#love doesn't make you treat people better

[apatheticsunday]

Batfam Eldritch Horror

AKA "inspired by that one post about Danny being a flerken and living with the Batfam" idea! Except he looks pants-shitting, "oh dear god, what is that" terrifying.

I just love slightly feral animal-like Danny in a... shape. It's not immediately identifiable as a cat or dog, maybe he has a few too many legs that kind of look like a tail at one point? And when he skitters up walls like a particularly small dog-sized tarantula, it's terrifying enough to make seasoned criminals squeal.

Let's imagine Danny had some sort of accident with a portal and was Wizard-of-Oz'd into Gotham, a literal hellmouth of a city with so many curses that it'd make John Constantine start to sweat. And this city also has... weird Ecto. (In my brain, there's a connection between the Lazarus Pit and ectoplasm, like pit waters are the sewers of ectoplasm or something.) It's enough for Danny to still exist but he can't seem to stay human-shaped. It's better than being a Blob Ghost, but not by much. His fur-scales-feathers-skin-something look dark as the midnight sky.

And who should stumble on this weird-looking Thing aside from Damian, secret animal-whisperer and passionate Pokemon collector? Damian, who known what a scared feral animal looks like and who can coax it into his arms? It doesn't matter that Danny has maybe five or six limbs. He can make himself slightly smaller at will (not in a Magical-Girl-Transformation way, mind you. When he changes shape, there's the distinct snap of bones breaking and wet, fleshy sounds of his organs, muscles, ligaments, tendons, everything shifting).

Damian has literally been trained by the League of Assassins under the Demon Head. He's likely seen more people's insides than an ER surgeon; he's killed more than enough people in incredibly grotesque and violent ways to be totally unphased by Danny changing shapes. Maybe he'll actually be sort of touched, a bit pleased, that his new Thing pet would change itself so violently so Damian could hold it.

What would Damian name it? He's outwardly violent and aggressive towards others, but pretty passionate and heartfelt once he cares for someone. Alfred the Cat comes to mind. So maybe Damian takes one look at this supposedly scary Thing and thinks, "It looks like Father."

As in, Dark as Night? A shadow inspiring fear amongst criminals? Spoken about in whispers, sometimes laughed off as a joke but still cautiously reverent, just in case?

Danny's new name is Batman.

Of course, this causes some confusion when Damian comes home to Wayne Manor and says, "Batman and I will retire to my room." In front of Bruce, who naturally and kind-of-correctly assumes his son picked up another animal while on patrol. Bruce had a hard time explaining this to a very concerned Dick, who was holding up a wooden stake and a bible (Dick totally wasn't going to kill Bruce if he turned out to be a vampire but it's always good to be prepared!), after Damian apparently made a wayward comment that "Batman refuses to eat anything besides raw meat."

And Danny is having a great time!! Sure, Damian treats him like a pet, but he gets affectionate pats on the head, incredibly expensive steak, and a soft place to sleep. He awkwardly dragged several blankets from the living room to Damian's room to make a bed in the kid's closet. (Alfred watched from behind the couch as this six-legged hairy-ish catlike Thing determinedly waddled with three blankets in its mouth, occasionally tripping on its own legs. He went back to dusting the crown moulding silently. So, that's why Master Damian requested uncooked sirloin steak twelve times in last few days. Hm.)

So, the Batfam accept there is another Batman in the family. Except they haven't actually seen Danny (aside from Alfred and Damian).

Until Dick needs to talk to Damian and goes into the boy's room. But it's empty?? He could've sworn he heard somebody talking or something in here, but maybe not? He turns to leave and then hears it again: a soft kind of thump coming from Damian's armoire. A shit-eating grin spreads across his face as his Older Brother Instincts kick in. Jason used to hide in closets and try to scare Dick when he was little; Damian, despite being a child soldier and trained assassin, was still a little kid at heart, right? The kid's clearly hiding from Dick to scare him or something.

(Damian was in the Batcave, studiously typing "Google, what non-Earth animals reside in Gotham, please?" into the Batcomputer. I like to think that Damian uses the internet like a 85-year old man who thinks a Google employee personally replies to each question.)

So, Dick creeps forward and abruptly slams open the armoire doors!! Only to let out an unholy shriek of terror as Danny, who was taking a nap, frantically skitters out of the closet looking like a Frankenstein cat-dog with bat wings. He crawls under Damian's bed as Dick scrambles into the hallway.

The cat-dog-Thing is out of the bag now. Damian looks utterly deadpan as he explains that Batman is his pet and not to concern themselves with it; Bruce, Tim, Jason, and a white-faced Dick disagreed. They need to see it to make sure the Thing won't harm anybody, especially considering it's fucking living with them!! How do they know it won't try to eat them in their sleep??

"Batman does not eat raw human meat, Todd. Why are you concerned now? It has resided with us for two months now."

"Two months?" Dick nearly faints (again).

"Yes, Batman is very well-behaved, Master Dick." Alfred, who's been feeding Danny for the last two months and has seen all the little quirks the Thing has, offers a consoling half-smile.

