#even if they know how to handle themselves

[dollwrites]

Ahhhh that post you reblogged about Clark Kent being a guy who whimpers. Please please please can you write reader giving him head and he’s so overwhelmed by it???? Like, the strongest man in the galaxy is whining all because of the reader. I want to see the modest, strong, immovable hero be turned to a complete whimpering mess in the end.

ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔ ｔｙｐｅ ┊ shorthand / request

ｃｏｎｔｅｎｔ ｗａｒｎｉｎｇｓ ┊ smut ( minors dni ), fem!reader, oral sex ( m!receiving ), whiny!clark, very subtle spit kink, clark begging, all characters featured are aged 18+

ｉｍｐｏｒｔａｎｔ ┊ please reblog && leave feedback. not proofread so there’s probably mistakes. thanks for reading < 3

you’d never felt power quite like absolutely melting Kal-El’s mind when you went down on him. it was almost comical— to think of how jealous Lex Luthor, or even someone so imposing as Darkseid, might be if they knew that you could so easily put the legendary Kryptonian under your complete control with as little as a flick of your tongue. you’d even considered, for a moment, pulling back from your ministrations to tease him with such a revelation, but when his large fingers ( trying to be as gentle as he possibly could manage in the wake of your talented lapping ) caressed the crown of your head in a silent plea, you couldn’t help but focus solely on pleasing him with your mouth. at least for now.

Kal was beyond sensitive. every inch of his thick cock bulged with throbbing veins, the swollen red tip plugging up your mouth when you sucked on it, twitching and leaking pre already. “Go easy on me, baby girl,” he pleaded with you, his head thrown back and his sweet, blue eyes closed tight. “I don’t know if I can take this. Nnn…” the Man of Steel elicits a shuddering whine when your tongue flattens, molding to the shape of his tip from beneath, you catch his tender frenulum against your tastebuds, and he jerks beneath you, his hips involuntarily bucking upwards, eagerly, and both of his impossibly large hands planted themselves on either side of your head. if he wanted to, you knew very well that he could force your head all the way down, give you no choice but to gag on his girth and face-fuck his way to his own greedy climax with no regard for your comfort, but that simply wasn’t Kal’s style. he was well aware of his strength, and was always careful when handling you. his fingers didn’t tangle in your hair, but gently combed through it, the tips lightly tracing shapes in your scalp as he cradled your head.

“T-this feels way too good… fff—“ of course your sweet, sweet farm boy would never curse in front of you; he was much too respectful for that. he did, however sink his teeth into his lower lip and blow air against them, keeping the swear at bay to die behind his teeth with a stuttering whimper, his blue eyes rolling back in his skull as he reveled in your delicious, torturous ministrations. he didn’t have to say it out loud— you already knew what was on his mind. his head slowly tilted back, exposing the strong, thick column of his neck and baring the bulging veins near his pulse point. if your mouth wasn’t so full in this moment, you would’ve wanted to attack with tooth and tongue until you could feel the rapid-fire pulse between your lips. “Your mouth is so perfect. So warm, so… so good to me,” he treated with ragged breath, his fingers trembling and carefully combing at your roots, trying to soothe himself by shaping the letters of his own name into an invisible signature there. your core stirred with each new shift of his legs, each new twitch of his hips as he warred with the gauntlet of pleasure you’d pulled him into. and, unluckily for him, you weren’t going to stop until you drove him absolutely crazy with lust.

you wouldn’t be able to take every inch of him into your mouth, no matter how hard you tried or how much you wanted to— after all, you were no serpent. you couldn’t unhook your jaw and open up as wide as it would take to fully envelop him. instead, you sucked feverishly on the thick head, drawing out beads of his growing musky arousal from the slit to coat your tastebuds and make you dizzy with desire. “Please, baby,” Clark whimpers, his fingers trembling against your scalp with the barely caged need to grip on to something, to ride out this euphoria and relieve some of the pressure. “Please…” as you released his spongy tip from the confines of your mouth with a wet pop, thin strings of saliva still tethering your swollen lips to the ridged surface of his cock. your eyes flit up to relish in the sight of him begging. unable to keep his hips from jutting upwards, greedily humping the air, and pleading nonsensically for what? you weren’t even certain that he knew, either. finally, he breathes it out— a husky, bubbling, as he tucks his chin into his heaving chest. his baby blues seek to lock on to yours with contact, begging for your approval with more than just his words: with every muscle pulled taut in his body, with his bucking hips, with his big, blue eyes hazy with lust and the need for release. “No more teasing, I can’t take it anymore. Please, just make me cum already….��

well, you could certainly do that, since he begged so sweetly.

[kdh-tally]

HIIIIII! Love your blog! I Love how you'd characterize these characters so much!

But out of all the characters in the movie, my favorite is Bobby! So if it's not too much trouble, how would Bobby handle the Saja Boys since you'd mention how he was their acting manager before they find a proper one? Like how'd he'd take the news? how'd he treat the Saja Boys and how did it feel like working on two KPop Groups?

Bobby Needs Therapy

Prompt : How is Bobby taking the news?

Author’s Note : I’m so glad we all love Bobby. He deserves the world!! I actually had two very similar requests so I just combined them both into this! The other request was from @marigoldbuzzing : But I want to know how is Bobby taking all of this, like with the Saja Boys and Hunter/x being under the same company, to being coworkers/working together to eventual romantic relationship?

This occurs after “This is what it sounds like”

Gwi-ma is defeated, the boys have temporarily disappeared and everything and Rumi has some magical/glowy/pretty patterns.

Bobby FORCES the girls to take a break and to explain everything to him

Imagine all of them in the penthouse. 

Rumi, Mira and Zoey are all squeezed onto their couch, Rumi in short sleeves (Bobby was so surprised). 

He’s just staring at the three of them and they all look so disappointed in themselves.

Whats wrong with his girls???

He asks them to explain what happens

They lie at first.

Telling him they had a past with the Saja boys and they’re sworn enemies.

Telling him the special effects are truly just special effects

Telling him that yes they may have jumped out of an airplane but they had invisible parachutes strapped to them?....

Telling him that no, they did not kill the Saja boys with magical weapons or anything the boys just left on their own.

But Bobby points out every single flaw he normally would have ignored.

He fell victim to the Saja Boys song and feels so responsible for the girls getting hurt too.

“I know what I saw girls,” he sounds so tired and defeated and worried.

Sure they’re safe now but how does he know they always will be?

Mira and Zoey look to Rumi, their leader. After the whole event, the girls definitely had a talk about keeping secrets from those they loved.

Rumi explains everything about her parents and the marks and her and Jinu.

Bobby, as vulnerable and human as he is, is someone they love.

“We’re magical demon hunters who kill demons by singing,” Rumi says slowly, almost like how one speaks to a frightened animal.

Bobby doesn’t speak at first and the girls think he must think they’re joking. 

Then he’d ask them to summon their magical weapons.

They’d look at each other before hesitantly summoning them. 

This is all the proof Bobby needs before he breaks down crying.

“You—you’re telling me you were out there killing demons while I was worrying about stupid concept photos?!” Bobby cries, grabbing a tissue. “I was booking you a showcase during an apparent demon apocalypse. I was printing photo cards when you were fighting evil, girls!”

“You could've gotten killed so many times,” he sobs. They quickly move over to where he is on the opposite couch before engulfing him in a hug. 

He’d just get so worried that his daughters had been fighting demons.

Then he would cry even more when finding out about Rumi being a half-demon and hearing her own struggles.

This would cause Zoey to cry, which would cause Mira to cry, which would cause Rumi to cry. So now everyone’s crying.

Once they calmed down a bit, Bobby asks about where the Saja Boys were now. 

The girl’s weapons then levitate, begin to glow and point out the window to their company building. 

“They’ve never done that before...” Mira eyes her guandao in suspicion.

“Okay,” he says slowly, still very cautious of the pointy weapons. “I know I’m not crazy. But I’m also not equipped for this. Do I need a magical weapon too?”

They all agree to follow where the weapon pointed, answering Bobby’s questions along the way.

By the time they get to the building, Bobby more or less understands 80% of the demon world as well as the whole singing hunters thing.

They enter the company building and follow the weapons into a dimly lit practice room where the weapons finally stop glowing.

“This place looks haunted,” Rumi mumbles, reaching around the wall for a light switch. 

The lights suddenly flicker on by themselves to reveal the 5 demons on the floor. They are all in a pile, like they were dropped on top of each other, and are half conscious.

Rumi, Zoey and Mira are staring at them. Jaws dropped.

Bobby’s just happy no one is actually dead.

When the boys finally awake, they’re terrified cause they expected to reform back in hell. 

They really didn’t want to go back to Gwi-ma.

But they’re all alive.

And like half of their powers have gone missing??

The group comes to realize that by killing the demons, they kinda stole their soul. 

Hear me out!

Jinu says Rumi gave him a soul so he gives it back to her. So what if! Jinu is really just in Rumi’s sword waiting to reappear?

This then brings up the question, why are the other boys alive???

Well, if we can assume that Jinu only gained a soul kinda after meeting Rumi (and more or less falling in love with her cause she gave him something to live for that wasn’t his selfish ambitions) then i think it's fair to assume the same works for the other boys.

Romance (not confirmed to be dead in the movie but we’ll say he was) and Abby (confirmed kill) more or less have “crushes” on Mira.

