal man in a healthy relationship. I love him like I always did.

I am so perfectly aware he's independent and capable of taking care of his own wellbeing, but I want to be there for him. his life in general had always been extremely and eerily mysterious. so..the mere fact that he's opened up to his family history is a boost of our trust, our companionship, everything. do I need to go back to HQ or go grocery shopping? HQ first. and then grocery shopping.

each step took a mile, and the city ruins were in full visibility but slightly misty from the radioactive mist, I tried to prioritize my thought process when it comes to shit I don't understand or if I do understand then it's directly towards jaha or his daughter in a another city. I can't figure it out, I'm a grown fucking man. I am not a autistic child whose thought process is completely disproportionate. I see something in the distance. is it...the sword demon? why is he here? what does he need? and third of all: why the hell does he have his most legendary blade?

"Master?"

"mongrang. I have something to tell you." his voice full of challenge.

"You came all the way out here just to tell me something?"

"It's important. I couldn't stay at HQ just because of your next mission standards and conditions. even as your master. it..."

"seriously what's going on?"

his eyes dimmed down in an unexpected worry in those black eyes.

"You were assigned a mission to go to another city and retrieve someone from an orphanage. The reason why I'm so worried about this and about you is because of the civil war in that city. and supposedly.. some living government officials who had controlled the civil war planned to initiate a nuclear nuke. I don't know if it's an assassination mission, stealth mission, and throwing you into the bombs of a governmental civil war..but you can't go."

My blood just ran cold.

"Someone from an orphanage..? But how.. every city controlled by governmental authorities had either approved of the idea of doomsday or control by using the grim reaper as their pawn."

"Our boss said his decision is ultimately final. the city's name is "Juniper" northwest of the outskirt forest of the city ruins. I expected you to survive. I know the relationship between you and jaha. If your feelings get in the way of your mission, then it isn't going to end well for everybody. Even for you. this civil war on their side is a battleground of death. incapable and devoid of survival or even living as a human being. I won't test your abilities since I've taught you more than enough how to become formidable. But..this starts tomorrow."

"But who am I targeting in a orphanage..? you haven't explained a thing about that."

he stepped back from me before turning his back to the misty, empty, despairful horizon.

"All will be explained in due time. Until then. go home. grocery shop. do whatever while you're at it. this mission is a definite example of why a human soul is exchangeable and conductive. I don't want to come back to HQ 2 days later to see your body in a grave. go ahead and leave. consider sparring with jaha. You need it for tomorrow's unfortunate pre determined outcome of your own saddening human life."

everything swirled in my meaty brain. is it...yoran? jaha's daughter? I had my suspicions of the boss capturing a young child for either blackmail or just for unknown context. But seriously? a civil war? humanity is so fucking divided than even aliens will see us as just childish peices of entitled, inner superiority complex cunts. jaha's reaction to my involvement in a civil war is unknown, but I'm not scared. I'm just hoping he'll come with me. I seem to grow an attachment to him. hungry dog.

I walk as this information is a lot to take in.

I started to see a small convenience store the size of a Costco, appearing as withered, peppered with broken windows and pieces of...limbs on the shards of the windows. The boarded up doors were slightly broken but held good. just enough for my strength to pull them out. I lift my hands to the wood.

Easily breaking them off and entering the store, only to be met with even more dismemberment in the side of my eye huddled in a corner. It smells horrible. I'm pretty sure 2 hours after the horrific fate of humanity as called "doomsday," the men who mass murdered many of the city's civilizations had fiddled with the bodies for fun. I don't even want to talk about what shit they did to the bodies of dead woman.. God, why are we so insufferable.

I walk to each aisle, and most stocks of food are taken. but I see a lot of vegetable soup cans at the bottom of the shelf, same as a package of mixed spicy chips and muffins on the side. the expiration date of the muffins is..3/11/20. next month. I tried to pack it all in a big bag so I wouldn't have a problem carrying it back to my home. someone came into the store unannounced.

the sounds of those deep grunts, I watched his fingers close his nose to the pile of dismemberment in the entrance to the store. It's jaha. what's he doing here? I flinched back to see his eyes look directly at me. I can't face him due to the mission tomorrow as I'm conflicted about telling him or leaving him confused as to why I leave to charge through a civil war to retrieve his daughter. for whatever reason.

