#that matches where the characters are in their emotional journey

[kykyonthemoon]

Comforting

When he comforts a reader who is so stressed and upset that she bursts into tears.

── .✦ Character x Female Reader (MC)

Included parts in order: Sylus, Caleb

This is the second part of the same prompt, for the two said characters, after my first one - "Soothing" for Rafayel, Xavier and Zayne.

── .✦ Tags: fluff, hurt/comfort, comfort, long-distance relationship (Caleb's)

── .✦ Word count: 1k3

── .✦ Requested by Lightbook Aki

── .✦ Masterlist ♡ Request a fic - closed for the time being.

Sylus

"Let's go." Sylus tossed you the key to one of the two motorcycles parking in front of the flat. You were puzzled:

“To where?”

“Anywhere you want. Just ride.”

After he finished speaking, he started his motorcycle. Its scream seemed like both an invitation and an urging to you. 

You put on the helmet. Even though you constantly mentioned that you wished to ride about the city with him at night, Sylus's arrival at your door so late at night seemed odd. Particularly since you were in such a bad mood. And was it Luke and Kieran that you had just seen earlier nearby?

The motorbike that Sylus chose for you was a bit smaller than his, and matched your physique well. You did not object anymore. And so your night out began. 

A cool night wind blew. You kept on riding, not knowing where you were heading. Sylus rode safely away from you while keeping you in sight. He would sometimes approach you, as if to remind you that he had always been by your side on this journey.

Away from the noise of the city, you chose to stop on a hill on the outskirts. Sylus pulled up behind you when you got off the motorcycle and removed your helmet.

Nobody uttered a thing. Sylus waited close, watching you go around, your feet stepping on the dirt and rocks below in discomfort. After a while, when he realized he had no way of keeping you like that, Sylus approached you and gently seized your elbow, drawing you back to look at him.

"If the ride wasn't so enjoyable, we can go further."

"No... I just..." You halted because you were unsure if you should tell him or not. Was it appropriate to share such private emotions given that the two of you had just recently met?

"How do you know that I need a change of scenery? Was it Mephisto again?"

Sylus grinned. His index finger curled, and he swiped it over your nose. "Your thoughts are all reflected on your face like that. You haven't left your flat in days. Even without Mephisto, I suspect that something is wrong with you. Say it out. I am here to listen to you."

You took a brief glance at Sylus. The wind blew, ruffling the curls of hair on his forehead. You paused for a moment before telling him about how you ended up ending someone's life before they turned completely into a Wanderer on the last mission. That tormented you to no end.

When you finished the story, Sylus said: "You did what needed to be done. It wasn't your fault." He gently inclined his chin towards the gracefully illuminated city of Linkon on the horizon and continued, "This place is calm, thanks to you. You did very well."

That alone was enough to make you cry. You attempted to fight back your burning tears, but just as you were going to wipe them away and turn everywhere, Sylus grasped your hand tightly. His other hand caressed your cheek in a tender gesture, but did not wipe away your tears. He told you:

"Just let it all out."

And so you wept. You failed to recall the last time you ever sobbed like this. You had always believed that you were capable and powerful enough to battle Wanderers and defend others. But, in the end, you sought someone to tell you that you did the right thing by eliminating a soul's suffering, or that you did not have to bear it all on your own.

Sylus, resting on his motorcycle, softly raised your hand. His lips almost brushed it as he muttered, "Sometimes we have no option. Sometimes we have to deal with worse things than Wanderers. You just need to choose what is most important to you and do your best to protect it..."

Sylus halted and softly stroked your hand. His crimson eyes fixed on you, giving you an odd sense of reliability.

"Just like what I'm doing right now, protecting the most important person who is right in front of me."

Caleb

With a pleasant box of ice cream in hand, you sat on the porch of a closed business. It was dark, yet you refused to go home. You had been strolling the streets of Linkon all evening.

You did not have dinner yet. Both eyes were swollen. Your hair was a disaster. Everyone knew you had a rough day based on your look, and it was best for them to stay away from you. You searched for the phone in your coat pocket. A name displayed on the screen; it was Caleb's account.

But you sighed and put your phone away. These insignificant concerns were not worth his attention. You could manage it entirely on your own. You hoped that the next day, despite your current situation, you would return to your cheerful, active self. 

Opening the ice cream box, you began eating little spoonfuls. If Caleb was here, would it not be great? You would tell you about how you were bullied at work, unfairly accused, and how people turned their backs on you without knowing the whole story. But in the end, nothing was important anymore. Everything you could do to salvage the situation had been done. What you needed at that moment was a little consolation from someone, but that person was a long way from here.

You had learnt to handle challenges on your own when Caleb enrolled at the Academy in Skyhaven. You had always proven that you were mature and responsible enough not to disturb him. When you started this long-distance relationship, you knew he could not always come racing to you when you needed him, and there would be moments when you were entirely alone like this.

The ice cream box was about half-empty. The lightly inhabited street became even quieter. Perhaps you should go home. Still, tears went on falling. As the world faded away in weeping, you noticed that person's silhouette growing more and more apparent. Then a large hand rested on your head.

"You're all grown up, yet you're sobbing while eating ice cream here. Aren't you worried that others will laugh at you, pip-squeak?"

That voice belonged to Caleb. You rubbed your eyes. He instantly squatted in front of you, his mouth beaming and his hand aiding you in wiping away the tears.

"Caleb?"

He replied, "I'm here. Tell me. Who bullied my pipsqueak?"

You sniffled. Seeing him like that was a genuinely unexpected blessing. Of course, your spirit was also much lifted. You said:

"Who would dare to bully me? I just... wanted to eat ice cream. But how did you find me?"

"I received a call from Tara. She updated me on what occurred at work and then mentioned she could no longer contact you. She was concerned about something happening to you and asked me to reach out to you."

"Then… why did you come here instead of giving me a call?"

Caleb lightly squeezed your cheek. "If I called, you'd act as if nothing happened, right? You always go here for a box of ice cream when you're feeling low. That habit has not changed."

You had to confess that Caleb knew you too well. When you were depressed and didn't want to do anything else, he went out and bought you a box of ice cream from this store. He also said that as long as you had it, you would become happier. Since then, the ice cream here had served as your spiritual comfort whenever you started to feel down.

Caleb closed the ice cream box and held it in his free hand. He stood up and extended another hand towards you, saying: 

"Let's go home."

You felt instantly at ease. When Caleb helped you up, you grabbed his hand and leaped into his arms, hugging him by the neck hard. Perhaps as long as you had him, it did not matter anymore if the entire world turned against you.

Banner photos from Ghibli and screenshots by LittleBunnyCC

[night-raven-tattler]

What's your ideal type?

A/N: This is a series where I write what I think is the ideal type for all the boys of the main cast. Enjoy!

Characters: Heartslabyul dorm (Riddle, Ace, Deuce, Trey, Cater) ×GN!Reader (separate, romantic)

Other parts of the series: Savanaclaw, Octavinelle, Scarabia, Pomefiore, Ignihyde, Diasomnia

Warnings: food (Trey's first bullet point)

By opening the document, you agree to Mx Tattly's terms of source confidentiality.

-ˋˏ’✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

Riddle's ideal type would be...

Someone who can gain his respect. A way into Riddle's heart is to catch his attention, either through your extensive knowledge about your favorite topic or a very solid sense of self. He likes people who can hold their head high so their crown won't fall off.

Someone who can understand his need to stick to the rules. His journey of self improvement made him understand he can't always force people to stick to all rules. But he still has a long way to go until he can break out of his bad habits, and if you wait for him to catch up, he'll appreciate it.

Someone who allows him to feel his emotions. Always forced to listen and never argue, Riddle has a lot of pent up emotions that spill out through anger at every inconvenience, but no one really taught him how to sit down with himself and understand what bottled up emotion is making him react. He needs someone who can at least nudge him towards trying to understand what and why he's feeling.

Someone who takes him out of his comfort zone. The rigid routine he has been stuck in over the years left its mark on Riddle, making him fear trying out new things. He fears the consequences of failure. But it's natural to be bad before you are good at something, and if you can push Riddle towards trying new things you get to see him at his most vulnerable: someone who simply loves to learn about the wonders of the world around him.

『••✎••』

Ace's ideal type would be...

Someone he can get a reaction out of. Ace is a major tease and a bit of a jerk, but that's part of his charm. From annoyance to fluster, if he can get himself to stay into your mind longer than expected, he'll gladly extend his stay there for as long as possible.

Someone who is not afraid to call him out and keep him in line. Ace doesn't just nod and agree: he likes to make a statement, to be honest and call people out, but his thoughts don't always go through any filters before leaving his lips. He appreciates when you can be honest in return and tell him that he is going too far.

Someone who doesn't get offended from every honest thing he says. Like I mentioned above, Ace doesn't really use his mental filter, and things just come out of his mouth sometimes. He doesn't always mean harm, he just wants to get his point across and be as straightforward as possible. He likes when you're willing to take his feedback before commenting on his lack of filter.

Someone who pays attention to him. It's a surefire way to gain Ace's affection. Rewarding him in just the right ways will have Ace following you like a puppy, if he's not doing that already. Save him a seat in the cafeteria. Get him those cherry flavored candies. Cheer for him during a basketball match. Soon enough he'll reciprocate the gestures.

『••✎••』

Deuce's ideal type would be...

Someone who is comfortable with change. Deuce is always working on ways to become a better person, a better student, a better son, even a better boyfriend. If you can understand why he always needs to seek ways to change, you'll be a welcome presence in his life.

Someone responsible. Deuce is not the most reliable student out there. He's trying, but not always succeeding. So, if he has someone to look up to, it will motivate him and won't let him dwell on his shortcomings for too long.

Someone he can make mistakes with. He deeply regrets his past as a delinquent, so he holds himself to a standard that always seems to be out of his reach, and kicks himself up when he doesn't reach it. If you can teach him that baby steps are more important than huge change, you'll earn a place in Deuce's heart.

Someone who finds family important. This might sound weird, but you won't always be Deuce's top priority. His mom, Dillah, is the only person who was in his corner no matter what while he was growing up. He wants to do everything he can to repay her for everything she did. Someone who understands the importance of family in Deuce's life reassures him that not only you'll fit in his family, but you'll be on a similar page when he decides it's time to bring up you two making your own.

『••✎••』

Trey's ideal type would be...

Someone who appreciates baking. You don't have to be good at it. You don't even need to know too much about it! Trey likes the attention you give him whenever he bakes, especially since he does it very often.

Someone who doesn't push him to be more than what he is. Trey has a very solid sense of self, and knows exactly what he wants to do to live a comfortable and satisfying life. Just trust him and let him know you are confident he knows what he's doing, and don't bring up any "wasted potential" talk.

Someone who calls him out when he jumps to conclusions. Trey is observant, kind and compassionate; however he also tends to underestimate the people around him, in the way that he thinks everyone who has his sympathy needs his support. Don't hesitate to remind him how that backfired for him, and he'll appreciate it.

Someone who can enjoy a small prank war with him. At the end of the day, Trey likes teasing people and a good, harmless practical joke has him smirking at you for days. You can always try to put salt in his coffee or misplace his notes, but you also need to be prepared for the consequences.

『••✎••』

Cater's ideal type would be...

Someone who doesn't wear their heart to their sleeve. They say a bit of mystery makes someone more attractive, and Cater totally agrees. He does find the honest types adorable, but to catch and keep his attention on you, you have to leave some cards close to your chest. It will leave him curious and eager to unravel you, piece by piece.

