#they deserve to be happy and not crucified

[puppys-rhythm-heaven]

i am being so fucking autistic about a video game i've only played an hour and a half of and have absorbed like 99% of my information about through osmosis from my bestie(s. it's complicated) and fanfiction. catastrophic levels of autism. i can't stress this in words i don't think y'all understand. or care honestly sdflkjfdskdfsjsfdkj-

[kelin-is-writing]

Fuck you Endeavor. Fuck you All For One. Fuck you to all the Pro-Heroes. Fuck the Hero Society and FUCK YOU HORIKOSHI too 🥰

[rubydubydoo122]

could you talk more about fanon vs canon tim drake? i havent gotten too far into the comics yet but have seen a lot of him (mis?)characterized by others

Just a preface, I'm not gonna crucify any Tim fans who find themselves writing these tropes, because it is fandom, and everyone's allowed their own interpretations of the character, I'm just personally not a fan of these takes on Tim because in my mind they just don't make sense for the character. If anyone has differing opinions, feel free to (politely) explain them to me, because I'm happy to hear them.

Ok, so much like Fanon Dick Grayson, there are two versions of fanon Tim Drake.

There's version A.) where where he's one minor inconvienience away from becoming a supervillain (I understand where this one comes from and I don't HATE it) and there's version B.) where he was criminally neglected as a kid and is infantalized (This version of Tim I Loathe)

I'll start with version A. I see where it comes from. Mainly the Red Robin 2009 run, but we have to remember that Tim was grieving pretty much everyone close to him during that era. He was being self destructive because of that grief, and yeah, grief changes a person, but Tim is the type of character who would still turn out good despite all the hurt handed to him. Oh! But Gun Batman-- Tim actively chose against being that. He would rather kill himself than let himself become a version of Batman who went against everything Batman stood for. I know there are multiple storylines where Tim meets and evil future version of himself, but those versions would constantly be like a weight on him to be good. All in all, if I had to choose between the fanon Tim Drakes, I would choose villain Tim Drake, as long as it's done in more of a character-study way rather than a 'He deserves to go evil, as a treat' because it's an interesting take with the right motives.

Now onto Version B. Loser Tim Drake. The reason I Loathe this version of Tim is because it usually involves Characters Assassination of the characters around him. Ok, so do I agree that Tim Drake was somewhat neglected? Yes. But goddamit, the way I see Jack and Janet portrayed, you would think that they were running from the feds or something. They were good people, just bad parents. Maybe a little immature to raise a child, but it wasn't to the point where they would probably need to call CPS. Neglect isn't black and white, and the Drakes fell into that grey-- which I personally believe to be a lighter shade. You do have to remember that a lot of Tim's introduction was written in the 90's where parenting styles were a lot different compared to Today. Still, they sent him to boarding school, meaning they made sure that some form of adult was taking care of Tim AND a lot of people try to make Jack Drake out to be the villain for stopping Tim from being Robin, and blackmailing Bruce for it, but... It's What Any Sane Parent Would Do? I'm 18, but I know if I ever had a kid, and then fell into a coma and then woke up and found out that my Kid was fighting crime in one of the most CRIME RIDDEN CITIES alongside my middle-aged neighbor who dresses up like a furry I WOULD CALL THE FUCKING COPS. But enough about the Drakes. Because not only does Loser Tim Drake assassinate their character, but why is 17 year old Tim the victim when it comes to 10 year old Damian-- "Oh he tried to kill him' They're both trained by assassins. They're both trained. They're both Trained. Why Is a Junior/Senior in high school hurt by the actions of a 5th grader. I have a similar age gap with my younger brother. We have had pretty brutal fights and the next day we're fine. I'm not going to get into "Attack on Titans Tower AUs" but I will say this, Every Time I Start To Read One Of Those, I Lose Half Of My Hair Because of How Bad the Characterization Of Both Jason And Tim are. Please, Read, The, Comic. Jason Wasn't Trying To Kill Tim. If He Was, Tim would Be Dead. ANd Tim was Snarking Jason Through The Entire Confrontation. Lastly, Why Has DICK 'BAMF' GRAYSON TURNED INTO TIM"S NUMBER ONE OP????!!!! DIck IS LITERALLY TiM's ChiLDHOOD HEro!!!!! NoT BAtMAN, DICK GRAYSON. And like, not only that, Dick and Tim are the most brotherly. I'm Begging, Please go read a 90's comic. Why is it, the only time I see Dicks Manipulative side in fanon, It's in opposition to Tim? I bet it's bc of Teen Titans Go. I bet the only Tim and Dick interaction they've seen is TTG Robin going "No BOdy cARes AbOuT TiM DrAke"

Sorry that ended up becoming rant-y, and less objective. Since actually reading comics, fanon Tim Drake gets on my nerves.

[dalliancekay]

Double Standards

I'm having thoughts.

You know how women are generally (almost always) held to higher standards than men? This also goes for people who are seen as good vs bad. If an overall good person (or a woman) in public eye does something even a little bit out of line, they get crucified. But if someone who is perceived as something of a bad (boy, it's basically always a man*) does something good, the praises are never ending. I'm afraid this has seeped into the way Aziraphale and Crowley are sometimes perceived. The good one (a literal angel no less) is absolutely forbidden to make mistakes or say anything out of line (I forgive you definitely counts) while the bad one (yes, I mean the demon with the golden heart) is not really blamed for anything, cos he's supposed to be bad, right? Anything good he does or feels is a bonus point.

That's. That's not how this should work. They are both beautifully flawed, evolving beings, in love with one another trying to keep each other safe in a hostile environment with uncertain rules.

Aziraphale is NOT BEING PURSUED by Crowley and is not being held back by the love of his toxic family (and/or his inner objections to being in love with a demon) he doesn't have the courage to abandon. Aziraphale is not a damsel in distress Crowley is rescuing. I thought Aziraphale admitting that he enjoys being rescued because it makes Crowley happy was proof enough but apparently not.

Just because they enjoy giving each other the things they didn't get to feel from their homes/jobs - Crowley being needed and Aziraphale being appreciated, doesn't mean they aren't fully functional separate beings.

Are they better together? YES But there is no one right or wrong here. They've been dealt a really bad hand at cards and they are trying their best. Aziraphale doesn't need to do anything to deserve Crowley (this is an extremely flawed relationship trope). He is already loved, he is already enough. And the SAME is true the other way round. Aziraphale is not holding out to some future Crowley who will be a better version to who he is now (or being an angel again!!) Aziraphale loves him just as he is.

Their problem is not with each other. It never has been. Their problems all stem from the fact that their existence, although in principle they are immortal, is not really all that secure. Especially not if they want to spend time together. And they do. So their problems pile up. This is their tragedy. And also why their love story is so compelling. Not because one is better or will change or abandon everything to be with their lover. But because they are imperfect in very bad, often scary situations and they are drawn to each other, and care for each other above everything else. That's why Crowley wanted to stay and that's why Aziraphale had to leave.

*I'm sorry to have used terminology for cis people in my examples, but these are what we generally perceive in public life and media - at least we do for now. I do adore my NB and trans friends - hopefully their representation will brighten the future in these things as discussed above soon.