They therefore have a reason to live (even if it's just to annoy her by flirting) and therefore have a soul and are captured in her guandao.

Same thing applies to Mystery, Zoey and Baby (though I believe Baby just enjoyed being human and pissing people off and it kinda gave him a purpose). 

Anyways!

Their souls got released by the weapons (for reasons unknown!) and now the boys remain in the human realm.

Time skip!

The girls are back! Producing music and what not.

The boys are on a hiatus as Bobby attempts to find them a manager. 

He does act like their current manager though, because he’d come to enjoy hanging out with them.

He sees them as an extension of the girls, and they’re just new little babies to the whole world of kpop idols.

He is shocked that they did manage to drop two absolute BANGERS with no management at all. Its demon logic.

They boys like Bobby too, he teaches them all about human customs and cultures and takes them to watch movies with him

Bobby is like everyone’s wonderful sweet dad.

Huntr/x, wanting their awesome manager to themselves, keep on hiring managers to work with the boys.

No one ever lasts.

“That group is haunted”

“They never do any work?”

“I don’t understand how they’re famous”

The Saja Boys sabotage every single attempt the girls make to find them a manager. They don’t trust that many humans and would rather not be found out as demons. 

Also, Bobby interviews all the applicants and half of them are only applying so they can be SUPER close to the Saja Boys.

The other half are just trying to get close to Huntr/x

For this reason alone, I think Bobby would become the official manager for both groups. He’d just hire an assistant. 

The first person that comes to mind is the girl from the fansign who said “Your secret’s safe with me” to Rujinu 😭

She seems like she’d make a good manager, and she can keep secrets apparently lmao.

Of course at first the boys struggle against Bobby too.

He’d schedule them for vocal training, and instead they would just sit in the studio discussing if there was any true meaning behind random movies.

He’d send them to dance practice, and the boys would somehow convince the choreographer to turn it into an interpretive piece on redemption.

He books them to appear on a variety show and finds them halfway through writing a diss track about the girls instead of prepping for the game show.

It's their revenge for takedown and to be fair, it kinda slaps so he lets them finish.

Everytime they think they’d pushed Bobby to the end, he just snaps back into his bright energetic and supportive self. 

“Okay. I have five former demons with unclear moral alignments, my girls have glowing weapons that they seem emotionally attached to and these two K-pop groups keep flirting instead of focusing on their comebacks. But… no one’s dead yet. Great! :D”

The boys stop trying to get him to leave and just accept him as their manager, they love Bobby already, they just hate the idea of being babysat.

But Bobby gives them freedom.

And they love that they now have to live in a mega dorm (penthouse is for the weekends and vacations) with the girls.

He genuinely loves all of them.

Even if he sometimes has to drag Baby away from the spice aisle when they go for snack runs together.

Even if Romance keeps sending him “accidental” texts like: “Hi Mira 😘 I mean Bobby. Hi Bobby! Please tell Mira I said hi~”

Even if one time Zoey and Abby disappeared during practice and came back with some random dog they’d dressed in a Huntrix crop-top.

When finding out about their relationships he would not be surprised AT ALL.

After learning about demons and hunters nothing phases him anymore.

He’d seen the way Jinu looked at Rumi like she was the only girl left in the universe.

The man gave her his soul bro. Bobby has major respect for him.

He saw Mira, Romance and Abby bickering like a married couple.

He saw Zoey pretend not to blush every time Mystery helped adjust her mic.

He just decided not to get involved. He tried his best not to get involved.

“Mystery, you have to stop teleporting into Zoey’s room. It’s weird.”

“I didn’t mean to call her my girl it just slipped out!” <- Romance

“Sureeee Romance. Keep telling yourself that” <- Bobby

He definitely has questions though. 

Has a folder in his notes dedicated to things he needs to confirm. 

The number one thing on his list is “Confirm if ‘Zoey’s demon’ is a real title or just Mystery’s pet name.”

He has Mystery’s attempt at poetry saved in a folder titled “Confessions”

He’s got Abby’s “accidental” shirtless mirror selfies sent to Mira.

He’s got literal surveillance footage of Jinu giving Rumi a forehead kiss post-rehearsal.

He takes all his questions to Baby (cause Baby’s known longer than anyone).

He’s just waiting for one of them to slip up in front of them so he can bombard them with all his evidence.

That never needed to happen. One day, Zoey shyly comes up to him like “Bobby, there’s something else I think you should know…” and he just cuts her off.

“You and Mystery are dating. He smells like your shampoo and you made him a playlist titled ‘sexy emo boy’ I know.”

Zoey: 🧍

“Tell me something I don’t know next time,” he laughs before going back to watching some food eating challenge with Baby on his iPad.

He is really invested in the relationships, but gets really sneaky about it.

If you look closely at the schedule for vocal training, it somehow always pairs:

Rumi and Jinu for duets.

Romance, Abby and Mira for tension-heavy choreographies.

Zoey and Mystery for producing practices.

Coincidence? I think not

He gives Jinu pep talks like, “If you’re gonna love my girl, you better know how to harmonize with her in both life and song.”

The day he finds out “Free” exists is the day he tries to get them married.

“You can’t just make a beautiful song like that and not be married,” he’d insist while looking for a wedding dress with Baby.

He and Abby help Romance write his apology texts to Mira for his flirtiness.

He teaches Mystery how to express emotion through his words so the boy can feel more confident in his relationship with Zoey.

He also buys lollipops for Baby, his partner in crime.

He will be using their relationships against them though. 

“You don't want to dye your hair for the comeback? Shame.... I heard Rumi say she’d love to see you with blonde hair....” to Jinu.

“Funny how you had no energy in rehearsal, yet I saw you doing push-ups with Mira on your back.” to Abby.

“You’re grounded. All of you. No date nights until you finally learn this dance.”

He loves them so much.

Would just like to add that Bobby and Baby would definitely dox anyone who hates on the group or any of the Huntr/x or Saja Boys members.

[grinnames]

Possession Collection: @4thwallbreakerdraws2

After running a thorough diagnosis on his body, SMG3 and SMG4 found that there was an anti-virus preventing the purple-clad vessel from leaving. No matter how SMG3 tried to remove his soul from the robot, he would hit a wall every way he went. 

If SMG3 had lungs, he would be hyperventilating right now. But even in a body made of metal and bolts, he felt panic overtake his mind, bubbling up from the depths and rising. He grabbed onto the frame of Mod’s head, struggling to ground himself. But the memories  of that time flashed before his vision, threatening to drown out everything else.

“No… no no no NONONONO! This– this can’t be happening again!”

He felt his knees buckle, and he hunched over. His new holographic wings folded in on themselves, shielding him from the world. “I can’t be trapped again! LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT, LET ME OUT-”

“Hey!”

The voice that broke through his deafening mental cries was concerned but firm and grounding, almost neutral. He felt two gloved hands grasp his shoulders, holding him in place. 

“Focus on my voice.”

He strained to focus, scrabbling for his sense of control. He hated feeling vulnerable.

“You’re not back there. You’re out here. With me. Totally different situation.”

Despite not needing to breathe (he couldn’t anyway in this body), SMG3 forced his shoulders to relax as if he had taken a deep breath.

“You’ve escaped before. You can do it again.”

SMG3 remembers reality. That’s right, he’s just possessing a robot, on the streets in another world. This isn't the first time he's been through something like this. He's a fighter. And... he's not a alone.

“That’s right, you’re the one in control right now. You’re not helpless anymore.”

After what seems like hours, SMG3 can finally properly see. He sees SMG4 in front of him, still holding his shoulders. He isn’t wearing his usual wide, open grin. His mouth is set in a straight line. To anyone that doesn't know SMG4, his face looks almost expressionless, but SMG3 knows a serious SMG4 when he sees it. He can see it in how his brow is slightly furrowed in concern. Concern for his partner in crime.

“...Alright alright. I’m fine. I’m good now.” He looked away, slightly flustered, and quickly pushed himself to his full height.

“Thought so!” And just like that, that annoying smile was back on SMG4’s face, as if nothing had ever happened at all. He knew that both of them preferred it that way.

“Now, as for your sticky situation…” SMG4 said, getting back down to business. "I have come up with the perfect solution!"

With a snap of his fingers, SMG4 summoned his mallet. “I’ll just break you out!”

“...What-”

“Hold still, Three!”

“WAIT WAIT WAIT TIME OUT!” SMG3 backed up and waved his hands in front of his face as SMG4 cocked back his mallet. “What if you kill me too?! We have no idea what happens if this host dies with me in it!”

“Oh you silly, you’ll live! Like always! Only the host dies, remember?”

“BUT THIS ONE HAS A BUILT-IN ANTIVIRUS.”

“And it will be destroyed with the host too! Now c’mere-”

“GET AWAY FROM ME-”

Right before SMG4’s mallet could connect, the eyes on the screen became blue again and the robot’s hand shot out and grabbed the handle. 

“Aw not you again-”

Officer Mod held his wide yellow gaze with her own emotionless stare. “Like I said, I will be alerted of any crimes, and violence against an officer is-”

“-illegal, I KNOW!" SMG4 was starting to get exasperated. It was not a good look for him. "But since you're here, listen up! If you don’t want to get smashed, let my partner go and we’ll consider sparing you!” 

Sorry if this was long, I couldn't help it, and I've been looking forward to writing this one!

