#the tone shift is so funny like as more and more people beat this man up it gets easier and easier | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

prince-toffee · 7 days

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So, I rewatched the trailer over and over again, I stepped back, organised my thoughts, and I think I get it.

So first the Bad, then the GOOD, because there's actually a lot to like here.

The Bad:

So, the trend of companies kicking actual voice actors onto the curb and replacing them with celebrities continues. I remember being really angry when they first announced the voice cast, and I still am. It's quite literally the most boring, generic casting possible. You can not get much more white bread, milk toast than a Chris and Scar - I want to play an Asian woman and trans man - jo. Also, why is Chris Hemsworth here? Do he really need the money? Did Thor 4 damage his pockets that bad? There are so many talented voice actors that could've been Orion, David Kaye is a prime example Animated Optimus and Beats Wars/Unicron Trilogy Megatron, beloved by fans, if he was announced people would've been over joyed. I love Brian Tyree Henry, and he actually has some experience with va work as he voiced Jeff Morales in Spider-Verse, my original criticism still stands.... And Kegan, oh Kegan, I love you so much, Key and Peele was my childhood, and the Toad performance was perfectly fine, endearing even. But as Bee? I'm sorry, but no, that's not BumbleBee that's just actor/comedian Kegan Michael Key, I can't hear anything else. And it doesn't help that he's handed the worst lines.

Which brings us to the comedy. First impressions are EVERYTHING. And if you fumble that that hurts your film, and the perception of your film. I think that's really the problem here, it's a bad trailer not necessarily bad content. Packing the trailer with jokes for the sake of jokes and having that samey Hollywood liscensed music cringey feel to it. Like the guitar riff that played when the 'This Fall' card came up just made me turn off the video immediately. That's why I recommend watching the trailer without sound. Bee's jokes don't really land for me, I'm sure kids with love it tho, and that's good. But I'm sure all the jokes won't be bad, the final door gag is actually really funny. So I think it was just a bad joke that soured out feel of the tone at the beginning, which is unfortunate because like I said first impressions are everything. Because this is Josh Cooly, of Up, Inside Out, Toy Story 4 fame, I'm sure the film will have an emotional core to it.

A minor thing I don't much care for is having Bee be in the same age range as Orion, in my mind he's always constructed during the war at like the half way mark or near the end, he's the little brother of the group, and now he's old enough to remember Op and Megs before the war. Also he sounds way too old.

Oh, also I don't like Orion's personality.

Good:

Now for the good; I think the animations style is gorgeous. Would have I liked something Spider-Verse/Mutant Mayhem-esk, of course, but what are you gonna do? The stand out here is the environments, a visual feast. This might already be my favourite Cybertron, it's so different yet reminisant of the Cybertron we know. The fact that the surface transformers and shifts and changes is genius, very IDW Phase 2 inspired. And the fact that Cybertron is a techno-organic hybrid world ala Beast Machines is crazy! I love that, and wildlife! I bet that's how we get the cassettes. The character models are great too, you can actually tell what emotion is happening on a person's face. Gone are the days of faces being made up of razor blades and mandibles BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT INSECTS FUCK YOU MICHAEL BAY. THEY'RE PEOPLE! There's the nose, the lips, the eyes, and I can tell where one begins and ends. The eyes are gorgeous and detailed, and the face surface detail has smuges, wear, specs of dirt, metallic texture. Like, you nailed it! It's a person but a robot, you got it!

We see what we assume are the 13 Primes, Alpha Trion being the only survivor, maybe they were killed by the Quintessons and they took over. D-16, a ref to IDW and his toys designation in the toy catalogue, he'll obviously name himself after Megatronus ala TF Prime. He seems to have the Decepticon insignia before meeting The Fallen so maybe Megatronus' face is some sort of religious iconography, the Primes are a religion on Cybertron after all. It's all so fascinating, I can't remember the last time I was so excited to learn more about a new TF continuity.

Orion and D-16 are both miners and or workers, that's a refreshing take, no coptimus here. They've suffered the same way together, I bet story will be about dealing with that pain, what justice means, how far one is willing to take it and where justice stops and injustice begins. I know people are mad that the origins are a little different, but I ask you, different from what? Which continuity are you talking about? TF has never had a consistent singular timeline, and that's what I love about this franchise! It builds on itself with each new continuity! Take a bit of the old, mix it with new ideas and create something fresh, then that old guard leaves and a new team takes over and does the same and the franchise continues to evolve or should I say transform. Like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get, and new incarnations always give second chances to improve apon what came before. No Reboots, no risks means no Skybite, or Nemesis Prime, no Stasis Pods, Sparks, Protoforms, Energon ore, no Star Saber, Hot Shot, Knock Out, Airachnid, no All Spark, no Sari, no Bulkhead, no old grumpy Ratchet, none of that. Reboots are a part of this franchise's DNA. I sense the people that are complaining are the people who only value one continuity and discard all others.

It's really neat this universe's version of The Cast System is lower class worker protoforms being denied a Transformation Cog, it seems like it's reserved for the higher classes, the very thing that makes their species special and unique is denied to them. Also I didn't notice it the first time, but Alpha actually pulls the t-cogs out of the dead Primes which kind of signifies a passing of the guard, the old Primes failed, now it's your turn, and of course history repeats itself with the downfall of Megatron.

I like how Trion is covered and intertwined with moss and vines and has a beast mode, showcasing that he's of an older era now gone and forgotten.

Some other smaller stuff:

The sun looks like a holographic simulation, which makes me wonder, Cybertron doesn't usually have a sun, but there's plant life now, so what's up?

The cave that the dead Primes and Trion are in kinda looks like a Dweller.

Megatron's black helmet is a ref to Marvel G1.

That spin kick where Elita twirls her entire waist around is sooo satisfying. I love it.

AIRACHNID!!?!!!! MY QUEEN HAS RETURNED!!!!!!!

I think that's a good point to end on. So, yeah, v excited.

#transformers one #maccadam #maccadams #tf one

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1-siracha · 5 months

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obey me characters as the asian extended family stereotypes!! older brother edition

younger brothers / dateables / undateables

massive disclaimer: i am chinese-malaysian, and this is created solely off my own personal experiences and videos on the internet i have seen regarding this topic. these experiences and memories may not apply to you. this is also a joke, these are stereotypes and do not apply to all asian families or all ethnic families. also may be a little ooc since i havent played om! yet

☆

lucifer: the exemplary cousin

when i think of this guy, all i see is my younger cousin

absolute genius, gets high grades, focuses on school, DOES VIOLIN AND PIANO, wears the most concealing clothing, very mature

be prepared because your parents are about to relentlessly compare you to him

"aiyoh mc, why are you not like lucifer yet?! when he was your age, he was raising all his brothers on the streets after he fell from heaven, and what are you doing loh? smoking weed? doing cigarette? studying to be artist?"

during family gatherings, he is absolutely smothered in attention by all the aunties and uncles. most of the time sits with the parents instead of the kids and talks about whatever the fuck they talk about at the parents table

every other kid there gives him the death glare because these mfs KNOW he is loving the attention and the massive ego boost it gives him.

mammon: the disgrace

ok my southeast asian homies (and maybe south as well) we all know this mf

the main antagonist of the auntie gossip

often comes in the form of a sketchy uncle

has at LEAST two tattoos and one of them is probably a dragon (i am projecting my own disgrace uncle on to him so hard)

got in a lot of trouble for either scamming another relative out of money or gambling away their families money

smokes on the balcony during gatherings (if he's even allowed to go)

actually pretty nice and funny but nobody wants to be around him because hes a lowkey faliure. most of the older kids like hanging around him, but often dont stay around him too long as their parents are worried of his influence.

also he probably took up modeling which made the aunties hate him even more

eyes flick to mammon as he seats himself at the dining table, and he responds to them with a nervous smile. "mammon," one of the adults starts lowly, in a belittling tone that made him sick to his stomach. "didn't bring anything to the gathering, not even 古老肉..." they look at him before adding another taunt. "oh.. that's right.. you never learned mandarin, did you? nothing to contribute lah. always take, take, take with you. just LIKE WHAT YOU DID TO MY HUSBAND'S MONEY!!"

ruckus erupts as everyone on the adults table simultaneously starts yelling, as though the family tension built up over the past year head finally snapped.

shit.

Leviathan: the teenager

congratulations dude, you just got the most underrated type of asian at a family gathering.

doesn't get as much attention as lucifer due to being relatively mediocre and not as talented as him, but will occasionally his parents will flex his coding skills or an award he got at school.

doesnt really talk due to not much people at the family gathering being his age group, so he mostly sits in a very solitary corner of the kids table on an uncomfortably small plastic chair and plays games to pass the time.

SPEAKING OF GAMES

the moment the asian parents kick the kids off to the nintendo switch or wii u so they can freely argue about politics or whatever (im not sure im still stuck at the kids table 😭), this man completely shifts.

beats everyone MULTIPLE TIMES. makes them fucking bawl. oh my gosh its actually so funny.

the little kids hate him because he beats them so often in mario kart.

#obey me #obey me fanfic #obey me writing #obey me crack #obey me lucifer #om! lucifer #obey me leviathan #om! leviathan #obey me mammon #om! mammon #obey me headcannons

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cas-backwards-tie · 11 months

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Chapter One: The Intrusion

Just Like Me

Masterlist | Next Chapter

Five Hargreeves x Sparrow!Samantha

Summary: Arriving home from school, you find there are a group of intruders in the compound. Friend, or foe, it isn't clear. Though you don't use your abilities anymore and aren't much of a fighter, you're curious to learn more when the intruders mention growing up in the same house and sharing a father. The only question is: will they explain?

Warnings: Cursing, Violence, Anxiety, Insecurity, Angst, Complicated Family Relationships, Degradation

Words: 4.9k

A/N: So while I meant to write the same story going off my interpretation of the comics two years back, I decided I'd just try and fit my OC (though it's written in reader style, her attributes scarcely mentioned) into the show considering that I've recently finished the third season! Details about the OC's backstory will be revealed throughout the series.

Your hands release the grip on your backpack’s shoulder straps and come up to cup your ears. It’s the alarm blaring throughout the house’s speakers. “What the hell?!” You grumble to yourself. “Really?” Through the foyer, you can spot five strangers all dressed in black, bewildered looks on their faces. Each person’s clothes are different–no uniform look to them–and they all differ in shape, size, and style from what you can see. If they’re robbers, they’re downright stupid showing their faces, and even attempting to rob the Sparrow Academy. The sound of your Father’s voice lets you know that whatever is going on, there’s a disagreement in progress. Ready to confront the situation and get answers, you walk through the doorway and stop once the five intruders become six upon better view.

“Wrong again. This isn’t your home, this is-” Father speaks, his know-it-all tone eliciting a wry look on your behalf. Not wanting to deal with his holier-than-thou attitude, you attempt to emotionally brace yourself. Leaning against the doorway, you watch the scene before you in silence, trying to gather information. If anything, stealth has always been your strong suit. Always surprising people with your light heel-to-toe steps, it’s unintentional the way you’ve gotten everyone in the house scared at least once or twice simply going about your business.

“What are you talking about? This is the Umbrella Academy,” the dark-haired female questions. With her back turned away, you don’t get a good look at her, yet your eyes flit to the person closest to you. A small, thin, seemingly frail person with shoulder-length brown hair. Arms crossing over your chest, you next spot the knives within the shaggy-haired man’s vest. Your heart beats a little faster. They could be dangerous, you think. Beside him stands a lanky man in a trench coat and a cowboy hat–an odd look to say the least–and finally, across the room stands a boy who looks around your age in appearance. It’s funny, though you’re dressed alike, it appears as though his uniform is too small, while yours finally fits perfectly. His outfit looks like a knock-off version of the Sparrow Academy uniform, only if the colors were reversed. Clad in a maroon blazer with the Academy’s insignia on the breast, you don a matching tartan skirt, maroon and navy, along with white knee-high socks, and mary-jane shoes. After years of thinking your uniforms would never fit properly, you’ve finally grown into them over the past year or so as your teenage body continues to grow.

“-This is the Sparrow Academy.” He finishes his explanation. Father’s hazel eyes take in your appearance, though you have no idea what he’s thinking or planning. Your eyes flit between him, the intruders, and up to the second floor. It doesn’t slip your notice that the shaggy-haired man withdraws a knife from his vest.

“Dad, who the hell are these assholes?” Ben’s disgruntled tone breaks the silence as all eyes shift over to him. Just as you’re about to verbally add on, yet you’re beaten to the punch.

“Shit…” the intruders all murmur simultaneously in an unsettling and eerie manner. Silence overtakes the room for a moment as they all simply stare at your brother in wonder. Maybe they’re just crazed fans, you realize. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has attempted to break in with ideas of catching a view of the infamous Sparrow Academy and getting an autograph, photo, or some shit.

“Ben,” the soft tone that leaves the cowboy hat-wearing man feels wrong. The look in all their eyes is seemingly that of one who stares fondly at their favorite work of art, or muse. While you truly know Ben, it’s always the fans who make him out to be some admirable and righteous guy as if he’s not a giant asshole now.

“Is that really you?” The big one asks, stepping closer to him. Whatever wrong feeling lies in your gut only amplifies with those words. There’s no mistaking that of the tone someone only uses when they know someone personally. And you’ve never seen these people in your life. They could be from before, you mentally remind yourself, a sullen feeling swirling in your gut at the thought of your lost time. Yet, the look on Ben’s face is one of perplexion, confusion, and worry. That’s all you need to know that these are still, in fact, strangers.

“And who are the weirdos on the balcony?!” The accusatory comment flies immediately after the big one’s question, all eyes drawn up to said location. Using this opportunity of distraction as a means to move, you slink past the small and thin person diagonal to you and stand next to Ben. He doesn’t seem keen on your appearance, not a word uttered in greeting. Shifting the backpack to sit more evenly on your shoulders, you wait for someone to say something- for Dad to explain, or at least tell them to get out of his house.

“They are the Sparrows. My children.” A faint rumbling shakes the house, and whether or not it’s either fans outside, more intruders upstairs, or someone’s upset feelings leaking out through their powers, you brace yourself. Whoever these people are, the stunned expressions on their faces don’t sit well with you. So… they’re not fans, you question, suddenly at a loss again.

