#it was either lie and suffer but get to keep her in his life most likely or tell her the truth and potentially lose her and still suffer

[chirpsythismorning]

Can we talk about how Jonathan might've been able to clock Mike simply because of what happened with him and Nancy in season two?

This will be a long post, so you might want to strap in or save it for later.

In Will and Mike's case, it would obviously be much different from Jonathan and Nancy's situation, given that you know, they're gay. But we still have Jonathan arguably going through a similar experience as Will, while Mike is going through a similar experience as Nancy.

In s2, we see Nancy confront Jonathan about how she waited for him before getting back with Steve, which is a revelation to him. Then they're at Murray's and she's struggling to say she loves Steve, after a handful of moments between them that felt like she might return Jonathan’s feelings. And you can clearly see it in his eyes, listening to Murray imply that they have feelings for each other, with him looking back and forth sort of in awe of what's happening, like he's starting to question if she might actually like him back.

Will doesn't have that same affordance as Jonathan to really hope, at least not anymore. Which is why these relationships in s2 and s4 end differently for these two brothers.

Based on all the signs he was seeing that Nancy felt the same, Jonathan decided to take the plunge to admit to Nancy how he felt, and at that same moment Nancy had the courage to show how she felt. In Will and Mike's case, Will wasn't ready to take the plunge to admit to Mike how he felt, at the same moment Mike didn't have the courage to show how he felt.

What's so painfully hilarious to me about all of this though, is that Jonathan arguably starts the season in the same shoes as most of the audience, where from his perspective, it's becoming obvious to him now that Will like's Mike, but that Mike does not feel the same way.

First at Rink-O-Mania, Mike appears a little uncomfortable upon hugging Will. Then as the happy couple continues on their adventure into Rink-O-Mania, he watches Will lagging behind moping. And then unfortunately he's out of commission for the rest of the evening...

But once he's sober and back to being an attentive brother the following morning, we see him watching them at breakfast, with Mike barely sparing Will a glance, all while Will is blatantly staring, almost like he's waiting for Mike to look back, only for Mike to get up and walk away.

All of these instances gotta be SCREAMING unrequited gay love to Jonathan. He's already gotten signs for years that Will is gay, these are now just the signs that are instilling his suspicions that Will has feelings for Mike. He could have easily interpreted their relationship in the early seasons as young best friends, with Will seeming to have a crush on Mike, and with them growing up and that potentially including Will's straight friend distancing himself from him because he doesn't feel the same. It's not the most unexpected thing in the world considering.

But then there's a shift.

Suddenly he's creeping up on them talking in his room. And we know he was listening in on the conversation because he brings up Owens when he sits down. As he's eavesdropping, he's probably thinking something innocent like Aww they're making up! And like, hey! Even if Mike doesn't feel the same, which is okay and entirely expected honestly, at least he still cares about Will enough to make things right after acting so out of character. Still, I'm not gonna lie, that sounded a lot like flirting to me--

Then he's knocking on Will's door like 30 minutes or less later only to find Mike and Will back on their bullshit. Mike suddenly isn't going out of his way to ignore or put Will on the back burner. In fact, he's on his bed and they're talking, again! The door is even closed this time, which is interesting. This has gotta be a good sign in Jon's eyes. Nothing to worry about! Right? Right...?

But then suddenly this shift continues, going in a direction he probably didn't expect.

I mean, this is literally an identical jancy parallel we have here with byler on the hood of the car, with Jonathan right there to witness it. Despite him maybe only now subconsciously picking up on the similarities between Will and Mike to him and Nancy here, he's at least taking note (I mean he's even got his gay map out and everything).

It isn't until the van scene happens, that I think Jonathan starts to genuinely consider his suspicions, which is that Mike might actually like Will back.

EVERY time we get a shot of Jonathan looking back at Will and Mike in the van, followed by a shot of his POV from the rearview mirror, we're faced with Mike looking at Will while Will is looking away.

As Jonathan is hearing Will confirm his suspicions about his feelings for Mike, he's simultaneously witnessing Mike not looking at Will with disgust, but something more akin to reverence. All of those moments in the van that we witnessed, including all the ways Mike looked at Will and everything that was said, Jonathan was right there.

And what's even more insane about this scene, is that it circles back to Jonathan as a character himself.

I remember when people were talking about how odd it was that we never saw Jonathan with a camera in s4. After 3 seasons in a row of making his passion for photography a big part of his identity, that part of him was apparently absent entirely this time around... But was it really?

This is the same guy that said, "Sometimes, people don't really say what they're really thinking. But you capture the right moment, it says more."

Jonathan might not have had his camera in s4, but this was without a doubt one of those moments where he captured something more.

Something that I also think get's highly overlooked about this scene, especially when it comes to Jonathan looking back at them, being followed by a shot of Mike staring at Will, is that he could see both of their reactions the whole time, from beginning to end. Will nor the audience had the affordance of knowing because Will was facing the other way at the end, while we on the other-hand were blurred from even having the chance, despite Mike literally being in the frame. But not Jonathan. He even lets us see what he sees, a few times, but not at the very end, which would have been nice after they didn't let us see Mike's reaction seconds before this.

Let's just stop right there for a second though and circle back to what I consider to be the first time Jonathan really picked up on Will's feelings for Mike, which was at the end of s3, in a sequence that is a little too relevant to the van scene if you ask me, given that they are almost direct parallels.

While these parallels are pretty spot on visually, they are also near spot on narratively when it comes to the evolution each of these characters are experiencing.

For Will in the first scene, it's sadness that he's moving away from his friends in Hawkins and also feeling like he's losing Mike, after what looks like him and El making up, which makes him scared he'll distance himself again. For Jonathan, it's sympathy for his brother who appears to have some very deep feelings for his friend, feelings he can't quite grasp yet but soon enough will.

For Will in the second scene, it's heartbreak that he has to accept that Mike will never feel the same, knowing that supporting his relationship with El (encouraging it honestly) will likely turn out just as it did last time, with him losing Mike all over again, for the last time. For Jonathan it's sympathy for his brother who has now confirmed his suspicions that the feelings he has for Mike are more than just that of a friend.

Given that this parallel reinforces the same feelings Will and Jonathan had in s3 to now, why would this not also reinforce those same feelings that Mike had in s3 to now?

In the first scene, Mike was visibly distraught, with dialogue from Hopper in the background applying a little too perfectly with what he was feeling in that moment, which was scared. He’s apparently back together with El now, despite them doing just fine as friends for the last 3 months, as well as him and Will just having finally gone back to them being on good terms again. But now, it’s like he’s right back where he started at the beginning of s3, feeling obligated to be the perfect boyfriend to El, and as a result, having no choice in his eyes but to distance himself from Will. Mike then walks into his house looking like a zombie, almost emotionless stepping into his mother's embrace.

Now, I say almost emotionless because it looks like Mike was trying to hold back showing how he truly felt in this moment. He's not crying like he did in s1 when he lost Will that first time. Time has passed and things have changed (he doesn't want things to change). And he's trying his best to keep it together. But the in-focus close-ups make it clear that he is definitely not okay.

What's so impactful about these parallels is that it presents the inner struggle both of these characters are having, both queer and experiencing doubts, but in different ways and for different reasons.

Will is the one who covers it all up with lies, hiding the tears in his eyes, because boys don't cry.

Mike is the one who has never cried to them, just to his soul (RUN AWAY! TURN AWAY! RUN AWAY! TURN AWAY! RUN AWAY!!!).

If you actually try to get a gage on Mike's in-focus emotions in that first scene vs. his out-of-focus emotions in that second scene, well they're not that far off from each other.

We go from Mike smiling vibrantly at Will, to him now slowly turning away to look back down at the painting, with whatever the hell emotion this is...

It's near impossible to catch because of how out-of-focus it is, but looking a lot closer, it honestly appears like Mike is feeling something akin to sadness that he's trying to mask. For a moment it even looks like he turns his head to wince emotionally, only to correct himself.

And call me crazy, but these shots also low-key parallel each other. Mike looking down trying to keep his emotions in check and failing miserably, only to look up and meet eyes with someone whose witnessing it.

With each shot before this of Jonathan observing Mike looking at Will, with him showing all the emotions Will never got to see and everything else in between, I wonder what Jon saw this time? Probably another thing he didn't expect.

Can you just try to imagine the silence in this van, accompanied by Will's muffled sobs, and then try to imagine Mike turning to look down at the painting, only to sneak a glance, and then go right back to looking at the painting, IN SILENCE, and then try to tell me how the assumption that Mike didn’t notice Will crying makes any sense, like realistically?

Yeah me and Jonathan are confused too.

Right now, Jonathan's probably wondering why Mike was acting a little fruity and repressed during the painting reveal. And that although he may have a penchant for being able to 'capture the right moment', Mike is sticking with his story (despite all the stalling and doubt). He is 100% straight!

And so maybe this is where Jonathan tries to accept what is being presented to him as the truth, despite the contradictions in front of him. It's likely that despite the way Mike looks at Will and acts around him, in ways he would have assumed coming from Nancy in s2 would've been evidence that she felt the same, it probably doesn't apply to Mike.

Maybe Jonathan's ready to accept that it's a lot more likely Will is experiencing unrequited love as a gay kid growing up in a small town, the most predictable experience a gay kid could go through, and in contrast Mike just feels too bad to let Will down easy.

Or who knows, maybe Mike could still be a little bit gay too...

But it doesn't matter anyways. Mike seems to be adamant about this and so there's really nothing else Jonathan can he do besides tell his brother he'll be there for him no matter what. And so he does just that.

But then Mike just has to surprise him one last time.

For those that don't know, the line Mike gives here in his monologue was in part pulled from Will's monologue in the van. Most don't know this because this line didn't make the final cut for the van scene, but in the official script the writers posted, what we find is an almost a direct parallel.

Which makes the reaction shots of Will and Jonathan directly after Mike says this all the more epic.

From Will's end he was probably hearing Mike say this and just thinking 'Damn. Well, that's what you get for using your feelings to inspire Mike to profess his love to El.'

But from Jonathan's end, I don't think his outside POV of these events overlapping was nearly as naive as his brothers understanding of the events. Because why the fuck would Mike need to use Will's feelings to inspire him to profess his love to El in the first place? Is this what Mike has been struggling with? Really? Why before every moment Mike takes action in this scene, is Will's hand literally pushing him into it? Why is Mike being so dramatic about saying I love you, stuttering and rambling about her being a superhero, not saying nearly as meaningful of things as what Will said in the van?

And then it hits him.

Mike is reminding him a little too much of another Wheeler right now...

Nancy Wheeler, who was afraid of what would happen if she accepted herself for who she really was, leading her to retreat back to the safety of Steve. Because Nancy liked Steve, but she didn't love Steve.

And now here is Mike Wheeler, who has went from being incredibly distant with Will after reuniting with El, something that is very unlike the Mike he knew in previous seasons, to something more himself again after they make up, with him looking at Will with adoration after hearing his words in the van, only to turn away and look heartbroken. Mike who is now struggling to simply tell El he loves her with Will right behind him literally yelling at him to do it.

And now it's like all those little moments are starting to add up to Jonathan.

Suddenly all those signs he picked up on from Will when he was younger are now blending in with moments Will shared with Mike. It was Mike who jumped in after him and his mom's speech to Will in the shed in s2, with tears in his eyes recalling the day that they met (without being asked, let alone pushed to). And it's Mike who is now looking like he's at war with himself as he attempts to give encouragement to El, just like he did with Will in s2, but this time he needs someone to push him to do it, and that person just so happens to be Will. After just finding out about Will's feelings and also while assuming El wants him to love her that way still, Mike is stuck.

I don't think it's takes a genius to consider Jonathan is capable of realizing how fucked they all are in this situation.

As much as Mike isn't ready for a sleuth of reasons, Will isn't ready either.

This provides a huge contrast between the bylers ², because while Jonathan and Nancy went through a similar experience to Will and Mike, them being ready to accept it and act on it didn't involve nearly as many factors and risks. Will and Mike also have the added barrier that is homophobia.

Will's internalized homophobia lies in part with assuming Mike could never feel the same based on some of the words he said in their last two fights, with parts being painfully reminiscent of the things his dad and bullies used to say about him. These are also words that contradict Mike's own words and actions from the previous seasons, things that did once give Will hope. The shame and guilt that comes with falling for your best friend, who you now know will never feel the same after being foolish enough to believe it not too long ago, and who might not even want to be your friend anymore upon finding out the truth, is understandable. He can't have hope like Jonathan can. It's just not the same.

Mike's internalized homophobia lies with assuming El wants him to love her, along with their relationship being expected and socially acceptable from everyone around him. Though unfortunately for her he feels abundantly more in love in the moments he shares with Will. Despite trying to make it work with El as hard as he could, because she's amazing and all any guy could hope for in a girlfriend, he can't ignore the fact that the feelings he has for these two people are different. The shame and guilt that comes with you, a boy, falling for your best friend, who is also a boy, and who is starting to show that he feels the same, all while you can't muster up the courage to break up with your girlfriend, nor can you muster up the courage to tell her that you love her, not when she's begging you, dying or even just simply at the end of a letter, is pretty understandable too. He can't have hope like Nancy can. It's just not the same.

Spoiler: They were not ready.

PS: I'm still not over the fact that they low-key confirmed these events elsewhere in the story...

