#APOLOGIES FOR THE ESSAY IT WAS JUST A VERY GOOD QUESTION I HAD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT...

[illumiera]

how does Miraak describe being skeletonized? 👀 Does he laugh about it now/even remember it, or was it horribly traumatizing? Does it upset Elentari?

OH, GOOD QUESTION, THANK YOU‼️ 👀

Miraak remembers everything.

he remembers dying in Elentari's arms and asking her to tell him about Sovngarde (because she would be his afterlife instead, and perhaps they'd meet in her dreams, he thought), and then learning her name with his last breath. he remembers the bright pain of his soul coming loose, and the strangeness of it settling inside her, like he was a second heart right beside her own. he remembers her travelling through time itself to find him, and how she'd kissed him to give back his soul, and how having a soul returned (or returning a soul!) hurts as much as having it ripped away.

(in his own words: “I remember how you carried my soul within you as safely as if it were your own, Elentari, Kundruniiki, vokriidi,” he continues to her profile, wondering what he would see in her eyes if he were to reach out, and with the gentlest touch of his claw-tipped fingers at the curve of her jaw, turn her to face him, “and how I knew no fear, so long as your feet were carving a path of stars for mine to follow. How you crossed entire rivers of time and cheated the Prince of Fate to salvage such an undeserving spirit as mine, knowing that he will surely hunt us to the ends of Nirn in return.”)

he won't laugh about it, but he's not exactly traumatised, either—he's just living with the quiet certainty that he survived, despite everything, and now he's here with a scar to show for it, just like Elentari herself. they have matching scars right over their hearts now, after all, from when they died and came back nonetheless!

and meanwhile, Elentari... very much doesn't like to speak of it yet. she struggles to even say the words "you died" or "you were dead" to him, because in her eyes, the fact that she brought him back doesn't erase the fact that she had to watch yet another person die as she tried to save them. maybe that will all change in time, though... 🤲

[darlingsblackbook]

Professor!Nanami x Student!Reader

College AU

Jujustu Kaisen Masterlist

I | Nanami is the calm, well-dressed, no-nonsense literature professor who commands attention the moment he walks into the lecture hall. His voice is steady and rich, and his tailored suits are always perfect—never a hair out of place. You sit near the middle row, always quietly attentive, notebook full of meticulous notes.

II | Nanami notices you early in the semester—not because you speak up (you rarely do), but because of how intent your eyes are when you listen. While others drift off, your gaze never wavers, and it unsettles him in a way he doesn't quite understand.

III | You avoid eye contact when Nanami looks in your direction. Your cheeks heat up whenever he addresses the class near your side. The moment he asks, “Any thoughts?” your pen suddenly becomes the most interesting object in the world.

IV | Nanami calls on you once, gently, hoping to encourage participation. You stammer through your thoughts, face burning, but your insight is sharp and quietly brilliant. He nods with a small smile. “Excellent observation.” You don’t hear a word of the next ten minutes because your heart won’t stop pounding.

V | Nanami starts leaving encouraging comments on your papers. They’re brief but thoughtful—“Insightful interpretation.” “Strong analysis here.” It’s enough to make you carry the papers home like they’re delicate relics.

VI | You sometimes linger after class to ask questions, nervously fidgeting with your sleeves. Nanami answers with patience and clarity, his eyes never leaving yours. One day, he asks, “Have you considered pursuing writing?” You nod shyly. “I think you’d be very good at it.”

VII | Nanami is hyperaware of boundaries. He never crosses a line, never favors, never flirts. But he does start noticing little things—how you hold your coffee with both hands when you're nervous, how you blink quickly when overwhelmed. He doesn’t mean to notice. He just does.

VIII | You catch yourself doodling Nanami Kento in the margins of your notebook once. You immediately scribble over it like a crime scene. You can’t help it—he’s intelligent, composed, deeply kind. And devastatingly attractive. It’s unfair, really.

IX | One rainy day, you forget your umbrella. You’re standing at the building entrance, unsure, when a dark shadow falls beside you. Nanami holds his umbrella out. “You’ll get sick,” he says simply, offering to walk you to the bus stop. You walk in silence, barely breathing the whole way.

X | Your classmates start teasing you. “He always looks at your row first.” “I swear he only compliments your essays.” You deny it fervently, but inside, your heart dances.

XI | Nanami assigns a project with optional office hours. You build up the courage to schedule a time. His office smells like cedar and coffee. Books line the shelves, orderly and warm. You talk about your paper for ten minutes, but stay an extra twenty just… discussing poetry. You’ve never felt more seen.

XII | Nanami gives you a book at the end of the semester. It’s a vintage copy, worn but cared for. Inside the front cover, he’s written a note: For someone who sees what others miss. Keep writing. You hold it like it’s sacred.

XIII | At graduation, Nanami finds you in the crowd. His smile is rare and soft. “You’ve done well.” You whisper your thanks, unsure if you’ll ever see him again. That thought stings more than you expect.

XIV | Months later, you bump into Kento in a quiet bookstore. You’re both surprised. You laugh awkwardly. He offers to buy you coffee, “as two adults, no longer bound by rules.” You agree, heart thudding, and this time you’re able to look him in the eye.

XV | Over coffee, the conversation flows. Kento tells you he always looked forward to your essays. You tell him he made you believe you had a voice. There’s silence for a beat… then he says softly, “If I were to ask to see you again, would you find that inappropriate?”

English is not my first language, I apologize for any errors. Feel free to point them out! Also, I did not go to college in America- the schooling system where I live is very different and people here barely understand it, so nvm from other countries 💀 I tried to base it off the American system but I used series as a guide lmao. So beware of inaccuracies lol.

All Rights Reserved © 2025 DarlingBlackBook

[red-doll-face]

Heeyyy! Soooo I have a fun request idea that I totally came up with on my own with no help from anybody else, from my own mind and not some super creative person that answered my question about Arthur proposing to reader 🤣 it goes something like this:

-takes three months to work up the nerve and like another one to pick out one ring.

-chickens out at least two times bc the moment isn't right

-asks Hosea for advice 19 times (Hosea is tired)

-he's the trope where reader starts crying and he's like ohh goddd i fucked up of course you don't wanna marry my ass

-the way he would ride around for a week looking for the perfect spot to do it

-marks it on his map with a heart

-the essays he would write in his journal about this situation

-he's so cute i love him pls marry me Arthur Morgan

-awww once you say yes??

Hehehehe no pressure though!!!!! I just looooovvvveeeee this idea so much!

Yes !!! Yes of course I’ll write this!!! ❤️❤️💕💕🥰🥰😵‍💫😵‍💫😩😩As always it ended up running really long even though I didn’t even really flesh out a back story. 🥲 I’m glad you enjoyed my response ☺️☺️ I definitely had high honor Arthur Morgan in mind for this when I read it, I hope it’s ok and that you like it!!! I was so happy to see you in my inbox !!! @zae-heeyyy 💓💓💓💓💓 writing this was so cathartic and I loved the rdr1 setting so much so that I made this pre black water heist or whatever 😭🫶 from Arthur’s pov hope you like the characterization 🥹

Tags: established relationship, marriage proposals?? Arthur being a major weenie. Like huge weenie. He is soooo sooo sweet it’s almost like too much and I love love love sweet Arthur so very fluffy!!!! Pre black water !! Dutch being a jerk 😒 but cute dad Hosea moments ☺️

Arthur wants things to be perfect for you.

(High honor) Arthur Morgan x fem. Reader

Arthur knows he’s made up his mind when he’s in the tailor’s shop in Blackwater, looking like a lowdown cattle rustler among all of the fancy fabrics on the wall. He and his spurs, his boots scuffed to hell and a leather satchel slung over his chest. He’s out of place and he knows it. But he’s here to buy a new shirt.

Yesterday, he had nearly driven himself insane looking for a shirt of his that wasn’t ruined, ripped and mended, dirty, stained irreparably. None of them were good enough for what he wanted, something nice to get down on one knee and ask his girl to marry him. And so he kissed you goodbye and rode into town in search of something better. He makes an effort at pretending to be interested in any of the fancy stuff, silk and linen suits that he sure will never be fitted for him. He clears his throat as the attendant drags his eyes away from the sunday paper.

A tight lipped smile consumes the man's face. Arthur already can sense the assumptions he’s getting but he pays little mind to it. He’s getting this shirt and that's that.

“How can I help you, sir?” Obnoxious and nasally, the thin and short man's voice already gives away his air of superiority. Arthur's eyes narrow but he isn’t too irritated yet.

“Here to get a shirt.” His words are simple. The attendant raises a brow.

“Just a shirt, not… pants or shoes?” the attendant lowers the paper to scan over the rest of Arthur’s clothes. Arthur can hardly ignore the burn of insecurity.

He gives a look that conveys how quickly he is losing his patience. “Excuse me?” He can only tell his posture changed when he observes the man's attitude change, clinging to the counter between them like it would make any difference.

“No, well sir, perhaps I’ve overstepped, I apologize. What kind of-of shirts were you thinking?”

“Listen, I ain’t here to cause no trouble, just show me what you’ve got,” The attendant hurries to show him some options, tries to sell him a vest but that isn’t happening with his budget.

In the end, he picks a blue french dress shirt. Costs a real pretty penny but he wants it to be special. Because you’re special. He stuffs it away in a saddlebag after thanking the attendant, who no doubt heaves a sigh of relief after he leaves.

-

He’s been collecting rings. In a special bag is a collection. A few plain gold bands, some with stones set in them. They’re pretty blue and red gems, some have filigree detailing. But he still can’t find the right one.

Worse then, is that they’re rings of all different sizes which he gets from his more sordid activities. Debt collecting or train robberies. It’s all stolen goods. It feels wrong to give you something like that but when he told Dutch his intentions, he clapped him on the back and told him to look in the collection box for more rings. He nodded then but it was half hearted. Somehow that was more souring. Did he really want to give you something he took from someone else? That someone else bought for their loved one with the express purpose of giving them something to symbolize how they loved each other? His own thoughts swirl circles in his head, why he had these scruples about it, he didn’t know.

It’s riding with Hosea that he asks for advice. They’ve been working on a job in Tumbleweed, trying to con some poor fool into giving money he shouldn’t by pretending to sell land deeds. They ride all the way from the yellow grasses of Hennigan’s Stead and it’s been mostly quiet over the stretch of passing though Armadillo. Arthur decides to speak up after they pass through town. The sun is beginning to dip a bit lower in the sky but they’ll be in Tumbleweed before then.

“I been-”

“This about you n’ the girl?” Hosea already has a knowing smile and Arthur rubs the back of his neck. “I think you should do it! You two would make quite the couple, she’s a sweetheart, that girl,”

“Yeah, she-she’s… I’ve been lookin’ at rings to give ‘er,” He grips the reins before going lax, riding easily along the path. Hosea murmurs, letting Arthur continue. He guides Boadicea down the dusty road. “I don’t think I wanna give her something I got robbin’, don’t seem right,”

“Then get her something new, I don’t think she’ll mind at all. But you do what you think you should. You could probably fence all the other rings you thought about and get her something quite nice with the cash,”

“Yeah, I could do that,” why hadn't he thought of that?

“That’s a wonderful thing, getting married. Don’t be afraid to, y’know, go through with it. If you’re thinkin’ about it. Maybe, once Dutch and I find the perfect spot for the gang to settle down, we’ll build you two your own little thing on the land,”

“You that confident she’ll say yes?” Arthur has an awkward and disbelieving laugh but Hosea keeps his earnest smile.

“Why wouldn’t she? Arthur, somehow, she has gone for a man like you, you should be over the moon, you should be whistling tunes everywhere you go,”

“Like me? What's that supposed to mean?” He knows what he means. A man like him had very little to offer you, a young woman who could easily charm some other well established man into giving you a home. Leagues away from his cot and the weathered canvas he put up to give you some small amount of privacy.

“You remember what happened with that Mary woman. This time, things oughta turn out better. This one’s got no old man to chase you around with a shotgun,” Hosea figures himself very funny and laughs, ending it with a shallow cough. Arthur furrows his brows.

Of course he reminded him of his disaster with Mary. He could never escape that woman, even when he severed ties with her. But how he had wanted to, especially with you. Yes, it was true, he had loved Mary. But now he loves you. He needs you. His idea of the rest of his life always includes you, laying in bed with him, gently stroking his chest, leaving him love notes in his satchel, telling him what happened in the camp while he was gone. He always listens, always wakes up smiling with you tucked under his arm.

“I remember just fine,” he grunts,

“Good, because you’ll forget about her soon enough. Month from now, I suppose. Where are you going to tell her?”

“Where? I didn’t think we was gonna go nowhere, just tell her when I was ready to…” he hadn’t even imagined a place when he first set out to do this.

“So you wanna propose; with Uncle standing behind her, drunk off his ass in just his soiled union suit?”

“I-”

“Take her somewhere special, somewhere to make her feel special! Women like to feel special, Arthur, you know that,”

“I do?” He says, with a sarcastic edge to his voice, though he tries on his attempt at sounding uninvested.

“You should. I didn’t do that enough. I should have before, well…” Arthur nods, bowing his head a little as if in remembrance. He hopes to always have you by his side. Otherwise he would be much like Hosea: carrying a torch for a woman who passed through his life too quickly.

-

He starts his journey looking for something special. Special like you are. Keeps his eye out, marking potential things in his map, and makes a list in his journal. Aurora Basin maybe, a pretty lake deep in the forest but getting attacked by bears doesn’t sound romantic in any way. There are some sweeping vistas overlooking the San Luis River in Rio Bravo. He isn’t quite sure about anything though, thinking it over deeply. He just wants things to be perfect.

He’s still thinking about it when he comes back to camp, close to Lake Don Julio, sighing. Thinking much too hard obviously, he doesn’t notice that you’re sitting on his bed, biting your nail nervously until you see him first. You look worried, happy to see him but worried. You stand, hugging your arms around yourself and then placing them on your hips to make you seem more upset but you just drop them when he’s close enough.

