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learnyouabiology · 1 year ago

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Fun Fact: Hognose snakes are dramatic lil guys!

I am particularly fond of the snakes known as hognose snakes, and my reasons are both understandable and correct.

This is a hognose snake:

(They received their name by having the sweetest lil snoot to ever require a boop – image source)

They use these adorable snoots to burrow under sandy soil using a sort of nuzzle-y motion. They then use these burrows as a place to sleep at night, hibernate in the winter, and lay their eggs.

(you could say they’re into... the Underground Scene! ...ok yeah i’ll show myself out – image source)

Plus, they come in a variety of delightful colours!

We've got brown! Beige! Yellow! Black! Red! Orange! Tan! Kinda greenish! Orange again!

(pretty sneks! – Here’s all the image sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

And, to be clear, the snakes pictured above are wild snakes. No selective breeding by humans in these noodly bois! At least, not in these specific individuals. probably. I guess a few of them could be escapees...

But most importantly: These snakes know the true meaning of DRAMA

Hognose snakes are actors, first and foremost. When they feel threatened, the first thing they do is puff out their neck into a hood.

(like cobras, this hood is made by FLEXING THEIR NECK RIBS. which: gross – image source x)

This superficially makes them look like a cobra, but what they’re actually trying to do is make themselves seem bigger, and therefore scarier. Possibly those dark spots on their neck helps with that!

Any resemblance to real-life Eurasian cobras, real or fictional, is purely coincidental

Also, it makes its mouth do this:

(Snakes that SCREAAAAAAAM. – image source)

honestly, if I didn’t already know that hognose snakes were harmless, this would ABSOLUTELY make me leave it the hell alone

But if all of that^ is unsuccessful at scaring away the predator, the hognose snake pulls its signature move: playing dead

If you think that is a lame signature move, then you are wrong, because hognose snakes put EVERYTHING into their performance and I love them for it.

(they’re serious, they’ll do it! – image source)

((I’m actually going to stick the rest of this under a read-more, bc the pictures of the alive-and-physically-fine hognose snakes do kind of look like a legitimately-dead hognose snake, if you don’t know what to look for.

So, uh: cw for a snake being too good at pretending to be dead))

Behold: a series of completely healthy, unharmed snakes!!!

(to help with their self-esteem, we ask that you at least pretend to believe that they are dead – image sources 1, 2, 3, 4)

Honestly, the photos don’t do it justice. Here’s my favourite video of the whole wonderous performance:

youtube

But to review:

There's writhing! There's dramatic noises! There's flipping onto their back and opening their mouth wide and letting their tongue hang out! There's excreting a combination of intentionally smelly substances!!! Truly a master of the art of being left the hell alone (*^▽^*)

(yep. deeeeefinitely dead. not just faking it. nothing worth eating here! – image source)

Personally, my favourite part of this is how they insist on rolling onto their back, even when they are rolled back onto their stomach.

Seriously, if you try to roll them right-side-up, they will flip back over. It's as though they believe that a good, proper dead snek MUST be on its back, obviously.

(truly fearsome – image source)

Sadly, the hognose snake may have made itself too scary, according to humans.

Out of fear, these snakes are commonly killed on sight 😔. I once heard someone proudly brag about how they’d killed a dozen cobras! In southern Ontario! Where cobras do not live! This is both extremely frustrating and deeply sad.

(safe enough to hold! although maybe don’t, just because this snake IS probably experiencing mortal fear, which is not a good feeling – image source © Dean Stavrides)

So just to highlight: hognose snakes are completely harmless. They’re just pretending to be fearsome!

(not that people should be killing venomous snakes either, imo. Let the danger noodles LIVE THEIR LIVES)

(i is baybee, pls do not hurt me – image source)

And now some bonus facts to help raise us out of that downer:

Hognose snakes are toad specialists! Their favourite food is toads, which is unusual, because toads are poisonous. Hognose snakes deal with this by force of will and also, at least two amino acid substitutions, maybe (Mohammadi et al. 2016). Possibly a few other things help with this, also (Feldman et al. 2016).

(is snek eat toad? or does toad wearing cape of snek? impossible to tell, really – image source)

Also, I have a confession: hognose snakes... are venomous. Technically.

(itty bitty little fangs at the veeeeery back of their mouth! – image source)

They are known as rear-fanged snakes, which means they have fangs aaaall the way at the back of their mouth. The venom they produce seems to be toad-specific, and is considered to be harmless to humans unless you happen to have an allergy but that's the exception rather than the rule

(the two hognose species. They are both baybee, but in different ways actually there might be more than two species but these are the two i’ve actually learned about so ALL WELL – image source)

Also, hognose snakes are big cowards NOT aggressive and I've never even heard of anyone getting bit by a one (outside of one feeding mishap, which we can all agree was an ACCIDENT).

The series of events that would need to occur for you to be envenomated are so unlikely and bizarre that I assume you would have to be TRYING to get bit.

This has been Fun Fact Friday, bringing you the forbidden noodly boys to try and keep them a little more safe!

.....................................................................

Sources, because I know me and SO DO YOU:

Averill-Murray, R. C. (2006). Natural history of the western hog-nosed snake (Heterodon nasicus) with notes on envenomation. Sonoran Herpetologist, 19(9), 98-101.

Buchanan, Scott W.; Timm, Brad C.; Cook, Robert P.; Couse, Richard; Hazard, Lisa C. (2017). Spatial ecology and habitat selection of eastern hognose snakes. The Journal of Wildlife Management, 81(3), 509–520. doi:10.1002/jwmg.21218

CHS: Canadian Herpetological Society https://canadianherpetology.ca/species/species_page.html?cname=Eastern%20Hog-nosed%20Snake

COSEWIC. 2021. COSEWIC assessment and status report on the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platirhinos in Canada. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Ottawa. xi + 45 pp. https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/cosewic-assessments-status-reports/eastern-hog-nosed-snake-2021.html

Cunnington, G. M., & Cebek, J. E. (2005). Mating and nesting behavior of the eastern hognose snake (Heterodon platirhinos) in the northern portion of its range. The American midland naturalist, 154(2), 474-478.

Feldman, C. R., Durso, A. M., Hanifin, C. T., Pfrender, M. E., Ducey, P. K., Stokes, A. N., ... & Brodie Jr, E. D. (2016). Is there more than one way to skin a newt? Convergent toxin resistance in snakes is not due to a common genetic mechanism. Heredity, 116(1), 84-91.

Jared, C., Luiz Mailho‐Fontana, P., & Maria Antoniazzi, M. (2021). Differences between poison and venom: An attempt at an integrative biological approach. Acta Zoologica, 102(4), 337-350.

Liu, C., Chen, Y., Zheng, Y., Bo, J., Yang, C., Xu, S., & Zhang, S. (2022). Wear Resistance Improvement of Keeled Structure and Overlapped Distribution of Snake Scales. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 1-11. Citing abstract.

Mohammadi, S., Gompert, Z., Gonzalez, J., Takeuchi, H., Mori, A., & Savitzky, A. H. (2016). Toxin-resistant isoforms of Na+/K+-ATPase in snakes do not closely track dietary specialization on toads. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 283(1842), 20162111.

Nature Conservancy of Canada: https://www.natureconservancy.ca/en/what-we-do/resource-centre/featured-species/reptiles-and-amphibians/eastern-hog-nosed-snake.html

Plummer, M. V., & Mills, N. E. (1996). Observations on trailing and mating behaviors in hognose snakes (Heterodon platirhinos). Journal of Herpetology, 30(1), 80-82.

Rouse, Jeremy D.; Willson, Robert J.; Black, Ron; Brooks, Ronald J. (2011). Movement and Spatial Dispersion of Sistrurus catenatus and Heterodon platirhinos: Implications for Interactions with Roads. Copeia, 2011(3), 443–456. doi:10.1643/ce-09-036

Seburn, D. 2008. Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon platirhinos) in Canada. Species at Risk Act Recovery Strategy Series. Parks Canada Agency, Ottawa. vi + 24pp.

Schwartz, V. & D. Golden (2002). Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of New Jersey. New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife

VHS: Virginia herpetological society http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/eastern-hog-nosed-snake/eastern_hognose_snake.php#:~:text=Heterodon%20is%20derived%20from%20the%20Greek%20words%20heteros,meaning%20%22broad%20or%20flat%22%20and%20rhinos%20meaning%20%22snout%22

Young, R. A. (1992). Effects of Duvernoy's gland secretions from the eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos, on smooth muscle and neuromuscular junction. Toxicon, 30(7), 775-779. https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-0101(92)90013-U

Young, B. A., & Morain, M. (2003). Vertical burrowing in the Saharan sand vipers (Cerastes). Copeia, 2003(1), 131-137.

SARA: threatened https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry.html

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kolyasupremanxy · 2 years ago

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𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐁𝐒𝐃 𝐦𝐞𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦

𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : 𝐃𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐢 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐮, 𝐄𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨, 𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨, 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢, 𝐅𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐳𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐘𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢 , 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐮𝐲𝐚, 𝐀𝐤𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐞, 𝐅𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐥 & 𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Fluff(?), Romance

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 : A bit ooc on Sigma(?) and Akutagawa

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 6.5k

𝐀/𝐧: So, I decided to make headcanons for 10 BSD men all at once. I usually make 12 headcanons per character along with a short scenario. I don't typically use "Y/n" or real names when writing fiction; instead, I prefer to use nicknames. However, there is a scenario here that I felt required the use of "Y/n". My requests are open, so feel free to request anything. If I don't respond, it only means I don't have an idea of how to fulfill your request. Sorry for any inconvenience.

𝐃𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐢 𝐎𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐮

Dazai would initially react with his usual humor and wit, making a joke about the situation to ease any tension.

However, deep down, Dazai would be surprised and flattered by the confession.

He would try to keep his composure and continue to act nonchalant, but his subtle blush and nervous fidgeting would give him away.

Dazai would try to keep the conversation light-hearted, asking questions about the confession and the person's feelings.

He would also try to gauge if the confession was genuine or if the person was playing a prank on him.

If he found out it was a genuine confession, Dazai would likely try to avoid giving a direct answer, as he enjoys teasing and keeping people on their toes.

However, he would also try to be honest with his feelings, expressing that he values their relationship and enjoys their company.

Dazai would also likely use this as an opportunity to flirt and charm the person, showcasing his suave and charming side.

He would likely confess his feelings in a unique and dramatic way, showcasing his flair for the dramatic and making the moment unforgettable.

If he didn't reciprocate the feelings, Dazai would try to let the person down gently, using his charm to make sure they don't feel too discouraged.

However, he would also likely keep the door open for a potential relationship in the future, leaving a bit of hope for the person.

If Dazai did have feelings for the person, he would still try to keep things light-hearted and playful, but he would also show a more vulnerable and sincere side.

He would likely confess his feelings in a unique and dramatic way, showcasing his flair for the dramatic and making the moment unforgettable.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You gather all the courage you have left and walk towards Dazai. Your heart is pounding so hard you can feel it in your throat. You stand in front of him and clear your throat, catching his attention.

"Dazai-san, there's something I need to tell you," you say, trying to keep your voice steady.

Dazai raises an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh? What is it?" he asks, a playful smirk on his lips.

You take a deep breath and look him straight in the eyes. "I've had feelings for you for a long time now," you confess, your voice barely above a whisper.

For a moment, Dazai looks surprised, as if he didn't expect you to say that. But then, he breaks into a wide grin and lets out a laugh.

"Well, that's quite a confession, isn't it?" he says, still chuckling. "But I have to say, I'm not exactly surprised. I mean, who wouldn't have feelings for me, right?"

You feel your cheeks flush at his teasing tone, but then Dazai's expression softens and he steps closer to you.

"But in all seriousness, I appreciate your honesty," he says, his voice low and sincere. "And I have to admit, I've had my eye on you for a while too."

Your heart skips a beat at his words, and you can't believe what you're hearing.

"Really?" you ask, almost disbelieving.

Dazai nods, a small smile on his lips. "Really. I was just waiting for the right moment to make a move. And I think this is it."

Before you can react, Dazai leans down and presses his lips to yours. It's a soft, gentle kiss, but it's filled with all the feelings you've been holding back for so long.

When you pull away, you find yourself staring into his warm brown eyes, feeling overwhelmed with emotions.

"Dazai-san, I don't know what to say," you say, feeling a little bit lost.

