#That's so powerful to me

[miraculous-ninjabird]

Thinking about how Feng Xin, Xie Lian, and Mu Qing all betrayed each other in their own ways following the fall of Xianle.

We are all familiar with the retainer's failures during this time.

Feng Xin's betrayal stems directly from his departure. It may have ultimately been the best choice from him but the fact remains that he made a vow to stay and he didn't. Even it it was Xie Lian who ultimately told him to leave, it's obvious he never believed he actually would, and Feng Xin has carried guilt over this ever since. Being the correct choice for him personally does not change how hurt Xie Lian is by the fact the one person he thought would stay didn't.

Mu Qing, on the other hand, did not betray anyone when he left. He made no such vow to stand by Xie Lian's side and thus it wasn't a betrayal for him to chose to leave in order to prioritize his mother. His betrayal entirely stems from the events that took place on the mountain. Xie Lian was going through the worst time of his life, just trying to get by, and ended up getting ganged up on by gods. Mu Qing saw this and did nothing out of fear of the retribution he might face from the other heavenly officials. His later assistance comes too little too late for Xie Lian who is hurt by being turned on by someone who he saw as a friend.

I see less talk about how Xie Lian isn't an innocent victim in this fallout either. His on form of betrayal comes in the form of his own short sightedness. He's so caught up in how the situation affects him specifically that he doesn't give much care for the others who are supporting him. He fails to recognize that Mu Qing and Feng Xin have lost all the same things he has-their home, their godhood, and their dignity. He sees them as friends, yes, but he still somewhat expects them to stay and act as his retainers even when doing so is ultimately harmful to their relationship. He is difficult to interact with, pushes them away, and gets irrationally upset when they don't live up to the idea of what he thinks they should be. He lies and retreats in on himself when he should be more open and trusting than ever because he just can't let go of the idea of being above the perceived expectations of what he should be. He betrays them by refusing to see.

The tragedy of it all is that you cannot blame any of them for the tragedy of this. They all made poor decisions in the depths of the darkest time of their lives that could be justified from their own viewpoints. It breeds empathy.

Xie Lian being to horrifically distraught after everything to function is an understandable reaction. Mu Qing refusing to assist Xie Lian because he can't risk his new position and the ability to assist it provides is an understandable reaction. Feng Xin leaving when told to go because while he is loyal, he can't bear to watch as Xie Lian continues to tear himself apart is understandable.

Tragic, yet inevitable. I like the way the story doesn't just forever sperate them due to resentment, but I also like how that everything isn't just magically better once they get a chance to talk it out. Mistakes were made, harm was caused, and there is no fixing that but there is moving forward and I really really love that message.

[kimbapisnotsushi]

how beautiful and poetic is it that lucio katou looks at hinata, a character so often embodied by the sun and how it blazes, and is reminded of japan's winter. lucio katou looks at hinata and sees a flurry of snow even when the heat of brazil's sun and sand has dug its claws into them. lucio katou looks at hinata and is chilled by hinata's drive and passion and hunger, feels the wind nipping at his skin and the frost settling in between his bones, is blinded by the white glare of snow under which warmth still flickers like a candleflame being kept alive by cupped hands. and hinata, so used to being summer-bright and sun-strong, will learn what it means to be seared by a light that is not his own.

[flogisto]

big fan of stories that, while undoubtedly being about the power of friendship, acknowledge that the power of incredible violence is just as important

the love was there. the love changed everything. the crowbar helped also

[esmeraldablazingsky]

honestly i have to kinda disagree with that post thats like “being knightcore doesnt mean pro monarchy just swear ur undying loyalty to ur bff or ur crush or smth”

no. thats not what makes it sexy. either grapple with your beloved master’s role as a symbol of the state or choose to ignore it entirely and remain their loyal hound to whatever end, uncaring of the structures of power which you serve. become naught but a blade, the burden of your choices left to settle in the hand that wields you. it’s not about being besties forever it’s about OWNERSHIP and DUBIOUS MORALITY and FRANKLY QUESTIONABLE POWER DIFFERENTIALS

[stronger-monsters]

early days ❤️ (they haven't quite figured out boundaries or compatible love languages or physical strength disparity, yet <3)

[stealingpotatoes]

"it's america day" no it's haymitch's birthday thank you very much

(tip jar! // comms status)

[lylahammar]

the one perk he can't earn

[spookberry]

this came to me in a vision

[misticarts]

In the cottage

[cryptocism]

It would have taken another immortal to keep up with him.

so i haven't read the books but i did read the Devil's Minion chapter and this part made me laugh out loud:

[clumsypuppy]

abogagos……..

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

hero/villain showdown but one of them has a spontaneous medical emergency and the battle gets put on hold while their archnemesis drives them to Urgent Care

[crunchycrystals]

also wanna give some love to josh johnson's original attempted crowd work with "you've got a gray sweatshirt right. oh its not?" i was losing it every single time

[pangur-and-grim]

I feel like if you’re bed rotting from an autoimmune disease you should get to stop paying bills. just for a little bit. just as a treat.

[sunflowerscottie]

“deploying Aubrey”

[ohposhers]

GIVE THESE BOYS A WEEKEND YAOI FISHING TRIP !! GAT DAMN!! i actually have so many thoughts about Big getting Shadow into fishing istg im gonna make a whole comic on it im in too deep