#the long overdue one-shot sequel is finally here

[lazysublimeengineer]

they said the end is coming (everyone's up to something)

Summary: I find myself running home to your sweet nothings.

One shot sequel from my finished Reosagi fic, “Betrothed.”

Characters: Isagi Y. & Reo M.

(A/N: Please be mindful of the tags. Any other unnecessary complaints or comments will not be tolerated as sufficient warnings were provided in the tags. This one-shot sequel was inspired by the song, ‘Sweet Nothing’ from the Midnights album of Taylor Swift. I don’t own anything from the franchise. Respective ownership belongs to Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura for this wonderful manga and Taylor Swift for this beautiful song.)

I spy with my little tired eye Tiny as a firefly A pebble that we picked up last July Down deep inside your pocket We almost forgot it Does it ever miss Wicklow sometimes?

“Issei! Is the Oyakodon ready? Yocchan and Reo are both here!” Iyo asked from the living room as she spotted the car by the gate through their windows and heard the honking sound of their car’s horn.

“Yeah! Already put it in on the bowl. You can meet and let them in now!” Issei replied from the kitchen.

Iyo went out of the door to open the gate and greet them.

“Yocchan! Reo! Just in time! Lunch is ready! Come in and park the car at the garage!” Iyo greeted them cheerfully as she opened the gate.

One of the chauffeurs opened the door of the car to let Reo and Isagi step outside of the car.

“Ma! I told you that we can prepare lunch when we get here. No need for you and Pa to tire yourselves out.” Isagi grumbled weakly as he gave her a light hug to which Iyo returned the gesture affectionately and let out a light chuckle under her breath.

“Nonsense! You two are practically our guests now into our home so I don’t want you both stressing yourself out from travelling here.” Iyo chided lightly before she redirected her gaze towards Reo who was bowing deeply at her.

“Okaasan. It’s good to see you.” Reo greeted her primly.

Iyo smiled softly before she approached him and gave him a light hug to which the other froze for a few seconds before he relaxed and returned it gently.

“You’re too formal. No need for that when it’s not the first time that you’ve met me. We’re so glad that you finally come considering on how busy you get.” She replied softly as she let him go.

“Ah, of course I am. It’d be a shame if we don’t get to visit here occasionally.” Reo rubbed his nape sheepishly.

It made Isagi grin slightly. It’s amusing yet adorable to see his own husband sporting an awkward yet genuine expression on his face. It’s different from the Mikage Reo that he presented himself as when he’s the CEO of their enterprise and faced a lot of people. This made him more reachable and saw another side of him that seldom other people see in him.

It made him feel special in a way that other people were not.

“Well, c’mon now you two. Lunch is ready and I’m sure you two are quite tired from the travel going here. Aren’t you going to park your car inside?” She asked.

“Ah, no. We can just call them on another time to pick us up when we leave.” Reo assured her before he faced their chaffeur and driver and gave them a go signal to finally leave to which they did.

“By the way, we have something for you and oyaji from Wicklow. Some knick knacks that you both might find useful and interesting.” Reo handed her a bag of souvenirs smilingly.

“Oh my. Thank you. You and Yocchan have been spoiling us with gifts whenever you visit us.” Iyo accepted the bag and inspected the contents curiously.

“Of course, okaasan. It’s a little treat from both of us whenever you and oyaji prepared something wonderful and delicious to us when we visit here.” Reo chuckled softly under his breath as they finally went inside.

Isagi couldn’t be any happier than the sight alone and wished that this simple and delicate moment could last forever.

They said the end is coming Everyone's up to something I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving You're in the kitchen humming All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

The soft rays of the sunlight came peeking inside the window slowly from the small drape of the curtains on the side.

Reo’s eyes fluttered open and revealed a hazy hue of pomegranate tinted with cloudy sleepiness. He yawned and let his hand reach out to the other side of the bed where Isagi laid.

Only to find it empty beside him.

The remaining drowsiness slipped out of him, and he tried to get up from the bed to find out that he was the only one sleeping on the bed.

Huh?

He must be early again. It’s hard wired for athletes like them to get up early in the morning to start their routinary exercise before anything else even on the weekends.

Reo stretched languidly before he finally stood up and put on some slippers. He went inside the bathroom and gave himself a quick fix before he inspected himself in the mirror and deemed that his appearance was now an acceptable sight.

He finally went out of the room and a sweet, sizzling aroma permeated across his surroundings that made his stomach rumble and mouth water from the delicious smell. He followed the smell to where it was coming from, and it led him inside the kitchen where he found his husband humming softly under his breath while cooking something on the stove.

Reo leaned against the doorframe and watched in silent contentment at the peaceful yet radiant sight before him. He couldn’t contain himself any longer and finally approached him from behind where he wrapped his arms around his middle which earned a surprised squeak from the other.

How adorable.

“Morning. Why didn’t you wake me up hmm?” He whispered throatily as his tongue licked at the shell of his ear.

Reo felt him shiver against his arms and a smirk made its way to his face as he continued his ministrations, now kissing along the crook of his neck.

“And g-good morning to y-you too...” Isagi barely suppressed a breathy sigh and a soft moan from escaping his lips. “Don’t wanna wake you up when you’re sleeping like a baby... And I just want to make some breakfast for us... R-reo... Ngh... Haven’t you’ve had enough already last night...?” He croaked out.

“Hmm? You’re saying something?” Reo murmured distractedly as his eager mouth continued showering kisses along his nape while his hands grew bolder and wandered inside his shirt where he gently caressed his torso and earned a light gasp from the blue-eyed striker.

“Ngh... Reo... Does it have to be now...? Fuck... I’m still cooking here... Also, someone might see us.” Isagi breathed out shakily as one of Reo’s hands slipped out of his shirt and reached for the knob of the stove to turn it off.

“There. All done. And Yoichi-kun, it’s still early in the morning. Probably 5AM and no one would be able to see us here if we keep quiet unless you want an audience in here hmm?” Reo whispered seductively, of course he was just teasing him, he’d stop if Isagi outright said no.

However, it was the polar opposite. With Isagi’s words earlier insisting that he should ceased his bold yet teasing actions, his body said otherwise and seemed to linger more on his touch rather than pulling away.

“Stop being an asshole... We’re in my parents’ home you idiot...” Isagi tried to reprimand him, but it came out as a weak moan as Reo nipped along the sensitive spot on his neck which made him inadvertently closed his eyes and leaned closer to his touch.

“Hmm? I’m not hearing a no from you my dear husband. Just say the word and I’ll stop.” Reo replied lowly.

“Just... damn it... Get on with it quickly.... I’m not saying it again.” Isagi huffed out in a frustrated yet needy whine which made Reo smile against his skin.

Reo finally got to work and hoisted him up on the counter with ease. Isagi was sitting in the corner as Reo opened a lower cabinet to prop his foot on.

Without any wasting time, Reo gripped his hips and spread his legs apart and move in between them, catching his lips in a fiery kiss as he divested off his boxers and gave a one swift, thrust which made Isagi gasped and moaned out simultaneously inside his mouth.

With his insides still warm and slick from the aftermath of a heated night between the two of them in their bedroom previously, he penetrated him with ease and didn’t see the need to prepare him as Isagi’s quivering walls were stretched invitingly and accommodated the wide girth of his cock easily.

Isagi’s hands wrapped around Reo’s neck for leverage and support as he returned his kiss hungrily, letting the other’s tongue plunder inside his mouth and plow him against the counter wildly. His lecherous moans and sinful mewls were swallowed by their open-mouthed kisses.

Isagi’s legs quivered but kept it spread open to accommodate Reo’s throbbing length with his swift yet precise movements inside him which hit and abused his sweet spot repeatedly. This made Isagi’s head spin, and he saw stars in his line of vision.

Reo’s hands gently caressed and squeezed along his hips and thighs before he pulled his mouth away and broke their shared kisses to bite around the other’s shoulder lightly.

“Fuck...! I’m close... God, you’re squeezing me just right Yoichi...!” Reo groaned out against his skin.

“Ah— Ah— Ah— Reo...! Feels good...! Don’t stop please...! I’m c-close t-too...!” Isagi tried to keep his voice low, but he couldn’t stop the series of low moans and grunts of pleasure from escaping his lips.

With a one, last ferocious thrust, Reo’s body quivered and reached his climax, painting his insides with the hot, splashes of his cum. Isagi followed soon right after, a soft moan slipping past his lips as he reached his peak and splashed his load across their chests.

Isagi’s head fell into the other’s chest as he breathed raggedly while Reo loosened his grip on him but kept his hold on his waist for leverage and support as they both gathered their bearings.

“Fuck. If it’s you who’s going to serve my breakfast every morning, I don’t mind you doing it every day.” Reo remarked with a throaty chuckle.

“Shut up you idiot. You owe me a massage later.” Isagi shot back in fond exasperation.

They basked in the afterglow for a few seconds before they heard some shuffling sounds from the outside which made them freeze before quickly pulling apart and hastily putting on their clothes.

“Well, we need to clean this up... sort of little messy in here.” Reo commented as he reached for a rag and a kitchen cleanser inside the cabinet.

“And whose fault is that?” Isagi rolled his eyes playfully before he joined him in cleaning up the mess that they made on the counter.

“I guess I can make some bacon and eggs for today. What do you say Issei? Would they like it for breakfast?” Iyo’s voice from upstairs rang out.

“Maybe. We can probably add some waffles and—.”

Issei stopped midsentence as he spotted Isagi and Reo placing the freshly made breakfast on the table.

Iyo blinked owlishly at the sight as well when they arrived in the kitchen and dining area.

The kitchen looked also pristine and clean.

“Good morning, Ma and Pa. You’re just in time for breakfast.” Isagi said smilingly.

“Come and join us.” Reo piped up cheerfully as well.

“I guess we don’t have to worry about breakfast for today at all.” Issei remarked which made Iyo chuckle softly under her breath as they sat beside each other.

Reo stole a quick but meaningful glance at Isagi and caught his gaze.

Clandestine smiles were shared towards each other.

What a lovely morning for them.

Industry disruptors and soul deconstructors And smooth-talking hucksters out glad-handing each other And the voices that implore, "You should be doing more" To you, I can admit that I'm just too soft for all of it

“Do you even know how to do that?” Isagi sighed as he watched Reo placed the plant in the hole and planted it with a soil. The placement of the plant on the ground was not deep enough and was displayed awkwardly under the bright lights of the sun.

“Of course I am! What do you take me for?” Reo made an offended sound at the back of his throat. “I’ll have you know that I took great care of Nagi’s plant back in our heyday!” He added dramatically.

“Which was a cactus.” Isagi deadpanned before he scooted closer to him and took one of his gloved hands which was holding the garden shovel and guided him in adding more soil into the plant.

“You need to plant it deep enough that the top of the root ball is about one inch or something above the surrounding soil. Then add more soil and press it down to collapse any large pockets in the soil.” Isagi stated as his gaze was focused on guiding Reo’s hand in pressing the shovel down the soil that he failed to notice on Reo’s intent gaze on his face.

“So, do you get it now or—.” Isagi stopped midsentence as he finally faced him and clashed his azure irises against his mauve orbs.

Faint, pinkish hues colored his cheeks as he realized how deep Reo was staring at his face and at their proximity.

“Did you even listen or just gawk at me like an idiot?” Isagi grumbled out weakly as he looked away to hide the crimson hues that flooded his face.

A soft smile inched across Reo’s lips as he basked in the sight of his husband who had an adorable yet genuine expression on his face.

He can’t admit it directly to him but this was one of those rare moments that he enjoyed. Maybe the others would quickly surmised that the young heir of the Mikage Corp. Had always enjoyed and valued luxurious vacations and activities with his husband. He did enjoy them yes. As a person who grew up in vast wealth and opulence of their living, he was used to it and living for it. But he treasured more of these simple but memorable moments with him by his side.

When they’re here together, he was simply Reo, and his husband was simply Yoichi as if they’re not the renowned athletes all over the world and one of the most well-known, powerful couple in society magazines.

They’re just here.

A newly married couple who were sincerely enjoying their time together.

God, they’re just like teenagers sometimes who were going out on a date and getting to know each other.

But considering on how they started their relationship backwards, Reo didn’t mind it one bit.

He really didn’t if he’s got to be beside his lovely husband all the time.

“Not my fault if I find my husband being cute like this.” Reo replied playfully before he stole a quick kiss on his cheek.

“Wha—? Hey!” Isagi protested as his face was set aflame at the stolen kiss performed by Reo on his cheek. Sometimes he was still caught off guard by the other’s sudden display of affection, which he didn’t mind of course. He was still wondering how he bagged the Reo Mikage on his arms who was one of the most sought out bachelors of their heyday.

With a sudden streak of confidence striking upon him, Isagi quickly turned around to face and jumped on him which ended up Reo lying on the soft ground of the garden with him on top of him.

Isagi’s eyes fixed on the male’s face before a simple, yet genuine smile broke out of his lips.

As he leaned down and brushed his lips along his in a fleeting yet inviting kiss, he realized that he wouldn’t trade this kind of memory for anything else.

Not when their hearts were tangled with one another for eternity.

They said the end is coming Everyone's up to something I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving You're in the kitchen humming All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

When Isagi tried to balance himself on the surfboard, a huge wave came crashing into him and made him lose his balance and fell off.

He was still coughing up a bit and shook his head off from the sand that caught his damp locks when he heard the light laughter of Reo from the shore which made him huff indignantly.

“What’s so funny?”

“Sorry, sorry. I can’t help it. It’s just that your kinda adorable when your washed up by the sea.” Reo raised his arms placatingly before he approached him and took the surfing board from his arms to place it on their spot under the shade.

“Don’t give me that bullshit. I know I’m a loser when it came to surfing but you won’t be laughing in the future once I get the hang of it.” Isagi replied petulantly, trying not to sound like a stubborn kid who lost at a game on the playground.

“Now don’t be like that my dear husband.” He chuckled softly before he took him by the arm and gently led him into the secluded, yet calmer side of the sea surrounded by large rocks.

“So, why are we here?” Isagi asked with an arched brow.

“To teach you on how to balance yourself of course.” Reo replied playfully as they both waded the serene waters.

“Right. I can smell your bullshit a mile from here.” Isagi scoffed lightly but there was lopsided grin tugging on his lips.

“I’m trying to be romantic here so stop spoiling the mood.” Reo complained lightly.

“It’s not my fault that you’re such a sap sometimes.” Isagi rolled his eyes playfully before he wrapped his arms around his neck and pulled him closer.

“I can just can never win with you sometimes.” Reo chuckled softly under his breath before he leaned closer and removed any gap between the two of them by claiming his lips in a deep yet soulful kiss.

Isagi reciprocated ardently, his mouth molding sensually against the other’s lips as he kissed him back passionately, his legs automatically wrapped themselves up on Reo’s hips as his hands tangled themselves on his damp locks and massaged on his scalp.

Reo wasted no time as he gently backed Isagi against a large rock which completely hid their compromising position.

Isagi moaned softly inside his mouth before he pulled away hesitantly and looked around.

“Are you sure no one will find us here?” He asked hoarsely.

Reo grinned playfully. “Of course, Yoichi-kun. I won’t be bringing you to this spot if there’s a bit of a chance that someone might see us. Or maybe you’re into that sort of thing?” He asked teasingly as his lips found their way to the pale column of his throat and showered it with featherlight kisses.

“It’s not that you asshole.” Isagi grumbled weakly as a shiver ran along his spine as he felt Reo’s eager mouth traipsing heatedly along his neck. “I don’t want some paparazzi feasting on us in their tabloids or magazines.” He gasped lightly as one of Reo’s hands found its way on his chest and pinched one of his sensitive nubs.

“Relaxed Yoichi-kun. No one’s gonna find us here and if there was I’ll make sure our glorious bodies won’t even make it to the papers.” He mumbled hotly against his skin and all Isagi could do was to surrender his will and body to Reo as he was getting seductively drunk on his kisses and ministrations alone. His body was reacting traitorously to the other’s proximity and touches and the rational part of his mind was slowly melting away.

“Fuck, you’re incorrigible sometimes.” Isagi groaned out.

“You mean insatiable my dear husband.” Reo briefly looked up and shot him a flirty wink to which Isagi rolled his eyes in fond exasperation.

“Just get on with it. Or do you want your dear husband to do all the work?” Isagi asked lowly.

“As you wish. I’m pretty easy to talk to anyway.” Reo replied huskily before his mouth dove down on his chest and let his mouth lavished heatedly on his skin and let his tongue encircled on one of his nipples and gave it kitten licks before sucking on it in a slow yet sensual manner which earned a half whimper and half moan from the other.

Isagi couldn’t help but to rub himself suggestively against Reo’s body to increase the heated friction between their bodies which earned a groan from the other and made one of his hands travelled down on his thighs near his cock to squeezed invitingly. This made Isagi twitched slightly against him and a soft moan slipping past his lips as a shot of arousal hit him through the roof as Reo’s hands brushed near along his cock inside his swimming trunks.

“F-fuck... R-reo...” His heart stuttered wildly inside his chest as Reo’s mouth and hands continued doing sinful things on his body which made his eyes swirl in pure ecstasy and want, his mind was hazy and faraway as it only wanted to be satisfied by the young heir’s sensuous actions on his body and senses.

“Can’t get enough of you...” Reo murmured distractedly against his skin, his hot breaths leaving a trail of fire in every fiber of his being.

“Reo please... Want more of you...” Isagi whined needily as he bucked his hips against him which earned a guttural moan from the other.

Reo unlatched his mouth from his nipples to look at him with a lazy smirk resting on his lips.

“I like that look on your face Yoichi-kun.” He cooed. “Can you beg again for me?” He added playfully.

A scowl made its way to Isagi’s face as he hit him weakly on his chest. “Shut up you dumbass or you want me to leave you here high and dry?” He tried to maintain the annoyed look on his face, but it was betrayed by his flushed cheeks and swollen lips which was sinfully wet and red from being thoroughly kissed earlier.

“Hey, hey. Now don’t be like that my dear husband. I’m just kidding. You know that I love you right? And I’m always at your beck and call.” Reo replied softly before he leaned down and bestowed a simple but reverential kiss which melted Isagi’s remaining petulance away and clung to him needily, returning his kiss eagerly.

Reo didn’t waste his time as he slipped down their trunks before he stroked his cock and let one of his hands wandered around his plump derriere going to his entrance. However, Isagi’s hand landed on his wrist and stopped him.

“You don’t have to...” He whispered faintly.

“But I need to prepare—.”

“Trust me Reo I won’t be needing it so better get on with it.” Isagi replied as he bit his lip as he looked away, his cheeks dusted off in pink hues as his own words.

Reo blinked owlishly at him as he deciphered his words before his eyes grew wide in realization.

“Don’t tell me...? Before we even get here you... you’ve already prepared yourself...?” He asked breathlessly.

“W-well, I didn’t rule out the possibility that we might get into this kind of situation so it's best to be prepared for anything.” Isagi mumbled under his breath, resisting the urge to hide his face as he could feel his cheeks burning at his admission.

Something flickered inside Reo’s eyes before a low growl escaped his lips.

“You’ve done well my dear husband but next time let me do it for you as part of my responsibility towards you.” He replied throatily before he hoisted him up against the rock and made him wrapped his legs around his hips for leverage and support. He licked his lips slowly as his predatory gaze raked over Isagi’s form hungrily before he gave a one, swift thrust and breached his velvety walls which earned a low but lecherous moan from them.

“God fucking dammit Reo...! Fuck!” Isagi’s hands quickly grappled on his back and let his nails raked on his skin which earned a low hiss from the other male. The feeling of being full hit him instantaneously as Reo’s cock stretched him to his limit and buried itself to the hilt.

“Damn it to hell...! Still fucking tight no matter how many times we did this already!” Reo groaned out as the fiery, yet addicting sensation flooded around his veins at the feeling of Isagi’s walls quivered and stretched itself easily to accommodate the wide girth of his cock.

Without any preamble, Reo pulled away and slammed back inside of him ferociously which earned a sinful moan and helpless mewl from the other male. Tears of pleasure and drool started to cascade down his face as Reo’s thrusts grew harder and deeper which came to a point that he was railing him recklessly against the rock.

“Ah— Ah— Ah— Reo! Fuck that feels so good! Don’t you dare stop! Hit there harder please!” Isagi couldn’t contain his moans and mewled like a bitch in heat as Reo plowed him wildly and abused his sweet spot repeatedly.

Reo immediately leaned down and captured his lips in a wild and dirty kiss, swallowing all the pleasurable noises that were coming out from his sinful lips.

Isagi kissed him back messily, letting the other’s tongue explore the insides of his mouth wildly. He surrendered himself to the mind-numbing sensation and delirious ecstasy that the other was bringing him in.

“Fuck! Yoichi I’m close!” He mumbled hotly against his mouth.

“Inside Reo! Please! Finish it inside of me!” He mumbled back, completely drunk from pleasure and lust that enveloped his entire being.

“Fuck! I love you so much! Take all of it!” He groaned inside his mouth as Reo’s body shuddered and reached his climax, emptying himself on his walls and painted his insides with the warm sensation of his cum.

A muffled mewl and moan escaped from Isagi’s lips as he was filled up to his brim instantaneously, reaching his own peak afterwards and splashed his cum across their chests.

For a moment, they stayed like that together with only their ragged breathing and thunderous beats of their hearts inside their chests ringing around their senses.

The cool draft of air and mild splash of water from the sea shattered the drunken haze that they were in and they decided to pull away from each other and redressed themselves. Isagi’s legs trembled beneath the water before a surprise yelp emitted from his lips as he felt Reo’s robust arms carried his quivering frame easily.

“Wha—?”

“Now I can’t leave my poor husband walking alone when he’s on the receiving end of our strenuous activities.” Reo remarked mischievously.

Isagi rolled his eyes playfully as he wrapped his arms around his neck and let the other carry him back to the shore. “That’s right. Pamper your dear husband along with a well-deserved massage later.”

“As you wish of course.” Reo laughed huskily.

Isagi looked at his profile. The setting sun reflected his face in a soft glow of orangey hues from the sky.

A simple yet tantalizing smile inched across his lips at the radiant sight before him.

“Reo?” He called out gently.

“Yeah?” Reo glanced at him before Isagi quickly took him by the nape and claimed his lips in a deep yet soulful kiss that meant to pour out of his love for one another.

“I love you...” He murmured against his lips.

“I love you more...” Reo murmured back softly as he returned his kiss that’s worth more than a thousand words of affection for the other.

They said the end is coming (they said the end is coming) Everyone's up to something (everyone's up to something) I find myself running home to your sweet nothings Outside, they're push and shoving (outside, they're push and shoving) You're in the kitchen humming (you're in the kitchen humming) All that you ever wanted from me was sweet nothing

(A/N: Yes, I know this one shot Reosagi sequel for my finished fic Betrothed is long overdue but forgive me because I’ve been ridiculously busy with my personal life and was distracted by other things. But here you go. Have some domestic yet spicy content of the married life of Reo and Isagi at your service. Reviews and kudos are much appreciated.)

[superconductivebean]

#1023: about the update

It's alright to feel disappointed.

