#this has been in progress since january. not happy with it still but it must be free.

[inputs-chaos]

ULTRAKRILL

[ut-versotale]

Update Time, Update Time

Welcome back, everyone. Hope you all had a very happy New Years! I come bearing a late present for you all: A Versotale update!

Game Progress

As I anticipated, I needed to take a break around the middle of November so I could focus on schoolwork. Now that we've been on break for a little while again and will continue to be for the better part of January, I've already gotten a sizable chunk of stuff done. Still not as much as I would've LIKED to have completed - There are still like only three fully-completed rooms at the moment, and even then they have a ton of WIP assets and first-pass dialogue and all - but, that is the way of coding a game solo, mostly from scratch, and with the occasional glances at Undertale's code, isn't it?

Unfortunately, while I really want to share stuff with you guys, it's all in some way a spoiler that I don't want to spoil for the people who'd rather experience everything fresh for themselves.

...

So, if you DO wanna experience everything fresh for yourself, feel free to bow out of this post here. If you're sticking around, enjoy some mild spoiler-y content, some character designs, and some fun vague allusions to things I still really wanna talk about! I need to give you guys SOMETHING after this long wait, right?

Game Progress: Slightly Spoiler-y Edition

The OPENING CUTSCENE you saw a while back has been tweaked slightly to make Hercine more likable, and so the dialogue can flow a bit more naturally.

Two new cutscenes have been added to the beginning, albeit with some rough visuals. These three all flow into each other, and if you're speaking through each line of dialogue, they only take up about six minutes total. Still, it is a TAD bit too long for my liking without any gameplay behind it, so there's a chance I might cut a cutscene or switch the order of things around so there's a brief gameplay section before the last one. Who knows.

Undyne has been redesigned. Undyne now sports some less bulky armor that combines aspects of her canon casual and armored forms. If she's gonna be there the entire game, she may as well have a visually-interesting design rather than the blob of bluish-grey her armor used to be. I'm sure some people will consider this a downgrade, which is always the risk you run when you redesign a character you've already shown off... but I personally just can't stand working with that old design any longer. The colors barely pop, it looks messy, the armor's boring and flat-colored and almost even blends into her scales, etc.

You didn't get to see the outdated Frisk design I had for this iteration of the project, and I'm glad you didn't, because upon writing more of their scenes and reconfiguring their personality, I HAD to redesign them again. I don't anticipate this one changing ANY time soon, but, as with Undyne, no promises.

Next up, some important human characters in the first area that AREN'T Frisk! You'll meet them later on, and I really hope you all end up liking them and the story behind them! In the meantime, here, have their designs. Again, they might change, but I'm comfortable with these for now.

That's all I feel comfortable showing off for the first area at the moment! I'm hoping to record everything up until the first save point and post it on YouTube at some point before the end of January (Again, as I must reiterate, in its very unfinished form), but no promises!

While that's all for the first area, I have been poking around with redesigning some of the later characters you guys have not even seen yet. Particularly, the primary antagonist of the new Cold West. I have to admit, I was a little worried that, if I didn't switch up his design, people would start comparing him to Clover since Undertale Yellow is still fresh in a lot of our memories right now, but... I think you guys will really like "The long scarf of the law." He's a fun character.

Alright, that's all from me! I hope you guys enjoyed this brief little peek at some mild spoiler-y content! I hope to be back soon with some neat stuff for y'all to see in action!

[pinkfadespirit]

End of year fic writer round-up

Thank you for the tag @barbex! And Happy New Year everyone!

I’ll tag: @fandomn00blr, @goth-surana, @aria-i-adagio, @johaerys-writes, @sulky-valkyrie, @glowing-blue-feathermage, @potatowitch, @noire-pandora, @factorykat and the others I’ve tagged below and anyone else who might want to do this. 

This year I published 4 new stories on AO3, completed one old one and completed the first draft of a new fic that I’m hoping to start posting in January. 

Words written (published or not, WIPs included!): roughly around 150k if I include DADWC stuff. This year started out a bit slow writing wise but it really picked up for me towards the end of the year when I did the DA Create-a-thon and Nanowrimo back to back. I somehow managed to write over 80k in those two months. I’ve slowed down a lot since but I’m still feeling quite positive about my writing after it, which is great!

Smut scenes: I think 3 published ones. One or two unpublished. And there are a few in the fic I’m still editing but they’re mostly glossed over. I may go back and add more to them but I’m undecided on that for now. 

New things I tried: I wrote Nanders for the first time – which was also my first time writing Nathaniel’s POV and my first Awakening fic in general. 

Fic I spent the most time on: the fic that took me the longest to finish was the life that, here, awaits, which I worked on on and off throughout the year. But that was several short chapters with long breaks in between them. So the fic I spent the most time actively working on must have been the Justnanders fic I wrote in part for Nanowrimo. It’s the longest fic I wrote this year at 40k and I’m still working on editing it. 

Fic I spent the least time on: My Secret Sanders gift is the shortest one I have on AO3, if that counts (I know author reveals haven’t happened yet but I’m pretty sure it’s no mystery which one is mine for anyone who is at all familiar with my work - and my giftee has definitely figured it out lol). If that doesn’t count then Trouble Sleeping would probably be it. I can’t actually remember how long I spent on it, just that it’s my shortest work from this year outside of DADWC stuff. 

Favourite thing I wrote: Probably the Justnanders fic. Not officially titled yet but I’m thinking of calling it Not To Disappear (shamelessly stolen from the Daughter song/album). I don’t know if it’s the best thing I’ve written, but I enjoyed writing it and I’m even enjoying editing it so far, which is surprising for me. I think the fact that I’m not rushing myself to publish it is helping a lot with that.  

Favourite thing I read: I read Holy, Holy, Holy by @little--abyss not that long ago and I loved it. Really loved it - like in a ‘it’s been weeks and I’m still thinking about it’ way. Also, The Place Where I Belong by @dismalzelenka is amazing and I think everyone should read it. 

Writing goals for next year: First, I’d like to finish editing and post the Justnanders fic. I’ve filled in most of the placeholders up to chapter six out of eight for that so hopefully that won’t take too much longer. After that, I’d love to get back to All Falls Away. I never meant to take as long a break from that as I did, but I think it was a good thing in the end. I feel excited by the idea of picking it up again so that’s a definite improvement on how I felt about it when I put it on hold back in February.  I also have a Handers modern AU in the works. It was my first nano idea for this year but I ran out of steam after the first week and switched projects. Now I’m having lots of thoughts about it again, mostly just working on a playlist and letting scenes play out in my head but I’d like it to turn into a full fic one day. My main goal is not to get so distracted by exchanges this year and make some progress on some of the ideas I’ve had on hold over the last couple of years.

[actuallylorelaigilmore]

so the project i’m editing is one that i accepted back at the end of november, not realizing when i said i’d be happy to start work on it in december that i was about to spiral into feeling totally overwhelmed by holidays and frequent guests and multiple rounds of covid in the house...when for the first time we had multiple family members staying here at the same time and i had also decided to make people crocheted gifts for the holidays. all my people. as a beginner. 

i also didn’t realize at the end of november that i was going to feel an utter lack of holiday spirit last year, most of the time, so secluding myself with crochet projects on a self-imposed time crunch was self-protective, a bit. either way, though, i received the draft i was meant to edit in november, made sure i could open the file, and then--and this is key--did not actually read it. 

instead i spent december surviving the holidays, confident that in january i would dig into it, once our house was quiet again. that plan didn’t include the new year’s covid of it all, and the brain fog that lasted most of the month afterward. from february to now, family visits combined lasted another two months or so, and the stimulant medication shortage has given me gaps that mess with my brain each month of this year--until the last one, when i was able to talk my doctor into renewing my prescription early for the first and only time.

so basically, by the time i opened the draft in january and was already struggling to work on it or anything requiring brainpower...that was the first time i realized that it was a very rough first draft, not what i had expected (i’m honestly not sure why. i hadn’t been given an indication in any way). i started working on it, but battling my adhd while trying to do my best work was like a tug of war i couldn’t win, because my brain is detail-obsessed, which makes me a good editor, but also got me totally bogged down in this process because it just needed so much shaping up before i could even see it for the story. 

the battle that is my brain makes me frustrated and whiny and even more avoidant of trying to work, because i know that if i just had the perfect conditions i would suddenly be able to function again, and it feels so unfair that i can’t magically create those conditions for myself. anywhere that i work is near noise and people and an adorable cat whose affection i refuse to ignore, and it’s nobody’s fault that i’m so easily distracted, but it certainly feels like it should be somebody’s fault, which must mean the fault is mine. also not a great feeling to toss in the mix.

in april, i was lucky enough to get a few weeks with no family events and a lot of quiet, and i made good progress on the draft, leaving me with only 47 more pages to line edit. after that’s all done, i have other notes to take and things to check and tidy up, so i suspect i’ll need a few more days to finish the whole thing. but so far today i’ve gotten 8 more pages edited, and after a break i’m going to do some more. despite feeling lousy lately, i’ve been able to make use of my alone time just the way i needed to, and i’m really proud of that. 

if i can get the line editing done by wednesday, i’ll have thursday left to do some of the follow up work. and since today really has let me prove that i’m still capable of thinking clearly when i’ve got perfect conditions, i’m aiming to get as much done as possible before i go back to struggling. basically, since november i’ve had this project and an unrelated crochet project waiting for me to finish them, before i allow myself to move on to anything new. 

that has included tv shows (i’m avoiding spoilers for everything), reading books, crocheting for fun...really anything but podcasts and tablet games, which is how i’ve kept busy for half a year now and which i suspect has been bad for my mental health. because new tv shows give me breaks from reality and sharing tv shows is my love language, and a birthday loophole that had me watching nancy drew and later sharing it helped me a lot last week when depression came out of nowhere and knocked me down.

so i needed to ramble about that journey, and possibly post further updates just to keep myself motivated. once the editing is done, i’ll be free to get back to my more-fulfilled life, and stop punishing myself for struggling by withholding all the stuff that makes me happy. (and in future, i will have learned valuable lessons about how avoiding fun distractions doesn’t help me work better, and how i can only work with the environment i have--waiting for a better one to come along means not working at all.)

