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ivysoul · 2 months

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FIRESIDE. ✸ farmhand!rafe cameron au [1.1k]

summary. rafe cameron. everything you need and more.

꒰ WARNINGS ꒱ ༘⋆❥ afab!reader, farmer’s daughter au!, reader calls her dad “daddy” but it’s obvs not sexual (it’s country. it’s a country thing it’s normal.), porn with minimal plot, ooc rafe (he’s just sweeter in this lmao), mutual pining, friends with benefits, except reader has such an awful crush on him, unprotected p in v, public sex (no one sees), against a barn oops, dirty talk, fingering, praise, creampie.

reign speaks. i have a rlly bad obsession on the farmer’s daughter aesthetic rn so pls just bare with me while i literally milk the ever living hell out of it. a lot of farmer’s daughter/country au’s in the drafts rn. rafe, leon, ghost, you name it. just let me cook y’all i swear something good will come of it i promise LMAO. sorry about any spelling errors i wrote this in two hours😭

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rafe cameron had an incredible way of making you feel both wanted and wholly confused all at once. he could be at your feet, begging you to follow him around whilst he did his farm work for your father, to keep him company and fill his ears with your voice of honey. he’d look at you as if you yourself had put the very moon and stars in the sky, as if you’d put them there just for him. hell, he even carved a small heart out of wood and attached it to some ribbon and gently wrapped it around your wrist.

he’d do all this just to continue calling you his friend.

his friend that he occasionally fucks dumb every week. the friend whose brain he turns to mush with his sweet words as he thrusts his cock deep into your cunt. the friend that he spends more time pleasuring than himself.

this time was no different. just another time when you snuck out of your bedroom window and into the warm night, illuminated by the soft hues of the moons glow. the note he had slipped into your hand earlier in the day had been discarded in a box under your bed.

(where you kept all of the notes he’d given you. shamefully, you must admit).

now, you find yourself being pressed against the side of your father’s old barn, towered over by rafe, mouths colliding in mutual desperate need. you pawed at his clothe covered chest, taking the fabric in your fist. his hand held the back of your neck while the other gripped at the skin on your hip, having pushed itself up and under your floral cotton nightgown. his fingers toyed with the waistband of your panties but never dared to go further, not yet.

the feeling of rafe took over your senses. he rendered you unable to form any thoughts other than him. it was embarrassing—the effect he had on you.

he pulled away against his own wishes to catch some air. but the look in his eyes, the look, forbade you from breathing any air at all.

“i missed you today,” he confesses. his voice is like silk against skin. smooth and gentle. “where’d you go?”

you smiled at him. “ran some errands with daddy. needed t’ get a new rake since someone broke the other one.”

“i told you, it was an accident!”

the laugh that escapes him makes butterflies form in your belly.

“i know, ‘m just teasin’.” you run your hand through his hair. when he leans back in and kisses you deeply, gently nipping your bottom lip, you tug lightly at the roots of his hair. the groan he lets out sends shocks through you.

you felt anticipation build up higher and higher when rafe’s index and middle fingers grazed over your clothed cunt, feeling the wet patch and knowing how wet you were already. he applied slight pressure to your clit over your panties, making you whine desperately.

“rafe, please.”

he made a faux pouty expression, displaying fake confusion. “what? i’m just teasin’.”

he is not mocking you right now.

he let out a small laugh before dipping his hands into your panties and finally drawing small circles on your clit. you moaned a little too loud at the sudden feeling, making rafe clamp his free hand over your mouth.

he then pushes a finger, then two, into your sopping cunt, curling them slightly. your eyes practically roll to the back of your head. you were thankful he had your mouth covered, otherwise you would’ve woken up not only the animals on the farm, but also your parents inside the the house.

rafe wasn’t holding back, giving you exactly what you wanted and needed. “god, she’s so wet f’r me, baby. you been missin’ me? missed my words? my fingers? my cock?”

you nodded the best you could with his hand on your mouth. your abdomen constricting with every sharp jolt of pleasure he gave you. an all too familiar feeling was rising too fast for you to prepare for.

but just as quickly it came, it left when he retracted his hands entirely.

you wanted to plead, you would’ve if not for the mouth guard, but instead you attempted to grab at rafe’s hand once again. he just shook his head, shushing you softly and undoing his belt with one hand. christ, you could’ve cum right then.

“don’t worry, baby, i’m gonna take care of you.”

he pulls your panties down and they pool at your ankles. you only have time to step one foot out of them before he’s grabbing at your leg and pulling it against his waist, your panties hanging from your ankle.

rafe takes his hand off your mouth and instead wraps it around your neck and captures your lips with his. in one push, he filled you to the brim with his cock.

your jaw falls slack as moans upon moans escape you. there was nothing rafe could’ve done to muffle you now. with him hitting every spot inside of you that had you seeing stars, you were done for.

the wood of the barn walls scraped against your bare shoulders, rafe’s hand sneaking up and under your nightgown to grope at your tits, pinching your nipples.

“rafe, rafe—fuck!—”

“watch your mouth, princess,” rafe warns. the nickname making your mind swirl. “i know it feels good, y’pussy’s just squeezin’ me. like it wont let me move.”

“‘m sorry! ‘m sorry!” you could barely think. his cock stretched you so much, providing the perfect combination of stinging pleasure.

once again, you felt the knot in your stomach getting tighter and tighter the more rafe fucks his cock into you. you attempted to grasp at any part of him that you could get ahold of and the only word you could mumble out was his name, over and over, until you finally let go. your body spasmed, eyes screwing shut in pleasure. rafe fucked you through your orgasm before he came inside you, against his better judgment. his hips stuttered back and forth, grinding himself against you as much as he could until he had nothing left to give you.

he stilled as you two caught your breaths, until he eventually pulled out and fixed himself back up.

“lift your foot, baby.”

you lifted your foot as he said and he put it through your panties, lifting them up your legs and resting them back against your wet cunt. his cum pooled from you and into your panties, but you didn’t care. you’ll just wash them tomorrow.

#i know the ending is kinda weird #but i couldn’t figure out how to wrap it up #neither could they apparently #but hey #rafe cameron #rafe cameron smut #rafe cameron x reader #rafe cameron x fem!reader #outer banks #outer banks smut

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oldsouls · 2 years

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“Sometimes the moon is all i have.” anakin x fem! reader

summary: like the moon, she has learned to be beautiful in the dark.

advertences: none, it's just anakin's feelings.

words: 1.2K

* ✵ 　 .

✦ 　 .

· ˚ · 　 ˚

· .· 　 ✹ 　·

˚ 　　.

✹ 　　 . * ·

She was beautiful, pale and serene. Her eyebrows were soft, thin and angular, as in all old portraits. Her mouth was very small and scarlet, her teeth very close together. Her hair was like sea waves, rippling at the command of the wind and dancing peacefully through space. Her eyes were large and round; they sparkled like a thousand galaxies colliding, peaceful, calm and placid. Her skin shone like silver, glistening mystically in the darkness, bringing light to the helpless and imparting mystery to those who watched her for her haunting beauty.

She was, indeed, a daughter of the moon. Wandering aimlessly in the eternal darkness, bringing light to all those around her. She was a focused, reasonable, reserved, stoic and pragmatic woman; qualities that plunged him into a deluded madness in which he was willing to drown himself. He swore he had never witnessed such sensations in his short fantasy life, not even when he claimed to have met an angel in person. No, that was totally different, she really was like magic; and if you weren't used to it, it could make you drunk. Her presence was something divine to behold, her aura was totally idyllic, her beauty did not exist in any corner of the universe, her mind was like a labyrinth in which anyone would get lost, her soul was a nest of stars in the quiet night, her heart poured out seas of constellations and her aesthetics were made up of sparkles of stardust.

With her peaceful melodious voice anyone was able to travel to the land of dreams, they fell under a kind of drowsy enchantment that made them fall asleep; like a baby that snuggles into its mother's breast and falls asleep instantly when it feels the warmth of the love that its progenitor gives off.

She conveyed maternal warmth, acted with patience and care as a mother would, the magical authority of the feminine; the wisdom and spiritual height beyond intellect; the kind, protective and sustaining. Obi-wan had told him that everyone needed to grow up with someone who inspired motherhood and that he was lucky to have had him for a time; something most could not enjoy. But he didn't feel lucky at all; he had thought, like every naive child, that he would see his mother again, but he never once did. And, as a result, he found comfort in the arms of another creature who created the same warm feelings he once cherished.

She radiated loneliness, melancholy and longing. She was someone who paraded a smile for everyone, but her soul was padlocked; and there was no artifact in the universe that force capable of breaking it. He seemed, with his cheeks continually rosy, to enjoy the company of others; but apparently he preferred to shut himself up in his own mind.

For him it was, if only a little, different; he did not seem to behave in the same way as he did with others. Sometimes he liked to think that the smiles she gave him were sincere or genuine, that she wasn't hiding when she was with him, that she wasn't a sham or pretending to be someone else when they saw each other. But he knew, deep down, that she loved him in her own way; that she protected him in her loving arms because she wanted to and not because she believed it was an obligation, that the soft kisses she left on his head were as real as his deep love for her, that the loving whispers she left in his ear were because she truly meant what she said, that the nights she comforted him were because she truly felt a deep appreciation for him and not because she believed it was her duty as his companion.

So when he felt lonely he looked at the moon, lamp of the night, and admired its roundness, which was similar to the curved eyes of his beloved, he admired its solitude; no one accompanied the moon during the dark and cold nights, just as his companion shone through the darkness of the end of the day, he admired the shining light it gave off, the one with which it illuminated everyone; blue star shining its light downwards.

And now, gazing through the window of his new room for a while, he gazed at the full moon shining on his face, glowing like the aura of his sweetheart as she entered a room.

But that cold lonely night was compensated with the celestial body, like the soul itself or his platonic lover's conception of the mystical. He leaned against the window frame and let the cold air penetrate his clothes, enjoyed the pure silvery beauty and, hopefully, hoped that his beloved would feel the same as he did. That she would feel abandoned because now they were both far away, that she would feel sadness take over her body and be the only feeling she would cherish, that she would feel fear when she remembered that there was no one to sleep with or to comfort her sleep with, to feel the nostalgia that overwhelmed him when he no longer saw the little smiles she gave him, to feel the panic when he realized that there would no longer be anyone to support him during the cold nights, the anxiety that took over him when he no longer felt the cold hands that always gave him love.

He hoped she was at his window too, watching through the brooding darkness and that she felt the same as he did; the same despair that they would no longer be close for some time. He remembered the last kiss she gave him on the cheek, the place remained warm even though her lips were frigid and he still appreciated the softness of skin brushing against his virgin flesh. He had been moved, and very much so, because it was the first time she had done something like that with him; an intimate gesture that he was sure was only done between people who loved each other. So what did it mean, did she really love him, or was it just a new motherly gesture she learned over there?

As he thought this in his heart and his gaze lingered on the blue star, it seemed that his sight was distorted because he realized that the moon, lamp of the night, had smiled at him just as his beloved did when he woke up with nightmares.

With confusion he opened his mouth and all that came out were puzzled noises, about to blink again to dissolve his apparent paranoia, he was interrupted by the entrance of Obi-wan, who looked at him strangely and said, "You spend all your free time at that window." he speaks and feels himself standing to one side of him. "Tell me, Anakin, what do you see so much of?"

Looking back to where his sight had been most of the day, he notices that the moon is still the same as before; it hasn't moved an inch and is no longer adorned by a beautiful scarlet smile. He realizes that it is all a product of him, of his unattainable love, of the separation that tortures him in soul, body and heart. The air still blows coldly across the room, but despite that he can still feel a warm blow on his cheek; the one that caused an uproar to erupt inside him only a few days ago. He knows now, and will always know, that he will love her for the rest of eternity; no matter what hardships or afflictions plague him.

Smiling foolishly and lovelornly, he rests one arm on the base of the window and, in turn, rests his head on that arm and says in a gawking voice, "Sometimes the moon is all I have."

#anakin x you #anakin skywalker x reader #anakin x reader #anakin angst #anakin skywalker imagine #anakin imagine #star wars x reader #star wars #anakin

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lehdenlaulu · 4 months

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Game asks: 5, 9, 14, 22 😁✨

Thank you, love!

5. Game(s) coming out that you’re looking forward to

First of all, Dragon's Dogma 2! It coming out in this year's March was such a delightful surprise. The original game from a decade or so ago was really interesting and in many ways innovative, though it has remained pretty obscure to larger audiences. Even I came across it pretty much by chance.

It's not that I mind the recent trend of tactical/isometric RPGs (though I've never been that big a fan of turn-based, as someone who grew up on the OG Infinity Engine games, RWP all the way), but an open-world action-adventure is still a welcome change (Starfield, bless its heart, doesn't count). I've also never been into the JRPG genre, but DD is an interesting case because while it's a Japanese production, it doesn't feel like a JRPG, aesthetically or otherwise.

Anyway, feast your eyes on the latest trailer!

youtube

There are others that I'm looking forward to as well, like Awoved, Broken Roads, Star Wars: Outlaws, and Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 (though with the developmental weirdness and the complete overhaul of the entire concept of the game that followed, I'm more cautiously curious than excited now). But realistically, I only expect one or two of them to actually come out this year.

Oh, and there are some cool visual novels coming out that I'm looking forward to as well, like Made Marion (currently in Early Access with Robin's route already playable), Call Me Under (which I hope has avoided the issues the studio's last two games, Errant Kingdom in particular, had), Imperial Grace, Tenebrae, and When Stars Collide.

