#i think its a tradition now to introduce my cat

[miutonium]

Hi, I decided to open my commission again because I cleared my art commission queues (I only have sketches left now!) I also decided to open it because I am currently working on my final project for this semester and I needed the funds to buy for the materials and such ;w;

I'm opening 5 slots right now as and will be updating the slots here if it's taken ^^

[2/5 SLOTS TAKEN]

My TOS, art samples and additional info can be read on my carrd here.

My commission queue can be check here as well (currently I have 2 pending)

Do keep in mind that I am currently near my finals so I only be able to actually start my commission progress around mid-July. Please commission me ONLY if you can wait for a long period of time.

Please send me a DM if youre interested or you have any questions regarding my commission!

There's no pressure at all if you don't want to reblog/share but I greatly appreciate it very much if you do 🥺👉👈

Thank you for your attention! 💕💕

[myfeetkeepdancing]

gif credit: @fassbender

NSFW 18+ NSFW 18+ NSFW 18+

Nathan Drake x Male Reader

Watching someone sleep is an odd experience. When it's a loved one, it's often relaxing, enticing, or a mix of both. An enemy is something different. That element of surprise and growing anticipation of their reaction. That look on their face. A plan finally bearing its fruit. With Nathan, it's a bit of both. Love and hate. An unusual blend. Yet since that last encounter was an exhilarating one. A sort of cat and mouse game. But with different stakes. And strange traditions to grow.

Nathan wasn't easy to find. False names, untraceable transactions, phone calls, and IP addresses. You name it. It took a great deal of your resources and time. But revenge is a dish best served unsuspected.

Nathan sure had spent his money well. The luxurious villa beside the sea was spacious and comfortable. Large windows open up to an ocean-wide view—sunrise over a clear blue sea. The curtains sway with the slightest breeze coming from the windows. While you slowly opened the wooden blinds, rays of sunshine poured into the bedroom. You can already feel the warmth glowing in the room. From a chair far on the opposite side of the room you watch.

Observe the beams of sunlight shining upon the contours of Nathan's body. You can hear him breathing. And yourself. The ruffle of palm trees. The crashing of waves on the beach. For a brief moment, you feel at ease. Calmed by the sounds. But the slightest motion of Nathan keeps you sharp. This was one of the more pleasant ways to wake up, you remind yourself as you recount all the other options.

It takes a good moment for Nathan to awake from his slumber. His brown hair sat curly and ruffled. Classic case of bed hair. You hear him mumble something. And your heart begins racing. Whatever happens next is crucial. Nathan lay on his back. Snoring a little, licking his lips. As he slowly began to wake up. The sun shone directly in his eyes. He seemed at ease and at peace. His chest rose and fell as he breathed slowly. Planting both arms beside him, Nathan pulled himself up, revealing that muscled naked torso. Eyes staring at the blinds. "Morning Nathan." You announce yourself. And his eyes shoot wide open in your direction.

"Wh-...?!" Nathan rocked forward. But a rope on his right hand tightened and yanked him back as viciously as he tried to jump you. "(Y/N)?!" Looking back and forth between the rope and you. "How the hell did you find me?" Nathan desperately searched for the end of the rope which he found tied to the bed. "What's going on? W-What… are you doing here?" Each pull he gave on the rope tightened the knot further and pulled his arm up towards the backboard.

"Good morning to you too, Nathan." And get up from the chair. You take a slow walk to the bed. Stretch out the inevitable. Let Nathan give a false idea of hope. That he has options. "You're not easy to find." Eyeing the views for a moment. "Nice place, though. Shoulda… send a card." Giving him a wink.

"Haha… Yeah. I… eh, I will." He rolled from one side of the bed to the other. Trying to reach anything. "So… eh, to what do I owe this visit?"

"I was thinking how I would call that on my way here. Seeing that we… owe our lives to each other-..." You stand in the middle of the room. Watching Nathan effortlessly fail and try everything. "...-I wanted to introduce a tradition… something which you started."

"Oh no…" He chuckles nervously. "Is that why I'm bound by rope?"

"Certainly." Rubbing your hands together eagerly. "I learned a few tricks since our last encounter."

Nathan's right hand now sat flush against the headboard of the bed. Knot completely locked up. "For a second I thought you were here for a share of my treasure." He said, tilting his head to the side. "I heard you… blew quite the sum."

"I'm still baffled that you could press that button. Knowing I was in there." Crossing your arms, thinking back about that last encounter. Shaking your head in disbelief. "And people keep thinking I blew up my 'brand new' house for insurance money."

"I knew you'd survive." Nathan shrugged and smiled thinly.

"That may be the kindest thing you have ever said to me."

"I'm full of surprises." He winks back. "How about you? What'd you have planned for me?" Scanning the room carefully and thoroughly. "Is there a bomb…?"

"Nah… I'll leave something for next time." The steel watch on your wrist, one size too large on the bracelet gets Nathan's attention quite quickly. "Wouldn't wanna risk blowing it all in one encounter. I like a good… build-up."

"C'mon (Y/N)!" Nathan darted up but was reminded by the knot as he was pulled back again. "Nnngh-Not the watch! Please!"

"Good taste." Flaunting the steel sports watch in the light. It looked expensive and sure was. With a bit of play on the bracelet, you discard it to the table aside. A sigh of relief was heard from Nathan. That wouldn't be the first this morning you chuckle to yourself.

"I'll warn you." He held up a finger to you as you approached the bed. "Even with one arm bound, I can still take you."

"I believe you. I have bruises that prove that much." You say and take seat at the far end of the bed. "You know, you really get to know someone once you've been in their bedroom." With a finger, you slowly peel back the sheets. Taking a peek underneath. You've already seen it. But the theatrical aspect of it all was worth it so much. "Somehow, I imagined you to sleep naked, Nathan."

"I think you're confused between imagining and fantasizing." He sniffled, leaning a bit towards you. This smirk on his face. "Let me guess, you took your chance and nicked one of my undies, didn't you?" Whispering in his hushed voice. Smirk ever-growing.

"I don't know until what time morning wood is a valid excuse…" The slow reveal of what was underneath the sheets was ruined by Nathan. Rolling onto his hip. Trying to occupy himself with the ever-tightening knot. Giving you the rear view. The black shorts masked a beautifully full-shaped pair of buttocks. His back still showed vague hints of bruises. "But I think that ship has sailed. Damn…"

"Shut up… At least gimme a hint." He said with a hint of challenge in his voice and a playful glint in his eyes. Meanwhile, he was trying to pry loose the knot on his wrist, to no avail. Its purpose is to restrain and keep hold. "How does it work? What's the game here?"

"Spare your energy." And pull a blade from your backpocket. "The only way out of that knot is with a knife. Trust me on that." A sense of calm returned to Nathan as he let that sink in.

"How's the head?" He asked after a moment of silence. "Still having trouble sleeping?"

You nod and face away. Nathan's clothes lay draped over the chair. His gun nearby. You emptied it beforehand. As far as you're aware, there weren't any bullets around. Nor knives. Except for the one you were holding. "Your bomb was one of the reasons."

"I'm sorry. I saw the reports." He said quietly. "Want me to put a kiss to it… if you… untie me that is."

"Something that shuts you up wouldn't hurt for the next part… or any really." And move to the other side of his bed. The one free arm still fighting to free the other. Nathan watches you with distrust. Eyes widening as the second knot came into view. "Pretty please…" And command rather than ask. "Your hand."

"What are y-…" Nathan chuckled and let his head hang in defeat as he didn't finish his sentence. Accepting whatever came next as he offered his hand. With quick work you slip the not over and tighten it. Pulling Nathan up against the headboard. Both arms restrained. "Fuckin' hell…" A red blush shot over his cheeks. "W-What… What are you going to do…?"

"I believe you're familiar with these kinds of situations." Patting him playfully on the cheek. "Don't worry." Giving a small kiss to his lips. "It's going to be fun."

"You're such a fucking tease." He scoffs playfully as you pull back just in time for him to kiss you back. "If I'd known…"

"Oh, I know..." Slowly feeling up those thick muscly thighs of his. "Surprise is… part of the fun… we're about to have."

"I could strangle you with those." He offers, not resisting your teasing temptations along his thighs. "If you're into that."

"And I once again believe you." Patting his thighs. "For now, put it on your list. Who knows when… and… if we might run into each other…" Slowly letting your hands glide along his thighs and up to his pelvis. The black shorts didn't lie. A forceful strain was working against it. A cock bulged in all its glory into the fabric.

"You bet we will..." He breathed heavily. "You bet…." Chest rising and falling as he watched eagerly with anticipation.

"I… already… look… forward… to… it." With each word you pressed a kiss to his thigh, gently working inwards. Finishing the last kiss on his stomach. Inches above his underwear while keeping intimate eye contact.

With a sudden move, he throws his legs around your neck. It's rather violent as his feet skid against the back of your head. The motion pulls you in further. Locking you inside his powerful muscles and his pelvis. You anticipated it, and let it happen. "No shoes... on the bed." Nathan smiles as he struggles to maintain the hold on you. The blood he needed so desperately in the muscles was clearly pumped somewhere else. His strength faltered with each fleeting second. If you'd let him, he could flip you over. Seat himself on top of you. And work from there on out.

But his body didn't cooperate. The pressure his muscles exerted on you began to slip. His situation was lost the moment he realized you still have your hands free. He eyes your movement, as one hand cradles his hips. The other reaches behind your back. "Careful now…" And slowly reveal a knife. "This'll set you free."

"Don't you-…" Nathan stuttered and sucked in this nervous breath. Loosening the strain in his muscles. Giving you more freedom of movement. But still close. Very close. "Hold on!" He exclaimed as he breathed heavily, watching you glide the knife's edge along the ridges of his abs. Trying to control his breathing as the point slid from hill to valley across his six-pack. "F-F-Fuck." With little to no pressure on it, you only leave Nathan shuddering and hairs rising on his body. "Y-You know what you're doing…? Right?"

Nathan tried to stay still, control himself as much as possible, as you let the blade bite into the fabric of his underwear. "Do you…?"

The band of his underwear is tight. The blade sharp. The point lethal. Cautiously you let it dance across the fabric. Small strands already began to tear and rip with the slightest pressure. His legs merely dangle across your back. Nathan had surrendered his position to you. Watching you. "C-Carefull… with the… j-jewels." He stammered as he watched the blade slide along his length. The tense and dense strained fabric being the only protection. Small holes begin to tear and from on places where you had stroked the blade along.

"Stay still." With a further warning, you slip the point under the sleeve on his right leg. Nathan froze as the cold steel picked his skin. Wedged between his skin and the black underwear, you begin to work upwards. With each inch you move upwards the bigger Nathan's eyes grow. Holding his breath. A mix of fear and anticipation washed over his face as the blade moved up. Separating the fabric on the sharpest edge. Revealing more skin. More of his cock.

What remains is the band at the top, holding it all together. With the slightest pressure on the inside, the tight band gives way. With a snap it and a sigh of relief it pops into view. Long and girthy. Tall and proud. Nathan's cock.

"You're already breathless." And grin to yourself at your success. Gently putting the knife aside on the mattress. Nathan's eyes dart back and forth. There's not a chance he's able to use it. And he knows it. "Safety first." Mouthing the words as you went down.

Slow and tantalizingly, you let your tongue connect to the underside. Nathan's attention is all yours as you feel the rippling veins glide along your tongue. All the way to the top. His cockhead glistened in anticipation. The look on Nathan's face. His eyes begging you. "-...and I haven't even started."

Tilting your head sideways, you begin kissing the underside again. Slowly letting your lips catch the ridges and wet the deeper crevices. It twitches at your careful touches. Hardening even further. Skin tight and hard under your lips. He's yours, you have to remind yourself. Working up and down several times makes Nathan weak. His legs, as muscled and rugged as they are, you lower them to the mattress. "At… least take something off." Nathan pleaded. "Let me have that."

You love the tone Nathan pleaded. That submissive tone as he hung tied to the bed. Cock rock hard. Pleading for you. Rather than taking in the image of his muscled figure, bound and begging. You let your lips and tongue explore. Feel it. Caress it. Worship almost. That heaving chest rose and fell as you began your journey on the highs and lows of his sixpack. Nustling your nose along the lines as well as your lips. Your tongue tasting it. The discolored skin, the bruises, the groan and moans as you felt it all. With his firm round pecs, those nipples. Hard and ready. This high up already, you feel your body pressed into his. Cock to cock. Trailing the lines of his chest and pecs up to his collarbone. Nathan won't stop you. Won't fight you. Working your way along his neck and up, meeting you with his lips. Fierce and wanting. "It's already warm enough for you… isn't it?"

"You… really upped the game." He grinned, watching you move back to where you began—surprised by the feel of a pillow being propped under his ass.

"Walking the line between life and death changes you..." Reinforcing your words with a lick along the length of his cock. "It's really something..."

"I feel honored to have changed you."

"I feel the same." And with that warning, you bend downwards to his asscheeks—hands cupping the underside of his thighs, spreading them wide open. His beautiful round ass converges into this small puckered hole. It's neat. Small. And looks tight. Your eyes glance up and over for a brief moment, past his cock and along his muscles. Connecting your eyes as you move in. Your nose meets the skin under his balls, lips touching his hole. It's super tense. Nathan's shocks in place as you kiss his hole. His asscheeks fighting back. And the muscles in his legs tensing. But your tongue smooths the resistance out.

It's a simple stroke with pressure on the tip that you work into the hole. Tight is an understatement. His hole doesn't give way. The tip barely goes in. Resistance to strong. You give it your full attention and begin lapping the entire entrance with your tongue. Feeling Nathan shudder under your touch. Heavier and heavier. So much his body gives in to the feeling, legs go dumb, and his asscheeks relax. So does his hole. An incredible moan vibrates through the room as you slather your tongue into his hole. Sucking and wetting it again. Fighting against the resistance. You maul away, eating and suckling away at his hole.

"J-J..-Just fucking go for it." Nathan cursing your name repeatedly. The tough man slowly began to sink into submission. It's only a matter of time. More curses spilled from his lips as he fought against his restraints and conflicted feelings.

Slow and sensual laps of your tongue along and around his hole calmed him down eventually. Just watching and waiting. Wanting. You test the resistance again—this time with your middle finger. Nails short and hands clean. You gently push. Just softly. "Fuck Yeah…" Nathan whimpered immediately as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. His hole tensed on the visitor violating the entrance. Nathan found great pleasure as he lay there moaning. Muscled chest heaving.

But it's just the tip. Your nail was still visible. And you try to push again. Into the resistance. At least deep enough for your nail to disappear. But it won't. Nathan shuddered and moaned from the increasing pressure. Quivering asscheeks and a twitching cock told you more than enough. You pull back and circle his hole with your finger. Tracing along with your tongue. "Again… d-do that… ag-...a-again."

A firm and steady push against his hole let your finger sink in further. It tightened and gripped your finger. Unable to move. You help him ease into it by sending trembles through your finger. That doesn't take long. It loses its tension and accepts you. But you don't stop. Pushing in further. You find enough depth to start penetration. Back and forth, you move your finger. The motion is tense and rugged at first but becomes easier and faster. To mention deeper. All the way up to your knuckle. It's slick and wet. And Nathan loses himself in the motion. Urging you to go faster. Deeper. More. All of it. Everything.

A gaping hole the size of your finger contracts on itself slowly as you pull out. It's mesmerizing to gaze upon. You wait for a few moments, before testing the resistance again. It's become softer. It slides in easier. You don't comment. You just listen to his pleas and curses. In fairness, more pleas turned to begs. The words are half slurred and muttered. But the message is clear. You feel and fill his hole up again. This time your tongue. It's surprisingly wide and accepting from just one finger. You're able to penetrate deep and get in there good.

Nathan's toes curled in on themselves, groaning, losing himself to the sensation. Especially after you push in your thumb. The size does it. The girth rubbing him just the right way. "I'm… cumming." Nathan uttered. "Fuck…"

But no cum came, his cock trembled, and a line of clear substance drooled down his cockhead. His entire body clenched on your motions. That thumb just rubbing him the right way. You can't move it further. But you knew you were close to it—your goal. "Don't break my fingers, Nate."

"I… I don't-…" He muttered through labored breaths. "But… I didn't cum." Gasping for air as he felt your thumb leave.

