#that i had to explain all of that for it to make sense to anyone who didn't

[justjudethoughts]

This is all so, so, so good but I want to circle back to the "not like other girls" trope, because I think this is a rare case where the presence of the trope actually makes sense. 1) all of the discussion above explains how Lucy's dislike of girls is not the same thing as the normal application of the trope, so that's already been handle. Also, it's been explained that her issue with Holly isn't simply Holly being a girl. BUT 2) we know Lucy struggles to have female friendships. She literally tells us that in TWS. And I think one of the hugely negative affects of the overuse of the "not like other girls" trope in media is that it has completely undermined one of the main sources of that belief in young girls. One is obviously the societal belief that femininity is somehow ditzy. The other (and this was my experience in middle school and high school) is that groups of young girls can be very, very, very mean. Anyone who had a major clique in their class growing up knows that. The girls left on the outside of the clique tend to develop an "us vs them" mentality as a result of having been left out. They decide they are "different" than the clique, which makes sense, because isn't that why they weren't included? So "I'm not like those girls" becomes "I'm not like other girls" and "I'm talking to the boys in my class because the girls are being mean" becomes "boys are simply easier to be friends with in general."

Now, what does this all have to do with Lucy? As mentioned before, she has a very negative experience with her sisters. And, while we aren't told about Lucy's early childhood education, she doesn't strike me as someone who would have been the most popular girl in school. It's very possible that Lucy has made the fallacious, but common, jump from "some girls are judgemental and catty" to "all girls are judgemental and catty." Ironically, this belief makes her more judgemental and catty around girls.

The BIGGEST L in the Lockwood and co series is Lucy hating Holly on instinct. Do you know how hard girls packbond? Holly pulls up and Lucy would be like “thank fuck ur here i was all alone in the Testosterdome” and Holly would be like “tea!! 👀”

[ethereacals]

so american <3

summary: Remus grows attached to an American transfer student from Ilvermorny.

trope: idiots in love, grumpy x sunshine, slight fast burn

pairings: remus lupin x gryffindor!american!reader

pt; 1-?

contents; people make fun of readers accent, reader was a thunderbird but is now a gryffindor

wc; 1.9k

THE LONG AWAITED DAY HAD FINALLY ARRIVED

Ever since your mom and dad had let you know that they had gotten job offers with the british Ministry of Magic, you couldn’t wait to finally become a student at Hogwarts.

Sure— Ilvermorny had it’s specialties, but Hogwarts? Hogwarts was easily the best wizarding school in all of the world.

And that’s why you simply couldn’t wait to attend.

You had heard so many incredible things about the teachers, the castle, and even the students.

Though— the excitement wasn’t necessarily fending off the nerves.

You were coming in as a 5th year, a 5th year who had no friends, no house, and no grasp of any sort of british wizarding culture.

People had started their friendships as first years, and closed their inner circles off to outsiders looking in.

So that left you to try and find some sort of place in the world, and everything was new and scary.

Admittedly— it did feel a bit embarrassing as you sat on the boat took 1st years across the Black Lake.

You towered over them, but in this technicalities (except for age and height) you were the same as them.

As the boats neared the boathouse; your anxiety seemed to grow.

Again, you felt a bit silly standing amongst the young 1st years as Professor McGonagall explained the houses and their attributes to everyone before entering the infamous Great Hall.

“Welcome to Hogwarts. Now, in a few moments, you will pass through these doors and join your classmates. But before you can take your seats, you must be sorted into your houses. They are Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Now while you're here, your house will be like your family. Your triumphs will earn you points. Any rule breaking, and you will lose points. At the end of the year, the house with the most points is awarded the house cup.” McGonagall smiled warmly, as she answered a few questions from the 1st years with ease.

Allegedly, the ceiling was enchanted to look like a clear night sky.

You couldn’t wait to see it, Ilvermorny had nothing like that.

Back to the houses, you had always wondered what house you would be placed in— even before you attending Hogwarts was a blip on anyone’s radar.

You were a proud representative of Thunderbird back home, hopefully you would make them proud.

Snapping you out of your thoughts, with a swish of her wand— the doors to the Great Hall opened.

Revealing the four large tables, each seemingly representing a different house.

The stares and whispers that followed your arrival were nerve-wracking, you stuck out like a sore thumb.

“All right, will you wait along here, please? Now, before we begin, Professor Dumbledore would like to say a few words.” Professor McGonagall explained, stepping aside so the 1st years could see.

Dumbledore rose from the main table in the center.

“I have a few start-of-term notices I wish to announce. The first years, please note that the Dark Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Moreover, swimming in the Black Lake is strictly prohibited unless you would like to become lunch for the giant squid who resides inside. Thank you.” Dumbledore seemed to smile softly at you— probably because he could sense your nerves.

Even people at Ilvermorny would boast about Dumbledore.

“When I call your name, you will come forth. I shall place the sorting hat on your head, and you will be sorted into your houses.” She began to call up 1st year after 1st year, as chatter rose over the students— seemingly chatting about who was getting placed where.

“Y/N L/N.”

When your name was called, the hall went silent.

You could nearly feel the prying eyes burning into your skin as you stepped up to the stool.

As she placed the hat down on your head, the battered old thing sprung to life.

“Ah… different from the rest, are we?” He inquired, shifting around on your head uncomfortably.

“Y-yes.. I suppose.” You stuttered quietly.

“A Thunderbird, were you? I believe I know where you go.” He began, the anticipation was thick in the air.

“GRYFFINDOR!”

He shouted, and cheers erupted throughout the room. Even McGonagall seemed pleased.

You stepped down from the stool, and towards the Gryffindor table when—

“Psst, Psst!” A ginger-haired girl called you over, a warm smile on her face as her two friends looked in your direction.

You walked towards them, and slid yourself down into the empty seat on the bench.

“You, you’re the new fifth year?” She questioned nicely.

“Yes, I am” You smiled, as her smile dropped— her eyes lighting up in surprise.

“Y—You’re american?!” Her blonde-haired friend exclaimed in bafflement, her hands slamming down on the table as food appeared on the table for the great feast.

“Umm, yes..?” You looked around at the three girls, and one of them gave you a smile.

“I’m Mary, Mary Macdonald. Since these two don’t seem to be giving you a proper introduction— This is Lily Evans, and That’s Marlene Mckinnon.” She stated simply.

“Oh, come on, Mars. I was just about to introduce myself.” Marlene rolled her eyes playfully, and gave Mary a small nudge.

“I’m sorry if we made you feel uncomfortable, I mean— I’ve never met an American before.” Lily apologized, her smile returning to her freckle-stricken face.

“It’s alright, I understand.” You laughed, beaming at Lily.

“Well— This is my one of my boyfriends, Jame— James!”

Lily looked over at James disappointedly, as he was seemingly trying to steal from her plate.

“Sorry, my love.” James smiled guiltily, before turning his attention to you.

“It’s nice to meet you, Y/N” He shook your hand strongly.

“It’s nice to meet you, too, James.”

His eyes widened comically in response to your response.

“Y—You’re american?” He whispered from across the table, as if he was asking something highly inappropriate.

You giggled, “Yes, I am.”

“Pads, Pads!” Sirius grabbed the shoulders of the boy next to him and jostled him around to get his attention.

“Merlin’s tits— What, Prongs?” Sirius sighed exasperatedly.

“Here— Y/N, say hello again.” James asked of you.

“…Hello.”

