#looking forward to 2023 with this beautiful fandom

[weird-an]

It's the last day of a year Billy shouldn't have survived. He has been back at Cherry Lane for two months now. The nurses at the hospital had been so happy for him that he got home for Christmas.

His dad hasn't. Billy has never been enough for him, but now he is also fucking broken. He can't even clean the kitchen without getting short of breath, without black spots dancing in his vision, because it all hurts. Some days he can't even get out of bed, limbs stiff and burning from pain.

Today, on the last day of the year, Neil shows him some mercy and fucks off to Indianapolis with Susan. Max has gone to Sinclair's and now Billy feels like he's suffocating in that fucking house. He needs to get out.

He drives to the quarry, because he wants to get far away of the New Year's fireworks. The thought of loud bangs and colorful sparks in the sky make him think of shadows and monsters, of pain and regrets. Not that he needs to think of even more pain, because it's always fucking there.

There's another car a the quarry. Harrington's stupid BMW. For a moment Billy considers leaving, but he has nowhere to go.

Harrington sits on the hood of his car, smoking a cigarette. He looks tired and pale, but he's just as handsome as Billy remembers him from what seems a lifetime ago.

"Hey pretty boy," Billy hears himself say and it's surprisingly easy how the words roll off his tongue. Like he has been talking to Steve every day.

"Hey Billy," Steve waves at him, a tinge of surprise in his voice. "You want a smoke?"

If it's a peace offering, Billy will take it. He sits down next to him at the hood of the Beemer and takes the cigarette Steve hands him.

"No big party to go to?" Billy asks, more curious than mean.

"Don't feel like it," Steve answers. "This fucking year was a shitshow."

"Yeah," Billy says, rubbing the scars on his chest through his sweater. "That's one way to put it."

Steve leans a bit closer. Even in the dark of the night, Billy can see the moles on his cheeks and wonders how they would taste.

"But we made it," Steve says, voice low like they're sharing a secret and Billy … Billy realizes they do. Steve knows about the monsters, the shadows, the blood on Billy's hands.

It's relieving that he does and that he still shares a smoke with Billy.

Somewhere in the distance, the fireworks start. It's far away, so it's muffled. It's far away, so it isn't scary.

"Happy new year, Steve." Billy turns to him and he wants to hug him, but he's scared he might to something stupid like kissing him. He dreamt about it, even at the hospital. He dreamt about it when he first saw Steve at school.

Suddenly Steve is close and there is a question in his eyes, his gaze on Billy's lips and Billy's heart stops beating.

Apparently Steve had dreamt about it, too.

It's surreal, it's a new year’s wish coming true within second, because Steve's arms are around him, pulling Billy closer and then…

Steve's lips on his, breathing happy new year against his skin. Billy kisses back, feeling like he's floating, his cigarette falling to the ground, pulse hammering in his ears.

This is the first moment ever he came back from Starcourt that he thinks living to see the new year might not be that bad. He can breathe again.

They break apart, arms still wrapped around each other, not letting go.

"I'm glad you're here," Steve tells him. Billy wonders if he means at the quarry or being alive.

He's glad, too, he realizes. It's 1986, Billy thinks, it's 1986 and maybe I'm supposed to be here.

He kisses Steve again and it tastes like the past, the present and something new- a future.

With glowing cigarettes instead of fireworks, Steve's warmth against his cold skin and finally, just this once, living doesn't hurt.

[empty-movement]

Empty Movement's 2023 Revolutionary Girl Utena UPDATE

Fashionably late? As always. 2023 was a HUGE year for Empty Movement, so much so that to confess, we did a big fail in actually keeping up with sharing the stuff we did! OOPS. So finally, we proudly bring you: all the Revolutionary Girl Utena content we dropped in 2023. Essays, artbooks, CD information, you name it. Click below for the entire site update, or get it at the source, as always, at ohtori.nu.

In Analysis (Fan Essays): • seebee's essay The Power of Living an Embodying Narrative is about more than Utena, it's about the fandom--including us. We were both interviewed for this piece, and the result is an absolutely beautiful essay that has helped inform how we do Utena stuff going forward. Thank you so much for letting us be part of this! • seebee's VIDEO essay FILM CUTS BACK | transfeminism in utena absolutely blew our minds and it's so good we're listing it. Look at the title. Just go watch it, it rules. • Nicole Winchester's essay No Choice But To Become Witches: The Bishōjo-Demonic Phallic Mother Dichotomy in Revolutionary Girl Utena catches you up to speed on the academic discussion around what might best be described as the shoujo manga iteration of the Madonna-Whore complex. Then, naturally, it finds plenty to say about Utena. Great work that was well worth the coding!

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In From the Mouths of Babes (Translated Meta/Creator Content): • Cross X Talk, A Round Table Discussion Commemorating the Second Musical Utena GOGAI FUCKIN' GOGAI. Nagumo and friends bring us the final untranslated part of the 2019 Black Rose Musical's program guide: the monster interview with Ikuhara and the director of the musicals, Yoshitani. INCREDIBLE content here that 100% lives up to the first musical's similar encounter! A must read!! • The Rose Apocalypse's Ei Takatori Interview The director of the mysterious 1999 musical (yes the machine gun one, and YES WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT COMING) interviewed in The Rose Apocalypse book. This...is that. Thank you so much to iris hahn for translating, and I can't wait to bring you more of this mythology!!! • The Utena Dossier Animage Magazine's June 1997 supplemental, this 36-page Utena tome has ben translated by Nagumo with editing by Ayu Ohseki. Because so much of the content is in its visual presentation, I worked the translation into the original scans! Check it out! (PS. Yes that is an entirely different gallery on the emptymovement.com domain, no this won't stay there, yes it has been a weird couple years.) The Dossier includes two long interviews that are also worked into html pages for easy viewing! The Auspicious Joining of Manga and Anime: Saito and Hasegawa For Whom the Director Smiles: Ikuhara and Kitakubo

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In Historia Arcana & The Bibliothèque (Untranslated Resources): • There are a lot of changes happening in this arena!!! How and where to place different materials has been a moving target, so I'll do my best! The sites don't quite reflect this yet, but Historia Arcana will be for cover to cover Utena media, including special magazine publications. Something Eternal's gallery, the Bibliothèque, will be for magazine articles, clippings, and other things. Major artbooks will likely be in both places, cross referenced. New books in Historia Arcana: • The Rose Spiral: Reflections on the Mythology of Utena While not strictly official, this is a fan published book of in depth analysis of Utena, circa 1998! Yep, cover to cover. • Revolution Dictionary (OST 1 First Press Bonus) Cross-referenced from Audiology, this is the bonus dictionary you only got if you grabbed it early! Cool! • Revolutionary Girl Utena Making of Visuals Book Art of UTENA I am mentioning this for completions sake and because I already uploaded it, but this is a cover to cover high resolution, uncleaned scan of the 1999 Art of Utena artbook. I am going to clean the scans, and ultimately be posting the official artbooks elsewhere. • Revolutionary Girl Utena Photobook: Rose Memories This special Animage bonus could be purchased for 700 yen, and back then, was probably a great way to keep the anime in your pocket! It's entirely shots from the TV series, though, so there's nothing specifically new. But I scan it all, baby. New books in the Bibliothèque: • Chiho Saito's 1999 Revolutionary Girl Utena Original Illustration Collection HI THIS IS A VERY BIG DEAL. Read more about why when you visit! TLDR? Here's some of the best artwork of Utena, rescanned and remastered by yours truly to be the best big big scans of big big beautiful Chiho Saito Art. This is a feast. I even made myself a calendar! (Note that the price is such that I don't make a profit on these, so if you're looking to donate, definitely go by other routes, haha.) You will find multiple ways to obtain the scans, and in more than one size. Either way you soak up the rays, enjoy 'em! New articles and clips in the Bibliothèque: • H! Rockin' on Japan Magazine Saito X Oikawa This fashion music magazine's July 1999 article has ALREADY BEEN TRANSLATED? Like, I am going to add the translation officially to the site of course, but holy hell Nagumo is amazing!! This article is actually the origin of a Saito art piece that uh, well. Now we know she went to a love hotel with movie Akio's VA. Cool! Anyway check it out! • Comickers Magazine, August 1997 This absolute monster find is an industry-focused magazine with this gorgeous spread and interview with Chiho Saito. It gets into how she does things. The making of Utena. All kinds of stuff. I'd LOVE to know more about this one!! • Comickers Magazine, June 1998 Again, an industry-focused publication, this time it's exploring the manga and the anime and how they compare. Again looks like a tasty meal!! • Volks Magazine, Spring 2022 YEP SCANS OF THE BOOK OF THE DOLLFIES. For a lot of us, this is at close as we get to these ludicrously gorgeous dolls. I included a few extra pages because they were just fuckin' cool and felt relevant. • Sega Saturn Magazine, December 1997 One of two grabs I got recently on Yahoo! Japan! This appears to be the first look announcement of the 1998 Utena video game! (Yes we have more on it, yes we will eventually post links.) • Sega Saturn Magazine, April 1998 This feature brings attention to the voice actors, who are all returning for the game! • Dengeki G's Magazine, January 1998 Another gaming focused magazine, with frankly a more adult edge, cheaply lets the readers know about Utena. These three game magazine moments are just a bizarre reminder of how we did things before the internet, LMAO

