#especially by justifying her actions towards the kids

[rowantheshittydogowo]

Hey guys, maybe instead of playing into a sexist stereotype, We should let women characters have more than “sad uwu baby that needs to be saved and because she’s depressed she can’t handle herself”

Yes, this is directed at frecklewish and what the fandom did to her. She’s interesting because of her anger, and being unreasonable and irrational, she’s not a one-dimensional woman character, whose only personality is “kind”. Her anger IS her grief. Yes we could show her being sad, but don’t show her sobbing as she commits aggravated assault and hate speech?

[marvelsmylife]

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Pairing: Azriel x reader

Plot: After the events at your dance recital, Azriel will stop at nothing until you forgive him. Even if it means begging on his knees.

Warning: more and more angst, begging, Cassian having to step in to get his brother under control

A/n this is part two to Damned If You Do, Damned If You Don’t. I really leaned on the trope where the male fae spirals while the female fae heal and thrive without their mate. Since it’s me though, this does have a happy ending for the reader and the shadowsinger. Also, there will be one more part to this.

Part One Part Three Bonus Scene

ACOTAR Masterlist

Request

What was meant to be a few days apart turned into two years. No matter how much you wanted to forgive Azriel for what he did, you couldn’t get past the fact he thought you were cheating on him. You tried explaining that to him, but he didn’t want to hear it. He justified his actions by saying if you would have been home more, he wouldn’t have thought those things.

That, in turn, caused you to make the heartbreaking decision to move out of the home you shared with Azriel. Azriel desperately tried to backpedal and apologize, but it was too late. 

You packed your stuff and moved out within three days. With the help of Rhysand, you moved into a highly secure apartment. In Rhysand’s words: “You need to be in a highly secured building. Even if you are no longer with Azriel, you are still his mate, and unfortunately, that means you have a target on your back.”

The others in the inner circle were trying to convince you to move in with them. They knew you were in a vulnerable state mentally and didn’t want to leave you alone. You ultimately told them you needed to live on your own for a while but that they were more than welcome to visit you in your new apartment. 

You didn’t dare visit them at their homes though. Some of them begged you to visit and even offered to ban Azriel from their home but you refused. You told them that it wouldn’t be right, seeing as Azriel was friends with them way before you came into their lives.

Because of that, Everyone in the inner circle gave Azriel the cold shoulder for a few weeks. They were livid when they discovered what happened between you and Azriel.

Even Elain, who didn’t have a mean bone in her, scolded Azriel for his actions: “How could you do that to y/n! She’s been nothing but kind and loving towards you. You're lucky I'm not your mate. I would never forgive you,” Elain told Azriel in an angry tone. She despised Azriel the most out of everyone for what he did to you. You were the one Elain spent the most time with, and she really loved your company. Now that you asked for space and stopped visiting them, she started spending time with Cerridwen and Nuala. Which wasn’t a bad thing, she loved them dearly as well, but she missed your little chats about your day: “Let’s hope your mate is more forgiven than me.”

While Azriel was suffering without you in his life, you were living your best life without him.

With the help of Rhysand, you decided to open your own dance studio and started teaching children who couldn’t afford to attend your old dance instructor classes for free. 

It was hard at first, but with help from your dance friends and even your old instructor, who eventually apologized for banning you because of Azriel’s actions. He was so happy when he learned you were opening a dance studio for children who couldn’t afford it and even offered to come by every few weeks to teach at your studio. “You are an angel for teaching these kids for free,” your old instructor commented after finishing his class in your studio.

Every now and then, though, you would cross paths with Azriel when you would leave your dance studio, and every time he, would make a scene while he pleaded for you to forgive him.

“I told you not to make a scene in public, especially in front of my studio. You’re making my student uncomfortable,” you tried not to show you were furious at him for his action.

Before Azriel had the opportunity to reply, Cassian and Feyre made their way through the crowd that was now formed around you. “I’m sorry about my brother. I’ll try harder to keep him from coming over here,” Cassian apologized while peeling his brother off of you. Feyre stayed back for a few minutes to make sure you were ok and even offered to walk you back to your apartment, but you reassured her that you were ok.

You managed to avoid him for a week before you came face to face with him again during Elains dinner party, where she and Lucien introduced everyone to their twins.

Elain sent you an apologetic look when you realized Azriel was at the dinner party. You smiled weakly at the new mother before you took your seat between Amren and Cassian and across from Mor.

You felt Azriel’s gaze on you the entire dinner. He looked like utter shit, but he didn’t care, not when it’s been a week since he tried to speak to you again.

You tried your hardest to ignore his stare, but you also couldn’t help but glance at him and really took in his disheveled state. His usually clean-shaven face had stubble with dark circles under his eyes. It took every once in you not to rush over to him and wrap your arms around your mate. The only thing stopping you was the flashback of him accusing you of cheating on him.

After dinner, everyone sat around to pass the twins around. Halfway through the night, you decided to step out and get some fresh air. Unfortunately for you, Azriel took it upon himself to sneak out with you when no one noticed. You were so wrapped up in your thoughts about how awkward you felt being around Azriel that you didn’t realize Azriel decided to hug you from behind. “What the fuck! !” you shouted and broke out of the hug: “Azriel, what are you doing out here!”

Azriel dropped to his knees and hugged your legs out of desperation: “My love, please forgive me. I miss you so much. I can’t function without you in my life.”

“Get up. Everyone is staring at us,” you gritted through your teeth when you looked up and noticed everyone staring at the two of you from inside the house.

“I don’t care,” Azriel argued back: “All I care about is you forgive me.”

Rhysand, Cassian, and Lucien looked like they were about to walk over and pull your mate off you, but you signaled them to not intervene. Instead, you knelt down and cupped Azriel’s face: “Azriel,” you felt yourself tearing up: “You have to stop this.”

“I can’t,” Azriel placed his hands on top of yours: “I can’t function without you. I finally understand where I went wrong, and I’m so sorry I’ve caused you so much distress.”

“I’m so happy you realized it,” you replied, resting your forehead against his: “I just need you to give me time and space. Every time you show up and make a scene outside my studio, you reset my progress of forgiving you. Can you please just give me a few more days? Please.”

“I can do that,” Azriel whispered. “Do you think we’ll ever get back to how we used to be?” Azriel asked hopeful.

“Eventually,” you replied honestly. And that was enough for him to keep going, knowing that you will eventually be a family again. 

@byyalady @sheblogs @janebirkln @starsinyourseyes @cumuluscranium @honeybee54321 @pussyistasty-blog @azriels-shadowsinger @anuttellaa @pussyistasty-blog @fightmedraco @aunicornmademedoit @esposadomd @thelov3lybookworm @harrystylesfan2686 @sarawritestories @fxckmiup @sleepylunarwolf @mochibabycakes @bigcreatorwombatdreamer @stargirl1714 @tenshis-cake @tele86 @63angel @sagskylar01 @i-am-infinite @kristin813 @one-big-fangirl

[hanafubukki]

What if Malleus isn’t the reason Silver succumbs to his sleeping curse?

I keep thinking this but I find the whole Malleus somehow causing Silver to fall into a deep sleep (either by his own hand or indirectly as a result of his actions) too predictable. 🤔

I feel it is something that we all kind of expect because of the animated and live action movies. The more I think about it the more I wonder if Yana will go this route that everyone kind of expects her too.

And if we know Yana, she’s full of surprises if the previous books have anything to say about it. So I can’t help but wonder who or what can cause Silver to fall asleep.

Yes, Malleus has the spindle as his staff, but his main symbol isn’t a spindle/spinning wheel is it? No, he’s a dragon.

So I can’t help but wonder who else can cause Silver to fall asleep?

One name stuck out:

Maleficia Draconia

Despite the fact she’s being mentioned more often, she has been MIA and she also has more than enough reason to curse/cause Silver to fall asleep.

She, as far as we know, might not know Silver’s birth origins. She also has more than enough reason to hate humans. Yes, there is a truce. But you can’t tell me that she won’t harbor some ill will towards the murderers of her daughter or their kin.

And you know what suddenly came to mind? Mama Shroud was able to hack into those who fell asleep and see their dreams.

Who’s to say Maleficia Draconia can’t do the same? Since she’s stronger than Malleus in terms of power?

What if she has already been watching? What if this opened old wounds again? Her daughter’s death and also seeing her grandchild suffering. And now? Finding out the kid of her daughter’s murderer lives.

What if she causes Silver’s cursed sleep? It would certainly explain the silence on her end.

It might seem sudden, but the shock factor is there and the emphasis of her being mentioned constantly justified.

What if, during that moment, it is Lilia’s and Malleus’ love that wakes up Silver?

And she’s shocked, the two who should hate humans and especially Silver, woke him up with their love.

And she can’t help but wonder, has she been stuck in the past this entire time?

I know this is based on conjecture, but the possibility is there.

In this way, we can combine the true love of both live action movies as well depending how they go about it too. 🤔

What if I add “What if Malleus ends up taking a hit for Silver and dies?” The dragon whose death is supposed to end the spell? The spell his grandmother sent towards Silver to kill him or put him to sleep.

What if that’s how the spell breaks? Because she tried to curse Silver and then tried to kill him?”Both then would need to be brought back.

Malleus either has to be talked down or killed. Imagine him almost getting talked down but then Silver gets cursed by his grandmother and Malleus tries to save him when his grandmother tries to do a killing blow. And it’s the tears of true love that brings Malleus and Silver back.

Malleus and Lilia who should hate humans and hate Silver love him and Malleus defending Silver and dying would be a shock to both Lilia and Granny.

Or what if Lilia blocks the killing blow and dies? And it is the true love tears of Malleus and Silver that brings him back? What if this also gives Lilia some extra time and magic? And he ends up living longer now because of it? Like how Maleficent was reborn stronger and with more powers.

I feel either scenarios would fit, but in terms of stopping Malleus, it would fit even more for him to die and be brought back. Possibly with the power to also heal Lilia or give back the power that Lilia gave him.

I just find the idea of Malleus being the cause of Silvers sleep too predictable, even though lore wise, it would make sense. But there’s so many ways they can go about it, so many twists and turns, I’m excited to see which route they end up going ☺️🥳🌺

[jubileemon]

Why Adam Wilkins is the most hated character on Invincible?

He has a very rocky relationship with his daughter and is generally unsupportive of her decisions and aspirations to be a superheroine.

