#but as a parent i have a bit o faith hes a good boy

[meimi-haneoka]

Now that this arc is (mostly) over, do you think Kaito was not in a good enough headspace to just ask Sakura to create Blank (to remove all those spells from the book) instead of devising this entire suicidal plan to save Akiho?

*rubs her hands together* Ooooh, an ask about Kaito, and about this topic specifically!

Thank you anon because this is something I wanted to talk about for quite some time and, now that the "storm" is basically over, it might be time to address this specific matter.

During the past months, especially after chapter 70, I've often ran into comments like "is he stupid or something?" because of the way he was acting. And although some of them were done in good faith to lighten the mood for a chapter that was really emotional (especially for anyone who likes Kaito), and lord knows how we like to affectionally call him "fool", some were pretty intentional in their denigratory tone. And that didn't sit right with me because Kaito isn't stupid, he didn't do what he did because he's stupid, and it was clear to me that even coming to chapter 70, those people didn't quite understand his character at all.

True, he is pretty inscrutable about his emotions and what he thinks, but from what we've seen of him (especially from the flashbacks), I don't think he's difficult to understand at all.

Coming from a childhood like that, never knowing any relative (not to mention, his parents), never having a stable parental figure, never having any sort of emotional "education", on top of being left to fend for himself (keeping hunger's pangs at bay with energy bars means that no one was even cooking for him, he literally ate whatever solid food he found around - if that isn't top child neglect), exploited for his powers and ordered to use them left and right, you just can't expect him to behave in a completely normal way about things.

Add to that the fact that he didn't seem to find any worth in himself and his powers, so much that when Lilie came around, he asked her (like you do to a guiding figure) if she saw in her foretelling dreams what his powers could be useful for, because the poor kid couldn't find any worth in this special supernatural gift he had, and it seemed like that matter haunted him.

Before Akiho, he never had wanted to use his magic. He only used it to survive or at the behest of someone else.

Kaito might seem like a mischievous character, and while there's a little bit of that into him, he's primarily a very kind boy.

Very kind. Even acting like an aloof kid, whenever he talked to Lilie, he kept warning her of the dangers of keeping interacting with his own "colleagues". He warned her of an eventual "betrayal" from the Association and I still can't, to this day, shake off the feeling that indeed a betrayal happened at some point, at the expense of Lilie and her husband.

Kind kids like that tend to feel guilt to an extreme point, shouldering on themselves things that aren't even exactly their responsibility.

But what Kaito said, that fateful day, inevitably lead to having that damn artifact engraved in Akiho's body, even if that wasn't his intention. And he felt he needed to take responsibility for that. If you look at chapter 61, you can see how much he still hates himself, for what he's inadvertently caused.

This face here, while he thinks "Because I said that", exudes all the self-loathing you could think of.

If there's one thing he was absolutely adamant about ever since he heard what those bastards did to the daughter of Lilie, was: "I caused this, so I will be the one to bear the burden for it".

And he really meant it.

He devised his plan so the artifact would end up inside of him.

That was for him a way to punish himself for what he had done.

This self-inflicted punishment still comes from that self-loathing and lack of self-worth we were talking about before.

He wanted to fix the mess he had done, take all the punishment for it and yes, he ended up involving other people because he couldn't do all of it on his own, but he made sure that they would be the least inconvenienced possible. Whenever he had to use his magic "against" them, it was only because he had been busted or he was in a critical situation, but aside from that he always avoided a direct confrontation with Sakura & co, because that was not his point. He didn't want to harm them and not even to put them into a difficult position.

Kaito knew that Sakura and her entourage were kind people, surprisingly kind for the "standard" he was used to, but he didn't feel like he could just go and "ask for help" for a random stranger.

Especially cause we all saw how damn worn out Sakura was after creating Blank, he couldn't just go and ask her to do that. He waited patiently for her to create the Card he wanted, hoping she would do it "on accident" so she wouldn't even need to put any effort on it (but when it didn't came, he was forced to push her in that direction, cause after all, he wasn't playing around with his plan, he was damn intent in saving Akiho, at all costs).

Moreover, as you said anon, he wasn't really in the right mental space to arrive to that conclusion. Asking for help is extremely difficult for people like him, who have experienced what he experienced, and have self-loathing like he does.

And then, add to all of this above the fact that something he didn't factor in happened. He ended up growing fond of Akiho. He ended up developing feelings and attachment to her.

And that only exacerbated the fixation in his head "I have to bear the burden of this alone", even if he didn't realize well those feeling yet.

It's all something that works at subconscious level.

We saw how Momo tried to shake him, in that regard, in chapter 51, with all those "tailored" questions (that he instinctively dodged because he was afraid to find out that he grew attached to someone who he himself had decided to eventually leave).

His self-loathing never subsided, till the day Sakura & Co. saved him from the cage at the fake moon.

When Akiho asked him why he removed himself from her new "perfect" life (another self-punishment, in some way), he bared to the world how little he thought of himself: "Because I didn't think you needed me to happy". I think it's all in that sentence.

Kaito didn't feel like he deserved anything. Not Akiho's consideration, nor Sakura's active help.

So it's only normal that I feel really uncomfortable when people think that this traumatized and misguided boy acts the way he does because "he's stupid" or couldn't think of a better or smarter plan, completely ignoring the dramatic situation of his mental health that is going basically overlooked. It's a pity, especially cause that makes his character 10x more interesting and well-rounded. We're lead to believe he's arrogant and very self-confident, but he's actually the very opposite.

People like him don't need to be attacked for the way they act, they have to be gently coaxed in the right direction, with love, like Akiho, Sakura & co. are doing.

[esoterium]

by request only muses.

// these muses are muses i would love to write but are less popular on the blog! they are now by request only. feel free to send memes or approach for plots, etc! they are always open and ready to go but i will prefer some plotting beforehand and have a little bit of an idea where we are heading out the gate! current partners and threads are good to go as usual. much love!

–AMERICAN HORROR STORY.

name: donovan age: 32 eternally sexual preference: bisexual occupation: lover (former) of the countess elizabeth, artist, art collector faceclaim: matt bomer fandom: american horror story: hotel notes: will play him as a ghost if you want to interact at the hotel post death!

– HORROR.

name: philip swann age: 25+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: former cult follower, main devotee, world famous illusionist faceclaim: kevin j. o'connor / wes bentley fandom: clive barker's cabal novel and lord of illusions movie notes: i use kevin for those who know the movie in the past and wes for default!

name: will graham age: 31+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: fbi profiler, sometimes former, sometimes wishes faceclaim: hugh dancy fandom: hannibal, silence of the lambs notes: will write hannibal, books and movies. all using hugh dancy.

name: brendan (steven) kemp age: 38+ sexual preference: bisexual occupation: surgeon / seller and enthusiast of exotic meats faceclaim: sebastian stan fandom: fresh (movie) notes: very strong trigger warning. this is some dark material. steven is quirky, charming and very charismatic but he's got some big skeletons in that closet. and a lot of them have to do with the reason why he doesn't particularly go by his real name.

name: star age: verse dependent sexual preference: bisexual occupation: wanderer, free spirit faceclaim: jami gertz, modern era morena baccarin fandom: the lost boys notes: i’ll write her in the original timeline of the lost boys or in a modernized version of the characters, idc.

– MARVEL/MCU.

name: ava starr aka ghost age: verse dependent sexual preference: bisexual occupation: former agent of s.h.i.e.l.d. / former operative faceclaim: hannah john-kamen notes: she walks a serious line in those she is loyal to. however. once she trusts and puts her faith in you? it's unbreakable.

– && OTHERS

name: fox mulder age: 31+ sexual preference: straight occupation: fbi special agent faceclaim: david ducovny fandom: the x-files

name: elon "eli" spengler (canon but HEAVILY developed damn near oc) age: 35+ / verse dependent sexual preference: demisexual occupation: professor of microbiology and abnormal psychology and brain studies at columbia university, extremely hesitant paranormal researcher, inventor, scientist, environmentalist, wastebuster, former researcher at the cdc. faceclaim: jeff goldblum fandom: ghostbusters notes: my favorite movie if all time. elon is a canon but never truly expanded on twin brother of egon spengler. i'm making them fraternal. elon or eli as he prefers to be called in honor of his grandfather is an absolute paranormal magnent and the reason why egon became so fascinated with the paranormal (and a means of researching it) to begin with. in spite of what was told to their parents and the outside world.

eli was plagued with visits, whispers, dreams and sights of the dead. something he feared, hated and was terrified of. not only because of the nature of what he was seeing and his age. but how their scientifically minded parents and family would view his claims. eli did not go egon's route of understanding. instead. he went the opposite trying to rationalize his fears, visions and hauntings in hopes of the problem 'ceasing to exist'. where one was an outcast (egon), eli was viewed as conforming to the spengler mindframe and fit in with his family.

a guilt he carries now as all his willful ignorance and blind eyes never truly worked (the ghosts? nightmares? everything is still there) and with egon dead? has only worsened. it's with the arrival of an anonymous letter warning him of what is about to pass in new york city than the reclusive spengler has made himself known and extremely reluctantly involved with his brother's former teammates. all of egon's inventions. those that exist and never were are inside of his mind. his brother's research, thoughts, ideas? it's all there. he's just never told anyone.. and who knows what he's willing to give up?

[distant-utopia]

• Log #001: Red's Backstory - 1

ーーーーー

It was on a certain winter day, just a few days after new year, when a new life came to this small house I used to love.

"Waaah... Waaahhh..."

"It's a boy, Grace!"

"A baby boy! Really?!"

A pair of warm hands handled me. My cries were accepted by laughters and happiness. My existence was something my parents, Alan and Grace Collins, expected so much. My grandmother was also there. Tears of joy were also running on her cheeks since I was also her first grandson. My mother didn't go to a hospital during her labor. It still went well though, thanks to the competent local midwife who helped her.

"Oh... Alan, look! He is so cute... Our son! This is our son!" Mom sounded so happy. She kept caressing my face as she held me close. Dad also smiled non-stop. He couldn't hide his happiness too. Well, I heard Dad wasn't a really expressive man. But, the day of my birth was one of the days when he smiled a lot.

"Yes... What should we name him?" Dad asked.

"Didn't you prepare a name, already?" Mom asked him back.

"Well, uhm... In case, you want to name him something else..." he retorted poorly. Mom laughed.

"What do you mean? Of course I want him to be named with the name you give!" she continued with a small chuckle.

"O-okay... Ahem." Dad cleared his throat, acting a bit nervously.

"Flynn. It is the name I prepared."

"Flynn?!" Mom responded in awe. "That's a beautiful name!"

"I think so too." Granny chimed in.

"Alright then, my son." Dad caressed my head gently. "From now on, you will be Flynn."

"Welcome to this world, my dear."

* * *

I don't think there is anything remarkable about me growing up. I grew up normally, just like other boys. It's just... I guess, Mom kinda... loved me excessively. I didn't feel annoyed with her attention. It was just how she was. Mom was an energetic, perky woman who never ran out of energy. She would tag me in everything she did. She would brag about how much she loved me to everyone she came across. Mom also had an affinity with animals. When she had no one to talk... she would talk to those animals. Strangely, they seemed to understand her. Maybe my mother was weird, but she was loved by everyone. Dad also loved her very, very much.

I guess Mom kinda spoiled me, but somehow it didn't turn me into a brat. Somehow, I think I was kinda exasperated with how my mom acted too... but, maybe, I was a bit different. As a toddler, I was very quiet. It was not like I have speech problem. I was normal. I simply didn't like talking, because Mom used to do it all the time. Well, since it didn't really hinder me, my parents let it be. I still could play with other kids just fine. I was only very quiet.

What else was there...? Hmm... I think, most adult said I was intelligent. I could count when I was barely one year old. I also had good comprehension. I could read before I turned four. I was quite complacent, placid, and easy to deal with. Somehow, other children listened to me too. I was an only child, but my presence was like their older brother. Although, we were on the same age. I was closer to Mom, but Dad also cared to me despite being busy with his job. I learned a lot about being disciplined and responsible from Dad, because Mom was very carefree. Dad said a man should keep his words and being faithful. They also should be strong so they could protect their family. Everytime Dad told me that, he would hold my small hand. We walked together around the village while watching the sunset. I knew he was tired from his job. But, he was always so happy to see me as if his fatigue was gone just from seeing my face.

Despite that, I also had my shortcomings. I was very, very bad with arts and crafts. My drawing was so bad. My friends would laugh at that, and I always went home crying. Dad also tried to teach me how to make simple wooden handicrafts. Yet, I always butchered them so badly. I was also short and small. And my face was rather... cute. Uhm, maybe it still IS, but it's not something I like to admit, okay? If my hair grew a bit longer than usual, I would be mistaken as a girl. That's why I always cut it very short. Just like how Dad had his haircut.

I never get bullied due to my stature, thankfully. I guess that's because my friends respected me. It's like how they would respect their older brother. Back then, I didn't have a lot of birthday parties. But when my parents held one for me, my friends would always come. We had so much fun when the days were simpler.

* * *

Aside from my parents, I was also close to my grandmother. Granny cherished me so much, because I was her only grandchild. Twice a week, I would visit her with Mom. Granny lived on the neighboring village, separated from mine by a bridge. I loved walking to her place. I loved to see the scenery; the blue sky, the white clouds, the clear water of the river, the gentle breeze, the humming voice of Mom who was always singing everytime we walked there. When we arrived, Granny would welcome me so warmly, hugged me and sometimes even carried me. She would make me cookies and warm milk. Then she chatted with my mom until the sun set while letting me sit on her lap. Sometimes, Granny cooked something during my visit. I would help her in the kitchen along with my mother. Mom and Granny were good cooks. I was quite fascinated with helping them in the kitchen. Despite people saying that cooking is not a 'manly' thing to do, I didn't care. I liked being in the kitchen. Sometimes I would try to cook on my own, with Granny and Mom watching over me.

