#epitome of wasted potential

[www98vikitoo]

Current elvira reminds me of what it felt like being in uni lmao

Edit:

Elvira, probably: mom look at how motivated i am lets go home now

Thats what im getting from those mistakes she obviously wanted to make lol like every other risk she stops mid rotation and lets the aparatus drop like my grades dropped last year of uni

[riicky-ye]

For as long as Furina can remember, anger has always lived in her.

It was born alongside her, grew into her bones and muscles, gave color to her eyes.

When she looks in the mirror and sees that her face is the face of a deity, only two truths are clear in her head:

The first is simple as that — the prophecy. All of Fontaine's people will dissolve, leaving only the Hydro Archon to uselessly cry alone.

The second is anger. Cold, heavy rage.

Neither first nor the second belongs to her.

Just like the face.

Mirror-Her offers her a bowl full of vinegar. Not a single sip from it, nor ten, nor thousand will kill her immortal body, but that doesn't mean it won't hurt.

Furina, who still does not know what pain is, agrees. Even if she had known, she would have agreed anyway. But she knows only the comfortable emptiness of nothing and alien, thus distant anger.

When she performs in public for the first time, she learns what anxiety is. People whisper; Furina has to improvise. When an exclamation about her intention to judge even the gods of other lands comes out of her mouth with no second thought behind it, she is so horrified she almost claps her hand over her mouth. The wrath inside her chest curls into a tight ball and then spreads all the way through her veins, to the very tips of her fingers, with a feverish, triumphant warmth.

At first, she doesn't believe that this ugly anger is also Mirror-Her’s property, for Her voice is so gentle. But, feeling the inexplicable yet still axiomatic confidence in what was said, she suddenly realizes crystal clear that it is, indeed, Hers.

Theirs?

The thought scares her a hundred times more than a judgmental, faceless crowd ever could.

[himbodruid]

Bullet(s) For My Valentine

Sylus x Reader

Sylus has never experienced a fear like this, seeing you bleeding out in his arms after taking bullets meant for him

Heavy angst, hurt/comfort

CW: gunshot wounds, emotional af Sylus, Zayne is just bestie

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Searing flames ripped through you. You’d never experienced being shot before, but there was a first for everything. 0/10, would not recommend.

You didn’t even know how things escalated to that point so quickly. Some illegal protocore dealings needed to be investigated, and you’d volunteered for the job on the off chance Sylus’s crew was involved. The contract was supposed to be a simple in and out intel gathering ordeal, but the perps must’ve caught wind of the investigation.

Sylus was indeed involved, but from Onychinus’s own investigative standpoint. You’d run into him while entering the building, and he quickly hatched a plan to become your escort.

When the pistols came into play, Sylus wasted no time taking down a handful of men. His evol made quick work of those his pistol couldn’t, and you knew it gave him a thrill.

But, he was so focused on that thrill that he didn’t notice a man sneaking around the shadows behind him. You saw him and leapt in the line of fire before the bullets could strike Sylus. Your own weapon discharged, the man fell to the ground before you did. You couldn’t even tell how many times you’d been hit, you just knew that your body was on fire.

“No!” Sylus had never shouted like that before, and the power behind it scared you. The room went dark, his evol erupting from him to snuff out every single potential threat, including your intel target. Damn it, so much for the mission. But that was the least of your worries.

Sylus knelt over you, pulling you into his arms and assessing the damage. All the while he muttered a string of curses, which included what sounded like “you beautiful idiot”.

Black spots danced in your vision when he lifted you into his arms. The darkness that swarmed you was tinged red, and you couldn’t tell if you were losing consciousness or if he was losing control of his evol. Which was impossible, surely? Sylus was the epitome of precise control.

“Stay with me,” he kept telling you, over and over. You tried focusing on him, on his face, but it was so hard with the fire in your veins. You wanted to assure him that you weren’t going anywhere, but even you had no idea how bad the damage was. You couldn’t pinpoint any one specific place for the pain, it was everywhere.

“Sylus,” you whimpered, wanting nothing more than to give in to the darkness that spotted your vision, but you were scared. And stubborn.

“Shhh, I’ve got you, love,” he murmured to you with a shaky voice, clutching you closer to him. The weightlessness you felt amplified further, and then you knew the red tinge was indeed his evol. He made quick work of the distance between the gathering and the base, but you succumbed to the darkness the moment he landed.

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“She’s not waking up. Why isn’t she waking up?” Sylus demanded, pacing the length of the room. He ran his hand through his hair for what felt like the millionth time. The doctor gave an exasperated sign, turning his glare towards Sylus.

After dropping the Association’s target at their doorstep, thankfully just unconscious, Sylus had recognized the doctor in front of him as someone his kitten trusted. And he….may have possibly maybe accidentally abducted the doctor in a fit of panic. It was faster than sending for his own medic, anyway.

The doctor, Zayne, put up a good fight with his own evol, right up until he saw her laying on the bed. Then he was all business, assessing her wounds and working to fix her up. Sylus had the twins bring any and all materials Zayne needed for this impromptu house call.

But now she lay so frighteningly still, unnaturally pale, on his bed, and Sylus had never experienced a bone-deep fear like this before. And the impatience that came with it was maddening. Zayne watched him with those annoyingly assessing eyes of his, choosing his words carefully.

“She’s stable. She has two perforating gunshot wounds in the lower left abdomen, so thankfully I don’t have to attempt fishing out the bullets. All vital organs were missed, as well, so she is incredibly lucky. An inch in any direction, and the outcome would be very different for everyone involved.”

Sylus exhaled for what felt like the first time in hours. She’ll be okay, he kept telling himself over and over. He scrubbed his face with his hands, slumping into a chair a short distance away. With his face still half cradled in his hands, he watched the steady rise and fall of her chest. Meanwhile, Zayne continued his scrutiny from the stool Sylus had provided him.

“I’ll cut to the chase. I know very well who you are, but I want to know how you know her. And I want to know how she came to be in this condition, and if it will be a permanent issue from being around you.”

Sylus thought about his words carefully, ensuring that the adrenaline coursing through his blood wouldn’t make an enemy out of someone she respected. He was angry, but at himself and not the doctor in front of him. Zayne was right to be suspicious, since being the leader of a crime organization came with heaps of dangers that she would inevitably be exposed to. Yet the selfish side of Sylus abhorred the idea of letting her go to live a safer life.

“She was on a mission for the Association, and our goals happened to align. So, I went in with her in hopes of protecting her from dangerous people. Don’t look at me like that, I’m very well aware I’m also dangerous people,” Sylus said. “But somewhere, the mission went awry and she took the bullet that was meant for me, like a beautiful idiot.

“As for how I know her, that is a much longer conversation that I know you don’t have time for right now. And when she is out of danger and you have more time, we will talk about it and my intentions for her. Just know that I would give my life for her, I have given my life for her, and I will ensure she wants for nothing.”

Zayne kept his calculating gaze on Sylus, rolling his words around for a minute before relaxing his guard with a curt nod. Sylus’s shoulders drooped, thankful that the man in front of him seemed reasonable enough. Either that, or he was also insane. No matter, Sylus liked him well enough, and would do anything to stay on his good side for her sake.

“I may be her doctor, but I am also one of her closest friends. If you hurt her in any way, you will have me to answer to.”

And Sylus knew he would be good on his threat. Zayne was formidable with the ice in his veins, and Sylus was glad to have an ally out of him, rather than an enemy. The two men stood, clasping hands.

“Thank you,” Sylus said, his voice thick with an unnamed emotion. Zayne nodded once, turning to look at her again before stepping from the room. Sylus had arranged a car for him to take him back to Linkon. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t allow anyone to see the way to or from his home. But that privilege was extended to Zayne by proxy.

After a few silent moments, Zayne popped his head back in through the doorway. “She’s very accident prone, so you’re going to have your hands full. Good luck, and don’t hesitate to call for me.”

Sylus chuckled when he retreated once more. Accident prone, indeed.

He settled into the stool that Doctor Zayne vacated, waiting for her wake up. Anxiety coursed through him, despite the doctor’s reassurances. This was the first time in…a long time that he felt helpless. He just desperately needed her to open her eyes again, to hear her voice. Hell, he’d even take her casual bullying over this.

But all he could do was sit and wait.

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You wove in and out of consciousness, continuously being pulled back under despite your efforts to claw your way back to the waking world. Flashes of conversation with muffled voices you couldn’t focus on. At some point you swore you could hear Zayne in the room, but that would be impossible. From the few visual snippets you could snag, you were definitely in Sylus’s bed. The absurdity of that idea, that Zayne could be here of all places finally convinced you to give in to the depths.

You weren’t sure how much time passed when you were finally able to return to reality. You came to your senses much slower than you would have liked, but when you finally peeled open your eyes, you quickly shut them again. Even the dim lamplight in the corner of the room made you flinch. Yet, when you felt the weight of something by your hand, your eyes shot back open.

Sylus sat slumped over the side of the bed, his head resting on his crossed arms. It was a brief moment of vulnerability that he rarely showed, and something swelled in your chest at the sight. With great effort, you lifted your hand, brushing silvery strands of his hair from his face. He inhaled sharply in waking, and then his eyes sprung open once he realized you were touching him.

“Don’t you ever pull a stunt like that again,” he admonished immediately, his voice cracking with emotion. You thought you could see his eyes become watery, but he clenched them closed when he brought your hand to his lips. He held it there while he struggled to regain his composure. After a few deep breaths, he finally opened his eyes again.

“I’m sorry,” you croak. With a soft sigh, Sylus reaches over to the side table, pouring you a glass of water. When you tried to take it from him, he brushed your hand aside. He held the glass up to your lips, assisting you in taking long sips. Once finished, he placed the glass back on the side table, staring at it for a moment while he gathered his thoughts.

“Kitten,” he said softly. “I’m sorry. I’m not angry with you. I’m angry with myself.”

“But why?” Your voice was stronger now that the water eased the scratch of it. He closed his eyes again, jaw clenching as though he were in pain.

“Because I failed to protect you. If you’d been killed while under my watch…” he said in a strangled tone, one that suggested he had tortured himself incessantly with the what-ifs. Your heart lurched at the torment that laced his voice.

“i’m okay, though, Sy. My dumb mistakes aren’t your fault,” you said, reaching out to cup his cheek in your palm. He nuzzled into your touch, placing his hand over yours.

“I would have my every weakness exposed and exploited than to see you hurt like that again,” he murmured against your palm. A single tear escaped, trailing down his cheek before colliding with your hand. You used the pad of your thumb to wipe it away, heart breaking at the devastatingly beautiful man in front of you failing to maintain his usually rock-solid composure.

“Sy..” you whispered, not sure how to comfort him. You were alive and mostly intact, and now you were determined to be more careful in the future. You didn’t think your heart could bear seeing him like this again.

Before more could be said, there was a soft knock on the door.

“Boss?” Came Kieran’s voice on the other side. “The doc’s here.”

Sylus cleared his throat and stood. He let his eyes linger on you for a moment before going to the door and opening it. Dread filled you when you saw Zayne enter, and your eyes darted between the two men.

Zayne and Sylus exchanged a look before Sylus wordlessly nodded and left the room. Confusion and terror roiled through you and you struggled to grasp for any excuse you could come up with. But those excuses died on your tongue when Zayne turned his calculating gaze on you. He just stood there for a moment, staring, looking like he was collecting his thoughts. He said nothing as he approached the bed and placed his medic bag by the table. Only when he sat did he heave a sigh and then opened his mouth.

“Relax,” he said calmly. “You don’t have to try and make up some lie about who Sylus is, or how you know the head of Onychinus. I’m here as your doctor first, friend second.”

You relax, but only slightly. Zayne being here and knowing exactly who Sylus was spoke a lot to how scared Sylus was. You longed to pry for information about this new development, but you breath came up short when Zayne helped you to sit up. He removed the bandages and assessed your wounds, nodding in approval at seeing you were healing well enough. He redressed the wounds and then sat back in his stool. His gaze had always unsettled you- it felt like he could see right into your soul. As a result, you’d never been able to lie to him.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you,” you say, looking down at your fidgeting hands.

