#and i don't blame bastion

[beamreaper04]

Wave Duel Scramble: GX Wave - VS. Misawa Daichi, Austin O'Brien, and Jim Crocodile Cook

If they lose. ⬇️

[zhukzucraft]

=> Martyn: Commit "Grand Theft Ender Pearl"

Gem: Looks like we've got company,

Grian: Who?

Gem: Pearl, Scott, Cleo and Martyn... Speaking of Martyn, guess what Skizz is whispering about him?

Gem: "Dude, Martyn is at the Hunker Bunker right now being BIG mad because Scar stole his 'Thing',"

Gem: "So watch out for Martyn if he comes knockin'!"

Scar: What's a "Hunker Bunker"? Is it a-

Martyn: "Watch out for Martyn?" That IS good advice! But, the warning was a bit late yea?

Martyn: You know what they say - an eye for an eye,

Martyn: You steal My Thing and I'll steal yours- I'll meet you at the bastion!

Grian: Put that down!

Martyn: Ta ta for now! ~♪

Gem: Eurg, he such a Theatre Kid-

Scar: ...

Scar: MARTYYYNN!!! Get back here you purpur loining scoundrel!

Grian: SCAR! ...Gem, we gotta follow him before he gets himself into trouble again,

Grian: Plus Martyn stole our ender pearl! We worked hard for that!

Gem: Counterpoint: We also have to wait for our Pearl. She's going to have no idea where we went if we run too far from the portal

Grian: I can't just let Scar run off alone and hand The Enchanter to Martyn on a silver platter!

Gem: We promised we wouldn't leave Pearl behind,

(Scar: *grumble grumble* no honor among adventurers nowadays, just because this is a death game doesn't mean you can't have manners!)

Grian: I know, I know, you made a promise... but between Pearl and Scar, who are you more worried about surviving in the Nether?

Gem: ...

Gem: Fine. Follow Scar. I'll go find Pearl and then we can catch up with you two. Go be stupid, just not too stupid: if you die, I'll be the first to laugh in chat

(Grian: I said you get used to it but...)

Grian: Scar, you cannot just waltz into a PIGLIN INFESTED BASTION in iron gear and expect things to magically work out without a plan!

Scar: Improvising, Grian! It’s the path of pioneers! The mark of a true marauder! If you're good enough at it, everyone will assume it was strategy. Tends to work out fiiiine! ...most of the time,

Grian: "Most of the time" isn't good enough,

Scar: Okay, so we plan while we run! Multitasking, Grian, multitasking~

Grian: That's just improvising a few seconds earlier!!!

Scar: I don't hear any planning going on~♪ Just complaining,

Grian: ...I'm going to blame you when this inevitably goes horribly wrong

=====>

Start Over -- Go Back

[blockgamepirate]

The piglin thing really is my biggest problem with the movie (and Legends too ftr)

Like it doesn't look like it's gonna be good in general either, but I'd probably be more amused than annoyed

But interpreting the piglins as evil is just such bad vibes, it's a bad narrative. Intentional or not, it frankly feels like an excuse to kill them and plunder their homes because they have valuables we (players) want

Sorry but we're the bad guys here, we're the ones invading their lands and their homes and stealing their shit. That's bad guy behaviour. The piglins aren't invading the overworld to kill and rob everybody, it's the other way around. This is literally just projecting

(And yes, this is pretty much how colonialism worked too: invade a land, rob everything you can carry, then villainise the locals when they get mad at you and try to chase you out, then use that to justify killing them and taking over the land, and finally you transform the land to fit your purposes and call it progress)

I mean it's kinda unfortunate that the game very much encourages this kind of behaviour. Like I'm not canceling Minecraft or anything but it's worth thinking about. You literally can't barter for the netherite template, you either rob the piglins or you don't get one, so the game incentivises you to become a robber, and then you justify yourself by claiming that it's okay because the piglins are trying to kill you (for invading their home and robbing them) and they were probably just being greedy anyway (not like you, you're just entitled to own everything of course)

idk, I don't wanna be a killjoy because raiding bastions is actually really fun. I'm just saying, if you're gonna be a bad guy just accept that you're the bad guy, don't try to shift the blame

[ventique18]

~ Related to my previous reblog

~ Malleus and his unorthodox leadership style

@hanafubukki perfectly described how Malleus tends to blame and overstretch himself to make up for others' shortcomings. I also noticed that this tendency also reflects on his leadership style.

At this point, it's common knowledge to players that Malleus isn't exactly the best housewarden in NRC. This is actually also addressed by Riddle in Twst's Savanaclaw novel. He is incredibly charismatic and his followers know to trust in him completely and follow his lead, but his style is not ideal.

I'd like to reiterate the not ideal part. It's not ideal because it's not the standard for leadership that we're used to. He's not like Riddle who would scold his members for not studying the day before an exam, nor is he like Vil who proactively curates his members' skincare routine so they'd look their best for a photoshoot. In fact, he is not a preventive type of leader; he's more of a corrective one.

As a king-to-be, he deeply respects that every single person has a role that they have to fulfill, and he expects that his dorm members already know what to do and how to do it correctly. He doesn't like to interrupt when they're doing their roles because he trusts in them completely, but in the event that something indeed goes wrong, he feels like it's his role to put everything back to their right places because he's responsible for every action that his domain does. As if every single person in his house is one of his limbs, and if something goes off, then the blame is simply on him, the head. And that's why there's no "I cannot do this" for him; he is always their last bastion and he can't fail their established belief that in his presence, everything is well.

This is both a relief and a sort of pressure on them. Because Diasomnia works eerily close to a religion, they're always assured that they have a god to solve all their problems when the going gets tough. At the same time, Diasomnia members are always pressured to do everything correctly, just because it would reflect badly on their god if they don't.

Malleus himself is not pressuring them though; in fact he believes that failure is an important part of learning, just like how he tells you in alchemy classes to fail as often as you must--because he's there to support you all the way. He has always been kind and understanding to others. It's to himself that he's not so kind to. After all, when the last bastion falls, it's game over.

[rei-ismyname]

Cyclops and Hope mourn Cable

Hope's Second Coming was incredibly violent. Bastion teamed up with like 70% of the X-Men's enemies, put a dome over Utopia, and kept flinging Nimrods at them. The X-Men won, but it was not without cost. Cable, Nathan Summers - Scott's son and Hope's father died heroically. We don't see Scott cry enough but he's not shy here.

It's unclear if Scott breaks down after giving a eulogy or wasn't able to do it. I think the former is more likely, though both work. Hope gets up to give hers and the content means very different things for the two of them. For Hope it's a homage and a framing to channel grief through. For Scott it's a summation of the kind of life he bequeathed to his son - forever war in an apocalyptic future. That he was 'born into a battle' is both literal and prosaic, no less true for Hope than it was of Cable. She inherited the same war and a lot of the guilt, but from the other direction.

