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#I literally just think it’s a way to get people abroad involved to make his plan global
lavenderjewels · 2 years
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(JJK 200 spoilers) so I don’t think kenjaku is actually planning on offering gojo and the other sorcerers as a power source for the US—he’s just stirring the pot for his ultimate goal surrounding cursed energy and tengen
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resident-gay-bitch · 2 months
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Modern au where the girls meet in college and get assigned random roommate and they’ve never met before because they are all study abroad students spending a year in the US. Lily from England is with Dorcas from an African country ( I don’t know which one to choose if I don’t choose mine lol so I’ll leave that to you). Mary ( not sure which country but I’m getting middle eastern vibes) is with Pandora ( I kind of want to give her mythology roots like Greek yk ? ). Marlene ( I want to give her Indonesia what do you think ?) with Alice ( definitely Europe vibes here )
Anyway they meet and bond about discovering American culture and how ridiculous some of the stuff is and they do make American friends but they keep coming back to each other and they become closer and closer but also the time comes that they each have to go back to their countries and you have a really tearful/angsty goodbye
Just feel like giving them really different backgrounds because it’s women history month and women from all around the world should be celebrated and also people from a lot of different countries are just really cool as a friend group
Anyway some head cannon for this au
Each of their dorm is fully decorated to the point you can see their personality when you enter the room
Mary is the kind to stay up to do homework and Pandora wakes up really early which creates some funny situations between them
All of them fight over who has the best cultural food ( Lily is not allowed to participate she is British/lh)
They do the American college thing to the full extent like going to football games, having parties and stuff and still aces their classes somehow
That was really long but oh well here are my two cents lol hope you like it <3 I really like your writing btw
Hi hi!!! Sorry for taking so long to respond to this, I saw it a few days ago and was too tired to respond and I’ve just been in a state of brain mush ever since.
Okay, I love this idea SO SO much! Especially them all coming together to be confused about American culture lol, I think that’s so funny.
I 100% agree with all of these ethnicities for them as well, I can see it all clearly (the Pandora being from Greece just makes sense idk why more people don’t HC this).
One headcannon I’ve been having lately is that Marlene is Australian because like, she is literally the definition of an Aussie bogan in my head (if you’ve never heard of Amyl and The Sniffers go check out their music because I think they’re SO Marlene Band Au coded).
And any Aussie out there will know this well and true, but for some reason all aussies just dip to Indonesia (specifically Bali) every winter to escape the cold, like it’s actually amusing how many just disappear over there. SO many of my friends have gone on Bali trips it’s ridiculous.
Anyway, you suggesting Marlene be from Indonesia just popped the best idea in my head where like her dad is Australian and took a trip with his mates to Bali. I’m thinking they would frequent the bar next to their hotel and get drunk there every night and he fell in love with one of the bartenders that snuck him free drinks every time he complimented her and then they hooked up one night and she got pregnant without realising and then he went home and she freaked out. Luckily she got his number because they fell in love and then like she moved to Australia to raise Marlene. I think that’s such a funny cute way to tie our headcannons together.
And yes Mary is 100% the type to stay up so late where as Pandoras in bed by nine and up with the sun.
Their rooms would be the swankiest rooms you’ve ever seen.
They would 100% all bully Lily for her comfort meal, which is beans straight out the can, and would all shove their fav foods down her throat. She’d love it though and pretend to complain about it all the time so all her friends would keep making her all these amazing snacks and meals.
They definitely would get involved with the whole American college experience but no one is prepared for how Marlene acts at the college football games. She’d spend one third of the game complaining about how this isn’t real football (Insert AFL which she grew up watching with her dad - footy), a second third of the game skulling beer and challanging random college boys to drink offs and shoeies (idk how to spell it, when you drink out of a shoe), and the last third screaming so hard when their team gets a point or goal or however it works and going balisic and booing the opposition and screaming about the unfair umpiring, and she’d 1000% be the loudest there.
Sorry, I’m passionate about Marlene.
But yessss this is such a good idea lol I love it! Thanks for sending in the ask, I really appreciate hearing about the girls <3
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nono-bunny · 2 months
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Thoughts from watching the ATLA live action!
Took a bit of a break because writing these while watching takes a lot of time, actually, but! I'm back on my bullshit again, let's go!
Episode 3:
Jet? Is this Jet? Truly wish I could tell, it would be nice if I could fucking SEE ANYTHING!!!
Oh I do think it's just some rando rebels, but looks who's with them, oh my god! Dang dang diggity dand-dang, it's the best villain of the show! Me recognizing her so fast is 100% a matter of me being really impressed with the way she looked in all the official stills and being really hyped to get more of her because of how much I love Azula rather than it being obvious btw, I kinda tried not to watch any pre-release stuff to not get biased in either direction when it came to the actors, like mostly I just read a couple of interviews whenever they popped up for me, so. Genuinely this is gonna be probably one of the only times I'll recognize a character based on face alone when they first appear without their classic outfit (which? Idk how much of that is gonna happen anyway lol), I just!!! Really liked the casting for Azula purely based on the visuals (as I know literally none of the actors in this show, I just know Ozai voiced General Fong and obviously the OG Cabbage Merchant is reprising his role), like I know a lot of people wanted her to still look like a vicious femme fatale or whatever, and like, I get it, OG Azula is hot, we ALL had a crush on her as kids, but. It's vitally important to remember she's a kid, and more than anyone her casting should reflect that given how often I see people say "we should just let villains be villains" when it comes to her. She's a villain, alright, but she's a tragic one, and the entire reason why there are so many Azula "apologists" (like myself) rather than Ozai ones is precisely because of her age and circumstances. So like? Going into this show knowing that one of their prime directives with Azula is to make sure that aspect of her character is abundantly clear was genuinely a real comfort on a personal level. I'm looking forward to seeing her be cruel, but I'm also looking forward to her not being treated as "irredeemably bad to the bone". Anyway! Azula!!!
Oh shit this is a fire nation civilian coup??? Genuinely was sure this was how they skip ahead a bit and reveal that as soon as Ozai heard about Aang he sent out Azula to Omashu for some reason, but her being a domestic spy for him is actually so cool. Tbh I always kinda wondered what she was up to before being sent out, like? Was she still in school? Obviously Mai and Ty Lee weren't, was she there alone? So this is a cool way to show her finding ways to be active even before being given her first big task abroad! Btw, as much as a part of me loves Spymaster Mai, if I'm being honest that job was absolutely made for Azula ngl, she's killing it!! Can't wait for fics showing her reprise that role in Zuko's council after the war lmao (I already read some with a similar vibe and they're always enjoyable, but now Spy Azula is back and I want more!!)
Fire Palace secret entrances canon?!
I don't actually have too many comments on the whole failed infiltration scene, I mostly just think that aside from being very enjoyable, it was also a masterful way to introduce and estabilsh characterization for everyone involved! I do really like showing that there's a rebel presence in the Fire Nation, and how quickly its plans gets snuffed out. It has probably existed ever since the war started, and Aang has only reignited their efforts. There's something I find really interesting here about how Iroh and the rest of the Order of the White Lotus, who seemingly do nothing for so long, are ultimately the ones to succeed- like, is it about patience? Unity among the nations? Strategic placement of the rebellion leaders and their importance? Ultimately, a bunch of old noble men organizing a worldwide network working with The Chosen One were the ones to succeed in their rebellion attempt rather than the many disillusioned (probably) poor citizens that came before them, and like? I get WHY, but. It's genuinely very depressing how realistic that whole thing is. Idek how coincidental it is, me immediately thinking of The Order here when this is an episode that introduces one of the most prominent people in its ranks, because like? That one interview that's about the LA showrunner "being relieved he didn't have to adress Katara's romance" or whatever was actually about a whole lot more, and one of the things they talk about there is explicitly how the way they built up the episodes was by looking at the original and grouping up stories with similar themes- specifically how both Jet and The Mechanic ultimately do terrible stuff because of the war (he put it much more aptly in a way that really made sense but I can't remember the exact phrasing atm) and like? Another theme there is also rebellion vs compliance- so it makes perfect sense to me that this episode also shows the domestic side of that, y'know?
Yo fr Azula's actress is fantastic here??? I just KNOW people are gonna hate how she's more nuanced here, but personally, I loved how it seems she's a bit conflicted when Ozai kills people she knew, yet ultimately lets the sadistic glee and the "I defended my family and my country today" side win out, ending with a smile. It's good! It's compelling! It's... Very different from the way the original show was very subtle about showing how Azula was also suffering right up until the very end- it was still there, of course! She isn't having a good time in the flashbacks to their childhood! It's shown through Zuko's pov though, which inherently makes her seem better off than she actually appears to be, and like. On the whole Bryke really threw Azula under the bus A LOT, even when it doesn't match what we're shown of her, and because her suffering and struggles were less visibly obvious ig it was easy for them to forget/ignore how she was hurt by her situation too. A lot of Zuko's arc comes at the expense of stopping to think of Azula as a human, forgetting that she's also still just a child, and? I like that the LA refuses to ignore that. Her play here was how easily she convinced others the war tore up her family, and you're forced to remember- it did. She's off the mark with who she believes was at fault here and who was wronged, but ultimately... She genuinely has lost so much here, including her childhood and innocence- she was left alone with only bad influences, and when THIS is the kind of thing her father has her do and witness on the daily? Of course she turns out the way she does!!! And given how much people tend to miss that Azula was both a villain and a victim, yeah, I'm fucking glad they're highlighting the victim part!
Okay I officially don't like how Aang teaches Katara bending philosophy. It's weird, it feels off, and while I do like that he seems to be in tune with the whole "the four elements aren't really separate" thing with the way he approaches explaining air bending philosophy to a struggling waterbender... I do kinda feel like it would've hit harder if he had done it while nailing this form like in the show- him just getting it because he's the Avatar and has past life experience feels hollow, but him getting it because he gets the philosophy would actually feel earned, and I wish that happened. I know he doesn't really touch waterbending this season, and like, I know they gave him a reason (an emotionally charge one that makes sense), but. This is a scene that really called for him to try, and he... Doesn't. I wish he did. It makes them seem so much more distant from each other, and next season he's obviously gonna have to get over this and start learning with Toph, so what gives? Is the plan to have him start learning both at the same time and remove Katara's experience as his teacher from the equation in Bitter Work, only show what works best when both attempt to start teaching him at the same time using different styles of teaching? I don't get it. This just really feels too Katara focused in a way that feels a bit jarring because they still inserted Aang into the scene when really... He just takes out a lot of the emotional weight this scene could've had without him interfering- it just feels like a weird time for an expositional trauma flashback. I don't get what this scene was about! I'm guessing Katara is gonna nail the waterwhip later in combat like in the original, but it was just kind of a weird mish-mash of three plotpoints (Aang's refusal to learn without Gyatso, Katara's trauma, and Katara struggling with her waterbending) in a way that didn't really work for any of them? Aang was cute, but. He really felt out of place in this scene- it's literally one taken from the original, but when they take out the reason he was there and instead turn it into a "oooo isn't Katara so tortured by her past" it just kinda... Feels obtrusive to an otherwise cool scene of Katara practicing
Okay so. This scene bothered me so much that I thought I had to take another look at it through a different lens than "this is a weird change from the original" because that's not a charitable thing to do and kind of the opposite of what I'm attempting to do when watching this show, so I rewatched it through the lens that usually DOES make me like this show- what were they trying to say here, what did this change mean? Initially what really bothered me and caught my focus here was Aang's presence and effect being so different than the original, so I tried ignoring how weird it was that he was still in the scene, and just... Focused on what he added to it- which is when I was finally able to get it, I think. So! I think this is actually the show's depiction of Katara's anger, believe it or not! When she attempted to focus on her emotions, she instead kinda defaulted to her memories- of her fear, and helplessness... And anger- which is when she "explodes" her water. Rather than channeling her emotions, she let them control her, and was thus immediately thrown out of balance. This actually kinda checks out with the original show? A more technically skilled or disciplined Katara is actually usually INSANELY powerful, as she channels her emotions to get the water to do what she wants... But the show literally starts with an emotional Katara who has no real skill or control over her powers accidentally doing some really powerful uncontrolled bending. Like? Going by that logic, I can kind of imagine that what makes a master bender is control- that sort of explosion isn't really something that happens to Katara after the NWT, same with season 1 vs season 3 Zuko for the most part actually! And given how Aang, a master, mentioned that his training mostly covered control... I think that's maybe what they're getting at here? Idk, but this also being the Jet episode, aka an emotional one for Katara, really makes me think that this scene was meant to be its own thing with its own message, but just... Had the unfortunate luck of looking A LOT like the scene for The Waterbending Scroll. Anyway I spent genuinely way too long thinking about it so! Moving on!
Cute Sokka and Momo moment!! Followed by primo Water Tribe sibling moment!!
Zuko and Zhao actively working side by side is an incredibly intersection dynamic, I really like it!! Also poor Zuko desperately trying to hold on to the way he thinks he should act...
Why does Jet get to have his instincts while poor Sokka is reportedly removed from this arc?? Yeah so I'm going into this episode very skeptical given how much I like Jet as a Sokka episode but. I'll try to not be too biased, after all it makes sense that he'd be busy with the Mechanic! Still a shame, hope it's been exaggerated a bit.
Oh my god this is still a really fun group dynamic with Jet ngl
Cabbage Merchant!!!
Omg Teo is so cute! And The Mechanist blowing shit up inside a city rather than just in his own place is actually so funny, imagine all the bureaucratic nonsense he must constantly elicit! He must be such a pain to deal with lmao
What?! The Mechanist gets a name?! I'm shook!! Not really lmao, fr he needed one, it's genuinely such a relief. Sai The Mechanist!!
Oh wait this wasn't Sai's fault? I legit thought he just exploded an experiment or something so I wasn't worried, this gives the scene a much more sinister vibe because it's either Jet or legit somehow firebenders!
Yesss go off Teo, fantasize about dropping bombs on your enemies! Lmao that was both a horrifying and hilarious scene somehow
Katara being just... Completely indifferent to the aftereffects of the bombing felt incredibly off. Aang's attitude, while admirable, is strange given that like? Truly, how does he think he can help here? This is... A lot for an Aang that only knows airbending, a Katara that doesn't yet know how to heal, and a Sokka that has yet to show any aptitude for invention. This episode feels like it should've happened just a tad later, or alternatively, have been just a bit lighter and/or right outside of Omashu. It'll probably still work, but. Again, this is... A lot, really fast, and the characters don't feel like they're quite ready for it yet- I hope to be proven wrong, of course, I inevitably will be! But... Idk, again, this is just. A LOT.
So... Ty Lee never runs off to the circus here, or will that happen between seasons 1 and 2? What about Mai? Will she leave with her family to Omashu/New Ozai in season 2? Genuinely interested how they'll handle the change of circumstances here. I like how these two keep their personalities, and I like the fear mixed with loyalty we can see from them already, but... This is a pretty big change that strips them from a lot of the characterization inherent in the circumstances of their first appearance in the original show, so I hope they manage to make up for it and maybe expend on these two a bit more, as they truly deserve it. They too look really young, which is a good thing and works well with Azula!
Speaking of Azula, once again, I adore her characterization here! Bitter, self assured, effortlessly cruel... A villain, but one that I'm sad to see in that position. She's "softer", or maybe I should say she doesn't have quite the same amount of edge, and... I like that about her, because I feel like she's going to earn it throughout.
Damn, Teo is like. REAL angry here as opposed to the mostly naive and peaceful version we see in the original. I don't... know that I like this episode and what it's doing with everything going on too much so far tbh, actually, a lot of it feels barely recognizable, which isn't a crime, it's just... This episode introduces so many things that I don't know that it manages to do ant singular one justice?
Why is Katara the one first finding out about Sai, and why is she not referring to him by name? This all feels so disjointed istg!! This should be a Sokka and Aang focused episode, so why is Katara so prevalent here? The way they shuffle the roles here makes no sense!!
This is... Not the point of Jet? What are they doing here with him? Why is he sparing a traitor? Since when did Jet discriminate between enemies? Or are they going for a "only firenation people are his enemies" kinda thing? Also, where are the freedom fighters? So much about this bothers me, and I get it, I get that they had to merge plots, but. This creates completely different vibes for everything and everyone in a way that wasn't really an issue with the first two episodes. This merger is really doing a disservice to everything, it's just... Depressing and disjointed, and everyone feels ooc for both the original and what was established so far. This is an episode so filled with characters I cannot imagine any new viewes being able to keep up or care, and frankly, I can't either.
Okay the rest of the freedom fighters are here and I am healed. Still kinda pissed about how strangely righteous Jet is rn and how the whole Air Nomad conservation conversation is just. Not gonna happen but. It's cool to see the little guys!
Cool fight scene overall but. God I really wish Aang and Sokka were there, this feels so disjointed for a third episode!! Why are they all separated right now, it hurts the show so much!!! Even if they're all off getting the parts of these episodes that were most relevant to them, the others had a place there too, and. Genuinely hurts that Sokka is just. Cut out of the Jet arc
In other news I hope to god Sokka is being an unreliable narrator, because Hakoda does actually have an interest in engineering (bombs, at the very least lol), but I guess maybe Sokka hasn't really seen that, huh? Hoping this is a set up for Sokka coming into his own and developing real confidence, rather than just rewriting Hakoda and Sokka's relationship. Like, that Sokka doesn't think Hakoda cares about this stuff because he never tried to talk about it with him, and that they'll later bond over it or something.
Sure would've been nice to get detective Sokka in this episode!!!! God I genuinely do think that after the setup for the episode, all of the scenes work nice, but I just. This episode really, really suffers from the separation of the trio, and even though they do a good job at making the different plots work together... This could've been a great episode but it's just. Too much stuff going on, there are like five fucking plots and characters we're following and while they both mesh well and work individually, it's also just that... Theoretically it works, practically it's really difficult to follow, especially as a fan of the original that's already a bit confused by where they're going with all these changes.
Genuinely so weird for them to make Katara's memories of her mother about the sun, aka, the firebender's source of power. Like?? How am I NOT meant to think about Zuko rn??? This scene was so needlessly Zutara coded istg, it's bizarre!! It was a good scene and in line with what I thought they were going for which gives me a lot of hope in terms of Katara's characterization!! Still wish Sokka and Aang were there though.
The Zuko and Azula parallels in this episode!!!!
I don't like that they made Jee actively go against Zuko, ngl.
Good fight between Sokka and Katara!! Once again Sokka is the one who brings out the usually hidden facets of Katara, I genuinely love the way this show portrays their bond!! As much as I like and miss the Sokka we see in Jet that never appears here given how he... Never meets Jet, I do really like the way this became a three way perspective battle with no one really being wrong. Everyone has reason to believe what they do, and this doesn't make Katara look like just a lovesick fool or Sokka like a jealous asshole (which I don't really seem them as but. I've seen people who do)- the original lessons they learn in Jet are kinda... Removed unfortunately but this does make everyone generally look better as a result lmao. I'm not happy about what this episode did, generally speaking, but. This is a good way to reunite everyone imo, it's fun!
I. Didn't realize The Scarf Scene was in the Jet episode?! Holy shit the implications... Zuko trying to hold on to Katara as she's seeking Jet,,, What the fuck were they on about here unless it was some Zutara high??? What the fuck what the fuck what the fuck?????? I am. Not okay. Genuinely why was this here, why does this exist at all, this is so weird!!! I get it now, y'all, I get it.
Holy shit this whole action sequence is fantastic!!! This episode REALLY struggled to set things up in a believable and natural feeling way but I'm glad it stuck the landing in terms of the resolutions!
In other news, yeah, so that dramatic "My Cabbages!!" scene is not gonna make sense AT ALL to anyone who hasn't seen the animated show, huh?
Holy shit Iroh sacrificing himself for Zuko like that is!!! Incredible. He's gonna get out scot free even if caught because of Bumi, so like... There's that, but! Still Incredible. My poor boy was SO confused by it too, Iroh is likely just gonna go have some tea with Bumi for a bit lmao
This was a good way for Aang to get captured though!! I'm guessing Sokka and Katara are also implicated with a plot against Bumi? Honestly it'd be... Incredibly strange if we don't see the characters from this episode in the next one but I'm kinda getting the feeling we won't given that it's the Bumi one? But neither plot has really reached any sense of closure, so... Hoping they do next episode? Idk, all around just. Really strange to have all of this happen in Omashu but. Whatever lol, this episode mostly redeemed itself at the end haha
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dolugecat · 3 years
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On some Japanese social issues I had learned about at uni and abroad):
(Rb ok!)
