#villain 94

[sonderwrit]

C94: Obsession

I Have to Be a Great Villain - Masterpost

Slime X starts getting attached to Wang Yi while he remains clueless to his sneaking around and snacking.

WY: Snore—snore—

Slime: *plop*

Slime: Huu… 

*kacha opening noises*

Slime: Finally…free.

X—Species.

A rare species floating in the universe. 

It has no shape and no voice. Those who came in contact with it either disappeared completely or went berserk without reason. No one knew what its purpose was or why it appeared on Earth.

Slime: Sigh…human language is so, hard, to learn.

Slime: Although I've been listening this entire time…I can't understand it completely…nor can I express myself. Am I pronouncing things wrong?

Slime: But…I've finally found it. The "obsession" I've been missing.

[Next Day]

WY: Yawnnn—

WY: I don't know why, but I'm still exhausted after sleeping so much…

[Researchers can apply for a dormitory or just live in the lab.]

WY: Like I was doing math questions all night.

S-0: *munching noises* Hm? Not used to the locale, maybe? Then how about eating something nutritious to boost yourself first. This cat food is delicious. (It was impossible to eat this in the apocalypse world.)

WY: …shameless.

WY: Can a little cat like you really help a Host successfully complete his missions?

S-0: Huu…I won't lie…you're actually my first Host.

WY: Hah? That's too awful! (I'm your guinea pig?)

S-0: No, not at all.

S-0: Because of an incident in the past, all the more impressive seniors (senpai) all upgraded or left.

S-0: So there's nothing but newbies like us doing the work now.

WY: An incident?

S-0: Mhm. It seems there was a powerful senior (senpai) who tried to get rid of their status as a System and become a human being.

S-0: Although I don't know what happened, from then on we were forbidden to take on human forms. (We can only be animals or something else.)

WY: So it's like that.

WY: (No wonder there's cats and penguins.)

WY: Aish, every family has its troubles. 

WY: Might as well deal with what's in front of me first. Let's check on yesterday's experimental subject. (The soul of rationality)

WY: …hm? Why do I feel like..this fellow's a little smaller from yesterday?

S-0: I think that's true.

S-0: What should we do…?

WY: Although the description said X doesn't eat, perhaps we can try…

Slime: ?

Slime: *swallows* *chew chew*

WY: Hey, it actually ate it!

WY: So it can eat regular food after all.

WY: What about soymilk?

Slime: *crunch*

WY: Don't eat the spoon?!

WY: …what's the situation, can it tell what's food or not?

S-0: It's impossible to use normal logic to explain such an organism, interesting.

S-0: …

S-0: N-no, wait! Host, you can't be lured in by other experimental subjects!

S-0: Our mission has always been to act as tools for the male and female protagonists! If you're free, go show your face to the mermaid instead!

WY: I remember, I remember.

WY: I was thinking I'd get a full-body protective suit along with completing the mission to deal with this X when I return.

Slime: ?

WY: (If I seal off all entryways on my body, it won't burrow into my ear like last time again.)

S-0: Huu, Host is really enthusiastic about research, even though you could just go through the motions.

S-0; Are you interested in unknown organisms?

WY: More or less.

WY: I also want to confirm something that I thought was pretty impossible.

Slime: He…went out?

Slime: Wonderful.

Slime: My human is so cute~

Slime: I like him. I like him a lot—

Slime: But he's too weak, so he'll die if he's careless, right?

*scurrying noises*

Slime: After searching for so long…I have to protect him carefully…

WY: (Huh? My neck's a little itchy.)

WY: ?

Slime: For that—I  have to evolve faster.

Slime: Split myself up and go eat up some other materials.

WY: Eh? I felt like something just scurried out.

S-0: Was there? 

S-0: You're probably mistaken, right…?

Slime: *swooshes away*

[suffarustuffaru]

well ermmm ermmm im NOTTTT The Villain why would i be that 🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺🥺 STOP SAYING IM JUST LIKE ROSWAAL you should DEFINITELY trust me with your social security card number and your home address

[feleshero]

Considering having Felicia's timeline advance in real time. Thinking it might be 1995 in a few weeks for her. Means she'll finally get to start doing spider-stuff!

[pigswithwings]

no genuinely oceanblr would be so fun. the bloggers long for the sea and - oh shit what's t [is enveloped by the waves]

0 notes 🔁❤️

🦈 jaws-little-brother Follow

Community Pool: Is water wet?

yeah ⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜⬛⬛ (67.3%)

no ⬜⬜⬛⬛⬛⬛⬛ (32.7%)

Remaining time: 4 moon cycles

🐡 on-line-off-hook Follow

what the kelp are you guys on.

