#because it's easier to explain

[notbecauseofvictories]

I don't know how strictly accurate this is, but one of the things I find shocking about watching historical dramas is how many people there are around all the time---according to Madame de... (1953) a well-off French household in the Belle Epoque maintains a workforce of at least 3, and the glittering opera has staff just to open doors. According to Shogun (2024) you can expect a deep bench just to mind your household, and again, people who exist to open doors.

Could people....not open doors in the past? Were doors tricky, before the standardization of hinges? Because otherwise, the wealthy used to pay a whole bunch of people to do it for them in multiple contexts, and I find myself baffled.

[cantpickyourgenre]

I believe Bobby is coming back from the dead because I think we deserve to live in a world where Kenneth Choi gets to act his ass off by playing a simultaneously relieved/joyous and angry/furious Chimney, who feels like he has to thank Bobby, but also scream at him until his throat is sore because it wasn't fair to make that decision! he's going to say they should have played rock, paper, scissors and Bobby will chuckle because he thinks he's joking like silly haha Chimney, but Chimney is like "no, we should have discussed it, you died and I didn't even get to say thank you. you died and I owed you a debt I didn't even know about. you let me carry that" and he has to wrestle with the guilt of knowing that Bobby would do that for him, not just theoretically, but actual concrete proof that Bobby would die to save him. which they all know on some surface level that they'd die for one another, but it feels like such a far-off concept until it isn't. but Chimney also has to deal with the gratitude because Chimney is also so incredibly thankful that he didn't die. every step of the way he wanted Ravi, Bobby, Buck, and Athena to commit crimes, because he loves his life and he wants to keep living it. he's so overjoyed that he got to go home to his wife and kid, and that comes with its own guilt because how can he be so happy to be home when Bobby DIED. does that make him a monster? that on some level he's HAPPY that Bobby did that? and now he has to FACE Bobby. so he tries to be the Before Chimney who gets people whimsical gifts, but how do you give someone balloons about choosing your life over theirs? and he spirals because he's different now and Bobby is here and he has so so much he wants to say but all of it feels contradictory and unfair and he would normally go to Bobby for advice. so he does. he goes to Bobby and he says "what would you do, if you were in my position?" and Bobby just says "whatever you need to say or feel, I understand" and that just makes Chimney even more upset because what he needs is for none of this to have ever happened. its like they all got a re-do, but kept the memories and the feelings and now he has nowhere appropriate to put them. anyway, Bobby lives and we get Chimney angst yay <3 forever and ever.

[slavhew]

prusty torment nexus

[superbat-lmao]

Tim and Jason go on a roadtrip.

It’s not entirely intentional.

It starts as a case, both of them following separate leads and ending up scheduling their takedown of the operation at the same time. They literally stumble into each other and Tim gets a good wack in before realizing it’s Jason.

The reason they stumble into each other is because the case isn’t in Gotham.

Jason, who has been piecing shell companies together through physical evidence, had driven to all of the stops along the way because hunting down a digital paper trail looked like it would’ve taken too much time.

Tim, who figured hacking wouldn’t take as long as it did, but eventually found the main base of operations, had taken a flight out for the final pieces of evidence.

When the op is finished, Jason takes Tim back to his hotel, because he actually has a place he’s staying and didn’t go straight for the base. They’re both kinda beat up and have a couple more threads to work through to tie their respective information together, so they stay at the hotel for another day.

There is little small talk, but not none. Jason says he’ll go get coffee from the lobby. Tim says that stuff is always shitty and Jason makes fun of him for being able to rank hotel chains based on their coffee quality. Tim just says that’s because Jason isn’t as well traveled as he is. Jason laughs in his face, saying with all the time he spent abroad, he’s sure he’s been around more than Tim.

They talk about domestic work they’ve done too, places they’ve been for cases between here and Gotham. Trying to one-up the other in terms of experience. Jason even mentions cases he worked back in his Robin days, which Tim recognizes from his stalker days of following their busts in other states.

