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moralesmilesanhour · 5 months

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if you believe in me - 04.1

summary: Miles shows you what he's been working on. wc: ~2000 a/n: splitting this chapter up into two parts because it was getting long songs for vibes <3: Sweet - Teezo Touchdown That's What You Get - Paramore Lost My Mind (In Yours) - Senseless Optimism prev next

You yawned as the sky brightened and the sun began to finally peak through the curtains. The digital clock sitting in front of you on the small desk read ‘5:58’ in neon-green letters.

You'd been sitting there for the past fifteen minutes. Miles hadn't answered any of his texts after you got home last night, leaving you to lie awake in bed worrying about what on earth was in that bag.

Might as well wake him up now, you thought.

You rose from Miles’ swivel chair and stretched before making your way over to his bed. The boy was sprawled out over the mattress with his blanket twisted in every direction, suggesting a fitful night of tossing and turning.

As you stood over him, you noticed a dark purple bruise that had bloomed on his forearm. His elbow on the same side had been patched up with a large square band-aid, the center of it brown with dried blood.

Whatever he had been doing last night, it certainly didn't look related to robotics.

At first, you tried gently shaking him. Miles stirred a bit, but remained asleep. Calling out his name yielded the same result. Finally, you grabbed one end of his blanket with a huff and pulled as hard as you could. Miles–still fully asleep–held onto it with equal force, roping you into a tug-of-war at six in the morning.

“Miles, let go…!” You grunted, as if he could hear you.

With one final yank, his grip on the blanket loosened, and you nearly fell backwards into his desk with it in your hands.

He rubbed his arms with the sudden chill, eventually cracking one eye open.

“Five more minutes,” he groaned.

“Not today, Kilo,” you folded the blanket beneath your arm. “I think your mom said breakfast was ready downstairs.”

Both eyes flew open at the sound of your voice. Miles shot up, his head snapping towards you. He blinked rapidly to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

You grinned triumphantly. “G’morning, big hea–”

“Yo, did you break into my house?!?”

“No, dummy, I just said your mom spoke to me. She let me in so that I could wake your ass up and she could get to work early.”

“And you said yes?” He narrowed his eyes at you, adjusting the sleeve of his tank top.

You had conveniently left out that you'd called Rio to ask first. That was besides the point.

“Of course,” you shrugged and sat on the edge of the mattress. “You left me on ‘read’ after last night, so now we can talk!”

“At ass o'clock in the morning?”

“M-hm. And you're gonna tell me the whole truth,” you gently tapped his nose with your index finger. “Right?”

Miles slowly wiped his face with his palm with a deep sigh. “You don't quit, do you?”

“I haven't stopped bothering you since I met you. What do you think?”

He rolled his eyes. Point taken.

“Fine. It ain't no robotics club, but we were building something.”

“Building what?”

You leaned in, face tense with concern. His expression softened.

“Relax, it's not a weapon, or nothing,” Miles reassured.

Well, not yet.

He kicked his long legs over the side of the bed and rose to his feet. He opened the drawer beneath his desk, removing what looked like a comic book and showing it to you.

A large robot stood in the middle of the cover. Its design resembled a ‘Transformers’ action figure, but all of the text was in Japanese.

“It's something kinda like this. Cool, right?”

You examined the comic book closely and hummed in consideration. The robot had sharp eyes like what you'd seen in Miles’ sketchbook. Was that what it was for? But then, why would they be so adamant on hiding it?

You looked up at Miles. A bashful smile graced his features, like it was embarrassing for him to even be showing you his comic book collection right now. But a piece of the puzzle was missing, and he wasn't giving it to you.

“Hm,” you got up and began to put your sneakers back on, “Alright. If that's what you say it is.”

His smile faded.

“What, you don't believe me?” He asked, setting the comic book back onto his desk.

You picked up your book bag and slung it over your shoulder without sparing him a glance. Just as you were about to leave, you felt him grab your wrist.

“What?” you sighed.

“Turn around.”

“You're awake already, I don't need to–ack!”

Suddenly, Miles wrapped his arms around your waist, resting his chin on your shoulder.

“I promise I'm not lying to you. I'll show it to you after school, even.”

After a beat of silence, you gave in.

“I'll hold you to it,” you said, gently pushing him off of you. “Now go brush your teeth, that morning breath is deadly.”

Miles stuck his tongue out at you as he strolled past, and made his way downstairs.

Miles ran a finger over his bandaged knuckles. Despite his mood being brighter than usual, no one in Ms. Jones’ class dared to speak to him. The band-aid on his elbow and across the bridge of his nose gave the impression that the other day was simply a fluke, and that he’d gotten into a fight.

Miles would’ve enjoyed being avoided, if it meant some peace and quiet. But he heard whispers coming from every direction.

“Who’d he get into it with?”

“I heard he got jumped.”

“Looks like it.”

“Didn’t think he fought like that.”

“Are you kidding? Look at him!”

He rolled his shoulders, muscles still aching from having to leap off of a balcony to escape an explosion he caused. Several balconies.

“Aye, Y/N! That’s your man, what happened?”

He perked up at the mention of your name, listening for your response.

You tapped your pencil to your chin, wondering the exact same thing. But that was your business.

“Somebody said sumn about his uncle,” you shrugged. “He don’t play about that shit.”

You didn’t see Miles shrug as well in the back of the classroom. Sounds like something he’d sock a nigga in the jaw for.

This seemed to satisfy the boy sitting in the next row from you, so you went back to working through the worksheet in front of you. The steps Miles had run through last night evaded you, drowned out by music blasting from an old car radio and the clanging of metal.

The sounds followed you even after the final bell rang to your room, where you were currently re-braiding a section of Tianna’s hair.

“Ouch!” she complained when you accidentally yanked her hair with your comb. “You’re mad heavy-handed, can you relax?”

You snapped back to reality. “My bad, got distracted.”

“You finna give a damn bald spot. What’s distracting you?”

She groaned audibly when you didn’t answer.

“That boy stressin’ you again? I heard he got into a fight.”

“Ti, it’s fine,” you reassured, scooping a bit of gel with the end of the comb and smoothing it over the back of your hand. “He’s not going around beating people up, if that’s what you’re thinking. And anyways, he’s picking me up soon to hang out.”

Tianna raised an amused eyebrow. “You better braid faster, then.”

Miles cracked his neck as he stood on the roof. Your house was technically only a couple blocks away, but he needed the wind rushing through his ears again. He’d spent hours sitting down, leg bouncing beneath his desk with no music to distract him (Professor Callahan had confiscated his airpods, and Miles didn’t know how to explain that they kept him from getting jittery).

Pulling his hood down, he stepped toward the ledge of the building and activated a small device on his belt before letting himself fall.

Shink!

The grappling hook shot out, catching on the next ledge and allowing Miles to swing before landing on it with a flourish. He did the same with the next building, his sneakers suctioning themselves to one of its walls. He rotated in a full three-sixty tic tac to get to another.

Shink! Swing. Shink! Swing.

Miles was grinning to himself and hopping from one foot to the other by the time he reached your window. The door would’ve been much easier, but he figured that you’d like an unconventional entrance. Points for showmanship, right?

You sat on your bed unsuspectingly, staring at your phone. Miles was five minutes late. Should I text him first?

Tianna words echoed in your head, and you decided against it.

Tap tap tap!

Your head snapped up towards the window, the sight before you making your eyes widen to the size of dinner plates.

A figure in a dark hoodie waved excitedly at you. When you started to back away towards your bedroom door, however, the figure held out a hand in frantic surrender. They pulled back the hoodie, revealing those familiar mismatched eyes and hesitant smile.

A sigh of relief escaped you as you padded over to the window to unlock it.

“You scared me, fuck is wrong with you?” You said through clenched teeth as Miles lifted it open the rest of the way.

He took one look at your pouty attempt to look angry and laughed, pecking you on the cheek.

“Ain’t nothing wrong with me.”

“The window, though? You coulda rang the doorbell, I thought you was about to rob me!”

Miles looked around your bedroom, overwhelmingly pink and covered with soft fairy lights. Bright yellow ‘Nancy Drew’ books sat stacked on your nightstand, collecting dust.

He snorted,“What would I steal? Your Monster High Diary?”

You gave him a good shove. “You’re an asshole. And it’s Ever After High, show some respect.”

“What’s the difference?”

“Well, Monster High is about–”

Miles held a hand up. “Tell me later. You ready to see my ‘robotics project’?”

You rolled your eyes and smiled. “I still can’t believe you thought I would believe that.”

“I know, I know, and I’m sorry,” he said, removing his outer jacket and draping it over your shoulders.

“Put your shoes on, and I’ll make it up to you.”

The cool darkness of Miles’ room welcomed you as you stepped inside.

“I been working on somethin’,” he whispered, as if telling a secret at a sleepover. “There.”

He pointed towards his desk, which had been cleared of his laptop and books and now resembled an operation table more than a workspace. The desk lamp illuminated an array of tiny metal pieces–arranged in size order–next to what looked like a small helmet. Right next to it was a blueprint that had been rolled up halfway and set to the side.

You stood there in awe. Awe, and something else brewing beneath the surface, making your chest tighten.

You knew Miles to be neat, but not like this. To have arranged every single piece in perfect little rows, for pencil lines to be that precise - it required more than just book smarts and a little organization. It required obsession. But with what?

“It’s…cool,” you nodded. “How long did it take you to build?”

Miles hummed thoughtfully before answering, “About a year, give or take.” Then his eyes lit up like you’d never seen them, like a child in the toy section of a Target.

“Do you wanna see the gloves–”

“No!” you interrupted a bit too loudly.

You winced internally at the way Miles’ face fell. Some of the light left his eyes before he schooled his expression into neutrality.

“I mean…not right now,” you amended, taking his hand. “You said we were gonna hang out, right?”

He nodded. “Right, right. That’s fine. Where you wanna go?”

Miles’ voice returned to its muted quality, and you felt a wave of guilt. What if he was just really into robots?

An idea popped into your head. “Can I see those comics again?”

A grin slowly snuck its way back onto his face.

“Which volume?”

Thanks for reading! :) Taglist (comment 2 be added!): @shuna-boin @aloraangelix @vhstown

#miles morales x reader #earth 42 miles morales x reader #earth 42 miles x reader #miles morales x black!reader #atsv x reader #moralesanhour

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descendant-of-truth · 6 months

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I recently decided to watch the Last Airbender movie in full for the first time for analytical purposes (and as a fresh comparison for the upcoming Netflix series), and like. yeah, it's still decidedly Not Good, but everyone's already talked about that so instead I wanna write about the stuff I actually thought was interesting.

Some small things, first: despite it not really having any cultural significance, I was weirdly fond of Aang's red cloak?? Like it could've looked a little less like it belonged on a jedi, but it functions well for hiding his tattoos when necessary and makes for a cool silhouette.

Plus, it works as a good representation of the part of him that just wants to run away and hide from his responsibilities - something that the original design never really needed to account for, per se, but it still makes for a neat edition.

The movie cuts out the quirky conversation with Aang after freeing him from the iceberg in favor of him being too delirious from a 100 year coma to say anything, and on principle, this isn't. great. but the more I think about it, I think it comes down to the fact that his actual introduction to Katara and Sokka is so dry, not because they waited to have him wake up.

In fact, I think this could've worked out really well! The longer Aang takes to wake up properly, the longer everyone else has to develop an image in their head of what he's going to be like, and the bigger their surprise when this kid who was barely conscious and on the verge of hypothermia a few minutes ago starts bouncing off the walls with this big smile on his face.

The time spent at the Southern Air Temple also introduces a few things that I liked, for example: Aang actually namedropping some of his friends from there

Petition to bring back Chinto and Monae for the Netflix version

But for real, that scene just made me realize how kinda. odd, it is, that Aang never mentions any of the Air Nomads by name other than Monk Gyatso originally. We know he was friends with Bumi and Kuzon, but did he not consider any of his peers to be good friends of his?

More importantly though - just like in the original, Aang recognizes Gyatso's skeleton by his necklace. Unlike the original, however, this necklace is one that Aang made for him.

And I love this idea, but ohh boy do I not like how under-explored it is in the movie. You're telling me that they decided to have Aang make a necklace for his now-deceased parental figure, and didn't use that as an opportunity for him to connect with Katara?? The one who wears her mother's necklace as a memento???

Regardless of whether or not Aang decided to keep Gyatso's necklace, it's a conversation that absolutely deserved to happen, and despite the chances of it being extremely low, it's something I'd like to see the new version take a crack at.

Also this was just a genuinely cool action setpiece, the idea of using spinning boards as both a defensive and offensive structure for crowd control is super creative and I love it

The fight between Aang and Zuko at the north pole was also great; even though there was uncharacteristic lack of bending involved, they were able to capture a real sense of frantic energy and got some really cool moves in there that are difficult to show properly through screenshots.

Definitely one of the biggest changes to a plot beat (in my opinion) comes in the form of Aang struggling with waterbending rather than being a natural at it, and you know what? Probably my hottest take of this post is that I think this is a worthwhile angle to explore.

Water is the element of change, and in the movie, it's said to teach its benders "acceptance." On a purely tangible level, the movements for water and airbending are pretty similar, and they're both kind of "floaty" in a way. But ideologically? What part of Aang at this point in time has a grasp on how to handle change, much less reach acceptance?

He ran away from home because he was scared of all the sudden changes happening in his life. He didn't want to be the Avatar, and couldn't accept what that meant for him.

So, from that perspective, doesn't it make sense that water could be difficult for him to learn? I mean, no matter what you do with air, it's still just air, and it's everywhere. You don't really have to worry about not having enough of it in most situations.

But with water, you gotta think about what forms you can make with what you have, you need to be able to change its form from liquid to solid and back again, and it's just a lot more dynamic and weighty than what he's used to dealing with.

Combine that with just not being in the right headspace for learning after The Horrors and yeah, I'd totally believe that there's a world out there where Aang struggles to waterbend! A shame that it had to be this world, where the writers have little interest in exploring it beyond letting him make a Really Big Wave at the end in lieu of a character arc, but an idea with potential nonetheless

(Speaking of which, while not nearly as satisfying as the original finale, this shot does look extremely cool)

Overall, this was actually a pretty entertaining viewing experience! I already knew what to expect when it came to its flaws, which in turn made it easier to focus in on the parts that were interesting for me.

I went into it for a thought experiment, and it gave me a lot more thoughts to experiment with than I was expecting, so y'know what? I call that a net positive in this case.