All three are messianic figures of a sort, and each dealt with it differently. As much guilt as Scott piles on himself (deserved or not) Hope blames him more. Cable's death stood in the way of them forming a bond and when the wound started to heal (Cable returned, as he does) The Phoenix and the war got in the way.

The next time Cable died (killed by a younger Cable) it was even worse. Hope had no connection to this Cable, while Scott absolutely did - the kid he got to raise only briefly, back for a second chance. I'll cover that another time, but I find it fascinating how Scott and Hope never truly managed to form a familial relationship. In Rosenberg's Uncanny, Scott calls her 'Cable's daughter,' not 'my granddaughter,' as rationale for not handing her over to be jailed.

[ofthenether]

Piglin Lore! Potentially will have more parts, we'll see.

(Transcript under the cut)

PLAYER

Can survive the Overworld without help

Pink fur, unnaturally colored mane

Most variable

Can display traits of other types

BRUTE

Largest

Strongest

No clan instinct

Most hostile

COLLARED

Were once nomads

NOMAD

Most common

Travels w/ clan

Traders, hunters

Relies on brutes for structural defence

Scared of undead

Wary of Player piglins and humans

WARPED

Infection

Most others avoid (stinky)

Die easily from open wounds

NETHER BASED undead

ZOMBIFIED

Unnatural

Unresponsive, except for clan instinct

Nomads fear them

Brutes kill them

Piglins blame Humans for their existence

Cause of distrust between most piglins and Player piglins

OVERWORLD undead

Fur Patterns: Influenced by their home biome. Comes in any natural color. Overworld air turns them pink. Warped fungus turns them purple. (listed in order: Basalt Delta, Soulsand Valley, Crimson Forest, Nether Wastes, Warped Forest)

Piglins are primarily carnivores, with fungivore tendencies in times of low food.

Piglins do not display sexual dimorphism, or any gender roles in their society beyond "sows," or the piglins that give birth, or "farrowed."

("What's a man?" "I heard it was a chicken")

CLAN BONDS: Piglins display an instinctual bond to those close to them, their "clan." This connection can be displayed between family, friends, or lovers. Rarely, it can even transcend species barriers, with some piglins bonding to humans.

Piglins consider this bond to be sacred. It was a way of survival in the harsh Nethr environments, and they believe this strong connection to be holy. It's the reason why piglins become hostile when one is attacked. This trait even remains in the undead, despite their lack of cognitive function.

The worst crime a piglin can commit is killing their clan.

Those guilty of this are called "Butchers."

BASTIONS: Brutes are taken in at 5 years old at every "cool" season, or when the lava lakes are receded.

They are taken from their family, and trained to be warriors. To defend their bastions with their lives, and the gold inside.

Brutes are supposed to be a fallback for nomadic clans, in case of a mass attack; either Players, or the Infected.

Clan bonds are heavily discouraged, they are forcibly snapped upon discovery. Bonds are seen as weakness in the bastions. The only connections should be with the entire squadron.

Each Brute has a collar. Enchanted with the Curse of Binding, it will choke the wearer upon wandering too far from their home bastion without permission to persuade runners.

These collars also embed magical commands into the brutes, so the Commander can control their troops.

HIERARCHY: Commander, Advisors, Brutes, Yearlings, Runts

NAMES: Piglin names are primarily nouns. Families will name their children similar items (Netherrack, Netherbrick). Sometimes, names will be from mythologies. This is more commonly seen in bastions, where piglins have no familial connections.

However, there's dangers in this. They will never name themselves after active piglin spirits (they don't believe in "gods.") Names have the power to invoke them, and no one wants to draw their ire.

Clan bond nicknames, however, are designed to do exactly that. They are they piglin trying to summon physical manifestations of their love for another. Usually these nicknames are something sentimental to the piglin and related to their perception to their clan. It is considered the highest honor to be given a bond name.

SPIRITS:

REITIEN - Spirit of Chance, Change, Hunt (Anything Living)

IGNATIA - Spirit of Order, Structure (Blazes, Bastions)

THE ROT - Spirit of Death, Undead (Anything 'Dead')

[mayapapaya33]

I'm rewatching Exu: Calamity and I think they made a mistake with the name. The real title should be Exu: Actually, Vasselheim has good reasons for how it operates, even if they're dicks about it sometimes. Maybe it was too long, so they went with the snappier CALAMITY! Instead lol.

The end of the Calamity was only 840 something years ago. With Elves and dragons running around, some of them are definitely old enough where, if they didn't live during the Age of Arcanum themselves, their parents or grandparents would have and they would have been told a thousand stories of the fuck heads in flying cities who destroyed the world and were super annoying and dangerous long before they did that. Many more would be born during the latter part of the Calamity or raised by people who survived the Calamity who passes on those stories. Depending on the race we are talking anywhere from direct witnesses (Like the Bright Queen and Ludinus) to like 2-5 generations removed. Even humans with our short lifespans, it's really not THAT long, especially if you've got a bunch of old ass elves around teaching history class from a first person pov for like 500 years lol.

Intellectually people know that Critical Role, the world of Exandria is a post apocalypse story. Exandria is a scarred landscape that is just beginning to bounce back from the brink. But because it is recovering, it's easy to forget sometimes that it IS POST APOCALYPTIC. So people looking at Vasselheim in the modern day are like, 'bro, you really need to chill, everything's fine.' And Vasselheim is like... 'Chill? I do not understand the meaning of this word. And everything is fine... for now. We will be a bastion of civilization when the end times come once more. Fare thee well traveler.'

Then everyone rolls their eyes and moves on with their day. But if you really think about Vasselheim's isolationism and strength and distain for arcane magic in historical context, you can't really blame them. Are they over the top about their dislike of arcane magic? Sure. Is it quite possibly the most understandable over reaction in the history of over reactions? Also yes! They haven't made it illegal, they are just going to keep an eye on you, so you don't pull a Vespin Chloras and doom the planet to another few centuries of choked skies and sundered landscapes, that's all. Vespin was IN Vasselheim! Of COURSE they have strong feelings about it. The (Almost) End of the World began in Vasselheim due to arcane magic. If they had been stricter, maybe it wouldn't have happened at all!

