#Officer that is my emotional support series of pop tags

[pirefyrelight]

officer, that is my emotional support bubble wrap

[gracebutnotgraceful]

Hello! Good morning? (Or afternoon/evening/night wherever you are!)

I was wondering if you might like to write an idea that popped into my head this morning, where after Nate finds the reader napping in Ted's office there's suddenly some gossip in the tabloids about the reader not being well, or being pregnant, etc and all of it is false. Of course the reader knows it was Nate, how do you think Ted would react being around when the reader confronts Nate about it?

bestie i am so sorry this took a hot minute!! i had something written out and ended up scrapping it and starting over! this leans a bit more platonic, but i'm actively writing on this still and plan on it having at least one more part :)

i hope you like it!

(and just for a little tidbit i'm posting this at like straight up noon, i'm in central time hehehe)

tabloid terror - ted lasso

pairing: ted lasso x gn!reader, past marriage to a man

warnings:  anger & conflict, nate kinda being a jerk (pre-season 2 conflicts)

word count: 1.4k

summary: no one knows you're getting divorced until you accidentally spill it to ted. he ends up being a great person for support, but it also creates a perfect opportunity for someone to go to the press about the possibility of you having an affair.

Two weeks ago your partner decided it was time to give up on your marriage. You thought your life was falling apart. Now? Now you knew your life was falling apart, and you didn’t know what to do to stop it. 

Richmond Coach and PR Representative in the Dog House! Lasso Lassoes Married Coworker! Y/N Cheating on Andrew? Hear What He Has to Say! 

You hadn’t announced to the public that you were getting a divorce yet. Andrew wanted to wait until after his promotion was announced. He didn’t want his colleagues thinking it was a “pity promotion.” Whatever that means.  

Andrew Calls It Quits After Cheating Scandal! Cheaters Never Win: Y/N Sleeping At Nelson Road! Sources Say They’re‘Not Surprised’ About Ted & Y/N!

You had to dip into your savings to be able to afford a deposit on your new place. With the expenses of it and having to hire an attorney on top of all your usual expenses, you worried about your finances. That financial stress on top of the already high emotional stress of the divorce wound you up. You had trouble sleeping. You had trouble eating. You were missing meeting after meeting, something very unusual for you. You weren’t coping well. By some cruel design, your acceptance of someone’s support is what sealed the deal in your misery. Because of course it was. 

“You okay there, Y/N? Ya look like you’ve had one sleepless night too many,” Ted joked. He’d walked in the building just behind you.  

“Hmm? Oh, no, I’m okay!” You responded, hanging your coat on the rack by the door before turning back towards him with a tight-lipped smile. “Just a busy week is all.” 

“Something tells me you’re tellin’ a little white lie…” He reached down, tugging at the tag on the outside of your shirt. In your rush to make it on time this morning, you’d thrown your sweater on inside out. 

“Andrew and I are getting divorced!” You blurted out. 

You saw a series of emotions pass over Ted’s face: confusion, shock, pity. He opened and closed his mouth a few times as if trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. With almost divine timing, Colin and Isaac walked into the building. 

“Good morning!” Colin said cheerfully. Isaac gave the two of you a nod in greeting before following Colin into the locker room. 

“Here, let’s go into my office,” Ted said to you, leading you that way with a hand on your back. 

You told Ted everything that day. He was the first person you told. Maybe that’s why it all came out like it did. Once you’d reached his office, it was like the dam burst. You cried telling him how it all went down, every little thing that could have possibly led to this conclusion. When Beard and Roy came in, he asked them to start practice, told them he’d be out on the pitch later. 

Ted assured you that it wasn’t your fault, that sometimes things just take a turn. He told you a bit about his own divorce, something that he finally seemed to be coming to terms with. Once you’d calmed down a bit, he left to go take over training. He told you not to worry, that he’d tell Rebecca and Higgins that you were in his office and just needed some rest. You ended up falling asleep on his couch. He woke you up when he got back and invited you out to lunch with him and Beard. 

That is what happened. You hadn’t cheated. And now here you were, racking your brain trying to figure out who would have done something like this to you. It was obviously someone with Richmond, otherwise they wouldn’t have gotten that horrible photo of you sleeping or the photos of you leaving with Ted and Beard. Crazy how with just a little bit of editing they seemed to make Beard disappear from the picture. 

And that’s when it hit you: Nate. Before Ted sat you down in his office, he let you use the bathroom in the coaches’s offices to fix your inside out sweater. When you opened the bathroom door, Nate was in the office. He’d mumbled an awkward hello before Ted told him Beard and Roy were already out, and that he needed to talk with you before he’d meet them all out there. 

Nate was usually the first one in after training. He liked being the one to get everything set up for the next day while the others chatted with players. He would’ve come in to see you sleeping in Ted’s office and had the perfect opportunity to snap the picture that graced the tabloids. You’d said goodbye to him in passing as you walked out with Ted and Beard, an opportunity to snap the other picture that the headlines kept featuring. 

You peaked out your window and saw that the boys were picking up all of their belongings before headed back in from training. It was perfect timing: Nate would have just come inside. Your blood boiling with the realization, you marched down to the coaches’ offices.

“I know it was you.” You said, using all your strength to keep you voice level as you tossed a copy of the latest tabloid onto his desk. He picked it up, reading the front page before pushing it back towards you.

“Why would I do that?” He asked, avoiding eye contact with you as he started to organize the papers on his desk, trying to avoid the conversation. 

“I don’t know, Nate. Why would you do this?” You asked, repeating his question back to him. “I thought we were friends. We’ve gone out to lunches and dinners! I helped you move! Celebrated when you got promoted to assistant coach!” You could hear the sounds of the players coming into the locker room. Nate stood up, and you knew he was about to try and make an escape. 

“I’ve got to go to the team meeting,” He mumbled, standing up and moving towards the door.You moved to stand in front of it. 

“I want an answer.” You responded. Nate stood opposite you, refusing to speak. The room stood silent for a few minutes, you looking at him and him refusing to look at you. 

Behind you, the door opened a crack.

“Nate dog, we’re about to start the meeting!” Ted said, peaking his head into the door. He noticed you in the room before he noticed the heavy tension. “Uh…is everything okay in here?”

“I finally figured out who decided to lie about me—and you, actually—to The Sun. Anything you wanna say?” You directed the last part at Nate, whose eyes widened. 

Ted slipped inside, closing the door behind him. 

“Nate, is this true?” Ted asked, his eyebrows knitted together. He didn’t want to believe it, and that was understandable. You didn’t either, but there was simply no other explanation. His reaction toward you told you the truth. 

“I, uh, I…” Nate took a deep breath. “Fine, sure. Yeah, it was me.” 

“You’ve made the last two weeks of my life an absolute living hell. Why?” You asked. Your anger was starting to get the best of you. You blinked back the tears that were threatening to give way. Nate simply looked down, still refusing to give you a concrete answer. 

“Nate…I just don’t understand. It hurts me to see the people I care ‘bout get hurt. Hurts worse when they’re hurt by someone else I care about.” Ted looked at him, his mouth quirked into a small frown. He didn’t know what to make of this situation. 

“Sure, whatever.” Nate replied with a huff. “Can I go now?” 

Ted sighed and moved out of the way of the door, nudging you to the side with him. Nate stalked out, slamming the door behind him. The chatter of the team on the other side of the wall quieted before resuming again. 

You shook your head, still trying to keep yourself from crying. “I just don’t understand.” Your voice cracked. Ted put a hand on your shoulder in an attempt to soothe you. 

“At least now we know who…” He responded. 

“But why?” You asked. He shook his head.

“That part…I don’t think we’ll ever figure out. But onward and forward, we’ll figure out how to deal with it all, okay?” He pulled you into a hug.  

[scuttling]

Some Assembly Required

Fandom: Criminal Minds Pairings: Aaron Hotchner/Female Reader Word Count: 1,500 Tags: 18+, NSFW, Oral sex, Fingering, Unprotected sex, PWP Summary: When your very handy boyfriend Aaron helps put together your new office furniture, you repay his kindness the best way you know how. *Requested by @qtip-blog. Link to A03 or read below! You and Aaron have been dating for over a year, and the good times so heavily outweigh the bad it kind of blows your mind. Never before have you been in a relationship built on such mutual trust, respect, admiration—it makes you emotional to think about, he makes you emotional, all of his sweet words, his kind gestures, the ways he shows his love.

His favorite way to show he cares is to provide for you, whether it be a home-cooked meal (he’s not the best, but he’s trying,) or a book you’ve had your eye on but convinced yourself not to buy, or in this case, a new desk for your home office when the other one looked a little worse for wear.

You’re sitting on the couch one day, and he has his laptop open on his thighs, asks you to come closer and pick out the desk you’d like; you try to tell him you don’t need a new one, that the old one is still perfectly functional, but he won’t take no for an answer, wants to do this for you.

Never one to settle for bland surroundings, you choose a desk that is green, solid, that you think would look perfect in your office; you’re stuck there for hours on end, making calls and staring at a computer screen, so you might as well have something cool to look at while you’re working.

He smiles softly at your eclectic choice but adds it to his cart, and when it arrives he comes over in jeans and a t-shirt, looking like your own personal hunky handyman, and gets to work building it. You hand him screws, hold up the instructional pictures for him to look over, steal kisses, and within an hour your new desk is built, a perfect pop of color against the wall and something that will always remind you of Aaron when you look at it.

He rests his hands on it, presses down to test the load bearing capacity or something, and you look over his strong back, his denim clad ass and thighs, and suddenly you’re feeling very thankful and want to do something special to show your gratitude. You walk over to him, lift one of his hands, and slide between his body and the desk, set his hand back down so he’s caging you in against it. He raises an eyebrow, and you brush your fingers through his hair and pull him in for a kiss.

“Mmm. Is that what I get for putting together your desk? Because I’ll buy you all brand-new furniture if this is my reward.” He smooths his thumb over your chin, tips it up for more soft sips of lips, and you put your hands on his waist under his shirt, sigh.

“I’m just grateful for you. That you like to show me how much you care.” You sweep your palms up over his chest, back down to his hips, slowly flick open the button of his jeans. “Can I show you how much that means to me?” You slowly wet your lips, making your intentions very clear, and he nods his head and bends down for a series of increasingly rougher kisses that make your head spin. You tug open his fly, push his jeans and underwear down his legs, drop to your knees.

“Oh, baby,” he breathes when you take him in your mouth, both hands now pressed to the top of the desk for support. You stroke him slowly, suck softly at the first few inches of him in the way you know gradually drives him insane, look up through your lashes so he can see how flushed and aroused you are just by doing this for him.

The hand not holding him upright dips to caress his balls, and you pick up the pace a little, want to bring him off, want to hear him groan your name when he fills your mouth. He has other ideas, though, brings his hands to your cheeks and guides you off of him, pulls you up so he can kiss your soft, wet lips.

“I want to be inside you, sweetheart.” You hum, can’t deny that would be a delicious change of plans, and you slip your shorts and panties off while he pulls your t-shirt over your head. He lifts you up, sets your ass on top of your pretty new desk, and spreads your thighs. “So gorgeous,” he murmurs, and he steps out of his pants where they pool around his feet, tugs his shirt off so he’s gloriously naked, hard for you, perfect.

He leans in to kiss you, brings a hand to your pussy and rubs slowly, wets his lips when his fingers slip through your slick folds, resting against your entrance like he wants to slow down and take a moment to savor this. You gasp softly when he pushes two fingers inside, and you spread your legs wider, rolling your hips against his hand as he works you open enough to take his thick cock comfortably.

You plant your hands on his chest, pant against his lips and throat while he strokes his fingers inside you, and you squeeze your legs together and moan as you come on them, catching his praise with your softly open mouth. You tip your head back, swallow hard, and then push against his stomach so he’ll take a step back, let you hop off the desk.

He had offered to buy you a new chair to go with the desk, because your existing one is red, doesn’t really match—but you don’t care about matching, because it’s comfortable and set up just right; he hates it, though, and you’re about to make it your mission to change his mind.

“Sit for me?” you ask, pushing your hair away from your neck, because you’re overheated already and in need of some air there. He sinks back onto the chair, looks up at you like you’re already halfway to rocking his world—he always looks like that when you ride him, and it makes you feel really sexy and confident, which leads to even better sex; it’s a cycle of awesome orgasms you can’t resist initiating when you have a little extra time to feel him fall apart beneath you.

You push up the arms of the chair for a little more room, straddle his thighs with both feet on the ground, and line him up, slowly bend your knees to let him stretch you open. He sighs, puts his hands on your hips, squeezing tight, and you move up and down, taking him in all the way and then pulling off until he almost slips free. Your hands find his shoulders for leverage, and you look into his eyes as you sink down, lift off, slow and steady, covering him in your wetness and earning soft moans.

“So good, baby. So good at this, so perfect for me. God, I love you.” Your breathing gets rougher at his words and you move a hand to his head, weave your fingers into his hair, pull him close for a passionate kiss.

“I love you, Aaron. You fill me up just right.” You arch your back, legs working to bring you both slow, decadent pleasure, and he palms your ass, helps you move, takes a little of the pressure off of your thighs. “So good to me. You always take care of me, you always give me what I need.” He starts to lose control beneath you, pumping up to match your movements, and you settle into his lap, feet dangling off the ground, and just roll your hips, clutching his shoulders, moving fast.

“Oh, god, yeah. Just like that.” He brings his big hands to cover your breasts, squeezing them, rough fingers rubbing your nipples, and you throw your head back, hair falling behind you as you rock and grind and come with a whimper of his name. He thrusts harder to get you through it, to get you to make more wrecked, desperate sounds, and when he comes you both slam down hard and you can hear metal fall; you thank his quick reflexes, because he lifts you up and gets to his feet before the chair literally falls apart, bolts and a spring on the floor instead of wherever they’re supposed to be.

You gasp, laugh, tug his hair, and he chuckles and kisses you, breathless and sweaty as you both are.

“Guess I get to buy you a new chair after all,” he says, looking into your eyes, kissing your jaw, and you cling to him, grin.

“You better hope I can’t find another red one,” you pant, and he takes you to the bathroom to get cleaned up, and then you lounge on the couch while he pulls up a page of desk chairs for you to browse.

The new one is still red, but much, much sturdier than the last. Taglist ❤️: @thaddeusly @arsonhotchner @mrsh0tchner @ssahotchie @sleepyreaderreads @mintphoenix @meghannnnnn @disgruntledchowchow @azenpal @g-l-pierce @my-rosegold-soul @ssamorganhotchner @heliotropehotch @angelhotchner @qtip-blog @gspenc @wishuhadstayed @averyhotchner

[scuttle-buttle]

Chapter 19 - Epilogue

WC: 1941

Rated: E

Chapter Tags: fluff, dialogue heavy, age difference, established relationship

A/N: took fucking long enough lol. But hey I did it and that's what matters. Also - somehow I made both Laszlo fics exactly 19 chapters by coincidence. That being said, I am potentially doing a one shot series for our doctor duo here. I have 1 already written, and I'm not quite ready to give up our dear doctor kreizler yet, but one shots will be less pressure for me given my work life. Anyways, thank you all for reading and sticking with me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without yall.

🧠

You could feel the sweat dripping down the back of your neck as you sat in the sweltering August sun. The speaker at the podium droned on. You didn't listen to a thing she was saying. After two years of the fast-paced PhD program kicking your ass you were finally at the finish line, only moments away from receiving your doctorate.

Neither of you heard a peep from Dr. Stratton after that day in his office. You had assumed that once the spring semester finished and she gathered her research she headed back to wherever she came from, never to bother either of you again. No inquiry came either. If people knew about your relationship they said nothing to you. Laszlo caught a whiff of a rumor concerning the two of you once between some girls gossiping in one of his lectures, but again, nothing developed further so you both elected to ignore it. The semester and summer months came and went without further trouble.

Laszlo had been there supporting you through finishing and defending your dissertation. He even booked a private room for you and all your collective friends to celebrate at Delmonico’s afterwards; champagne and hors d’oeuvres being passed around for hours. Later that night your alcohol-infused giggles and lust-filled moans as he made love to you were punctuated by him telling you how much he loved you and just how proud he was of your accomplishments and hard work.

So now here you sit, sweating under your thick doctoral regalia, waiting for your name to be called and diploma to be conferred. Looking up you catch Laszlo's eye. He sits with the other professors to the side of the stage. You grin and feel heat fill your cheeks because you know he's been watching you this whole time; the speaker droning still.