Someone who enjoys aesthetic things. Cater often takes out his phone to snap pics of various things he finds cool or interesting to post to his Magicam. Don't be afraid to send him pictures you've taken as well! Just don't send too many pink things.

Someone who gives him space when he needs it. It's no secret Cater is pretty closed off emotionally and doesn't really like to make close relationships. While it's good to bring him out of his shell in the emotional department, overdoing it will overwhelm him and push him away. You have to do it bit by bit, leaving him enough space to decide when it's okay to seek you out himself.

Someone who is willing to be more emotionally open first. Creating a safe space is key. You will have to make the first step if you want you two to develop a deeper connection. If you extend your hand first, he'll at least consider taking it.

『••✎••』

[terrarain]

what it takes to love

character(s): todoroki shouto, izuku midoriya, bakugou katsuki, shinsou hitoshi, takami keigo, kaminari denki

summary: the ways they're loved and the ways they love.

notes: reader's pronouns unspecified, slightly suggestive in hawks's part; overall, just a bunch of fluff bc i'm a sucker for fluff. also, some swearing!!

word count: 3.4k

There's a lot of ways to love and be loved. There's no real right way to love - and that's the beauty of it, isn't it?

The many ways different people can love and be loved.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Todoroki, Shouto.

The process of loving Shouto is a step-by-step one. It’s a learning process when it comes to someone as distant as Todoroki Shouto. It can be a bit of an odd thing, loving someone who doesn’t really… have a solid grasp on something as abstract as love.

It takes transparency. The willingness to bear your soul to him. Sly innuendos and speaking in indirect messages only confuse him. He takes most things at face–value and his social skills are hardly the best with how little he interacted with people his age during his childhood.

So you wait. You wait and you’re there with Shouto for every step of his journey towards reconciliation with himself, with those around him. You’re there with him when he discovers new foods that he likes and you’re there with him when he’s in a less-than-pleasant mood, trying to work his way through complicated emotions.

You’re staring intensely at the golden band, seated on a stool at the kitchen island, when you hear footsteps coming from behind. You don’t startle, though, already having an inkling as to who it might be.

“Is something wrong with the ring, love?” Shouto’s arms wrap around you in a back-hug and you sigh happily. You smile reassuringly up towards your lover – your soon-to-be husband.

“Not at all,” you murmur, reaching up to kiss Shouto in a quick, simple motion. He smiles against you, carefully readjusting his hold on you and turning you around on the stool so you faced him – so he could hold you closer to himself as he returns your affection. “Just unbelievably happy that you’re you.”

He hums against your hair, holding you against his chest. He’s a bit chilly – perhaps from using his ice earlier – but you don’t mind. It’s comforting and it feels blissful in the hot summer weather. 

“I’m happy you’re you, too,” he whispers in return. When you pull back a little to look at him, his eyes are filled to the brim with affection and your heart just melts.

The start of Shouto loving you is clumsy, but he is really, truly, trying his best. Shouto in love is unbelievably gentlemanly – he treats you like a goddamn queen. Despite that, though, there is a hidden side of him that he reveals to you – a side that takes pleasure in teasing you with subtle words he’s picked up over the years.

Shouto wants to see all of your expressions. He wants to be with you throughout your journey the very same way you were there for his – and he provides his support where he can. He’s there with you through your highs and lows, because Todoroki Shouto is a man who returns favours. But, more than that, Shouto is unabashedly, wholeheartedly in love with you.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Kaminari, Denki.

Denki makes it deceptively easy to love him, cheesy grins and quick touches all around. He’s bright and sociable and gets along well with just about everybody. Falling in love with him is an explosive event and loud for sure; Denki is hardly known for being quiet and subdued, after all.

With him, however, it’s surprisingly hard to get anything substantial from him at first. You match his energy and you make sure that he knows that he can talk to you the way he encourages his friends to open up to him when they’re in distress. You make him laugh when his spirits are low; you do what you can to put a smile on his face.

dumbass💛: omg look

you: where?

dumbass💛: across the room

dumbass💛: near the kitchen area

you: uh oh what is that guy doing?

You eye Bakugou and the mystery person – from your angle, you can’t really figure out who it is or if it’s even someone you know – and watch as they flush and fidget. Bakugou, much to your shock, starts to… blush.

dumbass💛: helLO

dumbass💛: are you seeing what i’m seeing??

dumbass💛: kacchan is going pink??

you: i didn’t know bakugou could look like that lmao

you: ain’t no way that’s the same bakugou that’s always cussing up a storm

A shift to your side. You look up from your phone and arch a brow when your eyes meet golden ones. You’re the first to speak up; “Tired of texting?”

“I wanted to hear your voice,” he replies, attempting to wiggle his brows suggestively. You just snort in response, pinching his side – which, to that, he yelps. “Okay, that and also my phone just died.”

“That’s surprising,” you comment. “Your phone very rarely dies.”

“I was too distracted to charge it,” he says, directing a meaningful look at you. You smile. “Distracted by the beauty in front of me.”

“Alright, casanova,” you laugh, pinching at his cheeks. One of your brows shoot up when he reaches for your phone, watching as he starts tapping the screen away from your sight. “What’cha doing?”

“Tragically, not you.”

“You’re the one who wanted to go to this party,” you reply, lips twitching upwards into a lopsided grin when his free hand pinches a little at the skin of your own hand.

Once he returns the phone, you immediately notice the contact name (💛💛my dumbass💛⚡💛⚡ 😍😘🔥🔥😍🔥) and look up to meet his radiant grin. My dumbass, indeed. 

Denki’s mind can be both everywhere and nowhere depending on the day. His thoughts are difficult to focus with how much he flits about everywhere. There are occasions where Denki forgets, regardless of intention, things will slip from his mind from time to time. He will always do whatever he can to make it up, though, because once he loves, his love doesn’t falter.

There isn’t actually a drastic change when the two of you start dating – he’s still a good, dear friend; this time, just with a lot more kisses and playful flirting (of course, he also stops flirting with other people). Denki tries to make you smile every day, always up to some sort of goofy activity or sending you random memes throughout the day. More than anything, he loves your smile. Nothing, to him, is more radiant than you smiling, as cheesy as it sounds.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Shinsou, Hitoshi.

Loving Hitoshi is something that's slow and steady. You develop your relationship with him slowly over the years and it takes a lot of kind waiting for him to come over and knock on the door to your soul. 

It takes unfaltering trust. Skeptic of life, Hitoshi is timid when it comes to letting others in because he can’t trust himself. Can’t trust those around him. People are fickle and he knows this, so he keeps away.

But he does surrender, eventually, with enough tenacity. Slight brushes of your fingers against his, sitting just that one centimetre closer to him on the couch, gently poking at him to wake him up from naps – he starts to accept the touch, eventually, and starts to returns those touches with an intensity that has only built up over the years he’s lived.

You’re watching Hitoshi play with the cat sitting about in your apartment – whose name was currently Cat (something that a lot of people question, but you weren’t about to get into the whole origin of naming the cat… Cat) – when an idle thought pops into your mind.

“You’re kinda like Cat,” you comment. This draws Hitoshi’s attention away from Cat, one brow arched and stray strand of hair falling over his face as he cocks his head to the side in question.

“What, like I’m catlike?”

“No, I mean, sometimes, but that’s not what I meant. You’re, like,” you pause, gesturing to Cat, who was sat down primly and coolly staring at Hitoshi and the cat toy he had been trying to get Cat to play with. “--like… Cat. You kinda behave the same way as her. I swear you gave me that exact same stare the first few times I tried talking to you.”

He snorts, not denying your observation, placing the cat toy and instead holding his arms out for Cat to run into. Which she does without hesitation. You let out an amused laugh, leaning forward against the armrest of the couch you sat on.

“That, too,” you snicker. You pause for a moment before standing up and spreading your arms out with a bright smile. Hitoshi returns the very same smile, padding right on over to you without hesitation.

Hitoshi, once he’s opened up, is a kind lover. For a lack of better terms, he’s whipped for you and completely wrapped around your finger without any complaints. He’s attentive and thoughtful and, after a point, he stops holding back and smothers you in all of the affection he’s bundled up deep within.

There’s a sense of trust that years of friendship has built up and is nigh-impossible to tear down; he has your back and you have his. He reaches out more and lets you into his heart, lets you see the scars and worries he hides away and you let him see yours in return. The two of you lean on each other, hands intertwined the whole way through.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Takami, Keigo.

Loving Keigo is a quiet affair, much unlike how chatty Keigo is, unlike how intense his presence can be. The two of you are oftentimes hidden away from public eye.

A charming, roguish grin is what he wears in public and it’s what he dons in front of you during your first meeting. And while that charming roguish smile and the playful quips he shoots out are still a part of him, it’s the quieter moments where he slips and shows himself in his entirety.

It’s no secret that Keigo – Hawks, the number two hero – is a man who moves far too fast for most people. But you try. You don’t take a look at him and give up on him because he’s too fast; you rise up to his challenge and chase after him. You establish yourself as his equal and you show him that you’re there, right next to him.

Keigo, as you’ve learned during your time as his friend, companion, lover, has a fondness for entering through windows. The first few times, his appearances were unannounced and oftentimes gave you a scare – nowadays, though, he sends a feather your way to let you know that he’s on his way to you.

“What is up with you and windows?” you question as you unlock and open the window so the bird-man could climb in. The red feather in your grasp flicks its way out of your hand and back to his wings, which were fluttering about.

Wryly, you think about how you’ll be finding bright red feathers everywhere in your apartment after his visit. And you wouldn’t be the tiniest bit upset at it – it was a clear reminder of Keigo’s presence in your life despite how often he had to leave for work.

“It’s the quickest way,” is his response – a response you’ve heard before. After a pause, he adds on: “Also, it’s romantic, wouldn’t you say? Don’t your romance novels have something about people sneaking through windows to meet each other in the dead of night?”

“Have you been reading my books?” you question with an arched brow, closing the window and watching as Keigo plops down on your couch. Much to your horror, he reaches for the book you had placed down on the little side table next to the couch – and flipped the book open to where you had it bookmarked.

“Now I am,” he grins, turning his attention to the book. You dive in to grab your book from his hands to no avail; he just catches you with an arm and tugs you into him. You’re partially on his lap and locked in place with one arm wrapped around your waist as he reads the contents out loud. “ ‘He groans, burying his face into Lillia’s neck, hips pistoning in and out of her soft body–’ “

“Stop it,” you cry out in embarrassment and Keigo’s eyes flick over the rest of the page before turning to you with the biggest shit-eating grin ever. He’s teasing you.

Keigo merely hums, kneading your waist. “Should I be taking notes from this? Is this the stuff you’re into nowadays?”

“It’s not mine,” you defend weakly, tilting your head back a bit as he presses gentle kisses to the exposed skin of your neck. “A friend lent it to me.”

“Well, I’ve got to thank this friend of yours, hmm?” he muses, pulling you fully onto his lap so he can kiss you more easily. “For giving me some more ideas to try out with you,” he grins as he waggles his eyebrows in the decidedly most unattractive way ever, and you just roll your eyes before pulling him in for another kiss.

Keigo is a charmer. He’s good with his words and he likes to pride himself on his ability to read people’s faces and body language. He uses this to his advantage and puts up a front so that people will like him, because he’s convinced that nobody would really like the monster inside of him.

