#not sure if there's other tags I should use?

[chipped-chimera]

Okay psych nerd here who is not going to bloat this with a tag explanation and instead just write the thing:

The answer is two things -

Dehumanization / Distancing from Humanity

Moral Psychology

Here's an example in action. So I'm sure everyone knows about the Trolley Problem - you are standing near a train track at the track switch, an out of control train barrelling down the rails. On one of the tracks, are a group of men working on the rails (or tied to the rails if you prefer the image version). If you do nothing, it will collide with the group of people and kill them. On the other hand, if you use the switch and change the track, it'll instead kill just one person. This one people can reasonably complete, the usual choice being kill one to save five or whatever.

But here is another version. The Fat Man Trolley Problem (not my wording). In this version of the Trolley Problem, you are standing on a bridge overpass of a traintrack. Next to you is a very large man. Below you, are the five workmen. The train is out of control, but you realise if you push the fat man off the bridge and onto the track, his mass will be enough to stop the train and save the five people on the track. What do you do?

Naturally, this one prompted visceral reactions from people it was pitched to in studies - which begs the question, how is this version different from the switch problem? In both problems, you have the choice to sacrifice one to save many, but the mere thought of having to physically push another person onto the tracks crosses a line.

That's because a switch distances you from the situation, in a sense, you are removed from the humanity in the decision making and it's pure logic. Harm is a side-effect of flicking the switch, in a way you are less involved. Having to push the man, however, is forcing you to confront the human-ness of the situation, to look someone in the face and make that decision.

A lot of the problems in the world, and their respective government entities who are supposed to be fixing them, often have zero experience in the very thing they're supposed to be solving. They're sitting in an office, far, far away looking at a bunch of numbers spat out by a consulting agency while there are homeless in the streets. The switch they pull is so far away they can't even see the people their decisions affect. And if they think less of the people they are making decisions over, like the very, very, very obviously misplaced idea that homelessness is somehow caused by moral failing - that will distance them from the humanity of the situation even further.

I think back to an article I read about someone who had lost their husband to suicide after many, many, many years struggling, went to a conference regarding mental health. The participants of this conference would be the ones making major decisions that would affect the health and outcomes of other people. She confronts one of them, and asks them - have you ever been affected by depression? have you ever had someone in your family been affected?

He seemed shocked and startled. But he answered no.

That should say everything. Anyway this is why I think it should be mandatory for anyone forming country-wide, dramatically-impactful policies in government, especially regarding minorities and poverty - should have a MANDATORY amount of hours they have to spend per year with said people who will be affected by their decisions. And none of this distanced hand shaking for the cameras, I mean living that experience as closely as possible.

It's not that humanity is dead. It's not that we get up with the intention of causing harm every day. It's just a fact of psychological distancing that causes us to lose our connection with it. This can be unintentional, but sometimes it is intentional. It's often a tactic in war propaganda, to cast the enemy in such an evil light that the idea of killing many to protect or save your people - even if it's women and children, and disabled and elderly people, and civilians - is somehow justified.

So the next time you vote or support a cause or whatever in your life that may end up influencing the situation of people, outside of your known experience - stop for a moment, and have a think about what it is like for those individuals. If you had to physically go to them, and look them in the eyes - would you make the same decisions?

Also vote for people with lived experience into those positions to make the decisions when you can!

It confuses me how normalized it is to be so anti human. The fact that two countries voted no to food being a human right. The fact so many people are against universal healthcare. The fact that it’s normal to believe some people don’t deserve housing because they’re poor, addicts, mentally ill, or any combination of the above. I find it so hard to comprehend that humans who have experienced hunger, thirst, cold, and illness would wish these things upon others, or at the very least not care. It frustrates me beyond belief.

These are the exact values we’re taught as children, to believe all humans are equal in worth and needs, and yet at some point you’re expected to grow out of that illusion. You’re expected to accept that this is what life’s like, that the world is unfair, and attempting to fix it makes you weak and childish.

[idontcaboose]

Grand Theft Danny aka Haunted Car Au Part 20

Previous. Masterpost

While Danny had control of the car, Signal was in the driver's seat and correcting turns and braking when needed. It was a fun and terrifying learning experience. It kinda reminded him of when he and Tucker would play those games where two people would share the controls and have to work together to complete the level. Luckily for him, Signal was a LOT better at keeping them from crashing than Tucker was. Hood was just vibing, making music requests, and throwing out a few directions. They were not too far out when Hood swore and called an incoming.

The radio muted itself for the com connection, and someone was making ‘wee-woo’ noises at them. Hood scoffed and responded on his own com shouting ‘ACAB!’ Danny had gotten the idea to link the com to the radio when the guy on the com asked (rather nicely) for them to pull over. Well, unfortunately for him, Danny was not done with his driving lesson, and Signal did say to Gun It. The music choice was a song that he remembered Jason playing and singing along with with the working gals. It was on the Batmobile’s radio drive, so a bat had good taste in music.

They proceed to drive all over Gotham. Hood had an especially great time hanging out the windows when they crossed over the Narrows, Bowery, and Crime Alley. The entire time they were being chased by the blue and black vigilante, that Danny was 75% sure was not called ‘Dickwing��. It wasn't until about an hour after his first attempt at nicely asking to stop did he apparently pull out the big guns.

“Guys, please, I am going to need gas soon. If you don't stop I am going to wake up Oracle to remote the car back home.”

Signal swore and made Danny slow down to a more reasonable speed. Hood on the other hand decided to mock the guy some more.

“Oh? Going to tell on us to O? Have you finally realized that Daddy Bat isn't as effective to tattletale to?”

“Little wing-”

“Dickhead.”

“Look, what if I pay for lunch?”

Duke looked at Hood so hard that Danny could tell he was conveying that they should take up the offer. Unfortunately it looked like Hood was going to continue the argument. Luckily, Hood didn't have a choice when Danny turned on the radio and found a Batburger advertisement playing, and showed his new found ability to stop on his own. Danny decided to further his point by finding gunshot sounds and someone saying ‘How Rude’ in the most scandalized voice he ever heard.

“Wait, did you just call me rude?” Hood asked incredulous.

“Yaaaaa booooiiiiii”

“That's because you are rude Little Wing. Hey Signal, thanks for stopping.” The other guy said.

“Wasn't me, Nightwing, Danny decided to stop us.”