Building hype for this long-expected unification wasn't warranted, HL PR team. People are reasonably upset over not receiving anything for a year. We can explain it by that MMO game, older console gen ports, but looking at other releases and how this one gets handled, well.

If you'd like to indulge, feel free to jump under the cut. But before you do, know that if you're upset, I'm with you.

Why hope for the sequel when something already as costly can't put it mind to garnishing itself. It isn't an impossible ask, especially when you know the HL situation is rather unique with its update absence.

I am aware not many people came to HL after a lengthy log of games to have something to compare with, so, a few examples.

No Mаn Sky. Everyone hated on it on release for not delivering on its ambitious promises; money were spent on a nothing burger. But the devs eventually turned the bland experience into something more fun but maybe repetitive, but fun nonetheless. People don't mind a game to be repetitive at times. They are finally able to meet their friends somewhere in the game's vast expanses of the traversable universe.

Cybеrpunk. Dumpster fire. Upset people, refund river. Completely bland, according to some, and definitely not an RPG of the millennia. Like, the main character, V, is basically the HL's MC: they were made to be filled with your own colours but the devs didn't have time to implement it besides the backstory choice (which doesn't matter 95% of time). Years after the release, a few systems were revamped and remade, and a long-overdue DLC has finally seen the light of day. It's arguably the best thing in the entire game now.

Stаrdew Valley. A phenomenon. It was already awesome on release but it was only the beginning; has been becoming increasingly more complex and wholesome since. This game has been developed by just an one guy plus a very few people helped him on the way. Today, he continues to drop DLC-sized bangers, with the community's help, but it's never company-structure-size thing. This all for free.

Eurо Truck Simulatоr 2. Metric ton of content for if you love a rather monotonous gameplay loop. The devs add more to the pile: free map revamps and content updates + paid DLCs with entire countries worth of territory to explore.

Deep Rоck Galaсtic. Steep and flat learning curves, four different characters with unique play styles, free content updates + you can pay for the cosmetics for nothing more but rizz (the game is meant to be played in co-op so you'll have someone to shot it off to).

Dwаrf Fоrtrеss has been out for 20+ years and it is free and has always been updated a lot since.*

An absence of plans or content for HL is thus disheartening to me.

This game being a half-baked cookie for a steep price is, well. You'd expect the level of developmental commitment of other scandalous releases, or you'd expect the passion the less known developers nourish their projects with. In this day and age we have to live with a sad realisation that the industry would rather push the half-baked thing on the market to patch it later, or it wouldn't meet the deadline.

But it also asks to pay a hefty price. It's alright to demand your money to meet the promise given, and we certainly were promised a lot. It isn't unreasonable. It isn't dull or stupid. You bought a liter of milk and got 750ml and no promise of the missing 250ml being added later, what's here not to be upset about?

It isn't any different with anything you buy, I suppose? Would it be fair if you were told the house you're about to buy has AC but when you are moving in, the wall has only a spot where it's been mounted? Or if you bought a book with *inserttopic*, half the pages were torn away?

Games aren't any different. You pay, a lot, and sometimes get 1/3 of the amount. This -- isn't alright. And in no world it should be.

Saying 'uncommon' doesn't mean there aren't games that look oddly familiar to HL, though. Stаrbound is only alive thanks to its modding community. Ovеrwatch is just sad. Bоrdеrlands 3 flopped, stripped from everything its predecessors had besides the gunplay. It will depend on who you ask, but Minеcraft, too, has these issues. Also, Anthеm. Some will shout, ThеSims4.

So. It is alright to feel disappointed if you paid for something based on, well, what's the seller said about it and literally got little from it. And just, let's not cynically defend predatory business practices here.

It is also okay to be upset when you've been lured into hoping something is about to come only to realise it's been used in a tactic to gain cheap engagement from you.

You're most correct in being sad.

tldr; Breaking the radio silence with a hype for the long-awaited but known small pack of content wasn't the PR team's brightest idea.

[flamencodiva]

Waited for You

Description: Dean has arrived in heaven. What will he find when he searches for the one he told to wait for him. 

Sequel: Wait for Me

Characters: Dean Winchester x Female!Reader

Warnings: mentions of death, angst, fluff, smut, Oral (female and male receiving), language. 

This fic was requested by an anonymous person. I hope they see this and like it. 

Dean felt at peace once he allowed himself to let go. Defeating Chuck, also known as God, had been a feat in itself, and the short time he had on earth had him thinking of her. His last moments with her as she died in his arms continued to haunt him. But he tried to live for her. With Chuck gone and Jack in control of how the world works, his brother Sam had noticed that monster attacks were few and far between. It allowed him to enjoy life and explore things he had heard that Y/N had wanted to do. 

He now found himself in heaven, driving around in Baby. The windows were down, the radio blasted his favorite songs, and the road was endless. Dean wasn’t sure how long he was driving, but he could tell it was a long time. As he was going, something told him to head to a bridge nearby. 

It felt as though seconds had passed when Sam appeared behind him, making Dean smile. The two brothers got into Baby, Sam telling Dean about his life and his namesake. 

“So, what have you been doing up here?” Sam asked as they drove down the never-ending road. 

“Just driving,” Dean said, shrugging his shoulders. “I mean, I didn’t want to see Mom and Dad until you came up, and the roadhouse didn’t appeal to me yet.” 

“You didn’t look for her?” Sam asked. 

Dean knew who he meant. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted, but he found himself at a crossroads. 

“We didn’t really part on good terms, Sam,” Dean sighed. “Hell, I’m surprised Jack is allowing me up here after everything I’ve done.” 

“Dean,” Sam groaned, “Don’t do this. This is heaven. You shouldn’t be thinking this way. Besides, I need you to drop me off somewhere.” 

Dean had no idea where Sam was leading him, but when they reached the destination, he shot a look at his brother. 

“How did you know to come here?” Dean asked. 

Sam shrugged his shoulders, “Just a feeling. You know I never got over her and–” Sam paused to lick his lips, “I guess this is where we’re meant to finally be together.” 

Dean stayed silent as he watched his brother exit the Impala and make his way towards the small white house. When the door opened, Dean couldn’t help but smile as Sam took Jess in his arms and spun her around. A long overdue reunion. Dean let his instincts take over as he drove down the road. It didn’t surprise him that it led him to The Roadhouse. 

Climbing out of the car, he walked inside and smiled at the scene. Craning his head to look over the crowd, his eyes searched for her. He knew she was there. The crack of pool balls hit each other. Her laugh made its way to his ears, and his eyes finally fell on her. 

She stood using the que to support herself as she popped out her hip, waiting her turn. Her eyes shone at whatever flirtatious line was fed to her by Roy. 

“Come on, Y/N,” Roy begged, “you know you can’t resist my charm.” 

“Funny,” she snorted, “I find myself resisting just fine. But I’ll throw you a bone. You can sink the 8-ball, and I’ll kiss your cheek.” 

Dean couldn’t help the smile that adorned his face at the conversation. 

“You just gonna stand there, or are you going to go claim your girl, Winchester?” 

“Don’t think she wants to see me, Ellen,” Dean sighed as he took the glass of whiskey she offered. 

“What makes you say that? Because of Jo? Jo found her other half and is with him right now. Y/N’s been here every day since the walls came down waiting for you.” 

Dean blushed and shook his head, “I don't know why.” He hissed as the amber liquid went down his throat, “I was no good for her. I broke her heart.” 

“So then, why don’t we start over?” Her voice called from behind him. 

Dean could feel his soul vibrate at her sight when he turned to face her. She was just as beautiful as he remembered. Her eyes shone brightly at the sight of him, and he was sure his heart would pound in his chest if he was still alive. 

“You look good for a dead guy,” she joked. 

“You don’t look too bad yourself, Y/L/N,” Dean returned. 

“Want to get out of here?” she suggested, holding her hand towards him. 

“Yeah,” Dean said, “that sounds good. But are you–” 

“Yes, I’m sure,” Y/N interrupted. “We have a lot to talk about.” 

Dean nodded as he followed her out of the Roadhouse and towards the Impala. 

“Even in heaven, Baby looks good,” Y/N said as she caressed the car's exterior frame. 

“You don’t look so bad yourself, Y/N,” Dean said as they climbed inside.  “So, where to?” he asked, turning the key in the ignition and letting Baby roar to life. 

“Just drive,” Y/N said as she looked at Dean, “I’ll guide you on the way.”

Dean nodded his head before heading down the road that Y/N pointed to. During their trip, Dean learned that before Jack fixed up heaven, Y/N’s best memories were from when they were teens. There were times when Dean would reminisce about his first meeting with her. 

Both of their Dad’s had been partners at some point. They often crossed paths hunting the same monsters, leading the kids to care for each other. The one memory Dean was surprised that Y/N relived was the lake bonfire. 

It was a time before Dean had quit high school to join his father in the family business. The local school they were enrolled in had a group of students who considered themselves Misfits. It was the one time Dean felt like he belonged. It was also the first time Dean and Y/N had gotten together. They had agreed that Friends with Benefits was the way to go with their life. No strings attached. 

“We’re going to the lake,” Dean said as he made the turn. “We’re going where it all started.” 

“I figured a familiar place would be good,” Y/N chuckled, “it was also one of my most frequented memories. It was probably one of the best memories I ever had.” 

“Y/N–” 

“I loved you, Dean. Down there on earth, I fell in love. I made that stupid friend with benefits deal because it was the only way to have you.” 

Dean stayed silent as he followed her out towards the lake. The sun made the water shimmer, and the wind gently blew atop the water's surface. Dean stayed a few paces behind her, watching as the dress she was wearing blew gently with the wind. 

“Every time we met up, on the days we didn’t hook up, and you were with another woman,” Y/N’s voice cracked, “I wanted it to be me. But I reminded myself that, one, you didn’t see me that way, and two, I wasn’t worthy of being the girl for you. I was–”

“I’m going to stop you right there, Y/N,” Dean huffed. “It had nothing to do with you. I loved you, Y/N, Fuck, I still love you.” 

Y/N turned to face him as he said the words. She could see the unshed tears in his eyes as he looked at her. Her breath hitched when he cupped her cheek. 

“I laid out the whole friends with benefits thing because I never thought you saw me as anything more than that. Not to mention,” Dean paused and placed his forehead against hers, taking a shaky breath. “Not to mention that, if I ever admitted how I felt, I knew you would have died. I knew I was cursed, and in a way, I was right. Chuck pulling all the strings and being needed for his damn ending. I lost you because I loved you and kept you at arm's length, thinking it would keep you alive.” 

“You’re an idiot,” Y/N huffed. “The times I got in the way of a monster for you. I see it now in the way you used to yell at me. But I would have gotten hurt for you repeatedly because, in the end, the world needed you.” 

“I needed you,” Dean growled. 

“You have me now,” She declared. “But are you sure it’s me you want? Every woman you’ve been with is–” 

“Nothing compared to you,” Dean admitted. “Yes, in some way, I felt affection for them. I tried to open my heart up for them, but you kept holding it tightly.”  

“So you –” 

Dean pulled her in for a passionate kiss. His tongue met hers as he pulled her in tight. Breaking the kiss to breathe, the couple rushed back towards the car and out to Y/N’s home. He knew where he needed to go. He could feel it. He didn’t need to ask her where she lived. He knew. 

The drive was quick, and the feel of Y/N against him as he drove had Dean smiling. 

The door had barely closed when they got inside before Dean had pushed Y/N up against it. His hands quickly took off her clothes, all while peppering kisses along her skin. 

“Is it a sin to fuck in heaven?” Y/N joked, gasping every time Dean’s lips caressed her skin. 

Dean let out a small grunt as he reached her pelvis, “Don’t know. But I can tell you right now, this is heaven. And it is anything but sinful.” 

Digging her fingers into Dean’s hair, Y/N moaned when he flicked his tongue against her sex. His lips sucked on his clit while his finger teased her entrance, had her bucking her hips for more. She missed him, missed the feel of his body against hers. Missed every caress of his fingers song her skin. She had yearned for the feeling of him filling her to the brim. 

And what he was doing right now was her fantasy. Sure they had sex on hunts, but this was different. It was needy and passionate. It wasn’t rushed or a quickie. But Dean wanted to devour her in a way he never did back on Earth. 

Y/N gasped as Dean’s tongue, and fingers worked her open. She felt that familiar fire at the base of her abdomen, her toes began to curl, and her back arched into him, wanting his reach to go deeper. 

“Yes,” she breathed, her finger curling into his hair as he ate her out with fervor. “Don’t stop. Please, Dean, don’t stop.”  

Dean smirked against her cunt before continuing his meal. 

“Yes,” Y/N squealed, “I’m gonna– I’m gonna cum.” 

Dean hummed as he felt her juices gush on his face. The tangy taste hit his tastebuds, and he continued to tease her clit, making her squeeze her thighs, trapping his head between them. 

“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” she chanted as Dean continued to eat her out. She orgasmed again and again until she was a panting mess and her thighs were drenched with her juices. 

Dean pulled back, licking his lips and smiling at her, “that was the best meal I’ve had in a long time.” 

“My turn,” Y/N breathed as she pulled Dean towards her, changing their position so that he was pressed against the door. 

Her fingers made quick work of his clothes, leaving him in just his jeans. Her lips kissed their way from his stubbled jaw, down his neck, and onto his chest. Her eyes peeked up at him as she continued her trek down towards the waistband of his jeans. Her fingers slowly undid his button and zipped down his sipper before pulling on them to pool down by his ankles. 

Dean took in a small gulp of air as his eyes locked with hers. He watched as her fingers teased the elastic of his boxers. The minx kissed the skin as she slowly inched his boxers down before revealing his hardened erection. The head of his penis was already hard and leaking precum before her tongue lapped it up simultaneously as her hands pulled his boxers to join his jeans. 

“Ugh, fuck,” Dean grunted as he bucked his hips to try and get Y/N to swallow more of him in her mouth. 

Y/N let out a giggle and shook her head, “I’m going to take my sweet ass time, mister. I want to play with little Dean before diving in. After all, we have all eternity before you pound me nice a good.” 

“Shit, sweetheart, my dick is anything but little. ” Dean moaned with a chuckle, “Where did you learn to talk like that, huh?” 

Y/N shrugged, “been wanting to talk like that to you for a long time, Winchester. Just never dared to do it.” 

“You keep talking and teasing like that, and I’ll be a mess before you know it,” Dean admitted. 

“Really? Well, I better keep going then,” she said, winking up at him, taking the tip of his penis into her mouth and slurping sultrily. 

“Fuck,” Dean huffed. 

His fingers threaded into her hair, holding her as she bobbed her head. Her tongue pressed on the underside of his mushroom tip when she reached it, adding the right amount of pressure to thrust into her mouth. Dean grunted and moaned as he took control, forcing Y/N to take him deeper into her mouth. The way she gagged and choked on his penis had him twitching in the back of her throat. It was enough for him to almost cum, but he wanted to be deep inside her pussy when he did. 

Y/N let out a whine as Dean pulled her up and kissed her fiercely, pressing her back against the door. The head of his cock teasing her entrance. 

“Please,” Y/N whimpered as she clawed at Dean to get closer. 

Her wet heat begged for his member to fill her.  Dean could only oblige as he slowly thrust into her, filling her to the hilt. After a moment of letting her adjust to his size, Dean began moving in and out of her. Their skin slapping echoed in the foyer while the door rattled with every shove of his cock. Y/N’s nails deliciously scratched at Dean’s back, her legs wrapped around his waist, locking them in as they became one. 

It took Dean making Y/N cum two more times on his cock before he finally spilled into her. Sure they were in heaven, and it wasn’t the same as earth, but the euphoric feeling of their souls joining seemed to make everything around him brighter. Almost as if they were meant to be together. 

Dean carried her up the stairs to her room and gently placed her on the bed. He soon joined her after making sure he had cleaned them both up. The feeling of Y/N in his arms gave him a sense of completion. He was meant to be with her. And even though it took a life of pain on earth, Dean was elated to be with her now. 

“Thanks for waiting,” Dean muttered into her hair.

[dragon-kazansky]

Tea for two | Helmut Zemo

Requested by anon

Sequel to Tea for you

Zemo made the tea as he always did. The boys had got a lead and it was important they went and checked out the area. Of course, Zemo was going with them.

He was only making one cup today. The boys were insistent they had to leave soon.

After what Bucky did the other day, Zemo had begun to leave a Turkish Delight with your cup. It felt like he was completing his deed by doing both.

Once the tray was settled on the coffee table, he left with the boys. They were gone hours. Apparently it was a false lead, but Sam had picked up some information that may be useful. They would leave first thing tomorrow to check it out.

When they came back to the house, Zemo walked over to the tray. The tea was obviously cold now. He stared at the brightly coloured liquid.

Why was he still holding onto hope?

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. He didn't need let his emotions get the better of him here.

You're dead. You're not coming back.

His fists clench in his gloves, the leather creaking ever so slightly from the motion. His heart will never heal.

Helmut picks up the tray and takes it over to the sink, tipping the cold tea away and washing the cup delicately as always. Once it's crystal clean, he holds it up and runs his thumb over the side. Even in the moment he wishes beyond belief you would come here and take it from him.

He sets the cup down and goes to bed.

Sam has them all up early. He wants to leave as soon as possible, but Zemo insists on pouring the tea as he always does. Sam sighs and tells him to be quick, he knows what this means to Zemo, but they can't waste too much time.

Zemo goes to get the teapot, but their morning is interrupted by Walker. John storms in like he owns the place and points at Sam.

"You know!"

"Hey, relax man."

"You know where they are." Walker got a little too close to Sam.

"We think we might know. There is a difference."

Bucky steps in, "back off."

Zemo sighs and puts down the teapot. He walks over to where the commotion is happening and comes to Sam's aid.

"We have information. You let us take you to where we think they are, you leave us to our own investigation," Zemo offers.

"If they're there, we are not wasting time talking to them. We need to stop them," Walker hissed, his eyes focused on Sam.

"Hell no, we do this my way. Go in guns blazing, they'll flee before we even have a chance," Sam states. "Be smart about this."

"I am smart."

No you're not. Zemo could almost hear your voice. He resisted a smile. Oh, the fun you would be having if you were here.

"Fine, let's go." Walker spat.

Teapot neglected, they leave the house. It pains him to leave without doing his little ritual, but time is of the essence. He's sure you would forgive him.

Hours. They're gone hours. All day, almost. The sun will be setting soon, that's for sure.

They enter the safe-house. It's quiet as they all go their separate ways. Zemo instantly goes over to the sofa, relaxing into the cushions. He was so tired. Tired of Walker, tired of all the fighting that ensued today, tired of being lonely.

He sighs and sits up, maybe he could have some tea with you now. It's later than usual, but it would still count.

He goes to get up, but something catches his eye. The tray he uses is sitting in front of him and a little note is resting on it. He leans over and pluck the note from where it sat.

'I missed your tea today'

He sat up straighter. What was this? It looked like your handwriting, but thats5not possible. Had Sam or Bucky done this to spite him? A cruel joke it would be, but when would they have had time to do it? Zemo had been with them all day.

Maybe I have finally lost my mind.

He stares at the neat handwriting. His heart is calling out to you and it hurts. He holds the note to his heart, his fingers squeezing the paper.

I need you.

He falls asleep right there on the sofa, the note crumpled up in his chest.

The next day, he pretends nothing happened. He had woken up before the other two and prepared the tea as he always did. This time he stared at your cup as he drank his own. That note was a sick joke and he hated it.

Do not give me hope where there is none.

He was stirred from his hopeless wishing when Sam came into the room. The other man stood opposite from where he sat, looking at him.

"We, uh, should go now. I think Karli is making a move."

"Right." Zemo places his half empty cup down next to yours and stands up. He goes to grab his coat.

The building has very people in it when they arrive. It's almost as they had been expected to arrive, which didn't sit right with Zemo. This could put them at a disadvantage.

"Keep your guard up."

They stepped carefully through the halls, looking into each room. There was no sign of anyone. Eventually they had come to the courtyard. It was closed in by the building, too many convenient spots to be ambushed from above.

"I don't like this," Bucky muttered, eyes moving from one spot to the next.

Sam was jumped from behind seconds later. Flag Smashers came out from every direction. Zemo held up his gun and began to shoot, any of them would help fulfil his work.

Bucky was fighting off to of them, Sam used his wings to his advantage, but the fact that Zemo was armed was concerning to him.

"You have a gun?"

"Of course I do, you didn't think I was coming here unprepared, did you?" He shot a few more bullets, two of them hitting his moving target. He just had to finish the job.

A shield flew past, knocking out the man he had shot.

Great, Walker was here.

Zemo chose to ignore the oncoming headache and closed in on the Flag Smasher, he aimed for the head. However, before he could take his shot, Walker was on him. He had grabbed Zemo from behind, using his arm to lock around his neck and pull him backwards. He pushed Zemo to the ground and held the shield up, so ready to get rid of him.

Walker suddenly fell the ground unconscious.

Zemo looked up to see someone impossible.

"It can't be."

You were standing over him, a gun in your hand. You had whacked Walker pretty darn hard with the butt end.

"Hello stranger."

Zemo had to be dreaming. You couldn't be here, you just couldn't!

You hold out your hand. It looked so real. His hand reaches for yours. He flinched when his fingers touch your own. He thought they would just pass through or tour would disappear entirely, but you curl your fingers around his wrist and pull him up. He stands.

"You not going to say anything?" You ask, softly.

"How?"

You smile and reach up, caressing his cheek. His tears fall. You were really here in front of him. The Baron leans into your touch, a gasp escaping his lips.

"I'm here, my love, my Liebling."

He loses his composure and envelopes you in his arms, holding you to him like a lifeline. He buries his face into the crook of your neck. His quiet cries break your heart, but you had expected this much.

He believed you to be dead.

All this time, all those years, he had been alone.

"How?" He asks again.

"I'll tell you later, but we should probably leave." You pull away to look at him. "Look at you, still handsome as ever," you chuckle.

He smiles before he pulls you in to kiss you. It was long overdue and he needed this. He needed you. You melt against him, focusing only giving him what he wanted.

Sam clears his throat.

You both pull away you smiling at each other. Helmut reaches for your hand, you give it a little squeeze.

"Apologies."

"Who is this?" Bucky asks, looking at you.

"This is Y/N."

"Know each other, do you?" Sam is trying to grin. He saw exactly what you two were up to while he and Bucky fought off the masses.

"Something like that," Zemo replies.

"I think I'm owed a cup of tea, Helmut." You look at him.

"About that, how did you know? That note..."

"I've been watching over you since you got out of prison. I was watching over you back when you were tearing the Avengers a part."

"I thought you were dead."

"I'm sorry, Helmut."

He brings you into his arms again, holding you close to him.

"I forgive you."

You cling to him.

"Wait, this is who you keep making tea for?" Bucky asks.

You nod at him when you pull away from Zemo once more.

"Thank you for the Turkish Delights, by the way. That was you, wasn't it?" You ask him.

Bucky looks a little startled.

"Uh, yeah."

"Maybe we should go back and catch up. I have a lot of time to make up for." You look at Zemo.

"I want to hear everything," Zemo says, smiling.

"I won't leave out a detail."