Submission Post

26 left.

[tinyshyteacup]

Taglist: @kellynickelsgirl00 @i-doutt-it @beth-isnt-home @darylandbethfanforever9 @brianna-merlim @pumpkinkpieandtomato @smashleywow @imadisneyprincessiswear @clementineslawyer @pandaofsilentdeath @dixonsbridexx @imadisneyprincessiswear @staley83 @death-in-a-tar0t-card @straw--b3rry

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TW: cussing, Merle is well ... Merle, angst, walkers (Zombies), gaslighting, manipulation, Woodbury, the Governor.

Part 8

Between Brothers - Part 9

The next morning, you were still marveling at the strange luxury of waking up in an actual bed when a crisp knock echoed through your apartment door. You padded out of your bedroom, noting that Merle's door across the small hallway was still closed.

You opened the door to find a polished brunette woman, clipboard in hand and a practiced smile on her face.

"Good morning! I'm Rowan, sort of the Governor's right hand around here," she said brightly, her voice carrying the kind of cheerful efficiency that belonged in corporate offices, not the apocalypse. "I wanted to talk to you both about how you can contribute to our little community."

The sound of voices must have roused Merle, because his door creaked open and he appeared behind you, shirtless and scratching his belly, eyeing the woman with his usual blend of suspicion and crude assessment. Damn, even the office girls in this place got some meat on their bones, he thought, before his attention shifted protectively to you. But ain't none of 'em got what my lil doe's got.

"Merle," you said quickly, your cheeks flushing as you turned to face him, "put a damn shirt on."

"What's the matter, sugar?" Merle drawled, a wicked grin spreading across his face as he noticed your flustered state. "Ain't nothin' you ain't seen before. 'Sides, maybe the lady here appreciates a man who ain't afraid to show what God gave him." He flexed slightly, clearly enjoying your discomfort.

You rolled your eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Really? ... You're impossible."

"Aw hell, honey, you're cute when you get all proper on me," he chuckled, but made no move to cover himself. "Tell you what, I'll think about puttin' on a shirt if you ask real nice."

"Come on in," you said politely to Rowan, trying to ignore Merle's teasing, your accent thicker with embarrassment. "Would you like some coffee?"

"Oh, that's sweet of you, dear, but I can't stay long. Lots to organize!" Rowan bustled in, immediately taking charge of the small space, seemingly unfazed by Merle's state of undress. "Now, Merle, the Governor mentioned you'd be working security - patrols, supply runs, that sort of thing. Very important work."

"Damn right it is," Merle drawled, puffing up at the recognition. "Ain't many folks know how to handle themselves proper out there."

"Exactly!" Rowan's smile turned to you. "And for you, dear, we have some wonderful opportunities. There's the community garden - we always need help with the vegetables. The childcare center could use another gentle hand. And of course, there's cooking duty, laundry rotation, mending clothes..." She rattled off the list like she'd memorized it.

You blinked, your brow furrowing slightly. "Those are... those are all very nice, but what about patrols? Or supply runs? I've been out there with Merle for months."

Rowan's laugh was like tinkling bells, dismissive and patronizing. "Oh sweetie, that's dangerous work. Wouldn't you rather stay here in Woodbury? Leave all the rough stuff to the men who have the training and experience. You'd be much more suited to the nurturing roles - helping with the sick, teaching the children. That work is just as important as the other work, of course." Her eyes flicked meaningfully to Merle.

"Besides, I'm sure your man wouldn't want anything happening to such a pretty little thing."

"Oh, we're not—" you started, but Rowan steamrolled right over you.

The way Rowan had called him 'your man' sent an unexpected thrill through him, even as he watched you try to correct her. Damn right I'm her man, a voice in Merle's head insisted, though another part of him knew it wasn't that simple. Should be, anyway. Girlie needs somebody to look after her, and ain't nobody gonna do it better than me. She'll come around eventually. Just gotta be patient, let her see what she's missin'.

"Now, I know it might seem limiting at first, but you'll find that the gentler work here is deeply fulfilling. There's real satisfaction in creating a proper home environment." Rowan continued.

Something uncomfortable twisted in Merle's gut at her words, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. 'Course I don't want nothin' happenin' to her, he thought, his eyes fixed on your face as you tried to speak up. But she's tougher than this bitch gives her credit for. Hell, she saved my damn life.

"I'm not trying to rock the boat," you said carefully, glancing at Merle with a mixture of frustration and uncertainty. "But I mean, I've been living outside the walls, isn't that experience?"

Merle watched your face, seeing something flicker there - confusion, maybe irritation. That's it sugar, he thought. Don't let this pencil-pusher tell you what you can and can't do.

"Oh, I know you have, honey, but that's survival. This is civilization." Rowan's tone was so sweet it could have given you diabetes. "We have systems here, roles that work. Besides, don't you want a break? Time to get your bearings?"

"I'll... think about it," you said finally, your voice smaller than Merle liked hearing it.

"Wonderful! I'll put you down for garden duty to start. Very peaceful, very safe." Rowan made a note on her clipboard. "Merle, Martinez will find you after breakfast. He'll show you how we do things here."

After Rowan left, you were quiet as you helped Merle adjust the straps on his prosthetic - Milton had dropped it back to Merle last night, but every strap had been undone.

"Penny for your thoughts, lil-doe," he said, watching your face in the small mirror above the bathroom sink.

"It's just..." you started, then shook your head. "The jobs she mentioned for me. They're all very... traditional, aren't they?"

Merle felt a flicker of something that might have been doubt. "What you mean by that?"

"Cooking, cleaning, childcare. While the men do all the protecting and decision-making." Your accent made the words sound softer, less accusatory than they might have otherwise. "I swear I saw a woman with weapon yesterday during our tour."

Shit, Merle thought. She's got a point there. Did see a girlie with a rifle. "You think that Rowan gal was trying to pigeonhole you?"

"Maybe. Or maybe I'm overthinking." You finished with the straps and stepped back. "What do you think?"

Merle was quiet for a moment, turning the prosthetic to check the fit. Truth was, part of him liked the idea of you safe in a kitchen or garden, away from anything that could hurt you. But another part - the part that had watched you handle yourself on the road, seen you make tough choices when you had to - knew you were capable of more. Softer than butter on the outside, but anyone who can burn off a man's stump without flinching ain't no delicate flower. He thought to himself.

"Tell you what, sugar. Let me get the lay of the land first, see how things really work around here. Then we'll figure out what's best."

Smart play, Dixon. Don't rock the boat too early. But keep an eye on things.

An hour later, Martinez arrived with the swagger of a man who knew his worth in a dangerous world. He was compact and moved with the confidence of someone who'd survived through a combination of both skill and luck.

"Ready to see how we do things around here, Dixon?" Martinez asked, his rifle over his shoulder.

Merle sized him up with the automatic assessment of a man who'd learned to judge threats quickly. "Lead the way, amigo."

Martinez led him to the wall first - an impressive structure built from stacked shipping containers, their rusted metal surfaces painted with watch numbers and sector markings. Above the containers, old truck tires had been stacked and wired together, adding another six feet of height and making it impossible for biters to get past the rubber surfaces.

"Smart setup," Merle admitted, running his eyes along the fortifications with interest. "Containers give you good solid base, tires make it hard for them dead bastards to climb. Who thought this up?"

"Combination of ideas," Martinez said, leading him along the perimeter. "Governor had the vision, we had the manpower to make it happen. Took us three months to scavenge enough containers."

"Bet that was a bitch," Merle said, examining the welding points where containers had been fused together. "These things weigh what, eight thousand pounds empty?"

"About that. Had to use a crane truck we liberated from a construction site. Pain in the ass to get running, but worth it." Martinez kicked at one of the containers. "Thing is, biters can't push 'em over, can't climb 'em, can't dig under 'em worth shit."

"What about the gaps between containers?" Merle asked, pointing to the seams.

"Welded shut, then reinforced with steel plates. Governor insisted on redundancy - if one section fails, the whole wall don't come down."

They walked further along the perimeter, Martinez pointing out details that spoke of serious tactical thinking. "See them kill holes? Spaced every ten feet, angled downward. Biters mass up against the wall, we can thin 'em out without exposing ourselves."

"Now that's smart," Merle said with genuine approval. "Most folks just build a wall and hope for the best. This is military-grade thinking."

"Governor's got experience with this kind of thing. Knows the difference between a fence and a fortification."

As they walked, Martinez peppered Merle with questions about survival tactics, combat experience, the kind of shop talk that built camaraderie between fighting men. "So you been out there long? Must've seen some serious shit."

"Long enough to know what works and what gets you killed," Merle said, his chest puffing with pride.

"We got Six-hour shifts," Martinez explained. "Two guards per section, overlapping coverage. Radio check-ins every sixty minutes."

Merle nodded approvingly. "Not bad setup, though I'd have positioned crossfire points here and here." He pointed to spots that would provide better coverage. "And them rifles y'all are carryin'... when's the last time anybody cleaned 'em proper?"

Martinez raised an eyebrow. "You got experience with weapons maintenance?"

"Son, I was cleanin' guns before you were out of diapers." Merle's tone carried the condescension of a man who'd grown up with firearms as tools of survival. "Military don't always teach you boys how to really maintain your equipment. Just how to follow orders and march in pretty lines."

"I wasn't military," Martinez said evenly.

