#geoff: (supportive confusion)

[bookinit02]

trying to come to terms with the fact that i told my entire class of grad students AND MY PROFESSOR that i write gay fanfiction for 911 and stranger things. voluntarily. DURING CLASS.

[twopoppies]

I am genuinely angry.

Someone has died in a very unfortunate and tragic way. A human fucking being and yet the media is treating this like a circus.

Fans too.

They think that Harry, Zayn, Louis, and Niall have something to prove. They are foaming at the mouth to get "proof" that they care and are sad.

THEY OWE US NOTHING!

They want to exploit family members.

How would these photographers and "fans" like it if someone they loved died in this horrible way and the way they handled their grief was recorded for the world and being told they have to act in a certain way.

Grief isn't linear.

Grief doesn't look a certain way.

Everyone grieves differently.

Grief can be crying for a loss.

Grief can be putting on a strong face and facing out into the world, trying to live normally and dealing with everything your way in private.

Grief can be smiling and laughing as you remember your loved one.

You can mourn them and feel better for a while just for the world to come crashing down again when you remember the loss.

So called "fans" do NOT dictate how the boys grieve. They do not get to judge their words, actions, decisions.

They are their own people.

The people who want to meet/comfort/dictate what the boys say have some spectacular, fantastical vision of them. A made up version in their head. It's delusional and unhealthy.

The media are money and power hungry. They're invasive and disgusting.

Being someone associated with paparazzi is embarrassing and should be illegal.

If celebrities wanted us to know where they were, they would tell us.

Jesus Christ this whole thing has just made me sick. A grieving father can't go take care of whatever business he needs to take care of without gross Neanderthals trying to film him. I'm grateful for the fans holding things up and throwing their hands infront of the cameras. I admire Geoff for braving the crowd, thanking the fans and reading their letters and cards, and for being so strong and representing his family in the public eye. I can't imagine the heartache.

I hope and pray that wherever the boys and their families are, they are healthy and coping the best that they can. I hope they are all supporting each other and/or have a good support system. I pray they find the peace they need during this time. I wish all of them well.

My heart goes out to Liam's friends, family, his actual, respectful fans. My heart especially goes out to Cheryl as she navigates this very confusing time. Explaining death to a child is never easy and I can't imagine having to explain the loss of a parent to a 7 year old.

We should spread positivity for Bear to read when the time comes. Share what Liam meant to us. He was our comfort when there was little comfort he could find. He was our joy when he had none himself.

He wasn't a perfect man by any means but he tried his best for his fans, friends, family, his son, but most importantly himself.

Thank you, Liam. ♥ 🕯

❤️ and… I’m crying again.

[radioactive-earthshine]

Are Clark and Kon father/son or brothers? I am so confused on what to call them and the fandom seems overly divided.

Yes, no, both, neither.

The fandom is divided because events within the comics are not 100% clear on what they are, or should be, to each other barring one panel where Clark does refer to Kon as his brother because he was raised by Martha and Jonathan Kent.

Where the confusion and divide comes from stems from one simple turning point in Kon's comics that some fans cite as detrimental to Kon while others celebrate it; Kon being a 'clone' of Clark and Lex was in fact a retcon to his origin.

When Kon was first created as a character, he was presented as a clone of Superman, then it was revealed that was a lie told to him, he was actually someone else's clone entirely, later it was revealed his cell donor was a man named Paul Westfield who was about as unethical as Lex Luthor and was already dead by the time Kon found out the truth.

So from 1993-2003 Kon had no genetic relationship to Clark - but he still had a relationship with him.

During this time Kon had a complicated but close relationship to Clark that is hard to really identify with nuclear family titles. If you read all of SB94 you will find that their relationship evolves over time and it is not without some strain that resolves itself eventually.

This era is important to a lot of Kon fans because it sticks with the root story in Superman that love, legacy, and family does not need to stem from blood relation. Clark is an adopted refugee who found love and a home from two imperfect, but perfect to him, parents and while he never quite felt like he belonged, he still found home. Tying this story back to Kon for a lot of comic fans is exceedingly important.

Then 2003 came along and Geoff Johns did what any of us would realistically do... he projected his own headcanons and characterization on Kon and he was given the go-ahead to retcon Kon's origins that he was actually Lex and Clark's "clone" essentially making him a... child of Clark.

So now Kon is Kryptonian, biologically related to Clark and Lex, child support jokes are everywhere, and meanwhile in the comics Kon still has a nebulous relationship with Clark.

He admires him, he loves him, he worries if he is good enough for the Superman mantle, he wonders if he should even try to wear it, he compares himself to Clark (and Lex) and all through this mention of him being his parent is emphatically not part of the question.

So he is genetically Clark's son per what a 50/50 split of DNA is, but he is also his brother (which current Clark has claimed), and he is also neither to him.

It honestly at this point is up to the reader and writer at any given time. As it is we might get a whole new origin for him either in the comics or in MAWS which no doubt is going to change the Kon landscape again.

Another element in this is the Young Justice Animation that also shook Kon and Clark's relationship up by presenting them as something that could be parent/child (via Bruce) and then later confirming that they see each other as brothers, much to some fans deep ire.

Final words - Kon is a chimera freak and has a complicated relationship with Clark, it is fair to call him a brother and a son and neither, it just depends on what sort of story you are looking to tell or what story you want to read.

Note: N52 "Kon" is not Conner Kent and thus us not part of this conversation.

[raytorosaurus]

geoff and john naclerio about ray in 2002 from not the life it seems/norman brannon about ray and geoff on his instagram story in 2022

like one of the really remarkable things about ray is not just how talented he is, because there are hundreds of insane guitar freaks out there, but how he's that talented and also capable of cooperating as a single element of a band for such a long long time. he went around confusing hardcore/punk kids who drew false conclusions about him because of his metal roots, he obsessively lay down like a dozen guitar tracks for the songs on bullets but also adamantly refused to let geoff and alex saavedra secretly retrack otter's messy drum tracks because they were friends, he was fully supportive of mikey learning bass from scratch to be in the band, and, despite some initial nerves about frank joining, he went on to form one of the most interesting and cooperative dual guitar partnerships i've ever heard with him and has never expressed anything less than deep admiration at frank's playing...he's a rare specimen for sure. truly in his lane, unbothered, focused, flourishing lol

[fallingblueroses]

Whumptober 2024 prompt: Sensory deprivation, with a dash of betrayal added.

VP's Panic! at the Disco video with a twist.

***

Eli's head throbbed as he woke up. Where am I? It was dark--no, he realized. He was blindfolded. There was tape over his mouth, and when he tried to move he realized the cold metal on his wrists was actually chains holding him down to a chair.

