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venusstorm · 1 year

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I don't know if you wrote bucky barnes but could you write a smut where Bucky gets a little feral when he bought his girlfriend reader a pantie with a small bullet vibrator stuck inside. He even the download app to control the vibration of the bullet. One day, reader was wearing it and bucky couldn't help to use his app.

No cause the moment he spots that familiar flash of color beneath your dress, he'd go absolutely feral.

Warnings: 18+, Bucky the menace, public masturbation/sex, light degradation, vibrating panties!!!

꒰ ა ♡ ໒ ꒱

You had no clue the power you had given Bucky today. In your mind, you were just wearing the cute matching set that he got you as a birthday present. You hadn't even noticed the way he lingered closer than usual, grabbing your ass and pulling your head back to kiss you abruptly. Ignorant to the way people were flashing you dirty looks.

Squealing, you push him away. "People can see us!" You scold.

But obviously, he doesn't care, the only thing going through his mind is finally testing out your his gift.

"Then let 'em look, baby." He slaps your ass, the sound making a poor lady frantically leave the aisle.

"Bucky!" You hiss.

He crosses his arms, a stupid smirk resting on his face. "Yes, pretty baby?"

Shaking your head you grab your man's hand, dragging him and your near-empty cart to another aisle. (You weren't getting too much shopping done with the way he's been hanging off of you)

Bucky happily trails behind you. "Where to now?" He questions, voice airy with questionable innocence.

"We need new plates," you murmur.

"What happened t– "

You shoot him a "you know damn well" glance and quickly he breaks out into a grin.

Bucky had come home from a two-week mission and found you washing dishes in the kitchen in nothing but his t-shirt. He was throbbing the whole plane ride back just thinking about slipping between your pretty thighs. And instead of greeting you like a normal person, announcing his presence- he ran and tackled you. The dishes flew out of your hands and crashed onto the floor. He scooped you up before the glass could touch your body, ignoring your angry remarks and carrying you up the steps so he could spend the rest of the night buried deep inside of you.

"How could I forget about that," he hums. "We should do that again."

You pay him no mind, instead choosing to focus on the hundreds of plates and fine china lining the shelves. Carefully you pick up a set with floral indentations on the rim, holding it up for Bucky to see.

"Yes or no?"

"Mm, it's alright." Bucky shrugs.

Truthfully, he had no clue what you held up. His face was buried in his phone trying to set up the app for your lovely attire. He had complete control over the intensity alongside 4 other settings. The instructions were vague but he could put two and two together quite well.

"Oh! These are cute, look at– hm." Your hands fly to your mouth, the dull vibration only lasting a few seconds.

Bucky cocks his head. "Everything alright?"

"Yea...yea m'fine. Just felt a little– fuck." This time the sensation was stronger and quickly you reach for Bucky. He wraps you in his arms as you tremble, shushing you quietly.

"I think somethings wrong," you whisper hurriedly. "I feel, I feel..." you clench your eyes shut as your legs begin to shake. Your nails dig into your skin, teeth sinking into your bottom lip as you fight the urge to moan.

"You feel what, baby? Let it out."

Bucky caresses you against his chest, stroking your neck to calm you down. "I can help you, just tell me what's wrong. I've got you, pretty baby."

Behind your neck, his fingers up the intensity before quickly lowering it. You yelp in response, clutching onto him desperately. "I need to leave, Buck. Something’s wrong. I can't...I need you."

You finally look up at him and instead of facing a look of concern, his eyes are dark with uncontrollable need. An accomplished smile rested on his face. "You need me? In what way, baby? Use your words."

"What'd you do, Buck? I can see that stupid grin on– HMNGG. Shit. Fuck."

He swipes his thumb up and down repeatedly, the quick vibrations forcing you to bury your face in his upper body.

"Do you need it to stop, Princess? I can make it go away."

"So it- it is you! Bucky you barely know how to work an iPad how the hell did you- fuck."

You're on the brink of tears, the pleasure becoming overwhelming. You can feel your wetness sticking to your skin, drenching your underwear, and making its way down your thighs. You're struggling to stand up straight, but Bucky holds you firmly.

"Shh, just look at me, pretty baby. Watch me." He waits until you're fully focused on him to continue. "Is this alright? If you don't like it we can stop." He tilts your chin up, kissing your nose to remind you that you’re in complete control.

You shake your head, encouraging him to keep going. "I'm okay just...need you." Your lips part as he wavers his finger to the highest setting. The buzz of the vibrator is drowned out by your muffled groans.

"Uh, uh. Don't look away from me. Keep your eyes on me, Princess. Can you do that for me? Wanna watch you make a mess in those pretty panties."

You're desperate for friction and find it against Bucky's leg. He props it out for you, watching as you grind yourself against him. "Want your cock, need you inside of me. Please." You no longer cared who heard, who saw. All you wanted was for Bucky to slip his size beneath your sundress, pressing you against the shelves and stuffing himself inside of your pussy. Whining as he spoke down to you, mocking you for having such a little cunt, a toy thing just for him.

"You need my cock baby? Want me to fuck you for everyone to see. Gonna stuff me in your little hole, show everybody how well you take me. Bet they'd wonder how such a little thing can fit her daddy's cock inside of her. All stuffed and full, walls stretched and leaking with my cum."

He shoves his knee into your aching cunt, helping you get off. "C'mon, baby. Cum for daddy, wanna see those eyes roll back. That's it, there you go. So close.”

You don't even bother holding back your shouts, whimpering Bucky's name as you gush and squirt through your clothing. He never looks away from you, admiring how beautiful you look unfolding under his control.

Neither of you moves until a small voice clears their throat. "Uhm...I'll just check the next aisle." The scarred woman disappears and you break out into laughter, which quickly turns into a sob as Bucky switches settings.

"Bucky!" You shout.

He fumbles with his phone, a genuinely apologetic expression on his face. "Sorry! Accident!"

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes smut #bucky barnes x you #bucky the menace #bucky barnes #bucky barnes fics #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes imagine #james bucky barnes #askbox #asks

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babydollmarauders · 7 months

Text

TOLERATE IT — JOHN MARINO

john marino x fem!reader

summary: in which y/n’s love is tolerated at best, and she wonders what ever happened to her loving boyfriend

warnings: not much dialogue in the beginning?, happy or sad ending depending on the way you look at it, not proofread.

notes: i love writing angst but as a john girlie, this hurt me— but i did this to myself

the page turns, John’s fingers skimming it gently.

his head is dipped low, one leg perched on the other. he’s sat on the other end of the sofa, engrossed in his book; whereas i pay no attention to the movie that plays on the tv, rather watching him instead.

his demeanor is peaceful, and i know better than to actually disturb him. this is some of the only time he gets to relax, and i don’t want to take that away from him. so i sit quietly instead, just enjoying the rare company.

but i can’t help but wish he would actually do something with me. watch a movie, cuddle, talk, anything. instead i’m subjected to medium silence and the sound of paper flipping.

i turn the tv off, rising from the couch, and his eyes flicker up at my movement, but he dismisses it quickly, going back to his book.

“i’m going to bed.” i tell him softly, quietly yearning for him to join me, but instead he just hums in acknowledgment. “are you gonna join me?”

his eyes scan the page for a few more seconds as i stand before him, waiting for his response. finally, he looks up at me properly, shaking his head.

“no, i’m good.”

my heart sinks at his reply, but i nod, “okay.”

i spend my entire bedtime routine hoping that he’ll walk into the room. that maybe he’ll change his mind and for once, we’ll go to bed together; like we did early in our relationship. but when i climb into an empty bed and he’s still in the living room, i have to accept the fact that it’s not happening. that those days are apparently over.

i stir in my sleep, shifting under the weight of an arm draped over my waist, and for a second my heart leaps in my chest, thinking John has decided to cuddle me as i slept. but when i turn under his touch, my eyes fluttering open, i find him asleep. the spooning an unconscious movement, and as soon as it’s started, it’s already over, his arm drawing back as he moves in his slumber to lay on his back.

i settle on my side, resting my head in my hand as i watch the steady rise and fall of his chest in the darkness of the room. the silence piercing as i watch him breathe.

what ever happened to the boy who held me as we slept? the same one who comforted me when people criticized our five year age gap. the one who told me he would do anything to keep me happy.

***

my heart races in my chest as i set the dining table.

the usual plastic plates and cups being replaced for fine china and wine glasses. a singular candle is lit in the middle of the table, next to the steaming pasta that waits to be served. homemade french bread sits beside it, a dish of herb infused butter resting atop of the wood as well.

i spent all day in the kitchen, making everything from scratch. the noodles, the sauce, the bread, the butter, all done today by me. as well as John’s favorite chocolate cake, in which i got the recipe from his mother.

it’s officially our two year anniversary, and i took advantage of the fact that John had practice today and then was going to the gym. i figured a slightly early dinner and then dessert would be a good plan before i gave him his present and then hopefully we would make our way to the bedroom.

but now i sit in my seat at the table, awaiting his return. he had told me he would be home by six, but the clock on the dining room wall displays that it’s a quarter past seven and he still isn’t home.

i’ve stuck the food into the oven to keep warm at this point, but the empty chair across from me and the soft music that floats through the house taunts me.

“alexa, stop the music.” the instrumental cuts off abruptly, tears welling in my eyes at my boyfriends absence.

i’m just about ready to eat by myself and call it an early night when i hear the front door open, footsteps echoing through the house, getting closer and closer. they halt when he reaches the dining room, and i look up to find him standing in the doorway.

his brows are threaded together, his gym bag slung over his shoulder.

“you made dinner?” he questions, setting his bag on the ground beside him.

i perk up immediately, disappointing myself with how quickly i’m ready to move past his lateness.

“yeah.” i smile, motioning toward the empty seat. “take a seat, i’ll go grab it out of the oven! i was waiting for you to get home.”

he nods, sitting down as i scurry towards the kitchen. i bring the pasta and bread and butter out one at a time before taking my seat across from him.

i’m on the edge of my seat, eagerly awaiting his praise for my cooking and the setup, or even just a ‘happy anniversary, baby.’ but it never comes. we eat silently as he scrolls on his phone, and when he finishes his food, he quickly stands to dismiss himself.

“wait!” he stops at my shout, furrowing his brows at me. “i made cake.”

my eyes are soft, silently begging him to stay.

despite the fact that he evidently forgot our anniversary, i’m still eager to please him; vying for his attention and love, the best i can.

he nods, settling back down in his seat.

“dinner, cake, wine, and glass plates?” he laughs, “you were feeling fancy tonight.”

my heart shatters in my chest. even though i know he forgot the date, it still hurts to hear him speak like it’s just another day. proving even further that he doesn’t know how special today is.

“well, yeah, it’s-” i’m so close to reminding him, but then i think of how guilty he’ll feel, and i stop. “it’s just been a good day.”

i plaster a smile on my lipstick covered lips, hoping he’ll buy it; and he does. he gives me a small smile back and i excuse myself to the kitchen, taking a moment to blink back tears before i cut into the cake, setting a slice on a plate and hurrying back to him.

i place the dessert in front of him, before sitting back down, just watching him as he eats. i’m no longer in a cake mood, my appetite gone as i push my still only half eaten pasta around my plate.

“Jack said hi, by the way.” he speaks between bites and i hum.

“that’s nice, i’ll have to text him.” i acknowledge. “i talked to your mom today.”

“you did?”

“yeah, i called her for the cake recipe.” i explain. “she said to tell you to call her.”

maybe she can remind him what day it is, seeing as she remembered it as soon as i called her.