#byler #st analysis #pocketgate #lettergate #i'm aware this is a hot (big brain) take #but i'm like 76% sure mike understood will in the van scene #also why mike is gonna finally be dealing with some personal business in s5... #just want to add that this makes the scene at Nina hit harder #also #mike trying and failing to tell el he loves her or break up with her at surfer boy and stalling because he just can't fucking do either? #mike's face when will pushes him to profess his love to el right in front of him??? #honestly i dont think mike would've gone through with his monologue if he didn't think this is what el wanted in large part #i think he thought that if he did break up with her she wouldn't need him at all anymore #or more specifically if told her the truth she might hate him for it and just not want to be in his life in the aftermath of that #this is why he struggled so much with being honest #it was either lie and suffer but get to keep her in his life most likely or tell her the truth and potentially lose her and still suffer #it's just that now he has literally no choice but to conform and be with her all while knowing it's not what his heart truly wants #the heart not being true to himself jumpstarted the apocalypse #everyone act surprised #byler getting jonathan’d in s5 can be something so personal #no but imagine jon getting even more signals mike feels the same 😭 #and he tries to talk to will about it but will just gets upset like pls stop why are you saying this? #or imagine him talking about it subtly with Nancy and her being like no way #only to see it for herself #maybe then Nancy would try to talk to Mike about how he’s feeling #idk I could genuinely see byler just getting byler’d individually #but it’s clear at this point Jonathan is extremely suspicious #honestly all I think it would take is him having intel about their previous fights #if he found out mike defended his behavior by insisting that they’re friends… #jonathan would just be like… oh shit.. the first lie…

[burgundybmw]

Fast Times at Family Video

Pairing: Robin Buckley x Fem!Reader

Word Count: 3,112

Warnings: Brief mention of period typical homophobia (not directed at Robin, this is very fluffy!)

Summary: There's this girl that comes in once a week to rent Fast Times at Ridgemont High. She always peruses the shelves, sometimes grabbing other films, but Fast Times is always in the stack.

In other words, Robin has a crush, Steve plays wingman, and the pretty girl in the fruit themed sundresses might pick up something more than a cheesy high school movie.

Author's Note: Sorry to Vickie, but it had to be done.

Part Two: Lemonheads

Despite it being early March, a sudden heat wave has spread its iron grip over the town of Hawkins, Indiana. The AC inside the Family Video is on its last leg, and both Robin and Steve are counting down the seconds until their shift ends. It's Sunday, and barely any customers have come in. It looks like the video store is gonna be deserted for the rest of the evening. But, Robin is patiently waiting for someone. Someone who always comes in on Sunday, every week like clockwork.

"I think it's going to be kiwi this time." Steve announces from one of the isles, slowly stacking the shelves to kill time.

"What?" She had no idea how long Steve had been talking to her, too preoccupied with staring at the front door. It's only three hours till closing time, so it's too early to be worried she wont show up. But she usually comes in the mornings, her She-Ra thermos in hand. Always tea, never coffee. Robin has spent way too much time trying to read the impossibly small font on the tag each times she comes in. On the rare occasion she makes an afternoon visit, it's usually a can of soda in her hand. Pepsi, never Coke.

"Kiwi, I think she's gonna be in a Kiwi get up this time." He responds for a second time.

"Who are you talking about?" Steve rolls his eyes and lazily walks towards the front desk, clearly fed up with Robin's lack of attention on him.

"As if you don't know, you've been staring at the front door for the past 30 minutes. I think you've blinked only 7 times, you're gonna need eye drops if you keep that up." Robin rolls her eyes, noticing they were dryer than usual. She'd never admit Steve was right though. Suffering with dry eyes it is.

"I have not be staring-"

"Yes you have don't lie. You and I both know that Y/N comes in every Sunday in her fruit salad dress to rent Fast Times at Ridgemont High. You stare at her like a weirdo-"

"Hey!"

"Don't interrupt." Robin huffs, not liking the taste of her own medicine she gave Steve back at Scoops Ahoy. "Anyway, you stare at her like some weirdo and then she comes by to check out, you either A: don't say a word and let this awkward silence drag on or B: you have word vomit and talk the girls ear off."

"What does that have anything to do with Kiwis?" She doesn't give Steve enough credit sometimes, how much he notices. Robin spent most of her youth doing everything within her power to not be too noticed. Popular enough to not be lonely, isolated enough to not draw attention to herself. It's a careful balance that she has crafted over the years, and Steve always manages to throw a wrench into things in her life.

"That's what I'm guessing she's gonna come in with this week. Last week you went on and on over her strawberry sundress, and the week before it was lemon, and before that it was blueberry-"

"Fruit salad dresses. Yes. Got it. Noted." She barks out, cheeks growing uncomfortably red.

"Yea and she always matches it with a necklace-"

"Earrings. She matches the earrings not necklace."

"Earrings, whatever. Quite honestly I don't understand how one person can have so much fruity themed attire... unless-" She knows where this is going, and doesn't like it at all.

"Don't even start Steve." Robin walks to the backroom, not wanting to listen to his theories anymore. Keith left some paperwork they've been procrastinating on. No better time than the present to get it done.

"Maybe she's more into cherries than bananas, or likes both cherries and bananas. I know for a fact she likes cherries, no girl who rents Fast Times at Ridgemont High every week and returns it at 53 minutes and 5 seconds doesn't like cherries!" Steve quickly follows behind Robin, abandoning the front desk all together.

"What are you even talking about Steve? Cherries?"

"It's code Robin. Cherries are boobies"

"Ugh don't say boobies." Robin rolls her eyes, grabbing paperwork from the back and walking towards the front desk. A much needed distraction from Steve.

"But it's true! You like boobies, I like boobies, Y/N likes boobies!"

"Y/N does NOT like boobies Steve. You're out of your mind." Robin is reshuffling the same stack of paper over and over again. Trying to look busy, maybe Steve will drop it now. She can't focus on updating inventory if he's talking her ear off.

"Ugh yea, she does. The pause times don't lie Robin. I don't know why you don't just ask her out." Robin knows he means well, but he just doesn't understand. If it wasn't for that Russian truth serum she never would have told Steve that she was gay, especially after he admitted his crush on her. She was lucky that Steve is such a great guy, because if he were anybody else, she could have been outed to all of Hawkins. Being gay in Indiana is not all sunshine and rainbows, and her life would be living hell if anybody knew. If she asked Y/N out, best case scenario she turns her down gently, and keeps her secret. Worst case, Y/N tells everyone and Robin waltzes into Hawkins High with carpet muncher spray painted over her locker.

There were rumors that Terry Johnson, a senior when Robin was a freshman, was gay. Apparently she was caught with some cashier girl behind the gas station near the outskirts of town. Everyday her locker was covered with sharpie, a variety of slurs and graphic depictions of genitals graffitied the space. She ended up dropping out of school and getting her GED, couldn't handle constantly getting harassed by all the Reaganites of Hawkins. Robin couldn't live with that, she can't take the risk.

"No Steve, I will not ask her out"

“But,”

“Drop it Steve.” She knew he was frustrated with her. To him asking out a girl is no big deal, if she says no then he only has a bruised ego to heal. If Robin asks the wrong girl out, she could have bruises more painful than that.

Steve paced around the store, clearly not wanting to drop the conversation. He sighed and slowly dragged himself behind the front desk, wrapping his arm around Robin's shoulder for comfort.

“Look Robin I’m sorry. I’ll let it go, but can you really blame me? I just want my best friend to be happy that’s all.” Robin leaned against his collar bone, allowing herself to sink into him. Despite all of the trauma from last summer, she couldn’t imagine her life without him. It was nice to have at least one person she didn’t have to hide herself from.

The two stayed like that for a moment, before the chime of the front door bell rang. Steve quickly removed his arm from Robin, but not before the girl at the door saw how close they were. Y/N L/N was standing there, in a short white dress with small cherries patterned throughout. She had large cherry earrings on, and some sparkly clips in her hair. Her pouty lips painted red, and blunt nails manicured with bright green nail polish. She had a contemplative look on her face, eyebrows furrowed and eyes quickly switching focus between Steve and Robin.

"Are you guys busy?" Y/N asked, arms crossed against her chest, she gave a pointed to look to Steve before shifting to a shy smile to Robin.

"Not at all, Welcome to Family Video, my name's Steve. How can I help you today?" The rehearsed lines flowing easily out like muscle memory.

"I'm alright, just looking around for now." Y/N headed to the Comedy section of the store, not so subtly eyeing Steve and Robin together. Once she was out of earshot Steve turned to Robin, a big cheesy smile on his face.

"Y/N likes cherries."

"No shit, she's wearing a cherry dress." Steve was shaking his head, hair flopping around like an over excited golden retriever.

"No, Y/N likes cherries." Steve winked. Robin rolled her eyes, not this again.

"Steve-"

"No listen. Did you see the look on her face? She was jealous!" Robin scoffed, but her heart started to beat a bit faster in her chest.

"If she was jealous, and I'm not saying she was, it was probably about you." She really wished he would just drop it, let her yearn in silence. She didn't want to hope he could be right. Hope was a dangerous thing.

"No Robs. She wasn't jealous of you, she was jealous of me. You didn't see the stink eye she gave me?"

"You're imagining things."

"And you're in denial, smooth sailing the S.S. Robin to Cabo."

"Cabo?" Robin asked, not sure where he was going with this.

"The city in Egypt? You know the Nile River? Denial, The Nile?"

"That's Cairo, dingus" Steve rolled his eyes. Steve scoffed, he graduated from high school already, didn't need a geography lesson. He suddenly jumped over the counter, eyes alight like he was about to charge into battle.

"You know what, I'm gonna prove it to you!" Steve jogged over to where Y/N was, giving Robin a thumbs up as he left.

"Steve! Steve! Shit." He either didn't hear her or just completely ignored Robin's protests. With Steve it could go either way. Robin pretended to reorganize the stack of paper as she looked at Steve talking to Y/N. She couldn't hear what they were talking about, but by Steve's body language she could tell he was laying it on thick. Robin was gonna kill him. She began furiously shuffling the paperwork, not paying attention to her surroundings. She didn't notice that someone had walked to the front of the desk.

"Um, excuse me?" Robin whipped her head up and promptly dropped the stack she was holding. One of the papers slicing into her pointer finger.

"Ow, god I hate paper cuts." Blood started to pool at the top of her finger, pain radiating down the length of it. Robin may have fought inter-dimensional monsters last summer, but paper cuts were her one true enemy.

"Oh no! Are you okay?" Y/N asked in concern, her cherry lips pulled into a frown.

"Me? Oh yea I'm good. Totally fine. It's just a small cut. I don't have like, sickle cell anemia or anything. So I won't like, bleed to death because my blood can't coagulate. My blood coagulates just right. My pediatrician says I have excellent blood pressure." Y/N giggled at Robin's rambling, and she just begged her mouth to just. stop. talking.

"Would you like a bandaid?" Y/N asked, eyes glittering under the fluorescent lights. She was so nice, and pretty, and Robin was just standing there bumbling like a fool.

"Um, yea, if you have one to spare, I guess." Y/N nodded and started searching her wicker bag. Robin saw Steve waving his arms at the corner her eye. She turned her head to look at him to see him mouthing something.

"What?" Robin couldn't understand what he was saying.

"She. Wants. Nothing. To. Do. With. Me." He says, as if that's any indicator that Y/N bats for the same team. His game wasn't as good as it used to be when he wore the title of King Steve.

"So?" Steves eyes were bugging out of his head. Like him and Robin were speaking two different languages.

"Found one! Some cleaning spray too" Y/N cheered and Robin turned back to face her. "May I?" Robin nodded, her mouth deciding to finally listen to her brain and shut up. Y/N smiled and sprayed some disinfectant on the cut, then opened up the bandage to wrap around her finger.

"There you go! All better... Ya know my mom always said that kissing a paper cut makes you heal faster, maybe you can ask your boyfriend to do that?" Robin couldn't understand the look on Y/N's face. Like she was searching for something.

"Boyfriend? Me? Ha! No. No boyfriend for me. Noooope." Y/N smiled then, pleased with her answer.

"So you're not with that Steve guy?" Robin laughed, if she got a dollar for every time someone thought she was dating Steve she could finally afford to buy a new bike.

"No, we're friends. Totally platonic, with a capital P!" Y/N's smile got bigger and Robin was totally not dying a bit inside. Totally.

"Cool um, can you check me out? I mean, check these out. The movies, not me. You know what I mean." Y/N stammered out.

"Yeah, uh can do." Steve was hiding behind a cutout of Molly Ringwald, silently begging Robin to keep the conversation going.

"Fast times?" Robin asked, noticing the movie was on the top of stack as usual.

"Ugh yea it's my favorite I rent it all the time."

"Every Sunday!" Robin blurted out, instantly regretting it. It sounded less creepy in her head.

"What?" Y/N's head tilted to the side, and Robin wished the mind flayer would come back and go all Invasion of the Body Snatchers on her. At least then she might have some cool left in her.

"Ugh, Sunday. You come in every Sunday to rent it. I ugh, noticed it. Um, you never finish it all the way through though. It's always stopped at 53 minutes and 5 seconds when you bring it in. Did you not like the ending? I do that sometimes. With movies. I always stop the Rocky Horror Picture show right before Dr. Frank N. Furter gets shot with the laser gun. He was my favorite character, and there's only so many times you can watch your favorite character die before you get sick of it. Shit, I totally just spoiled the ending for you didn't I!" Robin was drowning, she could feel the pressure in her chest. She was absolutely blowing it. Now Y/N probably thinks she's a loser. She's definitely never coming back to Family Video again.

