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crochetnerdsworld · 23 days ago

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Opposites (Alexia Putellas X Reader)

Y/N is outgoing, bubbly, and full of energy. Alexia is more reserved. They do say opposites attract, though, and besides, Alexia loves her chaotic girlfriend and her ridiculous antics.

The Barcelona training ground buzzed with pre-match energy as players filtered in for their final session before the Champions League semifinal. Y/N bounced through the doors with her usual theatrical flair, arms spread wide like she was addressing an audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the star has arrived!" she announced to the locker room, earning a chorus of groans and laughter from her teammates.

"Y/N, it's 7 AM," Patri mumbled, still half-asleep as she laced up her boots.

"Exactly! The perfect time to manifest greatness!" Y/N grinned, doing an exaggerated curtsy before spinning around to find her girlfriend already suited up and reviewing tactical notes on her phone.

Alexia Putellas sat with perfect posture on the bench, her captain's armband already secured around her arm even though they wouldn't need it for another hour. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she scrolled through what Y/N knew were probably detailed analyses of their opponent's set pieces.

"Morning, mi amor," Y/N sang, plopping down beside Alexia and immediately draping herself across her girlfriend's shoulders. "Did you sleep at all, or were you up practicing your victory speech?"

"I was reviewing Lyon's defensive patterns from their last three matches," Alexia replied without looking up from her phone, though her free hand automatically came up to rest on Y/N's arm. "Their left-back has a tendency to—"

"Blah, blah, tactics," Y/N interrupted with a playful wave of her hand. "I have a much better pre-game strategy." She pulled a small rubber duck from her kit bag and placed it solemnly on the bench between them. "Meet Fernando. He's our new good luck charm."

Alexia finally looked up, one eyebrow raised. "You brought a bath toy to a Champions League semifinal?"

"Not just any bath toy," Y/N said with mock seriousness. "This is Fernando the Fearless. He's been blessed by the football gods themselves. Well, actually, I bought him at the airport gift shop yesterday, but same energy."

Despite herself, Alexia's lips twitched into the smallest smile. "You're ridiculous."

"Ridiculously in love with you," Y/N shot back, pressing a quick kiss to Alexia's temple. "Now come on, let's get you loosened up before you turn into a statue from all that tactical thinking."

The contrast between them was stark as they headed onto the pitch. Alexia moved with purposeful strides, her mind clearly running through formations and player positions. Y/N skipped—literally skipped—beside her, occasionally breaking into impromptu dance moves that made some of the younger players giggle.

"Focus," Alexia murmured as they began their warm-up routine, though her eyes tracked Y/N's movements with unmistakable fondness.

"I am focused," Y/N protested, then immediately proceeded to juggle the ball with her feet while walking backward. "See? Multitasking!"

"Y/N." Alexia's voice carried that captain's authority that could make even the most experienced players stand at attention.

"Yes, mi capitana?" Y/N batted her eyelashes innocently.

"The ball."

Y/N looked down to see the ball had rolled several meters away during her juggling display. "Ah. Minor technical difficulty."

As training progressed, their dynamic became even more apparent. Alexia barked out instructions and corrections with the precision of a conductor leading an orchestra. Her passes were crisp, her movements economical, every touch deliberate and purposeful.

Y/N, meanwhile, added flair to everything. She'd nutmeg teammates just because she could, celebrate routine passing drills like she'd scored the winning goal, and somehow manage to make even the most serious tactical exercises feel lighter.

"Y/N, this is a defensive positioning drill, not a dance recital," Alexia called out as her girlfriend added an unnecessary spin to a simple pass.

"Por favor, Ale, you know I can't help it when the music moves me," Y/N laughed, gesturing to the complete absence of any music.

"What music?"

"The beautiful music of football, mi amor! Can't you hear it?" Y/N struck a dramatic pose, hand over her heart. "The percussion of boots on grass, the symphony of the net rustling, the—"

"The sound of our coach wondering why his striker is performing Shakespeare instead of running drills," Alexia interrupted, though her stern expression was betrayed by the warmth in her eyes.

After training, they sat together in the tunnel, sharing a quiet moment before the chaos of match day truly began. Y/N had finally settled, her head resting on Alexia's shoulder as they watched their teammates filter past.

"Nervous?" Alexia asked softly, her fingers absently combing through Y/N's hair.

"Me? Never," Y/N replied, then tilted her head to look up at her girlfriend. "Well, maybe a little. But that's what Fernando is for." She pulled the rubber duck from her pocket and held it up.

"You actually brought that thing."

"I told you, he's blessed!" Y/N squeezed the duck, making it emit a small squeak. "See? He's cheering us on."

Alexia shook her head but carefully took the duck from Y/N's hands, examining it with mock seriousness. "Fernando, eh? I suppose if you're going to be our good luck charm, you should probably have a proper introduction to the team."

"Really?" Y/N's eyes lit up.

"Really." Alexia stood and cleared her throat. "Attention, everyone!"

The tunnel fell silent as twenty-two players turned to look at their captain, who was holding a small rubber duck with the same gravity she might hold a trophy.

"I'd like you all to meet Fernando," Alexia announced, her voice carrying the authority of someone introducing a new signing. "He'll be joining us for today's match in an... advisory capacity."

Y/N's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a laugh as their teammates stared in bewilderment. Even the coaching staff paused their pre-match preparations to witness their typically no-nonsense captain introducing a bath toy to the squad.

"Fernando has extensive experience in... aquatic environments," Alexia continued, her deadpan delivery making it even funnier. "We believe his expertise will be valuable in helping us navigate the pressure of tonight's match."

The tunnel erupted in laughter and applause. Y/N launched herself at Alexia, throwing her arms around her girlfriend's neck.

"I love you so much," she whispered against Alexia's ear. "Even when you're being completely ridiculous."

"I'm being ridiculous?" Alexia murmured back, but her smile was soft and genuine. "I'm just making sure Fernando feels welcome."

As they walked onto the pitch for the match, Y/N couldn't help but notice the way Alexia's demeanor shifted. The playful moment in the tunnel had been precious, but now the captain was back. Her jaw was set, her eyes focused, scanning the crowd and assessing the atmosphere.

"Remember," Alexia said as they took their positions, "stick to the plan. Lyon will try to press high in the first fifteen minutes. Be patient."

"Got it, boss," Y/N replied, then leaned in closer. "But just so you know, if I score tonight, I'm dedicating it to Fernando."

"If you score tonight, you can dedicate it to whoever you want," Alexia said, then paused. "But maybe save the duck celebration for the locker room afterward."

The match was everything they'd expected and more. Lyon came out aggressive, pressing high just as Alexia had predicted. For the first twenty minutes, Barcelona absorbed the pressure, moving the ball patiently and waiting for their moment.

Y/N caught Alexia's eye during a brief stoppage in play, and her girlfriend gave her the smallest nod—a signal they'd developed over months of playing together. It was time.

The next Barcelona attack flowed like clockwork. Alexia dropped deep to collect the ball, her vision picking out the perfect pass to split Lyon's midfield. Y/N made her run at exactly the right moment, her usual flair replaced by pure efficiency as she controlled the ball and slotted it past the goalkeeper.

As the crowd erupted, Y/N's celebration was uncharacteristically subdued. She ran straight to Alexia, who was already sprinting toward her with a rare smile breaking across her face. They collided in a hug that was part relief, part joy, and completely genuine.

"Perfect run," Alexia said breathlessly as their teammates joined the celebration.

"Perfect pass," Y/N replied, then grinned. "Fernando sends his regards."

The second half saw more of the same dynamic. Alexia orchestrated from midfield with surgical precision, while Y/N added the unpredictability that made Barcelona so dangerous. When Lyon equalized in the 78th minute, it was Alexia who immediately gathered the team, her voice cutting through the disappointment.

"We have twelve minutes," she said firmly. "We've worked too hard to let this slip away now."

Y/N watched her girlfriend marshal their teammates, organizing the press, demanding more intensity. This was Alexia at her best—a leader who elevated everyone around her through sheer force of will.

In the 89th minute, Y/N found herself with the ball at her feet, two defenders closing in. The old Y/N might have tried something flashy, but months of playing alongside Alexia had taught her when to be patient. She held the ball, drew the defenders, then played a simple pass to her girlfriend, who was making an unmarked run into the box.

Alexia's finish was clinical, placed precisely where the goalkeeper couldn't reach. As the ball hit the net, Y/N felt the same surge of pride she always did when watching Alexia succeed. Her girlfriend's celebration was typically restrained—a raised fist, a brief look skyward—but Y/N could see the emotion in her eyes.

This time, it was Alexia who ran to her, pulling Y/N into a fierce hug that lifted her off the ground.

"That's my girl," Y/N whispered against her ear, and felt Alexia's grip tighten.

In the locker room afterward, the celebration was joyful but controlled. They'd won the semifinal, but there was still a final to prepare for. Y/N sat in her cubby, finally allowing herself to feel the exhaustion that came with 90 minutes of Champions League football.

"Hey," Alexia said softly, settling beside her. She was still in her kit, her hair damp with sweat, but her eyes were bright with satisfaction. "You played beautifully tonight."

"We played beautifully," Y/N corrected, then pulled Fernando from her boot bag. "All three of us."

"All three of us," Alexia agreed solemnly, then leaned in to kiss Y/N's temple. "I love you, you know that?"

"Even when I'm being ridiculous?"

"Especially when you're being ridiculous," Alexia said. "You make everything better. Even the serious stuff."

Y/N felt her heart swell as she looked at her girlfriend—her partner both on and off the pitch. They were different in almost every way, but somehow that made them perfect for each other. Alexia kept her grounded, gave her focus and purpose. And Y/N... well, Y/N made sure Alexia remembered to smile.

"So," Y/N said, holding up Fernando, "think he's earned his place in the squad for the final?"

Alexia pretended to consider this seriously. "I think that depends. Can he play left-back?"

"Ale, he's a duck. Of course he can play left-back. Have you seen how they move in water?"

"Fair point," Alexia conceded, then pulled Y/N closer. "But I think his most important job is keeping his mom happy. And his mom makes me happy. So I'd say he's already earned his place."

As their teammates continued celebrating around them, Y/N and Alexia sat in their quiet bubble, Fernando the duck balanced on Y/N's knee, both of them tired but content. They had a final to prepare for, but for now, this moment was perfect.

"I love you too, mi capitana," Y/N murmured, finally allowing herself to relax completely against Alexia's shoulder. "Even when you're being all serious and tactical."