"No? What then - street gang? Cartel?" Merle's tone turned knowing, drawing on every stereotype he'd ever absorbed. "Bet you boys thought you were tough shit with your fancy automatic weapons and your turf wars."

Martinez's jaw tightened, but he forced a smile. "Something like that. But this ain't the old world, Dixon. Different rules now."

"Rules don't change human nature, amigo. Strong survive, weak get eaten." Merle was warming to his theme, feeling superior and confident. "Good thing for y'all that you got somebody who knows how to really fight joinin' the team."

"Damn right," Martinez agreed. "Man with real combat experience is worth his weight in gold these days. Most of these civilian types, they panic first time they see biters."

"Panic'll get you killed faster than anything," Merle said, examining one of the rifles leaning against the watchtower wall. "This piece of shit's been fired recently but not cleaned. Bolt's gonna jam on you when you need it most."

"Show me," Martinez said, genuinely interested.

Merle field-stripped the rifle with practiced efficiency, pointing out carbon buildup and improper lubrication. "See this? Firing pin's gonna stick. Probably already misfired once or twice, am I right?"

"Yeah, actually. Johnson mentioned it yesterday."

"Course he did. Gun don't lie, but it'll sure as hell get you killed if you don't treat it right." Merle's hands moved with the automatic competence of decades of experience. "You want this thing to work when them biters are climbin' your wall, you maintain it proper."

They continued the tour, Martinez carefully feeding Merle's ego while taking mental notes. Every display of tactical knowledge, every piece of weapons expertise, every story about surviving in the wasteland - it all painted a picture of a dangerous man who could be useful.

"What's your ammo situation?" Merle asked as they examined another section of the wall.

"Better than most places. Governor made sure we stockpiled before things got really bad. Plus we got a guy who can reload shells if we're careful with the brass."

"Smart. Ammo's gonna be the new currency soon enough," Merle said. "You boys ever deal with raiders? Living ones, I mean."

"Couple times. Nothing we couldn't handle." Martinez's tone was casual, but Merle caught the slight tension.

"Raiders are worse than biters," Merle said with authority. "Biters just want to eat you. Raiders... they get creative. Torture, kill, or worse. Takes a special kind of bastard to handle that business proper."

"You sound like you know from experience."

Merle's grin was cold and humorless. "Let's just say I ain't above doin' what needs doin' to protect what's mine. Sometimes you gotta be the monster to keep the real monsters away."

Martinez nodded approvingly. This was exactly what the Governor wanted to hear - that Dixon had the stomach for the darker work that kept Woodbury safe.

"I bet. That girl of yours she seems... sweet. Innocent." Martinez's tone was carefully neutral. "Must be nice, having someone to come home to."

Sweet don't even begin to cover it, Merle thought, images of you flashing through his mind - the way you'd carefully cleaned his wounds, the soft sounds you made in your sleep. Got curves in all the right places too, not that any of these bastards are gonna get the chance to notice.

"She's special, alright," Merle said aloud, his voice carrying a warning edge. "Real special."

The tour continued with more technical discussion - patrol schedules, weapon assignments, communication protocols. Martinez was impressed despite himself with Merle's knowledge. The man might be a racist asshole, but he knew his business when it came to survival and combat.

"Governor's got a real setup here," Merle said as they finished examining the perimeter defenses. "Man knows how to build something that lasts."

"He's always looking for the right people to help maintain it," Martinez replied. "Men who understand what it takes to keep the peace. To handle the problems that civilian leadership can't stomach."

"Every community needs somebody willin' to do the hard jobs," Merle agreed. "Jobs that require a certain... flexibility when it comes to methods."

Martinez smiled. Perfect. Dixon was already thinking like an enforcer, already separating himself from the "civilians" who couldn't handle the brutal realities of their world.

"Your girl's lucky to have found someone who takes that seriously." Martinez said with conviction.

The praise hit its mark, and Merle practically glowed with satisfaction. This is what I been needin'. Place where folks understand what I bring to the table. Where they appreciate a man who knows his business.

"Governor's got a good eye for talent," Martinez added as they finished up, filing away every word for later report. "Knows how to spot the real deal when he sees it. Knows how to reward men who prove themselves useful."

Merle preened under the praise. "Damn right he does. Takes one to know one, I reckon."

"Man with your skills, your experience... I got a feeling you're gonna fit in real well here. Maybe even move up the ranks, if you prove yourself."

"I ain't afraid of hard work," Merle said, his chest puffing with pride. "Always been the kind of man who earns his keep."

As they walked back toward the residential area, Martinez felt satisfied with his work. The tactical talk had done exactly what the Governor said it would - made Dixon feel valued and respected without being too obvious about it. The man's ego was thoroughly stroked, and he was already starting to see himself as part of Woodbury's inner circle.

The Governor had been right - looked like the girl was the key to controlling Merle Dixon. All they had to do now was keep stoking that fire, keep making him feel like his value as a man depended on his usefulness to Woodbury.

That evening, the main street of Woodbury was transformed for a community dinner. Tables stretched down the middle of the road, lit by lanterns and string lights that gave everything a warm, festive glow. The smell of real food - grilled meat, fresh bread, actual vegetables - filled the air like a promise of better times.

You'd changed into one of the dresses Rowan had dropped off. It was simple, brought out your eyes, but you where just grateful it was clean.

Merle's throat went dry when he saw you emerge from your bedroom. Jesus, he thought, his eyes tracking every curve the fabric clung to. Look at her. Like somethin' out of a damn magazine, Bet she'd arch her back real nice if I put my mouth on her. Keep it together, Dixon.

You took a seat at one of the long tables with some of the other residents, chatting quietly about the meal preparations and the children running between the tables. Merle found himself at a different table with the Governor, but his eyes kept drifting back to you, watching the way you smiled at something one of the residents said, the way you tucked a strand of hair behind your ear.

"Don't you two look wonderful tonight. Merle, I hear great things about your first day." The Governor smiled as he handed Merle a beer, his smile warm but not quiet reaching his eyes.

"Just doin' what needs doin'," Merle said, but he was practically glowing with pride.

"Martinez tells me you have some ideas about improving our defenses. I'd love to hear them." The Governor's attention was like a spotlight, making Merle feel important, valued. "A man with your experience... well, that's exactly what Woodbury needs."

"I got plenty of ideas," Merle said, leaning back in his chair with the confidence of a man who knew his worth. "Been thinkin' about your weak points, your sight lines. Y'all got good bones here, but you're missin' some key defensive positions."

As they talked shop, Merle felt himself relaxing under the Governor's attention. This was what he'd been missing - respect, recognition of his skills. Not just being tolerated or endured, but actually valued.

"Your patrol routes could use some adjustment too," Merle continued, warming to the subject. "And that armory of yours - hell, some of them weapons ain't been cleaned proper in months. Give me a week and I'll have your boys shootin' straighter than they ever have."

"That's exactly the kind of leadership we need here," the Governor said, his voice carrying genuine admiration. "A man who knows how to take charge, how to protect what matters."

The Governor's eyes drifted meaningfully toward where you sat, chatting with the other residents. "Speaking of protecting what matters... it's wonderful to see her settling in so well. She looks happy, peaceful. You've done right by her, Merle. Not every man could keep someone safe in times like these."

The praise hit Merle like good moonshine, warming him from the inside out.

"She's somethin' special, that one," Merle said, his voice thick with pride and possessiveness. "Don't make 'em like her anymore. Soft as hell, but tough as nails when she needs to be."

"A woman like that brings out the best in a man," the Governor continued, his tone carefully calculated. "Makes him want to provide for her, protect her. Give her the kind of life she deserves."

"Hell yes," Merle agreed emphatically. "Girl like that needs a man who can take care of her proper. Someone who knows how to handle business, keep the wolves away from the door."

The Governor nodded approvingly. "Exactly. And when a man provides that kind of security, that kind of protection... well, a woman appreciates it. Shows her gratitude in all the ways that matter."

Merle's pulse quickened at the implication. His imagination ran wild with possibilities, thinking about you looking at him with something more than friendship. Bet she'd be real grateful. Bet she'd get on her knees and—

"'Course, takes time to build that kind of trust," the Governor added casually. "A woman has to see a man in action, see that he can deliver on his promises before she truly appreciates what he brings to the table."

Emboldened by the Governor's words and the admiring looks from other residents, Merle felt a surge of his usual brass confidence. He pushed back from his table and strode over to where you sat, the alcohol and praise making him bold.

Without warning, he reached and put his arm around your shoulders - a possessive, claiming gesture. His fingers brushed against the soft skin of your neck as it moved around you.

Soft as silk, he thought. Wonder if she's this soft everywhere.

You jumped like you'd been shocked, your body going rigid under his touch. "What the hell are you doing?" you hissed, your voice low but sharp with surprise and confusion.

The residents around you went quiet, their conversations dying as they sensed the sudden tension. A few eyes from other tables turned to you both, the moment stretching awkwardly. Merle's face stuttered, embarrassment and wounded pride warring in his chest. His fantasies crashed down around him as he realized he'd badly misjudged the situation. But he covered it with his usual crude humor, his laugh rough and forced.

"Can't blame a man for wantin' to show off his favorite girl, can ya?" His voice carried just enough lewdness to make it sound like typical Merle, but you could of swore you saw something flickering in his eyes. "Hell, if I don't keep an eye on you, half the men in this place probably gonna try to snatch you away from ol' Merle."