You don't dare pull out your phone and text your doctor. Even as your thumb runs along the smooth device in your pocket, you know he won't be able to check. And at any rate, your fellow graduates would probably jump at the chance to peek at your messages to give them anything more entertaining than this damned speech. Patience has become quite the skill for you.

Finally, you stand as the Dean begins to call out the names of the graduating class. In a line you shuffle up to the stage to shake hands with members of the university and program. As your name is called you distantly hear the shouts of your family and friends sitting in the crowd. You can't help but laugh at their obnoxiousness . Shaking multiple hands and posing for the standard photograph, you begin to make your way down the stage, diploma in hand.

You look over and catch the eye of John and Sara sitting towards the side; he tosses a wink and she offers a bright smile in congratulations. Eyes darting to the front you meet those of your love, your dearest doctor Kreizler. He's not the most overly emotive person with some things, especially when they don't involve a scowl, but currently he sports a proud grin as he nods once at you. The smile you boast is so wide it nearly hurts your cheeks.

The ceremony ends soon after. Clusters of graduates and their families litter the grounds and bottles of champagne are popped with glee. You make your way over to your family near the back.

“Oh my baby! I’m so proud of you!” your mother cries as she pulls you into her arms and holds you in a death-like grip.

“Mom…” you chuckle as you wipe smears of mascara from her cheeks. You make eye contact with your dad over her shoulder. He stands tall with his hands in his pockets, a smug grin on his face.

“Don’t you ‘mom’ me - I’m allowed to cry when you graduate college, okay?”

“This is the third time, I hardly think you need to keep doing it.” You remove your cap and your mother takes that and your diploma to hold for you.

She wiggles her finger at you in false annoyance. “Let me have my moment!”

Your father walks the few feet to stand next to you, giving you a firm clasp to your shoulder. “Nice work kid.” He was a man of few words, but you knew he was proud of you regardless.

Laszlo, John, and Sara made their way from their seats towards the edge of the crowd. The ceremony was no different than any other commencement that Laszlo had attended per say, with the single exception that for once he deeply cared about one of the graduates. He felt so overwhelmed with pride at your success in earning your doctorate that for a moment he felt the sting of unshed tears as he watched you cross the stage.

As he stood talking with John and Sara he could see you off with your parents in the near distance. They knew that you were in a committed relationship and all; they knew that Laszlo was older and was a doctor of sorts. You had been quite open with it. But you never told them that it was a professor and your boss that you had been seeing for nearly a year now. Laszlo hoped now that you had graduated and were no longer his TA, you could be more honest with them - and in turn with everyone. There was no reason to hide your relationship.

“What’s on your mind, Laszlo?” Sara cuts through his thoughts.

Laszlo turned back to face his friends. He raised a brow in question.

“You’ve got this far-off look in your eyes.”

“Perhaps he’s thinking of a certain graduate,” John smirks, turning to look over at where you stand.

“You would be correct, John. It seems you’re not as clueless when it comes to matters of the mind.” John rolls his eyes at the jest. “I believe I will ask that she introduce me to her parents while they are in town. I feel it is about time I speak with them about certain things.” Laszlo adjusts his own regalia to sit more comfortably on his neck.

“Are you going to ask her father for permission to marry her? That seems a bit old fashioned, even for you.”

Laszlo’s head shoots up at Sara first, then over to John. Brow furrowed, he accuses “you told Sara?”

John’s hands pop up in defense; “only that you were planning to propose at some point.”

The good doctor harrumphs in annoyance. He had told John in confidence a few weeks prior that he was in the process of having a ring designed and made with the intent to propose. “I have no intention of asking her parents permission. She is her own person. I would however like to make my intentions known to them, and hope that I receive their blessing regardless.”

“Are you going to ask her while they are in town? Or have you thought about it?”

“My thoughts are to wait until this January or so. I would like to give her time to settle into her new job so as to not overwhelm her. There is no rush,” Laszlo explains.

"You're going to wait until winter? Why not ask now?"

"I've waited 42 years of my life for her, John. What is another six months?"

Sara gives a gentle cough, signalling the men to notice your approach. Both Sara and John give you hugs when you finally reach the group, each offering their sincerest congratulations. The four of you chat for a few minutes about the ceremony and your new job at one of the local museums. All the while you notice Laszlo has been relatively quiet - something unusual for him.

The others must sense something as well, because Sara suddenly cuts in with “well, John and I have some other graduates we must congratulate.” She wraps her arm around John’s and begins to pull away from you.

“We're still on for Friday, right?” you call after them.

“Of course!” And with that they leave you alone with your doctor.

You chew your lip as you turn back to face him, already watching you. There is a nervous beat between you. “Doctor.”

The corner of his lip twitches. “Doctor,” he tosses the title back.

You hold out your hand towards him to shake. His head tilts, giving away his confused amusement, as he carefully slots his right hand into yours. With a delicate shake you tell him “it’s been a pleasure working with you Doctor, I hope our paths cross again soon.” Neither of you last more than a few seconds before you are both chuckling at your joke.

“So what now?”

“Anything you would like. The world is your oyster, or so you Americans like to say.”

“You know, I never cared much for them. They’re gross and I just about gag every time you eat them,” you tack on the latter half softer so that others don’t overhear.

“They are not to everyone’s preference. The ancients believed them to be one of the many foods that were aphro-”

“-Aphrodisiacs, a food that can psychologically influence the body to become aroused. A fact you constantly remind me of.” His mouth closes into a tight line as he fights to hold back further laughter.

“I suppose by now you should know everything then.”

“I had a damn good teacher.”

Laszlo licks his lips. “There is one thing you should know.”

“Oh?”

His eyes break from yours for a second, plastering themselves to his shoes briefly. They scan the people nearby out of habit before they dart back to meet yours again. Eventually he finishes his survey of the crowd and schools his desires into a look of confidence. “I was thinking that perhaps it is time that I meet your family.” he phrases it almost like a question.

“Meet my family,” you mimic.

“Yes. It has been several months, and given the circumstances have changed and become less… hostile… I feel it is within the proper progression of the relationship to become acquainted with each other’s families. Now, I have none, and you already know John and Sara, so in truth it is quite one-side. Nevertheless it would be logical to do so given they are in town for graduation and I wish to make my intentions known so-”

You cut off his rambling. “Laszlo.” He waits for you to continue, but says nothing. You know that when he’s got his mind made up he can be stubborn as a bull, and you know that what you have is serious. But introducing him to your parents is still a huge step for either of you. And then of course the little detail about just who your boyfriend actually is. Taking a small step closer you ask “you want to discuss your intentions with my parents?"

"Yes."

You study his face. "Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

He smiles. “With you I am sure of everything, Bärchen.”

You don’t hesitate when you pull his cap off and tug him down by his robes for a passionate kiss. Equally so, his fingers waste no time in finding their place cupped along your jaw. A few hoots and hollers can be heard around you, and even a distant “I knew it!” being shouted. In the back of your mind you think that you should probably not be doing this in front of hundreds of people, including the various administrators and board members of the university, if anything for decency’s sake.

But at this point neither you nor Laszlo could care less.

Tag list 

@hardlyinteresting @lorna-d-m @livvyshmiv @somethingthatsaysbubbles @greeneyedblondie44 @unbeatablecurlgirl @apparrio @marchingicenotes7 @anteroom-of-death @bruhidaniel @lemairepstuff @thehuiabird @zemosimp05 @alindeluce @iamnotthecatladynextdoor @laura-naruto-fan1998 @trelaney @boneheadduluc @i-am-dead-inside-666 @fictionlandslanddreams @that-one-fandom-kid @hb8301 @fandom-princess-forevermore @foggycandywitch @creme-bruhlee @andy-rocks @nonamec0s @everythingbeginsineternity-blog @uncomfortablebagel @rachelicouss @wisia02 

[smilesthroughfandoms]

Every Single Star vs. the Forces of Evil episode in one sentence or less

I’ll probably post a more in depth-review later this week, as I have opinions literally no one wants to hear but I will proclaim anyway, and then I’ll probably also due a revision of my ‘Past Queens Connection to Star’ post from way back in season 2. Cause that needs an update.

Anyway, enjoy!

Star Comes to Earth: Princess Cinnamon Roll that Could Kill you comes to earth and meets Misunderstood Safe Kid.

Party With a Pony: Spoopy Wardens hunt for the glitter pony while Star gets ice for Marco’s sweaty back.

Matchmaker: In which we learn it was probably a bad idea to give Star the wand in the first place.

School Spirit: Star misunderstands football and Marco tries to get Ferguson to blow his whistle not in that way.

Monster Arm: “Not my bowels! I love my bowels!”

The Other Exchange Student: Star is jealous of the meatball man from Bakersfieldville.

Cheer Up Star: “It’s supposed to be ironic!”

Quest Buy: Very accurate depiction of what it is like to work in retail.

Diaz Family Vacation: Both Marco and Star see new sides of their dads but that’s not necessarily a good thing

Brittney’s Party: Star and Marco party on a bus that Ludo hijacks

Mewberty: Star gets horny and snares boys in her web but not in that way

Pixtopia: Marco messed up and Alfonso marries Ferguson’s rebound

Lobster Claws: “… You can’t eat children.” “Really? Not even the annoying ones?”

Sleep Spell: “Camera Phooone!”

Blood Moon Ball: We’re suppose to ship them now, right?

Fortune Cookies: Love is never the answer kids

Freeze Day: Father Time offers Star and Marco some mud before riding away on his wheel-mobile pulled by giant time-hamsters I am not making this up.

Royal Pain: King Santa Claus destroy mini-golf

St. Olga’s Reform School for Wayward Princesses: Princess Prison sure is a nightma–OH MY GOD ARE THOSE CLUBS?!

Mewnipendence Day: No wonder monsters hate Mewmans so much.

The Banagic Wand: Star still doesn’t get Earth and like all of us, Marco is always hungry.

Interdemensional Field Trip: Miss Skullnick fears the “Big Change” while Marco sends Jackie cat memes

Marco Grows a Beard: Ludo is out, Toffee is in, and Marco will probbaly be terrified of beards forever

Storm the Castle: “SURPRISE!”

My New Wand!: DIP DOOOWN

Ludo in the Wild: Wait, since when did Ludo become badass?

Mr. Candle Cares: “Star and I have recently become smooch buddies… On the lips.”

Red Belt: Marco searches for a meaning in life and Star searches for hammer.

Star on Wheels: *epic remix of Marco saying Star is in trouble*

Fetch: Marco can’t open juice and Star runs away from her problems and sending thank you cards

Star vs. Echo Creek: Star gets high and destroys a police car

Wand to Wand: Both Ludo and Star are terrible at magic also major ship tease

Starstruck: Star and her idol Sailor Super Saiyan destroy a park and Marco is 100002% done with this shit

Camping Trip: King Butterfly has a mid-life crisis and tries to control an eagle

Starsitting: They’re gonna be great parents some day.

On the Job: Buff Dad is best dad and buff babies are adorable

Goblin Dogs: “You might think this line is long, but listen to my goblin song!~”

By the Book: Ludo and Star still suck at magic and Glossaryck is a bigger troll than Alex Hirsch

Game of Flags: And I thought my family was dysfunctional...

Girls’ Day Out: Janna is back and is still awesome btw

Sleepover: “TRUTH! STAR HAS A CRUSH ON MA–” *cue fandom freakout*

Gift of the Card: R.I.P.  Rasticore Chaosus Disastorvayne… He couldn’ get his fucking chainsaw to work

Friendenemies: Star becomes one with Christmas tree while Tom and Marco go on a date and sing a romantic pop ballad.

Is Mystery: Meatfork is apparently a family name and Ludo is really starting to freak me out tbh

Hungry Larry: “He’s still hungry…”

Spider with a Top Hat: He tries and he is awesome and that’s all that matters

Into the Wand: SPAAAAADESS!!!

Pizza Thing: Marco is OCD about mushroom and Pony Head buys skinny jeans

Page Turner: Moon, how did you miss Toffee in the orb he was right there!

Naysaya: Marco is a mood in this episode

Bon Bon the Birthday Clown: Honestly my favorite episode overall

Raid the Cave: Glossaryck is the true neutral asshole.

Trickstar: Weird Al is a treasure and I’ll mes up anyone who makes Marco cry!

Baby: Aw, look at the little deadly baby, I love her!

Running With Scissors: Marco gets a new edition to his shipping harem and she is so cute!

Mathmagic: Why did the chicken cross the road?

The Bounce Lounge: Marco is definitely the mom friend.

Crystal Clear: The Chancellor guy is amazing and Rhombulus just needs a hug and wAS THAT ECLIPSA IN THE BACKGROUND?

The Hard Way: “SURPRISE!” 2.0

Heinous: Oh, so that’s how Marco got all that money.

All Belts Are Off: This is the negative side of “Pro-tag teen hangs out with older adult figure” trope done splendidly

Collateral Damage: Marco how do you not know what a possum is?

Just Friends: I’m fine! *blows up sign to prove just how fine I am*

Face the Music: This song is actually a banger

Star Crushed: Looking back, I’m starting to think the writing peaked at this episode....

BATTLE FOR MEWNI EDITION!!!!!

Return to Mewni: This is… just an exposition filler. Not much else to say….

Moon the Undaunted: B4! B4! B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4 B4!

Book Be Gone: Seriously, did Glossy take trolling lessons from Alex Hirsch this is hilarious!

Marco and the King: This is the  “Pro-tag teen hangs out with older adult figure” done slightly better

Puddle Defender: Aw, look at the little buff babies, they’re getting so big!

King Ludo: The mime stole the show.

Toffee: Yeah, I think the writing peaked somewhere around here...

Scent of Hoodie: Huh, so Ponyhead can be written as likeable, who would’ve thought?

Rest in Pudding: The colors are not doing the censors any favor here, huh?

Club Snubbed: I literally yelled “Phrasing!” whenever they dropped the title

Stranger Danger: Is she the new antagonist of the series? I can’t tell

Demoncism: Tom is a wonderful baby boy and Ponyhead is written as likeable, part 2!

Sophmore Slump: *sobbing* Jackie deserved better, dang it!

Lint Catcher: I’m starting to wonder if there is any competant authority figure in Mewni

Trial by Squire: I think the writers were all like” You think these guys will ship anyone with Marco?” and decided to test that theory.

Princess Turdina: I got more lore out of this episode than I thought I would.

Starfari: Welp, she makes me uncomfortable.

Sweet Dreams: *Sailor Moon-ing intensifies*

Lava Lake Beack: Proof that this fandom will ship anyone with Marco at the slightest inclanation

Death Peck: Rich Pigeon is my new favorite birb and Ponyhead is written as likeable for the third time

Ponymonium: Well, it was nice while it lasted.

Night Life: The writers made so many new ships they had to get rid of an old one!

Deep Dive: “Chicken butt”

Monster Bash: Well, that explains the cheekmarks.

Stump Day: I think they just made an episode based around a picture from that bookcover.

Holiday Special: *insert every cheesy Christmas/Holiday episode trope here*

The Bog Beast of Boggabah: The title is fun to say and the episode is average at best.

Total Eclipsa the Moon: Seriously, I’m supposed to think she’s an ultimate villain.

Butterfly Trap: In which we are all Sean, don’t lie we were all him at the end

Ludo, Where Art Thou?: Dennis is best brother, hands down.

Is Another Mystery: *sniff* I got more emotional over this episode than anyone else did and I’m not sure how I feel about that

Marco Jr.: I… I just… Why? What’s the point?

Skooled!: Epic advertisment fakeout combined with wonderful character development and lore with a shock ending makes a 8/10 episode.

Booth Buddies: Old Man McGucket ships Starco, proceed to react accordingly

Bam Ui Pati!: Ponyhead is kinda likeable in this episod–nevermind she’s back.

Tough Love: Oh man, it’s happening! It’s happening guys here we go!

Divide: We are going to war everybody–And they’re all dead. That was quick.

Conquer: They should have paid Alex HIrsch to voice Glossaryck at this point, it’d be more in character for him.

Butterfly Follies: Proof that someone will always complain about politics no matter what.

Escape from the Pie Folk: Is anyone else disturbed by the fact that he kinda resembles Eclipsa more than Festivia?

Moon Remembers: I was expecting a freakout but was pleasantly surprised

Swim Suit: I’m starting to get a bad feeling about Rhombulus

Ransomgram: Why is everyone in this dimesnion hot?!