9. A game you played completely blind with no prior knowledge of and enjoyed/loved

Huh. It's pretty rare for me to go in completely blind, though I usually don't go out of my way to look things up either as the joy of discovery is a big thing for me. But... I guess I could say the first Dragon's Dogma? I did not have many expectations, and while it wasn't the most brilliant thing ever and had some frustrating mechanics, it was super enjoyable (until the endgame bits ugh, but that's a me issue I guess).

Oh, and Enderal, of course! It's safe to say I Had No Idea What I Was In For.

14. A song that’s sure to hit your nostalgia buttons

Hah, how nostalgic do we want to get? Though a song specifically narrows things down a little, hmm.

Honestly, the first one to start playing in my head was Malukah's gorgeous Beauty of Dawn for The Elder Scrolls Online, but my brain also protests because a ten-year-old game is apparently not old enough for it to count as nostalgic. 😂

Something really old, then? How's A Pirate I Was Meant To Be? 😎

22. A game ending that’s really stuck with you

Well. The thing is, I'm apparently chronically allergic to finishing games. It's not that I lose interest, exactly, I guess I just don't like things to end or something? So I'm basically what you might call the complete antithesis of a speedrunner, I have to do literally everything else first and I often find myself loading an older save if I feel like the main quest is proceeding too fast (depending a little on the type of game, of course). 😅

So this is a bit of a challenge for me. Also, endings are tough in any media from a writing standpoint, truly satisfying and impactful endings are difficult to pull off.

But... even though I haven't technically finished it, I think I have to say Enderal. I mean, there are several possible endings, but they're all emotionally impactful, make sense, and will haunt you for a long time afterwards (as does the entire game, really).

Talk to me about video games?

#Darna plays video games #q and a #jul-likes-magpies

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kiki-shortsnout · 2 years

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I forgot I was going to send you some fall prompts! How about Ironstrange and cuddling by the fire. ❤️

I know we're in summer....but this was too cute not to work on now!

***

Tony held open the door to the log cabin, hiding his smile in his scarf as his companion stamped his way up the drive. Alright, the portal into the sudden snowstorm was unexpected, but at least they weren’t driving in it. Magic had its convenient uses after all.

‘The forecast didn’t say snow,’ Stephen growled when he reached Tony on the decking, snow clinging to his coat and hair. The Cloak was acting as a scarf, and it ruffled itself, indignant at what its master was putting it through.

‘Nope, but it adds to the aesthetic though,’ Tony answered with a grin. Wrestling his face out of his scarf, he ushered Stephen inside, dropping their duffle bags by the front door. Shutting the door on the frigid howls of the wind, they both struggled out of coats ladened with snowflakes, Stephen stumbling backwards as he tugged off one of his boots, swearing under his breath as he collided with the door.

‘What aesthetic?’ Stephen snapped as he picked up the paper bag of food he’d been in charge of, his bad mood trailing after him to the kitchen.

‘The romantic trope of being snowed in together. Being stranded and having to huddle for warmth!’ Tony called after him, ignoring the bags as he ventured further into the cabin. It was gorgeous, exactly what he’d wanted when he asked Pepper to help him plan this little getaway.

The scent of snow was heavy in the air, mixing with the pine of the wood cabin and Tony wanted to wrap himself in the memories they invoked. The downstairs was just a large living room with a beautiful stone fireplace and the kitchen off to the side, hiding Stephen’s grumbles behind a thick wooden door.

Rather than escape to the bedroom which was no doubt up the stairs at the far end of the living room, Tony fell to his knees on the faux sheep skin rug before the fire, burying his fingers in it and sighing.

‘Where did you pack the tea?’ Stephen hollered from the kitchen, hollered, not shouted, and Tony could hear the muffled stamps of his socked feet, could feel the rage in which the mugs were banged against the counter. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath and held it, remembering the meditation techniques Stephen had taught him to help with his blood pressure.

‘If it’s not in there then I probably packed it in my duffel bag,’ Tony called after he’d tamed his own frustrations. Shuffling forward on his knees toward the fireplace, he searched for something to light it with. He’d worked hard to make all their stars align for this trip, had moved countless meetings and owed favors to other Avengers to get them here.

No, he wasn’t going to let anything ruin it, not even Stephen himself.

Giving up on finding any matches, Tony got to his feet, pointing out his arm for his nanobots to create a gauntlet.

‘Oh, thank God. What’s the emergency?’ Stephen breathed out, hands already creating a portal back to the Sanctum.

The look of relief on Stephen’s face made Tony lower his hand in disbelief, accidentally setting the hem of his pant leg on fire.

‘Wait! What? No!’ he shouted, jumping up and down and patting his jeans to put out the small flame, half expecting DUM-E to bleep at him in alarm. ‘No, there’s no emergency. You’re telling me you want there to be an emergency?’

Stephen didn’t answer, folding his arms over his chest as he sat on the armrest of the worn couch opposite the fireplace, watching him with a frown.

‘That’s what Wong and the other Avengers are for, they can manage without us for one day!’ Tony protested, scowling down at the charring on his jeans. ‘This getaway is meant to be about staying inside, it’s like a metaphor you know!’ His annoyance made his muscles tense as he prepared to fight, exasperated that nothing was going to plan.

‘A metaphor? Being trapped inside a rickety cabin that smells of mold is meant to be a metaphor? For what, exactly?’ Stephen raised an eyebrow, completing the condescending look his tone had already implied.

‘Sometimes it’s about spending time connecting with each other! Regrouping your thoughts, resting, and rediscovering your passions. Stephen…I don’t know about you but we’ve both been so busy lately. Yes, I know.’ He lifted a hand to stall any protests about how everything they were doing was necessary, that they had obligations outside each other. Tony didn’t understand why this was bothering him so much. If Stephen didn’t like it here then it was no big deal, they could literally portal anywhere else.

‘Tony, our responsibilities mean that we’ll always have restrictions on our time. I thought you of all people would understand this?’ To be fair to Stephen, he genuinely sounded like he was confused, that he didn’t understand why Tony was getting irritated by his behavior.

‘I know we both have crushing responsibilities, and trust me, being a superhero is awesome, but can we have one night where we aren’t called to a fight? One night where paperwork isn’t waiting for me. One night where we’re not just passing each other in the middle of the night, falling asleep while waiting for the other?’

Tony was almost panting by the time he’d finished, his anger abating as sadness set in. At times being with Stephen felt like a mirror was being held up to his past.

‘I never understood what Pepper meant when she said being with me was too difficult. Our relationship is important to me, and I don’t want to mess this up, I don’t want to lose you. I don’t want to have to choose between Iron Man and you. I’ve already had to do that with Pepper, and I thought that with you…’ Tony trailed off, knowing he was rambling, his point becoming murky as his emotions took over.

‘Stephen, I just wanted to spend time with you.’ He hated the way his voice cracked, how his insecurities all came tumbling out of his head as he stood there in the middle of a silent cabin, wondering if Stephen even wanted to be with him anymore.

Stephen made a motion with his hand, and his clothes melted away to an obnoxiously cute pair of pajamas with the words Big Spoon embroidered on the black of the t-shirt in crimson, his pants the same shade. With a gesture toward Tony, he waited for permission before he did the same hand gesture, and Tony looked down.

‘Little spoon, seriously?’

‘Stud muffin was already taken.’ With another flick of his wrist a blazing fire crackled in the hearth, the heat of it warming the back of Tony’s legs. ‘Tony, I’m sorry for being an ass. I’ll do better-’

‘I don’t want better. I don’t want you to change,’ Tony interrupted, walking the few steps to the couch so he could grasp Stephen’s elbow, stroking his fingers down to his wrists and letting them rest there.

‘Stephen, I know why our lives are the way they are, and I’m fine with that. Just… don’t you want a break from it all sometimes?’

‘Yeah. I miss my old life at times. I could definitely do with less Wong in my life.’ Stephen smiled, looping his arms around Tony’s waist and burying his forehead into his stomach.

Tony stroked his fingers through Stephen’s hair, admiring the way the grey weaved through the dark strands, not lingering at his temples as he knew how self-conscious Stephen was about it. He massaged his scalp with the tips of his fingertips, feeling the man relax against him, oozing contentment.

‘You want to move over to the fire? There’s a fluffy rug with your name on it,’ Tony teased, kissing the top of his head. ‘Actually, maybe we should unpack first, get something-’ The Cloak cut him off, bundling him up and dropping him onto his ass beside the fire, Stephen following at a sedate pace.

‘No fair getting your blanket of doom to do your bidding,’ Tony scowled, stretching his hands out towards the fire, the heat seeping into the marrow of his bones.

‘My blanket, my bidding,’ Stephen told him, yanking him down so Tony was on his back, head in Stephen’s lap. ‘So, what have you been working on recently?’

‘Seriously? That’s what you want to talk about?’

‘I…haven’t asked you in quite a while,’ Stephen whispered, setting his jaw as he looked at the flames. He looked stupid pretty like this, the glow of amber tinting his skin, his eyes burnished bronze as they reflected the light.

Tony stretched up his hand, teasing his nails across Stephen’s goatee, listening to the rasping noise it created with a smile.

‘Sorry, about my freak out a moment ago. Not had one in a while, need to keep you on your toes,’ Tony said.

Stephen looked down at him, clasping his hand against the one Tony held against his cheek, trapping him there.

‘I used to come to similar places like this with my mom when I was younger. It sounds ridiculous, but it felt like we were in our own bubble when we stayed in a cabin.’ Those memories were some of the ones he cherished dearly, scattered gems of love untainted by his father.

‘It’s not ridiculous,’ Stephen told him, turning Tony’s hand so he could kiss the palm of it. ‘I’m sorry for being an asshole, I’ve missed spending time with you too. I can get narrow-minded at times so it’s good you suggested this trip. Besides, I rather like the idea of being uninterrupted,’ he said with a wink.

‘At least buy me dinner first.’ Tony laughed as Stephen nudged him to the floor at his scandalized act, accepting the glass of conjured champagne he offered. ‘I hate everything to do with magic, except this one thing. This is pretty cool,’ Tony admitted as he took a sip, groaning in delight as the bubbles slid down his throat.

‘Marshmallow?’ Stephen offered.

‘Marshmallows and champagne? Civilized.’ Tony laughed in delight as Stephen created a skewer, placing his flute of champagne down as he speared his marshmallow, inching closer to the fire.

‘Honestly, you’re a child,’ Stephen chuckled, spearing his own and copying him.

‘Hey, I’ve never done this before, no shaming me.’ He withdrew the marshmallow when it caught fire, holding it out to Stephen in alarm.

Rolling his eyes, Stephen blew it out, looking at the blackness spread across the white surface of the treat. Keeping his gaze locked on Tony, he leant forward and took a bite, sticky strands webbing across his lips. Before Tony could think of a quip about wanting to taste, Stephen had already curled a hand behind his head, coaxing him forward for a kiss.

| Ko-Fi |

#ironstrange #fanfiction #snippet saturday #thanks for the prompt!

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myimaginarymary · 2 years

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Movie Appreciation Post:

Last Night In Soho (2021)

Aesthetic:

Summary:

Anya Taylor-Joy does it again by starring in another unique and fascinating movie/show. This time her portrayal of Sandie is accompanied by another up and coming actress, Thomasin McKenzie, who plays Eloise (Ellie). The two control the screen in this highly intoxicating and mysterious film that travels back and forth in time to the whirling 60’s and back to the present. Ellie is a young visionary fashion student who finds adjusting to life on her own a little more challenging than expected. She finds herself in a small apartment that allows her to travel back into the past through her dreams. There she finds the siren-singer Sandie who is determined to make her mark in the world of performance. The two’s individual stories collide together as Ellie finds that these dreams might be a little more than what they seem. And the world of Sandie might be a little more than what it seems.

Review:

(Spoilers) If you are on an international flight with television, then buckle up for the wild ride that is Last Night In Soho. But if your emotions of shock is as vocal as mine, please do the other passengers a favor and don’t scream (I was able to save myself from doing this). High applause for Anya Taylor-Joy for another great performance but who I feel really needs more credit is Thomasin McKenzie. She is a wonderful actress that regularly gets overshadowed by her co-star. Her acting was truly spectacular alongside Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith and (though briefly) Sam Claflin. Other more recognizable actors included in this movie are Jessie Mei Li (Alina Starkov in Shadow & Bone) and Oliver & James Phelps (Weasley Twins in the Harry Potter franchise). There, I saved you some time by googling where you recognize these actors so you don’t have to. (Part with Spoilers) The movie really makes you think when it comes to admiring the past. I’ve noticed this a lot in my peers but people tend to put the past on a pedestal and viewed as better than modern times. The film really enraptures the fact that people overlook the truth and instead go for a glamorized version that they prefer. Despite everything, I still pity Sandie for the life that she endured (End of Spoilers). The soundtrack is mwah (chef’s kiss) and very much a bonus for the film. The movie was (for me) a wild ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. Though at times, the film can be confusing and even though this feeling of confusion is intended, it can be a little difficult to get back on track on what is happening. Very good film for those who enjoy psychological thrillers (like me!).

