#like... this goes for everyone in hq really but there's a balance!!!!

[monstrsball]

i think people forget that suga is like... kind. he's a kind person. if your suga isn't kind it's not suga.

[minquiec]

Some lore stuffs + how her story ends

This is kinda all over the place bc I don't have a coherent idea but I just need to write it all down before I forget

How Jia was bit was on a hot ass day and she basically fell asleep on a spider and gained powers unknowingly

Doesn't find out for maybe a week

Has a weird dream one night where she basically meets a deity in her dream and the exchange was literally like

"You, Jialin Chen, now bear the powers to protect this la-"

"Uhm yea no thanks, pass 😬"

"WHAT?"

And then a comedic exchange occurs between mortal and god haha! Until the deity was like ENOUGH this is your DESTINY you will bear it whether you like it or NOT 👹 so Jia's kinda like alright fine damn 🙄 but obviously we all know how she really feels abt the whole situation (she hates it bc of issues) but anyways

The reason why it took a whole week is cause uhmmm plot hole lelel or smth the deity can't actually interfere directly with the world

EITHER WAY this is basically spoilers for endgame but it's not like I'll ever make a coherent plot bc I'm too lazy and dum but basically

The deity of Jia's universe is border on obsessive with creating a story line and destiny and heroes and stuff like that and ofc it has to be perfect (bc ofc it has to be, totally not cliche or anything)

Anyways this obsession makes them interfere TOO much with Jia's universe because if the deity was never this obsessed

Jia probably would've gotten over her issues (bc she's meets someone to help her copeeee 😋😋 cougjocughcgpuccough)

But bc the deity is an unreasonable shithead, they're literally the root of every problem:

They're responsible for Jia's split soul because of how abrupt her duties were suddenly forced on her

Bc of the split soul problem, it nearly upsets the world balance that could've been very bad for the universe! (the day she had lost the plot and had a existential crisis breakdown I think I posted it here but basically on that day she was flickering between both before Lin took control)

-> the logic is rlly,,, idk nonsensical for this bc what I thought as world making is that you can't have two souls in control at once and it goes again natural laws so it nearly ficked up her world cause it AINT SUPOSE TO HAPPEN ITS NEVA SUPOSE TO HAPPENNN but moving on

So then Lin switches in place of Jia and the world balance is briefly restored YAYY 🎉 everything is fine‼️

❌ WRONG ❌

Cause now Lin went and 'broke up' (idk it wasn't rlly a break up bc she never said 'lets break up' but she kinda did go 'we aren't meant for each other 🖕' and dipped) with hb so NOW HES GOING THRU IT and the rest of her friends back at spider society are like ???? What the??? Fuck???

Lin does manage to spend a few days or more at the hq cause technically she is still Jia but just

Different

But everyone's kinda weirded out cause she's Serious™ now and even Miguel's kinda like wattafack 🧍 plus the fact she has long white hair that spawned out of nowhere so they kinda piece some form of logic together that she's a different Jia

Anyways some time passes and one day an especially big anomaly is warned abt in Jia's (still Lin) universe which is bizarre cause they're not usually this big but it's all because of that STOOPID FUKASS deity GOING AROUND FUKIN THINGS UP and somehow created this ridiculously bad threat as a 'enemy' for the 'hero of their story' to defeat

The biggest problem with the anomaly is that while it doesn't really like, belong in Jia's universe, it doesn't belong in any OTHER universe either BECAUSE THAT DEITY BOUGHT IT UP OUTTA NOWHERE BC THEYRE PSYCHO I need to stop hating on characters that I literally made anyways

So HQ can't exactly deal with it like they usually do but they can try to offer assistance at least

Obviously for obvious (cliche) reasons CERTAIN PEOPLE are gonna be there cause yknow they still care abt Jia even tho she's changed (to Lin momentarily)

Battle occurs blah blah I'm not good with action scenes and things are looking a littttlee bleak for Lin and Co and all the sudden Lin receives a bad injury that nearly knocks her unconscious but thru her ringing ears and muted background noise she hears SOMEBODDYYY CALLING HER NAAMMEEE (god I really wonder who)

Because her state of unclarity from the Blunt Force Head Trauma makes things a little weird, the fine line between Jia and Lin also becomes a little muddled and the Jia that's been hiding behind Lin can hear his voice and it quite literally brings her out of that dark room in her mind to control again so TLDR Jia is back again instead of Lin

Reunion happens for maybe 3 minutes tops before shit hits the fan again and suddenly the deity has teared through time space fabric out of anger to speak directly to them mortal little earthlings on the ground because they're a little bitch

All because they thought Lin was the true protagonist they've been searching for all along and now 'that insolent fool' (hobie) has ruined everything (he does no wrong)'

But suddenly because the deity is in direct contact with the mortal world, they're like wait 🤨 you're not from this universe and sees other things also not from this universe and goes on a tangent about how they don't need to rebuild a 'story' anymore and can just find another 'story' to pilot (TLDR AGAIN: local deity discovers universe theft and wants to ditch this universe cause Jia's spiderman story wasn't perfect and now wants to find another universe to force to become their 'perfect story')

Obviously spider people are like 😨😨😨 UHMMM NO TF UR NOTTT so they start retreating (as they should tbh) and Jia's like helping to round up people to gtfo of her universe before some batshit deity absorbs them or smth

Atp bits of her universe is already crumbling and disintegrating because the deity is already trashing it because it's worthless and imperfect now (ngl me when art 😭😭)

So now it's the last of the people to go back thru the portals and its Jia and Hb :)) (y'all should know what's coming next)

Truthfully, Jia wants to so so badly go thru the portal to stay with the rest of them but she knows that there was the possibility of her connection with the deity of her world and her as a creation from the said deity

So she says goodbyes

Pushes him thru

And throws in her watch before it closes properly so the FUCK ASS DEITY CANT GET ANY KIND OF CONNECTION TO THE MULTIVERSE

And thus it concludes her coming of age plot because she found the proper courage to do what was right in all senses and came to terms with her spider girl identity

Even though she had so much she wanted to do with the rest of them was what she had thought while the thread of her universe on the multiverse crumbled into nothingness

ANYWAYS THE REAL CONCLUSION IS THE DEITY IS THE REAL ANOMALY THEIR OBSESSION DROVE THEM INTO AN ANOMALY AND INTERFERING WITH THE LIVING WORLD but thats kinda what happens when you've been living for centuries, you kinda go a little nuts

Anyways thanks for this long and incredibly messy read, don't kill me ✌️ peaces

[hijinks-n-lowjinks]

🫐🍏🍌🥭 Take this fruit salad <3

🫐 What’s your favorite underrated thing in your fandom? (A ship that only you seem to write for, a character there’s almost no fics about, a trope that criminally hasn’t been written yet, etc.)

For jjk it's that we all sort of collectively agreed that chosoyuki would be a great relationship lol. We barely got to see them but everyone just sort of was like "yeah they would work" lol. They had, what, six chapters together? We all seemed to be on the same page that their personalities would be fun and balance the other out and also be really hot ksmdfkmsfk

Something I especially appreciate about the haikyuu fandom though is the sheer magnitude of phenomenal fics out there. Hq is easily has the highest quality fanfiction out of any fandom I've ever been in, it's startling. Sorting by hits on ao3 for that fandom is actually pretty decent and will suggest genuinely amazing fics for the most part. If you're looking for high quality fanfiction in fucking ENORMOUS amounts, get into haikyuu.

🍏 Is there something you overuse, whether it’s a certain phrase, trope, or piece of punctuation?

Oof, honestly you could probably answer this better than I could lol. I tend to go ham with commas (putting them in the right spot is a different manner), but I don't know if there are particular phrases I use other than the basic dialogue descriptions. A trope I always use though is a slow burn (at least in my long form writing lol)! I make readers wait FOREVER for physical intimacy/affection.

🍌 In your opinion, what’s the funniest joke/reference/pun you’ve made in a fic?

Ooooooooo this is a hard one. A scene that made me giggle a ton while writing was in yakm where Oikawa sees Iwaizumi working on cars for the first time and is forced to deal with his gay awakening head on. And any scene with Gojo in aibtntfi lol, he's so fun to write.

🥭 Rank from most enjoyable/fun to write to least: Fluff, Smut, Angst, Crack.

Depends on the day, but generally it goes fluff, angst, crack, smut. Fluff and angst can be pretty interchangeable, but I tend to enjoy writing the fluffier stuff a bit more. Crack can be fun but I'm generally a pretty canon compliant kind of gal and don't write much self indulgent stuff. And writing smut usually doesn't appeal to me, but sometimes it's an itch I need to scratch.

[secondhand-trash]

Haikyuu boyfriends and how well they do as your personal photographer

Bless their souls but it amazes you how they manage to look at the screen and think “yeah that’s seems alright ”

Ushijima — he genuinely thinks you look good in every pic and that’s sweet but that’s exactly where the issue is. The way he takes a pic from a angle that looks like your legs were cut in half length wise and your eyes were like a dead fish but still thinks you look gorgeous stunning beautiful meant you would not get a pretty picture from the regular public’s standard anytime sooner.

Kageyama — his idea of what “help me take a picture” means is way more simple than what you had meant for it to be. You stand there, he presses the button, that should be it. He doesn’t get why people spend so much time looking for angles, or fixing exposures. It’s a picture????? It goes “click” and that’s it right??? He spends no time looking for a nice angle or even wait for you to pose, resulting in a lot of pics that are out of focused😌

Iwaizumi — he is an “awkwardly flex and puff his chest out while locking his jaw” type of guy himself, he tries but he really has no idea what is flattering and what is not. The grid references confuses him and he gets even more tensed when you try to give him instructions. Somehow always manages to take the picture when you’re blinking or making some sort of weird faces because you felt something on your face.

Not a natural, but they’ll go the extra mile just so you can have your pretty pics for insta

Nishinoya — he goes the extreme for your pics. If you ask him to crouch down to get your best angle, you bet he is gonna get so low on the ground until his arms are near touching the concrete just to give you that long✨leg✨effect✨. If you are an awkward poser or felt uncomfortable when you pose, he’s gonna go out of his way to run around behind to camera to catch your attention so you can have the most natural posture and the best smile.

Tanaka — he belonged to the last category when he was just starting out but then he sees the way you just didn’t post because you thought you didn’t look nice in any of the pics and he was just like “nah fuck that I’m gonna get good at this for your feed”. Follows so many of those “photo hacks”/“posing tips” accounts just so he can help you take nicer pics, now he’s a pro👏🏼

Bokuto — he has no idea what the hell he’s sounds and what he’s supposed to do but he has hella patience when it comes to doing things for you. As long as you look like you’re enjoying yourself and he seems like he’s doing good, he’s all game for taking 1528126826 pictures of you in the same spot with the same pose just to get that (1) perfect picture.

Mediocre photographer, editing KING

Suna — he gets very familiar with the photoshop settings from trying to make memes and stickers packs to clown the twins. The absolute GOD in terms of helping you remove people that got into your frame and making it look seamless. Probably has vsco and those camera apps that tries to make your pics look like they are taken with Polaroids on his phone.

Miya (Atsumu) — he learnt his lesson the hard way after getting clowned by his brother (and later vball teammates) for having wiggly bricks and crooked fences at the back of his pics because he tried to make his waist look smaller and legs longer🥲if you took a pic where you look really hot but “wow my hair doesn’t look fluffy enough” he can probably give you a free perm just by using facetune.

Kozume — he just... he just knows what he’s doing. He has very little patience during the photo taking process, but if you told him there’s a pic you like but you didn’t like this or that he would silently fix all those things and send it back to your without you even asking him to.

Today’s mvp, you should pay them just for how nice your feed got

Oikawa — he seems like the annoying type when he’s the one asking people to take his pics so in returns, he also knows what to do to get the best outcome. He knows all the tricks, all the hacks, the best pose that goes best according to what you want people to pay attention to. He probably has his pick of Instagram filters, one of them is probably that one with the sparkly effect. (But it comes with a cost because the amount of effort he put in for you, he expects you to do the same for him😌)

Akaashi — he just seems like he knows his shit LMAO he probably won’t make you look like an Instagram model but you’re gonna get very aesthetic artsy pics. Super good at finding hidden locations in places where everyone is crowding around that (1) visually pleasing spot and you couldn’t get pictures there without a seat of people at the back. He makes you look like a French art film star and I just think that sounds pretty nice😌

Yachi — not an hq boyfriend, she’s an hq girlfriend BUT THIS GIRL KNOWS WHAT SHES DOING. She works with graphic design right so she knows what proportions and what props to use to get the most balanced structure. She’s gonna make you your own magazine cover if you ask her to. She has a lot of experience with trying to make herself look taller in pics so if that’s what you want, she can make your legs look at least a good several inches longer 😌

[tendousthoughts]

You’re getting so popular now. Don’t forget me when you become famous

ANYWAY I will say you have great taste in anime

And also

To make a request: how would some of the setters react to their s/o pranking them by saying “I’m glad I didn’t break up with you that one time”

I saw it on teesumu’s page and thought it was hilarious

Have a wonderful day!

- 🍍 anon

HQ boys reacting to “I’m glad I didn’t break up with you that one time”

Character(s): Atsumu & Kenma

Warning(s): Cursing

Song of the day: Bubble Gum by Clairo

A/N to ask writer: I won’t! You’re my first ever anon so I don’t think I could ever lmao. You’re amazing and the main reason I came back! Ngl I was like having major writers block but to see you coming back to my account made me so fucking happy. >~< You didn’t hear that! Ah, thank you! Anime is so good lmao- I chose Atsumu and Kenma. If you want I can do a part two for Akaashi and someone else- (Aghh I can’t remember if you had any other setters in your top 5 at the moment)

A/N: So here I go- I passed 150 followers and I’m close to 200! Thank you all so much. Part three to my series will be out soon so stay tuned! [Disclaimer: all credit goes to @/teesumu for the idea, I haven’t read theirs yet! I hope I did this right but again! I didn’t come up with this thanks to my amazing anon, I know @/teesumu did!]

