#lionel — character study.

[lola-damas]

- The Bear -

40 min painting studies

I just finished the first season of the bear and I wanted to do more painting studies so I did painting studies of the bear :D

[vhvrs]

watched needle park and scarecrow this week... hated bobby enough i have 0 desire to draw him. loved francis so much i think i fell in love five times. as it goes.

[joetavis]

First time painting them

[story-weavr]

In reference to previous post of mine:

How might Lex Luthor fall for reporter Clark Kent?

Assuming Lex Luthor (to his knowledge) never met Clark Kent before Superman came to Metropolis, how might attraction grow?

Lex Luthor is an apex predator who desires to have control. He’s suave and charismatic while also being intellectually superior to most. Lex goes for the following:

- trusted female employees,

- women whom fit the bill for upper echelon via beauties, talent, &/or pedigree

The ones he chooses to marry are only because marrying them serves his plans in some way. And as far as I know, barring Angela Blake/ Ardora/ Gertrude, they all ended in divorce.

When he first meets Clark Kent, he underestimated him at first due to his appearance of being mild-mannered and “second banana” to the alluring yet infuriating Lois Lane.

Clark Kent, however, asked questions that were to the point whilst still being respectful as opposed to Lois’s sharp wit. They make a good team; perhaps why Clark’s name is usually the by-line of a Lois Lane story.

His writing was also rather engaging, albeit infuriating at times when the content is not what he would prefer.

And he is rather non-opportunistic as opposed to others of his profession, hence why he has gained the trust and friendship of many big names such as Bruce Wayne, Oliver Queen, & senior scientists of STAR Labs.

But in the end, Clark is just another human; imperfect albeit moral. A pawn.

What would change Luthor’s mind?

A) Perhaps, one day an attack by one of Superman’s other foes cause structural damage in the building or mine they are in, forcing them to wait for rescue while another Metropolis hero (Steel perhaps?) is busy dealing with said villain.

Bored, perhaps Lex would spark a conversation, not hoping for much, only to find Kent was rather intellectual and had a sharp wit.

B) Perhaps Lex Luthor would discover & adore the work of one Atticus Clark. He can’t help but read The Janus Contract over and over again. A bit silly to enjoy a mere adventure novel, but it just spoke to the inner daring boy that Lex often has to squash. He is so impatient for the next work that he actually gets someone to look into Atticus Clark.

He becomes utterly shocked that said author was mild-mannered Clark Kent. The writing styles, albeit of the same engaging prose, are quite different!

Why on Earth would a brilliant author hide his identity in such a way that his own publisher doesn’t know his real identity?

A means to protect his private life? Shyness?!

Lex manages to have a private conversation with Clark, asking for his autograph. At first offended that his privacy was invaded, Clark couldn’t help but give in to Luthor’s genuine admiration.

Lex, having admiration for someone of such talent, even offered to have his publishers replace Clark’s current ones. Clark explained that while honored, he had no complaints about his current publishers who respect his privacy and don’t push him for more works.

For him, writing novels was an escape, a thing of joy, release, and introspection on both himself & humanity. His job was uncovering the truth and doing the right thing.

Perhaps their conversation falls into philosophies which then turns into other topics. Lex becomes shooketh and intrigued at the amount of knowledge & understanding Clark has. And the other man just brushes it off?!

C) Perhaps an incident happens at LexCorp event, where a child or incapacitated person falls into the water and Kent dives in immediately after. Coming out of the water, the person in distress is safe.

Lex meanwhile is forced to question his sexuality when he does not see the expected drowned rat.

Clark Kent, having thrown his jacket off to dive after, is more muscular than one would think. Not that of body builders or that damn alien, but of a proportional slimmer variety.

His skin is glowing in the sunlight.

His eyes sparkling due to the wetness clinging to his glasses.

His hair, usually arranged in careful bangs or covered by a hat, settle around his head in messy curls, framing his face and clinging to his skin.

Skin that was surprisingly smooth and free of dense hair usually associated with men.

Lips, where before Lex had not noticed, were pink, seemingly soft & plushy, and trembling as water droplets caressed them

A face lightly dusted with a blush matched the stuttering words of an obviously cold and embarrassed man asking his partner Lois for his coat.

Lex Luthor needs a drink and a moment to think.

D) Perhaps Lex Luthor receives a message that a certain individual who was related to an employee of his late father has special information that might interest the billionaire.

What that information is, the girlfriend of said individual didn’t know. Just that it was about Lex’s past.

Lex, annoyed at the reminder of his “dearly” departed father & what seems to be a clumsy blackmail attempt in the making, has the man watched.

Much to his confusion, he received a report that nothing was found in the man’s apartment or place of work. The man also never made any attempts to get in touch with Lex Luthor. If anything, he seemed to be waiting for something.

Then one day, the man drove out of town. He first stopped somewhere and came out with several files. Because it was crowded, the Luthor agents could not approach or steal from the man.

The man immediately went back to Metropolis, to a diner in a bad part of town. Soon, Clark Kent walked in with the brief case.

Sitting down in front of the man, the somber faced reporter slid into the booth.

The smirking man merely slid the files across the table. Clark then took them. He then slid the briefcase onto the table.

When the other man touched it, the reporter didn’t let go. Instead, he quietly said that a friend of his had already wiped the backup data and that another had already stolen the other copies.

The reporter continued that if the other man ever came looking for money again, his friends have given him enough dirt that if he published it: the cops would be involved.

The only reason he didn’t already and instead paid the money was because he didn’t want mutual destruction. Clark went on to tell the man that he has friends in high places that will keep tabs on him for the rest of his life.

The reporter went on to remind the criminal that “the other party” WILL kill him if he even tried to blackmail him like he did Clark.

The criminal smiled and reassured that he isn’t that stupid hence why he chose to blackmail Clark. Now that he has the money, he has no desire to get dead because he was greedy and stupid.

Clark released the briefcase. Getting up, he stated that it would be a good idea if the blackmailer left Metropolis, never to return. He then left.

The other man, smug, left the bar as well.

Luthor’s employees opted to wait. The next time Superman was busy or out of Metropolis, they tracked down and captured the blackmailer (arrested for another crime?), covering their tracks with a false digital trail + false ID.

The blackmailer not wanting to die, said he would only tell either Luthor himself or someone Luthor trusted.

Lex, curious but not prioritizing, sent a member of his inner circle (Mercy, Hope, Spaulding, etc)

When his trusted minion came back, Lex Luthor was told a story that he wouldn’t have believed if not for the fact Clark Kent literally paid over a million dollars to the man to keep it secret.

Apparently, the accident in his youth that cost him his first independent business and most of his hair was also used as an opportunity by his father. Lionel Luthor hired a hypnotist so that young Lex Luthor would forget about his male lover. Lionel would go further and threaten the other boy to leave the US, wanting to make sure Lex never saw the other.

The boy would go on to flee. Lionel had the boy monitored. Many years later, his death, however, ushered the return of the boy now man to his hometown, a young child in tow.

One would think that the farm boy found love again overseas. Except, according to the sporadic reports of Lionel’s goons, the only females he was in close contact with were never pregnant. Plus the baby was practically a newborn when he first appeared.

In addition, the hometown of the boy had some very strange rumors and incidents: ghost sightings, skin walkers, succubi, a lot of deaths or disappearances.

The investigator went on a limb & threatened to expose Clark Kent as Lex Luthor’s former lover. He also made insinuations about Smallville’s weirdness and how Conner Julian Kent must have been named after Jules Luthor, Lex’s uncle who had lived in Smallville.

What do y’all think?

How might the villainous Lex Luthor see mild-mannered Clark Kent as more than a pawn?

[stuckonvenus]

GABE + ELLIE

You'll change your name, or change your mind And leave this fucked up place behind But I'll know, I'll know I'll know, I'll know I'll know, I'll know I'll know, I'll know.

[muiitoloko]

Hello you 😁 I've a really important exam to take at the end of June and it is expected from me to achieve an incredible score. Like, I have to go from level 1 to 5 (5 the best of best and hardest level of course) in only one month and I'm stress as hell, there's so much to study (and I don't know where to start) and I have to deal with a ME syndrom soooo... I just would like to be cheered up a little bit with a good fluffy story wich you have the secret. My favorite among all characters is Sinclair but I let you choose whoever inspire you (I really like our rough David and how you portrayed him in your last fic too and I also can imagine a smutty Lionel to relieve from the stress his partner)

Title: Stress Relief

Summary: Sinclair is determined to take care of you and alleviate your stress.

Pairing: Sinclair Bryant × Fem! Reader

Warnings: none

Author's Notes: Hey there! First off, big hugs for dealing with all that stress—it sounds like a mountain of pressure! But hey, you've got this! 🌟 Either way, consider it a stress-busting gift from me to you. Hang in there, champ! 💪😊

As you sat at your desk, surrounded by stacks of textbooks and notes, the weight of impending exams bearing down on you like a suffocating blanket. Your heart raced with anxiety, your mind a whirlwind of formulas and theories that seemed to blur together in a haze of confusion.