His heart beat doubled as he realized he'd been kidnapped--and from the sound of it he wasn't alone. He could hear chains rattling and chairs scraping as others struggled. A muffled groan of frustration that sounded like Earl came to his ears. Had they all been taken?

What the hell happened? The last thing he remembered was being at PattyCake Productions with VoicePlay rehearsing for their new video. He'd separated from the group to get a cup of coffee while Layne and J argued over some minor point. He'd been walking down the hall when he'd felt a sharp pain in the back of his head...

Eli's thoughts were interrupted when he heard footsteps. The others with him fell silent as well. The footsteps stopped, then there was a sound of tape being torn from skin. Geoff's voice, loud and angry: "Who are you? What the hell is this!" And then, a few seconds later, in a much softer, bewildered voice: "Tony? You?"

Tony?! Eli's eyes widened behind the blindfold. Tony had been acting strange lately, but Eli and the rest of them had put it up to the accident. A few weeks back Tony had fallen off a ladder at PattyCake while setting up some lighting and had hit his head. He'd spent a day in the hospital under observation, but had been ultimately declared fine and sent home.

"Yes, Geoff. It's me."

Eli heard Geoff draw in a sharp breath. "Oh my God...what...why..."

"They deserve it."

"What?!"

"They forced me out of VoicePlay. For him." Tony's voice was cold and hard. "Well, Eli? Layne? Earl? Was he worth it?"

Earl said something through his tape, and Geoff's voice mirrored Eli's confusion. "Tony...no. That's not what happened."

Tony's voice sharpened. "And what did happen, Geoff?"

Geoff spoke quickly. "No one forced you out. You wanted to leave to focus on PattyCake. Remember? You said business was picking up and you didn't have time for both. We didn't want to lose you, but we understood. We supported your decision."

"Those three wanted me gone. They had him waiting to step him."

"No. J wasn't waiting. We were a quartet for a while, remember? We found him..."

"Stop. Just stop."

"Tony, let us go. It's not too late..."

"Stop it!" Eli jumped at Tony's scream. But his voice quickly softened. "That's why everyone loves you, Geoff. You see the best in everyone. All of that happened right in front of you and you never saw it. You were the one who called to check to see if I was sure I wanted to leave."

"It was a big decision. I wanted to make sure everything was okay. You said it was. You've been happy the way things are now. Remember? You told me it was easier not touring, being able to sleep in your own bed every night, not having to eat out all the time. Please, Tony. They're your friends too. Let us go."

Silence.

"I know things have been confusing for you since the fall. But we can talk this out."

Silence.

Geoff's voice became desperate. "Tony, I'm begging you. I'd get on my knees if I could. Let us go. We've toured together. There were times we saw more of each other than we did our families. Yes, there were rough patches but we've always worked them out!"

Silence, except for heavy breathing next to Eli. It sounded like Layne.

Geoff's voice was starting to come in rushed, gasping breaths. "Tony. If you kill us...that can't be taken back."

Those words made Eli's heart freeze. What did Geoff see that he couldn't?

Tony still remained silent, but Geoff went on. "Let us go. We can go back to PattyCake like none of this ever happened."

"There's that optimism again." Tony's voice was calm, thoughtful. We can't go back just like that. You know that." Geoff fell silent, and then Tony spoke again. "I'll let you go. Just you."

"What?"

"We can walk out of here. But you have to leave them behind."

Eli's own breath came hard in the silence. Then Geoff's weak, defeated voice: "I don't want to die."

"Then you don't have a choice, do you?"

"No. I don't."

Earl's voice came in a muffled, angry yell as Eli felt himself deflate. Was Geoff actually going to walk out and abandon them to...whatever Tony had planned? No. He wouldn't do that...

Eli heard Geoff's chain rattle--then his heart leapt as he heard two punches. Tony grunted and fell, and there were a few quick footsteps before Tony yelled. "Put that down!"

"Tell me how to disarm it."

Disarm...A bomb. There's a bomb. Eli stiffened as a fresh wave of panic set in. How much time was left...?

"Put it down!"

Geoff screamed in fear and rage. "Tell me how to disarm the god damned bomb, Tony!"

Tony sighed. "I don't know. I didn't make it. I bought it."

"Where did you..." Geoff's voice trailed off, but Eli could hear his deep, heavy breathing.

"Put it down, Geoff. There's nothing left to do." Tony's voice was cold and certain.

An agonizing silence fell, and then Eli swore he heard Geoff swallow. "...Guys...I love you all." Then running footsteps.

Tony screamed. "No!" More running footsteps, and Eli understood. Geoff was running away with the bomb. A crashing sound came from some little distance, and Eli could hear Tony and Geoff struggling.

"Let go of it!" Tony yelled.

"I have to get it outside!"

Tony cried out in pain, and Eli heard Geoff run again. Tony followed a few seconds later. The sound of footsteps faded, and then Eli heard glass break. Two more seconds passed--then the building rocked as an explosion nearly deafened Eli. He braced himself, but there was no heat. No pain. No debris fell to crush him...A wave of relief washed over Eli for a heartbeat--

And then Tony screamed. "No! No, no, no!" And to Eli's horror, there was no answer from Geoff.

[opreaadriann]

Side Story - Angela’s Best (Worst) Week

I don’t consider myself special. I actually pride myself in being normal. I’m just a normal, high school girl, stressing about grades, romance, and what I’m going to wear the next day I go out. Everything is simple, and I like it that way.

Still, I am surrounded by people that are special and it is a pleasure to see them show off their talents. Cecily Knight, for example, is the prodigy of the swim team and beats record after record each time she jumps in the pool. I’m also part of that team, but I’m eclipsed by her every day. Something I’m content with. I would have loved to stay on the sidelines, watching her become her best self, with me cheering on the side. However, I messed up.

A few seconds ago, I did something amazing. I beat Cecily Knight in a race. It wasn’t by much, don’t expect miracles from me! But I did beat her. And I realized something was wrong when I looked around excitedly and nobody was happy for me. Normally, you'd expect cheers and applause for defeating the school's best swimmer, right?

I look behind at Cecily, who doesn’t really seem that upset. Her face is perfectly neutral, as it usually is, as she gets off her goggles and cap. She ignores me completely, not even a glance in my direction, as she attempts to get out of the pool. Some guy comes close to give her a hand and she slaps it.

“Do I look like I need help?” She asks, not even looking at the student.

“N-No…” He responds.

She then gets out of the pool and someone quickly brings her a towel. I also start getting out of the pool and nobody approaches me. I look at Miss Villaverde, who has been our coach for just a few months now, and notice that she’s writing down something in her notebook. She’s usually very supportive, so I’m confused why she isn’t saying anything now.

