#i had to zoom in a little too so that it kind of matched the framing of heathers gif

[hungermakesmonsters]

Catch Me If You Can

Chapter Eight

Plot summary : When your friend interviews for a position at Anvil, you have a chance encounter with Billy Russo. He takes you for coffee and, by the time you’re done, Billy decides he’s anything but done with you.

Pairing : Billy Russo x Reader

Story Rating : R 

Chapter Rating : PGish

Warnings : [This is a fic for 18+ only, minors DNI] Reader is kind of mean to Billy. Random guy gets grope-y and doesn't want to take no for an answer. There's a little bit of violence. And reader has far too much to drink. Please check the warnings on each chapter if you choose to follow this story. 

Word Count : ~4.3k

A/N : This follows on directly from the last part! Thanks to everyone still following this and for all the likes, comments and reblogs, y'all are awesome!!

CHAPTER ONE | CHAPTER TWO | CHAPTER THREE | CHAPTER FOUR | CHAPTER FIVE | CHAPTER SIX | CHAPTER SEVEN

Chapter Eight

The club was packed, the dance floor a sea of bodies in costumes and faces in masks. You regretted deciding to go the moment you saw how full it was, but Tammy had hold of your wrist, leading you towards the bar. It was your round and, suddenly, you were very glad of the two hundred dollars Billy had tipped you for his bogus delivery. Eventually you all ended up at a table, more shots were put in front of you and, honestly, you couldn’t remember the last time you’d had so much to drink

Michelle and her friend made a point of loudly letting everyone (you) know when Billy arrived. The newer Anvil recruits seemed just as uncomfortable as you at his presence and you made a point of heading to the bar before he reached your table, escaping his notice, but you found yourself glancing over your shoulder, drinking in the sight of him in one of his dark suits, matched with a red shirt, and a devil mask that covered half his face. At least he’d be easy to avoid, looking like that.

You stayed at the bar, slowly making your way through a couple of drinks, doing everything you could not to look back. And, for a time, that worked out perfectly.

Until it didn’t

You felt him behind you, standing too close, towering over you. A shiver ran up your spine as he placed his hand on the bar next to yours, so close that his thumb was almost pressed against your pinkie. The seconds ticked by; you didn’t speak and he didn’t move. You were the first to break, glancing over your shoulder, finding his dark eyes beneath the devil mask. He didn’t smile that playful smile, didn’t look happy that you’d finally decided to pay attention to him; his jaw was clenched and he just seemed lost.

Unfortunately for him, you’d had enough to drink to loosen your tongue.

“Did you tell Michelle that she’s a rebound?” Not caring about the jealousy and anger in your voice.

“I’m not here with Michelle.” 

“Not what I heard,” you answered back and watched as his shoulder twitched in annoyance, “tonight’s the night she finally gets you into bed.”

“I’m not fucking Michelle - tonight or any other night.” Barely managing to hold back his irritation, but you couldn’t tell if it was aimed at you or her.

“No, that’s right - you can’t fuck anyone, can you?” A laugh bubbled up and you hated how cruel you felt the moment it left your lips.

“You know why I’m here.”

“Yeah because she sent you a thirst trap and you were thirsty enough to fall for it. Don’t act like this has anything to do with me.”

Billy didn’t answer, he just reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, opening the picture Michelle had sent, zooming in on the background; it was you, talking to Tammy. He’d come to the club for you, to stop you taking anyone home, just like he said he would.

“So you’re stalking me now?” You demanded but the only answer he gave was a shrug. “I tried to give you the benefit of the doubt, but your ex was right about you; you’re a fucking psycho, Billy.”

It was enough to draw a reaction from him, one that you weren’t expecting. There was a visceral flicker of pain across his face, followed by something that almost looked like fear. He looked away from you and your stomach dropped, remembering what Karen and Frank had told you about his relationship with Krista. It felt like you’d genuinely hurt him, like you’d finally managed to strike a nerve.

“You spoke to Krista.” It wasn’t a question, wasn’t even a demand, he just sounded resigned.

“She spoke to me,” you explained, not wanting him to think you’d gone looking for dirt on him.

“When?”

“At the gala. Why? What does it matter?”

“And she told you - what? - that I’m a psychopath, that I can’t feel real emotions? Did she tell you I’m dangerous? That I hurt people?” There was pain in his voice, the kind you hadn’t meant to cause, his composure seeming to break a little more as his shoulder ticked again. “She told you all that but you still went home with me?”

“I didn’t believe her -”

“But you do now?” He didn’t let you finish. “You think I’d hurt you? That I’m capable of hurting you?” He was standing close enough that you heard his breath catch over the thrum of the music, and saw his chest shudder, like he couldn’t breathe. His hand twitched on the bar, inadvertently grazing yours as he pulled it back.

Before you could think of an answer, or say anything at all, he was turning away from you and disappearing into the crowd. You’d managed to get rid of him, but the cost felt far too high.

The next few hours passed in a blur of tequila shots and increasingly sloppy dancing with Tammy and her friends. From time to time, you caught sight of him through the crowd, Michelle permanently attached to his side, putting her hands on him at any chance she got, but every time you looked his way, it was you that held his attention. 

You kept drinking, trying to wash away the sickening feeling in your stomach, the part of you that regretted what you’d said to Billy - you’d wanted him to leave you alone, you hadn’t wanted to hurt him. And it had been low bringing Krista into it. But, the more you drank, the harder it became to really focus on any of that. You just wanted to dance, but none of the Anvil guys seemed to want to dance with you or pay you any attention, and you didn’t know if it was because of Billy or just because of you. 

With your self-esteem in the toilet, you went looking for validation elsewhere, and it wasn’t long before you found yourself a dance partner (though you really should have realised he was bad news purely because he was dressed as Jared Leto’s Joker).

You danced for a couple of songs before everything started to go wrong.

His hand found your hip, low enough that his fingers could slip into the gaps in your fishnets. You tensed, but you didn’t pull away. If he noticed your discomfort, it didn’t stop him from putting his hand on your other hip, his fingertips roughly pressing into your skin. You danced like that for another song before he got a little bolder, letting one of his hands grab your ass and pull you closer, grinding his body against yours. You managed to squirm out of his grip, hoping he’d take the hint.

He didn’t.

“C’mon, babe, don’t tease. You’re gettin’ me hard.” He smirked, pulling you close again, grinding against you. You tried to push him away, hands on his chest, trying to struggle out of his hold. Instead of letting you go, he leaned in to kiss you. You felt his lips brush yours before -

Suddenly he was gone, pulled away from you, and someone was standing between you and him. Billy. 

“What the fuck?” He threw a clumsy fist Billy's way, but Billy was too fast (and sober). Billy stepped aside, catching him by the collar, holding him in place as he threw a punch of his own. Even over the music you heard the sickening thud of Billy's fist connecting with his face. Blood started to pour from his nose, but Billy didn't stop, hitting him again and again.

He didn't stop until a couple of the Anvil guys pulled him off, one of them telling the bloodied guy to walk away.

By the time Billy thought to turn back to you, you were already heading for the door, not even bothering to stop to get your jacket. He followed after, forcing his way through the crowd and calling out your name, discarding the stupid devil mask as he went. You didn’t stop, didn’t even turn; you just wanted to get out of there.

You were fighting back tears by the time you made it outside and into the pouring rain. It didn’t take long for Billy to catch up, lightly grabbing your wrist so you’d at least turn to look at him.

“Leave me alone, Billy.”

“Are you okay?” He asked, letting you pull away from his grip.

“What do you think?” You half-snapped, half-sobbed. “Are you happy now?”

“Why would I be happy?” He was confused, hurt by the implication.

“You were right; I can’t do this.”

“Oh, sweetheart, I didn’t want to be right like this.” He replied softly. Too softly. The care and tenderness in his voice were just too much to process.

You shook your head and turned to keep walking, and Billy started after you. For a few steps you tried to ignore it, hoping he’d get bored or decide it wasn’t worth getting soaked to the bone. Of course, he didn’t.

“Stop following me, Billy.” 

“I just want to make sure you get in a taxi and make it safely to your front door,” which, to you, made it sound like he wanted to follow you all the way home.

“I’m not getting a taxi.” You kept walking, trying to ignore the rain and the cold. Billy fell a few steps behind before realising just what you were doing.

“You’re gonna walk home in the pissing down rain just to prove a point?” He called after you, still following.

“Yeah, Billy. The point is that I’m not going to fuck you.” You snapped back, almost losing your footing as you glanced back at him.

“I get it, you don’t want me, you’ve made that painfully fucking clear.” And you really could hear that pain in his voice.

“Then why are you still following me?”

“‘cause this is a scary neighbourhood and I don’t think a good looking guy like me would make it to the end of the block on his own?” You didn’t want to laugh at his stupid joke, and you did your best to stifle it, but it hurt. You didn’t want to laugh with him, didn’t want to think about the sweet and playful guy you went for coffee with all those weeks ago, it just made walking away from him harder. 

Billy kept following as you crossed the street, watching as you shivered and tried to push your wet hair from your eyes. He stayed silent, giving you space and waiting for you to speak again. And, of course, a few minutes later, you did.

“Why did you have to ruin it?” You asked, stopping beneath a flickering street light and turning to face him. He was drenched just like you, but it didn’t seem to bother him; perks of being an ex-Marine, you supposed. “We had a perfect night, why couldn’t you just let me keep that?”

“Because I don’t want a perfect night with you, I want every night; the perfect ones and the bad ones.”

“Don’t you realise how insane that sounds? You hardly know me, Billy.”

“I know enough. I know how I feel whenever I’m around you.”

“And how’s that?” You rolled your eyes.

“Happy,” he answered uncomfortably, like he didn’t want to admit it. “I feel like I can just be myself with you, and you’ve got no idea how difficult that is for me..."

“Why would that be hard for you?”

“Seriously?” You didn’t say anything. “You’ve seen Michelle, right? You’ve seen how she is with me?”

“Yeah, she wants to fuck you, like pretty much every other woman above the age of consent in New York...” You rolled your eyes, oblivious to the point he was trying to make.

“And you think any of them would give a shit if I didn’t have money, or if I didn’t look like this?” Again, you didn’t say anything, finally starting to understand what Billy was trying to say. “Every time someone like Michelle wants to talk to me, it’s to get something. I spent my whole childhood trying to get anyone to care about me, and now people just see me for what I am, not who I am, but not you...”

The vulnerability in his voice, written all over his face, was enough to soften your expression.

“Don’t,” he told you softly, “don’t you dare pity me.”

You stayed silent, letting your eyes linger for a moment more before continuing your miserable walk in the rain. It felt strange to suddenly have a new perspective on everything, on Billy. It hadn’t crossed your mind how it must feel to have people only interested in his status and looks - honestly, with the way he acted sometimes, you’d just assumed that Billy was perfectly happy with it.

Soaked to the bone and freezing cold, you pulled your arms across your chest, shivering and regretting your childish decision to walk home. Before you knew it, Billy was at your side, draping his jacket over your shoulders, it was wet through, but it helped block the cold wind.

“Billy -”

“I don’t want you freezing to death out here.”

You didn’t argue, you already knew that it would be pointless to try. He kept walking like the cold and rain didn’t bother him, like the only one being punished on this slow walk home was you. And, by the time you reached your street, you were close to tears again, the wind was biting and you felt like a child for putting Billy through it.

Once you were finally outside your building, you turned to face him. There were roughly a thousand and one things you wanted to say to him, and only about half of them were nice. You were still angry, still frustrated beyond belief that he wouldn’t just let you go, but having heard him out, you couldn’t help but think you had to take some of the blame; you’d let things get out of hand because you’d enjoyed your time with him and, in doing so, you’d given him reason to hope for something you couldn’t give him.

A heavy sigh slipped out.

“I’m home. You can go now, Billy.”

“I said I was going to make sure you made it to your front door.”

“I’m not gonna change my mind between now and the third floor.”

It was his turn to sigh. “I’m not expecting you to. I just need to know that you’re home safe.”

“And then you’ll give up and leave me alone?” 

“I didn’t say that.”

Again - again, you knew that there was no point fighting him, that he’d follow you up regardless of what you had to say. So, you pulled his jacket tighter around your shoulders and made your way inside, taking the stairs at an awkward pace, almost stumbling a couple of times (probably why Billy had wanted to make sure you actually made it to your front door, because the walk in the scold had done little to help you sober up). And, by the time you reached your door, you felt worse than ever.

Under the flickering hallway light, you could finally see him, see the state he was in; soaked to the bone, hair dripping, shirt clinging to his body. And it was your fault - of course he wasn’t going to let you walk the New York streets on your own at two in the morning. And you could have changed your mind at any time and ordered an Uber, but you hadn’t because you’d wanted to put him through that.

As if you hadn’t already put him through enough.

“Can I get my jacket back?” He asked, breaking a silence that you had allowed to linger a touch too long.

“Why did you have to do this, Billy?” Still clinging to his jacket, knowing that he couldn’t leave without it.

“Which part?” He asked, like he thought everything that he’d done had been perfectly reasonable.

“Any of it.” Because you weren’t sure why he was fighting so hard to keep you. No one had ever fought to keep you before.

“You flinched - every time that prick put his hands on you, you flinched. And it made me so fucking angry that anyone could touch you in a way that made you uncomfortable.” His voice turned low, barely masking his anger, but it wasn’t directed at you. “He didn’t even notice - what d’you think he would have done if you’d gone home with him, if you’d asked him to stop?”

You didn’t have an answer for that. All you could think about was how Billy had always stopped when you asked, how he’d noticed every little flicker of discomfort - how he’d noticed your discomfort even when he wasn’t the one causing it.

“I don’t care what you think about me, I’d never let anyone hurt you.” He didn’t have to go on because you were sure his reasons for following you home were exactly the same. “And I - I know I hurt you earlier, and I’m so fucking sorry, but seeing him grabbing you like that...”

He didn’t have to finish the thought. And you were glad that he didn’t. The rage in his voice said more than words ever could.

It was then, when your gaze dropped to your feet, that you noticed the puddles you were both making on the tiled floor. Billy was drenched and probably cold - would he even be able to get a taxi in that state? His penthouse was so far away, and -

“Do you want to come in?” You asked in little more than mumble. “Just - just to dry off a little?”

“Are you sure?”

“Just to get dry, nothing else, I’m not going to fu-”

“I wouldn’t even if you threw yourself at me.” He interrupted. It stung to hear, though you weren’t sure why; you’d just spent the last twenty minutes telling him to leave you alone. His hand on your cheek urged you to look up so he could see you. “Only because you’re drunk  and I’d never take advantage of you,” he explained, a ghost of a smile on his lips, “you’re never going to regret a night that you spend with me.

“Why do you have to say things like that?” You practically whined, hating that he was suddenly being the perfect gentleman despite every shitty thing you’d said to him in the last twenty-four hours.

“I’m not gonna make it easy for you to get over me,” he shrugged.

Turning, you fumbled with your keys, missing the lock a couple of times before Billy took over. He unlocked the door and let you into your dark apartment. Obviously Tammy hadn’t come home yet. Finding the light switch took more effort than you would have liked and you were pretty sure Billy was trying to keep himself from laughing, especially when you almost fell over pulling your boots off. But, all the while, he stood behind you, ready to catch you if you fell.

“Go sit down,” you told him, waving towards the den before heading off to the bathroom to grab some towels, not even noticing that you still had his jacket pulled tightly around you.

Catching sight of yourself in the mirror, you realised just how bad you looked; hair dripping, eyes red, and make-up running down your face. (If that hadn’t been enough to scare Billy off, what would be?) You spent a moment at the sink, trying to clean yourself up a little, scrubbing away the make-up with enough force to leave your skin feeling raw, before towel drying your hair. 

There was no noise in the apartment and you almost dared to hope that Billy had let himself out but, when you finally left the bathroom, a towel in hand, you found him in the den, sitting on the edge of the coffee table. He gave you a smile as you edged closer, holding out a hand like he was expecting you to offer him the towel. But you didn’t - that had been the plan, to let him dry himself off so he could leave - instead you stopped in front of him, standing far closer than you knew you should.

Billy didn’t say anything, he didn’t even move. Looking down you noticed the way he was gripping the edge of the table at his sides, holding tight, obviously not trusting himself not to reach for you. 

Even though you knew he was still fighting for you, he was respecting your boundaries.

Slowly, you pressed the towel to one side of his face, then the other, before towelling his hair. His eyes stayed on yours, letting you do what you wanted. Your attention moved to his neck, one hand drying his skin with the towel while the other slowly started to undo his shirt. Little by little you exposed his torso, running the towel across his chest and stomach, while you pushed the shirt off his shoulders. And Billy let you, he went along with everything until your fingers found his belt.