“Hey, darlin’,” He utters, opening his arms to give you a hug but you just look up at him. He drops them, mentally kicking himself before taking his hat off and sitting down on his bed.

“Arthur, you’ve been gone three days,”

“I know,” you’re disappointed in his answer. You take a breath and a pause, looking off to the right. He stares down at his scuffed and weather worn boots. He hates to disappoint you, hates when you’re upset. It takes a lot to get you there, too. You’re a forgiving soul when he knows he doesn’t deserve forgiveness. He looks away, like a dog who knew he shouldn’t have chewed those leather boots up to bits.

“You know. I asked everyone where you were and they didn’t know,”

“Honey, I ain’t gonna leave you, I’m not-”

“You leave other men out of this, Arthur,” you already predicted he’d bring another man’s failings to make up for his own. Maybe bringing up John’s shortcomings while you’re upset is a little below the belt but it worked better in his head. He puffs some air out in a laugh. God, he just can’t seem to find the right words to say.

“Is something funny? Is how much-how much I worry funny to you?” You look like you’re gonna cry, squeezing your arms tight around yourself. Your eyes flick around, thinking of all the people watching, never any goddamn privacy in this place. You start to back up, looking for a place to hide your tears.

“No, no, I- I’m sorry, don’t go walkin’ away,” You let him pull you back. Let him tug you into his lap. You sniff and tuck into his neck. “I’m sorry,” he says at least 5 more times. His hands pet down your hair, holding you. He hadn’t wanted to come back to such a harrowing fear in the pit of his stomach, the thought of you walking off without him. He thinks himself lucky that you haven’t had enough of him and decided to leave already.

Arthur pulls you in real tight, doesn’t let up til’ you start to calm down a little. “Shouldn’t cry for me, sweet girl, bastard like me ain’t worth them tears,” he wipes a few away. Seeing you like this could make him cry if he thought about it too much, how he had let you down. His nerves almost make him tremble, the slightest shake in his fingers when he brushes them under your eyes, shiny with tears. If anyone else made you cry, he’d knock their teeth out. But what is he supposed to do when it’s him? Sickness roils around his abdomen.

“Where were you, anyway?” You shake your head at his words. “Mac and Davey said…” he perks up at that. Those boys are a terror. His face screws up in an anticipated anger. He’d be angrier with them, they’re the ones who need to see it, not you.

“What’d they say?”

“No, they were just messing with me. I don’t think it’s true,” You look away. But he knows exactly how nasty those boys can be. He gives you a look and you give him a defeated one in return. An embarrassment leaks into your words. You can’t meet his eyes, twiddling your fingers.

“They said you were at the saloon in town. They said things that aren’t true and I know it but it isn’t nice to leave me here with nothing to say about it,”

“I know, darlin’, next time, you’ll be the first to know where I’m goin’,” You nod and wrap an arm around his shoulder while he pats your back, grabs your thigh so he can pull you to sit across his lap fully.

“Are you gonna answer my question or should I take their word?” you tease and he reassures you about those boys. They’ll be hearing from him soon enough.

“I’m gonna have a word with them, don’t worry about it,” he scratches his beard. How is he supposed to say that he went riding around looking for a place to take you so he can ask you to take his sorry hand in marriage? He had already disappointed you and saying it’s a secret is a laughable idea.

“Well, I was out, uhh- huntin’?” You frown and lean away.

“Arthur, you’re an awful hunter and an awful liar,” you look really hurt. You almost stand but he pulls you back. He needs something to tell you and fast.

“I was out lookin’ for somethin’ real special to give you. It’s supposed to be a surprise…but well, I can’t keep no secrets from you, sweetheart,” You fuss a little, a wariness in your posture. You study his expression. It isn’t a complete lie, makes it a bit easier to pull off. He really does have a surprise for you. He tries to keep his face neutral, but his lips twitch up when yours do to, a small smile shining through the clouds of your emotional turmoil.

“What surprise?”

“I didn’t find it, guess a surprise, it’s gonna have to stay,” You pout and wiggle, a soft chuckle rumbling in his chest.

“Ok, but once you find it, you better take me to see it right away,” You kiss him, soft and sweet, holding his prickly jaw in one hand. He can feel how your pout gives way to a smile. The feeling of your soft lips on his is one of those things he’ll never get sick of, never get over.

“I will, promise,”

-

He’s found the perfect ring, really, by chance. It’s a little thing but it’s the right color, goes well with you. The rock on it isn’t very big but he saw it in a window while in town. Some big fancy jewelry store, showing off all the finer things that he never paid any mind to. Unless it was to steal it of course. But he had bought it. With money that may have been also robbed but it was from hitting a Del Lobo stash. A good deed, probably in a backwards sense.

The girls had ‘oohed’ at it, Mary-Beth had an excited tiny clap and Tilly rejoiced. Jenny nodded with a small smile.

“We’re happy for you Arthur! Oh my god, Arthur Morgan, gettin’ married…” Tilly giggles, putting her hands to her cheeks and clasping her hands in front of the skirt of her yellow dress.

Karen laughed. “Never thought I’d see the day,”

“Don’t listen to her, I mean we was hoping when we saw you two huddled up all the time,” Mary-Beth takes the ring from him, holding it closer, so that Jenny and Tilly can get a closer look.

“Hey, be careful with that,” he murmured, trying not to sound too desperate. He scratches his neck instead of snatching it back like his instinct wants him to. Evening is coming soon, purple dusk and soft coyote yipping and howling far in the distance marks the sun's descent. Meaning you’re probably finishing up whatever it is you’re doing. He hopes you don’t come around the corner at an inopportune time. Arthur turns his head this way and that.

“Where’d you get it? Looks new, ain’t scuffed to high heaven like everything else around here,” Jenny points out and the girls nod.

“Bought it in town,” playing it off doesn’t work so well.

They ‘ooh’ some more. “Fancy. Only the best for Arthur’s sweetheart,” Karen coos teasingly.

“Gimme that,” grumbling, he takes the ring back, bowing his head so they can’t see the embarrassment plain on his face. He meanders off after asking how things have been. Of course, they only give him updates about you, Karen jokes that that’s all he wants to hear about anyway. He scoffs and wishes them a good evening.

But the perfect spot is yet to be discovered. Evades him like just about nothing else. He almost gives up on the idea. He’s been taking you out, trying to get you in the almost perfect moments. Taking you out on the town in Blackwater was a good time, he bought you dinner and took you on a stroll down the cobbled streets, watching your face light up when you saw something pretty in a window, clutching his hand and pulling him in more. He almost proposed on the veranda at the Blackwater saloon. Only for a fight to break out at the poker table to interrupt.

Then he took you out to see the poppy fields in Great Plains. But he had let his anxiousness and his nerves overtake him. He had tucked the ring away. You had looked so beautiful standing among the flowers, it was perfect but he just…couldn’t. Instead, he wrote in his journal about his own cowardice. Wrote about if he should lock you to him for the rest of your life. If he’d end up leaving you a widow. Or if you were to be taken from him like Annabelle and Bessie. Leaving behind lonely men who longed for a woman gone from this world. Then he scribbled pictures of you, trying to draw the motion in your hair and in your dress and the beaming most enchanting smile he had ever seen.

Boadicea munched on the long wheat grass, waving in the wind while he kept a watchful eye on you, picking flowers in your pretty dress fluttering against the bright blue of the sky. You have a bunch of candy orange poppy flowers held together by your palms, a bright smile on your face. You walk to where he sits, leaning against the tree, next to a small broken down stone fence. Your smile falters when you see his pensive expression. You come close enough to touch. You dangle one flower above him before you tuck it into the frayed ropes banded around the crown of his hat. He lowers his head while you fuss. Smiling like a fool. You smile again too, sitting beside him. You both listen to the sound of the quiet plains, breeze in the branches above him. The shade is cool, light filters beautifully over your features, speckled like the back of a doe.

“Something has been going on with you, Arthur,” you state as pure fact, knowing him all too well. You had only really known each other a year and have only been together as a couple for six months but you knew him better than anyone else. You had let him be himself, let him just…be. He didn't need to say anything for you to understand him.

“I’ve just been… thinkin’ bout some things,”

“Really? I thought you said you weren’t very good at that,” you smile a little, nudging his shoulder. Hoping to lift his spirits with his similar brand of humor but when he hardly huffs a laugh, you frown. “Is it about you and me?”

“Yeah, in a way,” he says, unable to hide anything from you. Why should he bother? Saying no would make you more suspicious. Arthur closes his eyes and can feel the panic rising in you. He could have been better about saying it but he’s quick to deflect it away from his secret. “You happy with me?” low and grumbled, the severity makes his tone go way down.

“I don’t understand. Do I not seem happy? Arthur, I’ve never…I’ve never been happier than I am with you. You’re the kind of man any girl would be lucky to have,” You smile, leaning to face him. Softening up, your eyes track over his face.

He wanted to ask you right then and there. Tell you just how much you complete him. How lucky he was to have you, how there never was a happier time in his life. He doesn’t believe in that sentiment you have, he had failed the women in his life. But he had wanted to make a vow, to never leave you alone. It’s his own nerves that wrap tight around his hands, don’t let him reach in his satchel for the little treasure that will be your wedding ring.

“No, I just know I been gone, I don’t wanna ignore you. I just been busy,”

“You have things to do,” You sigh heavily. “I wish the other men would be as helpful as you. Sometimes, I watch Sean, Uncle, and Bill lay around all day while you’re out working. It doesn’t seem fair,” Your brows pinch in a small dissatisfaction with the idea. He smirks.

“I don’t know how much I trust Sean to get things done right. We’d probably eat nothin’ but leaded rabbit meat and whiskey if we left it up to that boy,” You giggle and nod. Happy to see him back in his joking mood.

“Arthur… You know I love you, don’t you?” God, those words make him shiver. Make his heart rattle in his chest. Could swear his insides turn about 3 times. So sweet, you look at him, hands on his thighs, leaning into his side. He opens his arm for you to tuck into, grabbing your waist to pull you close.

“Yeah, I do. Love you more,” he can feel heat flush up his neck and cheeks but he doesn’t care if he looks like a lovesick idiot. Your joy is worth it. The wind blows your hair over your shoulder, you let him sweep it back some more. Your pretty laugh when he bows over to lay you down on the grass makes him chuckle.

-

He’s finally found it. Montana Ford. A shallow spot in the river he discovered, looking for a short cut trying to cross from New Austin into West Elizabeth. He hated riding through the Del Lobo populated Thieves Landing, especially after they were catching on that it was Dutch and his boys robbed their stash two weeks ago. He sighed and then he veered off the road, looking for somewhere to cross. And the shaded river was perfect.

He stays there a moment, looking at the pretty grass growing alongside the water, the light glittering over the surface. The sound of the river rushing by fills his head pleasantly. You’d love it, you’d toss your boots aside and wade into the river, lifting your skirts high enough to hopefully not get wet. But you’d be wet anyway. He’d do it too, you made him feel like he was twenty despite his thirty some years on this earth.

He decides to sit and sketch it and write about you. Just how excited he was at how everything was coming together. He feels like a kid, sappy but too devoted to care very much at the small heart he puts on his map. He’s almost embarrassed of himself. Even with no one to see. He folds his map up and stuffs his journal away, whistling his horse over. With a soft word or two, he mounts up and continues on to his destination.

-

It's been three days since he found the spot he would take you to and he’s had a ring in his satchel that glares up at him every time he opens it to pull out a cigarette. Of course, just as everything comes together, Dutch insists he go scouting for some new venture, looking to follow a treasure hunter so they could rob him. It ends up being a whole lot of nothing from a bad tip but Dutch has a ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ speech to try and lick his own wounds at Arthur’s expense. Arthur rolls his eyes. Feels his hands knot into fists.

“Maybe next time, it’ll be you runnin’ all over New Austin on some wild goose chase! And I’ll give you this bullshit. Wouldn’t that be just fine, wasting your goddamn time-”

“Arthur, calm down! I don’t have time for your complaining. Where is that girl of yours? Why don’t you blow some of that steam off with her? It’s obvious to me-”

“Dutch…stop pushing the boy,” Hosea remarks from where he’s reading a book nearby. Arthur postures to continue arguing and Dutch shoots a glare before waving him off. He looks to Hosea and backs away, huffing. But before he can go for a smoke to hopefully calm himself down so he could be with you, Hosea calls him over.

“So… have you popped the question?”

“No, I ain’t got time most days,” He sighs in defeat, dropping his weight on the seat next to him, resting on his knees, leaned over. He takes his hat off to adjust his hair before putting it back on. He hadn’t seen you in another two days on account of this stupid ploy to rob a treasure hunter who didn’t know left from right and east from west. What an idiot. But not nearly as foolish as he.

“Tomorrow, I’ll tell Dutch to leave you out of these plots of his. I’ll even tell Miss Grimshaw that she’ll be gone. Take her and ride away for a couple of days. I hope to see a ring on her finger when you get back. In fact, I’ll be expecting it!” Hosea has a smile on his face, the excitement is genuine. Arthur nods.

“And what if she says no?”

“Well you keep at it. Perhaps a little persistence is all you need but why do you insist on imagining the worst?” It’s as if after asking, he considers why Arthur might not want to change things irreparably, might have already put his heart on the line and had it thrown away before.

“Arthur, the sting of rejection must be pretty…pretty lamentable. But you wouldn’t be trying this hard if you really thought you didn’t have a good chance,” Hosea sets his book down. “Go get some rest… leave first thing in the morning,” Hosea pats Arthur lightly on his shoulder. Arthur looks up as Hosea wanders in the direction of his tent.

