#and my period still hasn’t even come so that’s also still probably why

[watchmegetobsessed]

DATE NIGHT

A/N: some sweet soon-to-be-dad!harry content, bc is probably one of my absolute favs!!

WORD COUNT: 1.5k

SUMMARY: You're supposed to go on a date night, but when Harry comes home he finds you, his pregnant wife asleep, so he changes your plans for the evening.

MASTERLIST | SUPPORT ME!

Date nights are always Harry’s favorite. It doesn’t matter what you do, he just simply craves the alone time with you, whether you go out for dinner, catch a movie or go to a concert, it’s all about quality time spent with the person he loves the most.

He hasn’t had the chance to take you out anywhere these past months, his schedule has been hectic, he has to squeeze a lot into a short period of time since he is about to go on a massive break, taking on a role he’s been dreaming of his whole life.

He is going to become a dad in just about two months.

It’s also the reason why he is so excited about having a date night, he knows how little time you’ll have for romance once the baby arrives, so he wants to make the best out of the remaining of the time you have alone.

His last meeting of the day runs late so he heads home in a hurry, texting you from the car on his way, but he gets no response. The drive is about thirty minutes, he checks his phone every chance he has, double texting you, asking if everything is alright every time he stops at a red light. He can’t help but think of ways you could have fallen and hurt yourself or the baby, or maybe you’re stuck in the bathtub because you can’t push yourself up. The latter wouldn’t be the first time it happens. Your belly has been growing rapidly and moving around has become a challenge sometimes, though you’re handling the ups and downs of pregnancy like a true hero.

When Harry pulls up at your home you’ve been sharing for the last three years, his heart is hammering in his chest, afraid that something happened. Your car is parked in the garage and the lights are on in the house so he knows you’re home, but you still haven’t answered any of his texts.

“Babe?” he calls out, walking in, waiting for an answer, but nothing comes. He can hear the TV on in the living room, so he rounds the corner, following the voices, he picks up that it’s a rerun of that awful reality you’ve been obsessed with. He is just about to call out for you again, but then he sees you.

Curled up on the couch, a chunky blanket messily thrown over you, the TV illuminating your makeupless, sleeping face that’s squished into the pillow. The anxiousness quickly turns into warmth in his chest as he stops and admires the sight of you peacefully napping. An empty plate is set on the coffee table, you probably ate the leftovers from yesterday for lunch, there’s a half empty water bottle on the ground and an empty pack of your favorite snack next to the couch on the round. He can clearly see you snacking all afternoon, lounging on the couch, watching Netflix and having a chilling day while he works. He only has one more week of hustling before he can spend all his time with you and he can’t wait to be lazy with you.

Checking the time he sees that the two of you should be leaving to the restaurant in about twenty to make it there in time for the reservation. He knows you would want to do your hair and makeup nicely and that takes way more time. He also knows you won’t have the energy to leave the house judging from how you haven’t even moved since he arrived.

Kneeling down next to the couch he gently brushes your hair out of your face, pressing a kiss to your forehead.

“Baby,” he softly says, gently rubbing your shoulder. You stir in your sleep, burying your face deeper into the pillow that makes him smile. “Wake up, let me see those pretty eyes, I missed them so much all day.”

You hum and scrunch your nose before slowly blinking your eyes open. It takes a few moments to process what and who you see.

“Harry? You’re home already?”

“It’s past seven, babe,” he chuckles softly.

“Shit, I fell asleep,” you groan closing your eyes. “I was so tired, I couldn’t keep my eyes open!”

Harry’s not surprised, you’ve been extremely sleepy since the beginning of the pregnancy and he doesn’t blame you, growing a human must be quite tiring.

“It’s alright.”

“What time is it? Let me just get ready…” you start pushing yourself up and he helps you into a sitting position, but doesn’t let you stand. Instead, he sits beside you, placing a hand over your belly.

“Let’s ditch the restaurant,” he suggests, making it look like it’s his idea so you don’t have to tell him you don’t actually want to leave the house.

“But it’s our date night! I promise I will shake myself up.”

“Date night is to spend time together. Why don’t we do it at home this time? I can run us a nice bath, give you a massage and then cuddle.”

You blink at him for a few moments and he already knows he won you over with his change of plans.

“Can we eat something in the tub too?”

“Of course,” he chuckles. “We still have some of that vegan lasagna, right? I’ll heat that up.”

“That sounds awesome,” you smile and leaning over you steal a quick kiss.

Harry takes care of everything while you go up and change out of your clothes, putting on your favorite fluffy robe. Sitting on the bed you reply to some texts you missed along with Harry’s.

“Bath is ready,” Harry appears in the room and he helps you up from the bed, the two of you walking into the bathroom hand in hand.

“H, this looks so good!” you gasp when you see that he has lit candles, the food is by the tub on a tray and he used your favorite bath salt, the water smells amazing.

“Then let’s get into it,” he kisses the side of your head.

You’re done with undressing pretty fast since you only have your robe on, so you sit on the edge of the tub, watching him strip out of his clothes.

“What?” he chuckles as he kicks his pants off, leaving him in nothing as he throws his clothes into the hamper.

“You look so hot, no wonder you knocked me up so easily,” you bite into your bottom lip seductively and you love how his cheeks turn slightly pink.

“Don’t think those two things are linked, but okay,” he mumbles with a shy smirk as he walks over to you and helps you into the water, making sure you don’t slip.

When you’re settled in the warm water, he climbs in behind you so you can lean back against his chest, his arms circling around you, settling on your belly. You eat and talk about your day, he tells you about his meetings while he gently massages your back, paying extra attention to the spots he knows hurt the most.

“I’m sorry we didn’t go out tonight,” you hum, your head lying on his shoulder, his hands wandering over your body, his fingers caressing the skin on your arms, chest and stomach as if he is mapping your body.

“Don’t be. I just wanted to spend time with you and that’s what I’m doing.”

“Isn’t it weird that soon it won’t be just the two of us?”

“Terrifying and exciting at the same time,” he admits with a small chuckle.

“I think we’re gonna be cool parents.”

“Yeah?”

“I mean, we are pretty cool now,” you point out. “When I’m not like a tired sloth,” you add chuckling.

“A sloth?” he laughs behind you, his chest rumbling underneath your back.

“That’s what I feel like,” you shrug smiling.

“Then you’re a cute, sexy, pregnant sloth.”

“I think that’s the first time anyone called a sloth sexy.” You poke his thigh next to you playfully.

You soak for a little longer until the water runs cold, then you get out and Harry insists helping you lotion your body, taking his sweet time with your belly. He dresses you in your softest pajama set and cleans up in the bathroom, not letting you move a finger. When you’re both in bed finally, you make yourself comfortable with your pregnancy pillow that’s been essential to your nights for the past few months. You felt bad when you couldn’t get comfortable snuggling to Harry anymore and you even cried when you first tried the pillow and knew you’d need it to have a good night sleep. Being the sweetest person alive, Harry was the one who tried to make you feel better about it, telling you it’s alright, he completely understands and he just wants you to feel good.

Harry makes himself comfortable next to you, one arm tucked under his pillow, the other one reaching over, his hand plastered to your belly, this is his usual pose and you love it too, because even though you can’t cuddle him, you still feel connected to him.

“Date night next weekend? I promise I won’t turn into a sloth,” you smile at him sleepily.

“Okay. But tonight was great too, I love being with you, no matter what we do,” he smiles back.

Humming you reach out and cup his face in your hand, smiling at how he snuggles into your touch before you drop your head and slowly fall asleep.

Thank you for reading, please like and reblog if you enjoyed and buy me a coffee if you want to support me!

#harry #styles #harry styles #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles fanfic #harry styles oneshot #harry styles one shot #harry styles fluff #harry styles x you #harry styles x y/n #harry styles x reader #harry styles blurb

[bestworstcase]

I think what strikes me about the razing of Vale is how it directly parallels what Ironwood and Atlas did, but also what VALE did to Mountain Glenn.

After all, Vale also was the reason that Mountain Glenn was doomed in the first place. They abandoned the people of MG to their death under the pretense that they couldn't do anything for them. And it's even worse when you consider the fact that Mountain Glenn had a fully functional underground TRAIN NETWORK that reaches directly under Vale, in parallel to Atlas having cargo ships.

If anything, it proves that Vale DID have the means to save the people of Mountain Glenn by using the trains to take citizens to safety while Huntsmen or soldiers probably could have held the line and stopped the Grimm from following. But they, like Ironwood, chose to abandon them to their fate to save themselves.

After all, the set up of the situation is something like this according to Oobleck:

Mountain Glenn is built. People transferred from Vale to MG. Mountain Glenn has no natural protection, and thus was besieged. MG people go underground.

But here's the thing though: If they went underground, why didn't they just get back onto the underground trains to escape?

It didn't say that the tunnels were swarmed, only that an explosion opened a different cavern that exposed an underground Grimm nest. If anything, it didn't say that this happened immediately either. There's definitely a noticeable gap between when they went underground, vs when the explosion is implied to have happened. They more or less outright stated that "it was a safe haven", and from looking at the background, there were plenty of half-finished underground buildings there that strongly implied that they were able to keep things going for a period of time until they found the Grimm nest.

What it seems like to me is that Vale didn't even attempt to help them evacuate via the underground, and just sealed them up to die.

They were foreshadowing Atlas as early as Volume 2.

So in a dark sense, Salem's destruction of Vale is karma finally coming after the Kingdom of Vale for willingly leaving their former citizens to die in such a horrible fashion.

yeah this is pretty much where my thinking is, especially in light of how important the mountain glenn arc’s character development was in v9 and how—& i was saying this last year while the volume was airing!—in the ever after the girls answered the herbalist’s question (“what are you?”) but didn’t answer oobleck’s (“no, that is what you do; i want to know why you do it”). so there’s this driving sense that the answers are unfinished and that intersects with oobleck’s entry into the narrative at this moment of personal crisis for him in his failure to prevent another mountain glenn. and then a key theme with the mountain glenn arc is that history is important.

“if you can’t learn from it, you’re destined to repeat it.” and “i see lives that could have been saved, but i also see an opportunity—an opportunity to study these ruins and learn from this tragedy.” on its face, it’s easy to take oobleck’s perspective to mean that he strives to better understand how to fend off the grimm, but oobleck is not the grimm studies professor nor does he express any particular interest or concern on the matter of killing grimm (to the point that the girls get irate with him for not fighting, and he’s the one who tells ruby not to provoke the goliaths).

he teaches HISTORY.

in jaundice we get oobleck talking about the faunus revolution like: this may seem like ancient history to all of you, but it isn’t, it still matters, there isn’t a faunus in this classroom who hasn’t been subjected to discrimination, this kind of hatred and cruelty breeds violence, just look at what happened to the white fang. and then he hits his two most disinterested students with “history is important, if you can’t learn from it, you’re destined to repeat it!”—like. oobleck tries SO HARD to get his students to grasp that the historical faunus revolution and the modern-day white fang are the same. that this is history repeating itself because humankind refuses to learn.

and that sets the stage for mountain glenn. what does it mean that oobleck sees in this wasteland a “dark reminder” of vale’s “greatest failure” and lives that could have been saved and a chance to learn from it to ensure that it won’t ever happen again, and this is what motivates him to BECOME A HISTORY TEACHER, and specifically the kind of history teacher who teaches the faunus revolution by confronting his students with the truth that persecution at human hands is what drove the white fang to violence? what does that say about him? about the failure he sees when he looks at mountain glenn?

more to the point:

the theme of the mountain glenn arc is that we must learn from history to avoid repeating the failures of the past. this is a throughline that runs through the rest of the story: the girls hear what oobleck is trying to teach them, and when the wolves are howling at the door and the general orders them to abandon the people of mantle to save atlas, they refuse. and they stand their ground, and they try, and they save EVERYBODY. the failure to save mountain glenn is not repeated, because oobleck taught them that.

now vale has fallen, and oobleck sits on that refugee ship in abject despair because he feels the weight of his failure crushing down on him—and, narratively, the most important question is, “is he right?”

like, did he fail? is the destruction of vale something that constitutes a failure?

not a defeat—that’s not the same thing. vale suffered a catastrophic defeat. but were there lives that COULD HAVE been saved if the ones who made the decisions had chosen differently? is oobleck standing in team rwby’s shoes, someone who did the very best he could and saved absolutely everyone it was possible to save, or is that ship full of refugees atlas leaving mantle behind to die?

