#wilfred hawke

[madamlaydebug]

"Proud to announce that 11-year-old Ramarni Wilfred has joined Mensa, outscoring great minds like Bill Gates, Stephen Hawking, and Albert Einstein. 🌟 #IQGenius #YoungProdigy #Unstoppable"

[llovelymoonn]

favourite poems of june

chase twichell the snow watcher: "hunger for something"

hester knibbe hungerpots (tr. jacquelyn pope)

jan beatty an eater, or swallowhole, is a reach of stream

sally wen mao the toll of the sea

peter everwine rain

rebecca lindenberg the logan notebooks: "poetic subjects"

john kinsella native cut wood deflects colonial hunger

katie peterson permission: "the truth is concrete"

linda hogan dark. sweet.: "innocence"

jános pilinszky (tr. george gömöri & clive wilmer) van gogh's prayer

david sullivan the day the beekeeper died: sulaymaniyah

sandra simonds you can't build a child

kari edwards bharat jiva: "ready to receive remains..."

george kalogeris rilke rereading hölderlin

philip nikolayev letters from aldenderry: "a midsummer's night stroll"

franz wright the raising of lazarus

erin belieu black box: "i heart your dog's head"

joseph brodsky collected poems in english, 1972-1999: "the hawk's cry in autumn"

jonathan galassi north street and other poems: "may"

stanley kunitz the collected poems of stanley kunitz: "end of summer"

robin blaser the holy forest: collected poems of robin blaser: "a bird in the house"

liu xia (tr. jennifer stern & ming di) empty chairs

wilfred owen exposure

mahogany l. browne this is the honey

diane lockward the uneaten carrots of atonement: "for the love of avocados"

peter balakian ozone journal: "here and now"

(tw: miscarriage) kathryn nuernberger rag & bone: "translations"

ailbhe ní ghearbhuigh conriocht ["werewolf"] (tr. billy ramsell)

craig arnold meditation on a grapefruit

anzhelina polonskaya (tr. andrew wachtel) to the ashes: "a few words about van gogh"

support me

[facial-hair-fight]

The brackets are here!

Much like @blue-character-brawl, the 128 characters that made it in have been split into four brackets, where the four winners will fight in the semi-finals, and then the winners of those will fight in the finals to find out who the best character in fiction with facial hair is! Brackets will last 24 hours (except for the finals) and the first set of polls will be posted on April 26 between 4:00 and 4:30 PM EST! Here are the matchups:

Bracket 1

Matt (Wii Sports) VS. Saburo (Wii Sports)

Rockhopper (Club Penguin) VS. Sensei (Club Penguin)

Mario (Super Mario) VS. Wario (Super Mario)

Luigi (Super Mario) VS. Waluigi (Super Mario)

Toadsworth (Super Mario) VS. Penguru (Super Mario Galaxy)

Cranky Kong (Donkey Kong) VS. Bluster Kong (Donkey Kong)

Vitruvius (The Lego Movie) VS. Sandy (Lego Monkie Kid)

Rex Fury (Lego City Undercover) VS. Forrest Blackwell (Lego City Undercover)

Dr. Coomer (HLVRAI) VS. Gordon Freeman (Half-Life)

Colonel Mustard (Clue) VS. Mr. Monopoly (Monopoly)

War Doctor (Doctor Who) VS. Wilfred Mott (Doctor Who)

i Tony Stark (Marvel) VS. Steve Rogers (Avengers: Infinity War)

Stephen Strange (Marvel) VS. J Jonah Jameson (Spider-Man)

Grandpa Fletcher (Phineas and Ferb) VS. Balthazar Cavendish (Milo Murphy’s Law)

2nd Dimension Doofenshmirtz (Phineas and Ferb) VS. Major Monogram (Phineas and Ferb)

Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) VS. Count Dooku (Star Wars)

Bracket 2

Ganondorf (Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom) VS. Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog)

Wilford Warfstache (Markiplier) VS. Old Mark (In Space With Markiplier)

Oliver Queen (DC Comics) VS. Mobius (Loki)

Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation) VS. Stanley Hudson (The Office)

M. Rasmodius (Stardew Valley) VS. Gus (Stardew Valley)

Lewis (Stardew Valley) VS. Linus (Stardew Valley)

Chief Bookem (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!) VS. Mayor Len Blustergas (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!)

Top Chef (Deltarune) VS. Asgore Dreemurr (Undertale)

Senshi (Dungeon Meshi) VS. Mustache Girl (A Hat in Time)

Santa Claus (Christmas) VS. Julius Pringle (Pringles)

Present Mic (My Hero Academia) VS. Edward Newgate (One Piece)

Drayden (Pokémon) VS. Kamado (Pokémon)

Cirdan (Lord of the Rings) VS. Gimli (Lord of the Rings)

Alex Louis Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist) VS. King Bradley (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Richie Tozier (It) VS. Murray Bauman (Stranger Things)

Homer Simpson (The Simpsons) VS. Jasper Beardly (The Simpsons)

Bracket 3

Warden Blackwall (Dragon Age Inquisition) VS. Dorian Pavus (Dragon Age Inquisition)

Pops (Regular Show) VS. Alex Dorpenberger (Close Enough)

Kili (The Hobbit) VS. Bofur (The Hobbit)

Alador Blight (The Owl House) VS. Phillip Wittebane (The Owl House)

Iknik Blackstone Varrick (Avatar: Legend of Korra) VS. Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

Murro Morton (Identity V) VS. Percy (Identity V)

Jeff Winger (Community) VS. Gregory House (House MD)

Rico Rodriguez (Just Cause) VS. Tom Sheldon (Just Cause)

King Triton (The Little Mermaid) VS. Frozone (The Incredibles)

Harry Du Bois (Disco Elysium) VS. Kim Kitsuragi (Disco Elysium)

Gashu Satou (Your Turn To Die) VS. Hades (Hades)

Kogoro Mouri (Detective Conan) VS. Shaggy Rogers (Scooby-Doo)

Ted Lasso (Ted Lasso) VS. John Wick (John Wick)

Otokichi Shirabe (Suite Precure) VS. Asuma Sarutobi (Naruto)

Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) VS. Frederick Loren (House on Haunted Hill)

Cap’n Cuttlefish (Splatoon) VS. Lionel (Animal Crossing

Bracket 4

Abe Lincoln (Clone High) VS. Rex Mohs (Scott The Woz)

Hercule Poirot (Poirot) VS. Seneca Crane (The Hunger Games)

Bob Zanotto (Psychonauts) VS. William Riker (Star Trek)

Alexsandr Kallus (Star Wars) VS. Steve (Minecraft)

Sea Hawk (She-Ra) VS. Boris Badenov (Rocky and Bullwinkle)

Victor Sullivan (Uncharted) VS. Yosemite Sam (Looney Toons)

Thorin Oakenshield (The Hobbit) VS. Qui-Gon Jinn (Star Wars)

Din Djarin (Star Wars) VS. Alec Hardy (Broadchurch)

Buford Tannen (Back To The Future) VS. Scott Howard (Teen wolf)

Halt O’Carrick (Ranger’s Apprentice) VS. Jack Pearson (This Is Us)

Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI) VS. Dedue Molinaro (Fire Emblem)

Barbarian (Clash of Clans) VS. Adam Jensen (Deus Ex: Mankind Divided)

Remus Sanders (Sanders Sides) VS. Grandpa Harley (Homestuck)

Massimo Marcovaldo (Luca) VS. Dr. Erasmus Craven (The Raven)

Toki Wartooth (Metalocalypse) VS. Richard Kimble (The Fugitive)

Deputy Dewey Riley (Scream) VS. Walter White (Breaking Bad)

[athenril-of-kirkwall]

(Talesfromthefade) Reunions: One of Hawke's former companions isn't content to wait for him to return from wherever Varric has dragged him off to and follows them to Skyhold to give them an earful for leaving them behind?

m!Hawke/Fenris, “And Where Do You Think You’re Going?” (AO3)

“You and I did fight him, after a-”

Jim rushed to the top of the steps, panting deeply as he reached the platform where the Champion of Kirkwall and the Herald of Andraste were discussing their history with Corypheus. The two of them, and Varric, put their entire conversation on hold as they waited for the scout.

“Jeremias,” Rivka said, asking, “How can we help you?”

A few breaths later, Jim managed, “Inquisitor. There is, ah, an irate elf at the gates.”

“An irate elf…?” Rivka asked, trailing off as Hawke’s palm audibly slapped his forehead.

Hawke muttered, “Fenris.”