[ufuckingpastry]

I've been feeling in a rough patch lately and most of it's manifested in insecurities and a general lack of motivation to work on any writing projects. I haven't touched PB since I put it on hiatus. I came up with a really fun writing series that just petered off into nothing. I've barely progressed and done anything, even though I'm having all these cool story ideas!

If you've been here for a while, you might've noticed that I stopped writing a couple years back, right around when Homestuck ended. Homestuck was the first major fandom I was in and the first one I posted fanfic for. My AO3 has 50 works just for Homestuck. And, when it ended, it felt like so did my desire to create.

Of course, this was right around my last year of college and ohhhhh fuck that was stressful. Plus I got really into WoW too. I didn’t really have much time to write in general.

I struggled for 3 years feeling like I could barely write anything at all. I was in such a depressive funk at the time, and the feeling like I couldn't create only worsened it. It took me 3 months to write 1000 words.

And then, one day, something amazing happened. I got into dsmp, I got into these characters, and on a whim, I sat down and wrote my first fic for it. In the span of 3 days, I wrote 3000 words! And I was happy! And I posted it and people seemed to love it!

My AO3 now has at least 30 fics just for dsmp, and I've got folders upon folders of other projects and ideas springing up every day for new fics for other smp series!

And yet, I'm starting to see myself falter. With the dsmp ending, and especially ending like it did, it reminds me so much of Homestuck. And I see myself doing the same things and behaving the same way I did 6 years ago. Struggling to write. A lack of focus and motivation to work on any of my projects. An external source of immense stress that makes me feel like I don’t have much time to write anymore.

And it's frustrating on a personal level to see that. Therapy opened my eyes to recognizing my patterns of behavior. I can prevent myself from spiraling. I can recognize when I need a break and I can take that break and barely feel guilty for it. And yet, here I am again. Will it soon take me a month to write 1000 words?

Have I even written 1000 words this very month?

... so I've written 5000.

In 2022, I decided that I wanted to track my yearly word count. I wrote so MUCH in 2021 that I broke 100k words posted on AO3 for that year. But that was just finished works! None of my wips, which I knew I had a lot more of! So I tracked my word count in 2022 and I think I hit around 150k? And that's impressive! That's cool!

So I did it again for 2023. But it's been harder to keep up with that over the last few months. I've been in a limbo of not knowing how many words I've written. Based on the fact that I haven't made any progress on my fics, that number must be very low, I thought.

And then I updated my word count yesterday. And I realized something:

I've written over 5000 words this month. Which isn't a lot, sure, but it's a lot for me. And, you know what? That's on track for January and February. March was fucking wild cuz I broke 14k words in March. And I know from tracking it last year, whenever I get a huge spike of words in one month, it takes maybe another month to recover. So my next month won't be as big or grand, but that's okay.

And that made me sit back and really look at what that means. I've been rping a lot, which is where the majority of those words come from. I wrote 1.5k words in a single DAY and I'm over here wondering why I don't have any words left in me! When I was in my last writing slump, I was still rping. All I did was rp.

I'm still writing, even when I don't think I am. I'm still expressing myself in these creative outlets even when I don't think it's "real writing". And why does it matter what's real writing anyways? Isn't it enough that I'm still doing it?

It is. It is enough. Therapy helped me recognize my patterns of behavior, and sometimes the answer really is to just. Take a break.

It'll still be here when you get back.

[keanthegooseman]

Frankenstein | Book Review

Author: Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Genre: Science Fiction, Horror, Gothic Fiction

Publication Date: January 1, 1818

"I was benevolent and good; misery made me a fiend. Make me happy, and I shall again be virtuous."

Robert Walton, captain of a ship bound for the north pole, recounts the progress of his voyage back to his sister in England through letters. While successful early on, the journey comes to a halt when the ship is trapped in a sea of ice. While stuck, Walton sees a faint, yet large silhouette across the distance, which quickly disappears. He then encounters a man named Victor Frankenstein, who has been weakened by the cold. In exchange for being brought aboard, Frankenstein tells the story of his life, and the horrible monster that he created.

This was surprisingly easier to read than I expected. Since Frankenstein was written in the 18th century, and uses similar language with something like Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, I thought I'd have a harder time reading it. Turns out, I was wrong. While not elementary, the writing gives a clear, perhaps slightly exaggerated, idea of what's going on in the story. Mary Shelley's writing also gives off an air of intrigue and horror, less leaning towards fear, and more towards disgust and shock. 

The story itself was good, with the plot reminding me of a Greek tragedy. Most people, including me, already have a rough idea of what the story is about, a mad scientist, in his hubris and desperate thirst for knowledge, creates an abomination out of harvested body parts which proves to be a fatal mistake. While this much is true, there is also so much more to it than just that. With themes concerning morals and philosophy, which I believe to still be relevant to this day, 'Frankenstein' makes you ponder right from wrong, how far is too far, and the reason for our existence.

The characters, apart from Victor Frankenstein and the Monster, were very simple, and were mostly used as objects to motivate the main character and move the story forward. Thankfully, the two main players of the story have much more depth and personality. Victor Frankenstein is a brilliant, scientific mind, with a craving for more knowledge. His fatal weakness, his hamartia, would be his lack of restraint towards his experiments, causing him to create a Monster (I'm tired of calling it the Monster so from this point on i'll be calling him Adam). Contrary to popular belief, Adam doesn't look ugly, but instead handsome with flowing locks. It's just that his watery yellow eyes and grotesque proportions make him appear odious and terrifying. What's fascinating about Adam is his many similarities to his creator, Victor: both having a desire to learn, both live life using the scientific method, and both desire revenge after being wronged. In my opinion, these two opposing forces being mirrors to each other is the highlight of the novel.

Some parts in the latter half, from chapter 19 onwards, were less interesting than the chapters before it. I found that the plot didn't move as fast, and the bulk of the chapters were Victor describing his journey in England, which wasn't all that relevant nor interesting at all. The book is still great, and the fact that Mary Shelley wrote it while she was 18 years old, makes it even greater.

All in all, Frankenstein by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley is a classic horror story, with more depth and nuance than what you would typically expect from such stories. The relationship, animosity, and similarities between Victor and Adam makes for an interesting character dynamic between the two. While the story slows down in the latter parts, it's merely a small bump in the road of greatness that is this book. Definitely a must-read for any readers out there!

[shoujoboy-restart]

How do i stop feeling bad about being bi. / Same sex attracted? I feel the world and god hates me

A lot of instrospection and research into how normal same sex relations were WAAAAY before catholicism and after it too.

Mr Tomlinson was a farmer at Dog House Farm, which is on the site where a golf course now stands near Wakefield in West Yorkshire. He wrote the entry on 14 January 1810 in response to media reports of the execution of a naval surgeon for sodomy.

Mr Tomlinson wrote: 'It appears a paradox to me, how men, who are men, shou'd possess such a passion; and more particularly so, if it is their nature from childhood (as I am informed it is) - If they feel such an inclination, and propensity, at that certain time of life when youth genders [i.e. develops] into manhood; it must then be considered as natural, otherwise, as a defect in nature … it seems cruel to punish that defect with death.'

Mr Tomlinson goes on to question how God could allow such severe penalties for a divinely-ordained trait.

The passage was uncovered by Eamonn O’Keeffe, an AHRC-funded doctoral student in the History Faculty at the University of Oxford, while undertaking his PhD research in Wakefield Library. Although historians have written about other parts of the Tomlinson diary, this passage has not previously been brought to light.

Mr O’Keeffe said: 'In this diary we see a Yorkshire farmer arguing that homosexuality is innate and something that should not be punished by death. While Tomlinson’s writings reflect the opinions of only one man, his phrasing - ‘as I am informed it is’ - implies that his comments were informed by the views of others.

There's nothing new under the sun. At the heights of punishment and persecution of gays there are still people who cared for us and knew the way we were being treated was unfair, even the very label used against us, homossexual, was made by a gay liberation sexologist ad it meant to simply describe us normally.

I was never that religious, and my family was never too much about religion either, but we still hd clear catholic influence, my mother is a very open minded and just shrugged off both me being agnostic and me being gay so I'm very lucky for that.

But something that can help you is try to get away from concrete and boxed spirituality if you still find the need to use it, i myself think religious fundies are just sadistic narcissists: People that hate themselves so much they need to think everyone else does as well, and that even a ominipotent being that could solving droughts, famine and performing miracles instead gives a shit about who's sucking dick and wearing skimpy outfits.

Find pride in your sexuality too, don't feel ashamed of having weird fetishes or having unusual desires, as long as it's consensual and with sane informed adults you doing nothing wrong at all, explore what you like and what you dislike, and don't feel pressured to be a prude "because it's the minimum you can do as sinful homossexual" be what you want to be because it's what makes you happy and satisfied, i do personally think "conservative gay" stereotypically doesn't provide many answers for how you feel, since the least of it is gay guys that are disinterested in what benefits us and the extreme is gay dudes praising and laughing over terrorists commiting mass murder against us, so try to find a middle ground obviously.

Understand you were worth respect dozens of thousands if not millions of years ago and you have only been disrespected for barely a millenia and the world is progressing and finding space for you, find community and friends to relate with and instrospect and research to know you were always loved and there was always a place for you and there will always be no matter what.

[redwineconversation]

Perle Morroni Olympique & Lyonnais Interview (January 21, 2023)

Blah blah standard disclaimers apply; @OL Comms all I want in life is a Starbucks medicine ball because COVID is not fun; Paul Wheeler was right about y'all and your actions only confirm it; you might hate social media but Perle Morroni hates it more; y'all know the speech.

Perle Morroni is criminally underrated and yes, I will die on this hill. If Lyon isn't able to convince her to extend then it will be criminal malpractice on behalf of Kang, Ponsot, Bompastor, and everyone else with signing authority.

