#and now the plot is more or less in place

[lillilybells]

Old wounds✧₊⁺

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･

pairing|bruce wayne x reader

summary|you run into your ex who you haven’t seen in months, old sparks you thought had died out reignite.

word count|1042

warnings|pre-batfam— in training Bruce, he is not Batman yet! a little angsty. notes|loosely based off of Batman the knight, second fic ever!

“Bruce?”

You hadn’t expected to ever say that name again — let alone see the man, alive and in person.

You’d been high school sweethearts. Attached at the hip ever since he asked you to prom. You’d been there through everything: the nightmares, the fights with Alfred, the reckless stunts — like that time he signed up for underground wrestling. You were the one who patched him up after every cut, iced every bruise, kissed every scar.

And then, one day after whispering I love you for the first time in your five-year relationship… he disappeared.

No warning. No goodbye. Just… gone.

At first, you were hysterical. You practically lived at Wayne Manor, ranting to Alfred, grieving together. You were convinced he was in danger. Alfred suspected otherwise. And in the end, he was right.

The private investigator found leads — sightings in London, Paris — vague reports of Bruce doing God-knows-what. Then, a voicemail. One message. He told you and Alfred that he loved you both… but he was on a mission. A journey to better himself.

You remember how Alfred sat quietly, listening to that message on repeat. You, meanwhile, had stormed out. Rage churning beneath your grief. You weren’t mad that he wanted to heal — it was how he did it. Noble, maybe. But selfish. Leaving his loved ones to suffer the same grief he couldn’t bear himself.

It’s been a year since then.

You tried to move on. The pain and the love both lingered, but the tears stopped. That was progress. So was boxing up all his old things, dropping them at the manor, and moving to New York — Gotham’s shinier, less haunted sister.

You should’ve known your past wouldn’t stay buried. It would find you — hunt you down- or, okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic. Technically, your friends dragged you to a bar. Technically, you were just trying to enjoy yourself when you spotted him — the man who’d haunted your dreams for the past year.

You froze.

“Bruce?” you breathed.

Your friends all turned.

“Someone you know?” one asked, following your gaze.

He looked… different. The clean-shaven boy you knew now had stubble. He was more muscular. Scars peeked out from under his shirt sleeves. His hair was shorter, more controlled. He sat beside an older man who looked one sip away from passing out.

“Yeah… my ex,” you muttered, tearing your eyes away. You didn’t know if you wanted to slap him, hug him, or fall through the floor.

“Oh.. Ended bad, huh?” another girl asked, and you gave a tiny nod, still reeling.

“It’s okay, [Name]! We’ll protect you,” one of the more tipsy girls slurred a little too loudly.

Bruce’s head snapped toward your group immediately.

Your eyes widened.

The girl moved to block his view, but it was too late. He was already standing, walking toward you.

“[Name]?” he said softly, peering through the group huddled around you.

You gave your friends a look. “Give me a moment, guys.”

And now here you were. In a small, quiet café across from the bar. Sitting face to face. Laughing at old memories.

It was shockingly easy, slipping back into this rhythm with Bruce. Somewhere under the resentment, you’d forgotten just how much you missed him. His baby-blue eyes. The way they crinkled when he really smiled. His gentleness. His sincerity.

You’d missed all of it.

“So I took the book from his coat—” He was in the middle of recounting a story about one of the adventures he’d gone through with one of his mentors, his voice light, animated.

You listened. You really listened. Some of it felt like hearing the plot of a fantasy novel — training under masters, traveling to faraway places, meeting people you’d never dream of. Part of you was awestruck. Another part was… uneasy.

You couldn’t help thinking about the danger he’d been in. About the risks. But Bruce didn’t seem to notice. With you, he just talked — no filters, no walls.

He was still Bruce. Still the boy who trusted you with everything.

“So… what’re you doing in New York?” you asked, a playful lilt in your voice. “You wouldn’t happen to be tracking me down, would you?”

He chuckled — a soft, boyish sound — then paused.

“No, uh… I’m here to train under Giovanni Zatara. You’ve probably heard of him?”

You nodded, lips pressing into a small line.

“So… you’re not staying long, huh?” you asked quietly. The hurt leaked into your voice before you could stop it.

Bruce hesitated.

He knew this would come up. Knew exactly how you’d felt. That’s why he hadn’t reached out. Because you’d convince him to stay. And he couldn’t afford that kind of attachment. Not then.

“No… no, I’m not.” He looked at you carefully. “But I’ve missed you, [Name]. All those sleepless nights — I thought about you. You gave me the will to fight. To keep going. Even from thousands of miles away.”

You were silent, letting the words hang in the space between you. Giving him the moment. Letting yourself feel it.

“You’ve always had a way with words..” you murmured, leaning forward slightly.

The air between you shifted — softer now. Warmer.

“Come back to Gotham,” he said suddenly, the words spilling out. “My… my mission’s almost over. I’m coming home. And I want you there. With me. By my side. You and Alfred. I…”

You leaned in, breath catching. Goosebumps rising on your skin.

“I love you,” he said, fully open, fully honest. “You’re one of the only people I’ve ever truly loved. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

His voice cracked slightly. He looked like the boy you used to know — hopeful, vulnerable, a little broken.

You stared into his eyes, both of you leaning over the table until your lips met. A soft, chaste kiss — delicate, aching, familiar. The kind you wait months for.

When you pulled away, you were smiling.

“Yes, Bruce. Yes.”

He exhaled, relief flooding his face as his smile widened.

“Promise me something?” you whispered. “Promise me you’ll come back in one piece. That you’ll do everything you said you would.”

He reached across the table, brushing his thumb gently across your knuckles.

“I promise.”

[mefirstlastandalways]

Well that was disappointing to say the least..

Sorry for the incoherent rambling but i need to get it out of my system.

⚠️ SPOILER WARNING ⚠️

The plot was all over the place and added so much unecessary lore and character. Nothing happened for 90 minutes and when finally something vaguely interesting occurs the movie ends. We had to wait five years and they couldn’t even finish the f*ing movie.

On top of that Nicky and Joe were barely there at all. The few scenes they had were nice, but they barely scratched the surface... Why set up an argument between them, only to not give us any payoff ? We needed to see how they resolved their disagreement, how they fonction as a couple when there's tension. Instead we got cut off discussions and apparently an off screen reconciliation.

And don’t get me started on Nile ! She got done so dirty ! She is the centre centerpoint of the plotline but is relegated as background character ? Make it make sense ! By the end of the movie, she doesn’t even know about her power ?!

Booker actions were even more selfish than in the first movie and i couldn’t have cared less about his death. And the movie either apparently since the scene was so emotionless.

Tuah was... there, i guess ? I still don’t knpw why though. Since he couldn’t bother to tell the team the absolutely vital piece of information he knew from the start about Nile. Why would you let them go on the mission without knowing on the team members could accidently kill them ?! This is the most stupid sh*t ever !

Andy and Quynh had a semblance of an act, but once more nothing was explored at all, and everything is magically fixed at the end, somehow ? Guess it’s fairly easy to get over litteral hundreds years of constant torture...

I'm so pissed right now. Yes the actors are good, some of the shots were cool, but even the actions scene were dull and boring compared to the first one.

They had great characters, an incredibly interesting lore to explore and they did that with it ?

I wanted to love it but is was so bad !

If somehow you're reading this and haven’t seen TOG2 yet, don’t. Just keep rewatching the first one and pretend the sequel never existed. That’s what I'll do.

[rahuratna]

Written for the Nanami week 2025 prompt: 'Happy Birthday, Nanami!'.

Contents: Humour, fluff, crack

Synopsis: Yuuji is convinced that Nanami has mastered the art of the 'ninja duck face', one that eludes all the photos he's been taking. Will he, along with Nobara and Megumi, ever be able to catch the sorcerer out?