(Also if anyone can link me to the comic adaptation of this movie, please do, I would love to know exactly what the differences are and how the art looks but I can't find it anywhere)

#avatar the last airbender #atla #aang #analysis #meta #atla movie #This was basically all about Aang whoops #He just had the most moments that made me go 'oh that's neat'#and I mean. to be fair he had very little competition XD #But still! Fun to think about #Also for some reason the subtitles on the site I was using had every single W in the script capitalized #which is really funny because this movie was not exactly what you'd call a W for the community

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i-luvsang · 1 year

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hi feelind soft from seeing p1harmony

cheol would take your hand to hold and just swing it around while walking around town (totally not to keep you from wandering)

mingi going dress shopping with you and trying on dresses for funsies

when sick yeosang would stare at you looking Miserable and giggle bc you look so cute to him

wonwoo falling asleep on the armchair with his glasses slanting down and book still open in his lap

OMGGGG I HOPE YOU HAD THE BESTEST TIME EVERRRR !!! that’s so cool bro i really wanted to see them but alas. next time maybe ! tHANKS FOR SENDING YOUR THOUGHTS ILY

seungcheol does this for two reasons. the first, is to keep you from wandering out of his sight. practically, he knows that you can take care of yourself, but that doesn't stop him from being overly concerned about you. that, and finding you again can be a just little bit of a hassle when you get lost in window shopping and forget to answer your phone. the second reason is that he is madly in love with you, and the simple action of grabbing your hand and swinging it gently as you walk around never fails to make you smile. sure, he's saving himself some grief by keeping you near, but he'll never admit that he just wants to see you smile.

honestly shopping with you is one of mingi's favorite things to do already. but dress shopping? another level. he just adores to see you having fun and exploring things that you like. he's your biggest fan, the only hype-man you'll ever need, because he's just so so enthusiastic about it all and will not hesitate to absolutely shower you in compliments. you look so good he can't help but blush as you try on different dresses. he'll probably buy at least one for you because he can't resist, especially if the both of you love it. he also loves loves loves when you pick out horrendous looking dresses for the fun of it and you can both laugh about how ugly the print or design is (and then he'll tell you that you still look pretty because you look pretty in everything).

i'm crying rn tawni hELP. yeosang must be a little out of his mind from the combination of medicine that makes him endlessly drowsy and the sickness that muddles all his thoughts. there's an eternal pout resting on his lips and he'd really just like to wrap his arms around you to feel you close. but you're up and about, doing your best to cook him soup or bring him a new glass of water or some other little thing to take care of him. and while he wishes you could lay beside him in bed, this is another type of heaven too. when he first got sick he told you to stay away to avoid getting ill to. that, and he knew you'd be all over him, not letting him do a thing. but the next day it was even worse, so san called you and you were over in a heartbeat. he woke up with your gentle hands combing through his messy hair and he couldn't help but relax with you around. so despite the way he feels miserable in almost every way, he looks up at you with a loopy smile and thinks you're so cute. with your pursed lips and lightly furrowed brow, he can only process how sweet you look rather than the fever that's worrying you. he lets out a rough, barely audible giggle and you look at him, confused. you ask what's funny, but he just continues to give you that dopey smile, so you give up on an answer and press a firm kiss to his forehead instead.

for once, you had wonwoo to yourself for a whole day. it seemed there would be no better way to spend it mostly at home, given his tired state and your want to relax for the day. you'd just eaten an incredible lunch and opted to take some quiet time, so you sat on the couch watching your newest favorite show through your headphones while he settled into the armchair with a book. it was beyond nice, with bright afternoon sun leaking into the living room and the scent of a homemade meal still lingering. when the episode to your show ends, you brings your eyes away from the screen and stretch your arms as a yawn pulls itself out of your mouth. you let out a contented sigh, bringing your attention to your boyfriend. a giggle nearly tumbles from your lips when you observe his state. he's fallen asleep, his face smushed against the armchair and book still hanging open in his lap. you make your way to him quietly, wondering how he still looks so pretty with his mouth slightly open and his glasses lopsided on his face. as gently as you can, you maneuver the glasses off and setting them aside. with soft kisses and whispers, you wake him and pull him to the bedroom for a well-deserved nap.

#so can we tell yeosang is my bias #wonwoo got me too here #［ soft hours : open %.#［ messages %.#［ tawni %.#ateez soft hours #seventeen soft hours #seungcheol fluff #yeosang fluff #mingi fluff #wonwoo fluff

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liyawritesss · 2 years

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ᴀ ɴᴇᴡ ᴀɢᴇɴᴛ ᴀʀʀɪᴠᴇꜱ

Characters: Brimstone, Killjoy, Viper, Phoenix, Jett

Genre: headcanons

Synopsis: How would these agents react to a new addition to the protocol?

Warnings: none!!

A/N: Reader is around jett/phoenix's age. But pretty much self explanatory! Very much in valorant brainrot mode rn

》 Brimstone

As Brimstone had to essentially assist in your recruitment, he’s known a fair amount about you already due to his connections

Through a series of interviews he's come to know your personality, skills and abilities, and thinks you're a great fit for the protocol

Like he's done for most of the other Agents, he attempts to make you feel at home. He understands that leaving your life behind may not have been easy for you, and encourages you to bring any sentimental and comfort items with you into your new role in life.

He's in dad mode for at least a week, checking in on your adjustment, checking your progress in training, making sure the other agents are treating you well.

Though intimidating, he's among the most welcoming when it comes to your recruitment

》 Killjoy

The second person to know of your arrival before your arrival is Killjoy. Thanks to her close father/daughter like relationship with Brimstone, she gets first hand information before anyone else. And she's always excited for a new member to join the Protocol

She proclaims herself as part of an unofficial welcoming committee, and so, she immediately gets to work in finding things you like and some other necessities.

Since Phoenix's recruitment she's taken to making gift baskets for each new recruit as a small welcoming gift and to show appreciation. They often times include little trinkets the recruit may like (i.e. the squish squish clip on she got for Neon), and little things like fuzzy socks, word puzzle books, journals, pretty pens, etc

She doesn't give it to you personally, but makes a point to tell you that each recruit is welcomed with a little gift in their designated dorm room, and the way she's all smiles and giggles tells you that she's definitely the culprit.

》 Viper

Though Viper is no longer second in command to Brimstone, she still gets first dibs on information as one of the co-founders of the Valorant Protocol. So when a new recruit is suggested, her input may not be required, but it's definitely considered out of respect of her ranking.

She's very critical on judging who passes as a new recruit into the VP. She doesn't believe in letting just anyone in, as this job is not for the normal or the typical.

Therefore you can understand why, even though Brimstone approves, she’ll remain skeptical and wary of your credibility. The way she watches you can be seen as intimidating and frightening, and the way she talks and addresses you may come across as rude, condescending, and demeaning, but this is her version of tough love.

Don’t be mistaken, however, that once she’s deemed you worthy of your place in the protocol, her actions will cease because she wants to be friendly. She has no intention of being anything more than colleagues, but will dial down her ‘viper’ tendencies once she sees you’re a good catch.

》 Phoenix

Oh, he’ll try to act like he’s so calm and cool and collected, but ends up making a fool of himself trying to show off.

Phoenix has a very optimistic view of found family, so he gets excited whenever a new recruit comes along. He likes to pretend he’s a cool sibling, and like Killjoy, will appoint himself as someone to show you around the ropes of the base.

I feel like he’s the type to give out nicknames, only to people who’ll accept them though. So if you don’t mind him giving you a nickname, then expect him to address you as something cheesy or an abbreviated version of your full name.

Phoenix wants to know everything about you, as he’s the type to make friends easily, so it’s hard to say no to him. Expect him to be the goofy big brother or best guy friend you’ve never had.

》 Jett

Similar to Phoenix, Jett is another agent who gets really pumped about a new recruit joining. She’s immediately wondering if you’re a Radiant or not, what other major skills and abilities you may have, and how you are as a person in general.

Unlike Phoenix, however, Jett is someone who would ease into a friendship and not force it by being so straightforward. She’ll spark up conversations if you two just so happen to be walking past each other in the halls. She’s the type to be chill and people naturally gravitate towards her because of her youth and laid back personality

Once you’re comfortable enough, she immediately claims you as a sparring/training buddy. She’s one of the best in terms of speed and agility, so it only makes sense that she’d be the first to take you under her wing (even though she’s the youngest of the group)

If there's one thing she’s kept from her past life, it’s definitely her passion for cooking. If she’s got a snack she’ll share some with you, and it becomes a tradition that you’ll share food pretty often. Even if it so happens to be in the middle of the night, you two will be up snacking and talking about your days.

If you enjoyed, please leave a like, comment, and reblog for others to see! And don’t be shy to send in a request!

#black reader #black tumblr #black valorant #valorant x reader #valorant reactions #valorant x black!reader #valorant brimstone #valorant killjoy #valorant viper #phoenix valorant #jett valorant #brimstone x black!reader #killjoy x black!reader #viper x black!reader #phoenix x black!reader #jett x black!reader

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pixelgrotto · 11 months

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Cool Cold War Ninja

Capcom's Strider series holds the distinction of starring one of the coolest ninjas in video games. Hiryu feels like he was designed to look as rad as possible, from the blue suit to the red scarf to the tonfa-esque cypher blade, and his appearance was partially influenced by Spawn (another hero engineered to radiate style) because Capcom character designer Harumaru saw some Todd McFarlane books one day. Even Hiryu's name (飛竜, "flying dragon") is cool, mostly because it taught me that 竜 is the Japanese simplified form of the Chinese 龍, a character in my own name.

But despite his coolness, Hiryu is better recognized for cameos in the Marvel vs. Capcom series instead of his own franchise. This is most unfortunate, especially considering that Strider's one of the earliest video game examples of a cross-media property. Way back in 1988, Capcom greenlit a Strider comic with the help of the Moto Kikaku mangaka group while also assigning two internal divisions to helm an arcade game and an NES title. The intent was to make Hiryu into a hero who would span multiple mediums and be recognized everywhere, from the printed page to the pixelated screen. And that sorta worked, but not as well as Capcom hoped.

The first and most famous Strider - the 1989 arcade release - begins with Hiryu gliding onto the towers of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic in a truly iconic bit of spritework. Within three seconds, you're hit with an array of action as Hiryu strides forward, explodes enemies in half with his cypher, and does a signature flip where all of his limbs flail outwards in a mid-air cartwheel. The action and setpieces never let up, and over the span of the game's five levels, Hiryu fights a council of politicians who morph into a multi-limbed robotic centipede, runs from mountain avalanches, explores dinosaur-filled Amazon jungles, hitchhikes a ride on an airship, and battles robotic anti-gravity cores in the fringes of outer space.

Strider is a blend of a hundred different things that the developers considered cool. But beyond all of the set pieces, the factor that sticks out to me the most is the Cold War futurism that drips from every level, feeling original but somehow dated at the same time. What other games start with your character infiltrating the "Kazakh Federation" and end with them fighting the sorcerous Grand Master Meio, a dude who seems like a thinly-veiled stereotype of a communist dictator gone wild? What other games commit to their "born in a geopolitical era of tension" vibe by featuring speech samples in multiple languages, including Russian, Japanese and Mandarin? Strider came out right before the fall of the Berlin Wall, and you can feel it. On that note, I don't think Kazakhstan has appeared in any other franchise as much as Strider. Honestly, the world would probably be a better place if more people associated Kazakhstan with Hiryu's adventures instead of Borat.

Strider didn't receive a decent conversion for home consoles until the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive in 1990, and the NES "port" that came out around the same time wasn't a port at all. Instead, NES Strider is an early Metroidvania, and one that I actually enjoy a fair bit. This opinion goes against the norm, since while I can recall NES Strider getting lots of promo in Nintendo Power when I was growing up, popular internet consensus these days tells you that it's a broken game with controls that feel like they're stuck in a beta phase.

I can't refute that - NES Strider's controls stink, especially when you're forced to pull off a wall jump that's impossible to do unless you have perfect timing. (Thankfully it's only a mandatory move at two points.) The game's also got a weird glitchiness about it, with enemies respawning at an utterly aggressive pace and the edges of the screen flickering way too much every time Strider moves an inch. The bugginess of NES Strider supposedly kept its impending Famicom port from ever being released, making it a rare example of a Japanese game that sold in North America but not in its native country.

And yet, the ambition to NES Strider is admirable. The trend of backtracking through levels and using items to unlock previously inaccessible areas might be commonplace now, but it wasn't in 1989. The plot, while burdened by a messy English translation, also features far more of a story than any other game in this franchise thanks to its heavy basis in the Strider manga. (Which is pretty cool, by the way, and partially readable in English thanks to a fan scanlation of its first three chapters.) Instead of simply facing Grand Master Meio, Hiryu's got to dig out corruption from the ranks of his organization, and it's nice to actually get some insight into his companions, from a fellow Strider named Kain to a guy named Ryuzaki who left his Attack-Boots in China.

Strider never blossomed into one of Capcom's sequel-studded franchises of the '90s. The NES game was a bold but flawed experiment that didn't get much traction, and while the arcade game performed okay, many of its key developers left the company soon after its release. In the European market, though, arcade Strider received dozens of ports for home computer systems that really couldn't handle it, like the ZX Spectrum. Tiertex, a local developer behind a handful of these ports, got the rights from Capcom and made Strider II, a sequel with shockingly bad level design which also goes under the name Journey from Darkness: Strider Returns. Capcom effectively retconned Tiertex's work with an in-house Strider 2 in 1999, riding off of the wave that Hiryu received from his inclusion in Marvel vs. Capcom.

Released for the arcade and Playstation, Strider 2 seems to take place two thousand years after its predecessor, with the Hiryu the player controls a clone of the original. It's never entirely clear, as the plot was clearly just an excuse to have Hiryu fight a reincarnated Meio. Forgettable story aside, the game spans as many environments as the first Strider, and the opening level sees Hiryu fighting terrorists in Neo Hong Kong to the beat of some darn good music which sounds suspiciously like the Ozzy Osbourne song Shot in the Dark. There's also a rival Strider named Hein who wears an all-white uniform in a nod to Hinjo, the main character from Tiertex's Strider II, which is a polite ode to a game that Capcom has all but disowned nowadays.

My biggest issue with Strider 2 is that each level is divided into small chunks, with the player forced to sit through loading screens while the next segment loads. Most PS1 games released during this era suffered from long loadtimes, but it's annoying to deal with the same thing in an arcade game. Maybe the load screens are meant to give players a breather before the next spree of button mashing, but I feel like the game's pace suffers tremendously. It's hard to fall into the same "blaze through, slice 'em with the cypher, do a billion flips along the way" rhythm that the first Strider inculcated when you've got to wait five seconds after every major encounter.

Strider 2 released during a period when action platformers were nearly nonexistent in the arcades, and a 30-minute experience - which is about how long it takes to beat the game once you know what you're doing - wasn't going to really cut it on the PS1. And so the series went back into dormancy until 2014, when Capcom once again enlisted the services of a third party. Double Helix Games' Strider is yet another retread of Hiryu versus Meio, but there's a surprising ton of DNA from NES Strider present. These go from the music, which features an awesome remix of the NES game's level 1 Kazakh theme, to the decision to make Hiryu's journey into a full-fledged Metroidvania.

Double Helix clearly poured a lot of love into their work, and I give 'em props for that NES inspiration. But there's something missing from the experience, which is probably why you don't often see 2014 Strider on lists of the best recent Metroidvanias. Unlike the world-spanning levels of the other Striders, this one takes place solely in Kazakh, which is large but very samey. As a result, the game feels padded despite not being terribly long, and the in-game map is far too confusing due to different planes that Hiryu can jump across. While Metroidvanias are one of the few genres that tend to activate my completionist tendencies, I never felt the need to explore every nook and cranny or snag every ability. It's a shame, because Double Helix was almost there in melding Strider's disparate gameplay styles and finally bringing Hiryu back to mainstream stardom. But they didn't stick the landing, and Amazon Game Studios bought Double Helix right after Strider released, ensuring that the devs probably won't ever get the chance to improve on their formula.

It's been almost a decade since Hiryu got his own game. He most recently showed up in Marvel vs. Capcom Infinite, and Capcom threw Strider fans a bone with the character Zeku in Street Fighter V, who has a Hiryu-style skin and is said to be the dude who founded the entire Strider order. All of this is neat, but it's baffling that Hiryu - despite being one of the coolest ninjas in gaming - has never had a solo title truly take off since his debut. Some of this might be due to the fact that Capcom has to credit (and presumably pay) Moto Kikaku whenever Hiryu appears, and one could argue that the original arcade game's balls-to-the-wall action and high difficulty don't have a place in Capcom's catalog any longer, or at least aren't as money-printing as new Monster Hunters and Resident Evils. But I think you could easily make something like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice starring Strider Hiryu, and I wish someone would. After all, we're talking about one cool ass Cold War ninja here, and he deserves to shine once more.

#pixel grotto #favorites #strider #strider hiryu

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lightyearssurrogatedaddy · 9 months

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gotta say, I've done a thingie or two about how Nine Inch Nails is the perfect sound I associate with Error. Starting with Into the Void and Only. Every song I listen to from them I keep going, "Goddamn, this would be THE soundtrack for him."