"Someone has to be," Alexia replied, pressing a kiss to the top of Y/N's head. "But I'm glad it doesn't have to be you."

And in the comfortable silence that followed, surrounded by the happy chaos of their celebrating teammates, both women knew they had found something special—a partnership that worked precisely because they were so different, a love that was stronger for embracing both the serious and the silly, the tactical and the spontaneous.

After all, every good team needs both a captain and a joker. They just happened to be lucky enough to have found both in each other.

#woso imagines #alexia putellas #alexia putellas x reader #barca femeni #barca women #barca x reader

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hawkinsoutcasts · 2 months ago

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I can already sense the shitstorm forming from Bylers/Finn stand over his new look I have a horrible feeling it’s going to cause more unnec discourse. why can’t people be normal about Finns appearance?

I'm gonna try to keep myself from talking about this further because I'm so sick of the fandom right now.

When I got up this morning for work, as soon as I saw his haircut, I immediately knew this was gonna be the new discourse of the week. I literally went "Oh no."

I feel so bad for Finn, like it must be a nightmare having to deal with unhinged fans. I know he hasn't directly said that fans have contributed to his anxiety disorder, but I think it's safe to say, based on stuff he's said over the years, that his fans freak him out.

People can't be normal about him because he fits the Bjorn Andresen category of child actors; he's considered uniquely attractive, both in personality and looks. For a lot of obsessed people, he's more like a fictional character come to life, so they don't stop to think about what they're saying/doing and how it affects a real human being. It's a bizarre behavior and I'm sure there's more scientific reasonings behind it, but this is the best answer I can come up with.

I hate this discourse already, and it hasn't even been a full 24 hours :') I'm sick of people making fun of him or crying about how his curls are gone...Like shut the fuck up already. No one cares!! Let the man live his life! It doesn't matter whether it's for a project or for himself, it's his body and he can do what he wants.

Anyway, I'm actually really digging this new look for him. It's groovy as hell and I support Finny boy. If y'all don't like it then fine, but not everyone needs to hear your thoughts.

#sunny's thoughts #stranger things #mike wheeler #finn wolfhard #finn wolfhard music #st cast #asks #Sorry if I'm getting defensive but I like the actors and I think they all deserve better #Especially Finn and Noah

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simpingthesimp · 4 months ago

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Real asf

Tell me a hot take about twst, I go first/j

No but really, hot take here

The infantilization of Ortho in the fandom, despite having said MULTIPLE times that his AI evolves and that he himself is 16 years old, must be the worst thing about the fandom for me.

Like, the lack of text interpretation sucks, but sometimes it can be genuinely funny. The sexualization of the characters doesn't affect me because I'm chronically online and of course everyone is going to be sexualized (more Leona and Jamil, but this talk is for other days). Incest exists in any fandom, it's easy to ignore. But the objectification of Ortho? The way everyone treats him like an accessory to Idia? There's no way to avoid that in a easy way.

Like, when they were updating the age of the gang in book 7, they didn't talk about Ortho at all. And I think that's so lame, I think it's so disrespectful to his entire narrative and book 6/7 and so pseudo-infantilization. He's not a 9-year-old kid, people, he has the right to fall in love, to have a social life, to be a fucking jerk and just kind of live. Am I a fan of his ships? No, but I'm not even a fan of Epel's ships and I see Epel with the soul of a 58-year-old Viking with a thirst for blood and chaos.

Just, let's treat him like the other first-year students.

#Will there come a day when the fandom sees him as more than just an accessory or just an extra? I don't know #It makes me laugh that every time they write something about Ortho they put “PLATONIC” in capital letters and they always emphasize unneces #“Oh thank you (reader) you are a wonderful SIBLING” or things like that #chill bro

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shizuturnspages · 6 months ago

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I loved part 3 :D, however you think they at least gave some childhood, love or relating to others, to the child reader khaenri'ah?? Being in an environment of discipline and unlove would likely make the reader unstable or extremely silent or bitter. It was great and entertaining to read. Reader probably hates it without showing it F

The Cage They Call Home

Synopsis: You were a child. Once. But not like other children. Not the ones who played, laughed, and lived without fear. They did not let you be a child. Or maybe… they thought they did. Because to them, this was love. Pairings: [Separate] Yandere Dainsleif, Pierro, Kaeya, Albedo, Capitano x Khaenri'ahn Child

Dainsleif – "You should not trust them."

Dainsleif never called himself your guardian.

But he was there. Always.

He made sure you ate.

He made sure you learned.

He made sure you knew who you were.

But sometimes, when he looked at you, there was a deep sadness in his eyes.

He tried to give you books, knowledge, stories. A way to connect with something other than pain.

"Khaenri'ah was more than war."

He wanted you to understand your people, not just as a cursed child but as something more.

But he never let you forget.

"You cannot escape what you are."

Unlike the others, he never tried to make you love him.

"The Abyss will come for you one day."

He did not comfort you when you cried.

He did not celebrate when you learned something new.

He did not lie to you.

"Celestia will never forgive you."

"You cannot be a child, because the world will never see you as one."

And yet, sometimes—

When you fell asleep, exhausted and bitter, he would stay nearby.

Like a guardian.

Like a man who wished things could be different.

Pierro – "You will understand in time."

You never knew what a father’s love was supposed to feel like.

You only knew his lessons.

You only knew the way he would sit you down, carefully explaining the weight of your existence.

"You are the last remnant of a nation that defied the gods."

"You will not be weak."

"You will not be reckless."

"You will endure."

Pierro did not raise you to be happy. He raised you to be obedient.

And when you asked why—when you were young enough to still question things—he only said:

"Because the world does not care for fragile things."

Love, to him, was control. Protection through restriction.

He gave you an education. Taught you history, language, tactics. Everything a ruler should know.

But he never let you be carefree. Never let you be vulnerable.

"One day, you will understand why I raised you this way."

He did not tell you that he feared losing another child.

Kaeya – "What? Did you think I'd let you be miserable forever?"

Kaeya was the only one who ever treated you like a real child.

He teased you. He ruffled your hair. He called you nicknames that made you scowl.

"Aw, don't give me that look, kid."

"C’mon, let’s ditch these boring old men and go somewhere fun."

"You can at least pretend you enjoy my company."

He let you laugh, let you play, let you feel normal—as much as you could.

But you knew the truth.

You knew he pitied you.

And you hated him for it.

Albedo – "What makes a person… human?"

To Albedo, you were a subject of study before anything else.

He measured your growth.

He examined your Khaenri’ahn blood.

He made notes on how your magic shifted, how your abilities refused to follow Teyvat’s logic.

But in his own way, he was the kindest.

And sometimes, when you asked if he saw you as just an experiment…

He indulged your curiosity.

He let you read anything you wanted from his library.

He answered your questions—even the ones nobody else would.

He hesitated.

"You are many things."

"A mystery. A survivor. A living contradiction."

"… A child."

He studied you, but not coldly.

He tried to understand you, gave you things normal children had.

But he did not realize that he was the one controlling your life.

"Tell me when you feel happy. I want to record it."

And yet, when you were sad, when you wanted to scream—

"That is unnecessary. Suppress it."

He loved you, in his own way. But he did not understand you.

Capitano – "You will be strong."

Capitano believed that discipline was love.

He would train you, watching as you fell, bled, and got back up.

"Pain is temporary. Strength is eternal."

When you succeeded, he would nod approvingly, a rare form of acknowledgment.

When you failed, he would not allow you to sulk.

"You do not get to be weak."

He never raised his voice. Never treated you cruelly.

But he made it clear:

"The weak do not survive."

"You must be strong."

"You must be better."

And so, you learned. You never cried in front of him. You never showed weakness.

Because if you did, he would be disappointed.

And somehow, that hurt more than anything else.

There were no bedtime stories, no gentle words. But there was a hand that always caught you when you fell too far.

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tyheartsthragg · 3 months ago

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Devoted

chapter 2 of thragg x reader

note: so sorry it took so long, it's been a very busy month, and honestly i didn't expect so much support thank yall so much (ఠ్ఠ ˓̭ ఠ్ఠ)!! i swear i'll start to try to upload quicker, and longer chapters are on arrival i can promise you that! slow burn, yk? anyways. thank you guys so much once again!

word count: 1317

It's been seven days since Thragg lost his dignity not just as a man, but also as a Viltrumite. Was that a total exaggeration? Maybe. But that also didn’t change the fact that it was a pretty embarrassing moment for him. Perhaps it was the combination of having to rebuild his empire after it was decimated along with the fact that he was rejected by a creature that was much below his status. Or maybe, maybe, Thragg’s confidence was smaller than he thought, who cares? He feels shitty.

Thragg laid in the disgusting bed.

The interaction remained fresh in his mind, a constant in his daily dose of thoughts. Being a Viltrumite and the emperor of such, what he wanted was law. Creatures would succumb under the reign of his demands in fear of their lives and the rest of their species. One small disagreement could lead to the complete annihilation of their society as a whole, everyone feared them intrinsically. It's always been that way. And though Thragg has been denied before, those who did never had the opportunity to live to tell. He supposed a large part of his shock was due to the fact that an insipid bug had the insolence of rejecting him in such a humiliating way and he was entirely helpless to it. Her grating voice rang across his ears like an annoying bug, buzzing and persistent in his head.

Thragg scoffed, his lips contouring into a grunt as his eyes narrowed down at her. “I am participating in an activity that’s known as flirting here. Is that not normal behavior for you humans?” Judging by her bewildered expression–he must’ve gotten wrong.

The woman stared blankly at him, lips curling with distaste. “What are you talking about…” her lips parted to add something, but a sudden beep came from the device wrapped around her wrist, catching her attention. The red light beeping illuminates her face, beeping rapidly before it finally seized. Fixing him with a final glare, her feet rose off the crumbled pavement and straightened out, disappearing into the clouded skies without a word.

Humiliating. Utterly humiliating. He pinches the bridge of his nose in annoyance at the memory, carved into his brain as a daily reminder.

He pushes himself off the dirtied cot beneath him–supposedly a bed–and rises to his feet. How does one go from ruling an entire empire of the most feared species, end up in such a dump such as this? He could be on his own planet with his kin, thriving and being shown respect. The creatures on this planet have no idea what that meant. They are filthy, deluded, and insufferable to be around. Each human that showed the slightest hint of arrogance made him want to end their pathetic existence in a flash. Yet, he can’t. He couldn’t afford blowing his cover. Not for him, and not for his people. If only he wasn’t obliged to remain here.

