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wheredostarsgowhenyoudie · 7 months

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Once upon a time when employees are being interviewed at SI:

Interviewer: So what is it like working for Iron Man?

Employee A: Oh! Easy question. I like that. It is an honor, you know. It's what I thought when I joined, and it still is now. But also, I did not expect that SI is a place where we are allowed to prioritize things like family. Like last time, I left my phone on silent at my desk cause I had to go to a meeting. My kid at home was having an emergency and I couldn't be reached. But apparently, Friday, Mr. Stark's AI, keeps track of phone vibrations so she made the report and someone came to notify me. I didn't even know there was a protocol for that. Turns out my daughter was having her period for the first time! And I'm a single father so I had no idea what to do and I was panicking. Next thing I know, an SI nurse came and apparently she was sent by Mr. Stark to walk me through how to help. Apparently, Fri also caught my panic rumblings and triggered 'YOU ARE NOT ALONE PROTOCOL' or something. (*laughing*) The next week, we received an official email introducing a new department called Human Care. They encourage everyone to reach out if we ever find ourselves out of our depths on non company emergency matters.

Interviewer: How long have you been working here?

Employee B: Eight years, two months, six days and counting.

Interviewer: What's the weirdest thing you've witnessed here?

Employee B: (blanks out)

Employee B (struggling to think): Ahm. Really? Just one? Er- That's a tough one. Maybe that one time they set up a room for everyone to try lifting Thor's hammer? Or wait, no, maybe that time there when flying roombas were everywhere following Mr. Stark and reminding him to eat? Or when a villain came via the vents but before he could come down, Hawkeye accidentally hit him with pepper spray? I don't know, man. Weird things happen a lot. We're used to it by now.

Interviewer: Do you feel safe working here?

Employee C: Yeah. The avengers live here. But to tell you the truth, I think Happy Hogan and his black tux team of agents scare all the potential bad guys away. I heard rumors that Black Widow personally trains them. Like, I know two of them. Jake, for instance. He's like a giant, and he is intimidating but I saw him crying one time and when I asked him why, he just said Mr. Hogan.

Interviewer: Which avenger have you met?

Employee D: Oh, I've met two of them. Captain America and Thor. It was odd but one time, they were in the cafeteria and carrying trays of food and I do not mean just one each. Nope. Like, a ton! Like they're feeding an army. But it makes sense. Can you imagine the workout? With bodies like theirs? And the battles they go to? Man, if I have to save the world from aliens, I'll probably need the same nutrition.

Interviewer: Which avenger is the kindest?

Employee E: Ahm...We all know they're all badass. But kindest, I think Spider-Man. Last Thursday, it was raining, and then Spidey suddenly came all wet and holding a box and I'm gonna quote him now. He said, "Friday, can you please ask Mr. Sam Wilson Falcon sir to come down? The shelter is close and I have a box of puppies and I really, really want to bring them up but Mr. Stark is gonna ban me from the lab again."

Interviewer: Aww. So what happened next? What did they do with the puppies?

Employee E (grinning): Falcon came down, alright. But he came with Iron Man who zoomed past everyone to drag Spidey to the penthouse. I am not sure what I heard but he was muttering about oven toasters and frozen spiderlings? In the end, aome employees volunteered to take care of them. But I believe two of them are at the avengers' floor. We saw Mr. Stark ranting about puppy paw paint marks on his armani.

Interviewer (gasps): Oh my. Was he mad?

Employee E (ends up laughing): Mad? Try grunting fondly? Peter really likes those puppies. Mr. Stark tried to act like he hates them but really, he adores everything about the kid, puppies included. He even had custom made collars with avengers logo made for them.

Interviewer: I'm sorry? The Winter Soldier was asking directions to where?

Employee F: The Lego Store.

Interviewer: How would you describe the workload? Do you still get work life balance?

Employee G: I guess it depends. I work in R&D and we're all nerds there. So like, we're typically busy but it's play for us. Some days, we're really cramped with work, mostly when deadlines are nearing or sometimes, we're just really in the zone, we do not want to stop. Peter activated 'NIGHT NIGHT PROTOCOL' for that. Had Fri lock us out of the lab and we had no choice but to go home or nap at the sleep wing. And would you believe? After the product launch, we got emails on mandatory vacation leaves with bonus to spend! Like, who does that? So yeah, it's cool working here.

And then, there was this:

Interviewer: How does it feel to be the heir of a multibillion dollar top green tech company?

Peter (stares quizzically, dumb-founded): Uhhh-....Look, sorry, I think I'm in the wrong room. I'm not- Maybe you got the wrong questionnaire? I'm just an intern-

Interviewer: Oh. Wait. Is it top secret then? Sorry, I was told of your identity as Mr. Stark's kid so I thought I could ask. But if you're not comfortable-

Peter: WHAT!?? Who said that? They're probably just joking.

Interviewer (chuckles nervously): Ms. Potts did actually.

Peter (freezes): Oh.

Suddenly the door opens and Tony walks in.

Tony: Hey kid, and Ms. Carrenland. How's the interview going? Thought I'd drop by for moral support, you know.

Peter (looks torn, but excuses himself to go to Tony): Uhm, Mr. Stark, can I talk to you for a second? Look, sir, ahm, I think there's been a misunderstanding. The interviewer asks me how it feels to be your heir. Like that's real. I don't-

Tony (has his brows rising to his hairline): Kid. Peter. Breathe.

Peter (groans and sighs embarrassingly): I just didn't want to lie! They mistook me for someone else. It was a misunderstanding!

Tony (smirking): It's really not.

Peter: What?

Tony: Kiddo, I was the one who gave Pep the approval to sign the questions. And really, you've been managing the R&D department and shadowing Pep at management for a year now. You never wondered why I make you do that?

Peter: Oh.

Tony: Yup. Genius child here.

Peter: I just wanted to help. You seem stressed out with the Avengers' work and dealing with the government. I thought I could lend a hand. I didn't- I don't expect you to- I'm not worth that, Mr. Stark.

Tony (scoffs): I beg to differ. Look, I'll be honest with you. Even if you aren't interested in the company, it's still gonna be yours. Look around you, kid. Do you think I let just anyone go around with a free pass at my tower? You have a room at my home. This place is your home, as where as everywhere else that I own. Plus, it's another motivation for you to take care of yourself when you go out as Spidey. Imagine all our employees. They need you, kiddo.

Peter (mumbling softly): I'm just Peter Parker.

Tony (smiles and pats his shoulder): And that is why I chose you.

#irondad #irondad & spiderson #ironfam #spiderson #spider-man #iron man #avengers #mcu #tony stark #peter parker & tony stark #peter parker tom holland #peter parker #stark industries #incorrect marvel #incorrect avengers #incorrect irondad and spiderson #fun fics

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clean-bands-dirty-stories · 7 months

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Space ~ B.A.

A/n: LOVE touching on the way Iris and Barry create their relationship by high key sabotaging every other possibility bc they feel inevitable... great shit.

Request: “Barry x male reader, reader and Barry been having issues so reader goes to stay with Kara for awhile.” By anon

Word Count: 2,000+

MASTERLIST

"So... are we going to talk about that?"

Y/n's jaw worked as he mulled over Kara's question. He couldn't expect her not to ask questions after all of that. She was a good friend, she worried. And Y/n didn't want to spend this entire trip running from his feelings. It would only make things worse.

On the other hand he really didn't want to talk about it.

But that may have been him trying to run from his feelings. Like usual. How well did that ever go?

He looked at her, taking in her barely contained curiosity and anxiety. The last time she had run into Barry and his boyfriend the two were newly in love after ages of pining and beating around the bush. They were full of relief at being able to hold hands and use pet names, and got borderline ridiculous if they ever kissed. Kara had joked they were the goal; the base line. Someone would look at her that way someday.

Now the two men were cold and distant, and when they'd gotten Kara the help she needed and Barry went to go back to his own world Y/n had asked to stay? In an entirely different universe where Barry Allen didn't even know who Y/n L/n was. Had never even heard of him. They were complete strangers in this world.

Sighing, Y/n leaned against the desk behind him and Kara tried not to grin as she realized he was about to talk about his feelings. Y/n never did such things no matter how many times she prodded and begged - but this was not a situation that called for smiling or teasing. She listened instead as Y/n began, "Barry and I have been having problems."

Kara raised an eyebrow. She was hesitant to push such a delicate string of luck but it seemed Y/n was about to stop and he really hadn't said much yet. "Problems?"

Once he started he couldn't stop. "First it was the newspaper with Iris' byline. I mean, he's been in love with her for near his entire life and everything was screaming that she would choose him back eventually. Eddie died, Patty and Linda didn't work out for several reasons - mostly because he couldn't open up to them. But that's not-" He closed his eyes, realizing he was going off on a tangent. "The point is," he began again slowly. "Barry and Iris are like, soulmates? Or something? And it started with the newspaper but then there was Earth 2, and the fact that they always know each other everywhere we go - even if vaguely. Like they're drawn to each other. Inevitable. There are worlds where I don't know Barry Allen and he doesn't know me, but they always have each other."

Slowly, Kara asked, "You're jealous of Iris?"

Y/n scoffed. "I'm not just mindlessly jealous. It wouldn't bother me so much if the name on the by line of the newspaper had changed. If it said Iris West instead, or Iris soemthing-else. But it doesn't. It still Iris West-Allen. And I feel like... a filler." His shoulders sagged and his face twisted with agony. "It doesn't help that he started to drop our plans to hang out with her. And I realized that actually he always prioritizes her. Our plans never overlap, like he's desperate not to have to choose, and then they do and he chooses her. And it's fine, she's family, but I thought I was too. I thought we'd at least be equally as important. And then Savitar comes and he goes after Iris - still. Iris and Barry weren't together, but his life falls apart if she dies. Like-" He blinked tears out of his eyes. "Like she's his whole world. Cisco can't save him, or Caitlyn."

"Or you," Kara realized, her face crumbling as it fully settled in.

The man shrugged. "Or me. And I tried bringing it up to him but he refuses to acknowledge it and scrambles to avoid the topic and I feel like he knows he's in love with her but doesn't want to admit it. I feel like I really am filler and he knows it, that his very atoms are waiting for her and it's just this unspoken inevitability. I'm only here for now and that's it and I'm not supposed to address it, I'm not supposed to see it, but I do and that really sets him on edge. Or- something does at least. I don't know! He won't talk to me!"

Immediately Kara pulled Y/n into a hug. Y/n let her, curling into her comforting warmth and knowing he could fully collapse and she would be fine. "Would it help if I helped you work through what other options there are? Discussions are hard to have if you have one out come stuck in your head, and then often turn into arguments that accomplish nothing."

Chuckling, Y/n wiped his face. "You're so smart Kara." And he meant it so genuinely she couldn't even joke that he was full of it. He seemed relieved to be able to talk about it, talk through it. She believed that truly was the case. "Please," he sighed. "Please tell me there are other options than what I think there are."

