#not that big a fan of it. but i will persevere

[puphoods]

tea drinkers are crazy "best enjoyed without milk" if im just going to sit here and smell it for a while and then pour it down the drain maybe

#et cetera #tastes like nothing water without milk soryr... trying to start drinking tea so i can reduce my caffeine intake but im really just #not that big a fan of it. but i will persevere #they do smell sooo nice but ugh taste like nothing

[norrizzandpia]

Showing You My Love (LN4)

Summary: McLaren’s forced Lando into a PR stunt of a relationship and his girlfriend, Y/n, back into hiding just when she was ready to go public.

Warnings: language, a condom, angst, a sort of break up, but happy ending

Note: not a request IM SORRY this one isn’t as slay as i can do but i just rlly wanted to get something out bc I haven’t posted in a while and miss yall 🫶🏻 this one’s storyline is quite complicated because Lando is in a PR relationship whilst also having an actual gf sooo have fun? ALSO SMUT FLUFF AND ANGST FOR BOTH LANDO AND OSCAR WILL BE COMING SOON I HAVE LESS THAN A WEEK OF SCHOOL LEFT SO JUST BEAR WITH ME 🙏🏻

“Lan?” Y/n shouts as she walks through the door of his apartment, a large smile on her face as she prepares to ask him a question that could set anew relationship.

She hears a soft sigh before he responds, “In here.”

She travels to the living room to find her boyfriend sitting on the couch, his head buried in his phone.

She sits hesitantly next to him, newfound nerves erupting in her stomach.

“Can I talk to you?” She whispers, his blatant disregard for her presence told her this might not be a good time to breach this particular subject.

He nods nonetheless, waving his hand slightly to signal her continuation, “Sure, what’s up?”

She takes a deep breath, the fact that his eyes aren’t on hers makes her want to back out. She perseveres, although, hands clasped in her lap as she asks, “Do you think we could go public? With our relationship, I mean.”

At this, he freezes. Lando’s fingers stop flying over his phone’s keyboard and he slowly turns to stare at her.

The words try to fall from his lips, but they stop right at the cusp. Lando watches as she retreats into herself, a reality check that cuts deep in her heart as he looks to be rejecting her proposition.

“I…” He hesitates, “I can’t.”

Her eyebrows contort, “Why?”

His phone raises to her face, his hand shoving it in her eyeline to see the text conversation he had been having with Zak before she had sat down. Her gaze floats over the blue bubbles for a moment before she understands and her heart sinks.

“I don’t understand.” She does, though. She just can’t bring herself to accept it.

Lando forces her to, “They want me in a relationship, but a PR stunt. A girl named Olivia, they said.”

Her nails rips at the skin of her thumb, “Why not me?”

“It’s good for the team, baby. She’s a big name, her dad is a big investor. I have to do this.”

It hurts too much to ask, “What does that mean for us?”

He nods, “I knew you were going to ask me this. This doesn’t mean anything for us. It just means that we have to stay quiet for a little while longer. I’m still your boyfriend, Y/n.”

She huffs, “Just in private.”

His arms slithers around her shoulders, a touch so cold she wants to shove it away, “I’ll always be yours. Anywhere. Anytime.”

Sure, let’s see if that proves true, she thought.

—

Olivia is a woman of many things. Kindness is not one of them.

From the moment she steps foot into Lando’s life, Y/n is her main target. From backhanded compliments to obvious jests at her, Y/n watches as Lando lets it all go unsaid.

“Y/n?” Olivia’s voice rings in Y/n’s ear as she stops her staring at Lando.

Turning her head, Y/n smile is strained, “Yes?”

Olivia cocks her head and the sinister look looms beneath her blue eyes, “You’re sitting too close to Lando. Remember, he’s my boyfriend outside. Anybody could see you eyefucking him right now.”

Y/n analyzes the situation. At a lunch table in the paddock, Lando sitting to her left, Olivia to her right, fans and employees scattered amongst the ground below them, Y/n feels her tolerance break a bit more.

She slides her chair across the ground, a dry screeching ringing her ears and drowning out the anger toward the two people sitting closest to her.

Olivia, the woman she loathes, and Lando, the man she hates that she loves. Since the beginning of their act, Y/n has understood where her place is, or at least she has understood from the constant reminder from all people involved. Lando, Olivia, Zak, and Jon have made it their duty to remind her of her image as Lando’s best friend, nothing more.

In the beginning, she felt as though she meant a bit more than just nothing, but, as she sits between the couple as they share small talk, she feels to be falling behind.

A sort of feeling that plasters her heart on the wall and spreads it around until its pieces and bits are left on the ground.

A sort of feeling that forces her to grab her purse and leave the table, mumbling an excuse of wanting to find Oscar, the only other man she knows throughout the paddock.

The feeling worsens when Lando smiles at her, nodding his head along as if there’s no problem.

There’s a wetness pooling in her eyes that begs to differ, that counters Lando’s implications.

🏎️

Y/n finds Oscar in his driver’s room, his body hunched over the bench as he texts Lily on his phone. When he hears the creaking of the door, his eyes lift and begin to soften when they take in Y/n.

“Hey! What’s up?” He cheerfully says, the tone making Y/n draw in a breath as she plasters a smile on her face.

She plops down on his massage bed, “Nothing! Just bored.”

At that, he seems confused, “Where’s Lando? He isn’t free? I feel like it can’t get boring with him.” He chuckles.

She smiles softly, head falling down to stare at her hands in her lap, “He’s with Olivia. Thought I’d give them their space.”

She raises her eyes when she hears Oscar let out a scoff. He stares at her blankly before groaning, “I’m so sorry, I know she’s Lando’s girlfriend and all, but, oh my god, Y/n, I can’t stand her.”

Her teeth shine from her giggles, “Ah, she’s okay. She’s not that bad.”

Oscar deadpans, “Y/n, she asked you how much your Chanel purse was and then told you hers was more expensive.”

Y/n shakes her head, eyes falling back down to her lap, “Yeah, that wasn’t her finest moment.”

“It would make more sense for Lando to date you.” He whispers. Whether he meant for her to hear it or not, Y/n doesn’t know. Regardless, she acts as if she doesn’t, not wanting to have to create a situation where she has to genuinely lie to one of her friends.

As if she hasn’t been doing that for the past year she’s been with Lando.

Lying to every person she cherished most was the worst thing to ask of her. There was a resentment that brewed below the love she had for Lando because of the things he made her give up for him.

“Are you staying for the race? I know it goes pretty late into the night.” Oscar pipes up when a silence encompasses them.

She shakes her head, “No, I’m going to go back to the hotel after this.”

“Oh, too bad.” Oscar sighs as he gets up from his seat, walking over to her and peeking in her bag.

Y/n’s eyebrow inches up, “What are you doing?”

Oscar plants a sly smile on his face as his hand lightly pushes the bag open further, “Got any gum in here?”

She laughs loudly as he continues to search through her bag, less ashamed now. She’s keeled over when she hears him cackle. Y/n looks to see Oscar clasping a small package in his hand, a large smile on his face as he stares in disbelief.

“A condom?! Why do you have a condom?!” He screams, which warrants Y/n to slap her hands over his mouth.

She whispers, “Shut up!”

Oscar's mouth slobbers over her palms as he continues to laugh, “Who are you planning on sleeping with here, Y/n?”

She draws a blank, saying the one thing that comes to her mind, “He isn’t involved with F1.”

Another lie added to the pile she agitatedly sits on.

Oscar draws back, “Oh? There’s an actual man in the picture?”

She grins slightly, grabbing her bag and moving toward the door, “And you wonder why I’m leaving early.”

Oscar stays there, still chuckling at the leftover condom in his hand.

🏎️

Hours later, Lando is running around the paddock like a mad man, stopping random strangers to ask if they had seen Y/n.

Oscar stands off to the side when he hears Lando’s frantic voice behind him, petrifying an innocent fan asking for a simple photo. He waltzes over, hand coming to clasp Lando’s shoulder before saying, “Why don’t you just take the picture, mate?”

Lando turns his head, eyeing Oscar before fully moving his body the other way, “Do you know where Y/n is? I haven’t heard from her at all.”

Oscar looks at Lando blankly, “She left. You didn’t know?”

Lando steps back, “Left? No? What?”

Sensing that there is more to this discussion, he leans around Lando and grabs the fan’s phone. He shuffles Lando and the fan into the frame before snapping the picture, ushering the fan away gently.

When they’re left alone, Oscar questions, “How come you didn’t know? It seemed like a set plan when she told me. She’s going to meet some guy, she said.”

Lando’s eyes bulge, “What?”

The tone is low, intimidating and it makes Oscar doubt the platonic dynamic of the two.

“She hasn’t answered your calls? Have you tried to call her?” Oscar changes the subject, not wanting to realize something when Lando actively has a girlfriend.

Lando shakes his head, “No. Who’s this guy?”

“I don’t know, Lando. She didn’t say anything about him. Ask her about it later. After the race.” Oscar tries, knowing Lando’s presence is direly needed in a few minutes when the lights go out on the track.

Lando huffs, “Fine.”

He walks off, clearly irritated at Y/n’s disappearance.

Oscar watches the scene play out in front of him.

Lando’s figure vanishes from sight.

Then, out of the corner of Oscar’s eye, Olivia’s eyes stay on Lando’s distress before he goes out of sight. She leans against a wall, a smirk on her face that reads something dark.

She shakes her head, tapping away at her phone, as she snickers to herself, seemingly satisfied with her boyfriend’s response.

In the sea of people, Oscar is the only person to witness her behavior.

In the sea of people, Oscar is the only person to see Lando’s and Olivia’s relationship in a different light.

In the sea of people, Oscar is the only person to question what really goes on behind closed doors.

—

“Shit fucking race. Shit fucking day. Shit fucking year. Jesus fucking Christ.” Lando whispers to himself as he unlocks the door to his hotel room.