“okay, i’ll call her soon.” he tells me, finishing his last bite before he stands once more.

“anything else, or can i take a shower now?” he asks, as though i’ve inconvenienced him somehow.

“you can shower.” i wait until he’s walking away, heading down the hallway to our room before i speak again, lowly whispering. “happy anniversary.”

i know i deserve better; that my love should be celebrated. i know that i deserve someone who will remember our anniversary; maybe even someone who will get me flowers just because and who will spend time with me and appreciate my love rather than tolerate it, but i love him.

***

i sit backwards, on my knees on a chair in the living room, facing the front door. i wait eagerly, checking the time on my phone religiously.

i know John should be home soon. a week long roadie finally ending with his long awaited return.

it’s half past two in the morning, much later than i normally stay up, but i refuse to let him arrive home without a proper welcoming.

my eyes are half lidded, but excitement still courses through my veins, remembering his three goals and seven assists in this past four games.

i perk up at the sound of the front door unlocking, watching with baited breath as it creaks open. John steps through the doorway, looking exhausted, slipping his shoes off and dropping his roadie bag on the floor.

i squeal excitedly, gaining his attention as i hop off my chair and run straight into his arms.

“welcome home, Johnny!” i cheer, snaking my arms around his neck, and jumping up to wrap my legs around his waist.

he stiffens for a split-second, letting out an ‘oomph’ before his hands fly to my butt to hold my weight.

“jesus, y/n, warn a guy, would you?” he huffs out a laugh and i lean back to look at his face, expecting a smile but all i see is a blank expression and tired eyes.

i give a sad smile, unwrapping my legs and letting my body slide down his.

suddenly, i feel incredibly insecure, my happy mood diminishing and quickly being replaced by regret.

“you’re right, i’m sorry.” i breathe out, backing away. “i guess i was overly excited.”

i turn quickly in order to keep him from seeing my now glassy eyes, tears threatening to spill as i retreat down the hall to our bedroom.

i don’t expect for him to accompany me, but suddenly i can hear his footsteps behind me, slowly following.

“what was that?” he questions as we reach the bedroom.

i can feel myself reaching my boiling point, choosing to ignore his words as i walk into the en-suite bathroom. i turn the shower water on, but he follows me into the bathroom too.

“y/n.”

y/n. not ‘babe’ or ‘love’. just y/n.

i swallow the lump in my throat before i turn to face him.

“aren’t you gonna go to bed?” i ask in attempt to avoid his question. “you seem tired.”

“aren’t you?” he raises a brow, and i shake my head.

i jab my thumb towards the shower behind me, “i’m gonna shower first.”

“i see that.” he huffs. “what was that? you just walked away from me.”

i sigh, knowing what’s finally coming, and turn to shut off the shower water before facing him again.

“doesn’t feel good, does it?” i walk around him, back into the bedroom, but he’s hot on my heels.

“what?” his hand grips my wrist, spinning me back around to look at him. “what are you talking about?”

“look, if this is all in my head, tell me now.” i start, only confusing him further by the looks of his expression. “but, you don’t love me anymore.”

tell me i’ve got it wrong.

he closes his eyes, taking a deep breath before he opens them again. “what are you even saying? i’m dating you, aren’t i?”

“are you?” i laugh bitterly, taking a couple steps backwards. “or are you tolerating me?”

“y/n,” he sighs, shaking his head. “you’re tired. and i must’ve upset you somehow, but you’re not making any sense.”

“you don’t appreciate me!” i shout, my hands gesturing wildly in the air.

“i cooked a nice dinner for our anniversary and you were late and forgot the date! and while you’re off playing hockey and winning games, where am i? here! i sit here and polish plates until they gleam and glisten. i clean the house and sit and wait for your return, and then when you do get home, you don’t even seem happy to see me! at all!”

John blinks in surprise at my outburst, his lips parting to speak, but i cut him off before he can get a word out.

“i made you my everything and you don’t even seem to care! i’ve been begging for you to love me again but i’m done! what happened to the man that assured me that my past relationships didn’t define me? the you that actually spent time with me?”

my chest heaves as i regain my breath, watching his expression change from confusion to defensiveness.

“i spend time with you!” he huffs and i roll my eyes.

“no, you sit and you read or you watch games or you do something by yourself on the other side of the couch.” i clarify dejectedly, nearly ready to give up. “you don’t do things with me. and if i try, you wave me off.”

“i just- i don’t understand where this is coming from.” he tells me, and i slump on the end of the bed, furiously wiping away tears that have begun to fall.

“that’s just it. you assume i’m fine with this, because i’ve let it go on for too long. i’ve sat here, and i’ve painted you in the best colors, and i’ve put you on this pedestal. i told myself that if i just did more- if i just did anything you could ever hope for- then we would be fine. that eventually you’ll love me again and you’ll treat me how you used to and we would be happy. but instead i watch you live your life and i’m delegated to the sidelines, begging to be even a minor part of your life. you tolerate me living with you. you tolerate my existence. and you tolerate my love.

“but i’m done. i can’t do it anymore.” my face falls in my hands, sobs wracking my chest.

i’ve finally given up.

John is quiet, but i can hear his feet padding against the floor for a moment, moving farther away before he comes back.

his fingers spread across my thigh, and when i drag my hands away from my face, opening my eyes to look at him, he’s kneeled on the floor in front of me.

“i’m sorry that you feel i don’t love you anymore. i never meant to make you feel like you’re just tolerated in my life. but i promise you, i see you. i do appreciate everything you do for me, and the love that you give me.”

his hand leaves my skin, fumbling with something in his grasp before holding it up.

my heart skips a beat, those butterflies returning in my stomach as my lips part in surprise. my eyes lock in on the diamond ring that sits in the little black velvet box in his hands.

“i promise, you’re not just going tolerated. i love you, and i want you in my life forever.” my gaze flickers up to his face, and i already begin nodding my head. “will you marry me?”

i nod even faster, an excited grin spreading over my lips, and he smiles softly, removing the ring from the box and slipping it onto my outstretched finger.

i admire it for a second, appreciating how right it looks to have a ring on my finger.

this is it.

this is what i did it all for.

what i’ve waited my whole life for.

my hands cup his face, pulling him in to press my lips to his.

“i love you.” i whisper, my lips still burning for his, and in response, he pulls me in for another kiss.

when we finally part, we begin to get ready for bed, effectively ignoring the outburst i just had. and once we climb into bed, i kiss him once more, melting into his touch like i used to.

“i’m sorry, you must be tired. i took up so much of your time tonight, you could’ve been asleep by now.” i mumble, listening to his heartbeat under the weight of my head.

“it’s okay. don’t apologize.” his fingers run through my hair and he turns off his bedside lamp, blanketing the room in darkness. “i love you.”

i fully plan on responding, but amongst the comfort, my eyes have already turned heavy, and speaking feels like too much work. my breathing evens out as i bask in the closeness of this moment.

i love him.

#john marino #john marino x reader #john marino imagine #john marino fic #john marino blurb #nj devils #nhl fic #nhl imagine #faithlynn’s writings <3

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milaisreading · 6 months

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🌱🩷: So, I had this one sitting in my drafts for a few weeks now. Tbh, this is my first time attempting to write Hetalia x reader content. Hope you enjoy it. And yes, I made Yn a Nordic state, bcs why not. We all love some chaos.

(C/n)- Country name

Warnings: Reader uses she/her. No warnings, really. Requests for Hetalia stories are open

🌍Hetalia belongs to Hidekaz Himaruya🌍

"Why me?! You know I hate almost everyone." The girl asked her long time friend and ally, Finland, over the phone. The blonde laughed over the phone, which caused the other country to growl a little.

"Sorry, but you know how these meetings go. Every year one of us Nordics have to join these things. This year it's your turn, (C/n)." The said country cringed as Finland used her country name. He only used it on her when the argument was over or she made him mad.

"I know... Let's hope this ends well." She sighed, a little terrified of the meeting.

'8 of the strongest World powers will be with me in that meeting room... let's hope I won't be forced to sit between Russia and America again.' She gulped, finishing her call with Finland.

"It doesn't help that all of them hate me, too."

(Y/n) mumbled to herself and went to get ready.

"France, what's with those flowers?" China questioned, his eyes narrowing at the blonde. This caused Russia and America, who for once weren't arguing, to look at the blonde as well.

"Nothing, old friend~ you know I love roses the most." France smiles nonchalantly.

"Really? Then what's with that paper in the bouquet?" Germany questioned.

"What paper? Oh this?! It's just the bill!" France laughed awkwardly. He tried to take the pink paper, but America beat him to it and took it instead. France frowned nervously as Japan made a observation too.

"And you smell odd today... Did you use some cologne?" The Japanese asked.

"That'-"

"And why did you insist for our Nordic guest to sit so close to you? I thought you found Sweden scary, frog." England added in.

"What are you talking about, old friend? Sweden is a nice guy, I want to get close to him."

Russia and Germany sent him looks of disbelief, but before either could say anything, America let out a yell.

"France, dude?! You really are so uncool! How could you do this to me?"

"What?" England blinked, looking between the duo.

"What are you talking about?" France asked innocently, but America shoved the paper into his face.

"To my beloved (Y/n)?! Really?! And you are so casual to use my girl's human name, too!"

America glared at the French nation. France, angered by his last sentence got up and glared right back at America.

"Your girl? My beloved (Y/n) would never go for a loud mouth like you."

"(Y/n)? Do you guys mean (C/n)-san?" Japan suddenly interrupted them, causing the rest to realize what is going on.

"Wait, why did you buy flowers for her? And don't claim her so casually, pigs." China frowned, getting a little jealous. Russia, who was smiling the whole time looked at the duo, too.

"China is right. The little sunflower is too cute and delicate to be claimed by dirty men like you. So stay away."

France and America shuddered for a moment and the ominous aura surrounding Russia. And before another fight could start, Germany, England, and Japan spoke up. The trio was jealous and pissed as well by their comments, but they couldn't cause a fight now.

"Calm it down, all of you." Germany commanded.

"You all are acting like immature kids." England frowned.

"Let's all just take a deep breath for a moment." Japan suggested. The group slowly nodded their heads and one by one sat down. After a few minutes China spoke up, looking menacingly at France.

"But seriously, what's with those flowers? You are not planning to give it to Sweden so that he can hand them to (C/n)?" The oldest nation raised his eyebrow as France gulped and laughed nervously.

"Why not? Her and Sweden are close friends."

"Cut the crap. What's this all about?"

"Yeah, you have been acting off ever since you sent that invitation to Sweden." Now it was England and Japan's turn to look at him in confusion.

"I might... might not have invited Sweden this year... hahaha."

Now, France was usually a smug and calm person, but he knew this revelation would make room for a hellfire not even he wanted.

"What do you mean by that?" Germany narrowed his eyes.

"Acho!" (Y/n) let out a small sneeze as she walked down the streets of Paris, utterly confused as to where she was.

"I got lost...didn't I?" (Y/n) muttered to herself, getting her phone out to check her location.

'This is bad! If I am late, Germany will be pissed at me! And if he is pissed, he might berate me! Oh, I am so dead.' The nation gulped as she looked at her watch.

"Bella! I didn't expect to see you here!"

The girl jumped in surprise as she heard a familiar voice and quickly turned around.

"Italy?! What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at the meeting by now? You are always there early with Germany and Japan." The Nordic nation commented, sighing in relief that she wasn't the only one late.