Kara hummed, tightening the hug for a split second before leaning away so they could meet eye to eye as they spoke. This was a conversation where he needed to know she was being absolutely truthful and genuine. "Well, first of all he could have the exact same fears as you. He could truly and deeply be in love with you and be scared that it'll all be for nothing. Fate and knowing your future - it';s a terrifying thought. Especially when no matter what you do, it never changes."

Y/n nodded. That was a perfectly logical option. "Anything else?"

She was ready for the question. "His life has been really difficult. He's constantly losing people, and being a superhero is extremely hard on a person. It's demanding and draining and leaves no room for even a single mistake. You're gambling with the life of every single person. Their happiness and stability. It's not a reason to treat anyone badly but I could understand if his work life and super hero life being so complicated and dangerous doesn't leave a deep desire for a normal, more straight forward life. Maybe he got it in his head that things with you were supposed to be easy and now... they're not. And he's too burnt out or anxious to address it."

Oh. Very quickly Y/n was calming down. Hearing all the other alternatives were very grounding and loosened the pit of doom in his stomach. "Anything else?"

Nodding, Kara continued. "He may not be taking your emotions seriously and either isn't realizing how your emotions are affecting you, or thinks they're some kind of accusation. He may even not understand that when you bring this up its concerning how you feel about it and not necessarily about him or anything he's doing at all. It's a pile up of things that all point your brain in one direction, and the way that makes you feel may be irrational or very rational, but either way he isn't the person who chooses Iris. And he may be one day, or he may not, but if he thinks you're accusing him of some sort of cheating when he couldn't imagine ever doing something to you?" She shrugged. "Like getting mad at someone for doing something in a dream. And it still means something to you but he isn't clocking that - all he can see is you blaming him for something he didn't do."

Y/n actually had the audacity to smile. "We would argue over me feeling insecure and it making him feel like I hate him. Or doubt him." He rolled his eyes but there was a little fondness there and Kara felt hope surge through her. Not all was lost yet. "We would end up arguing like we are over both of us just being insecure and not communicating it int he way we need to." He sighed, long and laboriously.

Kara just decided to skip to another option. "Or he's being an asshole and he does know it upsets you but he just doesn't want to acknowledge it or take it seriously."

They looked at each other for a second before slipping into soft, breathy laughter. It was weak and quiet but Kara wrote it down as a win. The idea that Barry would be so harsh and cruel truly was laughable. Maybe another Barry, another universe, but not this one.

After a second Y/n deflated again. Not as broken down but definitely exhausted. "What do I do if he won't talk to me? I can't just not know."

"Tell him that." When Y/n seemed doubtful, kara shook her head. "I'm serious. Say it even before you start the conversation. No warning, no chance to shoot you down or change the subject. Lay down the law. If you need this, you need this. It doesn't matter what he's feeling about the situation - you need to talk about this. This is a need for you; a deal breaker. If you break up you break up. He doesn't deserve you if he can't get over himself for an hour to talk to you and give you something you actively need."

Y/n melted in relief, eyes wet. "You're an amazing friend Kara."

The compliment, bursting with appreciation that could not be put into words, made Kara grin. "You deserve a good friend. Come on - we can take a few days before you have to go back."

So they did. A little less a month passed before Y/n went back. neither of them had meant for it to go on quite so long but Y/n's powers that were so often utilized by Barry were perfect for the threat Kara was facing and beating the bad guy was the last step. They had to go through so much before they could do that. It kept them.

When he did go home, there was something different about him. He got to see more and experience more. He realized how much pressure he was putting on Barry and codependent he'd become. he seemed finally completely at peace with whatever happened - whether or not they broke up, he knew he'd make it through - but was also ready and willing to fight for it.

If only Barry would fight too.

In the end Kara had been right. Her very first guess had hit the nail on the head, and it had all come undone the second Y/n set a hard boundary. He needed this and Barry delivered. Their relationship was important enough to the speedster to put aside fear or pride and face it. They had a long talk about the whole situation and how out of control they both felt. How that scared Barry even more because he didn't want such a future. Because he wasn't allowed to be out of control like he was now or people died. Y/n clarified his feelings not being a reflection on Barry as a person and the kind of person or partner he was, and that seemed to help too. They decided at the end of it all that no matter what happened they loved each other and nothing could get in the way of that. That even if Iris and Barry did end up together, it wouldn't be the Barry that was now.

That Barry was Y/n's.

For the first time neither of them felt the need to check to see if Iris' surname had changed on the byline. It was Cisco instead who came crashing into the room, eyes wide with worry. He pulled up the article and pointed out the byline.

Iris West.

No Allen attached.

The article was the same, with a missing Barry, but the byline was different.

Barry and Y/n looked at each other, eyes opened for the first time. It was almost a slap in the face to realize that Iris and Barry ended up together in this world only if they thought they did. That the anxiety of the felt inevitable could destroy all of their relationships, and that the second they decided it didn't - it didn't.It was beautiful in a way. And suddenly they both felt that they could do so much more...

And they did. Together.

Male Readers: @ravenpuff-oli @sortzz @fadedver

#male reader #Barry Allen #The cw flash #the flash #grant gustin #barry allen x male reader #barry allen x reader #barry allen imagine #the flash x reader #the flash x male reader #the flash imagine #grant gustin x male reader #grant gustin imagine #grant gustin x reader

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pocketramblr · 5 months

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For the ask game, how about an au where Izuku is the product of a quirk?

What I mean is maybe a slug was born with a quirk to manifest something to protect it, and a human was what it summoned (or something along those lines)

Hi so that is an incredible mix of funny and existential but ok

1- we're keeping the slug thing. The spotted green slug doesn't have a name, due to being a slug, but when a child tries to poke it with a stick, the slug's quirk activates and now there is a second child who instinctively protects it

2- the green, spotted child scoops the slug up and keeps it on their shoulder, feeding it leaves. The child, having just been spawned into being, is able to talk enough to get threats away but like. They didn't have any clothes, they're trying to eat leaves and dirt too. It's ok though, they can't starve or die- the slug's quirk is what maintains them or heals their injuries. Eventually, someone calls CPS.

3- the police try to take the slug away from the wild child, but they scream and bite and eventually say "my quirk" so they give up and let them keep it as they go to the hospital to get him checked over. The kid also doesn't legally exist, so they have to figure that out too. When the nurse looking over the kid puts together the pieces (aka, listens to what the kid says), she looks up sentient quirks and animals with quirks on her phone. If she tells the truth, the best this kid can hope for is someone like Nedzu taking them in to protect them, but more likely the slug would be sent to a lab where the kid would be unable to protect it and who knows what would happen then. So Nurse Midoriya lies on the paper and when she brings the kid out, and the child is sent to a children's home with the quirk registration of "slug: manifest and bond with a slug"

4- luckily, neither AfO or Ujiko is interested in a quirk like that. Some months later, Inko returns and adopts him. The slug is pleased with this arrangement as it's quirk is no longer having to protect him from all the other children and caretakers, and Inko ensues there are good food sources around the apartment for it. She even gets a safer travel terrarium for the child, Izuku, to use to carry it around during school. Izuku is able to learn and grow since the they and the slug sees others found it, and Izuku decides they want to be a hero- they have to still prioritize protecting the slug, but why not be a hero and protect others too?

5- when Inko's child comes home from school one day with a cracked terrarium, a uniform that smells like the sewers, and a scorched notebook, declaring that they got All Might's signature and also found out that they don't need to breathe today, and that they are a hundred percent sure that they want to go to UA, Inko realizes that she's going to need to send that letter to Nedzu after all, and hope desperately that he reads it before the entrance exam. (To her surprise, she gets a phone call before the end of the month.)

#pocket talks to people #anon #ask game

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raayllum · 7 months

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The Coin / Moon Fam plotline: a Structural Analysis

There's been some stuff in the tags recently about people being bummed over how long the Moon Fam / coin plot line has taken, and while it's an understandable perspective (particularly with how long hiatuses can feel between seasons), when looking at TDP as one complete story... the Coin / Moon Fam plot line hasn't actually taken that long, and is one of the most consistently developed plot threads / relationships in the show - and here's why.

This meta is broken down into three subheadings labelled, "Series Layout," "Plot Relevancy," and "The Trio('s emotional arcs)".

Series Layout

First things first, the fact of the matter is that the only season that didn't continue the coin plotline at all has been S2. Every other season has had something. This is pretty unique as outside character journeys or relationship development, not much besides overarching plot carries between season to season. Callum's arc is a mage and Ezran as king is ongoing, but the coin plotline has developed more consistently per season than emphasis on Ezran and Rayla getting one-on-one scenes together (which they haven't since S2). So the official breakdown is this:

1x01-1x03: Runaan and his relationship with Rayla are developed. He is taken prisoner while she goes on the mission with the boys.

1x05: Rayla shares the backstory of her parents failing to protect the egg. This is the first and last time she talks directly about her family until S3.

1x08: The coins are introduced in relation to Aaravos and the mirror, specifically. Runaan knows something of what the mirror is. He is coined.

3x03: While Runaan is believed to be dead, it is shown to the audience that he is stuck between life and death in the Lotus pond.

3x08: We see Lain and Tiadrin. It is implied they are coined.

3x09: Viren has the coins, taunting Rayla about them. This likewise teases that her parents were coined and reminds us that Runaan is too.

4x07: We learn about the quasar diamonds, which is set up for S5. Rayla also mentions how Runaan used moon opals to create illusion spells.

4x08: Rayla offers to sacrifice her blades and explains their connection to Runaan and Ethari, and how she believes she won't ever see them again. This is pretty blatant setup for the next episode in which

4x09: Rayla tries to save and then receives the coins from Claudia. This is also when it is finally confirmed that Lain and Tiadrin were coined as well. She and Stella escape Umber Tor (this is also how Rayla learns about Stella's portal powers).

5x01: Rayla investigates the dungeons to find out what happened to Runaan / how the coins work. She finds a 'mystery human' in a 4th coin. She determines that while she wants to help her family, she can't bring herself to prioritize it while the world is still in danger and that Callum and Ezran need her.

5x02: We meet the mystery human and find out that he is Kpp'Ar, Viren's old mentor. Rayla uses Runaan's bow and Ethari's arrows (thanking the latter) to defend herself against a corrupted banther.

5x04: Rayla tells Callum the truth about the coins and her pain concerning them. He immediately wants to help her and finds a potential solution concerning the coins: quasar diamonds at the Starscraper. Callum intends to personally free them himself and risks all of their present lives to get the information.

5x05: Karim summons the Bloodmoon Huntress, Kim'Dael, to do his bidding. As we know thanks to the graphic novel of the same name, she has history with Rayla, Runaan, and Ethari.