Lake House Fever: She’s a good mom

Yada Yada Berries: They missed an opportunity to have a Seinfeld actor guest-star, just saying

Down by the River: I’m glad that she can relax

The Ponyhead Show!: And Ponyhead is offically no longer likeable, can someone toss her into an abyss please?

Surviving the Spiderbites: SpiderSlime is canon proceed to react accordingly

Out of Buisness: How did this place go out of buisness???

Kelly's World: Man, they’re really setting these non-Starco ships up to fail, huh?

Curse of the Blood Moon: Pfft, yeah, sure, Starco won’t be canon at all!

Princess Quasar Caterpillar and the Magic Bell: I think Ludo has the most consistent character arc out of the entire show’s history.

Ghost of Butterfly Castle: Moon, Star is your daughter and Star supports Eclipsa, why would you not tell her?

Cornball: This episode has a heartwarming lesson that I hope more people come to realize

Meteora's Lesson: I’ll take any Toffee scenes I can get

The Knight Shift: I honestly don’t remember what happened n this episode

Queen-Napped: Seriously, can someone please dropkick Ponyhead into an abyss?

Junkin' Janna: The JanTom interaction I’ve been waiting for

A Spell with No Name: These types of episodes stopped being charming awhile ago

A Boy and His DC-700XE: I think Tomco has more ground to stand-on then Starco at this point

The Monster and The Queen: Don Panchito voices Globgor! There’s hope for this show yet!

Cornonation: They’re the best couple/parents/anything around!

Doop-Doop: I honestly think Rick just put Morty through some flux-capacitor or something

Britta's Tacos: Hey, remember these people that we suddenly brought back? No? Me neither!

Beach Day: This feels like a Season 1 episode and it’s nice

Gone Baby Gone: I want a TV show aout them now! Disney, please!

Sad Teen Hotline: Mr. Diaz is way to invested in Star’s love life.

Jannanigans: Hello last minute Janna character development!

Mama Star: So that’s how Mewni came to be--and I don’t care anymore

Ready, Aim, Fire!: Let’s get that finale ball rolling people!

The Right Way: Ok, that spell is actually pretty badass.

Here to Help: There, Starco’s finally canon will you guys just shut up now!

Pizza Party: Moon you idiot you ruined everything!

The Tavern at the End of the Multiverse: Toffee was right all along... I think we all knew that in some way

Cleaved: I expect nothing substanial and that’s what I got

[imagitory]

D-Views: Aladdin (with guest input!)

Hi, everyone! Welcome to another installment of D-Views, my on-going written review series where I take a look at Disney-produced and/or owned properties, as well as occasionally non-Disney films that were influenced by Disney’s success! For more of these reviews, you may consult my “Disney reviews” tag, where I’ve discussed such films as Treasure Planet, Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, and Dreamworks’ The Prince of Egypt!

Today I’ll be doing something a little different. In lieu of the live-action Aladdin remake premiering in less than two weeks, I decided it’d be best to re-watch the original 1992 classic, and I invited two of my good friends, Christina and Jen, to help me analyze it. I will note any of their input when it arises, and hopefully you’ll enjoy hearing three voices for the price of one!

Aladdin was released in the midst of the Disney Renaissance in the 1990′s, sandwiched between the landmark hits Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. Out of Disney’s biggest blockbusters, Aladdin is easily the most “of its time” -- it relies on pop culture references for its humor and uses era-specific slang (i.e. ”NOT!” and “Made you look!”) more than most Disney films do and features a celebrity voice in a prominent role, which was quite uncommon, compared to previous Disney projects. (The best examples I can think of prior to this was having John Hurt, Peter Ustinov, and Vincent Price play villains in The Black Cauldron, Robin Hood, and The Great Mouse Detective, but...yeah, as amazing and well-renown as those men are, they weren’t insanely popular media stars of the time the way that Robin Williams was.) One could attribute this “hipper” aspect at least in part to Jeffrey Katzenberg, who was head of Disney’s animation department at the time, and Disney CEO Michael Eisner, both of whom put a lot of focus in following what was popular and marketable. (Katzenberg later put all of his attention and focus on molding Pocahontas into a historical-fiction retelling of Romeo and Juliet as he assumed a forbidden love story would be a hit, while Eisner kicked The Rescuers Down Under to the curb a year before Beauty and the Beast came out all because it didn’t break the box office opening weekend.) Fortunately the approach paid off and Aladdin was a big success, fueling two direct-to-video sequels, a spin-off TV series, and a show at Disney’s California Adventure that transformed into a full Broadway musical. Even now it’s still very well-loved by Disney fans, many of whom are now looking forward to the live-action remake coming out this month. As my followers might know, I’m still very on-the-fence about the remake myself, as I haven’t reacted very warmly to Disney’s other recent live-action remakes, but my two cohorts Jen and Christina are much less cynical about the prospect, so hopefully any commentary we might make about what we’ve learned about the remake compared to the original will be minimal. Now that our context is framed, let’s board this magic carpet of a movie and see where it takes us!

To start with, Arabian Nights is just such a fantastic musical introduction to this story! Aladdin was the last project that lyricist Howard Ashman worked on before his premature death in 1992, and like in the rest of his work, the word play in the songs he wrote for this movie (Arabian Nights, Friend Like Me and Prince Ali) is just masterful. Arabian Nights in particular just emanates “adventure” -- it was later used as the opening theme for the Aladdin TV series, and it got me so pumped up whenever I watched it, just as much as it probably excited those who first saw the movie in theaters. Fun fact: while listening to the intro, one might notice the names Ted Elliot and Terry Rossio credited as two of the film’s screenwriters, alongside directors John Musker and Ron Clements -- down the road, Elliot and Rossio would also write the screenplay for The Road to El Dorado, join the writing team for Shrek, and be the main writing force behind the Pirates of the Caribbean films. 

As much as I rarely go for films that market themselves as comedies, I feel like Aladdin handles its comedy really well. From the beginning, we see the comedic, spontaneous tone in the peddler’s narration scene, and that tone is taken on by Gilbert Gottfried as Iago until Robin Williams reappears as the Genie later. It makes it so that, unlike Mulan where the comedy kind of starts and ends with Mushu, the comedy is a constant fixture in the story, never distracting from the plot and never feeling out of place. 

One niche interest of mine that I rarely get to delve into is color psychology, and oh BOY, does this film give me a lot to talk about there! Aladdin’s production designer, Richard Wende, used a very simple, yet striking color palette for the film that favors blues, reds, and golds. The effect is a beautifully lush setting while maintaining a “desert” feel: any greens that appear really stick out, like when Aladdin and Genie arrive in an oasis after escaping the Cave of Wonders. It also makes it so that when the background is mostly red or gold, any blue shades draw focus, or when the scene takes place at night and is mostly shades of blue, anything red or gold likewise draws focus. This post goes into the color symbolism more deeply, but generally blue is representative of good characters, while red represents evil, with gold being a sort of middle ground. Primary colors often are used in properties marketed toward children (ex. Team Valor/Instinct/Mystic in Pokemon Go, Snow White having all three colors on her dress), so it’s understandable that so many kids from the 90′s gravitated toward this movie, but the palette never feels restricted or simple. The deep, saturated fusion of reds and blues and reds and yellows creates a lot of texture despite the limited color range, and it beautifully communicates the heat of the locations and creates a unique visual style for the film. I’ve noticed that in the trailers for the remake, this color symbolism was discarded in favor of a more “Bollywood” look, not unlike how the Beauty and the Beast remake likewise ignored the color symbolism of Belle being the only villager to wear blue (which accents how much she stands apart from the crowd) and decided to dress a lot of people in blue during the opening number Belle. I can only hope the decision means the film is just choosing to make Agrabah more like India than Arabia, rather than this just being a stylistic choice with no substance, but I think the subtle color psychology in the original film is very clever short-hand for the audience, even if they’ll likely not be able to consciously express how the color palette affected their viewing experience.

As Jafar and his stooge Gazeem come across the Cave of Wonders, I’m reminded of how awesome the Cave’s design is. It was made primarily with CG animation, yet the CGI is never distracting: on the contrary, it fuses together beautifully with the rest of the hand-drawn background. Even the sandy texture on the Cave is very well rendered. Christina also noted a neat detail I hadn’t picked up on before: the tiger head has an earring in one ear, just like the Genie whose lamp lives inside the Cave!

After the Cave of Wonders devours Gazeem, declaring that it will only allow the “diamond in the rough” inside, we meet our title character and resident “diamond,” Aladdin. Voicing Aladdin is Scott Weinger, or Steve of Full House fame, who brings such charm, energy, and personality to the role. I honestly think it’d be hard for anyone else to match the sheer likability rippling out of Scott’s voice. Accompanying Weinger and Robin Williams in this stellar cast are Broadway actor Jonathan Freeman as Jafar (who has since gone on to play the character in everything from TV shows to the Broadway musical), raucous comic Gilbert Gottfried as Iago, and three voice-acting legends -- Frank Welker (who voices Shaggy and Scooby Doo) as Abu and Rajah; Jim Cummings (the current voices of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger) as Razoul; and Corey Burton (who is best known for playing Ansem the Wise in Kingdom Hearts) as Prince Tiger-Fucker Achmed. Even Jasmine, who was voiced by the at-the-time-fresh-faced actress Linda Larkin, had her singing voice done by Broadway legend Lea Salonga, fresh off her success premiering the title role in Miss Saigon. Even though many of these names aren’t celebrities like Robin Williams, and so I would hesitate to call this an “all-star cast” exactly, it doesn’t change how much talent was accrued by Disney’s casting agents! 

Unlike most main characters in a Disney musical, Aladdin doesn’t get a full solo number to call his own. Originally Howard Ashman wrote a song for Aladdin called Proud of Your Boy, where Aladdin sings to his mother (who played a large role in early drafts of the story) about how he’ll make good for her. Unfortunately the story’s focus on Aladdin and his mother’s relationship ended up taking focus away from Aladdin and Jasmine’s romance and Aladdin’s character arc to accept himself, so the screenwriters ultimately had to cut the mother character from the story, at which point the song no longer fit. The decision was very difficult for the filmmakers at the time, given that it was one of the last things Ashman wrote and it’s such a beautiful, raw song, but I ultimately think it was the right decision. Putting Aladdin on his own with no one but Abu for company and giving Jasmine no emotional support outside of her naïve, misguided father and her pet and only friend Rajah I think goes a long way to explain why they’re such kindred spirits. Aladdin and Jasmine each become the friend and support that the other needed. (This is also why Christina and I are concerned about the inclusion of a servant/friend for Jasmine, as the choice would likely weaken any rationale Jasmine could have for leaving the palace and for connecting so instantly with Aladdin.) Plus I think Aladdin’s reprise of One Jump Ahead is just as beautifully raw as Proud of Your Boy, just with a slightly different message and less words. I really feel Aladdin’s frustration and yearning for something better, and Aladdin’s singing voice Brad Kane is able to stuff so much pathos into such a short tune that a longer song isn’t even necessary. And fortunately Proud of Your Boy was later utilized in the Broadway musical version of Aladdin, so it got its dues eventually. 

At the palace, we meet our heroine, Jasmine, who was Christina’s favorite Disney character as a kid and who I personally think is the prettiest of the Disney princesses. Jasmine was designed by supervising animator Mark Henn, who modeled her after a picture of his little sister, which honestly is so sweet that I can’t stand it. What I really like about Jasmine in comparison to other Disney princesses is that she is fiery, but clever: determined, but calculating: proud, yet compassionate. It’s this balance that makes her interesting: in my mind, Jasmine is the ultimate Slytherin Disney princess (with just as Slytherin of a prince!), because unlike Ariel, she isn’t reckless in her rebellion. What’s also very cool about Jasmine is that her circumstances are a perfect contrast to Aladdin, placing them in a more romantic Prince and the Pauper set-up where they envy each other, and yet they want the same thing: freedom. In fact, all of our protagonists do -- namely, Aladdin, Jasmine, and Genie. Aladdin wants freedom from his poverty. Jasmine wants freedom from her privilege. Genie wants freedom from his purpose. They all have different cages, but they all want to be free to live their own lives, and it’s through Aladdin learning to empathize with Jasmine and Genie and see their respective prisons as clearly as his own that he grows as a character. (For a video that delves into this thought process further, please consult this piece by ScreenPrism -- it’s just beautifully done!)

Throughout the film, three animals emerge over and over -- the cobra, the elephant, and the tiger. Tigers -- which we see not only in obvious examples like Rajah and the Cave of Wonders, but also as a carving in the back of the Sultan’s throne -- are generally associated with courage and heraldry, not unlike their feline cousins, lions. The heraldry aspect I think is most relevant here -- only one who is deemed worthy, namely Aladdin, may enter the Cave of Wonders and access the wealth of kings, and when Jasmine runs away from home, she leaves Rajah, a symbol of her noble heritage, behind. Elephants in comparison are associated with wisdom and more notably royal power. In the film, Abu is transformed into an elephant steed for Aladdin when he becomes Prince Ali, and even the Sultan sits in a throne decorated with a statue of an elephant. As for the cobra, it’s entirely connected to Jafar, first as his magic scepter and then as a form Jafar takes on himself. Snakes overall are associated with many things like healing, rebirth, eternity, and the dichotomy of good and evil, but cobras specifically are the most poisonous snakes on earth. Legends even claim that Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt, committed suicide by cobra bite. I reckon that meaning is more than enough reason for it to represent Jafar.

Through the use of a bizarre storm-making machine powered by Iago running on a treadmill-like wheel that Christina, Jen, and I thoroughly don’t understand and kind of find hilariously ridiculous, Jafar is able to discover the identity of the elusive “diamond in the rough.” He then sends the guards out to arrest Aladdin so as to coerce him into aiding him in his goal to enter the Cave, but in the process gets caught by Jasmine as he’s exiting one of the secret passages. Jen brought up the lovely point that Jafar seems to be the only person who knows about these passages in the palace, even though the Sultan presumably was raised in the palace just like Jasmine was -- this isn’t necessarily a problem, but it does make both her and me want to know the story behind this! Was Jafar basically raised in the palace too? Did Jafar partially create those passages? Were they forgotten after years of non-use and Jafar came across them by chance? It seems like there could be some fun explanation here, if someone wanted to write a fic or fan theory about it.

Okay, I really don’t want to express my concerns about the remake yet again, but I just have to say this flat-out -- there is no way that Abu in the remake could be as funny as he is in the animated film. Let’s be honest, CG characters in live-action films are almost never very charming if they’re more on the cartoony side compared to the so-called “realistic” world they’re supposed to inhabit. You can have very likable, well-developed CG characters -- just look at Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia -- but he wasn’t solely comic relief the way Abu is, and Abu’s comedy in particular relies on a lot of cartoon-like squash and stretch that would be difficult to recreate in CG for a live-action movie. Best case scenario, you’d have something like Pip in Enchanted, which is only irritating and visually out-of-place sometimes, but alternatively, you might get something like Alvin and the Chipmunks (where the humor falls flat), Dobby in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (where it’s clear he was never actually there the whole time), and/or the enchanted objects in the live-action Beauty and the Beast (where the characters end up looking creepy, like something out of the Uncanny Valley). Basically if they want Abu to work in the live-action setting, it’s likely they’d have to make him more like an actual animal, which as I said would make it so he is a lot less funny.

Anyway, not long after Abu unlocks Aladdin’s shackles, Jafar arrives to bust him out, disguised as an old man. Just as Jafar’s storm-making machine makes no sense, the three of us all concluded that his disguise makes no sense. Not only does Jafar suddenly look a good foot and a half shorter, which even with him crouching shouldn’t be possible, but he’s changed his teeth with no visible dentures (which would’ve slurred his speech anyway) and he can get rid of all of the white hair and beard he put on just by ripping off the beard in a single gesture. As Jen brought up, even the Evil Queen used a potion to turn into the Hag: if Jafar had used magic, these sort of physical changes would make sense, but he didn’t.

Back to the Cave of Wonders again, and now I get to talk about one of the most revolutionary aspects of Aladdin: the Magic Carpet. Our sweet little Carpet is a perfect fusion of CG and hand-drawn animation -- supervising animator Randy Cartwright drew the outline and tassels of Carpet with so much personality and silent comedy, and rather than have to animate Carpet’s detailed pattern in every single frame as the fabric folded and contorted, the pencil tests were handed to the CG artists, who melded the pattern perfectly to the line work, making it one perfectly cohesive character. Carpet’s pattern also has allusions to different parts of the film, including the Cave of Wonders, the magic lamp, and the flames that appear when Abu touches the red gem. Even if the technology of CG animation is much more advanced now than it was in 90s, it doesn’t change how seamless the finished result is.