Varric started. “I thought you said Broody-”

“We all think a lot of things, Varric,” Hawke grumbled as he stormed up to the walkway the hapless scout had just scrambled across.

“I’m usually the one making up the tall tales…” Varric said as he and Rivka followed him down to the courtyard, then to the gates where a certain irate elf was waiting with far more patience than the situation would reasonably warrant.

Hawke muttered, “Open the gate.”

“Ah, Hawke, I think that’s an order usually given by the…”

“Open the gate,” he hissed, glaring at the soldiers manning the doors, who were turning with confusion to Rivka, who gave a quick, silent, nod.

They swung open, and Fenris took three swift strides into Skyhold, drawing his full elvhen height up to Hawke’s own.

“Hawke.”

“Fenris.”

“Hey there, Br…” Varric said, trailing off when he saw his two companions staring almost right through him.

“Ah, perhaps we should move this reunion indoors,” Rivka said, stepping forth to form an equal third part of the conversational circle.

Fenris broke his gaze away from Hawke to regard Rivka in the corner of his vision, saying to her, “Ah, the Herald of Andraste. A Dalish elf. The Maker certainly works in interesting ways.”

“No such thing. I was just born under a lucky star, Ser Fenris.”

He turned to look her in both her eyes. “Ser Fenris. I must say that’s a rare one. You know who I am?”

“Only from what Varric writes in The Tale of the Champion.”

“Really, now?” Fenris chuckled. “Tell me, how often does he describe that ‘glowing fist thing’?”

“It usually punctuates arguments, which I’m hoping to avoid in this instance. Now then, I like being chilled outside as much as any of you, but…”

“Let’s go inside,” Fenris said. “Maker knows I’ve spent too much of the past week freezing myself coming up here in the first place.”

=

In the absence of anywhere else particularly convenient, Rivka, Hawke, Fenris, and Varric had adjourned to the War Room, where the tanned elf was idly playing with a token in the vicinity of Crestwood, and Hawke was standing not a few feet away, waiting for his companion to turn his head up to address the rest of them.

When this didn’t seem to be occurring any time soon, Hawke, drawing in a sharp breath, grasped Fenris’ hand and jerked the figurine from it, planting it firmly back on the capital letter of Crestwood.

“That’s enough,” Hawke said forcefully. “Why are you here, Fenris?”

Fenris stepped back from the table, crossing his arms. “I think everyone else should be asking, ‘Why wasn’t I here with you already’?”

“I…” Hawke gazed at the table, saying, “I didn’t want to drag you into this, Fenris.”

“As I recall, you didn’t give me the choice. I came back to our camp to see you gone with a note.”

“Hawke!” Varric protested.

“Not now, Varric.”

“Oh?” Fenris raised a dark eyebrow, which crept behind the strands of his white fringe. “Then when precisely is a good time to bring this up?”

Hawke drew in a breath, ready to protest, then gave up. “Fine, Fenris. You’re right. I’m sorry. I received Varric’s letter and knew that this was something I had to do myself. Corypheus is my mistake, Fenris.”

“I seem to recall there were four of use there, excluding the hallowed Grey Wardens,” Fenris said bitterly.

“Well, yes,” Hawke said, “but ultimately his entire imprisonment and corruption of the Wardens was enabled by my father. Only my blood—”

“We all know the story,” Fenris interrupted. “I still fail to see why you’re shouldering the blame of the entire world on your shoulders when it seems perfectly clear to me that we all missed Corypheus’ escape.”

Hawke drew in a sharp breath, distractedly walking around the room whilst he concluded the discussion in his head, eventually leaning on the War Table and conceding, “You’re right, of course. But this is dangerous, Fenris.”

“I’m perfectly aware of that, Hawke,” Fenris retorted. “What, fighting Corypheus the first time wasn’t? And if it is as dangerous as you’re claiming, you’re going to need me around. One way or the other, I’m getting you out of this one alive, Hawke.”

“I guess I can’t argue with that. I suppose that is why I keep you around.”

A smirk curled Fenris’ lip. “Besides the sex, I assume.”

“I suppose there’s that too,” Hawke said wryly.

The lingering silence was broken by Rivka. “Right. Well, thanks for resolving that, gentlemen. Would you care to, um, share quarters with Hawke, or…?”

The two of them turned towards her. Hawke asked Rivka, “Well, what do you think?”

“I, um, well, that is to say,” Rivka stammered as she stalled for time, “I don’t want to presume anything of the kind, or, well…”

Fenris laughed wholeheartedly, the first time he’d done so since he reached Skyhold. “Maker help me, you haven’t lost your touch, Hawke. I dare say you’ve flustered her even worse than Aveline. Of course, we’ll share room and board. This certainly is a step up from our camp up in Wildervale, isn’t it, Hawke?”

“The beds, luxurious as they were, were, ah, missing something,” Hawke said, scratching behind his head.

Fenris turned to Rivka, still smiling despite himself. “Subtle as a war hammer. A pleasure meeting you, Herald.”

“Well, depending on what state the Wardens are in, you might not be thanking me later,” Rivka said.

“Trust me,” Hawke said, “You’re hardly the first to say that.”

=

“Still thanking the Inquisitor?”, Hawke said, flat on his back as Wardens around them fought their bravest against the army of demons.

“Well, the bed was comfortable enough, can’t fault her for that,” Fenris grumbled, having broken his fall as they tumbled out of the Fade.

They sprung to their feet, ready to defend themselves, but moments later, Rivka dived out of the tear, sealing it with her mark, and the demons were put to flight. There was little to be said or done after that, save for Rivka finally having had enough of the Wardens and entrusting Hawke and Fenris with escorting them out of Orlais.

“Fantastic,” Fenris said, as they led the Wardens out of Adamant, “We’re playing nursemaid now. To Grey Wardens, no less.”

“Don’t feel so down, Fenris,” Hawke replied. “It’ll be good practice for when we settle down with our brood.”

“This is the first I’m hearing of this,” Fenris said.

“Oh, it’ll be grand,” Hawke said. “A boy and a girl, for starters, of course that’s after we kill some Tevinter magister—well, maybe someone besides that Dorian fellow, he seemed polite enough—and move into their villa…”

Fenris grumbled, “I think the trip up to Adamant is only going to feel like weeks instead of months if you make this banal line of thinking an internal monologue.”

“Oh, you’re no fun at all, Fenris.”

=

@dadrunkwriting

[macrolit]

Literary history that happened on 17 August

[tricksters-captain]

Helmut Zemo (TFATWS) imagines - Craving

AN: Okay I’ve given in and become a Zemo simp but Bucky is still my number one don't worry.

Summary: After playing the part as Zemo's arm candy in Madripoor, Zemo tries to confront you on your unspoken connection, only to be rudely interrupted...

Pairing(s): Zemo x Fem!Reader, very slight Bucky Barnes x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 2,326

Warnings: Some small spoilers for Ep3, lots of sexual tension 

“I still can’t believe I agreed to do this.” You grumbled as you climbed the stairs, falling behind at the fear the men could see straight up the skirt of the dress Zemo had chosen for you. 

“I, for one, think you have the easiest job of us all. James must be someone he detests, Sam must be a notorious criminal he doesn’t know and you must sit and look pretty.” Zemo spoke under his breath as you came to the entrance of Selby’s HQ. 

You glared at the man but he didn’t care. He was too busy worrying about Selby. 

The door was opened for you by one of Selby’s men. Zemo nodded curtly at the guard before entering. 

You went ahead of Bucky and Sam to stay close to Zemo, following your role as his current inamorata. 

It was a short walk into Selby’s office but with every step you could feel the fear rising in your chest. You weren’t convinced that you’d get away with this; Sam wasn't exactly the most kosher criminal and Zemo’s story didn’t quite add up on just how he managed to have the Winter Soldier in his mitts again. 

“You should know, Baron. People don’t just come into my bar and make demands.” Selby spoke as she came into view. She was an expensively dressed woman with a short white pixie cut. 

Zemo sat down opposite her but you remained next to Sam. 

“Not a demand. An offer.” Zemo waved his finger as he spoke. It was a small yet dominant motion directed towards you. You tried not to clench your jaw as you walked towards him. 

“A lot has changed since you were here last.” Selby’s eyes followed your every move as you made your way over to Zemo. “By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?”

“People like us always find a way, don’t we?” Zemo held out his hand to you, guiding you to stand behind him.  “I’m sure you’ve already figured out what I’m here for.” 

“You’re taller than I’d heard, Smiling Tiger.” Selby cocked her head towards Sam. 

Sam’s only response was a quick nod of his head. Selby purred at Sam, a wolfish smile on her face. 