No use in sulking all day. He needed cash, it became apparent in his time here that money is a mandatory need.

He reaches for the rusted doorknob, swinging open the door, hinges creaking at the movement. The warm, afternoon sun quickly fills into the room, his eyes squinting as he adjusts to its light and walking forward, slamming the broken door shut behind him. Glancing down at the crumbled paper in his hand, eyes narrowed as he read the hand-written address on the sheet. That woman who interviewed him a week ago suggested this place, a look of sorrow as she told him about it. Securely tucking the paper into his pocket, he steps forward onto the cracked sidewalk. Orange mixed with light pink hues cover the skies, the sun dipping beyond the horizon with a gentle warm breeze in the air.

Flying would be ideal—but that would just bring unnecessary attention to him. Reporters, journalists, they capture everything. A person couldn’t do anything abnormal without it being published, privacy almost seems nonexistent here.

Sound of cars driving past, shoes scuffing against the pavement as they walked, and children’s laughter in the distance filling the warm air as the minutes blur. It wasn’t far—just downtown, smushed between other tall buildings. Thragg stares at the number engraved into the wood, matching the address written down. He opens the glass doors, and is instantly greeted with an inviting, comforting atmosphere in the small coffee shop. Classical jazz music humming gently in the background, the aroma of freshly roasted nuts and fresh pastries, and a short line of people in front of the counter.

Thragg tugs the paper out from his pocket, its edges ripped and crumbled, a frown falling on his face. As long as they can read what’s on it, that’s all that mattered. It's supposed to be a resume, since each… ‘employer’ he has met always questioned why he didn’t have one. After asking (threatening) one of them, they explained what it meant. It seemed pointless and more complicated, still he wrote it, jotting down his name and age–which had to be realistic, so he went with thirty-six–and finally, his work experiences. None.

The line moves up, customers leaving with steaming coffees in their hands, and he’s next. His eyes wander around the café, pastries and sweets displayed in the small window with drawings decorating the glass. He must’ve not been paying attention because a small gasp pierced his ears, causing him to return his awareness to the task at hand. As soon as he turned his head, the woman behind the counter has a strange expression plastered on her face as she met his eyes, “It’s you.”

Thragg immediately recognizes the woman once his eyes lie on her. The one who rejected him. He can’t even get a word out before she begins to speak, her eyebrows furrowing with irritation. “Are you stalking me or something?” she accused, causing a worker’s eyes to widen slightly and turn to them. “Was my silence not obvious enough for you?” The worker’s eyes flick between the two, approaches beside her, and whispers; ‘are you alright?’ She took a moment to respond, then shook her head, causing him to shrug and leave without protest.

Thragg’s jaw tightens at her words and how blatant she was being, his fingers curling around the thin sheet of paper. He ignores his growing irritation, deciding to go with more of a… civil approach. He understood that on Earth his kind of approach was less than ideal, but to still hold a grudge? It happened a week ago, holding grudges for that long is considered a weakness. “…No.” he began, placing the paper firmly on the counter. “I am seeking an opportunity to contribute my skills.”

“Oh.” she blinked a few times, her hardened expression beginning to soften with surprise. She takes the sheet and observes it with slanted eyes, eyes following the vague writing, then fully brings her attention back onto him. “Interesting resume,” she said gently, and went silent for a second, like she didn’t want to continue. Forcing a polite smile, she sharply inhales, speaking once again, “Your employer is seated at the table on the right. Good luck with your interview, sir.” Her tone is much more professional, any lingering anger for him vanished. Gesturing her hand to the right, a man sits at the isolated table in the corner with a cup and tablet in front of him, illuminating his aged features.

Thragg returns his gaze back to her, words on the tip of his tongue, but none leave him. Grasping the sheet on the counter, he walks away and approaches the senior seated at the table. The man’s eyes widened as they fixed onto Thragg, his glasses drooping down his nose slightly. He clears his throat and pushes them up, peeling his gaze away from him. “Thragg, correct? My name is Steve, please, take a seat.”

note: thragg working at a coffee shop and wearing normal clothing? something i can't picture in my head... anyways, sorry for another short chap </3! ao3 vers--> Devoted - remheartsawa - Invincible (Image Comics) [Archive of Our Own]

#invincible #thragg x reader #grand regent thragg #invincible thragg

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rafesapologist · 2 years ago

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the set up — rafe cameron; part thirteen

𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆: you've been one of the pogues since childhood, and your loyalty has always lied within your friend group, who is practically your family. when a threat by the name of rafe cameron begins to threaten the pogue's plans, they assign you to gain the trust of the dubious kook and keep an eye on what he's up to. however, now it's been six months since your friends set you up to spy on the kook prince himself, but what you didn't anticipate was to fall head over heels for the boy. your relationship had soon become inviolable shortly after your guys' first exchanges, much to your friends' dismay, and you two became practically inseperable. that was, until rafe discovers the truth.

warnings: angst, smut, jj being sad, unedited

You sat bolt upright on Rafe's bed, your fingers clutching the phone, your eyes fixed on a distant point as you absorbed Kiara's message. The color drained from your face as the words sank in. "Missing? How... when?" Your voice trembled with disbelief and worry. Your breaths quickened, a sharp pang of panic gripping your chest. You turned slightly away from Rafe, shielding the phone from him, grappling with the weight of this sudden and alarming news. The room felt stiflingly small as your mind raced through scenarios and possible courses of action.

"He's been gone since you left. None of us can get a hold of him."

Your heart began to race as Kiara's words sunk in. "What do you mean, gone? Did he say anything to you?" You asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"No, nothing. He was just acting weird before you left, and then he disappeared," Kiara replied, her worry palpable even through the phone.

Your mind raced through various scenarios, trying to make sense of the situation. "Okay, stay put. I'll be there in a few," You said, trying to sound composed despite the anxiety that clenched at her chest.

You ended the call, looking over at Rafe, mind conflicted about what to do next.

The weight of Kiara's words lingered heavy in the air as you sat there, grappling with the sudden and alarming news. Rafe sat nearby, his expression a mix of concern and confusion, unaware of the distressing conversation that had just transpired.

Your fingers trembled slightly, the phone clutched tightly in your grasp, its screen a stark reminder of the urgent situation. You turned slightly away from Rafe, shielding the phone, not wanting to alarm him yet, as your mind raced through a labyrinth of worries and potential scenarios.

Rafe's voice, laced with worry, cut through the tense silence. "Is everything okay?"

Your breath caught, and you struggled to compose yourself. "It's... it's JJ," you began, your voice barely above a whisper, eyes fixed on a distant point as you tried to process the magnitude of the situation.

Rafe's brows furrowed in concern. "What happened to JJ?"

"He's missing," you managed to say, your voice laden with worry and disbelief. The room seemed to shrink around you, the weight of the situation suffocating.

Rafe's eyes widened in shock and concern. "Missing? How?" His voice betrayed his worry, his concern mirroring yours as he leaned in closer, trying to understand the situation.

Your thoughts were in turmoil as you relayed the conversation with Kiara. "He's been gone since I left. Kiara and the others can't get a hold of him," you explained, your voice quivering with apprehension.

A surge of panic gripped your chest as Kiara's words echoed in your mind. "He was just acting weird before you left, and then he disappeared."

The gravity of the situation was undeniable, and your mind raced through a maze of possibilities, trying to make sense of JJ's sudden disappearance. The urge to act was strong, but a sense of helplessness settled over you, unsure of the next step to take.

Looking at Rafe, torn between the urgency of the situation and the need to involve him, you weighed your options, seeking a way to navigate this distressing predicament without causing unnecessary worry or alarm.

The air in the room felt charged with tension, the weight of JJ's disappearance hanging heavy between you and Rafe. As you contemplated your next move, a whirlwind of worry and urgency tugged at your thoughts.

"I should go and find JJ," you suggested, your voice edged with determination, though uncertainty gnawed at your resolve. "I'll figure this out."

Rafe's brows furrowed in concern. "I'm coming with you," he declared, his tone firm and resolute. His protective instinct surged to the forefront, a palpable insistence in his voice.

Your voice trembled slightly, a mix of worry and insistence threading through your words. "Rafe, I don't want you getting involved. This is my fault," you admitted, the weight of responsibility heavy on your shoulders.

Rafe's expression softened, his concern unwavering. "How could this possibly be your fault, y/n?"

"I don't know," you began, your voice filled with uncertainty. "I left, and now this happened. Maybe if I had stayed..."

Rafe's hand gently touched your shoulder, his touch a comforting anchor in the whirlwind of emotions. "You can't blame yourself for this," he insisted, his voice soft but resolute. "We don't know what happened that caused him to wander off, but it's not your fault."

The weight of his words sank in, a brief respite in the storm of worry and guilt. You looked up, meeting Rafe's understanding gaze, the weight on your shoulders lightening slightly under his reassurance.

"But if I hadn't left..." you trailed off, the what-ifs clawing at your thoughts.

Rafe's voice carried a sense of urgency, his words a gentle yet firm plea. "No, Y/N, don't do this to yourself."

Your gaze flickered from the floor to meet his, a swirl of emotions reflected in your eyes. The weight of responsibility and guilt tugged at your thoughts, threatening to overwhelm you.

"But maybe if I hadn't left..." You hesitated, the words catching in your throat, each syllable laden with self-blame.

Rafe's hand reached out, gently cupping your face, his touch warm and reassuring. "Y/N, you can't hold yourself accountable for things beyond your control," he urged, his voice earnest. "None of this is your fault."

His unwavering support and insistence penetrated the cloud of guilt shrouding your thoughts. His words, a beacon of reason amidst the storm of self-blame, nudged you to consider the situation more objectively.

"You did what you thought was right," Rafe continued, his voice soft but resolute. "Blaming yourself won't help us find JJ. We need to focus on finding him."

A flicker of resolve sparked within you, reigniting the determination to address the present crisis rather than dwell in the murky depths of guilt.

Rafe's unwavering support offered a lifeline, a steadying force amid the tempest of emotions. With his reassurance echoing in your mind, you nodded, a silent acknowledgment that it was time to redirect your focus toward the urgent task ahead.

"Okay," you murmured, your voice steadier, as you readied yourself for the search, the weight of self-blame gradually lifting, replaced by a renewed determination to find JJ.

