#i already thought he looked hot and then they throw a whole episode in there where just as a side thing

[gaz-tronautical]

I'd be lying if i said this episode didn't contribute to me Gaining This New Thing.

[on-the-clear-blue]

Dead Man's Diner pt 7

Hearing the chime of rhe bell above the door, Danny mentally prepared himself before poking his head around the corner "Heya! I will be with you in one hot sec!"

Rushing around the kitchen, Danny set the chili to simmer and quickly cleaned himself up before coming back to greet his newest customer.

Stepping upt to the bar, Danny put his best customer service smile on and opened his mouth to speak, but the words that came out were not in English.

"Hey there! Welcome to Big C's diner what can i..." Blinking a bit before frowning, Danny looked closer at his customer, his eyes flickering a bright green as he squinted at the man.

Because either this man was the very strong revenant that had claimed Crime alley as his huant, or there some how was a 4th Halfa in the world.

---

Jason found the little diner comfortable, more up to date than the typical dive that was in the Alley, there wasn't even any blood splatter in the back booths!

He kinda didn't like how there was only a single person working there at night, being so close to the Alley and all, but that was easily fixed if he just happened to come around in his Red Hood outfit.

Sending a smirk like smile to the teen that came out from the kitchen, who had the fakest smile that Jason had ever seen outside of a gala.

But his smirk slowly slipped as the kid spoke, his words both sounding clear and distorted at the same time, he could make out words but it was very clearly not words at the same time.

Then, the kid's eyes flashed, and Jason had seen those eyes before, he had seen them in the mirror more times than he was willing to admit.

(Holy shit this kid is about to have a Pit episode in front of me...how the fuck did this kid get in the pits?) Jason thought as he leaned back into his seat, his hand instantly going to where his guns usually were, but only grasped at air.

(Right...forgot those at home...) He thought, settling instead to set his hands on the counter, Jason narrowed his eyes at the teen

But just like that, the green was gone, and the teen cleared his throat, "Sorry about that, um, welcome to Big C's, what can I get ya?"

---

Danny gave a weak smile, he didn't exactly want to throw down with this potential halfa, sure he liked a good ghostly welcome every now and again, but he just cleaned up and he would like his diner to stay that way thank you!

The man across from him glared for amoment longer before shaking his head, "Shit, ugh...gimme a coffee and...what's your special today?"

Reaching for the coffee pot, Danny felt a rumble in the diner cart, and there was suddenly a chalk board on the wall behind him.

Pouring his customer a mug, his brain paused for a moment, translating the ghost script before he spoke "Cadavers chili hotdogs, made with 100% not person meat...I promise neither are made out of people, definitely didnt seen any bodies when I made it my guy."

---

Staring at the blackboard that Jason was very much sure wasn't there a moment ago, he felt his chest tighten and ache as he read the...sigils? Words? They were definitely something and he totally shouldn't know what they mean.

Biting back a snort at the dry comment, Jason focused on him "I will take two...Danny? That your name or just the name on the aprin you got?"

Jason was totally not digging for information, because he totally wasn't a Bat or a Bird, and he totally didn't have an urge to know everything about the person across from him.

Getting a dry chuckle from the guy on the other side of the counter, who could only shake his head, "Sadly, that's my name, I will be back in a sec with your food, no running off tho' ya hear? Already dealt with dine and dashers once this week."

Letting out a chuff, Jason kept his eyes around the room, he knew logically he should be more freaked out by this whole experience, but he couldn't help but feel his body relax and his mind comfortable slow.

Holding the cup of coffee in both hands, he took a long sip and memories hit him harder than a crowbar.

It was his mother's coffee, not the bitch that sold him out but his mama, Catherine, the woman that struggled to keep him happy and fed.

It was the watered down brew, stretched to make it last longer.

It was milky and sweet with sugar packets pilfered form diners such as this and powdered milk he used to steal from the grocery store just for her.

His mama gave up so much for him, why couldn't he just do one little petty theft for her?

His heart aches again, and the intense feel of the pits roar in his ears, but they weren't calling for blood, the pits crooned in nostalgic heart break.

Usually remembering before his death was a trigger, was something that made him rage, but right now? He could only mourn for the mother and son that used to cuddle up together under a ratty blanket, of the mother that whispered stories to him during long quiet nights, of the woman that he had found dead on one such quiet night.

---

Tossing on the last bit of fresh diced onions, Danny had a cheesy grin on his face as he brought the plate to the front, mouth opening to speak before noticing his customers disposition.

He was hunched over on himself, looking small (which was impressive for a man thst looked twice his size and 4 times more muscular)

Tears were streaming down his face as he stared at the now half full mug, for some reason it felt heart breaking to see.

Setting the plate down carefully in front of the man, Danny placed a hand on his shoulder, "It's okay man...your okay bud." Awkwardly Patting his customers shoulder, Danny felt a bit of panic, he wasn't Jazz he didn't know how to like, console people!

It took a few minutes for the man to calm, and Danny handed him a few paper towels to clean himself up, patting him on the back one last time, Danny let out a breath he didn't know he was holding, "Well...um, hope that the coffee is so bad that it made you cry, I-uhh, could comp it if you want?"

The man just shook his head, "Fuckin' hell, ain't bad, just...God damn it..."

---

Rubbing at his eyes Jason huffed, "Sorry for, um....blubbering on ya like that..

don't usually get teary at coffee, that's more of Timmer's shtick, just tastes...tastes like my mom's coffee when I was a kid..." shaking his head, Jason looked at the chili dogs, they still steamed, the cheese now melted on nicely.

Danny just nodded, "Yeah, some reason i have gotten a few comments on that" shrugging his shoulders, he started to figgle with a cloth, wipping down the counter as he spoke "Meh, Gotham is fucked up and I don't want to even begin to try and figure out."

Croaking out a laugh Jason dragged the plate of food closer, "Fucking right about that...though if you keep making it like that you got yourself a regular customer."

Reaching a hand across the counter, Jason gave Danny a weak smile, "Names Jason, nice to meet ya."

Taking the hand, Danny gave a smirk back, "Got it, one sad cup of coffee for you then-" Snapping his head over as he heard a beeping sound, Danny got a panicked look on his face "Oh shit! My cookies!"

---

Storming to the back, Danny ran to the oven, throwing it open, scrambling for the oven mits, he phased a hand through them instead of tugging them on, and quickly pulls the smoaking batch of sweets from the rack.

Plopping them on the counter, he hears the oven snap shut as he sighs, turning to thank the diner, he pauses to see the sight of a man he was hoping that he would never have to see again.

"Oh little Bager, King of the Realms making food for the common folk? How the great have fallen.." Vald said with a viscous grin, his hand reaching up to flip off the oven, "Did you think I wouldn't find you? Thought you could rum off and not tell dear old Uncle? Don't worry Bager, while old Vlad might not come around to vist much..."

There was a flash of black light and where a man once stood was a ghost, his grin pulled back devilishly "I am sure Plasmius will make up for it very...very well."

---

Laughing a bit as he watched Danny scramble inot the back, Jason stared at the food, he was still hungry but...he held an apprehension of sorts, was this going to bring back memories? Would they be good like the coffee or...

His thoughts were cut off as a body was through through the deviding wall from the front of the house to the kitchen.

Bolting up out of his seat, he watched as Danny stepped out of the hole in the wall, shaking out his fist as he did, "I really don't have the fucking time for you Plasmius, don't you see I have a customer?"

Jason stared as the body that was punched through the wall, that looked mangled, twisted and broken start to twitch and crack back into place, limbs bending back from positions they should never be, and then the man sat up, a feral grin on his lips.

(Really fucking bad day for not having my God damn guns.)

[brightbertalt]

hobie brown x reader!!

a/n - creaming, foaming at the mouth, crying, sucking dick, anyways— yeah he’s hot and we need more fanfiction for him.

warnings - language, mentions of smoking, drinking, drink-spiking, and british people….

first meet!

first of all AUUUUUGGHHH he’s so HOTTTT

I would say that you guys met at one of his concerts

the place was definitely super sketchy, the whole place was lit up by string lights, which didn’t offer much

the whole place smelled like cigarettes and cheap booze, and you were pretty sure that this was just some guy’s basement at this point

the concert just finished, and you decided to grab a drink and sit down for a little bit

what else were you doing anyways?

you didn’t see anywhere else to sit, so the corner seemed like a good place for now

you sat there for a little bit, looking at everyone chatting, smoking, drinking, making out or whatever

“ey, you like the show?”

you looked up. jesus, he was tall. it might be the alcohol, or the dark room, or the fact that he was already 6 feet tall and he wore platforms, but hot damn.

“you good?”

he waved his hand in front of your face, snapping you out of your thoughts.

“yeah. was really good..”

“first time at a show?”

you looked down. you didn’t feel that well.

“yeah, uhm, it’s the first.”

he grabbed your drink from you, looking at it before pouring it on the floor.

“yeah, ‘cuz you don’t know how to check your drink.”

your stomach dropped. it could be from the realization of what could have happened, but most likely because you felt like throwing up. you stumbled to your feet, and hobie helped you to the garbage can next to the door. despite his appearance, he was extremely good at comforting you when you got sick. he kept his hand on your back, making sure to tell you:

“it’s okay, you’re not gonna die. not today at least.”

after the whole episode, you were exhausted. you just wanted to go home and forget about the whole night. of course this happened at your first show, you wanted to forget about all this and go on with your life. the next thing that happened was a huge blur. all you remember was being high above the city streets, and the wind against your face. someone holding you tightly.

you woke up in your own bed. as soon as you opened your eyes, your head hurt to high hell. it felt like someone was opening and closing your skull like a book. you turned over, looking towards your window. someone had left a sticky note. you got up, still in your outfit from last night, and stumbled over to the note. you quickly grabbed it and immediately sat back down, feeling sick.

‘NEXT GIG - SOUTH STREET BAR TONIGHT!’

there was something scribbled at the bottom.

‘(XXX)-XXX-XXXX IF U NEED HELP WITH CREEPS’

[babybinko]

Made a TON of Venture Bros. genderbends :D

Bonus + some of my thoughts on all the designs under the cut:

This is from a conversation I had with a friend about how Dermott and Hank would behave in this AU (its exactly the same as normal)

Ok now some thoughts on my design process

Hank: I think I drew Hank's face actually perfect, I made her so cute. I also feel like there's a common trope with genderbends where athletic characters get short hair so I gave her long hair and gave Dean short hair. I actually think the longer hair fits her perfectly. ALSO I LOVE HER BOOTS.