Dazai just smiles and takes your hand. "You don't have to say anything. Just let me show you how I feel."

𝐄𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐚𝐧𝐩𝐨

Ranpo would be amused if someone confessed to him, as he would have likely figured out their feelings before they even had a chance to tell him.

Despite his cocky demeanor, Ranpo would likely feel flattered by someone's confession and may even blush a little.

He would likely respond with his usual carefree attitude, making a witty remark or a joke about the situation.

Ranpo might playfully tease the person who confessed to him, saying things like, "I knew you couldn't resist my charms" or "I can't blame you for falling for me."

If he was interested in the person who confessed to him, he might give them a sly smile and say something like, "Well, maybe we should give this a try."

If he wasn't interested, he might let the person down gently, saying something like, "I'm flattered, but I don't think we're a good match."

Ranpo might use the situation as an opportunity to show off his deductive skills, trying to deduce why the person fell for him in the first place.

If the confession caught him off guard, he might take a moment to compose himself before responding, perhaps taking a sip of his beloved tea to buy some time.

Ranpo might enjoy the attention and affection from the person who confessed to him, but he wouldn't want to lead them on if he wasn't interested.

He might playfully flirt with the person who confessed to him, even if he didn't have any romantic feelings for them.

Ranpo might use the opportunity to get to know the person better, asking them questions about their interests and hobbies.

Despite his intelligence, Ranpo can be oblivious to some things, so it's possible that he might not have realized that someone had feelings for him until they confessed.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You had been working with Ranpo for a few months now, and you couldn't help but develop feelings for him. You knew he was incredibly intelligent, and you admired his abilities to solve any case with ease. However, you couldn't shake off the feeling that he knew about your feelings for him. Every time he looked at you, you felt like he could see right through you.

One day, while you were working on a case together, you couldn't keep it inside any longer. You took a deep breath and turned to him, your heart pounding in your chest.

"Ranpo, I have something to tell you," you said, your voice shaking slightly.

He looked up from his book and raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"

You took another deep breath and said, "I...I have feelings for you. I know it's sudden, but I couldn't keep it inside any longer."

Ranpo's eyes widened for a moment, and you could see a flash of surprise on his face. But then, he grinned widely and leaned back in his chair.

"Well, well, well, it looks like someone has fallen for the great Edogawa Ranpo," he said, his voice laced with amusement.

You felt a twinge of embarrassment at his words, but you couldn't help but smile at his playful tone.

"But don't worry, my dear," he continued. "I'm not oblivious to your charms. In fact, I was just waiting for you to make the first move."

You couldn't believe what you were hearing. Ranpo had known all along? But then, you reminded yourself that this was Ranpo you were dealing with, and nothing could really surprise you when it came to him.

"Really?" you asked, a bit skeptical.

"Of course, my dear," he said, getting up from his chair and walking over to you. "I've been waiting for this moment for quite some time now."

He leaned in and placed a soft kiss on your forehead, making your heart flutter.

"You're just as clever as I thought you were," he said, smiling down at you.

You couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness at his words. Maybe this was the start of something great with the person you admired and cared for so deeply.

𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨

If someone confessed to him, Kunikida would be initially caught off guard and might become flustered as he tries to process the situation.

Kunikida is a practical person who values efficiency and order, so he would probably want to discuss the confession in a structured way, asking questions to understand the person's feelings and intentions.

He would also likely evaluate his own feelings towards the person, considering if he feels the same way or if he needs time to think about it.

Kunikida is strict and has high standards, so the confession would need to align with his 56 requirements for his ideal woman.

Despite his strictness, Kunikida does have a kind and caring side, so he would try to handle the situation with tact and respect for the person's feelings.

If he doesn't reciprocate the person's feelings, he would try to let them down gently and honestly, explaining his reasons and expressing his appreciation for their courage in confessing.

On the other hand, if he does have feelings for the person, he might not show it immediately, as he tends to keep his emotions under control.

Instead, he would try to approach the situation logically, considering the potential implications and whether a relationship would align with his values and goals.

Kunikida is also protective of those he cares about, so he would want to make sure that he could provide for and support the person before entering into a relationship.

His initial reaction might come off as cold or distant, but he would likely open up over time as he becomes more comfortable and confident in the relationship.

Kunikida is a private person, so he might not be overly affectionate in public, but he would show his love and appreciation in his own way.

Ultimately, if Kunikida enters into a relationship, he would be loyal, dedicated, and committed, valuing the person's honesty, integrity, and hard work.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You've been working alongside Kunikida for quite some time now. You're always impressed with how organized he is, and how he can manage to complete every task assigned to him with such dedication and efficiency. You've started to develop feelings for him, but you're afraid that he might not feel the same way.

One day, while you're working together, you decide to take the plunge and confess your feelings to him. You walk up to him and clear your throat nervously.

"Kunikida-san, there's something I need to tell you," you say.

Kunikida looks up from his work, clearly surprised by your sudden seriousness. "What is it?"

You take a deep breath and confess your feelings, telling him how much you admire his work ethic and how you've come to see him as more than just a colleague.

Kunikida's face remains expressionless as he listens to you, but you can see a hint of surprise in his eyes. When you finish, he takes a moment to gather his thoughts.

"Thank you for telling me, (Y/N)," he finally says. "I appreciate your honesty."

You're not sure what to make of his response, and the silence that follows is almost unbearable. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Kunikida speaks again.

"I must confess that I didn't see this coming," he admits. "But I respect your feelings, and I will consider them carefully."

You feel a sense of relief wash over you at his words. At least he's not rejecting you outright.

The two of you continue to work together as usual, but you can't help feeling self-conscious around him. However, as the days pass, you notice that Kunikida seems to be paying more attention to you. He starts to ask you more personal questions, and even starts to share more about himself.

One day, while the two of you are working late, Kunikida suddenly turns to you and says, "You know, (Y/N), I think I might have some requirements for my ideal woman that are unnecessary."

You look at him in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"Well, for example, I always thought that my ideal partner should have a background in literature or philosophy. But now I realize that's not necessarily important."

You can feel your heart fluttering in your chest. Could this be a sign that Kunikida is considering a relationship with you?

As the night wears on, you both continue to work in silence, but the atmosphere between you is charged with unspoken feelings. Finally, Kunikida turns to you and says, "Would you like to go out for dinner sometime, (Y/N)?"

You nod eagerly, feeling a sense of elation wash over you. Maybe your confession wasn't in vain after all.

𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐣𝐢𝐦𝐚 𝐀𝐭𝐬𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢

Atsushi would be extremely flustered if someone confessed their feelings to him, as he's not used to receiving that kind of attention.

He might initially doubt the sincerity of the confession, assuming that it's a prank or a misunderstanding.

Atsushi would struggle to express his own feelings in response, as he's not confident in his ability to navigate romantic relationships.

He might become overly self-conscious, worrying that he's not good enough for the person who confessed to him.

Atsushi would likely seek the advice of his friends in the Armed Detective Agency, particularly Dazai and Kunikida.

He would be grateful for the support and encouragement of his friends, and would turn to them for guidance in how to respond to the confession.

Atsushi's instinct would be to prioritize the other person's feelings and needs over his own, and he would struggle to assert his own boundaries and desires.

He might feel overwhelmed by the intensity of his own emotions, as well as the emotions of the person who confessed to him.

Atsushi would be hesitant to rush into anything, and would want to take things slow in order to make sure that he's making the right decision.

He would worry about the potential consequences of starting a romantic relationship, particularly if it could put himself or the other person in danger.

Atsushi's kindness and desire to help others would make him eager to do whatever he can to make the person who confessed to him happy, even if that means sacrificing his own comfort or well-being.

Ultimately, if Atsushi reciprocates the feelings of the person who confessed to him, he would be incredibly loyal and devoted, and would work tirelessly to make the relationship work.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

Atsushi sat on a bench in the park, his thoughts wandering aimlessly as he stared at the ground. He had just received a text from his friend, asking to meet up in the park. As he waited, he felt a flutter in his stomach, wondering what could be the reason behind the sudden request.

Soon enough, his friend arrived, running over with a smile on her face. Atsushi felt his heart skip a beat as he looked at her. He had always thought she was beautiful, but had never been able to muster up the courage to tell her.

"Hey Atsushi, how are you?" she asked, her eyes sparkling as she spoke.

"I'm good, thanks for asking," he replied, feeling his face heat up slightly.

They talked for a while about their day and their plans for the future, enjoying each other's company. Atsushi found himself laughing more than usual, enjoying the lightness of the conversation.

Suddenly, his friend took a deep breath, her face turning red. Atsushi's heart began to race as he waited for her to speak.

"There's something I need to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know how to say this, but...I really like you, Atsushi."

Atsushi felt his heart swell with joy, unable to believe what he had just heard. He had always harbored feelings for her, but had never thought they could be reciprocated.

"I like you too," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have for a while now, but I was too scared to tell you."

They both smiled at each other, feeling the weight of their unspoken feelings lifted. The park suddenly seemed brighter, the flowers more vibrant, and the sky bluer. They spent the rest of the evening enjoying each other's company, feeling content and happy.

As they parted ways, Atsushi felt a sense of excitement for what the future could hold. He knew that whatever it was, he wanted her to be a part of it.

𝐅𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐳𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐘𝐮𝐤𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢

If someone confessed to him, Fukuzawa would be taken aback and would need a moment to process what just happened. He is not someone who is used to receiving romantic attention and is often preoccupied with his work.

However, once he has had a chance to think things through, he would approach the situation with his usual calm and collected demeanor. He would carefully consider the confession and the feelings behind it before responding.

Despite his cold and intimidating exterior, Fukuzawa is actually a kind-hearted person and would not want to hurt the other person's feelings. He would make an effort to let them down gently, but firmly.

Fukuzawa values honesty and would appreciate the bravery it takes to confess one's feelings. He would also be impressed by the other person's courage and would hold them in higher esteem as a result.

That being said, Fukuzawa's work as the leader of the Armed Detective Agency often takes precedence over his personal life. He may feel conflicted about pursuing a romantic relationship while he is so heavily focused on his duties.

If the other person is persistent, Fukuzawa would eventually let his guard down and open up to them. He would be a devoted and caring partner once he feels comfortable enough to do so.

Despite the age difference¹, Fukuzawa would not be too bothered by it. He values maturity and emotional intelligence over physical age and would appreciate someone who is able to keep up with his level of discourse.

Fukuzawa is a bit of a workaholic and would likely need to be reminded to take breaks and spend quality time with his partner. He is not always the best at expressing his emotions, but he would make an effort to show his affection in his own way.

Fukuzawa has a dry sense of humor and would appreciate someone who can keep up with his wit. He is not one for romantic gestures or grand displays of affection, but would show his love through practical gestures and thoughtful deeds.

He is a cat lover and would likely have several feline companions. He may even use his love for cats as a way to bond with his partner, inviting them over to meet his furry friends.

Fukuzawa is a private person and would not want his personal life to become the subject of gossip or speculation. He would prefer to keep his relationship low-key and between him and his partner.

Despite his intimidating demeanor, Fukuzawa is a man of integrity and would treat his partner with respect and consideration. He is not one to play games or manipulate others and would be a stable and reliable presence in his partner's life.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

You've been working at the Armed Detective Agency for a few months now, and every day, you find yourself more drawn to the agency's leader, Fukuzawa Yukichi. Despite his reserved and intimidating demeanor, you've grown to admire his strength and intelligence.

One day, you finally work up the courage to confess your feelings to him. "Fukuzawa-san, I know this might be inappropriate, but I just wanted to tell you that I have feelings for you."

For a moment, Fukuzawa remains silent, his expression unreadable. You start to regret your confession, but then he speaks. "I appreciate your honesty, (Name)," he says, his voice low and serious. "But you must understand that I am the leader of this agency, and my responsibilities must always come first. I cannot allow myself to become romantically involved with any member of my team."

You feel your heart sink, but you try to keep a brave face. "I understand," you say softly. "I just couldn't keep my feelings to myself any longer."

Fukuzawa nods, then turns to leave the room. As he reaches the door, he pauses and looks back at you. "But know this," he says. "I have always admired your dedication and hard work. You are a valuable member of this team, and I would hate to lose you."

His words bring a small smile to your face, and you nod in gratitude. Even though your confession didn't go as planned, you feel a sense of relief that you were able to express your feelings to him.