Legit had an epiphany about the true hidden meaning of the last arc of Mob Psycho 100. It’s hella projection but for real there is nothing neurotypical about Mob or Mob Psycho. I do not wish to enforce my interpretation on others (ironic bc I do that all the time but this is a serious social theory). There are some interesting and very sad social issues in Japan that the west really doesn’t understand but would I think help people understand a lot of context behind not only Mob Psycho, but also a lot of other anime. I learned this at my shitty university (prestigious but horrific) and while studying abroad in Japan and talking with Japanese peers. Get ready here we go (and tw for bullying and darker things):
Unfortunately in East Asian education systems, bullying can be extremely intense. Growing up I assumed it was over exaggerated extremely in anime for drama but it really can be so horrific. From what I’ve heard, there is often a single kid or so who is just shit on by everyone else, even the teacher. Mogami land *is* the reality of some Japanese kids. I’ve read that in Korea, this social punching bag sometimes is just the darkest skinned person (yayyy colorism /angry) and or someone who does not fit in. I mean, we have that in America too, but maybe not as common for the bullying to be as focused on one misfit rather than several. These kids just can’t escape the stigma too, kids from other schools find out they were a major victim at their old school and it starts anew. Thus there is so much stigma and incentive to join in on bullying so you aren’t the one. Sadly, this also ofc leads to higher suicide rates. That’s where the “shoe on building roof” anime trope comes in, bc somehow taking off shoes is relayed to death (I forgot why sorry)
There is a difference in how intense in general high school vs college is too. In the West, commonly college is the more intense curriculum and is harder than high school, but in Japan it’s usually the opposite. Grind suuuupppeeerrrr hard for entrance exams (huge standardized tests that determines what college you can qualify to) bc unlike the ACT or SAT here, that test is by far the most important factor for college admission. Then chill and relax a bit in college. Can’t relate. Name and prestige is very critical for job application, more important than here. That’s why planning out your future is sooo much more intense for Japanese high schoolers than in America, and why there is sooo much more pressure to excel in high school than here. Japanese school years and holidays are done different than ours, I’d suggest looking it up.
Social prestige of going to an American high school or college is nuts. Like whyyy do you value our shitty education, Japan’s is much higher quality (it’s bc we neo colonized them). Being able to speak English is very, very highly valued and any association with Americans make you cooler. From my experience, some Japanese students got very excited to practice speaking English with us, and their biggest issues with learning it is pronunciation, lmao. Wasai english is unique slang that is indeed English words but it’s kinda different and it’s kinda jarring to remember lol. So, Teru having parents that are working overseas isn’t too uncommon, idk about leaving him absolutely alone, but I did have a ex-friend who just came from Japan in middle school who’s situation probably wasn’t too far off from that. Empty wealth with no love, it’s no wonder those kind of people can end up being huge bullies (minori?)
I did a presentation on 引きこもり(hikikomori) for which means “shut in”, (like Serizawa) and it’s fucked up. It’s a social phenomena where according to some Japanese researchers a mix of undisciplined parenting, guilt/not living up to expectations, and hopelessness makes an alarming amount of youth/ young adults literally never go out side their house/room. Often a parent is “enabling” the behavior by supporting them, but idk the articles seemed a bit victim-blaming to me when I read it, but I don’t think I should make a judgement too hard, not my place. I will say I do suspect and believe I read something to support that ASD might play a role in hikikomoris (there is pitiful resources for autistic people in Asia, much much less support than even here, to the point I don’t think most know it exists). Like come on, with the other points I laid out my personal opinion as an Asian American with autism is that it really seems it’s unknowing ableism against autistic classmates, but I didn’t grow up in Asia so I don’t want to say.
Mental health in general is tragically quite abysmal in Japan, and with it being so hyper competitive and brutal work culture, it’s no surprise birth rate in Japan is so low; some Japanese young adults say it seems unethical to bring a life to such hostile world. Suicide rate is of the highest in the world. It’s fucked, I’ve interacted with some of the locals in Tokyo and they were so nice, but the business men just looked dead inside, it’s so sad.
Relationships between child and parent is also strained bc of this intense work and school culture. Quality time is too scarce when you gotta work so much. And the pressure from parents to do well in education or else you might end up socially stigmatized is rough. Bc your job is who you are, it’s hyper capitalism (thanks us for making them do this)
With autism being so unknown, support for parents in raising autistic kids is almost nonexistent. What happens if the “darker” side of ASD shows up in kids? I used to be a menace when I had meltdowns, I felt so bad but really just became so indiscriminately violent. See where this is going? Legit, I think ESP is a sort of metaphor for neurodivergance to ONE. There is so much stigma around it, and even less way for kids to understand why they are different than the others. My Korean family can’t admit we all got ASD, too much fear and internalized shame.
I got finally diagnosed with ASD as an adult and I’ll tell ya, I relate too much to Mob hurting Ritsu. I felt so bad, but also not in control, I knew what I was doing but not how to stop. Luckily, is was blessed in that my hyperfixations involved science and logic, so I did well at school. Sadly, our boy Mob just don’t got the passion or ability to do well at school. His kanji is very bad, even to point of not being confident he wrote a kanji (世) they learn when they are 9, in elementary school (thanks @katyatalks). Him being a bit berated by his parents for having bad grades and bending spoons seems harsh to Westerners I think, but IMO it’s pretty tame from what I’ve seen of some Asian parents (I get to say that lmao). Ofc, however the shaming is very real and Mob just agreeing with them about how weird and stupid he thinks he is so sad. There is even more pressure for the eldest to be better than here, I feel from some interactions. Nonetheless, it’s implied Mob is quite emotionally detached from his parents, even though he loves them, which also adds to his emotional complex. Combined with originally fragile self esteem and feelings of worthlessness, we got one emotionally stunted boy. However, contrary to common belief people with ASD are sometimes hyper empathic and experience emotions very intensely. We are prone to having “meltdowns” which if not assisted with can be quite violent if very intense. For me, my worse meltdowns as a kid came from when I didn’t understand why I wasn’t getting what I wanted, it seemed selfish and cruel of me but I couldn’t control it. I wanted to be a good kid, so why did hit my moms leg at target when she refused to buy me Pokémon toys? I couldn’t come up with a good reason for why my mind just commanded my body to do bad things, just a single thought was controlling me, I want I want I want I want I want ____. Which I argue could be what ???% represents… bc well…. Yeah….. hmm….. not in control of self (mob unconscious), selfish (not actually, I’ve forgave myself but my “normal” kid self was so ashamed), destructive, hurt family, wanting to stop but can’t, that’s kind of…. Too relatable.
But legit, since realizing my new HC, I’ve started to think of the last chapter of mp100 when I “explode” and it helps me feel better and I do gain “control” a bit easier. I don’t feel so bad anymore either, Mob!
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forevercloudnine · 3 years
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new 52 riddler origin/timeline
I noticed an older 2017 post by @batriddler​ about Edward’s possible New 52 origin story was going around again, so I thought I’d make a timeline adding what we’ve learned about his origins since then through The Riddler: Year of the Villain (2019).
Childhood
So Year of the Villain brings back several elements of Edward’s original backstory. The first was that, as a child, he won a puzzle contest and became fixated on that moment of victory for the rest of his life.
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Unlike previous iterations of the character, however, there’s no obvious indication that Edward cheated in order to win it (other than the looming shadow of his future careers). Whether he won it fairly or not, winning the trophy was a turning point for him because it was the first time he was given undiluted positive attention, something he wasn’t getting at home.
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Edward’s mother is heavily, HEAVILY implied to be an alcoholic (like there are even more bottles lying around in this panel, I cut them out for the screenshot), and he himself implies in the narration that she was neglectful to the point that he pretty much had to raise himself. Interestingly, there’s no mention of an abusive father, which is the bog standard for Riddler backstories in previous continuities. There’s nothing contradicting the existence of an abusive father in addition, so obviously there’s room for headcanons here (though I’m enjoying that Jonathan’s New 52 daddy issues replacing his retconned Post-Crisis mommy issues was finally mirrored by Edward’s Post-Crisis daddy issues being retconned and replaced with New 52 mommy issues. It’s equality).
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[Side note: apparently his actual birth name in the New 52 IS Edward “Nygma,” which is also a return to form to his first origin. Personally I’m much fonder of him being born “Nashton” and changing his name as an adult, but that’s just me.]
He says that winning the trophy was the first time he “felt like [he] meant something,” which would seem to indicate that before this he’d internalized his mother’s neglect into a low sense of self worth. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like the high of winning it lasted very long, since his classmates weren’t very appreciative of his victory (which is also very in line with Edward’s previous origins, especially Chuck Dixon’s take in Questions Multiple the Mystery).
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There’s not much other information about his childhood available, though Batman Annual #4 does seem to indicate that unlike many of Batman’s other villains, he did grow up in Gotham.
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This is just based on him telling Bruce that “all of Gotham City” watched him grow up, and that Edward in particular read and watched a lot of tabloid news about Bruce when they were adolescents (is this a Batman Forever reference??? It’s probably not a Batman Forever reference).
Teenage Years
Assuming we’re supposed to take Bruce’s heat-of-the-moment psychoanalysis in Zero Year seriously (Edward is clearly irritated by it, so... confirmation?), Edward’s desire for attention in childhood results in him breaking into corporate data banks and government safe-blocks as a teenager.
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Given what Edward is capable of in Zero Year, this definitely doesn’t seem out of the realm of possibility, but it’s deeply hilarious in the context of what Year of the Villain confirmed he was (also?) doing as a teenager, which is working as a carnie.
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I cannot tell you how hilarious I would find it if THIS is the “questionable past” that Bruce’s Uncle Phillip was talking about during Zero Year, but presumably he’s referring to the same kind of high profile crimes that Bruce was.
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But seriously, how funny would it be if he was just talking about how Edward literally ran away from home to join the circus as a teenager...
Adulthood
The 2017 post theorizes that Edward started working for Phillip at Wayne Enterprises in his early twenties, and started earning the various degrees you can see stacked up in a corner in the image above during his employment there. That would seem to fit with this timeline, since I’m not willing to add “earned six different university degrees” to teenage years that are apparently already packed full of ripping off carnival goers AND corporate espionage.
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In Batman Annual #4 there is the BAREST indication that Edward might have started working at Wayne Enterprises early into Bruce’s sabbatical abroad, since he talked about how “for months” there were nightly vigils at Wayne Tower where there were so many flowers people would have to cross the street not to step on them. Presumably this would have only been in the first year of Bruce’s disappearance, when Bruce was 18; at the very least this indicates that Edward still lived in Gotham when Bruce left, though it would make more sense for him to be visiting Wayne Tower as Phillip’s strategist than as a hacker/carnie.
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In general though, Edward’s Zero Year plan is so ridiculously complex that I think it’s reasonable to assume that he took as long to prepare for his debut as Riddler as it took Bruce to train to be Batman.
[Another side note: Not to accuse Edward of projecting or anything (God forbid), but I think it’s interesting that Edward puts so much emphasis on criticizing Bruce for “disappearing for years” and “making everyone think he’s dead” in combination with the COMPLETE absence of his father from his origin story as presented in Year of the Villain.]
I do think it’s fascinating that Edward’s New 52 origin veers away from the whole “cheating” thing that’s so central to his character in previous continuities - not that he DOESN’T cheat when he feels like it (the whole carnie thing), but it’s not presented as an insecurity of his, and here he’s genuinely intelligent enough to mastermind crimes without needing to move the goalposts at the last second (cough Arkhamverse Riddler COUGH).
One final thing from Edward’s adult life that I think could relate back to his origin comes from Batman #23.2, “Solitaire.”
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The issue starts with a flashback of Edward having a deck of playing cards confiscated from him in Arkham because he was playing Solitaire (like, genuinely playing Solitaire; he actually wasn’t plotting anything, it was just for stress relief). The comic is his quest for violent revenge against the Arkham guard who took his cards, which initially seems like a pretty average example of Riddler Brand Pettiness, but the story goes out of its way to highlight how much this really bothered him.
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The Arkham Guard has moved on to become the head of security at Wayne Enterprises, so to get revenge Edward has to break into his old place of employment. An unexpected altercation with one of the executives leads Edward to totally freak out over her “touching” him, and afterwards he goes to meditate in her old office in order to calm down. His attempt to relax is interrupted by his old Arkham tormentor, who gets in a couple shots at him before Edward takes his revenge...
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...which is BLOWING UP THE ARM that the guard used to take away the “small comfort” Edward had in Arkham. Afterwards, he goes up to the roof to play Solitaire, seeming to finally relax from his agitation earlier.
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Given Edward’s isolation and neglect in childhood, it would make sense for him to have ended up playing Solitaire a lot: it’s a game that doesn’t require involvement from friends or family, but still requires a player to use strategy and skill despite the lack of an opponent.
[Yet another side note related to the previous side note: Batman is ACTUALLY dead during Solitaire, which takes place after Joker’s Endgame arc. Bruce and Joker are of course later resurrected through shenanigans, so Edward is right to think he’ll be seeing Batman again. But Riddler sitting on the Wayne Enterprises rooftop, indulging in a self-described “small comfort,” waiting for a man who’s disappeared to miraculously show up again is really interesting. Again, not to accuse him of projecting or anything, but... where’s your dad, Edward...]
His affection for Solitaire is also interesting, in the sense that one could argue that’s what he’s doing in Zero Year: playing a game with himself. He’s challenging other people to play with him through his “riddle” game, and he’s clearly prepared for the possibility of having an opponent (given that he has a whole rainbow disco death trap room set up at the end of Zero Year, which he seems DELIGHTED to have a chance to use), but he’s not expecting to have one. Whether this is a perspective rooted in his childhood or not, it seems to have changed after Zero Year, based on his riddle for Batman in “Alone.”
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honestgrins · 3 years
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Can you write a Klaroline drabble where Caroline shows up in NOLA and shocks everyone but maybe Kol or Katherine when she says she's Klaus's wife? Cannon Caroline not original.
I Heard a Rumor
The club was filled with people and the chaos of a Friday night. Klaus preferred to avoid the rush of tourists, but Marcel kept the VIP lounge to a more tolerable set even during peak hours - usually.
“Don’t you just love this place?” Janet was hanging over the balcony to watch the crowds below, none too subtly pushing her ass back toward him. As one of the humans on staff to provide a live blood source, she was perfectly amiable to Klaus. He’d even become something of a regular customer for her given his penchant for the tinge of bourbon in her taste. However, it seemed she took the friendly flirtation of their transactions to heart, and she was testing his patience for more. 
Unfortunately for her, his patience was wearing thin. With a barely polite grimace, he downed the rest of his drink and made to stand. “It’s a bit rowdier than I like, love, so—”
She gave a rapturous giggle, only to fall into his lap and sprawl across him. “I like that you call me ‘love,’” she murmured, her mouth clumsy against his ear. “Let’s get out of here, and I’ll show you how much I like it.”
Rolling his eyes, Klaus was ready to speed out of there without bothering to set her back on her feet. The only thing that kept him in his crowded seat was the biting and all too familiar voice coming from behind him.
“Sorry, love, he won’t be available to accept whatever appreciation you have in mind.”
Both surprised — though for very different reasons — they turned to see Caroline Forbes facing them with a pageant-ready smile and murder in her eyes. She was stunning. Klaus couldn’t help a grin despite his earlier annoyance, and his brow arched in challenge. “Hello, sweetheart. Fancy meeting you here.”
Her jaw shifted almost imperceptibly to the left, but his companion didn’t seem to sense the rising tension as a threat. “Who the hell are you?”
Just like that, Caroline’s smile turned sharp with her fangs on full display. “I’m his wife, and you’re in my seat.”
The club was home to any number of vampires who heard her perfectly over the music, and more than a few froze at the sudden silence coming from him. The Klaus Mikaelson they knew would have reacted instantly, either with murder or some other violence, and they all seemed to wait for the ensuing mayhem. Even Janet finally grasped the discomfort of the moment, and she extricated herself from his lap with all the delicacy a human could manage. “I’ll just— Yeah, bye.”
Whatever show the club was waiting for, Klaus had more pressing concerns. “Shall we continue this interesting discussion at home?” he asked, though they both knew it wasn’t a question. Gently gripping Caroline’s arm, he flashed them back to the manor. He heard Kol and Rebekah meandering somewhere, and Elijah was likely on the premises as well. With that in mind, he brought her to the privacy of his studio and its soundproofing spell. Wisely, she waited until the door was shut to yank her arm free with a disgruntled huff. He merely smiled as he went to pour them some blooded wine. “That was quite the display you gave, sweetheart,” he said lightly, handing her a glass. “I have to admit: I didn’t see it coming.”
“Bullshit,” she snapped, setting aside the drink without indulging. His lips pursed; it was an excellent vintage, yet he was more perturbed at her outright refusal of his hospitality. Perhaps this wasn’t their usual spat to be easily resolved. Proving just that, she seemed truly distraught. “You promised to leave Mystic Falls, that my life was my own.”
“It is. I haven’t stepped foot in Virginia since that day.” Brow furrowed, Klaus felt an urgent need to reassure her. “I understand you need time to accept what I’m offering, and I am prepared to wait however long it takes. What on earth made you believe I’m encroaching on that promise?”
Last he heard, she wasn’t even in the States. They did chat by phone every so often, and when she’d mentioned a tour abroad, he had offered a list of his various estates that would be available to her should she wish. It was the caretaker of his dacha outside of Moscow who alerted him to her softening boundaries. He certainly had no intention of making her regret the change, let alone whatever caused this latest upset.
Watching him with suspicion, Caroline apparently wasn’t sure of his intentions at all. “Seriously? It wasn’t bad enough I ran into the stalkers you have ‘looking out for me’ in every city, but the one time I take you up on borrowing a place, you have the staff literally bowing to me. I wrote it off as a cultural thing at first, then I heard the whispers.”
“Though I refute your accusations of stalking, I will admit to warning some friends and enemies you are not to be trifled with in your travels. As for Dmitri, I merely asked him to welcome you as an honored guest, which you are.” 
She scoffed and crossed her arms in defiance. “Yeah, well, he wasn’t welcoming me as an honored guest. I overheard him chatting with his wife about meeting ‘the new mistress of the house.’”
Klaus shrugged, unconcerned. Satisfied the situation wasn’t more dire, he allowed himself to relax on his sofa, daring to pat the spot next to him. Caroline remained unmoved, and he rolled his eyes. “Perhaps the nature of your significance was lost in translation. You’re the one who came to my town and introduced yourself as my wife.”
“Because half of Russia thinks I am your wife!” With an indignant stamp of her foot, she seemed ready to tear her hair out — but she frowned more sedately at the blankness on his face. “You didn’t know?” 
Shaking his head, he honestly had no idea. “What happened, Caroline?”
Finally taking her drink, she dropped to the couch beside him with an embarrassed groan. “I stepped into exactly one vampire club, and people practically threw themselves out of my path. I assumed it was more of the same from you, until the guy I was flirting with was suddenly yanked away by a friend. He went white when he was told my husband would tear out his intestines and shove them down his throat.”
“A bit uncreative, that.”
“Klaus!”
“I don’t know,” he insisted, his frustration growing to match hers. Rubbing a hand across his mouth, he genuinely had no idea why anyone would think him married. Though he had many hopes and plans involving Caroline in his future, matrimony was a human tradition he’d never once considered. “Truly, this didn’t come from me.”
Sighing, she leaned back into the couch and nursed her wine, defeated. “Oh. Then, sorry for cockblocking, I guess.”
Klaus smirked at that, and he turned to face her more fully. “Are you really?” The lightest blush stained her cheeks, and he knew she was biting her tongue at the faint scent of her blood. Unable to resist, he reached his hand to rest on the back of her neck, his thumb rubbing into her hair. “New Orleans is a small town at heart, love, and you effectively announced yourself as my wife in the middle of town square.”
“To be fair, I thought you had told the whole world, and I wasn’t going to be the only one not getting laid because of it.”
“Ah.” He was torn between a wince and a laugh, so he settled for another sip of his drink instead. His other hand continued to massage her scalp, and he felt the tension slowly loosening within her. “I never meant to restrict your choices,” he promised. “Tempt you into choosing me, absolutely, but not like this.”