He took hold of your hand gently before standing slowly. When he reached for you, your breath caught and, despite every time you’d said no to him, you found yourself thinking yes. But Billy didn’t kiss you, didn’t even pull you into his arms. No, he gently pulled his wet jacket from around your shoulders and dropped it onto the table.

“You should get out of those wet clothes,” he told you softly and, despite the tenderness in his tone, it felt like a rejection. 

“Right,” you huffed, letting the towel drop from your hand. You weren’t even sure why you were upset - or what you’d even been planning to do when you got his pants off. As much as you’d been trying to convince him that you didn’t want him, some part of you obviously did.

You turned from him, but instead of heading towards your bedroom you made a beeline towards the kitchen.

“What are you doing?” He asked, getting to his feet and following after.

You didn’t need to answer, it became more than obvious once you’d fished a bottle of Jack Daniels from a cupboard and found yourself a mug. Billy let out a sigh, obviously biting back what he wanted to say; haven’t you had enough? For a second you just looked at him, expectant, but when it didn’t come, you decided to pour him a drink too (managing to splash the counter in the process).

Billy looked at the mug; a bright pink thing with the words Queen Bitch painted on in silver glitter. The corners of his lips turned up at the ridiculousness of it, eyes then rolling when he noticed that yours similarly was painted silver with the words Ray of Fucking Sunshine in gold.

When you took a drink, he did too. He let the silence linger for a few long moments, waiting to see if you had anything to say, but you were waiting for him to speak first.

“What are we doing?” 

“Drinking.” You answered, taking another sip from your mug and grimacing at the taste.

“Why?” 

“Because what else are we going to do?” You offered. Billy held up his hand in a confused half-shrug, needing you to be  more specific. “You’re half naked in my apartment but you don’t want to fuck me, so what else are we supposed to do?”

Even though you were being completely serious, Billy started to laugh but it wasn’t that playful that you’d come to enjoy pulling from him, it was something far darker. Still, you glared at him, silently demanding that he explained himself.

“There hasn’t been a single moment where I haven’t wanted to fuck you, sweetheart,” there was that sharp, barely restrained tone in his voice again. He placed his mug down and stepped towards you, your head tilting back the closer he got to keep your eyes on his. “You’ve got no idea the things I want to do to you - the things I will do to you once you admit that you’re mine.”

“I’m not yours,” you answered breathlessly, not sure which of you you were really trying to convince.

He reached for you and you let him, his hand finding your cheek and, despite your verbal protests, you leaned into the touch, letting your eyes fall shut for a few sweet seconds. You didn’t open them until Billy spoke again.

“I want you in the worst ways, I’m out of control when I’m with you, but I can’t stay away. I’m bad news, just like Krista said, and you’re right to try and tell me no. But, eventually, you’re gonna give in and then I’ll show you exactly how much I want you.” It felt like he was barely holding back again and you shivered. “Once you’re mine, I’m gonna ruin you.”

You struggled to swallow down the lump that had stuck itself in your throat, heart pounding in your chest, again struck by the notion that Billy was dangerous. But you still didn’t pull away, the heat of his palm on your cheek stoked a heat between your thighs and, although he’d already said no, you wanted him. Dangerous or not, some part of you still knew that Billy would never hurt you.

“I’m not yours,” you said again, lifting the mug to your lips and draining the rest of the Jack Daniels.

“Not yet,” he answered back.

“Maybe I’m the one who’s dangerous, maybe I’ll ruin you. You don’t know me, you don’t know what I’ve done. You think you want me but if you knew…” The mug was placed on the side and you made to move, half-thinking about throwing yourself at Billy, and half-wanting to grab his discarded drink, instead the floor seemed to shift and you fell forward. Billy caught you, holding you tight against his chest.

“Okay, time for bed, sweetheart.” And you were in no state to argue with him as he scooped you up into his arms.

CHAPTER NINE

END NOTES : I don't really have much to say about this one. I just enjoy the angst. Next chapter will take place more or less directly after this one, and we're finally going to learn a little bit more about reader (though please check the warnings on the next one because there's a few things that will probably come up that are potentially triggering). And, as always thank you so much for engaging with this story, I'm speechless how many followers I've gotten and the fact that the first chapter of this story now has over 100 notes!

Thanks for reading!!

TAG LIST

@lincerad @sweetserendipity65 @rafaelakelley @slayerofthevampire @rensolodriver @lovelydoveval @doloreschanal @uncontainedsmiles @damagelove

#billy russo #billy russo x reader #billy russo x female reader #billy russo fanfic #the punisher #cmiyc ff

[venusjaynie]

harry styles social media au!

harry styles x fem!horan!reader

summary: fans have speculated for years that harry has some kind of secret relationship with niall horan's little sister that he hasn't disclosed to the public. little do they know...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

yourinstagram

Liked by harrystyles, niallhoran, annetwist and others.

yourinstagram: i couldn't want you anymore :)

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hellolovers: HARRY WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE

↳ slayrry: STOP WHY IS ANNE HERE TOO

harrystyles

Liked by yourinstagram, harryscherries, lloyddddddddddddddddd and others.

harrystyles: Kiss in the kitchen like it's a dance floor. 🤍

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yourinstagram: nice kitchen x

↳ harrystyles: it's not mine ;)

harriesberries: THERES NO WAY

↳ harryscherries: THE MATCHING LYRICS?? HELLO??

↳ hellolovers: surely it's @yourinstagrams kitchen

↳ harriesberries: it HAS to be

yourinstagram

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yourinstagram: shit quality, perfect right angle.

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harrystyles: I thought you had a better view than this? Why is it so zoomed in?

↳ yourinstagram: one of your doting fans sent me this and i zoomed it in even further :)

stylan: im sorry why is she so funny

↳ harriesberries: have we decided that their couple name is stylan??

↳ stylan: absolutely.

niallhoran: Did you measure the angle with a protractor?

↳ yourinstagram: of course i did

harriesberries

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harriesberries: harry leaving rumoured girlfriend @/yourinstagram's (supposed) LA apartment building yesterday!

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harryupdates: stop i love them sm

slayrry: guys i get that we want them to be together and stuff but maybe we shouldnt repost pap pics? we should probs just leave their relationship be and let them go about telling people.

↳ hslotupdates: i agree

harrystyles

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harrystyles: Love on Tour. Hamburg, Germany.

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yourinstagram: best. show. ever.

↳ harrystyles: I'm glad you were there :)

harriesberries: SURELY NOT

↳ harrysharries: I LOVE THEM SO MUCH

annetwist: Loved every minute of the show Harry! ❤️

↳ yourinstagram: so glad you flew out with me anne 🫶🫶

↳ harriesberries: HUH

yourinstagram

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yourinstagram: in my lover era xx

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harrystyles: Love you

↳ yourinstagram: hi lover 🩷

gemmastyles: cuties

liked by yourinstagram

ynhorannnn: i love them so much it hurts.

↳ harriesberries: real.

harrystyles

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harrystyles: I hear the cool kids call this a soft launch.

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yourinstagram: imagine getting princess treatment like that. that is one lucky girl!

↳ harrystyles: She really is. Good thing I literally live to give her the princess treatment she deserves.

niallhoran: You'll be getting the "what are your intentions" talk this Christmas, Mr Styles.

↳ yourinstagram: niall stop embarrassing me 😭

↳ nialhoran: it's my job kid.

↳ hellolovers: best. sibling. duo. ever.

yourinstagram

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yourinstagram: pls go buy some pleasing merch so harry can buy me a big fat engagement ring (im kidding i promise. you should buy pleasing stuff cause it's actually really cute (like my boyfriend))

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harrystyles: Maybe I've already bought that "big fat engagement ring"

↳ yourinstagram: WHAT THE FUCK STOP IT NOW

↳ harriesberries: STOP SHUT THE FUCK UP WHAT THE ANBIFDDJERIGFBHEWNFOSHFVGUDRBNGL

↳ stylan: REAL WHAT THE HELL OH MY

ynfan2004: yn says buy pleasing so im gonna go buy some pleasing

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harrystyles

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harrystyles: Back at it ;)

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yourinstagram: woahhhh who's this cutie patootie infront of me

↳ harrystyles: You sure you aren't looking in a mirror?

↳ yourinstagram: stop making me blush mr styles

↳ harrystyles: No can do Mrs (soon-to-be) Styles

↳ yourinstagram: you're sounding awfully confident there sweetheart

↳ harriesberries: it feels like im reading their texts

#harry styles x y/n #harry styles fic #harry styles x you #niall horan #harry styles #harry styles hslot #hslot #instagram au #harry styles instagram au #jayne writes

[popcornforone]

Drenched

A Mr Ben Fan Fic

I need help. I am always in a Dave York pit, however I am really really really feeling Mr Ben at the moment. I had no intention to write this at all. I have so many in draft that I wanted to get done but on November 6 an idea came into my head & I then spent nearly 2hours starting. I have no idea when you will read this but I really like what I’ve written here.

Synopsis:- your car is being repaired, & your on your way to college in a storm. Circumstances beyond your control, lead you to the best kind of lazy day to snuggle in doors.

Word Count: 4100

Warnings: DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE UNDER 18! PIV sex. Established relationship. Swearing, angst, teasing, fingering. Mentions of oral & previous sexual encounters. Dirty talk. Innuendo & things implied. Cream Pie, tasting, mentioned or sex in a public place, talk of gagging.

Thanks as always for the read peoples it’s really appreciated. All feed back is welcome. Enjoy

5 days the garage said. 5 days & your car would be back. 5 days & it would be repaired from the rival men’s hockey team taking it out on the nearest car possible when they lost, which just happened to be yours. You didn’t know until right at the end of the match as you were doing the college radio commentary for the game. The college said they would pay for all your repairs & 3 of the rival team have now been kicked off their scholarships. That makes you feel a little bit better but not right now.

It’s now been 8 days since they said 5 & it’s properly fall. It’s dropped in temperature. It’s raining & the bus stop is 10min Walk from your apartment to get to the campus. You’re there as a mature student. Getting your masters studying 2 days a week while you work the other 3 in your job. This will leas to a promotion though, your work have said that. That’s why you were working & commentating on the hockey game. You’re lined up to be the next big sports reporter on tv. NFL Super Bowl anchor one day has even been mentioned by some people in the industry that know what they are taking about. You blushed when you heard this. Your potential is already being recognised.

You waited as long as you could for the rain to slow down before you take the most sheltered walk to the bus stop. No amount of clothes & layers & waterproofs will protect you. You have a change of clothes in your bag. You stride over puddles & avoid the splash points walking under as many shelters as you can. But then it happens. The bus you are meant to catch is early & your still 2mins away from your stop so you start to run, knowing if no one is at your stop you will be late or will need to call an Uber. That would be have been the sensible thing to do to start with. You’re good at jogging but not in the rain so you start to gather momentum. But in Your haist, you’ve neglected where your feet are going on the path.

Splash!

The bus hits the deep puddle in the road right next to you. Drenching you in seconds making you stop in your tracks.

“Fuck!” You shout as the bus keeps going, spray flying into the air covering any other crazy person who’s out in this rain & because no one is waiting doesn’t stop at your stop. It just keeps going.

“Oooh for fuck…” but your expletive is stopped by the lorry that then also hits the puddle & covers you. It uses its horn too.

“FUCK YOU!” You scream as you trudge your sodden mess of a being into the bus stop & sit down for a few seconds. Your shivering, hands are shaking. You could just turn around & go home & do this on zoom but you’re resilient & you’ve got to where you are in life because of this. However this weather, the splashing & the bus have made you think today is not your day. Everyone can have bad days & you feel your bottoms lip quiver.

Beep beep! A horn goes off, you don’t pay attention to it probably some jerk mocking you. BEEP!!!

“Urgh” you go & look up to moan & be all grumpy & moody but then you stand there in shock. A friendly face in a blue Ford is waving at you. It starts off your own water works & you as you cry, rush & leap into the back seat of the car. This is no strangers car. You quickly shut the door & let the emotions take hold. A warm friendly hand from the drivers seat leans into you from the front.

“You’re soaked” he says “didn’t I tell…” but his voice trails off when he sees you’re crying. “Hey hey hey.” He turns the engine off & puts his hazards on so no one hits his car & his face turns to face you. Bens face no matter what, is always reassuring & soft. “It’s okay I’m here, you’re safe, okay you look like a drowned rat but…” you sadly pout at him. “Sorry trying to make you smile” Ben smirks. “It’s better you laugh then cry” that perks you up slightly & your lips almost smile at him as you grab the towel he has on the back seat for when the travels with his cat to wipe you down slightly. It doesn’t bother you if you’re now covered in cat hair.

“You like my little smile Ben”

“Hey what can I say, I’m a romantic who likes the small things in life” the way his hand feels against your cheek has you blushing & feeling rather warm.

“Thank you though Ben, this is…”

“You still should have called me this morning, I’d have gone out my way to pick you up” knowing your calmer Ben turns back around & turns the engine on & take the two of you to the college.

When you arrive at college you you look at your phone to see a notification pop up.

“Typical arghhhh” you growl, as Ben parks his car in a teachers spot.

“What’s up now?” He says sarcastically as he does his coat up.

“I was rushing in for a writing lecture with Professor Steven’s but his own kids school is shut due to flooding, so he’s not going to be in today. I got drenched for nothing” Ben turns to face you & sees the frustration in your eyes.

“Hey, just remember what we said the other week” you roll your eyes at him & say in unison mocking him in his teachers voice “everything happens for a reason”

“Yea I know Ben but still. My next lecture today isn’t until 1pm. I’ve made this journey for no reason.” Ben shakes his head at your negative attitude.

“You’re as moody as the weather today you know that” you raise an eyebrow at him & sigh.

“It’s not my fault Mr Ben” you snap back, frustrated with life. He knows you’re in a mood when you call him that. He much prefers it when you call him your handsome professor. You were introduced at the writing meet up at the start of term. A few flirty words, became a coffee, then dinner & a movie, & have now become a relationship. Spending alternate weekends at each others apartments. The way he makes you cum you’ve never experienced before. His hands are masterful on your clit. Because you’re a mature student it’s not frowned upon, & he doesn’t teach you. He’s not breaking any rules. You could have easily had met it at a bar one day. But maybe the way you shout ”ooh professor teach me about kinky sex” shouldn’t really go into the college open guide for prospective new students. Especially as Mr Ben like to gag you & you send nudes to each other each night. A few 3am hook ups have happened when things have got out of hand on face time. He’s often the one rushing to yours to pleasure you until you both sleep through your alarms the next morning. That happened 2 weeks ago.

Ben doesn’t say a word & gets out the car & slams the door making you jump. Your lips quivering in sadness again, as you try to hold everything in. Today really isn’t your day is it. Your door suddenly flings open & he grabs you by the arm pulling you out the car. The rain still pouring, thunder happening a little way off on this miserable day. He shuts the door behind you & pushes you against the car, before his lips find yours. The movies always make this so romantic. & as much as this does perk you up a little, you’re still moody. Bens kisses can almost solve all of the worlds problems. He moans as his tongue finds your tonsils. You can’t deny that this is fucking sexy. He locks the car & then drags you into the college.

“Come on baby” the main hall is slippery & he holding onto you in your sodden state, walks you both through all the students & up to the 2nd floor to his office. It’s not a secret that Professors Ben isn’t single anymore but some people are shocked when they see it’s you he’s protecting & adoring.

Bens office isn’t one he has to share with anyone. Being head of English he gets one with a small bathroom to himself. He throws you in there.

“There’s towels in my gym bag & a big enough sink for you to soak some of your clothes” & he shuts the door & wanders off. He’s also locked it. Is he punishing you for being in a mood & not getting out of the gloom? No Bens to sweet for for that. He knows you need a good cry & to let it all out. He stand by the door as he hears you sob a little before you head to the bathroom. It breaks his heart a little but you needed this moment. You need a good cry after the morning but as soon as you’re out of your wet clothes your attitude improves straight away.

You don’t even realise when you come out the bathroom in your leggins, dress & college hoodie that Ben has returned & is sitting at his desk on his laptop. On the table is a bacon sandwich & a big cup of tea for you, as he looks at his laptop. You perch on the end of his desk & smile at him.

“Thank you”

“For what”

“For being you, for being mine, for letting me be moody”

“You’re welcome I guess” he pokes his glasses further up his nose & smirks. “You always said if I can’t handle you at your worse I don’t deserve you” his big brown eyes dazzle back at you.

“That’s not me at my worse” you say as you bite into the warm toast & bacon.

