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#oh my god did that fight scene kill me
bamsara · 2 months
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HOMESTRETCH
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hauntingblue · 2 months
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Kaido lore?!
#THE GIRL SANJI HIT HAS A RAT???#if sanji kills the rat he is not going back... this poor woman tho....#sanji didn't really get to dight his siblings so now he is kinda doing it lmao#sanji didn't hit her?? queen did??? omg. sanji don't lose hope.... but i want you to kinda do and succumb to the germa ajskdha#nvm he figured things out.... got the rat and everything... sanji talking to himself with the cage on... yeah..... omg zeff and luffy <3#omg queen got yeeted.... the rat.....#talking tag#watching one piece#episode 1061#king asking zoro if he is trying to be a king implies now that as sanji beat queen he is one. now when zoro beats king???. exactly.#omg... zoro dont kill king he is too pretty to die.... zoro.... i was wondering where all the nephilim fanart came from akdjsk#this is so slay... zoro with the king of hell enma fighting an angel.....#kaido with shackles in punk hazard???? is it bc he is an 'ogre'????#wtf.... zoro is seeing a biblically accurate angel akdjsns WAIT. did king say he isnt biologically capable of besting him.#and zoro said he doesnt like those types of excuses. because he is equaling that to what kuina said about being a woman.#please someone tell me this isnt the resolution to that. please. that is so stupid.#also wtf is zoro gonna do against that. thank god he learnt how to cut fire damn. thanks kinemon. hope izo and usopp find you soon#the music. the visuals. slay. oh :( goodbye my angel..... him thinking kaido is joyboy??? you've got it very twisted. it's kinda tragic#how his faith is misplaced and ends up defending evil and dying for it..... :(#the z on the end screen akdhaka.... now o want kaido lore. why was he im punk hazard. i mean ti be experimented on but there's gotta be more#you know whats funny. robin becoming a devil for luffy. zoro becomong king of hell for luffy. sanji just doesn't turn evil :) AHDHAJAJ#which actually could be the most dangerous maybe bc goodbye emotions xd even if the king of hell and a demon could end him#inch resting. i want more about lunarians?? and kaido now. also MORE about zoro and kuina... please that can't be it....#did i explain here how at least in the op spanish speaking fandom there is a gag that zoro is racist?? it started with that woman from bw#he just now killed a survivor of a nearly extinct (or extinct) race xd. you can appreciate why the gag exists#episode 1063#usopp looking for kinemon and the scene hes gonna walk into.... izo please get here soon....#usopp calling them suicidal samurais ajdhak he will cling to life sobbing and full of snot!!! EXACTLY!!! this is actually so helpful.....#like they really are suicidal samurais... committing seppuku for anything.... izo thank god. he's gonna get the kun treatment from now on#episode 1062
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it would be nice if actually NMH4 was smart and pulled a whole 'actually the real villain was inter-generational trauma all along!' and that it re-contextualised the overarching narrative of NMH to be about the about the Touchdown Family's struggle to end the toxic cycle of violence that their family has been stuck in.
#I DOUBT NMH4 will be that smart. (assuming it will ever happen) but it would be neat if they did lean into that#the reason why the ending of the cycle is so important is that it kinda adds a nice book end / call back to alice twilight#the whole ‘free us from the red crimson sea of madness!’ as a cry for help by assassins asking Travis to help them leave the life#of being an assassin still kinda gets to me#I mean the whole reason why NMH2 happens is that many of the characters are there BECAUSE of Travis. many envy him because he was the one#that became number one. AND WALKED AWAY.#plus in NMH2 travis says ‘we may be fucked up but assassins are human too’ and GAH HES SO RIGHT ABOUT THAT#like really one thing that does bother me about flesh and blood episode is that Travis is VERY NONCHALANT about killing henry. like hey.#that’s your brother who literally just told you not long ago that he saved you and (their) sister jeane from their father!!!#like?? wouldn’t you have a mental breakdown about that revelation?! like I get human emotions are complex#but like at least SOME FORM OF REMORSE WOULDVE MADE THE SCENE BETTER. even him perhaps scolding Sylvia for being nonchalant about the death#of Henry would have made the situation go from ‘oh god the horror’ to ‘don’t you dare say that about my brother#’he did everything to keep me and my sister safe and you have the audacity to think I was okay with killing him?!’#like seriously where did that small bit of familial bonding/friendship development with Henry and Travis go after NMH2?????#like Henry didn’t just save Travis in the Nick of time with the jasper batt jr fight for NOTHING.#Travis failed to save jeane! so make him at least try to help Henry!! he’s his only real blood relative and knowing the person who’s done#their best to keep you out of very specific life threatening danger - I think you owe your sibling to try and save them from whatever#is happening to them that’s making them take irrational decisions of world domination#SUDA HIRE ME TO BE YOUR WRITER TRUST ME I CAN FIX YOUR SILLY LITTLE UNIVERSE I SWEAR#nomoreposting#suda51posting#nmh3 spoilers#shallow rambles#sorry I’m have deep thoughts about this series and it’s implications sorry#yeah I’m kinda in denial of the whole Henry’s domination of the world thing (not that I hate it!! good for him!!)#but also I wish there was much more build up and development before hand you know? the last time we got development was in NMH2#<- NMH2 was released… 13 years ago and even then henry still doesn’t have that much screentime either so is that even character development#if you’re reading tags. dear goodness thank you for putting up with my ramblings. /GEN
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butch-reidentified · 3 months
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anyone here seen the show Resident Alien?
bc holy shit am I obsessed with the portrayal of 30-something women, their solidarity, feminism, friendship, and fun and self-expression! GODDD I did not realize how BADLY I needed to see a tv show actually depict (attractive but not "bikini models" by any means) adult (and admit they're adults, real adults not 20 yr olds) women as human beings with deep complex personalities and relationships, who really stand with each other despite being flawed humans who do sometimes hurt each other, who are silly and goofy and get into shenanigans bc oh my god WOMEN CAN STILL HAVE FUN AFTER TURNING 30.
Especially later in season 1 and in season 2 (I'm still on s2), there's just so much female badassery and solidarity that I love. there's also a gym workout scene in s2 with my favorite character D'Arcy and tbhhhh that scene is 😨🥵 Like, my wife said "this scene was definitely filmed by a lesbian, right?" 💀 It really did feel like celebrating an attractive woman build muscle without the typical male gaze-y lens. it actually focused on her flexion, facial expressions, sweat, flushing, yk, the things we are supposed to pretend women don't do even while vigorously exercising.
this same woman leads her friends on a drunken midnight raid of town hall where they review the town budget and discover they're paid less than the men. cut to the entire group of women (one of whom is the mayor's wife) standing in the mayor's bedroom in the middle of the night, standing over him and informing him "no, this isn't a nightmare, what the fuck is wrong with you, pay us fairly" like?? holy shit lmao. D'Arcy then proceeds to RENT A HELICOPTER to drop fliers all over town telling women about this and encouraging female solidarity in fighting back. this barely scratches the surface of her character's feminist heroics. in another seen she cuts the brakes on her best friend's abuser's truck and sends it down a hill in front of him, before telling him she'll happily kill him if he gets near her friend again. it's just so much fun to see. she also rescues herself and 2 others from a crevasse in the glacier by climbing 30 feet in a storm with a broken wrist. oh and shes a FORMER OLYMPIC SKIER bc fuck you
I've actually been very impressed with this show in a number of ways. they have a young girl character whose family is Muslim, and the writers seem to want to critique Islam while being aware that they have to avoid performative liberals picking up on this too much. so at first I was a bit 👀 thinking they were going a certain way with the character, but they ended up sneaking in a lot of critiques of Islamic patriarchy. they keep surprising me.
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shotmrmiller · 6 months
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PAUSE! OH MY GOD. writing a soap smut got me thinking. 
As a medic in base, you see the 141 guys all the time. Whether in passing or because they get injured, you’re always interacting with them. Your particular lack of response at Ghost’s irritated glare after reprimanding him for being unable to keep his stitches intact during training is what solidified your friendship with Johnny— what Soap tells you to call him.
Every time Johnny goes out, he likes to drag you along and this is where you notice peculiar interactions between him and Ghost.
The way Ghost gives Soap Johnny his full attention when he’s speaking, turning his entire body to face him, even if it’s something completely trivial. Or how Johnny stresses over Ghost who’s injured on your med table and Ghost will comfort him. When going on a mission, if one goes, so does the other.
You wonder if there's something else going on.
You get your answer.
One day you’re knocking on Johnny’s door because it wouldn’t be the first time he’s tried to weasel out of a physical. You’d think getting shot would hurt more than a vaccine but here you are— about to twist his scottish ear off. The door finally opens, and you barge in because you aren’t about to cause a scene in the middle of the hallway when you freeze. 
Ghost is in Johnny's room, lying on the bed. If looks could kill, Ghost’s would’ve leveled the base. And he’s naked under the sheets— if that tree trunk-sized bulge is what you think it is. It doesn't even look hard. Bloody hell. 
You shift your gaze towards Soap, and your eyes drop— he's clad in nothing but a towel that hangs dangerously low on his hips. 
Massive. These men just walkin’ round with weapons in their pants.
Shaking off those thoughts, you shift your attention to his face.
“Meet me at the clinic in 10 or so help me god, Johnny.” and walk out the door.
You hear a muffled "Yes ma'am" , and a hiss escapes your lips.
That cocky smile Johnny had means he definitely saw you ogling them. 
A week passes and it’s a friday. You can’t wait to lock yourself in your barracks room and watch movies the entire weekend— you plan to start as soon as you're off the clock.
And then other medics twist your arm into going out for drinks.
Now you find yourself seated at a table in a lively bar, indulging in shots of tequila. As you glance around, your eyes catch sight of Soap and Ghost standing near the bartender. It appeared that some woman is talking to Johnny and he has a polite, detached smile on his face. Always too kind to strangers.
Then she starts caressing his thigh.
Your eyebrows shoot up to your hairline. Right in front of Ghost’s salad? You lock eyes with Ghost and he looks murderous. Jesus.
You usually don't stick your nose in others' business, but if you don’t intervene, Ghost might actually kill her in her sleep. Besides, tequila has always made you bold.
With a confident stride, you make your way towards Johnny and remove that woman’s hand before settling yourself snugly on his lap— and you wrap his arms around your waist.
“And who is this?” you ask Soap, but the girl questions back.
“No. Who are you?” 
Bitch. 