[charliemwrites]

“Sometimes, I feel like I’m too selfish with you.” 

A simple sentence, one filled with a sentiment that many have felt before when balancing a relationship. But they were enough to bring Nikto’s entire universe to a standstill when they escaped your mouth. You? Too selfish?? Especially when it comes to him????? You could demand that he crucify himself for you, and he would walk into the arms of the cross like he is returning home, breathing in the scent of the cedar as it mixes with the iron of the nails that he strikes through his feet and hands and the blood that weeps from the wounds. You could ask him to drown the rest of the world, and he would tear the heavens open to cause waters to rise. He could become a plague upon humanity at the slightest hint of your desires, and you worry that you are being too selfish with him? When you have barely asked a single thing of him? Your commandments, though they are laws onto him and his actions, though craved into the wall of his bunk, were not orders. You never asked for his devotion, never demanded that he follow you, worship you, and, oh doesn’t that make you all the more worthy of it? So why do you now stand in front of him, shying away from his gaze, looking like a guilty sinner as you confess your perceived selfishness of him? Had he failed you so completely that you doubted his fidelity? What else could he possibly do to prove it to you? Every act of devotion the Bible has taught him is either is impossible for him (there is no family to sacrifice, no world-ending flood to build an ark for, nothing) or would go against your happiness (he would throw himself into fire while singing you praises, but he knows that goes against your first commandment and would make you extremely upset instead of happy). He feels trapped in that moment, staring at you, feeling like he failed you as your most devoted servant, when you finally speak again. 

“You never ask anything of me. Every day, you follow behind me like my shadow, you treat me as some sort of deity, yet you ask for nothing from me. After I asked you to help me when I was injured, you asked for nothing in return. Even when I know you are aroused, you don’t even ask for time away from me to take care of it yourself, and I know I shouldn’t force you to do anything with me like that, I know that it’s probably a physical reaction more than you actually being attracted to me, but the fact that you won’t even separate from me to jack off when you need it all because I selfishly told you to always come back to me that one time, or because you feel like you owe me for being your nurse, and it makes me feel so selfish that I haven’t done anything to free you from me, when you deserve it, you deserve happiness, and release and freedom and-“ 

Nikto has been your shadow for a while now, has been on the receiving end of you talking endlessly multiple times before. It was one of the things that first made him comfortable with you: you talking at him instead of to him because you knew he didn’t want to talk. But never before had this habit made him feel quite so desperately hopeless as it currently is. You think he isn’t attracted to you? You are more beautiful than words could possibly describe! He could know every language to ever exist, and still be left desperately searching for a way to properly tell you just how stunning he finds every single piece of you. No picture or drawing, no landscape, no human, no galaxy, no poem or verse, nothing could EVER come close to being even a fraction as beautiful as you are. And if Nikto were someone else, maybe he could will himself into saying this out loud. But he isn’t. Nikto is only himself, could only ever be himself, and these thoughts in his head stay swirling around while his tongue feels like lead within his mouth. Nikto isn’t a man of words, so he does the best he can, and he grabs you gently, and kisses you.

It’s not the best kiss. You were cut off in the middle of talking, and Nikto, so panicked over the idea of you not knowing his worship is so much more than simple Hero Worship for his nurse, didn’t even remove his soft mask that he wears around base. But Nikto is desperate, and so are his lips underneath the soft cotton of the mask. They work against your own, and it’s clumsy at best. Any kisses Nikto has had before were lost to him in the trauma of his rebirth, leaving him unsure of his actions but certain in his intent. Yes, he may not know how to kiss you in this new body you claim he inhabits, but fuck if the feeling of your lips against his, even through the mask, doesn’t feel like the closest thing to heaven he will ever find. And a part of him feels like he has been knocked into the pits of hell with how hot he burns for you, finally able to feel some of the thrumming arousal that had been living within him, just for you. 

If Nikto is left with a growing wet spot in his boxers when he pulls away from your lips, he won’t tell. At least, not if you don’t ask about it. Because he could never deny his Savior anything that you ask. And when you look at him, dazed but with stars in those beautiful eyes, and asks him “please, just ask for what you want. Don’t just secretly covet it. I want to give you as much as you’ve given me”, he agrees, because there is nothing else for him to do. 

A new commandment for his wall, a new law by which he lives. And he already knows the first thing he will ask for from you, since the taste has left him starving. 

Just… no words. Incredible.

[bwabys-scenarios]

Kurapika doesn’t understand that someone could hold him dear to their heart.

He’s tossed his life aside so much that he almost views himself as insignificant in comparison to his goals. His health, his previous ambitions, hopes, and dreams didn’t matter anymore once his clan was massacred. He wasn’t the boy who wanted to explore the world anymore, he just wanted to go home.

He wanted to have a home to return to again.

So when you open up your doors to him, carving out a spot in your home that’s just for him and nobody else it’s almost overwhelming.

He’s spent so long pushing his heart into a crevice in his body and now you’re tugging at it and it’s uncomfortable and it hurts but it also feels so warm and sweet that he doesn’t know how to react.

Game nights and holidays and home cooked meals were things he didn’t think he deserved, but you invited him to them anyways and made sure he feels included and loved.

It’s hard, part of him thinks that he doesn’t deserve to experience these good things anymore because his clan can’t, but the other part of him craves an ounce of normalcy in his cold and tired existence where everything is about vengeance and getting to the end.

And when you just hold him and let him rest for a while he can’t help but want to melt into your arms and never get up again. Would it be okay, if he found some comfort in you for just a little while? Can he bear the sin of enjoying life on his back when the weight of his clan never getting to smile again bears down on him like a cross until he crucifies himself in the name of vengeance and justice?

Everyone has their cross to bear but fuck does his weigh down on him to the point of digging him into the ground at times.

And with your hands that could never understand his pain, you lift up some of the burden of his trauma and let him rest and recover. Does he really deserve you, when he can’t give you the normal and happy life you deserve?

You always answer the same way. “It doesn’t matter if you deserve me, you have me, and I’m not going anywhere.”

And he doesn’t know if that answer will be enough to stop his heart from aching when he catches you crying over his well being, but he hopes that you will really still be there when he’s ready to settle down. He wants you, but he’s not sure he’ll ever actually have you.

He just doesn’t know that you are already all his, and you have been for years. Kurapika will learn with time, your blonde love is just a bit dense and too fixated on the past to see what’s in front of him.

[myths-tournaments]

Awful Characters Round 2 Part 1 (5/8)

Propaganda under the cut!

SHEN JIU

YES he abused a child and killed an entire manor of people, but it was probably only one child and allegedly the people sucked. Surely this is not behavior deserving of being turned into a human stick or having your body possessed by a weeb. I love him because sometimes mean people are fun and also who can resist a good redemption tale (he deserves one).

