#And sometimes other characters use she/her for them

[baiwu-jinji]

After the arrests last year of danmei authors who published their works on the Taiwanese website Haitang, the authorities have allegedly arrested another 200-300 authors, many of whom took to weibo to share their experiences recently.

What struck me is how the authors always blamed themselves for not being cautious enough or being led astray by their financial needs, but nobody put the blame on the unjust rules and the greed of the authorities that led to their arrests - not that they would dare to. It's an utterly bizarre situation that, as a new danmei English license seems to be announced once every few days here on the other side of China's Great Firewall, within China the persecution keeps getting more rampant and the danmei community feels more and more cornered and frightened. Reality is always more surreal than fiction.

I translated some of the author's weibo posts, please see below:

“I knew I was being naïve and over-optimistic (about the repercussions of writing danmei), so I can’t blame anyone. Sometimes I want to resent society but then I’ll give up the thought. As for the criminal punishment, my view on it is still the same - I even feel that I’m different from those who engage in prostitution; after all, I made all this money by typing my stories word by word. Yet when I got into trouble, people talked about it as if I didn’t have to work for my income.” - This is from an author who wrote danmei because her family’s poor and she wanted to save money to travel. She got into a master’s programme before this and the programme kicked her out because of her arrest.

“Ever since I was little, I’ve always been the well-behaved golden child in my parents’ eyes. I had the best grades among my peers and won scholarships in both high school and university. When we visited family during New Year and other festivals, my parents were always proud of me in front of our relatives. But that day I shamed them thoroughly and the shame will always stick around...I love the characters I wrote very much, planning and creating their stores always brought me so much happiness and fulfillment. But a mistake is a mistake. I want to use my personal experience to admonish others - don’t try to go against the regulations in any way ever, don’t put yourself in the slightest bit of risk.”

“I’ve never felt this horrible in my entire life. I’ve always firmly believed that nobody in this world could be that bad. My rose-tinted glasses were broken along with my romantic expectations for the world. My values and outlook on life were shattered. When something like this happens, perhaps only the family of the author involved and the author herself would be hurt deeply! It’s just business for everyone else!”

This one’s written by the author’s sibling: “Another sleepless night. Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival, and it’s been three festivals since we could be together...I’ve felt remorseful for countless times that I didn’t contact more people and I felt that I haven’t done enough. I prayed to the gods and the Buddha for more times in the past two months than in the past 30 years. Besides asking for the Heaven’s protection and blessing, what else can we do?...You supported yourself financially during university solely by doing part-time jobs. We’ve always put too much importance on money, and that’s how we allowed you to make a mistake.”

(link to the original weibo posts: https://x.com/whyyoutouzhele/status/1928763362541818266)

[theblueif-iloseya]

Hi guys, this is going to be brief, but lets talk about Lady Shiva and motherhood: 

I'm fairly certain that most comic book fans, if they are aware of Shiva, know her from the Batgirl (2000) comics and her appearances in other works in subsequent years (which is fine!! Batgirl 2000 is great and Pucketts run contains some of my favorite Lady Shiva moments ever). Most have not read her earlier appearances, with the possible exceptions of "A Death in The Family," in which she cameos, and her prominent role in Robin vol 1 (1991) where her character is grossly distorted to bolster the virtue of the new titular Robin. It may come as a surprise to some, that Lady Shiva was originally a character who represented transience, freedom, duality, passion, grit, and skill, rather than just death, violence, and (still) incredible skill. I don't mean to sound too extreme, this may be a dumbing-down of her more contemporary comic book appearances, and it is a given for long-running comic book characters that their personalities and defining traits will shift, but it is truly so frustrating to lose a character you love to a version of them who wears their skin and only sometimes speaks in words that belong. While Dixon's writing choices can be blamed for her turn to villainy, he cannot be blamed for the thing that most frustrates me about modern Shiva portrayals: her commitment to motherhood.

Shiva became a mother during her Batgirl (2000) origin story, which absolutely gutted and threw out her original motivations. In this origin story David Cain selects Lady Shiva for her desirable traits, like an animal, kills Shiva’s sister Carolyn, and then beats her in a fight. Shiva is threatened with death and is essentially used by Cain as breeding stock. She is literally trapped by motherhood. This is a painful and stark contrast to the absolute freedom that the character previously embodied.

More than once in this issue Shiva says that Cain freed her or gave her life purpose. It is unclear why she attributes this to him because her most liberating moment appears to be when she chooses to leave him and abandon her daughter–the daughter she never wanted, the daughter she was forced to carry.

So much is unclear and confusing about this story beat. If she was capable of freeing herself, why did she wait long enough to carry Cain’s child to term? What changed within that time frame? How much was Cain coercing her? Why does she renounce the part Carolyn's death played in her life and instead emphasize Cain’s role?

The original version of her origin (Richard Dragon 1977) has her become Lady Shiva to take revenge on her sister's killer. For Sandra, Lady Shiva's dangerous life offers a thrill, a sense of freedom, and an outlet for grief.

The Batgirl (2000) version of Shiva’s origin appears to present Lady Shiva's becoming as an evil act. She frees herself, yes, but she is a broken woman, she is fueled by hate and the desire to cause destruction. Instead of from grief, she frees herself from her rapist, and importantly, from motherhood. This action almost slots her into an evil queen archetype. Warped by archetypical motherhood, she is immediately less defined as her own character and more associated with the act of abandoning a child. 

Of course, in Pucketts run, Shiva does become an important figure in her daughter’s life, though less as a mother and more as a catalyst. It is other writers who drag Shiva back into the role of mother bit by bit.  

Though Batgirl comics often handle Shiva’s character with the most love and nuance, they are also the comics in which her role as a mother is most emphasized. One of the most recent Batgirl releases, (SPOILERS FOR BATGIRL [2024] ISSUE 6) has Lady Shiva complete her lukewarm redemption arc by doing the most motherly thing a woman can do–sacrificing herself for her child (this arc is even called the Mother arc). Cass's inner narration reads: "A mother always sacrifices in the name of her child. So her child may live--even as she dies." To me, this is a hollow and unworthy death for Lady Shiva, because I would prefer for her to be known as something other than a mother. By placing the label of mother onto Shiva her most interesting traits are reduced or villainized. Motherhood is not freedom, for this character. Motherhood was not the plan for this character. And now it is the thing she is most known for. Now, she has even died for it. (Supposedly! This is comic books, she’ll probably be back in a few months so whatever idk.)  

Okay bye ily

[ravenstargames]

✦ LOST IN LIMBO DEVLOG #19 | 06.02.2025

Happy Pride month besties! 💜 Yes, this year too we'll have a Pride month piece, but it's in the making!

This month has been packed with concept art and getting the new update ready, so there's not that much to write about. Showing all the concept art would spoil the artbook, so apologies if this devlog looks shorter than it should. Don't worry, we are still going full-speed ahead! Let's jump into it!

World, meet your trustworthy sidekick, she who has had your back since the beginning—Evie!

You already know a bit of her; she likes everything related to the occult world, is a prime member of the Faybourne Waterpolo Club, and her favorite color is blue!

Evie's base sprite is finished, so now we gotta jump to her expressions. Those are fairly easy and quick (Raquel's words, not mine), so I expect to start coding kind of soon! ✨

Also, concept art on the MC's dear mom is done! So we've moved on to the sprite phase, and also started working on the concept art of MC's troublemaking grandmother. Kickstarter folks will have ✨juicy✨ previews on that content, so y'all will have to wait for a bit as per usual!

May has been Amon's month. I've been writing the first chapter of his route, as well as editing the prologue following our editor's guidelines. I think this month will be packed of corrections, and I'm excited to tackle them!

As y'all know, demo update 1.1.0 (now 1.1.1, as some characters were very insistent in partaking in some floating activities) went live! This month I've been working on patching stuff as well as refining the android build. I originally used two different projects for the PC version and the mobile one, but after lady and savior Feniks graced me with knowledge once more, I dipped my toes into Ren'py variants; and it's been going great! After publishing these devlogs, I'll start uploading the new android build everywhere 💜✨

Kayden has been working on more mini-CGs to enhance the ✨experience✨of the new prologue! Amongst those CGs, we have the Sovereign's hospitality in the shape of breakfast. I wonder who delivers it...?

So now that we've seen how the concept art / sprite part of it all works with Airyn's addition to the team, we're confident things will be up to speed in the upcoming months! Airyn works like a beast, has amazing ideas, and executes them flawlessly, with the addition of being a great friend of ours!

What else...I'm still working on my investigation plan (my PhD, hahaa...), Raquel is now taking driving lessons, and she's also been working on the Pride Month piece. We got a sketch yesterday but agreed to modify it a bit after some thought. Initially, Gael was going to be the one getting an illustration for Pride Month this year, but things didn't go as planned (Raquel was frustrated with not being able to come up with a good idea for him) and Amon has taken his place. Happens to the best of us!

Work this month has been good! A lot of concept and planning that we can't show (well, Kickstarter folks will see more of it) but that is vital for the development of the game. I'm not going to ramble a lot in this one—sometimes you've to go straight to the point!

Thank you everyone who played our 1.1.1 update; thank you for the comments, well-wishes, feedback, and everything else. Also, thanks for keeping our ask box lively and overflowing! 💜

Let's see each other around!

[applejade]

In a relationship with Sevika - headcanons

Authors note: I wrote this real quick as an attempt to get out of writers block. There’s lowkey no theme after the beginning. warnings: none, fluff, just random headcanons

♥︎ You and Sevika start out as friends. She listens to you complain about all the situationships and lack of romance when you try to date.

♥︎ Your complaining irks her. She finds herself thinking that she could be a better date than all those other women. She knows she could be what you want and she proves it.