Ultimately, the Batfam decide to keep Batman in exchange for scary dog privileges. They'll have to think of another name for Danny considering having two Batmans in Gotham would be pretty confusing (especially if one of them decided they did, in fact, like raw human flesh).

[elene78-blog]

TGR SPOILERS and THEORY ABOUT KEVIN AND JEAN

Am I the only one who found the contrast between TSC's "nice" Kevin and TGR's "rude" and slightly douchebag Kevin weird?

 Yes, Kevin had his moments of kindness, but he went from asking Jean to breathe, with his head in his hands, to roughly slamming him against the wall to calm him down before the interview in a threatening tone. He went from holding Jean's hand gently while he was in bed to "I know you hate me sometimes. I don't care."

 Okay, yeah, Kevin sends Jean a new postcard and all, and they have a very revealing conversation, but the contrast kept me pretty mad at him overall. Furthermore, in the interview Kevin was also quite rude compared to how he usually appears. Honestly, I saw Kevin as a real asshole compared to TSC. I found this change very strange. And I just thought about something about that, something that has already been exemplified in the original trilogy, and my theory is that...

 Kevin has always been this jerk (I call him that affectionately, you know what I mean) even on TSC, but Jean was describing him with the eyes of a person who idealizes another. This makes a ton of sense because Kevin was all the kindness Jean knew. Just Kevin and his tough love. The only person he's ever been "in love" with... until now.

That's why in TSC Kevin is so soft, because we see him through the eyes of a Jean who only knew that "kindness", of a Jean who continued to idealize him even though he also hated Kevin. A Jean who says "he has earned the right to be arrogant" without hesitation because Kevin continued to be his reference in terms of conflicting feelings.

 But this is no longer the case, is it?

 Now Jean knows what kindness is outside of The Nest. Now Jean has started to develop feelings for someone else, and no one has treated him like Kevin has, with that harshness at USC. Jeremy, his partner, has never treated him like that either. That's why TGR's Kevin is tougher in contrast to TSC and much less kind, because Jean is starting to stop idealizing Kevin now that he knows the genuine kindness of people who haven't been to The Nest. He sees the difference between Kevin and his current friends, and starts to go crazy because... Has Kevin always been like this, or did Jean see him that way because he didn't know anything else? 

In other words... Jean is "falling out of love."

Let's look at this a little more closely from when Kevin arrives to when he leaves: 

1. - Kevin arrives and helps Jean get dressed. Jeremy sees how Jean lets herself go and his eyes even shine a little. Some people say this shows that Jean is still in love with Kevin. I think it shows Jean's idealization of him, and a reflection of his own history (I think Jean stopped being in love with Kevin a long time ago, but Kevin was one of the few good things Jean had in The Nest, so he holds onto those few good memories tightly). 

2. - Kevin starts drinking and Jean loses his temper. Try to attack him. Kevin shakes him roughly and Jean relents. Why does Jean attack? Because the Kevin he knows, his idealized image, doesn't drink or have problems. He outgrew The Nest. He's better than that. Here Jean's image of Kevin begins to fall and that makes Jean not understand anything and gets angry. Kevin has to be perfect because KEVIN CAME OUT OF THERE. But Kevin doesn't seem like it and Jean starts to get more and more nervous about it. 

3. - Jean's nervousness increases during the interview. We see Kevin being quite blunt with the interviewer and, although Kevin is protective of Jean, Jean's descriptions of Kevin's actions are quite distant. Maybe because of nervousness, who knows? But when Jean comes up to breathe, Jean says something revealing.

Jean doesn't care who accompanies him outside. He doesn't care if it's Kevin or anyone else. Jean is clear that Kevin can't do anything at this point. Kevin has failed in this interview and in his task, which was to make everything go well. 

4.- They return home with the taste of failure. Jean and Kevin talk. Kevin reveals that he needs the help of alcohol because therapy isn't always a help. He reveals that he still hears Riko in his head continuously. To put it another way, Kevin shows weakness to Jean and Jean is shocked.

 "You should be better."

 The idealization of Kevin practically disappears with this phrase, and what happens next demonstrates it.

 5.- Cat hugs Jean, almost crying for the loss of Elodie. Jean sees here Cat's kindness versus the kindness that Kevin has barely been able to give him because Kevin doesn't know what kindness is either. This scene is very powerful because this is where Jean's change begins. This is where I think Jean begins to recognize his people. Kevin can't do more because Kevin is Jean's equal, not someone superior like Jean has always believed. If Kevin is just like Jean... That means Kevin is also "weak."

The idealization ends. Now everything depends on Jean. And from here on, the protective Jean appears because Jean understands that, if the immovable point that was Kevin is not such a thing and everything has been a lie that has been created in his own mind, only he himself can protect and help his people. 

The Nest's psyche begins to crumble because number two, second only to Riko, is just like Jean. This psyche begins to crumble because true kindness is that of "his people", not that of The Nest. If Kevin is not immovable, anything can happen. 

6.- And then Jean hits Bryson to protect Jeremy and his own home. 

Does it make sense?