All my works

Got a request? Or do you wanna be a anon? Or just wanna talk?

Atsumu

You had been on your phone a bit when you came across a dare video. So maybe it wasn’t the smartest idea. But what harm could it do? Hm? You stood up stretching. “Babyyyyy!” You called out. Your stomach growling. “Tsumu!” You called out again.

“Coming babe!” He called from the room over, soon getting to you. “What ya want cutie?” He chuckles a bit. That stupid grin on his face, as he leaned his body on the door frame.

“I’m hungry!” Your stomach growled again as he walked up and held you. God his arms were almost too perfect. If that was even a thing.

“Ah okay what does ma Angel want to eat then..?” He asked. He was nowhere near as good a cook as Osamu. Both of you knew it but he liked to deny it. He didn’t like to say Osamu was better than him at anything. Though he was.

“I wanna get a burger please..” you muttered. Your is voice soft. It had been awhile since you felt comfortable enough in your own skin. After all that had happened before you had been put in a terrible mindset.

“Mhm. Anything for ma angel,” he laid a kiss on your soft lips. Before pulling off smiling. “Let’s get a good juicy burger. With fries! I want a soda too,” He smiled, already walking to grab his keys from the drawer.

“Sounds good.” You laughed softly. It was great how quickly Atsumu reacted to knowing what you wanted. Already grabbing the keys and such.

After a few minutes you guys were already in the car. You look to the floor thinking before shaking your head. Atsumu looked over a bit confused but just gently hummed. “Ya okay baby..?” He whispered softly.

“Mhm.. I’ve just been thinking and.. I’m glad I didn’t break up with you that one time.” A small smile on your face to see his reaction. But he is already looking back at the road.

“Ah I see.. I’m glad that I didn’t either,” He chuckles softly.

What? What does he mean ‘I didn’t either’? Did he actually regret it all at some point..?

You just shook your head softly, pulling your knees to your chest slightly. So maybe you did something to him, to make him think that way. By the time you got to the place you were lost in a prison of your own thoughts. Just wanting an answer.

It took him a moment to notice you weren’t answering him when he parked. He gently kissed your head. “Baby ya okay..?” He whispered softly. He hadn’t been serious. It was just a way to fight that nasty feeling inside him. That feeling of not being perfect. So maybe if he pretended not to be with you either at some point it would balance it out.

It didn’t, it clearly didn’t. Now you were at the part back to how you looked. Fuck. It wasn’t just the way you looked. It was your voice. It was fucking everything that made you insecure.

You finally looked up. Trying to not let you stupid tears fall. “I’m sorry..” you muttered softly. It wasn’t what you wanted to ever hear. But you almost felt like you needed to apologize for not being enough.

“What?” He looked confused. Underly confused. He really didn’t think about the outcome. Because now you’re crying, even though you’re trying so desperately to hide it.

It took only a brief second for him to have his arms wrapped around you again. “I am sorry for ever making you regret being with me..” you muttered trying to stop the tears from falling. “It was supposed to be a prank and.. and..” you couldn’t breathe. At least that’s what it felt like. Your heart was pounding hard as you closed your eyes.

It took him a moment to get what you were saying. “Angel..” he mumbled, holding you closer even though you tried to move away. He felt terrible. “Hey.. I didn’t mean it too.. I just.. I thought.. I thought it might make me feel better. I didn’t want it to hurt ya.” he whispered softly, holding you to his chest. You knew he didn’t have any ill intentions. He wasn’t like that. He never was like that, and maybe that’s why you loved him so much.

“It’s okay..” he knew you were hurt but didn’t want to press you.

“I love you ma angel..” he muttered softly. It took some time but soon after you felt comfortable enough and both of you got out of the car. You and him were a pair. Forever. He was your soulmate and you were his.

Kenma

He is a professional gamer now. Times were rough sometimes. It was common for you two to go hours without talking, almost forgetting about each other’s existence. But you loved that. You both had busy lives and when you did spend time together it had hours of talking about that day. You guys had a ‘weird’ relationship that no one else would understand. But it was perfect for you two.

It had been about an hour when you decided to do the prank. When you saw it, it kind of flooded all of your thoughts. The only problem is that you were worried about his reaction. The relationship had problems when it started, which you thought you both worked to fix. It just worried you that it might start up again.

You walked to the door and knocked. You bit your lip, opening the door when you heard you could. “Hey kitten..” he mumbled softly, his voice raspy from lack of sleep, you guessed. He turned towards you, and opened his arms for you.

“Hey love..” you crawl on his lap and hugged him. His chest touched yours as he held you.

“Everything okay..?” he asked softly. His hand gently rubbed circles on your back as he held you close. His hand was warm and soft. You felt so safe and second guessed your decision on doing the prank.

“Mhm.. just glad I didn’t break up with you that one time..” you muttered into his chest. Almost immediately the air felt like it had thickened.

He had slowed a bit. “Huh..?” He slopped a moment later, confused. It wasn’t something you would say normally.

“I was just thinking about how I’m glad I didn’t break up with you..” you muttered softly. Now regretting your decision.

He heard you loud and clear the first time. Though he wishes he didn’t. He bit his lip and shook his head. “Me too..” he muttered softly “I’m glad you didn’t..” His voice cracked softly. His arms tightened around you subconsciously.

“Babe..?” You looked up at him. It was like him to hide his feelings. You knew that. He knew that. Everyone knew that. Kenma wasn’t social. He never was and he probably will never be. You were worried. Of course you were. You loved him. You really loved him.

“Mhm?” He wasn’t looking at you anymore. His eyes pinned on his desk. It was a tactic of his, if he didn’t look at you maybe it would make it less awkward. It didn’t.

“Are you okay..?” You asked softly. You knew he wasn’t. You knew he was overthinking again. He always did. God fucking damnit. You shouldn’t have done this fucking dumb prank. He won’t even look at you at this point. You know you screwed up.

“I’m fine.” He blurted out. His responses were short and to the point. Which made you more worried.

“I’m joking baby.. I didn’t mean to worry you. It was supposed to be a prank okay? I love you so much. I never have and never will stop loving you..” you muttered softly.

A long much needed sigh of relief was heard, and then warm arms wrapped around you. “Thank fucking god.” It took him a moment to continue talking. “I don‘t know how I would react if you didn’t tell me it was a prank.. I would probably cry later or something.” he whispered.

It took a moment to take in the weight of the words. Not only had he told you how he felt, which was rare by itself. But he told you that he was going to cry. It might have been one of the only moments where you came to the realization of how much he loves you. Of course there was the occasional I love you’s and stuff but that just felt.. forced or something at times. So to hear that made you feel special.. or maybe a warm feeling inside to know everything was perfect right where it was.

“I’m sorry baby..” you whispered softly as your eyes met again. God, everything about you was.. perfect. Too perfect. Like you were a god sent from above and he was just some random person. You loved each other and that’s all that ever would matter.

“It’s okay..“ His eyes pinned on yours, as his grip was tight. “I love you, y/n..” he mumbled softly.

“I love you too.” You smiled a bit. It was everything you have ever needed. Him. The way he said your name just gave you butterflies. This was perfect. It wasn’t a bad idea in the end. It worked out perfectly.. and you were so glad.

Follows and likes are appreciated! Please reblog if you enjoyed it so more people can find my work! Thank you all for your support! Stay safe, and have a good rest of your day!

[atsuminthe]

I'm up in the middle of the night thinking of thirsts and now I wanna make it your problem too 😤 Also the below is VERY NSFW cause I'm a FUCKING degenerate.

I've been brainstorming about things to write for Kinktober after I finish my current WIP (it's a JJK fic if you're interested 👀) and I really want to do something with exhibitionism and/or voyeurism and I can't get the thought of one of the HQ accidentally catching Reader masturbating. (I'll be using female pronouns for Reader)

Well, it starts off accidental. Like, let's say you two are mutual friends and mesh within the same friend group (I'm think Iwa for this one because of course, I love him, but it could be anyone!) and for the most part it's been pretty platonic. He has a small crush on you that you're unaware of but it's nothing too major and he thinks it'll pass, even if the others occasionally tease him about it.

And I like to imagine the lot of you plus some other friends - like a big, diverse group - decide to take a short vacation and pool some money together to rent a place since it'll be cheaper than booking a hotel stay. And let's be generous and assume you get your own room 😌 Yeah we're rich. Anyway-

Like in the middle of the night, maybe he has to use the bathroom or grab a drink but he hears something that almost sounds like a groan come from your room? His tired brain doesn't register that he should mind his own business but instead thinks you're in pain and he wants to make sure you're okay. The door is already ajar and when he goes to knock the door nudges open a bit and he sees you in the middle of the bed and he kinda just stares.

Cause you're in the middle of the queen-sized bed with one leg up in the air while you're thrusting a dildo in and out of your cunt at quick, steady speed. Thank god you don't see - or notice, you seem pretty distracted - him otherwise he might combust.

And immediately he wants to back away and pretend like he never saw anything, maybe rub one out real quick, and try to look you in the eye tomorrow.

But at the same time, like...you sounds so wet. He can hear the wet sounds of you fucking yourself from where he is and the soft moans and whimpers coming from your lips, and oh god you're talking dirty to yourself ("Please, Daddy," and "Gimme it," and "Keep going,") and to him that's so fucking hot.

So he just...watches. He licks his lips because the idea of you even bringing that with you spurs so many ideas in his mind and shakes what he thought he knew about you to his core. It wasn't like he didn't think you had sex or desires or anything like that but you seemed so...balanced? Put together? You had a good head on your shoulders and were an absolute sweetheart - it's what he likes most about you - and while it wasn't like he's never thought of you sexually before, but you seemed like the kind of person that's pretty vanilla in bed. He can see that he's mistaken.

He hears you twitch and moan and he feels like an awful pervert when he can feel how painfully hard he is when you cum, how messy and wet you sound as you bury your face in the covers to muffle yourself, and he stops to gather himself so he can creep back to bed without drawing attention to himself and jerk off.

And he...almost does. He's a couple of steps away while you're gathering yourself when he hears you whimper again. And shortly afterwards, a faint buzzing.

He stops. You're...going again? Really? Already? But he's already about to leave...this is an invasion of your privacy and he's a pervert and he should feel horrible for this but-

He stays behind to watch, this time with his cock out.

And the day afterwards he feels like the scum of the earth when he sees you so bright and cheery when you tell everyone you slept like a baby - and he thinks 'Yeah, after masturbating three times in a row-'

He tries to be normal throughout the day when one of your friends tells you about how stressed she's been and how she doesn't understand how well you're able to handle it and to share your secret. He sinks down in his chair and he tries not to get hard while you give some general advice, but then throw in, "Although sometimes I need...alternative methods to relax, y'know?"

And then you sharply call his name. And when he looks at you his blood goes cold. Because normally you're sweet, kind and generous and give whatever advice you can, so why are you looking at him like the cat that ate the canary-

"You'd know all about that, though, right? How do you relieve stress?"

You're smirk is sly - when did you look so predatory? - and he can't breathe because oh.

You knew.

(Also if this is too much for a thirst I totally apologize! I don't want to make you uncomfortable! 😫)

HOLY SHIT LILY THIS WAS GORGEOUS i loved every second of it. this was all just chef’s kiss mhm mhm now i’ll think about this all day <3

this is definitely akaashi, MEIAN, bokuto, the miya twins, tbh i can see sakusa here too, hoshiumi, THE SEIJOH FOUR (yes all of them) and kuroo

[jawabear]

Marcus Moreno NSFW Alphabet

Not my GIF

A/N: You know I had to write one for this boy. It would be wrong not too. As with the others, these are just my interpretations of his character and may differ to yours, but please be respectful of others’ views. Hope you enjoy. Sorry for any mistakes. Stay safe.

Genre: smut

Warnings: fem!hero!reader, mentions of sex, but nothing explicitly described, Pedro Pascal comes with his own warning

Summary: An A-Z of Marcus Moreno’s bedroom antics...

A = Aftercare (What they’re like after sex)

Marcus is such a kind man. He’ll make sure you’re okay. And he’ll make sure you don’t need anything before pulling you into his arms if you’re in bed. If you’re else were, he’ll still make sure you’re alright, making you look perfect before you get to where ever you’re meant to be.

B = Body part (Their favorite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

On you, he finds your neck irresistible. Other than your lips, it’s his favourite thing to kiss. He loves to mark it with bites that show everyone you belong to him. He loves to bury his face into your neck while he fucks you, he loves the way your fingers feel in his hair when he does.

On him, he’s rather fond of his arms and his tights (so am I). Mainly because he likes it when you grip his arms when he fucks you, and he loves when you ride his thighs. It’s one of his favourite things, and you always seem to enjoy yourself when you make yourself come on his thighs.

C = Cum (Anything to do with cum basically… I’m a disgusting person)

He loves to come on you. Over your breasts, your stomach...

And he loves to come in your mouth, he loves to see you swallow his come.

