#Plot Surprises

[imma-dragon53]

You’ve heard of “justice league doesn’t know Batman has kids”

Now prepare for “the Team doesn’t know Batman is Robins dad”

[inspisart]

dick took the news that a strange thirteen year old broke into his apartment while he was away at the circus pretty well, I gotta say

[recurring-polynya]

Me, writing the parts of my fanfic I want to write: Haha fuck yeah!!! Yes!! Me, trying to string those parts together into something that resembles a narrative: Well this fucking sucks. What the fuck.

[firehose118]

If Buck has any single glaring omission in his dating history pre-Tommy—besides other men, of course—it's that he'd never really dated anyone who was athletic in the same way that he is. He'd dated plenty of yoga instructors and runners and even a few surfers, but he'd never dated anyone else who was interested in weightlifting or bodybuilding. That wasn't intentional, it just hadn't happened.

Buck didn't even notice it was something he was missing until he started dating Tommy. It's far from the only reason he likes Tommy, and far from the only reason why it's working so well between them, but because of it, there's a comfort between them that Buck hadn't felt in his past relationships. Their lifestyles fit together seamlessly. Tommy eats the same way he does, meal preps the same way he does, works out as hard and as often as he does, and doesn't judge him for his periods of bulking and cutting. Their routines aren't the same, but they're close enough that it works.

Buck doesn't have to explain any of it or justify himself. Tommy just gets it—both the strength training and the psychological aspect of why Buck does it. Tommy understands firsthand the desire to see the physical results of the work you've done on yourself; to be proud of the man you see in the mirror. Of the commitment you’ve made to yourself.

It's common ground. Buck doesn't do Muay Thai or play basketball, but this is an interest they share. Tommy compliments Buck on his results and his dedication. He seems genuinely interested in how Buck's routine has changed over the years. He gives feedback and asks for tips. He's encouraging and enthusiastic and appreciative about it all in ways that none of Buck's past partners have been.

Of course, there's also a thrill in dating someone else who bodybuilds.

Tommy is strong. He can lift Buck up onto the countertop while they're kissing in the kitchen if he wants to. He can carry Buck across the room and throw him onto the couch. He can pin Buck down with nothing but his body; his big arms and his powerful thighs pressing heavy into Buck and quieting his mind in a way that restraints have never quite managed.

It's hot. It's not something Buck ever thought he wanted from a relationship, but now that he has it he doesn't think he could give it up easily. Heedless of his own strength, Buck can twist and thrash and play in a way that he hasn't been able to do with smaller partners—at least not without ropes and handcuffs. It's freeing to be able to be so unselfconscious of his own body. It’s amazing how easy Tommy makes it.

Tommy's strong arms around him make Buck feel safe. He feels taken care of. Buck has never felt weightless like he does when Tommy wraps Buck's legs around his waist and presses him securely against the wall. That's usually Buck's move.

And it still is. As big and strong as Tommy is, Buck matches him easily. Buck can carry him too; can press him against the wall, get both hands under his ass and lift Tommy up onto Buck's hips. The noises Tommy makes whenever Buck does that make the years of post-workout muscle aches and uninspired protein-heavy dinners worth it a thousand times over.

Buck's favorite is this, though: Tommy flat on his back in bed, Buck riding him like their lives depend on it and holding Tommy down by the shoulders.

It's not like Buck hasn't had partners who wanted to be held down by him before, but he never put his full strength into it for fear of hurting or scaring them. With Tommy, Buck doesn't need to hold back. With Tommy, Buck can lean all of his weight into Tommy's strong shoulders and move and keep Tommy exactly where he wants him. He feels powerful. He feels trusted.

It's clear that Tommy loves it, too. He melts under Buck's firm touch and stays where he's held. He'll struggle against Buck's hands just to get Buck to press harder, to really feel the way that Buck wants to keep Tommy pinned under his body like this.

It's not so different to how much Tommy loves Buck cuddling him while they sleep, he says, or wrapping an arm around his waist when they're out in public together. Buck gently gathering Tommy in his arms to keep their bodies close all night, Buck letting everyone know Tommy is his with a simple touch, Buck pressing his hands demandingly into Tommy's shoulders to keep him still beneath his body—it's all the same feeling to Tommy. It's Buck claiming him; wanting him enough to get a little possessive. To press their bodies together and insist that they stay that way. It lights a little fire of belonging inside of Tommy.

