#i'm attracted to him a totally normal amount

[jynzandtonic]

#it's fine #i'm fine #everything is fine #i'm not freaking out #i'm attracted to him a totally normal amount #i'm being totally normal about this #adam driver

[thranduel]

some thoughts about astarion because i'm tired of the internet reducing him to one thing

when bg3 came out in early access, astarion was always seen as the extremely flirty, confident guy who enjoyed sex (or so we thought) and spoke about it like it was his favourite thing. he was also kinda marketed as the “sexy vampire”, so you can understand why many people saw him that way based on the little amount of content we had. even while playing act 1 and act 2, many players still might think of him like that because he does have a very charismatic personality and he asks to sleep with you very early on, so it just automatically makes you think he’s genuinely happy doing that and being totally serious.

BUT!!!!!!! we end up finding out later on that’s NOT the case and it was all part of a plan to seduce us in order for him to gain protection. he opens up about his past and his trauma and how he was forced to use his body to lure people back to cazador. he struggles with intimacy and relationships in general because of this. that’s why i really hope that people stop reducing him to “hot sexy vampire that loves flirting and having sex with everyone” when that is not who he is, he’s literally traumatised because of sex due to being forced into it and he’s slowly trying to heal. he’s also so much more than just “the hot vampire”, ya know? if you actually put in the effort to get to know him, you will see who he truly is underneath and he has many loveable traits to appreciate.

you may not see the “soft” side of him very often because he hides it, but it’s there!! one thing i noticed that really stood out to me was that when i gave food to an orphan in act 3 and he approved. back when you first met him, he probably would’ve done the opposite or had no reaction at all. i also saw a clip of someone trying to romance karlach and astarion and he literally told tav to choose karlach over him because he can see that karlach loves her. he said normally an arrangement would work for him but after everything karlach has been through, he doesn’t want to get in the way or see her hurt. letting tav go is also hard for him as well but he still thought about someone else. he could’ve whined or been possessive or jealous but he didn’t do that at all. where are all those people who reduce astarion to “the guy that flirts and sleeps with everyone” now? seriously. that’s not what he does, and when he was forced into it by cazador, he was trying to survive, he didn’t do it for his own pleasure. it’s not a “hot” personality trait of his, it’s literally trauma. and because he did it so much, he got used to it, and that resulted in him disassociating and feeling empty.

apparently if you ask him to join you and sleep with the drows at the brothel (something i will never make him do in my playthroughs), he only says yes because he struggles to say no. but he disassociates. and if you’re in a high approval relationship with him and he loves you, he will feel safe enough to express his feelings and say he’s not comfortable. this happens before you fight cazador. i’m not sure if he gives the same response after, but either way, if he joins in, he will always disassociate and it’s not something he wants to do despite what he may say.

that being said, it’s obviously still okay to appreciate his beauty and attractiveness, because he is very beautiful. he appreciates it and even likes being called beautiful. calling him “hot” and “sexy” isn’t a bad thing either, we know he can be and i'm sure he knows it too! it’s just annoying when people act like that’s ALL he is and they don’t even mention anything else about his character. the love scenes are beautifully done too (i personally prefer the second one after you’ve stopped him from doing the ritual, because that’s the one where he decided he truly wanted it and felt safe and comfortable because he genuinely loves you), and i actually would’ve been fine if they didn’t have any scenes like that at all because it’s totally understandable and valid if he didn’t feel comfortable, but i just hope that people don’t take things too far and over-sexualise him just because of how he appeared to be in the first half of the game and the way he’s often marketed on social media. and yes i know he’s fictional and nothing on the internet is going to hurt his feelings!!!! it’s more about the fact that he canonically has sexual trauma and many people still say really disturbing stuff even AFTER they find out about that, and it just makes me uncomfortable to think that people are okay with treating someone like a sexual object especially when they've said they're traumatised and it makes them uncomfortable. idk if this makes sense 😭

but yeah he doesn't want to flirt and sleep with everyone as i've seen people claim. and if in an alternate universe he did, and he did it on his OWN terms, and the other people he had relationships with enjoyed it too, then good for them! absolutely nothing wrong with that if there's consent, respect and honesty. however, that's not the case with what happened with astarion, because 1. he was forced into using his body WHEN HE DID NOT WANT TO and 2. he misled people and lured them to a miserable fate. it's so horrible and devastating for everyone involved. sex was never something fun for him, and it certainly isn't a "personality trait" of his. it was a survival tactic. he was forced to. he didn’t want to.

obviously when he becomes more comfortable, then it's totally understandable to get excited when he flirts and shows physical affection. he can be so charming, funny, sweet and romantic and i love that. it’s so beautiful to see him heal, genuinely find comfort in someone for the first time and experience intimacy that he feels ready and comfortable for. he deserves to love and be loved on his own terms instead of being forced. but again, he is so much more than the guy we were introduced to at the beginning. the internet just sees one thing and sticks with it but i really hope people start to actually appreciate him for who he is and the complexity of his character.

aaaaand i just had to leave this here <3

#astarion #baldur’s gate 3 #bg3 #sorry for rambling i’ve just been very emotional about him recently 😭 #also i hope people remember that even if he NEVER EVER wanted to have sex again he is 100% valid #he does not have to change or force himself to feel a certain way #especially after everything he’s been through #and if you think he does then you’re gross. he doesn’t owe anyone ANYTHING #anyways #when he kept apologising for not sleeping with tav i wanted to cry #there is literally a scene where if you tell him halsin is interested in you he says it’s ok to go to him #but then he gets concerned and asks if it’s because he hasn’t slept with you for a while #and i wanted to cry #he should NEVER have to feel guilty for that #honestly the only reason why i think he might eventually feel comfortable with sex again is because -> #in act 3 after his genuine love confession after you help him defeat cazador he initiates it himself #and it feels like it’s something he truly wants after developing a strong emotional bond with someone for the first time #and i think that’s really beautiful that he chose to do it on his own terms when he felt ready #but also #for a while i wasn’t sure if he was repulsed and uncomfortable by sex in general and hated it entirely #or if he only feels comfortable after he develops a strong emotional bond #the only reason i think the second one now is because of what happened in act 3 #but regardless whatever it is i just want him to feel safe and comfortable and happy #my posts

[binniebakery]

Closer

College AU!Taehyun x Gn!Reader (Strangers to ..) Suggestive! ♡ Summary: As a college student it was practically normal to go drink at parties if you were social enough. So when you kiss an attractive guy that you’ve never seen before, and he returns the favor, is that normal too? ♡ Warnings: Smoking, drinking, slight cursing. MDNI please! (also I’m not familiar with smoking so if I use terms wrong or misrepresent it I apologize!) not proofread because I'm lazy lol ♡ A/N: Totally wasn’t listening to ‘one of the girls’ while writing this !! don't ask me why I’ve been writing so much suggestive content lately I just don’t touch grass... mb guys 🧍‍♀️🧍‍♀️(I'm honestly on a roll rn) anywho enjoy this short thing!

Maybe you had too much to drink. Maybe. Hell, you could’ve even been cross-faded with the amount of joints being tossed around you, who knows? Your vision felt slightly hazy as a small smile sat on your lips, watching the blurbs of people dancing around to the music blasting in the tightly packed living room you were in. The frat parties at your uni were always a sight to see. You leaned against the wall of an empty corner, using said wall as leverage as your legs were feeling a little too much like jelly. Yeah, you were definitely crossed. Normally you were glued to your friend’s side but it seems tonight she’d run off with a random guy once again. You rolled your eyes at the thought. After a few minutes of deciding whether to call up your friend or a taxi to get back to your dorm, you find yourself staring at a male standing across the room. One hand holding a red solo cup, the other in his pocket as he swayed to the beat of the music. Although you were pretty familiar with everyone that went to these parties every weekend you’ve never seen that specific pair of large brown eyes before. You squinted your eyes in a weak attempt to get a better look but your vision was just too blurry, you were way too far gone. Normally you’d admire from afar but the mixed vodka in your system was encouraging you to go over to him. You bit your lip as you weighed your options, your eyes focusing a little too unnecessarily hard on the cup in your hand and swishing the alcohol inside around. Fuck it it’s not like you’ll ever see him again he probably doesn’t even go to your school. You pick yourself off the wall and slowly stride over to the brown-haired figure. You weren’t too sure how you were going to talk to him but the closer you got the more you found yourself wanting to just pull him in. He was possibly the most attractive guy you've ever seen. You take another sip of your drink, almost spilling it on yourself when someone suddenly bumps into you. “Oh shit!-- My bad I didn't see you there!” a random boy with a backward hat cackles as he pats your shoulder, passing through without a second thought. You simply smile awkwardly and nod as you watch him stride to the person you were just about to approach. You stood a few feet away, not wanting to interrupt their conversation and hoping this guy would leave so you could possibly make your move. He hands his friend the rolled-up blunt that was in his hand. “Here you go Taehyun. I’m heading out now– you comin’ or nah?” He tilts his head, a cheeky grin spread across his face.  Ah, so the guy you were trying to approach was named Taehyun. “Nah I’m gonna stay a little longer, I’ll see you later though man.” Taehyun fist-bumps the other male. You internally sigh in relief as you watch him walk away, your eyes looking back to Taehyun as he takes a long drag. You feel yourself shudder in anticipation. “Hey there.”

You freeze and realize Taehyun has caught you staring. Well, now you definitely have to talk to him.

“Hey.” Hey? Hey? Was that really all you could say? “Find something you like?” Taehyun cocks an eyebrow, eyes scanning the way your outfit shows just enough to leave the right amount to his imagination. You weren’t sure if your body was heating up from his intense gaze or the amount of alcohol that was in your system. “Is there an issue with that?” You sweetly respond. You were really throwing your cards onto the table, weren’t you? “Someone’s bold.” Taehyun chuckles as he takes a step closer to you. Eyelids heavy as he keeps sharp eye contact. Had you not been so far gone you would have crumbled under his gaze. “What's your name?” Taehyun leans in, talking loudly over the music. It was his attempt to hear you better but it was all it took for you to look up at him with a face fully flushed. He smirked at the sight knowing it wasn’t just the alcohol doing this to you. “Y/n, I see you smoke.” You aim your head towards the blunt in his hand and Taehyun swirls it between his fingers in front of his lips. “Taehyun, and yeah, you smoke?” You shook your head, you’ve had a few drags before but drinking was more your thing so you were pretty inexperienced. “Wanna try it?” He says as he slowly lifts the blunt to your lips. You shrug and before you can lean in he pulls it away and puts it right to his mouth. Taehyun inhales and blows the smoke in your face and chuckles. You pout at the sudden teasing. You really just want to wipe that cocky attitude right off his face. So you lean in and kiss him. Taehyun stands still in shock, hands hovering above your waist unsure of what to do. You pull away with a confident smile and the look on your face ignites something inside him. He stares at you tongue in cheek, oh you were bold. Taehyun suddenly grabs you by the waist and pulls you in with one swift move. You gasp and his lips are crashing back onto yours. He bites your lip harshly and you groan, the second your lips part open his tongue is exploring inside. You tasted like sweet alcohol and his breath was warm, absolutely reeking of weed. All you could do was let Taehyun ravage your lips as the buzz took over. Your body felt like it was in flames from the way his hands roamed your waist, with your arms wrapped around his neck pulling him impossibly closer. Closer. You wanted more than anything to just feel closer to him. You tug at his hair and Taehyun groans. “Gonna make me do something I might regret if you keep doin’ that” he mumbles against your lips and you take it as a challenge. You pull away and Taehyun looks absolutely fucked. Pupils deep and dilated as he stares at you with full intensity. Those eyes were so captivating and your breath hitches at how attractive he looks right now. “More..” You whispered, but the music blasting around drowned out your hoarse voice. Taehyun is able to read your lips regardless and the second he’s able to hand his blunt to the nearest person he’s grabbing you by the wrist to whisk you away. Both your cups left long forgotten as soon as you place them on the ground. Both of you soon find yourselves making out in the hallway as you weren’t even able to fully go up the stairs without your hands exploring Taehyun like he was artwork. It was driving him to the brink of insanity. Both your senses were heightened to the point that any slight touch caused either of you to shiver. The way Taehyun kissed you had your head in the clouds, he was far from gentle, nipping at your lips and harsh hands gripping your body. All you could do was let him. His mouth finds itself on your neck and you sigh softly as the both of you fumble into the nearest bedroom.

Taehyun pushes you against the door as soon as it closes behind you to cover your delicate skin in pretty purple markings. It was all becoming a blur, his heavy hands taking off your clothes, your tongue moving against his, the booming music fading the longer you were with him, skin and skin grazing, the room heating up further with the smell of weed and sweat. All you knew was that in the end, you and Taehyun were going to get a lot closer than you had intended.

#txt imagines #txt scenarios #txt x reader #txt smut #taehyun x reader #taehyun x y/n #taehyun smut #BakeryTreat♡

[angel-of-the-moons]

Kuai Liang/Harumi x fem reader who is really dense and doesn’t realize the two are attracted to her. So dense the two of them have to spell it out for her cause no amount of flirting is getting through her head.

sfw or nsfw I really don’t care.

NONNY I ACTUALLY LOVE THIS WE NEED SOME HARUMI CONTENT! Also enjoy my totally original and not punny at all title

Pyromance

Kuai Liang (Scorpion) x Harumi Shirai x Fem!Reader

TW/CW: None, fluffy stuff, some flirting, reader being oblivious

A/N: Given that there's only a small tidbit of info on Harumi in Liu Kang's timeline, I'm going off of what little is mentioned in-game and on Wikipedia. Also deadass I want a mandarin duck so fucking bad.

🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️

You weren't sure why you were born the way that you were. But when a man with glowing eyes showed up at your crappy little cabin in the mountains, saying he was a god? Yeah, only you would have that kind of interaction.

You didn't believe him until he displayed his powers with fire and explained to you that your powers were only a danger to you.

Yes, powers. You had something called pyromancy, you could summon flames or heat things with your very mind and hands.

So when this "Liu Kang" told you about a clan in Japan called the Shirai Ryu? And that they would welcome you with open arms? You were hesitant to accept.

On one hand, your powers were dangerous, and if you continued to slip up you'd wind up burning your own cabin down, cause a wildfire or... hurt someone. That last one was your greatest fear.

But on the other hand? You'd never even been outside Montana. And Liu Kang wanted you to fly across the world to friggin' Japan? The thought scared you shitless.

You gave him your word that you would think it over for two days. Liu Kang offered to bring someone to you to explain how the clan worked, and you accepted the offer. Perhaps hearing from someone from there would help your decision along.

Liu Kang returned in a ball of fire, alongside him was a woman dressed in a gold and crimson kimono, her long, silky black hair hanging down past her shoulders, twin katanas slung from her obi.