“How long has it been?” He asked quietly. You looked back at him, confused.

“For what?”

“How long have you known him? How do you know him?”

You took your time thinking back over the events of the last year, trying to pinpoint where your relationship with Sylus changed from business to something more intimate.

“I think…it’s almost been a year? I tried to infiltrate the N109 Zone, but ended up crossing paths with someone who intended me harm. Sylus and the twins swooped in and saved me. I hated him at first, but I realize now that there was a lot I didn’t know at the time. I thought he was responsible for Gran and Caleb…”

Your words trailed off and you shrugged. “But things are…different now. I’ve come to trust him almost as much as I trust you.”

Zayne gave you one of his small smiles, the kind you knew meant that he was content with your answer.

“I can tell that he loves you,” he said warmly, placing his hand on your arm to still your fidgeting. “When he dragged me here, I thought he intended to use me against you. But instead, he brought me here because he knew you trusted me. He also insisted on my monitoring your condition, rather than bringing in his own man. He also tried to pay me quite the sum for the perceived inconvenience.”

Zayne leaned in, narrowing his eyes slightly. “How did you end up hurt like this?”

“The Association sent me on an intel gathering mission and Sylus happened to be there for the same reason, though for his own research. A fight broke out, guns happened, and next thing I know I’m diving into the line of fire so he doesn’t get hit in the back. I know, I know, it was stupid of me,” you huff. “I did it without thinking, even knowing he can instantly heal from something like that.”

“The same story he gave m- wait.” Zayne’s eyes widened. “Instantly heal? And how do you know he’s capable of such a thing?”

You clamped your mouth shut, awkwardly staring at Zayne while he stared at you in shock. Unfortunately, this was another one of those moments that you wouldn’t be able to lie to Zayne, and he would never let the question go. His medical mind would hyper-fixate on it until he got his answer.

“W-well,” you start, wondering how you should word it. “I mmmmaybe…sorta…shot him point blank in the chest when we first met. But he started it!”

Zayne sat back in the stool heavily, eyes wide with incredulity. You could almost see the gears turning in his head. “And he…healed…from that?”

“Yeah, with his evol. Ask him if you don’t believe me, but he’s the one that provoked me!”

A small hmm sound was all he replied with. He didn’t get a chance to press it further, as Sylus knocked and poked his head into the room.

“It was still painful as all hell,” he quipped, clearly having heard the conversation. Zayne waved him into the room. “Thankfully, we haven’t had a repeat performance.”

Zayne sat in silence, turning this new information over in his mind. Sylus came in, sitting at your feet and placing a hand on your leg, over the pile of blankets covering you. Zayne’s eyes zeroed in on the motion and he looked back at you.

“As long as you are safe and happy,” he said softly, letting the previous conversation go way too easily. You could detect worry in his gaze, but he quickly hid it being that stoic facade he was masterful at.

“I am,” you reply with a smile. Zayne’s eyes darted between you and Sylus, and you could feel Sylus’s eyes locked on the side of your face. Zayne nodded and stood, followed by Sylus so he could show the doctor out.

“If he ever tries anything, you better tell me,” Zayne said sternly, narrowing his eyes at the other man. Sylus’s warm chuckle reverberated in the room at the thinly-veiled threat.

“She is more than capable of handling herself, but no harm will come to her ever again. I will see to it personally.”

Zayne nodded, content with Sylus’s declaration. He strode towards the door, rambling off a list of care details that Sylus listened to with rapt attention. Zayne’s approval meant everything to you, and you felt like you could breathe easier. You didn’t realize how much it weighed on you, having to hide your relationship from the only friend you had left from your childhood. You briefly wondered if Caleb, who was notoriously more protective of you, would have approved of Sylus, too. But that line of thinking was dangerous, so you pushed it from your head. Instead, you started thinking about how Zayne would try to figure out how Sylus’s evol granted him near immortality.

You settled back against the mountain of pillows that Sylus provided you. It looked like he went through the house and brought every single one available to you, along with hoards of blankets, effectively cocooning you in a nest of comfort. The thought and care in those small details made your heart swell and you smiled to yourself.

And then the absurd man reentered the room holding a massive bouquet of roses in one hand, and a bag containing takeout in the other. You let out a bark of laughter at the unexpected arrival, covering your face with your hands. Sylus flashed a brilliant smile at you, and it stole your breath away. You wanted to see that smile every single day.

“What’s all this?” You ask, still laughing merrily. He set the bouquet on the side table and you reached out to touch the velvety petals. The flowers were a deep burgundy color, darker and more purple tinted than typical red roses. Breathtakingly beautiful, just like the man in front of you.

“I had the boys run an errand, and had them pick this up on their way home before taking Doctor Zayne back to Linkon,” Sylus said, a soft blush staining the tips of his ears. Home. With Sylus. You decided you liked the sound of that.

The remainder of the night was spent splitting delicious food and engaging in light banter. He meticulously took care of you, even though exhaustion was evident in the dark circles under his eyes and the airy quality of his voice.

It took effort, but you finally convinced him to curl against your side, opposite to your wounds. The moment he did, his entire body relaxed into you and he fell asleep almost instantly. Days of running himself ragged finally came to an end, and you stroked his hair gently while he slept. All the while, you pondered your thoughts and assessing your emotions.

And you came to the conclusion that you were helplessly in love with the man at your side, the leader of Onychinus and the most wanted man on Earth, perhaps the universe.

[ryo-maybe]

I harbor nothing but genuine admiration for artists who are able to carve a deeply affecting narrative out of a single, enclosed location. Boundaries breed creativity, and nowhere is this more evident in the extreme epitome represented by works where said boundaries are so tightly, almost suffocatingly set. It forces one to squeeze every drop of potential out of the elements packed into a container of such limited proportions, and the intimate perspective offered to the viewer places them that much closer to the sheer rawness of the themes presented, not a single iota of waste permitted, for there is no venue for precious elements to filter outside of the box. I love works set within this challenging framework, like 12 Angry Men, Aragami, or the whole genre of The Room You Can't Escape Unless You Cum Inside 100 Times

[hitoshiyoshi]

birds of a feather | takami keigo

synopsis ↬ keigo adores your wings

warnings ↬ none ! a short idea of hawks and a winged reader, a few swear words

pairings ↬ takami keigo x winged!vigilante!reader

word count ↬ 4.5k

Working in Kyushu, Keigo was not a stranger to the impressive and unique quirks possessed by its citizens. Some strange and practically useless while others seemed to the epitome of wasted potential. He learned this all from observing the bustling city while perched at the highest points of skyscrapers. Staring down with his golden orbs, hidden from the view of cameras and nosy civilians. It felt refreshing to take a break. To exhale the stresses of the day and reminisce on his failures while hoping that tomorrow would be better. His red wings, although covered under the dark night sky, seemed to glow as they tucked into his body.

Keigo watched and waited for a call of despair. Someone to bring him out of his thoughts as he swooped down to aid them. Yet it never came, and for one night he could rest peacefully.

The morning soon approached, and he found himself lounging in Endeavor’s office. For the first time, his heavy wings seemed reluctant to unfold and fly to his destination. He didn’t want to return to the headquarters of Commission, that could wait until later. Keigo’s role model didn’t seem too pleased with his sudden desire to distract himself from work. He would’ve forced the young hero out of his office, but knowing how persistent Keigo is, Endeavor allowed him to stay.

Until the flatscreen television hanging on the brown walls began flashing with breaking news:

‘School Attacked by a Lone Villain in Kyushu. Students And Nearby Residents Injured’

Keigo could feel the blazing heat erupting from the skin of the older hero as they both watched on, stunned. A chilling sense of guilt erupted through his spirit. While the town he swore to protect was crumbling, he was nowhere present. A news anchor reported that the heroes in the area were in need of assistance and the Number 2 hero was missing. Unlike his usual demeanor, Keigo was too transfixed on the bright screen to listen to his surroundings. The young hero that seemed to take life too 'fast' found his wings bound and stiff, scared yet unmotivated to move.

“Endeavor, the heroes in Kyushu are requesting back up!” A lime-green haired sidekick burst through the door unannounced. The flames on her head flickered in distress and anguish. “There are reports of more villains in the area!”

“Got it. Dispatch the other sidekicks to Kyushu.” Endeavor turned his head towards Keigo, who was surprisingly still resting in his office. “Hawks? Hawks...?”

Calling the avian hero’s name was a waste; the words went in one of his ears and out the other. Instead, his eyes were glued to the screen. As every second passed, there were new images and updates appearing. Keigo’s shattering heart failed to take notice of Endeavor’s presence. His wings began to seize up briefly; they weren't moving but felt as if they were constricting his lungs.

As he soon began to reawaken from his thoughts of self-loathing, a picture emerged on the television that regained his attention — even making the flame hero next to him stare on in curiosity:

There you were, arms full and clutching numerous children as you escaped the burning school behind them. Each of them clung to your body in desperation as if it would be their last day. You pulled them closer to you in a painfully tight embrace while shielding them from the explosion behind, too scared that they would somehow injure themselves. As the image zoomed out, he felt his heart jitter at the sight of falling feathers coming off your back.

Your wings expanded and stretched out covering the students in your arms. The size could easily compete with his own; Keigo was certain that you surpassed him in width. You were holding them mid-flight, suspended in the air and fleeing from chaos. He didn’t understand why your face filled with an expression of pain until he noticed orange patches of flames cover some of your feathers. He knew from his own experience that they would eventually turn to ashes, but you didn’t seem to care.

In the photo, your face was covered by the dust and rubble of exploding debris. Your head tilted downwards, only displaying a large frown and gritted teeth. Some wounds on your body gushed with blood — a sharp contrast to the children who were unscathed under the shield of your wings. Only your body, which unnaturally contorted in an oddly graceful position, could be seen clearly. Your clothing was a cheaply made costume. It was quite obvious that you weren't a professional or well-known, but your movements showed nothing but pure skill.

The news aired more videos of the attack, your wings were the center of attention for Keigo's eyes. After rescuing the children in your arms, you immediately flew back into the school. Moving too fast for the camera, too fast for Keigo to see your face and majestic movements. Only a blur of your wings was captured by the cameras. You kept going, although your body ached. While the heroes in Kyushu were too busy keeping the villains at bay, your prime focus became saving the lives of the children.

Endeavor's fingers wrapped tightly around Keigo's arm before shaking him violently to pull him out of his trance. He shouted at the younger man and dragged him from his seat to accompany the rest of his sidekicks on their quick trip to Kyushu.

As his wings braced the harsh sky, they flew with an unknown sense of vigor. Soaring past tall skyscrapers that blocked his route to your destination. A glimmer of red was the only thing caught by the eyes of passersby. Keigo desperately wanted to know your identity and see you flying in person.

When he landed on the scene, one of the first heroes to arrive, the cries of some injured civilians first caught his attention. Red feathers plucked from his wings hooked under each person, raising them off the ground, and taking them to safety. Endeavor, his sidekicks, and other heroes dealt with the villains causing terror while Keigo and a few others prioritized rescue. Bustling to try and aid every wounded person, he couldn’t help but search for your majestic wings in the process.

You were no where to be found.

Vanishing into the cloudy sky once you finished your duties of the day. You made sure every single student was cared for and taken out of the building to a safe location. As if his luck was nonexistent, you took off just as he landed. If his gaze was focused on the clouds, he would’ve seen you floating above them like an angel.

The rescue finished with ease and all of the villains responsible were captured. Another routine day on the job for the others, but not for Keigo. The image of your expanded wings covering the children replayed in his mind over again, making a chill run down his spine and causing his wings to shudder. Of course, he wasn’t the only being mesmerized by your heroic performance.

From the media, to hero agencies looking to scout you, and to the parents of the students you saved wanting to thank you; everyone was transfixed on learning about the new avian hero. You were the first to arrive before anyone else, faster than Keigo who received harsh criticism for his disappearance. There was no hero name assigned to you and every single picture of you in action had your blurred your face.