"Know your body, Nathan." Teasing his hole with your wet fingers, drawing circles around it. "I'm here to show you." Your turn your hand upside down, and with your index and middle finger, you push in. Resistance was futile. They're slick and wet within moments. It only takes Nathan a breath of fresh air to accommodate your fingers. Pushing in further. Curving your finger upwards, you feel him up on the inside. It's somewhere there. You know it.

"Fuck me." Nathan cried out in a curse. "Please…" Turning it into a plea. He lost himself so much, that he rolled his hips into the motion. Wanting it to feel deeper. Fucking himself onto your fingers. Until a sudden burst of cum shot from his slit. Nathan froze and watched himself burst large dollops of cum onto his stomach. This time was a real climax.

You think you got it. You think you found it. It may have brushed your index finger briefly. And it may have cannoned Nathan immediately far over the edge. Again your fingers are locked in that convulsing hole. Tight and warm. Helping him pulse and climax like never before. More exploration was necessary.

"That's… fucking amazing." Nathan sputtered as he came to his senses again. Sucking in the air that he so badly needed. The veins of his cock were swollen and looked ready to burst again. Standing half-mast, but still clearly aroused. You massaged his hole gently with your fingers, letting him come down from this explosive high.

"I think I found it..." And push in. Drilling both your fingers into his violated hole. Wide, gaping, and accepting. Nathan looked at you bewildered. His whole body accepts the next round. Wanting to. As you fingers find purchase within. It's slick and slides easily back and forth. Nathan watches in amazement, and you can see and feel him harden again. The muscles around your fingers tighten and his cock begins to rise again. It's not fully up and running again.

"F-Found… what?" He seems surprised and overwhelmed by his own feelings coming back again. As he stifled a groan from ecstasy. You angle for the right spot. That little spot. A first incidental push pushes sends Nathan shaking again. Just a second later, a substance leaks from his cock. With the muscles contorting on your fingers, it's hard to reach it again. You push again, this time rubbing it. With gentle and well-placed strokes, Nathan locks up again. "I'm cumming… again…" He breathed out with a moan. A milky white substance seeps from his cockhead. In streaks in runs down, seemingly never to end. Pooling on his stomach. As his cock softened. The strings of substance still stuck. His hips were one big mess. Not to mention all the sweat. His body glistened all over. It's gorgeous to look at.

"That's it…." You watch him breathe and gather himself again. His hole was stretched and accepting, yet it pushed your fingers out on its own. "Breathe in… and out." Waiting for him to get down from his high again. You could see the robes had burned into his wrists. The excitement and pleasure were taking their toll on him. His eyes were big. And breathing heavier than before. You could almost see his heart hammering against his chest.

Nathan was consumed by lust and pleasure. Another round was more than welcome, you sensed. You could feel it as you pushed one finger in again. A smile of contentment crept on his face. Groaning through his clenched jaw. Hair stained with sweat, sticking to his forehead. His cock lay soft in the pool of white milky substance. The cum he shot the first round lay still in the crevices of his sixpack. "God… Y-Yes…" He murmured as you moved one finger in and out. Stirring his body into the motion. Rolling his hips with it. "Another finger… p-please…"

You didn't need to do anything. He gasped for air as he rolled his hips onto your finger. Adding the other made him even more happier. Licking his lips, it's almost as if he forgot he was bound. His cock was done for. It hardened a little and grew in length. Rubbing the stain further along his body. But it didn't reach full mast again. You curl your finger into the spot again. And gently rub. "Y-You're making me cum again."

Finding it immediately. The little spot feels firmer than the rest. Stroking it gently again. Making Nathan shudder and shake. He launches himself upwards, but held in place by the ropes, watching his cock twitch. His eyes grow twice the size. Lost in a gaze of pure ecstasy. No cum. Just fluids. His cock pulsed on the spot. Staining little. But not to Nathan. For him, it felt like another orgasm. The air stocked in his throat for a few seconds. Watching his seeming to be orgasm. But then collapses backwards into the mattress. Sucking in the air again.

"I saw… fucking stars…" He stammered. "Dancing… in front of… my eyes." His body looked like a wreck. Short of air. Bodily fluids and life. "Holy shit…"

"You came four times in three minutes." Rubbing your fingers around his hole as Nathan lay there wasted and spet. Staring at the ceiling. "How about the fifth and final?"

"F-u... I don't think I-I.. can take that." He protested, hanging in the restrains. Pulling in the air as fast as he could. Chest rising and falling, the sweat glistening in the sunlight.

"These were only my fingers, Nathan." You lean in and over him, kissing him on the lips. "Can you imagine… Nathan-..." Trialing your finger along his spend body as you left the lingering kiss. His eyes follow you as you return back to your position. "...-what a …cock must feel like?" And massage his entrance again. Your fingers slide in with ease. His eyes flutter for a moment as you massage his insides. Closing his eyes for a moment, you can see him imagining. Relish the thought. And turn to an aggressive drill. Adding your second finger along. "Pounding you… deep inside you…"

"Yes… p-please…" He hampered through his labored breathing, his butt rising from the pillow as you feel another release coming. Nathan shakes, freezes, muscles locked into place. And his prostate was stimulated beyond belief. Again. "I'm… cummin…" And Nathan shakes again. Cock twitches and spurts a bit of fluid onto his stomach. Where it's coming from, you don't know. But it's another streak of fluid added to the mess. Nathan collapses to the mattress with one final moan. His hole pushes out your fingers in the motion. You feel the cramps and pain seeping in. It's numb, and your fingers twitch a little. Their slicked with fluids and stunk a little.

"I don't think you'll be able to walk for the next few hours." You poke his calves and thighs, but find no response whatsoever. Nathan is conscious but somewhere on a different plane of existence. With one of his shirts lying around, you rub your hand clean of wetness. With the knife, you cut the ropes around his wrist. His arms fall spend beside him. "Consider yourself a changed man, Nathan." You whisper in his ear. "That itch down there… it's never going to be the same ever again."

Nathan groaned and protested as the life slowly came back to him. Stars faded away from his vision. And color returned. Mouth sore and dry, a throat like sandpaper. His body tired and worn. Every joint on his body ached. Rubbing his wrists and shoulders, he slowly came to be himself again. "(Y/N)..." Nathan said, his head still spinning. "I w-will find you-…" He sputtered as he fought to get himself on his feet again. At least sit up. His vision somewhat blurry. A shimmer of steel caught his eye, and he saw your smile and the watch disappear on your wrist. "You f-fucker…" But his strength was gone. His legs had given in. His balance was gone. The moment Nathan got himself up to the edge of the mattress, he straight up tumbled forward onto the floor. Smacking face-first into the wooden floor. "I will find… you (Y/N)." He limped onto his back. Watching your contours disappear into the sunlight. "And scratch… e-everything off my list."

[buriedalienfma]

This week saw the release of the season finale of 'My Adventures with Superman', and instead of talking about just the one episode, I'm going to talk about the entire season, and what I felt about the series as a whole. Obviously there will be spoilers here for the entire season, so take that into consideration.

Let's get this out of the way : Is this show perfect ? No. It has glaring flaws in the writing, the pacing and how it handles some of its characters. I consider this show to be a spiritual successor to the some of the more experimental superhero cartoons of the early 2000s such as the 2004 Batman cartoon or the MTV Spider-Man series, both of which took some extreme liberties with the source material and had some obvious flaws in how they were written. And yet I love those cartoons dearly, since they were, and still are, such fresh and unique takes on the two superheroes with the MTV Spider-Man being a gloriously edgy 2000s Spider-Man cartoon and The Batman being an anime inspired action show.

I remember those cartoons being criticized when they came out for how non-traditional they were compared to the comics and previous adaptations, but now they're considered cult classics, and I think the same is going to happen to 'My Adventures with Superman'. For the most part, I think the show is still quite good despite some of its flaws.

In any case, lets get those flaws out of the way, so that I can talk about what the show does right. The biggest point of contention is the pacing which is quite rushed in certain areas. I think the romance between Lois and Clark is extremely rushed since they fall in love and start dating a little too quickly for my tastes. The early episodes very much made it seem like the characters were just beginning to get to know each other, only for them to start dating in the next two of three episodes. I suspect that's why people complained about the dramatic cliffhanger in episode 5, since it feels like the characters aren't quite as close as they should be for them to have a falling out that works with how the characters have been written. Still, I think one can overlook that because the two characters are cute together and have excellent chemistry. The show transitions from the episodic narrative of the first few episodes to a more serialized structure in the second half, and I don't think it's as seamless as it should be, particularly since the show is still throwing a lot of new concepts at the audience in the second half and it doesn't land the way it should.

Some characters seem to be introduced and then quickly forgotten when the show has no need for them. In Episode three, the trio of Cat Grant, Steve Lombard and Ronnie Troupe are introduced only to be forgotten within the episode itself and the rest of the show. At least Steve Lombard gets one spotlight episode, but even that feels weird since he fades away into the background in subsequent episodes. Wouldn't it make more sense for Cat Grant to be the one who goes around interviewing the people of Metropolis in Episode eight instead of introducing a whole new character in Vicki Vale ? That would have given the show a stronger sense of continuity. 

And as a lot of people have already pointed out, the villains are underwhelming. There are some standouts like the General, Amanda Waller, Mxyzptlk and to a certain extent, Parasite. But the rest of the villains are pretty bland. I'm not going to complain about how the villains are different compared to the source material. As I've stated before, the cartoon is allowed to change things for the sake of the story. And yet, I still feel like the villains are the weakest part of the show since they mostly serve as obstacles for Superman. 

Some episodes are weaker than others. I was not fan of Episode 6 since I feel like the characters and concepts in that episode belong in a different show. And I also have some gripes about how the show handles the multiverse aspect in episode 7. 

Despite it's flaws, the show does have a lot of positive aspects, and one of them is how it handles the main character itself. I've said this before and I'll say it again. This show totally gets Superman. It's not just that he's a kind and compassionate man who wants to help everyone, including his enemies. This show understands that Superman is an alienated character. He has some deep seated anxieties about not being a 'normal' person, something that's set up in the very first episode. He's given a character arc where he has to slowly come to terms with the fact that he isn't normal and that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

Clark is also not a perfect person, as he does hide his true identity from his friends, which does drive a wedge between them, but stuff like that only makes him more relatable. I absolutely love that Clark has no real idea of where he comes from, and is even led to believe that he is part of an alien species that will invade Earth. Not only does that fuel his anxieties even more, as we see in the series finale, but it's just another part of his ongoing character arc, where he has to face his worst fears about himself and eventually conquer them. One thing that I liked about this show is that Superman seems to be subconsciously holding his powers back, which unfortunately gets him beaten up a lot in the fight scenes. I know a lot of Superman fans like to see a more powerful Superman, but the various fight scenes feel so much more visceral and tense when it feels like Superman is at risk of actually dying. Jack Quaid, the voice actor for Superman, absolutely nails the performance especially in the more emotional scenes.

The other characters are also great. I like that Jimmy is given more of a spotlight in this show, and gets his fair share of moments where he gets to save the day. I also like that he helps to ground both Clark and Lois as the voice of reason. Certainly hope that he gets a lot more spotlight and that the show adapts the Matt Fraction Jimmy Olsen comics, especially with how the season ends with Jimmy apparently becoming rich which is one of the major plot points in the Fraction comics. Lois is also quite excellent. She's a little different from traditional portrayals of the character, as she seems to lack the cynical and snarky edge that some versions of Lois have. This version of Lois is much more perky and emotional, but it works for what the show is going for. Both Lois and Jimmy have excellent voice actors in Alice Lee and Ishmel Sahid. If the show were to go on for longer, they, along with Jack Quaid, could very well become the definitive voice actors for these characters.

The romance between Lois and Clark is extremely well done, even if it is a little rushed. You totally buy the two as a couple since there's plenty of heartwarming and wholesome moments between the two. 

Speaking of that, I was a little worried that the show might just be nothing but a toothless wholesome and fluffy Superman show. I know a lot of people certainly expected the show to go in that direction, but we were definitely wrong about that. This show has its fair share of dramatic and even dark moments, and that's not a bad thing. Tension and conflict are at the heart of the best stories, and this show has plenty of that. I love the action scenes in this show. They get significantly more ambitious and exciting starting with the fight in episode five and it only gets better from there. 

So that's the first season of 'My Adventures with Superman'. It is by no means a perfect show, but its positive aspects outweigh the negative. If I may speculate on the upcoming plot points for the next season, I hope that the show subverts the idea that the Kryptonians are evil. I've said it before, but that would miss the point of Superman's story. That idea works for characters like Goku, but not for Superman. It does seem like the show is leaning in that direction considering how it ends with the Jor-El hologram saving Clark. On the whole I love this show and would recommend it to anyone who's still on the fence. It's quite different from traditional Superman shows and movies, but that only makes it feel more fresh and exciting. 

[chakotaybodypillow]

Chakotay Headcanons! :3

Here are my head canons for Chakotay's tribe!!

If I were given the power to rewrite his character and his backstory, I would make his parents from 2 different tribes, but of the same nation.

So I would make his mom from the Q'eqchi tribe in Guatemala. I would also make this Chakotay's primary language as it is a popular language.

For his father I would make him Southern Hach Winik (Lacandon) from Mexico. I have some things to back this head canon! So there's a lot I want to info dump about this, so I'll make this brief for now lol. Some interesting facts about this tribe is that they were never colonized and remained isolated in the forest until the mid 1900s. This tribe's story is quite similar to the narrative of Chakotay's tribe. Once they were introduced into the modern world, the tribe slowly began to lose its traditional ways. There have been members in this tribe who try their best to maintain their traditions though. It is a very small tribe in a very dense part of Central America. 

So here are a few correlations between Chakotay's tribe and the Lacandon. The manner in which his ancestors dressed in tattoo (or whoever those cats were, please don't make me re-watch that ep lol) was very similar to the Lacandon. The Lacandon dress in long white tunics, for both male and female, and they typically wear their hair down with bangs.

One thing that irked me in tattoo was that Chakotay didn't understand his father??? when he spoke in his native tongue??? I've gripped about this before, but it literally doesn't make sense. So my explanation for that is that he isn't fluent in Lacandon because he never paid attention when his father tried to teach him lol. He didn't see the reason behind learning it since there were only a handful of people he knew who spoke it. Like I said, I think his primary languages would be Q'eqchi and Spanish. 

Ok last head canon for this post is during my research on this tribe it said that a handful of members moved deeper into the forest in order to avoid the wave of Christianity that has taken over most of the peoples. Now let me be clear… I truly hate Tattoo's plot and the direction they took with the whole "their aliens" bit. If it were up to me I would wipe it from existence entirely, but I want to remain as close to canon as possible. With that being said, I would make these groups that moved away, the same people Chakotay encountered on that trip with his father.

That's it for now cause this I'd already too long lol. I'll post more about this at a later time though cause I've got lots more to say.

Also I am and always have been 100% aware the writers didn't intend to give Chakotay a specific tribe. They did have a region in mind and mentioned his people were from Central America several times. They probably made it this way to correlate with RBs background idk. It obviously didn't work out that great, so my goal is to give him some justice cause Chakotay is my favorite character : 3

(ignore any typos lol)

[writerfae]

The Knights of the Alder - Anastasia AU: Catching up

Synopsis: When Aiden was eight, he was found half-dead at the side of a road, with no memory of his past or who he really was. He has no idea that he's the prince of his country, whose family was killed in a riot.

Ten years later, he makes his way to the city, determined to find out about who he is and to find his family. His destination: Paris, where he hopes to find all the answers he is looking for. But getting to Paris isn't as easy as he thought and so he searches for help.

That's when he meets Talon and Maya, two con artists who want to find a boy that pretends to be the lost prince, so they can introduce him to the dead heir's husband in Paris, who promised a reward to whoever brings his brother in-law back to him.

Together the three make their way to Paris and their journey holds a lot of surprises.

For context: Now that Callan and Aiden finally found each other, they sit together to talk - and to remember

.♕.

Aiden laughed. “Did I drew that?”

He held up a picture drawn with crayons. It was probably supposed to portray a cat.

Or a pig, he couldn’t quite tell.

Callan nodded, amused. “A true artist for sure.”

Now they both laughed.

“I remember now, I think I drew it for Henry when you two went to Paris for the holidays.”

Paris, the place where Aiden always wanted to accompany his brothers too.

Paris, where they were right now, sitting in Callan’s guest room, exchanging stories and going through a box full of memories.

It held old child drawings, portraits and little trinkets.

Even some love letters that Callan snatched away immediately, cheeks colored red, as if he were still a teenager and Aiden a little kid that got his hands on something forbidden.