(Based on this photo:

Since my first ever fic for JJK was a Nanami crack and humour story, involving the first year trio, I thought it appropriate to ring in his birthday by returning to my roots 😂🧡)

It was all or nothing.

He'd known this from the moment he'd forged a personal vow to take on this challenge.

The conditions were changeable, subject to his target's whim, and his success hinged on how well he took advantage of the exceptionally narrow margin he'd be given to operate in.

Yuuji straightened his jacket, ran a hand through his hair to ensure it was somewhat presentable and kicked off the wall he'd been leaning against.

The brown paper bag rustled in his grasp.

Ino's voice came clearly over the flesh-coloured earpiece that had been placed a short while ago.

"Are you in position?"

"Affirmative."

"Got the goods?"

"Got 'em."

"Great. Target is approaching the corridor to the staff lounge. Fushiguro, in position?"

Megumi's voice came across the staticky channel, punctuated by a small sigh.

"Do we really have to speak like - "

Nobara cut across him.

"Oi. Just say if you're in position or not."

The words sounded as if Megumi was passing them through a meat grinder.

"I. Am. In. Position."

"That's more like it. Stop being a mood killer."

Ino cleared his throat.

"Uh, guys, we'll miss our window if we - hey, look! Yuuji's on the move. Kugisaki, eyes on the target?"

"Roger that!"

Megumi muttered something unintelligible. Probably best that they couldn't hear him. 

Yuuji took a deep breath as he made his way towards the staff lounge, chest swelling slightly. He could do this.

Entering, he caught the scent of brewing coffee and, faintly, the pizza that Gojo had microwaved at midnight before being caught and berated by Maki, who'd happened to be training until late.

The 'target' had just seated himself in his favourite chair overlooking the garden, exhaling heavily and tugging at his tie to loosen it slightly.

Yuuji felt a little remorse at the thought of how he (and Nobara, Ino and Megumi) were plotting  to derail the calm of that morning, but he steeled himself. This was nothing less than a mission of great importance.

Heading over, he was rewarded with Nanami's politely quizzical glance. He raised a hand and greeted his mentor cheerily.

"Morning, Nanamin!"

"Good morning, Itadori. Are you looking for Gojo?"

"Oh! Uh ... no, actually. I was looking for you. I wanted your help with something."

"Oh? Something related to training?"

"Nothing like that."

Yuuji seated himself in the chair close to Nanami, careful not to let his nerves show. He had to play his cards right.

"So ... there's this new bakery that opened nearby and they have this promo on. They're selling some great sandwiches, but they want us to vote for the most popular ones to keep permanently on the menu."

Nanami wasn't an easy man to read, by any means, but anyone who knew him well enough would notice the subtle signs of interest at the mention of the word 'sandwich'.

Yuuji spotted them easily enough. The slight straightening of his posture, the tilt of his head, the way he pushed his shades slightly up the bridge of his nose.

Successfully baited.

Nanami pointed at the paper bag in Yuuji's hand.

"Are those the sandwiches, by any chance?"

"Yeah! So, part of the trend is to take a selfie with the sandwich you voted on, and tag the bakery in it. I was hoping ... well, you like sandwiches, so you'd understand."

Yuuji looked down, a little forlorn.

"Kugisaki and Fushiguro don't like sandwiches and Gojo's away right now. And I really, really like this one! It's a breakfast sandwich, and it has all the good stuff, and it's cheap and will really get me going in the morning, and - "

Nanami raised a hand to cut him off.

"You want me to try the sandwich?"

"Right! I mean, you're kind of the expert on sandwiches. I know your favourites are way fancier than mine, but maybe you could help me out?"

Yuuji's pleading expression should have been classified as a weapon of mass destruction at this point.

Nanami eyed the bag, before shrugging and nodding.

"No harm, I suppose."

Megumi snort came across the earpiece.

"He just wants to eat the sandwich."

Nobara huffed.

"Ain't nothing wrong with a healthy appetite."

Ino chimed in.

"You got that right! Nanami is discerning when it comes to his bread."

Yuuji's face lit up in delight.

"Thanks, Nanamin! Here, let's take the selfie first. Cos of the vote and all."

Yuuji had to give himself credit for how he'd played this. Subterfuge certainly wasn't his strong point, but Nobara had coached him well.

Make the sandwich look like the focus, not the picture.

And he thought he'd actually succeeded.

Seeing that Nanami offered no objections, he shifted his chair closer, opening up his camera and turning it such that it was angled towards them both. He busied himself with the sandwich, deliberately looking away from Nanami's face captured on the screen.

Now was the golden moment, a window of incredible opportunity, the time when Nanami was most likely to -

"Sandwich selfie! You guys are so mean, leaving me out like that!"

Yuuji froze.

Over the earpiece, he heard a Nobara utter a soft, impactful "Shit."

Gojo waltzed into the staff lounge, draping himself over the back of Nanami's seat.

"Ooh, is this from that new place? Yuuji, why didn't you ask me? I'm hurt!"

Yuuji hadnt expected to have to improvise quite like this.

"Oh, uhhhh, remember you told me you were going on that mission? I didn't want to bother you."

Gojo was now inching towards the sandwich in Nanami's hand while the sorcerer in question quickly shifted the delicacy closer to his chest.

"Ahh, come on, Nanami! One bite - "

"Has nobody told you how impolite it is to slobber over someone else's food?"

Ino groaned over the earpiece.

"Now we'll never catch him out. His guard is up with Gojo around."

Nobara sounded like someone had burned her entire wardrobe.

"What? We have to abort?"

Gojo, seeing that Nanami was refusing, had leaned over while Yuuji was distracted and taken a bite out of his sandwich.

"Hey! Gojo-sensei!"

"Mmmmm, delicious! Scrambled eggs so soft and fluffy!"

Grabbing the phone from Yuuji's hand, Gojo snapped a candid selfie.

Photogenic as always, Gojo's teeth gleamed, even after having masticated a mouthful of egg and sausage. Yuuji looked like he'd seen a ghost, while Nanami was clutching his sandwich like a dowager would her pearls while she rode the metro.

"Ooh, they'll love this photo. Three votes for the breakfast sandwich! Hey, is that an earpiece you're wearing?"

Nobara screeched in a way that made Yuuji flinch.

"What? No!"

Nanami's eyes were now flicking between the sandwich, the cellphone and Yuuji's ear.

Oh no. No, no, no, no, no.

With a motion that was all the more terrifying for the delicacy of its execution, Nanami leaned forward and plucked the small device from where it sat, masked by its flesh-coloured casing, in the inner shell of Yuuji's ear.

While Gojo helped himself to the rest of the sandwich, he lifted the earpiece to the light, shifting it this way and that.

"It is, indeed, an earpiece."

The cool, narrowed gaze dropped to the boy seated before him, and Yuuji gulped.

"What is this?"

In order to understand the sequence of events that had led to this pivotal point, one would have to leap a week back in time.

There, revealed in all its elusive glory, was the moment that Yuuji caught Nanami for the first time in an action most uncharacteristic of him.

They’d been on a mission together, and Yuuji was exhausted, covered in bruises, his stomach rumbling at the thought of the hot meal that would await him at the Tech. Nanami was walking at a steady pace ahead, but paused when he took further note of Yuuji’s state.

“Let’s stop here.”

“Huh? But we’ve still got to go back to the Tech and do paperwork, right? You always say to do it when it’s fresh in my mind.”

“As commendable as your zeal is, Yuuji, the body’s needs shouldn’t be neglected.”

“Wait … this is a barbeque place!”

“It is.”

“Are you … treating me to barbeque?”

“It would appear so.”

Yuuji cracked a tired grin, which faded after a second.

“Hey, Nanamin. I don’t want you to spend your money and all. This place looks expensive.”

“Nonsense. I wouldn’t have offered if it was an inconvenience to me.”

Ignoring Yuuji’s appeal, Nanami turned and strode into the warmly lit interior with its welcoming miasma of fragrant smoke. The boy hesitated before shrugging and following him in.