[shen-jius-zoloft-prescription]

I love Shen Yuan as much as the next guy, but I think we in the fandom spaces give him a little too much credit sometimes. He's not Shen Jiu levels of absolute bastard, but he's also not great. And this is not me criticizing him!! I just think more people should love him for being the little brat that he is rather than the heroic, universally-kind saint that he decidedly is not.

He was a full-time internet troll whose main hobby outside reading web novels was going on rants in the comments. He uses slurs. Did we all just forget about the slurs? He did not grow out of that, or see the error of his message-board-harassment ways, he just lost his Internet connection. (He probably would have gotten points for being in character if he'd kept it up, though.)

He bends over backwards to protect Binghe, but he doesn't go to those lengths for literally anyone else, ever. He neglects his other students outright in favor of focusing solely on Binghe. He's not great with the disciples, he's just better comparatively enough to make you think he is.

He's amiable enough to build friendships as Shen Qingqiu, but he's not Miss Fucking Congeniality. He's just polite, and passively friendly in super normal ways. "Be nice to martial siblings," and "Don't kill that snake, it's not bothering anyone," are very normal levels of decency, and he gets SO MUCH CREDIT for it, mostly because the expectations for him were set so damn low by Shen Jiu.

I think my main evidence of "Shen Yuan is an asshole, actually" is how he continues to treat Shang Qinghua after finding out they're transmigrators together. Shang Qinghua is just as doomed by the narrative as he is, just as controlled and manipulated by the System as he is, but he's so fucking mean to Shang Qinghua about it, even though he couldn't have possibly known they would end up transmigrated and certainly wasn't responsible for putting them there. He has no empathy whatsoever for the fact that Shang Qinghua was forced to make his magnum opus into porn-riddled slop because he would otherwise have literally starved; spoiled rich boy meets his friend's "I would have starved!" explanation with a very [image of Paris Hilton wearing a shirt that says "Stop Being Poor"] energy. And he just never stops being so fucking mean all the time, about everything, to his best friend. I would not be friends with Shen Yuan if that's how I could expect him to treat me.

(side note that will get its own post: I also think the portrayal of Shang Qinghua throughout SVSSS is an example of Shen Yuan's unreliable narration.)

All this to say, he's a sheltered, spoiled rich boy with layers on layers of issues, who still managed to be exponentially better at his job than the guy who'd earned it in the first place.

And maybe that's what's fun to consider, as least for me, is that his goodness is assumed purely on the comparison between him and Shen Jiu; he was meant to be the Scum Villain, found guilty of all sorts of heinous acts, and therefore he's lauded as a perfect sweet baby angel because he settles for just being a little bit of a bitch, instead.

(Maybe the larger takeaway can be that PIDW is a horrible, wretched, unkind world, and therefore the bare minimum of kindness counts as being truly saint-like. 🤔 But that's also a different post, I think.)

[starcurtain]

hi, me again. so like. i have NO idea how to write omegaverse. like yeah, i definitely was the beta reader for a 165k word omegaverse fic in a fandom that shall not be named, but. i?? how does one even BEGIN

(sincerely, sweating nervously)

Cryinggggg--I wrote like a massive response to this and then my cat jumped on the keyboard and closed the tab. Sorry if this response is not as great as it could have been. RIP my 1500 words. 😭 But trying to rewrite the original response:

I wish I could tell you, but... This is probably a bad time to confess that every fic I've ever written barely rises above the level of gen fic... because I'm super ace. Like, I can think up romance plots, but can I actually write them? PROBABLY NOT. 😂

However, if this is about the omegaverse plot in the Phaidei fic posts, I can share some other thoughts I had about that prompt, and maybe some of this will help you?

I think my key idea for this fic was that it focuses most on Mydei's issues with his body, and how he struggles because the way he looks externally just does not match who he is internally. Like yes, he values the physical strength and dominating presence because they help him keep command of the Kremnoan army and garner his people's respect, but... the whole thing is based on a lie. He's not the overpowering alpha they think he is, and honestly, he doesn't even want to be. He can't abandon rulership and leave his people to fend for themselves, so he has to keep his true identity as an omega secret, but if he had a choice, he would never choose to be this "strange" half-and-half existence. Why can't he just have been born like everyone else? Hell, even though Kremnos treats their male omegas terribly, it still might have been better to have born actually looking like a delicate omega than to be just... stuck between the two.

The point of the fic, obviously, is Mydei coming to accept himself as he is and recognizing that he is worthy of love, even if he doesn't fit his own culture's definition of "acceptable." But the problem is that he's spent so long living the lie that he's internalized it: Mydei is convinced that no one will ever want someone as "incomplete" as him. He's never let himself even consider the dream of having a mate, because how could he ever find someone willing to both keep his secret and accept a mate who doesn't fit anyone's standard for "normal"?

Meanwhile, poor Phainon is down bad. He thinks Mydei is also an alpha like him, but even if alpha-alpha partnerships are frowned on in Okhema, he doesn't care in the slightest. He would want Mydei with any secondary gender, in any form. He just wants Mydei, no matter what. The only thing holding Phainon back is his own anxiety: Sure he doesn't care about being with another alpha, but would Mydei care? Would Mydei think he's strange and reject him outright? Would it make things terribly awkward between them and damage their mission with the Chrysos Heirs? Would Mydei refuse to even look at him if he knew Phainon's interests would persist no matter what their current society defines as right or wrong?