As mentioned, the Cave doesn’t remain safe for our hero very long. When Abu snatches up a gem after being warned not to touch anything, the whole place starts to fall apart, raging with lava and fire. Christina brought up the question of why the Cave would allow Abu inside, since he wasn’t the diamond in the rough (yes, Abu was hidden in Aladdin’s vest, but the Cave was magical, did it really not know he was there?), but I almost wonder if it was an issue of Aladdin having trusted Abu when he shouldn’t have, which would end up being the true mistake in this scenario. Regardless, the CGI in this particular escape sequence is some of the more outdated material of the film. The flight on Carpet is still kind of fun, as it probably would make for a very exciting thrill ride, but it still looks incredibly fake, especially in comparison to other CG elements used in other scenes. Honestly, I’d say this Cave chase and the tower used in the “ends of the earth” sequence later are the worst instances of outdated CGI in this movie.

And finally, at long last, we get to the big, blue guy himself, the Genie. As much as I wouldn’t say Genie steals the show, as Aladdin has such a likable hero and heroine and an excellent villain, Jen, Christina, and I will say categorically that Aladdin would not be as good of a movie as it is without Genie and without Robin Williams. The directors Ron Clements and John Musker wrote the character with Robin in mind, but thought there’d be no way they’d ever get him -- fortunately Eric Goldberg, the supervising animator for Genie, got the idea to make an animation of Genie speaking a piece of one of Robin’s comedy routines, and the animation amazingly won Robin over and got him on board. And really, it is that flawless combination of Robin’s acting and Goldberg’s animation that really makes Genie as likable as he is. Even Robin’s humor, which still is very funny, is not what makes Genie as great of a character as he is, in my opinion -- if anything, I’d say it’s how much sincerity Robin gives the role. Genie is never a sidekick in this movie, as he has his own distinct motivations and feelings separate to the main character and their goals, and Robin just makes you feel so much for Genie and his own desire for freedom. One quote of Genie’s that has stuck with me since I was a kid thanks to Robin’s beautiful delivery is “To be my own master -- such a thing would be greater than all the magic and all the treasures in all the world.” It makes it so his humor is a sign of how resilient Genie is, despite how unhappy his circumstances are, which is something I understand very well as someone who has suffered from depression and I’m quite sure Robin himself understood very well too. I think it’s why so many people found Robin so likable and felt so much for the characters he portrayed over the years.

Speaking on Friend Like Me specifically, I’m afraid I’ll have to go off on a bit of a tangent and share a story with all of you. The day that Robin Williams passed away, I was working at the World of Color show at Disney’s Calfornia Adventure. When the Friend Like Me segment came on, I danced along to the music while in the walkway outside the show, trying to keep the grief off of my face and just make others happy, the way Robin used to. As the segment ended, everyone applauded like crazy. Then, all of a sudden, we Cast Members became aware of a strange, sputtering, almost sobbing sound. One of the show fountains in the water had gotten out of alignment and it sputtered softly in the background as the next segment (Touch the Sky) began, before after a minute slowly quieting and coming to a stop. It was as if the show was crying for Robin, this person who had given so much joy to so many people. And this, among other reasons, is why I feel so very sorry for poor Will Smith, who somehow has to try to fill the shoes that Robin wore. Jen, Christina, and I aren’t very optimistic about his prospects (I still personally might have offered the role to Wayne Brady instead, given that he can sing, he has done comedy, and he worked with Robin in the past), as even Dan Castellanetta, who voiced Genie in the Aladdin TV series, was never able to match Robin no matter how hard he tried.

On the note of Genie’s motivation, as well, we hear about it in a scene accompanied by the beautiful instrumental “To Be Free.” It’s one of my favorite pieces of instrumental music from the film, which became one of Christina’s favorite songs from the Aladdin musical, To Be Free, which is a solo sung by Jasmine. As very pretty and appropriate the song is from Jasmine, I do also really appreciate the number accompanying Genie’s monologue. The instrumental comes across as more spontaneous and thoughtful, like it’s making itself up as it goes along, until it gets to the sincere, meaningful line about freedom, at which point the melody that inspired the song To Be Free's chorus starts.

Another neat touch with Genie is his use of Yiddisms, such as “punim,” meaning face. Of course, Genie’s animator Eric Goldberg is Jewish, and the idea of Genie being Jewish as well I just find so unbelievably charming, particularly when you place him in an Arabian-like setting full of (presumably) Muslim characters, given that the Sultan at one point references Allah. Therefore Genie and Aladdin’s (adorable) friendship could be thought of as a friendship between a Jewish person and a Muslim! I think that’s really cool!

We return to the palace, where the Sultan scolds Jafar for Aladdin’s supposed execution, only for Aladdin to burst onto the scene, dressed as the dashing Prince Ali. During this scene, Christina noted the fun juxtaposition of Jafar’s fashion choices compared to the Sultan, Genie as a human, and Aladdin as Ali. All of them wear very similar robes and turbans, but the Sultan, Genie, and Aladdin wear turbans with more rounded, floppy feathers, which Jafar’s feather is sharp and straight. Aladdin’s and the Sultan’s feather even flop into their faces sometimes, whereas Jafar’s is rigid as a board. As Jen likewise pointed out, Jafar’s design gives him this pointed, slender look not unlike Dr. Facilier in future Disney project The Princess and the Frog. The shoulder pads on his shoulders also serve to give him this sort of sharp “T” shape, contrasted to the more rounded and well-proportioned characters. Couple that with a black/red color scheme that contrasts the more saintly tannish-white of the other three, and it really does communicate the “black cloud” nature that Jafar’s supervising animator Andreas Deja wanted to give the character, to compliment the “Severus Snape” level of dry sardonicism Jonathan Freeman gave the character.

Even though the Sultan is very impressed by “Prince Ali,” Jasmine most certainly is not. Genie counsels Aladdin (with a few outdated pop culture references) that he should tell her the truth -- the nice thing about the pop culture references is that, really, even if you don’t get the jokes, you can still understand them, and the jokes still drive dialogue and plot forward enough that those lines don’t feel like a waste of time. I mean, I didn’t get most of the jokes as a kid, and it didn’t hurt anything for me -- I still thought the Genie was funny because of his comedic timing and odd voices. (Oh yes, and since Jen brought this up while we were watching this -- Aladdin does not say “take off your clothes” while up on Jasmine’s balcony: the line that Weigner improvised for when Aladdin is trying to shoo Rajah away is “take off and go.” Get your brains out of the gutter.)

Fortunately Aladdin is able to soften Jasmine enough that she gives him a chance, and the two go on a magic carpet ride (a.k.a. the fastest world tour ever, as Christina described it! LOL). Accompanying this scene is, in my opinion, the single most romantic song in the Disney canon. A Whole New World was the very first song Alan Menken and Tim Rice wrote together. After the loss of his good friend and most constant collaborator, Howard Ashman, Menken was very nervous about working with someone else. Fortunately, as soon as he and Tim Rice met, they came together pretty quickly while working on the aforementioned love song, which ended up taking some inspiration from their circumstances as new collaborators in its melody and lyrics. So yes, one could listen to this song and some of its lines -- a new, fantastic point of view -- but when I’m way up here, it’s crystal clear that now I’m in a whole new world with you -- unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings -- with new horizons to pursue -- every moment, red letter -- let me share this whole new world with you -- as being not just about these two characters falling in love, but also about a brand new, exciting friendship.

Aladdin and Jasmine connect, Jafar is banished from the palace, and the Sultan blesses Jasmine’s decision to court “Prince Ali” -- but yeah, just as everything looks like everything’s coming up roses, things start to fall apart when Aladdin breaks his promise to set Genie free. (Another fun story: when I first saw this scene in the Aladdin Musical Spectacular at Disney California Adventure way back in the day, I couldn’t stop myself from yelling “BOO!” from the audience. The people around me giggled. Then the actor playing Genie, without looking away from the actor playing Aladdin, raised a hand and pointed out at the audience. “You hear that?” he said. “That’s my THOUGHTS.” I died laughing.) But yes, thanks to Aladdin’s mistake, Jafar is able to take advantage of the situation and snatch Genie for himself, singing his own quasi-solo, Prince Ali (reprise). Like Aladdin, Jafar doesn’t get a full number to call his own, but fortunately he doesn’t end up needing one: Prince Ali (reprise) is more than powerful enough on its own, and it concludes with the most amazing, deranged laugh in Disney history. Really, as good as some other Disney villain laughs are, I would say that Jafar’s is easily the best.

Jafar becomes the Sultan of Agrabah, imprisoning both Jasmine and the Sultan and banishing Aladdin to the ends of the earth. Even if Jasmine’s a prisoner, though, she is no damsel: in Christina’s words, she’s the Princess Leia to Jafar’s Jabba the Hutt, clever and proud as ever and ready to do whatever is necessary to break free...even if it means kissing our villain in order to distract him long enough for Aladdin to try to snatch back the lamp. (Insert a cringe from all three of us here.) Alas, the ruse fails, and Jafar discovers that Aladdin has returned alive and well. The “Battle” track used for this climax is just epic accompaniment, easily being up there among some of the best “final confrontation” instrumental tracks in Disney history like Sleeping Beauty’s “Battle With the Forces of Evil” and The Great Mouse Detective’s “Big Ben Chase.” The visuals as well are also thrilling -- speaking as someone with acute ophidiophobia, Jafar turning into a giant cobra is pretty terrifying.

Despite all of the odds being against him, our diamond in the rough street rat nonetheless is able to outsmart Jafar, and Jafar, tricked into the form of a Genie, is imprisoned in his own pitch black lamp, possessing all of the power he longed for but ignorantly sacrificing the power of autonomy he had already. (As Jen said, and I quote, “Karma, bitch!”) I just adore how Aladdin outwitted Jafar too: not only does it really suit his Slytherin personality to win through craftiness rather than just brute force, but it also perfectly showcases the difference between Aladdin and Jafar: namely, that Aladdin knows empathy, and Jafar does not. Jafar only sees what Genie has that he doesn’t have, supreme magical power, and longs to possess it -- Aladdin sees Genie’s circumstances fully and knows that he is both amazingly powerful in a magical sense and utterly powerless when it comes to making his own choices.

Accompanying the film’s resolution is the beautiful instrumental “Happy End in Agrabah,” which dips into lighthearted whimsy, resignation, bittersweet joy and exhilaration, alongside echoes of both “To Be Free“ and A Whole New World. Aladdin gives Genie his greatest desire -- his freedom -- and in the process makes, in Jen’s words, the most selfless wish you could make...for only a diamond in the rough would make a wish for someone else, not for himself. And as Jen also pointed out, the Sultan follows Aladdin’s lead, giving Jasmine her freedom just as Aladdin gave Genie his. Our story ends with all of our protagonists earning the freedom that they’ve so longed for -- the freedom to achieve their own happiness -- through their love of each other.

Aladdin may be very “of its era” from a humor point of view, but it’s a movie that truly becomes more resonant with age. When Jen, Christina, and I were kids, we all enjoyed this movie’s flights of fantasy, humor, characters, and songs, but as adults, we can feel for these characters and their desire for freedom more than ever. We can understand how similar these individual characters are, and how even though they’re all in different prisons with different advantages and disadvantages, they all need the same key to unlock their cages -- love and empathy. However much the new Aladdin film diverges from the animated version, I only hope that they remember that core of the movie and how it is integrated into the entire story, from how much Aladdin wishes people would “look closer” when looking at him to Genie’s last words to Aladdin being that “no matter what anybody says, [Aladdin will] always be a prince to [Genie.]” And if it doesn’t, well, we still have the 1992 original...

...and Christina, Jen, and I give that movie three thumbs up!

[allimariexf]

Burning Souffles

Relationship: Oliver Queen/Felicity Smoak

Rating: E (honestly it’s more like M, but I’m keeping the E in anticipation of the E-rated epilogue I’m still planning to write someday ;)

Tags: post-7x13/ Arrow (TV 2012) Season 7/ Canon Compliant/ Angst/ Romance/ Action (just a little)/ Drama/ Feelings/ Eventual Fluff/ Family Feels

Summary:

Felicity really needs to have a talk with Oliver. Which they will really, definitely do just as soon as she stops being kidnapped.

Notes: Forgot to share this on tumblr! 

Read on AO3 here | Ch 2 Breaking Windows | Ch 3 Falling Apart | Ch 4 Believing in Love | Ch 5 Making Room in a Broken Heart | Ch 6 Coming Around Again | Ch 7 So in Love with You

Chapter 1: Nothing Stays the Same

If my best isn’t good enough then how can it be good enough for two?

God dammit, why did song lyrics always pop in her head to serve up their hard truths at the worst possible moments?

Like now, for instance. When Felicity found herself tied to a chair in a dark, dingy basement, and no one the wiser about her location. And also pregnant. With no one outside of herself and the hospital aware of that particular detail.

Oh god, if she got murdered here it meant Oliver was going to find out about their baby...their baby...their baby...from the hospital. Or the Medical Examiner’s office. She squeezed her eyes shut at the thought. Nope, not going to think about that. What she was going to do was sit down and have a talk with him - a real talk - just as soon as she was out of this predicament.

It wan’t as if she hadn’t been trying to reach him. For days, weeks, months really. Since William, since Emiko. Since Slabside. It had been a hell of year so far, for both of them.

But Oliver was hurting, and he needed her. So she’d stepped up. She’d put her anger, her fears, her identity crisis aside, because his need was more immediate. He needed her, and moreover, she wanted him to need her. She needed him to need her.

Third verse, same as the first.

There had been signs that he was beginning to let her in. A tiny smile here, a squeeze of her shoulder there. A hand extended toward her, seeming to offer more than just the contact of skin on skin. But the tragedies kept rolling in one after another, and it felt like every step forward was followed by three steps back. Or worse.

Like that morning.

A shiver of something dark and foreign ran down her spine at the memory of the confrontation in their bedroom. The most recent one, that is.

When she’d said her goodbyes to Curtis a few days ago, something he’d said had struck her. “It feels like you’re struggling to find your purpose too.” It was like he’d found the one weak chink in her armour and driven a knife right through it. Since then, she hadn’t been able to get the words out of her head.

Ever since Oliver had come back from Slabside, unmasked, and begun working with the SCPD, a tiny part of her been struggling to understand where she fit in. John and Curtis had ARGUS, Dinah had the SCPD, and Rene seemed content doing whatever he was doing. It took her awhile to realize that deep down, she had been hoping that Oliver’s return would somehow cause the team to re-form, and she’d be able to take her rightful place among them.

And while that hadn’t immediately happened, she’d believed things had finally started to come together once the rest of the team was deputized to work alongside the SCPD. She’d quietly begun setting up a place for Overwatch in their living room: adding an extra computer or two, and installing and improving dozens of programs that the team had always relied on for monitoring, tracking, searching, communicating, and cataloguing. It felt amazing.

But that morning Oliver had made it clear, in no uncertain terms, that things were not back to normal.

She’d approached him cautiously, aware that she hadn’t exactly informed him of her resumed vigilante activities. She expected him to be surprised. She hadn’t expected him to be angry.

He was standing at the dresser pulling a sweater over his head, and she fit herself against the door frame, watching him. Even now, after all these years, she was stuck by how startlingly beautiful he was, all long lines and hard muscles and perfect bone structure. When his head emerged through the hole in his shirt, he sensed her gaze and turned toward her expectantly.

She still wasn’t used to the distance in his eyes.

“So, I know you probably have work lined up for you already, like assigned cases or something like that,” her chipper tone faded just a little bit, because the truth was she didn’t know; he hadn’t actually told her very much about his new job at all, “but in case you and the team were looking for something to do, I got a pretty solid lead on something this morning.”

His eyebrows drew together. “A lead?”

“Yeah. It turns out there’s been a series of thefts from the Star City headquarters of about a dozen different chemical companies - nothing too noteworthy, when taken individually. But my program gave me an alert because it turns out that, taken together, the various chemicals that were stolen can be used to make some pretty nasty stuff of the explosive variety.”