Trigger Warnings:

Sexual Assault/Harassment

Talks of Suicide

Gore/Fake Blood

Prostitution/Trafficking

Some Sexual Content (Not Entirely Explicit)

Similar Films/TV:

Black Swan (Psychological Thriller)

Sixth Sense (Psychological Thriller)

Knives Out (Twisty Mystery)

The Prestige (Twisty Mystery)

Silence of the Lambs (Psychological Thriller)

Sharp Objects (Twisty Mystery)

#movies #anya taylor joy #last night in soho #thomasin mckenzie #sam claflin #jessie mei li #movie review #movie aesthetic #sixties #design

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sciencestyled · 1 month

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When Brainwaves Do the Salsa: A NeuroArt Odyssey

In the hallowed halls of the internet, where memes are minted faster than Bitcoin in a power surge, there exists a fusion of worlds so peculiar, it makes the Hadron Collider look like a child's spinning top. Enter the realm of NeuroArt, a domain where the brain's intricate highways aren't just subject to scientific scrutiny but serve as the muse for art so vivid, it could make Van Gogh cut off his other ear out of sheer excitement. Yes, dear reader, we're not in Kansas anymore—we're on a rollercoaster ride through the synapses, where neurons party harder than college students during spring break.

Imagine, if you will, a world where Picasso meets Patch Clamp (a neuroscience technique, for those who didn't spend their Friday nights in a lab). This is not your grandma's art gallery visit. This is where the rubber meets the road, or more accurately, where the dendrite hugs the axon in a display of electrical fervor unseen outside of Tesla coil demonstrations. NeuroArt is the love child of science and aesthetics, conceived in a petri dish during a power outage in both the art and the science buildings.

For the uninitiated, NeuroArt is akin to having your brain's electrical storm captured in watercolor, or perhaps, if you're feeling particularly adventurous, in neon LED lights because, let's face it, nothing says "I understand the complexities of the human mind" like a sculpture that blinks in time with your cognitive dissonance. It's an artistic endeavor that not only aims to illustrate the beauty of the brain's processes but also to tickle the neural circuits responsible for appreciating art itself. It's meta on levels so profound, it could make Inception look like a straightforward documentary on sleeping habits.

Let's pull up a chair and feast our eyes on some of the stars of this psychedelic circus. First up, we have the "Dopamine Disco," a painting so entrancing, it has been rumored to increase viewers' serotonin levels by just looking at it. This masterpiece doesn't just hang on the wall; it vibrates, resonates, and possibly even gyrates in the metaphysical sense, beckoning onlookers into a world where neurotransmitters are the DJs at the coolest party in the synapse.

Then there's the "Hippocampus Hoedown," a sculpture that twists and turns in a manner that would have Escher throwing his hands up in defeat. This piece doesn't just represent memory formation; it invites you to walk its labyrinthine structure, only to forget why you walked in there in the first place. It's a tangible representation of the moment you enter a room and forget what you were doing, rendered in 3D for your viewing pleasure.

But it's not all fun and games in the NeuroArt world. Oh no, there's a serious side to this madness, like using VR to immerse oneself in a simulation of a neuron's life. It's educational, they say. It's enlightening, they claim. And yet, one cannot shake off the feeling of being a neurotransmitter, lost in the vast neural network, wondering if they left the stove on. This blend of scientific art makes you question not just the nature of consciousness but also whether you could get a grant to study the effects of watching paint dry on neural development.

As we meander through this electric sheep's dream, we stumble upon a curious creation dubbed the "Axon Action Figure," complete with customizable myelin sheath jackets. It's an attempt to commodify the action-packed world of nerve impulse transmission. Kids can now reenact their favorite synaptic transmissions, with the most popular episode being "The Great Neurotransmitter Release of '21," a thrilling saga of calcium ions and vesicle fusion. Who needs superheroes when you have glial cells, am I right?

In this head-spinning fusion of science and art, one thing becomes crystal clear: we are but humble spectators in the vast, mysterious theater of the brain. NeuroArt not only serves as a bridge between two seemingly disparate worlds but also as a vivid reminder of the marvel that is the human mind. It's a visual sonnet dedicated to the unsung heroes of our cognitive processes, a hilariously inventive ode to the neurons that work overtime so we can appreciate the absurdity of contemplating the universe while eating cereal in our pajamas.

So, next time you find yourself marveling at a piece of art, remember that there's a wild party happening in your head, a chaotic yet harmonious festival of neural activity that makes it all possible. NeuroArt doesn't just hang on the wall; it dances, laughs, and, most importantly, makes us realize that inside every one of us is a universe waiting to be explored. And in the middle of this exploration, nestled between a giggle and a gasp of awe, you'll find the heart of scientific art, beating to the rhythm of the most

complex, fascinating instrument known to man: the human brain.

Indeed, the confluence of neuroscience and art, this madcap soiree we call NeuroArt, is not just a genre; it’s a vibrant, pulsating conversation between what we know and what we feel. It's as if the left brain and the right brain swiped right on each other in a dating app for the cerebrally inclined, and the result is a match made in intellectual heaven. This rendezvous doesn't just illuminate the corridors of our minds; it throws a rave in them, complete with glow sticks and existential questions served as hors d'oeuvres.

Let's face it, in a world where one can experience the sensation of painting with the colors of their emotions or hear the symphony of a thought process, who wouldn't want to RSVP to this party? NeuroArt is the avant-garde, the frontier where scientists wear berets and artists don lab coats, all united in the pursuit of understanding and expressing the ineffable beauty of our inner workings.

As we draw the curtains on this expedition into the heart of creativity and cognition, let's not forget the real hero of our story: the brain. This three-pound universe within our skulls is the ultimate artist and scientist, capable of composing sonatas and solving equations, often simultaneously. NeuroArt is merely a reflection, a shadow on the wall of Plato's cave, of the vast capabilities and mysteries nestled within our cranial vault.

So, dear reader, as you step out into the night, gaze up at the stars, and consider the cosmos within you, remember that scientific art, especially of the NeuroArt variety, is not just about bridging gaps. It's about expanding our horizons, challenging our perceptions, and, most importantly, having a darn good laugh at the absurdity and wonder of it all. After all, in the grand scheme of things, we are but neurons in the brain of the universe, firing away in an attempt to understand ourselves.

And if that's not a reason to chuckle into your morning coffee, I don't know what is. Welcome to NeuroArt, where every brushstroke is a thought, every sculpture a dream, and every installation a peek into the soul of humanity itself. Buckle up, for this is one odyssey where the journey inside is far wilder than anything out there in the vast expanses of space. Let the electrical fiesta begin!

#science #science education #education #science art #art #neuroart #neuroscience

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themovieblogonline · 4 months

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#AnthonyHopkins #CharlieHunnam #CharlotteMaggi #EdSkrein #netflix #RayFisher #RebelMoon #SofiaBoutella #ZackSnyder

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pinerblogs · 2 years

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Unity navmesh unwalkable

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE HOW TO

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE UPDATE

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE PRO

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE TV

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UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE PRO

Paso Ejerci.mp3 | A Star Pathfinding Pro Tutorial.mp3 | Turky Nn N Gulml Xbrlr.mp3. | Easy stitching class Part 2 | Shivan Class mp3 Basic tailoring classes in hindipart 1A line frock mesurment mp3 More video please visit You tube channel. Here we introduce four components for the navigation system: NavMeshModifier affects the NavMesh generation of NavMesh area types based on the section or in the NavMesh building components section of the Unity Manual. for Runtime NavMesh Building UnityTechnologies/NavMeshComponents. What could be causing this and how do i make the ai not rub up. Quick Navigation General DDO Discussion Top.īlog Forums Answers Evangelists User Groups Beta Program Advisory Panel The green line is the path generated and my ai the capsule just moves it rubs the path again when it is closer to the goal and has to round a corner.

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE TV

Thread: Multiple quests having issues due to mob pathing horde of zombies was doing the same thing to my left on the tv and on the screen things were randomly running off cliffs into lava etc. I should make the aesthetic tweak more prominent on the page. could be locations and graph edges the possible actions such as move left move right jump up jump down. It prioritizes paths that seem to be leading closer to a goal. In games we often want to find paths from one location to another.

UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE UPDATE

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UNITY NAVMESH UNWALKABLE HOW TO

Question by Raspilicious at 07:25 AM pathfindinggridhexagon exactly how to make the unit or game object that is move exactly along the path toward the next waypoint effectively cutting the corner of the turn. Note that you can stack multiple nukes from different rooms at the same target position to A cost greater than or equal to 255 will be treated as unwalkable. Use setActiveSegments to fetch segments on the next tick. Contains powerful methods for pathfinding in the game world.

#Unity navmesh unwalkable

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baekhvuns · 2 years

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Omg everyone who made Mr and Mrs Park/Spy x Family connections, exactly that's what I said! The resemblance is so funny

Today's outfits ahhhhh marching band x sailor boys x commanders? God the hwarms were out ofc and Mingi's cute hair! and ATZ OST?!

Maybe c-word would've been better tbh, because I used to have bronchitis as a child and it was hell and this time is no better...

Jdjshdususudhd omfg I'm sorry, but happy birthday in advance 😊 and I'm sorry that you're not seeing SVT even though they're in your town 😭

I'm happy Shinee members have their own musical identities and their releases are so different. Bad Love was so good and deserves more, because visually omg? I still get awful flashbacks from trying to open one of the album versions, but the idea behind it was cool af. Btw Jessica I watched her on this show good for her for coming back to music, but I'm 50-50 on her behaviour.

Like...I can't blame younger gens fans for not knowing everyone, but at least be respectful 😭 some weirdo Atinys called Shinee old men when they were promoting together with Ateez and??? Yes pls spare some performances SNSD. BM is definitely her best work! Omg I remember that prime minister thing even though I haven't seen it shusiabsnsjsjbshshs

Stop because I checked and indeed some Noddy's including the OG were voiced by women even in my dub it was a woman...

Wow bestie in her Yunho era lmao, I keep looking at Mingi this era as well though shit isn't that bad, Hongjoong lost his points for ditching cruella hair, but I had my HJ moments too. Have fun on your city vacation, unfortunately without Yunho 🙉🙈🙊

I don't know any CEO guys, I'm sorry

God finally that guy (Pique) is so embarrassing and obsessed with slandering Real, like fucking get a grip. I have personal vendetta against him and Busquets, not only they're annoying on field, but we were on holidays at the same place once and 🔪🔪🔪🔪 they were kinda assholes. Yeah every time a big name leaves a club it's :O

Literally I was like "Hwa my guy you got cosy with her, let me have this" but I hope he sees Sunmi in concert one day and I hope I see HIM in concert so we can both be satisfied

DAYS with Taehyung (Driver At Your Service) lmao

Yeah bestie I ordered from so many stores 🤯 I'm gonna drown in their albums, but I'll install anti Baek lock!

Waiting for Hwa in crocs I actually got crocs from my friend cause nowadays people are into wearing crocs with charms and I bought some. I wore them outside once 😭 me a huge crocs anti, but the charms 🥰

Btw had a Hwa dream and 😳 he made aesthetic cooking and baking vids like this and everyone was like OMG WHO'S THAT GUY, HIS VOICE AND HANDS ARE SOOOOOOO. And then one day I stumbled upon a cafe called "Little Star" and the guy behind the counter seemed VERY familiar, turns out I found the YT guy irl 😭 and I would go there basically every day like a simp even though it wasn't in my neighbourhood. My mind lmaoooo

Your link is gone 👀 but look such a hot cute loser also wtf is this??? SEROTONIN BUT NOT HIM CHOKING. Surfer bf - DV 💖

hi hello!!! this iS SO VERY LATE DBDBD

Omg everyone who made Mr and Mrs Park/Spy x Family connections, exactly that's what I said! The resemblance is so funny

DJDJDJD WE LOVE TO SEE THE TWO WORLDS COLLIDING 😭😭 have to fully watch it now dbdb

Today's outfits ahhhhh marching band x sailor boys x commanders? God the hwarms were out ofc and Mingi's cute hair! and ATZ OST?!

THEY LOOLED SO GOOD TOO !!!! the sailor shit just gets me 📉📈📉📈📉 THE HWARMS 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😩 MINGIS RED STREAKS PLS HES SO CUTE 😭😭😭 but the blue ones??? 😮‍💨😮‍💨 ATEEZOST PLS THIS IS THEIR YEAR FULLY

Maybe c-word would've been better tbh, because I used to have bronchitis as a child and it was hell and this time is no better...

NAURRRR IS IT ANY BETTER NOW?? DRINK WATER ALOT BC IT GOES AWAY QUICK!! PL DRINK FBNDBDFN LOTS OF FLUIDS 😭😭

Jdjshdususudhd omfg I'm sorry, but happy birthday in advance 😊 and I'm sorry that you're not seeing SVT even though they're in your town 😭

FBWJDHKW ITS PERFECTLY GOOD DBDB MAYBE ITS NOT MY TIME <33 BEST FRIEND HEAR ME. I WAS. 15 MINUTES. AWAY. FROM. HOSHI TWO DAYS AGO. 10 MINS FROM JOSHUA. IM GONNA START CRYING 😭😭

yes exactly!!! they all have such different styles and aura’s and their music shows exactly that and it’s soooooo good,,, BRWMDHWK IT WAS SO VERY PRETTY DBDBDJJD U BOUGHT IT? WHICH VERSION?? omg is the show even good? i stopped watching cshow’s after the lay on produce 101 chinese ver bffb,, NO BC WHYS JESSICA IN THE SAME GROUP AS HER MANS EX DBDBD

tbh half, if not, most of the new fans lack respect & they be younger than them too. and then don’t respect the culture of it all and sorts and then get mad 😭😭 LMFAOOOO TJAKDJWKDJWK ID CALL THEM OLD MEN TOO BUT ENDEARINGLY DKDJDJDJ YES BM DEF IS !!! FINALLY A GOOD SHOW 😭😭😭 yeah that show…pretty interesting fbfbf

Stop because I checked and indeed some Noddy's including the OG were voiced by women even in my dub it was a woman...

