#rereading!

[kryptonitecore]

Reread: Transformers: Hearts of Steel

Hearts of Steel had some interesting places to go and an attention-grabbing concept - Transformers in the age of steam. However, I don’t think the art always used that concept to its advantage and a lot of the designs ended up being quite generic. This was not helped by the fact that a number of the characters were made monotone, with grey being a very prevalent colour. Overall, the art, though not bad, seemed something of an afterthought, which was odd for a miniseries like this. The initial concept art for the series came from Ted McKeever, but three out of four issues were by Guido Guidi, and one of the issues was done by Antonio Vasquez and Luis Czerniawski - so perhaps this was a product of the concept being passed around a fair bit, for example some characters’ designs and colours change substantially between issues.

As for the time period, it’s not meant to be a realistic take and that might be for the best - Mark Twain and Jules Verne are palling around, John Henry shows up, etc. I’m not very knowledgeable about this period of American history, but I think this is going for more of a lighthearted, folkloric tone. I quite liked the book initially, as it seemed simple, but as if it was heading somewhere quickly. That impression soon started to wear off - the characters were flat and one-note and dialogue was blunt. A lot of the characters didn’t have much to do, including both Transformer characters and human characters, Bonaventure and Vanflet being good examples of this.

The pacing also seemed odd to me, as it made the whole mini-series seem like a non-event. I was reading a digital copy and hadn’t realised the comic was ending until I clicked onto the next page and there were the closing panels. There was very little build-up,and therefore I think the climax of the story slipped past me without my even realising that it was supposed to be the highpoint. 

As intriguing as the central concept is, I can’t honestly recommend this one. Alright, back to the Spotlights!

[septemberkisses]

the fact that i'm no longer the same age as the protagonists of novels and films i once connected to is so heartbreaking. there was a time when I looked forward to turning their age. i did. and i also outgrew them. i continue to age, but they don't; never will. the immortality of fiction is beautiful, but cruel.

[chessb0r3d]

Analysis so bad you don't even know what it's talking about anymore.

[thatbuddie]

people telling you they reread your fic is the biggest compliment you could ever receive. there are thousands of stories out there begging to be found, to be explored, but your story meant so much to someone that they came back to it eagerly, they went over every word again. to love is to return and loving a fic is rereading it. thank you to all readers and rereaders <3333

[theodysseyofhomer]

odysseus absolutely does present a threat to penelope if he perceives her as at all unfaithful, and i feel the unfairness of this, and i think people tend to undersell how much tension at least potentially exists between odysseus and penelope. but i'm also like. his reaction, all speculation aside, his actual reaction in the odyssey to her flirting with the suitors is delight, because he immediately ascertains that she is running a con. sorry that they're so in-sync in spite of the forces that try to drive a wedge between them, including their own misgiving hearts. sorry that they invented homophrosyne ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[my-secret-shame-but-fanfiction]

THIS FIC HAS HAUNTED ME (positive) EVEN SINCE I FIRST READ IT, SO BEAUTIFUL!

Possibly a request, but I was thinking of marc or steven coming over to your place for the first time and they are exploring your little space and your room and they come across you little collection of perfumes and they pick up each one smelling them, and then they find the one u regularly where everyday and they spray it on themselves. I’m just in such a smoochy mood for those two

like a breath of fresh air

pairing: marc spector x reader 

rating: mostly fluff, but there’s some suggestive content so read at your own discretion (as you should anyway!) 

tags/warnings: needy!marc, nosey!marc, fluff, established relationship, some over the clothes petting, kissing, scent kink(ish)?

word count: 1.4k 

A/N:  wow wow wow this request. this is so damn adorable i couldn’t help but start writing it right away 😀 i know this one is a bit spicier than you requested, but i can’t help it when i write about marc lol. i hope this does your imagination justice :)

masterlist

-=+=-=+=-=+=-=+=-

He loves how adorable your space is, feeling huge in the little room that’s filled with everything that encapsulates your spirit. Everything you love can be found in stacks around the small area, filling the space with various soft and calming colors. 