In the days that follow, Fukuzawa seems to make an effort to spend more time with you. He invites you to work on projects together and even takes you out to lunch a few times. Although he remains reserved, you start to sense a shift in his demeanor.

One day, while you're working on something, Fukuzawa came to you, He suddenly speaks up. "You know, (Name), I've been thinking about what you said to me the other day," he says, his tone gentle. "And I realize that I may have been too quick to dismiss your feelings."

Your heart races as he continues. "I cannot deny that I am drawn to you as well. But we must proceed with caution. Our work here is too important to risk any distractions."

You nod, feeling overwhelmed with emotion. "Of course, Fukuzawa-san," you say, your voice barely above a whisper.

From that day forward, your relationship with Fukuzawa becomes more intimate. You start spending more time together outside of work, and you begin to see a softer side of him that you never knew existed. And although he remains reserved in public, you can tell that he cares for you deeply.

As you sit together one evening, watching his cats play in the living room, he turns to you and takes your hand. "I may be emotionally reserved," he says, his voice soft. "But I want you to know that I care for you deeply, (Name). You are important to me."

Tears well up in your eyes as you lean in to kiss him, feeling a sense of contentment wash over you. Although it took time and patience, you are grateful that you were able to find love with someone as strong and intelligent as Fukuzawa Yukichi.

𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐡𝐮𝐮𝐲𝐚

Chuuya may initially seem annoyed or irritated if someone were to confess their feelings to him, as he is not used to dealing with romantic situations.

However, if the person confessing to him is someone he cares about, Chuuya would be willing to listen to them and consider their feelings.

Chuuya is a very straightforward person, so he would appreciate someone being honest with him about their feelings.

He would also be flattered by the confession, even if he doesn't necessarily feel the same way.

Chuuya has a strong sense of pride and doesn't like to show vulnerability, so he may initially try to deflect the confession or make light of the situation.

However, if the person confessing to him is persistent, he may eventually let his guard down and open up to them.

Chuuya has a soft spot for women, so if the person confessing to him is a woman, he may be more receptive to their feelings.

He loves wine and fine dining, so he may suggest going out to a fancy restaurant to talk things over.

Chuuya is a skilled fighter, so he may use fighting analogies or metaphors to express his thoughts and feelings about the situation.

If he does not reciprocate the feelings, Chuuya would be honest with the person and let them down gently.

However, if he does feel the same way, Chuuya would likely take things slow and be cautious in building a romantic relationship.

Ultimately, Chuuya is a complex character with many layers, and his reaction to a confession would depend on the specific circumstances and the person confessing to him.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

As Chuuya finished his drink at the bar, he noticed a woman sitting next to him. She looked up and caught his eye, and he couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed by her presence.

"Is there something you want?" he asked with a smirk.

The woman took a deep breath and looked directly at him. "Actually, yes. I have something I need to tell you."

Chuuya raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what might that be?"

The woman hesitated for a moment before gathering her courage. "I just wanted to say that I really admire you, Chuuya. You're so strong and talented, and I've always been attracted to your confidence and your charm."

Chuuya's expression softened a bit as he listened to her words. He wasn't used to receiving compliments like that, especially from a stranger. "Well, I must say, I do have a certain...flair, don't I?"

The woman chuckled at his cocky comment, but then grew serious again. "But seriously, Chuuya. I have to be honest with you. I've had feelings for you for a while now, and I just couldn't keep them to myself anymore."

Chuuya's eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment he was at a loss for words. He didn't know what to say or how to react. But then he looked back at the woman, who was looking at him expectantly, and he saw something in her eyes that made him feel a strange mix of emotions. He saw sincerity and vulnerability, and he saw a reflection of his own hidden feelings.

Without thinking, he reached out and took her hand. "I...I appreciate your honesty," he said, his voice softer than before. "And I have to admit, I've been feeling a certain...attraction to you as well."

The woman's eyes lit up with joy and relief, and she leaned in closer to him. "Really? You mean that?"

Chuuya nodded, and then leaned in to kiss her. As their lips met, he felt a rush of emotions that he had never experienced before. He felt excitement and passion, but also a sense of vulnerability and fear. He wasn't used to opening up to others, but something about this woman made him feel like he could trust her.

As they pulled away from the kiss, Chuuya smiled and looked into the woman's eyes. "I think we should get to know each other better," he said.

The woman smiled back at him, her eyes shining with happiness. "I'd like that," she said.

And with that, they both knew that they had taken the first step on a new journey together. A journey that would be filled with challenges and obstacles, but also with love and happiness.

𝐀𝐤𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐰𝐚 𝐑𝐲𝐮𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐤𝐞

Akutagawa would initially be caught off guard by a confession as he is not used to people expressing their feelings towards him.

He would likely become defensive and try to push the person away, as he is not used to dealing with emotions and finds them to be a weakness.

Despite his harsh exterior, Akutagawa may secretly crave love and affection, and the confession may stir up some unfamiliar feelings within him.

He would likely analyze the situation and the person's motives carefully, as he is a strategic thinker and does not want to be taken advantage of.

If the person is able to break through his walls and earn his trust, he may eventually open up and reciprocate their feelings.

Akutagawa's intense pride and sense of superiority may initially make it difficult for him to accept someone else's affections, as he does not like to feel inferior to anyone.

His initial response may be to reject the person and assert his dominance, but this is likely a defense mechanism to avoid vulnerability.

Over time, if the person persists and shows him genuine care and affection, Akutagawa may begin to soften and let down his guard.

Despite his initial resistance, Akutagawa may secretly enjoy the attention and affection, as he has likely never experienced it before.

His sense of duty to the Port Mafia may also make him hesitant to pursue a romantic relationship, as he does not want it to interfere with his work.

However, if the person is able to understand and respect his commitment to the mafia, they may be able to work through any obstacles and build a relationship.

Ultimately, if Akutagawa is able to overcome his fear of vulnerability and open himself up to love, he may find a deep sense of fulfillment and happiness in a relationship.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

It was just another day at the Port Mafia headquarters, and Akutagawa was in the middle of a training session. He was focused and dedicated, his eyes never leaving his opponent as he deftly dodged their attacks and launched his own.

As the training session ended, Akutagawa walked towards his locker to grab his belongings. As he was putting on his coat, he heard footsteps approaching him. Turning around, he saw a woman standing before him. She looked nervous, her hands fidgeting and her eyes darting around.

"Can I help you?" Akutagawa asked, his tone cold and indifferent.

The woman took a deep breath before speaking. "I-I have something I need to tell you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Akutagawa raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And what is that?" he asked.

The woman took another deep breath before blurting out, "I have feelings for you."

Akutagawa stared at her for a few moments, his expression unreadable. Finally, he spoke. "You have feelings for me?" he repeated, almost as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

The woman nodded, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. "Yes, I do. I know it's probably foolish, but I just had to tell you."

akutagawa was silent for a few more moments, seemingly lost in thought. finally, he spoke again. "i...i don't know what to say," he said, his voice uncharacteristically soft.

the woman looked up at him, hope and fear mingling in her eyes. "do you feel the same way?" she asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

akutagawa took a step closer to her, his eyes locked onto hers. "yes," he said simply. "i do."

the woman's eyes widened in surprise and delight. "really?" she asked, a smile breaking out on her face.

akutagawa nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "really," he repeated.

As they stood there, looking at each other, a sense of warmth and happiness filled the air. For Akutagawa, who was so used to being alone, this was a new and unfamiliar feeling. But as he looked into the woman's eyes, he knew that it was a feeling he wanted to hold onto for a long time.

𝐅𝐲𝐨𝐝𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐞𝐯𝐬𝐤𝐲

Fyodor would initially appear indifferent to the confession, maintaining his usual calm and collected demeanor.

He would likely analyze the situation, weighing the pros and cons of reciprocating the feelings.

Fyodor would appreciate the courage it took for the person to confess their feelings to him and would offer a polite response.

He would likely not reciprocate the feelings right away, preferring to take his time and consider his own feelings towards the person.

Fyodor's cold and distant nature may make it difficult for the person to gauge his true feelings towards them.

He may express his appreciation for the person's qualities and acknowledge the chemistry between them, but still remain distant.

Fyodor may attempt to divert the conversation away from his own feelings and instead focus on the other person's well-being.

He may offer his friendship and support, even if he doesn't feel romantically inclined towards the person.

Fyodor may also see the confession as an opportunity to gain leverage over the person or to use them for his own ends.

He would likely not be swayed by emotional pleas or dramatic displays of affection, preferring rational and logical thinking.

Fyodor may also use the situation as a chance to manipulate the person, playing mind games to test their loyalty or to gain information.

Ultimately, if Fyodor were to reciprocate the feelings, it would likely be on his own terms and in his own time, without any external pressure.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

The atmosphere is tense as the person takes a deep breath and confesses their feelings to Fyodor. "I know this might come as a surprise, but I have feelings for you. I've been struggling with these feelings for a while, and I couldn't hold them back anymore. I just had to tell you."

Fyodor looks at the person with a neutral expression. "I see. Thank you for telling me."

The person starts to feel anxious and fidgets with their hands. "I know I might not be your type or even someone you're interested in, but I just had to let you know how I feel."

Fyodor nods his head slightly. "I understand. I appreciate your honesty and bravery."

The person looks at Fyodor, hoping to see some sort of reaction from him. "Do you have any response? How do you feel?"

Fyodor takes a moment to think before responding. "I must admit that your confession has caught me off guard. I need some time to think and consider my own feelings towards you. I hope you understand."

The person nods, feeling a bit disappointed but also understanding of Fyodor's cold and analytical nature. "I understand. Thank you for being honest with me."

Fyodor nods in return. "Of course. I will let you know my decision in due time.

𝐍𝐢𝐤𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐢 𝐆𝐨𝐠𝐨𝐥

If someone were to confess their feelings to Nikolai, he would be initially taken aback by the sudden confession. Being the energetic and silly person he is, Nikolai might try to make a joke out of the situation to ease the tension. However, as the confession sinks in, Nikolai might become more serious and start to think about the person's feelings and his own. He would likely be conflicted due to his involvement with the criminal organization and the danger it poses to the person he cares about. Nikolai would appreciate the person's honesty and courage in confessing their feelings to him, and would make sure to let them know. He might be hesitant to reciprocate the feelings right away, preferring to take his time to sort out his own emotions and thoughts. Nikolai's scar and his desire to be free of emotions may make him appear cold or unfeeling, but he would try his best to convey his true feelings to the person.

He might make a silly analogy or use one of his "quizzes" to express his feelings in a unique and unexpected way.

Nikolai's love for birds might come into play as he tries to explain his feelings, comparing the person to a free bird he wants to protect and cherish.

Despite being involved in criminal activities, Nikolai has a soft and caring side to him, which might surprise the person confessing their feelings to him.

The atmosphere during the confession might start off tense and awkward, but Nikolai's energy and humor would lighten the mood and make the conversation more comfortable.

Overall, Nikolai's reaction would be unpredictable, but he would ultimately prioritize the safety and well-being of the person he cares about while navigating his own emotions.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

Nikolai was in the middle of one of his theatric quizzes when the person he had a crush on suddenly interrupted him with a confession. He stopped mid-sentence and blinked in surprise, momentarily thrown off balance by the unexpected confession.

But true to his silly and energetic nature, Nikolai quickly regained his composure and flashed a wide grin. "Well, well, well, it looks like someone's got a little crush on me, huh?" he teased, waggling his eyebrows playfully.

The atmosphere was electric as Nikolai leaned in, his expression mischievous. "Tell me, my dear, have you always had a thing for dangerous criminals like myself? Or is it just my charming good looks?" he joked, laughing as he tousled their hair affectionately.

But beneath all the teasing and theatrics, Nikolai's heart was racing with excitement. He had always secretly harbored feelings for this person, but had never expected them to feel the same way.

As the confession sunk in, Nikolai felt a warmth spreading through his chest, a feeling of joy and contentment that he had never experienced before. For once in his life, he felt like he could let go of his facade of indifference and be vulnerable with someone.

"Listen, my dove," he said, his voice softer now, "I've always admired your courage and your spirit. And if you feel the same way about me, then I think we could have a lot of fun together."

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐦𝐚

Sigma would initially be surprised and caught off guard by the confession, as he tends to keep to himself and doesn't actively seek out romantic relationships.

