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itgetsdarksometimes35 · 4 years

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Love in True Form II

Warnings: Non-con, dub-con, A/B/O, loss of virginity, breeding kink, lactation kink, multiple pregnancies, multiple children, birth, maybe more, 18+

Word Count: 2,720

Pairings: Dark Alpha! Steve Rogers / Omega! Reader, Dark Alpha! Bucky Barnes / Omega! Reader

Summary: Reader moves to the country side to live a slower life she’s not used to after living all her life in the city. She meets two men who can’t seem to get out of her life, and she sees them everywhere. What happens when their instincts get the better of them?

Chapter summary: Reader starts to settle in and has her first meeting with a new client.

- indicates POV change

~ indicates a time change

A/N: WOW this is completely overdue. Hope everyone enjoys, my masterlist should be working soon. ALSO the POV will stay first person, so sorry if you’re not into that. I’m trying to interoperate different writing styles, and I have plenty of other fics in 2nd person (3rd person will be next at some point in another fic)

xxx

When I got home, I was still a little shaken from the two guys I had encountered. Their crystal blue eyes made me feel unsettled, yet I couldn’t shake the familiarity I got from them. Had I met them before? Were they there when I was scoping out this place a few months ago? Questions racked my brain, but it was impossible. The only person I had met was my real estate agent. Nobody had been around for miles, and today was the first day I had traveled into town.

I decided not to think about it any longer due to the countless emails from patients trying to set up virtual appointments. I opened them up and started working my way through each person, delicately reading and responding appropriately with a time that worked for us both.

Steve slammed down the supplies he had bought at the store into the shed. Bucky was inside working on the fire to keep them warm for the night. Steve’s body tingled as he remembered the omega they encountered, as he remembered her faint scent, saw her beautiful body. He felt his blue jeans get a bit tighter at the thought of having her as his own. It’s what they’ve been dreaming of for years, him and Bucky.

Steve ventured back into the house to find Bucky pacing about with his hands behind his back. When Steve shut the door, Bucky turned to him, halting his pacing.

“We have to find her.”

“I know,” Steve sighed, moving to the kitchen to start dinner.

“She smelled magnificent, Stevie, I never thought I’d find someone. She was an omega. A real omega. They don’t exist anymore!”

Steve nodded along. He wasn’t ignoring his friend, quite the opposite actually. He was devising a plan to get their omega. He wasn’t sure how he would, but he wanted it to be as sweet as possible for her. But he also thought of possible reasons she was alive. It didn’t make any sense. Like Bucky said, omegas didn’t exist anymore.

In their day, there were thousands of them. Steve was a beta then so he had no chance at them, but Bucky was always an alpha. From both of their understanding, omegas had died off while they were still in ice. The omegas had bred with alphas, nothing else was possible, but their offspring seemed to be only beta. Now, nobody really knew what alphas, betas, or omegas were; they were just humans. No special category to go into.

“Steve?” Bucky was sweating at this point, the worrying for the omega was bringing his alpha out of him. He was looking at Steve with wide, blown out eyes. Steve smiled sweetly before clapping his hand over Bucky’s shoulder.

“Buck, I know. Her scent hasn’t left me since we saw her in town, and I’d be lying if I said this all made sense. We’ll get her, though, don’t worry. I have a plan.” Bucky nodded his head and glanced at the ground as he put his weight on another foot.

“When?” he asked impatiently yet gloomfully, meeting his eyes again.

Steve sighed and removed his hand. “We have to ease her into it, Buck. We can’t scare her or force anything, it’ll just make everything that follows way harder than it needs to be.”

Bucky nodded at Steve’s words. He knew what he said was true, but he needed his omega. Their omega. The thought of sharing an omega would typically never be an option for him, but with Steve it was different.

Steve knew this girl had no idea what he or Bucky was. Hell, she didn’t even know what she was! She was going to be scared and reluctant, and she’d fight them until the end. They were going to have to shape her into an omega. No doubt she wasn’t taught properly how to be one, but Steve could be patient. He had waited this long, he could wait a little longer.

Bucky switched from foot to foot one last time before retiring to the kitchen. Steve looked at his friend and shook his head. He had a feeling his Bucky wasn’t going to be as willing to wait as him.

I was jerked from my dreams with a loud snore. I looked around and saw my small home completely dark, save for the little moonlight coming through my living room curtains. I sat up from my couch and grabbed the book that I had been reading, that had fallen to the floor, before making my way into the kitchen where my laptop sat.

I pressed a few keys to wake up the monitor, and I looked at the time--when the screen lit up--to see it was half past 1. I scrolled to my email tab and saw a new email request from someone who wanted to set up an appointment. I clicked on the email and quickly typed in a response for a time to talk that suited us both.

This Steve Rogers seemed nice.

My hands ached as I planted the last cabbage plant into the ground. So far I had a garden of carrots, cabbage, broccoli, and celery. This new vegetarian diet was something I had never tried before, nor were these foods something I was particularly fond of, but I was more than willing to give it a try.

I dusted my hands off and ventured inside the cabin to where my only two pieces of technology lay. I checked the time on my phone before setting it back down. I still had 15 more minutes before my online meeting with Steve started, so I walked to the fridge to cool down with water and have a break.

I looked at my bookshelf and decided I needed more books. All I could fit in my car was about 30 books, but I had already read most of them. It wouldn’t take long to get through the rest, but thankfully Molly told me she had some I could have. I smiled to myself at the thought of being met with a bunch of planting books when going to retrieve the older woman’s stash. Not that I wouldn’t use them, though, Lord knows I certainly need to get better at this whole gardening thing. My hunger kinda depended on it.

I was brought from my thoughts when my computer started ringing from the Skype app, causing me to frown at the screen. Who could that be? No patients were scheduled right now, and nobody else would want to call me; my family and few friends seemed to be shunning me on my choice to leave. Maybe they believed if they shunned me enough I’d come back to the city. I scoffed at that. Not a chance.

I pushed myself from the counter I was leaning on and walked to the screen to look at the ID. “Steven Rogers.” I furrowed my eyebrows and looked at the clock at the bottom right hand corner of the screen. We still had 10 more minutes. Regardless, I reluctantly pressed “answer”; what else am I doing right now?

Skype connected us, but Steve’s screen was completely black. I checked my connection, but it wasn’t me. I didn’t hear anything, so I decided to wait a few more seconds for him to connect. His internet must be bad.

“Steve?” I smiled at the dark screen, and hoped he could at least see me. Putting a face to a name and voice could really help someone who’s going through something; it can help them realize other people do care.

“Hello?”

“Hey! Oh, erm- can you see me? Your screen is black, so I can’t see you.” It got silent for a second.

“Oh, yeah I can see you. I don’t know why you can’t see me; I’m sorry it’s probably me. I’m not good at this technology stuff. I had a hard time turning on my mic, that’s why I was silent at first.” He gave a dry laugh.

“Don’t apologize, it’s okay. I had a hard time getting used to this when I first started, too, so don’t worry! You’ll get used to it soon.” I smiled at the dark screen, I was glad Steve could see me. “I should apologize for my appearance, though, I was working in the garden.”

“Oh, you look lovely, don’t worry.”

I blushed at his compliment and reached for the bag leaning against the table’s leg. Inside was a notebook that contained details about my patients. I didn’t like discussing much over email or text--I liked talking about it face to face, or face to black screen in this case-- so that’s why Steve’s section was mostly empty. All I knew was his name and that he lived about 10 miles from me.

“Well, enough about me. What did you want to discuss today?”

Steve and I ended up talking about how he felt different from everyone else. He felt he couldn’t relate with everyone else and that he just felt alienated. I nodded the entire time he spoke, stealing glances at my notebook to take notes every few seconds.

When he was done I asked him a few questions. Any reasons he may have as to why he felt this way, when did he start feeling like this? Was there any dramatic change in his life? He answered he used to feel normal, in his early years, but one day he just woke up and felt unable to relate to the people around him anymore. He even felt he lost family and friends. My heart broke in my chest as I jotted down more notes. That was something I could sort of relate to, I thought.

We talked about ways he could enter outside of his comfort zone, finding hobbies that others enjoyed in order to feel a bit more connected. Go to stores that, not many people shopped at, but enough to let him ease into a life that involved other people again.

I asked him if he had any social media. If he wasn’t comfortable with doing social things in person yet, there were plenty of groups to join online that incorporated fun activities and joined people together virtually. It could also be a good way to connect with lost connections and maybe make new ones.

“Oh, no Doll, I can’t say I do. I’m not really into anything like that. I don’t even have a tv, and, as you can already see, have bad internet.” He chuckled again and I joined in a bit.

“Oh yeah, I understand.” I had sworn off phones--except my cell that was stripped of everything except my contacts list-- and tvs, so I understood where Steve was coming from completely. “Well hey, no harm in that. Social media can be good, but in my opinion the best contact can be made face to face. No offense.” I laughed at the irony and Steve did, too.

“Thank you, and I agree.”

I hummed in response and pulled out my calendar from my bag. I looked for a free spot next week, and saw an opening on Thursday at 3:45.

“Alright, Steve, it’s been a pleasure speaking with you, but our time is up, sadly. I’d like to reschedule an appointment with you, if that’s okay, next week. How does Thursday at 3:45 sound?”

“Sounds perfect.”

“Great! Okay, remember what I said. I look forward to our next chat. Hopefully I can see you next time,” I added with a smile and a small giggle.

“Me too, talk to you soon, Doll.” There goes that nickname and my blush again.

“Bye!” The call ended and I made a few more notes in my notebook before closing it. My next appointment wasn’t for another hour, so I thought maybe I could go to town to get some stuff I couldn’t grow myself--or at all.

As I went to shower and look presentable, I couldn’t stop thinking about Steve. He was a charmer, and for someone who felt disconnected was able to connect with me fast. I tried to destroy the barrier I tended to feel with patients that had been made. They sometimes saw me as a figure, but I wanted them to feel as if I were a friend they could confide in. I was there to help them, yes, but I didn’t see the need in them calling me Miss. My name would do just fine, or any other nickname they picked up along the way, but Steve chose “doll” fairly quickly. He even asked me a lot of questions. Where I lived before, where I lived now, where I went to college, things like that. We had a lot more in common than I thought we would, though, so maybe that’s why we just clicked better. Everyone moves at different speeds, and I needed to remember that.

Steve pushed the laptop further down the table, away from him. He had a giant smile on his face, and he couldn’t deny the hard on he was sporting from just hearing her voice. He couldn’t believe the tape and microphone trick had worked. He felt bad about lying, but he didn’t want to scare her off by seeing him. Plus, he needed to hear her voice and her breathing for a bit, just before he started speaking.

When she introduced herself to him, it took him everything not to repeat it over and over like a love poem his mother used to read to him. He wanted to draw her in her “messy” state, her hair sticking up in wild places; some strands sticking to her forehead from sweat. He wondered if that’s what she’d look like under him.

He disappeared into his room and shut the door. Bucky went back into town after he found they had forgotten something at the store. Steve had a while before he got back, and he decided to take advantage of it.

Steve laid down on the bed and shimmied out of his suddenly tight jeans. He gripped his member through his underwear and groaned at the feeling. He stroked his member over the fabric a few more times, teasing himself, before removing himself from his confides completely. Steve’s rock hard cock sprung out and hit his stomach, slightly bobbing. He sighed in frustration yet relief at the feeling. The tip was fiery red with precum oozing out from the slit. He spit into his hand before grabbing the base firmly.

Steve stroked himself, slowly at first, up and down. He moaned and panted as his hand got him off, his mind on the woman and her sweet voice the entire time. How her boobs would look when they were released from the tight black shirt she had worn in the meeting. How she’d look begging for her alpha’s fat cock to plunge into your tiny cunt, milking him and bringing on his knot. How’d it feel to claim her and ceal you both in a bond. How she’d look carrying his pups, her tits leaking for milk he’d happily drink up. Steve took a break from working himself to tease his tip with his thumb, shuddering a bit before he pumped himself faster as his moans got louder and more desperate as his need to cum became greater and greater. He was whining the omega’s name like a chant as his other hand reached down to start playing with his balls. His hips were rising, fucking his fist harder and harder. He moaned a few more times before he felt the sweet swell of his cock as his knot grew. Spurts of cum flew from his pulsing member as he worked himself through his orgasm. He continued to roar and growl her name as he came down.

When Steve was satisfied, he just stared at the ceiling, a smile still playing at his lips. He couldn’t remember the last time he had cum that hard. Hell, he couldn’t even remember the last time he was that hard! As he waited for his knot to subside, he started cleaning up his mess and headed into the shower. Bucky would be home any minute now, and he had to tell him everything that he had learned about you.

xxx

#dark!fic #dark!steve rogers #dark!steve rogers x reader #alpha!steve rogers #alpha!steve rogers x omega! reader #alpha!bucky barnes #alpha!bucky barnes x omega! reader #dark!mcu #dark!marvel #dub con #non con

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writingsofmyimagination · 4 years

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28 Days |2|

GIF by: @suggamiin

Genre: Werewolf Au (Jimin x Reader) Part 1

Rating:18+

Summary: You’re relationship with Jimin has flourished. Your maker wanting to claim you as his pushes Jimin and your adoptive pack to the old ways.

Word Count:7540

Warnings: Swearing, drinking, violence (wolf and human), Smut - Ice play, slight exhibitionism, sleepy sex. Slight Dom Jimin

Originally this was only going to be one part, now it’s two (I’ve tagged the people who mentioned about wanting a second part...Thank you!)

@safi4x @nerdygaloresposts @sockie-the-dumbass @jimin-75

And now i have basically just finished writing an epilogue for this so if you want to be tagged hit me up! (up by this friday)

Please enjoy all the sin!!

The Yaegerbomb burned your throat with sweet victory after beating all the guys to empty the glass first. The pumping of the bass from the latest dance hit reverberated right through your chest like an irritating drum. You were shoved and pushed from the side alerting you your time at the bar was done, next, move along. Laura glared daggers to the unknowing inebriated guy. You lifted the pair of glasses dripping with condensation from the bar. Over your head of course to preserve the precious liquid inside. Only lowering to normal height when the fanfare of the bar was passed and the booth you were inhabiting was in safe sight.

“Remind me again why we go OUT to drink?” you put to the group.

“To celebrate another uneventful full moon” Hobi beamed, face flushed red, eyes only half focused.

“To celebrate your third one with us” Laura added shifting back into the bright red, fake leather half crescent seating. You chose to remain standing, resting on the sticky table. Jimin hooked his hand round your waist and pulled you in between his legs.

“Yeah but we can do all of that you know, with PYJAMAS on, AT HOME!”

“We’re not all hermits like you babe, we actually like to let off steam after a forced change” Jimin teased, increasing the grip momentarily on your hip. You turned with a smirk

“Being surrounded by a bunch of alcohol infused people all compacted together is not how I’d choose to let off steam” You relaxed in-between his legs a bit more, perching in between the warm thighs.

“Yeah and we all know how you prefer to let off steam” Yoongi blurted out toying with you. Even with the flashing lights momentarily shining on his new dirty blonde hair that did nothing to brighten the dark teasing look in his expression. Your mouth in a playful shocked “o”. The others giggled knowingly; you shared your feigned look of surprise with all of them.

“Oh come on, if you’re both not disappearing to one of the spare rooms at the house you reek of it”

Yoongi was not wrong.

“Your point being?” you chuckled back in response with half a glare. Yoongi just responded with an amused smile signalling his defeat.

“Exactly” The last swig of your drink hit you the wrong way. You needed air! In a trying to be cool rush you zig zagged and criss-crossed your way through the buzzing crowd; completely failing to notice Jungkook watching you leave from across the dancefloor.

You took yourself down the alley that backed onto the club. You attempted calming, slow breathes attempting to ease the chaotic nausea in your stomach. The orange hue of a street light was failing in its job to illuminate clearly where you stood. The pound of the bass was heavier and throbbing more and more around your skull with your enhanced hearing and spinning vision.

Nausea slowly seeping off, a familiar smell painted over the dampness of the alley. You were not mentally equip to deal with Jungkook in whatever approach this was.

“Jungkook now is not..”

“I saw you head out in your ‘I’m pretending to be casual escape walk’ and just wanted to see if you were okay”

His heart was annoyingly in a good place, you were also now low key irritated that it had to be your cheating ex with a years’ experience of you to notice. You had to tell yourself as much as you and Jimin had something completely out of this world you’d only known each other a matter of months. So it’s a given that some delicate details about each other were still yet to be discovered.

“I think you’ve lost the privilege to be concerned about me don’t you” Your defensive tone was also infused with bitterness. His eyes bloomed wide, the annoyance that started to fill in his gaze quickly morphed into deep regret and sadness.

“Well I don’t see Jimin here” he muttered, pettiness shining through.

He had to go there

You straightened yourself up

“What and that gives you some sort of upper hand. Jungkook it’s over, you have to deal with it” Your frown was lethal.

“If I could take it back I would, you’re the one I want to be with, you’re the one I lo..”

“Don’t even! Just leave!”

Your previous relationship with him now finally served a good purpose; the look you shot him was one he KNEW meant you were done and not to be argued with. Your whole body sighed with relief as well as at the daunting prospect of going back inside to the social nightmare of clubbing. You were briefly aware of a shadow shrouded figure entered the alley

Brushing your lack of motivation off your leather skirt you stood up straight and started to head back in, in the direction of the new alley inhabitant

Before you had a chance to react to the unmistakeable scent of a werewolf your back was shoved into the cold wall. Your utter disbelief and shock rendered you near defenceless. His body pushed up fiercely against you barricading you in. One of his hands firmly silencing any cries from your throat. He delved his face into your neck inhaling harshly as you struggled against him

“I’d recognise my scent anywhere” he growled.

“And what a catch you are” he added. The tar like of his eyes, only broken by the raging gold flecks

Wait is he…

One of his hands dipped and started creeping up your thigh. Adrenaline flushed through your system like wild fire, screaming into his hand; trying to thrash yourself free. Your wished you heart that was smashing into your ribcage would smash through your chest and into his jaw.

You drew air into your lungs, the cold fresh air burned down your trachea. The cool air whooshing around you as the creep was flung crashing into the brick’s opposite. With his body out the way Jimin was shooting sharpened daggers to the body on the ground.

“What the Fuck do you think you’re playing at” Jimin snarled taking a step to be more in front of you shielding you.

“Well if it isn’t one of Yoongi’s puppies” The man responded with venom scrambling to his feet

“Jimin…” His attention and head shifted towards you. Big mistake. Your eyes blooming wide was the only warning he got of the impending attack; it was too little too late. A powerful punch landed square on his jaw followed by a loud grunt from him and a high pitch scream from you. His balance lost for a moment. Recovering strong, his eyes now glaring almost glowing red; saturated with nothing but rage. Jimin lunged going for the jugular, your peripheral vision caught intense, sudden movement.

“ENOUGH!” Yoongi’s voice boomed down the alley. Jimin obediently stopped dead in his tracks, fear sparkling in his and the creep’s eyes.

The way they both glared at Yoongi you thought they’d both be bowing. He approached all of you, his presence calming your nerves. Nothing would get out of control with him around.

“Jimin enough, go and sort yourself out, Y/N go with him!” he barked. You nodded dragging Jimin under the street light to evaluate the damage on his face. Blood was dripping down his chin, you managed to catch it on your sleeve before it dripped onto his shirt. His lip was split, not too badly thankfully.

“Trevor I don’t need to tell you this is neutral territory”

“Neutral or not she’s ours and you know it”

“You turned her and left her! You had no idea she existed until tonight” Yoongi snapped back. Jimin kept batting away your concerned hands at his face.

“You know that’s not how it works; Max will be hearing about this. She’s mine!”

“Good, at least this will be handled the proper way according to you guys anyway. And I think you’ll find she’s spoken for. She isn’t property it’s 2020 you asshole” Yoongi spat. There was a warmth inside you, Yoongi standing up for you was sweet and comforting for what it was worth. Trevor spat some blood on the floor through a devil glare and stomped off down the alley.

“Jimin, take y/n back to mine, you can stay there tonight just as a precaution”

“But Jungkook will be home” you protested

“I’ll be fine” you added

“I’ve seen what he’s been drinking and I heard you shun him so he’ll be drinking a hell of a lot more, I doubt he’ll be home for a while and even when he does he’ll be fucked okay! It’s not a request y/n”

Before you had a chance to protest further Jimin pulled you past the others and made your way back to Yoongi’s.