Curling your upper lip, you answer, “I’m the one he comes in every night hoping it takes. Now leave before I make you,” completely ignoring the massive bulge pressing up into your arse.
She looks at you with a bewildered expression, but doesn't move so you finish off with, "Try it. Just a warning though, it'll be hard to fight when the fight ain't fair."
You cock your head to the side with a taunting expression and the woman scoffs before walking away. Noticing she left her almost full drink behind, you give it to the bartender to toss in the trash. She's just gonna have to get another one.
Your act comes to an end, so you shift to stand up— and realize that the arms encircling your waist tighten, keeping you on his lap. His clothed cock.
“Ye didnae think we’d let ye go after yer little show, did ye?” 
Unless Johnny’s speaking french, he just said we. You'd be nervous but you aren't about to decline what could be the best sex of your life. The want you feel in Soap's pants has you riding a certain high— it makes you feel confident.
Grabbing onto the edge of the bartop, you swivel the stool you're on to face Ghost. 
“And this okay with you? I wouldn’t be stepping on any toes, or nothin’?”
Ghost swiftly lifts you from Johnny's lap and places you onto his own.
“Does this answer your question?” and draws you closer before grinding his erection against you.
And it sure as hell does. Slapping the counter, you ask for some water. If this night is going to end with you sandwiched between these two, you want to remember all of it.
reader's a boss ass bitch. GET IT CHILE.
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imomnba-x07 · 5 months
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EPISODES CAME OUT EARLY YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS
HERES MY THOUGHTS
SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY
EP 1
- GROVER YOU SWEET CUTIE
- also love that they changed up the office scene to give Percy more of a reason to be mad at Grover
- fight with Ms Dodds was a bit rushed but I think that was intentional for us to feel that same “wtf is happening” feeling Percy feels
- Sally enjoying the Rain, feeling it, feeling connected, was awesome. Such a great visual representation of her connection to Poseidon and the water
- “God? Like Jesus” CRYING ON THE FLOOR THAT WAS HILARIOUS
- “I’m actually 24” Grover. You. Adorable. Nervous. Scamp. Your killing me here 😭😭😭
- ANNABETHS LINE YEEEAAHHHHHH
- THE VISUALS ARE GEORGEUSSSSSSS
EPIODE 2
- ANNABETH SILHOUETTE OVER PERCYS BED RAHHHH
- DIONYSUS CLAIMING TO BE PERCYS DAD IS THE FUNNIEST THING IVE EVER SEEN ARE YOU KIDDING. ONLY EPISODE 2 AND THERES NO WAY THEY CAN TOP THAT SCENES COMEDY THE BAR HAS BEEN SET
- Percy burning the blue candy in hopes of being able to reach his mom and talk to her I am a puddle on the floor I’m deceased I am unwell
- the element of Glory was a genius factor for them to add and it’s makes the characters choices hold so much more value. Everyone has a clear motive at camp now because of Glory and it’s just- MY GOD it’s such a good addition to drive characters actions.
- love that they made Luke and Annabeths relationship a clear sibling dynamic, much better then Annabeths crush in the books
- CLARISSE YOU DID WONDERFULLY AND CAN DO NO WRONG IN MY EYES IM SUCH A STAN
- ANNABETH READING PERCY LIKE A BOOK AND BEING SO SOCIALLY AWKWARD AND ALSO LOOKING AT HIM LIKE 🤨 PLEEEASSSEEEEE THAT WAS SO GOOD
- ANNABETH CALLING PERCY SUNSHINE???? ARE YOU KIDDING ME THAT WAS SO- OH MY GOD
- love that you can visibly see the adrenaline take over whenever Percy fights. His face shows you he doesn’t fully understand how he’s doing this but his body’s natural instincts kick in and it’s just 🤌🏽✨
- ANNABETH PUSHING PERCY INTO THE WATER BECAUSE SHE NEW HE WAS THE ONE TRULY 6 STEPS AHEAD OF EVERYONE
1000000/10 INCREDIBLE PHENOMENAL SHOW-STOPPING AMZING NEVER THE SAME COMPLETELY UNIQUE
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munv · 7 months
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𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗡𝗭𝗜𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗡𝗩𝗬
sae x reader bc it’s sae but jealous sae..I’m fighting writers block so bad right now
Fluff!
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Sae was livid. I mean - who wouldn’t be? He was invited you to one of his matches, and even bought you VIP tickets. But some random bastard from the opposing team, that you just so happened to be acquainted with from long ago popped up and now he’s been ditched.
Who even is that guy? He looked like such a loser too..every single time that man got the ball in the middle of the match he’d either give the sloppiest pass to his teammates or miss the goal ENTIRELY. It was beyond embarrassing, but the fact he had to grit his teeth because of him is even more annoying.
You were having a blast weren’t you.
Giggling a bit you playfully smacked his shoulder, talking about how funny he was. The boy bashfully rubbed his nape and a red hue had decorated his face, along with a sheepish smile.
Oh god, if his teammates were able to see Sae Itoshi’s anger from miles away, their little so called “friend” would be able to see it too. The opposing teammates looked at each other in worry and whispered amongst themselves. “Yo..isn’t that Itoshi Sae..? Why does he look like he’s boutta murder asa..”
“Nah man I think that’s his girl he’s talking to..go tell him!” “No you!” “Why’d you think i would go over there?! He’s basically fuming bro”
“I’ll go tell him” another one piped in. Coming closer it was as if he could actively smell the older Itoshi’s wrath. “Oh, and who might you be?” Snapping out of his trance he looked over to where the feminine voice was.
You were breathtaking. No wonder Sae wanted to kill his teammate. You also seemed polite under all that too. “I’m uh- asa’s teammate ms. The coach asked for Asa and we should really be packing now”
Noticing how the younger male emphasized on “really” slowed you to raise a brow in suspicion. Completely oblivious to the danger that has already begun approaching the 3 of you.
“Right!” Deciding to ignore it you clasped your hands together, “I’ll see you another time, right asa?”
The male turned red once more in his remark but before he could speak up a harsh voice cut in.
“[y/n]”
Everyone turned to the owner of voice in question, only to be met with cold real eyes with a set of pretty eyelashes. “Sae! There you are…?” You noticed he wasn’t looking at you. Instead he was glaring at your ‘friend’. “Who are you?.” His glare intensified.
Sae wrapped his arm around your waist and pulled you in, resting his chin on your shoulder. The poor boy could only stutter in response, “w-well..I’m [l/n]-san’s friend and..-“
“The Better question is, what are you doing talking to my fiancé?”
A pregnant silence filled the field. Few stopped what they were doing to look at the scene in front of them. Others were too shocked to move.
“FIANCÉ?!”
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Sae was on the couch staring at his phone, manspreading lazily and scrolling through the newest and hottest headlines of today.
“Sae! Are you even listening to me?” You had been scolding the man for quite the while now, only stopping to now notice he wasn’t listening from beside you.
He turned to meet your gaze as if you weren’t just scolding him, “what?” Only sighing. “Why did you do all of that either, didn’t you want to keep our relationship a secret?” Crossing your arms over your chest and staring at him with such a serious look only made him think you were cuter.
“I don’t like him.” He said it as if it was the simplest answer. “Who?” “That guy, the one you were talking to.”
You took a moment to think about it before a sly grin came onto your face, “were you..jealous?” You poked his cheek with your index finger in a repeatedly manner. “no. I just don’t like him”
Right now if Sae wasn’t turned away from you, he’d be giving the nastiest glare right now. He knew that, and he knew you knew that. You could just easily read him like that. Realizing he was only giving you short and quick witted responses you resorted to that last tactic in your “Book to Sae’s Weak Point’s” guide.
Yes, this is all in your head.
“Baby c’mon..you know I only love you right?” In a swift motion, you wrapped your arms around his neck bringing him down to face you once again. Snuggling into his neck you could feel him freeze above you before calming down. He knew that. He just wanted to hear you say it from your own lips.
It’s only very few times insecurities overtake Sae, and as his soon to be wife, it’s your job to quell those raging sea of negative thoughts.
“Hm..” he inhaled your scent from above you, it was the same shampoo he bought you for your last birthday. It wasn’t too long ago either that he restocked it for you.
You both stayed like this for a few moments before speaking again, “so..asa wanted to han-“
“Another word, and that guy won’t ever have to think about soccer again”
“but..”
“Shut up.”
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nevertheless-moving · 4 months
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unable to stop dwelling on the discworld trouser leg of time where, in the penultimate fight scene in Nightwatch, Carcer manages to kill teenage Sam Vimes.
Which means that the future that Duke Vimes came from can no longer exist, which means he can’t go home. Meanwhile you’ve got a bunch of history monks with stored up temporal energy, a prepared space outside of time, and the need to do some desperate damage control before the Auditors get involved. Death shows up, reality is unweaving, Sam is reading Carcer his discworld miranda rights because what else is he supposed to do.
and finally, with little other option, the monks de-age Sam so he fits the time period and send him back out into the fray.
(they didn't call it deageing of course. His memory is hazy, splintered during that terrible in between moment, They....took the time out of him? Sanded away the edges of his self for a terrible, workable fit? It...wasn't a good feeling.)
Just—damn. Sam Vimes having to live his whole crapsack life over again, but this time as his disillusioned-reillusioned, unwillingly-character-developed, noir-epic, Duke of Ankh, Commander Sir Samuel Vimes self. 
Younger (Older? He's never felt so Old, His steps so Childlike, reality twisting in his gut like one of Dibbler's pies) Sam Vimes walking around in a haze after the revolution. Desperate to go home, knowing he can’t. Wanting to drink. Knowing he can’t.
The whole precinct feels pity, he really took Keel’s death hard, hardly speaks except to do his job. Eventually he has to grit his teeth and start being present, because what else is there to do?
Resists the urge to drink until Colon takes the whole watch out to celebrate because -he’s going to be a father!
Come on Sammy, one drink won’t kill you— and after the first drink he’s cracking jokes and after the second hes smiling and after the third hes honestly the life of the party and sometime after that he’s crying about how he was going to be a father and my wife would be ashamed if she saw me drinking like this and— 
Oh shit, Did anyone else know he had a wife?? A PREGNANT wife??? What—aren’t you like 12—no you're 17 now aren't you but when did—
You guys n’ver met ’er—oh gods none if you ev’n know ‘er, is jus’ me...
What—when did you lose—
I lost her the same damn day I los’ ev’rythin else, whadya think...bleeding Carcer...the fuckin revolution...