Here are the thingies I thinged. I actually did a lot of other songs and I figure I'll finally make one giant post about it

long, just a heads up. I saw a bunch of songs and I fled

Why I think Nine Inch Nails Belongs On Every Error Playlist.

NIN might be my favorite band right now, so I'm listening to it constantly. I've connected the lyrics and sounds to Error and I'm going to explain why. I'm breaking up things into little groups to make things easier.

group 1) Error's stubbornness and anger group 2) his lonely :( group 3) his chaotic nature and weird self-contradictory behavior

If I designed music for Error I'd have a sturdy bassline to rep how unchanging his opinion is, and the playing instruments an electronic mess of thoughts and feelings for his shitty cycle of a mental state. NIN perfectly captures how I envision it soundwise.

Song: Only

The beat and the guitar 100%.

"I've becoming less defined, as days go on by, fading away well you could say I'm losing focus." This is the point where Error starts to feel the effects of real lonesomeness, like with Into The Void, which is just him waking up and realizing his situation, Only is a continuation of it.

"Less concerned with fitting into the world, your world that is." The Stubbornness.

"I just made you up to hurt myself." Error finding a way to cope with the crippling Nothing and lack of company by saying that the only real reason that he felt it to begin with was because he wanted to punish himself for something. And instead he finds more reasons to love things about the Anti-Void than hate it out of spite. Group 1 and 2.

"There is no you, there is only me." Him separating himself from other characters as something entirely different, he feels like he's nothing like them, and that aids in his incredible apathy towards other people, especially those with AUs.

Song: Into The Void

The start of the song adds onto itself bit by bit as it progresses, starting with a simple tune and then adding another intrument, a baseline, and zangy electronic shit. Kind of like waking up.

"Try to save myself, but myself keeps slipping away." The vastness of the void traumatizes everyone, just an empty white that goes on endlessly. I like to think this song could be used to depict Error's feelings about his home, how existentially scary it is and how it effects him.

The rolling tune, where near the three minute mark it swings up and then falls back down again in a sort of out-of-sync and deteriorating way, like a buildup to a strong emotion (anger, stress) and then switching to relief or calmness once it passes, he's dealing with the pressure of his own thoughts. This puts the song in group 2.

Song: GOSSIP (Maneskin)

WIth the hard+heavy beat with the wacky guitar, the sound of the song fits with the theme already.

"So sip the gossip, drink 'til you choke. […] you're not iconic, you are just like them all." Directed at Ink and their disagreements.

"Keep drinking and acting cool […] nobody likes a gloomy face." in reference to how Ink has control over his emotions and yet chooses not to agree with Error.

I think this song could be used to depict Error and Ink's relationship from Error's POV and show why they disagree with different reasons other than, "that one destroys that one protects, obviously they argue about that and only that." Error probably sees Ink defending AUs as not worth the time and energy, something that other people have conditioned him to do or something he thinks is a 'normal guideline' to follow. the irony is that while Error critisizes Ink about letting other people define who he is (even though Ink's actions are actually entirely his own) he himself locks himself up in a box of, "I'm the bad guy, I'm the destroyer. That's my purpose because I've heard it told to me so many times."

But not FGod territory, Error believes wholly in his goal, but embodies it instead of it just being a thing he has faith in. This song goes into group 1.

Song: Squares (That Handsome Devil)

Very nifty 1900's vibe is always welcome. "To refuse would be square. And that terrible label must be avoided at all costs." to add on to what shapes I use to draw Error with. Nobody wants to be Error, he's a square! He probably doesn't drink or do any other mysterious 'get high' activities now that I think about it. This song is once again about Ink and Error's dispute.

"Stupid bastards blasting telling me what's cool." he hates being told what to do, probably has some form of authority problem.

"Sorry girl, you're far behind where it is you draw your line." Error draws the line at Outertale because he's biased, and can't understand why Ink keeps going and accepting new variations. This song goes into group 1.

Song: Destruction (Joywave)

The beginning: "will the soundtrack please produce a sound? (chaos noise) go on, […] any sound! (another chaos noise) well, that's not quite what I had in mind." Error's a little shit and does the exact opposite of anything out of spite (for shits and giggles)

"Oh my God, I'm a giant with an appetite." I relate Error to a black hole, since he eats up AUs like one does to stars.

"Oh my God, there's nobody who can set me right. I've been sent to torch the palace down in broad daylight" he knows everyone thinks he's wrong, and he knows nothing can be done about it. And also the second line "I've been sent" to lose that sense of self and rely on a higher purpose.

"I've been creeping round I saw a little thing I didn't like You tried to hide I've been creeping round I saw a little thing I didn't like You tried to hide from me."

The song also has a very BIG vibe to it, like going somewhere. Walking up to a thing or person with an intent. I think this song could be used to flesh out how much JOY he gets from causing anarchy and destroying things. It gives him a sense of power, makes him feel free and in control, a very sought for feeling we all seek. Group 3.

Song: Get Seduced (The Faint)

Funky noises!

"Tell us! How rad is it living in a microscope? Broadcast into every single living room." I more of related the AUs to the TV shows in the song, it follows their everyday life, "Hot lights on your love life. Let me buy. Close up tabloid shots of your cellulite." I feel like that last line is more sarcasm towards it, "like sure! I'm totally all for your bullshit!"

"You're getting so obsessed its all we talk about." Again, could be used as a reference to Ink.

"Hypnotizing pages of advice From their demented fashion do's or dies." Hypnotizing like Error believes everyone else is being tricked into liking absolute garbage, and if you DON'T like it, you're a bitch!

Song: Digital Silence (Peter McPoland)

"I won't ask a question, I'll state the truth It's everything I know and all I do."

The entire thing is very nihilistic, someone who's downright exhausted from things they feel like need to change but aren't being listened to.

"They're gunna blind date everyone until you love them too." adds onto what I said for Get Seduced, poor Error's the only one who has a brain huh? (What an asshole, really.)

"This is the answer to the question. This is the sound of the truth. This is the answer to the question. There is nothing you can do." He's near unstoppable and unchangeable.

"Digital style, digital hate. Digital god, digital pain. Digital violence, digital world. Digital boy meets digital girl. Digital silence, digital yell. Digital heaven, digital hell. Digital start, digital end. Digital birth, digital death." obviously, being digital makes it so there's a barrier between you and whatever you try to interact with. In reality whatever you do online is ultimately fabricated. Error's a glitch! A digital aspect that can't hurt you outside of the screen, and he's put up barriers and walls around himself and excludes everyone else as "not real", flipping the "nothing online is real" to make himself feel better.

YOU are digital. Not Error. It can't possibly be Error because that's reportedly not what he believes. Group 1 and 2.

Song: The Hunter (Slaves)

I saw the "Are you satisfied?" on the album cover and got reminded of The Origins. Hiii Crunch!

The first half is Error asking what's gunna happen when people get bored of making AUs, all that energy will be completely wasted, what then? Would there be any point in continuing to stray from the original source if the end goal just fizzles out meaninglessly?

"Oh, what is it your justice, cut the hands of the thief? He was starving, his children were crying to be fed. And now they're bawling and dying. But at least you are ahead." getting left behind or entirely forgotten about, that's unfair, Error uses the excuse that nobody would want him to begin with because of what he does, and that's why he deserves to be as unreasonable as he is.

"You keep it, we don't want it." nobody wants trash cluttering up their multiverse! Just get rid of it! He says.

"Just be patient, keep waiting. That's what they always say. But you're tired and you're aching. And the pain won't go away." and his reaction to coping with that pain is to lash out at what he thinks is the cause.

Song: Head Like A Haunted House (Queens Of The Stone Age)

"Desperation can led to madness." Fun line that could be used as an art piece title for him lmao.

"Let you mock and then copulate me. A dirty trick and it's making me sick." explanatory with what I've already established.

"Tonight I'm gonna put up a fight, I'm gonna get a reaction that I'm right. [...] To trick them all because of which is why I'm ashamed. Petty disguises more like skins, a distinction, vice." he feels that everybody's just out to get him, and he feels the need to defend himself. Group 1 and maybe 2.

Again, these lines more or less can speak for themselves.

Song: The Hand That Feeds (Nine Inch Nails)

"Will you bite the hand that feeds you?" Error acting out against the Creators even though they're the ones that spawned him in. Kind of like a rebellious teenager.

"What if this whole crusade's a charade. And behind it all there's a price to be paid. For the blood on which we dine. Justified in the name of the holy and the divine." all the bullshittery of the multiverse and Ink's goal to preserve and spread it (a crusade) holds a horrible end for them all. Maybe things go up in one big explosion GIF and letting all the AUs run free ruins the structure of reality in the long run. Ink's justified in the eyes of the Creators because he upholds their desires.

"So naïve, I keep holding on to what I wanna believe, I can see. But I keep holding on and on and on and on." yeah this puts it in group 1 for sure. Stubborn.

Song: Jealous (Eyedress)

veering away from his outwardly asshole behavior. I don't see Error having great thoughts about himself. Maybe he appears confident and sure of his opinions as a way to cover up that he genuinely doesn't know how to communicate or get help in any way. So he pushes on that higher purpose excuse to avoid possibly getting hurt if he ever does try to reach out.

And if someone tries to get close to him he shoves them away all like.

"You could have anyone you want. Why would you want to be with me? You know, I'm nothing special." everyone already thinks he's a jackass, so why would anyone wanna approach him kindly?

"She tried to call me yesterday. But I didn't pick up. 'Cause I don't got time." he don't got time to get hurt and cry about it, not risking it. :(

finalizing lines to prove my point, "Only care about myself. 'Cause everyone's trying to hurt me. Just leave me alone. Just leave me alone."

Group 2.

Song: Alien Blues (Vundabar)

Friend Crunch suggested this one to me! Thank my buddy.

"Oh no, more surprises, guess it's like this I'd do anything for you, Mrs. Highness." yes he WOULD like someone to be close with (that's the whole point of feeling lonely.)

"The sun is fun, the land is dandy. I only talk to dogs because they don't understand me. My teeth are yellow, hello world. Would you like me a little better if they were white like yours?" him thinking that would he have to change himself to gain someone to talk to. He's off in his own world and goes by his own rules, so obviously, since everyone's against him, the only way to get positive attention would be to not be himself? Character analysis or me projecting. You decide.

"I need to purge my urges. Shame, shame, shame on you."

Shame on you for not having better things to do than read through all of this!

Here's your hard earned prize.

#undertale #undertale au #utmv #error sans #long post #long rant

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ben-talks-art · 1 year

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Puss in Boots the last Wish is a great way to start 2023!

Finally got to see the new Puss in Boots movie after hearing everyone talking about how much they loved the heck out of it and after being more than sold in this new Spider-Verse/ Arcane/ Bad Guys style of animation that mixes 2D and 3D in such an imaginative way.

There was a part of me that was admittedly a little bit skeptical and went into this going "Okay, then, movie, impress me... If you dare!"

And... Yeah, everyone was right. This movie is freaking awesome!

While I don't think everyone is going to be blown away by the story, there is one element that I'm pretty sure we all can agree was handled perfectly...

This movie feels like a spectacle!

The way characters move, the way they talk, the way they interact, the way they are simply introduced into a scene, everything feels like it's trying to give the experience of a show to the audience.

Like for instance, the very first action scene. At first you think it's going to be this very simple and fun tiny thing, but then it keeps escalating and becoming more and more epic as it goes on. It goes bigger, the action gets faster, the music gets louder, and you just keep getting into the mood as if you were there yourself and rooting for the hero.

It does such a great job sucking you into the hype.

That's really the best word for it. The hype just feels real. When the move wants you to feel like you're in a party, you feel like you're in a party, and when it wants you to feel like you're in danger you feel like you're in danger.

The emotions transmit so well through the imagery and the animation. You just feel like you're Puss in Boots fighting all these enemies, running for your life, traveling through these dangerous locations and connecting with these people.

It reminds me a lot of the Kung Fu Panda movies whenever they do a montage scene

youtube

Imagine a whole movie done like this, taking full advantage of the animated stylized visual storytelling!

Another thing I really like is the way they incorporate personality into the actions of each character.

For instance, there is a scene where one of the villains needs to place a glass ball into his bag, but instead of just putting it in he launches it as if it was a bowling ball. There is another where one is talking with her family while jumping on top of a bunch of bears, and the way she jumps from one to another just looks so much fun.

Everyone in this movie feels like they are always having fun, always enjoying every second of being who they are. And the one who looks like he's having the most fun is the main bad guy who, I'm just gonna say, It's probably Dreamworks' best villain since Shen.

(In case you haven't noticed it, I'm not actually going to spoil any imagery of this movie because everything here looks way too good and it deserves to be experienced blind)

This villain is so freaking badass! His voice is badass! His design is badass! His motivation is badass! And the way he interacts with Puss!

I'm so glad they remembered that their best villains were Shen and Ramses and the reason they are so great is because they actually have a connection with the heroes.

This dude's interactions with Puss are cool, scary, intense, and at the same time still feel justified, you totally get where he's coming from, which honestly makes him even more of a threat because you know he's right.

This is such a fun, hype, cool, and awesome spectacle of a movie!

Even if the writing and the story aren't that outstanding (personally I feel they could have used some better jokes, but oh well), the style more than makes up for it.

I had a great time and highly recommend it! I want to see more of this from Dreamworks! I would be immensely happy if they just reformed themselves as the 2D/3D mixed company.

You know they want to anyway. They always loved putting 2D stuff in their 3D movies, just let them make this their new home.

Spider-Verse was awesome. Arcane was awesome. Bad Guys was awesome. And now Puss in Boots is awesome too! Give us more!

#puss in boots the last wish #puss in boots #dreamworks #dreamworks animation #Youtube

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astrxlis-archive · 2 years

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Hello Fox (ღˇᴗˇ)｡o♡ I got so distracted before actually Writing This Down (accidentally scrolled through twitter and whatever stuff besides writing you the reply 😭) I'll reply first to the very very first message i sent you

YOUR JEWELRIES 😳 It is giving Mona⭐ Please attach some pictures when you found the time to do so! I wanna see those~ They aren't just jewelries to me in your description... they sound so fancy it is definitely Monacore! (I do relate with owing someone something too but i like gifts nonetheless as long as they dont make me in their debt ya kno... Paying for food seems wonderful, or maybe even paying for you when you're tight on money)

Thank you so much for the hug 🥰 it's alright, you know how wonky you can be living with mental health struggles? I'd be feeling happy at the moment, but maybe internally not at the same time ♪ Unfortunately, I stopped the meds (but also because my mom doesn't plan to go back anytime yet). I just don't think it's possible to live through drinking it daily or even get used to it since it's too bothersome 😅

Nahida is so radish looking there is no simpler way to describe her. If i could, i'd show her to a kid learning about vegetables. I'll call her the Radish Fairy (affectionately). I think I'm a menace for this ☺️.. I may not be able to purchase merch (f2p even irl), but I sure do hope they make Aranara plushies... they could profit off it so so much! (And give players joy) I wanna suggest to HYV to make a detachable mix-&-match wooden aranara dolls like in the game event~

I'm gonna cry... I wanna try to shorten messages and replies but alright this is the shortest i can go...😆 There's too much to talk about it's crazy 😭

I'm just a c0 kazuha haver^^ Well ya know tighnari will be in standard pool soon so... He might come when you lose your 50/50 (reversed!!) It's almost 2 yrs of me playing the game I still have no diluc 🤣 i'm rooting for tighnari to come home first when i lose 50/50 bye diluc

Ooh heizou! Yes, yes. I love his character! (Doesn't know his story) i love detectives and his design + voice is really perfect.. THE MOLES. He's too smooth and Thank you so much hyv for that ^0^ playstyle wise, it's really not my type, or maybe because after getting him i got a commission to fight the eye of storm (my team during that time includes kazuha, thoma, heizou, & zhongli(he carried with meteor). There is No archer or catalyst user) it was hell... 🤣😭 Happy to say that kazuha, heizou and thoma are friendship 10 now!