The newly dubbed Nightwing looked into three back, confused. “Uh, who is Danny?”

“Our new best friend Dickwing, keep up.” Hood smugly said.

Nightwing gasped “Little Wing made a friend? I must meet them!”

“Danny, would you like to say hi to Nightwing?” Duke asked, trying to stifle his laughter.

Danny knew how he would respond, he turned up the volume -

“MY NAME IS SUE, HOW DO YOU DO?!”

Nightwing went through a bunch of emotions before settling on hopeful disbelief. “Did Oracle get a helper that is remotely controlling the Batmobile?”

He blanched when the car responded with a laugh track, a ‘NOPE’, and proceeded to play the Ghostbusters theme song.

Next

Tag list:

@kizzer55555 @sebas-nights @candeartist422 @trappednyourheart @fandom-life-corrupted-me @tkiesai @2lbballpeenhammer @admiralwidow @rewrittenwrongs @whotfevenknowsanymore @symmetricalastigmatism

@thespacedragons

@atinygracie @okami-love

@lesbian-spider-drone @1n0sss @forgetmenot-bluepurple @ehobep

[maenoakasuna]

All For Us Part III Part I - Part II

Hello ! It's me, again ! Not gonna Lie, I don't remember the last time i Finished that much part in less than a Week. I'm probably more picky when it come to my french words since it's my first language. I feel like english is easier to express feelings, but at the same time I don't know how to express it the way I like ? It's weird.

Anyway, A good part for more Reader and Thanos moment. Not the best but definatly cute. Nam-Gyu exist and he's a bithc ( I kinda like him for real and love the Thanos-Nam-gyu Duo, please don't kill me )

Anyway enjoy this part. TW : Mention of drug, cheating, Nam-Gyu exist.

Tag : @private-vampire @rafesbunniebby

You woke up the next morning, or maybe some hours later, you weren't really sure how much time you slept, on the sound of the music you heard when you woke up the first time. This annoying music can give you the worst headache. You still felt tired and hungry. The snack you had yesterday wasn’t that much.

You sat up in your bed, realising your felt sweaty and it gross you out. You didn’t remember but you probably had a bad dream last Night. 

Whipping the sweat of your forehead, you remove the hoodie and tie it up around your hips and go place yourself in line to go take breakfast. The head still in the pillow, you never heard the voice from behind, calling your name, but you felt your heart skip out of fear when you felt two arms wrapping you from behind to give you a back hug. 

«-Still ignoring me, princess ? »

Thanos, of course, you should have known better. Only him could do such a thing. You try to remove his arms from around your body, but he strongly sticks to you.

«-Thanos, please. I’m too tired to deal with your childish shit.-Then, don’t. Let me just hug you in silence.»

You sight and put your hands on his arms, ready to block him if he wants to go close to your belly.

«-I’m all sweaty, you shouldn’t touch me like this and i probably smell gross. -I don’t care, baby.»

You grunt, annoyed. Back in the days it would be things you would have felt for or found adorable, but today, everything is way more different.  The pets name, his demonstration of affection in public, that were things you felt for.

Out of nowhere, you felt tears in your eyes. You were about to cry. Having him so close to you like this after what happened, the stress of him discovering the pregnancy, the lac of sleep. You hated everything, especially the hormones. Without all that you could manage to hide your emotions way better. One tear slid on your cheek and you couldn’t hole a snort.

«-Y/N ? »

You could feel Thano's concern in his voice as he turned you around. You quickly wiped his tears and looked away, not able to face him. 

«-Mind your business, I'm fine, you said before he could ask you a thing.»

You quickly turn around and take your lunch before going back to your bed. You could ear Thanos calling your name and following you, but you ignored him, tears still falling from your eyes. It could be so easy if He could just ignore you and at if you were two perfect strangers. Before you put your feet on the first strai to go back to your bed, you felt it was to much to keep inside and you turned around to face Thanos. At this point you didn’t care if he could see you cry, or if the other contestant could ear everything. You were just a hurricane of emotions.

«-Why do you still following me ?! We spent the last two years in a fake relationship, so why could you not fake a little more ? Why are you still trying to get me attention ? Can you just not let me alone ?! Stay away from me !»

The other around ad stop eating and just looked at you and the purple hair rapper. Thanos didn’t care about them. He’s concern was all on you. You could see his expression, it wasn’t the same he normally show in public. The naturally confident and sassy Thanos was not the one you had in front of you Right now, it was more like a sad one.

«-Y/N…»

He get closer to you and gently takes your hand. His eyes were locked on you as he wipped one of your tears.

«-I know I messed up, more than once, but I swear I never faked anything. -Just like you swear you never cheated on me ? -I didn’t ! -Oh fuck You, I saw You ! I saw you in your private room with this girl. You kissed her with such passion that I taught you would fuck her right on the table. -But I didn’t ! »

You go silent just like the others. No one dares to say something or interrupts your couple-ish fight.

Thanos passed his hands on his face, already tired of this discussion before he continued since you had nothing to answer.

«-I was High as fuck and still mad from our fight in the morning. When I arrived at the bar that day, the girl still waited for me in my room. She worked at the bar and said she was a huge fan.»

He paused and took a deep breath.

«-She looked so much like You. That’s why I let myself go, but I never fucked with her. I stopped before.»

You were speechless, for many reasons. The first was because you were shocked he showed this part of him in front of everyone. He never really showed you his vulnerability before. And the other reason was how dumb that guy was. Even if he didn’t fucked her, he still kissed her and that was cheating, at least for you. 

«-Listen, I don’t want to talk more about this, especially here. You cheated, End of the story. Now, leave and let me alone.»

That was where the conversation ended. You go back to your bed to eat, whipping out your tears. When you opened your plate, it was full of rice, some veggies and an egg. It wasn’t that much, but it was enough to make you smile.

Player 222 came to see you and sat down in front of you, placing in your plate half of the egg she had in her plate. You looked at her confused. She only smiled before saying it was good for pregnant women and this part was offered by player 149. It was the old woman with her son who’s the number 007. 

You were thankful to 222 and 149 for this act of kindness, it warmed your heart after what just happened with Thanos.

«-So, Thanos is the father ? Asked 222, looking in his direction. -Yeah… »

You  also looked in Thanos' direction. He was with other people. They all talked but him, he was silent, something who never happened. He’s more the kind of guy who is gonna lead the conversation. Seeing him like this made you doubt for a second, considering forgiving him, telling him the truth about the baby. You remember how warm it was in his arms when he hugged you lately. It would be a lie to say you didn’t miss it.