Mydei, on the other hand, is SUFFERING™. He's an unmated omega with a clingy, unclaimed alpha around him at all times, one who has no boundaries about personal space and scenting because he thinks Mydei is another alpha. It is driving Mydei insane. Mydei can barely spend time with Phainon in the weeks leading up to his heats because Phainon keeps bringing on the symptoms early. (Stupid Deliverer, this is all your fault...) It's the worst thing ever because that's him. That's the best damn alpha Mydei is ever going to meet, the only person he's ever encountered that he could actually imagine being mates with, and Mydei's body is just... useless. Unappealing to an actual alpha. Socially unacceptable. Mydei is in love and also miserable.

(Basically, the feelings are very mutual but social pressure is making them both hesitate and think there isn't any way they can be together. Phainon just doesn't know the truth or realize Mydei's feelings, but even if Mydei knows they'd technically match, Phainon is Okhema's golden boy "Deliverer." Choosing someone who looks like another alpha, and is even Kremnoan on top of that, would only ruin his reputation.)

Maybe if anyone in this universe was capable of communicating, they wouldn't have such a hard time. 😂

Some other smaller things I was thinking of too:

Mydei being super good with kids and imagining himself having his own, but thinking something like that is out of his reach. The angst is real.

Mydei also super soft on Tribbie. He knows they're not actual children, but tell that to his instincts, because the message is not getting through.

Phainon totally misunderstanding Mydei's flat-out refusal to be naked with him in the bath. Yikes, Mydei won't even bathe with another alpha? He definitely isn't interested in me. T_T

Castorice being able to somehow magically sense people's secondary genders (I don't know how, Thanatos bullshit go~!), so she actually knows Mydei is an omega but she has no idea what to do with that information because clearly he's keeping it a secret? She's trying so hard to be supportive and to give Phainon and Mydei the encouragement they need, but ugh, these boys are so stupid.

Aglaea is a girlbossing alpha in the background. She doesn't actually know Mydei isn't an alpha, but she's suspicious, because Phainon is always accidentally challenging her authority while Mydei, despite looking like the most powerful alpha in the room, is strangely content to let her lead.

Kremnoan female omegas are as tough or tougher than the alphas of other societies, so the "normal" relationship in Kremnos is an alpha of any gender with a female omega. On the other hand, male omegas from Kremnos are super rare and tend to look very delicate; because they're unsuited for war, they basically get no respect in Kremnoan society. If Mydei revealed that he was an omega, the Kremnoans would definitely strip him of his authority. He's worried that they'll make the wrong choices if he does that, so he has to keep his secret or risk harm to his people.

I think this would have to be a world where betas either don't exist or are so rare that they don't even figure into the equation, because if Mydei could just pass himself off as a beta, that would kind of defeat the plot. 😂

Phew, I think that kind of covers what I originally typed. T_T Obviously you wouldn't have to use any of this, but I hope maybe this might give you an idea or two to help start?

[ghouljams]

I really appreciate you reblogging that post about how difficult it is to quit an addiction. I myself am currently struggling with a sugar/caffeine addiction, and I drink way too much coke cola (and if I can't get my hands on some, energy drinks). It's nice to be reminded that it's not just me who is constantly thinking about how good it would feel to have juuust a little more, even if I said I would stop. I've tried to quit it multiple times, and each failed attempt disheartens me greatly and makes me feel weak willed, even if I rationally know everyone battling an addiction has those moments.

Sugar addictions often aren't treated as seriously as the "scary" drugs or smoking, but it's just as damaging to your health and difficult to quit, especially when the human brain is hardwired to want sugary, fatty foods. I hope one day to be strong enough to resist those cravings and get my health back on track.

You can become addicted to anything that makes you feel good. People are getting addicted to AI chat bots for god's sake, it doesn't even have to be quality stuff as long as it gives you that rush of dopamine it can reel you in. Now, some things are better designed to addict you, drugs and alcohol, sugar and caffeine, but that doesn't mean you aren't still getting that good feeling. Even if you don't get it every time, even if you only get that hit the first time, humans will chase that first high for the rest of their lives. It's the reason people stay in abusive relationships, things will never be as good as they were at the start but there's this silent promise that they might be.

Anyone can become addicted to anything. And I'm not saying that to scare anyone, but more to make the point that no one is above addiction. Addiction is not a moral failing, or a weakness, it's a human survival tactic. We want the thing that makes us feel good, that keeps the loneliness at bay, that stops us from feeling bad things even if they do that by keeping us from feeling anything at all. Our brains want that dopamine shot, even when reasonably we know whatever is giving us that shot is bad for us.