Aiden chuckled, putting aside the picture and started playing with his necklace again.

‘Stop playing around with that damn pendant of yours,’ a voice in his head gave its unwanted opinion.

Aiden ignored it and the stinging feeling in his heart that came with it.

“It is so strange,” he said. “I remember all of this, somehow. I remember them now, too, our family. How I loved them so much.

I feel almost guilty that I couldn’t remember them for so long.”

Callan smiled at him.

“Just because you didn’t remember, doesn’t mean you didn’t love them. They may have slipped your mind for a while, but never your heart.”

He nudged Aiden’s shoulder gently.

“Besides, you have me now, to help you remember. We’ll keep their memory alive together, you and me.”

Aiden smiled. He was so thankful that he got Callan now. It made him feel closer to his family, to home, to himself.

Even when the price he had to pay for this, the hurt caused by the very person that got him here - and left him bruised - still weighted on him (no matter how hard he tried to deny it).

He wouldn’t want to miss it.

Carefully he pulled a portrait out of the box.

It showed Henry and Callan and if Aiden had to guess based on the clothing, it must’ve been from the day of their wedding.

He sighed sadly as he realized that this might be the last portrait that was ever made of his brother, tracing the outline of his smiling face with his thumb.

Callan leaned over to look at the picture, eying it fondly.

“I love this portrait. I was so happy back then, I think I’ve never been as happy in my whole life as I was on that day.”

Aiden smiled.

He couldn’t quite remember that day, maybe because it was too close to that fatal night that he lost his memory at.

But he wished he could. It must’ve been a very happy day for all of them.

He could only imagine how much it must hurt for his brother in law to look back at it.

After all, Callan lost his husband only months later and with him the life that he’d known - and the one he had dreamt of.

Callan must’ve had quite similar thoughts, because his hand wandered to the necklace he wore, a traditional engagement necklace that was a gift from Henry.

He still wore it after all these years, just like his wedding band.

Callan noticed Aiden looking at the necklace and smiled. “Do you recognize it?”

He sniffed, so quiet Aiden almost didn’t hear.

“It used to be your mother’s. I never take it off. It makes me feel closer to him. To the way he used to make me feel.”

He let his hand fall into his lap. “No one ever made me feel this loved again.”

“Did you never remarry?” Aiden asked.

Callan shook his head. He leaned back in his seat, grabbing a pillow and hugging it to his chest.

“Henry was…” he looked up to the ceiling as he spoke.

“I have loved him since I was a boy. He was the love of my life. You only find someone like him once in your life.”

He looked at Aiden and smiled sadly.

“And once you did, no one else will ever be good enough for you. No one could ever take his place. Not in my life and especially not in my heart.”

Aiden nodded. “I think I understand. He was really someone special.”

It was all still a blur, but in the past days more and more memories resurfaced.

Memories of his brother, of how they used to play, how he read him bedtime stories, how he let him sleep in his bed after a nightmare.

He remembered how much he meant to him. And how much he missed him.

“He was,” Callan put his hand over Aiden’s own.

“And he loved you so dearly. Always made sure his baby brother was safe and happy. He let you get away with everything.”

Callan chuckled. “He could never stay mad at you for too long, even if you were a real brat sometimes.”

And then they were both laughing again and maybe also crying a little and Aiden felt a sense of familiarity wash over him.

This was how it used to be, way back.

The three of them laughing together, Henry and Callan letting Aiden tag along almost always, even though he was probably pretty annoying at times.

Because they had loved him.

“He has loved you a lot, too. I still remember it.”

Aiden thought back to the vision he had in the ballroom of the old palace, the one he knew for sure now was an old memory.

The two boys almost flying over the dance floor together, laughing and whispering.

How Henry had smiled, eyes bright and happy and so so fond.

“I remember hoping that some day I’ll find someone who will look at me like that... Who will love me like that.”

Against his will Aiden’s mind wandered to a certain person as he said those words.

Angry at himself he shoved those thoughts aside.

Talon had only used him for his own good. Whatever there was that he thought might grow between them, it was all a lie.

“Aiden?” Callan asked, breaking him out of his thoughts.

He looked at him, eyes full of worry, squeezing his hand.

“Are you alright?” Aiden blinked. Once, twice. Then he nodded.

“Yes, yes I’m alright. Just getting a bit nostalgic, I guess.” That wasn’t even a lie.

Callan didn’t seem to believe him, but he also didn’t pry. He just smiled, probably knowing what was on Aiden’s mind anyway.

“Me too,” he admitted. After a while he added

“Henry would be happy that we found each other again. They all would be. They would want us to not dwell too much on what is past and rather see what is ahead.”

He leaned over to hug Aiden and Aiden let him, closing his eyes. It felt warm and familiar and in that moment Aiden felt at home.

“I am glad that I have you back now,” Callan whispered.

“Me too,” Aiden whispered back.

Despite all that he had lost, he had finally found what he was looking for for so long: his family.

Remembering them, exchanging stories about them with Callan and knowing that he too had been looking for family, had been looking for him, made Aiden feel warm and content.

So he allowed himself to let his mind wander to Talon one more time, to silently thank him for giving this all back to him.

And in that moment, Aiden almost forgave him for breaking his heart.

Almost.

[nerice]

oc ask meme! 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 31, 37, 41, 43, and 47!

*rolls up my sleeves all the fucking way* let me introduce u to so many freaks. also linking my oc page again here not everyone's on there but for refrance!!!! this got long so im actually using the humble readmore function for once but im gonna showcase one answer up here and that is:

has anyone drawn fanart of your ocs? if yes, maybe show a picture or two here (remember sources & permissions!)

i love all the art you n charlotte have drawn but this pic you did of reina. man (i cry everytime i look at it, she's SO BEAUTIFUL here you got her down better than i have ever drawn her <33333)

first oc ever: a young girl who gets her throat taken out by a big cat at a circus performance; who is now a young boy called honey who gets his throat taken out by kizuna while he wanders the swamplands searching for his brother! :D

personal favourite oc: absolutely without any doubt or competition whatsoever this goes to sky lmao. rabbit daughter of my life <33333

have you ever adopted a character or gotten a character from someone else? nope! all organically grown ocs in my brain tbh i find the practice of adoptables etc a little weird but that's just bc it, for me personally, conceptually, just does not work at all lmao

if you could make only one of your ocs popular/known, who would it be? nightmare scenario that guarantees callout posts tbh but after reading a billion articles on traditional female villains for my thesis i am slightly tempted to blaze knowledge abt faye lmao. high femme lesbian villain (power armor notwithstanding) we need more of em <3

are your ocs part of any story or stories? only have story ocs!! if i think up a guy he comes pre-equipped with problems which i will somehow slot into the grander verse, i don't make the rules

sunshine oc: alissa!!!! tragic girl who dies too young but before then is the absolute light in the life of everyone she touches ;_; there is one au where she lives and aims to use the lifesong to help more people, in the process of which she becomes eliada's sworn enemy & also possibly romances damia. long story

troublemaker ocs: handsdown linn wins this category lol. always up to no good, a nsfw criminal menace <3

oc otp: YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT IS JUMIE/REINA. thank you for drawing them make out it gives me life <33333

introduce an oc that means a lot to you (and explain why): gestures at reina. gestures at sky. gestures harder *camera pans over i am now on the floor sobbing* yknow?

introduce oc that has changed from your first idea concerning what the character would be like: jumie used to be very mellow and leaned most strongly into the caretaking persona (it still comes out with sky a lot ;_;) but when i actually got around to writing her boy. oh boy. takes no shit and vibe checks every single person she comes across (for better or for worse) lawful good paladin behavior

which one of your ocs would go investigate an abandoned house at night without telling anyone they’re going? leah!!! unfortunate tendency to disappear on people bc of whatever piqued her interest & also knows no fear/loves freaky and spooky stuff. noah, her scaredy-dragon bodyguard, is as exasperated as he is close to a heart attack at all times

pick one oc of yours and explain what their tumblr blog would be like (what they reblog, layout, anything really) cait, avery, and jumie wld all run weapon aes focused blogs (swords, knives, spears&bows respectively) and would probably end up sending each other hatemail over their weapon preferences lmao

introduce an oc who is not quite human: kizuna!!! typical choice here lol but. fun-sized (bear shaped) omnivorous murder bunny who can shapeshift into the people she devours. has a little identity crisis from it eventually, its ok

do you have any certain type when you create your ocs? do you tend to favour some certain traits or looks? it’s time to confess: i dont set out to create ocs so much as they just show up unasked on the doorstep of my brain but i absolutely love 2 give ocs a truckload of extremely visible scars (and some hidden ones for funsies) face scars are one of the greatest honors i can bestow <3

has anyone ever (friendly) claimed any of your ocs as their child? various yeah most frequently adopted are leah (statistical daughter of all time) and belle+sky for trauma reasons lmao

[willowstreetstories]

Let's Make a Personal History with Senryu! Masayoshi Sugiyama

　Hi everyone, nice to meet you. I'm Masayoshi Sugiyama, a senryu writer!　I'm in my 60s now, and I've lived my whole life being made fun of and saved by senryu.

　I'm in my 60s now, and I've been laughed at and saved by senryu for a long time. Salaryman senryu and XX senryu are popular in the world, aren't they? Why is that? Because they are soothing to write. Try writing about your demon boss or your horrible wife. Try writing about your own failures in a funny way. When you do that, you can make that jerk or your screw-up look cute. Senryu poetry has a way of capturing the subtleties of the heart and turning them into laughter.

　Once upon a time, when I was heartbroken for the first time in my life (laughs). It was very painful, but I was able to look at myself objectively when I tried to write in 5, 7, 5. When I was in a tavern and another person was watching me stumbling around, it was strangely soothing. It's like an astral projection (laughs).

distant thunder, the birth of a child by a person who has parted

I look so cute when I was seriously depressed

　Of course, if you just want to vent your emotions, blogs and Twitter are fine. But what's different about senryu is that it has a pattern and a principle. If you apply your feelings to a few principles on the assumption that others will see your work, you can create a beautiful work of only 17 syllables.

　In this series of articles, I will introduce you to the wide world of senryu without any formalities. Please read it as if you were visiting a culture class.

　Since this is the first installment, let me start by telling you what senryu is all about.

Human close-up!

　If you are Japanese, you know that senryu is 5-7-5. So, how does it differ from haiku, a short poetic art form that also originated from renga? In a rough way, haiku is a landscape painting and senryu is a portrait painting.

Haiku

　Two cats in spring, whiter than snow (Takahama Kyoshi)

　Two houses in front of a big river in the May rain (Yosa Buson)

　The world is as beautiful as a Japanese painting or ink drawing. What about the other willow?

The other senryu is...

　I think I've been charmed by your amiability.

　The fly escaped, but quietly opened its hand.

　I wonder if you have any experience with this. When you catch a fly with both hands... Oh, you just saw it escape, didn't you? But you can't help expecting it.

　Do you understand the difference between a landscape painting and a portrait painting? In this way, Senryu is a close-up of the human mind. There are also haiku that express human emotions (joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure) in 5-7-5, such as Taneda Santoka and Ozaki Hosai.

　In recent years, haiku has been expressing more and more mental images, and the boundary between haiku and semryu has become blurred. However, please think of senryu as a way to compose humanistic 5-7-5 poems without being bound by the seasons.

　That's the basic premise.

Modern senryu is a "self-portrait."

　There are two kinds of portraits: those of "others" and those of "oneself.

　Senryu is a popular literary art form that originated in Edo (now Tokyo) during the Edo period (1603-1868), and depicting others is a traditional way of writing senryu. The current affairs senryu poems published by newspapers and the "XX senryu poems" solicited by companies follow this trend. They are poems about politicians who are not good at their jobs.

　But the modern senryu that I do is a self-portrait, a poem about myself. Laughing at others is funny, but it leaves me with a bad aftertaste. If that's the case, the basic idea of modern senryu is to laugh at yourself.

my wife is coming, and I thought I called an ally

　What? She was probably trying to be clever, but my wife didn't like it. Isn't it such a petty predicament?　

　If you write about anger and sorrow among human emotions, it becomes more interesting. The trick is to be "doe-eyed.

　The material that is you is with you 24 hours a day. There is a saying, "Experience is an equal gift," but each of us has our own unique interests in life, right? The first step is to think about what kind of ingredients you are and what kind of food you can become. It's good to start by thinking about that.

　Originally, senryu poems are written according to a theme, but you don't need to think about anything difficult at first.

What are the three main elements of senryu?

　First of all, you have to decide what you are going to write about. What are your recent feelings of anger and sorrow? Then, once you have decided on the material, you can write your poem according to the three main elements of senryu: "Ugachi, Karumi, Warai".

Ugachi: to get to the heart of things or people 　All yurei (ghosts) appear with a common name.

"You wouldn't say, "Yesterday, the ghost of a certain Buddhist priest appeared to me. So, is a commandment name for a funeral? That's what I mean. It's a good angle.

Karumi-Lightness: light and witty. 　Refill your tears with beer.

I can't believe she refilled her tears with beer. This kind of light footwork is good!

Warai-Laughter: Happiness, silliness, embarrassment, laughing at yourself. 　I'm glad God is toying with me.　

It would be clean if the discoloration came to this point.

　With these elements, it is possible to compose senryu that is both plain and deep. If you want to write about emotions, you can't just shout, "I'm so sad! It's not enough to just shout, "I'm so sad! It's like writing a script for a drama where you are the main character.

　"The biggest mystery is my current face. The author lives inside the poem. The key is whether or not a third party can read it and find it interesting.

　First of all, I would like you to try to write your own senryu using your own eyes, ears, mind and words, no matter how bad you are. This is a lesson from my teacher, Ms. Shinko Tokizane.

　Let's become a poet rather than a reader! In the next article, we'll learn the rules and tricks of the trade while doing some actual work.

Senryu Variety - Which Type Are You? Masayoshi Sugiyama

　Hello, everyone. My name is Masayoshi Sugiyama, and I'm a willow writer.　

　I'm Masayoshi Sugiyama, and I'd like to share with you some of the things that make me smile and laugh. The 5, 7, 5 senryu is perfect for capturing such scenes.

　When you look around your daily life, you will find many sprouts of such senryu. But it is important to be able to find them. Cultivating those eyes is the first step.

　Today, let's think about the "point of view" that is necessary for composing senryu.

First of all, just try to compose!

　Let's start by learning what senryu is through actual writing.　Let's learn what senryu is. Let's start a senryu class. Our student is Nozomi Oigawa, an office worker in Kanda, Japan, and an aspiring willow poet.

Nozomi, nice to meet you. I'm Nozomi Oigawa, the eternal 29-year-old who never gets over it (laughs). (laughs) I'm still new to the senryu world, but I look forward to working with you!

Today, I'd like to start off by writing some miscellaneous poems about everyday life. 'Zatsuei' means to compose freely without being bound by a theme. There are also titled poems that have a specific theme to be composed, but I'll get to that next time.

　First of all, I would like to encourage readers to try composing poems, even if they are not good at it. As you compose and give form to your poems, you will gradually begin to see how you can improve your own poems. In this class, let's go up the stairs together.

Nozomi: Since I work in Kanda, one of Japan's leading businessmen's districts, how about a Kanda point view? I wrote a poem about a salaryman I saw at a coffee shop during lunch.

　More relaxed than at home, Renoir, peeps

Renoir with a more relaxed face than at home

This is a poem about a businessman I saw at a coffee shop. An oasis for businessmen who are tired of working. I know what you mean. It's also a technique to invite readers' "Yes! It's also a technique to invite the reader's "Yes!

　But, you know, this phrase is an "uncle's picture book. In other words, it's a poem about other people you've observed. As I told you last time, modern senryu is a self-portrait, so I hope you can see the mind of the poet.

Nozomi: What? Isn't it enough to write funny poems about other people or society?　"I googled "senryu" and found that it's "intended to be humorous or satirical.

It is true that many people generally think that way, but actually there is more to it than that. It's much deeper than that.

　There are many types of senryu, so let's start with the different types.

Various types of senryu -- Which type are you?　

Shosen: Many people think of senryu as satirizing other people and society, like Nozomi's poem, right? But there are three main types of senryu.

(1) Traditional Senryu: Composing about the subtleties of human feelings

This is an objective view of daily life and customs. This is also called "general senryu" and depicts the subtleties of human feelings as seen by the author. The poem that Nozomi wrote falls into this category.