Zemo keeps a hold of you as you all leave. He was never going to let go of you again. He had lost you once before and it was the worst pain imaginable.

Not even Walker's headache, when he wakes up, will be remotely close, and that will hurt a lot.

You are reunited with the one person you love the most. Happy doesn't even cover it.

@ajeff855 @moonstuffsteve @sky-writes-stuff @lieutenantn @lostghostgirl94 @friday18eo @yaskna

[hyperpsychomaniac]

Who Says You Can't Go Home - Chapter 8

Darkwing Duck (90s series) fanfiction

Sequel to my recent fanfic The Other Side of Me

Summary: Down on his luck, the Negaverse Launchpad crashes at Launchpad’s parents looking for help. Launchpad, who has avoided visiting his family since he started working with Darkwing, returns in a panic to ensure his double isn’t causing trouble. And then it gets awkward.

Chapter 1

***

Loopey shuffled her cards back into her deck as Gosalyn rushed past into the kitchen. It seemed she was feeling better, and she was a little bundle of energy. A window slammed. The bolt on the kitchen door rammed across.

“Gos, what are you doing?” Birdie called after her. “Come help shuffle the cards.”

“It’s, um, cold in here.” Gosalyn ran back into the living room, leapt on the sofa, and closed the window behind it.

“The deadbolt isn’t going to keep the wind out, sweetheart.”

The front door crashed back into the wall.

Birdie rolled her eyes. “Every time… Launchpad? Are you alright? What was that explosion?”

A silhouette in a broad brimmed hat moved into the entrance of the living room. For a second, Loopey thought it was Darkwing Duck. She’d seen him a couple of times on television but what was he doing in her parents’ house?

Gosalyn leapt off the sofa and her tiny hands balled into fists. “Negaduck!”

Birdie shot up, wrapped her arms around Gosalyn, and dragged her back. “Stay behind me!”

“Let me go! I’ve got to protect you.”

Negaduck. Darkwing’s enemy. The man who the other Launchpad had worked for. Who he, the rough and burly version of her brother was terrified of. Loopey slowly stood to her feet and put herself between Gosalyn and her mother, and Negaduck.

“Loopey, get back,” said Birdie. Her arms were full with a squirming Gosalyn.

Negaduck lifted a chainsaw and its blade glinted in the overhead light. “Oh, look at this cute little defenceless…”

Loopey raised her fists in a guard. “Back off!”

“Don’t interrupt me, you little…” Negaduck drew in a quick breath. “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the Pink Baroness.”

“I… what?”

“Or her double anyway.” Negaduck threw his head back, and laughed. “Oh, man! She’s his sister, isn’t she? It all makes sense now. This night has been full of surprises. It’s not even my birthday!”

Loopey slowly shuffled around in front of the coffee table.

Negaduck began to pace. He wagged a finger at her. “Do you know how much trouble your counterpart has caused me over in the Negaverse these past few months? Announcing my second in command was dead, oh, that must’ve been what pushed her over the edge. That’s why she started being such a nuisance with her little resistance. You know, I’ve been wondering how I should go about killing her. I guess I’m going to get a practice run.” He reached for the starter cord of the chainsaw.

“Then come get me!” Loopey pegged her entire pack of cards into his face.

Negaduck dropped the starter cord, and laughed. Until Loopey darted past him and kicked her shin as hard as she could into his ankle. Negaduck let out a yelp as he dropped to one knee. Loopey ran for the kitchen.

The chainsaw started up. It bit into the entrance hall wall, tearing through photo frames as Negaduck trailed behind her. Thank God, he was following her. Oh crap, he was following her. With a chainsaw.

Loopey slammed into the gun cabinet in the kitchen, and rattled the doors. Locked. Of course. Because it was unsafe and messy for it to be unlocked. She slammed a fist into the doors. “Damn it, Dad!”

“Oh, pink mousy. I’ve got something for you.” The chainsaw roared as Negaduck dragged it through the frame of the kitchen doorway.

Loopey grabbed the knife drawer and ripped the whole thing right out of the kitchen cabinet. She dove to hide behind the central island counter. Time for plan B.

“Aw, are you hiding?” Negaduck carved up the nearest cabinet. Crockery crashed to the floor. “At least put up a fight. I mean, I get the lot of you are just pale comparisons of your Negaverse doubles, but come on. I want my practice run to at least be a little realistic.”

Loopey dug through the knife drawer. “Oh, I reckon I can give you a decent run for your money.”

The chainsaw cut down to an idle. Negaduck ripped open a drawer and riffled through it. “Yeah? What you got, mousy?”

Loopey hissed as her frantic search drew her palm across a blade. But she’d finally found the longest, sharpest knife. She put it out beside her. Then grabbed the one she was sure had cut her and flung it in Negaduck’s general direction. She needed a moment more, and if she could just make him a little wary…

“Clearly you don’t know how to throw a knife. Didn’t your parents teach you anything?”

Loopey kicked over the kitchen broom had dragged it towards her. She wrenched off its head. “Well, lets see. I can pull the tightest loop the loop in the country. I’m halfway through a mechanical engineering degree. I can can fix anything with chewing gum… or… duct tape!” she exclaimed, a little too loudly, as she found a roll of the stuff stashed in one of the floor cupboards beside her.

Negaduck cackled. “Such an intimidating list!” The chainsaw roared back to life.

Loopey pinned her knife to the end of the broom handle, and wrapped the duct tape around and around and around, strapping the two firmly together. “Oh, yeah. And I could MacGuyver stuff since I was five.”

Negaduck reared around the island counter and swung the chainsaw down. It bit into the lower cupboard where Loopey had been a second before. She scooted back and thrust her makeshift spear. It skimmed past the chainsaw blade, just that little bit longer, and the knife sliced into Negaduck’s shoulder.

“Son of a!” Negaduck jerked back. The chainsaw bit through the broom handle and sent the knife spinning away. Negaduck backed up, a hand to his shoulder, the chainsaw idling down by his side. He chugged in deep breaths. “Oh, you are going to pay for that!”

The window behind Loopey shattered. A body wrapped in a purple cape rolled over her head and slammed into the floor, between her and Negaduck. Smoke filled the kitchen as the caped figured unfolded itself.

“I am the terror that flaps in the night! I am the awkward family reunion, long overdue. I, am Darkwing Duck!”

The smoke cleared. Darkwing stood in front of her, cape billowing around him. The kitchen door slammed. Negaduck was gone.

Darkwing’s shoulders slumped. “And you just used my smoke bomb as cover to bail. Wonderful. Negaduck doesn’t normally run that easily.” He spun around, a smug look plastered across his beak. “It was a rather intimidating entrance, wasn’t it?”

“Um…” Loopey stared up at the caped superhero. How and why was he standing in her parents’ kitchen? Not that she was ungrateful. “I did also stab him with a kitchen knife.”

Darkwing’s eyebrows shot up. “You… stabbed Negaduck? Remind me never to mess with your family.” He reached out a hand. “Are you alright?”

“I… just fought a guy with a chainsaw.” Loopey grabbed his hand and let him pull her up off the kitchen floor. Now that Negaduck was gone she could feel a faint tremble coming to her hands. “Um, yeah, I’m okay. I think I just made him mad though. You saved my life.” On her feet, she was about a half head taller than him. Huh. Seeing him on TV she’d always thought he was, well, taller.

Gosalyn rushed into the kitchen and threw herself around Darkwing’s middle. “DW, you made it!”

Darkwing got down on his knees and ran a hand through her hair. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Loopey distracted Negaduck.”

“And don’t you ever do something like that again, young lady.” Birdie ploughed into her daughter and wrapped her arms around her.

“Aw, Mom.”

Birdie pushed her back, and smiled shakily. “Thanks.” She took Loopey’s hand. “You’re hurt.”

“I just cut it on one of the knives.”

“Let me get that patched up.” Birdie turned to Darkwing. “Now what are you doing all the way out here, away from Saint Canard?”

Darkwing ruffled Gosalyn’s hair, remarkably affectionately. “I was… out visiting family nearby. But Darkwing always knows when there’s trouble.”

“I called him!” Gosalyn yelled over the top of him.

“When? You were squirming in my arms the whole time.”

Gosalyn’s eyes narrowed. “I have my ways…”

“Er, luckily your daughter was able to keep Negaduck at bay until I got here,” said Darkwing. You should be proud of her. I’ll stay, if you want, and make sure Negaduck doesn’t come back.”

“That…” said Birdie. “Is probably a really good idea.” She grabbed Loopey by the hand, and started looking for the first aid kid in the mess of the kitchen.

“At least Dad and Launchpad are safely out of the way at the canyon,” said Loopey. “But do you think Drake and the other Launchpad will be okay?”

“Oh, I’m starting to think Drake is just fine,” said Birdie. She chewed her lip. “But Launchpad…”

“We should send a message to him, DW,” said Gosalyn. “Our Launchpad, I mean. Tell him to bring, you know…”

“Gos!”

Birdie finally found the first aid kid in one of the dismembered drawers. She picked it up with a sigh. “Darkwing, we know our son’s been flying that plane of yours, okay?”

Loopey’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, Launchpad works for Darkwing Duck? Oh…” Suddenly, all the times he’d avoided family invitations made sense. Of course he hadn’t wanted to talk to their parents! Not that he couldn’t have, but Launchpad had always been a little funny about stuff like that. He could have at least told his sister though.

Darkwing Duck stiffened. “Wait, you know… that?” he squeaked. Actually squeaked. Suddenly, despite rescuing her from a crazed villain with a chainsaw, he didn’t seem so formidable.

Birdie smiled faintly. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. That’s all the other Launchpad told us.”

***

Telling his story had taken all the energy out of Ripcord. He’d stayed up a little longer, talking to Launchpad, before deciding he was going to bed. He’d set up his sleeping bag at the fireside, right at Launchpad’s feet, and fallen asleep almost immediately.

Alone with nothing but his own thoughts, Launchpad realised he was ravenous. He hadn’t eaten anything since half a sausage and numerous cups of coffee for breakfast. He took the stash of cans to the back of the jeep and picked out a woefully watery tin of tomato soup, then bulked it out with beans, some tins of mixed veggies, and another tin he couldn’t quite see in the dark but was either sardines, anchovies, or smoked mussels. He opened them all as quietly as he could then dumped the whole lot in a saucepan and brought it back to heat on the fire.

Launchpad consumed the whole thing, only slowing when he reached the bottom of the saucepan and had to be careful not to let his spoon clank against the sides, lest he wake his father. The crackle of burning wood, the wind, and his father’s gentle breathing relaxed him. He felt better now, and it was hard to tell if it was because he had a stomach full of warm food, or because Ripcord’s mood and overreaction to the canyon incident finally made sense.

It turned out he hadn’t been the only one keeping secrets. And he couldn’t blame his father for thinking he could get away with never telling him. If Loopey hadn’t crashed in the canyon they may never have had this conversation. And maybe it wouldn’t have mattered.

But now, wide awake and with nothing to do but stare into the fire, Launchpad couldn’t help but wonder what that crash at only five years of age had done to him. Every single crash since then he’d come out practically unscathed. Maybe the universe was making it up to him; maybe it had decided he was invincible. And maybe that crash had actually really hurt him. Now he knew what had happened, he’d always wonder.

Launchpad watched his father’s shoulder steadily rise and fall, close enough to touch, and he felt an ache grow in his chest. He really had a lot of lost time to make up for. With his father quietly sleeping at his feet that no longer felt so scary. He’d always wonder what that crash had done, but he knew for certain he’d never hold it against his dad.

A sound came to him on the night air; a buzz. Launchpad squinted as he tried to make it out. Something slammed into the back of his head. “Ow! Hey!” Launchpad leapt to his feet and swatted at what must be the biggest, bitey-est beetle that had just landed on him and most definitely was not staying a second longer.

The Flashquack spun away from his palm, ploughed into the ground, and then hovered back into the air, a very definite list to its flight pattern. “LP?” DW’s voice came over the speaker. “Are you there? This stupid thing… LP, will you stand still!”

Launchpad grabbed the struggling drone out of the air and cupped it in his hands. “Yeah, DW. I read you. What’s up?”

Ripcord snorted and sat up. “The heck is that?”

“Um, DW? My parents…”

“Know that you’ve been working for me? I know. We can talk about it later. Listen, before I say anything more, everyone is perfectly safe, no one got hurt, but your house got a bit trashed…”

Ripcord stood at Launchpad’s shoulder and rubbed his eyes. “Wait, what’s happening? Why is Darkwing Duck in a tiny aeroplane talking about our house?”

“Dad, that’s what he’s trying to tell us. What did Gosalyn do?”

DW huffed. “Seriously, LP? It was Negaduck. He followed us from Saint Canard. He attacked your family, and…”

Ripcord grabbed Launchpad’s shoulder. “What?!”

“Are they alright?”

“Yes! That’s why I led with that.”

“That bastards here,” Ripcord growled. “What did he do?”

“Came into your house with his chainsaw. It’s okay, I chased him away, after your daughter kept him at bay.”

Loopey’d held off Negaduck. Heck. Launchpad felt his father’s grip tighten on his shoulder. “They’re okay?”

“Yes! Your wife and daughter are fine. That’s why I said that first…”

“Gosalyn, and Drake, and…”

“Yes!”

“What about the other Launchpad?”

DW paused. “We don’t know where he is. You should both get back here. Don’t worry about your family; I’ll protect them.”

“You’d better. It’s going to take us hours to get back, and…”

“Dad! DW, I’ll bring the Thunderquack. We’ll be there in ten minutes. I’ll see you there.”

Ripcord gulped. “How are we supposed to get there in ten minutes?”

Launchpad carefully shifted the damaged Flashquack into one hand, and squeezed his father’s shoulder. “It’s okay. DW knows what he’s doing. Mom and Loopey are going to be fine.”

“I know. But they don’t know where Launchpad is, and after all those stories he told me…”

“He won’t hurt you. We won’t let the happen.”

“I’d like to get my hands on him! I hope the other Launchpad is okay. This is the last thing he needs. If Negaduck’s hurt him…”

Launchpad reached into his jacket and pulled out the remote for the Thunderquack. “DW will take care of Negaduck. He just needs a bit of air support.” Within minutes the whine of the Thunderquack’s engines reached them. Launchpad dropped her straight into the canyon beside Loopey’s plane.

Ripcord put a hand to his aviator’s cap to keep it in place as the engines wound down. “Vertical takeoff… this is what you fly for Darkwing Duck?”

Launchpad let the dust settle. He could finally say it. What he’d wanted to scream into the phone every time his parents called and asked what he’d been doing with his life. “No, Dad. This is the plane I designed, built, and fly for Darkwing Duck.

For a second, Ripcord didn’t seem to know where to stare, at his son or the plane. He ran a hand over the smooth metal, and swallowed hard. Then he slapped a hand onto Launchpad’s shoulder. “Damn kid, you’re smart.”

***

The Gator had long burnt itself out. His shack was dark and Launchpad could only see the outline of the door, his crates, and planks in the ceiling. The shack creaked and groaned, and, every once in awhile, he gasped as he fought to stifle a sob. He’d run out of tears. His back hurt from the ridged position the rope held him in. He couldn’t stay here. But he was stuck; unable to do a thing. Darkwing might protect the McQuacks, but he might fail.

He should have asked for help instead of taking on Negaduck by himself. But that would’ve meant telling the McQuacks Negaduck had threatened them because of him. Even if bringing his own problems along with him was what finally got them to realise he was trouble, to boot him out, it shouldn’t have mattered. He should have put their safety first.

The bloody crate Negaduck had left him on was making some decidedly unpleasant cracking noises. He had to get out of this. But any slight movement made the crate creak and splinter. The last thing Launchpad wanted was the McQuacks to come out here and find him, swinging. They would assume he’d given up. But standing here crying wasn’t going to solve anything either.

Launchpad straightened himself, and the crate creaked. But so did the rafter he was strung to, and the support column, and the entire bloody shack. He tensed his neck muscles and carefully put his weight on the rafter, until he spluttered, and had to let off the pressure around his throat.

“Come on, you stupid thing. I’ve frickin kicked your door in enough times.”

Launchpad inched to the edge of the crate and reached out a boot for the support column. He was short by about a foot. He could reach it, but not while he stayed rooted to he crate. As if to underline that thought, the crate splintered, and Launchpad felt it give ever so slightly under him. “Aw, shit.”

Launchpad gulped, gathered himself, then leapt off the edge of the crate. He aimed a kick at the support column and got his weight onto his boot before it could drop onto the rope. Friction held him there for about a second. The support column groaned, but stayed put. Then he skidded off the column and the noose jerked tight around his neck.

The rope tore into his throat and Launchpad gagged as his air supply cut off completely. It felt like his eyes were popping out of his head. He started to tremble, and then spasm, and then the shack let out one final, aching groan. The central support column tilted over under his weight and the whole thing crashed to the ground on top of him.

***

As soon as Launchpad popped the cockpit Ripcord leapt out and rushed up the front steps of their house. “Birdie!” His wife met him at the front door and he threw his arms around her. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. Can’t say the same for my kitchen cabinets though.”

Launchpad walked into the house he’d grown up in and gulped. The walls of the entrance hall had long ragged gashes that cut right through the family photos that hung there. Glass littered the floor. He knew how destructive Negaduck could be. But this was his home. His fists tensed at his sides.

Darkwing must have seen the look on his sidekick’s face as he came out to meet him. He put a hand on his arm. “LP, you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Launchpad said tersely. “You’ve taken care of everything, yeah?”

“Your family is fine. I don’t know where Negaduck went but your little sister sure gave him something to think about. Only trouble I’ve had is trying to figure out how to make everyone ignore the fact Drake Mallard hasn’t turned back up yet.”

“Launchpad!” Loopey threw her arms around him. Launchpad hugged her back tight. Holding off Negaduck; she must’ve been terrified. But as she extricated herself from his arms, she just fixed him with a glare. “Why didn’t you tell me you were working for Darkwing Duck?”

“I…”

Ripcord pushed past him. “Loopey, your hand…”

“Dad, I’m fine.”

“What the hell was Negaduck doing here?” Ripcord turned his glare onto DW. “And what are you doing here?”

“I think you’re lucky that I was,” Darkwing said coldly.

“Dad, he chased away Negaduck,” said Loopey. “He saved my life.”

Ripcord’s glare softened, then he turned and wrapped his arms around his daughter.

Loopey patted him on the back. “Aw, Dad. We’re all okay.”

Ripcord grunted and pushed her back. “Where’s the other Launchpad? Has anyone looked for him?”

The front door slammed back against the wall as the Negaverse Launchpad shouldered his way inside. He stood in the doorway, breath coming in ragged gasps, hands bound behind his back, and stared at everyone wide-eyed.

***

The Negaverse Launchpad’s chest heaved as his gaze darted around the entrance hall. Mrs McQuack, Loopey, Gosalyn… Launchpad and Mr McQuack were back too. And, Darkwing Duck. They were okay. He hadn’t destroyed this family.

Birdie rushed to him, arms extended. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”

Launchpad fell to his knees at Birdie’s feet and buried his face against her shoulder. “Mrs McQuack, I’m so, so sorry. Negaduck…”

“We know. It’s okay.”

“No! I knew he was here. I knew he was here from this morning, but I thought I could deal with him myself and, please, please don’t be mad at me, I tried to stop him…”

“If you’re mad at him, you have to be mad at me,” Gosalyn spoke up, loudly. “I knew Negaduck was here too!”

A hand squeezed his shoulder. “On your feet, son. You don’t need to beg in this house.”

Launchpad’s legs felt weak, and not only from the strain of standing on that crate for the last few hours. He just wanted to remain in a heap on the floor. But he sniffed and staggered up. Ripcord put his hands on his shoulders and looked him over.

“Here, I’ve got the ropes.” Launchpad knelt behind his double and worked loose the knots that bound his wrists.

Ripcord gently pushed his fingers through the ruffled and torn feathers around Launchpad’s neck. “Did Negaduck do this to you?” He didn’t need to reply. Ripcord put his arms around him. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m going to take care of this for you.”

“Alright, there you go.” Launchpad removed the ropes and tossed them roughly to the side. The Negaverse Launchpad rubbed at his wrists and winced as the blood made its way back into his hands. Launchpad put a hand on his shoulder. “Hey…” And then drew him into a hug. “Sorry I’ve been such a jerk since getting here. It’s okay that you needed help. Sorry I wasn’t here for you.” It wasn’t like he’d never fallen apart in front of this universe’s Launchpad before. Back when they’d been building his plane, when recounting stories about Negaduck had gotten too much, his double had always patted him on the back or put an arm around his shoulders. But he’d never given him a proper hug. Maybe he’d still been scared he was going to get clobbered. But Launchpad got his arms right around him, which not many people could do, and the hug was just as warm as his father’s had been.

Gosalyn ploughed into his knees and hugged him hard.

“Coming through.” And then Loopey had an arm around him too. “That Negaduck is terrifying. He chased me through the kitchen with a chainsaw. Are you okay?”

It finally hit him. No one here was mad at him. Of course they weren’t. He’d screwed up, but it didn’t matter. “I can’t… I can’t stand up to him by myself,” he said shakily. And it hurt to say it, but he knew the McQuack’s wouldn’t hold it against him for being vulnerable.

“You don’t have to,” said Darkwing. “We’re going to get Negaduck out of here, and, you know, if you still want to help…”

Launchpad nodded. “Yeah, I, wait…” He grasped Loopey’s bandaged hand. “Negaduck chased you through the house with his chainsaw? Are you okay?”

Loopey looked him in the eye, and in that split second she looked exactly like his sister. “You should’ve seen what I did to him.”

“You…”

“… stabbed him with a kitchen knife.”

Damn. Somehow, that information made Launchpad feel a bit better. “He’s going to be pissed.”

“Yeah, um, Launchpad… who’s the Pink Baroness?”

Launchpad frowned. “The who?”

“That’s what Negaduck called me. I’m pretty sure he meant your sister. Apparently she’s started some kind of resistance or something?”

A resistance. Loopey was standing up to Negaduck. And here he was hiding in a completely different universe. Launchpad’s chest tightened and tears filled his eyes. The pain he’d been feeling inside suddenly made sense. He wanted to see his sister. And Gosalyn. He wanted to go home.

“Alright,” said Darkwing. “So everyone’s accounted for…”

“What about Drake?” said Birdie with a faint smile.

“I…” Darkwing trailed off.

“Wait, oh!” said Loopey. “Drake is Darkwing Duck?”

Darkwing Duck, masked vigilante, paled under his mask.

Loopey winced. “Are we not supposed to know that?”

Launchpad put a hand to his face. “Oh, DW…”

Darkwing’s shoulders slumped. “Well,” he growled, “like I said, everyone is accounted for now, so…”

“Wait!” said Launchpad, as his hand slid off his face. “Where’s Dad?”

Birdie’s triumphant grin fell. She spun on her heel and bolted for the kitchen. The Negaverse Launchpad followed her, along with everyone else. They found her standing in front of the open gun cabinet. The gun cabinet that Ripcord was always careful enough to lock behind him. He’d shown it to the Negaverse Launchpad when he’d first arrived. Told him that whatever else he decided to play with out there, the shotgun was here for their protection, and was to be used for that and that alone.

