duality of man
[ID: a digital illustration of two full body poses of clint barton. one is in his hawkeye suit (hawkeye freefall inspired) he has his right arm behind his head and his left hand on his hip. to the right is the second pose, clint is dressed in his iconic target shirt and gray sweatpants. he his bent over drinking out of a coffee mug]
One of the things I love about Tolkien is that he very clearly hated writing battle scenes.
His battle scenes aren’t bad! But they are quick. The whole of the battle of Helm’s deep is a few pages whereas you are in the Council of Elrond did fucking chapters
However long you think the Council of Elrond is double it
The highlight of this hatred of battle scenes is in the Hobbit where he sets up this epic battle of the five armies and then has the protagonist knocked unconscious by a rock within seconds and not having him wake up until after the battle when everything is over
And I think it makes sense that a man who survived the trenches of World War I, and whose friends all died in that war, to dislike writing about war. And when he does writes it not as something worthy and good but as something tragic and miserable
So he spends as few words as possible for the actual battle and instead spends more time sitting with the trauma, misery, and despair, but also with the slow healing that comes after
The Lord of the Rings is not a straight up allegory or one to one alignment but I do think it’s likely Tolkien was trying to process his trauma in his work. Especially with Eowyn.
For all the flak Jirt gets for how he writes women I always felt like Eowyn was the keeper of his trauma.
She starts off so thirsty for battle and for glory. Wanting to fight for her country on the front lines.
Like a fresh faced young man drafted into WWI who bought into the propaganda might have been.
But then Eowyn sees too much, experiences too much, and is broken by it. War is not glory and triumph it is ugly and dirty and cruel and awful in every way
Just like that same young man in WWI would feel seeing the full reality of the trenches and who ended up the only one out of his friends alive
The way JRR wrote about Eowyn’s feelings. Of her despair and apathy and just straight up depression is so reminiscent of genuine reaction to trauma that I can’t help but think it’s drawing on person experience
TL:dr- Lord of the Rings is just Tolkien processing his PTSD from WWI in the only way he knew how and Eowyn his us true self insert and he didn’t even know it.
stating to think there’s an inverse correlation between how good media is and how easily fandomizable it is 😁
good media should make you stare at wall for 2 hours instead of immediately starting shippings wars and coffeeshop au and slowburn fics
no no you’re not wrong but also
there’s a reason for this.
My personal theory is that if Media is REALLY good, there isn't really... space, if you will for fans to add or change perspectives on it. Too dense, too complete. Like how coral won't grow on plastic because it's too smooth
Whereas some half-baked hot garbage has got ALL KINDS of plot holes, incomplete characterization, warped timelines, missing worldbuilding and other Spaces for fans to colonize, like coral growing on a sunken battleship.
And then if a series just sucks too much, it's not fun to interact with at all, and people won't fandomize it because it's toxic. Like how coral won't grow on sunken piles of burnt-out tires.
I call this the Fandom Barrier-Reef Theory.
Title: Captured
Pairing: dark!nomad!Steve x reader
Words: 2300
Summary: From @autumnrose40 ask:
Warnings: non/con at first, imprisonment, fingering, oral (female receiving) p in v, manipulation, breeding kink
A/N: Written entirely at work, and posting with 10 minutes left. Tagging up top, because he’s her man @labella420
Oh, you now good boy Captain America would have fought his restraints straight away, never letting anyone get the upper hand. But there’s something about you. You, in all your fiery passion, that not only sets his nerves on end, but makes his cock swell in his uniform.
For your part, the trap on which you set was calculated – that’s where your strengths lie - more brain than brawn, but you can hold your own in a fight. Although, not with Steve - Captain America - Rogers. Something inside your gut told you he was pulling his punches. Not for some misguided fear of hitting a woman, but for something else, and you cunt clenched at the thought.
What you couldn’t help was the seep that slipped into your panties each time you looked his way. He was always watching you. His gaze never shifted, never wavered, not even when he was struck with the fists of the angry men that kept you in their company. Working for Hydra wasn’t your goal in life. They had plucked you from some petty crime you had done in your youth, guided you – trapped you – into this life. As innocent as you were before, the years had hardened you – it had to – shutting off your humanity was the only way you could survive.
The men, all laughing as they watched the blood drip from his lip, headed towards the exit. A heavy combat boot kicking open the door as they told you to keep an eye on their prisoner.
You busied yourself on your computer, working over schematics and future projects, but still, you felt the heaviness of his eyes on you. You snapped your head up, fire burning in your belly as you pushed back in your chair to close the distance between you both, while still keeping a safe distance.
“What?” You shouted. “Why do you keep staring at me?”
His lips twitched in amusement, but settled into a thin line quickly. His eyes closed and he inhaled – deeply – nostrils flaring before settling back on you again. “Just wondering when you’re going to fix that little problem in your panties. I can smell you from here, sweetheart.”