Dean: I gave goth Dean more Accessories than normal because normal goth dean had no fucking swag (it was besties idea to make her pants ripped). Even before I started drawing college Dean I knew I was giving her those legwarmers you can pry them from my cold dead hands. Same with the legwarmers I knew the first dean design needed a Jean skirt its just the vibes.

Dermott: The millisecond I even thought about doing Dermott I KNEW she would be 2012 grunge girl aesthetic. Gigantic shoplifting energy. Love her.

Rusty: I wanted her to look like a mean mom and I believe I accomplished that goal. Absolutely had to add the glasses strap. Very Jamie Lee Curtis.

Brock: I drew the one with the hair down first and my friends preferred the one with the hair up so I just did both. I wonder if she was a cheerleader in college and killed another girl on her cheer squad by throwing her too far/dropping them.

21: I drew 21 then I realized I had just drawn myself with bangs. Also I drew her with a blunt because there's an episode where 21 has a joint in his mouth the whole episode the other henchmen are standing in stupid poses in the background and its maybe one of my favorite bits in the entire show its so stupid.

24: 24 took several attempts to get the hair right I kept drawing it short and curly and my friend told me to give her Elaine from Seinfeld hair which I think ended up working really well.

Monarch: One of my favorites I did. I feel like this one you can definitely tell how Bayonetta completely re-arranged my brain chemicals as teenager. I love the hip cutouts, I made a tummy cutout to kind of mimic how Dr.GF's monarch costume is kinda skimpy. It's also hard to tell because of the cowl but I tried to give her like a finger waves hairstyle.

Dr.Gf: I tried a bunch of different hats but my friends liked the brimless hat the most and completely doomed him into looking like a Bellhop (more than he already did). Its giving Tyler the Creator at the 2020 Grammys. I still think he's cute though :)

Billy: I really didnt want to just draw her in a suit because thats boring. The show always gives me 60s vibes despite being set in modern day (I'm sure its on purpose) and I definitely channeled that with Billy. It took a couple tries to find a balance between fitting her body but still looking adult but I think I got it in the end.

Pete: YAYYYY PETE YAAAAYY!!! ^_^ Shes so Ava Max Coded. I also gave her giant buckles on her shoes to match his stupid ass one two buckle my shoes ass shoes.

Triana: Very much looks like putting emo boy in the Pinterest search bar. I made her thigh highs into his sleeves and I gave him square bangs like her.

Dr. Orpheus: NEEDED to make her a hot milf and I did. Its a little hard to see but her shirt has lace over the open part. I love the hair Jewerly at the bottom of her braid. :)

[cupcakeslushie]

That has me so relieved lol. I feel like I’m the worst at fashion 😅. I spend so much time on Google and Pinterest, trying to find cute things to put our boys and April in that would match their personalities.

Leo likes jean material and anything with dark colors (obvi) and also really likes athleisure wear. Raph has pretty similar taste, but with brighter colors. Though it’s hard for him to find jean material that can stand up to his shell, so he also has a love for stretchy stuff that wont tear. Mikey and Donnie like oversized and cute styles! Really soft or fluffy stuff, but also Donnie will throw in some edgy rave outfits when he’s feeling fun. He’s also got the same three outfits for when he’s working and he’ll wear them until they’re covered in paint and oil and totally worn down. Mikey is probably the one that has the biggest and most versatile closet. He has a big problem with online, impulse shopping.

@kitty-kyte This ask has me so curious now about the undercity’s weather! Aw, and now that makes me think the Snow Day episode would go from them fighting, to them just having a good wholesome time showing Donnie how much fun snow could be. And maybe they do have a snowball fight, Leo and Mikey being way too competitive, and Raph and April and Donnie just enjoying some hot cocoa and building a snowman. OR OR OR Donnie, April and Leo make a Jupiter Jim snowman and Raph and Mikey and Cass make a Lou Jitsu snowman and they argue over which one is better and Donnie keeps switching sides because he can’t decide!

@blossomsofopossums

As for your first question! Leo witnessed some small fits during their first few encounters. He was as unnerved as he could be, but sadly chose to ignore the strange behavior in favor of letting Three struggle through them on his own 😔. Then the first time Raph, Mikey, Leo, and April run into Donnie, they can clearly see Three struggling with something they can’t. They’re really confused and don’t know what to do, but with Leo recently revealing to them that Three might be their long lost brother Donnie, Raph has already resolved himself that, Donnie would be coming home with them. Unfortunately he doesn’t really know how to handle Three in that first meeting, and so he’s a bit rough with him, making those first few days of Donnie getting used to being in the lair a manic mess. Later once they learn more, Raph and Mikey will try to talk Donnie through them and Leo will use contact. But they also kind of have to adapt their reactions depending on how bad each one is, and what they think Donnie needs to feel safe.

Question #2! Raph calls him Dad, Pop, or Old Man when he’s feeling cheeky. Mikey calls him Dad and Papa. Leo probably goes through the most names: Master Splinter, Splinter, Father, Dad. Donnie will call him Father or PApA~

Question #3 Donnie had thought he’d already been introduced to so much good food after a few weeks in the lair, but pizza was on a whole new level. Sweets might be his new weakness. But pizza is his favorite savory meal. And you just know that the boys took Donnie to Run of the Mill for his first pizza experience. They couldn’t wait to introduce him to Hueso.

Hueso on the other hand is starting to get slightly annoyed with all these traumatized boys that Raph keeps bringing in. Like he was perfectly happy adopting this huge, but well-mannered teenage turtle and his human friend. Then they come in with the small, infamous battle nexus champion and he’s a little hyper thing sometimes, but he’s pleasant enough, so okay. But THEN, they have some nerve to bring some poor, tired, stone-faced kid, who’s eyes hold much too old of a look in them. It tugs on Hueso’s heartstrings…that is it would, if he actually had them.

NOW what’s he supposed to do with this new one? He can’t just adopt them all can he?

Hueso in the kitchens, to his chefs as they cook the boys’ pizzas:

[casually-slips-into-coma]

spoilers for iwtv s2e4

my thoughts after a rewatch:

i know claudia hates the baby loves window play but she ate up that little song

the lulu role really is so humiliating :(

louis’ expressions whenever he watches these plays always kills me lmao he hates theater kids

louis and armand talking over each other to daniel

armands theater notes lol

claudia no eyebrow big eyeliner look is kinda cunty ngl

im a fan of sam the irish vampire

making claudia be lulu all the time oooh armand i hate u so bad

almost threw up watching louis and armand give different answers to the companion question IN FRONT OF THE COVEN that shit was so embarrassing

i wouldve kms if i was armand

vamp catfight

armand stuck in this situationship dont worry king we’ve all been there😔

literally telling each other i love you and still having the what are we conversation

“do you notice how hot the room gets when you two talk about the secret” plsssss

louis only able to use the fire gift when hes angry👀👀 gee i wonder if thats gonna come back👀👀👀👀👀

louis going🤨🤨 to the schizophrenia question like it came out of nowhere

armands face while louis talked about dreamstat why not just shoot me in the head

loving these dutch angles whenever daniel dissociates and gets an armand memory

santiago looks so good in the gold suit? robe thing??

claudia santiago friendship is killing me santiago i know what u are

claudia killing the guy singing baby lu

i like that you can tell claudias french has gotten better. nice small detail

i love scenes of louis and claudia just talking about non vampire things

santiago mimicking louis was pretty cool

buffoon sighting!!!

whole dinner scene bangs

the guy saying theres smth “fragile” about armand in the photo louis took and louis saying “no he’s anything but” and then the guy saying “you’ve captured the soul he hides” 🤌🤌

louis would never survive a 4 hour art school critique

daniel telling a girl he’d only do her if she had a paper bag over her head??????

claudeline truthers how are we feeling

context for the eating paper clip in the trailer

romeo!!

armand is so down bad its sick

madeline tailoring a yellow dress for claudia😟😟

the whole claudeline interaction was great

amadeo☹️🔫

MARIUS KILL YOURSELF!!!!!!!

the way armand talks about marius

MARIUS KILL YOURSELF x2!!!!!!

“no one has painted me in 400 years” fuck

madeline period blood moment. theres so much here about femininity and maturing might make a separate post about this scene

armand pinning claudia against a wall armand i hate you so bad

we already know that armand is powerful but seeing him choke and manhandle santiago really solidified that i think

picked another one over me!!

delainey is ACTINGGGGG

louis not believing claudia about armand ooooh louis i hate you so bad

love makes you stupid clock it

louis still referring to claudia as his daughter in his head (thru dreamstat)

louis just actively talking to himself girl do that in your head

park bench moment <3

“wanker” i giggled sorry

that suit is his favorite on him :(

“im a little wet” and armand instantly pulling out an umbrella, armand lighting his cigarette, armand calling him maitre

louis calling him arun and armand calling him maitre and then louis throwing away the lighter this fucking scene is cinematic art

the other coven members calling santiago maitre

i kinda like that daniel can hear them arguing from another room. i feel like its a very human experience? really domestic? even given the circumstances

armands eyes were never brown!!!

san francisco flashback episode might kill me im not kidding

insane way to end the episode

ok this was much longer than i thought it would be but this episode has a lot in it. each episode gets better and better and this is definitely my favorite of the season so far.

i am LOVING louis and armands relationship and also both of their story arcs and characterizations. their dynamic is kind of the opposite of what i, and i think a lot of other people, expected but it still makes total sense and im enjoying it a lot

god i love this show

[fushiglow]

am i the only one who still thinks megumi is coming back???

let's talk about the 230 leaks!! once again, satoru proved he's him and i never doubted him for a second, but every week more and more people seem to lose hope for megumi and i feel like i'm on another planet?? maybe i'm just coping, but i think there are more signs in 230 that he isn't down and out yet:

gojo is visibly concerned when megumi tanks unlimited void. why would he care if he wasn't trying to save him? yeah yeah, water is wet, but lots of people have been worried about this. clearly, gojo hasn't given up on megumi yet, and he's way smarter and stronger than me!! so, if gojo hasn't given up, neither have i.

we see megumi for the first time in ten chapters!!!! sure, he's not looking too hot right now, but as long as we can see him, he isn't gone (he's still in fetal position so he's gonna get his maki moment, trust!!)

we also see megumi's soul, or at least gojo does. the visual when he realises that megumi took the hit is very similar to the visual from the 'my soul knows otherwise' moment in shibuya. there are two orbs this time — presumably the larger one is sukuna and the smaller one is megumi — but again, i think that as long as gojo can see his soul, sukuna hasn't succeeded in sinking it.