BENNY GECKO

The first thing that happens in new vegas is that benny fucking shoots your character in the face, steals your shit and leaves you in an open grave. Benny is by all accounts a bastard. He kills you, steals from you, he killed his last boss, he is the single most duplicitous man around. His gang are all about honesty- except him. He's a lying, cheating bastard. The guys who helped him catch you? He skipped on paying them and left them to get shot to death. His new boss, mr.house? He stole his robot, broke it open, got someone to reprogram it and decided to use it to TAKE OVER THE WHOLE OF VEGAS. Benny literally kills people, lies to people, steals their shit and takes charge. That's all benny does. He gets fucking CRUCIFIED if you don't help him out just because so many people fucking hate him. And yet. And yet. Benny is the single most compelling character in the whole game to me. He's just a little guy! He's just there! You can get shot in the head and come back and he goes "what in the goddamn" and then if you try and flirt with him he's like "uhhh sure? Okay?" And leaves you a polite note in the morning. He's fancy. He wears a stupid suit. He has a tiny gun with shitty bullets. He's catholic. He talks like an old timey news presenter. Literally nobody else in the entire game does that. He's got an intelligence of 3. He's my funtime boy. My silly little man. He's so funny. The antagonist in this game is a guy dressed like a tablecloth who looks at all times like a confused dog who doesn't understand what a tv is. And like. He's compelling. He robs from you, shoots you, but…. he never seems to actually wish you harm. He kills and robs and lies but like. He apologises for doing it to you. When he sees you again he doesn't attack you, he's just… confused. He tries to defuse the situation. You can convince him to talk to you, alone, with no guards and it's not that hard. If you spare his life, he doesn't go after you, like. Even if you sleep with him he doesn't take advantage of that and kill you, even if you try to. He… he just leaves. He gives you an apology. If he gets kidnapped by Caesar He just… apologizes again. He tells you his whole plan to take over the city, too. He thinks he'll die, and he wants something of him to survive. He's happy that you made it. And if you let him free, he just… leaves. He knows he's beat, he doesn't want to cause any more trouble. He walks out and leaves. The NCR will kill you if you cross them. The legion will crucify you. House? He'll blow you the fuck up. But benny, the guy who lies and cheats and schemes, he's honest. He's polite. He's… harmless. You can kill him with a single shot if you want. And he can't kill you. He doesn't kill you the first time, and he'll never really hurt you again. Benny just wanted to win. When he knows he's beat he just leaves. No lingering, no harm, he's off, off into the desert heat, and never seen again. Isn't that just insane? like have you ever known an antagonist so polite? He just leaves!! He offers you a drink!! His plan is genuinely probably the best one for the people of new vegas!!! He's. Benny is Benny.

Anyway if you want to see some REAL propaganda go to the blog @letmebegaytodd and look in the #benny tag. You'll Understand < https://www.tumblr.com/letmebegaytodd/717051175751614464/in-another-life-i-wouldve-really-liked-just> <- look at this shit man

[rookthorne]

⠄⠂⠁⠁⠂⠄⠄⠂ 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The relationship was forbidden, you knew the risks and you knew what the punishment would be if you were found out — oh, the court scandal it would cause. It didn’t deter the need to see them, though, nor the bout of friendly competition you craved.

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒑𝒂𝒊𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 ♔ Stableboys!Stucky x Princess!F!Reader

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕 ♔ 2.3k

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 ♔ Fluff, forbidden and polyamorous relationship, spicy tension

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒂𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 ♔ My first Royalty AU!

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 ♔ Run Boy Run by Woodkid

჻჻჻჻჻჻჻჻ 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕 ♔ @stuckybingo Ｎ１ — Royalty AU — Masterlist

𝐑𝐎𝐎𝐊𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄'𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓

The grounds were alive – knights and commoners mingling as they went about their day, and you managed a small smile at everyone that bowed or curtsied as you passed. Your guards, a parade more so for show than protection, flanked your side while your friend and court lady, Kate, strode just a step behind you. 

It was a pleasant day, too. The sun’s rays cast brightly across the vividly painted buildings and brought life to even the darkest shadows, a light pleasant breeze moved your hair and ruffled the hem of your dress – which in all fairness, you despised. Being trapped in the godforsaken dress your mother had insisted upon was a burden almost as heavy as the tiara back in your wing of the castle.

You craved freedom. To ride alongside the guards and the knights, to work amongst the commoners – to learn what it was like for your people. There was freedom in normalcy, in lack of extravagance, and you feared you’d never know, nor experience it. 

That changed, however, when the head of the stable hired two young men from the populace to help in his ageing years. 

“I cannot chase the horses much longer, my lady,” John had said. A wince of pain and a note of breathlessness in his voice. You were saddened, struck suddenly by just how old he was – the man that had taught you everything there was to know about horses, especially yours. “There will be two new hands in the coming days. They are coming from the outskirts, but I am assured they will take the greatest care of your beloved.” 

In your grief – not only for him stepping down to enjoy a much deserved retirement, but for when the day would come, it would be severely frowned upon to see him again – you could only smile softly at him and place a hand on his shoulder, squeezing slightly. The display of affection would have been frowned upon, but you were alone with your mentor – there was no one around to judge nor crucify you. 

A couple of days after John had told you the news, the new stable boys arrived, as expected, bright and early. The announcement of their arrival had roused you from your quarters faster than Kate could call out after you to slow down. You had spent the day down in the stables with them, learning their names and intrigued by the way they interacted with the horses, and one another. 

There was a tenderness you couldn’t explain between them. The soft tones of their voices, and their happy smiles – it was like you were watching your parents, it was only then when you realised that they were not all that they seemed. 

“Your Highness!”

Startled back to the present, your gaze snapped to the stable doors, and you grinned. James was standing at the open door, two bales of hay in his arms and a bright smile on his face. He didn’t rush towards you as he had every other time he had greeted you, so you chose to lengthen your stride and cover the distance. 

“Hello, James,” you said happily, and you heard Kate scoff quietly behind you. “How do you do?”

“Just fine, my lady,” Bucky winked, and he gestured inside the barn with a nod of his head. “Come see Steve, he will be happy to see you.”

“I’m sure he would,” Kate mumbled, and you shot her a look. “What? It’s not like it’s not obvious.”

“Hush, Kate,” you whispered back, pulling her along while the guards stood at attention either side of the wide doorway. Kate only rolled her eyes and threw you a knowing smirk, which you didn’t dignify with a response. 

The guard’s horses looked over as you strode down between the stalls and you stopped to pat every single one, a low nicker or snort in greeting all you received in return, but you knew by their soft eyes and relaxed ears they were happy; well loved and cared for, as they should be.

“Stevie,” Bucky called, and Steve poked his head around the end stall, his face already smudged with dirt and blond hair filled with straw. “Her Highness is here.”

“I see that, Buck,” Steve said, grinning just as bright. You smiled back when he inclined his head. 

It was all for show, this you knew – had you been alone, both he and James would have embraced you tightly, and you would have sighed happily at being back in their arms. 

Idle chatter took place as they greeted Kate, and you wandered over to the stall opposite, peering inside to find your steed dozing lazily. “Hello, my love,” you whispered, watching while her ears perked up and her eyes brightened. “How are you doing? I have missed you,” you cooed, taking her muzzle in your hands and scratching gently. 

“She has been very well behaved,” Steve said suddenly, standing just behind you to reach over and scratch your mare’s ears. “She has missed you too,” he continued, before lowering his voice so only you could hear, “so have we.”

“Kate,” you called suddenly, and out of nowhere she appeared at your shoulder. “See that the guard arranges for me to take the trails, I feel the need to stretch my legs. I shall not need protection for both Steve and James will take me.”