♥︎ Everytime you complain she comforts you with a new romantic act - giving you flowers, cooking dinner for you - any act of service she can think of to make up for the incompetence of your failed dates.

♥︎ Your reactions make her heart flutter and by the time she realizes she wants to be with you, you've given up on dating and she's already taken on the role of your girlfriend.

♥︎ She attempts to step it up when she officially asks you to be hers. She takes you out to a fancy restaurant you've always wanted to go to but couldn't afford. She tells you to dress up, brings flowers and everything and when the date is over, she takes you back to your home and asks you at your front door. (Of course, you say yes.)

♥︎ After a month of dating, she starts watching when you do your hair. Whether it's braids, installs, or just twisting your natural hair at night - she asks you to teach her how to do it all. Even with wet, messy hands or braiding hair scattered everywhere - she finds the routine to be therapeutic and you enjoy the break it gives your sore arms.

♥︎ She'll take you to the beauty supply and let you go crazy - buying you as many expensive hair and makeup products you want.

♥︎ She loves when you cook food from her culture. she thinks it's cute you care so much you'd go through the trouble of cooking something so different to you. she also adores when you cook food from your culture, it makes her feel more connected to you when she's able to indulge in what you're used to.

♥︎ if you're spiritual, she wont question the offerings you put on your altar, nor the ingredients you ask her to get. Despite her skepticality, she'll let you perform any ritual you want on her. She doesn't say anything when you're making her necklaces adorned with blessed crystals, burning herbs and blowing cinnamon through yalls front door. She just watches with admiration.

♥︎ She’ll let you bathe her after a particularly grueling day. She sits still as you scrub the blood and grime off her tired limbs. Her breathing slows to an almost meditative state when you dry her off and sit her on the bed - softly rubbing shea butter on her clean face and lathering her in cocoa butter. She loves to smell like you and sometimes she even lets you oil her scalp with the oils you use on your own hair.

♥︎ You keep a bunch of Sarah Vaughan cds stored for her lazy days. You play her music on the record player she gifted you while you make her breakfast. Making sure you create a comforting atmosphere before she wakes up so she can start her day calmly for once.

♥︎ When her time of the month comes, you call Silco and let him know she won’t be coming in so you can care for her. Her cramps are always debilitating because of how badly she takes care of herself. This is the one time you can successfully force her to drink water and eat actual food 3 times a day since she's usually too busy fighting with her cramps to protest. You make her hot tea and cuddle her for a whole week until she feels better.

♥︎ You love to force her to watch your favorite shows with you. She always tries to act uninterested but she soon becomes just as invested as you. Yelling at the TV and making snarky comments when the characters do something stupid. 

♥︎ If you're an avid cartoon watcher like me, you force her to watch old cartoons from your childhood and surprisingly, she loves them. Her favorite ends up being Adventure Time. She loves Marceline because she relates to her daddy issues and she strongly hates LSP (iykyk).

♥︎ Despite how brave she is in reality, she cant handle supernatural horror movies at all. She always ends up gripping your arm and hiding her face in your neck. Realistic horror is perfectly fine for her, but she finds things like demons and ghosts terrifying since it’s something she wouldn’t be able to fight off.

♥︎ She sleeps with her ear to your heart. Hearing the slow beat as she hugs you tight lulls her to sleep quickly. She sleeps like a log in your arms but sometimes has horrible nightmares from all the trauma shes experienced. You cradle her to your chest when she jumps up in fear - whispering assurances and softly carding your fingers through her hair until she falls back asleep.

[justafewberries]

i've been trying to pinpoint why haydove does not work for me, and I think it's john steinbeck's fault. In his book East of Eden, Steinbeck writes about a relationship between two characters, Aron and Abra. (Warning for heavy East of Eden spoilers)

Aron represents Abel. He embodies everything good. He is handsome, kind, and pure, and he believes the best in people. He builds them up in his mind to be perfect. Essentially, he puts them on a pedestal. To him, they can do no wrong.

He constructs an image of college, and when he goes to school, he finds he hates it because it is different than how he pictured it to be, and he wants to return home. He grieves his mistake and isolates himself. He wants to become a priest, yet he is uncomfortable when told a woman who runs a brothel attends his services. To him, the church is a pure place, where everyone is free of sin. That is how he goes about life— he creates perfect images of people that are not true.

He constructs an idea of his own mother, whom he believes to be dead, as a golden woman, a woman who has never sinned in her life. When he finds out she is alive and runs a brothel, he enlists in the army and gets himself killed. He cannot cope with the fact the images he has built of these people are not the truth.

As a child, he falls in love with a girl named Abra. Abra's namesake is a quote from a novel:

Abra was ready ere I called her name; And though I called another, Abra came.

It is revealed later that Abra's father wanted a boy, so when she was born a girl, he felt he had called for someone else, and she arrived. Hence why he named her Abra, but Aron does this, too. He calls for Abra, but he does not call for the true Abra. He "called another", as in, the idealized version of her.

Aron spends his life pining after Abra. They grow up together, but around his teenage years, he says he wants to be a priest. He crafts this image of her as a pure woman. When he goes off to the college that he found he hated, he begins to write to Abra. He sends her salacious letters, dripping with want and desire based on how perfect she is. He crafts her to be this woman she is not. He believes that she is composed of only goodness.

This makes Abra uncomfortable. She confesses to Lee that she fears Aron does not love her, but the perfect idea of her:

“’Course I like him. I’m going to be his wife. But I want him to like me too. And how can he, if he doesn’t know anything about me? I used to think he knew me. Now I’m not sure he ever did.” “Maybe he’s going through a hard time that isn’t permanent. You’re a smart girl—very smart. Is it pretty hard trying to live up to the one—in your skin?” “I’m always afraid he’ll see something in me that isn’t in the one he made up. I’ll get mad or I’ll smell bad—or something else. He’ll find out.” “Maybe not,” said Lee. “But it must be hard living the Lily Maid, the Goddess-Virgin, and the other all at once. Humans just do smell bad sometimes.” She moved toward the table. “Lee, I wish—” “Don’t spill flour on my floor,” he said. “What do you wish?” “It’s from my figuring out. I think Aron, when he didn’t have a mother—why, he made her everything good he could think of.” “That might be. And then you think he dumped it all on you.” She stared at him and her fingers wandered delicately up and down the blade of the knife. “And you wish you could find some way to dump it all back.” “Yes.” “Suppose he wouldn’t like you then?” “I’d rather take a chance on that,” she said. “I’d rather be myself.”

She continues on to talk about the letters, and how Aron has fabricated an image that overlooks all the bad she could do:

“No. When he had all that about going into the church and not getting married, I tried to fight with him, but he wouldn’t.” “Not get married to you? I can’t imagine that.” “Cal, he writes me love letters now—only they aren’t to me.” “Then who are they to?” “It’s like they were to—himself.”

And when she finally burns his letters, she says this to Lee:

“I burned all of Aron’s letters.” “Did he do bad things to you?” “No. I guess not. Lately I never felt good enough. I always wanted to explain to him that I was not good.” “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good. Is that it?” “I guess so. Maybe that’s it.”

And they break up. Abra felt suffocated by the Perfect Image Aron created. Essentially, Aron called Abra's name, but another came. The real Abra, not the image he crafted in her likeness.

And Haymitch does the same thing to Lenore Dove.

From the moment we meet Lenore Dove, Haymitch tells us how he's afraid of her doing something rebellious:

“That’s a raven. The bird from my name poem,” she says softly. “It’s the biggest songbird there is.” “He’s an impressive fellow,” I observe. “She is. She’s smart as a whip, too. Did you know they use logic to solve things?” “Got me beat there,” I have to admit. “And nobody tells them what to say. That bird is who I want to be when I grow up. Someone who says whatever they think is right, no matter what.” No matter what. That’s the part I’m worried about. That she might be saying something rash. Or even doing something beyond dangerous words.

Haymitch has seen the orange paint on the flint striker, the orange of her lips, and the orange on her nails. She has already rebelled by the time he leaves for the reaping. In fact he knows she has rebelled as a child, and it's important enough for him to press her on it:

It was her, though. Both times. I know it in my heart, even though she’s never quite admitted it to me or her uncles. She says all the Covey girls are a mystery, it’s half their charm. When I press her, she just laughs and says if it’s true, that information could put me in danger, and if it’s false, what does it matter? “Didn’t do much good anyway, did it? Clay’s dead and the reaping’s alive and well.” Since that year, she’s had a clean record.

He's convinced that she doesn't make trouble any more. He's convinced that she doesn't rebel:

Comments like that make me feel like she’s still got the potential to make trouble, and that side of her is just laying low.

He has crafted this image of a reformed girl. He believes in the Perfect Image of her. He cannot believe that she would rebel again. In the phone call scene, he does not believe she sang to be rebellious. He believes, first, it was his doing:

“Arrested you? When? What for?” Is this because I just joked about the Peacekeepers buying white liquor? Are they taking out my waywardness on her?

And even after he's told, it's still not rebellion, rather, her trying to get herself killed:

“You? It’s entirely my fault you’re there! And I know I’m why you got that score. I as good as killed you, and that’s not something I can live with.” And so she’s doing what she can to get herself killed? Now I’m mad.

And even still, he doesn't believe it was rebellion or a conspiracy to draw up attention:

It’s not like she’s part of some big conspiracy, so, hopefully, they won’t use methods to force her to talk.

Even in the reaping scene, his first instinct is to stop her from rebelling, not to help her free Woodbine:

This will not end well. Should I get in there? Pull Lenore Dove away? Or will I only make the situation worse? I feel like my knees are glued to the ground.

Rebellion does not work with the Perfect Image he has crafted of her. It cannot be true, because to him, she has a clean record. That part of her is in the past.