Oliver’s face stilled as she spoke, which should have alerted her that something was wrong, but Felicity was excited, and when Oliver spoke his tone remained deceptively mild. “Your program? Which program is that?”

“Oh, nothing special, just my usual algorithm that analyzes reported criminal activity and seeks patterns in the data.” She smiled, feeling that tiny surge of pride that always accompanied her small accomplishments as Overwatch, a feeling of having made a difference. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d missed that feeling.

But that feeling evaporated rapidly as she watched Oliver’s expression shift from still to stony to stormy so quickly that she could only track it because she knew him so well. “Why are you running that program?” There was absolutely no mistaking that tone in his voice.

Just as there was no mistaking Felicity’s predictable response to his challenge. She pushed off the door frame, straightening her spine and stepping toward him. “Why shouldn’t I be running that program?”

He blinked at her and breathed deeply through his nose while his eyes never left her face. She recognized the signs of him gathering his composure, but what struck her was the realization that this might be the longest he’d kept his eyes on hers in months. “Felicity.”

She looked aside abruptly, not wanting him to see the emotion that was suddenly rising in her eyes and clogging her throat. She blinked, swallowed, and waited for him to continue.

His voice was surprisingly gentle, which only set her on edge. “You can’t…”

Her eyes snapped to his. “Can’t what, Oliver? What can’t I do?”

He looked away. “I work for the SCPD now. I have to take my assignments from them.”

She stepped toward him, hand outstretched. “Okay then. I’ll put what I have on a thumb drive and you can take it to Dinah. Call it an anonymous tip, or whatever. Then she can assign you to the case.” She smiled tentatively. Willing him to consider the logic of her proposal.

“It’s not that simple.”

Her hand landed on his chest, fingernails scratching lightly against the fabric of his sweater. “I don’t see why it can’t be. With you and the rest of the team deputized to work in the city, with the full support of the SCPD, we can be even more effective than we used to be.”

Oliver stepped back abruptly. “There is no team, Felicity!” He paused, and Felicity snatched her hand back from where it was still hovering between them in the sudden silence. He shifted wary eyes toward her. “I need you to understand that.”

Felicity gaped at him, ready to argue but suddenly speechless.

“I need you to stop pretending that things haven’t changed.” His eyes were earnest, pleading. And they left Felicity gasping as if he had slammed her in the face with a brick.

She stared back at him, the blood rushing loudly in her ears and drowning out any sense of reason. Her breaths were shallow and rapid, but her voice was calm. “I know things have changed, Oliver. That’s the one thing you have made very, very clear.”

“Felic -”

But she was already walking away, and he didn’t follow. Five minutes later, as she sat at her computers blatantly disregarding his wishes, she heard him wordlessly leave the apartment. 

(Continued in chapter 2, linked above!)

[ettadunham]

A Buffy rewatch 3x19 Choices

aka everyone’s just dying to give each other a piece of their mind

Welcome to this dailyish text post series where I will rewatch an episode of Buffy and rant about it in 10-3k words. What you can expect: long run-on sentences and disjointed observations, often focused on one tiny detail about the episode. What you shouldn’t be expecting: actual reviews that make sense.

And I’ve been waiting forever for today’s episode to finally discuss some quality Willow and Faith feelings... And it turns out that it was just a 2-minute-scene all along? Still, we’ll be making the best out of those 2 minutes, folks.

There’s actually a lot going on in Choices, but I want to get the main rant out first, before I get lost in all the small details of it.

So... Willow and Faith.

Fun fact, did you know that that is actually the 5th most popular BtVS F/F pairing tag on Ao3? Right after the popular canon, the popular “it’s basically canon and you can fucking sue me” ship, the pairing of the two main female characters (shout out to the Wuffys, I got you) and the less popular canon ship.

Which... wasn’t really what I was expecting? I mean, I also wasn’t expecting #6 being Faith/Dawn (having a 2 fic-lead on the ultimate OTP because you’re all heathens), so I guess I know nothing.

Some of those switch though if you filter for the F/F category, look, I have charts:

(Meanwhile Buffy/Kendra has like 12 fics, you really are all heathens.)

Anywho, thanks for coming to my Ted talk about the math of Buffy femslash. Now, back to Willow and Faith specifically.

Once I thought about it, it did make sense that this is actually a popular fandom pairing I guess? On one hand, it’s a common denominator situation, as in note which characters pop up consistently on that chart... On the other hand, in this episode alone Willow taunts Faith to which she responds by punching her and threatening her with a knife... And that’s pretty much how foreplay works as far as Faith’s concerned.

Faith just likes it rough, okay? Remember the screencap I used for Consequences after Buffy punches her?

I rest my case.

But I’m already way off topic here. Because what I was actually planning on talking about initially was how Willow felt about Faith, and the source of those feelings.

I already pointed this out, but I feel it’s worth repeating - Willow’s dislike of Faith goes back to two episodes in particular: Bad Girls and Consequences. As far as I was able to discern this time during my rewatch, there were no previous signs of animosity between the two preceding that two-parter.

In Bad Girls, Buffy blows Willow off for their study session to go out with Faith, and starts rambling about how Willow and Xander wouldn’t understand anyway what she and Faith do.

Willow is deeply hurt and jealous... She actually blows Buffy off too in return when she tries talking to her at school in the next episode, and only listens once Buffy shows up crying at her doorstep not knowing what to do about the whole Faith killed a guy situation.

In the same episode, Xander lets it slip that he and Faith had sex... And Willow is once again obviously hurt and jealous. She even has a good cry about it in the bathroom.

And I guess that that seems like a stronger emotional response than how she reacts to Faith stealing away Buffy from her, but it’s still coming from the same place. Note her line in that episode when she acknowledges her biases:

I'm not the most objective, I know. I kind of have an issue with Faith sharing my people.

“Sharing my people” - she’s pointedly talking about both Xander and Buffy here.

And there is a specific kind of betrayal that she feels from Xander, and that’s going to translate to pretty much all of Xander’s relationship... But at this point, it’s not really about her wanting that relationship with Xander. She had the option and she rejected it.

Still, if Xander has that with someone else, that makes their shared experiences feel less special. It makes her feel like less special in his life. (Which unfortunately tracks with a lot of Xander’s behavior about how he’s always chasing the new, shiny and unattainable thing in his life.)

Meanwhile with Buffy, Willow is mostly supportive of her relationships... up until to the point that she feels like they’re taking up the space that she occupies in Buffy’s life. And that very much happens with Faith in those moments, as Buffy suddenly feels like she can’t share with Willow what she and Faith has. (I swear, I’m not even trying, these sentences just turn out this way.)

So... yeah. Willow is super pissed at Faith for having the audacity to try and take away her people from her, and then hurting the both of them.

And I guess we can see some of that same kind of jealousy with Faith (I can and I will read parallels into Willow and Faith’s characters, just you wait) and her whole thing with Buffy and Angel in Choices... Except it’s weirdly misdirected? Like is the Mayor and the show seriously trying to tell us that Faith is jealous about Angel not wanting to make out with her, when that whole thing was all about Buffy in the first place?

Really, Mayor Wilkins? Really?

Well, I guess he is evil.

Back to Willow though, we have this scene where she gets taken hostage, and after she murders her vampire guard with a pencil (amazing), she decides to get comfortable in the Mayor’s office and read through all 5 tomes of the Books of Ascension??? It’s such a delightful nonsense.

Of course, I’m definitely with her on the whole “knowledge is power” notion. Even if they were to prevent the Mayor from having this Box of MacGuffin, there’s no way to tell if that would actually stop the Ascension. But knowing what’s to come and what they could do about it? That’s a definite win.

The issue is that as Faith puts it, being caught red-handed while gaining that knowledge makes Willow some very strong murder material for the bad guys. She could’ve just put the books in a bag, and tried escaping with them, or get the hell out there the moment she discovered those sensitive pages.

But do you know what I think? I think Willow just wanted to have the chance to confront Faith. She was ready to die just to give her a piece of her mind.

Willow: It's way too late. You know, it didn't have to be this way. But you made your choice. I know you had a tough life. I know that some people think you had a lot of bad breaks. Well, boo hoo! Poor you. You know, you had a lot more in your life than some people. I mean, you had friends in your life like Buffy. Now you have no one. You were a Slayer and now you're nothing. You're just a big selfish, worthless waste.

That’s commitment.

Notice also how she highlights Faith having Buffy in her life and not appreciating it enough to keep fighting. I do feel like Willow is deeply offended by that. I talk about her jealousy a lot, but her commitment to the people she loves is usually her more dominant character trait. Feeling like Faith stole her friends from her hurt her; but her anger mostly comes from the fact that Faith hurt Buffy and Xander in unimaginable ways.

I guess this episode did give me a lot of Willow feelings.

Someone else who shared Willow’s need to impart some wisdom in the most inconvenient times was the Mayor. And honestly? I didn’t care a whole lot about it. Angel and Buffy has a million other conflicts that come before him being immortal.

Like, I get that it’s supposed to shake them out of their own little bubble a bit, and face the fact that they don’t really see a future together. I believe the phrasing I previously used was that being together prevents them from becoming the people they want to be.

Their initial exchange at the graveyard is kinda hilarious though. “You never take me to any place new” - I’m still laughing, ngl.

At the same time, Xander and Cordelia still appear to be having their bitter verbal conflicts. Which is weird, especially after Earshot, an episode that I praised for including Cordelia in the group once again. (I guess maybe Earshot was written with a different place in the season in mind for it initially? I know that it didn’t air when it was supposed to too, because of the school shooting aspect...)

Here, the two of them are once again out to get each other. Even Buffy ends up in the crossfires, as Cordelia aims one of her pointedly cruel jabs at her. Yikes.

But we also find out here that Cordelia is working in a dress shop now, so there’s that.

And this episode of course is also about everyone’s futures. Willow decides that despite being accepted into literally every school ever, she’s going to attend UC Sunnydale with Buffy. Not just to be with her, but because she enjoys saving the world and all that jazz.

Oh, Willow, if you only knew...

This of course also presents a welcome contrast for Buffy, who feels like she doesn’t have a choice but to stay in Sunnydale. It’s a really nice moment between them, as Buffy realizes herself that she too very much made that choice herself. Because that’s who Buffy is. Someone who could never turn her back on the people who need her.

Buffy:  I kinda love you.

We all do, Buffy. Just ask Oz, and his decisive ingredient smashing move that annihilated the whole argument about whether or not they should rescue Willow. (”That’s your future wife!” - me @ Alexis Denisof in that scene.)

Also, shout out at that whole Mission Impossible heist premise we got going on in this episode. I always appreciate a weird clash of genres.

[connors-heart]

to be human: [ch. 4: i wonder why]

playlist - ch. 1 \ ch. 2 \ ch. 3 \ ch. 5 \ ch. 6 \ ch. 7 \ ch.8

[ being a DCPD detective, your job was relatively normal - that is until androids came along, more specifically, RK800 ]

pairing ⟶ connor x reader

fandom ⟶ detroit: become human

warnings/a.n. ⟶ [no warnings] ; quick disclaimer, apologies for how long this chapter took to get out. ive been working the longest shifts these past couple of days aaand this was a really detailed (and long) chapter, but here it is nonetheless. thank all of you for the endless support you’ve given this series, i for sure wouldn’t be scrambling to write if it wasn’t for yall so (≧◡≦) byyy the way, i put together a little playlist of songs that remind me of this fic, and they’re mostly sad so if you wanna listen to it and cry a little feel free.

w.c. ⟶ 3.5k

tags ⟶  @dragoste-lunes - @swagfeatpayne - @erinacg - @thequirkyn3rd - @the-witch-in-silence - @odd-otter - @randomgrove254 - @johnmulaneyslut - @fanworrior - @sophster1881 - @wowowokapowie - @glyxiebear - @snooper1 - @nefelislytherinpride - @madammarkiplier - @losersunitetonight - @ashtonmichaelhoran - @attackonmikaelson - @deviantly-gayy - @yuckybarness - @drastically-here - @100kindsofblake - @di-the-happy-psychopath

Awaking to an all too loud alarm clock, you outstretched your arm, slamming your hand on the snooze button. Along with a throbbing headache came the impending regrets from your decision the night before to believe you could out-drink Hank Anderson.

The attempt to even try to remember what had happened made your migraine even more agonizing. You peeked out beyond your covers to check the time, realizing you had to be at work in an hour and a half, as well as noticing the glass of water on your bedside table, prompting you to remember Connor’s help the night before.

As if on cue, a wave of nausea hit you, causing you to push your feet as fast as they could go to the bathroom, throwing up any remnants of alcohol into the toilet before flushing it down. You grimaced at the bitter taste in your mouth, leaning back against the wall.

“Are you okay, Y/N?” The sudden sound of Connor’s voice filling the room.

You looked up, Connor’s brows pulled in with concern, “Peachy,”

“I made you breakfast, I assumed you wouldn’t have the energy to do so yourself,” he spoke as you went to stand.

A pained expression crossed your features as a wave of dizziness fell over you, immediately leading to Connor rushing towards you as he wrapped a hand around your waist, leading you back to your bed. “Can you get me some Tylenol or something from the bathroom?” you mumbled as he handed you the warm plate of breakfast. The android responded with a nod, making his way to the bathroom once again.

You stuffed your mouth with the food, the sudden question of how Connor even knew how to cook popping into your mind, but not lingering for long. You watched as he sat the pill bottle onto your bedside table before sitting next to you, his weight shifting the bed.

“I also took Cleo out and fed her, she should be fine while you’re gone,”

You nodded, looking over at him, “You’re the best Connor, thanks,”

You noticed the faintest of smiles line his face, making you smile in return. In the slightest of ways, it gave you a warm feeling to see the way Connor would light up upon someone appreciating him and his efforts, knowing that it was a rare instance for him to receive gratitude from others.

There was always a thought that found itself residing in the back of your mind whenever Connor had come around, the thought that maybe these androids had the ability to care beyond fulfilling missions or following orders. That these androids, let alone deviants weren’t as bad as society deemed them to be.

That just maybe, one day, the growing fondness for Connor you continued to dismiss, would have the opportunity to be returned by him.

Fidgeting with the eggs on your plate, you hesitated for a moment before looking back at Connor. “Are you ever gonna tell me what happened back at the cafe?”

He dropped your gaze, his eyes falling to the floor, “I just… froze, that’s all,”

Your brows creased in confusion, “Why?” you pressed.

He paused, sitting in thought before looking back up at you, “I don’t know. I just-... I just felt something. And I didn’t know how to respond to it,” he admitted.

You stared into his eyes, a seeming glimmer of life resting within them. “What did you feel?”

He stared back at you, a cross of something between hope and adoration written on his face. You swallowed down the urge kiss him, knowing whatever you’d been feeling was anything if not irrational.

As for Connor, he would’ve only hoped to know what your lips felt like, if they were as soft as they appeared, if the taste would linger on his own. He would’ve hoped to know what it felt like to hold you against him, to become familiar with the feeling of your warmth, the living beat in your chest thumping against his own.

To know what the feeling of a living being, capable of loving him, felt like at his fingertips.

The sudden sound of Cleo’s barking shook you both out of your trance. A sigh escaped your mouth as you stood, setting the plate on the bed as you grabbed the Tylenol from its spot on your bedside table, swallowing two of the tablets before downing the glass of water.

“I’m gonna go shower get dressed, I’ll meet you downstairs in a minute,”

Connor nodded, making his way to the door as he took his leave.

“Hey, champ,” Hank spoke, the slightest of smirks playing on his lips as both you and Connor approached his desk.

You took a gulp from your water bottle, your obvious restless features saying enough. “Fuck you,”

Hank’s brows raised with astonishment, an amused look still on his face, “Woah, detective. Language.”

Nodding slowly, you bit back a grin as you fastened the cap on your water bottle, taking a few files from the abundant stack on the lieutenant’s desk, “If I die before my shift is over, you’re not invited to my funeral,” you mumbled, making way to your own desk as Hank’s faint chuckles lingered in the air.

Connor’s eyes remained on you as you walked away, watching as you slumped into your chair and flipped through the files. “By the way,” the low grumble of Hank’s voice grabbed Connor’s attention, “Thanks for getting her home last night.” The older man spoke genuinely, something neither Connor or himself were too familiar with.

He nodded, “No problem, Lieutenant.” He watched as Hank glanced over at you, an irritable look on your face as you rubbed your forehead, almost reminding him of himself. “How about you go and help her for the day? I’m more than certain she needs it more than me,” he suggested, nodding toward you.