For Buck, it's a physical illustration of how he can bring his whole self into this relationship in a way that, for one reason or another, he's never been able to before. Face to face and close like this, there's no hiding. He's pressing his full weight into Tommy and Tommy groans in pleasure as he welcomes every bit of it. It's honest, intense, undeniable: it's full and unequivocal acceptance of Buck. He sees the love and desire and passion in Tommy's eyes and he doesn't have to worry about being too much for Tommy to handle. Tommy matches him effortlessly. Tommy wants this just as much as he does. Tommy wants him.

Buck has never felt more like himself in a relationship than he does with Tommy. For once in his life, Buck doesn't feel like a burden. He doesn't feel weak or helpless or desperate: he feels strong. He feels secure. He's not holding back, he's not overcompensating, and he's not begging to be let in. Tommy accepts and loves every part of Buck. He takes all of his weight with ease and revels in it. Asks for more.

Not because Buck isn't heavy but because he is. Not in spite of Buck's past mistakes and his flaws but because of who Buck is now in his totality. Because Tommy knows a thing or two about leaving behind a regretful past, and he loves Buck for who he has worked to become—the man he continues to work towards being. He loves what Buck has built of himself, day by day and rep by rep.

This thing they're building together now is unlike anything Buck has tried to build before. The giddiness and the trust and the perfection in the imperfections. The acceptance.

They fill in each other's gaps. They keep each other grounded. Buck holds Tommy down and Tommy feels held. Tommy holds Buck down and Buck feels free.

{give me kudos!}

[clearwillow]

She's fine. Don't worry about her. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

A gift to celebrate @echobows' birthday today 💜 Happy Birthday!

[leeryder]

It wasn’t unusual for Crepus to tuck his boys into bed with a bedtime story. Nor was it unusual for the eldest child to mischievously grin and squirm around demanding for more stories or give some other attempt to keep Crepus there longer in order to stay up even a second longer than normal. 

“I’ve already told your three stories, Diluc,” Crepus had to bite back his smile in an attempt to be stern. “It is bedtime.” 

“But—!” The child’s little red eyes darted around the room as though to find the excuse he needed to keep his father there and the light turned on. “But you haven’t had a story yet!”

“I haven’t had a story?” Crepus couldn’t bite back the smile anymore. “And who is to read me MY bedtime story? Surely not Adelinde or Elzer.”

“We are!” Diluc proclaimed loudly, dragging the other boy into his shenanigans. 

The little blunette’s free eye popped open, from under the duvet he was snuggled under. A surprised squeak given. 

“Oh you two, eh?” Crepus gently nudged the smaller child with his shoulder in a loving way and causing the timid boy to poke his head out from the covers. 

“Well, I can if Kaeya doesn’t want to,” ,Diluc grinned in triumph. Knowing he’d won himself a few extra minutes. 

Kaeya didn’t deny that so the redheaded child continued. 

 “Well this is a story about me and my best friend! Can you guess who that is?” Diluc kicked his legs back behind him excitedly.  Waiting expectantly for an answer. 

“Your pet turtle?” Kaeya’s soft guess came. An uncertain thing forced out of him by Diluc’s bright-eyed stare. 

Crepus shifted his arm closer the younger, correcting his answer. “Kaeya?” 

“Of course it’s Kaeya. Silly!” Diluc rolled his eyes and grinned. “Sir Lance is cool but Kaeya is my best friend now!”

Kaeya squeaked again. His eye shining brightly under the safety of the cover. Crepus wrapped his arm around him. Squeezing him. 

“Alright. I’ve got to know,” he smiled. “So what is this story about my two favorite boys?” 

Diluc earned his extra minutes before bed that night. In more ways than one in Crepus’ mind and Kaeya’s smile. 

[noname-404s-blog]

.☹️

[bruhduck]

Me before reading Captive Prince: "It's just a spicy enemies to lovers story with some political stuff set in an imaginary world, and these two guys will fall in love even if at the beginning they hated each other because they're the princes of two enemiy nations. Let's try" 🤷🏻‍♀️

Me while reading Captive Prince: "Oh, so... Political stuff is the main plot? Ok."