“Stop faffing and let me look after you” You scolded Jimin for the umpteenth time. His split lip had stopped bleeding and had started to swell. You were trying to combat this by holding a tea towel shrouding ice cubes to his face. You were sat on your legs next to Jimin who’d just slouched on the sofa.

“I’m fine, it’ll be cleared in a day or two, stop fussing”

“But it’s my fault, if I hadn’t called you…”

“Babe its fine” he reassured taking your hand that was aimed for his cheek.

“Promise?”

“Yes, stop worrying” After a prolonged stare, ending in his diamond sweet smile reigning victorious.

“God I can’t believe that asshole is my maker” you slumped further down onto your legs.

“What did they mean settle it the right way? Am I going to cause you guys a lot of trouble being in your pack?” In your drunk state your thoughts had started to spiral and Jimin knew it, pulling you onto his lap.

“Hey, hey. Stop! You trust Yoongi yeah?

“Yes, of course I do” you responded almost offended

“Well then trust him to deal with it”

“But what needs to happen?” you pushed further. Jimin was hesitant for a second, wanting to avoid getting into it; especially when he had you unconsciously squirming on his lap.

“Well normally nothing would, we’re normally free to go to any pack as long as they accept you. Technically you don’t even need to be in one but seeing as wolves are social animals it tends to happen. But Max’s group live in the dark ages mentally so they see it as if they made you, you are theirs and that’s it; you have to go with them”

“So what if it’s challenged?” you urged

“The two packs will need to fight for you”

“WHAT!”

“I’m not having anyone fight for me!”

“I know, I know, but it’s just how it’s got to be done with these guys”

“Uggh!” you groaned shifted off of him and headed to Yoongi’s room.

“Where are you going?”

“To get an oversized shirt to wear to bed”

“Wear mine” his shirt was already peeled off and being offered to you. You were not displeased with the view

You chuckled lightly

“Jimin I appreciate the gesture but that won’t even cover my ass”

“Y/N please, I don’t want you covered in Yoongi’s scent” You smiled

He was so sensitive to smell even for a werewolf. You shimmied out of your white off shoulder crop top, taking your bra off under his shirt. He dragged you in between his legs teasing the zip at the top of your leather skirt down. His eyes endearingly looking up at you, chocolate filled gooey eyes consuming you as his palms massaged your behind and tops of your thighs gently pulling you again into his lap.

Your hands sat cradling the back of his neck, fingertips gently caressing his hairline.

“Please don’t worry tonight, nothing is going to be done about it this evening before anything happens Yoongi will call a meeting anyway and you can say whatever you want then” Your hips angled into his lap following the squeeze on your behind.

“Do I get the feeling you want to try and help me not think about it?” You ground your hips into him again. You could already feel your arousal beginning to pool.

“Uggh!” he whined throwing his back.

“What?”

“I can smell you and I won’t even be able to taste you tonight” he whined pouting his ballooned lip to you.

“God I can’t even kiss you!” he added. He was pissed, that boy loved nothing more than to be between your thighs, to have them compress around his head as he absorbed everything he could as you came.

“Well lucky for me you have other assets beside your mouth” you placed a gentle kiss on his forehead before nestling, placing light kisses along his collar bone. His eyes lazy watching you pick an ice cube from the towel. Hissing as the cold water trailed down in between his chest bumping over the definition of his hands leaving the trail a disrupted line. His hand gripped yours when you’d trailed the ice around his right nipple.

“Okay that’s enough, bed!”

“Did you bring it?” Jimin asked in a half pant setting himself lying on top of you, knee pressed to you core. Foreheads touching both fighting every urge to lose each other into desperate kisses.

“Mmmhmm, in my bag” exhaling as he left you on the bed. Jimin had convinced you it would be a good idea if you started carrying your bullet vibrator around with you more often. On multiple occasions he’d more than proved it was a great idea; especially once during a particularly tense break during one of your exams. He’d easily swayed you into one of the dance practice rooms and had you shoved up against the mirror.

“Why have you brought that in?” You queried questioning eyes taking in Jungkook’s bobbly polka dot scarf.

“Do you think he’ll mind if I’ve borrowed it to fuck you?” The wicked grin that crept across his face had you shaking your head, your lip bit between your teeth.

“You are awful Park Jimin” You did not hesitate when he secured it at the back of your head blindfolding you. You had to concentrate on bypassing the scents from Jungkook’s scarf and only the musky, wood and comforting scent of Jimin. The path down your body that would normally be formed by his lips was replaced with the light buzzing of the vibrator. His face wasn’t far from yours, his hot amaretto tainted breath told you that; one of his arms was planted next your head keeping him steady.

“Jimin, please!” you whined, full of impatience. He’d conducted the bullet passed where you wanted it way too many times.

“You want it?” he spoke in your ear

“Take It” He didn’t have to ask you twice. When the vibrations hit your throbbing clit your head blissfully rolled back into the mattress. Your free hand dug into his hips when his fingers easily thrust into you

“Fuck your beautiful when you’re like this”

“I bet you can’t wait until you finally have my cock inside you, until my hands are around your throat and you’re begging me to give you what you want. You clenched around him panting out obscenities.

“Oh you like that when I talk dirty in your ear don’t you” You’d automatically depressed the small button on top of the bullet to increase the setting.

“You know I fucking do, stop teasing me and just do it already” you ordered breathless. You were pressing your hips harder into the vibrator chasing that seducing rhythm. Just as you were about to fall off the edge his fingers left you and snatched the vibrator from you. Hips chasing nothing.

“Where are your manners?” he teased.

“Jimin I swear to fucking god I…” You both stilled, both your ears catching the noise of the front door clicking open and shut. Jimin being the asshole that he is only saw this as an opportunity when he realised it was Jungkook who was stumbling around.

“Jimin, stop! He’ll hear” you pleaded weakly, his hands easily pinning yours above your head as well as easily securing them with just one of his hands. The other snatching the toy from and cruelly holding it harsh against your clit on full power.

“Only if you can’t be quiet” The vibrations were too powerful to escape and too powerful for you to be quiet. Jimin was using his body weight to keep your body from squirming to ease the vibrations.

Asshole

Even funnelling your moans through your lips seemed futile, they seemed to fill the room.

“Just cum and I’ll stop”

Like you had a choice at this point. Your cries were not quiet, the second your whole body started convulsing he stopped the vibrations and let go of your hands.

Your heart rate steadied, the sweat on your skin cooled. His fingertips ghosting your skin elicited goose-bumps where they traced. He slid the scarf from your eyes, the first view of his smug face had you giggling quietly.

“Asshole!” you scolded whacking his arm.

“Baby I haven’t even fucked you yet”

“You can’t be serious!” He was deadly serious. He crept off the bed and etched the door open as quietly as he could.

“He’s passed out on the couch” Not believing him, you stumbled to where he was. Jungkook was indeed passed out on the couch in an awfully uncomfortable looking position. He hadn’t even closed the curtains so the moonlight sifted in illuminating his flushed out face.

“Happy?” he quipped his head to the side closing the door. You pulled him by his belt into you; only the clinking of the buckle coming undone was heard over your hurried breaths.

“Baby I don’t want to be loud” you whined as your hand crept down his waistband.

“Better get on your hands and knees then” you elicited a groan from his lips when your hands wrapped around him.

He shoved your face down into the pillow gripping at the back of your neck.

“I guess I’ll have to go slow to try and keep you quiet” You nodded into the mattress, already gasping as he soaked his cock in your arousal. His hand left your neck and balled up your shirt in his fist pulling you onto him. Long drawn out groans escaped both of you. Fully inside you he stopped moving

“God, you feel so good every time” he grunted finally moving, your hand scrambling to grip the side of his thighs as he was tortuous in his lack of speed. Your moans deep and prolonged with each thrust.

“I bet Jungkook never felt this good did he?” he panted

“No, faster!”

“Is that what you want?”

“Fuck, yes, I don’t care about the noise”

“You changed your tune quick. Music to my ears”

His hips snapped into faster thrusts; you cried your moans into the mattress. Your knuckles stained white holding onto the cotton barrier. His hand firmly snuck back to the back of throat and pressured on either side. Jimin readjusted himself slightly; each snap of his hips now hitting the velvet goldmine sitting inside you. You started pushing back onto him, the gentle light headedness seeping in. You turned your head to the side to take some fresh air into your lungs

“Fuck Jimin, I’m close don’t stop” you cried out after a harsh thrust. The cry was not shrouded in the pillow. Your words sent him to jerk his hips more sporadically and his grip tightened on your throat. That was enough. Your muscles released the pressure in overwhelming waves. He carried on thrusting into you, shoving you into a state of over sensitiveness which had you whimpering in high gasps until he finally grunted and his hips started jerking. He went to pull out but your hand clamped onto his thigh and pushed him into you giving him no choice but to grunt your name and cum inside you.

Your hips collapsed on the bed with him behind you hand resting docile on your side.

“There’s no way that didn’t wake him” Jimin chuckled. Jimin’s phone screen brightened up and vibrated loudly against the wood side table. You rolled onto his chest as he selected the message that had just come through

-sod JK, there’s every way that I heard it-

“When the hell did Yoongi get back?” you asked burying your face into his chest.

You spent the whole of your lecture staring at your phone trying to coax a message from Yoongi to pop up. Your word document open on your laptop remained empty, not a word typed.

“We’ll know more later” Laura tried to offer

“It will get sorted” She still wasn’t helping. You responded with a blank water filled gaze; eliciting a warm hug which actually was half comforting.

“Anyway, aren’t you supposed to be going to lunch with Jimin after his practice before the meeting?” Laura spread her books and notepad like a deck of cards on the library desk

“Yeah” you replied.

“Well go on then, I’ll send you my revision notes from today seeing as you failed massively to take any”

“Thanks, catch you in a bit”

You’d actually never been over to the dance studios on campus; it was a damn side better aesthetically than the science building. The reception area was neat. The navy-blue sofas pressed against the window matched the scattering of large bean bags beside them. Elegant dance pictures framed and hung on the flawless white paintwork of the walls. You took the door labelled ‘Practice Rooms’ and headed for no.4. Number 1 & 2 were clearly the larger rooms; 1 was clearly more of a show room as there was a large rectangular window peering in. Practice room 4 was much smaller and only occupied by Jimin and Hobi.

Both the boys were glistening with sweat that had permeated in pools on their tank tops; loose trackies sat on their hips. The door lightly knocked shut behind you. Shoes off bag down on the ground. Both sets of eyes glancing their way acknowledging your entrance; bodies still moving flawlessly in sync with each other focused on the music throbbing round the studio. It was definitely something choreographed by Hobi, the sharper more prominent moves contrasting to the softer, fluid movements of Jimin’s contemporary strengths.

“Well that was definitely something” praising the masterpiece you’d intruded on.

“Think so?” Hobi questioned regaining air in his lungs.

“Oh come on, you know it’s good!” When it came to dancing modest was not something he was capable of.

“He’s been a …. Douche this morning” He went to hug you, pushing your palm on his chest in refusal.

“Erm no. Sweaty. I’d like my outfit to not be covered in Jimin sweat” His shoulders slumped, Hobi finding amusement in your words.

“Toold!” Hobi teased retrieving his holdall, slinging it round his shoulders.

“I’ll catch you guys later. Y/N please don’t worry about later we’ll sort it”

“I’ll do my best”.

“Honestly I wish people would stop even mentioning it”

“Well I wish you wouldn’t worry about it” Jimin countered. You slid yourself onto the beech table pressed to the back wall. Jimin swiping the damp hair from his face.

Why is everyone so fucking calm about this.

“So what do you wanna do for lunch. I think a burger from Benny’s will ease my overthinking”

“Yeah?” He stalked over to you nudging himself in between your legs, forefinger tracing under your neck angling your head aiming to meet his lips.

“I was thinking maybe more you?”

“Well that was about as smooth as a cactus” you quipped. Both his hands interlocking with yours lifting them around like they were joysticks.

“And what makes you think I’ll be in the mood with all this fighting stuff?” He edged into you as far he could his cheek brushing against yours

“Because you know when I touch you…” He gripped your thighs tugging your clothed core onto his thigh

“Mmm”

“… just right” the whisper and breath crept along your ear, fingers tip toeing their way up your body creeping to hold snug around your neck.

“I can get you begging for me to fuck you” Your half weak smile powered up to a full-on smirk.

“You know you can’t resist me” he cooed, the innocent beautiful face hiding the demon tempter beneath.

He was right

No matter your state of mind with you both being essences your bodies would take over; completely over fuelling and over writing any processes your rational mind was running. Like animals in damn heat.

Your hand tugged at the drawstrings of his bottoms.

“I think you’ll find you’re trying to seduce me. Sooo…” Your hand wandered, pushing under the elastic waist band. Palm pressing against his cock

“It’s you who can’t resist me” You can’t resist each other. The deep groan in his throat, the slow tilt of his head back. Your senses ran wild. Pupils blowing out like balloons, your irises flaming golden at each other. The primal wolves taking over.

Lips chasing yours plump with need as you slid of the table hand still nursing his growing member

“Tell me you want me” you breathed between heavy kisses. You want to hear his desperate breathes for you

“I want you” A relieved exasperated exhale fanned across your neck, hand leaving his straining cock with no more contact. His own hand under your control to unhook your jean buttons. Forehead nudged to yours watching your hand disappear.

“Want this?”

“Mmm need this” the plea slipping past his lips. Hungry eyes looking down lip between his teeth.

If a look could have you flatlining it was him biting his lips

“You want to make me feel better? Want to make me cum, whine out your name?” Your words were slightly broken, the delicate swirls of your fingers on your clit his hand following your movements.

“God yes!” The growl pried from his lips.

“Then go lock the door” you whispered.

“Okay so we all know why we’re here” Yoongi began stood, the fireplace behind him crackling an orange hue into the room. The five of you all lounged around the option of sofas, determined curious stares all facing the Alpha. The leather jacket was non-existent but the standard white tee and jeans remained consistent. The rest of you were much more at home; slouched in variety of comfy hoodies and trackies. This house was huge and often played host to pack sleepovers.

You and Jimin were snug to each other, his arm cocooning you into his chest. When Yoongi started to speak Jimin felt your heart start to rattle unnerved in your chest; he placed a light squeeze at your waist.

“So I went to see Max last night and safe to say they haven’t changed”

“So you’ll be fighting?” Laura questioned; you sensed no fear in her voice just utter curiosity.

“No” Everyone began shuffling, uncomfortable air and unknown suffocating the room. The unwelcome spirit stirring.

“Trevor was pretty beat up when I went. Max was not too impressed by the whole ordeal if I’m honest he was furious. He’s basically washed his hands of the situation and told Trevor he will not be fighting his battles…but was adamant the old ways are still followed” he continued

“We agreed that is only fair that if one alpha isn’t fighting then neither should the other”

Nausea oozed through your being, uncomfortably smashing your thoughts everywhere. The others all wide eyed still suffering from the shock that:

1. Max actually seemed to been reasonable

2. Yoongi was not going to fight.

Will I have to fight for myself?

I’m not strong enough yet

I’ll have no…

“I’m putting it to you guys. Obviously, Y/N it’s out of the question you’re nowhere near strong enough yet”

Gee thanks!

“Guys I can’t…” you launched yourself up. Jimin wanted to hold you close but he knew you were adamant

“I can’t have you fighting for me this is ridiculous. You didn’t ask for any of this.

“It should be Hobi he’s next strongest” Laura piped up. Everyone completely ignoring you trying to make their point. Arms tightly folded nails digging into the skin of your arm

“Yeah I’ll go, I’ll be more than happy to wipe that smirk of that assholes face” Your glare hit Jimin a call for backup. He shifted to speak

Thank you

“If anyone it should be me” leaning forward with sincerity. You flayed your hands, fingers wide

For god’s sake!

“Jimin I don…” Yoongi began

“I know I’m not as strong as Hobi but I’m not that much weaker either and besides don’t you think out of everyone I’ve got the most motivation and drive; I mean she’s my girl!”

“Jimin we can’t ris…” Yoongi returned

“No Yoongi, I think he has a point, like we all love Y/N but he will have the most resolve and determination and the facts it’s his essence he’s fighting for will be all the better” Hobi giving Jimin a supportive smile.

“I agree” Laura arm raised up in solidarity.

“Joon? Tae?” Yoongi glancing to the quietest two of the group. Nothing would ever be decided without everyone’s opinion being noted.

“Makes sense to me”

“And me”

In the time they’d all ignored you, annoyance had crept into your skin, a toxin flushing out any desire to spend time with these guys this evening.

“Okay, fine it’s sorted then. Jimin you’re in you’ve got 3 days” Yoongi beamed casually, shoulders down, weight lifted.

“Now let’s enjoy the evening” Yoongi went to hand you your glass that had been resting on the mantle. You blankly refused.

“I think I’ll just go to bed” Tone low with agitation seeping over your words. Jimin stood.

“Just leave it” You spat, everyone calling after you as you stomped yourself to the bedroom.

You launched yourself into the chair in front of the mirror with a huge huff. Staring harshly at your mirror image. The glistening glint of fluid filling your eyes.

Nope!

You shoved yourself up and rummaged aggressively through your bag for one of your virology books. Fundamentals of molecular virology by Nicholas H Acheson. Had been you’re favourite so far this course.

Nothing like reading about genius designed killing machines to take my mind off going full breakdown.

You were only minutely disturbed by the low throb of the TV downstairs, and the occasional outburst of laughter.

-Baby, I’m sorry, please don’t be angry with us. Can I come up yet? -

-I’m angry you’re all so easily wiling putting yourself in harm’s way just for my sake. And NO!-

- I LOVE YOU! That’s why I’m doing it. The others love you two-

The three words that you can’t wait to hear in a new relationship. The three words that should fill you with that queasy happiness. They only made you irritable.

-Don’t you dare say that for thre first tiem in this situation. Getting beaten the fuck up is not how I want you ro show it to me -

You cursed yourself at the angry spelling when your words popped up in the conversation bubble of your chat. You lent back kicking the book to the floor snuggling yourself into the duvet as much as humanly possible. Jimin would have to fight you for his side of the duvet later.

You felt his struggle begin, the struggle which disrupted the calm ambience of your sleep. You drowsily rolled over, huffing with your movement. He crept up behind you, a nervous mongoose rolling next to the sleeping snake. You were too dazed to fight for too long and eventually allowed him to press himself up against you, the reluctant small spoon.

“Baby…” he whispered

“Not now” you exhaled weakly. His hand pulling down the collar of your top placing a delicate drawn out kiss against your skin.

“Jimin” you warned softly. He preceded to creep sloping his arm up, resting his hand between your breasts. You were not going react, letting sleep slowly re-capture you. Being the stubborn one he was he nudged his hips into you. You felt his lips crease on the back of your neck.

“Please… baby” The sucrose dripping off every word into a whine.

“What!?” clunking yourself around to face him. Features barely visible, diamonds in his eyes shimmering none the less.

“I Love You princess” You took a few seconds.

The anger draining out of you as you exhaled a forgiving chuckle.

“I also want you” he nudged you to lay on his chest.

“To trust me”

“You know I do” The smell of alcohol diffusing of his skin.

“Let me finish, I want you to trust me to do right by you and fight for you okay” The happiness that had swelled had now deflated to nausea.

“I’ll win okay. There’s no way you’re going with them. You are far too precious to all of us for that to happen”

“Precious?” bemused.

“Okay cheese loaded choice of words but I…”

“Okkkaaay” you exclaimed pressing a forefinger chaste to his lips.

“I’ll try and be a calmer bitch, but I’m well within my right to be scared that my boyfriend is going to be fighting an absolute tank”

“That a low dig at my height?” he chuckled pinching your hip

“You really do have a thing about that don’t you” you teased.

“Well good thing I love you anyway then” You shuffled up kissing him.

“Oh decided to say back it to me then” Your palm flat across his chest, fingers gently circling his chest

“Say it again, I was half asleep before” You cooed, the pleasant beat of his chest, lulling you sweetly.

“I love you, now go to sleep I can hear you heart slowing”

“Mmm I can get used to you saying that”

“Only if you stay mine”

“Mmmmhmm” you mumbled.

“You’re getting so much stronger and faster” Yoongi praised panting the second he heard the human knackered pants from the next. You were on the floor, back heavy on the cool concrete floor. Enough energy was mustered to grab the blanket you kept in your cell. Your exposed body at least had some cover until the energy was mustered to dress yourself.

“You...think?”

“Yeah your doing so well, progressing so much faster than the others did” The light metal clink of his buckles clear as a bell.