"Oh~ I wanted to get some food before going. Here, take some~" The Italian said happily, handing her a few pastries he bought.

"Ah? You shouldn't give me these." The girl blushed, surprised by his kind gesture.

'But... Italy has always been like this to everyone.' She argued herself as Italy shook his head.

"I want you to have it. I tried some of the sweets in the bakeries already, so I am full. Besides..." Italy grew shy a little, but still kept his usual closed-eyes smile.

"I bought them for you. I remember you told me and China once how you don't eat prior to our meetings."

"Y-you remembered that? That conversation was years ago." (Y/n) blushed a little in embarrassment, but was touched by his gesture.

"It was important enough to remember!" Italy argued.

'He is such a flirt... well, he is a country of passion and romance, if I recall correctly.' The girl smiled gently and nodded her head.

"Thank you, Italy. It's really kind of you. But you came all the way here to buy me food?"

"France said the best bakeries are here. But why are you here? Yesterday I saw that you would be in our meeting too, this place is pretty far away from there."

"I... I kinda got lost." The girl said, genuinely sounding embarrassed. Italy blushed at her cute behavior and nodded his head. Without any warning, the European country took her free hand and started dragging her to a nearby parking spot.

"I-Italy, don't grab people like that!" The other country scolded him, but knew it was futile against him.

"Bella, don't worry. I will drive us there. I did come with a car, after all."

The words caused (Y/n) to sigh in relief for a moment as she thanked Italy for his help. But, that relief soon turned into panic as the words finally sunk in.

'Italy... will drive me?' She gulped as the approached the sports car.

'I should have prepared a will.'

Italy, oblivious to her panic, held himself back from skiping and humming in happiness. He finally gets to spend time with his beloved (Y/n) without anyone interrupting him.

"We will be there in no time!" The Italian said enthusiastically.

"Y-yay..."

'Is this my karma because I ate Iceland's pudding last week?'

"So... you invited (C/n) and not Sweden and decided not to tell us, right? Did I get that right?" Although Germany looked and sounded calm, France could tell the blonde was far from it.

"Surprise." The French nation laughed, pissing the rest off even more.

"You backstabbing frog! Why wouldn't you tell us this sooner?!" England yelled as America held him back from jumping the country.

"Yeah, what even was your plan here? Did you want to impress her or something?" The youngest country asked.

"My dear friend, I don't need to try that hard. (C/n) can tell I am a better pick without me even trying much."

"What do you mean by that?" Japan asked the French country.

"Women love a man who is honest with his emotions, romantic, and most importantly, can cook." The final being more a jab on England than anything.

"Hold up! That would include me, too! I am always honest with her!" America yelled in protest, earning disapproving looks from Russia and China.

"You yell, America. That doesn't mean you are honest. Besides, she always said she likes my cooking more." China laughed as he got a nasty look from Japan.

"Well, in that case she must like me more. She always compliments my cuisine and likes listening to my interests-"

"Same with me! What now?!" The two Asian countries glared daggers at each other while Russia was smiling menacingly at them.

"I think I would be a better fit for the sunflower. After all, we both grew up in the cold and I can also protect her better-"

"Russia, you scare her. You are not a better fit." Germany sent a side-glare at the platinum blonde.

"Same for you, old friend."

The once calm room turned into a screaming match between the nations. Neither noticing Italy and (C/n) walk in, looking at them in astonishment.

"Ve~ let's skip out on the meeting and go get food instead."

"I-" She looked at the Italian man and then at the rest, a feeling of defeat taking over her body.

'Why did I agree to this? I knew I should have stayed in self-isolation! Denmark will pay for it!'

#hetalia #aph #hws #hetalia x reader #hetalia x you #hetalia china #hetalia russia #hetalia italy #hetalia france #hetalia england #hetalia america #hetalia japan #hetalia germany #hetalia allies #hetalia axis powers

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jewish-vents · 2 months

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first - i just want to say thank you for making this blog. it’s so important to know that we aren’t alone in the many things we’re experiencing and feeling right now, especially when so many of us have become painfully isolated as of late.

i apologize for how long this one is going to be.

i’ve been feeling so, so alone recently. my tumblr dash has been cut down to just a handful of jewish blogs that i can trust to be kind and understanding and nuanced, but it means that the majority of the content i see is about antisemitism and the war. after a while, it becomes draining to scroll through what feels like endless sadness. i turned to looking at fandom tags instead of following fandom blogs, but it makes me feel equally as insane to click on a blog about race cars and immediately see a post with 60k notes calling what’s happening in gaza “the new holocaust”. i started going back on twitter, but fan accounts on there too are only safe for a day or so before the account owner shares some awful antisemitic tweet from an account known to be an anti-jewish extremist. i went back on instagram briefly, but i was soon afraid to look at people’s stories for fear i’d see something terrible and lose yet another trusted person from my life.

in person, i have to walk by signs saying “zionism = genocide” and hastily scribbled palestinian flags with the colors in the wrong spot on my way to class every day. a wall across from my apartment says “BDS” in giant letters. i haven’t opened my curtains in months because of it. a “protest” of about 25 people stood in the center of campus and yelled and waved their fists in passing students’ faces, so jewish students didn’t go to class on any of the days they gathered. i only have one non jewish friend left at school - the rest abandoned me because i either called them out on antisemitic rhetoric or refused to go along with the idea that anyone, palestinian or israeli, muslim or jewish, is less than human. i had taken several of them along to our hillel’s seder in the past. i don’t know who i can safely go with this year. i have a few jewish friends, of course, but i love bringing goyische friends with little connection to judaism along to experience how joyful and loving jewish holidays can be.

it feels like there is no escape from this fucking war. it sickens me that it’s the only thing people pretend to care about - where is the attention for sudan, ukraine, armenia, uyghurs in china, syria, guyana? how is putting an emoji in your twitter bio or putting a translucent overlay of the palestinian flag on your tumblr icon any sort of real activism? how have we gone from “antisemitism is wrong” to “(((zionists))) control the world media”? it seems like the war is a fandom to these people. it seems like nobody cares enough to fully read and think critically about what they share, let alone do real research beyond looking at an infographic somebody shared on their instagram story. they’ll add on “don’t forget your click today!” to an unrelated twitter thread that went viral, flip the bird at the local starbucks, and put “won’t you free my palestine” on their instagram stories. they’ll anonymously tell a jew online to commit suicide. they’ll feel secure in the knowledge that they’re the perfect leftist, that this is somehow “good trouble”. all this praxis, and nothing to show for it but massive surges in hate crimes against jews. good job, guys! you singlehandedly saved every innocent person in gaza!

it’s isolating. it’s scary. jews can’t mourn. jews can’t be angry. jews can’t disagree. jews can’t suffer. jews can’t be whole, complex people with diverse beliefs and experiences. suffering is a game, and the goal is to hurt the most, scream the most, die the most, all to appease western leftists whose closest connection to war and violence was reading the hunger games in middle school.

i’m tired of it all. i want a peaceful and just resolution to the war. i want the mindless hatred everywhere to stop. i want to be able to scroll through social media and see nothing but fandom. i want to walk through campus with my magen david showing and all the friends i lost by my side on the way to the hillel seder. i want to open my curtains again. i know the experience of one diaspora jew is nothing compared to what people living in israel and palestine are currently going through, yet i still need this all to end. i don’t think any of us can go on like this, but we must, because we have. for thousands of years, we’ve gone on. that still doesn’t mean it has to be this hard all the time.

all i can think is “now we are slaves. next year may we be free.” now we are slaves to hatred and violence and suffering. next year may we all be free. next year may we all be in jerusalem.

#jewish vents #antisemitism #leftist antisemitism #antisemitism on tumblr #i/p

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phoenixyfriend · 3 months

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Calls for Action, Call Your Reps: 2/13/24

This is USA-specific, as that is the place I live and know.

Find your elected officials.

Today, much of my information is coming from Democracy Now!, which I generally listen to as a podcast (functionally, it is a radio news broadcast, like NPR or BBC), and I am quoting from the text versions on their website.

The Senate passed a $95 billion military funding package for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan in the pre-dawn hours this morning. But the bill’s fate remains unclear after House Speaker Mike Johnson dismissed the measure over its failure to include hard-line immigration restrictions. This comes after Johnson and other Republicans rejected an earlier version of the bill which did contain the border crackdown they had demanded. Johnson has told Republican congressmembers he will call a House vote on a stand-alone funding bill for Israel.

From the same page, we are hearing that President Biden is urging Israel to refrain from invading Rafah, where a million or so Palestinians are currently sheltering, but is not actually threatening any kind of repercussions for said invasion. Reports from both official sources (e.g. the Hamas-run health ministry) and less official (e.g. American doctors returning from relief services in Palestine) indicate that over half of the deaths in Palestine are children.

I am not going to pretend that I know what is going through Biden's head.

Both House and Senate:

Reinstate funding for UNRWA. While the claims made by Israel that employees of the relief agency were involved in Oct. 7th are troubling, THEY are not well supported, and western officials did not do their duty in investigating the claims before cutting funding. This arm of the UN is currently providing food, water, shelter, and medical care to the 2.3 million displaced peoples of Gaza. It is especially disturbing and concerning that the many children of Gaza, who are already suffering due to this conflict, are now having this support revoked. Many sources are also claiming that the evidence is flimsy at best.

Urge both Senate and House to refrain from funding Israel, or to at least put some strings on it. The IDF cannot be given funding without some regulations on what they can do with it. They have proven that they are unwilling to take steps to protect civilians.

FOR THE SENATE: Urge your senator to put their support behind Bernie Sanders and his motion to restrict funding to Israel until a humanitarian review of the IDF’s actions in Gaza has been completed. Cite it as Senate Resolution 504 if your Senator is right-wing enough to react negatively to the mention of Sanders by name. NOTE: This resolution was TABLED by the Senate on 1/16, but it is being brought back in as conditions continue to escalate.

FOR THE HOUSE: Urge your representative to put their support behind Rep. Rashida Tlaib’s petition for the US government to recognize the IDF’s actions in Gaza as ethnic cleansing and forced displacement, and put a stop to it. ALTERNATELY: recommend that they support House Resolution 786, introduced by Rep. Cori Bush, Calling for an immediate deescalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine.

On the House Floor this week, to call your rep about:

H.Res. 994: Married persons tax break. Vote nay. Loses billions in tax revenue and explicitly targets green energy.

H.R. 2766 and H.R. 4039: Condemnation of China's actions against the Uyghurs. Can't tell you which way to talk on this. Seems good on the surface, but given who's presenting it, I worry there's something worse tucked into the text. Hopefully someone can provide a better take.

H.R. 3016: IGO Anti-Boycott Act. Vote Nay. This appears to be intended to force US companies to do business with US allies instead of participating in boycotts. This appears, to me, to be an attack on movements like BDS. To Dem Reps, argue that this refuses the right of peaceful protest to US citizens. To Republican Reps, argue that this is a dangerous government overreach and that it is not the right of the government to force US citizens to purchase products and materials from specific foreign partners.

H.Res. 966: Condemnation of sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas against Israel on Oct. 7. Vote Nay. We know sexual violence is bad. Hamas has already been condemned for their actions. This is, at best, lip service. It is a waste of time. There are much bigger, more impactful things to work on, and this is going to waste time and resources in the Senate if it passes.

If you wish to support my political blogging, I am accepting donations on ko-fi.