"I came to look for you.."

"Why?"

"...my boss came by eariler to blackmail me. he said: "come back into my company in time before our war begin and I won't share any data of yoran's personal information to human traffickers still alive in the city, better yet..to assassination companies not even giving a fuck about murdering a child. come back and your daughter is safe...for the time being."

of course, I declined to come back. I know he isn't bluffing. by the tone of his voice. he also showed me the personal documents and informative files of yoran's history. considering your plan.. I need them dead. Right now. if we have the chance to kill him and your boss while I'm currently a lone wolf."

I chuckled nervously, trying to peice together this cryptic puzzle in my mind.

"blackmail..? damn. he's really trying so hard to get you to come back since none of his forces can fight better than you. even during the past battles of our companies. you fight like a..whoo..~"

"..."

his face knows that I'm lying to him.

"I-.. both companies...are targeting yoran just as a lead for more destruction. I been...sent to a mission just to retrieve yoran out of her orphanage. right as two divided companies or forces like ours are having a civil war. exactly like what we've been trying to do. so it's either a gamble with my life or an intentional thing to just throw their most powerful in a situation they have no business in. I have no information about what my boss is trying to do with her. but it's probably never good intentions at best. please believe me. The point of the mission is all written in unintelligible scramblings."

"..."

"I had to tell you the truth. I couldn't just pack every single weapon I have and leave you behind with unanswered questions, swirling your mind as I didn't say anything as to why or what I'm doing tomorrow. but I couldn't just hide it from you. if my mission was about your daughter. after I promised my devotion to treat her like a father along with you, then it's in my debt if I ever hurt her. I'm sorry..as smart as our company bosses are. they might use an innocent child for blackmail or worse."

his fist clenched and unclenched at the thought of using his daughter for horrible stuff, including criminal activities. he said slowly in a husky voice, holding back his burst of rage:

"Did they have any intention of killing her? or..harming her?"

"I don't know.. all I need to do as long as I'm still alive is retrieve her before anything else happens in their violent civil war. I don't want to hurt her, she's yours and yours alone, she's a child, she has no need going through the shittiest of this sickening world supposedly made to be the image of "God."

No criminal/ terrorist should use the live of a child to blackmail others. if the sword demon gives me more intel about why yoran's capture is relative at all." I said with disgust.

"He probably got the information from my boss since he has the most intel onto yoran's history and life by sneaking some of his stealth unit assassins into the archives in the back of my headquarters smart son of a bitch..he's using her against me. My own daughter to be used as a pawn to these rich fucks, thinking they have the authority of the innocence of human lives who had no involvement to wars or destruction whatsoever.." he sputtered in exasperation and concern.

"jaha. I have made a new promise. if yoran's capture has something to do with torture or murder then I'll do everything in my power to make sure her safety is determined from the start of this journey. this promise remains in my heart from the time I step out in the forest outside of the city. her life is deserving of the peace this world can offer. like limited stocks of a popular food or product everybody in the world hungers to get, no matter what."

"...thanks."

jaha ruffles his hair, taking in my words forcefully as his worry continues to push it back.

"Despite my inability to change as a person due to our past in constantly loathing each other's existence. from the first time you tried castration onto me during a double date, or that time I couldn't go back to the sword demon's private mansion, so I had to bathe in the nearby river, you were there. disgusted at my nudity, you were there. all of it. when my mind was consumed with either embarrassing you, killing you, or insulting you out of every word I speak out of my mouth. we were both different then. this is now. loving each other for who we are."

"Funny how you used to be so cocky."

"...exactly."

with an action i couldn't control, I hugged jaha in a tight, warm embrace, wrapping my arms around him.

"The hell?"

"I love you. too much. it's unfathomable. the way you just.. I can't explain it, but the way you just have me smitten from just anything you do. from a thousand moons to the anarchy of heaven and hell. I'll give up god and the entire religious system of the gods for you. I'll do anything.. This is abnormal. even for me but..honesty is always key in a relationship. whether if it's a web of lies with a fly full of honesty trapped in between. That didn't make sense but I don't give a living damn."

"Oddly compassionate for a pervert but..I love you too."

his hands held my skin as we relaxed in the glory of our scent. jaha smells slightly musky with a small tang of manly perfume with a drop of human blood. ahh..the casual scent of the mad demon himself, can't admit that It got me addicted.