But then. But then he meets you and starts seeing you around – he starts taking note of your presence and it’s inevitable that he ends up tripping over himself just for you. He slows down for you in his own way. He pays closer attention to mundane details that he normally wouldn’t have paid any mind to.

He lets down his guard around you because he trusts you, and that’s something huge to him – he’s gentle with you. Frighteningly attentive. It’s like second nature to him, tending to you – he takes care of you in any way he can. Keigo is downright clingy when he’s in love and he can never get enough of you.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Midoriya, Izuku.

It’s not as easy as some may think upon an initial glance at Izuku to love the poor boy to. He’s full of love but he struggles to allow himself as much love as he gives. You’ll have to be the one gently reassuring him that he’ll be okay, the one reminding him to take care of himself because people care about him. You care about him.

As you love Midoriya Izuku, you hold onto a boundless sense of determination and you’re as stubborn as a bull. Teaching someone to love themselves whole-heartedly is an endlessly difficult task, but never a burdensome one for you. 

One of many days, you lace your fingers together with the mossy-haired boy as he looks at you wide-eyed, mouth clamping shut mid-ramble. You offer him a smile as you rub a thumb along his hand. “You’re spiralling again,” you murmur and he sags against you; an exhaustion he hesitates to show most others.

He opens his mouth to apologize, but you give him a look that has him saying something else. “Thank you,” he murmurs and your heart clenches. You let him hold onto you tightly, fiercely, like you’d fade away if he let go even a little bit. You press a kiss to a freckled cheek, squeezing him back. Reassurance that you wouldn’t leave him.

“Now, are you going to let me go to make a meal or are you going to just sit here and starve?” you speak up after a few moments of tender silence, tapping at his back gently. With great reluctance, he releases the tight hold he has on you but doesn’t ever let go of you. He sticks close behind you, scarred hand tightly grasping yours as the two of you meander into the kitchen.

“What’s for dinner?” he questions, peering over your shoulder as you rifle through the fridge for ingredients.

“Katsudon,” you laugh as he immediately presses a ticklish kiss to your neck, mumbling something along the lines of, ‘God, I love you,’. 

Izuku is never without a burden; this burden only gets heavier as the years go by, the title of Japan’s number one hero heavy on his back. While he runs around as a reliable hero, as someone all of Japan can depend on, you and his close friends still see parts of the mousey boy you guys had befriended all those years ago back in highschool.

And while Izuku isn’t particularly good at accepting love, he gives out so, so much love. Perhaps more than is healthy for him – self sacrificing to a fault and always working for the sake of those around him.

He never forgets. Izuku remembers everything about you and that is how he loves; he pays close attention, tends to your needs. He doesn’t miss a single date, doesn’t forget anything you tell him no matter how mundane; Izuku gently pries you apart and works hard to take down any walls you have up around yourself.

Izuku can’t always be there for you. It’s the reality of him being a hero; long hours, unpredictable emergencies – the list goes on. But he makes every second count and does his best to make you happy. You have to make sure you take care of him, too, as he quickly forgets about himself when in the process of loving you.

ˏˋ°•*⁀☂ Katsuki, Bakugou.

Loving him, quite frankly, takes a lot. Far more than others. It’s an ugly process and it’s hard to put on any form of rose-tinted glasses for someone as intense as Katsuki. Loving Katsuki can be hard. Nonetheless, you work your way through his highs and lows.

It takes patience. Lots and lots of patience – but you never let yourself be a pushover. There’s a delicate balance that needs to be maintained and, honestly? It won’t always be maintained completely. There’ll be dips favouring one side from time to time – and when that happens, it takes a lot of understanding to mend frayed threads.

But that doesn’t stop you, because as explosive and bitchy as Katsuki can be, there are still parts of him that had charmed you and parts of him that you want to discover.

You’re reminiscing on the days you spent with Katsuki back in highschool when there’s a shuffle and quiet grunt next to you. The arm around you, heavy and warm, tightens when you try to sit up. You simply stare into your husband’s eyes, which were now blearily blinking awake.

“What’re ya’ starin’ for?” he grumbles, voice thick with sleep.

“Just thinking,” you smile warmly, poking at his cheek. He doesn’t fight back against you and just lets you do as you please, much to your satisfaction. You don’t think you’ll ever tire of seeing Katsuki so – so relaxed. Waking up with him next to you, with you in his arms, was a domestic event that you would’ve never expected to happen back in your guys’ youth.

“ ‘bout what?”

“How much of a softie you are now,” you chuckle, pressing your lips to his in a slow kiss. He immediately reciprocates, though not with his usual intensity due to his sleep-addled state. He grumbles when you pull back, the hand around your waist snaking up to your hair so he can run his fingers through your hair.

“I’m only this damn soft because of you, alright?” he huffs and you just laugh, poking at his arm to try and get him off of you. He just scowls in response, tugging you closer to him.”

“We have to get up,” you murmur, the voice of reason, much to his chagrin. “I have work this morning and so do you, darling.”

“Jus’ a little longer,” he whispers. You find it hard to argue against him, especially when you’re basking in his warmth – especially when you know you’ll probably start missing his touch after you step out of the house into the biting cold of the winter winds.

“Just a little longer,” you surrender, burying your face into his chest to listen to his steady heartbeat.

To his credit, Katsuki changes. He grows over the years – he matures and it’s a slow and arduous process. He’s hardly gentle and sunny like Midoriya, and he’s far from a gentleman like Todoroki. But he gets a hold of himself. He does his damnedest not to  hurt you. And when he hurts you, he works tirelessly to correct his wrongs.It’s downright shocking to those around the two of you – how much Katsuki has changed and how mellow he is when he’s in your presence.

He’s careful with you and lavishes you with affection in his own ways; he holds you carefully, he gifts you things you have your eyes on, he has goddamn books on how to be a good lover (which, when you found those on his bookshelf, he pretended that he was just keeping them at Kaminari’s request; they’re Kaminari’s, not his. It’s endlessly endearing how much of a dork he actually is).

a/n: as it turns out, when you only ever write for the same 2 characters, writing for other characters is hard,,,, mannn sorry GAHJAHG

[physalian]

Writing Tone #2: Avoiding Manufactured Sincerity

There’s a scene in season 5 of My Hero Academia where two beloved teachers have been brought to some high security prison to interrogate a captured villain that turns out to be a brainwashed childhood friend of theirs. The scene is really dramatic, these two teachers are screaming at this guy, heartbroken, and when I saw the episode (shortly before quitting the entire show mid-episode over how bored I was) I was not at all as outraged and horrified as they were.

It was so tonally jarring, and so unfounded within the plot, that it was almost uncomfortable to watch. The villain they’re interrogating isn’t unfamiliar, but the plot-twist-surprise childhood friend is a stranger no one but these two care about.

I didn’t care, couldn’t empathize with why they were upset, knew nothing about their relationship with the guy beyond the ham-handed flashbacks given right that moment. I wasn’t prepared to mourn the loss of this random character, wasn’t primed ahead of time with the idea that this was a possibility to dread the scene before it happened. I was just waiting for it to be over and when it finally was, the impact it had on me was a resounding: Well that was weird. Now back to the plot.

Unfounded sincerity is the uncomfortably ugly step-sibling of plots that are starved of sincerity—look at most of Phase 4, but really, starting with Thor: Ragnarok in the MCU. Many Marvel properties are afraid to embrace the emotional moments and resort to bad jokes to laugh at themselves before the audience can laugh at them. Because how dare a late-stage superhero story about mythical gods be at all sincere in its relationships, its quiet moments, its tragedies. Nope, time for jokes.

Unfounded sincerity is when a story goes far harder with the drama, the love-declarations, the angst, the humor, where it’s trying really hard to convince the audience to care and it just isn’t working.

This happens when arguments start out of nowhere, as well, when characters explode at each other in a heated screaming match that hasn’t been left to fester for nearly long enough, undercooked and hard to swallow.

This happens when characters fall suddenly, madly in love with each other with zero dubious intervention to explain away the sudden passion.

It happens particularly when characters care a whole heck of a lot about someone the audience doesn’t, at the expense of characters the audience is invested in.

It happens when characters have emotional breakdowns and start crying over what ends up reading like spilled milk. When stoic and strong characters break over something they normally would never, for ~drama~.

This is usually both a tone and pacing issue, and a serious case of telling. The author hasn’t done any of the work ramping up a situation or relationship for proper delivery of these emotionally charged moments that are written like critical character beats we’re supposed to care deeply about.

So how does this happen?

1. The author *really* wants this scene, but writes it too early into the story

Unless there’s foul play involved, or this is a romantic comedy that isn’t supposed to be a realistic and healthy depiction of how romance works, characters suddenly declaring love for each other at the cost of their own well-being, their own character arc and journey, and their other motivations can be very frustrating to read.

But the author wants to get to the Good Stuff, so they coast on the “male + female leads = relationship” expectation without writing the why (and so ensures the rise of so many gay ships in the process). Or the male + male leads” or what have you.

2. The author cannot fluidly change tone and characters explode, instead of simmer

An argument that comes out of nowhere can really take your audience out of a scene. Your characters suddenly look ridiculous and your audience can’t follow what’s going on or why they’re so upset. This is different than a character exploding seemingly out of nowhere, but who we know has been building resentment for dozens of pages and loses it over something otherwise inconsequential.

These scenes are painfully, obviously there for manufactured drama and don’t feel natural. These characters don’t feel like people, but playthings, action figures manipulated by the hands of the author.

3. The characters involved are underdeveloped

As in the My Hero scene mentioned above, of the three characters in the scene, the “friend” we’re supposed to care about is a non-entity. The two teachers could have lost their minds over this guy’s sudden death, or the reveal that he turned traitor, or that he murdered younglings and puppies and kittens, to the same emotional impact, because we don’t care about this guy (or, I don’t, at least. I didn’t, and shouldn’t have to read the manga).

You can of course have characters who grieve non-entities, like the fridged wife trope. The difference is the audience knows we’re not supposed to know or care about that lady and the character she never was. This happens pre-plot, not mid-season 5. The frigid wife is the catalyst for the character we then come to know, not a character whose death radically changes our heroes from the people we’ve already established.

4. The tonal jump is just too extreme from the established rules of the story

Abrupt changes in tone can be very tricky to pull off, and almost always fail when it surrounds an abrupt shift in character dynamics (as opposed to something more plot-related). As in, your lighthearted comedy suddenly stops the plot so two characters can scream at each other, when this level of emotional charge hasn’t been established as a possibility.

Or the aforementioned emotional breakdown that just leaves audiences uncomfortable like the awkward friend trying to soothe a weeping companion.

—

Unfortunately, the fixes to these situations are either delete that entire scene, or go back and do a lot of rewriting so there’s enough build-up to justify its existence. Go back and write in that simmering resentment, all the little frustrations, a pre-existing tension within the relationship that is always primed to snap.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder and there’s a reason the “slowburn” is so popular. Setting out from the beginning to write a fast-paced, passionate romance tells your readers to expect exaggerated displays of emotion.

My favorite musical is Moulin Rouge. This movie is insane. Everyone is hyperbolically emotional and nothing is half-assed. The dances, the belting singing, the costumes, set-design, editing, the declarations of love– they’re all dialed up to 11. So characters screaming their love or rage from the rooftops is a *lot* but you’re prepared for it from the opening scene, knowing exactly what kind of movie this is.

