#Susan writes stuff

[littlespacereader]

Omg yes!! Cg fantastic four!! They all have such a good vibe, I love their comics. They are such a great family!!

To say I’m a huge Fantastic Four fan would be an understatement. I’ve love their “found family” dynamic since the early 2000’s films. But there’s something about this new movie with the 60’s aesthetic and the casting that just makes my little side scream. I watched the trailer and was like “These are my new fictional caregivers, add them to the list.” Plus make Ben the fun Uncle and Johnny an older brother little and you have a recipe for a great fic! Please enjoy!!!

Dinner at 7 o’clock 💙🤍

Caregiver! Reed Richards & Susan Storm, Older brother Little! Johnny Storm and GN Little! Reader (SFW)

Tags- little in trouble with cgs, don’t worry their softies, hugs and cuddles, forehead kisses, sippy cups, stuffies

“We make it a point to do family dinner every week. Sunday at 7, on the dot, no matter what.”

I run off the bus and towards the Baxter building, one hand clutching my stuffed animal, the other holding onto my backpack strap.

Another glance to my watch sends my heart sinking. 7:30pm. I’m thirty minutes late! I try to hold back the tears inside of me. It’s okay, just thirty minutes. Maybe I could make you really good excuse? Maybe they would buy it?

Who am I kidding? Papa would see right through it. He’s super smart. Maybe Mama would have pity on me?

I run up the front steps of the Baxter building and right into the lobby. There Herbie the robot is waiting for me. “There you are Y/N, Mister Richards and Miss Storm have been worried about you.”

“Are they mad?” I ask, walking with the robot to the elevators.

“No, they are disappointed you missed dinner but they have been mostly worried.”

I missed dinner?!?!

It’s as if the world was crashing around me. I try to catch my racing heart, guilt filling me. “Okay…okay I’m heading up to see them.”

“Good idea. I will be waiting here for Johnny’s arrival.”

The elevator arrives and I quickly run in. I press the button to the top floor and wait. My heart and body fill with anxiety as we go floor by floor.

My thoughts go from Herbie who probably announced my arrival up stairs already to Johnny…the whole reason I’m in this mess.

My older brother Little was supposed to stick with me at the fair today….but he left me and said we’d meet up at the bus at 5. I waited an hour, two hours. I looked for him but I couldn’t wait any longer

I knew he just forgot. It isn’t the first time, certainly won’t be the last…But now, I had to cover for him while also trying to get myself out of trouble.

The elevator dings, pulling me from my thoughts as the doors open.

I step out and cautiously walk out and into our shared apartment floor. It’s quiet, too quiet. I walk into the kitchen to find the table cleaned from dinner. I sigh to myself, gripping my stuffed animal a little tighter.

“You’re late.” Papa’s stern voice breaks the silence causing me to jump.

“Papa-.” I turn to look at his and Mama’s disappointed expressions.

“What do I always say? We have dinner every Sunday at 7 together as a family. And neither you nor Johnny was here for it. Can you tell me why that was?” He crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow to me.

I look between the two, “I was at the fair today…”

“And?” Mama encouraged me to go on.

“And I had fun. I won this Teddy! See?” I hold it up.

“It’s a lovely Teddy but it still doesn’t explain why you’re late.” Mama’s gentle voice reminds me.

“Yeah…so I…” I try to think of a good enough lie, “I…I lost track of time…and my bus driver was super slow so I got here after dinner.” I quickly rush to say.

The two Caregivers share a look that communicates everything without saying a word.

“Un huh…and you went to the fair, regressed, by yourself?” Papa asks.

“No! I was with Johnny. I told Mama before I left.” I say without realizing…damnit….

“Johnny kept an eye on you all day?” Mama asks.

“Yeah! We had fun.”

“So where is he?”

“He’s…you know him…he’s…”

“I’m right here.” Johnny strides into the kitchen with Herbie behind, “Someone didn’t hold the elevator for me while I was talking to Herbie downstairs.” He pats my back before going to the fridge. “Please tell me Uncle Ben saved some pasta for us.”

“You’re lucky he loves you kids.” Papa replies, clearly not done with the conversation. “Sit at the table. We’ll warm dinner up for you.”

And so while Papa and Mama went into the kitchen to talk a game plan of how they were going to get the truth out of us, Johnny and I say across from each other at the table, whisper arguing.

“WHERE WERE YOU?!?” I whisper yelled to him.

“I got caught up…”

“Caught up?! Seriously?! I was waiting there for two hours!!”

“Come on, it wasn’t that long…”

“It was!! I knew I should’ve taken Uncle Ben instead.” I sit back and cross my arms.

“Look, I’m sorry okay. I lost track of time myself. I was on that spinning top ride over and over again. And when my head stopped spinning I realized what time it was I rushed over but you had left.”

“Johnny, I don’t like getting in trouble with Papa and Mama.”

He scoffs, “Come on, they’re softies.”

“You’re older so you’re not as afraid. I don’t like it…all this lying and make believe and getting in trouble and-.”

Mama sets a plate of pasta in front of me cutting my conversation off. I blush looking up to her before casting my eyes to the ground. “Thank you.” I say softly.

She smiles and kisses my forehead. “You’re welcome my polite little one.” She says, putting Johnny’s bowl down next infront of him. “I just gotta grab our drinks and then we’ll all sit together.”

The moment she’s out of earshot Johnny looks to me, “You better not crack under their pressure.”

“I can’t do this.” I whine, “I don’t like them to be mad at me!!”

“They’re going to put the pressure on you because they know you’re an easy target. They butter you up and you crack on your own.”

“Because I feel guilt to lie to them?! I can’t. When they come over and they’re so nice to me and I’m lying to them, it eats at me…”

“Yeah but if you tell them the truth I’m in trouble.”

“You should be!”

“He should be what?” Papa appears out of no where, putting a sippy cup of juice in front of me.

“He should be…happy…that Uncle Ben saved us all this food.” I lie, blushing under his gaze.

“You both should be. Uncle Ben was very kind enough to make sure there was enough leftovers so you could eat.”

“Where is Uncle Ben?” Johnny ask, taking his plastic cup from Mama before she sat down at one end of the table, Papa sitting at the other.

“He should be around here.” Papa looks around.

“Would you like your Teddy have a chair?” Mama asks me so nicely. It makes the guilt inside of me swirl. I nod my head yes.

Mama smiles warmly, standing. She walks into Johnny and I’s playroom and grabs a small play chair. She brings it to my side, putting my newly won fair teddy in it.

Turmoil swirls inside me. I look back up to her as she takes her seat again. I can’t take it…I can’t take lying to her when she’s being so nice to me and Teddy.

“M-Mama…” I say a bit strain, “We-.”

“Had some much fun at the fair today.” Johnny interrupts.

“Really?” Mama smiles, “What did you guys do together?”

“Everything.” Johnny says vaguely. “Rides, carnival games…”

“Did you win this Teddy all by yourself sweetheart?” Papa asks me.