“Well you’re moodiest then…?” He sees the smile on your face as he teases you. “There it is, that famous smile, the smile that everyone wants to see but only I get to” he stands up & takes a bite out of your sandwich.

“Ben!”

“What?” he says mouth full trying not to laugh “I paid for it, what you gonna do about it?” You then lick your lips before you kiss him & bite his. “Keep doing that & I won’t do any teaching today” he smirks before he softly kisses you back.

“Well maybe that’s what I want, I mean after all my handsome professor did save me from getting wet” you sip your tea, slurping which has Bens heart rate accelerate.

“That i did” Ben puts the bacon sandwich down & his hand trail up from your knees to your thighs, your leggings are thin it’s almost like he’s stroking your skin. “But i…” he then stops thinking it’s too smutty.

“Finish it Ben” you fully uncross & spread your legs & he pulls you so his hardening groin rubs against your pussy. Both still completely clothed. Ben chuckles & then say the words.

“… I think I can make sure you’re not just wet but drenched & soaked.” His hand starts to stroke your entrance, knowing the feel of your panties & legging will cause friction against your clit. Your roll your head back & sigh in pleasure.

“Ooh professor” you moan.

“You like that baby”

“Fuck yes”

“Do you want me?”

“Ooh Ben yes,” your breath is hitched.

“Want your professor to teach you to be nice when people do you a favour? Want your professor to fuck you in his office again?” You both usually have no lessons after lunch on a Thursday & Ben will always use that for his ‘special tutor session’ well that’s what it say in his diary. You’ve been walked in on once since these meet ups started at college. A department assistant needed a book & just walked in while you were sitting in bens chair in just his dark blue shirt, as he licked your pussy dry. Safe to say from that day on Ben has double locked the door on Thursdays.

“Yea Ben, please me Ben” your hand is on his belt undoing it when the room plunged into darkness.

“Ahhhh” you screech” is this a game Ben?” Your body trembles.

“Nope I’m not that clever enough to do that.” He replys & he pulls you in close to him. Lightning lights up the room from his window before the emergency lighting comes on & the college tannoy announce system starts.

‘Due to the incoming storm, unless it is unsafe for you to do so, lessons are cancelled for today. This is a message for all staff & students to leave as safety as you can, if you can’t leave the cafeteria on the first floor will be serving free food & drink all day’

You look at Ben & his hand cups your face.

“Can I have a lift home baby?” You ask & do your innocent eyes at him. Eyelashes fluttering.

“See is it so hard to ask for a bit of help”

“Well no, you’re right there, but I have alternative motives” you say as you pack your damp clothes into a carrier bag after ringing them out of the sink.

“Do you now?” He raises an eye brown as he put his stuff in his bag & put his coat back on.

“I do, you see as much as a lesson in your office is good, I know my bed is much more comfortable for a more personal lesson”

“What make you think I don’t have work to do & that I don’t want to go home to my cat Mr Collins?” He asks.

“Seriously?” You slump a little as you were not looking at his face & then see the sarcastic look on it. “Fuck you Ben” you zip your coat up & pout.

“Ooh you will in about 25minutes.” He says & he rubs his nose against yours before he ushers you out of his office to lock it up. Those work trouser always make his bum look nice & plump as he bends over to grab his bag that he put on the floor as he locked the office.

You rush into your apartment to avoid the increasing resilient rain & shut the door behind Ben & go & turn the heating on but it’s as you feared. The whole block has no power. Bens phone then pings.

“Yea my building has no power too, so it’s not like we can head there either” he says as he hangs his coat up.

“Well we best go get warm some other way shouldn’t we” you take his hand & walk him to your bedroom. “Unless you really do want to go home”

“& miss an afternoon of sex with you… fuck no” he’s kicking off his shoes as he walks along to your bedroom. Once in your bedroom , you light a few candles on your dresser for a little bit of light & Ben scoffs. “Thought I was the romantic one”

“I have my moments baby” you reply as you walk over to him & start unbuttoning his shirt. “& right now I want you to teach me how to be a romantic lover”

“Oooh baby I can’t teach that” he says as he grabs the hem off your dress before he takes it off over your head. The lightning outside crashes as he admires your spotty blue bra “you already do that anyhow beautiful” you sit on the bed & shuffle off your leggings & he loses his trousers. His grey briefs don’t hide how much he wants you. A slow large soft hand strokes your shoulder as he peppers kisses around your neck, just in the crook. Your favourite spot. Your eyes close in pleasure. One hand ruffling his slightly damp hair from the rush inside from the rain. The other feeling his length from above the cloth, edging him on, getting him ready. As his lips embrace yours for a tender kiss his hands unclip your bra.

“All the bloods not rushed to your cock yet then Ben” you mumble before you continue the kiss. He’s smirking this is only the 3rd time since you started having sex that he’s taken it off in one go.

“You always said I had masterful hands.” He cups your breasts, your nipples hardening at each motion he does on them. You’re so aroused that you might not even need him inside you to make you cum.

Out of habit he lays you down on the bed. His whole weight on top of you. He penis pulsing inside his briefs, & one of those large hands inside your panties. Your clit being attended to as your kisses get much more passionate.

“God you’re wet already baby” he says as his strokes get more intense. You have no words in reply. “Good girl” he lifts off your body & slowly peels your sodden panties from your body. His eyes always dilate at the sight of you naked. He always wonders how he got so lucky. “Godess” he whispers as he pulls his briefs down to reveal his girthy length. You without realising moan deeply & lick your lips, knowing just how the pinch is going to satisfy your needs. He lies back in the bed being your big spoon. You’ve moved up a little so your head is on the pillow. The kissing resumes & so does the pleasing if your clit. Your own hand now jerking his length. His low moans rattles like the thunder outside.

“Ben, make me yours” your teeth graze his lips.

“You already are beautiful” your pelvis is moving at a same rhythm to his hand now. You turn to your side Lying on you right, facing the window. The storm still bellowing outside the candles flickering away. You’re gently grind into his lap & he moans. “Oooh baby you want this”.

“Mmmmhmmmmm” you mumble & then gasp. He’s turned to be a full on spoon & is stroking his length against your slick. Coating it, ready for fun.

“Oooh you do like that baby” you nod in reply & then feel it as ben adjusts your legs & his body & he slowly inserts his erect penis inside you. All the way. In one go, the entire shaft. Your hand grabs the pillow as noise escapes your mouth before there’s a long drag against your walls before he glides fully back in. “Oooh you take me so well” he says a seductive look back at you as you turn your head.

“Yes Ben oh yess baby” you’re stumbling to find other words in your vocabulary. He’s dragging you, each slow draw against you feels exquisite. He has a quick look from over your left shoulder that he’s been kissing to see how good it looks. You always feel so tight to him, but he always can go fully in, balls deep, & he looks at the magnificent site, proud of the both of you.

“You enjoying this baby”

“Yes Ben”

“So good so right so tight, oooh my baby girl, you make me want more”

“Who says you can’t?” Your lips take his & a long sloppy kiss commences. This is all it takes for him to speed up & find a more vigorous rhythm.

You both moan & hum. A low but panty noise. It’s drowned out only by the thunder outside. Every now & then the lightning fills the room. Crashing & hitting hard like he is doing when he finds your gspot. He bites your lip when you quiver the first time. He knows he’s found it. He can feel your body tremble. Feel it rive in pleasure. He’s alternating his kisses as you lie there & moan his name.

“Oooh ben oooh baby yes yes yessss” it’s a strained cry.

“Fuck sweetheart” he’s working his pace further. “Oooh my love oooh fuck”

“Oooh fuck ben more”

“More?”

“Fuck please”

“God you’re needy” be nips around your neck”but your cunts glorious” & he ramps his pace up even more. How does he feel bigger than he did at the start? Maybe you’re so in the zone, you are just lost in this trance of passionate love making. But he hits the spot with each thrust.

“Ooooooh fuck fuck fuck Ben” your moaning is getting loud as he withdraws & lays you on your back. You gasp at the loss of him but as soon as he’s happy that you’re lying facing up at him he’s back on top of you. It was only a few seconds he wasn’t inside of you & his penis is covered in your juices, but the feel as he dives back in & grind down on you hard is insane. “Ooooh yessssss”

“Fuck baby” he lifts your legs & puts your feet on his shoulders. When your minds not in a sex glazed fog, you can see his jaw is clenched as he pummels you. His cock feeling phenomenal. His body sticky with sweat. He may be a handsome professor but right now Mr Ben is fucking you like it’s your wedding night. It’s rampant passionate & sexy.

“Ben oooooh fuck Ben” your screams & moans are now louder than the lightning. You see bens silhouette when the shadows appear on the wall from the extra light. He’s a monster of a man in size so broad & he is all yours.

“Fuck darling Jesus fucking Christ, your so tight”

“Yes yes yes yes yes I’m almost there baby”

“You wanna drench me?”

“Yes”

“You wanna soak me”

“Ooooh yes”

“you want to…”

“Oooooh fuck” you interrupt his sentence. It was almost a tease what he says because that’s what you do. You squirt, as your orgasm from over stimulation hits you like a train. Pleasure explodes out of every part of you as Ben watches in awe at the mess you are making.

“God that’s sexy, oooh fuck” 3 jolted thrusts later, he cums inside you. Filling you up, coating you, his body twitches & he screams your name at the top of his high. “Oooh fuck baby oooh fuck”

“Oh Ben oooh fuck ben” you don’t think you’ve ever breathed this heavily in your life, as you open your eyes & slowly come down from your extreme high & realise what you did. You slowly lower your legs off his shoulders as he leans back & admires the state of the mess you’ve made.

He doesn’t hesitate. Ben drops his head between your thighs as soon a he has come too & he laps away. His cock is still hard & dripping.

“Oooh baby” you snarl & run your fingers through his hair pushing his lips further into you, as his tongue licks you out. You don’t cum as he abruptly stops. His face glistens, covered in you & him. Well you think that’s the scene before you. You’re over taken by the taste of his lips that are sticky & consists of you both. He holds your head in place as you go back to his hair with your hand.

“We taste good together”

“Yes we do Ben” he’s pushing hard against you, almost ready for another round he’s not gone soft yet. He hitches against your enterance as the kiss continues. But you then both jolt. You hear a rumble but it’s not the thunder from the storm. It’s your building generator. The power is coming back on.

“What was that?” He asks distracted for a few seconds.

“The powers coming back”

“Did we make enough electricity between us baby, to restart it” he says before your neck receives the next round of kisses your nails dig into his back.

“Ben we’re so electric, the grid would flood”

“Is that so” he smirks he’s almost inside you as his hand caresses your tummy. “Well you’ve been wet & drenched & even squirting…” you bashfully smile at that. Still you can’t believe that’s even possible ”let’s get the flooding sorted too” & he pushes deeply inside you making you moan. The power might be back on but the only connection either of you need this afternoon is your body’s moving as one. A storm maybe brewing but those rumbles of thunders don’t meet the noises you & your handsome professor make for the next few hours. The candles have long flickered out by the time your afternoon delight is over.

#fanfic #pedro pascal #my fics #smutt #no minors #over18 #pedro pascal characters #pedro pascal cinematic universe #pedro pascal character fanfiction #pedro pascal fan fic #pedro pascal snl #pedro pascal fandom #pedro pascal fanfiction #mr ben snl #mr ben x reader #mr ben #mr ben fan fiction #mr ben fic

[sawixii]

once a punch out fan always a punch out fan. here's me hcs (long version)

content: glass joe, disco kid, piston hondo, great tiger, don flamenco, aran ryan, super macho man, mr. sandman

also content warning for mention of animal abuse in my fifth great tiger thing. (not him though dw)

if you wanna make mr. sandman's day tell him you've never had a philly cheese steak. he's mapped out his favorite stores that sell the BEST ones he's ever had (it's every single store that sells them. he can never choose) but if you aren't in philadelphia and you're willing to wait he is very very proud of his personal recipe. he's not a very emotive man but he will be biting back a smile waiting for you to dig in

speaking of. glass joe was attempting to be polite and ask him about his favorite hometown foods and got instantly cornered into having this. very american dish. mr. sandman was just like "yay i get to share my favorite thing with more people :)" and he did not mean to be forceful at all but joe was a little intimidated to turn down The Champ and was just sitting there preparing like "god forgive me." but he enjoyed it enough anyway and got mr. sandman to smile so so big

glass joe has been offered copious amounts of modeling gigs because of his. large female fanbase and while he refuses most of them bc he takes his boxing career seriously he did accept an offer from a photography student who reached out on a whim. for his 100th match, the photographer shot joe in his classic boxing outfit, posed like Michelangelo's statue of David.

when joe was asked why he took interest in this gig out of all the other, way more lucrative ones, he said, "i liked what he was saying. there is no little guy. the statue i am miming is, of the david and goliath story. he is puny to goliath, yet the statue is... how tall? (...) seventeen feet, thank you. you wonder, how big is goliath? why does he still face him? why do I still fight, ah? well, ask anyone. 'who is glass joe?' they will tell you."

the student photographer's career took off and still does all of joe's publicity shots

piston hondo enjoys sharing japanese cultural traditions w anyone who doesn't already know but telling super macho man abt white day was. not smart

hondo was semi complaining abt being able to find proper gifts that are three times over the valentines ones he was getting and smm was like "is it expensive?? to have to buy all these gifts?" and hondo was like "ah no money's not the issue it's the meaning. i want them all to be meaningful" so you know what macho's shitty little brain did.

he sent an "anonymous" valentines gift of one thousand dollars in cash with a note that said "don't think too hard about my white day gift B)"

anyway that's how super macho man gets 3k out of piston hondo every year (although piston hondo always pretends he has no idea who this admirer is)

btw valentine's is absolutely piston hondo's favorite holiday because he's a giant romantic sap and he looks cute in pink. his fans take the opportunity to FLOOD his mail with lacey cards flowers candies and art because it flusters the hell out of him.

one time a very shaky and red-faced fan hand delivered him an exact replica of the love letter usagi received from that one girl in sailor moon and it is his most prized possession. pisces behavior

what's a polyglot but for dancing. that's great tiger. he may not know every language but he is so far in love with spirited dancing and he was kind of born to be a dancer, he's so fluid and graceful. so far he's a master of tango, merengue, breakdancing, dabke and while he does not plan on committing to it anytime soon, he has a few pieces of ballet that he's working on

btw my favorite favorite little great tiger moment is when you lose to him in title defense where he and his clones are dancing right. there's this BRIEF little moment where as the camera is zooming in on him, he looks up at it and winks!!! RHHGHGGH

he and don being right next to each other in major circuit is so true because they both perform for the cameras so hard. don flamenco a little harder though. i just know during their fights they sorta punch each other a couple times and then just go immediately into an intricate dance battle. they are VOGUING

they are super cute outside the ring though. don, carmen, and tiger are actual besties, and don't tell carmen, but tiger is absolutely going to be don's best man once he proposes

anyway i say all this about great tiger bc i hc him as having been a breakout bollywood star when he was a kid, like he shot up in the ranks quick because he was always so charming on and off set, plus he had SKILLS like he was basically the perfect child actor; extremely good at taking direction, super funny, total sunshine child. at one point he got invited to an industry party where another major film star was showing off tigers that he kept in his mansion. it blew baby great tiger's MIND because he'd always dreamed of having a tiger best friend but then he saw how lethargic all the tigers were, and the ones who weren't constantly glassy eyed were kept behind tall strong walls, constantly pacing and extremely aggressive. it made him feel. gross.

he did a couple more movies, even an american blockbuster in his teens, but he completely disappeared after that. when asked, all his parents would say was, "he said he was done, so he is done." interestingly enough, the funds they had earned alongside their son's movie career were all funneled into bengal tiger preservation and rescue programs.