You stepped back, his words hitting you like a bullet as heat spread across your chest and neck. “I don’t….I don’t know –“
“Now, now,” Steve tsked. “They’ll be none of that. Let’s not play games.” He studied you for a moment, cocking his head to the side. “Those boys not doing it for you?”
You spared a glance to the door, then back at him. “I’ve never – will never – do that with them. Anyway,” flustered, you twisted your shirt between your fingers. “Stop talking or I’ll bring the taser out.”
“Sounds like good foreplay, sweetheart, but I’d rather eat that cunt instead. It’s going to need a good licking and fingering for me to fit.”
honestly romanticize eating random bits of bread and cheese and dried fruit while standing in the kitchen like a little forest elf
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 | Tarzan!Steve Rogers x doctor!reader
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 6’6” Steve, feral behaviour/feral!steve, nomad!steve, fluff, angst, size difference, manhandling, possessive!/protective!steve, gentle giant!Steve, SMUT - minors DNI, size kink, manhandling, oral (m&f), dirty talk, p in v, spitting, grinding, lots of cum, unprotected sex.
𝗪/𝗖 | 11K
𝗔/𝗡 | Let's all pretend this was posted on time. Firstly, thank you everyone for coming on this journey with me on my first big AU, I'm sad to see it end, but I'll always be open for blurbs and drabbles for this series. (little past mentioned) James Conrad x doctor!reader. Also, this is not PWP, so it’s much more plot in this chapter than smut !
All mistakes are my own, I'll be revisiting this chapter tomorrow and over the weekend to edit it and add parts, so it'll probably change soon ! Check out the role reversal of this story: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐲𝐞
Feel free to send blurb requests or asks about this series!˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓!
“Well, I didn’t know jealousy was in attendance tonight–oh wait, it’s just you under all that green envy, Doc–how’s the gala treating you?”
You inhale deeply, avoiding the smug smirk playing on Tony’s lips. You turn to face him, leaning an elbow on the bar as the wine swooshes in the glass. “Did Pepper finally ditch you for the head security guard of the tower?”
Tony laughs loudly, slapping a hand over his chest. “Oh my, it seems I’ve struck a nerve.” He glances over his shoulder, eyes once again landing on the tall, burly blond across the room by the piano. His carefully gelled hair is visible above everyone’s heads, as a sea of reporters and other socialites surround him, hanging off every word he says. From here, you can practically see them swoon and fall for his magnetic charm.
“This is good for him.” You say, trying to convince yourself. “He’s been practicing speaking for weeks–he wants to make a good impression.”
“He has confidence and potential, I’ll give him that.” Tony signals for a refill of his glass, the bartender filling it immediately. He sips slowly, eyes flickering between you and Steve. “You know, we could have just put out a statement. It would have been far less stressful and you wouldn’t have to watch that.” The brunet winces as a young beautiful woman lays a hand on Steve’s arm, caressing his bulging bicep under his suit.
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 | Tarzan!Steve Rogers x doctor!reader
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 6’6” Steve, feral behaviour/feral!steve, nomad!steve, fluff, size difference, manhandling, possessive!/protective!steve, gentle giant!Steve, implied parent death, fighting some animals (so implied animal death), SMUT - minors DNI, size kink, manhandling, oral (f), face riding, (an attempt at) dirty talk, spitting, grinding (naked...p*ssyjob), lots of cum, lil cumplay (more like just cum spreading)
𝗪/𝗖 | 16.8K
𝗔/𝗡 | I can’t thank you all enough for the amount of love and kindness you’ve shown me and this new series !! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to get this much attention—I didn’t think anyone would read tarzan!steve, but you’ve all sent so many great blurbs and asks, you’ve all written this part with me. Thank you so much. No hate to spotted hyenas, I needed pack hunters and it was either them or chimpanzees. I tried to fully proofread, all mistakes are my own. Check out the role reversal of this story: 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝 𝐄𝐲𝐞
Feel free to send blurb requests or asks about this series! ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓!
The scream that comes out of your mouth is downright brutal, ripping apart your dry throat—it definitely doesn’t feel good to screech first thing in the morning.
The large, heavy animal treads backwards with huge blinking jasper eyes. Its mouth is now a foot from your face and opens as it lets out a small roar, crispy in the early air as it brushes against your face.
Your skin prickles with goosebumps as you scoot backwards and blindly reach behind you for the one person who could protect you against the yellow-and-orange-coated creature. All you feel are soft pillows and plush blankets, they’re cool from the lack of a certain muscular 6’6” frame.
The jaguar inches closer, so slowly you think it’s your mind playing tricks on you. Your brain works in overdrive as you try to make sense of your thoughts, it feels impossible with sleep still heavy in your body.