THAT is the crucial question, because the failure of mountain glenn is not that the city fell but rather that there were lives that could have been saved. and that distinction has to be made, because otherwise the lesson that was not learned, the failure in vale’s destruction, is… what? that nowhere is safe? that no amount of geographical advantage or aggressive border defenses can save you from an inexhaustible onslaught? that mountain glenn was doomed from the start and it was naive to think vale could be different?

is rwby that kind of story? no.

mountain glenn was doomed from the start. its eventual destruction by the grimm was inevitable, oobleck says, because the city was established in grimm territory. but there were lives that could have been saved.

atlas and mantle were doomed from the moment ozpin used the staff to raise atlas; it was inevitable that the staff would be used again, by someone, for some reason, and as soon as that happened both cities would be destroyed. but there were no lives that could have been saved, because they saved EVERYONE.

vale, too, was doomed from the moment salem set herself to razing it; by sheer force of inexhaustible numbers and the ability to outlast anything done to her, her destruction of the city was inevitable. but were there lives that could have been saved?

and even more importantly, are there still lives that can be saved?

here’s what oobleck says of mountain glenn:

WEISS: What does history have to do with this? OOBLECK: Why, what a preposterous question, you silly girl! Why, history is the backbone of our very society! …And the liver! And probably the kidneys, if I were to wager. WEISS: And that means...? OOBLECK: The southeast quadrant outside of Vale is home to wild forests and deep caves, but it is also the location to one of the kingdom's greatest failures! RUBY: Mountain Glenn. YANG: That's right! It was an expansion of Vale... But in the end it was overrun by grimm and fenced off from the rest of the city. OOBLECK: Correct! And now it stands abandoned as a dark reminder.

and:

OOBLECK: Mountain Glenn! Yes, an expansion of Vale that was inevitably destroyed by creatures of grimm! Previously home to thousands of people, working people commuting to the city, the main city! Developed a subway system to the inner city! Grimm attacks increased! Population in danger, now desperately searching for shelter! City evacuates into the metro tunnels and what do they find? The southeast quadrant of Vale is known for wild forests and deep caves! […] OOBLECK: No, no, Mountain Glenn was Vale's first serious attempt at expansion. It worked for a short period of time, thanks to an aggressive perimeter defense and unique transportation; the city developed an elaborate subway system to carry citizens safely from the new territory into the main kingdom! Sadly, without the many natural barriers Vale had to protect its borders, Mountain Glenn was doomed from the start! As the end drew near, the citizens of the territory made one last attempt at survival: they took up shelter beneath the city, in massive caves that they had cleared out for the subway, and they cut themselves off from the surface! YANG: An underground village? OOBLECK: In a matter of speaking, yes. A safe haven. Until... an explosion opened the mouth of another cavern, filled with subterranean grimm. After that, the Kingdom officially sealed off the tunnels, creating the world's largest tomb.

and the undercity looks like this:

not even half-finished buildings, at least some of these look like completed structures that are now falling into ruin—and this isn’t some haphazard shantytown cobbled together out of scrap, these are huge high-rise apartment buildings! the mountain glenn undercity lasted a long time, months or perhaps even years given the scale and complexity of construction that was completed before the explosion punched a hole through the cavern walls into a nest of grimm.

the thing that most interests me about oobleck’s account of mountain glenn’s demise, is… like, the sequence of events seems to imply that vale cut the territory off when the upper city was overrun. the people living in mountain glenn “made one last attempt at survival” by retreating into the subway tunnels… which they did not use to evacuate to vale. instead they built an underground city in the cavern surrounding the subway system, and lived for what seems to be quite some time with grimm quite literally nesting on top of them.

think about the nevermore perching on the hard-light dome over amity coliseum. now imagine building a town in the arena and living there, under that nevermore, for a year. that’s what the people of mountain glenn did, instead of using the existing subway system to evacuate to vale. why?

why, in a world where human civilization is so defined by existential terror of the grimm, would they do that, unless they had no other choice? vale “officially” sealed off the tunnels when the undercity was overrun, but…

i mean, we see what happens when you bring thousands of people who’ve just survived the destruction of their homes to a new place: a days-long onslaught of grimm drawn by the refugees. vale isn’t walled. it doesn’t maintain a standing army. if thousands of refugees had flooded into vale after mountain glenn collapsed, the grimm would have been right behind them.

and… mountain glenn was a working-class suburb of vale. the people living there commuted to vale every day to work. they were probably quite poor compared to the average person living in vale—which is another parallel with mantle—could they afford to relocate to vale, if vale refused to provide housing for the mountain glenn refugees? was it a choice between having an apartment and enough food to eat in mountain glenn or being homeless and hungry in vale where everything was astronomically more expensive? were they, like mantle, just “a few city blocks” if vale’s leadership thought of them at all?

history is important. if you can’t learn from it, you’re destined to repeat it.

mountain glenn is vale’s history. did vale learn from that history? i think—narratively, for the purpose of contrast with the fall of atlas—the answer is probably no. and that means salem’s destruction of vale is less dark karmic justice than the wheel of history repeating itself; the city has been overrun.

but—mountain glenn’s people outlived mountain glenn itself, by retreating into caverns and building the undercity. so i think the big question with regard to salem razing vale is whether this is the “as the end drew near” part or the “creating the world’s largest tomb” part of the story. is everyone who didn’t make it onto that ship dead, or are they making one last attempt at survival by retreating into the same tunnels where mountain glenn’s people carved out a safe haven for themselves?

there’s a constant repetition throughout this story of the idea of “beacons of hope” and “safe havens” and this is something i find quite interesting because, obviously, there’s a beacon academy and a haven academy. atlas and shade don’t get rhetorically name-dropped like this, but atlas was a beacon of hope (the city in the sky, promise of a better future!) and the kids are fighting to make shade a safe haven. beacon fell, atlas fell, but haven was saved. it’s closed right now, but it’s still standing and mistral is—as far as we know—weathering the storm. menagerie offers safe haven to the faunus who don’t want to fight, and salem has no plans to attack it.

the mountain glenn undercity was a safe haven, kind of. only no one came to help when help was needed—haven survived because menagerie stood to defend it. shade will survive because mistral and menagerie stand with it. if there are people hiding from salem in the undercity, they’ll survive because shade and mistral and menagerie come to their aid. you see how it gains momentum with every arc of the story? the beacons collapse alone and the havens stand together.

#continuing to be normal about razing vale

[wanderingwomanwondering]

Maddie’s word choice when Buck told her about his date with Tommy in 705 was so gentle and supportive, as we’ve all discussed. But her words were also SO SLICK!!!

She was treading lightly because she of course knew that this was a sensitive time for Buck AND she also did some math in her head over the course of the conversation and realized that there’s a piece of the equation that Buck is missing. She couldn’t just give Buck the answer though. Some puzzles he’s gotta work out on his own.

So. Looking more closely at the actual dialogue…

Buck gives Maddie the rundown of the evening’s happenings. Maddie notices the date’s pronoun. Then:

Buck: Yeah, okay, I was on a date with a guy. Again, not-not really the point.

Maddie: Mmm, it could very much be the point.

Remember, Buck is upset with himself for lying to Eddie *and doesn’t understand why he did that* He thinks it’s about dating a man in general. I think Maddie suspects it’s actually about Buck’s unrealized/unexpressed feelings for Eddie. The lie Buck is reeling over probably isn’t about dating a man, but about dating the wrong man.

Back to the conversation. Buck explains his allyship, then:

Maddie: So-so now you’re more than an ally?

Buck: It was my first time, it was dinner and a movie, and I - I didn’t even make it to the movie.

Maddie is following Buck’s reasoning in the ally part of the conversation, but clearly not quite vibing with parts of it. She’s in support mode, basically honoring Buck’s process and his journey. But still trying to navigate her own in the moment reactions without freaking Buck out. Treading lightly.

After Buck’s last remark above, cue Maddie’s haunted facial expression in which she clearly reviews countless past events and conversations with Buck in light of his new discovery about himself:

Maddie: Wow.

Buck: What, ‘wow’?

Maddie: No, not ‘wow’. Like, ‘Wow. I didn’t think that’s where your interests would lie.”

From my perspective she clearly and firmly rejected the ‘wow, you’re queer, what the hell. Way to be a massive enigma little brother’ interpretation…because obviously she would reject that. But that second clarification ‘wow’ doesn’t mean what Buck thought it meant. I honestly do NOT think she was saying ‘I didn’t think/know that you might be into guys too’.

Maddie is basically Buck mom for all intents and purposes, and she knows him well. To be fair, most people close to Buck know him better than he knows himself in key ways so with Maddie’s canon comments about Buck’s sexuality over the years, there’s no way she didn’t have her hunches. Period. What I think Maddie actually meant was that she didn’t think Buck had eyes for any guy but Eddie at this point. After doing the new math in her head real quick, of course.

I think that tracks with what she said a little later and how she said it:

Maddie: Okay, I don’t think you’re a fraud, I just think that maybe you’re not sure of your own feelings yet. And if there’s something that you need to tell Eddie, you will. Just, in your own time.

Between that line and her facial expressions, Maddie was on a damn journey! Imho it took everything in her to not just say ‘Wait what?! Eddie is your person my guy let’s be so for real right now’. She was a mix of confused and exasperated in the home stretch of that conversation lol. Still she showed up, met Buck where he was at, and supported him.

Then to top off that whole ‘coming out’ and ‘feeling like a fraud’ scene, Maddie says to Buck “so tell me about the hot pilot” and the scene immediately transitions to Eddie in bed with Marisol. Yeah, Eddie is the hot pilot in question. Buck just hasn’t figured it out yet, and Maddie realizes **all of that** now!

#evan buckley #maddie buckley #buddie #tommy kinard #911 meta #911 7x05 #911 abc

[enassbraid]

mkay so hurt comfort request...what if rui/mizuki end up meeting the reader on the rooftop (by coincidence) only to find they're there for the exact same reason, to avoid bullying/teasing

“𝐈𝐟 𝐘𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡..”

A chance rooftop encounter and..?

Featuring Rui Kamishiro & Mizuki Akiyama

Hi anon, ask and you shall receive. Tried to keep the hurt and comfort well balanced here, so I hope you like. also this was supposed to be a lot longer but tumblr crashed and I lost my old draft…

Cw) themes of depression, brief suicide mention, brief transphobia in Mizuki’s part, cursing, isolation

Rui Kamishiro

Rui had a routine, one that was rarely broken. Even if he hated it, he’d always return to that loop of nothing. He chose the rooftop as ‘his spot’ specifically ‘cause it was rare for anyone else to visit it, a perfect escape from the cruel ridicules form his peers.

On this particular day, he realized someone was also on the rooftop. Though no where near him, rather, the whole other side. He didn’t bother speaking to you, not knowing what your intentions were or why you were even there. But at the same time, it sparked Rui’s curiosity.

Over the course of the next week, he noticed you were still there. It wasn’t a temporary thing? As selfish as Rui felt, he felt like his space was being invaded, despite it being a public area. But usually it was only him in this public area, like it was his. Ignoring all the screams of “don’t do it” ringing in his head, he decided to go up to you. Whether you wanted to talk or not was on you.

“Purple hair with a blue streak… unkempt appearance… are you, by any chance, Kamishiro Rui..?”

‘Unkempt appearance’ and a hair description felt a bit better than ‘weirdo guy,’ but could they ever just refer to him as his name?

“Yeah, that’s me. I’ve never really seen you around before, what’s your name?”

“(Full name), and you probably haven’t seen me around ‘cause I used to hideout in the bathroom… but I got found there, and it didn’t feel safe anymore, so I came up here. I heard this is the freak spot of the school, you and some other kid are who they talk about most when they bring it up.”

‘Some other kid’ rang in his ears, that’s Mizuki. He wanted to bring them up and how they haven’t been coming to school recently, but he refrained. He could tell you later, it didn’t feel appropriate talking about someone else with the current topic.

“I came to the rooftop one day to meet a friend, but it became a habit even if they aren’t on the rooftop on days. What do you mean hiding in the bathroom? And it didn’t feel safe anymore? If you’re okay with telling me… that is.”