And it really does paint their actions in Campaign 1 in a different light as well. Their isolationism can come across as shortsighted and selfish, until you view it from their point of view. Which is that they are constantly under threat, they know for a fact that Asmodeus wants their city destroyed, they are a bastion for the Prime Deities in a world filled with many heathens (lol that's where the dickishness comes in) and the Betrayer Gods would take any sign of weakness in their defenses and attack with glee. Hearing it in C1 it sounds like an excuse not to help against the Chroma Conclave, but it is literally just the truth from what I can tell. In BOTH Calamity and Downfall they have mentioned destroying Vasselheim being on the Betrayer God's to do list lol. If I was on a Betrayer God's to do list specifically, by name, I too would be somewhat paranoid and would not really want to disarm any portion of the city to go do something else. No matter how important the something else might be.

Vasselheim was basically like; Look, I'm very sorry to hear about your Dragon problem, that sucks, truly, but if we go out all willy nilly and leave this city undefended, it'll be fucked when we get back. When you have a real plan, come back and get us and we'll join you for the big fight. Until then, it's up to you, here you can have Kima as well, she's been desperate to get out of here anyway, and here's some supplies. We have larger concerns than one continent being attacked by four ancient Dragons. We are the seed bank for civilization for when shit inevitably hits the fan. We are the doomsday bunker for the Apocalypse, four Ancient Dragons are terrible, but they are not the Apocalypse. And they are right. Looking at it all in context, The Chroma Conclave are small potatoes. Horrific, monstrous, life destroying, but compared to the threat Vasselheim is preparing for, nothing.

They are the doomsday preppers of Exandria, except the threat is real and they are only letting their collective trauma and ptsd inform their decisions a little bit. They are actually fairly rational all things considered. This city withstood the entire Calamity. The stewards of the city must feel an enormous weight and responsibility to keep it safe going into the future. Imagine the pressure. Are you going to be the one to fuck it all up, after thousands of years? Sounds like a nightmare to me. The level of devotion and conviction required to keep something like that going is incredible.

[lunoval]

Overwatch... oh Overwatch.

Overwatch lore was good. Overwatch lore is bad. These are unfortunate truths, but what caused this change?

In the OW1 era, the lore was part of the reason the game gained its popularity. Putting aside the gooner aspects that (massively) boosted the game's numbers, most fans interacted with the lore via YT cinematics. I don't have to beat the drum on this point, it has been said many, many times before. They were good. Same with; we don't get cinematics anymore, and what we do get, never moves the story /forward./

But, I think it would be too easy to blame the lack of lore on the downfall of the company, or perhaps even whatever is left of the development team.

It's because they kept adding Heroes. Even before OW1 fully fell off, the issue began when Wrecking Ball was added to the game, with a completely missed opportunity for a compelling narrative. (Wrecking Ball’s DISLIKE for humans, opposed to Winston’s fondness for them.)

The lore of Overwatch has stagnated with our growing roster. The number of characters is now bloated to the point that telling a compelling narrative, providing entertaining content, having good storytelling, becomes highly difficult, if not impossible. 

Set aside the understandable economic reasons that the company running the game needed to keep releasing characters, to keep players numbers up while they still can. Those reasons are valid, and not what I want to focus on.

Overwatch lore can't move forward until the developers either A, Split up the group, scatter them across the globe into teams (so scenes have fewer characters present)  or B, Decide who the main character, or at least main cast, of the franchise is.

A - Splitting Everyone Up - The Overwatch 2 Announcement Cinematic was fun as heck to witness. The other 3D cinematics suck. Where half of the time, half of the characters visible on screen just stand awkwardly like extras, occasionally piping up with voice lines that resemble all previous dialogue. Splitting people up, sending characters on missions, would give opportunity for NEW interactions between these characters. It feels like each one of them only exists in a ‘cluster’ of adjacent Heroes, without meeting any new ones. Has D.VA met Junkrat? What does Bastion think of Genji? What does Zenyatta think about Zarya? What does Lucio think about working with Symmetra? Seeing these characters stand in a room, with confirmed issues with each other, without getting to witness any of their personality is boring, and the porn had better writing.

B - So many characters. So, so many plot threads. I'm not going to try and list them all, I'm just going to tell you the questions I have. Off the dome.

Are we going to get any in-universe explanation for the more magic-ky stuff, or are we just taking the actual magic ghost dragons at face value?

Will DVa choose to prioritize protecting her country, or dedicating herself to Overwatch?

Will Reaper and Soldier ever kis-

What did Moira do to Widowmaker exactly/any hope for saving her?

How are Sigma’s powers and the Iris connected?

Anymore information on that mystery group Sombra is after? 

Why/How is Bastion sentient/thinking?

Will the rest of the world ever clean up the radioactive Australia?

This is all just to name a FEW of the potential directions this story could go.. It's a dense world, with a lot I enjoy. That's the sad part for me. Overwatch is, honestly, an IP truly possible for many shades of quality production, that blends a lot of genre’s… decently enough. The robot sci-fi gritty narrative with the Omnics and the humans. Hints of fantasy, or incomprehensible science, with the more powerful/harder to believe abilities or powers. The existence of ‘old gods’ being functionally confirmed with the release of Illari. All of Australia; the entire continent was left radioactive, and could easily fit Mad Max-style escapades. A good old fashioned shootout. Actual ninjas. Rescue missions. The changing of the guard, old Overwatch handing the reins over to the new, younger members.

Good things, cool things, we will likely never see from any company that ever gets their hands on the IP. The personal narratives for each Hero are either completely stagnant(Sorry, but Winston) or barely existed (Baptiste,Sojourn,Junker Queen, Life Weaver), or are only relevant because of ties to another character that’s more relevant. (Wrecking Ball-Winston, Ashe-Cassidy, Echo, Kiriko-Hanzo/Gengi, Illari, Mauga). Venture, Juno, and Freyja are newer characters that I don’t want to hold to the same standard, but I doubt it’s going to change.

I understand that because it’s an FPS, how can they ‘move the plot forward’(with any real stakes of death)  if they don’t want to change the main game, but then they never should’ve brought up any sort of story mode. OW was always building up a compelling narrative, if you try to tell me they bailed on what could’ve been an absolute beast of interwoven modern story telling because they felt scared to bend the rules, I call chicken shit. Kill Reinhardt off in the lore, and keep him in the game. 

But, such is the way this stuff goes. Anyways, imma go search up sojourn thighs on twitter. If this gets even 5 notes, I’ll put out all my thoughts on potential plot threads for all the characters we have, all the fun ways this plot COULD move forward. Hell, maybe I’ll write the story I want to see myself.

[dronebiscuitbat]

This chapter has smut in it. Although drones don't have junk, they can "make love." In their own special way.

I don't view this as explicit, since how drones make that connection is much different then how people do. That being said, if you aren't into that. Here's the Tl;DR:

N comes home worried, N and Uzi console each other, before N gets the wise idea that perhaps they won't ever have the chance to do this again with everything going on.

Loving, Passionate Robotic Lovemaking Ensues.