"Since you're basically at home while I depart for this mission. I'll stock up on food so you can feed yourself and make yourself at home the best you can. you don't have to feel like you're forced to be around me and my home. remember that I love you, and I won't set boundaries and commands for your stay. Do you want to grocery shop with me? I can get you all the things you like."

"Sure."

each of our eyes gazed at the various variety of items, going from moldy vegetables, the disgusting odor of rotten meat that haven't been taken out of the refrigerator ever since the climax of doomsday. jaha pounced around the store, pondering on his options to choose what he could get. I held multiple baskets in my arms. one for me. And one for jaha. he put a lot into the basket, including energy drinks and condiments for protein such as packets for flavored water and bars. I wonder about jaha's cycle of protein and dedication of health at times. usually, I see him order a salad while we're both off work at the same time or work out constantly in a gym as I was previously plotting to always kill him at some point.

the last can of soup landed on my basket.

his own item landed on his own.

"Are you done?"

"Yeah I got everything I need. but I have to say something."

"Hm?"

jaha took a dirty backpack off the side of the aisle and gave it to me, resting his strong fingers onto mine for a moment.

"Do you need to pack up everything for your journey? you shouldn't just go ahead and walk directly to your suicide mission without supplements of food or water. I..care about you. so grab some extra cans of soup and drinks despite our big stacks of food for the sake for me instead of your well being. Go ahead."

"Are you serious..? jaha. I don't have to pack for it. I'm only packing my weapons. humans are meant to go days without foo-"

"Just fucking do it. don't want you to starve or be dehydrated as soon as the fifth hour hits after you're gone to the city yoran resides at."

his eyes look to the aisle and back at me 3 times. no debates required. I groaned in response to his concern, grabbing an extra basket.

"Don't groan like that. just looking out for your health and safety. I'll worry about you every second of the night and day as soon as you leave to embark on a quest to get my daughter to be used as a fucking blackmail tool." He snarled in anger.

"I understand your concern. but you're basically homeless. The reason why I offered you grocery shopping with me is to give you a lot of food and water while you're residing in my home for the duration of this mission. I'll worry about you too. I know your independence and strength as the highlight of your character as a human, but what happens to you if your boss ever tried to inact violence to get you to join back into HQ?? like breaking into my home and committing arson just for fear propaganda and blackmail just to retrieve his strongest assassin back?"

I raise my voice in worry, slamming multiple cans of soup, sardines, rations, and bars of chocolate.

"The boss doesn't know about your journey to the city as well as the civil war, from what I assume. so if he knows no intel about your wearabouts then it shouldn't be a issue for me to remain unprotected since all that son of a bitch has done is try stupid trickery to pull me back to my company. I'll be ok. Trust me. all he can do is be unintelligent and incompetent at his work since I'm his pawn. My martial prowess is used for his own benefit. I'm no longer his pawn. he'll have nothing to do with me if I continue to decline going back into the company."

"I see.." I mumbled, resting my head down, mind bursting with thoughts of his wellbeing.

"Aye. I trust you just like you trust me. I trust you just because you've earned it throughout our relationship from being hateful loathsome killers to lovers. I trust you enough to come back from the journey, not expecting you to be at one piece, but I do expect you to be alive so I can take care of you. if I can. I still need to study medication by Dr. moyong back at the company, but..I'll be ok. I promise."

"Thanks for that.." I raise my head back up, mumbling in a soft voice.

"You're welcome. just try not to think too much about things that are potentially going to throw off your focus in the middle of battle. for example: thinking about me in the comfort of your home. wonder whether my boss is going to come or not. If this journey requires focus for your main objective, it is to get through the horrors of war and get my daughter, then just..don't think too much, ok?"

"...alright...alright uhm..do I need to carry all of this or?"

jaha slapped my hands off the handle of the 3 baskets in my left hand, picking it up with ease.

"...this is why I fucking love you."

"Let's go. you need time to pack and prepare yourself."

He and him stepped out of the store, running back home. I noticed he matches the pace of my speed, considering our inhuman abilities as still human to begin with, we arrived back home.

lifting ourselves up in the broken elevator.

jaha set the baskets down onto the storage room/ food pantry, grabbing my backpack just to have me stuff food, weaponry, rations, wood, clothes, soap, and a flashlight.