He would likely try to remain composed and professional, given his role as a casino manager and his desire to maintain a certain image.

Despite his initial shock, Sigma would be flattered by the confession and would thank the person for their honesty and bravery in confessing their feelings.

Sigma may be hesitant to reciprocate the feelings, as he is still unsure of his own abilities and self-worth. However, he would be open to getting to know the person better and possibly exploring a relationship with them.

He would likely be very respectful and considerate towards the person, listening attentively to their thoughts and feelings and offering his own perspective in return.

Sigma's innocent and pure nature may make it difficult for him to fully understand and reciprocate romantic feelings, but he would do his best to navigate the situation with kindness and sincerity.

He may also use his Information Exchange Ability to gather more information about the person's feelings and intentions, in order to make a more informed decision about whether or not to pursue a relationship with them.

Sigma's composed and professional demeanor may give way to moments of vulnerability and insecurity as he processes his own emotions and tries to figure out what he wants.

He may seek advice from his colleagues or confidantes in order to better understand his own feelings and navigate the situation.

Sigma would likely approach the situation with a sense of curiosity and openness, eager to explore new experiences and emotions.

He may also feel a sense of responsibility towards the person who confessed to him, wanting to ensure that they feel heard and respected even if he ultimately decides not to pursue a relationship with them.

Overall, Sigma would approach the situation with a mixture of apprehension, curiosity, and kindness, doing his best to navigate his own emotions and desires while also considering the feelings of the person who confessed to him.

𝐒𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨 :

The atmosphere in the Sky Casino is lively and bustling with patrons enjoying the games and entertainment. Sigma is walking through the main floor, checking on the status of the casino and its customers. Suddenly, he is approached by someone he recognizes as a regular customer. They nervously confess their feelings to Sigma, admitting that they've had a crush on him for some time.

Sigma is taken aback by the sudden confession, his usual calm and confident demeanor wavering for a moment. "I...I don't know what to say," he stammers, feeling his cheeks flush with embarrassment.

You look at Sigma with hopeful eyes, waiting for a response. "I've always admired you from afar," you continue. "You seem so composed and capable, even in the face of adversity."

Sigma takes a deep breath and gathers his thoughts. "Thank you for your kind words," he says with a small smile. "I must admit, I've had my eye on you as well."

Youreyes widen in surprise and happines. "Really?" they ask, barely able to contain their excitement.

"Yes, really," Sigma replies, feeling more confident as he speaks. "Your presence always brings a smile to my face, and I find myself looking forward to seeing you every time you come here."

Your face lights up with joy as you hug Sigma, thanking him for his honesty and reciprocation of your feelings. Sigma's heart fills with warmth as he embraces you back, feeling grateful for the chance to experience such a genuine and heartfelt moment.

¹ It's not really about the age gap, The reader is somewhat childish yk smth like that HAHAHAHA

I literally spent two days writing this, so if I see someone saying I stole it, I'm going to lose my shit.

Thank you for reading!

Do Not Copy or Plagiarize Any of My Fics. Reblogs Are Very Appreciated.

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the-girl-lost-in-fandoms · 1 month ago

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DEBUNK OF TIT FORSHADOWING

hello! i promised a recap and debrief of all the times dip and pip teased what happens in the terrible influence show, so here it goes, brace yourself 'cause it's gonna be a long one

GENERAL REMARKS

so i started with the videos posted during the summer, since they were rehearsing the show during that time. i might go further back if this post does well (they said they've been writing for six/seven months and they were already teasing during dan's birthday stream). anyway, there were some recurring hints that i'm gonna get out of the way now:

a LOT of emphasis on the fact that it's been nearly 15 years of dan and phil (cough cough, reminds me of phil's infamous inconsistant line about their anniversary coming up in octodecember, cough cough)

a lot of ancient lore being introduced by 'the year was 2009/2011/2015', which is generally reminiscent of the recap at the beginning of the show, and most are the actual years featured in that segment of the show

they acknowledged 'we are ph-', which they also use in the show i.e. the phouse, the phortgage, the pheal, the phitchen, etc.

they are SO aware of the moms/dads/straight boyfriends that we have forced dan and phil onto, they kept asking us to bring them and they acknowledge them several time in the show

DNP GOING AWAY Q&A (1st Sep.)

strong emphasis on the haitus (reminiscent of phil's dramatic haitus microphone moments)

say they might adress the japhan wedding conspiracy (which they do!)

the nude colored briefs (are for sister daniel)

at 2:45, phil says 'gay' and the rainbow light and sound effect happen just like in the show

dan mentions red flags (might be far fetched but reminded me of the green flags/red flags of lawyer!dan and doctor!phil)

phil says cunt (like in the show)

'no but seriously imagine it'

phil broke a rib during repetition of 'some kind of stunt event' (during the boxing/wrestling match)

they spent $300 on silicon for 'full body character transformation onesie' for 'a perfectly unsexual moment of the show' (read: phil wears fake abs while pretending not to have sex with dan on stage)

Dan: 'you're not a 365 party girl? terrible influence when you're bumping that?' (charli xcx is on the preshow playlist and it teases the terrible song)

reveal of the 'dan and phil made me gay' T-shirt, teasing of the sweatshirt and black tour T-shirt

DATE NIGHT WITH DNP (25th Aug.)

dan sings muder on the dancefloor (which is on the preshow playlist)

dan going 'ohmygod they SHARE CLOTHES' (one of the conspiracies addressed in the show)

WRITING PHAN FICTION ABOUT OURSELVES (19th Aug.)

it's a fill-in-the-blanks game, as they do multiples times in the show (okay, not really foreshadowing as they've done this in all of their shows, but i think it was a way to introduce this to the newer audience maybe)

MrBeast mention

DNP REACT TO TATINOF (16th Aug.)

phil: 'fall out boy! my chemical romance! the shipping had started!' (basically all the ingredients of the no seriously imagine it post)

'if we asked people to confess stuff now it would be so much worse' 'the tone might be different' & 'and if you come to our show, there might be a different tone' (so... confess your sins to sister daniel, need i say more)

#spon (which is now #ad in the terrible song)

'i went to see dan and phil and all i got was this lousy plate' (EXCUSE ME DAN??? he was basically spoiling the merch two weeks in advance) (this is the moment that inspired me this post btw)

dan 'professional hater' howell is now the one starting the song in tit

'imagine that but 2025. we're old. we're gay. phil can say fuck' (and indeed, he says fuck)

DNP PLAY DRESS TO IMPRESS (11th Aug.)

they wear the matching 'precious baby angel' t-shirts (same phrase used to describe phil in the show)

DNP DRESS EACH OTHER (14th July)

Phil: 'like two Kens playing with Kens' (i bet pj was crafting the little rooms and the little dolls at this point)

they both have mesh shirts as the main show outfits

'how booty are the shorts, dan?' 'i'm not gonna bend over in these things'.... except for the photocards that feature your ass in those shorts!

the two first look (emo!phil and beach!dan), the white cowboy hat, phil's blue and purple bomber jacket are all featured in the photocards sold at the show

DNP MASSIVE MUKBANG 2 (5th July)

'we've been doing this since 2009 and 2006 *excerpt from phil's first videoblog*' (that's literally the opening of the show)

'we reclaim what Dan and Phil is in 2024'

'we’re gonna look at what YouTube is like in 2024, how do we fit in, we’re gonna be taking shots at people'

'we’re gonna spill some things that would have sent you into cardiac arrest seven years ago' (2024-7=2017. so basically any of the conspiracies they adress from that time, like the tour bus, vegas, etc.)

'we’re gonna go full theater kids' (oooh teasing the musical number already)

'what do people want? Series mystery hunting, lifestyle cooking, real life, get a dog, domestic' (that's basically all the things they try on stage)

#titspoilers #dan and phil #terrible influence tour #dnptit

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xxspringmelodyxx · 6 months ago

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That Girl’s A Liar~

Satoru Gojo x F!Reader

Here is part III! I hope you all enjoy<333 Part I Part II

The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day. I headed towards the library, where Kai and I had planned to meet up and go over his strategy to ask Amai out. My mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Toru and the missed chance to talk to him earlier. It had been such a strange, disheartening day. For the first time since we became friends, Toru and I hadn’t exchanged a single word.

We never even crossed paths, our schedules seemingly conspiring to keep us apart. That or we were just too busy with school work to talk. It felt as if a crucial part of my day was missing, leaving an empty void that gnawed at me. The absence of our connection cast a shadow over everything, making the day feel unusually long and painfully lonely.

Entering the library, I spotted Kai at a table near the back, surrounded by books and notes. He looked up and waved me over with a relieved smile.

“Hey, Y/N!” Kai greeted me. “Thanks for coming. I really need your help with this science project, and… you know, the other thing.”

“Of course,” I replied, setting my bag down and pulling out my notebook. “Let’s get started.”

As we began reviewing the material, I noticed Toru entering the library. He paused at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room. When he saw me and Kai sitting close together, his expression shifted. Instead of approaching, he decided to observe from a distance, his curiosity and jealousy piqued.

“So…do you think Amai likes coffee or tea better? I’m thinking about asking her if she’d like to get something with me sometime this week…or maybe next week.” Kai asked, glancing at his notes to mask the question.

I leaned in, whispering back, “Probably tea. She seems like a tea person.”

Kai chuckled, shaking his head. “You think so? What makes you so sure?”

I gasped dramatically, placing a hand over my heart in an exaggerated manner. “You doubt my finely honed abilities to discern whether someone prefers coffee or tea? That is blasphemous!” I declared with mock seriousness, a playful glint in my eyes. “My skills in beverage detection are unparalleled. I can read the subtle signs and nuances of a person’s taste preferences with unmatched precision.”

Kai laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright, I believe you. I just want to make sure I do this right. I don’t want to mess up any opportunities given to me."

I smiled reassuringly, leaning in a bit closer. "You won't mess this up, Kai. Just be yourself and show genuine interest in her. Trust me, Amai will appreciate the effort and sincerity. And remember, you've got me in your corner to help you out."

Kai's expression softened, his nervousness giving way to a grateful smile. "Thanks, Y/N. That means a lot. I guess I just need to relax and take it one step at a time."

I nodded, feeling a surge of warmth from our friendship. "Exactly. And who knows, maybe this will be the start of something really great for you."

Toru found a spot behind a bookshelf where he could watch us without being seen. He noticed the way Kai leaned in close, and how I responded with a smile and a laugh. His grip on his bag tightened as he tried to make sense of our interaction.

We both giggled at our own seriousness, finding some levity in the situation. Toru, catching the intimate nature of our conversation but not the details, felt his jealousy deepen. He struggled to maintain his composure as he watched us from the shadows.

“What the hell could he be saying to make you smile like that?” He thought

Kai nudged me, his voice low. “Do you think Amai likes science fiction? I’m thinking of recommending a book.”

I leaned in closer, whispering, “Yeah, I think she does. She mentioned something about liking scientific settings in our last class. Maybe you should talk with her about what her favorite book is or something amongst those lines.”

Toru’s eyes narrowed as he watched us, feeling a pang of jealousy. The way we were huddled together, whispering and laughing, was unsettling for him. What was going on between you two?

Kai looked at me with a mixture of hope and nervousness. “Do you think it’s too soon to ask Amai about her favorite books?”

I shook my head, smiling reassuringly. "Not at all. In fact, asking about her favorite books is a great way to show you’re interested in her likes and dislikes. It will make her feel appreciated."

Kai’s face lit up with relief. "Right. You’re right… I just… I don’t want her to think I’m some sort of creep."

I laughed, rubbing my hand on his shoulder, trying my best to reassure him. "For asking her about her favorite book? Kai, I think you’re being too hard on yourself. You aren’t going to sound like a creep as long as you don’t ask too many personal questions. Just keep it simple!"

Kai nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "Okay, got it. Keep it simple and genuine."

I patted his shoulder encouragingly. "Exactly. You're going to do great, Kai. Like I said, just be yourself and let the conversation flow naturally. Amai will see the real you, and that's what matters most."

He took a deep breath, seeming more at ease. "Thanks, Y/N. I really appreciate your help. I don’t know what I’d do without you."

I grinned, feeling the bond of our friendship strengthen. "Anytime, Kai. I'm always here for you. Now, let's get back to this science project and make sure we ace it."

As you two continued discussing both the science project and Kai’s plans for Amai, Aksana entered the library. She spotted Toru almost immediately and saw him staring at you. With a determined look, she walked straight over to him, her books clutched to her chest.