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In Audiology (Music and CD Information): • Complete information about the STAR CHILD - Girls Character Song Best album! You also definitely can't grab the two new remix tracks there. • Did you know there was a first press bonus dictionary for the first OST? I DIDN'T UNTIL RECENTLY. Now I know all about it, and so can you. Check it out! Obviously, scans available, both here and in Historia Arcana. • I FINALLY acquired a complete set of the Utena CD singles!! Check out complete track lists, scans, and information for ALL FIVE Utena singles. Yes. Including the movie Akio guy's one.

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In The Doujinshi Gallery: • Several dozen dounjinshi were uploaded earlier in the year, and can be found listed on the Site Update archive here.

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That's all for now, folks! There's so so so much coming. I have the episode 18 and 20 (!!!!) storyboards to scan, as well as a fully translated scanlation of The Duelist Bible. We're planning to do something for Anthy's rare LEAP YEAR birthday coming up, probably a musical stream or something! Love!

[raygirlramblings]

🎄MerRAY Christmas to all!🎄

The tradition continues! 2023 has certainly been a big and exciting year for Rayman. No joke, the amount of love an attention for our favourite bean coming from the Rabbids DLC and Captain Lazerhawk has been completely overwhelming. The Rayman tag on Tumblr has never been so busy, even if 70% of it is shipping him with a certain French assassin (no complaints here, the art and headcannons are quality). And as one of the oldest fans in this fandom it has warmed my heart to see my favourite lad getting so much love from a whole new generation of talented and creative people. You helped breathe new life into our boy, and you are all wonderful.

So in the spirit of the Glade throwing wild parties here’s a big old shindig to welcome DLC Ray in all this 3D beauty, and Remix Rayman and Ramon to the fold as part of the greater fandom. Ray1, Ray2, Ray3 and Origins!Ray are happy to see them and make them feel at home XD

(also special shout-out to the people making ‘Roommate’ AU’s with all the Rays, that’s adorable)

Anywho, I wish all of you wonderful warm seasons greetings whatever you celebrate, and I hope that your holiday time is peaceful, cosy and surrounded by the people you love the most. Looking forward to seeing all of you in 2024 being the madcap, creative and hilarious souls you are ❤️

Here’s a few bonus closeups :)

[fruitgummies01]

New Here!

As a new fan of BTS and as someone who is curious/intrigued by the dynamic between jikook, I would genuinely love to know how the fans got to the place where it is now with the ships within the fandom. It's so toxic everywhere, and I'm a little shocked to be honest. I thought Are You Sure would be a cute show that the fandom would be excited to watch, but a lot of fans ignored it when the first two episodes were released (which in hindsight was probably for the best). And since the last episode dropped, there's been nothing but fighting.

For context I became a BTS fan in 2023 and so I don't really know all the history of every interaction prior (I'm still learning). I love every member and root for their success both individually and together as a team. As someone who is just learning about everything (I've been obsessively consuming all BTS content), and when it comes to Jimin and Jungkook's connection, I've seen some of the discourse about them online. To be fair I didn't really have an opinion one way or the other, since again I'm pretty new here, I'm trying to take content at face value. But after the first two episodes of Are You Sure, it feels obvious to me that there is an intimacy there between them. Even in episode three, JK can be seen rubbing Jimin's thigh when they are at the table, something that just looked automatic and natural for him to do. From all their earlier conversations in the first two episodes, to taking care of each other since they were both sick, to the concern, to Jungkook's "you're here. finally". Even though they were filming, it all just felt really real and honest. Plus Jungkook saying he wanted the show to go on for years even after they get out of the military, said more to me than anything else. Jungkook values spending time with Jimin and is already looking towards the future, just the two of them.

As for Taekook, it definitely seems to be the more widely accepted ship (I see so many accounts with hundreds of thousands of likes and followers on so many platforms). Plus there are so many taekook comments under pretty much any content related to BTS, even under content from people who are just reacting to BTS content on youtube or patreon. For all intents and purposes Jungkook and Tae seem to have a beautiful friendship, but I just don't see how people romantically ship them (no offense lol). And it's not because I don't see a connection between them, but because I just don't see how it would make much sense, and I'd want so much more for them from a partner lol. Like what would it say about their relationship if Tae was learning about JK traveling with someone else through a schedule on their BTS group chat, or having to basically invite himself, or how the last group live where JK seemed hyper-focused on Jimin (even though he was already planning to enlist with him), or JK watching hours of Jimin specific content on lives, or planning a travel variety show with someone who you were already planning to enlist/spend every day with, or being all over someone else in bed and repeatedly rubbing their legs (bandmate or not). Like no shade, but I feel like romantically shipping Tae and JK is lowkey insulting to them as people, because they both deserve to a be priority to whoever they are in a relationship with. Also a little confused how fans seem to ignore Tae having been in a relationship with Jennie??

All my confusion aside, I am just really looking forward to watching the rest of Are You Sure, and discovering more about them and their dynamic. I love that Tae joined, even if it clearly shifted the dynamic from the first two episodes, and hopefully all the negativity suddenly surrounding the show won't ruin my excitement and love for it.

[phoenixs-fandoms-and-writings]

“Wait, You Love Me?”

Fandom: Kick-Ass

Pairing: Dave Lizewski/GN!Reader

Summary: You and Dave have a study date and you accidentally blurt your feelings for him.

Notes: This was written for Flufftober 2023. The prompt was “Wait, you love me?” - “I always have.” @flufftober

I don’t own Kick Ass or Dave Lizewski

I do not give permission to anyone to repost or translate any of my stories. I also do not give anyone permission to feed my stories through AI or to be posted to any third party website or app. If anyone sees any of my work posted anywhere but here or my AO3 (simplyreflected), then it has been posted without permission.

Read on AO3 here.

You and Dave met in your first week of college and found you had a lot of things in common. As time went on, you found that the two of you were in a few of the same classes. One night while you were hanging out, you asked him if he would like to study with you. When he said yes, you smiled and blushed, however on the inside, you were ecstatic, because you’d had a crush on him for a while.

You thought this might be the closest you would get to being able to ask him out, considering every time you had tried, the words died on your tongue and you just asked him to hang out. Maybe this would give you the courage you needed to ask him out.

It was the night of your study date with Dave and you were in his dorm room. The two of you had used the time to ask questions about things you were having trouble with. Two minutes ago you had asked a question and Dave had gone into a passionate explanation which gave you a good reason to stare at him and his big beautiful blue eyes behind those glasses he wore.

You were trying to listen intently, but you started daydreaming and accidentally blurted out, “I love you” without even realising.

He stopped and just stared at you before he asked you with wide eyes, “Wait, you love me?”

You were about to look down when you glanced from his eyes to his lips, “I always have.”

You moved over to his bed and sat down next to him, taking one of his hands, “Is that alright?”