«-Did he know about it ? -No and I don’t know if I should tell him.»

What if he doesn't have a positive reaction ? Tonight you will vote to go home after the game, but if the majority decide to stay and Thanos refuses you keep the kid, who knows what could happen to you ? If he was willing to push people during the first game, leading them you death, maybe he was crazy enough to push you to your own death and the kid death by the same occasion.

The time for the second game came and you was escorted in another room and asked to form teams of 5 players. So far you stayed with player 222 but you had to go separate way.

«-Since we are both pregnant It will be easier for us if we found a team with mens or less than just one pregnant woman.»

It was her idea, but you agreed. You know nothing about the next game after all. Looking around you, you tried to find someone or a little group who could need one more people. 

You stopped your research when Number 124, Thanos Friends found you. He looked at you up and down with a smile.

«-Still Looking for a Team ? -Definitely not yours, you answered.» 

He let a small laugh escape his lips as he got closer to you.

«-I think our team will be your best chance if you want to keep yourself and the baby alive. »

You looked at Player 124 shocked,  surprised he knew about your pregnancy. Automatically, you cover your belly by fear he could do something to you. Seeing you doing this make him laugh as he take some step back.

«-Relax, I will not lay a finger on you. I’m not that kind of guy. -Have You told Thanos ? -No, not Yet. But if you refuse to be our last team member, maybe the information could slip out of my mouth,  Who know. -How did you know I’m …»

You didn’t dare finish your sentence by fear everyone will hear you.

«-I overhear your conversation with the other pregnant girl. You should be more quiet about it if you don’t want everyone to know. -And you should keep the information for yourself if you don’t want to die. -Are you threatening me ? -No, I’m warning you.»

You and this asshole will definitely not get along really well, that’s for sure. Your eyes were locked on his as his smuggy smile didn’t disappear. He knew what he put you into and he was pleased by that.You don’t even know the guy but if you could crush his skull on the first wall you gonna cross, you would.

«-So you’re in or not ?-Do I really have a choice.-Technically, yeah. That’s up to you.-Oh shut up and lead the way to the other teammates.» 

You followed number 124 in silence. Once you were with the other, Thanos seemed surprised to see his friend with you. On his side, he was with a girl with her bottom lip pierced and a guy who looked shy. It’s not exactly the type of team you thought you would have, especially coming from your ex, but it was still better than no team at all.

«-Nam-Gi ! You actually convinced Y/N to join us. I’m surprised. What have you told her ? -Actually, it’s Nam-gyu..-Yeah whatever. What have you said ? »

Thanos seemed so happy to have you in his team, but you weren't as much as him. You were confused, even. This guy, number 124, Nam-Gyu, wasn’t supposed to overhear the conversation you had with Player 222 and He used it to his advantage to bring you there cause his ‘’ boss ‘’ asked him ?! You felt so defeated. Now how can he manage to explain that to Thanos without saying a word about your pregnancy.

«-Well, she looked for a team and since the time was almost out, she didn’t had many options. Right ? »

He looked at you with this venomous smile of his.

«-Yeah, exactly. Otherwise believe me I wouldn’t be there, you answered. -Welcome in the Thanos Team, the only one who can lead you to the Win.»

Some good old Thanos rap to put a good Vibe in our wanna be team. You cannot help but smile before you are led to another room with the other contestants. This Time, the game seemed more complex than the Red Light Green light. Every team will have feets tight up to one another and are going to walk to different activities. They need to finish every little game before the end of the Five minutes allowed. One of those games was Ddjaki. You were good at that game back in your childhood and you never lost against the recruiter. Everyone agreed to let you do it.

Once everyone had their positions, we watched the other teams and learned from their mistakes. Seeing some of them behind killed in front of you was something you wish you will forget one day. It gives you more anxiety minute after minutes. You gave a look at Thanos and Nam Gyu who didn’t even seem bothered by that, casually talking and swallowing their pills. What a bunch of Junkies…

When it was your Turn, your hands were shaky and you did your best to concentrate to hit easily the other colored paper. Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath and hit. It turned right away and you could continue. 

The other did well too and you managed to finish inside 5 minutes. The guards removed the locks at your feets and you managed to go back to the main room, still alive. On your way, Nam-gyu walked by your side, hands in his pocket.

«-You will vote to stay Tonight, right ?-Absolutely not. I need to go home. I will not put my life in danger another day»

You were stop by his body who placed itself in front of you.

«-I will make myself more clear then. You will vote to stay Tonight, If you don't want your baby daddy to know about your dirty little secret. -Oh so you are the one who is threatening me, now. -Of course not, I'm warning you. But the choice is yours to make »

And he continue his was to the main room. You looked at him leaving as you swear inside if you have to play another game, this guy will not survive. He play to much on your nerves. 

Back to your bed, waiting for the others to come back, you taught about what Nam-Gyu said. You never was the kind of girl to submit to something threatening like this and if Thanos have to know about the baby, He will probably understand the reason why you wanted to leave. So your choice will not change ; You will vote to leave.

That’s exactly what you did tonight. The loss of today didn’t change that much, you will not leave this place super rich, but you will find a way. It will be better outside than here, risking your life and your baby’s life. Your mind was also on player 222 who was in the same situation as you. 

After you had voted X , you saw the girl smiled at you and Nam-Gyu on the other side who looked pissed, but you didn’t care, you knew you had made the right choice.

Sadly, the majority of votes goes to O so you will have to stay and play another game Tomorrow. People are really insane, that’s so creepy. 

You managed to left the main room to go to the bathroom, where you found an open space to showed at the back of the room. With your stressful day and your sweaty dreams from last night, how could you say no to that. 

After you had removed your clothes, you opened up the water and let the hot water flow. It felt like a release. You didn’t even taught about washing your body, you just needed to relax more than anything else. Eyes shut, face in the direction of the water, you never heard when someone entered the room, or maybe you didn’t care. 

It becomes more serious when the water stops and your body got pressed against the cold wall. When you opened your eyes, surprised and ready to hit, you were surprised to see Thanos, who seemed angry.