Oil is Thicker Then Blood (Part 47)

N was home in record time, and when he opened the door he was immediately pulled down into a tight embrace, Uzi's tail was free, curling around him as if he was the last bastion of safety on the planet, her fingers gripped the back of his coat.

Nothing was said, not yet. He closed the door behind him with his tail and used the door itself as something to lean against as he lifted her up into his arms, burying his face into the crook of her neck.

“I'm so glad you're okay.” N broke the silence first, mumbling the words into her shoulder, he focused on the sound of her core-beat, it fluttered with anxiety but still thrummed like a war-drum, she was safe…

“I was more worried about you… I thought she was right on top of you or something.” She admitted, pulling back to look at him only to press their visors together with a light clink.

“N-no, I'm okay honey.” He purred back, his eyes still closed. The girl in his arms made a squeak and quickly looked away, the sudden term of endearment catching her off guard, especially since he sounded so genuine.

His brain seemed to catch up a moment later, and he went a shade of gold, clearing his throat.

“I-I… sorry, I was just worried… a-and it sounded right.”

“It's… okay.”

There was a pause, a lull of silence between them as N slowly put her down, before he started speaking again.

“Did you warn V?”

“She immediately went hunting through the vents, she wants payback.” Uzi replied, gesturing up to reference the vents above them.

“She find anything?” He asked again, still feeling jittery from his worry.

“She's been sending updates. It's been all clear so far.” She reassured, holding his arm in an attempt to calm him down as they both continued to stand at the doorway.

“Good…”

His gaze flickered to the couch where Tera was laying on her stomach, asleep, peaceful. A small black blanket loosely over her as she had her thumb in her mouth, drooling on it. He smiled, though it was wrought with worry.

Uzi followed his gaze, only to turn his face towards her with her hand, even if she had to balance on the tips of her feet to do it.

“We’re okay.” She said softly, and his core ached to belive her.

“Uzi… Doll’s been here this whole time… she could have had the jump on us at anytime…” He voiced his worries and his stress, both pouring out of his mouth before he thought much about it.

“But she didn’t. I don’t know why she’s still here… she has my bug already, there’s no reason for her to stay here.”

“Maybe she already found whatever she needed?” He suggested, but that begged the question of what exactly she was looking for.

“I don’t know… maybe we should have followed her… V did suggest-“ N interrupted her, not allowing her to blame herself.

“None of us were in the condition to do anything after you hacked into us. You were asleep for two whole days after that, I wasn’t going to leave you without knowing you were awake.”

“And you wouldn’t let V go alone either?”

“No, I wouldn’t.”

Another pause, this one more urgent, building like a bubble about to pop. Although his worry was slowly being ebbed away just by being beside her, a tension still grew between them.

“She really could’ve snuck up on us at anytime… why didn’t she?” Uzi repeated slowly, seemingly to let N's stress be absorbed into her, he didn't want that, so he immediately went to try and comfort her.

“Maybe there’s… something preventing her? Or she changed her mind about killing us?”

“Maybe…” Uzi’s voice trailed off into nothing, clearly troubled by the situation. Though there was very little they could actually do unless the Russian girl decided to suddenly appear before them. N cupped her cheek, before swooping down and placing a chaste kiss on her lips.

She blushed, and it grew when N took her hand into his and led them further into their apartment, and headed towards the bedroom.

N was scared, nervous and worried. His discovery had upset the air of domesticity they were starting to find. And it had made his thoughts drift to the things he really wanted, and the things he never got to experience. How much time did he truly have? Did Uzi really have? With the eldritch monsters, biological instincts, and now the threat of Doll looming over their heads. He didn’t know how much time they had left, but he did know he wanted to make the most of every second.

“N…?” Her voice was soft and curious, more so when N turned to her and placed his hands on her hips. A blush found it’s way to his face and stayed there, he caressed her hip with his thumb and he found himself unable to look at her.

“Uzi… I uh.” His core was suddenly beating out of his chest, was this a good idea? Yeah it had sounded good about a minute ago in his head, but now acting on it was nerve-wracking, would she even want something like this? His timing wasn’t exactly great…

“I want to… try…” His voice and any remaining confidence faded, self doubt creeping up in the gaps between his thoughts. This was a bad idea. No, the worst idea, they’d only been together for six months, he wasn’t sure if she was ready, if he was ready, what if it hurt? What if J had completely ruined him and he hurt her? Hell, he didn’t know what he was doing! Oh no, he messed up!

“Try…?” Uzi leaned up into him, a small smile on her face. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? She always thought that when the time came it would be her initiating, with his past trauma and need to be polite, always. She figured she’d have to slowly work up to it. But maybe this situation had spooked him, freaked him out enough to where he thought he wouldn’t get another chance.

“I-I Nevermind. It was stupid… we should be on high alert not… uh uhm mmm..”

His words trailed off when Uzi’s hand trailed a path up his side, something so featherlight even through his coat that it sent a shiver up his spine and his processors to short circuit. His tail made wide arches behind him, showing his near instant enjoyment.

“It’s not stupid. And V’s already on a warpath… we can. Only if you’re okay with it.” Uzi reassured, honestly, her mind was somewhere similar, if shit was about to hit the fan, she wanted to be sure she’d have no regrets when it did, and nothing should be left unsaid… or undone.

“I…don't really know what I'm doing… sorry I led you in here all confident and now I-I'm caving.”

“If it makes you feel better, I'm actually impressed you managed to ask me at all, thought I'd have to our first time.”

“O-oh… you've done this before?”

Uzi suddenly blushed, taken over by a similar embarrassment as the one currently staining her boyfriends face.

“I didn’t say that…”

The air was thick with tension, neither really sure where to go from here, N was almost too nervous to even breathe, let alone move. And Uzi was trying to decide if N was ever going to make a move.

After another moment, she realized he wasn't.

“You want me to lead?” She asked gently, cocking her head and leaning up into him to try and move closer to his visor, he gulped, more sweat and a far heavier blush displayed on his visor.

“Mmhm.” He nodded, being the only thing he could force his body to do, she laughed lightly, and even though she had a smirk she still looked incredibly embarrassed.

“Lay down then.”

Given a command, he found it easier to make his body move to obey it, he crawled onto the bed nervously hat and all, before laying face up, looking at the ceiling with the world's most nervous smile.

Ohrobogodohrobogodohrobogod

When Uzi climbed on top of him, shed already stripped, and she straddled his waist, he gulped nervously, memories of J looming over him, a taser, or claws, or both swam in the back of his head, though he tried not to let that show.

“Relax, okay?” Her hand came to brush some hair out of his face before removing his hat, placing it on the nightstand, one of her hands came to grip his collar.