“What’s the offer?” Selby turned back to Zemo. Her eyes flickered up to you before landing back on Zemo’s face. You weren’t stupid you knew what her gaze meant. 

“Tell us what you know about the super-soldier serum.” Zemo pushed himself out of his chair. You watched him cross behind Bucky, placing his hands on Bucky's shoulders. “And I give you him, along with the code words to control him, of course. He will do anything you want.” 

Selby grinned widely as Zemo wobbled Bucky’s chin with his forefinger and thumb, showing just how under control the ‘Winter Soldier’ was. 

“Now that’s the Zemo I remember. I’m glad I decided not to kill you immediately.” Selby seemed to be convinced. “Yeah, you were right to come to me. Arrogant, but right.”

Zemo returned to his seat before Selby continued. 

“The super-soldier serum is here in Madripoor. Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you wanna thank. Or... condemn, depending on what side of this you’re on. The Power Broker had him working on the serum, but... things didn’t go as planned.”

“Is Nagel still in Madripoor?” Zemo asked. 

“Oh. The bread crumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost you, Baron. And before you get all cute, don’t think you can find Nagel without me.” Selby rose from her chair, finding a place beside Sam as she very openly let her eyes roll down your body now that you were in her full view. 

“What else do you desire?” Zemo questioned. He had clocked onto Selby’s behaviour and didn’t really need to ask to know what the answer was going to be.  

“Her.” Selby pointed you out. She gnawed on the inside of her cheek as she awaited Zemo’s response. 

“No, no, no.” Zemo tutted, holding out his hand for you to take. “This little bird only sings for me.” Zemo guided you round the side of his chair and pulled you gently onto his lap. You crossed your legs as you tried not to seem uncomfortable. The scent of the Baron’s cologne, mixed with his strong grip on your waist was making your heart race. You had never been this close to Zemo before and now you were sat on his knee with his arm around you. 

“Well, you’ll make her sing for me or you won’t be getting what you want now, Baron, will ya?” Selby wasn’t playing games. She folded her arms across her chest, cocking her eyebrows at Zemo. 

Zemo titled his head as he thought. 

You felt yourself tense up when he placed a cool leather clad hand on your thigh. His fingers started to draw circles on your skin, edging your skirt higher, drawing Selby’s eyes down to your legs. 

“She is very dear to me.” Zemo stated. He retracted his hand from your thigh to brush your hair from your shoulder, his finger traced a line from your jaw down your neck to your collarbone. Zemo, being so close, could see the goosebumps that covered your skin at his touch.  

“Unless you have something better to offer other than your two play things, Baron, I suggest you hand them over to me... unless you don’t want the whereabouts of Dr Nagel.” Selby let her smile drop. 

“I will––” Zemo was cut short by Sam’s phone going off. 

“Answer it.” Selby suddenly lost all interest in the deal and only desired to prove the authenticity of the Smiling Tiger. “On speaker.” 

That’s where things went wrong. 

For the rest of the trip in Madripoor, you didn’t get the time to confront yourself and Zemo on what happened back there. 

You were so confused to why you reacted the way you did. You had never been attracted to Zemo before but you couldn’t stop thinking about the way he smelt, the way his breath tickled against your arm, the way the heat radiated out from under his thick coat. 

You knew he was thinking about it too. 

Every time you let yourself glance over at him, he was watching you and not in the same way as he usually would. You knew too well that Zemo often studied his surroundings like a hawk. He was silent and observant; he always knew where he would go next and he often watched you, Sam and Bucky as if he were calculating your next moves. 

It wasn’t until you arrived in Latvia that you were confronted by your feelings again. 

You were sat at the island in the kitchen as you ran your hands over your face and hair. You were tired. 

“You should rest.” Zemo’s voice suddenly snuck up on you. 

He had been so quiet walking into the kitchen that you hadn't even noticed he was there. 

“I should but insomnia kinda comes with the job.” You sat up, trying not to act any different from how you usually would. 

“Ah. My time in a cell has acquainted me with such the dilemma.” Zemo confessed as he moved towards the cupboards on the back wall. 

You didn’t respond. You couldn’t help but watch his hands as they reached for the coffee pot, his fingers gripping it lightly. You could still recall the feeling of the cool leather on your thigh, his touch climbing higher as he pushed your skirt up...

“Coffee?” Zemo offered, interrupting your thoughts as he raised a mug and an eyebrow at you. 

“Please.” You folded your hands together as you leant on the island. 

There was a brief comfortable silence as Zemo fixed up some coffee for you both. He could feel your eyes on him but he didn’t say anything. He just let the corner of his lips tugged into a smirk as he poured you a cup. He let the smirk drop when he turned to face you.

He slid the cup along the countertop and you thanked him quietly. He pushed a thin smile onto his face for a second before returning to his usual stoic expression. 

“There was something I wished to discuss with you actually.” Zemo announced as he picked up his own cup. 

You almost choked on your drink at the words but you hid behind your mug, hoping he didn’t notice. He did.

“About what?” You asked. 

“I wanted to apologise for Madripoor.” Zemo surprised you with that. 

“Apologise?” You were confused to what he was talking about. 

“I am aware that it was merely a role, that we were undercover, but I touched you without your consent. I wanted to apologise for when we were with Selby.”

You were completely shocked. You didn’t not expect this from Zemo at all. 

“It’s okay. We all have to do stuff we don't want to do on missions like these.” You tried to brush it off. After all, Bucky had to become the Winter Soldier and Sam had to drink a cobra’s heart back in Madripoor. There was definitely worse things that could’ve happened. 

“I never said I didn’t want to do it. I am simply apologising for not asking for permission first.” Zemo’s eyes were glued to your face as he sipped his coffee. He was watching for a reaction. 

You felt your mouth go dry, you tried to swallow as you began to rise from your seat. 

“Uh, t-thanks for the coffee, Zemo but...” You tried grabbing your mug but you only knocked it to the floor by accident. 

“Shit!” You hissed as you bent down, picking up the broken bits. You felt your heart racing from the look Zemo had just given you.

Zemo rushed around the island with a rag, he placed it over the split coffee before taking hold of your wrist to stop you from picking up the pieces. 

Electricity shot up your arm and your head snapped up to meet his eyes. 

“No use crying over spilt coffee.” Zemo muttered, a smile tugging on one corner of his mouth. 

“I-I wasn’t––”

“––Is there a particular reason you are so jumpy tonight?” Zemo inquired. 

You rose back to standing; Zemo let your wrist go as you did but followed your action. 

The air was thick between you as you withheld your answer. 

There was no way you could admit you were worried of being close to him because of the undeniable pull he had on you since that night. 

“I think...” Zemo stepped over the soaked rag which only made you take a step back. “...You enjoyed being touched and now you are confused to why.”

Your chest began to rise and fall heavily as Zemo continued to walk towards you until your back hit the wall behind you. 

“But forgive me if I am wrong.” Zemo held his hands up with a smile, taking his final few steps until he was close enough for his cologne to engulf the air around you.

“You are.” You whispered but your voice had failed you in sounding convincing. 

“Is that right, little bird?” Zemo used the pet name he had given you in Selby's office. He lifted his hand to brush your hair from your cheek behind your ear. “Because I believe you haven’t stop thinking about it. Just as I haven't.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” You only just breathed out your words. If Zemo hadn’t been so close, he wouldn’t have heard them. 

“Don’t you?” Zemo titled his head at you. “Because I am at liberty to remind you that I once worked for Sokivian intelligence. It was my job for a long time to study people, learn them, read them.” Zemo let his eyes drop down to your body before coming back to meet your eyes. “I can tell how a person is feeling just from observing their body. The way they move. The way they are breathing.” Zemo placed his hand in the centre of your chest where your silver necklace sat. The metal burned against your skin underneath Zemo’s warm flesh. 

Your slow deep breaths lifted Zemo’s hand up and down as you stared back at him. 

“I can feel your heart racing.” Zemo uttered. “Are you afraid?”

“No.” You shook your head as your eyes flickered to the man’s lip for just a second. 

“Good.” Zemo smirked. 

Suddenly Zemo was ripped away from you. 

Bucky had teared Zemo back and pushed him across the room. Zemo staggered backwards before standing and adjusting his sweater from how Bucky had grabbed him. 

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Bucky growled at Zemo with a look in his eye that could kill. 

“I was merely having a conversation with (Y/n).” Zemo shrugged, acting as if everything was perfectly innocent. 

“Oh yeah it looked like a real polite conversation with (Y/n) backed up in a corner and your hands on her!” Sam was stood behind Bucky. The both of them were squaring up in front of Zemo to protect you. 