“You decent?” he added.

“Enough” you managed, Yoongi creeping around the corner peering down at your feebleness.

“Recovery is tough for me”

“I can tell” he chuckles securing the blanket round you assisting you to your feet.

After your first full moon you quickly learnt it wasn’t all plain sailing from there. Yes in human form everything was enhanced; hearing, smell, strength. Every sense amplified. In wolf form though it was bit more complicated. Stamina and strength needed to be trained, perfected. Yoongi had been taking you out for runs and various exercises. You knew he’d taken you out today to tire you out and distract you like a toddler; I guess in wolf world you were in a way. You were becoming more confident with your capabilities and using the abilities you now possessed. With your wolf form being tested you needed a good few hours of recovery time. Most of which you spent in bed or in a bath.

“Help me to bed please”

“Obviously”

You crashed the second your head graced the pillow

Bed depressing next to you, that addictive scent swallowing you whole; warm arms pushing gentle at your stomach shifting your body closer to him. An unyielding kiss pressed to the top of your shoulders. The subtle nudge of his crotch into your behind signalling his intentions. Half pulled out of your sleep you responded with a weak nudge of your behind into him. Consent given shirt pushed up over your chest. Harsh kisses on the top of your back; your weak spot. Fingertips creeping down your side tugging your hips harder into his already hard cock. He really couldn’t control himself around you, so easily driven wild. Hands now slick in your arousal open mouth bites at your shoulders. No words spoken, just breathier pants slowly escalating. Band snapped; patience dry. Your hips were shoved forward, cock sliding through, coated enough in your juices to thrust into you with ease. Your close-mouthed moan loud in his ears. His even pace torturous and sweet. It stayed even, slowly winding the coil tighter and tighter within you. Part of you wanted to beg him to go faster the other part wanting the steady climb to never end. You wanted to keep feeling anything, anything to keep you away from you fear of later.

Fist flying to his hip gripping his flesh. The restraint he had to muster to not accelerate his hips. He wanted you to come undone hard and slowly.

“Harder” His hips snapped slower, more deliberate pressure harder and your spot.

“Not that your mouth” It had hardly left your shoulder you wanted his teeth sunk deeper.

“Are you sure?”

“Mmm” you choked

“Bite me” you begged breathless, growl pursing through his lips. He was never going to deny you anything you wanted. Canines growing against your skin. The sting of skin being pierced had you clenching around him causing him to choke, pushing the blood swirling in his mouth out the side of his lips. The warm trickle running down your shoulders painting the sheets red. The copper taste swallowed down. Blood wasn’t amazing to were’s; I mean that’s for the vamps but it wasn’t disgusting either. It was mildly nice; but to Jimin yours was so fucking sweet, a delicacy he would savour every chance he got.

One harsh thrust and you were done. Each pulse seeming longer than the last, by the last one he was jutting into you swearing your name. Heat flushing away you rolled to face him. His hand cradling your cheek. His looked completely fuck out, blood staining those pump lips and in the creases of his mouth.

“I love you” he panted; those word hit you again. Salty tears filling slowly over your pupils.

“Oh baby don’t” he pleaded. His thumb brushed away the first droplet to fall down your flushed rose tinted cheek.

“It will be fine, Yoongi wouldn’t let me if he didn’t think it was doable. And if something was to go wrong then he would probably fuck the rules of anyway for you. He’s so bonded to you”

“I know but… what if this is the last time you make me fall apart”

“It won’t be, I’m not giving up your pussy for shit!” He was good at making you smile and giggle no matter your mood. It was a pure talent.

“Now that I do believe”

“There you go”

“Please just get ready and go now before I start completely balling it”

You’d been banned from going, at the request of Jimin of all people. He didn’t want to get distracted and did not want you to see him get hurt. Yoongi also backed this so your fate was decided; not that you didn’t give them hell for it.

“So… who’s the puppy that’s going to lose” Trevor goaded walking forward breaking the crescent of his pack stood for the show. Jimin stepped forward announcing his participation.

“Why am I not surprised”

“Alright stop the bullshit let’s just get this redundant old thing out the way” Yoongi interrupted at the centre of his pack’s crescent.

“Fine, you both know the rules” Max Began

“No jugular attacks! The wolf to be down for 7 seconds loses” he continued. Trevor and Jimin squared up to one another

“I’m going to enjoy fucking your scent off her” Trevor toyed, vicious glare with venomous eyes

Jimin did not even dignify that with a response; shifting and jumping straight to attack.

Animal whines echoed through the blanket of trees surrounding the gathering. Yoongi, Laura, Hobi, Tae and Joon stood, quiet in silent confidence. Max’s pack however were goading and cheering Trevor on like a pack of wild animals, they outnumbered Yoongi’s pack by five.

Snarls seething with venom, blood matting the fur surrounding their jaws. Jimin pressing against the rage trying to keep the cool head with difficulty. An equal fight, both being launched by their necks to the ground. Paws swiping at faces leaving streaks of blood.

“Jimin!...Get Up!” Laura wailed, Trevor had slung Jimin against a tree and he’d not moved.

“1”

“2”

“3”

Jimin’s vision had blurred, indistinguishable noises rattled round his head. Body on fire, the overwhelming taste of copper disgusting in his mouth. His body not responding to commands. Trevor’s wolf walking away, swag in his step already declaring himself the winner. His pack cheering…

“4”

Something illuminated inside him, his body on fire from the inside, like it wasn’t even his pain. It felt like he could feel your pain, your distress; the agony of being without him. It broke him, the tears formed at the corner of his eyes stinging the wound at the corner of his eye.

At the house you rolled over, a sharp pulling in your chest. Something detaching inside you. Your groan and cry falling on no ears.

Jimin snarled quietly, rejuvenated, he would not have you feeling so distraught. If Yoongi’s pack had been smart they would have warned him Jimin had pushed himself up, paws sore but he was past caring. He began to sprint; Jimin being faster than Trevor could react smashing him into a tree. Determined bark growling out past Jimin’s mouth. Teeth clamping down on Trevor’s neck just below his jugular; tugging hard before flinging him into the tree again.

“1”

“2”

“3”

Trevor’s pack were swearing. Profanities thick directed at him.

“4”

“5”

“6”

“7”

The silent pack now erupted with cheer, rushing over to the limping form of Jimin. Both guys transformed back, wounds seeping, a pair of panting naked bodies. Wounds being assessed of both participants. Most of Trevor’s were round his neck, thick lacerations going down to his chest. A covering of scratches spanning his torso. Jimin had one particularly worrying gash in his neck, he was unbothered. Trusting in his friends and their ability to stop the flow of blood. His healing ability would do the rest. Eventually. His right eye was curtained with red, cut above his eye pissing with blood. His torso wounds were mildly more severe than Trevor’s; but Jimin just wanted to get back to you.

Yoongi relieved, waltzed up to Max, A begrudging handshake occurred.

“Now it’s done! I don’t want to hear of anymore shit from your guys. You go near here again and they’ll be hell to pay” Yoongi snapped. Max frowning more at the wailing sack of shit that was Trevor on the floor.

“Of course,” He seethed through gritted teeth.

You’d sat numb in a ball on the sofa staring blankly at the tv. Noise becoming white, words and light becoming indistinguishable mashes of colour. You heard the distinct whirring of Yoongi’s car as it drew closer. You rushed up to lean against the sofa, folded arms, nails anxious between your teeth. The door clicked; feet fast to greet whatever was about to walk through that door. Laura walked in first, holding the door ushering Tae and Joon inside. Hobi and Yoongi supporting Jimin who was just about supporting his weight. You’re not sure what happened first, the hand flying to your mouth or the tears now running down your cheeks. The thought of your fate a speck of dust in the wind compared to overwhelming state of Jimin’s welfare.

“Oh my god!”

The boys lowered him to the sofa, his face creased up wincing. You flew to the first aid kit Yoongi insisted on having for shifting injuries. The others began flapping around and preparing things.

“Can I just be with MY girl please” Jimin groaned. All eyes on the two of you, the antiseptic wipe briefly leaving his eyebrow.

“You mean?”

“Told you” He croaked. Your sweet smiles mirrored in each other. A long kiss against his forehead followed by the others leaving.

“We’ll be at Laura’s if you need anything. Y/N just make sure you slow all the bleeding down, he’ll be fine”

You spent a good hour or so wiping the field of cuts. The alcohol causing a stream of curses from Jimin’s mouth. You went to un-tape the red soaked towel from around his shoulder and neck. His battered hand stopped yours.

“Please don’t. There’s no way you want to see that”

“But it’s got to be cleaned”

“Trust me it will be fine”

“Can we just please go and rest together, don’t know about you but I’ve had a shit day” He teased

“Even the early afternoon?” you countered, feigning insult.

“Well I mean that was alri…ght” You supported him up off the chair.

“Do not make me add to your injuries Park Jimin!” You jested. The fact his sense of humour was intact pulled the plug to your overflowing concern.

#bts smut #ksmutclub #smutcentralnet #btswriterscollective #kwritersworldnet #btsguild #bangtanarmynet #networkbangtan #park jimin #BTS jimin #jimin x reader #werewolf au #28days #bts

158 notes · View notes

marvelmando · 5 years

Text

the first breath [p.parker x reader]

notes: hi! i... actually love this. i’m a sucker for soulmate! au’s, so naturally this was somewhat easy to write. this is just a small break from my tempest series, ill continue posting tomorrow (bc it’s my birthday!). tomorrow as in the eleventh, just in case it’s already daytime wherever you’re reading this!

contains: soulmate! au, some swearing

pairing: peter parker + reader

word count: 3.6k

“Hey!”

Peter’s heart thumped hard in his chest. Looking around for the person, he saw a girl greeting a friend, and Peter sighed, unconsciously massaging the band covering his left wrist.

No matter how many times Peter had heard the word, it never failed to send a spike of panic in him. It was just a word, an unfairly common greeting phrase in America, but to Peter, it meant infinitely more.

“Stupid Soulmark,” Peter grumbled to himself as he walked the halls of Midtown High.

For as long as humans could tell, each individual was born with a word or phrase inked into the skin of their nondominant forearm. The Marks could say anything, but they belonged to the first words spoken to you by your soulmate.

Soulmarks were considered sacred by most of the world, and like most sacred things, they were hidden from public view. Soulbands were a staple in almost every culture, meant to only be taken off in front of your soulmate. Although modern times saw the general acceptance of most controversial topics that were shunned in the past, Soulbands seemed to never grow out of popularity. It was also a sense of security, to make sure that they couldn’t be said by the wrong person.

Some had easily-identifiable Marks. Where there was little room for doubt that the words spoken belonged to your soulmate. Others, like Peter, had simple, one-word Marks.

For as long as he could remember, Peter lived in a near-constant state of anxiety over the word. What would normally be an off-hand remark or a polite greeting made Peter’s heart skip and his knees grow weak.

Whenever greeted with the word, Peter would tense, and respond with a stiff, “Um, hi?” and watch as the person gave him a weird or blank look in return. There had been several instances - none of which he was particularly proud of - where Peter ran away rather than face the sting of false hope.

Most religions viewed Soulmarks as divine intervention, a sign that humans were blessed by the gods. A lot of the time, Peter wanted to curse whatever gods forced them into the arranged couplings.

Failing at keeping the scowl at bay, Peter stopped at his locker, twisting the lock and opening it to return his books.

“Hey, Peter,” a voice said from behind, and he instantly recognized it as Ned Leeds, his best (and only, really) friend. Peter turned only his head, unsurprised to find Betty Brant, Ned’s soulmate, at his side.

Like most matched individuals, Ned seemed to glow with happiness in the presence of their soulmate. Sometimes the dopey smile on Ned’s face was too much for Peter. Whether it was from envy or discomfort, feeling the never-ending, unadulterated joy exuding from him made Peter’s stomach turn and twist uncomfortably.

“Hey, Ned. Betty,” Peter nodded as a greeting, stacking his textbooks in his locker.

“Are you planning on going to the... internship, today?” Ned whispered, his inability for subtly flaring to life. Though Betty had been Ned’s match long enough to know Peter’s secret, it was a good thing the halls had pretty much been deserted at that point, as the school day had been over for more than ten minutes.

“Yeah,” Peter shut his locker, heaving his significantly lighter backpack over his shoulder. “Just neighborhood stuff, though.”

Ned nodded enthusiastically. Despite how preoccupied he was with Betty, Ned had always been Peter’s go-to Spider-Man guy. Ned called himself “The Guy in The Chair”, but Peter refused to say it out loud unless absolutely necessary.

They parted ways at the train station, where Peter went to find a secluded alley to change into his suit.

You had no idea what possessed your parents to up and move the family to New York.

You’d lived your entire life in a small, cozy town in the middle of nowhere. You’d enjoyed that life. Then suddenly, your father called you down one day earlier that summer to announce that in a few months, you’d be packing and moving to the heart of Queens.

Despite having been in the bustling city for weeks now, you still hadn’t gotten used to walking through the crowded streets. People were rude here; though, with the craziness of the city, you weren’t really sure you could blame them. Still, it filled you with frustration when you tried to weave through the streets, only to be knocked roughly in the shoulder and subsequently cursed out for no damn reason.

On the bright side - the only bright side, if you were being honest - was the exponential increase in the possibility that you would finally meet your soulmate.

Your hometown was lovely and quaint, but the general teenage population left a lot to be desired. It didn’t help that there were only fifty other people in your graduating class, or that you’d met and exchanged first words with every single of them already.

That being said, of all the people you’d met at Midtown so far, none of them had said the words branded on your right wrist. But to be fair, there weren’t many opportunities where someone had to yell, “I swear I wasn’t aiming at you!”

You didn’t have to worry about the possibility of danger in your old town, but in New York, you were vaguely concerned that the words would be uttered during a mugging.

Unfortunately, you were quite right to be concerned.

“All right, Karen, what do we got?”

Peter watched as the screen flashed, images of satellite footage and recordings of police radio calls popping up and disappearing again as Karen flipped through potential threats.

“The city is quiet today,” Karen’s robotic voice remarked. Distantly, Peter wondered how the voice was created, and if it was recorded, who the person was behind the voice. It was distinctly human, after all, without the awkward pauses and emphases that Siri usually had. “There have been no reports of any robberies or shootings.”

Peter sighed, bored and disappointed. He’d long gotten over the guilt of wanting some danger in the city.

Suddenly, before Karen could notify him, he heard a voice cry, “Stop that guy!”

Immediately swinging into action, Peter noticed a man in his mid-twenties sprinting down the sidewalk, shoving himself through the crowd. The woman who’d yelled for help was young, in her thirties, but still wasn’t fast enough to keep up.

Peter swung overhead, gaining distance and landing directly in the guy’s path. The thief skidded to a halt, his eyes widening in obvious fear at the sight of Spider-Man. He clutched a purse to his chest.

“It’s not nice to steal!” Peter yelled, moving to shoot a web at the purse. But the thief was quick, and he ducked under his web, making a run for it.

Peter was faster though and lunged to bodyslam him, sending him into the wall of a nearby building. The impact knocked the purse from his grasp, and it spilled to the ground as the man struggled to get back up. Peter webbed him to the wall and notified Karen to call the police.

Satisfied with his handiwork, Peter was about to leap onto the roof when an aggravated noise caught his attention instead.

He turned to see you growling, your splayed hand webbed to a streetlamp. The web the thief dodged must’ve hit you instead. Catching sight of him noticing you, you yelled out, “Hey!”

For once in his life, the word didn’t seem to register. He was, for lack of a better word, enchanted by you. Even with furious indignation twisting your face, he couldn’t stop staring at the depth of your eyes and the slope of your nose. Blinking, he said without thinking, “I swear I wasn’t aiming for you!”

It was a stupid response, admittedly. Of course, he wasn’t aiming for you. You’d probably noticed the thief and could probably make the connection.

However, Peter didn’t have time to think about the pointlessness of the protest, because he was too busy registering what you’d said. The word. His word.

Cheeks flaming under his mask, Peter braced himself for the rejection. But it never came.

Your eyes went impossibly wide, and you immediately stopped yanking against the web. Peter watched as you gaped at him, and thanks to the mechanics of the suit, he noticed that your heart rate increased significantly.

Almost in a trance, Peter stepped toward you. “It’s you, isn’t it?”

Your mouth closed, and you visibly swallowed. “Depends,” your voice was tight, anxious. “How often do you accidentally shoot your webs at innocent bystanders?”

You flushed as you registered the double meaning behind the words. Peter watched in amusement as your cheeks flushed and you stammered to correct yourself.

“I-I just mean that -”

“It’s okay, I -”

Peter started to placate you, feeling the blood rushing through his veins like soda, popping and fizzing under his skin. But he was cut off by the sound of Karen’s voice, though distant, but urgent enough to draw his attention away from you.

“Peter, there’s a hostage situation that was just called in happening thirteen blocks away,” the AI announced, causing Peter to falter in his steps.

“I-I gotta go,” he told you, hurrying to free your trapped hand from the lamppost, and backing away reluctantly. “I’ll find you, I promise!”

He could see the disappointment on your face as you watched him scuttle off, and every cell in his body protested the distance he forced between him and his soulmate, but he knew he had to go.

“If you were anyone else, that’d be super creepy!” You yelled as Peter swung away. He smiled widely under his mask.

Your skin was still tingling and your cheeks were sore from smiling so much when you finally reached your apartment.

All you had to do was look at your mother for her to tell that you had met your soulmate. After spending an hour at the kitchen table being interrogated by your parents, you were finally released to your room to process.

You closed the door gently behind you and slid your back against the wood until your bottom rested on the ground. You tilted your head back, barely feeling the thunk as it collided with the door. Every time you tried to relax your face into a neutral expression, you remembered the way Spider-Man’s eyes widened as he took in the sight of you, and how your heart skipped several beats as he said the words you knew so well, and your lips crawled back into a giddy smile once more.

Even in your hometown in the middle of nowhere, you had known about Spider-Man. The superhero wasn’t nearly as popular as he seemed to be in the city he protected, but you still remembered the passing of phones and newspapers whenever Spider-Man saved another day or stopped another robbery. Even your high school had a day dedicated to him after a particularly miraculous defeat of the notorious Green Goblin, who’d terrorized the borough for weeks before he was stopped.

Spider-Man was a national - if not global - phenomenon. And he just so happened to be your soulmate.

You’d just reached for your phone to call your best friend from home when a knock on your window startled you.

You jumped, scrambling to your feet. Your apartment was on the eighth story, there was no way a burglar would have climbed all this way to rob you. A burglar wouldn’t knock either, you scoffed internally.

Tiptoeing to the window, you peered through the glass. Even under the dark cover of the late hour, you could distinctly make out the identity of the figure. You hurried to unlatch and open the pane, stepping back nervously when the figure climbed through, rather clumsily for how graceful he normally was.

Spider-Man was polite enough to close the window behind him, cutting off the brisk gust of wind that caused goosebumps to appear on your arms. You crossed them, rubbing them to warm yourself up.

When he straightened and faced you once more, you couldn’t help but stare back. You bit your lip anxiously, suddenly very aware of how messy your room was. You had, after all, just moved in, and most of your stuff was either still in boxes or strewn haphazardly about the room.

“I’m sorry for the mess,” you blurted, unable to help yourself. “We just moved here a couple weeks ago, and... well, y’know.” You gestured unhelpfully around the room.

Every cell in your body seemed as though they were vibrating. The muscles in your chest twitched and your bones ached to close the distance between the two of you. It was as though you and your soulmate were opposite ends of a magnet, and the field around you was pulling your bodies together.

“It-It’s okay,” Spider-Man stuttered, and you realized that he’d turned off his voice modulator. You hadn’t even realized earlier that he was using one, but you now recognized the difference. His voice was higher than before, not as robotic and crackly. “I don’t mind.”

You nodded awkwardly. Spider-Man shifted his balance between his feet, as if he too was fighting the urge to get closer.

“Uh, how did you find me, anyway?” You couldn’t help but ask.

“Well, there’s this intelligence system installed in my suit, and I had her look up your address,” the eyes of his suit narrowed sharply as if he was wincing, probably at how creepy it sounded. “I hope that’s not too creepy, because it sounds pretty creepy. I didn’t - I mean, I wasn’t stalking you or anything.”

You smiled. Spider-Man rambled adorably, and though the thought of him looking up your address should have been terrifying, you found that you didn’t mind at all. You weren’t sure if it was because he was your soulmate, or if it was because he was a superhero. Either way, you placated him. “It’s alright, I don’t mind.”