Just as you were about to delve back into your studies, you heard a familiar whine coming from beside you. With a weary sigh, you glanced over to see Sinclair, your boyfriend, looking up at you with pleading brown eyes, his blonde hair tousled in an endearing mess.

"Clair, please," you murmured, your voice tinged with exasperation. "I need to focus on studying right now."

But Sinclair remained undeterred, his persistence rivaling that of a golden retriever begging for attention. He nuzzled against your hand, his warmth and affection a comforting presence in the midst of your stress.

"Come on, baby," Sinclair said, his baritone voice filled with concern. "You've been studying for hours. Take a break and let me help you relax."

Despite your reluctance, you couldn't help but be touched by Sinclair's kindness. He had observed how stressed you had been in the days leading up to the exam, and he was willing to do anything to ease your burden.

With a resigned sigh, you closed your textbook and allowed yourself to lean into Sinclair's embrace, his comforting presence washing over you like a soothing balm. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you close as he murmured words of encouragement in your ear.

"You're doing great, sweetheart," Sinclair whispered, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "I believe in you, and I know you're going to ace this exam."

His words were like a lifeline, pulling you back from the brink of despair and filling you with renewed determination. With Sinclair by your side, you felt like you could conquer anything, even the most daunting of academic challenges.

As Sinclair wrapped you in his comforting embrace, you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over you. Despite the overwhelming stress of exams looming over your head, his presence was a soothing balm for your frayed nerves.

Sinclair's mind was already buzzing with ideas to help you relax. With a burst of energy, he jumped to his feet, his blonde hair tousled in an endearing mess as he rambled excitedly about his plans.

"Love, I've got the perfect idea to help you unwind," Sinclair exclaimed, his brown eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "I'm going to run you a relaxing bath! I've read all about the benefits of baths for stress relief, and trust me, it's going to be amazing."

You couldn't help but smile at his infectious energy, grateful for his thoughtfulness in wanting to ease your burden. As Sinclair disappeared into the bathroom, his voice still ringing in your ears, you turned back to your textbook, intending to sneak in a few more minutes of studying before indulging in his thoughtful gesture.

But just as you were about to open your book, you heard Sinclair's voice echoing from the bathroom, his tone excited and determined. "And don't even think about opening that book, sweetheart!" he called out, his words a playful warning.

Caught off guard, you hesitated for a moment, your heart racing with guilt at the thought of defying Sinclair's wishes. But knowing how much he wanted to help you relax, you quickly composed yourself and called back, "Of course not, darling! I'm not even thinking about studying right now."

It was a white lie, but one you knew Sinclair would appreciate. With a smile tugging at your lips, you set aside your textbooks and allowed yourself to fully embrace the moment of relaxation that Sinclair had so thoughtfully orchestrated.

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Sinclair hummed to himself as he filled the tub with warm water, adding a generous amount of lavender-scented bubbles for an extra touch of luxury. He meticulously adjusted the temperature, wanting everything to be perfect for you.

As he worked, Sinclair couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at being able to pamper you in this way. He knew how hard you had been studying, how much pressure you were under, and he was determined to do everything in his power to help you unwind and recharge.

Moments later, you appeared in the doorway, a hesitant smile playing on your lips as you took in the sight before you. Sinclair stood beside the bathtub, his blond hair tousled in an endearing mess, his brown eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Interesting, very interesting," he murmured, his voice filled with curiosity as he adjusted the temperature to perfection. With a satisfied nod, Sinclair called out to you, his excitement palpable in his tone. "Sweetheart, the bath is ready for you!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the bathroom as he awaited your arrival.

"Come on, darling," Sinclair said, his voice warm and inviting. "It's time to relax and unwind."

With a grateful sigh, you stepped forward and began to undress, allowing your clothes to fall to the floor in a heap as you prepared to sink into the warm embrace of the bath. Sinclair averted his gaze respectfully, giving you the space and privacy you needed to disrobe.

Once you were fully undressed, Sinclair turned back to you with a tender smile, his excitement palpable in the air between you. "Now, sweetheart, just step into the bath and let the warm water wash away all your worries," he instructed, his voice gentle and reassuring.

You nodded in understanding, your heart swelling with gratitude for Sinclair's thoughtfulness. With a deep breath, you lowered yourself into the bathtub, the warm water enveloping you in its soothing embrace as you settled in for a moment of pure relaxation.

Sinclair watched you with a soft smile, his heart brimming with affection for the woman he loved. As you closed your eyes and allowed yourself to melt into the warm water, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at being able to provide you with this moment of tranquility.

"You're doing great, sweetheart," Sinclair murmured, his voice filled with genuine admiration. "Just let go and allow yourself to be fully present in this moment of peace."

With Sinclair by your side, you allowed yourself to surrender to the calming sensation of the bath, the weight of the world lifting from your shoulders as you basked in the warmth of his love. And as you closed your eyes and let the stress of the day melt away, you knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, as long as you had Sinclair by your side, you could conquer anything together.

As you relaxed in the warm embrace of the bath, Sinclair couldn't help but hover nearby, his excitement palpable as he watched over you with eager anticipation. He chatted animatedly about the benefits of lavender-scented bubbles and the science behind relaxation techniques, his brown eyes alight with enthusiasm.

"Did you know that lavender has been scientifically proven to reduce stress and promote relaxation?" Sinclair exclaimed, his voice filled with childlike wonder. "It's truly fascinating how something as simple as a scent can have such a profound effect on our wellbeing."

"How are you feeling, baby?" Sinclair asked, his voice soft and caring. "Are you starting to feel more relaxed?"

You couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm, grateful for his thoughtful gesture and his boundless curiosity. Despite his tendency to ramble, Sinclair's presence was a comforting one, and you found yourself relaxing more and more with each passing moment.

You nodded, a contented sigh escaping your lips as you leaned into his touch. "Yes, Clair," you replied, your voice filled with warmth. "Thanks to you, I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Sinclair's smile widened at your words, his heart swelling with pride at being able to provide you with some much-needed relaxation. "I'm so glad to hear that, sweetheart," he said, his voice tinged with genuine affection. "You deserve to take a break and pamper yourself every now and then."

As you basked in the warmth of the bath, Sinclair continued to chat animatedly about his latest research findings and his plans for the future. His excitement was infectious, and you found yourself getting caught up in his enthusiasm, forgetting about the stress of exams for a moment as you lost yourself in conversation with him.

Hours seemed to pass in the blink of an eye as you soaked in the soothing waters of the bath, Sinclair by your side, his presence a calming influence in the midst of your anxiety. And as the evening wore on and the water began to cool, you reluctantly emerged from the tub, feeling more relaxed and refreshed than you had in weeks.

Sinclair wrapped you in a warm towel, his touch gentle and reassuring as he dried you off with tender care. "Thank you for indulging me, sweetheart," he murmured, his voice filled with gratitude. "I know studying can be stressful, but I'm always here to help you unwind and relax."

As you wrapped yourself in the warm towel, Sinclair's gentle touch filled you with a sense of peace and comfort. His brown eyes sparkled with affection, his chatty nature momentarily silenced by the intimacy of the moment.

You smiled up at him, your heart overflowing with love for the kindhearted man before you. "I couldn't have asked for a better partner," you replied, your voice filled with warmth. "You always know exactly what I need to feel better."

"You're so beautiful, sweetheart," Sinclair murmured, his voice soft with admiration as he gazed at you with unwavering affection. "I feel lucky every day to have you in my life."

His words sent a warm rush of emotion coursing through you, your heart swelling with love for the kind-hearted man before you. Despite his tendency to chatter incessantly about his latest research findings and futuristic theories, there was a sweetness to Sinclair that never failed to touch your heart.

Wrapping your arms around his neck, you pulled him close, your lips meeting his in a tender kiss filled with warmth and affection. In that moment, surrounded by the comforting embrace of the bathroom, you felt a deep connection to Sinclair, a bond that transcended words and filled you with a sense of belonging.

"I love you, Sinclair," you whispered against his lips, your voice barely a breathless murmur as you lost yourself in the sweetness of the moment.

Sinclair smiled against your lips, his brown eyes shining with love and tenderness. "And I love you, my dear," he replied, his voice filled with sincerity. "More than words can express."

With a contented sigh, you leaned into his embrace, reveling in the warmth of his love as you allowed yourself to fully immerse in the moment. Despite the stress of exams looming over your head, you knew that as long as you had Sinclair by your side, you could weather any storm that came your way.

As you stood there in the bathroom, wrapped in each other's arms, you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude wash over you. Sinclair's kindness and affection had a way of soothing your soul, easing the burdens of the world and filling you with a sense of peace.

With Sinclair by your side, you felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that his love and support would always be there to guide you through. And as you closed your eyes and allowed yourself to sink into the warmth of his embrace, you knew that no matter what the future held, as long as you had Sinclair, you would always find your way back to happiness.