Connor looked back over at you, almost ecstatic at the thought, before nodding, “Understood.” Hank watched as the android swiftly made his way over to you, no complaints whatsoever. It left him curious. If he didn’t know any better he’d assume the android had a crush on you. Nonetheless, he dismissed it, assuming he was only so keen of you due to your kindness towards him.

You looked up from your paper to see Connor standing beside you, a soft look on his face, “What’s up?”

“Hank suggested I should help you today, since you’re not feeling so well,”

You simply nodded, handing him half of the files before tending the best you could to the papers in front of you. Only at it for ten minutes, your eyes fell heavy, the thump at the back of your head barely residing. After a while, you sat the paper down, rubbing your face as an exhausted sigh passed your lips.

Connor looked up at you, “Are you alright, Detective?”

You shook your head slowly, “No. No I’m not.” you stated flatly, the remark muffled by your hands.

“Is there anything I could get you?”

You peeked at him through your fingers, “Can you get me a coffee, please,” you muttered, earning a stark nod as he stood, making his way to the office break area. It was apparent that Connor’s mind had began to become infatuated with none other than you, so much so that he failed to even recognize he was veering farther and farther away from his main priority - putting an end to the deviants.

He knew Cyberlife had sent him, let alone created him for one serving purpose only, but the few days prior seemed to prove that single purpose wrong. The thought alone simmered in Connor’s head, the possibility that him feeling the emotions and doubts he did were only leading him furthermore towards deviancy.

While in the midst of contemplation and pouring in an abundance of creamer into your coffee, a familiar voice broke Connor’s thoughts. “Well, well, well - look at you being a good ol’ assistant,” Gavin spoke, his footsteps filling the small hum of the break room. Connor turned, a neutral expression on his face as Gavin approached him.

“If you didn’t catch on by now, bringing her coffee isn’t gonna get you between her legs, trust me, I’ve tried,” he chuckled, a hostile look growing on his face, “Plus, I’m uh, pretty sure no real woman wants shit to do with a plastic fuck like you.” He punctuated his last sentence with a harsh push at Connor’s shoulder.

The android rolled his shoulder, unaffected, “If you’ll excuse me, Gavin,” he spoke, picking up the coffee. The detective stepped in front of him, “And if I don’t?” he growled.

“Fuck off, Gavin,” you spat, slamming the door open as you made your way towards the two of them. Gavin’s gaze lingered Connor for a moment, scoffing as he turned on his heel, he looked at you as he backed away from Connor. He raised his arms in defense, “Sorry, sweetheart. I was just having a little conversation with your chewtoy over here,” he turned, glaring at Connor as you made your way over to him, grabbing your coffee.

“Do you ever shut the fuck up? Genuine question.” you asked, your brows pressed together finely as you stared at the man. Ignoring your question, he looked you up and down, noticing the jaded expression on your face. He chuckled, “Sorry - sorry, I, uh - looked at you and for a moment there I could’ve sworn Anderson’s alcoholic tendencies were starting to rub off on you,” he spoke, a grin growing on his face.

You stared at him blankly, watching him laugh at his own joke for a moment before throwing the steaming coffee in his face, discarding the cup at his feet. A howl of pain left his mouth as you left the break room, Connor staring at Gavin in astonishment before making his way to your side.

The usual hum of the room ceased, uneasy murmurs filling the air instead as multiple officers turned their attention towards the both of you, looks of both confusion and shock written on their faces.

“Was that absolutely necessary-”

“Yes.”

Contrary to your blunt answer, you were sure of the fact you’d most likely regret your actions sooner or later. But for now, the only regret you had was wasting your coffee, especially on a prick like Gavin.

Connor watched as you slumped back into your office chair, an evident sigh of annoyance passing your lips as you swivelled in the chair slowly, locking eyes with the many concerned officers in the room. One of those many being Hank, who’d made his way over to your desk.

The two of you locked eyes, a notable confused expression written on the older man’s face, “What the fuck did you just do?” he asked blatantly.

You swivelled in the chair once again, an echoic squeak meeting your ears, “I threw coffee in Gavin’s face,” you murmured, resembling the look of a guilty child.

Hank squinted, staring ahead at you blankly, “Why?”

The squeak of your chair stopped with a halt of your movements as you tilted your head slightly, “You’ve never wanted to throw a cup of coffee in Gavin’s face-”

“That’s not what I said,” Hank retorted immediately. Before another word could pass his lips, the sound of Captain Fowler’s rumble of a voice calling your name shook you out of the conversation.

“In my office. Now.” he spat.

Your lips drew into a hard line, sitting in thought for a moment as you dug your nails into the arms of the chair. Surely he wouldn’t fire you, you were too skilled of a detective for him to let you go over an split second decision, not to mention, a good amount of your colleagues hated Gavin’s guts. It was only a matter of time until somebody lost their patience and put him in his place. It just happened to be you out of all people.  

“Now! Detective.”

You jolted up from your chair, meeting Fowler’s scowl of a gaze, “Do you think he’ll fire me for giving Gavin third degree burns?” you muttered to Hank, turning to him as he raised his brows, glancing over at the Captain, “I think you’ll be just fine, kid,” he reassured, giving you a pat on the back as you trudged into the man’s office.

Connor stood in place, wringing his hands as he watched you close Fowler’s office door behind you, your mannerisms obviously tense as you sat across from his desk, shrugging and nodding in response to every question the stern stained faced man had thrown your way.

“Jesus, Connor, she’ll be fine,” Hank said, watching as Connor’s expression grew more and more worrisome, his brows drawing together as he stared. His gaze lingered on you for a moment more, before darting to the older man beside him, his arms crossed as he looked at Connor with a look of confusion.

“I know,” the android responded simply, peering at you once again.

Hank’s gaze remained fixated on him, shifting on his feet as he tilted his head, a look of contemplation on his face.

“Do you like her, Connor?”

The android whipped his head towards Hank. A scoff of a laugh passed the lieutenant’s lips, the deer-in-the-headlights look on Connor’s face revealing the answer to his question with ease.

Hank ran a hand over his aging face, sighing heavily, “Jesus fuckin’ Christ-”

“No. No, it’s not like that,” Connor quickly spoke.

Hank stuffed his hands in his pockets, biting back the shit eating grin on his face as he prepared his ears for the excuse Connor began to stir.

“I do like her, of course, just as much as I like you. We’re partners,” he explained, earning a squint from Hank. His gaze bounced from Hank’s knowing gaze, landing on the floor as he searched through his thoughts for an acceptable answer, before looking back up at his partner.

“I’m a machine, Hank. I’m incapable of feeling emotions,” he paused, glancing over at you, “I can’t feel anything.” he murmured, his plastered, convincing expression all if not but disintegrating as his face fell.

Hank decided not to say anything, a twitch of sympathy almost crossing his features as silence enveloped the two of them, not lasting for long as Fowler called the two into his office as well.

“Should I be trusting you to drive my car?” Hank asked, a look of worry written on his face. Instead chewing the three of you out for the lack of progress on the case, Fowler wounded up sending you to the scene of a crime where a deviant and a child were spotted the night before.

“If you ask me that again I’m gonna deliberately run over every pothole I see, Hank,” you retorted, clicking on the radio to drown out the silence in the car. A grimace crossed your face as the sound of screaming and clanging instruments filled your ears, immediately changing the station. “Can you explain to me how you listen to death metal and remain sane?” you half teased, throwing a look Hank’s way.

He threw his hands up, “Sounds nice, expresses how I feel inside,” he drawled out sarcastically, earning a chuckle from you.

Connor looked between the two of you, watching as you began to hum along to the song on the radio. It seemed to be Hank’s turn to make a face of disgust, “Dion and the Belmonts?”

You only smiled, tapping your hands on the steering wheel, “I wonder why, I love you like I do. Is it because I think you love me too?” you sang, obnoxiously squishing Hank’s face.

“Please stop,” he groaned, pushing your hands away. Connor watched, becoming lost in the way you smiled. The way your giggles transformed into fits of laughter in response to Hank’s grumpy remarks. The way your nose scrunched up and eyes squinted closed when hitting every note incorrectly, but it was all so seemingly perfect to Connor.

“When you're with me, I'm sure you're always true. When I'm away, I wonder what you do,” you turned to Connor, cupping his cheek as you sang to him. You noticed the look on his face to be the same one from that morning, and along with it came the hopefulness that had settled into the back of your mind, front and center of your thoughts as you locked eyes with Connor.

A groan passed Hank’s lips, “Can you please focus on driving instead of getting all lovey-dovey with robocop over here? For fucks sake,”

A faint chuckle left your mouth as you turned back to face the wheel, singing along to the song as Hank slumped against window, resting his head on his hand as Connor simply continued what he did best, admiring you from afar.

After arriving at the scene and getting a synopsis in full from Officer Collins, you made your way up the street, looking out for anyone that matched the description of the suspects.

A shiver raked its way down your spine, the unrelenting chill of the rain getting to you as you paced down the sidewalk. You looked up to see Detroit’s unforgiving grey clouds, knowing the weather rarely found itself to be in anyone’s favor.

Your thoughts were ruling to be plagued with more than simply Detroit’s weather, as the familiar peaked smile of an android threw your mind into shambles. You were anything if not showered with doubts that’d beaten down every hope you had, but even that wasn’t enough to keep Connor from crossing your mind.

Of course there were plenty of people who found themselves in intimate relationships with androids - no thanks to Edens Club. But a genuine, loving relationship with an android was unheard of. Who knew if any androids, let alone deviants, were even capable of loving. The thought seemed impossible to most - as for you, you’d only hoped it wasn’t.

Suddenly, the feeling of another person colliding into you withdrew you from your thoughts.

“Shit - sorry, I wasn’t-...” you trailed off, slack-jawed as you recognized the woman. It was the android, the familiar child at her practically glued to her side. You looked between the two of them, an obvious look of fear stricken across their features.

Before a word could pass your lips, the woman spoke. “Please. Please just let us go, I’m begging you,” she pleaded, a clear waver in her voice. You looked down at the little girl once again, her grip on the woman’s hand tightening. Blinking, you bit your lip, shaking your head slightly as you thought to yourself for a moment.

“They’re patrolling the whole block, take every alleyway you can find and get out of here,”

Relief flushed over the woman’s face as she nodded, going to turn around before a rushed thank you left her mouth.

You watched as the two hurriedly made their way down the sidewalk before disappearing into an alley. Sighing, you turned around to make your way back to the scene, only to be met with Connor. His eyes distinctly followed the woman and child, his brows drawn together in thought as he processed them to be the suspects.

“Leave it, Connor,”

He didn’t react, his eyes still lingering on the alleyway almost as if he didn’t hear you. Before you could convince him otherwise, he began walking past you and towards the alley. You turned immediately, grabbing his arm, “Connor, stop,”

“They’re the suspects, why are you letting them get away?”

“She has a kid.” you hissed. His gaze lingered on you, a seemingly confused look on his face.

You sighed, “There’s plenty of other deviants we can find and question. But-... not them, Connor. Okay?” You looked up, met with a look of conflict as his gaze fell, focusing on the ground in front of him.

He found himself at odds with his orders, and the yearning feeling to please you. It was as if he was met with a barrier, the demand to fulfill his mission blocking him from the desire to do otherwise. He met your pleading gaze once again, before finally, deciding to break the barrier. Tearing it and beating it until ultimately it disintegrated.

You watched as he blinked for a moment, a sigh passing his lips as he looked over towards the alley.

“Okay,”

[sprinklesandsugarcubes]

Once Upon A Dream (Part One)

Fandom: Riverdale Pairing: Sweet Pea x Reader/OC Rating: NSFW, Mature Warnings: Language/Cursing, Adult Themes/Situations, Emotional Stress/Angst, Gang Activity, Underage Drinking/Drug Useage (Party responsibly!), Rivalry, Smut! Format: Part One of Three

Note: So this is a little something that popped into my head, inspired by the song, Wildest Dreams. Silly, I know, but some of those lines just seem to fit Sweet Pea so well. I couldn’t resist. This has a slight AU!Quality, where there is a strong football rivalry between the Southside High and Riverdale High. Cliche, perhaps, but I lovee it. There’s some Archie!Angst in the beginning, so if any of you are a sucker for that! This will be a three part mini-series, and should wrap up after the third part!

Looking at him, she couldn't help but think he was beautiful.

Even from where she stood across the field; the dual sounds of the cheering crowd and the marching band’s halftime numbers drowning out any attempt she might make at calling out, there in that cluster of blue and gold as her fellow River Vixens stretched and bounced in place, preparing themselves for the next set of cheers they would deliver- she recognized it. His beauty, that is.

But it didn't hide the tiredness about him. The slight shadows under his dark eyes, the way he slouched over in his seat just a bit, like the weight of the world rested upon his shoulders. He looked exhausted, and an air of melancholy hung thick around him. It worried her, made her fidget with the desire to toss the sparkly poms she clung to upon the ground and cross enemy lines, just so that she could ask if he was alright.

Nervously, she fluttered her hands back and forth; the subsequent shake of the sparkly attention-grabbers the only thing she could hear. Because, as she had been looking him over, she had missed the moment he turned his head. She had missed the moment where he began staring right back at her. That deep, soul-searching, nearly fathomless gaze that could leave her mesmerized, even from fifty yards away.

Just like it had that day, so many months before.

June

It was supposed to be the best summer she and experienced, yet at least. Her parents would be out of town for most of it, popping in occasionally on weekends, but otherwise leaving her to her own devices. She'd have their home to herself, free to do as she pleased. Which only sent butterflies to fluttering when she thought of all the alone time she could spend with her redheaded boyfriend.

Archie Andrews was her very first boyfriend, having asked her out about halfway through their freshman year at Riverdale. She had always been enamored with the soft-hearted ginger, ever since she had come to the sweet little town a few years prior. She wasn't the only one, she knew, so it was utterly surprising when Archie had asked her the question one afternoon, did she want to have dinner with him at Pop's? She didn't think she'd ever answered a question so quickly, or easily.

The rest was history.

With her parents gone, they had excitedly talked about the possibilities summer could hold.

Sure, Archie would be plenty busy with working over the summer months, finally being old enough to help out with his father's construction business, and then there was his annual trip with Jughead that she fully supported. But there would be plenty of time for them, and with each being more than ready to take that next step in their relationship, they made their plans and were practically giddy about sticking to them.

Which was why it was odd, she decided, that Archie seemed to be unable to answer his phone.

The previous two days had been nothing but text messages, which was strange in itself. Archie liked texting her, but not as much as he did actually speaking to her. There was just something about her voice, he said. Still, she had understood his hectic schedule and had proposed waiting until Saturday evening for him to come over. With a thrilling anticipation surging through her blood, she had made sure everything was prepped and ready for that evening.

Legs shaved, check. Spotless bedroom, minus the addition of new candles, check. Cute but utterly enticing lingerie that still had the tags on, check.

All that was left was confirming with her boyfriend and double checking that he would enjoy having spaghetti that night since she was cooking.

But she just couldn't get him on the phone.

Shrugging it off, she snatched up her keys and tousled the soft strands of her hair, preparing herself to drive to the grocery store and pick up anything needed for the evening. She had half a mind to buy strawberries, just to see the boy blush. The breeze rippled in through rolled down windows, further mussing her silky strands as she drove, lips mouthing the words of a song.

In a spur of the moment decision, having come to a stoplight that rested at the corner of the street she knew could take her to Andrew's Construction, she paused and made a right. After all, if she couldn't get Archie on the phone, what better way to remind him of their evening than showing up as a surprise? It had been nearly a week since they had last seen each other, she just knew his smile would split his face nearly open upon seeing her pull up.

Only...it was her that was in for the surprise.

A few blocks from the main trailer offices, she took notice of a light blue car, the paint peeling in just a few places. It was terribly parked, as if the person inside had been thoroughly distracted upon doing so. Her nose wrinkled and she huffed in annoyance when she realized it was still even partially in the lane, idling a bit shakily as little puffs of smoke took to the air, pouring from the exhaust.

She could just make out two silhouettes in the car, each one leaned closely toward the other, bodies flush from the chest up and mouths interlocked in what appeared to be a heated session of kissing. Her lips curved into a smirk as she shook her head, completely understanding the urge but still annoyed that she couldn't simply drive on. Checking the opposite lane of traffic, she signaled to move over and eased the passenger side window down, fully prepared to call out to the couple and advise them to make use of the turn off into the trees a mile back down the road.