185 notes 🔁❤️

🕳️ coelacanth-official ☑️☑️☑️☑️ Follow

decade 23 off the South African coast ... they ain't find me yet but when they do they're gonna be real surprised

40,739 notes 🔁❤️

🐌 justasnailfish Follow

its so quiet here .. nobody. no friends?

🔍 ms-magnap1nna Follow

We can be friends. come closer

7 notes 🔁❤️

🦐 shrimpathy-for-the-villain Follow

group of friends & i just won a battle against a whale, got a trophy (real)

🌑 ohboy-baleen-deactivated

No you didn't. No you did not. There's literally zero possible chance of this happening, regardless of how many other shrimp were with you because that is Logistically. Impossible. This is so fake oh my fucking cod

🦐 shrimpathy-for-the-villain Follow

ok. group of friends & i sitting inside a whales mouth, about to be krilled (real)

211 notes 🔁❤️

🐚 is0p0d-isle Follow

suuuuuper tired of all the negativity. can we have some appreciation for the "ugly" and "scary" fishes already? thank u blobfish, thank u viperfish, thank u goblin sharks, thank u everyone else who is socially isolated bc of how they look!! ur awesome!!

94 notes 🔁❤️

🐠 reeffraff Follow

human slang is so boring. what the hell is a "fridge". what's a "stove". oh, you have a "microwave"? i see 10 meter tall waves every day. loser.

🐬 atlantic-potion Follow

but they were right about "tubular", you can't deny it

🐠 reeffraff Follow

yes i absolutely can. "tubular"? are you kidding me? any fry on the sandbar could come up with that one. "tubular" is the word you would use to describe a coral and nothing else. it's lame. you have the linguistical taste of a tongue parasite.

🐬 atlantic-potion Follow

say that to my beak you coward

🐠 reeffraff Follow

maybe i WILL

🚹 surface-dweller ☑️☑️ Follow

holy shit, those fish are fighting! mary get the camera!

🐠 reeffraff Follow

GET THE WHAT?

[discow1tch]

Nightcrawler Comic Recs (for beginners)

This list is designed with fans who have little to no knowledge of X-Men comics in mind and with an emphasis on what I would call "fangirl appeal". Each title is listed in chronological order with descriptions, a reading order, and my reasoning for each of them under the readmore for those who need it. In my opinion, all of them are good places to start!*

I primarily read comics on Marvel's official app (marvel unlimited) but hoopla (free through many public libraries) and comixology are other good options for online reading. If you want physical copies you'll get the best deals at your local comic shop or on ebay.

If you have criticisms, additions, or continuity question feel free to hit up my ask box!

SERIES: ❥ Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont (1975) ❥ Excalibur by Chris Claremont (1988), Alan Davis (1991), and Warren Ellis (1994) ❥ Uncanny X-Men by Joe Casey (2001) ❥ Nightcrawler (2004) ❥ Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender (a controversial choice since this isn't main universe/616 Kurt) (2010) ❥ Amazing X-Men (2014) ❥ Nightcrawler (2014)

OTHER RANDOM ISSUES**: ❥ Guardians Team-Up #6 ❥ Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #17 (2017)

*with the exception of Uncanny X-Force. I wouldn't read this until you have a grip on 616 Kurt's characterization.

**these are primarily team ups I discovered through my habit of buying random comics with Kurt on the cover. I'll add more if I remember them.

Uncanny X-Men by Chris Claremont (1975) was an ongoing team book. The sixteen years of it that were written by Claremont are the iconic building blocks upon which all other X-Men comics are built. It's the book Nightcrawler was on from 1975 to 1988 (#94-227) after he was recruited by Professor X. Unfortunately, Kurt is rarely the main character. He has a lot of standout moments but is more likely to just be part of the team. If you like a sweet, sarcastic, curly haired Nightcrawler with terrible fashion sense this book might be for you!

How to start reading it:

Giant-Size X-Men #1 (his introduction, basically a series pilot that rebooted the X-Men).

Uncanny X-Men #94 (directly follows giant-size)

From there you can read numerically.

Read as much uncanny as you want. If it gets boring/isn't for you try Excalibur!