«-Is that true Y/N ?! Is that fucking true ?! »

Your heart started to beat way faster. You had a good idea why he was there. Nam-gyu probably told him about your pregnancy. You knew it will happen but you didn't think about how you would react if you had to have this discussion. Trembling, more cause of the fear and anxiety caused by Thanos' anger you weren't able to place a word.

«-I…Don’t… -Don’t you fucking dare to say you don’t know what I am talking about ! »

He hit the wall next to your head before taking some step back to calm himself. You stayed there, trembling, trying your best to not cry again and hiding your naked body as much as you could. he definitely have seen everything by now but it was still embarrassing.

When he felt more calm, Thanos looked back at you, but his eyes were more on your belly than on you directly.

«-Are you pregnant for real ? Is that the real reason why you’re here ? »

[teamfreewilllover]

Masked Affection ll In-ho/Frontman x OC

Min-Ji stared into the camera in front of her, her head tilted to one side as the command to smile flashed up on the screen. Her expression remained emotionless as her picture was taken. A sharp laugh from behind her had Min-ji pushing on, amazed that anyone could find the situation they found themselves in amusing. She supposed they didn't know that people rarely left the games. Staggering forward toward the steps, she pushed down the urge to groan when she saw how slowly the woman in front of her was walking. Of all the times to get stuck behind someone who—

Was pregnant?

From the way the girl was clutching at her stomach and practically waddling up the staircase, Min-Ji had no doubt that she was knocked up. Gritting her teeth, she tapped on the girl's shoulder, who jumped out of her skin. She whipped around, with a sheepish expression, gulping when she saw Min-Ji looming over her.

"You and your baby are slowing us down," Min-Jin stated, watching the girl's eyes double in size.

"I...I don't know what you're talking about," The shorter girl, with the tag of 222, mumbled.

"Uh-huh. What, are you just holding in a fart then?" Min-Ji teased, as 222's cheeks reddened.

Finding now, her lips did twitch into a slight smile, she held her hand out to the shorter girl. She blinked at her a couple times, as Min-Ji gestured for her to take the offered limb. An irritated cough from behind them had Min-Ji taking 222's hand and pulling her up the stairs before the other girl could protest.

"Ah, I'm not an invalid," 222 complained, as Min-Ji looped their arms together, allowing her to take the majority of the others weight.

"No. Just a pregnant invalid," She smirked, noticing 222 gave a tiny smile.

Soon enough, they made it threw large green gates, arriving on a sandy pitch. There was an odd statue on the other side, dressed up like a little girl, that towered over the guards dressed in pink. Min-Ji was biding her time, waiting for the moment to get one of the guards alone and finally get some answers. 222 shrugged her arm away as they crowded into the pitch, finding the blue sky above them, a flock of birds flying past.

"The first game is Red Light, Green Light."

Min-Ji's frowned deepened, wondering what the twist was. If these games got people killed, then how? There were only two guards standing by the doll, surely they couldn't do much? Glancing toward 222, she took an almost protective stance in front of her.

"You should stick with me, 222," Min-Ji suggested.

"Why?" 222 questioned, as Min-Ji held her hand out to her again.

"Because no one else is going to look out for you here," Min-Ji pointed out, and this time, 222 took her hand far quicker.

Before the girls could say another word, a panicked man was racing forward, his hair cut poorly and eyes wide. He held his hands up, breathing heavily.

"Everyone! Everyone, listen up! Pay attention! This is not just a game! If you lose the game, you die!" The man, who's tag was 456, called out.

The others around them scoffed and laughed but Min-Ji's focused remained on 456. She could tell from the haunted look in his eyes the man truly believed what he was saying. Holding on tightly to 222's hand, she tugged her forward.

"If they catch you moving, they will kill you! They will shoot you from somewhere! That doll's eyes are motion detectors!" 456 exclaimed, as Min-Ji's gaze moved to the doll in question, feeling a shiver go down her spine.

"He's just crazy. Right?" 222 whispered, as Min-Ji squeezed her hand.

"Stay behind me," Min-Ji retorted, noticing a countdown flashing up on the side of the arena.

5:00

Immediately realising that meant they only had 5 minutes to make it passed the doll, Min-Ji was rushing forward, with 222 close behind. She had already raced past 456 when the doll announced Red Light and her footsteps came to a sudden halt. 222 gripped her hand tightly, crouched behind Min-Ji, who's free hand was held out to shield her from the motion detector.

On the other side of the arena, In-ho's hand stilled against his drink, eyes narrowed. Player 002 was the first to move, carrying another player behind her. In-ho leaned closer to the screen in front of him, displaying every second of action. The girl seemed familiar to him. Pressing a button beside him, the screen zoomed in on the younger girl's face, as his gaze grew intense.

Now, he remembered.

"Let's go!" 456 shouted, as they all made a desperate race to the finish line.

Min-Ji and 222 made it just in time, as the doll spun around, and more gunshots rang out. They both fell to their knees, exhausted and terrified by what they had just witnessed. Gasps echoed around the group, as Min-Ji twisted around to see 456 racing out to help the man she had staggered past.

"This idiot is going to get himself killed," She mumbled, her eyes widening as another playing sprinted forward to help.

Together, they managed to bring the injured man over the line with quite literally one second to spare. They smiled at each other, as the man thanked them. Suddenly, there was blood spraying onto the sand, as the injured man collapsed, a bullet having whizzed through his skull. Tense silence followed. 456 looked devastated, unable to look away from the dead man by his feet. The pink guards began to usher them back to their bunks then, but 456 made no move to follow. A guard nudged him with their gun, but still 456 didn't even blink. Min-Ji's legs were moving before her mind had caught up, storming over to 456. Grabbing his arm, she managed to haul him onto his feet, finding little resistance.

"He's dead. You want to be too?" Min-Ji insisted, as the man blinked a few times, before nodding.

Everyone was too scared to talk as they wandered back to their beds, crowding around the back of the large room. Screams rang out as soon as the guards entered, as Min-Ji's attention moved to 456, who seemed devoid of fear.

"Clause three of the consent form. The games may be terminated upon a majority vote. Correct?" 456 announced, taking a step forward.

"That is correct. Of course. We respect your right to freedom of choice," One of the pink guards replied, as a collective sigh rang out across the room. But the guard wasn't finished speaking. "But first, let me announce the prize amount that's been accumulated."