D = Dirty Secret (Pretty self-explanatory, a dirty secret of theirs)

Before you two got together, and after his wife died, he would find him self in need of release. And being one of Heroics as well, there were many clips of you online doing awesome super hero things. He loved watching those. He loved watching the way you moved. The way your muscles flexed. The way you beat up the bad guys so effortlessly. And it was so sexy. He’d watch them in the dead of night while getting himself off. But he doesn’t know if he should ever tell you, because it is a little weird.

E = Experience (How experienced are they? Do they know what they’re doing?)

I mean, he’s got a kid. Clearly he knows what he’s doing.

He certainly does know what he’s doing. He knows where exactly to touch you to make you feel good before you even know.

F = Favourite Position (This goes without saying. Will probably include a visual)

He’s a big fan of the classic missionary because he can see your face and kiss you as well as being able to hold your hands which is a big thing that he likes to do.

He also loves when you are on top. Riding him, facing him or not or riding his thighs. He also loves 69......

G = Goofy (Are they more serious in the moment, or are they humorous, etc)

He can be more funny then serious depending on his mood and the circumstances for the sex. He likes to enjoy it and wants to make sure you are enjoying it as well so if he needs to make you laugh he will. But he is mostly serious when it comes to sex.

H = Hair (How well groomed are they, does the carpet match the drapes, etc.)

He’s pretty neat down there. It seems he takes more care of his hair down there than he does on his face or his head.

I = Intimacy (How are they during the moment, romantic aspect…)

Marcus is a very romantic person. He wants to make sure you are happy. He wants to make sure you know how much he loves and worships you. So he will do whatever he can to put those points across to you as he makes love to you. This would usually be by kissing you for an extended amount of time or just simply telling you how much he loves and adores you.

J = Jack Off (Masturbation headcanon)

As stated before, in the time he was on his own, he would jack off quite a lot at night or in the shower (mostly to the thought of you). But now, less so. He’ll still do it on the odd occasion, say if your out on hero business, but you’re usually there to help him out if he needs it.

K = Kink (One or more of their kinks)

He wants to be your hero. So he’s a big fan of role play. He loves when you decided to put yourself “in danger” for him to have to come and rescue you. Or you acting as someone who is evil and he has to stop you...and punish you.

And he has a slight weapons kink. He would never hurt you with the blade but something about seeing you with his katanas and nothing else drives him mad.

And I’m not saying he has a daddy kink, but I wouldn’t put it past him....

L = Location (Favourite places to do the do)

Bedroom. Or the shower. He doesn’t really have a preference between the two. But he’ll go anywhere as long as you are comfortable and happy.

M = Motivation (What turns them on, gets them going)

A lot of things came get him going. The main ones being when you are in your hero uniform or when your fingers with lightly brush over any part of him.

But mostly the uniform. Definitely the uniform. Yours or his....

N = NO (Something they wouldn’t do, turn-offs)

As much as he loves the role play and the weapons, he’d never actually use it to draw blood or cause you any sort of discomfort.

And he wouldn’t want to have sex in a public setting where people could see. He’s not so much against say touching you under the table or what ever, but if it came down to him having to fuck you in front of someone he wouldn’t do it.

O = Oral (Preference in giving or receiving, skill, etc)

Marcus loves to be between your legs. He’ll eat you out at any given moment. He’s all about pleasing you. And he loves the way you squeak, moan and whimper as he eats you. As well as the way you grab at him to hold his head closer to you.

But he’s an absolute sucker for you sucking him off. As mentioned, he loves to watch you swallow his come. And he loves the feeling of your mouth and tongue on him. You can easily turn him into mush the second your tongue touches his dick.

P = Pace (Are they fast and rough? Slow and sensual? etc.)

He’s kind of in the middle. He can be both extremes (favouring slow and sensual) but he falls some where in between. He’s not exactly slow, but he’s not exactly fast. But somehow it’s the perfect balance that gives you the best orgasms of your life.

Q = Quickie (Their opinions on quickies rather than proper sex, how often, etc.)

He’s not too against them. Sometimes that’s what it will have to be, what with his job and Missy being around.

Sometimes it will have to be a quick fuck in the supply cupboard at HQ. Or a quick one in the kitchen before Missy comes down for breakfast.

But he much prefers to take his time with you.

R = Risk (Are they game to experiment, do they take risks, etc.)

He used to risk his life every day fighting the dangers of the world, and that mentality does transfer to the bedroom.

If you want to try something, he’ll do it. Unless it’s super dangerous or really really risky.

S = Stamina (How many rounds can they go for, how long do they last…)

He’s not a young as he used to be so he can’t go for that many rounds. In a row that is. If you spaced them out over the days he could got for quite a few. But in a row he’s good for about two.

T = Toy (Do they own toys? Do they use them? On a partner or themselves?)

He’s never really needed them so he’s never really owned any. But when you brought your trusty little purple vibrator to the party, he grew embarrassingly fond of it. He loves to watch you use it on yourself and he loves using it on you while he eats you out, making you scream. And he likes it when you use it on him, teasing him with it or taking him all the way.

U = Unfair (how much they like to tease)

He not necessarily a tease with actions, more with faces or words. He’ll constantly be whispering dirty things into your ear whenever he gets the chance and he’ll send you sexy looks or winks from across the room. He’s very good at getting you worked up with our having to touch you.

V = Volume (How loud they are, what sounds they make)

With Missy in the house, it’s very much hush hush. For multiple reasons that are pretty obvious. But when she’s gone, he doesn’t hold back. He lets out every sound he had to hold in. He’s not exactly loud, he just makes a lot of noises. But they’re amazing to listen too.

W = Wild Card (Get a random headcanon for the character of your choice)

Marcus does find it difficult to make the first move. Even when he does, when just charges at you or something, he will always backtrack or stop to ask you if you want it. You will always want him and you’ve told him that on many occasions but it doesn’t seem to stick in his head. He’s just too sweet to let the beast inside him run free for once.

X = X-Ray (Let’s see what’s going on in those pants, picture or words)

He’s pretty decent. He’s longer than he is thick but he’s perfect for you.

Y = Yearning (How high is their sex drive?)

To be fair, it’s not all that high. He has a lot on his plate and sex is usually quite far down the list. He’s so busy all the time that he barely even has time for sex. Which is kind of sad and annoying for both you and him, but most of the time you’re pretty busy as well.

Z = ZZZ (… how quickly they fall asleep afterward)

His mind never stops so he finds it difficult to sleep full stop. But sex always seems to relax him enough to make him feel comfortable in getting some sleep. But he is a very light sleeper. And he won’t fall asleep until he has checked you are okay and he’s given the house a once over to make sure everything was locked and everything was where it should be. He’ll take a quick peek into Missy’s room to make sure she is okay before he comes back to bed and eventually falls asleep with you wrapped in his arms.

28/12/20

Taglist: @linkpk88​

[shhhlikeme]

hello!! i really loved your hq writing and i think they were pretty spot on! do u mind writing abt a reader who’s basically a first year version of kiyoko (like everyone is attracted to her) and all the first years are just into her but come to find out she’s been dating yamaguchi all this time ? jealous yams maybe? sorry if it’s too specific🥺👉🏼👈🏼

Yamaguchi Tadashi x Really Sexy Yoga Instructor S/O

———————————

A/N: Thank you so much anon! You’re speaking my language with this request😍

It sounds a lot like the first ever request I got here, so this can be seen as a part two, or read as a stand alone. I hope you like it!!!

Not NSFW, but please only read if you’re over 18 y/o.

———————————

Yams, your beloved boyfriend of a few months will be the first to admit that he made a mistake volunteering you to help his volleyball team

About a month ago, Coach Ukai felt as though the team was way too pent up and ordered his players to indulge in some calming activities on one of the no-practice days with the goal of making the team less irritable

The coach found that Yoga would be a great solution

Coach Ukai had read that the benefits of Yoga include but are not limited to: increased flexibility, increased muscle strength and tone, improved respiration, more energy and vitality, maintenance of a balanced metabolism, improved athletic performance, protection from injury, overall relaxation and stress relief.

Ukai thought that yoga was a no-brainer because if Karasuno was going to win the National tournament, then they had to adopt unconventional means in order to get an edge on the competition

Unfortunately, Takeda, the volleyball club’s advisor, couldn’t exactly find the budget to get the entire team signed up for weekly yoga sessions at the big studio downtown

Aw man :(

But fear not! smh

Your boyfriend to the team’s rescue! Great 😑

Thank goodness for your sweet baby 👍🏾 not

He’s just too caring for his own good isn’t he? You wish he’d stop

Because he..... well, lucky for Karasuno, your boyfriend Yamaguchi happily suggested that the team goes to the Karasuno High School’s Yoga Club sessions at the local community centre. The community centre hosts great swim, cooking, and even archery lessons! It would be perfect because it would be within budget and the 7am yoga sessions were always empty, because not many people knew about them.

“How do you know they’re legit? I don’t want my players getting hurt because some kids think it’s fun to twist n’ contort their bodies —“ Inquired coach Ukai. The entire team turned to Tadashi, awaiting his response.

Your annoying sweet man explained that all of the Yoga club members are certified by Japanese Health Standards and they are well-versed in their instructing, it was kind of the point of the club. He was sure the club would love the volleyball team’s company

Your boyfriends’ coach’s face lit up. When Ukai’s next question pertained to how tf Tadashi knew all of this, that’s finally when his face fell

Oops.

He’s so cute He wanted to help so badly he forgot that this could be a bad idea

How did he know all this? Well, maybe because his girlfriend of 3 months, you, run the damn club. And he knows everything about you because he’s whipped.

However, Tadashi couldn’t exactly tell them that was the reason because he is very private and didn’t want to introduce his beautiful girlfriend to guys that were sure to drool over her

Plus he wanted to make sure you weren’t in a daze when he confessed to you, testing whether one day you’ll wake up & realize you made a big mistake

Yamaguchi, quick on his feet, just said that you were his friend and you ran the club.

They believed it obviously, and that’s how it all started

Since there were multiple morning Yoga sessions, Coach Ukai divided the team into years for mandatory session attendance. The first years were scheduled for Monday’s at 7am, the second years on Wednesday’s (same time) and the 3rd years were on Fridays (same time).

You were late to your first session with the boys because even though Yams told you the team would start coming (and to keep your relationship a secret) you were used to being the only one here doing Yoga

You were only slightly startled when you opened the door to your beloved studio and saw Karasuno volleyball’s first years: Tsukishima, Kageyama, Hinata and your beautiful man Yams sitting down on Yoga mats patiently.

You cheerily introduced yourself and greet everyone, finding yourself happy to have the company

Yamaguchi was the only one to verbally greet you back, because the other boys were staring at you with what you would deem odd expressions

Yams noticed his solo greeting too and looked over to his teammates. He frowned because he knew the look on their faces and the lack of a voice very well.

How could he not? It was the same reaction he had when he saw you for the first time he was sure you came out of his wet dreams

You are so hot, and now his fellow first years were noticing

Yams pouted inside

Anyway, the same way you didn’t notice when Yamaguchi had that stare when you two met, you just got straight to business, setting down your pink yoga mat and water bottle and explaining all the rules.

It’s a good thing yoga sessions are supposed to be silent with only the sounds of the rain forest playing loud through the rooms speakers because I don’t think the boys could have spoken anyway

You did basic yoga stretches and had the boys follow your every movement

As you showed them the simple beginner poses, Tadashi caught Hinata and Kageyama sneaking glances at your figure with heavy blushes on their faces

If Tsukki thought you were attractive, which omfg did he ever, he didn’t show it in the slightest

Yamaguchi was happy to call him his best friend

The quick-attack boys could not say the same

Like the schoolboys they are, they relished in seeing a gorgeous female’s flexible body easily contort in front of them

Tadashi noted that, for two of the most intensely competitive people he knew, the two were peculiarly a little TOO happy with not doing any of the yoga poses correctly, he could guess why

You, still clueless, walked around the room to help the boys get into correct positioning platonically, the way every Yoga instructor does.

Tadashi on the other hand, was doing so well and you badly wished you could kiss him whenever you moved his body but you were respecting his wishes to keep you two a secret

Kags and Shōyō almost had internal panic attacks when you touched them or got close

They weren’t the greatest with girls but they were especially bad when one of the prettiest and fittest girls they’ve ever encountered was touching them and whispering in their ears to ‘turn like this’ ‘open up a bit more’ because of how quiet yoga should be

The combustion train has left the building! Choo choo 💨

You laughed when volleyball duo boys started shoving each other when Hinata fell out of a pose and landed on Kags

Tadashi’s eyes narrowed because he selfishly didn’t want you laughing at anything those boys did. Nevertheless, he shook it off

Maybe it will get better once the initial shock of your hotness wears off, Yams thought to himself when he left Yoga that morning.

Sure, because that’s how it worked with Kiyoko right?

Yeah, right. The following Monday you were still hot and the boys were still drooling over you.

At real volleyball practices and at lunch time Yamaguchi has to constantly hear the team (minus Tsukishima) gush about how attractive you are and how it wasn’t so bad waking up early in the morning if you were the view they were getting up to see

Now, Tadashi would definitely describe himself as a pretty calm guy......as would anyone who knows him......

But hearing his friends gush about you like you weren’t the smartest, most creative, genuine, conscientious person...... just an ideal body and gorgeous face not that they would know evoked jealous emotions deep within him

On dates with you he would inquire about the other volleyball yoga sessions you taught and you would tell him truthfully that your class of 3rd years were always fine, well behaved and very quiet because they were too busy fantasizing about you in their heads to talk dkm

and then you told your boyfriend that 2 of the second years were pretty flirty take a wild guess who? But that the one boy named Ennoshita got them to simmer down and then stop with the comments completely

Tadashi made a mental note to do a favour for his future captain

He was beginning to get irritated with the way these strong amazing athletes that he looked up to were reduced to goo when his girlfriend came around

He knew it was irrational to be so upset because he was sure they would chill out if they knew she was his girlfriend but

He just wasn’t ready for that yet.