His heart does yearn to see you at his side, wearing his ring on your finger. To hear you referred to as Mrs. Morgan. But all he can see is an incredulous look on your face. ‘Marry? Me? Arthur, you must be joking,’ you laugh and laugh. You’d never be so cruel but whatever part of him hates his own guts imagines the scenarios with great fervor. The anger from the rest of his day and the anger at himself grit against each other. He growls low before marching off to his tent.

You’re already inside, looking very lovely, one of his mended shirts serving as something of a robe to wear over your underthings. You look up and smile. He could forget the whole world just by looking at you. You hum, scooting over in bed.

“Arthur…” the way you call his name, you hardly need to give him any pet names, just Arthur will do.

“Come out with me tomorrow. First thing in the morning,” He states. More like a command, the residual anger drips off his words. You look at him strangely.

“Alright but I’d like to know what all of this is about first,” You set whatever you were working on, perhaps brushing your hair as you set a horsehair brush aside. You give him a concerned look.

“Found that surprise,” he grumbles, sitting down and tugging his boots off. “Hope you’ll like it but…” he stops to tug his gun belt off, his suspenders too. Arthur rests his hat gently on the side table. “Can’t be too sure til I show it to ya,” You smile softly.

“I think if you think I like it, I’ll love it,” God, he hopes so. Anticipation bounces around in his head and in his lungs. He’s practically short of breath. How he’s going to sleep, he has no idea.

“Yeah?” you hum in agreement. Looking sleepy, he’s endeared by how your eyes blink slowly, how you wiggle onto his chest the second he lays down. Your hands rub down his chest and belly. You’re asleep in a matter of minutes. He almost wishes he had you for company still but he’d never wake you for something so selfish. Instead, he pets down your hair and listens to your breathing, the natural hush that covers the camp once it’s too late for much of anything but small chatter.

-

Like clockwork, he wakes early. He can’t remember falling asleep but you're softly murmuring, you won’t wake unless he expressly wakes you. He gives himself time to put on that shirt he bought and rub his hand over his face at how nervous and silly he feels buttoning it up. He pulls a jacket over it to hopefully hide how ridiculous he looks. The morning is a pale blue when he steps out, thinking to bring you coffee to wake you.

You dress, half asleep, when he comes back to you, humming into the cup he brought you. You wear something nice but not overstated. You put kisses on him to wish him a good morning after you’ve decided you’re cleaned up enough.

He helps you up on his horse, Boadicea already very used to you. The ride isn’t too bad and you certainly make it better, he’s quiet with nerves, responding as much as he can without getting lost in his thoughts. The sun has climbed up and blazed down on you for a while by the time you get there. But your face when you see his surprise is too precious, eager to slip off the back of his horse.

“Arthur, it’s so beautiful!” The summer sun is high in the sky, perfect for your plans as you tug your boots off. He ambles after you, hitching his horse to a tree. You’re already sighing and knee deep in the center of the river. Your stockings lay haphazardly tossed over your boots. You’re some fabled creature, come from somewhere else. He could see it. No woman shined like you did, at least not how he saw things.

Just like he imagined, he rolls his pants up and tosses his boots aside, the spurs jingle when they hit the ground. The light catches the river’s surface, shades of yellow and green, the earth's gentle brown. You’re excited to see him join you, taking his hand that he holds out to you, pressed to his belly and chest, just where you belong.

“You like it, sweetheart?” He mumbles, really fishing for compliments. He knows you do but he’d love to hear you say it.

“I love it, Arthur, how could you say I wouldn’t? Sometimes, you’re a silly man,” you laugh, sway with him in the river. Birds sing, the water is cool, it’s perfect. He pulls you up to a shallower part of the ford, the sun forms a halo around you, reminds him you’re pure heaven and he couldn’t let you go.

“I have something else for you,” his voice is shaky instead of the easy confidence he likes to portray himself as. You look up excitedly but the dazzling smile slips off your face, you're shocked as he pulls a ring from his satchel and kneels down in the river.

“I-uhhh…I-“ he had really planned all of this and didn’t think of a single word to say. He can't bear to look up, he’s sure he’ll lose his nerve. “I haven’t loved…anyone like I love you,” the ring looks tiny and pathetic in his fingers. They’re also calloused to hell but he continues anyway. “There ain’t anyone else for me in this world but you. I just wish I was a better man, you deserve more than I can give but… if you would have me,” he looks up and your hands cover your mouth and tears leak over your fingers.

He really had ruined everything, hadn’t he? How was he supposed to go on living with you? What would he tell Hosea? His face falls and his heart cracks but he’d be glad to take you back home and disappear for a few days.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart, don’t know what I thought,”

“Arthur, just please…” you hold out your left hand. You wipe your tears, trying to compose yourself and when he sees your smile, your hand over your right cheek, he lets himself ease. “Nothing would make me happier than to be- to be your wife, Arthur, you are…you’re the best man I know,” you wiggle your fingers excitedly and he slips the ring over your ring finger. He stays stunned, kneeled in the water, his pants soaking it all up but he couldn’t care less.

The ring looks so perfect on you. He holds your hand, kissing it like a knight of old, looking at him down on his knee, still crying but that brightness in your eyes is all he needs. Your giggle makes him smile at you too. And you drop to embrace him, tucking into his chest, arms around his neck. You murmur his name, rub his back. Tangle your fingers in his hair. He settles with you, surrounded by your unmistakable presence, basking in it. Holds you tighter, trying to not squeeze the air out of you. He breathes you in, holding you through your overwhelmed clinging, wiping your tears on his shoulder.

You pull back a little, enough to kiss him, his relief is groaned into your mouth. He loses track of himself and slips, sitting in a river with you in his arms, giggling more into his kiss.

You sit with him on the banks, trying to dry out after he tipped over. So much for his fancy shirt. He thinks the both of you will look half drowned by the time he brings you back to camp but he isn’t sure he wants to go back. Just you and him for a few days sounds rather enticing. You keep looking at your ring, leaned into his shoulder. A pleased little smile blooms over your face. How can he not smile at how beautiful you look, hair wet at the ends, warm light casting its glow over you.

You look up at him, with a look that says you’re gonna cry again but you just give him a teary smile.

“I’m a lucky bastard, get to call you mine,” You wrap one tiny hand over his neck when you kiss him slow and deep, letting him consume the very air in your lungs, grip over your body to feel it. You moan just softly enough to pull on his need for you. But you part ways for you to continue.

“Did you really think I’d say no?” you give him a sad frown. As if upset that he would think such a thing of you. You brush your fingers against his skin. He looks away.

“You wouldn’t have been the first,” you sigh.

“Who could say no to Arthur Morgan?” You ask no one in particular but he huffs a small laugh.

“Many people,” a joking tone tinges his words. But then he dips towards the sentimental. “Don’t even remember, really, all I think about is you, darlin’…” You laugh before coming closer, unable and unwilling to part from him. He knows he’s a hundred and one percent sap but he lets himself melt in your presence.

“Well, it certainly wasn’t me,” you wiggle your left hand in his face. He chuckles a little at your cute little fingers. “I’m glad…it means I get you all to myself,” The joy is boundless in his chest, he could light the night like a lightning bug with the flame in his heart.

“Arthur, I… I… sometimes I don’t have the words to tell you how much I love you,” you lean onto him. He shakes his head with what he’s sure looks like a stupid grin on his face. He wasn’t sure this would be in the cards for him but here he is, with you.

“Every part of me loves you, honey,” is all he has to say, paling in comparison to the pure power of your own words over him. They tumble clumsily from his mouth but you pull him down for kisses anyway. Your teasing ‘do you?’ has him nodding between your giggles and wet kisses.

-

Thank you so much for leaving me this request, I loved writing it!! It was so much fun and I really had fun including some parts of rdr1 map that were really special to me and brought me back to when I was a kid playing that game 🥹🥹🥹🥲🥲🥲❤️❤️❤️ any feedback is appreciated and thanks for reading 🥰🫶

[yulin-pop]

⤷ ✧ 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠

order 86 | one-shot | Kalim | Gender Neutral

❀ NOTE: reader is shorter than Kalim, yk he’s cute or whateva this has been sitting in my drafts for a few months but i sucked it up and tried my best to finish it up

You knew things were a little too perfect when Kalim suddenly pulled you aside from the party. He lead you by the hand to the balcony where you could perfectly see the moon, which was the only thing illuminating you two in that moment. He took a deep breath and took a look at you.

He didn’t have to say anything, you were already flustered just by the atmosphere and you thought to yourself. “This better not be a confession.”

“—what I’m just trying to say is, I like you so… I want to be your boyfriend.”

You gave him an awkward smile and you could see the color in his face drain as you explain. “Can you give me some time to think about this..?”

Now you’re avoiding Kalim by any means necessary. Something must be wrong with you doing THAT to him. You don’t know who to go to about this for advice and as a result you dump it on the first person you see.

The next morning you see Deuce, he spots you as you approach and waves. You stomp over and grip his shoulders.

“Ohmyseven! LastnightKalimconfessedtomeandIwasjustsoshockedItoldhimIneedtimetothinkaboutitanditlookedlikehewasgonnacryIfeelsobadrightnowwhatdoido?!?” You blubbered out.

He pushed you off of him. “Slow down I can’t understand if you’re in hysterics?!”

He calmed you down enough to get a proper explanation of the events of last night and he was left with an impression.

“I feel bad but I don’t know what to say. It’s true I did need time but I can’t believe I just left him like that.” You had your hands on your head and pushed your forehead against the wooden desk.

Deuce pats your shoulder, “It’s okay you just need to tell him how you feel. But I’m not too sure about leaving him hanging like that but what happened, happened so…”

Ace leaned back into his chair and glanced over, “How do you feel about him?” Ace asks the hardest question.

“I have no idea.”

-

At the end of basketball practice you approach everyone with a water bottle. As you walk over to Jamil, he shakes his head.

“I don’t need water, thank you though.” He signaled to his water bottle sitting on the bench next to him.

You smile and lean in, using the towel around his neck to wipe off some sweat on his face. He cracked a small smile at you in response.

“Where are you headed after this?” You asked him.

He shrugged, “Back to Scarabia to help prepare dinner. Are you coming?”

“Ah… I’ll pass today.” You knew if Kalim saw you he would give you puppy dog eyes and pull you aside and ask for your response. Which you didn’t quite have yet. “I have too much homework.”

He blinked a few times and cranked his head your way. “Are you serious? You come everyday.”

At the very least you told him you’d walk him to the mirror room as an apology for breaking your dinner streak.

“Did I tell you I bombed an essay?”

“No, I thought you were a good student.”

“I am a good student! It’s just Mr. Trein.”

“You can rewrite it at least.”

“Yeah, speaking of which, can you read it over? I just wanna know what I did wrong.”

You turned your phone on and pulled the document up, Jamil’s taller figure leaning into you to read it as you two kept walking.

“I can’t read it, your hand is too shaky.” He put his hand over yours to steady the phone as you two walked.

You two walked in silence, reading over the essay. Jamil, in his peripheral vision, spotted a light pole you were going to walk into. With his free hand he pulled you by the waist closer to move you away from the pole. You exclaimed in surprise and turned to face Jamil after noticing the pole.

“You need to pay attention to your surroundings.” He scolded but you lightheartedly laughed.

“Jamil!” Someone called out with attitude, their voice you could never forget. You pushed Jamil off of you and faced his way.

“Kalim, you finished your practice late?”

“Yeah, we were learning a new song and lost track of time…”

You smiled at Jamil and backed away with a small wave you left without nothing but a glance to Kalim.

You had a lot to think about tonight, and a lot to talk about to Grim. You got home and immediately collapsed on the sofa where Grim half way asleep.

“Have you been napping since school finished?” You asked him.

“I was so tired…”

“I saw Kalim just now.” Grim glanced over, “I think he saw me and Jamil really close.”

He clicked his tongue, “I didn’t know you had a thing for Jamil.” He said in a surprised tone.

“That’s the thing, I don’t!!” You cried while grabbing him. “I love Kalim…”

“Okay then why don’t you accept his confession?!” Grim raised his voice and swung his paw at you.

“Kalim… as much as I love him I didn’t think it’d ever be reciprocated so I gave up on him. Now I don’t know what to do.” You confessed to him while resting your head down against the couch cushion.

You had been moping and whining about the predicament you put yourself into and you’ve more or less been saying the same things just different wording all day whenever you had the chance.

“I think what you should do is pretty obvious.” He says back to you. Your eyes flutter shut and you hum, questioning him for more.

“Just talk to him and tell him that.”

You fall silent for a minute and he assumes you’re just taking in all the information until he hears a small snore.

“Not here! Get changed first— or at least go to bed!”

You woke up early the next morning and laid there, thinking about the whole thing. He’s been waiting for over a day and you haven’t said a word to him since. Does Jamil know? Did Kalim question Jamil? Will Ace tell Jamil? Did he lose feelings now? Is he crying because of it?

Your worrying made your stomach hurt, realizing you hadn’t eaten dinner since you wanted to avoid Kalim. At least there were leftovers from a few nights ago.

You warmed up some lobster Kabsa, a bowl for you and a bowl for Grim. You had over an hour so you knew you could take your time with your meal. You sat down with him and poked your spoon into the bowl.

You two just sat in silence for a bit.

“I want milk.” He stood up and waltzed over to the fridge and got a cup. Once he returned he saw tears filling your eyes. Your eyes watered, once you blinked they all spilled out.

“Did you burn your tongue or something?!” He ran over to you in concern but you whined mid bite of your food.

“Kalim… We made this together last week…” You said with your mouth half full of rice, then swallowed your bite. All the good memories and times that made you fall for him replayed in your head. Every touch and every minute spent alone together hurt like a migraine to think about, given your sobbing.“What do I say to him?!”Grim put his paw on your hand with a sigh full of sympathy as you sobbed out.

-

“I did everything perfect. I mean it was dark, the moon was bright, and I held their hand.” Kalim stared down at his drum set. His two club members had their attention fully turned to their lovesick band mate.