“I didn’t need your help.” You stepped forward, trying to intervene. 

“You put your hands on her again; I won’t stop myself next time. I’ll turn you into a new coat.” Bucky warned Zemo as he ignored you. 

“I apologise.” Zemo lifted his hands up in defence. 

“No.” Sam pointed back to you. “Apologise to her.” 

Zemo turned his head to you. When your eyes met, he smirked just ever so slightly, you knew the boys didn’t notice at least. 

“I apologise, (Y/n).” The way your name sounded in Zemo’s mouth made your stomach flip. 

“It’s fine.” You said before pushing past Bucky and Sam. You hated it when they played protective big brothers and you didn’t even need saving... You think...

(PART 2)

[simmerena]

Male Hair Custom Content Showcase (100 Maxis Match and Maxis Mix Hairs)

okruee: 1. cypress / 2. adonis / 3. hugh / 4. igor / 5. lysander / 6. hermes / 7. sylvester / 8. sebastian / 9. heartstrings

wistful castle: 10. hily (hello I love you) / 11. hair 3 / 12. hair 2 / 13. hair 6 / 14. seraphim / 15. morgyn / 16. hair 4 / 17. calisto / 18. hair 5 / 19. chakan

qr sims: 20. fluorite / 21. malcolm / 22. quartz / 23. agate / 24. ruby / 25. iolite

simandy: 26. jae / 27. paradox / 28. sugar / 29. plume / 30. islands / 31. maru / 32. untamed

quirky introvert: 33. bener / 34. angelo / 35. mengi / 36. darke / 37. oscar

johnnysims: 38. kyrie / 39. allen / 40. mason / 41. francis / 42. kent / 43. oliver / 44. louis / 45. ethan / 46. will / 47. charlie / 48. lucas / 49. sean / 50. noah

daylifesims: 51. boomer / 52. brick / 53. julian / 54. lu guang / 55. cheng xiao / 56. matty / 57. alex / 58. lilac / 59. des / 60. fei yu / 61. fred / 62. butch / 63. shaggy

jny sims: 64. edga / 65. yanus / 66. kid / 67. robin / 68. gusae / 69. aki / 70. henry

sunivaa: 71. chester

s4simomo (now simomo): 72. sulani undercut / 73. josh / 74. raphael bun v1 / 75. shady faux hawk / 76. wild mohawk

go amazons: 77. trinity / 78. movie star / 79. carmina / 80. misha / 81. jackie / 82. witcheress / 83. da-eun

oranos: 84. dreadlock / 85. hunter

kiara zurk: 86. edward

birksche: 87. zo

kijiko: 88. geoffroys cat

simstrouble: 89. montrose / 90. carmine / 91. jacob / 92. daryl

arethabee: 93. kelani

clumsyalienn: 94. leander / 95. everett / 96. adriana / 97. julian / 98. wilfred

luutzi: 99. portofino / 100. barbaroza

[valwentinefics]

Altruism Ch. 3 - Zemo x F!reader x Bucky

A/n: So this chapter isn’t the best but I thought I’d give you Bucky fans something. I am benevolent. I can’t wait till I don’t have to type out what the characters say word for word in the show, its torture.

Warnings: Cannon typical violence

Translations: Liebling (Darling)

Series Masterlist

Madripoor - 2024

Y/n’s mind ran at a thousand miles an hour as the group walked down the hall, her hand still intertwined with Zemo’s. She longed to go to Bucky, to ask if he was okay and help him through whatever thoughts were bound to be swirling through his head right now, but she knew she couldn’t, it would jeopardize the whole mission. She was grateful to at least have Zemo to cling onto, despite her feelings about the man. His cool, confident demeanor was comforting to her during this time and his warm hand wasn’t that unpleasant to hold.

“You should know Baron, people don’t just come into my bar and make demands.” Stated a short white haired woman who lounged on a snakeskin patterned couch. Her presence was intimidating, Y/n felt uncomfortable being around her.

“Not a demand, an offer.” Zemo stated, sitting down in a chair and pulling Y/n into his lap which startled her. “Keep with the act Liebling.” He mumbled into Y/n’s ear. She wasn’t sure what he had called her, she had to remember to ask him what it meant later.

“A lot has changed since you were last here.” Selby glanced over to Bucky who was doing his best stoic stare. “By the way, I thought you were rotting away in a German prison. How did you escape?”

“People like us always find a way, don’t we?” He paused, looking smug. “I’m sure you already know what I’m here for.”

Selby seemed to be stalling, pointing to Sam. “You’re taller than I’ve heard, Smiling tiger.” Sam replied with a nod as always. Y/n considered herself lucky, unlike Bucky and Sam, attention was never on her, she just had to sit there and look pretty. However, that thought jinxed her.

“And who’s the girl? Never thought you were the meek and pretty type Baron.” She commented on Y/n’s frightened demeanor.

Zemo’s arm wrapped tighter around Y/n’s waist “I just call her my little bunny. But Selby, to what we were discussing.” Zemo said, putting the conversation back on track.

“Right then, what’s the offer?” She asked, looking around the room, her eyes lingering on Bucky.

“Tell us what you know about the super soldier serum, and I give you him.” Zemo gestured to Bucky. “Along with the code words to control him of course.”

A mischievous grin spread on her face, sending a chill down Y/n’s spine. “I’m glad I decided not to kill you immediately. The serum is here in Madripoor, Dr. Wilfred Nagel is the man you’d want to thank, or condemn. He was working on it for the power broker but things didn’t go as planned.”

“Is Nagel still in Madripoor?” Asked Zemo. Somehow his confident and cool demeanor never faltered. Y/n had to admit, in a way the man was quite attractive with the way he managed to navigate the criminal underworld without batting an eye.

“Oh” she said with mock sadness “The breadcrumbs you can have for free, but the bakery is gonna cost ya’ Baron. And before you get all cute, don’t think you can find Nagel without me.” She got up and began to approach Y/n and Zemo. The tense moment was interrupted by the ringing of Sam’s phone. “Answer it.” 

Sam tapped on his phone, a woman's voice coming out of it, the words she spoke making Y/n’s blood run cold. “Hey Sam-” Quickly Sam hung up, but not before the damage had been done.

“Sam? Who’s Sam? Kill them!” Selby commanded, that same instant a bullet came flying through the window and into her chest, a choked noise coming from her as she collapsed to the floor. 

Y/n sprung up as Sam and Bucky fought the guards, swiftly disarming them with precision. Bucky looked through the scope of the gun he had taken, looking around with the precise caution of a hawk. Y/n moved closer to him, not wanting to be near Zemo any longer. It wasn’t that she didn’t like being around him, it was the opposite. She found his touch comforting, and she knew she had to stay away for that reason.

“They’re gonna pin this on us!” Sam worried, standing by the door and gripping his gun. 

Zemo only sighed. “We have a real problem now, so leave your weapons and follow my lead.” Y/n was confused. Leave their weapons?  How would they defend themselves? Nonetheless Sam and Bucky did as they were told.

The sound of cellphones chiming rang out all around them as they quickly walked down the street. Y/n’s nerves were acting up, her whole body feeling as if it was in fight or flight mode. She was scared of what would happen next, never before had she been the target in a battle. They had just crossed under a bridge when a few lights went out without warning. Y/n looked at her comrades with a panicked look, moments before gunshots rang throughout the area. 

Zemo grabbed Y/n’s hand, pulling her away from the others. She stumbled after him as fast as she could, lucky she was somewhat adept at running in heels. Her breath was heavy as she resisted the urge to look back, her body aching to run after wherever Bucky and Sam went. Roughly Y/n was pushed against a wall in an alley, Zemo’s warm body flesh against her own. His breath was hot against her neck as they hid in the shadows until a set of headlights passed by. She barely had time to catch her breath before she was pulled away again. Zemo pulled a gun out of his coat as Sam and Bucky grew closer, shooting a man who was approaching them. Y/n watched in shock as he slumped to the ground. Two more men approached from the shadows, Y/n ran over to Bucky and tucked herself behind him, squeezing her eyes shut in fear before the sound of two more gunshots rang out. Hesitantly she opened her eyes, seeing the two men now dead.

“You seem to have a guardian angel.” Said Zemo, alarm showing on his face.

“Well this is too perfect!” A feminine voice stated, Y/n’s eyes widening as she realized it was Sharon Carter.