Sirius gasped rather dramatically, his eyes nearly widening the same as James’

“She’s… You’re.. not… british?” You bursted into a fit of laughter with Lily, and Sirius looked baffled.

“Wait— Wait— In America… What do you call it when two people snog?” He asked, as Lily shot him a glare.

“What does “snog” mean?” You asked innocently.

“It basically means when two people kiss feverishly.” Marlene explained, as Sirius playfully eyed you up and down.

“I could always… show you?” He joked flirtatiously, and earned a painful jab into the ribs by James.

“So, you mean making out?” You answered, still a bit confused.

“Making out? How uneducated.” Sirius huffed, turning back to this plate full of food.

Suddenly— You met the auburn eyes of a quiet, scarred, gentle giant whose skin was a lovely shade of olive, and littered with freckles.

“Hi, Y/n. I’m sorry about them.” He spoke, leaning over Mary to speak with you.

“It’s alright, I promise.” He didn’t seem very phased by your accent, but on the inside— it drove him crazy.

“My name is Remus, Remus Lupin.” He smiled gently, that smile must have been hand-picked by angels.

“It’s great to meet you, Remus.” You beamed at him.

“You aswell, Y/N”

And that was the day that Remus Lupin fell head over heels for the sweet American girl.

FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS, Remus throughly enjoyed watching you discover the abundance of magic in Hogwarts.

To you— it seemed like everything was new and exciting.

It felt like everything was new and exciting for him, too.

And for once, Remus actually cared about the place he had honestly been taking for granted for five long years.

Perhaps it was the way that your eyes lit up every time you happened upon an enchanted painting, or all of the questions you asked regarding the logistics behind the giant squid.

For whatever reason, Remus found you extremely intriguing.

Though, Remus vowed he would never tell you.

It would be his last wish in life to force anything upon someone as lovely as you.

So, he stayed quiet.

"Remus, I don't understand!” You sighed exasperatedly.

“What do you mean there’s a room that shifts itself into anything you require? How?” You pointed your finger at the door that had just appeared out of nowhere on a blank wall on the way to the Astronomy Tower.

“No one really knows, Dove. Sorry.” Remus cooed, patting your shoulder consolingly as he led you to Astronomy.

Remus was the only one of your newfound friends that had decided to take Astronomy this year, seeing as Sirius and James took it last year just to get it over with.

You quite enjoyed looking at Remus, admiring how his unexplainable scars were illuminated by the moonlight shining in from the large open walls.

Even in your few first days at Hogwarts, you could tell that you would grow to adore it.

You might have adored spending time with Remus even more, and you were especially in luck since Professor Sinistra assigned three hours of star-charting and you were to do the assignment in partners.

So, that's why you and Remus were up at the Astronomy Tower at 2am on a Friday (with a teachers excuse to be up past curfew).

"Do you ever miss your parents when your away at school?" You asked Remus.

He was certainly the quiet type, and that intrigued you.

"Sometimes, but I usually see them over Christmas break. I mainly write them letters after every full moon." He stated simply, before realizing what he accidentally slipped out.

"After every full moon?" You questioned, furrowing your brow as he seemed to quickly explain himself.

"It's a thing... my mum insists upon." He evaded any other questions regarding the matter, much to your chagrin.

He wished he could open up to you, but he still basically didn't know you.

He had no knowledge what-so-ever on your views on Werewolves.

He couldn't risk destroying a friendship that could eventually be the purest and most authentic he'd ever had.

Sure, James and Sirius were incredible mates, and so was Peter.

But for some unexplainable reason; Remus could speak to you.

He never felt uncomfortable with talking about his thoughts or feelings around you, and he only could hope that you felt the same.

You were both different, well- different but in two very significantly different ways. But you were still two individuals who didn't really fit in with the crowd.

"Have you missed Ilvermorny, yet?" Remus gazed towards you as you switched places. You on the telescope and him charting what you find.

"Same as you, really. Not much, even though I haven't been here for long yet. It feels a bit more... homely, than Ilvermorny ever did." You admitted, concentrating deeply on the assignment.

"I understand, It was probably an interesting change." Remus related deeply.

"An interesting one? Absolutely, but a welcomed change, for sure." You smiled, turning back to face him and explain to him what you had seen in the stars.

Oh, yes. This was the beginning of something truly beautiful.

[zeroseuniverse]

Facts Or Fiction?

Word Count: 1.6K Summary: She looked up, her expression unreadable. “The right question is whether I’d stop if I could.” “And would you?” Her lips curved into a faint, almost wistful smile. “I don’t know how.” Pairing: Jay X fem reader

Disclaimer: Please be aware that this is apart of the from the ashes series. This series will have aspects of violence, weapons, angst, blood, injuries, killing, and will heavily focus on oppression and segregation of mutants, Look after your mental state if any of these make you uncomfortable please.

Series Masterlist

The rain hammered against the glass walls of the skybridge, drowning out the noise of the city below. Jay leaned against the railing, pretending to check his phone while scanning the crowd. His contact had assured him she’d show up, but that had been hours ago. The longer he waited, the more he felt the creeping sense of regret for agreeing to meet her in such an exposed location.

She was the city’s most wanted criminal—if anyone even knew her face. The government had labeled her a terrorist; her supporters called her a savior. To him, she was a mystery wrapped in contradictions, and for reasons he couldn’t yet explain, he couldn’t stop chasing her story.

A faint reflection caught his eye. A figure emerged from the crowd, her hood pulled low to hide her face, raindrops sliding off the sleek fabric of her coat. She walked with a calculated confidence, her boots clicking against the floor. She stopped a few feet away, close enough to speak but far enough to evade a trap.

“So,” she said, her voice low and laced with suspicion. “You’re the journalist who’s been so desperate to find me. I’ll admit, you’ve got guts.”

Jay straightened, slipping his phone into his pocket. “I figured it was time someone heard your side of the story.”

Her lips twitched into a humorless smile. “My side? You think you’ll print the truth and the world will suddenly change? That’s naive, even for someone like you.”

“I’m not naïve,” Jay shot back. “I know the risks. I also know the difference between justice and revenge. I’m here to understand which side of the line you’re on.”

She stepped closer, the light catching the sharp angles of her face beneath the hood. Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, he saw something flicker there—curiosity, maybe even amusement.

“Fine,” she said. “But know this, Jay. If you twist my words, I won’t hesitate to make you regret it.”

She turned, motioning for him to follow. “Come on. Let’s see if you’re as brave as you seem.”

Jay hesitated only briefly before falling into step behind her, the weight of his recorder suddenly feeling heavier in his pocket.

Jay trailed behind her as they exited the skybridge and descended into the depths of the city. The streets here were a world apart from the sterile, drone-policed districts above. Neon signs flickered over makeshift stalls, the air thick with the smell of fried food and damp concrete.

She moved through the chaos like a shadow, her hood shielding most of her face, but it didn’t matter. People recognized her anyway.

A man selling spare parts for outdated tech straightened as she passed, nodding respectfully. A group of children darting between the stalls paused long enough to wave at her, grinning as she tossed them a small pouch—likely food credits or something more valuable.

“She’s here,” someone whispered from a nearby stall, and the woman behind it quickly tucked something under her counter, casting a wary glance around as if her presence alone could ward off danger.

Jay noted it all, his journalist’s eye catching every glance, every quiet acknowledgment. These people weren’t afraid of her. If anything, they admired her. To them, she wasn’t a criminal—she was a symbol.

“You have quite the fan club,” Jay murmured, unable to keep the sarcasm out of his tone.