He's a misogynist who holds outdated views on gender roles and chastises his daughter for not having traditionally feminine aspirations as a way to cover his insecurities and fragile masculinity. He states that the only reason he ever let Eve become a superhero was because he assumed her then boyfriend, Rex was going to "protect her", even though Eve is extremely powerful herself.

While it's shown that he does care about Eve and most of his disdain for his daughter's career choices come from a place of worry about her welbeing and the welbeing of those around her, that is simply too weak of an excuse to justify his actions, as he damaged his relationship with his daughter because of his own choices, to the point Eve started to actively dislike him. Even though he sometimes brings up good points, such as calling out Eve for using her powers in an inconsequential manner, the way he goes off about them doesn't help and only further cements him as a bad father.

While it's shown he had a good relationship with Eve when she was a kid, ever since the day he learned she had a special ability to identify atoms and molecules, Adam began forming a disdain for his daughter and started acting rude and abrasive towards her.

He was also rude to her babysitter after he started praising his daughter's advanced intelligence. He initially refuses to send her to a school for gifted children, calling her a freak. When Eve didn’t show up to her birthday, he ate a part of the cake and when called out by her, he furiously yelled at his daughter.

When she runs to her room he rudely yells at her that that he and his wife are the only family she has.

While it's implied that he does genuinely love his wife (especially in the flashbacks seen in the Invincible: Atom Eve special), it's rarely ever shown onscreen, and it's stated that they frequently fight a lot. It's also implied that he might even be psychologically abusive towards her as well, to the point she's completely submissive to him and enables his behavior.

Season 1

After finding out that Eve had broken up with Rex after she found out he was cheating on her with Dupli-Kate, Adam lashes out at his daughter, telling her to forgive him, saying that "everyone makes mistakes".

When Eve tells him that she's considering quitting the superhero career, Adam rudely tells her that it was "about time".

When Eve decides to leave her family home in order to become a full-time superhero away from them, Adam doesn't respect her choices and further insists that she quits her dreams in order to live a "normal life". He even told Eve to her face that the worst day of his life was when she got superpowers, something that really hurt Eve emotionally.

Season 2

While he does take a job at Burger-Mart in order to provide for his family after being fired from his previous job at the furniture store, Adam is shown to have been very reluctant to do so and puts the blame on the superheroes for having destroyed their corporate office, essentially blaming his daughter for getting fired.

He stubbornly refuses to get his daughter's help for income, purely out of a place of insecurity, and still persists on lashing out on Eve, despite her being very understanding towards him.

After Eve uses her powers to turn an apple into gold and gives them to sell it, Adam angrily refuses to do so and, later on, even throws the apple in the trash.

During their argument in Eve's second visit to their house, he blames her for an accident in Chicago, where Eve had used her powers to build on an abandoned lot, not knowing it was actually unstable. While Adam tries to rightfully talk some sense into Eve to not use her powers irresponsibly, he's still overly harsh to her, telling her that her powers don't make her a hero, they make her dangerous.

Overall, Adam is generally an unpleasant and rude person who is unreasonable to his daughter for no good reason, and is by far one of the most hated characters in the series.

[cock-holliday]

There is such a difference between cause and pretext. Israel has been engaged in ethnic cleansing since the 40s. Hamas attacks, rebellions, a kid throwing a stone at a tank, a Palestinian sitting at home minding her business—these are pretext. Israel bombing and shooting and killing is being excused by the idea that it is in response to things, rather than any action by Palestinians is the excuse Israel has been waiting for. And if there is no excuse, they will make one up.

Hamas, like all guerrilla groups, are created out of retaliation for the death, destruction, and subjugation of a people. Its inception is caused by ethnic cleansing. Part of Hamas’s own charter is reverse-engineered from Protocols of the Elder of Zion-type shit. That Jews are evil creatures scheming to take over the world is the dehumanization to justify any atrocity as resistance. This is a pretext.

Jews across America are afraid that they will now be victim to retaliation for Israel’s actions. Nazis do not care about Palestinians. They do not support the liberation of any oppressed peoples and to think modern Nazis value Muslims any more than Jews is laughable. Antisemitic violence has been allowed to proliferate through the united states. Nazis and other white supremacists have been protected and emboldened by the police and politicians, and they are the police and politicians. Anyone who supports a liberatory cause would never enact violence on another group simply for existing. This is pretext. Anyone who reads about Israel’s atrocities and comes away thinking that Jews deserve violence is caused by radicalization. Anyone who (like fuckin Jackson Hinkle) uses Israeli massacres to encourage people towards antisemitism is using a pretext.

Mainstream bombardment of messages of Hamas atrocity, especially those fabricated, with a focus on the dehumanization of the group is a pretext for violence. IOF soldiers lying about what they’ve seen, officials sharing fake documents—are all pretext.

A landlord was close with his Palestinian tenants and the child of the family viewed this man like an uncle. He had no known preconceived reason to be hostile towards the mother and child. They had no reason to fear him. He then was relentlessly exposed to propaganda convincing him that the pair would kill him. He then went to kill the family ‘before they could kill him.’ It was so unexpected that the boy went to hug the man before he was brutally stabbed to death. The mother was also stabbed but survived. The man’s sudden and intense radicalization (which likely exacerbated any previously held unrealized bigotry) was the cause of the violence.

Islamophobia has been radically heightened since 9/11. It was stoked by Trump. Spikes in Islamophobic hate crimes by groups who already hated Muslims framed as “to protect Jews” is using a pretext.

It is crucially important to be mindful of whether anyone’s outrage is urging you to exercise violence towards a system or a people. It is crucially important to never dehumanize an enemy. Not a people, and not even servants of a system. Israel is committing unimaginable atrocity, Nazis commit horrific atrocity. They are still not animals and we cannot dismiss them as such.

Dehumanization is a big first step on the path of pre-textual atrocity, and the point is to never stoop to such an abhorrent level.

[ssinboo]

Grasp The Thorn

summary: As your loyal knight, Kim Mingyu is more than willing to serve any and all of your commands.

“But he who dares not grasp the thorn  Should never crave the rose.”  ― Anne Bronte

pairing: Historical!AU - Knight!Mingyu x Queen!F!Reader, somewhat friend with benefits? you’ll see

word count: 2.7k

warnings: sexism, mentions of blood and murder, detailed smut. Oral (F rec.), Fingering, Monster Cock Mingyu Agenda™️, praise kink if you squint, massive breeding kink, they absolutely adore each oher

a/n: I’ll be mostly out of commission for this week, longing after my missing wisdom teeth, so do enjoy this in my absence!

The loaded atmosphere felt so thick you could touch it. Though the woman sitting at the end showed no sign of emotions, every occupant in the long table fervorously disagreed with her actions. 

“We will not go to a meaningless war. My word is final. Meeting adjourned.” 

Her voice rang velvet smooth, not a single syllable too loud. Among grumbling, the council quietly stood up to bow as she exited. 

“The throne should have never gone to a woman.” 

The words stung more than she ever led on.

Inheriting the throne after your father’s death brings endless expectations to be met. Especially when you’ve been painted as the Kingdom’s shameful little spoiled princess. Your spending habits and luxurious life were targets of nothing disgust, even if your siblings and cousins enjoyed the same extravagant lifestyle you did. 

From the second you were born, you were set on the path to inherit this great Kingdom and received the greatest education available. Despite your father’s greatest efforts, your coronation was met with rebellion from power-hungry nobles.

They wished for your abdication and quietly, for your death. 

Even if you led your country into success, even if you ruled with an iron fist, getting rid of corrupt officials and lowering the misery of your people.

Oh, you would never convince them, so you gave up convincing them.

“You will take care of him, please?” You pout, flashing puppy-eyes at your loyal Knight.

He smirks, running his tongue over his teeth. 

“Yes, ma’am.” 

Mingyu was your beloved servant, assigned to your protection since you were kids. His father protected the King as did his grandfather before. You know he would lay his life on the line if it meant you wouldn’t be as much as inconvenienced. 

Differing from when you were young, he had grown into a terrifying, mountain of a man that set fear in the eyes of anyone who dared cross his Queen. That fear is justified, of course. 

“I will be in my chambers,” You smile, watching the darkened glaze of lust flare over his eyes.

“Oh, your majesty, you spoil me,” Mingyu whispers dangerously close to your ear. His hot breath fans at your skin, lighting a fire in your chest.

But he leaves before you can lean into his body and relish in his warmth. 

Not too long after, — Your knight never left you waiting, — Mingyu climbs into your window and jumps down with a thunderous thud. He’s still wiping the blood off his skin, not bothering at all with his clothes, he wouldn’t be wearing them for very long. 

He finds you completely relaxed in the large tub, rose water filling the air with its sweet scent. You lean over the edge, watching as he strides toward you, pride dripping down his rugged clothes.

“Done so soon?” You ask, biting at your fingernails, eyeing his body up and down.

“I had someone better waiting for me.” You giggle at his response and raise your hand, gesturing at his clothes.

“Get out of those and join me.”

Oh, he did not need to be told twice. 

You’re torn between wanting him naked as rapidly as humanly possible and enjoying the show of watching him slowly rip away every blood soaked piece of cloth that hides that gorgeous body from your view.

Your rebellious subjects were very upset to hear your disinterest in taking a husband. How could you accept a spoiled, boring prince from a shitty Kingdom when you had your beloved knight?

Soon, he’s joining you and almost draining the tub with a big splash. 

You flatten your hands against his broad, defined chest and push him back, until he’s settled at the edge. Eyes soaking up his glistening, tanned skin, you run your fingernails along his scars, circling his nipple. 

Mingyu bites his lip, intently watching your fierce study of his body. He hesitantly reaches for your waist, waiting for your approval, when you lean into his touch, his arms are fast to grip your body. 

“How was it?” You whisper, doe eyes absolutely bloodthirsty, his second favourite lust. 

“Absolutely delightful,” He mimics your low tone, “He did not see it coming.”

You laugh, “How did you do it?” 

“Slit his fuckin’ throat. Neat and clean just like you like it.” His fingers trace your jaw, eyes very clearly scanning your face, craving your praise.

You smile, “You did so well, so good.” Leaning forward, you’re the one to initiate the kiss, but he’s the one to deepen it. 

His mouth is on yours hungrily, almost angry. His arm is curled around your waist, easily pulling your body up and settling you on his lap.

Tongue bullying into your lips, he pulls you to his chest. Your fingers find his hair, dampened in blood but still soft, so soft against your pulls. 