He shook his head slightly which made you feel sad, thinking you’d just lost his friendship or at the very least, made it weird or awkward. However, those thoughts were pushed away when he moved his hand from where you were holding it to your cheek. This pulled you from your thoughts and you looked into his beautiful eyes before looking down at his lips.

He moved forward kissing you, both of you smiling into the kiss. You finally got your dream man.

[accio-victuuri]

Sugar Rush : November CPNs

What started out as a relatively quiet month after a chaotic October, turned into something else because of a few candies. Especially the whole 11/19 fiasco that surprised us all. LOL. As usual, this is for cpn-loving turtles only. Keep an open mind but still clown responsibly. I can’t believe we only have one month left for this year!

If you wanna recap other years I have archived : 2021 ( one | two ) 2022 ( one | two ) 2023 ( one, july, august, september, october ) 2020 candies and some other sweets before I was doing round up posts may be found on my masterlist.

Let’s review the past month…

• Some side by side / parallel photos of GG ( Tod’s Milan ) and WYB ( Chanel Shenzhen ). They are both photographed with the very beautiful Liu ShiShi. Also the way they are the center of attention. KINGS! 👑

• hoping they play tennis together 🎾 ; there is also a cpn out there about yibo being fully prepared for the game cause he had lacoste shoes and bag then a jacket that he used in wuzhen. people are speculating that XZ bought stuff for him to use cause he is the one who knows more and thought of this brand. this may seem like a stretch but you never know with this fandom when a seemingly insignificant observation becomes a big candy along the way.

• 2021 vs 2023 beach photos similarities + xiamen coincidence and it’s connection to ZZ’s ideal life painting

• LHK ( Liu Haikuan ) giving clues about BJYX? + Part 2 of comments

11/7, GG was announced as Boucheron’s global brand ambassador, then people remembered that one time WYB wore stuff from the brand. So now we have an unintentional couple jewelry incidence😂😂

• the sound of an eagle 🦅

• some similarities in forwarding 119 message, yeah i know celebrities like them are sort of required to bring attention to stuff like this. however, WYB is known to support this cause and even made a VCR specifically for it. if you look at the actual post, theirs is the top 2 in terms of likes and the rest of the celebrities are not the usual ones similar to the boys’ caliber. Another clue that this is WYB’s advocacy of sorts, most, if not all top comments are from his fans. so ZZ joining in on spreading the message seems ( to me and some cpfs ) like influenced by WYB.

Next is they both filmed VCRs for "People in My Heart" - "Classic Characters" series. We just love seeing them support the same projects ^^

• NARS live drawing

• Candies from WYB’s 11/12 douyin post. Mainly the parallel about the same walls and floor.

• XZ fell asleep on WYB during the golden core scene

• Interpreting YBO’s 11/16 weibo caption

• 11/19/23 double update candies

• similar necklace??? ( cough in vain )

• the full story ( so far ) behind 11/19 📝

• Talking about this a bit late considering when the whole CPN started about this GG mural for GG. There are side by side comparisons of the eyes on the mural and Yibo’s. The CPN being they used WYB’s eyes for that mural.

I usually let people have free reign on clowning but this one isn’t for me personally. just because it’s obviously a mural commissioned by GUCCI which a big brand that couldn’t care less about the CP. Maybe it’s a coincidence how similar it is? Because there is a reference photo that should be followed. Also, this is GG’s time to shine. This mural is his & him. I think this is an example for cpfs to learn to separate the boys as individuals, especially for things that are work related and most especially their achievements. While I do believe they influence each other greatly, it’s important to not make every single thing a romantic relation.

• the mystery driver is seen again 👀

• 11/22 Yibo scenery post 🍬

• One night in Beijing Song + 11/23 XZS post

• I don’t really wanna clown with Redmi but the black and white theme from XZS and then the next day it’s Redmi. I was surprised with this cause all the promos were supposed to be related to the scifi themed ad blockbuster!

A coincidence 👀👀👀👀

• small candies form IQIYI scream night 😱

• wyb acknowledging light signs and calls us wangba

• XZ’s 11/27 Airport and Selfie Clues

• there is some talk with BXGs regarding WYB’s redmi appearance, it looks like he was bitten by the mosquito again. lol. I usually just find cpn like this funny cause there is always deniability. also hello to the mosquito who loves to bite the center of his neck.

I’m separating these next entries cause it’s not new. I just found myself revisiting bts content and clowning about it. old candy still tastes good! 💯

WYB signs 520 to GG

WYB’s small steps to GG but robe gets caught

Something is funny and XZ has to tell WYB

Flirting and Fighting? “WYB’s love you”

XZ got hurt and WYB said he is gonna kiss it better?

-END.

[f1blrcreatorsfest]

ANNOUNCING THE 2023 F1BLR CREATOR'S FESTIVAL!

here to encourage and support the people who keep f1blr running!!

every week of august, we have challenges available for creators of all technical proficiencies. these challenges include weekly prompts, wildcard events (that we’ll be announcing later), and more!

we’re also introducing a fun rewards system! for every festival creation tagged #f1blrcreatorsfest23 by a registered participant, we will be giving out gold stars! earn enough gold stars over the course of the month from our various events, and you can get yourself a cute superlicense and qualify for prize draws! (more on this below the cut.)

you’re welcome to participate in the festival without registering—we will love and shower praise on your creations either way <3 but gold stars and other prizes such as gift cards will only be given to registered users.

finally, we encourage you to join our discord server and meet the festival community!

under the cut, you’ll find more details, like what exactly our festival is, who can participate, etc. for quick links, please see below:

[ OFFICIAL EVENT CALENDAR ] [ SUPERLICENSE PROGRAM REGISTRATION ] [ DISCORD SERVER ]

WHAT IS THE F1BLR CREATOR’S FEST?

f1blr creator’s fest is a month-long festival event meant to support, encourage, and highlight the work of visual creatives on formula 1 tumblr. from gifs of memorable moments to beautiful photo edits, the f1blr creators community keeps the fandom running! with the state of socmed today, the value of these creations has been diminished to “content.” but creatives in this community are very much artists! we hope to start a dialogue this month about the importance of supporting creators on f1blr, to the end that we can revive a once-vibrant community of visual creatives and encourage an environment where people feel inspired and safe to explore their art.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

all creators are welcome to take part to whatever extent they’d like! that said, the themes and wildcard events were made with visual creation in mind, such as gifmaking, graphics art, photo editing, photo manipulations, graphic design and video editing.

WHAT ARE WILDCARD EVENTS?

they’re additional events we’ve got planned for the community! more info on this will be announced at the start of the festival.

WHAT’S THE TEA ON SUPERLICENSES?

similar to the real program for drivers, we will award superlicenses to creators who accumulate a minimum of 15 points (in our case, gold stars). these superlicenses are a fun, bragging rights kind of thing–nothing serious! if you earn a superlicense, you’ll receive a digital certificate at the end of the festival, with the option to make it physical; festival organizers have committed to mailing out gold star stickers and nice, official-looking certificates! as well (and if possible), if you’d like a print(s) of one of your edits, that can be included too.

LOTTERIES / PRIZE DRAWS??

yep, we're dropping real cash money on this! prizes won't be Huge, $10 online gift cards and the like, enough for an iced coffee from starbucks. but hopefully they provide a little bit more of an incentive to participate, and allow for us to give back to the community at large!

I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS!

and we have answers! please don’t hesitate to contact us through our ask box :)

thanks, and looking forward to seeing you in a couple weeks! — f1blr creator’s fest organizers ❤️

[captainsophiestark]

The Reunion Scene

Westley x Reader

Masterlist - Join My Taglist!

Written for Fictober 2023!

Fandom: The Princess Bride

Day 10 Prompt: "It's alright, I'm here now."

Summary: Westley and his love reunite after she shoves him off a cliff, before realizing who he was of course.