TDP loves to set things up, add to it a little for a season, and then make it a major focus.

Think of how Claudia and Soren didn't see their dad again after 1x06 until 3x03 - that's about 14 episodes, roughly half of Arc 1! Or how nothing that Viren does in S1 or S2 affects the trio at all until his kids catch up with Callum, Ezran, and Rayla in 2x02, or his own actions until close to 3x04 and 3x08 - once again, seasons apart.

Thus, the breaks in between the Moon Fam development makes sense, even if as laid out before, Rayla's relationship with them and the coins are developed 4/5 seasons. In particular, Rayla's relationship with Runaan and Ethari are more developed and emphasized, additionally, than her relationship with her biological parents. And what's more, thanks to both the Nova Blade and the Quasar Diamonds being rumoured to be at the Starscraper, let's talk about

Plot Relevancy

As soon as we'd learned there was a fourth coin, I assumed that Kpp'Ar was imprisoned inside it, simply because 1) he's close to Viren, 2) he 'mysteriously disappears,' and 3) his name sounds like fucking copper. It is implied in the Book Two: Sky novelization that Kpp'Ar has Plot Relevant Information about Aaravos (and possibly the relic staff) as well as whatever Viren did to save Soren (and his own dark magic misdeeds).

The novelization confirms that Kpp'Ar had a box that perfectly matched the one Aaravos uses inside the mirror for the bug pal spell. Kpp'Ar is also a master of puzzles and could very well be the descendant of the Jailer, who created the now infamous puzzle of the prison, in addition to having a wide berth of magical knowledge.

This implied connection to the prison would make the most sense if Kpp'Ar gets out before Aaravos is freed, and Aaravos will have to be freed in season six. And if Kpp'Ar is getting out of his coin, then the Moon fam are also getting out of theirs before the season finale.

There's also the Kim'Dael plotline to consider. While she is a menace in S5, Janai implies that she is not at her full powers, claiming, "This is a monster you do not want unleashed." Given that Karim has the sun seed and an army, he will likely become King of Lux Aurea and able to free Kim'Dael in S6 as well. This sets up the Moon fam all working together with Rayla to defeat her in S7.

So thanks to Kpp'Ar and Kim'Dael, the Moon fam is tied to two ongoing plotlines that have to get underway sooner rather than later. They are also three of the few characters to have presumably known what the mirror was. Runaan seems to outright know something ("That mirror? You have found something worse than death") and for Lain and Tiadrin, it is implied, as it seems they stayed behind ultimately to guard the mirror > Zym's egg (given that they tried to have Hendryr take the egg with him) because they knew it falling into the wrong hands could be dangerous. This means that when the three of them do come sprawling out of the coins, they will immediately understand the stakes of Aaravos' imminent or potential release.

The "two relevant plotlines" is under the assumption as well that Callum's pursuit of Star magic in order to free them is not what ultimately leads to him 1) him being possessed (with Rayla being called upon to kill him again, generating a potential interesting conflict with Runaan) or 2) snowballs into being what releases Aaravos. In which case they'd be tethered to Three Plotlines. But in some ways, they already are, because of how Runaan in particular is going to impact each of

The Trio

or why the "Ezran short story indicating Ezran is going to have lots of big nasty feelings about Runaan's rescue and survival is the best thing that could've ever happened, thank you" section. You can read the short story here if you haven't already (and I highly recommend it).

Okay, but why is this a good thing? Well...

We know next season that Callum and Rayla are heading to the Starscraper, likely now that things with Aaravos have resolved enough and/or to get the Nova Blade because things have escalated very quickly. However, as previously discussed, while Callum might do some plot relevant snowball shit to get them out of the coins, from an emotional arc standpoint, he's more likely to struggle with Runaan once the assassin is out. As of now, Callum is wholly dedicated to helping Rayla get her parents out of the coins (as he states and reaffirms in 5x04). The fact the Starscraper also has the Nova Blade is a nice preventative bonus. But this current lack of 'big feelings' means that Rayla was our main emotional tether to how people are Feeling about the coin plotline, from a character standpoint.

Enter Ezran and his anger. Not only does it expand his character, it gives the audience another piece of emotional investment and complication in the coin plotline, even if we're still inclined to be more for freeing Runaan than not (which is where Ez may fall). And it also introduces that complication for Callum.

Rayla and Ezran, and Ezran and Callum, rarely argue. Now Ezran is going to be presumably pitted against something Callum wants to do for Rayla, being torn between the two people he loves the most, with Ezran possibly feeling betrayed by the two people he loves the most.

So now there's an emotional investment with all three of the main characters - for Ezran, his anger in contrast with his hopes for peace; for Callum, devotion to Rayla and more importantly in this vein at least, disagreement with his brother; and of course, Rayla being caught up in magic that may have a steep price to pay in order to free her family (and what Runaan may encourage her to do once he is freed, re: killing Callum).

The brothers have to resolve their conflict; Rayla has to get her family back; Runaan's responses to each of these things, and indeed being freed, opens up a lot more avenues. TDP has never taken the easy way out when it comes to character development and complicated emotion. Viren was saved from a similar fate to his former prisoner so that he could develop further - otherwise why keep a character alive? Runaan (and the others) are going to be freed by the end of S6 if not earlier than the finale by a decent margin, and have enough time to change, stumble, and grow alongside their daughter and her friends - while defeating Kim'Dael together as a family, I think. #Justformerassassinthings

Conclusion

S6 is go time and it's gonna be great, Runaan and Ethari are gonna get a good chunk of screentime together, Runaan is one of the most important driving forces within S6's setup, and they all still have places to go as characters. Thank you goodnight

#tdp #the dragon prince #tdp meta #the english major strikes again #bc that's my tag for structural stuff #moon fam #analysis series #analysis #tdp runaan #like does soren mention claudia at all till they reunite in s4? no. he mentions her once in s5. she doesn't mention him at all #the show trusts early season development to carry us forward as we explore characters in different areas/dynamics #but they always circle back to what's most important

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growup-thatbeautiful · 9 months

Text

Pretty Girl | 4. last goodbye

1. pretty girl. | 2. lover, you should’ve come over | 3. been on my mind | 4. last goodbye | 5. hold my hand

warnings: cursing, discussions of an ed (if that’s not something you want to read, you can skip this chapter and read the next one!)

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enews Do we see some drama raining on the new couple's parade? After they publically announced their relationship, Y/n Y/l/n"s ex Davey George was interviewed with Vouge and cast some light on the previously dark recent breakup scandal. Here are some of the highlights we collected for you.

About their relationship: "She was distant throughout the relationship. Call it prioritizing her career, but it just felt like I was a second thought. Which, you know, is funny, considering how it felt like I was the one doing her a favor by going out with her in the first place. I mean, she was a mess when we first got together. Crying all the time, shit like that. It felt like she couldn't be real around me because of how much she was upset about a breakup that I got the impression she didn't even care about... It was one guy after the other, for her, with a few girls mixed in, and I can see why nothing ever stuck. Good luck to Seresin, though."

About the breakup: "Things got bad, quick. One day, she was cuddling with me and watching movies, the next she can't stand to see me and is fucking around with some guy behind my back...I should've expected it from someone like her. All I did was take care of her, and she tossed me aside. Literally. She threw my shit out the window, changed the locks, the whole nine yards. Wouldn't even listen when I tried to explain myself."

About the recent announcement: "Shit, man, I can't say I'm surprised. She ran out of guys not in her friend group to fuck. All I can say is that Bradshaw and Machado better watch the fuck out. Even her best friend's man isn't out of the picture...It won't last long, though. Her shit'll get in the way like it always does. First, she'll stop being fun, then she'll stop eating. All the crap you'd expect from a model, right?"

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jakeyswiffe this is absolutely horrible

daveyyyy i knew there was some reason he was so upset, what a bitch

y/nsgirl anyone else smell bs?

bradbradbob she better stay away from bradley

-> natasha_pho for reallll

seresinhangman did he really say all of this?? i knew he was a shitty person

models_uno she sounds horrible omg

y/nhubby damn this is so disappointing to hear, stay safe out there guys

jakeeee_s okay but anyone else upset that he talked about her ed like that??

-> callieslove definitely

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Messages

you: i didn’t cheat on him

jakey: baby

you: i didn’t do it i swear

you: i don’t want you to think i would do something like that

jakey: i know you didn’t

jakey: he’s a goddamn liar

jakey: and that’s not what i’m worried about

you: what are you worried about?

you: i mean i’m dedicated to my job but it won’t get in the way or anything

jakey: i’m not worried about that either

you: ??

jakey: honey

jakey: have you eaten today?

you: yes

jakey: i’m gonna ask again

jakey: have you eaten today?

you: i said yes

you: is this about what davey said?

jakey: is it true?

you: some of it

you: i’m better than i used to be

jakey: okay

jakey: why didn’t you tell me?

you: it’s not that easy

you: and i didn’t think it was important

jakey: how could this not be important

you: i don’t my ed to be the thing that defines me

you: i already have enough labels, i didn’t need any more

jakey: that has nothing to do with us though

jakey: it’s not like i would tell anyone

you: you would look at me different

you: everyone does when they find out

jakey: i don’t see you any different

jakey: i’m not like all of your shitty exes

you: really?

you: that’s what you want to bring up?

jakey: i didn’t mean it like that and you know it

you: sure

jakey: i’m just saying that i’m different from them

jakey: i care about you and i don’t want to see you get hurt

you: oh, haven’t you heard?

you: apparently i’m going to be the one to hurt you and throw you out of my apartment

jakey: come on

jakey: don’t be like that

you: i’m not being like anything

you: i’m going to sleep

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Messages

you: are you busy?

tash: not particularly

you: i need a tasha hug

tash: babe you’re in new york

tash: but i can get a plane ticket

you: not if you have anything important

tash: come on

tash: you’re more important than anything else

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You put down your phone and curl up further into the mess of blankets and pillows that you’ve scattered around your bed. Even thought it’s night, the city noise is still going strong outside, but you’re high up enough for it to be a distant, pleasant hum other than it’s actual chaotic bustle. It’s one of the perks of having enough money to buy yourself an apartment as high as you want.

Your PR manager told you to lay low for a while, not because you did anything wrong, but because it would give her time to figure out a way to take this into your hands. You can’t complain; you’re not sure you would be up for doing much right now.

It’s not like this was anything unexpected. Eventually- because Davey never could stand not having attention- someone was going to say something about you. You’ve finally come to accept that, in your line of work, you don’t really have room for secrets.

But right now, it feels so overwhelming. You’ve had exes share details about you before (the whole world knows that you hide in closets at parties when you want alone time), but it’s never been anything as…personal.