But the Perle Morroni case also presents an interesting saga: for the most part, you have to be a top player to be recruited by Lyon. But there can only be 11 players on the field, which means you might not always start. So do you go to a team where you might not be a starter but they're capable of winning trophies, or do you stay at a club who isn't a title pretender but you get guaranteed playing time? What is worth more, winning, or a comfort zone?

Anyway, enough with the philosophical discussions.

Lyon - Perle Morroni: "The French National Team remains an objective for me"

Having found a certain amount of playing time again and performing better with Lyon, Perle Morroni still hasn't been called back up to the French National Team. The left back isn't obsessing over it, believing that her performances speak for themselves whilst talks regarding her extension have been taking place in Lyon.

Olympique & Lyonnais: One week later, Lyon is playing once more against Montpellier this Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in D1 Arkema in a packed calendar. Was this start in January not too difficult?

Perle Morroni: No, it's the opposite, it does us good. We started off with two wins (Paris FC in the league and Montpellier in the Coupe de France) so on the contrary, we were eager to start back up again.

Sunday, you will be returning to Montpellier, where you were born. Does it ever feel special playing against Montpellier?

It was more in the beginning where it was special because I was playing with PSG and I would meet them in the youth games. Now, it's been years, it's become normal, we often play against them so it's become the norm. They remain a solid team and are difficult to play against.

There was a preseason camp in Spain in early January. Was it important to start off this obviously important second half of the season?

Starting up against after a few vacation days, it's always a bit difficult, but we are with our friends again. We had fun in Spain, whether it was with the players or the staff. There is a really atmosphere in the group, it's been like that for a while, but this year, it's even more so.

Delphine Cascarino has been back with the group for a few weeks now. You two are close so this return must be exciting for you?

It's nice to see her on the field, touch wood, but I see she is feeling good, she is doing well physically and in her head there is only positive mentality. To have Delphine available, that only strengthens a team.

"I want to develop more as a left back"

On a personal note, you've played 17 games since the start of the season. A positive?

Obviously, it's nice to be playing more. When you're a competitor, you want to play as many games as possible, to win as much as possible. I've always given the maximum, I'm in a big club, but for sure on a personal note, I'm happy with this first half of the season, to be playing more so I can continue to progress.

For a while now we feel you are playing more freely, more confident in taking risks compared to last season...

It's when you play that you feel the best. The more you play, the better you feel on the pitch. You have good sensations, you're more "free" in your head. Lately, I've been playing consecutive games so I feel better and that allows me to get closer to goal the past few times. The players keep telling me I need to score so I'm shooting with more confidence, it might come eventually. It'll be nice to make a difference like that even if my role before anything else is to defend well. At this position, you have to be a complete player.

Defensively, it's rather encouraging to have only conceded five goals before traveling to Montpellier, no?

As defenders, it's one of the objectives we fixed for ourselves at the start of the season, trying and concede the least amount of goals possible. Beyond that, it's teamwork before anything else, even the forwards are involved. We can still improve because there were goals we could have avoided [conceding], but we're working with the staff to iron out the details.

You've been at Lyon for three years. How do you feel about it?

I arrived, I was 23, I'm 26 now, so I've grown as a woman and player. I only have positives in this adventure even if there were complicated moments. I feel better and better, I know myself better and better. It's been a good progression since I have been at Lyon and this season only confirms it.

"It's what happens on the field that should count, not social media"

Your path has still had a lot of ups and downs. How do you feel with it?

It's part of football. When I came to Lyon, I knew there would be ups and downs because it's a big club, but I am well surrounded by my family who really support me. It's part of your career as an athlete to have highs and lows, what's important is to get back up. When that happens, you become a force of nature.

This inconsistent playing time cost you a place with the National Team. Missing the Euros and the World Cup must have been difficult?

I handled it pretty well. After, it's true that I still had playing time last season, so I don't know if the head coach took those into consideration. It's obviously hard not to be selected, but I think I am in the best club in the world so I'm not worried about that. I'm pretty positive and I know it will come one day or another.

With your performances improving, are you paying more attention to the lists since the start of the season?

When you play at Lyon, you expect to be part of the lists when you see all the players surrounding you and they are getting selected. So you expect to experience the same thing. I look at the lists, but it will only happen by giving everything on the field, on giving your everything and winning the maximum amount of titles, be it with or without the French National Team.

Is the French National Team still an object?

When you are at the top level, you absolutely want to play with your National Team and that is the case for me. But beyond that, there are choices. I haven't really talked with Herve Renard but also, he has a lot of things going on.

"Lyon want me to extend"

The fact you are pretty reserved and less active on social media, could that play against you?

Maybe, but for me, it's performances on the field that should matter. Our talent should be there. But it's true where we're certainly in a generation where we are expected to be open with the media, or on social media. I'm not like that. I should probably improve on that for interviews, to be less reserved, but for the moment, I'm happy like this. The pitch is what matters.

Sonia Bompastor insists a lot on the psychological aspect. We get the impression she is often behind you, supporting you...

If she is supporting me, it means that she is counting on me, that she has confidence in me and she wants that I give my best when she sees I can do better, so I take it as a positive if that's what people think from the outside.

Beyond the French National Team, your future is undermined with a contract about to end. What will happen in June?

I'm focused on what is coming up in the second half of the season with all the matchups which are going to happen. But there are discussions with the club so it is nice that a big club like this one wants me to extend. I leave this to those in charge in and I concentrate on what is happening on the field. We'll see little by little what is going to happen in the future.

Would being a starter in another club to improve your chances of being selected something that you have to take into consideration?

My decision won't necessarily be based on the French National Team. There are a lot of elements to take into consideration, with my personal life, what is best for me, etc. I've been in France for a few years, but I am playing with a really big club with Lyon. There are a lot of things so that's why I don't like to think about it too much and when the moment comes, everyone will know my decision.

[xtruss]

Is The India-US Honeymoon Coming To An End Soon?

— S.L. Kanthan | December 17, 2023

Illustration: Chen Xia/Global Times

There has been serious trouble brewing in the geopolitical paradise of the convenient but strategic alignment between India and the US. According to Indian media citing government sources, US President Joe Biden would not travel to India for the Republic Day parade in January. This diplomatic snub, aimed at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India as a whole, is indicative of a significant shift in US-India relations, and the consequences could be far-reaching.

To understand the bigger picture, recent events must be analyzed as the culmination of numerous unfriendly American actions toward India. These are startling, given the deep economic links and the "shared democratic values."

Theoretically, Americans should be extremely happy about their relations with India. Consider these three outcomes:

First, brain drain: America is able to lure the smartest engineers from India.

Second, huge market: America enjoys a virtual monopoly in key sectors - social media, e-commerce, financial technology and more - in the rapidly growing Indian economy, which is projected to surpass Japan and Germany by 2030.

Third, narrative control: The No.1 English TV channel in India is CNN, and almost all the influential think tanks in India are pro-US. Regarding China, the Washington consensus permeates the mainstream narrative in India.

However, it seems the US is still displeased.

This year witnessed India and the West becoming entangled in multiple disputes. Firstly, there was a BBC documentary that re-examined the 2002 Muslim-Hindu conflict in Gujarat, which occurred when Modi was the chief minister of the state. Then came a classic Western attack using separatists. Canada - a member of the Five Eyes - accused the Indian government of orchestrating the assassination of a Sikh separatist in Canada. This was followed by an indictment in the US, which alleges that an Indian government official conspired in a murder-for-hire plot targeting Sikh separatists in the US.

Note that true allies never worry about America harboring dissidents - say, French Canadian separatists or Basque separatists from Spain. Only when a country is targeted for destabilization would the US government discover violations of human rights and freedom. China understands these subversion tactics, thanks to what the US has done on the Island of Taiwan and in Xizang, as well as Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

More revealingly, Western media have been crying crocodile tears about democracy in India since “Fascist, Hindu Extremist, Killer and Criminal Modi” came to power. Here are some sensational headlines:

"Modi's India is Where Global Democracy Dies" (New York Times)

"Modi's Personality Cult has Replaced India's Democracy" (Foreign Policy)

"India's Authoritarian Streak" (Foreign Affairs, a Publication of the Extremely Powerful Council on Foreign Relations)

"'Electoral Autocracy': The Downgrading of India's Democracy" (BBC)

It's very hard to please the US establishment, which demands total allegiance and submission from all its "allies."

First, India cherishes its friendship with Russia, a unique and strategic partner. India's refusal to ostracize Putin since the Ukraine war has irked the Biden administration, which foolishly hoped to devastate the Russian economy with sanctions.

Second, US corporate overlords have been extremely disappointed with India's progress in replacing China as the manufacturing powerhouse. Offshoring has been a very slow process, since India's manufacturing capability is 20 years behind China. For example, about 10 percent of iPhones are being assembled in India now, while many components are imported from China.

Finally, India's support for BRICS expansion and a multipolar world has made many Americans have doubts as to whether India is a reliable partner.

US elites are trapped in an echo chamber where they tell one another that America is the greatest country, its unipolar hegemony will last forever and China's collapse is imminent. Astoundingly, these people are unaware of the emerging multipolar world, the game-changing expansion of BRICS, the Global South's new paradigm of trade and development, the coming tsunami of de-dollarization, utter failures of US trade and tech wars against China, and Russia's victory against the US and NATO in Ukraine.

Given such a tragic state of affairs, it's very likely that the US will ratchet up the pressure on India, punishing it for its strategic autonomy. If the honeymoon turns into a nightmare, I hope India will seek rapprochement with China, a neighboring ancient civilization. Ironically, the US might end up as the Western empire that made significant contributions to the rise of the Asian century.

— The Author is a Geopolitical Analyst, Columnist, Blogger, Podcaster, and Writer based out of Bangalore, India.

[multimetaverse]

HSMTMTS 3x06 Review

Color War was the funniest ep of the season and set us up for the final arcs of the season. Let’s dig in!