*Tries to figure out what is happening*

*Reads the same pages multiple times in order to understand what is going on in Laurent's and the regent's minds*

*gasps at every single plot twist*

"Tomorrow I have to wake up early and it's already 1 AM... ONE MORE CHAPTER*

Me after reading Captive Prince: *Stares at the closed book for 5 minutes thinking about what is just happened*

*Shocked because I've underrated CP and I didn't expect a series like this*

"I'm sorry for hated you during the whole first book, Laurent, I'M SORRY" 😭

[swan2swan]

And THIS is where I went from "watching the movie" to "savoring the movie".

[turtledotjpeg]

girls who go 🧍

[getupthestairs]

hello hellooo are you aware of the long long string of emails from patrick bateman to his therapist released to promote american psycho (2000). because you should be! and you should read them, they are fantastic!

[hedwig221b]

I'm smiling so hard at my current (and only) wip, it's so delicious so good I'm obsessed with it 💗 it's everything I want and need from an abo fic, it's unashamedly self-indulgent and just ahhhhh

I think it will beat Predators for me as the best fic I've written. Also it's gonna be the longest one. I know for sure some of you (you know who you are) are gonna be obsessed with this fic just like I am currently bc we share a brain

I'm so excited for you kittens to read it 💗 I'm smiling again agdjdjsllqhskeeieowjsqljswlwl

EDIT:: IT'S HERE!

[genericpuff]

my unabridged thoughts on 278-279:

[voidrym]

If you're a bard and talk to the bard above the jewelry store about the new types of strings he's trying make (narrator implies you talk for a very long time) Astarion's approval goes up. He truly is the bad bitch Tav pulled by being autistic

[stellaluna33]

One thing I really love about the earlier seasons of Gilmore Girls is how unpolished and real everyone was allowed to look, even including the main characters. The clothes were ordinary and seemed to be chosen for personality instead of "hotness," Lorelai made weird makeup choices sometimes and Rory had days when her hair was a little frizzy and flyaway... The dress Lorelai "made" Rory for the dance REALLY looked like a homemade dress from cheap polyester satin and a wrinkle in the collar that never seems to lie completely flat... They felt like REAL people!

But the later seasons just don't feel the same. I'm happy for the show and their budget that they got clothing sponsorships, and the clothes are pretty to look at, but Lorelai and Rory look perpetually glossy and glamorous in a way that seems out-of-step with their personalities, income level, and situations (just like every other show!) and I MISS IT! I miss the messiness! College Rory should get to lounge around in her pajamas more, or just... SOMETHING! It just doesn't feel the same!

[thefandomenchantress]

So everyone's talking about the new episode right now. Understandably so, since it had so much new evidence! In fact, I'm going to talk about it as well. However, instead of focusing on the bombshells David dropped or Levi's secret, I'm going to do what I do best: Focus on Ace and ignore literally everything else. /hj

(Spoilers for Chapter 2, Episode 12!)

All joking aside, I'm sure you're wondering what the hell I'm talking about. Ace literally said, like, five lines of dialogue this episode. And yeah, you're right. Actually, that sort of ties into what I'm talking about.

Okay, time to explain. The thing I want to talk about is this: Ace is weirdly...Not as confrontational as usual this episode? Let me show what I mean through examples.

What's so special about this moment? Well, strangely enough, it's what comes after it.

Now, when I first watched the episode I laughed and thought, "Oh, someone insulted Ace, now Ace is going to be angry" and then they never cut back to him being angry. They just said that (admittedly very funny) line and moved on.

And after it happened, I didn't think too much of it. I was far too consumed by the episode's greatness to care too much, and Ace's reaction wasn't necessary for the scene anyway.

These two lines aren't as strong for what I'm trying to say, so I'll lump them together.

But I thought it was worth mentioning that in the first photo, Ace joins in with Nico and Levi on saying Arturo should've been better at his job. But after Arturo scolds the three of them, as well as everyone else by extension, it only cuts back to Nico and Levi. Which is fine, it can be assumed that since Ace's comment was a late addition, shorter, and didn't have too much substance, him not getting a reaction makes sense (I mean he's not the one who got called a whore like Jesus Christ Arturo--).