Word Count: 1,070

Category: Fluff

A/N: I'm reading the Princess Bride novel and apparently "The Reunion Scene" in the book between Westley and Buttercup is a bit of a running gag (the wikipedia article can give a quick walk through for anyone curious), so I decided to write it! In the book, it's described as a three page scene, which is about the length of this. For anyone unaware of the wild lore behind the novel, I highly recommend a Wikipedia deep dive, it's very entertaining

Tagging @auroracalisto as my fellow Princess Bride fan :) Hope you're having an amazing first semester teaching!!

Putting work into an AI program without permission is illegal. You do not have my permission. Do not do it.

I planted both hands against the chest of the man before me and shoved with all my strength, sending him careening over the cliff's edge. He'd killed my dearest love, and now returned to mock me, to dare imply I hadn't loved Westley. Whatever happened to me, I couldn't stand this man a minute longer. I shoved him of the cliff, listening to whatever he screamed as he tumbled to the ground below.

"As... you... wish..."

My heart stopped in my chest at the words of my love coming from the mouth of the Dread Pirate Roberts, tumbling down from the cliff I'd just shoved him off of. My Westley, alive, and falling. It couldn't be possible, but it was.

"Westley!" I cried, immediately rushing to follow him down the cliff. I tried to keep my feet under me, and I made it some of the way before gravity caught up to me and sent me tumbling, head over heels. I landed at the bottom, right next to Westley, who still wore his mask. Our eyes locked, and despite the lingering pain from my fall, I surged forward and ripped the mask from his face.

Staring back at me, by some miracle, was Westley. My farm boy. He looked different, older, stronger, and a little of the soft innocence had gone, but he was here. Not dead, like I'd thought him to be for the last three years. Alive, and now, with me.

"Oh, Westley!" My heart sang as I flung my arms around his neck. Without a second's hesitation, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me to him. I moved to kiss him, but to my surprise, he pulled back.

"Won't your betrothed take issue with you kissing another man?"

"Humperdinck? Westley, I've already told you, I don't love him-"

"And yet you agreed to marry him. There was not a moment these past years I didn't think of you. But you agreed to give up on me, on love."

Now it was my turn to pull back a little. My brow furrowed, but Westley's expression didn't soften as his piercing blue-gray eyes surveyed me.

"Westley, I thought you dead," I said plainly, still a little shocked at his reaction. "Not a day has gone by that I didn't think of you, to mourn you. My heart was ripped out of my chest the day news came of your death, and I've had to live every day since dealing with the loss of my love.

"And besides that, Westley, I didn't seek the prince out. He found me, and proposed, since he was looking for a wife and found me beautiful. He knows and accepts that there's no love in our union, and he made it very clear that refusing a request from the crown prince would result in death. Death I would gladly accept, if I had ever thought there was any chance of you returning to me from the dead."

A cold fire lit behind Westley's eyes at my words, and when he spoke again, his voice was dangerously low and quiet.

"He's forcing you to marry him?"

I shrugged. "There are worse fates than being Queen, Westley. But none of that matters, not now that I know you live. Nothing matters at all anymore, Westley, so long as we are together."

He sighed, pulling me to him again, resting his forehead against mine. I brought my hand up to his chest, resting it there so I could feel his heartbeat and reassure myself that this was real. Westley was truly here.

"It's alright, I'm here now," he said, reading my mind as his hand came up to gently stroke my cheek. "My ship waits for us not far from here. It's not going to be easy for us... we'll have to go through the fire swamp..."

"We'll make it through," I said, running my hand through the hair at the base of his neck now. I smiled at him, all the love in my heart glowing through. "We'll make it through anything together."

"Then we haven't any time to waste. We must move quickly."

"Wait!"

Westley froze, halfway up from our position on the hill, but he sank back down at my outburst. His eyes never left mine once. His eyebrow quirked slightly in silent question, and I didn't wait to give him his answer.

I rushed forward, kissing Westley hard, like I'd wished for a chance to do every day for the past three years. He immediately returned the kiss, pulling me into his arms and holding me so close to his chest I could feel our hearts beating in sync.

There have been five kisses in the history of the world deemed so passionate, so perfect and full of love, above and beyond anything else that's ever happened. I was no expert on it, but in that moment, I knew this one blew every other kiss before it away.

Neither one of us wanted to pull away, but finally, Westley did. He kept staring into my eyes, gravity trying to pull us back to each other, but with a grimace of regret he leaned further back.

"We really need to keep moving. If we're to stay ahead of your pig fiancé, we have no time to waste."

"Just promise me a million more moments like this, for the rest of our lives."

Westley smiled. "As you wish."

I beamed as Westley pulled me to my feet, and the two of us began heading through the ravine we'd tumbled into and towards the Fire Swamp, hand in hand.

No doubt, the challenges ahead would be dire and terrible beyond imagining. But I knew confidently that we would survive them. My Westley was still in the world, and even better, he was with me. There was no other ending but for the two of us to be happily together.

****************

Everything Taglist: @rosecentury

[seoul-bros]

Jikook Week 10 Complete ✔️(13/02 - 20/02/2024)

Their tenth week in the military is now complete. It's time to celebrate this milestone with a look back at this week in 2022.

BTS was on an extended break after their trip to the US in late 2021. Jimin had been out of the hospital for just over a week after his double whammy of appendicitis and COVID. News of BTS and in particular Jimin and Jungkook was in scarce supply but there were some oases in the desert that week

Firstly, the BTS Factbook was released on the 13/02/2023 with Jikook looking dashing in black and white.....

& breathtaking in blue and white. That last Jimin picture is just wow!

On 16/02/22, Big Hit announced that BTS would appear for three nights in Seoul from 10 to 13/03/22 including a live viewing to theatres across the world on 12/03/22. I remember being so excited about this and buying my ticket as soon as they became available. It was my first step towards actually seeing BTS live in concert.

We were right in the middle of Hobiuary. On 18/02/22, JK rang JHope during his Birthday Live. He was just about to jump in the shower so Hoseok didn't share the screen with us.

Oh how things have changed since Chapter 2 began!

Jimin posted on Twitter , "I sincerely wish a happy birthday to my bright brother. Please stay by my side and stay healthy" Jhope reposted on Instagram both his and JK's (Happy Birthday Bro) messages. 3Js always around for each others birthdays.

Hobi's was the first live of the year. It was closely followed by "Belatedly Cracking Bureom" with Jimin, RM and Suga on 20/02/22.

They talked about what they had been up to during their break and their plans for this year. RM mentioned JK's dance lessons. Jimin told us about his vocal lessons.

Jimin had a new perm and people in the comments were comparing him to Yuzuhiko from Atashinchi.

After his bout with illness, Jimin was dead set on getting his physical health and beauty back but RM was there to remind him that he is already the beauty standard for many around the world and that his likeness has inspired a plethora of professional and amateur artists.

They told us they were just about to start preparing for the PTD in Seoul concerts, as soon as V was let out of quarantine after his COVID, and asked us to look forward to it. The wheels were beginning to turn on a new year that would bring the fandom some major surprises and see the start of Chapter 2 and their amazing solo explorations.

Post Date: 20/02/2022

[justmochi]

unbreakable love

pairing :: eden x seokmin

word count :: 1.6k

synopsis :: eden meets up with seokmin in paris

time :: november 15, 2023

taglist :: @cafemilk-tea @cixrosie @moonlight-additions @cosmicwintr @astraw-astro @ateezjuliet @fromfreesia @succulentmom @kimhyejin3108 @enhacolor @multiplums @alixnsuperstxr @meginthebuilding27 @kang-ulzzang @hybesunstone @allthings-fandoms @itzy-eve @choihaneul @strmiu @angie-x3 @Kaitieskidmore1 @evaalopezzzz

November 15, 2023.

She’s seen the Eiffel Tower plenty of times, but she will never get over how breathtaking the sight is. It’s the one thing that Eden has been looking forward to ever since Seokmin arrived.

Evelyn managed to convince Eden to take a trip for herself. It’ll probably be her last chance for a while since she vowed to help her sister when the baby arrived.

Paris and everything in it was a healing experience for her. It was always one of her favorite places to visit. She saw the opportunity and took it when she discovered Seokmin and his group would be there for a few days for an event. He was all for the idea and even if he wasn’t, she didn’t give him much room to argue. She was already on a flight two days before and waiting for him.