Finally, she relaxed into him, slouching until he could tuck her against his side. Some doubt lingered, though, he could tell. Perhaps it was a sign of growth on both their parts that he didn’t take offense and that she trusted him enough be honest. “But who else would want to spread a rumor like that about us? It’s not like anyone benefits if we really did do the Vegas wedding thing.”
His mouth twitched, and he flashed to the door, barely sparing a brief kiss to the top of her head. He tore it open, only for her to slam it shut again. Pressing her back to the wood, she kept a heavy glare on him. “Put those away, we both know you’re not going to bite me.”
With a reluctant growl, he forced his fangs to recede. “It’s not your blood I want at the moment, and it’s certainly not pleasure I seek.”
“Yeah, ‘cause revenge isn’t a pleasure for you,” she answered snidely. “Tell me what’s going on before you kill the blabbermouth.”
“This is something I have to do myself, sweetheart.”
“Hi, I might want to help! They screwed with both of us here, not just you.”
A half-smile formed without permission, the fondness he felt for her softer than he was comfortable acknowledging at the moment — especially when someone had proven all too willing to use their connection against him. “Few in New Orleans know about you, let alone your...effect on me. Only two would maliciously speak out of turn about that. And just one of those would dare to bind you to me forever, lest I be challenged to follow through.”
Her face was an open book to him, and he hoped she never lost that human nature to share every feeling she had as it happened. Confusion, calculation, consternation, they all boiled down to an annoyed scrunch of her nose. “Your family knows I exist, at least, I think so. I never actually met Elijah, but you two seem to have gotten over whatever grudge match was going on at home.” He gave a brief nod, fascinated at the determined way she thought it through. “I also doubt you told him about your fling with a baby vampire. Kol and Rebekah, on the other hand, probably didn’t need to be told.”
“Bekah still likes to complain that we defiled the entire wood within earshot,” he muttered, not that he could be particularly aggrieved at the memory of a sunny afternoon. “And you are no mere fling, Caroline.”
That lovely blush rose again, and she looked anywhere but at him as he crowded her against the door. Gently brushing the curtain of her hair back from her face, Klaus waited for her to gather herself. After a deep breath, she finally met him with a half-hearted glare. “Which Rebekah loathes, so she’s definitely not daring you to marry me by telling everyone else you already have.”
Silently agreeing, he hadn’t lowered his hand from where it settled on her cheek, and a thrill came when she leaned into it. “Kol, however, enjoys sowing chaos wherever he goes.”
“Yeah,” she groaned. “That sounds on brand, and I played right into it with this stupid payback stunt.”
“We always did share a flair for the dramatic.”
The laugh built in her throat before it burst out, filling the air between them until they were both smiling like fools. Her hands had curled into his shirt, one at his hip and the other over his heart. The slight tug of fabric was tempting, but he still kept his tentative distance. “I promised you time, and I meant it.”
Biting her lip, Caroline nodded. She didn’t let go of his shirt, either. “Does it have be all or nothing right now?” It was half a whisper, the barest hint of whine in her voice endearing. “Because you smell really good and it’s been a long time thanks to your stupid brother, and I might have missed you more than I realized, so can you just kiss me alrea—”
There would be consequences from the rumors of their marriage, and more than just those Kol would face. Caroline would be a target, either for those seeking Klaus’s favor or those out to destroy him. Her presence or absence from his daily life would be a noted occurrence, and more rumors would arise should they be seen with others instead. New pressures would exert force on the evolution of their relationship, something he had measured in decades and centuries without such attention. But they could deal with those consequences in time, together.
Later.
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hypmic-writings · 3 years
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YESSS. okay I am dying for some secret aliens love, could I get some relationship or kiss headcanons with them? They/them pronouns please!
━━ ∘◦ ☆ ◦∘ ━━
Pairing: Tom Weathercock x reader; Iris Traiter x reader; Taromaru Rex x reader
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: None
A/N: Sorry for the long wait, but I finally got around to this one! I apologize in advance if they’re out of character, I wish they had more screen time honestly. Hope this is along the lines of what you wanted! I made them general relationship headcanons. Enjoy~
⋘ ──── ∗ ⋅◈⋅ ∗ ──── ⋙
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Tom Weathercock
Tom is the type of guy that you would have feelings for for a long time and when you finally confess, he says he’s loved you the whole time too
Tom has a strong moral compass and is always trying to do right by everyone, wanting justice to prevail
he’ll do the same to you when you’re in a relationship, always making sure that you’re staying safe and walking the right path of justice 
so much goofiness in one relationship
he loves to tease you just to make you smile and laugh, and is always willing to tell you horrible jokes to brighten up your day
he can be a little oblivious sometimes, so you’ll have to make sure you voice your desires/needs
but Tom is willing to put in the work to make the relationship wonderful 
and he also strikes me as someone who will go to the ends of the earth for the person they love
for every anniversary, birthday, holiday, etc., Tom is always going over the top, buying you gifts and taking you to fancy restaurants
he wants you to know how much he loves you and the best way he knows how is to share everything he loves with you
so he’ll take you on all of his volunteer trips to other countries and show you all of the things he’s passionate about
with Tom, it’s a whirlwind relationship of him constantly texting and calling you, asking if you want to go somewhere random with him and then spending the night exploring the city
he doesn’t like wasting his time so he’s always pulling you along to try something new with him
but when you do finally get him to slow down, he loves pulling you into his chest and cuddling with you in bed or on the couch while you watch TV
his kisses are usually playful and soft, teasing and leaving you wanting more
his favorite place to kiss is your nose, but he’s also quite fond of kissing your jawline too because it always surprises you
I feel like he would also taste really sweet, like strawberries and it takes you a long time before you figure out it’s just his lip balm
he loves kissing you though, and isn’t afraid to do it in public either
because he doesn’t really care about what other people think and all he wants to do is wrap an arm around your waist and pull you close
Iris is always annoyed by it, but T.Rex is always wide eyed and encouraging
if you’re in a relationship with Tom though, you definitely have to be close friends with Iris and T.Rex, otherwise I don’t think Tom would be able to keep seeing you
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Iris Traiter
Iris is the type that knows exactly what she likes, and if you’re dating her, it’s because she likes you
she’s not afraid to tell you this either and will talk at length about all the reasons she adores you
mostly she does it just to watch you get flustered and I can definitely imagine her enjoying teasing you
she’s also quite interested in you and curious to know more about you as a person, often times wanting to talk more about you than herself
she’s very perceptive and will remember the smallest details about you, which always leads to her giving you the best gifts and taking you out on the best dates
Iris can also easily tell when you’ve had a bad day, and she’s more than happy to comfort you
if you want to repay her, give her genuine compliments, Iris thrives under praise that’s well-earned
she strikes me as someone who like to take relationships fairly seriously so if you ever do her wrong, she won’t hesitate to end it 
on the other hand, because she takes it seriously, she’s incredibly invested in the relationship and loyal to you
she wants you to be happy and is willing to go out of her comfort zone to do so
I can imagine her taking you on nice dates to fancy restaurants, but then also to chill dates just going to the beach or hanging out at the park
Iris really just wants to spend time with you, so she doesn’t mind where you are or what you’re doing 
she often spends most of her days running around town with Tom and T.Rex, so give her your time and she’s adore you for it
volunteering dates! 
where the two of you go volunteer around town for different causes to raise money
and the two of you would go on volunteering trips abroad instead of annual vacations    
Iris hates to admit that she likes lazy days, and always takes advantage of a good rainy morning by cuddling with you in bed
her kisses are always warm and filled with love
she’s not the type to kiss you too much, but when she does, it’s because she wants to convey something
either as a ‘hello’ or a ‘goodbye’ or ‘I missed you’ or (your personal favorite) ‘I love you’ kisses which become very passionate very quickly
overall, the relationship is going to be a loving, comfortable, strong one with lots of loyalty and honesty
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Taromaru Rex
Taromaru is going to be the type of boyfriend that is also your best friend
the two of you do everything together and he’s always (literally) carrying you around
dates include running around the city and I can imagine the two of you going to park and swinging on the swingset together and running through all of the different games made for kids
his favorite dates are the ones that involve eating, so you’re always getting dinner together
if you guys are in the same high school, I can imagine him wanting to walk you down the hall in between classes with his arm permanently wrapped around your shoulder
so many laughs throughout the relationship - it’s just very wholesome
if anyone ever tries to bully you or make fun of you, Taromaru’s immediately at your side to protect you
he’s not the best with his words, so he’s definitely more of an ‘action’ person and is willing to go above and beyond for you
he always remembers things he thinks are important (i.e. your favorite food, your clothing style, etc.) but then sometimes forgets other big things like your birthday or anniversaries
he hates apologizing, so he won’t sweat the little thing, but if he’s messed something up in a big way he’s gonna pull out all the stops to make it up to you
definitely turns to Tom and Iris for help when he doesn’t understand the way your acting or if he needs relationship advice
he loves it when you call him T.Rex, but if you call him Taro, it’s gonna make him go pink and then get flustered
he’s actually quite shy at first when he kisses you, not really knowing what he’s doing since you’re his first relationship
after he gets used to it though, he finds that he loves kissing you and will take every opportunity to do so
one of his favorite things to do is pulling you into him and surprising you by peppering kisses along your cheeks and nose
he definitely brags about you to all of his friends and you have to stop from laughing because he acts super cocky but he was so scared to even ask you to hold your hand
he doesn’t like it when you tease him too much though, because it always feels like he’s being made fun of, even if it’s just for fun
so instead, just have lots of inside jokes and keep him laughing
he’s so grateful to have an s/o like you and when he finally takes you to meet Tom and Iris, that’s when you’ll know he’s serious about you
.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.
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inmyarmswrappedin · 3 years
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Ages ago, I asked people to send me scenes they wanted me to compared across the Skams, and then I kinda ignored it. This wasn't intentional, but rather because I wanted to do the scenes in chronological order. And the one I got for s1 was the Eva/Jonas breakup scene.
The issue is that Jonas is a very misunderstood character in international fandom. I felt like I couldn't begin to compare the scenes without getting into the fundamental conflict between Eva and Jonas, and I couldn't do that without getting into why Jonas hates Russetide, and I couldn't do that without a long post that was going to swallow up whole the other 7 versions of the scene.
I've never really let go of the idea of doing those comparisons, even though the anons that sent the original asks are probably long gone. I thought of a bunch of different ways to approach the asks, but nothing worked for me. Until recently, where I just decided to first explain Russetide, then compare the different Skam opening speeches, and THEN I will finally compare the breakup scenes.
But instead of explaining Russetide itself, which I think most Skam fans more or less understand, I'm going to explain SJEIKEN 2015. This song perfectly encapsulates what Jonas hates about Russetide. In fact, he quotes it in one of the scenes where he's being a dick to Eva!
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Russetide is a tradition in all of Norway, but western Oslo (where Skam is set) is one of the richest areas in the country and, as such, they really go above and beyond with it. A bus is better than a van, the buses have to be decked out with the best sound systems. The crew has to have not just hoodies but also headbands and other merch, and it all has to follow the theme the crew has chosen. And if you really are the hottest of hot shit, then you actually commission legit artists to write a theme song for your bus. We can see this in s2, where the girls discuss The Penetrators theme song.
There are a bunch of different Norwegian artists that you can commission for your Russe song, but the most famous are probably TIX and the Pøssy Project. The Pøssy Project is a group of multiple songwriters, but all of its members have chosen to keep their identites anonymous because, as it turns out, ~Norwegian adults~ think everything I'm about to explain is trashy and disdainful. The one artist in The Pøssy Project that has always owned his participation in it is Andreas Haukeland, better known as TIX. (You might also know him as this year's ESC entry for Norway.) Why does TIX stand by these songs? Idk, probably because they're extremely popular, chart well, and make money, and by standing by them, he gets to perform them in gigs and profit off those creations.
SJEIKEN 2015 has featured twice in Skam, first in s1e1. It's also the song Pepsi Max is singing when they party at Sana's place in s4. And SJEIKEN 2015 featured so prominently in Skam because the song became a runaway hit the year before (the 2014-15 school year), breaking into the Norwegian charts as well as Spotify most playeds in Norway. It is a tremendously popular song that people loved.
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So, who or what is SJEIKEN 2015 about? SJEIKEN is a 2015 Russe crew (meaning they graduated high school in 2015) who chose to make their Russe theme about... oil sheikhs. That is what sjeiken means. The song itself is about an oil sheikh called Sheikh Yer Bouti who declares tonight to be free of rules. His 400 wives are allowed to get drunk and be whores, just for tonight. Here are the lyrics:
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Now, TIX has recently tried to become a mature artist, and so he was recently asked about SJEIKEN 2015 (again, a song he performs to this day). This was his response:
At a party, I met a girl who was crying over a boy she liked. She had built up her expectations that this would be the night she finally hooked up with him, but she was afraid that if she did, the guys would call her "whore". I thought about it a bit… It's actually quite true - if a boy hooks 10 girls at a party he is a legend, but if a girl hooks up with only one boy she may risk being called loose. That's absolutely ridiculous! So I said to her, "Tonight you are allowed to be a whore. Tonight you are allowed to hook up with him.”
And like, I just want to say this response is horseshit, first of all lol. But in case you for some reason thought this was supposed to be like a feminist anthem for a girls' russe buss (a crew like Los Losers for instance), let me share a picture of the SJEIKEN Russe crew:
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(Count the moc... Oh wait, there aren't any.)
SJEIKEN (the Russe crew) also participated at a Russe event back in 2015. Here is how they chose to stage their song:
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(The one thing I can say about this is that the boy playing a niqabi doesn't appear to have taken it off at any point, which is better than Skam Italia did.)
At this point, you might think that perhaps Jonas might have reason to be appalled that Eva, who he assumed shared his values, decided to get involved in Russefeiring. However, one other thing about Russefeiring is that literally EVERY YOUNG PERSON in Norway is supposed to love all of this shit. My evidence is very anecdotal, but I once asked a Norwegian high school student how many people aren't involved in Russefeiring. He said everyone is, the only people who aren't are the friendless losers. I also came across a Norwegian young woman's blog who said she preferred talking to people from abroad, because she didn't have to explain to them that she never actually did Russe, because to admit she hadn't, would immediately show her to have been a total outcast in high school. Like, this is an issue for people into their twenties.
So Jonas isn't just taking a stance to be cool, the fact that he is vocally opposed to Russefeiring in every way makes him (and the boy squad) total losers. In fact, Chris Schistad referred to Jonas as a nerd and the boy squad plainly wasn't in William's radar at all. It wasn't a thing like in Skam NL, where Kes' squad was leagues and miles above Noah's squad in terms of coolness (MOTHERfucker... don't even try to tell me Gijs was cooler than Kes lmao). Jonas would've been seen as a loser and a burnout, and that's what Jonas was talking about when he told Eva that she was always doing the popular thing to do. Because he very staunchly refused to participate in this tradition, despite the fact that doing so made him an outcast, because, for him, THAT was the moral thing to do.
Having read all this (you poor soul), and being on tumblr like you are, is it really that unthinkable that Jonas would think that Russefeiring and the culture associated with it is crap? Do you really think a 16-year old has the nuance to say, "you know, Russefeiring stands for everything I hate, but since you're friendless because of me, and this is your chance at having friends, I will put my ideals aside and support you in this." Absolutely not lmao. How many of you would even now shit on friends if they stepped outside the line of what tumblr considers woke? How many people on twitter turn on each other for transgressions like stanning the wrong Skams? Jonas was shitty because he was super rigid in what he considered the right way to behave, but in that sense, he was actually one of the most accurate portrayals of a specific type of Gen Z. Unlike idk, characters who quote fucking Animal Farm to talk about school festivals.
(And NOW that all of that has been established, I can finally begin dissecting season 1 lol.)
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kai-uh-arcadian · 3 years
Text
Ackersmith Cafe 
Pieck x Reader
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Word Count: 2.7k Cw: minor cursing Disclaimer! This is my first story/fic/head canon type thing ever, so feedback is much appreciated! ( :
enjoy!
* Lots of wholesome fluff ( : <3 *
Ships involved: Pieck x Reader, Hitchani, Eruri, Yumihisu,  Implied EreMika, Implied Niccolo x Sasha
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⁃ Ackersmith cafe, a quaint, dark academia type coffee shop
⁃ Leading local competitor “mom and pop shop” of the Shiganshina county against Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and Bakers Dozen
⁃ Used to be called “Smith Cafe” owned Grandma and Grandpa Smith before Mr. Erwin took over and married Mr.Levi
⁃ You and your parents have been going here since you could remember! Even before Mr.Erwin won his battle against cancer but lost his arm
⁃ Even though you’re in college now, it’s still walking distance from Paradis University and the neighbor university—Liberio University
⁃ You introduced your college friends, Sasha, Mikasa, and Annie to this place
⁃ You go here almost everyday to study and do uni homework
⁃ “Mr. Erwin!” You announced every time you walk in with Annie, Sasha, and Mikasa as the bells of the cafe ring
⁃ “(Y/nnnnnnn!)” he says waving his bionic arm that Hange, the other barista, made for him
⁃ (Hange chooses to work here every other weekend as a way to “relax” from their researching job, crazy right?)
⁃ “Hey twerp, when did you get so tall?”Mr. Levi flashes a smile from behind the counter, remembering you getting hoisted up on your dads shoulder while ordering a hot chocolate from when he was a trainee here a few years ago
⁃ “Mr. Levi, it’s been years since I was your height” you chuckle glancing at Mikasa, Sasha, and Annie stifling back a laugh at they witness this interaction
⁃ “Tch. You brats, I’ll kick you out any second!” he jokingly gets defensive
⁃ “Levi” Mr. Erwin puts a hand on the small of Mr. Levi’s back “Be nice to my favourite and most important customers! You’ll drive out our daily revenue” he laughs
⁃ “Yeah yeah whatever. The usual, brats?” Mr. Levi rolls his eyes holding back a soft smile
⁃ “Yep!” You all say in unison
⁃ “Should’ve guessed” as his rings up your guys’ total “I’ll bring it right out for you guys” he says before disappearing into the brewing station
⁃ You, Sasha, Mikasa, and Annie go to your usual booth right by the front window of the cafe
⁃ You 4 begin to pull out your computers and begin to do homework
⁃ Sasha and Mikasa are typing away on a shared Google Slide for a project they were both assigned to for their ENGL 2273 class they both happened to have together while you and Annie are looking out the window dozing off
⁃ “(Y/N),” Mikasa says grabbing your attention “Do your work.”
⁃ “Alright alright” you begin opening up a blackboard assignment your Professor assigned to you
⁃ “Slacking off again (L/N)?” Mr. Levi’s voice startles you as you look up
⁃ “No!” You shyly smile at him as you pretend to type away at the assignment
⁃ “Tch. Anyways, a white chocolate mocha latte with a glazed donut for you Annie, a hot, unsweetened, caramel latte for you Mikasa, a bacon, egg, and cheese croissant with a cinnamon dolce frappe for you Sasha, and a matcha frappe for you (Y/N). Anything else brats?” He smiles as he hands everything to you guys
⁃ “No thank you!” You say in unison once again before he nods and walks away
⁃ As you sip on your delectable drink, Annie’s face lights up and it’s not from the donut (this time)
⁃ “Eh? Annie, what’s got you smiling?” Sasha says nervously chewing on her croissant at Annie’s surprised face
⁃ “Oh.” Annie’s face goes back to the typical stoic look “nothing, it’s just I know those people about to walk in” she gestures to a tall, muscular blonde man, a tall, brunette who is visibly sweating, a dirty blonde man with an undercut, and breathtaking black haired women with languid eyes and a perpetual soft smile
⁃ “Huh? How?” Mikasa looks up from her work and towards the girl sitting to her left shoulder, peeking a glance at the group about to walk in
⁃ “Eh, I went to Marley high school with them. I had a few classes with each of them throughout the years but never really interacted too much. They aren’t mean or anything— I just recognize them. I think they go to Liberio university” she says taking another bite of her donut
⁃ “Her names Pieck Finger” Annie said with a mouth full of donut directly at you “I’m guessing you were wondering” she smirks
⁃ Your face heats up. Did Annie notice you were staring at her?! Oh no… if Annie noticed… did this mean that Pieck girl also notice?!”
⁃ “No no” you laughed it off, “I wasn’t wondering I was just staring off into space!!”