She glanced over her shoulder, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “They’re not fans. They’re survivors. And unlike the ones sitting comfortably in glass towers, they know the cost of survival.”

Jay fell silent, taking in the resilience etched into the faces of the people around him. It was a stark contrast to the polished, disconnected world he usually reported on.

As they continued deeper into the district, he noticed other quirks about her. The way her fingers tapped rhythmically against her thigh, like she was always counting something—steps, seconds, maybe risks. Or how she scanned every alley and rooftop without breaking stride, her eyes sharp and calculating.

She stopped suddenly, turning to face him with an unreadable expression. “Do you always stare this much, or am I just that fascinating?”

Jay blinked, caught off guard. “I’m just…observing.”

“Careful with that. Observing too much around here can get you killed.” Her tone was teasing, but the edge in her eyes told him she wasn’t entirely joking.

They reached an unmarked door tucked between two stalls. She knocked twice in a deliberate pattern, and the door creaked open. A young woman peered out, her face lighting up when she saw her.

“You’re back,” the woman said, stepping aside to let them in. Her gaze flicked to Jay, narrowing with suspicion.

“He’s with me,” She said simply. It was enough to quiet the woman’s protests, though she continued to watch Jay like he might explode at any moment.

Inside, the space was cluttered but warm—a makeshift hub of activity. Maps and screens covered the walls, and a group of people huddled around a table, their conversation falling silent as she entered.

One of them, a grizzled man with a scar across his cheek, stood up and crossed his arms. “Bringing a reporter here, boss? That’s a new one.”

“He’s here to listen, not talk,” she replied. She turned to Jay, her expression softening ever so slightly. “At least, for now.”

Jay couldn’t decide what struck him more: the weight of her presence in the room or the trust these people clearly placed in her. She wasn’t just their leader—she was their hope.

The tension in the room was palpable. Jay could feel the weight of their stares, suspicion radiating from every corner as she led him to a quieter space—an alcove separated by tattered curtains. The hum of activity outside became muffled, leaving only the faint echo of raindrops against the roof.

She gestured to a mismatched chair near a battered table, sinking into the one opposite him. She pulled her hood back, revealing sharp eyes that seemed to pierce through him, and rested her elbows on the table.

“Let’s get one thing straight,” she began, her voice low and measured. “This isn’t a courtesy. I’m not here to satisfy your curiosity or paint myself as some misunderstood hero. I’m here because you might have a use. If I don’t like where this goes, you’ll walk out of here with nothing. Clear?”

Jay nodded, pulling out his recorder. “Crystal.”

She gave a short, humorless laugh. “Good. Now, ask your questions.”

Jay hesitated for a moment, organizing his thoughts. Then, he leaned forward, his voice steady. “You’ve been labeled a terrorist. Some say you’re no better than the syndicates you fight. What would you say to those people?”

She raised an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. “I’d say they’ve been drinking too much government Kool-Aid. It’s easy to throw labels around when you’re sitting comfortably, watching the chaos on a screen. But those people? They don’t know what it’s like to starve, to lose everything, to have the system chew you up and spit you out.”

Her eyes darkened, and Jay caught the way her fingers began tapping against the table—quick, precise, restless. “I do what needs to be done. If that makes me a villain, so be it.”

Jay pressed on. “And the collateral damage? The civilians caught in the crossfire—what about them?”

She scoffed. “You think the corporations and the government aren’t leaving bodies in their wake every day? The only difference is, they’ve got spin doctors to clean up the narrative. My actions may be messy, but they’re honest. Can you say the same for the people you write about?”

Jay opened his mouth to respond, but she cut him off, leaning forward now, her eyes blazing. “You call me reckless, but you’re the one printing stories about corruption and syndicate ties. How many death threats have you gotten this week? How many times have you had to look over your shoulder, wondering if you’ll make it home?”

Her words hit harder than he expected, and for a moment, he was at a loss. She leaned back again, a bitter smile tugging at her lips. “That’s what I thought.”

Jay found his voice, his tone softer this time. “You make a point, but there’s a difference between exposing the truth and taking lives. You don’t seem to believe in that line anymore.”

Her gaze softened, though the fire in her eyes didn’t entirely fade. “Maybe I don’t. Or maybe I’ve just seen too much to believe that playing nice will ever change anything.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Jay studied her, noticing the subtle contradictions in her demeanor—the sharpness in her tone offset by the way her hands trembled ever so slightly when she stopped tapping. The way her eyes, no matter how fierce, betrayed a deep exhaustion.

Finally, he asked, “If you could do it all over again, would you? Would you still choose this path?”

She let out a long breath, her gaze dropping to the table. “That’s not the right question.”

“Then what is?”

She looked up, her expression unreadable. “The right question is whether I’d stop if I could.”

“And would you?”

Her lips curved into a faint, almost wistful smile. “I don’t know how.”

Jay stared at her, his recorder forgotten for a moment. In that instant, she wasn’t just the shadowy figure plastered across wanted posters or the symbol of defiance revered by the people outside. She was human—complex, conflicted, and achingly real.

“You’re not what I expected,” he admitted.

“And you’re not as naïve as I thought,” she replied, a flicker of amusement in her voice. “Maybe this interview won’t be a total waste after all.”

[bowsnstrings]

Mikasa and Milana cruised down the highway, the early afternoon sun casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape as they went inland to the city. They’d been talking about this spa day for weeks, a long overdue escape from their hectic lives. The stresses of school, work, family, and all the unnecessary fighting had built up in ways they hadn’t even fully realized until now.

“Do you think they’ll actually be able to fix my back?” Mikasa asked, wincing as she shifted in the passenger seat. The knot in her shoulders had been there for days, maybe weeks, and nothing seemed to help.

“If anyone can, it’s this place,” Milana replied, glancing at her friend as she applied a coat of oil to her puckered lips. “My Grandma swears by it. She says they do more than just massages- they’re practically miracle workers.”

Mikasa chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, I’m up for a miracle. I feel like I’m about to collapse into a pile of bones every time I walk. I can't believe it's been so long since we had a real girls day.” She said, a smile tugging at her lips as she exited, pulling her sunglasses back to see the street ahead.

“I know!” Milana agreed, looking through the window with a content humm. “We both need this. I’m so ready to forget about everything. Just relax.”

Mikasa shot her a side glance, her hands steady on the wheel. “Especially after everything you've been dealing with, right?” Milana’s gaze softened, and she nodded. She appreciated Mikasa’s understanding, how she never pushed her to talk, but also how she was always ready to listen when Milana was ready to share.

The last few days had been better, especially after talking things out with Ony. Milana’s mind briefly wandered back to that evening at the party, but now she could only blush as everything circled back to what happened afterwards. Getting through everything made things so much better between them, and now all they’d been doing was being honest and open with each other while making up for all the hurt. The spa today was his idea too, a way to feel better physically and mentally, convincing her quickly as he kissed her cheek sweetly.

She was happy to take his advice, the car humming steadily as they navigated their way through the sleek, modern district. Tall glass buildings glittered in the fading sunlight, and the streets bustled with the usual evening rush. After a few turns, they arrived at the spa; a contemporary, minimalist space that promised luxury and tranquility, with its large glass windows and welcoming wooden doors. Milana sighed as they stepped out of her friend's vehicle, stretching her arms above her head as her purse dangled over her shoulder.