It was her first time being in Paris for just herself. Her and the girls usually came for work but other than that, there were no spontaneous visits.

Eden checked the time. It was a few minutes away from the Eiffel Tower to start sparkling like it does every hour. She leaned against the cement railing, switching her weight from one foot to the other as she waited.

“Hey there, beautiful.” She heard a voice right next to her ear that made her jump and shiver.

Seokmin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him.

“Hey, Handsome.” She giggled, placing her hands on top of his.

He leans forward to kiss her cheek and she smiles. It was only this morning that they last saw each other, but they missed each other already.

Eden turns in his arms, facing him and reaching up to wrap her arms around his neck. He tips his head down to kiss her lips. The moan she lets out against his lips is quiet. When they finally pull away, she starts smacking her lips together.

“You taste nice.” She looks up into his eyes.

“Wine. There’s been so much wine today.”

“It’s good, right?”

“It’s very good.” He breaks their gaze to look behind her. His eyes start widening.

“Hmm?” Eden turns her head to look back and sees the Eiffel Tower sparkling.

“Wow.”

“It’s beautiful.” Eden smiles. She breaks free of his hold and grabs his hand. “Come on, I have some things to show you before it goes off again.”

“Lead the way, E.” He smirks, squeezing onto her hand and following alongside her.

They stop at a cart where she buys both of them chocolate filled churros. They sit on a bench near the river and get comfortable. His reaction is priceless as he takes his first bite. She wipes his mouth of the chocolate and sugar as they savor it. Once they’ve finished it all, they wipe their mouths and dust their hands off.

“Here,” She takes the remains from him before getting up and throwing them in the nearest trash can. She walks back, pulling her coat together when she feels a slight breeze. “Brr.”

“Cold?” Once Eden sits next to him, Seokmin wraps his arm around her, squeezing her to him and rubbing up and down to try to warm her up.

“I’ll manage.” She smiles, leaning her head on his shoulder as they watch waves on the river and boats row by. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”

“It’s very pretty, but not as–“

“Don’t say it.” She cuts him off, removing her head and trying to look threatening and she looks anything but.

“Say what?”

“You know.”

“What? That the view isn’t as pretty as you?”

Eden turns her head, wanting to bite her fist from the way he makes her blush.

“You know I’m right.” He rests his hand on her thigh, giving it a squeeze.

She rolls her eyes, pulling her bag to her lap and digging through it. She hands him a marker and he watches her as she continues to go through it.

“What’s that?”

Eden pulls out a box, angling it towards him. It’s a padlock. She smiles while looking at it. “It’s a love lock.”

She starts to open up the packaging. “On the bridge over there, couples would attach a padlock to the railing with different things written on it and throw the keys in the river. It symbolizes unbreakable love.

“Growing up, I’ve always wanted to find someone to do this with. Right here in Paris. And now I can.” She runs her thumb over the top of the pink padlock, looking up at him. He smiles and she can see his eyes start to twinkle. “But I found out a couple days ago that all the locks that were once there were removed because of the excessive weight in the bridge. It’s illegal now. And as much as I want to be able to tell our kids how our love got us arrested in the most romantic city–it would be an amazing story–we’re gonna have to settle for the next best thing.”

“And what’s that?” He cups her cheek with a smirk.

“We throw the lock in the river, along with the key. I don’t plan on ever fishing it out.” Eden grabs the marker from him, writing the date and her first initial on it. She hands it to him and he writes a D.

“Neither do I.” He puts the cap back on the marker, letting the writing dry as he turns on his camera. “You’re the only one who is ever gonna have my heart.”

She gives him a peck on the cheek. “Good.”

He snaps a picture of the padlock in his hand, inviting her to hold it as well. He takes a few of the river and the bridge, the Eiffel Tower standing perfectly behind everything.

Eden stands to her feet, holding out her hand. “Ready?”

He grabs her hand as she leads the way to the bridge. There are still plenty of locks attached to the railing but the last thing both of them need is to be charged with vandalism. They get to the middle of the bridge before stopping.

“We do this and we will be just in time for the tower to start sparkling again.” They both take a minute to look at the remaining locks. There’s many and they both find it so endearing to know that there are other people out in the world that have an unbreakable, everlasting love just like them.

Eden holds the lock in place as Seokmin turns the key. As soon as they’re sure it won’t budge, they both look up at each other with smiles on their faces. They hang their arms over the railing, dropping the padlock and leaning over just a bit to see it splash and disappear. Her heart starts to ache as they toss the key next.

It feels a little overwhelming to part with something so symbolic of their love for each other, but knowing the real meaning behind it numbs that void.

Eden is still leaning over, watching the waves of the river until Seokmin pulls her back by her shoulders. She soon turns her attention back to him, gazing into his eyes.

“I love you.” He holds her cheeks in both of his hands, looking into her eyes and getting lost in them.

She leans in to kiss him, wrapping her fingers around his wrists as they are both overcome with a warm, cozy feeling inside their chests. He no longer tastes like the wine he had before meeting her. It is now replaced with chocolatey sweetness.

She pulls away, dropping her arms and wrapping them around his waist. “I love you more.” She knows she’s in for it but doesn’t give him the chance to argue before she’s leading him to the Eiffel Tower.

Once they’re off the bridge, the tower is right in front of them and they have to stretch their heads back to look at the top.

“It’s breathtaking.” Eden mumbles to herself, flexing her fingers in his hand as they walk around.

She sees the flash of his camera before the shutter and he’s just taken a photo of holding her hand with the Eiffel Tower in the back.

“Sorry, couldn’t help myself.” The sly grin on his face tells her he’s not sorry.

She pulls her phone out of her coat pocket to check the time. Three minutes.

To get him back, she lets go of his hand and pulls her own camera out of her bag. She takes a few steps back and begins to take pictures of him like he’s a model. He’s serious until she cracks a joke and he smiles with his teeth. Her favorite.

She hears the people around them in awe. When she looks up from her lens, she can see the Eiffel Tower sparkling again. In this moment, she takes the perfect shot of him looking back at the tower and it’s sparkling behind him.

Not wanting to waste this moment, she shuts her camera off and comes up behind him, rubbing her palm against his back in circles. He looks down at her, lifting his arm and wrapping it around her, pulling her close to his chest where she belongs. Eden hugs his waist with a smile on her face as they both watch the structure dazzle.

Seokmin kisses the top of her head, rubbing his hand back and forth on her shoulder. She tucks the hair behind her ear that escaped from the wind before looking up at him.

“I love you.” She smiles and he meets her gaze. She looks at his eyes until they drop to his lips. He helps her out due to his height, leaning down to kiss her. It’s soft and long lasting.

When they’re ready to part, he whispers against her lips. “I love you.”

[mazerunnersecretsanta]

IT’S TIME FOR TMR SECRET SANTA 2023!!

Welcome, participants old and new, to TMR Secret Santa 2023!

Last year, our 5th!!! tmrss, was as fabulous as ever (with the added fun of the video that @comebacknow kindly made to celebrate our 5th birthday 🥺), and we're looking forward to another year of new and wonderful tmr content!🥳

You may be familiar with Secret Santas and how they work but, just in case, here is what will be happening:

Sign up for the Secret Santa by filling out our sign-up form. The information you give us in your sign-up form will be the deciding factor in the gift you’re going to create and the gift you’re going to receive, so please make sure you read and fill it in carefully! Please note this event is 16+. (You can specify three wishes, favourite characters and ships etc. - or any that you don’t want to be featured in your gift, or that you don’t want to include in the gift you make.)

You will then be matched with a giftee, for whom you will create your gift, according to their own Secret Santa wishes :))

Once you have finished making your gift, you will submit it to us via email or, if necessary, via a file sharing platform. More detailed information about submissions will be provided later :) It is very important that you submit your gifts by the 8th December. Christmas is a busy time for us all, and the tmrss elves need enough time to set everything up for the Grand Gift Reveal 🎁🥳

We will post all the gifts on this blog during the week running between Christmas Day (25th Dec) and New Year’s Eve (31st Dec), for your recipient (and for the fandom) to enjoy. Have fun perusing all the beautiful new content and, if you like, making your guesses, but please maintain secrecy, that’s part of the fun!🕵️

The big Secret Santa reveal will take place on th Jan, when we will post a list of all the Santas involved and tell you who created which gift.