Getting past an addiction is hard no matter what that addiction is. I try to tell people that they need to find something to redirect that craving towards. For one of my loved ones we're working on finding a painting class and a book club because they've realized that a lot of their relapsing comes from feeling lonely. For you, maybe having a chew fidget would help, or keeping fruit on hand, or (if you're like me) purging your house of all sugary snacks. I can't keep sugar in my house or I'll eat it, so I don't buy it. It sucks, I want it, but I know myself and I know that the best way to keep myself from doing something is to try and remove as much temptation as possible.

It's much harder for me to justify leaving my house to go get candy than it is for me to get up and get a chocolate from the pantry. Or if I really want a sweetie, I have to figure out making it myself. Which means I can try and figure out a healthier option to make. Idk it's a long road, and something like sugar/caffeine/alcohol is so ingrained in our society that it feels impossible to avoid.

I have a friend who used heroin (now clean, I'm so proud of her) and she always said the hardest part of recovery was giving a shit about herself. She said there was always going to be part of her that wanted to use, so she had to make the rest of her louder, had to find reasons to care enough not to go back to her old habits. She got a lot of tattoos during her recovery, reconnected with her mom.

Not to say that addicts don't care about themselves, or that you don't care about yourself, I always thought she meant it more in the way of a parent caring for a child. You know, you don't let kids do something just because they want to because you care about keeping them safe. In the same way you sort of have to parent yourself. Say you've got sugar at home even though you don't, promise you'll make yourself donuts and then quit as soon as you get home because you don't want to boil oil. Learn to make croissants and then never make them again because they're such a fucking hassle. idk

You're not weak because you have trouble telling yourself no, people generally have trouble with that. You're just a person trying to listen to your body. It's just too bad your body isn't always a great judge of what's good for it.

[belit0]

Glad you're back😊😊, how would some Uchiha clan members like Madara, Izuna, Obito, Shisui, Itachi and Sasuke deal if they were to fall in love with a member of the Uzumaki clan? She is a relative too close to Hashirama and Tobirama, general of the clan, in charge of diplomacy, strong, who keeps up with them in combat and excellent user of sealing, and too close to Tobirama or failing that too close to a member of the Nara clan.

Thank you!!

Madara

Madara would despise how it happens. He has spent years considering the Uzumaki too closely tied to the Senju, and yet here he is, enthralled. (Y/N) is infuriating; fierce, unyielding, unafraid of his presence. She wields words like a blade in diplomacy, and seals like an artist in battle, matching him strike for strike. The worst part? She stands beside Hashirama without hesitation.

–You would have made a fine Uchiha,- he tells her one evening, after their spar ends in a draw. There's something sharp in his voice, something that almost sounds like regret. But when she only smirks, eyes glinting with unspoken challenge, he knows.

He's already lost.

Izuna

Izuna doesn’t think much of her at first, just another opponent, another name to keep track of. But the more he faces her, the more he hates how she gets under his skin. She doesn't fight like an Uchiha, relying on genjutsu and calculated strikes. No, she’s wild, her movements fluid, her seals relentless. And she’s infuriatingly good at throwing his own taunts back at him.

–Do you ever shut up?- Izuna grumbles as she outmaneuvers him once again.

–Admit it,- she teases, grinning, -you like the challenge.-

He scowls, but the flush in his ears betrays him.

Obito

Obito is doomed from the start. He falls fast, completely, without any hope of recovery. (Y/N) is everything he admires; strong, unwavering, determined. But it's the way she sees him that destroys him, like he's more than just another Uchiha, more than just someone destined for war.

He watches her work tirelessly for her clan, balancing politics and battle like second nature, and all he can think is: She deserves better than this world.

–You’re staring again,- she notes one day, raising an eyebrow.

–I— Obito stammers, rubbing the back of his neck. -I like looking at you.-

She blinks, before laughing softly. -You’re an idiot, Uchiha.-

He doesn’t even mind.

Shisui

Shisui approaches her like he does all things: with charm and amusement, but beneath the teasing, he’s fascinated. (Y/N) doesn’t just keep up with him in combat; she anticipates his moves, counters with a smirk, dares him to try harder. Her mind is just as sharp as her technique, and he lives for the challenge.

–You know,- he muses, dodging one of her seals at the last second, -you’re dangerous, (Y/N).-

–Afraid?- She taunts.

–Oh my, not at all.- He grins. -I like a woman who can keep me on my toes.-

And he means it.

Itachi

Itachi doesn’t fall easily. He is careful, reserved, always weighing consequences. But (Y/N) is different. She listens when he speaks, challenges his views without dismissing them. She stands strong, not just physically, but in her convictions. And despite their clans being at odds, he finds himself drawn to her.

He notices the way she works tirelessly for her people, sacrificing sleep for negotiations, for battle strategies. He understands that weight. And before he realizes it, he starts making sure she eats, rests, that she doesn’t carry it alone.

–You don’t have to look after me, Uchiha,- she murmurs one evening.

–Perhaps not,- he replies softly, -but I want to.-

Sasuke

Sasuke doesn't want to feel anything. He has spent too long consumed by revenge, by rebuilding what was lost. But (Y/N) doesn’t let him wallow. She challenges him, pushes him, meets his anger with sharp wit and unimpressed glances. She’s annoying. And yet, he can’t stop thinking about her.