Your expression shifted from surprise to clear exasperation, your eyes rolling skyward as you let out a frustrated sigh.

"Really, Merle?" You scoffed.

Play it off as a joke. That's it. Just Merle bein' Merle. She'll come around once she sees what I can do for her. Governor's got the right idea - show her I'm a provider, a protector, then she'll be putty in my hands.

The Governor had followed him over and chuckled indulgently, as if watching an amusing but harmless display.  "Careful Merle, the world's full of people who'd take advantage of a gentle heart like hers. Men who might promise her things they can't deliver, make her think the grass is greener somewhere else."

Something in his tone made Merle's protective instincts flare like a struck match. The idea of some other man putting his hands on you, making promises to you, taking what Merle had fought so hard to protect ...

Over my dead body. He thought Any sonofabitch tries to take her from me gonna find out real quick what kind of man they're dealin' with.

"Ain't nobody gonna take advantage of her while I'm around," Merle growled, his hand tightening slightly on your shoulder.

But before the Governor could respond, you spoke up, your voice carrying an edge that surprised everyone but Merle.

"Boys, I appreciate the concern, but I'm not helpless." Your accent made the words sound deceptively soft, but there was steel underneath. "I've made it this far, haven't I Merle ?"

The flash of spirit in your eyes, the way you straightened your spine and lifted your chin - made heat curl low in Merle's belly. There she is. My fierce lil-doe with her claws out.

Merle barked out a genuine laugh, relief and pride flooding through him like a tide. "Governor, let me tell you somethin' - you don't want to get on the bad side of her, Looks sweet as pie, but she's got fight when she needs it." He grinned at you with something that looked almost like respect.

The Governor's eyebrows rose with interest. "Is that so? Well, that's even better. A woman who can handle herself when necessary, but knows when to let her man take the lead."

"'Course, she's gentle as a lamb with folks who treat her right," Merle added, his voice taking on a possessive warmth. "Ain't that right, sugar?"

You gave him a look that was part exasperation, part something else he couldn't quite read. But you didn't move away, and that felt like a victory.

"I should probably get back to helping clear these tables," you said, your voice carefully neutral.

The Governor watched you walk away with calculating eyes before turning back to Merle. "She's something special, that one. A woman like that... she deserves a man who can give her everything she needs. Security, comfort, a real future."

"That's what I'm plannin' to give her," Merle said, his voice thick with determination and desire. "Soon as I find my brother, soon as we get settled proper... gonna make sure she never wants for nothin'."

And when I do, when I prove I'm the man she needs, she's gonna be mine in every way that counts. Governor's right - it's just a matter of time.

The Governor smiled, satisfied that his seeds were planted deep. "I believe you will, Merle. I believe you will."

While the men continued their political posturing, you found yourself drawn into conversation with Milton, who'd appeared at your elbow with his nervous energy.

"Fascinating social dynamics," he murmured, watching the interplay between Merle and the Governor. "The way leadership structures form in crisis situations..."

"You study people?" you asked, genuinely curious.

"Among other things. But lately, I've been more interested in the biters themselves." His voice dropped, becoming more intense. "I have a theory that they might still be... aware. Trapped inside their own bodies, remembering fragments of their old lives."

The words hit you like a physical blow, your breath catching in your throat. Your own beliefs, the ones you'd carried from your home, had always taught that the soul was sacred, that consciousness was precious. The idea of those poor souls trapped in rotting flesh, aware but unable to escape...

"That's..." your voice came out as barely a whisper, "that's horrible."

Milton nodded eagerly, not noticing how pale you'd gone. "Exactly! If I'm right, if there's still some part of the person left inside, then what we're doing - the killing, the destruction of the bodies - it might be mercy. Or it might be murder. The ethical implications are staggering."

Tears pricked at your eyes, your heart breaking for every walker you'd seen fall, every shot fired, every blade that had found its mark. Were they screaming inside those decaying shells? Were they begging for help that would never come? Had you been killing people ?

"Excuse me," you mumbled, standing abruptly. "I'm gonna get another drink."

Later that night, back in your shared apartment, the weight of Milton's words crashed down on you. You'd held it together through dinner, through small talk, through the Governor's penetrating stares and Merle's weirder then usual behavior. But now, in the safety of four walls and a locked door, you couldn't hold back anymore.

The tears came in quiet, broken sobs as you sat on the edge of your bed, your hand pressed to your mouth so you wouldn't disturb Merle, who you assumed would most likely make fun of you.

All of Milton's words echoed in your head - the possibility that every walker might still be in there, trapped and screaming.

Merle found you like that when he walked past from the bathroom, his expression immediately shifting from post-dinner satisfaction to alarm. The sight of you crying hit him like a punch to the gut, stirring up protective instincts.

Jesus, what the hell happened? Who the fuck made her cry? His mind immediately went to violence, to finding whoever had upset you and making them pay.

"Hey now, lil' doe, what's got you all torn up?" He sat beside you carefully, his voice gentler than you'd ever heard it. The mattress dipped under his weight.

"Sugar, c'mon talk to me. What happened?" He kept his hands to himself for now, though every instinct screamed at him to touch you, make it better somehow.

"Milton," you managed between sobs, your accent thick with emotion. "He thinks... he thinks they're still in there. The walkers. Still aware, like there trapped..."

"Aw, hell, honey." Merle's voice was rough with understanding. "That crazy scientist got you thinkin' too hard about shit that don't matter."

Gonna find that pencil-necked little bastard and show him what happens when he upsets my girl. Gonna make him sorry he ever opened his mouth.

"But what if he's right?" You looked up at him with tear-stained cheeks, your heart breaking all over again. "What if every time we... what if we're hurting people who can't escape?"

The sight of your face, streaked with tears, made something crack inside Merle's chest. He'd seen you scared, seen you tired, seen you angry - but he'd never seen you like this before.

Merle was uncharacteriscally quiet for a long moment, studying your face in the lamplight. Most people would have dismissed your tears, called you weak for caring about the dead. But he'd seen your strength, knew the size of your heart.

Too good for this world. And that little shit had to go and poison her mind with some crazy theories.

"Honey'," he said finally, reaching out to brush a tear from your cheek. He used the pad of his thumb to wipe away the moisture beneath your eye. His fingers, calloused and rough from years of hard living, moved with surprising gentleness against your soft skin.

"You got the biggest heart of anyone I ever met," he continued, his thumb tracing along your cheekbone without him really realizing what he was doing. The gesture was tender, protective, nothing like the crude way he'd thrown his arm around you at dinner.

"But you can't carry the weight of that shit. You'll drive yourself crazy."

Another tear spilled over, and this time he caught it with his knuckle, his touch feather-light.

"Listen to me, lil' doe." His voice was serious now, more serious than you'd ever heard it. "Even if that nutjob's right, even if there's somethin' left in there... what we do ain't cruel. It's mercy. We set 'em free."

You leaned into his touch despite yourself, the movement pressed your cheek more firmly into his palm, desperate for comfort, for someone to tell you it was okay to feel this way.

"It just hurts to think about," you whispered, and another tear slipped free.

"I know it does, sugar. I know." Merle's arm came around you carefully, tentatively, ready to pull back if you objected. When you didn't, he drew you closer, his hand settling on your back with the same careful pressure he'd used on your face.

"You ain't gotta carry this alone, sugar'," he murmured his lips close to your ear. "Ol' Merle's here. Ain't goin' nowhere."

[friedwizardwhispers]

I know Jinshi is extremely good at his job and the emperor is sick... But Does he remember how far Jinshi was willing to go to avoid this ? He was willing to harm himself permanently so he wouldn't be the crown prince. He knows this, he was there, he should find a middle ground.

Made worse by the fact that it's stress that makes him sick, how well does he think Jinshi is going to handle the same stress ?

Also can we talk about the parallels between Jinshi and Ah Duo and how the emperor and system in general is trying to lock them up in the palace even though they don't want that for themselves because it's more or less a golden cage but he doesn't seems to think there is another solution for the country.