Abra, too, felt that Aron once knew her. Haymitch knew Lenore Dove, too, but he has crafted this Perfect Image of her. Her actions do not align with what he tells us. He does not know of her current rebellion, and rebellion worries him:

She worries me, and I’m an Abernathy.

Abra grows to feel trapped by the Perfect Image Aron created. She feels she cannot act. She must hold her breath, she must be conscious of how she smells, she cannot do anything bad, else risk the image Aron has created of her. She knows he loves the image, not her.

So when Haymitch insists she has a clean record, she has the potential to rebel but hasn't, and we know that isn't true from the orange paint on her finger nails alone, that she has continued to rebel, it's him painting this Perfect Image of Lenore Dove.

He does not love her, he loves the image of her. The non-rebellious, sometimes impulsive but never on a rebellious level, girl. Not the Lenore Dove we get to know through Maysilee or even the scenes she, herself, is in.

In his time away at the Games, just like Aron's time away at college, he thinks about his girl. He crafts this image of her more solidly. It's why she feels so dead-wife. Everything comes back to her. The bunnies, the mockingjays, the angels, the silk scarves, the bird songs, the flowers, the porcupines, etc.

He forgoes planning to think of her, escaping into the comfort of the perfect image of her, as Aron did Abra. Aron refused to go out or meet people. He would picture Abra, write to her. It became his only hobby:

I should be planning my strategy in the arena, but I just keep thinking about Lenore Dove, and how much I love her, and wondering if she’s home by now and how she’s doing.

He puts her no where near strangers, no where near crowds, only where he believes she would be safe:

I allow myself a moment with Lenore Dove, imagining her in the Meadow among her flock of geese or watching me on the ancient television Tam Amber manages to keep functional. Not on the square, where anyone can gather to see huge projections of the Games, but privately in the Covey’s funny, crooked house. Forbidden by her uncles to leave. Distraught, but unbruised, unbeaten, unbroken, and safe at home.

He credits his own resourcefulness to her:

I press my lips to the flint striker, hoping Lenore Dove sees me, knows this is a thank-you to her for saving me from the mutts.

He becomes sad when her gift becomes useless, despite needing to survive in a death match game:

Almost makes me sad, seeing Lenore Dove’s gift become obsolete so quickly.

His all-consuming idealization of her overshadows the fact he's currently being hunted. He is preoccupied with this perfect image of her every second he is at his version of Aron's college.

I reach for Lenore Dove for solace, knowing she must be keeping vigil at her television set, living through my last hours with me. It’s much worse for her, really. The helplessness. Thinking of her watching me makes me want to be brave, or at least appear to be.

All he can do is obsess over her. And yet, he doesn't know she does the things that worry him.

It is natural to remember someone through rose-colored glasses, like how Katniss remembers Peeta in d13, but when the "Perfect Image" of Peeta falls, they work through it. However, Katniss develops this image after Peeta is taken from her, not while she's lying with her lips on his neck under a raven's tree. He has the rose-colored image of her before she's even taken from him.

And it wouldn't work. Just like Abra and Aron, their relationship would suffocate both of them. The pedestal would fall.

He called Lenore Dove's name, and another came.

Lenore Dove was ready ere I called her name; And though I called another, Lenore Dove came.

[sometimesoliloquy]

all of our time chasing America, but she never had a home for me

In season 2, desperate with worry over June's mental health, Nick says to Serena "She doesn't have anyone to look out for her." Serena rightly points out "It appears that she does". Through the years, through thick and thin, even when she was back with Luke and Nick remarried to Rose, he was always there looking out for her. But in the end it appears it was Nick who never had anyone to look out for him.

Nick—as a young man, essentially abandoned by his family, failed by his society and his country. Left without a safety net by the greed and corruption of a capitalist oligarchy masquerading as an equitable democracy. And finally, he ends up failed and abandoned by his own love, the very love that held so much potential to save him as it had saved her. The woman he did and would do anything for but who ultimately refused to fight for him when the raw face of his flawed humanity held up too painful a mirror to her own.

London Grammar’s beautiful song “America” has always made me think of Nick ever since I first heard it four years ago, but now, in the aftermath of season 6 and the series ending, it hits harder (and more tragically) than ever. Interestingly, the artist’s intended meaning behind the lyrics was a more symbolic one, using “the American dream” as a metaphor for her own personal journey of letting go.

But relating to the character of Nick, I think it also works very nicely as a more literal interpretation of how the America in the (semi)fictional world of The Handmaid’s Tale (and June, herself, in representing a much more privileged and complacent sector of that society) let him and so many others like him down—and how our real world America indeed continues to do the same.

How the “American Dream” has essentially become a cruel mirage for too large a swathe of the population, left to flounder and fight for meager scraps, all the while disdained by folks looking down from up on high scoffing “pull yourself up by your bootstraps!”, who themselves have never struggled to literally afford a pair of boots for them or their children.

I get that the writers and show runners wanted to hit a political message with their ending. What I’ll never understand though is the message they ultimately chose to send—one reeking of elitism, classism and non-intersectional white feminism—when they had such an important and poignant opportunity staring them right in the face, one that is both (unfortunately) timely and timeless.

The show really had a chance to highlight the socio-economic oppression that results from corrupt capitalist societies and exacerbates harmful societal division. Which, combined with self-absorbed, self righteous complacency from the upper and middle classes (often even in the most “liberal” and “progressive” populations), makes the rise of totalitarian regimes possible, with those would-be groups looking to grab power (exactly like the fictional Sons of Jacob) thriving on the confusion and division, the “othering” of certain groups, and preying on the most lost and vulnerable in society, those who are disillusioned and desperate, failed by their government and tossed aside by their fellow citizens who view themselves as more “deserving”.

Instead those in charge of THT seem to have doubled down on the idea that certain groups of people are in fact less deserving, in the end providing forgiveness and redemptive arcs for two major architects and founders of Gilead, a baby thieving rapist, and a cattle-prod-happy torturer of women. But not for the disadvantaged young man who got conned into a violent cult parading as a faith-based charity organization for a job and ended up a reluctant citizen of a totalitarian regime with a small amount of power.

They could have presented a message that sometimes good people do bad things out of ignorance and/or desperation, but are still worthy of being saved. That if they have a good heart and want do the right thing, all they might need is someone to say "I see you, I understand." To reach out a hand to help pull them out of the darkness. Instead they gave the character with a tragic backstory an even more tragic ending, with ultimately no one who would fight for him. It's not a very hopeful message if you ask me.

(Sooo this was part of a much much longer review I was writing on my phone in gmail drafts which gmail then decided to delete so fuck me, I guess😅😅😭 Anyway, this is all that was left and I don't have the energy to reconstruct it all, at least definitely not rn, so I guess I'll just leave this excerpt here.)

[ilikekidsshows]

Something that really annoys me about the discourse around Chloe's character is that a lot of the points used to argue against her redemption are basically fanon.

"Chloe wasn't worthy of a miraculous" and "Marinette has no obligation to redeem her bully" are decent points in a vacuum, but they're utterly irrelevant when discussing canon because the show never puts them forward as Marinette's reasoning or even acknowledges the ideas in any way. On the contrary, it tries to claim Marinette did try to redeem Chloe!

No. The canonical reasons for why Chloe couldn't be Queen Bee anymore is because her identity was exposed and because Marinette was jealous of Kagami. Those are literally the only reasons the show presents.

Those arguments are the same as people claiming Marinette's actions in s4 was Chat Blanc trauma. They're headcanons papering over the holes in the writing to create a more logical and reasonable motivations so they can defend Marinette amd the show in general.

---

My hot take is that, even by the end of season 3, Chloé’s character arc could have gone either way. She could have eventually become a genuinely good person, because she showed potential for that as Queen Bee, but she could have also gone full villain because, while she wasn’t a villain yet, Ladybug had seriously wronged her in season 3. I didn’t see the season 3 finale as a definite ending for her arc.

The problem is that, as far as the writers were concerned, the season 3 finale might as well not have happened except for the part of Chloé finally losing the Bee Miraculous for keeps. Because, while she became more spiteful like one would expect after what happened, it wasn’t framed as a consequence of how Ladybug and Hawkmoth played with her emotions. The writers tried to insist that Chloé is just inherently evil and not someone who was raised wrong and then emotionally manipulated by two superpowered individuals in their fight against each other.

It’s the constant lack of consistency or commitment the writers have in anything they write that forces the fandom to constantly tape over characterization and plot holes with headcanons. It’s something that’s easy to start doing, you just think “well, this motivation makes sense with that established character trait,” but none of it is actually in the text. Some of it downright goes against what's established in the text, considering how season 4 repeatedly tore down any headcanons about Marinette actually giving a damn about Cat Noir.

Like, sometimes, it’s okay to leave character motivations up for interpretation, sometimes they’re obvious enough without spelling them out, but sometimes what characters do just makes no sense with what’s been established, and people jump from headcanons to downright fanon, stuff that has never even been as much as hinted at in canon but would explain something that happens. And when people see this fanon, they take it as canon and treat it as such.

[miraculouslbcnreactions]

Sometimes I wonder why Adrien even got the black cat ring. What makes him a good holder for the miraculous of destruction?

We get somewhat of an answer with Marinette for the miraculous of creation. She's a creative person with a lot of creative hobbies, which allows her to use lucky charm very well.

But then, shouldn't Adrien be a destructive person in one way or another? Not him being toxic or hurting people. Just his personality having something to do with the concept of destruction.

I've seen some people argue that Adrien is a good black cat holder because he's not a destructive person and that the best holder for destruction is someone who isn't destructive, unlike with creation where the best holder is someone creative.

