#yes i know i'm joining late sue me

[can-of-pringles]

OC Pride Challenge: Day 14 (Trope: Gay Cowboy)

A gay or bi man panromantic nonbinary person who is a Western-flavored character or just a fan of the genre.

[py-dreamer]

Yea!!! Can you tell I have favorites lol

so since it's the 20th in my time, it is officially my birthday today!

But I wanted to get this out regardless so kinda count it as the previous day's ig

I will be posting something later today probably but it will most likely just be a compilation of all the cakes I've done thus far.

Ok but um on with the cake!

It's like a cheesecake and I basically copied Tengen's cake with like a jelly filling with fruit suspended in it, peaches (obviously), strawberries and blueberries cause I like them and sod it I'll put them on this goddamn cake!

The thing Wukong's sitting on is one of those peach ice creams that's gotten so popular lately with the sprinkle of pink dust thingy on top.

On either side of the cake is the fillet from the journey and the hat from the brotherhood era, one from his reckless past and one from his redemption and I just think that's neat.

The blue puffy stuff is meant to be his nimbus clouds represented as cotton candy.

I have the baiju jar in there as reference to Wukong becoming immortal again due to the all the wine made from the peaches of immortality at the festival.

The staff as a little candle was so fun! And I like pocky so I chucked them on there to fill space and it looks good so sue me

The grey thing behind the staff and balloon is meant to be the Buddha's hand that trapped him under the mountain and a reference to his imprisonment under 5 phases mountain.

Peach popsicle! Of course I had too! A lil something from the present for our (shadow) peachy friend

Mk's stone as well, had to add his son in there too. The baby ever.

(probably just a cookie but it's the thought that counts)

The two sugar cookies are meant to be his logo (aka the lmk logo) and fireworks, again taken from Tengen's cake.

The sun is a candied/tanghulu esque orange thing. Like an orange slice coated in yellow melted sugar shaped like a sun and the phoenix feather cap since I consider it iconic enough to put in here. I didn't want to put it on him, blocking a lot of the decorations so I just hung it to the side and I think I'm happy with that.

A lot more monkeys here! It was very fun popping them in! I know I only gave Mac 1 but I mean Wukong's the monkey king for a reason. Let him be a loving grandpa and invite his subjects on the cake with him. He granted them immortality by ripping their names out the book of dead, let them have a place on the cake too

Also, yes that is the origami pilgims in the bottom left, I couldn't leave them alone could I?

Now the elephant in the room (or at least in my head), yes I did use @maplesleep's matcha pancake design for flower fruit mountain.

Cake on cake. Bit much but hey, I like cake and pastries better than candy normally so win for me.

And I couldn't just make cake about Sun Wukong without mentioning his home/origins of ffm. I do genuinely love the inginuity and adorableness factor of the pancake design and hope they don't mind me slapping it on my...cheesecake? Jelly cake? Jelly-cheesecake?

(also I have to ask @maplesleep, did you watch the 3rd emirichu anime cafe video, specifically the urusei yatsura cafe as inspiration for the 'sun wukong's strawberry sponge cake punishment' parfait thingy, gorgeously drawn btw I used those drawings as inspiration quite a bit for these cakes, or saw the urusei yatsura collab anime cafe

cause I couldn't help but notice the similarities between that and the 'shinobu's maiden strength parfait' cause if you didn't that be a pretty funny coincidence lol)

So what do you think? You think I could make it as another lmk food chef for lego? Can I join the club lmao?

I do realize in retrospect the disrespect I did Mk by making his cake so plain by comparison to his mentor's. But I think that's a testament to my improvement and attention to detail when making these cakes as the days have progressed!

I consider Mk's in particular to be the most lacking and I lowkey feel so bad for my boi for not giving him the main character status he deserves.

I might draw him again, idk. Not anytime soon though, like I said, I'm quite busy now more than before and I need a break, still glad I could serve y'all another slice of cake though!

[a-court-of-lust-and-stardust]

Rain

My contribution to @elriel-month. This is just something I decided to whip up for my friends and other folks to read. Ever since joining the fandom in December 2023, I've met so many kindhearted Elriel fans that I wanted to give back to. This little piece is probably best for the Choice prompt. (Yes, I'm late. Sue me.) Go easy on me please, as I haven't written for a fandom in years lol.

*Inspired by the song Rain by Sleep Token, who I just know Azriel would be a fan of*

Word Count: 1.5k

*Divider by @tsunami-of-tears* (Check out their blog and other pretty dividers!!)

Pain. Blood. Torture. Death. 

For the better part of five hundred years, Azriel has been subjected to unfathomable horrors, the kinds that would no doubt break a human male’s spirit. As the Night Court’s stealthy spymaster and feared shadowsinger, it’s been his job to inflict unendurable pain upon the bodies of his enemies. He spills their traitorous blood and tortures them into the long hours of the night until they have no choice but to finally succumb to death’s sweet song. 

It’s become a routine, so much so that the panicked screams and the precise slicing of his most prized dagger feel like second nature. He doesn’t blink as they plead for their lives. He doesn’t flinch as crimson liquid splatters across his cheeks, in his hair, down his hands. He takes away life as easily as the Mother creates it. And just as Rhysand has perfected the mask of the High Lord, Azriel has mastered his own cruel, stoic front. 

On nights like tonight, however, Azriel questions if he truly does have a mask, or if the centuries spent brutally maiming wolves in sheep's skin has turned him into an irreparable monster. The voices in his head are loud enough to wake creatures that have been asleep for hundreds of years, and a long flight around Velaris does nothing to silence them. Even the shadows at his shoulders swirl in agitation as the words replay on a loop in his mind. 

Killer. 

Bastard. 

Good for nothing. 

Irredeemable. 

Unworthy. 

It is only until he gently opens the front door to his home that he feels some kind of relief. The kitchen smells like jasmine and banana bread, courtesy of the warm loaf cooling down on the marble countertop. A cozy heat burns from the stone fireplace, and the lights in every room are dimmed to a soft glow. And he only permits himself to breathe when his hazel eyes connect with the beautiful brown ones that belong to the most exquisite female he’s ever had the pleasure of calling his. 

Elain Archeron. His love. His lifeline. His Mother-given solace. 

She rises from the sofa, setting aside her book and abandoning the treat she’d been munching on to stand before him. He doesn’t move or speak as her eyes drink him in, observing the blood on his leathers and assessing for visible injuries. Satisfied with the lack of wounds, Elain gives him a small smile and gently reaches for his hand, guiding him into the bathroom. 

Hot steam and the scent of eucalyptus fill the air as Elain turns on the shower. It was the first renovation they’d wanted for their home, a bathing stall large enough to accommodate the both of them, along with the width of Illyrian wings. 

Azriel watches as Elain delicately works the soiled leathers down his body. Her brows furrow slightly at a few small gashes along his chest and side, but before she can fret, his thumb rubs away the tension from the crease. 

“I’m okay,” he says. He means it, too. Her presence has always been a comfort for him. All he’s ever felt around her was peace, something he never thought he would find let alone deserve. On nights where his thoughts run rampant, a soft smile is enough to break the vicious cycle of self criticism. 

Her lips quirk, not fully believing him. Azriel may be the spymaster who can conceal his emotions with ease, but Elain had effortlessly clocked the haunted look in his eyes when he’d first crossed the threshold. “Physically, yes. But I worry more about what goes on up here,” She taps his temple twice. “What can I do to help?” 

Elain’s perception astonishes him. Her ability to pick up the subtle changes in his voice or mood has only grown sharper the longer they’ve been together. Their quiet understanding of each other is something neither one will ever take for granted. To be loved is to be seen, to be wholly understood, and they’ve never taken their eyes off each other since the moment they met. 

But his thoughts were a bit too loud tonight, and the last thing Azriel ever wants is for Elain to worry. And so he says, “You’ve done more than enough already, my love, by simply being here with me. Let me wash, and then I’ll read with you, hm?” With a chaste kiss to her forehead, Azriel enters the shower and slides the door closed. 

Searing water pelts his skin when he steps underneath the shower head hanging from the ceiling. The droplets feel like rain, cleansing him of every violent act he willingly committed in the last several hours as part of his duty to the court. Hands braced against the wall, he silently watches the bloody water race down his body and swirl around the drain. His eyes flutter momentarily, allowing the heat to soak into his aching muscles. 

Behind him, a soft palm latches onto his bicep, turning him from the wall. Elain stands before him, wet and gloriously naked, with a bottle of shampoo in her other hand. She waits for his permission, letting her back hit the cool tile as he cages her against the opposite wall. When he nods, eyes never breaking from hers, she lathers the shampoo in her hands. 

“What are you thinking about?” Elain probes gently, delicate fingers working the soap into his hair. Azriel can’t stop himself from leaning into her touch, allowing her to take care of him in the way only she knows how. 

After a long moment, he whispers hoarsely, “Sometimes I wonder if this is who I am. That this job…this life…that in trying to rid the world of evil, I’ve become it.” His throat bobs once as a few tears slip down his cheeks. “Some days the thoughts are louder than others. Tonight they were relentless.” 