⁃ This earns a chuckle out of Mikasa, she read you like a book
⁃ The Liberio squad orders as your little Paradis squad begins to pack up after being there for about hour and a half
⁃ “Annie?” The muscular blonde says from a few tables over
⁃ Annie lights up a bit at the seemingly familiar voice coming from behind her
⁃ “Reiner?” Annie walks over to the table as you, Mikasa, and Sasha continue to pack up
⁃ “Oh! These are my friends (Y/N), Mikasa, and Sasha. We usually come here almost everyday” annie says as each of you light up at the sound of your name
⁃ “Nice to meet you all! This is Bertolt, Porco, Pieck, and I’m Reiner”
You 4 wave to the Liberio 4 and you make direct eye contact with Pieck, she smiles softly at you
⁃ “It was nice seeing you all again, we were just on our way out” Annie waves to the group
⁃ “It was nice meeting you!” You, Mikasa, and Sasha say in unison
⁃ You made eye contact with Pieck once again before exiting
The next day
⁃ you text the group chat during your last class of the day “Ackersmiths?
⁃ Annie replies “Hitch nagged at me this morning claiming she deserves more attention so I'm taking her on a date tonight. ”
⁃ Mikasa replies “I’m being forced to meet Niccolo today😐”
⁃ “Okay so you all hate me😩I’ll go alone” you respond to the group chat
⁃ “Yeah that’s exactly what we mean (Y/N)😪😪😪” Sasha replies
⁃ “Yeah whatever.😫 I’ll be over later tonight and bring you guys your usuals if you want” you reply
⁃ “You’re a saint!🛐” Sasha says
⁃ “Sasha’s dorm as usual? I’ll be there around 8 o’clock” Annie says
⁃ “Perfect, I’ll see you guys then, i know you guys love me🥰🥰🥰🥰” you sent the text and began walking to Ackersmith’s
⁃ you walk in and greet Mr.Levi and Mr.Erwin like always “Mr. Leviiiiii! Mr. Erwin!!! It’s your favourite customer!”
⁃ “Oh? I didn’t see Sasha walk in though?” Erwin banters back as you walk towards the counter
⁃ “Yeah yeah, be glad or else you wouldn’t have any pastries left to sell today” you laugh “could I get the usual please?”
⁃ “Of course! I’ll have Levi bring it out to you in a second” Erwin beams and heads towards the machines
⁃ You begin to head to the table usually sit at when you aren’t accompanied by your usual gang but it seems to be taken
⁃ “Grandpa Arlert!?” You exclaim
⁃ Distracted by your excitement, that ethereal black haired Pieck, walks in and sits at a table closest to the entrance by the window. She instantly notices you chatting with (in her eyes) a random sweet old man
⁃ “(Y/N)!” He begins to get up
⁃ “How’s Armin doing? I haven’t heard much from him while he’s been in France but Mikasa tells me so much, maybe too much,  about Eren’s studies abroad”
⁃ “He’s doing well, I miss seeing you 4 all the time. I’m about to be on my way but come see me anytime kiddo” he pats you on the head
⁃ “I’ll come by this weekend okay Grandpa Arlert?” He nods as you sit down and pull out your computer
⁃ Pieck is gazing out the window but every now and then she glances at you. She can’t help but find you adorable when you focus on something— you furrow your brows a bit, squint, and bite your bottom lip
⁃ As Pieck is totally engrossed in your cute little studying quirks, she quickly averts her eyes and your head snaps in her direction as the entrance bells chimes and a couple walks in
⁃ You focus on the couple as the blonde one in a flowy pink dress pushes the stroller to nearby table and the taller brunette one in slacks and a button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the elbow goes to order (for the blonde one as well, you assume)
⁃ The gears in your head are shifting as you begin to figure out who the hell that couple could be as they are SO familiar to you
⁃ Then. A lightbulb! “Historia?!” You say to the women about three empty small tables away
⁃ (It’s a local favourite, how could you not see people you know here?)
⁃ (Y/N)?! You get up and start walking over to Historia’s table accompanied by a stroller
⁃ (Y/N)? The tall brunette walks over with a strawberry pastry and a plain croissant
⁃ “Ahh, Ymir!” You exclaim embracing her
⁃ “And who might this little one be?” You question while lovingly waving to inside the stroller which held a baby with dark hair, freckles, and bright blue eyes
⁃ Somehow(?) a perfect mix of Ymir and Historia
⁃ “This is baby Freida” (after her late sister) Historia grabs the about 7-month baby girl and gives her a kiss on her chubby cheek
⁃ “Sooo this is what you’ve guys have been doing since we left high school. I always wondered where you guys took off! You both completely went AWOL “ you chuckle while holding your index finger out as baby Freida grasps it
⁃ “Yeah, after high school I decided to take a gap year and Historia decided to become a CNA, I’m working on my realtor license” Ymir says taking a chomp out of the croissant
⁃ “I’m so happy for you guys! Seeing you guys and plus this cute little one just made my day. Could I hold her?” Your eyes looks as if they’ve been possessed by literal stars
⁃ “Of course!” Historia gingerly hands you baby Frieda and to your surprise, little Frieda giggles while you rub your cheek to the baby’s chubby one smiling
⁃ While this interaction is happening, Pieck has her eyes GLUED to you
⁃ Her heart is bursting at the seams right now. From seeing you interact with the sweet old man you refer to as Grandpa Arlert to you holding a cute ass child AH! Her heart IS exploding
⁃ It’s like she’s emitting a pink aura out of her body and little hearts are circling her as well
⁃ You hand baby Frieda back “it was nice chatting with you guys, text me if you guys are ever back in town!” And with that you retreat back to your original spot
⁃ Hyper focused on what you’re supposed to be doing on your screen you’re interrupted by Levi’s booming voice
⁃ “Hey brat, sorry it took so long. The blender got jammed, probably from all the stupid ice it took to make your dumb frappe”
⁃ “Also, you’re probably too oblivious to notice but, don’t look now, there’s a dark haired girl by the window who has been making googly eyes at you the moment she walked in”
⁃ (WINGMAN LEVI?!?!?!)
⁃ You nonchalantly glide your eyes over to where he was talking about and he referring to Pieck
⁃ THE PIECK FINGER from yesterday
⁃ Your face turns red as you grab the drink from Mr.Levi and begin to stutter
⁃ “I— uh-“
⁃ “Don’t think I didn’t notice your little interaction yesterday” he scoffs hiding a smirk
⁃ …is he referring to me staring at Pieck from the window????
⁃ (That sounds creepy but in an innocent young teen/adult puppy love way)
⁃ “If you’d like, I can send a drink over from you. She ordered the weirdest frappe-combo-shit yesterday so I remember it. It was a matcha frappe with strawberry purée and strawberry drizzle with matcha dusted on top of the whip cream…” he scoffed “but what do I know? I’m just an old married man”
⁃ WINGMAN MR. LEVI!!!!!!
⁃ “Yes! That would be perfect, I trust your gut Mr.Levi!” You hand him your card and he smiles as he begins to walk away
⁃ At this point you’re nervous. Yes you’re looking at your computer but you CANNOT think about anything else but how Pieck will react
⁃ Does she have a boyfriend? That (stupid) undercut guy?
- The tall sweaty guy?
⁃ Or maybe the muscular guy
⁃ No no, she looks too smart to date a meathead
- She seems too outgoing to date a super nervous guy
⁃ Or a seemingly fuckboy
⁃ But who am I to judge her preference?
-Is she even gay?
- She probably has a girlfri--
⁃ “Thank you for the drink” a sweet voice danced in between your clouded thoughts
⁃ You look up and you meet eyes with the one and only, Pieck
⁃ “May I sit here?” She gestures at the empty seat in front of you
⁃ (Mr. Levi’s plan worked?)
⁃ “Of course!” You shyly smile rubbing the back on your nape
⁃ “Your names (Y/N), right?” She took a sip of the drink
⁃ “Hmm.. Doing a bit of stalking I see. How’d you know my exotic drink of choice?” Those heavy words came out so smoothly you could barely react to the accusation
⁃ “Oh! Uh— no it’s not that” you instantly became flustered
⁃ The laugh she let out was so beautiful that it made you stop in your tracks
⁃ A bit of the puree was on her lips, which made them glossy and her head tilted back which let her flowy silky black hair waterfall off her shoulder
⁃ A bit of confidence shot through you
⁃ “Actually, a little birdy told ME that you were the one “stalking” and they decided I should do something to get your attention” you raised an eyebrow
⁃ Pieck’s angelic laughter came to an instant halt and her face become the same colour of the little bit of strawberry purée on her bottom lip
⁃ Now YOU were the one giggling at her reaction
⁃ “Don’t worry don’t worry! You waved your hands in a surrendering motion “in all honestly Mr. Levi said he saw you looking at me today and remembered your ..interesting.. drink from yesterday and also remembered about how I was looking at you when you walked in with your friends and suggested I send a drink over to you” you reassured
⁃ Oh shit
⁃ She giggled at how red your face got after realized what you had just told her
⁃ “Well if you’re going to be honest I will too, I thought you were the cutest thing yesterday. Today really solidified that thought because I mayyyy… have noticed you with that cute little baby” she gave you a languid smile fiddling with her hair nervously
⁃ Taken a bit aback from this
⁃ Are you hearing this correctly???
⁃ “Could I possibly get your number? Maybe later this week we could go on a proper date or something?”
⁃ “I’d love nothing more than that, (Y/N) she gives to the sweetest most genuine smiles there can be
After you exchanged phone numbers, you and Pieck spent about 2 more hours there talking about everything and yet nothing at the same time. You both shared pointless stories about each other’s upbringing, majors, fun stories about your mutual friend Annie, your own friends, and little sarcastic shots at one another here and there before walking her back to her dorm at Liberio University (about a 30 minute walk back to Paradis University)
She thanked you for the fun night by giving you a small peck on the cheek.
When you both returned to your assigned dorms
Pieck spent the night fangirling about you to Porco, Reiner, and a 4th year named Zeke
While you spent your night fangirling to Annie, Sasha, and Mikasa
“Oh (Y/N)!? Speaking about great things you find at the cafe, where’s the drinks? ” Sasha asked after your little spiel about Pieck
“Shit!”
Ackersmith Cafe has always held a special place in your heart but the love you’ve had for the place just got deeper.
sorry if the ending sucks but lmk your thoughts!!!!!! (:
- Kyah
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olivieblake · 2 years
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Hi olivie! Sorry to be back with another Big Sistering question so soon, but Life is Problematic.
My boyfriend and I are both applying to universities right now, and let’s just say it’s not going well.
A bit of context: He’s the kind of person who doesn’t work hard. At all. Think….life hands everything to him on a golden platter. It seems that everything he wants, he just gets? With minimal to no effort involved. I work hard. Maybe not as hard as other people I know, but way more than him. We both applied for a few universities abroad, not the same ones, but the same area and for the same courses. He coasted off my hard work for the whole application process. He ripped off a lot of my essay ideas, he used my spreadsheet to decide which unis to apply to, he used my alarms to remind him about app deadlines. Basically, he did nothing except fill in the forms.
The thing is, I didn’t care. But then it turned out he got accepted into 4/5 universities and I was rejected by 3 of them. And it just hurts. I know, I know, I shouldn’t feel bad about the rejections, but the fact that he didn’t work at all, literally breezed through with his eyes closed, wrote his essay the night before the deadline, and literally submitted his application at 11: 56 (NOT kidding about this btw it actually happened) just makes me so fucking upset. What does he have that I don’t? What makes him get offers when I got rejections?
He knows I work hard. He knows I work much harder than he does. He even jokes about it—“hey I’m coasting off your hard work”. And I used to laugh but now I just feel like crap because life is so unfair.
It feels like whatever I do, or how much I prepare, or how hard I work, I’m going to fall behind and he’s going to be ahead. And I just feel so stressed all the time because universities have sky high standards, and I’m really trying to meet their stupid fucking requirements, and he just floats through without giving half a fuck.
He tries to keep reassuring me that universities will give me offers, but when you’ve been rejected by three already, that sounds slightly sour coming from a person who’s getting all offers.
Everyone I know keeps saying life is unfair, and we just have to deal with it. And I don’t even know who I’m so angry at. Him, for not working hard and getting what I want so badly when he doesn’t even care that much? The universe, for putting me in such a bad position? Life, for being so fucking unfair?
And yes, I’m jealous about him. I’m jealous over his offers, and I’m jealous over the fact that he gets EVERYTHING, everything without even trying. And it sucks, and I hate myself for it, but I can’t stop, you know?
Everyone I know keeps saying life is unfair, and we just have to deal with it. But, as childish as this sounds, I don’t want to. I want offers. I want to receive an acceptance letter and not a rejection letter for once. Basically, I don’t even know what I’m asking you here. I guess it would finally be why is life so unfair and why do I feel like I’ve been dealt the short hand? And how do I deal with it? And my feelings over him?
(PS: happy happy belated birthday!!! hope you enjoyed your day in the blakeverse xx)
first of all, never apologize for being in my inbox. I am sorry I got here so late and I will answer this in the next video, but I also want to comment now, in the event that you're still living in this cerebral sad space
jealousy is natural. the thing is, though, that you and your boyfriend appear to be in comparable circumstances, but you're actually not. you're each running your own race, and while it's natural to compare your results to his, you are not living his life. you're living yours. and yours has more in store for you that you cannot see or guess or know at this point in your life
take it from me, an old. I got rejected from my dream university. then I got rejected from my dream law school. then I got form rejected by so many agents and editors and programs I don't even know what that number is to be able to tell you. but now? yeah. the unimaginable is sometimes unimaginable in a good way, and you can look at life like it's hugely unfair, or you can accept your disappointment while recognizing that where you're standing is not the finish line
as for your boyfriend coasting off your work and preparation... ugh, typical. would it make you feel better for him to own up to how much of your preparation saved him time and effort? maybe you need him to acknowledge that. unfortunately men will do this and keep doing it, so if having some ownership of your part in his success will give you the sense of agency you're missing, I wouldn't blame you. but if this is more about your disappointment, then it'll take some time to heal
anyway like I said we'll talk about it in a video. it's a complex problem but I think starting from the inside out will help—remember, it's not a competition. and do you know why? because you're already winning. you know how to prepare. your ideas are original. he will fail someday and he will be shocked by it. you won't. you'll be able to keep going. it's a longer race than he realizes, but you?
I'm not worried about you at all
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brogues-b4-hoes · 3 years
Text
Kingsman the secret service, first draft liveblog.
I’m reading the original draft for Kingsman: The secret service and being just blown away by how different but the same™ it is so I’m gonna list some things that made me go :0 
Huntsman and sons doesn’t really sound like a spy org. it sounds like a rustic b&b in the scottish countryside. Not a bad thing but Kingsman does sound a bit more “knightly” and “cool” 
Also Jack Lincoln is just not it. Harry Hart is where it’s at. 
SO about the ages: In this script Eggsy is 21, Harry is 49, Merlin is middleaged (I’m assuming that means like 44-45 ish), Roxy is 22, Charlie 23, Lancelot 39. 
Merlin was supposed to be “black, handsome” And frankly my first thought was “....Idris Elba?” lmao 
The medal Eggsy gets is called a Guinevere Cross and I immediately came up with a whole scenario of how the first Guinevere sacrificed themself in an act of bravery, which is why the Kingsman medal of honor is named after them. 
Lancelot was supposed to fight Gazelle before losing but ig getting cut in half from behind has more shock value. (Just give my boy a bit more screentime) 
I’m glad they changed Michelle’s whole approach to Daisy, cause in this script it comes across like she couldn’t care less about her literal toddler, which makes her kind of unlikeable :// I’m glad they didn’t do Michelle dirty like that in the final script. 
Arthur really was just a sexist, elitist bastard now wasn’t he (while looking at the candidates his reaction to Eggsy being proposed is “at least it’s not a woman, I mean wtf are all these women doing here??” .....There’s three women being proposed out of twelve candidates, Chester.)
On that note, I’m glad they ended up giving Merlin more of Arthur’s lines - mostly because it makes sense for Merlin’s character to play the part of handler besides being the tech wizard he is- but also Make! Arthur! Say! Less!
I think it’s an interesting choice to have the candidates be from all over the world, as I Imagine the agents who were abroad just chose the best person they could find from that area, and if that’s true then the other agents were away in: France, Germany, Denmark, Japan, Italy, Ethiopia, South Africa, India, Persia and America. Do what you want with that info.
Yeah Roxy was american originally lol
I’m glad they acknowledge the lack of privacy in the first dorm set up, because I always looked at that in the movie and thought “If I had to use a bathroom out in the open with eleven peers just hanging out behind me, I would simply not use the bathroom lol” 
Glad they cut the whole subplot of Harry infiltrating some bank, especially because it involved dressing up as a woman to get acces to the ladies room, which, given the current climate and the whole jkr situation would not have gone down well, to say the least. 
“That sounds exhausting” in which Harry is me. 
"Training starts tomorrow, which I will have nothing to do with. Watching people train is boring.” Spoken boldly for a guy who then subsequently shows up at every. single. training scene, Merlin. 
God I’m glad they cut the whole puppy obstacle course scene, it was just alot lol 
A lot of stuff is the same but what really stands out to me is how little Eggsy actually does on his own, in this version he only passes tests through dumb luck or because Harry straight up gives him the answers, which makes it difficult to root for him in this script. So I’m glad they changed that. 
Idk what to think about the implanted chip being a bluetooth earpiece originally, like who wears an earpiece all the time?..... Ig the writers thought the same thing in the end lol 
“Medic! We need a medic!” Me, internally: SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU HAVE MEDICS?? Merlin: “No we don’t.” me, internally: IM NOTING THIS AS PROOF THAT YOU HAVE MEDICS, GALEN IS CANON CONFIRMED
I like that Elton John is just fully in this movie, what exactly is it about Elton John that made Matthew and Jane continue to write him into both movies??? IS HE GOING TO BE IN THE BLUE BLOOD TOO? :0
I’d like to note that I do not like Elton John pelting shit at Valentine lol 
The way that they really wrote a whole Heathers the musical “shut up, Heather!” scene but with Arthur, Harry and Merlin saying “shut up, Eggsy!” I CAN’T WITH THIS SCRIPT
Broke: “Lady Gaga” woke: “Lady G’gar” (as pronounced by Arthur lmao) 
Okay so in a cut test, there’s a mentioning of Huntsmen security, which I will take as proof for my whole “The entire plot of TGC is bullshit because there had to be more staff at Kingsman than just Merlin, meaning more survivors of the bombing” 
AND THE PLOT THICKENS WITH THIS: Harry (to Eggsy): “Look, I’ll be back in a few days. Stay here ‘till then. I’ll call Merlin, and when everything’s calmed down I’ll take you in and finesse things. If we’re lucky we can get you a job in admin or train you as a pilot.” HELLOO WHERE WERE THE ADMINS AND PILOTS AND SECURITY IN TGC 
“Thank you. I’ll do anything. I’ll be a cleaner, even.” THEY HAVE CLEANERS TOO MATTHEW YOU’RE KIDDING ME
The ending is so different omg What is Happening? why is Usain Bolt, Lady Gaga, Jamie Oliver and Elton John fighting together avengers style? 
All in all: I much prefer the way they handled things in the final script because this felt a bit too much like the types of movies you write with your friends in middleschool for shits and giggles and less like an actual film you’d go see in theatres. But of course it’s important to remember that this mess led to one of my favorite films ever, and I really enjoyed the insight into the process and changes that led the writers to the final version. T’was very cool. 
Also I read the novelization of The Golden Circle and I can’t say which one I get the biggest yikes from (yes I can it’s the novel. It’s so bad lol) 
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lovelyirony · 4 years
Text
the much anticipated second part for the amnesia-related fic. 
A wedding ring. 
This doesn’t mean that he and Tony are married except that he hasn’t seen Tony with a wedding ring and he hasn’t mentioned a wife and he doesn’t sound like he has a wife and if Rhodey-if Jim had a wife, then wouldn’t he know about her? Wouldn’t they have met by now? He may not know Tony yet, but he doesn’t think that he would be that cruel. 
“Colonel Rhodes-” 
“Friday, don’t,” Jim says, swatting at the air. “What-why did you hide that from me?” 
“Sir believed it would be best,” Friday answers, tone almost quieter. “He...wasn’t sure that you would understand.” 
“I don’t understand,” he says. “Why would I marry him of all people? He’s not exactly my type.” 
“Since I am a learning program, I cannot say for sure. Humans do a lot of illogical things.” 
He’s trying to wrap his head around it and avoid Tony at the same time. 
Friday won’t let him see any wedding pictures, not until he remembers more. 