As Sinclair gently separated from you, his warmth lingering in the air like a comforting embrace, he flashed you a bright smile, his brown eyes sparkling with affection. "Feeling better, sweetheart?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

You nodded, returning his smile with one of your own. "Much better, thanks to you," you replied, your voice soft with gratitude. "I don't know what I would do without you, Sinclair."

His smile widened at your words, a warm glow of pride filling his chest. "Aw, shucks, sweetheart," he chuckled, his tone playful. "Just doing my duty as the world's best boyfriend."

You couldn't help but laugh at his playful boast, your heart swelling with love for the charming man before you. Despite his occasional quirks and eccentricities, there was no denying the depth of his affection for you, and you felt truly blessed to have him in your life.

As Sinclair suggested ordering some food, you eagerly nodded in agreement, the thought of a delicious meal lifting your spirits even further. While Sinclair went to fetch the phone, you took the opportunity to slip into something more comfortable, shedding the towel in favor of a cozy sweater and a pair of leggings.

With a contented sigh, you sank onto the couch, the soft fabric enveloping you in warmth and comfort as you waited for Sinclair to return. Moments later, he reappeared with the phone in hand, his expression bright and eager as he settled in beside you.

"Alright, sweetheart, what are you in the mood for?" Sinclair asked, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "Chinese? Italian? Maybe some good old-fashioned comfort food?"

You chuckled at his excitement, touched by his eagerness to please you. "How about some pizza?" you suggested, a smile tugging at your lips. "With extra cheese and all our favorite toppings."

Sinclair's eyes lit up at the mention of pizza, his enthusiasm matching yours as he dialed the number for your favorite pizza place. As he placed the order, you couldn't help but admire the way his brow furrowed in concentration, his determination to get the order just right evident in every gesture.

With the order placed, Sinclair set the phone aside and turned to you with a grin. "Pizza's on its way, sweetheart," he announced, his tone triumphant. "Now all we have to do is sit back, relax, and wait for the deliciousness to arrive."

You smiled at his infectious enthusiasm, grateful for his thoughtfulness and his unwavering dedication to making you happy. As you settled in beside him, the anticipation of the impending meal filling you with excitement, you couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over you.

With Sinclair by your side, you knew that even the simplest moments could be filled with joy and laughter. And as you snuggled into his embrace, surrounded by the warmth and comfort of your cozy apartment, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the love you shared and the happiness you found in each other's arms.

[pjshermann]

Jude's Timeline

Since there are no dates or determinable time period (beyond the fact that it's set in the 21st century) in A Little Life, I love trying to figure out the timelines of the characters themselves. So here's Jude.

Newborn

Born in South Dakota

Abandoned as a newborn and taken in by the monastery

5 years old

Received a fossil from Brother Luke for his birthday

7 years old

Had his hand burnt by Father Gabriel

Sexual abuse by the Brothers began

8 years old

Given a set of wooden logs for his birthday

Abducted by Brother Luke and forced into prostitution

11 years old

Began cutting himself

12 years old

Rescued from Brother Luke

Placed in a boys group home in Montana

13 years old

Meets the Learys

Beaten by the counselors, causing life-long scarring on his back

14 years old

Runs away from the group home in Montana

Abducted by Dr. Traylor and held captive for four months

15 years old

Run over by Dr. Traylor, causing his life-long disability

Rescued from Dr. Traylor

Meets Ana

Begins living with the Douglasses

16 years old

Ana passes away

Briefly lives in an emergency shelter

Has a summer job at a bakery

Leaves Philadelphia, and starts his undergraduate study at an unnamed college in Boston

17 years old

Met Andy Contractor

Gifted a model house by Malcolm

18 years old

Began working as a classics professor's amanuensis

Dr. Traylor dies in prison

20 years old

Graduated from his undergraduate study and goes to France for the first time

Began Law School at (presumably) Harvard

Began his Pure Math Master's degree from MIT

Met Harold Stein and Julia Altman

21 years old

Stayed at Harold and Julia's house for the first time and imagined they were his parents

Had an unspecified internship during the summer

Invited to Harold and Julia's summer house, Truro, for the first time

22 years old

Learned to drive (from Harold)

23 years old

Graduated Law School

Graduated Masters at MIT

Began his clerkship in Washington, living in the living room of an unnamed legislative assistant

24 years old

Given keys to the Cambridge house by Julia

25 years old

Moved to New York, living at Malcolm's parents' house

Began working at the U.S Attorney as an assistant prosecutor

Moved out of Malcom's parents' house to Lispenard St

26 years old

Has his first episode in front of Harold, who sings to him

Willem finds out about his cutting

Jumps off a roof with his friends at Lispenard St

27 years old

Broke the mug that Jacob made

Attended Andy's wedding

29 years old

Began tutoring Felix

30 years old

Adopted by Harold and Julia <3

31 years old

First contacted by Lucien after working on case for Thackery Smith

Finalized the contract for a job at Rosen Pritchard, after the elevator broke once more at Lispenard

Contacted by Rob Wilson (Some unknown from the home)

32 years old

Bought his Green Street apartment

35 years old

Became a partner at Rosen Pritchard (the youngest one in the firm's history)

36 years old

Picked out a suit for Malcolm for his wedding that would happen that year

Began the renovations for Greene Street

37 years old

Broke off his friendship with JB after the latter mocks his disability

38 years old

Scolded by Harold out at dinner for working at Rosen Pritchard

40 years old

His former Master's advisor, Dr. Kashen, passes away

Attended his former classmates, Lionel and Sinclair's, wedding

Began dating Caleb Porter

Broke up with Caleb Porter

41 years old

Attempts suicide and is briefly institutionalized

Goes to Morroco

43 years old

Caleb port a potty dies <3

Began dating Willem

45 years old

Has his big fight with Willem and tells him about his childhood

46 years old

Buys a flat in London on Harley Street

The last time he would truly walk on his own. No aides, no prosthetics. This is during a trip to Bhutan

47 years old

Starts getting lots of wounds on his legs and bone infections

48 years old

Gets his legs amputated

49 years old

Starts walking again

50 years old

Set up scholarships for Julia and Harold at their respective universities

Loses both Willem and Malcolm (and Sophie) to a drunk driving accident

51 years old

His loved ones hold an intervention for him

52 years old

Went to Rome

Taught Harold how to cook

Asked to be the chairman of Rosen Pritchard

53 years old

Took his own life :(

If there's anything here you think should be added let me know. And of course this isn't every single thing that happened to Jude, just some main events or events that helped pinpoint the timeline. So if there's a scene/event/anything that you'd like to know the timeline of, let me know (inbox)

[whim-prone-pirate]

The Moment Each Disruptor Realized Benoit Blanc Was Gay As Hell: A Masterpost

I wasn't kidding when I said I'd do it.

In chronological order...

HELEN

Though Helen isn't technically considered a Disruptor by the rest of the group, I personally believe she's the only real Disruptor among them. That's a different post. Obviously, Helen realized first, as she met Phillip before she met Benoit. I think she assumed at first she had been greeted by some sort of housemaid because Phillip was wearing an apron—Then she saw the sourdough starter. That sold it. She saw Benoit in his stupid little robe and was like Oh fucking of course.

LIONEL

Lionel was obviously studying Benoit on the dock before the Disruptors and Benoit boarded the boat. While Lionel doesn't have the greatest gaydar in the world, as in, he's not looking for it upon meeting most people, he was looking to pick up on anything upon meeting Benoit. Here's this strange dude that none of us know and didn't expect to be here, what's his deal? As Lionel is trying to pick up something from Benoit, Claire starts fangirling over Benoit's previous case about the ballet dancer and Benoit says, "I'm obviously familiar with you all as well—Governor, Dr. Toussaint... Miss Birdie Jay." The way he talks to Birdie and says her name... Lionel understood. Unfortunately, Birdie did not. At all.

PEG

Also not a Disruptor but she's so important to me. Peg is a lesbian. She clocked Benoit as soon as she saw his outfit and heard his accent, but she was absolutely sure of it when she saw how he reacted to the anti-covid throat spray.

MILES

Miles' moment was difficult for me to pin down, mostly because he's fucking stupid and there is certainly a chance that he never realized at all. But, for the sake of the post, let's say that Miles noticed something was different about Benoit when he pulled him aside into the Glass Onion to ask why Benoit was there. When Miles said, "Someone reset the box. They sent it to you as a gag," and Benoit was so shocked that he raised his hand to his chest like a southern woman clutching her pearls... Miles still didn't get it, he was so caught up in his upset. But, after the ordeal in the Glass Onion, off-screen and on his own time, Miles thought about the interaction again, specifically that exact moment that I mentioned, and had the realization. Miles is so full of himself that he thought he was a genius for realizing.

WHISKEY

Whiskey saw him wearing a matching top-and-bottom bathing suit and a little scarf thing in a pool and absolutely understood. She didn't care at all, but she understood. Benoit was also the only one to have an open glass while walking (WALKING) through the pool. While I can't say for certain, it looks like the drink itself is just iced water with a lime. I think Benoit is one of the only people there who isn't drinking alcohol at the pool. That's not very important but I think it just adds to his whole ensemble.