THAT IS EXACTLY WHY I THOUGHT IT WAS A GIRLIE 🔫🔫🔫 ifs only america i guess dbdb

LMFAOOOO BDNDBD YUNHO AND HWA BOTH K WORDING ME RN,,, sorry??? yunho???? pls???

AND HWA??

UR SO RIGHT HONGRUELLA WILL BE MISSED HEAVILY,,,, mingi?? 👀 ok okay i see u ok

I don't know any CEO guys, I'm sorry 

im sure u know some models?

NO LITERALLY HE IS SO EMBARRASSING DHDHDH EVERYONE AGREES 😭😭 LMFAOOOO FHFH PERSONAL VENDETTA AGAINST HIM BUT NOT HIS WIFEY 💃✨☺️🥰 OH???? NO WAY MAN THAT MUST BE IRRITATING 🤨🔫

Literally I was like "Hwa my guy you got cosy with her, let me have this" but I hope he sees Sunmi in concert one day and I hope I see HIM in concert so we can both be satisfied

DBDBDBJD UR SO RIGHT MANS WAS BEGGING HER TO LOOK AT HIM 😭😭😭 omg what if u two at the sunmi concert w/o knowing who’s who dhdhd

DAYS with Taehyung (Driver At Your Service) lmao

i THINK there’s a replacement for ur uber tn actually

Yeah bestie I ordered from so many stores 🤯 I'm gonna drown in their albums, but I'll install anti Baek lock!

GIRLIE POPS UR GONNA BE LOADED WITH ALBUMS THERE BETTER BE HWA PCS AND POLAS IN THEM BC IM ACTUALLY GONMA RIOT FBFBFB BRUH 🔫🔫🔫

omg pls don’t give him ideas 😭😭😭 THOSE STAR ONES PLS DBDBDB HES GONNA GET THISE CHONKY CROCS WITH HEELS OR SOMETHING PLS 😭😭😭🔫 ME TOO A CROC ANTI FBFBF LMFAOOOO THE CHARMS GOT U BY THE GRIP HUH 😭😭

FHJWHRKWHDEK COOK!HWA AU WHEN BFFF “little star” U LIVED A FANFIC FUCK OFF THATS THE PERFECT NAME,, IM SORRY??? HE JUST?? SEONGHWA MATCH MAKED KINDA???? wow the way it escalated i thought u met hwa fbdbdb

Your link is gone 👀 but look such a hot cute loser also wtf is this??? SEROTONIN BUT NOT HIM CHOKING. Surfer bf - DV 💖

NAURRR 😭😭😭 IM FBWKDJW…bESTIE. that video with nips out. 🙂🙂im not even gonna say anything tysm. is this not bb!hwa since u sent that video

🧍🏻‍♀️🧍🏻‍♀️

SO TRUE

#✉️ : ask #dv 💖 anon

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kwangyadetective · 2 years

Text

📡 United: Conclusion to NCT2021 and NCT2020

A theory post that wraps up what really happened in NCT 2021 and a little bit of NCT 2020. How the neos unite to do their mission to make their dreams come true.

(!) WARNING: This is a theory as it is not confirmed by SM entertainment nor members of NCT, so please don’t believe this 100%!

This is a VERY long post so bear with me.

Credits to this twitter thread for giving me the idea.

NCT2020 and First Wormhole

Lets start with NCT2020. Basically the Neos, coming from different units, gathered and had a meeting. Then they go through their first wormhole.

They used this to time travel. This is why in Resonance 2020, for the first album, we have Past and Future ver. Many people thinks that the Neos went to the past too, but why do I feel like they just went to the Future (or basically fast forward time)? and the Past is just a part of the transitioning.

Songs before Interlude: Past to Present are songs that represents the ‘Past’. 90s Love and Misfit have those hip-hop style aesthetics (both styling and the sound) that are common in 90s hip-hop or rap. Light Bulb is literally a song from their SM Rookies. I’m sure same goes for the rest though Raise The Roof is questionable for me to be placed in the Past. Songs in between Interlude: Past to Present and Interlude: Present to Future are the Present. Literally NCT2020. Then we have songs after Interlude: Present to Future.

In Work It MV, we have this playground spinner, if you look at it, doesn’t it remind you of a Black hole? It gets closer as if we are entering it. We also have this transition which clearly shows that they are going through the wormhole. They possibly left the wormhole from the white hole after NCT2020, which explains why the albums look like it, but then they entered another hole.

NCT2021 and Black Hole

They actually showed us a black hole in the Ether video; which, I know, will make you think that they already entered it at the beginning of NCT2020. But I have another thought.

First picture from Ether video, the second one is what you will see when you search up Black hole.

There are more technical explanations in NCT2021 of Black Hole.

BTW The teaser picture of them standing or walking inside the walkway is supposed to depict the first wormhole. There is an Arrival ver. for the repackaged album and this is where they arrived.

According to this Black Hole Safety Information Card from NASA and what was implied by this article from National Geographic, a black hole can be found by tracking stars’ orbits. Since the neos are just people, my biggest guess is that they are being generated Orbits using this machine to enter this Black hole. I know it sounds abstract, but think of it being fictional... hope it makes sense though.

Well, thats what it seems to be implied from the album illustrations too. Each member has orbits that were generated by the machine. With that they can enter the Black hole.

The members and their generated orbits(?), page title: Archiving Orbit 2021

There is this line in the Black Hole Safety Information Card,

“Keep an eye out for ripples in space-time called gravitational waves. They can be created when two black holes rotate around each other or when star orbits close to a black hole”

star orbits = members with their own orbits get near with each other, near a black hole

possibly, gravitational waves = sound waves, ripples

especially in the scene where Jungwoo said, “I can feel the frequency better”

(I’m just copy pasting this from my illustration page theory post) Each members have their own sound waves which creates a frequency. When they meet in the dream world, their sound waves collide and that’s when they resonate. Resonance; when the vibrations of a Neo meets another matching vibrations of another Neo, it increases the frequency of both Neos. This also creates a chain reaction as it continues to all Neos.

Remember those YearDream videos? Thats what happened in between NCT2020 (when they ‘left’ the wormhole) and the start of NCT2021. They entered Dream in a Dream phase. The 4th YearDream, Resonance, is when they are near the Black hole. But what visual proof shows the Black hole in NCT2021? This picture.

And this is how you summarize their journey.

The smaller wormhole is the first wormhole. While, the circles represent the Black Hole. The smallest circle in the middle represents the actual hole where you go in. The neos are standing surrounding the hole like the stars with the orbits, like how it was explained in the Black Hole Safety Information Card. The Neos standing in their positions with their ‘orbits’ surrounding the Black hole; which is why its called Orbital Path.

“When each other’s orbits meet

What will unfold will transcend anything from H.O.S(?) to Kosmo”

- Dreaming lyrics

This is what they mean their orbits meet. When their orbits meet, they go through the Black hole (presumably something like that, we still don’t know what this H.O.S thing is). The bigger wormhole is part of the Black hole and it should take the neos to their Universe or Reality after Dreaming. I have talked about this in this post. Though I am still waiting for an official content that will clearly explain if they really entered their ‘Universe’ or not.

But what is NewAxis?

To be honest, this one is something that I am still confused about. I can’t give you a clear answer. One thing for sure is that, they are talking about the longitude axis.

“Center in the center

that’s the axis

Longitude may change look at

your GPS”

“Look below our feet

New Axis Axis”

- NewAxis lyrics

So is this ‘NewAxis’ something under them?

But why is it ‘New’?

There are these lines in Earthquake lyrics. It has something to do with ‘destroying’ the world and making a new one (new axis).

“Turning it upside down and creating it again, A world is completed with the rotation of dreams.”

“Ah yeah change the old axis, Push everyone away.”

Hopefully there will be a content that will explain more on this. Unfortunately its still hazy. But there is another way of looking at NewAxis. It involves computer programming. You may read about this here:

⚙️ NewAxis in a Computer Programming Perspective

You may also read the philosophical side of what happened in NCT2021

📐 Strange Loop, NCT2020′s The Past and Future: Ether, and NCT 2021

---

I think that’s all. if you made this far, thank you so much for reading! :)

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smellsfaintlyofvanilla · 3 years

Note

hewwo! Would it be okay to request historia x reader? I’m not sure if you’ve finished aot yet but the scenario in my head is set after historia became queen and the reader is a captain of the scout regiment. They’ve been secretly together since their trainees days and it becomes increasingly hard to find time to spend together. So like one day reader decide to dangle outside of historia’s window (how romantic than throwing rocks at her windows👀) and decides to make up for lost time. Lots of fluff and maybe Heheh I wouldn’t mind if it gets a bit (or maybe more) nsfw. Thankiess <33 sorry if it bothers you with this request

Stan Historia hours :) I love her sm

Also I didn’t proofread ‘cause I’m sleepy, so if there are typos... uh... whoops...

Missing You

(Historia Reiss x Reader)

AU: Canon

Warnings: None

Category: Fluff/smut

Summary: Ever since Historia became queen of Paradis, her s/o has been able to see her less and less. So, one day, they show up outside of her window for a surprise.

Words: 4.1K

Gusts of wind delicately brushed your hair behind your ears as you flew through the air effortlessly. You breathed in the cold evening air and gazed at the setting sun over the horizon tranquilly before firing the grapple of your ODM gear into the wall of a nearby brick building. Using the momentum it gave you, you rounded the corner swiftly and let your eyes settle of the sight in front of you--the Reiss castle.

It was a grand sight, no doubt about it, as the pristine stone and marble was decorated with shiny golden accents that fit the grandeur aesthetic. A tall gate surrounded the estate, and guards lined the outside.

Luckily for you, as the commander of the Scouts, you had no trouble bypassing them all quietly. It’s not like you were in any real danger regardless--even if you were caught, the queen would undoubtedly have you pardoned immediately. The worst you’d get out of it was a harsh scolding from a displeased Levi or Erwin.

You were on a bit of a risky mission. Not one sanctioned by the Scouts, but rather, a personal mission. You knew your girlfriend, who was also the queen, resided inside the palace, and due to her newfound status as a monarch, and your duties as a soldier, you found yourself with less and less time to spend with her. Knowing her, she likely missed you as well, and wouldn’t be at all apprehensive about your sudden appearance.

Your fleeting shadow was all that any guard could make out as your body flew over the wall, landing quietly, albeit a little clumsily, in the hedges lining the outer walls. A glance up at a familiar balcony proved that you had hit your target perfectly--you were directly under Historia’s bedroom.

You sat up and brushed the dirt off of your cloak with a scoff. Security was clearing lacking here if someone like you was able to slip by undetected so easily. Still, you were pleased with it’s convenience in allowing you to visit your girlfriend. You shot the grapple of your gear right above her bedroom window, and quickly zipped up to peer inside, placing both of your feet against the wall and letting your arms hang limp as your weight was carried solely on the wire of your ODM gear.

The curtain was already opened, and you took a minute to admire her sleeping frame, which was hunched unceremoniously over her desk and on top of some incomplete paperwork. The messy golden hair, which was out of it’s usual style, and the gentle rise and fall of her chest as her lips parted slightly. Despite her outward calmness, you didn’t fail to notice the light bags under her eyes, and the scowl that painted her usually cheery face.

You decided to cut your creepy staring short, as you balled up one of your hands into a fist and started gently knocking on the glass window. You stopped as soon as you noticed her stir, but you quickly realized she was still asleep. It was probably gonna take a little more than light knocking to wake her up.

You crouched your legs further into the wall, before jumping away and aiming your feet at the window. As your body swung back and into the window, the cheap wooden frame gave way silently, pushing the window wide open. You silently thanked whatever deity was up there that the glass didn’t shatter when you collided with it, because if it did, a rush of guards would undoubtedly storm in to investigate the threat, and you really wanted this little visit to stay a secret between you and Historia.

You gently closed the window behind you, not wanting to let any more of the chilly night air inside, and walked up to your girlfriend’s desk. You placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and shook her lightly.

“Historia...” You whispered into her ear, but the short girl only tightened her lips into a line and furrowed her brows, accompanied by a short, incoherent mumble. You cursed her for being so cute before you gave her a quicker, more forceful shake. “Historia...!” You whisper-shouted, and you felt her body jump at the sudden call of her name.

She yanked her head off of her desk abruptly and turned her body to face you with a slightly panicked expression on her face, but it lightened immediately into a small smile when her gaze met yours.

“Y/n...” She yawned out, covering her mouth and shutting her eyes peacefully.

“Hello, darling.” You smiled, stepping back a few paces to give her space to stretch her arms out above her head.

“What are you doing here?” She muttered, before perking her head up in confusion and continuing. “Actually, how did you get past security?”

You laughed softly before sliding your cloak off of your shoulders and throwing it carelessly onto her elegant, oversized bed. “Well, I missed you, and it’s been ages, so I decided to drop by for a visit. Getting past security was no big issue, either.” You laughed dryly, before continuing, walking over to stand by Historia’s desk chair. “Don’t tell me you didn’t wan to see me?” You smiled.

“No,” She mumbled sleepily, standing up and burying her head in your chest affectionately, wrapping her arms around you tightly. “I’m glad you’re here...”

You smiled at her bashfully and started to run your fingers through her loose blonde hair. She’s always so cute when she’s sleepy...

“So...” She pulled back after a moment, looking up to face you as the tiredness slowly left her eyes. “Did you have anything specific planned?” She smiled, “Or did you visit just for the sake of it?”

You sighed, rubbing the back of your neck with your free hand. “Nothing in particular, but I had an idea.” She raised her eyebrow, signaling you to continue, but you didn’t speak, and instead, you walked back to her window and opened it wide, the gentle winds causing the curtains to flutter. You waved your hand in the ‘come here’ motion, beckoning her to follow you to the window.