When he enters through the threshold, the lights are completely out, the only light being the soft sunlight bleeding through the curtains. Y/n’s body lays cuddled under the blankets of the bed and the sight melts Lando’s heart, no matter how disappointed he is in her lack of support today.

He checks the clock, noticing the blaring 7 that makes him feel more comfortable waking Y/n up.

“Baby,” He says lightly, hands shaking her body softly, “Love, wake up.”

She groans under his touch, body crouching further under the bed sheets before her eyelids flutter open.

She looks at him in a raw way that makes him feel exposed, her piercing gaze striking his soul permanently.

“Where’d you go?” He asks as she sits up, blankets still wrapped tightly around her cool body.

She sighs, “I left, Lando.”

“So I heard. To go meet a man, might I add.” He says. Although, this time, it continues to be soft, but there’s a passive undertone that communicates the feeling of abandonment.

She shakes her head, “No, that’s a lie. Just like we are.”

He rears back, “Excuse me?”

His hands are wound tightly across each of her arms and they flex under her skin as the truth lingers in Lando’s ears.

Y/n groans as she pulls herself away from him, “I can’t do this anymore.”

“What? Me? Us?” He adds, his body standing up and towering over her.

She mimics his movement, the sheets falling from her shoulders as she extends her limbs, “Everything, Lando. This whole situation! I was so fucking stupid to think that you being in a PR relationship while we were together was something that could work.”

Lando shrugs, “What are you talking about?! You’ve never told me it wasn’t working!”

Her jaw drops open, “You thought this was working?! You thought I was fine with you parading around outside with another girl? Something I’ve wanted for way too long!”

“Y/n, this is bullshit! It’s on you for not telling me how you were feeling!” He remarks, hands being shoved inside his pockets as they bicker back and forth.

She rubs a hand over her forehead, “No, it’s not bullshit, Lando! You’re bullshit! This whole fucking relationship is bullshit! It’s been a fucking lie from the moment it started! I don’t want to be a part of that.”

He sits back down, head in his hands as they pull at the strands, “I don’t know what to tell you, Y/n.”

She stands, vulnerable and helpless, before him as she whispers, “Do you know what it feels like to feel like the other woman when you’re supposed to be the main one? Do you know what it feels like to feel like a dirty secret, something to be ashamed of and hide from prying eyes? Do you know what it fucking feels like to feel so incredibly alone next to a man who is supposed to give you the world? It feels like shit, Lando. You make me feel like shit. You and Zak and Jon and Olivia and everyone else tied to your name. You all make me feel like shit.”

There’s a tear that falls from Lando’s eye as he wills himself to look her in the eye, “I still want to give you the entire world.”

“You can’t.”

The weight of her statement and the hard way she says it breaks him. She stopped living in delusions long ago and he stayed in a land where having her was possible.

“I’m sorry,” He says, watching her put clothes on and grab her suitcase.

“I know you are.” She responds, a beat passing before she whispers back, “I’m sorry too.”

Her definitive statement achingly stays with him as he watches her gather her things and call an Uber.

“Where are you going to go?” He says softly, almost as if breaking the silence will break them further.

“My sister’s house. You know, you remember cause I told you, she lives a few hours from here.”

He nods, “Text me when you get there?”

She stands at the door, he stands with her, and she shakes her head, “No, Lando.”

She walks out the door, Lando grabs her arm, “Is this it? I don’t understand. Are we…” He can’t bring himself to say it.

She breathes, “I’m not sure either, to be honest. I know I said I couldn’t do this anymore with you, but it’s not that easy and I know what we have. I’ve never felt this before. I just need some time and space from you, from this world. I need to decide if staying is really worth the situation I’ve been put in.”

She walks further down the hall and Lando watches her, a few more sentences lingering in his brain that has him wishing he had said them to her.

He doesn’t get a chance to say them, however.

The elevator doors close before he can get them out.

—

There’s loud cheering and sounds of yells as Lando throws off his helmet, a large smile on his face as his first race win seeps under his skin.

He throws his body into the group of his mechanics, hugging his favorite people, and when he turns, expecting to see his favorite girl, he sees Olivia instead.

He tries to hide his disappointment as he hugs her, her body not fitting the way Y/n’s had.

There’s a silence that falls upon him as he gazes upon the thousands of people yelling his name and he’s hit with a deep wave of grief.

Grieving over the loss of his best friend, the loss of his girlfriend, the loss of the love of his life, the loss of his Y/n.

Images of her dance in his head as Mark Webber ushers him over, a microphone in each hand as he smiles at him.

A memory of the time she told him all the things she loved about him because he was feeling inadequate plagues his brain as Mark congratulates him.

“Lando! Stellar job here today in Silverstone! How does it feel to have your first race win?” Mark inquires, shaking Lando’s shoulder lovingly.

Lando hesitates to answer because, frankly, it fucking sucks. He meets Jon’s eyes and the man looks as if he’s lost himself. Jon stares at him with a deep gaze, a look Lando recognizes as the way Jon looks when he’s utterly ashamed of himself. Lando can already tell what he’s about to mouth before Jon’s lips begin to move, “I’m so sorry.” He says inaudibly.

The Brit takes the three words as a green light. The confirmation he can get his girl back.

“Not great.” Lando says into the microphone, the crowds falling silent at his surprising words.

Mark frowns, “Oh? Why’s that? This is a happy day!”

Lando shakes his head as he looks down and sighs, “You know, I always thought I would be so over the moon to win my first race, but, as I stand here, a trophy awaiting me, I genuinely feel so disappointed. I feel disappointed because I’ve lost sight of the one win in my life that I lost so stupidly. My best friend, Y/n, as everyone knows her, was never my best friend. I mean, she was my best friend, but she was also my girlfriend, somebody I was incredibly in love with. Somebody I am in love with. Shit, this is so messy and so hard to condense into this short interview, but I have to say it. Olivia and I were a PR stunt. There were individuals that wanted me to be dating someone of a higher status, something Y/n doesn’t have. She was forced to sit through four months of excruciating pain because Olivia and I were being shoved in her face. Y/n is one of the strongest people I know, the fact she was able to go through that with a straight face proves that. But, I can’t let what she told me the night she left me go unsaid.” Lando looks into the camera, as cheesy as he knows it is and says what he had wanted to tell her that night as the elevator doors cut him off, “Y/n, you are not the other woman. You are not a dirty secret and you are not alone. You are the complete opposite of all those things. You are the one person I’ve ever truly loved; the one person I want to spend the rest of my life with; the one person I cannot live without; the one person that I cannot bear hurting. I’ve hurt you, I know that, a lot of people involved in this have and I hate that. I hate that I didn’t stop what was going on, fight back against what they were asking me to do. I’m so sorry. If I could redo it, I would. I would say no to it all and go public with you. I would tell you a thousand times yes that night on the sofa when you asked me if we could go public. I would do it all so differently because, maybe I didn’t before, but I know what I’ve lost now and I will fight so much harder for us, harder than I did that night you walked out because I have been in love with you for so long. I’ve waited for you my entire life, even before I knew who you were. I’ve waited for the person I ended up settling down with, waited for the person who stole my breath. I’ve waited for you and I’m not going to let that go to waste. I was dick and I took you for granted. Please let me show you that that was never the way I wanted to treat you, that I can love you better than that. Please let me back in. It’s public now, baby. Public and I don’t want that to ever change.”

Mark smiles brightly at him as the crowd behind them cheers deafeningly, “Young love, yeah?”

Lando nods, “Yeah.”

🏎️

Caroline sits on the arm of the couch next to Y/n, mouth agape. Y/n mirrors her expression, blanket wrapped around her legs as Lando retreats from the frame.

“What just happened?” Caroline, her sister, asks. There’s a small smile on her face as the shock wears off.

Y/n shakes her head, her hands already trying to find her phone, “I don’t know.”

The two watch as Lando is presented with his trophy, the camera zooming in on him as he mouths, “This one’s for you, love.”

Y/n is smiling so hard it’s painful and her sister watches her with delight. When the champagne spraying is done and the feed ends, Y/n leaps from the couch.

“Did you see that?!” She exclaims, giddy laughter over the one thing she had yearned for and finally got.

Caroline joins her incessant jumping, “Yes! It’s public!”

The two squeal together, but the noises are cut off when Y/n’s phone rings from between the couch cushions.

Caroline smiles before exiting the room, Lando’s contact photo lighting up her sister’s screen and cueing her leave.

However, she stays in the other room, eavesdropping without a care in the world.

Y/n picks up the phone, shaky hand bringing the device to her ear as Lando’s panting floods through the speaker.

“Y/n? Were you watching the race?” He asks.

She nods, tears in her eyes as she whispers, “Yes,”

He breathes out a sigh of relief, “So, you saw what I said?”

“Yes,”

He’s quiet for a moment, “And… what did you think?”

He hears quiet giggling on the other end of the phone and his heart soars to the sky, “You have a way with words, Lan.”

“Only with you,” He adds, smiling to himself over the girl miles away.

There’s a loud grunt and crash on his side of the phone, one that sends Y/n laughing.

“Let me guess, Olivia?” She tries to which Lando laughs.

“Right on the nail, baby.” He whispers as her yells continue.

“What do Zak and Jon think about this?” She asks after a time.

Lando tuts, “They’re glad to get rid of Olivia. Jon apologized to me the second I got off the podium. He said he wants to apologize to you too. So does Zak. They both do. They know how they went about it all was wrong and Jon went on this whole rant about seeing me as a son and how he would never want to treat his son the way he had treated me. Trust me, love, they’re as on board with this as we are.”

Y/n nods before asking quietly, “You’re on summer break now, right?”

“Yes,”

“What are your plans?”

He smiles, “Taking the first flight to you. Why?”

Y/n laughs, “I was going to ask you if I could come to Monaco, to see you, but it turns out seeing each other is a problem already solved.”

He chuckles along with her, “No, baby, you stay right where you are. It’s time I start coming to you now. Time I start showing you the lengths I’d go to to keep you in my life, to keep loving you.”