“I’m sorry, what do you mean your children? That’s not possible, old man.” The teenage boy stupidly asks as he starts closing the distance between your Father and himself.

“Well, clearly it is since we’re standing right here,” you point out as if it’s obvious. Which it is. Though your mothers were from different parts of the world, and your births having happened in minutes, spontaneously, it was certainly an event. Nevertheless, Reginald Hargreeves is your Father.

“Of course it is! I think I’d know, wouldn’t I?” The preposterousness of his tone only mirrors the amusement and ludicrous nature you hold in your own demeanor as it seems these people might be… well, delusional. Clearly, since they’d thought to break into the world’s biggest crime-fighting legion.

“How was school?” Marcus asks you quietly as he approaches to stand on your other side. He still listens intently to the conversation, even if he actually acknowledges your presence and the fact that you’ve only just gotten home. Before you can respond about how it’d been boring considering you’re only starting to learn about basic chemistry and things that, honestly, you’d already started to learn at the Academy before things went… haywire, someone speaks up.

“Everyone else can see Ben, right?” Cowboy Dude (as you’re now referring to him in your mind) proposes, gesticulating as he starts to approach all of you. Brows furrowing in confusion at this statement, you shake it off and turn your attention back to your older brother to your left.

“Well, certainly not as exciting as whatever the hell is going on here,” you joke, eliciting a chuckle from both Ben and Marcus. Surprising that the prior was even listening.

“Cute hat, Sundance,” Ben remarks, never failing to miss a chance to whip out a comeback. The disturbed looks from the intruders only elicit an amused smile from you. It’s then that you make eye contact with the little one of their group, his eyebrows furrowed similarly to the one you held earlier when trying to decipher who they were. His head tilts slightly as his green eyes search yours. Suddenly your Father’s voice attracts everyone’s attention once more.

“They call themselves the Umbrella Academy, a group of scheming, perfidious malcontents who accosted me in the fall of nineteen sixty-three when I was away on business in Dallas. Be warned, they claim to be my spawn.”

“What?” Trying to process and take in this information, it makes no sense that they’d been alive in nineteen sixty-three, and yet one of them looks your age. They’d all at least be well into their sixties by now. The following words from the dark-haired, cape-wearing woman drone in one ear and out the other as you try to wrap your head around everything your Father had so casually said.

“I don’t know yet, but it’s concerning,” the little one garners your attention again, your eyebrows now mirroring his as you try to piece this puzzle together. Siblings? There’s no way… is there? Wouldn’t you know? Wouldn’t this have come up, before? Why does Father look on edge if this is the case? Why would they accost him, then? There are too many questions and too little information to come to any certain conclusion.

“Is he telling the truth?” Marcus asks. Even if this is all new information, he’s always the best at keeping things going and taking assertive action. It’s why he’s Number One.

“Does that mean they’re our…” you cut yourself off, not daring to voice the thoughts going through your head. “That’s impossible.”

“You’d think,” the little one comments.

“Says the kid who would be in his sixties if it were true,” you respond lamely, not really intending to speak it to anyone in particular.

“Yeah, well the truth is mercurially dynamic at best, little girl,” the kid bites back. He moves his jaw in an unsettling way, your own jaw clenching at the degrading nickname. Despite your outward appearance, you are not a little girl, by far.

“Not the part about us being perfidious,” the thin person, who you can now see is a woman, defends. Her voice is fairly quiet, yet with all the thick tension in the air, there’s more than enough silence to be filled.

Cowboy Dude backs her up. “No, we’re amateur-fidious, at best.”

“-but we are his children. This is our house.” She claims. Samantha takes the moment to gauge her sibling's reactions, everyone looking about, if not more, stumped than she is.

“Yeah, yeah. We, uh… grew up here.” It’s the Big One, now. Alphonso takes the opportunity to mock him, which only irks you and elicits an eye roll because something doesn’t feel right about this. Though it’s unlikely and something only someone desperate would come up with… for some reason you believe there’s a possibility they’re telling the truth.

“How’s that possible?” Your voice is quiet, mind turning its gears as you can’t work out what’s missing in this equation. A few theories have formed in the last minute or so, but there’s no definitive answer here. There are still crucial parts missing in their explanation.

“I kind of think we would have noticed you,” Sloane remarks, pointing out something that all of you had to have been thinking, her soft voice helping to ease the tension if for only a moment.

“Hi, I’m Luther.” The Big One extends his hand out to Sloane, yet she doesn’t move. Smart, on her part, though the sudden shift in attitude and the kind smile on his face only make the whole situation that much more eerie and confusing.

“Hi Luther,” you respond with a small wave and a remiss attitude. It really doesn’t seem like the time, nor place, yet you play along.

“Okay. None of you belong here.” The dark-haired glove-wearing girl asserts, clearly having had enough.

“Woah! What?” Taken aback by the sudden aggressiveness in her tone, you take a step back. Defensiveness ebbs into your being. Alphonso audibly gawks at her words, Jayme making a noise of discontent and incredulousness, Ben almost growling under his breath.

“Oh! Well, then. I guess we’ll just pack our bags and move out,” Fei remarks sarcastically, eliciting a smile thrown over your shoulder to her. She’s always been much faster with comebacks than you, though not as good as Ben. It’s a quality you’d never been able to pick up, really, and the whole… IceCube Incident didn’t exactly help.

Christopher plays along with Fei, though proposes that the supposed ‘Umbrella Academy’ will have to beat us if they want our spots in the house.

“You slay me, Chris,” Ben chuckles. Christopher’s remark elicits a few laughs from your siblings and a tight-lipped look from you. It’s hard not to smile, knowing they have no chance of beating you all, yet you don’t want to appear cocky. After all, you don’t want anyone to fight. Fighting is never the answer.

The telltale sign of heels clacking against the black and white tile of the foyer announces her presence. “I wasn’t expecting company,” Grace sighs. “This is the best I could do on short-” she starts to malfunction, one eye rolling slightly as she struggles to get her words out, voice box revealing a deeper tone than that of the tone she’s been programmed for, “-short notice.”

“It’s fine, Grace. Thank you,” you respond, a small and tense placating smile on your lips.

“Mom,” the shaggy-haired man practically whispers, breaking the silence. Mom? Out of all the things he could’ve said… he said that. His tone was soft… again, a familiarity echoing the similar manner that, Luther–you now know his name–addressed Ben earlier.

“Mom? She’s a robot, you perv.” Despite the seriousness of her accusation, Alphonso chuckles, of course. Their humor is… something, alright. The two of them, together… yeesh. They never fail to surprise you with what will come out of one of their mouths.

“Jayme,” your tone comes out as a warning.

“What?” She defends, “It’s creepy as hell.”

“It’s not a robot!” The man defends.

“Hey, don’t you call him that!” Luther steps in.

“Or what?” Ben instigates, stepping closer to Luther.

“Why don’t you come closer and find out?” He quips immediately.

“Wow, okay,” your exasperation is evident in your voice. With a shrug of forfeit, you turn your questioning gaze toward Marcus, who meets your eye contact with an expression of anger, patience being tested.

“Luther! Guys, chill!” The small woman begs, coming closer as if to intervene if something were to go down. Though considering the size of Luther and Marcus, you doubt she’d be able to do anything besides get crushed between them.

“Think I’m afraid?” Ben posits, puffing out his chest as if to scare away the giant of a man Luther is. Though an honorable notion for protecting your home, it’s… all too cocky of him. But really, it’s Ben; what do you expect from him?

“Stand down, Ben,” Marcus’ warning tone brings you a sense of relief, not wanting to have to fight this… Umbrella Academy.

“Look at that! She’s got a voice!” Ben taunts the small woman, amused by her attempt to dissuade them. So much for that, you think.

“How about I hide that big Rubik’s Cube up your ass?” Shaggy-hair threatens, eliciting a fire you hadn’t realized had been slowly boiling in the pit of your stomach.

“Christopher isn’t a Rubik’s Cube, you ass!” Marcus extends his arm in front of you before you can properly lunge in the man’s direction. Always the big brother. In a split second the room erupts into many separate conversations, comments, threats, and warnings. It catches your eye–the familiar glint of Jayme’s spit–the black liquid hitting Shaggy Man’s cheek. Eyes widening, you whip your head around to her. “Jayme! You just started things!” You whisper yell at her.

Your older-looking sister squints her eyes at you before rolling them dramatically, a sigh falling from her lips. “Well someone had to. Besides, he started it when he called Grace ‘Mom’ like some kinked-up weirdo,” she asserts, “and now? I’ll finish them.” Arms crossed over her chest, she sits on her hip in triumph, eagerly watching the Shaggy Man go through whatever delusion his mind conjured through her spit. Hazel eyes returning to him, you watch with concern, eyes shifting as you spot the teenage boy eyeing you behind him. As soon as your eyes meet, he looks up at Marcus. Taking him in, you don’t think it’ll be hard to take out this supposed Umbrella Academy if it really comes to it, though you’d rather not. Cute as the boy is, even if rudely witty, he doesn’t have to get hurt.

“I don’t know what circus you escaped from or how you got past our security, but we’re done here. You got 30 seconds to get out of our house.” Marcus has his famous eerily calm mask on in spite of the obvious tension simmering in the room.

“And if we don’t?” Cape-Girl bites back, crossing her arms over her chest with a smug look upon her face.

“Marcus,” your biting tone has a tacit plead in it, one he’s very familiar with. Though you haven’t been on a mission since the IceCube Incident, you still try to prevent fights from breaking out within the walls of the house, begrudgingly to your sibling’s amusement, it always seemed. Luckily, for the most part, Marcus would take your side and help rein in the chaos Jayme, Alphonso, Ben, and Chris always seem to want to participate in.

“Then we’ll have to settle this the old-fashioned way.”

“Ugh,” you groan. Of course it would come to this. As you hear Ben crack his neck and watch Marcus get into a defensive stance, you crack your knuckles. Everyone’s stances mirror similar defensive poses with little idiosyncrasies within each person.

“Sam, go!” Marcus instructs, pointing toward the doorway. He knows how you feel about fighting, yes, but more than anything he knows you won’t use your powers after the Incident. Regardless of whether they’ll need them or not, without using your powers, you’re a liability. Someone he doesn’t need to be distracting him from fully being invested in the fight.

“No! I’m not going.” Getting into a defensive position next to him, you ready yourself, not bothering with your backpack since this will be quick. “If we’re gonna do this, might as well get this over with.”

“Go,” he quietly pleads in the same tone you’d used earlier. Just to spite him, the way he’d ignored your request earlier, you decide that fighting these punks of intruders and letting off some of the rising anger they’ve caused you is the healthiest manner of coping. You’re not going anywhere, because defying your big brother is about the most satisfying thing you could do.

“Agreed,” Luther responds. Readying themselves for a fight, they clearly don’t care about your little side conversation as everyone watches to two biggest members of your family square up.

“Get him, Luther!” Cowboy Dude seems more enthralled to watch, yet his optimistic and supportive attitude seems amusing in juxtaposition to the situation at hand. Does he really want to watch his brother get beaten to a pulp?

“Look we just fought a literal army. Okay? This doesn’t need to get ugly. Let’s all just calm down, and let’s talk.”

“A literal army? What the hell…” Eyeing the woman with confusion, you’re starting to worry Dad was right. Maybe these people are liars and far more crazy than he’d made them out to be.

“Psst-” the sound captures your attention, hazel eyes shifting over to Cowboy Dude. “-Ben-er-rino! You look so much better alive than you do dead. Am I right? Except that haircut.” Lips forming a small ‘o’, a silent ‘ooh’ leaves your lips. You know that’s it. Ben won’t take that.

“What the hell did you just say?” Ben retorts, obviously offended. Yep, you called it.

“Wait, dead? What are you…” It’s then that you register his words, murmuring more to yourself than anyone, it’s just another piece to the growing puzzle.

“Come on, come one, stop will all the hostility, Mr. Grumpy Pants. Oh wow, nice scar. Muy macho.” Cowboy Dude persists, approaching your brother with a passive disposition.

“I wouldn’t if I were-” the comment leaves your lips before you can stop it.

“Shut your mouth!” Ben yells, readying himself for a fight.

“You shut your mouth and just hug your brother-” Ben punches him square in the jaw. The hat goes flying as the man stumbles backward, rolls over, and off the coffee table, which really, seems a bit dramatic to you. Ben can’t punch that hard. Maybe Marcus, but Ben? No way.

“What the hell? You didn’t have to do that!” Luther raises his voice, closing the distance between him and Ben.

“Oh, I’m pretty sure I did!” Ben bites back.

“That’s right, he did,” Alphonso comments.

“Yeah,” you agree. The man did come off as a bit aggressive and forward.

“Hey, get back!” Marcus warns, swooping between Ben and Luther easily, keeping them apart physically.

“Luther, hey!” The small woman yells. Marcus shoves Luther away when he won’t stop closing the distance.

“Back off!” Marcus shouts.

“Marcus!” You shout. Luther winds his arm back and throws a punch. Marcus dodges and easily kicks Luther square in the chest. The big man goes flying back through the air.

“Oh shit!” Someone says before the big man lands on top of the Cowboy Dude, knocking over the couch, cupboard, and all the decorations atop it.

“Bad touch, Luther! Bad touch!” The pinned man yells, yet your attention follows your Father leaving the room. All of a sudden, Marcus is hopping over the coffee table towards Luther, the teenage boy is running your way, Sloane, Alphonso, Jayme, and Fei all go their separate ways, leaving you open and vulnerable. Panicking, you step aside, Ben still holding the space he’d been in, readying himself for the incoming kid with a devilish look in his eyes.

“Come at me, litter box!” Shaggy Man yells at Christopher, who you spot floating a few feet above you, heading in his direction. With a relieved breath, you gather yourself, eyes flitting from person to person as you try to figure out where to insert yourself. In the midst of your panic and internal struggle, you see the kid punch Ben backward out of the corner of your eye. Ben immediately comes back to punch him, but the kid dodges only to kick Ben away.