So he endured the comments because even though the team was full of hormonone-crazy males, they never were vulgar or disrespectful in their remarks that was saved for all of their dreams and shower time

Either way,

None of that could stop the locker room talk.

“Did Y/N teach you guys the puppy dog stretch too this week?” Chirped Nishinoya as he bounced on the balls of his feet. The boys nodded. “Man is she s-m-o-k-i-n-g or what?? Don’t you think so, Asahi?”

Yams looked over from his locker to see the quiet and timid Ace of the team unable to help sporting a blush and nodding in agreement to Nishinoya.

Tadashi did NOT like this conversation. He took to chugging his water in order to distract himself from saying something he was sure to regret

“I-I really like Y/N’s yoga pants. They’re really cool!”

Kageyama rolled his eyes at Hinata's comment. “Of course you do, Boke.”

“Keep dreaming short stack!” Hollered Tanaka as he hopped in a super man pose on top of a bench. “For I will one day marry Y/N!”

Uncontrollably, Yamaguchi’s entire liquid contents in his mouth drenched Sugawara’s back in a spit take. Everyone laughed.

Let’s just say Karasuno’s vice captain made Yams do laps until his legs felt like they would fall off

By the third week, poor Yamaguchi had it up to HERE with the team’s pining after his girl.... be it Daichi’s subtle suggestion to the coach to extend AND increase the amount of yoga sessions, to Nishinoya’s memorization of the exact colour of your lip gloss per session

Yams actually growled under his breath when he heard both I swear to God

Yamaguchi felt like he was going to burst if he didn’t wring any necks first .

The entire team was smitten with his secret girlfriend and it made him insanely jealous. He couldn’t deny it anymore.

You were his. And only his. He wished he never volunteered you to help the team in the first place!

On your dates as a couple, you noticed that Yams was much more tense than he used to be before you started instructing the team. You told him over and over that you would quit this very second because he was so much more important than some silly club. You even suggested easily swapping with your second-in-command as instructor but

He wouldn’t have any of that. Apparently the team was already improving significantly in skill from Yoga like the Coach predicted. You are the best instructor your club had, and his team needed the best.

Plus he knows you love doing it and he puts your happiness before his own

The situation just sucked!

On the final yoga session before nationals, you arranged for the entire team to conjoin in one single morning session that would be longer at two hours instead of one, to go through everything they have learned in a mass session. It was also to make sure the numbers were even because today would be strictly focused on Partner Yoga!

The crows filed in to your studio, excited to see you and set up as usual

You walked in and told them about the partner yoga, and before they could volunteer to be your partner and upset your boyfriend, you told everyone you already had a partner and gestured toward the studio entryway:

Kiyoko walked in with a wave at her introduction and she spread her yoga mat next to you facing the class

They said 😳😳😳😳🤯🤯🤯🤯

The entire room was silent. Everyone minus Tsukki and your boyfriend combusted. Like they were done

Remember that combustion train? Yeah it just arrived at its destination: Nosebleed Central.

The boys’ little minds couldn’t fathom two extremely hot girls in compromising, stretchy positions that would look anything but innocent in their male minds

It was kind of a dream come true

You didn’t care that they were acting weird and you started the session, telling the boys to pair up and follow yours and Kiyoko’s lead

Even Yams started to feel hot and bothered at the sight of the multiple positions

he always felt horny watching you instruct yoga but he was able to satiate his lust by reminding himself that you told him you want to sleep with him when he was ready, even though you were taking it slow. he’s always blushing so none of the guys ever thought anything if it

Satiating himself with that thought again, though, flew out the window as an option because you just looked too incredibly hot in partner positions. It got to the point where he wanted to kick Kiyoko out so you could practice these yoga positions with him

He wanted to be the one to put your leg on his shoulder as he pounded into your heat, not Kiyoko no matter how hottttttttt it was to look at

Suga used his fingers to flick Tadashi on the forehead to get his attention away from his secret girlfriend and back to the yoga positions he should be trying with him

“Dude.... trust me, I know, and I agree...” Suga nods in understanding as he glances over at the beautiful girls once more. It takes a good amount of effort for him to peel his eyes back to Yamaguchi. “But we have to do this. Try to pretend they’re not as hot as they are.” He gives your bf a thumbs up for encouragement

Yams didn’t smile back even though he commenced yoga again like his vice captain requested. Yams just wanted all of this to be over so he could somehow sneak you into one of the abandoned rooms in this community centre and take you right there.

Since Kiyoko was only there to demonstrate the positions and not join the class because she had other commitments, she had to leave pretty early

You went around helping everyone like you usually did, and now you definitely noticed how red all the boys’ cheeks were. Yams couldn’t even look at you the entire time he did yoga with Suga and you started to wonder if you did something wrong. Hm.....

Yams couldn’t look at you because he was using every ounce of his restraint to keep from jumping your bones

Before long, Y/N’s final yoga session was nearing completion until you realized that you had forgotten to demonstrate the final pose when Kiyoko was here.

Glancing at your boyfriend who was giving you the cold shoulder, you timidly asked if anyone minded being your partner to demonstrate—

Like zoo animals, all of the boys volunteered!!! You yelped because of how loud they got in the quiet room in a split second.

Does it matter who you choose?

Yamaguchi felt himself boil over in jealousy. These boys were throwing themselves at the woman who means everything to him, and that was enough to drive any man to the brink of insanity.

While the boys bickered about who would be your partner Hinata and Nishi already started the Rock Paper Scissors tournament, including the usually collected captains, Tadashi briskly made his way towards you with purpose. Without even thinking about it he cupped your face with one of his hands and tilted your lips towards his for a deep kiss.

You felt your knees weaken at the intensity of the unexpected kiss from the love of your life.

Yams wrapped an arm around your waist to hold you steady when he felt your knees weaken.

You two barely heard the collective gasp in the room...

...Nor did you hear Tsukki mutter a flat “I knew it.”

When you finally pulled away from your boyfriends perfect lips, you were still drunk off the kiss while he remembered where you two were

With an aura of manly confidence that could only come from the overwhelming satisfaction of giving into the animalistic urge to claim your mate in front of other males, Yamaguchi turned to his team. Shoulders back and confident, he smiled smugly

“Did I forget to tell you all that Y/N is my girlfriend? I’d appreciate if all the endless comments about how beautiful she is would cease to exist, at least around me. She’s very much taken. Oh, and I, ONLY I....will be her partner. Thanks.”

Ok can you imagine how fucking sexy shy Yams would look being strict, intimidating and completely territorial over you? 🤤

Karasuno’s team was stunned into silence before Nishinoya started a slow clap applause like they do in the movies.

Only Tanaka joined in with him. The rest of the team is not that lame

You, on the other hand, got so turned on by your boyfriend display of protection and jealousy that you muttered that class was over and you used your hand to turn Yams attention back to you. You got on the tips of your toes to pull him into another passionate kiss again.

You loved it.

Seeing this side of him stirred up a lot of emotions in you and you couldn’t help but ask your boyfriend if he wanted to skip school today. Your parents weren’t going to be home for 2 days and you had the house to yourself.

With half lidded eyes that only served to turn you on more Yamaguchi agreed.

I hope he knows that he was in for a really long and pleasurable day and night.....you were about to put those years of yoga training to good use, and your boyfriend couldn’t be luckier.

[dappercritter]

Godzilla vs Kong: Brutally Honest Thoughts

(Took me long enough, eh? Depending on home video releases be like that.)

So first things first, I have a confession to make: I spoiled the movie before I watched it. I was impatient and they had only announced an HBO Max premiere in the states and a theatrical run in Canada at the time. Afterward, I got heads-up from a friend and immersed myself in the opinions of those lucky enough to see it early. I’m just saying that I have some preconceived opinions that I’m sticking to.

That said, Godzilla vs Kong turned out to be more fun than I expected! But you already knew that. Everyone did. The two kings of movie monsters had their rematch and this time it was with glorious Hollywood SFX powering it this time.

The human story was fun but it’s clear they stopped trying at this point. Team Kong stole my heart, especially Jia. Team Godzilla (although the Conspiracy Crew would be a more fitting term since they spend more time chasing down mysteries than trying to back or understand Godzilla) was more fun than I expected and their dynamic was surprisingly enjoyable. Bernie is actually kind of funny, it's nice to see Madison acting more assertive, and Josh was fine--he was the only sane man of the bunch but he was also the butt of the jokes. Still, all the hardcore conspiracy jokes got old fast and it feels off seeing the daughter of two scientists turn into an edgy conspiracy crackpot. Why not an edgy science major?

Team Apex are fun villains, especially Walter Simmons who's a great megalomaniacal CEO type, but Ren Serizawa is a joke. I like his actor's performance but he's just another footnote. Nobody bats an eye at his last name, although the only heroes he interacts with are Nathan Lind and he just misses Team Godzilla. He really could have just been any other villain, but instead, they had to sully Serizawa’s legacy further while robbing a good actor of some interesting material. (As is, it turns out he was just an egotistical jerk with daddy issues--an easy puzzle to solve on day one--after all...)

However, I still cannot and will not approve of the fact that somebody thought it would be a good idea to make the heroes of a sci-fi story into hardcore conspiracy theorists in this day and age. Likewise, I’m not a huge fan of how they essentially made the Hollow Earth into its own universe complete with a crazy portal and an environment with its own laws of physics, nor am I totally crazy about the huge leap in technology that was made between this and KOTM, or G’14 for that matter.

The monsters as awesome as they are, are the biggest mixed bag in the show.

Kong is at his best in ages, and while I am all for the new heroic warrior character that Legendary have crafted and I acknowledge that making him a worthy opponent for their god-tier Godzilla was going to be a hurdle, I think they did a splendid job. Seeing Kong using agility and acrobatics was a glorious sight to behold, and something about Kong becoming a tool-user and weapon wielder just feels right. It’s a far better demonstration of Kong as a “thinking animal” (*wink, wink*).

I’m much less thrilled about their treatment of his greatest opponent ever. After everything they’ve done to build up Godzilla as the incredible force of neutral good fighting to maintain balance and all the build up to ancient rivalry debating back to a great Titan war--even going as far as putting his name in front Kong’s this time!-- they’ve reduced Godzilla back to glorified bully for Kong. He only gets the minimum amount of sympathy from the cast of his movie before they go off to deal with the conspiracy plot or focus on Kong and the Hollow Earth. Worse still, he is somehow more powerful and more aggressive than ever for a good chunk of the movie which leads to an outcome I’m sorry to say we all saw coming. Somehow, I suspect that the reason behind this was how Wingard cited Godzilla vs. Mothra, vs. Destoryah, and Shin-Godzilla as influences for the monsters scale and story, which while cool and all, are all movies where he was played up as a mostly stoic antagonist rather than a three-dimensional character like Kong. (Though ironically vs. Destoroyah and Shin did a better job of making Godzilla feel more sympathetic and in both of them he was a walking nuclear reactor meltdown.)

Due to the unfortunate time constraints of the three-way deal between Toho, WB, and Universal at the time this was in production, Kong was unable to secure a proper sequel that could develop his skillset like Godzilla’s did. Nevermind the fact the filmmakers completely surrendered to the “nothing matters but the monsters” mentality that a chunk of the fanbase has been spouting since this universe unofficially kicked off almost 10 years ago. (Sidenote: Oh god, I’m turning in an old fart already.) As a result, the movie trips over itself trying to set up Godzilla and Kong’s rivalry as well as building up Kong as a worthy opponent to Godzilla while expanding on their shared lore, and as a result countless plot points set up in in the previous movie and tie-in movie are thrown out the window. I’m sorry to say but in spite of all hopes and illusions of grandeur, it’s safe to this damn thing is a Kong movie with Godzilla as the bad guy.

...at least until HE shows up. Yup, Mechagodzilla. The biggest spoiled twist of the centuries steals the show so the movie can pull a Dawn of Justice. But! It does it much better than the fractured DCEU’s most controversial entry ever could. Mechagodzilla’s inclusion gets a decent amount of build up thanks to Team Godzilla/the Conspiracy Crew, and when he shows up, does he make an impression! At first, I wasn’t sure how to feel about his inclusion or his design, but I’ve come to like this one. He’s basically a kaiju terminator built in Godzilla’s image made purely out of heavy machinery piloted by the best Ghidorah head. It’s a jarring change of pace compared to previous MechaG’s but it grows on you after a while. With the abundance of weaponry stuffed into him, he feels like a fitting update of the original killing machine, and even if his inclusion feels like an easy way out of the big showdown, it’s fun to see him played as a literal colossal heel for the kings to team up against. Not to mention he looks shockingly good with those red highlights. However, one still can’t help but wonder how and why he was made in this universe, or how he feels like pure heavy machinery one minute and then an extra-large Ultron unit the next.

As for the the big throwdowns we’ve all been waiting for... well, we’re still in the mixed bag deparment. While the fights are all exciting and excellently choreographed, and benefit from some more eclectic lighting and cinematograph, I’m sorry to say that as far as the rematch of the century goes they dropped the ball on this one.