Elain listens intently, switching to a bar of soap to clean his chest, his arms, his back and legs, and finally his wings. All he can do is gaze at this beautiful female as he pours his heart out. He’s never been a man of many words, but Elain makes him want to talk forever. To share his joy, his pain. His hopes and fears. To shed his armor and bare his soul to her. 

“When I came home,” he breathes, fingers moving from the wall to trail down her cheek, her neck. Her skin flushes, and not from the heat of the water. Azriel chuckles softly. “All it took was one look from you and my head went quiet. The power you hold, Elain…not a single person in this world has ever been able to do what you’ve done for me.” 

She’s trying to focus on his words, the love that fills them, but gasps a breath as his hand skims down the side of her breast, warmth building in her core. He can scent it, she knows, by the way his nose flares slightly. “And how exactly do I look at you?” 

The corners of his lips twitch upward, palm finally resting against her hip. He tugs her closer so their chests touch, never wanting to have even a sliver of space between them. “Like I’m worthy,” he answers. “Of love and happiness and everything in between. All things that I’ve found once you waltzed into my life and chose me.” 

A choice that he would never truly believe was real, if only considering it a beautiful dream. 

A choice that Elain had made with such unwavering conviction, it had brought him to tears. 

A choice that allowed them to love each other openly, for the rest of their existence. 

“You’ve always been worthy, Azriel,” Elain says, mouth ghosting over his own as her hands tangle in the hair at the nape of his neck. “Your job is not who you are. You put on a mask and play a role, just like we all do. And underneath that mask, is the most gentle, kind-hearted, beautiful male. Choosing you was the easiest decision of my life because you made it easy, just by being who you are. And I will continue to choose you until my last breath.” 

He lets the tears fall freely now because vulnerability has never been something to shy away from, not with her. She tenderly wipes the tears with her thumbs, holding his face with a gentleness that shatters his heart.   

“I’ve waited for you for a very long time, Elain, to the point where I almost gave up on finding any semblance of love or joy or tranquility,” Azriel says truthfully. The sheer longing in his bright hazel eyes tugs on her heart strings. 

“Well, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting, handsome,” She replies playfully through a wet laugh, bumping her nose against his as tears mix with water. “But I hope you know that I would choose you in every single lifetime, no matter what. You are so completely mine, Azriel.” 

He kisses her. He kisses her hard and long and fierce, claiming her mouth with a passion solely reserved for her alone. His arms slide underneath her thighs, laughing quietly at her brief shriek as he lifts her against the wall, one hand gripping her wrists against the tile above her head. The wicked smile she flashes his way is as stunning as a sunflower field in springtime, and the only thought now in his mind is how utterly thankful he is for the beautiful female in front of him. 

“And you, Elain Archeron, are so completely mine.”

[songbirdlopez]

Santana Lopez is lazy. At least, according to herself in New Directions (5x13) "I'm too lazy to do eight shows a week". Now I have many issues with this episode and the entire understudy plot, but that isn't what I want to expand on here. I just want to talk about this one line.

Warning, this is a very long post.

Where on Earth did the writers get that idea? I can see Santana genuinely believing that about herself since her self esteem isn't always the greatest, but Rachel never corrects her. Santana says she is lazy, and that's it. She's lazy. But wait a minute, are we talking about the same Santana here?

Let me bring up the obvious. The cheerios. I don't think it's possible to be lazy and be a cheerleader under the leadership of Sue Sylvester (unless you're Becky, I guess). Santana was a cheerio for all of season 1 and 3, half of season 2 (only because without her, Quinn, and Brittany the cheerios weren't good enough to win), and presumably all of her freshman year. That's three and a half years of gruelling training and death-defying stunts. And for her senior year she is co-captain, so taking on extra responsibilities.

Also cheerios related, in Diva 4x13 Sue offers Santana a job as the cheerios coach. Despite knowing how tough Sue is she says yes. Later when speaking to Britt she says that she'll take over fully when Sue dies and she's gonna make sure that happens within a few years (presumably a joke but who knows what would've happened).

Then there's the New Directions. Santana is in the glee club for three (almost) straight years. We don't often see much more than lessons being introduced and then singing, but it's established in season 1 that they do vocal warm ups/training. There's also booty camp which runs late season 2 and all season 3. After she gets (unfairly imo) kicked out in The Purple Piano Project (3x01), she agrees to join Booty Camp to come back to ND. In universe she is one of the better dancers, so this is just a punishment that she accepts, she wants to be in the glee club and will do extra work for it. There's also practising for their competition numbers (even if it's the day of). In season 1 she helps come up with some choreography. Santana often has solo parts and was one of only a few members to get a full solo where she doesn't just park and bark (obvi Britt and Mike were the featured dancers but Santana has her own choreo). Santana is also one of only four characters who audition for a solo for nationals in Funeral (2x21), and she's one of only two who have some sort of choreography.

Continuing on with glee clubs, the Troubletones. Santana joined TT to get more focus. We saw TT discussions and dance practise, and we know that Shelby did vocal coaching that was better than Will's (Mercedes: "Shelby's a great teacher, I'm hitting notes I didn't even know existed.") Santana also pushed through a majorly distressing event (outing) to perform and used that pain to lift the performance (RHI/SLY).

School musicals. Santana has roles in three different school musicals. The only one she doesn't participate in is Cabaret, but that is just a sham to get Rach away from the New Directions. In season two she plays two different characters in Rocky Horror, she's double cast as Magenta (a supporting character) with Quinn, and she plays the lips (this is a mistake on the show's part, the lips are Riff Raff's actor in the movie, but on stage this song is performed by a character named Trixie the Usherette who does a reprise of the song at the end). In West Side Story she plays Anita. Finally in Grease she plays Rizzo, it's worth noting that she gets the role with very little notice and still (from what little we see) nails it.

Jobs. Throughout highschool Santana doesn't seem to have any part time employment, but that's the case for most characters. While she's at Louisville she doesn't need to get a job since she got a scholarship and a bunch of money from her mom. I mentioned previously that she almost got a job as cheerios coach. Once she moves to New York in season 4 she works a shit ton of jobs, like a ridiculous amount. She's a bouncer, a cage dancer, she works at the Coyote Ugly Saloon Bar, she's a waitress, a reoccurring actor for Yeast-I-Stat, Fanny Brice understudy, Rachel's publicist, back up singer (and maybe dancer?) for Mercedes which includes touring with her, and she is an active member of Pamela Lansbury before she and Rachel are kicked out.

Even ignoring the jobs that were just word of mouth, she had five jobs, that's more than any other character in the show, and we unfortunately never find out what she ends up doing.

In season 4 after a push from her friends she takes on NYADA extension classes.

Also relevant, in season 4 she drops out of college. This isn't because she's "too lazy", it's because of the environment. She didn't gel with her fellow students, there's no mention of the work being too much, it's purely that the other cheerleaders don't respond well to her. Her "brutal honesty" or whatever, still not a reflection of her work ethic, just her lack of tact (to put it lightly). Also worth mentioning, the two times we see her at Louisville she is clearly working hard. She can't talk to Britt because she's too busy, and in the scene where that Virginia Wolfe girl eyes her up she's in the library studying. In Jagged Little Tapestry (6x03) Santana tells Brittany that she would like to go back to college, unfortunately we never see if this comes to fruition.

Volunteering. Santana is also the character who volunteers the most. In Silly Love Songs (2x12) she says that she often volunteers at the hospital which is where she got the candy striper outfit. Two episode earlier in A Very Glee Christmas (2x10) the glee girls are going to sell their hair, Santana is the one to tell the others to "stop yapping" and just do it and is just a about to cut off her hair when Will stops them, so clearly she was willing to do it. The next Christmas Santana joins Sam and Quinn at the homeless shelter with the other New Directions after the tv special (kinda goes against her prior eagerness to help out, but makes sense since fame is her mistress). In Lights Out (4x20) she joins Rachel and Kurt volunteering at the Ballet Gala. Admittedly here it's takes a push and she only goes after being offered dresses.

Mentoring. From season four the ND alumni often come back to mentor the newbies or just to help out in general. Santana comes back in Glease (4x06), Thanksgiving (4x08), Diva (4x13), All or Nothing (4x21), 100/New Directions (5x12, 5x13), Homecoming (6x02), and Jagged Little Tapestry (6x03). (I'm not including The Breakup or The Quarterback because she came back for emotional reasons.)

Knowing all of this about her shows how hardworking and passionate Santana is. She is constantly working at something. She has her down time (watching Facts of Life, scrolling Rizzoli & Isles lesbian subtext blogs), but that seems few and far between when knowing just how much she works. It can also be inferred that she is a good student at WMHS, seeing as she got the scholarship to Louisville and they probably wouldn't accept her on just cheerleading merit alone, and she is seen multiple times with her books open, studying. (Pot O' Gold and Saturday Night Glee-ver come to mind). We also know that she cares about her education because she reported Will for being a sub par teacher in The Spanish Teacher (3x12).

Along with everything I just mentioned, Santana also takes it upon herself to do side quests when she wants something. She is so determined to prove that Quinn and Finn are having an affair that she gives herself mono (she's immune apparently, but still). She also goes full spy to take down Sebastian, and to take down Brody. With everything else she does and the effort she puts into random situations to do with her friends she must be goddamn exhausted.