Toru continued to watch you and Kai, his frustration growing as he struggled to understand your guys’ interaction. Just then, Aksana appeared beside him, noticing his distraction.

"Hey, Toru, can you help me with my homework again? I’m really struggling to understand it," Aksana said, effectively blocking his view of me and Kai.

Toru hesitated, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. He wanted to focus on our interaction, to understand what was going on between us.

"Uh... sorry, Aksana, but I am actually—" he began, trying to excuse himself.

"Oh, please, Toru? I really need you!" she begged, sitting down next to him and effectively blocking his view of me and Kai.

He felt a surge of annoyance but forced a polite smile, trying to be nice despite his reluctance. "Alright, Aksana. What do you need help with?" he asked, though his thoughts were still preoccupied with me and Kai.

I glanced over, catching a glimpse of Toru and Aksana together. My chest tightened as I saw them, their heads close together as they worked on her assignment. The way his arm grazed against hers, the way his eyes looked at hers—it all made my stomach churn with an unfamiliar pang of jealousy.

Kai noticed my distraction and gently nudged me. “You okay, Y/N?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Let’s get back to work.”

We continued studying, but I couldn’t help stealing glances at Toru and Aksana. Every time I looked over, they seemed more engrossed in their conversation, making my heart sink a little further.

The image of them laughing together left a bitter taste in my mouth. The day that had started with a missed connection now felt even more complicated and heavy.

I glanced over again, catching a moment where Aksana playfully nudged Toru. He smiled politely, but there was something distant in his eyes, a flicker of the tension I knew he was trying to hide. Yet, the way they interacted still made my heart clench with jealousy.

Kai’s voice pulled me back to our conversation. “So, when do you think is the best time to ask Amai about her interests? I don’t want to come off too strong.”

“Maybe start with something light,” I suggested, trying to keep my focus. “Talk about school, then gradually bring up hobbies and books. It will feel more natural that way.”

Kai nodded, absorbing my advice. We continued to work, but my mind kept drifting. I noticed that Toru would occasionally glance my way, his expression unreadable. Each time our eyes almost met, Aksana would say something to draw his attention back to her.

Eventually, Kai suggested a break. “Hey, Y/N, why don’t we take a break and go to the café down the street? My treat for all the help you’ve been to me.” Toru’s expression darkened as he overheard Kai’s suggestion. The mention of our usual spot hit him hard. He watched as I hesitated, torn between helping Kai and the implications it might have for Toru. Maybe it would be for the best. It would help keep my mind off of him and Aksana.

“Sure, Kai. Thanks,” I finally said, trying to keep my tone neutral.

Kai beamed, completely oblivious to the tension. “Great! Let’s go.”

We packed up our things and headed out, leaving Toru and Aksana behind. Toru watched you both leave, his hand breaking his pencil in half from the jealousy and frustration he felt.

*****

I stirred my tea with my straw, struggling to drink it as I was lost in thought. My mind kept drifting back to Toru and Aksana, and the unsettling feelings it stirred within me. Kai took notice of my distraction and leaned in, concern etched on his face.

“What’s up, Y/N? You seem really out of it,” Kai asked gently.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Kai. Really,” I replied, trying to brush off my feelings with a weak smile.

“Come on, I know self-deception better than anyone. Now, what’s going on?” he pressed, his tone sincere and encouraging.

I sighed, putting down my straw and looking up at Kai. His eyes were filled with genuine concern, and I knew I couldn’t hide my feelings any longer. “It’s just… seeing Toru with Aksana today. It made me realize how much I miss talking to him. We didn’t even get to see each other at all today, and it felt so… empty.”

Kai nodded thoughtfully, a hint of realization dawning in his eyes. “Do you… like him?” he asked, a small smile making its way to his face as he saw me look away from him.

I felt my cheeks heat up, and I avoided his gaze, fiddling with my straw. “I… I don’t know, Kai,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Oh, so you do like him!” he yelled, his eyes lighting up at the news.

“Will you keep it down, Kai?! The whole world doesn’t need to know!” I exclaimed, placing my hands over his mouth to muffle his excitement. My heart raced at the thought of anyone else overhearing our conversation.

Kai laughed, gently moving my hands away. “Alright, alright, I’ll keep it quiet. But wow, Y/N, this is big! No wonder you seemed so distracted today.”

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I looked down at my untouched tea. “Yeah, it’s a lot. But just looking at him makes me feel so happy. His smile, his voice, his eyes…even his dumb jokes and antics make my heart flutter.

Kai laughed, making me look up at him.

”Why don’t you tell him?”

”I tried! But every time I try to, its like the universe always seems to find a way to stop it from happening.” I explained.

”Not only that… but stupid Aksana keeps butting in, so I can never get any time alone with him,” I finished, frustration evident in my voice.

As Kai was about to say something, he noticed the weather changing. The clouds began to circle around in the sky, making him look down at me with concern.

“Uh… Y/N?” he asked, pointing towards the outside.

I turned and rolled my eyes, realizing what was happening. “Damnit. Sorry,” I said, quickly taking a deep breath to regain control. Within a few seconds, the clouds disappeared and the sun began to shine once more.

Kai watched in awe, his expression a mix of surprise and admiration. “Wow, you really do have a unique and powerful cursed technique. I forget sometimes.”

I shrugged, feeling a bit embarrassed. “Yeah, it tends to react to my emotions. It’s something I’ve been trying to control better. But now Im seeing that I need to work harder on that…especially if something like this is getting to me.”

“Don’t feel bad about it. Love is a powerful thing. It can make even the strongest of people lose control.” He said, making me ponder.

”Listen, thank you for the tea, Kai. It was so sweet of you…but I better get going. I have some things I need to sleep on tonight. How about we meet tomorrow during lunch and we can go over the plan some more and you can finally get some interaction with her.” I said, quickly leaving the cafe, not giving him any time to respond.

As I stepped outside, the fresh air helped clear my mind. I walked all the way back to my home, my thoughts swirling with everything that had happened. Once inside, I went straight to my room and face-planted into the bed, letting out a long, frustrated sigh.

As I lay there, the events of the day replayed in my mind. Every missed chance to talk to him, every moment he spent with Aksana instead of me—it all seemed to point to one conclusion. What if the universe was trying to tell me something? What if Toru and I were never meant to be more than friends?

I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts away. I couldn’t give up so easily. I needed to talk to Toru, to clear the air and find out how he really felt. But the fear of rejection, of ruining our friendship, weighed heavily on my heart.

Rolling onto my back, I stared up at the ceiling, Why did things have to be so complicated? All I wanted was to be close to Toru, to share everything with him, to hear his voice….I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing thoughts. “Get a grip, Y/N,” I muttered to myself.

I don’t know whats going to happen to us in the future…but I do know that I am going to make sure I get alone time with Toru tomorrow…no matter what. I need to see him…and just him. With that resolve in mind, I closed my eyes and tried to drift off to sleep.

—With Satoru—

“I don’t know what the fuck to do, Suguru! It’s like he’s completely replaced me!” Satoru exclaimed, running his hand through his hair in frustration. The usually composed and confident young man was now a bundle of nerves, his eyes reflecting the turmoil he felt inside.

Suguru leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching his friend with a mixture of concern and sympathy. “Calm down, Satoru. Tell me what’s going on.”

Satoru sighed, pacing the room. “It’s Y/N. I’ve barely gotten to spend time with her, if any at all. She’s too preoccupied with that boy Kai. It’s like she doesn’t even notice me anymore. And seeing them together... it hurts, Suguru. It fucking hurts.” The words tumbled out of him in a rush, each one laced with the raw pain of unrequited love and the sting of jealousy.

Suguru nodded, understanding the depth of his friend’s anguish. He had witnessed the way Satoru looked at you, talked about you, even thought about you. He knew how much you meant to him. “Okay, first, you need to try and relax man-“

”How can you say that? You know how I feel about her. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about her. I miss her so much…I love her so much.” He started, looking down at his bandaged arm where you helped him. The memory of your gentle touch and kind words only made the pain sharper.

”i just…I thought maybe she might’ve felt the same for me.” He said, his voice breaking in defeat. Suguru lifted himself off the wall and walked towards his best friend, placing a hand on his shoulder.

”Listen man, I get it. I know how much you love her, and maybe it feels like she’s slipping away. But I feel like all of this is just a big misunderstanding. Maybe there’s something going on between those two that you don’t know of.”

”Like what? Like them dating? Do you think they are dating?” Satoru interrupted, his eyes widening in fear at the realization. The mere thought of you being with someone else made his heart ache with a pain he couldn’t bear.

”What? No! I'm just saying that maybe there is more to the story than you think. You need to talk to her. You need to finally let her know how you feel. Maybe then…all will be revealed.” He suggested. To be honest, Suguru wasn’t sure what you were doing either. He could’ve sworn you were absolutely head over heels for Satoru just as much as he was for you…did he interpret your feelings wrong? Could it be true that you moved on from his best friend to another boy?

“It’s not that simple,” Satoru replied, his voice tinged with desperation. “Every time I get close, something or someone gets in the way. Trust me, I want to tell her! I want to be with her so bad, to just hear her beautiful voice, see her beautiful smile… but instead, I end up seeing her with Kai...and hes the one getting all of those things that I want. it’s like a knife to the heart.”

Suguru placed a reassuring hand on Satoru’s shoulder. “Then make her see it. Show her what she’s missing.”

Satoru's eyes lit up with an idea. “You’re right. Maybe if she sees me with someone else, she’ll realize what she’s missing. Maybe I need to make her jealous.”

Suguru’s eyes widened in alarm. “No, that’s not what I meant! I was trying to say that you need to be honest with her, not play games.”

But Satoru, being himself, was already forming a plan in his head. “Thanks, Suguru! You’re a genius. I’ll show her that I can move on too. Maybe then she’ll realize how much she misses me.”

“Satoru, you fucking idiot, wait—” Suguru began, but it was too late. Satoru was already heading out the door, determined to put his plan into action.

Ignoring Suguru’s protests, Satoru sought out Aksana. If making Y/N jealous was the way to get her attention, then he would go all in.

*****

It didn’t take too long before Satoru found Aksana. There she was, in the library, engrossed in a book.

“Aksana, hey,” Satoru said, putting on his most charming smile.

Aksana looked up, surprised. “Oh, hi, Satoru. What’s up?”

“Do you want to hang out? Maybe grab a coffee or something?” Satoru asked, trying to sound casual.

Aksana’s face held a sinister smirk. Had all the work she put into getting close to Satoru finally paid off? “Sure, I’d love to,” she replied, her voice dripping with satisfaction as she sensed an opportunity unfolding before her.

As they walked out together, Satoru couldn’t help but glance around, hoping Y/N would see them. Suguru’s words echoed in his mind, but he pushed them aside. This had to work. Y/N had to realize what she was missing.

Meanwhile, Suguru watched from a distance, shaking his head. “This is going to backfire spectacularly,” he muttered to himself. He could only hope that Satoru would come to his senses before it was too late.

”What the hell is he doing?” Shoko asked, showing up out of nowhere. Suguru looked down at her and shook his head.

”Something he's going to regret.”

—With you—

Well…your plan to get alone time with Toru plan went to shit. Weeks had passed, and you hadn't had a single opportunity to be alone with Toru. Each time you attempted to get close, someone inevitably interrupted—most often Aksana. It was almost as if she had a sixth sense for when you wanted to speak with him because she was perpetually by his side. The way she clung to him made it appear as though he were her boyfriend, the two of them always in close physical proximity. People around you even started saying how cute of a couple they would be.

If you wanted to talk to him before class, it was too late—Aksana had already walked with him to school before you even had a chance. Trying to catch him during lunch was futile because Aksana had preemptively whisked him away to a nice place to eat. Attempting to speak to him after school was equally hopeless since she was already monopolizing his time, ostensibly to get help with her “homework.” It was driving your emotions into turmoil, and consequently, the weather seemed to mirror your inner state.

Days that were forecasted to be sunny turned out to be rainy, and days that were supposed to be mildly windy saw unexpectedly strong gusts. There were even some days that would have a mix of both snow and rain. All because of you. Shoko, Kai, and Suguru quickly noticed the change in you and attempted to reach out, but you were so consumed by your own emotions that you began to shut them out. The frustration and longing were driving you to the brink of insanity, and you could feel your sanity slipping away with each passing day.

