#Look at me...trying out a more muted palette...

[killervelveteenrabbit]

Reaction to “The Ruler” (S6, E15)

As I mentioned previously, this is the episode that prompted me to start reacting to the .to drops rather than the Disney broadcasts. This episode indirectly calls out some sins of Disney's own, so I strongly expect “The Ruler” to become a “lost” episode, like “The Gatekeeper” ep of “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur”. This would disappoint me because the Nathmarc/Marcaniel dynamic is exactly what I needed to see when I was younger. Seeing a passionate, uplifting, and wholesome relationship between two boys would have helped me understand that love was not out of reach for someone like me… or at least, it would have made me feel like less of a freak.

We see relatively little of the Anciel household, except that it’s as colorful as Marc himself and it’s a supportive environment. Mostly, we see Nathaniel’s home, which quite frankly gives off Gabriel Agreste vibes: a monochrome palette with one parent holed up to themselves, lost in their design work.

As for the boys’ updated looks, Marc’s eighties-inspired eye make-up slays (and as we later discover, it’s waterproof). As for Nathaniel, people have already commented on the color symbolism of the paint-spattered overalls, but I’m more interested in how his hair still looks good even though Alix isn’t there to touch up the red. And here’s something I noticed not just with Nath, but with Ivan in “El Toro de Piedras”: the new animation engine allows for the rendering of realistic freckles.

Mr. Kurtzberg cluelessly suggests having the knights fight for the affections of Deep Darkness, an obvious villain, claiming it’s “what people want to see.” Rather, it’s what he thinks people want to see. Like many corporate executives and self-appointed cultural arbiters, he doesn’t understand the value of stories told from a minority or niche viewpoint because they think most viewers or readers outside that community won't accept the premise. They don’t understand the transcendent power of a strong narrative to break down barriers and resonate with people, as demonstrated by how much Nathmarc's classmates love their comic, even though not all of them are LGBTQ+.

Some critics of this ep have called the subplot of Marinette’s cold distracting, even gross. But it makes a valuable point about brand-new romance. We try to show our partners our best and most attractive selves at all times, but no one can maintain the illusion forever. Eventually, you will see them (or they will see you) doing something inelegantly, unflatteringly human, and if there's anything to your relationship, it will withstand that shock. (Even so, you’d think Marinette would consider sewing herself a cute surgical mask for hygiene’s sake.)

Frankly, the metaphor associated with Nath and Marc’s comic hits harder than Mjolnir; it’s more than a little on the nose. Perhaps it was the best way the writers could articulate the angst caused by Shirel’s opposition to their relationship within the context of what is supposedly a children’s show.

Speaking of angst, the ending of Nathaniel and Marc’s comic foreshadows harrowing developments for Ladybug and Chat Noir. Rain-Piercer and Sun-Heart risk losing their powers if they reveal their identities, just like LB and CN. Will they also end up in a position where they must choose between their powers and their relationship? And if that happens, will someone be there to rewrite the narrative?

Nathaniel’s bedroom features a huge picture window, filling the space with morning light. But it only emphasizes the muted colors within that room, with only a few hints of color. It’s certainly not as cheerful as Marinette’s room, or Adrien’s, or Alya’s. It symbolizes how Nathaniel is trying to find some light of his own despite his parents’ influence.

Continuing the metaphor, plenty of LGBTQ+ people have accidentally outed themselves by leaving incriminating evidence where the wrong person found it.

Shirel shredding Marc’s manuscript is, of course, a karmic callback to Nathaniel tearing up Marc’s journal back in “Reverser”, the episode that introduced the latter. More upsetting is Nath’s attempt to destroy every trace of his comic, even badgering Marinette to hand over the proofs. Here we see one of the tragedies of homophobia: it forces people to self-censor the best parts of themselves, to destroy the things that bring them joy and make them special, to deprive themselves and the world of all they have to share.

Nathaniel and Marc, aside from Adrien, are the only people who ever figure out that Marinette is the “jet plane”. I can’t tell if this is more foreshadowing or just incidental.

When Shirel drags Nathaniel out of school, she makes at least two references to Nathaniel “going straight,” at least according to the subtitles. No comment.

I guess Shirel never heard about the comics collection the Louvre Collection co-published and showcased in 2009.

Not Nathaniel transforming and bursting out of a closet!

Shirel says she’s making Nathaniel give up comics “for his own good”. It's an argument too many parents have used to justify “tough love” approaches to their queer children, up to and including conversion therapy.

At the end of the episode, Cerise mentions Nathaniel by name, suggesting she’s figured out he’s a Miraculous holder. Honestly, it wouldn’t have been that hard. Ladybug yelled out his whole government name when she told him to scram. And then a Miraculer showed up, fighting the villain du jour with art supplies, going after her like he had a personal stake in the fight. Between all that, I fear Caprikid has tipped his hoof.

The scene on Marinette’s roof gives “Adrien: The Fragrance” a brand new meaning.

Shirel’s tearful reaction to her son’s comic suggests she didn’t even read Marc’s manuscript before destroying it, not unlike moral guardians who try to ban books they haven’t even read. The epilogue continues that theme, with Marc's observations about how their comic had “effects in real life” and how they were “attacked for talking about love.”

In that context, the mutual reveal of Nath and Marc’s superhero identities does more than parallel the events in their comic. It symbolizes the power of queer visibility. Marc helps Nath discover his bisexuality; later, Nath gives Marc the courage to reveal himself as Rooster Bold. Coming out does more than assert our autonomy; it supports other people who aren’t out yet, showing them that they are not alone and giving them the confidence to live their own truth, to follow their own path.

[delicourse]

Rosette🏵️

[retrowitchy]

ranking lucy gray's outfits in the tbosas movie as a costume design student ✶✧

quite possibly, everything rachel zegler wears is my favorite part of tbosas. trish summerville is a big personal hero of mine, and tbosas is my favorite hunger games film in terms of costume design!!! so as a disclaimer, i love every one of these looks with everything in me, this is just me ranking them.

8. swimsuit

this really shouldn't be in last place, because crochet swimwear? brilliant. and so beautiful. and so in-universe.

i love how all the covey swimwear feels like it was hand-made by the characters themselves. obviously, nobody in district 12 is swimming for pleasure much (we learn this from the first book, and haymitch and burdie just skinny dipped lol), so naturally the covey would have made their own things to wear by hand.

7. sejanus' execution

the details of the snakes on her belt and the hand stitching/embroidery on her sleeves are so wonderful. for an outfit that never really gets a full shot in the film (most of rachel's shots in this scene are closeups from the neck up), the dedication to detail is super admirable.

6. well i'm not made out of sugar

it's such a good detail how coriolanus' mother's shawl perfectly color compliments the rest of this outfit. it's like she picked it out to match on purpose, which makes the betrayal all the more devastating. i think this scene is also one of trish's stronger uses of color symbolism- the warm, sunshine-y colors of lucy gray contrasting the stark, bare palette of everything coriolanus wears in 12. she's a symbol of hope. he's trying to end that.

5. the covey lake

huge fan of the simplicity here. it's just a dress over the swimsuit. and yet everything about this screams lucy gray and screams covey. look at those mismatched little brass buttons!! the swimsuit peeking out from underneath!! the plum color suits rachel zegler so well- it's just generally so gorgeous.

4. pure as the driven snow

this outfit was one of the things about this movie that stuck in my head the most after walking out of the theater. there's this carefree, thrown-on essence to it, like the flowers in her hair are an afterthought, or maude ivory helped her put them in. i wish i could find better pictures of the vest, because the beading details are so beautiful. the reusing of her boots is a good detail too, because obviously she wouldn't have that many pairs of shoes.

3. the meadow

trish summerville did a great job at building a repeated silhouette for lucy gray. the cinched waist, blousy or sleeveless top, and a-line, flowing skirt is in almost every outfit, and i think this one is the most classic example of that look. i think she looks so beautiful in blue, and i like that she's dressed in such a wide variety of colors throughout the film- always something completely different than the last.

2. the rainbow dress

OBVIOUSLY. hand painted corset are you kidding me? i remember seeing this in the trailer and thinking truly, she could not have more perfectly recreated the dress from the book. it stays true to lucy gray's sillhouette, the ruffles feel bright enough to be a rainbow, but muted enough to still feel in-universe/accurate for 12. one of my favorite details is her boots ↓

they're old, and have a vintage feel, but something about how chunky they are also reminds us that despite the folksy charm, we are also in a dystopian future.

1. nothing you can take from me

my baby. my darling. possibly my favorite costume of any hunger games film. i am IN LOVE with this outfit.

the flower decal trimming and embroidery on her blouse, and the crushed navy velvet that feels like it was found at a 100 year old antique store. the boots are back. lacy top underneath, hand crocheted no doubt. purple in the skirt, but it's subtle- purple is her most repeated color element. it's rebellious, it's royal. the slight 1940s references in the silhouette.

DON'T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE HAIR. ribbons and feathers threaded throughout her curls, giving her the impression of a bird in flight when she twirls??? REMIND YOU OF ANYTHING?????

this is her triumphant return moment, her defiant song against the oppression of the capitol. she's captivated the crowd....just like a certain someone will years and years later.

[abby-howard]

I'm going to be asking a lot of artists I follow this question, but how did you develop your style? It SEEMS like most people find their style and stick with it forever, just making improvements and iterations. I tend to work in a lot of different styles because I enjoy doing that, though I know there are things I gravitate towards as well. But I wonder what your journey was and how you got feedback and improved while staying true to what you enjoyed?

Hi there!

I definitely wouldn't say that I've found my style and stuck with it forever-- I feel like each of my projects has asked for a certain kind of art, and has presented new challenges that push me in new directions.

Some of that comes from seeing someone else's work and having something click into place that might fix errors/faults in my own, and then I might try to incorporate that, such as bigger outlines on my characters to help distinguish them from the background, or maybe a way someone else simplifies eyes that can help make mine look less weird.

When I first started drawing, I can see where I encountered certain influences because my sketchbooks suddenly switch to incorporating some new stylistic element that I liked from whatever I was reading/watching at the time. But it was never QUITE right, it was never just copying, there was always something ~wrong~ with it. And that wrongness was my style! As much as I hated it, that was what distinguished my art from being just a copy of someone else's. I hate it less now, and understand that other people see something there that maybe I don't, because it's just what happens when I filter other people's work through my head. My soul, if you will.