And then there’s Jake. The conversation you had earlier with him didn’t exactly go as you wanted it to, and now, for the first time in weeks, he’s in San Diego while you’re in New York. It had been pre-planned for you to go back to your apartment for a while and for him to get enough space in his house for you to move in some of your stuff, but the timing feels abrupt. You have your first fight and you can’t even look him in the eye. You can’t make up with a few words and a kiss, and he can’t sweep you off your feet in a bear-like hug.

You could break first and ask him to come to New York. But after some of the things he said, you’re not sure if you want to be that person. For your whole career, you’ve been positioned as a girl who chases after the guy until he’s too boring. With Jake, it hadn’t been like that. It had been a whirlwind, and you undeniably wanted him just as much as he wanted you, but it had also been easy.

It’s always been true that no matter how mad at Jake you are, you still want him by your side. But do you still want him by your side if he doesn’t trust you? If he thinks you’re keeping secrets from him based on one interview, how can something long-term possibly last? If he can’t be supportive when you need him to be, then how can you stay with him?

You’re not embarrassed or ashamed of your history with food. It’s something you’ve been struggling with for years, and you can proudly say that you’re much better now than you used to be. But that doesn’t meant that you haven’t had setbacks. While you were dating Davey, there was a particularly hard shoot. Your body, which you’re used to being on display, hadn’t looked how you wanted it to look, especially compared to the other women you worked with. Against them, you didn’t feel like you deserved to be on the cover of any magazine.

So you’d skipped meals. It didn’t start intentionally. It was hardest on lazy days when you didn’t have anything planned. It was so easy to tell yourself that you didn’t need food, and Davey wasn’t around enough to notice or help you. It was a hard time, but, with help from Natasha, you’d gotten yourself out of the situation. Part of that meant getting rid of Davey, which turned out exactly how you thought it would: with him telling the world about all your flaws.

Tossing and turning throughout most of the night, you end up falling asleep with Jake’s hoodie underneath your head.

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tasha.trace added to their story

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y/n.username i’m so so proud and humbled to have been included in this project. taylor, thank you for choosing me to be a part of your beautiful, tragic vision. it came at just the right time for me. all too well (10 minute version) (taylor’s version) the short film out now. 🧣 good luck, babes.

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y/n.fan what did he do to her 😭

roo_bradshaw so proud of you ♥️

taylorswift Working with your was a dream ♥️

-> natashasgirll uhh new moms just dropped?

tasha.trace i love you!!

tasha.trace i’m gonna cry i adore you

bob.bob.floyd this is amazing! you’re unstoppable

the_real_taytay IM SCREAMIMG AHHHH

halo_cal_bass my god i love you but why would you make me watch that i’m sobbing

penny.benny Way to go!

jakeyswifee she doesn’t post anything for a month then drops this, love a chaos queen

-> tasha.trace i support all of her chaos

maverick.mitchell You’ve now convinced me: you can do anything.

model_y/n oh you can tell that she’s not acting in some scenes

model_y/n don’t let jake see this

swiftietaylor the combo i didn’t know i needed

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Messages

javy: hey

javy: i’m proud of you!

you: thanks :))

javy: he really misses you, you know

javy: i know he was an idiot

javy: and that probably hasn’t changed

javy: but he’s a mess

javy: and he’s sorry for whatever he did

you: he didn’t tell you?

javy: he wouldn’t say a thing

you: did he ask you to say this?

javy: he’s too proud to do that

javy: as his best friend, i know when he’s suffering and when he’s too stubborn to admit he was wrong

javy: right now he’s both

you: right

you: thanks for telling me

javy: at least let him know you’re okay

javy: are you okay?

you: i am

you: i do miss jake though

javy: tell him that

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It’s been a month. A month of throwing yourself into your work and trying to pretend that whatever was happening with Jake, wasn’t happening. You thought that the fight would blow over. He would apologize, or you would make him apologize, and you would be back to spending your days staring into his ocean eyes.

But every-time you thought about reaching out, you could never convince yourself to actually reach out and accept his hand. He’s tried to talk to you, through text messages and missed calls, but you’ve stayed strong.

Then you got the opportunity of a lifetime to work with Taylor on a short film, and that was the distraction you needed to clear the anger and the fog of grief from out of your mind. Being in such an emotional, raw project allowed you to feel your own emotions as well as dip into your character’s. Tasha’s been with you the whole time, sometimes physically and sometimes virtually when she had to work. Callie’s been there too; she even made a girls trip up to New York despite being in the middle of a directing project. If any of the other Mav’s have felt awkward talking to you, they haven’t shown it. The only difference has been the lack of Jake.

Now, you’re starting to doubt if it’s worth it to keep up the lack of communication. Jake’s been part of your life for so long, and you miss him. You kind of wish there was something deeper behind it, but it’s really that simple: you miss Jake. More often than not you find yourself asking the question is it really worth it to miss him when you could try and sort out the misunderstanding?

If Javy’s telling the truth and Jake really is a mess, like you are, then maybe it’s time to reach out. Surely you can sort this out, right? You can explain your side like an adult, and Jake can tell you his.

You still think- no, you know, that he was wrong to say what he said. But part of you recognizes now that he had been hurting just like you had. Now that the drama has died down, you find yourself wanting Jake to come back, mistakes and all.

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you: hey

you: do you want to talk?

jakey: i would love to

jakey: call me?

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A/n: how’s everyone feeling? lots of big emotions here lol

taglist lovelies: @rosiahills22 @fangirlvibez @djs8891 @shanimallina87 @abaker74

#pretty girl #tw ed recovery #tw ed discussion #ed discussion #tw: ed mention #jake seresin fanfic #jake hangman x y/n #jake seresin x y/n #jake seresin fic #jake seresin fanfiction #jake seresin x reader #jake seresin x you #jake seresin #jake hangman fic #hangman x you #jake hangman seresin #tgm #top gun

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tsukuyomii45 · 1 year

Text

Naruto and Obito's Dynamic

I've been giving this a lot of thought and people often take it so lightly or even shit all over Naruto when he told that cunt Black Zetsu that Obito's nothing but awesome to him...

And there is a reason why that Naruto respects Obito so much despite everything that happened.

That's because Naruto would have done the exact same thing if he was the one who snapped and turned evil.

Naruto realized that he had absolutely NO place to judge him, when he knew that if things had just taken the wrong turn, he'd be just as evil. The best thing about Naruto is his maturity and self-awareness at his age because of everything he went through. His best power is empathy.

How, you may ask? Well... taking a look at Naruto's past... wasn't he always lonely and isolated by the villagers for a fate that he had no control over?

If Naruto did not see any good in the world, he'd make sure that every person would taste the despair and solitude he felt all those years by taking away their loved ones too; just to show them what it felt like to treat him this way, and just to see them crumble and be consumed by the fear of solitude and loneliness.

Yet it was in Naruto's favor that he found his people; when Obito unfortunately had no one to support his views other than Rin.

In what way did Rin support his views, you might ask?

Obito was ALWAYS against the system of the shinobi world. He basically rolls the opposite direction - he was never a "sheep" to their rules. Prioritize the mission? No. Save your comrades first. Strike a war for power? No. Enough sacrificing child soldiers and strive for peace. Enough blood spilling, enough living in a world where it only takes, and takes, and TAKES.

And Rin also shared the same feelings too; we just needed to read between the lines to see that. She wanted to stop wars, she wanted to stop seeing people die for the sake of political powers, she wanted people to live happily, and she too, wanted peace. It's something that really tightened her bond with Obito even more, and that's why she wanted to support the struggling Uchiha because he wasn't all talk to her - she always saw how he was working so hard against his own imperfections to become a Hokage who would work so hard to bring peace and eradicate the injustice of the system; and she wanted to see her best friend reach all those goals because she truly, truly, saw his potential.

As for Kakashi, even though deep down, he was doubtful and struggling with the rules of the shinobi system, went with the flow because of the trauma he suffered from Sakumo's death. It changed him 180 degrees and he cannot be blamed for it. His father was everything to him and children often mimic their heroes, and his father was his true hero until the tragedy happened. Kakashi was left to fend for himself, and when someone tried to throw at his face how the rules are flawed, Kakashi only remained in denial and just scoffed and shut it down because he didn't want to hear any of it.

Obito was the only one who woke him up and showed him that being a sheep to the injustice only brings tragedy, and that it needed to be stopped - starting by prioritizing your comrades. The best thing is that Obito didn't give a single flying f-ck about what the villagers would say as long as he stood by what was right; and it took a brutal event to make Kakashi see that his own father was right all along.

Obito had no one except Team Minato.

But imagine feeling let down by your own teacher? A person who he always looked up to and was lucky enough to be his student? He could have saved her. He could have saved the team. He could have done something - but in Obito's eyes, he was just as bad as everyone. Just as bad as the system. Then watching the person you entrusted a promise to keep the one and only person who means the world to you safe - only to see that promise broken in the most brutal way because of the goddamned system that forced Rin to be a Jinchuuriki (only for Kirigakure's desire to destroy Konoha), and forced her to take her life for the sake of Konoha. The war never stopped. Blood spilling didn't stop... and it also took the person he loved so much.

The despair made his sanity snap like a twig and darkness consumed him. Madara's manipulation was not helping either - because Madara saw the world the same way too, and it only made Obito feel like Madara was the only one walking with the truth and with the solution to fix everything that everyone failed to do.

And Naruto was able to see through all of that, bit by bit. Obito tends to manipulate people by using their weaknesses and darkness against them like a true devil, in order to lure them to his own dark path, but he could NOT do that to Naruto because Naruto was pulled away from that path by the right people.

At the same time, Naruto couldn't judge Obito for being the way he was, but Naruto also knew that if Obito had the right people around him, then things would be different in the best way possible. He would've been the shinobi world's protector, rather than destroyer; and when Obito redeemed himself, that's all Naruto could see: Not the Obito that snapped, not the Obito that walked the earth in darkness and evil - he only saw the Obito that would have been the true protector of the world.

#naruto uzumaki #obito uchiha #naruto shippuden #uzumaki naruto #uchiha obito #team minato #rin nohara #kakashi hatake #minato namikaze #madara uchiha #black zetsu

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homemade-ghosts · 1 year

Note

PWs always want to bring up that Ricky made Gina cry and didn't prioritize her in Season 2 and to some degree they're correct but it's clear that it was unintentional. They completely omit that EJ intentionally cancelled his risotto date with Gina in the S2 Finale because Jamie relayed false information to EJ that Gina liked EJ "like a brother" without even telling her why he cancelled. smh Ricky either prioritizes Nini (his gf) and not Gina or he prioritizes Gina over his girlfriend Nini.

Ricky really can’t win with #them. If he spent time with Gina, they’d say he was being a bad boyfriend to Nini — but if he didn’t pay enough attention to Gina, if he tried to soften what they have into something platonic (keyword is “tried”, that obviously didn’t work lol) because he’s doing his best to make things work with his, at the time, literal girlfriend, then “Gina deserves better.” and “he doesn’t care about her.” The textbook definition of “damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” (or at least it would be, if there’s a textbook that defines that phrase, somewhere out there).