So! That! Sam only vaguely remembers the night, but rumors travel faster than light on the disc, so by the next day the whole damn city knows about poor Sam brung low by the loss of his poor, tragic, pregnant wife, so young to be a widower, and the Seamstresses nod because they already knew, don’t ask them how, somethings you just have to know in that trade.
And his mother—I don’t know, sue me, I’m a time travel fiend but there’s something deeply intriguing about a man meeting his dead parent, who is somewhat younger than him, and stepping into the old relationship like a badly fitting thing that's supposed to fit well. She would know, right? How would she deal with her son’s impossible grief? Maybe she wouldn’t know—he spent most of the time out of the house, running with different street gangs, maybe he avoids her until she dies and lives with the guilt twice over. God, we don’t even know her name. There’s just so much narrative and emotional potential that I don’t even know where to start.
When he’s on duty, which is most time - it’s agonizing because at first he remembers cases, saves lives that would have been lost. But the more time passes, the hazier his memory because in the original timeline he was becoming an alcoholic. Fuck! A kid dies and he could have saved her if he hadn’t been such a drunk, if he had just remembered where the asshole lived, but it’s all a haze, and he wants to drown out his guilt, but that’s what caused this in the first place.
Good young Sammy, who spends his rare off-time in dusty libraries (and yes, the irony that he’s apparently Carrot now is not lost on him) reading gods-only-know.
It’s not like he can ask the wizards for help, cutthroat and vicious as they are now in the not-so-distant-past.
Good young Sam, who...talks to the Broken Drum’s pet Bouncer like he’s a real person and not a dumb rock? That’s a bit weird, but he’s a bit of a funny guy.
Good old Sam, who believed the testimony of the dwarf who said the humans were trying to rob him and let the dwarf go??
the PROBLEMS this man would cause, good grief. Can you imagine a moderately progressive middle aged man with some degree of begrudging diversity and equity training that he did, for all his sins, pay attention to, suddenly going back to like, 1990, going back just 30 years, and going...oh damn this is kind of fucked up, no man you can’t say that, holy shit.
Except Sam’s lived through even more rapidly shifting social moroes! There’s no seamstress guild, there’s no women allowed inside the university, there’s no black ribboner’s society. People hunted trolls for their teeth! But Sam can’t just unlearn everything, and he can’t shut up, and he has no real luck and anyway he would absolutely get himself (temporarily) fired.
FUCK. Sam has no idea what to do with that. None. Zero clue. Wanders around in a haze until that dwarf he saved from police brutality finds him and insists on repaying the debt. No, he insists, do you have any idea what debt means to a dwarf?
“Sort-of?” he replies hesitantly, and that honest admission of incomplete knowledge shows a hell of a lot more respect and understanding than any self proclaimed dwarf-expert ever did.
Gets a job as a surface man, hauling rocks into the city. It’s backbreaking work, but, in true Discworld fashion, it’s also one hell of a workout (again the irony of being Carrot is not lost him. he freezes for a minute while hauling a rock cart, when he remembers he's technically Lost Nobility too, in a strict sense, but someone curses at him in the street and he's comfortingly grounded)
And here is where this au slides into a SPECTACULAR romantic comedy, BEAR WITH ME. Because in his time on the Watch he’s already done noir, action adventure, war story, detective who dunnit, psychological horror, but guards guards only allowed him to be a romance protagonist in an extremely limited context.
Give me righteous, twenty-something-looking, can’t-say-he-doesn’t-have-style, young Sam Vimes, not an alcoholic,  being fed three square meals a day by his dwarven forced found family, hauling rocks. He is startled to find him bumping his head on a low hanging bar that he doesn’t think used to be there, eventually realizing that he’s an inch or two taller than he remembers. Huh. Guess all that bearhuggers really did stunt his growth.
Still doesn’t get what some of the looks from women he’s getting are about, sure, he’s dirty but so is everyone else. Fine, he took his shirt off, but it’s hot out, there’s far wrinklier than him hauling heavy loads, get a life. 
Happens to glance in the Ankh one day when it’s particularly slow and shiny and is startled to realize that he might be turning heads for a different reason. Oh. Right, not that he was ever a heartbreaker, but he did alright for himself... when he was a younger and his face hadn’t been broken so many times. Which...it isn't now.
Is mildly disturbed by the revelation.
Especially once things blow over at the precinct and what with high mortality rates, he ends up with getting hired again. The boys are delighted to have him back, nevermind that he’s an odd one, noone is ever quite in your corner like Vimsey, absence makes the heart fonder, no one else works that hard, and he’s not even competition for promotion. All around great guy, we should set him up with somebody and just, no.
It just keeps getting worse! He’s literate! He’s a feminist! He believes abuse victims! He’s got a tragic backstory! He’s unreasonably good in a fistfight! He’s kind to animals! Word gets around that there’s a good man on the watch and he’s just waiting for a good woman to come snap him up. The widower excuse doesn’t hold people off completely, and for some it’s its own sort-of appeal. 
Things REALLY become stressful after he rescues that carriage full of noblewoman.
What’s he supposed to do? Let them get robbed? Or worse? Chasing down and beating up 10 goons is as easy as beating up one, when they’re that stupid, getting separated like that, drunk and distracted, and he knows these streets better than anyone, really it’s nothing. And oh lord he’s Modest too.
I mean, they were genuinely greatful, as genuine as people like that are capable of being, the skill having grown rusty. And then there is something...magnetic about the man. An air of command.
So, soon enough you get Lady Marigold of Marigrave calling on Treckle Road for that gallant young officer who rescued them, she really needs to thank him. And Viscountess Elanor Thitzferal specifically requesting that he guard her at her next soiree. And Baroness Julieta van Shoeholten insisting that he come to her home while her husband’s away, for... manly protection.
Aaaah just zero sympathy from the guys. None. 'It’s become a competition, they’re just trying to see who can get me into bed first, it’s like I’m a piece of meat, you can’t send me sir, the Marquess greeted me in a nightee last time you made me go to—' and 'small gods Vimes are you even listening to yourself, shut the hell up'.
Simultaneous to this, (again this is several years into the timeline) swamp dragon accessories come into style. Which means abandoned swamp dragons scrounging on the street. Vimes takes one back to his apartment, blows his paycheck on dragon medicine, and eventually, heart in his chest, brings it to the Ramkin estate. The sunshine orphanage doesn’t even exist yet and he’s just standing outside the gates like an idiot, what is he thinking. Turns around, but her carriage is pulling up and—
well. they meet. it's cute. he's never felt so young. he's never felt so old, too old for her, too poor—
and certainly her thoughts linger too long on the awkward, kindly, handsome young commoner, but is it any wonder she doesn't quite connect it to the stern, dangerous, sexy young guard the ladies seem to be in some quiet, cuthroat competition over?
i have this gorgeous, absurd scene in my head in which Vimes is strong armed into standing guard at some high society soiree and one of the pushiest ladies insists he dance with here, or, if he prefers, if he's not confident about his skills, he can dance with her in-private at her home and he’s like [grinding teeth, looking for a way out, seeinf one] “I would be honored to dance with you.”
Steps right into some ultra-complex dance with multiple partner swaps (she never thought he'd pick this one, devilishly intimidating to one not strictly trained, and you barely spend anytime with your first partner).
But he does alright. Better than alright, for a common man, sometimes misstepping but his hands and feet always end up where they need to be. Raises several eyebrows part way into the song because he's throuwing in some slightly scandalous, no innovative, extra lifts and twirls that wouldn't become fashionable for another decade or two. Who even is that guy? Some out of towner? No, no he's in a guards uniform...how very strange.
Gets to Sybll and she's used to embarrassment during these dances, she tries to get out of them when she can... but can't always. Men awkwardly skipping the lifts, or worse, trying and failing. But him — oh it's him, the one who helped little Erold, and looked at her like—like—well like she was someone beautiful. And he's doing it again, and he's strong and there's a quiet moment where she's in the air, they lock eyes, and the rest of the room melts away.
And then the partners change again, the moment ended.
Just...living throught it all again. To the left, a dance he almost knows the steps to, throwing others off balance with erratic moves , honest mistakes, and delibrate stepping on toes. Improvising. Ruining. Improving. Getting far, far too much attention.
Hes almost excited when the first assassains start coming after him. It's like a hobby.
Everyone tells him he should get a hobby.
Interactions with young vetinari...I don't have the energy to write it all down, the slow circling in on each other, both burning with the need to fix the city, save it, their city.
needless to say he ends up fired again, life under real threat after offending some high lord.
Conveniently enough he has an employment opportunity- bodyguard to fucking Vetinari on his 'grand sneer.' The bastard knows vimes isn't what he seems, though sam is pretty sure that he doesnt know the exacts.
Vetinari hypothesis:(the ghost of keel? Keels son, with some hereditary curse? Or a larger spirit of justice possessing a string of unrelated souls? He knows things he shouldn't- mind reader? Fortune teller? Havelock once arranged for a wizard to bump into him on the street, the magical fool gave an odd double look and then muttered something about destiny looping in on itself giving him a headache. Destiny? Lost noble? And hes far too familiar with sybyl, one of the few bearable noblewomen in this city. And his thoughts on guilds, when havelock can trip him into speaking... Most of all, if hes reading him at all correctly (for all the mystery hes not that hard to read, unless thats a very clever cover) then it seems that behind those dark haunted eyes is Respect. Loyalty. For vetinari. What an interesting man. A puzzling asset. An intriguing threat. )
Did I mention the timeline is changing, healing slowly around the place where it was torn? Healing enough around scars to perhaps get some flexibility back, with some painful stretches and...massaging of said scar tissue?
And hes heading to unresting uberwald, a place where a werewolf pack still hunts humans and, truely unrelated but perhaps equally exhausting, an eldritch spirit of vengeance just might be looking to stretch its legs in a hapless vessel?
Opening drabble Vimes Vetinari Meta (Unwell) Scene from the Uberwald Grand Sneer
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bitchinbarzal · 9 months
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thirteen | Mat Barzal
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summary: the little green monster comes out when you’re wearing another jersey.
-
You and Mat had an argument about Mat’s newfound friendship with the new islanders presenter.
You’d seen them after one of his games, they were no longer filming their interview and instead were just talking.
Admittedly, you felt a pang of jealousy watching the scene unfold before you but then it all came to a head when you returned home and mentioned it to him.
He blew up, accusing you of thinking he was cheating, that you didn’t trust him. Essentially just blaming you for this whole argument.
You didn’t retaliate, opting to get your side out another way. Because when he goes low, you go lower.
So when the rangers found themselves at UBS arena, you were wearing blue.