This was Harumi Shirai, for whom the clan was named. Her husband, the Grandmaster of their clan, Kuai Liang was indisposed with new recruits, as was his younger brother Tomas.

She stayed with you, explaining the nuances of their clan and how open-minded they were to your situation. They offered to allow you to bring your comforts (which were admittedly few. You were a bit of a recluse out of necessity due to your powers.) to their compound if you accepted.

She was a beautiful woman, and her words and voice put your nerves at ease.

Of course, two days later. You accepted.

You found yourself in a bit of a culture shock, certainly. But true to Harumi's word, the Shirai Ryu were accepting of you in a way you never anticipated. Training with Kuai Liang allowed you to feel... normal. You'd never felt normal a day in your life. It was nice, to feel so in-place where you always were an enigma before.

Harumi and Kuai were very warm to you (pun intended!) as time went on and your skills flourished. You weren't one for combat, but you excelled in using your powers for defensive stances. When Harumi began teaching you to use her katanas (such an honor) she and Kuai were proud and impressed you used your flames now so effortlessly to ignite the blades without melting it.

To congratulate your progress, they had a custom blade made for you. You were honored that they accepted you so wholly and you found yourself wondering if you truly wanted to return to rural Montana after learning of all of the wonders you'd been blind to before.

What you never really realized though, was that Harumi and Kuai would often take time to spend with you, speak with you about things not related to the clan or your training.

Kuai would ask about your life, your hobbies. When you admitted you liked flowers, he gifted you two potted spider lilies.

Their alien appearance immediately enamored you, as you'd never seen them before, their bright scarlet colors catching the eye and brightening up your room.

And of course, with Harumi... She would join you in the baths. In Japan it was fairly common of course, just not as traditional as what was built in the Shirai Ryu compound.

You were never one for insecurities and Harumi loved that about you. In the baths you would talk about anything that would come to mind, and she would often find herself drawn to your hair, of all things. She adored touching it and putting the shampoo and conditioners in it for you, and combing it out. The color and feel of it beneath her fingers quickly became a favorite.

But despite all of this you were completely, frustratingly and blissfully unaware that Harumi and Kuai Liang were in fact romantically interested in you. Their little gestures were so obvious, it even had Tomas facepalming when nobody was looking because of how painful it was to watch you not even recognize their obvious intent to court you.

It became a topic of hushed gossip and side-betting amongst the clan, wondering who would crack first, or when--if ever--you realized what they were doing.

🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️

"I swear... She's so sweet... but so dense!" Harumi laughed, the back of her hand over her forehead as she laid on their bed.

Kuai Liang shook his head with a smile as he undid his robes, leaving his torso bare as he looked at his wife. He shared her humorous exasperation with your oblivious nature, but still found it endearing.

Kuai knelt on the bed and leaned over Harumi, giving her a soft kiss to her lips as she sunk her fingers in his dark hair, tugging it free of its tie; allowing the dark strands to fall around his face as he smiled down at her.

"Perhaps it is time we drop the subtlety, my love." Kuai said softly, resting on his elbow as he looked down at Harumi.

"Do you think we should?" She hummed, trailing her knuckles across his jawline, reaching up with her fingertips to gently trace the scar going down his face.

"I don't see why not. Otherwise we will be performing this dance for some time." He grinned.

"Kuai, what if she isn't interested?" Harumi sighed sadly, her brows raising in concern.

"Then we respect her wishes and accept her friendship instead. I would be glad for her companionship either way." He said simply.

Harumi's beautiful, Cupid's bow lips curled into a smile.

"You're right. Either way, having her close is a blessing. One we will accept no matter the context. We can speak with her in the morning."

🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️🔥🏵️

You were standing beneath the sakura and plum blossom trees surrounding the sizeable pond in the compound. It was your favorite spot to be because it had the least traffic and the small bridge going over it was perfect for watching the koi as they danced beneath the water.

But your favorite place to sit was beneath the trees near the shoreline. Due mostly in part to the small flock of Mandarin ducks that called the compound home, the little feathery critters took a shine to you, especially after you nursed one of their flock back to health when her poor little leg got broken.

That and, well. They knew you had grapes at the ready, plus a small container of oats you'd feed them out of your hand.

The Mandarin ducks were the most gorgeous you'd ever seen; the males' colors were like a silky orchestra of hues and cute little plumages that admittedly looked a tad silly, but still looked beautiful. The females were lacking in the colors the males had, but you adored their little spots and speckles.

Oftentimes, you'd wind up with one of the younger males cuddled comfortably in your lap, tucking himself under his wings to nap on the silk of your robes while you stroked his feathers.

And it was here that Harumi and Kuai Liang found you, sitting beneath the trees, blossoms that had been shaken loose by the breeze falling around you like a beautiful rain as you fed the ducks from your palm, laughing to yourself as their little bills tickled your hand.

They stood there, merely watching for a few moments until Kuai nudged Harumi on, and they slowly made their way to you as a young female duck hopped into your lap, trying to snitch some extra snacks from you.

Their footsteps were light, to avoid frightening your feathery little companions as they closed on you.

Harumi spoke your name softly and you looked up with an abashed smile. "Oh! I would get up, but..." You looked done at the female water fowl in your lap, as she snuggled down, her tail feathers wiggling contentedly.

Kuai couldn't help but chuckle as he and Harumi sat next to you. The little birds seemed so fond of you. It was cute.

He slowly reached out to try and pet the female in your lap, but she puffed up and made a rather angry noise that plainly said "back off", which made you and Harumi giggle.

"It would seem your charm does not work on all women, my love." Harumi smirked.

"Yes, yes, that is painfully obvious." Kuai replied with a smile, shaking his head as the duck turned back around in your lap, accepting your soothing pets to her feathers.

"Is something the matter?" You ask them curiously.

Harumi and Kuai Liang exchange a long, silent glance which slightly concerns you.

"Kuai and I discussed something last night." Harumi told you.

"Okay..."

"And we both decided to ask you something." Kuai continues. "You understand the things we do for you? Not the training, but the smaller things."

"Like... My sword? And the flowers?" You say, your brows furrowing slowly.

"Yes." Harumi chuckles. "Do you understand why we did those things for you?"

You tilt your head. "To... be... nice?"

Harumi and Kuai chuckle together, grinning at one another at how sweetly oblivious you were. They look back at you and Kuai talks. "And you don't have any other inclination, dear? At all?"

Other inclination? What could--did he just call you dear? What could he be talking...

Your eyes get big and you cover your mouth in sheer horror, your face flushing in embarrassment as you awkwardly look away.

"Oh."

Harumi giggles and has to cover her mouth and cough to chase it away, Kuai Liang merely shakes his head and chuckles softly.

"We've been trying to court you. You're a wonderful person, an amazing woman." Harumi says, giving you a soft look. "We've both been rather... Smitten with you, as of late. We'd hoped you'd realize what our intentions were on your own, but..."

You cover your face and make an embarrassed squeak. "Oh, my god..."

"However." Kuai Liang said, holding his hands up. "We both agreed last night that if you do not reciprocate, we will still gladly accept your friendship."

Your hands drop and you look at them, the surprise evident on your face as you watch Harumi smile at you, her hand slipping into Kuai's.

"We hold nothing but respect for whatever decision you shall make." She told you.

You couldn't believe it. It just seemed so unreal..so unreal that these two amazingly strong, wonderful, beautiful people took a look at you and decided that they wanted you?

You. Of all the people they could possibly pick? A little country bumpkin from Montana?

You look down, petting your little duck friend as she contentedly snuggled you, a couple of her flock-mates snuggling your left thigh.

You close your eyes and take a deep breath.

"...I... I'm open to trying?" You finally say, giving them a shy smile.

Harumi and Kuai's tense postures dropped as they both smiled widely, and Harumi leaned in to kiss your cheek happily.

"We will do our best to prove everything we mean to you." She swears.

Kuai Liang moves towards you and leans in to do the same, his hand brushing your cheek. "We will do everything--"

He was cut off by the female duck in your lap turning around, her tail wiggling and her feathers fluffing up as she opens her mouth and makes more angry noises, making Kuai lean away from you before she is angered any further.

"Ah... The only woman you cannot charm!" Harumi teased as the two of you broke out laughing; whilst Kuai was still unable to give you the small display of affection his wife had given you, all because of the feathered menace that took residence in your comfy lap.

He merely glared at the offensive little bird in your lap as she snuggled back down, staring Kuai back right in the eye as if to say "try me".

#scorpion mortal kombat 1 #kuai liang x you #kuai liang x reader #harumi shirai #harumi shirai x reader #kuai liang x harumi #kuai liang x harumi x reader #harumi shirai x you #mortal kombat x reader #mortal kombat x you #scoprion x you #scorpion x reader #kuai liang scorpion #🌙 answered

[destiny-fics]

Troublemaker-Lee Minho

[Lee Minho x Fem!reader]

Pairing: Lee Minho x Fem!reader

Genre: Smut, Non-idol!au, Mafia/Gang!au

Summary: Your relationship with Minho was complicated at best and a total disaster at worst. Six months after parting ways your roommate comes home to announce the beginning of her relationship with Kim Seungmin and subsequently a potential reigniting of your relationship with one Lee Minho. Despite your claims you never wish to see him again you still find your way to Red Lights.

You did always like trouble.

Warnings: Smut, Angst, Dom!Minho, Mafia!Minho, Sub!reader, alcohol consumption, crying, pregnancy scares, oral fem receiving, reader gets called Doll more than her own name, begging,  unprotected sex, please wrap before you tap

Part of the 'Red Lights' Series. Read Here.

A/N: *kicks down the door* I'm back bitches! For how long…well until my uni decides to once again pile all work possible onto me in a short amount of time. But for now I am back! I hope you all are well and you enjoy this next part of 'Red Lights.' 

Smut under the cut. Minors DNI

'...wear something pretty for me tonight doll-your Minho'

[Picture attached]

The words glared at you, almost tauntingly, from where your phone was placed atop the pile of clothes quickly accumulating on your bed.

The picture accompanying it was almost worse. A sweaty, shirtless selfie of Minho, lip tucked between his teeth and eyes hooded. 

He looked, for lack of a better word, hot, and he knew he looked hot. That was one of the most infuriating and attractive things about Minho, that he knew exactly how gorgeous he was and how much power he had over you. 

Your relationship with Minho had started relatively normally, at least, as normal as any relationship with Minho could get. 

You had been a frequenter of Red Lights for a few months before being approached by Minho, loving the club for its low-key atmosphere and the fact that if any of you failed online dates tried something there, it would be sorted out immediately.

The night you had met Minho you were on one of the aforementioned failed dates, sipping your drink slowly as you waited for your date to come back from the bathroom.

"This seat taken?" A smooth voice sounded in your ears. You shrugged and only just managed to keep a gasp from escaping you when you realised who exactly it was asking to sit with you. 

"I'm waiting on my date, he's in the bathroom." 

That didn't seem to bother Minho in the slightest and he slid into the seat opposite you, resting his chin on his hands. "I'm sure he won't mind if I keep you company while he's gone." 

"And I'm sure that if he sees you here with me he'll never come back, Lee Minho." 

Minho laughed at your statement, sipping on his drink. "You don't sound too upset about that doll." 

You barely concealed the grin on your face at Minho's words and shrugged. "We met online, I don't even think he likes me that much." 

"Well then, he definitely doesn't deserve to spend tonight with you," Minho dropped his gaze to your lips, a smirk growing on his face. "But don't worry doll, I'll keep you company tonight." 

'Doll.' 

You scoffed a little as you walked into the speakeasy, your roommate Angel taking your arm in hers. That name had been Minho's personal favourite one for you, using it more than he ever used your real one.

And you hadn’t minded it, in fact you had become very accustomed to it, liking it even. There was something about the way the endearment sounded as it fell from Minho's lips which sent a shiver down your spine. Now, however, much like everything to do with your relationship with Minho, the name just made you ache. 

"Seungmin!" 

You sighed softly as your roommate extracted herself from you to make her way into Seungmin’s arms, pulling him into a soft kiss. You weren't happy about the situation, but if Angel was happy, then you supposed you could stomach being at the club for an hour or two.

"They moved quickly didn't they?" 

Scratch that statement. You didn't know if you could stomach being at the club for another second.

"Didn't you take me home the first night we met Minho?" You turned to look at him, eyebrow raised and tone biting. "I don't think we're exactly ones to judge." 

Minho shrugged, putting his hands in the pockets of his slacks. "What do you want me to say doll? What we have is special." 

There was that pet name again and you were embarrassed to admit the way your stomach had flipped as the endearment fell from his lips. 

"What we had wasn't anything special Minho." A lie and you knew that, but regardless, you made a point to emphasise the past tense in your words. 

Minho raised an eyebrow, a lazy smirk across his lips. "And yet after all this time you'll still wear something pretty for me? I'm flattered doll." 

"Don't be," you snapped, fixing the hem of your dress as it had begun to ride up your thigh. "I thought you never wanted to see me again Minho." 

"Actually, I was sure that was the other way around, you deleted my number."

"And yet you asked my roommate for it anyway." 

"Is it a crime for me to want to see you again y/n? Come on six months ago we were exactly like them," he motioned to where Angel and Seungmin were sat, heads bent close together as they conversed, sweet smiles on their faces. You scoffed, turning to face Minho once more.

"Six months ago we were very different people." 

"I'm not, and I don't think you really are either." 

"You're not making yourself a very strong case here Minho." 

"I'm not trying to doll," he huffed, looking exasperated. "I just wanted to see you again, is that really that hard to believe?" 

For some reason, out of all the words you and Minho had exchanged since he approached you, these particular ones had you seeing red. You shook your head, a poor attempt to dispel the tears gathering in the corners of your eyes, and pushed past Minho, making your way out of the club. 

"Why should I believe a fucking word you say?"

~

You felt pathetic.

Crying over the same man, in the same spot you had been almost exactly six months ago. Makeup smudged from where you had barley tried to remove it and face buried into the collar of a t-shirt which had once been Minho's until he left it in your room one night. 

Was that almost more pathetic? Crying over Minho whilst wearing his shirt? 

You certainly seemed to think so last time it had happened, but now? Well now you just wanted to bury yourself in it and Minho's scent and never come up for air.

Your relationship with Minho had not ended normally in the slightest, as far as relationships with Minho usually end anyway.

You had thought perhaps he was just in shock and needed to know if it was true before he made any decisions about your relationship. 

In an odd way, regardless of how hurt you still had felt, you kind of understood why he was so reserved at first. This just wasn't something he could afford this early on into his career and running Red Lights. Besides, he was dangerous, so was his job, it wouldn't be safe, nor would it be responsible.