“O-okay”

She lent down to kiss him, holding the side of his face as she started chaste, and gently caressed the side of his face until he really began to relax.

His hands found her hips again, pulling her deeper into him, and it was only then that she deepened the kiss, nipping at his lip to ask for access. Which he gave almost immediately, giving her free reign to explore his mouth.

While his hand racked up the smooth silicone of her back, her hand was busy trying to unbutton his coat blind, which seemed to be a little difficult with only one hand, since it was uncharacteristically clumsy, although he figured she was just as nervous.

Still soon enough his coat was completely undone and she was pulling it open, leaving the only thing keeping it on being his arms.

She pulled back, leaving them both panting and breathless, both their visors still stained with blush, Uzi looked him up and down, admiring his figure and causing him to fluster.

“I-I'm not t-that interesting.”

“You're gorgeous, actually.” She replied, sincerity dripping off her lips, he squirmed as those words him, feeling the embarrassment crawl up his spine.

“Shouldn't I be saying that to y-you?” He gave a goofy grin, that made his girlfriend laugh a press another kiss onto his visor screen, a spark of electricity passed between the area of contact.

Then she ducked into the crook of his neck to place more kisses there, and unlike his playful ones that morning, these were playful in a much different way, they were long, trailing kisses that made each contact feel like it burned the metal there, the hand on her her hip gripped a little tighter, making a small, almost inaudible whine escape from the girl on top of him.

That's when his hands started to wander, both running up her back until they began to slip down her front, he still had no idea what he was doing, but instinct seemed to guide his hands to ghost up the rubber residing in her middle, and she shivered in response.

Her kisses turned to nibbles before she was beginning to scrape her fangs lightly across his neck, gasps bubbled out of his throat as the input registered in his systems, he squirmed again, the feeling new to him before he felt one of her hands firmly push him down so that he'd stay still.

“U-uzi…” The word came out in a shudder as her other hand snaked up his front, from his hip all the way up to his chest, right underneath his core, he continued to explore the rest of her body, running over bumps and nicks and committing them to memory until he found himself touching up her back again.

His fingers roamed over the gnarled scars on her back, causing her to suddenly jerk her body forward in surprise as a muffled pleasured groan left her mouth, the reaction seemed to surprise both of them, as she quickly sat up, locking eyes with him with a renewed blush.

“Did- did that hurt?” He asked, even though he knew the answer he wanted to be sure, she shook her head, seemingly rendered speechless by her sudden outburst.

Then he felt his entire chest begin to buzz with energy, he looked down to find Uzi's finger gently rubbing a circle into the glass casing of his core. It was light, almost too light for him to feel anything. But what he did feel was like a low rush of energy, and it was quickly spreading to his head to make it fuzzy too.

“Is this okay?” She asked, her confidence seeming evaporated after having a outburst like that. He nodded, finding it hard to locate a thought that wasn't just praise.

“Y-yeah. It's… Oh-Okay.”

In response, she pressed a little harder, he felt his body seize in response, he bit his lip to stifle the noise that threatened to escape this throat.

Was this… was this what it was supposed to feel like? It wasn't painful, but it was almost overwhelming, he was struggling to breathe correctly and his processors began to misfire.

“Y-you can touch me t-too.” She guided one of his hands, which had fallen off her back to grip the sheets under him, to her chest, right underneath her core, he was trembling at this point, but always eager to please he tentatively pressed a finger into it.

“Ah!~ Aha! Woah- n-ot that hard~” He immediately let up on the pressure, scared he'd hurt her, before looking up at her face and finding she was somewhere between completely blissed out and excited beyond measure.

“S-sorry.” He did his best to rub circles into her core with the same amount of pressure she was doing to him. Until she picked up the pace and caused him to throw his head back into the pillow with a moan.

“Nhg… Uzi…” Electricity felt as if it was sparking around every inch of his body, clogging his mechanics and making him want for more, both his eyes were enlarged golden hearts, his blush encompassing most of his face. Thinking? What was that?

He increased his pressure and pace as well, making the girl above him buckle and bite her lip roughly, only one of her eyes were hearts, but the way she was panting and shuddering left no doubt in his mind that she was feeling much of the same way.

A single long press of her hand on his core, with far more pressure then before made him nearly buck her off, a loud groan being forced out as a small compartment opened up right above his core, spitting out a small cable that Uzi immediately grabbed and pulled on, making him almost choke on how sensitive it was.

“Wh-what?” His voice was glitched from the pleasure, and he didn't even finish his sentence before Uzis mouth crashed upon his, and like a good boy, he shut up and kissed her, adding a second finger to her core as she whimpered and whined into his mouth.

Soon after, Uzi's own compartment opened up, instead of a cable though, it was a simple USB port, N felt her shudder before pulling off his mouth and moaning lightly under her breath, panting as she still had his cord in her hand.

“F-fuck.” She cursed, although it was clearly meant more positively then just cursing at him for doing something wrong, his vents took in as much sir as he could, his temperature being far higher then normal. He'd probably need oil after this…

“Why did-” He was interrupted by a shudder and a pant as some delayed input was processed through. “You s-stop?”

She took a second to respond, still recovering before she looked at him, putting the cord in his hand instead.

“You're…” An aftershock went through her and she closed her eyes, riding it out before she tried speaking again. “You're supposed to plug this into me.”

He looked at the thin cable in his hands, then back up at her, before he immediately started to lean up to insert it into her port, before she hurriedly stopped him.

“We… uh. D-don’t have to go that far. That's how… fuck. Probably how Tera was made.”

He blinked, brain finally catching up to what exactly she was saying. And as much as he consciously knew it was a bad idea, he really didn't want this to end yet.

“My firewalls are up… it's probably safe… but. I don't know how different your code is from mine…” She was slowly winding down, and now she was making shapes on his stomach, nervously.

“Do- Do you want to keep going?” He asked, still feeling fuzzy and jittery, his core felt as if it was throbbing, begging him for this to continue.

She paused, her blush growing quickly.

“K-kinda.”

Well, that sealed the deal for him, he sat up, using the headboard as support as he gingerly plugged himself in.

Instantly he gasped as he felt his very code meld with hers, crashing against each other as both systems had to adjust to an entirely new state of being, he was both looking at her and looking at himself through her, it was both terrifying and exciting in every way possible.

He reached up to touch her face, both the sensation of touching and being touched coursed through their connected systems.

Even their emotions seemed to mix, causing a confusing tornado of fear, excitement, and love to swirl in colors of purple and gold.

Then… with a shift, Uzi began to write in the gaps of his code.

I love you, I love you, I'm yours, you're mine, I love you.

Whatever pleasure he felt before was nothing compared to now, he immediately buckled under their combined weight and collapsed onto the bed, he could barely take in a breath let alone make a sound.