You hesitated for a moment. Could you really tell a guy you just met about your whole bullying situation? But he also didn’t seem to know you, or even of you. It’s not like he’d get the idea. But the words couldn’t help but escape your mouth anyways.

“I get bullied a lot, y’know, the usual “Hider in the bathroom” story. Um… yeah, this school year hasn’t been the best… or the last few for that matter..”

Rui’s eyes focused on your face, your eyes held a solemn look as you spoke, as if there’s a deeper story you don’t wish to tell. He respected that, of course. This whole ‘first encounter’ is already deep enough.

“I can see where you’re coming from, I’m sure you already heard of me. I’m the weird guy who has sick and twisted ideas that are always harming people, as they say. I don’t think I’ve physically harmed anyone..”

His face scrunched up into a thinking look, making you chuckle softly. The rest of the lunch period went by without another word spoken. The silence was quiet, but a comfortable one nonetheless. When the bell rang, Rui didn’t bid a farewell, instead he only nodded his head and smiled, not giving you much time to return it.

The next few weeks went by as normal, boring and empty. But at least Rui had a new friend, someone to look forward too seeing. It felt a little less lonely on that rooftop now that it wasn’t just him and an occasional Mizuki. Although, if he did have one complaint, it’s that you didn’t talk a lot. Which he could understand, but in the back of his mind it felt like it was your way of saying “leave me alone.”

Which made him realize, he never got your number, or any other way to contact you outside of school. And Rui was far too anxious to talk to you in the halls or classes, worried about bringing unwanted attention to himself that could give more material for newer rumors. If you weren’t initiating more communication, did that mean something?

He tried not to think about it, he really did. But what if you were just as weirded out by him as everyone else? And you were only using him for company too feel less alone? What if…

“Hey, (Name), are we… friends?”

His question caught you off guard, it was so.. random. Not only was it the first thing he’s said to you all day, but you thought it was clear you guys were somewhat close enough to consider each other friends. Did he not see it?

“Of course we are Rui. I’m sorry if this comes off weird, but you’re honestly my only friend..”

Your only friend? He didn’t know whether to feel bad or honored, maybe both? Your response reassured him, visibly relaxing a tad bit more into your presence.

“We graduate soon, don’t we? What school are you planning to attend?”

He almost forgot you were in the same grade as him, and that graduation was slowly creeping up on you two. He never really thought about the future that much, not even knowing if he’d make it or not. Where did he wanna go next..

“I’m not sure, I think my mom is enrolling me in some random school around here, I don’t know which one though. What about you?”

“Kamiyama, I think. My parents were pushing me towards the girl’s academy, so they could have enrolled me without letting me know.”

He knew he wasn’t going to Kamiyama, the name didn’t ring a bell nor did he think of it. So this was most likely the last school year you’d see each other, isn’t it? For some reason, Rui felt genuine sadness. Not an “oh this is the last time we’ll see each other in school” feeling, but an “oh…” feeling. He didn’t know you nearly as long as Mizuki, but something about your rooftop meetings meant more than they should have to Rui. He got too accustomed.

That was one of the last times you two talked before graduating. There was never a number exchange, only a “nice knowing you.” The farewell was bittersweet, but it is what it is, you thought.

The first year at Kamiyama went by faster than you’d have liked. There was a weird classmate you had that you acquainted yourself with. He was… loud, but friendly. Having someone like that as your friend made it easier to get to know others. After all, this was a fresh start. There were more students at Kamiyama than your junior high, potential friends were everywhere. It was a sweet reassurance in your mind.

The break before second year was a lot less lonely than the previous year, but there was still something missing. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it, but there was something you yearned for that wasn’t there. It felt selfish, after so long you aren’t being ridiculed, and you’re still looking for more than that.

You didn’t like thinking about junior high, it was too painful to relive. But you knew it had something to do with it, but what? You start your second year at Kamiyama tomorrow, maybe you could pin point it there.

The new first years were… interesting. Individually they were all okay, but if you group them, it’s certainly a unique group. But one of their names sounded familiar, so maybe it would be worth your while talking to them. This year was looking good so far, really good. But…

“(Name), I knew you looked familiar. You’ve grown a lot, how have you been?”

That voice was one you knew all too well. Slowly turning around, you easily identified the owner of the voice. Rui

His hair is shorter, and he doesn’t look unkempt at all compared to when you last saw him. His eyes aren’t lacking the light they lacked before, and he’s tall.

“Rui? You said you weren’t going to be at Kamiyama, what are you doing here?”

“Well.. there was an incident at my last school, and they had to transfer me. Apparently explosive aren’t okay to use on school property!”

“You didn’t think that before!?”

The two of you broke out into laughter, genuine laughter. Not the awkward laughs or chuckles you’d give on the rooftop. It was only now you realized how depressed both of you were back then, not even capable of giving real emotion back to each other.

“So why did you choose Kamiyama? Did you miss me?” You were joking, kinda. You do wish he missed you though.

“Ah, well that and I know a couple others attending here. My one childhood friend and another friend from junior high, I believe I mentioned them too you before. Their names are Nene Kusanagi & Mizuki Akiyama.”

So that was the familiar name, Akiyama. It was better to introduce yourself now then later after so long of knowing of them.

“I’m sure we have a lot to catch up on, what do you say we go out to eat after classes?”

The way Rui spoke softly and with a smile made you understand that empty feeling you had before. You were missing Rui. He was the missing puzzle piece.

“Yeah, I’d like that a lot.”

Mizuki Akiyama

You’re not sure if meeting Mizuki was the best or worst thing to ever happen to you. You always tried to steer clear of others, avoid any cruel remarks at all costs. Lunchtime was the worst time of day if you couldn’t run away. For a while, you just endured being bullied during the free period, slowly starting to not care about food getting thrown at you or being humiliated in front of everyone.

At some point, you heard of a ‘freak who can’t comprehend identity’ hid on the rooftop ‘like a pussy’ to avoid humiliation. These words spiked your interest, were they seriously just bullying people to the point of hiding outdoors? And not ashamed of themselves?

Your mind wandered to this ‘freak.’ What made them consider them a freak? You knew from experience they couldn’t be too bad, just looking at the situation they put you in. If they’re hiding in the rooftop all the time, then maybe…

Slowly, you made your way up the stairwell, all the way to the top. The rooftop. With hesitation, you opened the door, met with the cool breeze from outside. It felt a lot less stuffy up here, and wondered why people didn’t come up here usually, it’s a nice view and comfortable. I’m getting off track you thought.

Your eyes scanned for this mysterious kid, not exactly knowing what you should be looking for. Did they have long hair or short hair? Sweater or no sweater? But judging by the way your peers said it, there should only be one person up here. And you think you just found them.

“What do you want.. here to tell me what I am and what I can’t be?”

They spoke first, annoyance clearly lingering in their voice. Maybe this wasn’t a good idea…

“I um, heard about you.. the kids that were bullying me said you hide up here a lot, and I just wanted to, yknow, meet you? I guess..”

“Meet me?”

Mizuki never knew people thought they were someone worth wanting to meet. But at the same time, their guard was still up. What if they sent you so they can keep getting picked on? Of course those guys would stoop that low.

“Yeah, I know I shouldn’t jump to conclusions like this, but it seemed like you were in a similar situation? With being ridiculed and bullied. We don’t have to be friends or anything, just… acquainted.”

Acquaintances, friends, companions, so many different words to describe someone who keeps you from being alone. Is there really any difference in the end? Mizuki was full of reluctance, but their heart told them to ‘go for it, meet someone new.’

“You can sit here, I don’t have lunch though, so if you don’t and you’re hungry, you’re out of luck.”

“Actually I do have something, yakisoba. Do you wanna split it?”

Splitting yakisoba wasn’t anything Mizuki hasn’t heard of, but it’s not something they’ve ever seen people do in front of them, let alone be the one apart of splitting it. It was certainly new. But, today they’re already on a roll with trying new things.

“Sure…”

You pulled out the container holding the yakisoba, keeping it warm and fresh throughout the time it was in your bag. Opening the lid made the strong scent hit yours and Mizuki’s nose almost immediately, it smelt good. Really good in fact it reminded Mizuki how they should have ate something today by now.

“Doesn’t it smell good? I made it myself. But I haven’t tried it yet, so I don’t know if the flavor is as good as it’s scent..”

“Well that makes me your food critic doesn’t it? Lemme get the first bite.”

They moved closer holding their utensil over the container, careful not to get anything on their uniform. Taking a medium portion into their mouth, the flavor exploded on their tongue. This was really good.

“You did such a good job! This tastes amazing… um..”

Your name, they were going to say your name, if they knew it. Your face twisted with concern, was the aftertaste terrible?

“Is there something wrong? Sorry if I messed something up…”

“No no! You didn’t mess anything up, I just don’t know your name. If.. you don’t mind sharing it?”

Right, you guys never properly introduced yourselves. This was a slightly random meeting, but you could have sworn you introduced yourself.

“I’m (Full Name), sorry I didn’t tell you sooner…”

“It’s all good, I’m Mizuki Akiyama, you can just call me Mizuki. Although I would have thought you heard my name around cause of how much everyone talks about me.”

Their name suited them, a lot. It was a pretty name for a pretty person. Only now are you able to get a better look at their face. You averted your eyes before Mizuki could catch you staring.

“Uh, well then, Mizuki. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

#project sekai x reader #prsk #pjsekai #pjsk #pjsekai x reader #project sekai #pjsk x reader #rui kamishiro #rui #rui kamishiro x reader #mizuki akiyama #mizuki #mizuki akiyama x reader #rui x reader #mizuki x reader #dor writes

[brigdh]

for the WIP ask meme: would love a sneak peek of "Ed incompently comforting Stede"

The WIP meme!

Thank you!

I was having a discussion about how, too often, in fic Ed and Stede are both excellent at knowing the exactly correct therapy-speak thing to say to each other, whereas in canon they're more likely to fumble and misunderstand and get things wrong at first. And I really want more of the second version!

So I wrote a little thing where comfort is difficult but they get there in the end. The set-up is that Stede experienced some sort of sexual harassment from bullies as a child (I didn't bother to figure out the details, so it's all left vague), and has told Ed about it, but Ed didn't grasp how much it affected Stede at first, since Stede was doing his usual self-deprecating thing. I'll post the whole thing below, because this is one of my abandoned drawerfics; I didn't want to write out any of that setup or the climax afterwards, so the only part of the story that exists is the comfort itself. Also this is set in a vague post-S1 reconciliation period.

(Extremely minor noncon mentions)

Ed opens his eyes to darkness, at first not quite sure why he’s awake. After a moment, he hears it again – a soft, muffled sound, like a gasp or a sob. 

Ed sits up and peers over the back of the settee. It’s dark in the captain’s (captains’, now) cabin, but the bed is up against a pane of windows and he can make out the silhouette of Stede’s form, curled up into a small ball, shoulders shaking. 

Ed’s by the side of the bed in an instant. “Stede, mate,” he says in a whisper, “what’s the matter? Bad dream?”

“Oh, Ed! Nothing’s the matter, you don’t need to bother–"

“Yeah, I think I fucking do. You’re crying.”

“Nope, no. Me, crying? Nah. Probably an owl.”

Ed pauses, the covers held up to slide beneath and one leg already on the bed. “An owl.”

“Mm-hm!”

“Stede, we’re a hundred miles from land and you’re telling me I heard an owl.”

“Could be an albatross, then!”

Ed remains frozen in place long enough to hear what is definitely a sniffle, then stands up and slaps the covers back into place. “Sure, whatever. Just fucking lie right to my face, then, s’not like I fucking care." Technically Stede hasn’t, since he’s still curled up facing the windows, but Ed isn’t about to give him a pass for that reason.  

“Ed!” Stede sits up and twists around, but Ed is already stomping back to the settee. “It is nothing, really, I was just being foolish–"

Ed throws himself onto the settee, where at least the back is high enough that he doesn’t have to look at Stede, or watch Stede not looking at him. “Bet if I fetched the boy Stede would tell him,” he says entirely to himself in what is not a pointedly loud tone. “Bet he knows all the right fancy words to say because he’s not a stupid pirate.”

“Ed, please, don’t wake anyone else up. I’m fine. I’m sorry you had to hear me.”

“I bet you’d tell your fucking wife!”

There’s a silence in the cabin then, one that seems to ring with Ed’s shout. It’s broken only by a very quiet sniffle.

