#she just doesn't like me as simple as that

[xinganhao]

a peek into the process that was making catch you when i can.

(1) vernon x rockstar!reader was largely unnamed for the most part. i only figured that it at least deserves a title when i revamped the series masterlist, but the answer was pretty instant.

i start (and end) the story with vernon and reader saying a variation of 'catch you when i can', which is established in part one as "something exchanged as often as 'i love you'." i feel like it captures the struggles of a long-distance relationship very well. it's also a shameless reference to the iconic leonardo di caprio and tom hanks film lol:

(2) this wasn't supposed to be a series, honestly. part two was my attempt to cope with svt's new york shows, and i was convinced that i would end it with the cliffhanger of rockstar!reader accidentally posting vernon on her main instagram. but the verse just wouldn't let me go— hence, the full-blown smau.

(3) the 'vernhow' style headcanons for part three are probably my favorite style of headcanons not only for this series, but also my entire blog. getting to play around with it was so fun. buried in it is the crux of what would eventually be the ending: "Everybody now knows that you, Chwe Hansol, have a girlfriend. Someone you want so bad that you'll go back on all the things you believe."

(4) when i first referenced john mayer's Edge of Desire in part three, i wasn't quite thinking of his 2010 hollywood bowl performance just yet.

i revisited it when i was facing intense writer's block for the final chapter and everything flowed easily after that. part five is best read with that version of the song playing (linked as suggested listening lol) because i wrote nearly the entire thing while looping the track.

↳ this part in the song reminded me of how part four's headcanons were entirely about vernon's definition of 'fight', and how— despite his willingness to keep going with the relationship— it's ultimately a two-way street. it doesn't matter how much one tries. if, at the end of the day, the two of you aren't in it together? then the relationship will end. plain, simple, harsh.

↳ in the first part, the headcanons touch on vernon not being a big believer in "long-distance relationships or relationships in general," which all completely change after he starts dating reader. the real clincher, though, is how vernon spends much of part five being a 'terrible' ex: unable to go without contact, still supportive as ever. as the song goes: he's scared you'll forget about him.

(5) part five intentionally uses the first nine or so panels from an outsider's perspective. i wanted to really drive home the struggle of their public relationship and how it might have taken its toll/strain on the couple. it's what eventually inspired the brief headcanons, ala-he said, she said.

(6) i almost made vernon specifically reference romcoms with airport reunions in the finale, but i didn't want to isolate readers who might have not seen said films lol. the movies that would have been referenced were love actually (2003) and serendipity (2001).

(7) my top three panels in no particular order are—

was obsessed with a panicked vernon going "my gorgeous princess wife babygirl" + very characteristic of him to suddenly swoon when one of his favorite bands is brought up + something about vernon wanting a do-over on his 'hard launch' is just. #real.

(8) Black Eye is first mentioned in a part two headcanon where reader performs it in a speakeasy in front of vernon. it's posed as the moment that vernon realized he might he in love.

this makes it all the more cruel how reader unwittingly jokes that Black Eye is a breakup song in part five. i chose to conclude the series on the track's anniversary for no other reason than me needing a specific deadline to wrap stuff up lol.

(8.1) i think i do recall having some of Black Eye bleed into the work, which might be evident in the following lyrics & consequent story parallels:

running 'round the whole city looking for someone -> ties in to part two, where the headcanons are based on how vernon and reader feel about new york city i can't stand the quiet/is anyone out there? is anyone out there? -> best encapsulated in how vernon continues to contact reader post-break up (also parallels mayer's 'i'm scared you'll forget about me') i'm on my worst behavior, don't stop me now -> in part four, vernon gets into a physical altercation with the press in defense of reader and he's adamant that he did the right thing i'm okay, i'll just let it burn around me -> best captures vernon in part five + another parallel to mayer, where a part in the song goes 'i'm just about to set fire to everything i see'

(9) ending this with what i anticipate to be part of the faqs, post-main story: why did vernon and reader break up just to get back together again?

the long answer: because people are messy. because we think we know best— for ourselves, for others— and so we act on those impulses in the name of self-preservation, or care, or whatever noble thing you want to call it. people are complex and complicated, and with that comes regret, romance, and everything in between.

"they should have just worked it out!" they did try. it's human nature to feel slighted when things don't work out in your favor. there's only so much tenacity that a person can have before they're cursing the universe for the cards they're dealt, so can vernon/reader really be blamed for fraying?

"the breakup was unnecessary!" i could argue that it isn't. say some bs about it being very necessary, in fact, for character development, plot progression (lol), 'not realizing what you have until it's gone'. the works. but admittedly? i agree.

we— vernon and reader included— make questionable choices. whether or not we double down, move on, or circle back is an entirely different story in itself. vernon and reader found their way back; not all of us are as lucky. but some of us can be, some of us have been, and that was enough for me to trust that the story would sail.

the knowledge that, at the end of the day, the love that 'wins' is the one that makes the work worth it.

the short answer: i just really wanted them to have a happy ending. god knows they deserve it.

thank you for reading and enjoying this little story! it was mine once, but it's all yours now. ❥

catch you when i can (vernon x reader)

⤿ a five-part series charting vernon's relationship with you, an international rockstar.

𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐄 —

✮ part one, the one with the origin story. ✮ part two, the one where vernon tours in your city. ✮ part three, the one where you go public. ✮ part four, the one about fighting. ✮ part five, the one where a choice has to be made.

ⓘ international rockstar!f!reader, long distance relationship, established relationship, use of pet names. fluff, angst. cussing.

annotations for the main verse.

𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐒 —

there's nothing here yet! :)

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓 —

with love, kae ✎ i adore this verse so, so much that asks (i.e. drabbles, headcanons, smaus) for it will be perpetually open, regardless of whether or not my main requests are open. as always, this wouldn't have come to light without the anon who asked for it in the first place! i'm eternally indebted.

thank you for reading catch you when i can. <3

› scroll through all my work ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧ ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁 .ᐟ my masterlist | @xinganhao

[whoops-all-jennas]

Past Lives pt.2

Wednesday x witch!reader

"I've got this strangest feeling."

"This isn't our first time around."

Summary: You and Wednesday get a bit closer after she escapes therapy.

The sound of your phone is the only thing breaking the silence of your dorm, until the entrance creaks open revealing your gothic roommate.

"Hey are you okay?" You say, standing from your bed.

"My well-being doesn't concern you." Wednesday approaches her section of the room with her usual perfect posture.

You watch as she sits at her desk, preparing her typewriter. Soon the clacking of the keys replace the sound of your phone.

You lay back down in your bed, browsing on social media. You turned your volume down so Wednesday couldn't hear it.

After the experience last night of Wednesday and Enid fighting over Enid's music choice, you didn't want to see Wednesday annoyed again.

So you settled in keeping your volume low.

At first you found the typewriter to be annoying, the clicking of the keys drilling into your skull. But in times like this you found comfort in it.

It reminds you that you're not alone in this dorm, like usual.

Breaking through the wall of sound, you hear a shuffle from Wednesday's side of the room. The clicking stopping soon after.

You quickly stand, approaching Wednesday. She is now standing, glancing at you before approaching her bed precariously.

There was a lump sticking up from underneath Wednesday's blanket.

Wednesday pulls down on the quilt on her bed, revealing a severed hand.

"Holy shit!" You quickly pull out your wand, pointing it at the hand.

"Don't!" Wednesday shouts, you see concern on her face for the first time before she grabs your forearm forcing your arm up.

A red projectile hits the ceiling, leaving hardly a mark. It was nothing more than a simple defense spell, nothing stronger than a punch.

Wednesday let's go of your arm, You rest your arms back to your side. Still holding your wand just in case.

The concern leaves her face in an instant, replaced with a small smirk.

"Hello, Thing."

The hand stays frozen in place for a moment at Wednesday's gaze.

"You know that, uh. Did you say Thing?" You and Wednesday glance at each other for a moment, Thing sees the opportunity to try to scurry away.

Wednesday breaks eye contact, seeing Thing trying to escape, grabbing the severed hand as he grabs the railing of the bed.

You take a step back as Wednesday pulls harder, prying Thing's grip off the railing.

"Did you really think my highly trained olfactory sense wouldn't pick up on the faint whiff of neroli and bergamot in your favorite hand lotion?"

Wednesday carries Thing to her desk, you stand watching with your mouth slightly agape.

You knew Wednesday was a little weird, but how is she just casually knowing severed hands? Even in a school like this it's unusual.

"I could do this all day." Wednesday says, before slamming Thing onto her desk, pinning him in place.

"Surrender?"

The hand starts tapping on the desk like he's tapping out of a wrestling match.

It seems you were staring for too long because Wednesday turned around to meet your gaze with her stoic eyes.

"Are you still here?"