“I did! Second try and I won.”

“Wow!” He looks so genuinely impressed, “Im so proud of you.”

And all at once my heart sank again. Tears start to form in my eyes as I look at Papa. “I…I CAN’T DO THIS…” I start to cry.

I can hear Johnny sigh and put his fork down, mumbling “for the love of…”

“I wasn’t late because I didn’t realize what time it was! I knew I was going to be late but it was because Johnny left me to go do something else in the fair. I know you told him to keep an eye on me but I wanted to go back to the carnival games and he wanted to go back to the rides-.”

“Y/N, stooooooppppppp.” Johnny whines.

“So we split and promised to meet by the busses at 5 but I kept waiting and he never showed up so I went looking for him but I couldn’t find him so I home without him and was still late.” I cry, trying to explain.

“And I kept lying to cover for him because I didn’t want him to get in trouble but I don’t wanna lie to you Papa, or Mama. I…I…I’m sorry!!” I cry and explain through breaths before crumbling into tears.

“Awwwww sweetheart,” Papa pushes his chair back and pulls me to sit in his lap, holding me into a hug. “It’s okay, let it out.” He rubs my back, holding me close as I sob into his shirt.

“Johnny, you left them alone? Johnny I put you in charge because you said felt big enough for the responsibility.” Mama starts to scold.

“I did! I really did! But they’re just lying!” Johnny whines.

“They wouldn’t be upset if they were lying.” She raises an eyebrow to his defense.

“You don’t know that, maybe they’re a really good liar.”

“Johnny I know you’re not telling the truth and Y/N is.” Papa scolds.

“No you don’t!” Johnny adds, crosses his arms pouting.

“Really? Because while you and Y/N were arguing at the table, Mama and I reviewed Herbie’s footage which shows Y/N running in from the bus into the building and you flying to the building.”

Johnny freezes, rubbing his arm and looking down. “Oh…well that…”

“That, lines up better with the truth than your fake story,” Papa sighs, “I’m disappointed in both of you. I don’t expect you two to be liars.”

Now we both look upset. Johnny tries desperately to hide his tears while I hold Papa as my tears continue to fall.

“Come on Reed, let’s the kids off the hook,” Ben walks into the kitchen. “So they lied, not the end of the world.”

“Ben!” Johnny jumps from the table and hugs him, hiding away against him.

“Awww. Come on, what could the kid have possibly done?” He ask rubbing Johnny’s back to soothe him.

“Ben…” Mama shoots him a look that reads: stay out of it.

Ben gets the message quickly, “Alright, alright.” He holds a hand up in surrender.

“Johnny,” Mama starts to say, “can you look at me sweetie?”

Johnny reluctantly pulls himself away from Ben to look to her. His eyes red with tears.

“I’m not happy with that happened today. We left you in charge of Y/N and you left them alone. They’re younger than you. They could’ve gotten hurt while you were gone or lost. I know you wouldn’t want that to happen.” Johnny shakes his head no her.

“And Y/N,” she turns and looks to them still sitting in Papa’s lap. “I know you just wanted to protect Johnny, but lying isn’t the answer. If he does something wrong, you can’t always cover for him. Understand?”

I nod looking down again.

“I’m sorry…” Johnny breaks the silence saying.

“Me too…” I adds.

“We accept your apologies.” Mama opens her arms and Johnny happily accepts, sitting with her similar to how I’m sitting with Papa.

Speaking of him, “No more trips just the two of you. From now on if you want to go to the park or the fair, you have to take Mama or myself.”

“Or your crazy fun Uncle,” Ben jokes taking a seat at the table. “I’ll happily take you were ever you need to.”

“You’re not helping Ben.” Mama chuckles.

“What? I can’t stay mad at these rascals too long.” He teases.

“Neither can we,” Papa leans down places a kiss to my forehead.

After dinner it’s movie night with comfort and cuddles. We all gather in the living room and cuddle on the couch. Uncle Ben gets the lounger while Papa sits on one end and Mama on the other.

Johnny and I can’t sit still. I sit with Papa at the beginning of the film, then switch to cuddling with Mama where I fall asleep for the night. Johnny follows suit sitting cuddled to Mama, then Papa then falls asleep beside Uncle Ben.

Then all at once everything is calm again in the Baxter Building, having a Fantastic end to the day.

[doomdoomofdoom]

suzanne collins really just shows up every few years to drop an even more obvious allegory to current day politics huh

[homebody-nobody]

funny how true colors shine (in darkness and in secrecy)

Carrera and Maybank are her best agents. They’re both smart, creative, and driven. Carrera is clever and quick-thinking, and an excellent executor, and there’s no one quite like Maybank with a gun. Peterkin taps her pen on her desk, waiting for one of them to break. They will, of course. Peterkin is betting on Maybank. He’s twitching. He’s twitchy. But then, the muscle in Carrera’s jaw is doing an awful lot of jumping, too. “I’m not doing it with him.” “Literally anyone else.” -- Kie and JJ are fake married for undercover purposes, and hilarity (and also feelings) ensue.

read on ao3

(Happy Birthday, Belle!!)

[timesleatherjacket]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Doctor Who (1963), Doctor Who, Doctor Who & Related Fandoms, His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman, His Dark Materials (TV) Rating: General Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Characters: First Doctor (Doctor Who), Ian Chesterton, Susan Foreman Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Daemons, Drabbles, Alien Cultural Differences, Daemon Settling (His Dark Materials), Time Lord Biology (Doctor Who), Inside the TARDIS (Doctor Who), Hehe always a fan of naming daemons, Their naming conventions can be really intriguing, Daemons Series: Part 1 of Daemon Days Summary:

Daemons are a constant; as their person ages, they fit themselves into one form. So why shouldn't it be the same for Time Lords?

[wonderofasunrise]

First 10 Lines Challenge

Thanks for tagging me @pc-corner!

Rule: Share the first lines of the last 10 stories you wrote.

It is only around 0500 hours in the morning, yet B'Elanna feels the most energised she has ever felt in weeks.

When the Daylight Takes Us - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (G)

Susan is shuffling through several pieces of paper in her hand, sighing as she takes in the sight of yet another document to read through.

Long Time No See - ER x Body of Proof crossover, Kerry/Susan (G)

There is no denying that it is an unfamiliar sensation, but she is sure that it is by no means an unwelcome one.

When Moonlight Meets Sunrise - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (T)

"Is he asleep?" Kerry asks Courtney as the latter closes the door of Henry's bedroom behind her.

Miles Away - ER, Kerry/Courtney (G)

The heavy snow is exactly what one would expect from Chicago in December, but it does not stop Abby from stepping outside anyway.

Since We've No Place to Go - ER, Abby & Kerry/Susan (G)

It still does not hurt.

If All That Dies Will Live Again - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (T)

reH bang larghlu’.  A loved one is always smelled.