It's sound logic, so I can't really argue with it. However, on a thematic level it promotes a narrative of "creation is good, destruction is evil. Therefore we want as much of creation and as little of destruction." Which can work for some stories, but wouldn't fit with the imagery of mlb of how creation and destruction are a yin and yang thing rather than a good and evil. Both in how the miraculous are presented in the box, how Ladybug and Chat Noir are (supposed to be) equal partners and how the show never really explored or acknowledged much how destruction can be more dangerous than creation (other than Chat cataclysming people on accident/trying to when angry, but those are more for shock value than actually making a thematic point.)

The saddest thing is that as a character, Adrien is perfectly positioned to show the ways destruction can be good. His arc should be all about cutting off the toxic people in his life (namely his father), which is peak "destroying something bad so there can be good".

His establishing character moment in origins even plays into it, with how he rebels against Gabriel's control to run away to school. That's already a big action where he tries to destroys Gabriel total control of his life!

You mentioned in a recent ask how there's not much canonically to support that Adrien values freedom or that he uses Chat Noir as a way to gain freedom, which is correct. But I think the reason why it's such widespread fanon to the point it's confused with canon is that thematically Adrien should value freedom above all else.

His literal worst nightmare is being trapped in an ever shrinking cage, which he only escapes from by transforming to Chat Noir. His life is tightly controlled by his father, and Chat Noir allows him to both knowingly stand up to him (like in simon says) and unknowingly fight his father. Whenever he and Ladybug are trapped, cataclysm is the answer, not lucky charm.

But incorperating that into the narrative would require the show to engage with the themtics of having characters associated with specific concepts on... any level at all really. Or just have themes in the first place that more than accidental unfortunate implications.

Sometimes I wonder why Adrien even got the black cat ring. What makes him a good holder for the miraculous of destruction?

The show has done a terrible job with most of its power assignments. You can headcanon and rewrite ways to make them work, but in the context of canon, many of them make no sense. Like in what way is Nino a protector? And why was Alya given Illusions? Odd choice for a journalist. What even makes someone a good holder for Illusions? I go the storyteller route and fix Alya accordingly, but that's not canon. Canon clearly wants her to be an investigative journalist who is obsessed with truth, not good stories which would be a better match for something relating to revelations or investigation.

As you rightly pointed out, Adrien has similar issues. What makes him a good holder for Destruction? What does it even mean to be a good holder of Destruction? I'll give you my two cents, but you'll quickly see that none of this is canon. This is just what I think canon should have done. I also don't think there's a way to make Adrien's assignment work in canon as it's way too late in the game to make the kind of changes Destruction's power set needs for it to feel like a good Force. (Note: I don't think Destruction fits anyone in canon because of the following issues. I think it's got fundamental design flaws. I'm only focusing on Adrien since it's his assigned Force.)

The biggest issue with Destruction - and the reason some people think that the best holder is someone who isn't destructive - is the fact that canon has failed to show Destruction as a positive force even though Destruction can absolutely be a positive force! You wouldn't know that from canon, though. Canon shows Creation as good and Destruction as just kind of there.

Cataclysm is sometimes useful in a fight, but it doesn't add much value to the world. Another miraculous would often work just as well or even better as cataclysm has been known to cause trouble. For example, it's arguably the reason Adrien is an orphan, severely undermining my ability to look at it as something that benefits Adrien!

The newly introduced "Miraculous Chat Noir" ability isn't great either. So far, it's only been used to have Adrien unknowingly denying himself information because Alya would absolutely have caved and told him the truth if he hadn't erased her memory. What a wonderful way to introduce a new power! I'm so happy that Adrien finally got an upgrade! (That was sarcasm. Worst power introduction in the show.)

Tikki is seen as a good and positive Kwami while Plagg causes chaos and gets blamed for things like the loss of Atlantis and the death of the dinosaurs. Su-Han is even on record as saying that Plagg should never be out of the box because Destruction just isn't a good thing to set free. But Tikki being free? That's fine even though she's Plagg's equal.

All of this is why I will once again get on my soapbox and argue that Adrien should be the one purifying akumas, not Marinette. Purification is an act of Destruction. You are removing taint and restoring something to peace. Which is fitting because Adrien's life is full of things that he needs to remove in order to find peace. Marinette doesn't have that kind of plot line so her being the one with the purification power is both bad lore and just thematically bad. She's a creator, let her stick to creation!

Because Destruction can so easily cause harm, it should also be about self control. It's yet another one of the many ways that canon could have leaned into this idea of intent mattering. Over the course of the show, Adrien should have become better and better at targeting his cataclysms so that they only destroy the thing(s) he wants destroyed while leaving everything else intact. If that isn't a solid metaphor for things like emotional self-regulation, learning when to cut things from your life, and healthy boundary setting than I don't know what is.

All of this leads to my lore bible's list of what makes a person a good match for Destruction, none of which is canon, but my rewrite, my rules:

Someone who is capable of controlling their negative impulses to an absurd degree. They cannot be inclined to act out when angry or frustrated. It’s okay if they're emotional, the question is what they do with those emotions because a Chosen of Destruction cannot get upset and physically act out while transformed.

Destruction’s powers have to be perfectly honed in a way that the other powers don’t, so the ideal Chosen will be someone patient who doesn’t mind hours of practice.

While the first two traits in this list are the only essential ones, Plagg has found that his best kittens are those with kind, nurturing natures. In almost all of the strongest miraculous teams, Destruction is the team's heart. The one who encourages others and brings everyone together. (Destroying barriers between people?) Destruction needs kindness and selfless love to direct it properly.

You mentioned in a recent ask how there's not much canonically to support that Adrien values freedom or that he uses Chat Noir as a way to gain freedom, which is correct. But I think the reason why it's such widespread fanon to the point it's confused with canon is that thematically Adrien should value freedom above all else.

Also agree on this. That's why the post you mentioned had this bit:

it's pretty popular for people to say that Chat Noir is Adrien embracing freedom, a take that makes perfect sense given his backstory and the way he's played in Origins. However, it's hard to call this canon. Outside of Origins, there's not much in canon to back up this read.

Adrien wanting freedom makes so much sense for his character, but then they'd have to actually give him a character so of course canon won't go there. Imagine how much better his "I don't know what I want to be" arc would have been if his final note was about wanting to explore the world instead of about loving Marinette. Essentially take this:

I've been thinking a lot, and still not know what I would like to do later in life. The only thing I know for sure is that I love Marinette Dupain-Cheng. But I guess that doesn't really help you. I'm sorry. Adrien Agreste.

And make it something like this:

I've been thinking a lot and I still don't know what I would like to do later in life. The only thing I know for sure is that want to try out as many things as I can to try to find my passion. I'm not sure how much that helps you, though. I'm not even sure where to begin. Sorry. Adrien Agreste.

This? This is what a character arc looks like. We start with him having no idea what he wants, move to him accepting that fact, leading into him trying a bunch of things, ending with him finding happiness. His happiness being tied to his girlfriend is not a good message just because he's a boy and she's a girl. This is not what feminism looks like!

[animeyanderelover]

Request: Greetings and salutations! I have one request this time. I'd like to request Hanna annafellows, Beast (Black Butler), Tsunade, Mei terumi (Naruto), Pakunoda (HxH), Irene Belserion (Fairy Tale) and Miruko, MT. Lady and midnight (MHA) with a s/o who has a fascination with their breasts? Like, its not even a perverted one, they just really like to, either lay their Heads on them or use it as some sort of stress relief.

Tw: Yandere themes, possessive behavior, obsession, delusional behavior, clinginess, breasts, some characters who will react sexually

Tags: @shumidehiro @swagenemyartisan @cachamata @lovley-valentine7 @leveyani @chxxz @jamayah @cynniical @shenryu-sama @maggiequinn59 @ladydoe8

S/o has a fascination with their breasts

Senju Tsunade

🐌​When Tsunade notices it the first time, she suspects immediately that you have spent too much time around Jiraiya. The second time it happens, she actually confronts her old friend and asks him if he has been sharing too much of his book ideas with you. The third time, she decides to ask you directly about it. Your explanation isn't something that she has been expecting. As a doctor though she can understand somewhere about being fascinated with the anatomy and the shape of a human which is why you don't need to describe anything in more detail. Generally speaking Tsunade is quite clingy and possessive when around you but she also is a woman who knows her responsibilities so she sees the need to establish some rules. She is fine with you resting your head on her chest even in public spaces but she draws a very firm line when it comes to actually using her breasts as some sort of stress ball to be squeezed. Admittedly, even she does that sometimes when she is drunk and stressed but you should do as she says and not as she does. When the both of you are alone she is fine with you touching her chest but in public spaces she will grab your wrist kindly but firmly if she catches you doing so.

Terumi Mei

🔵The line between Mizukage and lover are not as much blurry as they are basically indistinguishable with Mei. She is a woman who is pretty much all over you and her affection is arguably more smothering than Tsunade's. So Mei is very, very touchy with you and she herself can be very shameless with her physical affection even when around other people. She acknowledges very early on that you have a fascination on her breasts but she doesn't point it out to you nor does she scold you for it. Instead she lets you stare, touch and lay your head on it. However, she returns the favor almost immediately by doing the same. She starts touching you the same way and you better not point it out to her. If she lets you do it then she has the same right to do it to you. Those are the rules that exist within this relationship. Her personal advisor Ao is often pushed to the brink of frustration as he very much cares about how Mei behaves around you in public and he has begged her multiple times to please save such... intimate touches for the bedroom. Mei, in typical fashion, often misunderstands him and ends up berating him for his unkind words. Can't he see that this is love?