The headlines of the news for the following days of the attack only focused on you:

‘Unknown Hero Bravely Rescues Students from Blazing Building’

‘Has A New Avian Hero Appeared? Shocking Details Emerge of Kyushu’s Next Hero Who Saved Children Resulting in No Casualties’

‘Is The New Winged-Hero Related to Hawks? Reports From Kyushu Believe That They Will Become His Replacement’

Of course, you were now obviously linked with Keigo. His coincidental arrival after your departure only caused these rumors to spread like wildfire. Various ones suggesting that you two were siblings or even married. Neither was true. You’d never met him before, only seeing him on television a few times just like he saw you.

Upon arriving to Commission’s headquarters, Keigo demanded a search for you. At first, they seemed reluctant but seeing his frantic state, they obliged. After extensive searching, finally they managed to retrieve a profile of someone who matched your details to a perfection. The giveaway being your stunning wings outstretched for a mandatory photo displaying your quirk.

Your name, address, age, and birthplace were all accessible for him to see. To his surprise, you weren’t from Kyushu — only passing through the town briefly. Your movements were always sporadic, a new town every few days and rarely captured on camera. Apparently, there were other sightings of your wings during minor altercations with villains or civilians in danger. Yet, you constantly wore a mask that covered your entire face. Then, Keigo realized…

You were a vigilante.

Unlicensed 'heroes' that acted without focusing on the law; no wonder Commission tried to keep you a secret from him. Although you wanted to stay hidden, they managed to collect vast amounts of information about you. Every single detail they could get their hands on. Apparently, they wanted to offer you a position as a hero under them, just like Keigo. To train and mold you under his wing; each display of your actions made them more interested in you.

In exchange, any pending charges on you for your illegal hero work would be erased. There was no way you could refuse, and even if you did, they would keep pressing. You were an opportunity that no one wanted to waste.

Commission last captured you entering a small clinic in Kyushu. Keigo figured you were still in the area, the burns to your wings were too severe for you to ignore. You weren’t seen leaving any exit of the clinic; it was only a matter of time before you flew off into the clouds again.

His wings moved before his mind was set. Unsure of where you were, Keigo knew he had to find you before you disappeared again. It wasn’t possible for you to go far, he thought. The burns on your wings made him wince; it was the enemy of your kind. Flying past the tall skyscrapers and through the dark sky clouding over Kyushu. Keigo’s flaw was being fast, just ‘too fast’. Not even his own sidekicks could keep up.

The clinic was in his view, right under him. A few of his usual fan girls screamed out his name once they saw him land. The Commission would be on him any minute if they knew what he did — a quick greeting before brushing past the eager fans wanting pictures and autographs.

There was no time, you had to be here. Just as he came to the front door, Keigo was spotted by another fan working inside.

“Hawks!? What are you doing here?” A receptionist asked, nearly spilling her drink. “Do you need help?”

“No, no… I’m looking for someone.” Keigo proceeded to tell her about you, your appearance, and the majestic wings that took his breath away.

“They were just here a minute ago. You’re too late. They wanted treatment for their wounds but refused to give identification.”

Too late. The first time he’s ever heard those words used in the same sentence as his name.

“Shit.” The receptionist kept pressing him, but Keigo was already behind. “Thanks, but I need to go.”

As soon as the cold night’s air hit his face, he was in the air. Extending his crimson wings at their full length as he entered the sky. Keigo scanned every corner and rooftop he could. You needed medication for your wings, so you most likely couldn’t fly. It shouldn’t be hard to spot you, if that was the case. The blinding lights of Kyushu strained his tired eyes, he wouldn't have a problem with that on a usual workday.

Where could you be? Always just a few seconds faster than he was, but he couldn't seem to catch up. Keigo pushed through his aching eyes; surely there was no way he would miss you again.

The glimmer of your wings caught his attention first, and then he saw you. They were tightly bandaged together, along with a few scars presumably from when you rescued those kids. You walked down a dark alley between some rundown buildings. Keigo took a chance, swooping down right into the alley with you.

"Hey," You heard Keigo land with a gust of wind sweeping under your feet. He didn't seem to appreciate your refusal to acknowledge him.

"What?" Every time you turned on the television or opened your phone, you saw him. Of course, you knew who he was.

"Gosh, do you know how hard it was to find you, baby bird? You could at least give me a warmer welcome." Keigo smirked up at you with his hand outstretched. Don't tell me he wants a hug or something, you thought.

"What do you want?" The answer to that... he wasn't sure.

"Jus' wanna have a talk with you," He points out to your wounds. "What happened to those pretty wings of yours?"

"Why do you need to know?"

Truthfully, you had no intention being rude to him, but the entire encounter made you feel odd. The flashy heroes like Hawks were the ones you disliked the most. Sure, you could respect them for their dedication and diligence, but something about it was off-putting. You didn't want to sound like Stain — you didn't think they should be killed for it — the legitimacy of their work frustrated you the most.

"I'm sure your aware of the villain attack at the school that occurred a few days ago." His tone changed, no longer sounding as friendly as he did in the beginning. "You were there, weren't you?"

"I was." Those damn reporters and their cameras. Trying to cover your face during the entire time was enough of a problem.

"Then I'm sure your aware vigilantism is illegal."

"I know. I'm willing to take that risk."

"Then let's make this easy for ourselves. I don't want to report you." Feathers fall from his wings, pointed directly at you and ready to act.

"You're really gonna fight me?"

Now, you realize why you have a disdain for heroes like him. They always acted like puppets for the law, who didn't really have a care in the world for them. To risk your life in such a pointless way. Rules are rules, fine. But how could you agree to those regulations when they impeded your morality?

"If I don't have to, I won't." If he tried, it would be over quickly. Your wings can't do much in attack, only for rescues and fleeing. They are bound to your back and if you ran, he would surely catch you.

"Seriously? I don't believe you."

"Why would I try anything? You and I are the same." Keigo didn't want to hurt you, but his job left no choice if you resisted. "I don't believe in kicking a dead man down."

It's not often that he sees someone with the same quirk as him. Keigo won't let such a pretty bird like you slip under his fingers again, just like in the past. He has you here now, and he refuses to let you out of his sight — no matter what happens.

"Then? How do you suggest we solve this?"

"Those wings won't heal if you keep them like that. I know you're trying to treat them on your own." His feathers return to his wings, and he stretches his arms out in a welcoming manner. "If you come with me, I can help heal them."

"No thanks, I'm not stupid enough to fall for that." You start to turn away from him, but he calls for you.

"I'd never tell a lie to you, birdie. I can take you to my house and give you any medicine I have. If you change your mind, just tell me and I'll let you go."

On a normal day, you would've gone home and treated yourself, but these burns were taking forever to heal. It could easily become an infection if you weren't careful. You sighed, bracing yourself for your arrest and the end of your career as a vigilante. Keigo wouldn't let his happiness slip out as you reluctantly nodded along to his agreement.

In a swift move, he lifts you up bridal-style off the ground and takes off into the night again. It's been too long since you had flown, Keigo has pity on you. Although, this was your first time being carried in this way. He was gentle and soared slow enough for you to take in the beauty of the city at night; you've always been 'too fast for your own good'.

Seeing your eyes fill with wonder at the sight of the city, Keigo says, "I take it you don't fly here often?"

"Usually, I don't. I try not to get spotted. Can't really stay in one place for a long time."

"It's a shame, pretty bird. I'm not sure what I would do if I lost my wings like that."

"Whatever, they'll grow back."

"That's not what I mean," He dips down, expanding his wings for a soft landing. "Those who can fly, should fly. We shouldn't keep ourselves trapped to the ground."

Keigo sets you down carefully. He lands just outside a small building in a region of Kyushu that you haven’t explored yet. Scanning the environment, it’s quiet here; the noise of traffic is faint and hardly any citizens walk freely. You can hear the soft sounds of crickets chirping nearby. It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing environment, but it was suitable for the peace Keigo needed.

He leads you to the front door, you two walk to the side of the building. The entrance is tucked away, out of the view of any passersby — although there seemed to be none. Keigo briefly thought about bringing you back to the ‘fake’ apartment Commission gave him when he first started working for them, but the idea was quickly shot down. Who knows if that place had been bugged?

The flights of stairs downwards and the maze of hallways makes your head spin. Ah, fuck. He was probably taking you to some secret place where the police would ambush you or some shit. If it wasn’t obvious to you now, it was certainly over.

When you reach the entrance of his apartment, he fumbles in his pockets for the keys. After unlocking the door, Keigo motions for you to go in first — he was trying to be a gentleman of course. You refused to move though, and he couldn’t blame you. He would be on the edge too if he were you.

He took the first step inside his apartment. The familiar scent of his surroundings made his mind ease, but only for a second.

There were no other people inside, as you previously thought. It didn’t take much to realize this, anyways. The whole apartment lacked something essential, furniture. For such a flashy hero, you were shocked. Surely this wasn’t his. The living room only contained a rug, a small desk on top of it, and a singular cushion for him to sit.

You peek around the corner to find the kitchen, the only appliances are an electric tea kettle and a microwave. There was no need for you to look through his other rooms; you already had an idea of what they might look like.

“Jus’ let me grab my first-aid kit first.” He ushers you to sit down on the soft cushion.

There’s a small night table in the corner of the room. The lamp on the table and ceiling light were the only sources of light in the whole room. His home is located underground, there are no windows. It didn’t seem real at first, you thought he was lying to you.

Keigo opens the drawer and pulls out a first-aid kit. Most of the items have been used, but thankfully you don't need those. Commission purposefully included medication that was needed to help manage his wings.

"It feels like an asylum in here." You manage to say, trying to feel at ease in the cramped space.

"I don't spend much time in here, so I never felt the need to decorate." Keigo walks to you, holding a jar of ointment in his hand.

Carefully, you remove the bandages — some are completely red and damp with blood. When did it get this bad? You were used to enduring the pain, but maybe you took it too far?

"Doesn't it feel lonely in here?"

"Well, not if I've been working all day." Keigo tries to apply the substance to your wings, but he pauses at the sight. It was hard to believe that the once grandiose wings that protected those victims, could get ruined like this. "Dove, you haven't taken good care of yourself..."

His voice sounds... disappointed. You haven't dealt with an injury like this before and your friends, who were also vigilantes, had no idea how to care for you. That was how rare bird-types like you and Hawks were. A once in a lifetime encounter, especially in Kyushu.

"I realize that now..."

"This might hurt a little. I'm all out of painkillers." He really doesn't want to do this, but he's left with no choice. "There's too much blood. They didn't heal properly." A sharp stinging pain erupts in all the places he's plucked your feathers. Keigo places them in a small pile on the ground.

Finally, he can some flesh that's been hiding under your feathers. Raw and charred from the fire. Keigo applies the ointment on his fingertips before massaging it into your skin, gently. Your body tenses up at the uncomfortable feeling, but it isn't anything that you aren't used to. Once he's finished, he wraps the wounded areas in new bandages while allowing for some to breathe.

"Thanks..." You rest on the floor for a while. Keigo puts away all his materials back to their spot.

A few minutes pass; you two have started a new conversation now. He tries to ask more about your personal life, but you gave vague answers. Despite the fact that he was kind enough to heal you, you still couldn't trust him. Keigo makes his home more welcoming for you; there's no need for you to worry about the Commission or police, they don't know about the secret home he's made for himself. In fact, you were the first guest to enter — not even brief hookups or close friends knew.

Keigo was aware that it was wrong. If Commission learned that he allowed a vigilante to become this close to him, they would light a fire under his ass. Yet, he got rush from it all. This whole time, he was worried about his impression on you, but could he even trust you? It wouldn't be a smart choice for you to deceive him under these circumstances. There was something about you that he found exciting — the fact that you were not caged.

Free to stretch your wings as far as they could go without being held back by any institution, Keigo was jealous. Not a care in the world; nothing to hold you back from helping those in need.