She doesn’t treat him like he’s fragile, doesn’t pity him. Instead, she expects things from him, expects him to be better, and damn it, he wants to be.

–You’re sulking again,- she remarks, sitting beside him.

–I don’t sulk,- he mutters.

–Right,- she smirks. -Just thinking very intensely while looking tragic.

He exhales, shaking his head. She’s unbelievable. And yet, somehow, he doesn’t mind.

[blitzbomb]

*Garland’s hot body almost makes it hard to concentrate for a moment; the tightness, the all-consuming heat. But Kai knows better than to lose his head right now, lose his focus. His fingers wrap around Garland’s cock and he finds it still half-limp. Hn. Garland can’t be blamed, he supposes… After all, Kai isn’t small, and it’s probably been some time since Garland’s had a man.* “I wonder are you sick enough to cum from this.” *He pushes back inside - feeling Garland’s walls give easier than they had before. He strokes him, slow - teasing.*

*Mariam eyeballs the chair for a moment before she sits down and has her lunch presented to her like some treat for good behavior. Ironically that’s probably exactly what this is, and she’s too damn starving to be able to refuse it.* “So it’s not people.. Ha, kinda figured that would be the sick humor you monsters would get off on.” *If it is people stew, it still smells good.*

-----

Garland chews at his bottom lip, eyes screwing shut as Kai begins to stroke him. He'd half hoped Kai would have been rough. Fast. Had this over and done with so he can go cry in the shower. Seems not. The monster actually intends to make this a mind fuck for poor Garland. And worse still, Garland's not foolish enough to think he'll ressit all this. Kai's acting every bit like a loving boyfriend. Helping hand, slow pace. Garland groans low, head hanging slightly. He hates the man so much.

Boris laughs. "No. No people. I imagine it could make you humans sick if we keep feeding you each other." Boris isn't too sure but keeping the blood pure is the goal. No one wants to drink rancid blood. "Eat as much as you can. Don't force yourself to finish." Boris doesn't intend on starving Mariam no matter how annoying she'll get. Got to plump her up a little more. He wants her body, and her blood. Starving will not give him both.

She'd tried so hard. Mariam had done everything in her power to keep herself hidden. Herself and the small group of ragtag survivors who fled the city. Only a few of them spoke English, but that's neither here nor there.. They all had the same goal. Live. And to live as they are... Not as one of them. Mariam had gone into town to get access to a convenience store. Steal some food, bring back to the camp. It hadn't gone well. She and her small party were found... And found by Kai, of all people.

With a content groan, Boris pulls himself out of his body filled bed. Paying no attention to the two female vampires feasting on a half dead human at the foot of the bed. It smells like sex and blood. Just how Boris likes it, but the night had barely started, and he’s already bored. Sex, blood, sleep, and repeat. Gaining this immortal life has been a gift from Kai, sure, but Boris isn’t half bored now they have so much of Russia under control. And soon the rest of the world. Thinking of, Boris might go give Kai a visit. Been a while since he last saw that bastard. He might have some fun things for Boris to do.

[heartz4levi]

mhm... i keep thinking ab scummy till..

you're screwed up and brilliant !

☆ thinking abt scummy till . . .

☆ till (alnst) ,, gn reader . . modern!au ,, actor!au ,, reader is a mua ,, till is ooc in favor of making him be as scummy as i could ,, till is just. a bitch in this one. and reader cannot stand him ,, is this?? anything at all?? i tried anon, i tried. hope i executed ur ask to ur liking. </3

stark in contrast to the character he plays, till is an absolute scum.

alien stage, one of his biggest projects, but not the most. you're co—workers with him.. sort of. he's an actor in the series who plays a pretty big role, but all you are is a make—up artist for the cast.

while the cameras were rolling, you would drop by ever so often to see which scene they where shooting, to get a better grasp on what the plot is and also to see the brilliance of each actor up close.

everyone was generally kind whenever they were getting their make—up done. some are quieter than others and don't say much, some are more energetic, but all in all each and every one of them treats you with basic desency. the bare minimum that till doesn't even think about achieving, because of course, out of an entire roster or renowned actors someone has to be a lot shittier in terms of personality behind the camera.

you love your job, you really do. you get to collaborate with a bunch of celebrities, you get to create some of their most iconic cosmetic looks and, most importantly, it's fun to do make—up on people. but sometimes you feel like dropping out of this project solely because of till.

he willingly sits still in the chair when it's his turn to get his make—up done and he isn't picky about what styles he does and doesn't like. makes him seem like a regular client, right? wrong.

till will stare at your reflection in the mirror, shooting you the dirtiest looks known to man. if you notice and ask him what's wrong, he'll complain. oddly enough, never about the make—up, but about you, nitpicking any and every single thing you do. it feels like you're not even allowed to breathe in his presence.

if you ask him to calm his face muscles down because you cannot work on someone's face when the canvas is contorted all weird, till will do the complete opposite. he'll scrunch his face up even further, refusing to relax and allow you to do your job in peace. that shenanigan just makes him look childish. but don't tell him that, or else he'll throw a hissy fit. a childish hissy fit.