Cater nodded his head empathetically, “How long has it been? Two days?”

“31 hours.” He sulked.

“Maybe it isn’t about what you did do, but what you didn’t do.” Lilia nodded his head along. “If you could redo your confession, what would you change?”

“I wouldn’t even do it if I’m just going to be ignored like this. And yesterday on my way home, I saw MC and Jamil and they were… Jamil had his arm around them and it looked like they were holding hands…”

The two of them audibly gasped in disbelief.

“How could they?!”

“This is messy.”

Cater and Lilia comforted him as he slouched over onto his drums.

“What should I do?” He asked them and the two looked at each other then back at him.

“Well…” Cater started then stopped, looking to Lilia for reassurance. “I don’t think they want you. Considering their response and how they acted with Jamil…”

“You should ask directly since you need to hear it yourself before giving up.” Lilia quickly silenced his negativity.

He went silent and slumped over again. “I miss MC, I miss saying good morning and having them over for dinner. I miss making dinner with them. Even after all this I still want to talk to them every day..”

-

“Thank you so much for rewriting my essay. I didn’t realize how much I actually had to fix.” You put down your pencil and Jamil nodded.

He was good at helping out during the study sessions, many other students also sat down with you guys and asked for help on their homework.

You noticed how tired he seemed, not that he needed to sleep but just of helping out with several different history, math, science, and language assignments.

You noticed the new necklace he was wearing was bothering him, he adjusted and constantly scratched around his neck.

“Damn necklace…” He cursed at it.

You smile, “Do you want me to get it off for you?”

“That’d be good, I couldn’t get it off myself so I gave up.”

You leaned into him and reached for the clip of his necklace to take it off for him. “Oh it’s one of these clips… give me a minute.”

You back faced the entry way and once Kalim walked out the mirror he rested his eyes on you. Then he saw Jamil.

Like last time, his heart hurt. As you pulled away from him, you smiled at straight at Jamil.

“Ah, Kalim you’re back late ag…ain?” Jamil paused as he walked up to you but he didn’t even look at him. With a surprised yelp, Kalim pulled you by the arm and tugged you away from him.

“We’ll be back.” He said firmly before pulling you out the room.

His hand held on to your wrist, he wasn’t forceful but he wouldn’t let you pull away, once it was in a quiet part of Scarabia away from the main livjng area, he let go of you but pushed you close to the wall. You weren’t sure what to say to him.

“Kalim—“

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me right now.” He admitted as he turned around with his hand covering his face. “What I said at the balcony, I meant it and I still do. But I see you and Jamil so…”

You objected his comment about Jamil but he gave you an empathetic stare.

“I don’t know why but I only want you to look at me… When you look at Jamil, I just want to take you away.” His face went pink while he confessed. He stepped forward and you stepped away into the wall. “Sorry there is something wrong with me. I can’t stop you from being with someone you love.”

You were always loyal to the crush you had on him, there was no other guy you felt so strongly about.

“I missed you, I didn’t talk to you because I was nervous but I regret it. Ive always known what I wanted but when I had an opportunity I ruined it.” You confessed to him, “I never thought I actually had a chance with you.”

Now your face was pink, you trailed off slowly and turned to face him again.

“Y-you’re giving me mixed signals what does any of that mean.”

“Don’t make me say it.” You shook your head.

“No, you have to say it.” He stubbornly said back.

When you unconsciously fiddled with your fingers and put them behind your back, he suddenly grabbed them and squeezed your wrists.

“Can you just tell me how you feel?” With how things were you were forced to look at him.

You opened your mouth to speak, looking around before settling your eyes back on him. He blinked for a brief moment but when he opened his eyes you were closer, way closer.

You went up in your tippy toes and pulled him into your lips. You didn’t realize how good it was, if you knew you would’ve done it sooner. It didn’t last as long as you imagined before Kalim pushed away and backed up into the other wall.

He covered his mouth with the back of his hand, his face was brighter than the red feathers in his turban and eyes wider than the distance between you two.

You clenched your fists and walked up to him. “Now you’re running away from me!”

“Because you kissed me so suddenly!” He pointed his finger at you defensively.

You two bickered for a moment before returning back to the topic. “Now I don’t have to say it, right?” You looked up at him still flustered.

He crossed his arms, “I want to hear you say it.”

Damn even now he’s still stubborn about it!

You scoffed and cleared your throat while looking to the side. “Kalim, I like you too…”

The two of you got butterflies in your stomached, too nervous and confused to make the next move.

“I—“

“Kali—“

“Go ahead.”

“No you go.”

You stared at each other intently, remaining silent again.

“Is it okay if I kiss you?” He stepped in closer again with his hands resting on your shoulders, moving up to cup your cheeks.

You didn’t give yourself a chance to reply, neither did he, your lips meeting together in unison.

[magnusunpopularopinions]

I'm not sure how unpopular of an opinion this actually will be but let's go:

I think people over inflate how bad of a person Elias actually is, and in comparison, treat characters like Basira, Nikola, Gertrude, etc much more softly. Don't get me wrong, Elias isn't the best person and his morals are questionable, but they're questionable because he hasn't been human in a good 150 years. His behaviour is in line with every other avatar we see, if a bit more held back violence wise. He only purposely hurts anyone if he feels it interferes with his plan (Which many Main avatars we see attempting a ritual don't do, like Nikola or even Peter in his day to day), or alternatively, puts Jon in an awkward position information wise. The way he handles Jon's ascent into becoming the Archivist isn't even that manipulative. It's less straightforward, yes, but he has his obvious reasons for it (Wanting Jon to Know and See and Understand without having it be explained to him, which would end with him relatively weak and vulnerable). The reasons themselves aren't Great for Jon, but otherwise, he handles himself in a very passive and socially acceptable way. He doesn't go through with doing anything about Not!Sasha, not because he didn't want to, but because there was literally no way he could have fired her or done anything to her without it being a tiny bit suspicious and causing a bit of an Archival uproar. Not doing anything about Prentis was his own fault, I'll be real, but I think he may have genuinely underestimated the amount of worms there are and I doubt he actually considered that the table may house the Not-Them, as he seemingly didn't expect Sasha to be taken. On top of that, him being all 'mysterious' during the Unknowing was just him having issues trying to figure out what he can or can't give Jon to help him figure things out because he genuinely can't Know these things due to the conflicting nature of the Stranger. Otherwise, all of his points of interest are very Avatar based. He eats, he works towards his ritual, and he works with others to make it happen. All things that other avatars do, that don't get overinflated into being fully 'evil'

TL;DR: I'm an Elias enthusiast and think he's just following his nature as an avatar, even if that mainly affects Jon and the archival team (Saying this as I'm relistening and nearly done with s4 lmao)

Thanks for sharing! Let’s chat!

I see what you’re saying, but may I also remind anon of… well:

���Apologies for the deception Jon, just had to make sure you were reading….”

and

[BPM]

and a couple other incidents I could probably come up with after I’ve published this.

Now, I’m not trying to ignore the ESSAY anon submitted full of evidence to back their point. I’m rocking with it- I’ll agree with you that Elias was simply doing his avatar job and withholding info, but I must say, I disagree with you on one point: Elias is a violent man.

Yes, his violence has a “purpose” but we must remember that even though Elias isn’t human, we are. The other characters (for a while and to an extent) are. The violence we do see from Elias is cruel and unfeeling. You can blame it on his avatar-ness all you want anon- and in fact you did an excellent job proving that he’s just an avatar doing avatar things- but the violence…. Elias is, imo, a very cruel being.

So, to summarize: I agree with anon on certain parts- Elias’s actions throughout the series reflect for sure that he is definitely not human. He’s an avatar working towards a goal. But I’ll disagree with anon when they say Elias isn’t that violent of a person/that the fanbase hypes up how evil he is.

In fact, I think the violence backs up anon’s point even further- the fact that he IS so cruel proves that he hasn’t been human for a while.

Hope that made sense- again, thanks for sharing and keep your words kind!

-E

-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•-•

Edit: Hey gang! Wanted to add a few words here just to further state my thoughts on the matter and I’ll leave it with anon after that :)

Elias is a very complex character! Boiling him down to his avatar-ness or violent tendencies was not my intention, just my response to the gist of what anon was saying! I agree with a lot of the conversations being had in reblogs and replies!

I can’t say for sure what anon meant when they said that characters like Basira, Nikola, and Gertrude get “treated softly” VS Elias, but I do find it interesting they chose that set of people! All three women (feminine?), but not all avatars. I’m not sure if anon meant to do this- compare only women (feminine characters) or compare a mix of avatars and humans- but it is how it’s being received: with the focus on anon’s mentioning them.

In my own personal experience, I see quite a bit more about Elias than I do Basira, Nikola, or Gertrude, and when I do see them, it’s typically because they are with other characters. Basira especially.

I will agree again with myself though- Elias is a cruel and violent guy. I think he quite often is more violent than he should be (but that is the scary part- the fact that he IS so violent and ok with it.)

And I will agree with myself again- Elias was working towards total global domination and frankly, even if you are fond of him, I think there’s still plenty of reason that the fanbase may not treat him “softly.” He’s not a particularly squishy character.

(I do like Elias, he’s an interesting character and lots of fun to think about (I’d like to imagine sometimes that he lives a lot like Jim from the American Office TV show does and just deadpans into non-existent cameras when the staff does something or his printer runs out of ink or his coffee spills, etc.))

I just think that there are layers to anon’s thoughts and that there can be both an agreement and a disagreement on different points.

And please, even if you disagree with an opinion, try and keep your words kind! You guys have been a lot of fun to talk with so far and I’ve loved the discussions I’ve had with you all!

Thanks!

-E (again)

[ballroomblitzzzz]

So I've been doing a lot of thinking recently, about wicked, because of course it's about wicked.

Specifically Glinda and her relationship to sorcery. (Hold tight this one's gonna be a whole ass essay) I find it interesting that the film really tries to make it clear that she has, not just little power, but none at all.

Because in the book she does have magic! Like there's this great scene where her, Nessa and Elphaba are talking about sorcery and she explodes a sandwich in their faces to prove a point.

This isn't relevant at all I just really like the scene. Point is, book Glinda's magic ain't too shabby. And in the musical (unfortunately I've only seen it once so apologies if I've read this wrong) I kinda saw it as she did have magic, but just didn't really get good at it before act 2. But in the film it's clear she doesn't have any. Like in NOMTW she pushes a pedal to make the bubble instead of using her wand, similar to how the wizard uses mechanics to fake sorcery. So why is it different? I hear you ask.

Well my curious child, I'll come to that in a minute (promise) right NOW I wanna talk about why Glinda wants magic in the first place.

And this is something that's had me stumped for a while, I mean it's not like she needs it. She can easily get whatever she wants from social manipulation, and yet it's still her heart's desire to become a sorceress.

And it's SUCH a big part of her character that couldn't just go around not being able to answer that question now could I?? And guys I think I figured it out.

So she's always been jealous of Elphaba, right? Right. And the thing about Elphaba that she envies, is that she's powerful without having to rely on other people. Glinda doesn't have that. She gets to the top because people like her. She said it herself, 'its not about aptitude it's the way you're viewed'. She knows the way to truly succeed is to make sure that you're liked. And she's very good at that, so she doesn't need sorcery, and YET she wants it. And to me this proves that Glinda hates the reason that she's liked. She wants people to love her for what she can do, not for the shallow persona she presents. She wants to have a power all to herself. She doesn't want to need people. She wants to be the kind of person who hops on a broom and overthrows the government at the drop of a hat (pun intended) but that's not who she is.

Of course she doesn't go with Elphaba. Elphaba can be strong on her own but without the public on her side Glinda is powerless.

And think about why that decision makes sense, because Elphaba has had to trust herself, to have a strong enough identity to know that she's better than what people say. But Glinda's entire identity and self worth are tied to what people think of her, she's only as good as people say. Therefore it tracks that she wouldn't have power on her own.

So of course she doesn't go with her. If she went with her, people would call her wicked, so that's what she would be. She doesn't know herself well enough to trust what people say about her isn't true.

But here's where she changes (for good hehe). And of course, it's down to Elphaba. Because Elphaba has always believed that Glinda is powerful outside of other people. And, back to sorcery now because yes that is what I started talking about, it's Elphaba who invites her to sorcery class, it's Elphaba who asks Glinda to come and meet the wizard with her, it's Elphaba who asks her to come with her in defying gravity and (SPOILERS FOR PART TWO!!) its Elphaba who gives her the Grimerie. Because Elphaba has always believed Glinda was strong even when she wasn't.

Glinda always wanted to be a sorceress but it was only Elphaba who had faith that she could do it. And this is what makes Elphaba giving her the Grimerie so symbolic and so, so fucking sad. Because Elphaba's showing her that she's better than she thinks, she just going like 'hey, you got this'. And srhstjdyfkvhlvukflyyc. And so the way Glinda's viewed doesn't change at all, but the way she sees herself does, and so don't mind me while I go cry in a corner.

And you know maybe all this was obvious to literally everybody who watched the film and I've just mansplained lesbianism to everyone but I just really needed to write this down because I've been going insane about wicked and I can't shut up about it.

Because DUDE all these characters are so COMPLEX I just wanna peel them all like ONIONS, but oh BOY does it make my eyes water.

[morningstargirl666]

If Klaus didn’t exist, who would you have wanted Caroline to end up with? I vice versa if Caroline didn’t exist who would you want to be Klaus’s endgame?

I feel that Matt was always wrong with her because she would never live up to Elena in his mind. I liked her relationship with Tyler and agree with Klaus when he said he was her first love, but I always thought they had no real future together. Her relationship with Stefan was interesting and I really liked how he actually promised to be a better man for her and be worthy of her. He married her and some things he said rivaled Klaus. If Klaus wasn’t an option, I’d want her to end up with some like him. It’s the least she deserves.