Also, I’m about as tired of the “Ricky made Gina cry” argument as I am of the “Gina’s not Ricky’s first choice” argument. Ricky, like you mentioned, never intentionally made Gina cry. She didn’t cry because she felt Ricky was treating her badly or because he said or did anything in particular to her that made her upset.

Ricky didn’t make her cry, she cried because Ricky had a girlfriend. She cried because the boy she liked, the one she felt so inexplicably connected to, was with someone and that someone wasn’t her — but her sadness didn’t stem entirely from Ricky’s relationship with Nini, either. She was also a kid living without her mom (her only close family member and, up until recently, the only constant in her life) in someone else’s house, in someone else’s room.

& on top of that, the people Gina chose to stay for, the first solid friend group she’s probably ever had, repeatedly took advantage of her kindness. Gina was guilted into auditioning for BATB with Ashlyn & Kourtney (despite the fact that she had planned & prepared for a solo audition) and, as a result, was cast in a small supporting role that she didn’t want. Carlos appointed Gina his co-choreographer, but he let her give up a dance she clearly worked very hard on in favor of his own routine without any hesitation, even after she confided in him about how much she’d been struggling since she got back to East High. He knew she needed a win and he didn’t give it to her.

There are aspects of s2 that, in retrospect, look a lot better post-s3, but the way Gina’s friends treated her was not one of them.

My point, though, is that Gina was left without a mom, without a home or room of her own, stuck sharing choreography duties while playing a feather duster. Gina had nothing that was just her’s. She had sacrificed so much and she wasn’t getting anything back. So, while Gina may have cried over having to see Ricky with Nini, over feeling like she couldn’t connect with him as freely as she once did now that he had a girlfriend (because she knew that their relationship naturally had a romantic undertone to it and, for the first time since they met, Gina had to be careful with that) it was never just about that.

& you’re right about EJ. When Gina cried over Ricky it was (sorry for repeating myself) primarily because it broke her heart to see him with someone else, but when she cried over EJ it was because what he did/said to her, directly, made her upset. He sees how excited Gina is for their date, and still he cancels, without offering so much as a simple explanation. &, when they’re actually together, he makes her (rightfully) pissed off by keeping secrets from her, despite the fact that she made a conscious effort not to keep anything from him. Then, he makes her feel unseen & unwanted, like a “maybe,” to the point where she breaks up with him and leaves Prom, a dance she was so excited to go to, with shaky breaths and teary eyes. (& who followed her out as she fled and asked if she was okay? Who was there to pick up the pieces — literally — while she cried at coat check? I’ll give you a hint, it sure as hell wasn’t EJ.)

#again i am garbage for taking so long to answer this #alexa play 'a billion sorrys' by matt cornett #hsmtmts #ricky x gina #rina #asks #anon

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dearrosaceae · 7 months

Text

It is almost one week since we sent my sister to her university in another state. She is the first in the family to travel outside of our state for studies so my parents had a different level of worry as compared to when they sent me away.

I've always felt unsettled since she was preparing to further her studies. I get that during the before, during and after period of her venturing to a new path, obviously my parents will prioritize her needs and wants above all else. However deep down, my abandonment issues were broiling, still do. I was cast aside to provide bigger space for her.

I tried to be as empathetic and understanding as I could as I gave them space to sort it out because I knew my presence would not help much. It went on for a month or so, until the day she registered. I helped with what I could, with what I know since we shared the same university but different branches. I still had that feeling but I tried to contain it as much as I could. I did not want to make my parents feel like they had to choose.

After leaving her, I started to feel more... unsettled. My parents had only fixated their attention on her. Keeping up with her orientation, already planning to visit her. I get it, she now lives far away but hey, I'm getting into university too. Next week, in fact. They did ask if I needed anything but they knew not much. I said I needed to buy some groceries and I wanna cook. We haven't planned to buy any groceries yet so is it even gonna happen?

I'm trying to be reflective. Maybe there had been a time where the spotlight had been on me and my siblings just watched me shone. Had there? Maybe they didn't even care that I hog them? My sister did say once that my parents seemed to spoil me but I said otherwise. I believed the context was different though. Our perspectives were not relative to one another.

Then my mind just travelled back to the days when I was still in secondary school. My sister was in the same school as well. We were active, participating in many competitions but we did not run into each other as we partake in different fields. Though, my sister was recognized more as she was athletic. I won numerous awards too, but my parents couldn't even point out one. When I riddled them that and they couldn't answer, I knew they don't give a fuck.

I don't know if it's the same case. I mean, my sister just started her education right? Obviously they are worried about her wellbeing. I don't remember if they were as worried with me when I first started but I don't like it that I'm not given the same amount of attention and affection just because I live near. I'm furthering my education too so what the fuck?

All of these finally erupted when my dad skipped my favor over my sister in the family group chat. I asked him if I could bring the three-tier food trolley with me to my rented house tomorrow so I can store food, but he ignored me and responded to my sister after she said that she wants to skip English lessons by taking an APT exam (she has to pay money to take that exam btw).

I don't care if I sound entitled. I don't care if I sound whiny. I don't care if I sound like a crybaby who is so fucking needy. I had enough of being casted aside.

#I think it was because I already had a bad day #This just adds and piles up into my emotional rollercoaster #my favourite mug broke #i couldn't buy an iphone I've been saving #people kept ignoring me and my messages #the stuffs on my pinboard fell down #there's just so much #rosaneedstherapy

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zalrb · 5 months

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Same greys anon here !

Ok the thing i like about greys is that most conflicts and situations are set up so that people can take either side and have a reason to side with either person.

With the S10 situation, I get Cristina’s side but I can’t help but feel that she was wrong in her words. She basically told mer that she wasn’t as good as her and was bad at her job, and told her she wasn’t as great as Ellis or callie or Bailey. The Ellis mention was especially horrible because Cristina knows how unbelievable Ellis was to her growing up and how much she fought for Zola.

Cristina also has a habit of prioritizing her ambition and being selfish in her quest to be the best - she kinda elbows her friends and mer because of it all throughout the series. I love Cristina but I do think that with her powerful ambition comes a measure of selfishness and superiority. Her arrogance is kind of hard to be around though I admire her will to be better.

I really felt Cristina telling that whole speech to mer was overkill and unnecessary and a bad move for a friend of her caliber, and her stealing the printer mer needed for her funding and research (although it was meant to save a life) was extremely wrong and made so angry and annoyed - to top it off Cristina’s plan was a far fetched idea and when it worked and was nominated for an award, she had no idea how to explain or describe it

Shane was so rude and nasty to mer - as an intern he had no business talking to her like that and he was rude to her in multiple episodes. Cristina screwing him and being taught by her made his head and ego so big that he tried doing a solo procedure on Alex’s dad that resulted in Webber stepping in, though Shane’s actions killed Alex’s dad a few days later.

With the s5 situation I was on mers side - could you explain a little about how mer made it personal ? I watched it recently so I’m looking for feedback because I want to clear this up

I love you so much and appreciate how intelligent and objective you are ! Thanks for posting

She basically told mer that she wasn’t as good as her and was bad at her job, and told her she wasn’t as great as Ellis or callie or Bailey. The Ellis mention was especially horrible because Cristina knows how unbelievable Ellis was to her growing up and how much she fought for Zola.

She didn't tell Meredith she was bad at her job, though.

She said Meredith wasn't as good as her and she gave reasons as to why, which didn't even have anything to do with natural talent. Meredith wasn't honing her skills. She wasn't logging as many OR hours, she wasn't doing research, and all Cristina was doing was perfecting her skills, so of course they're going to be in different places.

And I think her mentioning Ellis is constantly taken out of context or is misconstrued, she brings up Ellis because she knows Meredith doesn't want to end up like her and because of that, she prioritizes Zola and Bailey over her work, which she repeatedly says is a valid choice but it's a choice that affects her skills and that's fair, that's only natural

I understand why that was difficult to hear but I didn't think it was out of line. I also find it interesting that you find the speech unnecessary because I think that if Cristina never said this and if Meredith didn't think she was right, the portal vein research would never have come about. She needed a wake up call, she needed to be pushed and Cristina pushed her. And Meredith prioritizing her personal life had been a repeated struggle for her

Cristina also has a habit of prioritizing her ambition and being selfish in her quest to be the best - she kinda elbows her friends and mer because of it all throughout the series.

But they've all prioritized their ambition or their personal stakes at one point or another and elbowed each other out of the way because of it.

Some examples that I can remember off the top of my head:

In season 1, Meredith tells Cristina that even if she figures out what's wrong with the patient, she will tell Derek to let Cristina scrub in, and when the time comes she takes the opportunity instead.

In season 2, Cristina looks all over for the leg for Webber's surgery which Alex knew and to make up for his incompetence with the patient who was internally bleeding, he takes the leg and scrubs in with Webber.

I mean this wasn't about ambition but Izzie and the whole L-Vad situation put all of them at risk.

In season 7, Alex tells Owen about what Meredith did with the clinical trial not because it was the right thing to do but because he was feeling burned about the race for chief resident.

In season 6, I think while the situation with Webber was complicated, there was truth to what Derek said about Meredith choosing ambition over love because she wanted to do the whipple procedure.

Yes, Cristina can be arrogant and insensitive and haughty and selfish, those are well-documented flaws but I don't think she was being any of those things when she explained to Meredith that the two of them were in different places. I think that was just a hard truth.

And besides the printer, which I don't agree was a case of elbowing Meredith out of the way in favour of her ambition, I think she genuinely believed this was the best shot to save the baby and I think that Meredith was letting her wounded ego and ambition get in the way, when does Cristina do this?

Like, we see what her ambition can lead her to say, such as when she begs Teddy to stay and blurts out that she can have Owen but when it comes to the friendships/acquaintances? I remember she plays Jackson who said something snide by pretending to have an emotional breakdown so she can take the cases for the rest of the day and I remember an episode, I forget the context, where she milks being sad --- I think it's when Burke leaves her at the altar --- so Meredith can pity her and give her cases but her actually like stealing cases or betraying friendships for her ambition? I can't recall her actually doing that or doing that in a way that the others haven't also done.

and her stealing the printer mer needed for her funding and research (although it was meant to save a life) was extremely wrong and made so angry and annoyed - to top it off Cristina’s plan was a far fetched idea and when it worked and was nominated for an award, she had no idea how to explain or describe it

It was a far-fetched idea but he rejected the heart graft and by this point, so many of the characters had thrown hail marys to save patients in the past and Cristina truly believed this was the best option and lo and behold, it was. At this moment, Cristina needed the printer more than Meredith did.