To Robin's major surprise, Y/N laughed. It wasn't the I'm totally making fun of you right now kind of laugh, it was a genuine laugh, like she thinks Robin is actually funny.

"No worries, I've seen Rocky Horror. Funny enough, I actually play Janet Weiss at the live show every Halloween." Robin was flabbergasted. She's been to that show before, but she didn't recognize her.

"Really? I've seen it, last Halloween actually. I had no clue that was you." Y/N giggled, twirling the strap of her bag around her finger.

"Yea, you probably wouldn't recognize me with the wig and makeup I have to put on. Did you like the performance?" Robin did like the performance. A lot.

"Yea you were excellent! Definitely deserved a Tony for Touch-A Touch-A Touch-A Touch Me." Y/N ducked her head down for a moment, covering her face with her hand. Robin hoped she didn't embarrass her, she really meant it. That performance alone was the highlight of her Halloween, for a number of reasons.

When Y/N looked up again, her smile was gone. A nervous look replacing it on her face, Robin couldn't help but miss it.

"I know this might be weird, but I ugh, was wondering if you wanted to hang out sometime, maybe? Pretty in Pink is showing at the theatre, and I don't know about you but I'm a big fan of Molly Ringwald. I really liked her in Sixteen Candles... almost as much as I like Phoebe Cates..." Y/N wasn't making eye contact now, the graceful twirling of her purse strap replaced with an iron tight grip. Robin was speechless. Holy shit Steve might have actually been right.

The silence was stretching for too long, she knew that. But Robin couldn't move a muscle, her mind racing with all of the possibilities this could lead.

"You know what, um, forget I said anything haha. I think I totally read this wrong..."

"Nope! You didn't! Not at all! She'd love to go! Wouldn't you Robin?" Steve rushed over, knocking over the Molly Ringwald cutout he was hiding behind.

"What?" Robin finally spoke. Her brain deciding to function normally again.

"You. Y/N. Pretty in Pink. Does Friday work for you? Robin has off that day." Steve suggested. She didn't have off that day, but with the amount of times she's had to cover for Steve for his dates, it looks like he's finally paying her back for it.

"Ugh yea, Friday is perfect. Um is that okay with you?" Y/N speaking to Robin now, her pearly smile finally finding its way back.

"Yes! Yes Friday! Friday is great! I um, don't have a car or even a license so I would have to ride my bike there. I don't think it'll rain, if it does I can just bring a jacket or-"

"I can pick you up?" This couldn't be happening. Any second now Robin's alarm was gonna go off and she'd wake up from whatever dream she was in.

"Yea. If it's no trouble..."

"It's no trouble at all! Um, do you have a pen?" Robin raced over to the register, knocking over the pen case that permanently had its place there. She handed Y/N the red marker they used for documenting fees.

"Thank you, may I?" She held out her hand and Robin placed her palm in hers, hoping it wasn't too clammy. Y/N hands were soft, she probably has some fancy hand cream she uses all of the time. No ones hands are naturally that soft. Y/N flipped over Robins wrist and pulled up her sleeve, giving her space to write. Steve grabbed the stack of films Y/N had left, finally cashing her out.

"This is my phone number, I have my own line so you don't have to worry about asking for me. Call me when you get out so I can have your address." She finished the final digit and added a little heart on the end.

"Here are your movies, that'll be $9.50 today." Steve handed Y/N the plastic bag as she searched for her wallet.

"Yea, will do. I'll um- I'll see you on Friday?" Robin stuttered out. Steve handed Y/N her change, and as she walked away she back turned to the two of them, cherry dress twirling around her figure.

"It's a date." The chimes of the front door rang as she walked out, bag in hand and a pep to her step.

"Y/N likes cherries." Steve said, in an i-told-you-so kind of way. Robin laughed, allowing him the win.

"Y/N likes cherries."

A/N 2: If you guys liked this I'll make a part two! As always let me know if you wanna be tagged in any fics. I'm writing for Eddie, Robin, and Steve currently. Will probably add Nancy at some point.

#robin buckley x reader #robin buckley x you #robin buckley x y/n #robin buckley x fem!reader #robin buckley x female reader #robin buckley #stranger things #stranger things s4 #stranger things fanficton #stranger things fanfic #robin buckley fanfic #robin buckley fanfiction #robin buckley fluff

[slocumjoe]

how you can tell if the companions really love someone (platonically or romantically)

Cait; Does she touch and let herself be touched casually? Given her history, it's a cold day in hell if she allows anyone to get even close enough to touch her. Arms length and then some, and all that. But if Cait trusts someone, cares about them, knows they care about her...it's not likely to be noticed if you're not incredibly perceptive, but you'll find Cait staying closer to the person. She'll poke them, bump them with her hand to get their attention. Ruffle their hair, lean on them like a shelf if they're shorter/sitting down. And she won't jump or cuss or panic if they do the same to her. It's a very small thing, but to Cait, it's everything.

Codsworth; complains. He's a butler bot. It's against conduct, his programming, the nature of his existence, to so much as huff. And Codsworth, himself, just doesn't want to make people feel like they're burdening him, that's not it at all. It's just...look at his life. Look at his flower beds. Look at the people around him. He's kind of a nervous wreck. Codsworth takes care of as much as he can, and he enjoys doing so, but good god. Sometimes you just need to be a little bit bitchy and make horrible jokes to someone in private. Someone he can trust to both keep it in confidence and tell him if he's being unworthy or if he's totally correct...that's someone Codsworth cherishes.

Curie; loves most everyone, really. She doesn't have a hateful, angry bone in her body. But if Curie really, really cares about someone...similar to Codsworth, she vents. She vents about her time in the Vault, seeing the world for the first time, about seeing the world in a human form. She vents about her patients, their difficulties or her failures to keep them alive. To Curie, negative emotions are physically painful in a way she is not equipped to handle. She's a Ms. Nanny, up there. She's not supposed to have a heart that can ache. Letting herself experience suffering in someone's presence is the same as letting them root around her engine or jets or her optical stalks; she's trusting them with her wellbeing. Curie is a doctor, a scientist. In either body, she feels she's best equipped to perform maintenance on herself, as she did in the Vault. Being trusted with that is nothing to sneeze at.

Danse; It's like he's a completely different person. This will never be seen in public, only the people he's really close with will see it. The soldier's demeanor drops, and Danse relaxes. It's a visible change. Eyes soften, the semi-scowl melts away, his shoulders and jaw loosen. He talks more about less important things. He'll even ramble about something if he's well-informed and passionate about it. He makes more jokes, though they're so dry you might not notice. Similarly to Cait, he's also open to physical affection. He's less likely to initiate, but if you're close enough to him, you can use him as furniture or a personal teddy bear. If especially close, he'll even return it, instead of simply letting you do as you please with no input. Expect the bear-est of hugs.

Deacon; will not lie to them about anything. Not even if it was justifiable, like if there's a surprise party or something. He'll dodge the question for that, but he is not going to lie. It's like pulling teeth, he's gotten so used to it, but he absolutely refuses. Lying in their presence? On the table. To them? Nope. He cannot stand it anymore. He won't even dress up and disguise himself around them (provided they're not working). If you get Deacon's trust, you get...whoever is under Deacon. It's kind of like cleaning out a dusty old attic; you don't know what you'll find, and he doesn't either, but y'know what, maybe it's time to figure it out. Deacon wants to be cared for as his authentic self, not a mask. He'll go digging for that, for someone who deserves to know who it is they're actually palling around with.

Gage; is a stubborn, surly bastard who will take orders, but only under the thinnest presumpation of subordination. He'll do as asked by his boss, and he'll pretend he's happy to do it, if he has to. But...there's a big difference between an order, and a request. "Go tell Nisha to keep her freaks out of my fuckin' house" is different from "Hey, can you help me with this?". So...if you can get Gage to do something he doesn't want to do, or something that doesn't come naturally to him...you've got him wrapped around your finger. Gage will give a shit if you give a shit. He might even refrain from bitching. Thing is, Gage is a man of action. If you tell him "this action matters"...he's gotcha. This kind of loyalty is one of a kind, especially from Gage. Maybe you should try the lottery, next.

Hancock; cuts back the chems by a large margin. Hancock gets high to numb himself, to not think about the shit he did or didn't do in his past. He gets high to feel like the life of any party instead of being lonely in a room full of people. He gets high because he isn't sure what else he can do to not feel the way he does, most of the time. But...he gets himself a friend? Gets someone who gets him? Gets someone who he admires so fucking much, who admires him, thinks he's worth a lot more than he does, and he trusts their judgement on everything else? Hancock still indulges in a jet every now and then, maybe some mentats with a wordy book. But he doesn't live off the things. He doesn't feel like he needs to. He's got someone to ground him and keep him himself, and set him straight. And they have fun together, blowing shit up. It's less of Hancock doing something for them, and more Hancock shedding his more self-destructive habits in the face of a stronger support system.

MacCready; is a chronic gift giver. Food, ammo, trinkets, books, weapons and mods, crafting supplies, clothes, enamel pins, jewelry, jewels, drinks, blankets, pillows; he's like a puppy, a magpie, a crow, some creature bring you anything he thinks you might like or need. MacCready is a guy who's never had a lot. It's made him a little greedy, a little selfish, a little too willing to do whatever he can to get a little more. It also means that if he shares, goes out of his way to find something for you, gives up something he could keep for himself...MacCready gives nothing up easily. So when he hands you a candy bar, or lets you have the nicer blanket at camp, or shares from his water canteen, you should feel real special.

Nick; this might seem odd, but if Nick lends someone a book, that person is the apple of his eye. Nick Valentine hoards books like a dragon hoards gold. It's the one consistently irrational part of him, the one consistently prickly part. Books are an endangered species to him. His personal library might not see much use, as he's too busy, but he cares for them like a monk tends a shrine. Anyone who asks to read one, and gets a yeah, go ahead, knock yourself out, only gets that privilege after a long time of proving themselves to be trustworthy. Nick fears ripped pages, cracked spines, stains. He just doesn't trust most people of the Commonwealth to take care of valuable art, the last shards of a dead culture. And those books have a lot of meaning to him, things OG Nick read and current Nick thinks he likes on his own. Sharing that is a way for him to share himself, his history. Both Nick's and OG Nick's.

Piper; isn't, how shall we say, great with criticism. She's usually right, is the thing. Usually the one to perk up and point out the obvious issue. Piper is self-assured, intelligent, and stubborn. She does not take a 'you're wrong'. Not "she doesn't take it well" or "she takes it too hard". She does not take it. Unless the person challenging her is someone she A: cares about enough to want to hear out, regardless, B: respects enough to put their ideas over what she believes to be hard truths, or C: trusts enough to think that if they're seeing something in a certain way, then that thing is that way, and Piper has it all wrong. Whatever way you slice it, if someone can confront the indomitable Piper Wright and not walk away feeling verbally skinned, that person must be near and dear to her.

Preston; is close with someone if he can sleep around them. He used to be okay with sleeping in a room with a bunch of other people, he had to be, being a soldier in a barrack, a camp, et cetera. Then Quincy fucked that skill right up the ass. Now, Preston is too aware of others' breathing, their joints clicking. Too nervous about how much sound he makes just by existing. Maybe it's hypervigilance from the few rests they got, running from Quincy. Maybe it's just a sign of broken trust. Either way, Preston needs to be close with someone before he can get any shuteye around them. And Preston might fight it, but he's a depression napper. Sometimes you just need one. If Preston willingly and easily falls asleep in someone's presence, that person is the human equivalent of a nightlight to him. Which, given how sleep-deprived he normally is, is worth their weight in gold.

X6-88; Oh, X6-88. You're such a prickly bastard. You know X6-88 loves someone when he's disappointed in them. The thing about disappointment, is that is can only some with an expectation. Disappointment is having a hope, an ideal, and seeing it sputter or fail. You can't be disappointed if there was nothing for you to be disappointed by. When an asshole does something shitty, you aren't surprised. When someone you think highly of does, you are, and that's disappointment. For X6, he hates pretty much everyone. He has no hopes, no expectations, no delusion that anyone is worth his time. And the sad thing is, you'll never know X6-88 cares until you have a hiccup, until you get judgement. And if you don't know this, you won't see a disappointed friend. You'll see normal X6-88, always acidic and with a cold barb just behind his teeth.