"What's first?"

"Soup, cans of ravioli or chicken soup, flavored sardines such as olive oil, garlic and herb, mexican tortilla flavor, and butter. same as canned tuna out of mexican packages. I looked through your pantry earlier before I came to find you in the grocery store. you have a whole bunch of different foods. so i decided to use that chance to help you pack for this mission."

"Intelligence is sexy." I meowed seductively as I took the three cans of different flavors of tuna and sardines. All of them can fit into a small bag of some sort. I shoved it in the bottom of my bag, watching as jaha scrolls through my pantry.

"Here." his hands had three cans of chef boyardee. I take each of them to pack it up.

"You already have your weaponry such as assault rifles, snipers, pump, and a whole bunch of deadly assortments. Do you need any clothes for it? Or are you going to use the same clothes for the mission?"

"...I'll stick with the same clothes."

the bag started to get heavy as jaha soon started to put a lot.

"Wait chill. I don't need this much."

"Fine. but I want you to be safe while you do this. I don't want you to frantically find some food after running out in the middle of a fucking civil war. I...want you to come back to me. It's not like I'm caring about you more than my daughter. I still want you to survive.-"

I turn his face back to me and press my soft lips against his chapped ones before pulling back seconds later with a genuine, firm smile, reassuring him before he could worry even more. I wonder why he doesn't worry much about yoran than to me? That's his daughter so why?

"I wonder why you worry much more about my safety more than yoran while she's potentially going to be a weapon or a tool for pre determined blackmail and murder. all of this, and yet you didn't say anything about her once. Why is that?" I said in curiosity.

"While my worry for yoran's safety consumes my mind as you embark onto your mission to capture her back to your company after surviving the middle of a civil war in a different city. I see you as her protecter. I see you as someone who can shield her from all possible dangers of that civil war or the dangers of the apocalypse itself. that's why I'm not so worried about her safety that much because I put my trust in your protection for her safety."

"...thank you.." I softly mumbled, flattered at the knowledge of knowing jaha trust me.

"At least. She'll be alive in your hands. I depend on it for the most part."

I fumble my hands in joy, blushing, for a maddening asshole who stabbed me and beat me down like a Olympic warrior towards a wild animal while no weapon is at hand in the middle of a darkened nightclub is surprisingly compassionate to me. to be honest. I'm happy he's slowly opening up to me.

"Thank you..thank you." I softly mumbled once again as I laid my head onto his shoulder, wrapping my trembling fingers onto his waist. as I did this. he slowly sat down onto the bed, spreading his legs to make more room for me to cuddle him, as we're both in the wall.

his hand rose up to carress the light chocolate locks of my hair, soothing me even more to the brink of ultimate relaxation.

"No need to thank me. you've gotten me enough to trust you."

"got?~ so..does that mean you admit you're also in love with me? Don't let your title as the "mad demon" prevent your admittance to say you're also in love?"

"fuck you. We're a couple. I admit that the most." His hand clamped onto my head more to push it more to his bare skin of his neck. causing me to shiver in desire.

"Fine fine.~ Once I'm back. I'll come back for you and take extra priority to yoran's safety. if all of this chaos is over.. once we get back to our normal days of survival in this post-apocalyptic dawn of hell once our companies self-destruct. yoran is my daughter while you're my husband. as an example. Not considering real marriage, but it's true."

" You have a long day tomorrow. rest."

his hand slithered across my chocolate locks, soothing me to the mysterious darkening depths of the dreamworld. I felt content within jaha's energy and presence, holding me tightly as if he were to protect me. I slumped down onto the warmth of his neck, snoring in a sleepy embrace.

-Next Day-

I woke up to see jaha also in slumber, grasping me into his arms, his head slumped into the wall.

It pains me to leave him alone despite the damage and the danger to this corrupted world.

I stand up to put on my most powerfully defense and shield purposed suit, gas mask, boots, every gun weapon, and melee weapon I could possibly stuff in my bag full of clothes and food. I sheathed my sniper to my back along with my back while checking to see if I had everything, including a map that pointed me directly back to this city.

jaha wakes up to the sounds, he stands up along with me, speaking groggy.