Inside the building, the air was warm and lightly scented with lavender. The receptionist, a woman with long blonde hair and a soft smile, greeted them immediately. “Welcome! How can we help you today?” Mikasa explained that they had reservations, and she perked up even further. “We’ve been expecting you. Your rooms are ready. Follow me, please.” Milana followed Mikasa through the elegantly decorated hall, with the sound of soft music floating from hidden speakers.

Everything was designed to induce a sense of peace. There were no phones, no distractions, only the promise of relaxation. She felt herself unwinding with every step. As they passed through the last hallway and toward the treatment area, Milana noticed a wooden door at the end of the corridor, slightly ajar. She curiously watched it open, wanting to see if that was the changing area when her eyes met the last person she expected—Sasha.

The two locked eyes, and an awkward silence stretched between them. Milana's throat tightened, the weight of their recent fight still lingering in the back of her mind. Sasha cleared her throat, a half-smile tugging at her lips. “Hey, Milana,” She greeted, her voice soft but unsure. Her brown hair wrapped up in a bun, the robe on her showing that she was here for the spa as well.

Milana forced a smile, trying to suppress the uncomfortable tension rising in her chest. “Oh… hey, Sasha. Didn't expect to see you here.” She tried not to seem like she wasn’t happy to see her friend, of course she was, but things were just a little tense right now.

Sasha shifted, clearly just as unsure about the situation. “Oh… Mikasa said you’d be excited.” Both of them turned towards Mikasa, looking less than impressed at her little scheme as she only shrugged, looking unusually calm for someone who knew about the rift between her two friends.

Milana frowned, trying to process the underlying meaning behind Sasha's words. “So, Mikasa… knew you'd be here?” She asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended.

Sasha shrugged, glancing back at Mikasa. “I guess she’s been keeping an eye on things.” Her tone was neutral, but there was a hint of something else, maybe frustration, maybe a trace of guilt, Milana couldn’t quite tell.

“Right,” She mumbled quietly, the hurt from their last argument still echoing in her chest. She had hoped that things would smooth over by now, but it was clear that the damage had stuck, even if they had made up. Sasha hesitated, her lips parting as if she wanted to say more but wasn’t sure how. They both shifted to Mikasa, who hadn’t moved, but there was an unreadable expression on her face.

“I guess we'll go get relaxed, then.” Mikasa said cheerfully, the tone a lot happier than what either of them would expect. Milana decided to just follow after her, entering the room Sasha came out of as her mind swirled with the thought of what came next.

The door sounded softly as it closed behind them. The familiar, soothing scent of calming essential oils in the air, but it did little to calm the uneasy knot in her stomach. She moved toward an open locker, her mind elsewhere, focused on the discomfort that still lingered between her and Sasha.

As she began to change into her robe, she couldn’t help but replay the events of the past few days. Her fingers fumbled with the fabric as the weight of their disagreement weighed heavy. She hadn’t expected to find herself here, stuck in this awkward limbo with her best friend, not after everything they’d been through.

Sasha had always been the person Milana could talk to about anything. They went through it all together growing up in school, they shared the ups and downs, the fights, and the laughter. But now they were out of step, and all because her friend couldn’t see how good her boyfriend was to her. It felt like a wall had gone up between them, and no matter how much they tried to patch things up, it was still there, making every interaction strained and awkward. Even though neither of them wanted to acknowledge that.

Milana tugged the robe tighter around her body, her eyes unfocused as she looked at her reflection in the locker room mirror, her expression a mix of frustration and confusion. Mikasa was beside her, calmly folding her clothes, unaffected by the tension that had been growing in the air.

“Why didn’t you tell me Sasha was coming?” Milana’s voice was annoyed, though she tried to keep it low, aware of the other guests around them. “I mean, you don’t even agree with her, and you didn’t think I deserved a heads-up?”

Mikasa paused for a moment, her back still turned as she organized her things. She exhaled softly before responding in her usual steady, calm tone. “Because you would’ve acted way more awkward about it, Lana.” She said simply put, not meeting Milana's gaze. “I don’t want to force you into making up, but I think it’s for the best.”

Milana’s eyes narrowed, her hands resting on her hips. “But you knew how weird it would be. I barely made up with her the first time, and now I’m stuck trying to act like everything’s fine when it’s not?”

Mikasa finally turned to face her, her expression unwavering. “I know it’s not easy,” She said, her voice steady but not apologetic. “But if you’re upset with her then talk it out. No more of this, ‘I’ll just hide until the problem is solved’ mentality. No one can fix things for you, Milana. You need to confront it yourself.” She glanced toward the door, her eyes softening just slightly. “I didn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation, but now that she’s here, just talk to her.”

The words hit Milana harder than she expected. There was a sting of truth in them, and like always Mikasa wasn’t wrong. She did need to face Sasha, no matter how uncomfortable it was. This wasn’t something anyone else could fix for her, and avoiding it wasn’t an option. “Ugh,” Milana muttered, leaning against the locker. “I guess you’re right, but it still doesn’t make it easier.”

Mikasa gave her a small, encouraging smile. “You’ll be fine. Don’t stress about it, we’re at a spa for God’s sake.” Milana exhaled, feeling a little more grounded now. She wasn’t sure what would come next with Sasha, but Mikasa had made one thing clear: it was her turn to take the step.

If she truly wanted to make things right, it had to come from her, no one else. With a final, lingering look at Mikasa, Milana grabbed her towel, determined to face the next challenge, whatever that might be.

During the mud wraps, the silence between them was deafening. The spa attendants spread the thick, cool sludge over their bodies, massaging it gently as the relaxing music played in the background. Mikasa was lying next to Milana, but every time she glanced at Sasha from two beds over she could see the same careful distance, the same hesitation.

Milana kept her eyes closed, breathing deeply to focus on the calming noises and sensations happening, trying her best to lose herself in the experience. Her mind wandered, thinking of the most random things to stop trying to focus on what she should say to Sasha. Her fingers tapped against the side of the chair and she felt her friends looking towards her, trying to at least enjoy this experience for just a few minutes longer.

When the mud was finally washed away and they were wrapped in soft towels, Milana’s mind was still racing. Sasha’s quiet presence felt like a heavy weight in the room, and she was doing everything in her power to ignore it. But Mikasa was watching, and she wasn’t about to let her friends wallow in her avoidance for much longer.

Milana reached for the treatment plan list left on the side table next to her, reading through some of the things they offered. One particularly caught her eye, especially since she had an obsession with keeping her skin smooth and silky. “Should I get a wax?” She asked aloud, thinking momentarily about how she’d look completely bare.

She had a has a wax pot at home for her underarms and legs, but usually she shaved downstairs. That hadn’t been done in some weeks though, and she was getting tired of how hard she had to work between her legs. Mikasa had laughed softly, breaking her from her train of thought and smiled at her.

“Do it, your boyfriend might not want anything between him and his meal.” Milana rolled her eyes, pushing her away as Mikasa leaned in, wiggling her tongue at her annoyingly. She told her to shut up, before falling back into silence, noticing Sasha was about to speak up.

She cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice casual. “Do you really think he cares about stuff like that?” Sasha’s voice felt tight, like the words were too big to come out as easily as she wanted.

Milana blinked, the sudden shift in the conversation not lost on her. “What do you mean?” She set the paper aside, now giving Sasha her full attention.

Sasha shifted uncomfortably in her chair, rubbing the back of her neck. She wanted to say something, to explain that she wasn’t trying to be judgmental, but the words kept slipping away. “I just… I don’t know. Is he being superficial about that?” She muttered, looking down at her hands.