gojo's last line in the chapter is a direct reference to the first time he fought sukuna in front of, you guessed it, megumi!! i don't know whether it's a message from gojo to megumi or a message from gege to the readers, but gege never self-references by accident. was it just a little 'hang in there' to megumi, or are we gonna see some of the beats from the first fight play out again??? 👀

a couple of thematic things which i think work in megumi's favour too:

seeing the smiling faces of gojo's students getting behind him RIGHT before sukuna starts thinking about love and strength and solitude feels kinda 'power of love and friendship' to me. maybe gojo isn't as alone as he thought and perhaps that's the edge he has over sukuna OR sukuna is about to pull out whatever yorozu gave him... or perhaps what tsumiki gave megumi????

on that note, i really didn't get what gojo said about megumi's soul adapting to the 'process' of unlimited void rather than the effect. we'll have to wait for the translations but, knowing gege, it's probably ambiguous on purpose. however, it's yet more crumbs about the whole body/soul connection. the fact that sukuna didn't expect it to affect the brain of the body he's occupying is very interesting, no????

look, gojo said he's gonna take care of things, so he's GONNA TAKE CARE OF THINGS 😤 (god i hope i'm not clowning)

i think this chapter beats 229 as my favourite of the fight so far though. i know some people are bored of this arc, but i've really enjoyed the unpredictability of it. i will concede that the cliffhangers have felt a bit icky at times, but i'm not gonna blame that on gege. at the end of the day, they want sales.

i'm giving up guessing what's gonna happen week-by-week though, because gege just keeps throwing curveballs. i think it's safer to stick to broader predictions based on the themes already established, because it feels like they're increasingly coming to the forefront.

anyway, this actually started out as an essay about gojo's character before i decided i really wanted to talk about megumi. guess i'll post that tomorrow because 230 has got me feeling FEELINGS about this man. with tomorrow's episode on top of that, it's a hell of a week to be a gojo stan!!

[esre13]

Despite being an Acheron simp buuuuut

Aven x reader, where they both had a sort of lucid dream, Aven and the reader swapping bodies but they can’t really control it and has been watching the other’s lives like that.

In Aven, the reader kind of learns that he’s part of the IPC but important information like his name and position are censored, at most they know he’s a gambler who’s miserable despite acting like he’s happy.

In reader, depends on whether you want to change their identity or not, Aven learns that they’re traveling from world to world mindlessly(no they aren’t the Trailblazer) and just like for the reader their name was censored.

Anywho after the fourth dream (could be any amount u want) they finally meet in a situation where they both fought each other, doesn’t matter who looses, they mumbled their introduction towards one another.

Do what you want with the ending 🥀

omg i thought of something right away but its not really the best lol

The Trailblazer always fascinated Aventurine, they seemed so reserved at times that made him want to explode, at least give him a little snit bit of YOUR life! The same would go to the Trailblazer, they would want to find out about how Aventurine spends his time besides gambling his life away, but you already knew that, didn't you? Aventurine goes to bed with thoughts of you while the Trailblazer dozes off while holding a huge trashcan plushy and sleeping on a skibidi toilet pillow that said "I HAVE SKIBIDI TOILET RIZZ" on the back.

You hoped to wake up to watch the new episode but was abruptly stopped by waking on in a TOTALLY ripped body, only to realize that your standard white t-shirt and shorts were changed to black and gold sleepwear. Your room, filled with trash and skibidi toilet merch was covered with golden fleece and some cute blonde bear plushies. You stared into your now rich gold phone only to see heterochromia eyes looking back at you. You had blue and pink eyes???? What??? The you realized, you were hot, but not any hot, AVENTURINE hot. You got up from 'your' neat bed and stares into a mirror. You were Aventurine... But why?!?!??! All of a sudden you get a showered of messages to texts yelling on why you aren't at the IPC or your not taking interviews with anyone.

Aventurine works at the IPC??? You thought as you went crazy to get up and get ready, only to change your mind since if you had to change any clothes, you would have to see the body of Aventurine, you couldn't do that with your friend, can you..? (Throwing his "friend" line back at him heheheh)

Aventurine wakes up in a cold sweat, only to realize his beautiful room, adorned with gold was now a skibidi, trash haven. He looked down at his hand only to see ones that resembled yours. He felt ecstatic, he jumped around then he looked at what notifications you had on your phone. He immediately puts it down when all he sees is "SEASON 1252165321 of SKIBIDI JUST REALEASED!! ITS SOO GOOD." or "RIZZES YOUR MOM VERY CUTELY" all over your pages. He frowned and then changed your clothes since he didn't mind seeing any part of you, heck he was living his dream, his wonder, and now his answer! He got outside only to realize you weren't greeted with being the "Trailblazer" here.. They called you by a name, one that he rolled off his tongue because he just seemed to enjoy it. A little too much that he ended up sending a TEXT to HIMSELF to remind him to call you that.

Of course he walked around as you for the whole day, not wondering if you had to go through any problems what so ever, he was interested in living as you and wanted to stay as you for longer. It was as if he wanted you to himself.. And this was the only way he could do it. So he lived as you for a day, having the most fun, making taking a shower or two.. But he felt happy.. he was going to ask you to be his eventually, but for now, he'll just have you to himself for just this one day..

You will forever be intertwined by this one connection!

[clara-maybe-ontheroad]

Random thoughts about Sand/Ray (Only Friends ep 1)

Rewatched the first episode of Only Friends and I have a few (many) random thoughts, here are just the ones about Ray and Sand because they deserved a whole post (everyone else is in this other post) :

Ray mentions his dad in the first scene we ever see him in, getting mad at Sand who told him not to be a burden on other people and replying "are you my father ?"... Foreshadowing much ?

The first interaction between Ray and Sand ends with Sand telling Mew to take care of his friend, and you believe that's what Mew is doing but then next party he abandons him

Ray throwing up and his friends immediately letting him go and pushing him away is... funny in the context of the scene but again I think telling us something about how they're all going to treat him

(Sand/First opening and closing the intro is *chef's kiss*, he's not the main character clearly but as an outsider and a "morally straight" guy he's going to be a force to shake things up I'm sure)

Sand and Ray's second interaction immediately revolves around once again Ray being a burden but also Ray's friends not being present enough for him and Sand disapproves of both

Did Ray already drink and drive before this ? Did anyone stop him before?

Ray's throw up sound in this episode are truly awful and make me quite uncomfortable. Good acting though

Him immediately passing out on a random man's shoulder after being taken to this stranger's place does imply a worrying lack of survival instinct. Baby he could steal your livers ! or what's left of it

(The owner of YOLO bar is Yo, as reiterated many times by Ray and Sand, and given how often he's mentioned he must have a role in the story, but he's hasn't shown up yet ?) (Edit : didn't know Yo was played by Jennie so we have actually seen her around, just haven't gotten a proper scene with her, looking forward to really meeting her !)

Ray becoming aggressive and accusing Sand of stealing his stuff only after Sand says he didn't sleep with him and didn't even consider it seems to indicate that Ray truly thinks people can only take an interest in him for sex or for money. Arf this continues to get more sad

The fact that Ray actually checks his pockets when Sand gives him back his clothes is so indicative of what's actually important to him : not his safety or consent but his material possessions and external signs of wealth

Ray complaining to Mew that he got kicked out by Sand for no reasons is so rich, but again I think Ray truly doesn't realise how what he said was offensive because he's so closed in his own bubble

But Mew saying he thought Boston was taking care of Ray when he literally just asked Ray how he got home last night and knew that Boston refused to take care of Ray is so hypocritical ?! And goes to show he wasn't really bothered to make sure Ray had a way to go home safely. He assumed he'd be fine on his own and didn't care that much

Ray sad that his crush is talking to someone else and driving home alone in his fancy car in a tee shirt that says "Poor Boy" is High Comedy

Boston asking Ray why doesn't he just become Mew's boyfriend was such a dick move, but also Ray is so convincing at denying he would be ? Is it because he's so used to lying about this, or because he doesn't think he's worth Mew's affection so he doesn't even dream of being his boyfriend ?

Ray does have a habit of just exiting the situation for something that his friend all excuse as being one of his addictions (drinking, smoking) and they don't even try to stop him

Sand tells Ray he has his lighter because he got him drunk and stole from him with such confidence I don't care that he's joking he could be telling the truth and I'd find it hot

The moment Sand actually gets visibly angry is when Ray tells him that Sand caring is "boyfriend behaviors" and that's telling on how Sand is disgusted with the idea of being his boyfriend but also resents the fact that caring about being respected is something only boyfriends do... when in fact people who are only friends can too ! (see what I did there)

That dialogue between them does illustrate the power of not just saying sorry, but saying thank you. Which is an actual thing I try to apply in my own life so I thank the show for reminding me haha

the softness in the voice of Sand when he then says "obviously" and agrees to give his lighter to Ray made me melt

Ray's eyes during the whole scene are truly so seductive, Khao does know his fuck me eyes very well

There's no conclusion except to say Sand is going to get fucked by Ray in more ways than one and I'm looking forward to it

[francesminos-tt]

First of all happy new year

Second of all

I need more of the Kardashians AU 😭😭

Pls let them be like early season ones (they were so unhiged)

The cameras manages to catch a fight between Alicent,Rhaenyra, Joffrey and Daeron and everyone is like 🫢🫢.

There is a fight between Alicent, Rhaenyra, Joffrey and Daeron, but fortunately there are no cameras in the cellar. Or are there?

Rhaenyra and Alicent did not call an emergency meeting this time. They both agreed to handle the issue gently, minimizing the bad PR as best as they could. Rhaenyra had already threatened to sue the Reality Show team for editing the material in such a way that put Joffrey in the bad light. However, no matter how firmly she stood by her son, the damage had already done, and now the most important thing was to keep the damage in control.

When Joffrey was called to the cellar, he had actually worried about his life for a moment. He knew his mother loved him, but what if this was a trap by someone (namely Lady Alicent, but Joffrey dared not to make any assumptions) to eliminate him once and for all? He had been the shame of the family for the past week. No, not only the family, but the entire realm. He unplugged his phone three days ago, for he couldn't face the accusations online anymore.

How can he cheat on his husband? And with Daeron’s own uncle! That’s a whole new level of incest, even for Targaryen standards.

I wonder how long has this been going on?

Guys, I did some digging, and guest what? I found Gwayne Hightower’s discharge file. He was a major in the royal navy, honorably discharged a year ago. Files attached.

Wow, he looks hot in navy uniform. I wouldn’t mind shagging him, to be honest.

I still feel bad for Daeron. He seems so in love with Joffrey. 😭

Another example of how fake these celebrities are.

No one seemed to believe Joffrey was innocent, even those rare comments that were in his favor contained only weak excuses and unnecessary apologies. Joffrey didn't care too much about the public’s opinion, but he was furious that people called him a cheater, while the truth was the other way around. Why couldn’t he even have a normal friendship while Daeron could have multiple mistresses?