Beast

🐅Beast lashes out the first few times you suddenly lay your head on her chest or even touch her breasts without her allowance. As much as she loves you and keeps her close to you, that doesn't automatically gives you a free pass to do anything. She is too domineering for that. She is quite literally a wild animal tamer for that purpose after all. Hidden behind that fierce anger is a hidden trauma though as she is no stranger to being touched inappropriately. Life on the streets changes a person and even now she still encounters those looks. She's not comfortable with it and you better keep that in mind. You have to ask for her permission before you do anything and that in itself takes a while. It demansa a vulnerability that Beast hates for it meant weakness in the past. The first few times she eventually allows you to rest your head on her breasts she isn't entirely comfortable with it. She's stiff like an animal too used to danger and her eyes just stare at you as if unsure what to do now. She slowly grows more comfortable with such gestures but she still firmly refuses to let you do such stuff outside where others could see. She doesn't want to be seen as too soft.

Hannah Annafellows

🟣Now here we have a creature typically associated with lust and sin. As a female demon Hannah is no stranger to people staring and lusting over her and it is in fact a method she has often used to lure men and women alike to her. For her it would most likely be a first though to find such a strange innocent fascination with her breasts that isn't rooted in sexual desires. It is almost enough to confuse her but perhaps that is also what fascinates her about you. You are allowed to touch her as much as she wants though and she enjoys every bit of it. You are her mate after all so skinship is very much a necessity unless you want to deliberately agitate and torment her. Be aware though that even if your intentions are innocent, Hannah's are far from it. She is the wolf in the lamb's clothes and there might just be that slight sexual tension from her side in the air when you play with her breasts simply because you enjoy how soft they are. In some moments she starts touching your body too but not in the same simple fascination that you have but with much different thoughts and intentions. Just be careful because if you touch her for too long without even knowing what you do to her she might just devour you.

Pakunoda

💘Pakunoda generally speaking lets only very few people in. Her childhood has made her very selective with whom she lets in and whom she swears loyalty to. The fact that she allows you to get so close to her is already huge. Her silent acceptance echoes louder than thunder during a storm. It takes her a while to allow you so close to her heart, figuratively and literally speaking. Initially she still keeps a certain distance from you even as she starts warming up. She's careful with choosing the affection that she gives and the affection which she accepts from you. That means if you are someone naturally affectionate, you are going to have a bit of a hard time with this woman at the beginning. She notices but never comments on your fascination with her breasts because she trusts you enough to respect her privacy. Very obviously she doesn't just allow everything so in public she doesn't let you just touch her chest. She grows somewhat fond of the way you rest your head on her breasts to the point she even lets you do so in public. Perhaps she is being a tad bit sentimental but it feels just right having you so close to her heart which beats for very few people. And you're one of them.

Kayama Nemuri

🌌Now be very careful with Midnight here. This woman is infamous for her lecherous nature. Her entire hero outfit almost got her cancelled the one or other time and the way she uses that whip of hers really should tell you anything you need to know. Even though your own touchiness and interest in her breasts isn't rooted in any attraction born from libido, Nemuri very much interprets it that way. Resting your head on her breasts is acceptable but the moment you start using her breasts as a stress ball she is licking her lips and making inappropriate comments. Things turn sexual quick with that woman and you either remember that from an early point on or you learn it the hard way and this woman won't be gentle with you. She likes you with tears in your eyes. Honestly, it is probably Nemuri who should practice some self-restraint but she really doesn't. She is always down for a good time and so it is you who will have to learn how to hold back. Because if you don't she just assumes that you are quietly begging to be whipped and tied up and she very gladly does such favors for you. If you tell her that wasn't your intention at all, she calls you naughty one and that she will have to teach you better then.

Takeyama Yu

⛰️​Mt. Lady acts very much similar to Midnight with someone like you. The only difference is that she is pretending to be far more coy about it when in reality her thoughts are far from innocent. She is no stranger to using her good looks to get away with some stuff out there and to boost her popularity. Noticing how you keep staring at her bosom is in her mind an affirmation of her attractiveness and you finding her good-looking is very important to Yu. It's hard to have a relaxing time when you rest your head on her breasts though because Yu has a hard time sitting still. She lasts a minute at best before she has to start touching you too, unable to keep her hands to herself. When you actually squeeze her breasts as a stress relief she gets red and hot quickly and assumes quickly that you want something else. As a lady with a higher sex drive she is usually quick to act on it all whilst pretending to be shy. So the first time you actually tell her that you never had anything sexual in mind, she is left feeling embarrassed and humiliated even though she tries to cover it up with a stiff laugh. The lady holds a grudge for a good long time though so she doesn't let you touch her breasts until her ego is soothed.

Usagiyama Rumi

🐇You might be slightly terrified of touching Miruko anything because she is one feral woman with a temper that fits a lioness more than a bunny. Initially you try to even hide it yet Rumi catches on to the way you glance at her chest all of the time and she eventually brings it up to you. A smug grin is the only thing that she has on her face by the time you have finished explaining whilst you have gone hot in the face because she really has pulled it out of you. Yet Miruko declares that she's cool with it even in public settings. If she ever is getting uncomfortable she simply explains that she can stop you very easily if she wants to. She is a high-ranking hero for a reason after all. She's not the least embarrassed when you doze off against her chest and other people see and if she spots any paparazzi she just gives them that cocky grin of hers that can make people kneel. Even if you squeeze her breasts and someone were to spot the two of you she would just be completely shameless. There are certain times a month though where you touching her breasts can very quickly lead to something entirely else so learn the warning signs beforehand unless you want to be thrown onto the ground with her towering over you.

Irene Belserion

❤️‍🔥Irene is a woman of power who commands the room the moment she steps into it. There is a good and valid reason to be terrified of her and even as her lover you know your place. Irene has made sure you know after all. So with her you simply decide not to act on your thoughts but she has lived too long to not notice the way you keep on looking at her chest. She's already feeling slightly curious then but decides to observe for a bit longer simply because she can. When she eventually corners you and decides to ask you about it, your explanation truly amuses her. As a woman who many fear, she could technically do anything and people would still respect and fear her too much to ever criticise her for it. Yet she isn't someone who shows vulnerability that easily. So she never allows you to be affectionate nor is she overly much so unless both of you are alone. Then she is fine with you laying on her chest or touching her breasts and squeezing them. If she doesn't give you permission to do so, you don't do it. Things are just that simple. Even if she were to catch your hands reaching for her chest, normally one tight grip and the single lift of an index finger is enough for you to never do it again.

[rookflower]

how can people hate leafpool? I only read like 3 books with her and I remember she was just so sweet and nice to everyone

(assuming that by following this warrior cats blog you are cool for spoilers that happen in warrior cats books that came out a decade or two ago) sorry for the unintentionally long post:

when people dislike or have mixed feelings about leafpool, it's usually for one of the following reasons:

the way she treats disabled characters (specifically jayfeather and kind of cinderpelt) around po3. this is warrior cats so leafpool is far from the worst offender in ableism, but i think her treatment of jaypaw hits close to home for people since she's a mother/aunt/teacher to him, and also as his mentor she's the character he spends the most time around in the arc aside from maybe his siblings. therefore she kind of becomes the character through which the series conveys his frustration about being treated differently for his disability. to be fair some conflict comes from jaypaw's own projection (because he's understandably insecure, and can read other people's minds but not hers, so tends to assume the worst) but she can be genuinely harsh too.

because of the way her novella was written, people will sometimes argue that she "manipulated" her sister into raising her kits for her. the least charitable read that people have on this (which is very rare nowadays but some people were fairly vocal about back when i joined the fandom) is that she's a stupid slut who carelessly and selfishly got pregnant and then forced the kids onto squirrelflight via cruel use of emotional manipulation so she wouldn't have to deal with them. which is uh. hm. well. i agree the situation wasnt fair to squirrelflight and i think conflict in the decision between them could be theoretically interesting (even if i think having her be the one to offer to take the kids would be a better writing/character decision) but people used to be reeeeally unsympathetic about leafpool's side of things until squirrelflight's hope came out

people used to think she was boring because she was a "camera" (pov character who isn't very proactive and mostly is written to give the reader information about what's happening elsewhere). i think this is subjective and agree to disagree. personally i dont think wc's character writing is very strong anyways and dont care for most of the tnp journey cats or any of the shit that was going on with the tribe so a cut away to leafpool's boring gay adventures at home were welcome

to be clear, i would definitely not consider leafpool an outright controversial character in the modern fandom, especially on the tumblr and twitter side of things. i never finished sorting the results for my big survey, but in the 500+ answers for "least favourite character" i got through, she only got 3 votes (for reference, the same amount as blackstar, fernsong, firestar, nightcloud, scourge, and spiderleg. which are all characters i think the fandom has very varying opinions on depending where you look. im surprised nightcloud doesnt have more honestly people used to be NASTY to her and still are). but regardless i think the big majority of views on leafpool skew positive nowadays (she was a strong contender for voted in FAVOURITE character on the other end of the list, currently sitting at a comfortable third with a 31 vote difference from fourth)

[carnivorusobserver]

Look outside OC im working on! Under the cut is some wip pictures and a full transcript of the stuff on the character sheet!!

Personality: Mick used to be known for being extremely outspoken, Outgoing and very charismatic when he was just a decade younger. However, now that is his kid is older and has been left alone in his apartment, He has become very close to a shut in. He doesn't enjoy going out and sometimes will go in every which way to avoid talking to other people, mostly out of a shame that he "isn't hip anymore." The only time he breaks this rule is for his daughter, Who loves he endlessly! He's a wonderful but shy father, Who always wants to be present in her life even if he only has custody half the time.

Relations

Megan: Ex- Girlfriend

Very rocky, They get along purely for Alexandria's sake. If she isn't around, They'll be able to stay calm for a while until Megan makes arguments out of nothing. Mick often tries to make her happy and is a bit of a doormat, but when he does stand up to her it isn't pretty. She is planning on getting married soon, as their relationship has been over for 5 years.