“No. He hasn’t even seen me down there to know what’s going on.” She tried to be playful about it like they used to, but it didn’t go with the moment, Sasha just sighing and fiddling with her hair.

“Good that’s good.” It didn’t sound good, not when the words hung in the air, heavier than she had intended. Milana huffed, turning to face her friend, expression filled with hurt and frustration too. The distance between them had only grown since that last argument, and Sasha knew it.

“Look,” She exhaled slowly, her voice calmer than before. “Sasha, I know you’re not a fan of Ony. But I want you to understand… he’s not like that. He’s not gonna hurt me or anything, he just wants to take care of me. I know you probably heard the worst of him when he was running around with Eren, but he’s a good person.” Milana met her gaze, and for a moment, Sasha felt the weight of their unresolved conflict. “I care about him, and I just want you to see that.”

Sasha’s heart squeezed, wanting to believe her friend, really, she did. But there was still a part of her that saw Ony, especially since Connie told her all about him. He grew up in the Graves for crying out loud, the birthplace of thugs, killers, and worse. With his occupation too, it was only making her more fearful. The thought of losing her best friend over this was terrifying, but Sasha didn’t want to sit back and stay silent, either.

“I know you care about him, Milana,” Sasha said, her voice quieter now. “But sometimes I feel like he’s just… he’s not the best for you. I just want you to be happy and safe, you know?”

There it was, the elephant in the room, the thing Sasha had been trying to say for weeks. The thing that had driven a wedge between them. Milana exhaled softly, then stood up and walked over to Sasha. There was no anger in her expression, no defensiveness. Instead, Milana sat down next to her friend, looking her in the eyes.

“I know you’re worried,” Milana said, her voice gentle now. “And I know I’ve been stubborn about this. But, Sasha… I value your opinion more than you know. You’ve always been there for me. I don’t want to lose you over this, and I know I’ve been kind of… pushing you away with all the Ony talk.”

Sasha’s breath caught in her throat, and she had to blink a few times to clear the sudden lump in her throat. “You’re my best friend, Milana,” She whispered truthfully, her emotions getting the better of her. “I just want to make sure you’re not being… hurt.”

Milana’s eyes softened, and she gave Sasha a small, appreciative smile. “I get it, and I hear you. I’ll be mindful of that. But I promise you, I’m happy with Ony. I know he’d never do anything besides keep me safe and happy. I just… I need you to trust me on that.”

Sasha felt the tension in her chest slowly begin to loosen. The fear, the anxiety about losing Milana, started to dissolve with every word. “I trust you, Lana,” She replied, her voice finally steady again. “I just want you to be sure. You’re my best friend. I’ll always have your back.”

Milana reached out and gave Sasha a hug, one that felt like a quiet promise. “And I’ll always have yours,” She whispered right to her, squeezing tight.

Mikasa, who had been sitting quietly through the exchange, finally spoke up with a playful grin. “Okay, okay. Enough emotional bonding for today, ladies. We’re at the spa, remember? Who’s getting a massage, and who’s getting their wax?”

Sasha chuckled, the tension now fully lifted. “I think I’ll stick with the massage,” She said, nudging Milana gently. “But you should definitely go for the wax, Milana, I wanna see how cute it’ll look.”

Milana rolled her eyes but grinned. “In your dreams heifer.” She stuck her tongue out, jumping back when Sasha leaned in trying to give her a kiss in retaliation. “Stop, I liked you better when you were trying to kiss Connie, not me.” That had all of them laughing, enjoying the rest of their relaxing time, at least until an hour later.

Sasha, Milana, and Mikasa all shuffled out of their respective rooms, moving toward different corners of the locker room mirrors, still feeling the after effects of their treatments. Milana was the first to take a peek down her robe, her face flushed and a little sheepish but clearly proud. Her movements slow and deliberate as she walks with an exaggerated waddle, clearly aware of the tender skin beneath.

Mikasa followed suit, adjusting her robe with a mischievous grin. “I swear, with the way we’re walking right now, we look like those women beat our asses.” She joked, glancing over at Milana.

Sasha, releasing the tension of their earlier conversation, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the three of them waddling side by side. “Honestly, I never thought I'd be admiring a bare cooch, but here we are.”

Milana shot Sasha a playful glance. “You’re telling me you don’t love this right now?” She teased, raising an eyebrow and turning slightly as if to show off her fresh wax.

Sasha raised her hands in mock surrender. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to go through what you did. I’m still sore just watching you!”

“Well, it's worth it!” Milana exclaimed with a wink. “You have no idea how satisfying it feels to be completely bare. I’m going to glide through the rest of my day… like a dolphin.”

The three of them reached the row of full-length benches near the lounge area, and they all paused to relax after the pain. Sasha turned to Mikasa. "So, Mika, how’s your skin? Feel like a new woman?"

Mikasa looked back down her robe before, snickering at what she saw. “You know what? Not bad. Not bad at all. I might actually enjoy being this smooth, and I think girls will like it too.”

Milana, grinning, sidled up next to Mikasa as she checked out her own reflection. “It’s like I’m a different person. I feel so sleek, you guys.” She gave her skin a little tap, as if admiring the baby-soft texture.

Sasha shot her a playful look. “Yeah, you feel different ‘cause that lady ripped off skin.”

“And cobwebs.” Mikasa added in as they both giggled, leaning into each other.

“Ha, Ha.” Milana mock-scowled, but then couldn’t help bursting out laughing. “Do not start though, I might’ve had cobwebs, but y’all each had about ten pounds of hair to shed.”

Mikasa, always the neutral party, just grinned as she ran a hand over her own skin. “At least we look like a bunch of models now. But seriously, it’s like we’ve all been reborn. Smooth skin, refreshed souls, good vibes. Spa days for the win.”

Sasha scooted back a little, still smiling, wanting to see her other friend too as she spoke. “I’m glad we did this together,” She said, glancing between Milana and Mikasa. “Even if I’ll never go through the pain again, it feels nice to just… enjoy each other’s company.”

Milana turned to her, her expression softening. “Yeah, I’m glad we’re all here, too. I know things have been a little weird with us, but this—today—feels good, right? Just us three. No drama, no stress.”

Sasha nodded, feeling the weight of their earlier conversation but also the warmth of the friendship that had never truly gone away. “Yeah, it feels really good.” The three of them sat there for a moment, admiring their smooth skin in the mirrors, the awkwardness of the past slowly slipping away as they focused on what mattered most, finding ice packs for their coochies.

Ony stepped through the spa’s glass doors, scanning the room for Milana, looking a bit out of place with his imposing figure. People were walking around him, trying to avoid his hardened gaze as he stood waiting. It wasn’t hard to spot her, as she came from a back room, her expression a little more relaxed than it had been earlier. As soon as their eyes met, her face softened into a smile, liting up as a sense of comfort returned to her.

“Hey,” She greeted him with a long hug, her voice light and filled with warmth after all the relaxation she endured. “Thanks for picking me up.”

Ony grinned, his tall frame swaying them slightly, rocking them back and forth as he held her for a moment, his arms wrapping around her in that familiar, loving way. “Hey, beautiful,” He whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. The gentleness of his embrace felt like the perfect antidote to soothe her soreness away.

As he pulled back, his eyes shifted to the two girls standing a little further off, Sasha and Mikasa. He couldn’t help but notice Sasha immediately stiffening at his presence. Her smile was tight, polite, but there was a clear tension in her posture, as though she didn’t know how to act around him after their earlier exchanges.