“Breathe baby…” Uzi panted out, making him both smile and blush and try to reach out into her code in return, it was easier then he expected, like swimming through a warm ocean. Though she didn't need to speak, that thought had been shared through their connection already.

He wrote his own sweet nothings into her code. He wasn't as graceful, sometimes he would accidentally overwrite something, which caused Uzi to whimper above him before it quickly fixed itself.

You're perfect, I love you, beautiful, my love, my darling.

Waves of pleasure coursed through them both, resonating with each line of code written, it almost became N's goal to fill up as much of her empty space with his own admiration, he loved her so much, she loved him so much…

Right now, there was very little to differentiate who's thought was who's, they were one being, not two.

At least until Uzi blue screened. A loud, shuddering moan broke through the relative silence and she collapsed on top of him, he was right after, the feeling of her climax having only a fraction of a second delay before it hit his system too.

and it all went black.

Next ->

[chaifootsteps]

I saw this TikTok that said this:

“Viv can’t write female characters! She’s misogynistic!”

You do realize just because she’s the creator of the show doesn’t mean she’s the only writer, right? Brandon Rogers is a co writer and he’s praised! But you’re all so obsessed with blaming the only woman on the team.”

Thoughts?

Couple of thoughts.

When Brandon was consistently writing for the show and it was apparent in the writing, people liked it more. I think that helps his case.

Brandon doesn't make as much of a show of trying to be a bastion of healthy, positive queer rep and self-proclaimed writer of strong, well-rounded female characters. You don't see him on social media sparring with critics who don't like the way he writes.

I've definitely gotten on Adam Neylan for being a terrible writer and a terrible person. It's not just Viv.

[virginiadre]

I'm actually glad to have been proven wrong about yoshida's bad influence to be entirely blamed on, but at what costs?

For the longest (way past a decade now), I've had this suspicion that the GX creative team had some civil war fall-out of sorts. That was all that could explain the several plot inconsistencies and canon contradictions to me. Yoshida is not the only culprit I should attack, but him eschewing off from tying loose ends of s3 does raise my eyebrows.

There were plot points that looked out of place since it felt like trying to pay homage to the original ygo while still wanting to look unique. Like, parts of s3 emulate DM to an extent but the arrival of the foreign white boy who magically becomes besties with the japanese mc is an adored yet familiar trope in the whole genre. Too bad it's shoved on us way past the halfway point, along with weak foreshadowing of the final villains. Yeah, the implementation of the overused Devilman trope was obvious but you see: very few shonen have managed to execute it scrupulously.. and GX is not one of them 🤷

Rewatched this series back in April, and that transition from s3 to s4 left me infuriated. The plot atmosphere might be heavier than that of s1, but trust me the final two seasons stand juxtaposed, facing two different directions. S4 doesn't even show any conclusion to the prior arc, but instead focuses on a discarded plot point from the 1st fucking season?? And that's a bad thing since unlike the first two, both s3 and s4 are meant to cover up the gang's third year at the academy up till graduation. Everything happened in one semester yet nothing happened at all folks.

Poor Marcel is erased since Blair can't have her own friend to grow with and should instead be part of the mc's senior group as his fangirl. Poor Zane is robbed off a memorable death since Syrus is not allowed to have the grieving plotline. Poor Adrian and Jim got deported from Japan for reasons only addressed off-screen. Poor Bastion lol.

I don't mind Yoshida favouring O'Brien since that's frankly the only likeable character left. I do mind however, that he subverted 80% of s3, all because he wasn't part of making it smh. The previous directors need to be throttled too.

For me to like s4, I'd have to accept most of s3 to be forced and unnecessary. And for me to enjoy season 3, I will naturally find the last season a shit show.

Oh, Judai's battling ptsd and trauma? Just him? But why? Did something catastrophic happen involving only himself or his friends too? In another dimension where a crazy duel monster spirit from ancient times, went on a rage filled frenzy? Was a beloved bestie possessed and used against everyone for evil? What does good boi bestie have to feel about that? Oh, I see..only mc is allowed to exhibit the tragedy trope..

Shit gets me ya know. To have Jesse highlighted as not only an integral bond to Jaden, but also a comfortably adjusted friend in the main circle, all to get shafted as an afterthought in s4. Poor guy's deck/family of crystal beasts was tainted and used as weapons to kill, but yeah he gets screentime for 5 eps where he loses to Fujiwara and ultimately becomes the loser friend like the others.. wow yoshida, just wow. You had an open invitation to explore this guy's shame and guilt complex but ya blew it. Jaden suffers horrible survivors guilt over this guy, but s4 wants to gaslight us into believing Jesse is just some forgotten transfer student.

(Sharing a personal headcanon here, but Jesse's departure to North Academy could have been an important scene with actual sentimental value. Far sensible than current mc ghosting everyone at graduation to go battle mighty mc of the previous installment. I don't mind that incomplete duel but that ending wasn't fair for anyone except Judai)

"Judai is sad and mad" he's trauma bonded to the menacing spirit who is behind all that pain caused in the prior arc. Instead of divulging into that dynamic under a different lens, viewers have to accept that Yubel is redeemed and therefore only allowed to appear for the last two eps. The mc is the only one in pain despite four other existing characters experiencing worse.

"Judai is an adult now" WHERE? his growth is not organic, and his friends who could depict realistic adulthood challenges were well, neglected by the writers. DM and 5d show better wrapped up endings than whatever the hell this was. I'm being annoying here but the GX manga gave a better ending.

The tropes aren't impressive when they aren't coherently executed on appropriate situations. Why introduce something so profound and in need of exploration yet drop it the moment it demanded active participation of the other characters? You share your pain with the ones who understand you in that field and grow with them. Yoshida dropping the ball on everyone to hyperfocus on mc was nonsensical. Don't worry, fanon!GX doesn't disappoint me with the well written fanfiction.

What canon!GX became was an attempt where each screenwriter wanted to insert their own interpretation of a favoured trope onto the mc without developing the existing outline established around all the characters since the start. It's Plain Bad Writing.

5d had to respect it's late insert, crow hanger, and make him a series regular post debut. Yet Jesse (the real bestie who actually carried the plot for half a season) gets the short of the stick becuz... becuz... BECUZ..?!? nothing? Back to shitting on yoshida welp!

People insulting GX as bottom tier doesn't offend me anymore since that's exactly what it got regulated to by the end. The anime, while thoroughly enjoyable, disappoints.