“I’ll show you,” You smiled, “But you have to hold on tight.”

She nodded wordlessly, walking over to you and wrapping her small body around your torso. You pet her head affectionately for a moment, before speaking.

“You ready?”

“Mhm.”

And with that, you climbed onto the windowsill and shot off your ODM gear outside of the palace walls.

As you flew through the air, you made sure to be quick and silent, trying not to make a scene, especially now that the queen was clinging to you like a koala. To an outsider’s perspective, it may have appeared like the calmest kidnapping to ever occur, but in reality, Historia couldn’t have been any happier to be so close to you for the first time in months, even if no word’s were spoken.

She finally pulled her head out of your chest when she felt you stop, hitting the ground and skidding along the dirt on your heels from the leftover momentum. You stumbled a little bit, before gaining your footing in the dirt and stopping in your tracks.

“We’re here.” You exhaled, and Historia reluctantly let go and stood up straight. She looked around curiously at the unfamiliar scenery. Tired oak trees towered over the sky, covering the view of the stars completely. Near her feet, green, unkept grass and shrubbery covered the ground, and the occasional patch of flowers gave a drop of color to the predominately brown and green scenery. She quickly concluded that the city was long behind them, and that this place had been free of human inhabitation for quite a long time.

“You dragged me out of my bedroom at 9PM,” Historia started, and you turned to face her curiously. “To show me some trees...?”

You laughed at this, finding her confusion quite adorable. “Not the trees, sweetie.” You grabbed her small hand in your own, and started to lead her down the closest thing to a path there was near here--an area of beaten down dirt and flattened grass. ‘I wonder how often she comes here...’ Historia thought to herself as you continued to lead her through the trees.

You finally slowed your jog to a stop once you found your destination, letting go over Historia’s hand and stretching out, breathing in the freeing night air. “Now, we’re here.”

She finally turned her gaze away from you, and glanced at the landscape ahead of her, mouth hanging slightly open at the sight of it.

The sky was composed of deep shades of purple and blue, mixing together elegantly like paint on a canvas. Shiny white stars freckled the sky, forming best and constellations. It was nothing compared to the view she got from her palace window.

She glanced down at her feet to see just where she was standing. The two of you were on the edge of the forest, which seemed to be the cliff that oversaw the beach that was at least 50 feet below her. It was a small outcrop of dirt and stone, a tiny little peninsula of cliff where trees and flowers ceased to grow, leaving only the small bits of grass and shrubbery.

“Pretty cool, huh?” You sighed happily, plopping down to sit on the short grass, and patting the space next to you.

She snapped out of her trance and settled down next to you, running her fingers through the soft grass, mesmerized.

You watched her with amusement before chuckling. “How long has it been since you’ve touched some grass??” Despite your playful tone, you were genuinely curious. After all, as nothing more than a soldier, you didn’t remotely understand what the life of royalty could be like.

She ignored the question for the most part, her gaze still fixed on the night’s sky.

“I haven’t gotten to see anything like this in a long time...” She trails off.

“I know,” You say confidently, “I go here all the time to look at the stars since the it’s so isolated, Plus, it has an amazing view. Levi always drags me out whenever he finds me here, but I caught him watching the sunrise here one time. I guess even a pessimist like him finds this place calming.” You chuckle, leaning you back against a dead tree stump and sighing. “But keep this quiet.” You smile. “It’s my little secret.”

She smiled back, a small blush creeping up on her cheeks at your laugh. It was so calming to her, so charming and unique to you. It made her happy to know you were happy.

A sudden gust of wind blew through the air, and Historia shivered, hugging herself in an attempt to conserve body heat. It was pretty here, no doubt, but she wished she had a chance to change out of her night clothes before you took her out.

You glanced at her for a moment, still clad in the standard Scout uniform (which, luckily for you, was very warm), and chuckled for a minute.

“Historia, darling,” You called out, bringing her attention towards you and patting your lap, “Come over here.”

She stood up quickly and made her way over to you, facing you before placing herself in your lap, her arms wrapped around your stomach and one leg splayed to either side of you.

You silently wished you had brought your Scout cloak with you so you could use it as a blanket, but instead, you just wrapped your arms around her in return and hoped that whatever body heat you were giving off would be enough.

It seemed to work, though, as she stopped shivering pretty quickly, and buried her head in your chest. You sighed in relief and started to run your hands through her hair absentmindedly.

“Y’know sweetie,” you start speaking, and although she shows no reaction at first, you know she’s listening intently, “I love you, and I love the cuddles too, but you won’t get a good view of the stars if you stay like this the whole time.” You giggled.

She let out a muffled hum into your chest, before speaking her response. “I don’t mind. You’re much better than some cool view of the sky. Warmer too.”

You laughed at her last statement, before settling down yourself, a hand making it’s way to rub small circles of Historia’s lower back soothingly. It seemed to have worked, as she only sighed and cuddled herself further into you.

The two of you sat like that in comfortable silence for what felt like ages, relaxing in each others’ presences for the first time in months. But, eventually the silence was broken as Historia quietly piped up.

“How has it been?” She asked, and you tilted your head to look at her, only to find her still relaxed against you. “Being commander of the Scouts must be tough work. They’ve been getting a lot of attention recently, both good and bad.”

You sighed and leaned back once again. Things had been tougher and more tiring recently, no doubt. Still, work was the last thing on your mind at this moment. You just wanted to spend time with Historia, free from stress.

“It’s been... okay.” You dodged the question subtly, and Historia elected not to prod you on it as you continued. “But I do miss spending time with my wonderful girlfriend.” You teased, and a smile spread across your features as she flustered up, and turned her head subconsciously to the side, allowing you to see her blushing face.

“And you know what else I miss?” You continued, grabbing her chin with your free hand, and lifting her head up to face you.

“What?” She stared back at you, bewildered and flustered.

“This.”

And before Historia even had the time to voice the words that formed in her mind, you pulled her face to yours quickly, quickly kissing her on the nose, then the forehead, then the cheek.

Historia giggled adorably as you continued to pepper her with chaste kisses against her face, and this time, she didn’t try to fight the blush that spread across her cheeks.

“Y/nnnnn...!” She continued to laugh as you kissed the corner of her lips all the way up to her ear, and her laughter started to infect you as well, as you let out soft snickers and laughs as well as you continued to shower her with affection.

You eventually stopped, and the two of you laughed together sweetly for a moment, before finally settling down against each other once again.

“You know what I missed?” Historia spoke teasingly.

“Hm?” You responded, interested in her response.

She gave no verbal response, much like you, instead opting to show her feelings with actions rather than words as she closed the gap between both of your faces.

Her lips met yours, and you closed your eyes to accept the soft, tender kiss, as opposed to the playful and short ones from earlier.

You continued the kiss, leaning over her slightly, and moving your hands to her lower back, and her hands went to grip your shoulders for support.

You playfully licked her bottom lip, silently asking for permission, but she gave in right away, parting her lips slightly and allowing you to quickly slide your tongue over her teeth. She felt her blush darken at the bold action, but continued to deepen the kiss regardless.

She’d be a liar if she said that she didn’t miss this as well, the more... intimate parts of your relationships. Like how you two would quietly make out in the dorm rooms before meeting up with everyone for breakfast, and how you would quietly finger her behind the barracks after training, and even the cute little noises you made when she went down on you.

She couldn’t help it as these dirty thoughts started to cloud her mind, and she could already feel her underwear growing damp.

You continued to make out with her, asserting your dominance more as your tongue started to explore the inside of her mouth, and Historia couldn’t help but let out quiet whimpers, especially when the hands placed on her lower back started to slowly lift up the hem of her shirt.

Then, in what was most likely a subconscious action, you shifted in place a little bit, and it wasn’t until now that she was reminded that her core had been placed directly on your thigh, and the subtle grinding against her crotch caused her to let out a moan against your lips.

You didn’t realize what you had done for a second, but when you did, you immediately used it to your advantage, and you ground your thigh against her core excruciatingly slowly. At this point, Historia couldn’t help any of the quiet moans and whimpers that escaped her throat.

You pulled away to catch your breath, much to Historia’s dismay, but you at least kept the slow movements of your thigh against her as you spoke up between pants.

“How about we go home now baby?” You asked (though it wasn’t much of a question), wiping your mouth and breaking the thin trail of saliva that connected you two. “This isn’t a very good place for... y’know...”

Historia only blushed and nodded, wiping her mouth as well. “Y-Yeah...”

You stood up to lead her out, and Historia tried her best to ignore the throbbing sensation that lingered between her legs ever since you stopped giving her stimulation.

You wasted no time on your trip home—letting Historia cling to you while you zipped your way back to the palace.

Historia tried to be patient on the way there, but she couldn’t help it as she started to subtly grind her hips into yours as you continued to fly through the air.

You sucked in a little bit of air through your teeth—undoubtedly turned on yourself—but you were quick to reprimand her softly.

“Not here, Historia, just wait until we get back.”

After an excruciatingly long four minutes journey, you one again flew into Historia’s unlocked bedroom window, stumbling on the floor a little bit, before regaining your footing and setting Historia down. You turned to close the window, not wanting anyone but you to hear your girlfriend’s sweet moans but you.

Once you had done that, you removed your coat and tossed it aside aimlessly before pushing Historia down against the bed, continuing to make out with her hungrily. She clawed at your shirt clumsily, and ceased to stop the whine in her throat when you playfully bit her bottom lip.

Your hands roamed to the buttons of her night shirt, fumbling to undo them while keeping all of your attention on Historia. Eventually, you got the stubborn things off, and you threw the shirt to the side carelessly, before immediately abusing your new access.

Your hands roamed her breasts hungrily. They were on the smaller side, but, as you had learned not far into your relationship, they were very sensitive.

You toyed with her happily as she crumbled beneath you, and you relished in the way her breath hitched and back arched as you gently pinched one of the pink nipples.

She pulled away from the makeup session to bite her bottom lip, muting any noises she made as you continued your teasing ministrations.

“Shit... Y/n...” She muttered bashfully, causing you to laugh slyly.

You slowly moved your way up her body, before straddling her hips and sitting up, your crotch flush against hers. You slowly undid the buttons of your shirt, sliding it over your shoulders cleanly once it was loose enough, and you discarded along with the sports bra you were wearing.

Historia shamelessly scanned your body, all the way from your shoulders to your toned, somewhat muscled stomach, and she ran her fingers over it delicately, stopping at the button of your pants. You smiled before leaning down to continue kissing her, curious to see where she was leading with this.

She didn’t seem to lose any confidence when you resumed your dominance, as she unbuttoned the pants easily, and slipped her hand into your underwear. You tensed up and let out a small gasp as her fingers brushed teasingly over your clit, rubbing gentle circles on it.

You pulled away from her mouth and let out a small whine. “Historia...”

She smiled at your reaction, deciding to be just a little bolder as she pressed down on your clit, hard, causing a jolt of pleasure to shoot up your body. You let out a strangled moan before lust took over your mind. Enough foreplay, enough teasing. This is starting right now.

You sat back up again, causing her hand to fall out of your pants to avoid the uncomfortable angle, and you slid of your pants and underwear, throwing it off to the growing collection of neglected clothing that littered her floor. You did the same thing to Historia right after, sliding her skirt down her hips gently, talking her underwear with it.

Your hand instantly settled in between her legs, and you stuck a finger into her up to the knuckle experimentally, and smiling sadistically at the lewd noises that fell from her lips.

You pulled it out gently, causing her to call out your name in both pleasure and frustration.

You didn’t let her go long without stimulation, however, as you lifted one of her legs up to go over your shoulder, pressing your heat against hers, and causing you to close your eyes and let out a pleasured exhale.

Slowly, you started to rock your hips against hers, scissoring her at a slow pace, enjoying the soft sounds she made.

“Y-Y/n...” She muttered, covering her mouth with her hand to mute the noises that fell easily from her lips.

You glanced up at her and grabbed her wrist, displeased with her action. “Don’t cover your mouth.” You groaned, moving her hand away. “I want to hear you.”

Historia nodded hesitantly, blushing in embarrassment as lewd moans and whimpers left her lips.

“Fuck...” She exhaled in ecstasy, causing you to smile. It brought you a lot of joy to make your oh so innocent girlfriend curse as you fucked her like this.

Her dormant hands reached up to grasp at your waist, running her hands up and down it and feeling you up with need, causing you to let out a shuddered moan as you sped your pace.

The increase in speed jostled her for a moment, and a startled, but pleasured yelp left her lips. You sighed and tilted your head back, biting your lip in pleasure as you rocked against her with force.

Slowly, Historia felt a knot grow in the pit of her stomach. Intense, heated pleasure that threatened to burst with every thrust of your body against hers, and helpless whines filled the room, only increasing tenfold when one of your hands went down to grope her breast.

“F-Fuck...! Y/n... I’m getting... close...” She exhaled, causing a surge of arousal course through your body. You could feel your orgasm slowly building in your stomach as well.

“Y-Yeah... me too...” You panted out as your thrusts started to get irregular as you got closer and closer to your climax, and lust-filled moans fell from your lips. You reached your other hand down to rub at her clit, finally sending her over the edge.

The hot sensation in the pit of her stomach finally unraveled as she arched her back up and gripped the sheets, rolling her hips desperately against yours, needy moans of ecstasy spilled from her lips, along with the occasional curse and yelp of your name.

Evidence of her orgasm dripped down her thighs and onto you as you came against her as well, riding out your orgasm with her.

You let out a few, slow thrusts as your hips twitched and legs shook, finally coming down from your high. You thrusted one final time, before exhaling and collapsing next to her, still sweaty and panting from your activities just moments ago.