#Phoenix Politics #current events #united states #are you guys interested in me continuing to do this? should I start including my ko-fi link?#Israel #Palestine #Gaza

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hanniology · 1 year

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no one gets away with it | csc

synopsis: just seungcheol being sulk. genre: FLUFF, crack. warning: SULKY CHEOL, mention of alcohol, mention of poop. word count: 847. pairing: choi seungcheol x gn!reader. note: also I used mx which is a gender neutral term for miss/mr to keep this all gender neutral. Also this is a repost from that i deleted from my other blog

Stepping into the boys dorms, closing the door behind you. You just came back from grocery shopping with your wonderful boyfriend Seungcheol. That said boyfriend is now currently sulking on the couch on something that had happened early today at the store.

The two of you went out shopping for food because Minghao and Jun were coming back from their trip to China. So obviously because of that they were going to want to host some really big welcome back party, which meant a lot of food. And the thirteen boys weren’t going to survive with the amount of food they had in their fridge.

You decided to come along and help after hearing Seungcheol go on a rant about how he (unfairly) lost in a game of rock paper scissors, which was deciding who’s going to go out and buy all the food and ingredients. Apparently just in the first round he was the only one to be holding a pair of scissors and everybody was holding rock. Feeling bad you decided to join him on the trip to the grocery store.

Everything was completely normal, just like your typical trips to the store. Cheol pushing the cart, you trying to put in a bunch of unnecessary things, trying your best to convince him that you guys would need it, and a bunch of questionable stares from customers due to the large amount of soju in your cart.

So what exactly happens to have your boyfriend currently sitting on the living room couch all sulky.

Well, when the two of you finally agreed you have enough food, you head over to the cashier. Cheol was placing all the already scanned items into the cart again from the conveyor, while you had over Mingyu’s card (which Cheol totally didn’t steal when he wasn’t looking out of revenge from them cheating in the game).

The cashier man seemed nice and probably didn’t mean any harm when he told you, “You look good today, mx.”

Poor guy didn’t see the look on Seungcheol’s face when he said that, he was too busy printing out the receipt. About to give that said receipt to you, but instead got it grabbed from his hand by Seungcheol.

On the way back to the dorms he didn’t say anything, just grumply and sulkily walked next to you on the way there. You kept trying to tell him it wasn't that much of a big deal, but he didn’t listen.

So that should be enough explaining why your boyfriend is sitting on the couch with both elbows on his legs, with arched eyebrows, pouty lips and clicking a pen, right?

Chuckling softly at the scene, “Cheol,” picking up one of the bags on the floor and bringing them to the kitchen, “you look like you're trying very hard to push out a poop.”

He rolls his eyes at your comment and continues to click the pen in his hand.

Coming back from the kitchen to grab another bag, “You know if you are really having a hard time pushing it out, an easier way is to lift your legs.”

“Yn this is a serious matter- wait really?- that’s besides the point,”

You go through a giggling fit, almost dropping the bag when he changed the subject for a little, “Yes, it really does work.”

“Urg, why won’t you take this seriously?” He goes to write something on the paper on the coffee table.

When you finished putting all the stuff away, the front door unlocks, entering Mingyu, who’s here to cook the food for the welcome back party (or some excuse to get drunk idk).

“What’s up with coups?” He asks as he watches the older boy continue to write on the paper.

“Oh, someone told me I looked good whilst we were at the store and now he’s plotting their death.”

A confused look grows on Mingyu’s face. “Isn’t that a complement?”

“All they said was good,” Cheol says, “They forgot all the other words that perfectly describe them. Perfect… Gorgeous… and any other positive word in the dictionary.” He grabs the paper filled with more compliments and starts waving it in the air.

“No one gets away with that. No one.”

[ bonus]

A week later.

You were in the boys dorms once again, reading a book on the same couch, Cheol wrote that list of nice things to you.

“Does anyone know where my card is?” Mingyu walks in the living room asking you and the other members that are in as well.

Sinking deeper into the couch, lifting the book higher so it can hide the smug smile on your face. You almost exposed yourself with the giggles about to come out of your mouth.

But luckily saved by a Cheol running to you from the bathroom, “Yn, you were right, if you lift your legs while sitting on the toilet, it’s much easier to get it out.”

“I’m sorry-WHAT?!” Mingyu exclaims.

Which was a good thing so now you don’t have to hide your laughter that escaped your mouth.

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mirageofadesert · 6 months

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Roar Of The Water Dragon (Shui Long Yin)

Today, Luo Yunxi's next big drama was officially announced with him in the lead role. And just because I had so much fun staring at the poster the last time, I'm going to do it again.

We have some of the same elements as in the last poster: The water, as well as a fox dragon with antlers in the foreground. The man riding the dragon already resembles Luo Yunxi. This is Tang Lici, the main character of this story. This time, the hair isn't completely white yet, rather an ombre of white tips and black roots. I really hope this means he will use his natural hairline instead of a wig for parts of the show.

Let's look at the details. His eyes are closed and he is reaching out. Just like in the first poster, he looks calm, while everything around him is in movement. There are red, gold and green ribbons surrounding him and some golden glow around his left hand. Next to his shoulder there are loose red feathers and further on top small white-golden birds following the fox dragon. They remind me of swallow, but with fantasy elements. Some of the green-blue ribbons turn into waves further up the painting.

Next to the dragon are what looks like a couple of significant locations. On the bottom is a ship in a stormy sea. The figurehead resembles the dragon. Next to the ship are fish flying above the wave, which resemble the birds. This might mean a close connection between sea and sky in the symbolism of the show. Just like the flying water dragon.

There are five other locations between the mountains under the moonlight. The one on the left looks like a bridge, the one on the right like a high tower. The one in the middle, I do recognize.

It's the Hengyang sect complex, Otter Studio build for TTEOTM and which has since then been used in many other productions, such as My Journey to You and Mysterious Lotusbook Case.

On top of the poster is a golden glowing lotus blossom. Inside of it sits a man in what looks like meditation position. It's hard to see clear, but it looks Tang Lici, only this time dressed very differently. I'm not sure if I have seen anything similar in cdramas before, especially his hair and crown. It looks almost South Asian to me. It would be funny if it's actually Thai, after Leo became cultural friendship ambassador for China-Thailand. Then again, most of his recent activities ended up somehow connected to this drama, and its production and broadcasters.

The warm, golden light and the position makes me think of enlightenment and even godhood. I will quote a post I found on Twitter. But be aware, that his could be considered a spoiler:

Going from this, Tang Lici might have a long journey ahead of him, that will turn him from a troublemaker into a saint, by overcoming his own worldly obsessions. Sounds familiar?

Anyway, I'm super excited about the show! Booting ceremony is rumored to be in early December. By then, we might get more info on the rest of the cast. Maybe my wish comes true, and there really won't be a romantic focused story!

#luo yunxi #cdrama #till the end of the moon #shui long yin #roarofthewaterdragon

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blackswaneuroparedux · 10 months

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Anonymous ask: What do you think of the new Indiana Jones movie? And of Phoebe Waller-Bridge?

In a nutshell: From start to finish ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ is watching Indiana Jones being a broken-down shell of a once great legacy character who has to be saved by the perfect younger and snarky but stereotypical ’Strong Independent Woman’ that passes for women characters in popcorn movies today.

I went in to this film with conflicted feelings. On the one hand I was genuinely excited to see this new Indiana Jones movie because it’s Indiana Jones. Period. Yet, on the other hand I feared how badly Lucasfilm, under Kathleen Kennedy’s insipid woke inspired CEO studio direction, was going to further tarnish not just a screen legend but the legacy of both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. The cultural damage she has done to such a beloved franchise as the Star Wars universe in the name of progressive woke ideology is criminal. The troubled production history behind this film and its massive $300 million budget (by some estimates) meant Disney had a lot riding on it, especially with the future of Kathleen Kennedy on the line too as she was hands on with this film.

To me the Indiana Jones movies (well, the first three anyway, the less we say about ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’ the better) were an important part of my childhood. I fell in love with the character instantly. Watching ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (first on DVD in my boarding school dorm with other giggly girls and later on the big screen at a local arts cinema retrospective on Harrison Ford’s stellar career) just blew me away.

As a girl I wanted to be an archaeologist and have high falutin’ adventures; I even volunteered in digs in Pakistan and India (the Indus civilisation) as well as museum work in China as a teen growing up in those countries and discovering the methodical and patient but back breaking reality of what archaeology really was. But that didn’t dampen my spirit. Just once I wanted to echo Dr. Jones, ‘This belongs in a museum!’ But I happily settled for studying Classics instead and enjoyed studying classical archaeology on the side.

I couldn’t quite make sense why Indiana Jones resonated with me more than any other action hero on the screen until much later in life. Looking like Harrison Ford certainly helps. But it’s more than that. I’ve written this elsewhere but it’s worth repeating here.

‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ is considered an inspiration for so many action films yet there’s a very odd aspect to the film that’s rather unique and rarely noticed by its critics and fans. It’s an element that, once spotted, is difficult to forget, and is perhaps inspiring for times like the one in which we currently live, when there are so many challenges to get through. Typically in action films, the hero faces an array of obstacles and setbacks, but largely solves one problem after another, completes one quest after another, defeats one villain after another, and enjoys one victory after another.

The structure of ‘Raiders’ is different. A quick reminder:

- In the opening sequence, Indiana Jones obtains the temple idol only to lose it to his rival René Belloq (Paul Freeman). - In the streets of Cairo, Indy fails to protect his love, Marion Ravenwood (Karen Allen), from being captured (killed, he assumes). - In the desert, he finds the long-lost Ark of the Covenant, only to have it taken away by Belloq. - Indy then recovers the ark only to have it stolen a second time by Belloq, this time at sea. - On an island, Indy tries to bluff Belloq into thinking he’ll blow up the ark. His bluff fails. Indy is captured. - The climax of the film literally has its hero tied to a post the entire time. He’s completely ineffectual and helpless at a point in the movie where every other action hero is having their greatest moment of struggle and, typically, triumph.

If Indiana Jones had done absolutely nothing, if the famed archeologist had simply stayed home, the Nazis would have met the same fate - losing their lives to ark’s wrath because they opened it. It’s pretty rare in action films for the evil arch-villains to have the same outcome as if the hero had done nothing at all.

Indy does succeed in getting the ark back to America, of course, which is crucial. But then Indy loses the ark, once again, when government agents send it to a warehouse and refuse to let him study the object he chased the whole film. In other words: Indiana Jones spends ‘Raiders’ failing, getting beat up, and losing every artefact that he risks his life to acquire. And yet, Indiana Jones is considered a great hero.

The reason Indiana Jones is a hero isn’t because he wins. It’s because he never stops trying. I think this is the core of Indiana Jones’ character.

Critics will go on about something called agency as in being active or pro-active. But agency can be reactive and still be kinetic to propel the story along. It’s something that has progressively got lost as the series went on. With the latest Indiana Jones film I felt that Indiana Jones character had no agency and ends up being a relatively passive character. Sadly Indiana Jones ends up being a grouchy, broken, and beat up passenger in his own movie.

Released in 1981, ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ remains one of the most influential blockbusters of all time. Exciting action, exotic adventure, just the right amount of romance, good-natured humour, cutting-edge special effects: it was all there, perfectly balanced. Since then, attempts have been made to reproduce this winning recipe in different narrative contexts, sometimes successfully (’Temple of Doom’ and ‘the Last Crusade’), usually in vain (’Crystal Skull’).