A large window pours sunlight into the room, drenching it in life. Cute succulents and indoor plants sit on the windowsill accompanied by a small purple watering can. 

He gazes over the posters and photos posted on the walls, eyes locking onto a photo in the very middle. It’s perfectly placed at your eye height so you can look at it every day, hung up with a piece of cat patterned tape.

It’s a polaroid photo of you on his lap, beaming a smile at the camera while he kisses you on the cheek over your shoulder, arms securely wrapped around your waist. You have written “me and my hero” under the photo in loopy handwriting, signing the message off with a heart. 

Marc can’t help his grin when he thinks about you seeing it as soon as you wake up, or when you are getting ready to go out. He’s tempted to steal it so he can hold you in his wallet, but decides against it, mentally making a note to ask you for a photo later. 

He wanders over to your overcrowded vanity, nosily picking up different products wondering what their purposes are. Marc curiously picks up an intimidating-looking tool from the top of your makeup bag, no clue what it could be used for. 

He moves the metal contraption with his fingers, clacking it like he would some tongs, enjoying the way it presses together so satisfyingly. He sees the words, “Eyelash Curler,” engraved into the top of the clasping thing, immediately amazed at how you’ve avoided chopping off your eyelashes with this thing. 

After politely placing it back in your overfilled pouch, his gaze pauses on a few bottles resting on top of your dresser, organized in a perfect line from tallest to shortest. He can guess what those are: your perfumes. 

You quickly learned early in your relationship that one of his favorite hobbies is crushing you in a cuddle before burrowing his face in your neck, breathing in your scent, and leaving featherlight kisses as far down as your skin shows. 

He picks up the tallest one, curiously looking at the smokey glass bottle. The dark color certainly doesn’t match your sweet personality, he thinks, precariously uncapping the bottle. He carefully spritzes a small cloud in front of him, leaning in for a short sniff. He’s unaccustomed to the citrus honey scent that fills the room. It lingers with intensity, even with the tiny amount he sprayed out. 

He feels it attack his nose, pulling a sharp sneeze from him even as he backs away. He almost feels like he’s gonna keel over from the strength of it. Deciding he doesn’t like it, he puts it back in its place, waving his hand in the air in an attempt to clear the smell. 

The next perfume is in a pale heart-shaped bottle, perfectly embodying your sweet and soft nature. He’s sure this one would be your usual one. Marc carefully picks it up, silently hoping it wouldn't be as strong as the first one. This time he uses his wrist to smell it, feeling proper as he rolls up his sleeve to lightly spray it onto his skin. 

His eyes close as he breathes in the bright scent of bergamot mixed with a sweet floral undertone, instantly having mixed feelings about it. On one hand, he objectively enjoys the scent. He holds his wrist to his nose, taking in another appreciative whiff. But on the other,  it doesn’t smell like you. He scoots it back into the middle of the lineup, wondering why you’d have three different perfumes if you didn’t use them all. 

Finally, the last and smallest perfume awaits its trial in a squat clear bottle, pale whiskey-colored liquid almost halfway gone. This must be the one. The one he thinks about all day and dreams of all night. He shoves his other sleeve up, uncaring of the way the fabric bunches with wrinkles, spritzing in an isolated area of skin. 

The scent flows through him like a breeze through a field of flowers, sending shivers up his spine. This is the one: a comforting fragrance of sweet gardenias and jasmine. He mists it a few more times over the rest of his body, wanting to be enveloped in the familiar scent. 

Bouncing onto your bed, he grabs a pillow and wraps it in his arms, holding it to his chest as if you were there with him. He takes a deep breath in, trying to relax in the warmth your space gives him, but something is off.

He sniffs again, wondering why he isn’t getting that love-drunk high he usually feels whenever you’re near. He doesn’t have the chance to worry over it before he hears you at the front door. 