Se han besado tu vida y mi vida - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (T)

As much as Seven is aware that everything around her right now is a holographic simulation, she cannot deny that the feeling of the warm sun against her skin is rather pleasant.

The Warmest Colour - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (G)

“There,” B’Elanna points at a corner of her quarters, where a box-shaped device lies not far from her couch and coffee table. “What do you think?”

When the Night Turns Over - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna & Seven (T)

“Let me get this straight,” B’Elanna says as she scans her tricorder along Seven’s left hand. “You were trying to fix your alcove yourself, only to get electrocuted?”

No Matter What Gets Damaged - Star Trek: Voyager, B'Elanna/Seven (T)

Tagging @thebiwifeonao3 @sapphicsandscience @cloudsnbones @almostpleasantrebel @everybodyknows-everybodydies and anyone who wants to do it!

[fruitsyrups]

Random yes but thank u for making that frusan art awhile ago it's adorable and i love seeing more art of this underappreciated ship :D!!!

ahhh thank you!!! frusan is so underrated FOR REAL, i guess it's probably because after Islands they all but disappeared (like i think they were only shown twice after that and that's including in Fionna & Cake (which i actually missed when i watched it bc its such a brief glimpse)) but like. still. I actually have a little idea for another frusan drawing (frieda and susan talking on a roof grown-up edition) but I have to break up the dialogue into parts & think of more Susan Reactions so it's not just Frieda monologuing at her lol

[l393ndjean]

Here! Have a snippet of my madwheeler stepsiblings wip!

This fic is set within the MMWtBiO universe, a modern version of Hawkins. MMWtBiO is a fic and Comic, which can be found on my other blog: @byler-makemewanttobelieveitsokay

[keeps-ache]

drink on the bed to my left. we know where this is going, but

[deathxproof-archive]

My priorities are straight(gay) and I’m about to drop off my vampire boyfriend a Little Treat and walk home. Like this or Message me or otherwise Act Up if you wanna do something with my girl Susan Foreman <3333

[magiefish]

I really hope Doctor Who stops going some time before the 22nd Century, because if it makes it that far and keeps doing the whole ‘contemporary companions’ thing they’re going to have a mindfucking world of trouble explaining all the Dalek Invasion stuff.

[deathxproof]

In a twist of events I’ll have to dig through my personal blog to put my Rory!Master posts here also, speaking of. More than I already have I suppose. Who would have guessed that writing a whole character study on the bastard would reignite obsession, wow.

[tainkirrahe]

so Ruby Sunday was likely meant to be Desiderium before behind the scenes stuff made the show go to all hell.

This is an expansion of the theory I posted on Bluesky (kicked off by this Reddit thread), and maybe I am just copin' and seethin' but. like. even Charles Dickens would think this is all too much of a coincidence to not be Something.

Here's how I think it probably went down before Millie and Ncuti decided to leave early: The Rani kidnaps the God of Wishes and places her with a normal foster family, moving in next door to keep tabs on her, and when the time comes engineers things for the Doctor to take an interest in her (Church on Ruby Road). Ruby's DNA scans as human because she was born to human parents, but cannot be traced in the UK because she was born 180 years ago in Bavaria. And also her mum is flowers.

In Space Babies Fifteen wishes he and Ruby could be Poppy's parents within earshot of the God of Wishes, who unintentionally makes this true when Wish World opens with Ruby and John Smith having Poppy as their kid. Series 1 then plays out much as it had done before, with Ruby's ability to recognise something is wrong with the Doctorless universe in 73 Yards and Maestro's fear of her hidden song because she's a powerful member of the Pantheon. I think the rewrites only began with the ending of Empire of Death - in the original cut, it turns out even the fash DNA supercomputer doesn't know who she is and we're left on a cliffhanger with regards to this.

Ruby decides to take time out of the TARDIS after seeing the whole universe end and whilst Fifteen is off having adventures in Joy to the World she briefly dates Alan Budd before dumping him due to his controlling behaviour during a date where he gifts her a star certificate. She rejoins Fifteen after she is kidnapped by robots from Missrubysunday (with Ruby replacing Belinda this season the star certificate thing is centred on her) and he rescues her, with the time fracture in that episode reversing the events of the episode but leaving Alan's memory intact. He's dumped back on Earth where he becomes determined to ruin Ruby's life and so Lucky Day is about Alan, not Conrad, attacking UNIT/Ruby. At the end of the episode Alan is picked up by an ecstatic Rani who now has the God of Wishes and her ex boyfriend who has a serious grudge against her and wants to change the world for the worst.

Season two remains pretty much the same as well. We then hit the finale which also plays out the same initially - sorry guys I think Omega was always going to be a skeleton baby :( - but with Ruby ending the fake reality by breaking into where Alan is holding her as a baby and touching her baby self's hand, just like the resolution with the certificate in Robot Revolution. The universe resets but Ruby notices Poppy is missing, able to remember her because a) she was the one who cast the wish; b) her experience with parallel universes (73 Yards); and c) her characterisation as an "abandoned" baby who wants everyone to have a home. She uses her powers one final time to bring Poppy back and decides to leave the TARDIS for good and raise her new daughter.

The episode ends with Ruby donning the Rani's cloak and leaving her baby self outside the church on Ruby Road to ensure the timeloop is maintained, changing Fifteen's memory by pointing at the Doctor just as we saw in Empire in order to keep that mystery intact as well.

Fifteen, touched by Ruby's decision, flies off in the TARDIS determined to find Susan. and also rescue Rogue from Superb Hell I guess #justiceforrogue

The end.

(To be clear I adore Belinda, the above was not written to write her out of the show - I think she deserved better in her own story, when clearly she was simply recycled from story beats taken from Ruby).

Some supporting evidence -

• Desiderium is the seventh child of a seventh child. Ruby Sunday's name alludes to both: rubies are the birthstone of July, the seventh month, and Sunday is the seventh day of the week.

• the Goblins in Church on Ruby Road fed on coincidences. Desiderium was born to the Zufall family. Zufall in German means "coincidence".

• The Rani talks about having to keep track of the Doctor's companions to make her plan to summon Omega work, but only actually references Ruby by making a slight about blonde girls. Belinda also has absolutely no impact on The Rani's plan whatsoever, to the extent she was locked in a box for the whole finale, so The Rani's interest in her feels utterly pointless. (Because it was).

• Strong themes of motherhood, childhood abandonment, and adoption paralleling what happened with the Doctor as per Timeless Child revelations throughout the series that make absolutely no sense for Belinda, who came from a home with both parents present. Ruby was always meant to complement Fifteen's recent discovery of his adopted status and help him work through it as he helped her work through hers.

• Space Babies also literally opens the show on a spaceship misinterpreting stories and making them real.

• The odd duplication of fashy boys Conrad and Alan - it makes more narrative sense if they were both once the same character who got sawed in half during hasty rewrites.