The jokes were on fire tonight. Corbin telling Ricky his confession footage would be airing unless he praised Nickelodeon was my favourite line of the night. The sly bit about the colour war being so similar to the old Disney channel games was a close contender

It was wild to finally see the Camp Rock song they had released before the season premiered. It’s been quite odd how little they’ve used Meg Donnelly’s voice. One thing the song made clear is that someone on the writing staff realizes that Adrian Lyles has the strongest voice of the male cast; it really shines through tonight with the direct juxtaposition with Joshua Bassett’s voice

Nice to see Jet really get into the games to try and help fix things with Maddox but it’s realistic that she’s wary of how much he’s changed. Not really sure how Jet could have mistaken Maddison for a guys name but at least he’s not homophobic. Certainly Jet and Maddox have been much more well developed then any of the new characters introduced in S2 although it may not end up mattering at all if they don’t appear in S4. The only real plausible way to keep Jet around would be to have him transfer to East High since he could expelled but it’s pretty absurd to move two states over for high school and then what would be the excuse to send Maddox, who is presumably not expelled, to East High

The writers realized they went a little too far with Ricky and his feelings for Gina last ep so now he’s back to acting appropriately and for the moment not interfering with Portwell. Not to mention he continues to give Jet good advice to help fix things with Maddox but does so without overstepping. Seems obvious that his big idea is for Jet to bring Maddison back for the Prom so her and Maddox can set things aright

It’s always been extremely obvious when the writers are working backwards from a desired endpoint; they’ve never cared or been able to hide their plot contrivances. Clearly they’re working backwards from a Portwell breakup by the end of the season. And with proper set up and pacing they could have set it up. Instead we’re getting a rushed mess. Even for teenagers it just doesn’t make sense for a seemingly solid relationship to fall apart in a week or so. Certainly they have issues but they have less than a week left at camp which means the end of the major drain on EJ’s time and focus. And EJ does have a point that this documentary succeeding is probably his only chance to convince his dad to let him stay in Salt Lake which is also what Gina wants

But of course, the spark has to be gone because the plot demands it and Ricky is eagerly waiting in the wings. The no dates to prom rule is laughable. Just go as a couple! Who’s going to stop them? What even would be the consequences? 

I was really happy to see the progress with Ashlyn’s story line tonight and her realization at the end that she has a crush on Val. Also neat to learn that Ashlyn is Jewish, must be from her mother’s side of the family 

Wild that this is the second time someone was knocked out and had a fantasy musical sequence with an original High School Musical cast member before Carlos slaps them awake

Nice to see Miss Jenn again. Depending on how things shake out for EJ after this season, this may have been a final farewell between them

I actually thought Mike Bowen gifting Ricky a piece of moon rock was a sweet gift especially since he knows all about Ricky’s bucket list. Though I still don’t get how Ricky could be turning 18 before he even starts his 12th grade year. Here in the barren northlands the earliest you could turn 18 would be the January of your 12th grade year ie. well after it’s already started

Looking Ahead: 

It’s interesting that they’ve gone the route of Ricky knowing that the confession was caught on camera rather than just having the audience know. I would assume that the confession ties into a cliffhanger of sorts at the end of S3. Since Ricky knows he was filmed there’s really only two ways to play it: Ricky confesses to Gina before the film would be played (or at least before he thinks it’s going to be played) or Ricky attempts to destroy the footage which backfires somehow and leads to Gina seeing it

Since it looks likely that Maddox and Maddison get back together at the Prom, there’s a good chance that the Prom is where Portwell breaks up or at least leads directly to it since the angst would be well balanced with joy

Jet helping Maddox with Maddison will probably do the trick the reconcile them which is also a way to wrap up their story arc in case they’re never seen again

I don’t think they’re gonna have Redlyn breakup since that would fall perilously close to the cheating bisexual trope but it should be an interesting conversation between them when he eventually shows up

As an aside, it’s interesting that the Rina leaker has had very accurate information about the events of the season but has been off on the timing a few times now. It suggests that they didn’t have direct access to the scripts or at least didn’t have direct access to all of them

Until next week, Wildcats

[insomniac-dot-ink]

Books I’ve Read in 2020

AHello! I’m trying to read as many books as I can during the quarantine, here’s what I’ve finished so far:

On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong (literary fiction): a son writes a letter about his life to his illiterate mother. Breathtakingly beautiful with it’s way with words this book is lovely and real in the hardest and sweetest ways. The author’s combination of prose and poetry is dazzling and intricate, this book has stuck with me for days afterward. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (fantasy): a money-lender gets in trouble after bragging she can turn silver into gold and is kidnapped and ordered to do so by a fey creature. It may be that I am the perfect audience for this type of book, but it’s my favorite thing I’ve read all year. It’s a book that equally takes on the fantastical and real-world with compelling female characters at the center of the whole thing. A wonderful fantasy journey inspired by eastern-European Jewish folklore. 5 out of 5 stars.

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll (horror graphic novel): a series of short horror comics. Absolutely bone-chilling! This was a really fun type of scary story, especially the last one which made my skin absolutely crawl. Deliciously eerie, this was treat to read if not a little too short. 4 out of 5 stars.

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender (magical realism): a young girl can taste other people’s emotions in their cooking and begins to understand her family in new ways. This was a weird book, but it has everything you’ve got to love about that combination of the surreal and mundane. It’s sense of character was electrifying and I had fun engaging with this type of off-kilter real world. I was a little frustrated in parts bc of some characters choices, but that too was true to life. 4 out of 5 stars.

Crier’s War by Nina Varela (steampunk fantasy wlw): about a Made automaton heir to a throne and her human hand-maiden that is trying to kill her. This was an easy read with a lot of tension between the two main characters that I liked, but the writing itself was very weak. There was waaay too much exposition in parts and the dialogue had some really hockey lines. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the middle of the book, but the beginning and end didn’t have much movement. 2.5 stars out of 5.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn (historical fiction): honestly, I’m a little disappointed. This book just did not hit my sweet spots, it wasn’t fast-paced enough for me to get immersed in the plot, and the characters weren’t real enough to be wholly invested in them. That said I adored Nina Markova and the Night Witches, so that did help. 3 starts out of 5.

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White (horror sci-fi retelling): HAND IN UNLOVABLE HAND. A retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein from the perspective of Victor Frankenstein’s wife and my God! The characters! The plot was well-enough, but the characters took the whole show for being complex and compelling. The main character was breathtakingly layered and I was wholly invested in Elizabeth and her story and the triumph at the end of this story was tangible. 4 out of 5 stars! 

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (fantasy): A story of a young woman who lives in a valley where a girl must go live with a wizard for 10 years. She is certain she won’t be chosen, but ends up having to be “uprooted” herself. I enjoyed most of this book! However, I think I liked “Spinning Silver” a lot more just because the ending of this one somehow lost me. The characters were good and plot compelling, but (SPOILERS) the big battle at the end seemed to drag and didn’t interest me somehow. 3.8 out of 5 stars.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (fantasy): excellent read! A story of a young woman in Jazz Age Mexico who goes on an adventure with a Mayan death God who is trying to regain his throne. A romp across the country absolutely brimming with likable characters and fairy tale twists. My only complaint would be that most of it felt a little predictable due to the fact we knew where we were going throughout the whole story, However, it was still greatly enjoyable for the heroine herself, Casiopea. 4 out of 5 stars!

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (literary): a story of two families in a progressive “planned” community, how their lives intertwine, their secrets, and a central question surrounding motherhood. Deeply empathetic to its characters and introspective, this is an every-day story of people in suburbia that reads like a thriller. I could barely put it down and felt deeply for its characters and situations, 5 out of 5 stars!

Wilder Girls by Rory Power (YA sci-fi suspense): a story of a group of girls at a boarding school on an island affected by the “tox” which alters their bodies in strange ways like giving them scales or an extra spine. This was an eerie, interesting read with a wlw romance! Watch out for the body horror in this one, but it was very gripping and held my interest. Some of the pacing was off in places (like the romance), but had a very creepy atmosphere that did it for me. 3.8 out of 5 stars!

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio (thriller-mystery): A thriller about a group of Shakespeare actors in their last year of college and one of their classmates who turns up dead. I enjoyed the murder mystery part of this novel more than I expected despite the fact I had guessed who had “done it” pretty early on. I really enjoyed the James-Oliver dynamic with its growing homoeroticism, but I didn’t like how the character of Meredith was handled at all. She felt like a one-note aside. I might have given this book four stars, but the ending was EXTREMELY frustrating for me and I did not like the “open-ended” conclusion. 3 out of 5 stars.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (literary humor): a weird character-driven comedy about an old grumpy man and a new family that moves in next to him. Warning for themes of suicide. Anyway, I don’t normally indulge in cliches like “I laughed, I cried, I loved one Cat Annoyance.” However, that’s exactly what I did. I laughed out loud, I cried my eyes out (THE CAT’S HEAD WAS IN HIS PALM), I loved this book. It was sweet and compelling and thoroughly immersive. 5 out of 5 stars!

The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow (historical fantasy): set in the early 1900s comes a story of a young girl and her experience with “Doors” that lead to different worlds. This book had a lot of great character development and really interesting descriptions, however, I didn’t like it as much as I wanted to. I found it hard to get myself to sit down a read it. There was just something missing with the push to “page-turn,” but it was still a really good book. 3.7 out of 5 stars!

Gideon the 9th by Tamsyn Muir (high fantasy, kinda gay): I AM FILLED WITH EMOTIONS. This was book was definitely a page-turner. I was very confused with it at the beginning, but the characters and their interactions were, forgive the expression, the life blood of the story and kept me wholly invested. The ending has CRUSHED my heart, but damn did I have a good time reading it. 4.5 out of 5 stars!