Joffrey hadn’t talked to Daeron since the episode aired. To be fair, Daeron hadn't made any attempt to talk to him, either. They stayed in different rooms and avoided each other like the plague. Fortunately, the shooting had paused to make way for the holiday special, which would happen in Summerhall, a resort mansion of the family, so no further proof of Joffrey and Daeron’s strained relationship was captured by camera.

Joffrey stopped at the cellar door, took a sharp inhale, and knocked three times.

“Come in, dear.” The door was opened by Rhaenyra herself, as the current CEO of Targaryen Group pulled her son into a big hug, “God, Joffrey, you feel so cold. Have you been out in the snow?”

“I am fine, mother.” Joffrey assured her, “I just went for a jog. I needed some fresh air.”

“Did anybody see you? Paparazzi, passerby, or lingering groupies?” Lady Alicent asked with a stiff nod to acknowledge Joffrey, “We can't risk providing the public more material to speculate.”

“No.” Joffrey replied, casting his eyes down out of instinct, as if he was guilty of something, “I just jogged around manor, all private property.”

Alicent hummed, but didn't push the topic further.

“Stop it, Alicent.” Rhaenyra spoke, throwing a disapproving glare to the other woman, “Do not interrogate my son.”

“I am not interrogating anyone. I am just trying to make sure the current situation doesn’t get worse.” Alicent replied, but Joffrey could tell for her clasped hands that the lady was not pleased to be here.

Well, that made two of us. Joffrey thought bitterly.

“Why am I here, mother? I guess it’s not for the wine.” Joffrey asked, making a small joke to try and lighten the mood.

“We need to discuss your public image, dear.” Rhaenyra let Joffrey sit down on a cozy armchair that seemed out of place in the cold and dark cellar.

“With Daeron, of course.” Alicent added, “We decide that it’s best for you to work this out together in a low-profile way. Holding a press conference seems overkill and will only raise more suspicion.”

“I think we are just going to wait it out.” Joffrey murmured lamely, “I don't attract a lot of attention normally, you know that, mother. People will lose interest soon enough.”

“Well, it’s already been ten days, but the online discussion only seems to get worse.” Alicent browsed through her screen, “They are calling your marriage a fake now.”

They were right. His marriage was just that. A fake.

“I think restoring your public image also helps your reputation in the league, Joff.” Rhaenyra said gently as she took Joffrey’s cold hands into hers, “I’ve spoken to your manager about this already. Don't worry. We will deal with it as gently as possible.”

Joffrey bit his lower lip to prevent himself from lashing out. Why did his public image have anything to do with his football career? Wasn’t his skill enough to put him on the field? Was his club really going to put him on the bench because he was a cheater?

Before Rhaenyra could explain more, the cellar door was pushed open by an impatient Daeron. The blonde was in a damp raincoat with cashmere scarf around his neck and a pair of fine leather gloves, clearly just came back from outside. Daeron’s violent widened at the sight of Rhaenyra. It was clear that he hadn’t expected to see his half-sister here. Daeron’s surprise soon turned into annoyance as his eyes landed on Joffrey.

“What is the matter you want to see me today, mother?” Daeron immediately turned his eyes away from Joffrey, as if the sight of his husband irritated him, “I didn't expect a crowd here.”

“Daeron, dear, come and sit down.” Alicent pointed to the empty seat next to her. Even though her son also seemed to have been out, she made no intention to ask about his whereabouts. The double standard she took for Daeron and Joffrey made the brunette seethe with anger.

“Watch out your words, brother.” Rhaenyra was not so kind to her son-in-law, “Why are you so late? Sneaking out to meet your lady friend again? Do you know how much mess we are in? The last thing I want is to deal with your shit right now.”

“Funny, sister.” Daeron scoffed, “The last time I checked, it is not me who is being called a cheater.”

“You know it’s not true.” Joffrey couldn’t help but speak up, “It’s a misunderstanding and shit editing. I did nothing wrong.”

“Say that to these people online. I don't care what you did or did not do.” Daeron shrugged, browsing through the wine racks before looking down at his nails, making it clear that he would look at anywhere but Joffrey.

“That’s what we are here to discuss.” Alicent spoke, stopping the fight that was about to break out, “We need to reverse the public opinion before the holiday special. The first step is for you two to actually show up for the camera, together.”

“It’s no use, mother.” Daeron said immediately, “That’s no different from what we used to do. The public has become smarter now. Holding hands won't make the accusations go away.”

How could Daeron be so comfortable talking about their fake relationship? Did he notice Joffrey’s heart rate quickening whenever they held hands or shared kisses in public? Did he know that Joffrey cherished his affection, even though it was all fake? Did he know Joffrey was actually glad about the reality show because cameras meant Daeron would have to pretend he loved Joffrey 24/7? Did he know that Joffrey had loved him all along?

“That’s why we think the best way to overwrite a scandal is another scandal.” Alicent replied.

“What do you mean?” Daeron frowned at his mother, “Are you suggesting I expose Erin?”

Erin, Joffrey thought, so that was the name of Daeron’s current mistress.

“Of course not.” Rhaenyra chimed in, “I will never humiliate my son like that.”

“Then what’s your suggestion of a scandal, sister?”

Rhaenyra pursed her lips and threw a quick, apologetic glance at Joffrey. She paused for a moment, before opening her mouth to speak again.

“A sex scandal.” Rhaenyra said in a low voice, as if she feared that the thick wall of the cellar had ears, “You two will be captured by cameras while making out or doing something sexy. Like the time when Lucerys and Aemond were caught going at it on the balcony.”

The cellar went dead silent for a long while. The room was so quiet that Joffrey could hear his own breathing and heartbeat.

“Are you mad?” Daeron hissed, breaking the uncomfortable silence, “Are you suggesting handing over a porn to the paparazzi?”

“It doesn’t have to come to that extent, dear.” Alicent out her hand on the lap of Daeron to calm her son, “Just some touching and kissing will suffice, but you have to show passion. I and your sister think that the reason why the current scandal doesn't die down is because you two rarely interact on the show. You know how media work. Sex is their favorite topic.”

“No.” Joffrey shot up from the armchair before Daeron could speak again, “Absolutely not.”

“Joff, listen-” Rhaenyra tried, but Joffrey wouldn't let her finish.

“I SAID NO!” Joffrey all but shouted, “I don’t give a fuck about my public image or whatever. If my coach thinks I am not morally superior enough to play in his team, so be it. I will retire if no one wants to a see a cheater on the field, but I will not perform for the camera like a porn star!”

“You don’t even have to be naked.” Alicent said calmly, a sharp contrast to Joffrey’s panic, “Daeron will take the lead.”

“I do not want him anywhere near me!” Joffrey stomped to the door, “In case you haven’t noticed, your son despises me. Our marriage is a fucking mistake from the beginning.”

“Hey!” Daeron rushed to Joffrey and grabbed the brunette’s arm, “Show some respect to my mother.”

“Not when she shows none for me!” Joffrey shook Daeron’s hand off roughly, “Perhaps you can talk some sense into her. I am sure you are the last person who would agree to this crazy idea.”

“I don’t care, as long as the media leave me alone.” Daeron rolled his eyes, “I don’t want to answer anymore calls that are supposed to make me feel better.”

Daeron air-quoted the word ‘better’. Apparently annoyed by those calls.

“You hate me.” Joffrey said with gritted teeth, “You can’t even stand the sight of me, and now you are telling me you don’t mind shagging me in public?”

“I am not fond of a lot of people.” Daeron shrugged, making no attempt to deny Joffrey’s words, “It doesn’t stop me from shagging most of them.”

“Fuck off.” Joffrey spat, “I am not one of your gold digger mistresses. I’d say we call this whole disaster off and just tell people the truth. Maybe we can finally get rid of each other.”

“No.” This time, it was Alicent who rejected the idea, “You cannot get a divorce. It will destroy our PR.”

“PR, PR, PR! It’s always PR!” Joffrey’s eyes began to burn, but he refused to let the tears fall down, “I’ve spent my whole life living in a lie. Just because you were trapped in a loveless marriage, doesn’t mean you have the right to make me live with one too!”

Joffrey was so angry and hurt that he let his frustration out at the wrong person. He knew it was unfair to lash out at Lady Alicent, but he couldn’t help it. She had always looked down upon him. He was always the unfavorable son-in-law. She seemed to blame Joffrey for her son’s indifference, but God knew how hard he tried. If only she knew how much Joffrey wanted to be intimate with Daeron. But Joffrey wanted heart-felt sex, not another lie.

“Shut your fucking mouth!” Daeron came to his mother’s defense immediately, shoving Joffrey roughly, “Do you think you are the only victim here? I am also trapped in this god forsaken marriage too, but unlike you, I am responsible enough to keep the facade.”

“Hiding your mistress in a rented mansion is your understanding of responsibility, huh?” Joffrey scoffed, “I’ve had enough of your so-called responsibility, husband. You are not as important as you think, and neither am I. I doubt our divorce will cause a scene.”

“Enough.” Rhaenyra finally spoke, rising from her seat and inserting herself between her son and her half-brother, “We are here to discuss damage control, not to blame each other for things we cannot control. Joff, I am sorry, but I cannot let you divorce your uncle, at least not now.”

Joffrey closed his eyes, biting the inside of his cheek to hold back his tears.

“It is your duty to keep a good public image, no matter you like it or not.” Alicent rose from her armchair as well, her warm brown eyes now cold as a dagger, “Get yourself together.”

Joffrey felt like a little boy being scolded for his mischief. For a moment, he cursed himself for being born into a family like the Targaryens. He had no say in his own life. He couldn't choose his own husband, couldn't get a divorce, and couldn't even have a normal friendship. His life was not his own, but a commodity for the public to judge. Everything should be fine, if only he hadn't fallen in love with Daeron. If he didn't love Daeron, he wouldn’t get so emotional. Daeron could have a hundred mistresses, and it wouldn't hurt him, at all.

If only he hadn't fallen for his uncle.

“Perhaps you two should discuss it,” Rhaenyra suggested softly, putting her hand on Joffrey’s arm, “you don't have to act immediately, Joff.”

“Yes, mother.” Joffrey murmured, keeping his eyes down. He was exhausted, his previous lashing out taking a toll on his already batted mental state. He tried to fight, and failed, so now he turned back into the dutiful son, who would do anything to strengthen his mother’s grasp of the family legacy.

Daeron pursed his lips into a thin line and stayed silent. He glared at Joffrey, but this time, it was Joffrey who wouldn't look back.