She blushes, “That speech sure accomplished that.”

His cheeks redden just like hers, “Oh, love, that’s just the beginning.”

#mclaren #f1 x reader #f1 fanfic #f1 imagine #f1 fic #lando norris x reader #lando norris imagine #lando norris fanfic #lando norris fluff #lando norris imagines #mclaren formula 1 #lando norris fic #lando smut #lando norris smut #lando x reader #lando imagine #lando norris #lando norris x you #lando norris edit #lando norris fanfiction

[narutocharacterpolls]

ROUND FOUR

ROCK LEE vs HATAKE KAKASHI

Reasons for submission under the cut

Lee

ROCK LEE VS GAARA

kind as can be; willing to jump to action to help his fellow comrades even after going through a life-threatening, major surgery

practical and fashion-forward with his bright green onesie. Function over form, and is prepared at all times by carrying around a spare onesie he will give without question to anyone - even complete strangers

has a surprising edge to him at the beginning of the series; he was ready to severely maim anybody that he saw as a genius

more dedicated than anyone. Was forced to face his own mortality and make a life-or-death decision in the name of his dream, after a literal crushing defeat, and he chose to fight for it. Inspiring

embodies the ideals of original series Naruto. True underdog, had nothing going for him, came from nothing with no legacy or powers, was so disadvantaged that he physically could not meet the bare minimum abilities of his peers. But he worked harder than everyone else and proved that he can be a great shinobi despite all the adversity he faced

Sasuke had to copy Lee’s moves with his Sharingan to succeed during Chuunin exams

cute as a button. Come on.

his fans are dedicated and make amazing work, fanart and fanfic

Kishimoto said he was his favorite character to draw. Boom. Favoritism. Love to see it.

pairs well with everyone. Platonic or romantic, Lee has a great dynamic with other characters

his summer outfit from Guardian of the Crescent Moon Kingdom was the best outfit in the movie

gave us Metal Lee! Blessed us with Metal Lee, really

was the character to beat in the early series if you wanted to show how strong you actually are

Gaara vs Rock Lee was one of the most iconic fights in the series, and everyone remembers where they were when they first saw Lee drop his weights. He owned that fight so hard that people forget he lost.

was wronged by the series. He deserves to win as justice.

got [submitter] personally through the worst times; his ability to persevere face of adversity convinced me I could do it too. He wasn’t special and neither was [submitter], but we didn’t need to be. We can make ourselves great. If no one else got me, Rock Lee’s got me

he’s one of the first non-jutsu using ninja so make such a big impact

was the first person to actually harm Gaara

played a huge part in Gaara becoming a better person

he’s one of the only people that can catch up to Sasuke and easily rivals Naruto in Taijutsu

his kind, determined and cheerful attitude is a joy to watch

Rock Lee removing his weights is easily one of the most iconic moments in the entire anime

has helped several submitters feel better by simply thinking about how he wouldn’t want them to think like that

objectively would’ve made a better protagonist based on the themes alone

KICKS MAJOR ASS

wrecked Sasukes shit, I like Sasuke but that was really funny

he looks like a frog. Who doesn’t like frogs

inspired Sasuke

fights are always entertaining, they’re very well choreographed

he forgave Gaara for nearly killing him and nearly ending his dreams; he was never even mad at him

Rock Lee vs Sasuke was iconic

his heart is so full of love

never did anything wrong

had a squirrel befriend him

hard worker

good friend

rises to any challenge

when he does diss people they are the most brutal yet entertaining disses you ever hear

positive, weirdo, energetic, enthusiastic, joyful, chivalrous, motivated, dedicated, sweet

Lee and Neji had something homosexual going on

YOUTH !!!!

Kakashi

relatable as an adult

he is just an overworked guy who was told to watch some kids w LOTS of issues

needs therapy

good presence and guidance in Narutos life

interesting

cares about and is dedicated to his students very much

he is just cool

he is trying his best despite what he has been through in the past

is up for having fun but still knows when to be serious

was a narcissistic shit but grew out of it

has good intentions

sexy

wonderfully complex and well developed character

incredibly resilient and supportive

a sad and deeply broken man

always willing to give his life to protect them and his other precious people

just wanted everything to be ok for once in his life

hated Danzo

his friendship with Gai is adorable

the way he teases Tenzo is fun

he’s known as cool and aloof but in reality he’s a huge dork

Gai would want him to win

#bestnrtcharapoll #naruto #polls #rock lee #hatake kakashi #kakashi hatake #id in alt text

[faggotmox]

something wonderfully important has happened! my "wrestling dad" josh shepard got his book of wrestling erasure poems published & it is up for sale (either 10$ or "name a fair price"). this is incredibly important to me as im one of the first people to have gotten the privilege to read these poems as josh wrote them. josh is incredibly important to me as a friend, he is the guy who introduced me to wrestling & gave me a deep, unrestricted passion for it.

josh is so fucking talented, & creative. he is also my favorite poet, not just bc he's my friend. the book's flow is dedicated to the flow of a wrestling match, following all the hallmarks (the lock up, big heat, the comeback, ect) with the themes of his poems to create a match like narrative for the book.

there are like three specific poems in the batch that i want tattooed on me, a stone cold one, a mick foley one, & a briscoe brother's piece. the aj lee pipebomb poem moved me to actual tears, even when i read it now. the macho man poem abt being bipolar struck me so hard i rethought my own feeling on my mental health. josh pushes impressive themes of capitalism, mental health, poverty, & family theoughout many of his poems. i know ive got a few wrestling fans here, & if you're also into poetry please considered josh's work. or just if you want to support a friend of mine.

a cool way to support josh's work is by requesting it at your local library! even suggesting to bookstores that have poetry sections or interacting with the work thats already published. following/reposting josh's work for exposure also is great.

bruiser zine said this:

The second volume in the BRUISER Zines series, Cutting Promos is a collection of pro wrestling erasure poems by the Oklahoma City poet Josh Shepard. Printed and assembled in Baltimore, this limited edition zine collects 26 poems previously published in BRUISER, HAD, The Daily Drunk and many other fine publications.

After being laid off at the onset of the pandemic, Shepard found comfort and inspiration in the glow of professional wrestling and its performers—their violent struggles, fighting spirit, and electric language—and from their speeches and promos that have inspired wrestling fans across the globe he delivers Cutting Promos, a collection of erasures that echoes the personalities, pursuits and perseverance of pro wrestling’s greatest, standing as a testament to life lived during Hard Times and deliverance through them.

[ IN CASE YOU MISSED THE LINK ABOVE TO BUY JOSH'S BOOK ] [ JOSH'S TWITTER | INSTA | LINKTR.EE* ] *a lot of the links don't work bc the publications went under :( but there's still quiet a few up for free here

support my kayfabe father!!! i watched him turn his hard times into beautiful pieces. even in the beginning when he only had 3 or 4, before he even thought he could make the book i saw his passion for these pieces. i was there for every heart wrenching rejection letter & every hard earned spot. every time he was working late at the library sending me new ideas bc he couldn't watch dynamite. every single wrestling poem josh has written has now been published & that is a huge success. he puts in the work like a wrestler puts in the work in the ring. hard hitting, gritty, & beautiful.

#hope i got all the info and claims right in here lmao #ny memory aint so good #and hes been working on thus for FOUR YEARS #god im so proud of him #please please please reblog this #poetry #poems #poet #wrestling #pro wrestling #aew #wwe #poetry book #book #abt ranger #im also rb the fuxk out this #twice a day

[atlaculture]

Cultural Architecture: NWT Totem Poles - The Specifics Pt. 2

Among most of the totem poles we see throughout the Northern Water Tribe (NWT), four representations appear consistently throughout. For this post, I will be covering the final two.

Koi Fish

The third totem is clearly a koi fish with long whiskers and a marking on its forehead. In other words, it's clearly a reference to the physical forms of the moon and ocean spirit. I can't help but wonder if Aang's realization of Tui and La's true forms was unconsciously informed by the all the koi head totems omnipresent throughout the NWT.

Culturally, koi fish are yet another example of the Chinese influence in the NWT. In Chinese culture, koi represent fame, family harmony and wealth. There's also a famous Chinese folktale about koi fish and other carp:

Along the Yellow River, there is a legendary waterfall that cascades from a magical mountain top known as Longmen (登龍門), meaning the Dragon's Gate. If a carp can swim upstream against the currents and hop over the waterfall into Longmen, the fish will transform into a dragon.

Thus, koi fish can also represent determination, courage, and perseverance. The connection between koi and dragons also strengthens the fan theory that the dragons, Ran and Shaw, might be the Fire Nation's equivalent to Tui and La. Perhaps the dragons are the spirit of Sun and Fire respectively?

Wolf

The totem beneath the koi depicts a wolf. The wolf head totem also bares a striking resemblance to the headdress that Sokka wears in "Day of the Black Sun" (Season 3, Episode 11). Wolves are prominent figures in the mythologies of many Indigenous American cultures, particularly those whose societies were oriented around hunting.

Within different Inuit groups, wolves are called amarok (multiple groups), amagok (Inuvialuit), and amaguk (Inupiat). These names refer both to normal wolves and to the gigantic, magical wolf of Inuit religion. There are two Amarok-focused tales that I'd like to detail in this post:

A persecuted and physically stunted boy seeks to increase his strength. When he calls out to the lord of strength, Amarok appears and wrestles him to the ground with its tail. This causes a number of small bones to fall from the boy's body. The Amarok tells the boy that the bones had prevented his growth; he instructs the boy to return daily in order to develop his strength. After several days of wrestling with the Amarok, the boy is strong enough to overcome three large bears, thus gaining him the esteem of his village.

The land was once full of caribou; the people lived well and were happy. But the hunters only killed those caribou that were big and strong. Soon all that was left were the weak and the sick. The people began to starve. And so they called upon Amorak, the spirit of the wolf, to winnow out the weak and the sick, so that the herd would once again be strong. The people realized that the caribou and the wolf were one, for although the caribou feeds the wolf, it is the wolf that keeps the caribou strong.