BIRDIE

Of course, Birdie was one of the last to realize, or at least get a little hint of it. She had been hitting on Benoit since the first time she spoke to him at the dock. But, the moment that he said, "I'm going to embarrass myself here; I adore Sweetie Pants. I live in mine," she never made a move on him again. I think, based on the name, Sweetie Pants is a feminine clothing line and Birdie likely intended for women to wear the pants. After Benoit admits to not only wearing them, but loving them, she finally backs off. Immediately after Benoit says that, Miles begins talking about Birdie's career, and Birdie kinda smirks and bumps her eyebrows while gesturing towards Benoit. This could be taken to be her reaction to Miles' praise of her, but given Birdie's character and the context in which Miles is talking about this, I think it makes more sense for this to be Birdie's reaction to Benoit being very obviously gay. She gestures to him, like, "Oh my God, he wears Sweetie Pants, that's so gay. Benoit is gay, guys, do you see what I'm seeing?" Yes, Birdie. They do see it. You were the last one to see it.

CLAIRE

Claire was hard for me to define as well. She was so caught up in Klear and the aftermath of Andi's trial leading up to Duke's murder that I really don't think she was paying enough attention to Benoit to actually get it. I honestly believe that the first time she ever thought about Benoit as a person instead of as a detective that she thinks is really cool is when she was drunk in the minutes leading up to Duke's death. She didn't talk much because Miles was making his speech and dancing with Birdie, so I think she was looking around the room, landed on Benoit, and was too buzzed to really think about it too hard, so she had the very fleeting, yet eloquent thought of, "He's... gay. Yeah." She always kinda knew in the back of her mind, ever since the dock, but never got the chance to think about it.

DUKE

Duke never realized. I think he was on the cusp of getting it every time he was in an area with Benoit since the pool scene, but he's so alt-right that he thought in his head, "Haha! Benoit's kinda weird. That's so gay," because we all know he uses gay as a playful insult, but he never actually considered it a possibility. Then he died. Womp womp.

This is the most important post I've ever made. I appreciate the three people who asked me to make it.

(inspired by @mylasttwobraincellsandi and their post about the sweetie pants scene)

[felmonth]

Hello everyone!

As I said before, since a while ago I wanted to change the content and well, I don't know if it's interesting to see but I will post these drawings that are from a long time ago when I draw my ocs more frequently, I want to take them back and make a new story so don't hold back asking about these new characters, I leave their names and small descriptions.

Kuppis

These creatures behave like birds, make canary sounds and eat cookies, I was inspired by Pokémon to make these characters, I hope you like my creatures.

Old design:

Felmonth

First... Felmonth is not me, is my oc, Felmonth is actually a formless smiling slimy mass that in order to have a physical body, it has to devour people, although it can't just eat them, it has to make its victim depressed to the brink of collapse and then devour them, however, the physical body it has after it has devoured someone, after a few minutes or so after the victim is consumed, cracks and breaks, making it short lived. Basically the story I have from Felmonth is how to get out of the depths of depression, I don't know how to fully develop it but it's more or less the attempt.

Fushi Sweetheart

This character was my favorite since 2016, I had a story together with a friend but since we don't talk for a long timew anymore, I had to start from scratch so he has a side story as Tom's adopted son, yes....the puppet, like the movie Peabody and Sherman (I love that movie) but actually the original story Fushi had and I plan to develop it again, he was the typical human half demon, but this time he is a demon of the "cracks", because of his emotions the cracks react to his magic and so, I have comics but I don't plan to show them since I don't consider him canon in my head now, the person who can see him is Lulu >:3 mwehehe nah it's joke xd I'll leave all the mystery to Lulu and you guys too.

Pettitil (Bunny) and Eve (Elf)

The world my characters inhabit is a place where they only learn magic and consequences of it by using it, as the original story is cruel and sad, this time it's much more regulated soft but having the conflict of the characters, I didn't feel comfortable with the original story XD literally everyone died and I don't like that.

Pettitil is a bunny girl, she is the middle sister of 8 bunny siblings, she has plant magic, she acts as the older sister of another character I will show later, named "Lionel", she treats that boy like her brother since Lio is going through a hard time with his demanding family, Pettitil's father has no problem with her inviting his friend over for tea at home. She has no definite age (in fact, none of my characters are of age, but until their story is fixed, the characters will be between 20 years old and up)

Eve the elf, a clumsy but kind hearted girl, her family is poor but she has the opportunity to study thanks to a lottery provided by a school, her world falls apart when her mother demands her to marry to get riches, she doesn't want to marry someone she doesn't love but she is forced to get together with someone, she meets Lionel her "fiancé" they both become friends and realize they are nothing for each other in terms of falling in love.

Mimi the faun

According to the comics I have of her, she is a tarot reader, her magic specializes in intuition and divination, she has no personality yet, so in the comics she survived without personality.

To be continued...

[maytheoddshq]

NAME OF REQUESTED CHARACTER:

Liliana Cannon

AGE RANGE:

28/29

FACECLAIM:

UTP, but M might recommend: Alexandra Daddario or Claudia Jessie. Virginia might recommend: Alva Bratt, Diana Silvers, Sophie Skelton

POSITION / JOB:

UTP; Liliana is a middle child of the Cannon family, a wealthy Peacekeeping family. Each child had a role to play; Liliana's was to study to take over the family business in small-scale arms manufacturing from her father, Lionel. While not the biggest name in the business in Two, they have power and sway. With the current switch-up in government from the Snow regime to the rebel Vox, Liliana may have to get creative as her brothers have in order to stay alive — and on the right side.

CONNECTION TO CHARACTER:

Montgomery Cannon's younger sister; Everett Cannon's older sister

BACKGROUND:

She is likely pro-Games / loyalist. She was not expected to enter the Games.

Contact M (Montgomery Cannon) or Virginia (Everett Cannon) for more details.

[idabbleincrazy]

We Make Our Own Destiny: Ageless

Fandom: Smallville

Rating: T (E overall)

Pairing: Clex

Characters: Clark, Lex, Lana Lang, Martha Kent, Jonathan Kent, Sheriff Adams, Dr. Harden (borrowed from Stray), Karen and Tanner (Evan's parents)

Word Count: 4848

Warnings: canonical death of a one-off character, fluff, angst, mentions of Lillian's mental illness, mentions of infanticide, Lex is already being a better father than Lionel ever was

Summary: Clark, Lex, and Lana find an abandoned baby in a smoking crater. Lex opens up to Clark about his regained memories.

A/N: bear with me as I find my Lana-voice. Also, I added to the Karen/Tanner scene since I wanted to better show their side of things. They were high school seniors, just like Clark and Lana, and yet are immediately vilified within this and Tanner's later scenes for the simple hormone-driven mistake they made of having sex without protection while drunk. They were just one episode characters, but they were treated shamefully for characters that are still just kids. I wanted to make that much more clear than the show bothered to. And remember, always use protection if neither you nor your partner is completely medically cleared of STD's, or if there is a chance of you getting pregnant without planning for it. I know most of my fics don't bother with condoms, but that is because usually, either one, or both of the pairing is canonically non-human and incapable of catching or spreading disease, or getting pregnant/impregnating.

6:45 P.M., Talon

"Thanks again, Lana. I can't believe the garage won't be able to get the tire in until Tuesday, even with me paying for priority shipping." Lex plopped himself elegantly down in the booth across from where Lana and Clark were huddled over a textbook. He'd really been looking forward to being able to spend some time alone with Clark on the ride home, but a blowout had seen that plan go sailing out the window. He had spent the last couple hours dealing with the mechanic and calling Metropolis' Porsche dealership to try and persuade them to find a way to at least overnight the high performance tire he required, to no avail. Lex sipped at his latte, watching the two teenagers and trying not to let his jealous tendencies get the better of him. Clark was his, even if Lana wasn't completely aware of that fact yet. "You're sure I won't be impeding on your study session? I wouldn't want either of you to suffer on your finals.

Lana shot him a bright smile, grateful for his concern, even if it was unnecessary. 

"Really, Lex, you're more likely to get bored watching us read over our notes than we are to be distracted by the addition of one more person in this place."

It was true that the Talon was in full swing, high schoolers milling around in varying groups, preparing for the upcoming end-of-term exams. He was surprised that the volume of chatter was so subdued, given the sheer press of bodies in the booths and spread around the mid-row tables. Much less rowdy than the Excelsior crowds had ever been, even in the school library. Though, it was lucky his new lover seemed to be such a great multitasker with an already exceptional innate intelligence, otherwise he'd worry about Clark's G.P.A. slipping as the boy tried to rope him into a game of footsie beneath the table. 

"If you're sure. Remember, if you need any help, I was studying Grad Chem before my father decided it was time to take up the mantle."

Lex felt a wave of sympathy and warmth from Clark, and sat back in the booth, making sure not to let his gaze linger on the tall brunette for longer than typical. They'd always had a certain level of focus on each other, even in public, before they had admitted to their feelings; a change in that ratio, one way or the other, could alert any watchful eye to their change in circumstance, which could lead to questions neither of them were quite ready to field. Keeping their relationship a secret from the public for the time being would take a carefully cultivated vigilance. And Clark keeping his appendages to himself.