People start walking past me, bumping shoulders as they approach Cecily to find a way to please her. They all seem to think she’s upset.

“Ugh, can you all leave me alone?” She says while walking past me. Cecily keeps eye contact with me for a few seconds before leaving the pool area. Everyone just goes about their day, as if nothing happened.

Expect one person. Geoff. A tall, cute guy that I’ve had a crush on for the last month. We’ve talked a few times before, but nothing special.

“Good job, Angela.” He says.

I respond excitedly, “Thanks! I can’t believe I’ve actually done that!”

“I can’t either. You’ve humiliated Cecily. Do you have a death wish?”

“Huh?”

“Who do you think you are? You think you can just hurt the queen of Rourke High and get away with it?”

“Hurt her? I just–”

He suddenly looks in the distance, the way Cecily exited the room, “She acted in such an exemplary way… She left with her dignity intact. But I know she feels horrible for having lost to a nobody like you.”

I’m not sure what is happening right now. Am I getting a talking-to for winning a swimming race? Isn’t that what we’re supposed to do?

“I… don’t know what to say…”

“Of course you don’t. You should feel ashamed of yourself.”

🙇 Full story on Patreon. 🙇

[constellaj]

One question about your Multiverse AU that I've always been dying to ask and have now gotten the courage to do so: How did the Geoff and Alejandro who got to become Vaquero meet and then subsequently fuse?

I'm also happy with just any tidbits about Vaquero because he seems like an incredibly interesting character.

Oh man that is one of my favorite stories !!! As always, pieced together with the help of @crystalfloe :)

So our multiverse has a pseudo-government, not necessarily in the collecting taxes sense, but in a very strict "detaining people with highly volatile personalities or magic powers" sense. So strict that you can be detained for something you did in a past life-- and you will be!

This is what happened to Geoff. Dude has no idea what he's in for, but one day he's shipped from a dinky little temporary holding cell into the massive, main DIDU complex (Dangerous Immortal Detention Unit).

He's supposed to go to some "rehab" program while he's here. A program that just so happens to be run by Alejandro!

Alejandro is a little more experienced when it comes to dealing with the multiverse; some might say too experienced. He's got a kind of terrifying powerset, and kind of hates his job as a therapist, but it pays well- and he really, really needs the cash.

See, Alejandro is a "pairhunter." Two immortals can "pair" with one another (almost always on accident) when their auras intertwine, giving them a powerful combined boost in magic. If this relationship is severed, however, the results can be unstable and catastrophic for the people who've paired. Oftentimes, without the support of their pair's original aura, their physical and mental forms break down until they're nothing but a conglomerate of goo wandering the multiversal plane, looking for their lost pair-- a creature known as a Pairhunter.

While it's unclear the circumstances that led to this Alejandro becoming one, we know his former pair was a Geoff-- probably an asshole, Aftermath-hosting one.

Pairhunters are almost always quarantined by the DIDU. Alejandro's employers don't know he is one, because he's found a temporary work around-- buying suspicious pills on the black market! Some lovely lady out there is extracting aura from a bunch of imprisoned Geoffs and condensing it into capsule form, which helps our little Al stave off total deterioration.

Geoff pills don't come cheap, though, which is why he has this job in the first place. Unfortunately, he leaves Geoff himself unattended in his office. More unfortunately, while rooting around for contraband (to bring back to the boys, bro!), Geoff finds and accidentally absorbs his medication.

Geoff has no reason to know it, but his power this lifetime is energy absorption. Pills made entirely of formless aura seep into your skin *quick,* especially if that aura is *yours.* He has no idea what just happened or even what those pills were.

What he *does* know is how panicked Alejandro is when he gets back. Total 180° from his usually suave, if disinterested, behavior-- talking about how he's going to lose his job and his mind. Geoff might be in jail, but that doesn't mean he's an asshole, so he does what you learn to do after a lifetime of prison; he grabs Alejandro and hides from the staff.

In a cramped little broom closet he sees something he hasn't before; a man breaking apart into abstract form, dripping onto the ground. Without the stabilization of those pills, Alejandro's basically done for. Confused and offput by this needlessly charming man in tears, Geoff does what a Geoff does best. He hugs the dude.

Turns out, when a being *made* of uncompressed energy and a being that *absorbs* uncompressed energy collide, they fuse.

Vaquero's first appearance is brief, but it changes the stakes. Even just those few seconds fused stabilized Alejandro better than a lifetime of pills. (Hugging your boyfriend is not a substitute for taking your antidepressants. This is fiction. go take your meds man). The two make a pact; Alejandro stops trying to mold Geoff into the ideal 'reformed prisoner,' and Geoff doesn't tell any guards what's happening. They continue their therapy sessions, of course, as scheduled, but those very quickly become nothing but the opportunity for Vaquero to form again.

And, naturally, over time they develop feelings for each other. Classic gay shit.

Unfortunately, every part of this plan is illegal, down to the act of fusion itself. Through a series of stupid mistakes and cocky attitudes, one guard (pseudoname Helix) develops his suspicions. Alejandro is pressured and interrogated. Worse, Geoff gets planned to move to deep solitary, with no hopes of ever seeing Alejandro again.

Who's ready for a good old fashioned prison break?

With Geoff's prison buds and Alejandro's knowledge of the complex, Vaquero manages to make it out into the central city-Hub of the multiverse. He loses Helix in a mostly condemned back alleyway, hiding in an abandoned building.

Once the lights come on, he realizes this place is perfect size for an illicit bar.

And so opens Club Vaquero, an underground and entirely secretive operation that hides the misfits and criminals of the wider multiverse. Run by a man you've never seen before, not at any Bridgette beach parties or Carlos soccer meets-- a man unlike anything you've seen in the multiverse before, a man with no parallel versions.

Let's just hope Helix doesn't hear about this place.

[yuriosakawa]

Total Drama Reunion: Lava Run

The ground trembled beneath them as the artificial volcano roared, spewing molten lava down the slopes of Wawanakwa. The air was thick with heat and smoke, making every breath a struggle. The contestants—former rivals, allies, and frenemies—were now united in a desperate race against time.  

"Run!!" Duncan shouted desperately, and they didn’t need to be told twice. The rules of the game no longer mattered. The only objective was survival.  

Katie’s arms burned with exhaustion as she carried an injured Sadie on her back, her best friend groaning in pain. "I got you, Sadie! Just hold on!" she panted, stumbling but refusing to let go.  

DJ and Owen worked frantically to save every animal they could find, whether it was the adorable or the outright terrifying. Owen clutched a freaky-looking mutant squirrel in one arm and a mutant raccoon in the other, while DJ hauled a terrified mutant duck under one arm and a limping mutant bunny under the other.  