From these two stories, we get quite a nuanced conception of what the wolf represents in Inuit culture. While wolves represent strength in many cultures, these tales really emphasize the wolf as a creature that strengthens those around it. Through this worldview, we understand strength not as an innate or individualistic quality, but one that's nurtured through mentorship and interdependence.

This makes Sokka's adoption of wolf imagery during "Day of Black Sun" all the more appropriate. Sokka is certainly not the most powerful character in the show, but his role as the leader strengthens the group as a whole.

#avatar #atla #avatar the last airbender #water tribe #cultural architecture

[lurkingshan]

Cherry Magic Episode 10

They tried it again this week with adding another restriction on this show, but we shall persevere! The rest of the episodes are apparently going to be behind a paywall on Viu on air date, and then become free access the following day. The upside to paying the small premium membership fee is we can finally see Tay Tawan in 1080p as god intended (and pro tip: there do not seem to be any screen limits, buy one account and split it amongst friends).

With all that figured out, we got to another excellent episode of this show! Big, big relationship growth for Achi and Karan this week, as they learned that hiding their real feelings and desires from each other doesn't help them (and gave us an A+ forehead kiss parallel). I loved the nuance of it all, too—Karan was lying about sitting outside Achi's house every night and trying to hide how sad he was about Achi missing Loy Krathong, but he also genuinely had no anger toward Achi about it and was just trying to make things easier for him. And Achi was telling Karan he wanted the practice time apart (honestly, horrible idea boys, your time together is precious) while secretly hoping Karan would come see him anyway. In relationships, you can't claim to want one thing while secretly hoping for another and expect that to pan out for you.

And I love that Achi did realize that, and that he does trust Karan even despite these little white lies, and that this time, he had to step up and be the one to make the grand gesture to make sure Karan knows he loves him and will miss him. Roping in the office gang to help pull off the surprise was a fun turn of events, and I love that his confidence has grown enough that he can ask for that help without being embarrassed. They're going to be fine through this separation, and when they are back together I look forward to the show addressing the elephant in the room, because when they were walking together on their date I couldn't help but notice that they would have been holding hands were it not for the barrier Achi's powers present. They need to be able to have intimacy while maintaining privacy and mental space, and we know what needs to happen to get there!

I also loved the Jinta/Min story this episode, and that we got to see Jinta do a much less dignified version of Karan's pining. The plot about fans shipping Min with his dance partner was new and felt like exactly the kind of thing that would come up in his career, and that Jinta would flail over. I like that Min saw exactly what was going on and called him on it. The irony of Jinta being the one who can read minds but Min being the one who actually understands everything happening between them is delicious. And Jinta showed up for him in a big way after his loss by not only affirming how he sees Min, but showing Min that he still has fans who feel the same way. Excellent boyfriend behavior from our friend Jinta.

As for Rock and Pai, it looks like we'll be getting our final answer there next week, but given that Pai continues to be uninterested in romance and focused on her work and her hobbies, I don’t think it will go the way Rock hopes. He is barking up the wrong tree (his instincts for romance are clearly NOT strong, given he had no idea Achi and Karan were a couple), and I am hopeful that Pai will tell him so next week.

#cherry magic th #cherry magic thailand #thai bl #shan shouts into the void

[virgoilluminati]

Belongings

(Series Masterlist)

Chapter 1: “We’ll be a fine line.”

Idea: After performing to 70,000 people, Harry wants nothing more than to spend his night with his muse. Problem is, she isn’t technically his. (In all honesty that was supposed to be a very short fic!!? And I went overboard)

A/N: Hiya, so I went and saw Harry a couple of days ago in Edinburgh (I was also fortunate to go to Glasgow last year, but don’t worry I am not one of those people who are prepared to go to various cities across the world to see him. I just live in Scotland and luckily had the opportunity to see him twice). and OML HE IS THE MOST ADORABLE AND FITTEST MAN I HAVE EVER MET. In all honesty I have been in and out of Harry fazes as I have grown up to realise that I like too many men. But rn I am very much stuck in a Harry faze and Idc.

Warnings: toxic relationships, slow burn angst and a whole lotta tension.

Word Count: 2356

____________________________________________________

As Harry stands on stage, basking in the adoration of 70,000 people, his mind can't help but wander to his love interest, Y/N. Despite the overwhelming attention surrounding him, his thoughts remain fixated on the person he yearns to be with.

As the lights dazzle and the crowd roars, Harry's heart feels heavy with longing. Every lyric he sings, every note he plays, is infused with his unspoken desire for Y/N. In his mind, he envisions a future where they share their lives together, where their connection is stronger than any bond he's ever known.

Yet, Harry's hopes are currently overshadowed by the presence of his best friend, who occupies Y/N's attention. It weighs on his spirit, aching him inside. He wonders if his feelings will ever be reciprocated, if Y/N will ever see him in the same light he sees them.

But Harry knows he must persevere. He pours his emotions into his performance, channeling his yearning into every word, every gesture. Perhaps, through the power of his music, he can convey the depth of his feelings to Y/N, even if they remain unaware of his internal struggle.

Offstage, he longs for a moment to speak with Y/N, to lay bare his emotions and reveal the love that burns within him. But until then, he must continue his journey, both as a musician and as a hopeful lover, hoping that fate will eventually align their paths.

As the applause fills the arena and Harry takes his final bow, he glances out into the sea of faces, searching for Y/N's eyes among the multitude. And deep down, he holds onto the hope that one day, his love will be reciprocated, and they will find their way to each other's arms. Harry Styles was accustomed to being surrounded by adoring fans and captivated audiences. With his soulful voice and mesmerizing stage presence, whenever he took the spotlight, he had a gift for capturing emotions through his songs and making people feel connected to his music. Yet, amidst the whirlwind of fame and success, his heart yearned for something more.

His thoughts were consumed by her infectious laughter and the sparkle in her eyes. His thoughts were consumed only by her.

Y/N, a vibrant and compassionate woman who shared his love for music. They had been inseparable since childhood, spending countless hours jamming together, exchanging lyrics, and dreaming of making it big in the music industry. Their bond was unbreakable, and they supported each other through thick and thin.

“Thank you so everything.” He shouted to his fans, after a heavy encore, leaving him breathless. Every song sang today was for y/n. Who sat backstage watching his every move. On his way back to backstage, Harry found himself alone with his heart aching from the weight of his unspoken adoration, and he knew he couldn't keep it hidden for much longer.

In all honesty, that wasn’t the first time Harry had wanted to go straight to y/n and tell her how he felt. The more he performed songs, which had been written for y/n (without her knowledge) the more he felt himself opening up and shouting it out to her, hoping that maybe she would feel the same.

It was fine line which had really set it off that night. The song was about two lovers, neither one could explain how they felt for each other. And really it was always a in between stage of love and friendship. That’s how he truly felt about Y/N. That’s how he had always felt.

Whilst singing kiwi and medicine, all he kept thinking about was the things he wanted to do to y/n. He wanted to pin her down, tie her up with ropes and force her to stay still as he sucked and kissed all over her body.

He wanted to hear her moans as he bit on her neck, hickies covering her body. He wanted to make her cum, numerous times, with everyone being able to hear her from miles away. He wanted her to be his.

****************

In a crowded room, amidst a sea of people, there she stood, captivating all those who catch a glimpse of her. She was in a red dress, and exuded an air of elegance and confidence that is simply mesmerizing. Harry ran over to her, as soon as the show ending, wanted to waste no time but to be alone with her.

Her dress, a vivid shade of crimson, drapes gracefully over her figure, accentuating her every curve. The fabric, silky and smooth, catches the light and shimmers with every subtle movement she makes. It hugs her slender frame, embracing her with its timeless charm.

Her presence is commanding yet gentle, drawing attention effortlessly. With each step she takes, the fabric gracefully sways, hinting at her graceful and poised demeanor. The dress falls to a modest length, just below the knee, allowing her to maintain an aura of sophistication and class.

Her dark, lustrous hair cascades down her shoulders, framing a face that radiates both beauty and intelligence. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of hazel, hold a glint of mystery and intrigue, inviting you to unravel the secrets within her soul. A subtle smile graces her lips, capturing the hearts of those who dare to meet her gaze.

Confidence emanates from every pore, as if she is aware of her own allure. She moves through the room with grace and poise, effortlessly navigating the social landscape. Conversations pause as she passes, heads turning to catch another glimpse of this enigmatic woman.

In her red dress, she embodies passion and power, unafraid to make a statement. She carries herself with an air of self-assurance, leaving an indelible impression on all those fortunate enough to witness her presence. She is a vision, a symbol of strength and femininity, leaving an unforgettable mark in the hearts and minds of those who encounter her.

As she opened her eyes and saw Harry standing before her, joy flickered across her face."Harry, that was beautiful " she asked, her voice laced with happiness and aspiration. Her voice, made his heart flutter.

He smiles gently before sitting down beside her and letting her hug him. As she does this, he sniffs her perfume a beautiful mix of cinnamon and vanilla, one of his favourites. “The fans were crazy. I didn’t know what to do.”

“Well, I had so much fun back here. You’re a special man Harry. And they knew that. They were crazy because they love you.”

I love you he hoped she’d said. But in reality she didn’t. And rather she sat there mesmerised by the amount of people whose eyes never left Harry’s figure.

“Harry this world-. This is your world. I am so proud-“. Harry smiled again, before gesturing over a towel to wipe the sweat which had formed on his back.

“It could be your world too-“

“Har-“

“No, I’m serious. You have to show people your talent love! Get out of London, go big! We could even do it together!”

Y/N was a small time singer. Known only for her small gigs in England, and occasionally being pictured next to Harry styles. She’d performed in countless small venues, receiving applause from intimate audiences who recognize her brilliance, but the world at large remains unaware of her incredible gift. To Harry, her songs were filled with raw emotion and poignant lyrics, tell tales of love, loss, and the struggles of the human spirit. Though her talent is undeniable, fate has conspired to keep her hidden from the spotlight. She was a star, and needed her own break.