(can you tell who my favorite is)

anyway. disco kid is in no way petty or bitchy he is actually the most chill and friendly human being on earth but the funniest thing he ever did was just before super macho man went up against him in the ring. obvs smm lovessss to talk smack online (and it's good for the ratings) so he was all over twitter hyping himself up gaining more fans bc he was obviously favored to win. but then. disco kid posts a single captionless image

so. disco kid got his ass beat so he may not have won the battle but by god did he win the funny bitch war. even to this day macho cannot shake the ariana allegations

obvs i think disco kid/kid quick are brothers but hello disco kid is absolutely the big brother. don't make that face it's a rigby's little brother from regular show thing. they aren't attached at the hip or anything but as semi-popular boxing brothers from a rich ass family they bought and share that big house in the background of disco's introduction

they also make each other SO NERVOUS whenever the other is in the ring. they show up every night but sooner or later retreat to the locker rooms semi hyperventilating hoping praying that their brother isn't getting too badly beat up. at the end as long as an er trip isn't in the picture they go out and get baskin robbins' to wind down

aran ryan has a girlfriend named maeve from free derry. she's been kicked shadowbanned and barred from multiple social media platforms because of her unabashed social activism, been arrested multiple times for being too bold against the police, is 5'10, makes clothes for schoolgirls who want to stick it to the dress codes, and wears the same hat every day because the first time they met he stuck it on her and said she ought to keep it cuz she looked good in it. she took a couple pins off her jacket stuck them to the hat and agreed

maeve has never paid for an entry into aran's matches and nobody can stop her from coming because aran always ~inexplicably~ purchases a ticket for the security to hold onto "in case a lass comes 'round lookin' for real entertainment"

she purposefully plonks herself within the crowd of aran haters and guffaws and claps as loud as possible every time he gets the upper hand. she expects it gets lost in the chorus of boos and jeers but he hears it

they have a semi routine where maeve pretends she's on her way out and then aran wraps his arm around her and brags about bagging a girlfriend and every time maeve shouts i'm not yer fuckin girlfriend and they fight and call each other names all the way to the car where they make out once the paparazzi is gone

they both don't expect their relationship to last long but not everything has to last forever for it to have meaning y'know. also they are symbiotically unhinged and keep anyone else from having to deal with them as a partner

#it is not everyone but i had many thoughts so i do the others later. thank uuuu #punch out #punch out headcanons #glass joe #disco kid #piston hondo #great tiger #don flamenco #aran ryan #super macho man #mr sandman #see you in the movies

[archenemyintellegence]

"Prince" (15/2/2024)

I saw a photo of him on Pinterest and he's so fucking beautiful. I have to draw him even if it's mean I have to figure out the shiny pieces one by one.

This drawing was much more challenging than I expected, even when I draw it with a reference photo. I tried doing this because I want to use this as a warm up for me to go back to drawing (as I'm going through a hell lot... That's why the updates are so delayed here uggh), but literally everything in this drawing is a challenge.

First, the face. There's a shadow on his face and I seldom draw this kind of shadow on face. I have to figure out the colors to express the value + not making it look too spooky/ like blood dripping on the face. Also the beard. I NEVER DONE BEARD. It's so challenging because I don't see much beard irl so there's so little data in my head for me to work with. And the hair too. It's just black in the photo, but it can't be too dark or else it cannot match the fabulousness of his jacket.

And next, THE JACKET. Oh My God. This takes forever to draw. So many times I just wanted to trace the whole things but I resisted the temptation. I figured out the placement of the discs, one by one. It's not super accurate but it's good enough to work with. The rendering was like an endless boss fight. I had to zoom in so closely so I can do the details but at the same time not lost track of the big picture. It's also so challenging to figure out the colors, as I want to capture the rainbowy effect on his jacket, which caught my attention on the reference photo.

The guitar strap is literally the easiest thing in the drawing but still it's not that easy, as it's gold on purple, which two of the colors are both quite warm. I put lots of cold colors in the gold part so it won't stick to the purple part, but at the same time it has to have warm colors so it looks gold + reflections of the purple strap.

This drawing took me 42 hours to finish, and I didn't expect it to take this long at all. But tbh I didn't even think that I could finish it at the first place lmaooo. It's a fucking boss fight and I learned a lot from the drawing. I can see my improvements during the process, and I am also blown away by the improvement I've made, when comparing this to my other drawings. I've heard that color is the most difficult thing to master in drawing. I always agree with it and I am so feeling it in this drawing. I feel that every time I draw, I'm learning a little bit about colors, just enough to motivate me to finish the drawing. There're still so much more to explore about colors.

#my art #art #digital art #hyperpop art #prince #prince rogers nelson

[exoticalmonde]

IS2 also known as Phantom & Crimson Solitaire but the Part where I learn about some of the Lore via Operator Records

This all started because I am a stupid idiot simp and have no self-control, okay?

The other day I was trying to mind my business when I was wondering who out of my Bandorio (husBandorio) squad I want to E2. It was almost an unfair match between Shalem and Mr. Nothing (whose position in the band is already shaky with Lessing and Hoderer coming eventually).

I thought to myself 'The best way to really know who I want is to see how useful they are in batte-' WRONG, I wanted to know if I vibe with them on a personal level. Which meant that I had to sit down and read their Operator Records.

And proceeded to yap about Shalem on TWTR since harlot gloves and an iridescent shine on his tail + it being cutely wrapped around his leg is the go-to if you want to impress me.

Also because I like the look of sheer exhausted, barely clinging to sanity look he gives me when I zoom in on his person.

Continue below if you want to see me cry about Shalem, the Troupe and then about the Crimson Solitaire and what it was throwing at me the last two days.

So being said, I started admiring... everything that is happening in his E2. Prior to actually reading anything I knew that Shalem has something to do with Phantom, at least something enough that he has to go and save him from IS2. I've dabbled with it before just a tiny little, never reached an ending and I still haven't as I write this.

Items of background as of yet unverified, which is really funny because I think the same goes for Phantom. Maybe I should look him up while I'm here to read side-by-side comparison.

Take note, it says Shalem works in logistics.

Both Victorian, born within a month and a bit of each other, so that's interesting. What's that? Phantom is taller?? Than shalem?? The twink black cat is taller than the black snake?

Insanity.

Oh, he's doomed. Who do I like that ISN'T infected with Oripathy??? It feels like they're all sick... But now that I look at my list, Chongyue, Ebenhol-

Okay... that leaves SilverAsh, Vigil, Lee, Tequila, Lessing they're all fine.

My head is too full of Czerny and Hoederer being Infected on a very advanced level, so it feels like my world is ending every time I start reading the Medical Analysis.

-Shalem Trust 50-

Considering Rhodes Island's operators come from all corners, races, temperaments, histories and myriad diversities of the land, there are indeed plenty who are weak with communication yet possess a kind heart, and thus HR's operators haven't had serious concern, vis-a-vis the state of Shalem's life. 

Me *handshake* Shalem Disliking mixing friend groups so we just avoid it at all cost

He's been waiting forever, waiting for his chapter's end, but he doesn't anticipate that in ten or so months, when Rhodes Island life has long since become routine, that a shadow of the past will sorrowfully arrive.

Congratulations, everybody, another sad boy has reconsidered subearthing themselves because he found a place to call home and a bed he can sleep in with both eyes closed.

-Phantom Trust 50-

When Phantom first set foot on Rhodes Island, he terrified the logistics personnel who were on duty at the time. He suddenly appeared behind one individual, standing there without a word until the person turned around to discover his presence.

IF SHALEM WORKS IN LOGISTICS WAS THIS ACTUALLY TALKING ABOUT HIM???? I can't believe Shalem was stalked by Phantom for absolutely no reason and then Closure got pissed that this arrogant feline just boarded the ship without telling anybody, or anybody noticing even, until it was too late.

Talk about being a professional assassin.

Accompanying Phantom on his arrival to Rhodes Island was a person as mysterious and alluring as the night itself, someone known as 'Ms. Christine.' Through her demeanor, it was clear that she was a refined and haughty woman. No one knows whether she will remain or leave, and she is not always seen with Phantom, instead happy enough to wander around as if quietly patrolling her turf.

To this, I have only one responce

*Throws 15, 000 of those at Phantom* I HAVE THE LADY'S PERMISSION!!

-Shalem Trust 100-

After a field mission ended, Shalem noticed a phantasm behind him. He was the most brilliant of those young stars in the troupe, its leader's favorite, a crimson blood diamond, and he stared at him, naturally not seeking to reminisce. 

Oh my god I was right.

An acquainted operator informed him someone called Phantom had joined as an Operator in the past few days. Who was Phantom? Shalem knew in his heart as clear as night.

Joined like it's nobody's business.

After which Shalem just decided his anxiety is too much to handle and didn't go out of his room for a small eternity.

When he received a mission on his terminal to seek the missing Operator Phantom, Shalem believed someone to be pranking him, but after verifying high and low, he realized Phantom truly had departed Rhodes Island, and no one was more familiar with the mission objective's search area than Shalem. It was his and Phantom's home, and the beginning of their nightmares. The past had already found Shalem, and he could not choose to stay uninvolved again. He accepted the mission to search for Phantom.

Oh no, he's being sent to whatever hellhole the Troupe is situated at. That must actually be one hell of a notice to get on his terminal. Go look for the person you have been trying to avoid, with whom you were potentially raised to play an endless play because he disappeared.

How did Phantom even end up there??? I have more questions than I have answers now.

-Phantom Trust 100-

After receiving his permission, Rhodes Island conducted a series of tests aimed at targeting this ability, basically confirming that Phantom's ability to alter the shadows is related to sound. By using his throat to vocalize certain sounds, he is able to interfere with and severely damage the psyche of a living being. The more intense the emotion in the tone, the deeper the effect is, producing psychological damage that is difficult to repair or reverse.

Sweet Mouthpiece... What the actual hell?

-Shalem Trust 150-

After the flood receded, some sumptuously graceful guests entered the village. Yes, they handed people money to seek local aid; yes, they carefully selected, adopted many children who were without claim, now their parents had vanished or been lost.

I have a bad feeling about thi-

Numbering one of them was the young Shalem.

I hate this with all my life, actually.

'You are children of the arts. Now, you may rest well.' So the old butler promised, and so Shalem believed. Soon after, his life became a play. Modest and gentle was the label the troupe gave to Shalem, and ever since then, it has become his 'true personality.'

'Modest' and 'Gentle'? Explain this, then

We shan't dwell on the daily physical training and rehearsal of lines. Understudies as excellent as Phantom would be led upon stage, given verbal motivation and material reward in front of them all.

Yeah, so they did know each other and everybody hated Phantom because he was good at what he was doing. Actually terrible by definition.

The children who entered the troupe together one by one disappeared, and those left were completely changed in temperament, not a speck of the innocence of their years left visible. As they grew in years, Shalem had convinced himself to accept one fact: We were only brought into this troupe to offer our lives to the arts. If we are unable to perform... Then we have no right to live within the troupe. Whether voluntary or not, so long as you joined the troupe, the script you were given would be written long in advance. To run until your life's end.

God, Shalem... My darling...

Survival drives all to the brink, and they who ought to have worked together past these difficulties began to slaughter each other. In the end, no one escapes. Only a few uneaten slices of meat remain, scooped away by fowlbeasts, flapping their wings across the endless waters.

Is this... hinting at... cannibalism...? Again?

-Phantom Trust 150-

We can infer from our investigations that a wave of Oripathy that ripped through parts of Victoria a few years ago destroyed this troupe, and changed the trajectory of Phantom's life. He may have had a wonderful voice in the past, but as he is now, he could not be further from the stage.

I feel like I need a little more context about this. Shalem's town was flooded, but the Troupe exploded because of a wave of Oripathy? Where did it come from? Did I miss it somewhere? Obviously, this information is outdated because we know the Troupe exists in a much more bloody cult-like fashion now, but WHY? What is their point?

I can also tell you about the impressions I now have about him, but it may not be of any use to you, because there's a good chance you won't listen. But if you insist? Very well. I don't have much to say, but there is one suggestion. —Stay away from him. He's still caught in a nightmare, not fully awake yet.'

—A conversation with Schwarz

Schwarz?

This Schwarz?

Ma'amn you need to explain why you think all of that, I'm getting a little sweaty about how much people know and what they think about Phantom, because I kinda still do like him.

-Shalem trust 200-

He should have delivered that dagger to their heart, felt the spasm of their limbs, watched the light in their eyes little by little melt away. But the boy of the abyss did not do so. The weapon meant to murder instead cut the rope, and was handed to another to become a tool protective of life. And so did a meticulous production end. A play rendered a complete shambles by this boy of the abyss. A stage offered to him to prove his talent, so wasted and defiled by a conscience. Sinner, sinner! This coward, this lamentable coward. A hunter letting go its prey, presuming to still return to the castle, to report to its king. And yet he! He follows the prey's steps, disappears with it into the barrens' ends?! Let him be far from civilization, far from art, to go to that wild brink. He is fit only to be exiled.

HE ESCAPED BY TURNING ON THE TROUPE IN A MOMENT OF CONSCIOUS GUILT AND REBUTTAL!! My sweetest, tormented darling yeah, you get to stay in my husband team forever.

-Phantom Trust 200-

[Classified Log] We found the site of the incident that befell the troupe at the time.

Alright...

All the residences, facilities, and public spaces have been preserved as is, including the troupe's tents stationed in the park, just like in the records - the only thing that's missing are the residents.

Gosh, the description is like they got wiped away by Nuclear power. What in the world kind of Oripathy wave was that???

The best way to describe it is as if a piece of cake was sealed within a plastic bag, then thrown into a fervent crowd at an Iberian festival.

Someone gave their all fishussy to write this line.

What we managed to recover is pretty similar to whatever would be left in that bag afterwards. As for the portion of the data that was sent out, the path was too vague and could not be tracked.

Data sent out? Am I understanding this correct, the show was being streamed?

In order to verify the content, we played a portion of the video footage that could be considered somewhat intact. While doing so, three of the investigators present experienced degrees of psychological disturbance, so we were forced to temporarily seal off the remaining files.

What the absolute hell, so we never got to really see/hear what was happening? Was Phantom... the one to do this? Was he singing and it destroyed everything?

[Video File - Encrypted] [Encrypter - Kal'tsit] [Danger Level - 3] '■■■stage, death■■■■behind■■■loop, song■■, ■■■■end, all■begin.'

I need to ask Dr. Pinkie as soon as they wake up about this. I didn't read a lot of stuff about the game while I was playing it, only laughing at items I got.

-Shalem E2 Promotion-

When a person begins learning to perform, or takes up the profession of an actor, they bear for the rest of their life a curse: Are you doing what you would, or carrying out an endless performance?

This is not going anywhere nice.

Do you enact your true personality? Or is your false personality itself the true you? Oh, I imagine you likely can't make heads or tails anymore. Let me show you a way forth. Whether you're the bottomless boy of the abyss taking the stage, or the nobody Shalem aboard Rhodes Island. Listen to this suggestion from your old butler. Everything is a sham. You are not your own self. You were born a performance. Don't be led astray by your self. You are a role, and the role is all that you are. The role's choices are your choices. Now take the stage, performer. The time to offer yourself to art has come.

-Phantom E2 Promotion-

...

...

...

#arknights #arknights IS2 #Phantom #Phantom and Crimson Solitaire #Arknights event #Arknights Integrated Strategies #Arknights Phantom #Arknights Shalem #Arknights Lore #Arknights Operator Records #Arknights makes me feel sick again #Arknights The Troupe #Arknights commentary #Event experience #IS2 makes a crybaby out of the Doctor #I can't handle this anymore #Actually upset I dont know more right now #This calls for a second post

[frodo-with-glasses]

4, 6, 13 (especially 13; love you for the semicolon tattoo Frodo has)

https://www.tumblr.com/frodo-with-glasses/711440150764355584/group-chat-shenanigans?source=share

Ooh, great choice >:-D Let’s go!

(Read the whole comic here!)

4. What part of this piece was the most difficult to draw?

It's exactly what you might expect: Frodo's left arm (the one holding the phone) in the last panel definitely gave me some trouble. I was trying to find a pose that both a) looked natural and b) made Frodo's tattoo visible; you can actually see how many lines I drew and erased in the zoomed-in picture in this reblog.

I also had to try multiple different positions and designs for the tattoo before I found one that I liked. In a few early attempts, the tattoo actually went down the length of his arm! But in the end, I'm glad I kept it contained to the wrist.

6. What is your favorite part of this piece?

Oh man, it's so hard to pick! I love all of the modern designs, and I think most of the drawings turned out really well. (Pippin looks a bit wonky, but that's just because I'm not used to drawing people who are upside down.) In the end, I think my favorite part is just the slew of "Benadryl Cabbagepatch" names. That was a HYSTERICAL day on the Fig Tree Server, and I love seeing everyone's creativity and crazy senses of humor coming together like this! X-D

13. What Easter eggs/small details are hidden in this drawing?

OKAY *cracks knuckles* lemme give you the whole breakdown here.

