#I love little excerpts

[jackklinemybeloved]

[…]

Percy’s warning to fellow half-bloods in the audience, across different mediums.

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2005) The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (2017) Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series Teaser (2023)

[derangedrhythms]

Yaedi Ignatow, I Feel A Little Jumpy Around You: Paired Poems by Men & Women; from 'We Were Love', ed. Naomi Shihab Nye & Paul B. Janeczko

[badassindistress]

Mum took my sister and I to a workshop tradional Delft blue painting at the Royal Delft Museum for her birthday. So of course we painted a nice traditional design. No really, we did! She drew a hippocampus and I drew a dragon that were both directly from a 17th century tile.

It was challenging, but really fun!

[doll-elvis]

the way the feminism would leave my body at lightning speed as soon as Elvis asked me to do something…

like cut your toenails? let me go get the clippers sir

[dss1101]

" “I was on a mission to take out the chandeliers in the foyer, but construction on the gym finished before I could get them all.” 

“There’s only one chandelier in the foyer.” 

“Exactly.” "

Dick Grayson the man that you are. Baby Dick Grayson was on a mission to cause as much destruction as possible and honestly I respect it.

[renzireads]

Nightwing opened the fridge, trying to figure out if he had any soda that hadn’t gone flat. After what barely felt like two seconds of looking, he felt a presence behind him.

“What d’ya have?” The Flash asks, standing just a little too close. Nightwing turned halfly, giving him a look that apparently didn’t look too intimidating, considering the Flash stood there, smile unfaltering.

“Not much, I fear.” He said as he turned back to the fridge, grabbing a bottle that seemed unopened. “Will this do?”

“Fine with me!”

Nightwing stepped back to close the fridge, bumping directly into the Flash’s chest. A hand appeared on his waist to stabilize him and -much to Nightwing’s dismay- the hand disappeared when the Flash seemed to realize he didn’t need it.

A pity.

And another thought Nightwing was not going to think about tonight.

[cherrycoloredfaith]

rating: Explicit

smutty femslash steddie tyvm

---------------

She saw the moment Eddie’s eyes caught sight of it. The damn thing nearly glowed, even as it barely peeked from underneath the pillow. 

Eddie smiled devilishly, flashing teeth between her deep crimson lips. “Busy, were you?”

Shit. Fuck. Shit. 

Her face fell into her hands with shame, palms burning at the touch of her blazing cheeks. “Oh my god, Eddie,” Stevie begged. 

“Mm, let’s see what you’ve got here,” Eddie chided. There was no stopping her; Stevie had died in that moment. All choice, all free will she gave up to whatever malevolent force would take her first, praying God would smite her there and then for her all her sins. 

Eddie upturned the pillow, casting it aside to reveal the vulgar thing that would be the indirect reason for Stevie’s death. She hummed, then whispered in a low voice, “Did you use it? After I left?”

Stevie refused to look at her, having never been this open about one another’s sexual lives before. But, hell, she could only be honest. “No…I hadn’t used it yet, you came back so soon…” she replied as if it made it any better that she didn’t expect it. 

Acting as if this gave her permission to touch, Eddie valiantly gripped it in her hand, scooting closer to examine it further, as if inspecting it. “What got you so riled up, Stevie?” she purred, teasing her. 

[sirmanmister]

ARTFIGHT ATTACK FOR @leavingautumn13 of Nora!!!!!

This was literally so fun to do I love Nora to bits 🥰

[powerful-niya]

— (вяєαкιиg вσυи∂αяιєѕ.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚hαppч nαruhínα mσnth єvєrчσnє!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟷𝟿: 𝚂𝚙𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝙶𝚢𝚖 𝙰𝚄 + "𝙸 𝚖𝚊𝚍𝚎 𝚊 𝚖𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞." - (𝙽𝙷𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝟸𝟹)

Link to Oneshot below ↴

Part #1: Wattpad | AO3

Part #2: Wattpad | AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡The very idea of stepping into a gym has always been intimidating for Hinata, with its bustling crowds and the watchful gazes of others.

However, driven by the goal of getting fit, she finds support from her best friend, Sakura, leading her into the capable hands of Naruto Uzumaki, a highly skilled personal trainer. 

With Naruto's guidance, Hinata feels like she's finally on track to achieve her goals, both physical and personal.

Yet, as their relationship evolves with each training session, Hinata can't help but wonder if their relationship is becoming something more than just professional.

Content Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Affirmations • Angst • Body Acceptance • Body Appreciation • Body Positivity • December 19 • December 31 • Feel Good • Fitness Journey • Forbidden Love • Gym AU • Gym Anxiety • Gym Romance • Humor • Love & Fitness • Mutual Pining • Misunderstandings • Mixed Signals • Modern AU • New Beginnings • Nhmonth • Nhmonth23 • Personal Trainer • Power Differences • Public • Self-Discovery • Sexy Naruto • Shy Hinata • Touchy-Feely Romance • Trainer X Trainee • Unexpected Love • Unrequited Love • Working Out • 2023 •

NSFW Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚  Accidental Stimulation • Body Worship • Cock Bulge • Cock Worship • Come-Marking • Cunnilingus • Desperation • Dirty talk • Dom/Sub • Exhibitionism • Explicit • Fantasies & Fantasizing • Foreplay • Freaky • Groping • Gym Sex • Intimate Training • Kinky • Lewd • Loss of Control  • (Major) Size Difference Kink • Marathon Sex • Masturbation  • Messy • Muscle Kink • Multiple Orgasms • NSFW • Overstimulation • Power play • Praise Kink • Pussy Worship • Rough Sex • Scent Kink • Secret Desires • Semi Public • Sensual Touches • Sensual Workouts • Shower Sex • Spanking • Squirting • Strength Kink • Sweat Kink • Teasing • Tryst • Unprotected Sex • Vaginal Sex • Wandering Hands • Yearning • 2023

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

💪Part #1: 15.9k

💪Part #2: 19.5K.