Y/N loved to sing and, if she was being truthful - ever since she was much younger - the prospect of being able to just sing as a full time career was a desirable plan. But after her mother died in her early teens, and she was forced to help out more at home - that dream also slowly died. Instead she got used to being humble with the smaller things, like having a best friend like Harry, or having a small apartment in Brighton - which was directly opposite her family owned bakery, which she loved.

That was where Harry and Y/N had met, so many years ago to count. He had gone in to her store during X factor days to buy an iced bun to proove to Liam at the time that it was the top tier dessert.

In a cozy bakery nestled in the heart of a bustling city, the alluring aroma of freshly baked goods fills the air. The sound of a soft melody accompanies the rhythmic clinks of utensils against mixing bowls as a talented singer, dressed in a vintage-inspired ensemble, steps into the warm haven. Behind the counter stands a young y/n, her hands adorned with flour, and a smile that radiates warmth and joy. Next to her was her father, a bearded man, whose eyes were pierced like a dragon.

The singers approaches the counter, Liam and Harry’s eyes lighting up as he takes in the delightful treats displayed before her. Unable to resist the allure of the bakery's offerings, Liam turns to the baker with an enthusiastic gleam in her eyes.

“What’s your favourite thing to bake?” Liam asks.

Y/Ns father laughs warmly "Oh, that's a tough question! But if I had to pick just one, it would be doughnuts

Harry laughs slightly before quickly paying attention to the young y/n who, had began to look down at the ground uninterested. “I told you Harry! The best ones in the business!” Liam responds shaking his shoulders

“Ok, but what about the iced buns. Iced buns have got to be up there too!”

“Iced buns? Yes we have iced buns, they are delicious also. Would you like me to get you both up to choose from?” Y/Ns father asked eager for an extra sale.

“What do you like?” Harry asks y/n who is shocked by the question. Not because she doesn’t know what was her favourite more so, she hasn’t expected him to notice her.

“I-I’d probably say, the iced buns. It’s a British classic.”

“Then we’ll get 5 iced buns please,”. Harry responds not waiting for Liam to protest. Y/Ns father nods his head before going to the back room to find some more iced buns. Y/N stood at the till, placing their order in the cashier.

“The iced buns aren’t just for us by the way. Our band, all wanted to have something.”

“Your band? What are you called?”

“One direction.” Liam proudly stated. Expecting y/n to suddenly start fangirling. Like other girls had done prior.

“Oh. Cool. Whereabouts are you guys playing, I presume you’re not from around here.” She responds. Her eyes only focused on Harry.

“Down by the beach. It’s a one off thing - for a friends birthday. We promised we’d do it.” Harry responds before handing her the money. Y/N smiles before handing over the iced buns.

“Well, I hope you have a nice time.”

Both the boys say thank you before leaving. Unlike Liam who went back to himself resolutely, Harry remained eclipsed with that conversation. Wondering if ever she would see him again. Funnily enough they would, and that would be at the friends birthday party. Because the friend was Will….

Will had been Harry’s friend since pre school, and had moved to Brighton when he was 15 which is where he met y/n. Through will, they both met at his birthday party, and together they became an inseparable trio. However this also meant that Will and Harry both ultimately became attached to y/n. And whilst Will believed y/n was the perfect fit for her given his thriving law career and being able to have someone who would be able to create a family with. Harry also desired a life with y/n, both being able to travel the world and share music.

Y/N came from a very strict family. One whom focused entirely on making sure she had someone that could help her to run her baking business and also create another generation of children. They cared enough for her to be with someone she loved, but they also needed to be able to provide, despite y/ns beliefs being totally against needing to rely on a man. Will fit that box. He was able to provide a wealthy life, with a lot of opportunities to grow and it allowed y/n to stay with everyone she knew.

Harry was too rogue, able to spread months away from home. And ultimately meaning he was not the right fit in her fathers eyes to marry him. Nonetheless this did not prevent Harry from wanting her.

Will stood as constant presence in their world, a bridge between their pasts and an embodiment of their shared history. Yet, his role as the y/n/ partner fuels an insidious flame of resentment within the Harry’s heart. Each encounter between them drips with tension, colored by the seething undercurrent of jealousy and disdain. Every smile shared, every touch exchanged, stirs a storm of conflicting emotions.

And overtime a silent battle rages within him, torn between loyalty and desire, unable to escape the torment of witnessing their connection blossom. In this intricate dance of love, friendship, and unrequited longing, the boy's heart bears the weight of an unyielding enmity, casting a shadow upon the delicate balance of their intertwined lives. He remained the most difficult thing to prevent Harry from telling y/n how he truly felt.

“Just imagine it, you’re my opening act. You, me touring the world. Will could come too if he wanted-“

Before he could say anymore, Will walked through, offering both a pint of beer. Harry inside grunts, knowing again that his time with y/n was limited. Will smiled before coming over handing over them each a pint. “You know what?, £5 for a pint this size, ain’t even half bad.” Will responded sitting next to y/n forcing Harry to stand up.

“Thank you.” Y/N responded, taking a hold of the pint before kissing him on the cheek. That kiss made Harry want to throw up.

“Have you told him yet-“

“Will-“

“Told me what?” Harry asked. Staring at y/n who had suddenly become uncomfortable under Wills skin.

“I was going to tell you later, I didn’t want to steal the show-“

“Tell me what?”

She looks down at the floor before looking back up to Harry. “We- we are-“

“We’re engaged!” Will stated. Interrupting y/n and leaving Harry numb.

As the words escape Will's lips, revealing his engagement to Y/N, a flicker of disbelief dances across Harry's face, quickly morphing into shock and aching disappointment. The weight of his unrequited love settles upon his shoulders like a heavy burden, threatening to suffocate the joy he once felt for his friend. In that bittersweet moment, Harry is caught between genuine happiness for Will's newfound happiness and the piercing ache of shattered dreams. Each word hangs in the air, pregnant with unspoken emotions, as the fragile dynamics of their friendship tremble on the precipice of a heart-wrenching realization.

He knew that this moment had been coming for a while, Will had often spoken to Harry and Niall about finally tying the knot with Y/N. However he never realised how it would truly feel if he actually did tie the knot. He’d never be able to look at Y/N the same. Dating is one thing, but marriage and then the possibility of children is a whole other ball park.

“That’s amazing! Congratulations!” He responded immediately hugging Will, before hugging y/n even tighter. He felt his heart fall to the bottom of his lungs, before smiling forcefully, allowing y/n to announce the words to the rest of the band.

The room seemed to spin as, Y/N, joyfully announced their engagement to, Will to Mitch and Sarah. A mixture of shock, disappointment, and a tinge of envy washed over him, threatening to drown him in a sea of unrequited love. Harry forced a smile, concealing his true emotions behind a facade of happiness, while his heart shattered into a thousand fractured pieces. In that moment, he realized that he had to come to terms with the fact that Y/N's happiness lay in the arms of another, and he would have to find a way to navigate the treacherous path of friendship, masking the pain that gnawed at his soul.

But in all honesty, he would never be able to get over the pain of losing the love of his life. Especially someone who seemed like his perfect match.

#harry styles #one direction #harry styles x reader #harrys house #harry styles fanfiction #harry styles concept #harry styles smut #harry styles x singer!reader #Harry styles x baker reader #harry styles fanfic rec #one direction fanfiction #harrystyles cute

[etoiline]

Hey, remember how last year right about this time there was some Star Wars game that came out? Some sequel with a ginger and a sidekick voiced by Noshir Dalal? Yeah, that one.

You might have noticed I've been obsessing about Star Wars Jedi Survivor, if you've perused my Tumblr at all in the past year. I've played the game 9 times through since it came out, and taken thousands of pictures in photomode, and realized I really enjoy writing fanfiction--I wrote my first fic in 20 years because of this game. (I can't explain it either. I wrote one fix-it back then and then just said nah to any others, even though I've shipped plenty since then. Just never wrote them down.) I've posted a new fic every month since last December!

I fell hard into my very first rarepair in Cal and Bode, and probably a big part of that is the community I found for it. I'm really pleased to have found some new friends (quite a feat at my advanced age, lol).

To celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Jedi Survivor game release, a few of us spyscrapper fans got together and wrote and drew some stuff and @voidcat-senket put them all together. I had the honor of getting shapes made of my words by the exceptionally talented Lio (@corvidscreams) and every time I see it I am blown away by the fact something I wrote is illustrated, and so beautifully.

paper and stone is a bit of an exploration of Cal's psychometry and what would happen if he found a few more of Bode's memories in that apartment on Nova Garon. We hardly get to know Bode's wife Tayala in the game; here you get to see more of her, and how love perseveres.

I really hope you like it. Check out the rest of the collection too!

Here's to one year of Survivor!

#jedi survivor #jedi survivor spoilers #cal kestis #bode akuna #spyscrapper #jedi survivor anniversary #be sure to read the other works in the collection! #these folks are amazing creators #oh I heard lio might have super secret extra art on her page so definitely visit #jen writes #fanfiction

[cantsayidont]

Something that bugs me a little about the reactions to LORD OF THE RINGS is the way that fans pointedly overlook the sometimes uneasy class politics that are involved in the relationship between Frodo and Sam.

This is in no way denying that it's a homoerotic relationship, which is something that comes through vividly even in the weird, truncated Rankin-Bass RETURN OF THE KING animated adaptation from 1980. However, it's important to understand that until the last few pages of the novel, Sam is literally Frodo's servant.