What made matters worse was that you started to notice how much closer Toru and Aksana were getting. Almost too close. You still remember the day you were in the lunchroom with Kai, preparing him to go talk to Amai, only to see Toru and Aksana leaving the school premises together. They were laughing with one another, their heads close as they shared a private joke. The sight made your heart ache, a deep, painful throb that you couldn’t ignore.

Kai, noticed your sudden silence, and he followed your gaze. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

You tore your eyes away from the scene, forcing a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” you lied, the words tasting bitter in your mouth. “Just lost in thought.”

Kai gave you a skeptical look but didn’t press further. “Well, if you need to talk, you know I’m here for you, right?”You nodded, appreciating his support but feeling helpless. “Thanks, Kai. I appreciate it.”

As the days passed, the growing closeness between Toru and Aksana became increasingly difficult to ignore. They seemed inseparable, and every time you saw them together, it felt like a dagger twisting in your heart. You felt a mix of emotions—hurt, jealousy, and a strange sense of betrayal. Why was Satoru spending time with Aksana? Had you misread the situation all along? Did Satoru really not feel the same about you as you did about him? The thought was almost too painful to bear. You could’ve sworn he…you thought he…well maybe…maybe he just didn’t love you after all….

*****

The following day, you decided to go to the cafeteria to grab something quick to eat. You and Kai were close to being done with the science project, and he and Amai were becoming closer and closer each day. He managed to build up enough courage to take her out to eat, so you were left alone. Now, you had some time all to yourself to just relax. It was a rare moment, but it meant that you got to actually sit with Shoko, Suguru, and Satoru.

As you made your way, the cafeteria’s usual cacophony of voices and clattering dishes seemed to fade into the background. You spotted Shoko and Suguru sitting together, but no sign of Toru. You went over to the table Shoko and Suguru were at, and forced a smile, trying to shake off the sense of dread that had been gnawing at you. As you sat down, you heard Toru’s voice from afar. Your eyes involuntarily drifted to the direction of his voice and found Toru and Aksana entering the lunchroom, talking amongst themselves about something random.

They were standing close, their heads almost touching as they shared a private joke, their laughter mingling with the ambient noise but somehow standing out painfully to your ears. The sight made your stomach churn with jealousy and hurt, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil that had become all too familiar.

Every giggle from Aksana and every smile from Toru felt like a dagger to your heart. The way they seemed so at ease with each other, so effortlessly close, was unbearable. You had always cherished the moments when Toru smiled at you like that, but now those moments seemed to be slipping away, replaced by this growing bond between him and Aksana. It was a bitter pill to swallow, seeing someone else enjoy what you longed for so deeply.

Suguru, sitting across from you, noticed your pained expression and turned to look at Toru and Aksana. He scoffed in disgust, completely in disbelief at what his best friend was doing. “Unbelievable,” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in frustration. He couldn’t fathom how Toru could be so oblivious to your feelings, so wrapped up in his plan to make you jealous that he didn’t notice the hurt he was causing you.

Shoko, on the other hand, looked like she was ready to strangle both Toru and Aksana. Her eyes narrowed in anger as she watched them, her fists clenched tightly on the table. “This has to stop,” she whispered to Suguru fiercely, her voice barely containing her rage. She had seen the toll this situation was taking on you and it infuriated her to see her friend in such pain.

Both Suguru and Shoko had witnessed your frustration and heartbreak over the past few weeks. They had seen the light dim in your eyes and the smile that no longer reached your lips. It pained them to see you like this, to see someone they cared about suffering in silence. They exchanged a look, silently agreeing that something needed to be done to end this misery.

“Hey, Y/N,” Shoko said, her voice softer now as she turned her attention to you. “Are you okay?” Her eyes were filled with concern, and you could tell she was genuinely worried about you.

You forced a smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside. “Yeah, I’m fine,” you lied, though your voice betrayed your true feelings. The lump in your throat made it hard to speak, and you could feel the tears threatening to spill over, but you fought to keep them at bay.

Suguru leaned forward, his expression serious and earnest. “You don’t have to put up with this, you know. We’re here for you,” he said, his tone comforting yet firm. He wanted you to know that you weren’t alone, that you had friends who cared about you and wanted to help.

And you were grateful. Truly. But the emotions were overwhelming, and you couldn’t bear to delve into them any further. You sighed deeply and placed your head in your hands, trying to steady your breathing. “Can we not talk about this… please?” you asked, your voice cracking under the weight of your emotions. The sight of Toru and Aksana together was like a constant reminder of what you couldn’t have, and it was tearing you apart. You just needed a break. A break from it all.

“Of course...” Shoko replied softly, her worry for you still evident in her eyes. She exchanged a glance with Suguru, both of them silently agreeing to shift the conversation away from the topic that was causing you so much pain.

“Well, how about we talk about training then?” Suguru suggested, his tone lightening in an attempt to lift the mood. “I heard Sensei Yaga is having all of us go out later today for a practice exam on our form to see where we are at.”

Your eyes widened in surprise and mild panic. Was that today? Just when you thought you might get a break, now you were bombarded with the realization that you had to use your abilities to get a good grade. The stress of everything was beginning to weigh heavily on you, and the thought of the upcoming practice exam only added to your anxiety.

“Great,” you muttered, your voice tinged with sarcasm. “Just when I thought I could relax, now I have to worry about my form and performance.” You ran a hand through your hair, feeling the tension building up inside you.

Suguru gave you a sympathetic smile. “I know it’s a lot, but maybe it’ll be a good distraction. Focusing on training could help take your mind off things for a bit.”

“Yeah, and you’re really good,” Shoko added, her tone encouraging. “You always impress Sensei Yaga. Just think of it as another chance to show what you can do.”

You nodded, appreciating their attempts to cheer you up. “I guess you’re right. It’s just… everything feels so overwhelming right now. I’ll try to focus on the training and give it my best shot.”

As the conversation shifted to the details of the practice exam and various training techniques, you found yourself gradually relaxing. It wasn’t a complete escape from your thoughts about Toru and Aksana, but it was a temporary reprieve. For now, you could channel your energy into preparing for the exam and proving your skills.

The laughter and chatter of the cafeteria buzzed around you, blending into the background as you listened to Shoko and Suguru discuss strategies and tips. You took a deep breath, letting their words wash over you, and tried to find some semblance of peace in the midst of the chaos that had become your life.

Just then, your phone buzzed with a new message. Glancing at the screen, you saw it was from Kai. His words caught your attention right away.

“Meet me before our practice exam today. I’m going to finally ask Amai out… and to the dance… but I want to practice what I’m going to say. I need you to pretend to be her,” he wrote.

Despite the whirlwind of emotions you were feeling, a small smile grew on your face. At least someone in your life was going to have a good ending… hopefully. The idea of helping Kai with his romantic plans provided a glimmer of positivity in your otherwise turbulent day. It was a reminder that not everything was bleak and that happiness was still possible for those around you.

You quickly replied, typing out a response with a renewed sense of purpose. “Sure, I’ll meet you in our science class. We can practice there,” you texted back, feeling a bit lighter.

“Y/n…we need to tell you something. It’s about Satoru and what he’s been doing. Just please be ready to-“ Suguru started before being cut off by your voice.

“Hey guys, it was wonderful talking to you both… but something just came up and I gotta go. I’ll see you guys later today!” you said, not hearing a word they were saying before getting up and leaving, trying to muster the enthusiasm you no longer felt.

As you walked away, Toru’s eyes followed you, noticing the small smile on your face that barely masked your true feelings. His heart began to race with anticipation, a flicker of hope igniting within him. Were you finally going to come to him? Were you going to hug him and let him hear your voice that he had been longing for? He missed the way you used to laugh, the way you used to share everything with him.

Just as you made it a few feet away from him, your eyes locked with his, making both of you pause. For a brief moment, the world seemed to stand still, and all the noise of the cafeteria faded into the background. His heart pounded in his chest, a flicker of hope igniting within him. This was the moment he had been waiting for, the moment he had dreamed about during the countless sleepless nights. He wanted to reach out to you, to bridge the painful gap that had grown between you.

However, before he could make a move, you averted your eyes and walked in the opposite direction, directly ignoring him. He felt his heart shatter right then and there from your actions. The small glimmer of hope that had sparked in his heart was extinguished in an instant. Every step you took away from him felt like a crushing blow, each one more painful than the last. The rejection was a raw, agonizing wound that left him reeling.

“Y/n…” He muttered under his breath.

—————

Part IV coming soon!

Taglist: @goreedo11

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petriwriting · 1 year ago

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French Poetry & Chocolate. - Regulus Black X Reader

A/N: First request woo! anyway. enjoy! (Requested) She/her pronouns for the reader as requested. Though I typically use they/them for my writing.

Anonymous asked:

A Regulus black x Slytherin reader where they are best friends and the reader gets her period and he helps and comforts her? No worries if not!

The Slytherin common room was only this quiet on weekends when most students were out socializing, and partying. Though for y/n, they'd spent most of the day in bed in her room, curled up in bed with a comforting novel her best friend had brought from home.

Y/n was busy, nose buried in this novel, too engulfed in fiction to even notice that Regulus was standing in the doorway. He knocked on the door that was open gently to alert y/n of his presence.

"Hello," Regulus said, moseying about with his hands in his pockets after setting his satchel down near the dresser. Y/n was a bit embarrassed, her hair was a bit messy, and she was wearing comfortable clothes, even her room was a bit messy in the absence of her roommates. "Hi," Y/n said, gesturing for Regulus to sit at the end of her bed. he followed suit, taking note that Y/n looked unwell.

they had been best friends since before their first year, so they had seen the best and the worst of one another over the years. It didn't bother Regulus, but it did raise some concerns.

"I haven't seen you out and about today, So I thought I'd check in." Y/n leaned up, shrugging slightly. "Yeah, I haven't been feeling well," she admitted.

Regulus frowned. "I can take you to the hospital wing now if its-"

He was promptly cut off. "no, no reg, I'm fine really. I just started my period. That's why I haven't felt well today."

Regulus nodded, sitting there. for a boy who reads so much, this was probably one of the only topics he didn't have any knowledge about. "Well if I can help in any way do let me know." Regulus wasn't sure of what to say. He only grew up with a brother, and his mother kept herself incredibly private. So it was no wonder the poor boy found himself useless. Y/n chuckled slightly. "I do appreciate it. I've been reading this."

Y/n turned the novel over to show him the cover. It was a dramatic fiction novel about two muggles. something regulus had recommended. "Oh, how are you liking it?" his eyes lit up, he was excited that y/n liked the book he had suggested to her and brought around.

"Oh, I think it's lovely." Y/n went on. "It's been keeping me on the edge of my seat. Who would have thought muggle fiction would be so interesting?" Y/n chuckled slightly.

"Well if you're interested I could read you some of my favorite poetry, I have another book with me today," Regulus said.

Y/n's eyes lit up, "that would be awesome." she said, patting the edge other side of her bed for Regulus to sit by her. The boy grabbed his satchel, rummaging through its contents. "I actually also have this." Regulus pulled out a small black velvet box, handing it to Y/n as he sat next to her with a small poetry book. Y/n reached over, gently opening the box to reveal some very fancy and decadent chocolates. "my mother sometimes gives them as gifts to people she wants to impress, they are very delicious- but, very sweet."

Seeing that y/n was excited, despite not feeling well made Regulus feel content. "Thank you reg, seriously." the two shared a glance, and the boy pushed his dark curls out of his face clearing his throat.

As he began reading, settled beside him, head resting on his arm as she tried the small chocolate truffles he had offered, instantly feeling a lot better than she had been all morning.

Regulus began reading his poetry, it was all in French, but he translated for her. A French poet, Charles Baudelaire was one he had been reading recently.

Always be drunk. That's it! The great imperative! In order not to feel Time's horrid fardel bruise your shoulders, grinding you into the earth, Get drunk and stay that way. On what? On wine, poetry, virtue, whatever. But get drunk. And if you sometimes happen to wake up on the porches of a palace, in the green grass of a ditch, in the dismal loneliness of your own room, your drunkenness gone or disappearing, ask the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock, ask everything that flees, everything that groans or rolls or sings, everything that speaks, ask what time it is; and the wind, the wave, the star, the bird, the clock will answer you: "Time to get drunk! Don't be martyred slaves of Time, Get drunk! Stay drunk! On wine, virtue, poetry, whatever!"