Joffrey sighed as he threw himself onto the comfortable mattress. He had just come out from a shower, his hair still dripping water and his skin still pink from the heat. He was clad in only a pair of boxer, too lazy to put on a T-shirt. No one would come in his room anyway, so it was no meaning to keep his decency.

It was already midnight. It was strange to shower in the middle of the night, but Joffrey needed the hot water to relieve the soreness of his muscles. Also, the heat was supposed to help him relax, though the effect didn't work too well on Joffrey. He had trouble sleeping for months now. Sleep deprivation was beginning to take a toll on his football performance lately.

Joffrey lit a scented candle and settled in, scrolling down his Kindle mindlessly. He was half-way through a novel about a middle-aged man quitting his job and going on a trip around the world. On hindsight, Joffrey probably shouldn’t choose this novel, for the topic of freedom and self-worth felt like a distant dream to him.

Tonight, Joffrey couldn't focus. Tomorrow, KL magazine would come to the keep for an interview, and Joffrey was supposed to take this opportunity to beat his cheater allegation and reverse his public image, by shagging his husband.

Joffrey sighed again. He had accepted his fate by now. He was prepared to pose for the camera like a whore, if that meant he could get rid of online violence.

It seemed that sleep would not bless him today. Joffrey was about to get up and go out for a jog to exhaust himself (again), when he heard some soft knock on his bedroom door.

“…What do you want?” Joffrey asked with a frown, leaning against the door frame and showing no intention of letting Daeron in, “It’s already midnight.”

“I can ask you the same question.” Daeron crossed his arms in front of his chest, “What aren’t you sleeping?”

“Funny.” Joffrey scoffed, “If you really think I am sleeping, you won’t even come. Out with it, uncle. What do you want?”

“I have things to discuss with you.” Daeron replied, “It is best that we discuss in private.”

“You have made it clear that you do not want to come to my room.” Joffrey said, keeping his voice as flat as possible. He shivered slightly as cold air met his toned torso, leaving a trail of goose bumps along his skin, “Why the sudden change of mind?”

Daeron didn’t reply. Instead, he pushed Joffrey into the room forcibly and kicked the door shut behind him.

“What the fuck are you doing-” Joffrey’s curse was interrupted by Daeron’s lips crushing onto his, the blonde’s hands grabbing Joffrey’s hip tight enough to leave a bruise.

“Practice.” Daeron said after releasing Joffrey’s lips to breathe, his fingers still dug deep into Joffrey’s hip, “We are going to put on a show, aren’t we? I don't want to make a fool of myself.”

“Fuck off,” Joffrey hissed, “Let go of me, you psycho. Do you consider it an entertainment to have sex with someone you hate?”

“I don't consider anything.” Daeron replied, slipping his hand into Joffrey’s boxer, “You are warm. What were you doing? Texting with my uncle?”

“What are you implying?” Joffrey kicked Daeron on the shin, using his football strength to kick the blonde away, “Will you believe me if I tell you I am just reading?”

“Depends.” Daeron reached out to grab Joffrey again, but the brunette took a large step back, “I don't know you well enough to draw a conclusion.”

“And whose fault is that?” Joffrey took a random jersey from his drawer and put it on, “Go find your whore if you are horny.”

“You seem very upset about my girlfriends.” Daeron said, wiping off a drop of saliva from his lips, “If I don't know better, I’d say you are jealous.”

Joffrey’s breath stopped for a second, but he soon controlled himself. He might not be as good an actor as Daeron, but he could fake with no problem. Joffrey had hidden his true feelings so well that there was no way Daeron could notice.

“No matter how we hate each other, we are still married. From what I learned, we will stay married for the foreseeable future. You having a mistress is a spit at my face. Am I not allowed to be upset about it?” Joffrey said sarcastically.

“You know it as well as me that having mistresses is common in our world. It doesn't mean anything.” Daeron shrugged, “My girlfriends love my money and status more than my person. I enjoy sex favors and they enjoy money and status. It’s a fair trade.”

“Get out.” Joffrey couldn't hear anymore. He didn’t want to know that his husband would rather fuck a random gold digger than him.

“I am serious when I say we need practice, Joffrey.” Daeron put on his business face, “We need to decide how far we should go.”

Joffrey bit his lower lip. In fact, Daeron had a point. He knew from experience that strategy needed practicing before putting to use on the field, but he feared that he would lose control if Daeron went too far. He would die of shame if Daeron knew a single touch was enough to arouse Joffrey.

“You kissed me just now. Isn't that enough?” Joffrey said, though he knew his excuse was beyond reasonable.

“Please, Joffrey.” Daeron rolled his eyes, “Don’t act like a virgin. Kissing cannot help us get away this time.”

Joffrey went silent.

“Now, I say a little making out is necessary.” Daeron stepped up, wrapping one of his arms around Joffrey’s waist tentatively, “I am going to touch you now.”

Daeron slipped his free hand into Joffrey’s jersey after the brunette showed no intention of pushing him away. He flattened his palm on Joffrey’s toned stomach, feeling the muscle contract under his touch. Joffrey’s skin was soft, but his muscle was hard from years of football practice, a sharp contrast to Daeron’s girlfriends.

Joffrey shivered under Daeron’s touch, his breaths quickening as beads of water dripping from his curls into his collar. Daeron’s hand roamed over his torso, sending a chill down his spine.

Their bodies were pressed tightly together now. Daeron could see the soft blush on Joffrey’s sun-kissed skin, the brunette’s slightly pouty lips, and the veins on the side of his neck. For some reason, the sight felt erotic.

“Dragonstone FC?” Daeron chuckled as he saw Joffrey’s old jersey, “Perhaps you should wear Old Town United instead. Give the reporters more material to speculate.”

“In your dreams.” Joffrey spat, but he was too weak to sound threatening now.

Daeron chuckled again, his hand now coming to Joffrey’s boxer band. He played with the soft trail of hair under Joffrey’s navel, teasing his nephew/husband with interest.

“God, Joffrey. How long since you last had sex?” Daeron tightened his arm and pressed Joffrey harder onto himself, “You are already hard.”

“It’s just a normal reaction.” Joffrey insisted, but his watery eyes told a different story. How could he admit that he had never slept with anyone since their wedding night years ago? Joffrey would rather die than admitting his feelings in this way.

“How cute.” Daeron poked Joffrey’s erection over the boxer, “How come I never notice how cute you are?”

Daeron rubbed Joffrey’s cock, causing a wet spot to spreading over the fabric. Joffrey’s breath caught in his throat, as a tingling sensation rising from his tailbone to the back of his head. He wanted to curse, to mock, to push Daeron away, but he couldn't. His every pore sang at Daeron’s touch, like the land welcoming the first rain after a long draught.

Daeron kept teasing Joffrey’s cock, while moving his other hand up Joffrey’s back to grab a handful of Joffrey’s damp curls. He forced Joffrey’s head up, and covered the pouty lips with his own. Daeron wasted no time pushing his tongue between Joffrey’s teeth, sucking, licking and invading the brunette’s mouth.

Daeron wasn’t lying. He had never really paid much attention to Joffrey before. To him, Joffrey was just a burden forced upon him, a duty he had to carry out, a reminder of his strained life, so he was reluctant to acknowledge Joffrey’s presence until now. He had no idea how warm Joffrey was, how smooth Joffrey’s skin felt, and how intoxicating Joffrey tasted.

“Enough,” Joffrey managed to blurt out, “let go of me.”

Daeron was so intrigued by Joffrey that it took him a long while to realize what the brunette had just said. He hadn't expected to go this far. He had just planned to tease Joffrey for bit, not charmed by the brunette to this extent.

“Joffrey-”

“Let go of me. You’ve humiliated me enough.” Joffrey grabbed Daeron’s wrist and dragged the blonde to the bedroom door, “It’s time for you to leave.”

The door closed in front of him, leaving Daeron alone in the dark corridor. The blonde looked down at his own mess between the legs, and sighed heavily.

It was a bad time to develop feelings.

[kuschelkissen]

reverse unpopular opinion: nagano trio

Ppl send topics and instead of salt or hot takes, you MUST talk abt smth you like about it. Good excuse to gush abt smth you already love, OR think and find smth positive to say. 

LMAO what have you done, as if I'm not already gushing over them at any given time during the day 😂

Long post under cut, so you can skip more easily

I'm not even gonna talk about the shipping side of them because you see me gushing over that all the time anyway.

(Plus, I have a metaphorical goldfish brain, and I don't even remember how it all started 😅)

So.

What is there NOT to like about them??

I really love their overall dynamic. All three of them, but also the individual pairs.

It's not really stated, but in my head, they're all childhood friends. Kansuke and Yui are confirmed to be, and Kansuke and Taka'aki... kinda? They've canonically known each other since grade school and always competed with each other, established to be "rivals" since then. So it's reasonable to assume that all three of them spent at least some time together, right?.

(And they still do, look at them hanging out together after work.)

(They're on a date)

I love their bickering and teasing.

Yui calling Kansuke "Kan-chan", and when he objects, she goes: "Yeah, yeah, inspector Yamato 😉", clearly not taking him seriously (and he knows it. Just look at him "=_=").

Then you have Taka'aki mocking Kansuke for being so obvious in his plan of helping him get back to headquarters. "I would have done the same for you, but I would've been way more subtle about it." - "Yeah you know what, you can stay here and rot for all I care! =_="

Both of them are teasing Kansuke in the woodpecker episode about the bad plan of Yamamoto, just for him to go "?? It's not MY plan, so why are you acting like it is??" (Look at their faces, man, Taka'aki looks so playful 😂)

And Kansuke is overall just... Kansuke. 😅 The first scene with him is yelling at Yui, and more or less the first scene with Taka'aki is him basically telling him to drop dead (and boy, does he look HURT by that??). AND YET??

Yet, it is very obvious that he cares for both of them. They all do.

In their first case, Yui throws herself in the way of a bullet to protect Kansuke after he tried to protect her first (I think this is anime only).

Kansuke tells her that he's gonna wait for her to return to him the police.

Kansuke brought Conan to the Red Wall case not to help him, but so Taka'aki could solve it with his help and then return to HQ (which in the end was useless because Taka'aki actually cracked the message before anyone else lol).

We find out that Taka'aki went against all orders to find Kansuke, who had been declared dead, and got demoted because of that (he dashed to his support...).

Kansuke was ready to throw himself into a house completely ENGULFED in flames to save Taka'aki from death. And Yui DID throw herself into those flames! (still salty that they didn't show us how she rescued him)

You have Kansuke and Taka'aki communicating completely nonverbal on more than one occasion.

And then of course we have all the tragedies surrounding them.