As for Klaus, I feel like he and Aurora had a nice relationship, but she was always toxic for him and wasn’t good for his mental state. His chemistry with Camille was ok, but I feel like she was just a bland knock off of Caroline so I can’t get on board. I feel like he and Hayley could have been something, since they share many similarities and she’s very different for his usual type. She also is a morally ambiguous and comes from a difficult childhood like Klaus, and she values family and is close in physical age to him. I also feel that her being a werewolf and later a hybrid made her even more similar to Klaus and had they not had that stupid baby drama going on, could actually have become something interesting.

However I’m glad both Caroline and Klaus exist since they are the ultimate TVD Couple!!!

Oh, boy.

Anon, you have no idea of the beast you've just woken. This is such a loaded question and I have such an essay length answer that disagrees with yours, so apologies in advance but---

[cracks knuckles]

First of all, I do agree on the Matt and Tyler front. Caroline would have never ended up with Matt, because not only would she have never been able to live up to Elena, but Matt was also still in love with Elena while he was dating Caroline. In fact, I'd go as far to say Matt was still in love with Elena well into s3 and s4 --- in 3x16 Matt and Elena have a conversation about her and the Salvatores, and when Elena mentions Damon got under her skin, and no matter what she does, she can't shake him, Matt replies with "Once you fall in love with someone I don't know if... I don't know if you can ever shake them." And he says this while looking at Elena. An awkward silence between the two follows, loud enough that Elena actually questions if they're okay, worried talking about the Salvatores is weird for him. A few episodes later, if that confession wasn't enough, he and Jeremy desperately conspire to get Elena out of town and away from Alaric and everyone else, hoping to protect her---not really sparing a thought for Caroline or the others, despite the fact the Council are literally trying to kill them. So, in this instance, actions really speak louder than words, and all Matt's actions point to his continuing affections for one Elena Gilbert.

Caroline and Tyler wouldn't have worked out either, just like you say, but for different reasons opposed to her and Matt. Tyler is the first person to want to put Caroline first, above anybody, and he does try to, god, he tries; he wants to---but outside factors always get in the way. First, it was his pack loyalities: I hate him for not saving Caroline from Jules and her pack, but I also can't really blame him---he's lost and alone, just a teenager whose lost his shit Dad and then his Uncle in quick concession before finding out he's a freaking werewolf. Of course he turned to Jules when she rolled into town---who else was going to help him? Who else was he going to trust? Caroline? Who lied to him about the vampires in town? Who tried to keep him at arm's length, knowing his bite could kill her? Nah, unfortunately, him making mistakes in the beginning and following the wrong people is completely understandable, when you think about his position. Still doesn't excuse it, but you know, such a thing as nuance. Then, of course, it was his sirebond to Klaus that wrecked the relationship, which literally meant he couldn't put Caroline first, even if wanted to. And then once Tyler's jealousy and hatred of Klaus got involved, the relationship turned sour and became way past saving. But to be honest, even if Klaus had never sired Tyler, or not gotten involved in the relationship between Tyler and Caroline at all---I don't think they would have worked out because they've just always been heading in different directions. Unlike what Klaus believed, Tyler was so much more than a "small town boy" and he was always going to end up leaving Mystic Falls, searching for a pack of his own to lead. They had no future together, because their futures were always destined to be polar opposites. The relationship was sweet and hopeful, like any first love is, but it was never meant to last.

Now.

[inhales deeply]

Stefan and Caroline.

I don't get this ship. I just don't. And I'm not just saying this because I ardently ship Klaroline---I understand other ships, and why people might root for them, even if the ship is not for me. I understand the love for Stelena and Delena; I understand why the TO audiences shipped Klamille---even to a certain extent can see why they might have liked Klayley---and it comes down to a simple truth; there was canon development for those ships. Stelena and Delena are the obvious examples, Klamille was obviously the main pairing for Klaus over on TO, and Klayley---although absolutely outlandish to me (we'll get to that in a minute)--- I can understand, as it's more of a fanon ship that didn't really exist in canon, but could have, if TO had decided to go down the road that has the same kind of vibes as arranged marriage aus---but baby mama edition. Basically, what I'm saying is, there always was something to root for.

But what's there to root for with Steroline?

With most ships, even if you don't ship them, you can remember their peak, romantic moments. Stelena? I think of Stefan fighting complusion for Elena, or of him respecting her choice and saving Matt before her. Delena? Kissing Damon on death's door. Maroline? Matt carrying a drunk Caroline home and tucking her into bed, and then staying with her when she asks. Forwood? Caroline staying with him while he turned, refusing to leave, even when he could kill her. Hell, I could even name a few for Klamille and Klayley and I hate those ships.

But I can't remember a single one for Steroline. Not. A. Single. One. Telling, that.

In fact, I'd go as far to say all Stefan did was make Caroline miserable.

The development was rushed from the get go---apparently Caroline had feelings for him this entire time? After he shot her down so badly in the pilot? Stefan going as far to say nothing would ever happen between them??? Oh, but you say, that's the beauty of it---NO BITCH IT AIN'T. Did you not see my question marks?????????? The amount of emotional damage that single interaction probably inflicted is insane. Some of you have never been rejected by a boy and it shows.

If that starting point wasn't bad enough, Stefan had to be convinced he had feelings for Caroline. Like. Yeah. Super romantic, that. Love a man that has to be persuaded into asking me out. What a catch. And THEN, over the course of the show, wherein they actually start dating, Stefan not only repeatedly puts other people like his brother first, but doesn't respect Caroline's decisons to boot. I can't remember what season it is, but doesn't he literally kidnap Caroline to get her out of town and 'protect' her? And they have this big arguement where Caroline is like, you would have never done this to Elena. AND SHE WAS RIGHT. HE NEVER DID DO IT TO ELENA BECAUSE HE FUCKING LOVED ELENA.

And all the bullshit about him promising to be a better man, to be worthy of her. Bitch boy you are a mass murder with your own legendary kill count that rivals Jack the Ripper's infamy. You have have murdered children. No wonder Klaus had the hots for you, you're basically his version of wet dream caked from head to toe in blood. There is no redeeming that. But 'I can fix him'---no, Caroline you can't. It is not your reponsibilty to be his moral compass, or his doting housewife while he fucks off elsewhere on the latest mission to clean up Damon's mess. Have some self respect and get out now. We didn't watch 5 seasons of your absolutely amazing character arc just to see all that development washed down the drain.

So yeah. I am not a fan of Steroline. If Caroline doesn't end up with Klaus, in my head she's finally left Mystic Falls and galivanting around the world, actually learning to love herself. Both the girl that died in a hospital bed and the vampire she had become. If she met and married anyone, it would have to be someone that bestowed her the respect and affection she deserves, and not anyone from Mystic Falls, because they clearly can't.

Klaus, I wouldn't pair with anyone else either. With Camille, it's not just that she was so very clearly a Caroline knock-off, trying to capture what those two had and transfer it to TO---she was also never a well-written character overall. I highly doubt her character would pass the Bechdel test, and she was always written in service of Klaus and his plotlines, not herself. Hayley isn't an option for me, because although I understand the ship, it's not a romantic relationship to me---it's purely sexual. He didn't care for Hayley at all, even tries to kill/maim and/or curse her and that's once she's carrying his child. Aurora, I like as a part of Klaus' backstory; one of the many women he's been with throughout the years, and perhaps, the last he actually loved. Because that's the thing---although I would never expect Klaus to be celibate, and has certainly been in love before... I don't believe he's allowed himself to love before he met Caroline. His experiences with Tatia, Aurora and his parents have tainted his perception of love so badly he believes it to be a weakness by the time we see him appear in TVD---Caroline is the one that changes that. Without her, he wouldn't be seeing anybody. Sleeping with them, sure, but not in love with them.

Except for Stefan. Maybe he'd be with Stefan, if Rebekah hadn't bagged him first (siblings, am I right?).

[good-beanswrites]

legally blonde mahiru... cause like. finding validation thruogh achievement and not from love ehe

also following her ex to a college is smth she'd do 100%

SO TRUE!! When I sat down to watch the musical with my sister last summer I got wicked emotional about Mappi during What You Want, so I wrote some snapshot scenes incorporating those lyrics here :3 (And I added some indulgent au headcanons for the overall story at the end hehe)

“Law school?” Mahiru’s coworker raised her eyebrows. She finished wrapping a bouquet and added it to the finished ones. Though she spoke politely, Mahiru wasn’t stupid. Doubt lurked just beneath the surface of the carefully-asked questions. “That’s a pretty big change, huh? And for some boy?”

“Not ‘for some boy’ – Love! I’m doing this for love.” There was a big difference. She didn’t know why so many people didn’t understand. The actual feeling was something much bigger than either of the individuals involved. “And love will see me through.”

They worked at a florist’s, after all; their whole livelihood relied on love. They’d seen its power firsthand, through the successful dates and reunions that blossom into marriages, funeral arrangements for spouses devoted past lifetimes, apology gifts after turning one’s life around, and promise arrangements with the desire to do so. The shop had taken countless requests from clients hoping to shape their bouquet into something perfectly suited to their lover. Why couldn’t she do that very same work of molding to perfection?

Yes, there was no more righteous reason to do anything. She smiled to herself. “Yes, with love on my side, Mahiru can't lose~ They can't refuse a love so pure and true.” 

“Well, they can…” The other woman returned her smile with a nervous one. It was alright that she was a bit pessimistic. Most people were, but it only made the truly devoted couples stand out even brighter against the crowd. 

Mahiru picked up her own finished bouquet, taking a deep inhale of the fragrance. She giggled. “Oh come on, don't lawyers feel love too?”

—

“Miss Shiina. This is a very flashy presentation, but I still don't see one reason to admit you.”

She thought there were plenty of good reasons on the resume in the man’s hands, each one framed on the shimmery, sunflower-bordered stationary. Her personal essay and video essay had just as much flair, but if he was still reluctant to accept those, she did have one last ace up her sleeve. Honesty was the best policy – that’s what all the relationship columns and wellness blogs she followed always said. She took a deep breath.

“How about love?”

“Ah.” His eyes flicked down at her personal essay, placing the resume down beside it. He must have been recalling her beautifully eloquent recounting of her relationship. She could still feel the thrill of writing it all down, of laying out the events and gestures, the fights and reunions, the hopes and dreams. It was all there, a perfect record of the meaning of life, and the meaning of her future. “The thing is –”

“You ever been in love?”

He paused, caught off-guard by the question. Mahiru recognized the look on his face. He had indeed. 

She went on, “because if you have, you'll know that love never accepts a defeat.” She thought of the many times she and her boyfriend had fought, or cancelled on each other, or even tried to break up. She’d always been able to reach back out, take hold of him, and save both of them from losing each other. “There’s no challenge it can't meet, no place it cannot go.”

“I admit, that’s a very nice sentiment, but we’re all adults here. I can tell you –”

Mahiru reached across the table to take his hands. “Don't say no to a woman in love!”

“Miss Shiina.” He yanked his hands back, entirely unamused by her sudden bout of excitement. 

Had she overdone it again? Why did people think she was so crazy for this? It was only natural – only admirable – to put your whole self into a relationship you’re passionate about. She bowed her head. Her voice returned to its most earnest, sounding hushed and hopeful.

“Don't laugh when I say love. Don't think that I'm naive.” She’d heard that enough in her lifetime. She hadn’t let it stop her before, and she sure as hell wouldn’t let it stop her now. “Even a person who's smart can listen to their heart. They can listen and believe.”

“I… I see.” And he did. His eyes moved over her submissions again – full of passion and character and joy. Didn’t the world need a little more of that? Didn’t it need a lot more of that?

Even before she spoke, she could see that something had changed. She’d won him over. “So believe in what love can achieve~”

—

Au thoughts! I wasn’t able to feature everyone but I got a few of the cast here :3

Mahiru is bubbly and girly and enjoys her hobbies of literature/cosmetology/flowers – the major difference between her and Elle is that even while her positivity can immediately charm people, she doesn’t have as many close friends/family to support her. She really clings to her boyfriend, always obsessing over and returning to the relationship no matter what.

They have a rocky relationship that he finally decides to end for good. He says he needs to meet someone serious, and find some fulfillment in his life instead of going in depressive circles with her – he’ll accomplish all this by attending the famous Milgram School of Law (lol)

She, of course, takes this as an invitation to join him. She throws everything else away, pouring herself into this new personality and lifestyle for love. As someone already committed to her studies and good with language (as a literature major) she succeeds in getting in. “What, like it’s hard~?”

Once there, she’s horrified to find her boyfriend associating with another law student – one Kotoko Yuzuriha who’s the very image of “someone serious” he was looking for. (I don’t know if either of them would want to get romantically involved, but they definitely get close enough to cause a lot of jealousy.) Kotoko looks down on Mahiru’s lighthearted attitude in the face of the weighty cases they dealt with in class, and constantly one-ups her with her strength and toughness.

She also meets law-prodigy Es, and the two become close friends and study buddies. Es takes the time to listen to Mahiru’s story and loving and losing her boyfriend, feeling responsible but not quite sure how. As they understand her situation more, they manage to get Mahiru to believe she doesn’t need to do all this for some guy – she can live for herself. She gets the legal internship, and starts working with the others.

Meanwhile, Mahiru is meeting with her hairdresser, Kazui. He had a rough breakup in the past (his own fault, but still), and fears he’ll never be able to find that same sort of romance again, even as he’s crushing on the cute delivery guy (Mikoto. Shidou?) Mahiru helps him return to Hinako’s house to make amends and get some closure, then imparts her bending and snapping wisdom upon him to get his man 👏

Which brings her to the big case. Their team is defending Yuno Kashiki on an impossible murder trial. She begs Mahiru not to tell her alibi – that she was with a client on her private job. She felt real warmth with him, and doesn’t want to implicate him in both her work and the trial. Mahiru agrees in the name of protecting their love, much to the rest of the lawyers’ dismay.