“Don’t hurt my brother, Short-Shorts!” You yell, the attempt at name-calling simply coming off the top of your head as you charge at the kid, going to punch him, yet he elbows you in the stomach before kicking you down, all without sparing a glance in your direction. To be fair... announcing your incoming probably wasn’t the smartest idea you’ve had. Ben knees the kid, all while laughing, as he dodges the incoming punch.

“That’s the best you got, really?” The amusement quickly shifts. “Don’t need your help, pipsqueak!” He yells, still fist-fighting the kid, eyes on him, yet you know the words are directed at you. Ben finally manages to get a punch in before swiveling around the kid’s punch and landing another right in his stomach. With a grab of his arm and another quick shift of position, he’s got him in a headlock. On your feet, you stand in front of them with an unamused look on your face.

“At least I’m trying,” you huff, “more than I can say for you!” The kid suddenly disappears with a fwip sound, and both you and your brother’s eyes widen in surprise. Ben looks around, as do you, yet the next fwip sounds to your left, signaling his appearance.

“You’re alive-” The kid stumbles backward, regaining his balance, “-that’s great… or possibly horrible, I’m not really sure yet.” Fixing his hair, you take in what he’s said, more than plan what to do next.

“Is that some kind of weird smack talk?” Ben questions. It’s the second time someone’s mentioned him dead, is it really possible that-

“-It’s more of an existential problem, really, Ben,” he’d cut off your thoughts, attention shifting back to the moment before you. With a wide step and a cocked fist, you punch him across the face, sending him stumbling back again.

“Awesome! Here’s your next problem,” announcing his next move, you know what’s coming. A tentacle lunges from his chest toward the kid, only for him to disappear with another fwip. Left reeling for his position, it’s only as your attention draws back to Ben that a look of astonishment takes over your face. Pointing up to the balcony, you tacitly give him a heads-up by pointing the boy out.

“You know, even though you’re a total asshat now-” Ben sends his tentacles surging toward him again, giving you the perfect opportunity to escape. Running toward the foyer to head upstairs and get the kid, you pass Fei fighting the Cape-wearing woman, who you happen to trip on the way up the stairs. Mary janes shoes clomping up the many steps as fast as you can, you quickly find that the kid has vanished, again. Leaning over the railing he’s down below; a groan escapes your lips. As you turn to head back down, a burst of energy hits you, smacking you against the railing, and taking your legs out from under you. On the floor, you start to get up, only for a knife to plunge into the wood a few centimeters away. Breath caught in your throat, you stare in shock and disbelief, fear, and adrenaline surging through your veins.

“Chris!” You yell, running toward the knife as you spot Christopher floating in the opposite direction, Shaggy Man following suit on the other side of the walkway. Attempting to dislodge the knife from the wood is hard, it’s smooth, and the wood now is splintering. With a few grunts of effort, you extract it, readying yourself as Christopher leads him past you and goes over the railing. Not expecting the man to follow, you throw the knife, sending it flying right where the railing stops. Shaggy Man does a flip over the railing, leaving you wide-eyed, mouth agape. The knife misses him by an inch or so, going into the wall on the other side of the living room balcony.

“See? We’re hugging! This is progress!” Cowboy Dude yells, despite being squished in a constricting hold of Ben’s tentacle. Though amusing, you know you need to help. Turning to head back down to the first floor, you spot the kid having teleported onto the walkway with the cape-wearing woman above the foyer. While they’re on the opposite side of the adjoining room, you watch as Jayme strides toward them.

“Hey, Short Pants! What’s up?” Her taunting voice asks him. As you start to head in their direction, you hear the boy tell his accomplice to leave them so she can help the others. “What are you, their mascot?” Jayme quips.

On the other side of the balcony, you stop dead in your tracks as he teleports again, the now familiar fwip telling you so. “More like their ringer,” he answers her question.

Punch sending her to the ground, you can’t help but let out an audible “Ooh,” as it looks like it’d hurt. Just as his eyes draw up to you with surprise and a deadly look within them, Jayme’s spit lands on his forehead, hand following suit.

“Hey, gross, all right?” The slowing of his movements tells you he’s in whatever delusion his mind conjured from her venom. Taking the opportunity to finish closing the distance between you and your sister, you both watch the boy act out whatever’s going on in his mind.

“Really? You’re no help,” she grumbles at you, disappointment and annoyance evident as she dusts off her pants and stands.

“Delores?” The boy questions, your eyes following his line of vision, even if you knew nothing was there. You can never be too sure, you figure. Today has already been weird as hell. As the boy starts walking toward the other staircase, you give Jayme an unpleased look. “Mi sei mancato anche angelo mio, più di quanto tu possa immaginare. Vieni da me.”

“Italian?” You question, eyes locking with hers, a surprised look on both of your faces.

“Yup.” As it starts to look like he’s making out with someone, your sister lets out an “Ugh,” which elicits a laugh from you as your eyes land on her rather than the disturbing image before the both of you. “Are they all perverts?” You shrug. Jayme walks up to him and doubles him over with a roundhouse kick. He tumbles down the stairs, his sounds of pain elicit a grimace, nevertheless, you join your sister at the staircase’s landing. With a flip of your hair, you turn and run towards the other staircase, heading back down to the living room. Spotting Luther slipping through the bookcase passageway and the kid gone from his spot on the tiles, you try to find the others. Just as you’re headed back through the foyer, another fwip resounds across the table. With a yelp, the kid appears.

“Shit, it’s gone!” he looks around, eyes landing on you for a moment before finally resting on the scene in the living room.

“What’s gone?” You ask, yet his attention makes yours shift as well. The thin woman lies on the floor moaning in pain.