Historia looked just the same as you, sweat dripping down her red face, the aftereffects of ecstasy still evident on her face. You turned on your side to face her, putting your hands on your back and pulling her close.

She let out a long, contended sigh and wrapped her arms around your back, and pulling the silk covers over you with her free hand, kissing your collarbone gently as sleep started to overtake her.

“I missed this.” You sigh, closing your eyes and running your hands through her disheveled and messy hair. “I missed you.”

You heard her quietly hum in agreement, before muttering sleepily into your chest. “I love you...”

You smile as her breathing evened against you. You were sure she had already fallen asleep, but that didn’t stop you from responding.

“I love you too, Historia.”

THIS IS SO RUSHED BYE EVERYONE SEE YA

#attack on titan #shingeki no kyojin #attack on titan x reader #shingeki no kyojin x reader #aot x reader #snk x reader #historia reiss #historia reiss x reader #christa lenz #christa lenz x reader #fluff #smut

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themonotonysyndrome · 3 years

Text

REDACTED verse - Another day in Dahlia

Summary: When worlds collide, Aaron and Smartass has the ‘old, married couple’ moment when a wolf is loose in a hypermarket.

Dahlia is lively today, the afternoon sunlight dazzling upon the city. Familiar faces, familiar sights and familiar roads are everywhere.

And yet, the man who couldn’t stop bickering with his lover since the two of them stepped out of IKEA is a changing man living in this familiar city.

Aaron likes to think that he retains his best qualities despite the passing of time. Firm, true and level-headed - traits that have served him well both in his personal and work life. Traits that have earned him recognition, achievements and praises. However, against a fiery soul housed within an infuriating yet gorgeous body, Aaron has never felt so breathless and helpless.

And most importantly, lovestruck.

Unstable and uncharacteristically hesitant, the pieces of himself that are held together with patience have been pulled apart by its seams. But they weren’t destroyed; no, they rearrange themselves into an amazing new form. Aaron isn’t quite yet certain what that new form brings, but already, he could feel himself grow into a man that wholly compliments his lover.

Like a planet revolving around a beautiful, bright star. He can’t help but be drawn by the star’s gravity.

There’s balance between them, despite their strong-willed personalities. They sooth the other when one burns too brightly, they offer guidance when the other is unsure. Balanced and happy, that’s what they are.

There’s never emptiness when silence envelops them. Isn’t there a saying that whenever you’re with your loved one, silence is never oppressive?

Although, to be fair, silence doesn’t last long whenever they’re together. Not when there’s always something to bicker, something to discuss and something to tease about.

Case in point, the ugly as fuck lamp that Aaron fought tooth and nail to convince his partner not to buy.

“Look, it’s not even your money; I was going to use mine for it!”

“It’s not about the money, Smartass.” Aaron replies back with a roll of his eyes. They’re at the parking lot getting ready to head off to the hypermarket next. The two of them had spent four hours of furniture shopping at IKEA after his Smartass made an offhand comment last week about his couch being way too old and lumpy for gaming nights and movie marathons.

But before either of them realise it, what was supposed to be a simple couch purchase turned into perusal of dining tables, desks and floor lamps. Aaron got them back on track when you excitedly pulled him towards that last part.

Aaron had never before questioned your taste in furniture before but at that point, he starts to draw the line at a red, human shaped floor lamp. It bows slightly with the most creepy smile he had ever seen on a statue before.

“I just don’t want to have a heart attack everytime I wake up, alright? You wanted it in our bedroom, beside our bed and it’s creepy beyond all reason.”

“It’s functional though.”

“So were the other floor lamps.” Aaron easily pointed out. He opened the car door and waited, unamused, for you to get in. Unfortunately, judging by how your arms folded across your chest in a stubborn pose, his spitfire didn’t want to drop their conversation.

“What if I put it in the living room?” You suggest instead, the familiar defiant spark made itself known.

Aaron held himself back from groaning in despair. Why are you so hung up about that lamp!? “I don’t think it’ll fit with the… aesthetic of our house, OK?” He tried the tactical approach first, knowing that a straight up no would not pacify his partner at all. “How about this; we’ll go with your couch and desk and my preference for the dining table. There. Is that good enough for you, Your Highness?”

You purse your lips, but the both of you know that you’re not so hung up about the floor lamp to drag this argument any further. Aaron wisely chooses not to comment how your lips slowly curve into a smile.

“Fine. I’ll let you win this round - ”

“Oh my god - ”

“But in return, I’ll be taking over for lunch later.”

Aaron immediately shut his mouth, surprise and secretly a little giddy that his Smartass had taken the initiative of making a meal for them. That lasted for about a split second before something dawn onto him.

“You want free reign at the hypermarket later, right?”

This time, you beam happily but say nothing as you finally slip inside of the Mercedes. And as usual, silence spoke louder than words. Aaron exhales loudly, not knowing whether to laugh or mutter a curse. Trust in his lover to have the final say, ultimately.

But that’s one of the many reasons why he fell so hopelessly in love with you.

The hypermarket is busy for a Saturday. Smartass pointed at the sales and promotions board display in big letters and numbers when the two of you entered the building, hand in hand. Ah, that makes sense. Children run about clutching snacks in their little hands to convince their exasperated parents into buying, worned out staff restock empty shelves and the scent of fresh produce and floor detergents clings in the air. A familiar sight.

“How do you feel about crabs?” Smartass begins the conversation. Aaron doesn’t understand why you bother asking him when you’re already dragging him towards the cold, seafood area. Aisles of fresh fish of all kinds are clearly displayed for visitors, the more expensive kind are packaged and a few men are working behind the butcher service counter.

“I can go for some crabs. It’s been a while anyway.” Aaron answered, grabbing a nearby stack of baskets for their grocery. He tried to recall the last time they had any seafood and his mind helpfully supplied a restaurant where they went to for dinner in March.

He lets you gather your thoughts as you stare at the frozen crabs critically as if they were spreadsheets. “I’m thinking of rice with a side of buttery crab meats, Salmon sashimi, Shiitake soup and lotus root salad. Sounds good?”

As soon as he invited his Smartass to permanently move in with him, you had totally taken over the kitchen. Apparently you weren’t terribly amused when he admitted that he’s not much of a cook but hey, he never once complained when you served the best homemade vegan burgers with a glare and a silent, “Go ahead. I dare you to say that they taste like shit. Make my day, Aaron.”

So instead, after he cleaned their dishes, Aaron proceeded to throw his lover on their bed to thoroughly thank you for the meal.

Four hours later, the flushed and surprised expression on your face was so worth it.

But we’re getting off tangents here.

“Sounds absolutely delicious.” Aaron replied and startled his Smartass with a sudden kiss on your cheek. “Now stop glaring at the crabs and pick some already. We have half of the ingredients back home and I’d rather not spend the rest of our remaining Saturday in the hypermarket. So let’s get to it.”

Smartass hum in agreement and grab your own basket. Together, they made quick work of what they needed to buy. Not just for lunch, but for the upcoming weeks too. Crabs, Salmons, some meat and later pea sprouts, red cabbages and lotus root - the both of them are more inclined to healthy meals rather than take outs and it really helps that Smartass suggest preparing ingredients that they could cook for the rest of the week, given their busy work lives. Vegetable dishes are flexible and easy enough to cook into anything anyway.

They moved on from the frozen, seafood aisles and the produce section to where the personal care products are. Aaron holds up his phone in between them so Smartass could check what’s next on the list.

“Oh shit. I totally forgot that my shampoo and conditioners just ran out.” Smartass blurted. “Thanks for adding that into our grocery list.”

Aaron scoffs. “You mentioned it twice during dinner last night - in between debating whether or not Game of Thrones is better than Lord of the Rings, mind you - so I can understand why you forgot” Colourful rows of shampoo bottles greeted them when they walk past a couple who’s pushing their trolley carts away from the shelves. He grabs your favourite brand and places them in his basket. “You’re brilliant, Smartass, but I can’t help pity that poor hamster living in your brain for having to run in its ball all day long.”

You gasp, affronted, while Aaron laughs at the look on your face. Even smacking his arm did nothing to stop his laughter. “You’re too easy to rile up sometimes, you know that Smartass?” He smirks and grabs a toothpaste next. They’re running low on that too. In retaliation for his remark, Smartass sneakily pulled that toothpaste out when Aaron was checking his phone and chose the one with the strawberry flavour instead.

When Aaron shot you an inquisitive look, you just smiled innocently and quickly distracted him by insisting that they need to get some snacks.

“That reminds me, it’s not on the list but we have to buy ramune soda. Oh, and some potato chips too.” You pointed out as the two of you rounded away from a large family who stopped in between the body wash shelves and hair serums. “Have you noticed that we go through ramune sodas like crazy lately?”

The snacks and beverage section is one of the highlights of this hypermarket, in Aaron’s humble opinion. Not only do they have an abundance of the local goods, they also have a wide selection of some really good imported snacks or as Aaon like to call it, your ultimate weakness.

“Yeah but be honest, are you really going to stop your addiction anytime soon?”

“What is this? Bully me day?”

“Hey, you’re the one who said it, not me, Smartass.” Aaron is quick to quip back and this time, you roll your eyes. Even if it’s true, it doesn’t mean that you have to like it.

But that’s Aaron - his words always serve a meaning and come straight from the heart when it’s for the things that truly matter. It’s annoying and yet, it’s one of his best qualities.

However, just as you were about to rebuke him, the two of you heard a passing conversation nearby the soda shelves.

“ - not going to play bartender at home again, Angel. Why not? Alright then; let me jog your memory, hmm? The last time I left you alone in the kitchen for more than 3 hours, you came out carrying a tray with the embodiment of everything unholy on this planet separated into three shot glasses.”

“It was just ramune soda mixed with rose syrup, grass jelly and vinegar!”

“Asher had a stomach ache for a week, Angel.”

“But Davey, how do you expect me to get better at it if you don’t let me practice? See? There’s a flaw in your plan!”

“I’d rather we go to a bar the next time you’re in the mood to poison the both of us.”

You didn’t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation but you couldn’t help snicker at the stranger’s very much put out and deadpan tone. It gives an implication that this isn’t the first time this ‘Angel’ did something as crazy as mix sodas with vinegar. Hell, even the man’s comment earned a soft chuckle from Aaron.

“Sounds like he got quite a handful lover over there. Remind you of someone?” Aaron whispered. They couldn’t properly see the couple due to a stack of Dorito boxes in between them but you could spot a tall man wearing a pretty nice looking leather jacket and his partner beside him.

“If you’re implying that I’m unreasonably difficult - ”

“No, no. Just… hmm, passionately stubborn, I suppose.” Aaron nonchalantly replies with a smirk. He guffaws when you poke at his sides and spin around to the rows of ramune with a dramatic huff. Aaron easily follows suit with a fond smile.

This section of the aisle is quiet unlike the previous ones that’ve been, Aaron noticed. The humming of the air conditioner above them and the crinkling of a plastic bag of chips in Smartass’ hand were the only sounds that broke the comfortable silence. Even the murmurs from the other couple melts into background noises the further Aaron and his walk away.

That is, until a hair-raising snarl shattered the quietness.

What’s worse, it sounded like a wolf.

Aaron reacted instinctively. He opted for the defense - grabbing his Smartass’ free hand, pulling you close to him. His searching eyes are frantic while his mind is trying to make sense that a wolf is somehow in this hypermarket. Full of people. What the fuck!?

Smartass, however, opted for the offense. You grab the nearest glass bottle by the neck and were about to smash it against the metal shelf if it weren’t for Aaron’s quick thinking. He immediately grabs your wrist and shoots you an incredulous look. Silently judging your choices in life.

‘You have a better idea on how to deal with a fucking wolf!?’ Smartass demanded in silence. Your expression is bewildered; as if you couldn’t believe that Aaron wouldn’t let you shank an unknown threat just around the corner.

In return, Aaron pulls you closer to his body and glares out, ‘I’m not letting you throw yourself in front of a wolf!’

‘I’m protecting us!’ Smartass countered back, glaring just as heatedly.

A sweet giggle suddenly interrupted their mental argument. Their hearts skip a beat in fear at the unknown.

“Ok, ok. How about this, Davey: I'll let you dress me up when we go to the bar tomorrow. How’s that? Does that make my Wolf not jealous anymore?” The same voice they accidentally eavesdropped previously bargained in a teasing tone.

Smartass and Aaron exchange a bewildered and confused glance. What the fuck did they just said? My Wolf? Was the realistic animal snarl came from the boyfriend!? He must’ve some serious vocal cords and throat to be able to make that sound!

Aaron exhales loudly while Smartass allows him to grab the glass bottle that you were still holding to put it back on the shelf.

“I think I just lost five years of my life.” Aaron complains.

Smartass said nothing. Without even saying anything, you march to where the couple are. Aaron curses under his breath and quickly chases after you.

The man in the black leather jacket and his partner glanced at his Smartass when you approached them with a practised smile. One that Aaron knew meant trouble. How could he not when he’s the receiving end of that smile more than he could count.

When Smartass wants answers, you’ll do everything in your power to get it and Aaron is really not looking forward to wrangling his partner from starting a brawl in the middle of a damn hypermarket.

“Hi there.” His Smartass began, your body language deceptively open and friendly. “Are you two alright?”

“Eh?” The one standing beside the tall, frowning man replies with a blink. Upon closer inspection, Aaron realises that he and what looks to be the leader of a local gang are similar in built.

“Can we help you?” The gang leader interjects. He’s frowning but he doesn’t appear angry. Just confused like his partner. Though he nodded in greeting when Aaron slid up beside Smartass.