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚3.9k

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

"I shouldn't have done this," Hinata muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the bustling activity of the gym she found herself in.

It was a place she had never truly been a part of, an outsider peering into a world she had never dared to enter before.

The gym.

Hinata shook her head.

What was she thinking?

Rapidly, like a schizophrenic patient, her lavender eyes darted hesitantly across the area, cringing at the sight of numerous bodies of all sizes–scattered throughout the place.

Her gaze swept over the multitude of people, each one deeply engrossed in their workout routine, contributing to the rhythmic ebb and flow of the gym's energy.

The people here, sporting wide ranges of colorful fitness gear, moved with a comfort and ease that she envied, effortlessly blending into the hustle and bustle of the gym without a single worry in sight.

Conversations merged into a low murmur, punctuated by the occasional clank of weights, the whir of exercise machines, and random music from someone's headphones nearby.

The air was thick with the unmistakable scent of sweat, enveloping her like a heavy blanket, each breath saturated with the pungent aroma. It clung to her slightly dewy skin, mingling with the heat radiating from the bodies all around her.

To say Hinata was overwhelmed would be an understatement; nerves currently coursed through her so intensely that she felt like she was seconds away from barfing.

She felt queasy.

The gym was so packed!

Hinata wasn't one for crowded spaces, but the thought of pushing herself through intense public workouts amidst all the hustle and bustle of a crowd definitely takes the cake.

All those people.

All those eyes.

Watching her.

She shuddered.

Let's just say, going to the gym has never been on the top of her bucket list.

Hinata smacked her forehead in frustration.

Then, why did she choose to listen to Sakura?

Why did she actually go through with her advice?

When Hinata expressed the desire to kickstart the new year by shedding a bit of weight and getting fit, she hadn't anticipated finding herself in a packed gym, surrounded by sweaty bodies, waiting, what seemed like an eternity for her new personal trainer.

No way.

"Yep, this is a bad idea." Hinata groaned, feeling the very reason she had dreaded coming to the gym materializing all around her.

"Oh no, you don't! You're not backing out, Hinata-chan. I've done wayyy too much for you to chicken out and leave now."

Sakura Haruno.

Hinata's best friend.

The pink-haired woman's voice burst through the phone pressed against Hinata's ear, shattering the brief silence that had settled on her end.

Her voice startled Hinata, only adding to the anxiety that practically permeated every inch of her being.

Anxiously, the midnight blue-haired woman began to bounce her leg up and down, her eyes continuously scanning the area.

She occupied a sad, empty cushioned chair tucked away in a corner of one of the gym's lounge areas, her fitness bag and water bottle claiming the seat beside her.

Hinata shook her head, her messy bun growing even messier.

"D-Demo-"

"No buts, Hinata-chan! There's nothing to worry about, it's just nerves. You'll be fine, I promise."

Hinata let out a whimper, surveying the crowded gym once again. Yet, no matter how many times she glanced around, the feeling of being out of place lingered, refusing to go away.

She bit her lip nervously, "I-I don't know, Sakura-chan."

"Hinata-chan, you've got to stay focused and keep your eyes on the prize, girl. Aren't you determined to achieve those New Year's goals you keep pestering yourself about?"

Sakura's encouraging voice bombarded Hinata with questions, urging her on.

"And what about working towards that healthier lifestyle you've always wanted, huh?"

"H-Hai, demo..." Hinata hesitated, her thoughts muddled.

"You want to get toned up, don't ya? Wanna get snatched?

"W-Well yes, that's, um, one way of putting it..."

"Okay then! Just imagine all the attention you'll get from men when you finally get that body all plump and fit. You'll have them lining up for you, even more than they already do-"

"Sakura-chan!" Hinata protested, feeling the heat rising in her cheeks due to Sakura's bold and certainly unexpected comment.

A mischievous giggle bubbled from Sakura's lips from her end of the phone, the sound teasing and light-hearted, as she relished in Hinata's reaction.

Hinata shook her head, "Y-You know th-that's certainly not what I want!"

On that remark, Sakura's giggle tapered off into a chuckle, clearly hearing the embarrassment in her best friend's tone.

"Relax, Hinata-chan, I'm just messing with you."

Sakura spoke, her tone softer now, trying to ease Hinata's embarrassment.

There was a brief pause before Sakura's voice arose again.

"You did check in at the front desk, didn't you?

Hinata nodded nervously, stammering, "H-Hai. I-I checked in-"

"Then there's nothing to worry about! Just take it easy until your personal trainer arrives. You'll really appreciate it once he does."

Sakura quipped, the excitement in her voice evident. She made sure to stress the word "really" in that sentence.

"The trainer I've set you up with is seriously top-notch—he was actually recommended by my own trainer. He's seriously amazing, gets five-star ratings, and he really looks out for his clients. I'm sure he'll take great care of you too, Hinata-chan!"

Hinata hummed, intrigued, to say the least.

With Sakura's words, they actually managed to alleviate the weight of anxiety from Hinata's shoulders.

Momentarily anyway.

A glimmer of relief washed over the midnight blue-haired woman as she sat and mulled over Sakura's assurance.

For a fleeting moment, Hinata permitted herself to entertain the hope that everything would turn out fine, that she was indeed in capable hands.

She desperately wanted to believe in Sakura, and in her words, to cling onto the reassurance she offered.

She tried to fight the anxiety.