(If anyone would fit the Callahan role it would be Jackalope lol, but I feel like we don’t even need that plotline since her themes are a bit different than the dumb-blonde ones.)

Callahan plot or not, Mahiru gets discouraged about the whole thing as everyone loses faith in her for not revealing Yuno’s secret. Other students at the school are caught whispering about her, calling her crazy, clingy, too emotional, selfish, and some even saying she’s a stalker for still keeping tabs on her boyfriend. She’s ready to leave the whole university and career behind when Kotoko stops her. She tells Mahiru that she was wrong about her, and encourages her to stick to her guns. And so, (after a Muu-focused rendition of Lesbian or European,) Mahiru is able to use her “girly” interests to catch the real criminal.

She graduates at the top of her class, finding fulfillment through this job of helping others and confidence in herself and her own interests. She’s content not to get back with her boyfriend (though, maybe over the years of working together, she and Kotoko end up spending some extra time together…) 

[ronsenthal]

Ron Speirs x Female!Reader

Summary: After you helped Dick Winters and Lewis Nixon the word spread and soon enough this captain would come to your office too. 

A/N: First of all, I would like to apologize, this is my first time writing something, I’m pretty nervous and english is not my first language, I’ll just try my best. I had this idea after listening to Blank Space (Taylor’s version) on repeat and also looking for some Speirs info and found out his ridiculously pretty handwriting???? and then I realized that he is so Taylor coded and this came to my mind.

so this one goes out to my fellow BoB lovers who are also Swifties!! Hope y’all enjoy it and if you could leave some feedback I would very much appreciate it.

If only you knew that taking typing classes would lead you to live this life from city to city, seeing horrors, tragedy and pain, feeling cold, hopeless and tired beyond anything you could imagine or explain you would have had second thoughts. But then again, every smile from your friends, every stupid joke they would tell just to lighten the mood, every cup of “coffee” you would share would make it more bearable. “Yes, it was worth it” you told yourself countless nights before falling asleep and dreaming of hope it would all end, if not soon, at some point. 

“Yes, it was worth it” you told yourself after one night that you had too many drinks with Nix, you wish you could tell the same about Dick, but he would never allow himself to do so, but he also enjoyed the night out with his friends. It was only natural that you would end up following those two, after all, with some luck you ended up being assigned to help out Dick with the mess he was making at his office duties. After some time and after figuring out how to understand the man it became really enjoyable. 

Those nights that they would tell their stories for you to organize it down in a report for your superiors were as fun as they could be, given the circumstances.

Nix wouldn’t even bother to try to write his reports once he discovered how fast you could type and how concise you would turn Dick’s endless essays into comprehensive, yet detailed reports, soon enough you were helping both of your COs, your friends.

“(Y/N) I believe you have this weird super power, are you sure you are human?” Nix said after half a bottle of Vat-69, raising his eyebrows as if he was looking at you with this invisible magnifying glass. 

Dick only shook his head in disbelief. Sometimes you thought that they looked like one of those old married couples, knowing each other's quirks and peeves and yet somehow, finding it all amusing. You wondered if you could find someone like this in this God forsaken world you were living. 

One day you found it, but thinking back it wasn't easy at first and as it took some time to even lower your guard on your own brain, and allow yourself to think about it, about HIM. 

Ronald Speirs had quite a reputation, everybody knew the rumors, every man saw the things he so recklessly did on the field. His men were as afraid as the enemy, so it took you by surprise when after Foy he also started to hang out with you, Dick and Nix. The first time there was silence on the table after he arrived, you didn’t even had the chance to introduce yourself politely as Dick started out his endless questions about how the Easy men were doing, and then Nix introduced some drinks, yet you two never exchanged one word to each other before that day.

After a while his presence started to make you feel a little bit comfortable, especially after Dick assured you that he was a good man, a good leader and being a big brother figure, he wouldn’t let Speirs offer you a cigarette. Since then you could catch a glimpse at how his eyes shone even in the dark, how he looked tired after an operation. He wasn’t scary anymore, he was just another officer that from time to time would hang out with your friends.

After some time you started to get used to his presence around chasing Dick and Nix up and down, something you did yourself as they were like big brothers to you, protecting, giving their piece of advice and taking care of you. Soon enough you started to feel more comfortable around Speirs too, once you even called him Ronald after a couple of drinks.

Then one afternoon it took you by surprise when he knocked at your office, looking tired as hell with a pile of files on one hand, a pair of boots in the other one and a half burnt cigarette hanging on his lips.

“Sorry to disturb you (Y/L/N), but Nixon said you could help me out with this paperwork? I’ll be in real trouble if I don’t turn them in this evening. Also, he said you could use this one” Speirs told you while putting a tiny pair of combat boots on your desk and taking of his cap, not even giving you time to reply, not even looking at you.

“What in the name of god are you thinking? What the hell is Lewis thinking? You guys think I don’t have anything better to do, I have enough work to do, just look at this endless pile of work, so no, thank you, good luck” you said throwing your arms in exasperation, complaining and pointing out the huge paper files on your desk.

He stared at you in horror as if you were one of those german panzers, he opened and closed his mouth, trying to find the words but he couldn’t. You felt a twist in your stomach, looking at him you could see he was embarrassed, you never saw him so vulnerable and tired, this man could use some proper sleep. As he was turning on his heels to leave while muttering sorry a thousand times, guilt took the best of you.

“Wait” you said, closing your eyes knowing right after the word left your mouth how stupid it would be, after all you could use some sleep too, you deserved it. He slowly turned to face you.

“I’ll do it, but you better help me out and you are not allowed to smoke while we do that, I hate the smell”

You could swear you saw an amused smile on his face when he threw his last pack of Luckys on your desk. Soon enough you prepared your typewriter checking if you had enough ribbon and paper for your work, finally you sat down and stared at the man in front of you, it took him a few seconds to realize you were ready to start. 

At some point he took his jacket off and slowly put it on the chair he was sitting on, took of his tie and rolled up his sleeves, you tried not to stare at the man in front of you. If he caught you looking up and down he never said a word. It was not the first time you stared at this much feared man, truth be told you caught yourself staring at him more than once. Nix being the observant little bitch he was had this creepy little smile when he caught you one night looking at the Easy captain. You muttered something like “I’m gonna kill you” and prayed to god that he could send the biggest crate of whisky he could find so Lewis would get so drunk he would forget it.

You cleaned your throat, took a deep breath and asked for a small pause to take a glass of water. The man nodded and took a few steps to the little window and watched the landscape outside until you said you were finally ready again. “Back to work” you said to yourself.

….. 

When you two finished the sun was no longer up, just in time for him to turn on the report. While working on he would tap his fingers on your desk and look nervously at the watch on his wrist, but he never complained or tried to hurry you up. He quickly looked at the papers you cautiously handed him and shook his head, approving the final result.

“So that’s it?” he asked you, his voice soft and quiet.

“Yes that’s it, just write your name over here and we’re done” you said pointing at the blank space you left over his name at the end of the paper. 

He asked if you could borrow a pen for him to use and said a few “thanks” while signing the paper before leaving your office and storming out in the direction of the HQ, he never returned your pen but you didn’t even mind.

Then after composing yourself by stretching your back and taking a sip of your already cold coffee you decided to head down to the closest pub you could find, but firstly you changed your boots. Nix was right as you could use some new ones, but since you were so small compared to the rest of the guys it was nearly impossible to find some fitting boots, yet Speirs somehow got his hand in a pair just of the right size.

When you finally arrived at the bar your eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the lighting of the room, you then scanned the tables looking for Nix and Dick. When you recognized the friendly faces you started to move towards them, but then you felt a tap on your shoulders and turned to see who it was. 

“Hey excuse me Y/L/N, Captain Speirs asked me to hand you this” It was Lieutenant Lipton holding an envelope in his hand, like it was a classified piece of information that could change the war. This man took his duties very seriously, you thought to yourself as you took the envelope and put it in your pocket.

“Thank you Lieutenant” you said smiling at the officer in front of you, who smiled back and took his leave joining his men at the other table. 

You then walked to the barman and asked for a beer, when you were reaching into your pocket to find some money to pay the man he shook his head and his hands as if trying to say no, he paused a few seconds trying to remember the words in your language and explained the best way he could that someone had taken care of it, offered you some food, the most glorious, golden fried potatoes you’ve ever saw in your life.

As you walked down to the table holding your plate the Easy men stared at you as if you were a goddess walking on water or something, then started to shout at the barman asking for the same food. Dick and Nix exchanged a funny look between each other and Nix tried to take some of your fries before you slapped his hand. 

When you tried the first one you closed your eyes, it hit you like a full speed train crashing into a wall, so many emotions one after another, after months of terrible stinky food there was this little piece of heaven. You took a big gulp of the beer in front of you, and then someone put another pint in front of you, and then another one, and another one. You could swear it was the best feeling in quite some time, the men shouting and laughing all around you telling tales and jokes about Toccoa Camp, Sobel or Dike or some officer they hated, Nixon pestering Dick about something, all the stuff, all at once you almost forgot the place you were, what you were fighting for. 

Forgot….. 

Then you remembered the note that Speirs left you and you suddenly felt a rush that almost made you fall off your chair. You don’t know if it was the fourth (or fifth?) beer you had but you felt your hands trembling as you opened the envelope. Inside there was this carefully folded paper, you stared at it for some time before gathering the courage to open it, just to find this beautiful handwriting, you didn’t expect to come from the toughest son of a bitch in the entire army. 

“Dearest (Y/N),

Thank you so much for your help today. I will never forget it and I will find a way to repay you somehow. One night you said that as a kid you used to eat french fries when you were feeling down, so I took the liberty to ask Matthijs the barman to do something special for you. 

I hope it brings you a piece of home! Enjoy whatever you want, he is going to put on my account and don’t even try to argue with him or me about it”

Sincerely yours.

Capt. Ronald Speirs.

“P.S: I have some more paperwork due to the next week, I hope you don’t mind”

You smiled to yourself as you read it again and again, every time your heart would jump when you stopped at the YOU, your name written, your brain froze right there as if it could take a picture just by staring. You didn’t mind that he would eventually bring more work, because somehow he managed to do so, he brought you home. 

You were tired, drunk and your head was spinning a little but if someone ever asked you then yes: it was worth it.

[tyrantisterror]

I don't know if you can answer this question, but if it's OK I want to ask for your opinion on the claim that Disney's Beauty and the Beast (1991) sends the message that women and girls should stay in relationships with men who display abusive tendencies in the hopes that their love will change them?

I remember reading a ton of articles arguing against this, which I agree with generally, but at the same time it can't be denied that Beast does do things like screaming, making threats and acting out violently by destroying furniture which would be seen as abusive irl, but at the same time it's understandable because of his circumstances.

The movie makes a point that without human contact except for his servants, Beast has become more "feral" and forgotten how to be human, and he and Belle bond over teaching him manners, like the scene at the dinner table where she teaches him how to eat porridge.

I also want to argue that the point of the movie is to hold Beast responsible for how he acts despite his sympathetic backstory: during his and Belle's shouting match when she is treating his injuries, he tries to shift the blame on to her for running away, but she replies that she wouldn't have done so if he hadn't frightened her, to which he doesn't reply back, acknowledging that she's right.

Because of this I believe the argument (which I commonly see on certain social media posts) that BATB teaches girls to accept abusive behavior from their partners to hold little water, and at best misses critical nuance.

I would like to receive opinions on what I said.

There was a really good video essay about this very topic that I would link except I'm pretty sure tumblr wants to hunt the woman who made it for sport. So instead I'm going to pull a James Somerton and just plagiarize the points it made to the best of my hazy recollection.

Belle consistently stands up for herself and holds the Beast to task whenever he acts like a dick in the movie. All of his tantrums and screaming and, well, beastly behavior, she calls him out on it and refuses to take his shit. His most violent outburst actually prompts her to leave the castle, regardless of her prior promises - she refuses to stay with the Beast if he acts like a monster.

She only begins to like him when he actively and purposefully changes his ways - when he admits he fucked up and apologizes, when he goes out of his way to change his behavior for the better, when he takes her feelings into account and does things purely for the sake of making her happy. The whole movie is about the Beast changing into a better person - about him going from a spoiled brat who acted like a monster to a good man with a monster's body. It's a very simple redemption arc told in a way that children can understand it.

And anyone who's been on the internet, ESPECIALLY tumblr, knows that the reading in-comprehension crowd fucking HATES redemption arcs and will always, always, ALWAYS find the most bad faith reading of them they can and preach it like gospel. The Beast had some bad behaviors that, yes, were abusive and wrong. To a moral puritan who cannot abide a world with any nuance, that means he is EVIL and can never be anything but EVIL because once you're EVIL that's it, you are forever fallen and wicked and beyond grace, and for a story to say that an EVIL person can realize why they were wrong, work to improve themselves, and find love once they've become a better person is irresponsible and, indeed, EVIL, because it makes children think that EVIL people might not always stay EVIL, and if that was true then, well, we'd have to reconsider our own treatment of EVIL people, and then we might realize we'd been acting a little EVIL ourselves, and we can't abide that, can we?

So yeah I don't really take the people who claim the Disney movie is about glamorizing abusive relationships seriously. They're incapable of reading the text of a movie designed for six year olds, their opinions are invalid.

[iratempestatis]

Pretty.

Kaeya x gn!reader

Just a bunch of fluff, reader is bad at showing their emotions and Kaeya's just shooting his shot lmao. Apologies for being too specific at times, I wrote this with someone in mind <3

Throwing food at pedestrians was generally frowned upon, whether you were a normal citizen or the esteemed captain of the Knights of Favonius. You're fairly certain your captain is aware of this, and yet-

You whip your head around and glare at Kaeya as another sunsettia makes an elegant arc and bounces off your shoulder, onto the ground. What was wrong with this man? Why was he wasting food like this?