Specific issue recs if you don't want to start at the beginning:

#110: The X-Men fight a villain of the week who traps them in the danger room with the safety controls off. It's also the first (I think?) time the X-Men play baseball together. Kurt is really fun in this issue! #123 & 124: The X-Men fight Arcade for the first time. The issues are split pretty evenly between the whole team but Kurt has some really good moments. #139 & 140: Kurt goes to Canada with Wolverine. They fight a Wendigo with the canadian super-team Alpha Flight and he becomes the first X-Man to learn Wolverine's real name. The art in this is really expressive. Kurt makes a lot of good faces. #168: This issue isn't primarily about Kurt but it is the one where he does the Burt Reynolds cosmo centerfold pose for his girlfriend. #169: Continues from 168. Opens with Kurt in the bath with his girlfriend. He then teleports around the city naked to save someone. #183: Kurt and Wolverine take Colossus out drinking after he breaks up with Kitty. Kurt is there as "mediator" because he knows Logan is mad about the way Piotr treated Kitty. They end up getting into a fight with the Juggernaut at the bar. #204: Kurt restores his faith and self confidence by taking on Arcade solo when he sees a woman being kidnapped off the street.

Excalibur by Chris Claremont, Alan Davis, and Warren Ellis (1988-1998) was a self-contained ongoing comic that ran through the late 80's up through the mid 90's. Excalibur is the British X-Men adjacent team that Kurt joined and then became unofficial leader of when he thought the other X-Men had died. Excalibur is more magic and fantasy based than X-Men usually is. As written by Chris Claremont it's also basically a sex farce. I consider this book a definitive characterization of the character. The art by Alan Davis in the first ~50 issues is the sexiest Nightcrawler has ever been and probably ever will be. If you like a classically handsome, confident, overtly sexy Nightcrawler this series might be for you.

How to start reading it:

Excalibur: The Sword is Drawn (shows the team being formed, basically the series pilot). There's a ton of Deep Lore and callbacks in it but if anything is important it will get explained more directly by narration.

Excalibur #1

From there you can read numerically

The first 67 issues are pretty consistently good but you can always stop After the Cross-Time Caper story if you want something more modern

If you want to keep reading after #67 I suggest skipping the issues written by Lobdell and going straight to the Warren Ellis era

Specific issue recs if you don't want to start at the beginning:

#4: The beginning of the Kurt/Meggan/Brian love triangle. Includes the infamous page where Kurt and Meggan nearly kiss. #16: Another infamous issue. The team land in a new universe and get separated. Kurt fights some air ship pirates before getting seduced and fucked just barely off panel by an Evil Queen. He also ends up wearing some really skimpy "battle armor" towards the end. It's truly incredible that this was even allowed to be published. #23: Judge Dredd parody. The team land in a new universe and get separated (again). Kurt has some really great fight scenes against an alternate universe human version of himself and a really heartfelt story with that universes version of Meggan. #44 & 45: The british government asks the team for help investigating a series of strange robberies in London. Everyone but Kurt is out of town on personal business and his leg is broken so he decides the thing to do is recruit the chaotic aliens helping rebuild the light house as a substitute team - his "N-Men"! If you read these issues by themselves just skip over the sections about the other characters.

Uncanny X-Men by Joe Casey (2001) (#395-409) was part of the ongoing Uncanny comic. It primarily follows a team of X-Men tracking down the Church of Humanity cult as they try to eradicate mutants. This run had a lot of different artists on it but they're all good. The aesthetics and vibes of this run are some of my favorites. Casey writes Kurt a bit more grounded and less jokey but without sacrificing any of the witty banter which I like. If you like a less human-looking Nightcrawler with glowing eyes and pointy teeth this series might be for you!

Nightcrawler (2004) is a twelve issue self-contained mini-series. It's the second of three Nightcrawler self titled minis and it's also my favorite! Kurt gets enlisted as basically a supernatural investigator by Storm after a group of children die mysteriously. He has three different love interest in this which the story even calls him out for at one point. The art is more grounded than the usual marvel house style which isn't for everyone but I personally enjoy it. If you like a softer nightcrawler or a Nightcrawler in street clothes this book might be for you!

Uncanny X-Force by Rick Remender (2010) (#20-35) was an ongoing team book. It's maybe my most controversial pick because it's the Nightcrawler from the Age of Apocalypse but I'm gonna count him because he's hot. He jumped universes to join X-Force (the X-Men's covert black ops team) in issue #11 during the period of time when main universe/616 Kurt was dead. The first arc he's in is all AoA stuff so you can skip it and start at #20 (the Otherworld arc) if you want. AoA Kurt is a darker, more violent version of the character who's only interested in revenge. A lot of Nightcrawler fans hated his inclusion on the team but I personally think he's great! It also helps that the art in this is done in this gorgeous almost abstract digital watercolor style. This version of Nightcrawler ends up dying in an event comic when the series ends but don't even worry about it. Also, maybe don't start with this one. If you like the idea of a star trek-style mirror universe Kurt try reading this!