Granny was a tailor. Apparently she was quite fashionable during her youth too. Granny made a lot of clothes for me, but there was something that stuck with me even until I grew into an adult. At one point, I was so offended with someone who mistook me as a girl. I asked Mom for a haircut afterwards. I got too upset that I asked for a buzzcut to the barber... which, frankly, made me looked even weirder. Back on the village, my friends laughed at my almost bald head and called me 'matchstick'. I refused to go out of my house. During my visit to Granny's house, I was visibly upset and even quieter than usual. Granny only laughed and patted my head. She went inside her room, and brought something when she was back. It was a bright red hood.

"Here, Flynn. You can wear this." said Granny. "You can cover your head until your hair grows back." she continued.

"...isn't this for girls?" I asked while staring on the hood she put on my lap.

"Well, it was mine!" Granny laughed. "You don't need to wear it all the time, though. You can stop once you get your hair back."

I kept staring on the hood. I was reluctant to wear it, even though it was Granny's. Wouldn't it make me looks like a girl even more?

"There, there, Flynn... It's okay." Mom patted my back.

"It's okay if you don't want to wear it, but won't you try it first? Let's see whether it suits you or not." she continued, while giving me a big smile. I couldn't say no to Mom's smile. I wore the hood, and covered my head with it.

"Ohhhh.... Mom, look! Flynn is so cute! Sooooo cuutteeeeee!!!" Mom gushed over me and pulled me in a hug, while squishing my cheeks and rubbing my head. "Flynn, how could you be this cute! Waaaahhhh..."

"Grace, calm down!" Granny only laughed at my mother's antics. "Let Flynn go, will you?"

"No!!!"

I started to lose my breath in Mom's hug.

"Flynn can't breathe, dear. Let him go." Granny repeated again.

"Oh, really? Oh noooo...! Sorry, my baby boy!" Mom finally released me, but she was still pinching and squishing my cheeks.

"M-mom..." I weakly groaned. Sometimes, Mom was just too much.

"What is it?" Mom answered nonchalantly. I only let out a big sigh.

"Grace... You're annoying him." Granny also let out an exasperated sigh, although she chuckled afterwards. "Your son is not a doll, you know?"

"Sorry, Mom... He is just too cute..." finally Mom let go of her hands, although it was obvious that she held back so hard.

"I know." Granny gently smiled to me and patted my head. "It suits you, darling." she continued, while still looking at me with her warm gaze.

I blankly stared at Granny. I could heard Mom still gushing next to me. "He can wear it everyday!" Mom exclaimed.

"Don't force your son." responded Granny.

I heard them continue to bicker, although I didn't really care about what were talking about. After that, I started to wear the hood Granny gave me. Everyone's reaction was like Mom's. They all said I was cute. It was really grating on my nerves. But, I guess it was better than being called 'matchstick'. I started to get used with it, until I was very famous with my red hood. Some people even ended up calling me, "Hey, Little Red!" due to my hood.

The Little Red Riding Hood was a boy, though.

* * *

At least, that was my life until I turned seven. One day, my mom glomped at me after she came out of the bathroom. She seemed happier than usual.

"Flynn, my hooneeeeyyyyy!!!" she hugged me so tightly. "You will be a big brother!" she excitedly exclaimed.

"...?!" I stood frozen after hearing what she said. Soon after, Dad came and gently laughed at us.

"It means your mom is pregnant." he said.

"Oh...?"

"Come on, Flynn! Be more excited!" Mom released her hug, then proceed to shake my body.

"W-what??" I only stared blankly at Mom, trying to process the information.

"Flynn! We gonna have another child! And you will have one baby sibling!" once again, Mom shook my body back and forth while yelling loudly. Honestly, I was dizzy from what she did to me.

"Calm down, calm down." Dad held Mom back. "Flynn, your mom is pregnant. You will have a younger sibling soon." finally, Dad spoke in a comprehensible manner.

"Tomorrow?" I asked him.

"...in nine months." he replied.

"That's not soon."

"Well? Pregnancy lasts nine months. If three weeks, that's chicken egg."

"Oh."

I had nothing to say any further, so I only stared at my parents. What should I do? I never expected a sibling. I lived my life as an only child for so long. Will I be a good big brother? What should I do as a big brother? I was lost in thoughts while my parents were talking to each other. Then, I inadvertently opened my mouth.

"Is it a brother or sister?"

"Oh... we don't know about that yet." Mom quickly replied. "We'll see when the baby is born, okay! It's a surprise!"

Without hesitating, I continued. "I want a brother." I said.

"Why?" asked Mom, a bit surprised.

"A sister is also not bad, though..." Dad muttered.

"It's easier to share my stuff if it's a brother." I replied to Mom.

"Aww... Flynn!!! I'm sooooo touched...!" Mom hugged me again. I was too late to react...

"You will be a good big brother! I'm sure of it! You already think of your baby brother even before he was born..." and Mom rambled again. I sighed without listening to what she said, and resigned to her bear hug.

Day by day after that, the three of us were really anticipating the baby's birth. Dad kept buying baby stuff and toys. Oftentimes, he would bring me along. He said maybe I knew which things were better for my sibling later. In short, he was bringing me along to choose what toys to buy. Even if I didn't show it on my face, I was also excited. I couldn't wait to play with my baby brother... or maybe baby sister. I wanted it to be brother though. I hope it would be a brother for real. Dad patted my head when he saw me hugging the toys we bought tightly.

"Do you know how is it to be a good big brother?" asked Dad. I shook my head while staring on his face.

"Well... A good big brother will protect his younger sibling." he explained. "You will keep him out of harm, you will share what you have with him, you will comfort him when he is scared and crying..."

I listened to what Dad said closely. He really explained everything in details. A moment later, I asked him back.

"Where did you know all of those, Dad? You were an only child."

Dad stopped his walk, seemingly taken aback with what I said. He looked dumbfounded at me.

"Well... I told you, didn't I? About what a man should do."

I didn't say anything, only looking at his face with a piercing stare.

"A man should protect his family. When Dad is not around, the responsibility will fall on the oldest son's shoulder." he continued. I still didn't answer, but what he said sounded heavy.

"Are you ready for that?" Dad asked me again.

"...I don't know..." I answered hesitantly.

Dad let out a short chuckle. He bent down and patted my shoulder.

"... You must be ready, whether you want it or not."

* * *

At that time, I didn't really take what my father said to me seriously. I took it with a stride. But, looking back, maybe it was my last memory where I think about him fondly.

On a certain evening of a summer day, my parents were visiting Granny without me. I didn't mind as I was doing my own business. But, as the sun set, I heard a noisy crowd outside my house.

"Grace! Grace... hang in there!"

That was Dad's voice. Brought by curiosity, I walked to the front door and opened it. Dad was carrying Mom, her beautiful yellow dress was stained by blood. A lot of adults around them were panicking while trying to support my parents. For the first time in my life, I felt a chill down my spine.

"...Mom!" I cried.

"Flynn!" it was my father who responded. "Move! Give way! Oh, Grace... Grace, it's okay, we're home!"

I obeyed what Dad said. Soon after, they brought Mom to her room.

"Mom...!" I tried to follow them, but a hand stopped me.

"Flynn, let's wait here with me." it was Mrs. Martha, the Village Chief's wife. She was a good friend of Mom.

"What happened to Mom?" I asked her, my voice shaking.

"She got injured... I don't know why." Mrs. Martha gently led me to my living room couch.

"Will Mom and the baby be okay?" I asked her again.

"Let's pray for that, okay." she replied with a gentle smile. People around me were always so kind.

Soon after, Granny arrived. She apparently hurried here when she heard Mom was injured. However, she went straight to my parents' room instead of looking after me. After that, some doctors also came. I grew uneasy when I heard Mom was screaming in pain. Mrs. Martha tried to hold me back, but eventually I was able to escape her. I ran straight to where Mom was. It was so messy, blood everywhere... and something else.

A baby.

I gasped. It still had two months to go, but why was it here? Mom was very pale and looked very weak. I pushed the adults in front of me in order to reach her.

"Mom! Mom...!" I broke in tears while calling her. My mother only looked at me weakly. She was unlike her usual, energetic self.

"Flynn..." she called me back almost inaudibly. I can barely hear her voice. Then, I looked at my father who carried the baby. As I looked at him with wide, crying eyes, Dad sighed and put the baby next to Mom. Dad was also crying too.

"It's... a boy, Grace..." he exclaimed in a shaky, weak voice. It was as if he was holding back his tears.

"A baby boy..." Mom responded, still in a weak voice. "Really...? Haha. Flynn, you must be happy. It's a baby brother..." she tried hard to sound fine and continued what she said.

I stared at the baby in disbelief. He was... very small. He was as large as a plastic bottle. He was so red. He cried, but not so loudly. Or maybe, that's because I couldn't hear it amidst the adults.

Dad wiped his tears and raised his voice again. "What... What should we name him?" he asked.

"...I don't know..." Mom replied while looking at the baby.

"Flynn was from me, so maybe... it's your turn to name him?"

Mom paused for a while, her finger slowly caressing the baby's cheek. "I don't know... I don't... prepare... any name..." Mom's answer sounded so lifeless. It was really different from how she usually sounds. I found it hard to believe that it was Mom talking.

Dad who sat next to me pinched the bridge of his nose. It seemed like he was thinking hard of something. After a while, he spoke again.

"How about... Snow?"

"Snow?" Mom echoed what he said, a bit confused.

"Snow... You like it so much. Also, you look the most beautiful while you were surrounded by snow too..." he tried to explain.

"Oh..." Mom mumbled something. Maybe she pondered the name Dad proposed.

"Snow. Snow... That's a good name. I like it." finally, Mom let out a small, quiet laugh. "Then, you will be called Snow, darling..." she kissed the baby's head as she said this.

Snow.

What a weird name to be given to a baby who was born in summer.

Snow.

He was not supposed to be here now. He was supposed to come two months later.

Snow.

I was born in the winter. I was born surrounded by it. There are a lot of things you can do with snow, even if it freezes your hand. The New Year is also in winter, and I always had a lot of fun around New Year.

Snow.

It was something my mother loved so much. She was really good with ice skating and skiing. Despite the deathly cold, there was something so beautiful with snow. The whiteness that envelopes everything turns it into a wonderland. The gentle snowflakes that fall on the fingertips will soon melt due to the body heat. It is not something that means to last long, but even the short-lived beauty is still a beauty.

Snow...

I am Flynn. I am your big brother.

Welcome to the world, my dear brother. I will be your protector.

"Alan?" Mom's voice brought me back to reality.

"Yes?" Dad responded.

"Quit with that long face. I will be fine." she said again. I could tell she tried hard to sound alright.

As the day got late, everyone started to leave the room. Some of them stayed on our living room, including Granny and Mrs. Martha. I didn't want to leave Mom, so I sat on a chair next to the bed. Sadly, I was still a little child. I eventually fell asleep after I got tired of crying. However, somehow I woke up in the middle of the night. I saw Mom panted heavily, but she managed to regain her composure.

"Alan... I love you..."

Her voice was even weaker than before. I was not fully awake at this time.

"Flynn too... I love you so much..."

Hearing my name, I rubbed my eyes. I saw my mother in the verge of death, still caressing my brother's head.

"And you... My dear... I'm sorry I can't be around longer..." Mom still continued. "I... love you too, Snow..."

I finally sat straight. Mom closed her eyes, her hand limply fell. I couldn't believe what I saw.

"Mom... MOOOMMM....!!! MOM!!!" I frantically shook her body. She was not breathing. Her body was still warm, a bit cold, but still warm. I cried, futilely called her.

"Flynn! Flynn, what's wrong?"

The adults stormed into this room, someone tried to hold my body. My tears broke. I kept calling my mother.

"MOM!!! MOOOOMMM..... MOM!!! MOM... MOM!!!"

I wanted to say, please wake up. You said you will be okay. But, I couldn't say anything except 'Mom'. My screaming awakened my brother. He also cried with me. I stared at him, my body frozen. After some moment, I unconsciously reached for him. To my surprise, his small hand gripped my finger. It was very small. He looked so fragile. He is my brother.

"Snow..."

I got up from my chair, trying to get closer. I put my head next to my brother. I could feel his warmth. Snow was so small. He looked like even the smallest touch could break him. He was just like a snowflake.

"Snow, it's okay... Hic... Don't cry..." I said to him, even if I was crying myself.

"It's okay..." I wiped my tears and put my biggest smile. Then, I said to Snow: "Big brother is here. Everything is gonna be alright."

I am a big brother now. I am your big brother, Snow. I promise I will protect you until my last breath.

[pithyorangecurd]

Breaking my vow of silence now.

I think one of the important properties of nightvale is stated by John Peters.

There's a lot I can say about cecils views as a father, but cecil has lost a lot of himself over the centuries of his life. I think more than fatherhood is his presence as a narrator. The narrator.

Cecil wasn't always the narrator, though he was always destined to be one. Cecils existence was codependant on his importance to the narrative. I think more than his present fatherhood, the more like. Important aspect to me about cecil is that he tries to remember his son.

I think a lot about a cecil, laying lost and forgotten in his home by everyone until he loses narrative significance. Ceasing to exist until a narrator decides to pay attention to the ex boy scout, ex football play, ex student, ex everything. Cecil has a lot of burdening life to him, and he never mentions his son in the news.

It presents several notes of importance. First of all, cecil has no sense of privacy to anyone. He can will and has aired out EVERYONES dirty laundry, no matter what. He will tell the entire town about your failing marriage, and store bought cookies, and your fragile family situation and he won't care. Cecil not mentioning Esteban has been a very purposeful move on his part. I think its a kind thing, to give his son privacy where he was never given it, and he hasn't given it in turn. It's maybe influenced by Carlos-

- who has a stated dislike to cecil talking about their private affairs so publicly. But, cecil cannot be controlled outside of his own whims to a point. I think cecil respecting the privacy and agency of their son is a purposeful move on his part to shade him from the demands of his own life. Yet, with how he doesn't talk about Esteban in any respect, I think that Esteban still exists. Is a very huge thing.

Cecil let's so many things slip through his memory, and forgets people qnd has to be reminded of them, even if they're direct important. From his own face, to Earl, to his brother, Leonard Burton, his mother, words, his past. Fow mentions it herself.

Cecil forgets. A lot.