Usernames and Avatar Icons

Frodo - DownFromTheDoor (referencing Bilbo's poem) - a book (because he's a nerd)

Pippin - tookursnacks (because he's a Took and he likes to eat) - peace sign (dunno, just felt appropriate)

Sam - taterz (obvious) - a potato (also obvious)

Merry - Herbmaster (because he really likes pipeweed) - the Horn of Rohan

Fatty - BigPapa (because he's. he's big) - plus signs (see previous)

Rosie - RoseGardens (cute play on her name) - a rose (same)

Gimli - Rock-n-Roll (dwarves like rocks) - an axe (obvious)

Aragorn - Telcontar (Elvish for "Strider", the dynasty name Aragorn chooses for himself) - crown surrounded by seven stars (part of the sigil of the King of Gondor)

Legolas - TraLaLally (reference to the 1977 Hobbit movie) - bow and arrow (obvious)

Boromir - TEAMGONDOR (in all caps because he is A LotTM) - the Horn of Gondor (obvious)

Tom Bombadil - Tim Bimbadimdim (I thought it would be funny) - a feather (he has one in the brim of his hat)

Goldberry - 💛🫐 (suggested by someone on the server, unfortunately not at all obvious in a black-and-white art style) - a star (seemed appropriate)

Gandalf - Gandalf (obvious) - wizard's hat (also obvious)

Design Choices

All four of the main hobbits (Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin) have a bracelet with a Single Bead, indicating they are part of the Core Friend Group

Merry wears dog tags and a watch. I imagine he has served in the military in some capacity, or aspires to do so; and the watch is there because he's the kind of detail-oriented person who's very concerned with being on time.

Sam and Rosie have matching bracelets: his is the sun, and hers is the moon. (Someone pointed out that the little thing hanging off her phone also looks like a sun. This is correct, but the bracelets were supposed to be the matching set.)

Rosie is also the only one of the gang to have a decorative phone case and a PopSocket.

Aragorn's mug says "GONDOR U", and the icon on his laptop is the shards of Narsil. It's kinda hard to see, but he also has a ring on his left hand, indicating that he's either engaged or married to Arwen.

Frodo gets the most Easter eggs. He too has a watch, because he's the sort to at least TRY to be on time; he has the tattoo, reading "worth f;ghting for", as aforementioned; and his shirt is a polo from the company Hang Ten, as indicated by the little feet embroidered on the lapel! I chose that one for two reasons: number one, little feet is Very Hobbity, and number two, they're my dad's favorite brand of polo. (He likes the little feet.)

PHONE DETAILS. Merry, Pippin, and Legolas are the only ones to have Extremely Fancy New Phones with three cameras on the back, because they are rich kids who can afford to have that sort of thing. Gimli is also rich, but his phone only has two cameras because he's not an Instagrammer. Sam and Rosie only have two-camera phones because theirs are cheaper older models. Everyone has phone cases except for Legolas. Gimli's phone case is a Particularly Chunky Heavy-Duty OtterBox. Aragorn is the only one with a laptop because he's Old. And, as aforementioned, Rosie is the only one who has a PopSocket.

Initial Conversation

I did actually plan the chat in the first panel very carefully! If you look at the time stamps beside the messages, you can see how the conversation picks up speed. It starts with Frodo declining some kind of an activity that night, saying he's busy with something else. Pippin responds, asking what he's doing. Frodo replies and sends photographic evidence, calling Bilbo "Beebo". Sam thinks this is very funny and repeats "Beebo". Frodo, encouraged by Sam thinking this is funny, doubles down the joke with "Beebo Bongos". Then Merry jumps in with "Blorbo Bagpipes". By this point, messages are coming in within the same minute, and then the rest of the chaos unfolds. X-D

Anyway, thanks for giving me an excuse to ramble about this comic! I had a lot of fun drawing it and I'm delighted to share the Deep Lore LOL

ARTIST COMMENTARY ASK GAME!

#artist commentary ask game #frodo baggins #bilbo baggins #my art #my writing #modern au

[magnoliacharmed]

Introducing.... Thunderstorm!

This is a series featuring Sting & fem!Reader. The prompt for this was an anonymous request I received. Thank you again, anon! This is gonna a lot of fun for me to write. It’ll be seven chapters and will hopefully be completed soon!

[Also available on Archive of our Own!]

Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4

Summary:

After debuting as the newest member of nWo, you begin to develop a tumultuous relationship with Sting. Your newfound fame and problems in your personal life threaten to creep into your in-ring work. Kevin Nash tries to maintain the peace between you and Sting before everything falls completely apart at WCW.

Tags: 18+, enemies to lovers, angst, eventual smut, heavy alcohol use, implied/referenced drug use, additional tags to be added

September 1996

The cheers… the cheers were always deafening. You had gotten used to the lights beaming down on you, flash bulbs popping away, pyrotechnics shooting off behind you… but the cheers. It sent such a crazy rush of adrenaline through you every single time. No matter what kind of mood you were in, as soon as you hit the stage and heard the people scream for you, that thousand watt smile spread across your face in an instant. The cocky demeanor was present as usual from your expression to your stride. You turned your face into the nearest camera and winked. Knowing your voice was mostly inaudible over the crowd, curse word laden praises about yourself tumbled out of your mouth. The urge to make a kissy face at the gigantic lens was strong. You could feel like the star of the show as much as you wanted, but you knew you weren't.

It was another taping of WCW's Monday Nitro and you were once again walking out onto the mat with the members of the New World Order. You stood close behind the group almost as if you were their reinforcement. The positioning was always funny to you. If it came down to it, there was no way you could physically defend these giant men in a fight with your strength alone. Eric Bischoff enjoyed the optics though, comparing your role in the group to WWF's Chyna in D-Generation X. When he excitedly mentioned this in an effort to convince you, your stomach twisted up inside. Matching up to Chyna was a hard bar to cross. She looked like she actually could kick some ass. You on the other hand? You understood immediately that you were not an enforcer. You were essentially eye candy with a little fight in you. A very feisty valet. A tricky sexpot. Sure, you had a few moves that'd get you out of a tough situation but trained wrestler you were not.

There was no way you could ever get used to all this. Not when it had become such a massive part of your life in a short amount of time.

---

June 1996

When your friend Kevin Nash invited you to a taping of Monday Nitro you shrugged your shoulders. You had to admit that it wasn't something you were dying to see, but it gave you an excuse to dress up a little and party. He gave you and a friend the best seats in the house. The two of you pre-gamed pretty heavily before arriving. Cheap vodka settled in your lower stomach with the promise of providing a good time. Screaming fans in the arena helped you get amped up too, a frenzy quickly building around you as the show started. It didn't take long for you to notice how often the cameras kept focusing on you. One appeared so often you began to wonder if the smarmy cameraman had a crush on you. He constantly aimed the lens at your chest, pissing you off to the point that when he returned to zoom in on your breasts, you pointed a finger at him and grabbed his wrists up to put the camera on your face instead. A few harsh words drunkenly fell out of your mouth to him while you snarled. You then reached over the barrier to maneuver him to face back to the ring, accidentally giving him an even better view down your shirt in the seconds before he turned around.

Kevin watched the whole scene play out with a smile. Your reaction was the exact reason why he invited you. In the week after the show, Bischoff was shocked when a good chunk of the fanmail they received mentioned your name. Hardcore fans were wondering who the hell you were and casual watchers praised your outburst. Backstage, the other wrestlers kept asking Kevin to tell them more about you. He kept his mouth shut even though it was difficult. The plan slowly coming to fruition in his mind would make the silence all worth it.

"...Yeah, so they love you. Everyone keeps asking about you."

A few weeks after the show, Kevin's voice crackled over your house phone. Wherever he was it was loud. Thumping music and the voices of partygoers moved all around his voice.

"Are you in the club? Don't you have a show tomorrow night, man?"

"I can handle myself. You should come out with us sometime. You party harder than any of these fuckin' guys."

"I sincerely doubt that, Kev." You laughed. You were standing in your kitchen, leaning against the wall as a pot of water bubbled on the stove behind you. You'd known Kevin since middle school. Even with you moving away late in high school you stayed close friends. By the time you were able to reconnect in person he'd mentioned in passing that he was a wrestler for the WWF. He seemed very casual about the whole thing, probably because he'd always managed to fall into physical labor jobs due to his size and height. The WWF was just another gig as far as he was concerned. Eventually, he called you up again and said he was now with WCW. From the little you knew about wrestling it seemed to be a choice that made sense. WCW's programming was getting grittier with storylines that were aimed more at adults.

Kevin returned your laugh. "Okay, maybe not. You remember that time you killed--"

"The whole bottle of tequila? Of course, that was nothin'." You waved a hand in the air dismissively.

"Exactly. You can roll with the best of 'em. Which is exactly why…"

You sighed into the handset. Here he goes again.

"...you should join me in WCW. Give me one good reason why you won't."

"I can give you a few! One, I'm no wrestler. I can barely pick up a heavy box, what makes you think I can slam someone into a mat? Two, I don't want all that attention. Three, it sounds tiring. I can keep going."

"One, you don't have to be a wrestler. You can be like Ms. Elizabeth. Two, the attention isn't that bad, you get used to it. Sometimes it's even kinda fun. Three… yeah, you'll be tired. I can't lie about that one. It's worth it though, I'm telling you. The money's not bad. Aren't you tired of working at that beeper place?"

"Hold on," You set the phone down on your counter to check on the pot of water. As you turned the eye down on the stove and grabbed up your spaghetti, you stared into the rolling bubbles below you. What was that saying about the frog jumping into the water? It jumped in and right back out because the water was too hot. Although it wasn't quite the same, maybe you could jump into wrestling. Make some TV appearances and a little bit of money, then jump out before it got too, too hot. Your appetite vanished and the spaghetti no longer had any appeal to you.

Returning to the phone you were surprised Kevin was still there. You didn't understand why he was talking to you on a dirty club payphone when he could've been enjoying himself.

"Eh, Beeper City pays the bills. I like it fine. But you know, my little appearance on Nitro gave me a sales boost that week. I sold so many of those damn things the next day. My commission was crazy."

"If you come on the show every week, you won't have to worry about just 'paying the bills' on stupid pagers."

"What if I like my stupid pagers?"

Kevin scoffed into the phone at your stubbornness. Sometimes it made him laugh and other times it drove him up the wall.

Your lips pursed in thought. You'd been on the phone with him for a few minutes now and the same song was still playing in the background. The living room in front of you was so drab. You didn't see the point in decorating. Why decorate when you were barely "living" in it anyways? Nothing in the run-down apartment felt like it was truly yours. Your own life hadn't even felt like yours in recent months. You woke up, sold beepers, came home, drank 'til you fell asleep, then got up again the next day to do it all again. Sometimes you interspersed that riveting routine by going out to see a movie or a concert. It was no life to live.

You huffed nervously at the waiting silence on the other end. "Fuck it, Kev. Tell that Bischoff guy I'm in."

---

Mid October 1996

Your life changed faster than you could blink your eyes. Suddenly you were hitting different cities every week with your face on televisions across the nation. You got a little training before your debut. It was mostly just the basics, like how to fall properly and defending yourself. Your beeper job didn't do much for you in the way of exercise so even the little bit of work you put in at the gym wore you out and toned you up. Kevin was impressed at how fast you caught on. After Bischoff was satisfied with your minimal in-ring training, he explained the New World Order to you. You actually started to get excited about being in a group of rebels after spending so long being a boring stickler. Kevin introduced you to the rest of the crew with enthusiasm. Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall seemed happy to have you around. nWo was truly a boy's club though, and you weren't crazy enough to think your addition would change that. You drank and partied with them after shows but left when they started getting a little too wild. You were happy to have Kevin with you to stick by your side when you felt like an outcast.

The first time you walked out onto the mat with the group, ratings jumped the same way they did at your first audience appearance. You would've liked to think the ratings spike was because people were so excited to see new talent. After rewatching the taping a few days later you realized it was because of another slimy cameraman's angles. He zoomed right in on your ass while you climbed in the ring. The tight black shorts you wore had bunched up while you climbed in. It all made sense that there was an increase in cheers when you had gotten between the ropes. You shook your head in anger while watching it. The game is the game, you thought. The better you played it the more you could control it. You let the overly exploitative camera angles slide because you knew it would lead to good ratings and better checks. Kevin nodded in approval when you vented to him about it, sympathizing with you on the outside and smiling on the inside. Everything was working out.

Over the next few months your popularity shot up. In addition to your body doing you plenty of favors, fans loved the way you played off the rest of nWo. When they were in the ring you screamed from the sidelines in support of the group. You hit your rivals with steel chairs and innocently readjusted your shorts to distract them while they got pinned. The crowd screamed their heads off when Kevin would launch you like a rocket into the ring to knock someone down or latch onto their back to beat away at them.

After a few months of this routine you began to get fully comfortable with your persona. There was no need to fake it 'til you made it when you really had made it. People began to recognize you in public. They clamored around you for autographs and pictures together. To go from scraping by on quotas and commission, wondering if you'd have enough for a cheap six-pack of beer then to having more money than you knew what to do with made your head swim. Looking in the mirror at yourself was no longer an arduous task. Your eyes sparkled with new life and excitement. The hard work in and out of the ring sculpted your body in ways you never dreamed.

Your heart didn't feel like it was on the verge of jumping out of your chest. The deep simmering hatred for your life that manifested in your deepest reaches like snakes slithering around each other had finally subsided.

The world was yours.

"Can you move?"

Your eyes refocused themselves on your surroundings.

The girls smushed by you near the dirty bathroom sinks looked annoyed. You'd been standing there staring away at yourself after washing your hands. You gripped the cold porcelain of the sink to keep yourself steady.

"Oh shit. My bad," You stumbled out of the crowded bathroom. The girls immediately pushed forward to take advantage of the newly freed up mirror real estate. The brightly colored lights in the club dragged around you, little tails following them like shooting stars. The tight dress you were wearing suddenly felt a little oppressive. It was cute when you'd put it on earlier in the night but after a few hours of drinking it felt like a straitjacket around you. Your eyes were marbles clacking around your skull. You scanned the dance floor and bar looking for a familiar face. With little warning besides a shadow looming over you, Kevin appeared behind you.

"I was wondering where you went."

"Got a little lost in the bathroom."

"Don't tell me you've had too much to drink." Kevin glanced down at his watch while he laughed at you. The hands on it glowed a soft neon green around the purple illumination that hung in the air. "It's only 12:45. Kinda early for you."

"I just need to sit down."

Kevin placed his hands on your shoulders and pushed you forward to the nearest barstool. You plopped down on it and laid your head in your hands. Somehow you managed to miss Kevin ordering two beers and widened your eyes in shock when one appeared in front of you. The condensation on the bottle cooled your overheated skin down. The bubbles popped warmly in your stomach.

"So you know Sting right?"

"Huh?" You'd swung your body around to face the dance floor. You couldn't help but to clench the beer bottle between both hands, using it like an anchor. If you spun around again to face Kevin you were pretty sure you were gonna float away like a balloon. The marbles knocked to the side of your face to catch him in your peripheral vision.

"Sting. Steve."

The image of him appeared in the forefront of your mind. His spiky bleach blonde hair and colorful face paint made you giggle. Wrestling is so ridiculous, you thought. Your inner voice sounded pretty smashed. You hoped you didn't sound like that out loud.

"I don't know him. Why?"

Kevin finished off the last swigs of his beer. He raised up his hand to summon the bartender again. This time a glass of clear fizzy liquid was placed in front of both of you. You slammed it down with instant regret. The gin burned your throat and the bitter, medicinal taste of the tonic made you heave slightly.

"Alright, that's the last one for you--" Kevin grabbed the glass and beer bottle away from you. The music had gotten even louder in the last few minutes. It thumped in your head, bouncing around with vigor. "Scott came up with an idea for him. He's dropping the surfer thing and he's gonna do his facepaint like Brandon Lee in The Crow."

You covered your mouth at a little burp that escaped. "Kinda morbid, huh?"

Kevin shrugged. "Maybe a little. But it'll be cool. We're leaving all the corny shit in the past now."

"He makes anything he touches lame. If Bischoff wanted to leave the corny shit behind, he'd get rid of Sting."

Kevin was getting tired of sighing at you all the time. For all the years he'd known you he could count on one hand the people you disliked. Usually you had a good reason for not liking them and he was on your side when it came down to problems or arguments. The few times Sting had been brought up around you though, your face twisted up. The subject would get changed when you'd made a cold comment about him. Sting stayed to himself and was a good worker. There wasn't even any opportunity to have a problem with him! Whatever your issue was with him, Kevin needed to fix it ASAP.

"Seriously, what's your issue with him?" Kevin looked at you with annoyance in his eyes. It was easier to get the truth out of you when you were this drunk. With the way you were slurring and the slow movement of your irises he knew you were pretty fucked up, but not as fucked up as you'd gotten in the past.

You took the chance and swung your body around to face your friend. Luck was on your side since you didn't immediately vomit all over him.

"I think he's a jerk."

"Yeah, I can fuckin' see that. You don't even know him that well! How could you think he's a jerk?"