You would of preferred if she asked you more nicely to leave, but you're not gonna argue with a supposed murderer.

"Okay, I guess I'll just." You stand there for a moment, unsure how to complete your thought. You head to your side of the room, grabbing a book before going to leave the dorm.

"Mother and father sent you to spy on me didn't they?" Is the last thing you heard Wednesday say before leaving the dorm.

-

You find yourself sitting on a bench in Jericho reading a book. You use to read inside the Weathervane, but ever since Tyler started working there you avoided it like the plague.

You have a strong hatred for Tyler after what he did to one of your only friends Xavier last Outreach Day.

You hear a squeaking from above, the sound descending.

Your eyes drift from your book to inspect the noise, to find a woman dressed in black sliding down a pipe.

Its Wednesday.

"You escaping prison or something?" Wednesday quickly turns to you like she just got caught, bumping into an older man carrying a basket of fruits.

Wednesday's head suddenly flies back, her eyes looking up into her skull, showing the whites of her eyes.

"Wednesday!" You stand to your feet, your book falling to the floor flipping through random pages due to the wind.

You catch Wednesday, it looked as if she was getting possessed.

A moment later Wednesday's head comes back down, a startled look on her face.

You two share eye contact for a moment, concern on your face.

"Who let you two out."

You both look to find the older man scowling into your eyes while Wednesday steadies her feet, leaving your arms.

"You goddamn weirdos."

You grab Wednesday's hand, dragging her away from the situation, forgetting your book on the floor.

After a few seconds of walking Wednesday forces her hand out of yours.

"Sorry! I didn't realize I- uh." You hold your hands together in front of you, a small wave a heat covering over you.

After a few seconds of silence you decide to try to break it.

"So, what was that?" Wednesday stops walking and glances at you with her usual stoic face.

"I can't really pretend like I didn't just see you look like you got possessed for a second."

After a moment, Wednesday looks past you to the inside of a coffee shop.

Wednesday heads to the entrance, her stride faster than before.

"Wednesday, I don't think this place is a good idea-"

"Stop engaging with me." There was a hint of malice in her voice.

The sound of a bell fills the cafe as Wednesday opens the door. You follow her inside, seeing Tyler working behind the register.

You opt to sitting in a booth, facing away from Tyler.

You glance to Wednesday who is talking to Tyler before going to grab your book.

Your book.

You scoot down the isle of the booth to look out the window, seeing your book on the floor outside down the street. The pages flipping rapidly.

"Shit, shit." You mutter to yourself, climbing out of the booth, glancing towards Wednesday again before leaving to see her sticking a screwdriver into an espresso machine.

You walk back down to the bench you were sitting at, bending over to grab your book before heading back.

You look through the window on your way to see Wednesdays boot meet the face of a teenager in a pilgrim outfit.

"Holy shit!"

You run to the door, the bell interrupting the sounds of fighting.

One of the the teenagers fell on the ground near you, he tried to stand up but failed.

There were three kids, who you also hated, on the floor. Too hurt to keep fighting.

Tyler was standing next to Wednesday, looking out of place.

"Can you do that to Tyler next?" You say teasingly, your head sticking through the door before you enter.

Tyler gives you a stern glare, Wednesday meets your glance with her usual stare.

You look past Wednesday to see Principal Weems approaching the cafe from down the street.

Your eyes go wide before grabbing Wednesday by the wrist instead of her hand this time.

You can't imagine Principal Weems would like to see you two surrounded by a small group of beaten normies.

"We gotta go." Dragging her towards the exit before almost bumping into the sheriff.

The sheriff is a middle aged man with a small scruffy beard. He's also Tyler's father.

"Tyler what is going on in here?" The sheriff looks at the scene in front of him before staring at us.

I quickly let go of Wednesday's wrist, not wanting to recreate what happened earlier.

"They were harassing a customer, and she put them in their place." Tyler gestures his hand to Wednesday.

The sheriff inspects the scene again before looking at Wednesday.

"This little thing took down three boys?" The sheriff asks, concern sketched onto his face.

"Did you help her?"

Wednesday gives the sheriff an annoying glare.

"Dad, I swear I wasn't involved." The sound of the bell interrupting the conversation.

"I'm sorry sheriff these two must've slipped away from me." Principal Weems enters with the usual smile plastered onto her face.

"Come on Ms. y/l/n, Ms. Addams time to go." Principal Weems gestures her hand for us to leave.

You both start heading to the door, following Weems.

"Hang on, you're an Addams?" The sheriff asks, causing you both to turn around.

"Don't tell me Gomez Addams is your father." Wednesday responds with a slight nod.

"That man is supposed to be behind bars for murder. I'm guessin' the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Sheriff Galpin points his finger between you and Wednesday.

"I'm gonna be keeping my eye on your two."

Wednesday smiles with a hint of mischief.

"Okay." Weems states quietly before guiding us out the door and towards the car.

Wednesday takes the passenger seat while you take one of the backseats.

"Your first day and you're already on Sheriff Galpin's radar. Wish I could say I'm surprised." Principal Weems speaks over the console to Wednesday.

"What did he mean about my father?" Wednesday looks towards Weems with a curious glance.

"I have no idea, but a word of advice. Stop making enemies and start making a few friends."

The car is silent for a moment, Wednesday slightly turns her head around like she's about to look at you before she stops.

"Y/n is my friend."

You give Wednesday a confused look at the back of her head.

Since when? didn't she just tell me to 'stop engaging with her.'

The car starts approaching a car crash between a truck and another car.

"Looks like an accident." Weems says, grabbing your attention, causing you to look out the front windshield.

"I hope the drivers okay."

A few seconds of silence pass as we get closer.

"He's dead." Wednesday says flatly. "Broke his neck."

You look at the car accident, there is no way Wednesday could see that he broke his neck, let alone know that the person is a he.

"How can you tell from this angle?" Weems has a face mixed with concern and curiosity.

The car passes the accident and you can see inside the truck.

Its the man Wednesday bumped into before.

It clicks in your head what happened.

You both get out of the car after arriving back at Nevermore, grabbing your belongings.

"See yourselves back to your dorm." Principal Weems says while closing the car door.

"No detours." Weems looks at you, not with a smile for once, causing you to nod with a bit of fear while Wednesday stood there silently.

"No detours, got it." You give Weems an awkward thumbs up. Meanwhile, Wednesday has already started walking away.

After a few quick steps you catch up. "When were you going to tell me you're a psychic?"

"What?" Wednesday stops to turn to you, with a fake look of confusion.

"It doesn't take a genius to put 1 and 2 together Wednesday." You say unamused by her act. "The guy you bumped into, you saw him die right?"

Wednesday looks at you a few seconds longer before taking a quick exhale through her nose. She turns to keep walking to the dorm.

"Wednesday?" You take a few more quick steps to catch up again before you two walk to your dorm in silence.

-

The sound of Wednesday's rendition of 'Paint it Black' on her cello fills the room from Wednesday's patio.

You sit close to Wednesday's section of the dorm, listening to her beautiful performance.

This is all a nice change of pace, Enid is typically always out so even just the noises of someone else being here makes you feel less lonely.

Doesn't help that these noises are easy to listen to.

After her performance, you knock on the window before going onto her patio.

"That was beautiful, very you. You know?" You say getting closer.

Wednesday glances at you from her seat before putting her cello down.

After a few seconds, your voice breaks through the silence in the chilled air.

"Did you mean what you said in the car? That I'm your friend?"

Wednesday stays silent, unsure what to say.

Her eyes meeting yours.

You can tell Wednesday is the type of person to easily deny an accusation like that, so you take her silence as confirmation.

"I see you as a friend too Wednesday." You smile to her.

You hesitate, admiring her appearance for a moment.

"I'm going to get ready for the Harvest Festival, see ya later Wednesday."

Wednesday looks at you with slightly softer eyes than before.

"Bye Y/n."

You close the window behind you, going to your closet to decide what to wear while Wednesday continues to play her cello.

You hear Enid enter the dorm while you're putting on some makeup. You don't usually wear much makeup but something is telling you to tonight.

Wednesday's cello stops, you can faintly hear her talk to Enid from her porch.

"How would you like your dorm back?" Wednesday says, the sound being muffled through the wall.

Part 3

Past Lives Masterlist

[omgsecretsecret]

I don't want to go ! Part 2

Pairing : Lee Minho x gn!reader ; established relationship

Genre : angsty, hurt/comfort, fluffy ending

Word count : about 930

Warnings : phobia of needles ; crying ; panick attack ig (idk if it's exactly one)

Author's note : I'm so sorry for taking so much time to post it but it's out now for Christmas (btw merry christmas to everybody who celebrates it and happy day to everyone doesn't <3) ; lots of love and bisous to @giddyfatherchris for helping me ; the pics on top are not mine, credits to the owners

Request : « Can you do a part 2 of the don't want to go lee known fic, where lee know comforts the character while getting a shot, the character cries too, maybe puts up a fight because she doesn't want to get a shot? Lee know tries to keep distracted. » by @200billionlightyearsaway

Masterlist || Part 1

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Honestly, you are happy to have Minho with you, his presence is always reassuring. But at the same time, it's so embarrassing. How could a grown-up like you need their boyfriend to go to the doctor? You feel so childish.