Don’t get me wrong, the fights are all great in their own ways, but there’s a drastic change in the feeling of weight and power with the monsters. Godzilla, Kong, and even Mechagodzilla all feel strangely floaty in most of their fights. One moments they feel like true behemoths shaking the very earth with every movement and then it’s like they’re in Godzilla Unleashed, running, jumping, and throwing each other around with speed that feels that almost makes you wonder if the Hollow Earth’s gravity inversion stuff is leaking out into the world. While it’s all perfectly cool, you can’t help but wonder how Kong is able to leap between aircraft carriers and buildings, when Godzilla got the ability to blow a hole through the Earth itself, or how a colossal machine is able to move so nimbly or why it has to be flashing blue all the time.

It’s fascinating and fun but you just can’t help but wonder how we got from almost posthuman disaster and war movies exploring how we’re at the mercy of the ancient almost mythical forces beyond our comprehension, we’ve found ourselves smack dab in the middle of Bayformers meets Jurassic World levels of Hollywood absurdity where anything and everything can and will happen in the name of getting to the monster fights. Although I can’t say I’m surprised given the director’s take on Death Note made some questionable choices with it’s take on the infamous cast while still coming up with some genuinely inspired choices. Still, all things considered we could have gotten worse compared to ther cinematic universes made by WB and Universal.

As for some misc. thoughts to close up this rambling mess:

-The soundtrack is fantastic. A great continuation of the feel of Skull Island’s mixtape with some truly wonderful picks. Special mention goes to the opening and ending songs, and they GOT AN ELVIS PRESLEY SONG IN HERE! YES!!! The three kings of pop culture together at last!

-While this movie didn’t need to be any more overstuffed, it would have been nice if the rest of the Titans didn’t disappear entirely from this movie. I get that Godzilla: Dominion already explained what happened to them all more or less, but it really is a missed oppurtunity that we never got to see another Titan war. Or Rodan attacking Kong to avenge his pterosaur bretheren from days long past. Speaking of which...

-“Save Mothra” jokes be damned, Mothra would have been a welcome gues star, not just to help break up the big fight, but to show off Godzilla’s softer, more protective side. And yes, I want more Mothzilla. Shut up, we deserve it.

-Boy, Monarch sure does a whole lot of nothing up-top, huh?

-The cinematography is a great update but there’s a little too much neon lighting, especially in the Apex HQ and the Hollow Earth throne room. It feels like they’re trying just a little too hard to sell the more futuristic, Hollywood sci-fi feel.

-The score is... great but not that great. Of course, I’ve always had mixed feelings about Tom Holkenburg (AKA Junkie XL)’s music. I liked Kong’s themes, but they REALLY dropped the ball with Godzilla’s theme. Mechagodzilla’s works really well as long you ignore that it’s just Godzilla’s theme in this movie with an ominious choir added in.

-The new Hollow Earth creatures are all perfectly fine. Actually, I thought they were another highlight! Especially the Warbats, Hellhawks, and Doug the Titanus Foetodon Man.

-I want to do a release the extended cut campaign but I don’t think any of us have the energy for that s**t anymore.

[cloudenthusiast2]

You meet a HQ volleyball team on your vacation #1

Length: 1500 words

Genre: a little fluff & slice of life

#1: Karasuno (beach)

You look up to the deep-blue sky, shadowing your eyes while searching for a cloud, but no matter how hard you tried, you can’t find any. No wonder why, it is the hottest day you’ve seen that summer. The air is heavy from the heat and your throat feels really dry even though you’ve drank from your bottle just a couple of seconds ago.

The beach is crowded as usual which makes you feel a little lonely. You try and not think about that as force your way through the people, fixing your eyes on the sea.

The aquamarine water in front of you seems so fresh, so inviting. You just can’t wait to get into it. You just can’t wait to sink into the infinite water and forget all about your worries and struggles, and actually enjoy your summer break.

You quickly throw your towel to an empty spot on the ground covered in sand, then stripped out of your clothes. Apply some sunscreen in a hurry, put your hair up in a ponytail then you start rushing towards the water.

As you get closer, it keeps getting bigger and now it’s the only thing you see. You instantly forget about everything, your grades that didn’t end up being good enough, your friends who didn’t even care to accompany you to the beach, your parents who have to work all day leaving you all alone at home…

And you’re ready to take the last step to jump into the water…

And your senses are blinded by the beautiful, luring water, so much that you don’t hear the alarming yell.

You only feel something, an unknown power harshly hitting your head. Then you lose your balance and everything goes black.

The first thing that reaches you in the blank darkness are the many different voices.

You’re hovering in the infinite black for a few seconds until their meaning finally gets to you. And suddenly, everything comes back.

You’re conscious now but – despite that your body immediately wants to move – you stay still, and continue to listen to those sounds.

– Bakageyama! Your toss was too low, I told you to bring it higher! – An excited voice claims loudly. – Now look at what you’ve done!

– It was your fault! – Retorts someone. – You can’t even handle my easiest tosses, idiot!

– Someone strangle these imbeciles – joins the dialogue a low voice who doesn’t sound like excited at all, almost like its owner was bored to death.

– Hinata! Kageyama! Calm down! – orders someone, while other sound like they’re holding back their laughter in the background.

– Is she gonna be okay, Suga? – asks someone in a worried, or rather scared tone.

– Stop shaking, Asahi, she’s fine. – The voice comes from directly above you, so suddenly that your heart skips a beat.

You open your eyes slightly so you can catch a glimpse of the guys around you.

The last words came from the boy kneeling next to you. He has silver hair and eyes – you state as you examine him through your eyelashes.

– Are you sure? Shouldn’t we take her to the infirmary?

– She’s gonna wake up in a minute, I’m sure – replies the silver-haired boy, Suga, then he turns at you.

You’re caught. It’s too late to close your eyes, so you just open them wide and look up to him. His whole face brightens up as he smiles at you.

– Good morning! Are you alright?

The whole group goes silent and everyone looks at you. You avert your eyes in fluster, then slowly nod. Although the back of your head does feel a little heavy where you got hit, it was bearable.

– Ah, good – sighs Suga but the tall, bearded man next to him looks even more relieved. – You scared us a little with your faint. Hinata, you should apologise for hitting her so badly!

– I’m really sorry! – An orange-headed little guy jumps in front of you and although he was arguing with his friend a few moments ago, he seems regretful now. – It was the low set, my hand slipped, I wasn’t aiming at you, I promise!

– I’m glad – you mutter, touching the back of your head. You feel really embarrassed as so many people are looking at you, but when you take a better look at them, they actually seem like nice people.

– I apologise too – says an older looking guy with a warm smile. He places his hands on Hinata’s and a grumpy looking, black-haired boy’s shoulders. – My kids can be quite feral.

– You’re not their dad… are you? – You instantly regret asking this stupid question from a guy who’s clearly in his late high-school years but luckily he just starts laughing along with some other boys.

– Daichi-san! He really is kinda our dad at this point! – yells a very short boy with his hands on his hips.

– Dadchi-san! – adds the guy wearing no shirt next to him.

– Well, I’m the captain of the team – explains Daichi kindly. – So you could say I’m some sort of leader figure.

– Team? What team? – you ask.

– Volleyball! – shouts Hinata. This one word is enough to make him so excited that he grabs your hand and makes you stand up. He points at the other side of the beach. – We play there, in groups of four! Kageyama and Suga-san are the setters and I’m the ace of our team…

– She’s probably not interested in this – interrupts a blonde guy whose voice you remember. When your eyes were closed, he sounded salty but actually seeing him up-close makes him look at least three times saltier. A tall, green-haired boy stands next to him, nodding to his words with a sweet smile. – Just let her go back to her group already.

– Ah, you’re right, Tsukishima! – agrees Suga to his words. – So? Where’s your group? We can walk you back.

– I- I came alone.

You hate to say that out loud. Now everyone will pity you and make your loneliness a hundred times worse.

You lower your head… Only to look up again when the orange boy next to you excitedly yells.

– Oh! Then she can join us!

You stare at him in disbelief but you’re the only one who’s surprised by his words.

– Good idea, Shoyo! – shouts the other short boy, then he points at himself. – My name is Nishinoya, the libero! Great to have you in the group!

– I don’t… I don’t want to be inconvenient… – you start stuttering.

– You’re not – smiles Suga –, it’s the least we can do for you after our children attacked you.

– But I’m really…

– Come on, we need one more player anyway since someone has to be the referee.

You try to refuse again but it’s actually harder this time. The idea of playing with them seems actually nicer and nicer with every passing moment. Volleyball was always much fun and the boys seem like a good company.

– I can teach you my Rolling Thunder if you play with us – says Nishinoya but the others instantly boo him.

– That won’t make her come!

– You know your thunder is just a regular receive, right, Noya-san? – asks Tsukishima with a contemptuous smirk.

– Don’t be cocky with your elders!

You can’t help but smile at them, then finally give with a nod. Tsukishima and Noya keep on arguing but the others ignore them and ask questions about you as they lead you to the volleyball net.

Hinata explains to you how playing in the sand is so different, Suga and Daichi ask how you do in school, even the bearded man, Asahi and the shy Yamaguchi tries to get to know you.

You soon begin to play beach volleyball and it has the same effect on you as the water. You really do forget about everything and have fun with the dorky boys who are really funny and amusing, even without realizing it.

Noya really tries the so called Rolling Thunder, but only half-succeeds since he fells into a sandcastle a little kid is building. They calm him down by giving him Kageyama’s milk which the setter is not particularly happy about. Yamaguchi tries a floating serve and starts happily blushing when he succeeds, immidiately turning to Tsukishima, who nods with a hidden smile. Suga teases Asahi so much, Daichi has to cut in. When Tanaka scores, he can’t rip off his shirt since he’s already shirtless, so as a compensation, he shouts so loudly that a kid nearby starts crying. It turns out it was the same child who’s castle was ruined, but the milk isn’t enough this time, so Hinata – who’s the best with children – and you have to play with him a little in the sand. Later you go back and with the help of the aspiring ace, you score a point and everyone cheers for you.

You only realise how much time you’ve spent with them when the sun starts setting down. You only realise how much you’ve enjoyed yourself with them. And how don’t feel alone on your vacation any more.

[kaitoujokerscans]

The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaze CH10 (END)

<10> The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaze

"How is it that you're all here!? I thought you were at Riviera!" Noir demanded to know.

Queen produced an item from her pocket as she answered him. "We used this."

"W-What is that...?" asked Noir dubiously.

"It's Grandpa's latest invention, the Image Card!" Queen held the card up. Once she did, the face of the card showed the three thieves talking amongst themselves. It was the same footage as what they had seen on the TV screen just earlier.

"Noir, you were watching what happened to us hours ago. We figured out what you were scheming. Queen used her sword to slice apart the shutters, and then we used this to leave behind a fabricated recording!" Joker shouted, pointing his finger.

"Grr... That's what you did!?"

"You lured the two of us into Riviera HQ under the premise that we'd be able to fight you. But you weren't there. Thus it was only natural to assume that you had laid a trap," explained Spade logically.

"Confound it... Silver, did you know about this!?" Noir turned around to see Silver Heart grinning wide.

"Of course I did. I realized as soon as I saw the screen that they were using my new Image Card. I only perfected it a few days ago — fresh out of the workshop. No matter how much you scouted out in advance, you wouldn't have known about it."

"Mmmrghh..." Noir disgruntledly clenched his fist and grit his teeth.

"Phantom Thief Noir! We've won!" Joker tossed an advance notice at Noir. "I'm taking the Lachla Crown!" he proclaimed.

But Spade and Queen begged to differ.

"That's not happening. I'll be the one to steal it."

"Excuse you, it's obviously going to be me."

"No way, the treasure's mine!"

"It's mine!"

"Mine!"

They had pulled off a brilliant strategy only moments before, yet now the three of them had started to quibble like idiots. That did it.

"Quiet, you nitwits!"

Noir's angry bellow brought the trio's attention back to him. "!!?"

"Silver! I will never give the treasure to you!" Noir picked up the crown.

"...!?" Suddenly everyone's eyes were on Noir. In his other hand, he was gripping a stick of dynamite.

"Noir, don't...!" Shocked, Silver Heart started towards him.

"Stay back, Silver!" Noir's harsh cry made Silver stop in his tracks. "This crown is the hidden treasure of Lachla. Long ago, we were ordered to get rid of it. If it's going to fall into your hands anyway, I'd rather destroy it by my own hand!"

"Ghh..."

"The treasure...!" Joker took a step forward.

"Joker!"

"That's dangerous!"

"Shut up! I can't forgive anyone who would just waste treasure like that!" Joker cast an angry glare at Noir.

"Heh heh heh. You've got some nerve, Phantom Thief Joker. This time you won't be granted a free minute!"

"I won't need it!" Joker promptly threw a card.

With a wave of his cape, Noir whacked the card down. "It's futile!"

"Grr..." Joker shot off a series of cards. "Shooting Star!" The cards shone brightly and flew straight towards Noir, but these too were knocked down in vain with a light wave of his cape.

"Heh heh heh, your attacks don't work on me."

"Joker!" Spade and Queen exclaimed.

"This is my last resort. Here goes!" Joker shouted, and fanned out cards from his pocket in front of him.

"Ha ha ha! I told you, it's useless!" Noir twisted the end piece of his spectacles and changed them into sunglasses.

"Straight Flash!"

That was the moment.

All of the playing cards strewn across the ground emitted blinding light. Joker had made it so every single card was part of his Straight Flash! The light from below wasn't blocked out by the sunglasses and hit Noir's eyes.

"Gwah!" Noir recoiled, and that very moment, Joker swiped the crown out of Noir's hands. "How...!"

"Heh hehn. Weren't you the one who said not to let down your guard, old man?"

"Mrrrgh... Curse you, disciples of Silver..."