There are definitely through-lines with my work, driven by what I like drawing and what comes easily to me-- hatching is almost always a major component, and I like making expressive characters. Here's some of my earliest available stuff, from my old webcomic:

Then not long after that, I started The Last Halloween, which pushed me to challenge myself in both layout and style:

And here's the same comic, years later:

And here's a series I did for kids, where I had to use full color and lay off on the hatching, as well as learn how to reconstruct animals that we have no photo references for, which is definitely a place where style comes majorly into play, whether I wanted it to or not:

Then there was the horror book I did, where I tried to push my work to be less cartoony overall, and to work very hard on improving my hatching:

Then I started work on Scarlet Hollow, where I incorporated a limited/muted palette and had to once again push myself to make less-cartoony art, as well as learn more consistency so I could draw sprite sets. This was a big challenge for me, and has helped me grow as an artist so much!

And most recently, I wrapped up work on Slay the Princess, which required that I go back in the cartoony direction, but in a very different way than I was used to. This took a lot of sketching to figure out, and there's still a decent amount of artistic stumbling in Chapter 1 while I settled into it.

She's drawing on anime/Disney influence, but each Princess required a bit of stylistic variability. Some are more anime, while some are more realistic than even the Scarlet Hollow characters.

So I wouldn't worry too much, honestly! A person's style is often something that reveals itself over the course of their career, rather than something they choose and then try to stick to forever.

Even if you don't think you have a style, you do. It might vary a lot piece by piece, especially if you're trying to closely imitate another person's art, but the more work you do, the more you'll figure out your own strengths and interests!

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Costume Meta 809

We are Back!! I was so excited for this episode and boy oh boy did it deliver! The costumes Buck and Eddie wore in this episode have given me plenty to talk about so let’s dive straight in!

I'm going to do this meta scene by scene as its far more about the colour combinations the costumes make rather than the individual costumes themselves. But before that we’re starting with a little background information.

under the cut as its long!

Eddie has a pretty narrow colour palette and so it tends to be more noticeable when he wears something outside of that palette. His palette is khaki and olive greens in various shades, black, white and cream, maroons and burgundy’s with the occasional grey top thrown in, and we also see some browns. It’s why the pink we saw him in, in season 7 and 8 was so notable and why the yellow shirt from 601 and 806 was also important. Eddies most common colour is black - followed by the green and then the whites/creams, all three colours we see in this episode.

Buck meanwhile has a much more varied colour palette, wearing a wider variety of colours, which also tend to be fairly balanced across the seasons. Blue is by far and away his most dominant colour, mostly because of season 6, but it’s always one of the colours he wears most in each season. This is followed by black and then white and grey red and green. Through season 7 Buck wore his lowest number of costumes overall and the lowest range of colours as well - its his most muted season in terms of colour as well - even when he’s wearing colour it tends to be dark or muted.

Why am I telling you all this? Well, it’s always interesting to see the trends in colours characters are wearing and if they step outside of their usual colour palettes at all. It’s something we are seeing with both Buck and Eddie - with Eddie we’re seeing a widening of his colour range and with Buck we’re seeing a narrowing. I find this interesting because it shows them coming together - that they started off in widely different places and are slowly coming to a similar place. Think of it like this - the brighter and wider variety of colours Buck wears are symbolic of his character being more impulsive and less mature while the more muted and narrow colour palette of Eddie shows his more staid and more mature personality. 

The fact their palettes are changing to become more similar is indicative of them learning from each other - Buck’s maturing and Eddie getting to become more carefree - they are balancing each other. This balancing brings them in line with all the canon couples on the show - which is rather telling.

If you look at Hen and Karens colour palettes or Chim and Maddies colour palettes and also Athena and Bobby’s palettes, you will see that generally speaking they are much closer together in tone - Hen and Karen’s being generally more bright, Maddie and Chim in similar tones and colours at similar times. Even Athena and Bobby - who do have a wider disparity in colour ranges than anyone else, tend to be in bright or muted tones at similar times across the seasons.

Our first scene is the one showing the house to potential sub-letters.

We start out with the dark olive khaki green long sleeve top - very much a pretty standard Eddie top - we see him in various long sleeved olive khaki green tops throughout the seasons - so this one very much fits in with his theming. It’s also a colour heavily connected into Eddies army past - as I’ve spoken about multiple times in previous metas. Since the start of season 7 we’ve seen Eddie in khaki greens and browns a lot more - they form a bigger percentage of his colour wheel than we’ve seen in previous seasons.

All of the scenes we’ve seen him wearing these khaki tops in have been connected in some way to his internal battles, especially connected with Chris and Shannon - this is a theme that we can trace back through all his seasons on the show. So it fits that here - at a point when he is trying to find someone to sublet his house, something he is doing so he can be closer to Chris, despite being loathe to leave LA and the 118 - he is wearing a colour so closely associated with the military and its indicative of his internal battle about leaving.

In contrast we have Buck in white and pale pink. The white tee has a distressed collar and it is a white tee - so things are not going to go well for Buck - which we see play out with him sabotaging Eddie. its Buck in white colour theory playing out once again!

The pale pink fluffy cardigan is playing on multiple levels - we’ve seen Buck in a cardigan a couple of times before, but this is the first time we’ve had such a fluffy one on him. It serves to be both disarming and really plays up the naïveté of the pale pink, whilst also making him look bigger than he already is - the colour might be pale and in direct contrast to Eddies dark green top, but he fills the frame far more and the space in the house.

The other connection here is the tsunami arc - buck is in a darker pink then, but  we have the same set of colours for his entire outfit - pink and white tops, grey trousers, white shoes. We haven't seen him wearing the same combination at any other time, but we do have a loose commonality between the two uses of this specific colourway on Buck.

Him being in a bad place mentally and fearing the loss of the most important thing to him. In the tsunami, its his job - at this point in time he still views his job as the most important thing in his life - we even have the members of the 118 commenting on the fact - they all have families etc but Buck doesn't. Now in 809 Bucks job is not the most important thing in his life - his family is - namely Eddie and Christopher - he's already lost half of that equation and now he is facing losing it in its entirety with Eddies imminent departure.

The other and most important aspect of these two costumes though is that they are building on a theme with Buck and Eddie that we’ve seen at play since 403, but which we’ve seen especially coming into effect this season.

So we have the Hildy prank in 403 - with Eddie in green and Buck in dark pink.

Then in 706 we have Eddie in pink and Buck in (very pale) green

And then in 806 we have Eddie in pink (and white) and Buck in green

And now Buck in pink (and white) and Eddie in green.

That is a very clear theme we have at play especially with the last two being so similar tonally and taking place in the same location.

in all of them the shades of pink and green used are complementary - warm greens and pinks that sit in similar places in the range of their respective colours. I would argue that in all the scenes above we have a case of Buck and Eddie being there for one another but in a way that is connected with angst and joy. - Eddie is being a bit angsty about technology and buck brings some levity to it and feels joyful at his prank, buck is angsty about the party going well - it becomes joyful once he's had some alcohol and loosened up. Eddie is joyful and buck is angsty because of his break up and in this latest one - Eddie is hopeful and there is an element of joy at the thought of being reunited with his son before long, while Buck is full of angst over the thought of loosing his best friend as well as having already lost Chris

The thing is though, this is not the only costume/scene paralleling we have going on in this episode with Buck and Eddie because the final scene does as well - but more on that scene later on.

We’re taking a slight detour in to flowers land because there are flowers all over the buddie scenes in this episode. The first scene gives us bright flowers in the yellow and purple range - with sunflowers, purple asters, some chrysanthemums, and I think there might be some yellow roses in the kitchen bouquet. Chrysanthemums mean optimism and friendship and white ones specifically mean loyalty and yellow ones mean neglected love. Purple asters mean wisdom hope and valour. Yellow roses (in the kitchen bouquet!) are a symbol of friendship and the sunflowers mean admiration, strength and resilience, loyalty and optimism. 

the other thing about this arrangement is that its a nod to both the art over Eddies mantle, but, blue flowers are almost impossible to get - especially in bouquets (without resorting to dying them and that always looks fake!) so the purple are essentially a stand in for the blue - not to mention the fact that we actually only see the bright yellow sunflowers agains a blue background - the couch is behind Bucks arrangement and its also behind Eddies - along with his jeans and technically the tray is teal - which is a blue in the green end of the spectrum!

Moving on from flowers - we have Eddie arriving at the firehouse in a cream tee with a dark brown distressed leather jacket with orange/tan undertones.

He is the only one not in uniform in the firehouse which is about separating him from the rest of the 118 and effectively turning him back into a civilian rather than a member of the team. The other aspect is that the colour palette amusingly is the same as Blaze/Bingo the beagle!

Spot the difference!!!

In this specific incidence these colours are not about their meaning, they are about connecting Eddie and Blaze - we are meant to view them as interchangeable within the scene and the costumes are helping the audience subconsciously connect Eddie to the dog.

And then we have the final scene, with Eddie in a black linen shirt and camel/tan cargo pants with his ‘Christopher’ watch

and Buck in a very mismatched outfit of navy pants, a dark brown/green tee and a blue denim jacket with a black corduroy collar and a new 80’s/90’s style digital watch.

Other than the silver watch he wore for the poker date, this is the first time we’ve seen Buck with a different watch outside of work from his work watch.  They needed to ensure that we'd see a watch on camera during the hug closeups - because Buck is actually wearing one on both wrists - I made a separate post about it, but if you look at the picture above - you can see the watch on his left wrists - his normal wrist, and then in the close up below - it is on his right wrist.

Eddies watch is bigger and more obvious, and Ryan wears his watch on his right wrist (like a leftie generally does - hooray for all the lefties!!) so I think they chose to have Buck who is in a jacket (which makes it much easier to hide watches!) wear one on each wrist so they could make sure to get it in shot whichever wrist was on screen - it proves the fact they are using the watches to help tell the story and provide information to the audience - and this is the first time we have had such a clear focus on each of them wearing watches - suggesting we are now in a count down to buddie canon!