The air was thick with tension as the two of you prepared to leave, the weight of the situation hanging heavy between you. Anxiety gripped at your chest as you thought of JJ, wondering where he was and what had happened to him.

As you made your way to the door, Rafe reached out, placing a gentle hand on your arm. "Y/N," he said, his voice soft, "I'm sure he'll be okay."

"I hope so." Your voice trembled slightly, betraying the fear and uncertainty that lurked beneath the surface. You took a deep breath, steeling yourself against the whirlwind of emotions.

You suggested to Rafe that splitting up might improve the chances of finding JJ. Rafe glanced at you, his concern mirrored in his eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, hesitant to separate in such a tense situation.

You nodded, forcing a small smile to reassure him. "Yeah, we can cover more ground that way. I'll head towards the shipwreck, it's a spot JJ usually goes to when he needs to think."

Rafe hesitated for a moment, his worry evident. "Okay, just... be careful, alright?" he said, his voice laced with concern.

You nodded again, appreciating his concern. "I'll be fine, Rafe.. Let's just stay in touch, keep our phones on."

With that, you both went your separate ways, each consumed by the urgent need to find JJ. Rushing towards the shipwreck, your heart raced with worry and anticipation. The vastness of the island seemed daunting as you searched every corner, calling out JJ's name in the hope that he might be nearby.

As you reached the shipwreck, your pace slowed, your senses heightened in anticipation of finding JJ there. The familiar sight of the weathered wood and rusted metal struck a chord within you, reminding you of the countless times JJ had sought solace in this quiet spot.

"JJ!" you called out, your voice echoing against the waves crashing nearby. But there was no response. You scanned the area, your eyes darting from corner to corner, searching for any sign of his presence.

And then, to your surprise, you spotted him seated atop the old wreck, his silhouette against the dimming sunlight. His posture was slouched, his gaze fixated on the horizon, lost in contemplation.

Your heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Relief flooded through you, but it was quickly replaced by concern. Approaching him cautiously, you called out softly, "JJ?"

He turned his head slightly, acknowledging your presence without saying a word. As you moved closer, a somber atmosphere enveloped the space between you. JJ's usual cheerful demeanor was replaced by a veil of melancholy.

"Hey," you said, a mix of relief and worry in your voice. "Are you okay?"

He hesitated before replying, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "I will be, I guess."

You nodded, forcing a small smile to reassure him. "Yeah, we can cover more ground that way. I'll head towards the shipwreck, it's a spot JJ usually goes to when he needs to think."

Rafe hesitated for a moment, his worry evident. "Okay, just... be careful, alright?" he said, his voice laced with concern.

You nodded again, appreciating his concern. "You too. Let's stay in touch, keep our phones on."

And then, to your surprise, you spotted him seated atop the old wreck, his silhouette against the dimming sunlight. His posture was slouched, his gaze fixated on the horizon, lost in contemplation.

Your heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Relief flooded through you, but it was quickly replaced by concern. Approaching him cautiously, you called out softly, "JJ?"

"Hey," you said, a mix of relief and worry in your voice. "Are you okay?"

He hesitated before replying, his voice tinged with a hint of resignation. "I will be, I guess."

Your gaze softened as you sat down beside him, allowing a moment of silence to linger between you. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sea.

"I'm sorry for worrying everyone," JJ finally spoke, his voice carrying a heavy weight.

"It's okay," you reassured him gently. "We were just concerned about you, Jay. You know you can talk to us, right?"

He nodded, but his expression remained guarded, his thoughts seemingly elsewhere. The tension in the air was palpable, and you felt the need to break it, to reassure JJ that he wasn't alone.

"JJ, what happened?" you asked softly, your voice filled with genuine concern. "You know we're all here for you, right?"

He hesitated, as if wrestling with his thoughts, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "I... I've been feeling... I don't know, things are just... complicated."

You nodded in understanding, giving him the space to open up at his own pace. "Take your time," you encouraged, hoping to offer some comfort in this moment of vulnerability.

"It's just... being around you and Rafe, seeing you both together, hearing about it... it's hard," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of emotions.

Your heart sank, understanding the weight of his words. "JJ, I'm sorry," you began, feeling a pang of guilt. "I never wanted to make things difficult for you."

"It's not your fault," JJ interjected quickly, his eyes meeting yours with sincerity. "I should have said something earlier, instead of letting it eat away at me."

A heavy silence fell between you, the words hanging in the air, pregnant with unspoken feelings. The setting sun painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, casting a warm glow around the two of you.

"Y/N," JJ started, his voice barely above a whisper, "I've... I've been holding back something for a while."

Your gaze met his, curiosity and concern evident in your eyes. "What is it, JJ?"

He took a deep breath, his expression a mix of hesitation and vulnerability. "I... I think I might have feelings for you." The confession caught you off guard, your heart skipping a beat at his unexpected words. The air seemed to grow heavier as you processed the weight of his revelation, unsure of how to respond.

A long moment of silence stretched between you, the tension thickening as the truth hung heavily in the air.

You shifted slightly, trying to make sense of his unexpected admission, to decipher the tangled mess of emotions churning within you. "JJ, I..." you trailed off, uncertain how to proceed, a part of you unwilling to admit the truth.

"I know," JJ said, a hint of sadness and resignation in his voice. "You and Rafe... it's pretty clear."

You struggled to find the right words, struggling to navigate the complex web of emotions. "It's not that I don't care about you," you began, the words catching in your throat, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"It's not fair to either of you if I keep hiding it, right?" JJ asked, his voice edged with resignation.

The truth, laden with guilt and uncertainty, hovered between the two of you, threatening to tear down the wall that had protected the fragile bond between you.

You felt a wave of guilt wash over you, your heart torn between the two boys you cared about. A swirl of emotions threatened to overwhelm you, but in this moment of vulnerability, an understanding settled between you and JJ, the weight of unspoken feelings finally acknowledged.

The air between the two of you was thick with tension, but the raw honesty of the situation was a relief, the unspoken feelings that had hung heavy in the air between you finally brought to light.

"It would make things really complicated, JJ. You're my best friend, you know I can't-"

"But you can be with Rafe?"

"I love him." the words hung in the air, a stark reminder of the reality you were facing. The unspoken feelings that had existed between you and JJ for so long had finally been brought to light, and you felt an undeniable shift in the dynamic between the two of you.

"I can't say it doesn't hurt, knowing that," JJ admitted, his voice barely a whisper. The sound of his voice broke your heart, and you reached out to gently place your hand on his.

"JJ, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. You're one of my closest friends, and the last thing I want to do is lose you." He turned to look at you, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I know. And I don't want to lose you, either. I care about you, y/n. But it hurts, knowing that you don't feel the same way."

The weight of his words sunk in, and you felt an ache in your chest as you realized the depth of his feelings. "I'm sorry, JJ. I wish I could say otherwise. I wish I could make things different."

"It's not your fault," he assured you. "I knew the risk of telling you, and I still had to do it. I had to get it off my chest, to tell you how I feel."

You nodded, the weight of his confession settling on your shoulders. "I'm glad you did," you replied, your voice heavy with emotion. "I want you to know that I'll always be here for you, JJ. I don't want this to change things between us. I don't want to lose you as a friend."

He offered a small smile, a hint of warmth breaking through the sadness in his expression. "Me, too. I want us to stay friends. I want us to be okay."

You returned his smile, feeling a rush of affection for him. "We will be, JJ. We'll always be okay."

The conversation drifted to other topics, the tension gradually dissipating as the two of you reconnected on a new level, the weight of unspoken feelings finally lifted between you.

In the midst of the moment, your phone began to ring, lighting up with the name "Rafe Cameron" in a large font on your lock screen. Your heart sank for a moment, knowing JJ could see. You felt him tense up, as if the mere mention of his name had a physical effect on him.

"Hey, I'm so sorry, I'm going to answer this, just give me a minute," you explained, a hint of urgency in your voice.

"Hey, Rafe."

"Any luck? He asked on the other line, voice laced with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I found him."

"Is he okay?"

"Yeah, he's fine, we're going to head back." You reassured, looking back over your shoulder to see JJ sitting in the same spot as before, staring straight back at you with an empty look on his face.

"Okay, I'll meet you there."

You hung up the phone, slipping it into your pocket and approaching JJ. "Hey, I'm really sorry, but Rafe is going to meet us back at the chateau. Are you okay with that?"

JJ's jaw tightened, the weight of the situation settling on his shoulders. "Yeah, of course. I'm ready."

You nodded, the tension between the two of you palpable. With a sigh, you led him back toward the chateau, a heavy silence falling between the two of you. The air was still and calm, a stark contrast to the chaos raging in your mind.

The journey back was short but felt like an eternity, the heavy silence between you and JJ a stark contrast to the usual camaraderie and banter. You were both acutely aware of the weight of the situation, the reality of the feelings that had been revealed. You snuck a glance at him, the weight of his confession weighing heavily on your heart. You wondered if this was the end of the friendship that had meant so much to both of you.

Finally, the chateau came into view, and your stomach twisted with anxiety as you realized that the others would be waiting for you. You could already hear their voices drifting from the backyard, a mix of relief and concern.

You looked over at JJ, who seemed equally apprehensive. You wanted to say something, to reassure him, but the words wouldn't come. You simply gave him a nod, a silent communication that you were both in this together, and stepped into the backyard, ready to face the inevitable questions and concerns.

"Hey, everyone," you called out, a hint of forced cheer in your voice. "JJ's back."

The group turned to face the two of you, a mix of relief and worry on their faces.

"JJ, man, are you okay?" Pope was the first to speak, his voice tinged with concern.

"Where were you, dude? We were worried sick," Kie added, her expression a mixture of relief and frustration.

"I'm fine," JJ said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry I worried you guys. I didn't mean to cause any trouble."

"It's okay, JJ," John B said, his voice gentle. "We're just glad you're safe."

JJ nodded, his expression somber. "I'm gonna head inside, if that's cool," he said, avoiding everyone's eyes.

"Of course, man," John B replied, his voice full of concern. "Get some rest, okay?"

"Yeah, thanks," JJ murmured, heading into the chateau.

A tense silence hung in the air as everyone processed the situation. Kiara was the first to break the silence, her voice tinged with concern and confusion. "What happened out there?"

You shrugged, trying to remain casual. "I don't know, he was just gone. Maybe he needed some time alone."

"He seemed upset about something," Kiara persisted, her gaze searching your face for answers.