He remembers his son, though. He won't ruin his agency, and he won't forget him. He won't let him stop existing. That is the worst thing he could do to him and that he doesn't let himself forget him says a lot for the efforts he puts in to not repeat his mother's mistakes. His brothers. His sisters. His narrators.

[natromanxoff]

FELIX TAYLOR INTERVIEW WITH QUEEN ONLINE - OCTOBER, 2006 (INTERVIEW-2)

PART-1

What kind of father is Arty? How you do describe him?

He’s a very nice man – generous and kind-hearted, and actually very funny when you know him well. My brother and sisters and I are quite mean to him, we’re always taking the piss, but we all love very much. He’s as much a friend as a father to me. Good drinking buddy too.

I know you're writing a new novel. Are you planning to publish it one day?

Of course, why else would I bother writing it? No takers as yet unfortunately, and I’m working on my second book – an occult thriller.

What is your unfulfilled dream?

To learn how to surf, become really good at skiing, and have a wicked job that allows me to do both for a good spell of the year. Oh, and have a lovely wife and kids, be really successful, and generally the don of everything. I’d like to be seen as a cross between James Bond, Sir Walter Scott, the Beach Boys and Ghandi. I’m quite clumsy and the idea of being super-dextrous appeals to me, but I know that I will always fall over if I do anything physical (it’s actually quite reassuring now – at least I know what I’m going to get if I try t show off).

Would you like to become a writer?

Very much, you can choose your own hours and be the master of the worlds you create. It’s such fun coming up with storylines and characters. What a great job if you can make any money out of it! The bit I like less is the actual writing, but you just need to grind on with that I suppose. I’ll carry on writing till I’m senile or I get a book properly published at any rate.

Where do you live?

In East London – it’s fun, and it’s the oldest part of London along with the City, so there’s buckets of weird stuff to discover. It’s also changing faster than any other part of London, and you can literally watch the buildings come down and go up.

Are you in contact with Brian's and John's children?

Not as much as I should be. We should see more of each other really.

What was the first single or album you ever bought?

I have never bought singles. I would like to be able to say that the first album I bought was something g really cool, but unfortunately it was Bon Jovi’s Keep the Faith. I later learnt the error of my ways and started liking proper music.

Did you often follow your father when he was and is on tour?

I went to quite a few dates when I was very young, but they stopped playing live when I was six. The only one I can really remember is Live Aid (glad that’s the one that stuck in my mind). I joined my dad on their last tour quite a few times (we got very, very drunk one night in Japan in particular – bet he remembers that one!), and boy was I impressed – they are leagues ahead of most bands in terms of live performance.

Have you ever been in Italy? If so, when and where exactly?

I’ve been to Rome, Sardinia and Naples. Great country, fun people and good food, and the attitude to life is very different. Bad politics though, such a shame for italy to have so many crooks in power (I suppose the UK’s not much better).

What kind of education your parents gave you and your sister?

I went to a French Government school in London, and then boarding school when I was 13. I was very lucky to get such a good education, and I loved boarding school – don’t understand why people would knock it as a concept (though I do understand why people have a problem with the idea of private schools).

Is your personality more on the same wave-length as your dad or as your lovely mum? And why?

I’ve got a temper, which comes from my mum’s side, and I’m quite stubborn (not sure which side that’s from – they’re both a pain like that). I look like my mother, but I’ve got my father’s tastes when it comes to most things, and we share the same sense of humour. They’ve both made me who I am, and I ask them for different types of advice. I love them both to bits though.

PART-2

What are you currently listening too?

Hot Chip’s new album, but there’s only one good song on it. My friend Kamila Thompson’s music, which is quite brilliant, lots of the Who, Muse’s new album (superb), Stevie Wonder’s Inner Visions and a little bit of Razorlight.

Do you plan to promote this single on MTV or other TV channels, perhaps with a video to accompany the song?"

Not up to me, trying to get it out there, and would love to have some video footage, but we need some radio play first.

As Arty and Brian May are close friends I was thinking if you and his son are in contact and if so do you see him often?

I do see him, though not as often as I should. He’s just got married and he’s one of the nicest people you could ever meet.

What did you study at College?

European history, philosophy and politics, with French language and literature. I loved my degree and worked really hard for it, but it was a fat lot of use to me really – a degree’s worth nothing these days, too many people have them.

When you were a child you often stayed with Chris Taylor, Arty's personal assistent. Are you still in contact with him?

No longer. Lost contact with a lot of people since those days. It’s a long time ago.

Is your nature similar to your mother's or your father's?

Bit of both really – good and bad elements from both.

Would you ever consider starring in We Will Rock You?

No, I’m not an actor and I don’t like musicals either. I think they’re silly (apart from the one you are talking about of course, which is the greatest show on earth, a must see for the whole family etc.) Besides, nobody’s asked me to do it anyway.

You have a wonderful voice, you said back in Part 2 that your teenage brother is a drummer, are there any other musical members of your family (apart from the obvious)?

Nope. My sisters are all very talented in other ways (medecine, painting/drawing, showing off…) but my brother is the musical one. He’s quite cool too, and good-looking, the cocky bugger – really annoying actually.

You had mentioned your favorite album by your father is Happiness? which contains a few political statements. Are you as politically opinionated as your father, or share similar beliefs with him?

Yes, I’m quite intolerant sometimes, and have to stop myself from being a dick in conversation when I get too passionate about certain things. I share many of my dad’s beliefs, but we differ on some things. I’m a liberal in the old fashioned sense I suppose, and I think everyone should have the same opportunities and freedoms, but not at anyone else’s expense. I think both socialism and neo- liberalism/Thatcherism are bogus, and don’t concentrate on what actually makes people happy, which is feeling like they are part of a community with those people around them and being free to make their own decisions.

Will we be hearing more of your music in the near future?

I hope so, depends on whether this record goes anywhere. We’ll make some more, but we need to see how well this one does at the moment.

PART-3

What artists, past and present, do you enjoy listening to?

Anyone with soul, balls (not in the literal sense – there are women on my list of favourites) or an attitude.

Are there any other creative outlets besides music that you wish to pursue?

Writing, writing, writing. I’m quite a good mimic too actually, and I want to submit a voicereel for radio, just to see if I get anywhere.

You can save one thing from your burning house, what would it be?

Passport – doh! No, it would probably be my girlfriend, though I might be tempted to take the playstation at the time instead.

What is your favorite memory during your childhood?

Playing doctors and nurses.

Are there any popular songs that you would like to give your spin on (i.e. "cover")?

Several – I don’t like Mondays, concrete jungle by Bob Marley, do you wanna dance by the Beach Boys… loads.

Who created cover to the " 'Woman You're So Beautiful'" single?

I drew it, the graphics dudes coloured it.

What music you DON’T you like?

Middle Of the Road, contemporary R & B (what is it for?), contemporary hip-hop and things like Justin Timberlake… even a pop song has to have soul. Nothing wrong with good pop. I also hate pretentious music which is rubbish but trying to be clever: Captain Beefheart, Franz Ferdinand et al…

My first question is, how did having a famous father affect you as a child? Was everyone eager to be your friend because of your dad's status or were most people pretty relaxed about it? Did your classmates give you a hard time about being related to a rockstar?

No, was always very lucky. Made sure to make friends with people before they knew my dad was a popstar. Never teased about this or anything, always had good solid friends. Never really helped with the girls either – I had to win them over with my natural good looks and charm.

Second, I was reading your answers from your last batch of questions and I was wondering if you would care to elaborate on your ambitions of being an author.

What a vague question. I want to write a book and sell it to lots of people. I like odd stories that involve the macabre or political/spiritual ideas. My favourite twentieth century authors are Lewis, Huxley, Robert Graves and Orwell.

I'd like to see how you look like. How about showing us a recent pic of yours? A real one of course, not that comic thingy. Wink

No sweat, I’ll post one on the Myspace site then. I look better in cartoon though.

What are your 5 desert island discs?

Not necessarily my favourites, as I would play them often…

Dark side of the moon, Inner Visions, The Who, live at leeds, Catch a fire and 2 Many DJ’s (the Soulwax mix comp.)

What did you think of the Queen + Paul Rodgers tour?

Brilliant, my dad has never played so well as on some of those dates… not just saying that. I was really impressed.

Beatles or The Stones?

Beatles! The Stones are a silly joke band after the Brian Jones period… they vastly inferior songwriters compared to the Beatles, they can’t do the harmonies or perfect vocals that the Beatles managed to put together, and they’re a twangy, plinky-plonky white blues band, so much less groundbreaking or sophisticated than the Beatles. They just had attitude when they played live.

Do you have any guilty pleasures?

Drink, being naked, taking a valium and walking around the house a couple of times a year. I like cold leftovers more than hot food as well, doesn’t matter what it is , if it’s been in the fridge overnight, it’s gold.

Roger’s PA is lovely could you introduce me?

I’m afraid she’s a taken woman! She is lovely indeed, a really special person, and I think of her as family. She can be scary sometimes though – she’s very good at her job.

INTERVIEW-1

[reader-no-danna]

characters: genos, zombieman, metal bat, amai mask

synopsis: headcanons for the characters stated above in a relationship with an s-class!reader

fandom: one punch man

warnings: none!

a/n: my first writing post 🤩 i love the s-class heroes so much so i decided to write some headcanons for them with a reader who’s also s-class! i may make a part two with flashy flash, fubuki, etc. hope you like it!

genos

at first, genos is indifferent to your presence among the s-class. he’s already prioritized his training and spending as much time as possible with saitama

i don’t even think he’d be aware you’d joined until it was announced at another meeting

he’s veryy curious to know about your abilities and how you shot through the ranks so quickly. but i think he’d keep his distance for a while

assuming reader is around his age, genos would be low-key shy around them. he just can’t bring himself to approach you first. this poor boy-

so at first he sticks to keeping things ✨professional✨ when he hears about a successful mission you were on, you’d get the occasional “i heard you did well against the enemy. well done, y/n” and a little awkward nod of his head

but you’d soon catch on him. when you gave reports at the hero summons, he would ALWAYS pay attention. like watch-dog man could be going on about how city-q is burning to the ground and you’d be like “well everythings fine over here-” and his head would shoot up-

silent fuming if tatsumaki scolds you or anyone interrupts you

and he’d make trips to whatever city you were placed in charge of and ask if you needed any help. he knows you can take care of yourself, he’s just looking for an excuse to talk to you

one day you saw him with saitama and the gang and you started hanging around them and that was it-

you all would be going on a lot of outings together, trying to ignore all the people gaping at you

he definitely finds time to steal you away from the others. he could never grow tired of saitama but fubuki would probably have loads of questions for you so he may excuse himself from the group for a bit and take you with him

the two of you fight sooo well together. you’re often assigned to handle monsters as a team because of how well you work with each other

you’re always with him if his parts get damaged during a fight. scolding him and telling him to be more careful, he’s getting too reckless these days

and genos’ fans take a particular liking to you... if your relationship is public then please believe the fan pages are goin wild

genos doesn’t care about all that, but he’ll quickly jump your defense if people start spreading false rumors about you and your relationship

he loves you and you’ll know it everyday 😌

zombieman

yet another stern man

he is also quite curious as to how you managed to make s-class.

because you either got in right away after the entrance exam, like genos, or you somehow managed to surpass amai mask. either way, he already has some degree of respect for you.

he seems like a bit of a loner, so i imagine the two of you would have to be assigned to a task or mission of some sort together to start communicating.

one thing i like feel he’d admire in an s/o is their strength, so he would be looking respectfully if you two were fighting together.

very observant. he’s looking for your fighting style, what attacks you normally use, and how he can help with his abilities.

he cannot stand heroes who’re only in the profession for the publicity. amai mask already annoys him- so that being said he’s very appreciative to see you actually saving people and being compassionate and not just smiling for the camera while leveling a boulder or sum-

in fact, he probably started to develop some sort of feelings after watching you save someone. maybe it was a child you had helped reunite with their parents after their town was wrecked.

you bring the kid over to their parents, and when you turn over to zombieman he was smiling for a split second before reverting back to that slight frown.

it can be slightly unnerving watching him fight, with his regenerative abilities and all that. you know he’ll recover from any injury but it still concerns you when he gets hurt.

he always reassures you, it’s not a big deal, he’s more than used to it by now. the last thing he wants is to scare you, so catch him actually looking out for his safety and trying to limit the damage done to him for you.

if you get hurt somehow, he’s by your side in an instant. your safety is top priority

he’ll blame himself for your injury, you gotta reassure him for him to feel better, and even that would take a lot of convincing

he’s glad to have you in the s-class, it was getting a little insufferable over there-

badd/ metal bat

remember when he had no idea who madame shibabawa was?? yeah this man does not pay attention during hero meetings 😭 he also was not aware you had joined s-class even though he definitely should’ve been told at that point.

another meeting was called and he’s sitting down in his usual spot, he turns around to see you there like ”😀”

he watches as you calmly give a report on recent sightings of monsters and other matters, like where?? did you come from???

he’s got a pretty boisterous attitude, and he’s very assertive and loud when you first meet him. i feel as though his rashness would be even worse if he thought he had feelings for someone

easily flustered, and it’s obvious too. you offer to come with him for a threat-level demon mission and he’s going on about how he doesn’t need the help of a “newbie” and how he can handle himself just fine. of course you have faith in him, he’s VERY strong but it’s fun to mess with him, and he’ll know when you’re doing it

eventually you decide to tag along with him on an assignment, and surprise, surprise, you hear no complaints from him

you two are a force of NATURE in a fight. his stamina and strength is boundless, and you’re also very impressive with your abilities.

you know those scenes in the manga where he’s in the middle of a fight, his shirt torn, hair all ruffled and in his face, and he’s got bloodstains on him? yeah you’re getting a full view of that on the regular 🥵

fights always end with you two walking away together, he’s swinging his bat and talking about the thrill and how much he enjoyed a good fight. he’ll also be slightly embarrassed to add “you weren’t so bad yourself, you know” and his face will be red but not from the exhaustion-

his sister zenko will become a big fan of you now that you’re s-class! he may even ask if you can give her your autograph and talk to her. he’d be so embarrassed but trying to hide it-

doesn’t know what to do with his hands so he just stuffs them in his pocket. also he avoids eye contact with you too. it’s too cute