I can’t wait to see if this watch is going to become a common out of work wear for him or if it’s just for this scene. Only time will tell, but we do know that he isn’t wearing it in the goodbye in the rain scene.

I do believe that Eddie is wearing a new watch in that scene, but I’m not 100% because all we have is blurry bts footage from TikTok right now. To me it looks like a black watch strap with a silver watch mount/face, but its next to impossible to be sure as they are so pixelated

The appearance of these new watches might very well be about setting a timer on Buddie - the Christopher watch appeared at the moment when Eddie started dating again and it became all about Christopher and not about Eddie himself. I can’t wait to see if we’re about to get Buck and Eddie wearing watches that connect to each other!

The costume themselves though mirror two other very important buddie scenes. The loudest and most obvious is the Buck coming out scene - when we had Eddie in a black button up shirt and Buck in a denim jacket that mirrors the blue he was wearing from that scene.

But we also have a match to the kitchen scene tm with the tee that Buck is wearing - which is a greenish grey/black and we have Eddie in a black shirt with tan cargo pants

the other throw back we have going on is also Bucks goodbye to Abby in the airport, yes the jacket is black in the airport goodbye scene, but we have a denim jacket with a black collar in a different fabric and a dark greenish/grey/black shirt underneath. The content of both scenes was remarkably similar as well. The show has taken pains to remind the audience of Abby - to ensure that her abandonment of Buck is back in everyones minds and this costuming is also about re-enforcing that connection.

The fact the denim is blue rather than black - makes it a source of hope and ties into Bucks blue colour theming - this is about connecting the two scenes but contrasting them at the same time - in the airport goodbye Abby was never coming back for Buck - but in the 809 scene we are being told that Bucks blue is still very present and we have the yellow tones of the background all pointing us to a more hopeful outcome - that Eddie will be back for Buck.

One last look at the flowers before I sign off from this meta! Where we had the bright and cheerful purples and yellows in the previous scene in the Diaz house, here we have a much more low key choice of flowers - but one which somehow reveals so much more.

wedding bouquet anyone!!! So we have roses - and I have spent a lot of time trying to decide what colours they are and have decided they are white and green roses (they are the wrong colour to be cream roses), White veronica, babys breath, dusty miller (the slivery leaves), some evergreen sprigs I can't identify the specific species of, and thorow wax. All of them are flowers traditionally found in wedding bouquets and all have similar meanings.

White roses - purity, innocence and eternity, new beginnings nad everlasting love

green roses - renewal, rebirth, growth, excitement about things to come and optimism

White veronica - commitment, devotion, fidelity and loyalty

babys breath - innocence, purity and faith, sincerity, hope and everlasting love

dusty miller leaves - strength and persistence, resilience and determination

evergreen sprigs - eternal life, peace, promise, and the triumph of light over darkness

thorow wax - resilience, endurance, prosperity and protection and deep lasting love that will endure no matter the length of time or distance.

So to have those flowers (the thorow wax especially as it not that common in flower arrangements) in that display for that scene - its a pretty loud choice

Anyway - I have written far too many words at this point! Tagged people below - let me know if you'd like adding to the list!

@lover-of-mine @spotsandsocks @fruityfirehose @wanderingwomanwondering @livingwherethesidewalkends @buddiediaz118 @bewitchedbewilderedbisexual @satvojihusana @elvensorceress @icebergeddie @buckleyanddiaz @eddiedisasterdiaz @kejfeblintz @cookie-kat777 @leothil

[bullet-prooflove]

The Farm: Carmen "Carmy" Berzatto x Reader

Tagging: @kmc1989 @wabi-sabi1090 @lostinwonderland314 @turtle-cant-communicate @fallout-girl219

Companion Piece to:

Pears - It starts when Carmy makes an order he doesn't remember.

Mornings - Carmy sleeps better with you around.

Bubble - You have no idea that you saved Carmy's life.

Crazy, Stupid, Fucked Up World (NSFW) - Carmy tells you he lvoes you for the first time.

Carmy loves spending days at the farm, he loves walking through the fields, his fingertips skating over the fresh produce that you’ve been cultivating. He loves the vibrance in the colours. The depths of the green, the brilliance of the red, the pops of yellow. He loves all of it, each and every fucking thing.

More than anything he adores the flavours. The rich burst of texture on his tongue as he bites into a blueberry he’s picked fresh from the bushel, the crispness of a ripe tomato he’s plucked from the vine, the crunch of lettuce between his teeth as the taste floods his senses.

Being here inspires him, it has from the moment he’d stumbled onto the eight acre property in search of somewhere to get fresh produce at a decent rate. You’d found him, sitting cross legged in the middle of one of your fields, sketching out a new idea when you sat down next to him, thinking he was a member of the homeless community.

“I can make you a bag up if you want.” You’d said softly. “I know how hard it can be to get fresh stuff when you’re sleeping rough.”

He turned his head towards you then, his brows furrowing into a frown.

“I’m not homeless…” He’d said looking down at himself  in a ratty white t-shirt and sneakers that have seen much better days. “Fuck, do I look homeless?”

“You kinda do.” You agree before you take his hand in yours and drop a couple of blueberries onto his palm. He pops one into his mouth and he swears he’s never tasted anything as good as that single piece of fruit. “It’s all organic, free from GMOs…”

“You can taste it.” He says, eating other blueberry and then another.

You give him some of the overstock to take home with him that night. Some strawberries and raspberries, along with the leafy greens you’ve been growing. He stares at the colours, using the small artist’s set Luca gave him before he left New York to capture their essence as he designs dishes around their flavour palette.

The next time you see him, he’s tossed out the white t-shirt and the sneakers. He’s wearing a soft grey sweater and a pair of jeans Mikey left him instead. His hair is freshly washed and he’s used a little of that moisturiser that Sugar’s been trying to shove down his throat for the past couple of months. He feels better than he has in years and he thinks it’s because of the fruit. He’s been stagnant since coming to Chicago, focusing on keeping his head above water. There hasn’t been time to relax, to take joy in the things around him.

“That’s really sad.” You tell him as you sit beside him once again in what becomes his favourite field. “That you lost your joy.”

“I don’t think that I ever had any to begin with.” He tells you as he stares out across the plush greenery. “I don’t think I feel things the way that other people do, everything feels muted, it has for a long time.”

“I’m sorry.” You say quietly.

And he shrugs his shoulders because at this point he doesn’t know any different. It started back in New York under the tuition of David Fields. The constant barrage of abuse he suffered, it fractured something deep inside of him. His self-esteem had  withered away with under every comment until there was nothing left but this trembling mess.

“Do you worry you’ll never get it back?” You ask him, studying the profile of his face.

“I did.” He tells you before he tilts his head to look at you. His vibrant blue eyes capture yours and you don’t think you’ve ever seen a colour as beautiful as that. “But then I came here and it’s like something inside me just woke up. I’m starting to feel things again, so yea that’s what’s happening right now.”

“I’m glad the farm could help you like that.” You say sincerely.

“I’m guessing the farm helps a lot of people like that.” He says, gesturing to some of the folks out harvesting in the field. “I looked you up, read about some of the mental health programs you run. You’ve got a good rep.”

“Do what you can, for who you can, where you can, am I right?” You say and he thinks that’s one hell of a philosophy to live by in your day to day.

He considers that now as he watches you in the field. You’re wearing yellow wellies over black leggings because it’s potato season and you always get a little muddy. You have his baseball cap turned backwards on your head, your hair spilling out underneath.

It’s in that moment he realises just how truly happy he is, how happy he’s been over the past year and he knows that’s because of this place, because of you.

You’re surprised a couple of minutes later when his arms wrap around your waist. He buries his face into the crook of your neck inhaling the scent of earth that clings to your skin as he draws you back into the shelter of his firm chest.

“What’s up Bear?” You ask as he snuggles in close, his lips ghosting over skin.

“Nothing.” He whispers. “I just fucking love you.”

“That’s good baby…” You smile as you tilt your head towards him. “Because I fucking love you too.”

Love Carmy? Don’t miss any of his stories by joining the taglist here.

Like My Work? - Why Not Buy Me A Coffee

[v44v13nna]

bakery girl ★

angela girratana x fem reader

—————————

this is the worst monday angela has had in months. from the moment she woke up late, missing the time to go to the gym before work, to now, with her current realisation her lunch is definitely still in her car and is definitely inedible. not to mention the irritating itch under her skin, the tension in her shoulders and frustrating urge to be drumming her fingers or bouncing her knee or ANYTHING.

so now the only task on angela’s mind is finding something fresh to eat. rushing to leave the smosh building, she finds herself in a bakery. not a big bakery, or a cramped one, one with a soft muted colour palette with walls filled with beautifully hand written signs and drawings, it’s warm from the recognisable heat radiating from behind the counter and well lit from the sunlight. there’s a constant stream of white noise from the fridges and machinery. it’s nice. angela notes before subconsciously relaxing slightly, until she saw the displays.

rows and rows of pastries, rolls, danishes, anything. cookies, muffins, scrolls, scones, savoury rolls, braids, slices, stuff she couldn’t even name. her head was spinning. what the fuck do i even want to eat?

“too many choices?” huh?

angela looks up to the source of the voice.

“trust me, i think the same thing when i look at it” it’s a girl. dressed in a simple uniformed shirt, fitted apron and a hat. a pretty girl. “do you feel like something sweet or savoury?”

she’s asking me a question oh god. “i think savoury?”

the bakery girl smiles at her before taking a step back to look at the case of baked goods, assessing each product, looking for something, something that angela suddenly wishes to be privy to. bakery girl looks at what must’ve been a clock “is this going to be for your lunch?” angela nods not trusting herself to speak, bakery girl is looking back at her again “well the pizza rolls are a big seller but if i had to recommend anything, you should get the spinach and feta braids. i just had that on my break they’re perfect today, i promise you’ll love them”.

once again angela nods, and watches the girl grab the pastry and finalise the transaction, unexpectedly studying the way bakery girl moves.

after reaching the office, angela wanting to not waste any more of her lunch break, sat at an empty table and began eating the danish. bakery girl was right. angela thought going for another bite. soft butter pastry braided with crumbled pieces of feta and thinly cut spinach in it, truly perfect.

maybe it was the quaint corner shop bakery, or the pretty bakery girl, or the pastry, but this monday ended up being one of the best mondays she’s had.