Something I must bring up is related to her being Rachel's understudy. But first another disclaimer: I don't want this post to become a discussion on who was in the right in the situation, both women did bad things, that is not what this post is about. I only bring it up because it is the plot where this line is said, therefore some parts a relevant.

Santana only gets the idea to audition for the understudy role as Rachel leaves to go judge the auditions. We do not know exactly how much time passes in between but it's presumably only a few hours at most. This means that Santana had to memorise the song, change the key and structure by herself, and choreograph the number in a few hours. That shows dedication. Later on in The Back-Up Plan (5x18) Santana goes on in place of Rachel to try and save her friends job. Again she has very little time to prepare to play the role as the show is that night, and hasn't been the understudy for approximately a good few months. We don't see her perform but Rach herself says she was really good. It's unfortunate that we never see Santana get any opportunities come from this, but it's Glee so I digress.

In conclusion (I feel like I'm back in highschool lol), Santana Lopez has many flaws and there are many valid reasons to criticise her, her work ethic is not one. Santana is shown to be an extremely hard working and dedicated character who aims high and will put in the work to get what she wants, she won't let other people get in her way. She can be her own worst enemy and can get into a slump when she can't see a direction to go in, but she always pushes through. I think it's cowardly that the show not only decided that she was the sole offender of the Understudy Situation, but also shunted her with a negative descriptor that is in complete opposition to what we know of her. Despite also saying cruel things during the understudy plot line Rachel gets away with not apologising, and then lets Santana insult herself. It's an unfortunate result and complete character assassination for Santana and shows how little the writers care for her. It also destroys the friendship that Pezberry developed up until that point. Santana is not the only character to be described in a negative way even when the rest of the show doesn't represent that, Mercedes Jones gets this treatment even worse and more often. I do have a discussion about her in my drafts, hopefully I'll finish it one day. It sucks that two of the most versatile and skilled characters in Glee are constantly said to not be enough.

Santana Lopez is not lazy.

[halucynator]

Hi Lucy~~~ ✨ Please can I request a Draco Malfoy fic based on Maisie Peters ‘You to you’? x

You to You

I cannot express to you how happy I am that you requested this. I absolutely love Maisie Peters and this makes my day because she is one of my favourite artists (I have a lot lmao) and she is so underrated hope this is what you wanted xx sorry this is so late x I was trying to make it good xx

Pairing: Draco Malfoy x fem!reader

Warnings: angst, cursing (BC it's the lyrics), jealousy.

Summary: Draco did you dirty and you are determined to get back at him. And you're very good at expressing that.

Yes, this text contains of lyrics from other Maisie Peters songs, sue me (cause !! atleast !! then !! we !! could !! talk !!) they are in blue italic x

Three months ago today, he had your heart on a plate. You ate takeout on the floor, you gave the world to him and more.

As you saw Draco enter with his new girlfriend, you felt nothing but rage. You were such a perfect girlfriend and yet he decided to leave forever for something that won't even last.

"It took him a minute. To rip us up in a minute. To say he's done with committing." You said loudly enough for Draco and his new girlfriend to hear.

Draco sighed as he heard those words, knowing for well they were about him.

"Jesus Christ just move on already." Draco mumbled under his breath but you heard him.

"Oh, don't you think I'm trying." You said, offended by the audacity he had to say that.

As the rest of the common room burst into chatter, you sat there, observing Draco: how he talked to her, gave her time like he never did to you.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

"I lost my friends, took his side! Had his back cause I thought he had mine. That was then, I was wrong." You said to Pansy as you entered your dorm that you shared with her.

"Hello Pansy! Hello y/n! Nice to see you! Nice to see you too!" Pansy mocked annoyed at the lack of introduction.

"Pansy, you know there's no time for introductions right now." You said glaring at her.

"Ok fine! What did he do now?" Pansy asked.

"What did he do? WHAT DID HE DO? WELL I DON'T KNOW PANSY, HE'S DONE A LOT OF THINGS! FOR STARTERS, HE PLAYED ME! THEN HE BROKE UP WITH ME AND MADE IT SEEM LIKE MY FAULT. THEN HE GOT TOGETHER WITH THE ONE GIRL WHO EVERYONE HATES." You half shouted at Pansy.

"Not many people hate Astoria." Pansy replied.

"That's what you got out of this?" You glared at Pansy, your voice dripping with annoyance and anger all together.

"Ok, what do you want me to do about it?" She asked.

"Well for starters you should- well that and- I have no idea." You said looking for an excuse to involve Pansy but failing miserably.

"Exactly. You're digging in this too much. You two are over. You need to enjoy your life." Pansy said.

"That's the first smart thing I've heard you say Pansy! Thanks!" You replied.

"No problem- wait what?!" Pansy pouted looking offended.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

You hoped that he'd find someone that he trusts. And he gives all his darkest secrets up. And then you hoped they break his heart in two.

"Hope she does a you to you to you to you to you." You mumbled under your breath as you saw him enter with Astoria.

"Still on him?" Theo asked seeing you stare at him.

"No way!" You replied.

"What he did was pretty shit. You deserve better." He said smiling at you.

"I shouldn't be surprised, he's not the 'meet the parents' type, he said he needed me, wanted to be with me, just didn't want his friends to see." You said as you glared daggers at him.

"Wow what a liar. What else did he say?" Pansy joined in on your conversation.

"Well, he said I was different. But I wasn't different, I was just a girl he said he loved. Now I wish that I'd listened." You said.

And you lost your friends. Took his side. Had his back cause you thought he had yours. That was then. You were wrong.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

"oh great there she is. She's so obsessed with me." Draco said to Astoria as you stared at you.

"I hope that you finds someone that you trust. And you give all your darkest secrets up. And then I hope she breaks your heart in two. Hope she does a you to you, to you, to you, to you. I hope you give her everything you got. And she tells you you're special when you're not. And then I hope she breaks your heart in two. Hope she does a you to you, to you, to you, to you." You murmured glaring at him, indicating just what he had gotten himself into.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

"I know I'm being bitter but my letters didn't get through to him. Knocked out both my owls oh look at that I guess it's two for two (sorry I couldn't come up with anything better ☠️)." You stated to Pansy angrily.

"He also might've sort of called you a psycho to all of us." Pansy said nervously.

"Calling me a psycho to our friends and that's not news to me. Wish it was, but honestly that's just so him. He should keep in mind that there's nothing I do better than revenge." You said angrily.

(yes a Taylor swift reference)

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

"I heard you've been talking about me behind my back." Draco says. "Care to tell me what you've been saying?"

"It's none of your business." You said death staring him.

"It appears to me that it is very much my business. You're talking about me and for all I know, your pathetic self could be spreading rumours just as pathetic as you." He said surprisingly calmly.

"oh you wanna know? Here. This is what I've been saying." You began.

"Y/n no! You're better than this." Pansy stated. But it was too late. She should've known it was too late.

"I hope you think you've finally found the one. Then she fucks you over just for fun. Cause then maybe you'll realise what you do. Hope she does a you to you." You continued. Draco gave you a look as if daring you to continue.

"So I hope that you find someone that you trust and you give all your darkest secrets up. And then I hope she breaks your heart in two. Hope she does a you to you, to you, to you, to you, to you. Oh I hope she, yeah, I hope, I hope she breaks your heart."

"You don't mean that." He said seemingly unamused.

"Baby, oh you know I hope she does." You said shocked by his audacity.

And you hoped she would.

You hoped she would.

｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡･:*:･ﾟ☆｡･:*:･ﾟ★,｡*:☆

I hope I didn't misinterpret the meaning of your request xx thank you for the idea! I love it! Request again 💖

[iamnmbr3]

❤️🧡💛

If you had to remove one major character from the series, who would you choose? What is a popular (serious) theory you disagree with? What is a popular ship you just can't get behind, and why?

1)

Oooh! Not sure! I think if Ron didn't come back or died in book 7 it could've been really interesting and would make for fodder for a nice AU. I also felt like Ginny's characterization changed a lot in book 6. I liked how she was written much better in book 5. So I wish book 5 Ginny could've been in book 6 and 7 lol. But yeah for real in general I think the characters in the series are overall interesting and dynamic and I like them and the narrative potential they have, even if I feel JKR doesn't always allow them to live up to that potential so there aren't really characters that I'd want to excise, even if there are definitely writing decisions I'd like to remove.

2)

I personally hate the theory that Regulus was forced into becoming a death eater. He literally had a little Voldemort mood board in his room. And he joined up when Voldemort was active and being pretty clear about what he stood for. Plus he seems to have liked his family - he painstakingly hand painted the Black family crest in his room. And we know from Kreacher that he very excitedly and enthusiastically talked about how wizards were going to rule over all the Muggles etc. Which isn't surprising given the family he grew up in. Acting like he was a soft uwu baby who never made any bad decisions and was forced into everything robs the character of agency and makes him far more shallow and less nuanced than he is. Which is such a shame. Because Regulus is fascinating. Let characters make mistakes and suffer the consequences. Let characters be flawed. Let characters be hypocritical and complex and interesting!