Birdie stared at the empty cabinet and swallowed hard. “Oh, Rip. No.”

***

Chapter 9

[darlingsdevil]

Of The Valley (Joel x Reader)

Chapter 4: Dreamaches

Summary: Life in Jackson is never easy. Consoling angsty teenagers, wading through the mysterious waters of Joel’s romance language and with a child of your own on the way? Life is about to get a lot harder.

Of The Valley Masterlist

RDR2 Masterlist

Tag list (comment to be added or removed) sidepuff @joelsheartache @fangirl-inthe-us @cowboyfrazer @scarletpines @sidepuff

A/N: I promise they’ll be back in Jackson soon...

•••

Joel didn’t say much on the way back, talking about frivolous things, beating around the bush the entire time. You were looking forward to going to the lake with Joel.. you remembered how awful your last one ended. You kept your mind on the thought of a ‘date’ with Joel, rather than the inkling thought of the runner you had shot.

Of course, there was still the matter of the discussion you were meant to have with Joel. You owed Joel an explanation for your disappearance. With the way your relationship stood with him three months ago, you were certain he suspected your absence could have sprouted from that. Which was.. disheartening to say the least. Just when things had begun to finally heat up, you vanished without a trace. No wonder Joel was angry. You would be angry too.

When you arrived back at the lookout, the stew was almost done. Joel hitched the horses for you while you went inside. Ellie was playing a tune on her guitar and Tommy was listening to her song.

“You guys better not have already eaten,” You said jokingly, sitting next to Tommy while Joel came inside.

“We haven’t,” Ellie reassured.

“Good because I’m hungry.” Joel sat down next to Ellie, she scooted farther away from him slightly, Joel didn’t notice, but you did. You rose a brow at her subtly and she gently shook her head.

“Ellie’s getting real good at that guitar, Joel,” Tommy said to him.

Joel smiled and nodded.

“Course she is, only been trained by the best guitarist in Jackson,” You said, giving Joel a humorous wink.

“I see you haven’t gotten around to changing the strings yet,” Joel pointed out, looking at Ellie’s guitar.

“I didn’t know I was supposed to,” Ellie said, looking at him in confusion.

“Yeah, well, we’ll get you some new ones,” Joel replied.

“Well there’s that music store down there, I bet they got guitar stuff,” Tommy piped up. Ellie shifted uncomfortably while Tommy waited for either of the two to respond.

“I mean, that area is long overdue for a sweep anyways, and it’s a little early for dinner,” He explained.

“We can keep watch while you two head out,” You said.

“What do you say, kiddo?” Joel asked Ellie.

Ellie shrugged, “Sure,” She said.

“Okay well, I’ll be waiting outside,” Joel replied, setting out for the door. Ellie looked like she would much rather have gone with you or Tommy, but you knew it was best if she went with Joel. That talk was long overdue, something was definitely up.

“Are you sure I can’t go with one of you instead?” Ellie asked quietly, pleading with her eyes. Both you and Tommy shook your heads. Ellie sighed under her breath and followed Joel out the door. You wondered what was going on between them, but of course, it was another thing on your long list of future discussions you were dreading.

“How did you do out there?” Tommy asked as you got up to sit in Ellie’s spot across from him.

“Better than before. A little shook up still, but I’m doing better.”

“That’s good. Are you thinking about coming back to patrol? We could really use your help,” Tommy began.

“No, this is a one time thing. I think I’ll just stick to the bar job for now,” You said firmly. You weren’t on the fence about this, as good of a sniper as you are, there’s no way in hell you could do it everyday again.

“Alright. And how are things with Joel?” He questioned.

You sighed, leaning back into the couch. “I don’t know. He’s confused. He’s hurt. I don’t know what to say or what to do about any of it.”

“Just start by being around him again, you don’t have to go right back into the heavy stuff. Joel will understand,” Tommy explained calmly.

“I guess I did kind of miss him,” You confess, looking down at your shoes.

“Just don’t go avoiding him again. Or anyone for that matter. Including Ellie, she’s going through a rough patch with Joel right now,” He pointed out.

“I could tell. How bad is it? Normal teenage angst or something bigger?”

“Not too sure. Seems to have been going on for a while and it’s only been getting worse. Joel’s not too happy,” He answered. It seemed others had picked up on it too.

“I’ll talk to Ellie about it. Maybe I can get her to go easy on her old man.”

“You need to take that advice too. I know last few months haven’t been the easiest, but you can’t shut everyone out like that again. It’s only going to make people even more hurt,” Tommy lectured you. You felt your ears grow hot at his words.

“If everyone wanted to see me so badly, you or Maria could have told them where I was. It wasn’t a secret as to where I was working,” You said defensively.

“Or you could have. Maria and I don’t need to be your messengers,” Tommy replied firmly.

“And Joel never thought to ask around? Just because I wasn’t answering my door doesn’t mean I wasn’t around town,” You scoffed. It was harder to control your moods these days, especially since what Tommy had said was barely offensive. You could easily pretend you were fine, irritability was the hard part. You knew you were overreacting, you just couldn’t help yourself.

“From my understanding of it, he didn’t want to impose, wanted you to come to him,” Tommy said, voice with much less bite. That made a hell of a lot more sense. It made sense why he wouldn’t have sought you out, he was waiting for you to bring it up first. You had nearly forgotten about what had happened with him, no wonder he was so angry.

You sighed deeply, Tommy was right, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to lash out at you.”

“It’s alright. I know last few months haven’t been too kind to you either.”

•••

When Joel and Ellie made it back to the lookout, you could tell something was up. Ellie avoided Joel the second they stepped in and Joel looked visibly grumpier. Maybe it was a mistake to let them go out on their own.

Regardless, the stew was completely done. Tommy found clean bowls and some silverware, you set the table while Joel sat quietly at the island counter. He was clearly in deep thought. Ellie was off somewhere in one of the rooms, probably listening to her Walkman. Mark had some old Walkman tapes that he had collected over the years that you had been meaning to give to her, just like the records. Mark’s old Walkman broke a long time ago anyways, that’s why he switched to vinyl.

“Will you go tell Ellie it’s time for dinner?” Joel asked you, his voice much softer.

You nodded your head and went towards the room she always chose at this lookout, and sure enough you could hear the faint sound of music on the other side. You knocked gently on it. No response. You knocked louder this time.

“What?” Ellie called out.

“Can I come in?”

Ellie was hesitant but agreed. You opened up the to her room. She was sitting up on the bed, staring at you.

“We’re about to start eating, you gonna join us?” You asked her.

“No, I’m not really hungry,” She attempted to play it off. Ellie gently set her Walkman down next to her, clicking it off.

“You don’t have to eat with them if you don’t want to. I can bring some stew up here and eat with you if you would like.”

“I appreciate the gesture, but I think I want to be alone right now,” Ellie replied dimly. Her room was practically radiating a depressive gloom, much like your own, curtains drawn and lights off.

“Okay, that’s fair. Let me know if you change your mind.” You shut the door behind you, walking back over to Joel and Tommy.

“She’s not eating?” Joel asked you as he sat down at the dinner table.

You shook your head nonchalantly, sitting down next to Joel. Tommy brought over the stew and set down three bowls. God, you were hungry. You felt like you could eat the entire pot.

“How was your trip with Ellie?” You said to Joel, attempting to make small talk.

“Fine,” He replied curtly. You and Tommy shared a look.

Dinner was pleasant enough, you mostly only talked with Tommy, mentioning the weather, the newcomers in town with a baby, the upcoming fall dance, the new renovations to Cork street. Simple things.

The sun was setting to the west, the orange rays of light casting into the many windows of the lookout, you could see the lights in Jackson begin to come on. You were not looking forward to spending the night outside of Jackson, or around other people for that matter. Joel retired to his room for the night while you and Tommy watched a movie on the TV. You weren’t too sure what was happening in it since it was a sequel and you had never seen the first, but it was a good distraction, at least for a little while.

Soon enough though, it had gotten fully dark and you were bone tired. You still had to go out tomorrow to pick off the rest of the infected you had missed from the first nest, and then you would be back home. You made a checklist of all the things you would have to do when you returned home, a long list of talking with people you had avoided and talking about things you didn’t want to talk about, but needed to.

You stayed up a little while longer than him, thinking about everything you tried not to. Joel. Three months ago. Mark. Being outside the wall. Practically everything.

Only Ellie managed to pull you out of your thoughts as she quietly tiptoed to the kitchen, hoping not to alert you. But unfortunately, Ellie wasn’t particularly quiet.

“Care to sit with me?” You called out. You heard Ellie lightly gasp.

“Shit,” She muttered under her breath.

“You might be able to sneak by Joel or Tommy, but I thought you knew better than that.”

“Sorry. I didn’t want to scare you,” Ellie said. You knew she was lying.

“Okay well, sit with me for a little bit,” You suggested, looking over your shoulder to her.

“Let me get some food first.” She rummaged through the cabinets to find a bowl for a few seconds, when she found it she took the leftovers out of the fridge and poured some into her bowl. She walked over to you and sat down on the couch.

“What’s going on with you and Joel?” You looked at her. Her eyes widened and she looked down at the ground.

“Nothing.”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing,” You continued. Ellie began eating her stew slowly.

“Nothing that you need to be worried about.”

Oh boy.

“You can talk to me, Ellie,” You told her, hoping it would get her to open up.

“Look, I know you mean well. I just don’t want to talk about what’s going on.” She looked up at you. You were taken aback, Ellie was usually always open with you.

“Joel’s upset too. You don’t have to tell me what’s happening, I just want you to talk to him and let him know what’s going on so he can fix it,” You explained.

“I’ll talk when you talk to him,” Ellie said seriously.

“What?”

“You dodged him and I, for months. You don’t get off so easily when I have to tell him about my feelings and all that bullshit and you don’t,” Ellie replied angrily. She was betrayed too. Suddenly, you were beginning to realize the depth of how many people you abandoned.

“I guess that’s fair.” Your voice was quiet.

“I’m going back to my room. I’ll talk to you later. Goodnight,” Ellie said swiftly, returning to her room.

There was a pit in your chest, not only had you cut yourself off from the support you so desperately needed, you cut out others too. Others that needed you just as much as you needed them. And now you were paying the price for it.

•••

Sleep didn’t come easily. Tommy and Joel were in their respective rooms while you were in yours. Your room was the closest to Joel’s and shared a bathroom with him.

Sleep never came easily. At least not recently. You forgot what it felt like to see the moon, having the curtains nearly almost always closed to drown out the rest of the world, it was a fresh reminder of how breathtaking the world could be. Your window was wide open, the crisp autumn air felt wonderful on your lungs. The mixture of leaves and fresh air was something that managed to calm your nerves no matter the circumstances. The air was entirely different than Jackson, Jackson was crowded, always smelt like a city. But out here, there was nothing more than the sweet smell of nature that wafted through your window. And for a moment, your worries drifted away. There was no Mark, there was no Joel, there was no Ellie. You weren’t even sure you existed in that moment, you felt detached but you did not know of it. There was nothing. There was only nature. Only the wind in the dying leaves that rustled through the trees and the eventual rebirth of Mother Nature herself. Life would be okay.

•••

There were no nightmares. No running for your life from someone you couldn’t see. The haunting memories. There was nothing. Not even a dream. The first time in a long time there was nothing. It was surprisingly peaceful.. until you started feeling sick.

You awoke to the rising sun in your window, feeling peaceful until you felt your stomach toss and turn. It was common for you to feel nauseous in the morning, sometimes later in the day too. Your nightmares and panic attacks being so frightful, they caused you to feel sick to your stomach.

You rushed to the bathroom and sat down on the tile. There was no running water, something you missed so dearly. Only a trash can.

Your stomach was flipping, you groaned in pain and leaned against the bathtub, resting your hand on your stomach.

Maybe it was the stew. It wasn’t uncommon to get sick from 25 years expired cans of food, but no one else had gotten sick. Maybe you just had the stomach flu, working in a bar made it a hotspot for illness.

It wasn’t just the stomach pains, you had a dull headache too. Perhaps you were getting sick, but then again you hadn’t gotten sick in years. It could have been the food too, but you didn’t feel ill at all last night.

You tried to focus your breathing while you looked around the bathroom. It was clean enough. Not anything particularly special. There was a sink, a toilet, a shower. Some soap, some tampons.

Tampons.

How long had it been since you have had your period? You were so caught up in everything, you had forgotten to keep track of these things. And feeling ill in the morning? Increased appetite? Mood swings?

Shit.

•••

[robinrunsfiction]

can we get a sequel to the lonely road? maybe the reader deletes their Twitter account and the haters are tweeting how weak they are and such and gee steps in on Twitter and all his socials talking about it and how happy he is and that everyone putting the reader down wasn't truly a fan because they weren't respecting her and how happy she made him? just gee stepping in and defending the reader

The Lonely Road Part 2 - Home Again

Pairing: Gerard Way x Female ReaderRating: Teen (for online bullying)Requested By: Three separate anonsWord Count: ~1,500Author’s Note: Holy smokes guys! Three separate anons all looking for part two of this story?! That make me feel so good as a writer! And the best part is that everyone seemed to have the same idea I did, as I had basically pulled that part out of part one to keep it from getting too long and rambling. Kinda like this note is getting. Ok on to the story!

Gerard flew back to LA later that day and your tour continued on. The next few stops were much better, thanks in part to the refreshing visit with Gerard and a day off that everyone sorely needed, but also Christine getting much more stern with the interviewers about the questions they would be asking. 

Having removed the Twitter app from your phone was proving to be incredibly helpful for your mental health, however it wasn’t silencing the constant stream criticism and hate from Gerard’s so-called fans. The longer you maintained your silence, the more vicious the tweets became.

I hope @(YFN)(YLN) bus crashes

Hey @mikeyway is (YN) as aweful as she seems?

can we just cancel her fo existing? #(YN)iscancelledparty

A couple weeks later, the tour was over and you were rolling back into LA. Christine drove you home and debriefed you on what you would be doing in the coming weeks, but most importantly you had a few days off. All you could think of was getting home and meeting up with Gerard, but when you finally arrived, a familiar car was already waiting in the driveway.

“Gee!” You squealed, jumping out of the passenger seat as soon as the car had stopped moving. You ran up to him and jumped in his arms as he spun you both around. “Ugh the last two weeks were the longest yet!”

“I know, I missed you so much,” he said, setting you back down before planting a big kiss on you. 

You weren’t aware of how long you had been lost in Gerard’s kiss until you heard Christine clearing her throat behind you.

“Sorry to interrupt this lovely reunion, you two really are the cutest I swear, but (YN) you wanna get your dirty laundry out the back seat of my car?” Christine asked snidely.

You pulled back and rolled your eyes as you went to retrieve your things.

“Thanks again for coordinating everything so I could come out and see (YN),” you heard Gerard say to Christine. 

“Happy to help. I’ll get outta here so I’m not interrupting any further,” she said with a wave. “Oh and don’t forget (YN), meeting on Tuesday at 11 AM.”

“Got it,” you said, waving her off as Gerard helped to carry your bags inside the house. “Ugh, finally it’s just you and me again,” you said, draping your arms over Gerard’s shoulders as he put his hands on your waist, kissing you sweetly.

“My favorite place to be,” he smiled. “What do you wanna do first?”

“Honestly? I’m starving, can we order some lunch? And then eat it in bed? And just stay in bed for like the rest of the day?“

“That sounds great,” Gerard laughed.

~

The next morning Gerard invited you to go along with him to the studio to sit in on My Chem’s recording session.

”(YN)! How was touring?“ Ray greeted you with a warm hug.

"Ugh, it was a real learning opportunity,” you laughed and rolled your eyes.

“Gee told us you were having some trouble with the internet. That’s why I just stay away from it,” Ray shrugged.

“You probably got the right idea,” you replied as Mikey and Frank walked in.

“Hey (YN), welcome back,” Mikey said, exchanging a look with Frank.

“Yea… what was that about?” You replied, narrowing your eyes as you lookied between the two of them.

“Nothin,” Frank replied. “I gotta get in there and get this riff recorded before I lose it,” he said,  hurrying into the recording booth. Ray turned his attention to talking to the producer about what Frank was doing, leaving you with the brothers.

“Mikey, what was that look you gave Frank?” Gerard pressed.

“Yea, spill it,” you chimed in.

Mikey sighed. “I went on twitter for the first time in a while and there were all these messages directed at me asking why you weren’t on there, if you were too scared and weak to face the fans, if I liked you dating Gee, if Gee was happy, asking me to break you guys up so Gee and Frank can be together,” he said rolling his eyes.

“For fucks sake,” Gerard muttered, running his hand through his hair.

“Did you reply?” You asked, your voice barely coming out as a squeak. You were so sick of this response when your music career was just barely taking off. What if you achieved the level of success you once dreamed of, what would the criticism be like then? And what if Gerard got sick of dealing with you and the drama that seemed to follow you at every turn.

“Nah, I’m not gonna dignify that shit with a response. But for the record, I love you and Gee together,” he smiled reassuringly.

“Well I’ve fucking had it,” Gerard snapped as he pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket.

“What are you doing?” You asked.

“Shutting this down. These people claim to be fans, but can’t show a shred of respect to you, me, Mikey, Frank, Jamia, any of us. It ends today.”

You glanced at Mikey, who shrugged and joined Ray listening to Frank play. Gerard quickly slipped deep into thought as he typed furiously at his phone. You turned your attention to Frank’s playing as well until you felt a tap on your shoulder.

“Wanna go for a walk?” Gerard asked.

“Sure,” you replied with a smile as you got up and followed him out of the studio. It was a warm, sunny day, perfect for being outside instead of cooped up in a soundproof, windowless room. Gerard’s hand found yours as you wandered down the street, eventually stopping at a small cafe with big planters of bright flowers surrounding their outdoor seating area.

“This place is so cute,” you commented between sips of your iced coffee when you found a table.

Gerard nodded in agreement, before sliding his chair closer to yours. “I wanna get a photo,” he said, holding up his phone as he leaned in and placed a kiss on your cheek and you laughed with delight. Before you knew it, you and Gerard were practically having a full-on photo shoot, taking photos on your phones of each other, and both of you together. You were laughing and having a wonderful time until two people in business attire shot you a withering glance as they sat down at one of the other tables to begin their meeting.

As Gerard’s laughter died down, he started scrolling through the photos. “This is the one,” he said.

“What?” You asked, looking up from your own collection of photos.

“One sec,” he said, concentrating on his phone for a moment. “Ok, umm, so I want you to read this caption before I post it on instagram. You’re the most important person in the world to me and I love you. I’m so sick of how you’re being treated online, so I hope this shuts it down.”

When you took his phone, you looked at the photo he had selected and edited a little. You were laughing, holding your coffee, the bright flowers behind you providing the perfect backdrop as the sun shone down, but your heart pounded in your chest as you scrolled down and began to read:

It frustrates me that I even have to write this, but it’s overdue. For weeks and months now, I’ve tried to ignore the near constant barrage of hate and vitriol being spewed toward someone who is so important to me. I’ve said before that (YN) brings so much happiness and love to my life, she’s someone that I’ll be with forever if I’m lucky. 

But when every day I have to see and hear that people are questioning how much joy she brings me, saying vile things to and about her, it makes me sick. No one deserves that. And the fact that it’s being done in the name of supposedly protecting me is unacceptable. Disrespect is unacceptable and that’s not what being a fan is. 

To everyone who has shown (YN) love and support with her new album, or at the very least treated her respectfully, thank you. I appreciate it so much.

To my love (YN), I am so sorry that I didn’t do this sooner. You’re the most talented, beautiful, thoughtful, loving woman I’ve ever met. Never let them steal what makes you wonderful. I’m here for you always.

You glanced up at Gerard, your eyes welling up with tears. “Thank you,” you said softly.

“I mean it, I’m so sorry I didn’t step in sooner. I thought if we ignored it, they’d shut up and go away, not get worse.”

“It’s ok, there was no way of knowing,” you shrugged. “Maybe this will get someone to think twice. And I think we’ll all be better off if we take a break from Twitter. That’s where the worst of it seems to be.”

“You’re right,” Gerard nodded. “I  really love you (YN),” he said with a gentle smile.

“I love you too. And thank you for everything you do for me,” you said as you leaned in and sweetly placed a kiss against his lips.

[choicesenthusiast]

Open Heart 2, Ch. 4 AKA Discourse

What happened this week:

The budget cuts are finally announced to the staff, and all of a sudden that means we’re getting paid the same amount of money as Gary Garrison.

The usual: diagnostics team and a new patient, hours at the clinic, and occasionally remembering that we have an intern.

Kyra returns, and successfully lands a job as admin assistant at the hospital. She’s finally moving on from being the “cancer girl” and killing it at life, which leads me to believe that it’s her funeral at the end of the book. We’ll see if she becomes a more present character in future chapters.

Some famous influencer (I hate that word) has an unknown medical condition and illiterate, inconsiderate people on the internet are being illiterate and inconsiderate. She seems really nice, and not as entitled as real life “influencers” so I’m giving her a shot.

Jackie’s in financial trouble, so go with her to babysit Discount Bradshaw’s kid. I’m glad we got time with her again, because it feels rather overdue. I never really got into Jackie because of how distant she was during the competition but part of that was because we know almost nothing about her. I just want to know people, guys.

Visit this week’s patient’s art exhibition with Ethan to get a read on her condition, and have a purely philosophical discussion together. Some of y’all are pressed that there was no romantic interaction, but c’mon. Seriously? Besides, philosophical discussions can get interesting. Nerd bias.

Our patient paints a “portrait” of us and it’s all abstract but bless this sweet old pixel lady I wanted to hug her. We just get the most considerate and understanding patients. Mrs. Martinez, Remy the surfer dude, and now this lady? Protect them.

Aurora transfers to Mass Kenmore to get out of her aunt’s shadow, as expected, and we’re all happy for her, but if we have to see Laundry again, we’ll riot.

Thoughts:

I’ve avoided doing this review for as long as possible simply because I don’t want to get involved in the discourse over the whole LI situation, but it’s unavoidable, I guess.

Here’s where I stand: I romance Ethan, so I’m incredibly grateful that he’s getting the screen time. It also makes sense given that he’s our boss and we’re here to learn from him. However, I hate that we don’t get to learn more about the other LIs as much anymore (especially Bryce, whose backstory was heavily hinted at in Book 1). Raf’s significant other might have been valid if it was mentioned at least one memorable time in Book 1. Jackie got some content today, so I’m not as miffed. PB has to remember that this is still a sequel to a book in which they introduced 4 amazing LIs, and they all deserve time for progressing a relationship.

That being said, y’all are being straight up “whiny bitches” on all sides of the argument. People who romance Ethan don’t get to complain about the gallery scene with him, because the past few weeks have been mostly Ethan scenes. Despite getting less LI content, everyone else doesn’t get to hate on Ethan “stans” just because he’s getting more screen time.

Let’s just forget about the LI situation and look at all the other awesome aspects of this chapter/book. MC’s been kicking ass on the diagnostics team. Aurora’s going to be kicking ass at Mass Kenmore. Kyra’s going to kick ass as admin assistant. Of course, Naveen is a blessing as usual. This book is so much more than the 4 LIs, and maybe we have to step back and acknowledge that.