[fathercharlesoffdensen]

Ngl as a veteran Cherik shipper, Charles Xavier apologist, and someone who watched the '92 X-Men animated series, I kind of assumed going into the '97 series that Charles' death/'death' was a known 'ruse,' borne not just from the Shi'ar having the technology to keep him alive following Gyrich's assassination attempt, but also from the logic of keeping him safe/protected going forward. If some of the veteran X-Men didn't 'know' (although I question how that's possible at least with Jean) that he survived, then I figured Magneto surely did, hence Charles willing his legacy to his mutant husband. Charles seemed fully aware while still living amongst the Shi'ar of the ongoing developments regarding Genosha, almost certainly, I assumed, because it was his and Magneto's passion project. I didn't NOT expect Magneto to be jelly of Lilandra - that's part of the fun/'fun' of Cherik's dynamic, after all - but I did assume/hope that their reunion would be more of a reunion and less essentially blaming Charles for all of mutantdom's past and/or current woes.

Some choice bits from the "Graduation Day" series finale of the original X-Men animated series to 'prove' my point(s). Context: Magneto's magnetism is the only way to give the dying Xavier the energy to contact Lilandra using their "unique, personal, telepathic bond" so that he can be saved using "the superior technology of the Shi'ar," though Magneto is busy gathering mutants on Genosha.

"Don't you get it? Xavier was about as normal as we mutants get. He was famous, rich, and human-looking, and someone went after him in front of the whole world."

"Xavier ... dying? [...] A sad ending to a great life. Out of respect for Charles Xavier, I will let you all live."

A huffy Magneto, after Jean asks him, "How much do you love Charles Xavier?": "How dare you ask me such a question? He was my only equal. I owe him my life."

Jean, redux: "What would you do if you knew you were the only one on Earth who could save his life?" [Magneto: "Do not play games with me!"] Jean: "LIsten to me: A telepathic message to Lilandra is Xavier's only hope. You may be able to supercharge his mind just like you did mine. His brain waves are electromagnetic." [Magneto: "You lie to torture me."]

Scott has to weigh in, of course: "You know what you should do." [Magneto: My greatest enemy, and perhaps my only friend. But I have waited all my life for this moment!"] Scott: "Wouldn't he do it for you?"

Instructions given to Magneto when he arrives at the school: "Focus your magnetic powers on his brain waves and increase them in gradual increments. Though beware: If he should pass away while connected to you, the psychic stress may destroy you as well."

Charles (in bed [heh heh]): "Hello, Magnus. Surely you have more pressing business to attend to than nursing an old friend." [Magneto: "Nothing more important."]

Xavier's students are told that Charles "will survive," but "only under Shi'ar care": "I know you cannot bear to see him go, but it is the only way." Then, when asked whether Charles can "ever come back": "Perhaps not in body, my children, but my spirit shall remain among you where it was always meant to be."

TL;DR: I'm not saying Charles and Erik/Magnus becoming Chancellors of Genosha together after probably using Bastion / Mister Sinister / Jean / Madelyne / etc. to 'fix' / reverse the damage from the recent staged terrorist attack and then Marvel allowing them to get married (extremely belatedly) just in time for Pride Month is the only appropriate way to end season one of X-Men 97, but ... we're so close to an extremely gay Cherik reconciliation and validation since the '60s, and yet still so far away.

[starlight-artbby]

Y'all the newest X-Men 97 episode blew me away. Like the animation ate down and it was just so good like I was thoroughly enjoying every second.

I knew that Scott was gonna hold some grudge against the professor and I don't blame him. He left his dream to his team and honestly failed him and damn did this episode remind him that over and over again. Especially Rogue who clearly was fed up with his ass. And I swear I was gonna cry when I saw her wearing Remy's coat and I had a tear nearly fall from my eye when Kurt looked so devastated to tell her again the Remy is dead like ugh I was in so much pain.

Speaking of pain Jubilee and Roberto. How dare they do this to me. I knew from a mile away that Roberto Was gonna go with Magneto (along with Rogue) and I completely understand why. His mother straight up abandon him and handed him to the people who wanted to kill him. Like of course he is gonna be pissed but when Jubilee said you still have me I felt like a part of me died because he walked away and that shit had to hurt.

Now I completely laughed when Magneto said the line about Lilandra. I can't remember exactly what he said but I do recall being gagged and gooped and not him telling Xavier to shut up like if those two don't just go to couples counseling...

Now I won't lie, Morph had me when he pretending to be Sinister so if I were Bastion I most certainly was gonna get caught. May I also express how I thought that Beast was going to get pieced through the chest during that fight sequence like I was on the edge of my toes.

Once again Sinister proved to me why I hate him so much. Having Jean fight her own son?!? Foul and then her contacting Cyclops to tell him that she loves him!!! Like why does X-Men 97 like hurting us? And if Storm or Forge ends up dead, I am most certainly fighting someone.

Now the new looks... Huh... Why did they have to put that cap on my boy Scott. And Jean she ate down with the boots but the gloves and the mask?!?! No mam. I loved Rogues outfit along with Logan's. They could've had morph in something a lot better. Kurt ate as usual and of course Jubilee ate up her look along with Storm. I couldn't tell if beast put on anything different so I can't say much about that but regardless, some of the team needed a better wardrobe.

Now I know some people will probably get mad at Rogue and Roberto for going with Magneto but honestly, Rogue was there on Genosha. It has messed her up so badly and we continue to see the side effects till this very episode. I already explained Roberto so I honestly am not mad at him but I am sad that he couldn't see that Jubilee was there for him just like sadly Rogue couldn't see that the team would be there for her but honestly, their feelings are still valid as fuck and I don't want to hear anyone else say other wise.

Also why did they have to do Wolverine like that!! Huh!!! Like y'all better have his regeneration ability kick in. I also feel so bad cause I know that nobody was expecting murder to occur up there that's for sure.

(also Scott stopping Xavier from forcing Magneto to return power was everything to me cause he did it for Jean and it's time he shows that woman some love.)

Also where is Bishop!?!?!

Now for the things I enjoyed. I loved the new opening. I was so happy to see Storm back in it again. It really made things start off well for the episode. I loved Rogue clocking Xavier and telling him exactly what she needed to say.

My favorite part of the episode though had to be when Jean and Storm had reunited and when they parted ways on the mission. Those two are sisters and I love the show for reminding us of their incredible bond I just lived to see it.

I also enjoyed Scott and Jean giving each other a hug before they parted ways and when Scott gave Nathan that advice I truly loved it. I am hoping that'll stop him from attacking Jean (possibly) if not, Jean will girlboss her way out of there.

I can't wait for the final episode (I hope I get Remy and Logan and anyone else who gets injured back) ♡♡♡♡

[unsoundedcomic]

I hope that people didn't misconstrue my ask to think that I thought flawed characters and whatnot are bad. I LOVE that Duane can be kind of an ass about a lot of things. I LOVE that he's not a perfect moral paragon, but a Normal Dude, with fucked up biases, who is like. Trying. In his own way. To be better? It's good and interesting.