Lips devouring yours, hot and demanding, Mingyu has you whining under his kiss, your stomach jumping under the scathing electricity that runs down your arteries. 

He pulls away, all breathless and lustful-eyed, gazing you down so hungrily you feel your body shudder in anticipation. Soon, his lips are attached to your neck, tongue running hotter than you’d ever get accustomed to. He sucks and kisses your skin, leaving his claim for anyone to see — Not that he’d ever let anyone pay attention to you for more than a second. 

You’re painfully aware of the way his tongue obviously avoids your nipples, so you shove his head toward the right spot, not missing the way he laughs against your skin. 

Head thrown back, you focus on the way his lips expertly suck at your nipple, pinching and pulling until it stands hardened and tight, just begging for his attention. 

Your fingers dig into his scalp, bringing a welcome stinging sensation that has Mingyu moaning into your chest. 

“Need to taste you— Please, Please—“ His voice is breathless, a desperate plea that falls heavy on your core. 

You nod fervorously, letting him manhandle you as he wishes. His large, muscly arms have no issue lifting your body from the water and bending you over the edge. — He lays your towel over the wood, not allowing its rugged texture to ever bother your skin.

Mingyu moans at the sight of your dripping pussy, glistening under the dim candle light begging for his lips. Not once, would he ever tire of watching your body react to him.

He licks a long stripe along your slit, collecting your juice along his tongue, moaning at the way your taste immediately coats his lips. You feel the vibration of his humming straight in your core, ripping out the sweetest sigh out of your lips. 

Pulling your legs apart, he settles in his favourite spot. Slowly, he laps at your clit, watching it swell under his attention. Your body shudders at the slightest of his touch, of course, he trained you well to react to him and him only. 

Sucking and kissing at your sensitive bud, Mingyu watches you lose thread of sanity slowly. He expertly devours your cunt, fingernails digging into the abundant flesh of your hips drawing crescent-moon shapes along your skin. 

Your hips thrust to meet his tongue, rubbing your pussy along his nose and lips, and he whines sweetly, not wanting to miss a single drop of your essence. 

“Give me more—“ You moan out, gripping at the tub with all your strength. “Give me your fingers—“ 

He smirks against your skin, your juices dripping down his chin in a glorious, sinful coating. Hand running down your ass, he kneads at your skin, slapping and pinching. Mingyu is completely drunk on you.

“Does your tight little cunt want my fingers?” 

You hum in agreement, hips leaning back to meet his hand, presenting your gaping cunt in a shameless show. 

“I can’t hear you, beautiful,” He whispers against your throbbing pussy, you clench around nothing, sending your lubrication running down your thighs. 

“I— I want your fingers— My pussy wants your fingers,” You bite your lip, making sure you would punish him for so much teasing. “I want you to pound your fingers into me until I come around them—“

Mingyu hisses at your words, feeling them run down his skin and wrap around his cock, stirring it into a painful erection.

He gives you two fingers at once, your walls immediately clinging to them even as they scissor your hole open. His fingers reach places yours could never dream of, curling into your favourite spot.

Once he starts moving, you can only moan his name. 

“God, you’re so tight, how does my cock ever fit?” 

Mingyu leans forward, trailing kisses along your back, his fingers not stuttering once in their unforgiving pace. He admires the way your pussy swallows his long fingers, coating them completely. 

You can hear nothing but the lewd squelching of your pussy as his fingers pound in and out. 

When he notices your cries getting louder, Mingyu promptly wraps an arm around your waist, supporting your body as you reach your orgasm

You lean into his hold, riding out your climax with faint moans of his name. He doesn’t stop until you’ve gone limp in his arms, a satisfied smile on your lips.

“You did amazing,” Mingyu kisses your neck, slowly pulling out his fingers. He brings them to his lips, sighing at your taste, greedily slurping up every drop of your come. “You’re so good to me.”

“Oh, we’re not done.” You state, turning around to face him with a tired smirk, “You’re gonna carry me to bed and I’m going to milk your cock dry,” The borderline innocent smile you dawn on makes him choke.

Mingyu can only nod enthusiastically,feeling dizzy at the sudden bloodrush, “Yes, ma’am.”

He throws you over his shoulder, true to your command, and sends you onto your soft bedding — a couple of your many pillows fly toward the floor.

You watch him tower over your body, erection reddened and angry against his stomach. Head throbbing, aching and oozing glistening precum down his generous length.

No matter how many times you ever laid with him, his size never failed to surprise you. Long and deliciously thick, decorated with thick pulsating veins and curved just the right angle to hit all your favourite spots. His body emanates heat like a furnace, burning at every inch of your skin that meets him, his eyes ate you alive with their searing gaze.

Reaching your hand forward, you watch Mingyu lean into your fingers as you pump him a couple of times, making sure he’s all ready for you. He almost whines, puppy eyes begging you to give him the go.

He trembles under your touch, hands gathering into fists with low pleas. “Please— I won’t last— I want to come in you—“ His words do make your stomach flip with arousal.

With a smile, you spread your legs apart, running your hands over your thighs, presenting your sensitive, swollen, pussy.

With a pained groan, Mingyu reaches forward, running his tip along your folds, collecting your juices and spreading them over his length. You mewl at the contact, pushing your body to meet him.

He bullies his thick cock into your spent pussy inch-by-inch with a pleasured cry, “God, baby—“ He sighs, steadying his body with his arm, “You’re still— So tight.”

You’re both too overtaken by the breathtaking, wondrous feeling to come up with any intelligible words. You hum, feeling his cock split you open, filling you so deliriously good. 

“Oh, look at you pussy taking me so well,” He hisses, watching you greedily take every inch of him.

His name falls out of your lips like a prayer as he bottoms out, stuffing you completely full to the very brim and you swallow him up all nicely, walls welcoming him, pulsating in anticipation.

It takes a minute for you to settle, a long, torturous minute of your whines and incessant clenching. Mingyu grips your waist so tightly, gathering every ounce of his self-control to not cum right then and there.

Pulling his cock out is just about the hardest thing he has to do, giving up on your warmth feels unnatural and almost a sin. But knowing he gets to pound back into your little pussy makes it worth it. 

You whine when he’s out, clenching around nothing, missing his cock stretching you out to your limit, but he doesn’t let you wait long. 

Shoving himself back in, Mingyu groans out praise, never once letting you forget you’re absolutely made for his cock, taking him so perfectly. Lips agape, you wrap your arms around his neck, pulling him into a crashing kiss, you want to feel his beating heart against your chest, want to feel every bump and scar of his skin pressed tightly against yours.

Nothing feels as comforting as his body smothering you, his whole, unadulterated self completely loose in the safety of your bedroom, for your eyes only.

His body presses into yours, his arms holding your legs under your knees, folding them into the perfect position. The new angle allowing his cock to kiss your sweetest spot repeatedly. He moans into your lips, hips thrusting into you langlidly at first, letting you accept the stretch. 

Oh, but you were so greedy for him.

“Faster—‘ You breathe out, eyes glazed over in cockdrunk lust and Mingyu can only admire the exclusive beauty of your lustful desires.

“Mhm— You sure?” He teases with a kiss on the corner of your lips.

“Yeah— Go harder—“ Nodding, you chase his mouth wanting to taste his tongue.

Mingyu smiles into your kisses, speeding up his pace, pistoning into your cunt. He feels your tits bounce against his chest, hardened nipples rubbing against his skin, you’re lucky your pillows soften the blows of his harsh thrusts. 

Your essence pools into a ring around his cock, a white halo of your mixed juices. His balls slap against your ass with loud, obscene sounds, sending your body forward with every hard, calculated thrust. 

This new pace, though absolutely dizzying, don’t allow either of you to last very long. 

“I’m gonna—“ Mingyu whispers, burying his head in the crook of your neck, lips drunkenly running over your hot skin. 

“I know— You’re gonna give me your babies?” You hum.

He nods with a drawn out whine, head dazzled with thoughts of fucking his seed into you, making you his the best way possible. Watching you grow heavy with his babies, all round and pliant under him. 

“Yeah—“ He gulps, “Gonna fill you up.” Reaching a hand in between your bodies, Mingyu places his heavy hand over your stomach, he can faintly feel the contour of his cock thrusting in and out. “Right here. I’ll fuck my cum into you so deep it takes— Can you feel me, my Queen? Can you feel me pounding into your little pussy?”

You whine, nodding frantically, saliva drips from your gaping lips, “Yes—! So deep!”

“I’ll send you out there carrying my baby, looking so, so pretty— Everyone will know who knocked you up—“ 

You sigh, clenching at the tempting picture he paints with hazy, lustful promises in the quiet of the night. The very next thrust sends you into a shuddering climax, your hips shaking under his with the head-emptying electricity that burns through your limbs.

Your orgasm sends Mingyu right after, cock throbbing, spurting out thick white ropes of cum that fill you heavy and hot, painting your walls with his ownership.

He feels your walls clench incessantly around his sensitive cock, milking every last drop of seed so greedily, swallowing his very essence. You feel full, so full.

Mingyu collapses next to you, lazily pulling you into chest. He kisses your hair, laying back on the soft pillows, fingers unconsciously caressing your skin. 

You know he always gets incredibly tired after sex, so you would have limited time to talk. 

“I love you,” You whisper nervously, eyes not daring to meet his.

You held these feelings for decade, how could you not fall for his incredible charm? Mingyu was the only constant you had in your hectic life, he protected, cared for you in a way only he knew how. You had long fallen for your best friend.

When he doesn’t respond, you look up. 

He’s fallen into deep sleep, a soft snore escaping his gaping lips.

You smile, maybe next time, he’ll be awake to hear your confession. 

[miraculouscriticismshub]

Why Gabriel doesn’t deserve a redemption - the Hypocrisy of the Writers - Miraculous Season 5 Finale spoilers Ahead.

If you have seen the finale then you already know what happens to Gabriel . He dies but gets remembered as a hero and his reputation was unscratched. The writers have the audacity to say a teenage girl will never become a better person because her actions are unforgivable but they go ahead and redeem Gabriel Agreste - a literal terrorist and abuser - who has done a lot worse. This post will explain why Gabriel doesn’t deserve a redemption arc and how his character feels ruined. 