Even though he’s been (mostly) successful at avoiding Tony for about a week and a half, the man is still so nice. 
He’s still operating under the assumption that Jim has no idea that they’re married, and he does stuff like leave out a cup of coffee and offer breakfast up or ask if he wants pizza for dinner.
Jim reads too much into it. 
And he doesn’t know why, because it’s not like anything has really changed, except for the fact that Tony won’t call him Rhodey. 
Jim gave him permission to, saw how much it killed him with every correction and every reminder. Told him “you can call me Rhodey, if you want.” 
And he doesn’t. 
Tony never does. 
He still almost says it, but Jim is quicker on the tongue, and he doesn’t make a move to try to push any memories at all. 
(Even though he remembers how happy Tony was to hear that memory about grocery shopping and Dum-E’s code source.) 
He does want to remember. He wants to remember why he apparently married Tony and was genuine about it, why Pepper and him are best friends and never were anything more, why he’s...why he’s so different from what he wanted. 
-
Tony knows that Jim’s acting differently. He’s not sure why. He’s not sure he wants to know why, because that might complicate everything. 
And he doesn’t want another thing to be wrong. Everyone’s walking on eggshells around him except for the one damn person that probably should be, but Rhodey’s never been good at following rules. (But he’s good at fooling people.) 
Pepper talks to Tony a lot. Asks him how he’s doing, if there’s anything she can do. 
Repair someone’s memory is a little bit outside of her area of expertise. 
“It’ll be okay,” she says, putting her tiny hand over his. “Things will work out.” 
They both know that in Tony’s life, luck has never been quite what it seems. Or existent at all, at times. 
-
Ironically, it’s their anniversary of the wedding when Jim remembers something else. It actually comes in the form of looking in the fridge and not finding his apples. 
“Quit leaving honey-crisp off of the list just because you don’t like them you asshole,” he calls to Tony. 
Tony almost yelps. 
“Out of everything in your life and that’s what you remember? Your stupidly sweet apples?” 
“Are you gonna get them?” 
“Why don’t you come with me?” Tony asks, “just so that you can get your apples and maybe get out of the house for once.” 
“Hmph. Fine,” Jim answers. “Where’s my coat?” 
“Uh...” Tony trails off, trying to find the words. “Third peg on the...right, I think?” 
“You’ve known me for years, and you don’t know where my coat is?” 
Rhodey is always the one to hang up his coat, and then put his arms out for Tony’s. 
“To be fair, I am important and fancy and a big deal,” Tony scoffs. “Come on, go get your coat and then I’m going to show you what horrible things you buy from the store.” 
“It’s not that bad. And what, you don’t like good apples?” 
“As sour as can be, sourpatch. As sour as can be.” 
-
Grocery shopping with Tony is...interesting. He didn’t think it would take so long. 
“This is why you don’t usually come,” Tony teases him. “I take so long and you end up sitting in the car and cursing at Pepper or Happy about how much time I spend dedicated to snack-judging.” 
“And I put up with that?” 
“You do,” Tony says, grabbing the cart. “Because you love me and you deal with a lot worse from me.” 
“Like what?” 
“Best not to talk about it,” Tony says. “We’re in public after all, honey.” 
“Ugh, boo,” Rhodey teases. “Give me the list. I bet I can speed-run this.” 
“How? Technically, you don’t think you’ve ever been to this store before!” Tony exclaims with a gigantic, shit-eating grin. 
“Way to rub it in you bastard,” he says with a laugh. “Now come on, I wanna see what kind of salad you think we’re gonna get.” 
“Not you thinking you’re going to be eating junk food,” Tony sighs. 
“I lost my memory!” 
“That would’ve worked, like, two weeks ago. Now I know better.” 
Grocery shopping is...fun. They make fun of foods and different products, and Tony shows him which things he might like. 
“I like...I like fruit salad?” 
“Yes, yes you do Rhodey-dear,” Tony says. “Your favorite thing in the world for fruit.” 
“Seems suspicious.” 
“You’ll have to try it again, then.” 
Rhodey watches him as they’re shopping. He’s easy to be around, honestly. He has that sort of energy that makes you feel like he’s just happy to be in that moment. 
Tony also has very questionable taste in everything. 
“Quinoa?” 
“What? You’ve eaten it before! It’s not your least favorite thing that I’ve cooked?” 
“How is it not? Is it because I’m old?” 
“No, not because you’re old,” Tony scowls. “When you’d come back from the service, you’d eat literally anything I put in front of you. I once gave you a block of cheese and you just sat there. Eating it.” 
“There’s no way I did that.” 
“You did! Ask Pepper, she has a picture of it!” 
He goes back to quiet after that, remembering the picture. 
-
Jim isn’t even sure he wants to bring it up. He’s not even sure if he could love Tony again, and somehow that thought makes his head hurt. 
He knows that apparently, he fell in love once. 
So he needs answers. 
-
Jim had talked to his parents, but he hadn’t really had an opportunity to talk about anything important. Try as he had to get more information out of them, they weren’t giving much up, except for parts about his military achievements and funny stories that he’s written to them about. 
When he gets back home and he sees Mama, she knows. 
“Come here baby,” she says, putting him into her arms. “Let me answer your questions.” 
“Why him?” 
Mama laughs, grinning up at him from her place on the couch. 
“You reacted like this when you first started rooming together, too. I was worried that I’d be involved in a court case for attempted murder!” 
“And you weren’t?” 
“No,” Mama answers. “Instead, I get no phone call from you for three weeks, until the day before your holiday break started, and you told me that you were bringing who you used to call ‘the biggest nuisance since fruit flies’ home to Thanksgiving.” 
“Why did I...why did I bring him?” 
“I didn’t get that answered until he fell asleep,” she says. “I’m making you some coffee, alright dear?” 
“Okay, so long as I get an answer.” 
“So impatient,” she mutters as she makes her way to the kitchen, Jim following. 
He watches how easily his mom pours the coffee, and remembers in a brief flash that Tony always would bring the fancy, flavored creamer to the holiday events. 
“Oh come on,” Tony said. “You have gotten too used to my kindness, and there’s no reason to stop being kind. Besides, remember last year when you nearly cried because I bought creamer from the store? Yeah, not having a repeat of that.” 
“And would that be so bad?” he teased Tony, wrapping an arm around his waist, and-
He blinks. 
That was...that was definitely a new kind of memory. 
“James, are you alright?” His mother is looking at him, and maybe she knows, maybe she doesn’t know that he just remembered something. He’s honestly not sure. 
“Uh, yeah. Fine. I’m good.” 
Mama looks across the room, smiling. 
“He was a timid little thing when he got here. Fixed up the washing machine when it broke, just in time. Nearly wore a suit to dinner, said you didn’t tell him what kind of ‘casual’ we were going for...” 
He snorts as he slowly remembers that one. 
“What do you mean you didn’t mean a suit?!” Tony had wailed, gripping Rhodey’s shirt. “You said I had to dress nice!” 
“I meant literally anything but your Black Sabbath shirt!” 
“Why would I have worn my Black Sabbath shirt? Your mom would probably think I was a Satanist!” 
They both look at each other for a moment, and Rhodey’s the first one to break and laugh. 
“Listen you idiot, it won’t be so bad. We can just ditch the coat, ditch the tie, and you’ll be...okay. A bit nicer than most of us, but hey. That’s what I get for not telling you that suits are weird.” 
“Suits are not weird, you’re just uneducated in what is sophisticated,” Tony says, turning his nose up as Rhodey rolls his eyes. 
“Oh yeah, sure, because knowing which one is the dessert spoon is going to help me save people abroad. My bad.” 
Tony looks back at him, and his heart skips a beat. It does. Really, it does. 
It almost feels like someone’s reading back to him what he already knows at this point. 
His mom squeezes his hand, smiling. 
“You remember at least some of it, don’t you?” 
“Well...uh, yeah? I-I do.” 
“Does Tony know that you know that you’re...married?” 
“No,” Rhodey says. “I know some, but not enough.” 
“Give him a chance,” she says. “And get back home, I’m sure he’s missing you.” 
Rhodey embraces his mother, and prepares for the drive home. 
Being missed is a weird concept to deal with. 
He also did not exactly think of that. So he’s currently driving back and checked his phone to seven missed calls from Tony, three from Pepper, and one text from Happy that simply reads “lol ur dead hahaha good luckkkkk” 
Well shit. 
Tony, understandably is pissed and scared and a tad upset. 
Not a tad. 
“Where were you?” He says as soon as Rhodey appears back in the kitchen. Tony’s hands wander close, and he almost leans in. 
Almost. 
“I was visiting my parents,” he responds. “Sorry, forgot to text.” 
“Please remember next time, your-well, Tony’s annoying when you leave,” Pepper says. 
(Okay Rhodey doesn’t know how they got away with this for so long, it’s really, really obvious that they’ve been covering it up.) 
“I will,” Rhodey says. “Did I miss anything?” 
“I’ve elected that we’re going to cook tonight,” Tony declares. “I am absolutely sick to death of takeout, and I’m pretty sure that with your lack of knowledge on recipes now, I have you beat in the kitchen.” 
“I can still read recipes, you dumbass. Besides, I just remembered your stupid ‘bake’ hack for your stupid casserole dish, so...” 
“Out of everything, and that’s the thing you remember today?!” 
“Well, I also remembered that apparently you wore a suit to my house for Thanksgiving!” 
Tony stops. 
“What else you remember from that, or was it just that?” 
He doesn’t want to say anything in front of Pepper, doesn’t want to say anything just yet. 
“I remember that you were weird about your suit!” 
Tony deflates a bit, but still smiles. 
God, he looks gorgeous. 
Rhodey blinks. Shakes his head out of the thought.
“So. What are we cooking?” 
Tony and cooking is a very interesting concept because it shouldn’t work. 
He never stops moving, can lose interest quickly, and Rhodey would think that he could burn water. 
But he doesn’t. Tony hums along to music, and he tells him all about his favorite songs and why. 
It’s not any rock music, any heavy metal. 
“I don’t listen to that all the time,” Tony says. “You always think I do!” 
“Oh right, because someone who personally has Angus Young’s number just casually isn’t someone who listens to the band all the time, sure,” Rhodey says sarcastically. 
Tony grins, and it’s probably the best damned thing he’s seen all day. 
His heart zings at the realization that Tony smiling is what makes him smile now, what makes him want to stay and learn so much more about how they came to be, what they’ve done together. 
-
Dinner is fun. Tony tells him all about college and what they used to do, and what Rhodey had done. 
Memories are coming back easier. 
“You totally emailed the professor really petty responses!” Tony cries, laughing. 
“It wasn’t that petty,” Rhodey said, huffing. “He was an asshole anyway, he hated whenever we would come late because we wanted coffee, and your order was too complicated!” 
“It wasn’t that complicated!” 
“Oh I’m sorry, them having it written down behind the register for when you come in?” 
“Oh, like they didn’t have a description of you.” 
“Yeah, as your long-suffering companion,” Rhodey teases. 
“You’ve always been,” Tony says. “Because you’re the best.” 
Rhodey stops stirring the pot for a moment. 
“Rhodey? What is it?” 
“I...” 
Tony stands there, grinning. He’s nervously fidgeting, and it’s his move to say the vows. 
“You know, I wasn’t ever sure you’d be up to marrying someone like me,” Tony confesses. “Especially since I almost burned down our dorm room one time.” 
“Wasn’t just one time,” Rhodey teases. “But carry on.” 
“You loser,” Tony says. “Even now, interrupting my heartfelt moment.” 
There’s a ripple of laughter from the small crowd that’s gathered. Rhodey smiles at him, feels tears prick up around his eyes. 
“But I knew that I loved you ever since you would always buy my favorite ramen even though you hated it, and you were the one to get the pizza when I was sad. I knew I wanted the chance of seeing you every day, coming home to you at the end of the day. You’re home, Rhodey. You’re it. No one else could ever possibly hold a candle compared to you.” 
Rhodey startles, looking at Tony. 
“I...I remember. I remember!” 
“Remember what?” Tony asks cautiously. 
(He can’t be let down. Not again.) 
“You smashed cake in my face at our wedding!” Rhodey yells. “And we got married! We got married! Where the fuck is my ring?” 
Tony laughs, scooping Rhodey into a hug. 
“I can’t believe you remember.” 
“Well I was bound to at some point,” Rhodey says. “I can be smart, doofus.” 
“Don’t call me ‘doofus’ during an emotional outburst you absolute nimrod!” 
“I’ll call my husband whatever I want,” he teases, “although I still wanna know where my ring is.” 
“Come with me and get it,” Tony says. “I hid them in my room, just in case.” 
It’s all coming back, the steps they take, the way that Tony supports him as he moves slower. 
Iron Man, for one. War Machine the next. The dates they went on, the proposal. 
The rings are simple. They’re also not wedding rings. 
The class rings. 
Rhodey remembers getting them, remembers getting his initials and Tony’s on the inside, remembers how Tony made some “adjustments” after they received them. 
“You know that you got me,” Tony had told him. 
It slides on, and it feels right. Feels like something was missing. 
He looks up at Tony, smiling. 
“Show me the pictures, Tony.” 
Pepper walks in to find Rhodey absolutely terrorizing Tony about the decor choices from the reception. 
“So I agreed with red and gold? I had no problem with it?” 
“Well, I did do some major convincing, so...” 
“What does that mean?!” 
"You’ll remember later and be sad,” Pepper says. “Or happy. But please don’t tell me if you remember it.” 
“You loved the color scheme,” Tony says. “Because you love me!” 
“Now I am doubting,” Rhodey declares. “I loved you enough to have those colors?” 
“You lost a bet, Boss,” Friday interjects. “That’s why there were those themes.” 
“Friday,” Tony whines. “Why snitch on your creator like this?” 
“I am not programmed to have loyalty, Sir.” 
Rhodey laughs, taking Tony’s hand in his. 
“Well, I guess I’ll still love you. Even if our wedding theme was weird.” 
“It wasn’t that weird!” 
-
It takes about another month before all of the memories are all back to normal, and in that time Rhodey learns (and relearns) a couple of things: 
1.) The best feeling in the world is waking up to Tony, who sleeps very lightly and also wacked Rhodey in the face a total of ten times. (That’s not a new thing, he remembers.) 
2.) He special-orders peppermint-flavored coffee creamer. 
3.) Tony was lying when he said that Rhodey’s new favorite movie was The Goonies. 
(He mostly forgave him for that one.) 
217 notes · View notes
kiribaku-queen · 4 years
Text
Unexpected [4/8]
Pairing: Dabi x reader, Hawks x reader, Touya x reader
Fluff, angst, AU
Word count: 4.1K
A/N: Happy Monday! I already have a new idea for the next series and I literally can’t wait to share it with you guys! But I really need to finish writing this series before thinking about anything else! I would love to know your thoughts so far and let me know if you want to be added to the tag list!
Summary: Being quirkless wasn’t so bad. Especially when you had two badass best friends that had amazing quriks to make up for it. That is until one of them breaks your heart by disappearing in thin air. And the other breaks your heart by wanting to focus on his hero work. After coming back to Japan after studying abroad for 5 years, you were in for a whirlwind of surprises.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
You sat in the chair for what seemed like hours. Still staying in the same position: arms and feet tied to the chair. The only thing that was different was that they took off your blindfold and the cloth that was covering your mouth. But it was dead silent in the room. You had the opportunity to look at each person in the room.
First, it was that guy that took the blindfold off you. He was casually leaning against the cold, hard, brick wall, eyes glued to the floor. Occasionally, he would glance up at you but other than that, he didn’t do or say much. Then there was a creepy guy sitting at the bar with a hand covering his face. God, you could feel the hairs on your arms stand up in fear. Could he even see behind that hand? Behind the bar, a guy? A guy or figure that had a dark purple mist around him and beaming yellow things for eyes stood. You had no idea what he was. But, at least he had a good sense of style out of everyone here. It was odd that he was the only one wearing a suit.
On the left side of the room, stood a blonde-haired girl with buns in her hair. She wore a school outfit. A high schooler? She didn’t look like she was also kidnapped. Why was she involved in this type of crime at her age? Next to her was a guy who looked like a spiderman wannabe. Colors were off and dull, but same concept. Maybe he was just inspired? And finally, leaning against the doorframe of the only hallway in sight, a lizard-like man. He had his arms crossed against his chest, eyes looking like they wanted to kill. You couldn’t help think if you were going to get out of here alive.
“I guess he’s not coming. What now, Tomura,” the girl with buns asks lazily, looking over at their leader. He grunts and starts to scratch his neck in a violent matter. The sound of his dull nails itching at his skin made you physically cringe.
“What do we do? The plan won’t work if he doesn’t show up,” he talks to himself. The scratching was getting more violent and louder by the second. You couldn’t bare to listen anymore.
“He’ll show up,” you said aloud. That grabbed everyone’s attention. It even shocked you. Shit, why did you have to say anything at all. Now everyone had their eyes on you. You bit your lower lip out of nervousness, anxiously waiting what they were going to say, or even worse, do to you. You saw movement out of the corner of your eye. Looking in that direction, you saw the guy with bruises all over him push himself off the wall. He was coming towards you.
“Yeah? How do you know that for sure?” he asks, almost in a joking way. You gained a bit of confidence to challenge him.
“Because he…” but you paused. Because he loved you? Would you even call it that? The man smirked. He walks up behind you and whispers in your ear, like he was reading your mind.
“…loves you?” he started to laugh. “Look around, doll. If he loved you, he’d be here by now to rescue you.” Was it that simple? You’ve never been kidnapped before? How long does it usually take for pro-heroes to save people? You started to get fidgety. All Might saved his student from the League of Villains within a day or two. Did you have to wait a few days? Would you even survive that long? “I don’t think your little boyfriend loves you, he’s not even here.” He continued to taunt you. But it was working. You started to believe in his words. You started to lose hope that Hawks was going to come save you.
“If you’re so sure he’s not coming, then what should we do. Kill her?” Shigaraki said that so nonchalantly.
“Tomura, let me! I miss the sight of blood,” the high schooler spoke up, looking all excited. She took out a sharp utensil and caressed it with the utmost care. Before she could take another step towards you, the tall man behind you, well now in front of you, stops her.
“Just keep her captive. If we kill her, he won’t show up. Don’t kill her, he shows up, we’ll get what we want,” he explains like it was common sense. The room was silent. No objections anywhere. It was either that they agreed with the plan or they just didn’t care. Whatever, because you were saved to live a bit longer. “Spinner, take her to the basement.”
Spinner gets up from his place and roughly grabs your arms. Without saying anything to you, he’s already dragging you to the hallway and down some stairs to the basement. While he was dragging you there in a very forceful manner, you couldn’t help but look back at that man. You couldn’t help but think of Touya.
The basement was cold. Nothing but concrete and metal all around. Your room was no different. Concrete floor with metal-like walls. It looked like a prison cell but more spacious. The only thing in the room was a bed and a desk with a chair. You were even surprised they kept you in such a nice room for a hostage. As soon as Spinner put you in that room and closed the room, tears immediately streamed down your face. And they wouldn’t stop. They couldn’t. What kind of situation were you in right now? How did you get put in this situation? Out of everyone, it had to be you. How unlucky…
You slowly walked to the bed and sat down. You felt like your life just ended. And what’s even worse, it was so fucking cold in this damn room! A knock was placed on your door. The sound rang throughout the room, causing you to jump and look at the door. The door opened and revealed the dark haired man with scars all over. Initial confusion was written on your face because why is he here? But then you quickly turned around, back facing him. You didn’t want to see anybody. And no matter how much he reminded you of your childhood friend, he was still a villain. They still kidnapped you and brought you were against your will.
Dabi entered your room with a blanket in hand. He knew it was cold down here. Hell, they never brought anyone down here because they never had any hostages stay this long. He extended his hand, offering the blanket to you.
“Here. Thought you might need it. Don’t want you freezing to death.” He stated. No reply from you. You couldn’t even look at him. That didn’t faze him at all though. You didn’t take the blanket? Fine. He tossed it on the bed behind you and was about to leave you alone. But he stared at you for a while longer. You heard his retreating footsteps and thought he had left. So you turned around to grab the blanket, only to see him staring at your every move. You made eye contact with him and every time you did that, your mind just gets lost in those familiar blue eyes. Dabi doesn’t say anything when you turn around. Instead, he finally walks out the door. When you hear the door click shut, you grabbed the blanket and fully laid out on the bed. And cried. You were like that the next day. And the day after that. You felt so alone and trapped in this small cell space. All you wanted was to go home. And you never thought you would say that so desperately. The basement was still cold. But you were… a little bit thankful that he brought down this extra blanket. Without it, you probably would have frozen your toes off.