Alexandria : Daughter

Very close, Would do anything to make her happy and safe. Has always been in her life and has custody half the time. However he is terrified of her love for reptiles and snakes.

BACK STORY

Mick used to be a somewhat notable singer in his younger years, From the age of 22-25 he sang in a punk band and was very destructive in general. He met and started dating Megan at 24, and she was 23. They eventually had a kid around 4 years later, however Megan hadn't changed at all. He had tried to grow and change, even went to school to get an associate in teaching. Megan was still wishing he would go back to singing and partying but all he wanted to do was be a dad. So when Alex was 3 years old, they stop dating and split custody 50/50.

7 years of a not so great relationship, Really only kept civil because they don't want to traumatize Alex. Mick is a substitute at the local college and tutors as well, While Megan has completely moved on with a new boyfriend who she plans to marry. Alexandria also has been very passionate about baseball, reptiles and more specifically snakes! He's absolutely terrified of them but lets her keep them there.

The day before visitor came, Alexandria begged her dad to stay an extra day so she could have Rene wish her luck on a big Tournament. He agreed, not thinking much of it. However when he woke up late with the blinds all closed, he found his poor daughter screaming and crying about her hair hurting. Rene, and many other shed skins from him, were fusing into her roots. Not knowing what to do, he immediately went to the parking garage to try and drive to the E.R. . Instead, He crashed into his ex-girlfriends van. Or more accurately, His Ex-girlfriend who had BECOME her van. With his car totaled and being eaten by a giant monster, He went back to his apartment with his daughter to hide.

[hrrtshape]

hi ℰmma!!!

you said blair was in your better cr dr. is there any other gossip girl character there? if yes what’s the dynamic between them? what’s the tea ^.^

they're all there!!!! it’s very rerouted timeline but we move and ball and dance. blair's obviously in. so is serena. nate's there. dan & jenny & parents. eleanor is terrifying. and we love cyrus. there's brunch and a lot of it. there’s drama. everyone is there except chuck because god gave me editorial control and i used it

serena's mom and my mom are friends in a way that's terrifying for global markets. blair and i are obviously both insane and obviously obsessed with each other but pretend not to be

serena's a floating junkie angel no notes 10/10

dan tries to talk to me about poetry sometimes and i just nod because he means well but also he DOES wear jeans with contrast stitching so. jenny's actually really sweet to me i think she wants to do something but also i have her on my close friends

nate and coryo are freakishly close. like scary-good duo energy. they're like if a rothschild and a golden retriever formed a political alliance. they have some sort of straight-boy telepathy thing going on it's like they text in stock ticker symbols and watch each other shoot hoops in total silence

[pink-nightmare-lab]

Period comfort headcanons✨🤍

You're on your period and tell the characters you need their comfort and help🧸

Characters included: the demon brothers, Lord Diavolo, Barbatos, the angels (Luke's part is platonic!!!) and Solomon

TW: some might have sexual parts to them (Luke of course excluded), it'll be marked with a "🌶️" in the beginning of each sentence

Not proofread! Might have grammar errors!

Lucifer:

-He wouldn't act surprised as he already has a lot of wisdom which includes female human anatomy (he learned that from Lilith against his will after she learned what human women have to go through each month with horror on her face)

-He would ask if you're having cramps or any other sort of discomfort, slightly lost about what to do since he only knows what happens each month with human women but didn't learn how to deal with it

-He'd pamper you no doubt, snacks, massages, painkillers, anything for your comfort, he's relieved once he knows you're not in pain anymore

-He'd stay by your side while you sleep in his bed, humming an old celestial realm lullaby while caressing your hair gently with affection

-You still would have to tell him what products women use and which kind you prefer before he buys a couple of them to have enough at home for the next few months

-🌶️ He'd definitely have period sex with you, lie you down on his bed, spread your legs and gently caress your inner thighs, giving them soft gentle kisses before gripping them and fuck you till you forget you even felt discomfort due to your period

-🌶️ No matter how embarrassed you get and talk about the mess and think he'll be disgusted, he looks at you softly, caressing your cheek and telling you that he doesn't mind it one bit and that you shouldn't worry about something that's so natural, he only wants to make you feel good

-🌶️ After fucking you good and perhaps a bit too rough, he massaged your limbs and cleaned you all up, dressing you up in one of his shirts and kissing your legs and thighs as a silent apology from his earlier roughness

-🌶️ "sorry for the earlier roughness, love, but sometimes I can't resist that sweet temptation that's you"

Mammon:

-The clueless man that he is, he'd panic and think you're deeply wounded or have some sort of illness but he calms down the moment you slowly explain to him what's actually going on

-"Ya just scared me with those blood stains... ain't funny, got the Great Mammon worried over ya... not that I worry about you or anything..." he pouts, playing it off

-He secretly uses the money he originally wanted to use for gambling or buying luxury goods for things like period products of all types (he asked Lucifer what products human women use since he's too shy and stubborn to ask you yourself), snacks, drinks, etc. and gives it to you in a basket

-"Ya should count yourself lucky that the great Mammon himself looks after you, little sheep!" he's totally blushing and denying getting help from Lucifer

-He'd take you on car rides in the evening through the Devildom to cheer you up from your period, of course, not without a blanket, heating pad, painkillers and snacks but come on, it's more fun that lying around like a sorrowful potato

-🌶️ He does his best trying to make you feel good, fucking you in multiple positions, cushion to support your lower back or stomach, using vibrators and dildos because it totally helps against period cramps or so he heard

-🌶️ He doesn't shy away from doing it with you during your period, saying it ain't disgusting and that he'd fuck you even if you looked like a rat who just crawled out of a dumpster

-🌶️ He'd litter your body with kisses, marking you and reminding you he was your first and leaving marks especially close to your intimate part but once he's done, he'll clean you all up and get you all cozy, holding you close

Leviathan:

-Panic is an understatement, that demon is straight up flustered and confused, especially once you tell him what a period is, he's definitely over exaggerating and embarrassed

-"I-I think I read it in a manga once... but oh wow, it's actually a real thing, so uh... do you like, you know, bleed a lot uhm... Well-" he's still embarrassed but genuinely curious

-Not long till he goes on Akuzon and orders everything you could possibly need, period products, snacks, drinks and he's even lending you his mangas or offers to watch anime with you (prepare to be bombarded with facts and lore)

-He'd give you his blanket, sit with you and watch something or play games with you and he's totally going easy on you and teach you a few tricks and cheats

-🌶️ He uses his tail A LOT during period sex, caressing your body with it, squeezing it like a squishy occasionally and especially using it to penetrate you, enjoying watching you squirm beneath him from just using his tail

-🌶️ He gently massages your breasts, kissing them and giving them gentle bites, his tail swaying in delight

-🌶️ He's fairly gentle, not wanting to make you feel worse, always asking if you're feeling good, feeling satisfied knowing that for once he's not useless

-🌶️ He primarily fucks you from behind, fucking slowly yet with a certain passion, his tail wrapped around your waist and holding you close, a pillow for your hips and to stain red, his face right next to yours, biting your shoulders before kissing them

-🌶️ He's tired but he still makes an effort to clean you and get you all cozy before hitting the sack himself

Satan:

-Just like Lucifer, he knows about the female human anatomy but this time from books, having read them to try to understand you better so you'll go to him for help and not Lucifer

-He'd ask what you'd require and what period products you prefer, glad to know you're relying on him for comfort

-He'd lend you books and even read them to you while you're tucked in his bed, growing drowsy while he reads about a Devildom fairytale you happened to be interested in

-He'd sneak a cat into his room, claiming that cats have healing powers and that their purring and adorable presence helps (he got scolded afterwards by Lucifer for bringing in a cat without letting him know)

-🌶️ Just like Levi, he also uses his tail a lot but mostly to squeeze and wrap around your thighs or neck, enjoying having you in his grip and in pleasure because of him

-🌶️ He likes fucking you from the front, trying not to get too lost in his rhythm, slowing down if it's too much for you, after all, he's here to comfort you

-🌶️ He'd also leave marks on you, especially on your neck and shoulders and no, he doesn't feel sorry about how visible they are

-🌶️ Afterwards he makes sure you're alright, kissing your head before carrying you to the bathroom and having a relaxing bath before getting back to bed (his tail is wrapped around your waist again like a clingy cat)

Asmodeus:

-Asmo isn't surprised by this since he has slept with multiple human women before and learning about it from them

-He'd make an entire spa date where he pampers you with skincare and relaxing baths, telling you about his products and what they're for, letting you use them and in the end, you smell like him to his delight

-He'd skip on going partying tonight to stay with you at night, cuddling you and watching some sappy romance movie

-He'd also massage your limbs, caressing his hands over your soft skin, enjoying the touch and telling you how lovely your skin is but of course not as lovely as his

-🌶️ He'd gently take off your clothes, caressing your skin and saying sweet nothings, telling you how beautiful you are and what he wants to do to that lovely body of yours

-🌶️ He'd fuck you in several different poses, that demon got stamina, he's especially skilled with his hands, fingering you and also using toys on you, telling you how good you're doing, loving to see you cum over and over again

-🌶️ He loves the sound you make, catching you in a tongue twister while he's gripping your hips while you ride him

-🌶️ It seems like forever till you're done, he's satisfied with his work and makes sure you're well taken care of with massages and creams, wrapping you up, his favourite little sinful fruit he'd bite each time without hesitation

Beelzebub:

-He's confused and worried but understands that you need someone to comfort you and he makes sure you're not alone and stuffed with delicious food

-He'd buy lots of snacks, trying his best to not eat it all, feeling relieved to see you well fed