Something else that I don't feel as strongly about but am a bit iffy on is the idea that Harry literally became the Master of Death in the end of the series. Look, I've read some great and compelling meta on Master of Death Harry and I've also seen some fics that do it well. But generally speaking, it's not an interpretation I enjoy. I tend to prefer the idea of the Hallows as very powerful magical objects with a lot of mythology around them. (And possibly some connection to the Veil in the Death Chamber which may be what the "bridge" between life and death in the story is based on).

In general though I'm not thrilled with like the idea of them actually being three things that if united literally give the user power over life and death. To me that feels just a bit op to the point of being underwhelming (yes I understand I am saying this about the series with a magic luck potion and time turners). It's just narratively kind of uninteresting and unsatisfying to me and it feels way too abrupt to introduce it so late in the series since it fundamentally changes the world building, feel of the story and style of magic we see in the series. And it's just...usually not that cool to me. Plus, I don't think it's even really especially supported by the cannon. I think JKR's intent was to leave it ambiguous or even to hint that there is no such thing as a true Master of Death, and in this case I think she did a decent job of executing on that intent. That's just my read though.

3)

This is hard for me to answer because I'm very much of a ship and let ship mindset even when I don't personally back something. One ship that I haven't yet found content for that I enjoy is dramione. I've nothing against it, but I feel like a lot of dramione fic tends to reduce Hermione to a Mary Sue and get rid of all her complexity and flaws and rough edges, which is a shame. I feel the same about a lot of tomione fics too, which is also a shame because Hermione has a bit of a ruthless streak that could be very interesting to explore in that context if done right. Maybe I just haven't found the right fics tho. Also in canon, Lupin/Tonks. Just what? It always felt like it came out of nowhere to me and didn't feel like it had enough buildup to make sense. It always felt very weird and random and jarring to me.

[astrum-aetherium]

HEY GIRLIE LUV UR BLOG was just wonderin what type of modern media (like after the 80s or smth) henry wld like in ur opinion? things like idk music/artists or movies/shows or heck even musicals! ^^

awh, thank you so much!! i'm always heartened greatly to see people finding enjoyment in my blog and my content. i do this for all of us henry-enamored masses, as goddd knows we deserve it. there is such a profound lack of content about him pretty much everywhere.

this is such a thrilling ask to receive! i would love to share my thoughts on that. because i have strong perfectionist tendencies, however, i will deviate from the instructions a little bit and break this down into two sections — a short mention of interests that align with the canonical timeline, and one that attunes to a more modern setting. beware that i'm incredibly biased, but all of these just make sense to me. click on links to hear examples.

so, we know that TSH takes place in the 80s. it's never directly mentioned which year we are actually toying with, but it's sort of generally established in the fandom that the story starts in the late summer/fall of 1983 (richard attending hampden and joining the greek class), and ends in the summer of 1984 (henry doing what he did). therefore, these first few propositions on my end are based on this boundary. not to worry, however — it'll be quite short, as i, as a contemporary member of gen z, have way more things to add to the modern list.

he would be quite fond of classical music, there's no way around it. specifically, and mostly because of donna tartt's own description of him likening an old ballerina, i would even go as far as saying that he prefers ballet. take tchaikovsky as an example — swan lake or the nutcracker as the classics, definitely. i wouldn't even exclude the possibility that he would like to go see performances thereof (aside from reimaginations of ancient greek theater, of course). i'm not exactly well-versed in classical music, but from what i do know, i would also like to add that he could like rachmaninoff, shostakovich, beethoven and bach, of course. chopin, even. and yes, i know, this might be quite boring to uninterested minds — which is why i will be moving on.

to assume a slightly more modernized viewpoint (80s-90s)... he would love depeche mode. specifically their albums some great reward, black celebration, and ultra — the comparably darkest ones. this doesn't quite align with the "canonical" timeline as all of those were released around/after 1984, but i just know he would. specifically the songs but not tonight, only when i lose myself, lie to me, if you want, and (of COURSE) enjoy the silence. just basically depeche mode as a whole — so fitting.

for a more broad approach to slightly older music: tears for fears, the cure, duran duran, billie joel, U2, chris isaak, the smiths.

now, to modern stuff. i have to mention lana del rey. there is no way around her when i talk about henry. ultraviolence and honeymoon are his albums. from UV: specifically shades of cool, black beauty, and the title track itself. from honeymoon: the blackest day, swan song, terrence, and, once again, the title track itself. from other albums, i'd say: if you lie down with me, did you know, NFR, national anthem, and i can fly. a bonus mention of unreleased songs that suit him so well: cult leader, tv in black and white, and serial killer. can you tell i am a diehard lana fan? always have, always will. i could write a novel-length essay about how each song on her discography correlates with henry. i love them both so.

other examples of newer music he would like: mitski (specifically heat lightning and once more to see you, but generally all of them), lorde, mac demarco, local natives, the national, birdy. and — you need to hear me out — some taylor swift songs. i think he would appreciate the poeticism of folklore (e.g. hoax, this is me trying, the lakes) and evermore (cowboy like me, tolerate it). sue me.

when it comes to film and tv... i'd say he would be one of those people who genuinely enjoy silent movies, lol. pretentiously so. to be less humorous, i think he'd quite enjoy complex dramas. the haunting of hill house, maybe. the sixth sense. the shining. the silence of the lambs. hannibal. TROY (although he would complain and complain and complain about the inaccuracy but still like it). a clockwork orange. dexter. evidently, i'm not a huge movie nerd, which is why this might be a little general. but here are just some thoughts.

for musicals, i needed to consult my devoted theater kid friend. to make a long debate short, we agree that it would be the phantom of the opera, les mis, and heathers (for some funny reason). as an explanation on the latter — he would enjoy the hierarchy concept and the dark comedy of it all. but this is just a wild card, lol. the other two are more fitting (specifically the phantom of the opera!).

this took longer than anticipated to compose, but i hope it provides some sort of outlook. thank you, once again, for this wonderful ask! i was overjoyed to say the absolute least.

[kinemonsassbiter]

MY THOUGHTS ON YAMATO

Yamato has a mixed rep in fandom, because someone can't stand her while others adore. It would be obvious what i myself think about this oni through my text.

To be short I'm her slander /s. And if i want to make it long...

I have several big problems with Yamato that makes it hard for me to enjoy this character in any sense.

1. She doesn't feel as if this character should even belong in here.

Feels as if Yamato either from absolutely different anime or as if she decided to came in plot too late. I'm not talking about how OP Yamato is (even if it is kinda true and makes her look a bit like Mary Sue), if that was the only problem i would not mind it any sense abd be be just very happy. Yamato just... doesn't sit with me right, she got too late into arc to really gave her space to show out. Despite how much i love Wano there was no way on adding whole new important character right in 3rd act at fucking final battle AND make it not stand out as something unexpected (in a bad way). I'm very happy that she didn't sailed with Strawhats, but it makes her words on joining Luffy & co even more strange because...

2. It makes Yamato useless and unnecessary plot device.

Not just in sence that Yamato would be unnecessary in team but just in general. Most of her actions either can get cut off and nothing is going to change, or that action could've been done by anyone but her. Luffy would have beat Kaido either way, Momonosuke would have overcome own fears either way, etc. Her only important part of story - is Ace flashback. And even it feels for me...forced. That's all. The saddest part is - Yamato in end of acr is exactly THE SAME character we first in her first appearance. She wanted to be free and be Oden - she still wants to be free and be Oden. No change. Yamato don't have any mental conflicts at this point, even these little that we were shown are happening in flashbacks and not in our time. That's really bad. Even her conflicts about self-identity got wasted because...

3. "I'm Oden" thing is not funny.

This joke was funny the first time, the second time, the others time it was rather annoying at best and creepy and worst. I know why Yamato does that - thanks to Kaido being a shitty father - but it is not an excuse for this obsession looking rather less disturbing. I kinda feel sad for Momo and Kin to be honest. Imagine seeing some stranger calling themselves with name of your dead father/friend that you cared for very much. It is kinda better in anime but in manga it's rather makes Yamato look more unlikable (and Oda knows that for sure). She adores and respects Oden sooo much yet doesn't show it to his son and friend(with not respecting their plead to stop), isn't it kinda fucked up? Just imagine how good of character arc it would be if Yamato actually was able to understand that it isn't healthy, grow out from it and rethink own choice and accept own personality as Yamato and not pretend to he someone else? But we didn't get it in any place) (btw if i will see someone tagging Yamato's art with Oden's name once more I'm going to fucking die. I want to see OTHER hot ass tall himbo thank you)

4. Her personality is a cake with nothing.

Expect that Oden thing there was nothing interesting for me to look at. Yes another silly himbo. And? We already saw characters like this before, why i should care about other one?

I feel like i can go for a very long time on other parts on why i don't like this character and think she is overrated, but this is the biggest problems i thought about while re-reading one piece.

I hope she isn't going to actually join the Strawhats either way unlike Momonosuke and Kin'emon (who i think deserved it way more)

If you will say that I'm just simping over other chars and not being rational - Yes. That's all.