OK I can't really speak to Shane in earlier episodes because I don't remember but Meredith wasn't being professional in that situation at all, she was going for Cristina's neck

and Cristina was holding back because she didn't want to further jeopardize her friendship with Meredith and Meredith kept going in

so Shane said what Cristina couldn't and he did it by matching Meredith's energy

if anything, it reminded me of when Cristina let's Derek have it for messing with Meredith's emotions except Shane actually made it about the work and not their personal lives, which was the entire point

plus if Meredith can stand by and let Webber take Cristina out of the running for the solo surgery even though they all had interns who were acting recklessly and dangerously because they all failed to supervise them and teach them, then Cristina standing by while Shane advocated for her and their patient by proxy is fair game to me.

In terms of season 5, Meredith made Cristina choosing Alex personal.

On an aside, it always bothered me that Meredith never has to make the first move to reconciliation.

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noelleai · 1 year

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Noelle had a bad feeling in her stomach, but she ignored it and continued to walk down the hall with Kris at her side. They were supposed to be going over their history project together after school today; they'd been assigned one last month but hadn't gotten around to it until now. It wasn't due yet, so it didn't really matter how far behind she was...but she still felt guilty. She was usually very good about getting her work done early, even when she did procrastinate sometimes (like right now), but this time she just kept putting off working on hers because of other obligations: helping Toriel cook dinner, taking care of Berdly's house plants while he went away for a few days, visiting Rudy in the hospital, etc., all of which took up most of her free time these past couple weeks. She knew she should have prioritized doing her homework before anything else instead of wasting more hours watching TV or playing video games or whatever. But no, Noelle couldn't bring herself to do that. Not only that, she also wanted to spend as much time with Kris as possible during his short visit here; there would never be another chance like this again. So she put aside everything and spent every waking moment with Kris whenever she could.

And so they continued walking down the hall. As they passed by some students who were heading into class, Kris whispered to Noelle, "So uhm...what do you wanna talk about?"

Noelle turned around to look at Kris and said, "I don't know." They had already discussed their project together several times over the phone last night; it was basically finished except for a little bit left to type out. The whole thing was supposed to take them less than an hour anyway...so why was she so nervous? It was just a stupid history project! What was wrong with her?! Noelle felt her heart beating faster and her hands getting sweaty; her mouth went dry. Why did she feel like this? This wasn't normal for her; it didn't usually happen when talking with someone unless something bad was going on. Maybe she just needed a drink of water or a bathroom break. She started looking around desperately but saw nothing in sight that might help her calm down enough to think clearly again. She sighed and looked back up at Kris again, who seemed confused as well. "You're not sure what we should talk about?" Kris asked, sounding slightly alarmed now. "Is this your first time having to do this kind of assignment?"

Noelle shook her head slowly as she took another deep breath, trying to relax herself again. "N-no," she said, "it's fine, I'm good."

Kris smiled reassuringly at her, then continued, "Then let me ask you: do you have any questions about the project?"

"Uhh...yeah...I mean...I guess..." Noelle said hesitatingly, still feeling uneasy. Then suddenly an idea popped into her mind and she blurted out excitedly, "Do you know anything about the Delta Rune?!" She immediately regretted saying it; it was such a random question! But it was too late; it had already come out. Now there was no way for either one of them to take it back without seeming rude or weird. And the look on Kris' face told Noelle that they probably weren't going to be able to backtrack and pretend that it never happened. So now here they were, standing in front of each other with awkward silence all around while Kris tried to think of a polite response to that stupid thing that just came out of her mouth.

And so Kris finally gave up on trying to act cool in this situation (which is actually really hard to do) and instead started stammering nervously like Noelle did before when talking to new people: "Uh...uhh...well...um...the...delta rune? I don't...I mean...I'm not sure what you mean by that..."

Noelle felt herself start getting even more flustered as she realized how dumb she must have sounded. She quickly turned away from Kris and looked down at the ground again, trying desperately to compose herself. "Oh...I'm sorry," Noelle said quietly. "I didn't mean to say anything weird..."

Kris took a step towards her then stopped himself, unsure if he should approach anymore. He thought about walking past her but decided against it; she might need some space right now. Instead, Kris just stood there awkwardly until Noelle slowly raised her head, still looking nervous. She had a look of concern on her face now and was clearly worried about making things worse for them both with her last comment; it made him feel bad about being so blunt earlier on. But there wasn't much else they could do now except try their best not to make each other uncomfortable any further than this point in time already has been. So Kris simply nodded at her reassuringly and smiled warmly before saying, "It's okay." Then he walked off in the direction of his next class while Noelle continued down the hall alone with no idea what to do or think. { TYPE: Short-form story * M2 }

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ellaintrigue · 2 years

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I tried Hinge for the first real time, the last time the app didn't work. I thought Hinge had a good reputation but I only had 3 matches in 2 days and apparently it's rachet like the less reputable apps. Oh well, I can barely tap at a cellphone anyway. Prefer POF and shit I can use on my laptop.

The crab joke isn't so much offensive as just showing lack of intelligence. It's like how for years when I first joined online dating, guys would comment on pics of me with my cats and say, "let me pet that pussy." It's a bad look when you are A, disrespectful, B, unoriginal, and C, insist you're funny the whole time. I can't stand basic dudes, not even when I was a teenager.

As for that last screenshot, I feel that recently all I do is complain about single dads. But this morning I woke up and reflected on how parenthood used to be a part of life and not a NEGATIVE main theme. I dated single fathers who focused on me and were about living their best life. They loved their kids and took care of them but could even things out.

Even my mom, struggling with me as a very problematic child with learning disabilities, she still maintained relationships with her friends and didn't sink into negativity.

I need to make sure my mental health stays on point and not whine about my ex or overshare about my mom's passing. I don't even want to do those things honestly but they do pop up. People don't want to hear that stuff, just like people don't want to hear about you complaining about how hard being a single parent is over and over and how much you hate your ex.

It's all I see on dating sites anymore. This martyrdom of "my kid is my world and my ex sucks, you will be last." I got messaged by a random on Facebook the other week, a friend of a friend, and he was a little flirty. Now if you come at me random and it isn't on a dating site there's like 1% chance I'll find you attractive, but I am down for conversations. And he sent me a picture of him with his 12 year old daughter and said, "she only wants me to be with her mom still and she will be mean to any woman that tries to be with me."

What self-respecting woman wants to deal with that negativity?

I told my dad about this and he surprisingly said he knew multiple men who had daughters that scared away their dates because they were pampered by their fathers.

It seems like all these single fathers want to date but then dismiss the women as soon as their little princess (or prince) pouts. I would gladly date my ex Joe again if there had been more superficial attraction, and he had 3 kids. I would date my friend Chris who has 3 kids too. Because they didn't let their kids dictate their lives and made time for EVERYONE in their lives.

People say, "but my kid comes first" and I can't disagree but last year I talked to yet another single father of 3. And I told him I don't date single dads because I get put last and he said that actually that's wrong. And that you can be a parent and still make your partner a main priority. Because when you make your partner your rock and trust them then that is good for your children as well.

I was shocked because no one has ever given me that take on things before. Everyone just screams "MY KID COMES FIRST, DEAL WITH IT." To me it just comes down on everyone being selfish, either for themselves if childfree, or for their kids. Because while it may seem reasonable to cater to your child, when you bring another human being into the situation and withhold a true emotional connection to "protect" the child you are just using them. You just want the sex, your feelings catered to, and someone to vent to. You aren't prioritizing them, you're just a user.

#Hinge #Dating #Screenshot #Disrespect

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loveyourownsmiilee · 2 years

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With buddie they wrote themselves in a corner (not sure on purpose or by accident), they've tried to introduce different love interests to both eddie and buck and it didnt work because they then had to cut back on other scenes. They couldn't create a good foundation for love interest. Plus tim said himself he doesn't now what to with characters that arent first responders so usually kills them off or gets rid of them.

I actually have a lot to say about this! First of all thank you so much for sending me this ask!! I agree with everything you’ve mentioned and I wanted to just go in depth on why I agree!

Yes I believe fully that the writers have written themselves in a corner. They were originally not anticipating the organic, natural chemistry that Oliver & Ryan would have. That was not their initial plan and I can see why introducing new love interests has come to bite them in the ass. The truth of the matter is that Oliver & Ryan work so seamlessly on screen together that it is very difficult to replicate that natural chemistry with other screen partners. This has been the case for other shows as well. The one show and pairing that I always remember is Arrow with Felicity and Oliver. Emily Bett Rickards was meant to be a guest star for a few episodes!!! The fucking chemistry she had with Stephen Amell in those few episodes was soooo amazing that the writers made a choice to bring her on fully! And guess what? They had such an amazing slow burn, friends to lovers, storyline and ultimately were endgame. So I always hold onto that when I think of Buck and Eddie because even though they were not originally meant to becoming a couple, the writers never anticipated how much beautiful chemistry they would have with each other.

Now in terms of what the writers can do with Buck and Eddie, I feel like there are 3 possible outcomes.

1. Get them new love interests:

This is the most flawed option because they have already done this with both of the guys. We have seen Eddie get with the “perfect girl on paper” for him. She was everything he should've wanted and could've had the potential to be the best partner for him in the long run. What happened? Eddie ended up having panic attacks at the mere idea of settling down with her. He didn't want a “ready made family” but he didn't realize he has a family he made with Buck already. So what are the writers going to do now? Bring in another woman, spend time developing their relationship and giving her a personality when they didn’t even do that the first or second time around? They brought Shannon back to only kill her in the end. They brought Ana back only for her to cause Eddie panic attacks and have him dump her in the end. So what now? Bring someone new and keep repeating the same boring, lackluster storyline over again? That’s getting old and the audience will lose interest so quick.

Same with Buck, what are they going to do? We have seen the cracks in his current relationship and maybe initially the writers did think that Taylor was someone that Buck needed but that backfired immediately. She will never change and never offer Buck what he really needs. No one will be able to offer Buck that unconditional love and support that he gets with Eddie. Buck wants family and I don't think he will get that with her or any other person because he already has that family with Eddie and Christopher. And there will be no one Eddie trusts with his son, or even himself, more than he does Buck. Eddie literally tied Buck to them legally. So how will that work in the long run if they end up with other people? Do the writers just plan on erasing that from history or something? What was the importance of that then if both of them were just going to end up with others? It does not make sense in any way. They will always prioritize each other over any other love interest and thats a given fact at this point.

2. Get Buck and Eddie together:

This is the most plausible outcome. They have already spent 4 years developing both the Buckely Diaz family unit and Buck and Eddie as partners. The Buckley Diaz family is constantly shown in relation to other families and we have seen multiple instances where Eddie is indeed coparenting with Buck. They are raising Christopher together, whether it was intended or not. They cannot just completely wipe 4 years of that development. Christopher trusts Buck on another level and goes to him when he can’t go to his own father. Eddie himself trusts Buck with his most prized possession over his own blood family. They already work seamlessly together and communicate without words. They are shown as a couple in so many instances already. So if the writers don't plan on getting them together, then what was that actual point of the will reveal? Why did they have Buck be the one standing in front of Eddie when he got shot? Why is there so much left unsaid between them? Why do they constantly worry about each other and unconditionally love each other if not for them to be together eventually? Buck and Eddie are written as soulmates, when you look at the bigger picture.