(2) Current Affairs Senryu: A sharp look at the times

This is the type of senryu that criticizes society and politics. Many of the willow poems published in newspapers are current affairs senryu, which are considered good because of their satirical spirit. It is a competition to see how sharply you can capture the times. The "Salaryman Senryu", "IT Senryu", and "Nursing Care Senryu" that companies are looking for are also in this category.

　Borders come and go, on the sea　　

Masazen

(3) Contemporary Senryu: A poem about the author's joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure

The question is whether the material for the willow should be about others or about oneself. In modern willow, which is called "self-initiated willow," the author's own emotions are captured. "The real appeal of modern willow is the "human close-up.

　The night I laughed so hard I went to bed alone　　

Monta Sugimoto

　Sugimoto is one of the six willow artists born in the Meiji era (1868-1912) known as the "six great willow artists" who created the foundation of modern willow. This is a sincere and sad feeling.

Nozomi: Wow, the impression of a haiku can change a lot depending on your point of view.

Shozen: Yes. In this class, we focus on modern willow, which is a form of willow that addresses the voice of the heart. There are three types of willow, and they are very rich.

　There is no one type that is the best, so I think you should choose the type that makes you feel comfortable in writing 5, 7, 5.

Nozomi: I just wrote a traditional senryu poem, but now I'm going to try to recite my own feelings in the Shosen style of modern senryu.

　I can't talk about my feelings in a sour, I need a sip.

Shozen Suddenly, after five... But this is a fine modern willow because it has your feelings in it. It has a bit of lightness and laughter. It's good.

　It's a close-up of a human being, with the author's joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure in the poem. I would like to compose a poem about the heart, not just a 5-7-5 or a play on words.

　The next step is to learn how to compose your own feelings into a haiku. The key to composing modern willow is to look at yourself from a bad guy's perspective. We'll talk about that in the next class.

Nozomi, I'm looking forward to it!　Thank you very much.

[wri0thesley]

hi! please do not talk to me! i am just as disappointed in myself as you are!

arrangement - naoya x fem!reader (3.7k)

warnings: naoya is just an asshole lmao, misogyny, arranged marriage mentions, degradation, humiliation, spitting, unhealthy ‘relationship’. afab reader, fem pronouns

despite your clan elders’ best intentions, you are clearly not a good match for someone as well placed in the world as naoya. still. that doesn’t mean he can’t have a little fun with you. 

You should have known that it was a fruitless endeavour.

No matter how nicely your hair might be set and your clothes might be chosen, how intricately and carefully your makeup applied – how pretty your manners might be . . . This was never going to go anywhere. Oh, your elders might have thought this was a good idea, and sure it would be – if it were possible. If your clan wasn’t hanging on by the skin of its teeth already. If you’d been blessed – if that was the right way to put it – with more cursed energy than you had been.

But you were not. It had been clear to you the moment you had been – cordially, politely – introduced to him. You hadn’t looked him in the eye – you’d been briefed on what he was like enough to know that – but you’d still sensed the flickering of his gaze over your form. You’d still seen the curve of his mouth into a cruel sneer.

“What a pity,” he’d said, tone not belying an ounce of the pity he mentioned. “I’m far too busy for acts of charity.”

You should have left it at that. You should have accepted it was not to be and went back to your own clan with your tail between your legs, just another failure – or perhaps, you should have looked up into his eyes and spat at him and insisted you were worth more than that. If you had been braver, if you had talked back--

But you do not. Inside, you are meek and quiet. You are cowed by what you know is the power that is at his fingertips, not just physically but also in the sheer luck of having been born as he was born. You duck your head. You feel your cheeks warm. Something about the sneer on his face, the mocking tone . . . sends a curl of heat right to the centre of your belly that you desperately try to ignore.

Tripping over your words, you apologise to him.

For wasting his time.

And it’s that which sets these particular events in motion.

Naoya sees how easily you bend under just his words and the weight of his gaze on you – and though, of course, you are not fit to be his wife the way that your clan elders clearly wanted you to be . . . he likes the idea of your eyes, downturned on the floor. He likes the idea of you on your knees before him. He likes the idea of being able to throw you around, and you, deferential as you take it.

No, even though you would walk three steps behind him and be behest to his whims, you lack the impressive lineage and the splendour of a great union that Naoya is looking for in a wife. But that does not mean, he thinks, as he watches you leave, his eyes following the suggestive curve of your body beneath the layers of fabric, that he cannot have a little fun with you first.

You come to his rooms without an ounce of hesitation. You must know, surely – after the way he treated you at your introduction – that he has no pure intentions. Certainly, the servants milling about his estate know as you’re shown to where he wants you.

Good. Your eager acquiescence just cements the fact to him that he has made the right decision; you will be weak-willed and desperate to please, and though he has no intentions of honour when it comes to what he’s going to do to you, he knows you will do it anyway.

“You came,” he says to you, as you stand across the room, where he’s lounging, entirely at ease, against the pillows on his bed. Your entire body fizzes. You know you should not be here.

(There is something about him that your body cannot deny.)

“I shouldn’t have expected anything less from a whore.” You flinch at the word, though that strange curl of heat returns to your middle. You fight it off as best you can. He sees how you swallow, the way you respond to the name – and he is smirking again, rising from the pillows, walking over to you with all of the grace of a predator. His fingertips reach out, tracing the line of your chin (your skin is pleasingly soft beneath them). “That’s what you are, right? Your clan elders sent you here to see if that’s what you’d be for me.”

He tips up your face. It’s the first time that your eyes have been anywhere near his, and he’s delighted to see the flair of panic and confusion in your gaze. Cute.

“That’s not—” You say, your voice very dry. You struggle with the words, knowing despite yourself that part of him must be right – if you were not, surely it wouldn’t have been as simple as him summoning you and you going there--

“You can’t honestly think you’d have made me a wife, hmm?” He lowers his head, too close to you – your entire body feels like it’s thrumming with energy, buzzing with unrestrained tension. “You’re pathetic.” The word is practically a purr, and your body responds in kind – Naoya, seeing how your eyes cloud over, how you have to stop yourself biting your lip, is delighted.

“I-I’m sorry,” you say, desperate, miserable. You don’t understand why your thighs feel slick and your legs feel shaky, or why your head seems to have clouded over with thoughts that refuse to take proper shape.

“Aww.” His thumb slides across your lip – and you find yourself opening your mouth without meaning to, letting him slide the tip of his thumb in and press down on your tongue. “That’s right. You’re cuter when you don’t talk.”

You don’t say anything. You’re not sure you could, anyway – not with how dry your throat feels. Naoya clicks his tongue.

“Suck it, then,” he tells you, with the air of an impatient man giving orders to a puppy dog. You suppose that’s what you are, really – because you do close your lips, and you do lathe your tongue across the pad of his thumb. He’s still smirking at you, damnably attractive if only for the air of self-assured cockiness. “You’ll want to get used to having something in your mouth.”

His other hand comes up and pushes the kimono you’re wearing (too formal of a kind, really – but your clan elders had wanted to show deference to the Zenins, and they had hoped that perhaps you would be meeting your future husband, and everybody knew that Naoya would prefer a traditional young bride--) to one side, exposing too much of your collarbone and chest.

“Not bad,” he tells you. “Not good enough for me, of course but . . . you’ll do for this.”

You hate that you know what ‘this’ is. You hate that you have no protest to give as he pulls his thumb out of your mouth and turns his back on you.

“Take them off,” he tells you. “Be quick about it. I don’t have all day. Women can be so slow.”

Your hands are shaking as you go to untie your obi. Your self-preservation instinct is telling you to run. Naoya stops where he is and turns his head, his lips still tilted as he sees you’re doing as he asked. Oh, but you’re fun – he feels like a cat playing with a mouse.

“Hurry. Up.” It’s a snap, all pretence – he’s rather enjoying the shaking and the trembling. He can’t help but look at you hungrily as the fabric pools about your ankles in your clumsy undressing. “Before I change my mind, and send you back out into the estate like that.”

Why are you still doing what he asks? You finish undressing and shiver in the cool air, standing there, waiting for whatever he’s going to tell you to do next.

He reaches the bed and turns, sitting on it. He’s entirely casual about the whole thing, his elbows resting on his knees as he steeples his hands together and just looks at you. You burn under his gaze.

“Yes,” he repeats. “You’ll do. Come here--”

You take a step forward, only to stop as he holds up his hand. He takes the patient tone of a man talking to an animal once more.

“Not like that. Think about it, come on. Your head is above mine. That’s not very respectful of you, is it?”

He swathes the words in velvet, making them sound like a question – but you can hear the steel inside of them. The order. He doesn’t need to tell you twice, before you’re sinking onto your knees with your throat dry. Your thighs press together, slick friction making you shiver as you crawl towards Naoya. He tips his head to one side and smiles coldly as if his smile is a reward.

(He watches the way your ass moves as you crawl. He can hear your laboured breathing in the quiet room. In the low glint of the light, he can see the hint of wetness between your thighs.)

You’re so eager to please, even knowing that Naoya is going to use you and discard you. Just as you should be. You feel lucky he’s giving you the briefest time of day.

“Stop,” he says, and you jump to his command as if it’s law. Perfect. He takes a handful of your hair and drags it, pulling you forward so that your face is close to the stiffness that you probably can’t tell he’s sporting through the loose fit of his hakama. He jerks your face so that it rubs against his thigh through the fabric. “Well?”

The bob of your throat as you swallow. You look up at him with your eyes filled with confusion.

“As much as the position suits you,” he says, tone clipped, “are you so stupid you don’t know what I want you to do?”

Oh. Oh.

You are still on your hands and knees. You go to bring one of your hands towards the ties and are stopped with a ‘tch’ of impatience, Naoya kicking at it and trapping it beneath his foot on the floor, with little care about how you wince. He doesn’t hold back his strength.

“You’re going to touch me with that after it’s been all over the filthy floor?” He asks, arching one thin eyebrow. “I don’t think so. If you’re going to be as gormless as an animal, you may as well act like one. Your cheek.”

Heat floods your cheeks once more as you realise what he wants. By now, the strange feeling in the pit of your stomach that’s making you wet has become all encompassing, not at all helped by the friction of your thighs or the way that Naoya is talking down to you. You should not be turned on by it. You should be disgusted by him, glad he doesn’t want you as a wife--

So why do you let out a soft whimper as you lean your cheek forward like a docile animal. It presses against something hot and hard, obvious even through the fabric. You don’t let yourself look at him, embarrassed by how easily you let him tell you what to do – if you were looking, perhaps you’d have seen the brief way his teeth dug into bottom lip, seen the softest exhale of his breath. (It’s better you didn’t. He does not like to show weakness.)

He lets you nuzzle against his cock for a few moments, enjoying the sight of you on your knees, your head bowed – but it is not enough for him. Not when he knows you’ll let him do whatever you want.

The hand still in your hair drags you back unfeelingly, letting go of you on the back swing. You almost overbalance – but you have been well-trained in the art of grace. That would have been something he’d have looked for in a wife, if you had been better placed.

Almost a pity, really.

“I’d ask you to undo it,” he says, as he goes to untie his own complicated knots. “But you’re shaking. Are you that eager to suck my cock? Slut.”

He’s right, you are and you are and you are--

There. There’s no going back for you now, as Naoya lets the hakama drop and then rests back on his hands, unconcerned, as if this kind of thing happens for him every day. Hell, for him, maybe it does – surely you’re not the first poor young woman who has been sent by people more powerful than her to try and please the Zenin clan. For some reason, the thought that you’re not the first, that you’re not special, makes another ricochet of heat twist low between your thighs.

“Well?” He asks, mockingly. “It’s not going to suck itself.”

You’re shaking as you approach it, opening your mouth.

“Not too much teeth, now,” he says lightly. “You don’t want to see me get angry.”

(Maybe you do? But you want to please him just as much, so you open your mouth wider, try and let your lips relax--)

He lets out a sigh as your mouth engulfs the head. He tastes salty and musky – you do not have anything to compare it to, but it’s not exactly unpleasant. You experimentally lick across the head of his cock, where the slit is leaking pre-come – and for that, you win a fluid hiss of pleasure. The idea that you’re pleasing him makes you squeeze your thighs together in search of stimulation and friction, a dull jolt of pleasant warmth spreading through your sex. Oh, you don’t think you’ve ever been this wet in your life.

“More of your tongue,” he says to you, and you do your level best to accommodate – your tongue lapping at the veins of his shaft, travelling along the underside. Your jaw feels stretched wide, and you know you are drooling a little. You shift on your knees without being asked to, taking him further down your throat – you sense a twitch in his cock, the slight relaxing of the muscles in his thighs, and a shiver of pleasure runs through you at the idea that he is enjoying what you’re doing.

Pleasing Naoya suddenly seems the most important thing in the world to you – and certainly it feels the most important thing in the world to that emptiness inside you that you feel sure would be filled perfectly by Naoya’s cock. You take him further and further. You hum low in the back of your throat and Naoya’s fist on the bed flexes – you delight in it.

Every time you do something that makes his body respond in even the smallest of ways, you feel a full body thrill run through you that starts in your cheeks and makes it’s way to the junction between your legs, soaking you, making you vibrate and twitch with need. You have never felt so hungry for anything as you do the idea of Naoya touching you--

The crown of his cock bumps against the back of your throat, making you gurgle wetly – tears springing to your eyes at just how much of him is stuffed in your mouth. It’s this that finally spurs Naoya himself to action, once more returning to grabbing at your hair.

His hips begin to piston, thrusting his cock in and out.

“You’re . . .” He breathes, in between great pumps of his hips. “Almost good at that.”

(It’s the closest he’s come to praise so far and the sound of his voice, thick with hunger and lust, is locked away inside some secret part of your mind – you know you will not be able to touch yourself without his voice, the hitch of his groans, coming back to you in a cadence finer than any music you’ve ever heard).

He uses your mouth like he’d use his own fist, pumping fast and hard, his cock kissing the back of your throat with every glide. His breath begins to get shorter, and as you feel the flesh of the shaft twitch beneath your tongue, pulsating, you ready yourself for the salty rush of his release coating your mouth. You’ll swallow everything he gives you, maybe he will call you a good girl for your troubles--

He doesn’t. The hand wrapped around your hair (so neatly arranged, when you’d arrived at the estate – now, a mass of tangles, nothing more than a handle for Naoya to grab onto) jerks.

You cough at the sudden tug. You know he was close, you felt it – so why had he pulled you off of him? The noise that escapes you is half wounded-animal, half confusion – Naoya is sneering down at you, his hand around the base of his cock.

“Open your mouth,” he tells you – and you obey. You want him to come in your mouth! You want to be good for him, you want to swallow down every drop. “Do you really think you deserve to taste my seed? When you’re so . . . inferior, in every way? So . . . inadequate?”

“Please,” you whimper, through the haze of neediness and the ache in your jaw. “Please, I want to, I’ll be good--”

“You’d take anything I gave you, wouldn’t you? You really are pathetic.” You nod, frantically – if you agree with him, maybe he’ll do something about this all, you’re too far gone to have anything close to rational thought. He laughs at you, a sound like a bark – and then, he’s spitting directly onto your mouth, the mess landing on your tongue. “Swallow it.”

Disgusting, you’re disgusting, why isn’t the way he’s acting doing a thing to dampen your desire? You swallow.

The curl of his lip is unfairly attractive. You think he’ll pull you even closer to him, make you open your mouth again and come directly down your throat until you’re coughing all over the floor – but he doesn’t. He moves his hand, pumping his cock – and then, he’s coming, his shaft twitching in his own grip--

And his come spurting across your face, painting your cheeks. You close one of your eyes to stop it getting in there, but it’s a feeble task – you feel it on your face, dripping down your nose, you know some of it has gotten into your hair. Through the one eye still open, you see Naoya’s smug face.

“Did you really think I’d come in your mouth?” He asks, all cruelty. “You don’t deserve to have my seed inside you. In fact . . . Hmm.” He relaxes, looking at you where you’re a mess on the floor. Your kimono and all the ephemera of what you were wearing lies in a discarded pile across the room where you’d taken them off. “You can put on your clothes, I suppose. But . . . don’t clean yourself up. Not even with your sleeve. You should be proud a nothing like you gets to wear it.”

He flaps his hand at you, clearly dismissing you.

“I—I--”

Your voice sounds cracked and strained and small in the room. Pathetic. Just like you. But more pathetic is the heat that seems to cling to every inch of your skin that you know will not go away until you’re touched.