Milana noticed, too, but she gave Sasha an apologetic look before turning back to Ony. “How was the spa day?” His tone easy as he directed it over to the two, watching them linger awkwardly, exchanging glances.

Sasha’s expression faltered slightly at the sight of Ony, and she shifted on her feet, her usual ease with him slipping into something more uncomfortable. “Uh, hey, Ony,” She coughed out, a little too casually, as though unsure how to act after everything that had happened between them. “It was good.”

Ony noticed the awkwardness immediately, raising an eyebrow. He didn’t mention it, though, just giving Sasha a friendly nod. As he let go of Milana, he leaned down to give her a kiss to her lips, pecking softly, mindful of the fact that she was around her friends before walking towards the reception desk.

“Hey, how much?” He casually pulled out his wallet, his movements smooth and unhurried, and handed the spa receptionist his card.

“For her, just-”

“Nah, sorry. For all three.” That had everyone in the room perking up, especially considering the amount he had to pay to cover their entire day. Milana’s eyes widened in surprise. “Ony, you don’t have to-”

“It’s my pleasure, Ma.” Ony threw her a casual smile, happy seeing the way Sasha was beaming too. “Consider it a small gesture. You’re Milana’s friends, and I’m all for showing appreciation.” His voice had a playful but sincere tone as he glanced at Sasha, his smile not wavering.

Sasha’s awkwardness deepened, but she couldn’t help but smile back at his charm. “You’re sure?” She asked, still a little hesitant. “You know Connie doesn’t mind the extra charge on his card.” That at least got them to laugh things off a little.

“Positive,” Ony replied smoothly. “Just happy you’ve all been there for Milana, and that's worth something.” His eyes softened as he looked at his girl, watching her practically melt at his sweetness. Mikasa, who had been quietly observing, spoke up with a quiet but appreciative smile.

“Well, I can’t turn down a free spa day. That’s really kind of you, Ony.”

“It’s nothing,” He said it with a light shrug, swiping his card with no hesitation. “Glad you guys had fun.”

Sasha, still a bit unsure, relaxed slightly, her tension easing just enough to give Ony a grateful nod. “Well, if you insist… I guess we can’t say no.”

Milana, watching the interaction, felt a surge of gratitude for Ony’s generosity. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more comfortable atmosphere, though a sense of unease still lingered just beneath the surface, especially for Sasha.

“You’re amazing,” Milana said quietly to Ony, reaching to grasp his hand, the warmth of his gesture making her feel lighter. He held her back, pulling her into him to sling his arm around her, smiling all teasingly.

“Anything for you,” He replied, sincere with his radiant smile beaming down at her, then he turned back toward the door. “Alright, let’s get out of here. If you smile any wider I’ll start paying for other people’s massages.”

The girls nodded, laughing at his joke as they all waddled slightly behind him. It wasn’t all resolved, but with Ony’s thoughtful gesture, the heavy atmosphere was beginning to shift toward something a little more comfortable. And as they left the spa together, Milana couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief, even if the lingering tension with Sasha hadn’t disappeared completely. At least, for now, they were all in a better place.

More of Milana here 🎀

[diamondkat]

The poll ends with 46.9% of Vox fans also loving Valentino. This number might have been lower if I had tagged it correctly from the start. A point was made by@staticmothhell a few hours into the post that by tagging only staticmoth and none of the other Vox ships, I might not reach the full target sample. Adding other ships saw the number of people who liked both Vox and Valentino immediately begin to decline and drop by about 11%. Yet it can be said that very few Vox fans actually hate Valentino and this is something that I don't think would have changed even if I added all the necessary tags.

I want to say thank you to everyone who participated and left comments on this post. It gave me a lot to think about.

@minimosquitogirl along with a few others pointed out how SA made it harder for people to like Valentino as it tends to hit harder for most people. However, it was @redladydeath's tag that really made me think about how Velvette and Vox's evil doesn't register in the same way for most people. Velevette might help with making the love potion but we don't see her personally use it and she might be verbally abusive to her staff but it is followed by a report of Valentino literally ripping one of her staff members apart. Vox is an obvious stalker who likes to mind-control people and helps enable Valentino but one of the main people he targets is Alastor. His behaviour towards Alastor would likely raise red flags with anyone else but Alastor makes him look ineffectual and harmless. Valentino, on the other hand, has been seen on screen physically and sexually abusing Angel Dust who is completely powerless against him. This makes his evil more real to people than the others. My stance on the matter remains the same as @eggcats who agrees that hating Valentino fans while liking the other Vees just feels ridiculous.

However, it turns out that even those who hate Valentino like @terminallyuncapricious have the understanding that harassment is not acceptable. They also shared some interesting points about their experiences with the matter.

@diffidentphantom was an absolute delight for changing things up by liking Valentino more than Vox. They said, "It’s kind of hard to explain." Yet it makes perfect sense to me. Hazbin Hotel offers a wide selection of villains for villain fans and some villains just call out to you more than others even if they are not the fan favourite.

I was having a chat with someone about all the hate Valentino and his fans get and how it doesn't make sense that Valentino fans get so much hatred when the other Vees, particularly Vox has a lot of fans that don't get the same treatment. This made me wonder if there are Vox fans who also feel that way about Valentino. I am personally of the opinion that if they exist, they would be a tiny minority. It has never made sense to me that villain fans would look down on fellow villain fans. However, opinion isn't the same as reality so I need emprical evidence.

The hate option is for those deeply hate Valentino. If you don't hate the character enough to be constantly wishing for their death and for it being incomprehensible to you why annyone would like them, pick dislike.

[spliqi]

higuchi thoughts of the day: as much as i love the idea of her having some devastatingly destructive ability… her having a healing/support ability would explain so much of her character. like. her high ranking in the mafia despite (as far as we know) not being extraordinarily strong. her assignment to akutagawa + his resentment of her + her being so overprotective of him. the irl author’s connection to mori and yosano. dw about it

[mazojo]

Anyways XO Kitty love interests summarized

Dae

Min Ho

Yuri

[panchulien]

You guys have no idea how often I think about Divorced NikPrice. all thanks to @shyravenns for planting the idea in my head ofc <3

Both of them being single ever since they 'separated' because they just cannot move on, every attempt at dating other people failing either because the other sabotages it or threaten the potential interests. Possessive freaks. Y'know how it goes. They mess with one another and always come back to each other.

But Nikolai takes it a bit too far one time, and he gets involved with one of Price's operations. Chimera operators basically do the same thing as a Special Operation team, no? They're just less bound by the rules. So when Price gets sent on a job, only to find that it's already been taken care of by none other than his ex husband, he's fuming. And to others it may seem like a coincidence or a flaw in the intel, but John immediately understands Nikolai is involved because he left a message. Sort of like the one he did with the police.

Cut to Price angrily pacing around the room with Nikolai leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a shit eating grin on his face, satisfied with his work. John's so mad. ''You're crazy'' he says loudly, ''You don't just go and mess with big scale operations like that. My operations.'' He tries justifying his anger. (Truth is, it's already justified since Nikolai wasted precious time and equipment just by getting Price's team there on a bust operation. But he's making it personal)

And Nik just calmly approaches him, not even moved by the sudden display of anger, he always liked seeing that side of John, really. Less composed, more honest, eyes bright with raw emotion. He's proud of his work. Walks up to him, arms open wide, inviting John to surrender.

''I did what's best for you, John. You know I only want you to be safe. You could've gotten hurt. I saw an opportunity and took it.'' He's just saying shit at this point. Price doesn't believe him. Not when Nikolai is making it this hard for him to move on, not when it always circles back to him. And most of all Price's frustrated with himself for still being so in love with the bastard.