“He’s gonna kill you” Sydney laughed as she found you at the bar, looking at your jersey before catching the name and number on the back.
“Oh my god! He’s gonna really kill you!”
You laugh and do a twirl for her “Like?”
“What did he do?”
You giggled and explained the situation to her “Oh my god, what a dick! Also she has totally been making the eyes at Matt this week too I get where you’re coming from”
“Right?!” You say, holding onto her arm as you both laugh about the situation.
In the suite, Alexis found you and looked at your jersey with wide eyes “Oh he fucked up!”
“Very!” Syd adds from her seat in the front and you smile at her playfully before turning to Alexis
“Me and Mat had a fight and I’m giving him a taste of his own medicine”
“Oh girl don’t explain! I’m on your side!”
The game is rough, as per usual when these two teams meet during the season.
Mat’s never one to get involved in the fighting, typically just sitting and looking pretty which you liked because it meant you were never worried about him.
That was until the period break, Mat was pulled for yet another interview by her. In which she showed him a fab picture of you in your rangers jersey
“So Mat, we hear your girlfriend is repping the Rangers tonight or better yet repping another number thirteen?!”
He looks confused until she shows him the image, his eyes immediately filling with anger.
There you were standing at the bar, in his arena wearing your ex boyfriends jersey. The name Lafrenière where Barzal usually sits.
“Uh… I didn’t know” he laughs it off but anyone who knows him can see his mind running a million miles a minute.
As soon as the interview is done he’s having to go back out, no time to text you and tell you to take it off.
Instead he goes out on the ice like a raging bull.
You watch from your spot in the box as the puck drops and Mat heads strait for Alexis on the ice, taking him straight to the floor.
You gasp as they hit the ground and begin fighting.
It doesn’t last long, Mat being sent to the box straight after. You see his face on the jumbotron, his nose is bent the wrong way and there’s blood rolling down his cheek.
You don’t say anything else, simply curling into yourself and thinking about what you’d caused. It was meant to be harmless, just a way to get back at mat for what he’d said but now his nose was broken, you felt horrible and you’re sure Alexis was out for the rest of the game.
Mat always had a jealous streak in him, from day one. You met at an event where you were Alexis’ date, Mathew introduced himself to you and immediately fell.
He waited months, scrolling through your socials for the day you’d be single and when he finally heard you had broken up he grasped the opportunity but that didn’t stop the comments and his own insecurities getting to him about your relationship.
By the end of the game you’re not celebrating like the rest of the girls, you silently made your way down to wait for Mat.
When he comes out of the locker room sporting a wrapped nose you wince. He looks at your jersey and growls
“Take it off for fuck sake”
“I don’t have anything on underneath” you mumble, the sleeves now crumbled up into your palms as you clutch them anxiously.
He doesn’t respond just walking to the car, you begin walking behind him. There was no congratulations kiss, no conversation as you sat in the car silently as he drove back to your apartment in Manhattan.
Traffic was bad which didn’t help Mat’s mood.
You tried to turn on the radio but he muted it immediately.
It wasn’t until you got to sunnyside when Mat said
“I would never hurt you like this”
You turn to him, his eyes still on the road
“Mat I’m sorry… I was annoyed about the whole-“
“I told you there was nothing happening between us! You were the one convinced I was doing something”
“I know that! And I just wanted to give you a taste of your own medicine!”you shouted, angry he wasn’t listening.
“Giving me a taste of my own medicine? y/n he was your fiancé… do you think I don’t feel bad about that? That you were actually so in love with him you wanted to marry him at one point!”
You sunk into the seat of the Range Rover and mumbled “Yeah well now I see it was a stupid idea”
Arriving at your apartment, Mat waited for you to get out and you asked “Are you coming in?”
“I’m going back to Long Island. I think maybe we were a mistake”
Your heart dropped in your chest and you leaned back into the car “Mat I’m sorry ok! It was stupid and I’m so sorry-“
“I’ve told you how he makes me feel y/n and you threw it in my face, in public infront of everyone to see and you embarrassed me. I don’t think I want to go through life constantly worried about everything and feeling insecure”
Tears were rolling down your cheeks “Mat please… I’m so sorry baby it’s only you, I’ll take it off, I’ll stop with the games just please-“
“I love you, but I’ve got to protect myself first” he says, starting the car again and waiting for you to step away before he drives off back home.
Leaving you standing there watching the Range Rover leave, your heart going with it.
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teaboot · 1 year
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Fun fight things I never see in fight scenes:
You are giving me important information from the sidelines and I can't hear you because my entire head inside this man's armpit
We are fighting and it is important that I focus on winning but I am hesitant to pull this maneuver because doing it puts me in danger of accidentally grabbing a dick or a titty
Someone's hand slipped up a shirt or down a waistband for a sec and we're both gonna pretend it didn't until we die
Dude you just got drool like all fucking over my face just now what the fuck
Okay I get that you're about to snap my neck with your thighs but also you totally just farted a bit which is reasonable considering the position we're in but still oh my God
If the last thing I experience on earth before I die is your ass in my face I'm going to drag you to hell with me
Someone is trying to give me advice right now and if they don't shut the fuck up I'm gonna kill them
I know the perfect maneuver to get out of this but if I go for it I'm definitely gonna dislocate my shoulder and I haven't decided if I want the win that bad yet
I just heard my knee pop and either it's fine or I'm going to spend the next six months in physical therapy and be in pain for the rest of my life
I thought I walked away from that ok but it's three in the morning and I just woke up out of a dead sleep because one of my limbs just started screaming
"You should ice that" Is the physical injury version of "Well its gotta be around here somewhere"
AW YEAH DID YOU SEE THAT I PULLED THAT SO SMOOTH IM SO GOOD IM KICKING ASS RIGHT NOW And ah fuck he got me
Hey bud you wanna maybe stop watching and lend me a fucking hand maybe
I Am Between You And Very Upset Person And If You Keep Pissing Them Off Then I Am Going To Get Stabbed
Nobody Expects To Get Licked
Oh God dude you smell so bad. Like you smell SO bad
Okay so like. I WOULD fight you but tbh you're actually super gross and I sort of don't wanna touch you. What is that stain from? You know what I don't wanna know, I don't wanna think about it
You are giving me important information from the sidelines but are missing some critical details that I cannot explain right now and you're getting frustrated that I'm not listening and I'm getting frustrated that you're angry at me for not doing something that will break both my arms at the same time
Sweetheart I love you to the moon and back but cheering me on is actually very distracting and I'm gonna need you to stop right now exactly right now please and thank you so so much baby PLEASE
Why do I smell like them now. Oh God I need a shower
WAS THAT A FUCKING BOOGER WHAT THE FUCK EW EW EW EW EW
haha nice underwear dipshit lol
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remember-the-fanfics · 3 months
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Part two of last post
-
To be fair (Y/n) didn't have trouble for the next month, with the extermination happening, they guess Timothy actually did find a hole to die in.
They would guess wrong when he showed up with friends, who thought it would be a good idea to burn the hotel down with people inside it.
Man, this dude just keeps coming up with bad ideas.
Alastor caught them in time and stopped them while allowing everyone to get up and see the who and the what, Angel Dust, being the first one outside, saw Timothy face and quickly realized the why.
"You!" Said Angel Dust, getting Alastor interest.
"Do you know this not so fine fellow?"
"He came in like a week or so before you showed up, wanted (Y/n) to break the deal they just made with him because he's a lazy asshole." Said Angel Dust just when Vaggie and Charlie showed up.
"Why did you come get us? I would have shown this estúpido not to come back." Said Vaggie with her spear, ready to hurt someone.
"Or offer to join the hotel instead?" Said Charlie, pushing Vaggie's spear down.
"I-I would have loved too if that bastard offered, they just threatened me to leave!"
"They did! He said he wasn't doing this rainbow shit." Said Angel Dust "and they only threatened you after you insulted me!"
"Can we stab them?" Asked Niffty, showing up on Husk shoulder with (Y/n).
"Who are we-." Said (Y/n) before seeing who it was. "Oh."
"You bitch!" Said Timothy, his friends had joined in on the insults as well.
"Quiet." Said Alastor, making all of them shut up. "What should we do with-."
Timothy with a knife went for the closest person, Angel Dust, that he could reasonably kill or injure, (Y/n) didn't ask and he wasn't in anyway to talk later. As quick as he tried, (Y/n) got in the way.
"M̶o̶t̸h̴e̷r̶f̴u̶c̶k̷e̸r̷." They said, grabbing his arm that held the knife and holding him back from anyone.
"Now." Said Timothy, confusing (Y/n) for a second until they saw each of his friends had a weapon.
Everyone was sleeping, they were prepared for a fight, only Alastor could take on these sinners and maybe Vaggie with her spear.
(Y/n) needed to do something! Do something, do something, do something-!
Then (Y/n) didn't remember the rest.
-
"I'll keep you safe!" A much younger human version of (Y/n) said,
"I know." Said Someone, (Y/n) couldn't look them in the face anymore.
°°•°
"I kept you... safe." Said a slightly older version of (Y/n). They had so much blood on them, until then (Y/n) didn't know humans had that much blood in them.
"No no no, stay awake, (Y/n)!" Said the Someone, obviously trying to keep them focus and awake.
"I love you... more than anything."
"(Y/n) please-!"
'I love you more than anything, you know that?'
Was what (Y/n) trying to say.
••°•
"(Y/N)!" Said someone else, bring (Y/n) back to what they were doing. They looked around to see Timothy or what was left of him on the ground, in peices, and (Y/n) did not expect to see that much gore.
"Ew, thats not cash money to see.." They said before looking at themselves and getting the conclusion that they were the reason Timothy became a crime scene. "..What exactly happen?"
"You ripped his arm off!" Said Angel Dust, laughing nervously because how could (Y/n) not remember that. "Then you-."
"Ripped him to sheds while Alastor dealt with the rest! You kept making him into smaller and smaller peices!" Said Niffty, climbing up (Y/n). "I'm so happy this happened outside, this would be a mess to clean out of the carpet."
"Are you injured?" Asked Charlie.
"I don't think so- oh God, I'm standing in it, I'm barefoot. I'm gonna take a shower and burn these clothes." Said (Y/n), moving away from the mess they made and putting Niffty down away from it.
"That was a fantastic performance, my dear! You could almost be mistaken for a stray from Cannibal town, if only you used more teeth." Said Alastor, who enjoyed the show after making the rest disappear, killed.