-He'd let you use him as a pillow, caressing your back but prepare to be covered in food crumbs, he's sorry but says you look delicious like a burger with sesame seed on the top

-He'd take you to his favourite food spots, feeding you with a spoon (if he didn't already eat whatever was on the spoon)

-🌶️ He'd unashamedly go between your legs, holding your thighs firmly but not too hard, absolutely ravaging you, his tongue exploring your sweet cavern of delight, his nose grinding against your clit, licking his lips while he looks into your eyes with hunger and love

-🌶️ He'd grip your hips while you ride him and grip his horns, french kissing you and enjoying your taste, loving every second of it

-🌶️ He makes sure you're fine afterwards since he has quite the... size, nonetheless, he's looking forward towards each month to ravage you again the same way, by far, you're the most delicious delicacy he ever had the pleasure of tasting

Belphegor:

-He's confused at first but then quickly understands what's going on

-He'd prepare the sleepover of your time with the coziest blankets and pillows he can find, cuddling you from behind while you hold his tail close, cuddling it, occasionally he'd nibble on your ear

-He'd also prepare a warm heating pad and painkillers for you, rubbing your stomach and kissing your nape from behind

-He'd prepare a little movie night, Beel of course included, mainly because of the snacks but both of their presence is comforting

-🌶️ He's going slow and deep, fucking you from behind, his tail wrapped around your body, squeezing you but he can't help it but feel a bit mean, stopping right when you're about to cum, teasing you and loving your desperate whimpers

-🌶️ He leaves lazy kisses and bites on your neck while you ride him, gently massaging your breasts, loving the your grip on his horns

-🌶️ He'll have a lazy bath with you afterwards before cuddling with you beneath fluffy blankets, his tail wrapped around your body

Lord Diavolo:

-He's fascinated by the human body, asking questions about it and of course asking how he can help you

-Prepare to be treated like royalty, he'd get you anything you could possibly want and need

-Lavish dinner prepared by Barbatos, taking you anywhere in the Devildom, buying you anything you want

-He let's you rest in his arms in his room, holding you close while caressing your head, kissing your head, enjoying having you in his arms, getting a little selfish and keeping you to himself for a day, saying he's just taking care of you

-🌶️ You're spread out on his luxurious bed, his hand holding your wrists above your head, the other gripping your hip while he pounds into you in all his demonic glory, filling you with his royal essence and watching it flow out of your red river of love and sin, staining you with him

-🌶️ He enjoys the sounds you make while he takes you from behind, your wrists tied up with an expensive silk, his hand on your throat, pressing you to him while his other hand grips your hip, his lips kissing your shoulders

-🌶️ Afterwards he makes sure he didn't hurt you and makes Barbatos prepare a hot warm bath for you two

-🌶️ You're his sweet little temptation and he's looking forward to have you in his grasp again while he resists the temptation to keep you to himself

Barbatos:

-He already anticipated your arrival at the Demon Lord's castle with the simple request of some help as he already has foreseen it, the mysterious demon that he is

-He already has everything prepared and not a single thing is missing, he knows exactly what to do and what you like, all thanks to his power... sometimes I wonder just HOW much he knows about us-

-He prepared dinner the way you like the same with dessert, trying his best to be of service while still keeping in mind his own duties

-He offers a comfortable bed and activities like board games or watching something to entertain you and distract you from your period

-🌶️ For someone who seems to know so little about you, he knows exactly what makes you squirm and gasp in pleasure, it's almost terrifying but exciting

-🌶️ He has you tied up while he teases you with his tail, enjoying the sight of begging for more, despite wanting to give comfort, he can't help but tease you, it just makes him too excited, especially when he already knew it'd come to this

-🌶️ He's pretty much in control, still gentle and soft-spoken but with an authorative tone and touch, keeping you in place while pleasuring you with his cock, tail, tongue and hands

-🌶️ Afterwards he makes sure you're well taken care of and tugged into bed as if he didn't just make you beg him for pleasure, perhaps one day he also gets the pleasure of having your soul but that's something he doesn't look into, letting himself get surprised by you

Solomon:

-As he himself is human and has been surrounded and interacted with them, he already knows about it and offers his assistance with delight, may it be good or bad, depends if he's heading towards the store for snacks or into the kitchen to cook your demise

-Of course, aside from going shopping for you, he offers to make a hearty meal for you filled with love but you quickly declined and said you lost your appetite

-He uses his magic a lot to help, for example heating up his hand and placing it on your abdomen or making your cramps disappear (a spell you desperately want to learn fast) and so on

-He wouldn't mind doing whatever you have in mind, may it be a simple walk or cuddling in his bed, tracing the magical tattoos on his arms

-🌶️ He'd take his time with you, thoroughly enjoying his time with you, using magic and his hands to pleasure you, heightening your senses and enjoying the mess he's making of you

-🌶️ He'd litter your body in kisses while gazing at your eyes lovingly, making you forget everything, going soft and rough

-🌶️ He'd hold you close while fucking you, as if he's afraid you'd disappear the moment he didn't hold you to himself anymore

-🌶️ After some lazy clean-up, he holds you close, for once his lonely heart doesn't feel so sad anymore, perhaps he can selfishly keep to himself

Simeon:

-He's worried at first but quickly understands what you go through and offers his help in kindness

-He would cook for you, tug you in bed, offer his company in any way possible

-While you're waiting for the painkillers to work, he holds you, caressing your back while telling you stories about the celestial realm, calling you his little dove/angel

-He'd hold your hand while you sleep, smiling before continuing to write the next chapters of his book, feeling a spark of inspiration

-🌶️ He's extremely gentle and soft, giving you loving kisses while gently fucking you, no rushing or roughness, only relishing in the moment, his wings covering you, soft and light

-🌶️ He worships all of your body, whispering sweet nothings while he holds your leg up, kissing your inner thigh while talking about how lovely you are

-🌶️ In the end, he's exhausted but happy you're feeling better, for you, he'd defy the heavens to properly love you, perhaps he now understands why Lilith chose to fall in love with a human

Luke (Platonic!):

-He went to Simeon to ask what's wrong with you but he quickly grows flustered, not asking for details, you get your period each month and bleed and that's all he needs to know that you need comfort

-He takes his sweet time to bake something delicious for you, making sure his baking is even better this time, asking Barbatos for help

-He proudly presents his muffins to you, delighted to know you love them, he feels like a happy little chihuahua angel

-He spends time with you playing games and talking, making sure he's making you feel better as if he's your guardian angel

I'm finally finished with writing this long list of headcanons 🫠

I hope it's not too oc and still enjoyable as something comfy and I hope the smutty parts aren't too corny, I'm not used to writing sexual content��

I'm always open and eager to hear headcanon ideas🩷

[lannie-bacota]

I present to you the new Undertale AU I’ve been trying to create: ArtTale!

I only have a few these two designs so far and Undynes still in beta (I promise I’ll fix sans, it’s just my first time drawing him ok?)

But in the meantime here’s a list of what I have so far:

The Human, Frisk: [Soul: Determination] Frisk is armed with a Paint brush and a decorative leather Armband the moment she falls into the underground. she is a girl here because Frisk theoretically is the gender of the player. Frisk will find other items like the Boxing Gloves or the Tutu, but will remain using the items they came with, the found items can be taken to a store and used to upgrade your Paint Brush and Armband. Instead of a striped sweater, Frisk wears a Blue and Pink Striped open jacket with one sleeve rolled up, along with a pair of messy jeans and Yellow boots. Which run they choose is still being decided.

Flowey: [Flower Painting] Flowey sits in the flower bed standing out with his beautiful colorful petals, he tells The Human to paint one of his petals red when they first meet, claiming it’s some form of friendship thing down here. Not much really changes with this character except that their omega form is covered with paint splatter.

Toriel: [Oil Painting] Toriel spends most of her day painting the walls of the ruins with her oil paints, one painting in particular hangs in the hallway of her home, what the painting is of can’t be told, looks like it was smudged and ruined with water a long time ago, all you could make out was a handful of yellow flowers. Toriel still enjoys making butterscotch pie and immediately offers to make one for the human when they first meet. (PS: Everyone is a little friendlier in this AU). Through out your time staying with Toriel she will help you with doing certain types of arts and crafts, sometimes puzzles and board games, The Human only chooses to leave once they realize they don’t remember how long they’ve been here.

sans: [Chicken Scratch/Sketching] sans likes to doodle but puts very little effort into his art, often leaving the unfinished works on the floor around the house, stating that he’s “adding a bit of artistic flair to the home”. PAPYRUS hates it and always has to clean it up, the walls in sans’s room are covered head to toe in unfinished pieces, making it a complete mess. Like how his font works, sans’s appearance is affected by his art style, making him appear like an actual sketch, sometimes he’s colored, sometimes he’s plane blank white, it’s completely random. During his boss battle instead of his classic line “it’s a beautiful day outside, birds are singing, flowers are blooming, on days like these, kids like you ..should be burning in Hell.” sans will toss The Human a pencil and say the line “you like to draw right kid? So you’d know ..a sketch is only the beginning.” And then the boss battle begins.

PAPYRUS: [Classic Paints/Finger Paint] PAPYRUS loves to paint and much like Toriel, he decorates his home with art, he likes to think that it makes him look cool(Which it does! ÙnÚ) and will often brag about it to The Human, not in a mean way though, on a pacifist route The Human teaches PAPYRUS how to finger paint, at first it’s a hassle with his thin sharp bones but they learn to use their gloves to help.