Even if you don’t start your story with the level of drama it will eventually reach, there should still be some sort of progression when it comes to character drama.

Last Airbender didn’t open episode 2 with the emotional intensity of Zuko and Azula’s last Agni Kai… but it did show you that this isn’t just a lighthearted comedy in episode 3, with the reveal of Gyatso’s body and Aang’s violently emotional reaction.

Speaking of episode 3, they didn’t throw in Gyatso out of nowhere. We know from the show so far that a) Aang is the last of his kind, and b) he doesn’t know this. Everything leading up to this reveal is lighthearted, sure, but with that undercurrent of dread, waiting for Aang to see for himself, waiting for that other shoe to drop.

So some things to keep in mind are:

Prime the audience with dropping that first shoe, make them aware of the building tension (romantic, aggressive, grief, or otherwise), even if not all the characters are aware.

Build that tension. If your characters will eventually explode, let them be mildly irritated first, then annoyed, then frustrated, then angry, then raging until they can’t contain it anymore.

Make sure every party involved in this dramatic moment is someone the audience actually cares about, not just someone they’re told to care about.

TL;DR: Don’t pull the trigger prematurely. It’s most obvious with suddenly passionate arguments, characters flinging insults and hurts the audience isn’t prepared for and doesn’t know about, in effort to move the plot along before it’s fully cooked.

So unless there’s some drugs or fairy magic involved, or one of these characters has a gun to their head forcing them to do this right now, people don’t just explode in a rage without some buildup first. People can explode in a rage over a seemingly inconsequential and unrelated thing, but they’re likely already upset and this one little thing is the final straw. Audiences love the anticipation of what that final straw will be, and whether the explosive drama is rage or romance, “slowburn” is immensely popular for a reason.

[unnaturalequilibrium]

undefined number of favourite #mafin scenes [the miscommunication]

This is my kind of conflict. The kind of romantic conflict that is built out of a couple’s inherit differences and the growing pains that causes as they are transformed from two people into a unit. And this is why this couple works for me. Because even if you scaled back on the melodrama, on the evil family, the super serious business, the brain tumours and the absolute terror that is illegal homosexuality in the fifties - Marta and Fina are written in a way where they have their own internal conflict engine that drive the story between them. You don’t need to bring in an outside element to put pressure on the relationship for it to develop. All you need to do is give them a tickle and let that internal engine heat up and transform them.

Fina’s temperament can best be likened to a sugar strung child running around with a stick of dynamite in one hand and a lit match in the other. Marta whose upbringing has punished every display of emotion wears her feelings so tightly wound around her heart that we’ve been shown how it even cuts off the flow of air to her lungs. Similarly Fina probably hasn’t met an impulse she hasn’t immediately struck up a conversation with. Marta on the other hand probably spends a lot of time considering the implications of giving in to the reflex of closing your mouth when you put your head into water. To call them different is a little bit of an understatement. That said, we have seen both of them end up in unfortunate situations and left suffering when they leave these traits unchecked and follow them to the ends of their respective spectrums. This fight is such a great example of this. Of both of them getting too far into their respective corners that the passion between them gets tangled up and they become self-destructive. Let's recap a little.

Instead of talking to Fina about what she feels, what she fears, Marta previous to this scene walked away and tried to process everything on her own. Then she comes back and presents a logical answer, a solution. Fina on the other hand is a person who speaks her mind immediately and without a filter. So when Marta doesn’t do the same, when she can’t see her develop and follow her emotions in the conversation before her she lets her temper and insecurities get the best of her and assumes all of the worst things.

It’s a miscommunication between them mostly due to the fact that they use very different ways of—well - communicating. One of them goes away and compiles an extensive list of all the pros and cons and then “presents her case” whereas the other instinctively dumps it on the bed like fresh laundry and assumes you’ll sort through it together. I don’t for a second doubt that these two characters love each other, but that still doesn’t mean their relationship isn’t newborn. They are still learning to understand the other, learning how the other communicates, show emotion. And in the process they are also learning to allow the other’s characteristics make them a better person by reigning in their own idiosyncrasies, preventing them from going to the extremes of their own behaviour. If Fina can take a couple of notes from Marta’s book on self-control and if Marta can learn a little from Fina about how to allow your emotions to be spoken and displayed - well both of them are going to benefit from it. On personal levels as well as a couple.

I love that we are seeing this journey. One small step at a time, with setbacks and all. They’re not each other’s miracle cure, but you follow the transformation as it plays out in front of you and it makes sense. All of it is also very entertaining and it’s my favourite kind of romantic conflict, the kind that is internal but results in lasting personal growth.

[justin-chapmanswers]

AAAA THE SILVER SPOON EXIT IS FANTASTIC!!! You guys always do such a good job with the Exit Interviews. They're super fun videos that also add juuust that little extra amount of characterization that makes them even better to watch.

What inspires you guys to add the little mini-stories in each interview? Do you usually have an idea of what direction you want it to go beforehand, or do specific questions give you inspiration?

Thank you so much!!! Had so much fun working on that one. And looooove the question. Partly cause I'm like "idk if anyone cares that I do this, but it's fun, anyway!"

When writing any Exit Interview (I've been sole-writing or co-writing all from Box's-and-on, but might not for Balloon's?), I always want to be writing with some sort of angle. Sometimes it's a story for the contestant (TK, Cabby #1, Paintbrush, Silver) , sometimes for the interviewer (Box, Clover), sometimes both (Goo). Sometimes it allows us to hit on an angle on a character that we haven't already, sometimes it gives us some time to show off how far a character has come. Sometimes something that affects the whole interview, sometimes something that'll pop up towards the end that we can hint at earlier. But we tend to try for at least a little-something! We like presenting new narratives wherever we can. The tale is never quite done with these pals!

As for how we plan it out, I'll often go into an interview knowing exactly what angle I want to come in with, and how much that angle'll need to weigh on the characters. I knew I wanted to tell a narrative about Paintbrush wrapping up their three-season-journey and expecting a hyper-dramatic interview to express every facet of their emotional experience... only to receive a bunch of nonsense questions that leaves their final wrap-up feeling empty. So I noted to the audience that we'd love silly questions. I knew that for Silver's Exit we were going to explore the anxieties around criticism, so I made sure to write in the question prompt that Silver would love to hear some compliments- so that we could then receive a bunch of complimentary questions for him to appreciate (but not enough to make a deep impact), and inevitably we received some negative too- which I could then use to show how hard one mean comment can hit for the guy.

For Cabby we wanted to prep for her eventual return by sewing in her current troubled state of mind without tying things up to cleanly in a bow. Clover we wanted to flip it around and have her help an interviewer down on his luck. With Bot we needed to let them reflect on what they've been through but also think on some of the elements of their existence that are still feeling complicated. In Yin-Yang's we knew we wanted to make sure we were following through on their tricky feelings regarding their experience Candle, while also demonstrating their growth as a fun lil duo. Etc.

Occasionally I'll need some inspiration, so I'll ask for the questions first and see if that sparks any particular ideas. When we received a bunch of motherly-oriented characters for Tea Kettle I was left to ponder "how would she feel about this?" With Goo's Exit a couple Cheer Factory questions popped up and I started to think about the fun juxtaposition of matching Goo with someone serious who expects Goo to be a legitimate entrepreneur. Since then we've enjoyed leaning into pairing contestants with very different-vibe interviewers when possible.

And the mindset of writing with an angle all stems to working on Inanimate Answers. Not sure how many people have seen that, since the newest ep predates Invitational, but there we had a very very similar format. It's sorta like the unintentional test-run of Exit Interviews, with some personal conflicts for the contestant, and some for Justin. I'd loooove to make more of those, but they were being made at a point in time where I didn't have a non-II full-time job, and II wasn't focused much on episode production. So finding the time has been tough. We did make a mini version for the Inanimate Direct which was fun (although funnily some of my favorite on-camera work I've done for the channel was in that same video but the Patreon-information segment- which no one will ever watch again cause the Patreon no longer exists haha). And I have an old Yin-Yang Inanimate Answers 5 script that would need to be pretty heavily reworked now that season 3 exists for YY, if I were to try at them again. Maybe there's room for IA in the future. Lots to figure out with the channel! But I'm glad we've had Exits to take on the legacy of some bonus viewer-interaction-based-storytelling.

[oweninadaydream]

𝐅𝐄𝐄𝐋 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐒𝐇 || 𝐂𝐇.𝟏

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 : Hangman is the certified ladies' man and everyone thinks they can read him like a book, but what neither the Dagger Squad nor anyone else can even begin to imagine is where the hell Jake has been going every Saturday night for the last few months…

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 : Jake 'Hangman' Seresin x male!character

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 : mentions of alcohol, some making out but nothing too smutty, emotional distress lmao, age gap relationship (27-35), some religious trauma, self-deprecating thoughts, post Top Gun : Maverick, the Dagger squad is stationed together.

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 : 2k

𝐚/𝐧 : Gif by @tay-swifts , M/N (Male Name). Hello beautiful people!!! I'm so exited about posting this project I've been working on for a while. I just wanted to say that since it's my first time writing for Jake this might be a bit OC Jake but I do hope I got it right hehe. Enjoy the fic and stay tuned for the next parts!!!

It was well after midnight when Jake arrived at the club’s entrance. The throbbing bass emanating from inside made the whole building shake, making his mind wonder what it would be like to live on top of such an obnoxiously loud place, contrasting with the quietness of the accommodations the Navy offered. The reflection of the neon sign reading  “Mon Ange” turned his natural olive-toned skin into a vivid dark azure that matched perfectly with the baby blue in his eyes. The smokers (all with stamps on their hands) were all gathered some feet away from the door to get back in after dragging a final puff from their cigarettes. The queue was not very long, mainly because everyone who was meant to be there had arrived way earlier than him. He reprimanded himself for getting there so late ; in less than two hours the nightclub would shut its doors and Jake would feel like he wasted four hours of his life for nothing. Well, his journey would not be in vain if he caught a glimpse of- 

“Jake”

This was L.A, a city 118 miles away from the Marine Corps Air Station located in Miramar, which is a two-hour long drive away from everything he knows. He had to remind himself of those facts to avoid spiraling  at the sound of his name in such a place; he hated how his body kept reacting to these kinds of situations, but not even a skilled lieutenant like himself could take the reins of these unnamed emotions that coursed through his entire being.

"What are you doing here by the door? I was worrying about you not showing up today, I was just about to send a search party. C'mon , let's grab a drink. Perhaps I can even convince you to dance this time" A wide playful smirk accompanied the flirty comment exquisitely and, even though Jake was more than used to these antics, his heart skipped a beat. Trying to compose himself, he answered while staring at the concrete floor. 

"I don't belong on that dance floor and y'know it, darlin' "

“Oh don’t say that, the 30s are the new 20s! … Even if you’re not planning to dance, you must’ve driven all the way over here for something, right?”

The damn question hit him like a truck. He could try to think of the right answer, but putting something into words made it terrifyingly real, and that was exactly what he'd been avoiding for months. The breeze made them both shiver, as the party outfits didn’t properly protect them from the chilly weather. 

“You're right” he muttered “Okay, lead the way. Make it worth the while, mh?" he teasingly replied. Even if what he was doing was definitely outside of his comfort zone, something about the constant banter between them calmed him.