to be fair, you aren't the only person whom he critiques whenever he gets the chance to. he does the same with his co—actors, shooting nasty glances their way and calling them out on their acting specifically. as if he has a shit ton more years of experience and has better technique.

before you know it, filming for alien stage is wrapped up. then, some time later, it officially airs and although the fans gravitate in every direction, to each character, a lot of them choose till as their favourite. understandable, because his character is a lot less of a douche.

you would think that such a dedicated fanbase could only serve to inflate till's ego even further. but it doesn't, because he doesn't need any fans to consider himself superior and able to judge everyone without ever suffering any consequences. till cares about those fans just about as much as he cares about everyone else who has worked with him — long story short, he does not care. like at all. no fucks given.

but people still don't know that. during promotions for alien stage, till doesn't say much. he leaves all the talking to his co—actors, spacing out and occasionally nodding because god he does not want to be there with all of those people — yeah, he likes acting and starring in ambitious projects, but the promotions part? yeah.. no.

if any reporter, or anyone else for that matter, decides to ask him a question, till will do anything to evade it. if the question isn't about him and he is there witb a fellow actor, he will immediately glance pointedly at them, a silent order that they should do the talking, not him. if he can't evade the question, the answer he gives is short and blunt, making the interaction be as brief as possible.

well, that is none of your concern. he's done with sitting in your chair, having your products be applied on his face and you're done with having to tolerate him for hours on end. thank the fucking stars.

or maybe.. don't thank them.

plenty of time passes before you're thrown into another project that is bound to gain endless popularity once it's out. it'll take a while, it'll take a lot of hard work, maybe even some blood, sweat and tears — but you're glad to be apart of the team regardless!

you're glad until you see who is playing the main character.

not again...

[jalebi-weds-bluetooth]

Hi jalebi, I was wondering why Arnav didn't scold lavanya much...just kept quite and ordered painkillers and lemon juice the day after anjali's anniversary party....after all LA had publicly insulted his nani calling her names and all...the one who brought him up,who took care of him and his Di, but when it came to Khushi (post marriage) she was always held accountable for even the slightest mishaps in the family...like why the hypocrisy,why the double standards....Don't you think if he loved khushi,she should be given more leeway for her mistakes,but he infact behaved more gentlemanly and Respectfully towards LA...when he never even loved her....what is your insight regarding his thought process

Hi Anon,

Yeah because when Arnav was dating Lavanya - he liked her a lot and knew his family was being terrible to her. They were being passive aggressive a lot.

But to him, she is a good woman and he can see there are adjustment issues going on. The last thing he's going to do is snap on her because, to be honest, he loses his own mind in his home - La is still another person.

However, when Arnav is married to Khushi, he doesn't believe she's a good woman. He believes she is a gold digger, Shyam's mistress, a person who intentionally wrecked a married woman's life but that too of a woman who has been nothing but kind to her.

Post revelation and Arnav realizing the truth, Arnav has a point when he snaps at Khushi after Anjali tries to abort her child.

Khushi was told one thing - don't visit Anjali.

Anjali is traumatized.

But Khushi, she chose to prioritize her own need to serve people and be a 'good' person as opposed to actually listen. And even when Arnav asked for an explanation - she switches into self guilt and self blame and... kind of not realizing the extent of damage that she has done by visiting Anjali.

And Arnav, whenever he gets angry, he says things worse than he intends to but I can barely fault him here.

His sister could have died. All because his wife triggered her. Intentions do not matter cause Anjali could have been dead.

And all Khushi has to do is not take accountability for her actions but turn to self guilt.

Now, the thing is that Khushi's guilt is real, absolutely. But Arnav - who is traumatized by what he saw - is not the right person to talk to about her guilt.

She needs to speak about her guilt to Payal, to her parents, to anyone who isn't directly connected to Anjali.

So it's a great argument.

Now coming to Arnav's otherwise more respectful treatment of La - I don't think he treated her well, he just treated Khushi worse. And why? Classism. That's it. Lavanya works in his company in a position of some power and comes from a well to do family.

Lavanya might actually be British/NRI. She's definitely of higher class than Khushi.

Also love doesn't equal to respect. Yes, love cannot thrive without respect but it does, painfully, sometimes exist without it.

Best,

Jalebi

[owlheartt]

Something I really like about timebomb is that Ekko actually knows what he's getting into.

I'm not really seeing it get talked about but in season 1 they mention that Ekko and the firelights help people addicted to shimmer get off it and lead more fulfilling lives within the community. I should probably rewatch the scene for the exact wording (might be misremembering tbh) but that comment implies A LOT.

First: Ekko's mission is helping people where he can, he would probably try and help Jinx even if he wasn't in love with her

Second: He has experience dealing with severe mental illness as that often goes hand in hand with drug abuse, namely depression/suicidal ideation like what Jinx was exhibiting

Third: He's probably mapped out best course of action FOR dealing with this and has already figured out his own limits/boundaries. Meaning he knew what he was getting into trying to talk Jinx out of suicide, and was thus more equipped to deal with the aftermath

Fourth: He's probably helped ex members of Silco's gang. The firelights seem to have a theme of healing and repairing and recovering, so they've probably also learned to forgive. If they're mission is to rebuild the lanes into a safe space, they can't exclude people they don't like, they have to make room for them. I think they fought Silco out of necessity, and I doubt Jinx would be the first person they help who's killed one of them.