But even when he had confirmation that you weren't pregnant, Minho still didn't speak to you.

The box of pregnancy tests still sat in your bathroom now, a painful reminder you still couldn't bring yourself to get rid of, no matter how much you wanted to. 

Your phone beginning to ring made you jump and you rolled your eyes upon seeing Minho's name flash across your screen. You had half a mind to hang up on him, but you couldn't bring yourself to do it, instead answering the phone and burying yourself further into Minho's shirt. 

"Oh good you answered. I'm on your floor just staring at all the doors. Which apartment's yours?" 

You laughed despite yourself. "Why the hell would I tell you that Minho?" 

"Because I want to talk to you, I need to talk to you. And Angel wouldn't tell me which apartment was yours." 

"Then you'll just have to guess won't you? Who says I want to talk to you anyway?"

You could practically feel Minho roll his eyes through the phone "because you picked up the phone." 

You really hated to admit that he had you there. 

"Will you go away if I don't tell you what apartment mine is?" 

"Not a chance in hell y/n," Minho's voice was soft now. "I'm not making that mistake again." 

There was a long pause before Minho heard you speak again, voice muffled slightly. 

"I'm in 4B." 

~

"I was wondering where that shirt had gone." 

You rolled your eyes, moving away from the entrance to your apartment and back to your spot on the couch, curling up once more.

"Really? That's the first thing you have to say?" 

"I'm just surprised you still have it," Minho hummed, shucking off his jacket and draping it over the kitchen counter. "I thought you would have burned it." 

"I considered it," you shrugged, pressing your face into your shoulder. "But it's soft, too soft to go into a fire." 

"Of course," Minho smiled softly as he watched you, before sighing. "Y/n, why did you come to Red Lights tonight?"

"Why did you invite me?" 

"I already told you, I wanted to see you." 

You scoffed, feeling tears begin to well up in your eyes once more. "Don’t give me that Minho, please just be honest.”

Minho looked torn for a moment before nodding “finding out that you might have been pregnant scared the shit out of me. I wasn’t…I’m not fit to be a father. Especially not with my job and I was scared," he breathed out hard through his nose. "Which is why I pulled away from you. But eventually I came around to the idea of being a father, I love you and I knew I loved that child, even if I was scared. And then you told me you weren't pregnant…" 

"Did you ever think that maybe I was scared too Minho?" You cut him off, anger and hurt seeping into your tone. "We'd known each other for what, six months? And suddenly I could have been pregnant with your kid. I needed you Minho, and you weren't there." 

"I know Doll, God I know. I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for you, I should have been there…I would have been there. But I was selfish. I invited you tonight because I wanted to apologise," he looked sheepish. "Even if it wouldn't mean anything now." 

You laughed a little despite yourself, teary eyes watching Minho. 

"It would still mean a little bit to me now." 

Minho let a soft huff escape his mouth, the sound akin to a laugh, before sinking to his knees in front of you. He moved to hold your hands gently in his, looking the most serious you had seen him the whole night.

"Y/n," he began, the use of your full name startling you a bit and instantly making you choke up once more. "I was selfish and uncaring of your feelings and dismissed what you were going through because I was too focussed on how I was being affected by everything. I loved you, I still love you, and I care about you but I never properly showed you that and I apologise for all the pain I caused you. You never have to forgive me, nor do you have to ever see me again, but if you choose to, I will spend every day proving that I love you and trying to make up for everything. Because I have changed and I want to prove that to you." 

"I thought you said you were the same person you were six months ago," you whispered, letting go of one of Minho's hands to smooth your palm over his cheek. His eyelids fluttered closed at the contact and he sighed in content.

"I say a lot of stupid shit," there was a hint of a smile in Minho's voice and his eyes opened once more, big and vulnerable as his gaze settled on you.

"Isn't that the truth," you laughed softly, Minho's own laugh following yours. "I forgive you Minho, but I still need time before I'm ready to even think about going back to you. You can't erase six months of heartbreak in one night."

Minho nodded seriously, "I know. I didn't expect you to be ready," he turned his head to kiss your palm gently, barely a brush of his lips against your skin. "But I'll wait for you until you're ready. Even if you're never ready, I'll still wait for you." 

"You really have changed," you marveled. "The Minho I knew would never." 

"It's amazing what losing the best thing that ever happened to you can do for a man." 

~

The atmosphere in Red Lights was similar to the way it had been the very first night you met Minho. Businessmen, high profile socialites and rich college students alike conversing in plush red booths, their words accompanied by smooth jazz music and a promise that whatever secrets were exchanged would stay within the club walls forever.

You traced around the rim of your glass with a finger, the condensation wetting the tip of it with the remains of the sugary-sweet concoction the bartender had whipped up for you upon your arrival.

“Is this seat taken?” A smooth voice sounded in your ear and you barely concealed a gasp as you locked eyes with the man asking to sit with you.

Minho looked almost exactly the same as the night you had first met, nearly ten months ago now, however, where there had been pure mischief and lust ingrained in his features now sat a familiar fondness Minho rarely let be shown.

“I’m waiting on my date,” you echoed the words from your first meeting, taking pleasure in the way Minho’s eyes crinkled in delight. “He’s in the bathroom.”

“Well then,” Minho slid into the seat across from you before taking you hand in his and pressing a kiss to the back of your palm. “I’m sure he won’t mind if I keep you company while he’s gone.”

“Did you know I was coming tonight?” You smiled, pushing the rest of your drink towards Minho when he raised a questioning eyebrow at the electric blue concoction in front of you. “Or do you just happen to constantly recreate the exact atmosphere from the night we met?” 

Minho shrugged inconspicuously, downing the rest of your drink and then scrunching up his face in disgust as the too sweet taste hit his tongue. “Would you believe me if I said it was a complete coincidence?”

“Nothing is a complete coincidence with you Lee Minho.”

Minho chuckled, “you know me so well Doll. How is it that you know me so well?”

You shrugged, “would you believe me if I said it was a complete coincidence?”

Minho laughed in delight, throwing his head back before focussing his gaze on you once more, face suddenly serious and eyes hooded. “Don’t tell me you came here to merely tease me Doll, that isn’t fair.”

“I didn’t,” you hummed, leaning over the table and reaching out to unbutton the top button of Minho’s dress shirt, nails lightly scratching his skin. “Angel told me I was just torturing myself, stopping myself from being happy for no reason,” you moved your eyes to capture Minho’s gaze with your own. “I think she was right. You make me happy Minho, I want to be happy with you.”

Minho let out a wounded noise so unlike him and his hands twitched from their place atop the table, as if he was aching to hold you, to feel your skin under his palms and see for himself if you were real or just a figment of his imagination. “Will you let me?” You spoke softly into his ear, kissing the shell of it before leaning back. “Will you let me be happy with you?"

“If you’ll let me make you happy Doll.”

You smiled, standing up from your seat and reaching a hand out for Minho to take “I think I can let you do that.”

~

No matter how many times you visited, you would never get over the magnificence of Minho’s house. It was all sweeping staircases, cat towers you thought were too expensive but Minho constantly told you were just the right amount of money for his cats and the most gorgeous looking kitchen in which you knew Minho spent most of his down time. Except of course, when he used his down time to press you into his perfectly soft mattress and even softer sheets, exactly as he was doing now, lips pressing hot desperate kisses down your neck and shoulder. 

"Minho…" you gasped, threading your fingers through the man's hair. His barely acknowledging hum had a hot flash of both arousal and annoyance coursing through your veins and you tried again, tugging Minho's hair harder as you whined out his name once more.

"What is it you want, Doll? Hmm?" Minho lifted his head from your neck to look down at you, lips swollen and shiny with spit. 

"I want you to touch me Minho..." 

"Ah but I was touching you," Minho raised an eyebrow challengingly, trailing his finger down the column of your throat and across the top of your bra, your shirt having been removed almost immediately by Minho's eager hands. "You know the rules y/n, I will give you everything you want. You just have to…" he trailed off expectantly, smirking when the words "be patient," fell from your lips. 

"Exactly. Now, can you do that for me?" 

"I can," you nodded. "You know I can." 

"I do," Minho smiled, looking more fond than domineering now. "Let's get you out of this gorgeous underwear then, how does that sound?" 

At your fast nod Minho chuckled, before his deft fingers began to make quick work of the rest or the fabric covering you, grinning triumphantly as the rest of your body was revealed to him.

"Oh Doll, it really has been too long. Look at you, so pretty. My pretty baby." 

"You going to just admire me all night? Or do something about it." 

Minho sucked air through his teeth, tapping your thigh gently but giving no other acknowledgement to your quip. He leaned down to settle his head between your now opened thighs, breath fanning out in soft puffs against your sensitive skin.

"I think you're doing too much talking, let's see what I can do about that." 

And as if you were the first meal Minho had eaten in a long time, he dove into your folds like he was starved. Licking, kissing and sucking everywhere his lips and tongue could reach. His hands keeping your thighs spread apart for him as he devoured you, drinking up your wetness alongside each moan and gasp he so skilfully pulled from you. There was a practiced skill and familiarity to the way Minho touched you, as if the time you had spent apart had never really happened and it almost made you ache, wishing that you had never spent any time apart at all. 

“You’re thinking too much too Doll,” Minho hummed from his position between your legs, not letting up his ministrations as he spoke. “Relax, let me make you feel good. You deserve to feel good.”

"You deserve to feel good too." 

"I know," Minho grinned, licking a long stripe up your folds. "Trust me when I tell you I'm getting my fill of pleasure," he groaned, moving to hover his face over yours, lips pulled into a triumpant grin "You taste so fucking good." 

You pulled Minho's face towards yours, desperately attaching your lips in a messy, desperate kiss. You could taste yourself on him and it made you desperately buck your hips up into Minho's, chasing any friction you could get.

"Patience Doll," Minho tufted, pulling away and leaning back to undo his slacks. "You'll get everything you want." 

"Promise?" You batted your eyes up at him, gasping softly when you felt the head of Minho's cock kiss your clit.

"I promise." 

Your delighted sigh tapered off into a sweet moan as Minho finally took mercy and pushed himself into you. "Happy now?" He grinned, pushing his forehead against yours.

"Very, could be better though." 

"Oh yeah?" 

"Yeah. You could be moving." 

Minho laughed, pressing a sweet kiss to your cheek before he began to rock himself in and out of you, pushing soft little moans from your mouth. "God you're demanding, aren't you Doll?" 

"Don't-fuck-don't act like you don't like it Minho." 

"Who said I didn't like it?" He grinned, lifting your leg up to give himself better leverage as he fucked into you. Minho's stamina never let up and the only indication he gave that he was just as affected as you were the occasional deep groans and curses which left his mouth. 

"Minho…Minho fuck, please please." 

"I know Doll, I know, you cum whenever you want to. I love you so much, you know that right?" 

Oddly enough out of every pleasurable thing Minho had done to you, that was what sent you over the edge, legs locking together around Minho's back so he couldn't pull out as your walls milked him for all he was worth. 

"That's it Doll, such a good girl…gonna make me cum too." 

"Please Minho, want it-want it inside." 

"Don't worry, I'll give it to you." 

And give it to you he did, burying his head in the crook of your neck and letting out a deep groan as he filled you up. 

He gave a few shallow thrusts into you before he pulled out, fixing you with a fond, almost dopey smile you had never seen on Minho before.

"What?" You giggled, scooting over so Minho could lay down next to you. "Why are you looking at me like that?" 

"Like what?" 

"Like you're all giddy and in love." 

"Maybe that's because I am all giddy and in love, you ever think of that?" 

"I think that you look weird making that face, please stop making that face. I feel like you're up to something." 

"Can a man not just be in love and show it on his face anymore?" Minho mocked offense before grinning. "I'm just teasing. But seriously, I'm going to do that face more now that I know it annoys you." 

"God you are trouble Minho, you know that?" 

"Well you always liked trouble didn't you?" 

Your relationship with Minho restarted relatively as normally, as any relationship with Minho did.

Not that many of them restarted once they had ended anyway.

But as you lay next to him, smacking his chest as he once again pulled his obnoxious 'giddy and in love face,' you decided that perhaps you didn't mind whether or not things with Minho were normal or not, because Minho was right.

You had always liked trouble.

Taglist: @jisuperboard @lmhfilm @amagumorii @asteriaskingdom @carefully325 @softquokka @icedtealeaf @compersian @hiseu @yeosayang @avyskai @whatudowhennooneseesyou @foxdaisy @maskedmochii   

#kpop smut #hard thoughts with rose #lee know smut #lee minho smut #stray kids smut #kpop hard hours #stray kids hard hours #skz smut #lee know hard thoughts #lee know hard hours

[borninwinter81]

William Blake and Good Omens - an intertextual analysis

Please note: I did another version of this and posted it, but it was quite hurried, way too short, and was incorrect in a number of ways so I deleted it. However it had already been reblogged by the time i did so. If you happen to see another version of this meta that's not the right one, this is the version I'm happy with!

After my previous post re William Blake and Good Omens did so well, and so many people showed an interest I've decided to do a more in depth piece. This is focused upon the TV version of Good Omens, not the book.

Please don't tag Neil in this - although it's mostly textual analysis I do a very small amount of S3 theorising, and I know he doesn't want to see that.

I am in no way suggesting that Neil and Terry specifically wrote Good Omens with Blake in mind, I honestly just wanted an excuse to write more about Blake because I love his work so much, and I thought it would be interesting to try and apply some intertexuality since the works will contain similar themes, both being about God, religion, humanity, and angels and demons.

I also should stress that I am not an expert on Blake, there are people far more qualified to comment on him than I. I'm just a former literature student who loves his work.

There have been many different interpretations of Blake's work over the years, so it's completely fine to disagree with someone else's ideas about it, as with any work of art or literature. And although this piece is likely to be long, I'll barely be able to scratch the surface of all the possible meanings that could be ascribed to it.

Much like the old adage that if someone claims to understand quantum physics they're lying, I'm not sure anyone can truly fathom the full meaning of Blake's philosophy (especially in his later prophetic works, fuuuuuuck those beasts....), so if you're confused by him don't be discouraged, that's perfectly normal!

That being said, I wish to discuss the parallels between Good Omens and The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, my personal favourite and probably the most accessible of his longer works.

"Without contraries is no progression. Attraction and Repulsion, Reason and Energy, Love and Hate, are necessary to Human existence. From these contraries spring what the religious call Good & Evil. Good is the passive that obeys Reason. Evil is the active springing from Energy. Good is Heaven. Evil is Hell."

This excerpt is from near the opening and sets out the central idea of the work - that there is an essential duality to humanity, and each person is a combination of extremes. These extremes are not at war with each other, but rather are equally necessary, hence the "marriage" of the title. "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell" is a metaphor for the human experience.