As expected, Nanami ordered a good portion of vegetables to go with the cuts of meat, insisting that Yuuji eat as much of them as possible. From the smile the waitress was giving them, she obviously found this adorable.

Once they had been set up, she approached them politely.

“Would you both like to take a selfie to put up on our picture wall? We change the photos every month.”

Nanami gave no reply, obviously leaving the decision to Yuuji, who glanced shyly over at him.

“Uh, I’d love to, but … “

Removing his glasses and stowing them away in a small case, Nanami nodded.

“It’s fine. Go ahead.”

“For real?”

Receiving an affirmative, Yuuji brightened, and the waitress gave a small bow.

“I’ll be back later to check on you both. Let me know if you take a good picture!”

Yuuji opened up the camera on his phone, twisting his body such that Nanami would also be visible. As he struggled to find the best view, something strange caught his eye.

It could have been the motion of the phone, the dim lighting, or perhaps the distortion of the smoke from the central brazier, but Nanami appeared to have his mouth puckered in a … classic duck face?

Head whipping around, Yuuji beheld Nanami’s humourless countenance, one eyebrow raised.

“Does it usually take you this long to find the right angle?”

“Uhhhh … no? I just … uh, forget it.”

Turning back to his phone, Yuuji shook his head.

No, there was no way.

He was just imagining things. Probably just tired from his mission.

As he finally moved the phone into the correct position, he caught it again. There it was, the artful puckering of the mouth, distorting Nanami’s face into an expression that defied all the logic of his straightlaced personality.

Spinning around in his seat again, Yuuji was now met with a small frown. Nanami tapped one finger on the table.

“I’d like to eat within the next ten minutes, preferably.”

“Nanamin … did you … “

“Yes?”

“Did you just … make a funny face?”

Nanami stared back at him.

“Itadori … did you hit your head?”

“No! I just thought I saw – “

All he received was an aggravated sigh.

“Take the photo. Then let’s eat.”

A quick snap later and Yuuji beheld the evidence that he had probably dreamed up the entire thing. There he was, pink hair sticking up at odd angles, grin rather uncertain, and there was Nanami, mouth set in the prim line he was so accustomed to seeing.

No trace of a pucker at all.

Digging into his barbeque, Yuuji was left with a strange feeling, as if Houdini himself had pulled a trick that nobody had yet noticed, or revealed.

“But I’m telling you – “

“Oh, come on.”

Nobara dismissed Yuuji with a wave of her hand, hunched over the collection of energy-infused nails she was inspecting on the workbench.

“Kugisaki, I know what I saw!”

“Yeah, and you haven’t always been the most reliable witness – “

“But this time, I know I’m right!”

She sighed and lifted the magnifying eyepiece she’d been using to inspect the nails for uneven edges.

“So you decided to interrupt my evening with some bullshit thing about Nanami making a duck face in a photo you took – “

“It wasn’t in the photo.”

“You come to me with a story like this, and you don’t even have any proof?”

He raised his hands in exasperation.

“No, okay! I don’t have any proof, but I saw it twice. Twice. Tell me that’s a coincidence.”

She squinted, waving her hammer in his direction.

“Right. Let’s say your crazy little story is, in some universe, real.”

“It is real!”

“You’re telling me that Nanami … Nanami Kento, the king of straight faces, the master of never cracking a smile, the man who parts his hair in a seven three ratio – “

“I get it!”

“– that man thought it would be funny to make a duck face in a photo and then pretend that he didn’t?”

Yuuji was getting that look, the one reminiscent of a toddler digging his heels in in the toy aisle at the store.

Nobara sighed, glanced at the fifty-seven nails left over for inspection and swore under her breath.

“Again, assuming you’re not mistaken … what do you want from me?”

Yuuji sat bolt upright.

“You believe me?”

“No!”

“Then – “

“Let’s just say that I’m … open to persuasion.”

“Fine. Then, I want you to help me catch him in the act.”

“What? How the heck are we gonna do that?”

“Snap a photo of him while he does it!”

“But that’s – “

The door slid open and Megumi, holding a book in his hand and obviously seeking out a quiet place to read, stood motionless in the entryway. He took in Nobara’s exasperated expression and Yuuji’s face, flushed with excitement, and closed the door again.

“Hey! Get back here!”

After a short scuffle, punctuated by Yuuji getting jabbed in the eye and Nobara receiving an elbow in the cheek, Megumi was dragged back into the room against his will.

“Whatever it is, I don’t care.”

Yuuji pressed a sly finger to the side of his nose.

“You say that now … “

“And you’re not going to change my mind.”

Nobara sank to her knees abruptly.

“Please don’t leave me alone to endure this weirdo.”  

“What are you both on about?”

Once the situation had been adequately explained, Megumi stared them down with a look so utterly expressionless, it rivalled even Nanami.

“I’m leaving.”

“But Fushiguro, we need you!”

“Why?”

Yuuji grabbed him by the shoulders.

“You know Ino!”

“Ino?”

“That’s my plan. If we can get Ino on board, then we’ll stand a better chance at catching Nanami out! He’s with him on more missions, and maybe he’ll even confirm what I saw, even if he doesn’t get solid proof.”

“And you need me, because … “

“Well, you’re the one who knows him best, right?”

Nobara nodded along in agreement. Yuuji did make a good point.

Megumi sighed.

“So, what I’m hearing is that if I get Ino on board with this shitty plan, I can forget about it after that?”

“Yeah, sure!”

Megumi should have known better.

After all his dealings as a reluctant member of the self-dubbed ‘trio of chaos’, he should have expected that things wouldn’t go as planned.

They’d found Ino scratching his head and contemplating a vending machine near the main entrance of the tech, wearing a Pokémon sweater and a pair of pyjama pants that were slung dangerously low.

He grinned when he spotted them approaching.

“Well, well, well. If it isn’t the trusty squad of juniors.”

Megumi was shoved forward without ceremony. He scowled.

“Kind of need a favour.”

Ino closed his eyes knowingly.

“Training tips? Or maybe … matters of the heart, young Fushiguro?”

Nobara snorted and Megumi shot her a glare.

“It’s about Nanami.”

Oh boy.

Now here was a subject Ino could wax lyrical about.  His chest swelled slightly.

“Then you’ve come to the right guy. What do you wanna know? Your font of Nanami trivia is right here. His favoured battle stance? How he polishes his shoes? Where he buys his morning sandwich and coffee? Maybe you want an insider scoop on where he gets his hair done?”

Nobara raised an eyebrow.

“Oi, we didn’t come here for your Man-Crush Monday – “

Yuuji shushed her before stepping forward.

“So, it’s like …”

He paused, struggling to find the correct words while Ino examined him curiously.

“So, the other day, Nanamin and I went to a barbeque place. He was treating me after a mission, you know? And then the waitress came and asked us to take a selfie for the photo wall, and then … “

As Yuuji described the events that unfolded, Ino’s eyes grew wider than Panda’s paws.

“Wait. Wait wait waitwaitwait. What you’re telling me is that … Nanami made a duck face? And then acted like he didn’t?”

Yuuji nodded, and there was something in the earnest appeal of his expression that somehow suspended disbelief.

Ino took a moment to gather his thoughts while the trio watched him with bated breath.

“Sounds ridiculous, huh?” Nobara scoffed.

Shaking his head slowly, the young sorcerer placed his hands on his hips.

“See, here’s the thing. Nanami … may seem like he has no sense of humour right?”

Megumi nodded and Ino raised a finger.

“Wrong! He’s lowkey really funny, you know. You’ve gotta spend enough time around him, and then you’ll see. But this … this … “

Ino smacked a fist into his open palm.

“Yuuji, I believe you.”

“Oh my God, finally!”

Yuuji looked as if he were about to shed tears of relief as Ino nodded firmly.

“So, I’m guessing we’ll be looking for proof? Maybe grab a photo?”