Your captain had very thin hair already, curving over his shoulder like a rat’s tail. He didn't need to give you incentive to rip it all off. You're sure it would fall off on it's own by the time he was forty. You’re certain he'd still look as lovely as he did now.

But enough of that! He wasted food!

“Captain!”

“So sorry.” He grins and bites into a sunsettia. The bright morning sky brings out the cool blue tones in his eyes. He's pretty. “Please don't scold me, now.”

You only curse and turned away. It was impossible to remain angry with Kaeya Alberich for too long.

✦—————————————✦

You used to think you were quite clever.

But honestly, only a fool would graduate from the Akademiya with honours and end up working as a cavalry knight in a city full of drunkards (imagine being in love with one, the horror! It could never be you), far away from home, devoid of any fresh spices save for some fucking snapdragon. And the cost of shipping actual spices? Veritable insanity! 450 Mora for just shipping the stuff you could buy for 120 back home?

And only an even bigger fool wouldn't check if the cavalry had any horses before signing up. Because it's stupid to expect the cavalry to own a horse or two, yes?

It never seemed to bother anyone but you. These madlads managed life without sumpter beasts and Tri-Lakshana Sigils.

Mondstadt City didn't even have any slopes, just stairs! What if someone used a wheelchair? What if someone was too goddamn lazy to climb up all those stairs??

You'd bitched about the infrastructure nonstop at first. Kaeya had only laughed. He had a pretty laugh. Everything he did was pretty. He was pretty.

You could feel your friends rolling their eyes at you.

You were often tempted to take their advice and confess your feelings to him. How embarrassing, to not leave a city purely because he occupied it? To smile because he smiled and grin because he looked content? You didn't even like skewers until he threw some at you. They tasted as zesty as he looked.

But confessing to your boss? Unprofessional. You weren't a coward, you were just married to your job! (A rather toxic relationship. You barely spent any time together.) Besides, imagine getting rejected. It could never be you. That would be almost as terrible as crying in front of everyone as an Akademiya professor tore your essay to shreds. In your first year. (Maybe Alhaitham was right and you really did need therapy.)

Speaking of your job, however-

“Captain, I'm going to Springvale. Old Finch-”

“Surely you don't mean to walk there.” His eyes widen in mock horror. “We don't even have any Tri-Lakshana Sigils!”

You roll your eyes. “Old Finch told me-”

“Finch? Who would name their only child Finch of all things? At least there are slopes in Springvale-”

You groan.

✦—————————————✦

Of course you didn't fucking walk to Springvale like a plebian. You begged Nantuck to row you there. Kaeya tagged along as well, but you didn't question why. You were one flirtatious answer from giving your crush away. Or one pretty, pretty smile. Or even just one Kaeya elegantly stepping out of the boat and holding out a hand to you.

“I'm good,” you mutter as you step off on your own. Kaeya chuckles.

“My, someone's in an especially terrible mood today. Did someone anger you? When are you telling me what you're here for on your day off, anyway?”

The audacity of this bitc-

“I tried,“ You scoff. “Someone kept interrupting me-”

“How uncouth of them.”

“You piece of-” you hurriedly bite back the insult. “I'm here because Old F- someone told me there's a group of whopperflowers on the cliffs behind the spring. I'll deal with them and meet up with you… where?”

“So eager to meet up with me, even on our days off,” he muses as you rolled your eyes. (Wasn't he the one who started harassing you? No matter. Any time spent with Kaeya was time well spent, in your opinion.) “Very well, then. I'll be at Brooke’s. It's a date.”

Your face flushes. What the fuck? “Don't wander off.” You sigh, hoping you don't look like you're on fire. I need to get out of here.

“That's all you'll say to me? Hey, at least say goodbye as you run off!”

✦—————————————✦

Goodbye, you think as you plummet off a cliff and to your death (you hope.) The whopperflowers had been endless and honestly you'd rather fight a Regisvine than a dozen of these overgrown mist flowers together on a goddamn cliff. You could see the light (probably the sun.) You could feel Alhaitham chuck your clown wig and clown nose at you (in spirit, of course, although him actually doing that wouldn't really surprise you.)

You could also feel your body jolt as the cold waters of the spring abruptly shock your system. You're not conscious enough to feel yourself sink, though.

✦—————————————✦

Were you to die, you wanted death to cradle you close, carry you off and gently lay you to rest on the sands or the grass, whichever you were in the mood for that day. And you didn't want it to be fucking bony and jostle you as it carried you, no matter how nice it smelled. You also didn't want it to be so goddamn damp, and the least it could do is magically stop your head from hurting, maybe hand you a towel and some warm soup-

“There you go,” you hear Kaeya softly murmur as he sets you down on some grass. You can hear Finch and Hopkins frantically calling for help. Warm hands securely wrap a blanket around you and start gently drying your hair.

I won't be able to go on that date, you think deliriously. The ensuing embarrassment is enough to make your eyes snap open.

You're on the grassy banks of the spring, wet and rather cold. Brooke is rubbing your arms through the blanket and- you crane your neck to see Kaeya gently drying your hair. He smiles when he sees you turn. He smiles very often. You wonder if this is one of those rare times when it's genuine.

“You never fail to surprise me,” he says fondly as he lets go of the towel and ruffles your hair. “Forever reaching for new heights of stupidity. What idiot runs off to kill a dozen cryo whopperflowers with a cryo vision?”

This bitch.

“I didn't know they were cryo,” you rasp. “Asshole.”

“Is this how you speak to your superiors?”

“You're not exactly supposed to ask your underlings on dates either.” Shit.

He grins at that (you should never have acknowledged the date, now he'd make you commit) and heaves an exaggerated sigh as he begins combing through your hair with his fingers. His nails gently scratch against your scalp. “Very well, dearest. No dates.”

Your dismay apparently shows on your face, because his grin only widens with delight. “Alright, one date, because you're pretty. And not today.”

Your face flushes. “It's not like I want one, anyway.” What do you mean, not today?

He shrugs. “Then you're welcome to walk away from rather delectable free meal. Brooke promised she'd give us only her best.”

As if you needed any additional motivation. “Fine, then. Only for the food.” When? The food sounded almost as good as Kaeya. “So. Er.” You cough. “When exactly are we…when are you taking me on that-?”

Kaeya laughs (asshole, you think affectionately) as you trail off with a flushed face. “Hey, since you're not so opposed to the idea,” he says “maybe you can stand me after all.”

Oh, Kaeya. Your face softens. “I've never disliked you, captain.” You have no need for insecurities. I know what you almost did to Collei. I know you have a complicated past.

I wish you'd tell me about it. Maybe one day you'd muster the courage to ask.

“Oh?” He tilts his head. A bead of water trickles off his hair, on his nose, then past his cheek. It catches on his jaw. You fight the urge to wipe it off. “So does this mean you like me, then?”

You blink rapidly, then turn away. “That's for you to find out.”

He smiles at you then, just a small smile. The sort of smile he gives stray cats when he thinks nobody is looking. The sort of smile he gives Klee when she shows him a drawing she made of them together. The sort of smile he gives Jean as he helps her home after a long day. Or the sort of smile he gives Lisa when she gently pats his shoulder and tells him to take care before she heads home.

“Like I said though, not today.” He boops your nose and stands up, holding out a hand to you. You take it this time. He doesn't let go even as you start to walk back towards Nantuck’s boat, and your heart joyously skips a few beats. You hope he can't feel your pulse through your intertwined fingers.

“You need to rest, and archons forbid you catch a cold. It's no fun without you around. I almost miss you, even. How about we reschedule that date for next Saturday, hm?”

[hikarielizabethbloom]

Hey, I just wanted to tell you that in my opinion, you have nothing to apologize for because you did nothing wrong but expressing your POV. I'm sorry I do it anonymously, it feels wrong because until now I was never afraid of voicing my opinions... but these days it feels like saying anything in relation with this subject could be taken as "taking a side", which is weird. It feels like, you know... cold war lol !

I've recently noticed a tendency to, instead of directly commenting an opinion x user disagrees with, opening another post to criticize the opinion in question. Is it fear to confront the person who said the 'controversial' opinion ? Is it a way to say "I have a different opinion but I won't discuss it ?" (which is fair, sometimes I want to say things I feel without having someone arguing with me over it). It's very passive agressive, and it makes a certain number of fellow fans very uncomfortable. That's what I gathered from the recent discussions I had in private, anyway.

It's just not within the Haladriel fandom, it's in the entire TROP fandom ! Some people don't dare to speak about Celeborn because they're scared that someone will react by posting an agressive take on him. Recently, there was a fight about Adar being a good guy or a bad guy, fans were mocked (again, never in the face but in parallel posts) because they thought that maybe Sauron could be healed with Nenya, etc. Myself I used to post quite frequently, now I just reblog stuff because I think that if I say something that will sound controversial, maybe my opinion will be attacked in another post ! even if my name is not mentioned I'll know it's about what I said. That's not what I call a safe environment.

I don't want to see Tumblr turn into Twitter and Reddit where people will fight and throw insults at each other over fiction, but I'm a bit worried regarding where this passive agressive attitude will lead the Haladriel fandom and even the TROP fandom at large, to be honest.

There's not a day where I don't dread to open the Haladriel/Saurondriel tags and find post opened by shippers who criticize how other shippers see their ships. We don't need the antis anymore, it seems, we seem to become very good at destroying ourselves. It makes me very sad because pre 2x08 and even a couple of weeks post 2x08, the Haladriel tags were filled mostly with positivity, good fun and awesome metas. Now I only see dick contests : "my opinion is better than yours." "No, mine is better than yours and you have no media literacy if you think differently !".

I'm sorry for weighing down with this, but it had to come out of my chest and I don't feel safe anymore saying all this on my blog.

Feel free to ignore this message if you just want to put it behind you, by the way, or if you feel it will make things worse... It's really not my intention to do more damages. Or if you want, just leave a post on your blog saying "I got your message" and anything you want to add, I'll be okay with that...

Thank you for reading me <3

I'm sorry anon you feel this way and I'm sorry you felt the need to stay anonymous to protect yourself. This isn't the inquisition. This is fandom space and you should feel safe enough to express your opinions without fear of taking side. Again, this isn't a war. There are no sides and no wrong takes, no matter what some fans believe.

And yes, I decided to speak up because after a couple of posts I've made, I started to notice posts from other Tumblr users that alluded to things I said. Even from a blog I had blocked. And it got me thinking. And it pissed me off a little.

I'm usually chill. Even when I don't agree with some takes, I don't feel the need to write a long ass essay on how the other's interpretation is bad while mine is progressive, feminist, smart, supported by canon, text, my best friend, my butcher... I just read the post, think 'meh, that's bs', scroll and go on with my life.

I know that for some people that's impossible. I know that some have this need for validation. But really, I can understand (sometimes, not always) this crave for queer relationships. But when the ship involves a hot white man (villain) and hot white woman (heroine), there's really not need for validation, right? History of television validates you.

And yes, things changed by the end of season 2. New waves of fans sadly always mean more assholes. And sometimes those assholes are popular. That's it. The only thing I can do is to call out this anti-fun/fan behavior and try to create a safer space.

So, I'm glad for your message. And if you are afraid to speak up I can do it for you. I've got broad shoulders and no desire to be popular 😂

[survey161]

Survey Results

I've finally gotten around to compiling the results from a survey I put out a while ago, if you were looking forward to seeing these I apologize for the long wait but without further ado this is the data I have gathered and a few of my thoughts.

Ages- 58% 18 or under 42% Over the age of 18

Decent split between minors/adults but members of this community are still relatively young, the age group with the highest percentage was 16-18 with 31% and the lowest represented group was those over 25 with 5%.

Orientation- 93.3% Gay, Trans, Etc. 6.1% Cis/Het

Very clear majority for those who are not cishet.

Location- 66% North America 24% Europe 5% Australia 3% South America 1% Africa 1% Asia

What made you interested in punk- Most responses highlighted music and/or politics as the thing that got them into punk, a lot of people cited financial instability, feeling different than society, and a want for a different lifestyle as a driving factor.

How long have you been involved in punk- 43% 1-2 years 29% 3-4 years 10% 5-6 years 4% 7-8 years 4% 9-10 9% 10+ years

Majority (72%) of responses indicated they had started participating in the subculture during or after the year 2020. Not surprising considering the age demographics of this space, and the punk resurgence that started around that time.

Politics- 37% Anarchist 31% Leftist 10% Communist 7% Other/IDK 6% Liberal 5% Socialist 3% AnCom

All responses indicated they aligned with some variant of a left-leaning ideology, though this does not represent absolutely everyone in this community I would take it as a strong sign that there are no nazis here despite what some may believe. It was interesting to see Leftist get the amount of responses it did, as it is a very broad label that includes various conflicting ideologies.

What is punk- 42% Politics 24% Music 20% All of the above 3% DIY

Most people could not choose just one of these aspects to define punk, but politics was still the most popular answer. Looking at the result for both this question and the previous one has me wondering what ideologies in particular are considered to be the "correct" ones in order to be considered punk. Historically punk has been associated with anarchy and anti-fascism but responses to the politics question gave a variety of leftist inspired views. When given an opportunity to elaborate on what punk is to them, a surprising amount of people gave vague answers along the lines of "being a good person", some explained that they viewed politics as the driving factor behind everything punk, and many expressed that without music punk would not be different from any other political movement.

Where do you primarily engage with punk- 53% Social media 21% Local scene 15% All of the above 7% Small circle of friends 4% Independent online forums

As expected, most people in this community primarily use social media as their way to engage with punk culture. There is a lot that can be said about this and I could do a whole other research project dedicated to the impact social media has had on punk, but to save you from reading an essay I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions from this one.

Favorite punk subgenre- 24% Punk rock 22% Hardcore 16% Folk punk 15% Riot grrl 6% Crust punk 6% Pop Punk

I only included the top 6 since there were a lot of single responses for the other genres, for the question "what is your favorite genre other than punk" metal, rock, indie, and folk were the most popular.