[fortunemars]

i actually have many thoughts on this!!

so for one, i think its really obvious that michi did something messed up to Laurence in the werewolf wedding arc (mcd season 2- episodes 17-21 approx). The way she talks to him before she kidnapped them and when she SOLD HIM OUT because he didn't want to 'play' with her is just. gross.

Things michi said to/about laurence in this arc: (under the page break cause there will be a lot of text)

Episode 17:

(to aphmau) "Is that human male over there your lover, by any chance?" (she makes sly eyes at Laurence) "I see... there is osmething between you two... It would be a shame if another woman who was cuter than you came and snatched him away from you now, wouldn't it?"

(to laurence): "Anything for a cutie like you! say... do you think I'm cuter than Aphmau?" "Come on, admit it! cat-girls are much cuter than regular girls!" (Laurence responds: im sorry, but at the moment im not interested in anyone but Aphmau.) Michi responds: "don't you want to make her jealous with me...?" (before walking towards him, pinning him against a bookshelf with her arms) (Laurence responds: H-HEY! G-GET OFF ME!)

(The three then pass out, Michi gives both Aphmau and Katelyn to the werewolf tribe, keeping Laurence to herself)

Episode 19:

(to the werewolf king): "This male Meif'wa here, this is her lover. I have no need for him since he didn't want to have fun with me at al Hmph!" (Laurence responds: "there's not exactly much of you to have fun with") "HOW DARE YOU!- i mean... hehe... I brought him here because it would be such a shame if he was allowed to roam around. what if he gets ideas to be with your son's fiancé behind his back?" (then, in response to the king telling her to take payment and leave): "with pleasure! see you later lover boy~"

---

So i mean generally the stuff she says to/about him is gross, but also considering the fact that she had him ALONE for at least an entire day, he was brought to the werewolves with different ragged clothes, and his comment about 'there's not much to have fun with' implying she at the very least *tried* to do something to him? generally it's gross and i hate it, but it also make his interactions in this arc feel kinda different.

Because 1 he is immediately forced into a shitty situation because of michi's meddling (being threatened to be executed) 2 he doesn't have any background information of aphmau and fenrir's relationship (all he's told is that they would be married), he just knows that aphmau doesn't know this werewolf and has been sold to the tribe the way he was.

idk just,, thinking about how Laurence only just escaped being held captive by Michi (where she does gods know what!!), having his control and consent toyed with, and then having his control taken by a different group of people (being put in a jail with no information except that he would die after watching aphmau get married)?

of course he'd be extra scared for aphmau on her wedding day!! he's sitting there, chained up and afraid, watching aphmau as she's about to be tied to a man she doesn't know, it would absolutely make sense that he'd freak tf out!! He's just experienced the dread and disgust of being forced into something against his will, he doesn't want aphmau to experience that either, especially if he wasn't able to help.

Laurence frequently struggles with feeling useless, or feeling like he has no control (especially over himself, his shadow knight form, or the safety of his friends). Really the interactions with michi would only make these feelings worse. it really isn't much of a stretch to say this experience would fuck him over for the rest of the show

I'm not sure i got my point across well, i have so many thoughts but they're mostly just a jumble of feelings in my head xD I will absolutely explain further if needed

I think there’s a decent case to be made that MCD Laurance was a victim of some form of sexual assault by Michi and that informs a lot of his actions in season two, but I don’t know if I’m reaching or not.

[hylianane]

A big part of the Haikyuu rewatch is watching the characters interact and worrying that I fandomized their relationships too much in my head, particularly with the Karasuno first years because Hinata and Kags keep Yamaguchi and Tsukishima at arm’s length for so long. But then I remember. Oh wait the squad is literally Hinata’s phone background by the end of the story. You don’t put a picture of just some dudes in your after school club as your phone background.

[nnnn99999]

This post is a result of a note that has been sitting in my drafts since the first episode. It was sitting there for so long because I was waiting for the series to end to see if they would continue this theme to the end, and they did. So here is my essay on family as one of the central themes of peaceful property.

Family has always been my top priority in life. This is actually one of the reasons why I was so touched by peaceful property. Because this series gave me so many different types of familial bonds, good and bad. Because of who I am, I have a hard time relating to romantic love. It's not that I can't feel romantic love, it's just I don't really understand it that well. I have a superficial idea of it, but I've never felt it myself. But familial love is something I can definitely relate to and understand, so peaceful property was such a comfortable watch for me.

So what is family? Or a better question might be, what makes someone family? Family is the people you love and trust unconditionally, the ones you want to stay with for the rest of your life, the ones you find comfort with in the hardest of times, the ones you want to protect with your life, the ones with whom you share such an unbreakable bond that no matter what happens you find your way back to them. You may or may not have blood ties with family, but you definitely have strong emotional ties that can't be broken. This is what family means to me.

From the very beginning, peaceful property gave us different types of families, most of which are non-traditional. Peach and Pangpang, Home and his grandfather and Somkid, Kan and her single father, Suradech as a loner, Rak with her parents and husband, the magician and his sick daughter, Phoom and Vicha, Rider and Tharnsai, Somkid and Yai and finally Home, Peach, Pangpang, Kan and Suradech- all of these are the different families I can remember from the show. (I might be missing some since I'm writing this whole thing from memory but if I don't remember it, it means I didn't care about it.)

My point is, from the very beginning, this show was exploring different kinds of family dynamics. At first, I thought this show wanted to say something about capitalism and classism. But by ep 4, I was questioning my own assumption. By ep 6, I had a new perspective. In my opinion, this show only introduced these topics because money, status and class determine how we interact with others and how we form bonds with others. This show was always about Home's journey to finding his family. It's just that his wealth and status, how these things had been used in his favor, how he has an impact on people who don't have these things, how people perceive him because of it, how his thought process and behavior is influenced by these - all of these affect Home's quest of finding a family. It's not just his personality that matters. His upbringing, his privilege, his lack of understanding of the world due to his privilege matter too.

This is where the different family dynamics come into play. Home, who has no idea about the true meaning of his own name, has to experience all of these different family dynamics to understand what having a family feels like. The goal of the show was clear from the begininning-what is the meaning of Home? No matter how you interpret it, it is clearly about Home's personal journey.

Family was always the driving theme of this show. All actions and motivations of the characters, be it the living or the dead, can be traced back to family in some way. The first ghost helped Home meet his new family, Peach and Pangpang take Home's offer for their family, Kan wanted revenge for family, Somkid became the way he did because of family, Phoom and Vicha ended up the way they did because of family, the magician resorted to playing tricks because of family, Chef Hong's ghost couldn't pass on because she considered Peach family. Most importantly, the main cast who became a family by the end of the show. And there is still so much more sprinkled throughout that I don't have the patience to mention.

At the end of the show, Home's answer to the question "what is home" was wherever feels like home is home. The answer I got from the show is slightly different, or maybe just a little better articulated than Home's answer. What is home? The answer the show gave me was, home is where family is.

[restinpeacesensei]

suggesting something,,

[lifeofaninstigator]

"Yeah, I think so. Of course we won't get through it all tonight, but in order for you to understand what happened to me I think we'll need to look it all over." It would give Alfons a better sense of where he was coming from, which seemed more important right now than anything else. Ed wanted Alfons to take his words seriously, to understand where he was at with this. It wouldn't be enough for Alfons to agree to help him. At some point if his words weren't believed, it would likely fall apart. Ed didn't want that. Not only because he genuinely needed the help, but also because he wanted Alfons to believe him and not think he was crazy or losing his grip on reality.