“Yes! Yes, you get it!”

“Hold on, now.” Ino raised a cautioning palm. “That’s not as easy as you think it is. Nanami probably did it because he knew he was in a low-risk situation for being caught. We need someone else on the job, not Yuuji this time. Someone Nanami would think he could pull one over.”

Everyone collectively looked at Megumi who backed away, snarling like one of his summons.

“No. Never.”

Nobara groaned.

“Fine. I’ll take one for the team.”

Yuuji grabbed her in a stifling hug.

“Kugisaki!”

“Get off me! I’m doing this because I wanna see Nanami’s duck face, that’s it.”   

In spite of her brusque acceptance, Nobara planned her encounter with care and finesse.

Yuuji had been assigned to another mission with Nanami that had involved clearing out a series of low-level cursed spirits in an office building. They’d arranged, on the side, for Yuuji to attend an exchange programme at approximately the same time, involving some combat training with Todo from Kyoto Metropolitan.

Seeing as Yuuji’s role in the mission could be filled by one of the other first years in this instance, Nobara had ‘casually’ volunteered.

Even with her side-quest in mind, Nobara had to confess that she was somewhat excited. It would be her first mission with Nanami, and she was determined to showcase her skills. During his time serving as Yuuji’s mentor, he’d also earned the respect and trust of the other students.

The mission itself went smoothly enough, with Nanami’s speed and Nobara’s capacity for crowd control working in perfect tandem to eliminate the clawing mass of spirits.

Nanami offered her slight praise, in his mild-mannered way, setting her ego to swelling like a pufferfish.

Not that she showed it outwardly. Nobara could exhibit restraint when the occasion demanded it.

Indeed, she was on her best behaviour today, determined to make a good enough impression so that Nanami would let his guard down.

On the way back, she hummed lightly as she strode along at his side. The mission had taken place in an upmarket area, and the boutiques and cafes they passed enroute to the pickup point were stylish and beautifully presented.

Nanami glanced over at her before clearing his throat.

“Would you like a parfait?”

“Yes!”

Having mentored Ino and Yuuji prior to this, Nanami wasn’t quite prepared for the blinding shimmer of an excited girl’s eyes, with her fists clenched beneath her chin in appeal.

He cracked a small smile, adjusting his glasses and Nobara took note of that.

So he was capable of humour. Ino was right.

Nanami paused, looking around.

“There are quite a few places here. Is there a particular one you prefer?”

Nobara’s eyes darted from left to right, calculating her chances of success. She pointed at a coffee shop that had a large board advertising some deliciously illustrated desserts.

“That one looks good!”

They entered, Nanami courteously greeting the server. Nobara hid her expression of triumph.

The café adjoined a small boutique, possibly under the same ownership, because there was a direct open door between the two spaces. Within, Nobara could see a long mirror and some coats and scarves of fashionable design.

Ideal for her purposes.

She ordered her parfait and tucked in, while Nanami chose to have coffee and a cheese pastry.

Chewing contemplatively on a strawberry, she gestured at his coat.

“That’s a really nice material. Is it from … Eikokuya?”

Nanami regarded her in surprise.

“It is. You have an eye for these things, it seems. I get a lot of my suits made there. Their fabric choices are comfortable and quite durable.”

She nodded, before indicating his tie.

“Isetan is having a sale on that pattern. You should probably get some before their new stock comes in next week.”

“Thank you, I will.”

Seeing the perfect opportunity, Nobara turned slightly in her seat, eyes widening as the coats and scarves came into view.

“Hey, Mister Nanami – “

“Just Nanami will do, please.”

She grinned and leapt out of her seat, obviously expecting him to follow. With a raised eyebrow, he complied.

The staff were obviously accustomed to people passing through from one shop to the other. Within the small boutique, Nobara looked over the scarves with a critical eye before picking out three.

“Winter will be here soon, and these look like great quality. I’m gonna get one. What about you?”

Nanami paused, but she was already scampering over to the men’s section, plucking out a vintage deerstalker-style hat and scarf.

“Try these out!”

The store attendant was now eyeing them with amusement. With the air of a long-suffering parent, Nanami allowed Nobara to perch the hat on his head and took the scarf from her, looping it around his neck.

She hopped up and down slightly and clapped her hands.

“Whoa! You look like Sherlock Holmes!”

“I have to say … my ears are very warm in this.”

Nobara tried out scarves, eventually choosing a long, blue knit, embroidered with delicate daisies for herself.

Now was the moment of truth.

Her plan was going so swimmingly well that she had to remind herself to act natural.

“Oh, let me take a picture! I just want to see how it goes with my hair.”

She placed her phone on the shelf slightly above her, angling it carefully while the camera was turned on. Nanami was standing just to her right, and as the camera panned over his features, she froze.

In the light streaming from the open door to the street, it had been hard to tell, but she thought she’d seen …

Turning to him as if confused, she met his shielded gaze. He folded his arms.

“Am I in the way?”

“No! I want to show off your scarf too. Gojo will be jealous we went shopping!”

“A worthy cause, then.”

There it was again. That glimmer of humour.

It was at this point that Nobara was finally convinced that Yuuji was telling the truth. This man could potentially be trolling them like a seasoned professional, and if she was able to catch him in the act …   

Surreptitiously, she set her camera to ‘burst mode’. If he did make the face, it might be captured by the quick succession of photos automatically taken.

Squaring up the perfect shot, her finger ‘slipped’ as she swung the camera his way. She made a show of cursing as she fumbled with the phone and re-set it, posing cheerily.

Nanami was suddenly quite silent and still, and she felt a surge of triumph.

He seemed worried! Maybe she had captured him.

“Oh, I think these came out great! Let me choose the best one to send to Gojo.”

He remained silent, but she could sense him looking over her shoulder.

Oho. Reputation on the rocks, eh, Mister Nanami?

Finger sliding across the screen, she paused, disbelief colouring her expression.

The hat. That damn hat!

If Nanami had pulled off the infamous pucker, she would never know. By some thrice-damned chance, the wind had chosen that moment to assert itself, blowing the flap of the deerstalker hat across his face.

She now recognised his silence for what it was, the same kind of smug satisfaction Gojo displayed when he made someone piss themselves while under the effect of his Infinity.

The joins of Nobara’s phone case creaked alarmingly under the strength of her aggravated grip.

How had this happened?

“Something wrong?” came Nanami’s mild enquiry from beside her.

She turned to him with a smile so sweet it would have sent Yuuji running for the hills.

“Oh no! I found the perfect one. Pity the hat blocked you out in a few of them.”

“Ah. No matter. It certainly does give a more candid feel.”

Oh, now he was in for it. Nobara wouldn’t rest until his duck face was recorded for all eternity by none other than her.   

For now, like any experienced soldier, she had to beat a tactical retreat.

“I guess I’ll take this scarf, then.”

“Didn’t you try on three?”

“Yeah, but that seems a bit excessive, huh? Even though they are pretty cute.”

“Allow me.”

Nanami produced a card from his wallet, paying for both their scarves, and the deerstalker hat for himself.

Torn between glee at having a mentor who would offer purchases like this and her frustration at not having caught him, Nobara eventually surrendered to the former.

Maybe next time he’d treat her to waffles.

It was a strange reversal of roles.

Yuuji stood, arms crossed, a pronounced glower on his face while Nobara knelt before him in an attitude of apology, her shopping bags at her side as evidence of her failure.

“You let him bribe you?”

“It wasn’t a bribe, okay? He just offered to pay for my dessert – “

Megumi pulled the top of one shopping bag open.

“And three expensive scarves in the same designs you’ve been looking up online for the past month.”

Yuuji’s bottom lip wobbled.

“Traitor!”

“Oh, please! Can’t a girl get a break? It wasn’t my fault that the hat decided not to co-operate. Anyway, you don’t have a problem when Nanami buys you food!”

“That’s different!”

“How?”

“Both of you shut up.”