[gilbertandanne]

Since we are on a Bangel kick, what are the angstiest arcs ever for your OTPs?

This might be my favorite ask on the planet, and I’m sorry in advance for the length on this, but I love angst and I love my OTPs!

Anne/Gilbert (Sullivan adaptation):

“Please say yes” - The Sequel (or Anne of Avonlea) RIP my heart.  That entire scene is so heartbreaking, but that pleading whisper never fails to send me into an angsty spiral.  I’ve used that scene as inspo in a few fics.

Anne/Gilbert (Anne with an E):

“Just one thing” - that scene...I know you asked about arcs, but that scene pretty much sums up their entire relationship until that point: an unfortunate series of misunderstandings.

Buffy/Angel (Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel):

“I felt your heart beat” - Yep....that’s it.  This scene from “I Will Remember You” DESTROYS me and is guaranteed to make me sob like a baby EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.  This entire episode is, in my opinion, the most angsty because oh....oh what could have been.  The sacrifice Angel made in this episode summarizes why Bangel will always be a top-tier OTP for me.

Honorable Mention:  The Prom and their break-up.  Two specific moments: 

B: “Don't what? Don't love you? I'm sorry. You know what? I didn't know that I got a choice in that. I'm never gonna change. I can't change. I want my life to be with you.”  A: “I don’t.” 

At prom: B: “Every now and then people surprise you.” Giles: “Every now and then.” And she turns around and Angel’s there and I’m sobbing, you’re sobbing, we’re all sobbing.

Felicity/Gus (Road to Avonlea):

I have two favorite angsty arcs with these two:  

Gus’s first proposal (above) in “Felicity’s Perfect Beau”.

Felicity’s character development after season six.  I don’t want to spoil the show in case you ever want to watch it, but her entire character arc through the series is fantastic and it’s just...so good.

Riley/Lucas (Girl Meets World):

Bruhhh.....Girl Meets Texas....going through Girl Meets the New Year.  Just...give me ALL the angst, all the looks, all the heartbreak.  I’m having a moment just looking at this gif and I haven’t watched the show in AGES (I’m overdue for a rewatch).  They’re still a legit OTP for me and, as with the other couples on this list, it’s the angst that cements it (though I shipped them well before these episodes aired).

Pam/Jim (The Office):

Casino Night, Casino Night, Casino Night.  It’s the culmination of watching Jim pine for Pam for two seasons.  It’s been such a frustrating dance up until this point, and the release in this episode is nothing short of beautiful.  It cracks open the low-key angst we’ve been seeing for so long and paves way for the mutual, heartbreaking (at times) angst of season three.  This episode of The Office is my 2nd favorite of the series and is when Jam sling-shotted their way onto my all-time favorite OTP list.

Ok, so the above are the only ships I have that I truly consider to be a bonafide, ride-or-die OTPs, but since this ask is sending me into a tailspin, here are three more of my favorite ships’ best angsty moments/arcs:

Sydney/Vaughn (”Alias”) - Season Three.  Really, the entire season, but episode 12 (”Crossings”) when Vaughn confesses his feelings right before they’re taken to the firing squad.

Cassie/Cole (”12 Monkeys”) - The finale.  These two get put through the wringer all through the series, but it’s when they face their inevitable parting in the finale that everything comes to a head.

Liz/Max (”Roswell New Mexico”) - I mean...he died and her grief and determination to bring him back was *chef’s kiss*....and I just...ugh.  All of the angst between these two has been solid IMHO, but if I had to pinpoint one moment/one storyline, I would have to say her grief in early season two, more specifically when she cries in the shower.  That moment is so incredibly gut wrenching.

[hailqiqi]

2019 Fic Round-Up

So I barely wrote at all last year (those of you who know why, know why) but I want to start getting back into doing things for me so let’s go.

Stats

Total Words Written: 9,822 (published) + 9,849 (unpublished)

Shortest Story: Sunshine and Phone Lines

Longest Story: Message Received and Misunderstood

Fics Posted: 3 (All Plance)

Can You Find a Fallen Star? (3,905 words)

The sequel to The Stars Aren’t the Same for You and I. TBH I’m not super pleased with how this one ended, and instead of heading back and rewriting the last scene to make it better I thought ‘that’s enough!’ and posted it. Regrets, I have them. This fic was never supposed to exist but so many people asked for a sequel that now I have an entire series mapped out. I’m enjoying playing with the relationships between the characters here and channelling a bit of my long-gone teenage angst too

Sunshine and Phone Lines (1,286 words)

 A V-day fic for the lovely @cgf-kat! Also my first ever AU. This was fun to write and it’s fun to reread, too.

Message Received and Misunderstood  (4,631 words)

The idea for this fic was born many years ago, but I never touched it until I needed something for the Plance Mini-Bang!  Forced this out in the middle of a stress break-down and I’m actually pretty pleased with it; it’s light and fun in a way that most of my fics aren’t? Second ever AU, too! This is one of the top-priority-to-finish fics this year.

Collaborations: 1

Only Size Five (3,149 words)

This is a collab with @cgf-kat, for which I have currently written zero. Plugging it here thought because Kat’s beginning is wonderful and brings the angst. Born out of a ‘What if we killed Pidge?’ conversation.

Specifics

Best Title: Sunshine and Phone Lines

Worst Title: Can You Find a Fallen Star? I got stuck with a theme...

Favourite Opening Line: None of my published fic last year has a particularly good opening hook IMO. So I’m gonna go with How the fuck had this happened? from my unpublished WIP.

General Questions

Looking back, did you write more fics than you thought you would this year, less than you thought, or about what you predicted?

Waaaay less than I thought. Man, I had plans. Then I got pregnant, we moved, SO went away for work leaving me with a 5 year old, we moved countries, SO sodded off for work again... also had dissertation due (failed it, resubmit in April) and life in the new country like, sucked. And they messed with my meds so much.

I was legit surprised that I came out with 9k actually.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write most?

Plance, romance, VLD. No surprises there.

What pairing/genre/fandom did you write that you would never have predicted in January?

Does not apply.

Did you take any writing risks this year?

Yeah! I wrote two AUs, which was pretty cool.

Do you have any fanfic or general writing goals for the new year?

A few! But I’m being realistic this year.

I want to finish The Future in Snippets and Message Received and Misunderstood, because that’s a short one.  I’d like to have at least half of my post S8 fix-it WIP posted. Maybe some work on Only Size Five, the next installation of Constellations and by the end of the year I want to be focusing on finishing Skirting Katabasis.

I also want to put out at least 5 things for @seeds-of-the-garden (check out their fics if you haven’t yet!) and complete the two one-shots I have sitting in my docs that are at like 80%.  But mainly I want to tie up the unfinished fics rather than work on new ones.

What’s your favorite story this year? Not the most popular, but the one that makes you the happiest.

The WIP, but out of the published fics it’s Sunshine and Phone Lines. It’s just...happy.

Okay, NOW your most popular story.

Also Sunshine and Phone Lines! For once our tastes align.

Story most underappreciated by the universe? 

Eh, not really an issue this year.

Story that could have been better? 

Can You Find a Fallen Star?

Story with the single sexiest moment:

Um...not really relevant this year! It’s all angst, teenage dorkiness or over-the-phone.

Most “holy crap, that’s wrong, even for you” story: 

N/A

Saddest story? 

Can You Find a Fallen Star?   There’s no winners here, everybody loses.

Most fun? 

Oooh, toss up between Sunshine and Phone Lines and Message Received and Misunderstood. I think I was so stressed when I wrote the latter that I’m only really now appreciating how much fun it is.

Story with single sweetest moment? 

Message Received and Misunderstood. When Katie goes on her excited ramble and Lance loves it. I know people like the necklace part, but the ramble is the ‘aha!’ moment for me.

Hardest story to write? 

Can You Find a Fallen Star?  I rewrote that final scene about twenty times and I’m still not pleased with it.

Easiest/most fun story to write? 

Sunshine and Phone Lines  - it was one of those ‘mad burst of inspiration’ fics.

Did any stories shift your perceptions of the characters? 

Message Received and Misunderstood. Experiences are so integral to characters, so who is a Pidge who hasn’t been through the trauma of losing her dad and brother? Who is a Lance who misses out on his coveted fighter pilot spot and has to settle for second best? Right out the gate they’re different people now.

Most overdue story? 

Uh... Can You Find a Fallen Star? I guess?

What are your fic writing goals for next year? 

Didn’t we cover this?

[jchb32273]

L💖VE Yourself Challenge

Tagged by @cullenlovesmen  Thanks!!

Rules: It’s time to love yourselves! Choose your 5 favorite works you created in the past year (fics, art, music, edits, etc.) and link them below to reflect on the amazing things you brought into the world. Tag as many writers/artists/etc. as you want (fan or original) so we can spread the love and link each other to awesome works!

Well, I haven’t written as much as some FF writers here... mostly b/c I was mainly focused on my LongFic (which is still going... even though an update is long overdue...) SO! I guess I’ll start with that one!

1. Kylara's Origins - Holy crows! I just realized that this behemoth of a Fic is now almost 2 years old!! (May 13th 2020 will mark the anniversary) What started as a pet project during Alistair Appreciation Week 2018 (which, I feel we need to have another...someday! Alibear always deserves love!) has become a massive piece of Fanfiction at 368120 words (and counting!) Please don’t let its size scare you away -- it will be coming to its closure soon. I am currently finishing writing the Dalish/Werewolf arc... and will soon be moving onto the Landsmeet... then onto the Final Battle! What will happen to Kylara and Alistair? Will they get to stay together? Hopefully you will continue to read and find out! 🥰 

There are sequels planned as well for Kylara! I will cover the DAA story arc with her. DAII will be Garrett Hawke’s story, naturally, but Kylara will have some cameo appearances! She and Garrett are cousins, afterall! As for my DAI Fic... I really want to avoid spoilers! 🤫 Kylara will be there... but she is NOT the Quizzy! I won’t say any more! 

2. 14-Day DA Lover’s Prompts - A series of prompts that were given to write short stories between Feb 1st and 14th. While I didn’t finish on time, I did FINISH them, so for that I am happy! While I did have some stories with Kylara and Alistair, this time I wrote many other ‘ships, experimenting to see if I could venture from my “comfort zone” of Ali and Ky (however, they will always be my babies, no matter what! 🤗) In here, I also featured stories written for some of really awesome friends. I wrote a Cullbastian short for @cullenlovesmen. There is also a story dedicated to my super-awesome friend @andrastini (featuring art by the amazingly talented @ambellinaleander), and a short Culistair Kiss dedicated to the always wonderful @aurlyn! All in all, I was happy how these shorts turned out!

3. Camping Chaos - A short that was written for Fictober 2018. I never did complete that 31 day challenge... but this little one shot that came of it was fun and enjoyable to write! Set in a modern AU Thedas where Alistair and Cullen are college roommates, the two go on a camping trip that goes anything but smoothly!

Speaking of Fictober... 

4. Fictober 2019 - Another Fictober that I didn’t finish... BUT I WILL! 🤞 Even though it is months past the deadline, I have become quite attached to this series of shorts. Fictober is meant to be short one-shots created with prompts... but the list that was given that year actually inspired me to make it a continuous story! Yes, they can be read as separate, but each story does link on to the next. It is Alistair and Kylara... but this time set in a modern Thedas, where the entire DA gang are all in college together! I finished Day 19 not that long ago... and once I get the next chapter of my LongFic up, I will contnue to write more for this Fictober... until I finish it! 

and last but definitely not least!!

5. Seduction Aboard The Siren - The most Explicit story I have ever written! We all know in DAO that if you flirt with Isabela in the Pearl you can (under the right circumstances) have a threesome (or even a foursome!) with the lusty pirate. Except all you get in the game is a fade-to-black screen. So I took it upon myself to write what really went down on board The Siren! 💋💋💋

Well there you go. I have a few other things I’ve written, but these are my current favorites. If you’d like to join in, I guess I’ll tag @captain-savvy @anjelica-grey @samusdraws @angels767 @allenvooreef @cccrystalclear @elfrooted @aurlyn @froschkuss @ambellinaleander @shepofshipsart @greendelle @mrnicholas @effelants @freethemages @out-of-the-embers @angelfolks and anyone else who wants to participate! (If you’ve already been tagged or posted something... sorry for the double-tag!)

[theskytraveler]

So, here’s the deal.

I’ve been a terrible internet friend lately to the lovely @dreamwritesimagines​. Sorry. I didn’t mean to pull a Houdini, you know? In my defense, it’s been one of the craziest years of my life, but now I’m BACK! For good! And I know I said that before, but now it’s FOR REAL.

Btw, thanks for always tagging me in your work, it truly means the world.

Anyway, I need to make up to you, so here’s a little surprise 😉 Instead of reading each and every chapter I haven’t read yet and writing my lovely comments on them – spamming your notes with me in the process – I wrote this little thing here.

To you, Dream, here are my long overdue thoughts on your recent incredible work.

To you, my followers and whoever else might be reading this, here are some incredible fic recommendations. You’re welcome.

Since this is partially a fic rec post, I’m gonna write about everything available on your Masterlist, Dream. You know my thoughts on most of these, but ah well. I’m on a roll.

Series I have already finished: (so you can skip it if you’re curious about the ones I haven’t talked about yet)

First, my all-time favorite series you have ever written, the phenomenal Bad Habit. I guess this started as a one-shot and it became so much more. This series has it ALL! Great characters, smart and funny dialogue, fantastic character development and plot twists that hit you out of nowhere.

Oh, and the Y/N here is basically my spirit animal.

Btw, I reread this series a few days ago, and I wanna know: where is my sequel? Where’s the Christmas themed one-shot? My little Zoe acting as Matt’s sidekick and falling in love with Peter Parker (I still remember this anon headcanon, yes, and I still ship it, yes). Gah, I love this series.

While we’re on the Ben Barnes train, let’s talk about Daddy Issues. It’s a Westworld fic that doesn’t take place in Westworld. And it is GREAT. Logan and Y/N are so cute and the ending was perfect. And I still want a one-shot of a proposal, thanks.

And before we get into the more angsty stuff, we gotta talk about Invisible. It’s the softest series ever. I know it’s on a long hiatus for now, but I still think about Y/N and Steve and the fact that I lowkey ship her with Billy. When you find the inspiration for this series again, I’ll be ready. Also, what the hell happened in Detroit?

Ah, Don’t You Love Me. Don’t I love this series. (Sorry, terrible joke. Don’t you love me?). One of the best character developments ever. Y/N here is so flawed and struggling with so many things. It just makes her so human and real. And her road to recovery was a joy to read. And Steve is Steve. The most perfect puppy of a man. And how could I forget my favorite villain in all your series? Trent is GREAT! I STAN A PERFECT ANTAGONIST!

And, finally, it’s time to talk about Faint of Heart. Another one where the character development we see Y/N go through is astounding. I love Queenie, my favorite Y/N ever. This series had the most perfect ending I could dream of. And not just Queenie, I mean, this series has the most amazing cast of characters, I love all of them! The ones from the show and the new original ones. Queenie, Bree and Eric are my babies. AND I WILL DEFEND THAT SOMBER LITTLE PASSAGE WITH MY LIFE OK? THAT IS MY FAVORITE PART IN THE SERIES, NOBODY TOUCHES THAT!

From this point forward, be aware that there WILL be spoilers for new readers.

Series I started, but you have no idea who I feel about the ending because I never told you and series I haven’t started yet: (again, my bad, sorry).

There is never enough Billy Russo, is there? So, Once a Year. The one I never finished. UNTIL NOW THAT IS! Two dysfunctional people falling in love, ah. Or realizing they’ve been in love all along. Billy and Skittles give me the creeps, but I also couldn’t help but ship them. As I recall, the last chapter I read was Chapter 9 and I had a LOT OF QUESTIONS. Like, what the hell is actually going on kind of questions. AND WHAT HAPPENED LAST YEAR kind of questions. Here are my final (and edited, because this post was already super long, so I had to do some compromises) thoughts on this series:

Chapter 10: My desire to kill Krista is alive and well, I see. Carter is still a puppy and I see myself in Karen, because I too want to see all the drama up close. Skittles and Billy “broke up” and I am SAD. And also curious as to WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?! Always questions, never answers;

Chapter 11: THEY KISSED, OMG, STOP EVERYTHING THIS IS SO GREAT, SO FINALLY, OMG, I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR LIKE 84 YEARS, NOBODY TOUCH ME! THEN HE SAID HE WAITED OVER 10 YEARS FOR THIS, EXCUSE ME DREAM HOW DARE YOU? YES THIS IS HAPPENING IN A PUBLIC BATHROOM, DON’T STOP THEM NOW! (This five steps game is so cute btw, BUT WE DON’T HAVE TIME FOR THIS NOW)! HE BROKE UP WITH KRISTA? YAY! JSFOIAHFI IT’S HAPPENING;

Chapter 12: THEY ARE SO SOFT, I CAN’T- and now everything has gone to shit. Well, it was good while it lasted. Why can’t they just communicate? Tell him what is going on, Skittles. Why are you marrying Carter? AT LEAST TELL ME! Oh, wait. They’re communicating. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT! EXCUSE ME, WHAT THE FUCK? Bring me this Aldrich dude, I’ll kill him;

Chapter 13: This whole “second wedding” thing is cracking me up, I laugh every single time. Aldrich has some nerve showing up in the gallery. And I am reminded yet again of how much Skittles and Billy scare me hahaha it’s great;

Chapter 14: It really is one step forward and two steps back with those two, huh? I love my girl Karen! She ships it and her being confused about the situation is the funniest thing ever. And then she gives the best advice. Gotta love her. And now, back to the Skittles and Billy show… COME ON, MAN! Wait. IS SHE BREAKING UP WITH CARTER? Man, I’m so glad I don’t have to wait to find out, which brings us to…

Chapter 15: Oh, geez. I feel for Carter. Dream, set him up with Rose or something, I’m suddenly so sad. Carter is such a great guy. DAMN IT, BILLY! There are only two chapters of this left, how are you messing things up, man? Oh, wait. MERMAID! Oh, I just remembered that these two CREEP ME OUT. Jesus, Billy. That’s not romantic, man. Skittles and Billy need professional help, my GOD;

Chapter 16: Poor Carter. I’m not really a beach kind of person, but I’m glad Skittles and Billy are happy in a remote location. “BEYONCÉ TAUGHT ME BETTER”, THIS IS THE BEST QUOTE OF THIS SERIES, I’M DEAD! Awn, the gallery is so cute! I love it! OH NO! Rawlings. Of course you needed to give us on last plot twist, why am I surprised? EXCUSE ME, HOW DARE YOU? YOU WRITE AN EPILOGUE OR SOMETHING RIGHT THE FUCK NOW! OH MY GOD! WHAT THE FUCK.

I just...

Of the new series I haven’t started yet, how could I not begin with Crown of Hearts? After how much I loved Faint of Heart there is a sequel? GIMME! Let’s break this down chapter by chapter (again, I had to edit my comments, because they were just too long):

Chapter 1: OMG I’M SO EXCITED. Ah, Queenie’s childhood was so sad, I’m glad she won’t let the same happen to her children. EITR, THE BEST FALCON, I MISSED YOU! The domesticity between Ivar, Queenie and Ragnar, I can’t. It’s too cute. BJOR AND BREE! I missed them too! And Gala and Hvitty. Where’s Ubbe? And Torvi? Btw, I don’t trust any of these new people;

Chapter 2: “Baby shark”. I’m gonna laugh every time I see that. “BWE” OMG! I LOVE THAT! Oh, yes! Flashbacks! I love those. Ok, I’m warming up to this Osmond guy, but I still don’t know if I trust him. Threats everywhere, they really can’t catch a break, huh? STOP EVERYTHING, ERIC the love of my life IS HERE! I am so ready for more Eric content. Can he fall in love with that dog loving shieldmaiden of the headcanons now, please? WAIT, QUEENIE, DON’T LEAVE! I WANT MORE ERIC CONTENT! NO! ERIC, FOLLOW HER! That was cruel, Dream. Wow, those rumors about Queenie. People sure are creative in defeat (burn people from her home country, burn). QUEENIE IS A LEGEND PEOPLE, YOU TELL THIS RAYDON GUY;

Chapter 3: They are really talking about teaching poisons and swordfight to a baby? Of course they are. Oh, they’re waiting until he’s seven. That’s better. I hate Queenie’s mother. Such a vile woman. Ok, I like Osmond. Can we keep him? Make him fall in love with a Viking girl! Or boy! I see him falling in love with someone rather clumsy. I ship it already. “Who did Ivar kill?” AHAHAH I LOVE THEM. It will happen, guys. But oh well;

Chapter 4: I love them all ganging up to tease Hvitty. Poor guy, but still. It’s so entertaining. DAMN BREE, WAY TO GET ME EXCITED LIKE QUEENIE OVER NOTHING! I want this wedding, damnit! But, sure, go off on a raid instead, I guess. “THE BJOR INFLUENCE” AND “IT’S LIKE A CURSE” I’M SCREAMING AHAHHA. Ok, Bree, you convinced me. Go chase your freedom. Excuse me, but WHO THE FUCK TOOK BABY RAGNAR? I’LL END YOU;

Chapter 5: Bree is a godsend. Bless her heart. Taking care of Queenie during this mess. This entire situation is awful, btw. That was MEAN, Queenie! This fandom has raised you better! OH THEY FOUND HIM, THANK YOU! Queenie scares me sometimes, but I guess this time those guys had it coming;

Chapter 6: Queenie is gonna have to make up to Ivar, sorry I don’t make the rules. HVITTY CALLS GALA “MY HEART”, EXCUSE ME THIS IS TOO SWEET! DAMN, Hvitty. Tell us how you really feel. But, yes, I guess Queenie needed to hear that little comment about Edgard. Bree is so smart, I stan. Why are you being shady right after I decided I like you, Osmond? Please explain yourself.

I’m loving this. I missed this gang so much. The only thing lacking in Crown of Hearts is more Eric content. How dare you show him for like two seconds and then NEVER AGAIN? You’re torturing me here, Dream. But ah, I want to know more about what is going on in Kattegat. I don’t trust a whole bunch of people, but, well, can’t say I’m surprised about that. CAN’T WAIT TO READ MORE!