“You . . . you . . . you what?” He mocks you. Your face, all heat, your big blown out eyes darkened by lust . . . He narrows his eyes and smiles, but it’s a smile that’s utterly mirthless, cold as dawn frost. “I’m not going to lower myself to touching you.”

(You think you were expecting it; but still, your sex clenches around emptiness, practically pulsating as he derides you again. Perhaps you are a glutton for punishment.)

You bow your head. You know, if you stand up, Naoya will say something about your head being above his again – so you stay on your knees, crawling towards the pile of clothes. Naoya is drawn once more to the way the slick is dripping down your thighs, the inviting slit of your sex--

“You’re so wet I can see it from here,” he jeers. “Disgusting. You really are a slut, huh?”

Your fingers fumble with the fine fabrics. If your clan elders knew how you had left your formalwear here, on the floor of his room--

You tie the knots. You cannot do anything about the mess on your face, drying too quickly, sticky and uncomfortable – but part of you wants to wear it like a badge of honour.

You finally let yourself stand up, stopped only by a mocking little sing-song of your name, the mocking inflection of the cute honorific at the end that he shouldn’t be using for you--

You turn to him for the final time, too embarrassed, too wet, too hot and aching to meet his eyes. You concentrate on his mouth instead (you know that mouth will haunt your daydreams, blanket quiet night-times when your hands delve between your legs and you have to bite your lip to stifle your sounds.)

“Perhaps,” he says, with the air of a man bestowing a great honour, “perhaps your clan elders need not know I’ve rejected you yet.” A brief flare of hope in your chest, that he sees and takes a fierce, primal kind of pleasure in snuffing out. “Oh, don’t get me wrong – I’ve no intention of lowering myself to marrying you. But . . .”

That grin, barbaric, cruel, cold, heartless.

“It’s only proper for a man of my stature to have a mistress,” he tells you. The idea should disgust you. Why doesn’t it? You need to find a quiet place to hide in the Zenin estate, where you will not be interrupted – where you can press your fingers inside of yourself and imagine they are his. He takes great pleasure in adding; “And I like a woman who knows her place.”

One more flap of his hand – this time, a final dismissal.

“I’ll see you again,” he says, as you slip out of the door--

It sounds like a threat.

[smol-midgets]

Professor!Andrew AU

So I saw this post about Andrew being a criminology professor a long time ago, and I have not been able to get it out of my head ever since. This is the result. It may be a little unrealistic but only very slightly. There will be more parts. Presenting to you – a messy fic.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

After winning a gold medal in the Olympics with Kevin and Neil, Andrew decides he's done. He's achieved whatever he wanted to (not that he wants anything) and exy isn't going to give him anything more

Neil plays for a few more years. ("Junkie.")

He gets a PhD in criminal justice just so he can call himself Doctor Minyard and annoy Aaron

But he gets a good job to teach college students Criminal Justice at a nearby University, and he accepts because he wants to teach kids because he's bored

On his first day, he walks into the classroom and asks everybody to stand up and introduce themselves. After giving them his name he starts off

"Unless any of you want to be standing outside the classroom you will not talk about exy, you will not lie to me, and you will not utter the words "I'm fine"". (I like to think he's moved from murdering people when they say please or misunderstanding, especially after he and Neil spend time with the foxes' kids)

Nobody knows that he's the Andrew Minyard – exy legend, has one of the best goalie stats in the world

His voice is impassive and his face is bored but when he explains something most students listen with rapt attention

His aim is scary good and whoever doesn't listen gets a well aimed chalk thrown to their head

They quickly figure out that his memory is near perfect

"I'm sorry I didn't attend class last week mister Minyard, my cat died"

"How many cats do you have Marcus?"

"One, sir"

"That's interesting, because I remember you saying the same thing for missing class on 4th September as well"

*shocked silence*

"Uh...sir—"

"I also remember something about not lying to me unless you want to stand out of the class. You not attending class is your problem, but do not lie to me again. If you do, I will know"

And true to his word, he spots every lie a student makes

"I read that extract yesterday professor"

"Sure you did"

"I left my assignment at home"

"Is that the new code for 'i didn't do it'?"

"I don't know what happened to the chocolate on your desk professor, really!"

"And I'm the tallest man on earth"

Anyway they realise that he cares less about incomplete assignments and missed classes than he does about being lied to so they stop (it's not like they could get away with it anyway)

He constantly calls them idiots and says he hates them but contradicts himself by doing something caring

It's one of his students birthday, and he lets her choose the case they will be working on, and distributes cupcakes for the whole class

Students are shocked that he remembers her birthday (does he EVER forget ANYTHING!?!?), and that he did something about it

"That was very sweet professor, I didn't know you cared"

"I don't, you're all idiots and I hate all of you"

They just smile knowingly. Andrew is annoyed. He throws peices of chalk at their heads

Andrew bringing cupcakes for each students birthday becomes sort of a tradition

Sir gets sick, so he and Neil have to take him to the vet in the morning before school

Then they're running late, and don't have time to go home and then to their job. Neil can't take Sir to practice so Andrew agrees to take him instead

He's sitting on his desk correcting papers and Sir curling and purring around his feet when his students walk in. As they filter in the cat is rubbing her head against Andrew, jumping on the desk, walking on his papers, jumping down to his lap and walking in circles before curling up there and closing her eyes

His students are surprised by the gentleness and patience with which he handles his cat.

"Professor is that your cat"

"No". He's rubbing her head now and they see through him, they know it's his cat

"What's its name?"

"..." *sighs* " Sir Fat Cat McCatterson"

*shocked silence* None of them are able to contain thier smiles. The only reason they haven't burst out laughing is that he's glaring at them

"Professor, did you just say your cat's name is Sir Fat Cat McCatterson?"

He mutters "Not my cat...I call her Sir" They smile. Andrew is annoyed. He throws pieces of chalk at their heads

He lets Sir walk around in the class and cuddle up to his students. He leaves them 15 minutes early, and some of them stay back to play with Sir

They know that despite being bored and grumpy he really cares

One day he enters class, and raises his hand to silence the students, the ring on his left hand clearly visible

Dead silence

"... Professor Minyard, is that a ring on your finger?"

"Really putting those observational skills to work, aren't you"

Another student exclaims "You're MARRIED!?"

"Excellent deduction, I can see you flourishing in a future of crime and justice" his voice is amused, but his face is blank as always

He continues teaching as if nothing happened

(So this is completely self indulgent. This was just an idea I had and I wanted to share it. I hope you enjoyed!)

[not-me-simping-for-blasty]

boyfriend!bakugou headcannons

before dating

- will start noticing you only after you either,,

A) do something intentionally heroic

B) do something incredibly stubborn/borderline reckless to save someone

-there is no room in his big boy ego brain for anyone who doesn’t possess hero qualities,, soz thats just the way it is

-thats not to say he would only date someone from the hero course tho,, he would 100% take interest in someone from any course

-as long as they’re as dedicated to helping others and giving their 100% to everything they do,, he’d be happy

-would watch you for a long time but would be incredibly obvious about it. he’d try and hide it and be sneaky, but everyone knows. even you.

-when he finally asks you out, there was not a single plan involved. he just saw you alone and decided to man up about it on a whim

-that being said- after he does ask you out, he immeadiately panics about what to do on your first date. que frantic google searching-

top searches from that night include

how do cool guys dress

how to stop blushing

first date ideas that arent romantic

why am i sweating so much

-first date is an utter disaster by traditional standards

-he takes you somewhere with an athletic aspect- like minigolf or laser tag. he pays for you but immeadiately follows it up with “you better actually play and don’t just make me waste my money! its not gonna be fun kicking your ass unless you try, got it?”

-you have fun and can’t stop smiling- but not bc lil katsuki is charming you.

-no, you’re smiling bc he’s embarrassing himself at every turn trying to impress you. at first it’s a little off-putting, but then you realize just how much he cares and it’s kinda cute

-cute in the a dog-chasing-it’s-tail-until-it-gets-dizzy-and-falls-over kinda cute; but adorable nonetheless

-bakugou walks away from the date thinking he crushed it. just absolutely blew it out of the water,, there’s no doubt in his mind even though there 100% should be

early relationship

-incredibly touchy,, but not in like traditional or “cute” ways

-prior to you, bakugou’s only significant feeling was pure rage,, so needless to say he doesn’t know how to handle his sudden urge to touch you all the time

-he’s super nervous about it and doesn’t know if it’s suddenly okay hug and touch you as much as he wants to,, so he resorts to less traditional means of skinship

-so he’ll flick your forehead when you smile just right at him. he’ll pinch your cheeks when you talk too much. he’ll drop his hand flat and heavy over yours while you’re writing,, just so the pencil skitters across the page and you yell at him.

-he’ll push you over. not like a hard shove or anything,, but if he sees you sitting on the ground or squatting, he’ll just sort of push you over??? especially if you’re standing up from a chair,,

-ofc he catches you before you can fall or anything, but really he just uses “saving” you as an excuse to touch you

-he’ll push at you, catch you, and then smirk at you with “god, you’re so clumsy. i won’t always be around to save your sorry ass, you know.”

-it’s annoying so you just push him away and glare, but unfortunately for you, that’s what he wanted the whole time bc he’s a little shit

-that being said,, he’s still suprisingly sweet in even weirder ways

-bakugou’ll make you food. but he’ll never be around when you eat it,, you’ve tried before to eat the meals he cooks for you right after he cooks them, but he gets too embarrassed and finds an excuse to leave right when you’re about to eat the first bite

-he’ll tease you. a lot. about everything. but nobody else can tease you,, if somebody’s embarrassing you, bakugou will either threaten them until they stop talking or make a scene until nobody is paying attention to you anymore

-he’ll leave you little notes. most of them just have little doodles on them with reminders about homework or training, but they’re cute nonetheless

-when he takes you out on dates his hands always crackle when he first sees you. you’ve come to learn that the more dressed up you are, the more his palms will crackle

-normally you have to be the one to initiate any sort of romantic contact,, pls just kiss him already he’s almost always thinking about it but cant find the courage to do so

-when he does kiss or hug you on his own accord,, don’t say anything. he’ll pull away super quick and get all red!!!

established relationship

- suuuper clingy

-, not in the sense that he’s constantly phyiscally all over you,, he just won’t go anywhere with the class if you’re staying back, or will just follow you around the whole day if he’s got nothing else to do

-like,, if the bakusquad is looking for him they’re honestly just better off looking for you since he’s never far behind

-strangely enough, bakugou’s pretty quiet?? if he’s comfortable around you, he’ll stop being so prideful and picking so many arguments.

-his whole badass front at school wears him out,, so if katsuki comes to hang out with you after a long school day he’ll probably want to sit and just listen to you talk

-is a whole ass cat when it comes to physical affection. he normally acts indifferent entirely, but when he wants attention he wants attention

-might as well just drop everything you’re doing since he’s gonna throw you on the bed and just lay directly on top of you until you stop fighting him

-pet his hair super softly and tell him he’s strong and that you’re proud of him pls,, katsuki will cry

-formal dates happen less often now, but you see him more,,, in fact, you’re almost never without him. when he’s not doing school or studying or training katsuki is always where you are

-he’s pretty possessive and jealous- not just of like other guys, but literally anything that’s getting your attention. see examples 1 & 2

1.) ooo new book that has you super enthralled??? soz, it’s not just your book anymore. katsuki sits you on his lap and tells you that the only way he’s gonna let you continue to “waste your time on something so stupid” is if you read it out loud to him

2.) omg you got a new puppy that you’re just enamoured with?? tough, it’s bakugou’s puppy now too,, and he never lets it leave his side so the only way you’re gonna get to cuddle with the puppy is if you cuddle with bakugou too

-he’s super proud of you so he’ll introduce you as his s/o to everyone he meets,,, and if the person he’s talking to also has an s/o??? good lord katsuki would never shut tf up about how much better and stronger and cooler you two were than the other couple

-is not embarrassed about pda. at all. if everyone already knows you’re together than there’s nothing to hide,, he thinks that since he put in all the work to get you to love him than he should be able to reap the rewards,, anywhere. at anytime.

-that being said, he does find showing affection in front of others to be v v embarassing!!! so to combat that he turns it up to 11 and flirts and flusters you so bad so that all the 1A guys just think he’s super cool and manly with u instead of soft

-that being said, the second you guys are alone it’s like a switch has been flipped and you could fluster him only by batting your eyes just right

-insists you ‘cook’ with him. katsuki doesn’t let you do much but like cut up vegetables or stir, but he likes to listen to you talk while he does everything else

-generally pretty touch starved but only really indulges if you make the first move. like, he won’t ever tell you to come sit with him on the couch, but if you sit down?? then immeadiately he’s pulling you into his side and doesn’t let you up until he’s ready to get up as well

-still pokes and flicks and shoves you. also now feels comfortable enough to prank you. he thinks you’re adorable when you get mad enough to yell at him so prepare to be mad a lot.

-tells you he loves you damn near constantly. he wont say it first tho bc ~tsundere~ but after you admitted it first, he’ll say it. and once you know??? then he’s gonna make sure it’s known,,, blasty baby doesnt do anything half-assed esp not something as important as showing his love

-he likes to pick out your clothes for you bc otherwise you’ll walk about looking too cute and its a problem bc he never figured out how to get his hands to stop crackling

-will call you dumbass, idiot, moron, halfwit, klutz, etc in public but in private it’s usually princess or little brat or very rarely baby

[bibbawrites]

I Want Your Midnights - Owen Joyner x Female Reader (SMUT - 18+)

Request: NONE 

Word Count: 2568 words

Summary: You bring your boyfriend Owen home for your family New Years party, which ends with you getting a little more than a New Years kiss 

Warnings: swearing, mentions of drinking, oral s*x (both male and female receiving), squirting, slight overstimulation 

A/N: this is literally just 2.5k words of self indulgent babble lol so this idea came into my mind and I couldn’t get it out, i know i should be working on requests but i just had to write this, sorry!  as i said, this is very self indulgent, the way new years is described is exactly how my family and our neighbours (who are close friends at this point lol) celebrate each year so i couldn’t help myself  sorry for any typos, its 4am lol  hope you enjoy it! 

Tag List (let me know if you want to be added, removed or if you change your url): @happinessinthedarkesttimes​ @littlemissaddict @vicesvsvirtuesfanfic @headheartbellarke @lovesanimals​ 

Every single year your family celebrated New Years Eve exactly the same way. 

Your neighbours across the road would set up a table and chairs on their driveway, and your family and your next door neighbours would head across the road for a barbeque and drinks under the stars, with the Christmas lights that covered the three houses shining in the darkness. 

And then after food the kids would always head inside to play a board game or battle it out on Just Dance, only stopping at midnight to watch the New Years fireworks go off and to run around with sparklers. 

That’s how New Years had been for as long as you could remember. Only this year, things were going to be slightly different. 

You were bringing Owen, your boyfriend of just over a year. You had celebrated New Years apart the year before, opting for a text to wish each other happy new year instead. 

But you’d been dating for over a year now, and you couldn’t wait for Owen to meet your friends and family, and have the chance to ring in the new year together. 

Owen pulled his truck into your parent’s driveway, parking before turning to you, his eyes full of anxiety. 

“You’ll be fine, they’re all gonna love you.” You assured him, grabbing onto his hand. He bit his lip. 

“There’s just so many people to remember.” He sighed slightly. “Give me a recap?” 

You nodded. 

“So you know my family’s names, right? Mum is Alice, Dad James, brothers Tom, Will and Lucas.” You said, and he nodded, so you continued. 

“Rose and Max own the house we’re going to, and their daughter is Sophie. Then our other neighbours, the ones next door, are Graham and Pam, and their daughters Violet and Bella. You’ve met Violet, she’s my best friend, remember?” Owen nodded again. 

“I think I’ll survive your family, it’s just everyone else I’m worried about.” He told you. You rubbed your thumb over the back of his hand. 

“It will be okay. I’ll make sure to introduce everyone when we get over there, okay?” You said, leaning across the car to press a soft kiss to his lips. “Now we should probably get inside and see if Mum needs help with anything.” 

You climbed out of his truck, walking around to his side of the car and waiting for him to hop out, grabbing onto his hand when he did. He locked his truck and with a last reassuring squeeze you were leading him around to the front of your house. 

“Do we knock?” He questioned as you reached the door. You giggled and shook your head. 

“Knock knock!” You called out, opening the front door. 