"We can't just leave them, dude!" Owen shouted over the chaos.  

"I know, man, I know!" DJ agreed, shoving more critters into his shirt.  

Meanwhile, Geoff and Tyler struggled under the weight of Justin, who was still unconscious and burned from an earlier explosion. Each of them supported one of his arms, dragging him along as sweat poured down their faces.  

"This guy weighs more than he looks!" Tyler grunted.  

"Less complaining, more moving!" Geoff shot back, readjusting his grip.  

LeShawna had a firm grip on Harold’s arm, practically pulling him along as he stumbled. "Come on, string bean, we ain't dying today!" she barked.  

Duncan carried Alejandro in a fireman’s carry, his jaw clenched as he made his way over crumbling ground. "You better appreciate this, pretty boy," he muttered. "If you wake up and start talking crap, I will drop you."  

Chef, grumbling under his breath, dragged an unconscious Chris McLean by the collar of his stupid host uniform. "If I didn’t have a soul, I’d leave you here," he growled. "But noooo, I gotta be the bigger man."  

Lindsay and Beth, despite their complicated history with Heather, refused to abandon her. They each held onto one of her arms, struggling to keep her steady as they fled.  

"I think she'd do this for us," Beth panted.  

"She totally would!" Lindsay said with a determined nod. Then she paused. "Wait… would she?"  

Cody held Sierra in a bridal carry, his face a mix of confusion and sheer determination. Even if their relationship was complicated, he wasn't about to leave her behind.  

Eva, completely unfazed, carried Noah under one arm as he winced in pain from his broken leg.  

"Ugh, of course my leg breaks at the worst possible time," Noah groaned.  

"Less whining," Eva ordered. "More surviving."  

Izzy and Courtney supported a pregnant Bridgette, who clutched her belly and tried to keep up.  

"Of all the times to go into labor, please don’t let it be now!" Courtney begged.  

Izzy just grinned. "This is the best escape ever! Well, second best. First was that time I ran from the cops in—"  

"Not the time, Izzy!" Courtney snapped.  

Trent, without hesitation, carried a snarling and wild-eyed Ezekiel bridal style. The once-feral contestant thrashed weakly, but Trent held firm.  

Gwen, running beside him, nodded in understanding. "Good call," she said.  

The contestants ran, jumped, and stumbled toward the escape boats as the island burned behind them.  

As they made it to the shore, DJ and Owen frantically released the rescued animals onto the boat. Duncan dumped Alejandro onto the deck, and Geoff and Tyler collapsed beside Justin.  

One by one, everyone made it aboard. Chef threw Chris down unceremoniously, shaking his head. "You better give me a damn raise for this."  

As the boats pulled away, the artificial volcano erupted behind them, sending lava and debris flying.  

Everyone sat in exhausted silence, watching the island sink into chaos.  

"We survived," Gwen breathed.  

"Yeah," Cody muttered, glancing at the unconscious Sierra in his arms. "But at what cost?"  

The group exchanged looks. They had been through the worst challenge yet—one that wasn't for money, fame, or TV ratings.  

Just pure survival.  

And somehow, they had all made it out together.  

For once, Total Drama had no winners or losers.  

Just survivors. And maybe…

That’s more than enough… 

[inapat17]

What to say about the movie Civil War by Alex Garland

With "Civil War," Garland explores the complexities of human nature and societal upheaval, presenting a dystopian vision that resonates with contemporary issues. This blog delves into the thematic essence, cinematic techniques, and overall impact of "Civil War," making it a must-watch for fans of speculative fiction.

Thematic Exploration

"Civil War" delves deep into the fabric of societal fractures and the human condition. Set in a not-so-distant future, the film portrays an American society on the brink of collapse, divided by ideological and political conflict. Garland's narrative is a chilling exploration of what happens when a society loses its cohesion and descends into chaos. The title itself is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of internal conflict within nations, making it highly relevant in today's polarized world.

One of the central themes of "Civil War" is the fragility of democracy and the ease with which civil liberties can be crushed. Garland uses his characters to depict various facets of this theme. Throughout their journey within the states, the main characters (war reporters) introduce us to this new fractured society where the loss of trust in institutions leads to extreme violence. This thematic depth is what sets Garland's work apart, offering viewers not just a story, but a mirror to our own society.

Cinematic Techniques

The visual storytelling in “Civil War” is very striking and intense, with a meticulous attention to detail that enhances its dystopian atmosphere. The scenes of violence are shockingly realistic, brutal and traumatic - for my part. This film depicts the daily life of war journalists. Above all, it highlights the dualism of this profession: whether you're prepared to risk your life for a good photo or not.The cinematography by Rob Hardy, plays a crucial role in immersing the audience in this dystopian world. Hardy's use of long, unbroken shots creates a sense of continuity and realism, making the unfolding chaos feel both inevitable and inescapable. 

The sound design also deserves special mention; the ambient sounds by Ben Salisbury and Geoff Barrow add layers of tension and unease, making the film an auditory experience as much as a visual one. It also confuses the viewer and makes the scenes all the more shocking.

Character Development

Garland's characters are complex and multi-dimensional, reflecting the gray areas of morality that the film seeks to explore. The protagonist (Kristen Dunst - LeeSmith), portrayed with nuanced intensity by an as-yet-undisclosed lead actor, embodies the struggle for survival and integrity in a world where the lines between right and wrong are increasingly blurred. Supporting characters (Wagner Moura -  Joel / Cailee Speany - Jessie / Stephen McKinley Henderson - Sammy)  add depth to the narrative, each representing different responses to the societal collapse—some succumb to fear and hatred, while others strive to find a semblance of humanity and hope.

The interactions between characters are where Garland's script truly shines. Dialogue is sparse but impactful, often leaving much unsaid, which adds to the tension and the viewers' engagement.

Impact and Conclusion

"Civil War" is not just a film; it is a commentary on the state of our world. Garland's cautionary tale challenges viewers to reflect on their own beliefs and the direction in which our society is heading.

In conclusion, "Civil War" by Alex Garland is a compelling and thought-provoking film that deserves attention and discussion. Its exploration of societal collapse is really interesting. As we navigate through increasingly turbulent times, Garland's film serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of unity, empathy, and vigilance. 

Trigger warning : the character with the pink glasses is the worst of all,  in my opinion.

BOILEAU Ninon

[acaplaya-musings]

Voiceplay Visuals: Get Back Up Again

It took me a while to watch this one for the first time (which I did like a month or two ago), can't exactly explain why, though it did probably have something to do with the fact that I've never seen Trolls. Sure, I've seen a couple of scenes from it, and I know the characters and the basic plot, but I've just never actually sat down to watch it! And the only original song I knew from the movie was Can't Stop The Feeling (because it'd be basically impossible to not have heard it by this point). This song is really good though (originally written by Pasek & Paul apparently, which explains a lot), and Voiceplay's video for it (released in May 2018) is very fun as well, so let's get into it!