[midday-headcanons]

Biolight, Kitsune, and the Sun(thoughts on the OW2 support heroes)

Okay. Rewatching the origin stories and cinematics of the OW2 exclusive heroes after playing them in game gave me a few thoughts.

Firstly, there's Niran aka Lifeweaver.

TL;DR: Niran was an incredibly smart rich kid with seemingly endless resources, a proclivity for disobedience, and distaste for perfection. Somehow, he basically made himself a god - being able to turn hardlight into real living matter - and is wanted by evil corporations so they can steal it. He also was Symmetra's roommate.

Pretty boy, super smart, super rich, loving parents, god powers.

Second, there's Kiriko.

TL;DR: Grew up with Hanzo and Genji (She should be in her late 20s-early 30s, if that's the case, but she's not) by her mother and grandmother, both of which having opposing views. Modernity vs Tradition. Instead of settling for one or the other, she blends the two in order to protect the people of Kanezaka from the Hashimoto mafia with her band of freedom fighters called the Yokai. She also has a fox spirit that makes her strong and keeps her young/healthy.

Pretty girl, natural leader, another ninja, loving parents, god powers.

TL;DR: Illari was groomed to be the greatest of the Inti Warriors, powerful fighters who used the energy from the sun to bolster themselves. She was slated to join the Inti after receiving her solar threading, but a blast of power during the ceremony destroyed the chamber and everyone in it - everyone but her. Living with the guilt, she refuses anyone's sympathy and continues striving to earn forgiveness for a slight she doesn't truly know was her fault.

Trained warrior but also prodigy, riddled with survivors guilt, loving community, god powers.

There is only one of these 3 I have no complaints about. Can you guess who?

Now, we get to the fun part, aka the part where I complain. Take everything I say with a grain of salt; this is my personal opinion that I am entitled to.

Yes, there is nuance and hidden details about every hero in Overwatch. As someone who has been following the games lore since way before the content drought, I am well aware of the hidden details. But when it comes to some of the new OW2 heroes, particularly the supports, does it feel like the new heroes have been relegated to "Mary Sue" status to anyone else?

With the exception of Illari, who is probably the best written OW2 support (Note: I specify OW2 support because the OW1 supports have good lore), the other two supports feel like they were made to be perfect and plastic.

Kiriko "I have the power of god and anime on my side" Kamori and Niran "actually a god" PruksaManee have this way about them that feels... too smooth. Niran was naturally ridiculously smart and somehow figured out how to become a god, I guess? How else do you explain crafting organic life from... nothing, basically? In fact, he is probably the most egregious example of what I'm referring to.

As for Kiriko, she is shoehorned into the story of Hanzo and Genji, made out to be a troublemaking child turned responsible adult... like Genji, just without the attempted murder, and has access to a spirit. The spirit thing is connected to an even bigger issue with the lore regarding the Shimada's dragons. No one explained what they are, and the fact they resemble hardlight doesn't feel like a coincidence. Is it supposed to be magic or not? At least in the case of Zenyatta and Rammatra's Iris, that could be explained by means of code. The spirits, not so much. Anyways...

A common argument I get in favour of their characters is "you just want them to be gritty and edgy." They don't need grit to be good. Yes, almost every hero in Overwatch has some form of grit, but it's not totally necessary to make a good character. Take Brig for example.

This is an example of a well written character with virtually no grit in her backstory. She's not a prodigy; she had to work hard for her skills. She has no god powers - no matter how busted she can be in game - and she didn't have to go through horrible traumas to get where she is. Yes, her father and godfather are both in the game and important to the lore, but that's not what makes her relevant and interesting. She feels distinct from them, and yet connects with them easily.

Her attitude isn't abrasive or annoying, her voicelines are consistent and fun ("Mace to the face!"), and she embodies her character type comfortably without being stereotypical. Brig feels her age, not overcompensating or a meme generator. And even beyond the squire archetype, she has shown a sensitive side in regards to art and poetry in the same way a tomboy would. While she is pretty (OW team make an ugly hero challenge: impossible), she isn't plastic like Lifeweaver and she doesn't look like a child the way Kiriko does. Brig is built like a young woman and probably one of the most realistic bodies in the game.

Brig is relatable.

Brig feels like me.

She is frankly a very well written character, both in and out of game, all while maintaining the futuristic fantasy of the OW2 world. You can make more characters like her without making them suffer some trauma or commit war crimes, Blizzard.

[thekimspoblog]

Introducing myself to a new mutual.

Me: I'm mostly on here to yell about how Kim should be allowed to become a villain if/when she gets her own spinoff.

Them: Like an alternative universe? 👀 or in the breaking bad timeline

I’ve never heard anyone say that before sounds pretty cool she def would fit the roll

Me: I'd like to see her story continue after BCS. My headcanon is that she "relapsed" pretty hard back into being Slippin' Kimmy, given how clearly miserable she was trying to be a "normal" person in Florida. I also think it would be interesting if her ruthlessness found an outlet in the form of joining the reproductive rights movement; I honestly feel like it was an oversight how BCS never brought up the attacks on Roe.

Most of my fanfics also involve her going back and starting a family with Jimmy if it's not too late. But admittedly that part is mostly just wish fulfilment.

I guess I would specify that when I say "villain" I really still more mean "antihero". I think Kim Wexler works as a Mary Sue for addressing many contemporary social issues, some with easy solutions and cartoon villains to defeat, some with no perfect solutions available whatsoever; my favorite character arc in BCS was easily the Mr. Acker subplot.

But even if she is actively trying to be a moral person, it's more interesting if Kim is not omniscient and frequently makes a wrong or questionable choice when faced with a trolley problem. Walter White was only ever interested in his own self-aggrandizement, but if I was going to give Kim her own series to go on another power-trip, I'd like to see her trying to make the world a better place and failing. And even in the situations where she does help more people than she harms, she is networking with (and frequently antagonizing) many extremely rich and brutal people, so even when everything goes according to plan, this lifestyle is still dangerous for herself and the people who love her. And in that sense, even if she means well, it's still a selfish goal to pursue.

Them: That’s so so interesting, I always thought that the way BCS ended was great. It was bittersweet. But when I think about it, actually it would be really cool to have an elaboration of Kim. Kind of like El Camino where Jesse got an ending he deserved after all Walt put him through. Even so it is a little jarring to have no follow up on Kim after the end of season 6. I know that morally she is not the best person (as with literally everyone else in the series) but I can’t help but feel she did deserve better despite this. With Jimmy, I couldn’t ever see him going back to being slippin Jimmy but for the opposite reasons. He never really attempted to have any moral compass, in comparison. Which is what ultimately led to his demise. I guess the one thing they have in common is that despite their differences they’re both faced with higher powers and the system that failed them both.

Oh! Do you have AO3? Or do you upload elsewhere

Me: Yes I'm on AO3.

In the new story I'm working on, Jimmy has one job: say no to Kim. I agree he has never self-actualized, so in SK I do have him trying to find his own path. He meditates now and shit.

You can see my fan trailer in my pinned post.

I think he probably would go back to being Slippin Jimmy if Kim told him to, given that she was the main reason he stopped in the first place. But yes, the way I want to write it, even he has roads he's not willing to go down again and would leave her if she ignored his warnings.

Them: So cool :) I’ll check it out when I have time

[literaticat]

This is a weird question. Well before I even got a literary agent or a book deal, I had joined a writing group while working on a personal project. We passed ideas around, and discussed doing a separate project together and splitting the profits if we were successful. But when we couldn't agree on a major plot point, the group fell apart and I went back to focusing on my personal project. Months later, I started shopping for an agent, and got one! And from there my agent and I successfully sold the book. But then afterwards, members of that old writing group started making passive aggressive comments about me. And when I confronted them, one said they would sue me if they saw any of their work in one of my books - something I would never do in the first place. I haven't done anything wrong, I have text receipts of every conversation and multiple witnesses, and my friends are warning me that the group is just jealous that I got a book deal and they haven't managed the same. But my project has always been mine, and had nothing to do with the group to begin with. I'm worried that they'll try to ruin my book's chances somehow or even what the impact of that would be. I don't know if I should talk to my Agent or Editors about this, or just wait and see. I don't want to be a squeaky wheel either. Maybe nothing will happen and they're just angry, but I don't know what more I can do. I haven't and wouldn't ever use the things we talked about as a group, but they're really mad. Is this something I should talk to my Agent about?

I’m sorry you are dealing with jealous people — that really sucks.

The good news is, probably this will be long forgotten by the time your book is out. And even if not, what are they gonna do? They probably won’t be ballsy enough to SUE you with no evidence, and if they tried, it would be thrown out. They can gripe about you — they can write mean reviews or something — but if you out there in the world being classy and delightful and upbeat and generous, and your book is entirely your own original, terrific work, they will just look like sour-grape losers, and they can die mad about it.