"He was," you admitted, the weight of JJ's confession still fresh in your mind.

"Is he going to be okay?" John B asked, his brows furrowed with worry.

You hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "I hope so," you finally said, the weight of the situation resting heavily on your shoulders.

Pope's concern was evident. "We're his friends. If there's something bothering him, we should be there for him, right?"

"You're right, Pope. I'm sure he'll talk to us when he's ready," you assured them, though the knot of anxiety in your chest told a different story.

"If there's anything we can do, just let us know," Kie said, her gaze meeting yours with concern.

You nodded, giving her a tight smile. "Thanks, Kie. I will."

You excused yourself, making your way into the chateau. Your footsteps echoed against the hardwood floor as you made your way down the hallway. You paused at JJ's door, the weight of the situation resting heavily on your heart. You contemplated knocking, but hesitated, unsure if your presence would be welcomed.

Taking a deep breath, you decided to knock gently on JJ's door, hoping that he would want to talk. After a few moments of silence, you heard a faint response. "Come in."

Pushing open the door, you found JJ sitting on the edge of his bed, staring down at his clenched fists. His shoulders were slumped, and his usual vibrant energy seemed to have been drained from him.

You closed the door behind you and walked over to sit beside him. The room felt heavy with unspoken emotions, but you knew it was important to break the silence. "JJ... I'm sorry about earlier. I never wanted to hurt you."

He looked up at you, his eyes filled with a mix of sadness and resignation. "I know, y/n. You don't have to apologize for not feeling the same way. It's just... hard, you know?"

"I can imagine," you replied softly, reaching out to rest a hand on his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. The tension in his body seemed to melt away slightly under your touch, and he leaned into it, craving the solace you offered.

"I've never felt this way before," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I don't know how to navigate these emotions. It's like a storm inside me, tearing everything apart."

You squeezed his shoulder gently, trying to convey your understanding. "Love can be overwhelming sometimes, JJ. It's okay to feel lost or confused. We all go through it."

He let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head. "But why now? Why did I have to fall for you, of all people? It's so complicated, and it's messing with everything."

You sighed, knowing that there was no easy answer to his question. "Sometimes, love doesn't choose the most convenient time or person. It just happens, and we can't control it." Your fingers absentmindedly traced circles on his shoulder, hoping to offer him some comfort.

JJ leaned his head back against the wall, his gaze fixed on a distant point. "I never wanted to ruin our friendship," he murmured. "You mean so much to me, and I don't want to lose that."

"I don't want to lose our friendship either," you admitted, feeling the weight of his words settle heavily in your chest. "But JJ, we can't pretend that what you've shared doesn't exist. We have to confront it and figure out how to move forward."

He turned his head slightly, locking eyes with you. The intensity in his gaze made your heart skip a beat. "Do you think we can?" he asked, a hint of vulnerability in his voice you could never have imagined. The question hung in the air, both of you acutely aware of the precariousness of the situation. There was no guarantee that your friendship could survive the weight of unrequited love, but there was something about JJ's earnestness that made you want to try.

"I don't know," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "But we owe it to ourselves and our friendship to at least try."

JJ nodded slowly, his gaze searching yours for any signs of hesitation. "I'm willing to fight for us, y/n. Even if it means keeping my feelings at bay, I don't want to lose what we have."

A lump formed in your throat as his words settled in your mind. His selflessness in making this declaration stirred something within you, touching a deep chord. "Thank you, JJ. I'll make sure to always be truthful with you," you replied. A faint smile played on his lips and there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes

"I should get going, Rafe's outside waiting." You reluctantly ushered, realizing that Rafe was waiting outside for you. JJ's expression shifted from excitement to disappointment as he nodded understandingly. You could see a glimmer of acceptance in his eyes, but also a tinge of sadness.

"Yeah, go ahead," he said, his voice tinged with melancholy. "I'll see you later." His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken emotions and unfulfilled expectations. It was clear that he wanted you to stay, but respected your decision to leave. You couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as you turned and walked away, leaving JJ behind with his thoughts and feelings.

You stood up from the bed, feeling a pang of guilt as you walked towards the door. The weight of your decision to be honest with JJ tugged at your heart, but you knew it was necessary for both of your sakes. As you reached the doorway, you turned back to look at him one last time.

"Take care, JJ," you said softly, offering him a small smile before stepping out into the hallway. The door closed behind you, leaving JJ alone in his room with his tangled emotions.

Outside, Rafe stood waiting for you by the chateau entrance. His presence brought a sense of familiarity and comfort, momentarily easing the ache in your chest. But as you approached him, a nagging feeling tugged at the back of your mind.

"Hey," Rafe greeted you with a warm smile. "Ready to go?"

You nodded, but couldn't shake off the guilt that still lingered within you. The image of JJ sitting alone in his room, struggling with his feelings, haunted your thoughts. It was as if a heavy cloud had settled over your heart, dampening any sense of joy or excitement.

As you and Rafe made your way back to his car, you couldn't help but feel an overwhelming need to confide in someone, to share the burden weighing you down. You knew you couldn't keep it all to yourself; it would eat away at you.

"Rafe," you finally spoke up, your voice barely above a whisper. "Can I talk to you about something?"

He glanced at you with concern, his eyes filled with the genuine care that drew you to him. "Of course," he replied softly, pulling the car keys out of his pocket and pausing before unlocking the door.

"What's on your mind?"

Taking a deep breath, you glanced out at the chateau as it faded into the distance, the weight of your secret threatening to crush you. "It's about JJ," you began hesitantly, your voice barely audible. "He... he confessed his feelings for me."

Rafe's grip on the car keys tightened slightly, and you could see the flicker of unease in his eyes. "Oh," he said softly, his voice tinged with a mix of surprise and disappointment. "I see."

You turned to face him fully, searching his expression for any sign of judgment or resentment. Instead, you found compassion and understanding. It was clear that Rafe cared about your happiness, even if it meant setting aside his own desires.

"I didn't know what to do," you continued, your voice wavering. "I care about him so much, but not in the same way that he does. I don't want to lose our friendship, but I also don't want to lead him on."

Rafe remained silent, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. His grip on the steering wheel tightened even further, and you could sense the conflict within him. It was as if he was battling his own emotions, torn between what he wanted and what he believed was right.

"I don't want to hurt anyone," you whispered, feeling the sting of tears welling up in your eyes. "I never asked for any of this."

Rafe continued driving in silence, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the steering wheel. You could practically feel the tension radiating from him, his internal struggle palpable in the confined space of the car. The road stretched out before you, matching the uncertainty that stretched out before your words.

Finally, Rafe let out a heavy sigh, his voice laced with a mix of empathy and caution. "I understand that you're in a difficult position," he said, his gaze still fixed on the road. "But you have to remember that you can't control other people's feelings. It's not your fault that JJ has these emotions for you. What matters now is how you choose to handle it."

His words cut through the fog of guilt that had consumed you, offering a glimmer of clarity. You wiped away the tears threatening to spill over, realizing that Rafe was right. You couldn't bear responsibility for someone else's feelings, no matter how painful it might be.

"But what if I can't avoid hurting him?" you whispered, your voice filled with a mixture of fear and vulnerability. "What if my actions inadvertently lead him on?"

"How would they do that?" Rafe's question hung in the air, heavy with implications. It forced you to confront your own intentions, to examine the way you interacted with JJ and whether you had unknowingly given him false hope. The car seemed to shrink around you, trapping your thoughts and anxieties in its confined space.

You replayed every conversation, every touch, searching for signs that could be misconstrued as encouragement. As your mind raced through these memories, you began to sense a pattern - a subtle kindness that had been interpreted as something more. But was it your responsibility to police every word and gesture?

Your voice trembled as you tried to articulate your doubts. "I've always been friendly towards him," you began cautiously. "But maybe my actions have been misinterpreted. Maybe I haven't been clear enough."

"He should have known better than to make assumptions. You and him are just friends, after all." He shrugged, seemingly blowing off JJ's feelings for you.

You bristled at Rafe's dismissive tone, feeling a surge of protectiveness for JJ. "It's not that simple," you argued, your voice tinged with frustration, "He's human, Rafe. We all make mistakes and misinterpret things. It doesn't mean he deserves to be brushed off like that."

Rafe sighed, the tension in the car thickening. "I didn't mean it like that. I just...don't want you to blame yourself for something that isn't your fault." You nodded, understanding Rafe's perspective, but still unable to shake off the guilt that gnawed at you. The weight of responsibility for someone else's heartache was heavy on your shoulders, and it seemed like no matter what you did, someone would end up hurt.

"I know it's not entirely my fault," you replied softly, your voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't help but feel responsible somehow. I care about JJ deeply, and seeing him hurt because of me... it's difficult."

Rafe's grip on the steering wheel loosened slightly as he glanced at you, his eyes filled with a mix of sympathy and concern. "I understand," he said gently. "But you have to remember that you can't control how others feel. What you can control is how you handle the situation."

You took a deep breath, letting Rafe's words sink in. He was right, of course. You couldn't control JJ's feelings, but you could control how you acted moving forward. It was time to confront the situation head-on and have an honest conversation with JJ.

As the car continued down the winding road, you focused on gathering your thoughts, determined to find the right words to express yourself without causing further harm. The guilt still lingered, but with each passing mile, a newfound strength began to grow within you.

After what seemed like forever, you pulled up to Rafe's house, a massive white mansion looming in front of you. You and Rafe got out of the car and entered into the seemingly deserted house.

As you stepped through the front door, your eyes adjusted to the dimly lit entryway. The only source of light came from a single lamp in the corner, casting shadows across Rafe's face as he shut the door behind you. "Is it just you here, still?" you asked, taking in the emptiness of the house.

"Yep. Just us again," he answered with a slight shrug, his gaze fixated on your figure. You could feel his eyes scanning up and down, taking in every detail of your appearance. Despite the lack of company, his presence made you feel safe and at ease.

"Hmm," you hummed with a nod, taking a look around the room to observe all of the empty space that the two of you could occupy, "interesting."

A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of Rafe's lips as he stepped closer to you. "Yeah?" he replied, his voice a low rumble that sent shivers down your spine. The air between you crackled with anticipation, and a surge of electricity passed through the room, drawing you both together like magnets.

You could feel the weight of the unspoken tension, the unexplored desires that hung in the air. It was as if time had frozen, leaving only the two of you to navigate this newfound intimacy. Rafe's hand reached out, brushing against your cheek, his touch gentle yet commanding.