-

a week later angela finds herself having déjà vu; paralysed in front of the overwhelming shelves of pastries.

“sweet or savoury today?” maaaajor déjà vu

“umm maybe sweet this time?” angela answers while looking up from the cursed case of food to see bakery girl. same uniform, same fitted apron and hat, same pretty smile, and as she steps back to examine the baked goods, angela can’t help but watch her again like last time, trying to find what it is that bakery girl can see that she can’t.

suddenly her eyes light up. “what about a raspberry coconut slice? its a shortbread base with layers of jam and coconut meringue, and then i grated a little bit of lemon zest on top.”

how could i say no? angela could feel herself relax completely. “how could i say no?” and now she could feel the urge to punch herself in the face.

thankfully, bakery girls laughs, a soft one but it’s more than enough for angela. she leans on the counter as bakery girl hands her the slices. “i hope you like them, they’re one of my favourites to make”

WOAH PAUSE

“you made them? you bake?” angela can barely get the words out, excited by the sudden opportunity to know her. she watches as she’s taken aback but the question, blushing softly.

“well a little? i’m usually just decorating the bigger custom cakes in the display fridge” she points to a seperate display of cakes “i used to bake, but the overnight shifts kill me”

-

“and so what did you say?” chanse says as angela retells this mornings interaction with bakery girl.

“well some other worker came up and asked her a question and so i just”

“you said nothing? angela really?” he cuts her off, knowing that she has zero rebuttal. in defeat she looks down at the last piece of the slice left, rethinking over the conversation. “do you know her name at least?” eyes snapping back to chanses face as she tries to recollect the small bits of info she does know about bakery girl.

“she doesn’t wear a name badge” i don’t know her name

-

every monday from that week on angela made it her mission to learn bakery girls name, and over the past seven weeks of spending the first part of her lunch break at the bakery, she still doesn’t know her name. angela is nearly at breaking point. seven mondays planning how to ask, and seven mondays of her leaving with a new fact about bakery girl, a new pastry to try, and a growing frustration at herself for never asking.

sitting at her desk on wednesday morning, angela indulges in her current favourite activity of pining over the nameless worker with mesmerising eyes and a knowledge of baked goods. after trying a new pastry each week, angela can’t help but think about the brownies she got on monday. dark chocolate brownies that was made by the girl.

well chanse and amanda wanted to try, it’s more for their benefit than mine. angela convinced herself as she approached the bakery. she might not even be there so it’s not like im being weird.

as she pushes the door she sees her. in the same spot behind the counter, with the same simple uniform shirt, fitted apron and hat and name badge talking to a customer.

SHES WEARING A NAME BADGE?!

she can’t believe it, shes still too far away to read it without her glasses but it’s clearly there pinned to her shirt and the closer angela gets, the stronger her hearts beating. this is the moment she finally gets to learn the name of the girl she’s been pining for.

the other customer leaves and it’s just her and bakery girl face to face again. since angela has stopped looking at the displays for the past few weeks she witnessed the signature smile she’s acquainted with form on bakery girls face.

but she doesn’t have to be bakery girl anymore, angela glances at the badge. BLARN.

blarn? is that her name

“i wasn’t expecting to see you so fast, monday must’ve come early this week” blarn (blarn???) comments, settling on her elbows as she leans on the counter.

angela laughs, feeling herself rapidly becoming flustered “those brownies you picked on monday were so good so i thought i should share them this time” she laughs at angela’s words and usually angela would be pleased but she can’t look away from the name badge. there’s so many questions.

is that her name? why doesn’t she wear it on mondays? why today?

she’s so absorbed in her thoughts she didn’t even see her grab the brownies ready for her to pay

“hey, you there?” she’s asking me a question oh god oh god

“your name badge” angela fights the words out of her mouth, already feeling herself cringe at her stuttering delivery, quickly tapping her phone to pay as if to try to move on from her comment. bakery girl looks down at the badge, almost as if she’s as equally shocked by the plastic

“oh yea my manager only works wednesdays with me, so when he is in, i have to have a name” she explains softly laughing at angela’s dumbfounded expression.

“ah” a beat.

don’t say anything stupid don’t say anything stupid ang don’t say anything stupid “so what do people call you every other day?” WHAT

she laughs, and angela can feel her internal battle melt away. “it’s (name), blarn is just a fake name”

(name). angela wishes she could tattoo it on her brain, but all she can do is laugh in response, but before she could respond (names) eyes are no longer looking at her, but at the customer that’s unknowingly broken the moment. angela watches as (name) sends her an apologetic smile before having to attend the customer.

usually angela would just head back to the office, but the second she stepped outside she knew she had to go back.

pushing open the door, she waits behind the customer, catching (names) eyes and smiles at her confused but happy expression. once it’s her turn, angela speaks first.

“i’m angela. i didn’t tell you it before but im angela”

“i’m (name)” she giggles “it’s nice to finally know your name”

angela feels like her chest is going to burst “it’s nice to finally know yours, (name)” (name). angela wants to scream her name from the rooftops, more so after seeing the blush gracing (names) cheeks.

feeling her phone buzz, knowing that it’s chanse asking her where she is she knows this is best time to ask.

“can i..” come on ang just ASK “can i get your number?”

“i was hoping you would ask”

—————————

a/n for someone to still think you’re pretty when you’re in your work uniform is the greatest compliment

sorry if this is long and written like a book, that’s what i’m used to 💔

[theartofcollapse]

Hey, it's me again with another Captain Benson request!

First I want to say that I love your fics 😍 could write you writean Olivia x Reader where the reader is super feminine and into the world of makeup (lolita, gyaru...) and Olivia feels forced to maintain a heteronormative act where she adapts to the "masculine" role until the reader realizes and starts to help her with this, that no matter what clothes she wears, or what profession she has, the two are in a sapphic relationship and there is nothing more "feminine" than being a woman?

I'm listening to Woman by Doja Cat hehehehe gave me this inspiration.

a/n: thank you for requesting this, I hope it's somewhat what you had in mind summary: read it above pairing: Olivia Benson x female reader warnings: none word count: 733

masterlist

Femininity - Olivia Benson

The room smelled of vanilla and jasmine, the faint scent of your favorite candle burning on the windowsill. You stood in front of the mirror, carefully applying the last touches of blush to your cheeks. Your pink, ruffled dress fluttered lightly as you moved, the lace at the hem brushing against your legs. Olivia sat across the room on your couch, still in her SVU blazer and slacks. She watched you with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“You look beautiful, Y/N,” she said, voice soft but distant.

“Thank you,” you replied, setting down the brush and turning to her. You could feel her gaze lingering on your rhinestone-encrusted nails, the pastel palette of your clothes, and the oversized bow perched atop your perfectly styled hair. “Are you sure you don’t want to dress up too? You’d look gorgeous in something like this.”

Olivia chuckled, low and almost hesitant. “This isn’t really my thing, you know? I don’t think I could pull it off like you do.”

You frowned slightly but didn’t push. It wasn’t the first time she’d deflected when you suggested she try something different from her usual wardrobe of power suits and muted tones.

Olivia’s role as a detective, as the strong, stoic protector, had always been a defining part of who she was, but lately, you’d noticed something was off. She seemed to be trying harder to fit into the “masculine” role in your relationship - opening every door, insisting on paying for every meal, even avoiding soft touches in public. At first, you thought it was sweet, her way of taking care of you, but now it felt forced.

“Liv,” you said, stepping closer and sitting beside her. “You know you don’t have to act a certain way around me, right?”

Her brow furrowed, confusion clouding her features. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” You hesitated, choosing your words carefully. “You’ve been putting yourself in this box, like you need to be the ‘man’ in the relationship. But we’re both women. I love you for who you are, not because you’re trying to play some role.”

She looked away, her jaw tightening. “It’s not that simple, Y/N. I’m used to being strong, being the one people rely on. And with you…” She glanced at your soft, glittery appearance, her voice dropping. “I don’t want people to think I’m not enough for you. That I’m not feminine enough for you.”

Your heart broke at her words. You reached out, taking her hand in yours, the contrast between your delicate, manicured fingers and her calloused ones a poignant reminder of your different worlds.

“Olivia,” you said gently, “there’s nothing more feminine than being a woman. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a suit or a dress, if you’re wearing makeup or not. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone, least of all to me.”

She met your gaze, vulnerability shining in her dark eyes. “It’s just… you’re so beautiful, Y/N. So soft, so confident in who you are. Sometimes I feel like I don’t measure up.”

You squeezed her hand. “You’re beautiful too, Liv. In your own way. And you don’t have to change a thing about yourself for me to love you. But if you ever do want to explore a different side of yourself, I’m here for that too. We can try things together, figure it out. No judgment.”

For the first time that evening, her smile was genuine. “You mean that?”

“Of course I do,” you said, standing and tugging her to her feet. “Now, let’s start small. How about we paint your nails? Just something subtle to start with.”

Olivia chuckled, the sound lighter now. “You’re not going to rest until you get me into pink, are you?”

You grinned. “I’m very persuasive.”

She followed you to the vanity, letting you guide her into the chair. As you painted her nails a soft, neutral shade with a touch of shimmer, the tension in her shoulders melted away.

By the end of the night, Olivia wasn’t just wearing nail polish, she was smiling, laughing, and letting herself be vulnerable with you. And as you curled up together on the couch, her arms around you and your head on her shoulder, you knew that together, you were breaking down the walls of expectation and redefining what it meant to be feminine, strong, and in love.

[transflame]

I really love your color scheme! (And literally everything else) How did decide on those colors?

