#bary allen

[taxi-cab-to-slowtown]

Opening a Trade

If you know about FTL's trade this is kinda like that. So from now until the 1st of July if you write a BirdflashLinda or a HalBarryEo fic or do a BirdflashLinda or HalBarryEo art I will write/draw something for you. The entires must be 500+ words or at least a flat colour drawing. Please put it on Ao3. If you write it and DM me the link I will make something you request before the end of the year.

Go get creative.

[harley-quinns-girlfriend]

Here's a quick flash drawing I did

I know the eyes are weird, I can't draw them

[thenonbinarydetective]

Red Hood: *uses cement to cause physical harm to Yakuza Bari

Nightwing: :D

[perfettamentechic]

20 novembre … ricordiamo …

20 novembre … ricordiamo … #semprevivineiricordi #nomidaricordare #personaggiimportanti #perfettamentechic

2022: Gunilla Palmstierna-Weiss, costumista, scenografa e scultrice svizzera. Dopo un primo matrimonio con il grafico svedese Mark Christopher Sylwan si risposò con Peter Weiss nel 1964 e la coppia rimase insieme fino alla morte del drammaturgo nel 1980. Acclamata costumista e scenografa teatrale nel 1966 vinse il Tony Award ai migliori costumi per Marat/Sade a Broadway. Tra il 1966 e il 1989 fu…

[frereamour]

Isa frereamour's non-definitive gay incest book list

Here it is: a mix of stuff I've read and intend to read. Quality varies greatly. I'm omitting all examples of erotica because that doesn't interest me, even though many of these novels have sexual content. "But why isn't Game of Thrones, Flowers in the Attic etc here?" because I hate you and straight incest means nothing to me. The family relationship takes precedent over consanguinity. Random order.

BrotherBrother

The Carnivorous Lamb, Agustín Gomez Arcos - A classic, really romantic exploration of the relationship between the two brothers against the backdrop of Francoist Spain. You've read this, and probably reread it.

My Loose Thread, Dennis Cooper - Really intense and disquieting, typical of the author, although the relationship between the brothers is more central here than in other works where it's more peripheral. Recommend all oeuvre.

Not Forever, But For Now, Chuck Palahniuk- Some really interesting meditations on youth and growing out of being 'prey', but lost me in the end. We/us pronouns type brothers.

Querelle, Jean Genet - Thief, murderer, prostitute, brotherfucker. We all know and love Querelle. Movie good as well.

Gemini, Michel Tournier - Twincest, more we/us brothers. I have to be honest I stopped reading this because I started playing a video game, and by page 63 there still wasn't much in terms of incest. I want to finish it though. Jean Genet liked it.

The Power of the Dog, Thomas Savage - I asked my wife for recommendations and she mentioned the movie, which is based on this book. When I asked 'but wasn't it about the kid', she said 'no, it's about the brother, trust me'. I have watched neither movie nor read the book but I believe my baby.

Twins, Bari Wood - The book behind Dead Ringers. Twincest again. You also know this.

A God Against the Gods, Allen Drury - Details the power struggles of pharaoh Akhenaten to establish a monotheist religion in Egypt, the cult of the Solar Disc Aten, and his relationship with brother, lover and heir Smenkhara. Has a sequel.

The Winter Prince, Elizabeth Wein - This book keeps being recommended, one day I'll read it. The interest here are brothers Medraut and Lleu but there are other incestuous relationships (possibly mother-son? I don't care)

Brothers Bishop, by Bart Yates - To be honest this book is not very good but it does have an explicit relationship between the two brothers. Thanks Anon for the rec.

The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin - Another fav!! All the incest happens before the book starts, but it's a big part of the background of one of the characters. The characters in question are actually not men, but the book uses he/him pronouns for them and refers to them as brothers. Thanks for the rec Anon, I've been meaning to read this for ages, completely unrelated to incest content

On the Black Hill, Bruce Chatwin - About two twins who run a farm together for 80 years. This book doesn't have anything explicit about their relationship but it's a similar dynamic to The Power of the Dog so I thought it might fit. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Salvation Army by Abdellah Taïa - Moroccan coming-of-age autobiography where the author remembers being in love with his older brother. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Thorngale, Phoenix Mendoza - In their neglected, decaying family estate on the cliffs of the northern Cornish coast, two Anglo-Catholic brothers grow up in parasitic isolation during a time marked by the decay of English nobility. Thanks for the rec cardinalgoffredotedesco!

The Twelfth Transforming, Pauline Gedge - More Smenkhkare/Akhenaten. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Akhenaten, Dorothy Porter - More Smenkhkare/Akhenaten this time in a verse novel. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Doctrine of Labyrinths series, Sarah Monette - Follows two brothers across four fantasy novels, one of them is in love with the other. A father is also involved even though not prominently. Thanks for the rec Rochu!

chinese webnovels:

Brother, 人体骨架 - Really lovely exploration of a relationship between an older brother who is the caretaker for his disabled younger brother (the nature of his condition is kept vague, a severe form of autism, perhaps)

Flying Gulls Never Land, 回南雀 - Younger brother goes to prison for murder and now that he's out there's only one thing on his mind. Really fun read.

Wu Chang Jie, 水千丞 - One of my favourite xianxia novels due to how balls to the wall crazy the protagonist younger brother is. Plot is somehow secondary to him making his older brother fall in love with him again after a lifetime of uhm let's call it torture to keep things classy. Best translation by Corgi unfortunately not available.

Can't be left behind, 尤萨阿里塔 - This isn't usually my style, and the writing isn't that great, but, when I started reading this I couldn't put it down, which must mean something. Younger brother runs away to live with older brother after parents divorce. Other incest novel by same author being translated in the same website, don't care for it, but check it out.

DadSon

Nocturnes for the King of Naples, Edmund White - Epistolary style novel in which the narrator addresses an older lover who, it becomes apparent, is an idealized version of his father, with none of his predatory nature, but all the wealth.

Nuestra Parte de Noche, Mariana Enríquez - There sure is a lot of child sexual abuse happening around this father and son, sure wonder what that could all mean, considering their own turbulent relationship. Guess we'll never know.

Pages from Cold Point and other Stories, Paul Bowles - Only the title short story is incestuous as far as I know, and it was pretty bad. Father deals with homophobic population complaining about his son sleeping with all the men by sleeping with him himself.

The Familia Grande, Camille Kouchner - Speaking of bad. Account of how the author's brother was raped by their stepfather and how this affected her. However, really fun example of women in male dominated fields if we consider it from the "how can I make this about me" angle. The brother didn't even want her to publish the book!

Fire from Heaven, Mary Renault - First book in the Persian Boy trilogy, detailing Alexander the Great's life from childhood to young adulthood. Much has been written about his relationship with mother Olympias but uhm, that takes second stage to what he and his father were doing to each other. Father anxious to ensure his son will be sexually dominant when having sex with other men, while struggling with the conflicting desire to dominate him sexually. Tale as old as time.

The Spanish Gardener, A. J. Cronin - Intensely jealous and controlling father suspects son's and gardener's relationship isn't just friendly.

Lost Souls, Poppy Z. Brite - All kinds of fun things can happen when your dad is a vampire. I actually really like two other characters in this, fun book all around.