-

Sharon Carter was kind of awful now, but Y/n couldn’t complain as the woman agreed to help them out after she had the situation explained to her. Now Y/n and Bucky were alone in her apartment above her art gallery as a party raged downstairs. Zemo and Sam had been happy for the chance to let loose after everything that had happened and opted to join the party while Sharon looked for information. Y/n was glad to be out of that godforsaken dress and instead in an outfit of her choosing, no longer feeling like she was flashing someone every time she moved.

Y/n sat down next to Bucky on the green couch, leaning into him slightly. He didn’t seem to mind it, his arm resting around her body comfortably. Unlike Sam and Zemo, Bucky didn’t want to indulge himself in a fun night after the events that had happened earlier, and so as a good friend Y/n decided to stay with him to make sure he was okay.

“Bucky, how are you feeling?” Y/n broke the silence between the two, angling her body to face him.

“Fine… I’m fine.” He smiled at her, although Y/n could see through his façade.

“You don’t need to lie. What you had to do must have brought up a lot of feelings. You don't need to explain them to me, I just want to check up on you.” She looked at the man who’s steely blue eyes were filled with a deep sorrow she couldn’t even imagine feeling. Part of her wanted to hold him close, to let him know he’s loved and cared for, but she didn’t want to overstep right now.

Bucky exhaled, looking away. “I think Steve was wrong about me. Maybe I am just a monster.” His voice cracked as he explained, holding back tears. Bucky’s fear of being nothing but a coldblooded killer was a frequent discussion between the two during late night talks where they poured their hearts out to each other in Y/n’s apartment. So although this thought came as no surprise to Y/n, it still hurt her to see her friend and slight crush feel that way. “It was so easy to fall back into being the Winter Soldier… maybe it's because even after all this time that's who I still am. A killer.” He looked at his gloved metal hand with a sorrowful glare.

Y/n placed a comforting hand on his thigh, moving his gaze from his hand to Y/n, his eyes searching her face for comfort. “Bucky, that’s not who you are. You call yourself a monster but you’re the most caring and kind man I know.”

“I saw how you looked at me Y/n, you were terrified. You were clinging onto Zemo as if you were scared I lost control.” He looked away from her and down at the floor. “You’re the person I care for most now that Steve’s gone, and you were scared of me. I never wanted you to have to see me like that.”

Guilt bit at Y/n, blaming herself for her friend's state. “Yes I was scared. I was scared you would lose control, that you would revert back to the Winter Soldier. My fear was for you, not of you.” She explained. “Bucky, I could never truly be scared of you. Those late nights where we would watch movies or listen to music and just talk about our lives mean so much to me. I know you’re good in your heart, remember when I healed the wounds the Wakandans couldn’t fully fix before you went under again? If I thought you were a monster I wouldn’t have done that, I wouldn’t have wanted to handle your pain for you. But I knew you weren’t a monster, nothing you did was your fault. I know it, Sam knows it, hell even Zemo knows it! And Bucky, I’ll be here for you until you realize it too.” She held his hand between hers, her eyes studying the side of his face.

“Y/n.. I need to tell you something. I-” Bucky began hesitantly, only to pause when Sharon entered the room looking proud.

“Guys we’ve got to go, I found some information about the serum.” She said. The pair stood up, following her to find Zemo and Sam.

The question of what Bucky was going to say hung in Y/n’s mind as she navigated through the crowd of people, her hand reaching for Bucky’s to ensure she wouldn’t get lost. His hand firmly wrapped around hers, giving it a small squeeze as to let her know he would always be there for her. Through the security and safety she felt just by holding his hand, Y/n realized she didn’t need to find out what he was going to say right away. The two would have all the time in the world to tell each other things, because she knew Bucky would never let go, and she never wanted him to.

-

@yaskna​ @noavengers​ @lostghostgirl94​ @whatawildone​ @lady-latte​ @chipster-21​ @viviace​ @writeroutoftime​ @spookycereal-s​ @nadder37 @ajeff855​ @safiakillspop​ @thiccmemechicc​ @sgold If I missed you, added you on accident, or you would like to be added/removed let me know!

[morrigand]

1940's rainy/cloudy/foggy day movies

the third man (1949) | carol reed // noir, mystery

ladri di biciclette (1948) | vittorio de sica // drama

the big sleep (1946) | howard hawks // noir, mystery

double indemnity (1944) | billy wilder // noir, mystery

casablanca (1942) | michael curtiz // romance, drama

citizen kane (1941) | orson welles // drama, mystery

the maltese falcon (1941) | john huston // noir, mystery

fantasia (1940) | wilfred jackson, hamilton luske, ben sharpsteen // musical, fantasy

rebecca (1940) | alfred hitchcock // suspense, romance

[trans-and-baby-names]

Masculine Names

Aaron  Abdul Abe  Abel Abraham  Abram Ace Achilles  Adair Adam Adonis Adrian Adriel  Ahmed Ajax Ajay Aiden Alan Albert Alejandro Alex Alexander Alfonso Alfred Alistair Alister Allen  Alonzo Amadeo Amadeus Amani Amari Ambrose Amir Anders  Anderson Andre Andreas Andrew Andy Angel Angelo Angus Ansel  Anson Anthony Antonio Apollo Aries Archer Archie Aristotle Arlo  Arnaldo Arnold Arsenio Arthur Arturo Arwin Asa Asher Aslan Atlas  Atticus Aubrey August Augustin Augustine Augustus Aurelio Aurelius Austin Axel  Aziz

Balthazar  Bane Barnabas  Barnaby Barney Baron  Barrett Basil Bastian  Bear Beau Beck Ben Benjamin  Benji Bentley Bernard Bertram Bertrand  Blake Blaze Blue Bobby Bodhi Booker Boris  Boston Bowie Boyd Brad Bradford Bradley Bram  Bramwell Bran Brandon Brandt Braxton Braylen Brayden Brendon  Brent Brett Brian Briar Brick Bridge Bridger Brock Brody Brogan  Bronx Brook Brooks Bruce Bruno Brutus Bryce Bryson Buck Bud Buddha  Buddy Buck Burt Burton Buster Buzz Byron 

Cade  Caden Cain  Cairo Caius Calder  Caleb Callum Calvin Cam  Cameron Camillo Campbell Carl  Carlisle Carlito Carlo Carlos Carlton  Carmine Carson Carter Casper Caspian Cassian  Cassias Cato Cecil Cedar Cedric Cesar Chad Chadwick  Chance Charles Charlton Chase Chauncey Chester Chidi Chip  Christoff Christoph Christopher Christian Chuck Cian Cillian  Clarence Clark Claud Clay Clayton Cliff Clifford Clint Clinton  Clyde Coby Cody Colby Cole Collin Colt Colton Conan Connor Conrad  Constantine Cooper Copper Corbin Cornelius Cory Cosmo Cosmos Costas Craig Crispin Cruz Curt Curtis Cyrus

Dale  Dallas  Dalton Damien  Damon Dan Dane Daniel  Dante Darius Darrel Darren  Dash Dashiell Davey David Dawson  Dax Daxton Deacon Dean DeAndre Declan  Demetrius Denali Dennis Denny Denzel Derek  Derrick Des Desmond Dewey Dex Dexter Diego Diesel  Dion Dirk Dixon Dmitri Dominic Donatello Donovan Dorian  Doug Douglas Draco Drew Duke Duncan Dustin Dusty Dwayne Dwight  Dylan Dyson 

Earl  Easton  Edgar Edmund  Eduardo Edward Edwin  Egon Eli Elijah Elias  Elliott Ellis Elroy Elton  Emanuel Emeric Emerson Emery  Emil Emiliano Emmett Emrys Enrique  Enzo Eric Ernest Ernesto Ernie Esteban  Ethan Eugene Eustace Euvan Evan Evander Everett  Ezekiel Ezra 

Fabian  Fabio Falcon  Faustus Felix Ferdinand  Fergus Ferguson Fernando Fidel  Fido Finbar Findlay Finn Finnley  Fionn Fisher Fitz Fletcher Flint Florence  Florian Ford Forrest Fort Foster Fowler Fox  Francesco Francis Francisco Franco Frank Frankie  Franklin Fred Freddy Fredrick Frederico

Gabe  Gabriel  Gael Gage  Gale Galen Garfield Garrett Gaston Gatsby  Gavin Geoffrey Geordie George  Gerald Gerard Gideon Gil Gilbert  Gilberto Giovanni Glenn Gordon Gordy  Grady Graham Grant Gray Grayson Gregg  Gregory Grey Griffin Griffith Grover Gunner  Gunther Gus Gustavo Guy 