Despite your insistence that it was fine, Spider-Man still held himself back, hesitant to move forward with the conversation. To cut through the awkward tension, you said the first thing that came to mind.

“I like your suit,” you said, cringing immediately after. While true, that wasn’t exactly what you meant to say.

With the mask, you couldn’t decipher Spider-Man’s reaction. Though, after a brief moment, he chuckled.

“Thanks,” he giggled. You felt yourself relax. “I like your shirt.”

You looked down. It was an old band shirt that you bought at a thrift store a few years ago and was well-worn, the ink faded and several holes stretching the neck out. “Uh, thanks.” You smiled nonetheless because it seemed that Spider-Man was just as nervous as you were, which inexplicably made you feel much better.

“My name’s Y/N, by the way,” you smiled, holding out your hand. “But if you know my address, you probably know my name, too.”

You thought you could see Spider-Man smiling under the mask. It shifted over his face as he accepted the handshake, wrapping his hand around yours. Even through the fabric of his suit, his skin burned like a furnace. From anyone else, it may have been stifling. But from him, the warmth was cozy, a calming heat rushing through your hand and up your arm, wrapping around your heart like a security blanket.

“I do,” he said, and you could hear the smile in his voice. It took you a second to connect what he meant.

The seconds passed and your hands were no longer shaking, but neither of you dropped the hold. You found yourself drifting closer toward Spider-Man, and it took all of your energy not to fall into his chest and wrap your arms around his waist.

“I’m guessing that your real name’s not Spider-Man,” you cocked your head. “And I feel like it’s only fair that I know my soulmate’s name, too.”

Your breath hitched. You heard him inhale sharply, too. It was the first time you’d directly acknowledged to each other what you were, and it suddenly was too real for you.

You jerked your hand back, embarrassed. Your hand was startlingly cold now, suddenly bereft of Spider-Man’s touch. You flexed it subconsciously, yearning to reach out and grab his hand again.

“I - I...” you tried to explain yourself, but the wide, questioning eyes of his suit made you falter. You averted your eyes as you took an anxious step back, fighting against an overwhelming urge to flee.

“No, wait -” Spider-Man said, and reached up and yanked his mask off in one swift motion.

Your eyes immediately found his, as if they were pulled instinctively to each other. His soft almond-shaped eyes were filled with worry and caution, the warm brown irises gleaming in the darkness of your room. The lights of the ever-glowing city were the only light filtering in your room, and the shadows cut angles against Spider-Man’s cheekbones, carving his jowls and accentuating his slim mouth. Even in the darkness, you could make out the light smattering of freckles across the slightly crooked bridge of his nose, and the endearing flick of his left eyebrow, emphasized by their worried arch.

The chestnut curls piled on top of his head were tousled from the mask and flipped haphazardly over his forehead. His ears stuck out from his head, but instead of looking awkward, they fit his face nicely, softening the sharp edges of his high cheekbones. They were what made his already stunning face heartbreakingly adorable, and you fought the need to run your fingers over the shell of them.

Though the shadowy bags under his eyes conveyed a sense of exhaustion too severe for his apparent age, Spider-Man was younger than you thought. If you were to hazard a guess, Spider-Man was about your age, give or take a couple years.

“My name’s Peter,” he breathed, looking slightly panicked as you studied him. “Peter Parker.”

“Peter Parker,” you whispered, testing out the name on your tongue. The words were gentle but the pounding in your chest was overwhelming. The tension that grew since being in his presence while pulling yourself away made you feel as if you were drowning, gasping for breath. There was a bursting sensation in your stomach, then a warm, satisfying weight that spoke of absolute certainty that Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man, was your soulmate.

You felt your body inch toward his, and the relief flooding his face was palpable. You stepped closer to him, relishing in the way your body hummed in delight at the closeness.

Peter looked down at you, his gaze sweet and caring as he searched your face. There was a moment of content examination spent in comfortable silence as you both memorized every little detail of each other’s faces.

It should have been awkward, looking and saying nothing, but the longer you spent staring into each other’s eyes, the farther you seemed to fall. It was completely ridiculous and entirely premature, but you were certain that Peter was someone you could fall madly in love with.

“Hi,” you whispered, grinning shyly.

“Hi,” Peter responded just as softly, a mirroring smile stretching his lips.

Suddenly realizing something, you moved back just enough to bring your hand up. Peter backed away slightly, though it seemed to pain him.

You grabbed at the band covering your forearm, watching Peter’s expression as you unwound it. His eyes went wide, shifting from your arm to your eyes, then back to your arm as the band fell away and exposed your Mark.

Eyes meeting yours for permission, he tenderly took your proffered arm. His eyes roved over the Mark, before he brought his own hand to his mouth, grabbing the middle finger of his glove and yanking it off.

With his bared hand, he reverently ghosted his fingers over the inked letters. The look on his face was pure awe. “I really wasn’t aiming for you.”

He winced as though the words weren’t meant to escape. You chuckled. “I know.”

The light caressing of his fingertips against the sacred Mark shot spikes of pleasure through your body. It was a heady feeling, seeing your life partner touching the place meant for only the two of you.

When he looked back up at you, his face was split in an achingly loving smile. He pulled away, and yanked on the sleeve, revealing his own band.

It was simpler than yours, designed to fit slimly to the skin under his suit. It only took a simple click of his finger for it to release. On the dip of the inside of his wrist was the word, “hey!” written in your handwriting. With gentle movements, you traced the lines with your fingers. Peter visibly shuddered, watching you soak in the Mark.

Though you could’ve stared at it forever, you finally tore your eyes away. You met Peter’s gaze, finding the weight of it easier to handle than you thought.

With your thumb pressed to the Mark, and his hand wrapped around yours, the universe nudged you together. You and Peter fell into each other, lips meeting and melding as your bodies and souls collided like two exploding stars; fate and gravity and destiny crashing into each other and settling happily between you and your soulmate.

Your Mark burned and your lips ached with the pressure of your shared kisses. Reality forced your bodies apart, foreheads resting against one another as you caught your breath, but all at once, your soul felt grounded - you hadn’t even realized how empty it was until it found Peter’s.

In the safety of his arms, you breached the surface and took your first full breath.

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oveliagirlhaditright · 4 years

Text

Let It Out

https://archiveofourown.org/works/27496237

L takes Light to an art show--as a test to see if he can take him off probation earlier than intended--but somehow ends up realizing he actually misses Light's Kira persona in doing this.

"When did you become an artist, Ryuzaki?" Light asked L, as the detective was showing off some of his work at an art show in Tokyo.

The Kira case had ended five years ago… and when Light had confessed—and seemed to actually feel repentant for what he’d done—L had been able to wave away the death sentence for him, as he instead put his mind to good use. But since there was always a chance of a relapse, L watched Light twenty-four/seven. And it was something he actually did not hate.

"A long time ago, Light-kun,” L answered now, as he used a crayon to dab the finishing touches on this piece of a baby in a basket. “I became an artist to try and remember the beauty I’ve seen in even my most painful cases... And I may have been a little inspired by Kyle XY."

L added the last part on kindly, thoughtfully, because he knew that Light would otherwise have asked if there had been any beauty in the Kira case. And L wasn’t quite ready to touch that topic yet, for a few different reasons.

Light laughed at L’s answer, just as the sun chose that moment to get away from the clouds and burn both of their skin. And somehow, despite everything, that sound was music to L's ears… and maybe he was glad that he had saved it. "I expected you to try to psycho-analyze me here, Ryuzaki. Like, I was certain that crime scenes, somehow, were your inspiration to start drawing… but that if I said so, you would use that as evidence to say I’m still Kira. I’m glad that I was proven wrong, and that really you’re just a nerd.”

This type of conversation that he and Light were having now, wasn’t unlike the types they’d had when Light had lost his memory. Or even since then. And though some of Light’s comments ticked him off—because he didn’t try to push Light into being Kira anymore, thank you very much—he was still mostly enjoying it. So he laughed himself some, as he handed his finished design to the proprietor just behind him, so she might put it in a frame.

"Of course I wouldn’t do that. You know I've already somehow forgiven Light-kun for being Kira."

And he had. For whatever reason, he had. Though the deaths of Raye Penber, Naomi Misora and the FBI agents still didn’t sit well with him… but L liked to believe that Light Yagami—honestly one of the most decent people he’d met—had been corrupted by the Notebook. Nothing more, nothing less.

And If L would have expected Light to say "thank you" for his letting things go, he would have been sourly disappointed. And frankly, L was almost glad that he didn’t… because despite everything, his rivalry with Light was one of the things he still held the dearest: something he thought allowed them to get meaningful work done, as Light made L look at things from an angle he would not have without him.

So, seeing that Light wasn’t going to carry on this conversation unless he spoke again, L changed the subject. "Light-kun should find a sketch pad and some writing utensils here to draw himself. We are at an art fair, after all. You might as well enjoy it." L certainly was. He’d been given a new canvas to draw on, and this time he thought he might be kinder and draw a child in less dire circumstances.

Light glowered at L here—perhaps because he thought he wouldn’t so simply be rewarded that, since he had a handcuff slapped onto his wrist, even though it was attached to nothing at the moment—but L knew that if he turned that frown upside down and turned the charm back on, he would surely get what he wanted. He still was Light Yagami, after all.

“…Fine,” Light allowed. And L watched from the corner of his eye, as Light became smiley and cheery and told Aki—the woman hosting this event—that he’d always wanted to try his hand at art, and would love to have that chance now. Less than two minutes after that, Light had procured his own easel, canvas and paints, and was right by L’s side again.

And like L thought he would… he wasn’t even remotely surprised that Light began drawing houses. The young man actually had an impeccable eye for floor plans and blueprints; and had expertly drawn many that they would need to know for a mission, after they’d hacked into a system.

By the time that Light was starting to paint a red, slanted roof onto the mansion he was creating, he seemed truly relaxed. And L couldn’t help feeling that maybe, long ago, he should have been doing this, rather than writing in a notebook… But he also didn’t mean that at all, did he?

"…Why are we here doing this, Ryuzaki?” Light asked at last, when the sun went behind the clouds once more to paint the square in patches of black. “Even if this somehow relaxes you, I know it’s not more important to you than your detective work. So clearly this pertains to it—and surely my case—somehow. So how?”

There was that deductive reasoning of Light's, that L loved so much. The truth was, of course, that he was seeing if he could take Light off the leash earlier than intended. But would it serve to tell him that?

Then again, L doubted that Light would buy anything else. So, the truth for once.

“I’m trying to decide if I should end your probation early,” L admitted, whilst he finished drawing the baby’s eyes, that were looking up at him innocently and full of wonder.

And just like that, Light was stepping away from his own drawing, walking in L’s direction, and picking him up by the collar of his shirt as he hissed, "What? Are you seeing if I'll snap and kill everyone here?"

L hadn’t been thinking that. But like all things in life, it was a possibility. And L found himself telling Light that truth—for this was like the game again—instead of keeping his mouth shut and saving some face.

"Well, there are certainly thieves at this outing. And before, Kira wanted to start killing people who he deemed to just be lazy. So, if Kira were still within you, you might want to enact vengeance on such a petty crime.”

And it was at this point, that Light punched L in the face, knocking his work of art to the ground as he did so… And yet the baby wasn’t marred even the slightest bit. And whatever the reason, L breathed a sigh of relief at that.

“How can you even get off saying that, when you just told me you don’t try to see Kira in me anymo-”

"Though it isn't simple as all that, is it Light-kun? Because even with my assurances that I'm all about justice, here I am: at a harmless event, drawing some of the horrific things that I’ve seen, like a child who had to be shunned away like Moses, even in this day and age. The mind can only take so much trauma, after all, and needs to find a way to let it out. So, let it out.”

And as Light pulled L in for a violent kiss then—something he hadn’t been planning, but also wasn’t wholly surprised by—he did.

Author’s Note: So, the last line is supposed to be about L actually realizing he misses Kira some, and wanting Light to be that again… oddly enough. But if you don’t want to interpret it that way, you don’t have to. It could be L telling him to let out his angry love for him or something.

Also, if you guys haven’t seen the kinds of drawings that Kyle and Jessi did on Kyle XY, I highly suggest looking them up. They were cool. And that’s how I imagine L to draw here.

Anyway, I wanted my first Lawlight fanfiction to be gritty and intense, but instead it ended up an art show… but maybe that’s for the best. Oh well.

#fanfiction #my work #mine #my writing #Shanna writes #lawlight #death note #I'm scared putting this in the tags because I'm new to writing for the fandom. but I want my friend who hasn't been spoiled #for death note to be able to blacklist it so here I am

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ravenramblings · 4 years

Text

why we should cancel cancelling

Oh ho ho, what a light topic to discuss on this beautiful day, right? Well, it isn't. I had a lot of doubts about even writing this, and I am mortified by the idea of posting it. But this is a really important topic to me, and I think we should open a discussion about it. Well, what is cancel culture? Call-out culture (also known as outrage culture) is a form of public shaming that aims to hold individuals and groups accountable for their actions by calling attention to behavior that is perceived to be problematic, usually on social media. - wikipedia We sort of saw it become more prominent with the #MeToo movement, where people who had done pretty disgusting things were brought to light. But from then, it spiraled into being an all-losers game, where people blow up so-called "problematic" behaviour and shun the accused from all social media platforms and public life, in general, with no regard to proportions and facts. Why is that happening? People who might have never gotten the chance to speak, usually minorities, now have a platform to make their voices heard and form communities. Which is great! It's one of the many benefits of the Internet. But, knowing the injustices happening out in the real world, these people might be quick to jump on others who attacked their community or said something ignorant about it. The dynamic of power has changed, at least in the online world. We finally get to have our revenge on those groups of people who have hurt us time and time again. Which is great, right? Well, not really. The shame in public shaming Let's put ourselves in the shoes of the accused. You posted something, not really thinking twice about it, and now your "cancellation" is being celebrated. "I kept telling you guys, but you wouldn't listen. This person is a bigoted piece of shit.", one of the people says, adding a collage of all the problematic things you did. Why did no one tell you about it? These things seemed trivial. What did you do wrong? The angry mob is closing in on you, threatening your family or friends, making anyone ever associated with you release statements cutting all ties they have ever had with you, personally or profesionally. You feel, well, alone. Really, really alone. You made a mistake, which no one bothered to explain to you, and now you're faced with the end of your career. But worst of all, you are faced with being terribly, terribly ashamed. I've recently read Brené Brown's book, "The courage to be vulnerable" (which should definitely be on your tbr pile), and one aspect that really stood out to me was the connection between shame and anger or emotional distance. A really important distinction she makes, which i think is essential to any discussion about cancelling, is between the terms "shame" and "guilt". In her terms, the difference is: Guilt: "I did a bad thing" Shame: "I am a bad person" Guilt allows the possibility for growth and learning, while shame makes us want to go to a corner and hide from the rest of the world, knowing deep down that we aren't worthy of love or human connection. Ding ding! Your worst fears of being unworthy have just been confirmed, because you are obviously a horrible person that doesn't deserve the chance to speak. This isolation aspect is perhaps the worst thing. You don't get the chance to learn about what you did wrong and now you've been kicked out of maybe the only community that supported you. That's right. I'm not talking about the big social media influencers, although they are certainly affected by this too, through the simple fact that they are humans. I'm talking about the trans kid with a moderate audience that said something wrong one day and went from being loved and accepted for who they really are, to being called all sorts of horrible names and being considered an Enemy. All they feel is a stomach-turning sensation of shame at having lost the only support system they had. In the good scenarios, they find great strength and get through it, eventually coming back. In the bad scenarios, well, we don't like to talk about that, do we? Anonimity Ah, the world's wild west. A place where you can fulfill all of your dreams under an impersonal username and profile pictures. But we forget that under the cover of those other anonymous profiles hide other humans, with fears and hopes. Bla bla bla, the internet turns us into monsters, bla, bla, bla. Ok boomer, we've heard it all before. Well, let me tell you what depersonalisation does. It reduces a person to a set of posts. It makes those posts much, much easier to criticize, that stone much, much easier to pick up. Because on the Internet, you have never posted anything that could hurt anyone. Not anything that isn't deleted, at any rate. On the Internet you have that sweet, sweet moral high ground, and damn it all if you're not going to use it. And what is your one post going to do, anyway? The power of a crowd Nothing. Unless you're a celebrity, but let's suppose you're not. Your one post is absolutely insignificant. And so are the other thousands of posts, individually. What that means is you can sleep quite peacefully at night, knowing it "isn't really your fault". It removes responsability. You don't have to step in the ring and punch the other person, because thousands of pokes will have the same effect. The "crowd" is the big machine, and of course I am a part of it, but without me it would do just fine! Burying a community alive, leader by leader "Surely", you'd say, "you're not accusing me of wanting to hurt my own cause, are you?". Well, no. I know you don't want to. But I also know you are. When someone is the leader of a community or is seen as a speaker for it, there are tons of opportunities to be wrong. There are tons of opportunities to ignore some part of the community and spread misinformation unintentionally. But cancelling that person, who has the community's best interests at heart and has consistently been a great activist for its rights and recognition, is not a solution. Or, at any rate, not the solution we should be turning to. This will only hurt your cause. What can we do? "Well, now i feel guilty about all the times i jumped on the cancelling bandwagon" (believe me, i do too). That's good! Feeling guilt is the first step to changing your way of interacting with others on the Internet. And i have just the tips for you 1. Stop cancelling people. Stop using the term or any bloody term associated with it. People aren't just opinions, and you can cause serious harm by attacking a person for who they are, and not for what they said or did. Remember, you are trying to cause opportunities for growth and learning, not for isolation. 2. Leave the person room to breathe. Do not expect an apology in 0.2 seconds. Spoiler alert, nobody educates themselves about systemic racism, the treatment of LGBT persons or any other thing you are talking about in those 0.2 seconds. Fast apologies aren't the same as sincere apologies, and a delayed response is a good thing, actually. 3. Educate! Educate! Educate! Don't only shove statistics in their face, but expose them to the real-world hurt their actions may cause, or share your stories on how that particular issue affected you or another member of the community. If you know that person in real life, that's even better. You'll know what things might get through to them. Be empathetic, and try to understand their background. 4. You are allowed to be hurt and angry! You're probably experiencing shame and betrayal. You trusted this person and even thought they were great, but it turns out they did something really bad. Let yourself breathe as well. Work through those feelings. Why are you angry? Is this anger going to help you? (no, i'm afraid) Acknowledging your vulnerability is really important. 5. Assess whether you can or can't help this person. Protecting yourself is extremely important. If you feel like you don't have the patience or the emotional resources to do it, that's perfectly fine. You don't have to be the educator, but cancelling makes others who could be back away, for fear of being cancelled themselves. Let them speak. 6. Treat others with kindness. They're human beings too. And who knows, you might be the person that deradicalizes them. You might not, though. And that's ok. You were respecful and followed your moral principles. You did good. I'm proud of you. resources: did you think i'd have a whole bibliography? nah, not really. you can access brené brown's ted talks here and here. i'd also encourage you to read her book, "the courage to be vulnerable". it can be life-changing. this post was inspired by natalie wynn's video, which you can find here. she's pretty damn awesome.

#cancel culture #cancelling #cancel #sjw #social justice #equality #activism #political activism #human rights #social media

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therangersmistress · 5 years

Text

Right Place, Wrong Time. Part Three.

Phew, here it is guys! It’s a whopper and I’m not too sure how I feel about it, but hopefully you like? If you do, I’d be happy to write in this universe again, whether that be a one-shot set in the future or a flashback to their past, just let me know! Also, thank you to everyone for your wonderful responses to this story so far, I really appreciate you all. I totally started this thinking people would hate it so bad they’d shun me from Tumblr, so I’m pleasantly surprised. 😆

Cheers babes. 😘

Characters: Bill Skarsgård x Female Reader

—

You hadn’t moved.

You still sat, cheeks flushed and lips swollen as you clung to each other, both too afraid of ruining such a perfect moment. You could have stayed like that forever, you thought, with his hand in your hair, your face tucked into his neck, and the crisp smell of his shirt against you. But like most summer nights, the air began to cool, the warmth that seeped from his body to yours no longer enough to stop your shivering, even as you burrowed into him.

“So what now, love?”

You hummed in reply. “We should probably move shouldn’t we?”

“Probably.” But neither of you did.

It was only when he could feel the goosebumps kissing your shoulders that he pulled you up and wrapped his jacket around you, the too-long arms swallowing yours as he tugged you by the hand. “Here, I’ll give you a ride to your hotel.”