9:00 P.M., Outskirts of town

Two teenagers, Tanner and Karen, are driving down main street into town, Tanner speeding down the dark and empty road while Karen yells into her cell phone. Her stomach is rounded with late-term pregnancy, skin flush from strain and sweat, clearly in labor.

"No, you don't understand, I need help now! Please, you have to help us. No, there isn't enough time. Aah!"

She screams as the pain shoots through her, and Tanner grabs the phone away from her, trying to get them there on time.

"What the hell is the matter with you people?! This is an emergency!" He never meant for this to happen. It was just one drunken night, one little mistake. Why didn't he take the condoms he had sitting in his drawer? "Please!"

"It's too late! It's too late!" 

Karen curls forward around her stomach as it starts to emit a white glow of light. The pain is unbearable, she feels like she's going to explode. It isn't supposed to feel like this, is it? It's definitely not supposed to be this fast. At least, that's not what they were taught in health class. 

"It's coming! Tanner!"

Tanner sees the glow and drops the phone. Panicking, he swerves the car off the road and into Evans Field,  screeching to a stop. He can't. He can't deal with this. He's too young, he barely even knows her. He's not ready for this.

"Oh, my God! What's happening to me? Tanner, please, help. It hurts!"

The glowing light gets brighter as her stomach starts to convulse. The pain ratchets higher, and she begs Tanner to do something, anything. He grabs for the door handle, unable, unwilling, to stay. 

"I'm sorry!"

He scrambles out of the car and runs away. There's nothing he can do, anyway, or that's what he tells himself. 

"No! No, don't leave me, please!" Karen shrieks out in pain as she feels her insides tearing, rending. This is it. The glow becomes so bright that it nearly fills the whole field, and Karen screams in agony. Amongst the physical pain, is a sharp thread of regret that she won't get to see the baby, a love for it that she can't deny even as it kills her. A blast of energy spills out over the street.

Lana slams on the brakes as a rippling light waves out across the road, Clark and Lex bracing their hands on the dash as the SUV rocks against the sudden stop. 

"Lana, are you alright? Lex?"

"I'm fine. Lana?"

"Yeah. What was that?"

"I don't know. I think it came from Evans Field."

The trio clamber out of the vehicle, running to the field. They find themselves at the edge of a large dip in the field, looking for all the world like a bomb crater. They look around, for survivors, for answers, but all they can see is smoke. Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying drifts out from the center of the smoke.

"Oh, my God."

Lana takes off her scarf and runs into the crater. Clark and Lex follow her, Lex's adrenaline sharp and high. 

"Lana!"

"Wait, Lana!"

Lana scrambles through the dirt and picks up the baby, wrapping him in her scarf. The crying stops almost instantly, little pudgy face staring up at them as they look at each other in wonder and confusion.

"Come on, we can't do anything here. I don't think there's anyone else left, whatever did this…it's amazing this little one survived." Lex urged the teens out of the crater, helping Lana up without jostling the bundle cradled in her arm. "We need to get him to the hospital. Clark, you okay to drive? I need to call the sheriff."

Clark nods, still dazed, and the three of them quickly make their way back to the car. Lex bundles Lana and her squirming armful across the back seat, sitting next to them as Clark climbs up into the driver's seat. As the tires squeal against asphalt, Lex leans over to look at the infant, his head swirling with memories. Pushing down the tug on his heart, he pulls out his cell and dials.

*******Somebody Saaaaaave Meeeeee********

As they rush into the emergency room, Lex urges Clark to fall behind with him as Lana is ushered into an examination room with the baby.

"Clark, I want you to know, if this baby isn't…human…if the doctors find anything different about him, I'll do whatever it takes, bribe whoever I have to, to make sure no harm comes to him." Sure, there was no ship in sight, no hail of fiery meteors trailing in the newborn's wake, but images of that fateful Halloween day in 1987 flash through Lex's mind. "Even if we have to abscond with him, we'll find him somewhere safe. Find someone who will take him in, love him like the Kents love you. I won't let him be taken away to some lab somewhere."

Clark barely resists the urge to pull Lex into his arms, to pour all his love and gratitude into a deep kiss. He was stupid for thinking he ever had any reason to fear Lex finding out the truth about him. Instead, he let the emotions seep into the bond, gracing Lex with a watery smile as they followed after Lana and the pediatrician. 

Sheriff Adams met them at the hospital shortly after they arrived, Clark's parents close on her heels as she waved the two men out of the private room into the hallway. Martha casts them a cursory glance and smile before slipping past them into the room to assist Lana with the baby.

Jonathan, Clark, and Lex follow Sheriff Adams a short way down the hall before she turns to face them. Her all-business gaze zeroes in on Clark immediately, even though it was Lex who officially placed the emergency call.

"Last time I checked, babies don't just fall out of the sky, Mr. Kent."

Clark was bristling. The woman always had it out for him, even when most of the time, he was the one who saved the day.

"It left a 30-foot crater, Sheriff. How else would you explain it?"

"Well, I can't. That's why we're conducting a little something called an investigation." 

"What's gonna happen to the baby now, Sheriff," Jonathan interjects, not caring for the sheriff's sarcasm. Once again, he found himself wishing things with Ethan hadn't gone so awful. 

They start heading back towards the exam room, Adams admitting defeat in the lack of evidence. 

"Well, he'll be placed with child services until we find a home for him." She stops walking and turns to Clark. For once, a warm look smooths her stern features. "You did good for a change, Mr. Kent. The little critter wouldn't be alive if not for you. You too, Luthor, it’s a refreshing change of pace to have you calling over a foundling tyke, rather than some miscreant who’s out for your blood. Was starting to feel like we’re little more than your personal protection team."

Lex nods silently with a wan smile, and Clark can't help his nose wrinkling in distaste at the term critter and her snide dig at Lex as she turns and walks back towards the information center. He looks over at Lex fleetingly and pulls his dad aside. It's troublesome that even though Lex knows about his heritage, his dad doesn't know that Lex knows, making it still necessary for there to be a semblance of a veil of secrecy. Thankfully, Lex seems to take the hint and waits by the door.

"Dad, this baby's parents, I don't think they're from around here."

"What do you mean? You think the baby's...the baby's not from Earth?"

Clark shrugs, not knowing what else to think given the evidence.

"We found him in a crater, just like you and mom found me."

"Yeah, but when we found you, we also found a spaceship. The truth is we don't know what happened on that field."

Clark concedes the point, and the three men head back to the exam room to check on Martha, Lana, and the baby. The very loud, fussy baby.

"Hi." Jonathan shuts the door quietly behind them and steps up beside Martha, watching Lana rock the swaddled infant to no avail.

"Hi, honey."

"I've tried everything, but he won't stop." Lana's voice is strained with worry, despite the doctor's assurances.

"Is he okay?" Clark and Lex fall in beside her, drawn in inexplicably.

"If you can believe it, all this crying is a good sign." Martha shakes her head with a slight shrug. "The doctor said he's perfectly healthy."

"I'm gonna go talk to the nurses, find out if we can get some more formula. Here, Clark, you take over."

Lana turns to hand him the baby.

"Me?" His voice squeaks slightly, nervous as he tries to back away.

"Yeah."

"Well, I... Lana, I don't really…"

Lana manages to ease the baby into Clark's arms and the crying stops immediately. Lex pats Clark's shoulder comfortingly.

"Wow. Looks like someone has the magic touch." 

Clark smiles over at him, and looks down at the newborn, a strange tug pulling at his heart.

"I'll be right back." Lana strokes the infant's head and heads out the door, easing the latch shut quietly as she leaves the room.

"When does Child Services come and take him?" His eyes still haven't left the little baby's now peaceful face.

"They're not," Martha sighs, wrapping the blanket more snuggly around the baby's feet. "They don't have room for him yet, so he's going to stay in the hospital until they do."

"He can't stay in the hospital. I mean, he... maybe he can come stay with us."

Martha looks at Jonathan. He can see the look in her eyes, so reminiscent of the day they found Clark, and knows the battle is already lost.

"Until they find room for him." Clark looks down at the baby who stares back up at Clark drowsily. "Please?"

"If it's space you're worried about, the little guy is more than welcome at the mansion." Lex doesn't know why he's so compelled to offer. "I believe some of the old nursery room furnishings are still packed away somewhere, and I can have someone pick up diapers, formula, whatever you need, within an hour."

Jonathan sighs, outnumbered, and lets out a soft chuckle. This should make for an interesting couple days, and honestly, he's pleasantly surprised by Lex's enthusiasm to help care for the stray. 

"Alright, I know when I've been beat. Let's go find Lana, and the doctor, and see if there's any paperwork that needs filling. He'll stay at the farm with us." Jonathan turned his attention to Lex. "But, it would be great if you could find a passable crib, we never needed one when we adopted Clark."

Lex smiled, grateful for the easy acceptance of his offer of help, and pulled out his phone. 