Consistently throughout The Marriage... Blake refers to the two extremes as Reason and Energy. These terms could be construed in a number of different ways: thought versus emotion, mental versus physical, restraint versus desire, temperance versus excess, caution versus impulsiveness, and following the rules versus free will.

Blake's use of the word "Reason" in this context may be somewhat confusing, however he likely chose it because of his negative feelings towards science and the Age of Enlightenment. Blake saw literal visions of angels and prophets and the divinity of all creation, and hated that science reduced everything to formulas, calculations, and materialism, leaving the world bereft of wonder. "Art is the Tree of Life. Science is the Tree of Death" as he put it.

His ideas about "reason" are best expressed by his painting "Newton". Though inspired by the scientist, it is not a portrait - instead it depicts a figure deeply engrossed in scientific drawings and calculations, totally ignoring the beauty all around him - see below.

In the context of The Marriage... Reason is "passive" because it involves thought, caution, self-restraint, and doing what you are told, all states which block action. Energy is "active" because it is physical, emotional, impulsive and allows you to act based on your own choices and desires. It's quite clear that Blake feels "energy" is the preferable state - he tells us as much in the next section:

"The Voice of the Devil

All Bibles or sacred codes, have been the causes of the following Errors. 1. That Man has two real existing principles Viz: a Body & a Soul. 2. That Energy, call'd Evil, is alone from the Body, & that Reason, call'd Good, is alone from the Soul. 3. That God will torment Man in Eternity for following his Energies. But the following Contraries to these are True. 1. Man has no Body distinct from his Soul; for that call'd Body is a portion of Soul discern'd by the five Senses, the chief inlets of Soul in this age. 2. Energy is the only life and is from the Body and Reason is the bound or outward circumference of Energy. 3. Energy is Eternal Delight."

So the body is an aspect of the soul, not separate from it, Energy comes from the body, it is Reason which places limits upon Energy, but Energy is eternal delight. Physicality, desire, impulsiveness, emotion, sensual pleasure and free will are not wrong or evil, they are aspects of the human soul and it is from them that we derive our enjoyment of life.

This does not necessarily mean that Reason is always bad. After all, Blake tells us that both are necessary for human existence. Sometimes temperance, caution and thought before action are required. But Reason becomes negative when it "usurps its place and governs the unwilling", i.e. when it completely supplants Energy and becomes the sole guiding factor, forcing passivity.

The Angels of The Marriage... are governed by "systematic reasoning", therefore they are wholly creatures of Reason. They are also "all religious" meaning they believe the "errors" stated above. His Devils by contrast "hate religion" meaning they believe the "contraries", which are the true statements according to Blake. It does not necessarily follow that they are wholly governed by Energy, merely that they believe Energy is "eternal delight".

It is worth noting at this point that Blake saw God and religion as totally separate. For Blake, "God" is that connection with divine wonder which was integral to his life; he tells us plainly that "all deities reside in the human breast" and that "the voice of honest indignation is the voice of God". In other words all humans have a direct and intuitive link with God and don't require the church, Priests, or a religious framework and adherence to a set of rules in order to reach moral decisions. These rules exist only to "enslave the vulgar".

The importance of this ability to make one's own choices about a moral course of action is shown by one of the "Memorable Fancy" sections of The Marriage...

Blake relates how a Devil is able to use an Angel's "systematic reasoning" against them:

"if Jesus Christ is the greatest man, you ought to love him in the greatest degree; now hear how he has given his sanction to the law of ten commandments: did he not mock at the sabbath, and so mock the sabbaths God? Murder those who were murder'd because of him? Turn away the law from the woman taken in adultery? Steal the labor of others to support him? Bear false witness when he omitted making a defence before Pilate? Covet when he pray'd for his disciples, and when he bid them shake off the dust of their feet against such as refused to lodge them? I tell you, no virtue can exist without breaking these ten commandments; Jesus was all virtue, and acted from impulse, not from rules."

The Angel has no way to refute the "reasoning" that Jesus was governed by Energy and "impulse", i.e. his own morality, the "voice of righteous indignation", not reasoning and the rules laid down by Heaven. And because Jesus is the Messiah he must be virtuous, therefore Energy is virtuous. The Angel immediately allows himself to be consumed by fire and is resurrected as a Devil.

How can these concepts apply to the world of Good Omens?  This was where my first draft was totally incorrect, as I tried to transfer Blake's ideas about Angels and Demons and Heaven and Hell wholesale, applying "reason" to Aziraphale and Heaven and "energy" to Crowley and Hell.  In fact the divide is slightly different in the GO-verse: Crowley and Aziraphale *both* represent Energy, and it is Heaven and Hell that act according to Reason.

At first glance Aziraphale may appear to toe the line - he needs creative application of the rules to make him comfortable with trying to avert the apocalypse, and when he doesn't like the way matters are being handled by the Archangels he seeks a higher authority and goes straight to God. He'd clearly prefer someone to be confirming the rightness of his actions for him. However this doesn't mean that he won't act on his own.

Immediately upon his introduction to the story he has given away his flaming sword, an action that he took impulsively because he felt it was right, not because someone told him to. It bothers him, but he does it anyway.

In the Job storyline, though he initially looks for some loophole within the rules that will allow him to save Job's children, in the end he directly goes against Heaven to do it, even though he believes he is going to Fall and become a Demon for having done so.

Though he resists it and exhausts all other possible avenues first, he eventually does take an active role in averting the apocalypse in S1.

He hides Jim at great personal risk to himself and against the will of both Heaven and Hell, again because he feels it is the right thing to do.

He is therefore perfectly capable of independent action from a position of "righteous indignation".

On a more basic level, he enjoys worldly pleasures, which all come from "energy" according to Blake's philosophy. Food and drink most obviously, but also books, music, dancing, theatre, art and so on.

Crowley is more easy to place as acting from Energy - in spite of the obvious aesthetic differences between them, he also loves worldly pleasures. Alcohol and coffee, snazzy clothing, driving his car with Queen blaring on the stereo, going to lunch with Aziraphale, Shakespearean comedies. All things he isn't supposed to want or need, and which baffle other Demons, in the same way that Aziraphale's desire for food baffles the Angels.

And he's absolutely willing to act according to his own moral impulses when they conflict with Hell's orders (or Heaven's), be it saving Job's children, ensuring that Elspeth doesn't die by suicide, or averting the apocalypse. Yes, he'll try to hide his "good" actions in order to avoid punishment by Hell, but he's firmly "on his own side".

Conversely, Heaven and Hell are both part of the structure of religion in this story, are strictly adherent to a set of rules, and their inhabitants appear to have no real desires of their own, other than possible advancement within the systems they uphold. They are "passive" in that their functions allow the status quo to continue and the "great plan" to unfold as they believe it is meant to, even though each side expects a different outcome.

Again, applying Blake's philosophy, I would say the reason for this is that "energy is from the body". Crowley and Aziraphale have both been given bodies in order that they can exist on earth, and *have* existed on earth for 6000 years, therefore "energy" - physical pleasures and free thinking - have become a part of who they are.

On a more fundamental level, possession of a body can be equated to humanity, and humanity has been shown as the most powerful force of all in this story, its influence having led to Adam becoming "human incarnate", and thus acting according to what he feels is right, instead of fulfilling the function he was destined for.

Heaven and Hell contain no material objects, and the Angels and Demons are spiritual beings, having no bodies, so they are not open to energy, and therefore are wholly governed by Reason, and the preservation of the religious structures within which they exist. Structures which, as for Blake, may not actually have anything to do with God herself. In S1 she is a distant observer, clearly aware through her narration of all that is going on, but not interceding in any way. In S2 she is barely present save for her voice being heard briefly in Job, and overlaid with Gabriel's on two occasions.

Bearing all this in mind, what predictions can we make regarding S3 by applying Blake's philosophy?

"The ancient tradition that the world will be consumed in fire at the end of six thousand years is true, as I have heard from Hell.

For the cherub with his flaming sword is hereby commanded to leave his guard at [the] tree of life, and when he does, the whole creation will be consumed and appear infinite and holy, whereas it now appears finite and corrupt.

This will come to pass by an improvement of sensual enjoyment."

The parallels of the cherub with his flaming sword, and the passage of 6000 years should be obvious to anyone reading this - they have of course been lifted directly from the Bible as they are in GO.

I have read some metas which speculated that Aziraphale's bookshop, or perhaps Earth itself, is a metaphorical stand-in for Eden or The Tree of Life. Aziraphale has been commanded to leave his "Eden" and will now be instrumental in causing the whole of creation to become infinite and holy, but Blake tells us this will be done by an improvement of sensual enjoyment, which arises from Energy not Reason.

Sensual enjoyment is something which is intrinsic to Aziraphale's character, and this could make his placement in Heaven very important.

Putting aside all the "final fifteen" theories and taking matters at face value, Aziraphale tells us that if he's in charge he can make a difference - he needs to subvert the system from the inside out. The most subversive thing of all could be that a sensualist who acts according to "the voice of moral indignation" and "Energy" has become the supreme Archangel. We have seen in Blake how a realisation that Energy could be virtuous was enough to convert an Angel into a Devil (incidentally, does the image of an Angel being consumed by fire and emerging as a Devil seem familiar at all...)

We may have seen the beginnings of this already. Gabriel and Beelzebub became open to Energy from such little things as visiting earth, spending time in one another's company, and their mutual enjoyment of a song, which has given them wants and desires beyond those dictated by Heaven and Hell. This is enough to make them wish to leave their roles behind.

It's possible that the same may happen with Muriel. They haven't yet imbibed food or drink, but they have shown an enjoyment of books, which are an earthly pleasure, and open the reader up to new ideas and ways of thinking.

Of course, this would lead to questions regarding the Metatron's statement that he has "ingested things", and whether this means he is acting from reason or energy. Of course the simplest explanation is that it is a manipulation tactic, and he is lying about having done so, but if true that statement has some interesting implications. However, this is now super-long and I'm out of juice, so will leave others to speculate. I may return to this in the future!

There we go, hope you enjoyed. I doubt this will reach nearly as many people as my first Blake post, but if a few find it of interest then my work is done!

#good omens #good omens 2 #go2 #crowley #aziraphale #good omens tv #good omens meta #good omens s2 #good omens season 3 #good omens s3 #good omens brainrot #william blake #the marriage of heaven and hell #poetry #poems and poetry #books and reading #english literature #Textual analysis #intertextuality #good omens theories #good omens thoughts

[brown-sensation]

Appleblossom headcanons because I'm delusional~💕:

(These are for my human AU but most can apply for their puppet versions)

•Julie was a cheerleader in high school and was very popular, unfortunately, most people only thought of her as a bimbo :(((

•Wally on the other hand wasn't that popular but was well-liked by everyone. A lot of people had a crush on him~

•Julie's siblings don't like Wally very much 😭 not because they have something against him or anything, they're just super overprotective of Julie! They tolerate him though

•Wally picked up gardening from Julie! Occasionally his plants die though he's gotten so much better at taking care of them. He's patiently waiting for his apple tree to grow

•Julie speaks Spanish fluently. She wanted to learn Spanish when she started dating him. It was a bit hard for her but with the help of Wally she got the hang of it~

•Wally works as an art teacher at an elementary school. He's really good with kids, all the moms love him ;) (not that he cares, he only has eyes for his beloved Julie)

•Julie has a thing for high-heeled shoes!!! She really enjoys the ‘clacking’ sound they make

•Wally sleep talks, boy was Julie not thrilled to be awoken up by Wally's “I'm sleeping” the first time they shared a bed. She's gotten used to it by now~

•Julie is really flirty! She's loud and confident when she flirts with Wally but she also turns into a hot mess whenever he flirts back! He sure knows how to make a girl swoon

•Wally has an ungodly amount of paintings in his home of Julie he painted way before they started dating, he only ever gave her his best work

•Julie is not good at baking, she either tends to spill the batter or burn them. However it's appreciated whenever they DO turn out good, the house smells delightful

•Julie owns a hair salon and works as a hairdresser. She's the one to cut Wally's hair because he doesn't trust anyone else to do it

•Wally is very good at playing baseball, he's usually the pitcher since he has an incredibly good aim. Julie finds it attractive~

•Wally has painted Julie while drunk (hard apple cider), tbh it turned out awful but it's the intention that counts…🫶🏽💕

•Julie stims whenever Wally kisses her, especially on her hand, she's overcome with joy!

•#1 wife guy. You cannot tell me Wally isn't a Malewife

•When Wally first met Julie he was really disappointed to see how close she was with Frank and assumed they were dating. Turns out that was just a front and that she was single (the horrors of comphet)

•I hc their normal or puppet versions to be married! Their human versions are not (currently just dating)

•They occasionally call each other ‘Walliford’ and ‘Juliet’ as a joke

•Wally keeps small lamps inside his home on at all times because he knows Julie is afraid of the dark

•Julie thinks Wally is totally eye candy (she's right 🙏🏽), he knows this but it means so much more when it comes from her. She flatters him too much!

•Wally likes to kiss Julie from her hand all the way up to her shoulder like Morticia and Gomez, with a loud ‘muah’ ofc

•Julie's hair isn't actually her hair (well not all of it), she wears wigs/extensions and copious amounts of hairspray. Her actual hair is less big

#welcome home puppet show #welcome home #julie joyful #wally darling #human julie joyful #human wally darling #apple blossom #julie x wally #brownsensationthoughts #headcanon #I apologize if there are any typos

[huverican]

Hypothetically saying, if your life was flashing before your eyes because you are about to die. What memories of you and Stephen would replay in your head?

(Ⅰ) The first time you met.

You finished washing the rest of your dishes and tore off a piece of paper towel to dry off your hands. You hummed your favorite song, swaying to the melody as you walked towards your bedroom.

Just as you were about to open your door, you heard some sort of crackling noise. The kind a fire makes when its fed wood, or when a sparkler stick is lit. Confused by the weird sound, you turned around. Nothing appeared to be out of place.

Okay, maybe you were just hearing things.

You turn around once again and open your door fully this time. You walk into your room and pause, when you hear another noise.

Crack

"Alright, who's there?" You whip your head around and walk out of your room defensively.

You start checking behind corners, not afraid of whatever could be there. You were a superhero after all, you could put up a fight.

Then you heard it again.

You whip your head around and follow the noise to your living room. You stand in front of the rug on your floor, confused where it could possibly be coming from. It felt like you were right in front of it, but all you could hear was the noise coming from your rug.

You walk closer, considering lifting up the rug. Maybe it was something burning under it? As you kneel down, an orange spark shoots onto your chest. Expecting a sting, you fall onto your ass and try to wipe off any sort of hot remains. But nothing was there, and you realized it didn't burn whatsoever.

What the fuck?