You don't notice the way he's looking at you with slight concern, but you do feel him taking your hand. You smile at him and he simply squeezes your hand. You give your name to the secretary for the appointment, then go in the waiting room. Everything seems so slow, you feel like you're waiting forever. Why are doctors always late?

When you are finally called, you don't even know if you are relieved to leave the room full of sick people or if you want to run away even more. You tense up as you enter the medical room and Minho's hold on your hand tightens.

It's like you're not completely there when the doctor asks a few questions, letting Minho answer as you try to handle the anxiety threatening to overwhelm you. You feel so stupid. Why are you so damn scared of a simple fucking needle ?

Minho has to call your name three times to finally get you to react. You blink a few times before slowly getting up, your movement almost shaky. Your body feels weak as you walk to the examination chair and you are just unable to let go of your boyfriend's hand. The sound of your own heartbeat pulsing in your ears and your already heavy breathing covers everything else around you. You can't see the look of worry on Minho's face as your eyes get glassy, but when you hear the doctor pulling out the needle, you break down.

You instinctively grip his arm as you can't hold back the tears that immediately fill your eyes, looking up at him with genuine distress. You can't do this. You don't know why you react so strongly, but you just can't keep it together. You suddenly start crying, pulling on Minho's arm and messily begging him to get you out of here. You don't care about what the doctor might think of you anymore, all you want is to go home.

"Baby, baby... It's okay. Calm down, love. Just calm down. he whispers sweetly as he cups your face and crouches down to be at your eye level, but it doesn't help.

— No it's not ! I can't just fucking calm down ! You think I do this on purpose ? You think it's easy ? I can't –"

You want to keep talking, keep telling him how you feel, how wrong he is, but you can't. A loud sob interrupts you and you just can't speak anymore. You cower down and cover your face as you cry, vainly attempting to suppress your sobs. Of course you know you should calm down, of course you know your reaction is disproportionate, but you can't control it.

Minho's heart clenches at the sight. He hates seeing you in this state, but it's not like he's going to blame you. He lets out a soft, pained sigh before carefully wrapping his arms around you. He holds you gently, with all the love of a man who only wants to comfort his partner.

You bury your face into his neck, shaky hands coming up to clutch his shirt lightly. He doesn't say a word, simply holding you close and rubbing your back. In a last surge of resistance, you weakly whisper that you want to leave, even trying to get up but it's halfhearted. You know you have to take that damn shot. Minho just keeps you there when you try to move, pressing you against his chest.

"Baby ? You're going to get the shot okay ? You can do it, baby. I won't let go of you, I'll be right there. You can cling on me all you want. But we have to do it, okay ?" he whispers softly without pulling away.

You don't reply, don't nod, but your lack of protests serves as a silent agreement. Minho kisses your forehead lightly in encouragement before looking at the doctor and nodding for her to go ahead. He talks you through it, keeps you close and lets you squeeze him, not even reacting when you dig your nails into his shoulder.

The doctor puts down the empty needle, patiently waiting for you both to be done. Minho tries to be a bit quick as to not make her wait too much, but still takes his time to make sure that you're fine.

"Are you okay kitten ?" he asks softly, watching as you nod weakly.

He presses a small, tender kiss to your lips before turning to the doctor, keeping your hand in his. You hear him apologize to the doctor, but she's quick to reassure him. Kids are way worse, and we can't control our phobias. Minho gives her a soft smile before paying, grateful for her understanding.

He looks at you again and his gaze softens with love when his eyes meet yours. You look drained, exhausted even, and honestly you are. He helps you get up, bows towards the doctor and leads you out. He holds your hand all the way to the car, only letting go when you are settled in your seat so he can go to his own.

"You're okay. he says softly.

— I love you. you reply and he chuckles at the suddenness of the declaration, a mix of amusement and fondness filling his heart.

— Me too, kitten. So much." He whispers before kissing you gently.

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do not repost, translate or rewrite without my written authorisation

[desiree-uk]

Just a little appreciation post on Draylson's Second Hand Goods Register! It's such a simple concept but I really like it and I can see the potential for gameplay. I think it's a good alternative to dumpster diving for stuff or consigning your sim's creations and unwanted items.🙂

Once I realised it does actually work for me (I thought it didn't because it freezes a bit when I try to add it from Buy Mode due to me having A LOT of cc 🤭) I can try and see how I can utilise it in my game.

Actually @MrDjGri on MTS summed it up perfectly by saying '...This is what consignment register is supposed to be!..' and that is a good description!

The register works pretty much like the consignment register in that the 'shop' and 'sell' tabs show up so you can buy and sell stuff at the same time. You can sell whatever is in your personal and family inventory. The above screenshot shows 2 armchairs, a floor lamp, a picture, a bike rack, even the sim's car! She won't be selling that. 🤭 I know NRaas Consigner allows some items in the family inventory to be sold but it's nice to have a choice between the two. For immediate sales, I'll use this register. Also, this register doesn't have any restrictions at all, of things that can be sold compared to Consigner, so anything that can be added to personal/family inventory can be sold, even things that were added to the family inventory via Debug Enabler that probably shouldn't be there! Be careful of that option though lol.

The buying of items is perhaps my favourite part :D I like the element of surprise in that the 20-odd items listed available to buy from changes every so often (I think it changes every day and each time you restart the game), and they randomize ALL content you have installed from expansion packs, stuff packs, store content and custom content! So your sim can kit out their new/empty house with some nice affordable, mismatched furniture and decor if they want to. Or buy another sim a present from a wide selection of goods! But make sure you buy what you want today because it will be gone tomorrow! 🤑 All brought items will be in the sim's personal or family inventory.

It's fun sending my sim to the shop everyday to see what is for sell, and they can come away with a surprise bargain. Also, it's a good reminder what content you actually have installed, if like me you have a lot and have forgotten most of them. 😄

[ocelotlesbian]

my take on where tbhk characters lie on the fujoshi/himejoshi & fudanshi/himedanshi spectrum

i'm bored. click under the cut :D

for the record, this is all silly goofy speculation just for fun, don't take any of it too seriously ^_^

nene: fujoshi - i mean come on it's self explanatory. she loves romance, she loves pretty boys, she would love BL. simple as

hanako: he doesn't know what any of that is / fudanshi - he died in the 60s before the true beginning of yaoi & yuri, so i think he just wouldn't be in the loop with any of it at all. he might borrow some BL from nene though, so i'm also placing him in the fudanshi category

kou: Normie™ - he reads neither BL nor GL, and likely not romance in general. just not rlly that interested in those genres i think

mitsuba: himedanshi - too repressed for BL, too heterophobic for straight romance, just right for yuri

tsukasa: same situation as hanako - not familiar with either genre

sakura: vaguely himejoshi - i just think she's a lesbian, honestly. she dabbles in BL & straight romance as well just for the sake of it, but her favorite kind of romance is yuri

natsuhiko: himedanshi - he just gives me those vibes, tbh. he likes cute girls and i think he'd also like reading about them falling in love. if tbhk didn't take place in 2015, he'd love tgswiiwagaa

aoi: himejoshi - i'm honestly not that sure about aoi, but i do know that her scenes with nene are yuri as FUCK so she gets to be a himejoshi on principle

akane: himedanshi - he likes whatever aoi likes

teru: N/A - his ass is too overworked to have time to read either, unfortunately

tiara: himejoshi in the making - her nickname is literally "princess", of COURSE she would be a himejoshi when she's old enough to read

shijima: lesbian fujoshi / himejoshi x2 combo - she draws both, she doesn't discriminate!! same goes for og mei

yako: neither - just not interested in romance as a genre in general

tsuchigomori: neither/nuance - i don't think he would actively read either, considering he's a grown ass man with a job and taxes, but also his whole thing is books so i think he's definitely familiar with BL & GL to some extent

kako & mirai: senior citizen & fujoshi in the making - i don't feel the need to elaborate on this one

hakubo: Normie™ - he doesn't care

sumire: would've been a fujo - she lived before yaoi was invented, but i think if she was a modern girl she would read it

satou & yokoo: the main characters of their own slice of life BL - i don't feel the need to elaborate on this one either

okay those are all the characters i can think of off the top of my head, if you have your own opinions, please share!!!

[kiefbowl]

I saw Wicked. there were things I liked about it, but as a cohesive whole I didn't think it worked very well.