Amazing X-Men (2014) was an ongoing team book. It's the series that brought Kurt back from the dead after his death several years earlier in a crossover event. It's a really good jumping on point for modern Nightcrawler but the plot is kind of bonkers. If you read it try not to think too hard about the implications of that first arc. Most of the weirder stuff in it doesn't really matter outside of this book anyway. The art is really good - Kurt is very pretty in this. In the early issues he also has great romantic tension with Storm and Wolverine if you're in to that! It's very intertwined with the 2014 solo so if you like this definitely read that! If you like a lanky more cartoony Nightcrawler try this series and the 2014 miniseries!

Nightcrawler (2014) is a twelve issue self contained mini series. It takes place after the first arc of Amazing X-Men but can be read independently since narration explains everything that happened. I'll be honest, this series is fun but not very memorable. The art is nice, though. If you like a lanky more cartoony Nightcrawler try this series and Amazing X-Men!

[umi-no-onnanoko]

100 domande curiose

1. Libro preferito?

2. Autore preferito?

3. Poesia preferita?

4. Ti piace scrivere?

5. Ti piace leggere?

6. Disegni?

7. Ti piace l'arte?

8. Sei mai stato/a ad un museo?

9. Artista preferito?

10. Film preferito?

11. Attore/attrice preferito/a?

12. Regista preferito?

13. Colonna sonora preferita?

14. Saga preferita?

15. Personaggio preferito di Harry Potter?

16. Personaggio preferito di un libro?

17. Personaggio preferito di un film?

18. Serie tv preferita?

19. Canzone preferita?

20. Cantante preferito/a?

21. Band preferita?

22. Hai mai scritto una canzone?

23. Hai mai scritto una lettera a mano?

24. Hai mai ricevuto una lettera scritta a mano?

25. La pazzia più grande che hai fatto?

26. Ti piacciono le sorprese?

27. La sorpresa migliore che hai ricevuto?

28. La sorpresa più bella che hai fatto?

29. Quale pianeta visiteresti?

30. Preferiresti essere una sirena o una fata?

31. Quale decade preferisci?

32. Sei una persona creativa?

33. Quale lavoro vorresti esistesse?

34. Quali animali vorresti si unisserero per dare vita ad una nuova specie?

35. Pic nic al mare o in montagna?

36. Ti piace il teatro?

37. Hai mai visto un balletto?

38. Sei mai stato/a ad un concerto?

39. Hai mai cantato in pubblico?

40. Hai mai ballato in pubblico?

41. Adotteresti un bambino?

42. Adotteresti un animale?

43. Moto o auto?

44. Preferisci nuotare o volare?

45. Quale personaggio Disney pensi di essere?

46. Quale villain Disney ti rappresenta?

47. Quale cultura ti affascina?

48. Se potessi condividere un senso (tatto, vista,olfatto, gusto,udito) con la tua anima gemella quale condivideresti?

49. Vampiro o licantropo?

50. Credi nella fiamma gemella?

51. Temporale o arcobaleno?

52. Musica classica o rock?

53. Ti piace recitare?

54. Hai mai suonato in pubblico?

55. Hai mai recitato in pubblico?

56. Sai leggere i silenzi?

57. Sai rispettare i silenzi?

58. Soffri il solletico?

59. Riesci a fare ridere gli altri?

60. Sai ascoltare?

61. Ti fidi?

62. Ti piace fare foto?

63. Sei fotogenico/a?

64. Musica in streaming, Spotify, CD o vinile?

65. Anime preferito?

66. Manga preferito?

67. Meglio i manga/anime di ieri o quelli di oggi?

68. Cartone animato preferito?

69. Il tuo cavallo di battaglia in cucina?

70. Il piatto che proprio non ti riesce?

71. Quale colore non sopporti?

72. Cosa non può mancare in casa tua?

73. Quale tua caratteristica vorresti avessero anche gli altri?

74. Cosa "rubesti" da un altra persona?

75. Come organizzeresti il primo appuntamento?

76. Come vorresti fosse il tuo prima appuntamento?

77. Faresti il primo passo?

78. Amicizia uno a uno o gruppo di amici?

79. Le parole che vorresti sentirti dire?

80. Cosa vorresti dire agli altri?

81. Credi nel destino?

82. Credi nella fortuna?

83. Pratichi la gratitudine?

84. Ti senti cambiato rispetto a 10 anni fa?

85. Cosa cambieresti di questi ultimi 10 anni?

86. Come ti vedi tra 10 anni?

87. La famiglia è solo quella di sangue?

88. Gli amici sono una seconda famiglia?

89. Si deve sempre perdonare chi si ama?

90. Cosa non ti perdoni?

91. Vorresti tornare bambino/a o diventare adulto/a?

92. Vorresti essere del sesso contrario al tuo?

93. Balletto preferito?

94. Ballerino/a preferito?

95. Conosci il messaggio dei fiori?

96. Giorno o notte ?

97. Alba o tramonto?

98. Freddo o caldo?

99. Sole o pioggia?

100. Scegli tu questa domanda

[avvail]

prompt #94

“I’m not really into cliché’s,” the villain, once who the hero thought they could call a friend, hummed under their breath, lip teasing up into a smirk. “So let’s skip the whole ‘join me’ speech, shall we?”