"Leaving right now?"

"... yeah. I won't be gone for long. I promise to come back."

he ruffled his scruffy, messy jet black hair.

"You better."

"Temporary goodbye kiss?"

in such speed, he held my cheeks and pressed his lips onto mine, deepening it further and further before pulling back, he handed me a large map circling the locations and data of every city near ours or far away from ours to my chest.

"You better be safe. And I better not see a scrap of yoran's skin being scraped off. Understand?"

"I will.." I mumbled, wiping my mouth before slowly stepping back into the hallway.

"I love you. I'll see you very soon."

"...love you too."

-TO BE CONTINUED-

HAPPY HALLOWEEN GIFT♡

[critical-skeptic]

There Are No Gods or Kings, Only Man

A Scathing Critique of Trumpism and the Rise of Populist Extremism

The era of Donald Trump has left an indelible mark on the political landscape, both in the United States and globally. The ascent of Trumpism, with its cult-like fervor, has emboldened extremist rhetoric and actions reminiscent of a nascent Fourth Reich. This dangerous trend has profound implications, and it is crucial to dissect its roots, impacts, and the broader issues it reveals about contemporary society.

The Cult of Personality

Donald Trump's presidency was characterized by an unprecedented cult of personality. His followers, often referred to as the MAGA (Make America Great Again) crowd, elevated him to an almost god-like status. This idolization is antithetical to the principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man." By placing Trump on a pedestal, his supporters disregarded his numerous failings and embraced a narrative built on lies and demagoguery.

Trump's appeal lay in his ability to present himself as an anti-establishment figure, a billionaire who spoke for the "common man." However, this facade masked his true nature as a self-serving opportunist. The QAnon conspiracy theory, which flourished under his watch, further exemplifies the dangers of blind faith in a singular figure. QAnon followers believed in a shadowy "deep state" and saw Trump as their savior, leading to real-world violence and a distortion of democratic discourse.

Populist Rhetoric and Authoritarian Tendencies

Trump's rhetoric was marked by extreme populism, scapegoating minorities, immigrants, and political opponents. This us-versus-them mentality fostered division and hatred, eroding the social fabric. His infamous slogan, "Make America Great Again," harkened back to an idealized past that never truly existed, promoting a reactionary agenda that sought to roll back civil rights and social progress.

The rise of Trumpism also saw an alarming embrace of authoritarian tendencies. Trump's frequent attacks on the media, judiciary, and other democratic institutions undermined the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy. His refusal to accept the results of the 2020 election and the subsequent insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, highlighted the dangers of a leader who refuses to relinquish power and incites violence.

Global Impact: A Fourth Reich in the Making?

The impact of Trumpism has not been confined to the United States. Around the world, populist leaders have drawn inspiration from Trump's playbook. Figures like Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, and Narendra Modi in India have adopted similar tactics, leveraging nationalism, xenophobia, and disinformation to consolidate power. These leaders, emboldened by Trump's example, pose a significant threat to global stability and democratic norms.

The comparison to the rise of a Fourth Reich is not hyperbolic. The parallels between the current wave of populism and the conditions that led to the rise of fascism in the 20th century are stark. Economic uncertainty, social fragmentation, and a distrust of established institutions create a fertile ground for demagogues who promise simple solutions to complex problems. The dangerous combination of charismatic leadership and a disaffected populace can lead to the erosion of democratic principles and the rise of autocratic regimes.

The Broader Problems: Idolatry and Centralization of Power

The rise of Trumpism and global populism underscores a broader issue: the human propensity for idolatry and the centralization of power. In times of crisis, people often seek strong leaders to provide direction and reassurance. This tendency, however, can lead to the elevation of deeply flawed individuals to positions of immense power, exacerbating the very issues they purport to solve.

The idolization of leaders like Trump distracts from the reality that they are mere mortals, subject to the same flaws and limitations as anyone else. This deification creates a dangerous feedback loop, where leaders are emboldened by their followers' unwavering support, leading to increasingly authoritarian behavior. The principle that "there are no gods or kings, only man" serves as a reminder that power should be dispersed and accountable, not concentrated in the hands of a few.