They really believe that’s all they have to say on the matter. Jason even offers to drop Tim off at the airport. But by then, they’ve also discussed how neither of them have anything pressing back in Gotham. How they had each planned on taking a few days after this op to reset a bit.

Tim asks which way Jason is taking back to Gotham and critiques it. Tells him to stop by different towns and check out things that Jason laughs at him for mentioning. They snipe at each other the whole time, and before they really realize it, they’re on the road.

The whole thing is begrudgingly happening. They’re siblings, there’s a fair amount of fighting. There’s minimal “emotional” conversation, but it’s there. Unavoidable in how they each bumble through each other’s trauma. They stop at tourist traps, listen to shitty radio stations, they tell stories of previous cases and places they’ve been with friends, small family diners, switching off driving, aiming for potholes to catch air, sleeping in the back seat, driving under the stars, sleeping in shitty motels, buying their siblings joke souvenirs.

They talk about Titans tower, the pit, Shelia, Bruce. They judge Discowing and Damian. Jason asks about Steph, Tim asks about Catherine. It’s small snippets of thoughts about the most meaningful things. They are dancing around it and also finally talking about it. Getting it all out in the open.

When they get back to Gotham, it changes a lot of small things. They still hash it out occasionally, but everyone notices the change. How much more casual they are around each other, hanging out off-hours more often, working together on more ops.

They’re brothers and they act like it.

[botanicalbutch]

I’m the exact demographic for Yellowjackets. I’m a lesbian. I played soccer. I was raised by a prepper/survivalist in Wisconsin (Canada lite.) I’ve experienced homoerotic friendships that could bring the strongest people to their knees. Lord of the Flies was my favorite required reading. I’m an herbalist. I’m trauma bonded to my childhood friends through death and literal blood pacts. We would TASTE EACH OTHERS BLOOD in middle school. How does anyone expect me to be normal about this show

[fictionadventurer]

Maybe the problem with Christian fiction is that it's non-denominational. People are just "Christian", with no effort put into showing what practicing that religion looks like for them specifically. No indication that there are other Christians who could have different beliefs. No wrestling with differing ideas and the struggle of how one should live out their Christian faith. And that makes it unrealistic and unrelatable.

[otomehonyaku]

DIABOLIK LOVERS More,Blood Character Popularity Poll Short Story ☽ Shuu ver.

Original title: 人気投票ショートストーリー、シュウ編 English translation by @otomehonyaku Requested by @aoi-hitomi-50 (happy early birthday to you and Shuu!) Original text can be found here.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

SUMMARY | In this short story, Yui (not mentioned by name) has been with Shuu for a while—a bittersweet feat, since the vampire is not very vocal about his feelings. One morning, Yui accidentally drops her spoon at Shuu's feet while she's having her belated dinner. Spicy events ensue, and Yui cannot help but beg for answers. Will Shuu finally tell her how he truly feels towards her?

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

—Just like that, I became your captive. Even though I could no longer go back, I…

In the small hours of the morning, I was belatedly having dinner by myself when Shuu appeared next to me out of thin air.

“Shuu? It’s unusual for you to still be up this early…” I was so surprised that the hand that was carrying my spoon to my mouth unconsciously paused in mid-air, still laden with soup..

“Yeah, well…” Shuu said curtly while he sat down across from me. 

Was I only imagining it, or did he seem in really good spirits today? I thought I even heard him humming.

“...Um?”

“What?”

“Did something… happen?” I asked him gingerly.

Shuu rested his elbows on the table, still humming, and stared at me intently with a gloomy look on his face.

“Uh…?”

“...Shut up. This is Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 in G major, fourth movement. Look up the title yourself.”

I inclined my head in confusion at his profound answer. My knowledge about classical music was, unfortunately, limited. My mind drifted to the hymns we used to sing in church, and when I moved my spoon again, Shuu suddenly spoke.

“Hey… didn’t you say that I’m the one you love most in this world?

“What?!” I accidentally dropped my spoon because of his off-kilter remark. The shrill sound of the metal hitting the floor reverberated through the dining room. 