#fallout 4 #fo4 #paladin danse #preston garvey #nick valentine #piper wright #x6-88 #robert joseph maccready #companions react #porter gage #Codsworth

[wulfhalls]

1/2 When you stop and realize that Billy’s entire relapse during Chicago wasn’t just about Camila threatening to leave him but really stemmed from him being forced for the first time to acknowledge what he’s spent everyday of the last three years fighting to bury and ignore: that he’s deeply in love with Daisy. Because the morning of the Chicago show he starts off his day in his Daisy love bubble openly expressing his desire to spend the next 20 years by her side writing together, fighting together, making art together, and everything inbetween. It’s Daisy that first forced him to acknowledge that they’re in love with each other and the bubble bursts, because she’s finally addressing the elephant in the room: that she’s in love with him and she wants more, she wants more than to just be his creative partner and artistic muse, she wants to be his partner in all ways. And you can see in that moment when she says it that Billy just…deflates because deep down he realizes that nothing will ever be the same again. He can’t have both Camila and Daisy by his side forever, it’s not fair to either woman. He’s finally being forced to see that. Which is why he gets desperate and says that even though he wants that too, but won’t leave Camila, he wants he and Daisy to stay trapped in this purgatory of their own making: sharing their deepest, most intimate, and raw feelings with one another but only thru their music, never actually feeling it in the “real world.” He’s clinging on to whatever bullshit rationalizations he can try and make to himself to hold onto Daisy at that point that I don’t think he even realized how much he shattered her heart by asking her “isn’t this enough?” Isn’t it enough for us to just stay here in purgatory with one another because I would rather suffer here with you everyday and never fully have you than ever be without you? It’s only when Camila confronts him in Chicago that Billy realizes he can’t have both Daisy and Camila in his life like this anymore. He lies to Camila’s face, several times. First he insists nothing at all is going on it’s just an “act” and then he lies to her again when he says he kissed her but it meant “nothing.” But Camila knows none of it is true, she knows what Billy isn’t strong enough to admit to himself: that he’s in love with Daisy. As Daisy did earlier in the day, Camila forces him to admit to not only himself but to her, and it’s so incredibly painful for Billy to do that not only can he refuse to lie and say that he doesn’t love Daisy, but he can’t even look Camila in the eye while doing so. Daisy showing up at that moment in the hallway was the final straw for Billy because in that moment he could no longer run away from the reality of their situation: here are both Camila and Daisy standing in front of him and he has to let one of them go. Camila tells him she’s done and leaves which triggers all of his abandonment and daddy issues, which is why in that moment I think it was easier for him to revert to his baseline of “I told her the truth that nothing happened and nothing ever will” even though he knows it’s a lie, because he’s still clinging onto his desire to keep everything as it was, he doesn’t want anything to change because once it does he will have to lose Daisy, as by his own words “she’s my wife…I’m never gonna leave her.” So in typical Billy fashion he callously and cruelly tells Daisy they will never be more than what they are now and goes after Camila, because maybe if he can fix this, fix them, he can try and get this sinking ship back on course. When Camila ignores his phone calls, and doesn’t show up to the show on time Billy breaks and fully gives into his addiction, if his world is going to implode then he wants it to implode with Daisy by his side, he wants them to be “broken together.” But what Billy fails to recognize in that moment is that it will never be enough for Daisy. She doesn’t want to be broken with him, she doesn’t want to be with him because his life imploded. She wants to be whole with him. Whole, healed, and complete together.

2/2 It’s one of the most devastating moments I’ve seen written on screen. I honestly think that of all the times Billy broke Daisy’s heart, and there were plenty, that this….this was the one that hurt her the most. (And is actually something I would love to see addressed if they did make a Season 2). Daisy’s refusal to spiral with Billy is what finally snaps him out of it, and when they head onto the stage for Look at Us Now, Billy already knows that it’s over, that he’s already lost Daisy. But he still can’t bring himself to walk away from her until she forces him too. Billy loved Daisy so much he was willing to live in hell everyday for the rest of his life, torturing them both by not being together, but not being willing to stay away from one another. Daisy loved him enough to realize that wasn’t enough and that she needed to walk away and let him go because they both deserved so much more than this. So much more than being stuck. And ultimately this was the real root of Billy’s relapse that day, having to finally walk away from the possibility of Daisy. As TJR says in the book “I realized that I had been holding on tightly to the possibility…the possibility of Daisy…and I was suddenly having a very hard time with letting that go, of saying never.” The show did such a good job of conveying this moment from the book because on the surface it seems that all of his turmoil is over losing Camila and his family, when really the root cause was Billy having to finally accept that he has to say goodbye to Daisy. As he knew deep down he wouldn’t leave Camila and that they would probably be able to recover from this. But losing Daisy? His heart would never fully recover from that.

u said in this essay I will and in this essay u DID. yall just giving me these beautifully written novel length takes for FREE.

#im just out here saying the most inconsequential shit ever and u guys are just serving insight understanding and coherence #ur all so sexi and smart #ur really doing all of that while im just divorce blogging we are not the same ur so much better its unrealsjdjdjd #daisybilly #daisy jones and the six #djats #that tweet that was like he was a mess and spiralling because his wife knew how much he wanted daisy all the goddamn time. yeah.jpeg #cant wait for s2 and camila in her skylar white esque era lets go polite courtesy and icy silences #i fucked eddie :D

[daliasmay]

"The past can hurt. But the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it"

I desided to cintinue my old post with Lucien - Simba parallel🧡

My english is awful, I'm sorry, but I hope I can convey my thoughts🤓

Simba changed his diet, started eating bugs and chilling with Timon and Pumbaa according to their philosophy of life without rules and worries, forgetting his roots and his past for a while, but that didn't stop him from being a lion and a king.

The same with Lucien and his rejection of his potential future, power and responsibilities for a life which was full of hedonism (the focus on the ability to appreciate the enjoyment).

Remember Simba - he ate bugs, but beyond that he enjoyed the view, the beauty of the night sky and the adventures with his new friends. This manifested their freedom from the things which Pumbaa called vanity. I think that Lucien's life in the Spring (and in the Autumn too let's be honest, he did nothing there lol) was something so close to it. In the past. Before Amaranthe and everything that she did with the Prythian and personally with him.

Epicurus stated that the main criterion of pleasure is a successful life. The purpose of life is to avoid suffering and unhappiness because this is the only way to achieve the highest pleasure. Pleasure is good and pain is evil, so we should strive for pleasure and avoid pain. I keep thinking about Lucien's love of parties. Was it because he wanted to escape the pain, or because Lucien really loved being at the centre of society? Or both, and one doesn't exclude the other?

Lucien was always running away from his past and his life until ACOMAF, where his character changed and from that book on he lost his charm and the important parts of his personality. But at the same time I think that ACOMAF was the beginning of his personal journey of character development. Step by step from one episode to another, until he disappeared from the plot and became a character of the 100th plan lol. Sarah, please, just give us his book! His story potential is more important than some members of the inner circle.

We saw Lucien finally show his power and cool Cassian down with just one word. Cassian is the most emotional person in the IC and Lucien just said "Easy" to him, without any violence, calming him and his wild instincts. And it seems like Cassian didn't even understand and notice lol. I just hope we get to see more of this in the future.

All events that he went through all his life were his lessons, making him stronger and wiser. His life with his family, Jesminda and her tragic death, the murder of his brothers, the death of Andras and many other friends, Amarathe and the UTM, his life afterwards, the loss of Feyre as his "friend", the loss of Tamlin, SA and Ianthe's harassment, the lonely journey to the continent in search of solutions and help in the war, The loss of his second home and the place he loves, the loss of his reputation because of someone else's lie, his mating with Elain and her active ignoring his existence, his life as a hermit in the Mortal Lands with his new friends, the disrespectful behaviour of everyone in the Night Court, the potential conflict with Beron and Koschei.

He has to put his past behind him and stop living with the weight of his mistakes and his past, because even if someone prefer to believe that everything were only because of Lucien's faults or inaction, that's not entirely true. And I hope that Lucien, as a character, will understand it.

The past is in the past, but we can choose how we use it for the future.

Rafiki said to Simba: "The past can hurt. But the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it"

For his personal growth and growing up as a character, he must take the path of self-awareness. To stop running away from pain, mistakes and trials, to stop thinking that there is something wrong with him.

Lucien must to accept his past, his mistakes and himself. He must also accept his power and the responsibility that comes with it. The responsibility for the future High Lord place from which he has always run away.

He must take the path of self-knowledge. Don't run away from pain, mistakes and trials, don't think there's something wrong with him, don't shut yourself off from the world and so on.

These are all challenges that I hope will make him stronger and wiser in the future. When he comes out of the crisis, realises his place and understands what he wants and how much he has to do, a new stage of growth, awareness and a sober look at things in his life without imaginary carelessness will begin.

Morrigan said that neither Lucien nor Elain are ready for a relationships and for the bond. And I think if they will be an endgame, they could be teachers for each other.

Both of them lived their lives full of joy and happiness. Lucien was in the Spring with his friends like Andras and Tamlin and Elain was with her human friends, society, father and Graysen.

Both Lucien and Elain must stop running. They need to stop and look around them. Face their fears and overcome them. To realise their place in the world and their role. To realise their worth and that they were born for more than gardens, a successful marriage and the status of prince or unloved son.

Realise and accept. Accept as adults. Accept all consequences, accept all burdens. Accept and work with it. Without it, there is no place for anyone to grow.

There is a lot for both of them to learn from each other.

This is what it means to allow growth and healing to take place.

#lucien vanserra #acotar #a court of thorns and roses #pro lucien vanserra #elucien #dasha: acotar thoughts

[soleminisanction]

Can you lay out what the problems were with TimSteph relationship (in canon terms)? On both sides. Because I’d like to have something I can point to in reference when people get mad when I say the relationship seemed unhealthy

You'll excuse me if I stick to summary instead of citations, otherwise it'd be way too much for Tumblr; I go into more detail on a lot of these in some of my other posts.

From Tim's side, most of the problems stem from or tie back into a... I almost want to say power dynamic, but I don't think that's entirely right because it's not that he "has power" over Steph, he's not her boss or her superior officer or anything. But he does have legitimacy, experience and acceptance within the sphere of masked superheroes that Steph very much does not (or at least, not while they're romantically involved), and that leaves their relationship imbalanced.

Tim and Steph are both pointedly aware of this, and Tim sometimes holds that over her head, particularly when it's brought up that he knows her secret identity (having figured it out after their first meeting) but she doesn't know his for the longest time. He is also sometimes condescending as a result, though what counts as "condescending" is very much up to interpretation -- like, I don't count him ordering her around while they're on patrol together as "condescending" because he is legitimately the one who knows what he's doing and she is the untrained amateur. That to me is like claiming it's "condescending" for an EMT to order around some rando with basic first aid training when trying to save someone's life.

Then there's the complication with Tim's need to keep secrets and compartmentalize his civilian life away from his superhero one. The rule about Batman forbidding the secret ID sharing was added after Zero Hour to up the drama a bit, but the core of the issue was originally all Tim. He had a psychological need to keep the two parts of his life separate, and that required keeping big secrets about his true identity and forced him to keep Steph at arm's length. He knew everything about her, but she knew basically nothing about him, and that's not a recipe for a healthy relationship.

Though, to be fair, Tim himself was very aware of this, which is why, right at the beginning of their relationship, he laid all of that out for her in explicit terms and made it clear that he thought the two of them getting together was a bad idea for that reason. And Steph told him that she was okay with that and wanted to try anyway, explicitly agreeing to allow him the boundary of keeping his identity.

Which is why it's such a problem that she goes back on that and starts going behind his back to uncover his secret identity for herself, in plain violation of the boundary she agreed to. Like, that's the thing that makes it actually bad for me -- if she wasn't involved with him and didn't know the penalty he'd suffer for breaking the rule, it'd be one thing, but the fact that she not only knew but made a verbal agreement to respect her boyfriend's wishes and went back on it, that's the thing that makes it a relationship deal-breaker for me. Especially because once she finally does find out, her reaction is to mock him, so delighted that she's getting one over on him that she's completely oblivious to the near-panic attack he's having as a result; that doesn't indicate that she cares much about his feelings or well-being.

This isn't the first or the last time that Steph will make a verbal agreement that she has no intention of keeping, either -- that's what got her fired from Robin. Tim might keep secrets and have to lie about his activities as a result, but Steph is actively deceitful, you can't trust her word, she'll tell you what you want to hear, do whatever she wants anyway, and then be offended when you try to hold her to the terms of the agreement she knowingly made.

And she assumes that the people around her, including Tim, are going to be the same way, which means that she's also intensely jealous. If Tim so much as mentions that he knows another girl, Steph immediately assumes that he's cheating on her and lashes out in a rage, refusing to talk it out with him and focusing instead on getting revenge on him -- she does this at least twice.

Steph is also very willing to hurt Tim (and other people, but Tim gets the brunt of it) to get what she wants. She wants Batman's approval and attention, so when she comes back from faking her death and he (in the midst of outside manipulation in the lead-up to Final Crisis) tells her to test Tim first by stalking him, then by hiring an assassin to attack him, and then by working with one of his arch-nemeses to challenge him, she goes along with it without a second thought.

And then she refuses to apologize or even acknowledge responsibility for any of it, blaming other people (mostly Batman) and acting like she didn't have a choice or any agency, in spite of half her characterization being built around telling Batman to go fuck himself. More often than not, she bullies Tim into apologizing to her for being upset about the thing that hurt him in the first place.

Also: Steph hits her boyfriends. She has dated two men and has been shown hitting them both, not in the acceptable context of training or a superhero throw-down, but because they made her angry and she wanted to shut them up. Sometimes it's played as a joke, sometimes for drama, sometimes it's an Empowering Feminist Moment, but it's always bullshit because it's never portrayed as a bad thing.

There's also a subjective argument to be made that she is emotionally abusive, using insults disguised as mean-spirited "jokes" to cut down her partner's self-esteem and bully him into doing what she wants. In a similarly subjective space, it's very easy to argue that their relationship began with a good 50 issues of Robin full of Steph sexually harassing Tim, forcing kisses, physical affection and pick-up lines on him even while he repeatedly asked her to stop.