The smell of coffee filled his senses as he gathered some notes with arrays written on them and laid them out on the table. Ed smiled. "Thanks for making some coffee. It smells delicious." It would be just what they needed as they poured over his notes. "I really appreciate you helping me out with all of this. I know it's a lot." He knew Alfons was busy with other things so it really meant a lot to him that his friend was willing to take some time out of his busy schedule to help.

Ed nodded then laughed a little. "Yep, there's a whole box. I've been busy every night before bed, writing things down. I guess those late nights added up." He sat down as he put the arrays side by side. "Ready to get a crash course in alchemy?" Ed was curious to how Alfons would pick up alchemy. He knew the language barrier with his other notes would be an issue, but the arrays were just pictures. Still, it would take some time to properly explain everything given that Alfons had never been exposed to it before.

He watched Alfons pick up one of his journals and open it up. Ed didn't say anything about how Alfons wouldn't be able to read what was inside. Instead he let it play out to see how Alfons would react to Amestrian. This might be the point where maybe Alfons would start to believe him. Ed knew his friend had seen several other types of language given the close proximity the countries were in this world. It would be damned near impossible not to see or at least be familiar with the language of a neighboring country. But this would be different. This would be new to him.

Ed took a sip of coffee, waiting for Alfons to finish flipping through the journal. When Alfons looked at him with shock on his face, Ed gave him a weak smile. "Weird seeing it instead of just me talking about it. It's Amestrian. My native language. I wrote my notes in it because it's more comfortable for me to do so, and also because I didn't want anyone to be able to read it in case my notes were found. You're the only person I've showed this to."

He wasn't sure what else to say about it. There was no hiding anything now. "I know this is probably strange for you, but this is what I've been telling you about. I wasn't lying, and I'm not going crazy. I'm really not from this world. I need you to believe me or at least consider it a possibility."

"Every one?" Alfons blinked as he tried to imagine how much they would be going through, but he nodded with piqued curiosity. That sounded like a lot of arrays, but if it would help him to get a better understanding of alchemy, Alfons would go through each of them with the same level of detail, asking questions and comparing them to each other. He wasn't sure what exactly he expected to find out of them, but maybe it would make more sense after looking over a few.

He let Ed head off to his room to get the notes while the water boiled. It wasn't long before he he'd pushed the chair he'd been sitting in back to return to the whistling kettle and pouring them each a steaming mug. Black, of course, but he liked to think it wasn't impossible for that to change next time if they'd already gotten their hands on a large tin of coffee.

Hearing footsteps behind him, he glanced over his shoulder at his roommate returning with a more notes than he'd expected. Alfons' eyes widened a bit at the sight. He had though he would come back with a notebook or two, not a whole box. If this was something Ed had made up, he'd put much more thought and detail into it than anyone else would have. Though Alfons wasn't quite ready to accept the idea of real alchemy from another world just yet, he was beginning to feel the first creeping bit of doubt that this was something Ed had created entirely on his own.

Careful not to spill, he carried the mugs over to the table and set both them down on the longer side of the table, dragging one of the chairs over so that they could sit side by side. "There's a whole box of it?" he asked in wonder, joining Ed's side beside the box. He crouched down beside it and opened the lid, staring awestruck at the papers and notebooks inside and back up at Ed. "You wrote all this?" he asked, glancing up over his shoulder at his roommate. "How long have you been working on it? Since you moved in here?"

Curiously, he reached into the box and pulled out a notebook on the top, flipping it open casually to a random page, just to see what sort of notes Ed had been working on so scrupulously. He brow furrowed, however, as his gaze settled on an unfamiliar language covering the notebook's pages. It was unlike anything he'd ever seen or heard even passingly, making it increasingly unlikely that "Amestrian" was just another name for a neighboring country's language. He flipped to the next page, only to see the same language and some sort of circular diagram he couldn't make heads or tails of no matter how intently he stared at it. But it was definitely a complicated and distinct language, not something randomly scribbled down to embellish a story.

He slowly raised his gaze up toward his roommate's face, a bit of confusion in his eyes. "Edward, what is this? I've never seen anything like it before."

[charmac]

hey seth! i'm just a random guy that's been really into sunny for the past year, and i always love your tweets. you, loren, and anna have been on my fyp a lot the past weekend, and i know a lot of people are being assholes about it, but it's genuinely so heartwarming to see. you three definitely deserve it and are the best kind of people for this to happen to. you always come off as respectful of rcg. hope you can pass the message along to them both too! have a great day

Thank you for the kind message, I really really appreciate it and so do Anna and Loren! Glad you got into the show :)

Honestly I get people are lashing out/shit talking because it does seem kinda weird to witness through a screen how much we’ve been able to interact with them and the interactions we’ve had. I know people are jealous, too (as in have told me they are, and I was certainly jealous last year when Rob didn’t do any events in NYC bc he was sick but did them in Philly a few days later) and I totally get that. Whatever the reason for people being assholes is, I don’t really take it personally. They don’t know the full story of literally anything that happened, they’re just watching through a screen and making their own assumptions of before, after, and in between all these clips they’re seeing, and trying to find something to justify how they feel. The claims that I’ve been ‘stalking’ them or ‘overstepping boundaries’ are genuinely just funny to me when every place we’ve met them has been an event that was publicly posted to Instagram/Facebook well in advance.

(And I’m not gonna talk on Twitter about certain details of this, but I feel like I can probably disclose here that the Four Walls people approached me to tell me/give me things and not the other way around. Their socials dmed me, followed me, Rob followed me, etc. I had literally no sway in them choosing to do those things or introducing themselves to me in person and organically engaging in conversations with me.)

We want to share our interactions with RCG on social media because we think most people appreciate and enjoy their interactions with fans (and also the small amounts of Sunny info we got), and that’s it. I don’t need to share or brag about anything. I would be perfectly content keeping everything that happened this weekend to myself (I very much avoid otherwise sharing my face or voice on social media, so I genuinely have to overcome that insecurity to even be able to share these things), but we know the majority of fans like to see this stuff and that’s why we have been posting everything.

Your message (and others i’ve received) means a lot. I’m glad the majority of people are enjoying our interactions with them and I really appreciate the time you spend to send this ask, really! And I’ll be back to posting regularly scheduled actual Sunny content very shortly :)

[childrenofthesun77]

Back when mahiru thought his uncle might be dead he had a flashback to the accident that resulted in his mother's death, but one thing I noticed is that we don't actually see akira in this memory? It feels like either mahiru (or someone like lily or jeje) is supressing his memory here.

And if someone possibly killed akira on purpose, who was it and why?

[nostalgia-tblr]

mild wank

tbh the fact that they did in fact have a frost giant on the throne of asgard has made extra sceptical about a lot of this fandom's meta. i know i seem like (am) a bitch about things but i do try to see the point someone is trying to argue. okay maybe loki did try and talk thor out of going to jotunheim. maybe he didn't usually get to go on these little murder-sprees because of the social isolation of being terribly important. maybe thor and loki both started out as anti-imperialist commies. maybe they really were allergic to the solid gold palace they grew up in.

but no, i can do that less now. i just think "well, given that nobody had in several hundred years bothered to try and avoid the otherwise quite likely having of a frost giant on the etc etc, i have my doubts about this thing that character said too and how you, oh fellow traveller in fandom, have interpreted it."