The Chosen, Ricardo Pinto - Fantasy trilogy that keeps showing up when I look for both gay and incest. I haven't started reading it yet, but the dad is introduced with 'his father's beautiful face' so I'm making an educated guess about the nature of the incest in this book, but not ruling out that the protagonist might end up with a cousin, in which case we all kill ourselves or something.

Warchild, Karin Lowachee - Scifi trilogy that deals with children/teens at once recruited to be prostitutes or child soldiers, and the similarities between the two. Each book has a different protagonist, but they're all connected. Recommend the three books, love this series.

Dream Boy, Jim Grimsley - Teen boy victim of father's abuse, finds comfort in relationship with classmate, but homophobia threatens his happiness.

Try, Dennis Cooper - Heavily features adoptive father(s)/son sexual abuse. Thank you, Neil for the rec.

Arturo's Island, Elsa Morante - The main character is a young boy who's painfully in love with his father and is extremely angry when his dad brings home a new bride. Thanks Anon for the rec.

Henry Henry, Allen Bratton - Reimagining of Shakespeare's Henriad, transposing the legend of Henry V's wayward youth into 21st-century Britain. Thanks for the rec, problematicvacationbrothers!

Edward, Edward, Lolah Burford - It is a haunting tale of a strange romance between a worldly and dissolute man, James Noel Holland, Earl of Tyne, and the golden-haired young Edward, his ward-or perhaps his son. Thanks for the rec, titleleaf!

The Dark, John McGahern - set in Ireland's rural north-west, and it focuses on an adolescent and his emerging sexuality, as seen through the lens of the strained and complex relationship he has with his father, Mahoney. Thanks for the rec Anon!

chinese webnovels:

Blossom by River Country, 孔恰 - Translation work ongoing, which is why I haven't read this, but makes me really wish I could read chinese because I have a feeling the prose in its original form would be great. Slave boy adopted by intransigent general who learns to love him.

Stars of Chaos (Sha Po Lang), priest - Orphan boy adopted by cold and distant general who spends a lot of time away, despite this the two grow closer over the years. There's also a war or something, and big machines.

Imperial Uncle, 大风刮过 - (uncle x nephew) I haven't read this, but I kept getting recommended, since it's the only uncle x nephew example I'm sticking it here, until a beautiful time comes when I have enough recs for an uncle x nephew section by itself.

SisterSister

Sharp Objects, Gillian Flynn - You've probably also read this. Also a good example of momdaughter but as I have nothing else for that category I'm leaving it here.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson - Another classic. There are people who know this is a book about incest, and there are people who are dumb as rocks.

Into the Forest, Jean Hegland - Two sisters together at the end of the world. Very slow at times, but I liked the claustrophobia. Didn't like the random guy who showed up to mess up the vibe.

The Blindness of the Heart, Julia Franck - This is a war novel across several generations, I'm putting it here from a specific rec, but my interest in reading it is very slim.

Bright Lines, Tanwi Nandini Islam - Another book from a rec, three girls across two continents who discover family secrets. Really scared that this is just cousincest but being very hopeful and crossing my fingers and leaving it here.

The Thirteenth Tale, Diane Setterfield - Gothic suspense novel. Several examples of incest, but the focus here is pair of twin girls + their sister whose identity is a mystery for much of the novel.

The Sinner, Petra Hammesfahr - Another rec by mia belissima moglie, she's going off what happened in the tv show, but I'm trusting that the show follows the book. A woman who would do everything for her sister.

Sisters, Daisy Johnson - This cover and synopsis are very suggestive, and yet I wonder. However goodreads shelves indicate I shouldn't. And yet I can't trust like that. Hopefully one of you can let me know for sure.

Cassandra at the Wedding, Dorothy Baker - One of my favs on this list! Cass is one of the best to every do it. She's gay, she's a twin, and she's pretty unashamedly in love with her sister. The book is about her sister's wedding which Cass, of course, tries to sabotage. Thanks for the rec Anon, I'm so hype for this one!

The Behaviour of Moths, Poppy Adams - From her lookout on the first floor, Ginny watches and waits for her younger sister to return to the crumbling mansion that was once their idyllic childhood home. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Honorable Mentions

Everything that is somehow adjacent, or in which gay incest isn't central but still shows up.

Nefando, Mónica Ojeda - Crazy good book that deals with themes of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Includes three siblings who have been abused by their father, the two girls and one boy are lovers as adults

Boys Alive, Pier Paolo Pasolini - Deals with the lives of destitute street boys in Rome, left to fend for themselves, many are neglected or abused by parents, all involved in petty theft and prostitution to some degree.

The Vampire Armand, Anne Rice - My favourite of the tvc books, and I think it's pretty easy to read Marius' relationship with Armand as well as the other boys as parental.

The Magician, Colm Tóibín - This is a loooong book and the incest is only nominal, which is why it's just an honorable mention. This is a novelization of the life of Thomas Mann, who wrote in his diaries that he was in love with his oldest son for a time. Thanks for the rec Anon

The Piano Teacher, Elfriede Jelinek - This book is absolutely wild in a lot of ways but one of the central themes is the protagonist trying to escape her domineering and possessive mother (who forces them to share a bed!). Thanks Anon for the rec!

Xenogenisis Trilogy, Octavia Butler - I hesitate to recommend this even though it's an amazing series. A lot of the incest is various brother/sister couples, but the two later books have a lot of characters who are a third gender (or not yet male or female) and there's a lot of general discussion of incest. Thanks for the rec Anon, I'll include it.

Out Of A Black Land, Kerry Greenwood - Novel set in ancient Egypt, with gay protagonists and where Smenkhkare/Akhenaten are background characters. Thanks for the rec Anon!

Patrick Melrose series, Edward St Aubyn - The titular character's sexual abuse at the hands of a father is present throughout the novels although not central. Thanks for the rec Anon!

[dcu-rarepair]

Day 1 Gifts

Eight fantastic Gifts have been released for Day One! Head to the Collection to check them out, and view the Release Schedule to see what’s in store!

We also have a handy Commenting Guide to help our Giftees with showing their Giftors some love. And now, here’s today’s works: 

make her for loving [art] for roseandgold137

Janet Drake/Helena Sandsmark Rated G, No Archive Warnings Two colleagues have brunch on the hillside. Just gals being pals. Probably. Maybe. Unless....?

Into the Depths for hisaribi

Artemis Crock/Kaldur’ahm | Jackson Hyde (Young Justice Universe) Rated T, No Archive Warnings Undercover Missions, Missions Gone Wrong A year after the defeat of the Reach, Kaldur and Artemis reunion on an undercover mission that quickly goes wrong.

Somebody that we used to know for byrdsofthenyte

Dick Grayson/Joseph Wilson/Slade Wilson, Dick Grayson/Joseph Wilson Rated E, Warning for Rape/Non-Con Porn Without Plot, Omegaverse/No Capes Dick and Joey have been together for a couple of years now, and they couldn't be happier despite some people would frown at the fact that they're two Omegas. Dick also finally stopped thinking about the handsome Alpha he dated when he was still in college. He also would never imagine said Alpha was Joey's father - Wilson is a pretty common last name, and Joseph never talks about his family. For good reasons.