"Don't you always have an amazing time with me? I thought that was why you only talk to me" a fake pout appeared on the face which Seresin couldn't help but to stare intensely in awe. Their hands intertwined and the pilot quickly melted into that comforting touch. His companion briefly exchanged some words with the bouncer and the doors opened for them. 

"Thankfully it was Joseph working tonight, I don't think Marcus would have let you in for free just like that" “I’m sure you would've charmed him into doing whatever you wanted anyway”

The thick air of the room embraced him as soon as the doors closed and the familiar feeling appeared in the pit of his stomach almost instantly; it seems like it was yesterday when he first stepped into the nightclub he now knows like the back of his hand, but in reality, that day was what it feels like ages ago. Still, the contradictions that manifested within him every time he returned persisted and only grew each day.

“I’ll go to the bar while you stay here and look pretty, okay? Same drink as always?”

It was because of moments like these that Hangman felt comfortable enough to let his guard down and be his usual extroverted self. Grabbing his wrist to stop him from going any further, he raised his voice so his words could be heard even though the music was top volume. “ Don’t you even dare to try to pay for those drinks, they’re on me.”

“Here it is, the Texan charm of Jake Seresin. I didn’t know you could apply those rules to this situation. Are you trying to imply I’m the girl in this whole affair? Shouldn't we at least draw lots for it?”

"Very funny, M/N'' the hostility that emanated from his rolling eyes made the other man realize his comment had affected Jake on a deeper level than intended. “Hey I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t hav- I know it’s  a touchy subject and I’m extremely sorry, please forgive me” the regret was visible in his expression and it also could be detected in the stuttering caused by the words rushing their way out of his mouth trying to obtain his forgiveness as fast as possible. Jake took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a second. 

Hangman was no saint, he didn’t go to church every Sunday or tried to look for a good christian wife to have kids with like his father did in his day. He knew God was not exactly pleased with the way he was running his life but he used to think that when the time came, He would welcome him with open arms (after having apologized profusely, that is). But now that he had fallen for the most vile trick in the book, he couldn't trust that previous statement anymore. Lust was a capital sin, pretty serious if you asked any priest from the church the Seresin family attended back in Texas, but sodomy? Say goodbye to eternal salvation, son. If Jake was being honest, the promise of heaven or the threat of hell didn't scare him. It was the destruction of all the life lessons that made him act the way he acted,  of his purpose as a son, as a man. The thing that truly haunted him at night  was the thought of a deity (and his father)  designing him to be this flawless individual with a very clear life path , only to end up as a filthy, disgusting f-

“Hey, are you okay? Would you like me to leave you alone for a bit?”

The thought of M/N walking away while he sank deeper and deeper in the sea of guilt and fury frightened him. “Please don’t” he begged “everything’s fine, I promise. Let’s down a couple shots and , who knows, maybe I’ll be in the mood to dance for a bit” the last comment was a futile attempt to hide the everlasting agony that clouded his mind. M/N moved so they were a few inches away and raised his hand to caress his cheek. His next step consisted in resting his arms around his shoulders and starting kissing him delicately in the neck and in the whole face in general, in hopes to kiss the discomfort away. 

How could something so delicate and sweet be so dirty? Was it even dirty to begin with? What about the women he had dated? He was attracted to them but now he- Too many questions Jake was not willing to answer that night. He only wanted one thing, and he was about to claim it. 

After regaining control of himself, Jake put his right hand on the younger male’s back to guide him to the counter where people were piling up fighting to get the barman’s attention. Being as attractive and well-built as he was, he obtained the alcoholic beverages rather quickly. After the last drop of tequila had made its way down their throats, Hangman took control and led him onto the dance floor. His mind was only filled of the smell of M/N’s cologne mixed with his natural scent enhanced by their bodies crashing against each other while swaying to the 2000s pop remixes, his eyes fixed on his partner’s hypnotizing movements and his hands focused on feeling what they can reach, testing if they can go further in their journey through M/N’s body. Jake was simply standing close and moving according to the song's beat but in a subtle way, just like he would do at the locals he frequented with his coworkers ; manly enough to keep his dignity intact but provocative enough to awake that lustful hunger in the other person’s soul.

‘Mon Ange’ had finally closed down and the two men were still all over each other on the angelino streets. The tingle settling in his chest could only be compared with the adrenaline rush he had previously experienced on those wild nights spent in college, the farewell by the porch of the first girl he had taken on a date or the night out after his first deployment; if he closed his eyes he could swear he was 20 again, but reality made sure to remind him of those fifteen more years that had passed. 

M/N had this juvenile thing about him, Jake couldn’t guess confidently his age from afar and his curiosity was finally satiated after befriending him and asking him about it directly ; he was 27, even though he looked some years younger. His bold character combined with his kindness and humor made M/N resemble a butterfly flying around collecting the pollen from every flower in the garden and making it seem effortless. That was one of the many things that hooked Jake on him as if he were the most addicting drug out there, making him throw away his plan of not getting attached and limiting this experience with sporadic hookups that would end then and there, never with the same person twice. That was the problem, he appeared and started moving his hips to some song, making the whole room turn around him and ever since then (even if Jake was still in denial), he was a goner.

The next thing he knew, he was laying down on M/N’s bed, a king size mattress close to a very big window that allowed him to take in the beautiful sight of the sleeping city. He had only been to the apartment twice, but he had always  left before the sun had made its appearance in the sky, moved by remorse and skepticism. This time though, he had stayed the whole night that was filled with passionate sex and heart to heart conversations and finally some cuddling that lured him to rest for a while. Now he was wide awake, sitting against the headboard, resting his eyes on the sunrise and on the slumbering figure facing him. He looked so calm, so peaceful. In that moment, turning his gaze away, he tried to repress a sob that came with a single tear falling through his left cheek. 

M/N had always known he was queer, embracing his bisexuality in childhood. Jake had never had any problems with people who were not straight, even if the people around him growing up did, but everything was different when it came to himself. For fuck’s sake, he was closer to being 40 than from his teenage years, what was he doing? He could only paralyze at the idea of anyone seeing what he was doing. It was definitely too late for him. Risking his life everyday up in the sky felt like a minor burden compared to the endurance of the dilemmas he carried with him everywhere, just like Christ had carried the cross all the way to Calvary.

He could feel himself falling for the person right next to him, and that was the worst thing that had ever happened to Lieutenant Jacob Seresin. His calloused hand cupped M/N’s soft face, making the other man lean in closer in search of that delightful warmth. Jake’s lips burned in desperate need to say something out loud. His heart started palpitating at a dangerous speed, as he knew the thing trying to escape from his mind was a cruel thing to say and that he was a horrible being just by thinking that. It was no one’s fault and it had no solution, yet the idea popped up in his mind like an unwanted ad appearing on your phone. His chest ached at the possibility of M/N hearing the words, so he tried to whisper as quietly as it was humanly possible. 

“I wish you were a girl”

[wanderingwomanwondering]

704 includes several mentions of The Fight, the big unification bout in Vegas, and Muay Thai sparring. I don’t think that’s just for the dudebro vibes (tho that’s definitely a factor this season). When it comes to Eddie’s journey as presented in that epic episode, I think all the full-contact combat/sports references are doing subtextual work to narrate Eddie’s queerness and where he’s at this season.

Eddie doesn’t really consciously engage with his queerness at this point in the story but via Tommy as his mirror and all the sports references, I think it’s safe to say that Eddie is at odds with his queerness but he doesn’t fully realize that’s what it is and/or that it’s something he’s been battling on some level his whole life. A few things in the ep point in that direction:

Buck: How was the fight?

Eddie: Fight was okay. Seats were amazing. Tommy’s buddies with the promoter, so we were ringside. Felt like I was the one throwing the punches.

The sense I get is that Eddie is witnessing a fight inside himself but he’s not aware that he’s an active participant in said fight. That makes sense to me given his tremendous ability to compartmentalize and ‘be in control’. Like. The fight is happening but he has it walled off and isn’t consciously connected to it. His queerness is present and with him (aka Tommy with him at the fight + “watching half naked men pummel each other”) but he doesn’t recognize it for what it is quite yet.

A unification bout, according to Wikipedia because I know *nothing* about sports, is the bringing together of titles held by different fighters. Eddie going to the fight with Tommy seems to me like Eddie needing to discover an aspect of himself that Tommy that he has in common with him!

Then there’s all the Muay Thai references. Eddie says it’s been a long time since he met someone that can go toe to toe with him when sparring. Eddie’s fighting for his life against his queerness y’all. It’s not an actual match which is good but still I think the point stands. He’s at odds with a part of himself that’s trying to emerge victorious and express itself. But between Catholic guilt, family expectations, the hypermasculine culture of the military, and overall heteronormative comphet culture Eddie hasn’t been able to see/engage/accept his queerness.

I think this all feeds into to the scene where Buck comes out in 705 and Eddie expresses surprise about Tommy being gay but not Buck being bisexual. Buck has always worn his heart on his sleeve so it makes sense that when he figured out his bisexuality he would share that part of himself with others. Eddie is King of Repression, Reservation, and Control so it makes sense that he wouldn’t quite know HOW to do that for himself yet. Tommy’s character is a needed mirror for Eddie to see what’s possible for himself (all of himself) whereas Tommy was a needed vehicle for the actual expression of Buck’s queerness at this moment in the story. Tommy is doing so much friggin work in the narrative lol!

Lastly, I think Eddie’s own queerness is still a mystery to him and something that he’s sparring with on some level because he’s NOT allosexual! Now’s a good time for me to say loudly that I’m on Team Demisexual/Demiromantic Eddie. It fits with the data we have about his character and it’s still subject to the heteronormativity and comphet we’ve all seen affecting Eddie.

Eddie has expressed little interest in anyone of any gender who he hasn’t had a baby with, viewed as a mother-figure to Chris, or expected the universe to hand-deliver as if by magic. He has not intrinsic motivation toward sexual or romantic relationships until/unless he has a meaningful emotional connection to the person. He described himself as a nester and so far the only person we’ve actually seen him nest with in canon is Buck!!

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that season 7 has shown Buck and Eddie coparenting Chris and sharing their feelings with each other. It’s also meaningful that Eddie, Buck, and Tommy are all talking about Chris at various points and in various ways. Plus Buck thought he had to fight Tommy for Chris’ affection (and Tommy eventually tells Buck that’s not true). Chris has narratively been a metaphor for Eddie’s heart many times before. Buck is the one in the nest holding Eddie’s heart and both Buck and Eddie are gonna figure that out. They gotta or imma start throwin’ stuff!!

Anyway this meta got a little longer than I initially thought it would but I had to get this outta my head.

TLDR: Tommy’s epic mirror status for Eddie runs deep and so does his role as catalyst for both Buck and Eddie. He’s a bridge to Buddie *fingers crossed* Basically Eddie’s in the fight of his life trying to sort out his wants, needs, and identity when it comes to intimate relationships. Buck’s a little ahead of Eddie in the process but Eddie’s on his way!

(P.S. Buck is bi and I will die on the Eddie is demi hill. I’ll accept repressed gay Eddie with open arms but honestly I think demi fits what we’ve seen for Eddie way better.)

[bairdthereader]

It's Imogen's turn now.

[I'll preface this by saying that I usually hate when tv or film adaptations of books add new characters, and I'm immediately biased against them when they show up on screen (hi, I'm the problem, it's me). I'll admit I felt that way about Imogen at first. But Alice is such a genius, and they wrote Imogen into the storyline in such a way that she feels not just essential to the plot, but also to some of the other characters' development. And to top it off, this girl gets one heck of a character arc. For this post, I'll focus on just one aspect of her journey: her gradual movement from loneliness to connection.]