You’d moved out of the country for university and hadn’t thought to rent a car for the night considering it was only supposed to be, the night. Of course, those plans now had a Bill-sized wrench in them but you weren’t complaining. You sighed, pondering over the details of you staying longer. You suppose you could take the weekend to do some sightseeing of your old hometown; you had no plans after all, unless your weekly ritual of Netflix and pizza counted, and you weren’t sure that it did. Still, you hated the idea of saying goodbye to him so soon. It was irrational, you knew – you’d see him tomorrow – but you couldn’t help but fear that if you let him walk away, he’d never come back. You wonder if that’s how he’d felt all those years ago, and you hated that you’d proved him right.

As you strapped in your seatbelt, he turned to face you, eyes crinkling at the sides. “Are you sure there’s no one you want to say bye to?”, he asked. “Not even... Paulina?” Glaring at him, you didn’t even bother replying, he knew exactly what you thought of that nosey cow you used to call friend.

Bill snorted at your disgruntled expression. “Alright alright” he said.

“You know I caught her taking photos of me–”

Your head snapped towards his. “She what.”

The drive was agonising. Neither of you admitted to the lingering tension between you, but it was there. That fire, that anticipation, the tightening in your gut, it built and built with each stop light and block that passed by. Instead, there was only the heady torture of hushed whispers, longing glances, his fingers grazing over your knee, Bill’s leg bobbing with impatience as he fumbled for the radio. It was both too long and too short to bear. And before you knew it, you’d arrived.

“So…” he coughed, “this is you.”

“Yeah.”

You paused. “It was great–” “It was lovely–” “to see you” you spoke over each other, both blushing as you laughed at yourselves. You wondered if he felt as nervous as you did. Heart racing, mind consumed by the will-theys and won’t-theys. Like you’d been all but made teenagers again.

You debated if you should… Considered the ramifications this night could have and how badly he'd left you the last time. Maybe it was better to leave it as it was – a perfect moment on a perfect night. Something to hold onto. But deep down, you already knew your answer.

“Bill?”

“Yeah?”

“Would you like to come up?”

The look of relief on his face warmed your heart and tempered those nagging fears that told you it’s too late, it’s been too long, he won’t want you anymore. Despite the passionate kiss you’d shared and the affection you could see he held, things had changed. It was inevitable really; you weren’t those two same kids in love, no matter how easily you fell back into old habits.

As you entered the elevator, you cursed the six long floors ahead of you, not helped by the old man chatting away into your ear. Bill smirked, shrugging at you as you begged him with your eyes to intervene. Instead, he was quite happy to watch from where he was. Narrowing your eyes at him, you decided on a little revenge. Breaking out your rusty Swedish, you couldn’t quite hold back the grin on your face as he sucked in a sharp breath of surprise. His eyes darkened, nostrils flaring as he fought himself. He always had liked the sound of his mother tongue on your lips.

And then the doors clicked open.

Neither of you noticed the man had left, nor heard his goodbyes, too intent on staring the other down. You gulped. Bill looked at you as if you were prey, like he was moments from devouring you. Suddenly, it felt too warm in there, the space around you too small. All you could see, hear, or smell was Bill. And oh, how you wanted to taste.

The faint sound of someone approaching broke you out of your momentary trance, and without thinking, Bill jammed the button to close, the last thing you heard – all but the distant angry remark of a disgruntled hotel guest.

And then there was quiet, and the rapid thumping in your chest.

“You did that on purpose”, he growled.

“No I didn–mmphh.” His mouth muffled yours as he threw himself across the short distance between you. Lifting you up, he wrapped your thighs around his waist and slammed you back into the wall behind you. He had one hand fisted into your hair, the other gripping your ass, as he pinned you still with the weight of his body. His tongue demanded entry as he claimed your mouth, so possessive, so greedy, so different from his earlier kiss. Where that had been tender and sweet, lips wet with your tears, this could only be hunger.

It was the automated voice that tore you apart, chests heaving as you stared at one another, dazed. Bill huffed a laugh into your neck as you giggled. You’d gotten so carried away you hadn’t even thought about things like security cameras or someone seeing. But that was no matter, Bill knew he’d deal with it if it came up. For now, his only concern was reacquainting himself with you.

Gently, he lowered you to the ground, your legs already wobbly with desire as you held fast to him. Fixing your ruffled appearances and wiping the smudge of lipstick from his mouth, you gestured towards the open doors.

“Shall we?”

Leading him down the hallway to your room, your hands shook as you wrestled with the key card, too distracted by the press of Bill behind you to do much else, his hand moved over yours, steadying it.

You’d never done things quite like this. It had always been a mildly uncomfortable fit in his twin size bed or yours, his hand against your mouth or his lips biting into your pillow as you tried not to make it obvious what you were doing tucked away in each others bedrooms. You’d never had this freedom, nor luxury, yet this, somehow… Felt even more illicit. It felt thrilling.

He let you freshen up first, the realisation of where you were and who with just sinking in. You’d needed a moment to collect your thoughts, to breathe. You’d spent the past ten years trying to shove every thought of him under lock and key and here he now was in the room next door. It seemed almost impossible, yet the kiss-bitten lips and mussed up hair looking back at you said otherwise.

As you took in your appearance, you noted your face had lost some of the roundness of its youth. It was sharper now, you thought, like your heart. Your hair no longer had the same bounce, instead the odd grey strand or two you’d covered with eyeshadow, and you had the slightest hint of crow’s feet beginning to form. It was obvious, at least to you, that you weren’t that shiny young thing you’d once been. Part of you worried he’d see that, the other scoffed at your insecurities; Bill was many things, but never vain. No, you decided, you’d changed, but you’d also grown. The body you saw in front of you showed your strength, your resilience – it showed you’d lived. And so you took one last deep breath, pulled your chin up, and walked out that door.

He hadn’t heard you yet, so you took a moment to admire the beautiful man he’d become – who you always knew he’d be. You watched him look out at the streets below, city lights flickering over the contours of his face. His svelte frame took up almost the entire length of the floor-to-ceiling windows as he stood, tumbler in hand.

“Bill.”

He turned, his eyes drinking you in.

“I hope you don’t mind.” He lifted his glass. No doubt filled with that whiskey he favoured.

You shook your head. “Not if you share.”

But as he moved to pour you your own, you stopped him. “I won’t be needing one of those.” His eyes raised, not sure what you meant.

You kicked off your heels, reveling in the soft feel of carpet beneath your toes as you approached him with a new surge of confidence. Placing both hands on his cheeks, you leaned up as if to kiss him. “What are you–”, he moaned, as you licked the drop escaping from his mouth, and hummed. “Fuck, sweetheart. You’re killing me.”

“Well we can’t have that”, you teased, your fingers stroking the silk of his shirt as your hands slid over him. He looked much better in this than that old penguin suit, that’s for sure.

Speaking of... “Do you remember the ball?”

“What, the night we tried to fuck in the back of my car until we both realised we didn’t fit?”

You snorted. “Yeah, that’s the one.”

“How could I forget? I seem to remember you wearing a dress quite similar to this”, he said, as his arms wrapped around your waist, grin lecherous. “We have a thing for running off from parties, don’t we?”

“Mmm, we do…”, you smiled. “I like this.” You pulled at his collar.

“Yeah?”

“I’d like it more on the floor.”

You helped him peel off layer by layer, your hands tracing the skin revealed as you pressed soft kisses to his chest. He’d been a lanky thing back then, not yet grown into his own stature. But now... You admired the thickness of his shoulders and arms. He’d filled out rather nicely, you thought.

“I need to see you”, he said. “Will you show me?”

Removing your borrowed jacket, you placed it on the back of a chair. “Could you?”, you turned.

“Of course.”

The sound of the zipper opening was almost obscene in the quiet of the room, the cool air making you shiver as your dress pooled around your ankles.

“Beautiful.”

His lips pressed against your nape, warm breath blowing gentle puffs into your ear. You lent your head back to rest on his shoulder, the heat of his body against yours soothing your bare skin. He shifted your hair to the side and kissed a trail up your neck as he smoothed his hands from hips to front. “I’ve missed these”, he said, kneading your breasts tenderly as you sighed, putty in his hands.

He dragged his hand up your throat to your jaw, thumb touching your lower lip as he turned your head so your mouths touched just so. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

You whimpered, the taste of him as warm and as smooth as you’d imagined from that small sample. Your arm wrapped around his neck, hand winding tight in his hair as your tongues caressed each other.

“Is this all for me?”, he asked, his fingers slipping between your panties.

“Yeah.” Thank god you’d chosen your nicest pair.

The wet slick sound of you had him groaning. “Fuck, I’ve missed this too”, he said. Then mumbled, “missed all of you.”

Oh, that was good. It had been a while since you’d been with anyone, and your own, much smaller hands, were no comparison to his. He peeled your panties down your legs before adding another finger, stilling for a minute as he waited for you to adjust, before sinking them deeper inside.

“Please”, you begged.

“Please what?”

You turned towards him, hands clutching him as you panted. “Please, I need you.”

Bill stroked your cheek, then pressed a slow kiss to your mouth. “Wait for me on the bed, love.”

You followed his lead and sunk back into the pillows, your fingers fisting the sheets at your sides as you watched him crawl slowly towards you. You wanted to touch, to feel... But you were curious, and you couldn’t help but love the way he took control, so different from what you were used to.

You still remember the first time you both did this. It had been awkward and clumsy at first as you tried your best to learn each other. Neither of you had known quite what to do, where to kiss or where to touch, but you’d certainly practised it enough, and now, you thought, he probably knew your body like the back of his hand. Looking up at him, no longer a boy but a man, you couldn’t wait to test that theory.

“Bill”, you whined, tugging him.

“Mmm”, his mouth occupied as he sucked and nibbled and licked at every inch of your skin. He could spend hours retracing all the places he knew you loved, and discovering those he didn’t, but you were too impatient for that.

“Later. Need you now.”

He groaned, surging upwards for a kiss. You wrapped your arms around his back, keeping him there as you pulled his weight down on top of you. You were desperate to feel his skin on yours, to know he was really there.

Yanking his briefs away, he slung your thigh over his hip until nothing separated you. You could feel the heat of him, that blunt velvety head nudging against you as he slicked himself with your arousal. “Billy...”

“I know”, he cooed. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Do we need...?”

“No, I’m covered.”

He kissed you sweetly. “Good.” And then he pushed gently into you.

You didn’t think there was anything better than the feeling of being one with him again. You’d missed it, craved it, needed it for so long it almost overwhelmed you. His hips flush against yours, you could feel every inch of him, every throb, every twitch of his muscles. He was so much bigger than you’d grown accustomed to.

“Hey, sweet girl.” He kissed the tears at the corner of your eyes. “You OK?”

“I just”, you whispered, “it’s so much.”

“I know, I feel it too. You need to stop?”

“No,” you whined. “Please don’t.”

But he kept at a steady pace to begin with, just until he felt you begin to relax around him, your walls fluttering as you gave into the pleasure you were receiving. The feeling was incredible, so much better than you remembered, better than the lonely nights you’d spent with men whose names you couldn’t recall, certainly better than all the times you’d tried to relieve yourself with nothing but your imagination. It was only as you’d pictured him, remembered him, that you’d often found release.

Flipping you over so you straddled him, he guided you by the hips, encouraging you to rock against his body. “Fuck”, you cried. You felt even fuller from this angle. Resting your hands on his chest, you bounced on top of him, your neck arching and tits bouncing in his face as you moaned.

“Shit, sweetheart. That’s it. You look so fucking beautiful, even more beautiful than I remember.”

He couldn’t resist your offering, sucking your nipple into his mouth as he played with the other, his free hand kneading and stretching your ass around him as you picked up your pace. When he felt you begin to tire, your muscles protesting and legs beginning to shake, he sat up.

He wound his arms around you as you buried your face in his neck, no choice but to let him support your body. He thrust beneath you as you moved in sync, the friction of his pelvic bone against your clit and the soft grunts in your ear pushing you to your own end. You could feel that delicious pressure in your belly, your core clenching hard around his length as you raced towards that edge. You were so close.

“Oh god”, you sobbed. “Bill–I’m gonna–I’m gonna come.”

“Yes”, he choked out, his voice tight with pleasure. “Come for me baby, let me feel you.”

And with his final touch to your clit, you screamed, his name on your lips as that band snapped inside you. You shuddered and whimpered for seemingly forever, and when it was finally done, collapsed bonelessly against his chest.

His hand lifted to your face, thumb gently stroking. “Sweetheart, are you alright?”, his voice strained as he tried to hold back.

You could barely think, let alone bring yourself to words, the sheer power of your release still wracking its way through your body like aftershocks.

“M’good”, you sighed. And as your body began to recover, you pulled yourself back up, determined to make him feel as you had. “Your turn Billy”, you kissed him, resting your forehead against his. “You sure?”, he asked.

“Please Billy, inside me. I wanna feel it.”

“Fuck”, he swore. His hands clenched at your sides as you felt his cock twitch in you. Taking that as permission, he spread his legs further, pulling out of your wet heat before snapping his hips up into yours. He pumped you hard and fast as he let go of the tight grip on his control.

“Yes, Billy”, you moaned. And it was the sight of your damp skin and sated expression that finally pushed him over the edge. His hips stuttered, jaw clenching as he groaned, filling you with everything he had.

Letting go of his grip on you, Bill pulled your pliant body down to rest on his, stroking your hair as he whispered to you how good you’d felt, how much he missed you, how glad he was that you were here.

No one said the words. It was much too early for that, but you both felt them there between you. It was in how easily your bodies still fit together, how the smell of his skin was the same as your favourite candle, and how you didn’t have to say anything to enjoy each other’s company, you just did. And as you lay in his arms, body exhausted but mind clear for the first time in a long while, you thanked all the gods there were for listening to that friend. It was worth even the endless stream of I-told-you-so’s you were sure would be waiting for you.

You knew there would be a conversation to be had in the morning, that this was only the beginning and beginnings were often easy. For now though, all you cared about was that there was no other place you’d rather be. That maybe, your time hadn’t been back then, but maybe it was now.

---

@lihikainanea @skrsgardspams @inkblotgalaxies @bae-roman @thelipsofthegrave @billofourtime @dreamtherapy @ill-skillsgard @emmyrosee

#bill skarsgård fanfiction #bill skarsgard imagines #bill skarsgard drabbles #bill skarsgard smut #bill skarsgard x reader #high school sweethearts #right place wrong time #part three

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introvertguide · 4 years

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On the Waterfront (1954); AFI #19

The next film on the AFI top 100 under review is the award winning crime drama, On the Waterfront (1954). This film was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and picked up 8 including Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. The film is based on a series of articles in the New York Sun from 1949 that depicted the condition of the eastern seaboard and all the corruption that was involved at the time. I did a lot of historical digging for this film and realize how important the accuracy was and it seemed pretty spot on. Before I get into story, let me give the standard announcement...

SUPER SPOILER WARNING!!! I TOOK A LOT OF NOTES DURING THE FILM AND THIS WILL SPOIL THE ENTIRE THING!!! WATCH THE MOVIE FIRST AND THEN COME BACK AND CHECK OUT THE ARTICLE!!!

The film starts out with the murder of a man named Joey Doyle. Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando) calls to Joey’s window at night to have him meet up on the roof concerning a pigeon. We see that Terry is with a bunch of gangsters who are waiting up on the roof for Joey. The audience doesn’t see the actual meeting, but a person falls off the building a couple seconds later and it is assumed that Joey is dead. It seems that Terry was not aware that Joey would be killed, he thought they were going to rough him up or intimidate him.

Terry is not put out too much because he goes to a local pub right after and we meet the local crime boss. Johnny Friendly (Lee J. Cobb) is a stereotype mob boss who runs a tight ship and could snap at any moment. It is an awkward scene where one person in the room is having fun and everyone else is nervously waiting for something to go wrong. Friendly’s right hand man is Terry’s brother Charley (Rod Steiger) and Friendly has a fondness for Terry because of the relation and also that Terry used to be a boxer. Before the night is over, Terry is given a stack of cash for his help with Joey and the promise of a cushy job on the dock the next day.

The next morning, a group of people look over Joey’s body on the street and his sister Edie (Eva Marie Saint) is understandably angry about the event. She shames her father and the other workers for not saying anything and she yells at the local priest (Karl Malden) for not being more involved. She wants to get involved and help her father get work so she goes down to the docks with the priest to see what the situation is really like. People attached to the mob are given preferred treatment (including Terry) and all the other workers have to scramble in hopes of getting work. The priest sees the corruption and decides to hold a union meeting in the church to encourage the workers to speak out against Friendly to improve the working conditions.

A group of dockworkers not part of the corruption meet at the church, but all remain quiet. The stay “D & D” (deaf and dumb) to what is going on so that they don’t get hurt. Joey is sent by Friendly to the meeting to see if anybody talks and he sits in the back. It seems apparent that he is there to intimidate the others into remaining silent. Before the meeting is officially over, a brick comes through the window and a bunch of gangsters pound sticks on the ground, waiting for the workers in the meeting to leave. Most everyone is attacked and beaten on the way out except for the priest, Edie, and Terry. The priest convinces one of the workers named Dugan (Pat Henning) to talk to the Waterfront Crime Commission to prevent another attack like this.

Dugan agrees to testify and we move forward to the day before he is supposed to go in front of the court. He is working on unloading a ship of Irish whiskey and an “accident” occurs in which a pallet of booze falls on Dugan, killing him. The priest comes to give last rights and gives an impassioned speech to the surrounding workers about how keeping quiet is a crucifixion and good men would not let this happen if they could stop it. Some of the gangsters through garbage at the priest while he is talking, but he continues on and Terry starts to feel guilty about his part in the deaths and injustice. He punches one of the enforcers who is going to throw something and this does not go unnoticed. In a very symbolic image, the priest rides a crane up out of the ship and ascends out of the hold like an angel ascending towards heaven. Very cinematic and full credit to cinematographer Boris Kaufman for this fantastic shot that no doubt contributed to his Oscar win for his work on this film.

Terry starts to fall for Edie and considers testifying against friendly. He knows, however, that she will learn of his connection to her brother’s death and fears show will hate him. Friendly gets wind of Terry’s connection with Edie and sends Charley over to convince him to not testify. In a very poignant scene, Charley and Terry talk in a taxi and Charley tells him that he needs to promise not to squeal or Charley will take him to the docks to be executed. Terry says that he can’t live being a bum. He used to be a prizefighter and Friendly had convinced him to take a dive during a fight and all his potential was wasted. It is the famous “I could have been a contender. I could have been a somebody” scene. Charley let’s Terry go and goes in to stall so the Terry can escape and instead Charley is killed and left hanging from an ice hook in an alleyway as a message to Terry.

This goes too far and Terry goes to the local bar to shoot Friendly. Instead of the crime boss, Terry runs into the priest and is convinced to testify in court as a better form of revenge. He agrees and Terry identifies friendly in court as being corrupt and ordering the murder of both Joey Doyle and Dugan. After testifying, Friendly threatens Terry and says that he will never find work on the docks. Terry is shunned by all the other workers for squealing and only finds kindness from Edie.

Terry shows up the next day for work recruitment and every person there (including a random hobo) is given work except for him. Terry goes to confront Friendly and is summarily beaten by a group of gangsters. The dock workers see this and say that they will not work unless Terry is allowed to work as well. Friendly has lost his power over the docks and can’t kill Terry since he has already talked and is now being protected by the police. The priest shows up and tells Terry to stand up and lead the workers onto the ship, cementing the shift in power. A severely beaten Terry is helped up and he stumbles onto the boat followed by the rest of the works. The movie ends as the plank doors to the ship’s hull close.

Although the characters are sensationalized, the situation was very representative of what life what life was like on the East Coast docks during the late 40s and early 50s. This film is a time capsule for American life right after WW2 and a lesson concerning what can happen with complete corruption. Very fascinating from a historical perspective as well as an artistic one.

I have a little bit of an issue with Brando and his acting in this film. I do not think he is that good. He mumbles his lines like he does in every movie and it is apparent that he is a good actor but not that great at line delivery. Also, when I say he is a good actor, I don’t mean this film. He comes across almost whiny and conceited and I never really get behind the character. I freely admit that I don’t really like Brando in general as a person (at least from the stories I hear, I have never met him) and that might taint my judgment of his performances. I never bought him as a boxer and I never bought him as being tough. He is acting like a soft hearted bully, but it just doesn’t impress me. He got top billing and his name is bigger than the movie credit on the opening title cards, but I thought Karl Malden did a much better acting job. I am thankful for Brando’s contribution to creating method acting, but that doesn’t make this a great performance and I don’t think he deserved the Oscar.