“Vanya, get out of there!” He yells, approaching the living room. Without thinking, you follow suit, intent on keeping him back as no one else needs to get hurt. It’s sad, really, but you can’t save everyone. Her hands are clenched in fists and you watch as your siblings form a circle around her, slowly closing in. With a stumble backward the kid suddenly disappears again. In the split-second all you’d seen was panic and fear, leaving you afraid of whatever he’d been afraid of. By the time you look back at the living room, a burst of energy suddenly sends you flying through the air backward, your whole body smacking against the wall, knees buckling as you slowly crumble to the floor.

~~~~~~~~

taglist: @ohdamnadam , @safarigirlsp , @jynzandtonic , @moonlightsolo

#five hargreeves x sparrow!samantha #five hargreeves x oc #five hargreeves x sparrow!reader #five hargreeves x reader #tua series #just like me #tua reader insert #tua season three #five hargreeves x sparrow!oc #queue be back later #my writing #g writes #five hargreeves x reader series #the umbrella academy reader insert

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thankskenpenders · 2 years

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Today’s new Frontiers article from IGN is the one I’d most been hoping for - an interview with Ian that clears up his role working on this game

As I’ve said many times before, the job of “writer” can mean many different things in the world of video games. Sometimes they’re creatively responsible at a high level, but other times they’re just charged with filling in the dialogue for an adventure that already exists. Even in recent years on the Sonic series, Pontac and Graff have had more involvement in some stories than others, despite being credited as the writers for all of them. So the big question was always how much input Ian would have on Frontiers. Well, now we have an answer:

“With the other tie-in media, I’m the one to pitch the story, the characters, the themes, etc. With Sonic Frontiers, SEGA provided the story, backstory, plot beats, usable characters, and so on. So it was a very different approach to telling a Sonic story than what I’m used to.

“All that aside, it was a dream come true to work on a major Sonic titles like this, and an incredible learning experience. I hope everyone enjoys what I was able to bring to the table.”

This has me slightly disappointed on some level, as I really would like to see what Ian could do when given the reigns, but I get it. Video games have a ton of moving parts, and they need to budget out things like level art and character models ahead of time. You can’t always just let the writer come in and say they want to add more characters or plot beats, because that means more work for everyone else. And in a series like Sonic, the gameplay is going to come first, with a story conceived to fit the desired mechanics

That being said, other things in this interview do have me excited:

“Sonic, Tails and Amy embark for the Starfall Islands to investigate the disappearance of the Chaos Emeralds. Things take a turn for the dramatic immediately, and Sonic is left alone with a lot of questions. The story is his journey to uncover all the mysteries of the islands, rescue his friends, and discover how everything ties together.”

"’Melancholy’ is a good word for the story overall. Sonic’s indomitable spirit carries him throughout the adventure, and it’s what allows him to help each of his friends as they tackle their own personal challenges. Someone else you encounter will have their very identity shaped by their interactions with Sonic, which isn’t always a comfortable process. Then there’s the secrets of the Starfall Islands themselves and how the tragedies of the past have led to the adventure today. Sonic’s ‘never say die’ attitude is certainly put to the test.”

“For new players, I hope they enjoy their time with Sonic, get to know his friends, and are satisfied with the journey to uncover all the mysteries of the game. For veteran players, I hope they enjoy the individual character arcs and the threads I tried to weave between Sonic Frontiers and the rest of the Sonic Series.”

While it might not be a plot Ian came up with, it sounds like he may very well be the right man for the job with this one. We’ve known for a bit that the story would be more serious than what we got in the 2010s, with Ian comparing it to the games of the ‘00s and the IDW comics on the BumbleKast, but I’m very excited for Sonic Team to try telling a story like this again, and for Ian to be the one steering the characterization and writing the dialogue. (I do wonder if they decided to reach out to Ian specifically because of the tone shift.) He just gets the characters, being able to do both hard-hitting character drama and genuinely funny comedy with them, and it sounds like he has decent leeway on that front

(He also makes it sound like he had some involvement in figuring out the pacing of the story as development progressed, so it definitely doesn’t sound like he was just hired to translate an existing Japanese script. He has input, even if most of the big picture was decided on by other people.)

Like, I’d love to see Ian conceive a whole Sonic game story from scratch. But one of my favorite things he’s ever done, Archie Mega Man, is largely just Ian fleshing out the character work in a storyline that already existed. And that’s my favorite take on the Mega Man story! We’re not at the finish line yet with Frontiers, but Ian’s involvement here and the type of story they’re telling - one that seems to skew much more sincere than cynical - has me excited for the possibilities. Between this and the many hands-on previews saying the game is genuinely fun when it’s in your hands, I’d say I’m officially allowing myself to be excited for this

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thotsforvillainrights · 2 years

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Empty box we cant have that. Shie hassaikai headcannons for how well they'd do in a haunted house?? (I bet touya keeps getting jumpscared)

(Another ask for the spooky season! I love the idea of this group of grown men who I think have NEVER been to a haunted house, getting the crap scared out of them)

~Shie Hassaikai and the Haunted House~

headcanon|scenario|imagine|match-up

-Who Suggested it: The funny thing about Toya getting jump-scared is the fact that he’s one of the people that suggested going! He came into the base one day when all the Precepts were working the same shift and started rambling about lost childhood opportunities and how he’s getting older blah blah. Hojo laughed at it and reminded Setsuno he was still in his 20′s and far too young to be having these feelings. Pops agreed it would be a fun experience and Chisaki immediately grimaced at the idea. “First bowling, now a haunted house?” Kai complained as Pops ignored him. The other person that suggested everyone going is Rappa. He heard tell of haunted houses but never went to one before. He wanted to test his might of course.

-Person who goes a few step in and immediately turns around to go wait in the car: Even though Pops was fully okay with it as an idea, the action itself wasn’t the wisest decision at his age. He immediately turned back around and went to go wait in the car. Kai did the same as well. The idea of crawling though a nasty narrow hallway cramped close to everyone in dark rooms and strangers popping out from God knows where? Hell no, absolutely not. Tengai was next to coming back. There was simply too much going on from the moment he stepped through the door. He only went to try and keep a hold on Rappa but he decided that maybe the others could take the sacrifice and do that for him instead.

-Talks a big game but end up being scared first: The whole way there, Toya was bragging over and over about how he could likely handle it. He kept talking about how it’s just a bunch of teenagers or maybe college kids dressed in costumes getting paid to scare people for minimum wage. He blew it off as no big deal and that he could handle it more than any of the other members could do so. About 2 minutes into the house one of the actors rounded the corner and grabbed Setsuno’s shoulder. Hojo almost pissed himself when he heard Toya scream in such a high pitched tone.

-Won’t admit being scared but is in fact scared: Making it down the hallways was alright. There were plenty of moments to surprise the men. It was Nemoto that played as though he wasn’t scared but that was all a ruse. His heart was beating out of his chest and he mentally prayed they could hurry and get the hell out of there and never look back. Mimic is also scared. Mimic plays it of and shouts about how he’s not scared, just a little creeped out is all. They end up clinging to each other by the end of the night. It’s a sight too funny for the others to not document.

-Trying to scare the actors in the house: It’s Deidoro’s crazy ass that ends up trying to scare the actors right back. He ends up making a few of them scream, some of them laugh, and others avoid him altogether. The man is unhinged and instead of sinking into his fear he just kinda...warps it into something different entirely. He ends up diverging from the group and becoming one of the actors himself (much to the actual workers dismay).

-Runs through it too fast: The first person out of the house is Tabe. In fact, he leaves the group in the fucking dust as soon as the first scare happens. He’s moving so fast that he barrels through a family and knocks down a kid on his way out.

-Fights the actors and gets kicked out: You don’t even have to guess who it was but I’ll go ahead and tell you obviously it’s Rappa. He gets scared and realizes that he’s not as tough as he thought he would be. Anger and fear don’t mix very well when it comes to him. He starts swinging and the authorities have to show up to escort him out. The actors might press charges and Kai has to step in to talk to the cops. Rappa definitely gets banned from the event and likely isn’t allowed back to another haunted house for a very long time.

-Almost pissed themself: 3 options are presented here. Toya is the one that almost pees his pants from the fear of it all. The other 2 people are Hojo and Katsukame. The two of them almost pee themselves after watching Toya get as scared as he did.

-Wants to do it again: Actually Hari had a good time doing something silly like this. He wants to go back and do it again next year even if he ends up going alone.

#bnha #mha #boku no hero academia #my hero academia #Headcanon #shie hassaikai #yakuza #eight bullets #Eight Precepts of Death #eight expendables #eightfold cleansers

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landofvinesandmonoliths · 6 months

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I just made a post focusing on the fourth chapter of my fanfic and some quotes from it, but I'm actually really proud of my work so I'm just gonna go through and put some of my favorite parts into this post.

Spoilers for my fanfic below!

From chapter one, Jiang Cheng: Waking Up

The man in the driver’s seat turns to face you and you gasp. You are not normally the type to be taken off-guard by a pretty face, but this face isn’t normal. There’s something unreal about the perfection of his soft features, his bright eyes, his dark and shining hair. Atop his head bloom perfect white peonies. And yet…

Your eyes chase the stems of the flowers down to where they wrap around his neck, too tight to be comfortable. Then back up to his forehead, where more peonies bloom out of a crack in his skull.

You are at your breaking point. “All right, who slipped me acid,” you growl.

(I'm both very pleased with the prose for the description and also love the way Jiang Cheng's dialogue shifts the tone)

Wei Wuxian’s expression darkens, fists clenching. He closes his eyes, breathes in, breathes out. Eyes open. “I suppose I should start at the beginning. You know the tenement on Qiongqi Way?” Enough people nod for him to continue. “One of my deliveries was taking me in that direction when I noticed a lot of cops just waiting around. I evesdropped and heard that there was going to be a mass eviction, but they were waiting for the apartment super to get back to them with some paperwork. So I ran and beat the super back to the office, got in through the window, and started burning every relevant piece of paper I could find.”

Lan Xichen slowly pinches the bridge of his nose. “You could have reached out.”

“Yeah, because the Winter Court loves it when I connect myself to a crime via text.”

Luo Qingyang snickers.

“Cool, great.” Wei Wuxian grins. “Buckle up because that’s the last time any of this will be funny.

(fuck cops! Also keep in mind that you gotta have good infosec)

“Lan Xichen, or, Zewu-jun,” you’re not sure what you’re supposed to call him. “I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. And for putting a hole in your wall.”

He loads a towel and a change of clothes into your arms. “Your behavior was understandable and not reflective, I’m sure, of who you are on your better days. But I am not the one you need to apologize to. After all, sometimes being court leader means knowing how to patch drywall.” He gives you a smile.

(this line is literally so important to me it makes me want to bite things. Yes this is my own writing. Yes i am insane about it)

It feels real, like nothing else today has. You’re in your body and you’re here. Your feet carry your weight and root you down to the square tiles beneath them. You curl your toes over the grout lines. Beneath the tile is the story below, then the one below that, until you reach the foundation. You can imagine your feet supported by the skeleton of the building, all the trusses and studs, beams and posts. Rooted, down to the earth. Everything eventually returns to solid ground. Everything makes it to the bottom.

(Isn't comforting, that there's always a bottom?)

Chapter 2, Lan Qiren: Haunted

You sit together at your coffee table. They seem too solid to be ghosts. But what do you know about ghosts—the real kind. You’re a high school principal, not a wackjob with dousing rods and a camcorder. Or whatever ghost hunters are using these days.

It is 8:29pm. You will not be getting eight hours of sleep tonight.

“Are you two aware that you’re dead?” you ask.

A-Huan’s eyes are too deep as he holds your gaze. “We’re not dead.”

Your voice shakes. “A-Huan, I’m sorry but I saw you die. You and A-Zhan both died eight years ago.”

He shakes his head. “No we didn’t. That wasn’t us.”

“Then what are you?” Fear creeps down the back of your neck.

“We’re the real ones.”

(frankly given that this is a no cultivation urban fantasy au, Lan Qiren's doing pretty well)

The clock on the wall says 9:10 and you step outside. How many years has it been since you left your house this late? You don’t remember. Long enough that the night air is unfamiliar. The darkness and rain just beyond your porch form a wall. Behind you is all you’ve grown familiar with. Your routines, your comforts, your griefs. Ahead of you is something wild and unknown. Your nephews came to you through that world. If they can face it, so can you.

The three of you set out. You don’t own a car (never needed one) so it’s going to be a long walk.

The surface of the street is all streaks of color. Gold and white from streetlights, ruby and emerald from the traffic signals, and all else is jet black and polished. You have never found the city beautiful before. Beauty is found in mountains, in deep forests, in the natural world, in art. The city is a grimy thing packed too tight, blood vessels ready to pop in a large scale aneurysm of congestion and human folly. You didn’t expect a rainy night to transform the harsh greys into a jewelry box. You expected it to be cold and uncomfortable and you were right, but the reality is far stranger and far more precious.

(my love letter to the city on a rainy night)

There’s so much of this city you don’t recognize. More than once you turn a corner expecting to see a familiar restaurant or store, only to find new construction. Each change brings with it a pang of regret. You haven’t thought of that bookstore in years, haven’t gone out for hotpot in this neighborhood since the last time you tried dating. It is foolish to suddenly miss these places that you’d let disappear from your memory.

Maybe ghosts are not just memories, but also absence made physical. You invited this haunting in and your life grew small around it. Home and work, work and home. Books and solitary music practice on the weekends. Instructional yoga videos to stave off the back pain. You don’t have any friends, just coworkers you get along with. How easy it is to mistake complacency for comfort and loneliness for self sufficiency!

(I'm really proud of those two paragraphs)

You usher everyone back under the dubious shelter of the dumpster and pull out your phone. The time on the screen flashes 1:32am. Funny that this is what makes you wonder if you’ve lost your mind. Magic? Other worlds? Your family back from the dead? All that’s fine, but god forbid you stay up late.

(He's so grumpy :))

Chapter 3, Wei Wuxian: (Re)United

You finish the shower and change into the clothes Zewu-jun set out for you. They’re definitely Lan Zhan’s. You know this for a number of reasons. 1: they’re blue and white. 2: they mostly fit you but are a bit long. 3: they smell like him. Sandalwood and ice.

Ha! You’re wearing Lan Zhan’s underwear. That’s funny and a very normal thing to spend several minutes thinking about.

(IT BEGINS)

“Lan Qiren?” he clarifies. “Oh! But you called him Principal Lan! Does that mean you’re in high school?” His eyes are wide with wonder.

“Yes? You’re not?”

“Well, I’m only 13, but I won’t be able to go to high school. Which is a bummer because there’s no drama in a three person study group. No good gossip, and certainly no shenanigans.” He looks mournfully at you.

You stare at him. “How did you guess that I’m great for shenanigans?”

“Oh!” he claps. “I didn’t, but I was hoping!” He looks like he’s about to say something, but pauses. “What’s your name?”

“Wei Wuxian.”

“Well, Wei Wuxian, we simply have to be friends."

(THEY ARE BABIES)

Lan Zhan strides past the kitchen door and you count all your blessings that he’s not going in there to confront them. He stops at the front door and looks around, calculating. With grace and precision he reaches out and pushes over the coat rack.

No one is going to believe you.

It hits the ground with a crash. The argument in the kitchen stops.