Tim did "start it" by kissing her, once, while deprived of oxygen, in thanks for saving him from suffocation, but for a long while after, every time she tried something like that, he would ask her to stop.... and she wouldn't, laughing off his protests and insisting that he wanted it in a very, "your mouth says no but your body says yes" rape culture kinda way. Which then brings us back around to the lack of respect she has for Tim's boundaries, which is really the heart of the problem on her part of the relationship.

---

TL;DR -- From Tim's side, the issue is mostly that he has a status over her that he wants to maintain that keeps their relationship unbalanced. From Steph's, the issues stem from a lack of respect for her partner's boundaries, which extends to some controlling and arguably abusive tendencies.

And that's not even getting into the very subjective interpretation that Tim might not even be attracted to Steph at all, he just feels compelled to have a girlfriend so he doesn't have to confront how deep in the closet he is and thus gives in after she makes it clear she won't take no for an answer. But like I said, that one's super subjective and up to interpretation.

#dc comics asks #tim drake #stephanie brown #tim/steph critical #stephanie brown critical #meta #long post #robin

[kingsandbastardz]

Oh here's a fun thing to think about -- LLH and JLQ as narrative foils for each other, revolving around DFS as a central focal point.

A list of things about them both and where they differ in approach and result:

both nanyin royalty (cousins) - one is aware and grows up suffering - rescued by DFS when she's 14 yrs old. Spends the rest of her teenage years looking up to him and then following him around. LLH is not aware and also grows up suffering but is rescued while still a child by martial arts teachers. Spends his teen years looking up to Shan Gudao and following him around.

also this post about their clothes by @difeisheng

DFS throws LLH into a snake pit to try to heal him. He also throws JLQ into a cave of her prisoners with intent to kill her. NEITHER WORK.

both both started their own sect:

LLH creates Sigu Sect with Shan Gudao (whom he loves and looks up to) to create order in a chaotic society. Then he tried to abandon it. JLQ went from controlling the sect of the man she loves and looks up to --- then steps sideways into wanting to be king herself, because why not? End goal of both is to have power and control over others but with different approaches in the 'how'.

Sigu Sect being at the beginning of their organization's life span at least attempts to stick with their original intent of helping the downtrodden with grievances. However, as can be seen with the revival of the sect- it only takes one incomplete generation for the veneer to be stripped free and that intent to be corrupted.

JLQ doesn't bother with ideals masking her intentions. She wants the castle, the wife, the power. She wants it all and she says it up front.

both start off will to do anything under the sun to remain at the side of the one they care about the most - only to switch their desires later on:

LLH starts off doing everything under the sun, including destroying two sects and going to war, to find the body of his beloved shixiong. He continues this thread of behavior later with DFS to get him to help, though he's far softer now and less likely to go to mortality level measures.

These are all things SGD wouldn't want LLH to do because he hates him. Then as the story develops, begins to repeatedly seek out DFS (why hasn't he come to look for me yet? Let's look for him.) or try to keep DFS nearby (amnesia arc is an exercise in trying to gently maintain his hold on DFS as long as possible but FDB and events put a stop to that).

JLQ starts off masterminding a war to destroy her competition and ensure the man she loves will be number 1 in the world. She continues this thread later, continuing to manipulate things behind the scenes to maintain power - arguably to use to benefit DFS and not against him.

The lengths she goes to is everything DFS would not want done because he hates the underhandedness. As the story develops, she switches to chaining DFS to her side instead of trying to convince him to willingly go to her.

In the end, LLH lets DFS go, walking away from him. Meanwhile in her end, JLQ watches DFS walk away from her.

both repeatedly lie to and betray DFS:

LLH breaks the treaty, wipes out a good chunk of Jinyuan Alliance in a sect battle, very nearly succeeds in killing DFS and partially disabling him (it takes 10 years and a magic potion for him to fully recover), lies repeatedly to his face, essentially soft kidnaps/blackmails him to force him to help him do a thing.

JLQ tries to kill 2 birds with one stone by poisoning her love rival + ensure DFS will win their anticipated duel, sets up a whole battle plan that would wipe out almost all of DFS' sect leadership, coopts a good chunk of Jinyuan Alliances' men and resources to form her own sect, kidnaps DFS to force him into being her wife.

DFS seems to either not take offense, or just outright forgives LLH of everything. DFS ignores/turns a blind eye to much of what JLQ does at first but ultimately kills her for her actions.

both attack DFS at a moment of his triumph, poisons him, removes his chi, and kidnaps him:

Immediately after DFS fully regains his power and health with the guanyin elixir, LLH reveals he attacked him to poison him with a chi-removing poison. Then essentially blackmails him into an extended roadtrip (kidnaps/'chains' him to stay at his side). Clothes and feeds him.

Immediately after gaining full bodily autonomy and receiving all the things that will solve LLH's problems in his hands, JLQ poisons him to reduce his power, works with Shan Gudao to attack and immobilize him, cuts his tendons, destroys his meridians so he can no longer access his chi, then kidnaps him to torture and literally chains him to her side to force him to stay with her. Threatens with more and further improved chains. Chains everywhere. In the novel he's naked. In the drama, he's got a symbolic under layer on.

DFS takes to LLH's methods far more than he does to JLQ for obvious reasons, but it's interesting to note that while their pattern of behavior is similar, their methods are violently different (literally). LLH's asura grass is non-lethal and removable without permanent damage. All his methods are very soft and unusually careful considering how durable DFS is. JLQ doesn't care if she damages DFS forever as long as he's under her control.

LLH wants DFS to buy into obedience/being under his control and is also aware he'll never be able to fully control him, and that DFS will absolutely say no and mean it -- he also doesn't fuss about having to do extra convincing/put in extra work to get him to continue to buy in.

JLQ wants DFS' willingness too, but can't figure out a way to get it without using extreme force, and doesn't like that DFS is not controllable and likely will never be fully controllable without destroying everything it means to be him. She doesn't like it when he says no.

Conclusion: LMAO it's in their dna. In a way, maybe it's good their families are dead. Cuz imagine the chaos of the older brother or the parents catching sight of DFS if this is the natural reaction to him?

#di feisheng #mysterious lotus casebook #li lianhua #meta #jiao liqiao #my royal ramblings #family free for all with everyone fighting to snag DFS as their concubine #meanwhile dfs quietly exits stage left

[aleksanderscult]

Analyzing "Demon in the Wood" (book) - Part 4

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 5)

Happy New Year and many blessings to you all!! 🎉🎉🎆🎆

This is my first post for 2024 and I couldn't wish for a better one to share ❤️

Not Annika helping him with his weak Fjerdan 🥹🫶😭

He's so excited about the fact that he gained new friends, so hopeful and thrilled with this new turn of events. But he can't help but worry about his mother's reaction once she finds out what he did to Lev.

What if she gets angry?

Or worse, what if she takes him away from here? From the place he found happiness and company after months (or years) of loneliness and melancholy.

This shows to me an extensive anxiety and fear of the prospect of losing everything (again). Losing his friends, his home and his hope. He's so desperate to grab and hold tight this new opportunity that he gets intimidated by his thoughts of his mother and her anger.

Imagine hating your fake name but then growing fond of it because it sounds so good coming from someone you like.

So let's get down some notes 📝

- He doesn't like northern food

- He doesn't like onions

So he probably doesn't like cold foods (cold soups, for example) and bitter ones either.

This is so sad. No one had ever asked him what he liked to eat best. Not even his mother😭

She probably shoved any food under his nose, said "Eat it" and that's it.

Not that I expected for them to eat luxuriously but, man, they've travelled in all those places. Passed in front of many markets. Hadn't she ever thought "Hey, what do you like most from these?"

(also both me and Aleksander having a sweet tooth like 🤝)

He wants to tell those things.

"Oh yeah, I tried that cake once. It was awesome!"

"Those candies were *chef's kiss*"

But he can't. His mother's instructions are clear. "Don't talk about our travels, what we've seen and done. Lie about your life."

So he lies and he only reveals the truth by talking to himself internally. 🥲

In a nutshell:

Eryk: "I like everything"

Eryk internally: *gives a vivid description of a cake he once ate and an accurate number of how many cherries were on top. also starts remembering those dope candies he once ate in Shu and fell in love with*

Would love to gift him ten boxes of those Shu candies but I think he would be capable of eating them all in a day and then would lie on the couch and suffer from a stomachache or something 😭

One of the best quotes in the whole Grishaverse, if you ask me.

His love for bright, vivid colors contrasts the nature of his power and it's something beautiful and telling of his character.

"Deep blue like the True Sea" = Etherealki keftas

"Red like the roofs of the Shu temples" = Corporalki keftas

"The pure, buttery color of sunlight - not really yellow or gold, what would you call it?"

Alina. It's Alina, Aleksander.

Alina was his favorite color. His light and his favorite shade of yellow.

He was destined to fall in love with her and her power never scared him. Never made him leave or turn away. Because it reminded him of his favorite color and she represented it.

(so even though he could dress himself in vibrant yellow cloaks he chose black basically for the aesthetic and image)

Eryk: "Wait. That's awesome!"

"Do you want to tell me?"

PROTECT THAT BABY AND HIS KINDNESS FROM THE CRUEL WORLD

"My father is dust. You all are."

Baghra when I find you.....🙂🔪

He has already made his decision to stick with her instead of that bully. As a child he wasn't attracted to power or strength, but to compassion and kindness.

But he still has that insecurity that his mother will take him away.

(BAGHRA LEAVE HIM ALONE FFS!!!)

Random. But somewhere down the line after this passage, Eryk thinks "I'll have to tell her. What happened with Annika. That she knows I'm an amplifier".

And that shows me that his mother doesn't allow him to keep any secrets from her.

He could say "I'm not going to tell her anything. If I do she'll drag me away again. So no."

But he sounds like he has no choice. He HAS to tell her. So she's very strict with him in that aspect too and has him say everything to her.

He wants to belong. He hopes he will. Instead of travelling here and there, without any fixed destination.

"maybe even friends" HE'S SO SCARED TO HOPE FOR THIS 😭

"And friends went on adventures. They broke rules together"

He wants this SOO much!! To taste it and see how it's like. To behave like the child he is and be mischievous and carefree. To break his mother's rules ('cause he wants that too).

Just like he said in S&B: "The problem with wanting is that it makes us weak."

He wanted to have friends and play, gave in to that desire and eventually it compromised his safety. Therefore, made him weak and vulnerable.

(gonna make an analyzation of that quote in the future actually. So many things can be drawn from it as well)

#a beautiful way to start the year by having Eryk tell us how much he loves shiny colors #he's wholesome #demon in the wood meta #the darkling meta #ditw #demon in the wood #grishaverse #shadow and bone #the darkling #pro darkling #aleksander morozova #pro aleksander morozova #darklina #pro darklina #pro alarkling #alarkling #annika #sylvi #baghra morozova

[littlepuddingsworld]

Dove, you truly are the gift that keeps on giving (≧▽≦) /gen /pos /affectionate

Adventurine literally makes me feral. His hair? AAAA SO COOL!! His outfit?? FUCKING AMAZING ASHDJSK– His eyes???? Im on the floor, bleeding out, shot through the heart, foaming at the mouth

He's just such a kissable bitable cutie I wanna mark him up so BAAADDDD DUDEEE AADBSJSKAhHhhdbsks

Ur mind, bubba, MWAH MWAH!!! Always amazing always so good ur so good amor ur the best mwah mwah mWAH!!! <<33333

-panna cotta

!!!!! can only guess how difficult it is to be SO right & based & gorgeous cotta<33333 you are so right, you have no idea. he's just SOOOOOO i canttttt,,,,,

so glad that he appeared in my life; thanks very much to topaz for his first appearance in a moment with her because!!! malewife material!!! he's too pretty for his own good,,,, afraid to lose even though he has never lost!!! survivor's guilt!!! considers himself useless!!! deliberately engages in self-harm through getting into risky situations and says that he does it for the "taste of life" although he does it as a subconscious desire to punish himself!!! my self-destructive babyboy<3333 plz let me in im going to kiss him and lick him before biting him over and put him in my other pocket where he will lie because in my first one there is panna cotta<333333

hehehe<333 he's just SOOOOO pretty and good for anything, i don't know if im mentally healthy or mentally unhealthy when i look at him. babygirl.

yandere potential is huge,,,, he is charming, shameless and cunning — and he knows how to use it. "what's life like without a game?" — you are sure that his strategy is obvious... but hey hey, playing on the principle of "all or nothing", you know that the safest place is as far away from him and his plans as possible, but you don't mind being used a little while everyone benefits.

he is not against betrayal and does not hold grudges because he knows that the world cannot be trusted and nothing can be safe if it is not completely in his power - and you agree with such rules because you are having fun. that's what you're here for, isn't it? have fun and relax, and as long as he doesn't interfere with either rest or fun, you let him spin his plans - or even "don't notice" it. but, uh-huh, at least you're not bored! otherwise, why are you on penacony, right? the most unforgettable event in the most incredible place — let them arrange the brightest show and let you enjoy it at a fairly safe distance!

undoubtedly, the reputation of your faction may suffer... but you will get an unforgettable experience! isn't that the main thing? opinions flare up and are forgotten, but memories and skills remain - so you don't mind spending a little more time with AVENTURINE, maybe a little fussing here and there, just for decency in your "friendship", after all, he's such a darling! ♡

(you definitely don't support slavery, but if you were the owner of this sigonian, you would never let him escape and become a part of something else<3)

... hey hey, maybe your "plan" is a little backfired when AVENTURINE tells you that trying to resist is a little stupid on your part, because "the one who owns the money owns the information — and the world", and your comrades will definitely never find you again (more precisely, it is very very very very unlikely — he has never lost, do you remember?), so you should just relax and let him pamper you.

you liked it so much when he ran after you like your pretty personal lackey — and you didn't mind being with that 'sigonian', huh? this is called a "self-fulfilling prophecy", honey — you will have a lot of time to think about it after</3

#ৎ୭ — voice from under the bed #ৎ୭ — little puddings #ৎ୭.panna cotta<333 #♡ — honkai star rail #✉.kakavasha #aventurine on my laps rn #good pretty boy #*pat pat pat* #🍮.yandere

[grayrro]

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes movie made a lot of minor changes that imo, cumulatively, changed how some of the themes hit

I think one of the most jarring was the Capitol students, and how, placed side by side, the film portrayed Coriolanus as sympathetic, and even decent. That he is somehow “smarter”, takes action compared to a lot of the Capitol students, and even somehow shows more empathy. And he definitely isn’t in the book

First, Arachne’s death. This one is maybe a little more forgiving since Snow’s duplicitous nature is hard to translate on-screen, but still minor changes made some striking differences in characterization. When Arachne is killed in the film, Snow jumps into action, being the first to go to Arachne’s aid, and tries to keep her alive. Whereas in the book, he pretty much shakes in his boots before Lucy Gray shocks him into action, and even then, he’s nearly more concerned with his reputation on camera than Brandy’s nor Arachne’s death.