She tried to fight the doubt.

She tried to push down those annoying feelings with all of her might.

But she couldn't keep them down for long.

Because just as she tried...

Just as she tried to think positive, other plaguing thoughts began to creep into her mind.

The most prominent one being the lingering issue at hand:

Her late personal trainer.

Once again, doubt and uncertainty came flooding back in, gnawing at her confidence and relief. And before she knew it, her mood shifted once again, simmering irritation bubbling up within her.

Now, she was annoyed.

Hinata couldn't help but feel as if her emotions were fluctuating as wildly as those of a pregnant woman, leaving her feeling completely disoriented.

She just wanted to go home.

Hinata gave her head another shake, her lavender eyes wandering around the gym yet again.

"I'm trying to believe you, Sakura-chan, I really am, demo..." She muttered into the phone with a groan.

"Gomen, Sakura-chan, I don't mean to offend you, but... I'm just not buying it " Hinata blurted out under her breath.

She was met with silence on the other end, so she continued.

"All the ex-excitement you're expressing about this 'mysteriously great' personal trainer doesn't convince me, especially since, let me remind you, he's running late," Hinata muttered impatiently.

"So unprofessional." She groaned under her lips.

Hinata has to be honest.

She actually harbored certain... preconceptions about personal trainers.

She actually saw them as intimidating military generals that barked constant orders at their trainees, permitted them no rest, and perhaps even pushed them past their breaking point.

It was her first experience with a personal trainer, and she wasn't quite sure what to expect.

Especially since her trainer is male!

It was all Sakura's fault.

She set her up—specifically assigning her a male personal trainer and deliberately not accompanying Hinata to the gym in person.

It was Sakura's idea of "treating her" to something nice for a change, but Hinata perceived it as nothing more than a tease, a curse, some form of punishment!

Sakura certainly knew that Hinata had always struggled with interacting with boys; now, as a woman, men were no exception.

Hinata hasn't dated anyone since high school, where she fooled around, experienced her firsts, and participated in all the awkward things typical of teenagers—experiences that, as an adult, tends to come back and haunt.

She blushed in embarrassment at the many memories that came to mind.

Now, as a woman, a busy woman to be exact, actively functioning with a demanding schedule in her daily work life, it seems she has neglected intimacy for so long that she doesn't even know how to approach men anymore.

She was a complete klutz around them, always making a fool of herself, stumbling over her words, and just being a total embarrassment to both herself and everyone around.

Now, with the knowledge that her initial trainer would be a man, possibly examining her body as she exercised, touching her, talking to her, only intensified the overwhelming feelings she felt. Such feelings tore her up inside and threatened to make her want to just drop everything and run straight out of the gym.

If not that...

Then, Hinata was certain she might faint.

She whipped her head up once more, scanning the expansive area, shifting her gaze beyond equipment and moving bodies.

"Ugh, where could he be?"

As if things couldn't get any worse, and her nerves couldn't intensify further, Hinata has been seated in the same spot for forty minutes now. Not once has she laid eyes on her personal trainer, at least, not the man that matches the description Sakura provided.

Blonde hair.

Blue eyes.

Sexy as hell.

Hinata rolled her eyes.

She was well-acquainted with her best friend's tendencies, almost an expert on them given their long history together.

Having known Sakura for just about her entire life and regarding her as an older sister figure, Hinata knew that Sakura could over-exaggerate at times and, not only that, but also be quite over the top.

Yes, she was pretty proactive, Hinata has gotta give her credit for that.

Initially, she actually recommended Hinata her regular spot in Tokyo—Konoha Sports Club—to get her into the gym.

But Sakura didn't stop there.

She went above and beyond by securing a personal trainer for Hinata and adding her to her gym membership plan, generously covering all the expenses for her fitness plan.

Once again, Hinata couldn't help but roll her eyes.

Typical Sakura, always so over the top.

For months, Sakura had been on Hinata's case about joining the gym, pushing her to quit hiding in the comfort of her home, to just give up on all those failed attempts to work out using her TV.

But given Hinata's clear disinclination, the gym wasn't exactly her comfort zone, and the idea of having a male personal trainer didn't align with her usual preferences.

Nevertheless, against all odds, Hinata found herself here, in the gym.

Her New Year's resolutions were now on the brink of transforming from mere overly optimistic thoughts dismissed on a day-to-day basis—into tangible reality.

Hinata groaned.

Yippee.

But... with her personal trainer nowhere in sight, she started to see it as a sign—an opportunity to rethink her rather bold decision.

Initially, she had doubts, but now she was finally giving in to those... doubts.

Hinata sighed, lifting her hips from her seat, "Ah well, he didn't show. I guess that means I'm leaving now-"

"No, no, no! Don't you dare!"

"Why not, Sakura-chan," Hinata snapped, flopping back down in her seat, "Obviously, the personal trainer you've recommended isn't top-notch, or he'd be here—on time." Hinata snapped.

She shook her head in frustration, her patience worn thin.

At this point, her lips began to move almost involuntarily, frustration blinding her to her surroundings. Words began to just slip out of her mouth now.

"Besides, isn't working here at the gym his job? Shouldn't he be here instead of slacking off-"

"Hi... nata Hyuga?"

Hinata's words came to an abrupt halt, as did her entire world, as an unfamiliar husky voice broke through her concentration, interrupting her phone call and well, her entire train of thought.

Hinata's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly whipped her head toward the culprit who called her name.

To her surprise, she found herself gazing into the bluest eyes she had ever seen.

It was a man.

But not any ordinary man.

From the instant Hinata set her eyes upon him, she found herself breathless.

The male newcomer bore a resemblance to a living, breathing statue. No, scratch that.