Harrow the 9th by Tamsyn Muir (sequel to Gideon the 9th): I really enjoyed this book. It was just as strange and twisting as the first book, though I think I enjoyed the first one a bit more since I love Gideon. It was fun ride overall, though the ending was kind of really confusing. So 4 out of 5 stars.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (historical fiction): Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The writing style was personable and grounded in reality. I found myself really liking the main characters and the exploration of the life of a bi main character was really well done I thought. A solid book with drama and glamor to boot. 4.6 out of 5 stars!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (historical fiction): A story of two sisters during WWII and their resistance to Nazi occupation. To be honest, this book wasn’t my cup of tea. It was compelling, but also wholly depressing and I felt like gloried in the pain of the two main characters too much. The history was wonderful and realistic, but it didn’t make me feel anything good afterward. It was just dark. 3 out of 5 stars.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston (mlm romance): I finally finished this after the heaviness of The Nightingale. This is a story of the First Son of the USA falling for the prince of England. And it turned out to be a very fun and light hearted read! Some of it was kinda generic and too political, and it coulda been shorter, but I thought the romance itself made up for it. It just made me feel so sweet and lovely inside. 4 out of 5 stars!

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman (literary humor): I’m searching out heartfelt books and this one ticked off all the marks on my “sweet” list. A lovely book that made me cry more times than I would like to admit. Compassionate beyond belief, funny and heartfelt. I think I enjoyed A Man Called Ove slightly more, but this book was also dear to me and something I hope to reread in the future. 4.2 out of 5 stars!

Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel (sci-fi): A post-apocalyptical story about a group of traveling Shakespeare actors and a symphony. Overall, an excellent read that somehow pictures a more realistic or even softer version of the apocalypse. At first, I wasn't happy with the jumping around of the story, but as I progressed I grew fonder and fonder of the interwoven characters and their journey. A very fascinating read about a world that hits a little too close to home. The appreciation of the arts and preserving humanity was somehow very hopeful and I was fully engaged with this story. 5 out of 5 Stars!

Up next: The Hidden Life of Trees by by Peter Wohlleben (nonfiction science), The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin (urban fantasy), The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (fantasy)

[evakcardamom]

Before I write a review from yesterdays 20 November performance I have something I need to say:

I have gone many rounds with myself, whether I should write something more about the fact that I have seen several of the performances of 20 November this summer and autumn, or not.

I bought several tickets during the time where there was a lot of uncertainty when he could play due to the pandemic.

I go to many of his performances because I love seeing him on stage, seeing his dedication and how much he develops as a person and actor.

The reason I have had to go many rounds with myself is because I got a long comment yesterday from someone who thought I was going on too many shows, that I was stepping over a line, that I was a stalker. There were also things about Ida and Tarjei that the person thinks I do:

I was at real life part 9 last summer, a public event where Ida and Tarjei each had their roles. I told in detail about the event and what happened to be able to share with those who did not get the opportunity to be there. In January last year, I was also at a public event where Ida and several others had a dance performance.

Apart from these public events, I have never done anything against either Ida or Tarjei. Something I would never do either! I care about them and have no interest in hurting them!

I were left with a really sad feeling inside after this comment, and had to talk to many of my friends to hear their thoughts about it, and they all said that they don’t see me as a stalker. That they see me as a dedicated fan that loves to see Tarjei on the stage. It has helped a lot but I am still a bit unsure if I should go to the play at september 18th (and maybe september 19th) or I should only go to the Hemale Education event. I haven’t decided what to do yet.

Then the review:

Yesterday I was back in Teaterkjelleren with one of my close friends that I have not seen since before covid took over the world, (she lives in Denmark) It was so wonderful to see her again!

We were shown to seats in the middle of the first row on the left side of the stage. Since this was my fourth time in Teaterkjelleren, I have now sat in four different places (three of the times at the first row and once in the second row), and I must admit that the best place I have sat was today (I will return to that later)

Some time after my friend and I got to our seats, a recognizable man came down the stairs and sat down on a seat at the bottom of the first row on the opposite side of the stage.

(where I once sat and got a question in June)

The recognizable man was none other than Henrik Martin Dahlsbakken himself! I felt a joy go through my whole body, knowing that he would be there today and witness how amazing Tarjei is in this play!

A little over 2pm the room got dark and I could hear Tarjei coming on stage.

In the next second he stood on the corner of the stage, half in the dark. The light hit his face and he started talking.

As I wrote further up, this is the fourth time I have seen November 20, and I must say that he gets better and better in the role every time he plays!

As during the other performances, he has on some occasions had a dialogue with the audience where he turns the camera towards someone in the hall.

The other times I have been present during the performance, there have been certain places where he has turned the camera, but this day he exchanged one location with a person in the middle of the stage on the opposite side of where I was sitting. When he turns the camera towards the chosen one, he had to set the camera to make the picture clearer. You could see that the person was a little put off getting the camera up in his face, but he recovered nicely.

The other person who was asked one question became completely silent, the person would not answer the question (Tarjei / Sebastian asked if she would not answer, and she shook her head) He continued to ask if she could say she was happy. Then she nodded.

Several times during the play he is in the middle of the stage;

1: When he looks up at the cameras in the ceiling to say: "look me in the eyes, see the clarity there"

2: When he lies down on the floor. At first he stares into the cameras on the ceiling so that his face appears on the screens and then he goes into a kind of dreamy trance. From where I sat I could see a tear running down his cheek. While he is lying there, a recorded video appears on the screens of Tarjei's face: «Sebastian are you sleeping? Hello? Sebastian? » Tarjei's body starts to shake, his upper body goes up and down on the floor where he is lying.

Finally, he opens his eyes as he looks at the screen, he had a terrified look and facial expression, he scurries backwards towards the edge of the stage.

A little later in the performance when he is to spray suadp on the wall, he realizes after several attempts that there is something wrong with the spray can and has to go to find a new can on the side of the stage, this works fortunately.

At the very end of the show when he asks if anyone has anything to say before he leaves (he repeats it once) my friend asks one question (I have received her permission to reproduce what I remember of the question) in first Danish , but then a little English and then Danish again (to be sure he understood her:

My friend: «Would it make any difference if someone asked you to stay, not to do it?"

Tarjei / Sebastian: "It does not"

My friend: "I have also been bullied a lot, I had one choice and so do you"

My friend: "I have progressed, become stronger"

My friend and Tarjei had eye contact all the time. One could see that Tarjei in his character Sebastian was left wondering, his expression went from confused, to dark, he shed a few tears. Finally he shakes his head, takes the bag with the guns with him and leaves the hall.

Everyone was sitting completely silent. Some of those sitting in the room thought that my friend's questions and dialogue were part of the play, which she explained that she was not. They were really impressed. It even seemed as if those working in the theater basement were equally impressed that he remained in character during the question and dialogue.

I were really impressed and amazed myself too that he managed to stay so well in character during my friends questions/dialogue and where left with a tense undescribable feeling in my body for quite some time after.

[the-acid-pear]

I did my homework and i did my chores, time to tackle on the third book of this series, Son of Ogre

Chapter 1

Okay but the fuck is Baki planning to do if he stops fighting? That's literally all he has, he's not smart

WOOH THATS A BIT REALISTIC

PREHISTORIC ELEPHANT?!

King just went to have a snack. Also FUCK does that meat look tasty FUCKKK

This baby so cute 🥺

I'm so glad Yuji is doing stupid hilarious shit again it had been a while

Congrats on Baki for that mantis

Chapter 2

Who tf is this kid?

Poor kid lmao, i assume he will meet Baki

Look at my boyyy

HSTSRFAYDF DON'T CALL HIM A MANLET

Imagine Baki actually kills this kid HSJDYSSHCBT

Third comment with a ton of likes is "we do not condone child violence. We do, however, find it hilarious"

Chapter 3

AH SHUT UPPP KIDDO

But i like Baki memeing a round a lil

Chapter 4

🥺🥺 that's so sweet...

HELLOOOO STRYDUM MY GOD YOUR TITS GOT FATTER SIR 😳😳

Yujiro is such a fucking threat to society lmao

I love seeing Baki with his eyes open, he's looking more like his old self

Oh, shadow boxing incoming, alright

Chapter 5

Yuri? 🥺 /j

THE RETURN OF IRON MICHAEL?!

Chapter 6

I love how there's our silly little mains after every cover LUV em <33

Baki just dissociating his ass out and using it on his favor, the king

Why is Baki eating sour prunes aren't those meant to be sweet?

We all salivating

Chapter 7

Love to see there are even more swears there now

I can put my face next to my foot too tho

FAGDRJSEHARD YUJIRO CAN BEAT THE CANCER HOW ICONIC 😍

Also i would LOVE to see Yuji fight an Orca

WHAT?!

I love how everyone in the comments is calling out Rumina for not seeing issue going down to a dark hidden basement with a shirtless man older than him

Chapter 8

"piggy back me" USHSYFLFUDSY

This fight is going to be good

Chapter 9

Imagine Baki dies right here right know against an imaginary mantis lmao

Okay Baki getting damaged makes sense but the WALL?

Baki's dead (GOD IT HAS BEEN SO LONG SINCE I HAVE SAID THAT)

Ffs it's true Baki COULD create himself a stand 😰

Chapter 10

OH FUCK IT'S TRUE

Chapter 11

This fight is so boring i had to take a 6 hour break

Baki just can't win against nature eh

This reminds me of Garland pulling a suplex on that Anaconda

Chapter 12

I can't wait for the main cast to ACTUALLY appear, instead of just, you know, them in the covers

This fight is slow but cool but slow

To fight a mantis you must think like a mantis 😎

Though it's true in this manga you will most likely win if you steal your opponent techniques so

Chapter 13

I MISS IGARI FUCKKK

This is so dumb i luv it

That mantis be swearing lmao

Love it when Baki goes full Yujiro

Chapter 14

TOBA...

Holy fuck do mantis fly?

Secret Chapter?

Is this how Yujiro got born?

Idk girl i would have killed him if i was you

WHAT.

I KNOW THOSE FROGS THEY ARE FROM PUERTO RICO I THINK

I might just be sleepy but this is so confusing

AKSHSKGSKSGSJSG JUST KILL THE BABY IT AINT THAT HARD

Chapter 15

GAIA...

Why is he like this?

Is "he" with us right now?

...gotta admit that IS true...

I love Strydum sksgwhwg

Yujiro really went XD

I don't think my man Arun in the comments is aware how gay what he said is, though maybe I'm wrong

Chapter 16

GOD THESE FUCKING COVERS MAKING ME SO NOSTALGIC, LOOK AT SPEC!