The room was then cast in a golden glow, as the players looked up to find stacks of money being deposited into the see-through glass above them. Everyone stepped forward, their eyes wide with awe and wonder. Everyone but Min-Ji and 456. Their eyes found each other across the room, both wondering what the others reasoning was for not being so easily manipulated. Questions were called out, asking for how much money they could leave with at that very moment, or if they made it to the end. Greed oozed off most of the players.

A small column was brought in shortly after, with two buttons on top of it. 222 stayed closed to Min-Ji's side, having taking heed of her earlier words. Min-Ji had no plans to explain to the other player why she had taken such an immediate interest in her.

"Now, let's begin the vote. If you wish to continue the games, press the O button. If you wish to end them, press the X button. The vote will be held in reverse order of your player numbers. Player 456!" The guard exclaimed, as the man in question, began to march forward.

Min-Ji was a little surprised when he voted to leave. He seemed to know the games well. Perhaps he was too scared to continue? The vote carried on for some time, and eventually 222 was called upon. Min-Ji gave her the best reassuring smile she could muster as she waddled forward.

"Wait a minute!" The voice of 456 cried out, stepping in between the two groups that had formed. His eyes were manic, as 222 came to a stop. "You can't do this. Come to your senses! Don't you see? These aren't just any games. We will all die if we keep playing! We have to get out of here now. With a majority vote, we can! We must stop here!" He pleaded with them.

Angry players started to argue with him, as Min-Ji took a step forward, ready to scold them for shouting at the man who had saved all of their lives, but she stopped herself. She already knew which button she would press and it wasn't what 456 would want. He didn't know the real reason she had entered the games.

"I have played these games before! I have done this before! I played the games here three years ago! And everyone who was with me...died here!" 456 warned, as Min-Ji's jaw clenched.

It made sense, and his panic seemed real enough to believe. But that meant...some people really did make it out of the games? Her mind instantly went to her older sister, as it often did. She had played the game ten years ago. But unlike 456, she had never had the chance to go home. Looking down at her cheap shoes, Min-Ji blinked away the tears that had begun to well in her eyes, knowing better than to show weakness.

"If someone like you can win, so can I! If you really won, it actually works better for us. You can give us some tips on how to beat these games," A player with bright purple hair called out, arrogance in his steps.

"That's right! We have a previous winner with us, so what do we have to worry about? Come on, let's do this!" Player 100, an older man, insisted, as cheers rung out.

Min-Ji couldn't help but scoff. She was amazed at how quick the players were turning one side to the other. She was conflicted when 222 started walking again, and voted to leave the games. It was the right thing for her...but Min-Ji couldn't go. Not yet. The lines dwindled down until there was only a few of them left.

Player 004 marched forward, as the crowd cheered him on. Min-Ji flinched when she felt a hand suddenly touch her shoulder, causing her to whip round. The warm hand remained touching her for a few seconds, before they pulled away, standing far closer to her than she had been expecting. She hadn't even realised he was there. Her eyes flickered down to the tag on his chest.

001.

She regarded him closely for a few moments, finding he was at least a couple decades older than her, his eyes curious and black hair messy. His gaze turned intense as soon as their eyes met.

"Excuse me," He began, his voice deep, and unfamiliar to her. His gaze flickered over her for a second, before he forced his eyes back to hers. "I'm not decided on which way to vote. Do you plan to stay?" He inquired, curiously.

"Yes," Min-Ji replied, as he nodded slowly.

"Do you need money so badly?" He continued, his eyes seeming almost amused to her.

"I'm not doing this for the money," She told him, as they heard another cheer.

She turned to find Player 004 had cast his vote. The majority had voted to leave. By only one vote. With a sigh, Min-Ji stepped forward, keeping her gaze low as the crowds called out for her, begging her to choose their team. As soon as she reached to column, she pressed the O, without a second of hesitation. Turning on her heel, she headed toward the staying group, who reached out for her. She found 222 in the opposite crowd, who was staring back at her with wide eyes. Her attention quickly turned to Player 001 who had been close on her heels, already standing at the podium. After a few seconds, he too chose the O button and sealed their fate.

People started patting her on the back, cheering even louder than before. Player 001 turned around, his gaze landing on the group who decided to leave. She noticed how his lips twitched into a slight smirk for just a second and then realised who exactly he was looking at.

Player 456.

The groups started to disband, some players far happier than others. 222 had disappeared from sight, as Min-Ji felt a slither of guilt, knowing she may have doomed the young mother. But she had to put her family first. The truth about what happened to her sister was more—

"Thank you for your help," Player 001 announced, suddenly standing in front of her.

Min-Ji cocked her head to one side, eyes narrowed as she watched him silently. If he was uncomfortable under her gaze, he certainly didn't show it. Min-Ji looked down to his tag again, a realisation hitting her.

"Our beds are put in number order. I don't remember you being there when I woke up," She pointed out, as his face remained impassive.

"Ah, I suppose I wasn't that memorable," He replied, as slight smile grew on her lips.

"I think I'd remember," She insisted, taking a step closer to him, watching as his eyes narrowed.

"Out of 455 people?" He retorted, as she gave a shrug.

"I'm a people person," She huffed, as his eyes lit up in amusement.

"Young-Il," He exclaimed, suddenly holding his hand out to her, covering the short distance between them. She didn't move, every instinct warning her there was something wrong with the man. "Come. I don't bite," He went on, as she raised an eyebrow.

"Min-Ji," She mumbled, reluctantly reaching out to shake his hand.

His hand clasped tightly around hers, his skin warm against her own. Her eyes darted from their joined hands back up to his cold eyes. It almost seemed like he was challenging her, but she wasn't sure what game they were playing.

"I'm glad to have met you, Min-Ji," He nodded, his thumb rubbing over the back of her hand, far more gently than Min-Ji had been anticipating.

She was quick to pull away, not missing the way Young-Il's lips formed into a smirk. For someone playing in a game of life or death, he seemed far too pleased. Min-Ji wasn't sure if she was happy about his sudden interest in her.

"Excuse me," She murmured, nodding to him for a moment, before backing up, planning to search for 222.

She could feel his eyes watching her the entire time.

[lunarriviera]

What are your thoughts on the last ep of under the skin...that cant be shen yi right...im seeing a lot of twin theories but thats a weird plot twist honestly 😅

to answer this question i guess i have to get up off the floor first, where i have been lying facedown and motionless since uts2 ended over a week ago. two weeks ago? yesterday? today? i don't know anymore i've lost all track of time, who are you? where are we?

oh right—the s2 ending. you must mean this scene, right? what a great way to end things! du cheng, happy, walking to meet a group of friends at his birthday party! truly wrapped up the whole drama, and left us in such a heartwarming place with our favorite characters!