"On it."

Clark and the Kents sought out Lana, the tiny baby now fast asleep in the protective embrace of Clark's arm, and found her taking a box of formula and extra bottles. The pediatrician passed behind them, and Jonathan snagged her attention.

"Dr. Harden, we were wondering if perhaps it would be okay if we let the baby stay with us until Child Services has room?"

"Volunteering for another stray, Mr. Kent?" There was a smile on the doctor's face. She remembered how well they'd handled Ryan a few years back, and had actually considered asking them to take this one in, herself. The baby was healthy enough that it was unnecessary for him to stay in the maternity ward, where less attention would be paid to its emotional needs. "I've already got the paperwork pulled up. Come on."

Dr. Harden ushered Jonathan and Martha into her office and Clark made his way back to Lex as Lana changed course and headed out to the parking lot with the baby formula. She'd wanted to talk with Clark, but something niggled at her, urging her to give Lex and Clark a moment of privacy. She wasn’t sure where she stood with Clark anymore; since she’d ended things with Jason, she had been unsure of whether she wanted to pursue anything with Clark yet, not really  wanting him to be little more than a rebound, and now she wasn’t sure if he still wanted to try to give their relationship another go, especially with college just a few months away, and neither of them certain they would even be living in the same city anymore. In short, her feelings were just one confusing mess. 

"Hey," Clark tapped Lex gently on the shoulder just as he snapped his cellphone shut. "Everything settled?"

Lex turned his head towards Clark, his eyes scanning over the brunette and the bundle held safely in the crook of his arm. There was an odd contentment settling between them, and Lex had an unexpected flash of a future he never knew he wanted; him and Clark, standing close together over a crib, staring down at a chubby cheeked little boy with a thick pate of dark brown hair and silvery blue eyes, Clark humming a lullaby as the baby fell asleep. Blinking, he pushed the revelation aside, noticing concern starting to color Clark's expression as he waited for an answer.

"Of course. The delivery should arrive at the farm within a couple hours. My driver will be here soon so I can go see if Julian’s crib is still in the mansion. If only getting my tire had been so easy."

Clark smiled and looked back down at the baby.

“Yeah, but then we might not have found this poor li’l fella. I guess everything kinda does happen for a reason.” Clark looked around and, seeing the coast was clear, he leaned over and pressed his lips to Lex’s in a swift kiss, his free hand cupping his cheek. “I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but thanks for what you said; about if the baby turned out to be like me? It means a lot.”

Lex shook his head, brushing off the appreciation casually. A twinge of guilt flashed through him as he thought about the meteor mutants he still had down in 33.1, and he strove to keep the emotion from escaping through the bond. He wanted to shut down the experiments going on in Cadmus, but it was going to take time, especially if he didn’t want his father finding out about it until it was too late.

“It’s nothing, Clark. I know you think you’re the last of your kind, but, if it turned out there was another, out there somewhere, I wouldn’t want you to lose that link to your heritage. You may not be human, but you’re still a person, a living sentient being, and you don’t deserve to be treated like some kind of science project. No one does.”

Lex felt an overwhelming surge of love flow through the bond, but before he could respond to it, he noticed the Kents striding around the corner. He eased out of Clark’s loose embrace before Jonathan noticed, quirking his head behind them.

“Looks like they’re finished.”

“Alright, boys, everything’s all set.” Jonathan’s arm wound around Martha’s waist as they stopped in front of the two young men. He couldn’t help but smile at the way Clark’s gaze kept wandering to the swaddled newborn in his arms, wondering if the teen even realized how enraptured he seemed to be. “You ready to head home, son?”

“Actually, could I head back to the Manor with Lex? I thought I could help him with the baby furniture.” 

“Sure, honey”, Martha smiled softly at them, the image of the two and the baby one she wondered if she’d ever see again. Even if the two of them stayed together as long as she suspected they would, would they ever have this, for real? Tentatively, she stepped forward to take the baby. And handed it right back as he began squalling immediately. “Goodness, guess he’s really grown attached to you.” 

“I’ll take him with me, we’ll manage. Meet you back at the house in about an hour?”

Martha and Jonathan handed over the bag of diapers the doctor had given them and the group headed out of the hospital, Clark and Lex waving them off as Lex’s town car pulled up to the entrance.  

Back at the mansion, Lex led the way to the set of rooms the staff used as storage. It didn’t take long to find the boxes that were full of the old toys and clothes that had so shortly belonged to little Julian. Pulling the protective covering off the barely used crib, Lex couldn’t fight back the melancholy that settled over him, and was unsurprised when Clark stepped up behind him and pulled him into a one-armed embrace. 

“Wanna hold him?”

Lex was grateful for Clarks tact, the lack of prodding making him want to open up for once. He turned in Clark’s hold, and carefully took the baby from him, surprised when he didn’t even stir. 

“Guess he likes you, too.”

Lex stared down at the newborn in his arm, his free hand trailing fingers gently over the perfect, sleeping face. 

“I never told you, what I found out from the Summerholt treatments.” Lex tore his gaze away from the baby to meet Clark’s widening, curious eyes. “I didn’t kill him. Julian. I thought I had, but my mind was misremembering things.”

“Oh. Oh, Lex.”

“I let my father think I had done it, to protect my mother.”

“Your mother killed Julian?”

“She smothered him in his crib. She had been suffering from postpartum depression, she wasn’t exactly in her right mind. I think she thought it was an act of mercy; I had overheard her arguing with my father while she was pregnant, she wanted to terminate. Didn’t want my father using him as just another pawn, pitting the two of us against each other in his mind games. Like he tried to do with Lucas and I.”

Clark wrapped his arms more securely around Lex, taking care of the infant, and guided Lex’s head down to his shoulder. He tried to convey the intense love he felt for him through their connection. He really needed to head back to the caves and ask the AI how this whole soulmate thing actually worked. Lex's voice was soft, muffled against his shirt, but he heard it clear.

"The night Julian died, I was coming up the stairs with a tray of cookies and cocoa, a bottle for Jules. He'd been colicky that week, and the crying has been stressing Mother out, and I thought the hot cocoa would help her sleep. I was barely past the first landing when I heard his crying cut off suddenly. I just dropped the tray and ran up to his nursery. She turned to me, the pillow still in her hands. I don't think she even realized what she'd done, she just thought he was sleeping.

I knew I had to protect her from Father. Lionel would have killed her, so I let him think I had done it. I knew, as his only heir, he would punish me, set out a whole new slew of demented games, but he wouldn't get rid of me. When her heart gave out, I sanctified Lillian in my mind, I believed the lie I told my father. Less than a year later, I was at Excelsior, and I'd had my first breakdown."

Clark blinked back the tears he felt blurring his sight as Lex's pain and sadness coursed through him, feeling a wet spot begin to sink through his shirt where Lex's head lay. Gently pulling away, he took the sleeping baby from Lex's arms and set him in the crib. After he was sure the infant wouldn't start fussing, he turned back to Lex, tear tracks glistening down his cheeks in the dim lamplight. He’d never seen Lex cry, not once in the five years he’d known him. 

"Thank you, for telling me." Not really sure what else to say, and sensing Lex wasn't really expecting him to discuss it further anyway, Clark pulled him back into a hug, nudging Lex's chin up to capture his lips in a kiss whose only goal was to comfort.

It was funny, every kiss prior to finding the mysterious infant, even the one they'd snuck up in the Talon's office earlier that day, had sparked a heat of lust in his gut that he had to fight down. Now, he just felt the love shared between them as their lips moved slowly together, content with just this, no hurried need to strip and touch. It was nice.

When they broke apart, Clark wiped away the dampness staining Lex’s cheeks, smiling at him to dismiss the tentative shame he saw in the older man’s gaze; he could only imagine the ways Lionel handled these kinds of displays of emotion. Clearing his throat, Clark stepped back and picked up the baby.

“C’mon, Lex, I think it’s been long enough now that I can get this stuff loaded up without Lana getting curious or my Dad worrying whether I used my abilities in front of you.”

Lex nodded, leaning up to press an appreciative kiss to Clark’s cheek, and took the baby so Clark could start speeding around the room, packing the items he thought would be needed into a large moving box. 

“Think your father will finally let you keep the truck, now that it’s four years old?”

“You still have that?”

“Of course. I figured, once you headed off to college, you would need some form of transportation. It’s got great mileage.”

“Lex.”

“We can use it to transport the crib in one piece so you don’t have to worry about setting it up again.” Lex stepped up to where Clark was hefting the box into a better hold. “Let me worry about convincing your dad. You take the stuff down to the garage, the truck’s down at the back of the lot, keys are in the glove box. I’m going to go pack a few things, I think I should stay over to help with the little one.”

"You do realize, even if Lois takes one look at the li'l fella and high-tails it back to Chloe's, you're going to have to slum it on a tiny little twin bed?"

"I managed just fine before, Clark. I'd rather stay close to the baby, and you, just in case. Just because the doctor didn't find anything abnormal, doesn't rule out meteor mutation." Lex led the way out the door as Clark set the box in the crib and picked it up carefully. "I really think we should tell your father that I know your secret, even if we don't tell him about our relationship, Clark. It would make things a lot easier if I didn't have to pretend ignorance around him."