“It’s open.” Your mum’s voice called back from the kitchen. You led Owen down the hallway and into the kitchen, smiling widely when you saw your mum and dad stood behind the bench. 

“Look what the cat dragged in.” Your mum joked, and you dropped Owen’s hand to give her a quick hug, then your dad next. When you stepped back he grabbed onto you again. 

“Mum, Dad, this is my boyfriend Owen. Owen, this is my mum Alice, and my dad James.” You introduced. 

“It’s very nice to meet you sir and ma’am.” Owen smiled, and you squeezed his hand to reassure him. 

“Oh please, call us Alice and James dear. It’s so nice to meet you, I’ve heard so much about you I feel like I already know you.” Your mother laughed. “This one never shuts up about you.” 

You pouted. 

“Don’t expose me.” You said. Owen grinned. 

“It’s okay baby. if you asked my mum she’d say exactly the same thing.” He told you and you smiled up at him, before turning your attention back to your parents. 

“Is there anything you need taken across the road?” You asked and your dad nodded. 

“We were just about to take the chairs over, do you want to tell the boys and we’ll all head over now?” He suggested and you nodded, dragging Owen behind you as you went to find your three brothers. 

After introducing Owen to your brothers and collecting the chairs from your garage, the seven of you headed across the road to where your neighbours had already set up the table and barbeque. 

“Hello everyone!” Rose greeted from her spot next to the table with Sophie, as you made your way up the driveway. 

“Ooh we’ve got a ring in.” Max joked, coming over from his spot behind the barbeque. 

“This is my boyfriend Owen.” You introduced. “O, this is Rose and Max, and that’s Sophie.” You pointed to each one as you said their names. 

Owen waved shyly and Rose smiled. 

“Don’t be nervous, we’re all very nice.” She said and Owen smiled back. You placed your chairs down at the table, before turning to find your other neighbours heading up the driveway. 

Violet was the first to reach you, throwing her arms around you. 

“Hey friend!” She exclaimed as you hugged her back with one arm, your other hand linked tightly with Owen’s. She pulled away, grinning happily at your boyfriend. 

“Hey Owen it’s good to see you again.” She said, pulling him into a hug too. You giggled at the slightly shocked expression that covered his face for a few seconds before he hugged her back. 

“Nice seeing you too Violet.” He replied. She turned to her family. 

“This is Y/N’s boyfriend Owen. Owen this is my mum Pam, my dad Graham and my sister Bella.” She said. Owen smiled at them. 

“Howdy.” Graham greeted, while Pam and Bella just waved. 

“Now.” Your mum spoke up. “Should we get this party started?” 

Everyone settled in quickly, loud chatter filling the air as the sun went down. The three fathers headed over to the barbeque, Owen joining them tentatively, and you watched from your chair as your father handed him a beer and made sure to include him in the joking. You smiled, watching your boyfriend visibly relax which could have been because of the alcohol, but also could have been because of the fact that he could finally let go of the fear of being rejected by your friends and family. 

“So Y/N, how did you meet?” Rose questioned, drawing your attention back to the women who were sat around the table. 

“We met through a mutual friend, he was having a little halloween party and invited me and introduced me to Owen and we hit it off and started dating a few weeks later.” You explained. 

“When was that?” Pam asked. 

“Last year. We’ve been dating for a year and a month or so.” You told her. They all nodded. 

“He seems like a good one.” Your mother said and you smiled, looking over to where Owen was stood, laughing at a joke Max had made. 

“He is.” You agreed. “He’s a very good one.”  

The dinner part of the night went well, everyone loudly joking around. Owen had fitted in well, confidently adding to stories and asking questions, and you couldn’t help but smile at how perfect the situation was. 

After dinner, as per tradition, the kids of the three families headed inside, leaving the adults to sit and chat. You dragged Owen inside, sitting together on the couch as the younger kids decided what to play. 

“Why don’t we go back outside and play hide and seek?” Bella suggested and when everyone agreed you all headed back outside and down the driveway onto the road. 

“Oldest counts first.” Sophie said, and Violet groaned loudly before covering her eyes and beginning to count. You grabbed Owen’s hand, pulling him with you. 

“I have the perfect hiding spot.” You told him, dragging him up into your front yard and into a small space between your house and a large bushy tree that concealed the two of you perfectly. 

“You’re not scared of spiders, are you?” You questioned, and Owen’s eyes widened. 

“I’m scared of all bugs, you know this.” He exclaimed in a hushed voice. You pulled an apologetic face, before an idea popped into your head. 

“I know something that will keep your mind off it.” You said, before pulling his face down to kiss him passionately, slipping your tongue into his mouth. He groaned, pulling your body against his as he kissed you back, the two of you lost in your own little world. 

“Ew oh my god, get a room!” Violet’s voice came and you and Owen jumped apart quickly. 

“Shut up.” You replied and Violet laughed. 

“Whatever. Found you, go join the other losers in the street.” 

Midnight finally came around after hours of running around, playing Lego Rock Band on Xbox, and playing the family friendly version of Cards Against Humanity. 

Everyone regathered in the living room, watching as the timer on the tv counted down, and you all joined in noisily. 

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Happy New Year!” You all cheered, and you grinned as Owen pulled you in to a soft kiss. 

“Happy New Year O.” You mumbled against his lips. He smiled as he pulled away. 

“Happy New Year.” He replied. 

After exchanging well wishes with everyone you decided to head home, accepting your mother’s offer of staying the night in your childhood room. 

You watched as Owen pulled his clothes off, leaving him in just his boxer briefs. 

“Happy new year indeed.” You joked, your eyes raking his body. He blushed, stepping closer to you. 

“Your turn.” He whispered, pulling on your dress and helping you take it off, leaving the two of you stood in just your underwear. 

“Does your door lock?” Owen questioned softly, reaching out to run a hand down your side. You swallowed as you shook your head. He made a sound in disappointment. 

“Guess we’ll just have to be careful then.” He said, closing the gap between you and lifting you up to kiss you. Your legs wrapped around his waist as he spun around, placing you down onto your bed and climbing on top of you, reconnecting your lips. 

You ran your hands through his long hair, scratching slightly on his scalp, causing him to moan into your mouth. He grinded his hips down into yours, causing you both to gasp at the contact, your kiss getting steamier by the second.

Owen broke the kiss, panting slightly. 

“We don’t have a condom.”  He muttered.

“That’s okay.” You kissed him softly. “We can improvise.”

He raised an eyebrow.

“Oh yeah?” He questioned. You nodded, pushing him off you and forcing him to lay back on your bed. You palmed his dick through his underwear and he groaned.

“Fuck Y/N.” He muttered. You shushed him.

“Don’t want to be caught, do we?” You said, before pulling at his underwear, letting his dick spring free.

Owen moaned as you lent down, licking a single line up his dick, swirling your tongue around the tip.

“Make sure you’re quiet for me baby.” You instructed, before taking his dick in your mouth, putting as much in as you could without choking and wrapping your hand around the remaining part. Owen’s hands tangled in your hair as you bobbed your head, licking and sucking on his dick and occasionally scraping your teeth gently along it to hear his shaky gasp.

“I’m close baby.” Owen warned eventually and you tapped on his thigh to let him know it was okay for him to cum, a signal you had been using since the first time you messed around with each other. You continued to bob your head, humming against his dick which was all he needed to tumble over the edge, his hot cum filling your mouth as he moaned into your pillow to stay quiet. After working him through his orgasm you pulled off his dick with a satisfying pop, before swallowing his cum and leaning down to kiss him.

“Your turn.” He instructed once you broke apart from the kiss, flipping you over so that you were laying on the bed. He quickly undid your bra, throwing it to the floor before kissing his way down your chest, pulling one of your nipples into his mouth. You bit your lip to hold back a moan as his tongue flicked at your sensitive nipple. He pulled away, before repeating the same actions with your other nipple, and once he was satisfied he began kissing his way down your abdomen, stopping only to pull your panties off.

He spread your legs before making himself comfortable between them. He lent down, sucking a hickie into both of your inner thighs.

“Owen.” You moaned quietly and he grinned up at you.

“That’s it baby, you ready?” He asked and you nodded.

“Please.” You said, your tone verging on begging.

He grinned again, before burying his face in your pussy, his tongue flicking at your clit as you bit into your pillow to stay quiet.

“Delicious.” He commented cheekily, before slipping his tongue inside you, his hand coming up to massage your clit as he tongue fucked you.

“If you keep doing that I won’t last.” You warned and he ignored you, his tongue flicking faster.

“Owen.” You groaned, as he moved his mouth back to your clit, sucking it into his mouth. “I’m gonna...”

You were cut off by your orgasm shaking your body, moaning quietly into the pillow.

Owen looked up at you, giving you a cheeky look before continuing his assault on your now extremely sensitive clit.

“Owen what are you doing?” You questioned shakily. He laughed, the vibrations sending shockwaves through your body.

“Helping you start the new year right.” He explained before returning his attention to your pussy, his tongue flicking at your clit once more.

It didn’t take long for the familiar feeling of your orgasm to reappear, and you warned Owen quickly, gasping when he sucked your clit back into his mouth as a response.

Your orgasm hit quickly, and to both of your shock you squirted all over Owen’s face. He pulled away, staring at you in shock.

“Holy fuck.” He said after a moment. Too exhausted to reply you just nodded.

“Fuck.” Was all you could get out. Owen grinned.

“I didn’t know I could make her squirt.” He muttered, mostly to himself, as he grabbed one of the towels your mother had left out for the two of you to use in the morning, wiping his face and chest with it, before heading back to you.

“You okay baby?” He questioned, wiping your thighs that were covered in liquid from when you squirted.

“Yeah just exhausted.” You said, letting Owen clean you up.

Once he was done he grabbed your underwear from the floor and helped you pull it back on before offering you his shirt he had been wearing, which you accepted sleepily. He pulled his boxer briefs on before pulling back the covers of your bed and helping you in, climbing in next to you.

You yawned, snuggling into his chest as he wrapped his arms around you.

“Happy new year O, I love you.” You whispered.

“Happy new year, I love you too.” He replied, placing a soft kiss on your lips.

You snuggled closer and not long after that you found yourself falling asleep, ready for another new year with your amazing boyfriend.

[oswald-privileges]

ALL RIGHT BUT YOU ASKED FOR IT

Power of Three as a series is just. full of weaknesses, most of which come down to poor continuity and structure. I'm not gonna try and fix ALL of those, bc that'd be laborious as hell, but I will pick out things that I feel are the most egregious as case studies.

What Po3 does have, tho, is an absolutely shining strength in the concept of its three main characters. After twelve books of Blandly Heroic Protagonist Syndrome, Jayfeather is an absolute godsend. He's angry! He's rude! He's unhappy! He's not nice. I Love Him And He's My Son. Lionblaze has his invincible pride (hah) and emergent bloodlust, and Hollyleaf has her moral absolutism and certainty. These are good starting points for characters. Sadly, the lack of continuity undermines what could have been three really good character arcs.

So! I present to you:

HOW TO MAKE "WARRIORS: THE POWER OF THREE" NOT COMPLETELY SUCK ACCORDING TO MY PERSONAL TASTE; A NON-EXHAUSTIVE, NON-CONSECUTIVE LIST BY ME

ONE

- Have there be a persistant, overarching series threat. Sol is a character with amazing villain potential who does literally nothing except hang around, and do exactly 2 Bad Things completely off-screen. This Is Not Good.

- Instead, have him be present from the second book onwards- initially introduced as a friendly but enigmatic outsider who is slowly revealed across the series to be a complete black hole of a personality, a social parasite quietly rearranging whatever community he's a part of to just-so-happen to benefit him as much as humanly possible. His "preach individualism not starclan" methods are not so much values as one strategy out of many. (to those who know me- yes i have a type. no i will not apologise.)

- Maybe his ultimate goal is to dissolve and centralise the clans or something so that he can live out his life as a political puppetmaster in all the cat-luxury he likes. idk it's hard to imagine overall stakes for this rewrite BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL DOESN'T HAVE ANY

TWO

- For gods sake you don't have a series based on the premise of "the main characters develop super powers" and then only have the second power confirmed by the end of the fourth book. I understand the first book mostly focusing on Jayfeather- his powers are obvious from the start, he's got the strongest personality of the three, he gets access to most of the prophecy plot stuff because of them. But you NEED to have the other two show an interest in something concrete happening to them beyond that, and you need to at least hint towards the other two having something unique to them even if nobody clocks it yet.

- Have Jayfeather tell his siblings about the prophecy by the end of book two at the latest. The amount of time he spends noodling around not sharing it with them is inexcusable. It's not that it's out of character for him to hang onto a secret for a bit, it's just that there's no point and it slows everything down. It would be equally in character for him to go to his siblings and be like "look, i'm SPECIAL. well you as well but ALSO ME". Boy starts off as desperate for recognition, what can I say

THREE

- Have Jayfeather discover that StarClan don't withhold signs or information on purpose for the sake of "building courage and faith" or whatever nonsense. Seeing and communicating the future is metaphysically very difficult, so interpreting signs and messages is a genuine skill, or even an art. The cats of StarClan, however, really are just ghosts, much more similar to living cats than the currently living believe. This is the impotus for Jayfeather's discarding of his reverence for StarClan, which remains consistent throughout the series.

- Have Hollyleaf and Jayfeather both still change their cat careers in the first book, but put place more attention on the fact that they basically switched jobs. Have a scene where they end up yelling at each other, because can't the other see how lucky they have it? The tension breaks when they realise they've both lost something important to them- Jayfeather his chance to prove he's as capable as a sighted cat, and Hollyleaf her path to helping her clan in the way she thinks is best. They commiserate together, and reluctantly promise to do the best they can with their lots, so they don't waste the path the other wishes they'd taken. This closeness is eroded over the series as they disagree more and more on the subject of StarClan and its role in their moral choices and obligations.

FOUR

- Speaking of Hollyleaf! I nearly threw my phone across the room when the first Omen of the Stars book claimed that Hollyleaf "worked so hard to discover her power to help her clan". Where, Ms Erins??? I would have LOVED to have seen that!! Hollyleaf expresses absolutely no concern over the details of what power she has/will develop, and only has a couple of scenes even touching on her ambitions to help her clan. She has some vague ideas about becoming leader and like one scene where she gets to do some leadery things, but that never gets followed up on. What does happen is that the whole "warrior code" thing becomes more and more a part of her personality (for no clear reason) until she snaps.

- Hollyleaf going off the deep end is something I wanted so badly to get into and be moved by, because I could see where it comes from! Her moral certainty is fascinating, especially since it's based in something as abstract as the warrior code- which, when you think about it, isn't really... anything. There's no concrete set of rules that make it up, no traditional wording or cat philosophers, not even any fables. It's a handful of agreed-upon, common sense rules- don't cross boundaries, don't take prey that isn't yours, respect your ancestors, and don't murder. That's it!

- So, combining the above points, I think Hollyleaf not being one of the Three should stay, but both the audience and the characters are given good reason to believe she is. By around the third volume, make it so that Hollyleaf has found that her power is to get cats to "Do The Right Thing"- i.e. what she wants them to do. She sneaks off often to see Sol, who teachs her how to use this power. Her siblings are concerned about this new power, having already gotten a glimpse at what Sol can do, but she's confident that she can only use this power for good. Volume-specific plot happens, Sol manipulates her into causing him to win, she is shocked and horrified, and vows to stick ridgedly to what she knows is right i.e. The Warrior Code

- However, the more fervently she tries to stick to this abstract idea, the less it gives her results, the more her power seems to be failing. Believing that StarClan is taking her power away from her, she becomes caught up in a faith-guilt spiral that puts her in the position to snap at the end of the series. By that point it's clear to her siblings that Hollyleaf has no power- she was just very, very good at persuading people to do what she wanted.

FIVE

- Lionblaze is a girl now because I Said So. This Cat Is Trans And There's Nothing You Can Do About It.

- Her relationship with Heathertail stays the same- childhood sweethearts who are torn apart as they begin to understand the nature of the societal divides that exist between them.

- This can be used to contextualise the whole "half clan/outsider blood" thing as a cultural contradiction. In reality, inter- and outer- clan relationships aren't at all rare. They can't be, otherwise the whole society would be inbred out of existence in like five generations. But if at least one society of humans can spend a good 200 years pretending Sex Is Bad And Sinful Actually then cats can have persistant cat-racism in the face of all logic. Heathertail clocks this contradiction, Lionblaze doesn't.