Simply being near you gave Keigo a surge of adrenaline that he wanted to be high on, forever. He's already decided that he wants to keep you. After all, he can't help but get what he wants.

When you were finally ready to leave in the morning, he just couldn't accept that. Following you around on his free time like a lost fawn. Didn't he have work to do? He tells you it's all assigned to his sidekicks and someone name Tsukuyomi, there's no need for you to worry. You aren't interested in a friendship. Well, you might’ve considered if he hadn't been so pushy. At first, Keigo claimed it was just a way for him to monitor your progress with healing. But as your feathers grew back over the next few days, fuller than before, he wouldn't budge.

Of course, Commission has kept their eyes on him. It's against the code of conduct for a hero to be aware of a vigilante, but refuse to turn them in. Whichever way he wanted to look at it, the entire relationship shouldn't have gone this far. Surely, he would've been scolded by the Commission at some point. Keigo came up with the perfect lie:

"It's just for work and nothin' else. We could make a great team. It's a good opportunity now that we have been trying to scout them for so long..."

It was true; Commission had their eyes on you for a while now, even willing to overlook your lack of licensing. They were capable of pulling a few strings, just for you. Even considering forging documents and finding loopholes in the system to exploit and have you on their team. Each time, you declined. Keigo had respect for you. He didn't have much of a choice on his outcome in life. He gave you praises for being firm.

All he needed to do was win you over.

His detective skills were immaculate. After you completely healed your wings, you went back to your vigilante work. Thankfully, your schedules were too conflicting for him to keep up. As he was making progress with the League of Villains, he had less time dedicated to you. That took a while, you thought. Now it was all over...

Hawks was one persistent fucker. What he wants, he gets. That was certainly a strong motto to live by. It didn't take long for him to hear news of villain attacks. He always learns of it first; news travels fast, just like him. They all happened to be villains you were fighting and investigating — he really went out of his way to screw up your work. You couldn't do anything with all these heroes around!

Each time, he soared with you in his arms. Pretending as if it was the first time he'd ever flown with you. He knew you could handle yourself at this point, but he just wouldn't let go this time. Scooping you up like a damsel in distress. You tried to slap his arms away, but he wouldn't budge. Even if it was difficult for him to fly with your heavy wings taking most of the space, Keigo didn't mind. Fed up, you slapped his chest and ordered him to put you down:

"Hawks! Put me down! God, why can't you leave me alone?" This time, you yell into his chest as he pulls you tighter to him.

"There's a simple answer for that, dove. I want to say that we're the same. But that's just not true, you're more resilient than me." Keigo slows down and lands on top of the highest point of a tall, skyscraper. He won't give up and release you, though. "Birds of a feather, gotta stick together, right?"

[theallyandhisbeast]

About bucktommy and 911 in general

You know, in the end, this just feels extremely cheap and cruel.

Showing bucktommy be incandescently happy in all the episodes but 8.6? Even in this ep you can feel how much they care and genuinely love each other. Audience was largely optimistic and excited about them, in a way we have never seen for other buck's LI.

Only to what? Throw it all away because you can't be bothered to write a satisfactory arc for them? Because Buck is the epitome of the guy who dates a lot but always gets broken up with? That to be able to decide if you want to be in a committed relationship if you are bi you have to explore first or else your decision is null and void?

What a way to waste potential and your characters arc.

The special thing about Tommy was that he was beloved by not only bucktommy fans, but GA, and most importantly he was a sort of representation we don't see all that much in media. People loved him because they saw themselves in him, they could connect to his journey and they were genuinely rooting for him to find love and family with Buck. To waste it all away, and to do so by basically throw at us all that we loved about them is unnecessarily cruel.

What hurts the most is that even buck and tommy themselves didn't want to break up. but instead they "must" because bowing down to harmful stereotypes about bi people who are "confused and so they must experiment before settling" is more important than telling a compelling story.

Even without bt break up, I feel like this season took a sharp dive for the worst about well thought storylines in a way that baffles him. Gerrard was reduced to a joke, as was Ortiz, both pgs that could have been used to create compelling arcs that intertwined the 118 even more but instead we got this cheap throwaway joke of a Gerrard, Ortiz was basically throw out of office in a single ep. Hotshot sl could have been fun but instead it's just.... there. And coming back too just for funsies, cause apparently that sl was more important to develop instead of a interesting queer relationship.

Athena once again doing copaganda. Bobby coming back to the 118 without any particular struggle or even guilt about dropping the bag. Things said in interviews that we expect to happen and never even made it to the screen (Eddie's loneliness? Chim and Hen having conflict over Mara? Buck feeling guilty about injuring Gerrard?).

The way Maddie cannot have any sl that is not either tied to a man or about motherhood. Madney having another surprise baby instead of them choosing on purpose to expand their family. Hen & Karen gaining trauma after trauma about their children and not having any other sl that is not tied to that. Josh just existing in the periphery and only becoming important as the "insightful token gay" but not having any type of meaningful screen time since Carson.

The other side characters like Sue, Ravi, Linda, Carla completely disappearing without anyone mentioning them. Ravi has not been given any important sl ever since he talked about having cancer and ever since reduced as a comic relief without anything to add to his character but he's a "landlord".

Chris is out of the picture for who knows how long, and is basically kept around to be traumatized over and over again. Eddie hasn't gotten any character development until first s5 and seemingly now, but i'd argue that the whole thing just felt rushed because what do you mean it takes one chat with a priest for him to do a 180° while he still isn't talking to Chris? And Eddie was the one who got the best treatment of all of them this season.

It's the way this show is slowly chipping itself away. It's the way they start a queer story line promising it would be impactful and handled with care and then half-assing it a best. It's the way the other queer characters are never explored and able to breath and revel in their queerness in the first place. Because, really, when was the last time Hen and Karen kissed on screen? When was the last time they went on a date? When was the last time their arcs were not about children or getting hurt, but just about them as individuals? And on this thread what about Maddie? Or Josh? Or Chim? Or Eddie?

Everything feels reused again and again and again without no real development than then starting the circle all over in half a season.

What a waste.

[onegayastronaut]

Under the Weight

Requested by anon: fanfic request please --You faint while on the job with Maya, worrying both Carina and Maya

Words: 1476

I have a hyperfixation on Carina at the moment lmao...I need her to **** my ****** and ***** me on a daily basis

The alarm blared through Station 19, jolting everyone into action. Maya Bishop moved like a lightning bolt, the epitome of efficiency as she called out assignments. “Jack, you’re with me! Sullivan, grab the hose team! Y/N, you’re on search and rescue with Gibson. Let’s move, people!”

You nodded sharply, adrenaline already coursing through your veins. As a firefighter-paramedic, this was what you lived for. The call was for a residential fire, a potential family of four trapped inside. The stakes were high—just the way Maya liked it.

As the team piled into the engine, Maya’s sharp voice cut through the tense atmosphere. “This is a full-team effort. No cutting corners. Lives depend on us.” Her words carried the usual authority, but you caught the faintest edge of worry as her gaze flicked to you. Maya’s protective nature had only intensified since your relationship began. While she trusted your abilities, she couldn’t turn off the part of her that cared deeply.

Carina, stationed in the aid car, gave you a reassuring look before you rolled out. Her presence was a balm in the chaos. You carried the warmth of her gaze with you as the engine sped toward the inferno.

The fire roared as you arrived on scene, thick black smoke billowing out of the two-story home. It was a chaotic symphony: screaming neighbors, hissing water, and the crackle of consuming flames. Maya wasted no time, barking orders with precision.

“Y/N, Gibson, second floor!” she shouted through her mask. “Find them and get them out!”

You didn’t hesitate, following Gibson into the blaze. The heat was oppressive, your gear feeling like a furnace, but you powered through. You trusted your training, your instincts, and your team. Room by room, you searched, the smoke stinging your eyes and stealing your breath despite the mask.

“Found one!” Gibson called out, hefting a child into his arms. “I’m taking them down!”

“Go!” you replied, your voice muffled but firm. Alone now, you pushed forward, searching for the remaining family members. You found a woman and her infant huddled in a corner, their faces streaked with soot.

“I’ve got you,” you said, your voice gentle despite the urgency. You carefully scooped up the infant, helping the mother to her feet. “Stay close to me. We’re getting out of here.”

The journey back was a gauntlet. The heat was unbearable, and your vision swam as you struggled to keep your breathing steady. You emerged into the cool night air just as Gibson returned for backup.

“Great work, Y/N,” he said, taking the infant from you to hand over to paramedics. You nodded, trying to catch your breath.

Maya was at your side instantly, her sharp eyes scanning you. “You okay?” she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

“Yeah, just… hot,” you replied, waving her off. But the world tilted dangerously, and you staggered. Maya’s hands shot out to steady you.

“Hey! Stay with me, Y/N,” she said, her voice rising in alarm.

The edges of your vision blurred, and the last thing you saw was Carina rushing toward you from the aid car.

When you came to, it was to the sound of Carina’s voice, calm yet laced with worry. “Y/N, can you hear me?”

You blinked, the sterile white of the Station’s aid room coming into focus. Carina’s dark eyes were inches from yours, her hand warm against your cheek. Maya stood behind her, arms crossed but her face betraying her anxiety.

“What happened?” you croaked.

“You fainted,” Carina said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Heat exhaustion, likely compounded by dehydration. When was the last time you ate? Or drank water?”

You tried to think but came up blank. Maya groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Damn it, Y/N. How many times have we told you to take care of yourself?”

“I’m fine,” you said, attempting to sit up. But Carina gently pushed you back down.

“You are not fine,” she countered as she forced her voice down despite her frustration. “You’re staying here until I’m sure you’re stable.”

“We’re not losing you to a preventable mistake,” Maya added, her voice softer now but no less firm. “You scared the hell out of us.”

The sincerity in her tone made your chest tighten. You knew Maya cared deeply, but this felt more personal. Her eyes bore into yours, a mixture of anger and fear swirling in their depths. Carina’s hand never left yours, her thumb brushing soothing circles over your skin.

Carina’s voice broke the moment. “You need rest and fluids. No arguments.”

You nodded reluctantly, the fight draining out of you. As Carina set up an IV, Maya pulled up a chair beside the cot. “You’re benched for the rest of the shift,” she said. “And maybe longer, depending on what Carina says.”

“Maya—”

“Don’t,” she interrupted. “You’re not invincible, Y/N. None of us are.”

Her words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. You met her gaze, seeing the vulnerability she rarely let show. It wasn’t just about the job. It was about you.

Carina squeezed your hand gently, drawing your attention back to her. “Promise us you’ll take better care of yourself.”

You swallowed hard, the weight of their concern settling over you. “I promise.”

The rest of the night was uneventful, but the memory of their worry lingered. Maya’s protective streak and Carina’s nurturing care were constants in your life, but seeing them so deeply affected by your lapse hit you hard. They loved you, and you loved them—a bond that went beyond words.

Over the next few days, their concern manifested in different ways. Maya’s sharp reminders to drink water and take breaks became routine, while Carina packed you meals with little notes tucked inside: “Stay strong.”

At first, it was overwhelming. You weren’t used to being the center of such focused care. But gradually, you came to see it for what it was: they loved you.

One evening, as you sat between them on the couch at home, Carina’s head resting on your shoulder and Maya’s hand entwined with yours, you reflected on how far you’d come together. Maya’s sharp edges had softened with you and Carina, and Carina’s nurturing spirit provided the glue that held the three of you together. You were a team in every sense, each of you bringing something vital to the relationship.

“I’ve been thinking,” Maya said, breaking the comfortable silence. “Maybe we should all take a few days off. Go somewhere. Just us.”

Carina perked up, her dark eyes lighting with excitement. “I like this idea. A vacation would be good for all of us.”

You smiled at the thought. “Where would we even go?”

“Anywhere with no fires, no emergencies, and no stress,” Maya said. Her gaze softened as she looked at you. “We’ve been through a lot. I think we deserve a break.”