His face unconsciously lights up at your soft voice.

“Honey, I’m home!” You jokingly call out, struggling as bags of groceries hang off each arm. 

“Finally,” Marc hurries off your bed and out of your room, arms aching to be around you. “Thought you forgot about me.” As soon as the bags are set down, he embraces you in a hug, happily dotting little pecks all over your face, earning him some cute giggles from his favorite girl.

“Marc, I was only gone fo–are you wearing my perfume?” You experimentally lean your nose to his chest, suddenly delirious from the way his smell melds with yours.

“Uh, yeah, maybe…” He avoids eye contact like a child who’s been inevitably caught, “...possibly.”  You raise an eyebrow teasingly as an amused smile graces your face.

“You better not’ve wasted any.” 

He earnestly shakes his head, “It was just a little bit, I promise.” You hum against his chest, arms lovingly wrapped around his waist. You think it’s adorable how much he yearns for your scent. “But…I think it’s broken or something .” You abruptly push him away, looking up at him with confusion.

“Did you, uh–drop it?”

“No! It’s just–it smells like you, but it doesn’t. Like something is missing, or something.” You let out a relieved breath before humming in understanding. Grabbing his wrist, you start pulling him back toward your room.

“You know,” You sit yourself down on your bed, ignoring how ruffled the duvet looks when you walked in, “sometimes scents can change if they’re sprayed on different people.” You can see something click in Marc as his eyes widen and brows perk up.

“Hold on.” You watch him get up to grab your preferred scent, uncapping it then spraying it in your general direction, before returning it promptly to its original spot. 

You feel his weight rejoin you on the mattress, large arms pulling you in towards his body. You feel Marc mold himself against your side before he pushes his face into the crook of your neck.

You squeak out a giggle as his scruff tickles against the sensitive skin, sending goosebumps along your arms and up your spine. 

Your face heats up when he audibly graons at your sweet smell, taking in the way your natural scent perfectly compliments your favorite perfume. Marc runs his lips methodically down your throat.

“Now I know your secret, baby…It’s all you.” His whisper warms your skin as his hands caress your softness over your shirt. “You have no idea how mouthwatering you smell.” 

“Marc…” You whine out, not expecting a full pat down when you returned home. You feel him slide to the top of your thigh, warm hand splayed over the bulk of leg before tenderly kneading at it.  

“Come’ere.” He says gently, pulling at your waist to guide you to straddle over him. A thumb brushes over the surface of your cheek as he affectionately stares up at you. “Gimme a kiss. Please.” 

You dip down, sparsely placing peck on his lips before retreating teasingly as he desperately chases you for another kiss. His hand grips around your jaw, anxious eyes meeting yours.“Wha-please?”

You slowly give in, shyly smiling against his mouth at his endearing neediness. Arms pull around your hips, blanketing the length of your body over his. His soft lips eagerly move over yours, pushing firmly to make sure you’re flush against him. 

“You even taste good.” He murmurs against your lips. “Hmm, maybe it is just you…” 

[lowkeydivine]

Underrated panel

[laikabu]

save me mother and child imagery save me thistle’s innate desire for a family save me (peep the mother and child painting on the first pic)

[gojosbf]

[gerrykeay]

did you know there's a day-by-day timeline of the plot in the dungeon meshi adventurer's bible and TODAY is when it all kicks off

happy falin gets eaten and the gang starts eatin' day :)

[kryptonitecore]

Reread: ROM vs. Transformers: Shining Armor

I was unsure what to expect going in. On the one hand, I’ve seen lots of interesting panels from this comic floating around, but on the other hand I don’t have the highest opinion of a lot of the IDW1 crossover things and I didn’t have any prior knowledge of ROM. I’m happy to say I didn’t need a lot of prior knowledge and there were some very concise notes at the front laying down the basics. Honestly, I think perhaps ROM was an easier combination with the Transformers canon, given that it seems to have its own space opera and SFF aspects.