After that, you’re free to post the gift you created anywhere else (your own tumblr etc.).

—————————————————————————

Now, we all love a good deadline, so here is the timeline for the Secret Santa:

10th September - Signups are now open!

21st September - Signups close

1st October - Secret Santa assignments sent out

8th December - Gifts due in

25th December - Gifts start being posted on our blog

13th January - the Big Secret Santa Reveal!

——————————————————————————

We’re so excited for our sixth tmrss! We’d love to see our fandom come together for another year to spread joy during the festive period 🎄 🎁

So please sign up, share, reblog, tell your friends – however you can, please tell your friends and spread the word! Let’s show tmr some love!

If you want to be a part of the exchange, but are unsure whether you’ll be able to commit, then there are options to become either a Pinch Hitter (someone who makes a gift, possibly at short notice, if a santa drops out or is otherwise unable to complete their gift) or a Beta Reader - details about this can be found here.

If you would like to put your name forward as a Beta Reader this year - something that we always greatly appreciate - please indicate this on your sign-up form, or email us at mazerunnersecretsanta@ outlook.com

You can find more details, as well as the rules and guidelines, in the top bar on our main blog page, and make sure to follow us so you can keep up to date with all the latest news and announcements.

Feel free to contact us if you have any questions! 🧝‍♀️🎄

Enjoyyyyy!!!!

Dreams and Bridge 🎅🎁

[a-reader-and-a-writer]

Remember....

AI-Less Whumptober 2023: 6. Mind Control, 23. Begging, 24. Hunted Down, 25. Nightmares, Alt. 11. Suffocation, Alt. 29. Prison Fandom: Marvel, Bucky Barnes, Winter Soldier, f!reader Summary: When reactivated while infiltrating a HYDRA base, the Winter Soldier is now on the hunt for the two people Bucky cares most for in this world. Word Count: 2171 TW: Character Death (or is it...?), Nightmares, Mind Control, Choking, Hunted Down, Chased Notes: A huge thank you to @musings-of-a-rose for the ask that inspired this! 🥰 Also thank you so much @loverhymeswith for beta reading for me! Part of @ailesswhumptober's event

The snow had just begun to fall once more as The Asset entered the woods. Around him, the wild underbrush jutted out through blankets of undisturbed frost, and the bare trees stood like shadows against the moonlight. Anyone else may have paused to take in this haunting beauty, and yet, he stalked forward without the slightest hesitation. Beauty and nature meant nothing to him, especially on a night like tonight. Because tonight, the Winter Soldier was on a mission.

He continued deeper into the woods, his steady stride never wavering as he tracked his prey. Two SHIELD agents had infiltrated the base he had been guarding and, as they fled into the woods, his handlers ordered him to terminate them. For just a second, there was the slightest hitch in his march as a thought tickled at the back of his mind: He couldn’t remember anything before the order. It was as if time hadn’t existed until that moment.

But the thought disappeared as quickly as it had appeared and his steadfast pursuit continued. It didn’t matter anyway. He was made to follow commands and nothing else held any importance to him. So, even if this one order was the only memory he had, that was enough.

The Asset reached a small clearing in the trees and paused, listening intently to the silent landscape around him as his eyes scanned the area for any indication of where his prey had gone.

To his left, there was a set of heavy boot tracks imprinted into the snow and the underbrush had been haphazardly pushed aside leading in a clear path. Small splatters of blood stood out against the pure white canvas further illuminating the trail. It was all so blatantly obvious that even someone with absolutely no training would be able to spot it. It was the sort of trail left by either an amateur or someone deliberately attempting to draw his attention. 

To his right, however, the snow had barely been disturbed to the point he had to kneel in order to truly see anything in the pale moonlight. And even then, only the faintest of markings could be made out in the densely packed snow, boot prints that could have only been made with the gentlest of care. 

Most hunters would take one look at the first trail and charge after the prey in that direction. Whatever had gone that way was apparently hurt, possibly to the point of not being able to mask their escape route. However, the Winter Soldier was no ordinary hunter and he instantly recognized the trails for what they were. The pair of agents had split up and they were trying to draw him towards the stronger of the two. 

He stood and resumed his hunt—taking the path to the right.

Though they had escaped before he was able to get more than a glance at them, The Asset had identified the agents as a man and a woman. The man was taller, broader, and most assuredly stronger than his companion. In fact, he may even pose a challenge to The Asset in hand-to-hand combat, something that he had rarely encountered. 

However, everyone had a weakness. And by the way the man had shielded the woman and aided in her escape into the woods, it was clear that she could very well be that weakness. By tracking her down, The Asset would not only be able to take out the easier target first, but if he captured her, he would have leverage over the man. A leverage he could use to take out the man as well.

Suddenly, The Asset picked up the faint sound of panting up ahead and he lengthened his stride. Within a few moments, he caught a glimpse of the woman through the trees as she hurried as quickly as she could while still creating those faintest of footprints. However, she must have caught sight of him out of the corner of her eye because her head whirled in his direction and their eyes locked across the snowy woodland.

They both froze in place as they held one another’s gaze. And slowly, her wide-eyed panicked expression softened and, inexplicably, she gave him a cautious smile as her eyes sparkled with a hopeful gleam. She mouthed something he couldn’t understand but it ultimately didn’t matter. He didn’t need to know what she had said in order to complete his mission.

But as he took a step towards her, the terror instantly returned to her face and she bolted, no longer concerned about masking her tracks. She fled into the trees as fast as her legs would carry her but it was going to be a futile effort. She was no match for the power of the Winter Soldier. 

He took off after her, weaving in and out of the trees with ease. As he began to close the distance between them, the woman pulled out a gun and pointed it at him. There was a momentary hesitation….then the sound of the gun shattered the quiet of the night. 

The Asset easily blocked the bullet with his left arm and continued running. The woman let off a few more shots but he continued to either avoid or deflect them. Possibly because she wasn’t able to aim as she fired while still running, but he found it strange none of the shots were targeting his head or chest. Even if he slipped up and a bullet did manage to hit him, with their trajectory, they would only cause minimal damage. They would definitely slow him down but they would not do enough to stop him for good. 

As he closed the distance, he heard the recognizable click of the trigger being pulled on an empty gun and the woman swore. Tossing the gun to the side, she reached for a second weapon, but it was too late. He had caught up to her. 

Reaching out, The Asset grabbed the back of her tact vest and hurled her into the side of the nearest tree. She slammed into it with a sickening thump and the sound of breaking bones followed. Curled at the base of the tree, the woman screamed as she grabbed her left shoulder, her arm jutting out at an unnatural angle. But that didn’t stop her from trying to escape him.

As he stalked towards her, she used her feet to push herself back a few feet until she bumped up against a tree. Looking up at him, tears streaming down her face, she begged as he approached, “Bucky, stop! Don’t do this, please! Baby, this isn’t you, not anymore. The Winter Soldier is gone. You’re James Buchanan Barnes—you’re Bucky—and you don’t have to do this. Just try to remember. Please, baby, please come back to me. I love you! Just remember!”

But her words meant nothing to him.

The Asset’s metal fingers closed around her throat and he lifted her off the ground. Her legs began to thrash frantically in the air as her fingers on her right hand clawed at his own. It was an instinctual act, her body attempting to free her windpipe despite the obvious uselessness of her nails on Vibranium. She tried to choke out more pleas for her life, but all she could manage were a few raspy hisses. Her eyes were bulging in her head and The Asset watched as her blood vessels broke and clouds of crimson leached into the whites of her eyes.

Soon however, her clawing and writing slowed to little more than a twitch as her body began to shut down from lack of oxygen. And just as he felt one last desperate gasp building in her throat, he tightened his grip. He felt the bones and cartilage in her neck give way with a loud crunch and her body instantly went limp in his grasp.