The Origin of Meloni (West-Allen) Thawne for FallofFall

Eobard Thawne/Iris West Rated E, Warning for Rape/Non-Con Extremely Dubious Consent, Minor Bary Allen/Iris West There was a certain excitement in knowing that Eo could give her something Barry couldn’t. Iris had her arms around his neck and was desperately pressing against his mouth. Eo’s hands were secured around her hips, squeezing as she ground her body down into his thigh. Iris buried her hands in his blond hair and slid her tongue into his mouth, not wanting to let go, wanting to sink deeper in. He’d told her that he’d fixed the infertility problem. It wasn’t even a lie. They way he’d fixed it, of course, was pretending to be her husband. Barry was infertile, but Eo wasn’t, which meant that Eo-as-Barry was not infertile while Barry-as-Barry was. Hence: infertility problem fixed. It was a clever little not-quite lie.

Eyes wide open for kieran_granola

Kon-El | Conner Kent/Bruce Wayne Rated E, Warning for Underage Omegaverse, Dubious Consent, Power Dynamics “This is my city,” Bruce growls. Some of the flush has gone from Superboy’s face, replaced with a sickly sort of green. The kryptonite is definitely affecting him. “Not Red Robin’s. If you’re in this city, it’s with permission from me.”

In My Life for Kalinjdra

J’onn J’onzz/M’yri’ah J’onzz Rated G, No Archive Warnings Unresolved Romantic Tension, Sharing a Bed For a moment, there was nothing but J'onn.

welcome interruptions for flawsinthevoodoo

Apollo | Andrew Pulaski/Midnighter/Jason Todd Rated E, No Archive Warnings Soulmates, Omegaverse Apparently, using their soulbond to send dirty messages and doodles back and forth all day while stuck on opposite sides of the world had been their third’s last straw.

tried to wash you away, but you just won't leave for Silver_Snow_77

Dinah Lance/Sandra Woosan Rated M, No Archive Warnings Enemies to Lovers, Mission Fic Dinah had planned to spend the entire week drinking cocktails and sunning herself on the beach— an all-too-rare vacation. Everyone in her life was under strict instructions not to contact her unless it was an emergency. A real, world-ending kind of emergency, not the normal kind. She had the sudden, sinking feeling that those plans were about to go down the drain. "Why are you here, Shiva?"

[thoraeth]

Words: 2500

A/N: This chapter turned out long af so it's splitted in two parts. I'll see you next Sunday with the juicy fluff 🖤✨

Summary: Cornered by the lack of money, Captain Romi gets into business with the Cross Guild. As the jester worries about his new exlpoding item, things are about to blow up in his face for a whole different reason.

Chapter 4 (PT1) - Ignition

<CH3 CH4(pt2) | Read on Ao3

One hour. Two hours. Four hours have passed.

Kneeling before the cockpit’s closed doors, Meg and Torres are shooing away an irritated Allen from a small box. When Ava appears behind their back, her voice startles them:

“There you are! What’s going on?”

“Shhh!” Torres hisses, alarmed.

“Give the stethoscope back!”

Allen is throwing himself at the box; a quick quarrel and Meg snatches the instrument away from him, pushing it back against the doors’ metal.

“Shut your holes, everyone, they picked up.” the woman whispers.

They all gather around a tiny screen on the doctor’s stethoscope: it’s showing a dark control room. There, a slim guy with black hair and headphones is connecting a Den Den Mushi to a computer; a woman with glasses and a blue-haired man nervously pacing around him.

As the snail's eyes light up, a croaky voice comes out of it.

“You fucking son of a bitch, where are you?!”

Inside the cockpit, Sir Crocodile’s voice explodes with all his wrath.

Buggy runs to the radio “Hey, handsome! Long time, uh? Did you get the papers?”

“Come back to Karai Bari! Now!”

“I will…Eventually.” the jester sweats nervously, his voice lowering and rising again. “Meanwhile, could you read those papers? Pretty please!”

“You’re in no position…you…and…where… Not now, Hawk, I'm on the phone!”

The snail turns to the side, mimicking the scarred man's anger as he seems to be talking to someone far away.

“He sent what?! Buggy, loan’s the last word your filthy mouth should utter!”

“Oh, Crocky. I know our previous ventures weren't all sunshines and rainbows, but you gotta trust me, my Egghead pals did the math this time!” A malevolent grin darkens his face.

“You heard me right. E-g-g-head.”

The radio snail falls silent, paper rustling coming from the other side.

“A device flying across the Grand Line? Clown, they’re scamming you.”

“No scam, sir.” Romi joins in, her voice stone cold. “I’ve been working on The Drifter for years. I'm Romi Hodges, mechanical engineer and…former Labophase trainee.”

“I see.” The Den Den sneers. “Well, Miss Hodges, would you be so kind as to follow the Yonko on his island? I'd like a word.”

“Nice try!” Buggy pushes Romi away “I'm the one who does the talking here, all you have to do is sign the contract.”

Then, slapping the slug shell vigorously, the pirate hangs up.

When the radio rings again, the computers all around it wake up, papers falling on the ground, spitted out of a beeping printer.

“I can’t fucking believe I’m doing this.” Crocodile growls “Miss Engineer, you sure of your numbers? They seem over-optimistic, to say the least.”

“Enough with the boring stuff, we’re gonna own the Grand Line!” Buggy shouts enthusiastically. “Not even celestial assholes can touch us, it’s all legal!"

“Needless to say, clown, that your interest will be sky high, this time. You're not fooling me twice.”

“Oh, c'mon Crocky, help a friend out.”

“And I expect my share, first day of each month.”

“Ugh, deal. But I'm staying here on the Egghead ship.”

“That’s the funniest joke I've heard from you.”

“I mean it. Tell Galdino to make a wax dummy or something, no one will even notice.”

“You out of your fucking mind? Bug-”

The pirate hangs up again, a nervous smile on his face. “Hey, navigator. Back to the Belts, quick.”

At Romi's light touch, the man adjusts his headphones and rapidly types his commands on a keyboard.

“Thanks, JoyJoey. And apologies for the loudness.”

The Captain gently pats the man's shoulder as she reaches for a lever switch.

When the cockpit’s doors slide open, the upset faces of the rest of the crew startles her.

“What have you done!” Meg cries out. “Dealing with the Cross Guild?!”

“Crew, lunchroom meeting in five.” The Captain states.

“They will eat us and spit us out!”

“Enough with the shouting in here. Go, it's an order.”

The whole crew reaches their meeting point, no words uttered but dirty looks speaking volumes.

Sinking back into a chair, Meg breaks the silence first:

“Let me get this straight, Romi: a pirate comes along suggesting we join his pirate alliance and you accept without flinching. So much for years of laying low!”

The woman inhales deeply, rubbing her glasses against her shirt.

“It was a tough call, actually: two weeks ago, we used our last savings. I've been racking my brain these days, trying to find a way to spare you the bad news.”

“Romi, we're in this together.” Allen says softly

“And then food supplies were running out too!” the Captain continues. “Having extra people on board, never touching land…it blew up my forecasts.”

She puts her glasses on again.

“Abandoning the Drifter is not an option, nor is it to let my mates starve. If I'll have to deal with pirates to keep us going, so be it. I take full responsibility.”

Buggy's hand floats around the room, handing Meg a bunch of paper sheets.

“There. Read it yourself.” the pirate says “And have a little trust in your captain's big brains.”

The Challengers take a seat around the table and immerse themselves in the reading. They all discuss the fine lines under Romi's attentive glaze, asking questions and passing the papers around.