The biggest pushback from audience or even writers might be, “How do they even set up them being into men?” Well this is the perfect opportune moment for them to do it. Why? Because Eddie is in therapy battling all of his trauma. What do people do in therapy? They talk about things they have repressed for a long time. They finally open up about things they've been hesitant to do so with their own family members/friends. So this is the perfect time for Eddie to open up about his sexuality without it being so shocking to the general audience. He can speak out about the trauma he is currently going through, then slowly open the doors to things he has been scared of his entire life. Such as not being completely straight. Then that is the perfect leeway to him opening up about his feelings for his best friend and embracing that part of himself. Then all it's left is for him to talk to Buck about it and I don't think the audience would be too shocked about Buck’s own feelings about Eddie. We’ve all seen him clown his way to save Eddie, then have an epic breakdown over not being able to do so. And we have seen the man go completely catatonic when the love of his life got shot. None of those were normal things if we were looking at just a simply close friendship in my opinion. So I don’t think it's a far fetch for the audience to accept that Buck has feelings for Eddie that are not platonic in any way.

If they don't do the sexuality storyline now, then there won't be a better time for them to do it later. Eddie and Buck are not working together and there's some tension between the two. There are so many things left unsaid between them, that is just itching to get out. So they gotta talk about everything right? And in doing so, why not talk about what they feel for each other? Why not let the other know how fucking important they are and how thankful they are to just know the other is alive? Their lives are so deeply intertwined that they cannot simply untangle themselves free for other people.

Which is why I do actually believe that given Eddie is in therapy, it is the perfect opportunity for them to go the sexuality storyline. And once they do that, then we will know for a guaranteed fact that Buddie is going to be canon. There is no way Eddie comes out and doesn't realize that he's in love with Buck. They're both just so in love with each other that it would be impossible for the writers not to just have them get together. They already act like a married couple raising a kid, so what is preventing the writers from making it official? The only option is to make them go canon imo. Ultimately it comes down to the writers not expecting the crazy, intense chemistry between Oliver and Ryan and now this is the only way they can go. And imagine the fucking history it has the potential of making for the show??? Like it’ll get them many more viewers and possibly get them more seasons if they do go with this route.

3. They both stay single forever and just co-parent Christopher together:

This is not my favorite option but I can see the writers doing this. The reason being is that they know whatever love interest they introduce, won’t hold a candle to what Oliver and Ryan have with each other. So they may just have them be single and bffs, while simultaneously raising Christopher together. You know just two bros chillin and raising a child together because they ain't gay type shit lol. But I really dont think this would be the best idea because I truly do think there is so much love between the two that it'll be loss of so much potential to not have them ultimately be together. I will say I do favor this option over them ending up with others, but it makes me sad because I really do think they compliment each other so fucking well and they both just deserve to have that someone who loves them. Eddie deserves to go after someone he wants and to live a happy and free life. Buck deserves someone to choose him and stay with him, while loving who he is forever. And Christopher deserves two loving parents who will go to the ends of this earth for him. So yeah this won't make me happy but I can see the writers not taking the sexuality approach and just having them live in this weird limbo forever.

Sorry this ended up being so long but I had a lot on my mind. In the end, I still strongly believe what I always have and that is that Buck and Eddie are each other’s soulmates and will indeed get together in the end. And on that note, I want to end this with Give me Buddie, or Give me Hell writers!!!

#juju answers #anon asks #buddie #buddie meta #911 meta #this is a long one i know #but i really do think there's no other option but making buddie happen #also i wrote this once but didnt save it and lost all of my thoughts #so if this isn't eloquent im sorry im sad af #the buckle diaz family #911 spoilers #911 speculation #give me buddie or give me hell

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protect-anthony-edward-stark · 3 years

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As some people seem to not understand or distorting what Tony did in Civil War, here's a little reminder

---- Protecting people ----

Tony is presenting the September Foundation, his program to help school and give scholarships to students.

Just afterwards, a mother comes to him in the backstages to tell him that they killed her son during a battle, that she blames him and that he only fight for himself.

(And she says that to him, the one who has always done everything to protect people and not hurt anyone.)

People's safety has always been Tony's first priority. He's been trying to prevent that for years with organizations he created like Domage Control or the Stark Relief Foundation. And when he fights he always think of people first, he always evacuates places and created the Iron Legion for that too.

-- Tony is hurt, broken, that's one of the worst things you can say to him, he who already blames himself for everything.

He researches the boy and feels responsible for his death.

Then there is the Sokovia Accords. (Tony didn't create them). 117 countries have come together to ratify them. All these people agree on the same thing.

"Rhodey: A 117 countries want to sign this. 117, Sam, and you're just like, "No, that's cool. We got it."

Tony listens to the countries, listens to the people and recognizes the problem. He knows people suffers and dies because of them and he can't stand this.

He returns to the Avengers facility where Ross shows them a video of all their fights and the collateral damage.

-- He's stressed and feels so bad about it, we can see him holding the chair and his hand tightly with anxiety during the screening

He tries to make everyone understand that it's necessary to make compromises for the well-being and life of others.

He himself doesn't like Ross. We can see it in The Consultant and in some mcu comics.

But the safety of the people is more important.

It's so important for him, and he fears that the Avengers don't understand him and don't listen to him (as often).

And he's shocked when Natasha do.

---- Protecting the Avengers ----

STEVE AND BUCKY

When later Steve goes outside the law to capture Bucky, Tony is the one who keep him out of jail and protect him.

As well as to Bucky to whom he offers medical care in the United States rather than prison.

He just want to keep everyone together, united and safe.

He talk to Steve, proposes to him to modify the Accords to make them as convenient as possible for everyone. And does everything to convince him to avoid the fights (until exhauntion).

WANDA

At this moment Steve was close to signing but refused when he learned that Wanda was confined. And later Wanda accuse him of having "locked her in her room."

But first of all it was not a room but an entire facility with everything you could need in it.

"Tony: It's a 100 acres with a lap pool. It's got a screening room. There's worse ways to protect people.."

And he didn't lock her up, he did this to protect her. Not only to protect her from jail, but also to protect her from the blame that she might receive, knowing too well the pain that it could cause.

And he made sure to ask Vision to stay with her, because he noticed that she likes him.

And when the battle starts he thinks about Wanda first and he prioritized to rescue her out of this mess.

"Tony: All right, there's two of the parking deck. One of them's Maximoff. I'm gonna grab her."

PETER

He had already spotted potential in Peter before. And when he meets him, he shows interest in him, he tries to find out who he is, and if Peter is a good person, before recruiting him.

"Tony: So you wanna look out for the little guy? You wanna do your part? Make the world a better place, all that, right?"

He trust him and believes in him when no one does.

"Tony: Do you know that I was the only one who believed in you? Everyone else said I was crazy to recruit a 14-year-old kid."

Peter was already Spider-Man and Tony just gave him more protection with a new suit. He brings him into fight because he thought Captain wouldn't hurt him, and he still hoped they wouldn't have to fight at all at this moment.

+ he worries about him and asks him to stays safe.

"Peter: Hey, Mr. Stark, what should I do?" "Tony: What we discussed. Keep your distance. Web 'em up."

He watches over him and soon as something happens to him, Tony runs to him and asks him to go straight home to his aunt now.

"Tony: You did a good job. Stay down. [...] You're going home or I'll call Aunt May! You're done!"

---- Trying to stop the fights ----

Bucky managed to get away. Team Cap is officially outlawed, people have been hurt, and Tony blames himself.

He thinks it's his fault, because he didn't take his armor with him, because he was still hoping that things would just work out calmly.

Then Ross adds that if things had happened differently they are dead people who would be alive now. And he tells him that he will send his armed men to stop Steve and his team by force.

Tony is afraid that things will get worse, that the Avengers will split up, that more people will get hurt, he's afraid for his friends. He sees that what he's been trying to prevent all along is happenning.

He intervenes right away and asks Ross to go at the airport himself with Nat, hoping to still be able to change Steve's mind, to fix things, stop the fights, and protect everyone, instead of going after the TeamCap with Ross's "boys and bullets."

-- He looks exhausted and overwhelmed in this scene.

But when Natasha asks him how he is, he says that everything is fine. "Always."

He's always the one who suffers the most but he always takes everything on his shoulders and acts like he's okay. Because he doesn't want to disturb, because he's afraid to bother people with his problems and emotions. He keep everything for himself.

He goes to the airport telling himself that there is still hope. That Steve will understand that it's better to stay together as a team, as a family. That together they can face anything but that doing things on his own outside the law will only give people more reason to distrust them and see them as a threat.

He doesn't want them to have to live like this.

+ During the fight Tony is careful not to hurt anyone. He blows up things at a long distance of Clint and Wanda but never touch them. But them, they don't hesitate to dump dozens of cars on him and break his arm in the process.

At the end, Rhodey has an accident and is paralyze, and Tony blames himself again.

---- Blame for trying to protect everyone ----

So, since the beginning, all Tony has done is try to avoid collateral damage and keep everyone safe. He does everything to keep the Avengers together, help them, protect them and avoid the fights.

When Team Cap goes against the law, ignores 117 countries, and tears the team apart.

> But who does everyone blame for this (including Steve himself)? Tony.

> Ant-Man who doesn't even know him judges him right away

"Tony Stark: Who's speaking?" "Scott Lang: It's your conscience. We don't talk a lot these days."

And says that when Tony is the one who questions himself the most and blames himself for everything.

> Natasha betrays him and blames him for everything that has happened when he is the one who try everything to prevent this from happening.

"Natasha Romanoff: Are you incapable of letting go of your ego for one goddamn second?"

When he realizes what's going on, even after all that's happened, if Rhodey is paralyzed and if he has a broken arm, he wants to go help Steve. So Tony goes to the Raft, also to see how they are all doing.

Tony is not the one who created this prison, he didn't think it would look like this at all.

Tony even worries about their treatment even though we never believe him to be sincere.

"Tony: They feed you yet?" "Sam: You're the good cop now?"

-- I mean look at his face, he's hurting and he didn't want this.

But they blame him again.

"Tony: Give me a break, Barton. I had no idea they'll put you here. Come on."

> Clint blames him for putting them there when it's just the consequences of HIS choice. He has a family and children, but he himself chose to go with Team Cap, to go outside the law.

"Tony: Alright, you're all grown up, you got a wife and kids. I don't understand, why didn't you think about them before you chose the wrong side?"