"I just have a feeling he thinks he's a big shot. Bischoff hasn't been able to stop talking about him and it's driving me up the wall. 'Sting, Sting, Sting!' What about us, man?"

Kevin couldn't help but to laugh at your misplaced anger. You never could see the bigger picture in life. "Sting doing this new gimmick is good for us. It's gonna be great. You thought we were on the moon now? Just wait until next week, we'll be in the damn stars. Don't be such a mark for yourself. He needs us just as much as we need him." Kevin grabbed your arms and shook you playfully.

"Shake me again and I'll throw up right in your hair."

A big laugh left Kevin's lips as he helped you down from the stool. Thank God you had a day to recover from the inevitable crazy hangover you'd have in the morning. The cool air of the night hit your face abruptly. After being stuck in the sweaty club for what felt like hours you were grateful for the rush of wind blowing your hair around you. You felt grounded to the Earth again. Maybe Kevin was right. Sting was probably a nice enough guy. It'd be better if you all got along for the sake of the show. The drunk part of yourself hated when you got rational. It was such a buzzkill!

A cab pulled up in front of both of you. Kevin opened the door up for you, then pushed you gently down into the seat. You looked up at him with bewilderment as he told the driver what hotel you were staying at.

"What the hell man, aren't the rest of yall coming back too?"

"You drank as much as me and you're a foot and a half shorter, almost 150 pounds lighter. You need to take your ass back to the hotel and sleep it off so you don't act like an asshole tomorrow. We've gotta go to the gym and I need you up and ready for it."

"Booo! Booo, Kev!" You gave him a limp thumbs down as he closed the cab door. He was right and that was annoying. The cab pulled away with a jerk leaving Kevin to watch it turn into nothing but a little yellow dot in the distance.

#sting #sting wcw #steve borden #sting fanfic #sting x reader #kevin nash #wcw #world championship wrestling #wcw fic #wcw fanfic #wrestling fic #wrestling fanfic #wrestling #magnoliafanfic

[yugiohio]

It absolutely boggles my mind that people are complaining about there being not enough blood during the match but that Jon Moxley was bleeding too much. Then the live audience constantly chanting for them to do extremely dangerous spots (throwing someone off of the cage, falling into the cage from the top, tables and chanting for FIRE?!) and then when they carried on with their planned match the audience would berate them.

Ibushi got a huge pop and that felt good to see. I was very happy for him. It's too bad he was barley utilized in the match itself outside of a few brutal spots and him trying to get to Kenny and save him but having to go through the final boss that is Jon Moxley first. That was actually epic. Mox did a bunch thoroughly murderous shit and I loved it while I literally screamed his name on my couch as if he could hear me being shocked at his bloodlust. He was sending people into the damn Shadow Realm. Jon Moxley as a character is honestly someone I wouldn't want to go up against because he's fearless and relentless. You don't want to pick a fight with someone who has nothing to lose and your soul to gain.

Still, it was odd for people to audibly groan at Moxley kissing the camera with blood on his lips. As if they weren't watching a program called 'All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite: Blood and Guts'. I was so irritated but I've already spoken on the hypocrisy of wrestling fans. Cringed at the Scarlet Kiss but loved when Matt (or Nick idk) poured tacks into the ring from the top before climbing down.

I thoroughly enjoyed the dance off between Adam Cole x Maxwell Jacob Friedman and Danny Garcia x Sammy Guevara. It was so silly, irreverent and one hundred percent felt like the classic wrestling segments that everyone is apparently so desperate for that they comment it on every post or video I've seen about wrestling in the last few weeks. They gave you dancing, a stellar tag team match, and an advancement to the Better Than You Bay Bay saga with character development to boot!

JungleHook fans got some cute shippy moments from them like softly smiling as Jungle Boy draped himself across Hook's body for the pin. Though everyone hated Jungle Boy's new music (Beethoven No 5) and the fact that he didn't cut his hair. Which is absurd. The music? Sure we can be a little miffed that he doesn't have his signature song anymore as he's trying to "bury" the Jungle Boy persona. It's also a god tier villain song, maybe a little cliche but so is Jungle Boy as a gimmick so there's that. But him not cutting his hair, unless I missed something, is just something not much needed. I get that it's symbolic but it shouldn't be expected. He also figuratively buried himself in a pre taped segment before his music hit which had promise but no pay off. Their matched seemed kind of lackluster to me.

Speaking of lackluster: Dr. Britt Baker DMD and Kayla Spark match legit barely made an impact on me. I looked down and looked up and it was over. Tony Khan you will crumble. They even had the queer woman lose. The women deserve better matches, more time, respect and I want to see Sonny Kiss goddamit!

There was virtually no Golden Lovers content, nothing that would build them up to an audience who may only be vaguely familiar with the relationship between Ibushi and Kenny Omega. So there was really no pay off, they brought this man all the way from Japan just to under utilize him. They also would deliberately cut away any time he and Kenny interacted which is odd considering that when other tag team partners interact they zoom in. AEW sales a "JungleHook" t shirt, openly showcases their queer wrestlers (kinda 🥴) and are intentionally writing Adam Cole and MJF's storyline with so much homoerotic subtext you can choke on it. So I don't understand why the network was squeamish about using this huge ass platform to present the Golden Lovers as their true selves, fully cementing that queer stories have a place in professional wrestling.

Don't even get me started on The Acclaimed and Daddy Ass's gimmick. Dude's name is Daddy Ass but Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega can't kiss on network television?!

Not to mention commentary burying them, referring to Ibushi as Kenny's "codependent friend" or saying that they were "close friends" like dude those men are in love and have said so on numerous occasions, you are the only person choosing to ignore the very loud bisexuality happening in that ring. Especially throughout other people's matches. I'm just baffled. So when it's implied and we all know it's "acting" then it's okay but when two men love each other so much an ocean can't keep them apart and they intend to show that then that's when the network starts putting limitations on what can be shown. If I wasn't so entertained by the overall episode I'd feel robbed, especially as a new GL fan I was really excited to see Kenny and Ibushi bring their story stateside as I said.

I do appreciate Kenny for at least trying to get us a moment and grabbed Ibushi for a side hug and finger guns to finish off the show. Thanks Kenny. Also, honorable mention to Excalibur for calling them "The Golden Lovers" and then "The Golden Elite". He forsure did that on purpose because it was too obvious just how little Tony Khan wanted to focus on any romantic aspect of the Golden Lovers story. Excalibur was honestly carrying commentary all night.

Taz stopped being a professional because Tony Schiavonne (or Excalibur, I don't know their voices just yet) was roasting his son. He was being rude and just generally putting down any of the talent that came out or picked little arguments with his co-hosts. He wasn't focused on the matches and literally said he was "Pissed" on a live mic because his boy was getting cooked and Taz couldn't take it. I can't believe he can't handle his kid being flamed in the profession that he's in.

Then for some reason Chris Jericho came out for commentary and he of course had to throw some racism in the track for some spiciness. I loathe him, I can't wait until he retires. I remember when he just hosted TruTv specials. I miss that.

I thought the Red Cross banner going across the screen during the 'Blood ad Guts' match was perfect irony.

I feel like The Young Bucks sustained some pretty serious injuries. I think Matt hurt his ankle being thrown between the cage and the ring. I believe Nick hurt his wrist after body slamming Moxley on the bed of nails (at least I think that's happened, it was fuckin zooming and the camera work was basura).

There were sloppy spots at times but overall a very cohesive and frenetic match. It was a thrill to watch. I just wish the camera operator also felt that way. There were some parts where you could truly barely see a thing. There were not nearly enough cushions around the cage just in case someone fell of it which I thought Yuta was. Also, apparently takes more bumps and pins than anyone else in BCC and I hate that for him. Give the kid a break, let the Bucks start busting their asses and taking these pins.

Jon looked genuinely disappointed at the end which leads me to believe that that wasn't the planned finish. It started to feel very rushed within the last 6 minutes which is probably why it ended in Moxley's submission after a Superkick Party. I just wonder what the original end was supposed to be.

I don't think there was enough buildup for Takeshita and Pac to leave, my only guess is that they very injured or the producers didn't think they were pulling their weight in the ring. But I want to state for the record that I'm less than semi caught up on the various storylines happening on Dynamite so I could easily be wrong about their betrayal.

When the show went off air, Kenny gave one of his grandiose Kenny Omega speeches about essentially dying in the ring if that meant that people would be entertained and that his loyalty would always lie with The Elite and, of course, Kota Ibushi. But he respects the BCC because of how intense and dedicated they are and that he may not like them but he loves them so from here on out he will look at them with more respect. They all shook hands then Claudio and Moxley helped Yuta to the back.

Kenny almost sounded like he was retiring to be honest and I would understand, he's being doing this for 20 years. Wrestlers need to start packing it up around 50 at the oldest in my opinion. Enjoy your life and let your body rest, you've entertained masses.

Overall, I enjoyed the show. It was barbaric, bizarre, hilarious and at times, heartwarming. I hope this isn't yearly because this is some of the most brutal brawling I've ever seen and no human body should be put through a Blood and Guts match on an annual basis.

I'll make a separate post about how MJF is so over and I'm so proud of him. He's worked extremely hard and to be his age, to have his talent and be able to showcase it on a platform like AEW/TBS that won't censor him or soften his character. He's a jerk and I'd hate him if he were real. But as it stands, he isn't and he's damn good at playing a villain that just needs a hug. Yet, I digress.

I really want to know what Mox and Ibushi were saying to each other at the end, what Kenny meant by his statement and a general health update on all of the talent that performed tonight. Especially everyone from the Blood and Guts event, I actually would love to know that they have very minor injuries and are resting. Everyone did their best to put on an amazing, cinematic and action packed program. They succeeded.

#aew dynamite #aew #all elite wrestling #aew blood and guts #blood and guts #happy blood and guts day yall #bcc #blackpool combat club #the golden elite #the elite #bte #kota ibushi #kenny omega #jon moxely #claudio castagnoli #wheeler yuta #konosuke takeshita #pac #the young bucks #matt jackson #nick jackson #hangman adam page #adam page #mjf #maxwell jacob friedman #adam cole bay bay #adam cole #danny garcia #sammy guevara #dr britt baker dmd

[guhamun]

multimuse combination meme; accepting || @lunaetis

[ quietly dropping ⭐ let's go shi u vu ]

Jianyu and Eden (h.sr verse):

Considering Eden is Trailblazer, there is a 99.5% chance that they will definitely encounter one another. He probably has seen Eden quite a few times as he’s gone from place to place, intrigued mainly because she’s with the Astral Express and that is a organization of interest. Basically, he wants to probe her brain for the most part.

Jianyu and Yinyue:

Join his mercenary crew Miss Yinyue. I’m not quite sure what verse to put this in BUUUUT either way he’s looking. She has his attention. She’s that kind of person he could just look at and know is a skilled fighter.

Jianyu and Arlecchino:

Something about…the vibes. On one hand, he doesn’t trust the Fatui. At all. Zero percent. On the other hand, Arlecchino would certainly interest him. Since he travels around every now and then due to going stir crazy reading and signing documents / doing administrative work back with his company, every now and then he’d travel to places like Fontaine looking after cargo / people of interest like merchants and the like, and would instinctively know from looking at her that she is dangerous.

Neuvillette and Eden (h.sr verse):

The Astral Express is such a big interest to him since he has seen many in the past before they all faded away leaving just the one Himeko has. Other dragons on his planet held little interest in the universe as a whole, but he has held some small sense of fascination in it. If he ever found out she had a Stelleron inside of her that could go boom any moment without Welt basically keeping it in check, he’d hard zoom in on that for sure and ask if the gaze of an Aeon has ever fallen upon her – in other words, ‘did Nanook acknowledge you?’

Neuvillette and Yelan:

How would they meet? I just don’t know. Even so, I’m looking.

Neuvillette and Arlecchino:

I am just really rubbing my chin about how an interaction with either of them would go since Neuvi does not trust her, but at the same time, has enough respect from her to get along on some form of level – or at least a high degree of tolerance. IDK IT INTERESTS ME.

Misaya and Nagayoshi:

Misaya is that kind of ‘Lord’ that can keep Nagayoshi under some semblance of control, I think. So in a Holy Grail War, I 1000% think that she would be a good match for him as she gives off those vibes that just make him listen more. He’s quite difficult to wrangle in, buuuuut you can bet he’d bend the knee for Misaya and deem her a worthy Master. Now in F.GO setting, that respect would still carry over, I think. She’s just got those vibes. If those same vibes can have Ozy deeming her an equal to him, those same vibes will have Nagayoshi being weirdly ‘well-behaved’.

Misaya and Arash:

I keep thinking about how Misaya was a little girl when Arash was running around, fighting in that timeline and it’s just so intriguing to think about! Him being a Servant from that war being summoned again by someone who was deeply affected by it is just -chef kiss- She’s a good Master too so he would give his all for her. In F.GO, he’d just really like her idek. Misaya is just too powerful with my Servants I GUESS.

#-slams down a book- FDSFDSFSS #lunaetis #answered #;;inbox #;ask reply meme #;ooc jabber

[fourseasonsfigs]

Rainy Night Wen

Following up yesterday's Wen Kexing is...another Wen Kexing. However, this one is much, much smaller, and much sadder. Poor guy! I hate to see figs cry.

But, who could blame him? Not me. This fig is too small for the weight of the crushing news he just received, that's for sure.

I know, Lao Wen, I know. Episode 14 is a tough one. Let's revisit this scene:

Alright, now that we've sufficiently upset ourselves and everyone, let's move onto this little fig.

Sometimes fig makers send his hairpins in pieces in order to prevent any inadvertent breakage in travel. This one was accompanied by not only the two halves of the hairpin, but also his flute.

The hairpin went in just fine, but the flute...well, the flute did NOT want to squeeze into those delicate little hands. This, dear friends, is EXACTLY the situation that gives me heart palpitations. Keep in mind this is a very small fig (he's a regular size fig, but he's sitting down), and my fingers are comparatively quite large and certainly quite clumsy. Do I press a bit harder and hope that it'll just magically snap in? What if I break the flute? What if I break a finger? What if I break a wrist?

My heart just can't take this kind of thing. We can't have crying figs AND crying figthusiasts! So I did what I always do when faced with with this sort of thing - I put him aside as a problem for future me.

Well, today the future became reality. I bolstered my courage, went back to the seller chat to see if they had any clever solutions I had just missed, and was super excited to see that they did!

YES! I excitedly downloaded the pic, and pulled up my translate app. The text above translates, "stuck here".

I was like, wait, I know, but how? HOW do I get it stuck there?

Nobody in this household answered me. So, I figured, at least I know it somehow has to go in his hands, so I guess I just have to squeeze a bit harder. So I did.

And this is what happens!!!! I lost the corner of the flute! You can see the piece just chipped off and is lying there on his knee. I don't even know how this happened?!?

The thing is, the scale of this all is so small, that my eyes can't actually see the damaged part. But boy does it pop up on camera.

I'm not having a great day at this point, but it's still better than the day Lao Wen is having, so I can't complain. I grabbed some paint and a small brush, propped up my phone and zoomed in on the flute, and got to work.

Not a professional job here, folks (WHY is it a bit lopsided on one side?), but truly it's impossible to see anything when the fig is in the hand. I tried to fix it, but I made it worse, so I had to remove it and repaint. This was the best I can do, so I stopped while I was ahead. As you'll see, even in the normal closeups, you can't really tell.

Alright, enough talking, let's check out this fig, shall we:

It's all going to be OK, Lao Wen.

This fig came in a plain white box, but the fig maker included not only the double sided fig card, but a pin! Usually, on extras like this the artwork matches the fig, but in this case we have a much cheerier Lao Wen.

The fig maker did not make a paired A-Xu for this fig, but luckily I have a number of A-Xu figs looking for their Lao Wen, so he's already well accompanied on my fig shelf.

Next post up we have...another Wen Kexing?!? We sure do! But this time, with his matching A-Xu.

Material: Resin, a little bit of acrylic paint, and some sad fig tears

Fig Count: 387

Scene Count: 26

Rating: Just hang in there, Lao Wen!

[link back to Master Fig Index for more posts]

#wen kexing #word of honor #episode 14 #word of honor merch #gong jun #figthusiast #lao wen

[x0401x]

What did you think of Tsurune S2 episode 6?

Okay, gotta start this as I always do: pointing out the positive and canon-complying elements first and foremost, because I love them.