Carina nodded, squeezing your hand. “We do. And you, my love, need to learn how to relax.”

You chuckled, the warmth of their love washing over you. “Alright, let’s do it. A getaway sounds perfect.”

The trip turned out to be exactly what you all needed. A small cabin by a serene lake provided the perfect escape. Maya’s competitive streak came out during kayaking races, while Carina reveled in teaching you both how to make authentic Italian meals in the cabin’s rustic kitchen.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon and painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, the three of you sat on the porch wrapped in blankets. The world felt still, the only sounds the gentle lapping of water and the occasional chirp of crickets.

Maya broke the silence, her voice soft. “I don’t say it enough, but I’m so grateful for both of you. You’ve changed my life in ways I never expected.”

Carina reached for her hand, her other arm draped around your shoulders. “We’ve all changed each other. That’s what love does.”

You leaned into them, your heart full. “I’m the luckiest person alive to have you both. Thank you for… everything.”

Maya kissed your temple, her lips lingering. “We’re in this together, always.”

As the stars emerged one by one, you knew this was what mattered most: the love you shared, the family you’d built. No fire, no challenge, could ever burn brighter than this.

By the time your next shift rolled around, you were back to full strength. But the experience had left its mark. You made a conscious effort to hydrate, eat, and rest when needed—not just for yourself, but for the people who cared about you.

Maya and Carina were quick to notice. “Good to see you listening for once,” Maya teased, though her smile was warm.

Carina simply hugged you, her relief palpable. “I love you both,” you replied, pulling them close.

[castiellesbian]

We can say this about many characters but Victor Henricksen was truly the epitome of wasted potential

[frownyalfred]

Yeah! I’m lucky that I have a friend who purposely signed up to hear me autistically rant about the movie for a few hours. Like ON PURPOSE that’s what they wanted to do. And I get that enjoyment out of it and so do they. Which makes me very happy. But also like. I feel like they wasted such a super great cast of actors on movies I feel miss so much important stuff about the characters they even bothered to include. Also like. Rachel. Why does she need to be there to teach Bruce to have empathy. Why is she the epitome of a woman being fridged over and over. Idk if I can watch the rest of these again now that I know too much about Batman

I once saw someone on here say Rachel was inserted into those movies because they couldn't get away with having Bruce fall in love with Harvey and after that I truly can't unsee it. Especially when there's so much canon affection built up between them in the comics. Bruce could've been childhood friends with Harvey but instead Rachel was. Which, she was fine -- but imagine the tension between Harvey and Bruce when one starts his "Gotham's White Knight" crusade and Bruce is Batman! Bruce was going to hang up the cowl because he believed in Harvey SO much. He thought he was a bandaid and Harvey was their future. Harvey could've grown up with Bruce and leaned on him heavily as he started his campaign. They could have been ripped apart by Harvey's injury, and Bruce could have returned to the cowl because his friend was no longer who he'd hoped he'd be. Agh, I'm not saying it well here, but the potential was THERE. It didn't even have to be romantic. It could have been a close platonic bond superimposed over the relationship they both had with their city, and with the other's masks through that very city. AGHHH.

[s1utlvr]

Chemtrails Over the Country Club ﹏

Luke Castellan X fem!aphrodite reader

In which Luke comes to recruit you.

a/n: Honestly this fic is so unserious and unhinged 😭😭 also listen. Idk how this got so long but it did. Also don’t know how this got so angsty but it did. Anyways takes place during sea of monsters just some heated making out and arguing mentions of bullying kinda Luke being well Luke. This was supposed to be inspired by I can see you by Taylor swift but then it got really long and angsty so here’s a little playlist of all the songs that inspired this. (Listen in order or don’t idc) Not proofread yeah that’s it lmk if I missed something.