And then, Clemensia. The academic-focused Asian. In the film, she’s depicted as too greedy for success, butting her way into Coriolanus’ assignment when he gets Dr. Gaul’s attention. When she tries to take the credit for Coriolanus’ work, she “rightfully” gets what she deserves when she’s bit for lying

In the book, she’s more forgivable. She’s distraught over Arachne’s death and doesn’t think that Dr. Gaul would still be expecting the assignment, which both her and Snow were voted into, instead of her volunteering for it. She lies so that it doesn’t look like she’s “feeble”, and doesn’t even hog the credit. Still, for this lie, she gets six mutated and highly poisonous snake bites (and not just the one like in the film lol). In the book, you see her left isolated in her suffering and her body gaining snake mutations from the side effects, even with the quickly administered antidote. It’s such a disproportionate punishment for a pretty harmless action, and shows Dr. Gaul’s unjustifiable ruthlessness

Lastly—and they did her a downright disservice—is Lysistrata. In the film, she’s practically an afterthought. When Jessup’s revealed to have contracted rabies, it is Coriolanus who has to force her to action. He pleads for her to send water to scare him off and that he’s “practically dead”, and precious moments are lost to Lysistrata’s indecision as Jessup chases Lucy Gray, shouting, accusing, “what have you done to me!”

In the book, while she has relatively minor role, it’s still a significant one, especially when you foil her with other students like Arachne, Sejanus, and Coriolanus himself. She’s intelligent, and compassionate. While she’s not as vocal as Sejanus from the start, she voices her opinion against war during discussions, and openly shows her gratitude after Jessup saves her life. She quickly realizes that water is needed to scare Jessup (who in the book seems more dazed, zigzagging into Lucy Gray’s direction, but nonetheless dangerous) and sends so unprompted. She‘s more or less composed, but sheds a tear over his death, and is one of the very first to acknowledge the tributes as human beings.

When you add up all of these differences together, I wouldn’t say Coriolanus’ arc in the film falls in parallel to the books. In the film, Snow is kind of a “good egg” (especially compared to his Capitol-born classmates, who’re either power-hungry, oblivious, or meek to a fault)

In the book, he was never such an outlier. He was never more empathetic than his Capitol-born classmates. But he hung on to the worst parts of himself (the hunger for power, the ruthlessness), and that’s what made him devolve to the President Snow we know in THG

#the ballad of songbirds and snakes #might’ve gotten some details wrong but this was lying in my drafts #gryrr.txt #post

[alluraaaa]

46. For everyone

46. the person they most admire

this question is so fucking hard, but i mean that in the best possible way. this team clearly has so much affection for one another, but admiration is a specific word and hard to work with, in a way. no lie, my process was staring at my phone, typing something out without thinking, and then realizing what the answer is

shiro: hunk. as team leader, he makes it his responsibility to look after the team’s mental health and let them use him like a therapist. once he makes that known, hunk is very open about how anxious and scared he is, how he’s kinda always been like that. hunk wasn’t studying to be a pilot, doesn’t have anyone in his family who are pilots. he’s young, and he has no idea what he’s doing! he wants to go home!! but he keeps going, not because there’s no other choice, but because he wants to help people more than he wants to see earth. for shiro, who only survived the pits because it was either kill or die, hunk is endlessly inspiring.

keith: shiro. not a lot of explanation is needed here, it’s the obvious answer. while the garrison trio also look up to shiro as a teacher and pilot, keith looks up to shiro for everything. without shiro, keith would be in some juvy on earth instead of getting to save the world. keith owes everything to his brother, who won’t give up on him, no matter how many times it takes.

pidge: lance. she spent the first months knowing him trying desperately to push him away, because it hurt to look at him. he’s just like matt, and she doesn’t wanna just replace him even if it is nice to have someone who shares his jacket and ruffles her hair and cleans her glasses without her asking. but when she spat vitriol at him, he retorted with something just as piercing, not letting her get away with it. and he stayed. despite the war, despite her, he’s still here, blowing raspberries at her and wading through fountains to collect change. so when their barbs got more and more affectionate, she wanted to be mad at how he wormed his way into her heart. but she’s not replacing her big brother, she’s gaining another.

lance: keith. the infamous rivalry was born from admiration, after all, even if he didn’t know it. he was hoping one day he’d be the better pilot, the better paladin, but once he actually was keith’s equal, he found he actually liked it. them butting heads worked in a way nothing else did. it wasn’t hunk’s hugs or pidge’s snark or coran’s stories, it was difficult. there’s pushing and shoving and hair pulling and wet willies and it’s so fun. in a nearly empty castle with only six others, you get bored. having someone who doesn’t look down on you as a person while wrestling over the remote is really nice. not to mention, keith isn’t nearly as perfect and lance thought. to learn that someone he put on a pedestal has flaws and weaknesses that lance compliments? kind of life changing, to say the least.

hunk: pidge. she’s so little and he’s so big but she keeps up with him easily, and sometimes he’s the one who has to keep up. absolutely nothing stops her once she puts her mind to it, and has a way of thinking through things that just eliminates any possibility of anxiety. if there’s a pidge, there’s a way. there are also times, though, when she’s sad or scared or small, but trusts him to not hurt her, despite him being big. she knows he won’t judge her for not understanding a formula, or needing help with a line of code, or crying on his shoulder when she misses her family. he realizes, one quiet night, that she trusts him not despite his size but because of it. she finds comfort in big brothers.

allura: coran. she turns to him for anything and everything, gives orders and trusts he’ll follow them, and he’s the only parent she has left. she knows that he’s suffering just as much as her, but he doesn’t let it stop him the way it stops her sometimes. when it stops her, he’s the only one who can get her going again. she doesn’t know how he does it. and she offers to help, she’s not stupid, she knows he’s keeping the hard parts to himself while also helping her, and she says it’s not fair. she wants to help him too, what can she do to help? but he just brushes the hair away from her face, kisses her forehead, and tells her all he wants is for her to get a full night’s rest. and… she can’t say no to that. when they’re in her bed and he’s serenely narrating his way through a story of his past, she can curl up to his side, close her eyes, and know that no matter what, he’s the constant in her life.

coran: allura. she used to be so happy, and she’s so young, and so hurt, and so tired. but despite it all, or maybe because of it all, she works so hard to fight a man who betrayed them so harshly. if anyone deserves to shirk the responsibility of voltron and live out their days on a peaceful remote planet, it’s the two of them. but she refuses to give up, so neither does he. he does all he can, despite the weariness in his bones, to help her. he’ll polish her helmet visor, braid her hair, wipe away her tears. he’ll polish the ship’s controls, groom his mustache, wipe away his own tears. he’ll do it all, so she doesn’t have to. and when they find out that they weren’t the only alteans left, when they found a new altea, she doesn’t want anyone else officiating her coronation, and he doesn’t want anyone else as queen. they both cry during the ceremony, and he hugs his daughter, holding her close.

(send a character + a number)

#this was so fun omg omg omg #tysm holly <333333 #ask #tarantula hawk wasp #long post #team #hunk&shiro #keith&shiro #lance&pidge #keith&lance #hunk&pidge #allura&coran #give me ANY pair between these seven and i could tell you how much they love each other and why. IM SO NORMAL

[another-corpo-rat]

wip wednesday

tagged by @corpocyborg, ty!!! <3 tagging with no pressure!! @theviridianbunny, @wistereia, @wanderingaldecaldo & @luvwich tfw work has slaughtered most of my motivation to work on things, but i do have some wips in the pipeline, starting with the closest to done:

Pale Yellow

featuring @pozerjacket's darling boy Kauri, and Victoria in a not great mood. Titled after the woodkid song. there's just a few more paragraphs that need re-written before i comb through it again

It’s a familiar enough thing; Stunzer’s voice was always as bright as his mood when he was off-duty – and she was yet to be privy to him not in a good mood. He was one of the rare few who could claw genuine joy out of the shithole that was Night City, a skill she would perhaps envy were she a lesser woman born to parents selfish enough to bring a child into a life condemned to the gutters. But a lesser woman she was not and she’d have no need for it now, not with a one-way ticket booked for London. First-class of course, because she wouldn’t allow herself to suffer lesser.  She was in agony enough as his smile and tone grated against already raw nerves. “Stunzer.” She says, sharp and cold as if she was interrupting someone’s stupidity in a meeting— And really that didn’t seem far off. She did feel him utterly idiotic with that stupid smile and aggressively pleasant mood. Painfully genuine and foolish for it. But not entirely so, at her word the switch flips and his bright smile drops into something more presentable, practiced. Professional. Good. She did keep his contact details for reasons beyond warming her bed. “I have a job for you,” and she could do without her voice sounding rough to her own ears; the words rasping against her coarse throat, “no fixers, no middlemen. Meet me on the Ebunike in Northside if you’re interested, Maelstrom shouldn’t give you any trouble.” She cuts the call before he can speak and wonders why she didn’t just send a text.

That Unwanted Animal

and then there's the untitled very much in the planning stages smasher-getting-pegged fic thats still in the bullet-points format in my document atm. even the title is a placeholder from the amazing devil song

“Fuck you, Blondie.” “If that’s what you’d prefer.” There’s enough of a pause that he seems to be considering it, his jaw working as if he’s caught the safe-word between his teeth and is shaping it with his tongue. “Or,” she croons, with the practiced softness of a suit guiding someone towards the answer they want, “you get on your back instead. See how you feel then.” “And how the fuck will that help?” A click of her tongue, derisive. “You think I let the dolls look at me?” Another pause, another moment of consideration. It’s a bold-faced lie and he knows it, knows she’d sooner break their jaws for looking away rather than forcing their head into the pillows. But it’d hardly be the first time they accepted one another’s lie for their own sake, twisting and working with it just enough to iron out the kinks in their reasoning. Safely tossed away immediately after, to be brought up only when their bickering turns to arguments and a way to shake the other’s foundation. Her success is marked by another huff and the deep dip of the bed as he rolls to adjust his position, ungraciously kicking her in the turn. His smirk is too wide and the late ‘move’ too amused for it not to be purposeful. But her annoyance is short-lived, much shorter than she’d like but— anger is a difficult thing to hold onto as he gets comfortable, the air stolen from her lungs with the picture. [describe adam here. Be horny with it] Those thick legs frame her now as she settles between them, trailing a hand along his inner thigh and almost regretting having him on his hands and knees in the first place. Almost. If she didn’t suggest it for his sake; comfort was rarely a luxury offered in either of his lives, because what does an 8ft war machine need of goose-feather pillows and a gentle hand? Nothing, if he were to be asked, but he was extending a deeper trust than she expected, and so it was the least she could offer in return.

#wip wednesday #wip #my writing #cyberpunk 2077 #i have a lot more wips than i realised #so just sharing two lest this get too long #BUT i do have a Vic and Valentine 'bonding' fic that is gonna get rewrote to be more from Vic's pov #and a very very barely even a rough draft thing of Takemura calling Victoria a bitch #cos Felix put that in my head a while ago and its been haunting me since #and and and #a vague warhammer drabble that is entirely shitting on canon but who gives a shit im here to have fun #im giving horus a wife #and shoveling more family issues onto both of them

[the-monkey-ruler]

Is it rare in media for monkey king to have a love interest and he returns their feelings?

Actually, I find it much rarer when there is a love interest and he doesn't return their feelings.

There is a very big difference when it comes to Wukong returning a love interest's feelings and when he can actually be with that love interest... which is usually never.

I think that the movie to really set into motion giving Wukong a love interest was the 1995 大话西游之月光宝盒 A Chinese Odyssey: Pandora's Box where the depiction of Wukong is very different from other Wukong as this is one of the first post-modern Wukongs in media. While this isn't the first time that Wukong has been given a love interest this is one of the first media to really capture the audience's heart with the tragedy that they can never be together. The tragedy that one has to play a role in society they cannot escape from relating to audiences to this Wukong greatly in the early 20s and making these movies a cult classics!