Part 1 - Gabriels crimes and why the writers think they are justifiable. Triggers of Child abuse and terrorism

This man has committed atrocious crimes of which the most obvious was child abuse. Mainly towards Adrien. The writers think due to Gabe losing his wife - it is justified why he neglects Adrien - it is a sign of grief. That he spends every day terrorizing Paris because he wants Emelie back to complete Adrien's family. They say he does all he does because he cares about his son. While this was the case during seasons 1-4 , his character changes in season 5. He no longer does it for Emily and Adrien but for power. He abuses Adrien even more this season by trapping him in a room and separating him from Marinette.

However his Character is ruined in the season 5 finale. He wishes Emily and Natalie to live and pleads with Marinette to make sure Adrien remembers him as a good father. That's not her burden to carry or her responsibility . Gabriel had the audacity to ask the girl he traumatised to keep every crime he has committed a secret from his own son ! Despite everything Gabriel has done to Marinette - she finds out he was Hawkmoth - she still forgives him and helps build a statue of Gabe in his honor. The writers think Gabriel deserves redemption because he did show remorse for what he did to Adrien and cried when he watched Emilie's tapes.  But Adrien wasn’t his only victim and child abuse wasn’t his only crime. Gabriel never showed remorse for what he put Marinette through (he knows she's a ladybug .) He never apologized for separating her from Adrien or for the trauma he inflicted on her as Ladybug. Even when Ladybug gave her a chance , he blew it by paralyzing her. 

He is also an international terrorist who primarily targets children. He threatened to kill Alya’s family and murdered many Parisians in Strike Back but still gets remembered as a hero. Even in the final fight , he says he doesn’t care about the innocent victims he hurted. He never felt bad about what he did. It gives kids a bad message. While I think Gabe dying in Emily's place isn’t a bad idea , the fact that Gabriel gets away with his crimes and is celebrated as a savior is disgusting. At the very least , he shouldn’t be presented as a good man and should be remembered as the villain and a terrorist. It’s a slap in the face for all his victims. The fact that all of Gabriel's other crimes are forgiven just because he felt remorse for one is sickening.

Especially in Season 5 , where the writer makes Gabe to be sympathetic by having his relationship with Emelie mirrors Adrienette’s relationship because he and Marinette both came from humble backgrounds. That's why the writers think Gabe is redeemable ,  because he and Marinette are similar and both care for Adrien. The fact he basically got what he wanted and is being remembered as a savior is so unfair to Marinette and Adrien. Sure he died , but Emelie came back or he reunited with her (depending if you think it was Amelie or Emelie). Therefore , Gabe doesn’t deserve redemption because he never proved himself or felt remorse for most of his crimes. He manipulated Marinette till the very end into thinking he was a good person when in reality , he doesn't care about anyone except for himself , Adrien , Natalie and Emelie.

Part 2 - Obvious hypocrisy

It is no secret that Thomas dislikes Chloe. However in Season 5 he has taken his hate for her way too far that he sacrificed good writing to bash her character and hurt her fans.  He repeatedly says on his twitter Chloe will never become a better person because she is a bully and has done too many unforgivable acts. Surprisingly , in season 5 episode 26 , they go ahead and redeem Gabriel - a terrorist , child abuser , groomer and manipulator - who has arguably done so much worse. I don’t mind if the writers don’t give Chloe a redemption arc , not all characters need a redemption but it feels hypocritical saying a teenage bully is irredeemable but an adult terrorist is sympathetic. Especially of how rushed and badly written Gabriel's redemption arc is.

So when Chloe does something evil , the writers say she in irredeemable and deserves every bit of Karma but when Gabriel does something worse , the writers justify what he has done because of his sympathetic motive and give him a redemption story. This disgusts me because it is shown time and time again that Gabriel likes to use Chloe in his heinous plans. Three episodes ago Gabriel was manipulating and grooming Chloe into joining his side. Gabriel is partly to blame for Chloe's worst crimes , he enabled her and put the ideas in her head. But the writers act like Chloe is more in the wrong than Gabriel when he is clearly more guilty than she is !! They act like it is OK for Gabriel to manipulate and akumatize Chloe because it's for the sake of getting his wife back. Chloe is not a good person , but it is unfair how she is the only character to face consequences when Characters worse than her are getting rewarded and receive happy endings !! Chloe is disowned by her father and sent to live with her abuser while Gabriel reunites with Emelie (depending on which sister you think it was at the pool party) and is celebrated as a saviour. Gabriel being more moral in the eyes of the writers than a misguided teenager - who also is one of his main victims - is sickening.  Therefore Gabriel redemption isn’t deserved because it shows the double standards the writers have for Chloe. 

To conclude - Gabriel's character in the Season 5 finale is basically ruined. Gabriel receiving a redemption is an example of bad writing and feels rushed. He only felt remorse for what he did to Adrien but never felt bad for terrorizing Paris or using Chloe. He never apologized to Marinette for separating her from Adrien or for other crimes he did. His redemption feels Hypocritical compared to the character of Chloe - who was one of Gabriel's main targets. Hopefully in season 6 , Adrien finds out about what happened and Paris receives the justice they deserve. However if you like what they did with his character , that is perfectly fine . I’m not saying you are not allowed to dislike Gabriel. This is just my opinion . Feel free to disagree :) . Please stay respectful.

[gauloiseblue]

The Garden

Since that day, he's been seeing her more often. Sometimes on his way to the town, or running into her at the market. Maybe that's the perk of being a neighbor

He also runs more often with Liv—Olivia as he becomes a regular at her bakery

She's already a chatty girl from the start, but after knowing he didn't think of (name) as a bad person, it seemed to increase twofold

She talks a lot about her; what she's like when she first moved, her story about the bakery, how it took 3 years before they became friends, and how she taught her how to make sourdough, because she seemed to have fun making them

There's also heavier stories about her, when the rumors were affecting their friendship, and how long it took her to take down the wall she built, until they could talk like they used to. Though it's no longer there, she did feel like she has changed, and she couldn't do anything about it

One day, the subject of the talk comes to the shop when she's talking to him, and ends up giving her an earful, telling her she shouldn't bother a buyer. But he quickly says he doesn't mind, which earns him a dirty look from her

He wants to believe her, and that his neighbor is simply misunderstood. But he's a rational man, and he'd like to see her from many perspectives before truly believes in her words

The second person who believes her as a good person is Mr. Harris. He talks quite a deal of her, whenever he picks up fresh milk from him

"She's too nice sometimes, it's almost like I'm taking advantage of her kindness."

He tells him the story of the bull, and how he didn't have enough money to buy it from the auction, and he told her about it when she asked him whether he wanted to join the auction or not. Which, to his surprise, she delivered the bull the next day, saying she likes him, but can't possibly keep him, so she gave the bull to him.

He then proceeds to tell him how she loves the cows in his farm, and that he let her named one of the baby cows. He also gave her his products for free, and that he'd share anything his friends gave him to her

There's a lot of people, especially kids who like her. But when it comes to kids, they only like her because she's like a lady santa claus

She'd scold them if they ask for money, or anything for the purpose of showing off. If they genuinely want it, she'll give it to them without many question

But what amuses him, is how they ask for it. They're very straightforward, they'll just ask her if she's really a santa claus, and mention the thing they want. If their answer satisfy her, she'll buy it for them, if not, she'll close the door

The way they told him about her is like telling a legend

As for the adults, they usually thought that she's kind, just reserved

He keeps track of the info, and tries to piece them together. He told himself he's not trying to figure her out, he's just trying to understand her. Though deep in his heart, he knew he said it to justified his actions

Months have passed, and he begins to see a clearer picture. It's likely that her job is related to arts, possibly an artist herself, or a curator, judging by her preference, and how much money she had earned

He also guessed about her status from the lack of a ring in her finger. She might’ve been married at some point, but not anymore. There also aren't many men in the village who take interest in her, even if they do, they won't really do anything about it. Country men avoid scandals like city boys avoiding responsibility

That's what he thought, until he finally saw the gardener

He met him one day, after finishing his morning jog. He saw a young man working on the flowering trees around her garden, and he decided to say hi

He's very attractive, and his eyes still possess a childlike innocence. He almost looks like a small pup, which seems like the complete opposite of her

They talk for a while, before they turn their head towards the door, which is opened before the owner of the garden steps out. She seems surprised to see him talking with the boy, but she welcomes him nevertheless

He didn't miss to see the boy's eye lights up at the sight of her

"Have you had breakfast?" She asked him, and he shook his head, "Do join us, then"

He never really eat after exercise, but he can't resist the offer for a cup of tea

They all settle in the dining room, which has a pretty wine cellar, and extensive collections of liquors. He takes one of them to examine it

"You like to drink?"

"Not really." She replied, "Most of them are just for collection."

"That's a shame," He hums, "It's a good whiskey."

"You may take it if you want."

He turns his head in surprise, "What?"

"Well, you said it's a good whiskey." She looks at him after setting the table

He shakes his head, "It is, but I don’t drink anymore."

She mutters a small 'oh', before taking a seat. The young man follows afterwards before he does

Today's menu seems to include poached eggs and spinach, with yellow sauce on top. The boy quickly digs in, as well as talking about the garden's condition, and anything that crossed his mind

She only gives short answers to all of his babbles, almost as if she's putting a barrier between them. It's even more striking as she mostly keeps her conversation with him, leaving the boy out subtly.

Once the boy finishes, he excuses himself to work for a little bit before going to him. After he leaves the room, he turns his attention to her

"He likes you."

She then groans, "I know, it's giving me headaches."

"Why'd you keep him around, then?"

"It's not like I have a choice."

She begins to tell him about his situation, from the start until now. He likes flowers, but his family didn't have enough space for his hobby, for a reason that they're farmers, and an acre of land can produce a bag's worth of potatoes, so they couldn't really afford wasting it. One day, when he walked on this road, he saw her house with withering trees and decided to knock on the door.

"Of course I couldn't refuse him, I wanted to see the flowers, but I didn't know how." She sighs, "He didn't want to receive any payment from me, so I told him he could buy anything he needed. That's the least thing I can do for him."

"When did you realize he has something for you?" He asked

"I'm not sure." She bit her lips, "I did have my suspicion early on, but after his visits became more frequent for no other reason than meeting me, I knew I was right."

"You gonna do something about it?"

"Maybe. But I wouldn't wish to burn the garden just to push him out of my life." She mused, "He had taken care of them for so long, it'd be cruel of me if I took it away from him."

He rubs his chin as he thinks, "Perhaps you can hire a real gardener to replace him?"