The Asset heard someone calling out a name from behind him and the sound of something large crashing through the trees. He turned just as the other agent he had been sent to track down burst into the clearing. The man staggered to a stop as he saw his companion still dangling from The Asset’s hand.

As The Asset opened his fist, the woman dropped in a lifeless heap at his feet. In a mock imitation of her fall, the man dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his face. As he stared up at The Asset—not in fear or in defiance, but in agony—he whispered, “Bucky…. What did you do?”

The Asset reached into his belt, pulled out his gun, and aimed it directly between the man’s eyes as he said, “Who the hell is—”

Bucky bolted up from his resting place on the floor, chest heaving as he gasped for air, a cold layer of sweat coating his body. Looking around frantically, his breathing slowed slightly as he took in the sterile room around him and he remembered where he was. He had been sleeping. It had been a dream.

Collapsing back down with a sigh, Bucky stared up at the ceiling. He scrubbed his hand over his face as he attempted to wipe the vision of your lifeless body from his mind, but it didn’t work. No matter how hard he tried or what else he focused on, you were still there, hanging limply in his grasp as he heard the crunch—

Sick to his stomach and struggling to get his heart to stop racing, Bucky climbed unsteadily to his feet. However, he had barely taken two uneasy steps before he reached the wall and was forced to turn, take a few steps, and turn again. For the most part, he had become accustomed to his tiny room—after all, it was still a vast improvement over the cryostasis chamber he had spent the majority of the last fifty years in. However, at night he wished he had some way to work off his adrenaline-fueled energy. Not that he really wanted to go back to sleep. Sleep meant dreaming, and dreaming meant repeating this cycle all over again with the same agonizing scene playing in his head. 

Because it wasn't just a dream…it was a memory.

Six months ago, a HYDRA agent had gotten ahold of his trigger words and reactivated the Winter Soldier when Bucky tracked him down along with you and Steve. Trapped once more within his programming, The Asset had been ordered to find and eliminate both of the SHIELD agents that posed a threat to HYDRA. Steve was able to bring Bucky back just before he could complete his mission, and he re-emerged from the conditioning to find you lying at his feet—your throat crushed and tears still staining your face. 

You who had never given up on him no matter what. You who had never looked at him with fear or pity, only kindness and understanding. You who constantly reassured him that he would never hurt you. You who he loved more than life itself. 

You who he had murdered in cold blood.

Once he had been reexamined and deemed no longer a threat, SHIELD had agreed to let Bucky go and chalk your murder up to “collateral mission damage” but he had refused. He was a danger to every person he was around, especially the few remaining people he still had whom he cared about. The fact it took your death for him to finally accept that fact was devastating but he was never going to let it happen again. That was why he voluntarily offered himself over to SHIELD’s custody so he could pay for all of his previous crimes. SHIELD was more than happy to oblige him and they immediately confiscated his Vibranium arm and threw him in The Raft. Bucky just hoped they never let him out.

Steve hadn’t agreed with his decision—he still didn’t—and had tried everything he could to talk Bucky out of it. He pleaded for him to reconsider, that it had been the Winter Soldier who had ended your life, not Bucky himself. But Steve didn’t understand. No one did.

It didn’t matter where he spent the remainder of his life. From the moment your life ended, he had been given a life sentence of endless torment. Bucky might not have been in control that night, but that didn’t mean he didn’t remember what happened. That he didn’t hear your voice sobbing as you begged him to remember you, remember that you loved him. That he didn’t feel your fingernails snapping as they tried to dig into his metal hand in a futile attempt to pry it away from your throat. That he didn’t watch the last beautiful spark in your eyes flare once before fading into oblivion as he crushed your neck. 

No. His mind had already become his prison before he was placed behind bars. And this time, there were no magic words anyone could say to bring him back and allow him to escape from it.

Taglist: @loverhymeswith, @tavners, @sunshineflowerchild789, @pansexualwitchwhoneedstherapy, @merlehs, @mandylove100, @writercole, @princessmisery666, @musings-of-a-rose, @mayhem24-7forever, @depresseddyslexic

[kedsandtubesocks]

I really can’t believe how much 2023 blessed me with the joy of writing again… even with the headache fandoms sometimes bring or even the hesitation I still feel about posting…

To come back and create again is so special and I’m grateful for every single person who’s read my writing

And more importantly I’m beyond thankful for the friends and love I found 💝

There’s a reason I can brightly look forward to this year, to 2024, and it’s because y’all are in my corner inspiring me, showing me how beautiful it is find community and to write for what we love! To walk into this year knowing so many of you are in my life is a blessing and something I will forever cherish

I know there’s a whole argument about parasocial relationships with online friendships and I understand how they also can waver but I! Don’t! Care! I’m so earnestly grateful and honored that all of you crossed my path and truly appreciate your friendship

I hope you know that I will always be in your corner rooting for you!! ✨♥️

Thank you - I love each and every single one of you so much and I mean it 💕

@the-wild-wolves-around-you @ahauntedcowboy @stellamancer @willowser @andypantsx3 @acerathia @perotovar @procrastination-artist @ofmermaidstories @snem-snem @shotorus @pastelle-rabbit @strawberrystepmom @lawlessgodlessflawless @fairy-writes @firein-thesky @nothoughtsjustmeds @morallyinept @lowlights @haylzcyon @beskarandblasters @namodawrites @lorelune @thewaterlily @vennilavee @princess-okkotsu @daddydindjarin @planet-marz1

(if I forgot to tag anyone reading this please know im so so sorry and I meant this for you as well!!)

[jttwconfessions]

I feel like people don’t really remember that LMK is a JTTW adaptation sometimes. The frustration with it faithfulness feels like echoes of so many other fandoms ive been in that had adaptations. I don’t exactly consider myself an LMK fan rather than I consider myself a fan of JTTW adaptations as a whole so it’s especially hard to come here knowing that most of the confessions are about LMK. Like, come on, have some fun and watch some other adaptations. Or better yet, check out the JTTW text itself. The 2023 Monkey King Netflix movie was real nice, and fun to watch. Nezha Reborn and New Gods was beautiful and had an interesting message. I’m looking forward to playing the upcoming Wukong video game and i’d like people to enjoy it with me here. So check some more stuff out, there’s a lot out there.

[daniclaytcn]

Tumblr Fandom: A Year in Review 2023

i was tagged by @mistmarauder, thank you!!

Top Five Blorbos:

Eddie Diaz (9-1-1)

Nancy Wheeler (Stranger Things)

Nancy Drew (Nancy Drew)

Alex Claremont-Diaz (Red, White & Royal Blue)

Lucy Preston (Timeless)

Top Five Fandoms:

9-1-1

Red, White & Royal Blue

Stranger Things

The Haunting Anthology

Nancy Drew

Top Five OTPs:

Evan Buckley/Eddie Diaz (9-1-1)

Lucy Chen/Tim Bradford (The Rookie)

Nancy Drew/Ace (Nancy Drew)

Lucy Preston/Garcia Flynn (Timeless)

Dani Clayton/Jamie Taylor (The Haunting of Bly Manor)

Shoutout to Some New Friends:

@eddiediaaz we've been mutuals since last year but i feel like we talked a lot more this year, so i'm very grateful for that ❤ @poughkeepsies is one of my dearest mutuals on here and i love you and all your takes <33 and also @ice-sculptures i've adored following you over this year!

Shoutout to Some Old Friends:

all of my love to the one and only @tawaifeddiediaz, i don't know where i'd be without her to rant and get emotional over our blorbos with and she's just such a wholesome soul!! and of course, @bieddiediaz and @oneawkwardcookie, the besties, i love you guys so so much ❤❤

Favorite Creation You Posted This Year:

i'm very proud of my fic, but i can see all along, love (it was you all the way down) <3

Favorite Creation Posted by Someone Else This Year:

oh gosh this is SUCH a difficult question because there are so many amazing creations from this insanely talented fandom—but i'd have to go with @eddiediaaz's speak now gifset it was so incredible!

People Who Brightened Your Year:

too many people to count—@buck2eddie @lover-of-mine @jeeyuns @diazass @kitkatpancakestack @bieddiediaz @tawaifeddiediaz and so many others i'm probably forgetting!