They glanced over at Megumi, eyes widening slightly. He was sitting on the swivel chair nearby, fingers laced on his lap as he stared at the floor like he was about to participate in the charge of the Light Brigade.

“Fine. I’ll do it.”

Yuuji gaped at him.

“You will?”

“If you’re both too incompetent and lack the basic skills needed to catch a sorcerer, then I’ll have to do it myself.”

Nobara tilted her head.

“You … you actually want to see Nanami’s duck face, don’t you?”

“No. It’s a matter of principle.”

She exchanged glances with Yuuji and both their faces broke into identical deranged smiles. Megumi grimaced as they sidled up on either side of him.

“Hey, hey, Fushiguro.”

“Don’t act so high and mighty now.”

“You wanna see it, right?”

Nobara puckered her lips and made loud smacking noises right beside his ear.

“The duck face, right?"

“Deep down, you’re no better than us, right?”

Megumi’s hands shot out, shoving their encroaching forms away from him before standing rather dramatically.

“Get away from me.”

“Where are you going?”

He glanced at them dismissively, heading towards the door.

“Unlike you, I’ve already thought up a good strategy.”

“Wait, you have?”

“You’ve been thinking about this?”

“Obviously. I’m generally the only one using their brain around here, so it’s no surprise, is it?”

Yuuji clapped a hand over his heart.

“I resent that!”

Nobara tugged at his sleeve, the sly grin making a reappearance.

“All right, then. Let’s see how Fushiguro handles it.”

Megumi’s strategy, all things considered, was a sound one.

Most at the tech were aware that on mornings when Nanami was on standby for missions, he preferred to take a walk to the park nearby, a short distance away from the main gates.

There was a series of shops on the streetside opposite the stretch of green, including a deli where he would buy a coffee and then appropriate a bench, sunning himself and enjoying the quiet.

Megumi had seen him there a few times when he’d brought out his summons to stretch their legs.

The plan hinged on something that had been a bit of a bother to Megumi at first.

Along with the deli, there was a small pet shop, owned by an elderly couple, Fumiko and Koji. The first time Megumi had entered their shop to buy some chews, they’d taken one look at his large summons and promptly fallen in love.

His divine dogs had never been so utterly spoiled before. The couple had ended up placing all kinds of collars and jackets on them, taking dozens of photos and cooing over how well-trained they were.

Megumi had taken his dogs there a few more times, more to support local business. As much as he could do without the fawning, Fumiko and Koji ran a well-supplied store.

This time, their habit would benefit him.

Checking the schedule in Ijichi’s office had been easy enough. Nanami was on standby next on a Tuesday morning.

On the morning in question, Megumi called out his shikigami and headed for the park. He’d covered every possible base that might thwart his designs.

The dogs were brushed, shiny new collars with paw symbols standing out in red against their fur. His phone was on full charge, ready to take as many photos as necessary. He’d carried more cash than usual, because today he’d planned to splash out a little.

Before leaving, he’d crouched down and faced the dogs with his customary serious expression.

“Listen, both of you.”

They’d sat to attention, ears perked.

Megumi sighed. If only Yuuji and Nobara were half as intelligent.

“Today, you’re going to be the best dogs ever. You are the goodest boy.”

He pointed at the black hound and it yipped, wagging its tail.

“And you are the goodest girl.”

Another bark.

“No hunting. No biting. If you smell a curse, alert me, but don’t move.”

More affirmatives, this time, a paw on each of his knees.

“Be cute. Do the thing with your eyes. Roll on your back and show your belly. Give the wiggle waggle.”

Both dog’s tails thumped the floor in acknowledgment and Megumi brought out his trump card to hold up to their noses. An empty sandwich wrapper, fished right out of the bin after Nanami had deposited it there.

No, he wasn’t a stalking a teacher. He was just improvising.  

“Scent Nanami. Play with Nanami. Don’t let Nanami leave. He is friend. Best friend. Make him give lots and lots of pets. Give Nanami kisses. Pose with Nanami.”

He punctuated each of these statements with a small salmon treat he kept in his pocket at all times.

Approaching the park afterwards, Megumi felt a coil of anticipation in his stomach. There was always the possibility that Nanami was elsewhere today.

Nanami, however, was a creature of habit. There he was, sitting on his bench, the cup of coffee steaming gently in his hand. His legs were crossed, and he seemed at ease. Megumi almost experienced a moment of regret for what he was about to do, but steeled himself.

He stopped walking and the shikigami immediately looked to him for instruction. 

“There he is. Get him.”

Both hounds took off, bounding across the green. They reached Nanami within a matter of seconds, who looked up in surprise. Placing their paws on the bench on either side of him, they caged him in, tails wagging furiously.

Megumi came over, feigning an exasperated expression.

“Sorry. They’re too energetic today. Probably because I haven’t brought them out in a while.”

Nanami waved off his apology, reaching out to scratch behind the dogs’ ears.

“It’s not a problem.”

Megumi glanced over across the road, then back at Nanami. The older man waited patiently for him to speak, each arm now taken up with an over-friendly dog.

“Uh. Do you mind watching them for a second? I needed to get some stuff from the pet store over there. It’s pretty small and sometimes they knock things off the shelves.”

Receiving a casual nod, Megumi headed off, determination now in his stride. He’d managed to pull off phase one of the plan without a hitch, but he couldn’t let his guard down yet.

Fumiko was at the till today, and her face lit up at the sight of him.

“Ohh, young Megumi! How nice to see you! Where are your friends today?”

“They’re in the park right now. My teacher from the Tech is there, so he’s watching them.”

“How nice of him! Wish I could have seen them, though. What are you getting today?”

Megumi browsed the shelves and began a very deliberate selection. First, the cutest squeak toys, the newest range of a highly durable brand. Then, sparkly pendants, the kind Fumiko loved to see on his dogs’ collars. Then, the finishing blow, two of the softest, fluffiest earmuffs, designed to keep their ears warm in the frigid weather.

Fumiko was all but wriggling with anticipation by the time he reached the till.

“Ooooh, Megumi, my boy, you’ve got to let me see them in those. I won’t take up your time, I promise. Just a few more photos for Koji and I to appreciate when he gets back?”

“Of course, ma’am,” he replied politely, “but they’re over in the park. Are you sure you want to leave the shop?”

“It won’t be any problem at all. I’ll just lock up and pop over.”

True to her word, she hurried out from behind the till and placed the ‘Closed’ sign over the door before following him back to Nanami and the dogs.

Nanami was now practically smothered in canine affection. Both dogs had clambered up onto the bench, one snuffling happily at his face, while the other had its head over his knee. Megumi noted that his glasses were slightly askew, face looking ruddier than usual and, more importantly, he looked as if he were fighting a wide smile.

Perfect. The dogs had done their job well.

Now for the finishing blow.

Approaching, he pulled his purchases out of the bag, placing the earmuffs on both dogs and snapping the pendants onto their collars.

Fumiko, meanwhile, was introducing herself to Nanami.

“A pleasure. Are you a teacher up at the Tech? What do you teach? Math? Oh, if I had a teacher as handsome as you when I was a girl, I’d never focus on anything. And you’re good with dogs! Are you married?”

“Thank you, ma’am. I am unattached, and I teach … economics. Those often go hand in hand, if I may say so.”

Megumi’s eyes bulged slightly.

Had Nanami … just made a joke?

No. It wouldn’t do to be distracted now. He had a task to complete.

Fumiko had pulled out her phone, as was her custom, but this time Megumi held up a hand.

“You’re never in the photos yourself ma’am. Why don’t you take one with them this time?”

“I can?”

She was evidently delighted by this turn of events. As Megumi suspected, she insisted that Nanami join her.

“It would be a crime to leave this movie star fellow out!”

Megumi opened his camera, moving further back. Now was the true test of his instinct, and every reflex he’d honed as a sorcerer.