ANIME KENNEDY?!

I can't believe Bush is dead

AN ASIAN BOY HAS JUST KIDNAPPED THE PRESIDENT...

8 of January? My god he's a Capricorn

I'm sorry, what?

LAHQIGWKQFWKSFWIWG 😭😭

I love Baki so much, THIS IS THE KID THAT I MISSED SO MUCH

This explains why Baki was in prison clothes in the anime teaser

Chapter 17

BIG NUMBER

That one mf like 😐

Glad Baki is 18 now at least 😌

Love to see Oliva back

Chapter 18

This page not even bothering to charge the pages anymore

I'm sure there were better ways to go to jail, well, actually, no, but still

Toba used to just chew that off

Baki did that mantis hit you in the head too hard?

I. I watched way too many prison movies and shows. I don't like seeing someone as young and pretty as Baki in such a place. I rlly don't.

Chapter 19

Yanagi baby i miss you...

IRON MICHAEL?!

Mfkhsjsys 😳🥴

Eh got my hopes too high

CHE BAKI PIBE... LA PUTA MADRE NI ACA ME ESCAPO DE MIS COMPATRIOTAS

I hope he swears too i want to see a boludo o pelotudo PLEASE

I mean para pelotudos lo veo a Yujiro todo el tiempo pero igual JSGWKEGWG me pone bien argento ver al Che carajo

Chapter 20

HE SAID BOLUDO SUAHWKWGAKSGSKSGSKGD

I can't take this omfg new fav I'm sorry Doppo but he just said boludo 😭

Pendejo is more used as pibe here but i will let it pass bc idk the lingo in Cuba and he spent some time there so

Why don't i speak like this too ffs? All i do is say eh and call it a day

He's cocky enough to call anybody any age pibe so I'll let that pass too

Por favor no lo hagas che sksgwj

Chapter 21

Che, pibe, it's a good day to die...

Chapter 22

GSHAGSTSG he should have said "no boludo"

I'm falling in love with this boludo myself

That's talented and brutal

OH RIGHT YOU LOSE YOUR BALANCE WHEN YOU DONT HAVE THAT

Chapter 23

Hm that's, cringe

YESSS HE SAID PELOTUDO

OAHWLGWKQFSKSGSJS SIII ROMPELO TODO CHE, ROMPELO TODO POR DECIRTE YANKEE KSGSSJGS

Honestly i too get pissed off when called American or European, though i won't throw shit to Baki, he's some random 18 yo japanese boy, no way he would recognize latinoamerican lingo lmao

King shit Baki boy

Chapter 24

Oh that's why he's called Jun Guevara, that's fair

I like how they are mixing a bit of truth and a bit of lie it's fun at least

Chapter 25

I like how they are drawing nipples now, occasionally

I can't wait for Viêt to complain about propaganda in the comments

OH SHIT

😳 :Y

He's sooo nice 😍

Chapter 26

Only three? You mean the third is... 👁️👁️

HAHA YEAH YUJI-CHAN <3

I can't believe he works for the USA I'm crying and shaking rn

What a progressive manga, the three strongest and most dangerous men and none of them are white 😍

GET HIS ASS BAKI

Chapter 27

Why is this guy sweating sm?

LDYDYSUGFUDT BAKI PLS

I like how the only time Baki was willing to kill a person was when he thought Sikorsky had hurt his girl

Chapter 28

I feel like Ian will die

Man i love how Baki is drawn in this book

Ffs i called it, i have watched way too many prison things to know how shit goes down

I have seen these three before in fanart but I'm curious to see what they can do

Chapter 29

Their faces remind me of Doyle

OH I CANT WAIT TO SEE EM IN THE ANIME

ASSHOLE DON'T CALL ME STUPID 😢💔

I'm gonna struggle to tell em apart but i think I'll manage

Okay I'm not the only one who thinks they look like Doyle, fair

Chapter 30

The mouth vs Yujiro when?

Someone mentioned the have the same vibe as the dudes that worked with Gaia and like 👁️👁️

Chapter 31

Lmao someone in the comments recommended the same thing

These three must be great at sex (sorry)

KSHALDHDKD NEW FAV COMMENT: "go to Japan and look for the word "defeat". That way you won't feel cocky anymore"

Chapter 32

Hehe hello Junnn~

KSHAKDHKWGS

La luna

Chapter 33

LOS TRES...

Okay that's funny, hocico instead of mouth (hocico is used for animal mouths)

I'm so glad i know Spanish

The two things that drive me insane and make me ramble are Doppo's beauty and this stupid argentinian

OSHSKWGSKSG

Chapter 34

Imagine he's doing that illusion thing Dorian did

With his own blood, that's so cool...

Hoho...!

I did that once when i had a terrible nose bleed, didn't go well

Chapter 35

This book is fucking boring NGL

"now that you got no more urine left in you"

AH.

GAHDYR LMAO

Chapter 36

HO THAT TITLE, PLEEEASE I NEED SOMETHING, ANYTHING, TO HAPPEN

HHH he kinda cute...

Oww :(

JDJSJFRGAJ

God piantao is an old word i had never heard it before

AND he took a piss.

LOCO NO SEAS HOMOFÓBICO NINGUNA MINA ACA ES MEJOR QUE ESTE PIBITO TE LO ASEGURO SKSGSKGSJAAGS

Se me cayó un ídolo y yo que le quería dar 😔

ÑSHWQLSGOSGDKW

Let's see if he lied to Baki about just liking eh /j

Chapter 37

I luv Oliva lol

AJSGSKSLAGHS BAKI SNAPPED

I too wonder where the fuck Kozue is

Chapter 38

LSHSLDGSLSGSIEG

He is jealous of what you two have, it's normal, el Che just rejected his love after all ;/

Oliva is a king

OH A HANKERCHIEF I THOUGHT THAT WAS UNDERWEAR SHSGS-

Oh shit Oliva is like 45?! He looked so young

Te fuiste a la mierda, Che, el chabón estaba siendo re bueno con vos

Baki is just dead

Chapter 39

I love how realistic Che's fear is, he's rather smart, though not this time

POOR GUY AJSGSWJW

I didn't realize Che said "what more, it may be a woman!" but to be fair they ARE in jail so

Chapter 40

I'm feeling kinda bad for him ngl

I feel happy for him tho 🥺

Bruh they added one page after the ending of some naked anime girl tf 😐

Chapter 41

These prisoners having fun is kinda sweet

YO INSANE

Bitches be complaining about Maria's looks are just jealous 🥰

Chapter 42

Damn she lorge

He loves fighting naked eh

Only valid person is the one saying Oliva deserves better treatment which tbh true

Chapter 43

Fun fact i wear my jacket like El Che too, unless it's too cold

El che with the hair lose is so cute bro,,,

Something something fingering joke

Sikorski could fold a coin too

I bet the bandana will break

Chapter 44

I would have just fallen on top of him, how is he gonna counter that, eh?

Oh that super fun to know!

Oh the good ol dirty technique, i have seen this one before!

Chapter 45

NOOO MARIA DON'T DO THIS TO HIM

This fight is super cool tho i love these two characters

Chapter 46

They just keep changing the rules i think Itagaki is just flexing at this point

LAAOSFKAGSKAGSKAF???

Baki wants his protagonism back

I'm getting pissed off they keep putting semi naked underaged girls at the end of every chapter 😐

Chapter 47

Bruh just realized, the mouth got so hyped as this new cool villain and they died in their first appearance 😭

His damn bandana...

[joachimnapoleon]

"I only want to be your best friend..."

It's Father's Day, so a perfect excuse to share more of some of my favorite series of letters--those from Murat to his eldest daughter, Letitia (who was ten years old at the time). Here are three from May of 1812, when Murat was on his way to join the Grande Armée for the Russian campaign; he would not see his family again until the end of January 1813.

[Transcribed in Murat's own original all-lowercase; apparently he rarely used punctuation either, so I'm assuming the original editor was the one who added it into these to make them more readable. The occasional variations in spelling of Letitia's name (ex. "Loetitia") are also Murat's. Any translation errors are my own.]

***

St. Cloud, 7 May 1812

my dear letitia, i arrived in good health, though sorry for having left my good children, but happy to have seen the queen again who is going to get en route for naples. my dear letitia, she returns alone, papa will not accompany her; honor, the well-being of my children, the interest of my kingdom command this great sacrifice, the love that i bear for the emperor is as to me a law to go and fight; but don’t be distressed: all the gods will watch over me. your mama, the love of my peoples will safeguard you during my absence: and prompt successes will soon restore to you your papa, and he will return to you, i hope, even more worthy of himself and of you. make wishes for me, heaven always grants the prayers of beautiful souls like yours, pure like those of all my children. you, do not cry on my absence, sigh only for my return, our sighs will be heard, because i will imitate you, i will ask heaven for a prompt victory, and a prompt return to the midst of my family. yet work hard, make mama and mme de roquemont happy, write to me often, your letters bring me happiness. give my regards to mmes picerno and ferrier and to mme athénaïs. embrace louise, my good louise, for me. i will look forward to embracing you. how i am going to miss our lovely concerts, and our lovely games of wist and our charming soirées: these memories will console me. i need them. farewell, farewell, my daughter. i embrace you with all my heart.

your good papa

J. Napoléon

***

Paris, 15 May 1812

my dear loetitia. mama will give you this letter. i will not accompany her. i am going to be separated again from her and from my children, but i hope that my absence will not be long and that soon it will be permitted to me to go and embrace you. i will send you three mantles and three dresses each, wear them for love of me, they cannot make you any more beautiful, but they will recall to you your papa. i await your portrait with impatience. farewell, my dear children, make mme de roquemont happy and love your good papa always. speak often of him: you will always be in his memory. i embrace you with all my heart, as well as my good louise.

your affectionate father

J.N.