...oh you didn't mean that ending? you mean there's another one?

[mindless screaming behind the cut AS WELL AS SPOILERS]

[and this winds up being about all of s2 as well as the final tag, OOPS]

so okay listen before i can even address this without the mindless screaming, i have to level with y'all here: s2 was rough on me. there are only like three du cheng stans in all of anglophone cdrama fandom and i'm probably two of them ( @wannings-wontons is the other one, thank god for her). i've written eleventyleven fics from his pov so i am ferally protective of my big stupid hot cop son. this season put him through the goddamn wringer and for my taste there were just a few too many scenes of du cheng looking like he was about to burst into tears while shen yi was smiling winsomely, for all the world as if he were not the one personally causing his captain to experience devastating mortal agony. allow me to demonstrate.

in the driver's seat: unspeakable anguish. literally can't talk.

in the passenger seat: hey nice air conditioner! guess what i have a new friend! i spent the night at his place, talking about infinity and human potential! in a few more episodes he'll be a murder suspect!

(i'm getting to the cliffhanger, believe me i'm getting there, no really i am, we just have to spend a minute dealing with the divorce arc first)

because, while i absolutely adore angst bambi (as @whomst-art-thou-whomst-whomst has immortalized him), and thanks to @elenothar have firmly adopted him as a most beloved emotional support twink (not least because i suspect tan jianci is himself kind of a genius; no triple threat should be this good of an actor), i also honestly not infrequently this season wanted to drag shen yi into the men's room by his pretty hair and flush his pretty little head down the [redacted] until he came to his pretty little senses. because while later in the arc he clearly is, you know, attempting that deep-cover thing, and has to reject du cheng to his face, right in front of Evil Eugenicist Art Critic Weasel Man, in order to gain Weasel Moriarty's trust, etc.—

there are also a bunch of times when du cheng is visibly upset and miserable and in genuine pain, and shen yi just laughs. literally laughs at him. like tan jianci what are you doing, do you want the audience to dislike you? how are you trying to play this?? are we supposed to think, wow shen yi sure knows what he's doing? are we supposed to think he suddenly has the world's worst taste in men? because long before Weasel Man smashes a vase and snaps at his lab assistant and possibly kills someone and has assorted tantrums which start to tip off shen yi that maybe his new bestie is kind of a bag of dicks—long before that starts happening? shen yi just likes that guy. he LIKES him. enough to quote whitman to him (fang kaiyi you take his queer name out your mouth); enough to stay up all night painting the stars with him and we don't know what all else. enough to hang out in his lab for days on end, listening to junk science and pretending to understand the human genome and just what. shen yi. WHAT. he's literally a Bond villain styled like an asymmetric reptile—all this, just because he's tall? and he's gone to the symphony a few times? what, because he negged your painting, and that turned you on? i shouldn't have said any of that, but i did; and now i refuse to take it back. because inside me are two wolves, and they sound like this:

one wolf has been extremely online for many years, and thinks she's very hip and chill and jaded. this wolf talks in memes and laughs at herself, and she's like: “haha fun drama! Solving Crimes Through Art! lol i can't believe this turgid love song playing over a romantic montage, wow it's so stupid.” and also: “lmao divorce arc so hilarious, WELCOME HOME CHEATER lol get it, good joke right?” and: “oh my god why is there another pointless cliffhanger, they will NEVER GET a s3 what are they thinking. this scene is therefore not canon and can be safely ignored, just like the s1 tag turned out to be a ~~~dream."

but the other wolf is lying motionless in her barrow in the darkness flat on her stomach in mouldering leaves and mud head resting on crossed paws staring into the night with her old yellow eyes and she says they stabbed my son and left him alone in his blood and the last thing he saw was a cruel face worn by the boy he has come to love a boy standing at the end of the alley looking down at his phone who then moves past him and keeps on walking

and then, you know. then i lie on the floor for a week! which is fine, i'm an extremely psychologically healthy person who has certainly not at all outsourced her entire emotional well-being to an imaginary public safety bureau criminal investigator on the coast of southeast china.

so what do i think about the cliffhanger? here is what i think about it; and again, sorry for the hatchet job on shen yi but it was relevant:

1. i do think it's a dream, yes. they've already played that game with us—we waited two years to find out who was carving up shen yi's creepy murder-red self-portrait and whomst should it be but…nobody! just shen yi having nightmares about his future fling, apparently. (notice, too, how fang kaiyi GRABBED that craft knife, which shen yi had deliberately left on the easel, and didn't even ask why it was there. he might be tall and elegant and have good taste but he's nowhere near as smart as you are, shen yi. do better.)

2. whose nightmare is it, though: shen yi's, or du cheng's? remember that the first time du cheng meets fang kaiyi, he tells shen yi, "he reminds me of someone: the old you." (and shen yi laughs merrily, even though nothing about that is funny, either the observation or du cheng's immediate mistrust and jealousy. TAN JIANCI WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING). then, later, on the precinct rooftop, after the case is all over, shen yi confesses yet again that there's something in him that's not altogether good, that he has quote "demons," and that if he hadn't met du cheng, he might have gone down some vague unspecified dark path. not quite sure how a portrait artist was gonna become a mass murderer or whatever, but okay i guess. there was something off about shen yi 1.0, and du cheng could see it even a decade ago and he didn't like it then any more than he does now.

given all that, then, the nightmare is probably shen yi's. he's prone to them anyway, and he knows now how badly he's hurt du cheng, and that he came dangerously close to, well, getting into bed with the enemy. i don't think it's even until fang kaiyi is so limpidly nonchalant about zhou shanshan's death that shen yi's inner moral compass comes shrieking back into play (and then it really does; shen yi who never raises his voice out there just shouting that man down).

there's one argument to be made for the case that it's du cheng's nightmare, though, which is the way that he looks up at the camera at the very end of the shot, and laughs. shen yi 1.0 is standing too far away for that to be his point-of-view. so who's standing over du cheng? and who would he laugh at, in recognition, like that? shen yi 2.0, presumably (or 3.5? not sure what version we're on anymore).