I have found that when it comes to movies, in most cases, it is a Retelling of the novel where within a certain adventure Wukong and a SO meet, and while Wukong denies any affection for the other, this is usually revealed at the end he does have affections for the other by the end. Usually the climax of the movie....

but...the status quo always wins and the SO is... disposed of in numerous ways.

If I had a nickel every time Wukong's SO turns into his cudgel I would have like 30 cents WHICH IS A LOT PEOPLE!

But the main idea for Wukong to have an SO is not for him to find love, but rather for him to find love and lose it. To go through that heart back to make him more human and more relatable to the audience for losing someone. Sometimes the directors even leave it open if Wukong had romantic feelings or just platonic ones for the SO, whether he lost a friend or a potential partner in either case he lost someone he grew to care about, showing a vulnerable side to himself and suffering for it. Only for the suffering to give the message "I'm glad I got a chance to love them at all" kind of melancholy ending.

I find it rare when directors make it clear that Wukong doesn't have feelings for another and stick with that to the end. Which honestly what made me love the 1996 series all the more. Wukong was not going to give in to peer pressure and lie to his friend to spare her feelings, he was going to be honest with her and himself that he was not interested even if he did care for her a lot. If anything it makes it even more reliable cause the idea that life would be so much easier if you could just like a certain person... if you could just settle and be something you know you aren't but would make everyone else happy for you.

But I understand that this isn't the case for most people as they see Wukong striving for a SO the 'breaking of the norm' rather than the opposite.

The change from making Wukong a fighter for the oppressed into a complex character with multiple fighting emotions within himself was a big step in his depiction of his character in media in future adaptions. And adding romance to that interpretation does allow for more avenues of self-expression and personal reflection to be had.

And that is because Wukong previously has never had issues with being tempted by desires like Bajie has, rather acting on his own ambitions.

I would keep going on and on about how the implications of Wukong fighting within himself do create wonderful storytelling if done right, especially when it parallels the "Doing what is right vs Doing what you want" kind of storytelling within the media.

While I don't think that romance is the only way to show that Wukong can be humanized into showing how much he cares for other people and how his own wants and desires get pushed aside for the sake of doing what he is "supposed" to do can be very complying storytelling I do understanding that romance is a good gateway into that kind of storytelling and thus is why a lot of other directors use their genre to portray Wukong's internal struggles.

I'm sorry that I'm kinda going off on this, it's just that for most of Wukong's pre-modern movies there is barely any romance involved but in the post-modern there is an abundant of romance (some good, some not so good) and it just fascinating to me how that change in the public's view from Hero to Lover was a huge step in creating him in a more multi-variant way I don't think directors were really taking advantage of until he was allowed to grow as more than just a fighter but someone that feels just as emotionally deep as any person.

Rip to the fallen SOs that are sacrificed for the sake of character development... you didn't have a snowflake's chance in hell.

#sun wukong #jttw #journey to the west #xiyouji #I got these screen shots from #Transforming Monkey: Adaptation and Representation of a Chinese Epic #such a good book #also sorry for going off on Chinese Odyssey #anon #anon ask #anonymous #ask

[lokisprettygirl]

The Night Screams at The Slumber Island (Loki x Female Reader) (Horror Romance) (Dark) (Au) (18+)

Read Chapter 15 here //Series Masterlist

Chapter 16

Summary : Loki isn't afraid to suffer for you

Warning: Steamy stuff, 18+, discussion of rape, discussion of threesomes and poly relationships, sexual abuse, gaslighting, cheating, mention of Suicide, discussion of mental illness, therapy, imprisonment, god kink has a potential here, please read carefully. If something triggers you please don’t read it

"What made you come here, mother" Loki smiled as he spoke, but the smile was less from the happiness of seeing her and more from disdain. His mother, Frigga walked towards him and leaned down to caress his head, she never wanted her child to ever see this place. 

"You weren't responding to my calls, my child?" Loki snickered as he grabbed her hand and pushed them away from him very gently. 

"You got what you wanted, I am banished from Asgard and for your sake I'm willing to spend years here just so someday I could home to you again, what else do you want me to do?" She got visibly upset as he said that.

"I never wanted this Loki. Will you ever take responsibility for your crime? For breaking the order?" She snapped at him as she stepped away, her heart broke, seeing her child all chained up and in such darkness, all lonely. She never wanted this.

"Breaking the order? I saved a mortal's life, all this power and for what?" He snickered before he continued to speak, he was so angry and disappointed from his own kind, his own people "Those foolish people down there worship us and what do we do? We ignore their pleas and pretend to be otherworldly just so our existence will remain spiritual, so they will never know that we are just like them. The only difference is they do not possess the longer life, they don't have the immense power but everything else is the same, they lie, they cheat, they murder, they watch innocent people get hurt and do absolutely nothing. Just like us" 

Frigga's eyes teared up, if Loki would decide that he didn't want to go through the punishment he'd forever be exiled from Asgard and he could never get home again, he couldn't have survived on earth either for a long time because the moment he decides to reveal his identity to more of them mortals, he'll be stripped off his godly status and taken away for execution. 

"What is so special about this mortal that you're willing to lose everything here? I know you visit her now and then, you know that is only making the punishment longer" She raised her voice and he nodded,

"She needs me mother, I gave her my word, and I am not going to betray her, I would leave this place whenever she'd truly need me but do not worry, I will come back here and spend my due time in solidarity, you want me to come home? I will" He said to her and she sighed.

"The more you visit earth to see her the longer you'll have to be here, why don't you understand that?" Her eyes teared up as she spoke and it did hurt him but there was nothing he could have done to console her. If Loki would have spent a few constant years in this confined space and finished his sentence, he would have been released soon, but he decided to revolt instead, he went to you whenever you needed him because he promised to be there and he won't allow you to suffer anymore by the hands of other mortals even though he very well knew that the more time he spend with you, his cruel punishment will only extend here, but he didn't care now. He was willing to take the risk.  

"I do understand that, I understand it really well but I'm not going to leave her alone, to answer your question, there's nothing special about her, she's not any different from most of the mortals but.." his eyes teared up and he took a deep breath before he spoke again. She's mine. That's what he wanted to say but he did not, nobody needed to know how deeply he has come to feel for you "She is kind mother, her fate continued to bring her down but enough is enough, if I am able to keep one sweet mortal protected under my care all her life then I would die happily, that feeling would be much more fulfilling than my life on Asgard could ever be" 

Frigga wiped her tears, she had truly lost her son, Odin and Thor asked her to not come here but she wanted to convince him one more time.

"You could have just brought the mortal to Asgard like Thor did" 

"Bring her against her will to an alien planet? Of course mother, not that it would have been absolutely barbaric of me to do so" 

"It's not cruel for a god to choose a mortal, it's our birthright and it is nothing short of blessing for those vain mortals" 

Loki chuckled as he heard that, he very well knew that gods treated their one mortal pass as an exotic sex toy and nothing more. They were not allowed to tell anyone about their godly status so lies, deceit and plain brute force were used to bring them to Asgard. 

"We are not allowed to tell them anything, remember? You know how Thor got himself one" 

"So what? he gave Trisha a good life on Asgard for as long as he needed her"

"And then she was thrown into a cell somewhere as she got older, isn't that right mother? Chipped away slowly until the end of her time" Loki yelled at her and she sighed.

"You could not have wished for him to form a union with her" She tried to reason with him even though she knew she could never change his mind, he always was different from the rest of them.

"Why not mother? She was lovely and you know fairly well that we both possess the power to give them a long healthy life just like us then why not?" 

"Because they are beneath us Loki, they will always be" 

"Fair enough mother, now that you are done, I would like to be left alone" her eyes teared up more at his indifference.

"Have you fallen in love with her, Loki? That mortal of yours?" She asked him curiously and his eyes teared up too as he thought about you. He spent all his day for the moments he'd get to see you and be close to you, he very well knew the feeling and what it meant, but his mother had lost the right to know him so deeply now. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to go through this punishment any longer for her but did he have any other choice?

"You cannot survive with her Loki, you know once you reveal who you are to more mortals such as hers, we will come for you and we will take your life to preserve ourselves. Do you think she would be able to keep a secret like that? Do you think she'd choose to live with you in solidarity and leave behind everything? She will never do that"  

Next morning you woke up late, your alarm didn't ring for some reason and it frustrated you, the ferry was about to leave in 10 minutes and you saw James on the couch sleeping, 

"Wakeee up" he fell down the couch as he heard you yelling, he looked at the time and he knew he was going to miss the ferry. And he wasn't wrong.

After half an hour he came back and you couldn't have been angrier, you just wanted him to leave this place and be done with him, you also missed Loki and you craved his touch, you missed his face and his voice, you felt as if it has been ages since you had seen him last, even though it was just yesterday. 

You couldn't help but wonder where he was and where he went to whenever he disappeared. In the past month you never asked him how he was doing and whether he felt okay, it was always about you. You called the school and told Clint you won't be able to come as you felt sick, talking to him made your stomach twist but you had to pretend as if you still didn't remember anything. They can't know just yet.

While James was in the bathroom you prepared breakfast and as you were making tea, you missed Loki again. 

"Lokiiiii" you whispered his name but you didn't see him around and then something clicked.

"I need you please" You felt a presence next to you as you said that, it was hard to miss, he had his back against the counter, his arms were crossed and he had a smile on his face, you turned your head to the side to look at him and your eyes teared up. You have truly missed him. 

"Can you see me even when you're not here?" You whispered in a hushed tone, you didn't want James to hear you even though he was in the bedroom's bathroom.

"If you want me to, I can, I wouldn't want to disrupt your privacy" he whispered softly and it made you smile.

"I have missed you" you confessed to him and his eyes teared up..

"I felt the same darling" he grabbed your small dainty fingers and you felt his thumb rubbing over your skin softly, the touch fired you up and you wished you could have kissed him and done more, you really wanted to. 

"He's still here" 

"I know..it's Monday, no evening ferry I assume" 

You nodded as he said that, There was no ferry from the island to the mainland on Monday's so you knew James will have to be here tonight as well. 

"You smell good" you smiled as you slipped your fingers away so you could pour the tea in the cup.

"Thank you, so do you" he was glad you said that, he cleaned himself up always before he visited you, in the beginning when he was living in the house next to you, house that he had made, he had enjoyed the showers, he enjoyed it more than baths. They didn't have showers in Asgard.

You passed him the cup so he sipped on it quickly but then he gave it back to you, James was about to come out soon and he could sense that. 

"When can I see you again lo" you placed the cup to the side and grabbed the front of his shirt to pull him closer, he gasped at the sudden closeness, you weren't the only one missing him when he was away, he felt the same all the time, he cupped your cheeks and tilted his head down to reach your level, his lips were so close so you wanted to kiss him but he continued to pull away a little everytime you leaned into him. He also loved the little pet name you had given him.

"Whenever you need me, I'll be here my love, whenever and however you need me, just call out to me" he whispered softly and his voice sent tingles down your spine, you haven't felt such electricity in a long time, it's been years, it was there in the beginning of your relationship with James but it didn't last for long. 

"I'll pray to you Loki..I'll pray to you God but I want you to know that–" his lips latched onto yours before you could finish your words, there was nothing more he wanted than to have you as his, to have you belong to him but it seemed impossible, not with the conditions he had to live with now and he wasn't sure if you wanted to be with him forever just yet, you didn't know him that well. 

"I have to go, he's coming, keep me in your thoughts" he pecked your lips softly before he disappeared, you sighed in disappointment, a faint smell of his cologne still lingered in the air and it made you want to clutch onto him again. You wanted to tell him that you'd be there for him too if he needed you, you knew there was nothing you could have done but be there for him, he was a god, he didn't need your help but you wondered if he was alone and needed your company as much as you did his? 

As James stepped into the living room you glared at him, he was supposed to be gone. 

"Look you didn't wake me up either so it's your fault too, just saying" you rolled your eyes at him and put down the breakfast on the table in front of the kitchen. 

"Who's shirt is that on your bed? Looks like it belongs to a man" He asked you as he munched onto the omelet you had made.

"It's none of your business?" Your voice had a sassy tone to it so he smiled.

"Was just curious, I'd be happy to learn you're opening up again after..you know " you glared at him so he looked away but he couldn't stay quiet for long, for some reason he was extremely chatty, as if that would make you forget what he had done.

"Can I ask you something?" He asked you so you hummed in response.

"Don't you feel scared here, all alone at night, especially after ..you know..what happened with Nat" you sighed as he said that, yo didn't think you would have survived this place without your own special guardian angel.

"I do feel scared but it is what it is" 

"Why do you still want to be here now that you remember everything?" 

"I like the quiet and peace, stop asking questions please" 

Can you see me? I wish you could see me Loki. You mumbled in your head and then you felt his intoxicating smell lingering around you. James did too. You could tell by his expression but you were glad he didn't ask any question. 

It was unreal how badly you missed his presence, it felt like a torture to be without him, you felt as if you were on a withdrawal of some sorts. At night after dinner, you asked James to set the alarm for 9, you can't have him staying here for one more day. You were about to go to your bedroom when the power went out and it made you both gasp.

"What's happening?" You heard his voice and moved around in the darkness, there was a set of candles somewhere in the living room.