𝗣𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 | Tarzan!Steve Rogers x doctor!reader
𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 | 6’6” Steve, feral behaviour/feral!steve, nomad!steve, fluff, scientist!reader, size difference, manhandling, soft!steve but also possessive!steve, gentle giant!steve, he doesn’t have the best grammar but he’s trying, disney vibes but no talking animals or musical numbers.
𝗪/𝗖 | 7.1K
𝗔/𝗡 | and I present to you, soft!tarzan!Steve. not fully proofread, all mistakes are my own.
Feel free to send blurb requests or asks about this series! ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓!
Checking under your bed once more, you hope for a miracle, but it looks the same, clean and tidy. Standing up on your feet, you prop your hands on your hips, observing the tent again.
You were one of the lucky ones who didn’t have to share a pod, but your ‘room’ was on the smaller side. Only enough space for a small foldable rack for your clothes, a single cot and a desk with a chair.
Over your stay, you tried to make it homier. Hanging small dried flowers from the jungle, and polaroids of you and your team, but it still felt so temporary. You suppose that’s the point. This expedition was only for four weeks.
finally drew Steve in that all-black civil war concept art suit
so someone on twitter said this is the only picture we have of the cap quartet and i-
Pairing: Steve Rogers x Reader
Summary: Your full-time commander, part-time lover is pissing you off.
Word count: 3.5K
Warnings: no real smut but things of a smutty nature so only for readers 18+ Minors DNI; anger, angst and a little fluff; the reader is pretty pissed and Steve’s not much happier and they're not exactly gentle with each other; swearing
A/N: I honestly don't know where this came from. I had no plans of writing it at all. I was just randomly thinking about how fun it would be to do an "enemies AND lovers" trope and about how (as I've said before) "I'm done with your shit" Steve is my favorite. This was also inspired by @afriendlyblackhottie 's "Chick Flick" writing challenge even though it's not exactly sweet 😁Thank you to my stalwart beta @jbarneswilson for helping me work out a few kinks (not that kind you pervs). But please don't blame her for any mistakes, I made a lot of changes after the last time she gave it a look over. Thanks for reading all!
“I hate Steve Rogers and his stupid-” thwack- “fucking-” thwack- “face-” thwack.
“I can see that,” Monica mumbles into her beer as she glances with raised brows at the pock-marked photo of the man in question tacked to the dart board.
Steve hasn’t “been with” anyone since he went into the ice. You offer to help him prepare for an upcoming date.
warnings: oral sex (both m and f receiving), friend!Steve, Steve being shy and a little insecure, p in v, unprotected sex, creampie - Steve cums alot, cursing? I don’t know it’s pretty soft.
If you see any spelling mistakes no you didn’t.
Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader (enemies to lovers)
Prompt: After a particular mission brings forward the issues between yours and Bucky’s relationship, it’s decided that a bonding exercise is the best way to close the rift. There’s only two rules: no murdering each other, and you can’t say “no.” (based on this request)
Warnings: SMUT 18+ (fingering, oral m and f receiving, unprotected sex, teasing, spanking, dirty talk, cumplay, slight dub-con elements), some fluff, a tiny bit of angst, mentions of violence, mentions of injuries
A/n: Thank you so much to the lovely anon who requested this! I’m a little rusty with writing smut so I hope it isn’t horrible. I also changed the ask up just a little bit! I hope you all enjoy, and as always, my inbox, messages, requests, and taglists are open!
It felt like you were being sent to the Principal’s office.
And that was the first thing you voiced as you stepped into the small meeting room, earning a groan from all three men.
It’s not autumn until you bring out the family trebuchet.
I regret to announce that the family trebuchet has been retired following an incident wherein the trebuchet lobbed a pumpkin backwards, taking out a truck window, before self destructing when the counterweight swung into one of the support legs, shattering it instantly
I am delighted to announce that my dad has begun work on a new trebuchet
Reader walks in on something she wasn’t exactly supposed to see
Fred Weasley x Fem!Reader. Jerking off/male masturbation, teasing, slight embarrassment, blowjobs, praise, pet names, for once no real degradation 🤩, semi public, voyeurism and exhibitionism. Not proof read
word count: 1.4k
You were somewhat confused when George had told you that Fred was still in the locker rooms after their quidditch practice- normally the two boys exit together, and when they don’t one seldom takes more than a few minutes longer than the other to depart. But you figure he must have been taking his sweet time to get cleaned up, and with an assurance from George that everyone else had left the rooms, that he had left Fred in there alone, you make your way towards them to pay your boyfriend a visit.