CYNO is too cool and good to be true, but i need to skip *cough*. It's more on the aesthetic for me 🥰 may you get him on his rerun!! Mwa mwa I'm still processing how he canonically jokes unfunny or cringe ones (to tighnari) but anyways people will still love him 🤣 it's good to be goofy when your position is serious

Tbh, the studyblr posts i've been seeing aren't really suitable for me and they're more like... good student kind of tips 🤣 idk, maybe i am really stubborn or dislike following things very much (Would read the rules but then do something that breaks it afterwards <- the kind of person i am. Insane) Thank you for your support Fox!! 😭🥰 (it's so weird to say this but..) i'm really grateful for you being with me through all these times! <33 you atleast, have lifted some emotional burdens from me at some times which i am thankful for! 🥰

— 🍰.

hewwooo 🍰!!

i understand the "doing something else instead of what i meant to do" thing 😂 also tumblr pls.

the small earring set really reminded me of mona 😭 the long one actually reminded me of kaeya, and as a kaeya simp, i had to buy them /j i actually waited a week to see if i really wanted them, and i was really happy when i went back to the store and they hadn't been sold~ the pics are up! just ignore the dust lol usually when i can i pay for my friends food hehe small actions of love :')

yeah, i understand that all too well tbh... i can't really comment on the med part because i agree and i'm also struggling with taking my own. they're not for everyone and that's alright. they weren't a good option for me for a long time. but please continue to take care of yourself, ok?

i'm sure the child would say she looks like a radish too pls 😭😭 i would buy the plushies if they sold them....... or at least i'd want to buy bc shipping + currency conversion would cost me a lot............. but dude!!! wooden mix and match aranara dolls!!! that'd be so cute 🥺

i really do hope he'll come home for both of us. if i get another keqing i'm going to cry. also i'd give you my diluc jf i could, but alas jfndjsns i think i somehow summoned him when i bought his skin...... 🙃

dude, how do you raise friendship so fast??? my kazuha is still level 7 and i'm struggling 🫥 but you're right, heizou really has a smooth voice, both in english and chinese. he's benched right now bc my team has only one rotational spot and kazuha's in it lol i can imagine your struggle... that's the downside of having two anemo characters AND the catalyst one is actually a physical one 🥲

there are some leaks that we'll actually get to play the card game cyno plays on 3.3 and i'm slightly excited. a game inside a game. gameception lol i hope we'll get to see tighnari and collei interact with him, especially collei. i don't remember if you mentioned it but is there anyone you'll be skipping him for?

oooohoho, so you're the rebellious type? /j hmm, i remember seeing posts like those too. feels weird when you're neurodivergent, doesn't it? it makes me really happy to read i was able to help you somehow 🥺 i hope i can continue to do so. 💕💕

#—new mail !#—the burrow's 🍰#unfortunately i stopped being f2p a long time ago but i can only afford welkins #i know i mention my experiences a lot when you share something #but it's my way of saying i relate to the stuff you tell me because i've been through something similar #let me know if it bothers you or if it sounds wrong ok?

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cherrywoes · 3 years

Text

cuddle headcanons. (ft. diluc and kaeya.)

title: cuddle headcanons

characters: diluc and kaeya (separate.)

fandom: genshin impact

requests: open.

rating: nice and fluffy

a/n: thank you @sullen-angel24! i'm glad to see you in my ask box dear! <3 istg kaeya's was throwing me for a loop so i went with my best interpretation of his personality and in-game actions thus far. i'm a kaeya main and i struggle to write him smh. anyway! i hope you enjoy it! <3

diluc: cuddle headcanons

i feel like diluc would be one of those people who are intentionally a little skittish around intimate contact of any kind, but secretly loves it on the inside,,,

like there are only so many ways he can express his emotions through his words, usually which come out either wrong or not quite what he meant, so he can convey his emotions better through small actions, whether that be a hug or something else *wink wonk*

but on a more serious note, i do believe diluc is an actions over words kind of guy. he values actions over words, at least, because they mean more to him than anything you could say in the long run.

so cuddling with diluc would more than likely be a "behind close doors" affair, so to speak, he isn't fond of public affection and would much prefer it to be on his terms in a place where he feels safe.

that said!

cuddling with diluc is like cuddling with a heater. it can be comfy, depending on the weather (dragonspine) or it can be absolutely awful depending on the heat (mondstadt or liyue), but either way, the man runs pretty hot on a regular basis due to his abilities, so cool clothing--or none at all--is a must.

diluc very rarely wears much of anything because of it (this is if nighttime cuddles are a thing) so you'd have to be comfortable with an unusual amount of skinship with him. at first he might be a little wary and wear clothes, for propriety's sake, but would quickly grow weary of the whole thing and be as comfortable as possible.

since diluc has strong upper body strength (he has to, being a claymore wielder) he has a rather firm grip when it comes to holding you to his chest. it is pleasant and comfortable, not too hard and not too loose, but just enough to where you can feel comforted and protected--which is the goal.

if you are ever in distress, tired, sad, or anything at all, you can always track down diluc at the dawn winery and know he'll be ready to offer cuddles at a moment's notice, but only because it's you.

play with his hair. do it. he says he doesn't like it but he does. do it when he turns his back to you and just cuddle him from behind and run your fingers through his scalp, twist his hair into braids, muse it thoroughly--he'll be much more compliant and at ease than if you hadn't.

his favorite cuddling position is when he's on his back and you're snuggled right up to his side, resting your cheek somewhere between his shoulder and chest and a leg thrown over his hips, comfortable and leisurely. especially in the mornings, when neither of you have nowhere to go immediately and can just sit and bask in each other's presence.

his second favorite would probably be face to face but it's rare that it happens because he'd much prefer the first. he enjoys just flicking his gaze over your face if you've fallen asleep, or just staring into your eyes in general if you're awake, feeling as if his stare alone could convey the many words he would never say.

at the end of the day, diluc is a pretty soft boi with a fairly rough background so handle his heart with care please!

kaeya: cuddle headcanons

the opposite of diluc, i think kaeya would be opposed to any kind of skinship--for the most part. while he certainly appreciates a good hug or pat on the shoulder here and there, he's averse to contact for extended periods of time lasting longer than maybe a few minutes.

he is able to express himself more thoroughly with his words, i believe, than his actions, because his actions can be easily misconstrued, as past actions indicate. *cough* so he much prefers verbal affirmations to physical ones, but however, if the traveler (yourself) is more skewed towards physical affection, he supposes he can't complain, since it's you, after all.

with kaeya, you would have to start out small; lingering touches, never fully encompassing or heavy, but light and delicate. get him used to your extended presence, so to speak, and he'll be more inclined to be touchier because, despite what he says or indicates with body language, he does crave that interaction with you even if his mind vehemently opposes it.

in a compromise, he'll sit as close to you as possible, but the rest will ultimately be up to you.

cuddling with kaeya, at first, is a bit of an awkward thing. he isn't sure what he wants, so he tries to do what is natural--deflect with flirtatious comments and fond words, distracting you from his uncomfortableness, but you see right through it.

over time, as he grows more accustomed to it, he grows clingier, even going as far as cuddling you in public spaces. the knights of favonius' hq has never known him to be as close as he is to you at any given time.

if he's working late and refuses to come home, you can easily wedge yourself into his lap on his chair and cuddle him that way, which is counterproductive since he can't resist when you do that.

because he runs quite cool, being a cryo user, he's the best to have during mondstadt heatwaves or impromptu trips to liyue. he sleeps with several blankets so if you end up having a cuddle session before bed, either wear cool clothes or be prepared to sleep naked (not that he would mind). *wink wink nudge nudge*

he's a blanket hoarder and collects blankets. you can't persuade me otherwise. i will die on this hill.

in an interesting turn, he doesn't like his hair played with, but he will play with yours, although not in the neat and pretty designs you probably would. usually it ends up knotted and matted worse than before if you came off of a mission, because while his touch is playful, it more than often comes with disastrous consequences.

his favorite position is cuddled up behind you, as close as he can be, with an arm under your head and another wrapped around your waist, his hand close to your heart. you can either hold that hand or reach up and stroke your fingers down his arm and he'll be happy. bonus points if you twine your legs together with his, he loves that.

his second favorite is less of a cuddle and more of a bear hug; specifically, more like a koala hug. it's less of an intimacy thing and more of a "i enjoy being greeted this way" thing, especially if he's the one coming back from a lengthy trip or mission. just leap on him and hold tight with your arms and legs (don't kill the poor bby tho) and he feels loved and appreciated and actually wants to return to you than mondstadt.

kaeya, when all is said and done, yearns for affection and affirmation, so be careful with him; he does, despite what he claims, breaks easily.

#genshin impact #headcanons #diluc headcanons #kaeya headcanons #diluc x reader #diluc x traveler #kaeya x reader #kaeya x traveler #genshin impact diluc #genshin impact kaeya

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pars-ley · 3 years

Text

Bare yourself (part three)

Pairing: CEO Jimin x female reader

Summary: After a serious hack from your office building, fingers start being pointed but in which direction is the right one and where will that leave you and your boss, Jimin?

Genre: CEO au / smut / angst / series / workplace au / strangers to lovers au / boss/employee au

Rating: 18+ (NSFW)

Warnings: Phone sex / Masturbation m and f / Police interrogation / Explicit language / CEO Jimin

Word count: 3.5k

Beta: @erotikkook thank you!

Notes: Ok, so this took me a ridiculously long time to finish, life is manic but here's the next chapter. Thank you for being patient. Hope you all enjoy!

Taglist: @jungkooksbroski @unoriginal-username15432 @yoobikook @vonvi-blog @itsohhonney @kpopnoobsstuff @namyoongles @btsmosphere @autumnbear @ownthesunshine @btstista

"Miss l/n, we know the hack came from inside the building. All I want to do is find out who's responsible. Which means I need your cooperation." Detective Kim Namjoon peers at you over the frames of his dark glasses.

"And like I've said, you have my full cooperation. I cannot tell you anything more than I already have." You respond leaning forward on the table, desperate for him to believe you.

He slumps back in his seat and sighs. "Miss l/n, we can't keep doing this back and forth routine. I-"

"Sir, I love my job and I love this company," you interrupt. "I also think very highly of my boss, I. Would. Not. Do. This."

"How high?"

You freeze at his sudden change of questioning. "What?"

"How high?" He repeats. "Is something going on between you two?"

You straighten your back, looking at him through narrowed eyes, feeling the rock of a lie settle in your stomach and weigh you down. "Mr. Kim, I am a professional."

He puts both his hands up in surrender. "No offense intended ma'am. It's just that some of your other coworkers seem quite smitten with him."

You almost roll your eyes, knowing you were probably just as dreamy eyed as your co-workers but too proud to admit it.

"Oh, and they did mention the two of you cosying up at a recent work party."

You resist the urge to swallow as your heart pounds violently inside you, panic squeezing your pumping organ in a vice grip. You thought no one had noticed your exchange or your absence when you both left.

"We were talking, yes. He offered me a promotion and wanted to discuss it."

He looks impressed. "Wow, what a good opportunity, he must trust you a lot."

"He did."

"Until this?" He scrubs a hand over his smooth face and you nod.

"Um-hm. What would you say you could hack into?"

You frown, not understanding the question. "Sorry?"

"Could you hack just about anything?"

Thinking about it you shrug, "Most things I'd say."

"Even something as impenetrable as this program?"

You laugh. "Sir, I designed the security portion of this program, I wouldn't need to hack into it." You lean forward again. "Let me explain something to you, if I were to do something like this, I would have been in and out without anyone knowing. I would know how to cover my tracks without being detected."

You pause rubbing your temples, "If you ask me, this was done by someone with a limited knowledge of hacking and computers. Either that or this person is trying to frame someone in the company. They're your two options."

He smiles at you, two dimples forming an endearing crevice in his cheeks.

"They told me you were smart."

You rub your face ignoring his remark. "I have been here for hours. Am I free to go or are you going to charge me with something?"

"Just one more question. What were you doing last night?"

Your heart stutters before pounding guiltily against your ribcage, with every beat you're almost sure you can hear Jimin's name. Ji-min. Ji-min.

Folding your hands in your lap to disguise you pinching your wrist under the table, trying to do anything to keep your hectic mind calm as you know you have to lie.

"I was at home."

"Alone?"

The smirk he gives you makes your stomach churn, as if he can see right through you and your lies, as if he can see everything that transpired last night flashing behind your eyes.

"Yes." Your voice comes out raspy, a sudden dry patch in your throat makes you swallow involuntarily.

"Run me through your evening." He sinks lower into his seat, you're almost waiting for him to pull out a footstool and put his feet up.

"We set up the project, waited for it to go live-"

"Who's we?"

"My team, myself and Mr. Park."

He nods and gestures a hand for you to continue.

"Once it was live, we monitored it for a few hours, checked everything was in working order and most of my team went home for the night. It was pretty late by then."

He jots your account down on his laptop, the keys clicking furiously as you speak.

"What time is 'late'?"

"Around 10ish."

He raises his brows. "Is that a typical work day for you?"

You shake your head. "No, it was only because we wanted to make sure everything went ok with the go live, a few tweaks and adjustments had to be made, nothing major."

He nods, eyes focused on his screen. "Is that usual at the end of a project, tweaks and adjustments?"

You shrug. "Sometimes yes, on big projects, sometimes you can't see certain errors until a go live."

"Ok, so it's 10 o'clock and your team have gone home, leaving you and Mr. Park. What happened next?"

You massage your temples. "We spoke in his office."

"About what?"

Your hand slams down on the table, an action you didn't intend. "Is that relevant?"

He looks up startled, then smiles. "Why? Have I touched a nerve?"

You resist the urge to lean across the table and pound your fist into his smug face and instead lean back in your seat with your arms folded, an attempt at shielding yourself. "We spoke about the project and the result. It seemed to be successful, at the time, so we had a celebratory night cap."

He shoves his laptop aside, leaning forward on his elbows, ears pricked and ready. "Let me get this straight. You and the - forgive me - handsome Mr. Park are alone in the building, in his office and having a night cap, late at night?"

"Yes." You reply bluntly, the arrogance of him, so sure he'll find your lie, flaming your veins with rage.

"Does Mr. Park regularly have his colleagues in his office for a night cap?"

"I wouldn't know sir, I'm not his secretary."

"Even if you were, she'd have gone home hours ago, according to you." He pauses watching you, his eyes so intense they feel smothering-suffocating.

His stare eases, releasing you from its hold. "Ok continue, what happened after your night cap?" He relaxes and goes back to typing.

You breathe a sigh of relief, air feeling light and free again.

"We talked, I finished my drink, then I went home."

"How did you get home?"

You pause. If you lie, they're bound to see the footage of you and Jimin leaving the building together, with you getting into his car.

"Miss l/n? How did you get home?"

Here he goes looking expectantly over the rim of his glasses again.

"Mr. Park gave me a ride home."

And there was that infuriating smirk again. "Is that so? Was his driver there or did Mr. Park do the driving?"

You feel the heat on the back of your neck as you're reminded of how Jimin's hands felt on your skin, hot and eager in the back of the car. "His driver took me."

"With Mr. Park."

You nod slowly.

"And I suppose he just said goodnight and off you went?"

"You're correct, sir."

"And Mr. Park will vouch for this story of yours?" He taps his bottom lip with the pen he just pulled out of his pocket.

You nod. "He will because it's the truth." You're both praying and hoping you'd have a chance to speak to Jimin before he got interviewed...if he hasn't been already. God, if they found out you were lying about this, it would make you look so guilty.

"Uh-huh. One other thing…"

Fighting the frustrated growl boiling up inside you, you give him a false smile.