"We've learned a bunch of things from Master. One of them is 'knowledge can't beat experience' — so even though I lost against you, it still gave me experience!" Joker boasted. Behind him, Silver Heart smiled.

"Well said, Joker. That's exactly right."

"Aha..." Noir got up gently and walked towards the fence around the deck.

"Noir...?"

"Silver, I've already quit being a spy. I have nothing more to lose..." said Noir, and slowly lifted up the dynamite he was holding. Silver Heart saw him take a lighter out of his pocket and shouted.

"Don't! Noir!"

Silver Heart bounded toward him, but he was a split second too late. Noir lit the dynamite fuse. Sparks sizzled from it.

"Holy crap!"

The three disciples grabbed onto Balloon Gum that Joker had inflated and floated up.

"Master, hurry up!"

But Silver Heart and Noir were still entangled and were rolling about on the ground, restrained by the deck fence.

"Silver, let me go!"

"I won't!"

"Rrrrgh...!"

Silver Heart twisted his arm up, and the dynamite fell out of Noir's hand.

"...!"

At the same time, Silver Heart pushed down Noir with all his might. The two of them lost their balance, and then—

BOOOOOOOOOOM! The deck exploded. A pillar of flame erupted, and the whole area was filled with a curtain of smoke.

"MAAASTEEEEEEEEER!"

"MASTEEERRRR!"

"GRANDPA!"

The wind blew the smoke away. The trio scanned the deck from the sky, but there was nobody to be seen.

"This can't be happening..." Joker was about to jump down, but Spade and Queen stopped him in alarm.

"Don't do it, Joker!"

"It's dangerous!"

"But Master is..." Joker's eyes blurred with tears.

Below them was a panorama of dark, nighttime ocean. White foam sprayed off it. The only sound was the billowing of the waves.

—But then, something happened.

"Look at that...!" Spotting something, Spade shouted.

"...!"

There was a small boat at the coast up ahead. They could see a dimunitive silhouette coming up over the side of it. Queen hurriedly took out a pair of binoculars and took a look. "It's Purple-san!"

Through the binocular scopes, she could see Purple in a diving suit lifting herself onto the boat. Purple pulled on a rope that extended out into the ocean, and up came a pink mass enveloped in Image Gum. It burst with a pop, and from within appeared Silver Heart and Noir, soaking wet.

"Master!" Joker and Spade shouted at the same time.

Purple dragged the two onto the boat and then waved a hand their way, as if to tell them not to worry.

"Sheesh, what were you thinking?" Purple asked the two reprovingly. Silver Heart and Noir coughed loudly, spitting out water before they choked on it. Then they exchanged glares at each other. Flames from the explosion must have caught Silver Heart's cape, because it was in tatters.

"Noir! My cape burned to a crisp! This is your fault!"

"Excuse me!? Who asked you to save me!? In the first place, this is your disciple's fault!"

"Come again!? I won't forgive you for this!"

"That's what I should be saying! I haven't gotten my revenge yet!"

"I don't care about your revenge! Once we reach land, fight me again!"

"Fine by me! I won't die until I bring you down!"

They had forgotten all about the explosion that just happened, and now the pair were quarreling and tugging on each other's faces. Any dignity they had as a legendary spy and legendary phantom thief had left them.

"...Well, I guess they're fine if they've got all that energy," sighed Purple, and started up the boat's engine.

Drifting in the air, the trio watched as Purple's boat putted away to shore. Queen commented.

"Looks like Grandpa is still conscious. I think I heard him yelling. I hope he's okay..."

"He's fine. There's no way Master would be done in so easily."

"Yeah, that goes without saying."

Joker and Spade smiled a little. Peaceful expressions crossed each of their faces.

"Though..." Joker started with a grin, "You were a real piece of work back there, Spade. You were shouting 'MASTER!' so desperately."

Then Spade scowled back at him. "You're one to talk! I saw you tearing up, you know."

"Huh? That wasn't nearly enough to make me cry!"

"Oh, I wonder about that. I seem to recall you crying and wailing 'sorry' after Master spanked you a hundred times back in the day."

"That happened because you snitched on me! I remember that!"

"Switching out Master's hair tonic with adhesive was way out of line!"

"I seem to recall that you were the one who suggested pulling the switch in the first place!"

The pair glared at each other. Above them hovered the Sky Joker and Twin Thunder Shark. Hachi and Dark Eye, who had come out to get them, watched as they argued. Beside them, Queen sighed.

"They never change. Let's go home, Roko!"

The two of them floated up to the biplane tethered to the Sky Joker. Meanwhile, Joker and Spade were still feuding.

"Joker-san, let's go!"

"Spade-sama, if you don't leave off, you'll get a fever..."

Once Hachi and Dark Eye called to them, Joker remembered something and addressed Hachi. "Oh, right! Hachi, did you make that?"

"Ah, yes... I made it as fast as I could..." Hachi produced a water bottle. Joker took it and held it up.

"Hey, Spade! This is Riviera made according to the recipe I just took! You like it, right?"

"Huh...? Yeah, I like it."

Then Joker chugged it down and smiled with satisfaction. "Ahh, that was delicious! Riviera is the best thing for after a caper! If you really want, I can let you have a sip!"

"H-Hmph! I'm fine!"

"Oh, really? Mmm, tasty! This is the best!"

"Enough already! I swear I'll take that recipe from you next time!"

"Heh heh, bring it on! I'll be ready for you!"

Glaring at each other, Joker and Spade exchanged fighting words. Hachi and Dark Eye sighed as their argument continued on endlessly in the background. Watching over the two rivals, the moon glowed quietly...

FIN

The Night the Silver Cape is Set Ablaz

Author: Naohiro Fukushima

Original Work: Hideyasu Takahashi

Thanks for reading!

[augustinewrites]

u are so so so so lovely and talented and i just wanted to thank u for sharing ur stories online bc i have been reading them since last night. i havent genuinely enjoyed fanfiction in a really long time until i stumbled upon ur blog :’) im so grateful u decided to share ur pieces. ur stories are just so solid in a sense that you nailed everyones characterization to a t. also youre hilarious oh my god.

i’ll paraphrase but here are some banger lines that made me sit and gasp: “whats that in your coat?” “drugs.” + “do you feel any tightness in your wrist?” “no.” “how bout in your shorts omi?” + “im gq magazines ath—” “booooooooo!”

i just wanted to let u know how much i appreciate u. uve made my day (2 days actually). this might also be a love confession bc ive Fallen In Love with ur blog and how pure and genuine it is just GAHHHH!!! keep doing whatever magic it is ur doing here.

also i will point out stuff i loved most i dont think i can do them proper justice but here goes. characterization. atsumu. omi. perfect? perfect. THE FUNNY? ur stories are hilarious without being too comic or corny they just hit a perfect balance like i said — ive never read anything as perfect as what ur writing here.

the overall experience of reading your stories was so pleasant. u know what these characters are at their very core. and u make them so fun and stupid and the plot is so so perfect. u just know what ur doing dont u? the feelings are potent but so organic at the same time LIKE HOW ARE YOU THIS GOOD. yeah. i just. really enjoyed reading ur words :)

yes. thats it for now. i will be camping in ur blog like persistent lice. waving the #1 fan banner as we speak. thank u :) hope yer doin well :)

(omg im on anon bc i dont have a proper account lol ill sign my name like a nerd so ull remember my never ending internet love and ur literary prowess) (im sending this the second time bc im not sure if tumblr ate the first lol if its doubled in ur inbox… im sorreeee) —bee

I— THIS IS SO NICE??? you really have me crying on my way to class

i can hardly find the words rn but thank you ☺️ I’m glad you think I do these characters justice, ESPECIALLY omi bcs I truly had no idea how to write him in that first fic with atsumu! I was so nervous

also you picked some of my favourite lines LOL especially the megumi one. (& don’t you just love it when miya atsumu, professional athlete and Olympian, gets bullied by his own teammates and a local onigiri shop owner?)

I just love writing fic so much. because the characters in hq and jjk are so fun and stupid in their own right and just? drop them in a totally normal situation and you know they’ll find a way to make it 100% funnier. (like omi judging atsumu so hard but taking his advice anyway, or gojo satoru, certified man child, raising an actual child and forcing everyone around him to help) ‘slice of life’ fics like this just make me so happy to write bcs I love them so much, so I’m glad you don’t think they’re corny omg

IN CONCLUSION *wipes away tears* fic is so fun to indulge in, whether it’s reading or writing, and it’s even better when you’re part of a supportive community, so thank you, bee! this really made my day! please, if you haven’t been told today, you are loved and so so appreciated 💙🥺

[scoupsy-remade]

For this gif tutorial I’m going to try to keep it as basic as possible, I may add a few tips for coloring at the end, but for the most part this is going to be how I make my basic gif. Also I’m not going to use my vapoursynth to process the video beforehand, just because I know not everyone uses it and it’s harder to learn. This is going to be just a downloaded mp4 video through the gif process. Don’t let the idea that this is a BASIC TUTORIAL fool you, I’m going to try to teach you a lot of things. It’s gonna get wordy, but i will try my hardest to keep the process easy. I’m just going to explain what things do instead of having you just copy + paste my method and not know what it means. okay? okay.

Before we start though, if you plan of giffing live stages you either need to accept the they will not be super crisp and clear OR learn how to use avisynth/vapoursynth to resize the videos without quality loss.

If you just want to gif music videos or variety shows then this should still give you HQ gifs.

Other notes:

try to ONLY use 1080p and up video if possible, maybe 720p if you’re really desperate, but anything under that... it’s not going to look good at all, so try to avoid using them.

The Photoshop I am using is PS 2020, so all my screenshots will be from that version and with my weird set up. But I’ve been using pretty much the same method since cc 2015 so other than the fact that some placements and names are tweaked, it’s the same. (If you can’t find something on your version shoot me an ask and I’ll try to help! And asks I get on this tutorial I’ll link HERE for future reference) 

CUTTING VIDEO

To cut videos I’ll just use my quicktime player.

I use edit > trim to select the portion of the video I plan to gif and save that as it’s own new mov file.

which pops up this tab 

that you just slide until the part you want to gif is selected

then just save it as a new video and your done with part 1

ENTER PHOTOSHOP

Now what we’ll do is open our photoshop and import that clip into layers

FILE > IMPORT > VIDEO FRAMES TO LAYERS and select your video.

A small pop up will appear to show the clip you’re opening, you can trim it further here or just keep going by clicking okay

my setup is weird for drawing BUT you should have it looking remotely like this: 

The things you will DEFINITELY need to see are TIMELINE, LAYERS, ADJUSTMENTS. If you don’t have these sections you can add them to your screen by clicking on the WINDOW tab at the very top menu bar and clicking on them

LAYERS - this is pretty self explanatory but each row is a layer in the gif. the more layers the bigger the gif will end up, the longer it plays. So bigger clips will have more layers and end up as larger gifs in the end.

TIMELINE - This is where you can edit the gifs timing (make it faster or slower) 

We’ll be doing a bit of work with it so it’s important to know it well

ADJUSTMENTS - Best friend and worst nightmare. this is where ALL the tedious recoloring is done. VERY rarely would you not use these. 99.9% of kpop things are filmed through a green or blue lense so you’ll want to fix that to not have ghost idols

So, Let’s make a gif

Step 1 - In the top right corner of your timeline is a set of lines, click there and then click SELECT ALL FRAMES

under each frame is a time stamp (this video’s is 0.04) this decides how fast each clip goes by, or how quickly the gif moves. Personally I prefer slower gifs, but I say anywhere between 0.04-0.06 is a decent speed.

Step 2 - with all the frames selected, click on the small down arrow next to any of the frames and change the speed to your liking. (I’m going to use .06)

Step 3 - in that same tab of lines we’ll now click CONVERT TO VIDEO TIMELINE, which will change our Timeline to look like this:

Step 4 - Back in our very TOP menu we’ll click SELECT > ALL LAYERS, then on the TOP menu click FILTER > CONVERT FOR SMART FILTERS (this might take your computer a minute since our File is still pretty large.) Now our Time line will look like this: 

Step 5 - Sharpening

This one is VERY MUCH something you’re going to have to play with to get your settings to be how you like them. It’s also where I’d use topaz adjustments, BUT since I said we’re doing basic PS gif we’re just going to be using smart sharpening. SO: 

 in the TOP munu again, click FILTER > SHARPEN > SMART SHARPEN

A pop up window will appear and you can edit the settings to your liking. Mine:

Step 6 - Resize your gif or crop it to tumblrs standards:  big singal gifs have a 540px width ||  Two gifs use 268px || and three gifs use 177/178px

To do this we’ll use the crop tool and type in our dimensions in the menu bar:

and then crop to your liking. (this doesnt resize the gif it just crops to the correct ratio so we still have to shrink the gif) 

Next, we’ll resize the gif to that size in the TOP menu click IMAGE > IMAGE SIZE a pop up menu will appear and you’ll type in your resize ratio and click enter.

Now technically thats a gif. it’s TECHNICALLY done. but mine is white washed and there are words on it that I dont want so onto the coloring and blurring. 

First I’m going to show you how I blur text on gifs. because text is EVERYWHERE in kpop content and it’s hideous and I hate it. so lets kill it.

BLURRING LETTERING

First we’re going to add a new blank layer to our LAYER TAB by clicking the little box with the + inside at the bottom

Sometimes doing this can mess up the timeline’s selection but its SUPER easy to fix so lets do that. 

So in our timeline we have these two bars on each side that select what part of the gif will play. this is also where you can readjust your gif if it has extra frames at the end, or it ends up being too large and you have to make the gif smaller to save it. Just click and drag the bars back to where our gif actually ends, and all is fixed!