I literally squealed with glee when I saw that you were writing for Bucky. Untouchable is the one I was the most excited about reading. And the best part? I already have 7 chapters to binge! And I am obviously going to tell you my you guessed it, edited thoughts on them:

Chapter 1: I’m liking this setting! The 1940s, what a twist for most of Bucky fics out there, this is great. And Y/N is already so interesting! AH, HI BUCKY, I LOVE YOU! I love flustered Bucky. This feels like they are star-crossed lovers, separated by their “places” in “society” and I am HERE for it;

Chapter 2: OMG SHE’S IMAGINING BUCKY, YES! I already ship them so hard, I s2g. This Charles guy, I don’t like him. I bet he is a Hydra double agent. Who sent her the flowers? Does Y/N have a stalker? I’m worried. OMG, HI LITTLE TINY STEVE! The alley scene broke my heart, thanks;

Chapter 3: Wait. Bucky and Y/N are sneaking around? What happened? Did I skip a chapter? Did we skip time and I didn’t notice? Like, I’m glad and all, but still. AH, it was a dream. I see. Rude. And on that note, Shirley is rude too. Oh, not now, Charles! Go away! Y/N and Bucky were having a moment. Oh, there’s bad blood between Bucky and Charles, I see. Interesting. “If you knew half of the things he did, you would have nothing to do with him”. Bucky, darling, do you really think Y/N has a choice? Men are so obtuse, my god;

Chapter 4: “And sooner or later he would get mean, all of them did” I AM CRYING! This is terrible. Y/N must have had a very difficult life. And her current situation isn’t really any better. LITTLE TINY STEVE TO THE RESCUE! I stan. Steve also ships it, welcome aboard, buddy. And, Y/N is in denial. I would argue that a broth is never just a broth. Thanks for coming to my TED talk. I LIKE YOU THOMAS! He ships it too and he has no idea who is the other half of the ship. Bucky sees the real her, I can’t- “There’s nobody” and I am deceased;

Chapter 5: Daydreaming about Bucky Barnes? I sure can relate. NOPE, Linda! Don’t even think about it! And she thought about it. Argh. But who cares about that when we have Bucky and Y/N being their ADORABLE selves? Bucky, my sweet summer child, you are so fucked. You will be happy eventually, but Hydra, man. Brace yourself for the next 50 years. THE KISS! THIS MOMENT WAS SO SWEET! OMG, I’M DEAD! This was so perfect. So of course Y/N had to run away. Thanks. LINDA I’M GONNA KILL YOU! AND CHARLES IS NEXT! Y/N get OUT of there;

Chapter 6: I need to know. Are the bruises a regular thing with Charles or did she do something that made him angry? I feel like it’s the former. I don’t like it. WHY THE EVERLOVING FUCK DID YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT, Y/N? I hate you, Linda. And you, Charles. OH MY GOD, BUCKY IS THERE! He is the best person ever, so soft. Someone get me a Bucky. Omg, tell him, Y/N! Why don’t you people ever communicate? This is driving me crazy;

Chapter 7: Do NOT ruin this for us, Shirley! Don’t tell a single soul! Or else I’m putting you on my hit list. Y/N and Bucky are going on a date and I am SO excited. Hey, Ruth? Do NOT ruin this for us! Go away. “I want you to trust me first” and my soul has left the earthly realm for I am deceased. Again.

Ok, I’m loving this? I don’t want it to EVER end! Bucky is perfect, Y/N is so interesting and Shirley is also pretty great. I hope she does find true love eventually. But that General guy… I don’t trust him. At all. I’m also pretty sure he’s Hydra and things will get really ugly for both Bucky and Y/N. And given your recent history with Once a Year, I’m not really sure we’ll have a happy ending, so thanks for that. I obviously CAN’T WAIT TO READ MORE!

Now, Burn It Down has nothing to do with FoH and CoH, but it was influenced by The Last Kingdom? I’m sold. (Like I always am when it comes to your writing, as you’re probably aware, but oh well). I obviously read all three chapters and here are my thoughts (edited, as I’m sure you know by now):

Chapter 1: That was a creepy way to start a story. Like, first paragraph and I’m already kinda creeped out, thanks. Hmm, the animal heart bit? We’re not in Kansas anymore, I guess. But I’m intrigued. She doesn’t trust men what a mood, very smart of her. I like her. She’s creepy, but I like her. What happened in Ivar’s tent two nights ago? Ok, I’m intrigued;

Chapter 2: I’m liking Y/N’s and Ivar’s dynamic. It’s fun to see them getting acquainted with each other and figuring out how to deal with this little situation they have going on. Ok, but why is she helping Ivar? Like, yeah, their destinies are entwined or whatever, but he’s so rude. I’d tell him to go to hell, honestly. He’d have to earn my help;

Chapter 3: Well, Hvitty is obviously the brother that will be forgotten. Poor guy, but oh well. At least forgotten doesn’t mean he won’t have a good life. Now, the brother who “shall be the victor” is Ubbe and the “tragedy” one is Ivar, because of course. Also because I don’t accept anything bad happening to my sweet puppy Ubbe.  But like, “victor” of what? This is so vague. This Y/N and Skittles would be good friends.

Ok, I’m intrigued! Not sure how I feel about Y/N yet, but I think she’ll be more like Skittles than Queenie. I’m ready for that! This fic has a different atmosphere than the ones I’m used to see in your writing, but I’m liking it so far. Obviously can’t wait to read more.

So, there you have it! Hope you liked it and I promise I won’t disappear on you again!

[thezachrogers]

The Best and Worst Films of 2019.

We are THREE days away from the Academy Awards and I know this is way overdue, but I made the deadline and have brought the films to watch and avoid that came out last year. We will be counting down from the films that were best all the way down to the worst.

2019 was the best year for film in a long time and I will go down saying I LOVED my top 26, I liked 27-65 and I only disliked/hated four films I saw last year. Overall an excellent year of endings to series, a great year for original films, and we are in for one of the most competitive Academy Awards yet. So here it is, counting down from best to worst, the 69 films I saw in 2019:

Avengers: Endgame - NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+ nominated for 1 Oscar, one of the best films I have ever seen in my life and my current all time favorite comic book film. 

Ford v Ferrari - nominated for 4 Oscars including Best Picture. Wow, wow, wow; what a movie, see this movie ASAP. Hands down the BEST performance of Matt Damon’s career, a definite snub for Best Actor, directed by 2017′s Logan’s James Mangold.

Jojo Rabbit - nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Supporting Actress, this film gives you all the feels. Border lining on the edge of offensive, this story is about a little boy growing up in the Nazi Regime learning that everything he loves about Nazi Germany and what he believes about Jews just doesn’t add up. 

Marriage Story NETFLIX ORIGINAL - nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress, this cast brings it in this tragic story of marriage and divorce. I’m rooting for my boy Kylo Ren Sunday Night even though I know Joaquin Phoenix is going to win as the Clown Prince of Crime.

Bombshell - nominated for 3 Oscars including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress (GO MARGOT ROBBIE), this is based on the true story of Roger Ailes’s firing at Fox News due to Gretchen Carlson’s accusations. Robbie gives the performance of her career and Charlize Theron plays a very convincing Megyn Kelly starting the “Me Too” movement.

The Two Popes - NETFLIX ORIGINAL nominated for 3 Oscars including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. This true story and Netflix original is about Anthony Hopkins portrays Pope Benedict leaving the position and asks the now Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce) to fill his shoes.

Once Upon a Time...in Hollywood - Nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor (guaranteed win), and Best Original Screenplay, Quentin Tarantino’s masterpiece is LOOSELY based on 60s Hollywood during the time of the Manson Family murders.

The Irishman - NETFLIX ORIGINAL Nominated for 10 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, and Two Best Supporting Actor Nominees, Scorsese brought it in this four hour Netflix Orginal.

1917 - Nominated for 10 Oscars including guaranteed Best Picture and guaranteed Best Director, 1917 takes place in real time and is shown in two takes. Brilliant cinematography and direction, this is one to see in theaters.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood - Oscar Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, this movie brought me to tears. I grew up with Mr. Rogers and Tom Hanks absolutely kills it in this role.

The King NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Parasite - Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director. This Korean Film has the craziest plot I have ever seen in a movie. See it. You will be blown away.

Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker - Nominated for 3 Oscars including Best Score this was quite the underwhelming finale compared to Endgame, I mean a 42 year buildup and it just did not hit home like it should have. Now they ended the big three’s (Luke, Han, and Leia) arcs very well and FREAKING KYLO REN has become my all-time favorite character. We all need to thank Adam Driver for carrying this trilogy on his back as Rey, Finn, and Poe’s arcs where just meh. I do believe JJ did everything he could do with what he was given with The Last Jedi. All the fan service was amazing and very appreciated like bringing back Wedge, Lando, Han, Young Luke, Young Leia, Red 5, and Palpatine back for last ride. I will be in line at Target at 7am to pick up their exclusive packaged Ultra 4K Bluray and yes, I’ve already started the paperwork on financing the Best Buy exclusive complete Skywalker saga (I’m not joking).

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Honey Boy PRIME ORIGINAL - 2019 was the comeback of Shia LaBeouf’s career. This movie was written by him and loosely based on his life. LaBeouf plays his father and brings the best performance of his career.

The Report PRIME ORIGINAL 

Spider-Man: Far From Home

They Shall Not Grow Old NOW AVAILABLE ON HBO

Uncut Gems - Snubbed by the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards, the Safdie brothers deliver a masterpiece and the performance of Adam Sandler’s career.

Togo - DISNEY+ ORIGINAL

Frozen II - Nominated for Best Original Song, if it doesn’t win, lets riot.

Knives Out - Nominated for Best Original Screenplay, this Rian Johnson directed film was snubbed from every other category due to everyone remaining pissed off about The Last Jedi.

Toy Story 4 - NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+ Nominated for Best Animated Film and Best Original Song, another underwhelming finale (that no one asked for, because we already got it with Toy Story 3), I still loved this movie and it is well deserved for best animated film but not more deserving than the snubbed Frozen sequel.

Little Women - Nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress, Florence Pugh and the rest of the cast delivered in this reboot and this was a film I thoroughly enjoyed at home.

Richard Jewell - Nominated for Best Supporting Actress

The Peanut Butter Falcon

The Farewell

Harriet - Nominated for 2 Oscars including Best Actress

Klaus - NETFLIX ORIGINAL Nominated for Best Animated Film

Dolemite Is My Name - NETFLIX ORIGINAL Eddie Murphy’s triumphant comeback delivers. Definite snub, this is not the last we will see of Eddie in the coming months with Coming 2 America and Eddie’s much anticipated standup special

Missing Link - NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU Nominated for Best Animated Film

Joker - Leading the Oscars with 11 Nominations including Best Picture, Best Actor (guaranteed win), Best Director, Best Cinematography (Guaranteed win), Best Score (guaranteed win); Joaquin Phoenix delivers a career-defining performance (that still does not touch Heath Ledger’s) in a quite underwhelming plot with beautiful cinematography and a masterful score, this movie is turning the tides for the comic-book film genre.

Late Night PRIME ORIGINAL

John Wick Chapter 3: Parabellum NOW AVAILABLE ON HBO

Shazam! NOW AVAILABLE ON DC UNIVERSE

Fighting With My Family NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU

Long Shot NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU

Doctor Sleep

Hustlers

Fyre: The Greatest Party That Never Happened NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Highwaymen NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Laundromat NETFLIX ORIGINAL

The Aeronauts PRIME ORIGINAL 

Always Be My Maybe NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil - Nominated for Best Hair and Makeup

Chasing Happiness PRIME ORIGINAL

Good Boys

Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs and Shaw

Aladdin NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+

Captain Marvel NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+

The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part NOW AVAILABLE ON HBO AND HULU

Isn’t It Romantic NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU

Detective Pikachu NOW AVAILABLE ON HBO AND HULU

Lady and the Tramp DISNEY+ ORIGINAL

MIB: International NOW AVAILABE ON HULU

6 Underground NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Noelle DISNEY+ ORIGINAL

Ad Astra - Nominated for Best Sound

The Lion King - NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+ Nominated for Best Special Effects

It Chapter Two

Ready or Not

The Lighthouse - Nominated for Best Cinematography

Dumbo NOW AVAILABLE ON DISNEY+

Little NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU

Happy Death Day 2U NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU

Triple Frontier NETFLIX ORIGINAL

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile - NETFLIX ORIGINAL Another gem from Netflix, Zac Efron gives the acting performance of his career as Ted Bundy.

Glass NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU - The final film in the Unbreakable trilogy that no one asked for...yet we didn’t know we wanted. This film was highly anticipated for a sad (yes, tears) ending to same great characters. Glass does not hold a candle to Unbreakable, nor Glass, but it is still loads of fun.

Dark Phoenix - They say they save the best for last...well it X-Men’s case, they don’t. This film was a polished turd with great acting from McAvoy and Sophie Turner. 

Murder Mystery - NETFLIX ORIGINAL Oh look, another movie where Adam Sandler went on vacation with his buddies and said “lets get Netflix to pay for a Eurotrip by making a movie,” and then you get Netflix’s Murder Mystery. Looks like they will be paying for another vacation with 2021′s Murder Mystery 2. No, I am not kidding.

Wine Country NETFLIX ORIGINAL- This film had literally all the SNL power women except for Kristen Wiig...I wonder why? JK, horrible...no wonder it went straight to Netflix

Us NOW AVAILABLE ON HULU - The worst and most overrated movie of the year. I was so excited, I went to the theater opening night. What a disappointing follow up to Get Out and a complete waste of time. Do not watch this movie.

[grigori77]

Movies of 2019 - My Pre-Summer Favourites (Part 2)

The Top Ten:

10.  GLASS – back in 2000, I went from liking the work of The Sixth Sense’s writer-director M. Night Shyamalan to becoming a genuine FAN thanks to his sneakily revisionist deconstruction of superhero tropes, Unbreakable.  It’s STILL my favourite film of his to date, and one of my Top Ten superhero movies EVER, not just a fascinating examination of the mechanics of the genre but also a very satisfying screen origin story – needless to say I’m one of MANY fans who’ve spent nearly two decades holding out hope for a sequel.  Flash forward to 2016 and Shyamalan’s long-overdue return-to-form sleeper hit, Split, which not only finally put his career back on course but also dropped a particularly killer end twist by actually being that very sequel. Needless to say 2019 was the year we FINALLY got our PROPER reward for all our patience – Glass is the TRUE continuation of the Unbreakable universe and the closer of a long-intended trilogy.  Turns out, though, that it’s also his most CONTROVERSIAL film for YEARS, dividing audiences and critics alike with its unapologetically polarizing plot and execution – I guess that, after a decade of MCU and a powerhouse trilogy of Batman movies from Chris Nolan, we were expecting an epic, explosive action-fest to close things out, but that means we forgot exactly what it is about Shyamalan we got to love so much, namely his unerring ability to subvert and deconstruct whatever genre he’s playing around in.  And he really doesn’t DO spectacle, does he?  That said, this film is still a surprisingly BIG, sprawling piece of work, even if it the action is, for the most part, MUCH more internalised than most superhero movies. Not wanting to drop any major spoilers on the few who still haven’t seen it, I won’t give away any major plot points, suffice to say that ALL the major players from both Unbreakable and Split have returned – former security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) has spent the past nineteen years exploring his super-strength and near-invulnerability while keeping Philadelphia marginally safer as hooded vigilante the Overseer, and the latest target of his crime-fighting crusade is Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), the vessel of 24 split personalities collectively known as the Horde, who’s continuing his cannibalistic serial-murder spree through the streets.  Both are being hunted by the police, as well as Dr. Ellie Staple (series newcomer Sarah Paulson), a clinical psychiatrist specialising in treating individuals who suffer the delusional belief that they’re superheroes, her project also encompassing David’s former mentor-turned-nemesis Elijah Price, the eponymous Mr. Glass, whose life-long suffering from a crippling bone disease that makes his body dangerously fragile has done nothing to blunt the  genius-level intellect that’s made him a ruthlessly accomplished criminal mastermind. How these remarkable individuals are brought together makes for fascinating viewing, and while it may be a good deal slower and talkier than some might have preferred, this is still VERY MUCH the Shyamalan we first came to admire – fiendishly inventive, slow-burn suspenseful and absolutely DRIPPING with cool, earworm dialogue, his characteristically mischievous sense of humour still present and correct, and he’s still retained that unswerving ability to wrong-foot us at every turn, right up to one of his most surprising twist endings to date.  The cast are, as ever, on fire, the returning hands all superb while those new to the universe easily measure up to the quality of talent on display – Willis and Jackson are, as you’d expect, PERFECT throughout, brilliantly building on the incredibly solid groundwork laid in Unbreakable, while it’s a huge pleasure to see Anya Taylor-Joy, Spencer Treat Clark (a fine actor we don’t see NEARLY enough of, in my opinion) and Charlayne Woodard get MUCH bigger, more prominent roles this time out, while Paulson delivers an understated but frequently mesmerising turn as the ultimate unshakable sceptic.  As with Split, however, the film is once again comprehensively stolen by McAvoy, whose truly chameleonic performance actually manages to eclipse its predecessor in its levels of sheer genius.  Altogether this is another sure-footed step in the right direction for a director who’s finally regained his singular auteur prowess – say what you will about that ending, but it certainly is a game-changer, as boldly revisionist as anything that’s preceded it and therefore, in my opinion, exactly how it SHOULD have gone.  If nothing else, this is a film that should be applauded for its BALLS …

9.  PET SEMATARY – first off, let me say that I never saw the 1989 feature adaptation of Stephen King’s story, so I have no comparative frame of reference there – I WILL say, however, that the original novel is, in my opinion, easily one of the strongest offerings from America’s undisputed master of literary horror, so any attempt made to bring it to the big screen had better be a good one.  Thankfully, this version more than delivers in that capacity, proving to be one of the more impressive of his cinematic outings in recent years (not quite up to the standard of The Mist, perhaps, but about on a par with It: Chapter One or the criminally overlooked 1408), as well as one of this year’s best horror offerings by far (at least for now).  This may be the feature debut of directing double-act Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer, but they both display a wealth of natural talent here, wrangling bone-chilling scares and a pervading atmosphere of oppressive dread to deliver a top-notch screen fright-fest that works its way under your skin and stays put for days after.  Jason Clarke is a classic King everyman hero as Boston doctor Louis Creed, displaced to the small Maine town of Ludlow as he trades the ER for a quiet clinic practice so he can spent more time with his family – Amy Seimetz (Upstream Color, Stranger Things), excellent throughout as his haunted, emotionally fragile wife Rachel, toddler son Gage (twins Hugo and Lucas Lavole), and daughter Ellie (newcomer Jeté Laurence, BY FAR the film’s biggest revelation, delivering to the highest degree even when her role becomes particularly intense).  Their new home seems idyllic, the only blots being the main road at the end of their drive which experiences heavy traffic from speeding trucks, and the children’s pet cemetery in the woods at the back of their garden, which has become something of a local landmark.  But there’s something far darker in the deeper places beyond, an ancient place of terrible power Louis is introduced to by their well-meaning but ultimately fallible elderly neighbour Jud (one of the best performances I’ve ever seen from screen legend John Lithgow) when his daughter’s beloved cat Church is run over. The cat genuinely comes back, but he’s irrevocably changed, the once sweet and lovable furball now transformed into a menacingly mangy little four-legged psychopath, and his resurrection sets off a chain of horrific events destined to devour the entire family … this is supernatural horror at its most inherently unnerving, mercilessly twisting the screws throughout its slow-burn build to the inevitable third act bloodbath and reaching a bleak, soul-crushing climax that comes close to rivalling the still unparalleled sucker-punch of The Mist – the adaptation skews significantly from King’s original at the mid-point, but even purists will be hard-pressed to deny that this is still VERY MUCH in keeping with the spirit of the book right up to its harrowing closing shot.  The King of Horror has been well served once again – it’s may well be ousted when It: Chapter 2 arrives in September, but fans can rest assured that his dark imagination continues to inspire some truly great cinematic scares …

8.  PROSPECT – I love a good cinematic underdog, there’s always some dynamite indies and sleepers that just about slip through the cracks that I end up championing every year, and 2019’s current favourite was a minor sensation at 2018’s South By Southwest film festival, a singularly original ultra-low-budget sci-fi adventure that made a genuine virtue of its miniscule budget.  Riffing on classic eco-minded space flicks like Silent Running, it introduces a father-and-daughter prospecting team who land a potentially DEEPLY lucrative contract mining for an incredibly rare element on a toxic jungle moon – widower Damon (Transparent’s Jay Duplass), who’s downtrodden and world-weary but still a dreamer, and teenager Cee (relative newcomer Sophie Thatcher), an introverted bookworm with hidden reserves of ingenuity and fortitude.  The job starts well, Damon setting his sights on a rumoured “queen’s layer” that could make them rich beyond their wildest dreams, but when they meet smooth-talking scavenger Ezra (Narcos’ Pedro Pascal), things take a turn for the worse – Damon is killed and Cee is forced to team up with Ezra to have any hope of survival on this hostile, unforgiving moon.  Thatcher is an understated joy throughout, her seemingly detached manner belying hidden depths of intense feeling, while Pascal, far from playing a straight villain, turns Ezra into something of a tragic, charismatic antihero we eventually start to sympathise with, and the complex relationship that develops between them is a powerful, mercurial thing, the constantly shifting dynamic providing a powerful driving force for the film.  Debuting writer-directors Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell have crafted a wonderfully introspective, multi-layered tone poem of aching beauty, using subtle visual effects and a steamy, glow-heavy colour palette to make the lush forest environs into something nonetheless eerie and inhospitable, while the various weird and colourful denizens of this deadly little world prove that Ezra may be the LEAST of the dangers Cee faces in her hunt for escape.  Inventive, intriguing and a veritable feast for the eyes and intellect, this is top-notch indie sci-fi and a sign of great things to come from its creators, thoroughly deserving of some major cult recognition in the future.

7.  DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE – S. Craig Zahler is a writer-director who’s become a major fixture on my ones-to-watch list in recent years, instantly winning me over with his dynamite debut feature Bone Tomahawk before cementing that status with awesome follow-up Brawl On Cell Block 99.  His latest is another undeniable hit that starts deceptively simply before snowballing into a sprawling urban crime epic as it follows its main protagonists – disgraced Bulwark City cops Brett Ridgeman (Mel Gibson) and Tony Lurasetti (Cell Block 99’s Vince Vaughn), on unpaid suspension after their latest bust leads to a PR nightmare – on a descent into a hellish criminal underworld as they set out to “seek compensation” for their situation by ripping off the score from a bank robbery spearheaded by ruthlessly efficient professional thief Lorentz Vogelmann (Thomas Kretschmann). In lesser hands, this two-hour-forty-minute feature might have felt like a painfully padded effort that would have passed far better chopped down to a breezy 90-minutes, but Zahler is such a compellingly rich and resourceful writer that every scene is essential viewing, overflowing with exquisitely drawn characters spouting endlessly quotable, gold-plated dialogue, and the constantly shifting narrative focus brings such consistent freshness that the increasingly complex plot remains rewarding right to the end.  The two leads are both typically excellent – Vaughn gets to let loose with a far more showy, garrulous turn here than his more reserved character in his first collaboration with Zahler, while this is EASILY the best performance I’ve seen Gibson deliver in YEARS, the grizzled veteran clearly having a fine old time getting his teeth into a particularly meaty role that very much plays to his strengths – and they’re brilliantly bolstered by an excellent supporting cast – Get Rich Or Die Tryin’s Tory Kittles easily matches them in his equally weighty scenes as Henry Johns, a newly-released ex-con also out to improve his family’s situation with a major score, while Kretschmann is at his most chilling as the brutal killer who executes his plans with cold-blooded precision, and there are wonderful scene-stealing offerings from Jennifer Carpenter, Udo Kier, Don Johnson (three more Zahler regulars, each having worked with Vaughn on Cell Block 99), Michael Jai White, Laurie Holden and newcomer Miles Truitt. This is a really meaty film, dark, intense, gritty and unflinching in its portrayal of honest, unglamorous violence and its messy aftermath, but fans of grown-up filmmaking will find PLENTY to enjoy here, Zahler crafting a crime epic comparable to the heady best of Scorsese and Tarantino.  Another sure-fire winner from one of the best new filmmakers around.