"Thanks, I don't usually fight like that." Said (Y/n). "Can you magic me to my room? I need a shower and to process that." They asked, pointing at the remains.
"Very well, my dear." Said Alastor, sending (Y/n) to their room to clean up. "This was unexpected way to fix the problem, yes?"
"I'm also gonna take a bath, I feel like some of it got on me." Said Angel Dust, walking away.
"I think we all need a shower after watching that." Said Husk, joining him on the walk inside with Niffty following behind.
"Never took the young one to take a hand on approach when doing something like that, well see you all in the morning!" Said Alastor before disappearing in the shadows, leaving Charlie and Vaggie alone.
"Charlie, you okay?"
"I'm fine, I'm just worried about (Y/n). We've seen them fight before, never like this. They didn't remember doing this either... I just hope they are okay." Said Charlie, Vaggie nugged Charlie's arm with her own.
"(Y/n) will be fine, they are a powerful Overlord for many reasons. They were protecting us after seeing those sinners had weapons and most of us didn't, that's a good thing." Said Vaggie, trying to cheer up Charlie.
"Like a redeeming good thing!" Said Charlie. "Minus all the gore that happened!"
"Exactly, now let's go inside and take a shower please."
"Oh definitely. That got everywhere."
-
Ta dah! Slightly longer but lore about (Y/n)! They died protecting someone they care about, the why and how they actually died from is unclear for now.
I've had it in my head for weeks now on how they died, can't really spoil anything though.
I also plan for most things I write in my head and I was trying to get (Y/n) to kill the man in the last part but nooo, just arguing.
Sorry to any Timothy tis the name of the letter I typed first.
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So. Last episode of season one, huh. So you know those kids shows that are totally great for kids but have an extra layer of meaning for adults?
Up to now, I've been "oh, this is so fun! The real heart wrenching stuff comes later I suppose, but that's chill."
I want to direct your focus to the fight scene with Luke.
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It's a fight scene between powerful demigods.
It's also a fight scene between kids. Kids who've grown to love and trust each other, like kids do.
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*horrified* "I'm sorry!!"
*almost smiling and shocked at that* "you did get better"
*every thought of fighting dropped for a moment without a second thought* "I didn't mean to..."
*asking, begging, breathing, and has NEVER ONCE stopped looking him in the eye" "last chance"
This almost broke me. This is when the euphoric music quieted to me and my tea almost slipped my hand.
It's so friends at summer camp. It's "I'm scared and my Mom just died but you're trying to be a rock for me and wow" it's "you're scared like I was scared back then and it scares me how much you're like me" it's "I'm born for greatness and I don't want it" it's "I'll give you agency and power to chose your fate by making you be able to defend yourself" it's sword lessons and life lessons and breaks from all these adults trying to tell you what to do and it's "Annabeth's my little sister"
Speaking of Annabeth
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He knows, right there, instantly, that he's lost her. And nothing has terrified him more.
I think this is why we can expect massive, beautiful character development in coming seasons. Because they managed to do that. They could've given us a typical good-vs-evil fight where the Villian gives a quick "join us" speech, the hero is ✨above that✨ and the Villian instantly goes over to trying to kill him. Escaping with a quick one liner.
No one won this fight. All three fought the kind of friend you make when you've been through shit together and you're too young to have power over it. No words for it, confused, and holding on to this bond with all your strength;
He was there for me.
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This is why Luke hates the gods.
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BSD Dead Apple manga highlights!!
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Kunikida is insane. "Oh yeah getting shot in the gut is no big deal dwai" and then he proceeds to run around and fight both his own Ability and Demon Snow after this. Jesus.
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Kunikida's so resourceful tbh. I love watching him fight. Akutagawa's later fight with Rashoumon (where he demonstrates similar resourcefulness using the molten metal) is also cool for the same reason, because like it's one thing to be TOLD these characters are cool under pressure and smart as long as Dazai's not there to piss them off and a whole other to be shown it.
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SO THIS CONFIRMS MY THEORY. I need a fight scene where Yosano detaches her limbs and uses them as weapons after she heals them omg she's so fucking badass. Side note the fact that Kenji and Yosano held up so long against their Abilities is so impressive? Like all of them are ofc but Undefeated and Thou Shalt Not Die are both like, extremely powerful. Your fighting a power that rearranged a mountain and a power that basically can't be killed. Like damn.
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Lmfao Akutagawa's main priority is watching their Abilities fight each other
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D A S H
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I love how casually he says this lmfaoo Also LMAO AKUTAGAWA DO U HAVE SOME UNRESOLVED FEELINGS TOWARDS DAZAI OR SOMETHING?? HMM??
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Confirmation Dazai fucking hates both of them. He was probably tearing his hair out internally this whole time. Literally him going "friendless behavior" at Shibusawa lmao- ALSO THE 'MEOW EXCHANGE. HE ACTUALLY MEOWED. THIS IS SO FUCKING DRY LMFAO.
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Akutagawa's monologue is conveyed in a really cool way via manga adaptation... like DA has some great development for Akutagawa, Kyouka and Atsushi, but Akutagawa's in particular stands out to me because it doesn't really disprove his strength-based worldview?? He finds his own self worth through that view instead which is interesting, by overpowering his Ability instead of finding somewhere he's valued beyond it like say, Yosano.
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This is also SUCH an interesting panel. "That I control Demon Snow/That I didn't want to hate her" it's like Atsushi has previously only seen Kyouka as a victim, as being controlled against her will and never wanting any of the violence she partook in when this kinda... confirms it's not all the case? DA as a whole kinda tries to break Atsushi's black and white worldview but I also think, between this and how well Akutagawa and Kyouka work together in DA, there was likely a part of Kyouka who knew she was good at killing and violence, and liked that about herself, if nothing else. The ability to not be completely helpless, even if her circumstances as a whole were not within her control.
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"Are you fucking serious" he is SO DONE with Dazai's shit lmfao.
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Soukoku are fucking insane. What do you MEAN you noticed Dazai's hidden message from a mention of a microscope. What do you mean you remember all your interactions with him that clearly. What do you mean-
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Ohh my fucking god is that a tear in the last panel?? Oh my god did Chuuya mean he just doesn't want Dazai to stop him in Corruption. Chuuya cannot catch a fucking BREAK oh my god.
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So Ango is also suicidal right?? Like sure he has a reason for saying this but also this is not a normal thing to say. He uses Chuuya's vow to kill him to try and stop Chuuya from what he sees as a suicidal mission later. Like this is not normal.
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"Dazai doesn't care about the ADA!" shut the fuck up
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Oh my god. This was so fucked up oh my god. Poor baby Atsushi oh my god.
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The repetition of "I raised by claws" is SO chilling here omg. But I also find it so so interesting that I think Atsushi is... the only BSD character who just... wants to live. Not for other people, he definitely doesn't want to die. Like so many characters in BSD (Dazai, Yosano, Chuuya, Kunikida, Kyouka, Ango, arguably Akutagawa) are in some manner suicidal, or even the ones who aren't have reasons they life for. But Atsushi's base desire is just... he wants to live. That's where his Ability comes from. It's why he killed Shibusawa. It's so interesting.
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So there are two sides to Fyodor's Ability. But he CALLS HIMSELF crime in this case?? Bc the Crime avatar is wearing what Fyodor was wearing. I've seen theories Fyodor himself is just the manifestation of his own Ability or something and tbh... that might have merit.
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Tbh, I often wonder how Ango ended up working with the government. It's repeatedly mentioned how he dislikes and opposes their use of human lives as value metrics, or plans like this for the 'greater good', and yet he still does their bidding. He's still here. Even though no one listens to his oppositions. Why?
Anyway so if anyone has manga translations past Ch 13 please help I can't find any lol.
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moghedien · 1 month
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honestly I'm just constantly obsessing over the Lae'zel romance scenes, but like I think I've finally decided which version of the duel (you winning or her) I prefer from just like a character standpoint.
because in the moment I went back and forth with both versions because I wasn't sure, but then ended up staying with the version where I win, and I think that's my preference now because it just feels like a subtler but more intense mind fuck to Lae'zel if you take everything that happened up into this point into account.
and do not get my wrong, i think the version where she wins is absolutely a mind fuck to her for many reasons, and I do love it. like her realizing that you aren't weak and she's like horrified at having hurt you and that very concept confusing her? amazing. we love her for it.
but if you win the duel, I feel like that forces her to recontextualize soo much more if you played the romance how I did at least. because basically any time she told me to submit, i did. I never tried to be the dominant one. I never even really teased her for being soft in certain circumstances or got snarky with her or got upset when she'd be like possessive and demeaning.
and I imagine that the githyanki sex rituals dictate that like the weaker one is submissive one and so obviously Lae'zel was the stronger one your relationship and if you did nothing to dissuade her of that fact then you obviously agree. there's no love or preference in it. There's just like desire and physical need and ability that decides who's doing what.
and I feel like this is backed up by the conversation when you can turn the one night stand into a two night stand, where she's like "you look weak and pathetic when you look at me. you look terrified." And also the fact that you can request that she stay and cuddle you afterward in that scene and she's like, baffled and upset by that suggestion. She calls it pointless grappling and a waste of muscles. like sex is combative to her. If you're not fighting for dominance or directly getting off in that moment, then what's the point? and if you embarrass her by suggesting she's never cuddled before, then she tries to get back at you by pointing out that she killed some kind of creature and you haven't. like do not get it twisted. dominance in sex is like expressly tied to actual strength and weakness outside of sex to her.
So if you win the duel? If you've been unquestioningly letting her dominant you in every sexual encounter and then only to turn around and fucking annihilate her in battle the first time you're actually going head to head, 1v1?
Imagine how much that must fuck with her perceptions what your relationship has been up until this point.
Because now its not even just her realizing that she has feelings for you that she doesn't know how to deal with. Oh no. She's realizing that every single time she's told you to submit and you did, its not because you couldn't dominate her. Its not because you were afraid of her or thought you were weaker than her. Its not because you couldn't flip things around on her. its not just that you were so lustful toward her that you submitted just to be able to have sex. It's because you specifically wanted to be the submissive one and you wanted her to do what she wanted with you.
You coulda kicked her ass at any time. And you never even tried. You never even hinted at it.
and god, the cuddling? You didn't want that just to distract or as some trick to exhaust her? You just wanted to cuddle? you wanted to be soft and hold each other just for the sake of it?
and the fact that its only after the duel that she asks you to be gentler with each other now and she says its the most terrifying thing she's ever done just kinda hammers that home for me. Because she realized it isn’t weakness that makes her (and you) want those things. It’s still scary to ask for though…
Like I'm just saying, if you've just unquestionably submitted to her and then you kick her ass, then she's not just grappling with the fact that she's having feelings. She's grappling with the fact that you've been having feelings this entire time and were much more aware of it than her, and that didn’t make you weak, so maybe it doesn’t make her weak either?