• Ruby's name being tied to sevens is similar to River Song, Melody Pond, and Amy Pond being related to water, hinting at their connection.

maybe I am wrong, maybe the show was always meant to be written this way but like. theorising. is also fun!

[rivalswrites]

Valentine's special 2/4

Before you read, please be warned that I'm writing based on my impressions of them not only in the game (though it's the biggest inspiration), but some of them with the movies/shows in mind too.

Summery: giving everyone on the Marvel Rivals roster a kiss (with plot!!)

Valentine's Masterlist

Underage characters and animal characters will be platonic (there will be a reminder for each one)

Characters included: Bruce/Hulk, Invisible Woman, Iron fist, Jeff the Shark, Loki, Luna Snow, Magik, Magneto, Mantis

“You are just the cutest thing ever” Bruce said, holding your head in his hands while sitting on the couch. He had you sitting in-between his legs, which were laying all across said couch, enjoying the warmth of your body laying on top of his.

Usually he wouldn't be so affectionate, worried about… other variables of his, but tonight was different. Tonight Bruce was tired, and all he wanted to do was be with you- even if it meant he'd probably fall asleep on the couch and get back pain in the morning.

“And you're so handsome” you said back, smiling up at him. Your arms were around his waist and you cuddled on top of him. “All of you” was added after.

Bruce let out an amused ‘hmf’ and you could see a soft blush on his cheeks if you squint hard enough. “All of me? Even the big green pea?” That got a laugh out of you.

“Yeah, even the hulk” you mutter out as a reply, laying your head on his chest and humming in content. His hands moved from your face to your back, drawing patterns, and probably equations too, on your back lightly.

Silence reigned over the living room, it would almost be deafening if it weren't for Bruce’s heart beating into your ear where it laid. “Love all of it” was let out in barely a whisper. His hands stopped tracing their patterns, instead grabbing onto your shirt in fistfulls, “can't say stuff like that” he murmured, laying his head back to barely touch the arm of the couch.

“But it's true.” Your elbows pushed you up to try and see his face, “I do love all of you, I don't care if it's you or Hulk.”

When his head came back up to a regular position, his entire face was flushed. “Don't just go saying things like that,” his eyes closed and his face looked so adorable when he was flustered like this “gonna get a heart attack.”

“You of all people know that's not how you get a heart attack.” You whispered while leaning up to meet his face.

He was surprised by the kiss, but not unwelcoming of it. His arms tightened their hold and his fists scrunched up your shirt, trying to pull you closer as he pushed against the kiss to deepen it.

The two of you laid in bed giggling together, it was still early morning but you bother were definitely supposed to be up and running for the day by now. Instead of being responsible adults the two of you stayed under the sheets and made jokes to each other, the early morning fog making everything a tad more funnier than it should be.

“You're ridiculous” Susan said, her head resting on your chest while holding in her laughter horribly. “I'm serious! He really did say that.” You replied, an arm waving in the air as the other one sat entangled with her hair.

After you said that she laughed some more, moving her head back to let it all out. God she was gorgeous like this, in the lighting that perfectly framed everything.

You laughed along too, but eventually it died down to deep breaths to catch both your breaths. Holding each other in a tender embrace, you let out a deep yawn. “Guess we should get up and be productive people, hm?” You said and pulled her closer.

“Yeah, maybe” she replied, pulling you just as close.

Neither of you had any intention of letting go to get up, but you both knew it had to happen eventually. Susan deeply sighed before pulling her arm out from under you and perching herself up. “There's only one way to start the day perfectly.” She said, smiling at you.

“And what's that, my love?” You asked, your hand in her hair moving to push it out of her face. “This” she said before lounging at you.

She practically tackled you with all her force, laying on top of you as she smothered your face in kisses. “Susan!” You said with a shout, laughing and grabbing onto her waist as she continued her attack. She pulled back and smirked, “what, can't handle it?” she said with a giggle. “Oh, I can handle it, can you?” You said before grabbing her face with both your hands and pulling her back in for a passionate kiss.

Lin was met with a bunch of flower in his face the moment he opened his bedroom door, eyes going from them to you multiple times as he processed what was happening.

You had a big smile on your face, holding up the single flower for him. After taking a moment, he smiled back and took the flower from your hand and examined it on his own. “What's this?” He asked, looking up at you with pure curiosity. “A flower” you replied with a proud tone.

“Well obviously, what's it for?” His tone was playful, not at all taken back by the dumb response you had given him. “For you!” Again you gave a vague reply.

He was used to your vague replies, and even found them funny, but his curiosity begged for a real answer- so he pressured more questions. “Where'd you get it?” “Nature” “did it cost anything?” “I paid with my love for you” “why today?” “Why not?” It went on and on, like a game of cat and mouse, except he had no way of winning this one.

There was only one thing to do, pull out the big guns.

“I'll give you a kiss if you actually tell me.” In an instant he saw your eyes light up, immediately making eye contact with him as you spoke.

“I found it in someone's front lawn on my way here, I thought it was cute and wanted you to have it.” Straight forward, “I believe you owe me a reward for being so honest.” and humble.

He laughed, looking back down at the flower, “I do, don't I?” Lin pulled you in by the waist and dipped his head down, capturing you in a soft kiss full of love- as they always were with him. When he pulled back he observed your star struck face with a smile. “Thank you for the flower, baby. But maybe don't go stealing from random neighborhoods next time.”

(Platonic)

The little shark had wanted to play outside, and as the self-designated caretaker of the little guy you were the one to take him outside. You sat on the porch stairs and watched as he ran around chasing everything- literally. His tail? Chased. That butterfly? Chased. The wind? Chased.

Jeff never ceased to amaze you on how much curiosity one creature could have- he was adorable.

You had spent maybe an hour outside by now, resting your head on your palm and watching Jeff explore a yard he's seen a million times before. By now you were getting hungry, and you sure Jeff was a little too, so you started thinking of lunch. Sandwiches sounded good, and they were simple to make, quick and easy so the little guy didn't have to wait.

Jeff easily noticed when you stood up, stopping his playtime and trotting over to you to see what was up. His face looked up at you with what you thought was a cute smile and big beady eyes. “Ah, Jeff you're so cute” you praised, crouching down to scratch the underside of his chin. He enjoyed this, letting out a cute noise and letting his tail wag. “How's about some lunch? You hungry?” The question easily peaked his interest, turning in circles to show it.

He easily followed you inside, even pushing the door closed after- something he had learned himself somehow, thank goodness he doesn't know how to open doors… right?

The kitchen was empty and made it easy for you to take your time and whatever you wanted from the fridge or cabinets. You settled on some sort of meat you found in the fridge (ham? Maybe turkey?) since it looked fine and passed your smell test- Jeff's too, but he ate anything so smell didn't really matter.

After making the sandwiches, five in total, you sat on the floor and pushed the plate with four of them towards Jeff, taking one for yourself to have. “Enjoy little buddy” you said as you watched the little shark absolutely devour them, taking the late with them. Glad you used a paper plate.