As Regulus spoke the words, he peeked over at y/n who was sleepily listening. By the time he was halfway through another poem, Y/n was fast asleep, and Regulus was content.

#reader insert #hp x reader #x reader #hp #slytherin x reader #slytherin boys #regulus black x y/n #regulus black x female reader #regulus black x reader #regulus black x you #regulus black #regulus deserved better #james x regulus #sirius and regulus #james loves regulus

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woozapooza · 5 months ago

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Of all the opinions I’ve seen on The Sopranos since I started watching it last year, one of the ones I hate the most is the idea that Richard and Elliot are ultimately proven “right” about Tony. Richard and Elliot do not know Tony! They have never talked to him! And they are literally, factually, not right about him, especially Richard. In “Tennessee Moltisanti,” Richard—who knows nothing about Tony except that you shouldn’t use anti-Italian slurs around him—tells Melfi that eventually she’ll get past “moral relativism” and reach “good and evil. And he’s evil.” Later in that episode, in the family therapy scene, he says that Melfi acknowledged that, in her last encounter with Tony, she saw his “subhuman” side, a word I am 100% sure Melfi herself did not use because come on. Elliot at least doesn’t use these words, but he doesn’t see any good in Tony and consistently acts like Melfi is deluding herself by holding out hope for him. (I’m not going to get into The Blue Comet in this post for the sake of keeping it concise.) But Melfi has seen that Tony has compassion and a conscience, and so have we in the audience. We know more than Richard and Elliot, and so does she!

Now, Tony is obviously not a good person by any means. I think even Melfi would agree with that. But he is a person who, despite his harsh upbringing, despite the machismo and brutality his position demands, still has a tiny spark of tenderness and compassion inside him. That's what makes him so compelling! Of course he was never going to change for the better, because that’s not the kind of show this is. But that is a statement about The Sopranos, a fictional show made by writers who have a certain artistic vision in mind. It does not mean that Tony as a person—i.e., viewed from in-universe—had no choices, that he could never have changed for the better at all, that he was a destined to be a waste of Melfi's time. It's fair to disagree with Melfi's approach to treating Tony, but the idea that both she and the audience are fools for thinking that a human being who has been shaped into a villain by forces beyond his control is still a human being, with all the value and responsibilities that entails, is so fucking r/im14andthisisdeep it makes my skin crawl.

I realize this post is kind of dramatic, and partly that’s because, well, I’ve just always been the sort of person who gets really dramatic about her blorbos, but it’s also because I hate the brutally cynical, weirdly black-and-white worldview that’s implicit in this reading of the show. I hate it so much!!! The Sopranos is very realistic about the limits of what willpower can do, but it’s also very realistic about portraying its protagonist as someone deeply human: someone with a capacity for both evil and good, who does bad things and justifies them by pretending he didn’t have a choice, but I never bought it, and neither did Melfi. Tony cannot simply stop being a mob boss and start being a saint any more than he can simply stop being depressed, but he does have good in him, and he does have the capacity to make better choices, otherwise the story is utterly pointless!!!

This has been on my mind because I read Emily Nussbaum’s article about the finale, in which she describes Richard and Elliot as “hard to listen to but essentially correct,” and sorry Emily, I think you’re very smart and a good writer, but my god, I hate this article. To me, it boils down to “the finale was Chase scolding us for empathizing with and caring about Tony” which is not at all how I see the show, and thank goodness, because I think it would be pretty ridiculous to spend eight years telling the story of a deeply human, deeply relatable character and then be like “lol wait, you guys related to him? Cringe! Hashtag society” or whatever. She says that in the final half season, Tony “was becoming his real self: the empty golem.” Seriously? The version of Tony who’s had most of his humanity sapped from him is his “real self”? SERIOUSLY? Okay. I’m gonna go calm down now. I promise. (I actually have one other point I want to make related to the Richard-and-Elliot thing, but I’ll save that for another post because this one is looooong.) I'd just like to close this post with this comment that I've posted here before and will probably post again because I love it so much and it makes me tear up whenever I think of it:

#my original draft of this post was even longer but I managed to cut like 100 words #The Sopranos #Tony Soprano #the motherfucking fucking one who calls the shots #x #Anna watches tv #Anna watches The Sopranos #I have many thoughts

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periwinklekryptonite · 8 months ago

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hey hi how does travis parallel common feminine tropes? i need to hear from the travis expert

Okay, so the "Problem" is that there's a preface and conclusion that's, like, way longer than just my bit about Travis's funny little parodies and then genuine relationship with femininity. While answering this ask, I realized just how big it is and I don't want to unload all of it here because I am just. Too tired all of the time to have all of it done in one swipe, and my attempt to do so ended up frustrating me more than anything LMAO

I write this with the promise that I'll expand on it and actually get to the meat of your question. I have a lot of it written, already!

The preface is easy: what's up with Travis and his relationship with gender?

Travis is trying to present as a very masculine, powerful character. It's an easy defense mechanism when he's alone in a crowded room. The thing many people fail to consider is that he doesn't know any of these people, and he probably dislikes most (if not all) of them on principal. The girls have a bond that existed in the before times, and Travis doesn't. He's an outsider. He's trying to grasp for some semblance of control by playing a sort of parody of the stoic, macho man... and it doesn't work.

Because of how he does this, a lot of people into the show are not into Travis. He's one of the only characters that are overtly and loudly misogynistic. It makes sense that people don't want to look past that when he acts so nasty. This means many write him off as exactly what Travis wants people to think he is.

Kevin Alves says it best in his Boys by Girls interview. I suggest reading the whole thing, it says a lot of what I'm saying and more.

So, even though he's pushing this masculine agenda when he's in the wreck with all the girls, my assumption in him has always been that he's never been the most big or the most masculine of guys at school. This is him really trying to pretend to be someone that he is not, this is not him.

This dramatized, fictional version of him is how he thinks he'll find a place within the group. The alternative is getting Coach Ben-ed and slowly being ousted from the group. Sitting in the back room and rotting in complete solitude just seems like a downer.

(Here he is looking sad for emphasis)

Travis was never the top dog. The girls do not take him seriously when he acts like this, and he probably wasn't taken very seriously in school. His insecurities lead to a lot of failures in his relationship with Javi and Nat, and no relationship with anyone else. If it continued any further than it did, he would've died for this. Like with Jackie, he'd be frozen out.

What Travis learns, and we learn as well, is that to be part of the in-group, you must also be a part of the dominant culture in the cabin and Wilderness itself. For Travis to be a part of the Yellowjackets, Travis must also be one of the girls.

Travis's story, the link between season 1 and season 2, is one of transition.

Some interpret this as a social transition, but I believe it to be literal.

The surviving group is not "the Yellowjackets and also Travis." By the end of season 2, (actually by the end of Qui,) Travis is indistinguishable from the rest. He's eaten Jackie with them, he's given blood to Shauna, he's taken blood from Lottie, he has led the group in their second act of cannibalism. Travis is a Yellowjacket.

Credit where credit is due:

@monstrousgourmandizingcats really helped me grind out these ideas and has a lot of cool YJ takes in general, and most of the screenies were given to me by @nicothecowboy.

Now, for YJ Fic Writer's Weekend I should hopefully have the part of this that you asked about ready. Until then, I have some interviews, and I cannot recommend the PaleyFest panel more. It has a lot about Travis in S2 and his relationship with Nat and Lottie.

youtube

#yellowjackets #travis martinez #the travtag

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thedeathdeelers · 5 months ago

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a quick silly drabble for @saltedsan based on this post

otter (on ao3)

“So, Sol-a,” Sunjae starts as he looks up from the script in his hands. “What do you think about dogs?”

Sol, who was snuggled into his side on the sofa, answers absent-mindedly with her eyes still glued to the TV.

“Dogs?”

Sunjae gently nudges her to get her full attention. “Yes, Dogs. A dog. A puppy.”

“Um,” she starts, before finally turning to look at him. “I..I’ve always liked dogs,” she says, “But my mom was allergic so we could never get one.” She pauses to think before resuming. “But I think I’ve always liked the idea of having a dog more than actually owning a dog, y’know?”

Sunjae stares at her for a moment, waiting to see if she realises her mistake.

But all Sol does is stare up at him expectantly, eyes wide and sweetly innocent.

“I think I’m probably more of a cat person anyway,” she adds, shrugging.

Huh.

continue reading on ao3

Sol grins at him when he doesn’t say anything back, before turning her attention back to the TV.

Sunjae sits quietly for a beat before trying again.

“So then what about Otter?”

Sol, who had already gotten fully immersed in her show again looks up at Sunjae, eyes slightly unfocused.

“Otter? Who’s otter?” she asks.

“You know,” Sunjae waves his hand in front of them before draping it back around her shoulder, tucking her back in under his arm. “Otter, your childhood dog.” Sol’s face doesn’t change, the layer of confusion still very much there.

“The one who loved swimming.”

Sol’s bottom lip twitches.

“The one you compared me to in high school.”

Sunjae can see the moment she remembers, memories flooding in as understanding dawns in her eyes even as she tries very hard to keep a straight face.

“O-o-of course he- he was real,” she finally stutters out, laughing a little too loudly as she tries to scoot away from him. “Why- why would you ask?”

Sunjae stares at her for a long moment, head tilting to the side as Sol squirms under his gaze, eyes looking at anything but him.

She was avoiding his eyes — she knew he knew.

“Sol.”

She doesn’t budge, eyes now fixed on the TV even though he knew she wasn’t registering anything happening on the screen.

“Sol-a,” he tries again, this time in a sing-song tone.

Still nothing — only her fingers nervously fiddling with the frayed edge of her sweater giving her away.

Sunjae smirks, knowing he’s got her.

He turns his body to face her, arms coming down to cage her in — wrapping one arm around her waist from the back while his other rests on her thighs.

He feels her jump slightly at his touch.

Leaning in closer so that they were at the same eye level, Sunjae waits until Sol crumbles under the pressure and turns to look at him, gulping nervously in the process.

“So let me get this straight,” he says, finger tapping against her thigh. “You had me think that I reminded you, the girl I was crazy for, of a dead fictional dog all throughout our last year of high school?”

Sol doesn’t react for a moment, until he sees the tiniest of nods.

“All because you’re terrible at thinking on the spot?”

Sol hesitates, mouth opening as if to defend herself, only to snap it shut at the dubious stare Sunjae was sending her way.

She nods again.

Sunjae doesn’t really know how to react — he’d always suspected she had come up with that story just to dodge any time travelling related information, but there was always a tiny part of young Sunjae that worried he was too ‘puppy-like’ for her to take him seriously.

Sunjae snorts at the thought, almost rolling his eyes at his young self.

They were both just as bad as the other.

He focuses his attention back on Sol, who was still staring at him wide-eyed.

“I swear it was- I only did it to- I wasn’t lying about being a fan!!” She finally gets out with a worried expression on her face as her eyes search his for a sign of..something.

Sunjae relents at the sight of her genuine worry, sighing dramatically as he pulls back.

“Sol, we really need to work on your acting,” he says, shaking his head.

“M-my acting? Why-“

“And we really should discuss your naming skills.”

“I-“

“But for now, we should probably think of a punishment.”

“A- a..a what?” she asks, eyes widening at his words.

Sunjae grins at her, leaning forward as she tries to move away from him, only to pounce on her the second her back hits the sofa cushion.

The first he hears are her giggles, his favourite sound in the world.

And then comes the pleading, his fingers digging into her sides as she breathlessly begs him to relent.

He loved that she was ticklish.

His torturing session doesn’t last long, as he soon takes pity on her, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead before sitting back up, pulling her along with him.

He watches her as she tries to catch her breath, her face glowing with rose-tinted cheeks.

Sunjae feels his heart constrict, still unable to believe she was truly his.

He waits until she’s calmed down, fanning herself in an attempt to cool down; waits until she turns around to scold him-

Before ducking back in towards her to give her a quick peck, successfully cutting her off.

“Sunjae-a!” She gets out, a half-hearted scowl on her face as she struggles to keep the smile off her face.

God, he loved her. Terrible acting and all.

Sunjae gets up from the sofa, leaving a confused Sol behind, only to turn around and scoop her up in his arms, the sounds of her surprised laugh filling up the apartment.