What are the key ingredients of an Indiana Jones movie? There are only four core elements - leaving aside aspects of story such as the villain or the goal - that you need in place before anything else. They are: the wry, world-weary but sexy masculine performance of Harrison Ford; the story telling genius of George Lucas steeped in the lore of Saturday morning action hero television shows of the 1950s; the deft visual story telling and old school action direction of Steven Spielberg; and the sublime and sweeping music of the great John Williams. This what made the first three films really work.

In the latest Indiana Jones film, you only have one. Neither Lucas and Spielberg are there and arguably neither is Harrison Ford. John Williams’ music score remains imperious as ever. His music does a lot of heavy lifting in the film and let’s face it, his sublime music can polish any turd.

This isn’t to say the ‘Dial of Destiny’ is a turd. I won’t go that far, and to be honest some of the critical reaction has been over-hysterical. Instead I found it enjoyable but also immensely frustrating more than anything else. It had potential to be a great swan song film for Indy because it had an exciting collection of talent behind it.

In the absence of Spielberg, one couldn’t do worse than to pick James Mangold as next best to direct this film. Mangold is a great director. I am a fan of his body of work. After ‘Copland’, ‘Walk the Line’, ‘Logan’ and ‘Le Mans 66’ (or ‘Ford vs Ferrari’), James Mangold has been putting together a fine career shaped by his ability to deliver stories that rediscover a certain old-fashioned charm without abusing the historical figures - real or fictional - he tackles. And after Johnny Cash, Wolverine and Ken Miles, among others, I had high hopes he would keep the flame alive when it came to Indiana Jones. Mangold grew up as a fanboy of Spielberg’s work and you can clearly see that in his approach to directing film.

But in this film his direction lacks vitality. Mangold, while regularly really good, drags his feet a little here because he’s caught between putting his own stamp on the film and yet also lovingly pay homage to his hero, Spielberg. It’s as if he didn't dare give himself away completely, the director seems too modest to really take the saga by the scruff of the neck, and inevitably ends up suffering from the inevitable comparison with Steven Spielberg.

Mangold tries to recreate the nostalgic wonder of the originals, but doesn't quite succeed, while succumbing to an overkill of visual effects that make several passages seem artificial. The action set pieces range from pedestrian to barely satisfying. The prologue sequence was vaguely reminiscent of past films but it was still a little too reliant on CGI. The much talked about de-ageing of Harrison Ford on screen was impressive (and one suspects a lot of the film budget was sunk right there). But Indiana’s lifeless digitally de-aged avatar fighting on a computer-generated train, made the whole sequence feel like the Nazi Polar Express. Because it didn’t look real, there was no sense of danger and therefore no emotional investment from the audience. You know Tom Cruise would have done it for real and it would have looked properly cinematic and spectacular.

The tuk tuk chase through the narrow streets of Tangiers was again an exciting echo of past films, especially ‘Raiders’, but goes on a tad too long, but the exploration of the ship wreck (and a criminally underused cameo by Antonio Banderas) was disappointing and way too short.

The main problem here is the lack of creativity in the conception of truly epic scenes, because these are not dependent on Ford's age. Indeed, the film could very well have offered exhilarating action sequences worthy of the archaeologist with the whip, without relying solely on the physicality of its leading man. You don't need a Tom Cruise to orchestrate great moments but you could do worse than to follow his example.

Mangold uses various means of locomotion to move the character - train, tuk tuk, motorbike, horse - and offers a few images that wouldn't necessarily be seen elsewhere (notably the shot of Jones riding a horse in the middle of the underground), but in the end shows himself to be rather uninspired, when the first three films in the saga conceived some of the most inventive sequences in the genre and left their mark on cinema history. There are no really long shots, no iconic compositions, no complex shots that last and enrich a sequence, which makes the film look too smooth and prevents it from giving heft to an adventure that absolutely needs it.

And so now to the divisive figure of Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

It’s important here to separate the person from the character. I like Phoebe Waller-Bridge and I loved her in her ‘Fleabag’ series. She excels in a very British setting. I think she is funny, irreverent, and a whip smart talented writer and performer. I also think she has a particular frigid English beauty and poise about her. When I say poise I don’t mean the elegant poise of a Parisienne or a Milanese woman, but someone who is cute and comfortable in her own skin. You would think she would be more suited to ‘Downton Abbey’ setting than all out Hollywood action film. But I think she almost pulls it off here.

In truth over the years Phoebe Waller-Bridge, known for her comedy, has been collecting franchises where she is able to inflict her saucy humour into a hyper-masculine space. I don’t think her talent was properly showcased here.

Hollywood has this talent for plucking talented writers and actors who are exceptional in what they do and then hire them do something entirely different by either miscasting them or making them write in a different genre. I think Phoebe Waller-Bridge is exceptional and she might just rise if she is served by a better script.

In the end I think she does a decent stab at playing an intriguing character in Helena Shaw, Indy’s long lost and estranged god daughter and a sort of amoral rare artefacts hustler. Phoebe Waller-Bridge brings enthusiasm, charm and mischief to the role, making her a breath of fresh air. She seems to be the only member of the on-screen cast that looks to be enjoying themselves.

To be fair her I thought Waller-Bridge was a more memorable and interesting female character than either Kate Capshaw (’Temple of Doom’, 1984) and Alison Doody (’Last Crusade’, 1989). She certainly is a marked improvement on the modern woke inspired insipid female action leads such as Brie Larson (’Captain Marvel’), or any women in the Marvel universe for that matter, or Katherine Waterson (’Alien Covenant’). Waller-Bridge could have been reminiscent of Kathleen Turner (’Romancing the Stone’) and more recently Eva Green, actresses who command attention on screen and are as captivating, if not more so, than the male protagonists they play opposite.

To be sure there have been strong female leads before the woke infested itself into Hollywood story telling but they never made it central to their identity. Sigourney Weaver in ‘Alien’ and Linda Hamilton in the ‘Terminator’ franchise somehow conveyed strength of character with grit and perseverance through their suffering, while also being vulnerable and confident to pull through and succeed. Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character isn’t quite that. She doesn’t get into fist fights or overpowers big hulking men but she uses cheek and charm to wriggle out of tight spots. She’s gently bad ass rather the dull ‘strong independent woman’ cardboard caricatures that Marvel is determined to ram down every girl’s throat. If Waller-Bridge’s character was better written she might well have been able to revive memories of the great ladies of Hollywood's golden age who had the fantasy and the confidence that men quaked at their feet.

What lets her character down is the snark. She doesn’t pepper her snark but she drowns in it. All of it directed at poor Indy and mocking him for his creaking bones and his entire legacy. It’s a real eyesore and it is a real let down as it drags the story down and clogs up the wheels that power the kinetic energy that an adventure with Indiana Jones needs. ‘The grumpy old man and the young woman with the wicked repartee set off across the vast world’ schtick is all well and good, but it does grate and by the end it makes you angry that Indy has put up with this crap. I can understand why many are turned off by Waller-Bridge’s character. As a female friend of mine put it, we get the talented Phoebe Waller Bridge’s bitter and unlikable Helena acting like a bitter and unlikable man. But it could be worse, it could be as dumb as Shia LaBeouf‘s bad Fonzie impersonation in 'Crystal Skull’.

I would say there is a difference between snark and sass. Waller-Bridge’s character is all snark. If the original whispers are true the original script had her way more snarkier towards Indy until Ford threatened to leave the project unless there were re-writes, then it shows how far removed the producers and writers were from treating Indy Jones with the proper respect a beloved legacy character deserves. It’s also lazy story telling.

Karen Black gave us real sass with Marion Ravenwood in ‘Raiders’. Her character was sassy, strong, but also vulnerable and romantic. She plays it pitch perfect. Of all the women in Indy’s life she was good foil for Indy.

Spielberg is so underrated for his mise-en-scène. We first meet Marion running a ramshackle but rowdy tavern in Tibet (she’s a survivor). She plays and wins a drinking game (she’s a tough one), she sees Indy again and punches him (she’s angry and hurt for her abandoning her and thus revealing her vulnerability). She has the medallion and becomes a partner (she’s all business). She evades and fights off the Nazis and their goons, she even uses a frying pan (she’s resourceful but not stupid). She tries on dresses (she’s re-discovers her femininity). Indy saves her but she picks him up at the end of the film by going for a drink (she’s healing and there’s a chance of a new start for both of them). This is a character arc worth investing in because it speaks to truth and to our reality.

The problem with Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s character is that she is constantly full on with the snark. Indy and Helena gripe and moan at each other the entire film. Indy hasn’t seen her in years, and she felt abandoned after her father passed, so there’s a lot of bitterness. It’s not unwarranted, but it also isn’t entertaining. It’s never entertaining if the snark makes the character too temperamental and unsympathetic for the audience to be emotionally invested in her.

I think overall the film is let down by the script. Again this is a shame. The writing talent was there. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth worked with James Mangold on ‘Ford v. Ferrari’ and co-wrote ‘Edge of Tomorrow‘ while David Koepp co-wrote the first ‘Mission: Impossible’ (but he also penned Indiana Jones and the ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’, and the 2017 version of ‘The Mummy’ that simultaneously started and destroyed Universal’s plans for their Dark Universe). I love the work of Jez Butterworth who is one of England’s finest modern playwrights and he seemed to have transitioned fine over to Hollywood. But as anyone knows a Hollywood script has always too many cooks in the kitchen. There are so many fingerprints of other people - studio execs and directors and even stars - that a modern Hollywood script somehow resembles a sort of Ship of Theseus. It’s the writer’s name on the script but it doesn’t always mean they wrote or re-wrote every word.

Inevitably things fall between the cracks and you end up filming from the hip and hoping you can stitch together a coherent narrative in post-production editing. Clearly this film suffered from studio interference and many re-writes. And it shows because there is no narrative fluidity at work in the film.

Mads Mikkelsen’s Nazi scientist is a case in point. I love Mikkelsen especially in his arthouse films but I understand why he takes the bucks for the Hollywood films too. But in this film he is phoning in his performance. Mads Mikkelsen does what he can with limited screen time to make an impact but this character feels so recycled from other blockbusters. Here the CIA and US Government are evil and willing to let innocent Americans be murdered in order to let their pet Nazi rocket scientist pursue what they believe to be a hobby. But to be fair the villains in the Indy movies have never truly been memorable with perhaps Belloq, the French archaeologist and nemesis of Indy in ‘Raiders’, the only real exception. It’s just been generic bad guys - The Nazis! The Thugee death cult! The Nazis (again)! The Commies! Now we’re back to Nazis again which is not only safer ground for the Indy franchise but something we can all get behind.

However Mads Mikkelsen’s Dr. Voller, is the blandest and most generic Nazi villain in movie history. At the end of World War II, Voller was recruited by the US Government to aid them in rocket technology. Now that he’s completed his task and man has walked on the moon, he’s turning his genius to his ultimate purpose, the recovery of the ‘Dial of Destiny’ built by Archimedes. Should he find both pieces of the ancient treasure, he plans to return to 1930s Nazi Germany, usurp Hitler, and use his advanced knowledge of rocket propulsion to win the war. In a sense then he was channeling his inner Heidegger who felt Hitler had let down Nazism and worse betrayed Heidegger himself.

So there is a character juxtaposition between Voller and Indy in the sense both men feel more comfortable in the past than the present. But neither is given face time together to explore this intriguing premise that could have anchored the whole narrative of the film. It’s a missed opportunity and instead becomes a failure of character and story telling.