That said, IMO, if you are ever in a position where you are nervous about something author-ish and you think “should I talk to my agent about this?” — the answer is most probably YES. Even if your worry is unfounded, it’s better for your agent to know, so they can reassure you, nip any potential problems in the bud, give the publisher a heads up if it becomes necessary, and most importantly, so if a situation DOES become “a thing” down the line, they are already prepared and know the relevant info, rather than coming in late and having to scramble to piece together whatever the situation is on the fly, yanno?

[littleharpethcrossfit]

Sunday, New Year's Eve, 123123.

What a gorgeous afternoon it turned out to be. Yes it was a cool 55 degrees, but the sun was brilliant and only the slightest breeze was moving. Not many came to the early session, but we were nearly overwhelmed at the second.

The much appreciated Admiral Armando led us in a fine mobility warmup and nearly everyone joined him.

Warmup

10 Naked Barbell (45/35/22) Bench Presses. 3 Rounds.

Partner Med-Ball Passes...10 Reps...5 Different Ways.

Strength

Bench Press: 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 / 8 (55 to 65%)

Ring Row Supersets: 5 / 5 / 5 / 5

Patrick=205 (X5s) Larry/Bernie/Armando=185 Robert=165 Nathan=155 Coach/Scott=145 Paul=135 Herb/Dyer=125 Polk/Tom/Dana/Tim/Allison=115 Linda/Cheri/Elisa/Caitlin=85 Tripp/Sue=70 Shannon/Marissa=55 Faith (The Kid)=30 Average Dave=Bad Back ? Cherrita/Liz/Alicia/Nate/Warren G/and others=no score posted

WOD

Running "Elizabeth" ( A Benchmark Girl, plus aerobic stuff )

Run 800 / Row-Ski 1000 / Bike 2000m

21 X 15 X 9

Power Cleans (135/95/65)

Ring Dips

Run 800 / Row-Ski 1000 / Bike 2000m

Sue=12:58 Allison=13:28* Dana=13:42* Larry=14:07* Elisa=14:38 Tripp=14:39 Robert=14:58** Caitlin=15:00 Cheri=15:34 (Faith (The Kid)=16:00 Marissa=16:15 Nathan=16:20 Bernie=16:37 Tim=17:45 Herb=17:55 Armando=18:14** Shannon=18:20 Polk=18:48 Tom=19:28 Linda/Coach=19:58 Paul=21:00 Dyer=21:40 Patrick=22:05 Scott=22:18 Average Dave/Cherrita/Liz/Alicia/Warren G/Nate and others=no posting

Notes:

A great group. Many old friends. Many new friends. I really enjoyed seeing all of you, even Robert just back from a long vacation.

After nagging me for 3 weeks, Kayla failed to make an appearance with the visiting Sister-In-Law she begged me for permission to bring. Sister-In-Law has been scoring high marks on social media lately. Sometimes I think Kayla is another Sophia (search it), the soul-less social humanoid robot with a cell phone attached to the end of her nose, except I know she has a real nice human Mom & Dad. Yesterday she got a Personal Best and rung the bell and thanked Cheri; maybe that excitement exhausted her for the rest of the weekend. It is all over Instagram if you missed it.

The Mr. Rodes (Father of Dyer) made his annual holiday appearance at the Barn. He was the handsome and well attired gentleman who spent the hour on a Bike and a Rower. His first visit here was 5 years ago (or more). He drives himself here from Lexington, Ky. After his first visits he went home and bought a C-2 Rower and Bike Erg for his private use. I suspect that he has some weights too, but he doesn't brag. Mr. Rodes is 93 years old and remarked that our gym has a lot of nice looking girls. I hope I'm like Mr. Rodes 14 years from now.

Warren G escorted Mr. Rodes to the indoor plumbing. WG can be a surprisingly nice boy sometimes. WG Quote: "Love that Dude".

NEW YEARS DAY (TOMORROW), LHCF IS CLOSED !!!

Tuesday at 4 PM. Start 2024 off right. Come to the Barn.

[positivelybeastly]

For a moment, Hank considered where he could take this. Despite appearances - and, occasionally, actions - to the contrary, he was an emotionally sensitive man, and where others might take the escalation of volume to be an invitation to shout back, he knew it wasn't him that Johnny was truly furious with. Stars weren't angry at what they hit when they let off a flare of radiation and stellar matter, they were just doing what they did, burning - and all the more solitary for it.

There's a part of him that wants to bite back with his own pain, that wants to snap that the man isn't the only one who's had it rough. He at least has the excuse of tragedy, Hank's problems were almost all of his own manufacturing, of his own blinkered arrogance and overcompensation for being so much less than he wished to be.

But a dark thought occurs to him, that that's exactly the kind of thinking that had him screaming like a wounded child at every mutant who had ever loved him and rejecting their help, and he stops himself. He doesn't want that again. He really, desperately doesn't want that again. He hates that version of himself, that prickly, insecure, snippy and unkind idiot that can't see when people are concerned, or hurting, or in need.

That version of himself . . .

"Johnny, I . . . want to tell you a story. And I know that must seem frightfully insensitive and condescending, but I ask that you bear with me, and you let me say my piece. If you find what I have to tell you lacking, then I'll shut up, and I'll keep your confidence. I won't tell anyone what we've talked about, we don't even have to acknowledge we had a conversation. So just. Bear with me, yes?" Had he ever told this story to - anyone? All of it? Really all of it? No, he didn't think he had. Not his parents, not his friends, not Abigail, not anyone. This was going to be his first time really talking about this.

Saddle up, Johnny.

"When I was seventeen, I met Professor Charles Xavier. He saw in me a potential for good that I had been squandering - hiding, in fact. I wanted an easy life. I was, at the time, a mutant who could pass, and I liked it that way. I liked being normal. But the world was changing, and I was who the Professor needed - who, and perhaps this is egotistical, but it's relevant, the world needed - at the time."

"So I stepped up to the plate, and I was good at it. But before long, I started thinking, is this it? Is this going to be the rest of my life? Surely I should be doing more than this? Surely I can contribute more than this? A few months after my twentieth birthday, I left the X-Men. I have family. I have two parents who have supported me every step of the way, which is more than so many of my friends can say, but even still, the X-Men were family. I had been an only child, how could they not be? And even then, you, Ben . . ." His voice became very soft. "Reed, Sue. You know what it's like, facing danger day after day, relying solely on each other. You become as intrinsic to one another as a neutron to a proton."

"But I left. I had outgrown the team, I felt. I was a man now, equipped by age and intellect to do what I couldn't do on the X-Men, change the world. I joined the research wing of the Brand Corporation, and it was, oh, it was . . . heady. So many clever people, so many resources, so much time, what do you mean I'm getting paid to do scientific research? I met a girl. We became close. I was so sure of myself. I could do no wrong."

"Late one night, I isolated the hormonal extract that induces mutation in those with an active X-gene. Mutant Growth Hormone. The next step in human evolution, bottled. I thought to myself, there's no mystery left now, this is who I am, isolated in a glass. But someone threatened that discovery, wanted to seize it for their own ghoulish aims, and when I found out, I rushed back to my lab. I needed to act, but I couldn't do it as me, could I? I couldn't reveal myself to be a mutant, that would destroy everything I'd worked for. But if I mutated myself, and then imbibed the counter-agent, I would have a window where I could act as I would, without fear of reprisal." He fixed Johnny with a very solemn stare.

"I . . . drank it. No, I chugged the damn thing. And in an instant, this was me." He held up his furry arms, tweaked the pointed ends of his tears, rolled his jaw and showed off his fangs. Hank was quiet for a moment. "Johnny, I had been lying to myself. I could have just called security. I could have done any number of things. But I was so high on my own sense of self-worth that I wanted to do this. I wanted to prove I was so smart. I wanted to see the fruits of my labour made manifest, right there and then. It was so stupid. It was so obviously, damnably stupid! It's almost funny, isn't it, to hear me tell it? Literally drinking lab chemicals!"

". . . I stopped them from getting ahold of my research, but I nearly killed someone in the process - two, someones." It didn't matter that the Iron Man he had tried to kill had been illusory, the intent had been there. "I had lost control, and I was paying the price for it. I couldn't change back. I was stuck like this. I went home. I wandered the streets at night, hating myself. I slept eighteen hours a day, woke up, ate, went back to bed. I was so ashamed. I felt so stupid. I was such an obviously stupid, irresponsible, downright dangerous fool." He fixed Johnny with a look, quoting him. "The second my family was out of the picture, what did I do? Made a complete fool out of myself."

"But I came back from it, Johnny. It took me a while, and I had to confront some very unwelcome, harsh truths about the kind of man I was. I wasn't as mature as I thought. I wasn't as smart as I thought. I wasn't as good as I thought. But I came back. Do you know how? I decided I liked superheroing, even after what had happened to me. And I liked it in a group. I learned my lesson, and I became an Avenger. It gave me focus, it gave me purpose, it gave me new friends, a new family, it gave me a second chance. Will it be that for you? I don't know. But it could be. You don't have to be good to be an Avenger - you just have to want to be good. You aren't a joke. You never have been. And you still don't have to be."

Usually more perceptive than people tended to give him credit for, these days Johnny was prone to dwelling on himself, his own problems and screw-ups, too self-involved to really see the man standing before him clutching his own forearm with a white-knuckled grip.