The air became heavy with apprehension and you continued to stare at Kate, watching as her doubtful gaze and nervous fidgeting turned into an unbearable smugness. “I will see to it.”

James was staring between you and Kate before he looked at Steve, eyebrows raised. You watched Kate walk towards the barn door and pause just by the head guard, talking quietly and then she pulled him along, the others falling in step. 

“That was easy,” you said. Both James and Steve laughed. 

“Where are we going, exactly?” James asked, standing close to Steve. It was endearing to see them so close. It was as affectionate as they could be with one another out in the open. “I mean, I have no objections, but Princess, there are not many places we could take you and be hidden away from prying eyes…”

You smirked. “Sure there are, handsome.”

Steve snorted and James opened his mouth to speak, but quickly closed it in favour of narrowing his eyes at you – the grey of his eyes turning dark with suspicion. 

“Your clothes are still in there,” Steve said, pointing towards a closed door that led to where the royal guard’s tack was stored. “We will saddle up.” The two of them turned to two stalls, but stopped when you took one step towards the closed door. “Do you need help getting out of- you know,” Steve asked, pointing at the corset. 

It was James’ turn to snort and you shook your head, chuckling quietly. “Nice try,” James said, shoving Steve’s shoulder. “Real nice try, punk.”

“Can you blame me for trying?” Steve questioned, raising his hands in surrender. 

You only continued to shake your head and strode to the tack room, leaving the two fools to laugh and ready the horses. The outfit was nondescript, a simple pair of riding trousers and knee high boots, and since you planned on giving Steve and Bucky a run for their money, it was an easy way to blend in – no one would be able to tell that you were a royal as you rode past them as fast as the wind.

Two sabres were hidden by the door when you turned to exit, and you grabbed them, pulling down two belts from the wall that were hidden behind bridles. They would need them considering they were covertly master swordsmen, and you would feel safer, too – leaving the grounds without your guards still felt much too foreign, frightening to consider not having actual protection. 

“We’re ready, Princess,” Bucky said, his words muffled by the wooden door. “Are you okay in there?”

In lieu of an answer, you opened the door and allowed James a singular second of shock to see you in such attire, before you strode forward, dramatically ushering him out of the stupor he was stuck in and then shoving a sabre and belt into his hands. “We have little time before sun down, James, let us move.”

Steve gratefully accepted the belt and sabre, while Bucky stood there, stunned. 

You then heard a muffled curse and smirked, making a show of swiftly mounting your mare and hearing James and Steve follow suit. “Where to?” Steve asked, fastening the belt around his waist. 

“Orchard,” you stated simply. Your mare strode forward as you squeezed her sides and you smiled, feeling the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. 

Steve and James followed closely behind on their own horses, flanking you like your guards would and they eyed the crowd until you reached the gates of the fence circling the grounds. Turning in your saddle slightly, you watched the two of them exchange glances, hesitant and confused. “What is it?” James asked, brow raised as he stared into your face.

“Race you there?”

“What?” Steve gaped. He suddenly started shaking his head and you pouted. 

“Winner gets-” You trailed off, coyly stalling for time so you could shift in the saddle, your mare seeming to sense the friendly competition brewing and pawing the ground. “I know,” you gasped, making both boys jump. “Winner gets a kiss.”

“Oh, you’re on,” James said fiercely, a proud smirk on his lips. Steve still looked hesitant. “C’mon, punk, you know you want to, you want her-”

“Enough! Enough,” Steve called, blushing bright red. 

You grinned triumphantly and turned to face forward, setting yourself up properly in the saddle and slacking the reins. James and Steve walked their horses to stand either side of you and the air crackled with tension, an excitement like no other – you felt alive, and determined to win. 

“Ready?” Steve smirked, and Bucky nodded. “May the best man win,” you goaded, and your mare leapt into a gallop, tearing down the lane while you whooped. 

The wind whipped your hair back and you breathed slowly, steadily while your mare galloped, the strong muscles of her back and side rippled with the effort – she wasn’t slowing down, she was gaining ground and she was gaining it fast. “Go, girl!”

Muffled shouts of protest echoed from behind you, but you ignored them, leaning forward and slacking the reins even more and letting your steed run – the strides of her powerful legs just as fast as the blood pumping through your veins. 

It was unlike anything else, feeling the fierce power between your knees and the trust that flowed from your hands into the animal carrying you. There was no way to replicate it. The realisation made you breathless and you squeezed your legs just a little tighter, willing the impossible – like magic, your mare snorted and hastened, the speed almost throwing you from the saddle. 

You couldn’t help it, you cried out in exhilaration, your hands coming to rest on your mare’s neck while she tore around a bend, not slowing the slightest. “Almost there, girl, c’mon,” you rushed, and she huffed, powering impossibly faster. 

“Oh, come on!” Steve yelled, and you chanced a glance over your shoulder, only to laugh. James had overtaken him and had swerved to cut him off – looking not in the slightest sorry for his skulduggery. 

The trees of the orchard loomed, turning the once green trail into blooms of colour; gold, orange, and red flew by, painting a mural you would associate with victory. “Whoa, girl, easy,” you soothed, taking the reins and tightening them so she would slow to a canter, then a trot, and finally, a walk. “We won!”

Steve and James slowed their stallions to a walk, panting with the rush and grinning widely. “That you did, sweetheart,” James said, dismounting swiftly and walking towards a grove of trees. Your heart quickened at the endearment that he saved for when the three of you were truly alone. “You know what that means?”

“Yeah, rub it in, why don’t you, Buck?” Steve lamented, pouting while he followed behind his lover like a kicked lamb. 

“Oh, boys,” you cooed, dismounting and letting your mare catch her breath. The trees James led you to were close to one another, shrouding a small clearing from view of any passerby. It was the perfect hideaway – no one would find you here. “I think I want to claim my prize,” you mused, coming to a standstill just behind the two stableboys. “But I don’t know how I want it.”

Both James and Steve turned to stare at you, and you looked at them through your lashes, a small, playful smile quirking your lips. 

“I know of a way, precious,” Steve said, and he crowded you against a tree. The rough skin of his hand brushed against your cheek and you chased his lips. He swallowed the quiet gasp that you couldn’t suppress when he placed his lips over yours for a hungry kiss, claiming you in the way he knew you liked. 

“Hey, what about me?” James pouted, and Steve was suddenly ripped away from you, only to be pulled into a rough kiss with James, the show making your thighs squeeze tightly together. 

You became impatient and pulled at James’ arm, whining quietly and slotting yourself between them and asserting that you were not pleased with being left out. “I believe I am the one that won that race.”

Both of them chuckled quietly. “You did, sweetheart,” James purred and you looked up at him while Steve pressed close, his front flush with your back. 

“You deserve your reward – what d’you say, Buck?” Steve asked, moving his arm to wrap around your stomach and burying his face in the crook of your neck. 

“Oh, she does,” James replied. A harsh breath left you as Steve lightly bit the juncture of your neck and shoulder. James smirked. “That she does.”

It was dark by the time the three of you reached the stables back home, and you couldn’t help but feel excited for another excuse for a race – Kate’s smug smile and knowing glint in her eyes be damned.