Shit. Shit. Ed’s heart sinks. Shit. That was definitely too far. He’s so bad at this. Very slowly, feeling like absolute trash, he raises his head and peeks over the top of the settee. Stede’s sitting on the edge of the bed, bare feet brushing the floor. He’s got a sheet drawn around him like an improvised robe, and he’s staring down at his lap.

“‘M sorry,” Ed whispers.

Stede simultaneously shrugs and nods, which seems like they cancel each other out, leaving Ed with no idea what it means. Stede scrubs at his face with one fist, draws a deep breath, then puts his shoulders back. “Yes, well, if it makes you feel better, I didn’t tell Mary, actually.” 

Ed swallows. That should be enough, should satisfy him, but he really wants to know. He’s greedy, when it comes to Stede. “Didn’t tell her what?”

Stede pulls the sheet tighter around his shoulders. “The, the thing. That happened. I did tell you. I haven’t been trying to keep secrets, Ed. Even though I know it shouldn’t matter so much, I know I’m being childish and foolish and weak-willed, but-"

“Stede. What thing? What are you talking about?” Ed pulls himself fully upright to lean over the back of the settee, but he doesn’t go back over to the bed, as much as his skin itches with wanting to touch Stede. He’s afraid closing the space between them will break the spell. 

Stede cringes, his shoulders going up and his face lowering even further down. “The sex thing,” he says, quietly enough that Ed can barely make out the words. “You know. When – when it was bad.” 

“That’s why you’re crying?”

Stede looks sharply to the side, chin up and held tight. “You don’t need to say anything about it. I’m already aware that I shouldn’t let it bother me.”

“Who says it shouldn’t bother you?” Ed lets his fingers dig into the upholstery of the settee and his voice go cool, ready to destroy whoever’s been upsetting Stede.  

Stede whips around to stare at him. “You did!”

“What?” Ed rears back in surprise. “No, I didn’t!”

“You said it happened all the time! You said it was common!”

“I meant you weren’t alone!” Ed draws in a shaky breath, trying to claim back control over himself. “Fuck, Stede, lots of fucked-up things happen all the time. Lots of common things are just – fucking terrible, mate.”

Stede is silent for a long moment. Ed wants him to say something, but at least he can make out enough of Stede’ silhouette to see it’s gone a bit softer, no longer looking like he’s so stiff that he might snap into two. Finally, Stede says quietly, “Well, I’m sure none of the others are still crying about a thing that happened over thirty years ago.”

Ed thinks about Jack, who used to have nightmares whenever he went to sleep sober. He never said what they were about, but he’d whimper behind clenched teeth and thrash hard enough to dump Ed out of their shared hammock, and one time when Ed sneaked up behind him, Jack had nearly gutted him before he realized who it was. He thinks about a whore he’d been fond of for a while, visiting her every time they stopped in Port Royal. Sometimes when Ed arrived, she’d have bruises. Not on her hips or thighs, which might just have been evidence of too good of a time – Ed’d had those sorts of bruises himself – but a black eye, or a split lip, or once a dark ring around her upper arm. He’d asked about that one, and she’d just shown him her teeth, more of a snarl than a smile. The nights she had bruises, he paid her just to let him sleep in her bed – which he did sometimes anyway – and left her extra coin in the morning and they didn’t talk about it. And then one time he went back and she was gone and no one would say where.

Ed thinks about how small the house he’d grown up in was, and the noises he’d hear at night sometimes from his parents’ bed. He hadn’t know what it meant, at the time, but looking back his mom’s smile on the mornings after now made him sick to his stomach.

“Maybe it’d have been better if they did cry,” Ed says. 

Stede just shakes his head.

“Look, man, aren’t we supposed to be doing this shit together, now?” Ed tries. 

“Important things,” Stede says. “Not my silly little problems.”

Ed gets up and moves partway to the bed. He’s wearing a nightshirt Stede gave him, which he’s got to admit is more comfortable for sleeping than his leathers, but there’s no pockets and he doesn’t know what to do with his hands. He wants to put them on Stede, but he thinks it’s not the right time for that, not yet, maybe not ever if he can’t figure out where Stede’s head is at. “You hold me, when I cry,” Ed says. “’S nice.” 

It’s more than nice; the last time Ed was sobbing and howling into Stede’s shoulder, it had felt like Stede’s grasp was the only thing keeping him breathing through it, like if Stede had let go Ed might have just been done for. It’s part of the reason Ed forgave him so quickly, far quicker than he’d meant to. But he was pretty sure if he’d had to cry alone one more time it might have literally killed him, and he wanted Stede to hold him so badly that he’d have done anything for it, and so in the end it was goodbye, Ed’s pride, hello, Stede’s arms. 

But he doesn’t need to say that. He’s already being enough of a clingy bastard tonight. “Okay, so, you don’t want me to hold you. Or talk about it. Great, got that. But don’t you – don’t you want anything from me, man?” Ed bites back a groan at himself; yeah, real well done with the not sounding needy. 

Stede looks up at him, and they’re at just enough of an angle to one another that his eyes catch a flash of moonlight and Ed can see them, wet and bright and dark, and it sends another jolt of longing through his chest.  “Ed, I just – I want to be enough for you. I want to be strong, to be a real partner for you.” His voice goes thin, unshed tears tightening his throat. “I’m so afraid that I can’t be what you want me to be.”

“Fuck, Stede.” Ed can’t hold back; he clambers onto the bed and grabs Stede’s face in both hands and kisses him all over it, peppering his forehead and cheeks and the damp corners of his eyes with short little pecks. “I love you so fucking much, you don’t even fucking know how much, it’s just ridiculous. I want all of you, okay? I want every fucking thing. I want the bad shit and the embarrassing shit and the shit that makes you burn up with shame. I want it.”

Stede huffs a shaky laugh and tucks his face into Ed’s neck. “I’m going to get snot on your nightshirt,” he warns.

“Love that. Fucking great, snot. Gimme all the snot you got, man, I want that too.” Ed digs his fingers into Stede’s hair and holds him tightly in place, feeling Stede’s hot wet breaths against his skin.  

It takes a while for Stede to cry, though he'd seemed close to tears a moment ago. Ed pulls him in and Stede lets him, even curls up a bit to lean against Ed's chest, but his body’s still tense, nowhere near pliant. They sit like that in silence for several minutes. 

The first sob is loud and harsh, sounds like it's ripped from Stede's throat, but right after he goes quiet again. It takes Ed a second to realize that he's working so hard to contain the tears that he's stopped breathing, every muscle on him gone rigid with the effort of keeping control. His lungs can't hold on for long, of course, and soon another rough sound escapes - more of a gasp than a sob, really - before Stede clamps down again. It goes on like that, individual sobs that fight their way out between taut silences. Ed presses his hand down on Stede's scalp and puts his other arm around his back, holding on as tightly as he can. He gets a leg up on the bed behind Stede, presses that into him too, folding as much of his body as he can manage around Stede's, wishing he could entirely envelop him, keep him safe and secret from the rest of the world.

Stede's staccato crying gradually gets the better of him, the gasps coming closer and closer together until they blend into steady weeping. Ed holds him through it, muttering shit that doesn’t mean much but that he hopes sounds good anyway – “I got you” and “let it out” and “you’re okay”. He clings hard to Stede like Ed’s the one on the verge of being swept away, though Stede doesn’t cling back; Stede keeps his hands to himself, one half-covering his own mouth in a futile attempt to muffle his sounds. Ed tries not to let that bother him. It helps that it’s his shirt collar that’s soaking up Stede’s tears, sticking against his skin as the cloth grows damp and then wet. 

***

#meme #our flag means death

[albatrossmuffin]

A Subtitler’s Hypothesis for the Timeline of the End of FS2

Be prepared for a novel here 😂

So the opening montage through the night pool scene is likely March (potentially early April, but no one is actually -seen- going to school yet, so probably end of March)

Although clearly everyone has some kind of arrangement or virtual accommodations with school, because they are ALL at training camp from April – August/September, maybe even through early October (so Haru, being out of the country away from school for a couple months? Paltry lol he did not quit school imo)

              -Nationals in DF were in August (high school nationals are in August, I checked lol), which was followed by the All Japan, however based on how warm everyone is dressed in Tokyo afterwards in FS2, it can’t be earlier than September/October-y 

Fukuoka Tournament – (late?) October – I say late based on those warm clothes again; I’ve worn shorts in early October in Tokyo before lol. And yet those in Iwatobi aren’t dressed too warmly yet, so it couldn’t be later than that. It doesn’t seem like a lot of time passed between the All Japan and Fukuoka, so they could both realistically be in October, even. But there’s two facts to sort of reverse engineer that this was Octoberish

-A Japanese fan pointed out the clock at sunset when Rin is showing his family his bronze medal, it’s around 5:10, and the sun is starting to set. Looking at sunset time maps, this would fit in October. (The sun sets in the late 5 o clock range in mid to late October in Fukuoka)

-Ikuya tells Ai in early December that Haru “got out of the hospital last month” aka November, which saying last month idk it makes it sound to me like it was a different month than the actual competition lol

But why is Ikuya and Ai’s convo in early December, you ask? With the phrase “last month,” there has to be a month in between Fukuoka and Haru going to Iwatobi. I would say there is no more than that based on Ikuya’s clothes in the scene. The girl, and others around are wearing wintery coats, yet Ikuya, compared with his coat in FS1 when everyone leaves for New Year, isn’t that bundled yet. So it’s cold, but not cold enough for Ikuya to be in full ‘winter mode’ yet, aka early December. So:

Fukuoka Tournament – October-y

Haru in the hospital for some length of time – November (with My MakoHaru heart, I’d vote he gets out before Makoto’s birthday lol ^^ BUT he does need to be out with a few weeks left in November so he has time to shoot the advertisement billboard, and get his stuff ready/school affairs in order to go to Iwatobi in December)

-sidebar, after this convo would be where Ai goes to Hungary to study abroad (maybe after New Year); the line “soon after entering university” has to mean within his first year of school, so away he goes lol

(Even if the tournament & hospitalization were both in October somehow, and “last month” meant October [the deciding factor would be how long you think he was in the hospital for], this would still be mid or late November because of the Ikuya clothes thing, and needing the time for the billboard and school, so everything still applies lol)

Haru in Iwatobi – December; where it makes sense he wouldn’t leave before New Year, when people are home to celebrate

So January he would get his affairs in order in Iwatobi and Tokyo, and be gone from late January/February through the end of March

Why I think the epilogue is the end of March: We’ve got both new students showing up in Tokyo, and also Momo hasn’t had his send off race yet – it’s a between period where things are happening over the break. Further evidence, in ES1 when they go to the send off race, a calendar showing a third week in a month is seen (you can see a digit in the teens in the week above, and a digit beginning with 2 in the week below) – there is no month, but it can only be March, because February would be too early, and April way too late.

Unrelated to the timeline lol: so in my headcanon world, Rin & Makoto have come to Hungary for some form of tournament: Haru is back now (precise verbs were “is back” & “is returning”), so his rehab must be in its end stages. There could be a tournament happening in Hungary that will be Haru’s first ‘official’ tournament of his return, and Rin is there to compete, and Makoto is there to support/shadow trainers, etc (that could have happened through a connection with Azuma, Nao, or his school, or even Natsuya take your pick lol). After said tournament, Haru may stay in Hungary a few more weeks to get his stuff together, then return to Tokyo.

Why is it a tournament, not some kind of training camp? We were given one tiny, tiny clue lol: When the world championships were in Budapest last year, Free’s website made some kind of note about broadcasting or something I cannot recall tbh lol but the important thing is they called it “Hungary Tournament,” the same way they call all the tournaments in FS. Smart Japanese fans pointed out that nowhere in any media coverage of the Budapest championships was it called “Hungary Tournament.” So it had the vibe of a subtle wink to fans lol, but it could be either one (headcanon stays almost the same lolol).

Yeeeah lol I hope this is helpful to anyone!! :D

#free! #Free! The Final Stroke #me

[maxverstepponme]

this is a really good theory like absolutely plausible. Also maybe Max doesn't want any distractions at the moment we are heading into a busy schedule. After miami theri is only a week of rest, then we have a triple header // original anon here, so wanted to add more of why I think this since we’re all crazy together :))

-the weird hotel getaway, seemed like she was there alone/with P but wanted people to think she was there with him. Him iracing all weekend.