"Clint: You gotta watch your back with this guy. There's a chance he's gonna break it."

And he dares to blame him for what happened to Rhodey when he knows that Tony is obviously already blaming himself.

> Steve and Sam decided not to reveal the truth to Tony in the beginning. But he still blame this on Tony.

"Tony: I was wrong." "Sam: That's a first"

(Tony has always been the first to put everything on his shoulders so I will never understand this reaction)

---- Helping Steve ----

He goes to help Steve.

-- He seems so happy to be there and that they are together again, I want to cry

When he watches Zemo's video he doesn't understand and then realizes that he is about to witness the death of his parents before his eyes.

"Tony: I know that road. What is this?"

He understands that they did not die in a car accident as he always believed but that they were murdered. And by the man standing right next to him.

But on top of that, he learns that one of his best friends whom he trusted knew the truth for years but had never told him anything.

(Who dared to blame Tony in Avengers 2 saying that he doesn't like it when his teammates hide things from him)

And even when Tony asks him to his face if he knew about it all this time, Steve tells him straight to his face that he didn't before confessing the truth to Tony.

And after destroying him psychologically, instead of simply apologizing, they attack him very, very violently. They don't hesitate to rip off his arc reactor with hatred, Steve hits him several times with such anger and is close to kill him. Tony really thinks his "friend" is going to kill him right now.

(Tony didn't want to kill them or they would be dead. + He still has power in his hands but does not use it even at the last moment.)

When Steve leaves, Tony asks him for his shield back because he is disappointed in who Steve really is. He's not the man he thought he was, he is not the man Tony has heard about all his life. It was his father who created his shield. And Steve doesn't deserve it.

And he's left alone in Siberia, with a non-functional armor.

---- Going home -----

He goes to the Avengers compound for the first time after he fought with the Steve and see it empty because everyone has now left.

Ever since he was little, everyone around him always ends up leaving, abandoning or betraying him. And he thinks it's his fault, that he doesn't deserve them to stay.

+ When he get out of the cars he has an anti-stress ball in his hand, to stop injury and stress 😭

He stays by Rhodey's side throughout his rehabilitation, worries about him, makes things to help and support him.

And Steve's "apology" letter to him is not an apology at all. I always found his way of speaking in it arrogant.

---- After -----

And even after the trauma and all the sufferings he's been through, after seeing his parents get murdered, after everything they did to him, he still create things for them, he does everything to prepare everyone for the next attack, he makes them new technologies, new shield, new armor, he takes steve's phone everywhere with him, he gets a new arc reactor..

"After everything that's happened.. How can I not feel guilty? I got distracted, didn't focus on the real threat that's coming. I'll have to figure out how I can do it alone" - (Tony in the Civil War comic)

All Tony has ever done is take care of the people around him and everywhere. He has always treated the Avengers as his family and always gives everything for others without ever receiving anything in return.

He deserves better, so much better.

---

#BringBackTonyStarktolife (petititon)

If you want to write something for Tony's birthday (here)

#tony stark #iron man #tonystark #avengers #pepperony #endgame #morgan stark #tony stark defense squad #tony stark deserves better

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cat-scarr · 3 years

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A Deconstruction of The Flame Keeper’s Circle & The Audience’s Common Complaints | Catgirl

As the title states, I’ve been reminded of a couple complaints made about this episode that stem from a large portion of the audience’s general disliking of the way both Ben and Julie were handled during the run of Ultimate Alien. In fact, I recently read a "review" of “The Flame Keeper's Circle,” or, more of a parody, actually, since a review would actually have some kind of substance to it and not just...a slew of insults thrown at a show you claim to like. It's almost like you're looking for something to be mad at, but anyway.

One of those was the OP actually asking someone to (probably joking, but anyway) explain "how Ben's mind works" to them.

And I was like, gladly!

According to the comments under the review, it seems like the general audience didn't really like this episode all that much when it first aired. Which, I bring up because, I on the other hand, actually did. And for a reason: because it proves my previous defence points right.

There's a lot of talk about Ben coming off as a “jerk” or a “douchebag”...but, in a situation such as the one presented within “The Flame Keeper’s Circle,” I would argue he did exactly what he should have done. So that's where I beg to differ.

This episode puts Ben in a position where he, once again, needs to deal with the overlap of a romantic relationship and his priorities as a superhero. The only reason there is conflict here is because they are both important to him.

A bad boyfriend would only care about himself, but Ben clearly cares about not only the safety of his (clearly, quite naive) girlfriend, but also the safety of the rest of the earth. Which, as I’m going to be stating several times, should be something expected of him considering everything else within the series that establishes who he is as a character.

So, on the topic of things that are important, ask yourselves, why would Ben prioritize going along with Julie's idea of joining a cult more than keeping her, and the rest of the world, safe when he realizes the trouble she could potentially be getting herself into?

Throughout the episode, and the fandom’s discussions from what I’ve seen, there is so much focus on "oh, he laughed at her idea so he's a douchebag and therefore a bad boyfriend" and not enough focus on the fact that he's not blindly following an alleged “good cause” because he isn't naive and that's in character based on everything we know about him as a character.

Context matters. And this kind of thing only further makes me question the people who want to cry "inconsistent" writing or characterization because he's acting the way he's been conditioned to.

Arguably from the age of ten, Ben's been dealing with situations where he needed to fight to survive and decide who to trust. Sometimes he trusted the wrong person, which wasn't done out of any other reason besides wanting to help and do the "right thing."

For example, Michael Morningstar in the episode “All That Glitters,” who fooled Ben and his team into thinking he was innocent all while abusing school girls for their life energy and almost killing Ben's cousin.

Or, Simian in “Birds of a Feather," who fooled Ben into thinking he was royalty and into helping him steal something that would aid the Highbreed in their mass murder plot.

In that way, Ben and Julie could have related in this situation because they were both trusting people in the interest of doing something “good.” Both Michael and Simian made Ben believe that they had something in common, or a common goal they could work together to reach. But, he trusted them blinded by his ambition and drive to save the world. Much like Julie is blinded by the promise of being a part of a group trying to make the world a better place.

As such, Ben has made the mistake before, so he's extra weary of how things could go very wrong. He's not against his girlfriend just to be a “jerk” - he's been through things like this before, and we’ve seen him go through those things.

Furthermore, the situation in which Julie is trusting The Flame Keeper’s Circle involves her indirectly agreeing to work with Vilgax. Who, as anyone familiar with Ben should know, is one of if not Ben’s biggest, and more importantly, most dangerous enemy.

Again, she, at the beginning didn’t know that he was involved, or what Ben had gone through already to make him act the way he does in this situation, but she does know what his job entails at this point in the series. She should probably infer that he’s suspicious for a good reason, as should the audience.

Not trusting people blindly is something he learned from being the leader of his team, while trying to protect the earth, namely from the Highbreed invasion back in Alien Force when he was putting together a stronger team. It would only make sense for him to then apply that to a situation in which his significant other gets roped into that which he fights against.

Speaking of fighting against, that brings me to another odd criticism of the writing of this episode. It’s no surprise that the flawed belief of Ben coming off as an alleged “sociopath” is brought up again, considering this episode takes place after The Ultimate Kevin arc. And yes, I realize the problematic connotations of using that term as a borderline insult as part of the issue here. But that aside, in this episode, the fact that he begins to fight Vilgax in his apparent “weakened” state is what is being attributed to that description.

Besides the fact that defending Vilgax is questionable in itself, he’s never needed water to survive for the many times he actually tried to kill Ben. I can’t find a solid answer from a writer that knows for certain if his need for water is genuine except for one who is only assuming that is the case when he’s in this state.

But regardless, (since he clearly survived long enough to morph with Dagon and become a bigger threat to the earth later on) we are still defending Vilgax the LITERAL INTERGALACTIC WARLORD.

Y’know, the guy who’s only in this position because of his own immoral actions? Who absolutely would not hesitate to take advantage of his opponent's weakened state in order to further get away with his immoral actions? Such as he is in this very episode, taking advantage of the people wrongfully worshiping him?

If we are trying to imply that Ben is “just as bad as Vilgax,” then I would assume you’d easily find the flaw in that being Ben’s motivation for incapacitating a dangerous offender who is, at the moment, manipulating naive humans to work for him and help him continue get away with his immoral actions. Which is, needless to say, not the same as Vilgax, at all.

Again, you’d think that’d be obvious.

The Flame Keeper’s Circle’s mission is to end human suffering and find a solution to certain issues happening across the globe with the help of alien technology that is much more advanced than what everyday people are used to. And, while the end goal seems like a good cause, even something Ben as a superhero would be all for, the means through which they attempt to get there aren’t a good idea, at all.

A lot of people find it hard to navigate the use of technology considered advanced by human standards in the real world, so you can only imagine the various things that could go wrong if those kinds of people were suddenly exposed to something much more powerful. In short, a lot could go wrong.

Again, Ben has been in that exact position as soon as he was armed with the Omnitrix. Which is exactly why he’d see the flaw in what these people are trying to do, and therefore not be convinced that it’s such a good idea to allow them to continue, much less endorse it.

This is why I love when the writers actually allow Ben to speak for himself instead of cutting him off for drama or plot. Once he actually gets a word in, or more accurately, has his moment of heroic monologue, he makes himself very clear and, I think, only further proves what I’m trying to say about him.

Here he is, explaining exactly what I’ve been trying to highlight throughout this body of work:

Ben: “Even if Dagon was real, using alien technology to accelerate a planet’s natural development won’t bring utopia, it’ll bring disaster. It’s happened before. Why do you think the Plumbers have those laws? But even that’s not the point, because that isn’t Dagon! His name is Vilgax. He’s not a hero, he’s a selfish, evil warlord who’s using you. And if you let him get in his ship, he’s going to fly off and start an interstellar civil war.”

It’s not that only he can use alien technology to save the world, it’s that his status as a hero proves that he knows what he’s doing, unlike these businessmen in fancy robes leading a cult for profit.

That is not what I would have assumed reasonable people would consider “douchebag behaviour.” That’s actually smart, and going back to my first point, exactly what he should be doing in a situation like this.

The actual episode does end off on a positive note for both Ben and Julie, which is omitted from the review and most of the comments I have read from others on the topic. And, I bring it up because it’s actually vital to wrap up everything brought up within this episode that I have just expanded on. Not only because they make up and seem to understand each other’s perspective after all is said and done, but because they both agree to be open to further discussion on the topic, as Ben offers to go out for dinner.

Which, needless to point out I hope, but once again, is not “douchebag behaviour.”

#new essay to make up for all the drama lately #enjoy ben 10 protection squad <3 #ben 10 #ben tennyson #ben 10 ultimate alien #the flame keeper's circle #benlie #julie yamamoto #ben 10 uaf #essay files #and yes new essay title format cuz reasons :P

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