All of the sudden, a burst of orange and yellow sparks are swirling in the air in front of you. You gasp and jump to your feet, stepping backwards and preparing yourself for a fight.

You stand there for a couple more seconds until the sparks spread out and widen into an oval. Then, sparks start to dissipate in the center and reveal a man dressed in robes... a very handsome one at that.

Wearing a red cape and blue garments, the man stepped out of the portal in front of you. You took another step back and analyzed who you assumed, you'd be fighting any second. Because- who the hell bursts into your house like this normally?

Though, you 'analyzing your opponent' turned into more of you checking him out. To be fair, how could you not?

The man was tall with a slim figure that definitely had muscles under those robes. He stood with straight, good posture, which just made him look taller than he already was. He had blue eyes that really popped out from his face, which had generously, sharp cheekbones. His hair was a dark brown, black-like color, and it had streaks of grey on the sides. His facial hair was clean and you could tell just from one look he kept up on personal hygiene.

All in all, this man looked very attractive. You know, like one of those older, 'silver-wolf' type men you see only in movies.

You could tell he was staring you down as well. If it weren't for not knowing if he was a threat, you would totally try and talk to him.

"(Y/n) (L/n), I'm Dr. Stephen Strange, you need to come with me."

You pushed your eyebrows together at his extremely, straightforward request and scoffed.

"Why would I go with a stranger whom I've never met, might I add, one that came through a portal in my house, and knows my name?" He raised his eyebrow and tilted his head a bit.

"Good point." He stepped aside to reveal Bruce Banner. You gasped slightly and relaxed a bit. It's been a solid amount of time since you'd last seen him, he went off on his own after the battle with Ultron. So of all places, why was Bruce with this guy?

You took a step closer and realized he looked like a mess. He looked traumatized, and it hurt you to see your friend like this.

You reached out and put a hand on his shoulder. To see if he would stop being so tense, but it didn't work.

"Bruce? What are you-"

"Thanos is coming, (Y/n). We need everyone we can get." You looked at him with nothing but confusion. Who the hell is Thanos?

"Um, okay. But you're going to have to fill me in." You said and you took your hand away from his shoulder.

"I-I will, just come with us." He turned around and put a foot through the portal, Stephen right behind him. Bruce stepped all the way through, waiting on the other side for you. Just as Stephen was about to head into the portal, he looked back at you.

"Are you coming?" He looked at you, a little puzzled. Why weren't you moving?

"Through uh- through that thing?" You pointed at the portal and Stephen looked at the portal, then you again.

"Um, yeah. Is it your first time going through one? It doesn't feel as weird as it looks."

Is it my first time? Um, yes? Where else would I be doing this? You thought to yourself. But then again, you were a superhero, anything could happen.

"Yeah uh, it is."

"Okay then, take my hand. I'll pull you through." Stephen reached his hand out and you squinted at him a little, contemplating whether to take his hand or not. You weren't scared, no, just cautious. You couldn't help but feel weird about doing this, let alone listen to someone you just met. What if something crazy is going on and Bruce isn't actually Bruce and it's a trick or-

"(Y/n) come on it's okay!" Bruce yelled, waving to you from the other side and snapping you out of your thoughts.

You looked at Stephen's hand, then back up at him again and put your hand in his. He squeezed your hand and pulled you towards him a little fast, making trip. Fortunately, you landed into his chest, your hands resting on his shoulders.

Your face heated up a little and you could tell it was turning red. How could it not though? He was a mighty-fine looking guy.

"I swear if this is some sort of-" You tried to protest out of embarrassment, but he cut you off right away.

"Gosh you Avengers sure are grumpy. Lighten up, Sweetheart nothing is going to happen." He chuckled and pulled you both through the portal.

(Ⅱ) Your First Kiss.

"I wanna love you..." You sang the music to yourself, finishing up the mascara you had just applied. You were getting ready for a date. With who you may ask? The one and only, Doctor Stephen Strange, a sorcerer who had been known for helping save the world. So, how the hell were you scoring a date with a man like him?

Well, after you two had met. You and he (with the rest of the Avengers) were immediately fighting Thanos and his army. You two stuck around one another during most of the fighting, turning into friends on the battlefield. That was, until both of you had been 'blipped' for five years, returning back once again, on the battlefield.

When everything was finally over. You felt broken and lonely. Your closest friend, Natasha, was gone. Your brother, Tony, was gone. Everyone else that was held dear and close to you, was either gone, or depressed. Worst of all, the Avengers were lost, confused, and searching for a new way to start. The pillar that held up humanity’s hope and protection was broken. And when that many people look up to one group, it starts to take a toll on everyone in it.

Though everything was extremely painful, you and Stephen started to connect more. You and he became better friends and eventually, you two started to try going on a few dates. Stephen made you really happy, even when you were sad his presence helped. You enjoyed texting him, calling him, and seeing him. It was like he was apart of your daily routine now. When you wake up, you text Stephen. When you do something fun, you tell Stephen. Who asks how your day was? Stephen. It was like muscle memory to think about him every day. Your life was finally going upwards after everything.

Your first two dates with Stephen were better than any you've ever been on. Your first date, he took you out to dinner at a fancy steak restaurant. Then, the second one you had more fun, literally. You two went to an arcade and won as many jackpots as you could. Sounds silly when you think about it, two adults (superheroes at that) playing at an arcade like you were ten. But, it was worth every second and you had a good time. Something that had been hard for you after defeating Thanos.

"..and treat you right.." You continued to sing the song as you put on some jewelry. Stephen should be here any second, your date was at 6 o'clock. Since he used...portals, you knew he'd be right on time and it was already five fifty five. You took up the last five minutes checking yourself in the mirror, making sure you looked good. If you were going to be walking around with the Stephen Strange, then you should look good, right?

You heard the familiar noise the portals would create and poked your head outside your bathroom door. Stephen stood in the hallway with a bouquet of red roses, grinning like a child. So classic, yet so thoughtful.

"Wow. 6:01. You're late! Was it traffic or something?" You teased and he rolled his eyes, walking up to you and handing you the bouquet.

"Well if that’s the case, this is my sorry gift for being a minute late." He laughed and handed you the flowers. You closed your eyes, inhaling the fresh scent .

"These smell amazing, thank you. I'll need to grab a vase for these before we leave." You smiled and then realized the quiet music in the background. You turned around and picked up your phone, stopping the music and putting your phone in your purse.

"Hmmm, was that Bob Marley in the background?"He questioned as you both walked towards your kitchen.

"Mmmmmaybe." He chuckled at your response. You opened a cupboard under your sink, taking out a spare vase. As you started to fill it up with water from sink, Stephen came up behind you. He rested his arms on either side of you, leaning his hands on the sink.

"You look beautiful, Darling." He whispered, and just something so subtle as that made you feel weak in your knees. You could feel his breath against the back of your neck and you bit your lip a little. You turned around and faced Stephen, setting the vase on the counter. Looking up at him and leaning yourself against the sink, you leaned in closer to his face.

"Oh I do now?" At this point you two were almost touching noses. It was taking all of your self-control to not kiss him, and it was taking all of his to do the same. You were eye candy to him, and the look on his face was telling you clearly. The way he eyed you bit your lip. You looked so seductive to him, best part was you weren't even trying.

"More than you realize." He chuckled a bit, trying to brush off how flustered he was over you. Seriously, this guy the Sorcerer Supreme, a protector of the world, and he never stumbled. But this? Gosh he was falling for you quicker than he’d imagined.

You smirked and looked at his lips, he was biting his too. Little did you know, he was slowly losing the self restraint to not kiss your right there. The tension between you two made him want to just smash his lips into yours, but he kept still, too scared to make a move if you weren’t comfortable. If he messed up he could lose you, and he never wanted that to happen in the slightest.

You closed your eyes and leaned forward, pressing your lips against his soft ones. Stephen’s eyes widened as he pushed against your lips and leaned his body into yours, gently pressing you even more against the sink. His lips tasted sweet, and you assumed it was from honey-tea he’d drunken earlier, which you didn't really mind. You expected it from an avid tea drinker. Besides, you were more focused on how it felt to finally put your lips on his.

He moved his hands onto your waist, hesitating a bit incase you didn't want them resting there. When you didn't move out of discomfort, he gently squeezed your waist. He was careful with his hand placement, reminding himself that he didn't know how what you were okay with. This certain way he touched you, with extra care and thought, made you feel warm inside. Literally, overheated by the fact a man such as him existed, a man that had made you so comfortable so quickly. You were never one to let your guard down, and you still kept a small barrier up. But Stephen had truly gotten you open up to him and it was unfamiliar to you. This feeling inside you hasn't been something you've felt in a long time..

..was it love? Have you really been falling in love?

You're an adult, you've had passed relationships, but this felt.. different. Yeah, yeah, every girl says that with the new man, but really though. This wasn't the same and you couldn't compare it to anything you've felt before. This felt secure, like you were on the right path.

You pulled away and broke the kiss, resting your hands on his chest.

"That- That was great. Wow." He lifted his hand to your cheek, rubbing his thumb across the side of your face.

"Yeah, that was perfect." You leaned into his hand and closed your eyes for a moment. You were nothing but satisfied and comfortable in his care, you couldn't ask for more.

You opened your eyes again and playfully grinned.

"Wanna do it again?"

Hi all:) This was a very very veryyyy old draft, so I apologize if it was a little bad haha! But, I’m back. I might write more, I might not. But I have a few drafts I thought I would share because they never got to be posted and they had work put into them. :)

Have a good day:)

#doctor strange imagine #stephen strange #mcu #doctor strange x reader #x reader #marvel #doctor strange fanfiction #fanfic

[geddy-leesbian]

why the Darkside Chronicles RE2 retelling feels like comp het Leon propaganda to me

disclaimer: not trying to start any sort of discourse here and imply this is the correct take. This is just my own personal headcanon, heavily influenced by my own life experiences, you believe whatever you want about Leon's sexuality.

also it's been a hot minute since I've played Darkside Chronicles and there's no convenient script of the whole game I could use to brush up on so it isn't as fresh in my mind as I'd like, but I'm just cranking this out now anyway

A key aspect of comp het crushes is them seeming unattainable. An actual real boy (for this opening part I'm drawing on my experiences as a lesbian, not getting to Leon yet) at school? Not a good comp het crush, because there's a real chance of them liking you back, and that's Scary. A celebrity? Almost perfect. Extremely unlikely to ever actually meet him, so they're a safe crush you can talk about and use as evidence you do like the gender you're supposed to, while feeling safe because you won't actually have to interact with him romantically.

A fictional character? Even better than a celebrity! Perfect! See, Heather, you do like boys, look at all these fictional men you're crushing on! You daydream about kissing them and going on dates with them, you're totally attracted to men! Just keep liking the fictional boys and not the ones at school, so you don't have to actually act on attraction, because that's Scary for Reasons.

Now moving on to Leon:

One of the main reasons I love Darkside Chronicles and consider it my favorite RE2 is that Leon and Claire don't split up, instead being together for the vast majority of the plot. And the way Leon still shows no romantic interest in Claire, instead wanting to chase after Ada, feels incredibly comp het to me. Of course you can just see it as Leon simply not being attracted to Claire but genuinely attracted to Ada for whatever reason, but again, to me it really screams comp het.

Claire is not a suitable comp het crush. Leon is spending large amounts of time with her. Nothing about her is sketchy, she seems like a good person. She seems like she might be attracted to Leon too, so HIT THE FUCKING BRAKES. Leon can't convince himself to have a crush on Claire, because it isn't safe. Claire might like him back, and it's a lot harder to convince yourself you're attracted to someone when things get real and you're actually dating the person. You get physical with them, talk about mushy stuff like feelings, and you feel nothing at best or feel uncomfortable at worst. Safe unattainable comp het crushes are useful because you can tell yourself that you would enjoy all those things with the opposite sex, but only the right person. You convince yourself someone unattainable is the right person, so that you never have to confront the reality that there is no right opposite sex person.

Ada is suspicious and shows zero interest in Leon. He's even got Claire pointing out that she's sketchy and they shouldn't go after her, but Leon insists because she's a good comp het candidate. Leon can convince himself that he's in love with Ada, love at first sight, and that's why he's not interested in Claire, the person he's actually bonding with. He's just falling too hard for Ada. And it's safe to like Ada. She's not interested. She's suspicious and running off trying to do her own thing. Leon can try to chase her down to prove to himself he really likes her, and he won't have that delusion shattered because she won't reciprocate and make him face the hard reality that he feels uncomfortable doing romantic things with the person he's supposedly in love with. And Ada is never going to want to settle down and have kids with him, so he can convince himself he wants that so he can feel normal, without feeling uncomfortable because it'll never actually happen.

Then the scene where Ada kisses Leon while faking her death. Despite the fact there's real physical contact, it's really an optimal comp het scenario. She's dramatically "dying" in his arms, says something about barely knowing him but knowing he'd say that, and then kisses him before "dying." If he felt uncomfortable with the kiss, it's easily explained away. It was such a traumatic situation, of course he's not going to enjoy kissing. If only Ada had lived so they could have escaped together and had a happier moment for their first kiss, then Leon definitely would have enjoyed it.

And, similarly to this shitpost I made, he gets to keep using her for comp het purposes. Why isn't he attracted to any other women, like he should be? Obviously, it's Ada. She was the love of his life. His soul mate. But she died, and he just can't ever move on, that's why he has no desire to be with anyone else. Boom, he's definitely attracted to women, completely straight.

TL;DR Leon and Claire are together for the vast majority of RE2 and bond more, and Claire also points out the red flags Ada is waving. Objectively it makes sense for him and Claire to have some type of romance going on, but he's still fixated on the person with zero interest he's interacted with significantly less. Because he isn't attracted to women. Pretending to be attracted to Claire would be much harder than pretending he's attracted to Ada.

#leon kennedy #leon s kennedy

[decarabiandivorce]

#old Mondstadt probably loved short stories like A Monkey's Paw and uses those types of metaphors a lot#a promise from their god of love and safety being twisted so... so they find ways to twist up the twist

Thinking about Decarabian's story later being told as a cautionary tale against a controlling suffocating 'love', and the role Amos would have played in such a narrative....anyway I'm curious what you think of Decarabian and Amos' relationship specifically as 'lovers' 👀

HELLO! I, TUMBLR USER DECARABIAN DIVORCE IS TOTALLY NORMAL ABOUT THESE TWO AND THEIR FAILURE OF A RELATIONSHIP.