As he’d instructed, his dogs were showering Nanami with kisses, snuffling at his face, blowing hot air across his neck. Megumi knew just how ticklish that could get. Their earmuffs, soft and fluffy, were now additionally brushing against Nanami’s cheeks. There was no way this wouldn’t elicit some response.

“Hold on, let me get the correct angle.”

Manoeuvring himself, Megumi let the open camera trail across the group at the bench. Both dogs were now snout to cheek to snout with Nanami, and Megumi froze as he finally witnessed it, the legendary pucker that Yuuji had been obsessing over from the start, visible for only an instant as Nanami supposedly returned the smooch he’d received.

His finger snapped to take the photo immediately, his trademark stoicism never giving away what he had seen.

Megumi had succeeded.

Triumph swelling in his chest, he called out to them.

“Are you ready?”

Wait until Yuuji and Nobara witnessed this, the concrete proof that he was better at this than they ever could be.

Megumi had not, in fact, succeeded.

This became tragically evident when he checked his camera roll on the way back from the park and found that although his reflexes had not failed him, the fluffy earmuffs had all but obscured Nanami’s mouth as his dogs provided the kisses that he had instructed them to give.

Needless to say, Yuuji and Nobara never let him hear the end of it.

Not that they dwelled on it for long. The intrepid trio soon hatched another plan, involving their senior Ino, in a more intense bid to finally capture Nanami’s duck face.

Even though Megumi seemed to be suffering from a serious case of ‘sour grapes’ and was still denying his interest in the whole scenario, they’d devised a plan that involved co-ordination over the earpieces they’d borrowed for the occasion.

Yuuji would get Nanami to try out the delicious new sandwiches, something they'd all agreed he wouldn’t be able to resist, and the others would conceal themselves at vantage points near the windows of the staff lounge, ready to snap Nanami from different angles all at the same time.

This time, there was no possible way for them to fail.

What they hadn’t counted on was the chaos the universe had decided to throw into the mix of all human activity, in the form of one Gojo Satoru.

And that was how Yuuji found himself in the unenviable position of attempting to … 

-----------------------------------------------------

“Listen, Nanamin, I can explain!”

Gojo chewed enthusiastically as he watched his student tie himself in knots under the dreaded expression of Disapproval™ that Nanami was sending his way.

“Remember that one time you took me for barbeque and you – “

The door to the staff lounge burst open and Nobara flung herself through it.

“No! Don’t give it away, you moron!”

Nanami turned his frosty expression on her, and approximately twenty seconds later, both first years were on their knees before him, offering tearful apologies.

“We just wanted to – “

“It was Yuuji! He started this whole – “

“I only needed to show them that you – “

 There was a hefty slam on the glass outside and Megumi pushed open the sliding door, a thundercloud on his brow (one that had never really left after he’d failed in his own endeavour).

He strode in menacingly.

“Have you two no pride as sorcerers? How could you – “

Nanami turned his glare on him and, another twenty seconds later, three contrite students were sitting shamefaced before the long, looming shadow of their mentor.

A snap and hiss broke the weighted silence as Gojo decided to wash down his sandwich with a soda, cradling his chin on his palm as he watched the proceedings.

Nanami cleared his throat.

“Now that we’re all gathered, can one of you please explain why – “

 “We’re not all gathered!”

Ino appeared dramatically in the doorway and Yuuji shook his head with a piteous expression.

“Ino-senpai … you should have stayed put. We wouldn’t have given you away.”

Nanami pinched the bridge of his nose.

“You’re part of this too?”

Ino slapped himself on the chest like a captain about to go down with the ship while his crew escaped on rickety lifeboats that hadn’t been serviced in years.

“My juniors came to me for help. I couldn’t exactly turn them down. How could I, the top appreciator of my mentor Nanami, go down without a fight if I couldn’t catch a glimpse of his duck face?”

A deafening silence filled the room before Nobara was hit in the eyes by a lukewarm jet of cola as Gojo spat out the sip he’d taken.

“Wait … you’re doing it to them now?”

Nanami was dangerously silent, but Yuuji turned to Gojo in confusion.

“What do you mean? Nanamin did what?”

“Oh, this is classic Nanami, always doing the – “

Gojo’s mouth suddenly found itself compressed rather hard by Nanami’s hand.

“I wouldn’t complete that sentence if I were you,” came the chilling reply.

Nobara gasped, pointing at the stoic sorcerer.

“What are you trying to hide?”

Gojo, who had conveniently turned off his Infinity, was all but choking with laughter behind Nanami’s iron grasp.

“I think I can take a guess.”

A smooth, slightly husky feminine voice trailed over from somewhere behind Ino.

They turned collectively to see Shoko, lighting up a cigarette, leaning artfully against the doorframe. She took a pull before blowing smoke into the room.

“You up to your old tricks again, Nanami?”

Nanami sighed, something in his posture seeming to give way.

“Very well. I concede defeat.”

Megumi shot to his feet.

“What do you mean?”

“I have actually been guilty of … subjecting you all to my … duck face, as you call it. And finding ways to avoid the photos you’ve all been taking.”

“I knew it!”

Yuuji had almost passed the point of no return in terms of looking like a deranged conspiracy theorist, but Nobara was squinting at Shoko.

“What do you have on him, Doctor Ieiri? He’s been running rings around us this entire time, so why would he just … give up now?”

Shoko’s perpetually tired features arranged themselves in an amused expression.

“Nanami? Should I show them?”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t,” came Nanami’s stiff reply, “But having said that, I suppose I should take some responsibility for playing such a game with them.”

He sighed.

“Very well, Ieiri, Gojo. You may explain.”

Gojo grinned and placed his soda can down with gentle deliberation.

“Now gather round, young ‘uns, because Grampa Gojo has a helluva story for – “

“Just get on with it, please.”

“Ahem. So, when we were all kids at the Tech, Nanami was a serious guy, through and through. We’d poke fun at him sometimes. Good natured fun, of course! Then … he decided to get payback. And being the genius he is, he started the duck face prank.”

Yuuji gaped in disbelief.

“Nanamin started a prank?”

“Yeah! He’d make a ridiculous face right before someone took a photo and then make them feel crazy when he denied it. I can’t even remember the sheer number of times we tried to catch him out, but as you know, Nanami is pretty fast when it comes to covering his tracks.”

Nobara’s eyes were now wide.

“But then someone caught him, right?”

Shoko raised her hand.

“Guilty as charged.”

Nanami’s mouth curved slightly as he removed his glasses. His eyes carried a softer look, one of fond memory.

“Haibara used to help me cover it up. He thought it was exceptionally funny. But that day, he’d been busy with another mission.”

Shoko snorted.

“If he'd been there, I probably wouldn’t have got the shot of you.”

 She smiled and turned to the waiting students.

“I used my reverse curse technique. I applied it specifically to the nerve endings on his face and neck, just for a second, and he was unable to respond in time. I got the photo of Nanami’s duck face.”

Ino took a reverent step towards her.

“Do you … have this blessed image?”

Ignoring the way Megumi’s face scrunched in disbelief as he mouthed the words ‘blessed image’, Shoko nodded and produced her phone.

“I’ve always kept a copy handy. It’s a once in a lifetime photo, after all. He got sharper as he got older.”

Gathering around her, Ino and the students froze as she pulled up the image from her folder of favourites.

There they were, young Nanami, tall and rangy, with the distinctive fall of hair over one side of his face, and young Shoko with her bobbed cut and oversized sweater. They were both pulling faces at the camera, Shoko’s mouth open at an awkward angle, and Nanami with his lips puckered, cheeks sucked in, in the most classic form of duck face they’d ever seen.

“Whoa.”

“Amazing.”

“You got him, Doctor Ieiri!”

 “I think I’m prouder of this than my medical degree.”

Yuuji looked from the photo, to Nanami, and back to the photo.

“Uh, Nanamin, do you have tattoos or something? Younger Nanamin looked like he’d go for that kind of thing.”

“I do.”