⠈⠂⠄ 𝐢𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐱 | 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 | 𝐚𝐨𝟑  ⠄⠂⠁

⠈⠂⠄𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 | 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 ⠄⠂⠁

[carlossainzwho]

love is embarassing

before i even go on about this fic, can i just say how RELATABLE this song is? it hits you right in the guts (which i think why her album was established but eh). BUT THIS SONG IS SUCH A BOP!!

ANYWAY

PART 3 Y'ALL!!

pairing/s: carlos sainz x ex!reader

warnings: swearing and 100% not proof-read (and i'm proud of it), mentions of crucifying :')

part one | part two | part three

I told my friends you were the one After I'd known you like a month And then you kissed some girl from high school And I stayed in bed for like a week When you said space was what you need Waited by my phone like a goddamn fool

All of your friends gushed over your new boyfriend - carlos sainz jr, so hot, so rich, so handsome. y/n reckoned it was true love from the very beginning.

but then of course.

another girl seemed so much more interesting to him!

but he told you

that he was stressed, needed more time alone and wanted some space.

y/n was such an idiot

for even thinking that he would come back to her

with welcome arms

And now it don't mean a thing God, love's fucking embarrassing Just watch as I crucify myself For some weird second string Loser who's not worth mentionin' My God, love's embarrassing as hell

how, how, how?

had y/n done something so fucking stupid?

she'd told all her friends

'he's mine, he's the one for me'

but god

y/n would crucify herself

if it meant that all of the stupid stuff she had done would get rid of itself

and all that would be left of her would be nothing but the flames her and carlos' relationship had gone down in.

love sticks onto you like superglue

and my god

it was mortifying

And I consoled you while you cried Over your ex-girlfriend's new guy My God, how could I be so stupid? You found a new version of me And I damn near started World War III Jesus, what was I even doing?

he would never shut up about her, how maria got a new guy

so

damn

quickly

and y/n was there for him, every step of the way

she made him into the person he is today

yet it meant nothing

he found someone better

hotter

prettier

not even words could explain how hurt she was

she tried to pretend like she didn't care

until she truly realised she really didn't care

Yeah, yeah, I give up, give up I give up everything I'm plannin' out my wedding With some guy I'm never marryin' I'm givin' up, I'm givin' up But I keep comin' back for more

your heart always skipped a beat whenever carlos asked you to get ready, that you two would be going out.

perhaps, you thought, he'll go down on one knee

and you two would be happy forever, making a family and being happy together

but it never happened

and it never will

y/n gave up

she put down everything for him

but she wanted what she deserved

and she wasn't letting go so easily

note:

she tried to pretend like she didn't care

until she truly realised she really didn't care

yep, i got it from isa's tiktok!

anyway, thanks so much! lemme know if u guys are up for a part 4, and if so, what GUTS song? i love you guys, thank you!

[bonny-kookoo]

Jungkook

𝓜𝓮𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓫𝓮 : At arms length

Just because you know the problem doesn't mean you know how to solve it. So how is he supposed to save you when he can't save you himself?

Tags/Warnings: Angst, hurt & Comfort, Idol!Jungkook, Hybrid!Reader, Cat Hybrid!Reader, mentions of depression and depressive thoughts, heartbreak, homelessness, it's a bit heavy sorry, mentions of mental abuse and manipulation, betrayal, slow burn, eventual smut, dead dove do not eat

Dead Dove do not eat: warning for potentially triggering content that can't be tagged without spoiling the story.

Length: 3k words

-> Masterlist

~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~

Sleeping outside wasn't actually that bad at the end of the day.

You found a nice secluded space no one else seemed to use, and it was pretty well hidden from the wind so you actually got some decent sleep out of it. The day today would be entirely yours to paint out. And in a way, it's actually exciting.

You can do anything you want from now on. No one's holding you back, and neither are you holding anyone back.

The first thing you do is walking towards an open park- the morning sun warm and cozy, temperatures quickly rising to a comfortable point. You remember that you've always wanted to go camping with Jungkook back when you were still living with him- but he couldn't. He'd always tell you that it was too dangerous, that people could see you, and then you'd be in danger forever. It had scared you a little. It still scares you today.

Even though you don't quite know what he was so scared of.

Or maybe he wasn't actually scared at all. Maybe he was secretly simply embarrassed of owning a hybrid- or more so, being in a relationship with one. While these days, it's more normalized amongst 'normal' people, he's still an idol, and you're not stupid. Any partner he'd have would be absolutely crucified among discovery- but with a hybrid, they'd have even more to hate on, even more reasons to plant into his head that would grow into full on convincing arguments on why he couldn't and shouldn't be together.

Maybe that was what actually happened. He woke up, and realized how unrealistic this.. thing was you both were having back then.

You're busy eating your leftovers from yesterday when you watch police pick up a drunk guy from the side of the road in front of you. It's far away but still close enough to see- and so you watch from your spot, not doing anything but observe. You've always been good at that. You never liked participating in conversation- you rather listened. Hanako was always the polar opposite. She loves being the center of attention, thrives off of being the focal point of any situation. Maybe that's why she stopped working as a translator for them at some point. Maybe she couldn't stand to be nothing but a background character.

Not everyone likes being a ghost, after all.

But you don't mind it. You never have, not when with Hanako, or with Jungkook, or back at the carecenter. Has Hanako noticed yet that you're gone? Maybe. You'll have to keep an eye out in case she puts you up as missing- though maybe she won't, who knows. Maybe she's happy you're no longer bothering her. She can use the money she got for you for her own life now, maybe finally move into that apartment she'd been eyeing for a while. You know she liked that apartment a lot. But she couldn't move into it, because hybrids weren't allowed.

No longer will you be an obstacle for anyone. You'll live on your own, it'll be fine.

The birds chirp and cars pass by as the day moves on, while you rummage in your backpack for something to brush your hair with. The small pink brush is a bit scratched by now- but you remember that it was one of the first things Jungkook had ever bought for you. Back at the carecenter, everyone had the same things in their rooms, as to not cause any bullying amongst the hybrids- so when you came to his home, you felt like you were spoiled way over what you should deserve. He'd gone out of his way to research what brushes were best for your type of hair and fur, what bodywash and other products were best suited for sensitive cat hybrids, he did so many things no one has ever done to you before that.

Hanako made some efforts too, and you're grateful for them as well. She made sure you'd take your vitamins, that you'd get your meals every day, that you had everything necessary, despite her clear distaste of your presence. Whenever she had something to do, you'd stay at Miss Kim's house for the night- you'd eat baked goods late at night, and watch old movies with her on the couch. Miss Kim would be another person you'll miss. She was a very sweet lady.

You brush out all the tangles in your hair, before you move on to brush your tail in your lap- grooming routing calm and comfortable in the early morning sun, while you can see children walk to school. Your arm hurts a little where your heat preventing implant is placed- probably from sleeping on it tonight. Hanako had gotten it done at the beginning of this year, because your heats bothered her a lot. You can understand that. They never seemed to bother Jungkook, neither before nor after you both became a couple- but at the carecenter, you got those implants too, because they're cheaper than medication.

You'll just be careful not to sleep on it again, and it'll be fine.