The hero felt the tip of the sword dig into their throat, and they could barely even meet the villain’s eyes. All along, they had never been on their side.

“Are you going to kill me?”

The villain’s brow quirks. “Oh, baby. Maybe I should’ve given you the speech - I’m not going to kill you. I’m just going to skip straight to the part where I drag you from here, kicking and screaming, and make you join my side whether you like it or not. I have always been more acquainted with actions rather than words, after all.”

[unboundprompts]

Argument Prompts

↳ a masterpost for argument writing prompts

↳ (#) is from my collection of random prompts, (list) contains multiple prompts.

If you like what I do and want to support me, please consider buying me a coffee! I also offer editing services and other writing advice on my Ko-fi! Become a member to receive exclusive content, early access, and prioritized writing prompt requests.

I also have a Patreon! Become a member to gain access to a Member's Only Community where you can chat and message other members and myself. Also gain access to my personal writing, which includes completed short stories, chapters from novels in progress, as well as completed scenes.

Romantic / Break-Up Arguments:

The Bar is Raised (#22)

It Means the World to Me (#53)

Supposed to Be Us (#56)

Don't Say Things You Don't Mean (#61)

Projecting (#74)

I'm Not Perfect (#98)

Hero and Villain Arguments:

You Will Regret Doing That (#24)

Love Me or Fear Me (#40)

I Want Acceptance (#58)

Not the Hero (#73)

You Haven't Seen Mean (#93)

Responses to Being Punched (list)

You Betrayed Me (#97)

Fantasy / Sci-Fi Arguments:

You had One Order - Prince and Knight (#71)

The Old Tavern (#158)

Other Arguments:

The Only Mistake Here is You (#33)

Worst Person Ever(#84)

Push Your Buttons (#94)

Meeting Again the Day After a Rude Interaction

[heartwrrm]

it's immediately clear that both the creature and victor find some of their greatest comforts in nature and that's one of the key features that connects them and proves they're not so different from each other, but i've also noticed that they tend to admire different TYPES of nature

victor tends to amaze at "the high and snowy mountains [...] immense glaciers [...] the rumbling thunder of the falling avalanche [...] the supreme and magnificent mont blonc" (65), typically finding the most comfort in the "savage and enduring scenes" (64) which tend to be colder and rougher yet unchanging; while the creature found that his "chief delights were the sight of the flowers, the birds, and all the gay apparel of summer" (94). there is probably something to be said about the creature's affinity for spring and summer, the seasons of rebirth, of NATURAL and beautiful life, a direct contrast to his unnatural, coldly scientific, "wretched" rebirth that he abhors so much

i was discussing this idea with a friend, who added that victor finding solace in the frozen and dead beauty of wintery environments, a typically less-favoured season, could reflect how victor often refuses himself the typical joys of life. throughout the novel, he struggles with his self-worth because of the guilt induced by his creation of the creature and the deaths that then followed, and the only reason he even desires peace and comfort is because he knows he needs to present himself that way to his family in order for them to be happy ("i [...] wished that peace would revisit my mind only that i might afford them consolation and happiness" [62]). i built on her idea by noting how the creature acknowledged that he "required kindness and sympathy; but [he] did not believe [him]self unworthy of it" (94), a completely contrasting stance from victor, who finds himself undeserving of the many comforts offered to him by his family

furthermore, it seems that victor finds beauty in glory & majesty ("[the scenery] spoke of a power mighty as Omnipotence--and i ceased to fear, or to bend before any being less almighty than that which had created and ruled the elements" [64]), while the creature finds beauty in warmth & growth. both characters seem to find what they desire(d) in the versions of the natural world that they admire most

to reference what i said in the beginning about the connections between victor and the creature, this observation only contributes to my understanding that victor and the creature are incredibly similar, and many of their identical traits involve a rejection or a reversal of the other; they both ardently wish for each other's destruction, they both ruined each other, they're the reason that the other is simultaneously a victim and a villain in their own sense, they both hate themselves but for reversed reasons (victor hates himself for what he's done rather than what he is, while the creature hates himself for what he is more than what he's done), and now this--they both find solace in nature, just opposing kinds. like father, like son

[starmocha]

Affinity 94 Phone Call — As You Wish

This entire phone call was so good, so I recorded the whole thing rather than try to pick a few moments.