In that moment, everything else faded away—the guilt, the turmoil with JJ—it all paled in comparison to what was happening now. This connection, this undeniable chemistry that had been simmering beneath the surface for so long—it was finally coming to fruition.

Your mind spun with a mixture of emotions as Rafe's lips hovered just inches from yours. There was a hunger in his eyes, a longing that mirrored your own. The world outside ceased to exist as your breath mingled, creating an intoxicating blend of anticipation and desire.

With a soft exhale, you closed the remaining distance between you. His lips met yours in a fervent kiss, and the world exploded into a symphony of sensations. The taste of him, the warmth of his embrace, sent shockwaves of pleasure throughout your body. It was as if every nerve ending had awakened, alive with electricity.

Time became fluid as you lost yourself in the rhythm of the kiss. In that moment, nothing else mattered but the connection you shared with Rafe. The weight of the past was lifted off your shoulders, replaced by an overwhelming sense of freedom and exhilaration.

As your lips parted, both breathing heavily, Rafe's forehead rested against yours. His eyes searched yours for any sign of doubt or hesitation, but all he found was a reflection of his own longing and certainty.

You nodded, speechless as the emotions inside you swirled. "Please, Rafe, touch me," were the only words you could muster.

As Rafe's hand found its way to your waist, you leaned into him, feeling his warmth enveloping you. The chemistry between you two was undeniable, and it only seemed to intensify with each passing second. You knew that this moment had been building up for a long time, and now that it was finally happening, you couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and gratitude.

His fingers tracing the curve of your hip, sending a jolt of desire straight to your core. Your heart raced as your breaths became shallow, the anticipation of what was to come threatening to consume you. But it was also a sense of peace, a feeling of tranquility in the midst of this whirlwind of emotion.

"We've been waiting for this, haven't we?" Rafe asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

You looked into his eyes, a reflection of your own thoughts, and slowly nodded. The weight of the past began to slip away, replaced by an overwhelming sense of understanding and connection. This was the moment you had been waiting for, a moment that would define the rest of your lives.

With a deep breath, Rafe's lips brushed softly against yours, triggering a surge of electricity that seemed to radiate from your core. As his passion grew, so too did the intensity of your emotions. You felt as if you could read his thoughts, as if he had somehow become a part of you.

His hand, still gently resting on your waist, moved up to your shoulder, his fingers tracing the curve of your neck. The warmth of his touch sent shivers down your spine, and as his lips moved to your neck, you felt the same jolt of desire that had taken hold of your core earlier.

"I can't get enough of you." He murmured against your neck, his voice a low rumble that sent waves of desire through your entire body. You couldn't help but look into his eyes, the intensity of his gaze matching your own. In that moment, you knew that this was more than just a physical connection. It was a deep and powerful bond, one that had been building for a lifetime.

His lips trailed down to your collarbone, his tongue flicking against your skin. You let out a small moan, your breaths becoming shallower and more ragged. He was driving you wild, making you feel things you didn't know were possible. You could feel the pulse of his desire, the raw passion that he was unleashing upon you.

His hand slid slowly down to your hip, his fingers delicately tracing the soft curve of your body. The sensation was overwhelming, sending you into a whirlwind of emotion. Each touch, each kiss, felt like a bolt of lightning, igniting a fire deep within your core. He smirked as he felt your body press into his, aching for more of him. His desires grew untamed as he sensed your greedy longing for him, fueling his own insatiable hunger.

As the intensity of the moment continued to build, so too did the heat between you and Rafe. Your lips met again, this time with a fervor that reflected the deep connection you knew you shared. Your heart was racing, your breaths shallow and rapid.

His hand moved from your hip to your thigh, sending a shockwave of pleasure through your entire being. You couldn't help but let out a small gasp, the sensation overwhelming you completely. Rafe smiled, his eyes gleaming with the same intensity as yours. He knew that this moment was more than just a physical need; it was a deep-seated desire for one another that had grown over time.

His fingers traced the curve of your hip, the pressure of his touch causing you to moan softly. You could feel the pulsating rhythm of his heart, mirroring the desire that consumed you. His fingers trailed closer and closer to your inner thigh, before brushing against your core softly, sending a jolt of electricity through your entire being.

Your hips bucked involuntarily, your body crying out for more of his touch. Rafe couldn't help but chuckle, his eyes glinting with mischievous excitement. You felt a wave of heat crash over you as the intensity of the moment grew even greater.

"Rafe please." You begged, looking straight to him with pleading eyes.

"What is it, Princess?" He whispered, his voice thick with desire.

"I need you," you gasped, your voice barely audible over the pounding of your heart.

Rafe's eyes sparkled with desire as he slowly and deliberately reached his hand down and gently caressed the sensitive area between your legs. You felt a surge of desire course through your body as his touch sent shock waves through you.

"You know I can't resist you," he murmured, his lips brushing against your ear.

You moaned softly, feeling helpless and powerless to his touch. His fingers moved with a skill that left you breathless and craving more. Each touch, each caress was more intense than the last, building the fire inside you to a fever pitch.

Your hips bucked again, this time more insistently, as Rafe's touch became more insistent. You knew that he could feel your urgent need, and it only seemed to fuel his desire further.

"Take me," you pleaded, your voice shaking with anticipation. "I need you to take me now."

With a smirk, Rafe lifted you onto the bed, the flames of desire still burning in his eyes. He positioned himself between your legs, his erection throbbing against you.

"Are you sure, Princess?" he asked, his lips hovering over yours.

You nodded eagerly, your eyes locked onto his. In one swift movement, he entered you, driving deep into your core. Your entire being seemed to ignite with pleasure, as if the fires of passion had merged with the heat of his touch.

Rafe began to move, his rhythmic thrusts causing waves of pleasure to crash over you like a storm. You wrapped your legs around him, pulling him closer, as if you needed to be as one with him in this moment.

"Harder," you cried out, urging him on. Your breath was shallow and your body trembled as you felt him pound into you, the heat of his skin against yours driving you wild with desire.

With every thrust, Rafe's eyes seemed to darken, his gaze locked onto yours as if he were the only thing that mattered in the world. The room around you began to fade, replaced by the intense passion burning between the two of you.

In that moment, your heart thundered in your chest, matching the rhythm of his hips. Every cell in your body seemed to chant, begging for release. You arched your back, your nails digging into his shoulders as you met each thrust, each stroke of his body against yours.

The air grew thick with wanting, the scent of sweat and skin mingling as you moved together in perfect harmony. The bed creaked beneath you, struggling to contain the force of your union. You cried out again, your voice a mixture of pain and pleasure.

"Take it, baby." Rafe whispered, his voice low and gravelly. "Take all of me."

You gasped, his words sending a shockwave of desire through your body. Your eyes locked onto his, both of you caught in the throes of passion. You met him halfway, lifting your hips to meet his every thrust, your nails digging into his skin, marking him as yours.

The room seemed to spin around you, the world melting away as you sank deeper into each other. Your bodies moved as one, a perfect symphony of lust and desire. The air grew thick with the scent of your mingled sweat, a heady perfume that intoxicated you both.

As Rafe continued to thrust, the room around you began to blur, until it seemed as if you were the only ones in existence. Time lost all meaning, the world reduced to the two of you, lost in a whirlwind of passion.

You cried out once more, your voice a fierce, guttural sound that echoed through the now empty room. Rafe's eyes were wild, his body tensed as he drove into you with a fierce intensity that left you breathless.

Your body shook and trembled, the pleasure and pain melding together into one overwhelming sensation that consumed you both. Your nails dug deeper into his skin, leaving red marks that would serve as a reminder of this moment for eternity.

And as the moments stretched on, you felt his hips start to shudder and quiver, the telltale sign of his release approaching. The creaking of the bed grew louder, struggling to hold the weight of your combined passion. Your own body felt like it was on the precipice of explosion, every nerve ending tingling with anticipation.

With one final, powerful thrust, Rafe let out a guttural cry, his body shuddering as he finding his release. The sensation of him inside you was unlike anything you had ever felt before – wild, untamed, and all-consuming.

You shook beneath him, your hands clawing at his back in a desperate need to feel closer to him. You could feel his hot breath on your neck, his words barely audible as he whispered your name.

As the last of his orgasm subsided, you lay there, heart pounding in your chest, skin glowing with the heat of your passion. The room was still, save for the faint sound of your heavy breathing and his soft sighs. You both lay entwined, our breaths mingling as the afterglow washed over you.

Slowly, Rafe started to pull out of you, the lack of friction leaving you both feeling hollow. He rolled off of you, leaving you to enjoy the sensation of his body against yours for just a moment longer.

You turned onto your side, facing each other, the warmth between your legs making you slightly uncomfortable. But it was necessary. Your bodies were sticky with sweat and arousal, but the connection between you was still unbroken.

Rafe reached out, brushing the hair from your forehead. "I love you," he whispered.

You smiled, knowing that he felt the same way. "I love you too."

A sense of peace washed over you both, as the weight of your desire seemed to dissipate into the air. The room remained silent, except for the occasional creak of the bed as it struggled to hold your combined weight.

As you lay there, entwined in each other's arms, you began to feel a new emotion bubble up within you - a feeling of contentment that you had never experienced before. It was as if the intensity of the passion had given way to a profound sense of love and trust.

Rafe's fingers continued to brush soothingly across your skin, his touch as gentle as the evening breeze. You could see the love he had for you reflected in his eyes, and you knew in that moment that you would do anything to protect and cherish him.