Tolkien is quick to stress, as stories from class-conscious societies often do, that Sam is happy and eager to serve Frodo, and willingly does so even when there's nothing in it for him, but the story emphasizes throughout that Sam is not the social equal of Frodo, Merry, Pippin, or Bilbo. When Sam calls Frodo "Master," it's not a D/S thing; Sam is Frodo's household employee (and in a sense his batman, which Tolkien said was the inspiration for their interactions), having essentially inherited that role from his father, who was Bilbo's employee. When, in the final chapter, Frodo tells Sam to marry Rosie Cotton and movie her into Bag End, he isn't proposing a menage à trois, he is offering to hire Rosie so that Sam can combine his marriage with his full-time duties. It isn't until Frodo tells Sam, on the way to the Grey Havens, that he has made Sam his heir that Sam becomes Frodo's social equal and the master of Bag End rather than the head of its staff. (Tolkien implies elsewhere that this caused Sam some legal trouble, since there was no indication that Frodo was dead or permanently gone — and if Merry and Pippin hadn't been there to witness Frodo's departure, people would have wondered if Sam did away with his master to try to steal his estate.)

Moreover, Tolkien expressly links Sam's perseverance, loyalty, and ability to resist the power of the Ring to his knowing his place. Toward the beginning, Sam's father recalls telling him:

‘Elves and Dragons! I says to him. Cabbages and potatoes are better for me and you. Don’t go getting mixed up in the business of your betters, or you’ll land in trouble too big for you, I says to him. And I might say it to others,’ he added with a look at the stranger and the miller.

Later (in "The Tower of Cirith Ungol"), Sam is tempted by the Ring, which shows him wild fantasies of his overthrowing Sauron and building a garden in the vale of Gorgoroth. However:

In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm; but also deep down in him lived still unconquered his plain hobbit-sense: he knew in the core of his heart that he was not large enough to bear such a burden, even if such visions were not a mere cheat to betray him. The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to a realm; his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command.

The word "free" is doing a lot of work here, since Sam is, back in the safety of Hobbiton, quite literally a hand for others to command; he tends Frodo's garden, not his own. But the point is that he recognizes his humble, inferior position in society and accepts it "freely," and that that choice gives Sam what Gandalf might have called the strength and good purpose to heroically resist a temptation that more noble and lordly types like Boromir could not.

My point is not that Sam doesn't love Frodo, which obviously he does, or the reverse, which the narrative makes plain. However, if you are not so reflexively comforted by classist fantasies of this kind, it's hard not to periodically stop and wonder, "Is this sexual harassment?"

#books #lord of the rings #lotr #jrr tolkien #frodo baggins #sam gamgee #tolkien discusses sam's inheritance struggles in letter 214 of #the letters of jrr tolkien #if you're interested

[impossiblepackage]

say, i heard you reblog a post about role playing games. do you happen to know of any ones that i, a beginner, could feasibly get into in this day and age? i tried DnD but a combination of not having anybody to play with (whether irl or online) and a dissatisfaction with low level boringness kind of made it fizzle out for me

oh hey an ask from 3 months ago that I didn't even see. hi.

ANYWAY. First things first, i cannot recommend @theresattrpgforthat enough. Ain't nobody better at recommending rpgs than that blog right there. Now, on to my thoughts.

If you want a DnD-like rpg, Pathfinder 2nd Edition is gonna be my first recommendation. It's harder to find games for on account of being significantly less popular than dnd5e but it's probably the 2nd most popular game. It's also completely free, with everything being hosted on https://2e.aonprd.com/. It's got everything except adventures, those ya gotta buy. For the next 10 days, there's a humble bundle that includes PDFs of lots of the pre-remaster legacy books, and includes a couple adventures, including a whole adventure path going from level 1 to 20. As a whole, the game is different to dnd but it's recognizable. Big fan myself, and paizo isn't a bunch of pricks. The setting is also super gay. There's a potion of trans your gender, and one of the main religions in the world is the worship of 3 gods in lesbian polycule.

Ironsworn: probably my favorite RPG, period. (also has a space version, that works the same way). It is narrative focused, and designed for solo play or in groups with no GM. Works just as well by yourself, as a duo, in a small group, or in a traditional way with a few players and a GM. It's structured around it's vow system. Your character makes a vow, you decide how difficult that vow should be to accomplish, and as you do things that advance it, you mark progress. Eventually, you make a roll to try and fulfill the vow, with the difficulty determined by how much progress you've made. If you fail that roll, it's bad. Cool thing is that just about everything works that way. Undertaking a journey, delving a dungeon, fighting a dude, it's all handled with the same system. It's a game about perseverance and struggle and relationships, both with people and with places. also very fun to play for writing practice. It's mechanics are rooted in it's setting, but there's no reason you couldn't play it in basically any setting. the youtube channel Me, Myself, And Die is, essentially, Critical Role But It's Solo RPGs, and he did a great season where he played Ironsworn, check it out. Also, Basement Fort on youtube did a duo playthrough. I've only seen the first episode but it seems like a fun watch, as well as showing off duo gameplay.

the Witcher RPG: i haven't played this myself or even looked at the books yet, but everything I've heard about this game has me super excited about it. the general consesus seems to be "yo this is wayyyy better than I thought it would be, why aren't more people playing this, what the fuck". If somebody more familiar wants to talk about it, that'd be dope.

gonna ramble about the rest much less, LIGHTNING ROUND OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Dungeon World: same genre as dnd, but much less crunchy gameplay. Much easier to learn.

Kids On Bikes: it's Stranger Things but as a ttrpg.

Call of Cthulhu: get spooky, idiot. The players are investigators unraveling some mystery or another, and trying to keep their sanity in the face of some cosmic bullshit.

Lancer: it's about mechs! closer to anime-style mechs than battletech style, from what I can tell. I've heard good things.

Vampire: The Masquerade: you will NEVER guess what this is about. It's a classic, it's great, it pretty much redefined the way I think vampires should work. The new version of Werewolf: The Apocalypse is coming soon, and I'm real hyped for that, too.

Shadow Of The Demon Lord: my understanding is that this game is basically "DnD 5e, but good".

#ttrpg #ironsworn #pathfinder #dnd #pf2e #dungeon world #kids on bikes #call of cthulhu #lancer #vampire the masquerade #shadow of the demon lord #witcher ttrpg

[teex]

@tristealven veryvery kindly sent me this great article on roope from earlier in the year. it is in finnish, but the google translation was v legible. there was So much good stuff in it that while i’ve compiled some here, the full article is def worth a read.

+ roope was a “teen idol”. before and after HIFK's games, there was always a large crowd, sometimes hundreds of fans waiting.  --“We went anywhere, there was always a crowd. When I got off the bus, they wanted numbers, pictures, hugs and everything. It was pretty cool,” Hintz recalls now.

+ there used to be an assumption that roope was not a hard worker. --“I’ve always thought that you could come and watch my training and see what it's like,” he announces. --On why people think he’s lazy: “Maybe it's because I'm not the kind of person who stays at home for the rest of the day after summer training. I guess you can get an idea of that if you see me outside somewhere with friends”

--jouko myrra, an old coach, said: “His body language had the kind of relaxedness of a basketball player. It's a part of our sport that you have to be so damn tense. The whole time you have to tighten your face like a violin string. "”Hiipe”" came to the training sessions with a relaxed feeling and relaxed muscles. He did everything well, but in no way overemphasized it, but hustled through relaxation and fun. Then someone might think that the guy is not a top trainee. There was no way I was left with that feeling.”

+ he had and still uses a figure skating coach

+ an interesting note about an old team: At that time, Ilves was one of the bottom teams in the league. It has also been claimed that the club's own top talent would not have been allowed to breathe freely in the dressing room of the representative team, but Hintz has never said a bad word about Ilves.

+ he is very focused on performance  and thinks carefully about what to eat on game days

+ the scorpion tattoo on his left arm is for scorpio

+ about his nhl debut:  He doesn't remember anything about the match except the rookie lap with Miro Heiskanen . Not even the opposing team, which was Arizona.

+roope on the team’s chemistry: “Robertson didn't play then (2020 playoffs), but was already in the bubble with the team. They went on the ice with the "black aces" team at different times, but like Ty Dellandrea, for example, they were always involved in meals and other things. I bet that time brought our group and organization a lot closer.”

+roope on his style: “I basically don't care what other people think. Everyone has their own style,” Hintz says and mentions that he likes the style of Yankee rapper Asap Rocky and Finnish Mikael Gabriel , among others .

some quotes from different people on roope:

“Even then I got a really smart impression. Hine was really interested in all things culture, art and, for example, the music business even then. We had a lot of good conversations. And when we drove to lunch in Hine's Audi, the rap roared.” (TV host, Siim Livik)

“He spent the summer alone in Tampere and in that sense was a traveler of his own way. He had a tight court there. I think it's great how Roope wanted to get to know himself and find his own way.” (IFK coach, Antti Tormanen)

“I like Roope's tenacity, perseverance and not giving up. Roope has shown those who once doubted the hardness of his character. He has always had skill, but now he has also shown everyone his toughness. And it's not always remembered to mention that he has a hell of a big heart and love for hockey.” (old coach, Jouko Myrra)

“Roope is intelligent, has quick wits and a good sense of humor.” (Roope’s agent, Markus Lehto)

“He is always on the cutting edge of fashion. A genuine guy who loves the game and people. A very easy person. In the group, he was a bit quieter, but when I got to know him, he opened up to me.” (Texas Stars teammate, Sheldon Dries)

“A great guy. A bit quiet, but once you got him out of his shell, could talk about anything.” (Corey Perry)

“A really fun and relaxed guy, but when it comes to work, the overalls are on. He doesn't fuss too much.” (Sebastian Aho)

#the Things in this!!!! #roope hintz #nhl #dallas stars

[wild-joker-out-pleasures]

🚫 Joker Out Pokémon Types and Teams: A Very Important Thread 🚫

(A thread made by your resident OG Pokemon fan. I did my best to give each of the lads a Mega evolution, an Eeveelution as well as a plausible starter Pokemon.)

Bojan - Fairy type ✨

Mischievous, ethereal and charming

Starter Pokémon: Chimchar/Infernape

Actual first Pokémon: Growlithe/Arcanine

He definitely has a couple of fire-types that allude to his sexiness.

Tinkaton, Diancie and Sylveon are little but fierce, just like him. DO NOT mess with them.