Then there are the one liners which seemed shoe horned in to make the studio execs or the writers feel smug about themselves. There are several woke one lines peppered throughout the film but are either tone deaf or just stupid.

“You trigger happy cracker”- it’s uttered without any self-awareness by a black CIA agent who is chaperoning the Nazi villain. Just because white people think it’s dumb and aren’t bothered by it doesn’t make it any less a racial slur. If you want authenticity then why not use the ’N’ word then as it would historically appropriate in 1969? The hypocrisy is what’s offensive.

“You stole it. He stole it. I stole it. It’s called capitalism.” - capitalism 101 for economic illiterate social justice warriors.

“[I’m] daring, beautiful, and self-sufficient” - uttered by Helena Shaw as a snarky reminder that she’s a strong independent woman, just in case you forgot.

“It’s not what you believe but how hard you believe.” - Indiana Jones has literally stood before the awesome power of God when the Ark of the Covenant was opened up by the Nazis, and they paid the price for it by having their faces melted off. Indy has drunk from the authentic cup of Christ, given to him by a knight who’s lived for centuries, that gave him eternal life and heal his father from a fatal bullet wound. So he’s figuratively seen the face of God (sure, he closed his eyes) and His holy wrath, and has witnessed the divine healing power of Christ first hand. And yet his spews out this drivel. It’s empty of any meaning and is a silly nod to our current fad that it’s all about the truth of our feelings, not observable facts or truth.

For me though the absolute worse was what they did to Indiana Jones as a character. Once the pinnacle of masculinity, a brave and daring man’s man whose zest for life was only matched by his brilliance, Henry Jones Jr. is now a broken, sad, and lonely old man. Indiana Jones is mired in the past. Not in the archaeological past, but in his own personal past. He's asleep at the wheel, losing interest in his own life. He's lost his son, he's losing his wife. He's been trying to pass on his passion, his understanding to disinterested people. They're not so interested in looking at the past. He remains a man turned towards the past, and then he finds himself confronted by Helena, who embodies the future. This nostalgia, this historical anchoring, becomes the main thread of the story.The film tries to deconstructs Indiana Jones on the cusp of retirement from academia and confronts him with a world he no longer understands. That’s an interesting premise and could have made for a great film.

It’s clear that the filmmakers’ intention was for a lost and broken Indiana to recapture his spirit by the film’s end. However, its horrible pacing and meandering and underdeveloped plot, along with Harrison Ford’s miserably sad demeanour in nearly every scene, make for a deeply depressing movie with an empty and unearned resolution.

By this I mean at the very end of the film. It’s meant to be daring and it is. There’s something giddy about appearing during the middle of siege of Syracuse by blood thirsty Romans and then coming face to face with Archimedes himself. The film seems to want to justify the legendary, exceptional aura and character of Indy himself by including him in History. Hitherto wounded deep down inside, and now also physically wounded, Indy the archaeologist tells Helena that he wants to stay here and be part of history.

It's a lovely and even moving moment, and you wonder if the film isn't going to pull a ‘Dying Can Wait’ by having its hero die in order to strengthen its legend. But in a moment that is too brutal from a rhythmic point of view, Helena refuses, knocks out her godfather and takes him back to the waiting plane and back to 1969. The next thing Indy sees he’s woken up back in his shabby apartment in New York.

I felt cheated. I’m sure Indy did too.

After all it was his choice. But Helena robbed him of the freedom to make his own decisions. She’s the one to decide what’s best. In effect she robbed him of agency. Even if it was the wrong decision to stay back in time, it’s so important from a narrative and character arc perspective that Indy should have had his own epiphany and make the choice to come back by himself because there is something worth living for in the future present - and that was reconciling with Marion his estranged wife. But damn it, he had to come to that decision for himself, and not have someone else force it upon him. That’s why the ending feelings so unearned and why the story falls flat as a soufflé when you piss on it.

‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ feels like the type of sequel that aimed to capture the magic of its predecessors, had worthwhile intentions, and a talented cast, but it just never properly materialised. In a movie whose pedigree, both in front and behind the camera, is virtually unassailable, it’s inexcusable that this team of filmmakers couldn’t achieve greater heights.

The film was a missed opportunity to give a proper send off to a cinematic legend. Harrison Ford proving that whatever gruff genre appeal he possessed in his heyday has aged better than Indy’s knees. He may be 80, but Ford carries the weight of the film, which, for all its gargantuan expense, feels a bit like those throwaway serials that first inspired Lucas - fun while it lasts, but wholly forgettable on exit.

I wouldn’t rate ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ as the worst film in the franchise - that dubious honour still lies with ‘Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’. Indeed the best I can say is that I would rate this film at the benchmark of “not quite as bad as Crystal Skull”.But it’s definitely time to retire and hang up the fedora and the bull whip.

For what’s worth I always thought the ending of ‘Last Crusade’ where Indy, his father Henry Jones Snr., and his two most faithful companions, Sallah and Marcus Brody, ride off into the sunset was the most fitting way to say goodbye to a beloved character.

Instead we have in ‘Dial of Destiny’ the very last scene which is meant to be this perfect ending: Indiana Jones in his scruffy pyjamas and his shabby apartment. Sure, the exchange between a reconciling Indy and Marion is sincere and touching. But that only works because it explicitly recalls ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’. That's what Nietzsche would call “an eternal return”.

I shall eternally return to watch the first three movies to delight in the adventures of the swashbuckling archaeologist with the fedora and a bull whip. The last two dire films will be thrown into the black abyss. Something even Nietzsche would have approved of.

Thanks for your question.

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teaandransacking · 1 year

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hii!! could you do an anthony lockwood drabble where reader is having a stressful day and its just a bit of comfort from him ? thank you ^^^

Of course! I had a bit of a shitty day on Thursday so I sympathise.

I hope this ticks all your boxes!

Words: 1k ~ content: Straightforward Fluff.

You closed your bedroom door, wondering if screaming into your pillow would be audible for your housemates downstairs.

It’d been a hell of a day. First you’d accidentally tumbled loads of books off a shelf in The Archives when the hardback you wanted was stuck. Then when opening your purse in Arif’s shop, the coins had jumped out of a rip in the seam and rolled under the baking goods shelf, some of them never to be seen again. And then, when you’d arrived home and shut yourself in the basement to blow off some steam with rapier practice, a fuse had blown, and no one else was home, so you’d spent a frustrating half hour trying to change it, something you’d never done before.

After all that, you were so thoroughly frazzled that just one more thing would’ve been the last straw, so when Lucy, George and Lockwood arrived home after a recce on a nearby mansion, you’d pleaded a headache and retreated upstairs. They’d wanted to hear the results of your research, but you’d asked them to wait until tomorrow.

You loved them all, but you were going to have a meltdown if today threw one more spanner in your path.

As intent as you were on escaping, you hadn’t noticed Lockwood’s concerned frown as you went.

In your room, you lay on your bed, gazing at the ceiling. There was a small spider making its way around the plaster of the ceiling rose, and for a moment you longed to trade places with it. No responsibilities, no clumsy accidents, no embarrassment or stress.

As you’re contemplating a nice little life as a spider, there’s a soft knock at the door, and then you hear Lockwood utter your name.

When you don’t reply, he adds, “Are you all right? We were worried.”

It’s on the tip of your tongue to ask if he means he was worried, but you decide not to read too much into it.

“Can I come in?” he says after a few moments.

“Okay.”

The door opens slowly, and he stands there in his shirt and tie and smart trousers. Purple socks today. He’s holding a tray with a steaming pot of tea on it, a little china milk jug, and two cups.

One of them, you note, is your favourite cup, shaped liked a cat with the handle fashioned as a tail.

That makes you smile, and you sit up.

Lockwood comes to the end of the bed and places the tray down.

“There’s the smile I wanted to see,” he says. “Can I sit?”

You nod, and he does, folding his long body next to the tea tray.

He pours deftly, not a single drop wasted, and adds the amount of milk he knows you like, then offers you the cat cup. You watch his hands as he works, hoping he doesn’t know how often you’ve thought of them on you, how his rapier-calluses would feel on your skin. On your most sensitive places.

“Thanks,” you say instead.

“So, are you going to tell me what’s bothering you?” he asks, his hazel eyes searching your face.

“Just a lot of little things getting on top of me. You don’t need to worry.”

He frowns. “But I do. You’re part of this team, and-” he cuts himself short and looks down into his cup of tea.

You reach forward and pat his thigh. “And what?”

He looks away as he adds, softly, “And more than that, you’re very important to me personally. So if you’re upset, in any way, I want to be here for you.”

You smile. “It’s admirable, that you care about your employees so much.”

Lockwood sighs, setting his cup down. “You know it’s more than that. Or, if you don’t know, it’s because I need more practice letting people in.” He holds your gaze as he sets the tray aside and moves up the bed towards you, making sure you’re okay with his proximity. “Do you want me to stay?”

“Yes,” you say, leaning into him as he sits next to you, and then he curls his arm around you, and you snuggle in, and he smells of earl grey tea and hot buttered crumpets, and home, and everything inside you unfurls, and the knot in your stomach relaxes.

“Just to check,” Lockwood says, resting his cheek on your hair, “There’s no one that needs to meet the sharp end of a rapier after today?”

You chuckle, sipping your tea. “Nothing like that.”

“Because if Kipps-”

“I swear, nothing like that.”

“Good. That’s good.” He stands up for a second and you worry he’s going to leave, but instead he grabs a thick blanket from where it’s slung over the foot of your bed and brings it over, sitting down again and tucking it around you both.

You snuggle back into him and he sighs, tugging you back against the headboard.

Through the window, the sun is setting, filling your room with blood orange and gold hues. Shadows spill on to Lockwood’s face, kissing his cheekbones and the set of his mouth, and he’s almost too beautiful to look at.

You sit there together for a long time, his arm around you, his cheek warm on your hair. You can feel his heart beating under your palm, and it’s a steady, sure sound. It makes you feel safe. Wanted. Loved.

At some point you realise, “Lockwood! Your tea’s gone cold.” The tray is still on the floor, where he put it earlier.

He shrugs. “I can always make another cup.”

This, from the boy who is all we only have so many teabags and one biscuit per agent, makes you melt a little bit. Especially when he adds, in that buttery smooth British accent, “I only have one priority at Portland Row right now, and it’s you.”

#tumblr askbox #anthony lockwood #anthony lockwood x reader #lockwood and co #lockwood and co fanfiction

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rukia-writes · 1 year

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Rainy days (Dad version-Part 2-Fluff)

Part 1 (Poseidon, Hercules and Hades)

It was beginning to rain in Valhalla.

Buddha didn’t seem to mind, until he heard a toddler laughing. Looking over his shoulders, while laying down on his side on his comfortable bed he saw Kintoki playing with his son. The toddler was cute and Buddha believed he was perfect blend of Kintoki and (Name). The sound thunder caught Buddha’s attention as well as Kintoki’s son.

“I want to go outside!”

“No, it’s raining outside and it’s lightning. It’s too dangerous right now, little man.”

“….I want to go outside!”

“…Didn’t you just hear me?”

Kintoki loved his son to death but when his son acted like he didn’t understand him made Kintoki want to laugh and cry at the same time. Buddha chuckled as he stood up and stretched, sitting down beside the two Buddha gently poked the toddlers belly.

“Yeah, you don’t want go outside right now. Kaminari will get you.”

“…Kaminari?”

The toddler’s curiosity was thru the roof as he had never heard of the thunder god before today. Kintoki knew where Buddha was going with this and told his son that Kaminari was the god of lightning and that when it rained he would steal young kids belly buttons and then eat them.