Ava is trying her best to conceal a huge smile that’s been stretching her cheeks since leaving the cockpit. She gets up first, lost in thoughts.

“At the end of the day, I’d be mixed up with Cross Guild anyway.”

The woman moves next to Buggy, nudging him playfully with her shoulder.

“Still here? Your men must be soaking their facepaint in tears.”

“Someone insisted I go back to crafting but…no labs in Karai Bari.” the jester winks.

Eventually, papers and numbers are replaced by food and drink on the dinner table, printed sheets crowded in a corner far from the plates.

“By the way.”

Buggy is pointing his fork to the crew, his mouth full: “You think nobody would notice a fucking rocket flying over their heads? Everyone in the Grand Line will want a piece of that cake.”

Romi nods vigorously “Damn right. The Navy will knock on our door no doubt, and y’all know they don't ask nicely.”

“Say no more. To Captain Hodges.”

Meg makes a toast with a bittersweet smile and everyone raises their glasses.

“To Captain Hodges!”

As the tension of that morning gradually melts away, everyone’s thinking about the upcoming projects and how to spend their future money.

Romi's sitting between Buggy and Ava, a glass of ale dangling from her fingers.

“We better make the Drifter fly asap.” She clincks her glass against theirs.

“Ava, how about you move into my room now? You’d have my data archives at hand while Mr. President here gets his private quarters.”

The blonde stares at Romi for a hot minute before stuttering an answer.

“It seems…uhm…convenient.”

Buggy clicks his tongue.

“Bad idea. This one will annoy you in the middle of the night with the most random questions.”

“Come again?” Ava smirks, leaning forward on the table.

“Terrible roommate.” The pirate continues “A ruthless hair brush thief who only leaves chaos and destruction behind her. I'll spare you this horror, Captain.”

He mimics a toast before chugging his ale.

Romi takes a sip and rolls her eyes.

“Whatever guys, nevermind.” she mumbles, her words echoing inside the glass.

That morning, the crew rallies inside lab 01.

Romi paces back and forth in front of her mates, rehearsing aloud every detail of what is about to happen. Her eyes shine in anticipation and excitement, her heart pounding in her chest: it’s test day.

“Everyone in position. Get the data collectors going. Jester, the floor is yours.”

On a large platform, the Drifter lies dormant. Buggy approaches the vehicle, placing a metal box on the ground; he snaps it open and digs his hands into some soft material.

A transparent sphere comes out with a bold ‘x’ painted on its surface; a glowing, dense liquid sloshing inside as the ball moves.

“Let's put this baby to use.” the pirate grins. “This time it's gonna work.”

“Six time’s the charm.” Ava chuckles, while keeping the Drifter’s tank open for him.

As soon as the glowing sphere rolls into the vehicle, Romi saddles up and starts the ignition sequence.

A low grumble comes from the thrusters and the dashboard animates under her fingers.

Goosebumps all over, she observes the front hollow wheel drawing a shiny ring of light. One high-pitched hiss and the Drifter gets off the ground.

"Woohoo!"

Romi cheers loudly while the crew’s excitement grows by the minute.

She fumbles with the commands and steers the vehicle towards the exit, its engines revving full force.

Everything is going exactly as planned when a sudden, scorching heat wave reaches the woman's back, followed by the unmistakable sound of an explosion. Panic spreads as black smoke fills the room.

"Goddamnit!" Allen shouts “Is everyone ok?”

The doctor grabs his medical kit and runs to the rest of the crew, his ears ringing painfully.

He reaches the Captain first: bent over on the floor, she's punching her tights, tears down her furious face. She’s screaming, out of control.

"Breathing is ok. Motility looks fine.” Allen rattles off the essential checks as fast as he can.

“Doc, help!”

He jumps on the platform, following the jester's shrieks.

The pirate has not one scratch on him but Ava, on the other hand, is resisting the Drifter’s weight, her face covered in blood.

Buggy and Torres are trying to lift the wrecked vehicle away from her, but she’s holding on to it, shouting into the smoke:

“Romi it's ok! We'll fix it!”

“Let go, idiot!”

Buggy is shoving Ava away when the Drifter's bulk in his arms suddenly feels heavier.

“Torres, what the fuck you're doing?”

“No, no, no, no…” The man mumbles, his amber eyes fixed on Ava's face.

“Don't you dare drop it!” the woman shouts

“Y-your face!”

“It's nothing, I'm fine!”

“I need to throw up…”

“You were in the Navy, for god's sake!”

“And why do you think they made him a sniper?” Meg snarls, helping them lay down the Drifter slowly.

As the dense fog begins to dissipate, the doctor lets Torres run away, focusing on the others.

“Romi was lucky. Just bruises and a nasty headache.” His tone is reassuring. “This young lady, on the other hand…”

“Ouch!”

The second he touches Ava’s face she cries out on top of her lungs. Her nose is getting swollen and black, cheeks and chin covered in blood.

Allen opens his kit and cleans her face while Buggy moves frantically around him.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…” He whines, peeking out from the doctor’s shoulders.

His floating hands hold Ava still as a metal strip gets applied on her bended nose.

“This will do for now.” the doctor smiles. “Wait a little for the painkillers to kick in then go get some rest. I'll check on you in a couple of hours.”

Allen gathers his tools and reaches Meg, who's carrying a miserable Romi on her back.

With the doctor's assistance, the three of them leave what's left of lab 01.

Watching the sad spectacle, Buggy reaches for two desk chairs then turns them upright.

“Come sitting.” He orders in a flat voice.

“I'm good.”

“Doc said you need to rest. Sit.”

Ava throws herself into a chair, puffing. “How about we use the purple paste instead? Like, a tiny crumble.”

“That’s a great idea… if you want to send your nose on the fucking moon.”

Buggy sits in front of her and falls silent for a bit. “I really thought it would have worked this time, you know.”.

“We’re almost there: it’s just a matter of fine-tuning, at this point.”

“It blew up in our faces, Ava! I’m out of my league, I'm afraid.”

“Well, so is Romi with her Drifter and, frankly, so am I when I get my hand on any cable in here. We’re all learning as we go.”

“How romantic. Sadly, Croc’s breathing down my neck kinda ruins the vibe.”

“Oh, forget about that buttface: one day we'll build a gigantic robot and seize his gold! ” Ava giggles “It will destroy him! While spitting fire.”

“What the fuck is wrong with you?!” Buggy leans forward, laughing.

“We'll name it RingMaster, Mark One!” the woman continues, chasing the jester's chuckles as the bad mood seems to leave him.

In the middle of that rambling, though, her smile fades away.

Those clear eyes, his childish grin…Ava finds herself weak, once again.

“It must be the adrenaline. The painkillers, probably.” She thinks, as tingles start running under her skin.

Squinting, Buggy takes some time to inspect the dark metal strip on the blond’s nose.

“Does it hurt?” he asks.

She feels her cheek burning as her gaze tumbles down to his chin.

“I feel nothing. Just a bit light headed.”

“Friggin’ Egghead stuff.”

A slight tilt of her head and a kiss lands on Buggy's lips. A long shy kiss, followed by another peck, and then another.

The jester is stunned: Ava's skin smells too good, her lips, her hands on his jaw, too soft, too inviting. Suddenly overwhelmed, he does not move a muscle.

“Lord, no.” His heart is pounding out of control, dark thoughts crowding in his mind.