Arcanine and Ninetales are puppies!

Diancie suits him. A tiny diamond princess who’s a sight to behold and screams “look at me”? Absolutely a Bojan-coded Pokémon.

Kris - Psychic Type ⚜️

Elegant, intelligent and such a slay

Starter Pokémon: Fennekin/Delphox

Actual First Pokémon: Ralts/Gallade

C'MON GUYS, Gallade has cake. A huge cake. Looks very princely too. He’s a much better fit for Kris than Gardevoir!

Hatterene is SUCH a Kris-coded Pokémon. Tall, beautiful and they even share a default expression!

Milotic is a fitting, beautiful tallmon. Naturally such a beauty would suit Kris!

Kris mentioned that he prefers light over darkness, hence Psychic types in general and Espeon in particular.

Jan - Dark Type 💀

Mysterious, sexy and edgy

Starter Pokémon: Sprigatito/Meowscarada

Actual First Pokémon: Deino/Hydreigon

Houndoom has sexy incubus vibes. One cannot have an appropriate Jan team without a Pokémon that gives off incubus vibes.

Weavile and Umbreon are appropriate black cat coded Pokémon.

He's the only one with the patience to slowly raises a Deino all the way to Hydreigon. Even if the little Deino is clumsy and blind, and evolves so late, he perseveres (and thus also shows his soft side). Also, imagine little Jan and Deino with their matching hairstyles!

Jan mentioned that he prefers darkness over light, hence the Dark type in general and Umbreon in particular.

Jure - Electric Type ⚡️

Energetic, chaotic and playful

Starter Pokémon: Pikachu/Raichu

Actual First Pokémon: Shinx/Luxray

Rotom is a chaotic gremlin, of course Jure would have one! And he does switch between all its forms from time to time.

Luxray and Zeraora are big cats!

Ampharos may be cute...but it's a dragon and is capable of VERY dangerous things, so please do not piss it off.

Jolteon is SUCH a Jure coded Eeveelution. Chaotic? Swift as lightning? Charming in its own way? Yup.

Nace - Ground Type 🍂

Strong, steady and reliable

Starter Pokémon: Turtwig/Torterra

Actual First Pokémon: Teddiursa/Ursaluna

Of course Gengar makes it on his team. A Nace coded team is not a proper Nace coded team without Gengar!

Ursaluna is 100% a Nace Pokemon...FIGHT ME. Just look at it! A fierce looking bear that also looks like it could give nice hugs to its owner? Sounds just like Nace in Pokémon form.

He absolutely has the temperament to deal with a powerhouse like Garchomp.

Leafeon is nurturing, but also has immense strength for a small Pokémon - it’s strong enough to split trees. 100% the Nace-coded Eeveelution.

Martin - Steel Type ⚙️

Logical, dignified and protective

Starter Pokémon: Piplup/Empoleon

Actual First Pokémon: Porygon/Porygon-Z

Metagross is just as intelligent as Martin is, and despite being hell to catch, Martin managed to work out a strategy and caught it in a Beast Ball, no less!

Martin has a very kind heart, and this kind heart means that he would never abandon his very first Pokémon that he programmed, a Porygon that evolved into Porygon-Z, even when it starts acting quirky!

He's such a king, of course Pokemon such as Kingdra and Aegislash would suit him.

He has some Water-types to reflect his caring, levelheaded side. Vaporeon is the Eeveelution that suits him most, due to its qualities.

#joker out #bojan cvjetićanin #kris guštin #jan peteh #jure maček #nace jordan #pokemon #joker out x pokemon

[narutocharacterpolls]

ROUND THREE

ROCK LEE vs HYUUGA NEJI

Reasons for submission under the cut

Lee

ROCK LEE VS GAARA

kind as can be; willing to jump to action to help his fellow comrades even after going through a life-threatening, major surgery

practical and fashion-forward with his bright green onesie. Function over form, and is prepared at all times by carrying around a spare onesie he will give without question to anyone - even complete strangers

has a surprising edge to him at the beginning of the series; he was ready to severely maim anybody that he saw as a genius

more dedicated than anyone. Was forced to face his own mortality and make a life-or-death decision in the name of his dream, after a literal crushing defeat, and he chose to fight for it. Inspiring

embodies the ideals of original series Naruto. True underdog, had nothing going for him, came from nothing with no legacy or powers, was so disadvantaged that he physically could not meet the bare minimum abilities of his peers. But he worked harder than everyone else and proved that he can be a great shinobi despite all the adversity he faced

Sasuke had to copy Lee’s moves with his Sharingan to succeed during Chuunin exams

cute as a button. Come on.

his fans are dedicated and make amazing work, fanart and fanfic

Kishimoto said he was his favorite character to draw. Boom. Favoritism. Love to see it.

pairs well with everyone. Platonic or romantic, Lee has a great dynamic with other characters

his summer outfit from Guardian of the Crescent Moon Kingdom was the best outfit in the movie

gave us Metal Lee! Blessed us with Metal Lee, really

was the character to beat in the early series if you wanted to show how strong you actually are

Gaara vs Rock Lee was one of the most iconic fights in the series, and everyone remembers where they were when they first saw Lee drop his weights. He owned that fight so hard that people forget he lost.

was wronged by the series. He deserves to win as justice.

got [submitter] personally through the worst times; his ability to persevere face of adversity convinced me I could do it too. He wasn’t special and neither was [submitter], but we didn’t need to be. We can make ourselves great. If no one else got me, Rock Lee’s got me

he’s one of the first non-jutsu using ninja so make such a big impact

was the first person to actually harm Gaara

played a huge part in Gaara becoming a better person

he’s one of the only people that can catch up to Sasuke and easily rivals Naruto in Taijutsu

his kind, determined and cheerful attitude is a joy to watch

Rock Lee removing his weights is easily one of the most iconic moments in the entire anime

has helped several submitters feel better by simply thinking about how he wouldn’t want them to think like that

objectively would’ve made a better protagonist based on the themes alone

KICKS MAJOR ASS

wrecked Sasukes shit, I like Sasuke but that was really funny

he looks like a frog. Who doesn’t like frogs

inspired Sasuke

fights are always entertaining, they’re very well choreographed

he forgave Gaara for nearly killing him and nearly ending his dreams; he was never even mad at him

Rock Lee vs Sasuke was iconic

his heart is so full of love

never did anything wrong

had a squirrel befriend him

hard worker

good friend

rises to any challenge

when he does diss people they are the most brutal yet entertaining disses you ever hear

positive, weirdo, energetic, enthusiastic, joyful, chivalrous, motivated, dedicated, sweet

Lee and Neji had something homosexual going on

YOUTH !!!!

Neji

very tragic character

has so many layers

has a great arc (if you ignore the. yknow)

the eye imagery is very good

the inherent queerness of rebellion

carried the Hyuuga clan

awesome hair

disrecpected by the narrative

could've easily been a revolutionanist if the mangaka wasn't a coward

#bestnrtcharapoll #naruto #polls #rock lee #hyuuga neji #neji hyuuga #id in alt text

[cleolinda]

Weekend links, March 31, 2024

My posts

Easter is a big day in my family because I have a young nephew and my mom has always loved putting together Easter baskets. She asked him if he thought he’d been good enough for the Easter Bunny to visit him. “I don’t have to be good, Grandma!” he said patiently. “He’s not Santa.” Me, I’m hoping to get a visit from the Easter Wolf. At any rate, this week on my end was mostly Hot Lady reblogs while I was out at the garden shop (fresh pictures next week). 

Reblogs of interest

All the Hot Vintage Lady Round 2 polls are up! I have gone in hard for Ava Gardner, and the people-pleaser in me hates upsetting Jean Seberg fans, but I can’t put on the jersey and then not fight when the numbers are this close. 

Round 3 starts Saturday, April 6th! It won’t get any easier!!

“dual propaganda: Dolores del Río and Marlene Dietrich being pals (who are gals) masterpost”

The voters’ ages are breaking down about the way I expected.

Unrelated to the bracket: 

These are the climate grannies: “They have the generational wisdom, environmental activism experience, free time — and they're not afraid of getting arrested.”

An Alabama state house seat flipping blue is a great lesson about voting in general, but AL conservatives wrought this “BUT WAIT WHAT ABOUT IVF” splinter issue themselves and I’m cackling that it’s bitten them this hard. 

Meanwhile, my tiny AL liberal-arts alma mater is closing and I’m furious.

Mike Flanagan: “If Netflix had released a blu-ray set for Midnight Mass, this is the blurb I’d want on the cover”

Gothic book cover heroines (I have a whole pinboard of these around here somewhere)

I will make a cheesy glittery Neocities page the hot second I can think of something to put on it.

Put Baby In Mimic Mouth. no problems ever in mimmic mouth because good Shape and Support for baby neck weak of big baby head.

A pun so perfectly calibrated that I had to go lie down for a moment 

SPOSHA (space OSHA)

Several species just vibing on branches

Please accept this bunny’s wink @ u. 

Video

1) I did not realize that Bette Davis was still alive when “Bette Davis Eyes” hit it big, and that she hung the gold and platinum records on her wall! 2) I was last week years old when I realized that the line was “Her hair is Harlow gold” and not “hollow gold.” 

This is a video featuring shrimp on a carousel, and you have to turn the music on

This cat has a water dance

This is what happens when a bubble freezes

The sacred texts

with faith and perseverance, one day we will sauté the horrors

Personal tag of the week

Honestly, I don’t have anything this week that isn’t vintage movie stars in some form.

#weekend links #odds and ends #linkspam

[poisonousroxstar]

Imagine:

Barry redeeming the son of Archie

Request: "Hi may I request a Barry x male reader son of Archie leader of team aqua headcannons of Barry redeeming him from being evil and helping him through not being accepted by society until they become co gym leaders . Male reader trains Dragon type Pokemon. Thank you for your time" - @zenitsuharadagoku

Plot summary: Though a loyal son to your father and his plans, you had began to notice the dark consequences for his actions, and eventually help in the downfall of his mission. When team aqua is disbanded, not everyone is willing to forgive you for your crimes. Only Barry, the boy who pulled you from the darkness, is able to see the changes you've undergone, and he is determined to help the rest of world see that too.