6.  SHAZAM! – there are actually THREE movies featuring Captain Marvel out this year, but this offering from the hit-and-miss DCEU cinematic franchise is a very different beast from his MCU-based namesake, and besides, THIS Cap long ago ditched said monicker for the far more catchy (albeit rather more oddball) title that graces Warner Bros’ latest step back on the right track for their superhero Universe following December’s equally enjoyable Aquaman and franchise high-point Wonder Woman.  Although he’s never actually referred to in the film by this name, Shazam (Chuck’s Zachary Levy) is the magically-powered alternate persona bestowed upon wayward fifteen year-old foster kid Billy Batson (Andi Mack’s Asher Angel) by an ancient wizard (Djimon Hounsou) seeking one pure soul to battle Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong), a morally corrupt physicist who turns into a monstrous supervillain after becoming the vessel for the spiritual essences of the Seven Deadly Sins (yup, that thoroughly batshit setup is just the tip of the iceberg of bonkersness on offer in this movie).  Yes, this IS set in the DC Extended Universe, Shazam sharing his world with Superman, Batman, the Flash et al, and there are numerous references (both overt and sly) to this fact throughout (especially in the cheeky animated closing title sequence), but it’s never laboured, and the film largely exists in its own comfortably enclosed narrative bubble, allowing us to focus on Billy, his alter ego and in particular his clunky (but oh so much fun) bonding experiences with his new foster family, headed by former foster kid couple Victor and Rosa Vazquez (The Walking Dead’s Cooper Andrews and Marta Milans) – the most enjoyably portions of the film, however, are when Billy explores the mechanics and limits of his newfound superpowers with his new foster brother Freddy Freeman (It: Chapter One’s Jack Dylan Glazer), a consistently hilarious riot of bad behaviour, wanton (often accidental) destruction and perfectly-observed character development, the blissful culmination of a gleefully anarchic sense of humour that, until recently, has been rather lacking in the DCEU but which is writ large in bright, wacky primary colours right through this film. Sure, there are darker moments, particularly when Sivana sets loose his fantastic icky brood of semi-incorporeal monsters, and these scenes are handled with seasoned skill by director David F. Sandberg, who cut his teeth on ingenious little horror gem Lights Out (following up with Annabelle: Creation, but we don’t have to dwell on that), but for the most part the film is played for laughs, thrills and pure, unadulterated FUN, almost never taking itself too seriously, essentially intended to do for the DCEU what Guardians of the Galaxy and Ant-Man did for the MCU, and a huge part of its resounding success must of course be attributed to the universally willing cast.  Levy’s so ridiculously pumped-up he almost looks like a special effect all on his own, but he’s lost none of his razor-sharp comic ability, perfectly encapsulating a teenage boy in a grown man’s body, while his chemistry with genuine little comedic dynamo Glazer is simply exquisite, a flawless balance shared with Angel, who similarly excels at the humour but also delivers quality goods in some far more serious moments too, while the rest of Billy’s newfound family are all brilliant, particularly ridiculously adorable newcomer Faithe Herman as precocious little motor-mouth Darla; Djimon Hounsou, meanwhile, adds significant class and gravitas to what could have been a cartoonish Gandalf spoof, and Mark Strong, as usual, gives great bad guy as Sivana, providing just the right amount of malevolent swagger and self-important smirk to proceedings without ever losing sight of the deeper darkness within.  All round, this is EXACTLY the kind of expertly crafted superhero package we’ve come to appreciate in the genre, another definite shot in the arm for the DCEU that holds great hope for the future of the franchise, and some of the biggest fun I’ve had at the cinema so far this year.  Granted, it’s still not a patch on the MCU, but the quality gap does finally look to be closing …

5.  ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL – y’know, there was a time when James Cameron was quite a prolific director, who could be counted upon to provide THE big event pic of the blockbuster season. These days, we’re lucky to hear from him once a decade, and now we don’t even seem to be getting that – the dream project Cameron’s been trying to make since the end of the 90s, a big live action adaptation of one of my favourite mangas of all time, Gunnm (or Battle Angel Alita to use its more well-known sobriquet) by Yukito Kishiro, has FINALLY arrived, but it isn’t the big man behind the camera here since he’s still messing around with his intended FIVE MOVIE Avatar arc.  That said, he made a damn good choice of proxy to bring his vision to fruition – Robert Rodriguez is, of course a fellow master of action cinema, albeit one with a much more quirky style, and this adap is child’s play to him, the creator of the El Mariachi trilogy and co-director of Frank Miller’s Sin City effortlessly capturing the dark, edgy life-and-death danger and brutal wonder of Kishiro’s world in moving pictures.  300 years after the Earth was decimated in a massive war with URM (the United Republics of Mars) known as “the Fall”, only one bastion of civilization remains – Iron City, a sprawling, makeshift community of scavengers that lies in the shadow of the floating city of Zalem, home of Earth’s remaining aristocracy.  Dr. Dyson Ido (Christoph Waltz) runs a clinic in Iron City customising and repairing the bodies of its cyborg citizens, from the mercenary “hunter killers” to the fast-living players of Motorball (a kind of supercharged mixture of Rollerball and Death Race), one day discovering the wrecked remains of a female ‘borg in the junkyard of scrap accumulated beneath Zalem.  Finding her human brain is still alive, he gives her a new chassis and christens her Alita, raising her as best he can as she attempts to piece together her mysterious, missing past, only for them both to discover that the truth of her origins has the potential to tear their fragile little world apart forever. The Maze Runner trilogy’s Rosa Salazar is the heart and soul of the film as Alita (originally Gally in the comics), perfectly bringing her (literal) wide-eyed innocence and irrepressible spirit to life, as well as proving every inch the diminutive badass fans have been expecting – while her overly anime-styled look might have seemed a potentially jarring distraction in the trailers, Salazar’s mocap performance is SO strong you’ve forgotten all about it within the first five minutes, convinced she’s a real, flesh-and-metal character – and she’s well supported by an exceptional ensemble cast both new and well-established.  Waltz is the most kind and sympathetic he’s been since Django Unchained, instilling Ido with a worldly warmth and gentility that makes him a perfect mentor/father-figure, while Spooksville star Keean Johnson makes a VERY impressive big screen breakthrough as Hugo, the streetwise young dreamer with a dark secret that Alita falls for in a big way, Jennifer Connelly is icily classy as Ido’s ex-wife Chiren, Mahershala Ali is enjoyably suave and mysterious as the film’s nominal villain, Vector, an influential but seriously shady local entrepreneur with a major hidden agenda, and a selection of actors shine through the CGI in various strong mocap performances, such as Deadpool’s Ed Skrein, Derek Mears, From Dusk Til Dawn’s Eiza Gonzalez and a thoroughly unrecognisable but typically awesome Jackie Earle Haley.  As you’d expect from Rodriguez, the film delivers BIG TIME on the action front, unleashing a series of spectacular set-pieces that peak with Alita’s pulse-pounding Motorball debut, but there’s a pleasingly robust story under all the thrills and wow-factor, riffing on BIG THEMES and providing plenty of emotional power, especially in the heartbreaking character-driven climax – Cameron, meanwhile, has clearly maintained strict control over the project throughout, his eye and voice writ large across every scene as we’re thrust headfirst into a fully-immersive post-apocalyptic, rusty cyberpunk world as thoroughly fleshed-out as Avatar’s Pandora, but most importantly he’s still done exactly what he set out to do, paying the utmost respect to a cracking character as he brings her to vital, vivid life on the big screen.  Don’t believe the detractors – this is a MAGNIFICENT piece of work that deserves all the recognition it can muster, perfectly set up for a sequel that I fear we may never get to see.  Oh well, at least it’s renewed my flagging hopes for a return to Pandora …

4.  HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON: THE HIDDEN WORLD – while I love Disney and Pixar as much as the next movie nut, since the Millennium my loyalty has been slowly but effectively usurped by the consistently impressive (but sometimes frustratingly underappreciated) output of Dreamworks Animation Studios, and in recent years in particular they really have come to rival the House of Mouse in both the astounding quality of their work and their increasing box office reliability.  But none of their own franchises (not even Shrek or Kung Fu Panda) have come CLOSE to equalling the sheer, unbridled AWESOMENESS of How to Train Your Dragon, which started off as a fairly loose adaptation of Cressida Cowell’s popular series of children’s stories but quickly developed a very sharp mind of its own – the first two films were undisputable MASTERPIECES, and this third and definitively FINAL chapter in the trilogy matches them to perfection, as well as capping the story off with all the style, flair and raw emotional power we’ve come to expect.  The time has come to say goodbye to diminutive Viking Hiccup (Jay Baruchel, as effortlessly endearing as ever) and his adorable Night Fury mount/best friend Toothless, fiancée Astrid (America Ferrera, still tough, sassy and WAY too good for him), mother Valka (Cate Blanchett, classy, wise and still sporting a pretty flawless Scottish accent) and all the other Dragon Riders of the tiny, inhospitable island kingdom of Berk – their home has become overpopulated with scaly, fire-breathing denizens, while a trapper fleet led by the fiendish Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham delivering a wonderfully soft-spoken, subtly chilling master villain) is beginning to draw close, prompting Hiccup to take up his late father Stoick (Gerard Butler returning with a gentle turn that EASILY prompts tears and throat-lumps) the Vast’s dream of finding the fabled “Hidden World”, a mysterious safe haven for dragon-kind where they can be safe from those who seek to do them harm.  But there’s a wrinkle – Grimmel has a new piece of bait, a female Night Fury (or rather, a “Light Fury”), a major distraction that gets Toothless all hot and bothered … returning witer-director Dean DeBlois has rounded things off beautifully with this closer, giving loyal fans everything they could ever want while also introducing fresh elements such as intriguing new environments, characters and species of dragons to further enrich what is already a powerful, intoxicating world for viewers young and old (I particularly love Craig Ferguson’s ever-reliable comic relief veteran Viking Gobber’s brilliant overreactions to a certain adorably grotesque little new arrival), and like its predecessors this film is just as full of wry, broad and sometimes slightly (or not so slightly) absurd humour and deep down gut-twisting FEELS as it is of stirring, pulse-quickening action sequences and sheer, jaw-dropping WONDER, so it’s as nourishing to our soul as it is to our senses. From the perfectly-pitched, cheekily irreverent opening to the truly devastating, heartbreaking close, this is EXACTLY the final chapter we’ve always dreamed of, even if it does hurt to see this most beloved of screen franchises go.  It’s been a wild ride, and one that I think really does CEMENT Dreamworks’ status as one of the true giants of the genre …

3.  US – back in 2017, Jordan Peele made the transition from racially-charged TV and stand-up comedy to astounding cinemagoers with stunning ease through his writer-director feature debut Get Out, a sharply observed jet black comedy horror with SERIOUS themes that was INSANELY well-received by audiences and horror fans alike.  Peele instantly became ONE TO WATCH in the genre, so his follow-up feature had A LOT riding on it, but this equally biting, deeply satirical existential mind-bender is EASILY the equal of its predecessor, possibly even its better … giving away too much plot detail would do great disservice to the many intriguing, shocking twists on offer as middle class parents Adelaide and Gabe Wilson (Black Panther alumni Lupita Nyong’o and Winston Duke) take their children, Zora (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and Jason (Evan Alex), to Santa Cruz on vacation, only to step into a nightmare as a night-time visitation by a family of murderous doppelgangers signals the start of a terrifying supernatural revolution with potential nationwide consequences.  The idea at the heart of this film is ASTOUNDINGLY original, quite an achievement in a genre where just about everything has been tried at least once, but it’s also DEEPLY subversive, as challenging and thought-provoking as the themes visited in Get Out, but also potentially even more wide-reaching. It’s also THOROUGHLY fascinating and absolutely TERRIFYING, a peerless exercise in slow-burn tension and acid-drip discomfort, liberally soaked in an oppressive atmosphere so thick you could choke on it if you’re not careful, such a perfect horror master-class it’s amazing that this is only Peele’s second FEATURE, never mind his sophomore offering IN THE GENRE.  The incredibly game cast really help, too – the four leads are all EXCEPTIONAL, each delivering fascinatingly nuanced performances in startlingly oppositional dual roles as both the besieged family AND their monstrous doubles, a feat brilliantly mimicked by Mad Men and The Handmaid’s Tale star Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker and teen twins Cali and Noelle Sheldon as the Wilsons’ friends, the Tylers, and their similarly psychotic mimics.  The film is DOMINATED, however, by Oscar-troubler Nyong’o, effortlessly holding our attention throughout the film with yet another raw, intense, masterful turn that keeps up glued to the screen from start to finish, even as the twists get weirder and more full-on brain-mashy.  Of course, while this really is scary as hell, it’s also often HILARIOUSLY funny, Peele again poking HUGE fun at both his target audience AND his allegorical targets, proving that scares often work best when twinned with humour.  BY FAR the best thing in horror so far this year, Us shows just what a master of the genre Jordan Peele is – let’s hope he’s here to stay …

2.  CAPTAIN MARVEL – before the first real main event of not only the year’s blockbusters but also, more importantly, 2019’s big screen MCU roster, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige and co dropped a powerful opening salvo with what, it turns out, was the TRUE inception point of the Avengers Initiative and all its accompanying baggage (not Captain America: the First Avenger, as we were originally led to believe).  For me, this is simply the MCU movie I have MOST been looking forward to essentially since the beginning – the onscreen introduction of my favourite Avenger, former US Air Force Captain Carol Danvers, the TRUE Captain Marvel (no matter what the DC purists might say), who was hinted at in the post credits sting of Avengers: Endgame but never actually seen.  Not only is she the most powerful Avenger (sorry Thor, but it’s true), but for me she’s also the most badass – she’s an unstoppable force of (cosmically enhanced) nature, with near GODLIKE powers (she can even fly through space without needing a suit!), but the thing that REALLY makes her so full-on EPIC is her sheer, unbreakable WILL, the fact that no matter what’s thrown at her, no matter how often or how hard she gets knocked down, she KEEPS GETTING BACK UP.  She is, without a doubt, the MOST AWESOME woman in the entire Marvel Universe, both on the comic page AND up on the big screen.  Needless to say, such a special character needs an equally special actor to portray her, and we’re thoroughly blessed in the inspired casting choice of Brie Larson (Room, Kong: Skull Island), who might as well have been purpose-engineered exclusively for this very role – she’s Carol Danvers stepped right out of the primary-coloured panels, as steely cool, unswervingly determined and strikingly statuesque as she’s always been drawn and scripted, with just the right amount of twinkle-eyed, knowing smirk and sassy humour to complete the package.  Needless to say she’s the heart and soul of the film, a pure joy to watch throughout, but there’s so much more to enjoy here that this is VERY NEARLY the most enjoyable cinematic experience I’ve had so far this year … writer-director double-act Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck may only be known for smart, humble indies like Half Nelson and Mississippi Grind, but they’ve taken to the big budget, all-action blockbuster game like ducks to water, co-scripting with Geneva Robertson-Dworet (writer of the Tomb Raider reboot movie and the incoming third Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movie) to craft yet another pitch-perfect MCU origin story, playing a sneakily multilayered, misleading game of perception-versus-truth as we’re told how Carol got her powers and became the unstoppable badass supposedly destined to turn the tide in a certain Endgame … slyly rolling the clock back to the mid-90s, we’re presented with a skilfully realised “period” culture clash adventure as Carol, an super-powered warrior fighting for the Kree Empire against the encroaching threat of the shape-shifting Skrulls, crash-lands in California and winds up uncovering the hidden truth behind her origins, with the help of a particular SHIELD agent, before he wound up with an eye-patch and a more cynical point-of-view – yup, it’s a younger, fresher Nick Fury (the incomparable Samuel L. Jackson, digitally de-aged with such skill it’s really just a pure, flesh-and-blood performance). There’s action, thrills, spectacle and (as always with the MCU) pure, skilfully observed, wry humour by the bucket-load, but one of the biggest strengths of the film is the perfectly natural chemistry between the two leads, Larson and Jackson playing off each other BEAUTIFULLY, no hint of romantic tension, just a playfully prickly, banter-rich odd couple vibe that belies a deep, honest respect building between both the characters and, clearly, the actors themselves.  There’s also sterling support from Jude Law as Kree warrior Yon-Rogg, Carol’s commander and mentor, Ben Mendelsohn, slick, sly and surprisingly seductive (despite a whole lot of make-up) as Skrull leader Talos, returning MCU-faces Clark Gregg and Lee Pace as rookie SHIELD agent Phil Coulson (another wildly successful de-aging job) and Kree Accuser Ronan, Annette Bening as a mysterious face from Carol’s past and, in particular, Lashana Lynch (Still Star-Crossed, soon to be seen in the next Bond) as Carol’s one-time best friend and fellow Air Force pilot Maria Rambeau, along with the impossible adorable Akira Akbar as her precocious daughter Monica … that said, the film is frequently stolen by a quartet of ginger tabbies who perfectly capture fan-favourite Goose the “cat” (better known to comics fans as Chewie).  This is about as great as the MCU standalone films get – for me it’s up there with the Russo’s Captain America films and Black Panther, perfectly pitched and SO MUCH FUN, but with a multilayered, monofilament-sharp intelligence that makes it a more cerebrally satisfying ride than most blockbusters, throwing us a slew of skilfully choreographed twists and narrative curveballs we almost never see coming, and finishing it off with a bucket-load of swaggering style and pure, raw emotional power (the film kicks right off with an incredibly touching, heartfelt tear-jerking tribute to Marvel master Stan Lee).  Forget Steve Rogers – THIS is the Captain us MCU fans need AND deserve, and I am SO CHUFFED they got my favourite Avenger so totally, perfectly RIGHT.  I can die happy now, I guess …

1.  AVENGERS: ENDGAME – the stars have aligned and everything is right with the world – the second half of the ridiculously vast, epic, nerve-shredding and gut-punching MCU saga that began with last year’s Avengers: Infinity War has FINALLY arrived and it’s JUST AS GOOD as its predecessor … maybe even a little bit better, simply by virtue of the fact that (just about) all the soul-crushing loss and upheaval of the first film is resolved here.  Opening shortly after the universally cataclysmic repercussions of “the Snap”, the world at large and the surviving Avengers in particular are VERY MUCH on the back foot as they desperately search for a means to reverse the damage wrought by brutally single-minded cosmic megalomaniac Thanos and his Infinity Stone-powered gauntlet – revealing much more dumps so many spoilers it’s criminal to continue, so I’ll simply say that their immediate plan really DOESN’T work out, leaving them worse off than ever.  Fast-forward five years and the universe is a very different place, mourning what it’s lost and torn apart by grief-fuelled outbursts, while our heroes in particular are in various, sometimes better, but often much worse places – Bruce Banner/the Hulk (Mark Ruffallo) has found a kind of peace that’s always eluded him before, but Thor (Chris Hemsworth) really is a MESS, while Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) has gone to a VERY dark place indeed. Then Ant-Man Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) finds a way back from his forced sojourn in the Quantum Realm, and brings with him a potential solution of a very temporal nature … star directors the Russo Brothers, along with returning screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely, have once again crafted a stunning cinematic masterpiece, taking what could have been a bloated, overloaded and simply RIDICULOUS narrative mess and weaving it into a compelling, rich and thoroughly rewarding ride that, despite its THREE HOURS PLUS RUNNING TIME, stays fresh and interesting from start to finish, building on the solid foundations of Infinity War while also forging new ground (narratively speaking, at least) incorporating a wonderfully fresh take on time-travel that pokes gleeful fun at the decidedly clichéd tropes inherent in this particular little sub-genre.  In fact this is frequently a simply HILARIOUS film in its own right, largely pulling away from the darker tone of its predecessor by injecting a very strong vein of chaotic humour into proceedings, perfectly tempering the more dramatic turns and epic feels that inevitably crop up, particularly as the stakes continue to rise.  Needless to say the entire cast get to shine throughout, particularly those veterans whose own tours of duty in the franchise are coming to a close, and as with Infinity War even the minor characters get at least a few choice moments in the spotlight, especially in the vast, operatic climax where pretty much the ENTIRE MCU cast return for the inevitable final showdown.  It’s a masterful affair, handled with skill and deep, earnest respect but also enough irreverence to keep it fun, although in the end it really comes down to those big, fat, heart-crushing emotional FEELS, as we say goodbye to some favourites and see others reach crossroads in their own arcs that send them off in new, interesting directions.  Seriously guys, take a lot of tissues, you really will need them.  If this were the very last MCU film ever, I’d say it’s a PERFECT piece to go out on – thankfully it’s not, and while it is the end of an era the franchise looks set to go on as strong as ever, safe in the knowledge that there’s plenty more cracking movies on the way so long as Kevin Feige and co continue to employ top-notch talent like this to make their films.  Ten years and twenty-two films down, then – here’s to ten and twenty-two more, I say …

[ussthunderquack]

On the Snubbing of Bruce Banner

“Sorry if this is a bad time, but would it be possible for me to get my two sequels, what with the original Avengers team having our whole series finale soon? Or did I just miss my shot?” 

The Main Four of the Avengers are Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, and the Hulk. Iron Man has 3 movies. Thor has 3 movies. Captain America has 3 movies (if only in name). Hulk has one movie, from ages ago, that didn’t even have Mark Ruffalo yet. Nothing against the previous Hulk actor, but Ruffalo is Bruce Banner, as far as most movie fans are concerned, and he deserves movies of his own. Why doesn’t he? 

Ant-Man, Dr. Strange, Black Panther, Spider-Man, and the Guardians of the Galaxy all got movies (all of which kick ass!), but Hulk, one of the Main Four Avengers, doesn’t get his trilogy? Ant-Man, Spider-Man and Guardians all get sequels, but Bruce doesn’t?

Not only is this weird story-wise, but I can’t figure out how it makes any sense market-wise either. Is Hulk just so unknown or unpopular that they didn’t think he’d sell a trilogy, but Captain America would? Did they think fanboys wouldn’t want to go to a movie called “Hulk 2?” Did they think fangirls wouldn’t want to see Bruce Banner or Mark Ruffalo? 

They sold a movie called “Ant-Man,” about a hero the general populace isn’t familiar with, and who is named Ant-Man. They sold a movie about a space crew that included a raccoon and a tree. They didn’t think they could sell a another Hulk movie? 

If, for some bizarre reason, they thought no, no one cares about Bruce Banner or the Hulk, did they think they wouldn’t be able to find a way to get other popular characters into a Hulk movie? With Bruce’s “Ragnarok” role originating in the comics (unless I’m mistaken), and with his friendship with Tony Stark and romance with Natasha Romanoff established in “Avengers” movies? They didn’t think any of those characters would help boost the audience for a Hulk film?  

They managed to sell two Captain America sequels, despite having to frantically emphasize better liked/known characters to do so, but they pulled it off. They really didn’t think they couldn’t sell a Hulk movie, even with some extra help from Thor or Tony Stark or Black Widow? 