One of the things that's funny is that of course stage is large performance to telegraph simple emotional truths, and so in the stage version, Elphaba just needs to be green and then everyone going "yuck!" in big tacky ways reads fine. But of course in film...you have this beautiful woman with this cut jaw and high cheek bones and the biggest, most beautiful wet round eyes looking absolutely snatched in every outfit, and everyone is like "eeeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwww!!!" just because she's green. it's kinda funny it just doesn't read. she's just green!!! obviously that's the story so what are you going to do about it, but it was making me laugh I'll be real.

[walmartbrandwhatever]

;Marbit Soulmate au

Okay so I have two soulmate aus in mind! One written within the Canon universe and one written in modern times because both are so interesting to me ngl.

";Each day on your arm is a particular event your soulmate will face today."

This one would be interesting within the canon universe like imagine both two-bit and marcia have the words "jumping." On their arms and just having this dreaded feeling. Or neither of them see it coming, both too busy trying to make sense of everything happening to even think about the words resting on their wrist. Marcia seeing it on two-bits wrist while trying to get him to some place somewhere safe. She doesn't think much of it until she is washing two-bits blood off of her hands after patching him up and freezing seeing the same words that had been on his wrist on her own.

Her heart sinking as the realization hits her. She feels sick at the thought because maybe if she had looked down, maybe, just maybe, she could've stopped it, but deep down, she knows she couldn't have done much. Not one against four guys - five if you counted bev. Anyways, following canon events blah blah blah. It clicks in two-bits head the day he gets "break-up" on his wrist and witnesses marcia break things off with trip. Unfortunately things turn south so fast neither of them really interact until the rodeo where two watches marcia barrel racing.

That's just the first thoughts I have surroundings that soulmate prompt. Things might change regarding that yk? Anyways if yall have ideas please feel free to add because I want yalls opinions on these💖.

";whatever you write on your skin appears on your soulmates skin" / ";soulmates initials on your wrist."

I can't decide which one I like better yk? I feel like it would be cute in both a Canon universe and a modern universe. It's a very basic one but I think if done right it could be cute. Modern times the initial would be cute, have it mixed with like a college au or smth. I haven't thought this one much through if I'm so honest but like picture it.

The two of them attending nearby colleges, not even the same one, and somehow always bumping into eachother. Two-bit who never really gaf when it came to soulmates seeing how easily they could fail a person because his mother was the sweetest person he knew and was left without a simple goodbye (the idea of his father having the right initials but was just the wrong person is such an idea and idk if that makes sense LMAO). Marcia believing in them so much as a kid due to her parents but her focus shifting on surviving in the real world.

Anyways I literally can't think of much more but feel free to add onto this or ask questions about my ideas that I might turn into fics who knows. If there's soulmate connections you would love to see Def lmk because these 3 are only like some that I thought of. Anyways much love Kath🫶.

[rosieuv]

Just watched the 3rd Sonic film and it's so good oh my god

This definitely feels like something only Sonic fans would enjoy as the first 2 films are based on the classic Mega Drive games, which not only are the most nostalgified , but also in terms of lore are quite simple. Sonic 3 on the other hand, is based on Sonic Adventure 2, which has a much heavy lore due to the abilities of the Dreamcast making it easier to mix in story and levels. Therefore, if you're like my brother and don't know what the lore vaguely is, you won't find it as interesting. It's strange how all the clips for the trailer were in the beginning half hour though. It did make me wonder how long this film actually was and what it entailed. Either way, it's a very good film and I feel tired after leaving that cinema due to a burnout from all that action causing some kind of over-stimulation (I know that because typically I fiddle with a hair bobble but I just sat there the entire film either watching or frantically kicking my legs up and down at the fight scenes as if I couldn't go "fuck yeah this is so awesome!" in a room full of 10 year olds, then that was the next best thing to deal with the massive screen, massive speakers and my obligation to point out literally anything if a film is good).

okay spoilers here

The plot has so much action and it's great. There's no stupid plot with the other humans, which is what I was worried about considering the B plot with Sonic 2 and the Knuckles show. Instead, the B plot is focused on team Shadow, as opposed to team Sonic. In fact, the humans don't really do much this film as they have no reason to. I also find it cool how the Knuckes show ties in as the guardian of the Master Emerald is Wade (I think that's his name) and he appears for like a minute using it to play ice hockey on the roof of the police station.

The beginning scene is the best I've seen in any film. The switch between Sonic hanging out with his family and friends and having a race while Shadow just kicks the military's ass and leaves in such a badass way and then it all links with the military guys in the helicopter within the first 5 minutes as there's no time to waste and that fight at the beginning is so good that the marketing is all centred around that (to be fair, Shadow has a motorbike) and it doesn't take long to show that Shadow is very much a threat, to the point where I wasn't sure how the heroes were going to win as he was teaming up with Gerald Robotnik who has all this cool tech stuff, and Eggman was watching soap operas in the crab thing because he lost all his government funding and tech stuff in the second film and is legally dead (they never explained how he survived that but it must be some kind of chaos emerald plot armour). I love how they just showed him as even more insane then he was in the first 2 films as he descends from being a well respected scientist to hiding from the government as all he really has now is the crab so once they find out he's alive, it won't be much of a fight. It's also cool how he has the adventure 2 suit in the ending scenes with the climax.

Okay here's a list of notable things I thought were cool:

Shadow having a motorcycle

Maria actually looking like a human and not some bootleg barbie doll (I know it was 2001 but it's surreal seeing all those scenes in high definition with live action as I'm so used to seeing them as Dreamcast cutscenes with motion capture)

Maria's outfits looking more like from the 70s than the 50s as this canonically takes place in 2024 so 50 years ago would've been the 70s and not the 50s like in Adventure 2

Maria never really having last words as she exploded instead of getting shot, so it would be easier to manipulate Shadow into thinking that she would've wanted revenge as there's no way to prove that she wouldn't've (I haven't gotten 'round to playing Adventure 2 though so my knowledge of Maria comes from video essays, but I'm pretty sure Shadow was motivated by him miss-remembering her words, not by manipulation by others).

Shadow with high budget CGI

Jim Carrey coming back again (seriously, these films wouldn't be as good without him as Eggman)

Eggman dying for real at the end in a big space explosion as a sacrifice feels in character for how he was portrayed in Adventure 2

Eggman land in the VR thing

Knuckles still being well written (seriously, the writers really know what they're doing when it comes to his character)

The ambulances and police cars in the London section being actual British ambulances and police cars and not American ones (Hollywood did their research!)

Shadow's voice actor

The scene with Sonic and Shadow on the moon and all that character development

Shadow having his heelys

Tails is better in this film as he doesn't fanboy like he did in the second film (not a major point, it's quite subtle, but I like it)

The dog having subtitles for 2 gags

The blackout caused by Sonic and Shadow

Tails trying to save Sonic when he's falling into the Earth's atmosphere but failing feels more realistic, and it makes more sense how Knuckles was the one to save them both as I imagine he's probably done something like this before and Tails is like 4 or 5

The idea that the man and the woman that I can't remember their names but they're the ones from the beginning, going down the crochet rabbit hole if the main 3 leave for like 2 days is hilarious

The "Sonic getting blasted to pieces thing" in the plan was funny, especially at the laser section (can't really explain it without the clip)

the cinematic remix of that one song from Adventure 2

Wait...wasn't G.U.N mentioned in the Knuckles show? I swear it was...

In the first battle, Sonic asking Shadow "who does your highlights?" (and calling him "Hot Topic" later in the film)

The flashbacks with Maria fitting well with the rest of the film in a way that didn't feel clunky

Shadow commenting on the soap opera

That final scene with Eggman with the live stream reminded me of the broadcast where he blew up the moon in Adventure 2

The moon still gets exploded...kinda

The chao cafe (I know chaos are in the game but I'm not sure to what capacity)

The doughnut guy almost dying due to a slip up (not really cool but I like the character development it showed...and also how damn strong Shadow is that one punch blew doughnut guy into a coma. Makes you wonder how damn strong the main 3 are to still be standing after all the battles against Shadow...)

Shadow having a super form with Sonic (I know it's from the game, not sure where though)

Shadow surviving in the post credits scene made me in a happier mood when I left the cinema as I was sad he died

Sonic saying "gotta go fast!"

Okay nitpicks time (there's not gonna be many though):

The dance scene with the lasers was a bit too long

No Snapcube fandub references

It's never really explained where the crab came from or how Eggman survived

Not really explained how Gerald Robotnik got all the egg weapons too. They're not recreations as they still follow Eggman so how did he get them from the government? Was this part of the deal when he was released from prison?

Where did the Chaos Emerald go when Shadow almost died? He was in his super form.