“y/n, look, i don’t mean to bother ya, but my lil sis, she’s a huge fan and she'd really like to meet you so if you had the time that would be great. thanks.”

pleasee be nice to this mans sister 😤 i headcanon that he wouldn’t date anyone if zenko didn’t like them

after you meet zenko, congratulations- you have unlocked his soft side 🥰 you’ll find he's a real gentleman

if you’re talking during an s-class meeting and someone interrupts you- this man will NOT care who-

“oi! didn’t you hear y/n speaking just now? shut up or i’ll thrash you!”

in conclusion: badd >>> and his heart is yours 🥰

amai mask

this little prick right here

he wouldn’t be as upset if you went straight to s-class after the hero entrance exam like genos did. but if you actually climbed through the ranks?? and surpassed him??

he would’ve had to be a-class rank t-t-two for a bit 🤢🤮 like hurry up and move to s-class already, it’s killing him

despite being upset about it, he’s also quite impressed. the reason he refuses to move to s-class despite being more than capable is because he wouldn’t allow anyone he deemed unworthy to pass. you had to be very strong, and he begrudgingly had some sort of respect for you because of it

he also respects just people. a hero has to be beautiful, in both appearance and personality. so if you’re a good person then he’ll actually get along with you

make no mistake, he cares about his public image. so when he sees you, a young and stunning hero who made their debut in the highly esteemed s-class? he’d definitely see that as an opportunity grow his fan base

purposely greeting and talking to you frequently in public. and then acting surprised and bashful when being questioned about it by the media

it wouldn’t be long before the tabloids started rolling out with your names on the headlines, with people talking up your relationship

whether or not you’d be upset with it is up to you

if you don’t mind the gossip, amai mask would be muchh bolder with you in public. giving you those wry smiles that would make any other fan melt and openly flirting with you. the two of you may even be invited as guests on one of those talk shows he’s seen on

if the publicity is too much for you, he’d actually shut down the rumors immediately. “y/n is a wonderful addition to the s-class, and i’m looking forward to watching them grow. but their just an acquaintance… nothing more.”

why do i actually want to write a fic about amai mask and reader playing up their relationship in public now

buttt that’s actually not true because he’s starting to catch FEELINGS

he doesn’t like most of the s-class but you’re the exception

he’s a busy man but expect him checking up with you as much as possible to make sure you’re doing alright

after a particular stressful mission, he’ll book a reservation for you two at the best restaurant in the city! perks of being a star...

he’ll tell you all about his upcoming projects, but he’ll also listen very attentively as you talk about the s-class! he may even make fun of some of them just to get you to laugh

very attentive boyfriend and much nicer to you than he is to anyone else, s-class or not!

[morgansunflower]

Dancing Away With My Heart

Clark Kent/Superman X Batman! Sister Reader

Warnings: suggestive content

Words:1081

Gotham newspaper was the talk of the city. Y/N was offended they wrote Clark as a low social status man and was only after her money. Clark was offended they wrote Y/N as desiring a one night engagement. Bruce was offended that Clark dared to dance with his baby sister. Selina knew she was going to have to deal with her husband's disapproval to which she disagreed. Alfred was delighted to see his adopted daughter found solace even for just a dance

Arthur's notes - Thank you for reading! The story is based on the movie Gotham By Gaslight. Reader's middle name is Martha after her mother.

Inside the dining room of my home Wayne Manor. I sit among the chair wearing my f/c casual dress. Alfred, sits with me as we enjoy a cup of tea. I hear the entrance door open and slam shut. Bruce, is home and is likely beyond mad about me dancing with, Clark. I honestly wish he could be happy for me, the way I'm happy for him and Selina. He's so protective of me. I understand why but still it hurts how much he doesn't want me to be with Clark.

"Miss Y/N may I offer you a bit of advice"

"oh, dear you're not happy with me too" I sigh in defeat preparing for my sassy father figure try to point me in the right direction. Because he loves me.

"not a bit Ms. I wish only you ease your brother's mind by telling him that you care for Mr Kent" he said with a gentle smile

"oh dear how did you know?" I sigh as I regrettably feel my cheeks redden

"some thing's are clearer than others. I saw the genuineness in both your eyes. Try as you may to deny to yourself or anyone for that matter miss Y/N. You have been in love with him for quite some time and you have my blessing"

My heart melts, remembering the night perfectly. Alfred was right, again. Days past. My mind would only think of Clark. How strong he felt with his hand on mine and on my waist. I'd do anything to dance with him again. His smile that melted mine into a soft smile. I still regret not seeing what kissing him would feel like. Though I probably wouldn't have stopped. As well as my overprotective brother might actually would have killed him. The beautiful evening sun shun as I sit outside on the swing that was tied to the upper branch of the oak tree. My adopted nephew Grayson steps up. He holds the rope on the swing, leaning his head on the rope.

"evening Grayson"

"evening auntie Y/N... So have you written your boyfriend?" he smirked

"boyfriend" I chuckled gently shaking his chin "where'd you get a funny idea like that lad"

I lower my hand as he grinned

"honestly auntie I'm 13 years old. I know what love is.."

"you wouldn't happen to be referring to Miss Zatanna" I asked chuckling

His cheeks turn bright red causing me laugh. I kiss my nephew's head. Jason, carries Tim on his back as he steps to Grayson and I.

"greetings boy's" I smiled

"hey auntie" Jason casually said

"greetings auntie!" Tim delightfully said

I chuckled "how are you my boy's?"

"ol' Jay refused to allow me to focus on my important project until I promised to come play" Tim sighed

"it's the only way the little vampire will get some sun" Jason's joked

"I am not a vampire!" Tim defends appalled

I chuckled "he's just jealous because you have the strongest mind"

"hey!" Jason and Grayson offended

I smile to Jason "oh well Jay is the strongest willed" I then smile to Grayson "and Grayson has the strongest heart"

All three of my nephew's smiled as proudness was filled on my face. I then wonder if I should write Clark. I don't want him to think I had insincere intentions. He's so selfless and kind. He's good to my nephew's. It warms my heart in a unique unexplainable way.

Selina's P. O. V

The moonlight sky shun brightly providing light into our bedroom. Wearing my thin black lace nightgown as I lay sideways on our bed. I softly hummed watching my husband undress. He would not look me in the eye.

I sadly smile "you're still mad at me for not picking your side"

"no" he grunts "I know you care for my sister and are only looking out for her well being"

"but.." I sigh

He steps to the bed moving the covers. His arms stop moving.

"I promised to protect her" his voice heaving "I wish not to.." he stammered, his face dropping that causes my heart to ache for him.

"oh, Bruce" I tenderly grasp his hand "let me hold you my love"

I pull him into the bed and into my small arms. I kiss his forehead, and part from my husband. I hold his face with my small hands. He rest his face on my palm. My husband heavily breaths. I run my knuckles through his hair. He loves his sister so much that I sometimes think he forgets she's his sister and not his daughter. Sometimes we have conversations that sound like we're her parents. I'm grateful for that, because then I can have more faith in my life to look after those adorable boy's. I cup his face has his saddened face. His eyes swelling.

"your love for your sister is undeniable my love and she undoubtedly loves you too. Not me, not Clark nor anyone can change that. He will be good to her.." I then made a threatening look "and if he isn't then I will scratch his eyes out!"

He chuckled wrapped his arm's around me and then kisses my lips deeply.

"thank you" he genuinely said

"you may thank your beautiful wife in a other way darling" I give him a deep kiss as he lifts my nightgown upward....

Clark's P. O. V

In my home town, Smallville. The sun shines brightly. At my parents farm. I rest my head against the tree laying back. I impatiently open the letter I had received from Gotham.

~ Gotham, May. 18, 1990

My Dearest Friend,

I often dream of the night we had together. Dancing with our hearts touching. My smile never leaving my face. No matter what people will say or write I was truly happy to have your company. I ask of you, do not let the world nor my brother convince you otherwise. It has been quite some time since I have had the joy of having you in my life. Know I will forever cherish the beautiful dance we shared together and hope for you to step on my toes again

Yours truly

Y/N M. Wayne ~

I softly chuckle with a warm feeling within my core. I fold the letter. I place it within my pocket. I softly hummed relaxing as I breath in the spring air. I have to write her back! No I have to see her!

[dwellordream]

“Perhaps the most degrading aspect of woman's subjection in the early modern period was a husband's right to strike his wife. A proverb recorded in 1475 allowed: ther be iii thyngs take gret betyng: a stockfish, a milston, a fedirbed, a woman. A century later, a jest tried to make the most of this mundane and unpromising subject: A certayne lytle boy seeing his father beating his mother every daye, and hearing him saye one night when he was abed, that he had forgotten to do one thing: I know what it is quoth the chyld, what sayd the father: Mary (sayd he) to beate my mother. While the merry books labored to wring humor from the thud of fist against flesh, church courts adjudicated horrific cases of male violence against women, whether maid, wife, or widow. 

English law allowed husbands to beat their wives as much as they liked so long as severe injury or death did not result. On this issue the law was more conservative than church doctrine, which was firmly, though not consistently, set against wife beating. Many preacher-pamphleteers cited the Pauline precept that husband and wife were one flesh, arguing that it was wrong to seek to harm oneself. Henry Smith held that "these mad men which beat themselves should be sent to Bedlam till their madness be gone." Although the one-flesh argument erases the individual woman on the receiving end, at least it could be invoked to stay men's hands. Popular literature did not fail to register the doctrine's attractiveness to wives. 

In an early Tudor example of gossips' literature, The gospelles of dystaves, women secretly gather to hear the following "gospel" preached by a wise shrew: "He that beteth his wyfe shall never have grace of our lady tyl he have pardon of his wyfe .... Mary faith it is great synne as he wolde despaire himself / for after that whiche I have herde our vicar saye it is but one body man and woman togather." Some conduct-book authors managed to find a loophole even here. William Whately's A Bride-Bush (1623) called wife beating permissible after all else failed because it could serve as a healing "corosive" to a husband's "owne flesh." In this perverse bit of sophistry, wife abuse becomes pious self-flagellation. Other godly pamphleteers urged husbands to be proactive. 

Robert Snawsel's A looking glass for maried folkes (1610) told husbands they had every right to control their wives by firm discipline, "including beating and deliberate changes of mood." One extremist even offered his readers lessons in wife beating, showing how husbands could measure and justify their blows. Certainly, the church did not fully or logically enforce its own strictures. In 1618, for example, an episcopal court judge chastised a Lincolnshire vicar for beating his wife in the churchyard. The offense lay not in his beating her but in doing so on holy ground. Faced with such acts of Christian instruction, wives were told to endure with patience and thank their husbands for the correction. 

Henry Bentley's The Monument of Matrones (1589) contained this prayer "to be used by the wife that hath a froward and bitter husband": O most wise and provident GOD ... if it be thy good pleasure with frowardness, bitternes, and unkindnesse, yea, the hatred and disdaine of my husband, thus to correct me for my fault, I most hartilie thanke thee for it ... and that I for my part may quietlie beare the frailtie, infirmitie, and faults of my husband, with more patience, mildnesse and modestie, than hitherto I have, so that mine example may be to the comfort and commoditie of other to doo the like. Many women refused to serve as comforting examples of patience, fighting back when attacked and crying out for help. Neighbors were their first line of defense because local authorities could not be counted on to prevent severe or mortal injury.

Gowing has shown that women under attack turned to women neighbors first and there is evidence that all members of the community expected women to risk their own safety for the well-being of other women. Some beaten women filed complaints against their husbands in church courts or (more rarely) in civil courts. Not surprisingly, women who sued men for violence usually brought other women to court as witnesses. Though many husbands bitterly resented the women neighbors who intervened, neighbors continued to act as a vigilant and moderating force. Because of the wider social conflicts wife beating engendered, the extent of a husband's right to correct his wife was a live issue in the courts and in neighborhoods.

Ballads show irate husbands grousing that their hands are tied, although they itch to pound their wives, because their wives' friends will criticize and slander them. Neighbors upbraid the harshest wife beaters with terms leveled at their sense of honor and rationality: vicious or repeated beatings could raise the cry that a man was "bedlam" or "unmanly." Being known as a wife beater could shame some men, but others ignored such pressure until either a wife's death or the law stopped them.Faced with intransigent offenders, neighbors sometimes escalated countermeasures. In a case from Bristol in 1667, a group of neighbors surrounded a notorious wife beater and threw dirt at him, creating "a loud mocking demonstration" that strongly resembled charivari.

Another example of neighborhood discipline concerns a child beater rather than a wife beater-making it a rare case because parents' right to administer beatings was seldom questioned-but it does shed light on the verbal arsenal that communities could deploy against transgressors. In 1622, neighbors of a prominent Essex citizen named Richard Turner wrote rhymes to mock him for brutally beating his daughter Anne. Among its many verses: Hye thee home Anne, Hye thee home Anne, Whippe her arse Dicke, Will have thee anon. All those that love puddinge, Come unto Parke Street, And learne the songe, Whip Her Arse Dick. As if that weren't enough, the song goes on to compare Turner to a child murderer who had just been hanged.

Written by artisans and tradespeople, the song spread from town to town through the posting of copies and constant singing so that even children came to know the song and torment Turner with it. For a time he was forced to stay indoors, hoping the "balleting" would abate. Visual culture bears evidence of the social pressures that functioned to limit male violence and to succor the abused. "Patience Baited," an emblem by George Wither, spells out collective limits on patriarchal privilege, warning that even the meekest wife will finally turn and fight. 

The image shows a sheep attacking its tormentor, a young boy. The poem informs readers that anyone who mistreats a friend or spouse runs the risk of social ostracism: Thus, many times, a foolish man doth lose His faithfull friends, and justly makes them foes .... And by abusing of a patient Mate Turne dearest Love, into deadliest Hate: For any wrong may better bee excused, Than, Kindnesse, long, and willfully abused.