At the beginning of season 1, Imogen is one of the few girls who hangs out regularly in front of the boys' school. On the surface this could look like a typical way to attract a boyfriend within a known and relatively safe group. But, unusually, she's never seen interacting with anyone else in any meaningful way, the first clue that this group might be all she has. The other boys in the group seem to engage her minimally, and only mention her in terms of her attractiveness and as a potential match for Nick. Compared with their indifference, Imogen can clearly see that Nick is a good choice--attractiveness and rugby king status aside, he's a kind and attentive part of their friend group, and she's known him a long time, even if only superficially. Cue an awkwardly aggressive pursuit that includes:

A lack of respect for Nick's privacy;

Nonconsensual touch;

Inviting herself into his life in public where it's hard for him to say no, then broadcasting an inaccurate relationship status to their friends;

And petty, self-protecting revenge for perceived rejection.

None of these behaviors are particularly pleasing to watch happen, especially when we know everything Nick is struggling with internally, but they are very typical of someone who desperately wants connection but doesn't know how to achieve it in a non-superficial way. Imogen is genuinely fond of Nick, and even amid all of the obnoxious but socially acceptable ways she tries to hold his attention you can see glimpses of that fondness and care (letting him off the hook when he clearly doesn't want to say he likes her back at the dance comes to mind). The fact that she still pursues him the way she does doesn't make Imogen a bad person; it shows us she’s a lonely person, particularly vulnerable to the currents of peer pressure and expected societal norms, long before she admits in season 2 that she doesn’t actually have that many friends.

And then, we get the hugely important conversation in the park with Nick (and Nellie, the emotional support dog we all need). It must be said that Nick is choosing to share a really complex part of himself with Imogen here; he could easily have left it at “I don’t like you like that.” But instead, he takes this moment when Imogen isn’t distracted by posturing or fitting in or flirting to tell her what’s really going on in his mind. On some level, he trusts her with this truth—not the whole truth, obviously, but a big part of it—which tells us he recognizes that beneath her façade Imogen is a caring, trustworthy, and kind person. Naturally most of the focus in this scene is on Nick, but this talk also marks the beginning of Imogen's journey toward authenticity. It starts with the realization that she feels at least some of the same things Nick is feeling about being afraid to change and not fitting in, followed by a shift in her perspective on Nick himself.

Once Nick is no longer a romantic prospect, there's room for her to consider him as a whole person and a true friend, not just someone she "hangs out with every morning." She can begin to see and value the things about him that are intrinsic parts of his nature, rather than the outward trappings of just a datable boy. Imogen can let down her guard with him because he let his down with her first. She can give more of her true self to this friendship because Nick has no expectations of her beyond that she be kind and be herself. There are no popularity points to earn, no hoops to jump through, no fear of rejection. So now, she protects him from the scorn he might have received from their friend group by saying the decision not to date was hers. She begins respecting his personal space. She cares for and observes him on a deep enough level to understand at least a bit of what is happening when Nick takes Charlie off the field at sports day. She’s learning what it is to both be and have a real, authentic friend, maybe for the first time. This helps her to view other people in her life through this more discerning and nuanced lens as well.

Clearly Nick has grown to appreciate Imogen's friendship on a deeper level too, since she's the first person from his old friend group he really wants to come out to and tell about Charlie, so much so that he and Charlie make a fairly elaborate plan to create a safe space for him to do so. The sleepover at Charlie's house is another quiet watershed moment for Imogen, because Charlie's friend group welcomes her so unreservedly. They might be a little surprised to see Imogen there, Tara and Darcy may have not had the most positive feelings toward her before, and the rest of them might have some lingering reserve based on her attachment to the Harry cadre, but... They put all of that aside and draw her in with warmth and enthusiasm, partly because that is just the kind of lovely people they are, partly because Charlie and Nick are implicitly vouching for Imogen, and partly because when Imogen lets her guard down, when she's not trying to impress or flirt or maintain a certain image, she's quite lovely and fun herself.

Nick has been making a parallel journey toward connection and true friendship, but in a slightly different way. While Nick actively seeks points of connection by using his emotional intelligence and intuition, Imogen journeys into deeper friendships by enjoying the genuine kindness of the people in Charlie's friend group enough to be herself around them. She realizes that there are people who do like her just the way she is--a novel experience for her.

Of course, this is a gradual evolution for Imogen, so it doesn't all change overnight. She still spends the bulk of her time with her old friend group, who often leave her alone, and her ever-present desire to be liked and loved draws her into a relationship with Ben, who uses her in the worst way.

When she begins to suspect that Ben cares less for her than he should, that perhaps he’s even using her to get at Nick and Charlie, she starts to pull away. She recognizes that her true wants and needs are speaking more loudly than the old desire to have a boyfriend or to be part of the more popular group. She’s listening to herself, finally.

She starts spending more time with Charlie’s friend group, with people who appreciate her sunshine personality, her quirks, her big smile, who listen to her problems and give her honest advice. People whose company she enjoys on a complex level.

Once she has people in her life who accept her the way she is, Imogen can finally begin to accept herself, see herself, and value herself. Which leads us to this truly phenomenal moment, Imogen’s catharsis, her break for freedom from not only Ben's manipulations and toxicity, but the suffocating pressure of being someone she's not.

This must have been simultaneously liberating and terrifying for Imogen, but now, when she has to be brave, she has true friends to bolster and support her. She's not alone anymore.

And then, then, we get Imogen's final layer peeled away, the moment when she looks deeply enough into her true self to see this:

Imogen's self-realization is so powerful and, I think, just beginning. We are ready for season 3 Imogen.

[my-mt-heart]

Day 2 of "what the hell is going on with TBOC's promo," which is kind of a rhetorical question because I'm pretty sure we're witnessing a duel between two opposing marketing strategies again. I wish AMC would just put their foot down already and tell the dudes trying to ruin everything for Melissa and the fans to sit in the corner and stfu because the whiplash is not serving anyone, especially not two weeks before the premiere. Let's look at these bios...

Carol’s bio really does capture the true nature of what Daryl means to her and it gives her a strong emotional drive for her journey in S2. I think it also could've touched on her dealing with the trauma of losing Sophia all those years ago to round out her arc, although I'd argue that even that isn't separate from finding Daryl seeing as though that loss "ignited" their "unbreakable bond" in the first place. In any case, I like Carol's bio a lot and I have no doubt Melissa's performances throughout the season will bring it to life. Whether or not Zabel's writing can live up to it is a post for another day (Notice that the word "friend" did not come up once? That's how you know Zabel didn't get final approval on this one). Here's the thing about soulmates, though. If one feels that deeply connected, the other should too. If one of their stories gets damaged, the other's does too and that's what's bothering me right now. We should see their soulmatism reflected in Daryl's story as well, but we don't and without that mirroring, both his and Carol's journeys just feel sad.

Long before the promo circuit for TBOC started, I was worried that we wouldn't get to see Daryl fighting to get home to Carol (specifically), catch glimpses of him missing/thinking about her (specifically), or feel that spiritual connection that Carol does and this bio does absolutely nothing to alleviate my worries. This makes it sound like Daryl is going to be solely focused on whatever is going on in France until Carol arrives and even then, I worry about how he'll interact with her (thanks again for your unthoughtful analysis on that, Zabel). Similar to how Daryl has been taken hostage by the French characters, albeit through gaslighting, it feels like he has also been taken hostage by Zabel, Nicotero, and other men in charge who desperately want to use him as a stand-in for the generic, emotionally unavailable action hero that male viewers are supposed to identify with and/or aspire to. They won't let him be the character many of us were drawn to in the flagship show: the unconventional hero who's loyal to his family and falls in love "forever" with one woman (Carol). Like I said yesterday, "loyal" Daryl is the only Daryl I recognize and the only Daryl I want to watch, so it needs to be explicitly clear where Daryl's heart lies. We need to see that Carol is his first and only choice and we also need to see that Daryl has no romantic interest in Isabelle. That's the other problem...

Without Daryl's and Carol's bios mirroring each other as they should, Carol and Isabelle get framed as opponents in a quest for Daryl's heart, which is completely unnecessary, gross, and straight out of the "book of TV tricks" Zabel claims not to use. Daryl and Carol have 11 seasons of chemistry to capitalize on. Caryl's romance is the only one that's been earned, the only one I'm invested in, and the only one that needs payoff. Clemence is an extremely talented actress whose portrayal of a nun could've added something really fresh to the story, but having her catch "feelings" for Daryl after knowing him only a few months and question her long-standing faith of over a decade not only paints her as a weak woman whose weak principles are no match for a man's charm(?), but also glosses over the string of lies and emotionally manipulative plays she made against Daryl in S1. Isabelle's character has become nothing more than Zabel's and Nicotero's seriously problematic projections of what defines a woman, and I don't want it. It's an insult to Clemence, to Caryl's bond, to Daryl's history of childhood abuse, and to fans who have also suffered through CA or DV. So believe it or not, retconning her as a "former" nun all of a sudden does absolutely nothing to make this forced romance less abhorrent, AMC.

If the last couple of days have proved anything, it's that Daryl's and Carol's show needs a female showrunner who understands how to write not only complex female characters like Carol (and like Isabelle could have been), but complex male characters who don’t fit the dudebros’ definition of what makes him masculine or heroic. That's what Caryl, Melissa, and the fans deserve. They deserve a successful show and promo that gets everyone excited instead of confused and anxious. I enjoyed the clip of McReedus discussing the scene where Carol flirts with Daryl on top of the bus in S3, I liked hearing them confirm that Daryl's reaction was due to trauma and not lack of desire. I wish AMC would let them do the heavy lifting instead of trying to placate three EPs who keep self-sabotaging (seriously, you don't need all of them hogging the mic and spewing nonsense at Palyfest/NYCC). I don't appreciate being given consolation prizes (today's video, Carol's bio, yesterday's poster) after being kicked in the teeth. It says a lot about what I can expect from the season, which isn't very encouraging. It just means AMC is still trying to make everyone happy and will end up making no one happy and potentially ruining two iconic characters in the process.

[itslouisan]

((@leticiachaos on twitter))

Time for Q!Tallulah headcannons!!

Fair warning: this post has mentions of depression, abandonment issues, trust issues, poor living conditions; all of the mentions of Wilbur are ONLY mentions to his character not the real person.

• Due to her abandonment and trust issues, Tallulah created a tough and cold exterior not opening herself to anything new, but, if you manage to break the shell, she's sweet, caring, loyal, nice, creative, the loveliest egg possible

• She likes Richas, but has jealousy, after all he came AFTER her and still has most of the island around him and ADOPTING HIM??? While SHE had to ground herself to an empty promise of a returning loving father and feeling alone most of the time "without" a "real" family to comfort her.

• Due to her time in the attic Tallulah developed anemia due to not having for a long time the necessary nutrients and surviving off of dirt.