Also, just like with The Godfather, Brando played a part that was memorable with great lines and won the award for Best Actor while the rest of the male cast who gave outstanding performances were relegated to Best Supporting Actor (three actors nominated in both cases) and came home empty handed. Brando kept getting quirky character roles in well written films and surrounded by incredible talent...and then he was given all the credit for the incredible result. I just don’t like that guy and I realize it is a personal bias. I just don’t like how he is given all the credit (and takes all the credit) for projects he was a part of. But moving on...

I again want to point out the cinematography for this movie because I am not generally impressed by this aspect of films, especially when they are in black and white. I think On the Waterfront, Citizen Cane, and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf are all examples of how prop placement, camera angles, pans, and lighting can be used to tell a story beyond just the acting and dialogue. A well deserved Best Cinematography award for Boris Kaufman.

So does this film deserve to be on the AFI top 100? Yes. For the famous “contender” speech, the reflection of history, the visual storytelling, and the wonderful acting, it absolutely deserves a spot. Would I recommend it? Well...I would say yes but not for Brando. I was so bored by the part of Terry Malloy that I found many other things that I liked to get through the film. The first time I watched I was expecting this great performance and I was thoroughly disappointed. Watch the film for everything else besides Marlon Brando and you will be impressed.

#on the waterfront #marlon brando #karl malden #eva marie saint #elia kazan #crime drama #longshoreman #union #movie review #afi films #introvert #introverts

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x1-imaginesreturns · 5 years

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Butterfly (Part 1)

Masterlist

Pairing: Dongpyo x fem!reader - Soulmate AU!

Warnings: None

Word Count: 4,123

Notes: f/r means favorite ramen

Requested: No

Everyone is born with a soulmate, and a tattoo symbolizing the relationship that would come from it. But you always doubted that. What if it’s not happily ever after? What if somehow the system messed up and gave you someone that you could never get along with?

Of course, there were ways to remove your soulmate tattoo. It was painful, and your other half would never know you removed it. However, even if you did doubt the soulmate system, you kind of liked your tattoo.

At first, not even your parents could figure out what it was or where it was. They thought you were a rare case of someone who wasn’t gifted a soulmate tattoo. However, when you were 6, you had asked your parents what the little shape on the inside of your right thumb was.

Turns out you did have a tattoo, it was a little butterfly, dark blue in color. As a kid, you always admired it and even tried to look for people with the same tattoo as you, but it never worked out.

And as you grew older, it was like you were losing hope of ever finding your soulmate, so of course, your dreams and hopes slowly grew into doubt and despair. But none of that leaked into your personality, as you knew people would shun you and just say, “You just have to wait to find your soulmate!”, if they ever found out about your doubts.

Soon enough though, you were packing your bags, as you were leaving for college. You were majoring in music production, as music was something you had loved your entire life. You played the guitar and piano, but you wanted to further your knowledge of music and college seemed like the perfect opportunity.

And upon arriving, you really felt like you were free, like you could fly away like a butterfly.

So, your first semester of college passed by without a hitch. You weren’t the type to have many friends, one or two always suited you best. And that stayed true here, far away from any of the friends you had back home.

Your new friends, Minjin and Sihoon, were there for you during thick and thin. Minjin was very outgoing and social, and had a real talent for dancing. You had met her when the two of you had been running late for class. Minjin had been looking at the ground while running, causing her to run right into you. After laughing about getting knocked over, the two of you decided it would be more fun to skip class, heading to the local café. It was history from there.

Sihoon was in a lot of your classes, as he was also majoring in music production. You guys first met when you had been paired up for a project in your music production class. After a few awkward days of working on the song, the two of you clicked. You produced an awesome song and earned yourself an A on the project.

And it turns out Minjin and Sihoon get along too, they were almost better off without you lol. The three of you went everywhere together and were always there for each other.

And that’s how you ended up in Minjin’s dorm room for one of your classic sleepovers. Sihoon had volunteered to set up for the arts festival in the park the next morning, so he decided to skip out on the sleepover to get some sleep.

Soulmates was just something the three of you had never discussed, at least on a very personal level. Minjin had always said she couldn’t wait until she found hers, but she had never shown either of you her tattoo (nor had you looked for it). Sihoon had never really expressed interest in it, but you had seen his tattoo.

You were the quietest of the three of you. Never said a word about soulmates, didn’t say you had a tattoo, etc. You didn’t know it, but both Sihoon and Minjin assumed you didn’t have one and had started avoiding the subject.

And so, as you and Minjin were watching the sunset from her dorm window, a tradition you guys had started from the very first sleepover, she turned to you as the sun had finally disappeared below the horizon.

“Hey y/n?,” she says, as she walks towards the kitchen. “Yeah? What’s up Minjun?,” you answer as you follow her.

“Do you have a soulmate tattoo?,” she asks, “You’ve never said anything about it, so Sihoon and I always assumed you didn’t have one, but it’s better to ask than assume.”

“Wait you guys really thought I didn’t have a tattoo?,” you asked, bewildered. Minjin’s eyes light up and she jumps right over to you, grabbing your hands, “So you do have one? Where is it? Have you met them yet?”

You sigh and say, “Turn over my right hand.”

You don’t know why you decided to let Minjin see your tattoo, but you just hope that she would only tell Sihoon and not any of her other dance friends. While she didn’t see them outside of school much, she did talk about them a lot.

She loved everyone in her dance class, except for Son Dongpyo. According to her, he was a no good show-off brat. You never bothered to ask anything more of him, figuring he probably was stuck-up or something.

Anyways, Minjin squealed when she saw your tattoo and immediately starts bombarding you with more questions. “Oh my gosh!! It’s so cute, it’s a little butterfly, that totally fits you, oh my gosh!!!! Have you met them?? What are you hoping for in your soulmate?”

“Woah, okay slow down Minjin!,” you exclaim, backing away a bit. “Sorry,” Minjin starts, “I just got so excited. So what’s up, why do you never talk about it?”

“It’s kinda dumb,” you say, “But I’ve slowly lost hope over the years. I’m just not too optimistic about finding someone with a tiny butterfly on the inside of their right thumb. My parents didn’t even notice it for 6 years!,” you exclaim.

Minjin’s face drops a bit before she says, “I know it’s hard to wait... I’ve actually been waiting for a few months...”

“Wait what do you mean?,” you ask curiously.

Her eyes dart away from mine as she sighs softly. “Sihoon’s m-my soulmate,” she stutters out.

Your eyes widen as Minjin turns around and lifts up her shirt to reveal a periwinkle-colored daisy on her shoulder blade, the same tattoo that Sihoon had. You remember Sihoon’s tattoo from the time the three of you had gone swimming at the beginning of the year.

“Why haven’t you told him yet?,” you ask softly. “I’m afraid he won’t want me as a soulmate,” she says quietly, “I know he can do better than me...”

You grab Minjin’s hands as you say, “No he can’t. You’re his soulmate. I can understand why you’d be nervous about it, but you can’t avoid it forever Minjin.”

She sighs. “You’re right y/n. I’m just worried. Getting rejected by your soulmate is worse than getting rejected by your crush,” she says. You giggle a bit and say, “You’re certainly right. Come on, let’s get popcorn and finally finish YG Future Strategy Office.” Minjin nods and the two of you enjoy the rest of your sleepover.

You were rudely awakened the next morning by the sound of Minjin’s phone buzzing. Minjin immediately darted to get it and when she picked up, you didn’t recognize the voice on the other side. “Yah, Hyeongjun! Why are you calling me so early in the morning?”

“Cause you’re supposed to be at the arts festival this morning in about 15 minutes!,” Hyeongjun exclaims, “Hurry up, we need you!”

He abruptly hangs up before Minjin can snap back at him. She notices you sitting up and says, “Sorry y/n, I completely forgot that I had to go to that this morning.”

“It’s fine,” you answer, “Let’s just get ready quickly, you can’t be late.”

The two of you get dressed, do your makeup, and head out the door in no more than 10 minutes. Luckily, Minjin didn’t live far from the park, so she managed to barely make it on time.

“Sorry y/n! I’ll see you later! Make sure to watch us!,” she says as she darts off towards her dance friends. ‘Guess I’ll go and find Sihoon, he’s probably still here,’ you think to yourself.

As you walk towards the center of the festival you see and smell the various stands selling all sorts of food. It all smelled so good, and you were tempted to get something, but you figured you should wait, as you just had breakfast.

Now, you weren’t sure were to look to find Sihoon, as you had never been to the arts festival. Sihoon had apparently been going his whole life, as he lived in the next town over, which wasn’t but 15 minutes away.

After wandering around for around 10 minutes, you spotted one of Sihoon’s other friends, Eunsang. You had seen him a few times, as he was one of the baristas at your local café. However, you hadn’t been formally introduced to him ever, so you figured he would think you were some crazy stalker of Sihoon’s.

But whatever, it’s worth a shot, these events are kind of boring with no one to hang out with. You approached him from behind, and tapped on his shoulder, causing him to turn around. He looked you up and down and asked, “Do you need something?”

“U-uh yes, um, I’m looking for Sihoon. Do you know where he might be?,” you ask shyly. Eunsang raises one of his eyebrows and says, “No one asks for Sihoon. Who are you exactly?”

You don’t think you’ve felt more scared in your life. “U-um my name’s y/n. I’m in hi-,” you were abruptly cut off by Eunsang grabbing and shaking your hand enthusiastically.

“You’re y/n????,” He asks incredulously, his eyes widening. “Yes??,” You answer, confused. “It’s nice to finally meet you! Sihoon talks about you and Minjin all the time! I’m Eunsang but I’m sure you know that, considering you approached me about Sihoon, but I’ll take you right to him, I know exactly where he is!”

And so, Eunsang drags you all the way across the lawn towards the stand that the local café had set up. Sihoon was standing in the long line of people, his blue-gray hair standing out among other people. Eunsang smiles at you and says, “I know we didn’t really talk much but it was nice to meet you y/n. My shift is soon, so I gotta get changed. I hope I’ll see you around!,” Eunsang chimes, as he starts to walk away.

“Bye Eunsang!,” you say, still a bit frightened by his sudden change in personality. You walk over to Sihoon, noticing to subtle look of nervousness on his face.

“Hi Sihoon,” you say, standing next to him in line, “Why are you in line for coffee? You almost never drink coffee.” He shyly smiles for a second before stuttering out, “Well, I-I figured I would get Minjin a coffee, she’ll p-probably be cold after her performance!,” he says, not looking you in the eyes, “Yeah, yeah, that’s it...”

He trails off, looking shy. “Sihoon,” you say teasingly, “You have a crush on Minjin don’t you?” His cheeks flush a soft pink as he looks away from you. He then sighs and turns back to you and says, “Y-yes...but for a different reason than you might be thinking.”

‘Wait, no way... Sihoon knows that Minjin is his soulmate too?’ “She’s my soulmate!,” SIhoon exclaims, his cheeks a bright shade of red now, “I-I only know because she often wears see-through t-shirts.”

You giggle a little bit. “Well, I think you should try confessing to her then,” you say, “It’ll definitely go better than anything you’ve imagined in your head.” Sihoon sighs and say, “I’m definitely not her type though, and plus she definitely likes that Hyungjun kid from her dance classes.”

You slap your forehead in dismay. “Sihoon, you’re her soulmate! You’re exactly her type! And I get being nervous, but I think you should really at least try.”

At this point, Sihoon was next in line. You can tell he’s contemplating what you said, and you’re just hoping he takes your advice. Sihoon gets her favorite coffee, which is just a simple iced espresso.

As the two of you walk towards the stage, where Minjin will be performing in about 15 minutes. But before you both sit down, Sihoon abruptly asks, “Should I really confess to her y/n?” You nod. Sihoon sighs once again and says, “Alright, I suppose this is it... should I show her my tattoo?”

“That’s up to you, Sihoon,” you say. You figure by now, he’s really nervous, so you try and change the subject. Sihoon seems to appreciate this, and the two of you flow into another conversation easily. Soon enough, someone announces that their dance team will be coming on the stage.

And as you see all 7 of them come onto the stage and get in the correct formation order, the familiar tune of Anpanman starts to play. At that moment, Eunsang rushes over and takes the empty seat next to you. He waves to you and Sihoon quietly, and then all of you focus back onto the performance.

However, while Minjin was doing great, you noticed another boy who was dancing really hard, and of course happened to be really cute too. You wondered who he was and if Minjinn had ever mentioned him before.

Of course, there was some part of your mind that thought it could be Dongpyo, but you really hoped it wasn’t him, as Minjin did make him seem awful. Maybe it’s Hyeongjun, as you’ve never seen him before either, and Minjin always says he’s cute, almost like a baby.

But you go back to being fixated on the mysterious boy, as his powerful dance moves continued to blow you away throughout the whole performance.

Little did you know, the mysterious boy had noticed you too.

The performance ended powerfully, and you made sure to cheer for Minjin. You looked over at Sihoon, who was smiling, and it made you happy knowing that he definitely enjoyed it. All of them went backstage, and you could tell Sihoon was getting more nervous each minute that went by.

Deciding you didn’t want to put anymore stress on him, you walked over to where everyone on the dance team was gathering. As you approached, their “meeting” of sorts, seemed to end and all of them started to head in separate directions.

Minjin spotted you, and immediately headed in your direction. “Hey y/n! How was our performance?,” she asks, stopping right in front of you. “It was really good Minjin, you guys looked great up there!,” you say truthfully.

“Hey, you know what though?,” you say, causing Minjin to turn her head in confusion. “What?,” she responds. “You should go talk to Sihoon,” you say.

“Yeah! I should! I want to know what he thought!,” she says, oblivious to your true intentions. She darts off without another word, and you giggle a little bit. You just have to hope everything works out for them.

At this point, it was starting to approach lunchtime, and you were, quite honestly, getting hungry. After noticing the slightly more expensive prices at the food stands, you decided it would be better if you just picked up some food at the convenience store on your way home.

You knew that Sihoon wasn’t going to want to stay much longer, and at this point, you knew Minjin would come with him. You started to walk back towards where Sihoon had been before, and as soon as you saw the two of them, you noticed the happy tears running down both of their faces as they embraced.

You smiled happily, knowing that Sihoon had listened to you and that the two of them would be happy together from now on.

However, you were feeling jealous in a way. They had technically found each other so easily, because of their pretty obvious tattoos, while you were stuck with this stupid tiny butterfly.

You brushed those thoughts aside though, there was no use in getting caught up on them. They were still your friends, and nothing would change about your relationships with each other.

You finished making your way over to them, figuring it would be okay to ask if you could head to the convenience store now. Minjin waved at you once you started approaching the two of them, a big smile plastered on her face.

“Hey guys!,” you say, “I’m guessing it went well?,” you finish, winking at neither of them in particular. They both blush sheepishly as they also look at the ground shyly.

“You guys want to head the convenience store down the road?,” you ask, “Everything here is a bit expensive.” They both nod in agreement and the three of you start walking over.

As the three of you are walking towards the convenience store, Minjin and Sihoon are laughing about something that you can’t decipher and that they don’t seem to want to share with you either, and besides, you’re struggling to decide what you want to get anyways.

You’ve already decided that you’ll get f/d to drink, but you’re not sure on what kind of instant ramen you’ll get. Pretty much everything sounds tasty right about now, but you figured you’d go with something you know you’d like, a.k.a your f/r.

As you enter the store, you head right for the refrigerated section, grabbing your f/d as Minjin and Sihoon debate over whether to get vanilla or chocolate ice cream. You giggle a bit as Minjin tries to use puppy eyes to convince Sihoon to get chocolate ice cream.

You’re walking away as you see Sihoon finally relent to Minjin’s wishes. As you go into the instant ramen isle, you immediately spot your favorite kind. Grabbing it off the shelf, you head to the check-out counter.

As the employee is scanning your items, you start digging through your small purse to try and find your wallet. However after looking through everything twice, you realized you didn’t have it. Sihoon and Minjin were oblivious to you, as they were now debating on what kind of ramen they should get.

“Um, I’m sorry, I guess I don’t have my wallet on me,” you say to the employee, bowing in apology. You start to walk away from the counter, but a hand catches your shoulder before you can walk away from the counter.

“I’ll pay for her stuff,” a cute sounding voice says, sliding a ten thousand won bill onto the counter. You turned to look at your savior, wondering what he looks like.

It was the mysterious boy from Minjin’s dance team.

Now that he was close to you, you could really tell how cute he was. “T-thank you,” you stutter out, blushing. The boy smiles at you, shaking his head. ‘It’s no problem,” he says, still smiling, “You were the girl watching my dance team’s performance, right?”

“You saw me?,” you ask incredulously. The boy nods again, “How could I not notice such a cute girl sitting in our audience?,” he says, winking at you.

You blush as the cashier then hands you a bag with your ramen and drink in it. The boy takes the change from the cashier before turning back to you. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before, what’s your name?”

“It’s y/n,” you answer, “What’s your name?,” you ask in return.

“I’m Do-”

Before he can finish, Minjin grabs your elbow, storming away while glaring at the boy. As she drags you out of the store, you pull free of her grasp and exclaim, “What was that for Minjin?!”

She sighs and says, “That’s Dongpyo, obviously! I don’t my best friend becoming friends with an asshole.” You sigh and say, “I mean, he doesn’t seem that bad? He just paid for my lunch Minjin.”

She rolls her eyes. “I don’t need to explain it to you y/n. He’s just not a good person,” she says. You sigh. “Fine,” you say, “I’ll take your word for it, but that doesn’t mean you can get in the way if I see him again.”

At that moment, Sihoon walks out of the convenience store, holding his and Minjin’s lunch. Minjin smiles when she sees Sihoon, and she grabs his hand. “Let’s all head out,” Minjin says, “Let’s just forget that argument happened, okay y/n?”

You nod in agreement, glad to be off of that subject. The three of you start heading the direction of Minjin’s apartment, having a nice conversation on the way there.

However once you got to her apartment, Minjin turned around and blocked the door to her apartment when you were about to go in. “Hey sorry y/n,” Minjin starts, “Sihoon and I kind of want to eat alone, if that’s okay.” You smile at her and say, “Sure Minjin, I totally get it. I’ll see you guys at school on Monday then.”

They both nod, and Minjin finally closes the door on you. As you walk home, you can’t help the bitter feeling growing in your heart.

As time went on, Sihoon and Minjin started hanging out a lot more, just by themselves. Most of the time, they didn’t even inform you that they were going somewhere. Things became especially weird between you and Minjin. She just seemed to not care for you anymore, but she was still pretending to be your friend because Sihoon still cared about you. But you knew things were perfect between them and you were happy that they had found each other.

But you had never felt lonelier. You found yourself wandering over to the local café a lot more now, often seeing Eunsang there on his weekly shifts. He’d talk to you for a bit if he could, and you found it nice to have the company once in a while.

But then you witnessed him meet his soulmate in that very café. Eunsang had a large X tattooed on the back of his hand. As the girl handed him the payment for her order, he saw the X, and it was history from there.

You thought it wasn’t fair that everyone around was meeting their soulmate and just moving on from you. Even in the letters you would get from your old friends sometimes, they would mention that they had met their soulmate or even include a picture of them.

Of course you were happy for them, but you were jealous.

And from time to time, you would think about Dongpyo too. You still couldn’t get over how cute and sweet he was. You’d see him walking the halls of your college from time to time too.

With all of these thoughts, and the fact that you were losing friends by the minute, the rest of the school year started to drag on. But, finally, the final project before school officially let off for summer had arrived.

The music production classes would be working with dance majors to create a song that the dancers would be able to dance to. The music class would be working with a dance class in the same period.

Meaning... if you were correct, you’d be working with Minjin and Dongpyo’s class.

And sure enough, the next day, Minjin’s class walks through the door. You only knew Minjin and Dongpyo by name, but the rest of them looked familiar. You wondered how they were going to choose the groups, and you just hoped you wouldn’t be put with Minjin, considering how things had been lately.

However, before you could figure out how you were going to be distributed, your teacher silenced the two classes. “Alright classes, due to the distribution of our classes, I’m going to need one from volunteer from each class to offer to work in a group of only two.”

You knew Minjin wouldn’t volunteer for something like that, and besides, why not live a little? You raised your hand confidently, not noticing that someone from the dance class had also raised their hand.