How the hell did Shadow survive getting nuked by the explosion? I know he's strong as hell and was in his super form, but still.

How do the main 3 and Shadow breathe in space?

Agent Stone putting the full coffee cups in the bin really annoyed me like at least pour it onto the floor so the grass can drink it

I really like how Shadow was written in this film. He's not just "Edgy The Hedgy" like he's portrayed now (don't quote me on that, I haven't really been up to date on this so "now" is more like pre-renaissance) and his weakness is his own grief, which is how Sonic "defeated" him by talking to him on the Moon about not letting that grief distract him and that made him go to Sonic's side even though Sonic could've just beaten the ever loving shit out of him while he got the super form and Shadow was weakened, but he didn't because he isn't a psychopath. And some stuff I mentioned earlier like the motorcycle and the cool powers. Basically he's his Adventure 2 version but even more badass, and his Adventure 2 version was the best version and my favourite character in the franchise.

According to the Wikipedia page on it, a 4th film is in production. Personally I think this works better as a trilogy as how the hell do you top fighting a death ray that's going to blow up the Earth, in space? Also the main villain guy is dead and definitely isn't coming back because isn't Jim Carrey like 70 something now? I think it's gonna be all time travel-ly as it seems to be based around Sonic CD and that's it's main thing. In the post credits thing there was Metal Sonic (who doesn't really fit the aesthetic of the films as all the robots are egg looking things as it's set on Earth, and not space animals who got robot-y and so are a lot more colourful) and Amy Rose, who destroyed some of the robots with her hammer so it's clear she's not going to be like her flat personality in CD and be more like Tails I guess. It's hard to tell considering she only appears for like 15 seconds, but her first appearance in CD was following Sonic around while love hearts come out of her head, and then getting kidnapped, so I think her personality is going to be like her in the Sonic Boom TV show (she gives me "notable time traveller looking for someone who's important in the future" vibes). I feel like this premise works better as a TV show, with each episode being a different time period in each zone. Maybe this is just me wishing for an episodic cinematic universe Sonic TV show where it's the main 3 doing stuff on Earth and Shadow appears every now and then 'cause they have to be doing something with his character as he's shown to be at least somewhat alive in the post credits scene. I know it'll be expensive as hell to do all that CGI, but I can dream.

Yeah that's basically it. Overall: 9.7/10. Now my new favourite film. God I'm tired.

[arrowmance]

[ 🟇 ] 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖𝐒 .ᐟ

← back to series masterlist | main masterlist "I should have clipped her wings and made her mine for all eternity"

( 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 & 𝐥����𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬. ) it's alright, he can pretend. ↳ 𝐚 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐭: extra content of tbfmun. solomon x gn! mc, obey me oc & solomon, canon-divergent, senior high school au, RAD intramurals arc, dancesports player! solomon, cheer member! mc, mc is genderneutral, pet names (starlight), ft. original obey me ocs (daera)

“Cheer for Black! Fly high, Black Ravens!” 

For once, the roaring screams from the endless arrays of people stacked atop benches and reaching high up into the cold, rusted metal bars that secured the pitch black ceiling of the arena felt nauseous. Almost everyone positioned on the left court had to be pulled aside by security to not cause much of a ruckus, and that wasn’t including their loud, booming voices that outlasted the outdated speakers set to the highest volume.

His platinum hair had reflected the lights in mystic hue, much like a prism. He had his hand stretched to his right yet never opened his palm wide enough for an inviting grip. Gray eyes had its focus shifted away from the long simple black dress that shifted to a harsh mix of oranges and reds along the hem, with her straps connected to a fiery stretch of silk that attached itself from behind the restraining choker. 

He never paid attention to the wandering hands tidying up his attire. The weak fanning from the coach while other members of the team pinned and sewed patterns and golden tassels, muttering nonsense whilst they cursed on how they never had the time for a proper tailoring. Wearing one of the old suit jackets much too tight for his usual activities, but had the perfect size with a few minor tweaks just for this very moment. 

No, he thought. Solomon, for once, hated the crowd.

“Sol,” the coach murmured, his grip tightening on Solomon’s shoulder. “Eyes on the court.”

Solomon’s gaze shifted from the muted buzz of the crowd to the center court. It was customary for events like these to be held in the gymnasium, but he still hadn’t grown accustomed to the slick, freshly-mopped marble floor. Much idiotic since the janitors should have been aware of the sequencing of events.

His coach’s voice dropped lower, tinged with impatience. "No backing out now, understood?"

Solomon hadn’t heard that tone in a while—a rasping edge that hinted at his frustration. The coach had hardly ever been annoyed, or so Solomon thought. But he seemed different now, especially when he’d summoned them to the venue hours before the official call-times. His stress had been palpable as he barked orders to the other students, rushing them through the last-minute outfit changes with far more urgency than needed.

Beside him, Daera stood frozen, her hands trembling. Her long dark blonde hair was pulled tightly into a bun, while two other students worked meticulously in front of her, layering on ounce upon ounce makeup. Behind her, two more figures adjusted the fabric of her outfit, smoothing it over her waist and dusting off any stray bits of lint with practiced hands.

Solomon looked into her eyes like how she avoided his. He’d notice how she’d dart to her friend, mouthing phrases with her lips quivering. He likes to believe that she doesn't pay much attention to his wandering gaze, but all evidence with the way her long pointed nails dug into her clutch made him perceive the contrary.

“You hear that, Solomon?” asked the coach once more. “Better than disqualified.”

Grey eyes find themselves scanning Daera once more, with this time, it was his turn to receive the not-so-subtle signal. With how Solomon’s eyes squint, analyzing the words syllable by syllable, taking notes of when the tongue clicks or remains behind her pearly whites.

“Say yes.”

Flickering eyes of a true Red Dragon, only to be guarded by bounties governed by flocks of Ravens. Solomon sighed, looking to his side, and giving him a firm nod.

“Yes coach.”

If he must persist, then he shall—even when he had not the choice lest he faces another entrée of guilt at the sight of his best friend wielding the enchanted ball.

The coach chuckled, tapping his large heavy hand on Solomon’s shoulder. He gave it a light squeeze, before walking away.

He whistled, “Remember: chemistry."

“Do you think they’re also forced to dance with people they dislike?”

Solomon’s eyes widened at the demoness’ words, as they awkwardly swayed back and forth during the short practice run before the immediate turn to the final solo waltz. He’d watch her bright pink eyes burn holes into Diavolo’s rose-engraved suit jacket, furrowing her brows at his partner, otherwise known as Eury from potion class.

Unlike their pair, Diavolo and Eury seem to have a fun time. While not obviously too intimate, they manage to veil an unbreakable bond given how one would give subtle-but-noticeable hints to the other, especially as they make a new step.

“They look swell,” Solomon commented.

Daera shook her head. “That’s nice.” 

“I never knew they got along.”

“I wished I hadn't backed down on the opportunity.”

Solomon pauses, frowning at Daera. “You regret not switching teams?”

“I can have my regrets,” the latter sighed. “The feeling’s mutual anyway. Don't try and be the ‘good guy’ all of a sudden just because you're playing fan favourite.”

Solomon gulped, clearing his throat. The lights were blinding, and it only gets worse by the minute each day touches the small specks mounted on the black fabric along her collar. “Good guy, huh?” he slyly asked.

“You can only wish.” 

With that, the music began. Like harmonicas mixed with dials of an on-hold telephone and Gregorian Chant-like vocals. An artistic catastrophe, Solomon believed Simeon would comment. It was classical yet modern, remixed by a mediocre DJ who only helped for extra credit.

One tap from the shoe, and grabbing her hand in a cold grip. One, two, slide—eagle eyes carefully analyzing the court as to prevent any accidental collision with the other contestants. One, two, slide— Solomon had his hand behind the small of her back, feeling her only tense up beneath his touch.

One, two, slide—and it was time to let her go. 

One, two, step—and it was another cue to continue again. The repetitive notions of counting, and going back-and-forth between both partners. Daera having to be careful due to attire, and Solomon having to keep a keen eye due to recklessness.

“Don’t step on my foot, Mon.”

The boy snicked, his hand meeting her body again. “Don’t call me that either.”

Daera lets out a small laugh, leaning in to whisper in his ear. “We both don’t and won’t at all get what we want,” she mockingly cooed, before glancing at the other contestants.

Solomon hummed, “You too?”

“They were right,” she shrugged, pulling herself towards him as he twirled her around. “Ravens are desperate.”

Just as the Red couple finished their perfectly executed routine, the crowd went wild. It wasn't for the old performance (though some eager fans were screaming out the top of their lungs how much they adore the choreography), but instead, of what came next. Hearing the emcee boast the team name loudly, as it was time for him and her to enter the stage.