This caused the toddler to freeze with shock for a minute or so until he told the two that they were lying. But Buddha agreed that he had his belly button taken away a long time ago and that he doesn’t go out in the rain, which Kintoki agreed that it was true. The thunder roared again making the young boy cry as he covered up his father’s belly button.

“Don’t worry, Dad! I’ll save you!”

Buddha couldn’t help but laugh as he saw the sight of the small child covering up Kintoki’s stomach with a blanket, Kintoki wanted to laugh and did his best to stifle his laughter as well but he was also worried he might have went overboard with the story telling.

“What about your belly button? We’ll have to cover up yours too.”

“How are we going to cover mine?”

“Don’t worry, little man. Your dad has you covered.”

Kintoki helped his son tuck in his pants and that seemed to work as the Kintoki saw his son smile again. Even going as far as to say he wasn’t scared anymore making Kintoki pat the top of his son’s head with a smile while saying “That’s my boy.” At that moment the door opened as thunder and lightning spread across the sky as a figure made their way inside scaring both Kintoki and his son while Buddha shouted “Hide your belly buttons!”

“Belly buttons? What who do you think I am?”

Stepping into the light everyone saw that it was (Name) wearing a black hood, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Kintoki told (Name) that they were telling their son about the superstition about the thunder god that steals kids belly buttons, in secret of course.

“Mom! Cover your belly button!”

“Mine is covered, no god is getting my belly button. I hope he didn’t get yours.”

“No, dad helped.”

(Name) noticed her son’s shirt was tucked in to help protect his bellybutton from the god, however (Name) placed her hand over Kintoki’s belly button as it was out of course making the handsome dad blush a bit.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him get your bellybutton either.”

An awful storm had hit China one night.

In the palace, a young boy was asleep but the sound of thunder woke him out of his sleep and the rain beating on his window scared him. So much so, the young boy quickly left his bed and went to look for his mother. Instead, in his haste running and his freight at all time peak he didn’t notice he was being followed and was quickly picked up by someone making the young boy yell, kick and scream.

“Easy, little one. It’s just me.”

Opening his eyes, he recognized the voice that belonged his father and sure enough it was him as the emperor the china lit a candle in the hallway. Qin Shi Huang heard his son sigh in relief as he thought a monster had gotten a hold of him, chuckling the emperor told his son he was no monster and that it was time to go back to bed. However, his son told his father he didn’t want to go to bed because of the bad storm.

“Oh, you’re scared of the storm? There’s nothing to be scared of little one. I’ll show you something.”

The two walked hand in hand to the emperors bed chambers. Quickly waking his wife up, Qin Shi Huang told his wife that she wouldn’t want to miss an amazing event. While, (Name) didn’t want to awaken her son and husband gave her no room to say no.

So, the three looked out the window as the rain began pouring down harder and the thunder roared about. Taking of his blindfold Qin Shi Huang told his son there was nothing to be scared of and that if he was quick with his eyes he could see a dragon appear. Like the lightning, the young boys eyes gleamed with joy and excitement as he wanted to see a dragon appear. (Name) also, wanted to see the dragon that her husband was talking about.

“Not only will you see a dragon but I’ll tell you how I became the emperor of china as it also rained that day.”

The boy’s eyes shunned brightly as he always wanted to hear how his father became emperor of China and now he would finally get to hear it. As Qin Shi Huang told the story of how he defeated the demon Chi You, (Name) noticed her son becoming more and more happier than he was when he came into their room and she knew it was because of Qin Shi Huang being an amazing dad.

A father and more.

“And on the final rainy day, I finally defeated Chiyou, causing the history of China to pass over into the hands of man and becoming known as "The King Where It All Began"….and here comes the dragon.”

“Where-“

At that moment lightning flashed across the sky resembling that of a dragon to the young boy making the fear he had of the strong force of nature disappear as he quickly shook his mother and repeating “I saw it! I saw the dragon! Did you see it mom!?” While (Name) did see it she was more interested in how her husband knew the lightning would strike at that exact moment.

Smiling while patting the top of his son’s head the emperor asked his son if he was still scared and when he received the answer no and that he thought the dragon was amazing and also that Qin Shi Huang was just as amazing the emperor hugged his son tightly.

It was a touching moment (Name) would never forget, as she truly thanked her stars for having an amazing husband and dad.

🎄Rukia-Writes🎄

#Sakata Kintoki x reader #qin shi huang x reader #shuumatsu no valkyrie x reader #record of ragnarok x reader

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5283 · 7 months

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haeryun stabbing the cop to save "the man she trusts", junmo tipping her off she should just leave for hongkong instead of going back to china or staying in korea.

junmo leaving the car key inside to let gicheol escape, then later shooting him mid-suicide... for god knows what reason? because he wouldn't be able to bear the guilt of him killing himself because of junmo's betrayal? because killing gicheol can be justified and rationalized as "part of the operation"?

also the moment junmo confesses to gicheol how "it's too late for him to go back to normal". how at the very end he visits his grave. and leaves a half-smoked cigarette instead of flowers.

"i am a sinner but using my trust and deceiving me is also a sin." and euijeong replying "yes it is. and we will be repaying it for the rest of our lives."

gicheol in the end was betrayed not only by junmo and euijeong, but also by his whole gang and his dearest friends.

i feel like there's also a particular sentiment in "the first international drug case solved by three nations" which i can sense but wouldn't be able to grasp fully since i'm not from said countries. but knowing the history and the tensions between the three nations even up until today, the whole "working together for one goal" thing seems like it could really tug at one's heartstrings, too.

#this is all so beautiful my heart cannot take this #thank you to the writers to the director to the cameramen to everyone and the whole cast too #everyone did such an amazing job #the cast was so incredible so much chemistry between characters #the worst of evil

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barry-j-blupjeans · 8 months

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24 for object and 20 for emotion? :>

object + emotion prompt list here!

24. Costume for a lizard or perhaps small rodent

20. OH BUT I GOTTA KNOW??? I GOTTA

Magnus was not good at sewing. In fact, he was the exact opposite. He was very bad at sewing. Incredibly, horribly bad. He took home ec in high school and he got an F in sewing. His mom tried multiple times to teach him and Magnus wished, not for the first time, that anything had stuck inside his little brain, but it hadn't. His other mom had tried, too, but she couldn't get past watching him attempt to thread a needle before she took him outside to play soccer instead.

His fingers were just too beefy, was the thing. And the thread was just so tiny.

Magnus was not good at sewing. But he figured it was time to make up for it.

He had to get the things to sew first, of course, which also hadn't been an easy task. He had to sneak into town, which was already difficult because of the aforementioned beefy. And if people didn't see him going into town, they definitely saw him squeezing his way into the small fabric store at the end of the corridor. This shop was made for people half his size. Both in a figurative way, where everything was tiny and fragile and Magnus was the bull in this china-fabric shop, and in a literal way, where the shop owner was a gnome.

But she had taken one look at Magnus's desperate, confused face and taken pity. She knew where all the good fabrics were— the ones that didn't make his skin itch or feel too heavy. And she patiently sat through showing Magnus how to begin sewing, threading the needle and all. Magnus was now wishing he had taken her up on the rest of the lesson she wanted to offer because this thing he was making was…

Well. It… was a thing that now existed in the world. What once was beautiful, soft pretty fabric was now…

Okay, nope. Magnus had nothing good he could say about this shit. It was somehow ten times too small and too big all in one. The head opening could fit around his wrist maybe? But the legs definitely needed… help. Lots of help. He had tried to remember all his mother's advice and while he had started with the fabric flipped inside out, as he was supposed to do, it had somehow gone onto the wrong side anyway.

"Magnus," said a voice from behind him. A soft hand touched his shoulder. A familiar body pressed against his back. "What the ever-loving fuck are you making?"

Magnus groaned, leaning back against Julia. She smelled like peaches today. Magnus liked peaches. The light from the window hurt his eyes when he looked up. He didn't know what time it was anymore.

"It was gonna be a surprise," Magnus said, hiding his face in his hands.

"Well, surprised is a word that could be used to describe how I feel," Julia said. "Amongst other contenders."

"It's— don't laugh at me."

Julia leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. She pressed a kiss to his head.

"I make no promises, babe."

"Fair," Magnus said. "Fair— Fair enough— it's, uh— it was supposed to be a onesie. Y'know, for…"

He could practically feel Julia's smile, which had to count for something. And when he looked up at her, sure enough, there it was. She tilted her head at the… onesie attempt… and glanced down at him again.

"You did a pretty shit job," she said.

"Yeah," Magnus sighed. "I just thought— well, my ma made me my first onesie, so I just thought I'd try for— for them?"

"I currently don't think they care," Julia said. She circled around, pulling up a stool to sit next to the desk. She took the onesie from his hands, appraising it. Magnus leaned against her, moving one hand to rest against her stomach. The baby bump wasn't quite there yet, but he got giddy thinking about how it will be soon. "But I think we can figure this out before they will."

"You think?" Magnus asked. Julia set the onesie down, turning to kiss him.

"I'm sure," Julia said. After a moment, she glanced back at the onesie. "I like the fabric but I— I gotta know how you managed to do— …this."

"I don't know," Magnus said miserably.

"It looks like a costume for a lizard," Julia said. Magnus bit back a laugh. "Or perhaps a small rodent—"

"It's not that bad!" he laughed.

"Mags, baby," Julia said. "If you don't think it's not that bad, I'm not sure I can change your mind in T-minus eight months."

"It's— it's not that bad," he insisted. "It's got character!"

"I want the writer to kill it off," Julia said. Magnus cackled, his head falling against her shoulder. "I love you so much. We need to buy more fabric. You've fucked this one up too badly. How did you manage to use the entire godsdamn yard making a rat cloth—"

"I tried my best!" Magnus said.

"I am deeply afraid to see your worst."

#magnulia #magnus burnsides #julia burnsides #julia waxman #taz #taz balance #asks #starry--skies #im still doing these i prommy sldkfsdf #thank u for the ask !! sorry for the wait sldfksdf #mine #ise cube writing

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changingplumbob · 3 months

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Honey, I'm home!

TLDR: I'm back. Incoming reblogs. Normal posting resumes 21st at 9am NZDT (GMT+13).

My cat summary, tales of travel woe and random trip tidbits below.

Cat! The cat survived the cattery. Apparently she wasn't eating too much and just stayed in her cage area (I say cage but it was a neat two level set up, she had an individual food bowl, litter tray and cat bed). She's lost a bit of weight so she'll be getting bigger feeds the next few days. She's periodically patrolling the house and hiding in my bed which is fair.

Travel! So our first bus was running late. Trying to make up for it the bus sped over the hill. Imagine sitting sideways on a bus with a large suitcase as the bus quickly drives a winding downhill road. So fun right (sarcasm is heavy here). We made the train but halfway through the trip it stopped and sat for 10 minutes because of an "incident" (yeah I'm curious to). Bus from train station to airport was fine but the baggage check in went down just as we reached it. Then the plane was delayed by about half and hour. Fast forward to this morning. Checking in at the airport early to discover our 8:15am flight was cancelled because the aircraft was damaged overnight. They put us in a van for a nice hour and a half trip along a sometimes empty, sometimes standstill motorway. At the new airport we checked in fine, but what do you know the plane home was delayed. Hour delay this time. Eventually back home, took the airport bus to the train station no problem. What do you know, the train line was having errors and replacement buses were running instead. At the home train station we just gave up and got a taxi to the vets, and then home.