The Way Forward: Embracing Rationalism and Egalitarianism

Addressing the rise of populist extremism requires a fundamental shift in how society approaches leadership and governance. First and foremost, it is essential to reject the notion of infallible leaders. Political discourse should be grounded in rationalism, critical thinking, and empirical evidence, not in blind faith and conspiracy theories.

Egalitarianism must also be a guiding principle. A healthy democracy thrives on diversity of thought and a robust system of checks and balances. Power should be decentralized, with strong institutions that hold leaders accountable and protect the rights of all citizens. Education plays a crucial role in this endeavor, fostering a populace that is informed, critical, and resistant to demagoguery.

In conclusion, the era of Trump and the rise of populist extremism serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the centralization of power. The quote "there are no gods or kings, only man" encapsulates the need for a more rational, egalitarian approach to leadership and governance. By embracing these principles, society can resist the allure of authoritarianism and build a more just and democratic world.

[moonlit-ocs]

Leila Wayne-al Ghūl

Layla - Derek and the Dominos

um…duh? really though, i find that this song plays through her love interests’ heads. whether its wally or roy or some other redhead

Who Is She ? - I Monster

ooooh she wears so many masks. the mysterious assassin and vigilante of gotham are her main ones, which i feel leads the song so well. but there is this drop in the song at “somewhere across the sea of time” where i like to imagine her entire life pass by and all those different masks. from her as a child training with the league, to an assassin, her as batgirl, demonspawn, a student, the ghoul rebrand, a billionaire’s daughter, party girl, the wayne enterprises exec, galas, the ceo as her hair greys and when the song ends on “immortal she, return to me” i see her as old, wearing green robes with her family sword and leading the league of shadows after a lifetime of fighting them

Safari - The Breeders

this specifically i relate to arkham knight jason todd and their sibling bond, her mourning him while he’s planning on destroying her city and getting back at bruce. but he still longs to see her again and misses her and he’s ashamed of himself. he wonders if he could follow through once he sees his sister again. if she would even accept him—love him—knowing what he planned to do.

Lights Out - Mindless Self Indulgence

disclaimer: yes he very much is a POS we do not support him. anyways i think this captures leila’s more brutal side, and leila is not a batbrat! she tries to follow bruce’s rules, but she was still raised by assassins for some time and still agrees with their ways to a degree. but she builds a reputation as a vigilante, and foes fear her greatly because she carries deadlier weapons and causes more damage and pain. she just calculates much more carefully. bruce doesn’t like that she thinks she can be the judge and jury, but she refrains from being the executioner for his comfort.

Pa Pa Power - Dead Man’s Bones

this is such a gotham ass song it almost doesn’t belong here but i relate leila with gotham so heavily compared to my other OCs. only time she’s not a gothamite is in the YJ timeline but other than that shes a gotham girly. i like thinking of arkham knight!leila and the gotham evac here, so a bit of jason and also bruce and dick and tim and barbara but imagine the streets burning from below where riots prevail and shes stuck on saving the city and her family from certain doom. NOW IMAGINE THE DLC WITH RA’S AND NYSSA AND IT BEING HER CHOICE look it up that game is a masterpiece.

Me and the Devil - Soap&Skin

leila has a lot of ethical dilemmas. of course she returns to the league several times. she’s the oldest grandchild, if not the only child in some storylines. and ra’s sees her potential despite his reluctance to let a woman take over. he wants her on his side. he’s ashamed that she’s turned her back on them and taken up with the scum of gotham, but when she returns to the league she is treated like royalty and it feels so wrong to her. being beside ra’s is painful for her, but sometimes she needs to prove to herself that she made the right decision protecting gotham and in some cases, the world. building a reputation with the assassins does help her in the long run.

Cities In Dust - Siouxsie and the Banshees

gotham vs shadows thats all i will say

She’s Lost Control - Joy Division

leila has a weakness that comes from her brush with death—the lasting effects of the lazarus pit. i think this song captures the feeling of her mind slipping when she starts to experience her episodes. confused, manic, unpredictable. shes lost control (again)

I’m Just a Shadow - SHEL

well…leila is a shadow. shes no savior. she can’t change what she was raised to be and she wrestles with redemption and the fact that she’s destined to lead the league of shadows. she doesn’t want to lose her way and leave the batfamily, but every road leads back to the assassins.

as good a reason - Paris Paloma

i imagine leila meeting the “woman with red lips” being talia/biological mother warning her against ra’s and her struggle for power and obedience, then leila meeting the “young girl with bright eyes” being stephanie brown warning her against either cluemaster or bruce wayne and to push back, using her own experience against ra’s, bruce, and many rogues to help steph

[leila]

[cringefaecompilation]

Hope you don’t mind me coming in here and you can delete this if you want. I just want to express something.