-her selling a lot of her wardrobe, a jelly fanpage said there’s close to 100 pieces up for sale. Why the need for money?? Or getting rid of clothes causing you moving?? An anon earlier mentioned this.

-him flying to Amsterdam to do PR. Kelly no longer in Monaco (in NY) but acting like she is. Posts about getting ready for her trip. Someone on here confirms she’s in Ny before she posts.

-shows she’s in NY with P, has loads of P’s shoes there definitely more than necessary.

-daily mail articles come out (proving she’s been there longer) uses her as max verstappens gf in headline cause that’s the only way she’s relevant. But still mentions her name, trynna get her name out there (I would say this has been happening since Miami this year and Bahrain solidified that)

-max a lot happier apparently in the paddock but seemed off his game. Wasn’t his best weekend. Commentators speculated something was happening in his private life, maybe rumours in the paddock led to that comment.

-Kelly posts a picture of P on some guys shoulders, people wonder who he is. Did she do it for attention??

-Victoria unfollows her and then refollowers.

-max flies back to Monaco, not NY or even Miami.

-addressed the pram worries but not the seatbelt or mystery guy ones.

- stories posted today she’s wearing those ugly pendant charms but only the K&P.

-someone on Twitter spreads the rumour they’ve broken up, people take it seriously. Becomes pretty big. His team don’t deny them (although his team don’t deny rumours unless it’s pregnancy). Neither does Kelly.

-Sophie after weeks now comments to maybe calm people down, or lead people of the trail until they can announce it. Kelly hasn’t commented on Victorias post or vice versa.

-max hasn’t liked her last 2 posts, maybe he told his pr and they’ve locked her out the account or changed the password.

- won’t announce it until it’s not a race week so they’d be a cool-down period of it and he wouldn’t have to answer questions about it. Max on race week is only focused on the race, think he’d tell his pr to wait until not a race week.

-Kelly’s using the last of his name, hence the weird shoot looking rushed maybe wasn’t originally planned for the trip or something.

-promised Yasmin Miami gp tickets (don’t see how else she’s going) and probably organised something with pageboyprojects for Kelly and Yasmin. A pr shoot, clubbing night of them etc.

-Kelly’s got her little meet and greet 🙄 in Miami that’s been planned for months probably so couldn’t cancel.

-I think they’d have to announce a break up whether on ig or through a trusted tabloid, cause of how public it it (thanks to Kelly 🙄). But would wanna do it not on a race week or when Kelly’s promised someone tickets and got a meet and greet in Miami. They’d be more speculation if she was on Miami but not the gp

Again we’ll see what happens this week and thank you all for letting me write my theories :))

No worries ❤️ would you like for me to tag them?

#theories anon

[novantinuum]

Glow or dark for ask game? 👀 not usually an and/or situation here....

Ty friend!! :33

So, this one is (or was, I guess) a one-shot I started writing for a recent Connverse prompt week. “Glow or Dark” were the two choices for day one, so I decided I wanted to try and find a way to mash them up together into one. This is adult Connverse, they’re like… engaged by now.

Basically, the idea I had was “Connie is kinda Big Bummer Steven doesn’t use his powers much anymore” and like… they’re all huddled in bed together, having a sleepy convo about this. My thinking is like… for a while Steven over-compensates? And he’s like… putting all his eggs in the “being human” basket and now somewhat neglecting his Gem side, and that makes Connie sad, because she loves both sides of him, and wishes he felt more comfortable expressing himself in all ways with her.

Also her fiancé can glow like a goddamn glow stick and she thinks it’s pretty, so sue her— it’s pretty and she wishes she could see it more but under positive circumstances *wheeze*

Snippit:

_

“Y’know, it’s kinda a shame you only glow when you’re really, really stressed out,” Connie murmurs out of nowhere that night, nuzzling herself even further into his side. “I bet you’d make for a nice nightlight.”

“Wait, what?” Steven responds, his words punctuated by a sudden peel of bemused laughter. He props himself up in their bed, scooting apart from her wanting embrace (she gives a pitiful but very cute little whine at this, still half-asleep) so he can actually turn to meet her eyes. “Where’s this coming from?”

If he fully understands the underlying question in his fiancé’s drowsy doozy of a comment— a comment he doubts she’d ever make while awake and alert— then she’s probably inquiring about why he never consciously utilizes even half the full potential of his power, not even recreationally.

And if he’s honest, it’s a fair question. He’s been somewhat ignoring this part of himself ever since he moved in with her late last year.

After all, it’s not like there’s much practical use for many of his abilities anymore. There’s no battles left to fight. No empires left to dismantle. No need to host those monthly healing sessions he used to organize, ever since he and the Gems bottled a large stock of his saliva for long term use. It’s nice, in a way. It’s like an extended vacation from all the stressors of this facet of his existence. Instead, he’s been able to focus all his time and energy on other stuff— like finally pursuing his GED, and doing some experimentation with some new instruments he’s never played. 

Little things.

Human things.

That glowing she speaks of, though…

The remnants of laughter fade from his lips as he refocuses his mind on this topic.

He hasn’t gone pink in weeks. It’s the longest period that’s passed without a flare up since that month his gem fell into an energy conserving stasis immediately following his meltdown in his teen years. So why is she bringing this up now? 

What’s really on her mind?

He asks as such.

This appeal for emotional honesty seems to jostle Connie out of the brunt of her drowsiness. She rubs the sleep out of her eyes with the furthest edge of her knuckles and then parts her lips again.

“It’s just… you never use them anymore,” she says, her brow creasing inwards. “Any of them. And of course I understand why, but…”

“But—?”

“But sometimes… I wish things weren’t so muddled for you. That you felt free to express yourself as both a human and a Gem in this space.”

His brows thread together as he considers all this, his confusion-addled mind looping right back to the throwaway, sleepy statement that hurtled this whole conversation into being in the first place. “So, wait— you’re saying you want me… to glow for you—?”

#jen rambles #wips

[wellntruly]

M*A*S*H - Season 7, misc. notes

New approach on this assembly: no just repeating something I like (that way forever lies), observational/contemplative remarks Only.

And you know what, I mostly stick to this!

— — —

Even besides updating his opening credits appearance immediately (I was mid-martini sip, I was not ready), that we then started with a scene of Potter talking about the mustache, erotically, (yes), before we’d even seen it live yet, is really giving 'cultural moment'

I’ve just checked and my suspicion was correct: ‘Commander Pierce’ was not originally intended to be the seventh season premiere; that would be what ended up airing second, ‘Peace On Us’, which feels more like a first episode in every way, down to the cast reestablishing roll call at the end. But for someone who has two thumbs and is wild for chain-of-command drama, me, starting with this one had me like, Hello & welcome!! By the time we hit the mid-episode act-out and Captain Pierce, pressed, is having his snippy interpersonal orders in surgery mockingly “Whooa-oh-oh!”ed by his two best friends & best enemy all in synchrony against him, I was positively kicking my heels.

I also think it’s worth noting the dramatic irony that Hawkeye’s greatest strength as a manager, as seen first in ‘Officer of the Day’ back in the third season, has always been his atypical decision-making skills, which always prioritize life and are also almost always outside the box in doing so. Acting Commander A Secret, Third Thing. Which is why I think if BJ had actually followed the procedure to bring this to him first, rushed up saying that there’s someone out there who is dying and he can save him, it would have been highly likely Hawkeye would have come up with a way to do both, possibly even still sending BJ out, but with admonitions to hurry, more wounded are coming who will you need you, too. But BJ is so hung up on Hawkeye being the leader that he’s forgotten they’re still a team, that Hawk’s weird creative mind can help him, and Hawkeye is so resentful of being the leader that he too has forgotten they’re still a team, that BJ’s steadfast sense of what’s right can help him. Neither of them are listening to each other, and it’s hobbling some of their strongest assets.

Also, as the leader, whether anyone wants that or not, Hawkeye is supposed to be the one to break procedure, if breaking is what is needed. That’s what being a manager truly is. To take the responsibility, to say, it’ll be on my head—go. And Hawkeye hasn’t learned that. Potter has learned that. Potter knows that well, because he IS a good manager, which he comes back proving immediately. Thank god for you, Sherman <3

I’m not imagining it, they’ve added some sort of WHISTLE to the opening theme, like some PICCOLO or something. I’m gonna kill ‘em.

The discovery that Alan Alda, Irish-Italian Catholic, is also Jewish-in-law by his wife, truly explains so much. The Yiddish, for one.

Y’know I guess I probably do understand why ‘Peace On Us’ did not ultimately hang on to its opening spot with the network, despite also, I am just realizing, supplying the Origin Story for the Mustache--as it does end with a sequence that truly made me feel like I was having an out-of-body experience. When BJ ambles out of the tent…well I really thought I’d lost my mind.

First edible looking foodstuff on this show goes to: this muffin Hawkeye is eating standing in the sunshine talking about how he’s stalking his best friend. I would actually bet $5, 1950s money, that this muffin just came from craft services.

Reprising the black & white period interview conceit but making it a clip show, and two of them, is a remarkable miscalculation, and I hated watching both of these, even with an And They Were All So Cold package (even with!!), but admittedly I did clasp my hand to my mouth at the reveal that they’d be including Trapper and Henry. Also, BJ, in the new stuff, says, “When you share the horror that we do, day in and day out, you don’t just feel close, you cling to each other,” and I would like to say, Beej oh my god.

Oh, well this is interesting. Disassociation always is! My college bestie the psychologist, benevolently: “Ahh, cinema’s favorite disorder presentation. Looks so good, happens so rarely.” It sure does look good! And I mean, any reason’s a good reason to see Sidney.

God NEVAR FORGET Abercrombie & Fitch used to be like, outdoors outfitters. And are old. They set up Teddy Roosevelt before he went tromping west with John Muir.

My order to myself to not just quote lines in the notes is being severely tested by ‘None Like It Hot’, which is breaking me every scene. Okay okay just one from Charles: “Your middle class sense of decency and fair play will overwHelm the malice you now bear me, and soon I shall be luxuriating in that canvas Xanadu.” I mean where to BEGIN.

I would like to know how Loretta Swit just keeps getting more beautiful. What kind of Gillian Anderson genes…

BJ’s vermilion suspenders, Hawkeye in a check flannel…so they’ve just fully started dressing like gay lumberjacks, huh. Maybe this is the point of the mustache. I'm sorry I'm so sorry! I am on record as being SO pro mustache boyfriends, I’m just not pro this particular mustache. :/ I just think it kinda makes Mike Farrell look like that pumpkin. You know the one.

Okay dialogue again but it’s because I have a sincere question: Hawkeye: “I’ll be there with bells on. You’ll love me in bells.” Nurse Bigelow: “Shall we say about 8?” Hawkeye: “7:30, I like a half hour to warm up.” Bigelow, leaving with a grin: “Gotta run!” Hawkeye, turning back to BJ: “I envy her tonight.” [this video voice] Whaat does That meean?!

The way I feel about BJ’s kimono and I don’t know why it’s just his and not Margaret’s is that it’s the first glimmer of the ‘80s advancing, and I do not appreciate it.

I really like that Charles is actually strictly honest, even to his own detriment. The trick is that you have to go through a tremendous amount of effort to prove to him that his wrong stances are wrong, as his default position is that of course he is right, but once he sees the evidence plainly, then he flips and will not stand for anyone shirking that truth, least of all himself. This is a cool character trait, and they’ve been pretty consistent about it.

I am entranced by the freezing ground constricting the mines and setting them off in the field in the night. AT MO SPHERE.

Radar baby tell us your weird idea.

A warm soaking tub out of a coffin!!! BABY I LOVE YOU & YOUR WEIRD IDEA.

Lordd, imagine being this soldier. You’ve just literally landed at the remote hospital station, weakly bleeding, and it's just like

Not sure if this utterly adorable BJ-Klinger-Radar welcome, charming and efficient as it may be, would have me feeling any more certain that I’m living, but definitely certain this is one of the best places I could die in, with these benevolent fruitcakes.

Ah, lovely, as I’d want: Hawkeye is reassuring precisely because he’s so odd. He’s wearing a crimson bathrobe, he’s asked someone for a unit of whole blood, neat, for him, he's telling your smiling blonde fellow to "Step into my office"—a patch of floor two yards away to confer. This benevolent fruitcake is weird in a different way, and suddenly I'm starting to feel like maybe I am gonna live.