• She hates the smell of moss, dirt and related things despite loving botany due to her time in the attic

Black: depression, extreme anger, sorrow or loneliness, it's her way of expressing she's REALLY not feeling okay

• When she finally accepted Wilbur would never come back or be the father she wished and dreamt of, she cut her hair that was long since "hair holds memories", painted her hair black since Missa is Philza's partner and is more of a father to her than Wilbur could ever be and she was tired of holding herself to a small memory instead of accepting change and happiness

• Can't really vent not because her family wouldn't listen, but because of her trust issues and before having to be the "cute innocent girl who's there for everyone" she didn't have the space to vent and put her emotions first

• She was tired of her original red beanie matching Wilbur, it was too dirty and old, deciding to pick a purple one who matched her and a few mushroom hats to express her emotions

• Each color of mushroom represent an emotion (in canon I think she only had black and purple, but I expanded it considering there's a lot more patterns and colors of mushrooms, especially in a sort of magic island)

purple: neutral, calm, it's the regular she wears all the time

Pink: love, happiness, she's feeling creative or excited over something, possibly wanting or doing stims

Blue: shows more of "little" sadness, not strong enough to be depression or despair, but just enough to show it, also can mean fear.

Red: anger, hate.

• Due to her autism, she carries a pair of headphones ALL the time as well as stim toys, comfort objects or plushies, a sketchbook she writes and draws what she's feeling to better communicate it.

• She can play maracas, flute, piano, guitar (acoustic), kalimba.

• Big fan of musicals and history, in late nights she likes to listen to Philza's stories of the old times and Chay loves his battle stories, so they share this cozy moment

• In the beginning she could only see ghosts, but with time she could see the deities. She can see and feel their emotions but can't talk with them much, she mainly can see Mumza and Rose, Rose in the sanctuary where her power is centered and stronger, Mumza all around her dad (Phil >:) ) and every time she's with the crows.

• Knows flower language to write better letters to everyone, adding a deeper meaning, sometimes saying secret stuff through the flowers and as an extra giving pretty flowers

• Tallulah sometimes paints her nails with Phil and Chayanne, every week with a different design

• When Missa is home back from his journeys, Tallulah sees how exhausted her dad is, so she speaks in spanish (their native languages) and makes him some food or brings fruit

• Before she officially forgot Wilbur whenever she would come with other residents and her siblings, Tallulah sometimes felt weak, abandoned, left behind, after all, ALL the others had their parents, had close connections, she hated it but couldn't help but feel jealous, in these situations Phil and Chayanne always reassured her the best they could that they would never leave her and that she wouldn't go back to the attic.

• Makes bracelets for her close family, always wearing one with PxTxC on her left hand (Philza, Chayanne and Tallulah), in the right one she has a TxCxR (Tallulah, Richas, Chayanne) or it could be TxCxP (Tallulah, Chayanne, Pomme) after all she doesn't hate Richas, she hates that he's immature and acts "entitled" and dramatic over his issues, but still tries her best to be a good sister to him, also loves pomme a lot!! Considering Pomme her bestie

Reminder: Tallulah is just a child in rp, children don't know how to control their emotions and in situations of abandonment, neglect and lack of a trusting bond with a caretaker, children can struggle even more with emotions, care, jealousy, trust, self-esteem etc, so don't call Tallulah "selfish" or "spoiled" she has every right to be that way after what she's been through

• Due to her depression,sometimes Tallulah can't take care of herself, spending days or weeks in bed or just not feeling like going out, or when she does she doesn't show much interest, in these cases Phil and Chayanne always cooked some nice food and drinks, went to the nests, and chatted and comforted her

• She became a great fighter after the events of pre-purgatory and purgatory, she NEEDED a tough exterior since she was without Chayanne, and that time worsened her depression severely

[lexi-the-demon-69]

Just a random rant about how I want a new Dark Cacao update-

TW: Mentions of emotional neglect and ab*se

Yeah, as I brought up in my live stream yesterday, I really want another Dark Cacao update because my main problems with the game's story lie within the Dark Cacao characters and their writing.

It honestly infuriates me that Dark Choco's character and trauma are so watered down in the games, to the point where it's almost put in a positive light, ESPECIALLY his relationship with his dad. It's heavily implied in episode 14 that Dark Choco was neglected emotionally by Dark Cacao when Dark Choco says this: "In this kingdom, I knew no love nor sweetness, but rigid cold! What makes you think I care about you or this forsaken land?!" Obviously hinting that Dark Cacao is emotionally neglectful.

I hate that the fandom and Devsisters just glosses these issues aside and portrays their relationship as happy and healthy when in reality, Dark Cacao likely had Dark Choco only as an heir to the throne when he gets too old to rule. Don't get me wrong, I love these little moments, but these issues must be addressed. It would be an amazing way to show survivors of emotional neglect that they're not alone.

Maybe in this new hypothetical update, these issues can be addressed properly by having Mystic Flour Cookie, one of the beast cookies, attack the Dark Cacao Kingdom. Dark Cacao is forced out of the citadel and it's up to him, Caramel Arrow, Crunchy Chip, and Dark Choco to save the kingdom. (Dark Choco would more than likely be nearby and he decides to help)

During their journey, some old memories, both positive and negative, are brought up as Dark Cacao and Dark Choco start to catch up after what happened. However, something mentioned by Dark Cacao (more than likely his non-apology in episode 14) touches Dark Choco's nerve and an argument ensues. Dark Cacao says that he apologized to him and that sends Dark Choco off the rails.

He screams at him that what he apologized for was not the real problem. The REAL problem was the fact that he emotionally neglected him for all his life and then he endured more abuse as a member of the COD. He goes on about how badly he was treated, how Pomegranate used his own trauma against him as punishment, and how he beat himself up for something that was caused by a sword that he thought was going to help save his kingdom and would finally have his father notice him. Hearing his son explain everything that happened to him broke Dark Cacao's heart. He truly felt like pure scum as Dark Choco ran away in anguish.

After Dark Choco runs away, Caramel Arrow and (possibly) Crunchy Chip talk with Dark Cacao, taking Dark Choco's side in the manor since they would likely see the neglect firsthand. However, they obviously don't go off on him since, well, y'know. After their talk, Dark Cacao fully realizes that he fucked up and now he wants to give Dark Choco a proper apology. BUT! Not until Mystic Flour comes in and does some evil shit, probably taking Dark Cacao hostage or something.

Dark Choco notices nearby and it's up to him, Caramel Arrow, and Crunchy Chip to save him. During this section of the story, we can have Dark Choco and Caramel Arrow interact more (because I love Carachoco lol) as they make their way to wherever Dark Cacao is being held. After that, they save him and Dark Cacao gives an ACTUAL fucking apology and they all live happily ever after. The End.

Also, some other small bits of shit that I would love in this update:

-a Dark Cacao buff -Dark Choco's magic candy -Caramel Arrow's magic candy -Crunchy Chip's magic candy -Affogato's magic candy (maybe-) -More bond stories that involve Dark Choco -Matching costumes with Dark Choco, Caramel Arrow, Crunchy Chip, and Dark Cacao

That's it lol. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

[astrojulia]

Scorpio Sun + Moon

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ੈ♡˳ Aries Moon: The Aries Moon bestows upon you a robust and unyielding character, always ready to confront life's challenges headlong. Your emotions run deep, and within you simmers a fervent impetus that fuels your determination. This fervor, however, can occasionally manifest as impatience and intolerance towards those who don't share your unwavering resolve. Yet, it is precisely this tenacity that empowers you with a vast reservoir of courage, propelling you to surmount hurdles and accomplish exceptional feats that others might shy away from.

ੈ♡˳ Taurus Moon: The Taurus Moon casts a sensual and artistic hue upon your persona, endowing you with an affinity for life's finer pleasures. Your tactile senses are finely attuned, drawing you towards creative pursuits such as horticulture, where your ability to nurture and cultivate beauty shines. While your grounded nature ensures a steady and reliable presence, there's a tendency towards stubbornness, a trait that can sometimes hinder your willingness to embrace change. This innate obstinacy, however, is balanced by an unshakable trustworthiness that makes you an invaluable friend and companion.

ੈ♡˳ Gemini Moon: With a Gemini Moon, your life's tapestry is woven with threads of curiosity, intelligence, and a touch of melancholy. The early chapters of your journey may have been marked by a sense of loss or turbulence, fostering a skeptical lens through which you view the world. Yet, this very skepticism has honed your keen intelligence, allowing you to perceive truths that often escape others. Your intuitive grasp of human nature is a remarkable gift, guiding you through the intricate web of emotions and motivations that shape our interactions.

ੈ♡˳ Cancer Moon: The Cancer Moon casts a gentle glow upon your demeanor, endowing you with an aura of approachability and empathy. Your perceptiveness is uncanny, enabling you to read not just the words, but the unspoken emotions that dance in the eyes of those around you. This heightened sensitivity extends beyond the realm of humans, as you find yourself in tune with the silent language of animals. However, the ebb and flow of your inner emotional tides can be your Achilles' heel, leading to occasional bouts of instability that challenge your otherwise calm and collected facade.

ੈ♡˳ Leo Moon: With the Leo Moon's radiant influence, your emotions burn with the intensity of a sun's embrace. This luminescence grants you a magnetic presence, drawing others into your orbit with ease. While your fixed nature ensures unwavering devotion to your family and loved ones, it also casts a shadow of rigidity when faced with contrasting viewpoints. Your passion is infectious, but it occasionally transforms into drama, especially when minor details are blown out of proportion. Your gift for theatricality is matched only by your ability to bring matters to a resolute and satisfying conclusion.

ੈ♡˳ Virgo Moon: The Virgo Moon has bestowed upon you a measured and pragmatic disposition, forged through the crucible of a challenging childhood. Solitude may have been a familiar companion, a factor that has honed your intelligence and sense of duty. Your analytical mind is drawn towards the intricate complexities of the medical field, where your meticulous nature can thrive. Yet, beneath your composed exterior lies a yearning for connection and trust, a vulnerability that requires careful nurturing to fully blossom.

ੈ♡˳ Libra Moon: With a Libra Moon, your essence exudes a captivating blend of charm and intellect, creating a symphony of diplomacy and ambition. Your attractiveness isn't merely skin deep; it's woven into your very being, casting a spell that draws people towards your magnetic presence. This combination primes you for a potential role in the political arena, where your knack for balancing competing interests and perspectives can be a formidable asset. However, this quest for balance extends beyond the realm of governance, occasionally leading you to choose between asserting your dominance within the family dynamic or sacrificing it at the altar of your professional aspirations.

ੈ♡˳ Scorpio Moon: Under the enigmatic gaze of the Scorpio Moon, your emotional landscape is akin to a tempestuous sea, both captivating and unpredictable. Passion courses through your veins, igniting a relentless zeal that propels you towards your desires with an intensity that borders on obsession. Dominance comes naturally to you, and you possess an uncanny ability to attain the unattainable through sheer force of will. This fervor can be a double-edged sword, empowering you to conquer challenges, yet also threatening to consume you if left unchecked.

ੈ♡˳ Sagittarius Moon: The Sagittarius Moon illuminates your path with a beacon of wisdom and perception. Your intellectual faculties are sharp, complemented by a deep understanding of the human psyche. This potent combination equips you for roles that demand keen insights, be it in the realms of law, business, or investigation. However, it's your irrepressible sense of humor that acts as a compass, guiding you through life's labyrinthine twists and turns. This ability to find joy even in the face of adversity ensures that you remain grounded, regardless of the challenges that come your way.