“Guess I was right,” Shuu said coolly, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. He eyed me curiously as I tried to regain my composure.

“W-why, all of a sudden…”

I clumsily stood up to retrieve the spoon from under the table. When I lifted the tablecloth, I saw that it had rolled over to Shuu’s feet. It was actually quite convenient that I dropped the spoon—it gave me a way out of the conversation so that I didn’t have to see eye-to-eye with Shuu.

“Ah, there it…”

Just as I slid under the table to pick up the spoon, I heard Shuu’s voice from above me. “What are you doing?”

“Huh? Um, well… I just wanted to grab the spoon…” I said, flustered. I reached for the spoon, and then, suddenly—

“Ah?!”

“Hahaha…”

Of all the things he could have done, Shuu brought down his foot on my hand. I looked up at him with a start. Our eyes met—he held up the tablecloth on his end and leered down at me kneeling before his legs, which were spread wide.

“We’re not done talking yet. Who said you could pick it up?”

“It h-hurts…”

“Of course. That’s because I’m making it hurt.”

I’d thought he was in a good mood at first, but I was at a loss at his behaviour now. I bit my lip. 

“If you want me to let go of your hand, come closer,” Shuu continued.

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you hear me? I’m telling you to come closer… and put your face between my legs.”

“...B-but…” I would die of embarrassment if I were to position my body between Shuu’s legs. Just when I wanted to tell him that, he pressed down on my hand harder.

“Are you saying you’re disobeying me… because you actually like it when I hurt you like this? I guess it’s only to be expected from a hardcore pervert like you.”

“That’s… not…!”

“Not true? Well, how about you hurry up and do as I say, then?”

I’d lost count of how many times I’d yielded to his will when he cornered me like this. It was frustrating, but… I knew it was pointless to go against him. No matter how much I protested, he always made sure he got his way in the end. 

“Ah…”

Feeling defeated, I did as I was told and braced my hands on Shuu’s thighs so I could poke out my head from under the tablecloth. Then, I stuck my face between his legs, careful so as to not bump my head. 

“Hahaha… You look awful.”

“You’re the one who told me to do it…!”

“Well, that’s true, but aren’t you the one who actually decided to follow my orders?” Shuu ventured, his lips curving upward in a suggestive smile. “You’re a stubborn little thing, you know. You’re so in love with me you just can’t help yourself. At least, that’s what I heard… I figured you like this kind of stuff.”

“Who told you…” My voice wavered unintentionally, my heartbeat out of control.

“You’re so red. Bullseye. It’s obviously true, so  it doesn’t even matter where I heard it. Now, come closer.”

Shuu’s unusual talkativeness and assertive behaviour overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t help but obey him. No matter the things he did to me, no matter the cruel words he said to me… I was madly in love with him, just like he said. 

It was not a matter of not being able to go against him. I just…  wouldn’t.

“Come, hurry up… I’d rather you be grateful that I’m giving you this much attention…”

“Ah…”

“That’s it. Come closer. Actually, how about you sit on my lap?”

As if he’d seen right through me, Shuu’s voice was suddenly sickly-sweet, his gaze unrelenting in his efforts to persuade me. Despite my slight hesitation, I was internally overjoyed to hear this side of him. I simply did as I was told.

Our bodies were flush. I wriggled against him to get out of the tight space. It was incredibly embarrassing, but in the end, I managed to lower myself into Shuu’s lap. I braced my hands on his shoulders, facing him directly.

“Hehe… Look at you. I knew you could do it. Complain all you want, but I know you actually love doing naughty things like this.”

“Oh…”

“You aren’t really in the position to say otherwise, you know. Well… I’ll make you do much naughtier things. You love me more than anyone else in the world, right? I like the sound of that. As your reward… I’ll let you kiss me.”

“What…?”

“I’m too tired… so kiss me already. Come here…” 

Shuu narrowed his eyes at me impatiently. 