either way here's my final observation, and then i swear to god i'll shut up, before the shen yi stans come for me like maenads. i was chatting with @wannings-wontons and she said something that absolutely blindsided me, which is that the cliffhanger literalizes the arc of the series: shen yi did, in fact, metaphorically stab du cheng in s2. why else would either of them dream that? du cheng being badly, even fatally wounded by arrogant young artist shen yi is precisely what happened during the divorce arc. and their reconciliation was so heavily censored as to be, to some of us anyway, unpersuasive. (two cops, talking on a rooftop all night! five feet apart cause they're not gay!) as @wannings-wontons said: "the last scene just reflects how badly hurt he was. and we're left to decide whether he'll recover."

so which is worse, dreaming that your lover stabs you? or dreaming that something twisted inside you stabs the man you love?

tldr, shen yi doesn't need a soap opera evil twin: he's his own evil twin, and he knows this. and what is more, du cheng knows it now too. if there's ever a third season, which seems completely impossible to me, the writers have to know that they have NOT fixed this.

fortunately, we have something censored production companies don't have, and it's called fanfiction. so bring on the episode codas, my friends. bring on the long painful conversations and the shouted arguments (du cheng never even got to yell, except once in a parking lot because he was frantic). bring on the tender reconciliations that can only come after those blowout knock-down-drag-out fights, and are therefore real and grounded, not stilted, wooden, woefully inadequate mockeries of reunion. let people throw furniture and cry and try to explain and plead and confess and even, sure, why not, grab the other person and kiss him breathless, and say I don't want to do this without you, say don't put me through that ever again, say but this isn't enough and I need something different, say okay then let's figure that out together, say i'm sorry i hurt you, you're the most important person to me and that's the last thing i ever want to do.

it's up to us, not to leave them there in the alley like that. but the good news is if it's work, it's only work. and it's our work to do.

[oldsoul007]

late nights

javier peña x reader

summary: you help a DEA officer get intel but the lines between business and pleasure begin to blur as the two of you grow closer, tangled in a web of danger, secrets, and undeniable attraction.

Javier Peña, a seasoned former DEA agent, wasn’t the type to get entangled in messy situations. But then there was y/n—an escort with a sharp wit and a kind of vulnerability that caught him off guard. At first, our connection was purely transactional. I was smart, resourceful, and willing to share things that, at the right moment, could tip the scales in his ongoing investigation.

I had seen it all—my life had been about survival and control. But somewhere beneath the façade, I had a rawness that Javier noticed from the start. He had seen the world’s grit, and I wasn’t much different. There was a certain strength in how I carried myself, but also something lost, something almost invisible. I wasn’t like the others, the ones who simply went through the motions for the money. I was too sharp for that.

Javier started visiting me more than he should have, often under the guise of asking for information. But the more we talked, the more he found himself listening to me—not just for what I said, but for who I was behind the walls I built around myself. We shared stories, some heavy with pain, some light with fleeting laughter. There were moments when the atmosphere was so thick with unspoken things that it almost suffocated him.

One night, after we’d crossed the line between the usual business and something far more complicated, Javier found himself staring at me, his heart pounding in a way that was both unsettling and intoxicating. We were lying together, a haze of tangled sheets around us.

“y/n,” he said softly, his fingers grazing my cheek, tracing my skin. “You’re better than this. You deserve more than this life. You should find something real.”

I looked at him, my expression unreadable. There was a flicker of something—regret, maybe, or fear—but I quickly masked it. I had to. I wasn’t a person who allowed myself to be vulnerable, not for long. Still, Javier could see through it. He could feel the walls I put up, but now he wanted to tear them down, even if it meant making himself vulnerable in the process.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, my voice distant, though it trembled slightly. “I’m fine. I don’t need saving, Javier.”

But he could see it in my eyes, the way I wasn’t quite convinced by my own words. He leaned closer, brushing his lips gently against my forehead. “I’m not trying to save you,” he murmured. “I just think you deserve something real. Something that doesn’t come with a price tag.”

There was a long silence. Then, quietly, I let out a soft, bitter laugh, the sound almost more painful than I intended. “That’s sweet of you,” I said, but my voice cracked just a little. “But we both know that real doesn’t work for people like me.”

Javier didn’t want to let go of her, not just physically but emotionally. He wasn’t sure what was happening—he didn’t want to admit it, but his feelings for her were starting to turn into something deeper, something more than just pity or sympathy. It was real, and he wasn’t sure he could walk away from it. But he was afraid she’d never believe that.

“You’re wrong,” he said softly, the weight of his words heavy in the air. “You deserve better. You’re worth more than this.”

I turned my head away, my breath catching. I didn’t know how to respond. Part of me wanted to believe him, to take him seriously, but another part of me feared what might happen if I did. I wasn’t sure if I could allow myself to be cared for like that—not when my whole life had been about keeping people at arm’s length.

But Javier wasn’t going anywhere. And even though I tried to push him away, there was something in the way he looked at me, the way he said my name that made me wonder if, just maybe, I was worth fighting for after all.

[mistborn-bastard]

Hello hello, after the poll results I got around to working out a time, date, and location that I felt would work! Yes the name is just a pun on afternoon tea because I want this to be a very chill thing, so get yourself a cup of tea (or other drink of choice <3), a little snack, and settle in for some doodling.

This is all about seeing what you can get done during the party itself! Maybe it's just some silly doodles or maybe you wanna work on some bigger pieces, whatever you feel like doing!

I'll most likely be using this as a way to try and learn how to draw things other than just headshots!

The time is in GMT!! So please do check what time it will be for you!

Some more details below the cut!

The party will be here, directly north of the Applenook Hamlet waypoint! It should be safe from any events or hostile mobs so people can fully relax!

This one doesn't have a theme, but if people enjoy this enough I might do more in future with some casual themes! They wouldn't be mandatory but might help you pick a character to bring.

The squad will have two groups to it! Subgroup 2 will be for anyone who wants to draw but doesn't want to be drawn, just to help make things clear.

I'll try and get the squad up a little ahead of time and it should be /sqjoin Damai Vespati but if anything changes I will make sure to be vocal and make posts about it!

If you feel like posting anything that you do, please either tag me or use the tag #artfternoontea so I can see and appreciate your lovely art <3

Shout out to the hosts of the ongoing art parties, those were very fun to get to experience and I know a lot of people love them!