As you drifted off to sleep, you held each other tightly, your bodies still connected in a way that felt unbreakable. In the stillness of the night, the only sound was the rhythm of each other's hearts beating as one, a testament to the bond that had formed between you. The rest of the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you in a private sanctuary of love and devotion.

taglist: @ellesalazar, @champomiel, @vadinaleme, @kys4-20, @gills-lounge, @allsmilesreally7, @sublimepenguinpeach-blog, @sp00ky-spr1te, @bibliophilewednesday, @haroldpotterson, @i-love-rafe, @ellesalazar, @calmoistorm, @abundantxadorations, @fals3-g0d, @gillybear17, @oiiviagrande, @hockeybabe87, @augustlikesdeath, @wpdailyminimeta, @palmwinemami, @loxleys-blog, @ikisscline, @flyestvenustrap, @ilovesteveharrngton, @ijustwanttoreadlols, @fastlovela, @wickedlovely121, @fals3-g0d

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neopronouns · 1 year ago

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flag id: a flag with 6 stripes, with the first and sixth being twice the size of the rest. they are very dark grey, dull yellow, very light grey, dull dark purple, near-black, and very dark grey. end id.

banner id: a 1600x200 teal banner with the words ‘please read my dni before interacting. those on my / dni may still use my terms, so do not recoin them.’ in large white text in the center. the text takes up two lines, split at the slash. end id.

nonbinaryunnec: an identity in which one does not feel connected to the nonbinary label even though it technically describes them

[pt: nonbinaryunnec: an identity in which one does not feel connected to the nonbinary label even though it technically describes them. end pt]

nonbinary unnec term for anon! the grey stripes represent a lack of connection and the rest are desaturated from the nonbinary flag.

tags: @radiomogai, @liom-archive, @macchiane, @genderstarbucks, @sugar-and-vice-mogai, @freezingnarc | dni link

#nonbinaryunnec #unnec #my flags #my terms #new flag #new term #mogai flag #mogai term #mogai

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intersexbookclub · 1 month ago

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Actually intersex people review "Wicked" by Maguire

Our read for February 2025 was “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire, originally published in 1995 and adapted into a musical of the same name, as well as a motion picture released in 2024.

This read posed some difficulty for the club. Most members of the club were able to finish it, but we had a great deal of critical commentary on it.

The intersex representation left us wanting. Although Elphaba is fairly explicitly described as intersex, her intersexuality is treated as monstrous. Because Maguire has refused to confirm she’s intersex in interviews, and her intersexuality has been dropped in the adaptations, it feels like Maguire only gave her ambiguous genitalia for shock value and not as earnest representation.

Michelle had a lot of feels about this read: xe was “A big Maguire stan in [xer] teens, and didn’t really understand the politics [at the time].” Initially, Michelle was more favourably disposed to the book, having nostalgic reasons of fondness for the work, but critical analysis soon made xer wince in dismay at some of the creative oversights. Xe had previously read the work a couple of times, but not since her teen years;With a greater understanding of anarchism and resistance, it strongly affected xer reaction to the text. “Apparently coming back to a book series like 20 years later is pretty much ideal, because you’ve forgotten enough of it that it’s completely new.” 🙃

Elphaba’s Intersex Identity

The way Elphaba was coded intersex was pretty explicit, with mentions of her unfeminine figure and somewhat ambiguous genitalia openly in the text. 👍️ Rylee noticed many little nods to gender issues, like Elphaba’s remark that “I am a female, though not by choice.” There was some possible transmasc coding there.

Michelle found the intersex coding less offensive than expected (again, for 1995, xer expectations were rather low) and resonated with the way Elphaba protested her gender and some of the nuances of that. Xe had a great deal of affection for Elphaba as a character, having a strong fondness in general for strong, thorny female characters. Although it was imperfectly accomplished, Elphaba was depicted as a rebel and an anarchist, fiercely intelligent and questioning of society, all traits that Michelle enjoys both in real people and in fictional characters.

That being said, Maguire apparently has been evasive about whether Elphaba is meant to be intersex or not in interviews, saying that it’s “open to interpretation”, and everyone hated that. 👎️ The text is not particularly ambiguous, especially compared to other books we’ve read. We felt the ambiguity was cowardly, and subsequent adaptations had been able to conveniently erase it from the narrative – denying intersex people a prominent opportunity for representation. 👎️

Furthermore, there was a particularly nasty element with the intersex representation; Elphaba was clearly portrayed in ways indicated to be monstrous to those around her, and it appears that her intersex coding was meant to play into her depiction as “unnatural” or “marked by wickedness,” as it were. Obviously, none of us liked that. 👎️

Michelle felt like treating Elphaba’s identity as a literary device was gross, and that representation should not be “up to the reader”.

Michelle pointed that “it borrowed the trappings of monstrosity theory and queer objectivity theory without delving into what it means to be abject or monstrous.” While there was some value to the character, the depiction “also hurt.” It was something of a wakeup call for xer, and xe thought she might be gentler with future intersex books in terms of how they handle representation, in comparison to this one.

The favourable judgements

Michelle pointed out that the prose, worldbuilding, and queer writing were more inclusive than xe remembered, and was pleasantly impressed by how they held up. For Rylee, however, the book evoked “Blood and Honey”, a Winnie the Pooh satire of the unnecessarily dark and gritty variety. Rylee also had difficulty with the audiobook’s lack of differentiation between the intentional capitalizations of particular words, such as animal and Animal. “Wicked has the one-joke premise, but also has a comprehensive novel on top of it.”

That said, Rylee appreciated the antifascist themes and conservative Christianity versus individual introspection and agnostic musings. Maguire, a gay Catholic, clearly made much use of his background in the work’s uncertain and complex personal theology.

Elizabeth liked the writing for Galinda, and found her character realistic, in terms of people ze’s met. The depictions of colonialism were interesting, as were the scenes where Samira set boundaries with Elphaba. “Forgiveness for the sake of the person who was wronged and not for the person who, like, did her wrong to feel good about themselves.”

Where it didn’t work

Feral absolutely hated the writing style and felt the style impeded its own storytelling; it (Feral) found the politics heavy, yet meaningless, and the dark content felt “weirdly devoid of emotion,” and emotions that were shown felt “forced or inauthentic.” Remy agreed.👎️

Elizabeth found the violence to be simply gratuitous, and really hated the time jumps and the pacing of the story. Feral also agreed. “It felt like finally something exciting was going to happen, and then suddenly, there’s a huge time jump.” It felt that writing technique lowered the stakes drastically, an ineffective choice for a book about fascism. 🫤

Michelle conceded that xe had probably learned some bad pacing habits from this book in particular! “I think this book probably got deep into my DNA as a writer and a reader,” xe remarked, considering her own canon and the book’s influence on xer writing. However, everyone agreed that the pacing was very odd and uneven, and that the ramping of and subsequent diffusion of tension was an unpleasantly unsatisfying read. Xe also commented that “literary fiction sometimes subsists on vibes and symbolism and calls that a plot,” and remarked that it was a bad habit xe was still unlearning for xer own fiction.

Even Michelle, who was initially more defensive of the book, had to roll xer eyes hard at the “male writing” section describing some of Elphaba’s body parts.

We had mixed opinions on the depictions of the fascist takeover. Michelle found the helplessness and ordinariness of life continuing relatable given present circumstances, but Feral found the whole depiction of fascism very frustrating and ineffectual, even meaningless. “The whole book feels like it’s trying to be deep and dark and provocative without ever really having the guts to truly go for it & without putting in the work to provide meaningful commentary on the events being reported.” It described the book as “grimdark for the sake of being grimdark” in places, such as the infamous Tiger Scene, and had no truck with that.

Many of us were frustrated with the abrasively edgy take on sexuality. On one hand, the discomfort with sexuality in the text felt intentional, possibly a commentary from the perspective of the writer’s time in the closet. However, the deployment of sexual assault was repeated, often crass and sensationalist, and felt thoroughly unnecessary at times. It’s a common problem in Literary Fiction that sex or sexual violence are deployed for both shock value and ambiguous artistic purposes – making the sex “weird” is a common odd trope among these books.

Michelle said that, damningly, a lot of the sexual violence could be scrubbed from the book, and it would be a better book, at the end of the day. Rylee and Michelle both compared the TV series “The Boys” favourably to this book in terms of that series’ portrayals of violence and sexual violence, which are more sensitively and seriously handled than in Wicked.

A note on disability representation

Elizabeth also was interested in the way that Elphaba’s sister Nessarose, who also had a birth difference, lacking both arms, played into respectability politics, while Elphaba refused to do the same. However, the depiction of her disability and balance issues felt strange and unrealistic to all of us, since people born with limb differences and other disabilities are used to their bodies, and know how to move around in them. The depiction of disabled villains yet again was very exhausting.

Michelle added, “One of my friends got screamed at in social media recently for pointing out that a bunch of major Marvel heroes are disabled and it doesn't get talked about because they present as successful.”

In addition to the disability coding of villain characters, there were also desirability politics representation issues. Madam Morrible was presented as ugly and unattractive, and the tired coding of “hot people = good, ugly people = evil” was deployed yet again. Everyone was frustrated with the book for this. 🙄

The adaptations and context

Michelle had listened to the musical version of Wicked as well as having seen the most recent movie not too long before reading the book, and consequently, had some thoughts. The book was at the grimdark end of the spectrum, and the original books and movies were on the “candy cane” end of the spectrum, as xe put it; the recent movie adaptation had fallen neatly in the middle. Xe praised the film’s use of cinematic language to evoke the original Wizard of Oz. “In comparison, the book is like not just plunging into a cold, cold bath, but a cold bath with random pieces of broken glass in it.” 🫠

Rylee also mentioned an interesting piece of media that offered further possible insight – Wicked: The Real Story, a documentary that appeared to have origins as a student project. The documentary included interviews with Maguire. Apparently, the book was originally intended as “a sort of Oz-themed Lolita.” (It’s probably fortunate that we did not get that version of the book.) Instead, Maguire found himself drawn to the “loveable outsider” status of the Wicked Witch after writing her early childhood. This lends additional ambiguity to the nature of Elphaba’s depiction as a monstrous person, and suggests unfavourable things about the choice of giving her an intersex identity as well.

An interesting element of the book in general is that it is, very technically, up-market fan fiction. Michelle was critical of the way the book’s “Literary” reputation effectively gentrified fan fiction. It also gave xer insight into how Literary Fiction as a self-declared non-genre genre tends to include, in Canadian and American literature at least, both “genre fiction” that’s gentrified (science fiction, fantasy, horror, etcetera) and “middle class masturbatory stuff”.

This led directly into critiques Rylee had earlier made of the poor handling of sexual violence; the fan fiction community tends to be far more responsible and careful with its depictions of this topic than this book was. We agreed that the book felt like the literary equivalent of “Oscar bait”. We discussed how extreme horror and erotica can have lot of artistic value by committing to the subject matter, and how Wicked fell short of this. Rylee also compared it to an adaptation sequel called Carmilla’s Revenge, by a descendant of Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, Mark Williams – but the sequel adequately included trigger warnings.

Feral was frustrated that the book had come out in 1995, during the initial splatterpunk movement, and speculated on how much better the tiger scene would have been if handled by Poppy Z Brite or Clive Barker.