Just...Sylus instinctively sensing something wrong from a social media post and calling to check in...and genuinely wanting to listen and comfort.

MC's feelings here are coinciding with how I've been feeling lately. I've been feeling like I'm heading into another depressive episode, so when I was listening to Sylus...I started crying IRL, because it felt like he was validating my own feelings instead of making me feel forced to bottle it up so others don't feel uncomfortable.

"I don't want to be my best self." — this hits so hard. I've been at this low point before, and it's such an isolating feeling when no one understands you and even villainize you for feelings beyond your control, so you just learn to keep things locked up and it festers horribly.

To hear Sylus say, "Give yourself a vacation" is...refreshing? It's almost like saying...you're allowed to rest. It's alright if you need to step back from everything. Find time for yourself.

"Rest if you're tired. Cry if you're sad." — the latter is what I needed to hear the most, because growing up with depression and anxiety, the number of times when I've had breakdowns, I was told to stop crying did more damage than good for my mental health. I love that he doesn't see crying as a weakness, a flaw, a hindrance, a discomfort for others, but rather, it's a necessity to help you heal.

Sylus basically saying, "Do what you need to do to make yourself feel better. I'll stay by your side." 🥺

Sylus being our ride or die ❤️‍🔥

"I'll run away with you." 🥺💞

He's not pressuring you to speak when you're not ready. He would rather you tell him yourself when you're comfortable instead of him prying.

Just...him validating your feelings, your frustration, your anger and sadness.

His voice is so soothing throughout, but especially in certain parts when he's comforting you. It felt like a warm embrace and a gentle kiss.

Group crying session - who's joining me 😭🫂❤️‍🩹

[raineandsky]

#94

tw: suggestive

The villain says something the hero can’t hear. The hero grins and grabs their face and kisses them like the world is ending.

The villain stumbles away from the hero, clutching at the side of their head with some sort of horrified, pained grimace.

“What the fuck,” they spit coldly, and the hero isn’t sure if it’s the punch or the insane vision they just had that brings the words out. The hero wants to say them too.

The villain lurches for them with a snarl. Their hands lock around their throat—

Soft lights. A pan bubbles on the stove. A radio hums a tune from the counter. The hero and the villain sway back and forth, hands interlocked, bodies pressed together. The villain pushes the hero out and spins them with a laugh.

The villain’s hold on the hero has loosened considerably since two seconds ago. “What the fuck is happening?” they say like a demand.

The hero scowls. “I’d love to know as much as you,” they say shortly, “but I have bigger problems on my hands.”

They kick the villain to the side, earning a rather indignant yelp as they clamber to their feet. They spring up just in time to avoid the hero’s punch a second time, and return it with a swing of their own fist.

The hum of the city filters through cracked windows. The hero’s head tucks into the crook of the villain’s shoulder. A lazy finger traces over the haphazard scars on the villain’s shoulder. The hero says something, and the villain laughs so vibrantly that it shimmers straight through to the other side.

The hero watches the villain stagger back with their laughter ringing in their ears.

The hero tries for another swing but the villain awkwardly dodges to the side. “No!” they cry, “Stop touching me!”

The hero, for some reason, listens. They force their fist down to their side. The villain keeps a safe distance from them. “You’re causing these fucking… fantasies by touching me, so just– just stop.”

“You touched me just as much,” the hero defends. “Let’s not put all the blame on me.”

“Okay, let’s not say that word so much,” the villain says immediately. “Punching and kicking do just fine.”

“You said touching first” — The hero almost grins — “and it was you who called them fantasies.”

The villain’s horror dips into familiar disdain. “Okay, well, now you’re just getting on my nerves. Just stop causing these stupid—”

“Aren’t you curious?” the hero interjects shortly. “We’re having shared visions, [Villain]. It’s a pain when we’re fighting, sure, but what’s it mean? What’s in them?”

“You can’t be serious.”

The hero holds their hand out to the villain expectantly. “Maybe if we see enough we’ll figure out what it’s about.”

The villain scoffs, but a smug smile tugs at their lips. “You can just say if you want to hold my hand.”

They slap their palm against the hero’s.

Streetlights spill into the dim room. A TV murmurs, forgotten, in the corner of the room. The hero and the villain lay entwined on the bed. The hero’s body pushes down on the villain. Their lips are much too busy on the villain’s to worry about anything else. The hero’s hands trace lines into the other’s sides as the villain’s fingers grasp at their face like it's the last thing they’ll ever do.