The two of them look out into the hallway. Jiang Fengmian looks guilty (doubly so when he sees you and Jiang Cheng) while Yu-furen looks furious.

Before either can speak, Lan Zhan clears his throat. “I will be leaving now. Thank you for your hospitality.”

(15ish year old lan zhan knows how to end an argument like a cat)

“That has some fascinating implications that we don’t have time to get into,” says Zewu-jun.

“Yeah!” you say like your motley mates haven’t already been treated to your rambling conjectures on the topic while you were running for your lives.

(in any au, wwx is still wwx)

Chapter 4, Lan Wangji: Observing a Change

“If it wasn’t for the fact that we’re both going to remember this, I’d sit on you.”

A sound, unbidden, starts to rise in your throat. You choke it off.

“Wow!” he laughs. “No need to sound that disgusted.”

“Wei Ying.” There is an uncontrolled tremor in your voice. “You are naked.”

He laughs again. “Lan Zhan, you’re so funny. What does it matter? We’re both boys. I’ve got nothing you haven’t seen before.”

But it wasn’t yours! You look at the ceiling.

(i am so meany to lan zhan >:))

Despite everything, you can feel yourself relaxing bit by bit as his warmth seeps through your shirt. Oh how this is everything you’ve wanted but nothing like how you wanted it!

Yet you will take it. You are greedy. If he offers, you will take. Hand in hand, heart in hand, head resting against shoulder. None of these gestures mean to him what they mean to you. Even though it feels close to lying (lying is forbidden) you will take it all.

You were never as poor a fit for Spring as everyone believed.

(spring is the court of desire. The longing, the aching of it! My heart!)

As its jaw unhinges and meaningless syllables echo through the halls, you wonder if you should feel anything other than calm focus. This is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous fights you’ve ever been in. You are young, untested. Is your confidence unwarranted?

No. It is not. You drive Bichen into the roof of the monster’s mouth. Your confidence is based in your skill and faith in your training. You pull free before the jaws snap shut. The end of your sleave shreds on the teeth.

(He's so cool!!!! Also yes I am cutting that sleeve on purpose)

In the dark windows of the train you can see your reflection. Unlike any mortal surface, this dream-reflection comes back true. You are monotone, and your cheeks catch the light, reflecting it back. You and the window toss light back and forth, creating a dizzying hole of endless repetition. Images copied from one surface and returned to the other until they are too small to be distinct. Yet even then the light continues on.

(I like this passage)

When the lights come back they come with a vengeance. Bright, multicolored, dazzling. Torches, neon, paper lanterns, streetlamps, candles, LED strings. Cacophony of technologies all bent on driving out the darkness.

As your eyes adjust, you find your surroundings match the lights. You stand in the middle of a narrow street paved with dark brick, and all around you the buildings tower. Thousands of years of architectural styles stacked on each other, eating one another. They lean and twist, blocking out the sky. Above you bridges crisscross the street, random as cobwebs.

Wei Ying is still beside you, taking in the sights. “Nightless City,” he observes eventually. “Yeah, I can see how living here would drive you mad.”

You agree, though you wonder if he’s noticed the details. Above you the buildings shine. Gilded wood, clean windows. But down here at the bottom everything feels abandoned. Paint peels, concrete crumbles. The windows are boarded up, the neon flickers. The empty gravity is hard to stand under. How often does the whale fall? When does the very bottom receive nourishment?

(my love letter to the city when it will eat you alive)

Wen Ruohan may appear aged, but now that you are inside the mist with him, you feel his power.

“The key to fighting,” Luo Qingyang told you once, impishly, “is don’t get into fights you won’t win.”

Wei Ying, along with several others, had laughed. But then she went on to show you exactly what she meant. How to read your opponents strengths and avoid them, how to find their weaknesses and exploit them.

The two of you circle one another. Wielding a soft weapon requires of him the same level of precision the situation demands of you. You are matched there. Committing to a strike would leave you open, but the same goes for him.

You have an advantage though. This is not Wen Ruohan: this is Wen Chao’s image of Wen Ruohan. And you are Lan Wangji. If Wen Chao knows anything about you, he knows that you are cold, emotionless, and that you never lie (lying is forbidden).

You feint left.

He falls for it.

(LAN ZHAN IS SO COOL HE MEANS SO MUCH TO ME)

#the untamed #mdzs #my fanfiction #untamed fanfiction #changeling the lost

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its-my-whump · 7 months

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Whumptober 05

No. 5: “You better pray I don't get up this time around.”

Debris | Pinned Down | “It's broken.”

*explained :-) from Whumptober 01 to 04

You don't need to read the whole story. Everyday can stand for its own. And that poor soul has to suffer through every single one of them, I promise!

Hummingbird 05

...He screamed from the top of his lungs. His heart wanted to jump out of his chest in painful jumbling beats. His arms felt like dead weight, his legs giving in. The torture stopped. Little electric impulses still on their way to leave him and slowly his world turned black.

His mind floated away to a point in time roughly 2 days ago.

His jaw tightened around the obstical in his mouth. Salvia was there, when the taste of a day old bread, butter, cheese and pepperoni interacted with his tastebuts. Chewing was even more exhausting than biting off a piece. His jaw clenched, his eyes were heavy. The noise of his colleagues talking and enjoying their break had turned into a static, soothing tone. His mind was drifting. His hands, too weak to hold up the bread any longer, sank down, while he forced himself to chew the dry bite.

His head was as heavy as his eyes and he let it sink down a bit, just to take some weight of his shoulders.

The monotonous mumbling let him float in the moment. What would he give to just lay down for a second. Sam was so tired.

Days on end at the nightshift were taking their toll on him. He hadn't really seen the sun for almost 10 days. Only the tiny line left and right or just under his blackout curtains, when he was desperately turning under his sheets. He couldn't really sleep, no matter how exhausted he was. His body clock was screw up beyond recogniction.

A hand on his shoulder shock him gently. The mumbling had stop, his eyes flew open. Noises of people getting up and returning to their workspace filled the air. The happy chatting had turned into a buzz of activity. The container, used as a break room, was almost cleared, when Sam lifted his head.

Garcia was looking at him funny. "Fell asleep while eating again, mhm." It was a plain statement.

"Hurry, little one. Break's already over."

Garcia had made it his habit to call Sam "little one", but the Mexican was actually more than a head smaller than him. Still, Sam was the youngest on their shift, which made him the little one, anyway.

The short guy turned and exited the break room, following the others.

Sam was alone all of a sudden, still sitting and trying to blink himself back to the moment, while his heavy head sank back down again. 'It's only been a few minutes hasn't it? Break shouldn't be over already.' His eyes slowly adjusted, seeing his hands, laying in his lap. The bread, he had taken just one bite from was on the floor. The two slices had separated, spreading the toppings over the floor near his feet. One slice of cheese had artfully been arranged above the steelcap of his dusty working boot. The pepperoni was half under the sole of his other boot. Even, if he would have been any kind of hungry, he wouldn't have touched his lunch anymore.

Frustrated he lifted his head again. A look at the clock on the opposite wall let his spirit sink another inch. It was only half past 2am and his shift wasn't over till 6. 'How was he supposed to manage?'

The ticking hand also told him, that his break was over for 6 minutes by now. Damn, he was in trouble.

His now empty hands pushed down on the table surface to get himself some support getting back up on feet. Sam's legs were heavy and fatigue was a constant companions, when he stumbled back to his spot under the flashlights.

Surely right around the corner Mr. Harold was waiting for him, arms offensively crossed over this chest. "You don't want your job anymore, kid?" His question was harsh and challenging.

Sam actually thought, the man was screaming at him, while his head was still in a daze. He wanted to punch that guy right in his smug face and yell at him, that he hated this god damn shitty job, that was highly underpaid for all the strain and the ungodly hours he was working. But Sam was too tired. Instead, his shoulders just shrugged by themselves and he blazed a trail around the human obstacle to get back to work. A disgusted and almost insulting sneer was the old man's answer when he left.

Last time Sam looked, it was only 3:15am. He didn't know, how he should manage the rest of his shift. There was a short, very welcomed delay because a light had to be moved and he used the few seconds to lean against the control box nearby. 'Only 2 hours, 48 minutes.' When he needed to move on, he would notice or someone would make him notice. That's how it worked here. His head was pressed against the cool metal, when he rested his eyes for a moment. Just a tiny, tiny moment.

A loud yell, some commotion. "..TCH OUT!" Unyielding stone and soft flesh connected. A dull sound combined with the dull effect hart and heavy rubble had on the bone in his upper arm, brought him back to the moment. The pain was instant and blunt.

His legs were just buckling, his eyes flew open, while his body was going down, only intercepted by the hard surface of the stonewall he appearendly just had hit. Not a clue, why, or what was happening. A blast of more debris came from above. Little and bigger pieces of gravel raining down on him, making distinct sounds of impact on the metallic surface of the controll box somewhere behind him. His biceps already throbbed miserably, something big must have braised him. Still falling, suddenly, his right knee stopped him abruptly by hitten the hard ground. More pain shot up. His right hand reached for the floor just before the sharp sting from his knee and the dull throb from his arm erased his last selfpreserving defenses. "Shit." Sam growled out of reflex. He landed on his belly, raising his arms above his head to protect it. His left arm protested the sudden movement in pain.

A fearful gaze to the upper wall and he saw the cart making its way over the edge. Someone screamed. His eyes just closed by themself, while his heart was hammering inside his chest. "Shit!" He was about to bite the dust. Long seconds of nothingness.

Then an earpiercing loud cracking sound, an explosion of light behind his closed lids. A shock from the ground echoing inside his belly, rockimg his body and the world turned deadly silent and black.

...

Sam could hear himself breath. 'So he wasn't dead?' Light was moving somewhere. Like the sun was rising. Reluctantly and only so very slowly he opened his eyes.

The dust around him was dancing in the beam of the spotlight, that was putting him right into focus. Someone was just getting the flashlight back up. Very slowly he lowered his arms from his head and turned his neck. The explosion of light was apparently the spotlight being knocked over. A miracle it didn't shatter. Fuck the spotlight. A miracle he wasn't dead!

The cart was a piece of crap metal, which had impacted a good 10 feet away from him. 'He actually wasn't dead!!'

But by God, he was awake, 100% awake. He hadn't been this awake in over a week. And he hadn't been in so much pain for so much longer. He had faceplanted on the dusty ground, but beside his left shoulder and right knee hardly anything really hurt. Which could be only a sideeffect of tons of adrenaline rushing through his body right now.

Hands grabbed for him and pulled him up. Many different voices, reassuring if he was okay. He couldn't differentiat. It was still overwhelming, his head spinning and his heart painfully pounding.

"M okay." His right hand, visibly shaking, signaling them, that he was. "M okay." He repeated, until they gave him some space. His right hand instinctivly went for his left upper arm.

After the sensation of someone using his arm as a anvil and also driving a nail into his kneecap subsided a bit, he collected himself and clumbsly came back to his feet. The adrenaline rush made it possible to keep his head relatively straight and his body vertical for now. People moved away. Gracia threw him an alarmed look. A nod signaled the Mexican, that he was still in one piece. "It is broken." It sounded more like a statement then a question from the short guy, pointing at Sam's hand grabbing his arm. "Na." Sam shook his head slightly, dust colored the imidiate air around his head. "Just bruised. I guess." It didn't feel broken, but it hurt like hell. "I'm okay."

They didn't really believe, that someone would be okay, after seeing his life flash before his eyes. But everybody slowly retreated back to their stations, leaving Sam shaken, standing there starring at the demolished cart, while holding his arm.

Dickhead Harold was moving in the halfshadows behind the light, never even approaching to ask what happened or if anyone was injured. What happened was apparently pretty clear, overworked, tired staff and miserable occupational safety and the lack of an health and safety officer.

Two colleagues finally took pity and brought the remains of that cart out of sight. A shy voice reached Sam's hearing. He turned to look at the upper edge of the wall. "I'm so fucking sorry my man. The slop just moved. Are you okay?"

"Yeah." His voice was still a bit shaken, but Sam waved his good arm and gave a tumbs up.

He was fare from okay, but as everybody else, he needed that damn money. And this kind of foreseen occurrences were almost normal, maybe not on a daily basis, though. As long as you were able to stand on your own two feet, no broken bones and/or you weren't bleeding out, you kept on working.

His unpleasantly new-found energy lasted till around 5 am, from there on out it was going down again and fatigue and the adrenaline crush hit him with a vengance. Sam was slow, had to pause and even sit down repeately during the last hour of his shift. If he would leave, he wouldn't get his full salary so he fought through.

Mr. Harold intercepted his path towards the showers at 2 minutes past 6. The same challenging posture like hours before, his arms crossed and an accusing look in his dead eyes. His chin made a tiny disapproving gesture. Sam needed to stop and let go of his left arm to take the check, that was shoved towards him forcefully.

"You don't need to come in tomorrow, Cooper."

Sam was dumbstruck, just staring back. More satisfaction in Harolds eyes. "We're letting you go."

TBC

Hummingbird masterlist

@whumptober-archive

#whumptober2023 #no.5 #debrise #pinned down #“It is broken.”#OC #landslide tw (kind of)#fear of death tw #blunt trauma tw #pain tw #workspace accident tw #hummingbird #whump #writing #whump writing #writlr

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foxieflower · 8 months

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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wANmsHNInQo

(You can remove the link if you want to)

Kinda tired of gluskin fans, fic writers etc being accused of something. Also funny how she calls Blaire a cute baby, dude, you can dislike Gluskin, of course he is not a saint, but Blaire literally gets advantage of people with some mental illness and child abused victims, and even use their trauma, allowing beatings AND rape, for the experiment to success. People sympathize with Gluskin and Walker since both were victims at some point. Trager gets a pass, despite him RAPING women willingly (though people like him because his design is cool and his BUDDY) before the experiments, and as far as we know Eddie never targetted children or raped women, he mutilated them during some kind of psicosis

I'm gonna be very straight forward, but I cannot stand to watch videos that just berate things I enjoy, so I will not be watching the video for greater context but will however respond to the actual information you sent me directly.

I absolutely agree in the points you made. I find it incredibly contradictory to find people who like one character disgusting but then immediately turn and love the character that's just as bad (or worse). I have gone at length for my dislike of Jeremy and you put it out plainly that is simply due to the fact that he is the one actively creating these monsters. And he knows what goes on within the walls of that asylum. He's a terrible man, but it does make him an incredible villain, so I can totally understand why people enjoy him, I simply do not.

Something important about this game is that it's very blunt, red barrels does not beat around the bush, if they want you to know something about a character, they will directly tell you. So it's easy to very much note that none of Eddie's crimes are that of the sexual nature. He has some wild dialog and very handy in game movements, but if they had wanted you to know of him as someone that executes crimes of that nature, we would have seen in in those flashes of life during the locker scene. Instead we just continue to see a delusional and violent man. Which is a very important thing to note, as when anyone takes part in horror films and enjoyment of the slasher genre, the fact people die is meant to be scary but it's never meant to be some sort of damnation of the monster that is doing it. Or else you wouldn't see so many people enjoy characters like Jason or Michael. Where as if a horror film takes note of a rape scene, it's meant to feel much less like an action scene for your to scream and get an adrenaline rush from, and is very much a tone shift to make you feel uncomfortable and distressed. And not in a pleasant way, it's something entirely different in film versus a villain killing someone.