“What?”

Megumi looked as if he’d just discovered that his own arm was made of cake.

“It’s a 7:3 motif. Across my navel.”

“No.”

Nobara had turned white, while Ino was quivering in excitement, muttering something about ‘Nanami lore.”

It took a moment for them to register the slow, rare smile that was creeping across the sorcerer’s face. They watched in disbelief as the corners of his mouth twitched, as his nose wrinkled slightly, as the hard edges of his face softened and his eyes closed in merriment.

Nanami laughed, soft, husky, full of a warmth that had been reserved for lost friends and faded innocence.

Gojo watched him fondly before dropping his sunglasses down the bridge of his nose and eyeing his students over the top of them.

“Guess he got you good, huh?”

[shehungthemoon]

So... so.

For something stuck in production/editing/post/reshoot hell(🔥👺!!!) for 5 years, I definitely expected something, uhhh, tighter? And more cohesive? And more focused on the individual characters than a convoluted plot. Which is what made the first film so brilliant, even if they did it in a subtle way! TOG2 did have some pretty good scenes showcasing relationships between the characters, but a lot of them felt isolated from the rest of the movie and some also lacked the individual foundation that made them so strong.

My two biggest issues were:

1) Joe being the one reaching out to Booker, despite it going COMPLETELY against his character from the first film. One of his key traits is his passion, but his passion is based in loyalty, and he felt Booker's betrayal more than anyone. It would make sense for literally anyone BUT Yusuf to be sneaking around helping Booker. It was a really weird and out of place plot-line that solely served to add tension in the first third of the movie, and then just goes nowhere. Ugh. So stupid.

2) Tuah, a totally new immortal whose existence not only makes no sense given anything they've already established in the first film, but more importantly whose existence absolutely undermines EVERYTHING about Copley's character. Copley serves as the wake-up call that Andy (and to Booker, and a lesser extent Nicky and Joe) needed to "reset" their lives. His entire career is spent compiling all of these incredible connections throughout history that come together to make a story that gives the Old Guard purpose, and shows them something truly wonderful about themselves that they've never seen before, despite their hundreds of years of living. It's weighty and quite literally life-changing, not to mention that the entire concept is a really brilliant and unique role to give to your secondary antagonist.

...So the idea that all the same information was just sitting collecting dust with some other random immortal, and that Andy knew about it the whole time, just cheapens the entire previous journey of her character AND the entire purpose of Copley. And the worst part about it is that there's truly no need whatsoever for this character to exist. His sole role is to blanket-provide exposition. That's it. That's CRAZY. It's lazy and clunky. Him being an immortal I feel also throws a wrench into so many things, and it would've been so easy to get around that by just saying smth like, he's a mortal that comes from a long family line that has always been some sort of record keeper and ally to the immortals, for example. Or just just not having him at all and have Discord's existence be something that the Old Guard themselves stumbles across by looking through Copley's research and finding discrepancies or holes or something like that.  at the very least that would've given Joe and Nicky something more important to do for once. 

The direction also felt sloppier, less focused and with harder to follow action scenes. Also editing discontinuities that are crazy for something that was in post for so long.

I really liked Sebastian's end (despite how mad I am he didn't get even a single goodbye), and how the Nile-the-Destroyer plot (as convoluted as it was presented) lent itself to his decision in a really full-circle way. Andy and Quynh's end scenes together were also really good, and I absolutely ADORED everything abt how they shot that street scene with Andy in Rome. That felt like something magically lifted out of an alternate universe 2O2G that only exists in pieces on a cutting-room floor somewhere.

It was hardly the worst movie I've seen, but they set their bar so so high with the first one that it really makes no sense to have this drop in quality in all aspects with so many more resources at their disposal. I will admit I do feel much better abt the runtime and pacing now, knowing that it's intended to just be a Part 1, though I'm still on the fence about that decision in itself. I really really really hope that the third one gets green-lit for starters, and it actually wraps up this plot in a satisfying way while also delivering on a lot of the things that I think this film was missing.

I think I'll have more thoughts on this tomorrow, it's super late right now and I'm not at my top analyzing ability right now lol. I also hope that the more I mull on it the more I'll think of things that I really did like about it! Anyway, wow. The Old Guard 2. Can't believe it's actually real!

[tangledtheseriesislife]

Decided to go as anon cuz you'll see! Unpopular opinion. Hot take, like, one of the hottest burning takes ever

I didn't cared much about Varian while watching the show. He is cute and I like the character but I don't see what the big deal about him is. I think it's due to the general audience of TTS being pre-teens and young teenagers like 12-16, since he's the character that has the closest age. They feel represented and Varian has that villain arc that's also nice but idk I this wouldn't get me hyperfocused. I watched and just didn't care much. On the other way I loved Cassandra's character and I could understand the subtext about her trauma and motivations, her writing is more complex and the audience wasn't ready for that; it's not because it was bad, it was because the writers were overestimating the audience and expecting young teens to understand a subject like that, that you have to pick clues all the time to understand it fully. If Cassandra were in a show Ahmed at adults, the audience would get her. You know whats worse? (laughing) the Varian fandom loves to hate on Cassandra and compare their arcs, saying hers was shitty and his was amazing. Both of them were good tbh. But this competition is more than stupid.

I think that's because the Varian fandom got upset that Varian was cut off the second season; and because of that guy there (I don't remember), that was working on the show, had Cassandra as his favorite and was mad at the fans for liking Varian, and he said that publicly. Many Varian fans claim that he was trying to force the public to like Cass. So this created a grudge against Cass, from the Varian fans. A big part of them are very young so I don't blame them much, but... it's just silly. I really like both of the arcs and I wish the fandom stopped putting Cassandra's arc down to raise Varian's up. They were done in different ways, and Cass is more to the adult audience, Varian is for the younger ones, so stop the arguing already!@@ it's getting old

Oo going anonymous was a good call because this is a HOT take! Tell me why we’re re basically the same person because Cassandra is my 2nd favorite character but, I love her the most of that makes sense, varian is my 3rd favorite character. and let’s talk about it because why is it so popular in this fandom to bring other characters down to lift others up? the obvious example being Cassandra and Varian. It triggers me so bad you can NEVER watch a video analysis Cassandras villain arc without the person making the video saying “Her arc was horrible and she’s a bad person! Now look at the innocent, perfect kid whose storyline was WAYY better and well written” so frustrating! It just boils down to favoritism and people being biased, but anyway, I loved seeing varian in the show because idk he’s so CUTEEEEEE, but there are times where I kinda disliked him because the FANDOM ( btw I love the tts fandom but this SPECIFIC part of it is so toxic and hateful to people who might of experienced trauma/ childhood trauma and borderline sexist!?)was always putting him against my second favorite character yet and using it as an excuse to hate on my queen cass! Cassandras arc was very uniquely done and your right people were not ready for her like… listen I would be lying if I said her arc didn’t have it’s one two plot holes in it but either way her villain arc was based on her EMOTIONS/ mental health, something that’s really hard to tackle in kids media, it’s something you can’t exactly see, ex season two where the group was leaving Cassandra’s out, ex her her life being second place, ex finding out gothel is her mother, ex being treated as less then, 3/4 of these things are things you can’t exactly see. Like varians farther was incased in the amber, you can see that so it’s easier to make an arc around it. I hope that made sense omg but I’ve been thinking about this since last year ty for bringing it up! (: season two is my favorite season and varian wasn’t in that season and ngl the season still ate without him so… (still love varian) this is not a varian hate post at all because he’s tea, I’m talking about toxic fans attacking Cassandras character! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗💗

[despairlyklor]

“And what do you deserve? Cause all I can go off is what you say and so far the picture you have painted doesn’t look like me. I can’t read your mind.” She wanted romance, to swoon over another’s actions. Someone with wealth, who could spoil her. She should want someone who is going to fill her life with joy, not make it jaded. “When have I told you to be something your not? I appreciate who you are so don’t lump me with the lot you’re talking about. Play thing?” He shook his head at the notion as it was absurd to think as the other as a play toy for others.