Final thoughts

Over all, Wicked really demonstrates problems and flaws of both literary fiction as a genre/approach and of outsiders writing depictions of disabled groups where those disabilities or other identity struggles are used as plot points or for symbolic vibes, rather than being essential to the character’s identity. We were pretty disappointed with this one, but at least it generated a fantastic discussion as a book club pick. For any perisex authors interested in writing an intersex character we would not recommend this book positively. (Instead see our reviews of Cattywampus and Across the Green Grass Fields for examples of perisex authors can do justice to intersex representation!)

#intersex book club #intersex books #intersex #actually intersex #intersex literature #intersex fiction #wicked #intersex representation #queer fantasy #queer fiction #book reviews #book summaries #book review

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thesimstree · 3 months ago

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SRWE or AI? Best Ways to Upscale Sims 4 Screenshots

Are you also tired of seeing social media mercilessly crush your The Sims 4 screenshots? We’ve tried every trick in the book to keep our pics crisp – SRWE, AI upscalers, you name it – and now we’re ready to break down how to save your favorite sim’s photos from pixelation, quick and easy. In this article, we’ll explain (no tech jargon, promise!) what actually works, plus share our hands-on experience and top tips.

Your upscaling method depends heavily on the source image and the look you’re going for. We all have different ideas of what makes a sims beautiful – some love natural textures, even slight skin imperfections, while others prefer flawlessly smooth, hyper-sharp results.

We’ve tested different upscaling tools to help boost your screenshot quality. But to find your perfect match – the one that makes your shots look just right (by your standards!) – we recommend trying a few yourself.

You can enhance screenshots both before and after saving them! We’ve covered both approaches, so pick whichever suits you best.

Before Saving the Screenshot: SRWE (Simple Runtime Window Editor)

This tool is well-known in The Sims 4 community – there are tons of YouTube tutorials covering it. When it comes to improving image quality before taking a screenshot, SRWE is one of the first solutions that comes to mind.

It works by bypassing Windows' DPI scaling, allowing you to capture screenshots at a higher resolution without blurring.

Pros:

— A fantastic tool: it delivers the exact same image but in much better quality.

— No conflicts with GShade/ReShade: your presets will look exactly as intended.

— Free and easy to install, no hidden costs or complicated setup.

— No post-processing needed, preserves original texture and UI quality.

— No extra plugins or presets required, works right out of the box.

— Great performance even on low-end PCs. If your computer can run GShade, SRWE will work just fine.

Cons:

— Limited functionality.

— Some users find SRWE a bit tricky to set up (though we personally disagree).

Now, let’s break down how to use it and what results to expect.

If you prefer a video guide, check out this link for a detailed walkthrough by Chii.

Step 1

First things first – you'll need to download the program itself. It's available for free on GitHub – you can grab it here.

There's no real benefit to getting the version with pre-configured profiles, so just download the standard version without profiles.

Step 2

Extract the files from the archive.

It doesn’t matter where you store them on your computer – it won’t affect how the program works.

Step 3

Now it’s time to launch the game and switch from fullscreen to windowed mode in the settings. You can also do this with the Alt+Enter shortcut.

Step 4

Set up your shot exactly how you want it. Open the location, pose your sims, apply any presets if needed. At this point, you can take a regular screenshot (for comparison) using your usual method.

Step 5

1. Go back to the SRWE folder.

There are only two files inside – one of them launches the program (no installation needed).

2. In the window that opens, select The Sims 4 from the list.

3. Check all the boxes.

4. Image Size

You can set your screenshot size in a few different ways:

— The easiest method: Multiply your current resolution by the desired factor. For example, to upscale 1080p to 4K, multiply by 2. Tap Set.

— Manual input: Enter your preferred pixel dimensions. Tap Set.

— Aspect ratio mode: Choose a format (1:1, 16:9, 4:3, etc.) and set your target megapixels. The program will automatically calculate the dimensions. Tap Set.

Honestly, you can experiment with any size. During our tests, even a weak PC handled an 8K screenshot without issues – though realistically, 4K is more than enough for most purposes.

Plus, if you're capturing in-game scenes (not just CAS), your screenshots will already be pretty large in file size. You probably won’t want them taking up even more space unnecessarily.

Step 6

Now when you return to the game, you'll notice the image has become significantly larger and no longer fits your screen resolution – you're only seeing a part of it.

Don't panic! Just wait for your preset to fully load (if you're using one), then take your screenshot as you normally would.

Step 7

Once you've captured your planned screenshot, head back to SRWE and click "Fake Fullscreen" to return to the original resolution.

Now let's compare our results.

Gameplay Scenes

CAS

For in-game screenshots, this method works much better if you have at least a moderately powerful PC. After upscaling, navigation can become tricky due to lag. That said, it's still completely doable since we've prepared our scene in advance.

Post-Processing Screenshots

We've tested several post-processing programs: two paid options and several free ones.

Let's start with the paid options – Topaz Gigapixel AI and Let's Enhance.

Topaz Gigapixel AI

A specialized tool from Topaz Labs designed specifically for AI-powered image upscaling.

It doesn’t include extra features like noise reduction or face correction, but it delivers more precise upscaling, which is especially useful for The Sims 4 screenshots.

Pros:

— Upscale up to 600% (6x) without losing detail.

— Preserves texture clarity (hair, clothing, patterns).

— Automatically restores lost details (e.g., small decor items).

— Supports batch processing (multiple screenshots at once).

Cons:

— $99 price tag.

— Requires a powerful PC for 4K upscaling.

— Limited functionality (just upscaling, no additional edits).

— Trial version doesn’t allow exports.

Example:

Let's Enhance

A convenient online AI-powered tool for enhancing screenshots. No downloads required – just head to https://letsenhance.io/boost and you're good to go.

Pros:

— Automatic upscaling up to 16K, boosts resolution without losing detail (hair and clothing textures become sharper).

— Dead simple to use: just upload your screenshot, pick a model, and download the result.

— AI doesn't just upscale, it subtly "beautifies" images too (though this is subjective, of course).

Cons:

— Free version limits you to 10 images/month (watermarked downloads; subscription starts at $9/month).

— Internet connection required (no offline mode).

We found these settings work best for Sims screenshots:

Now, let's see the results:

Free Upscaling Tools: Upscayl (with detailed usage guide), Bigjpg, and Waifu2x.

Bigjpg

A handy tool for basic image upscaling tasks, though the free version has limitations on processing speed and number of images.

Pros:

— Solid baseline results: boosts resolution effectively, making images noticeably sharper with genuine quality improvement.

— Free 2x/4x upscaling with watermark-free downloads.

Cons:

— Free version restricts image quantity, size, and processing speed.

— Lacks advanced parameter fine-tuning.

Our recommended settings combo:

The 4x upscale delivers noticeably weaker results.

Sample Bigjpg output:

Waifu2x

A free neural network-based tool. Originally created for upscaling anime images, but works perfectly for The Sims 4 as well.

Pros:

— Upscales images 1.5x–2x without noticeable distortion.

— Preserves art style, doesn't turn pixel art into a "blurry mess" (unlike some other upscalers).

— Available in both online and offline versions.

— Offline version supports batch processing of screenshots.

— Free 2x upscaling with no watermarks.

— No powerful PC required.

Cons:

— Free online version has a 5MB file size limit.

— Maximum 2x scale (no higher options).

— Lacks advanced parameter tuning.

Our recommended settings:

Waifu2x results:

Upscayl

A free, open-source program that uses neural networks to upscale images without quality loss.

Pros:

— Upscales images without distortion.

— Enhances fine details.

— Supports multiple AI models for different screenshot styles.

— Offline version handles batch processing.

— Free 4x upscaling with no watermarks.

— Doesn't require a powerful PC for 2x upscaling.

— Works offline, no internet needed after installation.

Cons:

— Requires a powerful PC for 4x upscaling.

— Minimalist interface – fewer beginner-friendly guides.

— Lacks advanced parameter tuning.

Given Upscayl's minimalist interface and lack of detailed tutorials, we decided to provide a more thorough walkthrough.

Step 1

First, download the program from its GitHub page. It's completely free and open-source.

Multiple versions are available – choose the one matching your system. For standard Windows, download the file highlighted in the screenshot below.

Step 2

Run the installer as administrator.

Install location doesn't matter – it won't affect performance. Select the destination folder. Click "Install".

Step 3

Upscayl includes several built-in AI models (good for testing), but we strongly recommend downloading custom models for better results:

1. Download the custom models pack here (also accessible via Settings → Add Custom Models in-app).

2. Extract the archive.

3. Navigate to custom-models-main → custom-models-main.

Move this folder to your Upscayl installation directory (optional: rename it).

Your Upscayl folder should now look like this:

4. Add Custom Models:

— Launch Upscayl.

— Go to Settings and click Select Folder.

— Navigate to Upscayl → custom-models-main → models

Critical: The folder must be named "models" – don't rename it.

Step 4

Now that you have both the default and custom models loaded, it's time to start enhancing your screenshots.

1. Click Select Image or simply drag and drop your file into the processing area.

2. Choose Upscale Factor.

While Upscayl supports up to 16x magnification, it warns that anything above 5x may severely strain your system.

For optimal results, stick with 2x to 4x.

3. Select AI Model.

Click the Select AI Model dropdown: default models show before/after previews, custom models appear as a text list.

4. Experiment! Try different models on the same screenshot. Test various scales (2x, 3x, 4x) – sometimes better results come from modest scaling, while 4x might degrade quality.

For this demo, we'll use the first default model.

5. Click to begin enhancement.

6. Processing time duration depends on original image quality, selected parameters and your PC's power (may complete quickly or take several minutes).

After processing, you'll see a clear side-by-side comparison of the changes.

7. Click the three-dot menu (⋮) for advanced viewing options.

Magnifying lens compares original vs. enhanced versions side-by-side.

Also you may reset to original and revert all changes instantly.

8. Save your image.

By default, Upscayl saves to the source image's folder. To change this click Set Output Folder.

9. After this, use the Ctrl+S keyboard shortcut, and the new image will be saved. The original filename will be appended with the name of the AI model used and the upscaling scale applied.

You can also use batch processing. Before loading images, you simply need to enable batch loading.

In the settings, there are different format options for saving processed images: PNG, JPG, WEBP. To preserve the best quality, we recommend choosing PNG.

Finally, we're sharing the AI model options we liked best for processing Sims screenshots:

— Remacri (default model)

— Uniscale Restore (custom model)

— Unknown-2.0.1 (custom model)

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