One thing I’ve noticed about this whole thing is, when Brennan made a post about Palestine everyone praised and rooted for him, and when Matt makes a post everyone hates him and mocks him. Yes matt brought up his mental health and (from my recollection) Brennan didn’t, but what does that have to do with anything? He (matt) wasn’t making it about himself. CRF donate 25k each 50k in total and explicitly called for ceasefire that should have been enough. Matt said him and Marisha have donated 15k of their OWN money, that sould have been enough. And yes they (cr and matt) have done it a bit clumsily but they still donated and called for ceasefire. That should be enough. Sure, they should have done it earlier but they have now. And yes they could do more but they have already done more than Taylor Swift who is a fucking billionaire. Cr (company and cast) is damned if they do and damned if they don’t. I don’t ever see that changing.

i'd be remiss not to mention it also took dropout months to do something and start a charity auction despite them talking about the SAG-AFTRA strike day one and being dismissive about the massacre in their discord for a bit before adding a channel to aid palestine. it's great that brennan made a post of his own volition but he is just an employee. brennan does not speak for the entire company. sam reich does and it sucks that they chose to stay silent for this long when many people that worked for him were doing the work on their own.

cr and matt have been known to fumble quite a bit with important matters and it's quite literally nothing worth more than an eyeroll and a "at least they're doing something" and not a giant angry speech about how they're a terrible selfish scumbag. anything else is just an internet dick measuring contest. you can be upset about it, but if it's not something like with taika waititi, i don't think it's worth threatening to stop supporting them.

but also i really don't like that whenever someone blows something out of proportion that their favorite celeb isn't doing anything to help, my dash is inundated with posts to the tune of "every single person that talks about wanting celebrities to aid palestine is a whiny white kid trying to play hero, every single last one of them! all of them are white kids with white savior complexes that think retweeting pictures of dead bodies makes them the world's most progressive white person!"

i don't think that helps either. i can also understand also being annoyed at people who traumatize themselves and shame anyone for not doing the same, but there's got to be a balance and unfortunately more people want to "win the argument" so to speak than to step back and wonder if what they're doing is actually helping.

[madamesmoke]

Gothams #1 Furry

(Verse 1)

In Gotham's dark corners, where shadows loom,

There's a grown man in a bat costume, so assume.

With pointy ears and a cape so grand,

He's Batman, folks, the caped crusader, understand?

(Chorus)

Bat-dance, Bat-prance, in the moonlight he'll prance,

A billionaire ninja in a bat-romance.

Gotham's savior, with a voice so low,

But seriously, batsuit? That's a tough pill to swallow!

(Verse 2)

He broods in the Batcave, with gadgets galore,

Batmobile roaring, like he's settling a score.

But let's talk about that bat signal in the sky,

Does he really need a spotlight, oh my, oh my!

(Chorus)

Bat-dance, Bat-prance, in the moonlight he'll prance,

A billionaire ninja in a bat-romance.

Gotham's savior, with a voice so low,

But seriously, batsuit? That's a tough pill to swallow!

(Bridge)

Bat-gadgets, bat-speech, everything's "bat" it seems,

Bat-humor, bat-drama, invading our dreams.

In a world so dark, he's the brooding knight,

But that bat costume, come on, it's quite a sight!

(Verse 3)

He fights crime in the night, with no time for rest,

A grown man in a bat suit, it's a comic book jest.

But hey, Gotham needs him, so they say,

Even if he dresses up like it's Halloween every day.

(Chorus)

Bat-dance, Bat-prance, in the moonlight he'll prance,

A billionaire ninja in a bat-romance.

Gotham's savior, with a voice so low,

But seriously, batsuit? That's a tough pill to swallow!

(Outro)

So here's to Batman, with his bat-obsession,

A hero in a costume, it's his own confession.

In the end, we love him, quirky as he may be,

The Dark Knight of Gotham, in bat-credibility!