It took me a while to do this. . . I hope this gave some insight~ Ended up yapping a lot. . . If you cant read my handwriting. . uhh I guess I'll type it here for you: Thank you!! TF is usually a very instinctive drawer, but I'll try to explain. . Although you'll probably realize the simplicity~ The hair was REDDER back then, but all the glow end up making it look pinkish (pink is just light red). . . Still, I really like to push the hue differences and thats the result~ There's no glow right now though. . . I also like to make harmonious color scheme and I love brown. . It's essentially dark muted RED And I have to add gold. . . I LOVE GOLD TRIMS The rest was easy as I now have a reference: The collar had to be light and muted because its in the middle of all things saturated and dark I needed a cooler element on an otherwise very warm design. So the dark, muted, purple or blue metal helps balance things out. (Choker top tier) I just like to shade whites in a flashy, saturated kinda way~ (lol) I don't need to explain my eyelashes right? (I just like red eyeliners but this way felt more fitting) Legs are just cracking lava. . The feet flame IS more purple cause I wanted things to be darker below. . I hope this is satisfactory. I dont actually use a palette, I just eyeball all my colors, so it's not always exact, but they're close enough.

[glowettee]

Hey Girl, I need help right now, how can I build my wardrobe because right now all I wear to school is a hoodie and flare jeans/sweatpants, I like the pants but I don’t wanna seem basic and just wear a hoodie with sweatpants or jeans. Cause I’m low-key in the middle of masc and fem so it’s just strange and I don’t know how to dress. 😭💗

how to build your wardrobe | starting with the "downtown girl" aesthetic

hey girl!! tysm for reaching out and trusting me with your style journey 🤍 i totally get that feeling of being stuck in a hoodie + flare jeans loop, especially when you know you deserve a wardrobe that shows off both your masc + fem sides. i remember when my closet felt like a jumble of basic pieces until i started curating it with intention, and now my outfits reflect a confident coquette, downtown girl aesthetic with just the right amount of edge + softness. so, let’s dive into building

little note before we start

i was in the same situation as you, trying to find a way to embrace my masc + fem fashion, i naturally gravitated towards to "downtown girl aesthetic" since it was closest to my comfort zone, now i've branched out to a lot of coquette pieces, my fashion style is amazing now, and really reflects me perfectly. however, i still would define my fashion as downtown girl aesthetic, that's why in this post i'll be giving you a guide since i think it'll fit perfectly for you especially with you being in the middle of masc + fem fashion. hopefully this helps you, feel free to research more about the aesthetic + fashion style, i think it's a great fashion sense that isn't too uncomfortable for first trying out to build your fashion sense. - love from mindy <3

~ discovering your style identity ~

first of all, take a little time to reflect on what you truly love about your style. do you gravitate towards minimalist silhouettes, or do you adore a bit of playful edge? for a downtown girl vibe, think urban chic combined with touches of romance and practicality. jot down a few adjectives that vibe with you. words like “modern,” “gritty,” “romantic,” or even “vintage downtown” can help create your style compass. i like to create digital mood boards on tumblr or pinterest, collecting images of outfits that spark joy. it’s literally a fun, visual way to consolidate your style ideas before letting them influence your wardrobe choices.

~ detailed downtown girl aesthetic tips ~

a downtown girl aesthetic is all about blending practical urban style with a hint of romance and vintage charm. here are some tips to nail this vibe:

color palette:

stick with neutral tones like black, white, navy, + grey as your base.

add pops of color through accessories or a statement piece like a bold red bag or mustard yellow scarf.

muted pastels can also work wonderfully to soften the look while keeping it edgy.

layering techniques:

downtown style is often about layering. try combining a fitted turtleneck with a slip dress, then topping it with a blazer or leather jacket.

experiment with different lengths. for instance, wear a cropped sweater over a longer button-down for a dynamic, urban silhouette.

footwear:

invest in a couple of key pairs of shoes. sleek ankle boots or minimalist sneakers are perfect for walking through the city.

consider converses, boots, and any type of sneakers are literally your best friend

also a pair of combat boots can add a cool, grunge element to your wardrobe.

accessories:

accessories can really pull your look together. a cute necklace or a standout ring adds subtle elegance.

don’t shy away from statement bags. i love structured crossbodies or chic totes.

a stylish hat, like a beret or a fedora, can transform a basic outfit into something that screams downtown chic. omg and headphones literally could be considered as a hat in this aesthetic <3

prints + textures:

mix structured fabrics like denim, leather, or cotton with softer textures like silk or cashmere.

subtle prints such as pinstripes or small polka dots can add visual interest without overwhelming the overall look.

~ mixing masc + fem in a downtown setting ~

if you find yourself balancing between masc and fem, remember that fashion is all about contrast. here’s how to blend the two effortlessly:

combine structured, masculine pieces with more delicate, feminine items. for example, pair a sharply tailored blazer with a soft, lace-trimmed blouse or a flowy midi skirt.

try androgynous cuts like oversized shirts or well-fitted trousers, then add a touch of femininity with accessories. maybe a charming belt or minimalist jewelry.

experiment with layering a unisex tee under a feminine dress, then finishing the look with a sleek jacket or ankle boots that have a modern edge.

balance textures: mix a masculine fabric like denim with a more fragile, silky scarf to bring out both aspects of your style.

~ practical pro tips for wardrobe evolution ~

building a wardrobe that feels authentically you takes time + experimentation. here are some extra pro tips i swear by:

start with what you already love:

take a look at your current wardrobe and identify pieces that feel true to you.

use these as a baseline to decide what new items can mix well with them. this way, you’re expanding rather than completely overhauling your style.

2. shop mindfully:

whenever you’re shopping, think about versatility. ask yourself, “can i see this piece paired with at least three other items i own?”

if possible, try to shop at stores or online shops that offer timeless, well-made pieces rather than fast-fashion for a sustainable approach.

3. don’t be afraid to experiment:

style is a journey, and it’s totally okay to try something new even if it feels a bit out of your comfort zone.

consider having a “fashion day” where you experiment with mixing different textures, layers, and accessories. take photos of your outfits so you can look back and see what works best.

3. remember the power of personal touches:

add items that tell your story. a vintage scarf, a piece of jewelry with sentimental value, or even a custom-painted jacket.

these pieces not only elevate your look but also make your outfit uniquely yours.

~ my personal journey & final thoughts ~

i remember when i first started experimenting with my wardrobe. i was always tethered to the same basic pieces until i decided one day to step out of my comfort zone. i went to a little vintage store downtown and found a structured coat that changed everything. pairing it with a crisp button-down and sleek trousers created a look that was so different from my usual style but felt incredibly empowering. the process was filled with trial + error, but each piece i added felt like a tiny victory. an expression of my evolving self.

i currently have a mix of downtown girl aesthetic, coquette, and just a lotttt of pink clothing lol <3. however, when i first started experimenting with a style i personally love and own now, i started with the downtown girl aesthetic, and it helped me so much. this is why i recommend starting with this aesthetic first if you're trying to discover your personal style and especially if you want to express your masc and fem side.

building a wardrobe is literally a form of self-expression, and it should be fun rather than stressful. let each outfit be a mini celebration of who you are. remember, there’s no “right” way to dress. your style should grow with you. even if you’re headed to school or exploring the city streets, your wardrobe should be a canvas that reflects your creative spirit.

I have a pinterest board here specifically with downtown girl outfit ideas: https://pin.it/1d0IdGrNL

sending you the biggest virtual hug + all the good vibes! i hope these detailed tips help you start with building your wardrobe. remember to take it one step at a time, enjoy the process, and always embrace what makes you uniquely you.

p.s. if you ever need more advice or a pep talk to boost your style confidence, feel free to send more asks!! keep shining, and always take care of yourself.

xoxo, mindy 🤍

[cryiingoutloud]

☽〝 brushstrokes of desire ( matty healy x reader )

warnings: 18+, mostly sexual tension, soft smut at the end. english is not my native language, be kind & enjoy <3 wc: 2.6k

you’re in your studio, working late into the night as the soft hum of the city outside fades into the background. the space is alive with color: splashes of vibrant reds, muted blues, and earthy tones smudged on the walls and floor. your brushes, canvases, and palettes are scattered around like the aftermath of a creative storm. the air smells faintly of paint and linseed oil, grounding you as your hands glide across the canvas, lost in the flow of creation.

you’re wearing a pair of matty’s sweatpants, soft and oversized, hanging loosely off your hips, along with an old white t-shirt, now more paint-splattered than pristine. you feel cozy, relaxed, though a little aware of how ridiculous you must look in your makeshift work outfit. but matty? he’s perched on a low chair behind you, his arms resting on his knees, watching you with an intensity that makes the air hum between you. you catch glimpses of him in the corner of your eye, his dark curls slightly tousled, his lips curved into a lazy, dreamy smile as if he’s amused by something only he understands.

his gaze, though silent, feels weighty, and you can sense it without turning around. it’s the kind of stare that warms you from the inside out, and the fact that he’s just sitting there, observing you, sends a thrill through you because you know he finds this version of you, the one covered in paint, entirely absorbed in your art, irresistible. he hasn’t said a word for a while now, content to just watch, but you know him well enough to sense what’s going on in that head of his.

you try to focus on the canvas in front of you, keep your brush steady, but the awareness of him sitting behind you is palpable. you’re working on a new piece, but the paint under your fingertips feels almost secondary to the weight of matty’s presence filling the room. his gaze feels like a touch, soft and deliberate, like he’s painting you in his mind with each passing second.

finally, you hear the faintest shuffle of movement behind you, and before you can process it, you feel his hands slide around your waist, gentle but firm. his fingers brush the exposed skin just above the waistband of his sweatpants, and a shiver runs through you at the touch. he pulls you back against him, his warmth pressing into you as he rests his chin against your shoulder, watching your hand move across the canvas.

"you're so fucking beautiful," he murmurs against your neck, his voice a low rasp that sends a spark of heat straight through you.

you pause, trying not to lose focus, but it’s impossible. his hands drift to your hips, his thumbs brushing slow circles over the fabric of the sweatpants, and you feel your breath catch in your throat. it’s a delicate touch, but it carries a weight that’s impossible to ignore. your hand falters on the canvas as he presses a soft kiss to the back of your neck, just below your hairline.

"you’re distracting me," you whisper, your voice breathless as you try - unsuccessfully - to keep painting.

he laughs softly against your skin, the sound sending another shiver down your spine. "good," he mutters, his lips grazing the sensitive spot just behind your ear. "i like distracting you."

you try to stay focused, but his hands are roaming now, one trailing up under your shirt to brush against your stomach, the other still holding your hip, pulling you closer against him. you can feel the heat of his body through the thin fabric of your clothes, and it makes concentrating on anything else a near impossibility.