ੈ♡˳ Capricorn Moon: With the Capricorn Moon's steady gaze upon you, your emotional landscape resembles a bedrock of determination and responsibility. You approach life with a seriousness that commands respect, embracing challenges with a resolute spirit that leaves no room for surrender. Success is your constant companion, as your unwavering commitment to excellence ensures that you excel in any endeavor you undertake. However, this unyielding pursuit of achievement can sometimes relegate personal matters to the background. It's only as you mature that you learn to strike a harmonious balance between ambition and emotional fulfillment.

ੈ♡˳ Aquarius Moon: The Aquarius Moon infuses your persona with an air of independence and innovation. Your bright and inquisitive mind is constantly in pursuit of new horizons, and your intuitive instincts guide you towards uncharted territories. Decisiveness is your hallmark, allowing you to navigate life's choices with confidence. Yet, this very decisiveness can occasionally manifest as intolerance and brusqueness, qualities that add a touch of spice to your multifaceted personality.

ੈ♡˳ Pisces Moon: Under the influence of the Pisces Moon, your emotions flow like an ever-changing river, weaving a tapestry of intuition and creativity. Artistic inclinations are your forte, particularly in the realm of music, where your soul finds solace and expression. Your innate desire to alleviate the suffering of others or contribute to the healing arts is a testament to your empathetic nature. However, when confronted with adversity, you have a tendency to withdraw into the sanctuary of your thoughts, seeking refuge in quiet contemplation.

Extra Sources: Drawing by Destina Eroland; Template by dayslily on tumblr

(CC) AstroJulia Some Rights Reserved

[literalnobody]

I want to hear your thoughts on Feral predator!

Okay we don't have three hours so let's just hit tha BULLETS BABYY:

Easily the most honourable Predator in the franchise (committed to matching his Prey's weaponry with ONE exception, always allows his prey to attack him first again with ONE exception)

Easily the sexiest Predator design so far. Yes this one is subjective and he's not wearing fishnets BUT that mask, his colouration, the fact that he is perpetually wet-looking. I love this little meow meow :3

The way Feral is framed by the film is almost as a duel protagonist to Naru - I truly don't feel the script treats him as a rival she is waiting to encounter in the first act, but a character with thoughts and emotions on his own journey. There's a great deal of empathy, I think, placed on the audience's viewing of Feral. He's incredibly expressive in his movements and the film takes time to show him considering the world he's interacting with. The scene that drives me especially bananas is when he picks up the cigar, throws it down with little interest, and then picks up the plant that Naru left in respect for the buffalo. It's the delicacy with which he handles it, the way the film lingers to let us see him consider and think about it. There's these little moments where the film wants us to project human emotions onto Feral (in my opinion obviously) instead of treating him as a big scary Other

C'mon the scene where he kills the trappers is just. It might as well be pornography I mean what do you want me to say

I love his silly little red cloaking device. It's so ineffective and I love that for him 🥰

see this post I made for how I feel about the Bear scene

Anyway all of this to say. Feral did nothing wrong and he and Naru should have teamed up to fight the trappers. That's where the script wanted to go (in my OPINION) but someone stuck their finger in the pie at some point during rewrites I think 😤 but my monsterfucker heart can dream, can it not......

[belit0]

How about Uchiha men with S/O big chest but she is a tall and athletic woman, which makes her very attractive to the male population

My first request in what feels like years. Bear with me while I get back on track, lol.

Indra

Indra observes the woman with a mixture of intrigue and detachment. It is not part of his character to prove anything to others, but a curious gleam appears in his eye as he meets (Y/N). His eyes, sharp and analytical, take in her tall, athletic figure with discernment born of his legacy. For Indra, strength and skill are qualities of great respect, and he perceives in her more than physical attractiveness; she is a reflection of his own ideals. Perhaps she is the right person, the one with whom to nurture a legacy worthy of calling his own. However, he is careful not to let his admiration be misinterpreted. Indra's gaze is intense but distant, appreciating her as the embodiment of power and elegance rather than just her looks. He wonders if such a woman could understand the weight of his expectations and if her strength could match the burdens of his mission. Would she be able to keep up with his agenda?

Madara

Madara's interest in her is immediate and intense. Known for his commanding presence and boundless ambition, he sees her as a formidable ally-or a potential adversary. Should (y/n) refuse his advances, or suddenly reject him out of hand, mutual hostility would be born immediately. Her tall, muscular, eye-catching figure is secondary to him; what really captures his attention is her power and poise. Madara's calculating mind evaluates her as a force to be reckoned with, someone who could stand beside him as an equal. Of course, the additional beauty the girl brings with her is pleasing to the eye, and he must be reminded on several occasions that staring at someone can be interpreted as a weak gesture coming from the clan leader. This attraction is not purely physical; it is a recognition of the power she exudes, which resonates with his aspirations and unwavering resolve.

Izuna

Surprise and lust. His warm and open attitude contrasts with his brother's more reserved nature, leaving him in evidence as the womanizer he is from the very first moment he appears on the scene. Izuna perceives her attitude and confident presence as a breath of fresh air, but nothing deeper than that. She's not his type, nothing he'd generally go for, but a change of scenery is always nice. He doesn't intend anything serious, considering her as one more conquest of his vast collection. What better than a challenge to remind oneself of the virtues of being alive and handsome? In any case, he finds the combination of power and beauty a bit intimidating, appreciative of how her looks are matched by an undeniable confidence. Izuna is not entirely thrilled to have someone equal to or stronger than him by his side, a matter of compromised egos, but the harmonious blend of grace and strength (y/n) possesses captures him. Irresistible, for now.

Obito

This Uchiha's initial reaction is one of awe and a hint of melancholy. The woman's imposing figure and aerial prowess remind him of a world he once hoped to protect, a world where those qualities were celebrated. For him, her presence is both a source of inspiration and a painful reminder of the life he has lost. Despite his internal struggles, he is drawn to her resilience and strength, traits that resonate deeply with his own journey. Obito aches for her not only for her appearance but for the way she seems to embody an ethos of resilience and charm, qualities he wishes he could continue to embrace. Either way, (y/n) represents light at the end of a too-dark path, someone to cling to to heal and restore a broken soul. Her stability engenders trust and he soon falls into a great emotional dependence on her.

Shisui

Shisui perceives (y/n) with a combination of amusement and subtle admiration. His eyes slowly wander from the curves in of her breasts to her hips, roaming her body centimeter by centimeter with stealthy eyes, a gaze too indecipherable, preventing anyone from interpreting his ulterior motives. Lightning speed itself. He is used to being chased by people he is not interested in, mainly because none of them can keep up with him. Shisui doesn't want someone by his side to constantly protect, he wants a challenge, someone who brings fun to the table and can contribute to his day-to-day life. A person who will challenge his skills and not regard him as a god, an equal. Finally, someone who can match him, providing dynamic workouts more fun than usual. His interest is tempered with genuine esteem for her personality, recognizing that her physical attributes are matched by a compelling inner strength. Shisui admires her ability to attract attention while maintaining an air of humility and pride.

Itachi

Itachi's perception of her is marked by his usual depth and complexity. Her towering, lithe, athletic figure and imposing presence are observed with a sense of silent respect. To Itachi, her physical attributes are important, but secondary to the fortitude of character she displays. (y/n)’s a force to reckon with, someone to be valued and not underestimated. He monitors her acutely, appreciating how she performs with a poised blend of stamina and flare. Every movement is calculated to perfection, and those are the details that make him realize she knows what she's doing. Itachi's admiration is measured, recognizing her attractiveness while remaining focused on the substance of her personality. In her, he sees a reflection of the balance he seeks in his own life, a combination of outward strength and inner fortitude. He would never approach her with offensive or lustful intentions, too polite to inconvenience a lady of such high caliber.

[boinin]

I didn't want to give too much weight to Hiiragi's tarot reading schtick. Yet, it's an author insert moment, and Kaneshiro loves foreshadowing. I have a worrying feeling that these fortunes may hold true for Chigiri, Barou and Nagi.

Full disclosure: I know very little about tarot, but did some high level reading through Wikipedia and other sources.

Chigiri gets the 15th card of the Major Arcana, the Devil. In the official translation, Hiiragi notes this to represent seduction, betrayal and ruin. Oof.

The obvious connection is to Chigiri's leg—the fortune could be tied to how he was seduced by football, became addicted to it, but will subsequently be betrayed by his leg... leading to ruin.

The Devil tarot card doesn't normally show a bomb, so this is for dramatic effect. Thematically, it implies that Chigiri should find purpose (or know where to seek it) beyond football, ahead of the day his luck runs out. 🥺 Not the outcome I want for our princess, but a second ACL injury has long been speculated by fans. Chigiri himself is aware that it's a risk when playing at this level.

Barou chooses number 12, the Hanged Man. Hiiragi cherry-picks his interpretation; in addition, this card is associated with motifs of self-sacrifice, learning, and change in perspective. It can also be interpreted as a voluntary state, rather than something that befalls a person.

It's a good fit for Barou, who doesn't double down on his ego so much as grow to show why he's deserving of his nickname in the first place. Barou is a king on the pitch, and expects a level of servitude from his teammates, but not without constantly improving his own skills and talent. He's no lazy despot, though despot he may be.

The Hanged Man fortunes supports his emotional outburst during the Ubers match. Barou remarks that he needs the challenge of despair to grow. As such, the trials he puts on himself are deliberate, much like the tarot reading suggests.

Nagi gets #13, Death (because of course he does). This fortune seems to be the most thoughtful of the bunch, unsurprisingly. Hiiragi's interpretation, while intended to provoke Nagi above all, holds up well against what little I've read on tarot.

The Wikipedia page for the Death arcana had some additional nuggets of insight, or rather further ammunition for those of us manifesting a second NagiReo divorce:

Reo is frequently referred to as princely and compared to royalty in the series, with his superfluous wealth and the way he confidently takes on leadership roles among teams. His signature colour, purple, has monarchial associations due to how rare and expensive purple pigments are in nature (prior to the invention of synthetic dyes).

Of course Reo, this royal youth, opposes Nagi's desire to change... seemingly at every hurdle.

It's not deliberate sabotage though, more that they're hamstrung by their co-dependency. Unlike almost every other relationship in Blue Lock, which arose from rivalry or a shared desire to improve, Nagi and Reo's friendship is rooted in the naive promises they made before entering the programme. @thyandrawrites had a great post exploring this recently, which I recommend if you want to delve deeper into the reasons for their underperformance in the Neo Egoist league.

My take is, in essence, if these two could agree to remain friends while moving away from being inseperable on the pitch, they'd both flourish.

Back to tarot: Wikipedia also has a tidbit on reversed cards, which I understand aren't a hardwired aspect of reading tarot (it refers to physical cards that are revealed upside down after being shuffled and dealt). The interpretation Wikipedia gives of an inverted Death card is reminiscent of Nagi's status after he plays against Isagi and Bastard München.

In short: Nagireo bad for one another, and Nagi will undergo quite the metamorphosis in his journey through Blue Lock, if this fortune holds.

---

Analysis aside, I wouldn't put too much faith into what these fortunes mean for the characters. Tarot itself isn't immutable, and for every motif listed above, the characters also have other tropes influencing the paths they take. For example, Chigiri shares the whole hero/princess trope with Kunigami, which has more plot significance than his leg injury at present. Nagi embodies the role of a natural prodigy who has neither the knowledge or experience to deploy his talents consistently. Barou embodies an villain or anti-hero archetype, when juxtaposed with Isagi. Each character has more to the eye than a simple playing card can reveal which is why I'm here yapping at length about them during my lunch break