“Mm… ah, this isn’t bad after all. Your scent… the taste of you… Mmh…”

He had me completely at his mercy. Shuu’s lips found mine over and over again, deepening the kiss, from various angles… From an outsider’s perspective, it must have looked like we were sharing an intimate moment, but I was simply unable to resist his seduction. No, rather… this was…

I actually wanted this.

“Shuu…”

“What?”

“...Does this make you happy? Or… am I just a bother?” I asked him outright in between kisses. I’d been wondering about it for a while now. 

Shuu brusquely lifted me off of his lap and sat me down on top of the table. “You’re putting words in my mouth now? Shut up.”

“I… I figured you’d say that…” 

Maybe, in my heart, I wanted to hear such a predictable answer. Was it because I actually liked his harsh manner of speaking? My thoughts were still racing, but Shuu started stroking my hair and placed kisses on my ears.

“It’s not worth worrying about whether or not I like you… that’s not what I’m interested in. However… if anything, I’m interested in your blood. I crave you… do you understand what I’m saying? You can draw your own conclusions.”

Shuu’s sadistic voice sent incessant chills down my spine. That was all I needed to hear.

“Shuu, I love you…” The words just tumbled over my lips before I could catch myself. 

Shuu chuckled. “Heh… I know. You’re such a lewd woman. I know what you want… and you think I’ll give it to you, don’t you? I’m in a good mood today, so I’ll humour you until you’re satisfied.”

I could feel Shuu open his mouth wide. I waited for his fangs to pierce my skin with bated breath. The sharp tips of his canine teeth slowly hovered over my skin. He seemed to be holding back at first, but his demeanour quickly changed—in a flash, his fangs were buried in my neck.

“Mh…”

To this day, I still didn’t know how to describe this feeling. It hurt, of course, but at the same time, there was no way to put into words the absolute assault on my senses, the numbness that spread through me.

“Ha… Mmh… What a great expression… Agh…”

“Ah…” I came dangerously close to crying out while he drank from me. I desperately pressed my lips together. 

Shuu let out a low laugh. Surely, he thought I was only writhing in agony, but I didn’t mind—that wasn’t exactly wrong, either. 

“You’re greedy for such a meek girl, but… this is a reward, so… I’ll let it slide this time.”

“Mmh…”

A reward… the fact that he used such a word for it was proof that Shuu knew exactly how he was making me feel, and enjoyed it. It made my heart swell with joy. It had probably been a bit tactless to beg him to confess his feelings outright. I was already more than happy that, slowly, piece by piece, he revealed himself to me. 

“Let’s go over here now...”

Shuu’s hands impatiently groped at my chest. A feeling of endearment surged within me at the sight of him behaving like this.

I was completely head over heels for this man. I was far beyond saving, but at least I had some self-awareness. 

My mind wandered as my fingers became entwined in Shuu’s hair, my hands stroking his head. I wanted to shout my love for him from the rooftops, but an indirect approach was more befitting of this musically inclined man. 

Then, suddenly, Shuu lifted his face from where it had been buried in my chest, and told me flat-out, “I love you. Or, rather, I love you, the girl who is completely smitten with me. Got that?”

“Ah…!”

Now I really felt like I would go mad. Unable to contain my happiness, I instinctively covered my face with my hands. My cheeks were red-hot. Shuu saying the words I’d wanted to hear for so long was, without a doubt, the best reward. 

It seemed that, somehow, this languid, young nobleman of the shadows had laid his claim on both my body and soul. There was no going back anymore. And yet…

—I found myself smiling, thinking that might not be so bad after all.

[theflagscene]

Are we not going to talk about how in their first vlog of this year, YinWar was snuggling on a beach at sunset and got asked by a random child that was there playing if they were boyfriends, which they both chuckled at before War just full on said yes? Are we just not gonna talk about that at all?

Okay then…👀👀👀

[senseearly]

INCREDIBLY SELF INDULGENT but an USUKUS where America has always only loved England, even to this day.