His head snapped up from his feet at Hank's final comment, a sneer spread across weary features. He'd aged so much in the last six months — avoiding mirrors could only do so much when the dying wish of any tabloid was for a down-and-out celebrity to know how bad he really looked.

"I'm not good! I don't know if you've seen the tabloids lately Hank, but one week I'm getting banned from the Rainbow Room for being a degenerate, and the next I'm Captain America's boy? No, that's just-- that's not right." He seethed. The aggression wasn't aimed towards Hank, but it could have easily seemed that way. No, it was directed inwards. Because no one was more disappointed in him than himself.

Johnny took a breath before he continued, calmer this time. He brought a hand up to rub at the back of his neck. "Sorry. Sorry. It's just-- I'm-- I wonder sometimes if I was only good because I had to be. I mean, look at me. The second my family's out of the picture what do I do? Make a complete fool out of myself. Push Ben so far away he literally went to space. Start seeing my ex's sister." A disdainful scoff punctuated the self reflection.

"And Crystal has been so good to me since I've been here and the longer everything goes on the more it's going to hurt everyone and I know it's bad but it feels like Medusa is the only thing keeping me sane right now and I'm just--" He paused, took a moment to collect his racing thoughts.

Another breath in.

Stop rambling, Storm.

And out.

"I just keep doing the wrong thing." He said finally. "How's that supposed to reflect on Cap? Me on his Unitity Squad? It'll just make the whole thing look like a joke. I'm a joke, Hank. Always have been."

@positivelybeastly

[pick-me-up-im-scared]

Sea You Again (Fluff) (Hiccup x Mermaid), Chapter 1: What Was That?

Author´s Note: I've been reading a lot of "Hiccup x Mermaid" lately. I actually don't know why since I didn't thought I would like them. But, surprisingly, I did! It made my imagination go off and now I want to try to make my own attempt. And "yes", the title for this "book" is a pun. Sue me!

Words: 692

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Hiccup's pov:

Being the Chief of Berk, well New Berk, has really been taking a tole on me. All the new responsibilities I've got has really been overwhelming. Makes me wonder 'how did my father do it so well?'. Even though it's been a while since I inherited the "Chief"-title, I'm still struggling. But I have got a few "tricks" to help me. One being me going down to the water by the end of every day. I've found this ocean with a beach connected to it, which allows me to get the taste of the water without actually getting wet. I like to just sit there, enjoying to peacefulness of the water. Being able to rest my mind that's so hyper the rest of the days. Usually, Toothless likes to join me. We don't get that much bonding time with him being the new alpha and me being the Chief. So I value these moments really high nowadays. It's crazy how things you took for granted when you were 18 now takes place as your most precious things. But I guess he values chasing a rabbit over spending time with me.

As I looked at the mountain on the opposed side of the ocean, I could have sworn I saw something moving in the corner of my eye. In the water. Out of reflex, I snapped my head at the direction I, half a second ago, had seen something... moving. I let my eyes go from left to right, scanning everything 110% that's in my field of sight. But with no luck. Knowing my lack of sleep, I convince myself 'it was probably just some illusion'. Just as I was about to go back to my mountaingazing I saw it again. This time by a rock, only a few meter away from where I'm sitting. It being so close to me allowed me to hear it too. Water waving, due to its movements, and..... clicking?

I walked towards the rock, trying my best to be as quiet as possible, not wanting to scare it way. As I reached the water I knew I was screwed. There's no way the "creature" behind the rock won't hear me now. I looked down, praying for my steps to not flop so much. But of course it didn't help. As I raised my glance at the rock again, with an unamused face, I quickly stopped in my tracks. My expression changed to a shocked one. By the side of the rock I could see a face peaking out.... a human face. Even though I only saw half of it I could still tell we had eye contact. Its (e/c) eye looked deep inside my emerald green ones. My mind was racing, trying to tell me what to do. Should I walk up to it and risk being eaten alive? Should I run back to the village? Still standing in my spot, I unmanageably began to fall. I felt as my legs no longer could hold me up. As if a 100 kilos worth of weight was thrown onto me. The shock of seeing the face, apparently, lead to me passing out. Right where I was standing. A thump and I was under water. I felt the water surrounding my face and slowly clogged my airways. Just before I went unconscious I felt a pair of arms around my waist, pulling me up.

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Auther´s Note: Hope you liked the first chapter on this book. I'm already working on the second one, so I hope I'll be able to publish it very soon. Also, this chapter was kind of short, I'll aim to make the other chapters around 1000 words.

[peakyblindersxx]

just seen your tags and hate sex can be with a wife reader as well if you get my vibe 🖐🏻 especially some season one tommy and a reader that would be a bit like esme 😁

no, you don't have to treat it like a request... unless...

reminder - tommy shelby x wife!reader

gif by @thesoldiersminute i think i owe you two cakes now cause holy shit.... no words

a/n: good lord, the gif that started this all... anyways my darling lily <3 i hope you enjoy this!! i sure as fuck enjoyed writing it. this might have gotten a little out of hand (ie: very self indulgent) but what the hell.... btw i'm still working on requests (yes they're still open) for a variety of characters, i have a bunch i'm super excited about!!

love, abi xxx

tagging: @lilymurphy03

warnings: nsfw!! smut, reader & tommy being mean to each other, slight praise kink (who am i kidding), choking, this is just.....absolute filth

It was almost midnight, shadows cast across Tommy’s office only by the dimly lit lamps scattered across the spacious room. You sat in his leather chair in your favorite silk slip, a deep purple number all the way from China that made you feel almost daring, a scowl adorning your carefully painted lips, refilling your crystal glass with Tommy’s stupid gin. He was late again, for the hundredth time this month, it’d seemed; pushing you over the precipice from bitterness into anger. Who was he to neglect you, the one who’d constantly dealt with his shit, often joining him in digging himself out of it? Without question, without any complaint? And here you sat, alone, night after night, hating yourself for staring out the window, desperately waiting for a glimpse of headlights to come rumbling up the driveway.

This night, however, it’d seemed was full of surprises, as the bright lights on Tommy’s Bentley almost blinded you as he came racing up the pavement, a clear sign that today hadn’t gone well. Your thoroughly bruised ego, however, could care less. You refused to rise from your position in his high-backed chair; instead waiting for him to stomp up the stairs and find you. The door creaked open, Tommy having no physical reaction to you perched in his seat, choosing to first pour himself a glass of whiskey before lighting a cigarette, piercing blue eyes finally meeting your gaze. Despite all the resentment you harbored, he still looked like a fucking dream come true to you, muscles flexing under his white dress shirt as he twisted the bottle of whiskey open once more, refilling his now empty class.

“Should I even ask, or are you just going to start screaming?”

You scoffed, shooting the rest of your gin. “Like you’ve been around enough to even know how I feel.”

Tommy’s brow furrowed as he took another drag from his cigarette. “Maybe if you weren’t spending so much time flirting with my fucking cousin, I would.”

Fuck being polite, you thought. “Look, I’m sorry that you’ve got some sort of inferiority complex when it comes to Michael but if you haven’t noticed, I’ve been so busy raising our god damn children to be fucking about. Sue me if he actually asks how I’m feeling.” Tommy’s eyebrow raised, and you took another sip of gin, the liquor loosening your ambiguity. “Probably treat me better than this, anyway.”

Fuck. You hadn’t meant that, but it was too late now. In an instant, after carefully extinguishing the last of his cigarette, you were pinned up against the wall, Tommy’s whiskey-addled breath mingling with yours as he slipped his thigh in between your legs, pressing against your core.

“Think he could do better than me, eh?” He practically growled, taking a pause to suck a bruise into the soft skin where your neck met your shoulder. “Think he could take care of you like I do? Fuck you better, even?”

“How should I know? Can’t even remember the last time you touched me,” You snapped back, yet the way you leaned into his touch revealed your true emotions. You couldn’t help but melt under Tommy’s affection, even after all these years. He practically drove you insane, but you could never hide that you loved it. Loved him.

“M’just gonna have to show you then,” he grunted, quickly ridding you of your slip and tossing it aside, leaving you naked except for a pair of black lace panties as you fumbled at his belt buckle, yearning to feel his skin on yours. “Remind you who you belong to.”

Tommy wasn’t gentle in the way he tossed you on the desk, practically ripping off the last article of clothing you wore, almost offended that it was in his way before pinning your hips down, sinking to his knees, tongue lapping at your slit as if he craved you. You couldn’t help the cry that fell from your lips, hands twisting in his hair, tugging hard enough to cause him to groan into your pulsing cunt. He paused only to slip a finger inside of you, curling his finger slightly to press up against your g-spot, causing you to jolt in pleasure, gasping, your eyes squeezing shut.

“Look at me, Y/N,” Tommy demanded, jaw clenched, waiting until your eyes flickered open to close his lips around your clit, sucking lightly as he added another finger, slowly fucking his fingers in and out of you. The noise that left your mouth was obscene, earning a chuckle from Tommy, sending vibrations through your body. God, you were already close, and he hadn’t even been touching you for five minutes.