Clark conceded that it would be a lot less hassle, but he wasn't sure his Dad would take it as well as he had Pete finding out. So, he hedged.

"We'll see, Lex. Let's see how he handles you being around the farm for an extended period of time again, first, then we'll discuss it."

Lex nodded in resignation and the two set off down opposite ends of the hallway, Lex heading off to his room to pack a bag.

Nestling the tiny infant among the pillows at the head of his bed, making sure he wouldn't roll over, Lex quickly gathered up a couple days change of clothes into a large holdall, along with some toiletries. Of course, Clark had finished loading the truck first, so he had the brunette watch the baby while he slipped out to his office to grab his laptop and charger, stuffing them into the travel case before returning to his room. 

Stopping in the doorway, he observed Clark with the baby, a pang of regret washing over him that they might never have this together. 

"Hey, I felt that." Clark looked up from his spot on the bed, the newborn tucked into the crook of his arm as he rocked him back to sleep. “Y’know, you could always find a surrogate if you wanted to pass on the Luthor name.”

“It wouldn’t be the same though,” Lex sighed wistfully. “And since marriage between same-sex couples isn’t recognized in Kansas, only one of us would be able to adopt a child as a single parent.”

“Maybe laws will change for the better by the time I’m done with school and have a career going. If not, we could always move somewhere that’s a little more open-minded.”

“I don’t know why it’s bothering me, children aren’t even something I’ve ever really wanted. I don’t exactly have the best example of fatherhood to learn from.” Lex shook his head, clearing away the longing that had set up in his heart. “Alright, let’s get going before they send out a search party.”

Clark stood and swapped the baby for Lex’s bags. There was a blur in Lex’s vision, making him blink rapidly to disperse the slight disorientation, and he noticed the holdall suddenly looked overly full, zipper straining. He raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

“What did you just do?”

“Just added a few things to make your stay a little more enjoyable”, Clark stated simply, flashing a sharky grin. 

“Oh, you’re devious, aren’t you, farmboy?” 

Clark chuckled as he raced ahead of Lex and the baby to the garage. He was resolved not to let this new little adventure be a continuous source of emotional turmoil for Lex, even if he had to resort to some very Lexian levels of subterfuge. 

Lex climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, clutching the sleeping infant close to his chest, and Clark cranked the ignition. Driving out of the sprawling subterranean garage, he looked over at Lex as the typically stoic businessman started cooing at the now fussy baby. Lex may not have ever seriously considered fatherhood, but it seemed to suit him quite well. 

******

@leatafandom

[spaceorphan18]

Glee Musical Retrospective : Hello (Hell-O)

Sung by: Rachel Berry and Jesse St. James Original Artist(s): Lionel Richie

I have to ask - what libraries have a piano in them? Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of people trying to study? Anyway...

I have a confession to make. My first watch through of the show, I really did not like Jesse St. James. Like, at all. And somehow over the past few years, I've really just fallen in love with Jonathan Groff. And I've come back to Jesse St. James with a greater appreciation.

So, let's dig in!

Story Analysis

You had me at hello....

A couple of things right off the bat - continuing with our 'hello' theme - we have a new character! So, of course, we are saying /hello/ to Jesse St. James. Is it blunt? Well, yes, but it's also Glee.

So, here's the thing -- right after Rachel gets her heart smashed by Finn, this random guy shows up who hits every once of Rachel's fantasy kinks, then sits down to do an impromptu piano ballad duet with her so... it's no surprise that Rachel just melts like a puddle.

Jesse clearly knows what he's doing. Did he do his research? Or does he just understand Rachel on a more fundamental level because they are both cut from the same cloth? Hard to say -- but this song really works for an initial introduction.

I've been alone with you inside my mind And in my dreams I've kissed your lips a thousand times I sometimes see you pass outside my door Hello, is it me you're looking for?

This song is just kind of perfect for this dynamic. Jesse is singing to her soul. How often has Rachel just sat and daydreamed -- about Finn, about any guy really just wandering to her and being the perfect match. And here Jesse is singing what she's feeling. It's instantly mesmerizing.

I can see it in your eyes I can see it in your smile You're all I've ever wanted And my arms are open wide Cause you know just what to say And you know just what to do And I want to tell you so much I love you

Again - he is playing to her wants and needs and fantasies. Not only is he everything that /she's/ always wanted -- but he's singing back to her that she's all that he wants. It's a fever dream -- where some guy is telling her all the romantic things that she never had told to her -- that she never thought would be told to her.

And it's especially impactful that this comes after Finn dumping her. Because even before this -- Finn was such hard work to get to admit his feelings for her. And here's someone who now speaks her language, and bam! instant connection and Rachel can hardly contain herself.

Rachel comes into the duet here, too -- which amplifies the effect that she's buying into her fantasy coming true. She's hesitant just a little at first, but then pushes in rather quickly. Rachel's a pretty dramatic girl, leaning into self indulgence, but Jesse's willing to play into that. Sure, we don't know at the moment that he's purposely playing her, but he's just as dramatic and there is a pull there between them.

Sometimes I feel my heart will overflow Hello, I've just got to let you know

This is such a Rachel line -- her heart just bursts with emotion so much. It's a great line for her.

Tell me how to win your heart For I haven't got a clue But let me start by saying I love you

I love these lines for Jesse. Because it's the way he plays the moment. It's like touting innocence -- playing on that instant connection. But he's calculating his every move in this performance. He knows exactly how to make her fall in love with him, and using it to his advantage. Such a fantastic, sneaky little line here.

Technical Thoughts

I may not be huge on this song but I LOVE this performance. There's so much going on. Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff are on fire -- and each doing exactly what's needed to portray their characters perfectly. This scene is so well shot.

First of all, musically. Look - if you are one of the five people who don't know, don't be alarmed, I didn't -- Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff are bffs, and had quite the bonding back when they did the Broadway musical Spring Awakening together. So there's a lot of chemistry and a lot of natural comfort here. And I'm not being hyperbolic when saying that Jonathan Groff is easily the best male voice they've featured at this point. (Sorry Matthew Morrison)

It does help that both actors are well trained vocalists that can keep up with each other. It helps sell the idea that these two have an instant connection. And they do! Even if Jesse is suspect. The fact that they sound good together is a huge thing.

The acting here is just phenomenal as well. The shot is super simple -- the camera closing in on them as the song goes on. It can be visually boring just watching two people sing at a piano. But the camera begins to get intimately close, and both of them are playing such complex characters here.

I love everything that's going on with Rachel. That she's getting sucked into this fantasy -- a fantasy she really only dreamed off. She's a bit demure at the beginning, then just sinks all the way in, and is just smitten by the end of this duet. This girl falls hard with infatuation (which will be her downfall) but ooff is it played so well here.

(A side note -- there are a few brief moments where we see some genuine smiles from Lea Michele, and I get the impression that she's just over the moon excited to be doing a duet with her bff. It's the subtlest of actor bleed, but I feel like the giddy looks are genuine.)

Meanwhile, I love the calculated looks by Jesse. So, Jonathan Groff does something that I'm not sure if it was intentional or not. Most of the time, he's staring her down to sing deeply into her eyes. But every now and then he's carefully looking back at the piano and the music. I don't know if this was because Groff wanted to make sure he was doing/playing/singing something right? But it makes an interesting effect - where, when Rachel has her head turned, it's like he's looking at the script of what he's supposed to be doing and it makes the whole song seem just a little suspect. I realize I'm probably looking too much into it, but it's just a couple of fascinating moments.

Also, I have to point out a moment that generally has me chuckle -- it's the whip around to see that there's a string quartet that's been added, as if that's also normal in a library.

Also, also going to add that this song is mostly sung in minor -- but at the end it lifts into a major chord. It's a nice touch -- that there's this melancholy loneliness about this song until it has a hopeful ending.

Glee Live

This is super cute. It's much more Lea and Jonathan (with Jonathan goofing around a little) than Rachel and Jesse, but still a treat - and probably a fun surprise on whatever tour stop this was at.

vs. The Studio Version : There's not a whole lot different from the tv version. The mixing is a little more balanced between voice and instrument, and of course as usual, it's a cleaner track. But nothing huge.

vs. The Original Version : So... Glee pretty much stripped the 80s right out of this song, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Making it a straight up piano ballad with out all the synth modernizes the song, and it works better for high school students in the the late 00s, and less like an 80s after school special. No disrespect to Lionel Richie, though -- wow does he have a light and airy elegant touch to his voice.

[meimi-haneoka]

Ok. I was taking a break from my studies and it resulted in me being today days old when I found out that Syaoran is called Lionel in the French dub.

.....

....

....

At this point, my brain just refuses to compute that.