Now on our new layer we’re gonna take a paint brush (one of the ones with a lot of fade NOT the solid circle ) and paint over where the words are like so:

MAKE SURE ITS ON OUR BLANK LAYER AND NOT THE GIF LAYER!!

I know it looks stupid but trust me okay. 

Now in your LAYER tab we’re going to duplicate our gif layer by right clicking on it and selecting duplicate. 

Then we’re going to drag the new gif layer so that it’s above the paint layer in our LAYER tab :

Now, right click on the top gif layer and select CREATE CLIPPING MASK. it should put a little down arrow to the left of the picture, toward the paint layer. This means the gif is ONLY visible where that paint is now.

So we’re going to click on FILTER in the TOP menu again (while we still have that top gif selected!) and Go to BLUR > GAUSSIAN BLUR. a pop up menu will appear and you can just drag the radius until the text is as blurry as you want it to be. (also IF you missed part of the text, you can just go add more paint to your paint layer and it will blur wherever you paint!) 

so now my gif is like so:

So now we’ll color him, because he’s pretty washed out.

ADJUSTMENTS

This is where I’m going to be the least specific about what I do and more about what tools do, so that you can learn how to color things the way you like them!

The Adjustment tab on Photoshop has 16 options but I’m really only going to talk about 6 of them. We’ll do it in order though. All the actual adjustment tools will open in the PROPERTIES tab

Brightness / Contrast  - Pretty self explanatory, but definitely should be toward the end of your coloring, as if can effect the quality a lot. Small adjustments do A LOT so don’t go crazy, 

Levels - Levels is all about the balance of how dar or light your gifs will be if you adjust in the RGB layer it will adjust for the entire image, but if you change the selection to RED/GREEN/BLUE it will adjust just those colors hues. Also there are three small droppers to the left of the graph. using those you can select which part of the gif you want the image to recognize as the lightest/darkest part of the gif, and the tool will adjust the gifs coloring to that point. ( play with those droppers! magic happens i swear!) 

Curves - Kind of like levels but instead of how light or dark the entire image is it works more on contrast. REALLY play with the curves options, i’m sure most things you can do with other tools can also just be done in curves if you’re patient enough to learn

Vibrance / Saturation -  Vibrance will make duller parts of an image higher contract and brighter and saturation will make everything a more neon shade. or in reverse lowering vibrance will dull out the things that were already neutral and saturation will dull out the more vibrant parts of the image (usually reds)

Color Balance - Good for fixing tones. so if a live stage is SUPER BLUE!!!!! you can readjust and calm down the blues to dull them out or get rid of them completely. Again play with this its insane what it can do 

Selective Color - adjusts the different colors in your image without touching the other colors. if you wanna touch the reds, make them pinker but not change the blues and greens, you do it here

If you want MORE drawn out explanations of what each of the 16 adjustment layers do here and here are actual articles you can look at.  But it’s all about practice. playing with all the adjustments alone and together. Finding out what you like to do!

Now when you gif is ALLLLL colored and you’re ready to save it we do FILE > EXPORT > SAVE FOR THE WEB and a whole new window of options pops up. I’ll give you two examples of how to play with those options and then we’re done! 

keep in MIND tumblr’s gif limit is 10MB which is pretty huge now, but still watch your gif size!!!!

AND SAVE your done!

I hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions,again I’ll have an ask tag for it and it’ll get linked HERE if people end up needing help!

Happy giffing!!!

[thelionbyname]

The Pole, The American And The Four Brits (Part Five)

TRIGGER WARNING: Blood.

(When reading this, please remember that these are only loosely based on real life and are not in any way meant to offend or embarrass anyone. This is fictional. Anyway, hope you like it!)

While Keralis, False and Grian head over to where they hope to find Mumbo, Tango is almost done making Xisuma a tourniquet.

“False gave me a recap, but she didn’t mention how I got back to life. Who revived me?” He asks.

“I think False knew that you’d get over-the-top grateful so she didn’t say anything. It was Keralis. You know how modest he is. He wouldn’t handle great gratitude well,” Xisuma reveals.

“Keralis? I owe him my life! Of course I’d have to shower him with gratitude. There we go,” he adds, finishing the tourniquet.

“Thanks. My leg feels a lot better. You are good at this!” Xisuma tells him.

“I’m good at everything!” Tango jokes.

“Except modesty, it seems,” Xisuma laughs back. They sit for a while, smiling, but waiting becomes too much for them. “Should we go check on the rest?” Xisuma suggests.

“Yes. But it was your idea, okay?” says Tango, glad he hadn’t been the one to ask.

“Alright. Can you stand up?” Xisuma asks him cautiously.

“Can you?” Tango answers. 

“How about we try together. On three. One, two, three!” Xisuma and Tango jump to their feet, wobble, and fall forward to lean on each other.

“Um… we can each support the other,” Tango says in an attempt to prove they are up for this. Still grasping each other tightly, they slowly edge their way to where False and Keralis descended.

“How exactly do we climb down?” Xisuma asks.

“Can you sit down for a sec? I think I can walk on my own as long as I don’t make any sudden movements,” Tango assures Xisuma. Right before he coughs up blood. Xisuma looks at it in horror, and then at Tango in disbelief. “I’m fine, I promise! Sit down”. Tango forces Xisuma back down and spreads out his own arms for balance. “See? All good. I’ll go get a ladder or something”.

Tango walks back to HQ and somehow manages to lower himself down. Once out of Xisuma’s line of sight, he coughs up more blood. “Lovely,” he mutters, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. He looks around the room, the lights still on, and quickly spots a long, thick rope. “Perfect”. He takes the rope back to Xisuma, having some difficulty hoisting himself out of the trapdoor, and trying not to cough up more blood.

“Here we go. I can lower you down the side and climb down after you,” he explains.

“I’m not sure I trust you to hold me in your weakened state,” Xisuma objects.

“I told you, I’m fine. Let’s get a move on, the others may need our help,” Tango urges.

While Xisuma and Tango try to decide the best course of action, Grian and the others arrive at the spot where Mumbo is guarding Malus’ allies. When he sees his friends, Mumbo jumps up to greet them. His moustache moves as he talks. “There you are! Is everything okay? Where are Xisuma and Tango?” he quickly asks.

“Calm down. Everyone is fine. Tango died, but he’s back,” False assures him.

“Tango died? How did he come back?” Mumbo’s questions become ever more numerous.

But before False can answer, Grian mumbles “Of course he gets to know Tango’s alive”.

False’s bitterness towards Grian melts away. “Grian, I’m really sorry about that. I just wanted to teach you a lesson, but what I did was way too harsh. Can you forgive me?”.

Grian is taken aback by her sudden gentleness, but says, “Of course I forgive you. And I shouldn't have fallen asleep. Can you forgive me for that?”.

“Yes. You couldn’t help it”. And they move in for a hug.

The captives that are tied to trees all around them have been watching the entire exchange, and what they saw melts their hearts. “You two are so sweet. Are you dating?” one of them asks.

False and Grian, still hugging, quickly pull apart, both blushing. “No!” they shout a little too fast.

Mumbo and Keralis share a look. False tries to divert the attention to the hostages by asking what they should do with them. “I mean, we can’t just leave them here,” she says.

Everyone agrees, and Keralis says “We could set them free, they have no reason to harm us now that Malus is dead”.

Mumbo and Grian both ask “Who is Malus?”.

“Right. We should probably explain what happened on the roof,” False realises. So she explains everything, with a little help from Keralis. When they’re done, Mumbo and Grian just gape at them, mouths open.

“So Keralis saved both you and Tango. Damn,” Grian says to False. He looks at Keralis in admiration.

“It’s no big deal, really. You all would’ve done the same for any one of us,” Keralis responds modestly.

“But we probably wouldn’t have succeeded in doing so twice like you did,” Mumbo insists, determined that Keralis gets credit for his heroism. Keralis begins to deny it, but breaks off when he hears rustling behind him. He wheels around and draws his sword, only to face Tango.

“Whoa! Easy with the blade Keralis! You nearly scathed this beautiful face,” he says, gesturing to his perfect jawline.

Xisuma now also comes crashing through the trees, if a little less stealthily than Tango. “What did we miss?” he asks in his smooth British accent. He leans against a tree not harboring a hostage to take his weight off his injured leg. The cool night air blows softly through his dark brown mane, and the moonlight shines right on his ocean blue eyes. Those beautiful eyes gaze questioningly at everyone.

“Nothing much, we got Mumbo and Grian caught up, but they haven’t yet explained how they managed to kidnap all these people,” Keralis answers. He turns back towards Grian and Mumbo expectantly.

“Um… Wow, putting us on the spot there Keralis!” Grian says nervously. “It’s not nearly as exciting or heroic as your story, it’ll be boring”.

“No, tell us. It could be important,” Xisuma says.

So Mumbo and Grian talk about everything that happened from the point where False said she went to check on the others. They say that when False didn’t come back, they assumed the worst and set the plan into action. They headed over to the library, which is only a short walk away from where they were, and quickly came across Malus’ allies. 

“Mumbo spotted the first one, and he snuck up on her and captured her,” Grian says appraisingly.

“But once we caught one we needed a place to hide them so they couldn’t alert the others,” Mumbo continues. “So we tied them up here while I guarded them”. They then speak of how Grian successfully captured each of the others, one by one, up until the final man.

“You saw what happened then,” says Grian, slightly embarrassed.

“We only saw you get slammed to the ground. What happened after?” Keralis inquires.

“He knocked me out and probably ran for it,” Grian replies.

“But what was Mumbo doing during all this?” False wonders aloud.

“I was doing exactly what I was supposed to be doing,” Mumbo says, a little indignantly. “I was guarding the hostages, and whenever Grian brought over a new one, I tied them up. After a while Grian stopped coming by, and I was about to go look for him when you all showed up”.

“Alright. But you’re wrong about one thing. You weren’t doing what you were supposed to be doing. You were supposed to be at HQ,” False points out.

“It’s a good thing we weren’t there though, or who would have saved you?” Mumbo says defensively, but with a hint of a smile shining underneath his moustache.

“We still don’t know what to do with these hostages,” False realises, effectively changing the subject. 

“I say we go with your idea of just releasing them, Keralis. The six of us can easily overcome them”. Grian says.  His mouth has become a little dry from the long explanation. 

“All right with me. All in favor?” Xisuma chimes in. 

Everyone raises their hands, though some do so reluctantly. When everyone has decided, they take action. They go about releasing the hostages, one by one, cutting away the ropes that bind them. Most are grateful for the release, and peacefully walk away from their kidnappers. But some shoot dirty looks, and two of them, who look like they could be brother and sister, jump at Grian and Mumbo, and attempt to strangle them before Tango and Keralis pull them apart. After this, the siblings wrestle their way out of their captives’ grasps and disappear between the trees. Grian and Mumbo get up off the ground where they were forced down by their would-be assassins and rub their throats, both grimacing. 

Once all the hostages have been released, everyone heads back to the library. Arriving at the foot of the building, Xisuma tells the others there’s really no point trying to get him back up there. “I think we’ve all had enough action for today, right? There’s nothing urgent up there, let’s just go home”. 

“Actually,” False says, “I think I remember Grian mentioning a game night? How about we continue that, together?” 

“Good idea! All the games are in Mumbo’s apartment, and that’s very close. What do you think Mumbo?” Grian asks excitedly.

Mumbo’s moustache twitches as he smiles. “Sure, why not? Although it’ll be more like a game morning, have you seen the time?” He shows everyone his watch, which is indicating that it’s quarter to four. 

“Oof. Getting… Early? Perhaps we should all get some sleep, we can have a game night later today,” Xisuma says upon seeing the time. 

The rest all suddenly realise how exhausted they are from the days activities. Some yawn, and they all nod. So everyone finds their way home, whether it be by walking or otherwise, and each of them barely make it to their beds before collapsing on them.

Only Xisuma finds himself wide awake. He has suddenly had a wave of inspiration. He goes about gathering certain things and then gets to work. Just as the first rays of sunlight appear on the horizon, he inhales deeply, satisfied with the result. He presses a button on a device, and his own voice greets him. “Hello my friends. This is for Tango, who wanted me to make one of these”. And his voice tells a tale, a tale of six spies, who were attacked by a creepy man with a long scar on his right cheek… 

                                               The End...

[touchmycoat]

OP!Anon for Leverage!HX/LQG: *SCREAM* oh I adore how you wrote this - HX is so good at reading everyone and understanding how to motivate/manipulate them, except for lqg. I love how angry he got at the idea of lqg seeing him in the same light as swd, and also how lqg's just like, yep, swd's gotta die when he heard the full story. I love the idea of HC coming in like the king he is and laying down the law about XL. ahhhhhhh!!!! just imagining hx and lqg getting close after lots of shenanigans!

teamwork baby

"Xue Yang must die" is literally one of my favorite WWX quotes of all time LMFAO time to pay homage

so you know how in book 3, during the Black Water arc, HX is there trying to push his whole scheme forward? It's well-timed, well-thought-out, but the only fucking spanner that keeps jumping back into his work is XL-and-therefore-HC? Yeah I imagine working with grifter!HC is pretty much like that. He's always late or never shows up at all to briefings, or he shows up to the very end to hear the conclusion and goes "Nope, that's fucking stupid, change it." SQQ's like "Why??" and HC's like "oh, lil boy can't figure it out?"

and whenever they have an actual plan going, HC sometimes just shows up and starts doing his own thing in the middle and forces HX to keep up. This is often motivated by one of XL's jobs, and XL would ask if HC knows a little piece of intel, and HC would be like "oh you know what, I actually have a hostage right here to ask about that, one moment please :)" and utterly prioritize XL's thing. HX has to change the job on the fly so many times, and it's so fucking annoying, but it's not like HC leaves him at a dead end, so he always does find a way out.