Hades  Hal Hamilton  Hank Hans Harley Harrison  Harry Hawk Hayden Hayes Heath Hector  Henrik Hendrix Henry Herb Herbert Herbie  Hercules Hermes Hershel Hiram Holden Howard  Howie Hudson Hugo Humphrey Hunter Hux Huxley 

Ian Igor Iker Irvin Isaac Isaiah Ivan 

Jace  Jack Jackson  Jacob Jaques Jaden  Jake Jalen Jamal James  Jameson Jared Jason Jax  Jay Jed Jedidiah Jefferson  Jeffrey Jeremiah Jeremy Jerome  Jerry Jesus Jethro Jett Jim Jimmy  Joe Joel Johan Johannes John Johnny Jonah  Jonas Jonathan Jones Jordan Jose Joseph Joshua  Josiah Juan Juanito Judah Judas Judd Jude Jules Julian  Julien Julio Julius Junior Jupiter Jurgen Justice Justin Justus 

Kaden  Kai Kaiser  Kale Kaleb Kane  Keane Keanu Keaton  Keegan Keenan Keith  Kellen Kenan Kendrick  Kenneth Kenzo Keoni Kevin Khalid  Kian Kieran Kiernan Kingsley Kingston Killian  Kip Kwan Kyle

Lachlan  Lake Lamar  Lance Lancelot  Landon Lane Larkin  Larry Lars Laurence Laurent  Lawrence Lawson Lazlo Legend Leif  Leith Leland Leo Leon Leonardo Leopold  Leroy Levi Liam Lincoln Linden Logan Loki  London Lonnie Lonny Lorcan Lorenzo Lou Louie  Louis Luc Luca Lucas Lucian Lucky Luke Lupe Luther

Maddox  Maksim Malachi  Malachy Malakai Malcolm  Malik Manfred Manny Marcel Marcello  Marcellus Marcio Marcius Marco Marcos  Marcus Marian Marino Mario Marius Mark  Marlin Marlon Marmaduke Marques Mars Marshall  Martin Marty Marvel Marvin Massimo Mason Matt Matteo  Matthew Maurice Maverick Max Maximilian Maximus Maxwell  Melvin Mercury Meredith Merritt Micah Michael Miguel Miles  Milo Mitchell Moe Monte Montgomery Murdoch Murphy Murray Murtagh  Murtaugh Myles

Nathan  Nathaniel  Ned Nelson  Nemo Neo Neon  Neptune Neville  Newt Newton Nick  Nicky Nicola Nicolai  Nicholas Niko Noah Noel Nolan  Norm Norman Novak 

Obadiah  Octavio Octavius  Odin Olaf Oleg Oliver  Olivier Omar Orion Orlando  Orville Osborn Oscar Oso Osvaldo  Oswald Ottis Otto Owen Oz Ozzy

Pablo  Palmer Panther  Parker Pascal Patrick Paul  Paxton Pedro Penn Percival Percy Perseus  Peter Peyton Phil Philip Phineas Phoenix Pier  Pierce Pierre Pilot Pluto Porter Poseidon Preston  Prince Prosper

Qadir  Quincy Quinn  Quinton 

Raiden  Ralph Ramone  Ramses Randall Randolph  Randy Raphael Ravi Ray Raymond Red  Reece Reggie Reginald Regis Reid Remington  Reuben Rex Reynald Reynaldo Reynard Rhett Rhys  Ricardo Richard Richie Richmond Rick Ricky Rico Ridge  Riley Rio Riordan River Robert Roberto Robbie Rocco Rocky  Rodney Rodrigo Roger Ricky Riley Rod Rodrick Roger Roland  Roman Romeo Ross Rowan Rudy Rufus Russell Ryder Ryker Rylan Ryland 

Salem  Salvador  Salvator Sam  Samir Sampson Samson  Samuel Sander Sandford Sanjay  Santiago Saul Sawyer Scott Sean Sebastian  Septimus Serge Sergio Seth Seus Seymour Shane  Shawn Shayne Sheldon Shepherd Sherlock Sherman Shin Sidney  Sigmund Silas Silver Silvester Simon Sinclair Sinjin Sirius  Slade Slate Sol Solomon Sonny Sparrow Spartacus Spencer Spike  Soren Stan Stanford Stanley Steele Stephen Steven Stevie Stone Sven Summit  Sullivan Sully Sylvester

Tad  Tag Talon  Tanner Tate  Ted Teddy Teo Teodor  Teodoro Terence Terrell  Terry Tex Thad Thaddeus Thane  Thatcher Theo Theoden Theodore Thomas  Thor Thorn Tiberius Tiger Tito Titus Timothy  Titus Tobias Toby Tommy Tony Topher Trace Travis  Trent Trenton Trev Trevor Trey Tristan Troy Truman Tucker  Tudor Tullio Tullius Tully Tycho Tyler Tyrell Tyrese Tyrone  Tyson

Uberto  Ulric Ulrich  Ulysses Uriah Urban Urijah  Uriel

Van  Vance  Vaugn Victor  Vince Vincenco Vincent  Vinny Virgil Vlad Vladimir 

Wade  Walden  Waldo Walker  Wallace Wally Walt  Walter Warner Warren  Watson Waylon Wayne Wendall  Wesley Westley Weston Wilbert  Wilbur Wilder Wiley Wilfred Will William  Winston Wolf Wolfe Wolfgang Woodrow Wyatt 

Xander  Xavier Xavion  Xenon

Yael  Yahir York Yosef  Yousef Yusef

Zac  Zach Zachariah  Zacharias Zachary Zack  Zander Zane Zayden Zeke  Zeus Ziggy Zion Zoltan

[downthetubes]

British Newspaper Strips documented in bumper new book

British Newspaper Strips documented in bumper new book

Independent publisher Book Palace has begun teasing a new book, The A to Z of British Newspaper Strips by Paul Hudson, a 320-page guide to strips as diverse as Andy Capp, Flook, Garth, George and Lynne, Jeff Hawke, Pip, Squeak and Wilfred, Tamara Drewe and Varoomska. The A to Z of British Newspaper Strips – Not Final Cover Written by Paul Hudson, former owner of the much-missed London comic…

[southeastasianhistories]

The Australian external territory of Christmas Island is infamous for its immigrant detention center. But the island also has a history of solidarity: in the 1970s, its Chinese and Malaysian workers led a union struggle against colonialism and apartheid.

Christmas Island rises from the Indian Ocean around 1,600 kilometers from Australia. Closer to Singapore than the mainland, it is home to a population of around two thousand people, the majority of whom have Chinese ancestry, with a sizable minority of people of Malay heritage. This tropical rocky speck is unlike most of Australia — on Christmas Island, Lunar New Year, Hari Raya Haji, and Hari Raya Puasa are public holidays.

Christmas Island is well known to Australians, but not for its natural beauty or unique red crab migrations. Rather, this far-flung external territory primarily features in Australia’s consciousness as a site of human misery. It plays host to an infamous immigration detention center, a cornerstone of a draconian border protection system that has driven Australian politics to the right for years.

However, few realize that Christmas Island has a more radical, internationalist history. It was the site of a militant trade-union struggle against a form of apartheid that segregated white and Asian workers until the 1980s. The victory of those who stood up to the Christmas Island Phosphate Company demonstrated the power of collective action to overcome racism and exploitation.

British Imperial Apartheid Settlement of the uninhabited island, named Christmas Island in 1643, only began after British surveyors discovered phosphate deposits in 1886. Britain annexed the island in 1888 and gave the Christmas Island Phosphate Company a ninety-nine-year lease on the territory. Phosphate mining began in 1899, using indentured labor from Singapore, the Malay Archipelago, and China.

In 1919, Britain transferred the management of mining on Christmas Island — as well as that of Nauru and Banaba, now part of Kiribati — to the British Phosphate Commissioners (BPC). The BPC comprised government representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and Britain. In 1949, the British government sold its mining rights to Australia and New Zealand. And in 1958, the UK transferred sovereignty over Christmas Island from Singapore to Australia. All the while, the BPC continued to manage the island using extraordinary powers. The BPC paid Asians a fifth of what white workers received and could summarily dismiss workers, who had no right to appeal.

The authorities deported fired workers within twenty-four hours, stamping their passports with NTR — “Never to Return.” They forbade Asian workers from owning land on Christmas Island or settling permanently. The BPC owned everything, including the local shop.

The island’s housing, transport, swimming pools, and education system were also highly segregated. White families lived in houses built to Australian standards while Asian families lived in small flats without hot water or air conditioning. Single Asian men lived in dormitories the size of bathrooms, without mattresses.

There were also two schools, one Asian and one European. The island’s European population were almost totally opposed to proposals to integrate the two schools.