COME CLOSER

I WILL NOT BITE

oKAY SO

My interpretation of Decarabian and Amos is that of two people that really cared about each other and so thought that perhaps they should be romantically involved with each other. I have a couple writings about how I think they would first meet (Left in my bestie's ask blog like a cat)

But! To understand that I must share how I interpret Amos! She is my babygirl and I think about her a nooooormal amount. Okay so Amos was a hunter at the start of the archon war, but thanks to her courtship she was basically cursed to have the same lifespan as Decarabian. This sounded like a completely sane and normal thing to agree to at the altar, a literal til death do we part. She had been alive for centuries by the time of the rebellion, and when her husband's 'heart' stopped so did hers.

Decarabian on the other hand, has been alive even before the time of the archon war,,, cause ya know,,, he needs to found Mondstadt. Now the city itself wasn't the only place that Decarabian reigned from. The snowy mountains had villages such as Sal Vindagnyr, and he was there to witness the celestial nail be dropped. He saw the horrors gods could inflict on other beings and this shattered his trust in any other divine being. Such a tragedy also made him think about how fragile humanity is, and thus he vowed he would keep Mondstadt safe. At all costs.

They both had a couple of friendships before this all went down, I like to hc Deca as knowing Kairos and thus when she went MIA it only fueled his parania. His closest neighbors were Liyue, and he did not trust a single god from there, and we all know he and Andrius had beef.

Amos, however, was a pillar of Mondstadt's community. She was a hunter! She was strong and powerful and in present-day Mond terms she would be as reliable as Jean or Noelle. However, Mondstadt wasn't as.... free as present-day Mondstadt. With her parents dying when she was about 20 or so, many people kept implying for her to start a relationship.

She.. hated disappointing them. She had never felt the need to take a lover before, but a companion? A friend she coudl share secrets with and be by her side? She craved warmth.

It only got worse when the war started and Decarabian is like "oh shield time everyone! :D " and now she was Stuck. Stuck and unable to go out to hunt. She felt like a burden. A testament to her name. She would spend long days helping out the city as best she could, telling every one of her friends that were concerned for her lifestyle that she was simply too busy for a relationship.

She... never felt an attraction to a person before. Never felt Cupid's arrow sting her chest and cause her to yearn. She had close calls, but could never imagine herself in an actual relationship with either of them.

Yet days in the timeless city still moved on, and the storms cradled the city in their razor-sharp embrace. She dreamed of the forest and of the hunt. She dreamed of those foggy memories of joining the hunting party. She dreamed that someone would understand that she didn't need a lover to be happy.

If this was a story told in the future, this is where the Monkey's paw would curl.

One day, she met a man in the armory and he was so kind and polite to her. No one in the city had seen their god's face, so she just assumed he was a noble or a guard. They talked for hours. He wanted to meet a person that people kept talking about. She would go silent as he mentioned those words, but in the end they became friends.

Yet... she was still troubled by her friends. It sucked have to sit through conversation after conversation about her future. How that having someone by her side would be good for her when she gets older! How having a spouse was a wonderful thing.

After many nights of pressure and debate, she asked out Decarabian. She wanted to experience this. Perhaps she was wrong! Perhaps she was just missing out! He was her friend, so it would be just like hanging out.

Before she knew it, people were happy for her. She was happy that they were happy. She was happy seeing Decarabian smile at her. But was she happy?

It felt like an item on a list being crossed out. An obligation she had to fulfill. She got what she asked, but...

...

Its fine! She is fine! Its...

its nothing.

don't worry about it.

(^ doodled them while writing this all down ehehe)

Years later, she and him were wed. Everyone was so happy. It felt like a dream walking down the aisle. The type of dream that you don't remember happening. The type that fogs the mind as you try to recall it. There are rings on her fingers now. It's a cold feeling, the metal against her skin. The ornaments in her hair are heavy. It's... its fine.

She is glad her husband feels so happy looking at her.

As lovers, they didn't really date. Neither of them found the point of all of it. They were basically roommates+ that slept in the same bed. Amos found out she loved to cuddle him as she slept. It's been so long since she had felt a loving embrace, and he had never felt a hug before.

She taught him a lot of things about romance, not quiet understanding him at times but they managed! She yearned to be held, and so Decarabian did! He was doing such a good job at this! He loved the ways she laughed. He loved her dedication to her crafts. He loved looking at her.

Yet the years went by, and soon Amos wasn't leaving the tower as often. Her friends had lives of their own, and she should have a life of her own. Despite having someone by her side, she never felt so isolated.

Before long, she was the only one left alive from that friend group. Decarabian put his arms around her waist, happy that his beloved was spending more time with him. She seemed sad.. so a hug should do the trick!

They never.. talked about this. They never talked about anything! They just existed with each other after a time, enjoying the other's presence but something was missing.

She felt safe. She felt a strong bond between her and Deca. She felt... happy? Complacent. It was nice being in the tower... but it was as dull as the grey sky.

It was only centuries of this limbo before she would meet a duo that would bring that spark back in her eyes.

So yeah tldr neither of them should have been dating each other in the first place but the norm that people who are close together should be lovers pushed them into a situation neither of them was prepared to tackle. Neither of them communicated their needs and thus suffering was caused. At the end of the day, they do care deeply for each other, and this only made it all much more painful. F in chat

Anyways links to my writings and a couple hcs pals and I have about the two

The Sun Post <- THE MAIN ONE TO READ

Bestie's commentary on it (^^^) that I rotate and I think everyone should see

Gifts

Expressions and Metaphors 

Everything is fine!

Amos means Burden thing again <- This one is a lot more short story -ish

The one Ring to rule court her

The basics in Language

How they got together

You know other men?

Touch

Should have communicated better oof

Average Deca compliment

The reveal

Speedrunning this huh?

#steel text #decmos #decarabian #amos #genshin #I AM SO NORMAL CLICK ON THE READ MORE LINK ITS NORMAL ITS NORMAL ITS NORMAL #old mondstadt #thx for the ask!

[dilute-flower]

The Black Cat

Chapter one: You look fur-miliar

A/N: And because you guys are so pawsome, here is the first chapter! Don't be too amewsed by my cat puns. I have many more up my sleeve.

And to everyone who's reading this for the first time. "Snitten" is the offical word to describe Snape as a cat. Not to be confused with "Snog", which describes what I would do with Snape once he's in human form again. (See what I did there?? HAAAAAAAHAAAA I'm so funny. I haven't talked to anyone in a while since I'm still sick and all alone in London. So excuse this. thanks.)

Pairing: Snape x Reader

Warnings: None

Dark clouds fill the high ceiling of the great hall, reflecting the weather of the windy autumn raging outside. The clouds look as if they would burst at any moment and rain down an incredible amount of water. An unpleasant feeling if you look too long. In contrast, the hall, whose walls reflect the great laughter of the children and the serious conversations of the teachers, looks like a place of bliss.

As always, the tables are set with a wide variety of dishes, from roast with rosemary potatoes to fish with vegetables. You have taken your usual place between Minerva McGonagall and Pomona Sprouts and are following the herbology teacher's exciting story. Pomona has an incredibly amusing way of telling the most humdrum story in such a way that you can't stop laughing, and under normal circumstances you would have fallen under the table laughing at her story about another student fainting while repotting mangroves, but today your mind is on someone else. You noticed the absence of the potion master a few minutes ago. Professor Snape was usually seated on the far end of the staff table. From your position you normally could discreetly take a look at him before blushingly lowering your head again. You’ve been crushing over the dungeon bat since the first day you started teaching at Hogwarts.

There was something about that black cladded man that has your heart racing double time. His high cheekbones, deep onyx eyes and wonderfully hooked nose… You love his appearance. Though it’s not conventionally attractive, there’s certainly an appeal to it. But it’s not just that. There is just something about him in a way that gets you all swooning. The way he commands a room simply by entering it. The way his black robes flatter behind him in this majestic, mysterious way. His intelligence, his dry sarcasm, his voice, his hands. Oh, Gods his hands –

“Are you quite alright, dear?” You turn to see a look of concern plastered all over Minerva’s face. A deep blush settled on your cheeks; you were totally lost in thoughts there for a second. “Ah yes. Just… ehm…a mild headache.” You gave her a weak smile and she lets it go resuming eating and engaging in another story with her colleague.

The most embarrassing part about your crush is that Professor Snape never even noticed you. You barely exchanged a word with him before and when you did try to engage a conversation with him, his answers would always be short, clipped and sometimes even dismissing. It’s quite obvious that this behavior is partly just who he simply is. But you often witnessed him talking to Minerva. Their conversations always seem light and easy going. Snape likes the elder witch, and you just can’t help but feel jealous about that. You know that he wouldn’t possibly harbor romantic feelings towards her, but still; you would give up your right hand simply to talk to him once like they do. So, you just settled to swoon over him from a distance. Which today, due to his absence, is impossible.

A light frown settles on your features. You noticed some time ago that he has a habit of skipping meals sometimes, but it doesn’t mild your disappointment. Pomona catches your distraction and follows your eyes to the empty seat on the other side of the table.

“Severus skipping meals again?” She asks. “Too bad. I was hoping to catch up with him about some herbs he needed from my greenhouse.” Minerva suddenly chokes on her meal, coughing frantically. She takes a sip from her goblet and clears her throat. “I guess you won’t be able to that. I’ve heard that Albus –” she stops in her tracks to take careful look at the headmaster, as if to check if he’s listening. “Send Severus on a mission.” She finished.

“A mission?” You ask without being able to keep the curiosity off your face. “In the middle of the term?”

“Ah yes.” Minerva seems suddenly very interested in a piece of potato on her plate. “Apparently it’s something very urgent.”

A nervous laugh leaves your throat. “Sending someone on a mission… It sounds like Professor Snape is some sort of spy.” You muse. “How long will he be gone and who’s going to take over his classes?” You try not to sound too eager. Mission failed successfully. Thankfully no one seems to notice.

“Oh, I don’t know, dear.” Minerva says, “I guess it depends on how long he needs to fulfill his – duties.” There’s something about the way she talks that makes you think she knows something you don’t. Which she probably does. The familiar feeling of jealousy settles in your stomach again along to the pitiful feeling of not knowing how long your crush will be absent.

“As to who is going to substitute for him. I guess we’ll have to work out a schedule.” The elder witch adds thoughtfully. “Would you be able to take over some of his lessons?” She asked and you nodded. Of course, you did.

With that the both of you worked out a schedule after dinner. You would take over Professor Snapes lessons on Monday afternoons and Thursday and Friday mornings. McGonagall and Professor Flitwick would take the rest. You feel oddly close to the potions master on this behalf. Taking over his lesson. Being able to teach within the dungeons he marked as his. It also gives you the chance to prove yourself to him. If you can keep his class under control and even manage to teach some of the stuff on the curriculum, you are sure it would impress him. You will have to prepare this weekend. Thank the Gods it’s Friday.

You are walking down the endless halls of the Castle towards your chambers. It’s a rather chilly night, in the middle of November. Wrapping your robes closer to your body you resume your journey, when you see a black cat on one of the windowsills opposite to your chambers. That’s strange. You’ve never seen this cat before and normally the students’ cats are either near the dormitories or stealthing in front of the kitchen in hopes of getting some leftovers from the house elves. 

It’s sleeping peacefully when you approach it. The poor thing must be freezing, you think. The cat’s ears start perking up the moment you step too close, and its eyes open slowly. A sleepy expression settles on its features, and you suddenly feel bad for waking it.

“Hello little one” you say lowly, carefully reaching a hand for it to sniff it. But the cat ignores it completely. It slowly settles on its feet regarding you carefully. You take it as a sign to stroke it, but the moment you extend your hand the black cat hisses dangerously. Taken aback you remove yourself a few steps from it. Could it be a stray? No, the fur looks to clean and shiny. “Who do you belong to?” You ask, but the cat merely rolls its eyes and settles back in its former sleeping position. You weren’t aware that cats could roll their eyes, nor did you know they could be this expressive with their features in general.

“Aren’t you cold?” You tried again “You could come in, you know? My chambers are right here” Gesturing towards the doors you notice the cats’ ears are moving again. You managed to catch its attention then. “I could make you a makeshift bed and get the house elves to send some food for you.” With that the cat opened her eyes again regarding you carefully, but not daring to make a move.

“Or not.” You say, taking a few steps towards your chambers. “Stay here, in the cold, all hungry with no one to cuddle.” You open the door carefully, not to disturb the cat. It pretends to not hear you, but you can see its ears moving. “Last chance” you say before stepping into your chambers. As if on cue, a cold draught passes the halls and the cat abruptly stands and gracefully jumps off the sill, before making its way towards your chambers. There’s something about the way it carries its tale, so majestic, it reminds you of a certain someone. You quickly shake that thought.

Of course, it had to be the new professor who finds him. He didn’t know it was her chambers he decided to take a nap next to, otherwise he would have chosen a different place. There’s just something about those newbies he didn’t like. They’re just too enthusiastic, too naïve. It’s just annoying to Snape. Most of them are gone after a year anyways since they’re mostly the new DADA teachers. That’s why he normally avoids them like a plague. This one might be one to stick around though.

You’re teaching History of magic as a replacement for the old Binns. The dullest subject in Hogwarts if you ask him. So, he simply assumed that you must be dull, or at least boring, as well. But the students seem to take a liking in you. You even managed to warm a few students to your subject. Some started calling it their favorite after your arrival. He wondered how you managed it. He never asked about it.

And now he finds himself in your chambers. In one of your armchairs to be specific. You’re rummaging in your closet to find some things for his ‘makeshift bed’ and Snape takes the opportunity to take a quick look around. Your chambers are not really how he imagined them. (Not that he was ever specifically imagining them)

The interior is tasteful, with a queen-sized bed, a few cupboards, and armchairs. A fancy sofa in the corner along with a large bookshelf next to it, a comfortable place to stay in on rainy days with a book. Snape takes a closer look at the books and recognizes a few he read himself. Good taste in literature then, he thinks. Not that it matters.

You have all sort of Knick knacks lying around. There’s no order in your belongings, but it’s not exactly chaotic either. Something in between. A few plants here and there, many pictures of family and friends. Nothing special, but he likes it anyways. It’s a place some would call cozy. Too bad he won’t be staying for long. But your offer of warmth and food was one he could not reject. It was freezing in the halls and Minerva wouldn’t let him back inside her office after she kicked him out.

“Ah Ha’! There we go.” You exclaimed suddenly and pulled out a fluffy blanket along with some pillows. “This will do.” Crossing the room, you sit down on the floor next to the armchair Snape settled on. “Do you like it here? Shall I put the bed here?” The way you talk to him, makes him want to fetch his teeth. The unnatural high pitch, like you’re talking to a infant or a –

Cat.

He represses the urge to roll his eyes at his own thoughts and simply jumps from the chair to make room for the bed. It looks quite cozy when you’re finished, he has to admit. As he eyes the bed you quickly take the opportunity to grab him and set him on his new bed. The next thing he knows is your fingernails scratching him delightfully behind his ears and the unasked purr escapes him again. Gods this feels heavenly, even better than when the old headmaster did it.