"I'll think about it." She leans back on her chair, "It's a shame, though. It's nice to have him around."

"Then don't do anything about it. Let it happen."

She laughs as she catches what he means, "I don't think it's appropriate for me to do."

She talks about his desire to go to a business school, so he could expand the business once he takes over. But his parents can't really afford it, so he decided not to pursue it. She then encouraged him to apply for a scholarship, and helped him to get it, which was a success. Now he's in the 2nd years

"No wonder he likes you." He commented

"He shouldn't be." She frowns, "I'm almost the same age as her mother, he shouldn't have any feelings towards me."

"Well, that's because you don't look like one."

She lets out a small laugh, "I'm flattered, thank you."

They talk for a bit, before he excuses himself. On the way out of her garden, he finds the boy working on the potted plants, before they both hear a song softly plays from one of the windows

The boy smiles as he tugs on the withered leaves, and all of the sudden, a single thought strikes him

He doesn't love the garden. He loves the owner

《 Prev | Next 》

[childotkw]

I've been thinking of this for a few days and didn't have anywhere to put it, so here it goes.

Viserys has ordered for a feast, perhaps his last he will ever get to witness, and he has made the mistake to give the organizing responsibility to Alicent. Alicent worships the Seven however, so she is very much against partying. So is Otto, and the other Greens. Save perhaps Aegon.

Rhaenyra hears this, for Daemon still has friends in the court in King's Landing, and she sends two of her children to help these miserably serious people out. They desperately need the help, it seems.

These two children of Rhaenyra are Lucerys and Rhaena, they are to inherit Driftmark together one day, and they have been in the bestest of celebrations, for House Velaryon loves to show everyone just how rich they are.

Lucerys and Rhaena comes to King's Landing to help for this supposed feast, only to find that Mother had been right. King's Landing is silent. There are no children running around, no celebrations being held in Flea Bottom, no tournaments, no nothing. Red Keep is stripped from its cultural Targaryen patestries and arts, instead Seven Pointed Star is everywhere they look. This simply cannot do. They quickly understand that they have to interviene, or else this isn't going to be anything fun like the ones Rhaenyra and Daemon throw back in Dragonstone, or the ones Rhaenys and Corlys throw in Driftmark. These people just dont know how to party. So they take it upon themselves to organize this feast, and the Greens are furious.

Lucerys notices Otto and Alicent first, the looks they give especially to him. He supposes Alicent is justified though, for he was the one who had taken her son's eye all those years ago, but Otto looks at him like he is some feral animal that needs to be put down. Then he notices that he has missed Helaena, his aunt and the least irritating of the Greens. Helaena tries multiple times to involve her creepy crawlies in this feast, Lucerys and Rhaena do not let her however. Then comes Aegon, who is more than happy to have them take over and put an end to the castle's suffering. Aegon claims the keep's walls cry at night, he hears them, he tells Lucerys. He tells him that he is grateful they are stepping up to bring Red Keep back to its full glory again.

Then there is Aemond. The looks he gives Lucerys dont go un-noticed. Lucerys has changed, yes. He is not the small boy he was anymore, he is still quite young, but not a literal kid. This change must've been peculiar to Aemond, for he comments on his choice of clothes and jewelry, he tells him that he looks like a maid more than a man. This does upset him, Lucerys cannot lie. He prefers to look good is all, he isn't some maid. He is very much a boy. Rhaena shoo's Aemond away whenever she can, but his uncle finds ways to cross paths with him. Lucerys is tired, he is tired from the constant organizing of this big feast, so he decides he'll ignore Aemond.

Days pass and the keep is more lively than its been for years, Viserys is content and praises Lucerys' and Rhaena's work. The servants are happier and the knights aren't as miserable. Rhaena sends Lucerys down to Flea Bottom, she tells him to do his magic there too. In the mornings when there is still light he helps the people with their errands. And when the sun sets and night life begins he visits pleasure houses and bars and all the other places. He provides the owners of these places with coin and advices. When the smallfolk starts calling him the new Realm's Delight, and the new Prince of the City he cannot help but smile.

With these new titles given to him, Lucerys notices Aemond even angrier than before, and he cannot take it anymore. He goes to him, one night. They are in the God's Wood. He sits down beside him and they talk, they talk for hours. Lucerys admits the remorse he feels towards Aemond, not because he stopped him from possibly killing Jace that faithful night, but because his actions has caused him so much loss. An eye, for godssake. Aemond admits his ignorant behavior and his insulting words too. He admits to find Lucerys' care for his looks endearing too. They look at each other, all these years, they have been away from each other, and for something that they solved in one night, with one talk. What they do after is only for them and for the gods to know.

When Viserys speaks to Lucerys and Rhaena of his wishes for a tournament they get to work quickly. With this, they struggle. They are all about the aesthetic and the food and the scent and the everything. What they don't know are the safety measurments of tournaments. Lucerys goes to Aemond, and Aemond agrees to help them. So now the three of them are running from places to places, always occupied with some Lord or servant or maester asking for their opinions on the seat arreangments or the colors of the carpets and the curtains or the songs that will be needed to play.

It is exhausting, they do admit. But it is so worth the effort when it is finally done, for there are so many guests. So many high lords and ladies of Westeros are present, there are even Martells, people from Essos, the Summer Islands. It is a sight to see.

Rhaenyra and her bunch come next and Lucerys sees in her eyes that she is proud. It is even better when Aemond asks him for a dance, in the same feast he has been so busy with organizing.

And when Aemond asks for Lucerys' favor in the tournament, and wins the whole damn thing, Lucerys feels as though he could spend all his days with him.

Oh god I love this so much. Mainly the fact that it all starts because Rhaenyra goes "oh those poor repressed fools have no idea how to have a party" (sympathetic). And then Lucerys and Rhaena both get there and immediately are like "oh gods these poor repressed fools have no idea how to have a party" (derogatory).

Perfection.

When Lucerys is first told he and Rhaena will be going to King's Landing to assist with feast preparations, he's both excited and nauseous. Excited, because a small sliver of him will always consider the Red Keep home, and nauseous because...well...it's obvious why.

But arriving there and seeing what's been done to the place - no red and black, no Valyrian art, no heritage carefully, meticulously chiselled into the walls, no three-headed dragon - it's distressing.

Rhaena takes one look at Lucerys (her brother, best friend, confidant and maybe, hopefully, future husband), sees his little frown and sad eyes, and decides then and there that they would bring the glory of their family back to this bland and disappointing keep.

Luke's always been her favourite, after all, and it's not like anyone can judge her because he's everyone's favourite - so silently declaring war on the Queen's idea of what makes a good feast is par for the course.

It's Rhaena who slips into the King's chambers one afternoon, not even blinking when it takes him a long minute to remember who she is. It's Rhaena who, with the smile and eyes of her father, convinces Viserys to pass control of the feast over to her and Lucerys. It's Rhaena who stands, arms linked with her favourite person, before the Queen and the Hand and her Hightower cousins and members of the Small Council, as the King makes the change known publicly.

Lucerys' smile makes the oncoming headache worth it, in her eyes.

Initially, the adults in the room grumble and nod and stiffly smile, thinking they still have control, but Lucerys and Rhaena quickly debase them of the notion.

(Why people always assume she and Lucerys are the nicer of their siblings, Rhaena will never understand. Daemon had chortled when he saw them off, ruffling Luke's hair and kissing Rhaena on the forehead, and actually ordered them to behave.

Daemon Targaryen, asking for restraint from someone else.

If anyone else saw that they would think themselves going mad.)

But regardless, Lucerys and Rhaena are now in charge. A boy of fourteen and a girl of fifteen, coordinating an entire keep of people. It would be ridiculous if they weren't, somehow, good at it. They're a team, making decisions with an easy confidence, and there's a begrudging sort of respect that crops up in some members of the Small Council.

Because bastard or not, girl or not, Lucerys and Rhaena have been educated in a variety of subjects, and they put that knowledge to good use.

And they might be outnumbered by Greens but they stand back-to-back and protect each other, and nothing is stronger in the world than two Targaryens in agreement.

They steamroll over detractors, aware of the eyes on them, and slowly the wider social circles begin to whisper of how delightful the Princess' children are.

That Princess Rhaena is warm and kind and engaging. That she remembers the names of servants she has met once and goes out of her way to thank them for even the smallest tasks. That when her smile goes impish she is the image of her father, a man still remembered fondly by many of the small folk despite his absence.

That Prince Lucerys is gentle and sweet and compassionate. That he walks through the halls with a dancer's grace and dazzles the ladies of the court with shy grins and compliments. That he is the Realm's Delight come again, and the very image of Jocelyn Baratheon.

(Rhaena, again, is the one to slip that into conversations, and she watches with deep-seated satisfaction as people start to think Baratheon when they see Luke's dark hair, rather than Strong.)

Her decision to send him into King’s Landing is just another step in her master plan; and the compliments keep rolling in. Rhaena knows just how effective Lucerys’ charm is, and she revels in inflicting it on others.

Alicent is frustrated at how quickly things are spiralling out of their control; but Otto is seething. He thinks Lucerys and Rhaena are the worst of both their parents, but no matter what he says, Viserys is adamant the children are to remain in charge.

As for Aegon, Helaena and Aemond...

Aegon is, in a word, relieved. He wants to feel guilty for thinking it, but the fact remains that whenever Lucerys is around, attention is off him. His mother tracks his nephew's movements with half-wistfulness, half-fear. His grandsire is too deep in his scheming to pay attention to Aegon. He's free of the stifling weight of their expectations, if only for a moment, because Lucerys is there to take the heat.

Helaena is content in her own world, but surfaces occasionally to watch in quiet joy as her nephew and cousin work. The Dance isn't stopped, not yet, not so easily, but they are a step closer and Helaena whispers thankful prayers to the gods for giving them this chance.

And Aemond - well. Aemond. Lucerys does his best to avoid his uncle, shamefully using Rhaena as a shield whenever he approaches, to her endless amusement. He doesn’t ask what the two of them speak about the few times he has seen them together, he only knows that Rhaena always makes sure to touch him, to hold his hand, to press a kiss to his cheek (damningly close to the corner of his mouth) whenever Aemond is nearby. Rhaena abuses the closeness they share, delighting in how her cousin flares up in jealousy mistaken as anger.

But she also knows Lucerys better than most, and so she sits back and watches the slow, slow, slow progression Aemond and Lucerys make towards each other.