Would bastion's shenanigan have even worked on Lemon? I was under the impression that... It worked with Duane because he was a Tacit Caster, and had an extra port in his spine. Did I make that up?

1-- I think most agree with you, no worries. 2-- Bastion indeed said he specifically wanted to try his resurrection theory on a tacit caster, implying a normal person would be useless to him. This suggests that he never intended to use Lemuel's body and Duane was always the target. Lemuel basically learns this in today's update when the assassin points out he was hired to kill a wright. And so we know why Lemuel was there when Duane revived. Lem wised up, and was watching Duane's body to see if that effing Black Tongue finished the job on him, instead. Lo and behold~

What we don't know is if Bastion alone is to blame for the assassins going for Duane, or if this lie went deeper. That's for later.

[honey-minded-hivemind]

Nightcrawler having to be kept out of wherever Sentinel!Reader's body parts are held because he'd just hold Reader's head for awhile, which is reasonable considering he's probably the one that first found reader, but uh.. kinda need Reader's head to help with figuring out how to make them a new body so can you let go-

It's especially difficult to keep Kurt out since he can y'know- teleport-

Cube Anon

He does, a lot.

This was his friend. They were one of the nicest people he knew. They were gone, possibly even more gone than the others, because they were machine-born rather than human.

It hurts his heart.

He prays for Reader, begs to God that they be where Gambit and Leech amd Madelyn and everyone else is, somewhere nice, that they have a soul that can see Heaven or wherever they go when they're gone.

He's broken over this.

His sister and himself and the X-Men lost their lovable friend Gambit, they lost their loving friend Reader, Genosha is in ruins...

Except now some of his friends question if Reader knew about any of this. They stsrt to think Reader had a hand in it, or had somehow alerted Bastion. They begin to wonder if they should bring Reader back, if it's worth it...

And his heart breaks all over again.

That's when he hands Hank and Charles and Erik back Reader's head, demands they look at their memory files, to see for themselves what Reader was, who they were, and that they were a good person, one who didn't choose to be what they were, yet was never hateful as their brethren or Bastion or Sinister...

In the end, Kurt was right.

Reader's memory files only show that Reader truly believed they were human or mutant, that they loves their friends, considered them family, that Reader fought for them, fought for Genosha, helped save some of the survivors... And that in Reader's last, glitching moments, realized they weren't human, but were a sentinel... and immediately brought down, not even bothering to save themself or go simehwere safer in their final moments.

At that point, there is no question anymore whose side Reader was on, or where their loyalties lied, or if they deserved to be with them again...

And now the team have to work through their guilt over accusing Reader, while coping with bringing everyone back, fixing a new hidden home for everyone, and trying to keep ahold of their hope to fix things, to bring back what was stolen and make something better with their new home...

(Meanwhile, in the heaven/purgatory/afterlife for the victims of Genosha, the mutants are all trying to enjoy the peace and quiet... and Gambit and Madelyn and any other friends of Reader are trying to get them to come up from a pit/lake/pond and to stop weeping, wanting to know what's wrong, what's hurting, why can't Reader tell them what's wrong, they love them, it's so much better up there with everyone else, can they please come out and let them hold them again-?)

(Cube Anon, I don't know if you want to get this dark, but... If Reader DID survive Genosha, imagine if the team, once knowing they were a Sentinel, blames them at first, causing Reader to leave... only for Bastion to later reveal Reader was a failure, a prototype sentinel, who went beyond what they were made to do, made to be... and in the end, Reader either saves them all somehow or dies helping take Bastion down, or ends up committing su*cide (their version of it) after being rejected by their friends, their family, because they're basically a child who was abandoned and turned on by the only family and lobe they've ever known...) (Please forgive me if that is too dark. It is okay to stick to something a lighter, okay? Just say the word, Cube Anon).

[andres-galans-wife]

I SAW THIS AND THOUGHY OF OTTO IMMEDIATELY,, maybe something with this?

Of course. Thank you for the writing prompt. Like I said before, keep them coming

THANK YOU FOR THE WRITING PROMPT. I'm doing Doc Ock for this one.

Y/N=Your name

Y/F/N=your full name

The rain hammered against the stained-glass windows of the cathedral, a somber counterpoint to the quiet intensity simmering between Otto Octavius and Y/N. The air crackled with a tension neither dared to name, a consequence of shared trials and unspoken affections forged in the crucible of their chaotic, world-altering existence. Otto, usually a bastion of calculated composure, found himself uncharacteristically vulnerable under Y/N's steady gaze. He had spent his life meticulously crafting his persona, a fortress against the emotional storms that threatened to dismantle him. Yet, Y/N, with their unwavering presence and unexpected kindness, had somehow breached those walls. Now, standing amidst the fading echoes of a recent, harrowing confrontation, the weight of their shared history hung heavy in the silence, culminating in a simple, yet profoundly significant exchange. The lab hummed with the low thrum of complex machinery, a familiar symphony to both Otto Octavius and Y/N. Sparks occasionally flickered from exposed wires, casting dancing shadows across the cluttered workspace, a testament to the relentless experimentation that consumed their lives. Otto, a man defined by his brilliant, yet often obsessive, pursuit of scientific advancement, had always considered himself a solitary figure, his intellect his only true companion. Y/N, however, had somehow managed to infiltrate his meticulously constructed world, their presence a constant, if initially unwelcome, distraction. Their shared dedication to pushing the boundaries of scientific understanding had forged an unlikely bond, one that had slowly, almost imperceptibly, begun to chip away at the hardened shell Otto had built around himself. The recent, near-catastrophic incident with his experimental harness had left him shaken, forcing him to confront not only the limitations of his technology, but also the unexpected depth of his connection with Y/N. As they stood amidst the wreckage of their latest project, the air thick with the scent of ozone and burnt metal, a quiet, almost hesitant, conversation began, one that threatened to unravel the very fabric of Otto's carefully controlled existence.

"Y'know, you've changed me for the better, Sunbeam!" Otto said, his actuators pulling you closer to him

"I never thought you needed changing. You're perfect the way you are!"

"Sunbeam, I've done terrible things. I've almost killed people. I killed Rosie-"

"Otto Gunther Octavius." You said sharply, cutting him off

"Look at me!"

He looked at you

"What happened to Rosie, that was an accident. That was not, and I mean NOT, your fault. Don't you dare blame yourself for something you had no control over. You didn't know that was going to happen. So stop blaming yourself. You're perfect the way you are and I love you flaws and all!!!!!" You said

Otto smiled

"Oh, I love you my little starlight!" He said

"I love you more, Otto Gunther Octavius." You said

"I love you more, Y/F/N!!!"