When you think of the League of Villains, you think of terrible people. Hurting, attacking and killing others for their own enjoyment. You think of these scary people who don’t care about anyone but themselves. But were they really like that? You couldn’t help but question your entire mentality. Yes, you were intimidated and scared of these people when you were initially kidnapped. But they were nicer and more caring that you thought?
Every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner, one member of the League of Villains would bring you a plate of food. Depending on who brought you food, they would either leave it by the door for you to get whenever you want, or come inside your room and leave it by the desk. They didn’t even try to harm you. But maybe it was your imagination? Maybe they were forced to bring you food and they weren’t doing it out of the kindness of their hearts. Whatever the reason, you refused to eat any of it. You couldn’t stomach the fact that they might have poisoned it or did something with your food. No matter how delicious the food looked or how amazing it smelled, you didn’t want to eat. Either put you through torture like how villains usually are, or be nice and let you go. Like pick one! They were so bipolar in their actions.
You heard the door creak open. Was it time for lunch already? You heard someone place your food on the desk like always and you were expecting them to leave. Like always. But no. You also heard the chair come out from under the desk and someone sat in it. This left you confused and a little scared. You took a peak over your shoulder to look at the food. God it looked amazing. Like a home cooked meal. Then you looked a tad higher to come face-to-face with the same man who gave you the blanket.
“You should eat. You’re going to die if you don’t eat,” he comments. You scoff. Always talking about dying. Is there nothing else for a villain to talk about? Yet, you don’t move from your spot. The food did look tempting but you were going to keep strong and refuse their food. You heard him sigh. “Then you leave me no choice.” He scoots the chair closer enough that it’s touching the bed side and grabs the bowl of soup that was on the tray. He picks up the spoon, dips it in the soup and reaches out to you. “I’ll just have to feed you.” You look at him and then at the spoon.
“I can do it myself,” you mutter and turn your head away from him again.
“Then do it,” he demanded, but in a soft, gentle tone. Your stomach was growling and you knew he wouldn’t leave until you ate a bit of the food. So, you grabbed the spoon from his hand and started drinking the soup. The warmness of the soup traveled down your throat, leaving a nice, burning sensation. It immediately warmed you up and you went in for another bite. This time, admiring the taste. For being captured, they sure were feeding you well. Upon seeing how well you were eating, Dabi continued to watch you eat. He wanted to make sure you ate everything. You knew he was staring at you. Every time you looked up, he was looking right back at you. You couldn’t stare right back at him so you continued to eat your food in silence. Damn those blue eyes. The more you looked at him, the more you were convincing yourself that it was him. But you knew it wasn’t.
You were finishing up your last bit of food. When you had your last bite and put the spoon down, you let out a puff of satisfaction because you hadn’t eaten anything for days. You were happily satisfied. At least your stomach was. You looked up. He was leaning forward, elbows propped on his knees. He had a smirk on his face. He reached his hand out and before you had time to react to what he was doing, he pats your hair. Once. Twice. And tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. That’s when you knew.
“Touya?” you called out his name in a voice so weak, that was longing out for him. All he did was smirk. He grabbed the tray of empty dishes and walked out. Right before he could leave, he stops in his tracks.
“You’re free to roam around. It doesn’t look like you’re leaving anytime soon. Don’t try to escape though. We got eyes on you at all times,” he informs you and leaves without another word, leaving you perplexed. He neither agreed or denied the fact that he was Touya. But you were more confident than ever in your answer. Now all that’s left is all these questions. How? Why? When? Everything you thought about Touya, about his disappearance and what he was doing now was altered to this twisted reality. A reality that you couldn’t believe. But it was somewhat relieving to know that he was alive. And doing well? If you would call it that.
He said that you were free to roam around. It sounded tempting. Afterall, you were tired of your room. It was stuffy inside and it started getting claustrophobic. And you had no idea where you were. You would like to know, at least, your surroundings and what you were dealing with. But you were stuck at the door. If you left and walked through those doors, what would be waiting out there for you? Would there by villains waiting to attack? Would they harass you? Was it even worth looking around just to stretch your legs? You were scared. You were paranoid. But who wouldn’t be in this situation? You kept debating if you really wanted to leave or not. One moment, you gathered enough courage, but as soon as you touched that doorknob, you were cowering back to your bed.
You didn’t have windows but you were getting pretty good at telling the time, despite not knowing how dark or light it was outside. You decided to wait until it was the middle of the night to go out and explore, where you knew very little people would be out. Or at least you hoped. When you deemed that it was safe enough, you finally cracked open your prison cell. You peeked your head out, cautious for anyone that was around. Because once you heard someone come your way, you were going back straight to your safe space. But it was quiet. And dark. Thank god. You sighed a sigh of relief and fully opened your door. You were more likely to get caught if you didn’t leave without a mission. So, you decided to look around all while trying to get a snack and you would immediately retreat back to your room.
You slowly and stealthily moved up the stairs. No one was around. God, your heart was racing. You made it to the top of the stairs no problem and entered a familiar room. It was the bar area where you first woke up to and all those villains were surrounding you. Chills ran up your spine just thinking about it. Now wasn’t the time to reminisce about that. You were on a mission to find food!
The room had a full bar. There has to be at least something there you could bring back to your room. Alcohol, sure. But there was no point in getting drunk. You searched and searched but to no avail. There was no food at the bar. But you didn’t want to search more of the place. You had a gut feeling you were going to get caught. So you decided to just take a water bottle from the mini fridge and call it a day. You were walking down the hallway and almost made it to the stairs when you froze. Completely froze. You broke out in cold sweat and you swore your heart could leap out at any moment. A villain. A villain was right in front of you. It was that spiderman wannabe. He, too, froze in his spot, looking straight at you. Shit! What were you going to do now? You were so close to not being caught but look at you now. Stupid, you should have never left your room. As you were mentally cursing and fighting with yourself, the villain brought his hand up and you braced yourself for the worst.
“Cookie?” he asks. You look at the item in his hand and it was an individually wrapped cookie. You kind of just stared at the snack, not believing your ears. Was this a dream? A villain was offering you a snack? Was he not going to hurt you? The villain lifted his hand a bit, letting you know that you could take the snack. You did and bowed a bit to him.
“Thank you,” you softly say. He just nods his head to acknowledge you and walks past you, whistling a tune like no one was there. As soon as he past you, you darted down the stairs and ran to your room. You slammed the door and slid down as your legs gave way. Your whole body was shaking in fear and you felt so weak. You were so scared and shook so much that you just cried. It might have been a nice encounter now but who knows what would have happened if it was somebody else. They probably wouldn’t have been as nice. They could have killed you on the spot for all you know.
Leaving your room for the first time was the hard part. But, day by day, you got more confidence to leave your room. You even left your room during the day. Sure, it was uncomfortable at first and you retreated back to your room a lot of the time, but they never did anything to you. They didn’t really pay any mind to you. They saw you. And went about their own business. Although, with that being said, you could still feel their eyes on you at all times. The villains might not talk to you or necessarily follow you around, but they were keeping an eye on you. Just in case you did something that threatens them. Some of them came and went. You were guessing to do some villainish activities. But, they lived like normal people to you. You saw some play video games, one looked like she was doing school work, and the others were just hanging out. It was a sight that you wouldn’t expect from the most wanted villain group in the country.
It was dark out, you assumed. Everyone had their fair share of dinner and was going to their own rooms. As for you, you were also headed back to your room in the basement, when you saw a certain someone out of the corner of your eye. While everyone else was headed up the stairs to their rooms, he was going up a metal ladder. One that you didn’t even notice that was there. Out of all the villains present, he was the one who didn’t scare you. It was actually the opposite. So, out of curiosity, you followed him up the ladder.
The ladder led right to the rooftop where he was laying down, looking at the sky. You poked your head through the hole and was shocked to reveal the outside world. The cool, night breeze hit you by surprise but it was refreshing. It’s been so long since you got a bit of fresh air and you weren’t going to lie, if you could jump off this building to get your freedom back, you would.
“Don’t even think about it, Doll,” he suddenly said. You snapped your head in his direction. He was still looking up at the sky with his hand comfortably resting behind his head. “If you try to run, I can easily catch you.” Yeah, you knew that. No matter how much of a desire to run away you had, you already knew the outcome a mile away. Yet, you were a little shocked that he read your mind so easily. This caused you to become a little embarrassed and you just stood there on the ladder. Sensing that you were still at the entrance to the rooftop, he glances at you and then at the empty spot next to him. Did he want you to sit with him? Hesitant, but you made your way to lay down next to him.
It was silent. For a long while, neither of you spoke. You took glances once in a while at the man beside you. You wanted to ask him about his true identity so bad, but you were nervous for some reason. So you continued to look at the stars to calm you down. The way the stars blinked bright in the sky calmed your beating heart and cleared your head. Then you finally gathered the courage.
“Touya?” you called out his name and glanced up at him. Finally, he looked at you, his face expressionless. “It’s you, isn’t it Touya?” You were begging for it to be true. He looks back up with a soft smile.
“I go by Dabi now,” he says. So you were right. But Dabi?
“I don’t like that name,” you comment without thinking. Your face scrunches up in regret, but Dabi chuckles at your action.
“Always one to speak with whatever comes to mind. You haven’t changed one bit.” He comments. But you frown.
“Yeah, but you have. What happened?” you ask softly, genuine concern could be heard in your voice. You flipped over on your stomach to face him better. It takes him a while to say anything. He was thinking of where to even start and how to say it.
“My father happened.” He starts. That leaves you confused. How did his father, pro-hero Endeavor, cause his downfall? What could he have possibly done to make Touya like this? “He was so obsessed with raising the perfect son who would surpass All Might. But you know my quirk. My flames are too hot for my body to handle. But he didn’t care. He trained me and pushed me to my limits until I was literally burning myself.” Dabi lifted his arms and showed off the purple burns. Subconsciously, you also touched them and he let you. You caressed his arms, softly letting your fingers run over the rough edges of his burn.
“I always loved your quirk,” you whispered as you played with his fingers. You felt saddened by his story. All of this was happening behind the scenes. And you didn’t know anything. You were his best friend yet you were kept in the dark. If you had known this was happening, you were sure you would have done something. It didn’t matter if you were young. If you did something, maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t have turned into a villain. “So when you came to school with those bandages, that was when…” you couldn’t bare to finish that sentence.
“Yeah…” you didn’t have to say the rest for him to understand. “I hated myself for yelling at you that day. But I hated my old man even more for making me like that. I swore to myself that I would get revenge. And that’s when I met Stain. He believed in purging this society of false heroes. My father was no hero. What better way to get my revenge by joining the greatest villain alive and get rid of a father that doesn’t deserve to be a hero?” His eyes lit up when he talked about his hero, Stain. All that caused him to join the villains. Your eyebrows furrowed deeper the more you hear his story. But words couldn’t explain the pain you felt in your heart. There was a rollercoaster of emotions but you felt all the emotions he was feeling.
“We all thought you were dead.”
“I ran away. They covered it up by saying that I was dead. But they probably didn’t even care to search for me.” Your heart broke when he said that. None of it was true. You couldn’t say for his family, but you searched for him. You waited outside his house for days just to get a glimpse of him to see if he was okay. You cared for him. And you needed to show him that you cared. Right now, Dabi might look like he was okay but deep down, he was hurting. He hasn’t healed from all the pain and torture he went through. There was only one way to show him that you still cared. You grabbed his face to look at you and connected your lips in hopes to heal the pain that he was feeling in his heart.
Tagged: @superblyspeedydragon @ditu-m9 @snuckerfrcnicken @flowersgirl02 @complicatedharry @seikamuzu @elsasshole @sugarandsoft @lysawayne @bestgirlkonan
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deonideatta · 3 years
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hi hi i heard you like chief kim and i'm here to get all the intel on why it's a good drama 😊 and what you love about park jae bum's other dramas 😊 pls let me know if there's romance bc that's the oxygen i breathe when i watch a show 💕
Hello!!! Thank you for asking me about Chief Kim!!!! I can go on about it for ages lol. This got a bit long so i’m putting it under a cut
Chief Kim (aka Good Manager) is a comedy office drama with 20 eps, and it aired in 2017. There isn’t a main romance plotline, but don’t let that put you off! It’s an incredible drama in so many ways. (tho there is a subtle romance side plot, but it doesn’t involve the main character and it’s never the main focus, though it is cute). It does feature a bromance that was so great that the two actors literally won an award for it tho lol, so there’s also that!
In a way, the general premise is somewhat similar to Vincenzo in that it’s the main character and an unlikely team of others fighting a big corporation. The comedic tone is also more or less the same. The drama follows Kim Seong Ryong (the titular Chief Kim, played by Namgoong Min), a man with a talent for handling numbers who goes from running a seedy accounting firm to quite accidentally becoming a champion of employees rights in one of the biggest corporations in the country. He originally joins the company with the goal of embezzling a lot money and moving abroad, but he gets swept up in office politics surrounding high executives and the sinister goings on surrounding the position he was recruited for, as well as the shady things the higher-ups want him to do and the suspicion of the other members of his department. Eventually he starts to work alongside them to fight the corruption of the higher ups, and quickly becomes the bane of top management’s existence by being so incredibly annoying that they begin to regret hiring him.
It’s the kind of drama that really gets you to laugh, while still being incredibly heartwarming. The main character is so unashamedly funny, and the character dynamics are all so warm, and none of it ever seems forced. The first tag for the drama on MyDramaList is “character development”, and that says a lot! There’s so much growth that goes on for all the characters, even some of the villains! It’s especially funny because to begin with all the good things Kim Seong Ryeong does are completely by accident, and he’s annoyed but also pleased with all the attention it gets him. Over time he begins to own it, and begins to actively try to stand up to the corrupt people at the top of the company. The other highlight for me besides the humor is definitely the characters. From the eccentric main character, to the no-nonsense second in command in his department Yoon Ha Kyung, to the aggressive finance director Seo Yul who is always eating (one of my all time favourite characters, played by 2PM’s Junho), to the janitor lady who always roasts everyone, there isn’t a single dull character, whether good or bad. And Seo Yul gets one of the best character arcs I’ve ever seen in a kdrama. You get to watch the characters struggle and triumph, and you feel for them because their struggles feel so real, and the drama really gets you invested in them. You see the ways in which they fight to survive as normal working class citizens and you want them to win.
It differs from Vincenzo in that the main character isn’t considered evil and loses his less savoury traits over the course of the drama (his character arc is one of becoming a more upstanding citizen), and the message is one of fighting against corporate greed using the corporate system against itself in order to make things better for the average working citizen. But there’s the same plotting, and the same feeling of rooting for the protagonist team to win as you watch them plot and plan. I never rewatch things, but i’ve rewatched Chief Kim twice already and i’m looking forward to rewatching it again soon (just writing about it is making me want to rewatch it right now lol). It especially hits well for me because i love office dramas, and the humor and the bromance are just right. (Also, not entirely related, but it’s the first drama Kim Seonho was in!)
Another Park Jaebum drama i can definitely recommend is The Fiery Priest! It’s also a comedy action drama with 20 eps (released in 2019), and it follows Kim Hae Il (Kim Nam Gil), a catholic priest with a real temper, as he works to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a senior priest. No romance there either, but it’s got the same humor as Chief Kim and Vincenzo, and the same overarching found family trope (that really shines for this one). It’s darker than Chief Kim, but not as dark as Vincenzo. The plot is very intriguing, and it’s the kind of drama you feel compelled to keep watching to see what happens next. And the host of characters in that drama is still one of my favourites to this day. Every character was incredibly written, and they all played vital roles in the overall story. Again, lots of character development all round, and great character arcs not just for the main character (even for a few of the villains!). Plus it was lovely to watch the various characters interact, get closer, and build relationships. Such an iconic squad. Not to mention how funny it is?? And the fight scenes??? In fact, I enjoyed it so much that when I checked Park Jaebum’s page on MyDramaList after watching it around June last year and saw Vincenzo as an upcoming project, I added it to my plan to watch list immediately even though there was only a single line of synopsis lol. It’s also got an absolute banger of a soundtrack!
When you think about it, all three (Chief Kim, TFP and Vincenzo) can be simplified to “guy with dubious past sets out to fight corruption and creates a great support circle in the process”. All three are dramas of finding people who care about you and are willing to fight alongside you, and fighting for your convictions/what you think is right. Each main character starts out as a somewhat solitary figure, and you get to watch as they each find people who are willing to fight alongside them and support them. What exactly those specific convictions are varies in each drama, but Park Jaebum writes the character development arcs incredibly each time, and the relationships between the characters are so real and so satisfying to watch. And yet the integrity of the main character in each drama is never compromised either, it’s shown that they can grow and become better without losing themselves. The growth is also in the way that they learn to work with and rely on others, because teamwork makes the dream work. And then to cap it all off he lets them have victories, and he makes it SO satisfying??? There are highs and there are lows, and you feel all of those right there with the characters, which makes the victories feel so so good. In each we see the ensemble cast get involved with the fight and the plotting, and we get to see all their epic plans and their execution, and the victories they win that build up over time. And it’s so satisfying to me! I love it a lot, just thinking about it is making me smile lol. It also shows how well humor and darker/more serious plotlines/events are balanced in the dramas, neither is compromised in favour of the other, but it always works so well that the humor never feels forced or out of place. As someone who doesn’t like overbearingly dark shows, I really appreciate that. They all give you lots to laugh at, while not losing any of the plot to the funny.
Of course there are differences, notably the romance, and the fact that Vincenzo is bad vs bad rather than good vs bad like the other two. They deal more with redemption (especially The Fiery Priest), but that works for the stories that are being told, and it’s very well executed.
It’s worth noting that Park Jaebum also wrote Good Doctor and 4 seasons of God’s Quiz. I haven’t checked those out yet, but I’ve heard good things about all of them. He also wrote Blood, I haven’t seen that one either but opinions seem to be split on how good it was. All of those are medical dramas (which is the reason I haven’t watched them lol, i can’t stand medical dramas) from before 2017, when he wrote Chief Kim. It seems he’s been on a roll since then, good for him and good for us lol. You can see everything he’s written on his MyDramaList page.
Overall I enjoyed the Park Jaebum dramas I have seen for first and foremost the comedy, but also for the warmth of the character relationships and for how well developed/written each character is. And I love how he balances the humor with more poignant/darker moments, I laughed a lot watching all three dramas, but I’ve cried over each of them as well. It’s a good balance to have, it gives you a good plot to be interested in, but doesn’t keep you stressed and sombre the whole way through. I’ve seen people say that Vincenzo wouldn’t be as good if it wasn’t so wacky, and I fully agree. It’s the same for both TFP and Chief Kim, and that balance is definitely what I appreciate most in Park Jaebum’s dramas. I know I will laugh, but I also know I will get an incredible plot and incredible characters, and that’s really important for me. Plus I know I can trust that there will be a good ending because the writer cares about his characters.
I definitely recommend checking out both TFP and Chief Kim after Vincenzo is done, especially since they’re so similar in terms of comedic tone and basic plot direction. If you ever get to watching either of them feel free to hmu to chat about it!! There’s lots of plot stuff that can be can discussed.
lol this got v long (i have lots to say about how much i love these dramas haha), but I hope it’s helpful!!!
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scabopolis · 3 years
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the gift of gab, the gift of you
Here it is @thisonesatellite! your 2020 CS Secret Santa gift. It was a complete and total delight to get to be your gift giver this year. That is not hyperbole - you are a gosh dang delight! Each of your message responses left me in stitches and while I will NEVER try and convince you a movie you think is bunk is good, I am delighted at the opportunity to recommend rom coms that don’t make you want to gouge your eyes out. 
This fic is heavily inspired by your love of coffee shops AUs (except...you know, a pub), your travel stories (which I shamelessly incorporated into the fic) and I believe rates about a 4 on the reindeer scale of Christmas cheer.  You’re a total eagle eye, so I just need to say I am well aware that Colin O’Donoghue’s accent in no way resembles an accent from Cork, but I just need that to be ignored, please and thank you.
Also, I’ve decided we’re fandom friends now. Okay? Okay! Finally, thank you to @cssecretsanta2020 for organizing this exchange and being the actual best and most patient fandom soul. 