This Contains: Betrayal (giving).

Note: Fun fact: Barry use to be a huge childhood crush of mine, so seeing this request I just HAD to do it. Ah, childhood memories 💕 did both platonic and romantic headcanons. It's long, hence the cut. Enjoy!

Note 2: Apologizes for nearly a year of waiting! In the end I rushed a bit, so I hope you can forgive it if it seems to fall flat. Feel free to request again!

Growing up, you not only had your father caring for you, but also the rest of his main team too. They were as much family as Archie was, and you loved them all as they loved you.

So when your father wanted to awaken the legendary Pokémon Kyogre, you were easily on board.

You were his second in command, and by far one of his more diligent lieutenants. A skilled pokemon trainer with strong dragon types, and an efficient member of Team Aqua that always completed his mission.

Of course, there were people who opposed this plan, one of them being a hyperactive boy named Barry. A sinnohnite visiting the hoenn region and helping to put an end at the chaos ensuing.

Originally, Barry was completely against you, seeing you as nothing more but trouble. And in truth, you weren't exactly a big fan of him either.

The two of you clashed often, him always trying to stop and you always trying to stop him from stopping you. It wasn't easy, Barry did have strong pokemon on his side, but you were smarter and more resilient, so the battle usually leaned to your favour due to Barry's rashness and headstrong approach.

If there's one thing you could applaud him for, it was his perseverance. Even when you beat him, that didn't stop Barry from trying again, and again, and again. He'd simply get back on his feet and run at you at full speed.

You and Barry's interactions only ever happened like at, with him rushing at you to battle and both of you clashing it out. That's all there was. At first.

But as time went on, you began to show doubts in Archie's plan. I mean... He literally wanted to WRESTLE KYOGRE?! At first it sounded cool but....now that you put more thought into it rather then blind devotion, you came to realize it wasn't nearly as black and white as it seemed.

But Archie was stubborn, really stubborn. At first, you tried to subtly imply that perhaps this wasn't such a good idea, but it never seemed to register in his head. He'd simply laugh at your hints, tossing an arm around you and proclaiming that "your old man's got it all under control!"

And you love your dad, so you complied nonetheless. At first.

Losing to you really hurt Barry's ego. Again and again, he was never able to trump you. But as time progressed, he realized his headstrong approaches weren't working. From his humility, he learned to be more patient, less rash, and less impulsive. Mostly.

But while Barry began to thrive, you began to crumble. You felt conflicted, guilty and unsure. You knew what you were doing was wrong... But, your dad. You didn't want to let him down. He couldn't realize just how dangerous his mission had become. And it was tearing you apart.

You're not on your A-Game anymore. You actually begin losing to Barry, and your part in Archie's plans became stagnant. Maybe it was a subconscious thing, your mind trying to thwart your mission. Maybe your dragon types saw how this was effecting you, their strong and beloved trainer, so they began to faint on purpose. Or maybe he had just improved since before. Either way, it was clear you weren't on track anymore. You're sure even Barry notices this.

Your loses and guilt eventually helped push you to betray your father's mission, though it wasn't without pain. The look he gave you when he saw you sabotaging his plans, confused and hurt, and so betrayed, when running away was heartbreaking...

Switching over to the good guys isn't an easy transition at all. Nobody trusts you, and rightfully so. Funnily enough, it's Barry that trusts you the quickest -- well, it still took a bit of time, but considering many others weren't budging, yeah he was the fastest.

At first, he didn't believe you at all when you said you wanted to help, thinking this was just another ploy by Team Aqua. But as you proved yourself to everyone, working hard and taking down other Aqua grunts with and even for them, Barry began to believe what you said.

He went from being the first one to accuse you of doing bad things, to the first one defending you when others believed you were still doing bad things. It's such a quick change, it surprises enough -- especially when they all thought he hated you the most. A genuine relationship had formed between the both of you. A deep understanding.

In the end, Kyogre and Groudon are quelled by Rayquaza thanks to May/Brendan. Archie came to regret his choices by then, having realized far too late just the magnitude of what he'd done and what else would've came. When he sees you his first instinct is to charge straight ahead and hug you with enough pressure to almost crush a rock. He's tearing up and apologizing profusely for what his actions, and hopes you'll forgive him. Archie is especially surprised with your new relationship with Barry, and does through some heat his way initially. But he warms up to him, if only for you.

Since this incident, not many people see you favorably, even if you did help. Those you worked closely with have come to forgive you, the general public haven't. So Barry's taken it upon himself to change this nasty image you had. You've changed, he knows you have, and he's gonna make everyone see it. It takes years of hard work and equal dedication to change this perspective to everyone, but it eventually does work. Mostly. There are still some out there who haven't forgiven you and there's no changing that, but you're no longer getting as many nasty stares or hearing as much gossip about you anymore. And you have Barry to thank for that, which he will gladly take praise for *ahem*

In this time, you and Barry have only grown closer together. It's funny how you two started out as enemies and ended up with something so much more. You are both two peas in a pod, knowing each other like the back of your hand.

You and Barry eventually became dual gym leaders together. It had been in the works for awhile now, but you didn't want to open it until the general public had grown to trust you. This was especially hard as Barry was always pestering you to open the gym already, a bit of his impatient past shining through. When it does become official however, it's a time for celebration! All your friends, families, and pokemon gather together to celebrate this new endeavor for you two. A new beginning.

Archie is especially proud, swinging an arm around your shoulder and loudly shouting "THAT'S MY BOY". You can definitely see some proud tears at the corners of his eyes.

Platonic:

Though the start was rocky, you and Barry have forged an unbreakable bond together. Akin to brothers. He has your back and you have his, and neither of you plan to ever change that. As a result of this friendship, I could see Archie becoming more fatherly Barry and vice verse for Barry's dad, Palmer.

While you're both the best of friends, you're also each other's biggest rivals. It isn't uncommon to see one competing against the other, usually Barry. It's never anything truly serious, though Barry may make it so, but none of it will ever shatter the bond you both have.

You both are like brothers at the end of the day, a bond built from

Romantic:

At some point, the feelings you and Barry have for each other deepen into something more. You're not sure when or why, but they do, and it feels good... it feels right.

Barry is real flustered and even a bit shy at times, and may come off as a bit of a tsundere here and there. Demands to hold your hand or else you'll owe him a million dollars!! He's kidding, he's kidding-

You're often the one who does the teasing in the relationship, with Barry usually helpless to your teases. It's cute, watching him get all red face.

If you two ever have a wedding, Archie is going to be so proud... and loud... and sobbing. He'll grab the nearest man, woman, or person in between and yell with the most prideful voice ever "THAT'S MY SON THERE!!". Everyone else who served under will definitely join his cheers.

Overall, romantic life with Barry will remain relatively the same. Yet, there's something new there now. Something to explore your bond deeper. A happy ending, for a new beginning.

#x reader #x s/o #x y/n #imagines #romantic #platonic #x male s/o #male y/n #x male reader #pokemon headcanons #pokemon imagines #pokemon x y/n #pokemon x s/o #pokemon x you #pokemon x reader #pokemon x male reader #pokemon x male y/n #pokemon x male s/o #platonic headcanons #romantic headcanons

[navarresimp]

I'm a big fan of your SMT 4 Apocalypse art... not gonna lie I've become a fan of Asahi/Toki because of it. You have any headcanons to share for the pair?

First of all I’m so glad to hear that you like my art and that the tosahi proaganda is spreading like a virus.

Second of all! Absolutely! I like to think they’re absolutely an introvert/extrovert kinda couple. Toki is very unsure in social situations (as hinted at by some dialogue in the game), mainly due to her sheltered upbringing in the Ring of Gaia and almost no contact to kids her age. She is however very street smart and knows her business in combat. Asahi is like the complete opposite, being raised in a bar and constantly being around other people and having a mainly intact family, she is quite open to other people and knows her way around making new friends and sussing other people out, but holds herself back in combat.

Toki is super clingy when it comes to her girlfriend, often standing wordlessly next to her and even glaring at anyone (often not even intentionally) who interacts with her. Whenever she catches anyone being rude to Asahi while she’s working, Toki will throw them out. During the start of their relationship she often wore Asahis clothes until she later bought her own drip(leaving the Ring of Gaia she basically had to leave her belongings there). Toki loves listening to Asahi ramble no matter what (often about bar stuff and hunter quests). If creepypastas are a thing in Tokyo in 2038, you know Tokis knee deep in that slenderman lore, she has some serious wierdgirl vibes.

Asahi admires Tokis strength and perseverance. She’s a big fan of PDA, worrying about it being too much for her girlfriend sometimes, Toki assures her doesn’t bother her. Asahi loves doing Tokis hair and makeup, often styling it in new and creative ways. Asahi often indulges in creative and sometimes childish things, which Toki doesn’t really care for much, but she just likes spending time with her. Asahi doesn’t like to admit this, but above everything else, the kinshicho hunter association is her top priority. She will do anything to keep her dads legacy going. If she has to work overtime she does cancel dates, which does sometimes cause conflict between the two of them.

Their favorite date spot is the fairy forest, where they go on walks and just enjoy the peace and quiet admitst the battlefield that is Tokyo. Asahi sometimes sneaks leftovers from the Kinshicho hunter association so they can Picknick at the lake deep in the forest (Asahi keeps forgetting the shadow riddle required to get there, but toki got it memorized since day one).

I hope this is enough headaches for now! This started off as more of a crackship back then but honestly they would work so good as a couple! ALSO THEY ARE LITERALLY RED AND BLUE! THE SHIP COLORS EVER

#smt iv #smt iv apocalypse #shin megami tensei #shin megami tensei iv #shin megami tensei iv apocalypse #tosahi #toki smt #smt asahi