Reflections- The Neighborhood

Chemtails Over the Country Club -Lana Del Rey

Money power Glory- Lana Del Rey

I Can See You - Taylor swift

Listening time- 17 mins

Word Count- 4.9k

~~~~𖠳~~~~~~~~𖠳~~~~~~~~𖠳~~~~~𖠳~~~~~~~~𖠳~~~~~~~

There was no one at camp who hadn’t heard the story of the night Percy Jackson returned.

It was a night of triumph as the son of Poseidon had saved Olympus and prevented war, until Luke castellan outed himself as the lighting thief and disappear.

And just like triumph came it diminished and once more there was talk of war.

But between all of this there was just something you couldn’t wrap your head around.

After the summer solstice most people left feeling frazzled, those like you who stayed for the remainder of the term continued picking sides preparing for the war that was said to come just like before Percy had returned.

Just like all the other cabins yours had come to a consensus as well, despite the fact your mother was a war goddess most were against a war out of hatred and spite for the gods and while you agreed part of you couldn’t help but feel…different.

Sure you were against a war breaking out any sane person would be, but part of you couldn’t help but sympathize with Luke.

See for a while you were your mother’s pride and joy, the epitome of what it meant to be Aphrodites daughter. You were charming, sweet, and had a beauty that could only come from the goddess of love and beauty herself and you lived for for the love and attention of your peers and your mother til you realized that was all you had to offer, and once someone sweeter, kinder, prettier came along you were left with nothing.

Your mother gave you everything, and then she took it all away.

It was humiliating being the “dumb Aphrodite kid” constantly being ridiculed for being shallow and vain but how could you not when all you were left with was your beauty?

You couldn’t even recount the amount of times you had sobbed and sobbed and sobbed about it the amount of times that you had prayed to something that you hoped could be bigger than the gods to give you a different parent someone who could gift you with knowledge or wisdom or skill or creativity just something that could make you feel like you were more like you were worthy, for a while you even considered joining the hunt. It wasn’t like your mother would ever let anyone endure the misery that would be loving you.

However despite all of this Luke still saw you.

You weren’t exactly friends throughout your time at camp half-blood but he treated you a hell of a lot better than most of his siblings whom would just look at you and whistle.

Whenever you two would spar he’d always give you a real challenge not letting you stop until you finally beat him and it was during the brief conversations after these moments where you found yourself seeing bits of you in him.

You were both runaways desperate to cling to something,desperate for glory, nobodies son and nobodies daughter; the wasted potential of your parents.

It was for this reason that you found yourself laying awake in the middle of the night pondering about Luke. War was bad for everyone there was no question about it and no sane person would just start of war out of spite. You knew it wasn’t right but part of you felt like he had to have had a reason for his doings something that had to have pushed him over the edge.

You hated to admit it but for the months he’s was gone you were miserable. You were loosing yourself without your conversations with Luke and worst of all you were loosing your beauty.

Sure it sounded vain but it was an odd phenomenon that occurred one in a million. See Aphrodites kids lived off of love, self and that of others it was one of the things that helped them thrive, and seeing as you were lacking both your hair began to thin and your face had begun hollowing out,suddenly you really started to feel for Luke.

It was your last straw, and what you would go on to say was your reason for the decision you made the night you saw him.

It was Labor Day weekend which also happened to be the last weekend before most began returning to camp and it was tradition for the year round campers to throw a final intimate campfire.

You had tried to ride out the night with some of your siblings but you had found it to be just as insufferable so you made your way back to your cabin.

It was quiet for a change, and for a minute it felt quite peaceful as you felt yourself closing your eyes until you heard the cabin door open once more.

You had expected to look up and see one of your siblings but instead, it was him.

You wore a shocked expression on your face your eyes looking his body up and down.

it was really him.

You didn’t know how to react he looked the same wearing sweatpants and a gray hoodie that hugged his arms a bit tighter, he had been training.

Despite the fact that he looked the same you knew he wasn’t, all you knew was that he was out for blood and he was standing infront of you.

Breathing was getting harder, as you moved back onto your bed your eyes stuck on the man infront of you.

“What…what do you want with me?” You asked still completely dumbfounded.

“Relax…..i have no intentions of hurting you.”

His expression remained the same, he was calm and collected. You felt absolutely insane.

“Why are you here Luke” you asked trying to match his tone and failing as the shakiness of your voice came through.

“I’m here to recruit you.”

You swallowed a lump in your throat. “Why me?”

“Because I think you can help me. You see when people see you all they see is a pretty face……they underestimate you, but i can see you y/n. And as far as I’m concerned you’re the smartest demigod i know” He sounded so sure of himself for a second you almost believed him.

“You’re lying” You scoffed as you watched his expression change he wasn’t as calm as he was before, he persistent on recruiting you

“Would you look around y/n? You’re the only one who even knows I’m here. Everyone else is oblivious not just to this but everything. You see the world differently, you understand me y/n i need you.”

“But why would should I?” It was vain. You needed no more convincing.

“If you join me no one is ever gonna dare look at you the wrong way, ever. I won’t let them underestimate you y/n.”

It wasn’t right. You knew it in your gut it wasn’t.

But for once in your life you felt seen,wanted, you had the chance to do something that was bigger than yourself.

“When do we leave?”

“It’s not quite like that, I need eyes on the inside….just for now until Percy arrives…not that he’ll be staying long.” Your expression dimmed as he spoke.

“You have to trust me on this”

“How do you know you can trust me?”

“I don’t, but I do know something.”

“You’re your mother’s daughter. As much as we all despise them it doesn’t change the facts. And the fact is you Aphrodite kids are too loyal for your own good.

He could read you like a book, yet there was something freeing about the vulnerability you felt, like he was setting you free.

“I’m in”

He walked closer to you placing a few golden drachmas into your hand before closing your palm.

“I expect to hear from you soon.”

You had no idea what you had gotten yourself into.

The next couple of weeks were quiet, until they weren’t.Thalias tree had been poisoned and monsters were getting closer and closer each day,something told you it was Luke behind it. If you were right it was redundant to call him but something inside of you was telling you to call him anyways, so you grabbed a golden drachma from the pile that had been hiding away in your vanity followed by a prism of clear quartz and hoped for the best.

“Oh iris goddess of the rainbow please accept my offering” A rainbow reflected upon the window next to your bunk.

“Give me Luke Castellan, Princess andromeda, New York Harbor”

When you got to Luke he was in a meeting and didn’t notice your message at first but he looked different. His curls were shorter,shiner, like he had started taking care of them. He was wearing an emerald button up, trousers, and loafers that you could’ve sworn were gucci. To say he looked attractive was an understatement.

“It’s about time” He said startling you a bit as you had begun to zone out.

“I think you know why im calling, Thalias tree is dying”

“Perfect” a smirk landed on his face.

“That’s not it though. The barrier’s diminishing there’s talk about having twenty-four seven security on half blood hill and Clarisse is already there like every hour of the day”

His expression changed.

“How fast can you get to New York harbor?”

“I’m not finished. Chiron doesn’t want Percy going to camp this year, says it too dangerous.”

That was it, his eyes darkened as his mind wandered aimlessly in panic. He looked no where near as confident as he did just minutes ago.

“Pack up im calling a car, we’ll figure out what to do about Percy once you’re here”

You watched as his face quickly faded from the kaleidoscope of colors. Something was wrong very wrong but whatever it was he trusted you with it, and you trusted him.

Packing was always your specialty, you’d had the ability to pack your entire life into a duffel bag since you had started coming to camp; shoes,toiletries makeup, on bottom, in the upper part underwear, pants,dresses, shirts, in that order, and right on-top the thing that was missing this go around. The bright orange colored “Camp Half-Blood” shirts.

There was something almost liberating about being able to abandon them on your bed. Maybe that’s why the gods always abandoned their children.

It wasn’t hard slipping out from camp, not than anyone really noticed you nowadays but it was dinner hour, and by the time it was over you were already boarding the Princess Andromeda where you were greeted by a cabin stewardess.

“Good evening Ms. Y/n. We’ve been expecting you” She was tall blonde and had dry almost scale-y hands, something told you she wasn’t exactly human but you didn’t have to be afraid anymore.

She took your bags and led you to your room, the decor ironically reminiscent of the Poseidon cabin.

“Mr Castellan needs you in the orlop at ten but until then feel free to enjoy any and all amenities, enjoy your stay.”

You nodded as you watched her leave the room closing the door behind you.

You began to unpack while simultaneously trying to figure out what to wear. You weren’t exactly sure what the dress code was for a meeting to plan the downfall of Percy Jackson but based off of what you’d seen Luke wearing in your iris message you assumed business formal.

You didn’t know what you were thinking when you’d pack the dress, it was a gift from your mother from when she’d actually bothered to try and have a relationship with you. It was a long black dress with chains around the waist. You hadn’t worn it in months. The words that came out of her mouth as she handed it to you played in your head on repeat.

“Your beauty is all powerful. What you do with that is of your choosing but choose wisely.”

You weren’t sure if you believed that anymore, if you believed her at all. But the dress felt appropriate.

You let your hair down and got ready applying some light makeup, something you hadn’t done since last summer. Meanwhile you’d thought about what people had said about Luke last summer, wondering if they’d say the same things about you once they found out, if they’d call you a “traitor” and a “monster” But If what you were doing was so wrong then how come you finally felt like yourself again?

A bit later the stewardess who had greeted you earlier escorted you down some corridors to the bottom deck to an old maintenance room that was now being used as a lair of sorts.

Inside Luke was sitting crouched over in a chair with his head down,next to him was Chris Rodriguez one if his siblings you’d seen around camp and two other men who appeared to be older than you three.

Tensions were high, you felt it as soon as you walked in.

As he heard you walk in Luke looked up adjusting himself as he looked your body up and down.

“Good you’re here. Take a seat we don’t have much time.” He said as he motioned to the seat next to him.

You sat down, the other two men watching you closely.

“How much do you know?” One of the anonymous men asked.

“Percy was supposed to go back to camp at the end of this week, Thursday. Chiron has been trying to convince Sally Jackson otherwise but Percy Himself isn’t aware of the state of camp.” You said

“He doesn’t get to camp he can’t take the bait and all of this is fucked we need a plan and we need it now.” Luke was getting agitated.

“We need to make him not going not an option.” Chris added.

“Exactly” luke replied

It was silent for a moment, the sound of Luke tapping his foot filled the room until one of the men spoke.

“I know some people we can call up, get him in some trouble at school. If he’s still under the impression camp is safe he’ll go running to Chiron.”

You watched as a wave of relief washed over Luke’s face.

“Get to it we don’t have time to waste.”

The man nodded before walking out of the room followed by the other man.

“Hey man I’m gonna go grab a drink you want?”

“Yeah I’ll meet you there” Luke said to him as Chris nodded before walking out.

You watched as he left your eyes locking on Luke once you heard the door shut. He looked even better than he did in the iris message now that you were seeing him in person. You couldn’t help but imagine things that would make even your mom blush.

“You came” He said as he turned to face you.

You sound suprised”

“Not surprised, relieved. Without your intel Percy wouldve had us chasing our own tail. I’m glad you made it.” He sounded sweet, genuine. It was hard to believe he was the same person people had talking about at camp.

“Glad I’m here.” You said shooting him a soft smile as he stood up offering out his hand, you took it as you stood up.

“You wanna come with?” He asked motioning to the door.

“I’m ok, I’ll see you later”

“I tried” He said with a fake dramatic sigh as he held his hand to his heart you rolled your eyes at his antics.

“You look good y/n” He said before exiting the room.

His words shouldn’t have made your heart flutter like they did, you were nothing more to him than a pawn, but if he could get something out of this why couldn’t you?

You decided to grab a jacket from your room and make your way up to the deck, it was late and empty for the most part as you settled on the ledge of the boat looking out at the New York skyline in the distance, the Brooklyn bridge illuminating the night sky. As much as you may have hated the gods you had to give them some credit. They picked a beautiful city to move Olympus too.

“What are you doing?” You heard from behind you as you turned to face Luke.

“Admiring the view” you responded letting out a sigh at the look of his face of disdain.

“It’s not safe out here, they’ll smell you.” He said as he walked towards you his expression ever so slowly relaxing.

“nothing you can’t handle.” You replied with a smirk. It was true, Luke was the best swordsmen you knew there wasn’t a monster he couldn’t handle.

“Doesn’t mean you can just go around getting into trouble, what am I your saving grace?”

Hearing those words come out of his mouth made you blush, he really did save you.

Cmon, you ought to get back to your room” he said as hey began walking back inside.

“It’s ok I’ll find my way around” you said as you scurried infront of him.

“Nonsense youre staying next to me I’ll walk you” Luke replied continuing to walk as you stopped in your tracks.

“You know I can look out for myself”

“Believe me I know, you wouldn’t be here if you couldn’t…..it just helps me sleep at night.” There was something comforting about his words that made you smile as you caught up to him.

“Kinda sounds like you do wanna save” you teased as you walked alongside him.

“Did I not?” He replied making a fake face of confusion causing you to roll your eyes.

“Yeah you totally did” you said as you entered the hallway your rooms were on.

“Get some rest, things should be pretty calm til we get to Miami.” Luke said resting his arm on your shoulder.

“What’re we doing in Miami?” You asked.

“Just….rest up”

“I’ll see you in the morning then” You said as you walked down to your room glancing at him down the hallway one last time before entering.

You couldn’t think straight, you couldn’t think about anything at all really. Only his words that replayed in your head over and over and over and the way his lips seemed to glisten and the way his shirt hugged his arms and most of all fthe fact that there was nearly a thin wall separating you and Luke, and the things you’d be able to hear through it.

For the first time in months you slept like a rock knowing you weren’t alone knowing there was someone looking out for you. Sure you weren’t helpless but you weren’t against the idea of Luke wanting to look out for you.

The rest of the day was nice, peaceful, for the most part that was until evening.

Word got around Annabeth had single handled gotten Percy back to camp and they were figuring out things too quickly which called for an emergency meeting meaning Luke practically dragged you out of your room while you were half dressed leaving you in a tank top and some sweatpants.

“Wait so what’s happening?” You asked as you scurried to the lower deck

“Clarisse was sent on a quest to go obtain the Golden Fleece for Thalias tree”

“Which is good for us right?”

“Wrong, cause we had assumed Percy would go”

“So what now?”

“‘thing is because of that we had started to reroute only to find out the impertinent shit and his entourage are planning on joining her” He said slamming open the door to the old maintence room and slamming it just as quickly as she opened it.

“Listen Luke our options are limited-“ Chris stated as you entered the room.

“You think I don’t know that?” Luke hissed.

“I’m just saying our best bet is to lure him on board when he gets to the harbor.”

You scowled at his words. “We can’t do that”

“Says who?” Chris scoffed