Oh I completely believe Colonel Potter makes it a point to meet everyone who comes through his hospital, headcanon accepted, Ken Levine & David Isaacs.

[Ringing a dinner bell] SNAFU, first recorded instance of “SNAFU” in M*A*S*H! World War II slang acronyms, finally fucking present and accounted for!

Hawkeye very clambering astride things this season. Things he has slung his leg fully over in Season 7: - Jeep door slash steering wheel - Charles’s thigh - multiple patients’ waists to perform CPR - the barrel of a Howitzer

I cannot explain why it should be this way given that’s also where it is on those little caps, but Charles wearing his major leaf pinned right in the center of his turned up parka hood dissolved both me and my mom, visiting, into helpless giggling.

OMG THEY’RE ALL GETTING LIGHTHEADED FROM USING ALL THIS ETHER. sickos.png ha ha yeess….

Probably one of the best things this show has ever decided to make a continuing thing, as of ‘Out of Gas’, is that Father Mulcahy is on the black market. Knows how to use it, gets desperately needed supplies for themselves and the orphanage this way. Definitely his black market nickname is like, Pops.

Everything Margaret merrily does to hungover Hawkeye at breakfast, and his reaction to it, is the cutest shit I’ve ever seen. Sorry this is so borderline me just saying I like it, but I like it SO much.

Father Mulcahy at the Officer’s Club deliberately playing the barkeep you tell all your problems to because he misses confession, is suuuuuch a good idea, Alda. 

When I say Potter is one of Hawkeye’s two dads I mean him lowly muttering “Leave it…” to Pierce’s cheerily foreboding energy around generals.

‘Inga’ absolutely incredible for watching Alan Alda attempt to distract us with an overt showing of his getting dragged in public kink from remembering that we’ve been seeing him air Hawkeye’s sexual submission kink this entire dang series. Dollface I don’t believe for one second that Hawkeye “Don't just stand there, I’m yours,” Hawkeye “Someone’s gonna have to get me pregnant,” Hawkeye “Would you [kick me]? With high heels?” Pierce would not go giddy at the knees if a woman pushed *him* back on the bed, had *her* way with him. Hawkeye DOES measure women by a three-letter yardstick and you’ve nailed that squarely & beautiful (and gave the whole blazing speech to Margaret <3), but Hawkeye getting uncomfortable if someone else is the top? Oh honey we all know that’s not Hawkeye's problem!

Anyway, once again though, my god Alan Alda loves Loretta Swit & Margaret Houlihan SO much. Even just their button on the end of this, like all their little closing scenes he writes for them, is all for her and just perfect, killer. Sweet, her teasingly, sparklingly dragging him off to the showing of Casablanca, buying him popcorn..!

Potter: “Tell your nurses not to be shy about hauling a litter if they have to. Some of them are stronger than I am.” Hawkeye: “Can I have their names?” I mean, [laughter], this is exactly what I was just saying. We’re all seeing this!

Her arm tight around slumped BJ making sure he doesn’t fall off his stool, Hawkeye already collapsed flat on the bar at her other elbow, taking another shot above both their heads—as Hawk said, long live the queen.

Margaret smooching snoozing Potter’s ear in thanks in the most platonic weird little way, wow yes

Whenever they bring in the stooges at I-Corps refusing to believe they’re being bombed it’s just so Heller. To be clear I adore this.

The thing about these Army helmets is they tend to make everyone look incredibly boyish, gender neutral, and it pangs my heart a little

Ha ha ha, I’m so into this. So into it. Hawkeye is, for narrative purposes, one of the frailer cast members, because things happening to him can be the plots of episodes. But I guess that’s it, usually things are happening TO him. His claustrophobia is striking as it’s this surprise vulnerability that didn’t come from the war, and so it takes us beyond it.

Hey: what on Earth is this card game?

Handheld camera? Harry?? Let’s do it why not!

I really like the implication that you say “commie” five times and Colonel Flagg just vappears in your bathroom mirror

Ohhh one of those those

….Oh my god. That Flagg doesn’t work on Charles…I am closing my eyes in a delighted grin. His particular brand of superiority makes him like Teflon to this! Aah! “One, you cannot afford my price, and two, what are you talking about?” I’m elated.

Meanwhile, maybe this is the episode where we try to figure out:

What's Going On With BJ Hunnicutt?

He’s been changing, this season and if I look back Season 6 as well. Markedly more chaos and a kind of lightly irascible antagonism shot through his once notable calm. If I’m applying apologetics, I’d say he’s fallen too into a habit of trying to pull other people’s malcontented energy to himself, as he told Nurse Donovan about doing with his wife in Season 5—too often metaphorically bumping into people, trying to be the thing they're mad at, something more manageable than an entire war. But it’s not working so well as a consistent practice. What I miss, what I think is missed, is that steady, quiet care that characterized BJ in his first couple season. That was something new for this show, a really interesting balancing energy, with another fascinating new effect of kind of melting Hawkeye a bit. And this practice isn’t working so well for BJ either as of late, as we see in him hotly springing on this patient threatening Hawkeye, threatening him with violence of his own. From the very start, he has cared about Hawkeye tremendously (god remember him about gnawing his thumb off when he goes missing last season), but more and more lately it’s coming out all jumpy and rough. Captain Hunnicutt, honey, it’s okay to be quiet and safe again. You won’t be overlooked. There are means of influence other than fireworks.

That’s the first explanation. The other is that earlier days BJ won’t come back from the war, because this is what the war has done to him. The serenity Sidney envied irrevocably rumpled by this cavalcade of senseless wounded.

Well, I’ll be thinking about it! Feeling feelings!

Meanwhile, the impeccable character development of Major Margaret Houlihan, outstanding in its field. One element that’s really illuminating itself right now: she’s still immediately smitten with a handsome officer, that’s still Margaret all over, but these days she turns them right off her plate as soon as they reveal themselves to be bad news. She used to not notice. Our Margaret now, oh she notices.

Hooooo the amount of dark rooms ‘Preventative Medicine’ is just flinging doors open! Hoo boy!!

Ohhhh Very important question actually: didn’t Hawkeye and Trapper remove Colonel Flagg’s appendix together that one time just to waylay him from doing something stupid and cruel? Oh wow if that’s part of this………O wow.

Goddd that gesture, reaching up to grasp his forearm where his hand rests on his shoulder…BJ’s arm like an anchor line. Ahh now this bit is recalling that tireless kindness of BJ, what I wanted, oh less temper and more of this please. Jesus and with this dark undertow still too—are you dragging him back, or is he dragging you down. [shiver] Yes yes yes…

Hey I just replayed these last two scenes in my head with the quiet, watchful BJ of ‘The Late Captain Pierce’, gentle and urgent and scared and not leaving, all the same dialogue and Hawkeye’s performance basically the same tenor just visibly pulling more against the tethers this BJ tosses out, and it was HAUNT-ING.

Line readings award for the one at Rosie’s bar: David Ogden Stiers no question

Mike Farrell, Director, immediately being like hey, wanna literally climb the furniture? And Alan Alda’s like, :) you know I do

He’s LITERALLY being BJ’s little gargoyle, just like, scampering, clambering, up on the doorjambs. This is tremendous stuff, Mike.

Hey Mike sorry but I have more blocking I enjoy: the amount of time we're spending watching Hawkeye floss his teeth on camera. How does Alda looks so cute doing this, is my question, and is that why

This banner reading “Father Mulcahy presents: Bingo Night” has added a year to my life

Really fascinating actually seeing them move camps, different trees around, re-setting up the Swamp. I'm THROWN but not necessarily in a bad way? Yet? Would this possibly last??

Nope never mind, we’re bugging right back! WELL I did expect you wouldn’t want to lose that set haha

YELL Hawkeye’s dad addresses him in his letter “Dear Ben.” HE WAS THE ONE WHO DUBBED YOU HAWKEYE.

— — —

Season Viewguides

These

#M*A*S*H #M*A*S*H hours #Misc. MASH #Tarra takes notes

[lawonderlandwriter]

This was what I was looking for that no one else was posting yesterday. Now we have context. And it’s the exact context that I knew it would be, that I said in my post yesterday that it would be. Kit isn’t saying that the ending between Jon and Daenerys was the right ending period, he’s saying their ending for everything that happened in the show before that moment felt right. For what Dany did, of course it makes sense that Jon would have to kill her. 

Is that an opinion that I agree with? Of course not. I still hate Jon for killing Dany even after she burned King’s Landing. It was unnecessary to me. But that’s also a pointless line of thinking because that means accepting what Dany did in the first place, which I don’t. I don’t think that was her character at all. It was D&D fanfiction and that’s the end of it for me. 

But I’m glad I watched this. 

Some other notable Kit one-liners from this panel:

“What [Benioff and Weiss] did was right because they wrote it.” Boom. Right fucking there. Kit just comes out and says it, as he always does. He is not biting the hand that feeds, he’s saying everything he needs to say for HBO. But he’s also telling the audience what he needs us to know about the whole situation. 

“If you could ever do this, it would be interesting to go back and do an alternative.” Now that’s an interesting thought. Jon fighting the Night King again? It’s more likely than you think. 

When asked about whether Jon really loved Dany and if he could have gotten over the incest thing he goes into the “dominant women” bit as he does in the second panel, though that question is totally different from this one. “Don't know why I went into that.” Probably because it was pre-written and he’d gotten certain answers to certain questions mixed up. Notably not answering the part of the question of whether Jon could get over the incest angle of their relationship, either because he just forgot or he did so on purpose. 

Nearly all of these questions are the same as those from the second panel, there are only a few variations and there are more questions in the second panel. But it all sounds just a little bit rehearsed. Especially in the second panel, Kit uses some buzz phrases that seem like they’re straight from Reddit, so probably pre-written for him by someone else. 

As for what it means for Snow, I feel like he’s doing all this because it hasn’t been greenlit yet. He wants to get his show made and so he’s doing anything he can to placate the people at HBO. Which is probably why his answers in the second panel, though nearly the same, also feel more generic and tailored. I’m sure he said some things in this first panel he wasn’t supposed to and so he made sure not to repeat them in the second. 

But that’s just my interpretation. I only write this for my own sense of posterity. Either I will regret giving him the benefit of the doubt when Snow gets made or I won’t, but that’s not for present me to stew about. 

#Kit Harington #got con los angeles #Jon Snow spinoff

[antimonyandthyme]

Athy, I saw you also like tenet as well 👀 So I wanna hear your thoughts on sebchal tenet au. Like seb, as an experienced spy who's fiercely loyal and got recruited into the undo-apocalypse team project, meets with a puppy-eyed man named charles for the first time. But why doesn't it feel that way? How does charles know about jägerbomb? What are those gazes charles gives him when he think seb doesn't notice? And then some tokens give charles away and seb gets his italicized oh moment 🥺 The tension and angst of this au. . . chef's kiss!!

Anon. Anon. This is only the most perfect idea ever. Oh my gaude. Oh my gaude! A sebchal Tenet AU. It’s never even crossed my mind but now I see, I see! It couldn’t be more fitting! Anon your mind. Your mind! I have to write this. I have to! Thoughts under the cut, will be a little scrambled at the moment so bear with me!

Imagine Charles as Neil and Sebastian as the Protagonist! A reminder to everyone that the world didn’t end because Neil loved the Protagonist!

Anyway. Sebastian’s on this mission. It’s so top-secret he doesn’t even have details of what it is, or who he’s going to meet. Is it nuclear? Probably. (It isn’t. It’s temporal.) He dresses up in a midnight blue pinstripe suit for his first meeting with his contact. In a crowded bar, someone slides into the seat on his left.

Jesus. He’s young. The circles around his eyes are deep, like he hasn’t slept for two days. His suit is rumpled and marred with gunpowder stains. He already looks like he’s seen too much. Sebastian wants to yell. He keeps his tongue trapped behind his teeth. The fate of the world doesn’t care for the corruption of innocence. And anyway, the man before him is staring at him strangely, drinking him in like he’s seeing a ghost from his past. (Charles is, by the way. Sebastian is alive, alive! Come back to him at last, for this period of time that Charles needs to make the most of. To save the world and to convey to Sebastian just how much he is to him. The love of his life. Sebastian just doesn’t know it yet.)