Wanna tell me precisely how the fuck Bruce is not worthy to lift Thor’s hammer, but Thor and Captain Hypocrite are? 

Even after learning his lesson in humility, Thor still has traits of his previous ego, yet can still lift his hammer. 

Steve rogers can budge the hammer, even as the man whose parents’ murder he’s lying about is right there in the room with him. Even with Steve being able to later tell that man  “Sometimes my teammates don’t tell me things!” Even after Steve jeopardized the lives of 20-30 hostages to prove to one insignificant henchman that he’s macho enough to win a fight without his helmet and shield. After Steve was fine leaving a regiment of fellow soldiers to their POW fates, until learning Bucky was among them. This is not to say that Steve is evil, or not allowed to be selfish or flawed. 

The point is, why are those people--especially the second one--more “worthy” than Bruce Banner? 

We know that Bruce cannot control himself when he’s the Hulk, didn’t ask to become the Hulk, and does everything to prevent himself from Hulking out unless necessary. When he’s just Bruce Banner, what bad things has he ever done? 

Let’s see.... he helped make Ultron...after Wanda trauma-fucked him and Tony pressured him. (And was the first to own up to how dumb that decision was.) Then he later told Wanda, “I could kill you without turning a shade of green.” Okay, not something a perfect saint would say, but again, I refer you to the stubborn, emotion-driven ox mentioned above. 

I’ll also note that the next time Bruce ran into the person who he “could kill without turning a shade of green,” he didn’t have one hint of animosity for her, despite her deliberately making him Hulk out and rampage a civilian town. 

Of the Main Four, if one of them is the “pure” one, it is clearly Bruce. 

Is it because Bruce stammers his opinions with real words, instead of rehearsed “heroic” cliches (that often make no sense in context)? Is it because he has gray hair and glasses, instead of a heroic chisel-chin and muscle-tits? Is it because he represents some universal side of humanity, rather than the far more important symbol of patriotism for country? 

Speaking of “Ultron,” 

Bruce and Clint’s roles in “Ultron” Should’ve Been Switched 

This is not a blast against Nat/Bruce, a pairing I always thought was cute and fine. But the more I think of it, the more I see why the Nat/Clint shippers were pissed, and the more I think about Bruce’s role, the more pissed I am as well.

As I’ve said elsewhere, Bruce should have been the one to give Wanda that pep talk at the end of the movie, and have the dad-daughter relationship with her. Nothing against Hawkeye, but the only thing giving any substance to his and Wanda’s dad/kid relationship is Hawkeye being a literal dad, which came out of nowhere. Bruce on the other hand would have a far more interesting and meaningful friendship with Wanda. Because he’d still have rage over what she made him do; because he knows a lot about having dangerous powers that are hard to control; because he knows about guilt; and because, as discussed above, he is exactly the kind of cinnamon bun who would be able to forgive her before most of the other Avengers did. 

I am certainly not saying that Bruce and Clint can’t both have this relationship with Wanda, or that Bruce can’t date Nat while also being Wanda’s surrogate dad. But if it was going to be one or the other, it would have been infinitively better to just let Clint have the romance plot with Nat, and give the bigger Wanda-bond to Bruce. 

“Sure, we’ll listen to Ross. It’s not like this fucker caused our most cinnamon-roll friend’s condition and then tried to murder him.” 

Even Team Cap never mentions this. Granted, they don’t mention any of the legit reasons to be against the Accords. And no one in the movie makes much effort to communicate the most crucial of information. And the whole movie is such a mess that this is barely worth even taking into account. But I figured I’d have to at least mention it. 

“Anyone see my family anywhere? Or my ex-girlfriend? Or anyone from my life before the Avengers? No? Just wondering.” 

So according to the Marvel Cinematic Universe wiki, there’s a brief mention of Bruce having an estranged dad he could never impress, and this is why he wanted to impress Ross, leading to the Hulk accident. And Bruce missed his dad’s funeral due to lab work or something. 

So......does Bruce have a mom? Siblings? Grandparents? Other relatives?

I suppose I could also complain about us learning virtually nothing about Steve’s family either, despite three Cap movies and him being a “lead” character in the Avengers series; but even he at least had a couple mentions of what happened to both his parents, and what their occupations were. Not to mention he has a whole handful of supporting characters specific to his own series. 

What about Betty Ross? Presumably they broke up, but her father is now back in the picture as of “Civil War,” so......where’s Betty at? Is she working at a lab with Jane Foster? (Please, yes!) Would she have anything to say to or about the Avengers? Or her father being promoted to Secretary of State? (I won’t ask how that’s possible, given real life politics at the moment.) 

Is there hope? 

“Ragnarok” gave Bruce a long overdo big role. When it comes to the movie series, the MCU is already a bit....erratic?

“Iron Man’s” trilogy is just called “Iron Man,” “Iron Man 2″ and “Iron Man 3;” Cap’s movies each have their own title, while also having noticeably less of Cap in each installment;  Thor’s first movie is just “Thor,” but the sequels both have extra titles. “Guardians of the Galaxy’s” sequel is called “Volume 2.” Spider-Man’s movies are “Homecoming” and “Far from Home.” “Ant-Man,” “Ant-Man and the Wasp”... And Iron Man’s trilogy ends before the second “Avengers” movie even comes out, so it’s not exactly much of a “conclusion” to his story (especially with some of the biggest turns in his life coming after his trilogy is over). 

I am not saying that any of this is “bad.” I’m just pointing out that there isn’t much rhyme or reason going on here. So it’s entirely possible that Bruce could get two long overdue sequels, a decade after his first movie, and after his Avengers’ official “end.” 

On the other hand, these bastards might just kill him off in “Endgame.” After all the hell they’ve put him through. And without even letting him have a trilogy like the other three Avengers. If that happens I’ll kill someone without turning a shade of green. 

Fingers crossed for the best. 

[filmaficionerdo]

Best Films of 2018

Best Films of 2018

2018 was not the year for prestige pictures by a long shot.  Film this year was at its best when it came to superhero movies, and as much as I prefer those over most any other entertainment, that shouldn’t be the case, and that’s not what got me into film in the first place.  As happy as I am to see my favorite comic book characters come to life, I got into film because of daring, bold, and outspoken artists who didn’t need a franchise to speak their minds.  Too many mid-range films went to Netflix or other streaming services and they’re mostly of poor quality with a few exceptions.  I miss the days when film studios took risks, but now they only look for the largest IP with the largest net-profits.  It’s sad.  I love Marvel movies more than anyone I know but they shouldn’t be the only reason I look forward to going to the theater.  But this year also sparked a personal change for me because I moved away from the movie mecca of Hollywood to mid-Michigan, where there aren’t any arthouse theaters nearby during peak awards season so I missed more films than I would’ve liked (even though it’s been the most emotionally rewarding experience I’ve ever had) so I hope that helps explain why this list is so late.  I’ve been catching up on independent films via online rentals as soon as I can and still have many left unseen.  So maybe I missed something during 2018, but I can’t help but be letdown by the lack of inspiration I look to when I try to experience the medium I’m most passionate about.  With that being said, I was still able to conjure a list of my favorite 25 films of the year.  So, here goes:

25. Halloween

This was way better than I would’ve expected, especially coming from the guys who brought us Your Highness.  Director David Gordon Green and writer Danny (Eastbound & Down) McBride delivered the first worthy Halloween sequel that’s ever existed.  Their updated and timely subversion elevated this homage-y sequel while adding more fun than this franchise has ever seen.  John Carpenter’s contribution and the opening credits sequence hit hard with me.

24. Ready Player One

Haters be damned, I really enjoyed this movie.  Of course, I never read the book so that discredits me somewhat but what I got was a rousing Spielbergian experience that we haven’t witnessed since Minority Report.  If you hate this movie, but you loved Hook, there’s something fundamentally wrong with what you think a Spielberg movie is supposed to be about.  Ready Player One was a toybox of fun ideas and intellectual properties sewn together for a generation hung up on video games and nostalgia.  It’s definitely not his best but I love seeing a veteran director who still has the ability to dust off his old toys and make pretend.  The Shining sequence was an absolute standout of appreciation and love for another director’s craft.  

23. Sorry to Bother You

Boots Riley’s debut was strong and weird as hell.  This felt like Spike Lee meets David Cronenberg.  It’s funny, nuanced, and insightful.  Riley’s new voice was energetic and angry in the best way.  I saw this later in the year than I wanted to, but I have a feeling that repeat viewings will enhance this films relevance and my appreciation.

22. You Were Never Really Here 

Lynne Ramsay is one of the best and most unpredictable working directors today.  I always look forward to her work, but this semi-Taxi Driver remake was remarkably accessible for her and more powerful than it had any right to be.  If you haven’t seen it, seek it out.  It’s a crisp 88 minutes long and it’s riveting as well as heartbreaking.  There was a uniqueness to the short runtime, violence, and poignant urgency that she handled with deftness.  Joauquin Phoenix was remarkable, brute, and subtle all at once.

21. Ant-Man & The Wasp

Go ahead and agree that this wasn’t the strongest Marvel output in a while, but just like the previous Ant-Man, it’s a palette cleanser from a previous Avengers film.  Ant-Man & The Wasp is maybe the most child friendly film they’ve ever released and it was still enjoyable as hell.  It’s not important.  It’s simple fun.  And I love that Marvel still knows how to craft something that doesn’t want or need to reach for the fences.  Sometimes an inside the field hit is just what we need.  Ant-Man & The Wasp is a damn good bunt.

20. The Incredibles 2

Now that I hang out with a toddler on the reg, watching this movie never gets boring.  I’d know, because she’s watched it with me five times.  Incredibles 2 was long overdue and it’s maybe not quite so worthy of such a long wait considering the original was my favorite film of 2004, but its sequel was still full of exceptional animation.  That sequence with Jack Jack and the raccoon still fills me with joy.

19. A Star is Born

Bradley Cooper’s directorial debut was surprisingly strong.  Filming everything in close-ups was an intimate and innovative way to express a rising star’s personal journey to stardom.  Even though we can all agree that the first half of the film is vastly superior to the tear-turkey-jerky second half, it’s still an important film and a worthy update of a timeless classic.  The music, performances, cinematography, and sound are all exceptional.   

18. BlacKkKlansman

Spike Lee felt reborn with BlacKkKlansman.  Do The Right Thing will always be one of the all time greatest films; no question.  BlacKkKlansman might be his best since.  John David Washington just established himself as a commanding lead, and Adam Driver further cemented himself as a phenomenal actor.  The poetic-ness combined with the satirical edginess made this one significantly heartbreaking watch while being entertaining and iconic all at the same time.

17. The Death of Stalin

I saw The Death of Stalin early in 2018 and it never left me.  Writer/Director Armando Iannucci is a certifiable genius and the controversial nature of a film like this was one of the most refreshing voices of the year.  This is one of the darkest political satires I’ve ever seen but it’s so goddamn funny.  Laughing at something so atrocious and maddening is one of the only ways we, as a society, can heal from dark times in history.  I fully believe it takes the power away from the people who committed such heinous crimes.  It takes time and a brilliant voice, but it holds a mirror to the ridiculousness we’re currently subjected to, and hopefully with time, we can make fun of our situation too.

16. Leave No Trace

Debra Granik finally followed up her outstanding Winter’s Bone debut and she did not suffer from the sophomore slump that so many other filmmakers have.  Leave No Trace is the saddest love letter to veterans that I’ve ever seen even though it’s beautiful and full of hope.  Granik definitely should’ve gotten a Best Director nomination this year for her delicate and heartfelt look at a father struggling with PTSD while living with his daughter in the woods, away from society.  Ben Foster and Thomasin McKenzie are stunning.  This film stayed with me for weeks after I watched it.  It’s a small but hugely important film.

15. Annihilation

Alex Garland previously made his directorial debut with Ex Machina after an incredible script writing filmography.  He’s established himself as one of the smartest and most important voices in science fiction cinema after Annihilation.  This is a heady sci fi film that scared the shit out of me.  I felt uneasy the second the group of women walked into The Shimmer.  Garland adapted the book it’s based on after only reading the book once, but he created something so frighteningly ethereal that it’ll be talked about for years.  The score for this was off the charts good.  Going from an acoustic instrumental to something electronic was what struck me the most as a stroke of genius.

14. Shoplifters

For a film I saw so recently, very few films this year have had such an emotional impact on me.  Shoplifters is a small “family” film from Korean director Hirokazu Kore-eda, but it packs a punch that I wasn’t expecting.  All I knew was that critics loved it and it was up for a Best Foreign Language Oscar.  It’s a powerhouse of social status and what it means to be a family that defies language and cultural relevance.  

13. First Man

First Man hit me hard on a personal level.  I’d sort of written off Damien Chazelle as a director after La La Land underwhelmed me so much, but this film reinvigorated my appreciation in him because the filmmaking here was profoundly beautiful.  The acting is impeccable.  The cinematography was breathtaking.  Seeing this in IMAX (as my last film in LA) was a jaw-dropping cry-fest.  I left the theater shook.  I doubt this film will shake as many as it did me, especially if you missed it in IMAX, but this was the theater experience of the year.  At least recognize that Justin Hurwitz’s musical score was the most overlooked snub at this years Academy Awards.

12. Suspiria

This was another film I’d sorely missed in theaters, but when I finally got a chance to witness it I was blown away.  Luca Guadaninio’s follow-up to my favorite film of last year, Call Me By Your Name, was a worthy successor.  This was less a horror film, and more of an art-house homage to Dario Argento’s original 70s classic.  It’s still a haunting film, but in a beautifully macabre way.  Thom Yorke’s score is absolutely outstanding, as well as the subversively drab look, completely deviating from the originals color saturated visual palette.  It’s a film that has to be watched more than once.  Even though it’s 2.5 hours long, I was completely transfixed the entire time.  It’ll depend on your mood or taste, but if you enjoy artistic, visual, and auditory enhanced horror, Suspiria is among the best. 

11. Mandy

Throw up the horns.  Mandy is here.  Pasmos Cosmatos cerebral horror film is full of the best revenge porn I’ve ever seen.  Nicolas Cage is unhinged (as he should be) in his best performance in ages.  He’s the Cage we’ve been dreaming of since the 90s.  The first half of this film belongs to Andrea Riseborough and underrated character actor Linus Roache, but the second half is all Rage Cage in full gory glory.  Mandy is a film unlike anything you’ve ever seen, but yet somehow it’s still completely accessible.  The title cards for each chapter are something straight out of a Heavy Metal comic book, and the hauntingly beautiful score by the late-genius Jóhann Jóhannsson is simply gorgeous.  Mandy is a film meant to be laughed at and with.  It’s a fever-dream of ideas that work brilliantly as a whole.  It’s a hard one to recommend but if you know, you know.  

10. Eighth Grade

Bo Burnham just burst onto the directorial scene with this film about the awkwardness of being a thirteen year old girl.  Not something you’d expect from a male standup comedian in times like these, especially when it’s handled so delicately and with so much heart, but it feels so important to young kids who’ve been thrown into subjectivity amongst their peers within the digital age.  Eighth Grade can, at times, make you so uncomfortable, and at other times it’ll completely tear your heart out and make you want to hug your dad.  I know, because I saw it in the theater with my dad.  He was like, you’re still the eighth grade girl you’ve always been.  Thanks, dad.  

9. Aquaman

I know there isn’t a ton of hate for this film, but there isn’t a ton of high praise for it either.  Aquaman was exactly the film James Wan set out to make.  It’s one of the most comic book-y films since Age of Ultron except it’s dumb as hell, and for that, I absolutely LOVED it.  This was a throwback comic book film ripped from the pages that was corny as hell and never took itself too seriously.  Aquaman is a damn hard character to adapt so it’s unbelievable that he got this big of a budget that included over-the-top actors like Willem Dafoe and Dolph Lundgren.  Patrick Wilson chews the scenery as Ocean Master and I don’t give a damn what people think of Black Manta; he’s completely awesome.  You could’ve easily cut this film down, but I was happy to live in its oceanic cheesball world for hours.  Aquaman was the comic book movie of the year that was as ridiculous as it was awesome.  I laughed so hard at how stupid it could be, but I couldn’t help but be entertained by how insane it was.

8. Mission: Impossible Fallout

I don’t know how these films keep getting better, but they do.  This was THE action film of 2018.  As much as I love Fast & Furious 5-7, Mission: Impossible 4-6 has been the best run of a long running action franchise ever.  Fallout brought one of the best villains yet in a story that barely makes sense, but I couldn’t care less.  This film was big in that edge-of-your-seat way that rarely comes along.  Thrilling doesn’t begin to describe it.  The IMAX presentation was fantastic.  I live for movies like this.  It harkens back to 80s and 90s action films but presents itself for a whole new era of practical effects extravaganza.  It’s the best action film since Mad Max: Fury Road.

7. Black Panther

There are a lot of people questioning this film’s entry as a Best Picture Nominee, but it absolutely deserves all of the recognition it’s getting.  Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther is both culturally and politically significant as it is cinematically.  This film is a culmination of what Marvel has been growing to.  The Marvel Cinematic Universe isn’t simply about story progression, it’s about cultural progression.  These films represent societal beacons of the times we live in through decades old comic book prisms.  The lore and spirit of the comics are still present, as well as relevant, and the socio-political themes have been injected into them effortlessly.  

A character like Black Panther can be a leader of change within his own cinematic universe.  Marvel’s created something that transcends blockbuster cinema.  Black Panther is now an icon of cultural appreciation that can inspire real change in the real world.  He’s an optimistic embodiment of what we should strive to achieve as a society.  We should share with the world our hope for change.  Comic Book’s have never been so relevant.  Black Panther has never been so important.

6. Roma

Director Alfonso Cuarón’s intimate portrayal of life as a housemaid was one of the most vibrantly affecting films I’ve ever seen.  Every single shot wasn’t just a landscape; it was a mural.  I’ve never seen direction take this angle and provide so much while saying so little.  Some people might’ve felt emotionally disconnected from his style but Cuarón’s masterful direction captivated me like very few films this year had.  There are multiple layers to his visual representation that effect more of what’s seen than what’s said.  It’s not an easy watch and perhaps that’s part of why it was released by Netflix.  Unfortunately, I had to watch this at home instead of in theaters, but I still felt the impact of the themes and presentation.  It’s one of the few Best Picture nominees that truly belong in the category that’ll stand the test of time.  

5. Paddington 2

This was one of the earliest releases of 2018 and it never escaped my mind throughout the year.  Paddington 2 advances upon the original’s tone to encapsulate something that is pure joy.  Paul King directed the bejeezus out of this movie.  I felt like I was watching Wes Anderson meets Harry Potter.  I saw Paddington 2 in theaters with just one mother and daughter couple and it never felt weird.  The only thing that’s weird is that more people haven’t seen this film.  I had a smile from ear to ear the entire time.  This movie is magic.  Like the Harry Potter films, all of the best British actors are present, and Hugh Grand and Brendon Gleeson give their best performances in years, if not ever.  Hugh Grant should’ve been nominated for Best Supporting Actor.  If you haven’t seen this hidden gem yet, do your soul a favor and seek it out immediately.

4. The Favourite

Yorgos Lanthimos is on a roll.  This nutty Greek director began his career with the insane film, Dogtooth, and hasn’t let up since.  But he’s also learned and built from his previous work.  What started as something of a cultish followed career has expanded into prestigious and innovative filmmaking.  I’d nearly missed this film in theaters until I drove across the state to see this with my parents in Ann Arbor, and although it might be one of the worst movies to see with your parental units, we all could agree that this was a uniquely hilarious and thought-provoking experience.  At first, I wasn’t sure what to think because I was too busy trying to avoid talking to my mom and dad about Emma Stone jerking somebody off, but The Favourite stayed with me for weeks and I loved dissecting all of its themes and nuances.  The Favourite is both entertaining and timely.  It’s another one of the films this year that absolutely belong with (and should’ve won) the Best Picture nominations.

3. Widows

Steve McQueen’s Widows was vastly underseen and underrated.  Here’s a director who usually only does vague, cerebral drama, but working with Gillian Flynn as a screenwriter adapting Lynda LaPlante’s 1983 novel about wives finishing the heist their husbands failed to complete before their untimely deaths, is about as pulpy and as timely as you can get.  There are a lot of stories woven into Widows epic crime saga and some critics have faulted the film’s narrative for it, but look at Heat; one of the most prolific crime sagas of all time, which has more subplots than you could imagine, yet it’s still widely regarded as one of the best films ever made.  Widows is the best film of its kind since Heat in 1995.  It still carries the acting heavyweights and still compelled me more than nearly any other film in 2018.

2. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Into the Spider-Verse is one of the few films in 2018 that has the power to influence cinema for the future.  Not only is it extraordinarily entertaining, but it’s also innovative in terms of style and theme.  No other film in 2018 was this inventive and groundbreaking.  I was definitely excited to see this as a lifelong Spider-Man fan, but based on Sony’s mishandling of the character for years, it had me extremely cautious.  Thanks to Phil Lord and Chris Miller’s impeccable screenplay, I got more than the Spider-Man I’ve always wanted to see.  This is a Spider-Man for a new generation.  He’s not my Spider-Man, he never was.  This film is for everyone, and I mean EVERYONE.  The cell-shaded animation and soundtrack elevated this film into bonafide classic territory.  I couldn’t even comprehend it after I first saw it, because I wasn’t ready for something so new.  Months after I watched this film, I could not stop thinking about it.  Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is so nerdy for the fans and so accessible to the newcomers.  It feels like I’m living in an alternate universe where good movies in 2018 DO exist.

1. Avengers: Infinity War

The *Snap* heard ‘round the World...

Marvel has a good history of taking formulas from other genres and using them as a framing device for their superhero films; political thrillers, space operas, video games, heist films are all borrowed ideas that helped them keep the superhero genre from feeling stale. Avengers: Infinity War is Marvel’s fantasy epic. This is the Lord of the Rings of the MCU. The result is legendary. The Russo Bros. looked at their massive roster of heroes, who audiences have come to deeply care for over ten years, and came up with a way to tell one cohesive world-ending story centered around one villain; the mad titan, Thanos. They looked at Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, and they saw how well those were balanced, and they applied it to a superhero film. It’s unbelievably well executed. The big reason Infinity War works so cosmically well is Josh Brolin’s portrayal of Thanos. We couldn’t get behind another world-ending event in these movies unless we believed and understood the villain that was behind it all.  Brolin gave Thanos both menace and pathos.  From the moment the movie starts, the stakes feel real. None of the characters are safe because we believe Thanos is capable of anything from the very beginning.  There aren’t many epics where we spend this much time with the villain.  Thankfully, Marvel knows we already care about the heroes, so after building up a ten year rapport between audiences and protagonists it was finally time to focus on the Big Cheese who’s behind all the conflict. This movie is so comic book/fantasy it’s ridiculous.  I loved every second of it and could not wipe the smile off my face nor the tears from my eyes.  I felt like my ten year old self, alone and engrossed in the most epic comic book I’ve ever read.  I was shaken when I left the theater. I turned around and watched it again just 30 minutes after my first viewing, and I couldn’t believe how captivated I was the second time, third time, forth viewing, fifth, sixth, and so on...  Nothing could’ve prepared me for this film and I’m so thankful it exists.