He looked like a model plucked from the glossy pages of the gym magazines prominently featured throughout the establishment.

A professional hottie.

And there he stood, towering above her.

He stared back at her, and she stared back at him.

At that moment, as their eyes met, it seemed as though time momentarily stood still for both of them, and the commotion of the gym faded into the distance, reduced to nothing more than background noise.

Hinata's lavender eyes remained fixed on the man before her, carefully observing the nuances of his features.

The stranger's hair was a vibrant shade of blonde, like that of sunlit wheat fields.

It was spiky too, each spike standing with confident defiance, outlining his whiskered cheeks, strong jawline, and even perfectly complementing his sun-kissed tan complexion.

Blonde hair.

His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of blue, glimmered with a touch of curiosity as he peered down at her, exuding a warmth that caused Hinata's breath to hitch.

Blue eyes.

Hinata found herself unable to resist marveling at the handsome stranger standing before her.

Her eyes attentively traced the details of his appearance, from the subtle smirk gracing his lips to the sleeveless black muscle shirt that literally hugged his toned body like a second skin.

His pecs and eight-pack were clearly visible through the black fabric, each contour coming together to resemble a washboard along his abdomen that seemed to sink in with every powerful breath he took.

She couldn't help but let her eyes wander lower, but what she saw there nearly caused her to faint.

Oh my kami.

Hinata noticed it right away.

The bulge.

The bulge in his shorts.

The generously sized, mega bulge found in his shorts, where his cock...

Hinata cleared her throat.

She meant his penis, was constrained, tucked away from view.

The major hunk of flesh protruded noticeably, resting along his right thigh in his shorts. His mighty companion created a noticeable bulge that asserted its presence proudly through the black fabric of his fitness attire.

Hinata had to remind herself to close her mouth, and stray her eyes away to avoid looking like a pervert.

The blonde was packing.

Seriously.

Not to mention, he smelled really good too.

Hinata could distinctly smell the sandalwood cologne that enveloped her nostrils the moment he stepped before her.

The scent bore rich wood essences, much like luxurious woods such as bark or pine cones.

His cologne was subtle, not overwhelming at all, yet it exuded a warm, lasting presence in the air between them.

Very masculine.

Hinata also observed the orange duffel bag he had slung along his shoulder, which slipped down his frame, following his every moment.

She even noticed that he was currently holding his phone, one large hand cupped around its base, making the device seem tiny in his grasp.

Sexy.

As.

Hell.

It's him.

Her trainer.

"Oh my kami," Hinata whispered, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

The realization of the descriptions Sakura had provided hit her hard, and she found herself utterly captivated by the living embodiment of those words; right there, standing before her.

And as the initial shock subsided, Hinata couldn't escape the immense regret welling up within her as she remembered the less-than-flattering words she had uttered just seconds ago–words that the attractive blonde male standing before her most definitely heard.

A snicker escaped Sakura on the other line, relishing the silence.

"I take it by your abrupt silence, he's here, huh? What did I tell ya? He's fine as hell, isn't he?"

Another snicker escaped her.

"You're welcome, bestie. I hope you enjoy-"

"Eeek! M-My trainer is h-here now, so byeee!" Hinata blurted out in a nervous fit before hurriedly tapping the hang-up button with her thumb, removing the phone from her ear, and tucking it into her yoga pants pocket.

Her gaze snapped up to the blonde male before her, catching him chuckling in response to her flusteredness.

Her lavender eyes widened, and she swiftly rose to a stand, "Oh my kami. G-Gomen, I didn't mean to s-say..." She cut herself off, covering her eyes with her hands, shaking her head.

"Oh kami, this is so embarrassing."

Another chuckle escaped the blonde, a hearty one that caused his chest to rumble.

His deep chuckle, along with the smooth richness of his voice, sent a barrage of shivers racing through Hinata's body, like a machine gun firing into her flesh.

The sound of his laughter hung in the air, teasingly so, intensifying the crimson blush that spread across her cheeks with each passing second.

Hinata peeked at him through the spaces between her fingers, attempting to hide the effect his captivating voice had on her.

His voice was so sexy!

Kami, she's not gonna make it.

The spiky-haired blonde shook his head, gesturing dismissively.

"Ah, don't sweat it, love."

Placing his free hand on his chest, he gave it a pat. However, Hinata couldn't help but focus her attention on his hardened nipples poking through his shirt.

'Oh my kami! Why are male nipples so hot!' She thought in a hysterical fit.

Hinata stole another quick glance lower, a mere shift of her lavender irises, and caught sight of his bulge once more.

'Oh gosh, why is his cock sooo huge?' She shook her head.

'Scratch that, kami, just why is this man so hot?!?'

She screeched constantly in her head, her cheeks burning crimson, and her senses going into overdrive.

But the male didn't seem to notice.

He went on.

"I should be the one apologizing to you," The blonde remarked, gesturing toward her, watching as her fingers dropped from her face upon his declaration.

"I never meant to keep you waiting or upset you. I'm afraid I couldn't exactly... find you. The client that assigned you to me," He glanced down at his phone again.

"Sa..ku..ra Haru..no."

He sounded out her name quite slowly, unfamiliar with it, before casting his gaze back onto her, "She sent me a picture with your hair down. So, I was looking all over this entire gym for a version of you with your hair down—a total doozy that was, let me tell ya."

He seemed to laugh at himself, and Hinata couldn't help the slight giggle that escaped her own lips.

"Then I thought to myself, oh, why would she have her hair down in the gym; it'll make sense for it to be up. Gah, you're such a baka," He chastised himself in the midst of his explanation, giving his forehead a slap with his free hand.