These all might be a bit of a stretch but I think it really fits. Beyond that, it shows that Ekko can ACTUALLY help Jinx. As much as unconditional love can do, Ekko has the tools for Jinx's recovery and a path ready for her. He also probably knows that her "healthy" will look different from AU Powder's "healthy." On top of that, I expect he knows how to respect her even in the middle of psychotic breaks and won't agitate her already frail mental state

[l3t-me-perish]

iirc what we find out about thirteen:

[SPOILERS FOR NIGHTBRINGER!!! i'm only to lesson 30 in nightbringer though]

She dislikes/distrusts Barbatos

She has an older sister named Candy

She lives in a cave - it's called the Reaper's Cave if I remember correctly? It's a confusing place filled with traps, but also there's some sort of library of magic books of a fountain of knowledge or something magical there I don't remember ATM

Candy used to be the main reaper but she got trapped in one of the "rooms" with traps, so Thirteen had to take up the mantle

She first met Solomon when he was a child (also first met Barbatos around this time)

She is fascinated in MC in a similar way she's fascinated in Solomon, she wants their soul when they die

She likes MC MUCHHH more than Solomon ("You know, compared to your teacher, you've got a lot more going for you, huh? I'm really starting to take a liking to you.", "Hey, ___... I'll be honest... I like you better than that demon there. So how about I come to your rescue?" [in reference to Lucifer], "And it just so happens that I like ___'s soul. So, until that soul separates from that body, I won't allow anyone to hurt ___!!!")

Although reapers are supposed to stay neutral, she sides with a human (MC) over demons

Asmo comments on how much she loves MC

She invites MC on a date IN CANON NIGHTBRINGER :3 (or rather, runs into MC while out, invites MC out to eat, and decides to treat them because she invited them) and later suggests they should get coffee together again

She (and implied Barbatos and possibly Solomon) is older than Diavolo

Her favorite cake flavors are chocolate and strawberry

She likes to spend her birthdays alone

She woke up early to wish MC a happy birthday ("I never thought I'd find myself calling you this early in the morning in a thousand years...")

She thinks of MC as a bit of a plaything ("But I guess I don't mind taking you out to play every once in a while. As long as it doesn't become a habit! You make a good plaything anyway." [after complaining about how MC has an effect of bringing people together and how she is no longer alone lol]

She would drink bitter coffee if MC made it for her

She frequently invites MC out

I love her character so much she was so overhated for no reason :(

I’m aware it’s been literal months but I’m still so mad we don’t have much information about the undateables. ESPECIALLY THIRTEEN!!!

With the introduction of her, it brought the introduction of an entire new species- reapers.

The only information I remember about them is they’re solitary and they typically wear black robes.

[mistyscenter]

I love that this fandom doesn't understand Baxter's character, I adore how they patronize him,a whole ass adult, for facing the consequences of his actions.

I love how people make him feel like a sad little baby when he leaves mc as if that's not something he made extremely clear. I love how people treat this 19 year old as if he's not old enough to understand the consequences of his actions. I love how Baxter is aware of his flaw's but feels like he can't break them because people only see him as a tool and this fandom reinforces that.

I love how people will get mad at Nico for doing the cardinal crime of being 6 years old but will baby a 24 year old Baxter. I love how people make him this charismatic rich guy when it's shown that he's a hot mess that doesn't know what he wants. I love that Baxter's whole character arc is about his self sabotaging tendencies and how everyone ignores that. I love that people fell in love with the mask he had for most of the dlc.

I love that this fandom lacks reading comprehension skills and understanding of nuance characters, great job everyone for not understanding how writing works :)

[copper-sands]

starting to think that maybe it's a good idea to stop forcing myself to create and take a break actually

[licorishh]

"The Bible is so sexist blah blah blah" okay. When it talks about how you can avoid doing stupid things in Proverbs it uses a man in its examples and personifies wisdom as a woman though which I think is pretty funny

[fruit-snacker]

I ended up buying a cane and it's better than nothing for my tremors. I prefer sitting or leaning but it certainly will help i think

[allsortzofcrap]

i feel like for the rest of my life i will be walking around totally normal and then periodically, i will be absolutely brained with a metaphorical anvil falling off the side of a building that represents the absolute bafflement i have towards modern adaptations of sherlock holmes and their treatment of irene adler. bbc's most recent adaptation in particular.

im so sorry. please repeat. she was stupid u say??? and i'm sorry, IN LOVE with him u say??????

i'm a feminist so i think women are capable of being in love and also of being stupid. they can do anything they put their minds to ofc ❤️. but this is too far even for me.

it's just that i can't understand why you would choose to write a narrative that is more mysoginistic than the source material when the source material was written in 1891.

was it intentional? did they somehow not pick up on the implications? was it random?

i can't fathom it. it keeps me awake.