[opiopal]

(Oh wowowow super long winded draft I totally forgot about.. have I proof read?? Kinda. But it’s late and I’m just tryna post some stuff, so here gang)

a hc that I have is that even when he isn’t around, mams is watching mc, how you may not be asking??? Birds!!

now I’m very sure this concept is not new to anyone at all, but I just wanna talk abt it anyways❤️

cause maybe the first time mc is given permission to go out alone, they are HYPED!! Finally, they could do some solo shopping, or maybe eat lunch without the bill giving them a heart attack, or go into a bookstore without experiencing the eternally burning rage of Satan bc someone is being a bit too loud, ect ect. they’re seriously excited and happy to be treated like an adult and not some toddler with the ability to form sentences. However as the hours go by they start to notice… crows off in the distance??? A lot of them actually.

but they try to ignore it, since they always see those silly little creatures hanging around anyways! Most of the time there’s a good few hanging out whenever mams was around, but of course it was obvious that those were just his familiars, since he’d occasionally shoo them, or accept a little shiny present from them, or give them a little treat. And of course they recognized a few, since the crows had clearly taken a liking to mc, and has even let them do small things like tying little ribbons around their legs or petting their small heads.(Mc definitely has a little shoe box full of gifts his familiars have given them)

any other time mc saw crows it was when they were out with someone else, but they only ever saw 4-5 during their time outside, so they ended up just assuming that crows were just the pigeons of devildom. Because there’s no way that every single crow they have ever seen was one of mams???

but even though they tell themselves that, for some reason something in the back of their head is telling them that’s not the case.. however they are DETERMINED to enjoy their unmonitored evening! They were only birds after all, birds are allowed to exist! so they go about their day, maybe they even end up buying a few things for the brothers while they’re out! And once they return home to a(very relieved) Luci, mams is very quick to nudge his older brother and make a comment about how he just knew mc would be fine out on their own, seeming very proud of mc. In fact, he was probably the most calm out of all of the brothers. To the point where it even shocked pretty much everyone.

so from then, since on mc has clearly proven that they can handle being out by themselves, mc is allowed to go out alone whenever they want(of course as long as they let everyone else know first.) Though one day, maybe something happened previously, drama at school or an argument between mc and one of the brothers. Whatever it was mc decided that they needed a walk around town alone to clear their head. Mammon really didn’t want them to be all alone at that moment, but he didn’t fight them much on it since they did really seem like they needed time alone.

so mc went out and mindlessly walked around, spacing out at the sidewalk in front of them, glancing up at store windows occasionally if something catches their eye. After a while they choose to sit down at a small café, maybe they get a small snack or a cup of tea, still a tad frustrated, until they see a little black blur in the corner of their eye. So they look down and spot a crow hopping around at their feet. they giggle a little and turn their attention down to the little fella… but they pause upon noticing a ribbon tied around its little ankle.

Without much hesitation, they pick up the crow and sets it in their lap. Seeing that the ribbon was something they most DEFINITELY put on the bird. frustration creeps in as they point a finger at the crow and mumble “now when you see mammon again tell him that he is NOT slick.” they shoo the crow away after successfully looking like a crazy person in public, and sit at the table to boil for a while.

Soon mc gets a few strings of texts from mammon, only reading a few before just turning off their D.D.D. Because they certainly don’t have a single nice thing to say. they seriously couldn’t BELIEVE him, well, they aren’t surprised. But they do feel slightly betrayed.

for a few days mc is very obviously angry at mammon, though they don’t ever tell the others why. Though they do shut down any assumptions that mammon stole from them or anything like that. and I would like to think that eventually mammon and mc have a heart to heart about the situation, which in the end Mc agreed that having some birds follow them around isn’t as bad as one of the seven rowdy demon lords.

[vort3x]

#and also the 'reprogramming' scene was so awful#first of all it's an afterthought to the story. and it's completely forced on k-2 with absolutely no agency#he was fully dead and they bring him back literally like frankenstein's monster. with NO thought to the implications in that#and also instead of the explanation 'imperial programming hampers the droid's ability to express themselves and forces them to obey'#we got 'actually murder and emptiness is this guy's natural state but we can SUPPRESS this so he'll work for us'#which is a) a horrifying implication. like explore that deeply invasive kinda bioessentialist story or don't give it to your 'good' guys???#and b) it doesn't even make sense. why does he have 200 percent MORE personality when he's being suppressed than when he's not?#and taking away Cassian's personal connection to him is also a giant plot hole. Because why are they even partnered then??#why did you give the assassin and spy the big clunky murder droid who could assist ground troops. Cassian doesn't even seem to want him#if Cassian is the one who reprogrammed him and personally likes him we understand that he simply insisted he keep this droid#because likely nobody else would trust K2 anyway and draven would be like hey. keep your emotional support murderbot just get results

Not gonna leave all this in the tags since this is also an important point too. K2's inclusion in Andor was ultimately a checkbox move and it was painfully obvious.

Also wanna add Tony Gilroy outright says 1. he didn't watch Star Wars materials when doing Andor and 2. they worked backwards when it came to writing Andor. They'd write something then they were told if it clashed too hard w/ established canon or not. It's all in the context of not wanting to take inspiration from it, but it would also mean that they weren't researching canon.

Excerpt for point 1:

SCRIPT Magazine: That's exactly the kind of stuff I'm interested in. There's this mistake people have in looking at Star Wars and going, “Star Wars is what you need to look at to figure out how to make Star Wars.” And that's not the case.

Tony Gilroy: Never. No, I never watched any Star Wars. I couldn't watch the other shows. In the beginning, because "Mandalorian" was so great when it started and I was watching it and and then as I got into my show, it was really unsettling for me to watch other Star Wars. I just always had the continual feeling I was doing something wrong. So I just stopped. I just couldn't do it. So I didn't watch any Star Wars.

Source Excerpt for point 2:

Script Magazine: How do you balance that sort of thing with the bare bones of the carpentry as you call it with juggling something like the Star Wars timeline?

Tony Gilroy: We work it from the negative side, not the positive side - I suppose that's the easiest way to say it. I know what the calendar is, I know what the general rules are, I know I have a pretty good handle on the cosmology of what's out there and the canon somewhat. And I know the places where there's potential conflicts. I've also been cleared from the very beginning. We're using that as cannon fodder as we go forward. And you hear it in Maarva’s speech.

We raise it on the show several times. Saw says “Oh, you know, what are you Luthen, and there's human cultists and separatists,” and we've established that there's a great variety of rebel movements that are happening. When Nemik gives this manifesto that Cassian listens to the night before the funeral, he talks about all of the little seedlings of revolution that are sprouting up independently all over the place. There’s an established idea that a lot of people could be working at doing things at the same time and be completely unaware of what's going on and/or be conceivably in conflict with one another.

But I do not go back and look at the materials [like Star Wars Rebels and the novels Catalyst and Tarkin] to figure out what I should do. We do what we want to do and if we bump or we hit a guardrail or we get a high sign or we get a flashing yellow light or sometimes we change and do something else. We have one or two things coming up that have been pretty articulated in that way in the second half. We have to tiptoe around some things.

I’m not out digging through that material looking for inspiration. In fact, I have to stay away from that, so it works the other way. We decide what we want to do within what we know, they tell us if we've gone too far or not far enough.

Source

I'll never forgive Andor for how it has seemingly changed how a lot of people see Kay and Cassian's relationship.

How it has become standoffish and distrusting when it was supposed to be the exact opposite. Really, it just IS a valid reading with the backstory Andor provided and what little we were shown of their relationship. If you had to pick Cassian's best friend and trusted partner in the days before Rogue One, it's NOT Kay when it originally is. It's incredibly sad that history has been changed.

[a-gnosis]

Maybe this is a weird question for your blog, but seeing as sometimes you touch on this, I was wondering if you know what was the actual average age a woman in ancient greece usually got married was? And yeah, the average childbirth too if you know, it's just that I found so many conflicting information, some people say they were barely into their pre-teens and others that it was as late as early 20's? I found at least one place who says that unlike romans ancient greeks actually favored giving birth later because it improved the chances of survival of the child, but it didn't state any ages, I know that men were expected to marry later, but do you knoe what was an average age gap between the groom and bride? Sorry again ;-;

From what I have read, we don't have any documentory evidence regarding age at marriage, but literary sources suggest that girls in their early to mid-teens typically married men who were about twice their age.

The right time to bring a wife to your home is when you are only a few years younger than thirty, or just a few years older. This is the time for marriage. Five years past puberty makes a woman a suitable bride. Marry a virgin so you can teach her right from wrong. Hesiod, Works and Days 695-99

According to Daily Life of the Ancient Greeks by Robert Garland: "Hesiod's view, though that of a peasant farmer, is by no means unique. Solon was of the opinion that the right time for a man to marry was between the ages of 27 and 34. Similarly, Plato claimed that a man was at his peak for marriage in his thirtieth year. Some brides would have been even younger than the age recommended by Hesiod, particularly those who came from wealthy families, as we know from a fifth-century B.C.E. law code from Gortyn on Crete, which decreed that heiresses should be married "in their twelfth year or older."

In Oeconomicus by Xenophon that describes the ideal Athenian marriage, the fictional character Ischomachos tells Socrates how he trained his young wife, who was only fourteen when they married:

'How could she have had any knowledge when I married her, Socrates?' he replied. 'She wasn't yet fifteen when she came to me, and up to then she had lived in a sheltered environment, so that she might see as little as possible, hear as little as possible, and say as little as possible.'

It was said to be different in Sparta. Spartan girls were, unlike their Athenian counterparts, not married prematurely. However, I haven't seen any exact age mentioned.

The women were married by capture, not when they were small nor prematurely for marriage, but when they were in their prime and ripe for it. Plutarch, Life of Lycurgus 15.3

They also received the same physical training as the boys. This was because two fit parents were believed to have strong offspring, and the women would handle the pains of childbirth better if they were strong (and producing children was, as everywhere else in the ancient Greek world, the most important function of free women). It's worth to note, though, that most of the ancient sources about Sparta were not written by the Spartans themselves.

[radf3mm]

Why Veganism in women is supporting the patriarchy

Women stay distracted and more quiet when it comes to other topics because the vegan activism is consuming them whole, they are completely centered about their believes and will make them more important then community with other thinking women.

Women are not getting enough nutrients for having the ability to think normally, being vegan starves the brain due to the lack of essential saturated fatty acids and cholesterol with are both crucial for brain function, this also leads to mental illnesses / psychiatric disorders like depression, anxiety. Wich again makes makes women quiet, more easy to handle, obedient and dependent.