LMAO. What is the world? And apparently Meilin is Stephanie. Weirdly enough, it suits them. Though Tiffany, Thomas and Gauthier a bit too much for me. OK. Let me heacanon this. Syaoran is actually called Lionel at his school in Hong Kong. Like either he is very politely referred to as Classmate Li (there is an exact term for that in Cantonese which I can't remember) or people from outside the family just call him Lionel (This should be the case since it was pretty odd that no one outside his family called him by his first name. Makes sense in Japanese culture but Hong Kong, especially in that age group, is not that formal). Either way, outside the family or his classmates, he is referred to by his full name, either Lionel Lee (in Hong Kong or abroad) or Li Xiaolang or Lei Siu Long (according to proper Chinese naming or calling conventions). He is either Baobei (which is like baby or treasure) to his mother or LangLang (affectionate nickname) or Didi (little brother) to his sisters. Only people in his clan, including Wei and Meiling, call him Syaoran (or Siu Long, to be more accurate) and he is Li-kun to rest of his Japanese friends and acquaintances. So, Sakura with her "Shaoran-kun" is her own unique way of calling his name. I am pretty sure he has a hidden real name but he adores being called that by Sakura. Everytime Sakura calls out to him with "Shaoran-kun", he thinks to himself that one day, once both of them are strong enough, they will reveal their real names to each other. Although, I would love to think that he teases her with his own English name when he speaks to her in English and she struggles with it.

I am so sorry Aubretia 😭

I took so long replying to your ask too.

You definitely brought me back in time with the mention of the French dub! When I was a kid, the first run of the CCS anime was incomplete here in Italy, and for long time the only episodes I watched were only up to the 46th one.

But my father had put up satellite television and some time later I could catch CCS on Fox Kids in France, it seemed like a dream to me. I obviously did not know any French back then, but I quickly learned some things, and how the characters were called in that dub!

At first it felt quite strange to me too (in Italy CCS, strangely enough, was one of the first anime where the names were left almost untouched after the 90s wave of modified and butchered anime) but I got used to it rather quickly.

I think when you say

This should be the case since it was pretty odd that no one outside his family called him by his first name

you're referring to the bit where Meiling actually says that he's the one who doesn't call anyone by their first name outside family, right?

Well it does indeed make sense for JP culture, probably less elsewhere.

Omg!! Syaoran would indeed have so many names, can he keep up with all of them to properly respond when he's called by someone? 😆Yes, "Syaoran-kun" is exclusivity of Sakura 🥰

(I can tooootally see his sisters call him didi 😆)

Sometimes I do wonder about Syaoran's real name.

My idea is that the one we know is indeed his real name because when Eriol spelled out his name in the "falling from the tree scene" back in Sakura Card Arc, he seemed "hypnotized" and Eriol had successfully gained control of his body through the thread 😅the whole idea that if someone got your true name, they have your soul in their hands...

[hexagonalhavoc]

Hex Characters in the Real World 

So basically at the end of the game it’s implied that all the characters go into the real world. This also goes hand in hand with the theory that Amanda from Inscryption is Sado meaning that when all the characters go through the hex portal they get a normal looking appearance. I wanted to make headcanons for what jobs I like they would have in the real world just for funsies

If I have the time I wanna draw them just living their casual civilian lives

Reggie: 

I think he would just make the Six Pint Inn real. It would be somewhere secluded in the mountains or the woods.

A lot of travelers go there for the owner’s hospitality and really tasty root beer. 

He’s known for being kind, even letting people stay at the Inn for free during really bad storms. 

Yet some people feel uneasy around him.

Jeremiah: 

In the game if you get all the coins for the vending machines it mentions how Jeremiah wasn’t happy being a janitor and that he wanted more of a thrill in his life.

I think initially he helps Reggie build his inn but then leaves to go pursue his own interests but they still chat from time to time. 

The job I see for him is a private investigator because he already has experience with hunting people down and keeping a low profile. 

Swk:

Either he gets a human form and just becomes a literal weasel. 

I think if he did get a human form he would actually go to college and study engineering. He’s probably really good at math. 

Ends up joining a rock band as the drummer. It’s mildly popular in his area and he’s kind of a celebrity again but this time he’s really chill about it. He keeps his band mates in line if they start letting the fame get to them.

If he had to make a name up for himself it would be “Kidd Shrewd.” It’s a strange name but perfect for a rockstar. 

Chef Bryce:

I think we all know what his ideal job would be. 

After everything he’s been through he just wants to live a calm life. 

Would try to set up his own bakery but if that doesn’t work out he would become a high school teacher. 

He would be the cool teacher that not all the teachers like but his students love him because he’s just really mellow. 

Chandrelle: 

She would have a job where she didn’t have to interact with many people. 

Would be absolutely terrible in a customer service job because of how snarky she is. 

This is a weird one but I think she would be a janitor and actually enjoy it because she gets to blast music in her headphones and ignore everything while she cleans. 

If she sees someone litter in the place she’s cleaning she will smack them with her mop. 

Since her name really sticks out I think she would go under the alias “Charlie Storm” or just “Shannon.”

Lazarus: 

When I thought about him the first thing that came to mind was dog walker. 

He’s calm and confident which means he’s able to get dogs to listen to him. 

The poor man probably doesn’t really know how to relax so on top of dog walking he’s also a cashier at a gas station and going to college full time.  

Ends up becoming a veterinarian or a marine biologist. 

He prefers to chill with animals rather than humans and finds marine life to be really neat. 

Probably doesn’t care about going under a fake name but if he did it would be “Russel” or something basic like “Jason.” 

Rust: 

Lives off the grid or in a very small town. 

He can’t stand crowds and would feel unsafe in a big city. 

He’s sad about spending his days alone but he isn’t really sure where to go or what to do with his life. 

Ends up working as a mechanic that most people are intimidated by. 

Has salvaged a bunch of classic cars and stuff, he likes to decorate them. 

Everyone just calls him Rust, they assume it’s just a nickname and don’t really question it. 

First Person Perspective:

In the real world he would end up looking like Lionel with very few differences. 

Horrified by this he would do everything in his power to make himself look different from his creator. He might dye his hair, let it grow out or shave it completely, wear contacts, anything so people don’t point out the similarities. 

Even though he can actually talk now he still doesn’t because he’s used to not talking and he doesn’t want to hear Lionel’s voice come from him. 

Someone needs to give him a hug, he needs it. 

Probably majors in philosophy and would either work at a library or as an IT. 

Probably still wore a hat and trench coat at first but too many people were staring at him so he just wears a hoodie with the hood up all the time. 

[lord-jen-grey]

What factors inspired you to write like this ? PS: I love your work !! x

Thank you so much! It's very kind of you to say. I didn't study to be a writer in school, so my path in this direction was a bit circuitous.

A number of factors inspired me (and continue to inspire me). In regards to the Outlander stories I've written, the source material (books and show) were extremely inspirational, and I wanted to spend more time in that world with the characters I fell in love with. No other book or show comes close for me.

Another inspiration comes from my previous fandom. There is a crack ship on General Hospital (yes, I was raised a soap girl) that never played out on screen, but there are 3 writers who wrote for that ship (Lolexis) who were absolutely brilliant. EllenSmithee, Lionel, and Lsquared. Ellen knocked my socks off the first time I read her work, and I have never recovered. I reread her story (30 days) at least once a year. It has the best character development (and SEX) of anything I have ever read...ever! My writing can't live up to hers, and I don't even try, but I've learned so much from her about things like how to use sex as more than sex (it's plot too!), how to sit with an intense emotion in a scene, and the basics of nicely flowing sentence/paragraph structures (I'm constantly learning more about this). From Lionel, I learned how to lean into certain tropes, how to use plot to drive the story forward, and the beauty of simplicity.

Other inspirations come from media I consume. Listening to the likes of Pixar storytellers and Phoebe Waller Bridge discuss how they craft a story have had HUGE impacts on me. Without them, Journey would never have turned into what it is now. Another author, She-who-must-not-be-named, taught me how to unfold a mystery. And then there is Diana. She employs storytelling strategies that are utterly brilliant, and they've strongly influenced the way I write.

For years, I've studied philosophy and various other academic fields related to human behavior, and ventured into deep, emotional places with a variety of people. It's had a massive influence on how I craft a character and their journey.

More recently, I've been working with a professional editor who has helped me identify and clean up some of my bad habits, and she has helped with shining a light on missed emotional beats and plot holes. She's incredible. My beta, Lis, has done this for me a millions times over as well.

The biggest influence on my writing has been to just write. I've written more than 2 millions words in the last 6-7 years, and I experimented with perspectives, tropes, character development strategies, outlines, etc. Rereading my own work helps me recognize areas for growth and already established strengths.

Feedback from readers has been invaluable and a HUGE motivator.

I hope this answers your question. Sorry it took so long. I wanted to ensure I took the time to think it through and give a decent response.

[stuckonvenus]

𝐆𝐀𝐁𝐄 + 𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄

Now, where do we stand? Baby, baby, baby No one knows who you are And if this was your plan Tell me, tell me why You've been cryin' in the dark We unraveled a long time ago We lost and we couldn't let it go I wish it was easy, but it isn't so So, baby Oh, we could make a good thing bad.