“Please, make her stop.” Buggy falls into pure panic. “It had to be fake! She swore to part ways!”

The vivid image of Croc and Hawk laughing flashes before his eyes, he could almost hear them: “you should thank us, clown.” And Ava, clinging to his arm with her shiny wedding band. He'll be stuck with her, forever.

As Buggy snaps out of his visions, he pushes the woman away. She stands up, distraught, her big green eyes darting left and right. “I…I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me.” She whispers in a shaky voice. Lowering her head, Ava dashes out of the room.

Buggy’s head pops off, falling into his hands. “Shit!” He shrieks “Shit! What was that?!”

Hoping to calm his inner chaos, he runs hiding in the chemistry lab for the rest of the day.

It’s been dark for a while when he eventually takes courage and heads back to his room.

“You go straight in there as if today never happened.” The man rehearses. “No kaboom, no smooches, nothing. Just good ol’ chatting.”

As he opens the bedroom’s doors, Buggy sighs in relief. Ava seems to be…not there.

He takes off his clothes and paint, hurrying under the shower, planning to be asleep before his roommate comes back.

The jester dives on his pillow and shuts his eyes: ears pricking up, he expects the sound of her steps at any moment.

Buggy waits for hours on end, wakeful, but no one comes in that night. Staring into the dark, he feels his heart sink.

[kissmete]

books i want to read

i compiled a list thanks to @hrrtshape

so i want to read 100 books this year. am i insane? yes! am i catching up because i used to read 10-20 books each year? also yes! my wpm is around 750 and i will read all of these by the end of the year.

Lolita | Nakobov’s writing will save me i think

Ada or Ardor

Emma (Again)

Pride and Prejudice (Again)

The Great Gatsby (For the 19 millionth time)

Animal Farm

1984 even though my dad says it made him want to set the book on fire (he does NOT like orwell)

Handmaidens Tale

Crime and Punishment

The Bell Jar (I’ve read this. I know i have, but i can’t remember anything about it)

Iliad

Odyssey

Epic of Gilgamesh

The Entire Bible. All of it. Cover to Cover.

Frankenstein

Farenheight 451

The Communist Manifesto

Mein Kampf. No I will not elaborate and no i am not a Nazi

Capital

Withering Heights

The Nun

The Brothers Karamazov

Notes from Underground

The Juche Idea

In Creation and Construction

The Red Years

This is Paradise!

The Accusation

Friend

Three Generations

Samguk Yusa

Samguk Sagi

The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyong

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Sonagi

Princess Bari

The Story of Hong Gildong

The Jikji

The Battle for Chinas Past

Revolution and Counterrevolution in China

The Republic

Leviathan

The Social Contract

The Prince

Second Treatise of Government

Democracy in America

On Liberty

The Origins of Totalitarianism

Why Nations Fail

A midsummer nights dream

Small Graces

Behind Enemy Lines

A Woman of No Importance

1434

Selected Works of Edgar Allen Poe

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Classic Horror Tales

The Brothers Grimm, 101 Fairytales

The First Patient

Anne of Green Gables

this is where it ends

For Freedom

The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle

Persuasion

The Song of Achilles

Circe

Mansfield Park

Resistance

The Spy Next Door

Payment in Blood

Don Quixote

Pilgrims Progress

Anna Karenina

100 Years of Solitude

Brave New World

Slaughterhouse 5

His Dark Materials

The Stranger

Richest Man in Babylon

Aeneid

Nicholachean Ethics

Dhammapada

Tao Te Ching

The Cross of Lead

Words on Fire

The Diary of Anne Frank

Panchinko

When my name was Keoko

No Longer Human

Ulysses

Garden State

Schoolgirl

The House of the Dead

The Metamorphosis

The Judgement

White Nights

Notes from Underground

Speak, Memory

Pale Fire

Walden

[tuffluuhv]

Watching The Flash TV show for the first time:

(Up to the S1 finale)

Barry is way too chill about not knowing the beef between him and Eobard from in the future. Like bro killed Barys mother in rage to cause trauma to an 11yr old in order to prevent his rival existing and Barry can just,,,skip past that??? Not to mention the fact that he says he's born ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY SIX (136) YEARS IN THE FUTURE??? DOES BARRY AND CO. NOT WONDER WHY TF BARRY WOULD KNOW/BE RIVALS WITH SOMEONE THAT FAR INTO THE FUTURE???? Also from what I can put together they both disappeared in 2024(it's wild that its that year now) to go back in time to the night Nora Allen was killed, but we don't hear anything about what happens after that? Like how does Barry get back? IF he gets back. Also what tf is the Reverse Flash doing in 2024? That's obvious not 136yrs in the future, so did he time travel to that time period and become enemies with Barry then?? Or is this continued from our current timeline? Which wouldn't make sense because he has som hatred for Barry from somewhere. Idk man, this whole time line thing is confusing. It confused me when I watched the Green Arrow and that was because the episodes that had time travel in it were mainly episodes that occurred in other series (bar the finale episode *starts sobbing*) I thought that in watching The Flash I may develop a better understanding of it but nope, it's even worse now.

[ulkaralakbarova]

The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne and Garth. From Wayne’s basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called “Wayne’s World” on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive who wants to produce a big-budget version of “Wayne’s World”—and he also wants Wayne’s girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra. Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra. Credits: TheMovieDb. Film Cast: Wayne Campbell: Mike Myers Garth Algar: Dana Carvey Benjamin Kane: Rob Lowe Cassandra: Tia Carrere Stacy: Lara Flynn Boyle Dreamwoman: Donna Dixon Security Guard: Chris Farley Noah Vanderhoff: Brian Doyle-Murray Alan: Michael DeLuise Tiny: Meat Loaf Bad Cop / T-1000: Robert Patrick Alice Cooper: Alice Cooper Glen: Ed O’Neill Mrs. Vanderhoff: Colleen Camp Terry: Lee Tergesen Russell Finley: Kurt Fuller Davy: Mike Hagerty Ron Paxton: Charles Noland Elyse: Ione Skye Frankie Sharp: Frank DiLeo Waitress: Robin Ruzan Officer Koharski: Frederick Coffin Old Man Withers: Carmen Filpi Film Crew: Original Music Composer: J. Peter Robinson Screenplay: Mike Myers Executive Producer: Hawk Koch Director of Photography: Theo van de Sande Director: Penelope Spheeris Producer: Lorne Michaels Editor: Malcolm Campbell Stunts: Hannah Kozak Stunts: Alisa Christensen Associate Producer: Dinah Minot Associate Producer: Barnaby Thompson Screenplay: Bonnie Turner Screenplay: Terry Turner Casting: Glenn Daniels Production Design: Gregg Fonseca Second Unit Director: Allan Graf First Assistant Director: John Hockridge Second Assistant Director: Joseph J. Kontra Set Decoration: Jay Hart Camera Operator: Martin Schaer “B” Camera Operator: David Hennings First Assistant Camera: Henry Tirl First Assistant “B” Camera: Peter Mercurio Steadicam Operator: Elizabeth Ziegler Script Supervisor: Adell Aldrich Sound Mixer: Tom Nelson Boom Operator: Jerome R. Vitucci Additional Editor: Earl Ghaffari Assistant Editor: Ralph O. Sepulveda Jr. Assistant Editor: Ann Trulove Assistant Editor: Brion McIntosh Supervising Sound Editor: John Benson Sound Effects Editor: Beth Sterner Sound Effects Editor: Joseph A. Ippolito Sound Effects Editor: Frank Howard Dialogue Editor: Michael Magill Dialogue Editor: Simon Coke Dialogue Editor: Bob Newlan Supervising ADR Editor: Allen Hartz Foley Supervisor: Pamela Bentkowski Assistant Sound Editor: Carolina Beroza Assistant Sound Editor: Thomas W. Small Foley Artist: Ken Dufva Foley Artist: David Lee Fein Foley Mixer: Greg Curda ADR Mixer: Bob Baron ADR Voice Casting: Barbara Harris Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Andy Nelson Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Steve Pederson Sound Re-Recording Mixer: Tom Perry Music Supervisor: Maureen Crowe Supervising Music Editor: Steve Mccroskey Set Designer: Lisette Thomas Set Designer: Gae S. Buckley Special Effects Makeup Artist: Thomas R. Burman Special Effects Makeup Artist: Bari Dreiband-Burman Makeup Artist: Courtney Carell Makeup Artist: Mel Berns Jr. Hairstylist: Kathrine Gordon Hairstylist: Barbara Lorenz Hairstylist: Carol Meikle Costume Supervisor: Pat Tonnema Costumer: Janet Sobel Costumer: Kimberly Guenther Durkin Location Manager: Ned R. Shapiro Assistant Location Manager: Serena Baker Second Second Assistant Director: John G. Scotti Property Master: Kirk Corwin Assistant Property Master: Peter A. Tullo Assistant Property Master: Jim Stubblefield Leadman: Robert Lucas Special Effects Coordinator: Tony Vandenecker Chief Lighting Technician: Jono Kouzouyan Production Office Coordinator: Lynne White Unit Publicist: Tony Angelotti Still Photographer: Suzanne Tenner Craft Service: Vartan Chakarian Transportation Coordinator: James Thornsberry Color Timer: David Bryden Negative Cutter: Theresa Repola Mohammed Title Designer: Dan Curry Second Unit Director of Photography: Robert M. Stevens Stunts: Tony Brubaker Stunt Double: Steve Kelso Movie Reviews: tmdb15435519: I wish I could dress the exact same every day and still be cool.