First of all, Minato being a lovable little dumbass. We had scenes of him being clueless or distracted here and there, but in this episode we have him being the deadpan airhead that he is. That comes in the form of him doing things like saying funny shit without realizing how ridiculous it is (the unironic use of cute onomatopoeia is a classic for him in the novel and I’m so glad to see it making its way into the anime at last), or getting overexcited about kyudo-related stuff while his body language completely contradicts his straight face. Gotta love Seiya and Kaito giving him the Parent Look TM every single time.

I love that this season is very focused on all the minute details of kyudo. It's visible that the animators have dug deeper into this hole and done even more research on it. I specially appreciate the way they've been including the right breathing techniques into this season and we get a pretty good display of it whenever the camera zooms in on the characters when they're firing a shot.

On the topic of attention to detail, I almost screamed when we got to see Noa and Yuuna's houses. They got Rika's hair color wrong in one of the cuts of this scene but I couldn't care less. I loved it.

I love even more the tournament itself. The way that flower petals are used instead of tree leaves for the girls in order to showcase that their team has a different aura from the boys'. The flashbacks displaying their development and illustrating that it didn't come out of nowhere. The richness in their facial expressions and dialogues along the way.

I also like that they added a scene where Minato teams up with Seiya and Shuu for the first time. In the novel, we only ever get kind of an idea why these three were teamed in middle school, but we never got to see how this started or how they even knew they could work as a team in such a huge club like Kirisaki's. This also serves as a hint that they'd been doing kyudo outside of the club, which is a good explanation as to how they were able to nurture their skills given that Kirisaki's middle school kyudo club only allowed the third-years to actually do archery, while the juniors were stuck with other, more basic forms of practice and couldn't participate in tournaments.

Bonus points for it also being the first time Seiya realizes that Shuu is different around Minato, and that Minato has some sort of influence in him that other people don't. Plus, it gives us something that I missed a lot in S1 and that is being depicted beautifully in this one: Minato is a very charismatic kid. There's something about him that draws people in. His honesty, his innocence, his transparency - it all works to make people either love or resent him, and it's probably the most essential part of his character identity. After all, it's the eptome of Zen.

This scene was a very smart addition.

Speaking of his character identity, by the way, this episode was personality traits by the truckload. Minato's bow nerd-ness is at full power here. And also his impulsiveness being turned into productive, learning patience. He's on his way to being an even better archer and it all begins with the mindset.

Now, I wanna take a moment to appreciate Nanao being a little shit and Minato being embarrassed by it. Love me some in-character banter. And props to finally being shown that Minato's mom used to do archery and that she was his gateway to kyudo. I mean, we had seen that she was the person who taught him about tsurune, but she's also the first person who ever shared previous experience in kyudo with him, so it would've been unfair to just leave this fact out. Again, missed it in S1 and now we're making amends. Bless!

I'm almost in tears at the fact that the girls got themselves headbands too, as well as matching bow sleeves that have cute rabbit patterns to indicate that this is set in the year 2023. I'm also internally howling at the subtle, barely perceptible visual implications that Seiya is slowly migrating to Kaito's side. He's always right beside Kaito in every shot, and I almost didn't believe my eyes when he deliberately chose to sit next to Kaito instead of next to Minato to watch the tournament.

Now, for the things that aren't so positive. Luckily, there's actually very little negative stuff in this episode. It's been the most gratifying one to watch so far.

So, there's been a trend in this season ever since episode 4 where the storytelling ended up falling into the same territory as S1, in which we are getting a bunch of character arcs that culminate in a team arc instead of having a linear plot. It feels like we're checking boxes of character data and kyudo info that we were supposed to have had in S1, which isn't bad in itself, but the way it's being done strikes me as a bit inorganic. These arcs all serve a very specific purpose and are timed in order to fit exactly into the duration of each episode and it shows. It shows a little too much, I'd say, which makes them feel mechanic and somewhat artificial. Like, I know that I'm watching a fictional story, but that doesn't mean I wanna be aware of this fact.

Thanks to these arcs being a thing, we end up having another trend, which is that Minato's development is being delayed until his turn comes up. This ends up creating sort of a disconnect between him and his own habilities. In order to fit into his own arc while simultaneously serving as a proxy for the viewers who have no knowledge about kyudo, Minato literally seems to have forgotten everything. Ever since episode 1, we've seen Masaki do almost nothing but point out what Minato's been doing wrong in every single interaction they've had, so it's hard to ignore that Minato's been making a bunch of newbie mistakes.

This feels weird not just because Minato is the most experienced of the team, but also because he'd already received this exact kind of training at Yata Shrine during the beginning of the story, when he was getting back into archery and making up for the time he'd spent away from the dojo. He's already gone through this phase and was supposed to have overcome it. Besides, all of this stemming from just one fuck-up at a particular tournament is... a stretch, to say the least. Specially when said fuck-up was basically just a matter of teamwork-related mentality shift. It shouldn't mess up his entire form to a point where he has to almost relearn it from scratch, so we're left wondering what happened to his natural talent that everyone used to admire and how the hell he's managed to get to this point when he's literally sucking ass at the basics.

Speaking of Minato’s ordeal with getting back into practice, him using formal speech with Masaki during training is extremely uncomfortable to me. We do get the whole "awkward pupil who can't hold a candle to his mentor" vibe from him, but the formal treatment is pretty odd. In case anyone is wondering, Minato has dropped the formal speech since the second time he and Masaki met in the novel. So yes, this backtracking is something quite strange to witness.

Now, the thing that has me side-eyeing this character arc thing the most is that we seem to be wasting time with them. The show is using these arcs to flesh out the characters and make them likable because it failed to do this in S1, which is understandable, all right. However, I again would argue that having a linear plot would do the job better, not just because it'd feel more natural, but also because, while we're having these arcs, nearly nothing is accomplished except for working out non-canon, unnecessary problems that the anime has created... so that we could have these character arcs in the first place. And that's where I keep asking myself: why are we getting this instead of the source material's content? I mean, I do know the reason why. The original is too gay, we get it. But since I know what I'm missing out on, I at least want to see an on-screen justification for it. I want KyoAni to show us something that will make these changes worth it, because so far, it feels like they're dragging the story down in comparison to the novel.

I have already expressed this before but I still feel the need to voice my concern that this season is just as uneventful as the first. There’s just too little going on and therefore too little for the viewers to get invested in. The drama in the novel might feel exaggerated at times, but KyoAni doesn’t seem to have realized that it’s the only thing separating the series from... well, real life. Without that aspect, Tsurune is just a kyudo nerd-out galore with not much purpose. I’m of course not suggesting that they should suddenly insert into the anime the exact same amount of drama as the novels have, but that they could at least be a bit more daring than what we’ve seen so far and introduce some of it. Because I can't imagine how boring this series must be for anime-only’s.

I keep noticing, after every single episode, that I’m only enjoying this installment because I was already a fan of the original work. If I hadn’t read the novel and didn’t have it in me to read it, having the anime as my only form of contact with this series would’ve prompted me to drop it by S1. This season is way better than the previous one in every sense and it oozes good intentions, yet there’s still a palpable lack of excitement in it. The training at the inn, Shuu’s petty envy, the hotel shitstorm. So much stuff that isn't too far removed from the tone of the anime and that could be put to good use here, yet isn't.

KyoAni, I’m literally on my knees. I implore you to make this thing sell. Please make it sell.

But I want to end this one on a good note, so my last comment is gonna be on the later half of the episode. I adore Saionji's participation and the subtle, well-written explanations about what the boys' team is lacking. It was super refreshing to have the girls' team as the reason why they realized what they were missing in a different way from how the novel did it. Speaking of different way from how the novel did it, I like that we got to see Minato and Saionji's conversation about Shigeru. In the novel, we only had Minato telling Eisuke about it, so I'm happy that we got to actually see it. And gotta tip my hat to the scene where Masaki watches as Minato finally gets his form right once again. Pretty good punchline.

And of course, the last scene is a treasure. The girls being valued as important members of the team is my new favorite thing. Yuuna absolutely blasting Ren into outer space was a blessing. Minato being an unapologetic dork has watered my crops and cleared my skin. That nod to the one-eyed fish had me at the edge of my seat (yes, I still have hopes of it being at least referred to at some point, along with Masaki and Minato's scars). And finally, the Star Festival has been mentioned. Love the way that the dojo was decorated for it. Yata Shrine looks like a new world entirely, almost as if we've been transported to a feudal fantasy setting. I just don't get why it's gonna happen after the tournament. I guess this means we're not getting Ren and Minato's conversation and that honestly worries me, but as always, I'm just taking what I can get.

#tsurune #tsurune tsunagari no issha #narumiya minato #takigawa masaki #takehaya seiya #onogi kaito #fujiwara shuu #nikaidou eisuke #seo rika #shiragiku noa #hanazawa yuuna #takigawa ren #saionji kazuyoshi

[mitchtheficus]

A Golden Lovers Timeline

PART 19: STRONG STYLE EVOLVED

okay two last things about the confrontation in the locker room (Feb 2018 - LINK) before we move on:

The lovers have a brief conversation in Japanese that ends with Kenny saying “shall we go home?” and Kota replying “let’s head home” (mithen translation LINK) 

And THEN. (and i have absolutely nothing to say about this do not speak to me about it.) the scene ends with the camera zooming in on the open closet behind the lovers

ANYWAY.

after the confrontation with the bucks, Kenny goes to the states for a bit (we’ll get to his misadventures there in a later part) leaving Kota all alone in Japan where he competes in the New Japan Cup (March 9-21, 2018)

when njpw does tournaments they divide the tournament matches up so that half of them happen every other night. during the wrestler’s “off” night they do a multi-man tag match against their next opponent, and then the next night they have their singles match

and what that means is that Kota’s in need of some tag team partners!!!

and so begins a time I like to call Kota and the In-Laws.

Before reuniting with Kenny, Kota had been tagging with the loosely aligned collection of babyfaces that sometimes call themselves Taguchi Japan, but now that he and Kenny have renewed their vows, NJPW has started booking him with Bullet Club

Kota finds this very confusing

[ID: Kota in post match comments. A reporter asks “What about your thoughts on tagging with Bullet Club?” and Kota says “I don’t even know, I may be one of them... Did I end up joining Bullet Club after partnering with Kenny? I’m still listed as neutral, right?” End ID. LINK]

it’s honestly the best, because the BC members who are in Japan for the Cup aren’t any of the BTE guys, they’re all the Tongan faction (Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Yujiro) who have stayed out of the Cody/Kenny feud up to this point. they don’t really know Cody bc he’s new to njpw, and their relationship with Kenny is uh.. complicated at best. they respect him for his skill as a wrestler, but they’re all too aware that Kenny doesn’t respect them or the bullet club as a whole.

but njpw books them as Kota’s teammates for this tour, and even tho he’s literally no one to them, just the husband of the boss who just got coup-ed, and even tho they’re also pretty confused about this booking, they take the responsibility seriously.

during this whole tour whenever they tag with Kota all of the bullet club comes out to Kota’s music instead of their own and they always invite him to join the two sweet even tho Kota always refuses

[ID: three gifs. Tanga Loa and Yujiro are doing the two sweet while Kota looks at them. They invite Kota to join but he kind of makes a ‘no you go ahead’ gesture and takes a step back. in the next gifs he shakes Yujiro and Tanga Loa’s hands. Yujiro is friendly and amused, Tanga Loa is uncertain but not unfriendly. End ID. LINK]

it becomes a running gag during the tour

[ID: gif of a match, a BC member puts up his hand for the Two Sweet gesture, Kota cheerfully high fives it. End ID. LINK]

We hear from David Finlay that Kota is even spending time with BC outside of the ring, hanging out in their locker room and going out with them after shows

During one match when Finlay is on commentary we get this nice moment:

Kevin Kelly: “If you'd have told [Kota] three months ago, 'hey you're going to be teaming with bullet club' he'd have looked at you like you had horns growing out of your head.”

Finlay: “Well he might have been happy tho!”

Kevin: “Because that would mean that he'd have reunited with Kenny?”

Finlay: “Yeah, so I think a little piece of him would be like "yeah, i hope so."”

Then a little later we get Bad Luck Fale on commentary and he’s just super chill and understanding about Kota being kind of confused about this whole situation. He makes it clear that whether or not Kota is a BC member isn’t something that has to be figured out rn, and when Kevin points out that Kota doesn’t seem interested in taking part in BC-esq activities like cheating, Fale just replies "He's still probably trying to figure out what's going on himself." 

It’s just this really lovely time where Kota is completely and utterly himself, not making any special effort to be accepted by BC at all, and yet this collection of heels who could have made the tour about their issues with Kenny, instead look at Kota and go “well i guess we just? Adopt him? idk?” and never look back.

And this takes us all the way to the end of march.

The bucks have been building up to the GL vs YB match in the meantime, making it clear that Nick is worried and uncomfortable with fighting Kenny, not sure if he can even hurt his friend (Nick Jackson!!! Professional monster boy!!! Unsure!!! If he can cause harm!!! Because of how much he loves Kenny!!!!!), and Matt is just bleeding feelings everywhere

[ID: screenshots of BTE. Matt sits with his young daughter and son at their house. Matt: “Do you know who daddy's wrestling this weekend?” Daughter: “Uh huh, who are you wrestling?” Matt: “Actually, I'm wrestling Kenny.” Daughter: “That's not cool, isn't he your friend?” Matt: “Yeah, actually. Actually, yeah... Kenny's my good friend, but sometimes-” Son: “Uncle Kenny?” Matt: “Sometimes you have to wrestle your friends and sometimes you have to wrestle your family. Maybe at the end of the whole thing we’ll love each other even more.” End ID. LINK]

in the BTE episode for the SSE show [LINK] we see that Kenny watched NJPW’s interview with the bucks (where Matt admits to feeling jealous of Kota LINK), we see him looking at the two golden wings on his new gear just as the interviewer asks “Kenny and Kota Ibushi’s relationship right now, do you think they're too close?”

Speaking of his new gear!!! Kenny has this gear made in his old DDT colors: green, orange, and gold. On the butt are two full golden wings, and between the wings are a golden omega symbol with a golden star inside it. “G” and “L” are written on his kneepads. A lone feather is attached to his right hip, and below that it says “best bout machine”

seeing Kenny with two wings again...yeah.

finally, just before the show Cody gives all the BTE guys these belts with their names on them. i guess they’re like weight-lifting belts? Matt makes a comment about crossfit idk, but for the purposes of this story they’re a symbol of alliance with Cody, and Nick hates them and does not wear his.

[ID: screenshot of BTE episode. Matt has his Cody belt over his shoulder, Nick looks down at his own belt with distaste. End ID. LINK]

and now it’s time for The Saddest Match Ever

Strong Style Evolved - March 25th, 2018 [Official LINK, Unofficial LINK]

The GL vs YB match is the main event of Strong Style Evolved, NJPW’s show in Long Beach, CA, and the match that they put on is complex and unique

there’s no heel or face alignments here, and half of the participants (Kenny and Nick) desperately do not even want to be here doing this. Kenny and Nick’s horror at the prospect of hurting their friend

[ID: gif of Kota stamping on a prone Matt’s back and Kenny rushes into the ring and pushes Kota away from him. End ID]

[ID: gif of Nick super kicking Kenny out of mid-air. after Kenny falls to the ground Nick just sits for a minute, with a thousand yard stare. End ID]

combined with Matt’s desperation to both hurt and be hurt

[ID: gif of Kenny stamping on a prone Matt. Matt yells at him “that feel good, Kenny?” End ID]

is extremely painful to witness

(And meanwhile the whole time poor Kota Ibushi is just Trying To Have A Match, like he’s just trying to do some wrestling here and everyone else is being so weird about it)

Kenny and Nick have to be won over to participate in the violence of the match, both of them really only finding the stomach for it after seeing their partner being hurt, but there’s never a moment when hurting their friend becomes easy for them

[ID: Kenny drops Matt’s back over his knee, his face own face twisted with misery. He pushes Matt off him and just sort of sinks down and stares at the ground. End ID]

theoretically this match is about finding out which team is the best in the world, but even though the bucks lose, it’s so clear that it’s not because the GLs were “better.” it’s because Matt Jackson is emotionally and physically compromised

his back hampers him throughout, made worse by the GLs’ targeted attacks, and it gets to a point where he can’t even do most of the YBs’ moveset without help

but he’s never really focused on winning. matt’s focus is always on hurting Kenny and Kota (not beating them, inflicting pain and insult), and making Kenny hurt him back.

because the pain that Matt’s feeling would be so much easier to bear if he knew for sure that Kenny doesn’t love him. It’s the lingering hope, the fear and uncertainty, that make it so unbearable. so he wants Kenny to put an end to any doubt.

again and again in this match Matt lets the worst parts of his heart direct his actions, and through it all Kenny loves him.