“Tommy, I…” You trailed off as he pumped his fingers in and out of you, letting go of your sensitive nub to watch you, back arched as your hands gripped at the sheets for leverage.

“Tell me who makes you feel this good, and I’ll let you cum.” You let out a whine, eyes rolling back from the pads of his fingers bumping up against your g-spot, Tommy cracking a smug smile at your wanton desperation. “You can do better than that, sweetheart.”

“You do,” You managed to get out, thighs tightening around his head as he began to flick his tongue across your clit. “Fuckin’ christ, Tommy,” you swore at him, gasping for air. “M’yours, please…”

All too quickly, Tommy stopped his ministrations, only to press his hard cock against your dripping core, body against yours, reveling in the way you squirmed underneath him, desperate for him to do something already, for christ’s sake. His right hand made its way around your neck, squeezing hard enough to send stars across your vision as you gasped for air.

“You’re fucking mine,” Tommy grunted, savoring the way you moaned audibly at his words. “You gonna be good for me, darlin’?” You hated the way you didn’t even think, just nodded in response as he entered you slowly, giving you time to adjust to him.

“God, you look so fuckin’ pretty with my cock in you,” Tommy swore, causing your cheeks to redden at the praise. “Can’t believe I let you go this long without fuckin’ you senseless like you deserve to be.”

“Tom,” You cried out as he started to move himself in and out of you, causing your cunt to squeeze around him.

“Still think he can do better, love?” He groaned as he felt your walls clench around him, quickening his pace, sending your eyes rolling back into your head. You shook your head vigorously, unable to form words as he pumped himself in and out of you, your nails scratching at his broad shoulders.

“Only want you,” You managed to get out, every brush of Tommy’s cock against your g-spot sending you closer to your orgasm. His eyes softened slightly, but his thrusts seemed to get even faster, cries freely falling from your slightly agape lips.

“That’s my girl,” Tommy crooned, watching you come undone all over him, seeming to only fuel his relentless pace as he fucked himself into you, your eyelids fluttering as he fucked you through yet another orgasm, the feeling of you unable to help but release yet again sending him over the edge, pumping you full of him. After a moment, he pulled himself out of you, eyes glued on his release dripping out of you before meeting your half-lidded eyes with his.

“M’fuckin’ sorry,” He blurted out, the vulnerability of coming undone infront of you lowering his guard, lowering his blue eyes to the carpet as he reached into his desk drawer to grab a rag, gently cleaning you up.

“Me too,” you admitted, reaching up to fix the strands of hair sticking up at the back of Tommy’s head from where you had tugged it.

“I’ll do better, alright? I fuckin’ promise,” He murmurred, pressing his lips to yours.

“Only if you promise to fuck me like this more often.”

[justmeandmysickies]

Em, I'm here to request my favourite trope, and that is the ✨stress stomach ache✨ Maybe two of your boys are out on a date, but one of them is extremely anxious about something that's been happening at work; he tries his best to not let it ruin the evening, but racing thoughts and an upset stomach eventually overwhelm him and he admits to his partner that he's not doing so well (I'm imagining sick/stressed Naoko, but please choose whoever you think it'd work for!)

Flick, you are an angel, thanks for the request. This was my first time writing this trope and I'm not really satisfied with how it turned out but I hope you can still enjoy it somehow!

For reference: Marissa is Naoko's superior/boss

Stress

characters: Sevan and Naoko warnings: implied emeto, mention of food, slight angst (I think?)

“Babe? Babe! Are you listening?”

“Hm?” Naoko questioned as he finally looked up from his hands.

“So you weren’t listening.” Sevan sighed. “What’s going on with you today?”

Naoko jumped a little at the question. He thought he’d been subtle. The couple was currently out on their first date night in forever and both men had been looking forward to this evening. Unfortunately, Naoko was not enjoying himself as much as he’d liked.

“Nothing baby, really. Work was hard, that’s all.” Naoko tried to reason, his smile not quite reaching his eyes.

Sevan raised his eyebrows at that. His boyfriend was obviously keeping something from him. He also hadn’t missed the hand Naoko protectively kept on his stomach. “Work is always hard for you, babe but you never get like this.”

“Like what?”

“You’re fidgety, distracted and you seem uncomfortable. Is it me? Did I do something wrong?” Sevan asked nervously.

“No! Baby, no. I just had a really hard day. I’m fine though, I promise.” Naoko was trying to sound reassuring, but Sevan could see right through his act. He also knew however, that his boyfriend was stubborn. Too stubborn to admit something was bothering him, so Sevan decided to drop the matter.

While Sevan went back to digging into his delicious meal, Naoko was barely picking at his. His stomach was in knots and it was starting to get really painful.

Due to Covid life at the hospital was upside down and today had been especially bad. Naoko had double as many patients to tend to and double as many shifts to cover. It was only a matter of time until a mistake was going to be made, and today might have been the day.

Nao winced as a cramp shot through his abdomen. What if he really had messed up today? What if he was going to lose his job? What was he supposed to do then? What if-

Naoko hadn’t even realized he’d spaced out again until Sevan gently nudged his arm.

“Baby, talk to me please. You look like you’re about to have a panic attack.” Sevan was getting really worried. His boyfriend was pale and sweating, his breathing was quick and shallow, and his hand was now clenching at his stomach.

“Today-“ Naoko trailed off, taking a deep breath, trying his best to collect himself. “I messed up today.”

“What do you mean you messed up?” Sevan asked, gently encouraging his boyfriend to keep talking.

“A guy came into the ER for stomach pain. He looked okay, so I told him to sit down and wait. It was full as always, so it took a while until we could get to him. He repeatedly asked me to speed things up and I was getting agitated at that because I was obviously busy as hell and he looked fine! I just figured he was being whiny. So I let him wait. Then suddenly the guy starts screaming out of nowhere. Turns out he had acute appendicitis and his appendix burst in the waiting room.” Naoko stopped talking, once again closing his eyes, and taking a deep breath.

“Okay and how is the guy now?” Sevan asked, not quite understanding the problem.

“He is fine. He’ll be discharged in a couple of days.”

“Alright but then what are you so worked up about?” Sevan wondered aloud.

Naoko’s eyes widened at the question. “What am I worked up about? The guy’s appendix burst because of me! I’m supposed to see stuff like that coming! It’s my job to evaluate the severity of a patient’s condition and to make sure they get the help they need! And today I failed! The guy could sue the hospital for that! I could lose my job and-“

“Okay baby, breathe. It’ll be okay. You didn’t do anything wrong. And I’m sure Marissa agrees with me on that. You’re a good and competent nurse. Very, very overworked but nonetheless competent.”

“Marissa said the same thing.” Nao mumbled. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he finally started to calm down after his little rant. Apparently getting this off his chest was much more helpful than he had anticipated.

“She also told me to stop worrying.” Now that he was calming down all his focus shifted to his stomach. It was hurting so much he was getting nauseous and the steak in front of him made an offending sight.

“Then what the hell are you still worried about? Jesus Christ, I thought you killed someone or something like that.” Sevan laughed, gently rubbing up and down Naoko’s shoulder.

Nao joined the laughter, suddenly feeling ridiculous about his outbreak. He didn’t know either what was bothering him so much. Maybe he really was simply overworked.

Then another wave of pain made it’s way through his stomach, so intense Naoko doubled over, panting slightly.

Sevan stopped laughing immediately. “Does it hurt bad?” He asked, noting the obvious pain his boyfriend was in. Naoko has always been prone to stress-induced stomach aches, but they rarely got this bad.

Nao nodded, straightening up slightly. “Yeah, it’s kinda bad. Guess I got myself pretty worked up.” He chuckled dryly.

Sevan bit his lip. “Do you feel like you’re gonna throw up?”

Naoko didn’t really want to think about that right now but the both of them knew there was a very real chance of exactly that happening.

“Maybe, I’m not quite sure.” He stopped, considering the way he was feeling at the moment. “I do feel pretty sick.”

“Alright.” Sevan stated, rubbing his hands together. “We’re leaving.”

“No! No, I’ll be fine! We are supposed to be enjoying tonight!”

“Baby, I won’t be enjoying myself knowing you are anxious and in pain. And judging by everything that happened tonight you desperately need some sleep. Let’s go home, I’ll rub your stomach for you and hopefully put you to sleep.” Sevan said, already getting up to leave.

“That actually sounds kind of nice.” Naoko sighed a little. He’d tried to keep up a façade all evening to make sure Sevan had a great night but going to bed honestly sounded like heaven right now.

And that is how they found themselves in their car on their way home.

“I’m sorry for ruining date night. It’s gonna be a while until we’ll be able to do this again.”

Sevan looked over at his boyfriend, who fortunately seemed to be doing slightly better already. He still had a careful hand on his stomach, but he luckily had some color back to his face.

“It’s alright, I just want you to feel better. You’ve been working way too much lately so a relaxing night at home is probably good for you. Besides, every night I spent with you is date night. I don’t need fancy restaurants and expensive food to enjoy your company.”

“Aw, that was the sweetest thing you ever said to me. Turns out you do love me after all.” Naoko joked, earning himself a half-hearted slap on the shoulder.

Yes, his boyfriend really did love him.