Maybe he’s nervous, this young man. Sebastian smiles a little, to try to put him at ease. Oddly, it just makes the man’s lip wobble.

He clears his throat, flags a waiter down. “Vodka tonic,” he says, and points to Sebastian, “and a Jägerbomb.”

Sebastian blinks. “That’s for teenagers.”

The man smiles. “You still drink it.”

It’s the truth, though not one Sebastian has ever broadcasted. There’s so much more the man seems to want to say. Sebastian shifts, feeling like he’s being held up to the light and examined. It’s unlike him to feel out of control and wrong-footed in first meetings. There’s something so familiar about the way the man’s sitting, hunched but leaning persistently toward Sebastian. “You’re well informed.”

“It pays to be in our profession.” The man holds out a hand. His grip around Sebastian is tight, and he pulls away with what can only be described as reluctance. “Charles.”

Sebastian nods. Charles’ eyes are eager and determined and so, so wide. (Much later, Sebastian will look back upon this meeting and wonder. If it would’ve been better for them never to have crossed paths. It’s stupid. He would trade the world for more time, looking into Charles’ eyes.) “Let’s get to work.”

#athy texts #sebchal #tenet au #fanfic #rpf #tenet anon #please you’ve given me such a great idea #imagine charles looking at sebastian with such longing but being unable to say anything about it #and then they go bungee jumping into a building together #and then they save the world #and then sebastian realizes who he is #and who charles is #and what he has to send charles to do #and their parting is one of heartbreak but such love #and then sebastian goes back to recruit a young charles #oh my gaude #i’m talking myself into a frenzy #must write!!! #anyway for any of you all who are interested i’ve written tenet fics #they are… sad and heartbreaking i’ve been told

[aprilblossomgirl]

My Drama Universe 2022 Wrap-up

For someone who’s been fussy about being in a drama-slump this year (well, k-drama slump to be exact), this wrap-up list sure proved otherwise. Not as extensive as what others might have, perhaps, but these are what showed up to me this year that I willingly embraced consumed. Mostly BLs and Thai’s series, not all that I picked were airing this year, some aired year(s) back. Even for the ones airing this year, not all I watched live. So, it will probably cloud my perception of the show, somehow. However, I’m a firm believer of that not every show is for everyone (or, in this case, me), and that sometimes I had better experience of consuming certain shows when I watched it later after its airing period in my own pace.

A bit of story nobody asked. I’ve been watching Asian tv series / movies since the mid-end 90s. Started with mostly J-drama(s) and very occasionally C/Tw-drama(s), and then followed by an intense past decade of mostly K-drama(s). It was only at the beginning of this year that I’ve been exposed to Th-drama(s) and BLs (or QLs in general) and that was partly due to some major changes I had this year (moving back home to a time zone 12-hours ahead after 4-5 years being away in a foreign land + the series of reverse culture shock). Diving into these media has somehow given me a new kind of comfort I didn’t know I needed at the time. A comfort I know I will still be seeking for the next years to come. And since I’ve made this Tumblr page as my safe zone, why not include a yearly recaps/wrap-up list for my own documentation, also as an index to refer to if later I decide to make some Best-of-2022 kind of posts.

Anyway, I don’t do quantified rating here, I’m just giving some little hearts or highly subjective brief commentary shouts, if any. But if anyone would like to talk or share some thoughts about some of these shows with me, feel free to drop by the comment or my dm or ask box :)

Oh, and when I said little hearts, I mean these: 

🤍 (white) - the show owns my soul, period.

🖤 (black) - it’s my top-something-kind-of shows.

❤️ (red) - loved any aspect of the show: the stories / the tropes / the character(s) / pair(s) / the music / the aesthetics.

Ok, now, the list(s) will go under the cut. A little notes: I didn't separate them based on the genre (QL/non-QL) or the regions for my own convenience.

First, here’s the list of the shows I watched and finished this year, supposedly in a chronological order I picked them (but maybe some were off the timeline -- I didn’t really track them real time, unfortunately):

F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers (Thailand 2021-2022) -- I watched almost all adaptation of Hana Yori Dango, and I must say, the Thai version was better written in most parts. Also, Kavin-Kaning was cute here, almost a match to the Korean’s counterpart: So YiJeong - Chu GaEul <3

🤍 Kieta Hatsukoi (Japan 2021) -- my first love, ever, in BL. I adore this show so so much!

❤️ 2gether + Still 2gether (Thailand 2020) -- not gonna lie, these ones gave me comfort in an unexplainable way.

❤️ TharnType (Thailand 2019) + TharnType 2: 7 Years of Love (Thailand 2020) -- you can say anything about this show or everything about it, but to me, this gave me my #1 comfort character: Type Thiwat Phawattakun, and it hasn’t changed.

Together with Me (Thailand 2017) + Together with Me: The Next Chapter (Thailand 2018) -- the friendship in this show was one of my favorites. Also, this show introduced me to my ultimate favorite BL casting pair: MaxTul. But my most favorite part? Their hometown by the river in the Amphawa district.

My Husband in Law (Thailand 2020) -- what to say more: a drama, that I enjoyed but will not revisit.

❤️ Bad Buddy (Thailand 2021-2022) -- the 5th episode’s rooftop kiss arc my beloved, and need to say no more, a comfort show until today.

Cupid's Last Wish (Thailand 2022) -- my introduction to EarthMix; in a way I was glad I watched this first instead of ATOTS.

❤️ Star and Sky: Star in My Mind (Thailand 2022) -- another comfort show, my adorable Khabkluen & Daonuea; can’t wait to see them again in Our Skyy 2!

🖤 KinnPorsche (Thailand 2022) -- the show that ignites something in me which I cannot label. KimChay will forever hold a chokehold on me. A show that, in one way or another, I might never have a proper closure with. That said, the chaotic that is their casts ensemble had a very special place in my heart.

🤍 Manner of Death (Thailand 2020) -- my forever #1 (not so) BL! TanBunn remains one of my top BL couples.

🖤 HIStory3: Trapped (Taiwan 2019) -- Meng Shao Fei is everything I need in a lead character, and I need him to be with Tang Yi. Also, this show has one of the most adorable second couple.

❤️ To My Star (South Korea 2021) -- this show is strangely beautiful to me. Kang Seo Joon and Han Ji Woo were those unlikely pair that I need to see being together. 

Semantic Error (South Korea 2022) -- a beauty that is not for me specifically, but I enjoyed watching the growth of relationship between Chu Sang Woo and Jang Jae Young. 

❤️ A Tale of Thousand Stars (Thailand 2021) -- I LOVE everything about this heartwarming show with my whole heart. Tian is another comfort character to me. And the village kids! I just can’t stress enough how I really appreciate and love it that the show made the kids part of every step on Tian’s emotional growth all throughout. The slow burn romance, though, tested my patience to the peak, but in the end, it was all worth it. My very brief halfway thought here and final thought here. Can’t wait to see Moonlight Chicken for more of EarthMix. 

🖤 Not Me (Thailand 2021-2022) -- I don’t think any words would suffice to express my thoughts about this show, so I’ll just settle with: it’s fucking brilliant, enough said.

❤️ Old Fashion Cupcake (Japan 2022) -- this show very much feels like a hug and comforting in way that especially when you’re at the age range of TogawaNozue you will understand. The conversation and gradual growth of emotional intimacy between them was something I could relate and reflect to. 

Tonhon Chonlatee (Thailand 2020-2021) -- I’m a big fan of mutual pining, but not so a big fan of last minutes reveal. That said, this was a show with another favorite friendship squad. 

Blacklist (Thailand 2019) -- watched this during my The Eclipse era mainly because of First and Khaotung were in it. I liked the overall story and the theme it brought up, but more especially I loved the cast ensemble and their chemistry with one another.

🖤 55:15 Never Too Late (Thailand 2021-2022) -- this was my first time watching a Thai series with a kind of slice-of-life genre, and I love it, such a realistically beautiful takeaway about youth and regret. Another lovely casts ensemble with my favorite performances of Khaotung and View. 

❤️ Vice Versa (Thailand 2022) -- an absolute beauty nobody could convince me otherwise! The aesthetics (and clearly the budget) of both audio and visual were on a whole different level. I adore JimmySea’s chemistry (and so I will definitely tune in for Last Twilight). The only thing I missed was Talay’s job as a colorist. Would’ve loved to see it more incorporated during his time in the parallel universe.

🤍 The Eclipse (Thailand 2022) -- this show owns my soul. AkkAyan is my everything. I lose my mind here but would love to experience the getting lost for any one more time. As imperfect as it was, this will always be that special show for me. 

Big Dragon (Thailand 2022) -- a dynamic that’s not for me but I stayed until the end with no complaints regardless. If anything, the color-coded lighting and sets of this show were actually something I believe to mean something more.

Love in the Air (Thailand 2022) -- not gonna lie, I’m here mostly for the depiction of the architectural students’ life (which brought some nostalgia in me) instead of the romances; dropped a bit during the few last episodes of PayuRain and picked it up again once PrapaiSky started. I love Sky and he must be protected at all costs, yet I found Prapai to be that exact figure Sky needed. I was aware of the talks within the fandom about this one, and I stayed with my take.

❤️ Enchanté (Thailand 2022) -- this one comes as the nicest surprise for me this year. It might not have the best twist of the story of all time, but I did enjoy every turn and the eventual reveal. As a diehard fans of friend-to-lover trope, I had an instant massive crush on Akk Itsara (as well as a silent and slowly whinny ‘why why whhhyy’ toward Theo) only the heaven understands. The music elevates every emotion I felt. The aesthetics were specifically made for me. My highly subjective full thoughts here. 

Fish Upon the Sky (Thailand 2021) -- my introduction to PondPhuwin, and what a chemistry! This show prepared me mentally for the rollercoaster of pinched heart that is Never Let Me Go. 

Choco Milk Shake (South Korea 2022) -- adorable! A cuteness that’s not really for me, but cute, nonetheless. 

And then, this list is for the shows that I’m still watching or still ongoing, and most likely will finish:

The Warp Effect (Thailand 2022-2023) -- a chaos I’m looking for ever since Love Shuffle.

Never Let Me Go (Thailand 2022-2023) -- a new (hard) obsession detected. (a reminder that I need to make a specific tag for this as I did My School President)

My School President (Thailand 2022-2023) -- they’re cute, so cute, the cutest thing I’ve ever watched! I love these babies so so much!!! And the thematic music? My everything! -- I scream a lot about them here.

Between Us (Thailand 2022-2023) -- so far, I’m loving all the relationships in this show, but most especially the friendship trio Team, Pharm, Manow - they’re everything I wanted to see in a squad!

Remember Me (Thailand 2022-2023) -- I got a mixed feeling about this one, but Champ’s storyline hits too close to home it hurts as much.

Gaus Electronics (South Korea 2022) -- hilarious! I adore the consistency of thematic advert on each episode.

The Shipper (Thailand 2020) -- with this one, I am now convinced there are no roles that First and Ohm could not tackle. 

And here, for the ones I’ve started (mostly 1-2 or some more episodes in) but as of now the mood just never right enough to continue. Most likely will still be on my list next year, so I am temporarily reserved my commentaries.

3 Will Be Free (Thailand 2019) 

10 Years Ticket (Thailand 2022-2023)

609 Bedtime Story (Thailand 2022-2023)

Cruel City (South Korea 2013)

Dark Blue Kiss (Thailand 2019)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo (South Korea 2022)

First Love: Hatsukoi (Japan 2022)

Ghost Doctor (South Korea 2022)

Grid (South Korea 2022)

I Told Sunset About You (Thailand 2020)

Love Between Fairy and Devil (China 2022)

My Liberation Notes (South Korea 2022)

Taxi Driver (South Korea 2021)

The King's Affection (South Korea 2021)

Triage (Thailand 2022)

Lastly, the ones that I dropped (but who knows I’m gonna pick it up again later):

Cutie Pie (2022) - dropped at later episodes.

LITA (2022) - dropped PayuRain’s part at around episode 4 or 5; picked up again when PrapaiSky’s part started.

So, that’s it, that’s my wrap-up. I hope 2023 treats us better and allows us many many more good shows to devour! 