Monster Kid: [Nothing Lol] MK doesn’t draw cause he doesn’t have arms, but later on The Human encourages them with their Determination to learn how in other ways, like with his mouth and such

Undyne: [Spray Paint] work in progress

Alphys: [Digital Art] work in progress

Mettaton: [Glitter Art] you know those old things where you’d peel a piece of paper off a sticky piece of paper and out glitter on it by the number and eventually it became a picture? Yea that. Mettaton will decorate you and get glitter in your eye as he kicks it around with his beautiful legs✨

Asgore: [Sculpting] Asgore likes to make stone sculptures to decorate his garden, he even made his own throne out of stone, which would be very uncomfortable if it wasn’t for the cushions, each of the fallen children’s coffins were also sculpted by him

Wendy: [Soul: Patience] “patience is key when making art”

[if0302]

Doctor who spoilers!!

Okay, I don't usually post anything bc I'm awkward and antisocial and people already say what I think so it's easier to just reblog, but I just saw the Doctor Who finale and I need to VENT. I have a mix of feelings and some of them are good and some of them are bad.

I think the episode overall would be a good regeneration episode, with all the found family moments and goodbyes BUT I don't think this shouldve been Ncuti's last episode. He only had two seasons and both of them have felt rushed. I was finally seeing some growth in him as the Doctor and I was loving it. I just love the 15th Doctor so much, and I'm so sad to watch him leave so early.

Something that I did like was the scene 15 shared with 13. I missed 13 SO MUCH and don't get me started on how unfair I think her last episode and regeneration was. I loved her, we finally had a female Doctor, but I feel like they didn't let her shine as much as she deserved, but I digress. Seeing her again felt like a hug, I was seeing blurry from all the tears in my eyes. That scene made me really happy, it felt like both 13 and 15 saying to each other "We are The Doctor. It's ended, and its sad, but we ARE the doctor" and I loved it.

Now let's get into the real shit.

Before I even mention the regeneration, I need to complain about something I've noticed with Russell. Every woman he has written this time I feel like is two dimensional. Ruby had the big mistery about her mom, and ended up being nothing and everything revolving around the doctor. Belinda was a really interesting character that could've been a good contrast with other companions given that she didnt want to travel with him, but that ended like 2 episodes into the series. And the rest of the women have like one trait that they use for some scenes and that's it (for example, Shirley when they are talking about disabilities, Mel when they're explaining something from classic who). I'm not saying they don't have some plots, but in the end it always feels like they are a complement or an accessory to the doctor, and nothing more.

And I can't explain the anger I felt when I saw the two main companions of this doctor each with a baby in their arms. Okey, the wish baby isn't gonna be like ruby's child, but still I feel its kind of messed up that both of them end up in earth with babies to take care of. And that all Belinda's plot was reduced to her being a mother. Idk, maybe I'm exaggerating but it just didn't sit right with me.

Now, the regeneration. Let me say first that I love Billie piper and I love rose tyler with all my heart. She's been my favourite companion since I started to watch the show at 11 years old. And, normally I would be the one cheering the hardest bc she was back. The thing is I think it's kind of disturbing that the Doctor regenerated to her. It's just weird that they would choose to regenerate to rose, to have her face and body. I get that sometimes they can't choose the face, but even then they unconsciously have something to do with it. I did notice that billie wasn't credited as the Doctor so maybe something happened during the regeneration and we just don't know yet. If she isn't or if she is the doctor but they give an explanation, and it's something outside the doctors control, then I will be thrilled to seeing Billie back.

I do have a theory, there was like a shot of the TARDIS while the regeneration, so maybe it mixed with the heart of the TARDIS and then the doctor adopted rose's form/bad wolf form idk. I wouldn't mind something like that happening.

So yeah, I don't know if this made sense so sorry. I just had a lot of feelings and opinions about it, and it just pissed me off. I really try to love everything about the show and not overthink it so I can enjoy, but sometimes I just can't. Doctor who means too much to me and thats why Im so opinionated and intense about it. It's just frustrating as a woman wanting to feel represented in this show, and a lot of the times I feel like they are writing women in a good way they find a way to mess it up. I love all of the women in the show, but I just hoped they ended better, bc they deserve a lot better.

[radioactivatedspider]

Mirror Image

Main Masterlist The Boys Masterlist

Pairings; Soldier Boy x Soldier Girl!Reader

Genre; Action/Romance, Black Comedy, Character Study, Antihero Romance

Warnings; language, violence, suggestive content

Summary: Ben spends a single day trying to survive the war zone that is loving someone who might be the only person that understands him… or drives him off the edge.

1025 words

He wakes to screaming.

Not hers. The TV. She left it on again—reruns of Bewitched, volume cranked like it was a damn rock concert.

“Jesus Christ, Y/N,” Ben groans, dragging himself out of the tangle of sheets and limbs.

In the kitchen, she’s in one of his shirts, frying bacon in nothing else but knee-high combat boots. She’s singing off-key to the opening credits, flipping bacon with a combat knife.

“You sleep like a corpse,” she says without looking at him. “If I didn’t put on a show, you’d be out ‘til noon.”

He should be annoyed. He is annoyed. But he also kind of loves it.

They fight over coffee.

Not a metaphor. Actual fists.

She drank the last of the grounds. He lunges. She blocks him with a cast iron skillet.

He flips her over his shoulder. She lands, laughing, before socking him in the jaw hard enough to leave a bruise.

Ten minutes later, they're both panting on the kitchen floor, drinking black sludge she called "emergency brew" while nursing bruises and sharing a single cigarette.

"I hate you," he tells her.

She blows smoke in his face. "Liar."

Post-coffee detente. They both sit on the couch, legs up, watching old war footage.

"That’s you," she points to the screen. "That one time you tried to headbutt a tank."

He winces. “Wasn't my best idea.”

She leans on his shoulder. “Still hot, though.”

He doesn’t say anything, but his arm slips around her waist like it belongs there.

Training together is a disaster.

They're both competitive. They cheat. They sabotage each other's reps.

She fakes a leg cramp just to kick him in the knee. He swaps her protein shake for tequila.

By the end, they’re both bleeding and breathless and collapsed on the mat, grinning like maniacs.

“I think I love you,” she pants.

He blinks.

“…You’re insane.”

She’s in the shower. He sits outside the door, cleaning his shield, listening to her sing military cadence over the running water.

He should be used to it by now. But there’s something about hearing his own madness echoed back at him in her voice—it does something to him.

Something not even the war did.

They both get the same call. Vought wants them for a PR stunt.

“Matching suits,” she says with a grimace, holding up the skin-tight star-spangled nightmare they mailed her.

He smirks. “Bet you’ll look hot.”

She flips him off. “Bet I’ll kill someone.”

They're at a photoshoot. The director calls them “America’s Power Couple.”

Ben flashes his fake smile. Y/N breaks a guy’s camera for calling her “Lady Soldier Boy.”

They’re escorted out before the second shot. She punches a paparazzi on the way to the car.

“You’re a menace,” Ben says, hiding a smirk.

“You love it.”

Unfortunately, he really, really does.

They stop at a roadside diner. She orders four burgers and a bottle of whiskey.

He orders the same.

They arm-wrestle for the last onion ring. He lets her win. She knows it. Doesn’t call him on it.

Not out loud, anyway.

Her foot brushes his under the table. It’s the softest she’s been all day.

Back at the apartment, she flops onto the couch.

“Nap?”

“Naps are for civilians.”

She lifts one brow, smug. “Then why are you spooning me already?”

Shit.

She jerks awake, sweating. Heart racing.

He was already awake, watching her.

“Same dream?” he asks.

She nods, staring at the ceiling.

He doesn’t touch her. Just stays there.

That’s the difference. Everyone else tried to fix her. Ben knows better.

They sit quietly. She smokes. He drinks.

Neither talks. Neither needs to.

Sometimes being too alike means they don’t need to fill space with noise.

Sometimes it's the only peace they get.

It comes out of nowhere.

She says he’s soft now. He says she’s reckless. She says he’s jealous. He says she’s exactly what he hated about himself.

“You don’t love me,” she growls. “You love the parts of me that you used to be.”

He throws a chair across the room.

“You think you’re so fucking special?” he shouts. “You’re just like me—and that scares the shit out of you!”

She doesn’t deny it.

The silence after is louder than any explosion.

She’s on the roof. He joins her.

Doesn’t say sorry. Neither does she.

They sit together, staring at the skyline.

“I don’t want to lose you,” she says finally.

“You won’t,” he replies, surprising them both.

She bumps her shoulder into his.

It’s enough.

They make dinner together. Chicken, burnt. Potatoes, undercooked. Wine, finished before the food’s ready.

But they laugh this time.

He smears sauce on her cheek. She tackles him into the fridge.

They kiss until the oven timer explodes.

They clean up the mess, trading stories from the war. Ones they never told anyone.

He admits to being scared. She admits to not wanting to die alone.

They don’t look at each other when they say it. But they hold hands under the table.

They’re in bed, tangled in sheets and each other.

No roughness. No battle.

Just two broken mirrors trying to fit.

She traces the scar on his chest. “I don’t want to be like you.”

He closes his eyes. “Good. One of me’s enough.”

But he kisses her anyway. And she lets him.

They argue over who snores louder.

She says his foot twitches when he’s about to dream.

He says she drools.

She smacks him. He kisses her shoulder.

The TV is on again, low this time.

Neither wants to sleep. Not really.

They share a cigar on the fire escape, looking down at the city like kings and queens of a broken kingdom.

He offers her the last puff. She takes it.

“I still hate you sometimes,” she murmurs.

“Back at you, sweetheart.”

They smile.

He watches her fall asleep beside him, arm over his chest, hair a mess.

She snores softly. Drools a little.

And for the first time in a long time, Ben doesn’t mind being awake.

Because if anyone could survive a day like this with him… it’s her.

His twin flame. His mirror. His chaos.