"Do you have any idea why someone would want to hack this software?"

You mull it over briefly, "I would imagine, seeing as it's a security breach for information, that it's to steal. Most of our clients are..." you struggle to find the appropriate wording.

"Rich." He intejects.

You nod agreeing.

"Ummm." He adds watching you, before sitting up and closing his laptop abruptly. "Ok, miss l/n, you're free to go. But we'll be in touch, I assure you."

He stands up and you quickly follow him out of the room. When he shows you the direction the exit is in he turns to face you and holds out a hand.

"It's been a pleasure, miss l/n, I know you probably won't be able to say the same, nevertheless." He shakes your hand with a half smile causing the dimple to return, somehow completely softening his face.

You nod and leave as quickly as your tired body will let you.

The cool, night air hitting your face immediately calms your panicked mind. You need to speak to Jimin but it might not be safe to do so.

"Are you ok, y/n?" A deep voice sounds from beside you, silencing all your other chaotic thoughts.

You spin and see Taehyung leaning casually against the pillar of the building smoking.

You relax at the sight of a familiar face. Jimin's personal assistant has always been friendly and kind towards you. You weren't sure but rumours in your company suggested that the two of them were even brothers, although you doubted it as they didn't resemble each other in the slightest.

"Yeah, glad to be out of there though." You reply, massaging the back of your neck.

"I bet, you've been in there a long time. I saw you leave to go to the station with them hours ago."

You nod. "It's been a long and very trying day. Are you waiting to be interviewed?"

He nods, taking a long drag, you watch as the end illuminates orange.

"Well, I hope they don't keep you in there too long."

"They shouldn't. I've been away, only got back last night. Don't see how much use I can be to them."

He flicks his cigarette into the road and closes the distance between you.

"Listen, if there's anything you need or if you just want to talk or rant, anything. Don't hesitate to give me a call." He hands you his card. "This is a tough situation for everyone, we all need someone every now and then."

His bright, boxy grin has your mouth upturning before you know it. You thank him and hail and cab. Glancing at him, you see him watching you as the car drives away, unsure as to whether he's flirting or you're reading too much into it and he's being his usual cheerful self.

You shrug it off. All you can think of is getting home, running a nice, hot bath and forgetting this day ever happened.

*****

Back to reality as you sit with your silk robe wrapped around you, your laptop positioned neatly on your thighs, going through every possible way someone could have hacked into this, looking for how they got in.

But nothing made sense, this was definitely not a hack done by someone with limited knowledge as you originally thought.

There was no trace of anything left behind, no mark that anyone had even been in. Which only means, the hack had to be someone with inside knowledge of the project already, it definitely wasn't an outside hacker.

A more alarming finding was discovering the computer used for the hack was actually yours.

But why make it so obvious where the hack took place and which computer...unless...someone is trying to frame you. This wasn't something you had realistically considered.

If you were honest, no one was even jumping out at you as a suspect. You trusted everyone in your team and everyone who helped on this project.

You sigh, massaging your temples as you try to clear your mind.

A harsh knock on the door makes you jump and you glance at your phone.

02.31.

Who on earth would be knocking at this hour?

You head over, opening the door slightly with the chain still pulled tight across, to see a man; hat pulled down covering his eyes, standing there handing you a small, brown package through the gap.

"It's from Jimin." He says quietly. You watch his mouth - the only part of his face you can see - stretch into a gummy smile, before turning and exiting the building.

Bewildered, you close the door and rip open the box. Staring at its contents and searching for some kind of note explaining what on earth this is for.

A phone.

What are you supposed to do with it?

You take it out, examining it and noticing the mistletoe background. Just like the mistletoe you first kissed Jimin under.

You jump out of your skin, fear firing an ice bolt right through you as it lights up and starts ringing.

Hesitantly, you answer. "Hello?"

"Y/n," Jimin's breathy voice sounds in your ear and sends a scattering of goosebumps across your skin. "I'm sorry for the cloak and dagger but I'm unsure if I'm being watched."

"By the police?" You ask, worried at the urgency in his voice.

"Not just them. Listen," he starts before you can interject. "I want you to know that no matter how it seems or what I say in front of other people, I do believe that you had nothing to do with this hack."

The relief that floods you has your shoulders relaxing instantly, not even aware they were tense. "I am glad to hear you say that, thank you."

"I also want to apologise, I did not mean for your involvement with me to put you at risk of any trouble."

You frown, trying to make sense of his words. "I really don't see how the two are connected."

He sighs and the urge you have to comfort him, to wrap your arms around him until his stress is eased, almost has you putting on your shoes and coat. "It doesn't matter. Things are complicated with me and it wasn't fair for me to drag you into that."

"Hey, hey," you sit down on the edge of your bed. "You didn't drag me anywhere. I'm a big girl Jimin, I can make my own decisions, last night being one of them and I definitely do not have any regrets about that."

You're met with silence as you find yourself fiddling with the bedsheets, reminiscing his touch.

"I most definitely do not regret it either." He finally says. You think you can hear a slight smile in his voice. "That was a moment I had wanted for longer than I care to admit."

His unexpected confession causes a furious blush to creep up your chest.

"I wish I could see you." The desperation in his voice makes you hot underneath your robe.

"Why don't you come over?" You ask, hesitantly biting your lower lip.

"I wish I could, lord knows I do, but I can't risk it, for your sake."

You collapse back on the bed in frustration, his scent jumps up and captures you, pulling your mind into filthy places. "My bed sheets still smell like you." You say the words before thinking them through.

"Do they?" His voice is suddenly husky and full of want. "And what is going through that impressive mind of yours?"

"You are. Your touch, your taste, how I wish to feel your perfect lips on me again." Your hand makes its way down to open your robe, cool air hitting your skin and puckering your nipples.

"Hmm-mm, and what are you doing while you're thinking about me?" He asks.

"What do you want me to do, Jimin?" You accentuate his name, knowing how much he loves it when you say it.

"Touch yourself." He whispers.

You waste no time in obeying, as your fingers travel quickly down to your throbbing clitorous. The feel of your fingertips massaging your sweet bud makes you moan.

"Oh god, this makes me want to see you even more." He groans.

You use the phone to snap a quick photo of your actions and send it to the number you're on the line too. "Incoming message, sir." You say teasingly.

"Oh, fuck," he says in the distance and instantly followed by the sound of his trouser zipper being undone. "You make me crazy." His voice is right back at your ear.

"Jimin, I wish it was my mouth around your rock hard cock."

"Me too, angel. God, what I wouldn't give to feel you around me. Tell me, what would you want me to do to you?" He grunts, the sound of him pleasuring himself causes a gush of arousal to spill from your eager hole and you spread it over yourself.

"I'd want your mouth on me...everywhere, tasting just how wet I am for you." You pant.

"Just for me?"

"Yes, all for you." You lightly trace circles over your swollen sweet spot, toes curling when he breathes your name down the phone.

"I want to be inside you, again."

"Anytime, anywhere, just tell me." You whisper, that undeniable build up already at peak point. "I'm going to cum."

"That's it angel, cum with me."

You unravel, back arching off the bed and burying your face into the sheets, relishing his scent. You hear him orgasm, repeating your name continuously. It makes you smile inside and it makes you feel powerful knowing how much he wants you.

"I have to say," he says, after you both get your breath back. "That was not the reason for me sending the phone."

You can't help but laugh at that. "What was the reason?"

He sighs again. "Mostly, to apologise and to have a way to speak to you that I know is safe. We have to be careful, now."

"Why, what are you so worried about?"

A long pause. "I can't," you can almost hear his inner turmoil, the fight with himself. "I'm just trying to protect you. You don't need to be involved."

You're about to argue but something inside you stills. If you push someone like Jimin too much, he'll only clam up further, he'll open up when he's ready...you hope.

"Keep this phone on, ok?" He pleads.

"More late night phone sex?" You tease, chewing your lip.

"I wouldn't say no," he laughs. "I do, however, just want to be able to talk to you, if that's ok?"

You nod and realise he can't see that. "Of course, anytime."

"I wouldn't say that, you'll never get me off the phone."

You feel yourself smiling like a cheshire cat, feeling like a lovesick school girl again. What has this man reduced you to?

"Goodnight y/n. Sleep well, angel." He hangs up the phone, leaving your heart stuttering and your stomach flipping with excitement. The prospect of something new on the horizon, even with all the current problems you're facing, something still seeming positive might come out of this. All you can do is hope.

******

Getting ready for work the next morning you felt conflicted, part of you was on cloud nine, drifting blissfully along on nothing but hope and dreams. The other part was dreading the work day and what it could bring, plus you still had your own discreet investigating to do.

A harsh, yet cheerful rap on your door, startled you.

Rushing to the door to see who it is, a small part clinging onto a chance it could be Jimin, only to be disappointed when you open the door and find detective Kim Namjoon staring back at you.

"Ah Miss l/n, I'm so glad I caught you before work, could I come in?" The same smug smile stretching his full lips as he leans casually against your door frame, his laptop hooked under his arm.

"Really? Right now, I'll be late for work." You reply, feeling a bit like a deer caught in headlights.

"That's ok, I've already informed your boss of your late arrival." He assures you cockily. "So, can I …?"

You grit your teeth and step out of the way, gesturing for him to enter.

You watch as he studies every inch of your living area, peering into your bedroom.

"What is it I can help you with, detective?"

He turns to you, "Ah, yes of course."

Setting his laptop down on your dining room table, hitting a few keys and spinning it round towards you. "You might want to sit down for this." He says, as he hits the play button.

You ignore him and watch.

Video footage of your office building, of you walking to your office partition specifically. You watch yourself sit in the empty building, at your computer and leave again. You look up at the detective, confusion marring your brow and he simply taps the screen where the date and time stamp are.

You follow it, and re-read it at least three times, eyes open wider than ever, as if that'll somehow help you see different numbers.

The frown creases deeper into your forehead as your brain catches up with the fact that the video shows you, alone in the building, at the exact time and date of the hack.

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lovelyirony · 4 years

Note

hi! so. a while back (like, a good while back) I found a fanfic for you and you said something about a story/short thing in return? I said I'd take you up on it, but then took an extended leave of absence from Tumblr and never did. anyways, im feeling things about gay dads and also Peter Parker and I was wondering if you could do something with iron husbands and tony's many adopted children, both bots and otherwise? idk. you're amazing.

The first kid that gets adopted, in a sense, is Dum-E. He’s the product of a lot of “you can’t do this” energy.

People really do think that Tony and Rhodey aren’t capable of creating an Artificial Intelligence unit that can think for itself.

The final nail in the coffin is when Rhodey is visiting the Stark family home and Obadiah Stane treats their goal dismissively.

When they get back to their home in Boston, Rhodey sets his jaw.

“We’re making that fucking system, Tones. I don’t care what happens.”

“So what you’re saying is that we’re disregarding our previous agreement about limiting lab rules?”

“Yes. Null and void until we bring this fruition.”

This is a very important rule. Despite what most would think, Rhodey and Tony are capable of setting limits and following them. But if there is no physical reminder of that rule, then they can ignore it.

(This is actually just the excuse that they make up so that they can make Machiavellian machines.)

Dum-E spins around and ruins at least three pairs of socks that Rhodey leaves on the floor.

“At least you finally stopped that habit,” Tony says. Rhodey rolls his eyes, watching as Dum-E finally realizes that he cannot possibly open the door to the porch and will stop bumping up against the glass.

"He’s an idiot,” Tony says fondly.

“Took after his mama,” Rhodey jokes. Tony slaps his arm.

“Hey!”

The second and third are twins. Kind of. Both of them absolutely insist that they are not twins because they are very different. After all, U likes alternative pop, which Butterfingers finds simply unforgivable.

Rhodey and Tony didn’t know that the other was making a robot. Dum-E was lonely, and their anniversary was coming up.

They both decided to make Dum-E a sibling and laughed as U and Butterfingers basically rolled up to each other and immediately tried to fight.

“So...who’s first?” Tony asks.

“Hm...U, I think.”

Butterfingers sulks. She’s youngest by one day, and U will never let her hear the end of it.

“I know baby girl,” Tony coos. “But you look so pretty. Look at how nice your dad painted your display!”

It is rather pretty. It’s all cool with yellows and blues. Dum-E is a jealous.

Jarvis is more Tony’s than anything. Made after a lonely Christmas. Not the one that most people think.

Edwin Jarvis died in late November.

Tony didn’t rest until it was done.

They sob together as Jarvis states the weather in a crisp, accented tone that sounds so much like the original.

The siblings all get along like a house on fire, although Rhodey swears that Jarvis loves to instigate drama when Tony doesn’t need it.

This is how Dum-E and Butterfingers get into a week-long feud about whose turn it is to close the fridge door. This is a Very Important Job.

Jarvis makes it worse.

“You are trying to kill me,” Rhodey says, scowling. “You know your brother and sister would fight.”

“I am a learning program, Colonel Rhodes.”

“Don’t call me that. Call me anything but that.”

“Confirmed, Private Rhodes.”

“I hate you.”

“You wouldn’t visit my creator so much if you truly meant that.”

Rhodey gives him the bird, and Jarvis almost huffs.

He’s an amazing kid, really.

The next kid isn’t for a while longer. It’s not until a year after the actual event, that Rhodey wasn’t there for.

So he went by Iron Patriot for a while. Didn’t stick. He’s kind of glad it didn’t.

This one didn’t even know about Rhodey, which is a travesty.

It’s a snot-nosed little tween who says he’s not a tween, and his name is Harley Keener.

“Tony Stark and I are connected,” he says stubbornly. Rhodey let him into the house, not like he’s going to just make this kid stay outside.

“Like what, through an email chain? Texting?”

“Life experience,” Tony says. “Hey kiddo. Who the hell let you take a bus all the way here?”

“Bus drivers.”

“Ha ha. Where’s your mom?”

Harley tenses.

His mother got a new boyfriend. New boyfriend didn’t like Harley or his little sister. Little sister is living with an aunt, and Harley didn’t want to live there. So here he is, in New York.

“You don’t have to take me in, but I won’t stop bothering you,” Harley says.

Tony sighs.

“Come on in, kid. Like I’d let you do anything else.”

It’s complicated. Rhodey realizes he’s dealing with another Tony with a bit more stubbornness to him and blistering genius.

He calls his boss.

“I need to put in my two weeks.”

“You can’t be serious.”

“I am.”

“Why?”

“Let’s just say I got preoccupied by surprise.”

“Don’t tell me your guy brought home another bouncing baby robot.”

“Well...not really. This one’s human.”

“Christ.”

Harley loves New York. He manages to navigate far easier than Tony ever could, and he grew up there half his life. Harley learns which bodegas are good, and what food trucks he needs to watch out for.

He also adjusts to school far easier than expected, although the environment is much better. He’s being challenged, and he has people that can follow him.

This is when Tony and Rhodey look into Midtown and discover a kid with a lot of promise.

Spider-Man, technically, isn’t confirmed to go to Midtown.

But Harley’s a bright kid and realizes that Peter Parker is Spidey.

It also helps that the makeshift suit is hanging out of his backpack in a back alley.

Peter gets an internship, and Rhodey laughs as Tony groans.

“Oh my god, how do kids have so much energy. How.”

“We were like that.”

“No we weren’t.”

“Do you forget we created Dum-E in, like, a week because we ignored the concept of time?”

“Hm. I choose to forget that. It didn’t happen.”

Rhodey laughs.

They all have family nights. The bots are particularly enamored with movies, and drag Harley and Peter out of the lab to watch them.

It’s Butterfingers’ turn, and she always chooses a soft movie. This time, it’s an old silent film.

Dum-E likes action movies, so this is not the favorite.

“Hush, you got to choose last time honey,” Rhodey scolds. “Don’t make me cut off your turn.”

Dum-E goes silent as Peter snickers, flicking a piece of popcorn at U, who is currently trying to rearrange the furniture.