He shook his head.

"I even asked the receptionist where you'd gone, but uh," He leaned in, lowering his voice, "Don't tell anyone I told you this, but..." He trailed off, glancing around as though checking for any eavesdroppers.

Hinata giggled at that.

He turned back to her, "They were a little useless," He whispered with a groan, rolling his pretty blue eyes.

"And I'm just being generous by adding in the 'little.'"

"O-Oh," Hinata exclaimed, placing one hand over her mouth to hold back another giggle.

"Were they?"

"Yeah, unfortunately." The blonde gruffed.

"Receptionist couldn't remember if your hair was blue or black, or where you even went for the matter." He scoffed, "Complete bakas, I swear, the things I have to deal with," He playfully chastised, causing Hinata to burst into laughter.

"Eventually, I saw you, and your eyes, and well, everything started to make sense, haha!" The blonde boasted, running his hand back to nervously rub his neck, a sheepish smile playing on his lips.

"It seems my instincts were right, after all."

He nodded at her hair.

"Ya got your hair up."

Hinata's blush deepened.

But she couldn't ignore the twinge of guilt that lingered now that her trainer had actually explained why he was late.

He's totally innocent.

She felt terrible for badmouthing him.

The blonde trainer clicked his tongue, "So, the moral of my long and boring story is that I completely failed at making a great first impression."

He bowed low in respect, "Gomen, love."

Hinata had to bite back a smile upon hearing his words.

'Oh, I can most certainly disagree upon that.' She thought in her head.

The blonde male's irresistible charm, the warmth of his smile, the husky timbre of his voice, his self-assured confidence, his sense of humor...that bulge–they were all it took for him to leave a great first impression in her eyes.

In the presence of these elements, Hinata instantly forgot the reasons behind her being upset and the fact that she had been waiting for forty minutes straight.

That's neither here nor there now.

Instead, she faintly smiled, and she too, bowed her head, "Oh, you mustn't apologize; I totally understand. I should for all the tr-trouble, sir-"

"Call me Naruto."

"Eh?" Hinata questioned, straightening her posture in a flash.

His smirk widened, a confident expression.

"Naruto," The spiky-haired blonde repeated, his tone easygoing, "The name's Naruto."

He straightened his posture, gracing her with a warm smile, revealing his sharp canines.

Hinata's eyes widened.

"As your new personal trainer, it's my duty to make you as comfortable as possible, so feel free to call me by my first name, no formalities required."

"O-Oh okay," Hinata nervously replied, her eyes meeting Naruto's as he extended his hand.

With a shaky gesture, she reached out, her hand clasping within his warmth for a firm handshake.

Hinata stared at the massive hand that engulfed her own, experiencing the touch of a male's hand in hers for the first time in a long time.

She fell into a trance almost instantly.

'Sooo big,' She thought in awe, gazing at her blonde trainer's hand clasped in hers, the noticeable contrast making her own petite hand nearly disappear from view.

The blonde male gently shook her hand, rocking it up and down, "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Hinata-san." He greeted, but he raised an eyebrow at her silence, her gaze seemingly stuck on their interlocked hands instead of meeting his own gaze.

He tilted his head, "You are Hinata Hyuga, correct?" His gaze bore into her, seeking confirmation.

Hinata jolted from her trance by such a question, her head snapping back up to face him.

At that moment, she became acutely aware of the significant height difference between herself and her new trainer, who completely towered over her.

Standing a full head taller than her, his torso loomed above her sad 5'3" frame, putting her height to shame.

She was forced to tilt her head back considerably to meet his gaze.

Hinata reciprocated the handshake, presenting one of her own sincere smiles as well.

Her flushed cheeks rose, revealing the natural warmth of her expression, and her pearly whites.

"H-Hai, I-I'm Hinata Hyuga."

Her lavender eyes sparkled, "It's a pleasure to meet you too, Naruto-san."

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— (⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆)

[bobmckenzie]

randall × caitie moodboard

❝ “Do you think you’ll try it?” she asks. Her voice is soft, but carries with ease on the still night air. The roar of the distant, passing L train is nothing but a murmur from where they are. It’s an odd question, asking if he’ll try death. She can’t bring herself to use the word, not out loud. Not for him. “We've proven we can do it, so… I'll go under. But nothing over three minutes.” That might've all been a lie, he wasn't sure. Of course part of him was curious what there was to experience beyond life, but… was he willing to chance dying for it, permanently? She stopped at the steps of her apartment to turn and face him. In the moonlight her skin seemed to glow, dark lipstick a little smudged after the long night, brown hair glistening with gold from the warm light of the streetlamp. “Well… if it means anything, I wish you wouldn't risk it.” There was an ache in his heart, something heavy, something beautiful.  No, he thought, he wasn’t willing to chance it. It couldn’t possibly be worth it. ❞

[howifeltabouthim]

I hated that I had ever been so close to Ping, to now be without him. To have watched him breathing, asleep, overwhelmed with fear that one day his breathing might stop. If I had never touched his body I wouldn't miss it like I missed it now.

Rachel Khong, from Real Americans

[m00n-pr1sm]

Amy Dunne Character Analysis

Disclaimer

This analysis will be of Amy’s character from both the book and the movie, although the 2014 movie adaption takes greater precedence with only some additional details and quotes included from the book as it does delve deeper into Amy’s psyche and add further characterization. Thus some traits may be accentuated further than they are in the movie, not being completely faithful to either story. It’s an analysis of Amy in her totality across mediums, of course being entirely my opinion. There are of course adaptational differences but I will not include the major ones from the books (ex. her relationship with Hillary Hand). This is an analysis focusing primarily on Amy’s neuroses she demonstrates and the childhood links to them, it doesn’t cover in-depth the events nor themes of Gone Girl.