Lucerys will very likely be her husband one day, but Rhaena isn’t so insecure as to worry that he might drift towards his uncle as well.

(And if in some nebulous future, they’re amicable to it, she sees no reason why she can’t have two handsome, intense men in her bed.)

[everybody-loves-purdy]

I do want to say it is very interesting seeing Thistleclaw, Brambleclaw, and Tigerheartstar defence all use the same talking points and beliefs by their fans to boost how morally good these characters are.

If you’re a fan of any of these guys I’ve got nothing against that, like who you like I don’t care, I’m just talking about when they are presented and viewed in a non-canon way and it is pushed by some and then causes others to believe that it’s canon when it’s not (if that makes sense)

So to give a few examples

All three of these characters often have their amazing parenting skills referenced, discussed, and praised by their fans. I will say this is actually pretty justified with Tigerheartstar, I’ll give him that, even though the downsides to his blatant favouritism are generally ignored by his fans. But with the other two? In the books Thistleclaw starts to show, at minimum, disappointment in his son, at worst contempt, and tries to mould him into being more brutal. And Brambleclaw is just an average warrior cats dad at best, at worst he’s neglectful at times. His parenting in po3 is there but it’s mainly just being nice to his kids and there isn’t that much of it once the three are apprenticed onwards, he’s still there (until oots) but there are so many other warrior cats dads that are as equally or more involved in their kids lives as him.

All three characters have a female character which often acts in opposition to them (Bluestar, Squirrelstar, Ivypool), and these characters are often unfairly demonised to a significant degree by their [Thistle, Bramble, Tiger] fans. Someone could probably write a paper on the treatment Squirrelstar alone just by scrolling through the wcrp forums and Reddit, but the other two are definitely victims of this also, Squirrelstar is the one to experience this this most viciously. I’ve seen claims that she was a bad and neglectful mother to the three because she didn’t stay in the nursery as much as other mothers, that she forced Brambleclaw to give up his leadership, that she was the reason Brambleclaw trained in the dark forest because she was just so awful to him, that she manipulated Brambleclaw into letting her come on the TNP journey (she was literally 8 moons old), that she repeatedly manipulated and pressured Bramble into having more kids with her (despite the book this is in showing her dropping this early on once she realises that he doesn’t want that) etc. Bluestar is often made out to be completely unreasonable and malicious towards Thistleclaw and that she tries to steal his son away from him etc, Ivypool is often made out as this absolute demon of a sister who drove Dovewing to ShadowClan with her cruelty etc. And these are all just examples I can think of on the top of my head.

All three characters often have their misdeeds ignored or justified by their fans. I don’t need to spell it out with Thistleclaw. Brambleclaw often has his character in TNP where he unfairly lashes out, is extremely ambitious to a point where it becomes concerning, and constantly sees the worst in (non Hawkfrost or Tigerstar) people ignored. And then many of his later actions justified when they really shouldn’t be, especially in Squirrelflight’s Hope. So for example I often see the Sunrise (sister) situation justified, and also his treatment of Squirrelflight in that book. I don’t want to get into the abusive debate again, it’s beating a dead and rotting horse at this point, I will say I stand by that he is abusive, but he is undeniably unreasonable in his response in many instances. And then Tigerheartstar just has the majority of his character ignored straight up, his selfishness, his aggressiveness, his consistent less than moral decision making, his stubbornness, his blatant favouritism of his family (the negative aspects), his dating of a minor etc

Ignoring victims. Unfortunately this does happen, I’ve seen some defenders of these characters consistently ignore or downplay accounts of victims of people like these characters. I’ve seen conversations happen between people where someone says “I’m an x abuse survivor and the actions of this character do remind me of my experiences a lot” and then that is acknowledged by the defender, and sympathy is often offered, before the defender either plays it down to the victims face right away, or they just come back a few days later and start spouting their defence without adjusting the argument. This has happened to me with Brambleclaw. I’ve seen it happen to others with all three characters. Even though I’m not a victim of grooming, I’ve brought up how TigerDove gave me an unhealthy perception of adults dating minors when I was young, and this has been ignored by some I’ve directly brought it up with. Hell, Moonkitti has said her view of Bramblestar is based on her own experiences with abuse but 3 years after publishing her video she still continues to be harassed and belittled for this view. 3 years. And this is well documented. And has been happening quite intensely very recently.

Like I said I really don’t care if you like these guys if you like them ,great, they are all very interesting characters with a lot of appeal, but I do care about misinformation. Particularly misinformation where it drags down other characters to an unfair degree and, so much worse, results in victims of abuse being ignored, for the sake of people wanting to believe that this particular fictional cat is a much better person that they actually are presented as.

I’m sure this isn’t just a warrior cats problem. This happens in other fandoms. But this trend is harmful, especially in this fandom with so many young minors. I’m starting to see many of young fans coming from TikTok parroting videos they’ve seen there to say that Brambleclaw is a victim to Squirrelstar and she’s the root of all evil etc, but when asked about their views they just send a link of the same two, highly opinionated and biased, videos and accept it as objective fact without thinking.

It’s like the era of warrior cats where the belief that Dovewing was a Mary Sue, and Daisy and Ferncloud were useless wastes of space were common opinions to be seen. When I was a kid a believed these because everyone around me said it was so, thank goodness I outgrew it and formed my own opinions.

I don’t want to return to that time in the fandom.

This won’t change I thing, but I just wanted to get my thoughts and experiences out there and spread awareness of what is happening, particularly with Bramblestar, I am seeing more and more love for him lately based on opinions of others with little to no backup in canon, but people are just accepting as fact anyway.

I think a big part of them problem here is the amount of books in the series. People don’t go back and read them all, which leaves it easy for misinformation to spread as people are just trusting and accept things that others may misremember as fact.

It’s ok to like characters that aren’t completely morally good. You don’t have to try and justify their actions.

[horizon-verizon]

I think it’s possible to recognize that Rhaenrya was a victim of sexism while recognizing that she was also a brutal tyrant. I think we can say that Rhaenrya was a victim of the patriarchy but also someone who responded to her treatment by lashing out at everyone around her, especially those below her. Calling for the assassination of Nettles, a black teenage girl, isn’t an act of solidarity and feminism.

I agree. I agree that the blood purity she performs and uses is a feature of her heritage that she actively & consciously chooses but I do not know for certain that she'd suspect the dragonseeds if she hadn't had to emotionally gather herself only to lose not one, not two, but three kids to the stresses of usurpation. Ordering Nettles' execution is definitely a reflection of that Targ-Andal blood purity.

What I protest against are the ideas that:

Rhaenyra's tyranny later is told to have been inevitable without the greens' intervention or any instigation (I don't even care about Vaemond's death, he was just looking to endanger her kids/her for his own ambitions, like the greens. "Fair" play and he was going against the not unfair declaration Viserys made)

that there was no instigation or provocation; her reaction doesn't make sense (in a sense)

a woman has to show that she is capable of ruling because the history of male rulers makes her obligated to show "girls can do it, too" -> that it's justified to expect her to be above-average just because she happens to be the first up-and-coming Queen Regnant in ("united") Westerosi history -> -> to expect a woman to "prove" to a misogynist base (I mean specifically the other lords or even some of her male relatives) her worth and fitness to rule is coming from the context of women being kept from rulership that is both supported and reaffirms the idea that female authority = unnatural condition for women... (HERE is a post by mononijikayu explaining the progression and origins of the gender divisions in medieval Europe)

that being in the middle of a civil war that she did not start, having had the royal treasury bled out, that the rumormongering done by a hidden master of whispers and later the fear-mongering rhetoric of a seemingly mad version of Savonrola ARENT something that no other monarch ever had to deal with & WASN'T an extreme and volatile situation that even Jaehaerys would have much trouble with (I must remind people that Jaehaerys would have had a lot more problems without Alysanne and Septon Barth and Rogar Baratheon AND there was no agent working against him behind the shadows nor did he lose a child out of his own actions and unfairly until his much older age [Aemon], and that was only one NOR was it out of actual hate towards his person! or a belief that genitals "prove" he shouldn't rule)

and tons of other lies I don't even want to get into

In other words, there are a lot of bad-faith arguments that just wind up as being misogynist, so where do we move on if we're hung back?

Once more, Rhaenyra was never herself a feminist BOTH because there is no such thing as feminists in real/fictional medieval settings AND because she never consciously and intentionally sought to better other women's lives. The reason why we look at her story as a story of feminism is because as a woman, even just sitting on the throne provides enough precedent and justification for other women to claim and keep their seats (Jeyne Arryn, and other women and girls in even pre-Targ history who has lost the opp to rule)--and who knows, if she had been allowed to live and rule, actually consider instituting some laws for women either of her own inspiration or persuaded. Thus setting Westerosi towards a more woman-included political framework. Even though misogyny wouldn't disappear, the sentiment of women being bad or incapable or even just "unlucky" types of rulers wouldn't be as strong or as justified or more easily countered.

Plus, if I do not explain why it is important to understand Rhaenyra as a person affected by others and society, looking for agency, then the idea of a woman doing evil as being the blueprint of evil itself actually makes it worse for women in general. Because it fosters the connection between womanhood and evil or "unnaturalness" or the unnaturalness of gender-nonconformity of any kind. This is one-way progress even happens, Westerners still do not live in a utopia for women, anon. But Western (and some countries in Africa and Asia) women have a safer bet now than they did in ancient Greece, Japan, etc., or 200 years ago in U.S. history.

Once more, no one has to actually think Rhaenyra is a good person or even like her. She absolutely commits evil and there are other women in the dynasty who perform less or none (none or without their own faults but most [before the loss of dragons] display a lot of intelligence or autonomy-seeking) Just watch out for why you don't like her and what you think characterizes that evil, the events surrounding it, what inspires her, and all those implications. And recognize that good fiction doesn't ask you to name a good person based on your already-conceived notions of good vs evil, but to see the characters' development and role in the narrative and how their roles/lives/contentions mirror our own.

Aegon is a person born into a royal family with incumbent supreme power and he uses it against women and children (Aemond, too, but being a second son never he will not have the same access to power as his older brother, thereby there is a level of frustration that he himself nurtures). Rhaenyra is born into a world that consistently takes from women to give to men, and even her own family has a history of sidelining its women to affirm their men's power over them and Westeros. GRRM is asking us what does to women, how it makes them retreat into themselves and develop their methods of self-defense, or how she chooses to gain back some agency? How far or how little can she (the woman, not just Rhaenyra) go to gain power or agency, and once she gets past a certain point that she can't even see because she is so inured into a state of self-defense, how can she "come back" from that? Is there even room for it? And what does that do to men like Aegon & Aemond or even common-born men (who also abuse their wives, daughters, etc.) -- encourage them to perform violence against women and children?