Some person called "Leo" is credited for the intro animation, so shoutout to Leo! The little character designs are so cute, and I will get to each one individually.

The up-and-down hand movements that J is doing at the start of the video, they intrigue me and I swear he (or possibly another VP member) has done very similiar hand motions in a different video. Does stuff like that just come with being an acapella singer or something?

Earl is Poppy, the main character of the movie! He looks good in pink honestly

Eli is Branch, the secondary protagonist (I guess?) of the movie

J None is Guy Diamond (a troll covered in silver glitter) and he's styling!

Geoff is Biggie, one of the biggest troll characters in the movie, who has a pet worm/best friend called Mr Dinkles (yes, that is what Geoff is holding)

And Layne is Smidge, who apparently (I looked it up on the Trolls Wiki) is one of the shortest trolls in the movie (ironic considering Layne is the tallest of the group), and is female, but speaks with a deep, masculine-sounding voice (trust Layne to give himself a comedic casting choice 😂 (this was his arrangement, and he and Geoff collaborated on the video))

1, Earl seems Confused by Layne's percussion-making method. 2, those chairs look really soft and comfy. And 3, great face Geoff 😆

Obligatory acknowledgement of J 'farting' glitter. I'm guessing it's a thing that Guy Diamond does in the movie

Okay so Geoff's hair does seem basically the same as it does in the 80s Cartoon Themes video (I was wondering), it might just be styled ever-so-slightly differently or something (also I really love his smiles in this video <3 )

Did J already own that necklace or was it bought just for this video?

Eli is Confused and Tired 😂

I don't think this is just a lowering of the lighting in this shot here, I think it's also got lower saturation levels I believe? (Possibly a post-production effect).

(Also Geoff being pretty without even trying (again))

"cause I know that I'm really really really gonna be OKAY!"

And then Eli, J, and Geoff's reactions 😆

Shoutout to Kathy (Geoff's wife) for doing the puppeteering in this video!

Geoff seems to be having fun anyway!

Love the subtle camera shake on the "if you knock knock me over, knock knock me over" line, in time with the knocking!

"Hug time!" "Hug time! I love hug time! Hug time's my favourite.

Also shout to the end card with the guys playing with the dolls/puppets, and "thank you to the Patrons for supporting this...craft project" 😂

This video is definitely a serotonin booster, both visually and musically!

[garthofshayeris]

what’s your opinion on geoff johns’ aquaman? i hear very mixed reviews about johns in general but i feel like everyone ik really liked his aquaman

I think it's pretty good. Probably my favorite run since New52 began (the bar is pretty low tho, I haven't liked most runs lol) and he clearly had a vision for a very condensed version of Aquaman. That was the main point of the New52 anyway, so he cut pretty much all the supporting cast and though I don't agree with all his character choices (Aquaman should talk to fish, actually) I do think it's a pretty good "baby's first Aquaman comic." He also wrote Throne of Atlantis, which I REALLY liked. I kinda wish he had more time to write, I think the comics were supposed to go a different direction and I might have liked it more. Or less. Who knows with Geoff's writing lmao

I think a lot of people say it's the "best" run because they do not want to read any older comics and because it's so simplified, it's very easy to understand. I don't think it's anywhere near the best run of the comic, but I do understand that the Aquaman fanbase was much smaller before he started being in more mainstream stuff, so of course the comic specifically made to be very easy for new readers...had the most new readers.

I think this is probably true of most comics now, but particularly with Aquaman if you have ONLY read New52 and beyond, it makes it very hard to suggest people read earlier runs because Vol 5, which is my favorite, does feel VERY confusing because it has a giant cast of characters and lots of lore and Aquaman goes by a completely different name. So one of my major gripes with the run, and subsequent runs because they are all basing themselves off of John's run, is the cast is VERY small and uninteresting now.

[thebusinessmagnate]

Jeffrey McGuane: Recentering Fox Racing as an Integrated Marketplace Brand for Performance and Lifestyle Supporting the Riders’ Community

Did you know that riders need proper and complete riding gear and apparel? Yes, be it for cyclists, mountain bikers, or motocross athletes and enthusiasts, riders need to be fully equipped with specifically designed gear, accessories, and clothing and apparel to comfortably ride, shield, and protect themselves from possible accidents and injuries. 

Motocross or MX sports is an off-road motorcycling sport that requires its riders to ride on rough courses that are uneven like gravel, sandy, or muddy. This is a dangerous sport and only professional riders are seen indulging and participating in such off-road course rides. Therefore the need for equipping riders with specifically designed gear and the appropriate clothing apparel is important for performance and protection. 

Keeping in mind the imperativeness of requiring appropriate gear and clothing apparel for cyclists, mountain riders, motocross athletes, and enthusiasts to be equipped with during their performances, in this article we will be sharing insights into a company established in California, USA, which specializes in offering the motocross community with an integrated retail marketplace for purchasing biking gear and apparel. 

 Founded by Geoff Fox in 1974, Fox Racing – a company and brand that was initially a small distribution business for European motocross parts and accessories, became a manufacturing retailer for high-performance suspension and engine parts for professional racers. With the current CEO’s leadership and management – Jeffrey McGuane is recentering Fox Racing as an integrated marketplace supporting and driving the Motocross Team, as well as opening doors for gear and clothing apparel for its riders and living by its commitment to supporting the enthusiastic riders’ community. 

The Game-Changing CEO Paving the Way for an Integrated Marketplace at Fox Racing:

The man who took the bat and chose to hit a home run has successfully been paving the way for Motocross riders and the enthusiastic riders’ community since his succession as CEO. Jeffrey McGuane is the current Chief Executive Officer leading and managing Fox Racing since 2019. 

Fox Racing (currently known as Fox Head since 2006) underwent brand recentering of its operations and services provided, after realizing the market capabilities and potentialities that the company could successfully reach. With Jeffrey’s leadership and management, Fox Racing was recentered to really “start committing to that premium position of a performance brand”. 

When the brand expanded to include retailing gear and clothing apparel for riders and athletes, apart from their supporting and driving the Motocross Team or the Moto-X Fox, people were getting confused as to what exactly Fox Racing leaned more on – performance-focused or lifestyle-focused. Addressing this, Jeffrey says “…we put the rider at the center of everything we do. We call it an integrated marketplace”.