(this got fucking long, but HX/LQG under the cut)

Bingliushen are also annoyed as fuck, but while they're godtier at their own things, none of them are mastermind-level (yet—Binghe's gonna get there, isn't he), so they just have to put their faith in HX and keep chugging forward. This is how the foundation builds, y'know? HX insists to both others and himself that he's being honest and faithful to his team because that's just the best way to handle them, not 'cause he's actually a team player and not 'cause he cares for anybody at all. And LQG's a simple guy—you save my life, I'll save yours. You act in good faith, I'll be loyal in turn.

It starts with something small. HX's suffered tremendous loss, and has been on his own for a very, very long time. He's used to taking care of himself, but we all know LQG's love language is "here, you dropped this. I've been quietly paying attention to everything you like and do, no big deal." So maybe it happens on a mission. HC has three marks to dupe in succession, and they're playing a nasty Big Pharma group, so it's hitting close to home for HX. At the last minute though, HC says over the comm, "the CEO & CFO made me. Must've recognized me from speaking to the secretary earlier. He Xuan."

"Can you still do the COO?"

"I'm not about to waste this outfit, am I."

and HX has to hop in and do 2/3rds of the grifting himself, which is fine, he's completely capable of this, he's a goddamn prodigy at hiding his murderous tendencies. but out of nowhere LQG is on the line, "Shen Qingqiu, you said you can hack the finances, right?"

"Yes, but nothing else."

"Then He Xuan doesn't have to talk to the CFO. Give me 2 minutes, I'll knock him out."

and HX doesn't stop him because sure, why not? It was more efficient for HC to do three of them at once, but now that it was HX doing it (and HX still has his own part to play), it would save them more effort if LQG goes for the blunt force solution. But it rubs HX the wrong way—what the fuck? Yeah, HX may not like grifting as much as HC, the stupid drama queen, but hasn't he proven himself every bit as capable of it? Why did LQG think it necessary to, what, bail him out?

So that night, after debrief, HX pulls LQG aside to give him a piece of his mind. "Don't ever try to override my judgment again." "What are you talking about?" "I made a call, I did not need your 'help' on the grift." "That wasn't help." "Then what was it." "You hate talking to guys like that!" "???" "You didn't need to talk to him, and I was right there. It was the obvious thing to do."

and HX still doesn't get it, not until the next day, when SQQ and HX are quietly setting up for the morning, and SQQ says out of the blue, "that's just how he cares. Liu Qingge, I mean. It's never an ego thing once he's your friend."

"I don't need friends," is HX's automatic response.

"No," SQQ snorts in agreement. "You need revenge. That's fine. Then I'm sure he'll get over it."

Which—okay—no? Bastard. That's just a passive aggressive attempt at a guilt trip, and it's not going to work. HX has already made it abundantly clear from the get-go that this was simply a job, he was the pointman, once they were done everybody will go on their way. It's not his fault SQQ dragged in a hitman with the loyalty instincts of a german shepherd, and it's certainly none of his business whether LQG treats him as friend or a colleague.

LQG will just have to be disappointed.

BUT OF COURSE WHAT GOES ON TO HAPPEN IS THAT HX sees more and more of the things LQG does, the ways LQG manages to be thoughtful. The way LQG handles visitors during HX’s mealtimes despite how much LQG hates talking to randos, bc HX has bad food days and can’t really stand eating with others. The time they had some time to kill undercover in a consultant’s office, and HX passed the time by pointing out all the things wrong with the office’s mini-aquarium set-up, so when SQQ brought up something inane about decorating their headquarters, LQG made HX draw up specs for a saltwater tank of their own. HX and everybody else kept insisting it was a waste of time, but LQG still went ahead and got it made anyways, and now it’s HX’s favorite thing in the entire HQ.

But HX wasn’t about to owe anybody anything. If LQG insists on this game, then fine, HX was going to play to win. He requisitions new toys (read: weapons) for LQG, he builds heists around the sole purpose of giving LQG a room of satisfying bad guys to beat up, he goes to the gym and spars with LQG, he even tries to give LQG’s weirdly famous younger sister’s novel a read—which was a lot. Ahem. But LQG loves his younger sister, so surely this would be the ultimate “hah! I’ve given you more than you’ve given me! I win! move.

...turns out LQG’s never read the damn thing, and just takes everything HX gives him in total stride. “We still on for tomorrow?” “...Yes.” “Cool. See you.” And HX’s over here totally overthinking EVERYTHING while LQG’s just chilling, super matter-of-fact.

Fuck, were they friends???

HX rage-panics, because he does. not. need. friends. And it has nothing to do with how everyone he’s ever loved dies, it has nothing to do with the careful balance of vengeful fury and self-hatred inside him that’s about to tip over any day now, once they take down SWD. It has nothing to do with HX being too traumatized and grief-stricken to imagine moving on from revenge, to ever imagine being simply content again.

His eating habits get worse. One day he snaps at LQG for pining so much after SQQ. “You already know he’s never going to return your feelings. It’s embarrassing to watch you insist on giving so much when he’s not going to give anything back.”

“Shut up,” LQG snaps, “it’s not about getting anything back.”

But that makes it worse. Of course HX wasn’t actually talking about SQQ, though sure, that’s annoying too. LBh obviously knows, so why can’t they take their infernal flirting somewhere private, instead of flaunting it in front of LQG all the time?? But the fault’s with LQG too, what with all the giving. He should find someone more worthy of his affections and stop wasting his time here.

HX cuts everything he and LQG has built up in one fell swoop—completely gives him the cold shoulder. Only ever talks about work, no more dry quips, no more infodumps on niche hobbies. HX wishes he could destroy the tank at HQ, but that would be way too confrontational at this stage.

Until one mission, when LQG knows HX is not in a good place, and keeps trying to argue HX out of doing something excessively risky. HX rounds on him and says, “you’re just a hired gun, so shut up and shoot where I'm pointing, or you can pack your things and get out.”

LQG goes red, then white, and storms away.

“Nice sucker punch,” HC comments idly where he’s lounging on the side. Who knows when the fuck he showed up. “Right where it hurts.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know. His five-year stint with the Sha City Demons?”

Of course HX knows about that. He’s looked thoroughly into everybody’s backgrounds. But what does that have to do with this?

“Gege is the best at this, after all. See you and I, we stopped asking questions once we knew the name, because we don’t think people are ever as pure and good as they pretend to be. But you know what Dianxia said, after I mentioned Liu Qingge’s old gig to him? ‘Five years, hm? I wonder what they had on him. In my experience, men like Liu Qingge don’t work for crews like the Sha Demons. And in order to sink their claws deeper into men like him, the Demons always make them do the worst jobs.’ Just a hired gun indeed.”

That’s right. LQG gets a Moreau backstory of his own. HX feels his heart sink to the pit of his stomach.

“Fuck.”

“I don’t know why you’re so stressed out about it. He is just a hired gun—”

“You know why. Fuck.”

“So get out of my face and do something about it already. You know where he’s gone, I know you’ve put trackers on your entire team.”

“...”

“You didn’t? No, you didn’t put one on him? My god, you do care.”

While HC’s busy sounding disgusted, HX is reeling. He just sent the best hitman in the field packing, and was an absolute dick about it. He was not a kind man, but he also wasn’t a cruel one. He believes in fairness, and everything he said simply had not been fair. It had all been his own guilt and issues talking; if he really didn’t give a damn, then he wouldn’t have...done all this.

“How much are you willing to pay?” HC says, swiping at his phone.

“What?”

“Because I don’t trust any of you, and did put a tracking device on Liu Qingge.” He sure has—HC is waving the loading tracking app in HX’s face. “So I’m asking, how much are you willing to pay?”

...And that’s the reason why HX owes HC so much damn money.

[scenics]

any tips on how to color ???

Learning how to improve your coloring process takes time, and it takes making some mistakes. I have improved a lot over the past few years and only because I have made some questionable editing mistakes in the past (I just always make sure to never make them again). Under the cut are all the tips I could think of :)

Gifs can only be 256 colors. When you’re coloring a gif, you’re basically trying to reduce the amount of colors in a scene so your gif doesn’t lose quality when exporting. A gif can never actually represent the true colors of a scene.

I know this is obvious, but every single gif needs some sort of color modification / editing for it to look better.

My most important tip is to learn the very basics of color theory. It changes how you color dramatically and you can understand how color functions within a gif. Learn about the color wheel, primary/secondary/tertiary colors, complementary colors, and cool/warm colors. Afterwards, I also suggest looking up basic paint mixing videos where someone shows you how colors are mixed together or made darker/lighter (even better if you’ve had personal experience with mixing paint). Personally, I approach coloring gifs like I would my paint canvas in real life—when I color a scene I’m essentially “painting” over it with the adjustment tools in photoshop.

And building on the previous concepts of color theory, do not attempt to turn the original scene from red to green, blue to orange, yellow to purple, etc. It looks horrible because those are complementary colors; they are the absolute opposite of each other and mixing them makes a very muddy brown color. Instead, warm colors can easily be turned into other warm colors, and same goes for cool colors.

Reducing contrasting / clashing colors in gifs can improve the color of your gif drastically when exporting.

In gifs, red, blue, and green are the worst colors to edit because they’re the most likely to break up within a gif. These colors also break down the fastest as a gif ages.

I don’t know who said this to kpop gifmakers years ago, but please don’t be afraid to use the curves, exposure, brightness/contrast, and levels adjustment layers. Using those layers can actually help you improve the quality of your gifs drastically and make your gifs actually pop out on the dash. If you’re afraid of whitewashing someone, that can always be fixed later on by learning to adjust those layers and various others.

For kpop editing specifically, please know that Asians are not straight up canary yellow, bright orange, or tomato red. Asians do not have the same universal skin tone/color—Asia is comprised of thousands of ethnic groups which means we also have tons of variations in skin tone. Basically, Asians aren’t yellow. All the members of a single idol group do not have the same complexion, and much less to say the whole Korean music industry. In terms of color mixing for editing, Asians are a mixture of yellow, red, orange, white, and a very minimal amount of a cool color depending on undertone.

I highly suggest learning about how lighting works in a gif. Always question where the light in a gif is coming from—is it from the side, the front, the back, the top? I often see editors try to reduce contrast completely or make someone completely yellow/orange/red/brown in an effort to reduce whiteness/lightness on one side of the face. Differences in lighting are completely natural and one side of the face being lighter than other is just how lighting works.

Personally, I always color to enhance a gif.  I’m always trying to reduce the gray layer/cast on scenes that occurs from compression (but sometimes that’s also unavoidable because of the grain or quality). I try not to over-edit most of the time but that’s also personal preference and everyone has a distinctive style. When I make a gif, I want it to age well although that may seem impossible. 

Making the blacks blacker and whites whiter increases contrast in a gif. It makes your gifs pop and stand out.

Be careful with the use of vibrance/saturation/hue. Those can easily reduce the quality of your gif. The most important layers for coloring gifs (in general) are selective color, levels, and color balance.

The higher quality a file particularly is, the easier it is to manipulate colors for editing. Those gifs are less likely to break up and can withstand more coloring than the average gif. Basically, the more layers you add to a gif, the heavier it’ll be to export—so a reduction in quality. I find that gifs with tons of layers end up looking “sticky.”

In my opinion, the best editors on here are those who always color from scratch. They’re more flexible in how they color and actually know how to color a wider variety of content no matter what. PSDs are very nice and easy to use once you’ve developed them, but you also get stuck in a rhythm and forget how to color from the very beginning. An editor can become inflexible with the use of the same PSD.

I highly suggest checking your gifs on mobile. Gifs in general look very similar on desktop, but on mobile it’s a completely different story. Load your gifs into Tumblr’s photo uploader then publish them on a separate sideblog. Then, with your brightness turned up all the way, look at your gif on mobile and zoom into it. You’ll be able to see how the gif has been compressed, how the coloring has changed, if there’s any “breakage” in the gif. Then you can slowly modify your editing process to also look good on mobile. For me, my editing has improved a lot since I started making my gifs primarily for mobile—how gifs look on desktop do not really matter to me anymore.

Exporting gifs: I suggest checking what diffusion vs pattern looks like on mobile. Pattern has some little difference with diffusion in the desktop browser (sometimes you have to look closely to tell the difference on desktop), but on mobile there’s a huge difference. Gifs exported in pattern in general look very old and worn on mobile, especially with yellow/orange hues. Pattern on mobile can make a 2160p Blu-ray remux file look like it was originally a 1080p 2 GB compressed file—it essentially adds a worn surface to a gif that makes it look like it was made in 2017 not 2021 (completely refutes the need to download a HQ file in the first place).

Saving in pattern: If you’re giffing from a Vapoursynth processed file, please do not save the gif in pattern. Vapoursynth makes gifs very smooth and diffusion works best with smooth, grainless gifs. The pattern export sits on top of a Vapoursynth gif like a dirty mosquito net. In general, pattern is best when you have two dominant complementary colors in a gif that are directly clashing with each other in movement OR gradient scenes with lots of shifts in hue and movement. Pattern can help hide the breakage of color within those gifs due to the excess movement of color. Also, I think pattern works best with animation, especially figured with black outlines or scenes with tons of color (those look least worn on mobile).