While you were eating yours Jeff came up and laid on your legs, pushing up against your hand that sat on your thigh. Deciding you could always make more, you tossed the rest of your sandwich- which was less than half- and watched as he scrambled to catch it. “You're adorable.” You muttered as he came back to you with a large smile that showed off all his teeth.

He let out the most adorable sound as he jumped onto your lap and licked your face, leaving an uncomfortable trail of shark saliva. “Thanks buddy” you said, using the bottom of your shirt to wipe off what you could.

Honestly it shouldn't be a surprise to you, coming home to find him bathing in rose petals and bubbles. He was a man who liked to be pampered, by others or herself didn't really matter.

“Be a dear and wash my hair for me, hm?” He slurred out, using a charming smile to coerce you into following his question- though he really didn't need to, you would've done it if he had ordered you too. Kneeling down you roll up your sleeves and grab the cup sitting on the edge.

Loki closed her eyes and sighed in bliss as the water washed over his head, relaxing into the water even more when your hands started to brush through his hair. “So good to me” he muttered.

“I try” you replied, rubbing the luxurious shampoo onto his scalp and down her long hair. Your fingers scratched at her scalp and that definitely got a satisfied reaction from her- seeing as he kept leaning his head into your hands, you happily obliged and applied more pressure onto her head. The deep exhale of his breath was a show of satisfaction.

It continued on like this, a cycle of singing his hair and applying hair products of all kinds- he insisted you used them all, to make sure her hair glowed. She still wanted to lay in the water, after you were done, so you started to stand up to give her space and alone time. Her hand rushed up and grabbed yours, water splashing out of the tub at how quick he was “stay,” her tone was demanding, but also quiet, “please.”

It was rare for him to ask such things of you, so you did. You took a towel and set it in the ground before sitting on it, your arm leaning on the tub. Quickly she took the opportunity to lay her head on your arm, a hand of his coming up to rest on your wrist- her pinky was outstretched to interlock with yours.

The both of you sat like that in silence for what could've been 5 minutes to an hour, it didn't seem like either of you cared which one it was.

His head would readjust sometimes, until eventually it was up on your shoulder and she had to hunch over to stay comfortable.

“The water is cold” the silence was broken by his comment. Unsure of what she wanted as a reply you went with the safest option, “want me to rerun the bath for you? Make it warm again, my love?” “No” his reply was quick, hand on your wrist tightening its grip. “Alright” was your reply, a quiet one as the silence set in once more.

You looked over to her, cheek resting on his wet hair with a smile. Your hand came up to rest on their head, thumb rubbing up against their cheek in comfort. It was all he needed to raise his head and look up at you- leaning into your palm.

It was too hard to resist, you couldn't help it when she looked at you with those eyes- vulnerability showed in them, something only you were allowed to see. So even so slightly you leaned in and pressed a kiss against Loki’s own lips; enjoying how soft they've always been compared to your most likely chapped ones.

It was late at night and you were in the dining room, sitting with two bowls in front of you- even though it was just you. This had been like the fifth time you'd checked the time, but you waited patiently, you knew she was a busy person.

The front door keypad sounded and went off after the correct code was put in before the door opened and closed soon after; which still didn't stop the cold breeze of outside meeting your face briefly. You could hear her, her shiver from the outside as she took her shoes off and put them in the shoe rack, replacing them with the bunny slippers you had gotten her ages ago.

“Oh,” she mutters, leaving the entry hallway to get a peek at you “I didn't realize you'd be awake still.” Seol looked guilty, reaching up to scratch at her hair nervously.

“Wanted to wait for you, should I not have?” You asked, turning in your chair to look directly at her. “No- No!” She shouted, “I mean- I don't mind it, you staying up for me.” her corrections on her reply were quick and worried.

She comes and pulls the chair next to you out, to sit in, and faces you like you do her; your legs interlock. “I'm sorry I'm always so late.” Her hand comes up to rest on your bicep, rubbing up and down in comfort. “It's alright, I know you're busy” you muttered in reply, taking her hand on you and holding it in yours. “You could make it up, though.” That caught her interest.

“Oh? How's that, my love?” Her face cracked a smile, if she knew you- which she did- she knew where this was going.

You didn't verbally reply, simply reaching up and pointing to your lips with a smile. Seol’s smile got brighter with your movement, raising her hands to cup your face. “I can't deny you.” She said before tugging you close and bumping faces with you with a laugh. Eventually her lips met yours and her laughs turned into little giggles instead; you even let out a few of your own.

The kiss was apologetic and sweet. She was busy a lot, you knew what you signed up for.

“Why do you care so much?” She sighed, laying her head on the foot of the bed as she laid on her stomach, “it's a shirt! Just pick one, baby, not that hard.”

Illyana wasn't one for fashion, despite looking good in everything, so when you propositioned her to pick your shirt because you couldn't decide she started complaining- nicely because it was you. “C'mon Illy- I can't decide!” You said back, holding up like three different shirts “That's why I'm asking you!”

This obviously wasn't going anywhere, as it always did when you asked her to help you with your wardrobe choices. “Why don't you wear that one shirt, the one I like?” She replied, rolling onto her back and turning her neck to glare at you from upside-down.

“It's dirty, I don't want to smell bad when I go out.” You said on the bed next to her and tossed the shirts onto her legs. “Hey!” She scoffed playfully, not actually bothered by it.

“Hey” you replied, leaving down to rest your hands on her stomach as she adjusted her head to look up at you. “Why don't you just stay inside today, then you don't have to pick out a shirt.” She suggested, raising her eyebrows in a silly manner while smirking at you.

“I'm not gonna walk around shirtless all day at home, you sucker.” You grabbed into her nose and shook her head playfully. Her hands raised to meet yours, tugging it off of her and smiling up at you. Her hands brought yours back down to rest on her stomach.

Quiet washed over the two of you, leaving both to just look at each other with smiles. “You could wear one of my shirts.” She offered, cutting through the silence. Pretending to think you looked up, “You do have some nice ones…”

“Alright, one of yours it is.” You pat her stomach and she laughs. “See? Not so hard after all,” Illyana reached up and grabbed your face. “I deserve a reward for being so helpful.”

With no complaints you listened to her suggestion, leaning down and giving her a sweet kiss. Her hands tangled with your hair and tugged slightly, always having to be in control in some way.

Somehow it was a quiet evening, for everyone. You sat on the couch with Erik, holding onto his arm and practicing melding into his side. “You're so warm” you told him earlier when he questioned it, but quickly left it alone with your answer being satisfactory.

He was reading a book, something random he found in the Baxter Buildings extensive library- it was probably something science related, maybe philosophical, but you didn't pay attention or care enough.