Women’s health needs animal fats, protein, minerals, due to the lack of this in a vegan diet, especially for the majority who goes vegan because that’s the “right thing to do ethically” are getting major issues with this topic like hormonal imbalances, a light period, infertility. Wich brings up the next point

Big Pharm / Men now that all of these women are getting sick is stepping in and telling the women what they should do. What treatment they should get, etc etc. A good calculated plan, wich fits perfectly to use the empathy and nurturing deeply rooted nature of women to manipulate them to get more money and power, it’s all about that! They’ll give all types of different medication but will not tell you the well hidden secret (also often doctors don’t know because they didn't even learned this themselves, as it starts much further up the ladder) about how this type of nutrition is not sustainable for most of the population especially not females.

It’s a great way to keep women occupied, weak and quiet. A way to keep women out of important matters and out of their power.

And no, I'm not saying that any kind of livestock farming is legitimate, absolutely not. We have to fight for better conditions and an appropriate, responsible way to do that, for example like in organic farming. Ethically speaking we are all part of the cycle, we are part of the earth, nature and the fact is evolutionary biology wise and just like other omnivore mammals, animal products significantly contribute to our ability for a healthy body and thinking.

[thebettertraiaad]

Why I think flatline x maps

First off nika is the definition of a rebel in her design and how she breaks normalcy for something she believes in and at the same time shipping damian with her isnt fitting since he is literally the definition of 'redemption' because of his R and nika being a killer and how she even enjoys killing people because of her nature its giving more of a relapse than redemption. its like the writers are trying so hard to make her look queer but not he queer and the writing in it? ASS its better appreciated in a damn gacha video than an actual story and dont even get me started on the fans.

Reasons why I like maps being with flatline; its letting the polar opposites find a similarity and also fleshing out them as a person and mia being weaker in a way(since im writing this in their age as teens) gives nika more than enough to think that 'oh not everyone is strong' and there! Its where the building of her happens how she could change since mia cant go to her level in a literal scale but still train to be able to protect herself since this isnt a weakgf x strongergf trope. But its the fact that nika needs to learn someone elses capacity since she wants to be with her, maps herself is a nice person and I think it would also be best to explore the narrative of girls understanding their emotions romantic wise considering that since nika is russian and how she was probably raised in a catholic and probably homophobic environment she probably would just excuse her feelings for just strong friendship and how mia is the opposite, raised in america 🇺🇸🦅🦅🦅 shes exposed to more than the narrative of a female and male romantic partnership and therefore kind of explains to nika and how her feelings towards her are normal and how its okay to feel like that even if she was sort of raised to believe that fags are all just mentally ill people. And considering maps being the more curious type their relationship is probably going to work with how she's emotionally intelligent in her own way, and how nika is probably affectionate and thoughtful when it comes to someone she considers a loved one(since MIND YOU! Flatline originally had a family that abandoned her and therefore raised and used by lord deathman and sort of isolating her from people Because of that) and how when she realizes these feelings and how maybe mia is kind of vulnerable flatline will have to come to terms that maps is someone important that she cant just find again, her first friend, girlfriend and literal therapist.

Second reason; damian is better of single(PLS DONT DOXX ME FOR THIS!) because mans is emotionally unavailable like his daddy but at the same time observant, he is surrounded by people with toxic/unhealthy relationships to a point where I see him not even wanting a serious relationship with anyone, sure crushes are still their but he knows to handle emotions once he finally goes to therapy or asks alfred about it.

Its not just for their aesthetic purposes of a cutegf x a gothgf but the characters themselves interacting, flatline doesnt always have to banter with maps and it could just be them being straight domestic in a way that is healthy, a softness for both girlfriends to just be there for each other and not having to do school bullshit or assassin work bullshit and not as suffocating as daminika. Damian is like a puzzle piece of emotions and nika isnt about to fix his problems like shes bob the builder since she also has some baggage to unpack because girl has a lot on her plate just like him, the constant stress and probably misunderstanding and difference is making it really clear that their relationship was because they want someone to be there for them when they couldnt even be there for themselves and other people. They are angsty teens and no one can convince me that they were in love in the first place, I cant even call it puppy love with how flatline keeps randomally being their when damian is in the lazarus tournament(like girl there are more interesting people than him trust me😭) and how the writers force it is honestly a weak attempt at trying to cover up their trashy gacha life writing with good art and cool character designs.

Honestly this is my opinion of dc and its writers and how they are trying too hard to push damians love interests when its like supposed to be the most hardest time in his life aka alfred being killed and family misunderstandings, yeah. Like a girlfriend is just going to magically fix his problems like his family problems.

Sorry I got too heated especially when its an opinion of a multimillion company not serving as good as they did but I guess thats just the flaw of picking money over talent and good idea and a better insight on the most mischaracterized characters and their depiction of THEIR literal creations.

@ceristhefallen

@starstruckloversweets

@juan1dupree23

@thebettertraiaad

I think i got a lil too overboard w this but i want you guys to read it.

[canisalbus]

Machete and Vasco are so pomegranate-and-the-hand-that-slices coded. To me.

Pomegranates are seen as messy, bloody, inconvenient fruits. You slice or tear or bite and in return for your effort you come away underwhelmed, disgusted, and stained too deep to wash. The consumption of a pomegranate is a violent act of defilement, for both the fruit and the eater.

But that is because most do not understand how to open a pomegranate. They have little patience for the precise carving. They see no point in coreing the fruit gently, no reason to be reverent as they pull the quarters apart. When done correctly, opening a pomegranate leaves little mess. Your fingers will still stain, your knife will still slick, but there will be no pool of crimson drowning both you and the fruit.

The seeds are only sweet to those who understand the merit of a light hand and intricate slicing. Why put in so much effort for a food so bitter and clearly armored against consumption? Surely it must not yearn to be eaten.

(^insane about silly catholic dogs)

.

[dykedvonte]

One of my mutuals opinions is the "bro code" thing, that Curly is one of those guys who wouldn't care about the victim because the perpetrator is his friend and I'm really banging my head on the wall like that other anon. I've only played through the game once but Curly's behaviour/reactions etc read completely different from the "bro code" thing and I have to wonder if my mutual and I even played the same game.. like the constant digs at him from Jimmy, his body language in his face reveal and so on like you mentioned in your post. While this game is a little different obviously, it kind of reminded of a point in Alice Madness Returns that makes it very clear that Alice's pain blinded her to the abuse of the other children and her failure to act earlier because of it. Curly is guilty of a similar inaction but it doesn't change the fact he was a victim of Jimmy too. I don't think I can look at it any other way because both of these games have really stuck with me.

I genuinely think it really is the idea that people want a simple easy to blame problem and the idea that the only relatable victims of abuse are those that "surpass" it or do a lot to help others. When it comes to victims, especially those that don't fit the typical demographics, who either accidently perpetuate it, enable it or aren't ideal in some way shape or form, people jump to ignore what they went through as it's easier than dealing with those conflicting sentiments.

The bro-code conversation in Mouthwashing stems from a concept I generally dislike that there had to be something about Curly that made him meet or keep being friends with someone like Jimmy. I think people genuinely underestimate how many like decent and good people just know an asshole or are friends with someone who is really bad outside of their view/established dynamics. The game makes it clear none of the inaction against Jimmy is because of a lack of care, it is a lack of understanding from the privaleged postions they have as men to not have to worry about what Anya does/went through and the type of extremes men like Jimmy will go through to cover it up. They are all too preoccupied in their own strifes.

Another thing I see being oversaturated the idea that you have to be a freak, misanthrope or have a disorder to do the thing Jimmy does. The game is an escalation, it's a spiral that I don't see people comment on that Jimmy was not likely having the mood swings and episodes of rage/frustration we were seeing in the game. This is after they all start experiencing the worst moments in their lives that he got THAT openly bad. Of course, this is just my interpretation but much like in real life, people that go to extremes like that usually live mundane lives. It's a pressure cooker affect to where the stress made them pop. It's self inflicted but still the case.

I really think people need to be more willing to acknowledge that not everything needs to be an extreme or in black and white or easy to understand. It doesn't need to be happy or have an answer or solution, especially in the cases where the abused sadly helps perpetuate what they experience. It's not he should've known better from experience or shouldn't he have known what could've happened because victims tend to not like to think in matters of the worst. Not to mention, especially in cases of abuse where it feels so personally directed that you don't expect to happen to someone else.

[bacchuschucklefuck]

love thinking kipperlilly spends her afterlife looking for lucy in a familiar forest

[freedelusionshere]

Totally agree with you on these points.

Claire is a connection to his past, and I know how she's been and being positioned in the media, but it's just not accurate. it's like a lot of people intentionally want to ignore all of the context the show offers as usual and write their own script on top of it.

Claire is fascinated by his family's mess, because this season makes it clear that it lets her not have to unpack her own, which is kind of what I want to get into here. She likes to watch other people be messy, so she feels less messy, and she told Carmy this as soon as they met at Potash in the freezer section. They have circular and surface conversations, and she moves on quickly as soon as they get too challenging.

The show even brought in Stevie, who is divorced from Michelle now and bitter AF towards her, to mirror Claire about Carmy, and they both talk to Frank about how they just showed up to see some Berzatto messiness like its entertainment.

Carmy tries to thank Stevie in front of Syd and show her a part of his past, and Stevie basically tries to sabotage it and makes it about himself and shows Syd family who isn't being very nice about a female relative and is looking to see some mess to feel better about himself.