(He’s decided he wants to watch videos about interior design this month. He’s very invested in Manifesting His Vision.)

Tony smiles at Rhodey across the way. Harley had said he wasn’t tired, and now his head is on Rhodey’s leg, and he’s out of the world. Peter’s getting there, yawning into the pillow he’s decided is his.

U has gone to “charge” although he says he’s Fine, No Charging for Him!

(Jarvis has to laugh.)

It’s not the typical family lifestyle. But Tony and Rhodey want anything but typical.

#anyways i want the bots being Funny and here it is #bot fic #family fic #rhodeytony #ironhusbands #peter parker #harley keener #i was going 2 write a bit more but i am tired and i liked the ending a lot :)#i hope y'all do too!#lovelyirony writes #jarvis #dum-e #u #butterfingers #iron man #war machine

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cherry3point14 · 4 years

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One Helluva Car

Pairing: Dean x Reader Warnings: Minor car fetish, one paragraph of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it smut, a little jealous!Dean, this is crack babes’, I can’t stress this enough: car fetish Word Count: 3,500. Summary: Just a small town girl, living in a lonely world and then one day she sees Baby... A/N: @alexwinchester23 hit me up a THOUSAND years ago with the prompt: dean x reader where she is more “in love” with deans car and it makes him a little jelly lol. And I was like, ha ha ha sure I’ll write it. It’s been half written ever since. So, I finished it. Someone please be proud of me for finishing. (Not like that you animals.) This also fills Driving In The Impala for @spndeanbingo

It’s Monday lunchtime when you see it. Her? It looks like a her. The best cars are ‘hers’ and even from a distance, she has curves that only a good woman could possess.

You’ve had a morning of shitty, old trucks that have been run hard for too long, and new cars that you plug into the computer to diagnose, which takes all the fun out of life. It’s easy to see a mile off that she isn’t shitty or bogged down with modern tech. She’s a well looked after classic. A thing of beauty. A freaking masterpiece. She’s polished enough that the sun bounces off of her black surface like she’s made of glass.

If only your arms weren’t laden with brown paper bags of food you’d take a detour to get a closer look. You could ghost your hand over her hood and take a look at the interior. You bet it’s the softest fucking leather your ass would ever hope to feel.

You’d generally drool over her without actually drooling because God knows spit is not good for the paintwork. Unfortunately, you do have bags filled with hot, meaty subs intended to feed your workforce. And you’re wise enough to know that making a garage of hungry mechanics wait for their lunch is not a good move. It’ll only result in some sort of unnecessary disaster this afternoon that you, their boss, will have to fix or pay for. Or both.

The only thing you can do is take one last look at her, memorize that beautiful shape while you heft the bags closer to your chest and carry on walking. It’s not like you’ve never seen a good old fashion American muscle car before, you have your own ‘70 Mustang at home.

It’s just… this is a Chevvy Impala, arguably the first car to flex its muscles. You don’t see one of those every day.

Your hobby is like a much cooler version of birdwatching. You have an appreciation for cars, classics in particular. The craftsmanship, the design, and the sounds they make as they tear through the world like moving time capsules. Nothing generated by a low emission engine compares.

That’s how you spot her for the second time, on Wednesday.

Well, you hear her first.

You’re closing up for the night. Everyone goes home early on Wednesdays, the shop closes at three, except for you. There’s always paperwork that needs to be done and you hate the idea of taking it home if you can help it. Taking a car home you’re always happy to do, but paperwork? You refuse to dirty your private space like that.

It’s just before six when you’re locking the doors and thunder screams in the distance. At least you think it’s thunder, you wonder where the clouds are until it moves too fast to be a weather condition.

The closer it gets the more the sound transforms into pure, uncut horsepower. It’s the deep rumble of an engine that demands to be heard. It tears your attention to it whether you like it or not. An announcement of the coming vehicle before it arrives.

Then she glides around the corner of Maple and Third before peeling down the street past you. It’s her again, she’s still in town. You know it’s the same car, she isn’t a vehicle made for stealth and your little ol’ town isn’t exactly heaving with beauties like her.

You know she’s not a local, it must be a flying visit, you’re lucky enough to have seen her again before she left. Not just seen her though, heard her. Heard her engine and the screech of her tires on the tarmac. Experiencing her in action is breathtaking enough that you gawp at her like an idiot as she zooms away.

It’s not a fetish or anything. You don’t exactly cuddle an exhaust pipe in bed. You appreciate cars more than your job requires you to, simple. It’s a respect that was drilled into you from a young age. Your dad owns a franchise of shops across the state and never had the boy he always wanted. He didn’t mope about it, he taught you to fix an engine instead. To appreciate every individual piece like an unsolved puzzle. And because your dad is a big ol’ softie he taught you that classic cars can’t be beaten, he favors Camaros in particular. He gave you a garage to work in until you’d labored enough to earn it for keeps and manage it as your own. Your dad raised you to bleed motor oil and sweat gasoline.

Cars are your life. Ok, maybe you’re a bit of a gearhead is all. You can’t help it if that Impala is a fine wine you want to uncork.

You watch the street lights make a hazy path for her to follow, another corner and she’s gone.

At home, you curl up on your sofa and scroll through your usual sites to see how much your own Impala would cost. In good condition, you’d have to sell one of the two cars you already have but there’s this smashed up ‘68 in New Jersey that might be worth the drive for the price. It would basically be a new car by the time you rebuild it but that doesn’t matter. All you needed were the bones of the thing and you never shy away from a project that involves weeks of hunting down original parts, that’s half the fun. For tonight at least it gets bookmarked. The decision left for another day, if it still seems like a good idea in the morning then you’ll make the call.

Hell, maybe tomorrow you’ll see something else and forget all about her. Maybe.

Good looking guys come through town from time to time but Dean is a rare treat. He’s the picture next to ‘handsome’ in the dictionary. He’s got these full lips that you’ve stared at, without an ounce of shame, while he sucks on a beer bottle. A jawline covered in scruff that you’ve already imagined between your thighs. And then there are those hands of his. It could be your line of work but you always loved a man with hands like his. Broad hands and thick fingers. Mechanic hands you’d call them, you half wish they were covered in oil and grease.

He was tapping away on the bar for a while, drumming aimlessly while you drank, but now he’s toppled in your direction. He’s standing between his barstool and yours, while you're still seated, which makes you the perfect height for him to slip an arm around you. His thumb has settled in on tracing the edge of your jeans while he talks to you, tickling your back where your tank had ridden up.

Honestly? He doesn’t even need to be a good lay to be worth the trip to bed.

“I know you said you’re in town with your brother…”

He winces at the start of your sentence, “with the things I’m thinking about doing to you honey, you can’t go mentioning Sammy at the same time.”

Underneath the stained overalls, you’re still a woman and you’re not sure if there’s anyone alive who could resist Dean’s charms. When you laugh at his ridiculous propositioning, you don’t even try to fight when it tails off into a giggle.

“I was going to ask if you had your own room? Or are we going back to my place?”

You’d almost think he’d been playing it cool up until this point. Everything had been measured and smooth. But you ask him that and he finally cracks, urgency slips through that charm offensive. He tilts his head forward as his face hardens into something intense, eyes hooded under the light of the bar. His hand slides up underneath your top enough that his whole palm skates against your skin. “How about a compromise? My car, your place?”

You lean in until you’re almost touching his lips, your tongue peeks out to wet them and flicks against his, taunting. “Deal."

He doesn’t need to know that you walked here and needed a ride home anyway. That's irrelevant.

Stumbling out of the bar is messy. Not because of the alcohol, neither of you have drunk that much, it’s his hands on your waist. They’re possessive and so there.

Maybe he’s not so bad in bed. Maybe he’s actually, pretty good in…

Oh fuck. It’s her.

You’re stopped in your tracks by the sight of your very own white whale. Well, black and shiny Impala but the metaphor stands.

You stop and Dean bumps into you, not expecting it so soon. For a brief moment, you’re frozen in awe, reverence. Even in the dark, she’s perfect. Street lights bouncing off of her smooth exterior. The night is chilly and there’s a hint of condensation creeping around the edges of the windshield which only serves to make her sparkle.

“Wow, she’s-”

“Mine?” Dean finishes, a wry grin on his face and keys dangling from those fingers you’d been drooling over moments ago. Fuck him and his fingers now.

“Shit, Dean. I’ve been seeing this car all week. She’s beautiful.” You walk towards her, carefully, in case you spook her. She’s an old soul, probably jumpy. Your hand reaches out but doesn’t touch her yet because you’re being respectful.

You’d have thought Dean might have appreciated your care. Instead, he laughs and it catches you off guard. You whip your head back around to glare at him and he encourages you, “she won't bite.”

When you finally make contact she’s cool and glossy under your touch, but even so, you don’t run your hand over her like you want to. You can feel the waxed surface that you don’t want to ruin. You know how much effort goes into a good wax job like this. Instead, you trade your whole hand for your fingertips and trace her edges as if trying to remember her shape for when you rebuild your own.

“Ahem.” In the distance, Dean clears his throat. Sucks for him. You’ve got a new love interest.

“Sweetheart?” He asks again, stepping up closer to you as if you didn’t hear him. He sounds needy like he wants you, but it’s edged with this vulnerable envy. You already noticed his bright green eyes in the bar, now you're wondering if there’s a different green-eyed monster at play.

He needs to understand, you saw the car first. She’s held your heart all week, Dean piqued the interest of your lady parts about half an hour ago. You might say age before beauty but this Impala has Dean beat on both fronts, older and more beautiful.

“Where’d you get these rims, if I didn’t know better I’d almost say they’re original,” you spare him a glance over your shoulder. “But I do know better.”

He looks like he’s struggling with not having your full attention, you’d almost say he’s pouting. Then he sticks out his bottom lip and he's definitely pouting. He shuffles from foot to foot and steels his jaw. It makes it even more difficult for him then when you ask questions that he wants to answer. You can see the cogs turning where he’s trying to work out if he should encourage your interest or not. As much as he wants sex, in the end, the gearhead wins out.

“Fixed her up a lot over the years, found those in a junkyard if you believe it.” He steps up next to you now with a proud smile.

“I can believe it. I’ve seen the stuff people throw away. They’re perfect. Can I?” You slide out your phone and wave it at him.

He nods, although a little dumbstruck.

You bend down and snap a picture, explaining. “I was looking at a sixty-eight to rebuild, maybe. Actually, yours gave me the idea, saw her and couldn’t get her out of my head. I have a friend who might be able to help me out with these.”

“You wanna build one?” He sounds interested but not enough to get him off track. The track being you.

“Yeah. I told you I’m a mechanic. Building these things is in my blood.”

The air is cool and you start to feel it, not having intended being outside this long. He sees you shiver and steps behind you running his hands up and down your arms. “Sixty-eight ain’t a sixty-seven though, is it?” He asks, voice dripping with cocky arrogance about his car.

Oh, fuck. He’s figured out the way to your heart. He’s got you all turned around and leaning against her. Back pressed against her metal and glass enough that you’ll be feeling her for weeks.

“No, it’s not…”

“Wanna ride my Baby?” Dean presses his lips to the corner of your mouth with the question, leaving enough space for you to let out an almost inaudible gasp.

You’d be inclined to say men name their cars the dumbest shit sometimes but ‘Baby’ fits somehow. It’s perfect. She’s Baby.

“Yeah,” you nod. Right now, it's all you’ve ever wanted.

He walks you to the passenger’s side door and opens it’s for you. It’s not even romantic, it’s a fucking turn on.

Maybe you do have a car fetish. You should probably figure that out, like, another day.

In the time it takes Dean to strut to the other side you have sunk into the leather and just as you imagined, it’s soft. Worn and loved, like everything else about this beauty. This is what’s makes her special and that’s why you would have to love your own extra hard. To make up the years of neglect.

“Ready to go?”

He’s looking at you, smirking in your peripheral, and you’re looking at his fingers on the keys. You know what’s going to happen when he turns them. You’re still not prepared.

“Let’s do it.” A grin slides onto your face.

She rumbles to life beneath you. The vibrations from her engine shudder through the seat straight to your core. From there you swear the horsepower zips to every nerve ending in your body like electricity powering a city. And the sound could strike you down. She somehow purrs and roars at the same time. Each rev is a scream but her engine sings between each turn.

“Two eighty-three?” You ask, bottom lip caught behind your teeth.

“Get out of here with that two eighty-three crap. She’s a three twenty-seven.” He snaps, but not really, pressing his foot on the gas again just to see you quiver. Another rotation of the engine, her power, rolls through you.

He pulls out onto the road, leaving the dive behind, and drifts a little as he does, the back of her floating into the road. You slide over the seat an inch and he’s half focused on you, half focused on driving, so you're not even sure if he planned it. You scoot closer to him and he weighs his arm, the one not currently steering, around your shoulders. You’re becoming increasingly aware that the car smells like him, or he smells like her. Leather, sweet and spicy, musky. It’s a complicated mix where you’re not sure whether it's more her or him. You want to wrap yourself up in it all the same but Baby can’t wrap you up, Dean can.

“Dean I… Next left… I really, really love this car.”

He licks his lips as he looks down at you, his pupils wide, probably has a clear view of your chest, “yeah? How much, sweetheart?”

“A lot.” You pant in his ear, teeth grazing his lobe. “Second right, then it’s the third house on the left.”

A growl comes out of him. Determined. And you’re not so sure you care about fucking Dean anymore but each time you work him up a little higher, he revs that gorgeous engine and you get to feel that thunder. It’s the best circle jerk you could imagine, everyone is truly happy.

He pulls up in front of your house in record time because Baby is gunning 285 horsepower, so she’s not exactly going to be beat.

The problem, that you hadn’t really planned on, is arriving at your destination. As soon as he cuts the engine you puncture. Missing the everything about her straight away and wishing you’d kept driving for hours. Still, you have the scent of leather everywhere, burdening your senses with the smell of a bygone era. You hike a leg over Dean and sit in his lap. A knee either side of his thighs, denting her seats and Baby’s steering wheel holding the curve of your ass. Your hands skip Deans’ shoulders in favor of the seat behind him, the cushioned bench under the pads of your fingers, as you attach your mouth to his. Sandwiched between Baby and Dean, and you never want to leave the spot.

Your tongue curls into his mouth at the same time that he presses his fingers into your hips so tight you’re sure there’ll be bruises. You’ve never worried about a tight grip on you before but he starts pulling you towards him and away from where you’re wedged on Baby. The more you lean your body into Dean, the less you feel his car.

“Baby.” You murmur into him. Dean must mistake it to be a pet name you’re borrowing, calling him, because he pulls you again. Actually you’re telling him where you want to be, to stay.

Here. With Baby.

“This is a nice neighborhood.” He hums in this tone that’s deep but it doesn’t go through you like the sound of a turbo V-8. “We should take this inside.”

He’s right. Carl from the damn neighborhood watch is probably already doing just that, watching. The pervert.

“Right, sure.” You agree despite the way your stomach drops at the thought of leaving her.

You’re all untangling limbs getting out and he kisses you once more against Baby before you allow him to drag you away. It already feels different, normal, boring.

Dean’s fine, he’s good, he’s handy. Like you’d thought he would be.

You wrap your mouth around his dick because you’ve always liked looking up through your lashes and seeing the way a guy goes breathless on your tongue. He works you open on his thick fucking fingers until the pressure in your stomach snaps with his thumb circling your clit. He pushes into you and the stretch, the burn, is perfect. Dean is better in bed than you’d expected him to be.

And yet, it’s empty. Dulled. It doesn’t scratch the itch like good sex used to. The whole experience dampened compared to what you’d felt sitting in the front seat of his 1967 Chevy Impala.

You slip on some oversized shirt from your floordrobe to walk him out when he leaves. Neither of you under any impression that he’s staying the night. He’s got this satisfied grin on his face that he hasn’t been able to wipe off since the first time he came. He stops at your doorstep, “thanks, sweetheart. This was fun.”