“I never thought… it seemed impossible that you could feel any form of affection for me. That I can care for you. Now all my thoughts are about how I’d lose you.” So in his mind at this stage it would hurt her less then it would if what they have got deeper. “Because being around you feels less lonely. Look over there, you hear them right?” He was referring to the celebrations “there’s no place for me there, they wouldn’t welcome me, they would chase me away if they knew what I was. Existing in a world that doesn’t want you is lonely.” She had seemed to like his company, he liked the feeling for a change. “The longer we keep this going the more it’s going to hurt. I don’t want to hurt you.”

His eye narrowed at the accusation “what did I do? Listen to you? Show interest in your opinions? Care about you?” He needed to know exactly what she was accusing him of. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, there was no plot or plan. I didn’t know you were a dragon till you recused your friend. Why can’t you see I’m trying to do what’s best for you because I don’t want to see you end up like me. I’ve lost so much my whole family, friends, my home. I can’t even return home! I don’t want to see you lose that light of yours, that love for life that appears in your eyes.”

“Tell me, tell me what you want for your life, tell me how a despair daemon fits into that? Tell me that you’re okay seeing everything that you ever saw joy in fade.” Maybe if she could make it all make sense, how someone could want that knowingly.

“It isn’t up to you to decide what I deserve,” she shot back at him, broody and petulant as ever. She narrowed her eyes at him when he mentioned how he never acted the right way, but the truth of the matter was her actions were a coping mechanism. It was hard to let people become close to her, to risk letting them see the lack of substance beneath the surface. If that was what this was, she wished Lyklor–Pythius–whoever this was would merely say as much. That much she could understand. “I’m tired of people telling me who I should be with, and who I should be for them. That is what is suffocating. I’m not some plaything you or anyone else just gets to drop into some fae tale or put into a box!” All Talisa knew was performance, and it had come back to ruin her tenuous strings tied to Taravell in spades. But she had feelings. She had desires of her own. 

The moment he uttered the word Aetheron she was quiet and still, but her cheeks remained flushed, highlighted by the few trickling streams of angry tears she had already shed. Did he not know who she was then? Or was he punishing her for it specifically, lashing out and biting the hand that never once reached out to help? But how was she supposed to help what she didn’t know until it spelled out her own ruin, too? “If it’s so futile, then why are we here?” she asked. If there was no recourse, no righting the course of the story, shouldn’t they all be in Aetheron still? 

“So what if you did?” she asked quietly after a long pause. She did not doubt that Lyklor wanted her to be happy, or that time around him compounded symptoms of despair until they built into ruinous effect. But that hadn’t happened yet. “Maybe that will happen one day, but why don’t you want to enjoy each other in between?” *Why doesn’t he want me?*  Her eyes lifted to his face again, his Elvhen form before him again. Talisa felt deep sadness and deeper rejection yet. Young and foolish still, she didn’t know what else to do with such strong emotion but to twist it into anger. “What you are doesn’t bother me, it’s what you did,” she leveraged at him through gritted teeth. “Why would you even start anything with me if you knew you were just going to rip it away?”

[pencilofawesomeness]

I'm on a roll with my old geezer friendship rep for htryds and I'm not stopping now. In other news, Casual Porlyusica was really fun to draw. (They're talking about plants and gardening btw. Behind the grumpy medic is, in fact, a nerd.)

For @ft-platonicweek day 6: unlikely pair. Congrats to them for winning "unlikeliest" according to the peeps I polled lol. (Poll under the cut for the curious.)

A lot of my favorite dynamics in htryds are conventionally "unlikely", especially compared to canon, so it was fun to vote on this right after the prompts were decided.

[sidabro]

imagine if i cared more about the holy roman empire which has a bazilion times more lore and reaources to learn about than my region of non-choice. I would be very insufferable probably.

[gayedmundo]

i'm sorry but if you have the audacity to say you just started watching 9-1-1 because you saw buck and tommy got together and then tell buddie shippers that we're delusional and are just seeing things and insist upon eddie's heterosexuality then i will not be kind to you.

[danielnelsen]

huh i remember grymforge being really hard to navigate and really frustrating but it’s literally fine lmao. did everything except the actual forge today and that’s all i have left of act 1

[lando-piastri]

cant decide if i should work on the schulott soulmate au, the carlando sm au thats a couple of sentences long or the carlando fake dating fic thats one sentence long and has neither a plot not anything resembling one

[bitegore]

baru cormorant seems to me to be a series that suffers miserably for me having read machineries of empire first. unfortunately everything BC is doing strikes me as something MoE did better and more believably and with much a greater and more grounded eye for how systems, complex system interaction, and oppression like. work

[killerpancakeburger]

Wow your boss sucks. Is that even legal? Like, aren't your responsibilities/opportunities listed when you're hired and limited by that? I know it's probably a "how it should be" vs "how it really is" but I just want your boss to bite dust with this behaviour

"Is that even legal" *channels the limited law classes Ive had* They are listed yes! But there is also a very convenient little sentence at the end of that list, which goes like "this list isn’t exhaustive" :) "it may evolve based on the company's needs and on the improvement of [name]'s skills" :) Indeed it is "what the law says" vs "what you'll be willing to put up with to keep the job".

I don't want her to bite the dust, in perspective this isnt so bad, but it's being backed into a corner that irks me/rubs me the wrong way. Also pretending everything was fine for three months and suddenly this??

It's also kinda funny that they (the whole company) dare to pull that shit when I know, and they know, that they're having a hard time recruiting. Hell, they know I'm reliable/do the job well, and according to my coworkers, that's not something that's easy to come by here, even if it sounds like the bare minimum.

[bitchthefuck1]

have you watched the pjo show?

I saw the first 2 episodes when they came out at a watch party one of my friends threw, and as soon as they ended I realized I didn't particularly care to keep going. It wasn't like, outrageously bad by any means, I just don't think it gripped me enough to want to continue, and there were enough odd adaptational choices that I thought weakened the story that I lost interest. I might have tuned back in if the changes actually built to something interesting in the later episodes, but from everything I've seen it kinda seems like they just took the teeth out of the story, which was what I was worried about.

That being said, the cast seems really great and well suited to their roles, so like, if they improve the writing and pacing in the later seasons and stop sanding down all the rough edges, I might pick it back up. But otherwise, pass.

[sometimes-stufful]

Hey guys. It's been um *checks watch* like 5 or 6 years since I've used this blog. How's everybody doing? Sorry for the unannounced hiatus all that time ago.

I don't know if this blog will become active again. However there is a good chance that it might! I'm starting to create a plot for the blog's characters (because I still love them dearly), so hopefully I can create that and get this show up and running again. I've also been updating everyone's refs. So even if I don't come back to posting here officially, I think I'm going to at least upload those. I also have some new characters in the works that I may post refs for if I don't go thru with returning/making this blog more plot-centric.

I really do want to return to sometimes-stufful. However I'm an adult now (I'm literally about to turn 25 in 10 days, holy shit), and the past few years have been rough as hell on my mental health. I've lost a lot, and am just starting to heal from everything that's gone down. And I work full time, and have a datemate now, so finding the chance to draw is difficult. But this blog helped me on my art journey before. And I'd love to use it as an excuse to draw more, which is the main thing that pulling me back into the pokemon ask community. Another thing that's been pulling me back is the strong af urge to create content for my characters. Because I still love them so very much. I think about them so often that I want to put them in Situations and share it all with you. Although first I wanna get better at drawing humans lol (its relevant I swear). But I could get back into the swing of drawing some 'mons if I really set myself out to.

Let's see how it all goes. I'll keep you all updated. For those of you who have stuck around waiting so long, thank you. I hope to join you in this community again soon.

In the meantime, here's where you can find me and my artwork:

Main blog Toyhouse Artfight