“Alright y/n and... Dongpyo, correct? You’ll be the group of two.”

You slowly look over at Dongpyo, not believing what your teacher said until Dongpyo flashed you the same smile he gave you at the convenience store.

What have you gotten yourself into?

(Part 2)

#x1 #x1 imagine #x1 imagines #soulmate au #dongpyo #x1 dongpyo #son dongpyo #x1 scenarios #x1 reactions #sihoon #kim sihoon #eunsang #lee eunsang #produce x 101 #produce x 101 imagines #produce x 101 scenarios #produce x 101 reactions

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cainegl · 5 years

Text

welcome back angels , tODAY we’re gonna be truly shunning the psycho pretty boy , caine , don’t show any affection to him whatsoever bc his fuckass doesnt deserve it ! i probably won’t b around for interactions tonight but thats ok bc my goal anyways was to get plots laid out w everyone before i jumped into writing ! i love u all genuinely so much and hopefully , caine’s satanic ass gives u a fun time w hating him , i know i sure as hell do :’)

𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 !

𝖋𝖚𝖑𝖑 𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖊 : caine giovanni bratton 𝖓𝖎𝖈𝖐𝖓𝖆𝖒𝖊𝖘 : he mostly gets called by his surname considering ‘ caine ’ is rather un-riffable 𝖇𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖍𝖉𝖆𝖙𝖊 / 𝖆𝖌𝖊 : october 29 , 1996 𝖟𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖆𝖈 : scorpio 𝖌𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗 𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖎𝖙𝖞 / 𝖕𝖗𝖔𝖓𝖔𝖚𝖓𝖘 : cismale identifying with he / him / his 𝖔𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 : closeted bisexual and biromantic 𝖔𝖈𝖈𝖚𝖕𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 : former leftfielder for the boston red sox , now a fashion model and ceo / chairhead of his own fashion brand supreme 𝖍𝖔𝖌𝖜𝖆𝖗𝖙𝖘 𝖍𝖔𝖚𝖘𝖊 : slytherin 𝖎𝖓𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖕𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓 𝖎𝖓𝖘𝖕𝖎𝖗𝖊𝖉 𝖇𝖞 : billy hargrove from stranger things , roman godfrey from hemlock grove , kanye west , cook from skins , tony stark & erik killmonger from the mcu , patrick bateman from american psycho 𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖎𝖙𝖘 : — machiavellian , brutal , crass , narcisistic , manipulative + opportunistic , intuitive , thrives under pressure , straightforward

𝖉 𝖎 𝖘 𝖘 𝖊 𝖗 𝖙 𝖆 𝖙 𝖎 𝖔 𝖓

* born to a hamptons housewife and the ceo of a major sports marketing firm , the dark haired devil had a rather unremarkable upbringing . entitled as expected , manipulative and cunning , caine knew what people wanted to hear and was sure to tell them in his honeyed lilt if it were in his favor for later exploitation . average in school and below average in looks for most of his life , there was a definite cruelty doled out to him throughout his experience in the most prestigious private schools daddy’s money could afford ( not that his less than welcoming personality made things any easier on himself . ) it was his transition into sports , particularly baseball , that pulled him into the direction of finally accomplishing something other than winning asshole of the year defacements under his yearbook picture . with that , caine found that his hostility didn’t have to be negated , but rather selective — if the male could pick and choose his battles , he’d find himself much further along in his desires than through brute force alone .

and so , with precision focus and the bratton determination that becomes indicative of his brand , he rebuilds . high school finds their star fieldsman as a freshman with a newly regained understanding of how to schmooze people , dripping magnetism through well timed smiles or pretentious humble brags . as if taken over by a well-trained debutante overnight , caine found himself with a newfound power over those around him and a faked charm that propelled him to new hights , and with a level of athletic talent to his name that nobody could doubt , he was easily gaining ground and recognition throughout his hometown of manhattan . with puberty catapulting him through his senior year , caine bratton’s photo-ready grin and laser focus on his goals at hand made him something of a pseudo-celebrity , the first taste of recognition that he quickly becomes addicted to . colleges fight tooth and nail to offer manhattan’s pretty boy slugger an offer he cant refuse , eventually sending caine off to duke university to become one of the top ranked college baseball players in the nation . practically feeding off the chaos of his newfound lifestyle , he thrives at the party school and cements his name into nearly every east coast household — building a following of both sports fans and general thirst follows alike .

obsessed with his father’s opinion , caine heeds his word with furthering his brand and takes on carefully selected sponsors , always ensuring they’re for modeling gigs that won’t jeopardize his student athlete contract . he graduates early ( thanks to a particularly notable set of “ tutors “ his dad hired ) with a business degree and as first pick for the MLB draft that following june . after a stellar year pushing the minnesota twins out of the bottom of their league rankings , caine gets signed to the boston red sox with one of the most expensive fieldsman contracts in history . modeling gigs and sponsorships flood the 20 year old with a force even he couldn’t have expected , fueling the narcissism years in the making . he’s well liked by the media— a man’s man , charming , arrogant but within reason , knowing the exact line to drop for the exact reaction he wants . caine spends the next two seasons with the world exactly where he wants them , manipulating his way into and our of every situation his heart could desire .

one thing he can’t control is a devastating complete tear of his rotator cuff during a particularly high pressure world series game , one that completely shatters his chances of finishing the season and just about decimates the rest of his career . the surgeries are GRUELING and the rehabilitation is even worse , leaving caine with far too much free time on his hands and increasingly nasty cracks his perfect pretty boy facade . a bittersweet highlight of the year , conflicting for a multitude of reasons , is the revelation from an on-and-off fling of his that caine is to become a father , sending much of the world ( including himself ) into a shock . expectant on the arrival of his daughter , left without a clear career trajectory , caine finds himself spiraling into what becomes his black hole , ultimately culminating in him beating the shit out of some random drunk guy on the street trying to get a rise out of him and landing him with a civil case . while the charges were ultimately dropped , the former golden boy was undoubtedly in shreds , attracting all the wrong attention , chasing destruction wherever it offered itself — and thus , piquing the interest of one papa legba .

caine’s predisposition for destruction and chaos , satanic in the closest sense of the word with a perfect photo-op smile , made him a champion for the causes papa legba piloted . the demon king found itself with a harbinger of sorts , a machiavelli-reincarnate who was beginning to attract the worst of the celebrity sphere into his circle . it wasn’t difficult to recruit caine into his unsavory doings , repairing his shoulder with a ‘ groundbreaking new muscle regeneration therapy , ‘ but rather than allow him to rest on his laurels in the mlb , he offers caine a proposition . ‘ why set your sights on the horizon , when the whole damn world could be yours ? ‘ and with that , his new cherub kaia toted in the crook of his former bad arm , supreme drops after months of hype and launches caine bratton from baseball tragedy to fashion empire mogul . ever leaning into his newfound infamy due to his increasingly volatile outbursts , his brand is building speed at unfathomable rates , with his brain at the helm and papa legba’s influence behind it , and caine is relishing in the new world he’s creating for himself — regardless of the price .

𝖉 𝖎 𝖘 𝖘 𝖊 𝖈 𝖙 𝖎 𝖔 𝖓

icb u made it this far and if u did so without skimming ? u a real one 😩✊🏽 sksksk so real TALK , caine is the literal worst so pls dont hesitate to make him the villain in any plot u so desire . he’s intelligent but not to an excess , but is incredibly business savvy , knowing an opportunity when he sees one and fucking POUNCING on it . this plays off his INCREDIBLE fucking manipulation skills , the man will see an in and exploit it to no end in a way thats ? equal parts terrifying and lowkey impressive ? side note he takes everything seriously , esp himself and his daughter , and isn’t abt to let any idiot drive his empire into the ground . the man is genuinely convinced he can take over the world at this point , w papa legba fueling his lil psycho ass , and is gonna probably stop at nothing until he’s reached his peak . he’s destructive and has absolutely caused a fourth his staff to quit with his office meltdowns where he goes the FUCK off but ppl can’t say he doesn’t have an incredible vision and a cutthroat determination to accomplish it . he’s in that weird sweet spot where he’s obnoxious and arrogant as shit bc he knows he’s a big ole successful pretty boy that ppl want to please but he also has that classic ‘ i grew up rich ‘ disposition that means he knows when to fake it ? ( on that note , he’d make a PHENOMENAL fake bf 👀 for the clout ) also an awful boyfriend , has prob cheated on every person he’s ever dated and def cheated on his baby mama but makes it a point to be an incredible dad to his kid bc she’s the only tie to his humanity / soft side he really lets influence him . his defining features are his absolute narcissism and volatile desire to be the absolute best at what he does , as well as a laser focus that doubles as one of his greatest points of admiration . he’s ABSOLUTELY a tool but to his credit he can be deeply intimidating , i imagine he’s one of those guys with just incredibly strong eye contact to the point it freaks ppl out and that reaction always makes him LAUGH .

hc’s : ultimate peak caine look is a supreme t shirt under a black leather jacket n some saint laurent chelsea boots PHEW , he wears sunglasses inside w out hesitating , thinks kaia is a ~superbaby~ and is NOT afraid to tell u how much fucking smarter she is than ‘ normal babies , ‘ he has a sponsorship w a fucking bougie expensive ass teeth whitening brand and they’ve insured his smile for an UNREASONABLE sum of money , a big mood for him w how busy he is would b a hurried hookup in the back seat of his limo with led zeppelin blasting over the speakers , his office has one of those balcony golf sets except its full golf and not mini putt so his ass will get PISSED and just . shoot fucking golf balls off the side of the building not caring who’s car they dent two blocks away SKSKKSKS

𝖉 𝖊 𝖘 𝖎 𝖗 𝖊 𝖘

UM quick plots , basically im heavily searching for the mother to his child , kaia who would be about a year and a half rn , i wanted them to have an incredibly tumultuous back and forth relationship bc lbr caine is not a great person but he is a spectacular dad so it’s a catch-22 for anyone involved skskkss

also looking for his “ in my head “ by ari type ex ? i did not name this mans CAINE for nothing cmon now kids

i would fucking LOVE more than anything to have ppl who work with him in any extent ? it could be models who rep the brand and he flirts incessantly with , it could be influencers who have a partnership w him and see his business side , it could be people w ambition who work for his company and see his NASTY side but pls , supreme inc is open to any and everything .

chaos squad , hookups , party friends , athletic rivals , ride or dies , ppl who SOMEHOW tolerate him , ppl who proudly do not tolerate him at all , maybe even the dude he punched in the street that one time ? also cousins , childhood friends , on and offs , HELLA exes , ppl he torments , close as siblings relationships , maybe someone he’s kinda soft for but will never admit ?

#glitt:intros #tbt !#my ass ? SPENT #like this for plots and we can hit him n markie up all at once ! :)))

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chocolatellamadragons · 5 years

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In this essay, I will...

So I don't normally think that much about Steven Universe outside of watching the show but after looking at some theories I wanted to try my hand and making one of my own. This is a very long post guys.

*SPOILERS ARE LIKELY, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED*

[[MORE]]

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With that out of the way, let's talk about my favourite rock, Jasper.

I adore Jasper for how amazingly complex she is. The writers did a good job making a villain that from appearance alone should have just been Peridot's big dumb sidekick, but she was intelligent, driven, a leader and warrior with a lot of personal issues. So when I didn't see her in the movie I was a little sad. However, in the wake of that sadness, I'd like to propose some theories as to where she was, both during the movie and 2 year time-skip, and what will happen during the sixth season.

Now we know from Nephrite that not everyone made it out before the corruption occured, so Rose's fountain contained gems from both sides who warmed up to each other quickly despite only really just learning everyone's cool, no more fighting. Now while Jasper has been 'aware' far longer than they have, all of them were around to see Pink 'shattered' (I think Nephrite talks to Blue and Yellow about 'avenging pink diamond'). So I don't really buy into her continuing to hate Steven because of Rose/Pink because she wouldn't adapt that fast, since it's clear everyone else is just sorta "oh rose was pink? We're not corrupted? Everyones friends and the diamonds have said we're all allowed to express ourselves? Great, cool, sounds totally fine." Everyone is just immediatly ok with the idea of not being enemies and the new way of life era 3 will bring.

During the next 2 years, gems began to disband the old ways, dismantle the empire in its current form and started work on little homeworld. Theres a high chance many of the earth's former enemies stayed too, becoming crystal gems. Jasper however would probably still feel weird about the whole 'let's all be friends now' thing gojng on and go back to homeworld for 2 main reasons. 1, the changes would happen far slower there and give her a better chance to adjust and 2, that's where her friends are at, so she can feel more comfortable changing around people who feel the same way about all this. Maybe she'll stay, maybe she'll go back to earth, who knows?

Except homeworld doesn't welcome her back with open arms. We know that she's a celebrity back home due to her efforts in the gem war. She was respected because she tried to shatter Rose and never gave up. Now that was great back before everyone knew Steven/Rose was Pink. So homeworld now knows Jasper not as a hero, but an evil gem that tried to shatter pink and her son! How awful! So she would be shunned by almost everyone. Also, despite everyone being much nicer to their fellow gems, the class system is still in place. Jaspers are still pretty low in the chain. Her actions in the war are what made her a high ranking officer, but with everyone shunning her for what she tried to do she'd just go back to being a regular old soldier. Worse yet, what previously made her so highly thought of by gems lower than her, her perfection, is now just meaningless, so they too will start to treat her like a common quartz at best.

Now given the era 3 ways, this would definately get better with time. In fact if she'd stayed, she'd likely have run into Steven and perhaps made some amends in return for him defending her previous actions as misguided. But I doubt she'd have stayed. Jasper hates the idea of being weak, shown by her treatment of Amethyst, the corrupted gems and even Lapis to some extent. She'll return to earth because there, people won't treat her like some monster or lowly soldier. Amethyst called her sis, she knows she'd have a place there. But everything's changed too quickly for her. There's no conflict. Nothing to fight, no-one to protect and she's too set in her ways to just move on like the others.

During the rest of the timeskip and the movie, Jasper pulls an Amethyst and runs back to her hole in the kindergarten. That's the one place she fits in anymore. And there she remains, reflecting on everything and mulling it all over. Sure it's not the best way to go about recovery, but it works for her. Plus since when has Jasper been good at making healthy decisions.

In future, Jaspers redemption arc will likely start off with a visit from Steven. The villain for season 6 had made their presence known and Steven needs help from the strongest gem he knows. However, Jasper holds grudges, and would see Steven's request as manipulative and tell him to get lost. However, she won't hurt him. And that's a big step that everyone will recognise. The one's most likely to get through to her would be Amethyst or Lapis, the former being the most willing. It'll leave off with her allegiance as ambiguous. Is she a crystal gem? Isnt she? Who knows.

Later there with be a scuffle nearby, and after calling for help, Jasper will come to the rescue, only to be poofed. Her sacrifice is recognised by the gems and they no longer see her as some unknown potential threat, but an unlikely ally. This is further enforced when Jasper reforms sporting a star and a more 'corruption accommodating' look. She doesn't openly admit it, but she's a gem now. She'll need some guidance as she'll be more brutal than the other gems, but she'll get there.

She'd probably see a kindred spirit in Bismuth, both being incredibly strong with a passion for fighting and may be trusted with a nifty weapon upgrade. Amethyst will help her with her emotions, which will probably look like the dove self esteem short they both did. She'd be curious about fusion still, and bombard Garnet with questions. I also see her becoming friends with Lapis and Peridot again. At first they'd likely stay away from eachother. In fact it would be interesting to have Jasper talk about her experiences being alienated on homeworld expecting sympathy, only to be greeted with laughter and insult from Lapis as an act of revenge. Lapis wants nothing to do with her, but deep down knows she's falling back to how it was with malachite, how she took out her anger on Jasper and eventually the two would find common ground and stop hating eachother. Eventually she moves on to befriending Peri, which happens more naturally (plus imagine Jasper getting into all of Peri's nerdy shows)

I think fusions will come into play with Jasper. The most likely candidate for this being Amethyst, but I can also see her attempting to fuse with Garnet (she's the expert, she'd be a valuable teacher) Bismuth (two very strong gems, which could be good or bad) Peridot (bare with me, Peri expressed some interest, but is super nervous about it, Jasper's only been in two very nasty fusions, it might even be garnets idea to try to get them to fuse as a lesson in equal partnership) or even Steven (a last resort probably, or an accident, but it might give Jasper a better understanding of what goes on in Steven's head).

Malachite! This is much more far fetched, but I think it'd be nice to have Jasper and Lapis able to forgive one another to the point where thry are comfortable with fusion. Though this is far mor unlikely, imagine how awesome it'd be to have Alexandrite and Malachite alongside eachother again, only this time on the same side? That's more just wishful thinking on my part though.

So yeah, that about wraps up my stupidly detailed essay on my predictions for the big buff cheeto puff's redemption arc. I love her, she's great, please don't just make her one note evil Rebecca, please.

Feel free to add on whatever or criticize this, I just need Jazzy to be happy with her fam finally. Also it'd be cool if she got her dumb cape back. Like 'this is what hero type people wear right?'

#steven universe #su the movie #su theory #jasper #steven universe jasper #su spoilers #big buff cheeto puff #i love her

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tf-tmnt · 5 years

Text

Fallin. Rodimus x Reader pt.2

The lights shun brightly over head. There was a constant light whirling of fans. I was laying on top of something warm. really warm. I slowly open my eyes, squinting till my head got used to the bright lights. I look around remembering where I was at. I'm on the lost light...In Rodimus' berth..Sleeping..on top. of. him.....holy shit.

I sit up quickly, but gently. I look up towards his face from where I sat on his chest. His optics closed, venting, or breathing quite. that's what that fan sound was..is he. Snoring? Is that what a cybertronian snore sounds like, because that's adorable. I study his face plates for a moment. the way his chin and jaw was sculpted perfectly, his eye brow scrunched up like he was having a bad dream, his mouth a flat line. I should be ashamed of it. for being attracted to this. this "Thing" as other people would put it. but, in my eyes, he's as human as anyone else I know, if not more human. He has feeling, emotions, he's living like the rest of us, so what if he's a bit bigger than me, or another species. I can like who ever the hell I want. I huff at myself, getting fired up over nothing.

Rodimus lightly groaned, wiggling a small bit. He wiggled and Groaned again louder, then his optics came online. Bright Blues looking down at me. His voice was filled with sleep, and I didn't even know that was possible for a Robot.

"Oh..hey. Sorry, Did I wake you by moving?" his voice was gravely

he cleared his throat, and sat up, minding i was sitting on his chest, he moved me to his palm. I grin up at him slightly.

"How'd you recharge?" he questioned

"Um. good. What about you?" I smile back.

he chuckles. "Good, Kinda weird waking up to someone sitting on top of you though."

"Yeah, I've never thought of it like that!" I giggle back.

Then. there was a knock on the door. A soft bang to be exact.

We both look at each other before Rodimus mumbled out a "Coming." and stood up, pushing me up to his shoulder, where I could hold. It was weird being up this high, but I liked it, feeling tall. Rodimus pushed a button near the door and it slid open, revealing a little bot. A little White and Blue bot along with a grumpy looking Cyclonus behind him. We both look down to tailgate. His voice was perky and high-pitched, but it was adorable none the less.

"Heya Rodimus! Hi Human!" he waved softly at me, which I waved back.

"Hey Tailgate..whatca needing?" Rodimus leaned against the door frame slightly, making me push into the side of his neck cables and helm.

"Oh, I was just coming to meet the human, I've never seen one! I've heard so much about them from the war, I just wanted to talk to you guys..and introduce you to Cyc, cause he isn't much for making new friends." He explained looking back at Cyclonus, who just groaned, with an annoyed look on his face, but lifted his servo and waved softly. I, again, wave back.

Talking to them both sounded amazing, I could learn all about their adventures, and I can meet the other bots as well, this is like a fan girls dreams come true

"Well, we can sit around somewhere and you can ask me all the questions you want, how's that sound?" I offer, smiled down at the giddy mini bot.

His visor scrunched up with happiness. "Really?!"

I chuckle at his child like personality. "Yeah, sure!"

"We could go to Swerve's.." Rodimus suggested.

While I didn't mind all four of us going, I didn't want to stop anyone from doing their job on the lost light, and knowing Rodimus, this was just an excuse to not have to do work.

"Are you all sure? I mean, I don't want to take ya'll away from your jobs." I looked down a bit shy.

Tailgate cocked his head to the side, Rodimus, turned his head towards me in confusion.