***

Posen, 24 May 1812

my dear letitia, it has been a long time since i left you and this time must have seemed for you as extremely long as it has for me. when will i see you again? soon i hope because the emperor is accustomed to getting to work quickly; but nothing has begun yet, we await the signal of battles and only then will i be able to fix a little closer the time of my return. how beautiful will be the day when i will embrace my beautiful letitia, when i will embrace all my children, when i will be united with them to be separated from them no more! already your lovely mama enjoys this happiness. yet my letitia works, sings, makes great progress, perfects her youthful talents, she will want to pleasantly surprise me upon my arrival and prove to me by facts how much she has taken advantage of the moments of our separation. yes, you should apply yourself and follow with courage the course of your studies. how happy you will be one day, having acquired such knowledge, such talents, and to be able, in any event, to be sufficient in yourself to make those happy to whom you have attached your destiny. your papa, your mama will be themselves happy for your happiness. do you still ride your horse? i’m sorry for taking away gaeta [ed. note–one of Letitia’s horses] and i am tempted to send the order to return her to you. however i will look for a pretty polish pony that i will send you, you will ride him often, you will love him very much, papa will have given him to you. –you don’t neglect dancing, you always study english, german, i don’t speak to you of italian, you are neapolitan and you should know your language. take great care with your writing, a beautiful character gives a new grace to all that one writes; you read well, because madame de roquemont reads marvelously, and you know how much a lovely diction lends its charms, even to the best of writing; read a lot, but may your readings be within your grasp. avoid with care that which can bring into your young heart any trouble, or agitation. at your age one should only experience sweet and tranquil feelings. you will not abandon drawing, you will like painting. the arts awaken the imagination, elevate the soul; what sublime talent to be able to revive on canvas one who is no longer, or whose absence we mourn, to retrace on paper the places we have loved. but i see that i’m moralizing, that i’m setting myself up as governess, this isn’t my intention. i would badly fulfill such delicate functions, and you would be losing in the change. i only want to be your best friend, the most tender father.

tell achille that i will write him one of these days; kiss your mama for me, make her very happy, her health has need of calm and happiness. kiss your brothers and your sister. i embrace you with all my heart.

your good father

J.N.

***

The entire translated series of these letters, Quarante lettres de Joachim Murat à sa fille Laetitia, can be found in four parts on my blog at the links below:

https://projectmurat.blog/2019/11/15/forty-letters-to-letitia-part-one-i-x/

https://projectmurat.blog/2019/11/18/forty-letters-to-letitia-part-two-xi-xx/

https://projectmurat.blog/2019/11/24/forty-letters-to-letitia-part-three-xxi-xxx/

https://projectmurat.blog/2019/11/30/forty-letters-to-letitia-part-four-xxxi-xl/

[taekooktimeline]

January 8-12, 2021

Constructed by Kayla, reviewed by Elise, dated by Sara (though she didn’t review this addition yet) 

January 6-12, 2021: Run 133 is filmed (aired March 16, 2021):

At the start of the episode, the members mention this is the first run filmed in 2021. This causes Jk to reminisce how he came to Seoul 10 years ago, with Tae chimining in he also came a decade ago.

Jin comments he met Jk in June 2011, with Tae following up it was September for him. Jk jokingly tells Tae he’s his junior.

This seems to leave Tae momentarily stunned as he looks to Jk then faces forward -

before leaning out of the group stance to challengingly stare down Jk. Tae stated in Summer Package 2018 that Jk is more of the hyung in their relationship. There have been multiple instances of Tae calling Jk “hyung” over the years, some examples being in Run 27 and Run 118. This is probably another way Jk is joking with Tae about their two-year age difference.

which causes Jk to laugh -

Timestamp 0:38

Jk loses the first round (a standard typing game), with his punishment being that he now has to perform the next task on a very large keyboard. The members are shocked by its size. Jimin takes a photo, and the camera shows him preparing his phone while Jk playfully taps away on the keys. Tae decides to take a photo as well and as he prepares his phone the camera cuts away.

timestamp 5:02, https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1371795743292280838?s=21

Tae playfully bangs on Jk’s keyboard and then looks expectantly at Jk, gauging his reaction.

Jk follows suit and begins copying Tae in their usual copy paste, a slight smirk on his face. Tae happily smiles that Jk has gone along with his antics, watching Jk‘s hand then looking up at him.

Jk beams at Tae -

It’s not long before Jk chastises Tae though, since it’s causing his keyboard to act up. 

This doesn’t phase Tae, who flashes his trademark boxy smile and laughing acknowledges, hand raised, that he is aware his actions are messing him up. 

timestamp 6:37

Joon beats Tae in answering a run question correctly. As the members ask staff for tips on how to search, Tae continues to be ornery to Jk and closes his window out.

close up -

no guilt, even as he smiles and turns back to Jk-

timestamp 10:14

Jk retaliates by pulling the space bar out of the keyboard and pretending to attack an unsuspecting Tae with it. Both are laughing while the members look on amused.

Tae points at Jk while collapsing in laughter.

As Jk places the space key back, you can see Tae smiling at his actions still.

Tae attempts to retaliate by pretending to throw the escape key. This causes Jk to attack him again.

Tae can’t stop laughing, collapsing into himself again as Jk puts the keys back.

Tae is still smiling, happy at their actions, as staff explains the next round. 

timestamp 10:24, https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1371797675465531392?s=21

Tae answers incorrectly during the above question, so he must wait out 1 minute and 30 seconds before trying again. Jk raises his hand to answer. Tae tries to mollify the usually competitive Jk to not answer so he can have a chance to try again. Jk doesn’t listen.

timestamp 12:18

During another question, Tae turns to Jk to confide how off the mark his search was.

Jk peeks at his screen -

Jk bursts into laughter, head thrown back -

and points to Tae as he tells the group Tae is not good at searching -

Tae, adorably, finds his own methods hilarious.

timestamp 18:02, https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1371799508208685060?s=21

Tae and Hobi didn’t do as well in the game in comparison to the other members. They were joking to the others about what kind of food they could get with their points, and Jimin offered to share some of his points with Hobi so that he could get something besides pickles. Hobi did some aegyeo in order to make Jimin laugh. Tae also didn’t get many points for food, so he also decided to perform aegyeo towards Jimin.    When he hears JK offer some food to Hobi, he also performs some aegyeo towards JK as well.

Notice how even though Tae didn’t win any points to get food and JK did, the entire tray of food is in front of Tae. Also Jk feeds Tae a bite of his food -

Timestamp 26:16, https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1371804575800324099?s=21 

https://www.vlive.tv/post/1-21739180 

Behind the scenes photos: TK stick close together while the other members play on the oversized keyboard:

Jk has an arm around Tae as the members check something out:

Timestamp 24:58 and 26:12; https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1371801782758731788?s=21

Run episode 134: is a continuation of the 3-part run series 133-135. In the next segment, members have to guess what song + choreography of theirs it is based on the dance instructions. Joon begins gesturing, stating, “we have a song like this! What is it?” This kickstarts Tae beginning to sing a song that sounds suspiciously like the “baby got back” song.

The members laugh, with Jin, Joon and Hobi imitating Tae dancing. Jk takes up singing the song.

It seems like Taekook have a little joke going on, with Jk picking up where Tae leaves off while the members laugh at their aegyo. 

https://www.vlive.tv/post/0-21873722 

Timestamp 27:11, or short link - https://twitter.com/koosmostae/status/1374352385703870471?s=21

Run 135 behind the scenes: members speculate out loud what they should do to kill time while waiting for their turn to hide objects around the building. Tae decides to do some push ups, since he has to wait 25 mins to hide his object. The next cut shows Jk squeezing his muscle to determine his progress. Jk tells Tae he’s getting stronger.

Tae seems pleased by this if we gauge his smile. A close up of the beginnings of a smile -

As he turns away his smile is more prominent -

It’s hard to see without a close up but Tae actually had his hand over Jk’s wrist, then trails his hand up softly to be directly over Jk’s (almost cupping JK’s hand), as the younger felt his chest muscle. SS don’t capture the moment as well so it’s suggested the reader view the below links to see.

you can see a little better in this SS that it’s Tae’s hand in view (covering Jk’s as he feels his chest muscle) -

https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1377596770025271300?s=21 and https://twitter.com/flirtaeguk/status/1377598016832479233?s=21 

When Jimin returns from hiding his item, the camera cuts to what appears to be Tae and Jk holding hands loosely. We only catch a glimpse before they drop their hands as the camera follows Jimin coming towards them. SS don’t do it justice but Tae’s smile widens.

close up -

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x80c25j, timestamp 4:50 

[ad1thi]

2020 fic recs!! [Part 1]

this idea was stolen from @iam93percentstardust cuz i just,,,thought that this year was absolute shit and it would be nice to make a fic rec list of fics from this year that helped me through it. this will be over a range of fandoms and ships, but all fics were written this year. 

fics are ordered by the month they were published. ive tried to keep to five fics per month, but this is not obviously all the fics ive read that month - i just didn’t want to make this insanely long. 

im releasing the first half of this on the 1st of December, and the second half on the 1st of January 2021 - because otherwise it would just get so long (and also so i will actually have fics for December)

happy reading!! hopefully you find fics on this you haven’t read yet

***

January

The cat is mighty dignified (until the dog comes by): @five-wow

Steve and Danny find them on the pillow in the corner of the dining area, where Eddie is on his side, ass half on the floor because the pillow is more cat-sized than lab-sized, and Pickles is nestled between Eddie’s front legs, essentially being spooned and looking very I-got-the-cream about it. Pickles’ head is tucked into the crook of Eddie’s neck and Eddie’s head slots perfectly on top of Mr. Pickles’, like a furry jigsaw puzzle.

“They’re cuddling,” Steve points out, unnecessarily.

Or: There is a love story unfolding under the McGarrett roof.

Captain ‘Socialist Rage Muffin’ America: @baffledkingcomposinghallelujah

It takes three months of dating Steve Rogers for Tony to understand why Aunt Peggy once shot at him in sheer frustration.

Alternately titled, Honey, I committed treason again.

The Best Laid Plans (Of Mice and Men): @arboreal-elm-ash-oak

His Dark Materials AU

It was Annalise who noticed their small visitor first.