Her words died tragically in her throat as she peered into the little car, as did her amused expression.

That shock of red hair was easily recognizable, and so were the large hands buried into honey brown strands of hair. The newly muscled build was also familiar, she had spent hours just last week tracing over it with her curious fingers.

Her mouth ran dry as she watched, seemingly unable to look away, while the couple crouched over in the cramped little car remained oblivious. Her ears were ringing slightly, the sound of both that and the blood pulsing through her veins in panicked agitation making it impossible to hear the music pouring from her speakers. A knot had grown in her throat, constricting the passage until she felt as if she couldn't even swallow, much less speak or breathe. Her eyes stung horribly, a film of heartbreaking moisture clouding them, and finally spilling over as she watched the female of the duo toss her leg over the redhead's lap, straddling him.

It was only when she actually recognized the woman that she finally managed to react, quickly stomping on the accelerator and thanking more than one deity that she had chosen to drive her father's vehicle instead of her own. The tires threw dirt and rock onto the tiny car as the truck rocketed down the lane, no doubt startling the occupants.

She didn't care to look backward, to see what the secret couple had done as she sped away.

Dashing away the tears that had spilt over with quick fingers, she simply accelerated more, hoping that maybe the faster she drove, the easier it would be to leave it all, and Archie Asshole Andrews, behind.

She ran.

With little thought really, to where she was going.

She had abandoned the truck in the driveway and had rushed inside, ignoring every picture of the red headed heartbreaker on her walls as she tore the dress from her body and shimmied into a pair of running shorts and a lightweight shirt instead. With her key tucked into the band that circled her wrist, she had left her phone and everything else behind.

Including any sense of direction, apparently, as she had long ago crossed over the railroad tracks and found herself running through the heart of the Southside.

She should have felt uncomfortable, perhaps even the slightest inking of fear.

After all, despite her genuine distaste for it, she was not naive to the tension that simmered between those of the North and South sides of the tracks. She had never understood it, how people could judge each other over something as simple as geography. To her, each person was a human being, deserving of respect and happiness.

So perhaps she was naive in such a sense after all.

Finally, as conscious thought seemed to return and her mind suppressed the horrifying images of sighting her once-boyfriend (because they were SO over now) and their music teacher getting all hot and steamy in her car; her feet slowed from a run to a walk, and she raised her head, her eyes widening slightly as she took in her surroundings.

She had managed to run all the way to the southern end of thirty-second street, far enough that she could see the glow of bar lights and the faint shapes of trailer homes further beyond. Currently, she stood in front of a tiny bakery that had already closed up for the evening, as the sun was steadily sinking along the horizon, splashing the skyline with hues of purple and pink that were swallowed by the thunderheads that were rolling in from the west.

Her chest heaved slightly, her lungs seeming to catch on to the fact that she was no longer running like her life depended on it, and they could recoup the oxygen they so desperately needed. She bent over at the waist a little, pressing her palms to her knees as she greedily swallowed air, fighting against the need to plant her ass upon the pavement and just sit for a while. After all, she had a decent trip to make back home.

But it wasn’t meant to be.

Like the chaotic mass of emotion that sat churning in her gut, squeezing her heart in a way that she could equate to near physical pain, and tightened her throat until it ached; the storm that had been brewing in the night sky finally unleashed itself, opening the heavens so that torrents of rain could pour down to the mortal souls scurrying below.

She was drenched within the first five minutes, her already fitted-workout gear becoming indecently skintight as it stretched across both ass and chest. Her hair hung in limp, sodden strands, clumping together in some places as more than one lock of it stuck together. The massive droplets made teasing trails down the bare skin of her arms, legs, and stomach; the cool temperature clashing with the heat from her run, causing her skin to prickle and shiver. Her head dropped back on her shoulders, eyes fluttering closed as inky lashes dusted the tops of her cheeks, and her lips parted in what anyone would assume to be a frustrated scream.

Instead, she laughed.

She laughed until her chest twinged and her stomach ached, until her jaw was almost sore from remaining in the amused expression. She laughed until the sound transformed, losing its carefree amusement and turning to one that bordered the line of hysteria. The sound was haunting, losing all traces of goodness, replaced instead by the echo of emotion untouched. She laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks, mixing with the rain in a way that made it almost unnoticeable. She laughed until the tears were real, until she was no longer laughing at all, until the sound choked off into a desperate sob as she backed into the bakery’s stable, brick walls and sunk down.

There she buried her face into her legs after tucking them into her chest, propping her folded arms atop her knees.

It could have been minutes, possibly even hours, that she sat there on that lonely, quiet street with no other company, save the rain and booming thunder. Her tears had long ago ceased, her eyes running dry, no longer able to spare her heart any moisture. The downpour had shifted, changing from sheets of rain that one could hardly see through, to a gentle rain that pitter-pattered across the sheet metal awning she had managed to huddle beneath. She watched, blank eyes peering out through soaked strands of hair, as a single car plundered its way down the road, narrowly missing a pothole that had grown in the center of the street. She could have sat there for minutes, possibly even hours, more…had it not been for him.

She heard them before she saw them; a group of leather-clad teenagers that had only just exited a diner down the street, the paint faded and more than one light in the sign that displayed its name burnt out.

They were a group of five or six, perhaps, each one a little more rambunctious than the last as they turned toward her, plodding down the sidewalk across from hers, their destination more than likely the neon lights that sat a hundred or so yards further down the street, given the emblem she managed to catch a peek of as one girl, her hair an alluring mixture of pinks, turned to a stocky-statured boy.

Biting her lip, she curled tighter around her knees, hoping to make herself seem even smaller than she actually was. Perhaps, if she was lucky, she could even sink into the shadows and go unspotted; they seemed to be enjoying themselves, their laughter echoing off the worn buildings, so there was little reason for them to look in her direction. The last thing she wanted was to find herself caught up in some sort of confrontation, despite the fact that she had little issue with them and wasn’t looking to make any new ones.

Gazing out stealthily from the gaps between dripping locks once more, she felt the tension drain from her limbs as she watched them pass her general area, continuing on toward their endpoint without even catching a glimpse of her. She breathed out a sigh, squeezing her eyes closed as she shuddered in place, a mixture of adrenaline and the chill in the air from the storm leaving her nearly shivering.

What she had failed to notice however, was the lone figure that had broken off from the group, ambling toward her side of the road in a lazy, unhurried pace.

“You look lost,” Someone spoke lowly, their distaste apparent in their tone. “Princess.”

His voice was mocking, tainted with his derision and the sneer that twisted his lips; it didn’t make it any less attractive.

It sounded like sin and sex, wrapped up with a red velvet ribbon, and it only grew more potent as it rumbled softly when the pet name rolled off his tongue, accompanied by the low growl in his chest. It made her want to squirm, heat blooming to life in the pit of her stomach, a tingle racing toward her thighs. She froze in place there on the wet concrete, not because she was frightened but because the reaction she experienced to his voice alone was, in its own way, frightening.

She had never reacted like that to Archie’s voice.

When she tipped her head up, finally daring to look at the boy whose voice set her blood on fire, she couldn’t stop the small gasp from escaping her parted lips.

He was, to put it simply, gorgeous.

His hair was damp from the gentle rain, the raven colored strands tousled haphazardly, like all he did in the morning was run his fingers through it a few times. His eyebrows were just as dark, arching expressively, and his eyelashes were every bit as inky. They framed dark eyes, their color more than likely a deep, sinfully rich brown; though it was hard to tell in the darkness, they looked instead like shadow pits, endless and beckoning. His nose was sloped smoothly, his jawline chiseled from the hands of above, and his cheeks were filled just the slightest bit, rounding out the apple of them. His teeth gleamed in the night, and his lips…his lips made her want to do things.

As she lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes once more, she caught the way they softened at the edges, the change just barely noticeable as they swept back and forth across her face rapidly. The sneer fell from his lips, pressing itself into a firm line that reminded her of cautious concern rather than his earlier contempt. He took a single step closer, one that was slow and deliberate, almost as if he believed her to be a startled animal that might bolt at any second. His eyes trailed her face again, centering on her cheeks, and it was then that she understood.

She must look a mess!

Between the running and the rain, not to mention her outright ugly sobbing only a handful of minutes before; her mascara had bled into the corners of her eyes, trekking down in smudged trails over the outer edge of her cheeks. Her eyes had to be irritated and red, quite possibly even swollen, just enough to make it entirely obvious that she had been bawling to her heart’s content.

Quickly, she lifted her hands, swiping beneath her eyes in a futile attempt to look at least halfway put together as she broke their gaze, needing to escape the heat the was only building with every passing, silent moment.

“I-I’m not,” She croaked out, wincing at the sound of her voice, before sucking in a deep breath. “Lost, I mean. I just…I just needed-“

Thunder rumbled across the sky once more, the wind picking up as a new wave to the storm threatened all below it.

She shuddered hard then, gripping her arms so tightly around herself, her nails bit into the soft skin. She needed to get home, but the thought of walking through the rain made her shake even harder, the reaction made worse as a cooler breeze blew through the empty street.

Suddenly, a hand appeared in front of her face, nearly making her squeak in surprise. It was large, bigger than she had expected, and she could faintly judge the array of callouses that had no doubt roughened it from hours of labor and tinkering with mechanical parts. He had just a little grease smudged over his knuckles, and a tattoo wrapped around his thumb that begged to be examined much closer. She followed the outstretched hand with her eyes, her gaze caressing up and over the strong arm encased in shining leather, to the face peering down at her; a picture of forced nonchalance that guarded the slight hint of vulnerability he felt over offering it to her.

It was only after she had placed her much smaller hand into his, allowing him to tug her up from her seated position, catching her with his free arm around the waist when her muscles cramped and protested; that she realized something very important.

She didn’t even hesitate.

SweetPeasPodSquad Taglist: @half-and-halfxx @tofarawaytobreathe @serpent-princess @mi-ghostaa @sweetpeas-serpant @adventuresofchlocaine @bellamysgirl @obsessedqueenie @batmanslittlelover @becca-in-the-tardis @the-fifth-season @dramionelove190 @southsidepea @cinn-rawr @randomnesss-of-fandomness @kneesheee @bby-simone @im-not-perfect-im-proud @king-sweetpea @southsidenoodle @jxhn-mxrphy @kytty27 @itsashleydallas @podsquads-sinns @sweet-peas-serpents @riverdale-writer-sins @sweetpeasnecktattoo @poolpartyingwithjaws

[lullapiee]

Fandom Meme: Hit Me Up

 I was tagged by @professorsaber- Thank you!:)

I’m going tag... @gallihafry, @tounknowndestinations, @twelveclaraisreal, @flintvane, @lumosalec & @tirsu

1.  Your current OTP(s)/OT3(s)/OTX(s)

Whouffaldi, Vicbert, Vicbourne, Randall x Lix

2.  A pairing you initially didn’t consider but someone changed your mind (bonus points: who was that person).

12 x Missy- which seems odd to me now because I totally see it and really ship them now. Thanks to @gallihafry for sending me fic/fanvid recs, YOU ARE THE REASON FOR ALL THIS EXTRA EMOTION 

3. A pairing you used to love, but it all fell apart for you.

I don’t think I have one that necessarily fell apart but I used to be a big Hermione x Ron shipper back in the day- not so much now, though.

4.  Have you added anything cracky/hilarious to your fandom, if so, what.

Nope

5.  What’s the longest you’ve ever been in a fandom

Ahhh well I’m not totally sure about this. I’ve been a fan of Doctor Who since it came back in 2005 but didn’t become overly obsessed with it until I joined Tumblr in 2014- Curse you Tumblr for making me spend even more time crying over characters *shakes fist*. I’ve also been a big Harry Potter fan since around the same time so I guess it’s a tie between the two.

6.  Do you remember your first OTP, if so who was in it. 

My first OTP which was at the level of “Oh my god, I’d die for this ship” was probably Hermione x Ron. Many an hour was spent arguing with my friend over this ship... ah those were the days. 

7.  Name a fandom you didn’t care/think about until you saw it all over tumblr.

So many! Also most of them are due to my love for Peter Capaldi. So, because of Tumblr, I watched The Hour, The Musketeers (not finished this yet though!), The Thick of It & The Office 

8.  Say something genuinely nice about a character who isn’t one of your faves (chars you’re neutral on are fair game, as are chars you dislike)

Oh god this feels like treachery. *Prepares to be pummeled with rotten tomatoes*

I never really warmed to Danny Pink, mostly because of a certain Whouffaldi had blinded me of all other possible ships. Nevertheless, I admire his devotion to Clara. He only ever wanted what was best for her and so anything he did, was done to protect her. 

9.  Name three things you wish you saw more or in your main fandom (or a fandom of choice) 

I agree with @professorsaber here! More support for Whouffaldi, more Pro-Moffat and more Series 10!

10.  Choose a song at random, which ship or character does it remind you of

How Can I Tell You by Cat Stevens- Whouffaldi. Honestly, go and check out those lyrics. Really reminds me of the Doctor and his grieving in Heaven Sent.

11.  A pairing you ship that you don’t think anyone else ships

I think I’m lucky enough that I know people who ship all my ships- so I’m not too lonely!

12.  Your most scandalous headcanon for your current OTP(s)/OT3(s)/OTX(s)

Again, I’m with @professorsaber here. From Last Christmas onward, I kinda believe the Doctor and Clara were sleeping together during Series 9- some kind of hanky panky was going on there in some form or another.

13.  Do you have any hard and fast headcanons that you will die defending, about anything at all (gender identity, sexual or romantic orientation, extended family, sexual preferences like top/bottom/switch, relationship with poetry, seriously anything)

Well, Whouffaldi definitely comes under this but I think I’ve made that pretty obvious already. Other than that, I don’t think there is anything else... Although I do believe in bi Clara too! But I see that as canon sooo......

14.  5 favorite characters from 5 different fandoms

Twelfth Doctor (DW), Queen Victoria (Victoria), Malcolm Tucker (The Thick of It), John Smith (The Man in the High Castle) & Michael Scott (The Office)

15. 3 OTPs from 3 different fandoms

Whouffaldi, Vicbourne (eeeeep I’m so sorry for betraying Vicbert) & Randall x Lix

16. 5 favorite ships 

To add to the ones above- Jim x Pam & Malcolm Tucker x Clara (Randomly popped into my head, so I’m going to roll with it)

17.  Just ramble about something fan-related, go go go (prompts optional but encouraged)

Yooooo I’m so upset the Doctor Who Experience has been shut down. I managed to see it before it shut but it completely baffles me why they have allowed it to shut in the first place? That place is iconic. It was such a magical place and Doctor Who fans from around the world traveled to see it, so it makes no sense why they would allow such a great place to shut. I’m really hoping they reopen it but I’m not sure how likely that is :(

[jihoonscafe]

|| Kpop Questions Tag~ ||

Tagged by the lovely @jindongdongie

A. ALWAYS POST THE RULES. Answer all questions and then write 11 new ones

B. Tag 11 new people.

Q1: What’s your favourite hair colour on your bias?

Um, I will just go with the husbands then lol.

For Jihoon, nothing will ever beat his adorable pink hair [even though i am a hoe for those purple hair he had during ofd’s season 1]

For Junhui, blonde hair i mean he looked like a bloody angel, but i love him in black-blue hair like he had in HIghlight too.

For Seokjin, the natural black and brown are beautiful but pink is where it is for me.

Q2: Do you consider yourself a hard stan or a soft stan of your bias group/overall?

lol me? well i am hard core carat and a soft exo-l so?

Q3: Do you own any K-pop albums? If so which one(s)? If not what K-pop albums would you like to own?

I am broke af, so no album for me [YET]

But, I would love to have all of Seventeen’s album, all of EXO’s albums, all of EXID’s albums and all of BTS’s albums, because there is no harm in wishing now is there?

Q4: Do you try learning the Korean lyrics to the songs if you don’t speak the language? And if you do speak Korean, the question instead is what do you think is/would be the hardest thing about learning Korean/ about the Korean language?

When you are an international fan, the struggle is rEAL.

Especially when you have a Korean friend who knows all the shit before it gets subbed because guess who can speak Korean? 

So yes, I attempt to sing Korean as brokenly I can but as long as my parents think I am singing in Korean even if to me it sounds like gibberish, then it works man, it works.

also can anyone relate to that goddamn feeling when you can recognize like a word in the middle of a song and you are just like “wow i am so amazing” even if it is just like i am okay or something lol because k-dramas = education.