Now it's to note that from here, it's pointed out that it's obvious that these people in the asylum are essentially just a bunch of slashers, aka, the fact they are killing people is just meant as actions/excitement. It's what you are expecting to come from playing these games. And instead what you are meant ro focus on, story wise, is the underlying information. I'm just going to focus on Eddie to make it easy, but you find his papers that say he has a terrible home life and was assaulted by his father and uncle, you learn that he mutilated women but never did anything uncouth with the bodies, you find out through Waylon that... the scientists are just as gross as his father and uncle were, and that he wasn't cooperative with the obviously bad therapists and would lie to try and get himself in a better situation. People chalk this up to him trying to be manipulative bit it feels much more obvious as a defensive tactic. He's scared and wants out. You are meant to feel for those in the asylum, just like Miles and Waylon do. When he dies, he gifts you with a weakened and delusional message.

Jeremy on the other hand, you get little to no secondary backstory to him, you are meant to see him directly as he is. The man with the money that is making all of this happen and knows it is happening. You are meant to just see him as the man making this asylum work, this terrible place exist. He is only there to kick Waylon at every chance for his escape, to tell him that he wants him dead, he is not there for you to sympathize with. He is supposed to represent the reprehensible company you want to see fail. That's the entire point of Waylon's and Miles' characters, to be the breaking points to destroy this company. When he dies, he is destroyed, he stabs you and then is mutilated by the walrider. He doesn't give you anything to sympathize on.

Now this is not to say that I wouldn't allow people to give him sympathic headcanons, I have read some, I have enjoyed them. They simply aren't my takes on the character and that's fine. I would never send hate to those that like him, but it is fun to bully him as the villain he is.

What does all this rambling mean though? It means that anyone that viscerally hates Eddie snd those that like him while actively saying how much they like Jeremy is entirely missing the point of the first game. The point is that no matter how terrible of people all these variants are, you are still supposed to hate what is happening to them, you aren't supposed to think they deserve to be there and should be without help. No, you are meant to see this as the greater ide aof how mental health is often toyed with and overlooked, how people are often let down and made worse by how terrible many systems are. How money can make those with just as devious thoughts be CEOs while those without are just tossed into a dirty box to be laughed at and prodded, destroyed further. It's meant to show that power imbalance.

You aren't supposed to agree with Murkoff, the point of the game is to see them as the villain. And if you instead are siding with the evil company at the end of the game, either you didn't play it right or you need to execute better critical thinking when enjoying media.

#foxie thoughts #outlast #outlast whistleblower

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thehighestmountains · 2 years

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midnights by taylor swift review im back for another first listen release review. the majority of songs i love (bolded i will stand and die by) and enjoy but there are some skips. i think this album has a lot more variety than her last two albums that will pertain to a lot more people, but is less focused on one sound like folklore. off the bat, i doesnt eclipse any of my favs (folklore and reputation), but hm it might fight reputation, it reminds me of a more mature reputation and is more experimental with vocals and instrumentals. lets dive in:

lavender haze - the electronic start of this song with "meet me at midnight" is so danceable. i love the "yeah oh yeah"s, they are so goood. this song just makes me want to move, im obsessed.

maroon - the verses dont do a whole lot for me, a little boring and 2 drum beats, but i love the whole chorus "the burgundy on my t-shirt when you splashed your wine into me" and the "maroon"s coming in louder and louder throughout the song. anti-hero - this song is kind of funny and cheeky, despite the words being super dark (my fav "when my depression works the graveyard shift, all of the people ive ghosted stand there in the room"). i thought the "its me, hi, im the problem, its me" was a little lame, but its growing a lot of me after 2 listens.

snow on the beach - theres like two speeds in this album, one electronic and other side super soft and slow, this one being the later side. in contrast to some of my other favorite songs, it doesnt quite hit as dramatically but i do enjoy its dreamy, light verses and "weird but fucking beautiful". youre on your kid - this little indie beat is so sweet and her spoken "youre on your own kid, you always have been" is perfect, uplifting, brings me peace. i also love the verse, prechorus, verse, chorus pattern. it tells a story from beginning to end, and i love a story. midnight rain - the beginning!!! the contrast of her electronically-deepened voice is so fun against the first line "my town was a wasteland". the soft claps, the drum beat, "picture perfect shiny family holiday peppermint candy" wrap everything together. question..? - i dont love the chorus lyrics, its far too specific. the tone of the song also stays very flat and i dont really love the bridge either especially that autotuned "tonightttt". lmao the clapping and cheering. but the song isnt like annoying or anything so ill listen to it more. vigilante shit - super reputation-like "are you ready for it" sound. i only like this song when she sings "don't get sad, get even". i live for the spice on the "even", its maybe one of my favorite lines in the whole album, but the song itself is bottom tier. bejeweled - i cant with this song. the way she sings *shimmer*, i cant do it. the rhymes at the end of the songs "man / remember", the childish "nice!", "i miss sparkling". cant relate. labyrinth - for a song that is about falling in love, its far too chill and i dont like the weird floob-floob sounds scattered throughout. the vocals are so soft and the instrumentals are random.

karma - this song is an easy fan favorite that blew up on tiktok immediately and im clapping riding that train. its catchy, its funny, its "sweet like honey". this makes me love taylor.

sweet nothing - this funky lullaby is a sweet love song and reminds me of delicate "you must like me for me". the choruses are much better than the verses though, like lol wut "i wrote a poem, you say what a mind, this happens all the time".

mastermind - obsessed with the intro beats and "checkmate i couldnt lose", but the "im a mastermind" and the whole song makes me think really, did you plan your current relationship, kind of weird and creepy sorry (3am track time!) the great war - the chorus is so strong and catchy "my hand was the one you reached for all throughout the great war". i also just like the messaging that her current relationship carried her through this huge drama. bigger than the whole sky - i do like the sound of the background instruments, some of the lyrics im not a huge fan of like "did some bird flap its wing over asia" and etc, and "shouldve been couldve been" feels like it shouldve been in another song. the song just flows past you and its over. paris - uh excuse me? rhyming paris with (some)where else?? genius. the verses are witty and i cant wait to learn them: "drew a map on your bedroom ceiling". also anyone else notice in the bridge "at midnight in my mind" sounds just like daylight. this feels very much meant for lover but it still fits.

high infidelity - the piano and vocals are straight out of evermore but all the beeping and button sounds brings it into the midnights era. im also getting strong renegade energy ("are you really gonna talk about timing in times like these?") from "do i really have to ...". i love "put on your records and regret meeting me, put on your headphones and burn my city". there are some things i would change about the song but overall its good. glitch - the background static and "oh oh ooh"s add velvet and warmth to the song, despite the kind of boring lyrics "i think theres been a glitch im fastening myself to you with a stitch". she writes this glitch/system/static/counterfeit/malfunction metaphor but it never really sticks 100% for me. its just missing something to tie it all together. would've, could've, should've - this song is impressively balanced, with such strong verses, choruses, and bridges. "if youd never looked my way i wouldve stayed on my knees". dear reader - heavenly vocals with a melody that actually surprised me, and a bridge that feels liberating like taylor is finally telling you her truth. the way she manipulates her voice electronically adds so much interest and intrigue to the song. overall, taylor does not disappoint yet again with a funky fun album with a song for everyone.

#midnights #taylor swift #taylor swift midnights review

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denimbex1986 · 20 days

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'“Be yourself," goes Oscar Wilde's famous quip*, "everybody else is already taken."

Yes, yes... it’s funny because it’s true. Except, strictly speaking, it's not true. It discounts the quite practical possibility of murdering someone you idolise in cold blood, destroying the body and assuming their identity to enjoy their life for the rest of yours. The rest is mere details: forge some utility bills, change your appearance and mannerisms, decipher their social media passwords and convince the people who love them that they’ve done a runner.

Yes, you’d have to spend the rest of your life looking over your shoulder. And yes, you'd probably have to murder anyone who gets too close to the truth. But what price is that to pay for the life you’ve always wanted?

That’s the trick according to Tom Ripley, the eponymous psychopath at the centre of Netflix’s new series Ripley, based on the bestselling set of novels by Patricia Highsmith.

The limited series, starring one-time ‘hot priest’ Andrew Scott as our life-shifting antihero, is a moody, noirish, slow-burn of a TV show, shot entirely in black and white with a score that oozes over the action like Marmite.

Scott's portrayal of Tom Ripley is as haunting as it is enthralling, capturing the character's complex layers of manipulation and inner turmoil. And unlike Anthony Minghella’s sun-drenched 1999 adaptation, starring Matt Damon and Jude Law, it’s much closer to the book’s dark and morally ambiguous tone, delving deep into the psyche of literature’s most loveable psychopath.

First published in 1955, The Talented Mr Ripley was a massive hit, immersing readers in her murky world of deception and consequence, where the line between right and wrong swirls into a murky grey. And, as decades passed, more books followed, deepening Highsmith's exploration into the lengths one man will go to escape his own identity and fulfil his desires.

So what are the books, and how should they be read? The short answer is that, while each novel can be read as a standalone story, they are interconnected and depict the evolution of Ripley's character over time. So it's best to read them chronologically.

Read on for more (WARNING: this article may include spoilers).

*There is no substantive evidence that Wilde ever said this, but it sounds like a witticism he could have said, so the attribution has stuck.

1. The Talented Mr. Ripley (1955)

In the first novel of the series, we meet Tom Ripley, a down-on-his-luck con artist living off his wits in Italy. But, in a chance encounter with the rich and classy Mr Greenleaf, he finds himself on a mission to coastal Italy to persuade Greenleaf’s loafer son to return to the U.S. and get serious.

Does he fall in love with Greenleaf Jr himself, or just with his lifestyle? It’s hard to tell. But gradually he inveigles himself into the doomed playboy’s world and, in doing so, into our sympathies.

But here's the thing: Tom is so damn likeable. He’s self-effacing, shy and charmingly naïve about the ways of the wealthy – an orphan with a hard past who, through graft, charm, and sheer force of personality, beats the odds to make a success of his life.

It's just that... the thing he's really successful at is getting away with murder.

2. Ripley Under Ground (1970)

Years have passed, and Ripley – despite Highsmith’s multiple hints that he is gay – has settled down with a wealthy French heiress and is moonlighting as a counterfeit art dealer.

But paranoia over his past is setting in. A loose thread from a past art forgery threatens to unravel the life he’s forged for himself. To silence a hungry collector, Ripley improvises a deadly gamble. The move backfires, pulling him towards a closing net.

A relentless detective digs into a missing person's case, and a ghost from Ripley's bloody past emerges. Can he silence them before his house of cards collapses, revealing the killer beneath the gentleman's facade?

3. Ripley's Game (1974)

Living the wealthy life in France, Tom Ripley craves excitement. When a shady associate asks him to arrange a murder, Ripley hatches a twisted plan. He convinces a sickly neighbour, Jonathan Trevanny, that the Mafia wants him dead.

Ripley orchestrates a chilling game, manipulating Trevanny and relishing the chaos. But the thrill turns deadly when the real Mob, suspicious of Ripley's involvement, sends hitmen. Now Ripley, forced to confront his past sins, must fight for his own survival in a deadly game of his own making.

4. The Boy Who Followed Ripley (1980)

Living the quiet life in France, Ripley's world is shaken by a teenage runaway named Frank. The boy harbours a dark secret: he killed his wealthy father. As Ripley recognises a kindred spirit in Frank, they form a twisted bond.

But that bond unravels when Frank inadvertently learns of Ripley's criminal past. So, in a bid to control the situation, Ripley kidnaps Frank to stop him from talking. Suddenly, Ripley finds himself drawn into Berlin's criminal underworld as he is forced not only to confront dangerous men, but also the lengths he is prepared to go to save his own skin.

5. Ripley Under Water (1991)

In his French chateau, Ripley cultivates a garden as scrupulously as his stolen life. Yet, a weed of suspicion sprouts. A new neighbour, the obnoxious Pritchard, seems fixated on Ripley's past.

As Pritchard probes further, the ground under Ripley's feet begins to give way. A tenacious detective from Ripley's past stirs, and a witness emerges from the shadows. Can Ripley silence the hum before it becomes an alarm, exposing the blood on his manicured hands and the chilling truth beneath his masquerade?'

#Ripley Under Water #The Boy Who Followed Ripley #The Talented Mr Ripley #Patricia Highsmith #Ripley's Game #Ripley Under Ground #Netflix #Andrew Scott #Ripley #Hot Priest

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stxrmnight · 24 days

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6.5 Shift into Brilliance

This is pretty much how Shadowbringers went, right? And that turned out so well!

OHHHH GIRLFRIEND IN THE CRYSTAL. How does she feel about being in it when she traps other voidsent in crystals...

I imagine this is supposed to be a jest, right? I can't take it seriously otherwise. This sounded off from Y'sthola, and without tone or any facial animation it comes off as stilted

So how is Beq Lugg going to fell after we did this Taynor?

REALLY NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS. I'M SO SORRY FELLA THIS GIRL IS TOO UNPHASED BY HAVING TURNED INTO A LIGHTWARDEN HERSELF. We're frankesteining da world back or dying

Surprising Ryne was so good!! And specially seeing her make work for the Empty. Hearing her again was specially a great surprise. Sad thing we only seem to check in when something is going wrong

I feel like Nemi would have gotten really embarrassed. "I understand why everyone holds me in high esteem, but it was nothing really! Anyone would have risked what I did if they had my chances, you know? Not everyone had the blessing of light or, my other half to support them when things are too much."

"Well, I will have you if things turn unwell, won't I?"

Nemi would combust and need a glass of water

I'm so sorry Dulia :(

Much as this patch is good in general, this tower asking felt like a double beat? Doing it in Garlemald made sense, and people here are more sensible and prone to agree with the Warrior. It could have been shorter or just a PSA from the major.

I would have rather gotten to hear what Zero heard of us, and hear more of the First's experiences that parallel the Thirteenth

"It must seem weird, right?"

"Not at all. It makes sense with how cute you are"

"Y-youre too honest sometimes!"

Your father is doing fine don't worry bestie. And ahhh lesbian wanderers... glad to hear of Gaia. I wonder if someone has recognized her?

I WISH I WAS YOUUUUUUU

Again, I wish this asking about a scary power use wasn't a double beat, because with the Night's Blessed it makes a lot of sense with the cultural relevance!! This part is fine but, yeah

I wish I saved more of their conversation, cause I recall it being quite good. Runar understanding Zero's pain in the inverse of their faith, Zero appreciating the strength in customs long lost as a thing in the Void...

It is sweet and interesting that Y'sthola is set to keep her bond with the Nights' Blessed despite her claims to be an ever hungry scholar. Wouldn't you need to have no roots to seek knowledge everywhere? I feel exploring why she feels so at home with the Night's Blessed is something that could be done for her but, we haven't gotten much introspection for her at all

And pulling the carrot umbrella for this funny line about Zero killed me

Braving the dark is kind of my thing bestie

Also, Zero trying to harness the light herself by trying "me pure darkness = more resistance" really made me laugh. You're so charmingly rash to act

I really hope so, I really hope we find her in the blue anus

What's, what's with this name

Joke aside, GOD THIS DUNGEON REMINDED ME EXACTLY WHAT MADE SHADOWBRINGER SO STELLAR!! The ingame echo but for everyone? The urgency of the city? The seemingly simple mechanics killing me short to running out of time whicch is why I have no pictures, Golbez' human form having the best m hairstyle in the game, the desperation and fall of humans under chaos folstered by forces way beyond their understanding? and THOSE DARKNESS WINGS??????? I want to know more about memoria so baaaaaaaaad