Snape loses himself for a moment and simply enjoys the sensation when you giggle prettily. “So, you are a cuddly one.” The purr stops. Snape suddenly feels caught. Embarrassed. In his human form, he would be blushing to the fullest. A frown settles on your features, and you regretfully withdraw your hands. “Let’s get you some food, hm?”

A few minutes and a huge amount of turned down canned tuna later you realize that Snape prefers his food cooked and humanlike. You shrug when you plate him a portion of the casserole leftover from dinner and shriek delighted when he starts eating it.

“You have a very interesting taste for a cat.” you muse. “But I wouldn’t bother with tuna either if I’m being honest.” For the first time that evening you take of your robes and hang them in your closet, sighing tiredly. You’re left in a simple dress that hugs your curves beautifully and you tie your normally lose hair in a messy bun. It looks quite flattering. The way the lose strands frame your face makes your high cheekbones more prominent.

“You know, I should probably give you a name, don’t you think?” Snape feels very annoyed of the prospect of you giving him a name. But he just keeps eating, pretending he hasn’t heard you. “At least until I’ve found your rightful owner.”

A thoughtful expression settles on your face as you regard him. “Well, I don’t need to look twice to see that you’re a male. It’s written all over your features.” You gesture vaguely at him. “Since you like the casserole so much, what about ‘Casserole’?” His tail involuntarily snaps at this idea and your giggles ring through the room. “You’re right! That’s just silly.”

You hum while thinking of a better name. “You really remind me of someone.” You say and a rosy tint appears on your cheeks. “But Professor Snape will probably kill me if he finds I named a Cat after him.”

The cat’s ears perk up at this. Professor Snape. As if I’m her teacher. But he never offered you to call him by his first name, he guesses. A feeling of regret settles in his guts. He ignored you instantly without even giving you a chance and here you are offering him nothing but caring warmth. Offering this to a cat! Not you, you idiot! It doesn’t matter, he decides and makes a mental note to be nicer to you once returning to his normal self.

“I think I’ve got it.” You exclaim excitedly. “I’ll call you ‘Midnight’! It fits perfectly with your fur.”

Fair enough, Snape thinks and resumes eating. A great meal, a comfortable bed and good company. Maybe he could stay a little longer. And maybe this punishment turns out to be the chance of a holiday Snape never had.

#snitten #snape fic #snape #snape fluff #snape x you #snape fanfiction #snape fandom #pro snape #severus snape #snape fanart #snapedom #severus #SNITTEN

[mdhwrites]

What are your core problems with The Owl House?

I'm feeling sick so I'm doing one that's weirdly a little simpler. Not simple but simpler. (It did not stay simple. Shocking, I know.) So if I were to be objective, I think the core problem with TOH is ego. I've been saying it a LOT recently on my Discord that "Ego is the death of art." Eventually, once you get your head shoved so far up your ass, you just stop being able to produce something good because you can't even make the statements you're wanting to make. That's the real death knell for TOH. It is so focused on being special and being meaningful that it forgets to be fun but it's also so self satisfied and convinced that its elements are sacrosanct that they don't question how they're using those elements or what they're actually saying. There's a reason why I'm personally happy as an author that I normally figure out themes within my works post figuring out what they're going to be like because my first goal is just making sure the story is COHERENT. And TOH doesn't give a FUUUUUUU- But subjectively... It's the characters for me that are the core of what lost me with TOH and what attracted me at first. S1 doesn't have the greatest cast. I literally brought in a two off antagonist in Boscha to have a third main character in my stories and focused WAY more on the Blights than literally ever including King in Power of Love. But... That is also is fine because just Amity and Luz in S1 by themselves has an incredible amount of potential as well just being incredibly likable. In fact, for all the shit I gave Eda and King a literal day ago, S1 of them are... enjoyable enough. King's joke is well and truly played out by then so I literally could not care about him but he is the best comic relief in S1. Not a high bar but he does clear it. Meanwhile, Eda has enough interesting going on with the curse to make her flaws not as apparent. Lilith is a compelling antagonist and the possibility of her bringing her more interpersonal comedy style into the main cast was exciting. Gus and Willow are barely characters but they're written likably and don't ever do anything truly wrong which could be said about them for the whole show.

And that also just kind of brings up the awkward element of S1. You have Amity and the curse but otherwise... It all feels like setup. Like we're seeing the first traces of these characters but we still haven't gotten a good, deeper impression of any of them yet. Including the world quite frankly. For fanfiction this was AMAZING. Everything was setup to go in a billion different ways, especially with Amity and Luz (individually or together) and it was exciting to theorize about. I tempered my expectations of course, I doubted I'd ever get the true nuance of my own version of Odalia and Alador but... I expected something a little smarter. The show seemed like it trended that way after all. That a bit more care and realism was put into the characters of the show. And then S2A is... more setup. Or just entirely changing characters to new forms of themselves that we still don't really know. All we do know is that they're less compelling. Amity becomes literally nothing more than Luz's girlfriend and how easy her change becomes more and more apparent with each passing episode. We get Momma Eda in one of her like... Two, maybe three appearances as any sort of criminal in S2 and they're ALWAYS motivated by someone else's scheme. I guess maybe not with Reaching Out but I'd have to check. The point is that the firebrand version of Eda is FIRMLY dead. Lilith becomes a total joke who's hard to even give credit to for the curse because Affearances is making her nothing more than a pathetic woman with unresolved mommy issues because... Sure. That's what the ex-coven head is just like now. Willow has ALL traces of either her morality or really any personality just gone for half a season, in part because she has no part in this season. She even insults Gus for his illusions in Escaping Expulsion in a scene where I SWEAR they swapped Amity and Willow's lines. Not that either should be pushing for bum rushing the door but it makes more sense coming out of plant goddess Willow than theoretically smart girl Amity.

And then you have Luz who is acting even more indignant this half season? Like not a lot has changed but the shifting tone is catching up to how they write Luz. How she can so quickly get annoyed at things not going her way or people not treating her like she's special. How she'll use her friends for personal gain. How she needs to be better than everyone else, both in her eyes and the writer's eyes. All while this isn't getting properly getting interrogated by the characters or even a bit of snark from Eda like it would in S1. It frankly reminds me of something I would say about bad porn: It's Barbie dolls being mashed together. They may have a little flair, like this one is wearing a skull hat or this one is non-binary, but as far as real personality goes... It didn't matter. You could swap out anyone and the writers would force it to work regardless. What personality was there was becoming increasingly cookie cutter or accidentally mean and cruel, just like toxic beauty standards. It's not Barbie's fault that sticks on a torso is the beauty standard to America but it also has no interest in being smart enough to make an appealing doll while avoiding reinforcing the worst parts of it.

And like bad porn, the reason this is done is similar. Rather than actually dealing with the emotions and complexities present in the topics and actions that are desired for the story, they make it so the characters just do it anyways. In porn, you get fucking. In The Owl House, you get... Subversion and representation I guess. But like sex with no setup or emotion, you need to only want the face value elements of these things or else you're just going to feel like you're watching other people having a MUCH better time than you while you're wondering why you're there. Also, yes, this is a weird metaphor. It's mostly done I believe. I do want to mention though that this is why my erotica series struggled to have a lot of sex scenes because those books took themselves and their characters and concepts pretty seriously so I couldn't just ignore the characters if they just weren't in the mood.

The fact that the main payoffs are emotional and metatextual statements that are poorly setup is a REAL problem. It has the feeling of a highschooler who's spent too much time on Twitter seeing their seven year old baby sister playing with her dolls and stopping her from doing that to then put the Barbie on a soapbox and lecture their sister about how dolls are oppressing her and having fun like this is awful. It's not just boring, it's literally anti-fun. Worse yet, it's not smart enough about the topics not to feel mean spirited and somewhat misguided in how its doing it. As an example, they wanted good queer rep. Unfortunately, Amity turned into an incredibly bland trophy for Luz, as boring a pointless as any straight female love interest frankly, and Raine is criticized by much of the fandom for obviously existing only for Eda. They're not just turned into a sexy lamp: That's almost their point from go with how little time they AREN'T just about Eda. This all culminates in the real turning point of the series. Now yes, I've said the point of no return is Escaping Expulsion but that episode is more the objective core issue's turning point. It's the show going "We're not as smart as we think we are and so are going to murder some of the elements that are stopping us from doing whatever we want to... But that doesn't mean we're gonna have fun with it either. Instead, we're going to act lazy, bitter and make the laziness and forced aspects of this episode way too apparent as we move on to what makes us feel special like Lumity." For the characters, Yesterday's Lie is the final nail in the coffin. I've talked before about how Vee's callout of Luz not only makes the problems of S2A being awkward with Luz's character more questionable, it throws her entire CONCEPT into question. Whether she ever was made an outcast because of others or because she told other outcasts to go fuck themselves. Why didn't she know anyone like Mascha after all? They clearly exist in Gravesfield. Why was she trying to be a cheerleader when she clearly isn't interested in sports or athletics. At least most of the time. S1 seems really fucking confused about whether or not she's a nerd or a truly basic bitch school kid who likes everything at least a little bit. But you didn't question it until the new statement that wanted to be made with Luz was "We have a dramatic, changing protagonist who is not just a ball of sunshine but also capable of extreme levels angst and change. She's not just another cartoon main character."

Boy that statement is reeking of ego though, isn't it? Especially when the point Luz isn't going to become "Reality matters over fantasy, others are more important than me," but instead her character finish is "I literally need everyone to recognize that I'm the most special person on the planet and I will only properly listen to anyone who is like me since I blatantly ignored everything my mom said until she earned my attention by being a closet nerd." Luz's character finish is REEEEEALLY BAD.

And no, I don't blame this on the shortening. Just look at fucking Amphibia. It has a VERY vivid cast that mostly keep to their own roles that are dictated by their personalities and despite the lack of time characters like Sasha get, the show knows how to sell their personalities, their relationships, what they're doing, etc. like that almost instantly and part of that's because it's having fun. It's willing to take things to the extreme from go. Sasha's INTRODUCTION is convincing someone to turn themselves into a CLOWN and leave their entire life behind so as to make it so she's no longer guarded. You are sold IMMEDIATELY on this being some master manipulator... But then she also saves Grime and her manipulations are through kindness rather than cruelty like most others which reinforces the loose threads we already had on Anne and her's relationship. You can see she's such a close friend... But why she's not a GOOD friend. And you know all of this by the end of S1 where she gets ONE AND A HALF EPISODES. That is frankly more than I can say about, especially firmly, the majority of TOH's cast by the end of S1. MAYBE Luz and definitely Amity clear the bar but that's the main character and her love interest. Not King. Not Eda. Not even Belos, the main fucking antagonist. I could have speculated on him but I could have told you more about Grime through the toads, Sasha and effectively his ONE episode than I can about the leader of the ENTIRE ISLES.

It really does continue to make me wonder why I'm not compelled to write Sashannarcy instead of Lumischa, the two share a lot of similarities after all, when even S1 has Sasha and Anne as so much more dynamic than Luz and Amity. I guess I liked the playground though. There was more empty space for me to play in with my own writing and I definitely will admit that the fandom, for both TOH and Amphibia, have made me feel far more connected to the shows than the actual products. I'm just weird that way I guess and it's probably why I keep ending up here. Where the show has gone fallow on me and I no longer see the characters as fun people with potential but instead just mean spirited Barbie Dolls.

It happened to me with MLP and it happened to me with TOH. *sigh*

============

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead, If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

And finally a Twitter you can follow too!

#the owl house criticism #toh critical

[ichooseviolence]

I honestly can't take the 'Sansa stays in the Vale and never comes back North and never sees her family again' metas aka headcanons seriously because it seems a vaaast majority of people who perpetuate this take are Sansa antis who are shaking, crying, and throwing up at the thought of Sansa and Jon being reunited first and potentially working together to take back Winterfell lol. I'm not a J0nsa shipper, I'm a Sansa stan who dislikes Jon so I don't even want that ship to happen, but the absolute seething from Sansa antis at the thought of Jon and Sansa even sharing page space together as totally platonic siblings/cousins/friends or whatever is so, so delicious. Anyway, idk if TWOW will ever even be published so this may all be moot but lmao. They need to worry less about Sansa and more about their faves!

Oh agreed. And it just makes no sense, it's a pointless place for her to end her story. "Robin will die and she'll end up ruling the Eyrie with HH." I'm 98% convinced Harry the Heir is going to die.

"And may your horse stumble, Harry the Heir, so you fall on your stupid head in your first tilt." -Alayne I TWOW

Not looking good for young Harry. After all, the last time Sansa wished for someone to fall during a tourney, they did.

"I hope [Ser Morros] falls and shames himself, she thought bitterly. I hope Ser Balon kills him." -Sansa I ACOK

Of course, Morros isn't killed, but he did fall and shame himself in the process. It's my assumption that this time death will be the result of his injury. On top of all that, Harry's a jerk. So unless he somehow survives, is humbled by his fall, and stops his habit of knocking up ladies and then dumping them just because they can't lose their pregnancy weight fast enough, I don't want him near Sansa. It's ridiculous the amount of gross men she has to put up with.

And as for Robin, I'm very confident he will live. And if that's the case, The Vale will be his. He has plenty of confidants who will be by his side and help him rule. He doesn't need Sansa for that. And based off his current affection for Sansa, she won't need to marry him to gain his alliance or support. Having her remain in The Vale to "control Sweetrobin" would diminish her as another LF or Varys pulling puppet strings on premature, young leaders. That's ooc for her imo. She's not interested in power. In the first book she brags about one day becoming queen, after she is betrothed to Joffrey (I'd brag about it too tbh) but we haven't seen that since. Even when she thinks about her claim to Winterfell, there's no shred of desire to actually rule. It just depresses her because she realizes she's being used and abused for her claim. What she desires most of all is to be loved, and to find someone to love. (But I guess it makes her a bitch for wanting to be with someone she finds attractive and...fucking normal in the head.)

They also argue that she'll be married to Aegon. And that makes little sense to me as well. Sansa goes from being used by Littlefinger to now being used by Varys? What's the point? What can she offer Aegon that would be better than what Arianne is about to offer him? "They'll be sister brides!" Neither one of them would go for that idea.. Sansa actually has a plot in her story, and Aegon doesn't fit into it.

"She's going to be dragged back to KL to have a final showdown with Cersei!" She doesn't need a showdown with Cersei. Sansa doesn't even think about Cersei, and to me that's proof that she has no power over her.