“Tony,” the spider daemon said softly, skittering up the collar of his dress shirt, two of her eight legs resting delicately against his cheek, “Don’t startle them, but I believe we have a guest. Look, by the coffee table.”

Fourteen Million to One: @tunastorks

Six months after Thanos, six months after Tony’s death, six months after Steve returns to his own timeline, Tony Stark turns up on their doorstep.

Brewed Awakening: @iam93percentstardust

Two years after he comes out of the ice, Steve is drifting through life. On his teammate's recommendation, he decides to go back to school where he meets the grandson of an old friend. He finds happiness with Tony but Steve won't be in Boston forever and someone is out to hurt the Starks. Will Steve and Tony be able to reach their happily ever after?

February

the young, the reckless and the foolish: @bruciewayne

In most universes, they don't know each other, not in the slightest, or they hate each other, in a way that's perfectly logical for anyone who were to find themselves in a similar situation.

In this one, they've known each other since they were four years old and naively idealistic.

This is them over the years, against the odds.

a giant sign: @areiton

“Think you can get him to open the weapons division up again?” his CO asks, his voice hungry and Rhodey laughs because this--

“No. Tony hung up his weapons.”

“That’s not what the suit says,” his CO objects, and Rhodey shrugs.

Tony has always had rules, rules he expects the entire world to live by.

And then there was Rhodey, slipping under them.

my heart is driftwood, floating down your coast: @nethandrake

Tonight, there’s a stranger in his backseat. That’s not unusual.

He’s also sad. That’s not unusual either.

What is unusual is that the stranger is silent.

(One night, a stranger enters Steve's taxi. Nothing is the same again.)

Just A Cold: @/delighted 

There’s a new text waiting for him. It’s from Steve of course, and it’s vaguely threatening as most messages from Steve are these days. Still Danny ignores it, and now he’s really playing with fire. Maybe it’ll burn the cold out of him.

Or, Danny’s sick, and Steve can’t stay away. The usual comfort fluff. With a little cameo from a gently meddling Grace.

An Unexpected Guide: @/Rachel500

Danny Williams has hidden his Guide status to keep being a detective, but his time of hiding is up when he unexpectedly finds his Sentinel, Steve McGarrett in the midst of a tragedy.

March

Why don’t we (Collide the spaces that divide us): @five-wow

When they finally catch sight of each other again through the milling crowds, they’re both a little worse for wear. Danny’s left side is covered in glitter and every time he brushes a hand over his hair, more blue and purple confetti rains down. Steve is- Well, Steve is randomly shirtless, which is all things considered not excessively remarkable, but he’s also covered in smudges of colorful paint and has a very nicely printed bloodred lipstick kiss mark on his cheek.

“What did you do?” Danny asks, because it looks like Steve had a lot more fun than he did.

Or: Steve and Danny accidentally end up in the middle of something entirely new.

A Little Unsteady: @finduilasclln 

Written for the Tumblr prompt meme : "Hey! I was gonna eat that!"

Tony lashes out at Bucky for eating his dessert. Only, it really isn't about the dessert.

a national treasure: @starklysteve

Steve isn't looking for an apple and Tony decides his passion is to inspire young souls. -x- OR: the AU where Tony is a Youtuber and Steve is Captain America and somehow they still save the world together.

April

cycle through: @ambivalentmarvel

Twenty-five years ago, Tony Stark disappeared from his family home a month after the tragic deaths of his parents, Howard and Maria Stark, leaving a billion-dollar tech conglomerate without an heir and the world wondering what happened.

Twenty-three years ago, HYDRA gained another super soldier.

Ten years ago, Peter Parker’s parents died in what is ruled as a home invasion gone wrong but he knows was murder, plain and simple, because he spoke to the killer.

And in the present, Project Insight fails, and the Iron Soldier pays the price.

FOREVER-LOVE YOU-I: @/Eudoxia

Tony Stark is twenty-one when he loses his voice. It shouldn't matter, but in a world where the first words your Soulmate says to you are marked on your skin, it can be pretty damn annoying.

Especially for Tony's soulmate.

--

Companion piece to my fic Thumb, Index, and Pinky Extended. This is Steve's POV, with a few extra scenes, as a treat.

(Edit: Sorry if you guys get multiple notifications for this. I just realized (about two hours after posting it) that I fucked up the grammar in the title and I HAD to fix it. YOLO, I guess.)

come build a home out of me: @maguna-stxrk

Steve clears his throat.

“What if I went with you?” he asks nonchalantly, like his heart isn’t threatening to beat out of his ribcage.

Tony blinks a few times, looking at Steve, his mouth ajar. “As a— As my date?”

“Yeah.” Steve nods, feeling a little breathless.

“You don’t mind?” Tony furrows his eyebrows.

“I don’t. In fact, you can just tell them I’m your boyfriend. I’m sure they’ll back off, wouldn’t they?”

What.

“I— Huh?” Tony stares at him, brown eyes blown wide open.

What. What. What.

“Huh? Uh, I mean— You know, that way people will see that you have definitely moved on. Monica will see that you have moved on. Right?” Steve smiles, hoping that it masks his inner panic, because what?

Steve Rogers, what have you done?

i don’t have a choice (but i’d still choose you): @nethandrake

There’s a name inked onto his chest, a name written in an all-too familiar scrawl. And it’s— It’s—

Steve doesn’t realize his body is quaking until he’s tracing the tattoo with a shaky finger.

Because of course that is the name etched into the skin. Like a brand, a reminder for everything he has done. An appropriate retribution.

Anthony Edward Stark.

(When Thanos snaps half of the universe away, he unknowingly leaves the other half with soulmarks.)

ua haʻalele ʻoe iaʻu (a ua hoʻomālamalama ʻoe iaʻu): @just-fandomthings

"The truth is, I was shot in the chest and nearly died, and not even three days after I was released from the hospital, you up and left-- and of those two, I'm not sure which one hurt me worse!"

(Coda to 10x22 because come on, we all need a better ending than the one given to us.)

Title loosely translates to: "You left me in the dark (you lit me up)" -- inspired by the brilliant song "Say You Won't Let Go" by James Arthur

May

A Piece Of The Past: @hddnone

It had been so many years since Bucky had gone undercover in the Stark family's mob, he thought he'd gotten away clean.

Then Tony Stark slid into the seat across from him at his breakfast diner, and Bucky's boss has a new case for him.

the privilege of loving you: @starklysteve

“Why won’t you let me touch you?”

It’s a desperate plea, half-shouted and half-whispered, Steve’s voice cracking at the end. Tony stops in his tracks, halfway to the stairs. He doesn’t dare to turn back, and he really doesn’t want to fight, or to leave, to spend the last month of his life away from his husband and their son. But Steve can’t know, can he?

-x-

Or: Tony has palladium poisoning, but he doesn't tell Steve and Peter

your pillow feels so soft now (but still you must advance): @firebrands

When Bruce is 13, he decides to go to boarding school. It's an opportunity for him to learn about other people, and how to interact with them.

Bruce has the misfortune of meeting Tony Stark upon his arrival in Roxbury. Bruce is moving into his room, and Tony opens the door of his room to watch. He looks a bit younger than Bruce, hair wild and eyes bright. Bruce has never seen a boy like him before—handsome and confident.

Bruce doesn’t like it.

IMPORTANT: This fic has them meeting at 14, then progresses slowly until they’re 17. Includes underage drinking and kissing.

This is set before Bruce becomes Batman and Tony becomes Iron Man and I have no explanation as to how or why they just DO Canonically, Bruce is 17 when he finishes school and goes around the world to train, so we're sticking with that

The Real MVP: @sword-and-stars (part of a series)

[“I have saved this Tuesday!” Sokka announces, rattling the bag upon reentry.

Zuko doesn’t even look up from his phone as he deadpans, “It’s Thursday.”

Okay, so Sokka is still having trouble getting his days right without checking. At least he’s gone back to sleeping at night! Going to bed at night is way easier when you have a cute, cuddly boyfriend who starts falling asleep around eleven o’clock. It also helps that he and Zuko are on solid gold butt-touching terms.

It’s been a while since Sokka has been on butt-touching terms with someone and it’s amazing.]

Or,

Sokka knows a guy, gets laid, and introduces Zuko to the merits of an afternoon delight.

When is a bed not a bed? (When you’re not in it): @riotwritesthings

There’s a tiny safe house, with one tiny window and one tiny couch.

And one tiny little bed.

June

Nice Fingers: @anthonyed

A single compliment given by Tony stirs Bucky restless until he caves in and asks him out on a date.

With Steve’s help of course (whether he likes it or not).

The Darkest Touch: @starkrogerrs

This is the story of how Steve finds that it has been ordained that he is to marry a monster he cannot resist aka the God of Love himself, Tony.

It's Cupid x Psyche retold, but with thrice the amount of porn.

The Night Shift:  @weethreequarter

Welcome to the Emergency Department of San Antonio General where Dr. Tony Stark joins the team fresh from his most recent tour in Afghanistan and - much to the consternation of the other staff - strikes up an instant rapport with Nurse Steve Rogers. Meanwhile, new resident Bruce Banner refuses to give up on his patient, and Dr. Sharon Carter learns something from her own patients. Throw in a pissed off hospital administrator, Clint using the coffee pot as a mug again, and a major car crash and you have, well, just another night shift.

Wind Beneath My Wings: @iam93percentstardust

Sam first meets Tony Stark in 2005 when he joins the EXO-7 Falcon program.

In jest: @/apathyinreverie

“No, babe,” Danny shakes his head with a grin. “If the apocalypse were to go down while I’m elsewhere for some godforsaken reason, then you stay put and I’m coming to wherever you are.” His grin widens. “And I expect you to have cleared any aliens or zombies or whatever else might be messing with us off the island and to have set up a nice, comfortable military dictatorship for us to rule over by the time I get back.”

It’s a joke.

Of course it’s a joke.

Until it isn’t.

(A the-day-after-tomorrow-style apocalypse AU, where the world decides to end right when Danny is visiting one of the other islands with Grace. Because, of course, it does.)