Amy Elliott Dunne, the ever enigmatic dual protagonist- antagonist of Gone Girl is one of the most iconic female villains in modern memory, and one of the paragons of the “good for her” trope in media, is, frankly, one of my favorite characters of all time. As such I have been dying to write a full analysis examining her neuroses and characterization. Beneath the cultural perception of just another “crazy psycho” for girls to claim “she did no wrong” or “she just like me fr!”, lies a fascinating character who is masterfully written and developed by Gillian Flynn, as well as perfectly portrayed by Rosamund Pike. Amy Dunne is a character with a deep, complex psychology that I will do my best to thoroughly explore in this analysis.

From Amy’s childhood we first see the emergence of a literal high ego ideal, Amazing Amy. Of course this is the children’s book series created by her parents with a fictionalized version of Amy being the eponymous protagonist. This was a version of herself that rectified her own personal failures. Amazing Amy became a prodigy at cello, when Amy quit at 10, Amazing Amy made varsity volleyball, Amy got cut freshman year. Even in the (at time) final book in the series, Amazing Amy got married, a task Amy had not yet done. The entire book series revolved around Amy always making the most virtuous, the most selfless, the most perfect decisions.

>”With me, regular, flawed, real Amy, jealous, as always, of the golden child.”

An interesting detail in the book that is omitted from the movie is Marybeth’s numerous miscarriages and stillbirths (which totaled 7). All of these girls were named Hope, until Amy was born. Amy expresses her jealousy towards them, as they were always seen as perfect without ever living; meanwhile Amy herself has to live life everyday knowing that she will never truly live up to the Hopes. That she has to try everyday to be the best she can be. Her very birth was mired in the expectation of a perfect child; given that she was practically a gift from the heavens to her parents.

This sets up Amy’s perfectionism, as the childhood experience of never living up to a projected ideal led her to want to be perfect (and as we’ll later see, the expectation that everyone else is too), to live life always through the gaze of another. Evidently this leads to a loss of one’s inner essence, one’s individuality and sense of self.

>“-I’d never really felt like a person, because I was always a product” (Book Quote)

Amy’s obsession with personas can be seen as emerging from this, as she adapts a personality depending on who she’s interacting with, as to always be the most appealing she can, she is Amazing Amy after all.

>”I’m not sure, exactly, how to be Dead Amy. I’m trying to figure out what that means for me, what I become for the next few months. Anyone, I suppose, except people I’ve already been: Amazing Amy. Preppy ’80s Girl. Ultimate-Frisbee Granola and Blushing Ingenue and Witty Hepburnian Sophisticate. Brainy Ironic Girl and Boho Babe (the latest version of Frisbee Granola). Cool Girl and Loved Wife and Unloved Wife and Vengeful Scorned Wife. Diary Amy.” (Book Quote)

This general attitude leads to people trying to impress her as she places herself as someone special and especially someone to keep around. She entices both the characters and viewers of the film through her manufactured charisma and enchantment. However, we’ll see this dramatically backfire in her relationship with Nick, just you wait!

For now we can focus on the beginning of their relationship as well as what I believe to be Amy’s view on romance.

I believe that Amy has an impossibly high standard of love, one that stems from her perfectionism and general inability to let down her guise of being amazing. Not to mention how her parents were a perfect match, Amy even referring to them as soul-mates.

>”They have no harsh edges with each other, no spiny conflicts, they ride through life like conjoined jellyfish—expanding and contracting instinctively, filling each other’s spaces liquidly. Making it look easy, the soul-mate thing.” (Book Quote)

In her childhood it’s implied that she was into romance novels, specifically Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, which obviously contributes to the idealization of romance, of a literal scripted love.

>”You were an alienated teen and only Elizabeth Bennet understood you”

I think this little quote is incredibly indicative; it establishes a sense of alienation, of Amy never quite fitting in and blending with others.

>”So many lessons and opportunities and advantages, and they never taught me how to be happy. I remember always being baffled by other children. I would be at a birthday party and watch the other kids giggling and making faces, and I would try to do that too, but I wouldn’t understand why. I would sit there with the tight elastic thread of the birthday hat parting the pudge of my underchin, with the grainy frosting of the cake bluing my teeth, and I would try to figure out why it was fun.” (Book Quote)

Back to the topic of romance, through these stories it allowed her to imagine her perfect romance: if Amy could find that one person that truly understood her, beyond the illusion, that then would constitute a perfect union of love. She does deep down (whether consciously or not) want to be loved for who she is; not the idealized, palatable, literal marketed version of herself. Thus she holds trust as a premium, expecting that if she does the Herculean task of unspooling and revealing herself to another, that the other person would love her no matter what.

>”Can you imagine, finally showing your true self to your spouse, your soul mate, and having him not like you?” (Book Quote)

However all of this culminates in an impossibly high standard of a lover, of a practically divine mythical love; where one loves totally and absolutely. Of course where this neurosis is most demonstrated is in Nick and Amy’s relationship.

Amy comments that after meeting Nick she finally felt like a person as he brought out a side of herself that hadn’t been seen, in her own words “a lightness and an ease”, something that Amy enjoyed. In her eyes they had the perfect relationship in the beginning, Nick was her compliment with the witty banter, with their inside jokes, and charm.

However this doesn’t just vanquish her childhood neuroses, through her desire to be seen as perfect, she modifies herself to be a “cool girl” for Nick, complying endlessly to standards to maintain this perception.

>” When I met Nick Dunne, I knew he wanted a cool girl and for him, I’ll admit, I was willing to try.”