“Sure was,” you agree, not giving him the full story. Standing at your doorway you’re looking at Baby instead of Dean, again. “Let me know if you’re still in town tomorrow, I’d love to go for another ride.”

He nods and backs away a few steps until he’s in your line of sight along with his car, “will do, baby.”

He must think you mean sex. You wouldn't be opposed to it but you mean a drive. A real drive with wide roads, and opening the taps. You can break that to him tomorrow if he does give you that call. If he doesn't then there's only one thing you need to say before he leaves. One thing you can't let her leave without saying.

“One helluva car you got there, Dean.”

Second A/N: Look, this didn’t start out as a full on car fetish but I was writing it and SOMETIMES I HAVE NO CONTROL. Sometimes these characters they say, “fuck you!” and do what they want. I was going to write a nice little jealousy thing. Dean wants some attention. That’s all. You only have yourselves to blame readers!

5eva tags: @divadinag @darthdeziewok @fluentinfiction @witch-of-letters @supernatural-teamfreewill-blog @magnitude101999 @alexwinchester23 @jesseswartzwelder Dean babes: @thewinchesterchronicles @akshi8278 @bloodydaydreamer @iamabeautifulperson18 @erins-culinary-service

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snowfianna · 4 years

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Fable IV rant:

I'm so pumped up for the 23rd because everything has led me to believe that Fable 4 will be announced this year and the game's existence has been confirmed for a while anyway it's just a matter of time of when will Fable 4 show itself. It's a badly kept secret tbh.

So to those who don't mind a big rant or wish to add on to my rant- here we go!

Can you imagine how good the graphics would be for this game, we've all seen modern games, surely, and they're all bloody fantastic looking. Fable Legends is technically the most recent Fable game despite it being a free to play online game

and that it's cancelled

but it also had a gorgeous look to it all! And the character models did great justice to the concept art and honestly that has my hopes real high because I love the concept art of Fable, specifically from Mike McCarthy, so exaggerated and recognisable- yet in all the games I can confidently say they did not do justice to his character design, specifically for Reaver. Sure, he looks stunning in the third game, but not quite what he looks like in his concept art sadly.

But also, since Fable was made in Unreal Engine (I'm pretty sure at least) we've seen examples of what can be done in Unreal Engine now and it's absolutely breath taking!

If you haven't seen here are some examples and they're so life-like.

Moving on from graphics!

Since Playground Games is behind the development of Fable 4, they would be spectacular at an open spaced world, judging from the Forza games.

I always loved the open world feature added to Fable, it made things more adventurous and you could do so many things that weren't at all related to the main quest to progress the story and it was just thrilling to see there were other things going on! I'd love to just have my dog companion running through fields, fighting enemies left and right and finding buried treasure or forgotten chests.

Run into strangers who request aid in something silly or rather serious and it would be up to you with how you go about the quest or if you even accept it to get renown or gold. Cause a massacre in towns and villages, running off with low morality and plentiful loot- oh one could fantasise of this all day.

Story, characters, writing and voices.

Fable has always had a fun environment of fantasy and a rather good story (despite the curse of mundane or pathetic boss fights in which I hope Fable 4 breaks this cycle) but the one thing that's always kept me on my feet in the games is the writing and the characters. It always just tried not to take itself too seriously, throwing in absurd quests that probably requires cheese or a really weird-looking outfit. It always kept my attention rather than just pure edge and seriousness of life or death.

The characters are a given, the writing done for them all is perfect in my eyes, I love hearing the variations of how characters of NPCs interacted (enough so that I even bought two of the Fable books written by Peter David). Despite Fable 3 not being the greatest at it's time, I found myself absolutely enjoy the characters for how they were- I even cried over Walter's death because it genuinely felt like I lost somebody pretty close (RIP Walter🙏). The writing and the chosen voice actors were superb and I'd love more of it.

I hope this time we can receive a full story instead of how Fable 2 and 3 were where plenty of plot points and such were cut out due to time constraints- thanks Microsoft, very cool. I'm still in anguish when listening to the Developer's Diary 3 of Fable 3 hearing lines that were just never said in the final product and it was definitely not just additional lines that weren't required as it seemed to mention entirely different things that weren't in the game; i.e. Reaver talks about his pirates in Bloodstone and how he misses them- in the final product he never mentions it and it's even shown that he's tried to completely bury his pirate past for whatever reason.

The pacing in Fable 3 was rather strange too, it felt like the revolution should've lasted longer.

Another hope of mine is to have choices that aren't so painfully black-and-white because it's very obvious which is the good or bad option to a scenario- personally for me I'd like to be morally grey rather than pure good or pure evil.

They better have kept the mechanic of your actions affecting your appearance too to the point where you grow horns and get cracked magma-like skin or this slight glow and aura around you and this flawless skin. It kind of died down in Fable 3, only looking more tired or have completely black eyes and the good- eh yeah not much I can say for when you're good. Purity and corruption seemed to also vanish in Fable 3 (at least I think) since you couldn't really change prices of the homes you were renting out, unless I've been a big goof who didn't arrange the rent prices in the game because I didn't know how.

Combat

Combat in all the games was rather straight forward, especially in Fable 2 and 3 where everything was just easy to beat or you could get overpowered around the start of the game. I'd hope the combat improves greatly this time and even bring back real consequences to dying instead of immediate revival with some lost experience and a scar. We need more serious consequences to your actions (this can be applied to all decisions rather than just if you die in a battle) even if it's just having to reload the last checkpoint. Makes things more challenging this way.

Another thing is to make boss fights less repetitive and simple- sure I can forgive it if the boss is from around the start but if they had phases you had to keep ontop of and didn't rely on summoning a bajillion other enemies to strike you, I'd be ever so grateful.

And if there's other characters fighting along side you, I'd hope they'd genuinely be helpful and keep up to speed with the player. I'm sure the AI in the past was the problem for this as AI wasn't at its best during that time so characters fighting by you didn't do too much or just did whatever that wasn't helpful. Now though, AI has improved immensely (I mean look at The Last Of Us 2, the AI is👌) and due to this, I'm sure characters would make battles more fun and the characters be more involved with the fight and even story.

Mana should be brought back as well, in Fable 2 and 3 mana just ceased to exist so you could just endlessly and repeatedly use the same spells and it just gave you too much power and the enemies barely stood a chance.

We need challenges people- CHALLENGES!

Medieval times? Yes.

I love Medieval fantasy and as much as I like the Victorian era too, I didn't think it quite suited Fable, as fascinating as it was to see fantasy turn industrial, it kind of took away from the Fable feel that I so crave. If they have indeed brought the game back to medieval times it means more creatures and enemies are back rather than driven away or limited to the same handful of enemies.

We can all also agree the guns were overpowered, though I did like receiving the Red Dragon late in Fable 2 to absolutely mow down enemies, it was satisfying to say the least. However, guns were far too powerful for the game, so I demand the bows and crossbows back thank you very much- or even throwing knives- I'll take what I'm given.

I'd love to see more of the natural landscape rather than towns or buildings that took over once entirely natural areas (Millfields/Bowerlake). However, I won't object to ruins of old buildings taken over by nature.

Skeptical with Playground Games? Don't be.

Are you worried that Playground Games wouldn't do justice to Fable since it's not Lionhead Studios? Don't be, it's been noted that Playground Games has hired several ex-lionhead workers and plenty other skillful workers to ensure we get the best product. I have high hopes and expectations for Fable 4 even if it's developed under a different studio, I've seen great things from them and I will believe they'll deliver us only the best.

Side note to all this

I will crash and burn if I don't see a crumb of Reaver or Jack of Blades in Fable 4- I don't know how true any rumours are of Fable 4 with time travelling and Jack returning, but we'll just have to see. Reaver still remains as my absolute favourite character of all time and I'd love to see more of him, even see him before he was 'Reaver'.

Jack too, more of his lore is stated elsewhere rather than in the game itself and I'd love to see it all be brought into light and really expand on his lore and make it known- rather than have ever-loving Fable fans like me dig around for these rather delicious bits of canon information.

That's my big rant, feel free to share your thoughts and what you'd look forward to!

Have some accidental art leaks from a Playground Game concept artist- believed to be for Fable 4👀

#fable #fable 2 #fable 3 #fable 4 #rant #honestly if you read this you have my respect #ramble

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jacscorner · 3 years

Text

Yipping and Yapping about Balan Wonderworld

(Minor Spoilers Beneath the cut)

You know, after seeing the trailer for Balan Wonderworld, I was so hyped! I loved his design-in fact, I totally fell in love with Balan! He just has this magnificent bastard look to him that I just love! He has that perfect blend of chaotic energy, yet benevolent intent. So much so I'm working on doing fanart for him and I haven't played the game, because I just love this design so much! Naoto Ohshima, Yuji Naka-whoever or however it was Balan came to be, ya'll knocked him out of the park!

Then you see the Gameplay and...

Sob.

I don't WANT to be overly critical for this game. I really don't, but it seems that the gameplay itself was the last thing worked on. Or, worse; it was the first thing and they never built off of it. I understand that the core of the gameplay is to have 80 different costumes and abilities and to make the game simple and accessible to everybody, but this is beyond simple. This is almost as simple as an Atari game and it doesn't have to be.

I'm not asking for a game that's got me grinding my teeth and is painfully hard-nobody wants Super Meat Boy from Balan, but it's so sad to see all this flash, to see this enchanting story with charming characters, but for it to not be fun to play.

But, you know, I still hope that Balan doesn't go into a vault and collects dust. I mean, Sonic the Hedgehog had a rough first game, but look how much people still love him! Megaman 2 had to be made during the developer's lunch breaks because it was that much of a passion project. And I heard that Balan has a novel out(or in the works? Not totally sure), so I hope that can help make up for the sales of the game. Maybe Balan can exist in another medium. Or maybe even get a second game with a refined, tightened gameplay model.

I even like his "true form", but I won't lie, I prefer Balan's top-hat-eyes looking self. :P

Hey, you're the one who kept reading, not my fault if you read a spoiler!

Anyway, I just wanna gush about the Costumes now. They're simple, and I think some are a little repetitive, but I just LOVE them all! I love their designs and event think the abilities they give are kinda fun. But it sucks you're not just playing as Balan himself. Could you imagine if the game was about collecting the Costumes-maybe re-branded as your fellow show performers-and borrowing their powers to get through the game (essentially being the secret to Balan's own magical abilities, maybe with a moral of needing to be taught that even if he's the star, the show can't go on without his other actors). Imagine if you got, like, 5 Costumes and you had to build your moveset with them, having 5 powers at the same time and needing a special zone, like a Changing Wall or something, in order to swap around your powers with the other 75 Costumes.

Hell, why 5? You probably would only need 1 Costume to get through the whole game.

Now, I don't know Jac about game design, so excuse me for talking out of my ass, but these Costumes really could've just been used to be Platforming Mascots of their own games. Just give their game a dedicated Jump Button (J-Button) to go with the Action Button (A-Button) and you could have a pretty decent platformer-preferably a 2D one, but that's my own preference.

Like, let's take Pounding Pig, for instance, for our hypothetical Platformer. He could have a decent running speed, maybe a bit on the slow-and-heavy side. You'd press the J-Button to jump, and then press it again to jump again while doing a little flutter kick. Or, press the A-Button to preform the signature Ground Pounding.

Or, how about Telepotter? He'd be a bit quicker, a decent single jump, and you'd use the A-Button to teleport, with perhaps a aiming reticle so you can aim for where you go.

Why stop there? Aero Acrobat! A jump, with maybe a glide that activates while in the air. Hold the A-Button to aim your reticle and when you release, you start homing onto enemies with those signature kicks! Maybe just pressing the button can have you kick enemies, with a 3-button combo.

Pumpkin Puncher! Pumpkin Puncher's really cool! A-Button to punch, but holding it will let you charge up a stronger rocket punch like how he does in the actual game.

X-Ray Monkey would be all about finding secrets and alternate exits to levels with his X-Ray vision! Maybe he's less combat-oriented and more about puzzle solving, with lots of movement options! Climb walls, swing on ropes, swing on bars, hang from your tail, but don't get caught!

...Okay, so I went a little crazy. And a lot of what I talked about is done in the game itself. It's just...holy heck, I love Balan and the Costumes and just wish there was more done with them! Hey, Arzest, just take all my notes and outsource other teams if you've got better things to do than give each and everyone one of these guys their own game!

#JAC Chat #Balan Wonderworld #Balan #Pounding Pig #Telepotter #Pumpkin Puncher #Aero Acrobat #X-Ray Monkey

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miraculouslycool · 4 years

Text

Chapter 2: Flicker

Marinette was dozing off in class, her cheek slipping out of her palm's hold.

"I'm sorry, Madame." Alya whispered to Mme. Garnier, their history teacher as she came over to wake her up. "Marinette is really tired, is it okay if she continues to sleep?"

"Gah!" That startled Marinette awake. "No, no, I don't need to sleep. I'm okay. I'm good. I'll stay awake. Sorry Miss Bustier." She said all in one breath.

Mme Garnier stared at her sympathetically. "Marinette, once class is done, I want to talk to you."

Marinette flushed with embarrassment, knowing that every person in the class had their eyes on her. "I'm sorry, Mme Garnier. It won't happen again."

"No need to apologise, but be as it may, I still need to have a word with you, Marinette." She said seriously before walking back towards the blackboard.

"Thanks anyway." She muttered to Alya.

"Are you sure you're okay? You don't look too good." Alya said, concern lacing her tone. "Is it about..."

"No!" She whisper shouted. "No, not him. He and I are friends. Just. Friends. I was up all night. I couldn't sleep. That's all."

"Do you want to go home after this?" Alya asked. "I'm pretty sure Mme Garnier will be cool with it."

"No. It's only one more period. And it's Art and Design for me. I think I'll be fine then. I've got a work in progress anyway."

"If you say so." Alya said doubtfully. "You know that we are all here for you, don't you?"

Marinette's eyes drooped to her textbook. "I know." She said quietly.

"Alright, now turn your pages to 221, and quietly go through the timelines of the two World Wars. You have a pop quiz tomorrow."

Everyone in the room groaned.

"Do not worry." Their teacher smiled ruefully. "Only 7 months left before you never have to worry about those again."

The groans turned into laughs. Mme Garnier was one of the friendlier teachers at lycée, especially compared to Marinette and Alya's professor in Mathematics. She often reminded them of Miss Bustier from their collège days.

Marinette resigned herself to reading and rereading the passages, when she somehow, out of nowhere, just had to catch Adrien's eye.

He was sitting in the bench opportunity to her, and he was looking at her worriedly.

"Are you okay?" He mouthed.

Why was everyone asking her that?

Not that she was ungrateful, but really. All she wanted was to be left alone.

Marinette nodded, smiling slightly to reassure him.

Over the years, her crush on Adrien had only furthered more, to a point where she was only setting herself up for heartbreak, by one, with how close he and Kagami were, and how close SHE and Kagami were, two, Adrien already had enough problems with his dad without her as a girlfriend adding on to the mix, three, she valued her friendship with him too much. She had come to realise how much easier it was to talk to him when she wasn't freaking out about asking him on a date.

He still looked unconvinced, though he didn't ask her anything else. Mostly because Kim, who was sitting next to him was whispering something to him.

She shrugged and began focusing on her textbook, looking at the words but not really reading them.

Chat had never spoken to her that way., She thought sadly as she fiddled with her long, single ponytail.

Not even in the last month had he snapped back. Of course, she wished that they could be what they used to be, she wanted that more than anything, but things weren't the same, and could never be again.

She couldn't even talk to her own friends properly anymore, not without keeping an external filter over her words, carefully corkscrewing all her stress away so that she wouldn't burst.

That box was her responsibility. She was the caretaker of all those kwamis. No one else's.