The fact that Golbez was tricked into truly believing he was saving his world from an ongoing larger tragedy, and that it's a Watcher who keeps Balance of Shards in check... man is the Watcher himself sundered then? Much as Nemi still resents him for what he's done to Azdaja, but his desperation reflects how much the Ascians' cruelty tied everyone's hands. Of course he's acting differently now that he knows another way exists, one that wouldn't exist if not for the longer struggled of the Source up to the rewritten Eight Umbral Calamity...

I have no screencaps for the sequence, but I will say I loved everything except, not getting to quite hear Zero's friendship-no-jutsu with Golbez directly. It's just funny Nemi struggled like that while the gang was having a deep anime moment and the resolution was very satisfying, specially with Vrtra sacrificing literal half of his great power as a dragon to heal his traumatized sister, returning the care she gave him as a dragonet

YOU ARE SO SMALLL BUT ALSO TOO SMALL FOR WOLDRAGON YURI POTENTIAL. AGHHH

Also, the scene were everyone gave wol a ton of praises was uncharacteristic I'm so sorry,. Who wrote that lol

; m ; I don't know if that's really what she thought, but at least Venat did want the world to be healed by humanity's will so, he's right

Buddy they met ONCE what's with that first line lol. And I don't like crediting all of a woman's character development to one undercooked guy!!!

oop, limit for post

#enw #/#//#////#/////#story #zeronemi #vrtra #azdaja #golbez #void story

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cackled0g-writes · 11 months

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Royal Hearts

This is one of my oldest WIPs and also the one I'm least likely to ever do anything with. Really, it's more a collection of characters than a story--I made this with my friends in high school to roleplay about. This is actually technically an AU of an older WIP, Heart of Gold, which I will never post about because it's so dated that it isn't even funny.

Worldbuilding In an alternate dimension to our Earth, there is a coalition of countries of magical beings living in a vaguely 19th century setting. This alliance is called Ar'rhvis. The main players are... -The Anguin- A race of hominids descended from snakes, these are the most major military force in Ar'rhvis. A primarily mountain-dwelling culture, they are notable for their high cultural value of discipline and obedience to authority. They are almost entirely human in shape, though all have retractable fangs, longer limbs than any human, and a higher strength and stamina than humans. They are mostly non-magical, with some outliers. Some Anguin, especially Anguin from older "pure-blooded" families are capable of producing venom, which is not harmful to themselves, but can hurt other Anguin and other people. They come in all human colors.

-The Darvian- A race of shapeshifters created synthetically by a now extinct race of dragons who were smited for their folly. Darvian are unnatural in many ways--they have no organs, only a thick, acidic blood that is toxic to most living things, and are unable to breed with any race other than their own or the race they are descended from, the dragons. Darvian will imprint on the people or peoples they are closest to, and will naturally begin to develop racial characteristics of those they are bonded to. They can also shapeshift at will--though holding a shifting form is a conscious and exhausting choice. Darvian magic is varied, and draws heavily from the cultures they are closest to. Darvian are naturally nocturnal and are carnivorous by nature--they cannot live on plant matter alone. They are natural mimics, picking up language very easily. They are naturally grey with black, sclera-less eyes, but they skin tone and eye color can be affected by those they spend time around. -The Feni'i- A race of fox-humanids who have a natural aptitude for fire-bending. They hail from a desolate desert ringed by volcanoes, and farm giant bugs. This race was designed by @wirethroat.

Main Characters

Drake Solumnus Mars- Leader of the Anguin military and secret half-breed, he is a man with a deep sense of justice. Depending on the AU his background and motivations may shift, but he is always deeply loyal to those he cares about, incredibly brave, and a powerful magic user by virtue of his half-Feni'i heritage. He is a storm-bender, primarily utilizing ice and lightning in his magical use. He is the last of three Mars sons, the other two having died under mysterious circumstances.

Alexander Theodore Mars- The only son of Drake Mars, he is a Darvian, adopted after having been abandoned by his birth family. He is fiercely loyal to Drake, although as he grows older, tension develops between them. He's a gifted academic and a classically trained swordsman, although he rarely faces active combat in any AUs. Yuvon Kurlix- Drake's wife/soulmate. A Feni'i priestess who turned from her culture after a lifetime of being controlled by her mother. She's a fearsome warrior and a truly terrifying mage. Could beat up her husband, but never would. They are fiercely devoted to each other. (@wirethroat's character)

Theseus Mars- Drake's father. Theseus is a self-made man who carved his name into the flesh of destiny after a truly horrifying childhood spent under the thumb of his abusers. At the age of twelve, he'd killed twice, and no one could pin it back on him. He's a bloodmage with the power to warp your body against your will and the delicacy required to set off an aneurysm in your brain. This is considered a cursed power in Anguin culture, and he has spent most of his life in self-imposed isolation. Depending on the AU he may been horrifically abusive or merely misguided and damaged, but in every universe he is powerful and terrifying. Once slayed every heir to a family in a series of duels because they made the mistake of hurting one of his children. Theodore Prowler- Another blood mage. Due to the cursed nature of his power, he was disowned by his family at a young age. His elder sister, caring for him and being naturally fearless, walked the 20 miles up Mars Mountain to Theseus's doorstep and demanded he take him in. He did and the rest is history. He's snarky, but not cruel or as lawless as his master.

#writeblr #wip #royal hearts #cackled0g #oc tag

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nyanggk · 2 years

Text

LOVE ONLINE ! —

★彡CHAPTER 8彡★ : D-DAY (WRITTEN)

★彡pairing(s)彡★ : gamer!heeseung × gamer!fem!reader

★彡warning(s)彡★ : profanity, cringe, heeseung is a perv!, lots of gaming references esp. league, NSFW

★彡based on彡★ : real life! fun fact: this is actually how me and my long-term boyfriend met — with some modifications.

★彡a/n彡★ : as always, reblogs, likes, and comments are very much appreciated. feel free to give me your feedback and critique.

The sky is quite and bright today. The trees are swaying slightly, creating that soft noise they make whenever the leaves would brush against eachother because of the wind.

Yet here you are, cooped up inside your bedroom.

It's clash day and you feel your blood pumping relentlessly as excitement coursed through your veins.

Clash isn't necessarily a big deal. It's not like some LCK, LCS type of shit where there's money at stake. But the image of your bambi-faced mid-laners lips in a pout because of defeat, makes your heart churn.

You were scared you might fuck it up.

"YN? Are you ready?"

There it is. The same voice that has your heart fluttering and your stomach jumping into summer salts. You have no idea why your body is reacting in such a way around him but it does and you can't deny it.

Maybe it's how he's so gentle with you but at the same time, funny and embarrassingly cringe.

The contrast amazingly suits your type of man and it just so happens that he's also impeccably hot.

From the pictures he's sent you and from the ones he posted himself on his social media accounts, you can't help but wonder if he was more handsome in person.

You know how certain people look better in real life? Yeah that's probably him.

Photos can't capture just how pretty he is.

"Baby~" He says, calling out to you.

what

You jolt, mouth opening in shock and cheeks turning a feverish red.

Did he just call you baby?!

He should be in jail for almost causing you a heart attack.

"Not that you wouldn’t bail him out in a heartbeat..."

You clear your throat, moving the mouse to unmute yourself, "Hi Hee, sorry" you say sheepishly, the shyness in your voice is still there.

"It's alright, YN" Heeseung says, chuckling as he finds the tone of your voice amusing. "Have you opened your client yet?"

"Y-yeah I have" you stutter.

You obviously haven't recovered from the B-word yet.

"Well what are you waiting for, you dumbass" Jake yells out of the blue, his voice piercing your ears. He entered the discord call all of a sudden without you noticing so his voice catches you offguard. "You need to lock in before we queue up, shit face"

You roll your eyes at your friend, shaking your head in amusement “There, Just did it. You happy?”

“Yes, actually. Very” He says in a smug tone and all it does is make your eyes roll once again.

A few minutes pass as you wait for the others to join in the call that you’ve made. Once they have, you make sure that all of you have locked in. Yhe queue timer starts and you can't stop the sickening grin on your face as the others continue to talk in the background about the game plan.

You shift the screen to show the enemy teams stats and it seemed like all of them were around Platinum to Masters; most of them having sub-par win rates with their main champions.

You were confident you could beat them as you were ranked Grandmaster last season in your main account in the OCE server but failed to reach Challenger because you didn’t have enough time to play because of school. The account your using now is only a few months old yet you had managed to climb up to Diamond in such a short span of time.

That achievement alone speaks for your skills because the Korean server is known for its toxicity and how easily players surrender there. It makes it difficult for players who's champion pools rely on scaling because they would give up early on in the game if they aren't hard winning the game.

The screen turns black as it takes you to champion select. Jake was the first one chosen to ban a champion. “What should I ban?”

“Just ban for your lane” Sunoo says “Or you can ban that guys Zoe”

“Yeah, but they might pick Zilean and dude, I don’t wanna play against a Zilean support” Your best friend complains.

“Yurh, I agwee. The wevuves are foo op (Yeah, I agree. The revives are too op)” Heeseung butts in; voice coming out muffled.

“Heeseung, are you eating right now?” You ask, giggling.

It takes a second for you to hear his reply, guessing that he was trying to swallow his food. “Yeah, I am. Problem?”

Laughing, you reply with a curt no.

“Aight Zilean it is”

The drafting phase passes with you being satisfied with your selections and now your in game.

You're playing a champion named Gwen. Gwen is a meelee fighter champion that relies on stacking her auto attacks in order to deal more damage and to lifesteal.

Sunoo, your jungler is playing Viego. A fighter that can become the enemy champion if he killed or participated in killing them.

Heeseung is in the mid lane and he's playing his infamous Le Blanc. Le Blanc is one of the hardest mages to play in League as it requires a lot of technical and mechanical skill in order for the champion to be effective.

As for the bottom lane duo, Riki is playing a marksman named Jinx. Whereas, Jake is playing his Thresh.

Your slightly nervous as laning phase begins because in all the years you’ve played League Of Legends, you’ve never actually played clash before as you and Jake were the only ones in your friend group that played, meaning that there weren't enough people around to make a team.

However the excitement you feel rules it out as your honestly just happy to be playing with your friends.

You spot the enemy jungler on the map as he makes his way towards your lane but you aren't afraid however, as Sunoo is there hiding in one of the top lane bushes, ready to turn on the enemy team.

Heeseung also moves his way towards top side to assist the both of you after had shoving his wave; making it crash on the turret.

You let the enemy team land a few abilities on you, letting them think that gou were alone as walk towards the bush where your jungler is hiding and when they dive onto you, Heeseung flashes forward and stuns the enemy jungler while Sunoo focuses on the enemy top laner.

You and Heeseung were able to kill the jungler as it was a 2 vs 1 fight. However, you watch as the enemy top laner comes out alive with only 100 HP as Sunoo didn't get to deal enough damage to kill him.

"Aish! YN, tank the turret for me. I wanna kill this idiot"

You chuckle. "Sure, Sun. Just don't grief it" you say, letting the turret take agro on you as Sunoo dives the enemy top laner in his own turret, killing him.

"Good job, guys" Heeseung compliments as he recalls back to spawn, wanting to buy items.

"YN, help me get Shelly" Sunoo says. "Lets hurry while top laner and the jungler are both dead"

You obligue Sunoos call, leashing him to kill the first Rift Herald of the game.

"Hyung you mind placing it here? I'm losing too much cs here because of this Kai'sa" Riki asks.

"You're literslly a Jinx how are you losing that much cs but sure, wait for me. I'll be there in a bit"

The whole game continues on nicely, making sure to choose the team fights you take wisely and taking objectives. The enemy team were clearly unsyncronized and lacked proper decision making skills, resulting in their enevitable defeat.

You win the game, dealing the most damage in your team with 51k damage, and securing your spot in the next round.

The games continue on after that and the 5 of you continue to display your team work and macro. There were games where you though you were going to lose but in the end, won them anyways.

Overall, you guys finished 2nd place as you weren't able to win against the last team of players but you weren't upset. Instead, you saw it as a huge success since this was only your first time playing clash

Right now, all 5 of you are in a call alongside Jay, Jungwon, and Sunghoon who decided to join the voice call for a few minutes, congratulating you on your performances.

The 7 of them chatted with one another while you stayed to yourself, listening to their laughter and the jokes they would throw at eachother.

"Hey, YN" You hear Sunghoon say.

You hum in response, letting him know that you're there.

"Do you think Heeseung hyung has a chance with you?"

Your mouth slacks open at the unexpected question. You can feel the apples of your cheeks start to heat up and Heeseung starts cursing his friend out.

"What do you mean?!" Sunghoon exclaims. "Don't act like you don't wanna know either, hyung"

"I-I— Shut up, you penguin!" Heeseung stutters.

The guys erupt in laughter at that. "Really hyung? Penguin?" Riki manages to say between laughs "That's the best you could do?"

Heeseung groans in embarrassment, making you laugh as well. "Fuck all of you" he curses out. "You too, YN"

Laughter bubbles up in your chest even more as you fake a gasp, seeming offended. "Me?! Why me?"

"What do you mean why you?!" he exclaims.

You only reply in fits of giggles, finding the situation awfully amusing.

"Alright, hyung that's enough" Jay says. "So YN..."

"Yeah?" you reply.

"What's your answer?" The call is quite now as they await your answer. Heeseung especially since you reply will determine the direction of your relationship.

Honestly, he shouldn't even be nervous. All the signs and flirtatious comments the both of you have been exchanging with one other for the past 3 weeks were supposed to be sure signs that you liked him back.

But still, he couldn't help the way his hands starts to sweat and how he can hear his heart start beating a little bit louder than usual.

"I'd say he does"

★彡previous , masterlist , next彡★

uhhh this chapter is a bit harder to explain League terminology wise. I'd say iyw you can skip like the gaming part of it but I'll try to break it down for those of you who want to understand!

In clash, the moment you lock in, it'll automatically book you a match with a random team in your elo. Basically, think of it like brackets. you're up against a team rn and theres also a game happening in another bracket, which will determine the next match up. If you beat a team earlier, you have to wait for the other brackets match to be over.

shelly is a nickname given to the rift herald commonly used among casters and players.

LCK, LCS is the name of the primary LoL competition in South Korean and America.

I'm not going to explain the champions in detail lol I will diee(#($*÷¥=

send an ask to be in the taglist or fill up this form!

TAGLIST [OPEN] : @lhsng @jakeisnotafurry @meowmeowhoon @tomorrowbymoa-together @sunsunu @enhacolor @sd211 @bloomedberry @soobnism @amarillyis @rionah @purplebearheart @nikipedia07 @togesgf @daiyuvrs @msxflower @arizejkt19 @kimmchijjajang @love4heejake @sophhloaff @caty-catts @diestheticu @rrvvby @lalalalawon @kyukittie

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allyouneedisbuck · 3 years

Text

golden (you’re so golden)

summary // bucky is in louisiana with sam when he meets you, one of sam’s close friends, and immediately gets along with you. (bucky x fem!reader)

words // 3.5k

warnings // it’s fluff! some tiny insecure bucky but that’s about it. sam calls reader bubbles a couple times. use of y/n.

notes // 💞

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《

Bucky enjoyed Louisiana.

He enjoys being with Sam and his family in Louisiana. It’s slow and relaxed and everybody in town is so charming that he finds himself settling in easily.

There’s a level of trust Sam shows Bucky allowing him to help with the family boat and while he hadn’t said it, he did appreciate Sam’s unending kindness.

Perhaps Bucky has found the beginnings of a new home in Sam Wilson. A friendship based on respect and love helped Bucky. He was slowly but surely rebuilding himself into a better man.

“Word on the street is Sam Wilson was back in town.” A voice calls out from above the two men. Bucky looks at Sam and finds him smiling and shaking his head. There’s footsteps and then you’re standing in the doorway with a smirk. “I just had to see for myself.”