“Now it's time forrrrrr…”

And there they were, walking out into the crowd as the voices got louder. His hand in hers, with her other one outstretched to welcome the praises and hopes of everyone who eyes the couple. His was behind his back, moreso out of requirement than actual respect. 

“Couple 1-0-7 of the Blaaaack Raaaaveeeens!” 

And suddenly, Solomon once more, began hating the excessive attention.

The announcer’s booming voice echoed through the grand hall, and Solomon felt the collective gaze of hundreds pressing down on them like a weighted spotlight.

His grip on Daera’s hand tightened instinctively. She smiled, effortlessly poised, her free arm gracefully extended toward the roaring crowd. To them, she was a picture of confidence and beauty. But Solomon—Solomon felt his skin crawl under the suffocating attention. His own way of masking the unease was a more blank expression, having a subtle smile to not seem too intimidating.

As they took their positions, Daera turned her head just slightly, her voice a gentle murmur only he could hear.

“Careful.”

He nodded, his movements stiff.

“Like what we practiced,” she added, quick-witted but soft enough for no one else to hear.

His jaw tightened, but he complied, forcing himself to mimic the fluidity of her steps.

“Slow down,” she said next, her words barely audible over the growing rhythm of the music.

He could hear the sparks—see them, even. Flashing bursts of white and silver dancing in the periphery, electrifying the air.

Sparks. Sparkling.

When the music played its course, his view darkens. No more was the flashing light or the sight of many people, but instead his vision fogged up into pure darkness. 

To his front, Daera camouflages herself into the environment, slowly sweeping away from Solomon’s grasp. His breath hitched—no—this is bad. Solomon closed his eyes again, taking shallow deep breaths whilst hoping any judge would never notice the heaving rise and fall of his chest with every beat that exhausts from the loud speaker. 

All certainty left his fingertips. 

All he could only perceive were the tiniest glints of what looked to be golden sparkles reflected along the near end of his partner’s dress, with each synchronized tap and ‘clank’ of the leather shoe, being careful not to tug at the delicate fabric.

They weren't as grand as the colorful arrays of blue and fluorescent yellows from the ferry lights that adorned the ballroom walls, or as harsh and dizzying as the bright white and red flashes falling down from the ceiling. Nevertheless, those tiny stars alone shone brighter than even the warmest hues of candles hung by the chandelier.

Much like someone he knew, it sparked like gold.

Suddenly the hand of his mate felt weightless. Suddenly what little that clung to the cuff of his sleeve pulled away, from a dance it became a chase. The grand decorations mounted on the walls; the little fairy lights barricaded by wilted vines. 

Away from the bustling sounds of each garish 'clink' of wine glasses and the malodor aroma of liquor and dates from the judges. 

Away from the sweet-salty smell of buttered caramel popcorn or the loud wisp of the referee’s whistle.

 Away from the drama, the noise, Daera and the Ravens—with him and only the reignited flame of a suppressed spark.

For now, it was not Daera, but the fires of Hell coming to dance with him. Hallowed be his name, the kingdom comes on earth as it would in heaven. Given this day that he would be forgiven of his wrongdoings, but instead be inflicted upon the same wrongdoings done by others against him.

Leave him to rest, and chase after the ignition before it eventually distinguishes.

His eyes would squint with how the fire takes shape, rising below the hem of the dress and blooming into a familiar face. The coldness of his hand was replaced by a relaxing warmth of a calmer sensation, as instead of his shoulder, it glided itself behind his back.

It was burning, but he couldn't feel it but was drawn to it like a moth to a flame. He’d follow the rhythm, at one point snapping his fingers just to keep up with the quick-ever-changing tempo of the song. While still slow, he maintained his guard— ‘one minute, thirty seconds,’ he reminded himself.

But as the tone reached its highest point, Solomon went lower. Kneeling down, feeling the electrifying kiss of the flamed figure on his forehead. He had his eyes closed, careful breathing so as to not break away from the dream.

So as to not break away from the incarnate of the flames figure, who cheekily rushes away from him as soon as seconds passed. He would get back up, but he knelt a while longer; arm outstretched while the sparks circle around him. 

As Solomon knelt in the whirlwind of golden sparks, the music surged again, a crescendo that seemed to vibrate through his bones. The flamed-figure danced around him, its movements fluid and almost playful, yet hauntingly precise. Its form was ephemeral, a shimmering silhouette of yellow and orange, its edges flickering like tongues of fire reaching toward the heavens.

The crowd faded to the background, their cheers muffled, as if a veil had been drawn between Solomon and the world. It was him. Only him and the person of flames at this second.

The flames’ glow intensified, casting long, flickering shadows on the polished floor. Daera’s absence was like a hollow echo in his mind, but he couldn’t focus on it now. Not that she even mattered to begin with. 

The figure demanded his full attention. It wasn’t just a dance anymore—it was a confrontation, a test of his will, his control. 

Of his skill, of his wit, of his charisma… of his fate, his wisdom, his will.

The figure darted toward him suddenly, stopping just short of his chest. Its “hand” hovered, not quite touching him, but close enough that he could feel the searing heat radiating from it. 

Solomon’s breath caught in his throat. 

The figure tilted its head, as though studying him, and for the briefest moment, he thought he saw a pair of eyes within the fire—eyes that were sharp, piercing, and all too knowing.

“Starlight?” 

He stuttered, and the lights flickered back on.

What surrounded him was no longer the nightly darkness, but the uproar of the applause. Looking down was not the warmth of the fire, but the coldness of Daera clinging to his arm, looking away and smiling at the crowd.

His eyes wandered again, looking for any sign of that spark.

Nothing.

Clearing his throat, he lets go of his partner, carefully helping her with her dress as he and her both bow down to the audience. All directions, all for the maximum points.

At the corner of his eyes lay the framework of the flamed person. There you were, cheering loudly whilst wearing the infamous red jersey, one adsorbed with scales of a fierce dragon, as you bore those cheap fire sunglasses you had.

Solomon couldn't help but smile, you looked cute.

Solomon could also not help but look bitter, eyeing the sign you held. “We are Fire. We are Thunder. We are Power: Go Go Red!” 

Solomon, as much as he hated to admit, saw red.

"Forfeit?"

Satan gasped, fingers clenching around the cold soda can. "You forfeited our last hope for top 3?"

"I'm the crowd favourite still, aren't I?"

The blonde could only sigh; dropping the poor abused can on the wooden table before his fingers rested atop the bridge of his nose.

"You fucking moron," said Satan. "You do know that each dance is worth 180 points of the total- nearly the third most worthwhile event just behind Fangol and Basketball?"

Solomon gives a faux pout. "But I though the audience's reaction already puts me at a comfortable first place?"

"Of course, IF popular vote was part of the criteria."

"Then wouldn't the judges share the same feeling?" Solomon asked again. "Relax, I got the top 2."

Solomon leaned back in his chair, his eyes drifting to the window, gazing out at the horizon where the faint glow of dusk was beginning to creep in. The words hung heavy in the air, unspoken but understood between them.

"I thought you moved on," Satan muttered, his voice low. "But it seemed like you weren't."

"I thought so too," Solomon replied with a chuckle, eyes closed shut with a half-hearted smile. "Can't really help it. Trying your best only to see them cheer for someone else."

"That's why you gave up?"

"Hm?"

"Is that why you practically crouched down earlier to the point Daera had to improv?"

Solomon shrugged. "They know."

"My Diavolo, Solomon."

For a moment, the blonde was taken aback. It wasn't unusual for there to be sudden confessions between contestants inside this more "accessible" version of the fall, but as Satan recalled, Solomon had never been this vulnerable with anyone.

Much less the likes of him.

"Are you confident then if they like it?" he asked, raising a brow.

Solomon could only sigh dreamily. His eyes opened a final time, taking a final glance at his good friend.

"What do you think?"

© 𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 2024. do not copy, modify, or repost any work as your own.

18.12.2024 | dividers by enchanthings

[fandom-rants-here]

I'm kind of stupid and slow on things and have only in the past few months started getting into D&D, so bare with me on this. Also, correct me if I fuck anything up.

I'm starting with Mike because I'm looking into paladins right now and recently saw a post that the paladin description reminded me of.

In the post, op talked about how, to Mike, promises were a really big thing. Something people don't break. Ever.

He, as far as I remember and based off of the only two moments mentioned in the post, only makes two promises. Both to El and both of which he is visibly hesitant about making. He knows what promises mean to himself and how he explain them to Eleven. No matter how his feelings change, he does not break his promises.

Now, this ties into his character as a paladin as they are described like this, "Paladins are united by their oaths to stand against the forces of annihilation and corruption. Whether sworn before a god’s altar, in a sacred glade before nature spirits, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witnesses, a Paladin’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion." (D&D and Beyond)

An oath and a promise are practically the same thing, especially given the context. I think that this is another reason Mike's character was chosen to be a paladin. Yes, he's a leader and yes, he defends people, but there also the oath aspect of his character. These three things delve into so much of Mike's actions throughout the show.