Male drunkenness was a leading cause of "kindnesse long and willfully abused," and jests involving domestic violence are generally alcohol-sodden. Many merry tales strongly criticize alcoholic husbands who ruin their health and pauperize their families. Pasquils Palinodia (1619) blames husbands for driving wives to other men's arms because of their own alehouse haunting and violent drunkenness, while Thomas Heywood's Philoconothista, or the Drunkard, Opened, Dissected, and Anatomized (1635) shows brawling, puking asses and goats served by an alewife who looks on with a touch of scorn. In some jests, wives seize the position of agency in the narrative, in a brief but significant moment of linguistic mastery.”

- Pamela Allen Brown, ““O such a rogue would be hang’d!” Shrews versus Wife Beaters.” in Better a Shrew than a Sheep: Women, Drama, and the Culture of Jest in Early Modern England

[kn1feinthec0ffee]

new team - shoyo hinata

shoyo hinata x fem!reader

summary: you teach hinata some skills in middle school and to pay you back, he guarantees you a spot on the karasuno volleyball team.

warnings: NONE VERY FLUFFY

word count: 1,737

notes: i rlly rlly liked writing this bc i love my boy hinata and this just flowed so naturally and i’m rlly proud of it :’)

i also usually write gender neutral reader bc i’m nb and i wanna cater to as many ppl as possible and make them feel valid, but it was kinda necessary to the story for reader to be fem in this one

********************

after setting a ball to your friend, you noticed a short boy by himself in the corner of the gym with bright orange hair, setting and receiving against the wall. you made your way over to him, observing that he actually wasn’t too bad.

“oi, redhead,” you called out playfully. he turned around with a look of confusion on his face, as if to say ‘me?’ “yeah you. i couldn’t help but notice you’re playing all by your lonesome over here. any particular reason for that?”

his cheeks tinged pink at the callout, but he responded nonetheless. “w-well there’s not enough boys for the school to create a boys volleyball club, so i’m trying to get as many hours of practice in at school as i can.”

you nodded in recognition of his situation. “well, sorry to say you won’t get very far if the wall is your only opponent. but you’re certainly welcome to practice with me when my practice is over. if you’re interested, of course.”

“woah, really? you’d do that for me?” he asked in astonishment, eyes going wide as saucers.

“of course i would. i may not know much about you, but i can tell you have a passion for the sport, and it’d be a real shame for that to fizzle out,” you smiled genuinely. “i’ll help you practice...”

it took him a moment to realize you were waiting for his name. “oh! hinata! shoyo hinata.” he introduced.

“well shoyo hinata, i’m y/n l/n and i look forward to practicing with you.” you grinned. a whistle blew behind you, pulling you from your conversation with the boy. “sorry, i’ll see you later!”

sure enough, you found him waiting out by the baseball field, spinning a volleyball in his palm. after a short while of practicing, you realized you had underestimated this kid and the power he can pack in his spikes. it was clear he needed to improve in his receives, but he was in remarkably good shape for playing against a wall every week.

the two of you quickly became good friends, shoyo becoming your number one supporter - aside from your parents, of course. he attended all your games, cheering obnoxiously loud when it was your turn to serve.

over the summer from 8th to 9th grade however, the two of you didn’t see each other nearly as often as you used to. you had to admit it made you sad; the sweet redheaded boy had carved a special spot in your heart and you missed him dearly.

you attended karasuno high school, hoping to join the girls volleyball club and make some new friends. upon examining the club applications, much to your dismay, it appeared that such a club didn’t exist.

volleyball was your passion, and it hurt that you had no way of pursuing it anymore.

hanging your head in defeat and crumpling up the paper, you heard footsteps approaching rapidly from in front of you. before you could look up, a body suddenly collided with you, nearly knocking you over with the momentum they had built up.

“y/n!” a familiar voice cried out. you quickly realized the voice belonged to hinata, who’s arms were currently wrapped around you.

“hinata! i can’t believe you go to school here! i’ve missed you so much!” you squealed, hugging him back.

he pulled away, a look of surprise on his face. “are you kidding? i can’t believe you go to school here! you oughta be wherever the best girls volleyball club is! speaking of that, have you joined yet?”

you glanced down to the crumpled paper that still pressed against your palm. “well that’s the thing, it’s not even a choice on the club application form. unfortunately, i don’t think karasuno has one.”

shoyo gasped dramatically, jaw falling open in shock. “so what are you gonna do? you can’t just not play anymore, you’re so good!”

you smiled at the compliment from the boy, but your expression grew sadder. “thanks, shoyo, but i’m not sure what i can do. this seems like it’s out of my hands.”

a look of determination painted his features as he grabbed you by the shoulders. “no, i’m not gonna let this happen to you. don’t worry, y/n, i’ll find a way for you to play.”

he ran off, leaving you alone with your thoughts in the deserted hallway.

despite having absolutely no idea what he was planning, you trusted the boy. you knew he had your best interests at heart and would do anything to help you succeed, and you adored him for that. you just hoped whatever method he had to allow you to play wasn’t too embarrassing for you; you weren’t too keen on begging some team to let you play for them, but you had a feeling hinata’s plan wouldn’t involve that.

——————————

“please?” hinata begged.

“a girl? join the team? i don’t know hinata, you’d have to run it by the coach.” daichi uttered hesitantly.

“but you’re the captain, daichi, you have the final say!” he reminded him.

daichi sighed. “yeah, you’re right. what’s so special about this girl?”

he watched as hinata’s eyes lit up in excitement when he spoke about her. “well she was the setter in middle school, but that was only because no one else was good enough to play that position. she’s really versatile and she taught me practically everything i know about spiking! she’s also got some mean overhand serving skills; she’d be a great addition to the team! please, daichi, pretty please?”

he looked down at the boy to see him glancing up with a pair of puppy eyes, intent on winning him over. daichi felt he was powerless to do anything but give in, though his description of you did sound pretty great if he was being honest.

“alright, i’ll talk to the coach and see what he thinks. bring her to our next practice and introduce her to everyone.” he said, not missing the bright grin that donned the redhead’s face at his words.

“thank you so much, sir! you won’t regret it, i promise!” he ran back towards the basket of balls to practice serving once more.

——————————

“where are you taking me, shoyo?” you muttered. “can you take your hands off yet?”

he had cornered you back in the main building, insisting you accompany him to some unknown destination he had in mind. since then, he had been walking directly behind you, his hands covering your eyes.

“i’ll show you...” he waited until you took a few more steps. “now!”

you blinked your eyes open to find yourself outside of the gym building. “the gym? what are we doing here, hinata?”

you turned to him and he grinned. “volleyball practice is about to start.”

“volleyball - as in boys volleyball? what am i doing here? am i here to watch you practice?”

he donned a soft smile at your confusion. “no, you’re gonna practice.”

your eyes widened. “i am? i don’t even have any athletic clothes, shoyo, i just have my uniform!”

“i wouldn’t worry too much about that today,” he pushed you towards the doors. “i’ll just be introducing you to everyone today.”

“introducing...? what is going on here, hinata?” you questioned. he pushed the door open to reveal a large group of mostly tall boys, all staring down at you.

most of them looked friendly and approachable, but several of them looked rather intimidating. “everyone, this is y/n. y/n, this is your new team.” shoyo announced.

you gasped, turning towards hinata. “m-my new team? you got me a spot on the team?”

the look of gratitude in your eyes had him blushing a bright pink and he scratched the back of his head nervously. “it was nothing, really. y-”

he was cut off as you hugged him tightly, thanking him for allowing you to continue the sport you loved. “you don’t have to thank me, it’s not a huge deal or anything.”

“are you kidding? it’s a huge deal! i can’t believe you did this for me!” your smile nearly reached your ears.

he walked you around the gym, introducing you to his teammates. sugawara and asahi were incredibly sweet, even offering to set you a few balls to test your spiking abilities, though you declined since you were still wearing a skirt.

the intimidating one you saw earlier - tsukkishima, you had learned - was not as sweet as the others you had met and seemed rather distant, though you hoped that would fade as you got to know him.

tanaka and nishinoya were full of energy and practically gushing over you even though they hadn’t yet witnessed your abilities.

the one shoyo introduced as kageyama shot you a nasty glare. “what position did you play?”

“setter,” you murmured, slightly on edge from the look of intensity in his eyes. that intensity morphed into fury after your words, intimidating you further.

you quickly remembered this was the incredible setter hinata had mentioned several times before. “o-oh! don’t worry, i don’t plan on taking your spot or anything, i’m sure you’re far better than i am!”

“good.” you smiled at him nervously. “if you’re good enough, maybe i’ll send you a couple sets.”

and of course you met daichi, the captain to whom you owed your spot on this team. he was very friendly and personable and you suspected he was the type to give inspirational speeches before games.

kageyama pulled hinata aside, practicing quick attacks with him, leaving you with daichi.

“hinata talks about you quite a bit, y’know,” daichi murmured, catching your attention.

“he does?” you queried. “all good things, i hope.”

the captain smiled down at you. “he speaks very highly about you and your skills. i think he’s got a bit of a bias since you taught him what he knows, but i don’t doubt you’ll really prove yourself on the court.”

your eyes went wide at the faith he already had in you, despite never seeing you play. “thank you, daichi, that really means a lot.”

the boys divided themselves into teams, starting a practice match as you and daichi observed from the sidelines. your eyes found hinata in the back row, who gave you a wide grin and a wave.

you waved back, your heart warming at the gesture. you had only just met the boys, but you couldn’t wait for the next practice.

********************

i might make this a series? maybe?? maybe not?? idk but let me know what u think :D

tags: @aestosia​ @elysianslove​

not working: @akaashis-keiji @bloodydestiney 

[enbies-and-felonies]

Only Then I am Human / Only Then I am Clean

(AO3 link)

@jatp-rules-my-life, this is your fault (based on this post)

Summary: Alex listens to 'Take Me to Church' by Hozier and maybe it affects him in a way he wasn't prepared for, maybe it just let's him heal a little bit.

warnings for homophobia and religious themes

taglist, just ask to be added or removed (i know it's not my normal work but,, yeah): @barrel-of-cat-mituna @completekeefitztrash @tiergan-andrin-alenefar @lemontarto @hershis-kotlc @genesiscaveat @everything-else-and-mars @juline-dizznee @chaotic-basics @an-absolute-travesty @classyfunnyquotesmuffin7 @smolanxiouscatvoids @itstiger720 @introvertedscarecrow @sunset-telepath @an-idiot-in-a-trenchcoat @cowboypossume @anaccidentwaitingtohappen @sofia-not-sophie @fire-sapphics @dr-alan-grant @real-smooth @juline-dizznee

The first time Alex heard 'Take Me to Church' he was on the verge of dozing off, which was an interesting feeling as a ghost, like he was a boat tethered to a dock and he might drift away if he fell asleep for too long. The evening sun was casting lazy beams through the windows of Julie's garage, and he smiled as the warmth hit his face, causing his eyelids to droop lower. At least as a ghost, he could still enjoy some of the simpler things in life.

An old radio crackled on the little table nearby, playing songs Alex had never heard before. He enjoyed a few of them, but others he rolled his eyes at. Idly, he wondered if Reggie and Luke were having fun with Julie; She had taken them on a trip to see some sights, but Alex had opted to stay home, feeling listless, and decided to catch up on whatever new tunes had came out since he was alive.

He bopped his head slightly to 'Bad Liar' and hummed a bit to 'Counting Stars'. He had missed out on a lot of good songs. Yawning, he stretched and settled deeper into the couch, giving a contented sigh as the next song started playing, a strong piano coming in and setting the tone.

Alex liked the man's voice, and he raised an eyebrow at the lyrics.

"-She's the giggle at a funeral / Knows everybody's disapproval / I should've worshipped her sooner."

He sat up and cocked his head by a margin, feeling a tiny, guilty thrill at the way his lips quirked at the lyrics. There was a forbidden excitement that came from it's gentle blasphemy.

"Every Sunday's gettin' more bleak / A fresh poison each week."

His heart twinged. A choir, a pulpit, fire-and-brimstone preaching, he was just a kid-

"We were born sick / You heard them say it."

He sucked in a breath and his eyes flew open, throat tightening like a noose, trapping his breath like a fluttering bird in his lungs.

~~~

"This Sunday we will be touching upon the topic of a Biblical marriage!" The preacher's voice booms across the congregation, and fourteen year-old Alex's stomach sinks as he tries to slouch further down in the pew, as if he could just slip low enough that the words won't catch in his heart and weigh him down like so many stones. He briefly thinks about the millstone the preacher once mentioned. He tried to remember the context, but the only thing he comes up with is that it was for people who sinned. He gulped.

"Now, 'what exactly is Biblical marriage?' you might be asking yourself! Biblical marriage is a holy union between one man, and one woman-"

Pastor James' voice carries on, and Alex does his best to let the words pass through his ears without hearing them, the rocks weighing him down turning to boulders. His stomach turns.

"-now, the men gotta love their wives!! Just like Christ loves the church, and cares for her. Marriage is a wonderful blessing, the greatest blessing we could ever experience in fact! It is perhaps the second greatest gift God has given to humans, and as such we must respect it.

"There are many ways you can disrespect the holy marriage bed. Divorce of course is one of them. In fact, in Matthew chapter nineteen, verses one through eight-"

Alex tries to tune him out harder, knowing what's eventually coming and yet still hoping to avoid it. He counts the number of stained-glass windows -twelve without turning to either side, thirty-six if he rotates all the way- and taps his fingers on his leg to the cadence of Pastor James' words.

One, two, three, four. One and two, and three, and four-

He makes increasingly faster and more intricate beats, imagining drumsticks in his hands, base-drum pedal beneath his foot.

One and two-o-o, and four and, one and two and three-e, four-

His fingers are pattering rapidly, and he forces himself to swallow, trying to remember not to bounce his leg, trying not to distract his mom and dad, trying not to dwell on the words he can't avoid, trying not to scratch at his wrist, trying-

He can't breathe. He's trying to calm himself down but his fingers aren't a drumset and he can't play away the sin that coats his soul and he's just a kid but he can't breathe, he can't-

"And that leaves us with those who have disrespected the sacred act of marriage by letting themselves be lost in sexual perversion. I am, of course, referring to those disgusting individuals who have chosen to live the transsexual and homosexual lifestyles. People like these were born sick."

Alex's hands quit their anxious movement. He's completely still. He was born sick.

He was born sick.