He further explained that the integrated marketplace “serves the rider when, where, and how they want, and we build and support every channel and every touchpoint with the brand to over-deliver against the expectations of our rider – our consumer”. With this vision and aim to recreate Fox Racing while maintaining its grassroots and heritage spirit, Jeffrey drives with a mission to “Equip the rider from head-to-toe and Inspire the rider by creating and establishing an emotional bond between the brand and the sport”. 

About Fox Racing:

Featuring a bold and classy image of a fox’s head, the Fox Racing company (now, Fox Head) was initially started as a small distribution business for European motocross parts and accessories by its founder Geoff Fox, in 1974. Established in Irvine, in the Orange County of California, USA, the company began to manufacture high-performance suspension and engine parts for professional racers just two years later. 

Recognized as a national and global leader in Motocross, the realignment of company operations, products, and customer services with an integration of a combined innovative, styled, authentic, and heritage-filled spirit – has Fox Racing providing the people with a retail marketplace for premium gear and clothing apparel for motocross riders, competitive athletes, and the enthusiastic riders’ community. 

From bestsellers to limited edition collections, the Gear retailed for Mountain Bikers and Motocross Athletes are – Helmets, Shoes, Boots, Pants, Jackets, Jerseys, Shorts, protection, Gloves, Goggles, and Base Layers. In the Clothing & Apparel category, the company retails – Sweatshirts, Pants, Jackets, Shirts, Shorts, and Hats, and in the Accessories category, retails – backpacks and gear bags, hydration packs, water bottles, socks, stickers, and goggles accessories. 

For the last 50 years now, Fox Racing and its leaders, employees, and stakeholders have continued to honor their heritage in the Motocross sport while also looking ahead into the future to expand its brand’s operations and services aligning themselves with market trends, to empower the present and the next generations to push boundaries and break walls. “Change” is the only constant factor at Fox Racing and they commit to approach and forge through this era with technical innovation, appetite, and pursuit.

Visit More : https://thebusinessmagnate.com/jeffrey-mcguane-recentering-fox-racing-as-an-integrated-marketplace-brand-for-performance-and-lifestyle-supporting-the-riders-community/

[shadeofazmeinya]

The first time new people join the crew, geoff, gavin and michael meet them before jack to give them almost a shovel talk of like “listen in this crew we support trans people and you respect pronouns, you understand??” but it’s the stream team and jeremy’s nonbinary so instead of being intimidated they’re all just super releaved and happy, confusing the og crew

omg yes I just love this!! Geoff, Gav, and Michael always make sure before someone joins the crew proper they’ll be respectful to Jack. It’s always their priority because they would never allow anyone to be disrespectful to Jack. But of course, they have no idea about Jeremy because they don’t know how they’d react. So of course when Geoff starts talking about trans people, at first the stream team think that the Fakes are about to be disrespectful. Both Trevor and Matt instinctively start to stand in front of Jeremy, half ready to attack until they start to listen to what they’re actually saying. And that they’re threatening that they need to be respectful.

Jeremy is so relieved and shocked, they blurt out like “I’m nonbinary, you don’t need to worry.” Then its just relief all around as they realize no one needs to worry here. And the family is only growing in queerness haha

[unsymptotally]

Music tag game!

Tagged by: @the-commonplace-book

Rules: Spell out your URL with song titles. Tag as many people as you please.

U - "Under My Umbrella" by Margo Guryan

A poignant pop confection that masterfully combines wistful melody with understated, optimistic lyrics, all tied up with a 60s-shuffle bow.

N - "Noble Nobles" by Esperanza Spalding

Off of my favorite album of hers, Noble Nobles is a reminder of the American upper-class' dependance and exploitation of slaves - a blemish to be powdered over before a debutante ball.

S - "Sài Gòn" - Carol Kim

Play this for a certain generation of Vietnamese immigrants and tears may well up as quickly as the memories. Sunny, carefree "Sài Gòn" is of that genre extolling the beauty of one's city - think "New York, New York" - but is made bittersweet and nostalgic in retrospect by the war that renamed Saigon to Ho Chi Minh and drove my family, like many others, to flee her sunny streets and bustling markets.

Y - "You Still Believe in Me" - The Beach Boys

Pet Sounds is one of my favorite albums, and it's because in between songs as timeless as "Wouldn't It Be Nice?" and "God Only Knows," a roster of haunting, introspective pieces flesh it out. This is one such song - one that, despite its simple lyrics convey a profound feeling of uncertainty, trust, support and affection that resonates more and more as I begin my 20s. Also - brilliant arrangements and production, as with the rest of the album.

M - "Master Song" - Leonard Cohen

Religious and wartime imagery embellish the vague, impressionistic vignette of a complicated emotional and sexual relationship between three people. Although he can be quite literal and detached, is still comes across like a poetic skimming of the surface from someone too involved, and too observant.

P - "Paix sur terre" - Crischa

A French psyché deep-cut masterpiece. Gloriously fuzzy guitar and bass, catchy sax and organ licks result in a head-pounding tumult of psychedelic social critique. For non-francophones, you'll at least catch the Nixon name-drop.

T - "Talk About It" - Harumi

The bewildering history of this album is one thing (an artist emerges, released this album, and then drops off the face of the Earth) but boundary-pushing artistry is really what draws me to Harumi. "Talk About It" captures a sort of cosmic confusion - some unknown, activating force that is too big for one to comprehend but compelling enough to continually motivate.

O - "Odorono" - The Who

A pretty, pretty song about deodorant. It's as earnest as satire can be, and I truly feel for the heroine whose long-awaited engagement is thwarted by her choice of deodorant. The interactions are portrayed with subtlety, and I really love the guitar tone.

T - "Tomorrow Never Knows" - The Beatles

I tried valiantly, you should know, to refrain from filling this list with Beatles tunes. However, its groundbreaking production (courtesy of budding engineer Geoff Emerick, my old-man crush George Martin, and a rotating Leslie organ speaker cabinet) as well lyrics adapted from the Tibetan Book of the Dead and a very, very early example of looping drums (omg - the drum sound? My god.)

For ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ he said to me he wanted his voice to sound like the Dalai Lama chanting from a hilltop, and I said, ‘It’s a bit expensive, going to Tibet. Can we make do with it here?’" - George Martin

A - "Agathe ou Christie?" - Christie Laume

Speaking of drum sounds, this random yéyé novelty track that was basically written in its entirety to be a set-up for an Agatha Christie pun has incredible, driving 60s drums. Idk what they were putting in the water of French session musicians at the time, but between this and "Paix sur Terre"...

L - "Lolita" - Cannonball Adderley and the Poll Winners

I love this tight, continental style of small group jazz. It's almost as if, in the post-bebop and hard bop age, musicians took a step back and had a little vacation. This whole album is airy, Latin-tinged, and has a playful spontaneity but doesn't let you forget the complexity and skill that these musicians possess. They're just having a bit of fun here.