“Didn’t you hear that noise just now?” Smartass plays shock. “It sounded like someone released a wolf in the hypermarket!”

The man in the leather jacket suddenly looked like he just sucked a lemon; his eyes are comically wide. Meanwhile, his partner’s eyes are equally as wide. Aaron detects a hint of realisation glint in their eyes. Now isn’t that interesting?

Well, Smartass thought so too. You pressed on. “You heard it too right? Damn near give me a heart attack! I wonder if the nearby staff also heard it - ”

“It’s probably the ventilation system or something.” The gang leader quickly replied, his expression oddly shifted to neutral. Beside him, his partner opens their mouth to say something but he quickly presses his palm over it. They throw a pointed look at him but he resolutely ignores it. “Anyway, good luck with your grocery shopping.”

Aaron watches him grab his partner by the hand and gently drag them away. It was only when they’re out of sight that they started furiously chatting.

“Wow, Davey, your slip up was even worse than Asher’s!”

“We’re so not telling him about this, Angel.”

“...Does this mean I can tell Babe instead?”

“Wha - No, that wasn’t an invitation to tell his Mate!”

Aaron turns to Smartass who just shrugs. Neither of them could figure out what just happened. He’s just glad that you let them escape.

“Maybe they have some really kinky roleplaying thing going on.” Smartass guessed, wiggling your eyebrows suggestively.

Aaron runs his palm down his face in exasperation. “I don’t give a shit, Smartass. Can we please just finish up our grocery shopping already? I’m starting to get hungry.”

“Alright, alright. We just have to grab a few more things and then we can pay.” Smartass assured him and off they continued on their way.

Though neither of them still couldn’t help but wonder how the hell that man managed to sound like a wolf so accurately.

Kinky roleplay or not.

I’m tentatively planning to make this into a mini series including the rest of the non-empowered characters with their lovers. I’m already writing for Oliver and Baby so we’ll see how that goes!

#redacted asmr #fanfic #second pov #they/them pronouns #gender neutral s/o #smartass (listener)#Aaron #david shaw #angel (listener)

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honey-dewey · 3 years

Text

A Challenging Affair

Pairing: Shane ‘Dio’ Morrissey/Reader

Word Count: 1,976

Warnings: None! This is 100% fluff

Permanent Taglist: @phoenixhalliwell @star-wars-hell

Shane wasn’t exactly the most up to date on current internet trends and challenges, but when you introduce him to a very interesting clothing challenge, it seems he can’t say no. Could today finally be the day New York City sees the Goth King wear some color?

“Babe!” You said, falling onto the bed beside Shane. “Babe, look at this!”

Shane rolled over from where he’d been working on his laptop and looked at your phone. “The fuck is that?”

“It’s a TikTok challenge,” you explained. “Aren’t you on TikTok?”

“Maybe?” Shane said, confused. “I don’t even know anymore.”

You groaned. “You’re such an old man!” You said. “Shane Morrissey, the goth king of New York City, and he can’t operate his own damn phone.”

Shane elbowed you, causing you to squeal with laughter and roll away from him. “Watch yourself,” he warned you with a smile. “Or I’ll feed you to the dogs.” He rolled on top of you and blew a raspberry into your exposed belly, causing you to kick him, laughing uncontrollably.

“Shane!” You screamed, flailing. “Quit!”

“Aww,” Shane said, sliding off you and pouting. “But tormenting you is such fun.”

You gave his shoulder a small shove, reaching for your phone. “But did you see the challenge?”

The mattress creaked as Shane flopped down next to you. “No.”

You held your phone out. “It’s a couples challenge. The two people go to a thrift store or something and buy an outfit for their significant other, then they wear those outfits on a date. It looks cute.”

“Is this a coincidence?” Shane asked, raising his eyebrows. “Or do you know we’re doing date night tonight.”

“It might be a coincidence,” you said, nudging up against Shane. “But since you said we have date night tonight, why don’t we try it!”

Shane made a very unimpressed face at you, but shrugged. “Okay. I don’t care. But I get to pick the store.”

You held your hand out to shake. “Deal!”

In the end, Shane picked a place you and him both knew very well. The owners were good friends of yours and they were all excited to help you with the challenge when you explained it to them.

“Alright,” Elon, one of the owners, said. “Here are your bags.” They handed you and Shane each a solid black bag so the other couldn’t peek. “You have each other’s clothing sizes. Go forth and conquer!”

Immediately, you and Shane split up. You headed towards the sweaters and he headed for the shoes. Humming along to the music, you went through the soft shirts, ruling most of them out because they had too much of a pattern. You had quite the opportunity to put Shane in the most colorful shit you could find, but you weren’t that mean. Instead, you tried to find a balance between color and Shane.

Finally, your digging around rewarded you with a perfect sweater in Shane’s size. It was a faded grey blue with small black stars, and you knew just by looking at it that it would work well on Shane. Putting it in your bag, you left to go ask your boyfriend a question.

“No peeking,” Shane said warningly as you approached him. You smiled, looping your arm through his and leaning in to kiss his cheek.

“I’m not peeking,” you said. “Just wanted to ask you a question.”

Shane continued to look at shoes, although you could plainly see the outline of a pair in his bag. “Fire away.”

“Do I have to get you pants?”

Shane froze for a second, trying to comprehend what you’d just said. “As opposed to getting me what?”

You shuffled your feet a tiny bit. “A skirt?”

“Oh.” Shane loosened, shrugging. “Yeah. Go ahead. I don’t care. I’ve told you plenty of times that gender is just a construct meant to control the masses.”

You giggled. “Don’t go all Dio on me,” you said. “I know you’re a giant dork under all that leather.”

Shane scrunched his face up, coughing you to laugh. “Mhm,” he hummed. “Now go away. I’m shopping.”

Giving Shane one last kiss, you walked away to find the right skirt for your sweater.

It wasn’t hard. You knew what would look good on him, and you found his size in a soft black overall skirt almost immediately. The skirt flared pretty well, and upon further examination, you found that it was a circle skirt. Tossing it and a pair of sheer black tights in your bag, you only had one more thing to find. Shoes.

On your way to the shoes, you got distracted. You’d intended to let Shane wear his regular jewelry, but passing the small display, you backtracked and grabbed a small ring with a beautiful Aries constellation on it.

You bumped into Shane, almost literally, as you rounded a corner. He smiled at you, gently guiding you around him so you two didn’t collide. “Watch it,” he said. “Wouldn’t want you hurting the pretty face of yours.”

Blushing, you scowled at Shane, sticking your tongue out at him as you walked away. He mimicked the gesture, showing off his rarely seen tongue piercing.

Shoes weren’t hard. Shane cycled through three different pairs of platform boots and two pairs of solid black Doc Martens, so you decided to let Shane continue with his current pair of shoes, which were one of the Doc pairs. You almost put a pair of hot pink crocs in the bag, just to screw with Shane, but you had told yourself you’d be kind, and hot pink crocs didn’t seem very kind, even if it was hilarious.

“I’m done,” you said cheerfully, walking over to where Shane was looking at shirts. “You?”

“I’ve been done,” Shane said. “Here.” He held out the bag for you. You exchanged it for your bag for him, swapping. “Ready?”

You nodded eagerly. “Yep! Let’s go!”

Elon’s girlfriend, Lucy, got you both set up in changing rooms, smiling at you knowingly. “Oh honey,” she said to you. “Dio got damn lucky with his pick.”

Suddenly nervous, you began to get changed.

The outfit wasn’t bad. In fact, you liked it. A cute pair of mom jeans with embroidered flowers around the folded ankles and the pockets, a white jersey knit shirt that you tucked loosely into the pants, a pair of white socks, and a pair of yellow buttercup earrings made up the outfit, but you couldn’t find the shoes.

“Shane?” You said, confused. “Where are the shoes?”

“There aren’t any in my bag either,” Shane said over the gap in the wall.

“You’re supposed to wear your Docs,” you said. “Should I wear my sneakers?”

“No,” Shane said. “I have your shoes. I wanted to see your face when I gave them to you.”

You pouted, leaving the dressing room and making a face at Lucy, who had her lips pressed together in barely contained amusement.

Shane stepped out of his dressing room, and your pour melted away. “You look so good!” You said eagerly.

Truthfully, Shane did look really good. The sweater was a tiny bit big, but that added to the aesthetic. The skirt was just the right length, and you couldn’t wait to run your hands across his thighs in public and give him a taste of his own teasing medicine. He shuffled in his shoes, shrugging.

“It’s too much color,” he said finally, and you rolled your eyes playfully.

“It’s one faded blue sweater,” you pointed out. “Be glad I didn’t pick the neon rainbow tie dye shirt.”

Shane fake gagged, causing you and Lucy to laugh.

“Okay,” Shane said, holding out a shoe box. “Sit.”

You sat down on a stool, closing your eyes at Shane’s request and putting your feet in his lap when he sat on the floor. You could feel him sliding each shoe onto your feet, and you tried to guess what they were.

“Are they platforms?” Shane adjusted the laces on the left shoe.

“No.” Shane pulled the laces on the left shoe tight.

“Docs?” Shane was adjusting the right shoe laces now.

“Yes.” Shane pulled on the right laces. You could feel your foot move as he tied them.

“Can I open my eyes?” You were super eager to see the shoes.

You felt Shane shuffle back, so your feet were no longer in his lap. “Yes.”

You opened your eyes, immediately gasping. The shoes were hideous and you adored them. You’d been trying to find a pair of these Docs in your size for years, but they had stopped making them a decade ago. “Are these the Pascal Darcys?”

Shane was smiling. “Those are the god awful Pascal Darcy Docs you desperately wanted,” he confirmed. “Lucy said Elon found a pair a few days ago, and when she told me they were in your size, I knew I had to get them for you.”

You all but launched yourself into Shane’s arms. “You absolute bastard!” You said happily, hugging him tight. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” Shane said, holding you almost as tight as you were holding him. “Now c’mon, I believe we have a date tonight.”

Reluctantly, you took everything off and paid for it, carrying the bags home and trying to resist the urge to pull your new boots out and break them in with a trip around the block.

When you got home, you and Shane changed, and Shane wiped his heavy makeup away for something lighter and simpler.

“Can I do your makeup?” You asked, standing in the bathroom with Shane. “I picked your outfit, so it makes sense.”

Shane looked at you with his eyebrows raised. “No sabotage?”

You gasped. “You think too little of me!” You said, picking up Shane’s liquid eyeliner pen. “I would never.” You quickly kissed Shane’s nose. “I promise,” you added softly. “No sabotage.”

Shane sat still as you did his makeup, not going overboard because you didn’t want to. Instead, you kept it simple with a small amount of eyeliner and a bit of extra blush across his cheeks and nose.

“I think I should return the favor,” Shane said, standing once you were finished. “Gimme the brush.”

“I’m already perfect,” you shot back, but handed him the brush anyway.

You ended up with the same treatment as Shane. Some eyeliner and blush was all he decided you needed before he was telling you to go put your shoes on. You didn’t need to be told twice, racing off to go put your new boots on.

“Do you still love them?” Shane asked, putting his arm around you as you walked out of the building.

“Do you still think they’re ugly?” You asked back, smiling.

Shane sighed, smiling. “They’re really not my thing,” he said. “But I’m glad you love them.”

You grinned, kicking your foot as best you could while walking. “I love them,” you said.

Your date ended up being an early dinner at a local cafe and then you and Shane wandering around a tiny used bookstore for almost an hour. You didn’t buy anything, you just enjoyed the book smell and the calming atmosphere, losing yourself among the stacks of old books. The owner was a witch, and you found Shane talking to her about tarot cards. You pressed yourself to Shane’s side, yawning and snuggling closer to his sweater.

Shane instinctively put an arm around you, holding you to him. You smiled. “Can we go home?” You asked softly. “I’m tired.”

“Of course,” Shane said, kissing your head. “I’ll see you tomorrow Beth.”

Beth waved as you two went, walking silently home.

When you fell into bed, in your pyjamas and half asleep already, you were surprised to see Shane follow you, still wearing his sweater. The skirt and tights had been exchanged for sweatpants, and his shoes were discarded somewhere in the bathroom.

“Did you have fun?” Shane asked, snuggling close to you.

You nodded, sleepily humming. “Yeah. Thank you for indulging me today.”

Shane smiled, pulling the blankets up to cover the both of you. “For you, my dove, anything.”

#nypd blue #shane 'dio' morrissey #dio morrissey #dio morrissey x reader #dio morrissey x you #Pedro Pascal #My writing

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letterboxd · 3 years

Photo

Blurring the Line.

As a new Space Jam film beams down to Earth, Kambole Campbell argues that a commitment to silliness and a sincere love for the medium is what it takes to make a great live-action/animation hybrid.

The live-action and animation hybrid movie is something of a dicey prospect. It’s tricky to create believable interaction between what’s real and what’s drawn, puppeteered or rendered—and blending the live and the animated has so far resulted in wild swings in quality. It is a highly specific and technically demanding niche, one with only a select few major hits, though plenty of cult oddities. So what makes a good live-action/animation hybrid?

To borrow words from Hayao Miyazaki, “live action is becoming part of that whole soup called animation”. Characters distinct from the humans they interact with, but rendered as though they were real creatures (or ghosts), are everywhere lately; in Paddington, in Scooby Doo, in David Lowery’s (wonderful) update of Pete’s Dragon.

The original ‘Pete’s Dragon’ (1977) alongside the 2016 remake.