Why did you join this community- Responses varied but were mostly along the lines of wanting to interact with punks, wanting advice and a space to share projects, wanting music recommendations, wanting to be more punk, or wanting to educate themselves on punk

Do you feel comfortable posting here- 75% Yes 25% No

Have you had more of a positive or negative experience here- 54% Positive 42% Neutral 3% Negative

Favorite part about the community- Most expressed that they enjoyed having a space to interact and share ideas with other people into punk along with sharing DIY posts, giving/receiving advice, and getting exposed to new music. Others said they enjoyed seeing/starting heated arguments, making fun of posts they deem to be made by posers, and posting rage bait.

Least favorite part about the community- Most expressed that they did not enjoy seeing arguments and debates, some got specific and listed trolls, elitists, and the "is it punk" debate as their least favorite parts. Others stated "posers" as a negative aspect expressing that they are frustrated that people don't seem to understand what punk is.

There seems to be a split between the users of this space, it was interesting to see how the responses flip flopped with the questions.

In conclusion, this space is a predominantly young, queer, western, leftist community with varying experiences and opinions regarding the punk subculture. There is a clash between those who choose to define punk loosely and those who feel a need to protect the integrity of the punk label, leading to constant arguments and discourse over what is and isn't punk. Despite the debate, many have found community here and have been able to further their self expression and journey into a subculture they identify with.

[marshmallowgoop]

Hi! I've read a handful of your blogs here and I wanted to say I really like them. Even though I haven't seen for myself any of the shows/movies/etc you've talked about, I love how passionate you are, especially about the things you love.

Which brings me to Kill la Kill - my only experience with that anime is literally a couple of clips I watched when I was a teenager, and forgot about a couple of weeks later. Now I (sort of) know the gist of the overall plot by reading about it. But having read several of your essays on it, how invested you are kinda rubs off on me despite not having actually watched the show XD - like, I can feel how much you love these characters.

With that off my chest, I had a question in mind regarding the ending. Again, I don't know every little detail about the story as a whole, but I know that Honnōji Academy is destroyed at the end.

But do you think it would have been cool if the academy was reformed rather than destroyed?

I mean, Satsuki ran the place with an iron fist, and if she reformed, I don't see why the academy couldn't. Imagine Honnōji being a place that ran on cooperation and nurturing of each other's strengths rather than ruthlessness.

Think that's a good idea, or do you think it wouldn't work?

Oh my gosh?? I'm absolutely blown away that my writing can capture interest even without knowledge of the media (and am so curious about how you found me!). Thank you so much.

As to your question: hmm! That's a really good one that I've been pondering for a while (my apologies for the very belated response). One question that comes to mind in response is what a school (or any place) truly is. Is it the location? The building? The people?

If it's the people who made Honnouji Academy what it is, then Satsuki reforming is, in essence, the place reforming. The physical building isn't what made the school what it is.

But I think there's meaning in the inanimate. I'm reminded of an episode of Batman Beyond, "Shriek," where Bruce fights to keep the place where his parents died preserved. Terry wonders why—wouldn't it be best to tear it down? To forget the awful memory? But Bruce throws back at him, "Do you want to forget what happened to your father?"

In Batman Beyond, Crime Alley is left in tatters. It's abandoned, it hasn't been refurbished, and Bruce actively doesn't want it to be. There's meaning in leaving it as it is; it's a reminder of why Bruce became Batman and why the work he does is important.

Perhaps similarly, Honnouji Academy itself doesn't totally disappear. It sinks to the bottom of Tokyo Bay and becomes less immediately visible, but it still exists, and nothing is rebuilt on top of it. The memory of what Satsuki had done, and what she must never become again, lies just beneath the surface. And, because it's just beneath the surface, no one is going to try to make it into something new like the attempts with Crime Alley.

That said. I can also see worth in making a place once known for causing harm into a place that fosters love. Things can change without forgetting and disrespecting what came before.

But maybe there's a "line"? And I could see Honnouji Academy as crossing that line, where keeping it and trying to transform it does a disservice to the atrocities that occurred there, and that's why it ultimately sinks.

[heartstringsduet]

Hi there! If you don't mind me coming to TK's defense in the fight, and specifically the issue of how he seemed so harsh. And I agree that there's a bit of an assumption on TK's part thatCarlos would support his decision. So from what I saw TK didn't really get mad until Carlos brought up his father and the search for his killer. And I think also a better way to approach him doing that would have been to try and reason with him that he has to be able to see an end to things that might not be him catching the killer, most people do because they aren't cops. But I can see how TK has already been here for a year and a half with Carlos. And he has been supportive, he only asked for therapy when it started affecting their marriage and even then he didn't ask Carlos to give up the case. So now he's the one in crisis (not the same of course) and he's looking for that support and its not there. Instead Carlos seems to be insisting TK live with him in that grief of Gabriel's death until he's ready to move on, the "and it always will be" line, and that's not fair either. Sadly crisis rarely line up so that one person has fully processed everything when the next one hits. And for TK's POV it looks like Carlos is willing to let his little brother, a living person, be shipped off to be raised an ocean away, in the name of Carlos getting closure on a dead person, the whole future versus the past thing. And I could see why this would set him off so strongly. I don't think he's ignoring this painful subject in Carlos's life, he hasn't for the past year and a half, but he is saying in this instance he has his own needs and he's putting them first. This is just me imagining TK's POV, I don't think that's what Carlos was saying really but maybe he didn't think what he said through to the end very well. Does that make sense??

Also I totally agree with you on the Wyatt and "doing right by Julio" nonsense. I really hate when this show goes all out on the copaganda to justify questionable behavior. And if it wasn't for the specific "make things right" line used I might be able to see what Carlos did in a more favorable light. But Wyatt didn't do anything wrong, he actually did a really amazing job under pressure, and he shouldn't be made to feel this is something he owes the cops, or Julio, or anyone. I do know the show tends to do this and its why I always have to brace for episodes like this. And yeah, killing a bunch of people shouldn't be viewed as "making things right", I don't care who they are.

Hi <3 This is gonna be an ESSAY. I apologize in advance. Whoever has time to read all this...wow 😂 First of all, I don't mind anyone writing me with an opinion as long as it isn't racist/queerphobic/etc. So all good. I think it's super fair to want to talk about an issue and I will reply whenever I have the bandwidth 💕 Also, as someone who's not a native English speaker, I will not try to nail you down on word choices. But I think if you meant it literally, coming to 'Tk's defense' at least with me isn't necessary at all. My criticisms toward him or Carlos are never an attack on them and having a different opinion or coming at something from another angle is just that. No defense necessary. If that makes sense??? I hope that doesn't come off as condescending I'm just hoping that the implication of people criticising or stating opinions is taken less and less as an attack in general. Because fandom often falls in such a binary. Good vs. Bad. And I don't prescribe to that in life or fiction. All of this to say, I think you make really valid points for why TK feels that way. I agree to certain extends. TK for sure has had to struggle with watching his husband be consumed with work and his father's death. And even if Gabriel had died of natural courses, it is TOUGH supporting a partner. It surely was tough for Carlos to support TK in season 3. And that is a struggle you are willing to take when you love someone but it takes a toll nonetheless. BUT: narratively, what Lone Star gave us was this: therapy - resolution through a compromise with the box - Carlos helping with the barn - gigantic birthday party Carlos seemed to have organized or at least was heavily involved in and present for and THEEEEN - TK not communicating well. In real life, issues like that are so messy and take forever to be resolved. Ngl, I've been hurt about some things a lot less severe for yearrrs. And I go to therapy too lol. But Lone Star's short season and pacing and cramming all of this in one now leads to this narrative to feel so jumbles because we as viewers can guess that the issue wasn't resolved for TK. How could it be?

But to give us two episodes of only seeing them happy and united again and then have TK not talk about adopting Jonah with Carlos first? THAT for me is the issue. Not TK being snappy and being upset when Carlos brings up Gabriel. Despite not seeing the on-screen struggle of it continue, that still made sense to me. I don't see that to be the reason why TK sprung the Jonah thing on Carlos like that. And he DID spring it on Carlos. That is human and again, don't mind him not finding the perfect words. But S4 established Carlos as someone who said he might not want kids. That's where we left things off. Jonah challenges that. That is super fair. I honestly have a case like that in my family I won't go into details for, but when I was 20, I was very briefly considering taking care of a toddler despite the circumstances being very very bad. It resolved in another way, but still, I have an idea what it's like to have family crisis and beign forced into making that tough decision. TK is so valid in wanting to take care of Jonah. And not thinking through logistics like Carlos would have. He is a very heart-first person. I was still surprised why they made the dialogue as it is because TK gives NO room for Carlos to weigh in. Yes, it could be clear to TK that he won't allow his brother to be raised by an institution and Carlos would likely agree. But to not even consider asking Carlos if he is okay with it? To take that agency from him? I don't think that's right and maybe we will disagree on that. It's a HUMAN BEING. And Jonah would deserve better than to have one of the men raising him not be in it 100%. That's the reason I don't want kids. I don't think it's fair t be wishy-washy about a child. "and he's looking for that support and its not there. Instead Carlos seems to be insisting TK live with him in that grief of Gabriel's death until he's ready to move on, the "and it always will be" line, and that's not fair either." -I don't think Carlos is insisting anything. I think the scene was too brief even to get into what Carlos wants more than it showed us what Carlos FEARS. He fears he wouldn't be able to raise a kid right now. And I think that has only partially to do with Gabriel's murder. Again, even in s4 he doesn't think he's ready. Give that man a minute to come to terms with maybe having to adopt, or lose TK. That's what it boils down to. Being in a crisis, dealing with trauma, and your life changing basically forever. You can logically support TK 100% but you can't deny how someone saying: "Hi babe we'll be dads now" isn't going to make you panic. Hell, someone dropping a dog in front of my door would make me panic. A full on child. AH. And TK didn't go about asking for support. He demanded it. He didn't allow another path. And Carlos in turn said: I don't know if I can cross that line for my own needs and sanity. Controversial opinion but even the best relationship would not make me cross certain boundaries and I don't think that should be the norm. TK said he accepted Carlos not wanting to be a father. The circumstances are so out of norm that he now brings it back up and has to be insistent. I just wish he would acknowledge that this is not something Carlos can do easily. I texted Mar that TK starting the dialogue off differently would have changed the entire thing for me. Like something similar to. ""I'm looking at adoption lawyers because Enzo wants to send him to a boarding school and I don't think I can watch that happen."" - Shows that TK is struggling with that himself at least. Still disregarding what Carlos would say but it leaves the door open just a little more to show a conflict and Carlos might have not felt as bulldozed. Others would surely write it even better. This is already so fucking long .... Feel like I would all get this out a lot better if I wrote a fic about it ngl. I'm so sorry if this is jumbled and messy. I promise you I take your words in good faith.

[stormblessed95]

Thank you so much for answering me Storm!

When I sent that ask I had just come from twitter where some ARMYs where claiming that dropping Muse and Who to support Yoongi is what Jimin would want, that his album has been out for a month already so it not a big deal to move on.

I saw you reblog that post about Jimin standing with Yoongi, along with not seeing you post much about the hate Jimin has been getting lately, and my frustration towards those that are dropping Jimin to support Yoongi may have been projected on to you.

I don't expect you to be a "content creator", I'm very grateful for the time and energy you give to answer our questions and make thoughtful posts about Jikook and BTS. I have seen you post asks with reporting links before, so I was under the assumption that was something you allowed on your blog (especially for serious issues). If that has changed (which is fine! some people want their blogs/accounts/fandom spaces to be free of reports and anti discussion), I'm sorry for not knowing or not remembering!

It was not at all my intention to victimize Jimin, as I said people have resorted to saying things like "Jimin would want us to do this" and thus using Jimin's loving friendship with Yoongi as a way to justify not supporting Jimin anymore (or as much).

I have noticed that you hadn't posted about Yoongi! I was actually wondering if you were doing alright seeing as he is also your bias. I had even wanted to ask you if you knew some good sources to get information on what was happening, because there was a lot of misinformation and I was genuinely scared for Yoongi.

Seeing as this was a misunderstanding on my part, I don't wish to unfollow you if that's okay? Chapter Two and this recent year has made finding actual ARMYs who support ALL SEVEN members hard. I'm sorry if my ask made you uncomfortable in any way, and again hope you and your loved ones are happy and healthy 💜💜

I know we are all under the assumptions at times that our personal moral panic is unique and unprecedented.... But I promise that it's not, and it's important to remember that too 💜

Like everyone else, I'm not really okay with seeing all the hate and slander that's been happening lately. I want to cry if I think about it too long or hard.

To make things a little more clear, if you send me "what are your thoughts on *insert essay length ask or paragraph length ask over hate x member is experiencing*" I probably won't answer it. I'm not sure what it is I'm expected to say in response? Yeah, it fucking sucks. And I can say "report and block silently, do not engage" until I'm blue in the face, but that's not what those asks actually want. They want my rage, for me to be emotional about it. I'm not inclined to perform that for anyone here. I follow my own advice.

Which leads me to, the asks I'll post are from reporting links. If you see hate, and you want to ask me to help spread the word to report and block an account or ask for help in the best way to go about reporting something, please send it in and I will post it and/or give advice over it. And that is what you've seen me post here before. That is how it will stay

As for following me or not, you do you boo. I'm not here for the numbers or the followers. I didn't ask for anyone to be here actually 😅 the fact that the follower count ever made it anywhere over 20 is something I'm baffled at constantly. I've been on Tumblr for years solely as a lurker lmao so I still sometimes don't know how I ended up here... I blame Jikook. 🙃😂

And honestly though. Thank you for coming back and walking your first statement back and apologizing. Almost no one here has ever really done that before, so it's greatly appreciated.

Have a good day 💜