Amy essentially became Nick’s image of a perfect girl, witty, fun, and most of all easy-going and forgiving.

Yet one cannot live forever in images and ideas; and as such, the real, true Amy emerged. The Amy that cares too much, that’s hard to get along with, that is a controlling perfectionist. She also tests Nick through the treasure hunts, weaving in little details about their relationship as to challenge Nick and hope that he remembers the things they do together as deeply as she does. Combined with the 2008 recession and declining health of Nick’s mother (the consequences of which will be explored later). As well as Nick’s growing dissatisfaction in the relationship (evidenced by his worsening performances in the treasure hunts, the cheating, using her for sex and ignoring her otherwise, etc). The illusion both Nick and Amy were living in crumbled; they couldn’t possibly sustain their relationship as they were both striving to fulfill reciprocating images for the other.

One of the biggest parts of her character is Amy’s elitism and entitlement, in which she thinks of herself as someone superior, someone that deserves to be loved absolutely for who she is, although only to people she considers worthy.

>”She’s easy to like. I’ve never understood why that’s considered a compliment—that just anyone could like you.” (Book Quote)

Once again this stems from her childhood, in a seemingly contradictory way, she also sees herself as special for being the one that survived from her mother’s attempts, as well as the fact that her birth was so tumultuous that she would be an only child. From this also stems her entitlement for love.

Amy actively looks down upon women she considers “average”, whom she sees as coming from mediocrity and continuously perpetuating that in their lives. She scoffs at them with her wealthy parents and NYC background until her marriage with Nick crumbles. Only then does she realize that she’s become the very woman she would previously disdain. A woman with a failing marriage, the loss of her previous wealth following the recession, and moving to a failed development in Missouri (What the hell’s in Missouri?) for Nick’s mother.

I truly believe this, combined with Nick’s infidelity, and most importantly the loss of her idyllic love culminated in the iconic Gone Girl plan.

>”Nick took and took from me until I no longer existed, that’s murder. Let the punishment fit the crime”.

Nick took Amy’s identity, her sense of self that she so generously revealed to him and rejected her. Implying that she would only be loved if played the role of the “cool girl”; stripping her of who she really was, losing herself in yet another persona. Although Amy admits she doesn’t really have a personality and lives through personas, she still has a semblance of self that she holds dear.

>”-made me realize that there was a Real Amy in there, and she was so much better, more interesting and complicated and challenging, than Cool Amy”. (Book Quote)

Worse yet, Nick had cheated on her with a “newer, younger, bouncer Cool Girl”, leaving Amy in the dust, surely damaging her pride.

But Amy truly fell in love with her idealized version of Nick, believing that she was responsible for shaping that version of Nick. That she deserved that man in his entirety, of course what gets Amy to come back to Nick is the Sharon Scheiber interview, in which he promises to make up with Amy in just the way that makes her think that Nick is the one person who gets her. He makes the little references to their inside jokes (2 fingers on the chin when they’re not bullshitting the other) and a reference to the end of the treasure hunt (always a contentious issue in their relationship). She’s reminded of who he was, that he was once perfect for her, who else could know how to appeal to her heart in just the right way? With the same passion and conviction she reverses the judgment on Nick, clawing her way back to him. She does so in an especially brutal manner, slashing Desi’s throat with a boxcutter right after he climaxes. Putting aside my enormous personal bias against Desi, he was technically an innocent man, taking a great risk in sheltering Amy. However it’s clear that Amy sees him as merely an asset and something to be disposed of once he serves his value, as another prop in her ever evolving masterplan; she did string him along for years through their letter correspondences. He was just another casualty in Amy’s search for idyllic love. She comes back dramatically, literally falling into Nick’s arms while still covered in Desi’s blood like a dress; fabricating an elaborate story about a love obsessed former boyfriend kidnapping and violating her. Despite the glaring holes in her whole story (If Amy’s marriage was as bad as she made it out to be, why did she go back to Nick so easily? How did she get access to a knife and kill him so seamlessly? Why didn’t Amy do anything when she discovered the stuff in Margo’s shed? etc), law enforcement, media, and the public all fully believe it, infatuated with the persona and narrative that Amy’s created for herself. In the end she traps Nick into the marriage and eventually, the family. The last shot of the film is a haunting recall to the beginning shot of the film, as Amy has both revealed and secured herself to be the master of the narrative, finally obtaining her perfect love, no matter what the cost may have been.

Conclusion

Through a constant demand in Amy’s childhood emerges a need for perfection, simultaneously bringing about a sense of superiority and entitlement. The use of personas and façades facilitate this, painting Amy as the most amazing cool girl for whomever she’s performing for, to feed her need to be seen as perfect and desirable. Yet there emerges a psychological detachment from others; as the need to perform inevitably leads to an internal hollowness. However underneath all these layers there also lies the true Amy who has the deep unconscious desire of wanting to be loved absolutely, to have a perfect union of love where she can reveal herself fully and be loved for who she is truly.

>disclaimer for tumblr lol, this is not me trying to claim Amy was innocent I am fully aware that she’s a terribly entitled and narcissistic person but she can still be complex and have relatable desires & be a person even if she’s massively fucked up!!

[doll-elvis]

“It’s funny to me when people say he was a sex symbol. I wonder, are we talking about the same person? Elvis wasn’t about sex for me. He was about innocence and being a kid. The look that everyone died over, that twinkle in his eye, that charisma, that personality never happened as a prelude to sex, it happened in conversation. He’d be saying how cute I looked, flirting in a very innocent way. That was only the little boy in him”

- Interview with Sheila Ryan

[icebear4president]

“Techno, Techno look at me,” he demanded, roughly grabbing Techno’s face with his hands, until he was forced to look him in the eyes. Tommy ignored the way the snow was turning red underneath his feet and the blood that trickled down his chin, instead pulling Techno downwards so their foreheads touched. Techno was snarling and twisting to get out of his grip, sword abandoned to now dig his claws into the boy’s arms.