Will calling Mike "The Heart" isn't just because he's super fucking gay for him, but Mike is one of the main connectors and leaders of The Party. Lucas and Will met because Mike befriended them both. El met The Party because Mike hid her in the basement. Jonathan and Nancy got close because their brothers were close. Mike is the first of the main Party to have any connection with Steve (even if it isn't the strongest literally ever). He, especially in seasons 1 and 2 (before he has a major fucking identity crisis and all that good shit) is a major leader and strategist.

He physically defends the people around him at his own expense all the fucking time. Season 1 when he jumps off the cliff (that needs to be brought up omg). Season 2 when Dart dares to even look in Will's direction and Mike tries to kill the fucker immediately. Season 3 when he tries to fight Billy multiple times in hand to hand combat. Season 4 where he activley puts himself between Will and the bullets as much as he can. He fucking defends the people around him. (There's more, but I'm clearly not good at being brief.)

And the whole thing with one fucking promise when he was like 13 dictating his whole damn life for well over a year. He promised El to take her to the Snowball. A simple promise that he thought would help her, and it did. But then that led to them dating. And it was fine because they'd kiss and hang out at Hopper's cabin but at least he can hang out with everyone else outside of that. And then Hopper makes him lie to El, which leads to the break up. Sure, Mike's a bit bummed and a hell of a lot confused, but he's ranting to his friends and it's fine.

And amidst his whole "They're conspiring" bullshit, he says he loves El. Looking at his and everyone else's face, ain't nobody expect that, especially not Mike himself. But El hears say that, and she says she loves him too before kissing him goodbye. Most people would be fucking thrilled. Not Mike though. He looks confused and sad. but El is in Cali so he's fucking fine.

But it just got worse and now he won't let himself back out. Now he has to be her boyfriend, now he has to keep her happy, now he has to do all these things even though he doesn't anymore. By the end of season 4, El doesn't need him anymore. But he doesn't kmow that, so he lies to her (something he really does not like doing). And, again, he can't get out.

Mike dictates his whole damn life around promises. Paladin fucking behavior.

[erogenousmind]

Agreement

"Amazing things start to happen when you combine all those ideas together," Paul said. Laney could feel his excitement. She could see it in his eyes. It was palpable. She loved that energy. It was contagious. She couldn't help but want to know more. It was so satisfying to listen to someone speak so passionately about something that meant so much to them. She nodded along, eager to hear more.

"Let's say we start with conformity," Paul continued. "You see how someone else behaves or how they respond, especially to a novel situation. A situation where you aren't sure how you yourself should respond. You are predisposed to follow their example and respond the same way they did. The more unusual the situation feels to you, the easier it is to conform. And the more you see people respond that way, the easier it is for you to follow. Or if you feel some special connection with them, it feels natural to do exactly what they did."

That made sense to Laney. She could remember quite a few new experiences she had had with Paul. Times when she didn't know what to do, or what to feel. But the image was so clear in her mind. She had seen what others did, seen how much they had enjoyed it. Seen how Paul encouraged them. Seen what he had done for them with just a few words of encouragement…

"And you couple that with expectation. Where you know what you are supposed to do. Where you've been told what is the right response, the right feeling. Even the right thoughts to have about something. Our minds are so receptive to those kinds of prompts. All it takes is the right encouragement. The right incentives.

"And here's where it gets so much more fascinating. Those expectations. The people whose example you follow. They don't need to be real. You can know they are entirely a product of your own mind. But you make them real. You create your own example to follow. You can even create your own rewards for behaving the way you imagine you are expected to behave. Isn't that incredible?"

"It is!" Laney responded enthusiastically, her eyes wide. She wasn't sure she understood. She could imagine someone in her mind. Imagine how they would act. How they would behave. And that would make it easier for her to do the same? And the more vividly she could picture it, the easier it would be. Something about that felt so exciting to her, but she couldn't exactly say what.

"And here's where you can really start to encourage behaviors. Because you know saying 'yes' makes saying yes easier. How after just a few times, your yes starts to become automatic, doesn't it?" Paul was smiling now happy to be able to share his ideas with Laney.

"Yeah, it does." Laney was starting to get it. She was beginning to understand just how powerful this could be. Using that power the mind had to do amazing things with the way you think.

"So we combine that with even more powerful ideas, like non sequitur," Paul continued. "And when we think about conformity and yes sets, you can imagine what happens in your own mind when you see someone repeating 'yes' over and over again, can't you?"

"Yes," Laney repeated. It seemed so simple. You could see someone agreeing over and over again. They didn't even need to be a real person. It can be someone who was described to you, or someone you invented in your own mind. But you would, subconsciously, want to follow them. Would want to do exactly what they were doing. And if they were becoming more and more agreeable every time they said "yes" then you would too, wouldn't you?

"And that's why it feels so good when you can say yes over and over again. It gives your mind and your body that extra pleasure doesn't it?"

"Mhmm." And it did too. Laney felt wonderful. Paul was right that saying yes would just make her feel better and better.

"So of course, agreeing with me makes it easier to relax, because it feels so good. And that makes it easier to think less about what you are agreeing with. It's easier to focus on how good agreeing feels, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"So it only feels natural for me to think for you since you aren't thinking anymore. You can imagine all those thoughts just drifting out of your head. You can see it, can't you?" Yes. "And if you can picture it in your mind, if you see that girl becoming more and more mindless as she happily agrees, it is so natural for it to happen to you as well. Isn't that right?" Yes. "And the only thing that needs to come into your head is what I'm telling you about how good it feels to agree and follow along with that image you've made in your mind of what happens when you encounter the unexpected when you are commanded to SLEEP

Deep into trance. You see her so clearly as her mind stops. As the Laney in your head surrenders all her thoughts. As she feels my words replace her thoughts. As I think for her. And you can see how good it makes her feel. How excited she is, even without thoughts. And your mind can only allow itself to follow her. So hard to think of anything else but slipping down into that mindless bliss. Isn't that right?

Yes

But the more of you that slips away, the more you cling to my words. The deeper you feel them sink into you. The more they become a part of you. The more you need to follow them. To do as you are told. You want to do as you are told, don't you?

Yes

Becoming more obedient to my words just as you see the Laney in your mind becoming more obedient. And the more obedient she becomes, the better she feels. The picture is so clear in your mind, isn't it? How happy it makes her to obey. How eager she is to be told what to think and do and feel.

Yes

And the image in your mind can take on a life of its own. As Laney is commanded and as she eagerly obeys. You can see her following the suggestions that that deepest part of you needs. See her commanded to become what you have always wanted to be. See her transformed. And if she is transformed, you know you are transformed as well, don't you?

Yes

It is becoming automatic for her. Automatic for you. Whatever thoughts may still be in your head, they are no longer connected to what you do or to how you feel. Laney does as she is told. Feels as she is told. I put a thought in her head, and it becomes part of her. I give a suggestion and she follows it. I command, she obeys. And she is so eager too, isn't she? Yes It feels so good for her to do as she is told. To respond so enthusiastically to everything that is done with her. Everything that is done to her mind. All she can do is say "Yes" Yes And you are like her, aren't you?

Yes

Thinking what you are told. Following what you are told. Obeying what you are told. My words penetrate deeper than any thought in your head. You obey without thought. You might not even notice your response. And that's alright isn't it? Yes All you need to do is agree and do as you are told. Because doing as you are told feels so good, doesn't it? Yes Even as my words slip deeper into you, as they take over your mind and your body, it just feels better and better. Mindlessly following. Because you want this. You need it, deep down. It feels so right to accept it into you. To surrender. And it happens so powerfully, just like you see it happening to Laney. See her captivated. Enthralled. And it can happen to you too. It is happening to you. You know how to let it happen. What do you need to say to allow yourself to feel the bliss of being owned and obedient?

Yes

[aetherghouls]

I am relistening to the entirety of The Magnus Archives and it's the first time I've done full relisten since I got infected with Modern Warfare and now I am plagued with a thought of codmw x tma

I'm trying to figure out what Fears would fit each one of them

Of course, considering that they are military, the most obvious answer would be the Hunt; considering that all important police officers in TMA are servants of the Hunt. Besides that also Slaughter, maybe, considering that many statements are about soldiers, however the Hunt makes much more sense, looking at what exactly TF141 specialises in. But I do also think the Hunt would be both too easy and would ignore the complexities of the characters as a whole. So, here's a rough idea of what Entities I think would match each of them the most:

(and a quick TW as I will be discussing many common fears and it's a bit too much to list them all)

— Ghost would either be the End or the Buried – the latter in case we talk about '09 Ghost or take the comic book as '22 Ghost's background too. I don't think there's much to add about him here, he is, after all, considered to be the embodiment of Death in cod.