Q5: What are your favourite covers K-pop idols have done? Post links with the answer?

Okay so Jeongguk’s cover of Beautiful [The Goblin OST] got me like S H O O K as fuck oh my god. and tHE FUCKING COVER OF WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE, I cHOKED. dON’T FORGET THAT GODDAMN FOOLS COVER THAT BOY DID WITH FUCKING NAMJOON WHICH HAD ME CRYING FOR LIKE 1000000 YEARS. 

But, anything Kyungsoo sings is art so? Love Yourself with Chan, Chan’s All of Me stage and that Boyfriend stage they did like a million years ago. anD YES SABOR AMI FUCK ME.

Q6: Have you ever tried learning any K-pop dance routines? Was it successful? Did you upload a dance cover to YT?

lol i am a potato, i can’t dance.

i have attempted to dance to Baepsae by BTS like a million times and can do the choreo for the chorus but nothing else and also it is not like I don’t remember the choreographies, because I have that shit memorised but it is just that i am a lazy ass they are are too hard for me to do lmao.

Q7: List one of your favourite things about your bias’ physical appearance and one of your favourite things about their personality/mannerisms/habits:

um, since i am a hoe for both junhui and jihoon i am doing them both fight me.

For Jihoon, it is definitely his eyes because he is such a lovely person and when he looks at the carats in recordings of caratland, it is so obvious that even though he doesn’t say much, he writes songs for us, and loves us like we are a family and his eyes are just so beautiful when he sings because they hold so much damn emotion, i love him.

Jihoon’s personality is clearly one of my favourite things about him, he comes off as cold if you enter the fandom through memes and other shit, and he is quieter than most members, which is a quality most of my biases don’t actually possess since i tend to bias the one who catches the eye the most, and that is usually the loudest or weirdest member but jihoon is just special, he writes so many songs and works so undeniably hard that it is hard NOT to stan him, and just bless him and his emotions for not only the carats but also the family he calls seventeen.

wow i got real emo there

For Junhui, it is definitely his laughter? like i don’t know if that is an attribute i can call physical but it is so pure and uplifting like he is such a beautiful person and i just can’t okay? he is so beautiful, both inside and outside and he laughs so freely and just bless him okay bless HIM.

For Jun, I think I like his dedication to the group and the fans the best, the fact that he doesn’t mind not being in the spotlight to give it to somebody else, and doesn’t mind getting less lines of less screen time. The only thing he minds is if he has to leave the fans at any place first, and that he has to always be the last to leave in the group so he can say bye to all the fans makes me go giddy really, he is such a pure and gorgeous soul.

Q8: Is there a particular member of your bias group/ any K-pop group in general that you think the group couldn’t live without and why? ~ (so it doesn’t necessarily have to be the leader:)

For Seventeen, it is definitely the leader line, all three of them: Soonyoung, Seungcheol and Jihoon, since they make the base for the group, they are who build the group high enough so that the others can showcase their talents, Jihoon makes the songs they sing, Soonyoung makes the dances they dance and Seungcheol makes sure that all of them are well and happy, they are the pillars of the group and without even one of them, Seventeen really wouldn’t last a day.

Q10: Can you describe your bias wrecker as best as you can without mentioning their name so we have to guess?

[lol jun used to be my bias wrecker in seventeen, but now i am double biased for him so i am going to go with bts [where i am also double biased but still have wreckers lol] since i have no wreckers in exo, at all like i am the loyalest loyal af kjd stan ]

Hair which gets dyed like every fucking minute lol, probably has the a hair colour wheel in his stylist’s office, such a fucking savage i am not even kidding, sWAEG, a beautiful soul, a musician through and through, my sleepy hardworking soft beautiful amazingly caring and loving man who i can’t say the name of but literally everybody knows at this point who he is lol.

Q11: What are the three things you’d want your bias/bias group to know about you?

nothing lol i am a potato.

I am studying well : i work hard to get shit done and i want jihoon and junhui to know that they aren’t distracting carats from studying all together.

I will support them forever : they deserve so much love and i want to see them grow, and so i will.

i hope they never break up : i have witnessed bands i loved disband and there is nothing like seventeen in the kpop industry, no 13 boys who have made such deep bonds with not only each other but also me as a fan and i hope they always stay like that until the end.

> What was your age when you got into kpop?

I was 12? I think, yup I was 12.

> First Bias?

For Seventeen, it was Minghao because y’know attraction comes through with tHUGHAO lmao, i still adore him tho, my son.

>First song?

Hmm, it was Catch Me by TVXQ which was my first ever KPOP song, however my first Seventeen Song was Adore U.

> What is your fondest memory involving a kpop song? Link please?

Oh it has to be when I listened to Hold Me Tight by BTS on repeat and came up with the idea which some of you might know as Nightmare, which is my longest and best *according to @colon-d* series right now!

>What is your go-to kpop jam for when you’re happy?

AJUU NICE

>What do your parents/siblings/friends/people around you say or do while you’re fangirling?

Me : AJU NICE *attempts and fails dance*

Parents : where did we go wrong

Brother : *gets excited since it looks cool*

>Biggest bias wrecker of all time?

Junhui, I mean he wrecked me enough to be my double-bias, but then Seokjin who literally kicked everyone out and became one of my ultimate biases.

>Your favorite rude moment from your UB?

> A look you just can’t get over? (doesn’t have to be your bias ^^)

> How do you think you’d react when meeting your bias completely by chance?

die instantly lol.

> Something you and your bias have in common?

i am greasy like jun, make dad jokes like jin and cringe at everything like jihoon.

My Questions~

Which group(s) are you looking to stan?

Why is your ultimate group your ultimate group?

Why is your ultimate bias you ultimate bias?

How many songs from KPOP do you have in your playlist?

Which songs are your go to if you want to feel sad?

Which KPOP songs have you played the most?

If you could only learn one KPOP choreography in your entire life, which one would it be?

If you had to pick one bias from all your groups and kill them, who would it be?

Would you sing/dance in front of your bias if they were to see you and ask for you to do so?

Stance on the relationships of your biases? Would you be hurt if they began to date?

A message to your bias/ bias group~

Tagging some lovely beautiful angels : @colon-d, @darkperfectionuniverse, @kaori-yuki-chan, @aceangel-official, @mvnghaos, @choco-seventeen, @oneofthemillionarmy and @googlebts

[whentvsfly]

u should answer all 20 of the mob psycho ask meme things jsust DO it u peice of fuck....

Fuck you, I will.

1: What is a scene that really got to you?In the anime, probably either the flashback to when Mob went ???% when he was young (I love the Angst™), or when Mob nearly goes 100% murderous intent and then instead goes like, 1000% gratitude. In the manga, the entirety of the fuckin Mogami arc (the part with the cat like Holy Shit) nearly made me cry, and I barely cry at things anymore. So like. That.

2: Who’s your favorite character out of the cast?I….love so many……..They’re all so good. All the esper kids are Good, Reigen is a good man, the Body Improvement Club members….Tome and Mezato…..fuck, even Dimple. I can’t choose…

3: Who’s your favorite esper kid?Mob, Ritsu, Teru, and Shou are all my sons thank you very much. I can’t decide between them. Mob is a Good Boy™ who needs a fucking break holy shit. Ritsu is a little shitsu but he cares a lot about his bro and I cry and he’s good too. Teru is also a shitty boy and also he wants to do good and I cry for him (I’m his parent now cause idk wtf his actual parents are, ONE plz explain). And Shou is a good but destructive boy who deserves better. 

4: Who’s your favorite ship(s)?I….really like Ritsu and Shou, and was kinda indifferent to anything else, until @pundeserving​ (and fanfics) ((thanks u fuck)) showed me the beauty of Teruki and Mob. Also???? I kinda like Tome and Mezato?????? They could like find aliens and report it to the news and honestly they’d be a power couple.

5: What battle shook you most?Uhm. The one at the end of the World Domination arc. So many emotions…..

6: What friendship do you find the cutest?Literally any with Mob. He’s such a good boy.

7: What’s the most hilarious moment to you?gotTA PUMP SOME IRONsorry duDE TOUGH BREAKwoAH ITS HEAVY okletsgo(pff other than so many lines from the dub, uh, I’m not too sure. Right now I can only think of how funny the whole situation with that Shirt™ in the Divine Tree arc is, and like the school festival in which for like a panel Ritsu is forced to dress like a maid and Shou is there. NO WAIT. I KNOW. Justifiable Self Defense. We’re not too sure it’s justifiable, but he’s yelling it anyways. also: OOHHH. HE FUCKING APPEARED! There’s probably others. I can’t remember them rn. OH well, guess I better reread the manga…..).

8: Favorite and least favorite arc?hmmmmm….The angst pit inside of me wants to say my fave is the Mogami arc, because of how fucking sad it could be (or the way it can spawn fics about it like nobody’s business) but honestly I don’t really have any favorites or least favorites. They all have their pros and their cons, but they’re all really good. 

9: Which antagonist could you never forgive?Mogami. Hands down. 

10: Do you have any OC’s?Nope. But there is an oc I saw once on this hellsite which was a cat named Milk that Mob owns and I fully support that hah.

11: Did you watch the anime or read the manga first?Anime. Subbed. Then went for the manga, then to the dub hah.

12: Would you visit Spirits and Such Consultation Office (if you didn’t know any better)?Hm. I dunno. Probably would be too lazy to seek out help if I thought a spirit would be on me or smth, or haunting a place. Maybe if it was Real Bad.

13: Are there any specific MP 100 artists/writers you admire?Uhm. Idk, I tend to not actually look at who is the OP on an art post or who writes a fic. I’ll edit this if I find out some good ones (there’s one artist I’m thinking of on here and they do real good arts, they do comics based on fics (one was on this court thing where Mob was dead by Teruki’s hand b/c the choking thing, the other was on an au fic where Mob was kidnappeped and Reigen ended up rescuing him and they hadn’t met before that idk I have yet to read it myself) and there’s a fic on ao3 that I am always waiting for the next installment, even if it’s been 20 seconds since I read the last chapter. That story’s linked below, and you can see other authors I’ve linked too).

14: Are there any MP 100 fanfics you HAVE to rec?(this answer is So Long I am So Sorry I just have A Lot Of Love)Ohhhh boy. You’ve done it now. You’ve awakened the Beast™. Fanfics are my forte. I’ve gone through all of them on ao3. Don’t fuckin test me on this.Ok so first off, if you want all the stories I’ve gathered off of ao3 (My picking process: Ignoring all stories with incest or an adult x a kid (or ships I don’t particularly care for), is the fic well written with a good plot? then onto the list it goes. Or if its bad enough to be good. That too.) you can just ask me for the fics and I can either share the googledoc with you or send you the links in another way.Some of my favorites from the list, tho, are as follows (in order of which I read them):Color in a Monochrome Worldby Sifl is a really good introspective series on many different characters, set after the World Domination arc. Sifl also wrote a companion piece, Vertigo.Extracurricular Education is a series by entrenched about Shigeo and his growth as he works for Reigen. It’s real cute, they’re good bros, I love it. A few stories takes place after the Mogami arc and reference it.Turning Slowly by sorrow_key is a fic about how Shigeo knows what unrequited love feels like b/c of Tsubomi, so he can see through Teruki really easily. He feels like a liar pretending to not notice. (eventually becomes TeruMob), My notes say if you’re in the divine tree arc, then you’ll get any references made in the fic. Can’t remember what’s said, but it must reference something in that arc for me to have wrote that.One Step Forward, Two Steps Back by fireflysummers_ao3 is a fic in which Teru feels terrible after the Divine Tree arc (this was made before 97.uh. the chapter that came out this last Thursday, the 5th of Jan, so it may not be as accurate as it could be) and Shigeo just wants to be friends and help him out. After Divine Tree arc.Temporary Accommodations by Originia is an interesting fic where, through shenanigans, Shigeo’s body is kidnapped without his like, spirit thingy in it (using the strategy from the Mogami arc) and Reigen tries to rescue Shigeo (which Dimple is possessing in Mob’s absence). I fucking love Ritsu in this story holy shit.The Adventure of the Red Shoes by dyingplatypus. Ho. Ly. Fuck. If you only read one story, read this one. It’s funny, it’s quirky, it’s in character. It’s solving a paranormal case about haunted shoes, and Reigen being cursed. It feels like it could be an actual happening in the anime or something. Seriously. Read this one. It has a little reference to the World Domination arc cause Serizawa is in there but like. You could proooobably read it without reading the manga.He Just Likes Dogs by reiqenarataka nearly made me fucking cry in a dentists office. It’s about Reigen and dogs, what more could you want?Signed, Sealed, Delivered by entrenchedis a series centered around Teruki and his crush on Shigeo, even as Shigeo crushes on Tsubomi. He would rather never tell Mob and continue being friends, over risking their friendship by confessing.do make tomorrow a sunny day by dyingplatypus is a series based off an au I mention in the next question. The AU is one in which Shigeo is taken by Claw at a young age, and thus works for them currently. Ritsu grew up without a brother, only knowing he had a brother at some point who presumably died. Both Shou and Shigeo are a part of Claw and work for it, and things Shigeo took care of during the normal universe didnt happen. (LOL) is a growing and powerful cult, Teru still wants to fight people. There’s many different perspectives in the series and they all add up to a unique experience (I’m still real fuckin amused by what Teru thinks of Shigeo in the first chapter of his POV fic)tomorrow isn’t always another day by suitablyskippy is another good fic on par with The Adventure of the Red Shoes. It’s also quirky, funny, in character, and shows Shigeo and Reigen solving cases. Of a haunted copy machine. Which Mob is preeeetty sure they solved yesterday. And the day before. And the day before that….Three by Ravenesta is an outsider POV story from a teacher’s perspective, on Shigeo Kageyama and his mysterious third emergency contact, Reigen Arataka. It’s pretty cool, and shows some good shit. Return. Continue. by UncannyCookie. A series. Takes place after Mogami arc, Shigeo isn’t doing too well, hands feeling too itchy and wrong after he was driven to choking someone in that unreal world. It’s bad. He’s fine. Teru tries his best to help. The second story, though, Teru is acting weird and Shigeo wants to help him but he swears he’s fine. (also has some of my fave tags: “Teru is not a natural blond, that’s the real drama here”). This is the fic I find myself waiting for updates with bated breath. It’s so good and interesting. Love that shit.

15: Do you have a favorite AU?I don’t know of too many aus, but most are real good. I like the art I see of the ageswap thing, where Mob is the adult and Reigen is the kid, although I don’t tend to read the fics about it. Idk why. But there are other good aus too, like any where Mob ends up being raised by Reigen. There’s an interesting one on ao3 I saw where Mob was taken by claw at a young age and now kinda like…works for them? Idk. It’s good though. 

16: What would be your first or basic psychic skill (telekinesis, pyrokinesis, hydrokinesis, ect)?Honestly telekinesis. I’d fuckin own that shit, being too lazy to get up and grab things myself. I’d probably be like, hah, my pop is on the table literally inches from my hand. If only I could just float it over to myself! And then it does and I’d be like Holy Shit. Also, using telekinesis on yourself (if it’s strong enough) allows you to basically fly? I’d train til it’s that level and then I would be the least athletic person in existence. 

17: Do you like milk?I really like strawberry milk. I only have normal milk if I dip a cookie in it. Sometimes chocolate is ok too. And I only really have whole milk cause it tastes the best.

18: What headcanons do you have for (character)?I mean u didn’t provide a character uhm. There’s so many. Me and @pundeserving​ have been talking and whenever I come up with some headcanon I tell her and she may or may not add it to her headcanon list. Usually she does. It’s very good and if you wanna hear some shit about a certian character feel free to ask abt them specifically.

19: Would you hone your basic psychic skill or try to learn different ones?Both? If possible? I’d like to get my telekineses to a point where I can move myself with little to no effort, but having basic version of other powers would also be nice (like psychokinesis to light a candle or warm up some cold soup or smth)

20: Would you try to use your psychic powers for personal gain or only if you had to?I mean, if it’s (like i mentioned above) heating up soup, that’s kinda personal gain hah no but seriously if it’d unfairly advantage me above other people (in a sport or something) or harm someone else, I wouldn’t do it. I’d use it for little things like retrieving something that’s out of reach or smth, or if worse comes to worse, to protect my friends or family,  if there are no other viable options.