~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~

"How long has she been missing?!" Jungkook barks out, not even greeting her at all as he walks into her home in Daegu. It's big- probably similar to his own apartment, but he can't really think about it much as his mind is still racing.

"I- think maybe since monday evening-" Hanako stumbles over her words, visibly appearing more like a child that just got caught faking their parents' signature on a bad grade.

"What do you mean, you think?!" He asks, growing even more irritated now. "How long?" He asks, hands on her kitchen counter.

"I.. wasn't home for the weekend. I came back yesterday, and, she wasn't there- so I'm not sure." She signs, shamefully admitting her wrongdoings to him.

"How often?" He asks, dangerously calm, and now she's a bit confused.

"What? She never ran away before-" She wants to argue, but he doesn't let her continue.

"How often do you leave her alone like this?" He asks instead, glaring at her. This isn't the 14-year old Jungkook she used to translate for. This is a young man who's clearly agitated over something she knew was wrong. And in a way, it feels like she's just realizing now how much he has grown in the recent years. Not only in height, but physically in general. His jawline is sharper, his eyes holding a sense of maturity in them. He doesn't look at all like the torn teenager who'd left you at her doorstep two years ago.

"I- she's fine on her own Jungkook." Hanako argues softly. "She always was. She can take care of herself, and she never complained either-"

"Because she doesn't ever complain in general- she can't fucking talk Hanako.!" He sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Alright, fuck that-" He runs his hands over his face. "Where could she be?"

"Why do you ask me?" Hanako asks, almost offended. "Jungkook, I called you for a reason. I've got no idea where she could've gone!" She crosses her arms defensively, and he looks away at that.

It's been two years, and considering how much he himself has changed in that time, he can only assume that you must've changed as well. Even is Hanako didn't notice, there's no way you're still the exact same as he remembers- so he's got no clue where to look for you. "Does she.. what changed after I left her with you?" He asks her, sitting down in her kitchen.

"I, I'm not sure?" She sighs, sitting down across from him. "She.. I cancelled her train ticket, because she never really leaves the house, and we don't do much together. Oh, and she's got an implant now, for her heats." She explains, making Jungkook clench his jaw as he plays with his lip piercing. "Other than that.. I- I don't know. She stays in her room most of the time, doesn't really have any hobbies or anything. I don't know!" She leans back into the chair, raising her arms in defense.

"She likes knitting." He mumbles, and Hanako almost doesn't catch it. "She likes knitting, and watching long documentaries. Going out to the park, camping- Hanako for fuck's sake, if I wanted her to be caged into her room her entire life I would've kept her myself or put her in a shelter!" He grows louder and more agitated with every word of his sentence towards the end of it. "I left her with you so she could have a normal, happy life- not to be put into some corner to rot away!" The idol barks.

"Well, I didn't ask for it!" Hanako argues. "You just left her at my doorstep-"

"I asked you, Hanako, I asked you multiple times if you were okay with it!" He stands up now. "You asked me for money to cover her expenses, and I happily paid. You asked me for a proper apartment somewhere nice, and I provided it in a heartbeat. You asked me to help you with all the legal shit, and I did it." He growls at her.

"You basically forced her onto me-"

"I gave you the option to say no!" He denies. "But it's always like that, isn't it? As soon as my wallet opens-" He gets up, laughing at nothing as he paces. "Doesn't matter now." He shakes his head, grabbing his car keys again as he slips back into his shoes.

"Wait- where are you going?" Hanako worries, by now terrified of the consequences if you don't turn up again.

"I'm going to find her." He simply explains, getting up to open the door. "And Hanako-" He calls out, looking at her fearful face.

"You better hope she's fucking fine."

~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~;~✿~

Some days are better than others.

Today, it's raining- quite a lot, drains on the streets running over as they can't hold onto all the water at the rapid pace it's raining down. It'll be tough to sleep outside if it continues like that- so maybe you'll use your money to sleep at a hybrid friendly bathhouse instead of your typical corner. Or you'll just eat a snack at a convenience store first. You are pretty cold right now- so maybe warming up first will make your thoughts flow a bit easier.

"There is my little ghost." The elderly guy chimes up, coughing a bit from his probably seventh cigarette. He smells like them a lot, but you don't mind. He's nice. He sometimes sneaks a snack or two over the counter, and he doesn't tell the police you're sleeping behind his store. "Was 'lil scared the storm might'a blown you away." He tells you with his thick gwangju dialect, and you shrug.

You don't talk. Or rather, rarely do. It hurts your throat- an old infection from poorly treated pneumonia having affected your vocal cords when you were still a kitten. Since then, you try to communicate otherwise- you remember Jungkook would always make sure he leaned in close if you were to speak, because you couldn't really talk very loud at all. He was always very attentive.

He did a lot of things you never asked of him. He just did them, adjusted his life to you, and in a way, you feel bad that he might've felt obligated to do so. You really were a pretty big burden on his life, weren't you?

You put the fishcake and instant ramen on the counter, bouncing a bit on the spot. "Eat it inside, alright?" The man says, picking up a small bag of watermelon gummies. "If it doesn't clear up I'll let'ya sleep in the storage room out back, hm?" He offers, and you nod, before you lift yourself up a little to wave him closer.

"Don't have to." You say in his ear with your slightly raspy tone, but he just laughs, shaking his head.

"No no, I could'nt ever sleep knowin 'ya out in that weather!" He tells you, before taking your money, and giving back the change.

You sit down in a corner, filling the cup or ramen with hot water before you climb onto one of the chairs, resting your head on your arms. The man is pretty nice, but you shouldn't be too trusting. If it really didn't clear up at least a little, you'd think about it, sure- but you'll probably still sleep somewhere else, just in case he's simply trying to swoon you in to later on call the authorities on you. You're a ghost after all.

No one loves ghosts.

You eat your food, happily letting your tail sway around as you feel the warmth spread in your body. A filling meal like this will make sure you'll sleep well, even if its cold outside. You always get sleepy after a big meal after all. Jungkook and you would take naps together. The entrance chimes with the arrival of a new customer- and you don't really open your eyes, rather enjoying the warmth slowly seeping through your clothes into your skin, not really paying attention to the conversation the two man at the cash register are having.

"Have you seen her?" The young man hidden underneath a bucket hat and black facemask asks, holding out a picture of a female cat hybrid. "I'm.. she got lost, I'm looking for her." He asks, urging the man to really take a good look at the image.

The man does so, recognizing your ghostly white cat ears and tail, eyes wandering but never to where he knows you're sitting. You remind the man of his own daughter's hybrid, years back before the poor thing died of heart failure. It was sudden, crushed the entire family- none of them ever really thinking about adopting another one ever again. He himself knows how rough it can be for those beings to survive even if they have a family of their own- and so he doesn't want to out you in any danger. What if that dude is from underground hybrid authorities? They're getting smart, after all. And the shelters have a pretty shitty reputation going on.

"Hm, ain't sure." He shrugs, giving the image back before crossing his arms defensively. "What's she to you?" He asks, and the young man sighs, staying silent for a moment.

"I.." He starts, visibly tense now as he seems to think for a moment. The man can clearly see his eyes, looking down onto the ground as if ashamed. What is he trying to do here exactly? Where are you supposed to go even if he does end up finding you? He can't just take you back home. It won't solve anything. He's still not in any position to take you with him again- the problems from back then still exist today.