So honestly, this back and forth about Rhaenyra being a bad ruler or just about her tyranny and paranoia is less interesting to me bc it is NOT THE ENTIRE POINT and it's boring as heck!!! (Unless we talking abt the progression into Dany's leadership & her own textual defiance of gender binaries)

*EDIT* (9/22/23)

As I told someone below in the comments, check your own logic before coming to this post. I have many other posts of me explaining and refuting other sexist takes that begin: HERE; HERE; HERE; HERE. And all link to many more posts where I explain to various anons why their arguments (very specific ones) are actually incorrect or just plain sexist.

[sapphic-agent]

There’s a headcanon I’ve seen pop up in the comments of a fanfic recently (Shota Aizawa vs The Media by water_in_a_bottle, it’s great at calling out Aizawa) and it makes a lot of sense in universe. It’s an extension of the headcanon that Aizawa rigged the QAT scores against Izuku with the intent to expel him. It’s the idea that when Izuku got zero offers from pros, Aizawa was actually hiding the offers from him. Izuku should have gotten at least some offers. He has an incredibly powerful and flashy quirk similar to All Might. He broke free from a mind control quirk, and he also went up against the number two hero’s son in a showy match. At least some pros should notice him and be interested. I know that from a writing perspective, Hori is just making Izuku an underdog again and putting him under unnecessary pressure, but I feel like it fits with Aizawa’s so called teaching style as a whole and his view of Izuku.

Aizawa seems to view Izuku as sort of lazy for apparently neglecting to get his powerful quirk under control (when everything else about Izuku should really make him question that view). You would think that he would want Izuku to figure it out, but I think that he wants Izuku to “take responsibility” and figure it out on his own without any help, instead of from a pro who might offer him an internship that Aizawa might feel Izuku doesn’t deserve or isn’t ready for yet.

This also fits with his teaching style, considering his massive amount of expulsions. This probably isn’t the first student Aizawa has pulled something like this on. He likes to lie and trick his students with logical ruses constantly. The QAT isn’t just an excuse to expel students on the first day. He probably also uses it to figure out which students to specifically target for future expulsion (if he doesn't immediately expel them, fake or not). As the year goes on, he gives them secret, biased challenges or obstacles that they might not even know they’re being put through, and when they fail, he eventually expels them, without acknowledging that he deliberately set them up and sabotaged them to justify expulsion.

Most of this is just headcanon, but I feel like it makes a lot of sense with a more negative interpretation of Aizawa and his views, actions, and teaching style.

So, I actually don't think Aizawa rigged the QAT.

I'm not saying it would necessarily be out of character for him to do so. But the thing about the QAT is that it's not assessing physical fitness, it's assessing how well you use your quirk. If it was assessing how fit the kids were, Momo would have lost to Bakugou and Todoroki and she beat both of them.

Quirk users have advantages in almost every field, especially hero work, that's just a fact. And that's especially true in the QAT as it's geared towards quirk users. I never thought it was weird that Izuku placed last since here because he only had 10 months of basic training as opposed to these kids who have used their quirks all their lives.

(I read a fic where Hagakure used her invisibility to take a head start during the race. Things like that where they're "cheating," but not really because Aizawa said they could use their quirks to their advantage in any way they want)

Now, I think that the test itself was probably rigged against Izuku. It's basically canon that Aizawa was targeting him that day. But to rig the results themselves, I feel, would have been detrimental to the point he was trying to prove.

But always a fun headcanon to read about :)

[firefly-sky]

I know this is a bit random but I feel like the reason Cartman acts so obsessive and oddly sexual with people, especially Kyle, is because he views sex as something bad.

Face it. whether you like it or not Cartman will always seek some sort of way to make Kyle miserable. none of what he does is because he cares about Kyle. he does what he does because it makes Kyle angry or upset. In Smug Alert the only reason he saved Kyle was because he realized that Butters wasn’t sufficient enough and didn’t give the same reactions Kyle does. And you can’t really justify Caryman’s actions with ‘oh but he’s just a kid! kids grow out of it!’ because the thing is, he doesn’t. You see that in Post Covid when he manages to gaslight his family into thinking Kyle is a bad person. Also just in my opinion, there’s no way Cartman wanted to be a Rabbi in his own. There must’ve been some other reason. (I haven’t seen the full Post Covid special though so take this with a grain of salt.)

Now with that out of the way, take a look at his home life. His dad left him at a young enough age that he didn’t even know who his dad was until Scott Tenorman told him. And he was raised by a single mother who, whether you like it or not, is a bad mother. The only love Cartman seems to receive is from his mom, who’s widely known as a prostitute. So if he’s nine, he’s obviously going to catch onto ‘hey, my mother is a sex worker and it’s obviously a bad thing in this town’, hence the reason he views sex as a bad thing.

So put two and two together, the need to make Kyle as miserable as possible, along with viewing sex as a bad thing due to his mother and her reputation, and that gives the reason he acts so sexual towards people. (Well not sexual exactly, but he seems to have a pretty big obsession with it; which we see in Imaginationland, Cartman Sucks, even in Fun With Veal when he talks about Kyle’s ass, etc.)

[wordywarriorwrites]

Calendar Girl: September

Series Masterlist: Calendar Girl Joel Miller Masterlist Author: @wordywarriorwrites​ Summary: The story of how Joel Miller falls in love again, told over a series of months. Series Warnings: NSFW. Smut. Language. Violence. Discussions of rape and consent. Alcohol consumption. Age-gap. Chapter Warning: Mention of suicide.

September

“It was unfair of me,” you murmured.

Joel experimentally flexed his hand, “What was?”

“To ask you to make a promise I knew you couldn’t keep.”

You – shoulders slumped and mouth pressed into a firm line. Him – knuckles busted and chest tight. He’d failed to meet an expectation you’d known better than to set, and the culmination of his dishonesty and your wishful thinking had been a fistfight that shot to hell all the effort and planning you’d put into his birthday.  

Tommy, Maria, and the baby. Ellie and Charlotte. A few people he worked with who actually liked him. You’d gathered them all together at the mess hall to celebrate, and Joel had been surprised, but not unpleasantly so – especially because you’d promised him an X-rated gift after the shindig.

Then, some punk-ass, twenty-something shitheads had decided to stir the pot. He could’ve ignored their mockery of his age and their disapproval of you kissing him, but when their snide remarks shot at him transitioned into disgusting insults hurled toward you?

In his hands, a meal tray and a warped fork became weapons. He’d stabbed the tines into the calve of one. Beat the second unconscious with the tray. Put his fists to use on the third pissant who’d actually spewed the fighting words, and hadn’t stopped until Tommy dragged him outside and far away from the source of his rage.

While Joel felt he’d been justified in his actions, you were concerned with the peanut gallery. One of the kids had been the son of prominent council members, which meant the situation would inevitably become more about who was involved than what was said. The rules, politics, and social innerworkings of Jackson were convoluted, but if the parents kicked up enough fuss?

“If you get kicked out, Ellie will follow,” you asserted. “It would break her heart to leave Charlotte behind, but she’d do it.”

He sighed. Reached for the bottle of booze at his elbow. The bourbon glugged in the strained silence as he poured, and the first shot helped quell the rage that still simmered just beneath the surface. The second took the edge of the pain, but when he went for a third, you leaned forward, and cupped your hand over the rim of the glass.

“I’d follow you, too,” you insisted.                                                                         

Joel looked at you and swallowed hard, “Would you?”

A quirked brow and tilted head. A beat later, you slid from your seat and onto his lap with an achingly familiar ease, and pressed your forehead to his furrowed brow.

“Wild horses couldn’t keep me from you,” you insisted quietly. “And I don’t care what anyone thinks or says – I only care about you. You’re mine, Joel Miller, and I love you.”

Your steely certainty brought on a heady rush of warmth and rightness that slipped and settled right into his bones. He’d never been claimed before, never felt as if he truly belonged to any one person – not in the way he now belonged to you – and the declaration of your possessiveness extended beyond words when you abruptly slanted your mouth over his and reached between his legs.  

Joel groaned and gripped your waist, “Sweetheart, what are you –”  

“Let me,” you breathed against his lips. “Wanna take care of you, Joel.”

You worked him through his jeans – built him up quick until his dick strained against his fly. You mouthed at him – ran your tongue and teeth along his jaw and neck and ear. Belt. Button. Zipper. Then, your knees hit the floorboards, and Joel wound his hand through the mess of your hair and tugged until you turned your face upward and focused your eyes on him.

“Say it again,” he demanded.

“I love you.”

“And?”

You dug your nails into his jean-clad thighs, “You’re mine.”

His cock was freed and then, it vanished – first, between your lips, and then, down your throat. You licked, laved, and suckled sloppily on every inch of him and when he came – teeth clenched, head thrown back, and hips practically levitated in pursuit of your mouth – you swallowed, swallowed, swallowed until he yanked you to your feet.

“Bed,” he panted. “Now.”

You smiled knowingly, “That an order or your birthday wish?”  

Shared laughter. Nuzzled noses. Then, a slow dance out of the kitchen and up the stairs, made slower by kisses that lingered and touches that wandered and clothes that got divested along the way. Hot skin and cool sheets. You, prone and spread wide in the center of the mattress. Him, flat on his belly with his face nestled between your thighs.

Your hand – splayed over the crown of his head. His lips – pursed over your clit. Your clenched, wet sex around his fingers and his cock smeared with renewed arousal. Joel tasted you – filled his senses with your lust until you gasped and burst like ripe fruit on his tongue. You vibrated beneath him, breathlessly chanted his name, and when he crawled up your body, you welcomed him with open arms.

Your thigh – hitched high over his waist. His hand – planted on the small of your back. Fitted together, eye-to-eye and mouth-to-mouth, with your breasts crushed against his chest and his teeth sunk into your shoulder. Buried deep and tight, his hips rolled, languid and smooth, and you rocked your pelvis down to meet him every time.