I immediately latched on to Stardrive like a gosling onto its mother. I may also be about to go down a rabbit hole of over-interpreting minor details, but here I go. Stardrive raises some interesting ideas about Cybertronian ageing. The IDW1 continuity doesn’t really account for a subadult period of life. There are ‘newer’ characters and periods of training and education, but not really a fundamental and distinct phase of life that would be equivalent to childhood or adolescence. Stardrive, surrounded by mostly organic species, is shown experiencing a childhood and is interpreted as young by multiple characters from multiple different species: she went to school, someone must have found her that purple cuddly toy, and characters like Rom, who tries to soften criticism directed her way, and the Dire Wraith, who claims she screams ‘like a child’, do not interpret her as a full adult. Admittedly, there’s multiple ways to interpret this in the story itself. It could all be down to socialisation, or, alternatively, it could suggest that there is a period of Cybertronian life (even if it’s relatively short…) that is subadult or somewhat ‘childlike’ and they just don’t mark it? That or the writers just wanted to make Stardrive seem cuter or more innocent, which… goal achieved, I suppose. It’s a shame we didn’t see more of this character, especially with that ending and the question of how, should she survive, these experiences might alter Stardrive given that she seems quite young and soft - not a pushover, but quite a soft person.

I still know nothing about ROM, but I have to say I was not expecting the Solstar Order to be as planet-destruction-happy as they turned out to be. I have to wonder how no one in the Order is questioning Livia a bit more considering… well, everything she says and does? I mean, she can barely hold back her contempt for her peers, let alone everyone else. I enjoyed the multi-sided conflict and it gave the story a nice sense of scale, though I am starting to wonder about the Galactic Council and their hatred of Cybertronians, which seems to be their only defining feature - I don’t know whether I find that a bit wearing or quite funny.

A lot of the images I’ve seen from this comic have been of Starscream and for good reason. If you like IDW1 Starscream, especially if you are interested in a more upbeat take on the character, this is well worth a look. There’s also an interesting sense of camaraderie among the Decepticon characters - some of their interactions are informal, there are nicknames, there are jokes, Astrotrain and Blitzwing are grudging friends, Starscream gets a bit territorial, etc. Also bringing villainous energy, there is ROM’s contribution in the form of Vekktral, who is just delightfully enthusiastic about his combination of magic and technology.

This book mostly escapes continuity traps, but the one thing that does come up is Ultra Magnus - specifically, this is NOT Minimus but someone called Convoy, despite being seemingly close to the modern era. Ultra Magnus’ characterisation is very, very deliberate - it’s even a joke at one point, where Bumblebee talks about how ‘Magnus reacted with a level head, as always’, immediately followed by a scream of ‘Annihilate them!’. Similarly, ‘They’re organics! They barely count as life, anyway’ is certainly a sentiment. It was actually quite entertaining to see evidence of such a wildly different version and a further exploration of the concept of Magnus-as-role rather than individual, however it does have the side effect of suggesting Minimus was not in the job for that long.

I honestly had a lot of fun with these issues. They’re relatively self-contained and might be a bit tonally dissonant compared with what was probably going on in the mainline comics at the time, but it had a lot of life to it, with great art, fun character moments, and it went well above what I expected from a crossover. It got a little cluttered towards the end, but otherwise I was pleasantly surprised by this!

[shining-just-4-u]

u ever read a fanfic so good that you want. fanfic of the fanfic

[jessepinwheel]

love rereading some of my writing like damn this person really knows how to write that appeals to all the things I personally love

[valtsv]

are we still doing this because i have a late submission

[lokorum]

jon needs a door and i need a fucking break from this weather uhhh

music from the..floor?? ♪┏(・o･)┛♪

[lotus-pear]

SIGHHHH BSD REREAD…................I MISS THEM SO MUCH :(((