He needed to realise that.

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

After waving to Nathaniel, Marinette slumped out of Art class, her shoulder joints aching from being hunched over.

"Hey, Marinette!" Alya waved from the end of the hallway.

Marinette waved back, the smile on her face returning.

"Oh, Alya, I have to tell you something super important!!" Another voice which Marinette unfortunately recognised made her insides squirm.

Lila Rossi walked into view, clutching Alya's arm, and said something to her, which Marinette could not hear.

Alya was gently trying to point to Marinette, but the lying girl was insistent that Alya listened to her instead.

Finally, Alya shrugged apologetically at Marinette before following Lila down the stairs.

If it were any other day, Marinette would have ground her teeth in frustration. Today, she really didn't care.

Yeah, it was sad that Alya went along with Lila's lies, but Marinette knew her well enough to know that her position as Alya's best friend wasn't going to be replaced.

Besides, she just didn't like giving Lila the time of day.

Too bad she actually had to cross them down the stairs to go home.

'Don't be bitter, don't be bitter, don't be bitter, don't be bitter,' she muttered a pep talk to herself as she made her way down the stairs, slinging her bag behind her.

"Hey, girl?" Alya said, peeking at her behind Lila's fake smile. "Do you want to walk home together?"

"I'll be fine, Alya, don't worry." Marinette shrugged it off, remembering to smile. "My house is only a few streets away."

"Are you sure, Marinette?" Lila asked, batting her eyelashes innocently. "You look exhausted, poor thing!"

Marinette fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Don't worry about me, Lila. I'm fine."

"Hey, Marinette!"

The three girls turned to see Adrien Agreste standing on the next stair landing.

Wait.

He was calling Marinette.

She was Marinette.

"Oh! Uh," Marinette stuttered.

"Go on!" Alya encouraged.

"Hi!" She said in a small voice, raising a hand.

"I meant, go to him!" Alya hissed.

"Right!" Marinette nodded, sterling herself up.

Of course, her usual luck wasn't kind to her.

She tripped on something and went tumbling down the stairs, her feet giving out underneath her.

"Gah-ooof!!" Marinette let out a strangled yelp as she felt her face land on something hard and soft at the same time.

"Marinette, are you okay?" She could hear Adrien asking worriedly.

Why wasn't her face hurting? Shouldn't she have fallen on the-

"Oh, I am f-fine!!" She pulled her face away from Adrien's chest, her stutter returning when she realised he caught her, and his arms were still on hers.

"Marinette!!" Alya's voice sounded so far away, yet Marinette forced herself to turn around. "Oh my god, are you okay??"

"I am!" She squeaked.

She was JUST getting better around him. Of course her stupid feelings had to get in the way. AGAIN.

"Oh my gosh, Marinette!" Lila said, coming up behind Alya.

Quite honestly, Marinette had forgotten she was there.

And her anger that Adrien had managed to catch her did not go unnoticed.

"You should really be more careful!!" She said, her voice rising. "You tripped over my bag, silly!"

"You mean the bag you dropped." Adrien said bitingly, an arm still around Marinette.

"It was an accident, Adrien!" Lila said, as Alya helped Marinette get steady on her feet. "Of course I didn't mean to drop my bag! You know how clumsy Marinette can be."

"Or," Adrien said alternatively, staring her down coldly. "You could be more considerate of the fact that you are standing on the stairs where anybody could walk and trip over anything."

"Lila..." Alya said reassuringly, and for a second, Marinette's blood went cold, thinking she was going to defend her actions.

"I'm pretty sure you didn't mean to, but be more careful in the future, okay?" She said kindly.

"Oh of course, Alya!" Lila said, lapping up the little attention Alya gave her. "You are so sweet!"

"Yeah, um." Marinette said, extricating herself from the situation, even though she was grateful for Adrien's support. "I should go. Bye!" With that she ran out of there.

-----------

"Phew." Marinette sighed in relief as she finally got out of the gates. Finally, some relief.

Unconsciously, her eyes wandered to the rooftops of the buildings, like she was expecting to see another Akuma just when she felt like she could catch her breath.

There weren't any.

That was good, right?

She couldn't help the sinking feeling in her chest when she didn't see a black blob with cat ears jumping in between the buildings.

She really wasn't expecting to see him this soon, was she?

"Marinette?" She perked up, turning around to see Adrien.

"Adrien?" She said, hating how squeaky her voice became, again. "Are you how - I mean what doing - gah, just... what's up?"

The worry and concern in his face didn't fade. Just great. He was probably already considering carting her off to the nearest asylum-

"You didn't twist your ankle, did you?" He asked, his eyes traveling to her feet.

"No, I.. I'm fine." She smiled resolutely. "Really. And thank you for catching me. Who knows what would have happened otherwise."

Adrien simply smiled welcomingly at her. "Of course, Marinette. You don't have to thank me."

"But I do!" Marinette said, her jaw dropping. " You caught me and you defended me against... her." She unintentionally gave him the stink eye she meant to give Lila.

Adrien chuckled at her expression. "Hey, someone needs to take her a peg down. I'm glad it's us."

"Yeah..." Marinette smiled dreamily before snapping out of it. "Oh, uh, anyway..." She trailed off, desperately trying to find a different subject.

She didn't know why she chose his dark circles underneath his eyes. "Are you okay?" She asked, peering at his face. "You look like you haven't slept!"

"I could say the same for you!" He countered. "You look like you haven't seen the inside of your mattress in days!"

"Wuh?"

Urgh. Marinette grunted. So much layers of makeup for nothing. Of course he could see through them, he caked himself with layers of those things for his job.

"I just..." Marinette pushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, unconsciously touching her earrings. "I haven't been able to sleep. Too many things going on in my mind."

"Oh." Adrien said, looking like a kicked puppy, even though he wasn't the one who got into a stupid fight with his superhero partner. "Same here, actually." He fiddled with his white ring.

"The life of two lycéens, am I right?" Marinette joked weakly.

"Yeah. Study all day and stay awake at night reading cat memes." He snorted.

"You...you read cat memes?"

"Don't you dare let that come out. I have a reputation to protect." He gasped, like he had uttered a forbidden secret.

Marinette giggled soundly, hoping that would drive away all the painful reminders of another cat in her life.

"Anyway, the reason I came here is..." He rubbed the back of his neck. "Do you want to study for that pop quiz tomorrow together?"

Marinette's jaw dropped. "You're asking me, the girl who drools in History to help you??"

"No, I am asking the drooling girl if I can help her." He sassed back.

"Excuse you," Marinette said haughtily, placing a hand on her hip. "I got an A+ last quiz, which is a grade higher than a measely A-."

"Don't let my father hear you, or I'll get an EARful." Adrien punned.

Marinette was torn between laughing at him and screaming at the universe for giving her signs that pointed to Chat Noir.

"Okay, but seriously, we're both good at History and... it's been a long time since we got to hang out together, just the two of us."

Marinette wanted to melt into a gooey puddle right there.

Adrien wanted to hang out with her? He missed hangout time with HER?

"Why, do you miss getting your ass kicked in video games that much, Agreste?" Marinette went for the sarcastic approach.

If it was possible, his eyes twinkled even more. "Would you take me with you if I told you I don't want to see Alya and Nino play tonsil hockey??"

He hoped she would get the hint. Whenever the four of them just wanted to be together like old times, Marinette could almost never make it. Not that he would ever blame her for it, but being a third wheel was excruciatingly painful.

"Alright, Adrien." Marinette found the courage to loop her hand around his arm. "If I don't take pity on the poor voyeur, what kind of a horrible person would I be?"

"The kind who is really good at it?" He shot back and Marinette only dragged him further ahead in retaliation, failing miserably at it, to his delight.

He was an entire head taller than her, and he just so happened to be a model, which meant she and her short legs had to toddle behind his longer strides.

Sometimes...she realised. Sometimes it really did pay to have a friend around.

---------

Adrien was nothing short of amazing. She always said those words, but now she meant them in a completely different way.

He was patient and understanding when she fucked up some of the facts, and was even more persistent to learn when he did. They cracked jokes here and there, making the atmosphere feel lighter and easier. She kept both of them entertained by doodling some of her designs while studying, because that habit helped her focus. And obviously, he oohed and aahed over her work.

Adrien was just as much a favourite of her parents like when they were 15, and they constantly came up to her room, piling his plate with more food, saying that a growing boy needed more nutrition.

His dietician was going to kill him, but she also didn't know he parkoured around Paris as a part time job either.

Neither of them hadn't felt this free in forever.

Adrien would be lying if he said he came over just to study. He had been watching Marinette carefully over the days, and with every passing hour, the strong, brave, outspoken girl he knew seemed to be folding into a smaller, hollow version of her former self.

He had tried to approach her, just like all her friends, but she had shrugged it off, and always said she was fine.

He knew more than anyone how familiar he found her tight-lipped, constricted smile, and it wasn't just from having led a life as a model. It was also from three years of being Ladybug's partner.

And hell, if Ladybug was just going to remain stubborn and not let him in, the least he could do is be there for one of his oldest and dearest friends.

They were sitting down on opposite sides of her chaise, their schoolwork piled on top of it.

She was in the middle of letting out the loudest gigglesnort at his pompous, over-the-top impressions of Mussolini, and the words just came tumbling out.

"I haven't heard you laugh in ages."

Abruptly, she stopped, and Adrien immediately wished he could go back to a time he hadn't said that. Like...5 minutes ago.

Darn, where was Second Chance when he needed it??

"Oh, um...yeah." Marinette cleared her throat. "I've got a lot going on."

"I'm guessing it doesn't have to do with schoolwork?" Adrien guessed correctly.

Marinette looked up. "How do you..."

"Marinette, we've known each other for three years. You could pile up your desk with ten different projects and get them all completed on time. You're that efficient."

He said that so calmly, so casually, like he was reciting a poem he learnt by heart.

How was she supposed to move on from someone like him?

"You....you would be right." She mumbled.

"Marinette, you can talk to me." Adrien said, placing his hand on top of hers. "Please, I've been where you are, and believe me, talking about it helps."

Marinette looked like she was filtering her thoughts, trying to figure out what to say.

He also realised he hadn't noticed how small her hands were.

"I sort of had a falling out with one of my friends." She finally said.

"Who?" Adrien asked.

"Ummm...I can't tell you?" Marinette stuttered. "I'm sorry, I know I'm being really weird right now, but none of you know him, and I can't-"

"It's okay." Adrien soothed. "You don't have to tell me."

For a second there, his thoughts had immediately traveled to Luka, but Marinette wouldn't lie. She was not that person. If she said they didn't know him, then she was being completely honest with him.

"In fact," Adrien said, hoping that it would ease her mind. "I am kind of in the same situation too. I got into a fight with a friend too. It's been stewing between me and her for days and yesterday it just blew up."

Her eyes turned to him sympathetically. "I'm so sorry, Adrien. Are you and Kagami okay?"

"Kagami? No, it's not Kagami."

"Then who- you can't tell me either, can you?" She said, reading his panicked expression.

"No....?" He shifted guiltily.

"That's okay." Marinette said, patting his hand. "We don't have to give away our mystery friends' identities."

Oh wow, the irony.

"Do you...do you want to talk about it?" Marinette asked kindly, even though he was the one who made the first move.

"I will if you will." He said hopefully.

"Come on over to this side." Marinette patted the space next to her, and Adrien eagerly walked over to her side, plopping himself down unceremoniously.

---------

"Wait...so..." Adrien said, rubbing his chin. "This guy is trying to reach out to you, but you don't want to because you are too stressed out?"

"I know it sounds bad." Marinette winced. "He and I used to be close...but we drifted apart over the last few weeks. We just didn't see each other that often and life got in the way. And I know he's trying to help, I'm just not ready. And I know I should accept that he's trying to make me forget but-"

"No, you don't have to reach out to him if you don't want to." Adrien said seriously. "Your feelings are valid too. You're obviously under the weather for a really long time, and if you want to deal with that on your own, then he shouldn't be stopping you."

"Really?" She still sounded unconvinced.

"Listen, no one knows or understands the pressure you go through more than you." Adrien said, his eyes narrowing as his thoughts traveled to his father. "I say keep your space from him. If he's a true friend, he'll understand. That being said....do you think he'll reject you if you do reach out now?"

Marinette looked away, biting her lower lip as she pondered on his words.

"He...he can be very stubborn. And sometimes he puts his pride before the situation at hand but...no. He wouldn't. He is not heartless. Far from it, actually."

"Well then, there you have it. He definitely has good intentions, and I'm sure you are aware of that. With a little time and space, he will come around. I'm sure of it."

When it was his turn, Adrien didn't mention the stress Ladybug was going through to Marinette, even though that probably didn't help her case. Still, he couldn't just casually leave hints about her identity. He'd never forgive himself if he did.

"My friend...she lost someone close to her." He said instead. "And she thinks it's her fault."

Marinette's eyes crinkled with compassion.

"I'm so sorry. For her, that is."

"And well, I've been trying to reach out, but everytime I do, she pushes me away or yells at me for trying to help, and it's frustrating because...I want to help but I can't do that if I'm scared to even strike up a normal conversation with her without it going up in flames."

"It....seems like she is going through a lot."

"Yeah she is, and I suggested that we go do something together yesterday, and she exploded. She said something about how I wasn't taking seriously. But I am."

That last sentence came out more despairing than he meant to. "I have never been more serious about anything in my life."

Marinette averted her eyes from him, looking at the window instead. "Well...I say she needs some time to cool off too."

"What?"

"Maybe, maybe you shouldn't bother her for a while, but still, don't stop showing her that you do care. Just...do it at a distance until she comes to you. She is hurting, and yes her feelings are understandable, but so are yours. Don't give yourself any chances to get hurt unnecessarily, okay?"

Adrien smiled sadly. "Thanks Marinette. I really needed to hear that."

"Thank YOU. Your advice really helped out a lot too."

Adrien opened his arms for a hug, and it shocked Marinette how easily she was able to accept it now, compared to her stuttering, panicky, fifteen year old self.

"What are friends for?" Adrien said, his chin resting on her head as Marinette finally let herself relax.

Friends.

Maybe, that word wasn't so terrifying when she related it to Adrien after all.

---------

"Marinette.... maybe you should take a page from Adrien's book! You look much more relaxed now that you talked things out with him, don't you?" Tikki said, once Adrien had left.

"Yeah, but, it's, it's...." Marinette struggled. "I know he wants to help, Tikki, but I can't - I just -"

"What do you think Chat Noir would do if you reached out?" Tikki asked, eyeing her seriously.

"He would...."

"Do you think he would turn you away?"

"No! But-"

"Marinette, you don't have to go to him unless you want to, but you should know, you aren't alone. You never have been, and you don't have to be. Until then..... don't be so hard on the boy. You know he cares about you."

---------

"Did you get NOTHING out of the conversation you had with Marinette??" Plagg asked Adrien insistently.

"What is there to get?" Adrien shrugged as he dug out the rest of his homework. "I really hope she does make up with that guy, whoever he is."

"No!! I mean, she is - and you are - AGHHH!" Plagg just screamed and burrowed himself into one of Adrien's removed socks.

"Stop being so dramatic, Plagg." Adrien shook his head.

"Well maybe you should stop trying to force help on someone who doesn't want it." Plagg shot back.

"Hey, she needs it!" Adrien said defensively. "I'm not going to apologise for trying to be a good friend-"

"Hey, you are the one who said she's going through a lot to Pigtails. And you said she's blaming herself for it. You know what she is going through, and you know she needs help."

Plagg flew a few inches directly in front of his chosen's face. "But does she WANT help? That's the question you need to ask yourself."

Plagg flew away haughtily into his cabinet of cheese, leaving behind an ashen faced Adrien.

#miraculous ladybug #adrien #marinette #adrienette #chat noir #ladynoir #ladybug #my fics #her light to his darkness

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