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toournextadventure · 1 year
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movie nights iv
Summary: You gather the Woodsboro survivors to go over your suspect list. Maybe you're just trying to impress Tara. That's for you to know and no one else to find out.
Word Count: 6.1K Warnings: swearing, Scream levels of violence Pairing: Tara Carpenter x Reader (pt.i) (pt.ii) (pt.iii) (pt.iv) (pt.v) (pt.vi) (pt.vii) (pt.viii)
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The door was open. It was wide open, all that rat bastard had to do was walk right through it so you could kill him yourself. No fire escape, no hideaway, only the door. Why hadn't he walked through the goddamn-
"-You're not listening to me."
You blinked once before looking back over to your Aunt Sherry. By some miracle - it was still unclear if it was a good miracle or not - she had been the paramedic on scene. She hadn't truly questioned you yet, but you knew it was bound to happen. Your family was nothing if not nosy.
"What did you say?" You asked, fighting against the natural slip of an accent that would mimic Aunt Sherry's perfectly.
She gave you a pity-filled look. "Did he get ya anywhere else?"
"No," you instantly replied with a shake of your head. "That's it."
"Then you're all set," she said as she went to pat your shoulder. Thankfully she caught herself in time and patted your back instead. "And you don't want to go to Mercy?"
"Absolutely not," you mumbled as you hopped out of the back of the ambulance. "And don't tell Ma or Pop!"
"It's already on the news, kiddo," she said with a shrug. "If they know, they know."
"You're good for nothing," you shouted as you backpedaled to where Tara and her bunch were still standing. "See ya at mass."
Aunt Sherry waved at you and shook her head, but otherwise let you go. You looked down at the stitches now keeping your bicep together. Only five; it could've been much worse. If that was the bastard you were up against, he wouldn't be much of a challenge. Couldn't even swing a knife properly. Talk about pathetic.
You mouthed a “hey” at Tara when you finally got closer. It was cold now that the adrenaline was wearing off and you were finally feeling the cold autumn air. Would have been nice to have some sort of jacket. Or your shirt that Tara was still wearing. Well, you supposed everyone could enjoy seeing you half-naked. You would just freeze to death, it was fine.
“You okay?” Tara asked quietly, her eyes darting to the stitched up wound.
“Course I am, sweetheart,” you said with a shrug. You didn’t have the heart to tell her that it was starting to sting like a sonofabitch.
“Are you hurt?” Sam asked, and both you and Tara turned to look at her. If you were cold before, you were frozen under her icy stare.
“I mean… I’ve been worse,” you said as you did your best to avoid her gaze.
“Good,” she said. You didn’t have time to brace yourself before she slapped your uninjured arm. “What the hell were you thinking?”
“Ouch!” You complained. “The hell are you getting mad at me for?”
“I told you to stay away from my sister,” Sam continued. “You could have gotten her killed.”
“You think I called your stupid little serial killer?” You asked; you could feel the accent coming back in full force. All it did was make you more frustrated. “Isn’t he supposed to call me?”
“Guys-”
“-Nothing happened until you got Tara alone,” she interrupted Danny. “And that’s just a coincidence?”
You scrunched your face up and shrugged your shoulders. “Yes?” You said. “Why would I want anything to do with your psycho killer?”
“Hey, that’s enough,” Tara said, moving to hold Sam’s arm.
It didn’t stop her. “We were doing just fine until you came along.” Sam jabbed her finger into your chest.
“You really think the two ‘a youse were doin’ fine?” You asked. “You’re trust issues and repressed trauma in human form.”
“Hey,” Tara scolded, her eyes now on you.
“Listen, I’m sorry, but I’m right,” you said, holding your hands up in mock surrender. “And you can be suspicious all you want, but why the fuck would I interrupt myself finally gettin’ laid for the first time in months?”
“Oh my god,” Tara whispered to herself as she turned her back to you.
“I have priorities too,” you defended.
“Fine,” Sam said quickly. “If I say I believe you, will you please shut up?”
“Yes,” you said.
You all finally fell silent, Sam still giving you a look that meant she did not believe you, but at least she had stopped arguing. Danny was giving you that stupid “I’m not mad, just disappointed” look, and Tara still wouldn’t face you. What was going on in the world? You were just supposed to get laid, you weren’t supposed to be dealing with… whatever the fuck all of this was.
“So,” you finally said as police continued to mill around you. “What do you guys normally do now?”
“Seriously?” Tara asked, finally turning back to look at you.
“I’m no Ghostface expert,” you said defensively, again. “Do we just… go on as normal?” A chorus of groans followed your question. “Because I still need to go clean up the kitchen.”
“I do too,” Danny said, looking at Sam for a moment before turning back to you.
Unfortunately for him, Tara noticed and she stood up straighter.
“What was my sister doing in your apartment anyway?” She asked him. His mouth flopped open and closed like a fish out of water.
“Oh how the tables have turned,” you said as you crossed your arms over your chest and cocked your hip. “About damn time.”
“I was helping him carry up groceries,” Sam said with a slight shake of her head.
“Oh, so you can go into a stranger’s apartment and I can’t even have someone I know over?” Tara asked.
“Okay, hang on,” you said, somehow turning into the middle man. This whole night was turning into a disaster. You needed a drink. Or five.
“No, she doesn’t get to accuse you when she’s acting suspicious,” Tara said with a shake of her head before looking at Sam and Danny again. “So do you know him or not?”
“Tara-”
“-no, Sam,” she interrupted. “What is he to you?”
You locked eyes with Danny at the same time Tara and Sam locked eyes. Part of you wanted to just break the awkward tension and say Danny was with Sam. It would get Tara off his back and you could all go about the real problem; finally getting you back into a shirt so you wouldn’t freeze your tits off.
Sam sighed. “He and I are… a thing.”
“I knew it,” Tara said softly.
“Tara-”
“-I would’ve been happy for you,” she said. “If you hadn’t accused my partner of being Ghostface.”
“I’m your partner now?” You asked, perking up immediately.
“Shut up,” she said quickly.
“Yes ma’am,” you said, snapping your jaw shut. God you loved when she was mean.
“If I may-”
“-You may not,” Tara said, turning to face Danny. “I don’t want to hear from any of you right now.”
“How about from me?”
All four of you shut your mouths and looked around, finally seeing Detective Bailey walking toward your little group. You sighed and looked around. The last person you wanted to see at the moment was him. Well, okay, the last person you wanted to see was Ghostface, but Detective Bailey was a very close second.
“Why am I not surprised to see you here?” He asked, clapping you on the shoulder of your hurt arm. Oh fuck it hurt.
“Always a pleasure, Detective,” you said politely through a forced smile.
“You sound just like your old man,” he said.
“Bet I do,” you mumbled as you turned your head away.
“I’m going to need the two of you to come down for a talk,” Bailey said, pointing to you and Tara.
“Not us?” Danny asked.
“I’m coming too,” Sam said without waiting for Bailey to answer.
“You’ll be waiting in a separate room,” Bailey said. You didn’t blame him for not even arguing; if anyone knew Sam, they knew to just roll with the punches. “Come on.”
You followed him, Tara quick behind you. With a glance, you saw Danny and Sam talking for a moment before he backed away toward the apartment. She, on the other hand, caught up in only a few strides and forced herself in between you and Tara. If it hadn’t been for the whole just-nearly-getting-murdered thing, you would’ve teased her about her territorial tendencies.
“Don’t put me back there with her,” you said quietly when Bailey tried to put you in the back of the squad car. Right beside Sam. “She’s not my biggest fan.”
“Neither am I,” he said with a smile before pushing your head down and shoving you into the car. “Get in.”
You practically fell into the car, your knees banging against the front seat. It was still cold as hell and now your arm was strained. A quick glance down showed a few little spots of blood. Great. Now that was split again too. Why couldn’t anyone just let you grab some clothes?
The entire ride to the station you could feel Sam’s gaze on you. No, not a gaze, it was a full-blown glare. If you had died in that apartment, you didn’t think she would’ve been too upset about the fact. And Tara was being diplomatic and keeping her mouth shut, looking out the window as the city passed by. It was smart.
“So,” you started, “did you and Danny have a nice night?”
“Shut up,” Sam mumbled.
“Okay,” you said quickly.
Well, at least no one could say you didn’t try.
It was a short drive to the station, and you felt like you were going to combust under Sam’s eyes. The scrutiny didn’t stop when you pulled into the station, and it certainly didn’t stop when you walked in. If looks could kill? Yeah, it was a real thing. It might not kill, but it definitely made you want to die.
“Hey, Y/N,” Linda at reception said when you walked in.
“Hey, babe,” you said with a wink, walking over to lean on the desk. “How’re the little rascals?”
“They’re good,” she said, leaning forward on her arms. “Found you a girl yet?”
“Think so,” you said, fully putting on the charm. “Right over there,” you gestured your head behind you.
“I’m guessin’ it’s not the one givin’ you the “eat shit and die” look?”
You both turned your head to look at Sam, who had now crossed her arms over her chest. Tara wasn’t even trying to stop her; you didn’t blame her. Samantha Carpenter was a force of nature that no one wanted to fight against. Tara had probably learned that after the first Ghostface attack in Woodsboro.
“Good guess,” you mumbled.
“Keep moving,” Bailey said as he walked past you with Tara and Sam hot on his heels.
“We’ll catch up another time,” you said, sending Linda a wink and smile.
“Countin’ on it,” she replied before blowing a kiss in your direction.
Your brother was going to kill you for flirting with his wife.
It was a familiar walk back to Bailey’s interrogation room. While Sam was directed to a separate room, you walked in ahead of Tara and sat down in the seat that you had secretly designated as your own. At the rate you frequented, you might as well just carve your name into the wood. Just so Bailey would always have a reminder of you whether he wanted it or not.
“Here,” he said when he walked in and threw something at you. You flinched, but caught it. “Put that on.”
“Thanks,” you mumbled as you pulled the NYPD shirt over your head. You sneezed. “Sorry,” you said when you wiped your nose. “I’m allergic to pigs.”
“Stop,” Tara whispered to you.
“What can you tell me about tonight?” He asked, completely ignoring your comment.
“We were just having dinner and watching a movie,” you said with a shrug. “Bada bing, bada boom, little rat bastard interrupts.”