*** Title: the gift of gab, the gift of you
Summary: Emma needs an Irish man. Wait! No! It’s not what it sounds like. And then the universe just has to go and provide her with the world’s chattiest, flirtiest, blue-eyesiest Irish man in existence. 
Available on AO3. ***
Emma is in no position to complain. From where she sits both literally – (perched upon a comfy barstool in the world’s coziest pub) – as well as existentially – (traveling abroad for the first time in her life) — she is fortunate and blessed. 
It’s just – 
It’s just it would be easier to enjoy it all if she didn’t have to deal with a rather annoying request from her rather annoyingly persistent mother. 
Her headphones are in but Emma still takes great care to speak in hushed tones over video chat. There’s nothing she wants less than to be the loud American who shares her private conversation with an entire establishment. The pub she found is at the end of a quiet lane off of Cork’s high street. The customers within the pub appear to be locals well known by the staff who tend the pub. In truth, she wouldn’t even be having this conversation if it wasn’t for —
“Who have you talked to today?” her mother asks. 
“Uh, I’m pretty sure I thanked the barista who made my coffee. And I ordered a pint in this pub.” 
“That’s not talking.” 
“It is by definition talking.” 
“That’s not what I meant. How else are you going to get to know the city?” Her mom interrupts before Emma can properly formulate a snarky reply. “And don’t you dare say ‘guidebooks.’ Your father and I raised you better than that.”
“Mom, please don’t make me do this.” 
“You said I could have anything I wanted as a souvenir.”  
“What about a mug? I bought Grandma Ruth one with a big fat sheep on it.” 
“Sounds lovely, sweetie, but no.” 
“Mom.” Emma realizes that as a twenty-six year old woman it is probably unbecoming to whine, but her mother is being absolutely ridiculous. Where is her dad when she needs him to rescue her? All he requested was a bottle of whiskey. What a sensible person!
“No. It’s fine. If you don’t want to get your mother the one thing she asked for on this trip that’s okay. I won’t say one word about paying for this celebration trip, or paying for graduate school, or —” 
“Shit, mom. Did you take a Guilt Trip 101 class or just Google how to?”
“Oh, this is natural talent. My present, please.” 
“Fine.” There’s a group of bearded men, the ones she pegged as locals, tucked into one corner of the pub. They’re probably her best bet, but she just arrived last night, and the combination of jet lag and travel nerves make her feel not yet up for that. Which leaves the staff working the bar. 
One of the two men she’s seen pouring pints and serving up food has gone missing. Besides, Emma wouldn’t trust herself in her sleep-deprived state to not say something utterly absurd to the blue-eyed, dark-haired, scruffy bartender. Probably a good thing he’s gone. Much safer is the other man working the bar – the one who refused to serve her Guinness but was very kind about it. While arguably attractive, he is a decidedly less intimidating sort of handsome. Unfortunately, he is in the midst of a heated discussion with one of the patrons, the two of them gesticulating to something happening with a football match on the screen. Which leaves the blonde haired woman currently polishing glasses. 
Emma lightly clears her throat. “Excuse me, ma’am?” When the woman turns to look at her, Emma smiles, and signals her over. She sets aside the pint glasses and tucks the polishing rag into her apron. Her mother, on the other end of the video call, is not satisfied. 
“Did you say ma’am?” 
“Mom,” Emma whispers.
“I said an Irish man, Emma Blanchard Nolan. Man.”
“No. You said person.” 
“The man was implied.” 
“Then you should have been more specific.” 
“Ready for another?” the woman at the bar asks. 
Emma looks down at her half-full pint. “Not quite.” She frowns. “And, uh, you’re not Irish, are you?” 
“No. Canadian.” 
“Ah. Okay.” Emma lowers her voice again and looks at her phone screen. Her mother remains unimpressed. “That’s foreign. Technically she’s a foreigner.” 
The sternness of Mary-Margaret’s expression is evident even over the video call. “Emmaline —” 
“Not my name, mother.” 
“Emmaline Blanchard Nolan, you promised me.” 
“I’ll find an Irish person tomorrow.” It’s about this time Emma realizes she’s rudely ignoring the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender. The one she asked to speak with. What’s more, the very kind and apparently Canadian bartender has been joined by the curly haired bartender. Both of whom peer at her with matching expressions of amused befuddlement. Emma removes her headphones and addresses the man. “You’re Irish, right?” 
“Well, miss,” and the gentle brogue of his accent, even with those two short words, is quite evident, “you are in Ireland.” 
“Excellent! Can you talk to my mom?” She detaches the headphones from her phone and turns the camera around to face the man and woman. “My mom wants to have a conversation with an Irish person.” 
“Irish man,” her mother corrects.
“An Irish man. Out in the wild.” The bartenders stare at her, nonplussed. “It’s her souvenir.” 
The woman presses her lips together – an obvious attempt to stifle a laugh. 
“Well, uh, aye.” The man tugs at his ear. “I guess I could —” He’s interrupted from his stuttering by the return of the blue-eyed, stubbly bartender, hauling a new keg into the back of the bar. 
“Actually,” the woman cuts in. “My husband,” she hip checks the curly-haired man, “needs to replace the keg.” 
“I do?” he asks. 
“He does?” This from tall, dark, and holy hell! also possesses an Irish accent. 
“But Killian is in the middle—”
“Shh,” the blonde woman interrupts her husband. 
“Yeah. Killian is—”
She goes on to shush the man Emma now knows to be Killian. 
“Oh no,” Mary Margaret whispers over the video call, “there’s two of them.” 
“What is happening?” Emma’s not sure which of the two men asked, this whole interaction spinning rather absurdly out of control. 
“I don’t know,” Emma says.
The woman ignores all of them. “I’m Elsa, this is Liam, and that,” she points to Killian, frozen with a hand on the keg like he’s uncertain what to do, “is my very single, very Irish brother-in-law.” And all at once it becomes clear what Elsa’s intentions are. “Killian, can you come over here and help our lovely patron and her lovely mother?” 
“Oh, Emma, Killian even sounds like an Irish name.” 
“Mom!” Originally she found her mother’s request to be silly but harmless. The more people who become involved, however, the quicker it approaches mortifying. Emma watches as Elsa whispers something to her brother-in-law, likely explaining the unconventional request. 
“I’m very friendly,” Mary-Margaret reassures anyone who might be listening. 
“You are a flirt, is what you are,” Emma scolds. “And what would dad say if he found out about this?”
“He asked for whiskey. I asked for this.” 
“Come on, lass. Don’t deprive me of a dashing rescue.” Killian leans across the bar, his hand reaching out for her phone. All that stubble and the blue-eyes and the accent are worse when directed directly at her. “Besides, your mum sounds like a woman after my own heart.” 
“If you’re sure—?”
“Absolutely.”
To her abject horror, the moment she hands Killian the phone, he walks away with it in hand. 
“As requested, milady,” he says to the screen, “one genuine Irish man.”
Her mother’s delighted giggle is embarrassing for all Americans everywhere but it seems to delight Killian. She can just makeout her mother’s question about where he grew up when he rounds the corner, out of her hearing. 
“Where is he going?” Emma asks, craning her neck. “Where is he taking my phone?” 
“If I know Killian, your mum is probably about to get the most thorough oral history of Irish pubs she could have asked for,” Liam says, tossing a towel over his shoulder. 
“Oh. Okay.” She drums her fingertips on her glass. “I’m sorry about all the trouble.” 
“Nonsense,” he waves her off. “This is the most exciting thing to happen in our pub since Seamus and Willy hosted their wedding reception here.” He jerks his chin towards the group of bearded men she noticed earlier, though which one is Seamus and which is Willy she can’t be certain. 
After another fifteen minutes, Emma has finished her pint and Killian still has possession of her phone. He crossed through the room once, merrily chatting with her mother as he regaled  her with the story of how he got the scar on his cheek. 
Elsa is filling a series of pint glasses for a group of women standing at the bar, and Emma feels the need to apologize again. “This isn’t what I expected,” she explains. 
“What’s that?” Elsa asks. 
“I was kind of thinking, best case scenario, there’d be an exchange of hellos and that would be that.” 
Elsa nods, hands the pints off to the women, and then fills one more. “Are you familiar with the legend of the Blarney stone?” 
Emma nods. She has absolutely no intention of kissing the dang thing (her research indicates local teens do all manner of ungodly things to the stone, knowing that tourists intend to kiss it), but it’s on her list to go see. 
“Well, Jones family legend —”
“I take it your husband and his brother are Jones’?” 
“And me by marriage. Jones family legend has it that Killian must have been birthed upon the stone because never has there been a man more endowed with the gift of gab.” Elsa finishes pouring the pint and sets it in front of her. 
“Oh, I didn’t order this.” Right at that moment, Liam returns to the bar and sets a turkey sandwich in front of her. “Or this,” Emma says. 
“Knowing my brother, you might be here a while,” Liam explains. 
“Gift of gab?” 
He nods, pleased that the Jones family lore has reached her. “Gift of gab.”
Liam proves to be correct, which means Emma has ample time to get to know both Elsa and Liam. The two of them are freakishly adept at juggling bartending, interacting with their customers, and keeping up a steady flow of conversation with her. The highlight is hearing the full story of Seamus and Willy (she is able to identify them by their matching navy sweaters – sweaters which Willy apparently handknits for the both of them), two men who worked on the same fishing boat for decades before realizing they were in love. 
“Once they sorted that bit out, they got married three weeks later,” Elsa says. 
“So which one of them is the designated driver?” Emma asks. 
“That whole lot lives down the street.” Liam raises his voice so the group can hear them. “And they do nothing but hassle me every day of my life!” The group all raise their pint glasses and cheer, indicating this kind of teasing is something central to the pub’s dynamic. 
Killian returns from wherever it was he was busy flirting with her mother and sets her phone on the bartop. She looks down at the display only to find it blank.
“Uh, your mum had to run to the market, but she indicated she’ll call you later.” 
“She didn’t even say goodbye? Unbelievable.” As Emma gears herself up for peak mom-annoyance, she gets a text message. “Speak of the devil.” 
4:38 PM - Mom to Emma hubba hubba
“Ah, geez, mom,” she grumbles. 
“What’d she say about me?” Killian asks. 
“What makes you think that text was about you?” 
“Because you have roses in your cheeks.” Emma frowns. She what? “You’re blushing,” Killian says. 
“No I’m not.” 
“It’s getting deeper, I’m afraid.” He takes away her empty pint glass. “Another?” 
“Yes, please.” 
He sets another pint of Murphy’s in front of her (Liam was the one to inform her that one drinks Murphy’s when one is in Cork). “Your mother is lovely.” 
“Yeah, she’s something alright.” She sips the beer and licks the foam off her lip. “What were the two of you talking about for so long?”
“Oh, just having a chat. She wanted to know about the pub and how Elsa and Liam met.” 
“The gift of gab.” 
“Ah,” he says, “Elsa told you of that, then?” 
“Like my mom didn’t tell you anything about me?” 
“It was all good, Emma.” 
She snorts. “Yeah, I’m sure.” 
“Why a conversation with an Irish man?” Emma frowns at Killian, not quite certain of what he’s asking. “For a souvenir. That’s truly all your mum wanted?” 
“Oh, that. In between flirting, did she tell you anything about her and my dad?” Killian shakes his head. “It’s kind of a long story.” 
As if waiting for his cue, Liam comes up behind Killian and slings an arm around his brother’s shoulder. “My dear little brother has time.” 
“Younger brother,” Killian corrects. 
“Shorter brother.” Liam bumps Killian towards the other side of the bar. “Why don’t you keep Emma company?” 
“I have another three hours on my shift.” 
“I think Elsa and I can handle it until Will arrives.” 
“Liam.” 
“Don’t make me fire you.” 
“You can’t fire me. We’re co-owners.” 
“Fine. Don’t make me quit.” 
Killian rolls his eyes but slides out from under Liam’s arm. He crosses to the other side of the bar and sits beside Emma. “I’ll take a pint, then.” He raps his knuckles on the bartop. “And make it quick.” 
Emma hides her smile in her pint glass. Both Liam and Elsa have been so lovely. There’s no reason to switch allegiances at this point. Regardless of how much she might be tempted by the stubbly-faced, blue-eyed flirty Irish man sitting beside her. 
“Between the two of them and my mother,” Emma says. 
“Yeah, not the most subtle lot.” Liam shoots Killian a glare as he sets the pint down to which Killian responds with the cheekiest grin Emma has ever seen. The interaction has older and baby brother written all over it. “So, your mom and Irishmen. Go.” 
“Oh, that.” Unlike her mother, and even her father, Emma holds the details of her life close to her chest. She’s made the mistake in the past of sharing too much too fast. When people leave her, either by choice or circumstance, it physically pains her to know there are people out in the world with knowledge of her worries, fears and dreams. But maybe it’s the sandwich sitting warm in her stomach, or the jet lag, or simply the buzz of international travel, because she feels inclined to share at least a few details of her life with Killian. 
“My mom and dad both took a gap year after high school and met while backpacking across Europe. They met at the Roman Colosseum, decided to match up their itineraries, and by the time they arrived in Budapest five months later they were in love and my mom was pregnant.” 
“And they’ve been together ever since?” 
“Almost 27 years.”
“That’s quite the story.” 
She nods. “They cut their year of travel short, and went to live with my Grandma Ruth, my dad’s mom. They always talked about returning to Europe, finishing their trip at some point, but by the time I was old enough to leave behind with my grandma, dad was in vet school, mom was teaching, and they were running a wildlife rescue from the family farm. They kept making new plans to travel but they just kept getting pushed back and back and back. Until, one day, they decided to put all that money towards sending me on my first trip instead. So, as much as I fight every silly request she has of me, I would do anything if it made her smile.”
“Your mum and dad never made it to Ireland?” 
“Nope.”
“Thus the strange request.” 
“Thus the strange request.” 
“Well, it gave me a reason to chat with the lovely lass at the bar, so for that I’ll be forever grateful.” 
Her Grandma Ruth, Aunt Ruby, and frankly everyone who knows her parents well, routinely comment on the resemblance between Emma and her dad. Apparently in temperament and affectation they are almost identical. But maybe she’s more like her mom than anyone knows because the conversation between her and Killian flows fast and easy. Easy enough that she barely notices when she and Killian finish their pints and Elsa slides new glasses in front of them. Emma’s head is feeling a little buzzy, and that turkey sandwich was more than a couple hours ago. Maybe she can hint at Killian that she wants to go to the Christmas market. Hint even more specifically that she wouldn’t hate if he went with her. 
No, she can’t do that. To even think such a thing would be ridiculous. 
She can’t possibly ask a practical stranger to walk up and down the stalls of the festive market with her. She can’t expect him to want to sample all the baked goods and food they can handle. Or to hold her hand while they drink spiked apple cider. That kind of thinking is romantic, and hopeful, and not at all her brand. 
“This is really your first trip out of the states?” Killian asks.
“I mean, Canada, but that’s so close to home it doesn’t count.” Emma catches herself, eyes darting to Elsa. “Don’t tell your sister.” 
“Your secret’s safe with me.” Killian angles his body on the stool to face her more directly. Without Emma realizing it, they’ve drifted close enough together over the past hour or so that the move makes it so their knees knock together. Emma could move away, put some distance between them, but everything is foggy and hazy in that delicious way, and she can’t bring herself to move. “What does that make me, then? The ruggedly handsome foreigner you intend to seduce as a notch on your bedpost?” 
“Who said anything about seduction?”
“You’re giving me bedroom eyes.” 
“I do not make eyes of any kind. Especially bedroom eyes.” 
Elsa jumps in, setting glasses of water down for each of them. “Yeah, but Killian does. And he needs to put them away.”
Emma tries to react quickly enough to Elsa’s teasing to evade Killian’s detection, to turn away and hide her smile in her shoulder so he can’t see, but the gentle tug on the end of her braid indicates he caught her. 
“Think that’s funny, do you?” 
“You and my mom ganged up against me. I deserve to join with your family against you.” 
“Your mum is great.” He shrugs. “Well, based on the little I know.”  
“I know she can be a little intense. I hope she didn’t—”
“She was as lovely as her daughter.” Before his words can fully sink in, perhaps bringing that blush back to her cheeks, he’s moved on. “You’ll have to bring her with you when you return.” 
She rests her chin on palm, blinking up at him. Okay, maybe she sometimes makes eyes. “What makes you think I have any plans to come back?”
“Ireland gets in your blood. You’ll be back.” 
This time they’re interrupted by Liam. He swipes away the pint glasses in front of them, remaining beer and all. “That’s about all I can stomach of that.”
“What do you mean?” Killian asks. 
“You’ve been flirting with the kind tourist long enough. Time to go.” 
Oh. Emma looks down at her boots. A surge of deep embarrassment heating her cheeks and causing her stomach to churn. “Sorry,” she says quietly, her eyes turned down. “I didn’t mean to—”
“No!” The twin cries from both Liam and Killian startle her. She’s not sure which one appears more stricken by her announcement she intended to leave.   
“Apologies, Emma, I wasn’t clear,” Liam says. He extends his hand to Killian. “Apron.” It takes Killian a moment to react but when Liam stays in his place, his hand extended, Killian removes his apron and hands it to him. “See you tomorrow, little brother.” 
“Younger.”
“Dumber.” 
“Stubborner.”
“Not a word.” Liam stalks back over to Elsa who is shaking her head at the whole display. “They’re both idiots,” Liam says, and Emma is just going to pretend she didn’t hear that, thank you very much. 
“Have you been to the Christmas market yet, Emma?” Killian’s voice brings her back to the pub, and this particular bar stool, with this particular man. This particular man who has somehow intuited the secret desire of her heart to go to the town’s Christmas market with him. 
“No. No. Not yet.” 
Killian jumps down from his seat and extends a hand to Emma to help her down. “Come on, love. Let’s sail away.” 
There’s 100 ways Emma could respond to that. She could tell Killian she isn’t his love. She could jump down from the stool on her own. She could insist she’s fine going to the market by herself. But she tries to channel a little magic, that particular magic which for her mom and dad turned one day in Rome into a lifetime, and chooses differently. 
(Not that she’s saying she expects—)
She takes Killian’s offered hand and his answering grin is all the confirmation she needs she made the right decision. 
And so they go to the Christmas market, and at Killian’s insistence she tries mulled wine but quickly trades it in for a cup of boozy cider. They ride the ferris wheel, the cold stinging her cheeks from the top, the lights of Cork spread out before her, and that thrum of love for this place beats loudly in her veins. Suddenly every travel story her parents have ever told her makes sense and maybe Killian is right  – maybe Ireland is in her blood. 
They walk together side-by-side and at a point Emma can’t remember – somewhere between sampling whiskey, buying several bottles for her dad, and licking salt and malt vinegar from hot chips off her fingers – they transition to walking hand-in-hand. The heat of Killian’s skin, even through two layers of gloves, is what she blames for the fact that she actually starts humming along to Christmas carols. Where’s that deep cynicism she has been committed to for her life when she needs it? 
“Told you,” Killian says after the two of them step away from a stall with handmade ornaments. She must have been channeling her mom because she couldn’t stop herself from striking up a conversation with the vendor. Somehow by the end of the interaction she’d agreed to join him and his wife for their annual holiday pub crawl the following night. 
“Told me what?” 
“That you would fall for Ireland.” 
“You get the honor and privilege of keeping me company on my first full night on my first real trip out of the country and all you can say is ‘I told you so’?” 
“I believe what I am trying to say, love, is you appear very much at home here.” 
The sentiment makes everything in Emma buzz, but she does what she does best and works to diffuse it. “Well, uh, I don’t know. Does it ever snow here?” 
“Eh, we get about 50 mm every year?” At her look of confusion Killian smiles. “Not much.” 
“Have you ever had a white Christmas?” 
“Can’t say I have. They’re pretty rare in Ireland.” 
“In that case, I think this means you should come to Maine. We do a great white Christmas.” 
“Maybe I will.” 
“Great. Next year sound good?” 
Killian laughs and squeezes her hand. “Sounds great.”
She hears the faint echo of advice her dad once gave her. It was right when she was fresh off her heartbreak with Neal and wasn’t sure she had it in her to apply for grad school. He said something to her about moments. About the need to notice good moments even in the midst of bad ones. 
Standing here hand-in-hand with a man she met only five hours ago, the glow of Christmas lights dancing in technicolor hues against his cheeks and hair, Emma is absolutely certain this is a good moment. 
“Emma?” 