The hero faintly feels a tug at their hand, and it takes a moment to realise that it’s not part of the vision. “Wait,” they say sharply.

The villain rolls them both over so they’re now the one pressing the hero into the sheets, and the smile they give them is so genuine it tugs at the hero’s heart. They say something, inaudible, and the hero pulls them down for another kiss.

The villain pulls away so fast they almost trip over themself. “That’s enough,” they say shortly.

Their face is burning. From the way the hero’s own is getting hot, they imagine theirs isn’t much better. There’s a miserably tense silence between them.

“You’re not allowed near me,” the villain continues eventually, “ever again.”

“Why?” The hero throws them a grin much too confident for the way their stomach is fluttering. “Scared you might like it?”

The villain stalks past them, and the hero resists the urge to grab them. Their cheeks are almost as red as they were in the vision. “I’m going home,” the villain says as they reach the door. “Hopefully I can find a way to bleach my memory.”

“You look good when you’re not trying to kill me,” the hero says after a moment of deliberation.

The scowl the villain tries to force looks a little ridiculous with how much they’re blushing. “Sure.” They escape into the stairwell, and make it three steps down before throwing the hero an awkward, “you too.”

And just like that, the hero is left with an unwon fight and a memory of a life they don’t have.

[yourheartonfire]

The first thing the villain did when they found the hero was apply pressure to the bleeding. The second thing they did was whip off the mask.

"Hey," the hero protested, and ran out of breath.

"Gotta check for head wounds, darling," the villain said breezily, running their fingers across the hero's bared face with delicious tenderness. "Besides, it's nothing I haven't seen before."

That was true. They had seen each other's faces. Knew each other's names, addresses, cover stories, routines; all part of this bizarre mutually-assured-destruction detente.

"So take off your mask," the hero mumbled back, knowing how childish they sounded.

"No," the villain said cheerfully. Their hand snagged under the hero's chin, tilting their face towards the yellow sputter of the streetlight. "Give up this life of crime-fighting. Be with me. Let me take care of you."

"I said no," the hero hissed. "A thousand times no."

The villain's smile was a flash of white teeth against red lips and tongue. "You know I still have to ask. So!" The villain sat back on their heels, clapped their hands together brusquely. "Now that the formalities are out of the way, let's see deal with this. You require medical attention. I know you like being given choices, so here are yours. One, I call my personal physician to meet us at a, my home, b, your hovel, I mean apartment, or c, a neutral location. Two, I drop you at the hospital of your choice."

The hero blinked up over the villain's shoulder at the smokey sky. No rescue was coming. No other rescue.

"'f I pick option two, you gonna give me the mask back first?" the hero asked. The villain laughed by way of answer. The hero closed their eyes. They shouldn't accept but they had no choice. Right? This wasn't letting the villain take care of them. This wasn't giving in. "One c. There's a warehouse at pier 94..."

"There's a hotel on Fifth," the villain said dryly. The hero was scooped up and then things happened fast.

It was a luxury hotel. The doctor was superb, the bed was sinfully soft, the view across the harbor bay breathtaking.

The hero fled as soon as they had the strength to stand.

[writing-to-survive]

#94

"Ha! Tricked you again, Hero." Villain boasts. One of the many heroes that always get in the way of Villain's plans caught, unable to escape from a cell. Villain never had caught the hero but has seen them multiple times.

"Yep, totally got me," Hero smiles, sitting in a cell in Villain's lair. They keep eyeing Villain.

Villain notices the calm and happiness of Hero. "What's with the face? If you think your other heroic friends are coming, you're wrong."

"Everyone is right. You're cute. Like, what is a pretty thing like you playing bad guy for?" Hero blurts, eyes still darting to every curve and muscle Villain has.

"Excuse me!?" Villain yells, cheeks flushing red.

"Did someone break your heart, and that's why you're a villain? Because they're the real criminal. If you and I were a thing, I would treat you like royalty. So can—."

"Shut up!" Villain demands, kicking the cell.

Hero continues. "—I have your number? I think everyone would be happy if I brought you home. Just think about it. You safe with us, no more trying to destroy the city."

Hero rambles on, Villain's face is bright red. They want the whole, scary, intimidating look, but they get cute. Cute? Villains are supposed to be cute!

"I can't. I can't! Forget this lair, I can get a new one," Villain growls, giving away their location on a phone. They walk away and turn back to Hero before leaving. "And I'm not cute!"