[shape]

Das absolut Böse schleicht sich gut getarnt als "Gerechtigkeit" in unser Leben.

Bari Weiss über die Feinde der Freiheit und der Aufklärung an unseren Universitäten:

"Die woke Ideologie hat ganz Amerika erobert, von den Unis bis zu den Konzernen. Ihre Kader lehren eine bizarre Opferhierarchie: Muslime sind benachteiligter als Schwule, Schwarze mehr als Frauen. Leistung, Fleiß? Gelten als verdächtig. Und genau hier wird es für ein Land lebensgefährlich.

Vor zwanzig Jahren, als Studentin, begann ich über eine Nischenideologie zu schreiben, die allem zu widersprechen schien, was mir seit meiner Kindheit beigebracht worden war. Es ist gut möglich, dass mir das wahre Wesen dieser Ideologie verschlossen geblieben wäre – oder es mir erspart geblieben wäre, dieses wahre Wesen zu erkennen – wenn ich keine Jüdin wäre. Aber ich bin Jüdin. Also bemerkte ich, wie ich als Jüdin in dieser Ideologie nicht vorkomme; herausgeschrieben wurde. Und dass es nicht nur um mich ging, sondern dass die gesamte Ideologie auf einer Illusion beruhte.

Was ich sah, war eine Weltanschauung, in der die grundlegenden Vorstellungen von Gut und Böse durch eine neue Rubrik ersetzt wurden: die der Machtlosen (gut) und der Mächtigen (böse). Dadurch wurden viele Dinge ersetzt. Farbenblindheit durch Rassenbesessenheit. Ideen durch Identität. Debatte durch Denunziation. Überzeugungsarbeit durch öffentliche Beschämung. Rechtsstaatlichkeit durch die Wut des Mobs.

Die Menschen sollten in dieser neuen Ordnung nicht in Anerkennung ihrer Begabungen, ihrer harten Arbeit, ihrer Leistung oder ihres Beitrags zur Gesellschaft Autorität erhalten, sondern umgekehrt proportional zu den Nachteilen, die ihre Gruppe nach der Definition radikaler Ideologen erlitten hatte. Oder, wie der Autor James Kirchick es so treffend formuliert hat: „Muslime mehr als Schwule, Schwarze mehr als Frauen, und alle mehr als die Juden“.

Damals war ich noch Studentin, aber man brauchte keinen Doktortitel, um zu erkennen, wohin das führt. Bei mir zu Entsetzen, weshalb ich so laut wie möglich Alarm schlug. Woraufhin die meisten jüdischen Autoritäten zu mir sagten, ja, diese Ideologie sei nicht gut, aber ich solle auch nicht so hysterisch sein. Universitäten seien schließlich schon immer Brutstätten des Radikalismus gewesen, sagten sie. Und sie versprachen, dass sich diese Ideologie auflösen wird, wenn die jungen Leute erst in der Erwachsenenwelt ankommen. Das tat sie nicht.

In den vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnten musste ich mit ansehen, wie diese verkehrte Weltanschauung alle wichtigen Institutionen des amerikanischen Lebens erobert hat. Es begann mit den Universitäten, dann ging es weiter zu den Kultureinrichtungen – darunter einige, die ich nur zu gut kannte, wie die „New York Times“ – sowie zu allen großen Museen, philanthropischen Einrichtungen und Medienunternehmen.

Dann ging es weiter zu den medizinischen und juristischen Fakultäten. Die Weltanschauung hat in fast jedem großen Unternehmen Wurzeln geschlagen. Sie ist in unseren High Schools und sogar in unseren Grundschulen angekommen. Die Eroberung ist so umfassend, dass man sie kaum noch wahrnehmen kann – denn sie ist überall. Auch in der jüdischen Gemeinschaft.

Einige der wichtigsten jüdischen Gemeindeorganisationen wandelten sich selbst, um diese Ideologie unterstützen zu können. Oder sie haben sich zumindest verbogen, um signalisieren zu können, dass auch sie gute Verbündete im Kampf für gleiche Rechte sein können – auch wenn diese Rechte nicht mehr gleich und unveräußerlich waren, sondern eher verteilt als geschützt wurden.

Für Juden birgt eine Weltanschauung, die Gleichheit an den Ergebnissen und eben nicht an den Chancen misst, offensichtliche und eklatante Gefahren. Wenn Unterrepräsentation das direkte Ergebnis systemischer Benachteiligung ist, dann deutet Überrepräsentation – und Juden machen gerade einmal rund zwei Prozent der amerikanischen Bevölkerung aus – nicht auf Talent oder harte Arbeit hin, sondern auf ein unverdientes Privileg.

Diese verschwörerische Schlussfolgerung ist gar nicht so weit von dem hasserfüllten Bild einer kleinen Gruppe von Juden entfernt, die sich die Welt unrechtmäßig zur Beute machen und unter sich aufteilen

„Besonders das postkoloniale, ‚woke‘ Milieu macht Stimmung“

Aber nicht nur Juden leiden unter der Vorstellung, dass Verdienst und hervorragende Leistung nur noch Schimpfwörter sind. Es trifft Streber jeder Abstammung, Ethnie und Klasse – aus diesem Grund ist etwa der Erfolg asiatischstämmiger Amerikaner verdächtig: Die Prozentsätze stimmen nicht, die Punktzahlen sind zu hoch – wem haben sie diesen Erfolg gestohlen?