Maybe he should really let go. Maybe he should move on, just like Namjoon said.

The door behind him chimes in a tune, someone either entering or leaving- the man in front of him watching in interest, before his eyes are back on the young man in front of him again. "Just tell me if you have seen her or not." He explains in defeat, and the guy in front of him sighs.

"Look kid, I can't tell." He shrugs. "You'all just gonna stuff the poor thing into some box in a room and call it there. I ain't about that." He shakes his head.

"So you have seen her." Jungkook asks, interest now peaked. "You have?"

"Maybe. Maybe I didn't." The man neither denies nor confirms.

"She's- I'm not with the authorities. I just want to bring her home.!" He begs now, sliding the picture closer to the man again. Something about the way the young man says 'home' makes him wonder- and ultimately makes him finally break, as he takes another look at the picture, putting on his glasses even.

"Looks like the lil' ghost sleepin' out back." He nods. "Not sure though."

"Out back?" Jungkook asks.

"Yeah. For a few days now." He nods. "Doesn't talk much, but very polite, the little thing." The man explains. "Pays for all her food, throws away all her trash." The man recalls. "Only noticed she's sleepin' back there 'cause I caught her on the CCTV once. Told her I'd leave open the storage, 'cause of the weather out right now."

Jungkook doesn't know what to really do now. Maybe he could wait up until you'd go to sleep there- but then what? You probably hate him, for good reason, won't let him any closer than arms' length he's sure- but he can't really sleep tonight knowing you're out there, right under his nose so to speak.

"Though I think she might not come back now." He sighs, putting down his glasses and interrupting Jungkook's thoughts.

"Why not?" The idol undercover wants to know, as the man nods towards the entrance of the store.

"She just left." He says, pointing to the door, making Jungkook's blood run cold.

And he immediately runs out, looking left and right for you. But there's no sight of you anywhere, nothing that could hint at where you might be- and it's one of those moments where he wishes he had your senses. The only thing he knows is that you're here, in Seoul, just like he suspected you might be after Taehyung had told him he'd seen you taking a train a few days ago- but that won't really help now, considering the size of the city, and the fact that you'll definitely avoid this area from now on. And with the weather getting worse, he's even more concerned now.

What is he supposed to do now? Or most importantly-

what can he even do now?

[evermoredeluxe]

That article isnt just a fluff piece, I think its coming and they're gonna announce it at the end of the summer before his season starts and I will throw a party for my popstar bestie's happiness because she fucking deserves it

no one crucify me, but i think so too. he has the opportunity to do it like a million times and he’s gonna take it imo

[smoochkooks]

sjm reposted guilty as sin on her ig stories and if it isn't elriel foreshadowing then i don't know anymore!!

"i dream of cracking locks, throwing my life to the wolves or the ocean rocks (...)

i'm seeing visions, am i bad?

or mad? or wise"

Elain is a seer!!! her visions were driving her almost mad when she's just become fae

"What if he's written 'mine' on my upper thigh

Only in my mind?"

"I keep recalling things we never did"

!!!!! it's them yearning for each other even though they cannot be together and then Elain feeling betrayed when Azriel told her it was a mistake during Solstice. she's probably later on going to question herself whether she misinterpreted his actions

"I keep these longings locked

In lowercase inside a vault"

they cannot tell anyone about their attraction!! so they have to keep it to themselves because of Elain's mating bond

"We've already done it in my head"

now come onnnn it's Azriel's inner monologue during Solstice

"What if I roll the stone away?

They're gonna crucify me anyway

Elain wants to be free of her bond with Lucien that she has never wanted, she knows there might be huge consequences but she can't help but wonder whether she deserves to be happy and free

"What if the way you hold me

Is actually what's holy?"

mating bonds are considered to be sacred (so holy!!!). it's them wondering if their love for each other could transcend even a mating bond

[thegreymoon]

The Story of Minglan

Who gives a fuck?

We don't like her either.

***

LMAO, oh, fuck all the way off.

You want to plant spies in his bed that you would then use to undermine the Empress.

Die, bitch.

***

LMAO, I cannot 🤣🤣

When does Minglan start stabbing these garbage older women trying to stuff random girls into her husband's bed?

***

Somebody kill her, please.

***

The absolute evil of all these older matrons who spent their entire lives in shit marriages but are so eager to destroy a young woman's happiness as quickly as they possibly can 🤬 They all have a severe case of "Fuck you for thinking you can be happy" syndrome.

I hope Minglan eats them.

***

Who is Duke Ying of the State again? I am sure I have attempted to memorise this person before but I am coming up blank again.

Also, poor State Uncle, they just won't let the guy mourn in peace.

***

Fuck you and fuck Qi Heng and fuck whoever still lets you interfere in government proceedings.

***

When will your useless ass grow a spine?

***

LMAO, you should go speak to Minglan about it, she's the one hoarding all the brain cells in your marriage.

***

Do you deserve to be honoured by him?

All you've ever done is work against him and sabotage him, then on the first day of his new marriage, you bullied his wife and tried to stuff a concubine into his bed because you just had to be assholes about it.

I despise Qi Heng but I despise the whole lot of you more.

***

Are you sure about that? Are you sure that you know him?

Because he is 100% driven by his own vendetta.

***

This is, you see, because it is much more important for him to stick it to Gu Tingye for marrying the woman he wanted than it is to cultivate an actual marriage with you.

He's a self-absorbed prick and a shit husband, just like he would have been a shit husband to Minglan.

This poor woman. I feel like the ability to divorce with minimal consequences in modern times is one of the best things that happened to women and women's rights in history.

***

You are already disappointing.

She doesn't have the look of someone who achieved an orgasm unless it was by her own hand and you certainly don't look like a man that is capable of providing a woman with any since you're too busy wanking off to your own self-pity and delusions of grandeur.

***

Please don't drag Minglan into your stupid marriage.

She's had enough of Qi Heng's bullshit for this lifetime.

***

And of course, they implicated her, smh.

Minglan is lucky that her husband is sensible and open-minded. A less upstanding man could have made her life hell over this.

Fuck Qi Heng and his stupid jealous wife.

***

Fuck you.

Minglan is just beyond lucky that she married Gu Tingye.

Imagine if it had been any of those other shitty families we've seen so far, including Qi Heng's! Her in-laws would have crucified her and her shitty father would not have lifted a finger to help or comfort her.

As it stands, the Gu assholes have well and truly burned all bridges with Gu Tingye and as a consequence, have no power over her.

[chdarling]

AHHHHHHHGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG that ending though !!!!!! laughed my fucking arse off and i am SO glad you ended it there rather than with snapes pov ( even though that certainly sets the tone for TLE3 !! )

In all seriousness though, I discovered your writing half way through writing my dissertation in march / april - a time which was just so stressful and at a point where my general sense of well-being and happiness was just so low. I absolutely raced through TLE1 and TLE2 and it made me laugh and cry and most importantly of all, gave me something other than medieval nuns and their considerations of christs crucified body to concentrate on lmao !!

Thank you so much for your dedication and for sharing your talent with us all - it is so so appreciated and I absolutely can’t wait for TLE3 - whenever that may be 🥰🥰🥰

Hope you enjoy a much deserved break also !!