Like what started as a crush turned to an admiration turned to that first love-type stuff that just wont go away. Sure, America's feelings wavered throughout some points in history, but it was like a ship on an ocean. One day the waves are calm, the other day its turbulent, but youre still on that ocean, youre not getting away from it.

Sure hes gone to some dates, probably got jokingly set up by his coworkers w some humans, had some romantic tensions w other countries, as is inevitable, but England is just his the one.

I dont think hes actively pursuing it, cause hes a country (you cant get too attached with another one like you, because you can be allies in one, enemies the next, and you always have to put what you represent first than yourself). But in moments where he can be with England, not as America but as Alfred, I think he takes those moments without hesitation

[rustyrailways]

This might be an odd detail to fixate on but one of my favourite Jayce features are his eyelids, and I feel like they aren't super talked about? When I first started drawing him his eyes were the hardest part to get down (second being his jaw due to how square it is) and I can't tell you how long I spent looking at them as references or studies, eventually there became something so endearing about them.

I love how they always have an element of softness regardless of how beaten down he is. I think it's the way the lid fold tilts slightly downwards to cover his upper eyelid slightly which gives the illusion it's ever so slightly curved or drooped at times. You also can see the shadow where it begins to tilt up again to the corner of his eyebrows, especially in contrast to his previously mentioned upper eyelid which is much more creased with causes a more noticeable contrast. Softer curves around the eye tend to be percieved as more gentle looking as opposed to harsher curves which come across as more intense.

I'm not always too great nor confident with verbal descriptions but if I pull out my cobbled together "eye board for when I'm too lazy to look up a reference" page I put together I (hopefully) might be able to verbalize it better:

^(Latest edition. Now with photos from s2)

These are probably my favourite examples that highlight it. The gentle curve it causes creates a much softer look that absolutely contributes to how doe-like his eyes are. In addition, the permanent crease it causes at the side of his eyes give them an overall more gentle appearance (as upwards titled creases tend to do - often reminiscent of eye crinkles which are associated with people that smile often). Not to mention the extra creases add further visual interest on a purely interesting character design level.

The eye crease in itself, along with his permanent eye bags are other features I unreasonably adore - but I think I might make a seperate post about them. This might be a bit of a curious thing to be thinking about but just I love how much more life it gives him and how kind it makes them look, I always catch myself looking at them :)

Tldr: I love how gentle his eyes are and I need to stare at them for hours memorising every detail and squeeze his head like a watermelon between thighs

[justtkatt]

During my spring break, i made a presentation explaining all of the Blood Gulch Chronicles in season order so that my friends could jump right into s6 of RvB

And now, i share it with all of you!

Please don’t dox me

And enjoy!

[quibbs126]

I’m wondering now about the idea of Megatron’s backstory essentially having the Senator Shockwave treatment. By which I mean, his fall to evil is instead something caused by someone else tampering with his mind and personality, presumably against his own will

Or I suppose the g1 Constructicon backstory also works as a similar analogy (specifically the brainwashed version of the story)

Like sure it kind of rids him of his agency in the matter, but like it would add an element of tragedy. Especially if like Shockwave, Orion/Optimus was a close friend of the old Megatron. Instead of watching his friend slowly descend into evil, his friend is taken away from him and replaced with this evil being wearing his frame. And maybe in this scenario, the reason why Optimus is hesitant to just kill Megatron is because he hopes some part of his old friend can still be saved, whether through him fighting the reprogramming or finding a cure for him

I just thought it was a neat idea, an angsty one too

[just-1other-nerd]

Be like Dr. D call your autistic friend to do the research for you they are better at this than some stupid ai

[demiboydemon]

Sometimes I forget my gender is on the nonbinary spectrum (genderflux demiboy) and I think, “wow, this nonbinary person’s feelings and experiences are so similar to mine, more so than binary trans people’s” then I remember yeah. Because I’m not a binary trans guy. How do I keep forgetting this?

[front-facing-pokemon]

[scampvamp]

Hot take the only mxtx characters I see as fully 100% gay are xie lian and lan wangji.