She answers Killian’s question by rising up on her toes and kissing him. It’s quick and fleeting, barely a brush of her lips against his, but the look on his face as she pulls away, all bright eyed-wonder, deserves to be classified as a good moment all on its own. 
It takes self-control Emma wasn’t aware she possessed to not drop their shopping bags to the ground, grip him by the lapels of his jacket, and kiss the crap out of him. Instead she loops her arm in his. 
“It’s getting late,” she says. “Want to walk me back to my hotel?” 
He swallows, that poleaxed expression still on his face. “Aye.” 
The next morning, Emma is woken up by the sound of her video call alert and boy it was a mistake to not extend her do not disturb until noon. She reaches out and blindly bats at the bedside table until she makes contact with her phone. As soon as she swipes up on her mom’s call, she squeezes her eyes shut again. 
“Hello?”
“Oh, sweetie. Are you still jet lagged?” 
“And a little hungover.”
“Sounds like you had a very eventful night.”
Killian grumbles from somewhere behind her. “What time is it?” he asks.
It’s right about this moment Emma realizes her error. Her mom goes quiet and Emma considers taking the opportunity to end the call. And then maybe ignore every call thereafter for the next five days. 
“Emma Nolan. Is there a man in bed with you?” 
“No,” Emma answers, though it’s perfunctory and not at all convincing. 
Killian presses closer to her, and shifts so his chin rests on her shoulder. “Hello again, Mrs. Nolan. And this must be Mr. Nolan.” 
That gets Emma’s attention and she opens her eyes enough to see her mom and dad sitting beside one another on the couch. While her mom is positively gleeful, her dad looks as though he wishes he could melt into the couch cushions and disappear. 
“There are certain things I don’t care to see,” her dad says. “Certain things I don’t care to know.” 
Emma rotates in bed and onto her back, holding the phone above her head so both she and Killian are still in view of the camera. “Oh hush, Dad, you and mom did it the first night you met.” 
“You told her that?” 
In response, her mom shrugs. “She asked.” 
“And not that it matters, but Killian and I didn’t have sex.” 
Though it didn’t stop them from trading long, slow kisses that left her dizzy and wanting more, more, and more. Killian must have felt the same because it took little to no convincing to get him to stay the night. Perhaps most remarkably, after extending the invitation, Emma had no desire to retract it or pretend it didn’t mean anything. 
“Your daughter was far too drunk to have sex.” Emma turns her head so fast in Killian’s direction she hears something crack. 
“That, for instance, is one of the things I don't want to know about,” her dad says.  
Killian cheerfully waves at the camera, ignoring both her father’s indignation and her glare. “I’m Killian, by the way. Happy to meet your acquaintance, Mr. Nolan.” 
Emma elbows Killian. The man is a total menace. “I’ll call you guys back when I’ve had coffee,” 
“I want details,” her mom says. 
“And I want no details.” 
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Emma hangs up the phone and tosses it in the direction of the foot of the bed. She flips over onto her side and Killian mirrors her, reaching out to trace the freckles on the bridge of her nose. “So that was my dad.” 
“He seems a charming fellow.” 
“Don’t let the responsible tough guy act fool you,” she says, and snuggles closer to Killian. He responds just as she hoped, by wrapping his arms tight around her. “He once spent all his money on a cross country train ride and stole oyster crackers from the dining car for food. And during a California road trip, my mom almost froze to death sleeping in her wet bathing suit on the side of the road.” 
Killian chuckles, the vibrations of his laugh making her feel even warmer. “You’re saying they can deal with a half naked man in their daughter’s hotel room?”  
“Yeah, they can deal.” After a moment’s hesitation, Emma slips her hands up and under Killian’s shirt. It’s the one he wore to work, and she can still smell the faint aromas of beer and fried food that linger. She presses her palms against his back and bunches the shirt up, up, and then over his head. 
“Emma?” 
A girl could get used to the way his voice moves over the syllables of her name. “They might have a problem with a fully naked one, though.” She kisses his bare shoulder.
Killian’s hands move under her shirt to span her waist. Goosebumps breakout across her skin. By the slight twist of his lips, Killian notices. “So you’re saying—?” 
“I’m saying you should quit gabbing and kiss me before they call again.” 
“As you wish.”
And a week later, when she is back in Maine celebrating Christmas with her family and Killian is in Ireland with his, Emma convinces herself she imagined it. She must have. She must have imagined how safe she felt in the presence of another person. Imagined the comfort she felt as he joined her for a quick road trip to Dublin. Imagined that it could feel like your heart was split in two, half residing in the chest of a person you just met. 
But the week of New Year’s Eve, when he arrives in Maine to celebrate with her, she’s startled to find it was all real. 
The morning after Killian arrives, she sits with her mom in her parents’ breakfast nook, the two of them sipping coffee as Killian and her dad make waffles. 
“Not such a dumb souvenir after all, huh?” her mom whispers.
Emma shakes her head, too happy to even react to her mom’s shameless gloating. “No. Not so dumb.” 
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readingsbylibramc · 3 years
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synastry chart reading for @sandrinepalma
hello! welcome to your reading. I'm going to give you a quick overview of what I'm going to analyze about your synastry chart: in-depth analysis of house overlays with major aspects, potential of the relationship, soulmates indicators, possible marriage indicators, possible issues and struggles of the relationship, intimacy and physical attraction, what they feel when they see / think about you, in-depth analysis of fate, love and marriage asteroids. of course, if you have any questions, feel free to ask! my dms are always open. now let's get into the reading!
PARTNER A: she/her | capricorn sun, libra moon, libra rising
PARTNER B: he/him | gemini sun, sagittarius moon, capricorn rising
PARTNER A
🌞 partner a's capricorn sun in his 1st house
your partner probably thought that you were very attractive when he first saw you. you may meet his ideals of beauty, he sees you as his type of girlfriend. he likes the way you move, the way you speak and present yourself, or even just the way you look physically, he may like your face and body. he may even be more straight-forward and approach you first, he may often spoil you with compliments and you don’t step back from them. you appreciate the way he looks, or even stare at you. actually, you may even crave his attention. your partner, aside from admiring you deeply, may even take you as a role model, he may desire to be like you, especially in your way of approaching the world. same thing goes for you: you also appreciate the way your partner lives his life, his achievements, his goals, his ideals, and so on. luckily, there aren’t other negative placements that interfer with this mostly-positive aspect. in fact, this aspect could possibly bring a feeling of competition between you two, as instead of admiring and appreciating the other, you may start hating yourselves because you think the other is better.
🌙 partner a's libra moon in his 9th house
you see your partner as someone mature, wise, brilliant... basically a role model. they have a lot of influence on you, they’re a sort of inspiration. you may share the same ideas and views of the world, maybe politcally or even about music genre for example. overall, this placement indicates that you perceive your partner as someone powerful and distant from you, someone elevated and far away from you that you can't seem to reach. perhaps, it could also be that you two are physicaly separated, he may live abroad or still somewhere far from where you live, making it hard for you to meet each other. you admire him deeply, and thr flip side to this is that your partner may become too dependant of your compliments, of your opinion of him, and hence a break-up would be fatal for his self-esteem. the 9th house represents sagittarius, which is all about exploring and knowledge, you know? therefore, you may want to get to know this person in-depth, you’re curious about their habits, their talents, their secrets... you want an authentic, reliable vision of him. you never get tired of talking or even just thinking about this person, learning about his persona amuses you. last but not least, this person makes you crave a stable relationship with him; you may see as someone perfectly wise and mature for a long-lasting relationship, you see him as the ‘end of the race’, someone perfect to commit to.
partner a's libra moon square partner b's cancer mercury: this placement is quite challenging to deal with. it could be that you don't really see eye to eye with your partner on certain matters, he could be a bit too critical or judgmental in your opinion, and hence you may end up feeling a bit sensitive when you're around him. you certainly want to meet his standards, you truly care about what he thinks of you, and hence you could get hurt easily when he disagrees with you. as a result, your partner could possibly see you as over-sensitive, a bit too dramatic as he sees it as if you tend to overreact a little bit. because of that, there could be struggles between you two when it comes to communication. you may overthink each other's words a lot and possibly argue about it, it could be quite stressful actually as you could possibly feel misunderstood by the other. in particular, you may take any sort of criticism or of disagreement as something personal, and hence it can seriously harm your mood. my opinion on this is that you need to understand that your other half doesn't have to be your exact copy. tale advantage of this aspect, combined with your 9th house overlays, to learn something new and broaden your mind instead of fighting.
🗣 partner a's capricorn mercury in his 1st house
with this placement, you probably also fell for your partner for the way he talks, he exposes his thoughts, his choice of words. you may even be literally into his voice, you like the way it sounds, you thought it was attractive when you first heard it. you may even see your partner as someone smart and intellectual who has a way with words, someone that  can achieve whatever he wants thanks to his witty intellect. you may also enjoy his sense of humor, you probably don’t force your laugh when you’re around him because you find him genuinely entertaining. as for your partner, he may also be into the way you think and talk, he could be fascinated by your ideas and creativity. in addition, mercury is all about curiosity, and hence he may be curious to get to know you. when you first met him, he felt this sudden urge to get to know you, he could’ve been the first one to randomly approach you, and he started making random questions just to hav ìe a conversation with you. even more simple things like “What is your favourite food?” looks fine to him, as long as he learns something new about you, he cares about this kind of stuff. this placement can surely make good friendships, as you two are able to have an amusing conversation, even though it may be more casual rather than deep. you probablty wouldn’t talk about the meaning of life with him, to make it simple, but rather about your hobbies, your passions.
partner a's capricorn mercury opposite partner b's leo venus: this is another tricky placement that also involves communication. just like you feel as if your partner doesn't really understand your emotions deeply, your partner may also feel as if you don't understand his feelings. I feel like this is the type of placement that made you think that he didn't like you at first, or maybe viceversa. perhaps, since your partner is the venus person, he may be more straightforward with his feelings, while you may appear a bit more reserved or logical. it also indicates, on a positive note, that you two enjoy talking to each other, expressing your opinions. you probably talk a lot, you may even be the type of couple to talk about even stuff that others find boring like homework, work, etc... yet, be careful because you may have the tendency to cut each other off, and hence you may give the other the impression that you don't really care about what he's saying and viceversa. instead of switching immediately to another topic, you should try to show through words your feelings, or a few misunderstandings may arise.
❤️ partner a's capricorn venus in his 1st house
this placement indicates that you most likely find each other extremely attractive! you probably fit his beauty standards, you find him very charismatic and charming, it's hard for you not to stare at him. basically, he's your type. also, aside from being into his looks, you may also be fascinated from the way he presents himself in general: you may like his fashion sense, his manners, the way he approaches people, the way he speaks... bascially, everything about the outer him, it was likely love at first sight, or at least you instantly felt strong attraction to this individual when you first met him. also, this placement also indicates that you may inspire your partner in an artistic way, and viceversa. for example, let's suppose you like writing; you may feel inspired by your partner to write books about him, or perhaps poetry or song lyrics. you see your partner as someone aesthetically pleasant, basically as a piece of art. this feeling is mutual. overall, you both feel flattered and loved by the other, you may often compliment each other and that will be a complete self-esteem boost for both of you. feeling loved by your partner and viceversa inspires you to love yourself, and as a result you feel more beautiful.
partner a's capricorn venus conjunct partner b's capricorn mars: in astrology, this is considered to be the ultimate physical attraction aspect! in fact, you two probably find each other very attractive and magnetic. I don't think this connection started off as a friendship, and if it did then it was probably unbearable, as the attraction and chemistry between you two is just way too much to handle. you two most likely are a very touchy couple, not necessarily in a sexual way but you find it hard not to stare, touch each other; physical contact is key in this connection. this is another placement that makes me think that you are the dominant figure in your relationship, you could be the one to approach this person first for instance. in general, you tend to be the one who takes the initiative in any context. your partner appreciates your partner, and he may feel romantically attracted to you, you probably fit his ideals when it comes to looks, personality, etc. this placement probably makes this relationship so intense and magnetic that it will be hard to forget, even if you two don't end up together. this is certainly a soulmate / twinflame connection. I'm sure you're both going to learn a lot from this connection.
☄️ partner a's aquarius mars in his 2nd house
this is a very sensual placement in synastry! aside from finances, the 2nd house also deals with self-love. hence, you two feel very loved when you're with each other, you feel worthy, and so you also feel more confident in yourself. usually, this placement even bring dependency to the house person. that is, he may start being too attached to your opinion of him, and hence if you two broke up he's self-esteem would probably go very down. yet, since your mars is in aquarius I don't really think it's your case; you listen to each other's advices, but you don't obsess over each other's thoughts, you still manage to think individually, making this a very healthy connection. in addition. you may feel very attracted to your partner, there's lots of sexual attraction between you two for sure. you could both be very touchy, not necessarily in a sexual way but even during cuddles. you probably enjoy physical touch a lot, and you may even show it around. you two easily stimulate each other's emotions and sexual drive through physical connection. you could even be the type of couple that loves spending free time together, you could be into cooking or even just taking a nap is fine for you, as long as you're together. you're certainly very close, maybe even clingy at times.
PARTNER B
🌞 partner b's gemini sun in her 9th house
this placement indicates that you two may learn a lot from this relationship. you two may come from different cultural backgrounds, or if you don't you still have a fresh vibe to you that brings something new to the other, a fresh perception of things. you may share the same ideas regarding politics, economy, or even about things as simple as music taste or movies. you see eye to eye on almost everything, and if you don't, you're still able to understand the other's view. you two are able to broaden each other's horizons, this relationship could introduce you to a new way of seeing and reacting to things, it's very beneficial as it opens the mind of both of you. this sense of knowledge and constant learning makes both of you achieve more security, and as a result you may feel more confident when you interact and just spend time together in general. you could also travel a lot, or perhaps you may attend the same school. if this relationship lasts, then you'll most likely explore the world together, you're going to be very adventurous, even if you normally don't really step out of your comfort-zone, as your partner gives you strenght and vice versa. this placement alone isn't extremely romantic, but combined with the rest of your synastry it surely is a great addition. in fact, this relationship is very mature, but not the capricorn type of maturity which can be quite boring at times. it's a type of maturity that is born from making experiences together, and hence you'll probably make loads of pleasant memories with this person.
partner b's gemini sun trine partner a's aquarius mars: this one is such a pleasant aspect to have in a synastry chart! you two are very direct and straight-forward with each other, but not in a blunt way. you two feel extremely comfortable with each other, it comes easy for you two to understand each other's needs. neither of you feels insecure or blocked by the other, you fine yourselves quite similar and hence you're not afraid to show your taste, to express your will. you are also the type of couple to hype each other up, you boost each other's confidence and you also like to cheer each other on your goals, it's a very energetic and refreshing feeling that makes you both feel very satisfied. because of that, you two are also able to lift each other up whenever you feel sad, I feel like you could be the type of couple to play around to cheer up rather than relying on empathy and deep talks. your partner, the sun person, most likely loves your strategies, the way you think and act, and he probably also looks up to you, you get on very well. as for you, you're probably completely into him, he fits your ideal type for sure, even though it could be that you didn't realize it as soon as you met him.
🌙 partner b's sagittarius moon in her 3rd house
you probably feel very energetic when you're with your partner. even if you're introverted, he probably stimulates you to talk, to socialize. you never feel bored when you're around your partner, you always find your conversations together extremely interesting, and hence you keep wanting more and more everyday, you're never tired of him and viceversa. this placement is also extremely favourable for you two in this chart, as it helps you dealing better with your moon square mercury aspect. in fact, you two feel comfortable talking together, you could find each other to be your comfort spot. whenever something good, or even bad, happens to you, you immediately say it to your partner and viceversa, as you truly understand each other. you're also the type of couple to give each other advices, you like helping your partner and so does him. you could also be attracted to each other's voices, and hence you just like hearing each other talk in general. especially your partner, he probably admires your ideas and your intelligence, he sees you as someone extremely smart and witty. you understand and perceive this feeling of love, and as a result you love being around him. it's definitely a positive placement for communication and ease.
partner b's sagittarius moon conjunct partner a's sagittarius pluto: this placement is very intense, and it makes you two extremely immersed in this relationship. in a certain sense, it's like you two are obsessed with each other. you probably love each other so much that you'd never replace the other, as you didn't just fall for his personality, for his manners, for his looks, but for his soul. it's a life-changing relationship, and it's probably also a twinflame or soulmate connection, you definitely have a past life together if you believe in that type of stuff. there's a strong mutual understanding between you two, to the point that you may even feel exposed to your partner, but with your 4th house overlays you most likely are fine with that. you feel at ease when you're together, and so it's no problem for you to be so exposed to the other, there's a strong foundation of trust in this relationship.
🗣 partner b's cancer mercury in her 10th house
this placement, combined with your 4th house mars overlay, contributes to make this relationship even more stable. in fact, aside from family and children, you two are also very invested in your finances. you may often talk about your goals, about how to deal with your money and maybe even about your work. you possibly decide to open a business together, or perhaps you may start working in the same field or workplace. your partner is most likely very polite, and hence he also speak highly of you, you two have a very good reputation as a couple. he may even be able to give you career advices and help you feeling more secure and confident, not just in your skills but even in your looks and personality, there's a very healing connection between you two. you get to learn and improve yourself a lot, even if it ends you'll most likely always have a good memory of this person and so will him.
❤️ partner b's leo venus in her 10th house
with this overlay, there's lots of admiration from both parties. more specifically your partner probably looks up to you, he agrees with your ideas and he's fascinated by your drive. he may be very attracted to your looks, to the way you treat people, to the way you present yourself, he may even see you as superior to him in a certain sense. with this placement, if you and your partner get together he'll surely treat you like a living goddess!! this admiration is obviously mutual, you're also attracted to your partner, you may see him as a stable point, a safe spot. of course, since the 10th house is also the house of career and work, this relationship could also be beneficial for each other's jobs and goals. you are probably very emotionally supportive of each other's dreams, or perhaps you may even help each other in a more concrete way. overall, you may appear as the perfect couple when you're together; you're probably not afraid of pda, and hence you may have lots of eyes on you. luckily, though, I don't see you attracting much jealousy or any kind of malicious feeling.
☄️ partner b's capricorn mars in her 4th house
this placement is certainly good for a long-term relationship. in fact, mars in the house of family, makes your partner want to live with you, he wants to become a part of your family. you may even be amused by the idea of builing a family together as well, it's certainly a children placement. aside from that, the 4th house also indicates the deeper, private self, and hence if you share a 4th house overlay there's strong empathy between you two. you may not be able to express with words your feelings due to your moon square mercury aspect, but you still understand each other. there's lots of empathy and compassion between you two, it's like you've known each other for your whole time. or perhaps, maybe you actually know each other since your childhood. you could even remind him of one of his parents, or viceversa. yet, even though it is certainly healing, it could be triggering in a certain sense. perhaps, you find that your partner awakens a part of you that you'd rather keep buried, and as a result you don't feel comfortable with him, but of course it's just a possibility. as a result, you can both end up having arguments due to disagreements.
partner b's capricorn mars square partner a's libra moon: this placement may cause some troubles, as you may often be blind to your partner’s attitude. you may sometimes idealize your partner way too much when he’s not actually who he seems to be. at first you may be okay with his behaviour, after all you have lots of similar signs and positive aspects that make you two get along. yet, as time goes by, you may start feeling constantly contradicted, arguments could be more frequent as you may misunderstand each other. more specifically, you start realizing that your partner’s nature is slightly different from yours, and while there are many other aspects that could mitigate this effect, you may still feel as if it’s impossible for you to have a long-lasting, healthy relationship in these occasions. especially your partner, he may often hurt your feelings with his words. on the other hand, this placement also has a positive side! you are strongly attracted to each other, you both feel attached to the other with glue, and that’s exactly why this relationship could become unhealthy, because you may struggle to let go of the other if necessary. your bond is so strong that you can’t manage to separate, even when there are so many hardships and conflicts. 
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partner b's sagittarius juno conjunct partner a's sagittarius pluto: another long-term indicator!! this one placement is often present in charts of married couple, as it makes your bond very strong, deep and intense, making it pleasant and, above all, interesting for you two to live together. it's a connection that makes you two constantly improve, transform and discover a part of yourselves that you didn't know existed. you also feel the urge to protect each other, he truly feels like family to you and viceversa. in addition, this is also a strong karmic indicator. as I've already said above, you two definitely have a past life connection, you two are soulmates.
this is it! thank you again for booking a reading, let me know if you have any questions :)
libramc xx
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