Natürlich spricht diese neue Ideologie all das nicht offen aus. Sie mag es nicht einmal, wenn man sie beim Namen nennt. Manche nennen sie „Wokeness“, „Antirassismus“, „Progressivismus“, „Safetyism“, „Critical Social Justice“ oder „Identitätsmarxismus“. Aber egal, welchen Begriff man verwendet, klar ist, dass sie in einem konzeptionellen Instrument namens „Diversity, Equity and Inclusion“ (DEI) an Macht gewonnen hat – zu Deutsch: Vielfalt, Gleichberechtigung und Inklusiuon.

Theoretisch handelt es sich bei allen drei Begriffen um edle Zwecke. Ja, es sind Anliegen, denen sich auch und insbesondere amerikanische Juden seit Langem verschrieben haben, sowohl individuell als auch kollektiv. Aber in Wirklichkeit sind diese Begriffe zu Metaphern für eine ideologische Bewegung verkommen, die darauf aus ist, jeden Amerikaner nicht als Individuum zu kategorisieren, sondern als Avatar einer Identitätsgruppe, dessen Verhalten entsprechend vorverurteilt wird, und uns damit alle in eine Art Nullsummenspiel zu verwickeln.

Seit einigen Jahren sehen wir, welchen Schaden diese Ideologie angerichtet hat. DEI und die Kader, die das Konzept durchsetzen, untergraben die zentralen Aufgaben der jeweiligen Institutionen. Und nichts hat die Gefahren hinter DEI deutlicher gemacht als das, was in diesen Tagen an unseren Hochschulen geschieht – also an den Orten, an denen unsere zukünftigen Führungskräfte heranwachsen.

Dort werden Professoren gezwungen, sich zu DEI zu bekennen, wenn sie eingestellt, befördert oder fest angestellt werden wollen. Und genau dort hat sich die Abscheulichkeit dieser Weltanschauung in den vergangenen Wochen deutlich gezeigt: Wir sehen Studenten und Professoren, die nicht in Fakten, Wissen und Geschichte eingetaucht sind, sondern in eine entmenschlichende Ideologie, die sie dazu gebracht hat, Terrorismus zu feiern oder zu rechtfertigen.

Juden, die wissen, dass jedes menschliche Leben als Ebenbild Gottes unantastbar ist, dürfen nicht tatenlos zusehen, wie dieses Prinzip, das für die Verheißung Amerikas und seiner hart erkämpften Freiheiten so zentral ist, ausgelöscht wird. Wir müssen diese Entwicklung rückgängig machen.

Die Antwort kann nicht darin liegen, dass die jüdische Gemeinschaft vor der intersektionalen Koalition für ihre Sache plädiert oder um einen höheren Rang auf der neuen Opferhierarchie bettelt. Das ist eine verlorene Strategie – nicht nur für die jüdische Würde, sondern auch für die Werte, die wir als Juden und als Amerikaner vertreten.

Das jüdische Engagement für Gerechtigkeit – und die kraftvolle und historische Ablehnung von Rassismus durch die jüdische Gemeinschaft Amerikas – ist eine Quelle enormen Stolzes. Das sollte niemals ins Wanken geraten. Ebenso wenig sollte unsere Verpflichtung, unseren Freunden beizustehen, ins Wanken geraten, insbesondere dann, wenn sie unsere Unterstützung brauchen, so wie wir jetzt ihre brauchen.

Aber bei DEI geht es nicht um die Begriffe, die nur zur Tarnung verwendet werden. Beim DEI geht es um die Aneignung von Macht. Und die Bewegung, die all diese Macht an sich reißt, mag weder Amerika noch den Liberalismus.

Sie glaubt nicht, dass Amerika ein gutes Land ist – jedenfalls nicht besser als China oder der Iran. Sie nennt sich selbst fortschrittlich, glaubt aber nicht an den Fortschritt; sie ist ausdrücklich gegen Wachstum. Sie behauptet, „Gerechtigkeit“ zu fördern, aber ihre Antwort auf die Herausforderung, benachteiligten Kindern Mathematik oder Lesen beizubringen, ist die Abschaffung von Mathe- und Lesetests. Sie verteufelt harte Arbeit, Verdienst, Familie und die Würde des Einzelnen.

Eine Ideologie, die diese grundlegenden menschlichen Tugenden pathologisiert, ist eine Ideologie, die versucht, das zu untergraben, was Amerika so außergewöhnlich macht. Es ist an der Zeit, DEI endgültig zu beenden. Wir werden nicht länger zusehen, wie Menschen ermutigt werden, sich abzusondern. Keine erzwungenen Erklärungen mehr, dass Identität Vorrang vor Spitzenleistungen hat. Keine erzwungenen Reden mehr. Schluss mit den kleinen Lügen, nur um höflich zu sein.

Das jüdische Volk hat jedes einzelne Regime und jede Ideologie überlebt, die uns auslöschen wollte. Wir werden überleben, auf die eine oder andere Weise. Aber DEI untergräbt Amerika und das, wofür es steht – einschließlich der Prinzipien, die es zu einem Ort unvergleichlicher Möglichkeiten, Sicherheit und Freiheit für so viele gemacht hat. DEI zu bekämpfen, ist das Mindeste, was wir diesem Land schulden.

[thebuzztrack]

A Review of 'The Flash' (2023)

Toward the beginning, Barry tells a maternity nurse to speak with a mental health professional because the Justice League is not good at such a thing. This made me sad, given the context of the real-life issues with Ezra Miller in recent years and the toxic workplace environment described by Ray Fisher after the Justice League movie was released. On its own, the story of The Flash is a fun twist on an origin story by utilizing the Flashpoint Paradox concept as a premise. We are introduced to Bary’s origin story, the introduction to the DC multiverse, and the appearance of Reverse Flash. For the downsides, I believe the CGI babies in the opening sequence and CGI Speedforce for the rest of the movie are horrendously rendered. It’s like a rough draft animatic instead of a final rendering for a multi-million dollar movie project. I am giving it a mid rating for being a mixed bag of results. A review point is given for bringing back Michael Keaton as Batman. Another review point is given for containing all the cameo appearances, even though some are extremely bad CGI reconstructions. And a final review point is given for the story arc being emotionally engaging but avoiding the usual tropes that would be easy bait to include in this type of story. My last words would be to admit shamefully I like Emo Kara. When will she start an emo band and name it All Kryptonian Rejects?

The Flash (2023) is a superhero film that adapts the popular DC comic book storyline Flashpoint, in which Barry Allen, aka The Flash, uses his super speed to travel back in time and save his mother from being murdered. However, his actions have unforeseen consequences, as he creates a new timeline where General Zod has conquered Earth where no other superheroes exist. To restore his original reality, Barry must team up with an older Bruce Wayne, who has retired from being Batman, and a young Kara Zor-El, the last survivor of Krypton.