I'll be hosting these every so often for people like myself who deal with chronic health and fatigue issues, or for people that just don't enjoy the more hectic atmosphere.

I hope to see you there <3

[stubz]

Darn spider monkey

"Tag! Your it!"

"...can we play something else?" huffs Tuk, her tail swishing back and forth in boredom.

"You don't like tag?" asks Marl scurrying back to their large blue friend.

"I do but we always play it! How about a new game?" The na'vi smiles as she sets her little friend on her shoulder.

"Hmmm...I can't think of anything."

"...neither can I."

"Put your foot in for grounders!" shouts one of their teachers in a nearby clearing.

"...grounders?"

"Grounders."

.

"So for those who don't know what grounders is, like Tuk and Marl, it's basically tag but the person who is it closes their eyes when on the...well not on the ground since we don't have a playground here." Explains Max.

"If the person who is it isn't on the ground and shouts grounders then whoever is on the ground is it. Now, if you're climbing high you can keep your eyes open until in a safe spot. But if your peeking to cheat then you have to go back onto the ground, that's called broken dishes."

"Why is called broken dishes?"

"...I have no idea. Anywho! If your tagged but really don't wanna be it then me or Kim will be it instead. Right Kim?"

"I prefer to be the hunter rather then the hunted."

"Got it? Okay! Game starts in 5...4..."

The younglings scattered. Some went straight for higher ground so as to have the advantage of sight while others focused on putting as much distance between them and the human male. Tuk and Marl obviously went for the high ground.

Being as it they were on her home planet, Tuk had a clear advantage in growing up in these very forests, she knew all the best ways to climb and scale these massive trees. Marl while being very small was still a ursa, creatures that typically spend the first 3 years of their life in the treetops. The two friends easily made it up 15 feet of the ground in two bounding leaps.

"This'll be so easy."

"Right? We just have to stay up here and we'll never be caught!"

..

"...this is kinda boring now." huffs Tuk. For 10 minutes they've stayed in the same spot watching their teachers chase the other younglings.

they haven't been ignored but were too far off the ground to be reached. The trunk was too smooth and the branches were too high for the humans. After multiple attempts by Max he gave up and focused on the other younglings.

"I find it entertaining! Go Pollix! GO! He's right behind you!" Marl cheered as the tighalax weaved through trees trying to lose the human. With a burst of speed he dropped down onto all fours and ran under a tunnel of roots.

"Yeah! Too bad mister Max!" the human ran even faster but this time to the right, away from the root tunnel. Tuk raised her brow as she watched him run up to a nearby tree and quickly begin climbing up.

"...Pollix get out of there! He's gonna-!"

"GROUNDERS! Got ya Pollix!"

"Darn it!" growled the cub from tunnel.

"Okay I guess it is entertaining." Tuk smiled.

...

By the 20 minute mark more than half the younglings were tired and sitting in the shade with Max. Tuk and Marl still in their spot. Kim and a few others on the ground running around.

"...wanna change spots?"

"Sure, how about that sunny spot over there?"

"Looks good."

"...wait. They're planning something."

"Who?"

"Kim and Piper." Marl pointed and true enough the adult was whispering something to the child while occasionally glancing towards them...while leaving just the smallest bit of space between them. When the girl smiled and nodded Kim grinned as well and together sprinted towards the tree they were on.

But rather than try and climb it as they had thought they would do, Kim turned and squatted against the tree.

Knee, shoulder, then waiting for Kim to stand, and finally using the adults palms as the final step Piper jumped and grabbed the lowest vine.

Piper was now it.

Piper was now scaling the tree like a prolemuris. The human youngling turned and swung her body in ways that the older humans couldn't and thus helped her go higher and higher.

"...We should start climbing."

"Way ahead of you!"

....

Together the humans managed to tag Tuk as she was a larger target than Marl.

With Kim's help Piper could reach the lowest vine or branch and from there she was set. granted she was not as fast as them but she had knocked down vines for others to climb so as to tag Tuk and Marl, the only two haven't been it yet!

A tragedy that must be corrected!!

The trees were no longer safe for the na'vi or ursa nor were the ground as that was the adult's domain.

While Tuk was bigger than the adult and therefore could outpace her she hadn't realized how committed human adults are to games. Even if it was children's game.

Deliberately Kim would go after Marl, the slower of the two, and make a show of almost catching them. Tuk, not wanting her friend to be it would always try to reach Marl first and carry them away. An abrupt stop would be Tuk's only warning before the human turned towards her and lunged.

If that didn't work then she would use the smallest youngling's affections to her advantage. Thrice she had ordered Anwred and Tarlak to hug her legs thus slowing her down.

"...I'm done..."

"Me too..."

"You guys did good, miss Kim hardly ever uses Piper in grounders." smiles Pollix.

"How does she do that? I mean, Spider, my human friend, can do that too but he grew up doing that. So how does Piper do it?"

"Apparently she has other teachers that taught her how to that and is just one of those humans whose better at climbing than others."

"Yeah! She used to climb miss Kim and mister Max all the time! Right onto their shoulders!" chirped Xw.

"She's a little spider monkey alright." said Kim walking over with said spider monkey clinging onto her back smiling rather proudly.

"...darn spider monkey." muttered Marl while Tuk laughed.

[lynxgriffin]

One day, your mom's gonna get sick of you, you little freak.

Part three of what will be a real short four-part series. Based on this total crack theory! Susie's finally past the hard part of this, and then of course, the other shoe drops.

Start | Previous | Next

[galaxylover06]

Their name is Barry and they can't escape the digital cir

[starrypawu]

boy put that lava bucket down right this moment!!!!

[cubezart]

I Depend On You

[laurellala-comics]

A Shakespearean comedy of errors

bonus:

[kagooleo]

johto’s champion and chronicler for the deity of the ilex shrine, it’s lyra!🌿

this one took me a while due to trying out different techniques (studying a Lot of art nouveau) and making a couple changes to her outfit (the details help), but I’d like to think she’s learned a lot in her journey and wanted to reflect her experience more in her champion fit

her specialty would be in fairy types and her meganium’s divergent evolution is grass/fairy 🧚🪷

and a bonus w/ the johto gang after the photoshoot!

[transmascutena]

the poor little meow meow-ifictation of saionji in this fandom has got to stop i can't take it any more

[thelassoway]

Jason Sudeikis as Ted Lasso Seasons 1-3 » T-shirts