~~~

"The only heaving I'll be sent to / Is when I'm alone with you."

And he started breathing again.

"I was born sick, but I love it / Command me to be well / A-a-a-amen amen amen"

Air was rushing back into his lungs and maybe it was the way reliving that memory gave him closure, but it felt like the song was purging the preacher's burning words from where they'd branded his heart with wounds he never thought would scar-over.

Alex felt his eyes close again, letting the lyrics and the lilt of the man's voice wash over him in a cleansing baptism. His fingers began pattering against his lap, joining in with the beat, weaving him together with the music, becoming one with it.

"We've a lot of starving faithful."

He thought of himself when he was younger, sitting in church week after week begging God to fix him. He thought about the girl who bowed her head at the foot of the altar the Sunday after a lesbian couple was attacked, he thought of the way her fingers linked together like someone else's hand used to hold them, and he thought of the way she cried: silent, tears streaming down like shooting stars, her lips whispering unspoken prayers.

This song was for him, he realized. It was for him, and every moment he cried himself to sleep under his parents roof, thinking he was dirty, thinking he didn't have God's love, didn't have God's forgiveness.

It was for every time a prayer caught in his throat like a trapped butterfly, the prayers he could never bring himself to say because he was 'unworthy'.

"I'll tell you my sins so you can sharpen your knife / Offer me that deathless death / Oh good God, let me give you my life"

The lyrics seeped under his skin, replacing the lies that he had believed over the years. The lies about himself, about his faith, about his gayness-

Washed away like a world-destroying flood.

Because this song? This song was for every cold-shoulder from his parents instead of a warm hug, and it was for every time he had to watch him mom recoil from his touch, every time his father didn't quite meet his eye.

"There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin."

The first tear slipped past his eyelashes, and he heaved a shuddering sigh.

"Only then I am human / Only then I am clean."