- Her relationship-to-power arc doesn't need changing all that much either, other than starting much sooner and being more consistent. At first, she's completely overjoyed by her power, since unlike her siblings, it lines up so well with her ambition- become the finest warrior any of the clans have to offer. As the berserker rage aspect becomes more prevelent, she becomes more and more disturbed by the fact that she isn't disturbed by what she can do, and that she doesn't want the escalation of her power to stop.

- Tigerstar still does his thing, but Brambleclaw knows about it. He recognises the signs from when his father used to visit him, and tries to train Lionblaze in his own way. She ends up caught between wanting to be a good warrior, and testing the limits of her power.

SIX

- Jayfeather can stay basically the same because he's my perfect little angy boy and nothing needs to change. His arcs can be strengthened by having a more robust relationship with Yellowfang where they try to out-bitch each other, and coming to terms with his internalised ablism. Maybe he has a chat with Mothwing about faith a couple of times. Him furiously lashing out at being offered help transitions into an acceptence and understanding of his abilities more naturally. He never stops being A Grumpy Old Man.

- All fucking past-lives unexplained time travel goes in the BIN. Doesn't fucking happen. You can have that lore dump sprinkled across the books, or come from going deep into the tunnels and having a surreal meeting. Make it properly eldritch-level scary, shake Jayfeather's confidence in the idea of them being just a bunch of ghosts.

SEVEN

- Have the way Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight present very clearly as parents to the Three be explicitly, textually unusual. One of the things I liked so much about the first series was an almost total lack of emphasis on who was mated with who, and who was related or not. It felt very real to how feral cat colonies form, where raising kittens is a communal job. This gets completely dropped the moment series 2 starts and now the cats have monogamy.

- This emphasis on the family unit and fostering close relationships between parents and kittens is deliberate on the part of both Leafpool and Squirrelflight. Their aim is to cover for Leafpool so she doesn't lose her role as medicine cat- something she already gave up Crowfeather for before she was pregnant.

- In that little bit of backstory, have a robust reason for both Leafpool and Squirrelflight to leave the camp while Leafpool is pregnant and giving birth, possibly one that ties into the present day story in some minor way. I don't know how, it would just make that element of the story a lot more ground than "we left, the kits were born, then we came back and everyone was cool with it"

- When it comes to the "I am Not your mother" reveal, Jayfeather and Lionblaze are confused and hurt that they were lied to, but come to the reasonable conclusion that well, since they were raised mostly by Squirrelflight, saw Leafpool often, and are loved by both, they don't hate her. Lionblaze has something of a crisis over being half-clan, possibly initiating an attempted reunion with Heathertail. Jayfeather is more concerned with how other cats will think it makes him lesser, something he's still sensitive too.

- Hollyleaf, meanwhile, completely fucking snaps at the way her mother Violated Part Of The Code. It's a completely irrational reaction, but expected because she's been growing more and more reliant on The Code for the whole series, and less and less stable in her attempts to aid her clan and train to be its new leader.

- Squirrelflight is the one to murder Ashfur. This is easy to work out while reading- she's literally the only one of the four with a motive who isn't a perspective character. The mystery is less around finding out who did it, and more about why she did it (it's very ambiguous as to whether it was an accident or not). The main tension comes from who finds out when.

- Lionblaze is shocked, awed by how far she'd go to protect the three of them, and reassures her she did the right thing (as a way to salve her own uncertainty over her own longing for violence). Jayfeather makes it all about himself because he's Jayfeather- upset that he didn't know immediately, instead of, you know, figuring it out in a few hours because he can basically read minds. They try their best to hide it from Hollyleaf, who is already rattling around the final volume as a full-on antagonist, but are unsuccessful. This almost costs them something incredibly important- possibly Squirrelflight's life.

EIGHT

- the whole plot with the Tribe Of Rushing Water is a MASSIVE can of worms that could be removed from the series without issue. As it is:

- Characterize the Tribe as uncertain of how to fight other cats, because yes, they haven't had to do this before. DON'T characterise them as pathetic, doing whatever their leader says without thinking, and with ancestors who have Given Up

- Have some of the Tribe be really good at the violence. Worryingly good. Have others be sickened by what they're being asked to do.

- Have some of the clan cats reflect on what they've done. Hollyleaf would be all for introducing this society to jesus The Code, but even she might be horrified at being thanked by a tribe cat who can't wait to get out there and win themselves glory, only to be killed a few hours later

- The Tribe begin a new tradition of marking the walls in the mud they use as camoflage in order to commemorate their battles, and memorialise the fallen. One of the characters reflects on the fact that in a generation or two, the Tribe will feel like it's always been this way. How many of their own traditions- those that feel almost like natural law- started out the same way?

- Have Sol as the leader of the invaders, or maybe having insinuated himself into the tribe as a "mediator" and doing his charismatic cult leader thing.

NINE

- Cinderheart isn't a reincarnation of Cinderpelt. She's just named after her bc Cinderpelt saved her mother from a badger. this is because I think the reincanation thing is stupid and I can't think of a way to make it good.

TEN

- No more using tails as hand gestures like covering people's mouths. Never. None of it. It's expunged from existence.

Disclaimer: I haven't read Omen of the Stars yet, so I can't account for anything that might happen in that series that's grounded in Po3. I'm like... two thirds of the way through the first volume. I'm Not Impressed.

[nautiscarader]

2020 in animation - recap

So, 2020. 

Yeah, I have to say I’m not entirely satisfied. Would not recommend, 1 star. 

But I would be willing to bump it to 1.5, if only because of one factor: the animation. 

Because I have to say, this was the best animated end of the world so far! And if there was something that kept our spirits up, it was the cartoon industry!

Just like last year, I should preface this by saying that this is highly subjective selection. Even when one is confined to their Hobbit holes for better part of the year because of *waves hands* everything around, 

day still only has 24 hours, so I have missed a few shows. (I should also apologise for omitting a few major ones last year, like Milo Murphy’s Law S2, Ducktales, or She-Ra. This is why I started keeping a track this year). I’m sure I will catch up with those I missed this year some time in the future, but for now, let’s see what this year has gifted us with.

And right from the start, January opens the race with very interesting propositions. We were still riding on an incredibly high wave from last year, with Infinity Train season 2.

This one focused on Tulip’s mirror, and pushed the season towards a much darker and complex story, diving deep into one’s personal journey and identity. There were tears, math, deer, and cops being murdered. Brutally. 

t was followed by two newcomers: The Owl House and first season of Kipo and The Age of the Wonderbeast. Both of them would dominate first half of the year, with The Owl House’s traditional, week-to-week airings, and Kipo's seasons appearing in  June and October.

The Owl House, a strong contender in "What will be the Next Gravity Falls?" contest, invited us to a world full of magic, mystery, elongated owl demons and some dark secrets. It has also created a milestone for Disney, introducing an LGBT couple with characters of bisexual Luz Noceda and lesbian Amity Blight. Their Grom dance has risen to the top of my animates scenes, polling very closely to the unforgettable Kataango.

On the other hand, Kipo has taken us to the post-apocalyptic world filled with mutant animals, revealing that despite the end of the world, our old vices and animosities have survived in underground burrows, and we have infected the overworld of giant doggos and suit-wearing frogs with them. 

Kipo did not pull any punches regarding commentary about our society, at the same time giving us hope in the form of the main protagonist, who was able to spread friendship and understanding amongst the mutes, as well as the humans that had to survive. And in the world that we have found ourselves in, it was a pretty darn good lesson.

February would bring end to two seasons of airing cartoons, Big Hero Six season 2 and Miraculous season 3, as well as another newcomer that won the hearts of fans: Glitch Techs, with its "second" season arriving in August. And while in my opinion he show wasn't as good as the other two new titles, I am clearly in minority, as the show about Ghostbuters-like team of game console technicians gained huge popularity... though not enough to keep the show afloat. As of writing this, it is currently in limbo, which is a shame, as the second set of 10 episodes finally added some much needed ongoing story.  

in March, another show from last year ended - Steven Universe Future. As we have expected, it tackled slightly more mature themes, showing how much Steven needed that therapy we have wished him, telling an important tale of finding one's worth and one's self. its ending might not have been as explosive as those of the original show, or the movie, but it left Steven’s story as open as an open road, and deep in our hearts, we all knew it would look like this.   

March was also the time when majority of western world caught the coronavirus, and that caused quite a turmoil with the movie and animation industry. One of the first victim of changed schedule was Disney's Onward, which was released on-line on Disney+ quickly after its theatrical release.

I have mixed feelings towards “Onward”. For such interesting promise, I think it made a few questionable and down right boring turns, though the unorthodox message at the end of it was its strongest point, and it was one I haven’t seen in a while, so it was worth watching just for that.  

April was relatively quiet (aside from more end of the world stuff); brought us third season of Ducktales that spread throughout the year, while May gave us final, fifth season of She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. 

To my eternal shame, I missed on this show when it premiered, and due to the lockdown, I binge-watched the previous four right in time for powerful and explosive season 5. And even though Catra and Adora finally gave us exactly what we needed, some fans felt slightly unsatisfied, calling for a movie, like the Steven Universe one to be made. And I’d be all for it, the rest of universe needs saving from the Horde! Also, cats in space - hilarious. 

May also revealed a new player on the streaming field: HBO Max, who surprised us with new Looney Tunes Cartoons, much more in the spirit of the legendary originals than the often-criticised Looney Tunes Show from 2011-2014. And in my opinion, it did; one could feel the same fluidity in animation, dedication to slapstick, and synchronisation with music than in the very first cartoons with Bugs and Daffy.

HBO Max would, however, return in June with first of series of Adventure Time original movies called "Distant Lands". The first centred around BMO, with second one - Obsidian giving us a glimpse into Bonnibel and Marceline's lives.

Distant Lands allowed people to revisit the odd, odd world of Ooo and learn about its colourful inhabitants, taking turns to seeing their past and the future, an, as usual, showing us that post-apocalyptic world can teach us valuable and meaningful lessons.   

Just in time for full lockdown in our burrows, aforementioned Kipo season 2 premiered in June, together with another cartoon movie, this time featuring We Bare Bears. While their movie wasn't anything to write songs about, it was exactly like the show, providing some wholesome content right when we needed it.

And just in case you needed more wholesome adventures, Craig of the Creek's second season ended, and its third season began, reminding us of HOW COOL LIFE WAS WHEN OUTERNET WASN’T SCARY AND WE COULD STILL WALK OUTSIDE FOR FUN AND NOT TO HUNT TOILET PAPER.

Just like last year, July was not dogs' days, but frogs'. Amphibia season 2 started raining on our heads, but unlike last year, its schedule wasn't a daily one, spreading the episodes throughout the Summer and early Autumn, with its second part arriving in February of 2021. There were more roadtrips, more mysteries and MORE MARCY.

August was equally strong: aforementioned Glitch Techs "season 2" premiered, offering better and more plot-heavy episodes than the first ten episodes. Unfortunately, the show's future is unclear; the uneven divide of plot between the seasons probably contributed to the show not being renewed. 10 new episodes apparently are written, but await in sleep mode, until Nickelodeon remembers about it.

HBO MAX picked up Infinity Train for its third season, after being derailed by Cartoon Network. And if you thought that killing a mirror cop was shocking... then this season has pushed the limit of what can be shown in modern children's cartoon to a frightening degree. The schedule was once again, weirder, with first five episodes airing on the day of the premiere, ending with a cliffhanger (literally) that only contributed to the shock factor and made us wait anxiously for its conclusion. It was bold, it was dark, it was memorable. 

And just like Glitch Techs, Infinity Train waits on a side track, unsure if it will be picked up, or will it be abandoned and left as a canvas for graffiti artists.

However, to end the Summer, a truly amazing TV movie has arrived on Disney Plus, where we came back to good, old Danville and could witness Candace against the universe. The new Phineas and Ferb movie brought back the glorious memories of this fantastic show, with the same humour, writing, abundance of catchy songs and a surprisingly deep moral.

In September we have seen the start of Big Hero 6 season 3 and a odd change of format. Instead of standalone 22-minute episodes, the show now consists of two 11-minute segments. In opinion of many, this weakened the stories, forcing them to be more comedy-oriented, and shortening the potential emotional drama. Still, it gave us funny, short stories, but they did clash with the two previous season, not to mention the movie.

However, if that wasn't up to your taste, Ducktales season 3 also started airing, and continued its first part up until December with more action- and plot-driven episodes, including the Darkwing Duck crossover, serving as a pilot of the spin-off. 

Later in December fans have learned that Season 3 will be its last, which broke the hearts of many duck fans; however, it seems that the season has been written as the last one in mind, and the news of the ending was known to the creators, which gives us hope for a kick-ass finale somewhere in 2021.

Miraculous New York, telling arguably one of the most mature storylines, opened the "Heroez" world to some new characters and new opportunities, with two more specials, taking place in Shanghai and Brazil, meant to air somewhere next year. AND I DO HOPE WE WILL SEE MORE LOCAL FOOD VENDOR SUPERHEROES LIKE HOT DOG DAN. 

October was the month of two season 3's: Carmen Sandiego and Kipo. In case of Carmen, as it is usual with Netflix, the "season" was only a half-one, with just a handful standalone episodes, and just a dash of more ongoing plot. 

For Kipo, however, season 3 was the end, and what a glorious one it was. Fans were saddened to learn of it, but Kipo was always imagined as a 3-part story, and it showed. The finale proved more than satisfying ending to the plot, elevating Kipo to one of the smartest cartoon characters we should all try to aspire to.

In November, Distant Lands: Obsidian aired, focusing on everyone’s favourite candy/vampire couple, and the long and complicated love between Bonnibel and Marceline. And as usual, it showed us that relationships are not always as straightforward as we would like them to be, but with enough music and teamwork, no enemy is big enough. 

For the next new show, I’ve waited with the most amount of excitement and anxiety. Because while I was completely fine with other reboots and re-imaginings to take creative takes, new Animaniacs, (airing on Hulu) had to be perfect and had to be the lightning that struck twice. 

And sadly... it wasn’t. It was still good, but some people criticised (incorrectly imho) the amount of political topics, while I mourned almost total cast-ration of additional characters, aside from Pinky and the Brain. This truly weakened the possibilities it could have had. It was still very good, but you can feel that some of the original charm was lost, due to these odd, odd limitations. 

December brought us a new original Apple TV movie, Wolfwalkers. A beautifully animated folk tale of friendship and social divides, and how short-sight can cause the collapse of both arguing sides, reminding me very much of the intelligence and heart of original “How to Train Your Dragon”.  

We’ve had to wait two years for the return of arguably one of the most wholesome shows out there: Hilda. Second season dived into deeper mysteries that permeate the rich and colourful troll-ridden land, we saw the return of some familiar characters, and introduced a whole new storyline, that ended with a surprising cliffhanger. Still as wholesome, but now with a tiny bit of Police incompetence. Also Twig, lots of Twig.   

Just like Onward, Pixar’s highly anticipated Soul aired on Disney+, telling a very mature story about finding one’s purpose in life, what that purpose actually means, and whether it exists at all. Beautifully animated, with fantastic soundtrack, it was a stunning tribute to creativity, and it never dumbed down its profound, open message about following your dream.   

And just if you thought that Soul was going to be 2020′s last note (pun very much intended), right before the year ended, DC Super Hero Girls concluded its first season on a rather anti-climactic two-parter. That being said, the season, running from March of last year, was packed with short, bite-sized, funny stories, taking interesting spins on existing comic book characters. For a comic book noob like me, it was perfectly fine, and I can’t wait for the second season next year. 

And so, we have reached the series finale of humanity. 

2020 ends in just under a day. What will 2021 bring us? I do not know, and if the animated shows of this year have taught me anything, is that the future is an always open book, full of worries and challenges, but also opportunities and possibilities. 

...

And in reality I was too lazy to check any news sites about upcoming projects.

[bookwyrminspiration]

hello quil!! do you still take song analysis asks? if so, consider the song Stray Italian Greyhound by Vienna Teng, for sophitz (but to be honest most fitz ships would work)

hello maya!! I don't have limited times or subjects for my askbox, so I'm always taking all asks, whhich includes song analysis! so I will very happily consider Stray Italian Greyhound, as you are right and there is so much to work with for that one

For some reason this is the first lyric that caught my attention: "Please not now / I just settled into the glass half empty / Made myself at home / And so why now." Looking at this through Sophie's perspective, it reminds me a lot of her inner dialogue throughout Flashback and Legacy, a sort of excited dread like "can this really be happening? is this real?" Because she'd spent so long convincing herself that what she wanted wasn't going to happen, that she had to get over her "stupid crush." And literally right before Fitz confessed she was settling herself into that glass half empty, into accepted the bad of the situation and to stop convincing herself something was going to happen when it wasn't. She was telling herself she'd settle for being his friend and it would have to be enough, and in that very moment he decided to confess his feelings for her. And there's this little bit of "why now?" Why not sooner so she didn't have to spend so long hiding it, and why then when she was just finally going to do something.