#my drama journal 📝 #not my drama review #not tagging any of the shows because too many of them #asian drama series #japan drama series #korean drama series #taiwan drama series #thai drama series #asian bl series #japan bl series #korean bl series #taiwan bl series #thai bl series #2022 asian drama series wrap up #2022 asian bl series wrap up #*i hope i use the correct tags #*might change later if found to be not too appropriate

[lewis-winters]

Hello! For the WIP ask game, THE OLD GUARD - 2 OLD 2 GUARD AU (curious about this since I remember (if my memory hasn’t failed me lmao) you posting a snippet or so about this au!)

Oh yes! I have written for The Old Guard AU before. You can find it here, for anybody interested! I also have a tag for it (#tog au). Anyway, this doc is a continuation of that + several notes about Nix and Dick's long, immortal life. I've shared about it before, and I'm a little stingy with it, since I do plan to post it in its entirety before the end of November, so I'm just gonna post an excerpt on Nix and Dick's weapon's of choice. Because in The Old Guard (movie and comic book), the story in which this AU is based in, the immortals all have distinct weapons that come from the time periods they were made immortal in. So I thought it'd be so badass (read: sexy) for Nix and Dick to also get their own distinct weapon.

Excerpt (from character sheets):

Lew's sword is a Mainz Gladius made of steel. Technically, it's not a sword he would have had, since it was used in the later half of the 1st century BC (namely 15BC) in the more Germanic region of central Europe instead of in 58-50BC Gaul, where Lew and Dick first meet. But it is the most sexy of the Roman gladiuses of the 1st century BC, and therefore it is the sword I gave Lewis. It is primarily a defensive stabbing sword, though it is thick enough to withstand slashing motions. Ideally, Lew would be using a long shield made of wood alongside it. But then again, ideally, he wouldn't be bringing a Roman gladius that's several centuries old to a firefight, either. Anyway. Because it's a short sword, it's a short range weapon, requiring him to get up-close and personal with the soldiers he attacks here.

Dick's sword is a Celtic Long Sword fashioned like the swords from the La Tène III period, with a thick blade, rounded tip, and sharp sides. Not for stabbing, like Lew's gladius, but for slashing and pummeling. It's a bit more long range, so Dick is graced with a little bit more distance between himself and his opponent than Lewis is. Again, it would be ideal if Dick used a shield alongside it (a rounder, wider one), but it's understandable why he can't be afforded the luxury of one at the moment.

It's also important to note that the sword he's using was originally made of Iron. And since he was a warrior of very high ranking (maybe even a king, if the name Lew chose for him to go by a few centuries later (Richard) is anything to go by), it might've been the best kind of iron Dick's celtic tribe had.

Although, it should be said that both Lew and Dick's weapons are a Ship of Theseus kinda deal now (like Andromache's battle axe in The Old Guard comics/movie). Obviously, the swords won't last as long as they do without upkeep, whether it be the shaft, the blade tip, the hilt, or so on and so forth. They've been through all kinds of artisans and black smiths, so when I say the sword is a centuries old, it's more likely just a few decades from its last major fixing. Dick's sword most likely has a steel blade by the time Canon era comes around, instead of the original Iron. But if you were to ask Lew and Dick, they'd say that these swords are still the original ones they used to first kill each other, way back when. Just like how Andromache's battle axe is still her mother's axe.

(Also also I just think that it would be real sexy if in the 21st century, their swords have now become black high-carbon steel blades. Same shape and weight, of course, but just. All black, with a stronger, more sleek looking hilt? It's just sexy. It's very very sexy.) ........... Much less believable, unfortunately, is the logistics of smuggling two swords into war with you while you're under the scrutiny of a military institution. I don't think they had the swords with them in Toccoa. They probably mailed it to a secure location in England first, upon learning that they were going to Europe, and then smuggled it in through their footlockers. Lew's gladius would've fit a footlocker just fine. Dick's long sword, though, would be in need of some maneuvering-- it could fit if it lay diagonally. Furthermore, Lew's sword could be easily excused as an extra long knife. He'd usually keep it on his dominant side, and unsheathe it using his dominant hand turned inwards. Very easily concealable. Dick, on the other hand, will have to carry it on his back, since it is a slashing sword instead of a stabbing one, so it would make sense that he'd use a position that will allow him to draw it upward, where the next move would then be to arc it down. Harder to excuse away. Why would a ww2 soldier be carrying a sword around? Not to mention how dangerous it would be if said sword or its scabbard got entangled with the strap of his rifle or the holster of his glock. But idk, Dick's so self-possessed I think he'd find a way around it. And I think, at this point in the war, the Easy men don't quite care or are too busy they won't have time to dig up the answers.

#ask #tag game #tog au #winnix #peep the inherent romanticism of keeping the sword you first killed your beloved with #'ditch the swords' 'no we can't we killed each other (thus jumpstarting our near immortal lives together) with these swords :(((' #estrella_marie

[opiniontrashcan]

Eurovision 2023

I had some trouble with this because I can find redeeming qualities in so many of the songs, but I had incredibly strong opinions on a lot of them that people didn’t seem to be addressing.

This got long, but I did start running out of steam by the end.

37. “Solo”-Blanka (Poland)

When I first heard this one, I thought, “Wow! This sounds like it would be a massive hit and even more massively overplayed! I hate it already!” My opinion hasn’t improved with subsequent listens, and finding out about the likely nepotism with the song getting selected in the first place didn’t help.

36. “D.G.T.”-Theodor Andrei (Romania)

This guys got great energy, but the song and staging are a mess. As he gets more experience/practice writing songs and performing he’ll probably be fantastic at it, but this song needed more work before getting sent to something like Eurovision.

35. “What They Say”-Victor Vernicos (Greece)

One that I found boring and unmemorable. Might’ve been able to find mild success on the radio, but not for this context. I appreciate having that voice when he’s sixteen, though.

34. “Due Vite”-Marcos Mengoni (Italy)

Basically the same as Greece. I remember noticing his voice was really nice, but the song wasn’t for me.

33. “Breaking My Heart”-Reiley (Denmark)

This is such an internet song. I can see how it could appeal to people, but all the vocal effects also make it difficult to translate to a live show and are something that I’m not a fan of.

32. “Like an Animal”-Piqued Jacks (San Marino)

I didn’t mind this when I first heard it. The group has a good energy and it felt a little goofy, but I ultimately didn’t remember it as much as I thought I would.

31. “Duje”-Albina & Familja Kelmendi (Albania)

I can’t decide if I like this one, so that probably means it isn’t for me, but the depiction of family struggle while still remaining a unit is relatable and not a concept very many songs address.

30. “Burning Daylight”-Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper (Netherlands)

I like it. It tugs at my emotions every time I hear it. I just keep forgetting it exists.

29. “Watergun”-Remo Forrer (Switzerland)

Nice voice. Nice message that feels super weird coming from a country famous for being neutral... just rubbed me wrong halfway through my first listen when I realised which country sent this.

28. “I Wrote a Song”-Mae Muller (UK)

It’s super catchy, but it’s not for me and the vocals in the live performance I saw really brought down my opinion of the song in general.

27. “Unicorn”-Noa Kirel (Israel)

Eh. It’s a pop song. Not the worst I’ve heard, but not interesting enough to hold my attention. I loved unicorns as a kid, though, and Noa is SUPER flexible.

26. “We Are One”-Wild Youth (Ireland)

Yes, it sounds like a 2000s song, but that’s the time period I have the most musical nostalgia for, so good luck trying to make me dislike it for that reason. The effect at the end of the music video where the singer pulls up his mask as the black screen rolls up was cool.

25. “Stay”-Monika Linkytė (Lithuania)

This one has only just begun to grow on me, so I’m not sure I’m ready to put it much higher, but it has a good feel to it.

24. “Tell Me More”-TuralTuranX (Azerbaijan)

This is the calmest entry of the year, which immediately makes it stand out. I definitely need the break when I’m listening to all the entries at once, but it doesn’t pull me in and hold me as much as a lot of others. I don’t necessarily think it’s the best song for Eurovision, but I still enjoyed it.

23. “Bridges”-Alika (Estonia)

She’s got a powerful voice and I thought I would like the song more, but it doesn’t build to anything like it sounds like it will. I hoped it would grow on me, but it didn’t.

22. “Promise”-Voyager (Australia)

This feels like one that would be much better live than in a video, which is probably why it won the first semi-final. Several other songs ended up grabbing my attention more, though.

21. “Tattoo”-Loreen (Sweden)

This is another powerful voice paired with a song that just doesn’t appeal to me. I remember getting bored with it fairly quickly the first time I listened to it. The staging was cool at first, but it started to feel very static as it went on. I’ve since been able to understand what people like about it, but it still leaves me a little lukewarm.

20. “Future Lover”-Brunette (Armenia)

There was some interesting camera work in the beginning of this one’s video and the second half slaps. I would’ve preferred if the first and second halves didn’t sound/feel so different, though.

19. “Break a Broken Heart”-Andrew Lambou (Cyprus)

He’s got a solid voice and it’s kinda catchy, even if it wouldn’t normally be my type of song.

18. “Power”-Diljá (Iceland)

Another solid voice with some catchy parts, and I like the message. This one has grown on me a lot. She’s also got a lot of energy while performing.

17. “Aijā”-Sudden Lights (Latvia)

This initially drew me in with the unique percussion at the beginning, and then I start getting Franz Ferdinand vibes, which I’m totally down for.

16. “Carpe Diem”-Joker Out (Slovenia)

Fun with lots of energy and one I might enjoy more seeing it in person, but middle of the pack with what I’ve seen.

15. “Samo Mi Se Spava”-Luke Black (Serbia)

I really like the video game concept this has going. That squat walk in the middle always makes me laugh.

14. “Eaea”-Blanca Paloma (Spain)

I go back and forth on whether this song is annoying or not but it does have it’s impressive parts and the staging is intriguing.

13. “Heart of Steel”-TVORCHI (Ukraine)

This one’s a jam and a different route than the other dance songs went this year. The screen effects were cool to watch.

12. “Because of You”-Gustaph (Belgium)

I love the 80s sound of this one. Everyone on stage looks like their having a good time, and that makes me have a good time with it.

11. “Dance (Our Own Party)”-The Busker (Malta)

I liked the saxophone and how relatable the song was. I would much rather be cuddled up at home with a blanket and a book than surrounded by a bunch of people I barely know.

10. “Blood and Glitter”-Lord of the Lost (Germany)

As a metal fan, this might be the funnest metal song I’ve heard and I’m here for it. The deadpan yelling “We’re so happy we could die” gets me every time.

9. "Echo”-Iru (Georgia)

I don’t care if the lyrics make no sense. Her voice makes it sound amazing and the music is there to back it up. I do not understand how “Solo” qualified for finals but not this.

8. “Mama ŠČ!”-Let3 (Croatia)

A fun song that also means something? Sign me up!

7. “Ai Coração”-Mimicat (Portugal)

Her energy and stage presence make me want to smile no matter what mood I’m in (and I’ll try to sing along even though I know exactly 0 Portuguese).

6. “Queen of Kings”-Alessandra (Norway)

I’ll preface this by saying that one of my absolute favourite bands is Within Temptation. Alessandra’s voice sounds like it would fit right in with that kind of band, and she pulls off those tough vocals well. The high energy of her performance is also great for a live performance.

5. “Soarele si Luna”-Pasha Parfeni (Moldova)

I’m not sure I’ve ever had this much fun with a song that was so folky. Going barefoot was such a nice detail (though come to think of if, all of the costumes were really on point for this song).

4. “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”-Teya and Salena (Austria)

I may never get this out of my head. The satire with a pop beat reminds me of Marina and the Diamonds and has made me realise that I do enjoy pop music if the lyrics actually have some substance to them. I can forgive the quirks in the live performance on this one because I just had that much fun with it (and they were first, which is always nerve wracking).

3. “My Sister’s Crown”-Vesna (Czechia)

Even though it’s sung in four languages and I only understand one of them, the message came through clearly and the whole song felt very empowering.

2. “Évidemment”-La Zarra (France)

This one grew on me a LOT. I’m a total sucker for dramatic lighting though, and she sounds good.

1. ”Cha Cha Cha”-Käärijä (Finland)

Käärijä‘s an amazing showman. It was performed well, and the decision to include a repetitive “Cha cha cha” that anyone can sing along with in a song in a language most people are unfamiliar with was a great choice. Lots of energy, lots of colour, lots of fun.

#eurovision #eurovision 2023 #esc 2023