I've also seen theories where both Arya and Sansa are/were on a path of turning into their Aunt Lysa. Apparently Arya has passed the test, but Sansa hasn't. The most bizarre thing I've ever heard tbh. Neither of these girls are, or were ever, in danger of becoming their Aunt Lysa. They share qualities with Ned and Cat. Lysa's journey was very different from these girls'. She became obsessed with the man who loved her sister, her father forced an abortion on her, she was married off to an old man that she didn't want to be with. She was used and groomed by the man she "loved". She raped LF. Are we really going to compare these girls to their Aunt Lysa? Their stories and actions don't match up at all. I'm not sure why this idea is even entertained.

People will come up with anything to keep her away from her own home. Sansa being "less of a Stark" and "less connected to Winterfell" has been a baseless argument for a long time now. Her narrative contradicts those claims. And as for her ending, I think she will end the story in an influential position. It would be cool if she ended as queen regnant, but I don't think it's super likely. I think it's more likely she'll be queen consort, queen regent (if Rickon lives), or the lady of a major house. Personally, I ship her with Willas Tyrell <3. But I don't think that's likely to happen as she'll probably choose to stay in Winterfell by the end of the series.

Hehe, I've actually been feeling very positive with TWOW release lately. I think it's closer than we think. I could be wrong though, and tbf I haven't been waiting an entire decade since I began reading the series very late. For now, I just daydream a happy ending. <3

[vaultedthewall]

Chronicles of Amber Fancast

Prefacing this with what I actually want from a Chronicles of Amber series is that tweet about not actually wanting an all star cast but ten unknowns and a scriptwriter that is deeply unwell. But if I'm gonna pick and choose big name actors here is who I would like based mostly on vibes, attractiveness (to me), and the likelihood it would really upset certain subreddits. AKA everything important in life. Mainly just the children of Oberon in the first five books bc it's already long enough as is.

Corwin - Oscar Isaac

Charismatic enough to make me forget how much I fucking hate Corwin, also he can sing. Thanks to Moon Knight we know he can totally rock "Protag who is just as confused as the audience as to what is going on" which is v important for Nine Princes In Amber.

Benedict - Idris Elba

Tall, 100% Done With This Family's shit, can carry the vibes of someone who only doesn't have the throne because he doesn't want it and everyone agrees if that was different he'd just have it.

Eric - Taika Waititi

Can balance both absolute piece of trash bag of dicks while still being charismatic which is really what's important about Eric.

Deirdre - Kali Reis

You want a battle maiden you'll get a battle maiden. If anything the main problem here is there's no way on god's green earth you could convince me she'd need Corwin and/or Random to come to her rescue for anything, but hey adaptations are for changing things.

Fiona - Sophie Turner

For all the redheads I thought it'd be important to pick people who normally play affable everymen/heroes/people you're used to seeing as goodguys, even if the nature of adapting a book series that's older than most of the people you'd cast in it means the 'big twist' of who the traitors are is something everyone sees coming. So someone well practiced at ingenues would be perfect for the actual baddest bitch in charge.

Bleys - K. J. Apa

We're gonna give him a better dye job than Riverdale though okay I promise.

Brand - Jack Quaid

Absolutely 'just this guy you know' vibes. Easy to overlook. Would YOU believe he was the big bad? Come on.

Llewella - Halle Bailey

Yes I'm making a Little Mermaid joke, try and stop me. But also given how shafted she was in the books I think it's important to use someone who can do a lot with having few speaking lines (though hopefully again that would be fixed in an adaptation)

Caine - Vico Ortiz

Literally I just want to watch them doing all the scenery chewing bullshit you know Caine has to get up to while they are manipulating and spycrafting their way through shit. Can fully believe they'd pull a finding a copy of themself to kill and leave so people don't know they're still around behind the scenes. Especially in their Blackbeard fit, come on.

Julian - Conrad Ricamora

Did I just cast my absolute most favorite Mister Darcy as my number one blorbo Julian? Call the fucking cops on me idgaf. His resting bitch face and sarcasm are second to none. Also watch Fire Island (2022) on Hulu.

Gérard - Jason Momoa

Along with being the biggest canon kinda implies he's also the hottest of all of Oberon's sons so absolute massive dreamboat Jason Momoa it is. Also for the lolz of him and Vico being the navy people.

Florimel - Jamie Clayton

Did you ever see a woman so beautiful you started crying?

Random - Bex Taylor-Klaus

They can absolutely go through the journey of youngest sibling in the jester position/fuckup because who cares > most responsible one after all.

BONUS

Bill Roth - Wil Wheaton

Look I adore his narration of the last five Amber books!!! I want him somewhere so the reliable chillax lawyer from earth who somehow just rolls with becoming the family lawyer for what amounts to gods of reality. I know I said I actually want a bunch of unknowns for the actual series but I will cry at whoever I must to make this happen. Please.

#chronicles of amber #fancast #roger zelazny

[katriniac]

So I find myself simping hard for Artem Wing this morning, and decide to nurse that ache by re-reading my favorite Tears of Themis card stories.

First up is Por Una Cabeza

When I first pulled this card, all I knew was that I was getting ARTEM WEARING A FANCY MASK.

But then I read the story and was confused.

Like, really confused.

Spoilers below the cut if you haven't read this card yet.

This post has two parts. Maybe three if I decide to include the video call? So look in my reblogs for the rest of this recap!

This card's story is set BEFORE they are in an established relationship, before any love confession takes place.

So ... both Rosa and Artem are having similar nightmares at the beginning, but the reader isn't aware they are reading a dream.

Now that I am reading it through again, I can more fully appreciate the other-worldliness of the "nightmare" and understand why everyone is acting strangely with bad memories, lol.

The bright red digital clock face glaring at Tosa in the fancy hotel lobby makes MUCH more sense more that I know it's her own bedside alarm clock she's incorporating into her dreamscape.

Also? ALSO?!? TODAY, the day I'm reading this right now is December 24th! What are the odds! I totally forgot this story takes place on Christmas Eve, because they call the event the New Year's Ball. Idk why... 🤷‍♀️

Anyways, back to recapping my favorite moments:

🥹 @ Artem second-guessing himself, worrying about you, wondering if you're okay, and if it's his fault

Awwwww, Artem!

His pouting face!

That's just like him to be concerned, and to jump to the conclusion that it might be his fault. He also wants to get to the bottom of any problem you have, so he can:

Discover the root cause of "Problem X"

Understand the reason for your distress

And plan for ways to fix/avoid it in the future so you never have to encounter/worry about "Problem X" ever again

Yes, this man is a 'fixer' but he does more than put a cosmetic bandage on things. He wants to make sure you never have to experience that same hurt a second time. He wants to learn from his own mistakes and others to prevent problems in the future. He wants to control the outcome by preparing for any eventuality.

The amount of energy and effort he puts into his "Rosa Long-Game" is mind-boggling.

Okay, I could go on forever about Artem's control issues, how amazing he is, and what makes him perfect husband-material.

So let's not get lost in the weeds out here. Back to the story!

There is this sublime moment where the two nightmares meld, as if the two of them are sharing the same dream!

And they meet FINALLY, after hours of panicked searching and confusion:

So they eventually wake up, and they decide to text the other to see if they're awake, and it turns into a phone call. No biggie. Just a phone call. At 2am. Between coworkers. Talking about their dreams. 😘 Nothing peculiar about that, right?

Everyone does that with their colleagues, don't they??

😏 Sure .... sure.

Next:

We find out Artem only knows one dance.

Which isn't exactly weird... many dudes don't know any dances.

What is odd is the one dance this shy boy knows:

The tango?

One of the most sensual and passionate dances ever?

Really?

Really.

The tango.

That's your go-to dance, Artem?

Okay.

Let's keep reading:

Ohhhhhh.

*BREATHES*

We get a glimpse into their month-long practices.

30 days of being caged in Artem's arms, spending every day after work in close proximity, working up a sweat.

Oof.

And then once you're confident in the steps, the fun part of the "act" both partners must put on to sell the push and pull of emotions.

The haughtiness, the indignation, the desire, the attraction, the softening and relenting at last, all of that passion needed to put on a good show!

Yup...

...Just what two normal work co-workers do on a daily basis.

TOTALLY NORMAL. 😏

*nods*

Yup.

"Suitable tango partner"

Uh-huh.

Artem. Artem! Stop lying to yourself!!

And then there's THIS:

LMAO @ Artem wishing for a weapon to fight off anyone else who might try to take her away from him.

"Everyone will know"

*sucks in breath*

Possessive!Artem is a really really hawt Artem.

Just sayin'

🥵🤤🥴❤️‍🔥🫠😍

AND they mention his adam's apple! Okay, this might not be a turn-on for other people. But it is to me.

I can point at obvious times in my life where I've decided that a certain action/attribute is attraction or sexy. But not the adam's apple. I have no explanation for why I find it mesmerizing!

But bless the writer who decided to mention that specific anatomy in this story! Shout out to you for adding to my swoon! 🫡

End of Part 1 - Check the reblogs for Part 2

#tears of themis #artem wing #tot artem #tears of themis artem #por una cabeza #tango #adam's apple #mask #masks #gacha story #dream #nightmare #dreaming #tears of themis spoilers #katie's recap #story recap #part 1

[qedmirage]

As most of my international followers know here in the US we're having a presidential election this year. Well, that means each major party has to select their candidate, and the process for that has been going on for a while now. See, in the US, state-level parties have a lot of say in how they select candidates, so they randomly jockey for more important slots than each other, and this is why the party elections for their candidate take months and not, like, a week. Well for the past several months, in the lead up to actual voting, we've been obligated to pretend that several people with a snowball's chance in hell were serious candidates to control the world's [EDIT: second-] largest nuclear arsenal. I want to briefly commemorate/memorialize one of those candidacies, that of Ron DeSantis of florida.

See just a few days ago we had the iowa caucuses, a silly way to select presidential candidates that is ALSO unrepresentative of who the final nominee will be, as the winner secures an objectively tiny amount of points (called 'delegates') towards gaining a party's nomination and the system is designed to make it impossible for introverts to participate. You get like a tiny sliver of a party's membership voting in caucuses and it's weighted to favor the freaks and fanatics. And yet that simple, first contest, was enough to cause all but two of the field of GOP candidates to give up and go home. Because throughout the pre-pre-election season they would give fawning, obsequious praise to Donald Trump - the best president since Washington, possibly even better - and then be asked: "Isn't he also running for president? Why should people vote for you over him, if they like Trump?" to which the answer would be some vague mumbling about his legal challenges or age or how statistically most of the country wants to murder him with knives. (The notable exception here is wannabee mafioso Chris Christie, who at least does not forgive trying to kill him). Anyways, in final results Trump got 20 points, Ron DeSantis got 9, Nikki Haley got 8, and 4chan shitposter Vivek Ramaswamy got 3. Of those, only Trump and Nikki Haley didn't immediately give up. So anyways. Ron DeSantis. Actually presently a governor of a major state, and Florida at that - one which has shifted from 'swing' to 'republican' over his tenure. You could be forgiven for thinking he's a skilled politician. And yet. He repeatedly promised that his first day in office would start with war with mexico, which he never described in those terms. Rather he'd just

blockade mexican ports

shoot mexican nationals on the southern border without a trial ('people who have backpacks', apparently)

Send US military forces into mexico to kill more mexican citizens without trial

Cool. Normal. We're allies with that country, you know? He'd say such policies were informed by his military service as a lawyer in Iraq and then (he does not mention this part) Guantanomo Bay. Yeah, I bet they are. Though, for some reason, he always leaves off the "as a lawyer" part. DeSantis's team also produced some of the most deranged and openly fascist ads of a major candidate. See, the DeSantis campaign was oriented around "the war on woke", his efforts to use state power to roll back civil rights in general, progressives existing in government, and the rights of LGBT people in particular. Already cloaked in the language of online reactionaries it was always gonna attract freaks, and as a result, the ads made by younger staffers (released, not by the official campaign, but to pro-DeSantis meme accounts secretly run by his staffers) are totally deranged. Here's one of them; I'm going to warn you, it's intensely homophobic, to the point that a republican presidential candidate had to apologize for the homophobia.:

crazy ass moments in american politics on X: "The Ron DeSantis campaign team post a Trump attack ad feat. phonk. (2023) https://t.co/cwaWnZInG7" / X (twitter.com)

For those who don't wish to watch such things, the core thesis of the ad is that the republican party under Trump was captured by and coddled LGBT people, and DeSantis will restore strong masculinity and crush LGBT americans. DeSantis is paralleled to noted straight Achilles, those sigma chad memes, and fictional murderer Patrick Bateman, all while heavy bass music plays. My personal favorite stills:

Again, these are from an ad for a guy who quit after literally the first contest. Truly a fighter.

But even that pales in comparison to the "running up that hill" ad. That one is one of the most straightforwardly fascist pieces of advertising a modern american politician has made. While perhaps less directly offensive, viewer be warned, this is nazi shit: Luke Thompson on X: "The @desantiscams account just deleted this video after at least one campaign staffer RT'd it. I wonder if this was also made in-house. https://t.co/JA1D9qqONF" / X (twitter.com) (It was, in fact, made in-house).

The esoteric nazi symbolism did not go unnoticed. Nor the fact that it ends on DeSantis's paramilitary "florida guard" (not the national guard!) marching forward into a bright dawn while he looks down approvingly. The aide who made that video was fired, but it's no wonder he felt at home; DeSantis's whole appeal is about threatening to use extralegal power against conservatism's enemies. He tried to revoke Disney's special tax statuses based purely on an extremely beige statement in support of LGBT rights they issued, and again, established a paramilitary force under his command. There are far more examples than those two. Not a 'normal' politician. Aside from setting millions of dollars of republican donor money on fire, DeSantis's campaign leaves behind a legacy of the various 'posting is life' type laws he enacted in Florida to raise his public profile. These include a raft of laws that target and victimize LGBT americans: [Thread of several such stories, reported in major outlets]

And he was also a noted figure in the conservative turn against COVID precautions, defenses, and vaccinations. While we'll never know such things to precision, Florida's COVID deaths record was considerably worse than many other states, despite its wealth and good climate. They chose not to pursue safer methods so as to buoy DeSantis's future presidential ambitions, now dead in the street. Like most failed presidential primary candidates he will probably not have a long future in national politics; DeSantis is a weirdo who eats pudding with his bare fingers, he's profoundly uncharismatic, and he's fought against his team's de facto leader. But before it's all consigned to dust of history, I'd just like to take a moment to remember all the real people who have suffered for his campaign, and for what? So he can make a 72 second ad with him shooting lightning from his eyes, get 21% of the vote in Iowa, and give up after 8 days.

A statesman for the ages, truly.

#politics #usa politics #Ron DeSantis #election 2024 #lgbt #I can't edit the post title for some reason rn but it would be “pre-eulogy for a bastard”