"matty," you murmur, your voice a mix of warning and need.

he hums in response, his mouth still tracing soft, teasing kisses along your neck, and his hands - god, his hands - are making it impossible to think straight. you set your brush down, the paint on the canvas forgotten as you give in to the sensation of his touch, the way he’s effortlessly unraveling you.

you turn around in his arms, your hands finding their way into his curls as you pull his mouth to yours. the kiss is slow, languid, a mix of tenderness and simmering heat, like neither of you is in a rush but both of you know exactly where this is heading. his lips are soft, warm, moving against yours with an almost lazy hunger, like he wants to savor every second.

your hands slide down to his shoulders, then to his chest, feeling the solidness of him under your fingertips, the way his body reacts to your touch. his breath hitches when your fingers graze the hem of his shirt, tugging it up just slightly, and that’s when the idea hits you, suddenly, all at once.

you pull back slightly, your lips inches from his, and he looks at you with those dark eyes, his pupils blown wide with lust and something softer, more adoring, lingering beneath the surface.

"i want to paint you," you say, the words slipping out in a breathless rush.

he blinks, surprised for a moment, but then a slow, wicked grin spreads across his face. "yeah?" his voice is rough, but there’s a playful note to it, like he already loves the idea. "what are you thinking?"

you smile, excitement bubbling up in your chest. "let me use you as a canvas."

he doesn’t need more convincing. he steps back slightly, his hands falling away from your hips as he pulls his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. your gaze follows the movement, and your breath catches again at the sight of him. his bare chest, the way his muscles ripple with every movement. he watches you with that same smirk, like he knows exactly what he’s doing to you.

"you gonna paint me, love?" he teases, his voice low, dripping with suggestion.

you nod, your pulse quickening as you grab a fresh brush, dipping it into a pot of deep blue paint. "turn around," you instruct softly, and he does, his back now facing you. the muscles there shift under his skin as he moves, and the sight alone sends a fresh wave of heat through you.

you step closer, your eyes tracing the lines of his shoulders, his spine, the curve of his waist. you reach out and run your fingers lightly across his skin, and he shivers at the contact, goosebumps rising where your fingertips have touched. you smile to yourself, loving how responsive he is to you.

with a deep breath, you press the tip of the brush against his back, the coolness of the paint making him tense for a moment. you begin to drag the brush in slow, deliberate strokes, painting abstract shapes and patterns, your mind following the rhythm of his breath, the rise and fall of his body. the blue spreads across his skin in soft waves, and you add hints of white, blending the colors like the sky meeting the sea.

every stroke of the brush seems to draw out something deeper, a tension that hums in the air between you. you can feel it building with every pass of the brush, the way his muscles tighten under your touch, the way his breath becomes more labored. he shifts slightly, his head dropping forward, exposing more of his neck, and you can't resist brushing a kiss against his nape, feeling him shudder in response.

the room feels smaller now, the silence heavy, punctuated only by the sound of your breathing and the soft drag of the brush across his skin. you move closer, your body nearly pressed against his as you work, your fingers occasionally brushing against his bare skin as you adjust your strokes.

"fuck," he mutters under his breath, his voice strained. "you're killing me."

you smile, but you don’t stop, your hand moving lower, tracing the curve of his lower back with the brush. his breath hitches again, and you can feel the tension in him building, coiling tighter with every passing second. you’re not just painting him, you’re teasing him, driving him slowly out of his mind with every careful stroke.

the room feels thick with heat, the air charged with a tension so palpable it makes your heart race. you can feel it in the way he’s holding himself so still, like he’s barely keeping it together, and you know that he’s close to snapping.

you pause for a moment, stepping back to admire your work, and the sight of him bare, painted, his skin a canvas of blues and whites, muscles taut and quivering under your touch sends a wave of desire crashing through you. you want him. now.

but before you can make a move, he turns around suddenly, his eyes dark and wild, and in one swift motion, he pulls you to him. his mouth crashes against yours, hot and demanding, all of the tension from before exploding between you in a rush of need.

your hands find his bare chest, fingers smearing the paint as you cling to him, and he groans into your mouth, the sound deep and guttural. the kiss is messy, desperate, a clash of tongues and teeth as you both lose yourselves in the heat of it. you barely register him guiding you down to the floor until your back hits the soft sheets covering the studio floor, the fabric crumpling beneath you.

his hands are everywhere: gripping your hips, sliding under your shirt, tugging it over your head, until you’re both bare, your skin flushed and slick with paint. he presses you down into the floor, his body hovering over yours, and the feeling of his skin against yours, still wet with paint, is almost too much to bear.

"god, you’re beautiful," he murmurs, his voice rough and breathless as his eyes rake over your body, taking in every inch of you.

his words send a shiver through you, and you reach up, your hands finding his face as you pull him back down to you. his lips are on yours again, but this time the kiss is slower, more deliberate, as though he’s savoring the taste of you. his hands roam your body with a kind of reverence, fingertips tracing lines over your bare skin, dragging through the smears of paint. the feeling of his touch, mixed with the slickness of the paint and the heat between you, makes everything feel heightened, every sensation magnified.

his lips leave yours, trailing down your jaw, across the line of your neck, pressing soft, wet kisses to your collarbone. you arch into him, a soft moan escaping your lips as his mouth moves lower, painting your skin with his lips, his teeth, his tongue. the contrast of the wet, cool paint and the heat of his mouth sends sparks through you, each touch leaving you aching for more.

you feel the tension building again, thick and heavy in the air between you, each breath you take filled with anticipation. your hands glide over his back, fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, feeling them tense and shift beneath your touch. he shivers under your hands, his breath hot against your skin as he works his way lower, his mouth worshiping every inch of you.

"matty," you breathe, your voice a soft plea, and he pauses, lifting his head to meet your gaze. his dark eyes are blown wide with desire, his lips swollen from kissing you, and the sight of him like this, completely undone, completely yours, sends a fresh wave of heat pooling in your core.

he doesn’t say anything, just looks at you with that intense, almost reverent gaze, and then he’s moving again, pressing his body flush against yours. you gasp at the feeling of him, hard and ready, pressing against your thigh. the friction between your bodies, the way his skin slides against yours, slick with paint and sweat, makes everything feel electric, like every nerve in your body is on fire.

"are you sure?" he asks, his voice a low, gravelly murmur against your ear, even though you can see the barely controlled hunger in his eyes, the way he’s struggling to keep himself in check.

you nod, your heart pounding in your chest, your body aching for him. "yes," you breathe, your voice shaky but sure. "i want you."

that’s all he needs to hear. in the next moment, he’s positioning himself between your thighs, his body pressing down against yours, and then he’s inside you, filling you completely. you both gasp at the feeling, the connection between you so intense, so overwhelming, that for a moment, neither of you moves. you’re both suspended in that perfect moment, the air around you buzzing with energy, with the raw, undeniable connection you share.

and then he’s moving, slow at first, his hips rolling against yours in a steady, measured rhythm that has you arching up into him, desperate for more. his hands are on your hips, holding you steady as he rocks into you, each thrust deeper, harder, more deliberate than the last. your bodies move together in perfect sync, the friction between you sending waves of pleasure crashing through you with every movement.

"god, you feel so good," he groans, his voice tight with pleasure as he buries his face in the crook of your neck, his breath hot against your skin.

you can’t form words, can’t do anything but cling to him, your fingers digging into his back, leaving smears of blue paint across his skin as you hold on for dear life. the heat between you is unbearable, the tension building and building with every thrust, every breath, until it feels like you might shatter from the intensity of it all.

his pace quickens, his thrusts becoming more urgent, more frantic, and you can feel the tension in his body, the way he’s holding himself back, trying to make this last. but you’re both so close, teetering on the edge of something explosive, and it’s all you can do to keep up with him, your body trembling with need, with anticipation.

"matty," you moan, your voice desperate and breathless, and that’s all it takes to push him over the edge.

with a low, guttural groan, he surges into you one last time, his body tensing as he comes, his release triggering your own. the wave of pleasure that crashes over you is intense, overwhelming, and you cling to him as your body shakes with the force of it, your breath coming in short, sharp gasps as the world around you seems to blur into nothing but him, his body, his touch, his love.

for a long moment, neither of you moves, both of you spent and breathless, your bodies tangled together on the paint-streaked sheets. his chest rises and falls against yours as he catches his breath, and you can feel the rapid beat of his heart, still in sync with your own.

slowly, he lifts his head, his eyes meeting yours, and the look in them is so full of tenderness, of affection, that it makes your heart ache. he smiles, soft and lazy, and leans down to press a gentle kiss to your lips, the heat between you simmering down into something quieter, more intimate.

"you’re incredible," he murmurs against your lips, his voice soft, reverent.

you smile, feeling warm and light and utterly content. "so are you."

he chuckles softly, brushing a strand of hair away from your face. "we should do this more often," he teases, his voice playful now, and you laugh, feeling a sense of ease and happiness settle over you.

as you lie there together, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside the studio seems distant, irrelevant. all that matters is this moment, this connection between you, this love that feels almost too perfect, too real to be true.

but it is real, and it’s yours. and as you drift off in the warmth of his embrace, surrounded by the smell of paint and the lingering heat of your passion, you can’t help but feel that this is exactly where you’re meant to be.

[elodee]

HERMIT A DAY MAY - DAY 7

Mumbo Jumbo x Don't Starve

I drew Mumbo Jumbo in the style of the spooky, open-world survival game Don't Starve!

I chose this one for Mumbo because he reminds me of the default protagonist of the game, Wilson, who is a gentleman inventor that creates fantastical science and alchemy machines.

I also just thought he would look great as a Don't Starve character. And I was right, he looks fantastic! This was one of the most satisfying pieces I've done so far because he just fits the style so naturally.

To learn more about Don't Starve and see my style references, please continue below the cut!

(Also, check out the Hermit a Day May fundraiser for Gamer's OutreachI)

Don't Starve is a spooky, yet cute, rogue-like survival game that takes place in a randomly generated open world.