Your head rested on his muscular shoulder, not the most comfortable pillow but a favorite. He never showed it, but he loved when you cuddled up to him, you knew imso because he'd always make space for you to do so. Willingly he would move his arm to just the right position to where your arms could easily wrap around it so you could hold him. What a sweetheart.

Erik would let it occasional hums, something he unconsciously did when he was satisfied with his environment- when you were there.

“Please, my dear, stop staring at me.” He cut through the silence, but didn't look up from his book. “I don't know what you're talking about.” You said, feigning stupidity at him obviously catching you in the act of ogling over him. “You are right, I should not assume that you were staring at me when I can very obviously feel your eyes on me” Erik replied sarcastically, putting an ear on the page he was reading so he could close the book and put it aside- finally looking at you with a light smile.

“Exactly,” you agree, playing along “assuming things never work out well.” The both of you chuckle and smile at each other, leaning in more- if that was even possible.

“You are so right, my dear, as always.” his eyes were gentle, for a man that had gone through everything he has. “I always am,” you said back, thumbing at his shoulder gently.

His hand comes up to cup your cheek, rubbing his thumb across it before running back and playing with the ends of your hair. His touch was so gentle, like you were the most precious thing in the world; because you were, to him you were.

Without another word needed between either of you, you moved to sit up more and leaned up to give him a kiss. He gladly returned it, using his hand in your hair to tug you closer, giving all of his love and attention to you.

“I can feel your love for me.” She said, thumbing at your hands that rested around her. You both laid in bed, her back to your chest as the moonlight passed through the curtains of your room. “Well I sure hope you can,” you replied, pushing her up against you more “make sure you get all of it.”

Mantis laughed at your comment, turning her head to see you and in turn show you her smile. “I certainly am.” She replied with a giggle.

You leaned your head down and nuzzled into her cheek, pushing yours against her like a cat. “Good, it's all meant just for you.” Her smile widened. Mantis pushed against the bed and turned around so she could wrap her arms around you like you were with her. The room became quiet again, besides your breathing, and you both just looked into the others eyes; full of love they were.

Leaning down you pressed a quick kiss against her nose, pulling back with a smile as blush dusted her cheeks a little. In turn she leaned up and pressed a kiss against your chin, and the game was on. The both of you took turns pressing kisses against the others face, it felt like enough time had passed to where every inch of both your faces was covered in kisses.

“I win.” You said, leaning down and capturing her lips before she could ask what you meant. She didn't complain, her hands raising to rest under your sleep shirt and pulling you closer.

When you pulled away it took a moment for the both of you to catch your breath, but she was quicker. “I didn't know this was a game, I think there needs to be a rematch.”

[simpingland]

Hi hello how are ya I'd like to request something

Can you write something with Ewan Mitchell and his co star (fem pronounce) where they're at an interview and goofing off, reader joking about getting sleep while they're putting on wigs for hours and stuff like that, maybe a little more serious talk about their characters

(Readers character is jaces twin and aemonds love interest)

Thank you!

Flirting and sleeping// Ewan Michael x fem!actress.

Summary: playing Aemond's love interest have the perks of giving you a flirty partner during promotion and a comfortable shoulder to sleep on set.

Gif not mine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The last interview of the day, after a whole week of promotion. Always the same questions, always the same answers. Keeping your outfit spotless for a whole day, with your make-up intact and hours of sleep accumulated.

"How is it possible that you are always sleepy?" Your colleague Ewan asked you when he saw you yawning.

"I'm a very reflective person, the night inspires me" you joked, and watched as he shook his head, smiling.

"These things feel like an eternity," he complained.

You were about to agree with him when the new interviewer sat down opposite. She greeted you, and Ewan, as always, was a gentleman, serious and attentive.

You, however, found it hard to pay as much attention. You glanced sideways at Ewan's every gesture, and he seemed to make a great effort to listen. After all this time you had learned to read his expression of feigned listening as well as his real one.

"After so many serious scenes, I suppose you keep your spirits up between scenes...are you bored on set or are you too busy?" The girl looked at the two of you.

"I tend to stay focused. Getting into Aemond's mind is quite complicated..." Ewan's tone amused you. He turned to look at you. "What?"

You let out a laugh, the interviewer looking confused at the scene.

"Sorry honey," you turned to the girl, "but Ewan is lying to you. He was concentrating at the beginning, when he took his job very seriously."

You watched as Ewan leaned back in his chair, hiding a smile and waiting for you to tease him, which he quite enjoyed.

"This guy was scary on the first day."

"It's thanks to the costume and make-up team," he interrupted.

"Oh, no, Ewan, I mean the day of the script reading. That sweatshirt was terrifying." What you said made the interviewer laugh, and Ewan joined in the fake discussion you had formed.

"You speak out of envy," he replied, crossing his legs.

"For this kind of thing, he's very formal. They always put together nice outfits for him, but in real life, it's nothing like that. "

"And what's Ewan like in real life?" Ewan himself asked.

"He's weird... weird and kind of flirty."

He turned red, shaking his head as the interviewer let you speak. You were basically getting more information out for her than she intended to get.

"Yeah, yeah...there's nothing shy about this guy here. He makes all the girls on the set smile with his 'good morning, love'. And they all love to put him his wig in the morning, his patch..."

"Why don't you let the girl do the interview?" Your partner interrupted you with mock seriousness.

"Excuse me, but I'm answering the question. Ewan was very focused at first. No one dared speak to him once he put on that wonderful costume. But as soon as Susan in make-up told him he looked 'sexy'..." you snapped your fingers. "He became a sex symbol on set and enjoys it like nobody's business. He doesn't get bored on set because he spends the hours between scenes practising with his sword, chatting with the crew when he goes to get his coffee..."

"You should tell her how you spend your breaks..." he grinned mischievously. You looked at him, hiding a smile. You mostly spent them with him, but people didn't need to know that.

"You tell her."

"She spends her dead hours asleep or breaking things." The interviewer let out another laugh. "Oh, yes, she's snored through her make-up. I've had to put up with her nodding her head every morning. And the few times she was awake, she would steal my wig to take pictures. Remember what Susan said to you when she caught you?" she looked at you as if to scold you, and you looked ashamed.

"That I was going to mess it up..."

"Exactly! This girl is a mess on legs. The first day of shooting, she tore the fabric of her cape. The first day we shot together, she almost broke the carriage window... and the wine glass. Let's not forget the wine glass on the last day."

"I dented it," you confessed to the girl.

"The whole team was praying you'd fall asleep before you touched any more stuff." Continued your partner looking back at you.

"I've had the broken stuff deducted from my pay, you know."

"Yeah? And how much money have you earned then?"

"Let's just say...I've gone into debt to HBO..."

You laughed at your own joke as Ewan tried to refocus on the poor interviewer. You really had been the clumsiest person on set, and that was in stark contrast to the careful attitude Ewan had had in that same period. Many times, you had led him astray, getting him involved in a game where you both could let off steam while the sets were being set up. He loved to show you his swordsmanship, and of course, he was good at it. He had experience.