Unsurprisingly, given this setup, one resident described Christmas Island as pretty much the last outpost of the British Raj. The BPC men were all there with their white shorts and long socks and they all played golf on Friday afternoons. The European people would put on shows at the Christmas Island Club, but by virtue of the fees, it was a European stronghold.

Striking Against the BPC The catalyst for change came in 1974, when workers struck to oppose the dismissal of Teo Boon How, the chief interpreter in the administrative office. The BPC had fired him on March 26, ordering him to leave Christmas Island within twenty-four hours. The next day, more than 1,100 workers refused to report to work, instead marching in protest.

The strike forced the acting administration to rescind Teo Boon How’s deportation order and later to reinstate him. This was not the first strike on Christmas Island. However, it signaled a shift. It was the first time the island’s Asian community exercised political power.

On March 21, 1975, fifteen Asian community leaders met secretly and formed the Union of Christmas Island Workers (UCIW). On Teo Boon How’s recommendation, they elected schoolteacher Michael Grimes as the UCIW’s first general secretary on a part-time basis, in part thanks to his experience organizing teachers’ unions. They also elected as president Lim Sai Meng, a worker with a Chinese background who had come to Christmas Island from Malaysia in 1973. Within a week of its formation, more than seven hundred workers had joined the new union.

Grimes had arrived in 1975, alongside some twenty other people from the Commonwealth Teaching Service. Their salaries outstripped those of local teachers, highlighting the extent to which the BPC underpaid Asian workers.

In 1978, Grimes resigned as UCIW secretary and was replaced by Gordon Bennett, an English migrant. Bennett’s more militant style of union organizing caught the attention of mainland Australian newspapers, highlighting the plight of Christmas Islanders.

The Chinese community nicknamed Bennett “Tai Ko Seng” (Big Brother Who Delivers). Under his leadership, the UCIW immediately called for a $30-a-week raise and minimum wage parity with the mainland within a year. The workers also demanded Australian citizenship rights for Christmas Islanders and called for the Australian government to take full administrative control of the island.

In 1979, the workers met at a cinema in Poon Saan, Christmas Island’s second-largest town. Almost the entire workforce of the island voted to take strike action in support of the UCIW’s demands, bringing phosphate production to a halt. The workers self-levied to raise a war chest of $70,000 for their campaign.

The BPC fought back against the industrial action. They stood down three hundred workers in May, following a strike by ship loaders. According to their industrial agreement, the BPC didn’t have the power to sack these workers. James Taylor, the deputy president of Australia’s arbitration commission, came to the island to mediate the dispute.

At the company’s request, Taylor inserted a stand-down clause into the ship loaders’ agreement, retrospectively legitimizing the BPC’s move. Unsurprisingly, this only fanned the flames of the strike.

The workers reacted swiftly. A mass meeting of 1,500 workers voted to prevent Taylor from leaving Christmas Island. Taylor was only allowed to leave some days later, after Australian Council of Trade Unions president Bob Hawke flew to Christmas Island and intervened on his behalf.

Next, the UCIW took its campaign to the mainland, where they made use of a series of creative tactics. They took the home affairs minister to court for underpayment and established a protest tent camp outside Parliament House in July 1979. Later that year, they waged a twelve-day hunger strike, garnering media attention.

Against all odds, the union won the pay raise it had demanded immediately. And its protest actions resulted in a public inquiry into the BPC. The inquiry recommended that Christmas Island be brought under the same administrative jurisdiction and industrial legislation as mainland Australia. A former BHP executive, Wilfred Sweetland, ran the inquiry and was scathing of the BPC, describing it as “colonial” and “repugnant.”

By 1981, the UCIW had won all its industrial demands including wage parity. The publicly owned Phosphate Mining Company of Christmas Island took over the phosphate industry. This finally put an end to the BPC’s rule. Following his victory in the 1984 election, Bob Hawke’s Labor government brought Christmas Island fully under Australian administration.

Ongoing Injustices Despite these victories, Christmas Islanders are still confronted by injustices. In 1987, the Australian government closed the phosphate mine. Although union workers purchased the mine and reopened it in 1990, other attempts at economic diversification have not borne fruit.

The Australian government blocked proposals to boost tourism by revitalizing the island’s resort and casino, previously legislating to prohibit casino operations. This means that Serco, the company that runs the notorious Christmas Island Detention Centre, is the island’s largest employer.

The battle against the legacy of colonialism is also not over. Christmas Island has many of the characteristics of a non-self-governing territory, as described by UN Charter Article 73. Yet Australian governments still treat it like a distant possession. Islanders do not enjoy basic democratic rights.

Australian citizens in Christmas Island can vote in federal elections, but they must do so as part of the Northern Territory, and have no say over the Western Australian state laws that apply to them. Just as Christmas Islanders did not get to vote over the transfer of sovereignty to Australia in 1958, the Australian government has not consulted with them or allowed them a say over the island’s governance since.

Following its historic victories in the early 1980s, the UCIW has maintained its key role in the life of the island. Gordon Thomson, a UCIW leader who also serves as the president of the Christmas Island Shire Council, summed it up well: the collective power of unionism yet remains the most important and only real means of resisting those who would destroy us and the gains we have made as a union since 1975. Indeed, the story of the UCIW’s victorious battle against the colonial apartheid regime in Christmas Island should be as well known in Australia as other historic struggles, like the Wave Hill walk-off or the green bans. Christmas Island’s history shows that militant, class-struggle trade unionism is a powerful weapon against colonialism and racism.

[tevivinter]

Icon commissions of Rivka Lavellan, Wilfred Hawke and Roana Tabris for @athenril-of-kirkwall! :D

[facial-hair-fight]

Round 2 Matchups!

Same format as before, one set of polls per day until round 3. Sorry this post is late, I’ve had a busy day.

Bracket 1:

Matt (Wii Sports) VS. Rockhopper (Club Penguin)

Mario (Super Mario) VS. Luigi (Super Mario)

Toadsworth (Super Mario) VS. Cranky Kong (Donkey Kong)

Vitruvius (The Lego Movie) VS. Rex Fury (Lego City Undercover)

Gordon Freeman (Half-Life) VS. Colonel Mustard (Clue)

Wilfred Mott (Doctor Who) VS. Steve Rogers (Avengers: Infinity War)

J Jonah Jameson (Spider-Man) VS. Grandpa Fletcher (Phineas and Ferb)

Major Monogram (Phineas and Ferb) VS. Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars)

Bracket 2

Dr. Eggman (Sonic the Hedgehog) VS. Wilford Warfstache (Markiplier)

Oliver Queen (DC Comics) VS. Ron Swanson (Parks and Recreation)

M. Rasmodius (Stardew Valley) VS. Linus (Stardew Valley)

Chief Bookem (Kirby: Right Back At Ya!) VS. Asgore Dreemurr (Undertale)

Senshi (Dungeon Meshi) VS. Santa Claus (Christmas)

Edward Newgate (One Piece) VS. Drayden (Pokémon)

Gimli (Lord of the Rings) VS. Alex Louis Armstrong (Fullmetal Alchemist)

Murray Bauman (Stranger Things) VS. Jasper Beardly (The Simpsons)

Bracket 3

Warden Blackwall (Dragon Age Inquisition) VS. Alex Dorpenberger (Close Enough)

Bofur (The Hobbit) VS. Phillip Wittebane (The Owl House)

Iroh (Avatar: The Last Airbender) VS. Murro Morton (Identity V)

Gregory House (House MD) VS. Rico Rodriguez (Just Cause)

King Triton (The Little Mermaid) VS. Harry Du Bois (Disco Elysium)

Hades (Hades) VS. Shaggy Rogers (Scooby-Doo)

Ted Lasso (Ted Lasso) VS. Asuma Sarutobi (Naruto)

Gomez Addams (The Addams Family) VS. Cap’n Cuttlefish (Splatoon)

Bracket 4

Rex Mohs (Scott the Woz) VS. Hercule Poirot (Poirot)

Bob Zanotto (Psychonauts) VS. Steve (Minecraft)

Sea Hawk (She-Ra) VS. Yosemite Sam (Looney Toons)

Thorin Oakenshield (The Hobbit) VS. Din Djarin (Star Wars)

Scott Howard (Teen Wolf) VS. Halt O’Carrick (Ranger’s Apprentice)

Thomas Magnum (Magnum PI) VS. Adam Jensen (Deus Ex: Mankind Divided)

Grandpa Harley (Homestuck) VS. Dr. Erasmus Craven (The Raven)

Richard Kimble (The Fugitive) VS. Walter White (Breaking Bad)

[athenril-of-kirkwall]

For the DADWC: One word prompt "Trust," with the friendship of your choice!