Kenny has failed to be a good friend to Matt recently, he has taken the bucks for granted, he has failed to treat them as his equals, but in this match, when Matt is testing him, when Matt is demanding cruelty from him

[ID: three gifs. in the first matt uses the belt that Cody gives him to whip Kenny’s back, while kenny kneels on the mat. in the second Kenny is now standing and it’s matt who is on the ground. Kenny picks up Matt’s belt and looks at it. in the third Kenny stands before Matt with the belt and throws it away. End ID]

Kenny refuses.

he hurts Matt but he never crosses that line. and every time he refuses, every time he hesitates, you can see that it’s almost worse for Matt than if Kenny had just done it, because it proves over and over that Kenny does care about him.

the truth that Kenny loves the young bucks genuinely but imperfectly, loves them, but not enough to give up Kota for them, almost feels worse than if Kenny had never loved them at all. because at least if Kenny never loved them Matt would have the cold comfort of his own righteous anger. at least if Kenny never loved them, this pain could be over. this could be simple. he could cut Kenny off and try to move on. but because Kenny loves them, that means it’s possible to fix this, and that truth is so much harder to face

when Kenny finally pins Matt, he doesn’t let go after the three count.

[ID: gif of the GLs laying on top of Matt for the pin, after the count Kota slides off them but Kenny just clutches Matt closer, crying. End ID]

he just holds Matt and cries. he just loves him.

and he doesn’t ask anything from him. after winning, Kenny leaves the ring without reaching out to the bucks again.

but the events of the night aren’t over yet.

after the lovers leave, Cody comes to the ring and starts yelling at Matt for losing, and when Nick tries to intervene...

[ID: two gifs. In the first Cody turns towards Nick and shoves him to the ground, a perfect mirror of Kenny doing the same thing to Matt at New Beginning. In the second Cody aggressively removes his jacket. End ID]

It’s a perfect, deliberate parallel of the events of the Golden Lovers’ reunion, except that Kenny was shocked and horrified to discover he had pushed Matt, and Cody is ready for more

But just like New Beginning, matt and nick are saved by a run-in from someone who loves them.

[ID: gif of Cody seeing Kenny coming and starting to back away, while Matt holds his brother and sinks down to sit on the mat beside him. End ID]

Kenny chases Cody off and then he offers the bucks his hand, just like Kota reached out to him. Nick accepts

and Matt doesn’t

[ID: two gifs, Kenny offering his hand to Nick who takes it and gets pulled up. in the second Kenny offers his hand to Matt while Nick looks on. Matt looks at the hand and then at Kenny and turns away. End ID]

Matt can’t let it go. Not yet. Not in the immediate aftermath of a match like that.

And you can see his refusal break Kenny and Nick’s hearts

[ID: gif of Kenny and Nick reacting to Matt turning away from Kenny. Both are crying and devastated. End ID]

but where Matt goes, Nick follows

[ID: gif of Nick leaving the ring following Matt while Matt and Kenny look on. End ID]

but even tho this night didn’t end with the Elite’s reunion, something has shifted. Matt’s not ready to forgive Kenny, but he’s seen the care and love that Kenny has for him

and he’s gotten his first glimpse of Cody’s true face

[PART 20] [ALL PARTS]

#bte out here doing CLOSET SYMBOLISM i cant stand them #golden lovers #goldenloverstimeline #kota ibushi #kenny omega #the young bucks #nick jackson #matt jackson #there's so much in the strong style evolved match about the bucks' relationship with each other that i didn't get into #so much stuff about the way nick reacts to matt in pain and to kenny hurting matt #if you havent watched the match i definitely recommend it #it's so hard to describe the way matt is during the match his feelings are just so big and out of control #it really took me a long time to try to put it into words #and im still not 100% satisfied #but hey! this is the hardest part! its all up from here! this is the saddest this story gets #the thing about being upset that kenny loves them but not enough to give up kota is like the irrational part of jealousy you know? #like matt would never give up nick for kenny and that doesnt mean he doesnt love kenny #but kennys never had someone like that in his life during his friendship with the bucks #there's no good guys or bad guys in this story and especially not in this match #mestuff #myGLgifs #reunitedera #myomegagifs #mykotagifs #myyoungbucksgifs #always with you

[ciaossu-imagines]

C's Nanbaka Platonic Match-Up

I wasn’t kidding when I said I was so in the mood for writing some match-up’s and you indulged me so well! I really appreciate it and hope you’ll enjoy!

In my opinion, your ideal Nanbaka best friend is MITSURU! I actually had a little bit of a debate in my mind over who to go with, as there were a few options that really made sense to me, with the other options being listed at the end of the post, but in the end, I had to go with Mitsuru. To me, it just fit almost beautifully, with only one thing you mentioned in your description going against the friendship working out perfectly. That thing, of course, being that you mentioned not being too great with loud sounds and the fact is that Mitsuru…Mitsuru equals loud. He’s called Nanba’s noise problem for a reason and there might be times when he does get a little too loud for your liking, times where you either need to take a break from him or ask him to lower the volume a little bit but other than that, I do feel the two of you go together like peanut butter and jelly.

You mention really being open to meeting new people and experiencing new things, but only if it’s done in a way that still allows you to feel safe. And Mitsuru would definitely give you that ‘safe framework’, once you get to really know him and settle into the friendship. Even at the beginning of the friendship, there is just something about Mitsuru that does put people at ease and that does make them feel comfortable and safe with him. And that is only something that grows as the friendship grows more solid and I think it really gets to a point where you trust Mitsuru pretty completely to keep you safe, comfortable, and to never put you in harm’s way. And that’s useful because Mitsuru loves new and exciting and he always wants to drag you along. Literally sometimes. I wouldn’t put it past him to get the Science Division to modify his Segueway thing to have a trailer added to the back since, with your dystonia, he worries about making you walk too much so he’ll just pick you up, toss you gently in the trailer and zoom the two of you off to new adventures. He loves introducing you to all his ‘friends’ at Nanba, getting you out experiencing new people and new things. There’s definitely no possibility of boredom with Mitsuru around, which is kind of nice for you, where you do get bored easily.

Another thing I can see the two of you doing a lot together, because you both share creative natures, is crafting. He’ll occasionally join you for diamond dots or latch-hooking, something you get him a little addicted to, and he loves teaching you to show so that you can help him make plushies and odd little things. While you wouldn’t guess it by looking at him, Mitsuru is honestly really into crafting and things like that. He also really loves taking photographs and he’s definitely going to be the one to suggest making a scrapbook together of your adventures in Nanba Prison.

Now, Mitsuru might come across as a little goofy and sometimes a little dumb, but that cheerful, crazy façade hides the fact that this man is incredibly observant. He’s quick to learn you, to be able to tell your moods and your reactions. It comes in really handy when you find yourself becoming overwhelmed or worse, when you find yourself uncomfortable and upset. Since he figures out quickly that you have a hard time dealing with situations that make you uncomfortable, that you have issues sticking up for yourself or others because you don’t want to make others more upset, he’s usually pretty able to rescue you from those situations. For one, Mitsuru is definitely someone who has no problems with opening his mouth and giving his opinion and if he thinks someone is making you uncomfortable or upset, he’ll run his mouth and end up getting the situation back to a point where you feel comfortable, or he’ll run his mouth while finding a way to just get the two of you away from the situation entirely.

Another area where you and Mitsuru really click is that Mitsuru loves talking about his obsession of the moment. He’s a man with many interests and constantly changing hobbies and he loves to share his interests and thoughts about things with you. A big video gamer, he’ll want to play them with you, to connect over storylines or characters. He’ll want to involve you in any of his hobbies du jour. But he’s not selfish – he also loves hearing about your interests and he’s going to do everything he can to give your interests an honest shot to see if they’re things he ends up enjoying too. One interest the two of you for sure share is your interest in personality tests and things of that nature. Mitsuru loves them and finds it hilarious and fun to do alongside you for every one of your friends and acquaintances and he’ll dig up some interesting, weird little quizzes that he’ll want to take for you, while you take them for him, just to see what the results are and if they fit.

Now, it might seem like Mitsuru is always saving you or doing for you in this friendship, but it’s not all just a one-way street. Honestly, your more level-headed nature helps Mitsuru out a lot. You keep him from going overboard, something he’s easily tempted to do, and you pull him back from some of his crazier antics or escapades and let him know when enough is enough. And since he sometimes forgets to really take care of himself, your helpful and caring nature towards your friends really means a lot to him as you do little, quiet things that always make his day easier and better.

RUNNERS UP: Nico, Seitarou, Kiji, and Tsukumo

#replies #c #match-up #platonic match-up #nanbaka #mitsuru hitokoe

[acatinafancyhat]

Doing my due diligence and watched 1993-5 Belgian Chess! It’s in dutch, but unfortunately the sound quality is not great so i could only guess at what they’re saying most of the time. The translations are quite different from the 2008 Dutch version i got that far... Fortunately it’s a boring London copy so there’s not that much going on anyway 🙃

And yet i had thoughts, therefore it is shouting into the void time! 🥳

Act 1

- Starting off with... statues sitting at a chessboard? Arbiter is here. People dance around the statues like they’re praying to the chess gods during Story of Chess. Real.

- This Arbiter looks so stressed and irritated already. The players haven’t even shown up yet u don’t know what’s coming your way my friend

- Merano folks have shown up in full lederhosen :)

- Real smoke to show Freddie’s train arriving that’s cool! Ohh and this Freddie’s going hard on the washed up rock star vibes. Not sure he looks like a Freddie to me though...

- Freddie walks out after Entrance, so Merano people start assaulting a random tourist guy instead. He looks confused. Then concerned. Then runs off-stage screaming. The Merano experience! :D

- Freddie and Florence Established Relationship but their chemistry is Off. Hmmm.

- This Freddie plays a chess computer (except. There is no computer. Only Disembodied Robot Voice and Freddie speaking his move into thin air.) and he also does push ups. Broadway influence?

- Commie Newspapers and Press Conference are both so slow...

- Wait no it’s speeding up for PC chorus but that’s Not Better. I don’t get this timing it sounds very wrong

- Punching a reporter, check!

- Anatoly and Molokov look like college professors but in different ways (Anatoly is your homeless depressed comp lit guy, Molokov teaches law and delights in assigning too much homework. the AU is real to me)

- Some guy is watching Anatoly do Where I Want to Be. Is he a bodyguard? Idk...

- Anatoly’s chess second also looks like a college professor what is this (Perpetually Anxious Uncomfortably Freud-Loving Psychology Professor vibe for him)

- “No one can deny what kind of times these are” I guess they are neither difficult and dangerous nor encouraging now. They are simply. A kind of times. You can’t deny it. 👍

- Lmao Walter and Molokov almost get in a fight at the end of Diplomats, Arbiter has to break them up

- Walter and Molokov are on Arbiter background dancer duty!!

- After doing Hymn, Arbiter calls Walter back. They both start laughing maniacally. Strange and disturbing...

- Anatoly and Freddie have both suited up for Chess

- There’s a group of background people behind them just kind of rhythmically swaying in place??

- Freddie fake flips the board it looks so silly. Don’t be a coward let him throw the actual board! Freddie board flipping rights!!!

- This Walter is so ready to fight everybody. Molokov, Freddie, his own camera crew. He’s a hands-on kind of spy.

- Side note I like this Florence actress much better for her than Dutch Florence

- Der Kleine Franz brings back the lederhosen

- Mountain Duet on an empty stage with Anatoly sitting on a chair and Florence standing across the stage. They haven’t even greeted each other. The Flonatoly is truly non-existent so far

- Awkwardly standing opposite each other now as they sing...

- He’s touching her and i cringe.

- This has so little going for it i’m sorry, worse Flonatoly development than RAH fr. Depressed professor Anatoly has no discernible personality he just Stands There. Florence actress does her best to look charmed but she has nothing to go on it is not working for me

- Freddie is SITTING ON A BENCH WATCHING THEM KISS the camera was zoomed in on Flo & Toly idk how long he’s been there 😶

- He loses the match, stalks off, angrily takes off his shirt and shoes and throws them at the wall... Goes to get a robe and a bottle of booze...

- Drunk Freddie during Florence Quits high key Worries me

- He’s so tense fr

- Punches a wall after she leaves

- Floor time even before PTC starts

- Oh okay there goes the robe. This is a weird time for him to be shirtless?

- Aaaaand more floor time for the Sad Man

- Florence comes back!!!!! And puts her coat over him djskskaldgsh What.

- And then we get Florence Someone Else’s Story while she’s sitting with him he’s sleeping(?) on the floor with his head on her knee and she’s like. petting his head. Wahh...

- Okay i mean it’s sweet i guess but they just did Florence Quits so is this really the time???

- Also uncomfortable Freudian vibes tbh

- Anatoly and the Press is slow. Anthem is fast. Make up your mind people >:(

- Toly looks distressed during Anthem. He asks Flo for a hug at the end aww (i'm still not into it)

Act 2

- Hey they translated ONIB i’ve not seen that before actually

- “we’ve barely recovered from those lederhosen” he says. me too buddy, me too

- I think this is the tamest ONIB Feddie i’ve come across so far. he’s just hanging out, the Bangkok people aren’t paying too much attention to him or he to them 🤔

- Reporter Freddie wears a flower blouse and he has a little paper notepad. he looks like he’s on vacation. Real Tourist Freddie :)

- Soviet Machine aka Socially Awkward People Having a Party

- Viigand sits quietly off to the side playing chess while everyone else gets super drunk and dances around, wins the social awkwardness contest

- Lol one guy does the high ooooooo and everyone is so startled and annoyed! Molokov smacks him in the head!

- Freddie looks hyped to do Interview the hard way

- Anatoly takes a step back when he sees him he looks very nervous hehe

- Whyyyyy is this one also slow???

- Oh nope awkward speedup again

- Florence and Svetlana both wearing red in The Deal hmmmmmm

- The Freddie/Anatoly part of The Deal happens over the phone? They’re standing on opposite sides of the stage :(

- Florence/Freddie is irl but for the “who’d ever guess it” verse they don’t look at each other they’re standing next to each other facing the audience i don’t like it :c (also another weird tempo change ugh)

- IKHSW direct translation not flipped!! (thank god) however i have no idea where they’re supposed to be right now

- They’re still both wearing red outfits but Florence’s is a suit and Svetlana’s is a dress the effect is Something. They look more alike than most Flo and Svetas it’s giving me Thoughts.

- They exchange a look at the end and Flo gives Sveta a little nod and then they walk off together i support this :)

- Everyone stands so far apart all the time in this production idk... and every time they get close to each other it’s uncomfortable... only Queens have any kind of chemistry.

- Fun fact instead of chanting the championship years in Endgame they say “first champion... second champion... third champion”

- Freddie and Sveta are off in a corner together watching the game??

- Freddie joins the party to point an accusing finger at Anatoly but we’ve had Talking Chess so i’m not sure what his issue is right now (lyrics are sadly unclear to me)

- Immediate Flonatoly hug after he wins. this Florence just can not make up her mind

- And now she’s telling him to leave

- Freddie is still here. watching them. again. O_O

- Walter tells Florence he’s not sure her father is alive, kisses her forehead and walks off. She should kill him.

- The End

So uh yeah okay that was a Chess. No regrets i will watch them all 🫡 but i hope you make better choices than i did.

Tl;dr on the off chance someone was on the fence about watching this (nah) please let me assure you that You Don’t Need To Do That! You will gain nothing and lose 2+ hours of your life :) Maaaaybe watch Florence Quits, Pity the Child and Someone Else’s Story if you’re a huge Florence/Freddie fan and have nothing better to do!

#chessposting #my random chess thoughts #chess the musical

[purplekoop]

wait.

alright this feels weird but. zooming in.

god damnit they DO have belly buttons

See I was thinking "ah, see they're cephalopods, of course they wouldn't have belly buttons But. No. They got 'em. Kind of subtle but they're definitely there.

You'd think I would've realized this sooner because major characters have exposed midriffs and visible belly buttons too. Marina even has a piercing there.

I mention this because every time I've drawn Miri so far, she's had her midriff exposed, but I didn't draw her belly button. Deliberately, I thought about adding it, but because I just didn't think Inklings/Octolings have those I didn't.

so anyways fresh new Splatoon lore, either they arbitrarily convergently evolved little indents resembling navels to match humanity because of Lore, or because they evolved to give live birth with similar mechanisms to humans, thus having belly buttons the same way we do.

I don't know what to do with this information besides keep it in mind for any further cephalopod midriffs I draw

#splatoon #koop's oc stuff #mirianna