“Did you find him?” Tara asked. Why was everyone ignoring you? You were the one with the injuries, right? Shouldn’t you have more of a say than anyone else? Maybe you had a lot more to learn about this whole Ghostface thing than you had thought.
“We didn’t find anything,” Bailey said with a shrug. “Got anyone who has it out for you?”
They both turned to look at you after the question had been voiced. You looked between the both of them. Oh for fuck’s sake, now it was just getting insulting. There was no winning for you, was there? First you’re interrupted, then you’re attacked, then interrogated by not only Sam but now Bailey too? Well, fuck you, you guessed.
“Why are the two ‘a youse looking at me?” You asked. “I stay out of trouble.”
They both gave you exasperated looks.
“I mostly stay out of trouble,” you corrected.
“Was your sister accounted for?” Bailey asked.
“She was across the alley with a guy,” Tara answered with a shake of her head.
“Danny,” you filled in. “He didn’t do this.”
“And neither did Sam,” she said.
“Did he target one of you more than the other?” He asked.
“He turned to face Tara,” you said as you recalled the event. Most of it was a blur, but you could pick out one or two pieces. “But he didn’t have enough time to really target anyone.”
“Then you need to stay safe,” he said directly to Tara. “I would guess he’s going after your Woodsboro crew.”
“Typical,” Tara huffed, falling back against her chair.
“What do we do?” You asked, doing the opposite of her and leaning forward on the table. “Twiddle our thumbs until you maybe catch the guy?”
“Are you calling us incompetant?”
“Yeah,” you said with a nod. “I am.”
“You’re going to go home and let us do our jobs,” he said.
“And if you don’t do your jobs?” You asked with a tilt of your head.
“You’re still going to stay out of it.” He wasn’t even looking at Tara anymore. “Do I make myself clear?”
“Crystal,” you answered.
You kept your eyes locked on his. It wasn’t your first stare down with Bailey, and it certainly wouldn’t be your last. You knew you were on his permanent shit list, but quite frankly you didn’t care. His group of piss poor detectives had let you all down time and time again, you weren’t going to trust him with your life.
And you certainly weren’t going to trust him with Tara’s.
“You’re both free to go,” he finally said. “We’ll be in touch.”
“I bet you will,” you said, but stood up anyway.
Tara left the room before you, and you sent one more glare at Bailey before following suit. To no one’s surprise, Sam was already waiting. She checked on Tara and gave you a once-over before starting the walk out of the station. You gave Linda a smile and a little wave before walking outside.
Where the news stations were waiting.
It was absolute pandemonium. Too many voices, too many flashing lights, you were amazed the Carpenters weren’t fazed. Well, you were amazed but not surprised. You knew all the shit they had to deal with since Woodsboro. They were probably used to all the commotion that came with being survivors of a brutal series of killings.
“Don’t talk to them,” you said as you quickly got between them and the reporters. “Keep walking, I’ll take care of it.”
You turned around and held your arms behind you to keep a hold of Tara and did what you knew would work. As your godmother had taught you, you started swearing up a storm. Every word you could think of to form the most colourful string of curses you could come up with. The looks of pure agitation and frustration on the reporters’ faces was enough to make you smile.
“That doesn’t work on me, sweetheart.”
Your smile fell when Gale walked into your view.
“Now’s not the time,” you said with a pointed look. “We can talk later.”
“An exclusive?” She asked, following behind you as you pushed Sam and Tara down the sidewalk and away from the station. And the reporters.
“Without your cronie,” you said.
Gale gave you a look of pure exasperation, but only a moment later waved for her cameraman to leave. You waited for him to be out of earshot before you gestured for her to follow you, and she instantly fell into step with you as you both caught up to the Carpenters. They didn’t seem as impressed, but at least they knew her.
“Are you okay?” She asked you. “I heard you got hurt.”
“Just a scratch,” you said with a shrug. “Far less than you lot have gone through.”
“I had wanted to keep you out of all of this,” she said.
“Well,” you sighed. “Seems I’m in it now.”
“What are you doing here, Gale?” Sam asked, turning around quickly and stopping the four of you in your tracks. “I think you know we’re not too happy with you.”
“No one is ever happy with me, sweetheart,” Gale said with her News Smile. “I’m actually here to check up on Y/N.”
“With your cameraman?”
“How do you know Y/N?” Tara and Sam asked at the same time.
Everyone turned to look at you, who was in the process of biting your fingers off. You froze under the scrutiny, your hands slowly falling back down to your side where you shoved them in your pants pockets. It seemed like you were just going to be interrogated for the rest of your life.
“I’m their godmother,” Gale said when it was clear you were a little too frazzled to talk.
“Excuse me?” Tara asked.
“My Pop went to college with her,” you finally managed to say. “Suppose he liked her enough to make her part of the family.”
“And you just failed to mention that little fact?” Tara asked, her arms crossed defensively over her chest. Oops.
“Didn’t think it mattered,” you said with a shrug, “I’m not Woodsboro.”
“Can we focus?” Sam asked. “What do you want, Gale?”
“What happened?” Gale asked. “No recorder, no camera, just tell me.”
The three of you looked at each other and sighed. They might not trust Gale - which was understandable, she had written a book when she said she wouldn’t - but you did. She might not be blood, but she was family. You gave the Carpenters time to stop you before turning to face her and telling her what happened.
You ommitted the little detail that you were mid-lay.
“I’m going to go do some digging,” she said with a dazed nod of her head. “You do the same?”
“Yes ma’am,” you said with a shrug. “I’ve got a few things to go over.”
“Good,” she said before looking back at Sam and Tara. “Stay safe.” She looked at you. “All of you.”
All of you nodded and mumbled an agreement before bidding Gale goodbye. You watched and waited for her to be gone before turning back around to face the others. Now that everything had mostly calmed down, you were starting to focus on the real issue at hand again.
“What now?” Tara asked, her eyes flicking between you and Sam.
“We need to meet up with Chad and Mindy,” Sam said. “Fill them in.”
“I’ll head to my apartment,” you said. Tara opened her mouth to protest almost instantly. “I need to go over a few things.”
“We need to stick together,” she said.
“We can all meet up at my apartment tomorrow night,” you said with a gentle voice. “I’ve got some digging of my own to do.”
“No one even knows where you live,” Sam said. She looked at Tara and waited to see if she knew. Thankfully, she didn’t, and Sam let out a barely noticeable sigh of relief.
“I’ll call you from a burner and tell you the address,” you said. Both girls looked at you with raised brows. “Can’t trace a burner, and it guarantees it won’t be mirrored.”
“That’s some sketchy shit,” Tara said. “How do you know this stuff?”
“Got a few tricks up my sleeve,” you shrugged. “Still not Ghostface,” you defended when Sam gave you a judgmental look.
“Then we’ll see you tomorrow,” Sam said. “Come on.”
She turned around to leave, and you stood there watching her go. Tara hesitated, looking between you and Sam. As much as you wanted her to stick around, you knew she needed to be with her gang. No one could understand them the way they understood each other, and one little half-hearted attack didn’t make you one of them. You knew that.
“Go on,” you said softly with a gentle smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She looked at you for a little too long, long enough to have you shifting your weight from foot to foot. You inhaled deeply, trying your best to calm your racing thoughts and pulse. Tara stepped forward slowly and grabbed the front of your shirt, pulling you down just enough to plant a gentle kiss on your cheek.
“Stay safe,” she said. “I mean it.”
“Yes ma’am,” you said with another smile.
Tara took that as good enough and turned around, jogging to catch up with Sam. You could see the both of them talking, and Sam’s arm wrapped protectively around Tara’s shoulders. It was sweet. You couldn’t even imagine what all they went through on a regular basis. All the chaos was enough to make anyone insane. They were lucky to have each other.
You shook the thought out of your head and started the long walk back to your apartment. If they were all coming over tomorrow night, you would need to have all your ducks in a row. No way were you inviting veterans into your home only to look like a fool.
—---
By the time everyone showed up at your apartment, you were running on 43 hours of being awake, your seventh espresso, and your 13th RedBull. Were you going insane? Yes. Could you smell colours? Absolutely. In fact, red smelled like black pepper. Or maybe that was the disgusting takeout you had been munching on for the past nine hours.
Damn, you needed to clean. Thank god Garret wouldn’t be back from his parent’s house until next weekend.
The knock on your front door pulled you back to the current situation. Right. You were going to show everyone what you had discovered. Which, not to brag, but it was pretty impressive. You managed to sweep the majority of the trash into a trash bag and put it off to the side before tripping over papers on the way to the door.
“Hey,” you said with a frazzled smile when you threw the door open and saw the entire gang standing there.
“When was the last time you slept?” Anika asked.
“Or showered,” Chad chimed in.
“Just get in here,” you said as you stepped aside. “I’m definitely on to something.”
“Good, because I have my own theories,” Mindy said with a smile. She was the first to enter.
You said hi to every one of them as they came in. Anika gave you a chaste kiss on the cheek and Quinn patted your unhurt arm. When Tara finally walked in, at the very end of the line, she gave you a look that you… couldn’t quite describe. She didn’t look sad. You supposed “worried” was a much better descriptor.
“You didn’t even change out of the shirt,” she said, pulling lightly on the NYPD shirt that you were still sporting.
“Shit,” you mumbled, “you’re right.”
“Go change,” she said, and you nodded before shutting and locking the door behind her.
“Get settled,” you told everyone as you walked into your room. You left the door open as you dug for something to wear. “All ‘a youse stayed safe, right?” You called.
“Safe and sound,” Anika called back.
“Good,” you said, tossing the NYPD shirt onto the bed. You were still trying to orient the new shirt as you walked back into the living room. “I’ve got some information you’re all going to love.”
“Who is that guy staring at us from across the alley?” Chad asked.
“What?” You said as you finally pulled the shirt over your head. You walked over to the window to see who he was talking about. “Oh, that’s Tony.”
“Who?” Sam asked.
“My older brother,” you said, shooting a wave at him. He waved back and smiled. “After the other night, I asked him to keep watch. His bedroom window watches the fire escape outside my room.”
“How many brothers do you even have?” Quinn asked, mostly to herself.
“Five,” you answered anyway, “and two sisters.”
“Are you fucking serious?” Tara asked incredulously.
“What can I say,” you shrugged. “We’re Catholic.”
“And you trust Tony?” Mindy asked. “Like really trust him?”
“With my life,” you said. “Now, everyone sit down, I’ve got a few things to show you.” You looked around. “Where’s Ethan?”