Lowery’s dragon is realized with highly realistic lighting and visual-effects work. By comparison, the cartoon-like characters in the 1977 Pete’s Dragon—along with other films listed in Louise’s handy compendium of Disney’s live-action animation—are far more exaggerated. That said, there’s still the occasional holdout for the classical version of these crossovers: this year’s Tom and Jerry replicating the look of 2D through 3D/CGI animation, specifically harkens back to the shorts of the 1940s and ’50s.

One type of live-action/animation hybrid focuses on seamless immersion, the other is interested in exploring the seams themselves. Elf (2003) uses the aberration of stop-motion animals to represent the eponymous character as a fish out of water. Ninjababy, a Letterboxd favorite from this year’s SXSW Festival, employs an animated doodle as a representation of the protagonist’s state of mind while she processes her unplanned pregnancy.

Meanwhile, every Muppets film ever literally tears at the seams until we’re in stitches, but, for the sake of simplicity, puppets are not invited to this particular party. What we are concerned with here is the overlap between hand-drawn animation and live-action scenes (with honorable mentions of equally valid stop-motion work), and the ways in which these hybrids have moved from whimsical confections to nod-and-wink blockbusters across a century of cinema.

Betty Boop and Koko the clown in a 1938 instalment of the Fleischer brothers’ ‘Out of the Inkwell’ series.

Early crossovers often involve animators playing with their characters, in scenarios such as the inventive Out of the Inkwell series of shorts from Rotoscope inventor Max Fleischer and his director brother Dave. Things get even more interactive mid-century, when Gene Kelly holds hands with Jerry Mouse in Anchors Aweigh.

The 1960s and ’70s deliver ever more delightful family fare involving human actors entering cartoon worlds, notably in the Robert Stevenson-directed Mary Poppins and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Chuck Jones’ puntastic The Phantom Tollbooth.

Jerry and Gene dance off their worries in ‘Anchors Aweigh’ (1945).

Mary Poppins is one of the highest-rated live-action/animation hybrids on Letterboxd for good reason. Its sense of control in how it engages with its animated creations makes it—still!—an incredibly engaging watch. It is simply far less evil than the singin’, dancin’ glorification of slavery in Disney’s Song of the South (1946), and far more engaging than Victory Through Air Power (1943), a war-propaganda film about the benefits of long-range bombing in the fight against Hitler. The studio’s The Reluctant Dragon (1941) also serves a propagandistic function, as a behind-the-scenes studio tour made when the studio’s animators were striking.

By comparison, Mary Poppins’ excursions into the painted world—replicated in Rob Marshall’s belated, underrated 2018 sequel, Mary Poppins Returns—are full of magical whimsicality. “Films have added the gimmick of making animation and live characters interact countless times, but paradoxically none as pristine-looking as this creation,” writes Edgar in this review. “This is a visual landmark, a watershed… the effect of making everything float magically, to the detail of when a drawing should appear in front or the back of [Dick] Van Dyke is a creation beyond my comprehension.” (For Van Dyke, who played dual roles as Bert and Mr Dawes Senior, the experience sparked a lifelong love of animation and visual effects.)

Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke and penguins, in ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964).

Generally speaking, and the Mary Poppins sequel aside, more contemporary efforts seek to subvert this feeling of harmony and control, instead embracing the chaos of two worlds colliding, the cartoons there to shock rather than sing. Henry Selick’s frequently nightmarish James and the Giant Peach (1996) leans into this crossover as something uncanny and macabre by combining live action with stop motion, as its young protagonist eats his way into another world, meeting mechanical sharks and man-eating rhinos. Sally Jane Black describes it as “riding the Burton-esque wave of mid-’90s mall goth trends and blending with the differently demonic Dahl story”.

Science-classroom staple Osmosis Jones (2001) finds that within the human body, the internal organs serve as cities full of drawn white-blood-cell cops. The late Stephen Hillenburg’s The Spongebob Squarepants Movie (2004) turns its real-life humans into living cartoons themselves, particularly in a bonkers sequence featuring David Hasselhoff basically turning into a speedboat.

David Hasselhoff picks up speed in ‘The Spongebob Squarepants Movie’ (2004).

The absurdity behind the collision of the drawn and the real is never better embodied than in another of our highest-rated live/animated hybrids. Released in 1988, Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit shows off a deep understanding—narratively and aesthetically—of the material that it’s parodying, seeking out the impeccable craftsmanship of legends such as director of animation Richard Williams (1993’s The Thief and the Cobbler), and his close collaborator Roy Naisbitt. The forced perspectives of Naisbitt’s mind-bending layouts provide much of the rocket fuel driving the film’s madcap cartoon opening.

Distributed by Walt Disney Pictures, Roger Rabbit utilizes the Disney stable of characters as well as the Looney Tunes cast to harken back to America’s golden age of animation. It continues a familiar scenario where the ’toons themselves are autonomous actors (as also seen in Friz Freleng’s 1940 short You Ought to Be in Pictures, in which Daffy Duck convinces Porky Pig to try his acting luck in the big studios).

Daffy Duck plots his rise up the acting ranks in ‘You Ought to Be in Pictures’ (1940).

Through this conceit, Zemeckis is able to celebrate the craft of animation, while pastiching both Chinatown, the noir genre, and the mercenary nature of the film industry (“the best part is… they work for peanuts!” a studio exec says of the cast of Fantasia). As Eddie Valiant, Bob Hoskins’ skepticism and disdain towards “toons” is a giant parody of Disney’s more traditional approach to matching humans and drawings.

Adult audiences are catered for with plenty of euphemistic humor and in-jokes about the history of the medium. It’s both hilarious (“they… dropped a piano on him,” one character solemnly notes of his son) and just the beginning of Hollywood toying with feature-length stories in which people co-exist with cartoons, rather than dipping in and out of fantasy sequences. It’s not just about how the cartoons appear on the screen, but how the human world reacts to them, and Zemeckis gets a lot of mileage out of applying ’toon lunacy to our world.

Bob Hoskins in ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit?’ (1988).

The groundbreaking optical effects and compositing are excellent (and Hoskins’ amazing performance should also be credited for holding all of it together), but what makes Roger Rabbit such a hit is that sense of controlled chaos and a clever tonal weaving of violence and noirish seediness (“I’m not bad… I’m just drawn that way”) through the cartoony feel. And it is simply very, very funny.

It could be said that, with Roger Rabbit, Zemeckis unlocked the formula for how to modernize the live-action and animation hybrid, by leaning into a winking parody of what came before. It worked so perfectly well that it helped kickstart the ‘Disney renaissance' era of animation. Roger Rabbit has influenced every well-known live-action/animation hybrid produced since, proving that there is success and fun to be had by completely upending Mary Poppins-esque quirks. Even Disney’s delightful 2007 rom-com Enchanted makes comedy out of the idea of cartoons crossing that boundary.

When a cartoon character meets real-world obstacles.

Even when done well, though, hybrids are not an automatic hit. Sitting at a 2.8-star average, Joe Dante’s stealthily great Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) is considered by the righteous to be the superior live-action/animated Looney Tunes hybrid, harkening back to the world of Chuck Jones and Frank Tashlin. SilentDawn states that the film deserves the nostalgic reverence reserved for Space Jam: “From gag to gag, set piece to set piece, Back in Action is utterly bonkers in its logic-free plotting and the constant manipulation of busy frames.”

With its Tinseltown parody, Back in Action pulls from the same bag of tricks as Roger Rabbit; here, the Looney Tunes characters are famous, self-entitled actors. Dante cranks the meta comedy up to eleven, opening the film with Matthew Lillard being accosted by Shaggy for his performance in the aforementioned Scooby Doo movie (and early on throwing in backhanded jokes about the practice of films like itself as one character yells, “I was brought in to leverage your synergy!”).

Daffy Duck with more non-stop banter in ‘Looney Tunes: Back in Action’ (2003).

Back in Action is even more technically complex than Roger Rabbit, seamlessly bringing Looney Tunes physics and visual language into the real world. Don’t forget that Dante had been here before, when he had Anthony banish Ethel into a cartoon-populated television show in his segment of Twilight Zone: The Movie. Another key to this seamlessness is star Brendan Fraser, at the height of his powers here as “Brendan Fraser’s stunt double”.

Like Hoskins before him, Fraser brings a wholehearted commitment to playing the fed-up straight man amidst cartoon zaniness. Fraser also brought that dedication to Henry Selick's Monkeybone (2001), a Roger Rabbit-inspired sex comedy that deploys a combo of stop-motion animation and live acting in a premise amusingly close to that of 1992’s Cool World (but more on that cult anomaly shortly). A commercial flop, Back in Action was the last cinematic outing for the Looney Tunes for some time.

Nowadays, when we think of live-action animation, it’s hard not to jump straight to an image of Michael Jordan’s arm stretching to do a half-court dunk to save the Looney Tunes from slavery. There’s not a lot that can be fully rationalized about the 1996 box-office smash, Space Jam. It is a bewildering cartoon advert for Michael Jordan’s baseball career, dreamed up off the back of his basketball retirement, while also mashing together different American icons. Never forget that the soundtrack—one that, according to Benjamin, “makes you have to throw ass”—includes a song with B-Real, Coolio, Method Man and LL Cool J.

Michael Jordan and teammates in ‘Space Jam’ (1996).

Space Jam is a film inherently born to sell something, predicated on the existing success of a Nike commercial rather than any obvious passion for experimentation. But its pure strangeness, a growing nostalgia for the nineties, and meticulous compositing work from visual-effects supervisor Ed Jones and the film’s animation team (a number of whom also worked on both Roger Rabbit and Back in Action), have all kept it in the cultural memory.

The films is backwards, writes Jesse, in that it wants to distance itself from the very cartoons it leverages: “This really almost feels like a follow-up to Looney Tunes: Back in Action, rather than a predecessor, because it feels like someone watched the later movie, decided these Looney Tunes characters were a problem, and asked someone to make sure they were as secondary as possible.” That attempt to place all the agency in Jordan’s hands was a point of contention for Chuck Jones, the legendary Warner Bros cartoonist. He hated the film, stating that Bugs would never ask for help and would have dealt with the aliens in seven minutes.

Space Jam has its moments, however. Guy proclaims “there is nothing that Deadpool as a character will ever have to offer that isn’t done infinitely better by a good Bugs Bunny bit”. For some, its problems are a bit more straightforward, for others it’s a matter of safety in sport. But the overriding sentiments surrounding the film point to a sort of morbid fascination with the brazenness of its concept.

Holli Would (voiced by Kim Basinger) and Frank Harris (Brad Pitt) blur the lines in ‘Cool World’ (1992).

Existing in the same demented… space… as Space Jam, Paramount Pictures bought the idea for Cool World from Ralph Bakshi as it sought to have its own Roger Rabbit. While Brad Pitt described it as “Roger Rabbit on acid” ahead of release, Cool World itself looks like a nightmare version of Toontown. The film was universally panned at the time, caught awkwardly between being far too adult for children but too lacking in any real substance for adults (there’s something of a connective thread between Jessica Rabbit, Lola Bunny and Holli Would).

Ralph Bakshi’s risqué and calamitously horny formal experiment builds on the animator’s fascination with the relationship between the medium and the human body. Of course, he would go from the immensely detailed rotoscoping of Fire and Ice (1983) to clashing hand-drawn characters with real ones, something he had already touched upon in the seventies with Heavy Traffic and Coonskin, whose animated characters were drawn into real locations. But no one besides Bakshi quite knew what to do with the perverse concept of Brad Pitt as a noir detective trying to stop Gabriel Byrne’s cartoonist from having sex with a character that he drew—an animated Kim Basinger.

Jack Deebs (Gabriel Byrne) attempts to cross over to Hollie Would in ‘Cool World’ (1992).

Cool World’s awkwardness can be attributed to stilted interactions between Byrne, Pitt and the animated world, as well as studio meddling. Producer Frank Mancuso Jr (who was on the film due to his father running Paramount) demanded that the film be reworked into something PG-rated, against Bakshi’s wishes (he envisioned an R-rated horror), and the script was rewritten in secret. It went badly, so much so that Bakshi eventually punched Mancuso Jr in the face.

While Cool World averages two stars on Letterboxd, there are some enthusiastic holdouts. There are the people impressed by the insanity of it all, those who just love them a horny toon, and then there is Andrew, a five-star Cool World fan: “On the surface, it’s a Lovecraftian horror with Betty Boop as the villain, featuring a more impressive cityscape than Blade Runner and Dick Tracy combined, and multidimensional effects that make In the Mouth of Madness look like trash. The true star, however, proves to be the condensed surplus of unrelated gags clogging the arteries of the screen—in every corner is some of the silliest cel animation that will likely ever be created.”

There are even those who enjoy its “clear response to Who Framed Roger Rabbit”, with David writing that “the film presents a similar concept through the lens of the darkly comic, perverted world of the underground cartoonists”, though also noting that without Bakshi’s original script, the film is “a series of half steps and never really commits like it could”. Cool World feels both completely deranged and strangely low-energy, caught between different ideas as to how best to mix the two mediums. But it did give us a David Bowie jam.

‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ is in cinemas and on HBO Max now.

Craft is of course important, but generally speaking, maybe nowadays a commitment to silliness and a sincere love for the medium’s history is the thing that makes successful live-action/animation hybrids click. It’s an idea that doesn’t lend itself to being too cool, or even entirely palatable. The trick is to be as fully dotty as Mary Poppins, or steer into the gaucheness of the concept, à la Roger Rabbit and Looney Tunes: Back in Action.

It’s quite a tightrope to walk between good meta-comedy and a parade of references to intellectual property. The winningest strategy is to weave the characters into the tapestry of the plot and let the gags grow from there, rather than hoping their very inclusion is its own reward. Wait, you said what is coming out this week?