Sam lets go of the wrench in his hand and moves to meet you at the top of the stairs. Bucky watches curiously as Sam hugs you tightly. He had never mentioned a girlfriend, although Bucky wasn't particularly forthcoming about his personal life either.

“Hey, Bubbles.” Bucky scrunches his nose at the nickname and you roll your eyes and shove Sam off of you.

He laughs heartily clutching his stomach. “The nickname wasn’t funny in the seventh grade and it’s not funny now.”

Sam presses a kiss to your head and Bucky clears his throat. He feels like he’s interrupting a personal moment, but your smile is turned on him and then Bucky freezes because that’s a beautiful smile.

“Who’s your friend?” You nudge Sam with your elbow but your stare doesn’t waver. Bucky smiles nervously before lifting his hand up in an awkward wave.

“Bucky.” He introduces. You nod slowly. “Barnes.” He adds on and you laugh at him making Bucky deflate a little.

“Y/N.” You respond easily. “And don’t call me Bubbles, I hate it.” Your glare and he nods. “I just came to see if the rumors were true.” You shift your focus back to Sam. “I just couldn’t believe Sam Wilson was here, working on the boat, without telling me.”

Sam scratches the back of his neck awkwardly. “Wasn’t sure how long I was gonna be here.”

You purse your lips and Bucky thinks that wasn’t the right thing to say. He’s so curious about what your relationship is because he can’t tell if it’s just friends or dating or maybe even exes. You’re affectionate and comfortable with one another, that much is obvious in the few seconds Bucky has been able to observe.

“Even if you were here for a day, I would like to see you.” You punch his shoulder. “But whatever, I’m not gonna hold a grudge.”

There’s a moment of silence between the three of you before you shrug. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll see you tonight, Sarah invited me for dinner.”

You give a quick hug to Sam before waving goodbye Bucky. He waves back with a smile and watches as you walk away.

He doesn’t even realize Sam’s staring at him until the man clears his throat. Bucky shuffles and adamantly ignores the fire he feels burning at his cheeks. “Who’s that?” He asks in a faux nonchalant tone.

Sam shakes his head and laughs. “We grew up together. Went to prom and all that.” Bucky nods and tries to think of how to ask his next question, but Sam beats him to it. “Not as my girlfriend or anything. She’s like a bonus sister.”

Bucky nods and looks back down at the pipe they had been working on. “Cool… We gonna finish this?”

Sam snorts, but Bucky can hear his footsteps come back down the stairs. “Let’s get it done. I just know Sarah’s gonna make something great for dinner if Y/N’s coming and I’m starving.”

Bucky nods, excited for some home cooked food. And maybe seeing more of your smile.

》

Bucky sits next to you at dinner. The kids across from the two of you with Sam and Sarah at the ends of the table.

He notices your eyes trail over the black and gold of his arm and tries to not to blush. “How’d this happen?” You nod to it after a moment of silence.

Bucky turns to you at the same moment Sam’s head shoots up to look at you. “Bubbles.” He hisses your nickname like you’re a child with their hand in the cookie jar.

“Sam.” You hiss back, eyes narrowed at the nickname. Bucky wonders if Sam would ever call you by your first name. “It’s okay.” He nods to Sam.

Bucky is sure that the kids sitting across from him had been wondering too, if Sam hadn’t already told them. He takes a sip of his beer before deciding on sharing a condensed version

“Lost it when I fell off a train in 1945.” He shrugs. You look him up and down. “Got this arm a few years ago.”

It’s silent as you process his words and your eyes move back to stare at the arm. His fingers twitch and your eyes snap to them.

“You don’t look like you fell off a train in 1945. You don’t even look forty.” You say skeptically. Sam runs a hand over his face while the kids laugh.

“Just eat.” Sam orders. “You don’t need to ask him all these questions. It’s rude.”

You turn to your food and roll your eyes at Sam. “I asked one question.” Then your eyes move to Bucky again and you smile apologetically. “I wasn’t trying to make you uncomfortable though. I’m sorry.”

He shakes his head. “It’s cool. You can just google me for all the answers anyways. I’m pretty sure the Smithsonian has a webpage on me.”

You snort. “That’s a subtle brag.”

Bucky feels his cheeks flush and shakes his head. “No. I just meant… like, Howling Commandos and Steve-“

“She’s just messing with you, man.” Sam laughs as he reaches across the table for a biscuit. “She knows who you are.”

Bucky looks back at you and finds the teasing smile on your face. He flushes red and that only makes you laugh too. Bucky presses his lips together and nods slowly. “Nice.”

“Hey.” You nudge him with your elbow. “If it helps, I think you look pretty good for someone who fell off of a train, lost an arm, was brainwashed for decades and then fought an army of Titans.”

Sam’s shaking his head and Sarah is just staring at you with wide eyes, but Bucky’s lips quark up as he tries not to laugh. “Thanks.” His eyes move over you. “You look pretty good for someone who’s friends with Sam.”

“Hey!” Sam cuts in defensively. “You know, most people think I’m cool.” You and Bucky smirk at each other before both turning to Sam with open mouths, ready to tease him. “Nevermind.”

Bucky can’t help but watch as you throw your head back and let out one of the most beautiful laughs he’s ever heard.

》

“Boys!” You call from the dock with a bright smile. Bucky spins so fast he thinks he’s got whiplash until he sees your happy face. You’ve got your sunglasses hooked in the collar of your t-shirt and a tray of iced coffees in your hands. “I know I’m late, but I come with some refreshments.”

Sam scoffs from next to Bucky. “Coffee isn’t really all that good for rehydration.”

Your smile drops for a millisecond before you turn your attention to Bucky. He gestures awkwardly for a moment before his right hand lands on his hip and his left hand waves. “I like coffee.” He blurts.

You bite down a smile as Bucky ignores the blush he knows is on his cheeks. Maybe it’ll just pass off as a sunburn, or heat exhaustion.

“See, Sam.” You smile victoriously. “Bucky appreciates my gifts.”

Sam scoffs and Bucky just stares at you avoiding Sam’s glare. “He won’t when he tastes the sugar monstrosity you’ve probably brought him.”

You pout and step closer to the boat. You shakily try to step onto deck, but stumble at the last minute. Bucky’s hands shoot out to steady your waist and you look at him with a shy smile and grateful eyes.

“Thank you, Bucky.” You say softly as he helps you step onto the boat deck steadily. “I didn’t know what you liked, so I got you what I drink.”

You lift one of the iced drinks out of the carrier. Sam was right, it looks like a sugared disaster, more cream than coffee; Bucky has to force himself not to scrunch his nose up at the drink.

“Thank you.” Bucky takes the coffee from you and stares down at it. You hand one over to Sam and then finally pull your own out.

“If...If you don’t like it, don’t even worry.” You say as the three of you move back to the part of the deck the boys had been working on all morning.

Bucky takes a sip and well, it’s not awful. Nor is it even that bad. Definitely more sugar than he was used to, but he needed to get out of his comfort zone anyways.

“I like it.” He states. “I’d like anything you give me.” He smirks as you look down at your feet nervously. “You’ll have to tell me what you order so I know.”

Your smile brightens and you nod excitedly, pulling your phone out. “Give me your number, I’ll text it to you.”

“You can just write it down.” Sam says with a teasing smirk when Bucky looks up and glares over your shoulder. “I mean-“

“Ignore him.” You roll your eyes and hold the phone out, the contact page already cued up. As Bucky takes the phone and begins to type his number in, you spin around to face Sam. “I’m trying to make friends here, Wilson. Stop trying to discourage it because you’re afraid he and I could lead to world destruction together.”

Sam laughs loudly and Bucky hands the phone back to you. “I’m not worried about the world as much, I'm worried about me. I can already tell you two will be a pain in my ass together.”

You glance at Bucky and wink before slipping the phone back into your pocket. “Stop stalling Sam, we’ve got work to do.” You scoff as you begin to pull out tools.

Bucky looks at Sam with a smirk. “Yeah, Sam. We’re trying to get some work done while you’re just standing there.” Bucky sturdies the piece you had begun screwing in with his left hand.

Sam sighs and returns to his earlier position. “I’m so glad you two have met.” He mutters sarcastically.

》

The shield slips onto Bucky’s arm easily. “Looking good!” You wolf whistle as you make your way towards the boys in Sarah’s yard.

Sam rolls his eyes, but Bucky puffs his chest out a little and smiles. “Hey!” He says as you come to a stop in front of them.

Bucky’s eyes trail over your figure. “Hey. I heard you were leaving today.” Your attention is solely on Bucky as Sam stands beside him with a knowing smile.

He nods apologetically. “I’ve got some stuff to do back home in Brooklyn. I uh-“ He looks down at his boots. “You have my number. I would love to keep in touch.”

You bite down on your lip as you nod. “Of course! Anybody who can handle Sam is someone I want in my life.”

“Are you two just gonna make fun of me everytime you’re together? Because I’ll cut this off right now.” He says jokingly.

You rock back and forth on your feet nervously before finally talking. “I’ll let you two get back to it. I just wanted to say bye!” You pull Sam into a tight hug before turning to Bucky. “Um, I’ll see you later. I hope?”

He nods enthusiastically. “Yeah! Yeah, I mean. I hope so too.” He stands awkwardly in front of you, unsure of if he should hug you or just settle for a handshake.

Your hands land on his shoulders as you lift yourself onto your tippy toes and press a kiss to his cheek. His cheeks are burning red by the time you pull away and wonders if you’re as nervous as he is. “I’ll see you around, Bucky.” You say sweetly before spinning on your heel and walking off.

Bucky watches you go with soft eyes as Sam just stares at him incredulously.

》

Bucky doesn’t get to see much of you the next couple weeks, but he hears from you all the time. Text messages telling him to have a good day. Photos of animals you see around your hometown. Photos of you and your family or friends.

It always makes his day and you never seem to mind if it takes him a long time to reply.

“You gonna come down?” Sam asks as he and Bucky walk through the empty streets of Brooklyn. “Y/N has been asking about you. When you’ll be in Louisiana again.”

Bucky shrugs. “I don’t know. I... I might stay up here.” Bucky answers quietly. He wanted to see you. You had easily become one of his favorite people to talk to, even if you had barely seen each other in person.

Sam snorts. “Come on. The boys want to see you. Sarah. We all loved having you around.” He bumps his shoulder into Bucky’s.

“I won’t be intruding?” Bucky asks softly.

Sam shakes his head. “You know that you won’t, Bucky. I’m not gonna force your hand, but I know she would like to see you as much as you would her.”

“Really?” Bucky tries not to sound too excited by the idea of you asking Sam about Bucky and when he’d be back in Louisiana.

Sam rolls his eyes. “Yeah. She asks about you. Just… Come down for a few days?”

Bucky nods slowly. “Yeah… Okay. I will.”

》

The dock is packed with people. Bucky smiles at the laughter and cheerful screams of the people around him. Crowds weren’t normally his thing, but this town of people loved each other so much he couldn't help but relish in the warmth.

“Bucky! Bucky!” He slips his sunglasses off as Sam’s nephews come rushing towards him excitedly. They throw fake punches and kicks that Bucky dodges before they lead him to the food table.

He places his cake on the edge and stops to look around. He knows he’s searching for you, but he can at least try to be as nonchalant as possible about it.

“You went all out for your dish, huh?” Your voice makes him spin around. You’re behind him with crossed arms and an amused smile on your face. The sun is casting such a beautiful light over you that Bucky is speechless for a moment.

Bucky shrugs. “I didn’t… I’m not much of a chef and I didn’t want to come empty handed.” He explains sheepishly.

You shake your head before moving forward and wrapping your arms around his neck. Bucky immediately responds and wraps his arms around you tightly.

“I’m so happy you came down again.” You whisper to him and pull back to look at him. He smiles sweetly at you. “Me too. It’s nice to see you again.”

You pull completely away, but slide your arm through his and begin to walk with him. “Come meet everyone. I’ve been talking about you non-stop, everyone is so excited to meet you.”

You pull him around and introduce him to friends and family. Your arm never leaves his and that makes Bucky feel extremely warm on the inside. He’s positive he’s going to melt by the time you’re pulling him towards the food.

“Hey!” Sam is the last person you and Bucky find. He’s sitting with Sarah and his nephews as they all eat. “Sit! I’m sure you’re tired of introducing your boyfriend to everyone.”

You and Bucky look away from each other nervously as you take your seats. “Shut up, Sam.” You hiss as you take your seat next to him.

Sam rolls his eyes as he hands over food to you and Bucky. It’s not awkward, but everytime you and Bucky make eye contact he feels his cheeks get warm and you look away with a nervous smile.

“I should head out.” You finally say, picking up the plate in front of you to throw it away on your way out. “Thanks for all this, Sam. Sarah. It was so great to see everyone again.” They nod with bright smiles and your attention focuses on Bucky. “Will you be staying for a while?”

He shrugs, unsure of what to say. “I…I think so. Yeah.” You nod slowly and stand in front of him for a moment like you’re waiting for something before sighing. “Well, I’ll see you later.” You wave before turning and beginning to walk away.

Bucky watches you for a few seconds before turning back to look at the table. Everybody is staring at him with poorly concealed smirks.

“What?” He asks defensively. He takes a sip of his water and they continue to just stare. “Stop staring at me. It’s weird.”

“You better go after her!” Sam shoves his shoulder which makes Bucky choke a little on the water. “She just waited for you to walk her home!”

Bucky begins shaking his head vehemently. “No. No way! She was saying goodbye. To all of us.”

“Don’t be an idiot, Bucky!” Sarah chimes in. “She likes you! She literally introduced you to everyone she cares about today!” There’s a chorus of yeahs from Sam and the boys that has Bucky glaring playfully at them.

“Really? She wanted me to walk her home?” He asks Sam quietly. Sam scoffs. “Yeah, man. So you better start hustling to catch up with her!”

“Shit!” He pushes himself off of the bench. “Okay! I’ll see you guys later!” He calls out with a hasty wave before jogging away from the table.

You can’t have made it far, but if you’ve already left the dock entirely there’s no way he’ll find you. He had no clue where you live or even what direction he would have to go in to find you.

He stops at the entrance of the dock and looks around while huffing out breaths. His eyes catch on your sundress and he smiles. “Y/N!” He calls out, jogging to catch up with you.

“Hey! Wait up!” You pause and turn around to face him. Your eyes light up but you don’t say anything to him as he comes to a stop beside you. “Let me walk you home?” He asks nervously.

Surprise crosses your features before an excited smile takes place. “Okay.” You say softly. “I would love that.” You wrap your hand around his bicep and step closer as the two of you begin to walk.

Bucky appreciates that you seem to be comfortable with talking because the entire twenty minute walk passes quickly with your stories and jokes. By the time the two of you have reached your front door Bucky is trying to come up with a reason to go around the block one more time.

“Thank you for walking me home, Buck.” You say quietly. You cross your arms over your stomach and run one hand up and down the opposite arm. Bucky smiles at you as you speak. “I had a nice time talking to you.”

Bucky stuffs his hands into his pockets and nods. “Me too. I enjoy talking to you. You’re a breath of fresh air.” He admits. It was nice to talk to somebody who wasn’t a part of his old life, who was completely new and who only knew this him, not Bucky from the forties or the winter soldier. Maybe his therapist had been right about needing to talk to more people.

You bite your lip and look off to the side before your eyes find his again. “Thank you. You’re really sweet.”

“Well, I’ll let you go.” Bucky takes a step back from you and your house. The two of you watch one another and Bucky knows he should say something. Ask you on a date. Tell you you’re pretty. He just can’t get the words out.

“Oh, Bucky.” You sigh as your hand wraps around his wrist and pulls him back into you. His left hand immediately lands on your waist in order to steady himself. Before he can apologize or pull it away, you’re leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

He doesn’t respond, unable to with how quickly you lean in and pull away, but you’re smiling sweetly at him. “Ask me out.” You demand softly.

Bucky chuckles. “Do you… Would you want to go on a date with me?” He asks, still a little nervous.

“I would love to.” You wrap your arms around his neck and Bucky lifts his other hand to rest on your waist too. “I can take you to some of my favorite places around town.” You offer and Bucky nods quickly.

Bucky enjoyed Louisiana.

He thinks he may have finally found a home outside of Brooklyn, which was a once upon a memory. Somewhere clean of Steve and a life Bucky would never get back. Somewhere with Sam forging a bond of brotherhood and you building something new with him too.

》* 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ • 。* 。° 。* 。 • ˚《

notes // i don’t know how some of you write only on your phones it stresses me out so much kudos to you lol hope you liked this short piece, keep an eye out for my other two requests this week!

reblogs and replies are always appreciated if you enjoyed this!

#bucky barnes x reader #bucky barnes imagine #bucky barnes #bucky barnes oneshot #bucky barnes fluff #bucky barnes and reader #bucky barnes x female reader #bucky barnes x f!reader #bucky barnes fic

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