L - "Les Voyages" - Jeanne Moreau

Another bossa track, this was my first introduction to chanteuse Jeanne Moreau. A lot of the French music I listen to is fluffy, yéyé stuff that is charming, if a little ditzy. Jeanne is grown up - cool, silky voice, sophisticated backings and lyrics that are more poetic. Refreshingly, though, she lacks the stuffiness of other French chanson of yesteryear - she toes the line between both. This song is dreamy and the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail and getaway daydreams. Interestingly, her description of tropical paradise never fails to mention the sinister, dosing her fantasy with a sense of humanistic pragmatism.

Y - "You're Probably Wondering Why I'm Here" - Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention

The irreverant Frank Zappa shines on this. This album, their innovative début, wore many hats. It's just as likely to throw you an acerbic assessment of media and politics, as it is a doo-wop parody, love song, or a baritone, double-tracked "Yeah" far too loud in the mix just because it sounds funny. This song contains the latter, but I think it demonstrates well both sides of Zappa humor: biting, deadpan wit and goofy Spike Mulligan-esque antics. There's what I'm pretty sure is a kazoo solo.

I meant to only write a sentence or two about each song, but that obviously devolved as I went on.

Tagging: @djangodurango @exeggcute @monstroso @literarycaterpillar

I put everything into a playlist!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qPRj4i28VP1l7YSFFfPBn?si=0d9ba62c1c2045fb

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/unsymptotally/pl.u-mJy8gP8CNXbxmj9

[inking-my-splatzone]

I posted 10,122 times in 2021

31 posts created (0%)

10091 posts reblogged (100%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 325.5 posts.

I added 67 tags in 2021

#touhou lost word - 12 posts

#touhou - 12 posts

#splatoon - 8 posts

#nintendo switch - 7 posts

#splatoon 3 - 7 posts

#nintendo - 6 posts

#euro 2020 - 4 posts

#england nt - 4 posts

#nintendo direct - 4 posts

#aitsf - 3 posts

Longest Tag: 137 characters

#lets educate tumblr that sometimes weird things happen in football matches because i know not one of you has ever watched a single of one

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

103 notes • Posted 2021-09-23 23:10:23 GMT

#4

Nessa x Sonia is canon. Just so you know.

Good Friends = gf = Girl Friends

112 notes • Posted 2021-06-01 18:31:07 GMT

#3

Please tumblr cancel me but reading about people complain about football and England on tumblr is actually so pathetic. Its clear so many people who post that kind of thing have no clue about football. Trying to say that England didn't deserve to win that game because of historical colonalisation is exactly the type of reductive politicising that doesn't need to come into it. Especially when the team, staff and FA are so vocal about raising awareness and supporting social justice causes because of how the nation's history reflects on the ethnic and diverse make-up of the team today and the society they represent. Don't make an issue over something not in their control when that kind of thing is something they are hoping to affect a positive change on.

If you want to talk about fans booing other national anthems, sure. But that happens elsewhere too. I've even seen people co.plain about England fans booing when the other team is in possession... so what!? It's just to give urgency to your own team to get back in the game, stop making problems over nothing. There is literally hardly any difference in the way England fans support their own team and jeer the opponents than other European countries. Why anyone has the idea that all mainland European countries fans behave like saints 100% of the time is beyond me.

I could guess a lot of people on tumblr who post those kind of stupid things are the same kind of people who watch eurovision with such enthusiasm and somehow got confused that a competitive sporting event was the similar to a silly song contest because it had "euro" in the name. If that's true, it might please you to know that the fans were clearly loudest when their voices are joined together in song and celebration, than they when chiding their opponent in good spirits.

In summation; Shut up tumblr, you clearly do not know what you're talking about. I'm shocked I've been driven to write this much over stupid people, but please post your hate down below so I can laugh. 👍

Oh also! England were obviously the better team. Denmark were terrific for much of the first half, but their resilience was out matched and over run by England across 120 minutes. They played a great game and had a wonderful tournament, considering how it started, but it wasn't to be. Soft penalty? Sure. But that's football sometimes, you just have to deal with it and move on. England have many a time been on the wrong side of a poor decision, this time we were lucky.

128 notes • Posted 2021-07-07 22:47:16 GMT

#2

Splatoon 3 press release (screenshot from Geoff Keighley's Twitter) confirms this is all team Chao's fault. You fuck-os!

200 notes • Posted 2021-02-18 00:07:05 GMT

#1

Someone somewhere has it bad for Patchouli... and I agree 👍

See the full post

351 notes • Posted 2021-09-01 12:12:37 GMT

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[tennash]

It surprised Colin just how much it seemed to bother Ty what he had to say about Marty. And it wasn’t that Colin disliked him, necessarily. He was okay-ish looking. A little dweeby. Some scrawny kid who’d always swapped smiles with the two boys when passing them in the hallway. Colin couldn’t really say all that much bad about him other than state the obvious; Matthias was way out of his league. 

“I dunno. You’re just way hotter than him, I guess?” Colin mused, rewarding Ty’s pretty pout with a shrug. 

It was the truth, there were no two ways about it. Colin didn’t really see the issue with acknowledging when another guy was good looking. He was surrounded by rich, athletic boys with jawlines that could slice you clean in two – it would be insane if he didn’t notice when somebody was conventionally attractive. Besides, Ty was just a league above the rest. His skin was soft and tanned, the brown of his eyes hypnotizing, like you could get lost in them for hours. His lips were plump in a way that Colin would bet made kissing him so much fun, his hair messy and tousled, rogue tendrils spilling down across his forehead when he didn’t see fit to push them back. 

The thought of whether or not Marty was good enough for Ty was soon lost, his mind suddenly nothing more than a blank slate as his best friend traced a line down his face, the pad of his forefinger pressed against Colin’s own lip as it jutted out. The teasing, flirtatious part of Colin fought the urge to nip at him, to draw him into his mouth and coax another smile out of the boy. It would be so easy – he did that sort of shit with girls all the time – so what was stopping him? 

Ty’s posture seemed to shift, all of a sudden, his sweet dimpled smile melting away into something far more concerned. His hand dropped against his own thigh, closing around Colin’s hand, giving a gentle squeeze. It was hard not to be quietly endeared by Matthias Castillo and his many layers. The way he managed to look so damn cute no matter what – whether he was beaming from ear-to-ear or nursing a hangover – was something that Colin thought should be studied in a lab. It shouldn’t be allowed, not by any measure. His best friend looked pained now, though, withdrawing his hand as he drew back, anxiety written plain across his features and his body language. 

“Huh?” Colin said, dumbly. It was a useless retort, but it was all he had. 