“What are you-“

But he doesn’t let her finish her sentence, cutting her off by pressing a kiss to her cheek.

With a wide grin stretching wider across his face by the second, Sunjae walks around the sofa and carries the love of his life towards their bedroom.

It only takes Sol a second to realise where he was taking her, slapping him once on the chest before giving in, her shy and scandalised giggles following them all the way to bed.

#hope this is kinda what you were looking for???#hope you like it!!!#lovely runner #might post this to ao3 but idk #lovely runner fics #soljae #ryu sun jae #im sol #i lost the plot #towards the end but you get it…::

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silverquillsideas · 4 months ago

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This episode was the best for me so far!! 🥺 I absolutely adored the way they handled kongthap and atom's respective misunderstandings, atom's fears of coming out to people and how others might perceive him and kongthap because of their relationship.

(I'll just jot down some of my thoughts as a casual viewer, and disclaimer, I haven't read the manga, and forgot half of what happened in the KH adaptation, so this is purely my personal perception of the Thai adaptation.)

Atom has a dramatic personality, he overthinks situations and gets caught up in his own big fears, and the fears are absolutely justified, in this case. And I think the imaginary montage with the two moms was more of a way in which we get a glimpse into his larger than life, chaotic, comedic thought process more than suggesting a "dismissive of queer identity as a joke" POV I've seen in the tags here, but that's just me :')

I'm glad he trusts kongthap enough to confess his fears to him, and that kongthap takes him seriously and tries to understand where he's coming from.

Glad the show didn't go the homophobic teacher route implied in the preview last week, and instead gave us two queer elders guiding atom and kongthap on their journey ❤️

I liked the analogy that Annop gave of different kinds of love and the chocolate cakes :') it was a gentle way of unravelling atom's genuine fears of their relationship being "different from other people's" and the way he's more afraid of how people will look at kongthap in a negative light than what people think of him, and that just goes to show how selfless he actually is, deep down.

Annop acknowledges the difference of the love atom was talking about, but he also says that even tho they may be different in form and shape and how people express them, essentially they are still love, and Atom shouldn't judge himself so harshly for his feelings. He shouldn't bow down to other people's perception of him and kongthap and end up hurting them both.

Also, I've seen a strange criticism of the musical performances in MLMU being "too overdramatic / cringe / OOC" from mostly US American / western bloggers here, and I just wanted to say, please chill out 😂 musical segments are pretty common in south Asian / SEA media/ storytelling in general. If you've seen any Indian/bollywood films ever in your life, chances are that, you'll see at least 2 songs and 1 dance and all of them are meant to be taken FICTIONALLY, with suspension of disbelief and not literally assumed that the characters breaking into song and dance are seasoned performers or what not. The music and dance segment IS a part of storytelling itself, meant to convey the mood of the characters, the emotions in the scene, in that segment of the story. So please cut atom and kongthap some slack lmao

I, for one, am thoroughly enjoying gemfourth's heavenly vocals and wish that peace on other viewers too :')

Also I'm loving how Gemini and Fourth as actors interpreted Ida and Aoki. In the jp version, personally, Ida felt a bit too stiff and robotic for me, I'm glad Gemini played kongthap as more of a soft, quiet boy who laughs, jokes around, and gets petty and silly at moments as he navigates his feelings. I also love how Fourth is playing Atom, giving him comedic beats and dramatic expressions but there's also a certain grounded, vulnerable core to him that comes out in heavier moments and absolutely punches me in the guts.

Overall, I'm genuinely enjoying seeing these 2 being dorks in love, navigating their big feelings and finding friendship and community in the people around them 🥺❤️

#my love mix up #My love mix up th #GeminiFourth #gemini norawit #fourth nattawat #This isn't very coherent bc I'm sleep deprived atm #But whatever #Just wanted to share my appreciation for this show ❤️#Gemfourth's acting is commendable as always #Loving the OSTs so far!!!#And we got a new colorist team from ep 5 onwards so hoping they'll fix the rest of the previous episodes too! :)

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littlemermaidx · 2 months ago

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Finished season two of iwtv the other day and I'm still 😭😭😭 As someone who's always been a fan of the movie, I have to say that this show is so beautifully made and the acting is just superb! I keep forgetting that I'm watching actors act lol. It feels like watching a play and not a TV show and I really like that! I also can't believe that some people thought that the *last* scene between Louis and Lestat was cheesy and *horribly* written??? Like, wtf?? Have we watched the same thing or?? It wasn't out of character imo, to act the way they did in that scene because the show versions of Louis and Lestat have always been more vulnerable and, still kind of, human like? I'm a big fan of the movie, like I already mentioned, but it's obvious how differently written Louis and Lestat are in the film to the show. Although I love Tom as Lestat, Sam brought a certain vulnerability to the character and I really enjoy watching him play Lestat. To me that last scene was just perfect and, kind of in a way, very fan fiction-esque. Like seriously that's a type of scene we would all *probably* be writing and posting on ao3 if it didn't really happen lol. Lestat found Louis and then lost him and then found again and it took over 70 years for their reunion?? I mean, come on.. It was perfectly reasonable to me that he acted the way he did. I love it when he also asked Louis did he hurt himself that night when he spoke to Armand, in this lovely, emotion filled, shaky voice.. It was all beautiful and romantic and yes I even loved the lil touch with the thunder and the house literally falling apart cause of the storm that's been raging around them. This is a story about vampires and vampires do tend to get dramatic now and then (quite often actually!).. Anyway, I'm in love with that scene and their chemistry overall and just feel like re-watching it over and over again ❤️‍🔥

#I had to have a lil fangirl moment because I just fin season 2 lol #I wanted to preserve it by watching it every few days but..#That didn't happen lol #iwtv #iwtv s2 #love it #rambles #text #Breaking my hiatus just to write this lol #lestat de lioncourt #louis de pointe du lac #loustat #interview with the vampire

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angelfirstclass · 6 months ago

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Magneto: A Villain playing Dressup or Reformed Tortured Soul?

This is going to be hard one for me because I don't want to be too negative about Magneto because I think in X-men 97 he isn't the villain, but upon rewatching the show I think this question is viable. I may be accused of being a Romy shipper and Charles apologist, but I'm not really. I like Magneto in the show and he says some of the best lines in the show. But sometimes he says and does things that are kind of assholey am I right?

To start off with, the way that he introduces himself and announces that he's the heir to Xavier's mansion and the X-men. Did he really have to barge into Xavier's office and confront the team as they were bonding together playing basketball? He is so smug in that scene which is something I like about Magneto, his Alpha male strength and directness. It's hot and works when I'm writing Magneto fan fiction, but it is a tad presumptuous. His first reactions from everyone on the team is anger and suspicion and then he wonders why he's not getting a warm reception. He could have been normal and called or rang the doorbell or something, but it wouldn't have been as dramatic or as Magneto to come barging in.

The way that he says My X-men at the end of episode 1 is kind of smug and sinister is not? Maybe it's just the writers wanting tension out of that moment and having the readers shocked by Magneto, a known X-enemy inheriting everything, because at that moment we don't know if Magneto is going to be a good leader or not.

Then we see Magneto in action and he's playing the good guy. He saves a child from a busted ride and the Morlocks from the Friends of Humanity. It is shocking to the X-men but also shocking to humankind because of Magneto's past crimes. He enters leading the X-men tamping down his evil past and his more destructive methods of getting back at anti-mutant groups, but he is still Magneto with all his arrogance and his confidence and his strength of belief in himself.

Something that I actually love is the line that he toes the line between trying to be a good X-man and his feelings about humanity. He has seen so much that he is formed by those traumas and pain which cannot be so easily let go of. When he talks of not harming the Friends of Humanity members, the sneer when he says "sapiens" is pure gold. This Magneto is a tempered Magneto and we have to appreciate how far he's come. If it wasn't for his love of Charles Xavier he would be 1000 times worse.

It could be argued that other people might have made better leaders of the X-men, but for this season's storyline having Magneto play the leader was brilliant. He was just enough of an asshole to make the whole thing interesting and made the twist at the end more believable because he never really lost himself completely. You saw moments of him being potentially selfish, arrogant, cruel throughout the season which made him an interesting, complex character.

"My intentions here was not to cause drama or discord." Lol! Says the man in the cape and big M on his costume and the one who barged into the mansion without notice. Yeah, sure, Jan. He yielded to the UN, but not until after he proves how powerful he could be. A note to point out his that Wolverine talks about people being upset over all the things Magneto has done and "can't say I blame them" for being upset and I take this seriously. So currently he's trying to reform, but in this universe and timeline, Magneto has done some awful things.

The trial scene is really amazing. There are some great lines in it. The speech is probably the most compelling reason to want to trust Magneto. He is a great public speaker and he speaks of his past, how the oppressed become oppressors and that loving or being different will cause you to be punished. He is speaking Xavier's words and attempting to walk his past, but he must also acknowledge his past and the consequences of them. This is where I get confused or conflicted as I don't know if Magneto went too far or just enough or is justified or crazy. I don't know and I don't think it's something that the writers even know- like that is the crux of the show itself.

His sardonic wit is the best! "Oh to play by the rules and still they come for you." Yes. It's all going sideways and Magneto is not panicked in the least. He may be a lot of things, but dumb is not one of them. He saw this all coming and knew it was a matter of time that the extremists broke through and the judges would be deemed traitors of the race. It's like a part of him wanted things to get extreme, so the X-men would get to be on his side and see that humanity is not to be trusted and making nice doesn't work.

When asks if this is the high roads destination and essentially kidnaps all the judges, viewers are justified in thinking he might have snapped and gone back to his evil ways. We are surprised to see that he is walking Xavier's path and applaud him for that. He eventually lets the people go and asks them to not let him let them down and that's so poignant because we see just in episode 2 what Magneto is capable of and what he could do if he wasn't walking Xavier's path.

Magneto did a pretty good job of leading the team from episode 3 to 5, he is concerned about Jean, Scott, and Nathan and coordinates the team. He fights clone Jean or Madelyn and she taunts him with the line about a villain playing dress up as a hero. I think that line is so apt with Magneto because I think that his character arc is at the heart of the storyline. I wrote once saying that his relationship with Xavier was the thesis of the story and I also believe that Magneto's belief of Xavier's ideals and his own is also a pivotal part of the story. Madelyn had the power to delve into the psyche of each mutant and find their weak spots, so it proves here that Erik is self conscious of seeming to play the hero and most likely doubts his own commitment to Xavier's cause.

Then we go to Genosha in episode 5, where Magneto is king, literally. There are posters and statues of him everywhere and this all was his dream. Magneto is a savvy politician and understands making grand speeches or doing publicity stunts. Even other mutants at Genosha understand that he is the handsome face of Mutant kind and especially after joining the X-men and following moderation is liked by moderate mutants as well as humans. Even when he speaks to the group, he acknowledges that this was all Charles' dream and he didn't believe that it would happen. He is asked to be king and then he asks Rogue to be his queen. Episode 5, I think is tragically the peak of when Erik is believing Xavier's dream and thinking that peace is possible and happiness is possible for him as well. He is letting down his guard, accepting the King position, declaring his love for Rogue, trying to walk Xavier's path, be a good X-man, and etc. We know what happens next tragically however.

Everything he believed gets snatched and beaten out of him in Genosha. He tried to walk Xavier's path and it did not work out for him. He was already scarred, but this time was too much. He was kidnapped, tortured, and saw many deaths. He was already toeing the line before and felt justified in a way for committing crimes and atrocities and Genosha set him back to that way of thinking.

When we see him later, trying to persuade X-men to join him, EMPing the planet, attacking members of the X-men trying to stop him, he is traumatized and reacting poorly to Genosha. I don't justify his behavior, but I understand it. This is an Omega level mutant that has a track history of hurting humans for hurting mutants, so when a massacre hits it is not surprising that the mutant in question flexes his powers and gets angry.

What I don't know and am still on the fence about is how dedicated he truly was to Xavier's cause. Was he really a believer and dedicated to being a X-man or did it just take one incident for him to return to his ways? Also, how far is too far? Who is allowed to seek revenge or retribution? And to what extent? It is these questions that I think are so fascinating and I'm glad I don't know. These questions about Magneto are what made the show so interesting and complex and wants to make me see Season 2.

#x men #x-men #magneto #erik lensherr #x-men97 #x men 97

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