The death of Kai Kuroto, Yui finding his dead body. Kansuke going missing on the search for his murder, declared dead, then found again in a coma, with his eye lost and leg damaged in undisclosed way (they hint that it's reversible in the Woodpecker case (Manga only), but who knows). Taka'aki getting demoted after throwing himself into the search for Kansuke, Yui on the other hand getting married to a suspect to further investigate Kai's murder.

And do I even have to mention the whole Family-murder past for Taka'aki?? Imagine coming home at 13 (?14?) from summer camp and finding your parents brutally murdered and your little brother traumatised (and we know he's only still alive because the murderer thought he'd lead him to his (dead) daughter one day! So it could've ended even worse!), then being separated from your brother by long distance (I checked, it's about a 3h ride by train from Nagano city to Tokyo.), AND THEN YOUR LITTLE BROTHER IS ALSO KILLED WHILE UNDERCOVER?? Give that man a fucking break!!

Also love how all of them had been a crime suspect at least once lol

And appart from all of that, I just love how the Trio just... accepts that Conan is ... different. There are no questions asked when he storms onto the crime scene, they'll let him watch the gruesome surveillance videos, no big deal, they overall just... treat him like an equal?

I mean?! In their second appearance, Kansuke and Yui go all the way to Tokyo just to get him on the case! Sure, officially they get Kogoro, but Yui outright tells Conan that Kansuke came to get him!

I also just love how they can keep up with him. Sure, you have Conan making hints for the other cops, too, and them then figuring things out, but with the Nagano Trio, they often figure out things ALONGSIDE of Conan, getting the same ideas, etc (well, Taka'aki and Kansuke at least, Yui only did that once in her debut episode you can blame Aoyama for sidelining his female characters once again) and like I said, I think Taka'aki in the Red Wall case is one of the very, VERY few occasions of someone cracking a code BEFORE Conan. I love it?! They're so fucking smart!

So... yeah?? I think I'm done gushing. For now. Insert Marge Simpson Meme, I just think they're neat??

And imagining them as a throuple makes it all so much funnier.

[localfanbaselurker]

First time watching Voltron: Legendary Defender and documenting my thoughts

This is Season 4

S1-2 | S3 | S5 | S6 | S7 | S8 |

———————————————————————

<this one is going to be shorter, as I have only recently finished this season, and the grief is still fresh (lol), so the thoughts are only just starting to simmer. strap your asses in>

Pre-Season 4 Thoughts

-> Keith joining the blades is going to be a huge plot device, I feel

-> PLEASE for the love of CHRIST let that poor little girl find her brother and father. If they are dead dreamworks better be ready to catch these hands

->I’ve heard people claim this is the “last good season”, but i stay strong 💪 and will watch till the end

->wouldn’t the paladin switch not make sense now? Cus shiro is back as the black paladin and it makes no sense for Lance to be red like it originally had? If anything, he should’ve gone back to blue, and Allura to red, because Allura is very accepting/encouraging of shiro’s role as leader. I guess they didn’t wanna do it all over again. But I digress 🤷‍♀️

->im gonna miss my Pookie (🤍❤️🤍)

Post-S4

->do they do this every two seasons?? Have an epic battle where they have a big preparation and say it’ll 100% end the war but it doesn’t and something crazy happens after they win and it sets up the next season??

->FUCK YEAH PIDGE GOT HER BROTHER BACK IM SCREAMING CRYING THROWING UP 💪💪🔥🔥‼️‼️‼️🙏🙏🙏🙇‍♀️🙇‍♀️

->^genuinely cried so hard during this scene. would’ve cried more if I wasn’t recovering from the initial shock.

->^cried during this one too, but it was happy tears. I could actually just do a whole reaction post to this episode alone. (if you want me to js say so in the rbs/replies)

->the callback to s1! “color-coded of course, because what are we? animals?” AHHH! I’m going insane I love these siblings sooooo much

->okay I’ll stop gushing over them now

->^only valid reaction to meeting Allura. Homegirl is beauty incarnate

->I LIED. im not sorry im never shutting up about them. SHE SHOWS HIM AROUND THE CASTLE AND TELLS HIM EVERYTHING AND EVERY DETAIL AND SHES SO EXCITED CUS SHE JUST GOT HER BRO BACK AND IS JUST RAMBLING ABOUT HER NEW HOME AND ALL THE COOL STUFF SHES BEEN DOING AND HES JUST LISTENING AND IS SUPER EXCITED WITH HER AND ITS SOOOO AMAZING AND ADORABLE AND I COULD DIE

->AND THEN HE TELLS HER HOW THEIR DAD WOULD BE SO PROUD IM DYING IM LITERALLY DEAD STOP.

->AND AND AND THEY WERE ALL WORKING TOGETHER W HUNK TO MAKE THE GALRA TRACKER THING AND THEY WERE BEING SO COOL WITH EACH OTHER AND BEING NERDS TOGETHER AND AND AND AJEUWNDUWJEBEURBDGWUDKAODHD

->okay. ive calmed down. i am normal and can be trusted to simply watch a show.

->^Get his ass, Zarkon. I needed his smug ass to be humbled so bad. Only time I will agree w Zarkon fr.

->i do NOT like Lotor. Can you guys tell already??

->THE SCENE WHERE THEY TRIED TO GET MILKSHAKES AND WERE SHOCKED TO FIND OUT THAT YOU NEED TO MILK A COW STOP.✋ 😭. My high-score on the giggle-meter went up by 300%

->bro I SWEAR shiro looks different. there’s just something about him. the hair gets a pass cus how good of a haircut can you give yourself in space, yk? but that nose scar is definitely a different shade #notmyrodrickshiro

->THE VOLTRON SHOW.

->^Just. That entire episode. It’s getting a whole post actually I need to yap about it.

->^her armor is colored in a way which makes it look both pink and red while making it look like a trick of the light in a way to symbolize that she is acting as keith yet while being a paladin herself and that being unknown in the public eye and showing how they have to cover that up, any suspicion being thrown as a trick of the light. Oh vld animators ily 🫶

->on another note tho why do they always draw lance and shiro to have 30 pounds of ass. what.

->loved when those lesbians decided to take down lotor. Queen shit 💋 we stan 🙇‍♀️🙏

->Lotor is so stupid and pathetic and annoyingly smug and sus and admiral-zhao-y and I hate him but he’s SOOO FREAKING HOT and I can’t hate him completely because he’s so attractive but that just makes me wanna hate him more. He’s a walking red flag but the flag is heart-shaped and honestly idk what to do w that.

->^WHAT. stop. honestly that’s the real reason he was banned from the empire my ass would not want that fucking FREAK within a 30 light year radius of me either

-> while s3 was the klance season, s4 is apparently the allurance season, they have a lot of sweet moments. (granted all started by lance but still, you can almost see allura swooning)

->^pookie. what are you doing… pookie.. no. stop. i don’t like where this is going…

->^POOKIE NO. STOP. ✋ STOP. SAY SIKE RN.

->^oh thank fuck for Lotor.

->^^wait what. why Lotor.

->^^^heartbreaking: worst person you know doesn’t something good for once.

->he definitely wants something out of this. I don’t trust him.

These are thoughts I’ve had compiled for some time now. I will continue to post my thoughts on the tag “laura’s first vld”

I finished this season on 06/30/24. I am on S5E3 as of today (07/06/24)

[number-0-iz]

Live thoughts of Bridgerton

Season 3, episode 1

Colin getting dressed in the carriage lmao

He is definitely better looking but I still don't think he's all that hot. Sorry not sorry. Maybe I'll change my mind.

Ah yes big ass feathers

SIGN LANGUAGE CHARACTER YES.

I love that. I don't speak ASL (also mainly cause English isn't my first language) but it is so cool.

The queen be bored lmao.

Charlotte as fierce as ever.

SINCE WHEN IS ELOISE INVOLVED WITH SEASONAL STYLES?

Me the whole time Fran was walking: don't fall don't fall don't fall

WHAT'S WRONG

Player Colin is...a little weird lma

ANOTHER ONE OF PEN'S SISTER FOUND A HUSBAND OH I'M SO HAPPY FOR HER.

NOW IT'S PEN'S TURN!

Oh shit the sister doesn't seem to like him 😭

Rip aunt Petunia, she seemed cool.

Oh u feel like the truth from last season will come out about the Featheringtons.

ELOISE SEEING PEN ELOISE SEEING PEN

Ugh friendship with Cressida? Eloise?

This is probably why she suddenly keeps up with seasonal styles?

God I hope they didn't change her too much or that she didn't lose herself.

I am not even 15 minutes in.

At least Violet seems to know something is up with Eloise.

"Tender young ladies." 😭

Damn all of the flirting jesus

CRESSIDA'S MOTHER IS SUCH A BITCH

Damn Portia has it all planned out huh

PEN AND COLIN MEET UP OOP

OOH HOW SHARP

I too would take a deep breath like that if I had to share a carriage with Portia

I AM A SUCKER FOR BOWS

"NO! Outside. Where our mother can't see." He says with a grin.

Lmao I love this man.

ELOISE IS READING EMMA

Please don't tell me Eloise has given up on being keen to learn and intellectual and a feminist

Because if she has, I will throw my phone at the wall.

"I lost the battle and I have no appetite for the war. I've joined the winning side."

So you mean to tell me that you have truly given up on your principles Eloise?

I wish Eloise would listen to Pen and they would be friends again.

"She was a very cold lady."

"She is colder now, I'm afraid."

AYE YO WHAT THE FUCK 😭

That was so savage.

Please let Mondrich and his family get a lot of cash as an inheritance.

A TITLE GOR MONDRICH'S SON?!

THIS IS EVEN BETTER 😭

They deserve it

NEWTON COCKBLOCKING KANTHONY LMAO

Aww their hands.

Ah another fantastic ball of Lady Danbury.

Oh Kate looks beautiful!!

PRETTY PEN IN A PRETTY DRESS

Aww Mr. Finch is so proud of his sister in law. Greenest flag.

UGH NOT A CONTESSA

I got distracted by Instagram reels when I went to look for the playlist of classical music covers used in the new season.

OH PEN US SO AWKWARD MY SWEETIE

Oh awkward Eloise

Ugh rude men

KANTHONY DANCE

PEN AND FRAN FRIENDSHIP

Oh Debling seems interesting.

NOT CRESSIDA STANDING ON PEN'S PRETTY DRESS! WHAT A BITCH.

And Eloise tried to apologise and Pen ran away 😭

OH THE SCENE FROM THE PREVIEW

"I overheard you." OOOOH

OH MIGHT THE FEATHERINGTONS LOSE EVERYTHING.

Cressida is a bitch. Eloise should not approve and be angry.

Oh sensitive Cressida? Damn.