But on some other days, when it was anynof your turns to act, Ewan was much more focused, and although you were embarrassed to entertain him at first, he always made a point of sitting next to you. He helped you revise as much as you helped him. And while your gallery was filled with pictures of you making an idiot of yourself with his wig, and Ewan making an idiot of himself with his wig too, Ewan had his gallery filled with pictures of you asleep in the most unlikely places on the set, and pictures of you posing with whatever mess you had made. And Tom had been in charge of recording those occasions when you slept leaning on Ewan's shoulder while he reread his script. That would stay between you two, and you'd been going through the photos before bed for months, unaware that Ewan was doing exactly the same thing, grateful to have an excuse like promotion to be near you all the time.

"The relationship between your characters has been a much-discussed topic on the network and among fans. The girl changed the subject to a more serious one, to the one that really mattered, the series.

"You mean incest?" you asked.

"More like the feud between Blacks and Greens."

"Oh, right..."

"That's the thing with this series," Ewan interrupted. "The incest is the least of your worries."

"Right, silly me," you said wryly.

"It's common sense, of course."

You smiled at each other, admiring each other fondly, perhaps too fondly, as you always did, leaving the girl a bit of an outsider, and were surprised when she asked again.

"The good thing is that you don't look like each other. The relationship you have in the plot is a parallel to Romeo and Juliet. How do you approach this dynamic? Do you want it to be really romantic or something toxic like Rhaenyra and Daemon?"

"That I suppose can always be left to the audience's opinion," reasoned your partner. "For me there's certainly something romantic about it. Aemond is a character that transforms into something perverse but at the beginning he didn't seem to have such a strong quality. The writers wanted to make him that way, evolved. And I think her character is designed not to contrast but to show that there is something good in Aemond." You smiled downward as you listened to him, you had already talked about it during rehearsals. "When we did the casting, the director told me that they were looking for an actress with a sweet aura, well, so that ond couldn't naturally react violently towards her. They introduced me to this arse next to me and... you get a bit attached to her.

"I love working with Ewan, he's always so flattering..."

The girl smiled at you before asking.

"You're okay with the romance?"

"Well..." you thought for a second. Of course, the kiss you two had just rolled around was too passionate for it to be a toxic relationship. You shot the kiss as a very intimate scene, where Aemond approached your character with some fear, and it took you a moment to return the kiss. It was a slow kiss, tense and sweet. But when you return it, it was hard to separate again. Of course, what was left to shoot that day was done with flushed cheeks and dodging glances. Sparks had been flying between you and Ewan since the day you were brought together in that room for the test.

"Yes, I think it's different from Rhaenyra and Daemon. There's a lot more respect and a lot more equality between them. From the very beginning, we were going to treat our plot from the 'first love' trope, and we saw no better way to recite our lines than the longing and desire they have for each other. And how much Ewan and I love each other transcends the screen too much."

You saw how intensely he looked at you, maybe you had said too much. You were silent for too many seconds. You put on that mischievous grin again. "As much as Ewan is a great actor, I don't think anyone can pretend to hate me."

"Wow, that means the next season is going to be very promising for your fans. Thank you so much for this time, and for the tidbits from the set."

"It's been a pleasure, honey," you dismissed her.

"Our pleasure, I love your t-shirt, by the way," said Ewan, the girl was wearing a t-shirt with a poster of Daemon and Aemond on it.

You didn't know how to look at him after that. Had your answer been something of a confession? Maybe the kiss hadn't been that intense for him and you had just made a fool of yourself. Of course it was a bit weird the last ten minutes of your promo day.

You shared a taxi to the hotel, with silly small talk. When you arrived, you were walking up a flight of stairs when your heel broke.

"Oh my God, I can't believe it! My stylist is going to kill me!" You picked up your precious heels, Ewan didn't laugh at you, but he did smile at your desperation.

"Don't worry, we'll ask someone to get us some glue."

"A branded heel fixed with glue?"

"Well, it certainly wasn't made of steel, if it breaks easy it's easy to fix."

You walked all the way up the stairs barefoot. Ewan stopped.

"What are you doing?" You asked as you saw him stand back and pull out his mobile phone.

"Smile and show that heel," he asked. When you did he took the picture and smiled to himself. "For the collection. "

"Thanks to your tip-off they won't get me for period films, you know."

"You started it, I remind you. You've taken away my reputation as a serious, up-and-coming actor."

Ewan grabbed your heels from your hand as he saw you with your hands full with your mobile and wallet.

"The truth is, that poor girl was trying to be professional and we got into a play fight in front of her."

"I think she had fun. Of course, after always answering the same thing, this time I remembered why I like this job so much."

"I hope I didn't offend you, Ewan. You know it was all a joke."

You stopped at his door, yours was just opposite.

"All of it, all of it?"

"What do you mean?"

He licked his lips, thinking about how to phrase the question. You knew what he meant, now came the awkward part. Why the hell did you start talking about love?

"All the weeks since I've known you have been filled with something...special. And you were right when you said that I can't pretend to be repulsed by you, because... I definitely feel the opposite. I like every minute that you are beside me, not only for how talented you are but...how sweet and funny everything is with you. You're also quite gorgeous if I am allawed to say. And no, it's nothing of a method actor if I tell you that I have a crush on your bones just because Aemond would be... I want to make sure this feeling isn't just mine."

"You're telling me you like me?"

"Yeah, basically yes."

"And you're asking me if I like you?" You were clearly in shock.

"It's good to know you understand me...now I need an answer."

Yes, OF COURSE YOU DO. For some reason nothing came out of your mouth, and you could only look at him. Ewan read that silence as a definitive no and, after swallowing his breath, he nodded and gave up without losing his gallantry.

"I'm going to call room service and have them bring some glue."

He turned to open his door as you suddenly became aware of everything. You didn't know what he was babbling about when he opened it, but when he turned again to offer you passage, you jumped on him. You grabbed his face with impetus, and kissed his thin lips again as you had that day on the set. This time there was something even more authentic. Ewan held your waist as he regained his balance. This kiss surpassed the one in the scene, this one felt completely free, completely real and without consequence. Needless to say, you didn't go back to sleep in your room for the rest of the promo tour.

[dukeofankh]

I mean, I want to make it clear, while I do personally enjoy more activist-adjacent discussions a la feminism because I am personally interested in that as a topic, a big part of what I want is just a sense of community with men who are not abusive, misogynistic, or obsessed with heirarchical squabbling. Both so that I can have social spaces in which I feel safe, and so that we can see aspects of ourselves reflected and celebrated in others.

Frankly, I don't think men respect each other. And I think progressive men are especially prone to viewing themselves as the sole or vanishingly rare exception to an otherwise bad group.