The film is directed by Andy Muschietti, best known for his horror films It (Part One and Two) and Mama. The screenplay is written by Christina Hodson, who also penned Birds of Prey (2020) and Bumblebee (2018). The film stars Ezra Miller as Barry Allen, Michael Keaton as Bruce Wayne, Sasha Calle as Kara Zor-El, Michael Shannon as General Zod, Ron Livingston as Henry Allen, Maribel Verdú as Nora Allen, Kiersey Clemons as Iris West, Antje Traue as Faora-Ul, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth.

The intention of this movie is expected to be a game-changer for the DCEU, as it formally introduces the concept of the multiverse into the DC movies universe, which allows for different versions of the same characters to coexist in multiple realities. The film also marks the return of Michael Keaton as Batman, who previously played the character in Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992). Keaton’s Batman is said to be a mentor figure for Barry and Kara.

The movie had been in studio production development with Warner Bros for over a decade, with various writers and directors attached and departed over the years. The original plan for a release date was supposed to be in 2018 but got delayed multiple times due to creative differences, production issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, post-production setbacks, and controversies surrounding Ezra Miller. The film finally began filming in April 2021 in London and wrapped up in October 2021. The film’s first trailer was released at DC FanDome in October 2021, generating positive buzz among fans and critics.

[thenonbinarydetective]

alright...

[theflashjaygarrick]

Okay I recently have become a bit of a pre-crisis Mick Rory/Bary Allen shipper because of that issue 312-317 arc. Here is more context for your consideration.

So Mick Rory eventually decides to give up on crime and his heat wave and live an honest life. At first very few people believe that he is genuine with his reformation including Barry Allen/The Flash. Yet after a convoluted story arc involving Mick Rory's parole officer trying to frame him for crimes Barry realises starts to warm up to the possibility that his old foe might have gone 'straight' for good.

After this The Flash changes his attitude towards Mick. He know longer treats him as an enemy to fight, but instead a friend to help. Because of that Mick starts to have dreams about Barry (specifically Barry saying he hopes that he has changed).

Of course Heatwave's move away from crime is not without problems. His previous 'partner' Captain Cold breaks out of prison and with the help of his sister Gold Glider goes to teach Mick a lesson. But luckily since Barry has been convinced he's taking reform seriously he had made it's his job "to look out for him time to time".

Their relationship gets to the next level when Mick is heading home from his job at the glass factory when he is abducted by the crime lord called Goldface who is aware of Mick's secret. He knows the Flash's civilian identity. He recently decided to never betray his new friend Barry by betraying his secret but he's in over his head with Gold Face threatening to torture him so he heads to the only place he feels like he will be safe from them. Barry's apartment.

Yeah he breaks into Barry's apartment and we get this amazing award ramble explanation of why he's in his house (including him awkwardly lurking behind the door. But after some explanation Barry is happy to let Mick with him until they sort this whole situation out. So they are now roommates. (oh my god they were roommates)

Mick gets so mad that Goldface tried to guilt trip Barry that claims that if he still was Heat Wave he'd track the guy down himself "on general principle". It's actually kind of cute how Mick more mad about him making Barry upset than he is about Goldface genuinely trying to torture him like one issue ago. I swear its been like a few weeks of friendship at most and he's already so ride-or-die for Barry.

Anyway after Barry stops Goldface (in a plan that involves borrowing and wearing Heat Wave's suit) Mick ends up moving out in a genuinely very sweet moment. It's really clear they're friends and care a lot about each other. Hell, he left his old uniform behind (seemingly with Barry to do what he wants with it).

I would like to note the send off also ends with the nature of their relationship remaining unsaid. pretty clear based on context that Barry's thought bubble going to say 'friends' but because the train of thought is interrupted it leaves it ambiguous. And what would be a weirder curve ball then ending up having an emotional (or perhaps more) love affair with your old villain-turned-friend-turned-roommate. Let's just say a shipper mind can do a lot with that sort of ambiguity.

As you can see this arc is a classic case enemies-to-friends-to-lovers with a lot of potential for angst, hurt/comfort, melodrama, and genuinely quite sweet moments. You have the jealous ex-Captain Cold love triangle angle if you want to go there. Not to mention Barry is grieving Iris at this time. So there's just a lot of emotions going on between the two men who are both experiencing loss and have had their lives change forever. Also as the submitter said a lot in this arc is rushed but it doesn't have to be. It could be a slow burn for the ages if we all tried hard enough and simply believed.

propaganda:

Hal Jordan/Guy Gardner:

no propaganda submitted

Barry Allen/Mick Rory:

this is not about the TV show, I am specifically pitching pre-Crisis. issues 312-317 are at the peak of Barry's soap opera/awkward romantic rebound era and the drama potential is already there. the tension of having to learn to trust each other turning into sharing an apartment, risking death to protect each other, and getting roped into each others' messy breakups??? the pacing of pre-Crisis Flash is absurdly fast but you could draw this out for SO long.

[dcu-rarepair]

Day 4 Gifts

Eight more amazing gifts for Day 4! Head to the Collection to check them out, and view the Release Schedule to see what’s in store!

We also have a handy Commenting Guide to help our Giftees with showing their Giftors some love. And now, here’s today’s works: 

Happy Valentine, Batsy for Nightwang

Dick Grayson/Joker, Dick Grayson & Bruce Wayne Rated E, Warnings for Graphic Depictions of Violence, Rape/Non-Con, Underage Hurt/No Comfort, Implied/Referenced Torture, Painful Sex Bruce tries his best to keep Robin away from Joker, Dick is going to learn why.

Lying to Myself for Zero_Ducks

Bary Allen/Wally West Rated E, Chose Not to Use Archive Sex Pollen, Dubious Consent Barry gets hit with sex pollen, Wally takes his chance.

Pal is a dirty word for bikarma

Clark Kent/James ‘Jimmy’ Olsen Rated E, No Archive Warnings Friends to Lovers, Bad First Date It's the talk of the town that Jimmy is considered to be Superman's Pal, everyone is excited about it, everyone but Superman who wants a redaction in print. Jimmy wouldn't be crushed the fact that Superman is not looking for a best friend, if not for the fact that he knows who Superman is when the cape comes off. He fears this is the begging of the end for him and Clark, little does he know there's someone waiting in the wing to expedite that process.

Fire & Ice & Rain for saiditallbefore

Beatriz da Costa/Tora Olafsdotter Rated G, No Archive Warnings Art

[ART] DC Rarepair Exchange: TedBru for leninille

Ted Kord/Bruce Wayne Rated M, No Archive Warnings Caught, Art

no attachments (is it casual now?) for reinikrei

Koriand’r/Donna Troy Rated T, No Archive Warnings Implied Friends with Benefits, New Year’s Kiss “You know…” Donna begins. “They have a lot of traditions here, to celebrate the start of a new year.” “Oh?” There’s a small knowing smile on her lips, but she feigns ignorance, playing along. She tilts her head, slowly mixing her drink with her cocktail stirrer. “I hadn’t known.” (in which new year's eve is upon them, and nothing ever changes)

The Bird and the Tempest for YouHaveLessProof

Garth/Dick Grayson Rated G, No Archive Warnings Art

In Your Light for vivictory-draws (isterofimia)

Jessica Cruz/Komand’r Rated E, Chose Not to Use Warnings Soulmates, Enemies to Lovers Destiny intertwines with the vast expanse of space to bring two kindred spirits together for an unlikely meeting. Despite the odds, Earth's newest Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz, and the prodigal princess of Tamaran find themselves bound by an unbreakable cosmic connection.