Don’t call it a comeback, I’ve been here for years

m!Hawke/Fenris with past m!Hawke/Isabela, Fenris/Isabela, “Trust” (AO3) [Mature]

Hawke and Isabela lay naked under the sheets of his bed, him staringup at the ceiling and her gazing at his profile distractedly.

Feeling the silence hanging in the air, he looked at her through thecorner of his eye as he asked, “Something on your mind?”

“Oh, nothing really.”

Hawke raised an eyebrow as he turned to face her. “You’re clearlylying. You’ve been doing nothing but staring at me for the past few minutes soI’ve either broken out in hives or there’s been something you’ve been meaningto ask me.”

Isabela shrugged her free shoulder, saying, “I guess you’re right. Isuppose I did have something of a philosophical question in mind.”

“Ah, the clarity that comes post-coitus, no doubt,” Hawke said mirthfully.“Well, what great question of the world did you have in mind?”

She shook her head. “Not of the world. Of us.”

“Of us?”, Hawke asked concernedly.

Gently slapping his shoulder, Isabela said, “Oh, look at you,getting all worried. I’m not about to propose. I just had a simple question,really.”

Hawke was sitting up, his back at the headboard, whilst Isabeladraped an arm over his midriff as she considered him from below.

“Out with it then,” he said, voice only half-joking.

Looking deep into Hawke’s eyes, Isabela asked, “Do you think it’spossible to for two people to trust each other? Completely?”

Hawke’s throat felt dry. “Well…I trust you to have my back in afight, of course, but…”

“I didn’t mean specifically you and me, but maybe I was. I don’tknow,” Isabela said carelessly. “But, generally speaking, could two people knoweach other so well that even if one of them did something truly terrible, theother could forgive them, without needing to ask any further?”

Knitting his fingers together and stretching behind his head, Hawkesaid, “I don’t know, Isabela. It’d be asking a lot—from both of them. I’m surethere must be people like that out there. Hm, maybe not in Kirkwall. Actinglike that’s sure to get a knife in your back.”

Rolling over and gazing at the ceiling, Isabela muttered, “I supposenot.”

=

“Fenris,” Isabela asked, “Do you think it’s possible for two people tocompletely trust each other, no matter what?”

“Why in the world are you asking me?”, the elf retorted. “If youwant deep soul-searching along with sex, ask Hawke. We both agreed—”

“Yes, I know,” Isabela said pointedly. “And I did ask Hawke.I didn’t get a particularly meaningful answer from him.”

“Well, you’re not getting one here either,” Fenris said, crossinghis arms over his bare chest. “Now, unless we’re going to get a drink or goanother round…”

“Relax,” Isabela said. “Let’s do both.You get more of that stuff from Nevarra we had last week, and I’ll lay downsome fresh sheets.”

Letting the cloths fall off his form as he got up, Fenris asked, “IfI get that out instead of the usual dross, will you perform a Tantervale Knotthis time?”

Isabela raised an eyebrow. “What is it with men and seeing awoman’s ankles by her head, anyway? I’ll have to warm up if you want that,friend.”

“I find it more amusing than anything, really,” Fenris chuckled,pausing in the doorway with the light outlining his nude form and illuminatinghis markings. “And, well, in response to your question.”

“Oh?”, she asked, halfway through pulling her thigh to her chest.

 “I don’t have an answer for you, but if you dare to hurt Hawke—”

 “—I won’t—”

 “I will rip your heart out,” he warned, leaving for thecellar, adding, “Knot or no knot.”

Isabela slowly released her leg, staring into the empty doorway heleft.

=

It wouldn’t be long until Hawke truly realised what Isabela hadmeant, what with qunari tearing the city to pieces and the secret to allayingtheir fury laying with her and her decisions, and he knew his answer to herquestion, or so he thought.

=

Some years later, Fenris lay beside Hawke, the Champion unable tosleep as he kept turning over Anders’ purported solution to his co-existencewith Justice…or Vengeance, as it might be, over in his head.

“Hawke,” he asked, “do you think it’s possible for two people totrust each other? Completely?”

Hawke looked over. “Now what’s brought this on, Fenris?”

“I…I’m not sure, actually. It just came to mind,” he said, shiftingunder the sheets.

“If you’d asked me a few years ago, I wouldn’t have had an answerfor you. But I think I know what the question actually means now,” Hawke said.

“And?”

“I don’t know about the rest of the world, Fenris, but I trust you,”he said, turning over to him. “Given everything we’ve been through andeverything we’ve learned about each other, I can’t think of a safer pair ofhands besides yours, right here and now.”

“And I you,” Fenris said. “You might be the only person in this wretched worldI can trust, really.”

Hawke gazed into empty air, thinking of his rendezvous at theGallows that night and how it might test those very promises.

=

That very test came, and when Hawke spoke the simple truth to Fenriseven as they initially stood on opposite ends of that pivotal conflict, histrust was proven beyond measure.

=

@dadrunkwriting

[babbushka]

Zannah’s Top 50 Films Rec List

Hello everyone! As some of you may know, I have a lot of experience in the world of cinema. Not only do I love it passionately as a hobby, but professionally as well. I’ve seen a lot of movies in my day, both studying them for my degrees and just for fun. Here are some movies that I recommend, if you’re looking to pass the time during this period of isolation and stress. I believe movies are a wonderful way to let out cathartic energy, to feel something, and to escape from the real world for a while. 

This is however, not a full list of recommendations, I was just trying to think of things that may be easily accessible for us all in these trying times. If you’d like another list of more obscure films, I’d be happy to put that together as well. But for this post, I thought I’d stick to what I consider to be, ‘the classics’ 

I’ve got a mix of comedies, dramas, tear-jerkers, uplifting films, horror films, documentaries and musicals. I hope that somewhere among them is something you may have not yet seen, or maybe something you’d like to see again.

Films are alphabetized, not ranked in any particular order of preference :) xxx 

Airplane! (1980) dir.  David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker

Amadeus (1984) dir.  Miloš Forman

A Serious Man (2009) dir. The Coen Brothers

BlackKklansman (2018) dir. Spike Lee 

Cinderella (1950) dir.  Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske

Do The Right Thing (1989) dir. Spike Lee

Dreams (1990) dir. Akira Kurosawa

F For Fake (1973) dir. Orson Welles

Fiddler on the Roof (1971) dir. Norman Jewison

Footlight Parade (1933) dir.  Busby Berkeley, Lloyd Bacon

Funny Girl (1968) dir. William Wyler

Grey Gardens (1975) dir. The Maysles Brothers

Goodfellas (1990) dir. Martin Scorsese 

Good Will Hunting (1997) dir. Gus Van Sant

Hairspray (2007) dir. Adam Shankman 

Harlon County, USA (1976) dir. Barbara Kopple

His Girl Friday (1940) dir. Howard Hawks

Holes (2013) Andrew Davis

Kramer vs Kramer (1979) dir. Robert Benton

Lars and The Real Girl (2007) dir. Craig Gillespie

Life of Pi (2012) dir. Ang Lee

Little Shop of Horrors (1986) dir. Frank Oz

Love Story (1970) dir. Arthur Hiller

Milk (2008) dir. Gus Van Sant

Moonlight (2016) dir. Barry Jenkins

My Favorite Wife (1940) dir. Garson Kanin

Parasite (2019) dir. Bong Joon-ho

Paris is Burning (1990) dir. Jennie Livingston

Pride & Prejudice (2005) dir. Joe Wright

Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) dir. Steven Spielberg

Rocky (1976) dir. John G. Avildsen

Roma (2018) dir. Alfonso Cuaron

Seven Samurai (1954) dir. Akira Kurosawa

The 400 Blows (1959) dir. Francois Truffaut

The Color Purple (1985) dir. Steven Spielberg

The Favourite (2018) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos

The Godfather Series

The Invisible Man (1933) dir. James Whale

The Last Samurai (2003) dir. Edward Zwick

The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) dir. Wes Anderson

The Life of Brian (1979) dir. Terry Jones

The Shape of Water (2017) dir. Guillermo del Toro

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) dir. Frank Darabont

The Shining (1980) dir. Stanley Kubrick

Thelma and Louise (1991) dir. Ridley Scott

This is Spinal Tap (1984) dir. Rob Reiner

Top Hat (1935) dir. Mark Sandrich

West Side Story (1961) dir.  Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise

Yentl (1983) dir. Barbra Streisand

Young Frankenstein (1974) dir. Mel Brooks