"What was that!?" Tailgate pointed at me. I furrow my brow in confusion.

"What was what?" Not realizing what I had even done.

"That thing with your voice!" Rodimus said, pulling me off his shoulder and into his palm so that he could look at me, face to face. what the heck had happened to my voice? I didn't do anything. and then it hit me.

"ooh. you mean my accent? my country accent?" I questioned, trying to confirm what had spooked them.

"Whatever it was..it happened when you said 'ya'll'" Tailgate walked up towards Rodimus' hands, trying to be face to face.

Tailgate was a bit too short, since Rodimus was holding me to his own face, Cyclonus took it upon himself to help Tailgate. before gate could protest, Cyclonus had grabbed him and put him on his shoulders. Tailgate just huffed from above us.

I looked up slightly to see his face. "Yeah, I kinda have a bit of a country accent.. I don't really like it much.."

"Well, I think its cool." Rodimus chimed in.

"Yeah! me too!" Tailgate smiled down, leaning, and almost falling off of Cyclonus' shoulders, Cyc, grabbed onto his legs, balancing him, while also grunting in agreement with the others.

"Are we ready to go to Swerves? Might want to leave before Someone comes looking for the human." No one needed ask as to who Cyclonus was referring to, everyone knew how Ultra Magnus was about new people on the ship, me being a human probably only heightened his fears, of either what i might do or what bots might do to me, no doubt he will probably have an announcement about me, and to tell bots to 'watch where they step'

I nod my head yes, and others blurt of their response. Before I even realized it, Rodimus had stared walking, pushing his hand to his chest, in a way I guess he was making sure I wouldn't fall. I sat quietly, watching as Tailgate and Cyclonus walked in front of us, Tailgate, still happily sat atop his shoulders, Cyclonus barely paying any attention that he was even there. The colors of different bots blurred past, alone with the dull metal pipes of the ship down some long hallways. Soon enough, we slowed to a stop in from of a brightly lit neon sign that said "Swerve's Bar" written in big bold letters, along with a huge picture of swerves face. That Dork of a mini bot had his own face put on a sign.

"Here we are. The only likable place on this ship, besides my berth of course." Rodimus joked, as he walked through the door and to a back table. the place was booming to say the least, chatter was everywhere, and the Bar was completely full, bots chugging glassing of high grade, though I can't say I blame them, I mean what else is there to do on this ship, and with the shit they deal with? Hell, I'd need a Drink every 10 minutes. The table the boys had picked was in the back of the bar, a circular table, Tailgate, and Cyclonus were already sat down, Gate now off of his shoulders. Rodimus gentle sat me on top of the table, while also squeezing into the booth, which wasn't that difficult considering it could seat 8 bots, 10 if you really tried.

"So, what was earth like? What type of animals did you have? what about weather, I heard you get a bunch of different things." Tailgate blurted a few questions out.

I chuckle before responding. "Um, well where I was from we had tons of forest life, wolves, deer, elk, rabbits, foxes, and we had birds, and bugs, similar to cybertronian,but fleshy, or scaly." he let out a few 'oohs' as I continued, " The weather always changed, one day it would rain, the next, the sun would shine bright above us, in the winter snow would fall, the best way I can describe it, is like tiny flakes of cool white ice, slowly falling onto the ground, covering the grass in a thick blanket." I sat looking off remembering my house, cuddled with my dogs in the winter. "Wait, I actually might have a picture, hang on." I dug through my pockets, hoping, no, praying that I had my phone on me, or that it hadn't fallen out somewhere when I had fell. I checked my left pocket, nothing but that stupid necklace..which I need to pry Ratchet about. I root through my right pocket, when I hit a small rectangle. ah! got it. now to see if it has power. I whip it out of my pocket and press the power button, making the screen glow bright. the time had read 1:00 pm, my battery somehow at 90 percent.

"What in primus is that?!" Tailgate see amazing by my phone, leaning his head on the table so he could see it closer.

Rodimus rolled his eyes. "Guess humans still have primitive technology.."

I scoff at him. "Excuse you! I'm sorry that we all can't be giant robots that have internet inside their heads!"

"pssh, not my fault you're all squishy and your processor is bad."

I sigh loudly, not wanting to argue over something this stupid. "Whatever..anyways."

"Its a phone, us human's use it to use the internet and to entertain ourselves."

Tailgate stares at it with wonder.

"Anyways, I was gonna show you a picture of the snow." I open the pictures and scroll till i find the perfect one.

#rodimus prime #roddy #maccadam #tf #transformer #transformers headcanons #rodimus #mtmte #lost light

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borisbubbles · 6 years

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08. France

Haaaaah, it’s great to enjoy the off-season, so now that the Academic year has started, I’m able to fully FOCUS on my bachelor thesis/teacher training internships..

...

...wait? I still... have to write? Eight, you say? *gulp* k FINE!!! (but I won’t force myself to do footnotes unless I need to. Sorry if you enjoyed those eek.

Anyway,

08. FRANCE Madame Monsieur - “Mercy” 13th place

youtube

Let us dive in, in medias res, for “Mercy” is nothing less than a fantastic song. Even if “Mercy” weren’t an original, fun, captivating song with a clever, mature take on a hot, politically, sensitive topic and was instead about breaking glass teapots with overheated camomile tea or the joys of yodel therapy, it still would’ve ranked high!!! Well okay, perhaps not *eight*, but you get the gist of it.

Fortunately for all of us, “Mercy” really was way more than just a pretty sounding-melody. During the preshow, I labelled it a “harrowing humanitarian hymn” and that assessment still stands. Now let me get out of the way that I don’t REALLY care all that much for the topic at hand. War, Peace, Death, Loss of a Family Member, Political and Humanitarian Themes, etc, all fall under the moniker of “Charity Songs” and I generally do NOT like those type of messages!! “Are you kidding me? This isn’t, like, wellfare, it’s not our fault that you, like, suck at life.” -- Courtney Yates -- me.

The reason for my dislike of the “Charity Song” runs two-fold. One, the intentions: Often such songs are written specifically for the contest, with the idea of drawing in sympathy votes. Sanitizing (or trivializing) the problems at hand, and not raising awareness are merely collateral damage. In other words, they’re a fucking SCAM. Most Charity Ballads in this group are deliberately vague and rhetorical (remember “What if?” my sympathies if you do.) Second, the way the message is brought is also important: Even if you are well-intentioned you can’t be condescending (”Wars for Nothing”), aggressive (”Wars for Nothing”) or obnoxious (”Wars for Nothing”) (or heaven forbid, all three.) This is why I don’t like “Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente”, as you may remember. MetaMoro had good intentions, but I could do without the incoherent yelling, no fanks.

“Mercy” passes both of these checks with flying colours. “Mercy” is a really brave entry. It doesn’t shun confronting the issue with lyrical imagery. It’s not *that* noticable because the song is performed in French and the message hollered down our ear canals alongside an obnoxious PowerPoint overlay, but... translated lyrics such as “I am all the children that were taken by the sea” conjure up the image of dead toddlers washing up on desolate beaches and that’s some seriously real stuff to be addressing in a camp circus such as Eurovision, man.

Providing SOME levity to all of that heavy thought porn is the act, which I found simple but effective. Standing together in the the midst of smoke wearing a trouser-skirt(?), transposing into THIS

which is easily my favourite moment in the entire finale? Brought by sweet Goblin princess Emilie and her half-Elven paramour Jean-Karl, “Mercy” is bathed in maternal warmth. It’s elegant, stylish and graceful. It’s a huge pity Europe wasn’t feeling it, because I don’t think Europe will come up with such a clever entry in the next few years.

So why do I rank them 8th and not higher? Well,... for me nothing has changed since November last year, when I first heard the song. There hasn’t been any evolution in sentiment and other entries I either already liked more or have grown on me. There was no French journey, you know? It would’ve been different had “Mercy” won in what would’ve been an EPIC and 100% deserved victory, but alas, people just weren’t feeling it all suppose. 🙄 Praying that they develop better taste before they mindlessly hand Kristian Kostov the trophy in eight months from now. 🙄

RANKING SO FAR:

08. France (Madame Monsieur - “Mercy”)

09. Hungary (AWS - “Viszlát nyár”)

10. Finland (Saara Aalto - “Monsters”)

11. Bulgaria (EQUINOX - “Bones”)

12. Denmark (Rasmussen - “Higher ground”)

13. Malta (Christabelle - “Taboo”)

14. Cyprus (Eleni Foureira - “Fuego”)

15. United Kingdom (SuRie - “Storm”)

16. Serbia (Balkanika - “Nova Deca”)

17. Portugal (Cláudia Pascoal - “O jardim”)

18. The Netherlands (Waylon - “Outlaw in ‘em”)

19. Ukraine (MÉLOVIN - “Under the ladder”)

20. Macedonia (Eye Cue - “Lost and Found”)

21. San Marino (Jessika ft. Jenifer Brening - “Who We Are”)

22. Sweden (Benjamin Ingrosso - “Dance You Off”)

23. Austria (Cesár Sampson - “Nobody but you”)

24. Latvia (Laura Rizzotto - “Funny girl”)

25. Azerbaijan (AISEL - “X my heart”)

26. Israel (Netta - “Toy”)

27. Norway (Alexander Rybak - “That’s how you write a song”)

28. Montenegro (Vanja Radovanovic - “Inje”)

29. Armenia (Sevak Khanagyan - “Qami”)

30. Poland (Gromee ft. Lukas Meijer - “Light me up”)

31. Greece (Yianna Terzi - “Oniro mou”)

32. Georgia (Iriao - “For you”)

33. Belgium (Sennek - “A matter of time”)

34. Italy (Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro - “Non mi avete fatto niente”)

35. Romania (The Humans - “Goodbye”)

36. Ireland (Ryan O'Shaughnessy - “Together”)

37. Croatia (Franka - “Crazy”)

38. Belarus (ALEKSEEV - “Forever”)

39. Russia (Julia Samoylova - “I Won’t Break”)

40. Spain (Amaia & Alfred - “Tu canción”)

41. Iceland (Ari Ólafsson - “Our choice”)

42. Australia (Jessica Mauboy - “We got love”)

43. Czech Republic (Mikolas Josef - “Lie to me”)

FOOTNOTES

1) I suppose I can’t spare some time to discuss the one thing I couldn’t fit in the write-up: “Eva” and how well it could’ve done. Well, I personally don’t really care? Like, I loved “Eva”, just like how I love “Mercy” (actually, I loved “Eva” as much as I love “Mercy”? 🤭🤭🤭) and neither would’ve won anyway, so who the fuck cares. I do think “Eva” would’ve finished where Cesár would have (3rd) and no, NOT because Lisandro and Csár are both black guys, but because Lisandro defo would’ve won the jury vote, but still not by a wide enough margin to beat Eleni, let alone Netta once the televotes are added to the mix. Having said all that, picking “Eva” would’ve just been more of the same GENERIC SAFE SHITE that’s polluting this Eurovision Era and no fanks. So while I don’t like “Mercy” THAT much more, it holds my pref as the French entry because it was different and out there. We will have plenty of “Evas” in the next few contests. Will we ever have another “Mercy”, thought? I doubt it.

2) However, let’s face it they should’ve just picked Emmy Liana (IDGAF THAT EUROPE WOULD’VE SPAT HER OUT BECAUSE SHE’S NOT WHITE/CHICKEN/CONFORMIST ENOUGH, SHE’S FREAKING OSSUM!!!!!).

#Eurovision 2018 #Eurovision Song Contest #France #Madame Monsieur #Mercy

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fly-pow-bye · 6 years

Text

Powerpuff Girls 2016 - “Aliver”

Written by: Haley Mancini

Written & Storyboarded by: Benjamin P. Carow, Caitlin Vanarsdale

Directed by: Nick Jennings, Bob Boyle

The big finale...of Season 2, anyway.

Note: There's a bit of confusion on what season some episodes belong to, mostly due to non-US Cartoon Networks airing episodes early. Not So Secret Service aired among a bunch of other Season 2 episodes in other countries, but is considered a Season 3 episode in the US. This episode and Never Been Blissed are considered by Foxtel in Australia as Season 3 episodes, but Cartoon Network US puts them in Season 2. I'm going with Cartoon Network US's order.

This episode starts on Monster Island, which was proven to be a very interesting locale with its lush jungles and variety of monsters. It turns out to be the locale of a rather timely reference to a once very popular show that existed since the early 2000s. I know Survivor still exists, but it's a show that's been parodied to death. Will this show in Current Year Joke do anything fresh with the concept? Let's find out.

Not only is it Aliver, it's Aliver Superhero Edition, so all of the contestants are superheroes. They decided not to desecrate the Justice Friends, even the original Powerpuff Girls didn't use them very well, and decided to make four new superheroes specifically for this episode. I'm sure they'll all be very memorable, and I should know, because I predicted two and a half of these heroes' names from just one screenshot.

Jarhead - By far the most creative of the four: a living jar with a face who apparently stole the body of Action Hank from Dexter's Lab. The flavor text reveals that he's also the captain of the "B Team", but there's no indication on who is in it, or whether there's even an "A Team". Maybe it's his superhero group: a group of vigilantes falsely accused of a misdemeanor in Vietnam. He also seems to hate trees, as he does a kick that sends one flying across the island.

The Acro Twins - They're the Wonder Twins, minus the transforming into water and animals part. It will become clear that they couldn’t think of much for these twins to do.

Superdad - After being shunned by everyone in Townsville, Major Man decided to get chin surgery, lose most of his hair, and become a father to one and a half kids. He's able to stop that tree with his powers of flight and super-strength he only shows in the intro.

Princess Morbucks - An ordinary girl they only added to the show because her Daddy owns the network.

Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup - They're here, too. While they don't do anything to the tree, they do get to uppercut a monster into the air without a hit flash. A sadly rare sight in this reboot.

The show treats the Reboot Puffs as one contestant, because they just didn't want a cliched "family getting angry at each other over a game show/reality show" plot. The episode is better off without that, really. While the tree never comes across them either, we do get the rare sight of the Powerpuff Girls sending a monster into the air without any hit flashes.

Our host is a guy named Jeff Accusation, last name revealed by a cheap gag later in the episode. It's a missed opportunity for a running gag, really, I was almost expecting him to say something was his middle name. I would go with "obtuse".

He announces that these heroes were selected to compete in a competition to get a huge assortment of prizes, like three Aqua Bikes, a hat, and the title of greatest superhero on national television! They immediately forget about any of those other prizes; nobody gets to ask what anyone except the trio would do with three aquabikes.

The first challenge is an egg-spoon race, minus the race, and multiply the size of both the spoon and the egg. The Acro Twins decide to go first, lifting up the spoon, only to almost immediately get carried away by an mostly offscreen vulture monster. Jeff must be really worried, he probably needs to pay for their injuries.

Jeff: And that’s why they call it...

Jeff: Monster Island!

Or not. I guess he just assumed since these guys are superheroes, they could survive anything. I guess he didn't watch PPG 2016, either. Despite seeing two of the contestants get carried away, the other contestants have no problem making it through the challenge in their own way. In each of these attempts, the egg hatches open to reveal a random monster. Each hero has their own way of dealing with them.

Jarhead slam dunks his jar-like head on top of the monster. Superdad uses his utility belt to give the monster a baby bottle. Bubbles drops the monster to the ground and hits it with the giant spoon over and over again. She doesn't get eliminated for dropping the egg, because that would ruin the plot. Then again, there seems to be something off about this show: Princess's egg is much tinier, and only hatches into a tiny bottle of spring water to quench her thirst.

We immediately cut to the second challenge. It's just challenges here, we never get to see them having to live through the horrors of the island with little supplies like the show it is parodying. Maybe they realized they wouldn't be able to beat Cartoon Network's own The Staylongers. It might as well be a parody of Takeshi's Castle. They have to traverse a spider cave to find a novelty T-shirt. This is truly to show off their creativity with such great references like "Where's The 🥩?" Maybe they're trying to compensate for this episode's Survivor reference with 80's commercial references.

After Jarhead unceremoniously gets beaten up by the unseen spider monster in the cave, Superdad comes in with an SUV and gets the T-Shirt, though his SUV gets heavily damaged. Somehow, his wife finds out about this, and he gets eliminated because angering your wife is against the rules. I think. The episode isn't even halfway over, and all of the non-established heroes are eliminated. Shame, they could have become such lovable characters.

This time, it's Buttercup's turn to get a T-shirt, and we get to see the one bit of consistency with the girls' fears: they still hate spiders. She even tore one of the monster's legs off. Now that's something we'll never see on camera in this reboot. She even gets a T-Shirt that says “Got 🍕?” They zoom in on it and have Buttercup laugh at it. I have no idea, either. As for Princess...

...she has a shirt thrown to her.

Princess: Thanks Daddy!

(Princess notices the girls' dirty looks)

Princess:...Long Legs?

The Powerpuff Girls don't buy it. At the Accusation Campire, home of the aforementioned cheap name gag and the closest we get to Survivor's Tribal Council, they accuse Princess of cheating. Jeff is appaulled that someone would accuse Princess of doing anything wrong. Princess has her own: "read the shirt".

(Over a rap beat) Haters gonna hate, haters gonna hate, haters gonna hate...

This is a running gag that only shows up twice, but that's one too many. This is the closest we get to her being the Rap Princess; her rap cliche posse isn’t even in this episode. Jeff decides to fix this problem by cutting to a commercial.

Oh no, this isn't a two-parter, it's a fake commercial that stars Discount Jojo in a The Bachelor parody. The joke is that monkeys are stupid. It comes up in the very end, and it’s the exact same joke. They might as well have not bothered.

It is here that Mr. Accusation does say a line that could solve the whole “Powerpuff Girls being treated as one contestant” problem: he does say that there are “two teams left”. However, there was almost no indication there were teams before, outside of one mention of a “B Team” in one of the bios that never seems to come up.

He goes through the final challenge, a race to the top of a mountain, with two monsters guarding the final flag. First, they have to get through the sandworms, through the sleeping Venus Fly Lotus, and then go up the relentless ridge to get the flag, and be crowned the greatest superhero ever. Gotta say, this final challenge really petered out with that last one. Horrible monsters, then a sleeping horrible monster, and then...a hill.

Much like the rest of the challenges, we see the Powerpuff Girls struggling against the sandworms, while Princess gets to just ride to the exit on a hidden escalator. The host still doesn't notice a thing, with the implication that he made a "deal" with Princess to not say anything. Maybe it involved a room full of Turkish delights, but we will never know. Princess ends up sneaking past the sleeping Venus Fly Trap, and then pulls a Dick Dastardly by intentionally waking it up as soon as she could run away from it. Unfortunately for her, she forgets to do the "run away" part.

By the power of being off-screen, they beat up the sandworms, though they do save Princess from the Venus Fly Trap that she gets trapped in on-screen. Princess promises to repay them for saving her life, and they demand that Princess admit that she was cheating this whole time. They decide to do this in full view and reach of the monster, which shouldn't be a problem because they could easily break through its vines.

Or not. They can be awesome in one second, but the minute they get grabbed, they’re as weak as an ordinary 6 year old girl. The Venus Fly Trap monster chomps on the girls. They desperately try to get Princess to help them out of this situation, as if they needed the help of what this episode has shown to be an ordinary 6 year old girl. This seems to be the norm for the reboot, but there's something far more to this.

Princess gets the flag at the end of the mountain, and starts celebrating. Unfortunately, nobody is there to see it, because they're too busy crying over something I will not reveal. No, really, there's a somber scene at the end of the episode. I will say that it seems to use one of the terrible aspects of this reboot as a way to mask the twist. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Some might say what Princess does in the next scene is a little out of character for her, but I do like the idea that Princess still has those "hidden depths" from Poorbucks. Also, it reminds me of one of the best Looney Tunes cartoons, and that's probably not a coincidence. Unlike that one, there is a happy ending, though anyone could see it coming.

Does the title fit?

It's the name of the TV show they're on.

How does it stack up?

I like the idea of superheroes having to compete in various challenges. Needless to say, this episode is no My Hero Academia, but I wouldn't say this episode is particularly bad, either. Season 2 being slightly better than Season 1 is both a blessing and a curse for this show: this could have been a very low Happy by Season 1 standards. What do you expect in a reality show episode, a Happy Buttercup?

Well, that's Season 2. Season 3 looks like more of the same so far, but we'll see how it goes.

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#fpb ppg 2016 #ppg 2016 #powerpuff girls #cartoon network #fpb reviews

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