How did I only now notice that Kate is left handed lol

COLIN VISITS

"BUT FRIENDS DON'T LOOK AT EACH ITHER THE WAY YOU DO."

Oh no not Penelope's scathing Whistledown letter

This'll be bad

GO MONDRICH FAM

Footman: Lord Kent. *proceeds to bow* welcome to your new home.

The kid: aye yo what the fuck

"I will never forgive her." Oh Colin if only you knew.

Well that was quite something! I really liked this episode if I am being honest! God I already wanna turn back to my season 2 Bridgerton AU with my OC that I made a few years ago but never posted. Am I going to watch episode 2 rn? Yes because I cannot wait. Will I leave yet another long reaction list like this one? Probably not cause I want to get a handle on my phone usage. But maybe another time! Until then!

[mentalblabbermouth]

May the 4th hit me like a truck and i'm still stuck like a fly to a windshield 3 months later

(just posting notes from my ramble doc, i should just get the app at this point)

Man it’s lonely not having people outside of online spaces being just as obsessed with the same media. My sib and I have kind of drifted apart in terms of tastes in shows/fandoms and my folks aren’t interested at all. I don’t really have any friends in my hometown that I could just go on impromptu hangouts to the mall or park with, and the ones I do have their own long established clique and they’re into different stuff. It’s not like in college with living on campus, and all those friends are miles away. These days it’s hard to even find a free day. I think it really comes down to I wish I had someone to turn to and be like “this character connects to this and foreshadows this and did you know etc. etc.” basically infodumping but actually being listened to with the same amount of enthusiasm. 

   I want to talk about Star Wars, casual mainstream stuff I guess, like I’m late in the game but just started the Bad Batch and I got so excited hearing the narrator again. I used to watch the Clone Wars when I was little so it was a huge hit of nostalgia. Funnily enough I’ve basically gotten the highlights of the whole series through reaction posts, fanart, clips, and finally decided ok I’ll check it out after reading a fic (it was "Success Rate" on Ao3 btw). I wasn’t initially interested when the Bad Batch first came out until their personalities really started to show and of course sibling family moments. And I’ll admit the fandom space from what I could see on insta genuinely looked like fun from the sidelines. 

   The Dad Batch is so real, watching the very first episode knowing what happens later on and how much they grow it’s bittersweet and touching. Literally the moment Hunter sees Omega it’s like the remnants of the paternal Mandalorian instincts kicked in. This man was already set on becoming a father figure even if he hadn’t realized it. I just thought it was the fans doing their thing but no I witnessed it with my own eyes they’re all girldads and now I wish I got into the series sooner. 

   Also because I’m an animator at heart I love catching the little side glances between the brothers and the little quirks. For being voiced by the same guy, each of the Bad Batch have their own distinct personalities and mannerisms and I’m having such a good time.

   Omega is such a sweetheart, I don’t get how people could not like her! She’s literally baby and I know she grows up at the end of the series, so seeing how she started out she’s so small! She’s just a kid! She’s their little girl! They love her immediately and wholeheartedly! I didn’t know that in the first episode Order 66 just hits them like that, everything is confusing and chaos, the world they’ve known their whole lives is crumbling down. But they risk their lives and their freedom and return to Kamino for her! 

   The food fight scene was great, absolutely love how they’re ready to throw hands.

Nothing is more euphoric than finding a piece of fanart you remembered liking years ago but not remembering the artist so you go on a long search detective style and then find it! Yes it was Bad Batch content—I liked the occasional art even though I had never seen a single episode until now and I’m living rn absolutely delighted to find the piece was part of TBB Zine! Catching up on quality content now with context is healing rn (just in case the piece is by clone.enthusiast aka Bird on insta, forever treasuring this I’m smiling)-update: i think with the whole Meta AI thing the artist left Instagram and I'm so sad i can't find them.

Anyhoo, wanted to get that part out of my system. Been busy with a new job that's been so draining that I haven't finished Season 1 yet. Burnout has made picking up a pencil feel like holding a hot iron that it just hurts idk. Thinking of making a Tumblr blog just for professional art portfolio things since Instagram is now a hot garbage fire and lots of people are moving to Cara. I don't think i'll leave Insta myself since I've got mutuals there and there's still awesome art around. But yeah that's what's life been lately, if you've read this far, thanks!

[djsangos]

“Cod, I’m gonna be sore tomorrow,” says the rookie in between shoveling pancakes into their beak. “Buddy, too. They’re gonna be whinin’ about it all night.”

“Don’t throw them at me next time,” you retort. “Those targets were made specially for them. They’re edible. I’m not.” You lift your heavily bitten and bandaged right forearm, hand holding your fork spearing a bite of waffle, for emphasis.

“According to Lil’ Buddy there, you’re delectable, Captain,” Four pipes up, giving you a sly smirk over the horrendous pile of french toast, eggs, and syrup he’s eating like a madman. ‘French egg sandwich’ he calls it. Cod.

“Yeah, you’re just leftovers right now. We’re savin’ what’s left of you for next time,” Rookie snickers. Lil’ buddy, perched on their shoulder, looks at you so innocently, and so, so hungrily.

You roll your eyes, and turn your attention fully to Four. “So how’d finals go, anyway? You got your grades back, right?”

They hesitate for just a moment too long, and seem just a bit too uncomfortable, before snickering and waving a hand dismissively. “You know me, Cap,” he says. “Obviously I aced it all! Piece of cake, as usual.”

“Really, huh,” you say, before you can really stop yourself, then add, “I mean, obviously I knew you’d crush it, but you just seemed really frustrated today, so I thought I’d ask just to be sure.”

“Pfft! Post-semester jitters, no need to worry about me.” There’s that dismissiveness again, and you’re starting to wonder…

“Alright, I believe you. I’m just saying, it’d be totally okay…”

...Why is this attitude so familiar?

“...If you didn’t crush it,” you finish.

Four’s grin is growing noticeable strained, and he seems to notice it, too, because he covers it up with a laugh so loud that people at other tables in this IPOP start to turn your way.

“That’s really sweet, Cap,” they say, wiping an invisible tear from their eye, “and I appreciate it! But I did, so we don’t need to have this conversation. Okay?”

The desperation in his voice is fucking palpable, and you have to break your eye contact with him, glancing to your right, only to meet gazes with the rookie, who looks like they were in the middle of trying to tell you something, right hand not-so-subtly shielding their mouth from Four as they seem to be mouthing ‘-for eel?’ Their expression is about as incredulous as you feel.

You turn your gaze back to Four, and throw your hands up in mock surrender. “Okay, cool,” you concede. “Look, you can’t blame a squid for worrying, alright? I already had the whole ‘school whaleshit breakdown’ episode, I just wanna make sure it doesn’t happen again.” You shrug and take a gulp of your coffee.

“Wait, for eel?” Rookie repeats, out loud this time. “I didn’t know you ever went to college!”

“Yeah, this is news to me, too,” says Four, and you think he looks relieved that the conversation is turning away from his school whaleshit and towards your school whaleshit. “I thought you didn’t even go to high school?”

You set down your mug. “I went, I just didn’t finish. I dropped out at like fifteen, it was a whole thing. I guess it was before your time, but I honestly thought Marie might’ve told you,” you add to Four specifically.

Four shakes their head. “Nope. I just thought you never enrolled.”

The rookie seems super fucking invested in your major academic blunder, for probably the wrong reasons. “What happened?” They lean forward, chin propped up on their hands, an intense gleam in their eyes. “Did you get expelled? Get in a fight? Kill a classmate and had to leave to cover up your crime? Spill the tea, Cap! And make it hot!”

“Can you cool it, Rookie?” says Four. “Maybe they don’t wanna talk about it.”

“If they didn’t wanna talk about it, they shouldn’t’ve mentioned it!”

“It’s fine,” you say. “It’s honestly really stupid in hindsight. I was flunking like all of my classes and couldn’t keep up with them between turfing to make rent and agent work anyway, so I just stopped going. Thought I was too stupid anyway.”

The rookie boos you. “Lame!” Four claps them on the back of the head and very narrowly escapes a Smallfry bite.

“So you just dropped out?” he says. “Like, just like that?”

“Just like that.”

“Couldn’t you have just told Gramps that you needed to take time off for school? That’s what I did. Same with you.”

You groan. “You know how I am, man. I thought I could handle it all myself, but I didn’t want anyone to be mad at me for dropping out, so I just didn’t say anything. Lied my way through another like month and a half until one day Marie just randomly decided she was gonna pick me up after school, and then I wasn’t there. That’s how everyone found out.”

Four hisses through his beak in sympathy. “Were they mad?”

“No,” you say. “’We’re not mad, Three. We’re just disappointed.’ Okay, that was mostly Marie.”

“Wait,” says the rookie. “How did the old man not know you weren’t going to school if you were there working with him during school hours?”

“I, uh. Told him I had off periods.”

“Plus I don’t think he’s been to school in about a hundred years,” Four adds. “He probably doesn’t even remember when school’s supposed to be in session.”

“...Anyway,” you say. “That--”

“Is everything tasting alright?” The sudden fourth voice startles you all back into reality, and the waiter jelly has materialized right next to your table. You have to bite back a shout.

“Uh. Yeah,” says Four.

“Great! Here’s the bill, and I hope you three have a great day. Thank you!”

All of you thank the waiter before they disappear as quickly as they appeared.

…

…

…

The rookie is the first to break the silence. “Now all of IPOP knows you’re stupid.”

You can’t help but let out a snicker.

“But. Uh. My point is,” you continue, turning to Four, “I know you totally aren’t struggling with school like I was, you’re way too smart for that, but if you’re having problems, with like anything, let me know. Or someone.”

“Let the old people help you,” Rookie adds.

“Yeah,” you agree. “Let the old people help you. We’re so old and wrinkly and wise.”

“That’s where their wisdom comes from,” says the rookie. “The wrinkles.”

Four laughs, again, but it still seems strained. “Okay, I get your point. But really, I’m okay! I’m not that stupid-- no offense.”

“What offense?” you ask dryly.

“But I’m totally killing it and I’m ready to get my summer on! You guys wanna hit up the mall after this?”

“I should work today,” says the rookie with a groan. “Those doors can’t dive themselves.”

“We can walk you to the station,” you say. “I’ve just gotta pay first.”

Four snatches the bill off the table while you’re reaching for it. “I got it! You guys just go on ahead, I’ll catch up.”

“Uh, no, you’re fine. I got it.”

“No, I got it, Captain. Go on! I’ll see you at the station.” With that, you and the rookie are unceremoniously ushered out of the restaurant and on the way to the rail station.