Anyone Else You'd Like to Mention:

there are just too many people to mention—every single one of my mutuals on here, and all the kind people who've sent me lovely messages (anonymous or not) and all the people who continue to follow me!!

Five of Your Favorite Authors This Year:

elless continues to be an all-time favourite, they have some of the most beautiful fics in the fandom ❤❤

@tawaifeddiediaz is the most talented person ever ily 😘

@letmetellyouaboutmyfeels is another favourite!! your halloween fics were SUCH a treat and i'm sitll working my way through them!!

@cal-daisies-and-briars has fics with some of the most intriguing concept and is honestly a powerhouse—it seems like you're posting fic all the time!

@bvckandeddie i recently discovered your fics and they're just *chefs kiss* so delightful!!

Five of Your Favorite Artists/Gifmakers/Podficcers/Etc. This Year:

no list about gifmakers is complete without @eddiediaaz who is so talented and creative it makes me wanna cry (with joy!)

@padme-amidala while i don't follow most of the media you post gifs for, your work is so stunning and i'm so obsessed!!

@stationoneeighteen i love love all of your gifs especially the ones that focus on the firefam, they're so good ❤❤

@buckleys-diaz alie you haven't been around for a while (and i hope you're doing well!) but you've always been one of the most talented gifmakers in this fandom and i've always looked up to you <3

@roseapothecary your gifs are so so gorgeous and i've adored all of your rwrb sets!! they're so pretty and creative!!

Three Things You're Looking Forward to in 2024:

the new season of 9-1-1 and also the PJO tv series!!

Tagging:

tagging everyone who's already been mentioned in this post <33

[otherperson12]

Masters of the Air: The Angels of Death

Major John Egan x WASP! Oc

This is a little something I wanted to share with the fandom. I know I been a ghost for a few moths, but 2023 was an awful and horrendous year for me. I got depression and my grandma died and I had to take care of my family, and during my summer (I’m from the South) I was very depressed too lol. So know I’m back at university and this helps me to distract a little.

This comes from the idea I have for the BoB I’ve been working for years (yes, years, and no publications yet). I don’t plan it to be very complicated, like I just wrote it down and put it here.

I hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: English is not my first language. This is based in the series and only the series.

Special thanks to my beta reader: @vrygoodbadthing Who came to de hbo war fandom thanks to me (watch the goddam series).

Introduction

Bucky was having a really good time in England. Without counting the combat and missions of course. The rest of the 100th would be with him soon, and then, about a two weeks from that day, the war would get more interesting than the little man with a mustache.

The moment he saw his friend entering the officer’s mess hall with a cocky smile and doing a little dance, Major Gale Cleven got worried for whatever was about to happen. Or whatever that was going around Bucky's mind. He knew Bucky was a, well, interesting and care free man, out going and always wanting to experience life at most. When John saw his friend at the table, looking at him, Bucky did a little more of a show and sat in front of his fellow aviator.

“Isn’t this a beautiful day to be alive?” Bucky asked Buck. The last one didn't answer at first, then he smiled at him.

“Every day is a gift to live at war.”

Bucky laughed a little, “You’re starting to sound like Curt,” He pointed out. “But in this day in particular, my friend, angels would be coming to us like the very gift of God.” He informed (even if the big boss told him not to).

What?

“What?”

John laughed at his friend’s face, because obviously he didn’t understand a word of what he was talking about (again, Colonel Harold had ordered him to stay quiet).

“You are a prude, Buck.”, he liked to point those little facts about his friend, “Maybe we can get you a little of fun now.”

Yup, Buck had zero idea of what he was talking about.

Bucky leaned forward to the table, he did not wanted anyone hearing of it and spoil his fun. Buck did the same.

“After Pearl Harbor the Air Force pilots number reduced in a 30 percent, the man who got in to combat didn’t live very long. Most of the resources went to fight japs, a little more came like us to fight nazis. Then there wasn’t enough man to fight the war so they geniuses started training women.”

Gale had heard a little about it, in his training when the war started. Woman started piloting in no combat positions, but it looked like Bucky was meaning about other kind of duties.

“And?”

“And, they started training them to have combat positions. Fight pilots. They made them their own brand new plane model. I don’t know the details but I heard that it flight like a hawk.” Bucky explained while eating his friend toast. “They are coming today to be our escorts in missions.”

Buck was surprised. Astonished.

“Our own guardian angels.”

Later that day, before supper, Bucky did the same thing than that morning, instead of entering at mess hall, he entered at the officers barracks, howling about a how beautiful day it was to be alive.

“Buck! Time to go, the angels are coming!”, he said way too loud. The mentioned put down his book and reluctantly followed Bucky outside to the jeep.

John spent the whole ride to the base singing. Gale was not very sure of why he (Bucky) was so happy. Maybe, and probably, was the chances of getting laid right at the base, having fun closer enough to sleep at the barracks after drinking instead of doing it outside (Bucky’s experience).

Already at the tower, they waited for the girls to arrive.

Colonel Huglin was there too, and so other officers. Some questioned why Gale was there, “The full welcome from the 100th, sir.” Were John’s words.

Major Browman greeted them with a funny face. “Who would have say it, huh? We fighting along side woman. Equals.”

“There’s something bad about that?”, Buck asked.

“Of course no! For Pete’s sake. I’m just worried.” Red explained quickly. “I’ve heard they are good, like beating records kind of good. They are a special unit from the W.A.S.P, they are called the ‘Angels of death’, girls who where carefully chosen for it. And spent months training. The best of the best.” He informed, “But the boys are not going to be very happy about it.”

That one was true.

“What about their plane?”, Buck asked curiously.

“A special secret model.”, Colonel Huglin said. “Small, cheap, fast. The Supermarine Spitfire can fly to 606 miles per hour maximum burning a lot of fuel, the P-WN I can go to the speed of one of our fortress burning less than a third part of the tank.” He explained, looking back at the sky.

“So they can go to Germany, slap Hitler and come back like nothing.”, Bucky said.

Buck laughed, “Yeah, something like that.”

In that exact moment, the sound of the plane engines began to be heard in the distance. With binoculars, everyone who got them watched what was coming.

“They are here.”

Punctual, 12.00 hours.

Bucky and Buck saw how a bunch of sparkling dots flew towards them from the east, approaching quickly until they were able to see the planes. It were just like Huglin had said, small and fast.

Movement started at the tower, communication between them and the newcomers. They gave permission to land.

“Roger that.”

Every one watched how quickly those planes got in formation to land, in a fast and clean maneuver. They knew their thing.

When the planes where close enough, they could finally see how they looked like: it was like a mini Spitfire, pocket size. It was just the metal, glowing in the sun, the wings were long as thing as the nose, which was painted blue, white ad red. It was quite beautiful. It almost bordered on delicate.

One by one they landed and parked one beside the other, they looked like silver glowing statues.

The ones who were at the tower started heading to the newcomers while every pilot began to emerge from their planes, one by one from their cabin like butterflies and greet each other, happy for a easy flight and a safe landing.

John and Gale hop off the jeep like the rest of the men. They saw every girl with their flying uniforms and their bags in hand, obediently getting in the trucks that would take them to interrogation (it was just a formality).

Buck saw Colonel Huglin were talking with whom he supposed was the CO of the girls. Bucky had that funny smile of him, he looked around him until he saw a girl standing in the wing of the plane with a smile, eyes closed and feeling the British air. The only thing he could pick out of her, was her red hair. Another girl approached her and the first one jumped to the floor, they went to the trucks and Bucky was able to hear their conversation.

“Did you satisfied your hunger for flying?”, the girl who accompanied the redhead asked sarcastically.

The redhead laughed, “As if I ever could, Priya.”

Another woman, a blonde captain standing next to Huglin, heard this and said, "Don't worry, Ross, you'll have fun soon!" She exclaimed as the girls finally climbed into the trucks.

"Yes, ma'am."

All the girls laughed, the redhead blushed, obviously knowing what a mystery to Bucky was.

Soon she would know.