“Econ,” Chad answered.
You looked around for a moment, collecting your thoughts. “Alright then,” you said. “Mindy, would you like to enthrall us with your theories while I get my stuff situated?”
“I would love to,” she said with a smile as she stood up in front of everyone.
You listened to Mindy’s talk about sequels and remakes and upping the budget and yada yada. It was all very flashy, very out there, but you could respect it. If anyone would know what was going on, it would be Mindy. And she managed to fill more than enough time while you finished pulling everything up on your laptop and hooking it up to the projector on the ceiling.
“Now we shall hear your theories,” Mindy said as she practically handed you the floor.
“Not necessarily theories,” you said, “but I dug up some dirt.”
“And how did you manage to do that?” Chad asked as he leaned back against your couch.
“Well, Chadwick,” you said, ignoring the glare he sent you, “I learned from a very reliable source.”
“Gale is their godmother,” Sam explained.
“And my sister Martha is a tech guru,” you said as you pulled up your powerpoint presentation, “so I learned from the best.”
“Did you turn this into a TED Talk?” Quinn asked with a tilt of her head.
“Why yes I did, Quinn, thank you for asking,” you said as you pulled up the first slide.
“How long is this presentation?” Tara asked.
“Long,” you said with a smile, “so buckle up.”
You went over everything you had managed to dig up for the past 18 hours. From all the Reddit conspiracies, to possible motives. You pointed out how all the theories of Sam being the killer had all managed to come from different sock puppet accounts, which all connected to two different real accounts, which shared IP addresses.
“And you learned how to find that out from your sister?” Anika asked as she leaned forward on her thighs.
“Yes I did,” you said, “and she’s never wrong.”
“Who do the two accounts belong to?” Tara asked.
“Now that I don’t know yet,” you sighed. “But we got our two potential Ghostfaces right there.”
“Two?” Sam asked.
“There’s almost always two,” you said. “Except for, uh, what’s his name,” you shuffled through some of the papers on your table. “Ah, that Roman guy.”
Everyone looked at you with a mix of shock, confusion, and amazement. And maybe a little bit of fear.
“I told you I did my research,” you defended. “Unlike you guys, I didn’t grow up with Ghostface as part of my school curriculum.”
“So you did all this just to tell us you still don’t know who it is?” Chad asked.
“I’m not a detective, I’m doing my best,” you huffed. “It’s more than that pig Bailey ever did.” You instantly looked at Quinn. “No offense, doll.”
“None taken,” she said with a shrug.
“But I do think this means he’s going after you, Sam,” you said. “He painted a bullseye on you with the Reddit bullshit. Must’ve pissed someone off.”
“Seems that’s all I ever do,” she said with a huff.
Everyone got to talking, going over what you had managed to find out. You continued shuffling through your papers, seeing if there was anything else you had left out. All the adrenaline and caffeine was starting to wear off and your eyes were fuzzy, but you could focus long enough to read. Mostly.
Your phone vibrated on the table, and you looked down. From the area code, the call was from the Bronx. If anything, one of your siblings got a new phone and was calling you to let you know. It had happened far too many times anyway, you shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Quit breakin’ your goddamn phone,” you said immediately after answering.
“Hello, Y/N.”
You froze.
“What’s wrong?” He asked. “Cat got your tongue?”
Everyone was still talking amongst themselves. You didn't know if you were supposed to tell them about the call or not. No one was looking at you, so you walked over to the window. When Tino looked over, you signed for him to watch.
"You and your buddy showin' up tonight?" You asked. "Or are you both a couple 'a pussies?"
"You're bold," he said. "Have you learned much from your research?"
"A bit," you said. You were eying the streets below. Surely he was somewhere close.
"Then I'll ask you the single most important question," he said. "What's your favourite scary movie?"
“Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure,” you said. “Large Marge will haunt me till I die.”
“You think you’re funny.”
“My Ma told me I’m a natural comedian.” He wasn’t in the alley. Where was he?
“You ever seen Stab?”
“Not really,” you said. You were vaguely aware of the fact that everyone had fallen silent. “I think they're insensitive."
"Insensitive?" He chuckled. "How chivalrous."
"You gonna play your game or not?" You asked, finally turning back around to see everyone staring at you.
Oh no.
"Did you check Garret’s room when you got home last night?"
Your eyes darted to Garret’s closed bedroom door. No. No you hadn’t checked it last night. The phone fell from your hand as you vaulted over the armchair in your way. Someone was calling to you, but you couldn’t hear what they were saying. Without any hesitation or sense of self preservation, you threw the door open.
No one was in there.
“Shit,” you mumbled to yourself.
“Don’t go in there!” Mindy shouted at you from the living room. “Have you never seen a horror movie?”
“Just shut up,” you called back. “Get out,” you said when you grabbed one of the baseball bats you kept in every room of the apartment. “Tony’s apartment number is 413, it’s a four floor walk-up.”
“I’m staying,” Tara said.
“Come on,” Chad said; you hoped he grabbed her and forced her to leave.
This is a stupid idea, you thought as you stalked your way to Garret’s closed closet door. Sure, you had a bat, but you had no idea what you were going to do if that fucker was in there. What, you were going to just bludgeon him to death? Yeah, that would look great on your rap sheet.
“Here goes nothin’,” you mumbled as you turned the doorknob and threw the door open, the bat primed and ready.
No one was in there either.
“What the-”
-screams came from the front door.
Shit. 
You tripped over Garret’s duffel bag that he had left and hit the floor with a hard *thud*. The stitches on your bicep pulled tight. You could hear your pulse racing in your ears as you pushed yourself back up to your feet and ran out of the room.
Just in time to see Ghostface pulling the knife out of Anika’s stomach.
You saw Mindy not too far away holding her bleeding arm, but you couldn’t find anyone else. That was probably a good thing.
Ghostface lifted the knife again.
The wood of the bat rubbed harshly against the skin of your palms as you swung. It hit his head with a hollow *thunk*, and he groaned and fell to the ground. You didn't recall crossing the living room.
“Go,” you shouted as you pushed Anika and Mindy into your room and slammed the door behind the three of you.
Mindy helped Anika onto your bed and pushed against the wound that you could now see went all the way from her sternum to her stomach. Your own stomach twisted at the sight. The muscles in your legs were frozen even as your mind ran rampant.
Something grabbed the doorknob.
You dropped the bat and lunged, slamming into the door right as it opened. Your hands wrapped around the doorknob as it twisted erratically. The metal started to heat up from the friction and you could feel it burning the skin on your palms.
"We're going to die," Anika cried.
"Try to stay positive," Mindy told her even as she was looking around the room for… you didn't know what.
The doorknob twisted again. The door opened slightly, and you slammed your shoulder into it again. Why didn't you fix the fucking lock when you had the chance last week?
"If we get out of this alive, I'm fucking strangling you-"
-The gleam of a knife shut you up and took over everything in your sight.
You followed as it pulled out, leaving a hole in your door right beside your head along with a light smear of blood.
"Get out," you said, your eyes still glued to the blood smear on your door.
"What?" Mindy asked 
"Fire escape leads to Tony's room," you said.
"Tara will kill me if I leave you-"
-the knife drove through the door again. You jumped back but felt a sharp sting in your hip.
The door tried to fly open again. You yelped, but pushed against it harder. Your bare feet dug into the carpet and you could feel the strain in your thighs.
"Give me the chair," you ordered, waving your hand vaguely in the direction of a metal folding chair.
Someone shuffled around the room, and in seconds you felt the chair in your outstretched hand. You placed it underneath the doorknob.
The knife pierced the door again.
And again.
And again.
"Come on," you heard Mindy say to Anika. At least you assumed that was who she was talking to.
Anika groaned, but the sounds meant they were moving. Hopefully to your window. Your pulse was rushing in your ear.
The doorknob jiggled again.
"Grab my hand!" Okay, that was Sam, the window was open.
The knife came into your field of view.
Oh god this was so stupid!
"Y/N, come on!"
Tara?
The doorknob quit moving and the room was enveloped with a deafening silence.
You let go of the doorknob slowly and took a few hesitant steps back. The heel of your foot hit the bat, and you reached down to pick it up without taking your eyes off the door.
"Just get out here!"
The grain of the wood rubbed your palms raw as you tightened your grip on the handle. It hung in the air above your shoulder, ready to swing.
I dare you to try it.
"Tara wait!"
Someone stepped onto the fire escape before climbing into the window. You didn't dare turn from the door. A familiar hand touched your ear. It stung.
"You're bleeding," Tara said softly.
You didn't answer.
There was banging in the living room. You twisted your hands around the bat and planted your feet. So help you god, if Ghostface even so much as sneezed you would-
"-It's Bailey!"
Your heart skipped a beat. Maybe two.
"We have paramedics downstairs," he continued, "open the door."
Your eyes stayed on the door even as you toed the chair, pulling it until it fell to the ground with a *clang*.  Your grip on the bat tightened as you watched the doorknob twist.
Detective Bailey stepped into the room, hands held up in surrender.
You exhaled sharply and felt all the muscles in your body relax.
The bat fell to the ground as your vision went fuzzy. Tara's hand fell and rested on your hip.
You supposed you had just survived attack number two.
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whereiivygrows · 6 months
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the song my tears ricochet (by taylor swift ofc) is literally SO lucy gray and coriolanus coded? like for example:
“You know i didn’t want to have to haunt you but what a ghostly scene”
- perfectly sums up coriolanus and lucy gray’s relationship by the end of the book
“Cause when i’d fight, you used to tell me i was brave”
- during the games coriolanus had to tell lucy gray that she would be able to win, that she had a chance to survive. And so when she fought against other tributes of course he was proud she was surviving but when she fought against him in the end of the book…. well we all know how that went.
“And I still talk to you (when I'm screaming at the sky) And when you can't sleep at night (you hear my stolen lullabies)”
- oh my god these lyrics are so perfect it’s literally them. Coriolanus screams at the sky for Lucy Gray when hunting her down and her lullabies definitely still haunt him at night knowing everything that happened with her.
“You had to kill me, but it killed you just the same”
-when coriolanus was hunting down lucy gray he saw a figure and shot at it, hoping he had finally got her. all that was left was her earring. this is where i think it really killed him. she was gone now and all she did was haunt him
“You turned into your worst fears”
-coriolanus’ father wasn’t a great man. and by the end of the book coriolanus’ kindhearted self was gone, and tigris saying “you look just like your father” confirms that he had turned into what he didn’t want.
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