It's a very common way of coping with trauma, to compare yourself to other people and always be looking at what everyone else is doing so you don't have to look at yourself. Single Francine does this with her brothers and dogs on Kelly while telling them to get their shit together when she can't even handle dealing with Natalie.

Meanwhile, Michelle is triggered by seeing Donna, and they intentionally keep her away from all of this stuff, she's hiding out from this family, and when she's talking to Tiff, she's comforting her and focusing on Tiff and her situation with her own mother.

The wedding is sad. It's not even a great wedding! It's just this messy family airing all their laundry again like Fishes.

Cicero telling Carmy and Richie that they messed up about Claire and Tiff when this man's been married more than once and is an asshole to his own kid, and the show makes a point to bring this up about him.

In fact, Tiff's conversation with Carmy as soon as he shows up and the way she squirrels away with Michelle tells me Tiff is doing this to be performative and doesn't even want to be there herself. But she can't let this family down. Same with Frank and his mother. They use Chester being there to make it clear Frank's mom is the one who wanted all of this.

This is all about messy families and the expectations involved. I would say specifically, messy white families who all like to compare themselves to how everyone else is doing to feel better about where they are at. Well, at least I'm not like Cousin Michelle.

Donna, who does microagressions to Syd, as many of us predicted she would, disappoints them by removing herself from this whole triggering scene and doesn't deliver the mess they had expected. So instead, they all have to move on and focus on Eva and dogpile the shit out of this kid for just not wanting to dance and because none of the adults can stand being alone. Eva was just fine with being alone.

Probably what Carmy had to deal with growing up, btw. And we know that, because Carmy is the one that looks at Eva and gently asks, "What about you?" to her.

They're making a huge deal out of nothing and forcing her to have to listen to all of these insecure adults, when basically the whole point of her not wanting to dance in the first place is because she didn't want to be the center of attention. She finally does dance with Frank once they mind their own business, and she can blend into the background.

This is a slow burn for sure, and I keep asking myself what do they mean by being bears at this point? Is that a good thing? I'm starting to think it's saying that it's not.

Michelle's behavior at that wedding sure seems like a full reversal of her speech about how bears are all these great things in Fishes, didn't it? She didn't want her mess aired; that's for sure.

The more I start to rewatch things about this season, the more I keep feeling Syd's apprehension about this situation. Where you want something, but the trust and the level of security is just not there. And she has Emmanuel and her friends to compare this to.

Why would you want to be a Berzatto? Does Carmy even want to be one? He loves his family, but they're a lot. They're too much, to be honest. And they're too much for Syd, too.

Donna triggered the fuck out of Syd at that wedding. She tries to play it off, because, what else is she going to do? She could've left, too, but she was there for Richie. Her family is there in the restaurant; they're not his family and shouldn't have to be.

If we get a S5, I'd like to have this explored more, and like I've always said from the start, for Carmy to choose Syd above his family and not feel like he has to participate in this mess or let it affect his life or his relationship with Syd.

That is part of what needs to change here.

Syd actually admitted in S4 that she doesn’t just admire Carmy because he’s great at his job.

She’s in love with him and wants him to be her partner outside of the restaurant.

Because she didn’t sign that agreement and she never opened any version of it.

She told on herself to his mom and to TJ.

She doesn’t want to have to deal with his crazy ass white family but she wants him to be there for her while she’s pushing him away at the same time.

Is she struggling because she fell for this messy white guy and doesn’t want to admit it to her dad or her friends?

I think there’s a lot of evidence this season that it’s what’s on her mind and why she likes to keep her work life separate from her personal life.

Interracial relationship struggles are like this I have friends that deal with this and it’s messy and complicated.

And also how often is it portrayed from a Black woman’s perspective?

[appallinnballin]

So the way you draw sarv’s claws makes me go mildly insane like. Those are her paws. Her little grippers. Made for holding.

Now. Consider. Controversial opinion. Ruv deserves claws too. For Sarv to hold of course. Also also can you imagine him getting a manicure from sarv or something or getting scolded for not taking better care of his claws

YAYEEE I LOVEE drawing her spindly claws thank you..

also CLAWED RUV IS VERY GOOD I actually had thought awhile back if I wanted to start drawing him with them but I ended up figured it would be very fitting of his blunt character if his nails remained so as well, and it would make sense that he kept them worn down for various reasons while out and about in his fugitive years…. however perhaps nowadays he lets them grow out a little 👀

Sarv would insist on taking care of them if he did with her knowledge of maintaining her own but that would be kind of an excuse to play with them like Ruv might sometimes mindlessly play with her claws in one hand… otherwise he would sharpen them on trees!

for the hell of it I’m showing you older sketches of how I draw ruv’s hands that I just now added claws to to see how they’d look— as well as Sarv’s <3

[the-phoenix-heart]

hang on lemme cook. LEMME COOK

Okay so I've been thinking about the stolitz breakup since I watched it last night and the thing I keep thinking about is Stolas saying, "Blitzo, I think so very highly of you...I didn't realize you think so low of me." It is a painful line read, Bryce Pinkham at his very best. And in a way Stolas is right, the fact that Blitzo thinks Stolas would willfully manipulate and play with Blitzo's emotions is a low opinion to have of him. It also makes sense that he sends Blitzo away because he's yelling at him (even Blitzo's cadence sounds a bit like Stella). However, I think Stolas misunderstands where Blitzo is coming from.

We know Stolas is aware of the power dynamic between them, and specifically the transactional nature, and that he is aware that it is unhealthy. However, I think Stolas only understands that transactional part as the unhealthy bit. Stolas (in "Full Moon" and "Just Look My Way") focuses on the "unspoken contract" and how tethered they are to each other. He thinks by giving Blitzo the crystal and semi-confessing (Stolas never says the words "I love you") it means they will be on even ground and Blitzo won't feel like he has to whore himself out for Stolas's grimoire (something he needs for his business so he can live). Then Blitzo can actually choose to stay with him or not. But he doesn't understand that even without the grimoire there's the inherent power imbalance on the hell hierarchy level.

Stolas says in "Just Look My Way", "I don't care that you're of lower station" and that's because he doesn't. But that doesn't mean Stolas is an imp ally. Stolas has never indicated that Blitzo isn't just the exception. Just in this episode Stolas was seen making life harder for his imp butler, and then there's the scene in "Seeing Stars" where he is holding the imp butler holding the phone and squeezing him when he gets pissed. His interactions with Moxie and Millie also don't really make it seem like he cares that much about them as people. Blitzo isn't wrong when he calls out Stolas's treatment of his butlers, or when he says that Stolas was dismissing him in a way that felt disrespectful. Even him putting his hand in his face feels like how he would dismiss a servant.

Throughout the entire conversation Stolas is very cordial, very genuine, and very respectful of Blitzo's emotions-right up until he takes Blitzo's response as a rejection-but even then Stolas always has the power in the conversation. Even when he is being emotionally vulnerable, he is still the one controlling the conversation. He's the one stressing Blitzo out with it. Even when he gets on his knees to put the crystal on Blitzo's glove he is technically taking the choice away from Blitzo to choose it. And then his reaction to Blitzo thinking it's roleplay is that Blitzo really doesn't want him is to completely shutdown emotionally and not listen to Blitzo.

And Blitzo is not wrong for thinking it's about sex. Half of this is Blitzo convincing himself it's roleplay because he doesn't believe anybody could truly love him, but also when isn't it about sex with Stolas? The only times where it hasn't been was after Ozzie's when Stolas offers Blitzo to come inside (which Blitzo did not believe and did not react well to) and arguably the Harvest Moon Festival where Stolas invites him, which Blitzo honestly could have misconstrued as Stolas wanting to bring his sidepiece with him. You could also make the case for "Seeing Stars" but that episode has them falling back into horny during a mission they are both participating in. And as I pointed out in an earlier post how is Blitzo supposed to realize how highly Stolas views him? Stolas has called Blitzo his "impish plaything" and covered his face at Ozzie's and has generally been condescending to him ("You are so cute when you are serious"). We know that Stolas is desperately in love with Blitzo and would do anything for him, but Blitzo himself has never really gotten that confirmation.

Hell, Blitzo is actively doing what Stolas wanted. His reaction to Stolas's semi-confession by thinking it's roleplay is specifically proof that he does want to keep this up, even if he doesn't realize the feelings behind it. And then later he is specifically trying to have a conversation with Stolas and process what's going on ("Let's go!" As in "let's have this conversation!"). The fact that Stolas sends Blitzo away when he himself starts crying, when Blitzo has been on the verge of tears throughout most of this conversation proves that Stolas is not ready to have this uncomfortable conversation. He was only ready for Blitzo to either accept or reject him, and he thought that their issues would be fixed.

"Blitzo, I think so very highly of you...I didn't realize you think so low of me." No, it's not that he thinks so low of you, it's that he has almost only seen the outrageously horny part of you, that he's more aware of this power dynamic than you, and is rightfully calling you out for how you fumbled this confession. You clearly love Blitzo, you have the right idea, but you still have these inherent biases and are unaware of the power imbalance, and you need to reevaluate some things.

This isn't to absolve Blitzo of the part he played in the breakup, but since Stolas took the initiative and almost always people are more willing to take his side, I feel he needs to be held more accountable.