part one here
summary: where you and bill have a penchant for meeting in the night
🃛 masterlist
cw/tw: angst, smut AND fluff yet again. fem!reader, insecurities on both parts, miscommunication, overthinking, crying, angst basically. oral sex (female receiving) age difference (~6-7 years?) reader IS 18! jic anyone was worried.
word count: 5.13k
a/n: initially a request that i spiralled into a massive thing. i hope this part two (like two months later) lives up to your expectations!!! reblog to boost please xxx dedicating this to @marlene-asks because i apparently made her fall in love with bill x
tag list at the bottom ☯︎ join tag list here
The summer finally returned to normal, as in, pre-fifth year normal — having fun with the rest of the Weasley clan like nothing had happened, Bill actually talking to you around the others, no longer resigning yourself to the confines of your, well, the twins’ bedroom. Though there were still unresolved issues and a sliver of tension in the air, and the fact that Bill hadn’t spoken to you one on one since that night worried you slightly, everything was, relatively, back to normal.
The others were delighted when you stopped dodging Bill, happy to welcome you back into their group with open arms, but not without question.
Fred and George pulled you away two days later after dinner, which had been delayed by a game of quidditch that had swept up the entire family, pushing the six o’clock affair all the way to eight.
They’d come down after taking their showers, having been soaked in sweat from the game of quidditch. Only to find you back in your original seat between the twins’ at the table, joking around with Bill and Charlie as if the past few days had not occurred.
After the meal, they finally found themselves incapable of keeping quiet anymore, dragging you into a narrow hallway with nothing but a storage room.
“So you’re not avoiding Bill anymore huh Y/N?”
You shrugged at their questioning, trying to shift your hair in the hopes that it came off as casual, fearing that they could see the fading hickeys you’d forgotten to mask after your shower.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, boys.”
requested: yes! by @weasleyswizardwheezes1 [i love you arms your writing so uh anything w bill weasley. either smut, angst, fluff, etc. is fine, but could it be on the longer side. please and thank you, no pressure btw :)] send in your own request here
summary: where you and bill have a penchant for meeting in the night
part two here
🃛 masterlist
cw/tw: angst, smut AND fluff babes fem!reader, bill's kind of a dick for a part. sexual tension to the MAX doll. age difference (~6-7 years?) reader IS 18! jic anyone was worried. also i imply reader is short-ish? but in my mind bill is like 6’3-6’5 so he’s massive and like most people would be shorter than him
word count: 5.25k (so i heard u say ‘on the longer side’ and interpreted it as ‘i want a short novel’. hope this satisfies u doll, there'll be one or two?? more parts coming!!)
a/n: requested by @weasleyswizardwheezes1 . hope you like it! pls leave a comment, like or reblog to help boost if you did xx
☯︎ join tag list here
Being the best friend of the Weasley twins definitely had its perks. Spending summers at the Burrow, having a second family that was closer to you than your own, friendly banter that came along with the family.
However, there was an unexpected drawback that came with this.
A drawback by the name of Bill Weasley.
⚔︎
Although in the same year as the twins, you were a year older than Fred and George, meaning you had always felt a little more mature than the two pranksters.
Thus, you felt like you noticed things that the two of them never really noticed. Girls having crushes on them, boys being envious of them, the ways rumours would fly around about the three of you.
The main thing, however, that you felt the two of them didn't notice, was the way Bill treated you.
It wasn't that he'd always been like this. The first few years you'd known the man, he was very nice to you – familial and brotherly, much like the rest of the family had been to you.
However, sometime in fifth year, things changed.
⚔︎
You arrived at the Burrow with the twins for Christmas, ready to be welcomed by the family you'd come to call your own, but was left feeling hurt, weirdly hollow.
Every Weasley had welcomed you with open arms, except Bill. Harry, the only other non-Weasley around, was embraced heartily by the curse-breaker, but you were given a sharp nod, and nothing more.
Confused, you shook it off, moving to sit next to George, his arm wrapped around your waist as you snuggled into him. Fred landed on your other side, passing you a mug of hot cocoa as he landed a kiss on the top of your head, arm enveloping your shoulders with a tight squeeze.
Surrounded by the younger Weasleys as you watched Ginny, Ron and Harry play a game of Exploding Snap, you felt an intense gaze on you, looking up to see the four oldest Weasleys sat around the dining table, watching all of you.
You caught Bill's eyes, sending him a familiar smile, but was ignored as the man took a sip of his coffee, turning to look out the window instead.
Your hurt was short-lived as Fred leaned into whisper a soft quip into your ear, letting out a laugh, turning to relay the same quip to George.
The rest of the trip went similarly – every time you attempted to catch Bill's eye, to hold a proper conversation, he'd ignore you, or brush you off, pretending that he had something else to do.
The day all of you left the Burrow to go back to Hogwarts, Bill had even left the group before you could say goodbye to him, and you could only be left wondering, what did you do?