After several agonizing minutes of awkward silence with a backing track of shoes and crutches on pavement and the occasional Smallfry warble, the rookie finally pipes up, “So do you actually believe his shit?”

“I want to,” you say. “But I don’t think I can.”

“Why didn’t you just straight up call ‘em out? Like what was all that even for?”

“Wanted them to know they’re not alone when it comes to school shit. It was also just to distract him for a minute, he seems really on edge. Also I’ll save the calling out for when it’s just me and him. No offense.”

“So you’re leavin’ me out of the good drama? I’m hurt, Captain!” they exclaim in a tone that is so not hurt.

“Good. Bleed out and die.”

“I will!”

When you drop the rookie and their little buddy off at the station platform, they give you a mock salute. “Keep me posted, will ya?”

“Depends. See you later.” You give them your own two-finger salute, and it’s only as you’re watching them go inside that you realize Four never caught up to you. When you take out your phone to call them, you notice a few unread messages.

From: 🏈4️⃣🦑4️⃣🏈 Hey cap i know i said id meet up with you but i think im just gonna head home sorry

Ive had some time to think about what you said while i was walking alone

Long story short i flunked hard and im not sure i can stay in this major or school

Im sorry i lied

...Shit. Before you can even think, you’re typing, hands shaking.

To: 🏈4️⃣🦑4️⃣🏈 are you okay do you wanna talk

i can come over

From: 🏈4️⃣🦑4️⃣🏈 No and not right now

I think i wanna be alone

Sorry

Those are... probably some of the last things you want to read right now, and as much as you don't want to leave him alone right now, they know themself best.

To: 🏈4️⃣🦑4️⃣🏈 okay

im here whenever youre ready

let me know ill be there immediately

stay safe

From: 🏈4️⃣🦑4️⃣🏈 Thanks 💛

You don’t know what else to do other than head home yourself right now, as much as you just want to break into Four’s apartment, suplex the whole truth out of him, and then come up with a game plan together.

Before you start walking, though, you remember the not-promise you made to the rookie.

To: smallerfry yeah fours not doing too hot he just texted me

but i let them know im on call so dont worry

From: smallerfry LOL I KNEW IT

To: smallerfry not funny jackass

With that final message, you make sure your ringer is turned on for Four’s number, stuff your phone back into your pocket and make your way back home. You’ve let them know you’re here to help, and you can only hope that they’ll accept your offer.

Cod, you really hope they accept it.

[world-smitten]

2022 Kdrama End of Year Roundup

I wasn't going to do an end of year round up because I didn't finish anything this year (🙃), but reading everyone's 2022 roundups was so fun and inspiring that I thought I'd throw my hat in the ring. This is less a review of anything and more a series of rambling thoughts about the different dramas I bounced around this year.

My Name is Kim Sam Soon (2005): Kim Sun-ah is one of my favourite actresses and after watching her amazing turn in Children of Nobody, I hopped onto her starmaking drama, My Name is Kim Sam Soon. The first episode is perfect - razor sharp writing and comedic performances, and the most endearing heroine in Sam Soon. She's a hot mess but a very adult hot mess, with a strange dignity about her even as she rushes from one humiliating situation to another. Her chemistry with Hyun Bin is charming, although the character himself was not quite as nice. Kim Sam Soon is a character who still feels novel, but pairing her with Hyun Bin's grouchy, aloof, grabby love interest felt regressive, like the writers wanted to have their cake and eat it. I dropped it not just because I was lazy, but because the relationship didn't seem like a fun journey. But man, that first episode really is so good.

2521: Kim Tae-ri's performance as Na Hee-do has to be seen to be believed. Na hee-do is an animated character and I mean this in every complimentary sense of the word. Animation is a medium where the artist has exacting control over every image the audience sees, and so the best pieces of character animation will transform even the act of walking - from one imaginary point to another - into something transcendent; Kim Tae-ri's physicality is so finetuned and precise that every gesture she makes feels like something whole and wonderful in itself - she's so good that she elevates every scene into a more vivid, exciting reality. She really didn't need to carry this drama - the cast is solid - but somehow it ended up being that way. She's so good in this that everytime it jumped to the present, I felt lost and even upset at how little of her I could see in Kim So-hyun's Hee-do. Maybe that was the point, but it still hurt lol. I liked looking at Nam Joo-hyuk - he's very pretty and has nice arms. That's really all I can say about him here. I dropped the drama before he and Hee-do got together, but to be honest, watching Hee-do and Yu-rim finally become "friends" felt more rewarding. It's always fun to see Kim Hye-eun - she brings a certain malicious edge to even the most innocuous characters. And the show's art direction was gorgeous. Can't see myself going back to it but I had a great time.

My Liberation Notes: before I knew about kdrama screenwriters and their creative powers, and that it was possible to learn these writers' names and follow their works and idiosyncracies, I knew of Park Hae-young from her terrifying Another Miss Oh which made me wish desperately to never fall in love if being in love meant endless humiliation. I've already talked about how painful it is to watch PHY's shows and My Liberation Notes was no different. I'm sure it's a show that rewards patience; I'm sadly a deeply impatient person. Another Miss Oh had some very good humour to keep me going for 7 episodes; My Mister propelled me through all 16 episodes with its tight storyline and captivating interpersonal drama. My Liberation Notes didn't have any sugar to help the bitter pill go down easier - the pill being a claustrophobic, feverish depiction of adulthood. Setting the story in an autumn where summer has lingered too long meant I could feel the humidity in the back of my throat. I guess I dropped it because it was a little too good. But I might go back to it - all those gifs of Kim Ji-Won and Son Suk-ku look very tantalising.

Extraordinary Attorney Woo: this one is tricky to talk about because I was certain I was going to finish it and love it forever. Episode 1-9 of EAW are practically perfect. I can't speak for the accuracy of its representation, but it's wonderful to hear that Park Eun-bin's performance hit the right chord with many autistic viewers. This really was an excellent ensemble cast - seeing Kang Ki-young in such a measured performance after watching him all these years in comedic supporting, then second lead roles was oddly touching (and this is also the last time I'll ever compliment him, since he might be doing brownface in his next movie in the year of our lord 2023, hope he's proud of himself). Favourite moments: the “Children’s Liberation Army”; "Spring Sunshine" Soo-yeon; Young-woo eating breakfast with Geurami after running away from home; Young-woo's meeting with her mother, played by the immensely gifted Jin Kyung. The series was poised to become my new favourite thing, but episode 11 happened and was so embarassing I dropped the show off the face of the earth. Episode 11 is so baffling, so unexpected, so utterly juvenile compared to what had come before. Listen to this - Young-woo takes on a case of a couple contesting lottery winnings with the husband's friends. She wins but the husband might be a crook. But - uh oh! - he's also abusive. But - uh oh! - he's also cheating on his wife. But - uh oh! - he gets run over by a truck before anyone can bring him to any kind of justice. Even typing this out I'm laughing because it’s just so strange. After previously thoughtful, organic writing, to see the show suddenly fall back into what was comfortable and safe was disappointing to say the least. And the worst part was that it no longer felt like Young-woo's story - as if the narrative had been wrenched out of her hands, which had been carrying the story beautifully all this time. But I think it was unfair of me to judge an episodic show so harshly for one dud, which is why I plan on finishing it. I think 2022 was the year I discovered that I'm a very judgemental viewer.

Little Women: a gothic modern day retelling of Little Women was the last thing I expected to watch this year. Starting the story post-mortem was an interesting choice - "Beth" is already dead and her memory haunts her sisters who can't even remember her name. And her death distorts the characters, as if to challenge the original novel's thesis, to say that poverty breaks rather than builds character. "Marmee" does not pull herself together, but is permanently damaged from the loss and abandons her surviving daughters at the first instance. There's a sense of disturbed girlhood - I'll forever be struck by the image of a corpse wearing a pair of red shoes, and hidden in the wardrobe of a girl's dollhouse. This combination of gothicism with otherwise hardnosed suspense made for a very thrilling, heady watch in places. Ms Go beating up In-joo was easily one of the best things I've seen all year. This woman wears clean sharp lines with her hair in a neat bun, and the moment a vulnerable, desperate young woman offers herself up for punishment, the facade flakes away to reveal an obscene love of cruelty. I was terrified for In-joo, delighted to see a woman who actually delivered on her promise of violence. Park Bo-kyung is a star. If I see another comment talking about how "oh, In-joo and Do-il should've gotten together, they had such great chemistry," I'm going to scream. I'm sure Wi Ha-joon has been wonderful elsewhere, but here, next to Kim Go-eun, who was acting, he was painfully flat. I will finish this one, partly because I’m really intrigued to see how it resolves itself, but also to get another glimpse of my favourite violent woman Ms Go. 

Into the Ring (2020): checked this one out at the very tail end of 2022, and honestly, best decision I made last year. This drama is, on a scene to scene, frame to frame level, the funniest show I've ever watched. It’s full of delightful little quirks from its eccentric cast of characters that it mines for every giggle. Our heroine Goo Se-ra isn’t weird in a cute way, not weird in a quirky way, not weird in a sexy way - just weird. She’s unhinged but also scarily competent, as if all those short-term jobs have accumulated into latent superpowers. Her and Gong-myung are the rare drama couple that actually delight in each other’s company - there were brief moments of intimacy where I was taken aback by how completely I believed in this fictional relationship. It’s a show that needs its brevity and its indestructible heroine, because its world of local politics can be incredibly defeatist. The underdog rarely wins - she’s at least 15 years too late, without connections, wealth or the time to build a strong base within the system. I appreciated the narrative’s bluntness about what it meant to be an effective politician, and at some point, even though she really vexed me in places, I came to understand councilwoman Yoon Hee-soo’s world-weary pragmatism (played by Yoo Da-in who I’ve not seen since Weightlfting Fairy, and who, in hindsight, was wasted there). Also Ahn Nae-sang was hot in this. Yeah, I don’t know either. I’ve only got 2 episodes left and I can’t wait to get back once I’ve finished all my essays.

Offhand, I checked out episode 1 of Why Her? while doing schoolwork, and I love me a morally ambiguous girlboss but when that morally ambiguous girlboss physically assaults a worker - who is both significantly younger than her AND her student - and the show carries on as if nothing is wrong (and even ensures that the student is already emotionally attached to her, meaning that he is never appropriately angry at her for assault...), eyebrows start to rise. Of course there’s an interesting story in there about power imbalances and how powerful women uphold abusive power structures, but I don’t think Why Her? is that story. Oh well. Seo Hyun-jin’s hair is beautiful in this though, the stylists should get a raise.

And that’s it for 2022! Wishing you guys a belated, but very happy new year, and good things in 2023! 🥰🥰