Long lashes and lust-blown pupils. Furrowed brow and kiss-swollen lips. The smeared blood from his knuckles on your chin, cheeks, and nose. And your eyes – fuck, your eyes – made him feel raw. Exposed. Desired. Loved.  

“M’sorry,” he rasped as he rolled you onto your back.

“No,” you smirked as you trailed a fingertip along the cut of his jaw, “You’re not.”

His grin – hidden against the crook of your neck. Your thighs – wrapped snugly around his waist. Knees dug into the mattress and hands intertwined above your head. You squeezed his bruised knuckles hard when you came, and that lick of pain got all twisted up with the pleasure, and he let go right after – filled you up and held himself deep inside your warmth as you pulsed around him.

A heady, jumbled mess of leaden limbs and heavy breaths. His face – pillowed by your breasts. Your nose – nuzzled against the crown of his head. The steady beat of your heart and the combined scent of your skin and his and the sunshine air embedded in the sheets. The longer Joel remained in the embrace of your arms and body, the more he realized just how much your declaration had unburned him.

Father. Brother. Uncle. Husband. He’d been all of those things before the outbreak. Had loved before the outbreak. After Sarah’s death, the grief that had swallowed him whole, and he’d hardened himself to the point where he’d almost forgotten what it felt like to feel anything other than crippling regret and agonizing sorrow.

Maybe it was why he was so surprised to realize that he loved you, too – perhaps for much longer than he’d actually realized, and in a way that he’d never loved anyone else before.

Joel loved you in the ways he knew how – with his body and his fists and what little remained of his heavy, broken heart. He loved you to distraction – mind always curious as to the what, where, how, and why of everything related to you. He loved your thoughtfulness – the mended clothes, surprise treats, and bonfires on the back porch. He loved your kindness – how you wholly embraced Ellie and never judged his coping mechanisms and helped him set up a private place of remembrance in his backyard for Sarah and Tess.

His sordid past and brutish behavior. The suicide attempt, displayed on his temple for all to see, like some sort of shameful brand. You had his number. Knew his story. Accepted it and even embraced it. And though you’d never needed to, and he’d never asked you to, you helped him carry the burdens that still crushed him.  

And Joel understood because he knew – he knew he wouldn’t only fight for you and kill for you.

He’d live for you, too.

October

[briiightserpent]

I see a lot of people saying they don't understand why orochimaru was pardoned of their crimes at the end of naruto but when you look at the world as a whole, by the standards of the shinobi world they aren't actually that bad.

Now saying this is not justifying their actions but more contextualizing them within the narrative itself and how there is kind of a double standard when it come so them.

Often people will site the fact they have experimented on children while ignoring the fact that the hidden villages do that regularly. Kirigakure experiments on Rin to make her basically a jinchuuriki bomb to set on konoha. The whole process of turning children into jinchuuriki can also be considered that. As well as the incident commonly referred to was following danzo orders, a high up official for konoha. Another thing to consider, tobirama, a hokage, created several forbidden jutsu, in particular the reanimation jutsu. No doubt that took considerable amounts of experimentation to even come up with the concept especially when you consider the reanimated shinobi need a living host.

Another point people will bring up is how they groom children (not for sexual purposes I’m honestly kind of tired of that misconception) to be human sacrifices towards furthering their own life but also to use as weapons. They are all things hidden villages do actively. Children are sent to war. You see what team minato goes through, how these children around 10-12 years old are on the front lines. Once again what Rin goes through is a good example of that. Ultimately these wars are often a power struggle in service of the kages.

Another thing to consider is when and how they grew up. No doubt they would have been very young when the first ninja war occurred. At the same time as all of that, they lost their parents. They didn’t have the parental guidance that Jiraya and Tsunade had. The figure in their life closest to being even remotely parental is Hiruzen, the man teaching them to become a human weapon. That is the whole basis of their childhood. All they knew growing up was being a shinobi.

In addition to that, they grew up when Tobirama was the hokage and while we didn’t see how his rule necessarily went, I believe there’s enough context in the series itself to know how it went. No doubt it was much stricter, no doubt the brutal shinobi code was forced down kids throats way more then it was in naruto era. They are taught from a very young age that life is expendable, that you cannot show weakness, that power is everything while also constantly being scared by death. From what we know the sannin are the only shinobi from konoha during that era still alive. They no doubt watch classmates, mentors, allies die in horrible violent ways during the wars, it traumatised them to the point of being so afraid of death that they will do anything to escape it. This all contributes to their general apathy for those around them.

Judging by how konoha treats anyone vaguely out of the norm in naruto era (take for example how hinata is bullied for being shy and having anxiety by her peers in flashbacks) while also considering the harsher era they grew up in they more then likely suffered greatly because of those around them. They were always different. From the way they spoke, the fact that they are so explicitly queer and most significantly how they look. There is not a single person (besides the women in ryuuchi cave in boruto but that will tie into a theory I have that also contextualizes why they wanted to destroy konoha but I’ll detail in another post later on, regardless I doubt the general konoha population even knows ryuchi cave exists let alone its inhabitants. Anyway that tangent is over) that looks like them. They're no doubt othered and ostracized for things they couldn't change. I imagine they didn't have any friends outside of their team. They were isolated. That solitude no doubt contributed to how jaded they were, their spite for the villages and general anger you see reflected in naruto era. They were so disconnected that it fostered hatred for those that isolated them. Why would they care about those who treated them like a freak?

All of this shaped them into who they are. They are a product of their environment, an environment that consistently committed the very crimes they did. It's why up until the 4th ninja war their world view and perception of life itself is the way it is. All of their crimes are ultimately what they were used to. If anything they are on par with the world around them.

The thing with orochimaru is, a lot of what lies beneath the surface with them is subtext which is why I don't think a lot of people register this kind of stuff. There are a few things they say throughout both naruto and boruto that I think illustrate some of my points.

I think these all serve to further what I'm trying to get across. The emphasis in the first manga cap of them living in an era of conflict and of course their power above all else. The second to show their rejection of villages and how they repress individuality both socially and through the way shinobi are taught to feel. The third with their own struggle with identity likely from both how they grew up, how different they were to those around them physically and mentally (I personally believe they are neurodivergent coded and how that contributes) and of course their struggle with gender that we later see how the recognise that part of themselves in boruto. And of course the last of the caps I think illustrates how they grew up and then lived brought about their darkness. There's a particular line that stuck with me when I was watching the dub (I struggle with keeping up with subtitles so I prefer the dub) where they say they want mitsuki to see the light they never could which of course points to their life and upbringing shaping them to be the way they were.

I think when it comes to speaking about orochimaru there is a lot more nuance that needs to be discussed rather then simply "they did bad things, they are evil" because ultimately the narrative itself is opposing them by the nature of it being centered around konoha and of course by extension the systems of the hidden villages. Naturally it is going to show those villages in a better light then someone who actively goes against those systems but unlike the main akatsuki doesn’t have the luxury of their backstory being shown in full and instead be more something you have to read between the lines.

The way I see things it’s exemplified by considering their stance in the 4th ninja war and boruto that they more occupy a position of neutrality. They aren’t evil, they certainly aren’t good and when you consider the world around them that neutrality is even more obvious. I do also believe that if they didn’t go through all they did and lived in an era of peace like in boruto, they would have been exactly like Mitsuki.

Anywaaaay these are thoughts I’ve had building up for a while. It may not be constructed the best, I’ve never really been good at putting my thoughts to words, just neurodivergent things I guess. But like I think about Orochimaru a lot and considering the fanfic I’m writing analysing their circumstances is something I find a lot of entertainment in. In the end I just want people to understand them more as a character rather then having such surface level takes (thanks tiktok and twt for never having any nuance and leading me to my long winded rambles.

To all that get this far, Thank you for indulging my little orochimaru hyperfixation. It’s greatly appreciated 💖 also sorry for the shitty formatting I did this on mobile.

[cafeleningrad]

Boy do I have ambiguous feelings towards TBSOS as a book. Thinking out typing, to say so.

Because Coriolanus is so compellingly written: Constantly in a state of mental warfare, him being conditioned to think of himself as superior, the constant survival mode having molded him selfish, any kindness and comradery is mocked by, if not deeply dangerous in his enviroment. Dr. Gaul, Panem itself never letting him escape out of this mentality.

So then, District 12 should take him out of this environment, giving him a chance to re-evaluate. And sure, nature, birds, the lake as metaphor how District people live a hard life but full of connection. Yet Coriolanus stumbling thorugh this metaphor with "not liking birds and mosquitos" so "we need control of that", is not really re-evaluating his beliefs enough for a debate about state control. Like, he's a city kid on his first time out on the country side. These parts were so funny to me because yeah, I had to softly tell friends form the city that the coo-coo sounds wasn't a barnowl but a forest dove, and yeah the hiking pathways get muddy when it rains, get used to the dirt, don't look so surprised this is how to milk cows and yes neither the cow nor I are happy to get up at 5am but it has to be done. Again, I do see the metaphor but I do et the culture shock from his perspective, and that a first impression at 18 informs his first dabbling at political theory without any proper counterargument leaves a big gap between the meta discussions and actual events. For a guy who was raised in luxury, was recently promised luxury, him being confronted with utter poverty... I mean yeah, there's just juxtaposition, no nearing of positions.

For one Coriolanus has barely gotten out of his old life, yet the narrative doesn't really confront his believes, especially in his late teens, is just weak. I've a lot of problems formulating this properly because Coriolanus considers the cruelty of the Capitol he himself was subjected to as necessary, his belief in his superiority aids him through the mental loopholes to justify his killings, only his actions are noble but nobody else could act out of the same reasons as him. Yet all Lucy Grey and Coriolanus argue about is "people can easily be bad" back with "actually, people are good" and that's the whole debate of safety vs. liberty. I mean yeah sure, the narrative and Dr. Gaul made sure that a first shock experience was somehow enough to convince him that things are good and fair as they are, and yet I am left dissatisfied at the book leaving me with such an intricate character in a world of simple sides.

(Also Coriolanus deciding to kill Lucy Gray instead of thinking how to get the girl with him to District 2. I mean yeah, again I've to argue with the meta that Coriolanus is selfish, and thinks of her more as his property, and by now she's metaphorically connected to nature, autonomy and so on, but still... why would a guy this possessive, five minutes ago agreeing to run away for her, not try to have her but in his way? the final quarter really grates me in a way that I have a hard time pinpointing how the text established so much for Coriolanus to walk on it's own although he doesn't walk a path of argumentative logic.)