You play as a character that has been dropped into an unforgiving other world. Your goal is to survive and, when you enter story mode, try to find and defeat the entity that has trapped you there.

The game is very difficult as you only have one life to gather supplies, build tools, and try and live as long as possible. Nearly everything tries to kill you, and you have to also monitor your sanity, hunger, and environmental conditions, which can also kill you. When you play this game you will die many, many times, but it is always fun to restart and figure out ways to survive more successfully the next time.

The style of the game is heavily inspired by Tim Burton and the gameplay itself is fairly reminiscent of Minecraft on hardcore mode. The world of Don't Starve is strange and at times a little unsettling, but also full of funny moments. Overall, the game is a delight to explore, just expect to die a lot. And anyway, there are always mods (lots of mods) if you want to make the game a little more forgiving.

Style references:

The style is very sketch-like with lots of points and spirals. The palette is muted with most (though not all) player characters being primarily red, white, and black (like Mumbo).

I made Mumbo a little taller than the average Don't Starve character since I imagine him as very tall in Minecraft. There is precedent for this in-game since the guy that brings you to the other world, Maxwell, is very tall.

The Don't Starve title font. I downloaded a font called October Crow to make the title for this piece, so it isn't exact, but I think it looks really close.

[skrimbloz]

Evil Art Style Challenge !!!

Rules set:

- No green (🥲)

- Bigger eyes

- No muted colours/Use more vibrant colours

I also threw in my own rules where I wouldn’t use textured brushes or a rendering layer either!

I can say it definitely pained me to not use a heavy green theme, but trying out a different palette was fun and I wanna do it more :D

I decided to draw Jay because he’d be an easy character to use vibrant contrasting colours on

It was definitely difficult to try and draw without it looking like my regular art style, I think he turned out pretty cool tho!!

Face close-up, thank you to those who set the challenges!! 💙⚡️

[ohgodthevoices]

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ Save point °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

time skip kenma x f!reader

word count : 2117

note : this fanfic will be on my ao3 >here< it might be more organized and easier to keep up with it but i will still upload the chapters here <3

chapter 1/ chapter 2/ chapter 3

Chapter 2

The dim light of your desk lamp cast a faint glow over your bed, where sketchbooks, reference images, and your tablet lay scattered in a chaotic sprawl. You sat cross-legged in the middle of it all, tablet in hand, stylus poised but unmoving.

You stared at the screen, your latest draft of the character staring back at you with redish tired eyes. The bold colors and intricate designs you had once loved now felt garish, too loud for the muted, broken world they were meant to inhabit.

“Too flashy,” Kenma’s voice echoed in your mind.

You sighed and dragged the stylus across the screen, dulling the bright reds and softening the sharp edges of the armor. But no matter how much you adjusted, it still didn’t feel right.

The weight of the project pressed down on you, each passing minute reminding you of the deadline looming just hours away. You had always thrived on creativity, but now it felt like a cage, every idea scrutinized under the harsh light of expectation.

Your hand hovered over the undo button for a moment before you let the stylus drop onto the blanket. Leaning back, you stared at the ceiling, trying to find inspiration in the cracks of the paint.

Your eyes drifted to the corner of the room where a half-finished canvas leaned against the wall. It was from a time before this job, before Tokyo—when you painted for yourself, not for approval.

You took a deep breath, cleared the layers, and started over. This time, you let instinct guide you. The character began to take shape again, their colors muted but purposeful, their design simpler yet still distinct.

For the first time that night, you felt a flicker of satisfaction. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress.

—--------------------------------------------

The morning air was crisp as you made your way into the office building, the faint hum of city life fading behind the sliding glass doors. The company’s open workspace was already alive with quiet chatter and the soft clicking of keyboards.

You headed to your desk, tucked near the corner of the art department. It wasn’t much—just a simple desk scattered with sketches, sticky notes, and a half-empty cup of pens—but it was yours. Your tablet and stylus sat waiting, and pinned to the corkboard above were references and concept art for the game.

Sliding into your chair, you exhaled, letting the familiar rhythm of the office ground you. Across the room, Kaori, your brightly-haired coworker, was animatedly chatting with someone from marketing. She caught your eye, waved, and mouthed, “Coffee later?” You nodded with a small smile before turning back to your screen.

The morning passed in a blur of sketches and minor tweaks. The art lead stopped by briefly to check in, giving a few notes on lighting and color palettes for one of your designs. “Looking good,” they said with a nod before moving on, leaving you with a small boost of confidence.

Alright! you can do it !

Around mid-morning, Kaori appeared at your desk, a takeout coffee in hand. She set it down with a grin, “You looked like you needed this,” she said, her tone light.

You chuckled softly, taking the cup. “Lifesaver.”

As she leaned against the edge of your desk, she glanced at your sketches. “So, what’s the verdict? Is mister happy with these yet?”

You hesitated, your fingers tightening around the coffee cup. “Not exactly,” you admitted. “He thinks they’re too much. Wants me to tone it down.”

Kaori rolled her eyes. “Of course he does. That man has the emotional range of a brick wall. Don’t let him get to you, though. Your work is amazing.”

You smiled faintly, appreciating her support, even if it didn’t completely ease your nerves. “Thanks. I’ll figure it out.”

Kaori gave you a thumbs-up before heading back to her desk, leaving you alone with your thoughts. You stared at your tablet, the screen glowing with the latest revision of a character design.

The rest of the morning passed uneventfully, but the weight of the upcoming meeting with Kenma lingered in the back of your mind.

[5:00PM]

It was now time, and you found yourself standing in front of Kenma’s office door. Your palms were damp, and you rubbed them against your jeans, trying to steady your nerves.

With a deep breath, you knocked softly. The door clicked open almost immediately, and there he was—Kenma, leaning slightly against the doorframe, his golden eyes meeting yours with calm indifference.

“You’re on time,” he said, stepping aside to let you in.

As you entered, your anxiety momentarily gave way to surprise. His office wasn’t at all what you expected.

The walls were lined with shelves, each one packed with figures from games and anime. Some were small and intricately detailed, while others were large, commanding attention with their vibrant colors and dramatic poses. A few posters adorned the walls, depicting scenes from classic games, Youtube play buttons displayed next to them.

The desk was cluttered but in an organized way—headphones, a lit up gaming keyboard, high-end monitors, and a scattering of notebooks and pens ans oh— hey pudding

Warm, ambient lighting bathed the room, giving it a cozy, almost inviting atmosphere. It felt less like a CEO’s office and more like the sanctuary of someone deeply passionate about their craft.

“You can sit,” Kenma said, gesturing toward a chair across from his desk. His tone was neutral, but there was an ease in his movements, as if he was completely at home here.

You’d figure if he was to spend a lot of time here, he would make it feel like home.

You sat down, trying to focus on the task at hand, but your gaze kept drifting to the shelves. The room felt so personal, so distinctly him, that it was hard to reconcile it with the detached, analytical demeanor he usually displayed.

His office relaxed you in a way, maybe he wasnt so intimidating , maybe he was just a nerd who got to achieve his dreams.

“Let’s see what you’ve got,” he said, his voice snapping you back to reality.

Kenma’s eyes scanned the designs on your tablet with the same detached focus he always seemed to have. You sat across from him, waiting for some sort of feedback—anything, really. But his expression remained unreadable, his golden eyes flicking from one sketch to the next without giving anything away.

Finally, he stopped on one of the character sketches, his head tilting ever so slightly. “This one,” he said, his voice flat. “What’s the story here?”

You straightened, feeling the pressure of the moment. “She’s a scavenger, specializes in hacking old tech. She’s trying to find something that could help restore the world—or at least give people a reason to keep going. She’s tough, independent, but… she’s also lonely. Doesn’t trust anyone. That’s her weakness.”

Kenma didn’t look up from the screen. “Hmm. It’s interesting,” he said, his tone dismissive. “But it’s too clean. Too polished for someone in a post-apocalyptic world.”

What? You almost pulled an all nighter for this, and he’s still not satisfying ?

Your brow furrowed. “Polished? She’s wearing patched-up clothes. Her gear is cobbled together from scraps—”

Kenma’s lips twisted into a faint, dismissive frown. “It’s obvious. You’re trying too hard to make her look scrappy. It’s forced. Players won’t buy it.”

You clenched your jaw, feeling your frustration bubble,you were too tired to deal with this... “So, what are you saying? That it’s not realistic enough? That I should make her blend into the background and be boring?”

Kenma’s eyes finally lifted from the screen, meeting yours with a cool, almost mocking expression. “I’m saying you’re overcompensating. Sometimes less is more.”

You crossed your arms, a bitter laugh escaping before you could stop it. “Less is more,” you echoed, the words tasting like acid. “It’s easy to say when you don’t have to make your characters stand out. Do you even care if they feel real, or are you just focused on making something that works on paper?”

The air between you thickened, and for a moment, neither of you spoke. Pudding’s soft meow was the only sound, almost like she was caught in the tension too.

Kenma’s expression darkened, his fingers tapping on the desk in irritation. “I care about making a game people actually want to play,” he snapped, his voice cutting through the tension. “If the characters don’t fit into the world, it all falls apart. It’s not about you or your personal attachment to these designs. It’s about the bigger picture.” fuck his gaze is sharp…

frustration boiling over. “You think I’m too close to it? You think I don’t get it?” You said abruptly, “I’m trying to make something that matters. Not just something that’s easy to digest and forget. But I guess that’s what you want, isn’t it? Something simple and disposable.”

Kenma’s face was stone cold, but you could see the flicker of annoyance in his eyes. “You’re too emotional about this. It’s just a game. Stop acting like it’s some grand masterpiece.”

Your breath was coming in short bursts, your body tense with the urge to lash out. “It’s not just a game, Kenma. It’s art. Something that should mean something. But you wouldn’t get that, would you?”

The room seemed to close in around you, the air thick with anger and frustration. Pudding let out a soft, nervous meow, sensing the tension between the two of you.

Kenma leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. “You’ve got potential,” he said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. “But you’re too caught up in your own head. Step back. Take a breath. Look at the bigger picture for once.”

His words hit you like a slap, the final blow to your already frayed patience. You grabbed the tablet off the desk, your fingers gripping it tightly as you stared him down.