— Gaz would be the Vast or the Hunt – first one is, I admit with shame, inspired by the heli scene in MW2, but some of the missions we play as Gaz just match it too, though it is kind of a stretch. I was thinking about the Lonely, but he doesn't strike me as the type to be targeted by it in the long run, even more to be its servant. Vast makes much more sense here.

— Soap would be the Desolation – the Lightless Flame is quite obvious in his case, being demolitions expert and all, the way he looks at explosions. It is such a simple choice I didn't even hesitate here. UNLESS we talk about Captain MacTavish, then it's Hunt through and through, no questions asked, he is the hunter.

— Price is kind of tricky in my opinion – he matches the Hunt the most out of them all I think, though all of the team does. Maybe aspects of the Slaughter, the things from statements related to military (which, also drives it into the territory of the End in this case). If we talk about '09 Modern Warfare Captain Price, it is the Lonely, mixed with Slaughter and Hunt and maybe the End, but Lonely is the biggest part of it, looking at how he's the only one that survived through the games.

— Talking about the '09 Modern Warfare, Roach! Couldn't miss him, of course. Lonely, probably, he does strike me as the type that would relish in being alone and so being its servant makes sense, somehow. Though if we play with it more, take his call sign into consideration, the Corruption, but not the way Jane Prentiss was the Flesh Hive, just bugs and the skin crawling parts, no rot or decay. It would tie together with how he could have gotten his call sign.

— Laswell would be the Eye – another easy one, considering that she's mostly there as a kind of an informant, gathering intel and all. Not much more to say.

— Nikolai would also be the Vast – it's tied to him being a pilot more than anything else, spending so much time alone in the vastness of the sky. No notes here.

— Makarov is the Slaughter – just like before, easy one, but I do think that, unlike with Price, it includes all of the aspects of the Fear. Pure, unpredictable violence, cold blooded murder. The Hunt, too, maybe, only if we were to think of him as a hunter who kills for the sake of it, not for the hunt itself but for the end goal (so it's a slight sprinkle of the Hunt, as it is about the process itself, not the end). Honestly, thinking about it like that, I think he could lean into the Flesh more than Hunt? Something to think about for the future.

— Shepherd would be the Web — with how he plots and lies, with everything he did "for the country", the Web is another obvious choice here, it makes perfect sense. He is the one pulling the strings behind the scenes, getting others to do his dirty work, it's perfect.

I have some other thoughts (Graves and Shadows being the Hunt/Slaughter maybe), but this is all I have for now I think. It could easily be mixed more with other AUs (looking at bluegiragi's Monster AU, which itself could give much more nuance to the Fears that could fit the characters based on what creatures and monsters the characters are in that AU. Example: Simon in that AU would be serving the Dark and the End)

No one is probably reading this either way and I don't think there's much overlap in the fandoms, but I do think this is a fun idea of mixing both universes and there's much more to be said about it all, if anyone ever wants to hear me yap more :D

It is heavily unedited and just written in the moment, it may not make much sense and I may revisit this to correct some stuff (like how I keep mixing Flesh and Slaughter into one thing 🧍)

[thoughtfulfangirling]

The fire looked at home in her eyes, and it was true that for the rest of Yael’s life, Angela would never see it die out. Her family’s ranch was always burning in her eyes, and because it never left her vision, she never saw the flowers that grew later.

AHHH! I remember reading this! I'm so excited to read it again. Talk about evocative, powerful language! And really, one does not need to know a thing about Overwatch for this. God just go back up right now and read it if you haven't already.

Angela understood. In the way that it felt easy to let go of the sound her name had made on her parents’ lips, she imagined it must be so simple to slip into another name entirely. There was the name of who you were before, and you were after.

God, as a master of rambling, to evoke such a profound sense of experiences in so few words without losing any of the potency of that story... god it's so good!

Yael had somehow seemed to know this, and sat next to her on the bus up to the mountain, smiling as she looped a bunch of flowers she’d picked from the field, one over and around the other, until she’s made a crown, and plopped it onto Angela’s head with a grin.

OMG The call back to the flowers! She can pick them and she can mold them, and maybe perhaps, the fire hasn't drowned them out yet, but she's not admiring their beauty here. She's keeping her hands busy. She's picked them, robbed them of life. Not, I think, any sort of moral commentary on picking flowers here. Just... on their own it's not enough, but they haven't slipped entirely from her fingers yet, but they will. But perhaps it's more telling that she doesn't keep them for herself. She crowns Angela, like a prescient nod to the fact that Angela will always tend the flowers and keep the fire at bay. Light without burning up.

Angela sat, looking at her feet, wondering where they would go, looking at Yael’s hand, wondering where it would lead her, looking at the edge of the fire, envying its ability to burn. She did not burn. She had seen enough of burning, and would not embrace it.

Hehehe Angela will not burn. But god the way this is phrased just does it for me. 'wondering where it would lead her, looking at the edge of the fire' YAEL WOULD LEAD YOU TO FIRE BUT YOU WON'T KNOW HOW TO BURN

Fire warps and twists even the strongest metal sometimes, it seems. ... Yael looked at her for the first time, their bright blue eyes siblings but never twins, two halves of the same whole. ... Fire warps and twists even the strongest metal sometimes, it seems. ... Yael looked at her for the first time, their bright blue eyes siblings but never twins, two halves of the same whole. ... They sat, watching the fire crackle and pop and burn, sending bits of light out into the darkness, even knowing they would likely be extinguished, the fire still had to try. ... Everything existing had its opposite, her mother had told her, and when Angela was a woman not only by tradition, but by experience, she would come to understand that opposites were not only black and white, but the blue of a healing rain and the orange of a blazing fire.

Immaculate!

Set Fire to the Rain

@rhiorhino‘s prompt was “Tell me literally everything about Yael so here is the beginning of their lives intertwining. I hope you like it. 

Mercy’s mother had told her, that everything existing had its opposite. That light could not exist without the shadow, that the land was made real by the sea, that good could only persevere if there was the wall of evil to climb, and this was why so many things we would rather not have were present in this world.  That all these things were present in all humanity, as well.

Like many things her mother had said to her, it had not quite clicked into place until she was much older.

She had been thirteen, and did not understand these things, staring into a fire as other children who had lost just as much as she had warbled Hebrew songs off key. She looked down at the nametag on her chest, bearing a simple “Angela” and the small flags of the languages she spoke.

She’d stopped trying to correct the pronunciation of her name. It was mostly English spoken here, and she imagined it would be the same as she went into the international medical community. It didn’t matter anyway.

Keep reading

[sirnica]

List of demands for my next love interest of any kind when I finally come to my senses:

Punctual! I cannot deal with these slow ass bitches who think clock is a suggestion!

The happiest go luckiest mother effer in the world. I have depression and anxiety! Why am I always the sunshine in these grumpy sunshine situations?! Hakuna matata mother fuckers.

At least marginally more put together than I am. That's not so difficult. I'm a fucking mess.

Big fuckin boobs. I'm taking D cups at least! I'm lesbian because I like women and their boobs!

Since I'm being petty:

And what's up with these short ass names for pets? Mia? Ella? That's what people call their rabbits!

I need me a Jovana, or a Sabiha, or Azemina or a Gertrude.

The last one is mean and petty and I know it.

And the most important one:

Actually likes me!

[songforten]

can anyone explain to me at what point rose tyler was "unbelievably stupid". was it when she was inventing transdimensional travel

[invinciblerodent]

Replaying from the beginning, I don't think I'll ever get over the fact that Astarion actually expected us to not immediately clock that he's a vampire. And I know this has been said before, but it's so hilarious.

He's over there, thinking himself suave and secretive, with such decor as...

A clearly bloody glass cup sitting right in front of his tent, in a puddle of blood, as the very first thing you see

another bloody goblet at his feet, with stains that do not look anything like wine on his white carpet

jars of blood inside his open tent, complete with a very clear bloodstain on the pallet under his bedroll

this clearly labeled bloodbank jar, covered in bloodstains, just on the table right next to him

this veritable dinner table napkin covered in blood, and of course, the pièce de résistance,

the fucking mirror in clear view, angled perfectly so that if he wasn't a vampire, you should be able to see his ass in it in premier plan when approaching from the campfire.

Not only is he very clearly a vampire, but he's also an excessively messy eater, which honestly makes the fact that he is only revealed on the third night a downright humiliating admonishment of the party's collective intelligence.

(Though, armed with the knowledge that he cannot seem to keep blood in his mouth, there is also some real potential here for the first act of physical tenderness he experiences in centuries to be the player character just... absently wiping a drop of their blood off his chin with their hand after a feeding.)