In the second photo, Hu tells Ace to stop blaming Nico because they have an airtight alibi, and Ace...Just shuts up. Nico complains about being interrupted and they move on to other people's alibis (or more like the lack thereof). Which sorta makes sense, Ace can't really refute her point because he can't prove she didn't have breakfast with Nico. Then again, he could've made a point to say no one can prove they did have breakfast together, since they were in private, but still. Maybe Ace is too scared to seriously argue with Hu after that slap, haha.

It's this last example that actually made me notice that there may be anything resembling a pattern here:

During this part of the episode, I was immediately reminded of J's line about Ace being incapable of being quiet and expected Ace to refute her point. After all, it's basically the same as refuting her earlier point. He just has to say that he's not always spontaneously combusting every 5 seconds like she thinks again. He's not a grenade launcher in a glass house. More like a small batch of fireworks, thank you very much.

But Ace doesn't say anything. This is only made more obvious by Charles immediately cutting off the conversation there.

And this moment made me think something. Keep in mind I could be totally overthinking this an unnecessary amount, but that's what most of theories end up being anyway.

Since the conversation is immediately ended by Charles, DRDTdev could've ended J and Ace's interaction off with Ace trying to insult her back, maybe him going "Listen here, you--" before Charles cuts them off because they have a trial they need to finish. But DRDTdev decided to not make Ace have any reaction whatsoever to this insult, at least not one the audience can see. And based on how loud and opinionated Ace is, I'm guessing that if the comment did make him have an extreme reaction, we definitely would have heard him say as much. But we don't.

I think what makes all this so weird to me is that whenever someone is condescending to Ace, usually he's very upset and it shows. In trial 1, we see him be one of the few to cave pretty quick to the idea that they were wrong and that Teruko isn't the culprit. Yet when Whit says Charles isn't the culprit, Ace suddenly feels very strongly about it, because Whit actively talked down to him about it, (I think Whit said something like "use your big boy words" but I'm too lazy to rewatch the whole trial to find it) and now Ace doesn't want to agree with him (Or at least that was how I interpreted it, he's so petty I love him). So you'd think he'd be more resistant against those who kept making comments about his intelligence or demeanor, but so far, he hasn't.

That could mean two things. One, he's the culprit and is trying to at least vaguely avoid unnecessary confrontation and bringing attention to himself. But honestly, I doubt even that would stop Ace from impulsively insulting people back.

The second option is this:

My first thought and explanation in my head for this connects to Ace's overall arc. Let's recall Ace's secret quote:

"I don't know what to do with myself anymore"

This line gives off a sense of hopelessness. Like Ace has completely given up on everything.

And for some reason, a couple of the moments above made me feel, at least slightly, the same thing. If Charles says Ace is so stupid he's never seen anyone more stupid ever before in his life and didn't think it scientifically possible for anyone to be that stupid? Ace has no response. If J says another line about Ace's explosive demeanor? Ace has no response.

I don't know, something about Ace just not bothering to refute them makes me feel that something is off. He complains that everyone sees him as an idiot and how he hates it earlier in the chapter. He seems so distressed as he does it, it's a full-on break down.

And yet, when people do exactly what he was talking about here, he can no longer muster up a response. It's like he's given up on changing their minds. He knows they think he's stupid, and impulsive, and intolerable, and he thinks there's nothing he can do about it anymore. Blowing up at them will only make them think they're right. So he's given up on doing anything at all.

I suppose my line of reasoning is that maybe small details like this will pile up over time, as Ace, unnoticeably at first, loses some of his fire bit by bit, until inside he's just...Empty. He doesn't know what to do. He's so tired, and he doesn't know anything that can help or distract him from his situation. And seeing as the secret quotes seem to embody a character's mindset at death...That seems to be the place Ace might die at. Perhaps even at his own hands, who knows.

Is that an overreaction on my part? Possibly. Am I overanalyzing microscopic details? Yes. But that's my job.

So anyways I really enjoyed this episode and Ace was great too! Yippee for the return of DRDT, and my Eden culprit idea not being completely debunked yet!