Omg (belated) congrats on your dissertation! I hope things have improved since then but do glad TLE could bring a little levity to all those nuns 😅❤️

And thank you so much!!!

[atopearth]

Ikemen Villains Part 1 - William Rex Route

I've been curious about this game! I have to say though, I'm not really into the art style hahaha but that's fine, I felt similarly to Ikemen Prince when I first played it but I like it now lol. I'm not sure how to feel about the premise right now but it's nice to see that the heroine isn't as stressed as the other games and has more freedom?😆 I chose William so let's see how it goes~ For now, he's not very much like a villain especially with how considerate he is towards the heroine taking her to the theatre she wanted to go to and stuff like that, but as he says, villains don't go around killing people 24/7 lol. It was obvious that William was being purposely annoying to the heroine to give her an opportunity to talk to the writer she admires but lol, this guy really isn't much of a villain with how nice he is all the time haha. I think it's interesting how they hire maids who are deaf because this ensures they can't overhear things and tell others. Our villains definitely aren't really villains at all with how gentle and kind they actually are. But one thing I liked about William asking the heroine to talk about how scared she really was, was that he was always respectful and wanted her to slowly speak for herself. I guess it's sweet because you know that he has the power to command people to speak even if they don't want to but he wouldn't do that to her.

I guess one thing I agree with William is that just because you can't save everyone doesn't mean you should kill a part of yourself because of it. But it's difficult to not take in that pain and empathise sometimes and that inevitably hurts the kindest people. I understand the heroine's guilt though, because the easiest way is to ignore people's pain as if you don't see them so you can continue to focus on your own life and live happily. It's strong of the heroine to want to face the things she's ignored and to try and start with saving this one girl. I guess she is influencing William to an extent but I feel like he's never really been a villain so he's understandably prepared to save those victims of the butterfly group. I feel bad for William that his father was involved with the Golden Butterfly and even killed someone he wished to see live freely right in front of him. But I guess the worst was him having to accept such evil and use his powers to kill his own father to stop all this. I think it's kinda cute to see them develop their relationship so smoothly and gently, but at the same time, I can't really feel it haha. I do feel the heroine's curiosity towards William though. Well, I definitely didn't expect them to sleep together already! Surprisingly though, they're more cute than I thought especially with how gentle and teasing William was towards the heroine.

I think it's actually kind of sad how the heroine loves his sense of justice to commit evil because he can't stand seeing the innocent be trampled upon, but at the same time after witnessing his crimes right in front of her face, it's still difficult for her to stomach, especially when he crucified that guy. Considering the lack of presence of the other guys in this route, it was actually pretty sweet to see how concerned Ellis and Liam were towards the heroine after she fainted. Even though it's obvious that none of the guys would think to die a peaceful death, there was something solemn and saddening when thinking about William thinking he doesn't deserve any sort of happiness and shouldn't desire for things because of the way he's chosen to live his life. Cutting your hair to show your resolve always works haha, but yeah I can see why the reporter would be shocked to see the heroine do that when he believed that she was brainwashed by William. I feel bad for William that these guys are torturing the people he saved and trying to brainwash them into thinking William is evil so they can use them against him.

I think it's sad to watch William let himself be judged as a villain to free the people he saved, but seeing the heroine cover him when someone tried to stab him was even worse. Everything was resolved quite amicably especially with Bryan's article on the "truth". I have to say though, considering Bryan has no sprite, he had a pretty nice role in this story as someone who did what he thought was right and was not swayed by words but instead what he judged to be "right" and stuck to his beliefs. Honestly though, even though William is the LI here, I've actually got a soft spot for Liam instead because you can see how much he cares for the heroine. I wonder if it's something we should be prepared for, that if you choose to do "evil" in order to protect the people you care about from other evil people, that you need to acknowledge that things that are precious to you will be taken away because of those actions? Not only has the innocent little girl who was looking forward to becoming a florist hurt by stray bullets from Grimsley who was afraid of William coming for him, but now the heroine has also been held at gun point when she chose to go with him to make sure he doesn't be reckless. Lol, so I'm too poor and don't have enough coins but I do have enough gems🥲 Guess I can see whether the premium story is worth it😅 I guess it's twisted but a love where you love them so much that losing them is such a tragedy and drives you mad is a love that is worth striving for haha.

Overall, I'm not too sure how much I like this game for now. Personally, I think the premise isn't as interesting as I thought it would be and I also feel like the heroine's role is rather purposeless compared to other Ikemen games but maybe it's just me haha. Anyway, what I enjoyed about William is that his route explores the idea of sacrificing oneself to preserve the peace of others and giving them the freedom to choose the path they want to tread and to do what they choose to do, which is exactly the opposite of what his powers do, but I guess it's because of these powers that he understands how terrible it is to not have that control over yourself and your own life. However, I feel the romance was rather bland. I'm not sure if I could really feel how and why they liked each other even though I do acknowledge that William was interested in the heroine for the way she chose to live her life. But otherwise, I didn't think they really matched imo haha! I ended up really liking Liam though so I'll be looking forward to his route next!

[my-mt-heart]

If “Hope is not lost” reminds you of Caryl, that’s fair. Their relationship was and still is rooted in hope, the hope of finding Sophia at first, and now the hope of finding happiness with each other in a world plagued by tragedy and horror. We know Daryl is hoping to get back home in the spinoff. We know Carol will come to his rescue in S2. So it’s true, hope is not lost for either of them nor for the fans who were devastated by extremely poor decisions last year.

The problem—because there’s always a problem when it comes to this show—is I don’t see Carol anywhere in that key art. I don’t see her name in that ridiculous font. I don’t see a Cherokee rose to symbolize Caryl’s story or their hope. It’s just Daryl posed in front of stained glass. Squint and you can just make out the angel wings fans associated with him throughout the main series. That subtle touch of familiarity gets lost though, as will the iconic vest when it's replaced by suspenders and a neck tie.

The real intention behind the iconography is to replicate Christian art. Because…why? Daryl’s France’s savior? The women and children survived over a decade of the ZA, but suddenly need a white American man to save them all? I find that ironic considering Daryl would’ve died a hundred times over if not for a woman.

I find the whole theme offensive. Even the possible title, Raise the Dead, has biblical connotations. Jesus rose from the dead and rose others before he was crucified. Christianity in itself is also a kind of a coming back to life. Before one becomes a Christian, they are “dead,” and committing themselves to God raises them into a new life in him, an eternal one. But Daryl Dixon isn’t Jesus, he isn’t Christian, he isn’t even religious, so why are tptb forcing him into these tropes?

It all reeks of American exceptionalism and sexism, and I’m just so fed up with AMC’s short-sightedness. How do I maintain the hope of seeing Daryl and Carol get the story they deserve when there’s still several months of S1 promotion let alone airtime standing in my way? I’m genuinely asking.

🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

In other news, in case some aren’t aware, SAG is now on strike with the WGA, and that’s a really good thing for all of us in the long run. It does mean that actors won’t be at SDCC to promote their shows, but I expect fans will still get something. Pre-recordings maybe? I REALLY need that Melissa announcement. If the art is any indication, the trailer for S1 is going to be triggering.