"Most heroes would disagree, love! Don't worry, we'll catch one of these days," Hero hollers back, sweetness on their tone.

[xxgothchatonxx]

Look, I've been excited for Ben Daniels' performance as Santiago ever since that casting announcement, but I was not prepared for just how perfect his take on the iconic "do you know what it means to be loved by death?" scene would be.

It was horrifying, it was seductive, it was theatrical, it was subtle - all at once. This tonal balance is so hard to pull off convincingly. Because we all know our beloathed Santi Baby can chew the scenery like no other but I loved that Ben pulled back a bit at times. And, look, I love a full-campy Santiago! Stephen Rea did it brilliantly in the '94 film. And Ben certainly devoured some of those lines. But his quieter moments were what really stuck out to me. And, yes, it was very seductive.

If you've been following me for a while (or if you're new *waves* hi :D) you know I have a Thing™ (that's a nice way of saying "I bitch A LOT") about what Makes A Sexy Vampire Villain. And it really just boils down to presence. An actor can look attractive and have a pleasant-sounding voice, but if they're not putting any effort into it, then what's the point? I'm not going to swoon just because of pretty eyes or glistening abs or a British accent! Put some effort into it! (We are back on track, just to clarify! There's been a resurgence of actually sexy vampire villains)

Ben Daniels as Santiago in that scene was pure classic old school vampire acting. Look, Mr Lugosi (and I got serious Lee Dracula vibes there, too...) was very dramatic but he entirely relied on his voice and his movements. (Because, well, in the 1930s they couldn't even have fangs because they were viewed as too suggestive) Not an insult by any means. When done right, it can give you a chill. One of my dear friends likes to use the phrase 'lustful fear' - pretty self-explanatory but it's when you're in a situation (fictional/fantasy, just to clarify) that both frightens and arouses you. I always think of this scene in the book and film, and I reckon Ben did a fantastic job at capturing that in the show.

Also kudos to Ben for reciting dialogue I've read and heard sooooo many times but still gave me a chill when I heard him say it. So, all this to say, I'd been waiting and dreading this scene since the show first got announced, and it did not disappoint. So bravo, Santi Baby.

[blackstarchanx3new]

LOZ Four Swords Returns AU Masterpost

Crossing my fingers and hoping this works.

Four Heroes Return 1

Pages 1-6

Pages 7-14

Pages 15-20

Back Home 2

Pages 21-24

Pages 25-28

Pages 29-32

A "Walk" 3

Pages 33-36

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Library 4

Pages 58-62

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A Promise 5

Pages 82-84

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Memory Lane 6

Pages 109-111

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A Hero Playing a Villain 7

Pages 129-131

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Dark Mirror's shards 8

Pages 178-182

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Triforce of Power 9

Pages 197-200

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Uncontrollable Curse 10

Pages 211-214

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Unfinished Business 11

Pages 245-250

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Home again 12

Pages 339-342

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Darkness and Vaati 13

Pages 361-363

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A Waking Nightmare 14

Pages 371-375

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[punkranger]

Have been replaying retribution very slowly, saved some of my favourite flystep parts

This realisation is just so funny, on both parts. Antoine realising Herald is as made up as he himself is, Daniel realising Sidestep is very much a mask (though he is quicker on the uptake)

This just tickles my hunger scar thoughts, taking your rivalry and eating it - he has the things you don't? If you have him, all that is yours. Especially because he wants you.

Guy who is bisexual vc: doesn’t everyone?

Also just, comparing scenes and how whoever step is with they're the only person who really sees them as themself. But y’know they know everything about everyone else and has never misinterpreted anyone before.....

Speaking of warmth I have many thoughts about that concerning Daniel, but that's for another time. Right now just thinking about the way everything moves so quickly with them. There's no use waiting, anything might happen tomorrow. For Antoine at least it's worth it, for someone who wants everything he really has low standards.

Favourite Sidestep description in the whole game. Also this is hot or w/e, but it would be less so without the 2k character exploration.

(Also let's not talk about how he just cried before this, something something that post about having a breakdown for 30 mins can i still give you a blowjob being peak flystep)

Summed up all of Antoine's 94 daring in this one. (Also thinking about the shove your hand into the fire - feedback from Danny's memories of his brother? It's likely just coincidence but it's neat to think about)

I will not spare Antoine this though, look at him, being soft.. that's cringe dude, you're sleeping well only next to your rival?

You don't say no to free food that's all don't worry!!

I lied, it's some kind of relationship. also now I need to draw Antoine going I GUESS" about it

Or not, I mean his villain name isn't Ruin for nothing. Absolutely shit at being sorry about it too (or at least communicating it)