“It’s not logical. We’d be risking everything we know little nothing we don’t know who or what he could have with him all we know is who he is and he is not to be underestimated for this to work we need more. We might aswell be serving ourselves up on a silver platter”

“She has a point” One of the guys from yesterday responded as you felt Chris’ piercing eyes on you.

“Why should we listen to her? She’s always just been a dumb Aphrodite girl what like that changed overnight”

Your heart sank. Just like that you were back at camp.

“Excuse me?”

“Y/n-“ Luke said reaching out for your arm only to be pushed away.

“No what the fuck did you just say? Aphrodite may be my mother but atleast I know who my godly parent it. You’re just an unclaimed kid who Hermes took pity on so if I were you I wouldn’t be talking.”

“What did you just say to me?”

“This is a fucking joke you’re a fucking joke-“ You cursed as you stormed out Luke following quickly behind you.

“What the fuck was that?” He shouted as you walked into your room

“I don’t know you tell me”

“You can’t do that”

“I thought we had an agreed no more of that bullshit but i guess since it’s your best fucking friend that doesn’t apply to him huh?”

“What’s it gonna take for you to keep your fucking mouth shut huh?” He shouted cornering you into a wall.

You were tongue tied. For the first time you’d seen the monster people had described at camp for months. But under the anger in his eyes you saw something else, a deep hunger and desire.

“I’m sorry-“

“Luke” you cried out as you swallowed a lump in your throat causing it to come out as more of a breathy moan.

You watched his eyes lighten as the anger turned into pure lust in his eyes your shaky hand making its way up to his neck only to be met by his wrist.

“If his happens you will be putting yourself into immediate danger, and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe but not a single person can know. You are my weakness and if someone figured that out I cannot assure you that you won’t end up dead and I can’t loose anyone else y/n especially not you, but you have to understand I will not have you mess this operation up do you understand?”

You couldn’t speak.

“I said do you understand?” His voice was louder harsher.

“Yes”

The moment the word slipped off your tongue his lips were pressed against yours with full force. There was absolutely nothing romantic about the way his hands gripped at your sides and the way his lips gnawed at your skin. It was pure lust and desire.

And it was everything you had ever wished for.

you despised your mother, but for once in your life you couldn’t thank her enough.

It was rushed and sloppy but Luke had never needed anything in his life so badly like he needed you.

He could’ve kissed you forever and it still wouldn’t have been enough, his tongue longing for the taste of you the moment you pulled away from him.

“Not a word about this.”

“Maybe you’ll just have to keep me quiet.”

[rottenpumpkin13]

What if Time Traveler Sephiroth met up with his past self? What type of carnage would ensue from that? Probably extreme mommy issues or something.

-🍬

Sephiroth regards his former self with contempt and pity; contempt at the sight of perfectly pressed leather and immaculate silver hair. Pity at how pristine, controlled and pathetically human he used to be, sitting on a throne of wasted potential. He thinks his former self clings to his ideals and creature comforts like a child with a security blanket—friendship, belonging, home, all meaningless validation from lesser beings.

Meanwhile the other Sephiroth watches his future self with growing horror, seeing the humanity long gone in his own eyes, the isolation, the delusion, a complete loss of who he strives to be.

Maybe his future self thinks he's weak, and Sephiroth has all but accepted that a part of him is perpetually fragile, but he sees nothing but weakness in his future self.

He's always had his doubts about his own pain, felt the end of the rope bleed into his palms as he desperately clutched it before it snapped. But not like this. What he's set to become is the epitome of everything he's avoided being.

In the end, little matters, as they're both essentially two reflections of the same broken child, each believing their path leads to their mother's arms. One striving to earn love through his loyalty and compassion, the other determined to claim it through destruction and godhood. Different roads leading to the same desperate destination neither will ever reach.

[fumifooms]

Heyoooo. I wanted to say, I'm sorry about that mean-ass, insulting anon you got a while back. That ask ended up pissing me off so bad I ended up actually reading your Marchil analysis posts. Originally, I was meh and kinda confused when the ship showed up in Ao3 because I didn't see what people liked about it. Reading your posts about how they were narrative foils opened my mind more, and I realized, Oh shit yeah there's a lot of potential in this ship for how these two can develop each other.

Part 2: Marcille and Chilchuck may not have scenes like the infamous bath scene with Farlin, but the concept of someone who's terrified of being alone, the reality of her friends' mortality, a hopeless romantic catching feelings for a repressed, divorced man whose wife left him--okay yeah, I absolutely understand the appeal of this ship. Marcille would be like, Why the fuck is my heart thrumming for this sharp-tongued bitch, and also the terror from falling in love with someone so short-lived Part 3: Either way, love your analysis posts. I am going to be contemplating the potential of Marcille and Chilchuck for a long while. There is something so tragically sweet about it

You get it, you really do… I could list off everything I love about them but I’d be here forever because it’s literally everything and there are so many fun ways to spin it… You’re very right about them being tragically sweet, overall where their arcs meet the most is "Loving is something worth doing even with the risk of loss", and I say risk but really it’s more the inevitable eventuality of it as canon does love to point out. If you want the reward of being loved you must go through the mortifying ordeal of being known. No love however brief is wasted. Let me see you and stay. It’s very much sort of the final boss to their arcs for them to get invested in each other in such a way, to get involved romantically— emotionally with someone knowing what’s coming and that she barely has two decades left with him (who mistreats his health so much he very well could die early), and to shoot your shot for something new with hope in your heart and enough confidence that you’re worth loving. He’s not a prince charming but to her he sort of is, all virtuous husband this reliable dependable Chilchuck that, all "you may be flawed but I’ll still romanticize your qualities and convince you that you and your love for your beloved are something worth fighting for".

What if I was old bread that solidified to be hard as rock and you were like warm soup and by soaking in your presence I softened……… What if you stubbornly grew on me like yeast and it brought out my flavor like beer as I opened up and allowed you in………. What if your hair was golden, the epitome of beauty to me, and my hair turned silver, your worst nightmare……. I think about them a normal amount

[kismetconstellations]

Shiro & Quinn Fabray

You've got it!

Shiro

-Everyone but me is wrong about them. To an extent. Every person I've directly interacted with on Tumblr has an excellent read on his character. But, Lord Almighty, are there too many people who see "tall, ripped cartoon man with sizable bulge in the crotch of his pants", and throw everything else about him out the window to turn him into a sex-crazed, high-libido "seme" stereotype. Not to mention the disgusting ableism surrounding his Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and how it manifests, the fetishization of his second prosthetic arm, and the popular fanon characterizations that seem to have come out of absolutely nowhere. Where did the idea that he has a hang up on profanity come from? He doesn't strike me as someone who regularly curses up a storm, but he's not the Paladins' dad. Why would he care if they're throwing profane language around as long as they aren't offending potential allies or purposely antagonizing each other? And, don't get me started on the "Shiro and Adam adopted Keith" nonsense. I swear, people either overestimate how old Shiro was when he and Keith first met, or way underestimate how young Keith was, while forgetting about Keith's own father, and everything else going on in Shiro's life that guaranteed he had no time to parent a teenager. -I'm obsessed with their character arc. Everything that is and could have been. -They got done dirty by the fans. And, still is, every single day. -They got done dirty by the creators. Astronomically. Infamously.

Just give my VLD Meta tag a scroll, some time. If you want to see proof, and also have your blood-pressure reach record highs. -Wasted Potential. So much, it's physically painful. And, that's Bingo! -ADOPTION PAPERS, ADOPTION PAPERS! FILING THE ADOPTION PAPERS! Shiro is too old for me to legally adopt, being an adult in his mid twenties, but I will gladly take custody of him from DreamWorks and World Events Productions, so they can't hurt him any more than they already have. -I am constantly going insane, rotating them in my brain like a fork in a microwave. This blog, my sketchbook, and the two fanfictions I'm working on, which altogether have a cumulative word count nearing 60k, are testament to that. The Takashi Shirogane brain worms are real. -The popular ships for this character suck. When shipping him isn't the express purpose of a fanwork, people default to his canon romances. And, his ex is a jerk, and the man he's last-minute married off to after barely acknowledging for thirteen-plus episodes is a human-shaped piece of set dressing with less personality than a sheet of cardboard. So, yeah, two of the more "popular" fanon ships for Shiro are terrible. But, even when shipping him is the express purpose of a fanwork, there's a lot left to be desired. Mostly due to him being written wildly out of character for the aforementioned superficial reasons. -Not enough screentime. Nowhere near enough. We can thank the writers who hated him, wanted him dead, then, when they were forced to resurrect him, deliberately nerfed and sidelined him in order to keep the spotlight on their favorites, for that. -They've never done anything wrong in their life. ❤ I actually think Shiro should have gotten to kill more people, specifically Sendak, and Zarkon and Haggar- with Allura and Lotor's assistance- as a treat. -This is the best character in the work. By far. He epitomizes everything a true hero should be, while also being a disabled trauma survivor and proud gay man. I find myself questioning frequently how the brain trusts behind this show essentially created Shiro, themselves, then came to despise him, purely because they were informed by the Powers That Be that they were not allowed to permanently kill him. You would think any reasonable person would be thrilled to hear that their creation resonated so strongly with audiences that killing him would go over poorly. But, not "MonSantos" and crew. They had a ~vision~ for their 3Edgy5Me animated Sci-Fi/Action space opera aimed at seven year-olds.

Quinn Fabray

-They got done dirty by the creators. Jesus Christ, did she ever. I struggle to think of a character in this notorious mess of a series who was handled worse in every single regard than Lucy Quinn Fabray. And, it's all because Ryan Murphy hated Dianna Agron. -Wasted potential. Once again, so much of it, thinking about it causes me physical pain. -ADOPTION PAPERS, ADOPTION PAPERS! FILING THE ADOPTION PAPERS! Judy Fabray does get better after leaving Quinn's dad, but Quinn desperately needed an understanding adult figure in her life that she could feel safe confiding in, who would encourage her to gradually come to accept and love herself as she is, and seek out treatment for her objectively terrible mental health. I would be more than happy to be that adult figure. -What's wrong with them (affectionate)? Severe body dysmorphia, leading to her getting a nose job and forcing herself to lose a ton of weight going into her freshman year of high school. Deeply-rooted shame and self-loathing from being brought up in a suffocatingly repressive religious household headed by her abusive father. Lack of any real friendships. Being date-raped by a boy who plied her with drinks every time she had second thoughts about sleeping with him, resulting in her getting pregnant. Being kicked out of her home because of her pregnancy and shuffled about between her ex, her rapist, and a friend's homes like a cumbersome object. Giving up her newborn daughter after holding her only once. Spiraling further and further with every season... Like I said, Quinn's mental health is objectively terrible. But, rather than offering her any compassion, she's ostracized, vilified, and ultimately cast aside entirely. Because Ryan Murphy hated Dianna Agron for humanizing a character he intended to be a one-dimensional villain. -Not enough screentime. Remember when Dianna Agron said that she wasn't invited back for the tribute episode dedicated to Cory Monteith? Remember how Quinn bought Metro North Passes because she wanted to stay in touch with Rachel after high school, only for her to never get to use them? ...Yeah.

----

Thank you so much for the prompts! ( ´͈ ◡ `͈ ) ❤

[shockersalvage]

Salvage Showcase - Mukuro Ikusaba....'s Cult

Back to Killer Killer, home of Danganronpa's most wasted potential in terms of characters, settings and concepts.

Last time we spoke of Ted Chikatilo and how the writers didn't want him to be anything beyond an Ultimate mad bomber. So this time we have the penultimate villains of Killer Killer: the Cult of Mukuro Ikusaba!

Summary

Like with many villains and characters from Killer Killer, the cult's background prior to the events of the manga is unknown. What is known is that they are women who are very devoted to one of the Despair Sisters - Mukuro Ikusaba. It's to the point that they all dressed in exact copies of her old school uniform and modify themselves to look like her physically (by some method anyway).

The cult first appeared following a report that the deceased Mukuro Ikusaba broke out and was attacking the 8th Branch. When Takumi, Misaki and Shuji arrive they found Ruruka's security detail slaughtered and confront Mukuro. But she isn't alone, she is with an entire horde of lookalikes that attack them. But, despite their efforts, none of the Mukuro's are a match for Takumi and they begin to suffer heavy losses. Takumi is pretty angry since he considers them a bunch of cheap knockoffs that couldn't hope to compare to the real Mukuro. He gives them a 0/100 for their murders (putting on the same level as Kenji Tsuruhashi).

It's during this fight that Misaki is really grappling with the idea of Takumi being Killer Killer, not wanting him to kill them. She even goes out of her way to knock a few out with muscle relaxant ammo so that they could be taken in without need for killing...only for Takumi to save her from the last batch by slicing them in half. Confirming that he is Killer Killer once and for all in her mind....

And then a second later she gets stabbed by Shuji. Turns out he hired the cult as a form of shock therapy for Takumi, to get him to stop being Killer Killer, but that failed. He was going to kill Misaki, but several of the Future Foundation Directors and Ikue Dogami arrive on the scene. Shuji escapes by detonating a bomb inside the pocket of a Mukuro and using the explosion to run away. If the cult wasn't completely killed by Takumi, the survivors that were knocked out would have been arrested. No matter what, they are out of commission for the rest of the story.

The cult is pretty straightforward and all hold pretty much the same demeanor. They are a bunch of women that worship Mukuro Ikusaba and imitate her down to the T. They seem to act as mercenaries given Shuji was able to get their aid in his plot, and hold immense skill given just one is able to slaughter numerous security guards without effort. However, against Killer Killer, or even someone skilled with a gun, they are able to be taken down en masse, showing they still lag behind the original Mukuro. In battle, they are hyper focused on killing anyone in their path, even when hurt or other cultists die. They will not give up until someone has either killed them or knocked them out.

Rundown

In Killer Killer, if I were to provide it a theme, it would have to be Passion vs Shallowness. To have true drive for your profession and do things out of love for what you really want to do. That's Takumi's whole deal with his murders and what he criticizes the villains of Killer Killer for lacking, to varying degrees. Their passion isn't for murder, but using it as a means for their own goals.

In the cultists case, their Passion is Mukuro Ikusaba. Sadly, we never get a reason why they worship her, but it's clear they hold her in some mahor esteem given their appearance and actions. They are utterly devoted to the late Ultimate Soldier and giving it their all for her, even if it costs them greatly...

But Takumi ranks them 0. Putting them, in the same vein as Kenji who is really the epitome of the Shallowness theme. He kills out of a means for an end. No love for it at all besides the backlash it can cause others. No regards to people's lives, especially the one he stole. So why is the cult, who clearly hold a strong passion for something, strongly disliked by Takumi?

Well, he says it best:

They may love Mukuro, but they hold no true love for their actions. They're fangirls that commit atrocities to be like their idol, but with the case of some fans, utterly miss the point of what she's about in their quest to be like her. (Ironically, so is Takumi, but that is something for another time...). If Kenji is Shallowness to the extreme of just doing something for the practical benefit, the cultists of Mukuro are Shallowness to the extent that they are doing it out of obligation. 'If they want to be like Mukuro then clearly they have to kill whoever is in their sights!' In Takumi's eyes, it pretty much just reduced murder as apart of something to check off on a list if they want to be like someone's replica of all things. An extreme offense in Takumi's eyes, which is why he outrights fails him.

That isn't to say they don't succeed in being like their idol in some degree. Both the cultists and Mukuro were used as means to an end by the Masterminds of their respective entries. What separates them in turn is that Junko did legitimately love her sister, getting a euphoric sense of despair for killing someone she loved with all her heart (just like she got before when she killed her boyfriend).

Shuji, though, did not give a feather about them beyond their use in potentially getting Takumi to quit being Killer Killer. He leaves any potential survivors to be arrested, if they weren't slaughtered by Takumi, and even blows up a cultists body to escape from being arrested. While their idol was at least loved enough by her killer who used Mukuro's aid to alter their world forever, the imitations end up as just collateral damage in Shuji's pipe dream that only resulted in both Mastermind and his hired goons demises. It's the worst end by a long shot for them.

On a minor note, the cultists being taken care of so easily by both Takumi, and even dispatched by Misaki, also wraps back around the dilemma with the Madarai clan and the Despair Sisters issue of quality for quality. Danganronpa is a series that values individuals talent and being unique (even it can be detrimental). Trying to mimic someone else, while it can throw people off for a bit, will never work against someone genuinely being original and just makes yourself predictable to being outplayed. Again and again. It's funny how in their quest to be like Mukuro, the wound up making the same mistake Mukuro criticizes the Madarai of doing.

Personal Thoughts

As a concept, I love the Mukuro Cult! When it comes to Ultimate Despair, while it very much makes sense that Junko would be the head honcho revered by its members, the fact Mukuro (essentially its co-founder) was left by the wayside was a bit sad, though it made perfect sense.

But these guys? The fact Mukuro herself had an entire cult dedicated to her is amazing! Like with the Warriors of Hope for Junko, it gives the feeling that these girls were larger than life and had clear influence that still wreaked havoc on society even beyond the grave! It's a excellent idea...

But like with most things in Killer Killer, it's extremely undercooked. While Another Episode goes very in-depth to show why the Warriors worship Junko and love her to the point of being inspired by her to make their paradise/being a devious pickle gremlin, the cult gets nothing. No real reason why they worship Mukuro or how they got to perfectly look like her. They're just fakers who can't compare to Takumi and go down after pissing him off.

While not as bad as Ted's deal, the writing feels like they just wanted a shock factor for their brief screentime, rather than legitimately explore the concept in any meaningful capacity. What if they were women who were taken in by the Remnants, broken by society and given meaning by becoming Mukuro? Or maybe they somehow admired Mukuro being sacrificed for someone else, and wanted to become her to get a fate like that? Maybe they were girls that Mukuro ended up saving while during her Fenrir days so becoming her and carrying on her legacy, if misguided, was their way of honoring her?

There's so much you can do with this concept...and it went to waste just as fast. It's a pity, but what can you do?

Aftermath

Concerning this Killer Killer showcase from last time, while I do still believe Ted is just a flash without substance character, I also feel that I did lean a bit too hard with it in terms of my rundown and personal thoughts (I didn't even give the theme for Killer Killer for last time). So I wanted to be a bit more structured again and dial back more of my dislike of Killer Killer as a whole. Is it still the worst of the series to me? Yes, and I will call it out for that, but I don't want that to really get too much in the way of analysis for the casts of these guys. I hope this works out much better!

[the-celluloid-correspondent]

Quickie Reviews

Immaculate (Michael Mohan)

Cecilia, an American nun of devout faith, embarks on a new journey in a remote convent in the picturesque Italian countryside. Cecilia’s warm welcome quickly devolves into a nightmare as it becomes clear her new home harbors a sinister secret and unspeakable horrors.

Immaculate is a peculiar yet untamed exploration of Catholicism's darker aspects in cinematic form. It occupies a unique space between the jumpscare-centric horror characteristic of Blumhouse and the more nuanced, "elevated" horror epitomized by A24. While it draws from both traditions, it doesn't fit neatly into either category. The film follows Cecilia, a Catholic Nun, who joins a new convent in Italy to care for her ailing sister in faith. As weeks pass, she inexplicably finds herself pregnant, leading many to believe she carries the Son of God. However, as strange phenomena and unsettling visions unfold, doubts arise about the true nature of her pregnancy. On paper, Immaculate promises a chilling exploration of religious trauma and the intersection of women's bodies with faith. Yet, in execution, it falls short of realizing this potent blend of horror.

In the initial half of the film, tension is primarily manufactured through cheap jump scares rather than allowing the story's natural ambiance to set the mood. These jumpscares feel contrived, lacking originality and failing to evoke genuine fear. However, as the narrative progresses into its latter half, the film begins to leverage its inherent atmosphere to truly horrify the audience. The transition marks a shift towards a more immersive experience, where the unfolding horrors stem from the organic progression of the story. The horrifying realization of being unwillingly impregnated is terrifying as it is routed in reality. Additionally, when juxtaposed with moments of authentic tension, such as the harrowing escape from captivity in the convent catacombs while undergoing labor, there's an inherent sense of unease that permeates the scene. I just wished the entire film had this momentum that it showed in the film's later half. 

The performances in Immaculate offer a varied experience. Sydney Sweeney is inconsistent in Immaculate. She has many moments, especially in the first half, where she is unintentionally funny in what would have been serious and unsettling scenes. However, when she is finally allowed to go full Scream Queen, she kills it. She has this horrifying intensity in these unholy moments that proves she is a perfect match for this genre. Overall, Immaculate is interesting and terrifyingly fun at points, but feels like it is wasted potential. 

My Rating: C+

Damsel (Juan Fresnadillo)

A dutiful damsel agrees to marry a handsome prince, only to find the royal family has recruited her as a sacrifice to repay an ancient debt. Thrown into a cave with a fire-breathing dragon, she must rely on her wits and will to survive.

The title of "most likely written by AI" in 2024 undoubtedly belongs to Damsel, a Netflix production that is so undercooked that a dragon would dare not eat it. This film is a colossal failure, lacking in excitement, originality, and substance. Its narrative is painfully predictable and riddled with pretentiousness, making it seem like I had already pieced together the entire story from the moment the first poster and synopsis were released months ago. Despite claiming to break away from the "damsel in distress" trope, Damsel ultimately succumbs to it, failing to deliver on its promise of subversion. Millie Bobby Brown's performance is disappointingly bland, portraying a character that attempts to be different but ends up feeling forced and unconvincing. Her portrayal lacks the intimidating presence she brought to her role as Eleven in the first season of Stranger Things. The only redeeming qualities of Damsel are its costume design and the visually appealing dragon design. However, these aspects alone are not enough to salvage what is otherwise a forgettable and lackluster movie.

My Rating: D

Road House (Doug Liman)

Ex-UFC fighter Dalton takes a job as a bouncer at a Florida Keys roadhouse, only to discover that this paradise is not all it seems.

On one hand, I appreciate that Road House didn't take itself too seriously and embraced the campiness of its story, which made for an enjoyable experience. However, on the other hand, I'm frustrated by how it spiraled into a chaotic mess. The remake of the 1989 classic, Road House, is a film characterized by tumultuous disarray. Amidst this chaos, there are moments of fun, particularly in the first half. The fight scenes are entertaining, and the chemistry among the cast members adds to the enjoyment. Initially, the film strikes a balance, embracing its campy nature while still maintaining some grounding elements. However, this balance is lost as the movie progresses into its second half. The once-cohesive story and characters are abandoned in favor of poorly executed CGI fights and nauseating cinematography. As a result, what started as an enjoyable romp devolves into a disappointing mess.

The dialogue throughout the movie feels forced and awkward, reminiscent of lines one might encounter from non-playable characters in the Elder Scrolls games. This feeling is exacerbated by the noticeable use of ADR (Audio Dialogue Replacement) throughout the entire film, sometimes even for entire characters. Conor McGregor's acting debut is particularly noticeable in this regard. While his skills as a UFC Fighter are evident, his portrayal outside of fight scenes comes across as a bit cartoonish, making it difficult to take him seriously. Although he seems to be enjoying himself, he stands out starkly from the rest of the cast. McGregor's talents might be better suited for roles as a stunt coordinator or stuntman. On the other hand, Jake Gyllenhaal shines in the movie, carrying it with his natural charm and impressive physique. Despite the poor dialogue, Gyllenhaal manages to infuse his scenes with comedic brilliance. While the rest of the ensemble delivers adequate performances, Gyllenhaal stands out as the highlight of the film.

In general, Road House presents a varied experience. While it has its enjoyable moments amidst the chaos, there are instances where the tumultuous nature of the narrative can overshadow even the most entertaining aspects of the story.

My Rating: C

Problemista (Julio Torres)

An aspiring toy designer’s work visa runs out, and a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.

Problemista left me somewhat lukewarm. While I found merit in its narrative, character development, and the societal critiques it presented, the comedic elements failed to fully resonate with me. Although there were sporadic instances of humor, I felt that the execution often fell short of its potential. One highlight was witnessing Tilda Swinton's portrayal of a fiery Karen, accompanied by Julio Torres in a comedic tug-of-war. These moments provided a delightful contrast to the otherwise lackluster comedic delivery. However, outside of these standout scenes, the film struggled to maintain my interest. In summary, while Problemista boasts strengths in certain aspects, particularly its performances, it ultimately failed to capture my attention due to its inconsistent comedic tone.

My Rating: B+

Late Night With the Devil (Cameron and Colin Cairnes)

A live broadcast of a late-night talk show in 1977 goes horribly wrong, unleashing evil into the nation’s living rooms.

Late Night With the Devil is an innovative horror satire that brings new life into the found footage genre. Framed as a late-night talk show from the late 1970s, we follow our host, Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchain), through a night that will never be forgotten as he brings a child onto his show who claims to be possessed by the Devil. The opening sequence immediately plunges the audience into the satanic panic and frenzy of the era, while also highlighting Delroy's struggles to compete with his rivals. Following the tragic loss of his wife, Delroy's show spirals downward, leading him to desperate measures in his quest to dominate the late-night talk show scene.

The narrative progresses as a typical late-night talk show on Halloween night. We have three guests, a psychic medium, an ex-magician turn skeptic, and a parapsychologist who brings her teenage patient on air. As tensions begin to brew between the guest, the host, and the network, Delroy pressures the teenage girl to concur up the entity on air, and all Hell begins to break loose. Late Night With the Devil walks a very fine line between horror and satire. It is a slow-burn horror that isn’t particularly scary, but the ambiance that the entire crew was able to build is undeniably unsettling. However, Late Night With the Devil is filled with the ironic spectacle of late-night TV that is similar to Martin Scoreses classic, King of Comedy. This unique blend of horror and satire creates a truly unforgettable film. 

David Dastmalchian has been in nearly every single franchise and has worked with some of the most talented directors in Hollywood, but hasn’t gotten a role as a leading man until now. Hopefully, Late Night With the Devil will finally be a sign for Hollywood to cast David Dastmalchian as a leading man. Dastmalchian is excellent here as our host for a night that we will never forget. He transforms into the charismatic host, Jack Delroy. He shows the undeniable talent of his character charm while also highlighting the mediocre limits that are holding his character back from becoming the greatest. But his performance is more than just the imitation of an average Late-Night TV host. Within his performance, he has subtle layers of 

unresolved grief from his wife’s death, while also showing subtle desperation and envy for becoming the best. His performance is perfect and shows everyone that he has been overlooked as a leading man for far too long. 

Now with the controversy surrounding the 3 AI images used in the film transition cards. If you are going to boycott this film because of this, fine, more power to you. However, you are pushing creativity and independent filmmaking because a graphic designer in the movie art department got lazy and decided to use AI instead of their talents to create the transition cards. To punish an entire film because of the actions of a few people is insane as every graphic designer I know today uses AI for editing or as an inspirational sandbox for their designs. So please do not punish this movie because someone got lazy. This is an excellent horror satire that breathes new life into this genre. 

My Rating: A

[fushiglow]

What do you think of Toji Fushiguro?

What do I think of him? I think a whole lot of things!

I'll always feel anger towards Toji for choosing to lead a selfish life which actively hurts others and disregards his responsibilities towards those who rely on him. Even if he didn't particularly care about Megumi (which I'm not saying was the case), he cared about Megumi's mother. It's clear that she would have wanted her son to be safe and loved so, if nothing else, Toji disrespected her memory when he left his three year old son to fend for himself.

All that said, the word that I overwhelmingly associate with Fushiguro Toji is 'grief' — for him and for every character whose life he touches. It's hard to look at him with sympathy because he brings pain and misery wherever he goes, but it all begins with his pain and misery, and that's why I'll always find it in my heart to feel sorry for him.

Toji is the beat of the butterfly's wings that sets the entire story into motion. The poisonous effects of his actions are felt most by those who suffer them firsthand (Riko, Getō, Gojō) but there isn't a single character in Jujutsu Kaisen that goes untouched by the pain he inflicts. Although the poison dilutes with distance from the events of Hidden Inventory, it still lingers years later.

We don't really see enough of Toji outside of the Hidden Inventory arc to associate him with anything but pain and misery, and I think that's really sad. There isn't a human alive who can be summarised by their actions during such a short period of time. There's always more to the story and — although his mistreatment by the Zen'in clan doesn't excuse what he did — this goes for Toji, too.

We're all products of our circumstances to some degree. To me, every child is a bundle of unlimited potential when they're born, but what happens to that potential depends on the adults in their life. People have called me naïve and idealistic for believing that everyone is capable of great things with the right support, but I actually think Jujutsu Kaisen explores this idea explicitly — it's directly alluded to in the original Japanese title of Hidden Inventory・Premature Death.

To me, Toji is the epitome of wasted potential, to the point that I've wondered if the 'broken jade' of 玉折 (Premature Death) is referring to Toji as well as Getō. He could have been brilliant if he'd grown up outside of the Zen'in clan — and that's what Megumi represents (although it's not looking good for him right now, I do hope he'll ultimately break the intergenerational curse and live up to his potential).

So, all in all, Toji is a victim of jujutsu society just like everyone else in this series. But damn, I'm still mad at him.