Tommy winced, but refused to waver. “Fight it, Techno! I know you’re stronger than this! I know it’s not your fault. And I’m here, I’m here to make it all better. Always.”

Why wasn’t it working? The scent of blood should have broken through the voices, so why didn’t it. Did one too many betrayals finally snap the thread that bound them together. Had Tommy broken the last of their relationship that was left. Tommy choked on a sob, no longer able to hold his own weight, and wrapped his arms around Techno’s shoulders.

“Come back to me, please. Don’t be afraid, I’m here, your little brother is here,” he whispered into Techno’s neck. “I love you, Techie.”

But Techno didn’t love him enough anymore for the voices to be quelled. And that was okay, Tommy understood. At least he tried, one last time.

With that thought, he let himself fall.

-

Techno startled awake, chest rising and following with the pain of a million needles puncturing his lungs.

He had gotten angry, he doesn’t even remember what for, all he knew was how he let the anger fester instead of pushing back against it. He didn’t want help this time, he wanted to feel blood on his hands and he didn’t care whose it was.

But now he needed to get home. He needed…

“Tommy.”

His brother’s name left his lips as quiet as a whisper. His brother, the little kid he would hold in his arms as if he was still a little baby, his runt, his family. He looked so small curled up like that in the snow, and if it wasn’t for the horrible scene if almost looked as if he was sleeping, that Techno could just scoop him up and bring him home to tuck him into bed.

Techno crawled forward and shook his shoulder gently. “Tommy, time to get up.” No answer. Why wasn’t he answering. “Tommy this isn’t funny! Wake up!”

He began shaking him more vigorously now, but it didn’t phase the boy in the least. His eyes remained close, blood now beginning to dry into his once golden curls. “Tommy, please…”

Techno could fight a thousand men in one go to protect his little brother, but this, this was a battle Techno couldn’t win. This time, Techno couldn’t be the hero in Tommy’s story.

And for the first time in his life, the voices went completely silent.

[bbcphile]

WIP Wednesday: Part 3

As promised, here's the opening of Di Feisheng's section of Chapter 1 of the AU where Li Lianhua's shiniang tried and failed to sacrifice herself to save him. (To catch up, read part 1 (LLH) and part 2 (FDB) here).

And, uh, sorry about the cliffhanger?

Tw/cw: suicide attempt, medical emergency

***

Di Feisheng dropped to his knees behind Xiangyi, catching him against his chest rather than the ground as he fell. He snatched Xiangyi’s wrist–veins bulging and black, damn it–and felt for a pulse. Faint. Erratic. Still poisoned by Bicha. Completely emptied of Yangzhouman. Where the fuck was the Beifeng Baiyang he’d given him? Why couldn’t he feel it? How the–

“–Lao Di,” Fang Duobing wailed, “he was walking toward the water! He–”

“–Shut up,” he snapped, sending a wisp of his own qi through Xiangyi’s meridians. Or what was left of them. He bit back a growl. They were too damaged for his qi to travel with the sort of speed he needed to evaluate this. He didn’t have time to do full triage, not while Xiangyi’s pulse was getting fainter by the second. He’d start with the heart meridian then; that would be the best way to stabilize–

–why the fuck was his heart meridian shredded? Who had dared to–

–no, damn it, he had to focus. There would be time to rage later.

He had to repair it. But Xiangyi didn’t have the Yangzhouman for it, and the remnants Xiangyi had given him wouldn’t be enough. Could the brat–

“–Get out of the way,” Fang Duobing sobbed, shoving him and thrusting two shaking fingers toward Xiangyi’s chest, the force of his qi rippling the air. “I’ll do it.”

“No,” Di Feisheng snarled, hand flying from Xiangyi’s waist to smack the brat’s away before it would destroy whatever was left of his fragile meridians, “you’ll kill him.” 

“Bullshit!” the pup yelled, as Huli Jing began to howl at equal volume, “I’ve healed him before! Let me help!” The brat’s qi spiked and the sand around them rippled.

Oh for the love of– he didn’t have time to explain this and save Xiangyi. What the hell had the great sword God been teaching this whelp? Xiangyi, if you die, I’ll kill you myself.

He unclenched his jaw against the noise. “You want to help?” he gritted out, each word like knives against his tongue and ears. “Calm your qi. Stay quiet. And keep the mutt quiet, too.” 

“You–”

–Healing the heart meridian now was out, until that ignorant pup could keep a tighter leash on his qi. He’d have to work on the heart directly. 

Di Feisheng pressed his hand over Xiangyi’s chest, closed his eyes, and directed the faintest hint of his Beifeng Baichang to surround Xiangyi’s heart, ready to observe and mimic its movement, as he would any new sword form.

It wrapped around his heart in an embrace. 

Xiangyi’s heart gave one erratic flutter. 

A pause.

A second, weaker thrum against his qi.

Then nothing at all.

[brother-emperors]

Hi. I want to read Camus' Caligula. Which translation have you read (if you read it in translation)? I would search under tags but my tumblr is currently acting up. If you've read more, which one would you recommend, or what did you like about each one?

I've read camus' caligula in french and a couple of translations in english, the only one I like is Stuart Gilbert's translation, the other ones aren't even worth talking about tbh

I'm incredibly obsessed with phrasing of 'this ghoul-haunted wilderness of mine,' 10/10