He cried, but there was a smile on his face.

~~~

When Julie and the boys got back, the radio was long silent, but Alex still sat on the couch, tear-tracks on his cheeks and a relieved smile on his face.

He had sat there a long time, reliving moments in his life, and then letting them go, letting them be washed away. He was quiet when he was surrounded by the rest of Sunset Curve, letting himself be held by them; Julie comfortingly running her fingers through his hair, Reggie linking their fingers together and side-hugging him, and Luke tugging him halfway onto his lap. They were his family, and they loved him.

"You okay, Lex?"

Alex took a deep, slow breath, letting himself take in each of their faces, and he gave a small smile.

"Yeah, I really am."

[feeling-weirdy]

Okay I have a prompt ( not sure if you have written this already ) but I’d love to see something where vision does go out trick or treating on Halloween with Wanda and the boys. Just some family Halloween fluff? ☺️

Wanda had taken it upon herself to once again choose their Halloween costumes and yet again the three boys were the center of this turmoil courtesy of his loving wife.

At least this time he was not alone as the family wore matching outfits referencing some movie he had never heard of. Wanda had adorned herself with a lovely blue and white checkered apron, somehow coming out of this beautiful as always and leaving the rest of the family to be her faithful companions, albeit begrudgingly. 

“Dad, do we have to wear this?”  Tommy’s nose scrunched as he looked at himself in the mirror.  The large sandy mane wrapped around his head, practically engulfing his entire face.  While perfect for covering his scowl, being able to view your surroundings on a night like tonight was essential.  Vision came around him, pushing Tommy’s head through and rearranging his mane to better suit his needs.

“I’m afraid so,” Vision sighed.  He was not at all happy with this arrangement, but his need to make the woman happy far outshone anything else.

“But it itches...”  Tommy grimaced, slipping a small hand underneath the costume to scratch at his chest.  The poor boy had been decorated from head to toe with fur and suddenly his own costume didn’t seem so bad. 

“I’m sorry son, but your mother insists.”

Billy came down the stairs, a blank look stretched across his face.  “At least you get to be a lion.  I’m stuck as a soda can.”  The handmade costume covered his entire body, making it nearly impossible for him to put his arms all the way down.  Wanda had clearly spent a lot of time getting their costumes together regardless of how easy her powers would have been.  She loved putting things together with her own two hands and dressing them up in horrid outfits became one of her favorite past times.

“You’re a tin man and I think you look dashing,” Wanda chirped, placing a kiss on top of Billy’s head as she entered the room.  “You all do.  And you...”  Vision smiled at her as she approached him, instantly wrapping her arms around his waist.  “...Never looked better.”

“I’m a scarecrow,” Vision admitted, his lip curling upward showing his distaste for the costume. 

“Color me scared.”  Wanda wriggled in his arms teasingly, reaching up to plant a kiss along his lips as they lost themselves in each other.

Tommy and Billy looked at one another, not at all impressed with what they were being forced to wear or the fact that they were now having to watch their parents devour each other. 

“Do we really have to go out looking like this?”  Billy broke the moment, pulling his parents away from each other with a single complaint.  Vision shot him a look.  The betrayal from his own son was almost too much to bear.

“Absolutely,” Wanda started, smiling down at them.  “Maybe next year you can pick out your own, but for now we need some family pictures.  How better to do that than with matching costumes, hm?”  Wanda walked around the house, grabbing random objects they would need throughout the night and putting them in her purse.  Finally, she grabbed two jack-o-lanterns and handed one to each of the boys.  “Now, go get some candy, don’t get too dirty, and we’ll be right behind you.  Scoot.”  Planting a kiss on each of their head, the two boys shared one last glance as they drug themselves out the back door.  Wanda sighed, using her magic to close the door behind them.

“You know, darling.”  Vision appeared behind her, running his hands along her waist and pulling her into his chest.  “If I haven’t told you already, you look positively ravishing in your costume.”  He trailed kisses down her neck, grinning wildly as he pushed one of her pigtails out of the way.

“Now now,”  Wanda chided, turning in his arms.  “We’re on chaperone duty.  Let’s take care of them first and then we’ll see where the yellow brick road takes us.”  Slipping her hand in his, Wanda tugged him along.  Vision groaned as she pulled him, carefully closing the door as they exited the house.

Walking hand in hand, the couple watched carefully as Tommy and Billy ran off towards a group of houses.  Easily making their way from house to house, he could hear them exclaim in excitement at whatever they were receiving from the neighbors.

"Boys, don't go off too far! Stay where we can see you!" Vision called out to them, completely unaware whether the two boys could hear his request. Regardless, he knew he had little to worry about. Tommy and Billy knew to keep an eye out and most importantly knew to stay together.

“This is kind of nice, you know?" Wanda hummed happily, swinging their arms together in large motions. "I never expected we’d be allowed to have this kind of peace and quiet out here...”

“We can have all the peace and quiet you want, my darling." Vision nudged her side, coaxing a smile across her face before placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Dad! The Jones's are giving out full candy bars!" Tommy appeared in front of them, practically jumping for joy as he showed off his haul.

"That's great son..." Vision started, only continuing once Tommy ran out of range. "And not at all incredibly unhealthy.  Clearly, we won’t be getting any sleep tonight," he chuckled.

"If only hygiene was the only thing we had to worry about..."

Vision stopped, pulling her back into his arms in one quick motion.  He cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him with a hopeful grin.  "And it will be. We have a good thing going here, you and I. That's not changing any time soon. We have a home."

"When things go too well I just-" Her face fell, stopping herself mid-sentence.  She shook her head, pushing out the negative thoughts from her mind.  "No, you’re right.  I just can't help but feel a bit nervous..."

"Nervous? Whatever for? Hey..." Vision paused for a moment, pulling his thoughts together. "I love you. The boys love you. No matter what happens, that's enough. Alright?"

Wanda smiled at him, running a hand along his cheek. The sadness in her eyes dissipated as she traced the lines in his face.  Happiness and contentment took its place, relaxing Vision as he continued to watch her dutifully.  "Of course. I couldn't ask for anything more."  Closing the distance between them, Vision pressed his lips against hers, hoping to banish any remaining thoughts from her mind. He ran a hand along her waist, keeping a steady hand at the curve of her back.

"We're together and when we're together you have nothing to fear." Quickly kissing her one last time, Vision pulled himself off her, settling instead to walk side by side.

"Whatever am I to do with you, scarecrow?" Wanda chuckled, interlacing their fingers and giving them a tight squeeze.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out..." Vision teased, raising her fingers to his lips. "Now, we have some catching up to do. Adults or not, we are getting you some candy. Plus I was promised a little walk down that yellow paved something-or-other and we wouldn’t want to be late for that, now would we?" 

“No, of course not.” 

Check out my other drabbles here or feel free to request some!

[xemptywithyoux-old]

wait a minute, is Faith Madison still in town? i thought i saw a flash of red lipstick, an old worn out leather jacket that’s too big on her, too many keychains on her car keys! last i heard they were working as a STRIPPER nearby. when it’s the (scorpio)’s birthday on 11/1. i forget that they’re UNRELIABLE trait and celebrate that they’re THOUGHTFUL. i hear NO GOODBYES by DUA LIPA every time i think of them. ⌠ dakota johnson 32, queer, cis female, she/her. ⌡

- a b o u t -

♥        a runaway child. she lived in a very violent household with parents equally stubborn and alcoholic who fixed everything with a fight. she left because she was sick and tired of their bullshit and being included in it. 

♥        she’s been in town since she was about 17. tried to leave around 25, try to figure out new york city or some other bigger town, but eventually came back because this is the only place where she found family (aw).

♥        she was 28 when she got back, about five years ago. she came back because she made some bad decisions and after a hook up with a stranger, she ended up knocked up. she needed a little bit of calm and comfort, which she had in centralia, to raise her child. 

♥        boy is currently 4 years old, and he’s the bestest cutest kid in the world. she is a very dedicated mom- she would have wanted to give him a happy, full family, a big white house with fences and a yard, but she does what she can. 

♥        works as a stripper because it’s the only place where she got the right amount of money to pay rent, and his child’s expenses. def keeps money under a mattress or in dusty old vases around her one bedroom apartment.

♥        she loves being a mom, she wants to be responsible, but she loves a good party, and a nice cocktail. always lives in fear she likes that a little too much and will turn into her parents. lots of moral hangover, but it’s okay. kind of. 

- c o n n e c t i o n s -

somebody who has been in love with her for the longest time ever, has been around her the entire time, but they can’t actually make it official- mainly because of her. 

a bestie, preferably around her age, or +/- a couple years. 

a nanny who takes care of her child at night. 

wild one night stands.

a former roommate from when she was 17 and just arrived to centralia.

@liminalintro

[chalkrevelations]

Word of Honor, Episode 30. STILL A LOT. This one got long.

(Spoilers. Scroll away and come back later, if you need to.)

Yeah, so, A-Xiang and I are crying again. At least they’re good, cathartic tears, this time? Poor Cao Weining – he continues trying to make sense of all this (It’s all a misunderstanding, right? My good friend Wen Kexing was framed, right? He can’t possibly be the terrifying master of the Ghost Valley, and you can’t possibly be his henchwoman, right?), but nothing he knew is true anymore. Nothing except his faith in A-Xiang. I know you’re good, he tells her. I won’t fail you. And they do make this explicit here, with him saying, “I made a promise I will never fail you in my life, not even once.” I’m flailing on the couch, at this point. Come here, my little cinnamon roll, and let me squeeze the stuffing out of you. And oh. Oh. It just hit me that a girl who was raised by the Department of the Unfaithful (as well as WKX) has found a man who will vow this to her and mean it. Also, I don’t know if this is the closest we’re going to get to this theme made explicit with Zhou Zishu and Wen Kexing, but Cao Weining and Gu Xiang continue to act as proxy here for the m/m couple that has to be more circumspect. (Also, I would compare the way this promise, spoken out loud, bookends this ep – Cao Weining’s heart once again offered here, at the beginning, and the undertones of betrayal in Xie Wang’s words to Zhao Jing at the end, but we’ll get to Xie’er in a bit.)

Digging into our continuing parallels, I said a bit back - Ep 26? sometime before Wen Kexing’s identity had the ultimate reveal in the confrontation with Ye Baiyi, at least - that Zhou Zishu was beyond “you don’t fail me and I won’t fail you” into “even if you do fail me, I won’t fail you.” That’s where Cao Weining is now, knowing (finally) what A-Xiang’s been hiding from him, as ZZS knew about the Ghost Valley even before it was actually spoken out loud. Even if A-Xiang is there to infiltrate his sect, even if she’s helped cause all this death, Cao Weining will follow her into death and reincarnate with her to stay with her and protect her forever. (Ugh. My heart. Cao-dage, how are you like this?) Last ep, watching WKX’s frantic efforts to save Han Ying, I think there was some callback to the Four Sages of Anji, but I also pointed to what I saw as a callback to the paired conversations in Eps 22/23, when Cao Weining tells A-Xiang to be more careful because he knows she’ll feel bad if she kills an innocent accidentally, and ZZS tells WKX he’s trying to protect him from more sins on his hands. This ep, there’s a literal flashback to that Cao Weining/Gu Xiang conversation in Ep 22. I also want to go back to the interminable infodump in the Longyuan Cabinet cave in Eps 19/20, where - similar to Cao Weining finally learning and accepting who A-Xiang is in this ep - Zhou Zishu has finally put together all (well, most) of the pieces, and he makes it clear that he knows (at least part of) who WKX is by calling him “Zhen Yan” to his face. The color palettes for the two couples match in these scenes – slightly more saturated and intense for the older couple, but lavender for WKX and A-Xiang, blue for ZSS and Cao Weining; we also have an enthusiastic hug that’s met by a hesitant response. Although roles are reversed in the hug – A-Xiang hugging Cao Weining, ZZS hugging WKX - the way they shot Cao Weining’s response in this ep, hesitant hands finally going around A-Xiang’s back, is almost exactly the same framing and movements as WKX’s response to ZZS’s hug in Ep 20 (7:37 in Ep 20, 9:00 in Ep 30). I’m just sayin’.

Also, I might or might not have rewound three times to watch Cao Weining wipe the tears off A-Xiang’s face and her responding radiant smile. You can’t prove anything.

The other big parallel I see in this ep is a return to the ZZS/Prince Jin and Xie Wang/Zhao Jing relationships. Everyone is telling their creepy gaslighting mentor/parent figures to fuck off in this episode, apparently. (We even (kind of) get to see WKX do this, seeing the scene of him in the aftermath of killing the past master of Ghost Valley in flashback as A-Xiang tells her tale to Cao Weining). I have to think it’s not just coincidence that the ZZS/Prince Jin and Xie’er/Awful Yifu confrontations play out in the same ep. Not to mention the fact that both happen in the middle of a big fk’n mess, lit. and fig., that ZZS and Xie’er have made of not just their physical surroundings, but their Awful Prince’s/Yifu’s plans.

So, first off, we cut to Bad-Touch Prince Jin. I knew it, you creepster (and ZZS knew it too!). And yet, I still cannot believe you. You kidnap him, try to kill everyone in Four Seasons Manor for the second time around, burn his house, plan to get him drunk and take advantage of him, lit. and fig., and now you’re fondling his sword? Eurgh. There’s definitely an air of “bathe him, dress him, and bring him to my chambers” with ZZS at the beginning of this scene, even if we’re actually in the throne room and not any bedchamber (not that I don’t also enjoy the leather bracers-updo-evil collar look on ZZS, so I’ll give Prince Jin points for good taste, at least). Prince Jin pulls out the poor yifu prince card, because it’s lonely being in charge, you know. And now, we’re back to how could you leave me. Aaaaand then, he blows off Han Ying (Han Ying!), the last sort-of vestige of ZZS’s Four Seasons shidi, and oh, boy. You done fk’ed up now.

So, I love how clearly done with all this ZZS is, from the first minute we see him this ep. I keep hearing this role was a departure from Zhang Zhehan’s norm, and while I plan to check out some of his earlier work, I’m honestly glad I got to see him first in this. I hope it opens up some more doors for him. I keep being struck at various moments by his physicality as Zhou Zishu, which has a weight behind it that just … ah. I keep failing to put it into words, but it gives a substance to the character that makes ZZS feel real, and it’s not particularly in his big action fighting scenes that it keeps hitting me, like you might expect when it’s something about the way he moves and carries himself. I started turning this over in my head last week, when I talked about how I felt that shout at WKX in the wake of the fight with Ye Baiyi in Ep 27, moreso than any of the other various shouty characters we’ve met in the show, even when their yelling is louder and more sustained. There was something visceral about ZZH’s performance in that moment. It reminded me of an earlier scene when Wen Kexing’s been drunk under the table by Ye Baiyi but insists that he’s fine, just fine, and Zhou Zishu, who’s trying to make him go to bed, makes a feint at him and then hits him on the shoulder. (Hold on … I just went and found it, it’s at 37:19 in Ep 17.) Not just the hit, but particularly the feint preceding it struck me the same way Ep 27’s shout did. It’s something that maybe comes through strongest when ZZH is doing leashed anger, where the character’s raw emotion is simultaneously supposed to be controlled but leaking through – that contrast seems to showcase what I’m talking about. Or maybe not just anger, but any really strong emotion, because I got it in this ep, among other places, from the little lip tremble as ZZS drinks some of the wine before he pours one out for his dead homies, as well as from the way he works his jaw to get himself back under control after bringing up all his dead shidi. Also the tiny lip quirk and deliberate breathing while Prince Jin disparages Han Ying. (Not the snarl when he’s faced off with Prince Jin holding his sword blade right before the cheesy cut to close-up split-screen, though. That one didn’t hit right, unfortunately.) ANYWAY, this whole throne room scene with Prince Jin is basically porn for me, with ZZS simmering the entire time until he finally breaks and everything explodes. God, the only thing it’s missing is actual tears.

Cut from the scene of ZZS literally striking back at Prince Jin to what’s going to be – at least it looks like – Xie Wang’s breaking point. Xie’er and his henchwomen seem genuinely surprised that Awful Yifu is the one who shows up as reinforcement for the Gentle Wind Sword Sect, and I’m still trying to untangle all the various strings of this web. I don’t know if I’ve missed some things, or not put something together properly – I feel like Cao Weining, all “Slow down, I can’t keep up!” Anyway, we get a very public repudiation of Xie’er by his Awful Yifu, which is interesting because nobody is supposed to know they’re connected in the first place, right? Yet, clearly Mo Huaiyang does, and no one in his sect – all of them standing around in the subsequent cave scene - seem to react with any kind of shock to the info that Zhao Jing is Xie’er’s yifu. Aren’t we supposed to be hiding this from everyone? So that not only the jianghu but Prince Jin doesn’t know it (yet)? Anyway, as well as getting slapped, Xie’er gets a couple of places with good little maniacal laughs in. Given the apparent surprise at Awful Yifu’s appearance, I’m assuming this was something Xie Wang really didn’t expect, and this public repudiation is the breaking point? Or that Awful Yifu hid this alliance from him? Not that this attack on the Gentle Wind Sword Sect was part of a deliberate long-game to fuck over his Awful Yifu by fucking up this alliance? Anyway, Xie’er has learned his lesson about his Awful Yifu – or at least he says he has - so maybe there will be some deliberate fuckery of Awful Yifu going forward from here? Have you learned your lesson, little gambler? Finally?

I do have to warn you, Xie Wang: Do not touch A-Xiang. This is a hard limit. You will be dead to me.

Scattered other things:

Duan Pengju, omg, this asshole. I love how he just gets dismissed from the throne room like a lackey once he’s delivered the guy Prince Jin actually wants. I love how ZZS says, out loud, with everyone in the throne room to hear it, why would I leave this loser in charge of anyone I cared about? I looooove how utterly dismissive of him ZZS is even as ZZS is literally being tortured by him. ZZS’s mockery and whole air of how he’s just ever so bored with all this torture is delightful. However, I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU’RE ENDING THE EPISODE THERE, SHOW. I’m going to have to wait until at least Thursday to find out what happens??? (This is d/t work schedule, which is 12-hour shifts on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, leaving no time to watch as the next eps upload, if I want to sleep).

I don’t know if this is deliberate, but when we cut to sleeping Wen Kexing near the beginning of the ep … we’ve just seen him in his very red robes as Ghost Valley master in A-Xiang’s flashbacks, and I notice that what he’s wearing now – it’s not the pinkie pink of the robe he wore to match the winter plum blossom forest, but it’s not blood red, either. It’s muted, something in-between, kind of salmon colored.

Bwahaha, dying at our two little foodies in the cave being the first ones to say “Hey, somebody’s cooking something!” Also, A-Xiang, my clever girl. You know to avoid letting Xie Wang or Zhao Jing (or Liu Qianqiao?) see you. What are you putting together in your head and coming up with about this tangled web of alliances? Also, I see you call Cao-dage over to your hiding spot. Are the two of you still there to hear the conversation between Zhao Jing and Mo Huaiyang, and how Mo Huaiyang and Zhao Jing are working together with the Scorpions and the Ghost Valley?

Last but not least, no intention to leave Jin Palace alive, ZZS? I seem to recall you telling your boyfriend, the terrifying master of the Ghost Valley, that there would be time for him to rescue you once he woke up from his nap. Is it possible you were lying so he wouldn’t feel bad? Mn. Possible. But I also remember the way you yelled at WKX over his plan to get himself killed and leave you alone, and I remember the fact that you won’t fail him, and I have to wonder if your plan really was to die, or if you’re bluffing when you say that to Prince Jin.

[kenganparadise]

Hello! Do you have any cute orochi katsumi headcanons ? Just generally I'd legit take any content for this karate boi!💕💕

YES!!! I love Katsumi so much!! Thank you for requesting this!! Katsumi is so underrated and it hurts. I have a lot more to say about him!

Katsumi fluffy hcs-

• Katsumi is super sweet, especially with his S/O. Every time he’s around his S/O he’s just beaming with happiness.

• Calls his S/O cute pet names like sweetie, cutie pie, love, Honey, And pumpkin. He looooves adorable pet names like that. He’d also love it if his S/O called him cute names back.