Wedding! It was nice, my cousin and his bride were so damn happy. It was in a place called the Tree Church where the structure is actually made out of shrubs so it's like getting married in a church made out of nature. The sun was shining and she walked down the isle to an instrumental of Taylor Swift - Wildest Dreams. Her dress was gorgeous, their vows were sweet and I was sitting in an aisle seat so got to throw flower petals over them as they walked up the aisle together. Then (remember I'm in summer people) they had an ice cream truck after a champagne toast and they had vegan ice cream!!!

Reception! It was at a vineyard and half the area had trellises with grapes growing above you. There was so much food, and some vegan stuff! Because my cousin has a large family (lots of aunts and uncles) I was the only cousin from our branch. But you know when the band started playing ABBA I had to get up and dance with my aunts because how can you not dance to Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (Man After Midnight)? I sang along, loudest to Love Story obviously.

Tea Ceremony! So my cousin's wife (is she my cousin in law now? IDK), her parents are Chinese and came to NZ before she was born. She had lots of family fly over from China and Canada and they brought her and my cousin these beautiful red robes for a tea ceremony. Basically it allows the married couple to honour their elders by serving them tea. The couple also get money and jewellery from elders. Apparently all the Cantonese speaking relatives told them they hoped to see a grandchild next year, no pressure cousin.

Internet! As some of you probably realised the air bnb had wifi so I was able to keep up on some people's posts. But because I'm an overthinker I wanted to keep my post about going away near the top of my blog. I'm now going to blog some things I wanted to reblog during the 5 days which you may well have already seen but I want to reblog anyway to show support.

Me! This whole thing has been about me but anyway, I am very sleep deprived. I was not sleeping well before we left. The house we were staying was so creeky I barely slept while we were there. So I'm going to do extra rambles because that's what happens when I'm tired. Thank you for a couple of sunflowers today, with my travel chaos I needed them. I keep them in my inbox for low days but appreciate it beyond measure. I'm going to try get to my asks today but sleep may claim me first. The favourite facts are coming I promise! Lastly check out this puzzle that I was fiddling with intermittently for 3 days. I can't believe I eventually solved it!

#I'm so tired right now #So very tired #I talk so much when I write #So decided to #ramble ramble ramble

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atinyjules · 4 days

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Where The Magnolia Blossoms Ft. Park Jisung {ch-2}

A/n: Welcome to chapter 2! I hope you guys are liking it so far! I originally wrote this two weeks ago but changed it up a bit. So it's not what I originally wrote bit it's better I suppose!

So here it iss

The mini masterlist for this series can be found here

Seonhwa's

I had been putting out the dyed silk to dry for an hour when my childhood nanny called me in.

"Seonhwa! The Crown Prince wants to see you!" She exclaimed, making me widen my eyes.

"What!?" I exclaimed, making the elder woman to hit my arm before straightening out my hair and tucking a flower in my hair.

"This is going to have to do. You can't stand in front of the Crown Prince in this mess." She said and dusted my clothes before pulling me with her to the hall.

"Talk politely to him, with the utmost respect." She whispered to me before opening the door.

"Seonhwa is here." She said, making my presence know. I entered the hall to see the Crown Prince, who was seated in the middle of the hall with someone else by his side, and I knew for a fact that he was not from here.

"Your Highness." I bowed in respect and rose from my position to a seated one.

"I...my...my friend's robe tore. Can you fix it? I...uh...we need it ...today." He spoke in an urgent tone.

Jisung's

I sat in my room alone, trying to come up with a plan that would help me find a way to talk to her alone. After opening the box, I didn't open in years last night... I had to find out if she's really that girl from my childhood. But what would I do then... what if she really was her?

I was lost in my thoughts when my guard Jaemin asked to come in.

"Come in.." I said after abruptly changing my position and sitting at my usual spot.

"You Highness, the King wishes to see you." He said making me furrow my brows.

"Why...?" I said as he cleared his throat.

"Permission to speak informally. " He asked making me nod.

"You may." I said as he quietly closed the door and ran up to where I was seated.

"We have visitors... from China. Their Crown Prince is in attendance as well. Your father is going to ask you to show him around." He said making me widen my eyes.

"China? Crown Prince? Show him around?" I questioned as he nodded as we made our way to where everyone was.

"This is my youngest son, Park Jisung." Father said to the royal family of the Huang dynasty after we were done with the greetings.

"The Crown Prince's stature is like that of Tianlong." Emperor Huang said with a smile as I bowed in respect.

"We hoped for our son to stay here and learn about the cultures and teachings of Baeguk." The Empress Huang said, making me look at their son.

He looks like a dokkaebi.

After talking for a while, me, along with the Crown Prince and our guards, headed out towards the main town.

"So, this little kingdom is going to be yours someday?" The Crown Prince, whose name I learned was Renjun, spoke up, making me look at him and then the view of the kingdom.

"I'd rather prefer it be given to my brother instead." I said in a soft tone, making him look at me before bowing.

"My deepest condolences to you and your family for your loss. Truly, I know how you feel. My elder brother left me far too early as well, so now I suppose us last borns are expected to carry the burdens of the throne on their behalf." Prince Renjun said, making me look towards the main town.

"So, where are you taking us first?" He questioned, making me think internally before deciding.

"The village..." I said as he gave me an unimpressed look.

"That's it? So we're just going to roam around the village until we get bored?" Prince Renjun said, making me nod.

"Well... that's the plan." I said making him sigh.

"I came here to study about Baeguk not walking around the town. Don't you have any historical monuments or festivals? Or any folktales?" He complained and asked when my eyes caught sight of the villagers putting up the lanterns.

"What are they doing?" Prince Renjun asked as I internally face palmed.

The festival!

"Oh... the Lantern Festival is approaching." I told him as bothe the Prince and their guard came close to me with their books and brushes in hand, ready to write.

"Tell us everything." Prince Renjun said making me look towards Jaemin.

"Do you need my assistance, your highness?" Jaemin asked making me nod.

"Yes, please." I said, and Jaemin got to work.

"The whole village is probably busy with the preparations, so we should split up since there are different things happening everywhere." Jaemin said and Prince Renjun raised his hand.

"Then, I'm going with you. Me and Jisung can't possibly pair up and walk together. Who'll protect us? So Chenle, you go with jisung and I'll go with..." He trailed and looked at Jaemin.

"Na Jaemin.." Jaemin said his name with a smile as he bowed at Prince Renjun.

"Jaemin. And we'll meet up in the center of the village before sundown." Prince Renjun said before pulling me to the side.

"Chenle is a strong and loyal guard, but he tends to get distracted once in a while, so don't be hesitant to smack his head." Prince Renjun said making me smile for the first time today.

×××

"So, your Highness... why does your kingdom celebrate the Lantern Festival? I heard you guys celebrate it without fail, every single year." Chenle asked, making me nod.

"We do it to commemorate the deaths of all the mothers and women who were killed with their female born and unborn children. We light lanterns all over the region and the rivers so that they don't get lost." I said as the atmosphere turned grey.

"Why only females?" He questioned as a group of children ran past us, laughing.

"He thought... females were dragging the kingdom down. So he killed all the females and left only the males." I said as Chenle furrowed his brows.

"Who?" He questioned as I turned to look at him.

"My great great great grandfather. " I said making his eyes widen.

"Oh..."

"But he died shortly after the massacre. My great great grandfather became the king and started the festival to commemorate all the lives lost because of his father as a way to apologize for everything that his past predecessors did." I said as he nodded.

"How long is the festival?" He asked making me point to the three magnolias designed on a lantern infront of us.

"Three flowers to symbolize the three horrific days the women and children had to suffer before meeting their end." I said as Chenle nodded and wrote it down.

"You don't really talk much, do you?" Chenle said making me look down.

"Oh... I suppose so." I said, making him chuckle before his head hit a bamboo used to put the lanterns up. While trying not to fall, his foot stepped on his robe, making a tear before he fell.

"Are you alright?" I asked as I helped Chenle up.

"Thank you, your Highness. I'm alright." Chenle said before laughing.

"Oh no, it was my favorite robe." Chenle said and held his robe, looking at the damage. That was when I got an idea.

"I know where we can fix it."

After taking a detour from the village, we were currently riding our horses towards a slightly big plot of land a little far from the village with a big house and 1-2 small houses around an open space where dyed silk was being dried.

"Is this the tailors quaters?" Chenle asked, making me nod.

"There are many tailors in Baeguk, but this specific family business has been making royal robes and attires for my family for generations." I said making him gasp.

"I'm just a soldier from China, I don't think they'll mend my robe." Chenle said as we tied our horses outside the entrance.

"They make and mend clothes for the imperial army as well, and you're with me. They'll do it." I said when a woman came out and bowed after gasping.

"Your Highness! What brings you here at this time?" She asked in shock.

"I need to get a robe mended." I said in a slightly stern tone making her gasp.

"Your Highness! You're the Crown Prince. You didn't have to come all the way here. We could've sent someone to get your robe!" She said making me sigh internally.

When will she stop talking?

"We were walking around, and it tore." I said as she nodded.

"Your Highness, you can hand over the robe to me, and you can come to get it tomorrow morning." She said, making me widen my eyes.

This is not how I planned for it to go...

"Uh...No! We need it done before sundown!" I suddenly exclaimed, making her scared as she flinched and bowed.

"Yes, your Highness!" She said before turning to go get it fixed making me widen my eyes again.

"Wait! I want Seonhwa to fix the robe! In front of me!" I exclaimed, making her comeback.

"Your Highness, Seonhwa is still an apprentice." She said making me clear my throat as I went back to my cold tone.

"She made my robe for the festival. She can fix this as well... now... go and find her." I said sternly as she bower and left. After we were taken to a place to wait I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding.

"Prince Jisung, it's fine really. I can wait till tomorrow." Chenle said making me shake my head.

"Call me Jisung, it's fine." I said as he furrowed his brows.

"Anyone could've fixed it. Why did you choose a specific person?" He questioned, making me gulp.

"She's... very skilled. For an apprentice... her work is really good. You said this was your favorite robe, so... better get it done from the best." I said making Chenle gasp.

"Jisung, oh my gosh... I am so touched. You're actually a lot more soft and kind-hearted than I thought you were." He said, making me furrow my brows.

"Oh, actually... me and Renjun were told by a villager that the royal family were merciless and evil. With no care for their people. But they were wrong." Chenle said making me look down at my hand.

"They're... they're right. My father is not an honest and true king... he has no mercy, nor does he have a heart and... I'm just like him." I said, making Chenle shake his head.

"You're not. You're gentle and kind, you are wayy better than your father even though you don't really talk." Chenle said, making me chuckle lightly before sighing.

"But at the end... he will turn me into himself." I said as Chenle patted my shoulder.

"Then don't, it's simple. Don't allow him to turn you into his copy." He said, making me look down and smile a little when the door opened.

"Seonhwa is here." A voice proclaimed, making my breath hitched as she entered gracefully before bowing.

"Your Highness." She said and bowed, making me straighten up.

"I...my...my friend's robe tore. Can you fix it? I...uh...we need it ...today." I said in an urgent tone due to nervousness. As soon as I completed my sentence, Chenle gave her his robe.

I wanted to write more here but it already seemed a lot so wait for the next chapter!

That's it for this chapter 💖✨️

I hope you guys liked it as much as I do! 💖✨️

Chapter 3 can be found here

Likes and rebloggs are appreciated 💖 ✨️

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