Are there many ways to be a man? Sure. For example, I have a pretty low tolerance for combative conversational styles, but some men thrive in that environment. I don't think that there is a moral judgment to really be made about that style of communication, even if it is fair to say that it has advantages and disadvantages. I might not enjoy an otherwise moral and positive masculine community if the way the men interacted with each other was too chirpy and antagonistic, even if to everyone else it was clearly meant in good fun.

So any sort of community standard is by definition exclusionary, and I do acknowledge that in my post, but I think the issue at hand is more nuanced than just typical ideological purity testing. Most men need to be able to respect each other in order to respect themselves as singular examples of men.

As for why, and moving to your second comment, it reminds me a lot of conversations in Susan Faludi's Stiffed. She would suggest that manhood is inherently tied to social utility--a sense of self built around being a contributing member of society--and that how to become that has historically been a process inherently tied to the mentorship of older men. Seeing good men model good manhood, learning how to perform it yourself, and then seeing in yourself the traits you associate with a good man. Absent that, manhood is nothing more than ornamental, an arbitrary performance completely severed from any actual relevance to society or the self.

How can someone move from seeing themselves as a good boy to being a good man if we struggle to envision older men who aren't on some level ontologically bad? If we cannot tangibly see what a good man looks like on a day to day basis, then there is no way to look at ourselves and find good manhood there, because the term is empty of a model or meaning.

I want to emphasize this though, even if I personally have a dim view of every man being an island unto himself, I do not think the answer is a monolithic masculine model. Masculinities, plural, is definitely the way forward. A Super Smash Brothers character select screen (complete with customizable Mii for people who don't like any of the models and prefer to do their own thing) is a far better analogy for what I think would actually have a positive effect than one all-encompassing yardstick by which to judge a broad and diverse group. A balance of community and modelled behavior on one side, and flexibility on the other.

Trying to find progressive masculine community is so exhausting.

I've flipped through local men's groups, trying to find places to explore masculinity in a chill, progressive setting. First of all, they mostly seem to be modelled after AA, and like, my gender isn't a debilitating addiction, it's part of my identity actually, but also, the invite and description of the event have maybe a short paragraph tops actually waving vaguely in the direction of what the purpose of the group is, and then ten to twenty paragraphs breaking down the rules. One spent longer talking about the hand signals he would use to direct conversation than he did describing what the conversation would be about. Another had a full paragraph explaining that if the group thought you were evading what they thought your "real" problem was, they'd probably "call you to take accountability". Like...I don't even know who these people are yet and they're already letting me know that they view it as their right, no, their duty, to bully me into seeing things their way. Like, this is in the invite.

...and this warning is there instead of any sort of breakdown of like, I dunno. Whether you should be a feminist to show up. Whether it was a safe space for queer men. What the hell they wanted to talk about. Joining a men's space is on some level inherently submitting yourself to the authority of the leaders of that group, and you don't usually get a particularly clear breakdown of what the values and goals of those leaders are, because on some level the answer is always going to be "whatever I want"

And like, unfortunately you do need to filter men to build a men's space. You do need to remove or chastise men who act in ways that are toxic or disruptive or misogynistic. If you don't things turn into an MRA chapter pretty quick. But the sort of emergency powers that leadership takes on as a result of that...just kind of naturally end up reproducing masculine heirarchies.

MensLib, the only online community of progressive dudes talking about masculinity that I'm aware of, is...on Reddit. So there is a moderator system. In theory, a moderator is there to...moderate. This is a space where people are going to be talking, and mods are there to make sure things don't get too toxic or off topic.

The issue is that, on some level, that is technically a leadership position. In a sub trying to rehabilitate masculinity. So you've got a bunch of folks who view themselves as the leaders of this bastion of goodness standing against the depredations of the misogynistic internet, guiding the hapless smooth-brain neophytes towards The True Way.

In practice, this looks like 95 percent of the posts submitted for the subreddit being rejected. That isn't hyperbole. On average, the sub has about one new post per day. Almost all posts directly relating a personal experience are deleted immediately, in favour of articles written about masculinity in traditional media publications, which are considered more trustworthy than the sus lived experiences of the guys in the sub. The post I wrote here about the effect of purity culture on male sexual shame that's sitting at about 15K notes was based on a 10K word post I wrote for Reddit that was deleted because "I didn't cite any sources to prove that there is a link between purity culture and male sexual shame, or that my experience was anything more than anecdotal". I get comments deleted on a regular basis, and after paragraphs of protesting in modmail that my comments are both fully in line with feminism and not against the rules, the mods have just finally told me that the rules don't actually drive their actions as a team. They delete anything they feel leads the conversation in a direction they personally feel is unproductive. The rule cited at the time of deletion is really just the broad category of why they decided to hit the button that says nobody is allowed to read what I wrote.

The issue is kind of twofold. First of all, progressive men do not trust other men. A good dude knows that he, individually, is a good person, but literally any other man external to him is on thin ice. Do you really want to tie your wagon to that guy? Do you trust him, really? How do you tell the difference between a guy criticizing an article because it's factually incorrect and criticising it because a woman wrote it? Probably best to play it safe and delete it. Weight of the odds, he's probably a misogynist, right? This is the internet.

And thats the other half of it. If you view yourself as part of the leadership of The Good Guys, and you're getting hatemail from incels and facists all day, you get to the point where most of the time people challenge your authority it's because they're a terrible person. It is very, very easy to get to the point where someone challenging you is seen as evidence that they are a bad person. And now someone is challenging you (and therefore bad), in an environment where you are in charge, and you have a "make your opponent disappear" button.

I know. A Reddit mod was rude to me and now I'm butthurt. It's petty and stupid. I'm just feeling like there's nowhere else to really go, and I'm pretty despondent that literally every space I've seen that even looks like it might be for progressive men has the same deeply hierarchical structure and constant status-oriented squabbling as patriarchal spaces.

[fbfh]

just reread your rodrick x hyperfem reader AND IT HAS ME BACK INTO THE GOOD OLD CHOKEHOLD

so if you do still write for him (ignore if you dont <3) maybe some headcanons of them after the prom? 😋

(devon bostick is so FINE)

oh FUCK yes babes. lemme tell you something about roddy and hyperfemme reader. almost immediately after your song finishes and you lock lips in a kiss that rocks both your worlds and blows your minds, it's over for you. you're joint at the hip and locked at the lip every moment after that. both of your friend groups are pissed because whenever they're looking for you you're either sitting on Roddy's lap doing his eyeliner (and putting a little glittery highlighter here and there) or making out in the back of his van. you are completely a package deal, if someone wants one of you they are GOING to get both of you. after the last time roddy insisted on you sleeping in his room or threatening to run away and elope in vegas, Susan decided you know what? this could actually be a lot worse! at least most of Rodrick's energy (or lackthereof, please get this boy some antidepressants) is directed at you instead of harrassing his brother all the time. he still harasses Greg, but that's more of that brother stuff Susan doesn't know about. and that's how you in all your sparkly pink "what like it's hard?" lip glossed glory end up at the heffley's house more often than the actual heffleys.