• Katsumi loves to cuddle. He would love to just pull his S/O in his arms and cuddle them all day long. He could live in his beloved’s arms for the rest of his life.

• Katsumi is incredibly faithful, he only has eyes for his S/O. He honestly thinks he’s dating the hottest person in the world and he wants everyone to know that.

• He would love it if his S/O supported him in his occupation, seeing his S/O in the crowd cheering him on of just knowing that they support him would make his heart do flips in his chest.

• He’d love it if they patched up his wounds after matches or practice as well. Having his lover tend to his wounds makes him feel so loved.

• Katsumi definitely brags to his karate students about his S/O. He talks about his S/O so often that everyone probably rolls their eyes once he begins, they know he’d go on for hours if he doesn’t get distracted.

• That being said, all of Katsumi’s students probably enjoy being around his S/O, Katsumi would love it if they were friends with some of them, especially Katou and Suedo.

• Everyone that knows Katsumi and his S/O probably know them as the Lovey-dovey couple that’s always saying sweet sappy things to each other and can’t keep their hands off of one another.

• Doppo and Natsue have to have a good relationship with Katsumi’s S/O. Katsumi probably take them home to spend time with his parents pretty often. Family is pretty important to him.

• Katsumi is pretty loving partner, he would spoil his S/O in love and affection. He’s a little bit of a simp.

[bastardsunlight]

My buddy over at @sxvethelastdance​ is doing some deep dive shit on the subject of Liu Kang’s faith in all his iterations—95, games, 2021—so I decided “hey why don’t I do that too?” because I also desire to be one of The Cool Kids™. This is in no way meant to be taken as gospel truth or whatever. It’s mostly for me own records, headcanons-wise, and just kind of a character-building exercise since Lao has become one of my more active/sought-after muses of late. I’ll hide it under a cut because it’s liable to get long

Like my S C H L O N G [cue pornbot invasion]

PS THIS IS GOING TO BE ABOUT MORE THAN JUST HIS FAITH BECAUSE A LOT OF THAT WILL COME FROM UPBRINGING/FAMILY AND WILL ALSO FOCUS ON HIS PERSONALITY AND THE INS/OUTS OF IT

For our purposes (and like, in reality because I DO respect authorial intent to some extent), Shaolin Monks isn’t canon, like at all. Someone had a fever dream and Liu Kang/Kung Lao were bimbos for a few hours. Okay they’re still kind of like that, god bless ‘em, but you get the idea. AIGHT now that’s out the way, let’s get this cue ball rolling.

Okay for starters, games Lao because well he’s only ever appeared in the games (and we don’t usually talk about Legacy Because OOF middle-aged Liu Kang with a hot topic sweater and anger issues—Liu Kangst. You’re welcome [plays a high G on the nearest piano]).

Kung Lao comes from a long, distinguished family who has always contributed to the order of light—they’re founding members, all that stuff. They did not build the academy itself, but the Order started with the Great Kung Lao. OUR Kung Lao is the fulfillment of a prophecy, some vague old thing that told of an ancestor who would carry the “spirit of the Great Kung Lao”. They figure reincarnation, which is a reasonable assumption. If that’s true or not, only Fire God Liu Kang and Lord Raiden know, because they’re the only ones to have met him in person. Whatever the case, Kung Lao is born with the ability to call spirits and channel their energy, their “pressure” to do a variety of things, including teleport, an ability that thankfully did not come until later—can you imagine a teleporting toddler? Good god.

The entire Kung line is blessed with some spiritual power, here and there. Kung Lao is off the charts. His mother, a short time before his birth, has a dream where the GKL came to her and said “this is the one”. He is reaching out to his ancestor from the Realm of the Honored Dead, knowing full well that the once-a-generation tournament is not far off and feeling the pull to Lao like some kind of magnet or doorway. Kung Lao is the strongest spirit-channeler the Kung family has ever seen. His parents therefore name him Lao and with the name comes a great and terrible burden.

He is, naturally, chosen as the generational tithe to the Wu-Shi academy and, naturally, the Order of Light. This is a case of being raised in the faith, knowing little else, but being sharp enough to question some things. Obviously, as a kid, he doesn’t question—he just learns and obeys, trains under various masters, etc. Sometime during his younger years, an orphan shows up at the temple and, being a charitable organization, the elders of the temple take him in and name the boy Liu Kang. Liu and Lao become fast friends and the elders are, of course, pleased as  punch to see the Kung’s legacy being a good influence on someone like Liu Kang who, unbeknownst to anyone but them (and Raiden), is the blood of Onaga and in possession of a terrible power himself. It does not occur to them that Lao will not be chosen by the god of thunder to be Earthrealm’s champion. Everyone at the academy trains for this purpose, but in THIS generation, no one even questions that it will be Lao.

Kung Lao is extremely gifted, rarely has to study, hardly tries on all exams and new techniques and masters the strange and deadly weapon that is his signature with relatively few injuries. Combining that with his abilities to move spiritual force and teleport and he is a shoe-in. His faith in the Elder Gods is more of a background hum, at this point and, though he has met Lord Raiden, his faith there, too, is hardly a thought. It’s just part of his life. As anyone who grows up in a faith could tell you, the routines become like breathing.

Liu Kang and Kung Lao grow side-by-side as best friends, confidants, troublemakers (though Lao is absolutely the one cutting class), and, as they grow older and into themselves, lovers.

The first time Kung Lao’s faith comes to the forefront and really shakes is when Lord Raiden choses Liu Kang to be his champion for Mortal Kombat. There is the initial shock, of course, and then there is fear. Mortal Kombat has killed very Earthrealm champion, without exception, since the Great Kung Lao’s second attempt. The legends of Prince Goro are written in the forbidden texts of the academy’s library and naturally, the shaolin rowdy boys have broken in and read them all. Kung Lao meditates for hours, wondering what he did wrong. He is never, at any point, resentful toward Liu Kang himself, who has always been an unfailingly loyal friend, a humble monk, an excellent student, and has, with hard work and perseverance, excelled in HIS classes as well.

The more he considers it, the more his faith in the Elder Gods is shaken—if it was ever terribly solid in the first place. More than that, he begins to mistrust Raiden. Kung Lao determines that, due to the hopelessness of the situation, the likelihood of Liu Kang’s return is almost zero. He has all the faith in the world in how strong Liu Kang is, of course, but those odds are not good. He begins to deeply resent the idea that Liu was chosen as a lamb for slaughter based on factors other than likelihood to win. This is also when the insecurity starts to REALLY set in.

Kung Lao doesn’t realize that Liu Kang views him as equal or superior, seeing how he has never had to study or work at ANYTHING to just nail whatever it is, every time. Kung Lao is one of those young adults who was a child prodigy and is experiencing some SERIOUS burnout in his early twenties. It isn’t that Kung Lao doesn’t know he’s good—he’s very aware of his skill. It comes out as brazen arrogance. No one but Liu Kang can seem to knock him down ANY pegs. His faith, he realizes, has always been in himself and in Liu, in what they’ve built and shared. There is a depth of intimacy in that friendship that goes beyond even the physical—though there IS that.

He’s kind of in the mode of “what have the Elder Gods ever done for me?” (spoiler alert: nothing) and he questions Raiden’s motivations as he slowly adds shit up. Liu Kang is an orphan, of no family, with great power. He doesn’t know if there’s something else to it, but he sees the reactions of the elders of the temple when Raiden chooses Liu and it isn’t “weird that you didn’t choose the kid we groomed from birth to do this” but an almost insane level of like, understanding, as if this was a possible outcome. There is something else up, but he has no way of knowing it. He hates the way Liu just accepts it and while they are still capable of making jokes about the whole situation, he can sense the turmoil within Liu, as well, who is ALSO wondering why Lao wasn’t chosen.

Kung Lao is now the black sheep, the family failure, the one who was beaten out by an orphan. This really begins his “second banana” status and everyone seems to know it. They equate his brash pride to insecurity, which in a way it is, because part of him will always wonder what he did wrong, but they did not know him before. It goes from being part of his personality to being a shield. If he is arrogant and aloof, untouchable, no one will see the doubt and trepidation within. And STILL the Elder Gods do NOTHING. When he sneaks into the tournament, he’s taking matters into his own hands, where he is convinced they have always been.

See, he had been okay with dying for Earthrealm, though he was certain with this power, he wouldn’t—that he could save the place like the ancestor for which he was named. He is not ready to lose Liu Kang.

Aight so caveat here, most of this above was built with a VERY specific Liu Kang in mind and below is 100% riding on that same writer (heh riding). None of this has to, in any way, reflect on anyone else’s Liu Kang—not that I’ve seen a ton of those.

MK2021 for all its faults, had amazing characterization for the heroes, even if some of the cuts, scenes, and lines were a bit ……. Clunky. Kung Lao is clearly a powerful fighter, confident to the point of arrogance, but with the skill to back it up. Even when Cole puts him in the dirt, he hops back up and summons his hat, like “okay cool, now let’s get real” because Kombat is not like a cage fight. This is a man who knows few limitations, is highly skilled, and has clearly been raised in the faith, much like his counterpart from the games. His Arcana is passed through his bloodline, much like that of the Hasashi clan and a few others who have passed out of living memory, likely done in by previous Outworld assassination coups.

The biggest difference between games and 2021 Lao is that the latter is a man who demands proof at every turn, by force if necessary, AND HE IS AWARE OF THIS. His faith rests not in the Elder Gods—not caring much for them or their lack of involvement—but in Raiden himself and only then because he has challenged the god of thunder and was put down pretty soundly. Kung Lao respects ability. He has it, so he therefore expects everyone around him to hold themselves to that same standard.

He is two or three years older than Kang, the young orphan Master Bo’ Rai Cho brought to the temple when they are still children, probably six and nine, give or take. They have no classes together, initially, but Kung Lao ss instructed to keep an eye on him, to help him adjust. The two become fast friends and Liu Kang admires the bejeezus out of his shi xiong, both because of that age difference and the obvious experience gap, and because Kung Lao will ALWAYS go to bat for him.

Kung Lao is well aware of the stakes of this tournament, knows that it is, for the most part, riding on him. This becomes doubly true when Sub-Zero is sent to Earthrealm to start taking out the other champions, one by one, to halt a prophecy. Someone carrying Hasashi blood will upset the balance of the tournament.

He is a dutiful monk, a competent teacher, a powerful fighter, and, alongside Liu Kang, the best hope humanity has for victory. Kung Lao’s resentment, in this universe, is directed primarily toward the elders who sent Kang out into the world after his graduation from the academy as a student (as must all students, some with specific orders, and some with more vague directions) to find his true path. The elders have essentially forced Kang to relive the darkest time in his life and thence, to feel the rage and resentment that has for so long boiled beneath his skin, channeling it into a killing urge. Kung Lao protects Liu Kang from this as best he can and, more than that, he protects the world from Liu Kang.

[fizzingwizard]

Episode 32 arrives! It’s, I gotta say, quite an improvement on what we’ve had lately. Quite an improvement. Even so, it’s nothing that’s gonna rock the world... but hey, I was so desperate for something different to happen that y’know what, I’ll take it.

Pic of the week:

A Digimon who just wants to roll around in the grass. Go’way, baddies.

More below!

So as you probably gather... we start with Takeru this week! Haha! Good riddance Taichi! I luv ya but I’ve had enough of ya! Take a break!

jk I totally missed him the whole thirty seconds he wasn’t on screen

Takeru and Patamon are running for their lives, of course! Patamon makes a valiant effort to evolve to protect Takeru but...

... Poor baby. He gave it the ol’ college try but he just ain’t as young as he used to be.

Things look grim until Komondomon shows up with a creepy disembodied hand sticking out of his fur!

Phew, it’s just Sora. Her brilliant plan to rescue Takeru is to grab his arm and drag him along with them... I mean... sure... Whiplash has been proven Not A Thing in this universe so...

After getting rid of their pursuer, the group checks in with the others. I’m reminded of how silly separations feel when you can just communicate with each other by walkie-talkie. Yamato’s been riding Garurumon for a long time now lol. At least we got to see him...

He sweetly encourages Takeru and tells him the best thing he can do to help Patamon with his evolution issues is be there to support him. Then he tells Taichi “I leave Takeru in your case.” Ok sure, like Sora’s not right there...

Taichi: In my care? Should I point out that I already lost one little sibling to the dark side? Nah...

Seriously, though... that’s the current situation. Taichi is actively going over SkullKnightmon to get Hikari back. If Takeru stays with him that just means Takeru gets to go into danger again too. Of course, it seems that the dark side is suddenly uninterested in Takeru and Patamon so... I guess it’s okay 9_9

We then check in with Mimi! Who is being her awesome Mimi-tastic self. Ugh I love her.

Wondered what happened to Golemon. Turns out there was nothing much to worry about because no one loves a macho boxing match like Tachikawa Mimi. If there’s ever a season where these kids grow up, I hope Mimi is like, a big fan of sumo or something.

Taichi: O... kay... well... Mimi sure is... an intersting person...

Agumon: Hey you should make her your girlfriend!

Taichi: what nOOO BAD IDEA ABORT ABORT

Meanwhile, the situation with Jou is, um, questionable to say the least...

(how is keeping that towel on)

Jou: HEEEEELP!!!

Taichi: ... you didn’t hear anything, did you? Me neither. *closes link*

Finally we check in with Koushirou. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what he says. -__-;

At least we see him get bombed a bit. He’s okay though.

Meanwhile unconscious Patamon gets a visitor from baby angel Lopmon, who tells him about hist lost memories.

He adds that the other legendary warriors have lost their power and it’s up to Patamon and his bond with Takeru to save the world more or less.

He encourages Patamon to find his hope.

Patamon: Who am I? What am I? All before me is dark. I know not what path to take.

The others, having nothing better to do, peep on Patamon’s crisis of faith.

Takeru relates a story about learning to swim and being scared of the water, but Yamato stayed with him so eventually he was able to learn to do it. Aww. Not quite comparable to Hikari’s “I wet the bed and Taichi changed the sheets and then told our parents that he was the one that did it” from the 99 series but still pretty good.

The sweet moment is interrupted by a flash of light! Then dark! Then light! Then dark!

It’s another scary Digimon! Oh dear. It’s Kerberomon. A three-headed Cerberus as I’m sure you figured out. Once again, this show does not how to convey what the stakes are. After everything we’ve been through, it’s hard to take random nobody Digimon as serious as each episode wants us to take them... but it’s obvious from the build up here that Kerberomon’s going to be tough to beat for Reasons.

Greymon gets hit and says, “I let down my guard!” MAYBE DON’T DO THAT THEN

Also it is very windy.

Le ouch. This is the Digimon from earlier whose name I forgot to take down. He’s come back with his friend...

... Scarier-in-the-dark-mon.

They’re surrounded~ Oh noes and whatnot.

Taichi is a bit cool here, clinging to Komondomon’s helmet and directing the battle like a war general. Mostly he’s telling them how to avoid getting hit by Kerberomon’s powerful attacks but I like that we get to see him using his head like this.

What I think is happening here is, Komondomon isn’t as fast as the kids could be if they were on their own, so their speed is hampered and that plus the number of assailants makes this battle tough. I am sure we’re supposed to assume that the reason WarGreymon doesn’t appear is because it takes a lot of energy to bring him out, even though last time he appeared twice in the same episode -.-;

Sora decides to be useful and goes to help Takeru get to safety.

... She is immediately struck by an attack and collapses, badly hurt somehow. This is so dumb. First of all, they don’t even animate her getting hit. There’s a flash and then she’s down. She should at least get to throw herself over Takeru protectively or something. Geez. 90s anime did it so much better. She’s just standing there and gets hit. What, did she forget there was a battle raging around her?

Second, WE ALREADY HAD DAMSEL IN DISTRESS SORA. It was Jou’s motivation to be cool way back when this show was rather more interesting than it has been of late. Why do the boys need Sora to get SERIOUSLY INJURED to be able to fight?? WHY?? Like, Taichi gets caught in the line of fire ALL THE TIME, but he never gets injured to the point where he can’t continue on. (Except for that one time with Devimon but those were exceptional circumstances!)

Like, why are we making Sora so weak?? This is so unnecessary.

I guess Yamato was right by entrusting Takeru to Taichi instead of Sora though...

... Uhhh.... never mind X’D

Taichi: Whew... m-maybe no one saw that...

Our be-bibbed god reappears to offer sage advice.

Patamon recalls his final moments as Seraphimon... being enveloped into darkness.

This is cool - we see his angelic wings turn to demon ones briefly before he slides back to lower levels. Not sure if it means anything but we have been theorizing that Patamon could still be infected by the evil that wounded him in the past.

Patamon then recalls things that happened after he was reborn and I’m reminded for the billionth time how much harder the emotions around Angemon’s death hit in the 99 show...

Suddenly Patamon realizes - his hope is Takeru, and he is Takeru’s hope.

The boys put on their game faces. This is what I mean by Sora really didn’t need to get hurt here. I get that it gives Takeru a reason to be protective, but the thing that evolves Patamon is Patamon’s feelings, the same way Agumon’s feelings were what rescued them from Devimon etc. That’s an interesting thing about this show - the Digimon’s feelings seem as important to evolution as, if not more than, the kids’.

Patamon evolves!! Very creepily! But... not to Angemon!

He becomes Pegasusmon! Who... looks a lot bigger than I remember, even considering Takeru is very small... xD

So this is pretty cool! I’ve been wondering how on earth the show was gonna keep introducing evolutions after already using up so many key players, especially for Taichi. But it looks like Armor Digimon can appear, and that makes me think that we could see all kinds of evolutions for the entire team that we’ve never seen before. I like that idea, but I don’t really know if this show has time for it. Maybe it will just be Pegasusmon and Nefertimon who are available to Takeru and Hikari so the writers can preserve the angels for the most epic moments only. That seems the most likely way things will go here, and the only qualm I have with it is, they’ve played all of Taichi’s cards already, and he’s the main character. He has to have something else in the future...

He attac!!!!

Kerberomon doesn’t last long, although why is wholly inexplicable. What about Pegasusmon gives him the edge when MetalGreymon and Garudamon couldn’t handle it? Is it because he’s an Armor Digimon? That may be it but the show doesn’t bother to explain.

Another thing I’d love to see, if there are gonna be more than just one evolutionary tree for the partners, is the kids actually strategizing when they decide which evolution to use. One of the cool parts of Tamers was the kids actively supporting their partner with skill as well as heart. I don’t think that’s gonna happen in this season, but you know, a girl can dream.

Takeru: Hurray for murder!

The three Digimon work together to put the lid on Kerberomon. Garudamon has the coolest moment. Squash.

Taichi checks on Sora who seems fine now. Grrrrrrrrrrrr.

Aw, but these two really are adorable.

What a sweet ending card T_T I want more of these.

Okay so yeah, this episode was a much needed upper after the stream of “watch Taichi fight random forgettable monsters” episodes we’ve had lately. I’m glad we got it. I still, just, like, why can’t they get the emotional build up right?? I wouldn’t say 99 Adventure did anything insanely unusual in how it treated the various crises the kids faced, but it def did a better job than this show. In 99, they understood the importance of moments of reflection, of talking about things, of showing expressions and how other characters react... And I still feel like this reboot DID do that, at least somewhat better, in the beginning. Like what went down between Yamato and Taichi after Ogremon was killed. That was pretty good.

They’ve totally lost what makes Digimon great. I hope this episode is a sign that they’re gonna take it back, but, my heart just hearts y’all.

Next episode... I’m rather surprised since we are REALLY overdue some face time with Yamato, not to mention Mimi and Jou, but apparently we’re sticking with Taichi. At least it looks lke we’ll get some new plot stuff related to Hikari.

If this all leads up to something that makes sense, I will retract all my complaints, I swear. Except about the gratuitous nonstop fighting. But the rest, I will take back.

Taichi’s determined!! This is Digimon Adventure! Let’s go on a freaking adventure!!