He stared at Ty stupidly, his lips parted in confusion, a divot forming between his brows as he tipped his head sideways, processing what the other boy was telling him. It seemed simple, to begin with. He’d been caught hanging out with Marty – Colin had no idea if he was openly queer, but he’d heard whispers, had his own suspicions – and Geoff had come to his own, shitty conclusions. Like two guys couldn’t be friends without it meaning they were a little fruity, whatever. But as Ty pressed on, his words coated with uncertainty, a tremor in his tone as he stumbled his way through an explanation, the image came into focus, everything suddenly becoming much clearer for Colin. 

“Oh,” he mumbled, yet another useless retort. 

We were just fooling around. The words seemed to ring out in the room around him, harsh against Colin’s ears. He didn’t know why it was bothering him so much. Colin wasn’t what you’d consider the perfect ally, not by any means, but he’d always liked to think he was supportive. He had a disabled mom and a brown dad, so it wasn’t like he was completely oblivious to way the world worked. He acted a lot more entitled than he was, but truthfully, he’d spent his entire life around women and minorities, trying to learn about and empathise with their personal struggles so that he could help carve out a safer space for the people he loved. If Ty was gay, it wouldn’t bother him at all. Yet, here he was, irritated at the mere mention of fucking Marty. The idea that he’d had his hands all over Ty, his best friend, made him feel anxious all of a sudden. 

“Right. Okay,” Colin breathed, keeping his voice low. 

He searched from within for something helpful to say, something that could reassure his friend that this wasn’t a problem. Whatever beef he had with Ty’s choice in sexual partner, he didn’t want him to think that he was suddenly taking issue with his sexuality. 

Clearing his throat, Colin sloppily carded a hand through his hair, his own curls fighting to be free from the hair-tie he’d forced them into that morning, fighting them into submission when he’d been too tired and hungover to brush through the knots. With a sigh, he edged closer to Ty, noting the look of concern on his face. Gently, he slid his hand against Ty’s thigh for the second time, his skin warm beneath Colin’s palm, his other arm looping around the other boy’s waist as he dipped his head, pressing a chaste kiss to his shoulder before meeting his gaze once more. 

“It’s okay, you know that, right? I mean. Gay or straight, like. You’re still my best friend. I still love you more than anything,” he insisted, his tone earnest, his heart pounding in his chest. 

“Right.” he giggled, both boys all too aware of just what Colin meant. He was a pretty guy, knew it, loved to flirt. And Ty was extremely susceptible to his specific brand of teasing.

The carefully constructed chaos of the bed was disrupted as Colin threw himself down beside Ty. He felt himself be lifted up off the bed rather than see Colin’s impact, as he’d suddenly become pretty preoccupied with the paint work on the far wall. He’d known Geoff couldn’t keep his mouth shut to save his life - at the time, the disgust on his face had quickly turned to gleeful amusement as a hundred different blackmail schemes must’ve run through his head. He’d clearly decided to go the route that would be the most chaotic and the most impactful - spreading the gossip like wildfire.

The warmth of Colin’s hand on his thigh served to pull Ty from his thoughts, a delightful shiver cascading up his spine at the thrill of Colin’s bare skin on his. He’d dressed quickly that morning, for comfort more than anything, gym shorts and an oversized tee, cap clamped down over his head. Probably still reeking of beer. If Colin had any complaints, he didn’t voice them.

He turned his eyes to Colin, whose cheek was pressed to the bedspread, the screwed up sheets somewhat a make-shift pillow. A smile flitted onto Ty’s face immediately. It was hard not to, with Colin looking at him like that. He couldn’t help but compare the situation to the one he’d found himself in last night, a beautiful boy in his bed - though he’d take Colin over Marty any day, Colin was miles hotter - a hand inching up his leg. His fingers dug into the meat of his other leg. He couldn’t afford to think like that, not anymore.

“You don’t like Marty?” Ty found himself asking, nerves palpable in his tone. Colin had always had nice things to say about Marty, not looks-wise, he’d never checked out his ass or said he thought he was hot. But he’d said he was a nice guy, fun or whatever. Ty didn’t know why it suddenly mattered so much that Colin approved of the guy he’d blown last night.

But now Colin was laughing, like the idea of him having sex with Marty was the funniest thing in the world. And that’s what it had been, right? Not full-blown gay sex, but a sex act? He swallowed uncomfortably, wanting to defend himself. He thought Marty was cute, actually. Colin didn’t get it. The pool was pretty small of guys who wanted to kiss him. And it had felt nice, to be wanted like that.

“He’s not that bad.” Ty stated, knowing how he sounded. Overly defensive. Kind of pathetic.

It seemed that Colin had already moved on from whether or not Marty was good enough for him, however, now looking at him with features coated in confusion.

“Why’re you looking at me like that?” he laughed, placing his pointer finger in the space between Colin’s eyebrows, pretending to smooth out the lines that had formed there. He trailed his finger down the bridge of his nose, to the place where his lips had formed a sweet little pout, indignant and haughty. God, he was cute.

“Huh?” he said, dropping his hand back to his side. He hadn’t said anything about Geoff, had he? Maybe he had. Fuck.

“No, no. Nothing like that.” he said, inclining his body towards Colin’s own. He closed his hand over Colin’s, giving it a tight squeeze, unsure if the comforting measure was more for his or his best friend’s benefit. “He hasn’t really bothered me. Well, I guess, now he’s kind of bothering me.”

He screwed up his features, unsure how to tell Colin now that the topic had come up, well, somewhat naturally. He’d been hoping to broach it as a funny anecdote, maybe even when Teddy was there, a laugh on his lips and slapped backs, Hey guys, guess who scored last night? Had it mattered that it was a guy? It was starting to feel less and less like he’d actually scored at all, the whole night washing over him like some sick joke.

“I uh,” he started, dropping Colin’s hand to rub the back of his neck. His dumb little tell. “Cause I saw him last night.”

He felt himself blush fire-engine red.

“I was with him. Not Geoff. Marty, I mean.” he blurted out, wishing the heat in his cheeks would die down.

He tried to remember where Colin had been at the time. He’d been by his side most of the night, but at some point he must of disappeared into the crowd, Teddy in tow. Yeah, that made sense. He’d come back with wet hair, water droplets still clinging to his skin. He’d been laughing, Teddy too. Ty wouldn’t have bothered slinking off with Marty if Colin had still been in the room, his gravitational pull too strong.

“It was when you and Teddy went for a swim.” he scrambled to explain. “I went to find somewhere to chill out, or I was looking for you, I don’t remember.”

He bit his lip, trying to recall through the haziness of his drunken fumble.

“We were just fooling around.”