She wants it to work, she wants them to be a thing and to work out in the end. But leaving it unaddressed always meant that there was a sliver of maybe, like Schrodinger's cat. Not that he's bringing it up, they're going to quickly find out which of the possibilities it actually is. She'd just given up, so now to be thrust back into it all? Disorienting.

Stepping away from Sophie for a moment, let's look at a line that I think applies well to Fitz: "Oh, if you knew just what a fool you have made me / So what do I do with this?" I think that once again applies well to Flashback/Legacy (as that's when they were canon so I'll probably reference it again). Specifically the "what do I do with this" in regards to Sophie's whole situation with matchmaking and her complicated emotions with it as Fitz is trying to navigate it all. This boy is absolutely smitten and head over heels for her, but it comes with its fair share of challenges because its Sophie. We could even say he's a fool for her, ignoring logic and the things he knows in his heart about her (like her having already told him she doesn't want to find her bio parents and that she'd hate them for what they did) because he so desperately wants things to work out a certain way. he's a Vacker and he wants to be traditional, doesn't think he has any other option, at least not one he's willing to take and inflict the consequences of on his family. He wants them to be matched, and despite all the evidence pointing to that not happening he wants it so badly and loves Sophie so much he doesn't know what to do with the situation.

Then there's a line that reminds me of both of them: "These colors make my eyes hurt / This feeling calls for everything that I am not." Specifically that second part, but I'll get to it in a moment. You know that soulmate au where when you meet/see/touch your soulmate, you see the world in color or can finally see the color of their eyes, etc. Something to do with meeting each other and experiencing color is common. And while it may not literally be seeing colors in kotlc, it's painted in a similar way. Fitz introduced her to a whole new world, a whole new way of seeing things. And he did so further when they confessed to each other. They're both introducing each other to something new, to romance, to seeing the world and each other differently, to new colors. But it's...complicated. And as beautiful as it is, it's painful. It's hurting them despite them loving the view. Being together drove Sophie to seek out her biological parents, something she didn't want to do and that caused her deep distress. And Fitz is forced to confront the fact that what he wants won't happen because it's Sophie. Because things are always different for her and no matter what he tries he either has to accept being a bad match or they won't be together at all. And that hurts him, much as he doesn't want it to for their sake, but it does.

Neither of them are the person the other person wants or needs them to be. Fitz wants Sophie to be his match, to be on his lists and to be The One the system gives him. He needs them to be traditional, to do things the "right" way. Right now, he's not able to accept anything else. Not just for himself but for his family. Like he said, if he was a bad match it was the kind of thing his sister and his parents and his kids would never hear the end of. He can't do that to them, so he needs Sophie to be a perfect match for him. Sophie needs him to be outside of the system, to be flexible, to be able to disregard match status. She wants him to be someone who doesn't care about any of the strange things about her existence, who won't bat an eye at her being unmatchable and will comfort her through it. Someone who understands how much she doesn't want to know her parents. And Fitz isn't that person. He's traditional and her very existence goes against tradition. They love each other and desperately want it to work out, but there was too much between them that they weren't willing to work through or understand, and it tore them apart.

Neither of them were the person the other needed them to be.

I'm sure there are even more lines I could draw from the song to look at, but I don't want this to get too long so I'll stop there!! This is an excellent song suggestion and I loved applying it to Sophitz and the contrasts in their situations. It's absolutely riveting to compare their individual values and the way they're almost opposites of each other.

[couldyouspeakmyname]

I love the writing you two put out its fantastic !! Thank you for creating such an inclusive and inspiring community.

I'm Puerto Rican and we have a popular legend of the Chupacabra. It's almost entirely hairless and has spikes on its body. Some people thing they look like dogs while others say they are reptilian. They are known to be blamed for the strange draining of blood from livestock. Primary in P.R its goats.

For fun lets say they actually exist in the Beastars universe. They look like canines with horn or spike like protrusion on their heads. And they function like vampire bats where their primary food source is blood. They get their food from places like blood banks. Because of the rarity of their species and the nature of their lives there would be a lot of bad rumors about their species.

How do you think the 701 boys would react a foriegn exchange student who was a Chupacabra? If you want to as well how do you think some of the drama club members would react to meeting them as well?

I'm so glad you feel that way! We do out best to be as inclusive as possible and make this fandom fun for everyone!

I love the legend of the Chupacabra, it's even my cats name (for reasons I wont go into here because it's long)

-Maeve

Legoshi

He's used to being different, but you? You’re very different

It’s not a bad thing at all! He’s actually pretty curious about you

Legoshi isn’t confrontational, but he has no problem making excuse and putting himself between you and any bullies you may have

Legoshi will eat lunch with you at the empty pool, since many students are uncomfortable with what you eat

He’s kind of a silent support. He’d even introduce you to Haru, who is actually quite chatty. 

Jack

Has lots of questions, and is probably going to ask about your home country, the traditions, your species, and so on

He’s actually really interested?

If you speak a different language, Jack may try to learn in. As a dog, he’s smart and learns quickly. Plus, he thinks it’d be super fun to learn from someone who has that as their native language, so he can get the nuances, slang, and pronunciation correct. 

The blood thing makes him squeamish though

Jack is the one who probably helps you with school work, helps you around the school, and keeps people from freaking out. He’s a ray of sunshine, and Jack wouldn’t hang around terrible animals.

Collot

Lots of questions as well

He’s more casual though. He wants to know about the games you play, TV, and pop culture from where you live

He spends a lot of time just relaxing with you, and trying to get you to play one on one video games

Collot probably distracts you from your studies every now and again, and is the one that helps you take breaks from school work so you can go out and have fun

Voss

Somehow...you’re the one that’s less intimidating

With Voss on your shoulder, the times he’s not with Collot, he offers snarky comebacks and scathing remarks should anyone try to poke fun at you

Voss does sniff the blood you drink, and while he does it every day, he still makes a face

He likes to hang out with you, and hang off you. 

Miguno

Very curious about the music of your country

He probably grabs his guitar and plays for you, and tries to encourage you to sing along, even if you’re not the best singer

Miguno is a hyena, which is an animal who has a lot of misconceptions about. He feels an instant kinship for you

Durham

Since Durham and Miguno are close, it’s very likely that all of you tend to travel in your mini-pack

Durham is a bit more assertive, and so he’s the big booming voice of your small group

Going to offer to arm wrestle with you

Very interested in the sports of your country, and how they’re played. He may even want to play one of the games you may have played as a kid

DRAMA CLUB

Bill

Probably says something insensitive

“Wow...You look kinda weird. I guess Legoshi’s not the weirdo anymore”

Even so, if you’re part of drama club, Bill’s going to look out for you

Bill teases you, but he fully expects you to tease him  back

Sometimes you gotta beat respect into the guy. He’ll get nicer over time

Louis

Doesn’t care either way

He just wants the play to go off without a hitch. 

If you join the drama club, he’s going to push you just as hard as everyone else. 

He may even come off as more harsh, to try and get you up to parr

Riz

Is a little confused when he meets you

How can you drink blood and not go crazy?

While he acts nice he’s actually jealous of your ability to keep yourself composed despite your diet

Els

She plays the buffer between you and Bill, and is sort of the voice of reason

Els keeps by your side, and supports you

You may be strange, but she’s here for it. She thinks you’re interesting, and wants to know everything about you. 

Sheila

Sheila is a fashionable lady, and is a good dancer. 

She probably becomes the ‘mom friend’ for you

She helps you with dancing, and shopping (even if you guys mainly wear uniforms)

Introduces you to Peach

Dom

Immediately becomes a fast friend

Dom loves your look, and probably makes your costume himself

He loves chatting with you, and he’s very welcoming and warm

He’s very interested in the fashion of your home country

[faraway-wanderer]

BOOKS BY ASIAN AUTHORS MASTERLIST #stopasianhate

In light of recent events and the growing anti- Asian hate in the US and UK over the course of the pandemic I wanted to put together a masterlist of books by Asian authors. Obviously, it’s not extensive and there are HUNDREDS out there, but supporting art by Asian creators is a way of showing support; read their stories, educate ourselves. It goes without saying that we should all be putting effort into reading stories of POC and by POC because even through fiction we’re learning about different cultures, countries and heritages. So here’s some books to start with by Asian authors!

Here is a link also for resources to educate and petitions to sign (especially if you don’t read haha). It’s important that we educate ourselves and uplift Asian voices right now. Your anti-racism has to include every minority that faces it.

https://anti-asianviolenceresources.carrd.co/

for UK peeps, this is a good read: We may not hear about the anti Asian racism happening here, but it is definitely happening. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a35692226/its-time-we-stopped-downplaying-the-uks-anti-asian-racism/

 THE BOOKS:

·         War Cross- Marie Lu ( the worldbuilding in this is IMMENSE.)

For the millions who log in every day, Warcross isn’t just a game—it’s a way of life. The obsession started ten years ago and its fan base now spans the globe, some eager to escape from reality and others hoping to make a profit. 

·         Star Daughter- Shveta Thakrar

A beautiful story about a girl who is half human and half star, and she must go to the celestial court to try to save her father after he has fallen ill. And before she knows it, she is taking part in a magical competition that she must win!

·         These Violent Delights- Chloe Gong (I told my little sister to read this book yesterday bc she has a thing for a Leo as Romeo- so if you want deadly good looking Romeos, badass Juliet’s and to learn about 1920s Shanghai- this is for you.)

The year is 1926, and Shanghai hums to the tune of debauchery. A blood feud between two gangs runs the streets red, leaving the city helpless in the grip of chaos. A Romeo and Juliet retelling.

·         The Poppy War- R.F Kuang (My fave fantasy series just fyi- it’s soul crushing in the best way. Rebecca Kuang is a god of an author).

A brilliantly imaginative talent makes her exciting debut with this epic historical military fantasy, inspired by the bloody history of China’s twentieth century and filled with treachery and magic, in the tradition of Ken Liu’s Grace of Kings and N.K. Jemisin’s Inheritance Trilogy.

·         Loveboat Taipei-  Abigail Hing Wen  (Really heartwarming and insightful!)

When eighteen-year-old Ever Wong’s parents send her from Ohio to Taiwan to study Mandarin for the summer, she finds herself thrust among the very over-achieving kids her parents have always wanted her to be, including Rick Woo, the Yale-bound prodigy profiled in the Chinese newspapers since they were nine—and her parents’ yardstick for her never-measuring-up life.

·         Sorcerer to the Crown- Zen Cho (if anyone is looking for another Howl’s Moving Castle, look no further than this book)

At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.

·         Emergency Contact- Mary H.K. Choi (very wholesome and fun rom-com!)

For Penny Lee high school was a total nonevent. When she heads to college in Austin, Texas, to learn how to become a writer, it’s seventy-nine miles and a zillion light years away from everything she can’t wait to leave behind.

 ·         Jade City- Fonda Lee (I am reading this currently and can I just say- I think everyone who loves fantasy and blood feuds in a story should read this.)

JADE CITY is a gripping Godfather-esque saga of intergenerational blood feuds, vicious politics, magic, and kungfu. The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities.

 ·         A Pho Love Story- Loan Le

When Dimple Met Rishi meets Ugly Delicious in this funny, smart romantic comedy, in which two Vietnamese-American teens fall in love and must navigate their newfound relationship amid their families’ age-old feud about their competing, neighbouring restaurants.

·         Rebelwing- Andrea Tang

Business is booming for Prudence Wu. A black-market-media smuggler and scholarship student at the prestigious New Columbia Preparatory Academy, Pru is lucky to live in the Barricade Coalition where she is free to study, read, watch, and listen to whatever she wants.

·         Wings of the Locust- Joel Donato Ching Jacob

Tuan escapes his mundane and mediocre existence when he is apprenticed to Muhen, a charming barangay wiseman. But, as he delves deeper into the craft of a mambabarang and its applications in espionage, sabotage and assassination, the young apprentice is overcome by conflicting emotions that cause him to question his new life.

 ·         The Travelling Cat Chronicles- Hiro Arikawa

Sometimes you have to leave behind everything you know to find the place you truly belong...

Nana the cat is on a road trip. He is not sure where he's going or why, but it means that he gets to sit in the front seat of a silver van with his beloved owner, Satoru. 

 ·         Super Fake Love Song- David Yoon

From the bestselling author of Frankly in Love comes a contemporary YA rom-com where a case of mistaken identity kicks off a string of (fake) events that just may lead to (real) love.

  ·         Parachutes- Kelly Yang

Speak enters the world of Gossip Girl in this modern immigrant story from New York Times bestselling author Kelly Yang about two girls navigating wealth, power, friendship, and trauma.

·         The Grace of Kings- Ken Liu ( One of the Time 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time!)

Two men rebel together against tyranny—and then become rivals—in this first sweeping book of an epic fantasy series from Ken Liu, recipient of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy awards.

·         Wicked Fox- Kat Cho

A fresh and addictive fantasy-romance set in modern-day Seoul.

 ·         Descendant of the Crane- Joan He

In this shimmering Chinese-inspired fantasy, debut author Joan He introduces a determined and vulnerable young heroine struggling to do right in a world brimming with deception.

 ·         Pachinko- Min Jin Lee

Richly told and profoundly moving, Pachinko is a story of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty. From bustling street markets to the halls of Japan's finest universities to the pachinko parlors of the criminal underworld, Lee's complex and passionate characters--strong, stubborn women, devoted sisters and sons, fathers shaken by moral crisis--survive and thrive against the indifferent arc of history.

·         America is in the Heart- Carlos Bulosan

First published in 1946, this autobiography of the well known Filipino poet describes his boyhood in the Philippines, his voyage to America, and his years of hardship and despair as an itinerant laborer following the harvest trail in the rural West.

 ·         Days of Distraction- Alexandra Chang

A wry, tender portrait of a young woman — finally free to decide her own path, but unsure if she knows herself well enough to choose wisely—from a captivating new literary voice.

·         The Astonishing Colour of After Emily X.R Pan

Alternating between real and magic, past and present, friendship and romance, hope and despair, The Astonishing Color of After is a novel about finding oneself through family history, art, grief, and love. 

·         The Gilded Wolves- Roshani Chokshi

It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

·         When Dimple met Rishi- Sandhya Menon

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

·         On Earth we’re briefly Gorgeous- Ocean Vuong

Poet Ocean Vuong's debut novel is a shattering portrait of a family, a first love, and the redemptive power of storytelling.

·         Fierce Fairytales- Nikita Gill

Complete with beautifully hand-drawn illustrations by Gill herself, Fierce Fairytales is an empowering collection of poems and stories for a new generation.

 BOOKS BEING RELEASED LATER THIS YEAR TO PREORDER:

·         Counting down with you- Tashie Bhuiyan- 4th May

A reserved Bangladeshi teenager has twenty-eight days to make the biggest decision of her life after agreeing to fake date her school’s resident bad boy.

How do you make one month last a lifetime?

·         Gearbreakers- Zoe Hana Mikuta- June 29th

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose--and falling for each other--in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu's Legend series

·         XOXO- Axie Oh- 13th July

When a relationship means throwing Jenny’s life off the path she’s spent years mapping out, she’ll have to decide once and for all just how much she’s willing to risk for love.

·         She who became the sun- Shelley Parker-Chan- 20th July

Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan's She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

·         Jade Fire Gold- June C.L Tan- October 12th

Two girls on opposite sides of a war discover they're fighting for a common purpose--and falling for each other--in Zoe Hana Mikuta's high-octane debut Gearbreakers, perfect for fans of Pacific Rim, Pierce Brown's Red Rising Saga, and Marie Lu's Legend series

  Keep sharing, signing petitions and donating where you can. The more people who are actively anti-racist, the better. And if your anti-racism doesn’t include the Asian community then go and educate yourself! BLM wasn’t a trend and neither is this. We have to stand up against white supremacy, and racism and stereotypes and we have to support the communities that need our support. Part of that can include cultivating your reading so you’re reading more diversely and challenging any stereotypes western society may have given you.

 Feel free to reblog and add any more recommendations and resources of course!