“You’re right,” you said, voice low and venomous. “I’ll step back. But maybe next time, you can try stepping into something real.”

Without waiting for a response, you turned and stormed out of the office, the door slamming behind you with a force that echoed down the hall. The weight of the argument lingered, but it was the quiet burn of his words that stayed with you, stoking the fire of anger deep in your chest.

—--------------------------------------------

The café next to the office was buzzing with life, as it always was during lunch hour. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the air, mingling with the hum of conversations and the occasional clatter of dishes. You sat at a small table near the window with a couple coworkers you got close with.

A bagel, toasted to perfection, sat on a plate in front of you, paired with a steaming cup of coffee. The three of you  were chatting and shared grumbles about deadlines making the stress of work feel a little less suffocating

You nearly choked on your bite when you  spotted him, hunched over his phone like it held the secrets to the universe. A bento box sat neglected next to him, the chopsticks placed at its side untouched . He didn’t even glance up, completely absorbed in whatever he was doing.

A slow smirk tugged at your lips as you leaned back in your chair, crossing your legs. Of course he’s alone, you thought, twirling your fork in the air. Mr. Less-Is-More probably scared off anyone who dared to sit with him.

The mental image of Kenma in his office, delivering his blunt critiques to a group of coworkers, popped into your head. You could almost hear him now: “Your lunch choice is too flashy. It doesn’t fit the vibe.”

You stifled a laugh, glancing at him again. He looked so out of place in the lively place, like a cat accidentally dropped into a dog park. Everyone else was chatting, laughing, or scrolling through their phones in pairs or groups. And there he was, the great Kenma Kozume, all alone with his glowing screen and his resting bored face.

For a moment, you almost felt bad for him. ALMOST. 

You took a bite of your bagel, feeling oddly triumphant. The sight of him sitting there, detached and isolated, felt like a small victory. So much for the all-knowing genius.

Still, your gaze lingered longer than you intended. He looked… tired. Not just in the way most people were tired after a long week, but in a way that seemed deeper, like it had settled into his bones.

You frowned, the smugness fading slightly. Whatever. Not my problem. He’s an asshole anyway

@miruac

[lover-of-mine]

Hello love, I read your masterpost about color theory and I find the last part about how Eddie is wearing a lot of black in season 7 interesting, because it caught my attention too.

Do you have any more ideas about that? Because every episode we get more moments of Eddie wearing black in important scenes, like him meeting Shannon's clone in today's episode!

Have a good day!

Hi, darlings, thoughts on the black. I have thoughts on the black and I have theories about the black, but I actually only solidified them after talking about it with @stagefoureddiediaz and honestly, if you want costume analyses she's the blog to go because her insights get me mindblown all the time because she talks a lot about patterns I kinda saw but didn't fully understand were there, so seriously, props to her with this one.

But to talk about Eddie in black, I'm gonna go back to Shannon in s2. And his love interests in general.

Shannon was a character that was always wearing color, and she always wore warm, bright tones, and considering Eddie's earthy, somewhat muted, still army colors palette, she literally brings color to his life. They go as far as making this quite literal in 213, because the hospital scene, Shannon is literally a point of color in this very dark moment, since most people around are in darker colors, her orange stands out. And obviously, the yellow she died in is a staple.

Ana was very muted when it was about the 2 of them, she was allowed color when it was about Chris, but about Eddie, it was black, white, or soft colors.

Marisol also follows that same pattern, she's mostly in black and white adjacent stuff, but she was allowed color during Chris' date and when Eddie was daydreaming Shannon. But with Marisol is worse, because Ana was allowed he's baby blue outfits, and Eddie had color around her, Marisol is just whites, greys, and blacks. And Eddie too. She brings no color to the table.

And the thing is, Eddie has been looking for the yellow. In very simple terms the dude has been looking for the color he thinks Shannon was supposed to bring to his life. I think that was even more exemplified by the way the daydream about Shannon didn't have the usual muted colors flashbacks have in the show.

And the thing is, black is the absorption of all colors, right? Dude is trying to find something to absorb, to get that color, but he has nothing to show for it because these relationships don't bring color to his life in any way. I think this even ties to the way he keeps getting hit by the sun when it comes to Buck or gets some random pops of color even if his outfit is black when he's around Buck, maybe even the random rainbow lens fair that keeps happening this season on him. But he is trying to force something that's not there and it's never gonna be there, if you mix black with white all he's gonna keep getting is grey. And when you think about the implications of black, the association with mystery, something hidden, and, yeah, even mourning, Eddie being consistently in black can also be a way for him to hide behind the ghost of Shannon and never face what he's actually searching for, because he can't get what he wants. He will never have the future he planned with Shannon, he's never gonna be able to fix the mistakes he's made. He needs Shannon to tell him is okay he fucked up, but that can never happen because she's dead so he's holding on to the widow status. It's something I talk about a lot, Eddie was always written to be the tortured widower, even when Shannon was alive, he already had the archetype, and considering we found out they met when they were 14, Shannon is literally all he knows, but the Eddie we meet and deal with, only knows her when she left him and he's searching for that color the plans you can only make when you're a teenager going through you first love give. But considering the black he also has nothing to give this woman he meets in this quest, he's not reflecting anything back because he wants a do-over and that's not something someone can give him.

Also, no one asked but I gotta say it, I am obsessed with the way Kim is blue where Shannon was yellow/orange, but she is also in neutral colors when interacting with Eddie.

And he is still very much in black interacting with her.

But the blue/yellow thing is interesting because when you look at a color wheel, they are on opposite sides. They are complementary colors and complementary colors create contrast and it's very deliberate the way Shannon was warm-toned and Kim is cool-toned.

But the idiot (affectionate) is still in black, because he's not reflecting what he needs, he's absorbing what he thinks he wants.

But that's just a theory, a game theory. (Sorry, I read this back and my brain filled the space with this, I had to say it okasoasoaksas)

if you read this, I love you 💜

[meteor752]

I don’t have a problem I swear

So…I can explain

Recently Hero Forge added something called kitbashing, which basically means that you can add and adjust just about anything on your minis, meaning I am no longer restrained by basically anything.

So, of course, I had to make a design update for the kids.

I also saw this as a good opportunity to change some of their core designs, because they were made when I was a total newbie with Hero Forge and a lot of their colour palettes come from just, the default ones. Also changed up some design choices I made and have been dissatisfied with, so just basically upgrading everyone. I’ll explain what has been changed under every design lol

Liana

Just gonna start by saying I really love this dark cerise as her signature colour, it suits her really well. Also the teal and sorta peach colour for her vest, it kinda reminds me of copper and I think it’s cute. Her lil hat, tie brooch, hairstyle, and monocle are all kitbash parts. Especially happy with the monocle thing, cause previously it’s been sitting way too close to her eye and it just looked bad

Permanent design changes:

Darkened the hair to look more like Grian’s shade

Upgraded the wing designs, both the parrot and the watcher wings

Changed the hue of her watcher wings to a more faded transparent purple

Wes

I loooooove designing Wes, it’s so different from the rest of the kids (Mainly cause he’s got more muted colours lol). I debated for a while if I was gonna let him keep the moss cloak still, but I think it’s a good recurring item, and also a fun thing to be tied back to Bdubs. Changed up the design to how I used to do it, but stopped for some reason lol. The only kitbashed things are the clock on his hip, and his hairstyle.

Permanent design changes

Eyes are bigger

The dyed streaks in his hair are a lighter shade

Added black scales (Can only be seen on his face, but they are on the rest of his body as well)

Changed his horn and tail colours from orangy yellow to black

Changed the shape of his claws

Gertrude

Gertrude truly allows me to be creative with her theme, it’s always fun to figure out the best way to mix the princess and warrior aspects of her. Her cloak was made through kitbash, as was her hair and glasses (or at least their placement). It’s also because of kitbash that she can have dreads for the first time, which I’m excited about, she looks great!

Permanent design changes

Darkened the fur on her ears and tails

And yeah that’s kinda it lol

Johnny

My son! The endless struggle when it comes to Johnny’s outfits continues, but at this point I’ve given up and resorted to just reusing old clothing options, just new colours and combinations. The lil straw of hay is a delight, I love that it was added it fits him surprisingly well. Only part of him that’s kitbashed is the hair.

Permanent design changes:

Adjusted the colour of the fire in his hair and on his tail

Changed his tail design, from a draconic one to a simple flame

Added some red around the edges of his face

Changed the colour of his eyes

Removed the horns

Changed the shape of his claws

Jassy

She’s so cool I love her. One thing that’s fun with Jassy is that all the kids have a signature colour, Jassy’s being grey, and yet she never wears it lol, she’s just green part 2. Thanks to Kitbashing, I now no longer have the struggle of trying to maneuver horns to make her hair, so that’s a relief. The feather earring, a gift from Liana, was also placed with Kitbashing.

Permanent design changes:

Her eyes are now brown. I don’t know why I made them green in the first place, but that’s now fixed

The green streak in her hair is now a much brighter shade of green.

You can’t see them fully, but she has tattoos! A pair of wings on her chest and back, in Liana’s dark cerise colour. She loves her wife, what can I say?

Jekiv

Jekiv’s designs are actually a bit of a struggle, cause it’s hard to mix the undead necromancer thing, with bright pastels. I do like it as a design aspect tho, don’t get me wrong lol. I changed up the design for his Scythe, cause it’s bigger and more jagged and it just looks a lot cooler. His hair and magic are both made with kitbash. Also look at those acrylics 💅

Permanent design changes:

Darker and more muted shade of blonde for his hair

And that’s it!

Novo

I struggle a lot with figuring out what poses the kids should all have, but with Novo it’s a breeze, cause it’s just to pick an instrument and pray. And in my experience, tambourines can be some of the most annoying instruments, even if you do know how to play it properly, which he of course does not lol. Only his hair was made with kitbash (I had a lot of fun with hair this time around lol)

Permanent design changes:

His eye colour has been changed from a simple brown, to a more dark reddish shade. If you zoom in you can see it better

Added more freckles to his arms and chest (And legs, tho you can’t see that)

I actually considered changing the hue of his hair, but it just looked very wrong so I kept it

I luv my children 🥺