"It happens sometimes, here, try to light up the fire place..it's getting cold anyways" you gave him a candle and a box of matchstick.

"This place is straight out of a horror movie you realize this right?" He said to you and you couldn't disagree, the wind made the continuous howling sounds and it made everything so much worse, you said goodnight to him and went back to your room. The candles made the atmosphere eerier but you didn't feel scared because you knew Loki would be there whenever you need him.

After showering you put the night dress on but you couldn't stay still. You missed him, and you wanted to see him, you wanted to talk to him and you wanted to sleep next to him. But then you started to feel overwhelming, the last thing you wanted to do was drive him away with the constant neediness.

Your eyes fell upon the shirt so you picked it up and walked towards the mirror, your breathing hitched as you looked at yourself, then you pulled the straps of the night dress down your shoulder slowly. 

"See me Loki..god see me please, I want you to see" your voice came out all shaky, the action made you feel so naughty but it didn't feel wrong, you wanted him to see you undress and it excited you to know that he might be there watching you. His cologne hit your senses and it made you gasp, was he right behind you? You couldn't tell, you couldn't see him. 

Shuddering breaths escaped as you pulled the night dress down slowly and it pooled around your legs, your own reflection stared back at you, since that horrifying incident and the effect of it had killed any desire you had felt for the opposite gender but Loki was different, he wasn't like those men, he was a god and you knew he'd never hurt you like that, you believed in him. You knew you won't be able to go all the way even if you wanted to, you knew something would trigger you and ruin it for you, but this was nice, it felt safe, being able to desire a god who you knew only wanted to keep you safe felt arousing. He also made you feel desirable too.

You put his shirt on slowly, hoping that he was still there watching you adorn his fabric, you could smell him around you still but you weren't sure. 

As you laid down in the bed and got under the covers you took a deep breath.

"I am here too Loki, I just want you to know that I'm not selfish, that if you need me I'd be here too, I promise" you mumbled softly, your lids felt heavy as the sleep came for you soon, you haven't felt such peace in a long time and you didn't think it would have been possible without him. 

 Loki gasped as he returned to the darkness of his reality, the image of you standing half naked was burned in his memory now, you called him, you wanted him to see you like that and he felt blessed, he knew none of this was easy for you and he has been so careful, he didn't want to hurt you more then you have already been hurt.

The sight of your ragged breathing and quivering body made his hand grip his aching hard flesh as he pumped himself up and down slowly, he had never done this before, he used to feel dirty even though he desired every inch of you but you had given him the permission today by showing yourself off for him so brazenly, he wasn't expecting it but norns he'd be lying if he said he wasn't in literal heaven right now, he didn't crave anything anymore but only the burning need to have you on top of him and fill you up slowly with his cock. He wanted to be surrounded by your warmth in every way.  

He thought of your plump bosom and your bare skin glowing amidst the candlelights, he pictured you on the bed in his clothes and his hand worked faster, he needed a release, it's been so long and he has been on the edge every time you touched him, kissed him and every time you were on top of him with your hips rolling against him. Then he heard your words as you promised to be there for him, he didn't need it, it wouldn't have changed his feelings for you at all, but they warmed his heart and made him feel wanted too, he felt cared for after a long time. 

He cried out your name as the dam broke, a smile formed on his lips as he tried to level his breathing back to normal. He wished he could have been there with you right now, he wished he was sleeping in that warm bed with you instead of this dark lonely cell. He didn't answer when his mother had asked him that question but he wasn't afraid to say it now, he didn't want to deny it either.

"Oh dear mother, to answer your query now, Yes, I have fallen for her, truly and madly" 

#loki x female reader #loki x reader fluff #loki x reader smut #loki x reader #loki x reader insert #loki x reader fic #loki x you #loki x reader angst #loki horror romance #loki alternate universe #dark themes #loki au

[catarsisdecoraje]

Brotherhood in the Theerapanyakul Clan

The finale of KinnPorsche brought this absolutely stark realization to my mind on how differently the brothers of each family interact with one another. We have the fathers, Korn and Gun, who for the entirety of the season are at each other’s throats, making the relationship between Main and Minor families incredibly tense. They made their sons into perfect enemies, creating a rivalry so deep that every bad thing that happened to one was the result of the other. When Kinn succeeded, Vegas paid the consequence of losing to his cousin. Vegas was constantly told by his father to keep an eye on Kinn, to always stay a step ahead of him, to lie, cheat and murder to get an advantage over him. Kinn was told that the minor family were out to get him, his family his biggest threat.

We don’t know how Korn and Gun got this way. We see glimpses of half-truths during the finale, with both brothers accusing each other of killing Nampheung’s husband. Korn accuses Gun of assaulting their foster sister, and uses that as the excuse to why he kept her locked up for years to protect her from Gun. There is a moment where Gun shouts “you’re worse than our father” to Korn, which clearly indicates both sons suffered abuse from their father probably in the same way they dispense abuse over their own children (korn being mentally abusive while gun is more physical). What fully cements the vicious relationship between the brothers is the fact that Korn can shoot his brother dead in the third eye for the sake of keeping his twisted web of lies intact.

However, as toxic and volatile as the main and minor families are with each other, the harmony that exists within the brothers of both families, especially in times of crisis, is astonishing.

At first glance, the Theerapanyakul brothers of the main family seem to be off in their own worlds, unconcerned with what the others are doing. However, Kim created a whole murder board to figure out who his brother’s new bodyguard was and who could possibly be the mole amongst their staff all while not living in the house. Kinn got worried every time Khun left the house and even joined him on his second outing as a way to ensure his brother’s safety as well as appearing at the drop of a hat when Kim called him for assistance, no questions asked. And Khun, a big brother for the ages, who despite having PTSD and social anxiety (most likely) was the most logical during the Tawan situation and found a way to help the family during the shoot out in the finale. Not to mention his trust and love for Porsche was spectacular throughout the series, especially once he learned of his significance in his brother’s life. When Korn fakes his death, the three brothers find solace in one another’s presence, although their reactions to his “death” are very different. Kinn, twisting his ring on his finger, clearly realizing the true weight of it now. Khun crying his eyes out, the one who least likely saw the evil in their dad, saddened by the loss. Then there’s the ever suspicious Kim, either skeptical at the news or aware of what’s to come.

On the other hand we have the minor family brothers, Vegas and Macau. We don’t get a single scene of the brothers alone together, but from the little we get of them, it’s evident they love and care for each other. Macau is still in high school so he’s obviously not as involved in the mafia business yet, but he’s enough of a presence to already be a disappointment to his father. While Vegas lives trying to gain the validation of his father, he also lives to protect his brother. We see him turn red with rage when Porsche splits Macau’s head open, evidently willing to kill for his younger brother. The scene at the end with Pete in the hospital room also establishes a loving relationship between the two, Vegas placing a soft kiss on both Macau’s and Pete’s cheeks, signifying these are the two people he loves the most in the world.

Among the many things KinnPorsche as a series did well, establishing clear lines of trust and love amongst the younger men of the Theerapanyakul lineage was a refreshing take on a tired family rivalry troupe. Kim could’ve been trying to usurp Kinn with his behind the scenes machinations. Kinn could’ve secretly resented the hell out of Khun. Vegas could’ve hated having to take care of someone else when he could barely care for himself. Growing up in such a toxic environment, seeing the older generation at each other’s throats could’ve inspired the same in both sets of brothers, but I think this is the one thing that made them stronger. In a world when you can’t trust anyone, what are you left with if you can’t trust your own blood.

#kinnporsche meta #kinnporsche #kinnporsche the series #thai bl #kinn theerapanyakul #porsche kittisawasd #vegas theerapanyakul #kim theerapanyakul #tankhun theerapanyakul #macau theerapanyakul #kinnporsche la forte

[queenharumiura]

💚 + TYL male Tsuna

Who do you ship my muse with? Send me 💚 + a character name and I’ll give my thoughts on that ship! ||Accepting|| @signorinavongola

Oh? TYL Male Tsuna? Can’t say I was expecting that one, kekek Well well well, readmore time! I have many thoughts about this.

Let’s see… so I think most people who have ever talked to me at length will know how I feel about Tsuna x Haru, and know that I am not very partial to it. I am not a big fan of it, but it isn’t to the point that it’s a NOTP or anything. I’m fine with people shipping it or liking it, but it’s not exactly a ship that I enjoy on the regular.

IF I am to enjoy the ship, it probably has to be done under certain circumstances, or I simply will not tolerate it. As a person who has liked a person for years but he seemed to only pay attention to other girls and outright like one of her best friends—I feel Haru. It hurts a lot, it also damages your self-confidence and self-esteem. It really sucks, and the last chapter does show that she knows that Tsuna doesn’t actually pay attention to her.

She confronted him about it. I, Neo, will NEVER get over “Did you eat Yakisoba before coming, Haru? Your lips are shiny.”

YAKISOBA. YAKIBSOBA!? BOOOIIIIIIIIIIIIII THE WAY MY ANGER AND VIOLENT URGES SKYROCKETED WHEN I READ THAT. Haru did good to get in his face like ‘It’s my lip gloss that I’ve been using for a while! Pay more attention to me!’

That’s right. You tell him. Either pay attention to her or actually sit her down and tell her that you don’t see her that way and that you’ll never see her that way. Actually reject her so that she can move on and not believe on that minute chance that if she keeps trying he’ll look her way one day. I’m getting mad again.

Like, the way that Haru would do things like visiting Tsuna dressed up in silly costumes and he’d rebuke such a silly thing but you find out Kyoko is also there? She thought it’d be funny? Suddenly his tune changes, like wow what a great idea. Thanks for doing it. Honestly, it was a ‘just say that Kyoko is going and he’ll say he’ll go’ or ‘Kyoko thought it was a good idea’ and then he’ll agree and say that it is.

From Haru’s standpoint, that really sucks to have any effort of yours only be validated because of Kyoko’s involvement. Haru does have an odd way of seeing things and she’s a bit of a troll gremlin. She just loves to do silly things. People are suffering with their homework, why not take a break and have a heat endurance competition for fun? If I recall, Tsuna was like ‘what kind of monster would think of such a thing?’ Haru coming out like QuQ I’m not a monster—not gonna lie- fair. I get irrationally mad when I get hot and start sweating so yeah. You’re not wrong for that Tsuna LOL [I’m not a blind Haru stan that will forgive everything she does lol]

I’ve only said this to a handful of people, but it’s my theory that Kyoko and Haru both are to serve as different kinds of foil for Tsuna that you often see in Shonen series. There is the crush that the main character likes who will either secretly also like him back OOOOOR will come to like him as the series progresses. That is Kyoko’s role in the series. Then in many shonen, you’ll also have that one girl who likes the main character and will seemingly not fall out of love even though there are so many choices around her? Hinata steadfastly liking Naruto only (lucky her, she marries him in the end. Good on ya, girl!). Momoi having a crush on Tetsuya (yes, KNB). Boa Hancock who is just smitten with Luffy even though he doesn’t really notice her like that. Could’ve made the case with Juvia and Gray for a while (Fairy Tail). It’s been a while I forget if they were canon at the end of the series. I know Gajeel and Levy were canon! That was the pairing I needed in my life.

Basically, it’s a thing. That’s basically Haru. It’s like Haru’s role is to be the girl who just loves Tsuna and even though there are so many guys around her who are just as great (if not better) she’s still only locked onto Tsuna. Haru and Kyoko are the foils that are to tell the readers thus: You may be a loser but if you work hard and be a good guy, your crush will eventually look at you. OR You may be a loser, but there is probably a girl who will like you anyways for who you are. Last chapter of KHR is actually criminal. Haru finally confronts him about how he doesn’t pay attention to her and then he blushes like ‘I am paying attention’ and then Reborn and Bianchi stand there like oh look he’s blushing. These two consistently keep dropping hints that Haru and Tsuna are a good pair and they make me want to punch a wall.

Cease and desist. I hate it here. Reborn did add the fact that Haru was getting popular with guys as of late and it’s because she’s cute. Reborn gets a pass for that added commentary. He isn’t on my shit list for that. Amano committed a crime against me by having Tsuna save Haru again and making Haru fall for Tsuna even harder. I’ll literally NEVER FORGIVE HER FOR THIS. You gave me hope that Haru can finally escape the one-sided love, and you do this??? 왜? POR QUE? WHY? なぜ? Perché? I’m not exactly sure what Amano’s goal was with the last chapter, but if she’s trying to hint that he will actually start paying attention to her and like her—I’ve mixed feelings. If she’s implying that he won’t ever really make his choice and it’ll be almost like an harem kind of thing? I’ll sooner pair Haru and Kyoko together before I accept this. I do think that Tsuna was supposed to be paired with Kyoko though, it did seem hinted in the TYL arc. If so, I’m sure they’d make a lovely pair.

Let. Haru. Be. FREE!!!!!!!! Haru, please, you have OPTIONS. Look at all the guys around you, they’re great. Look at them. PLEASE.

Now, I’ll also say that Haru isn’t without fault either. She’s incredibly stubborn, and she probably was being very optimistic in her idea that if she keeps trying, he’ll eventually look at her and come to like her too. One day she’ll come out from being the shadow woman and actually be with him. She also comes off really strong, and it’s burdensome to push your feelings onto someone. I’ll admit that she’s wrong for that. It’s not a good behavior. I can see why he lowkey pushes her away sometimes. I can see why he feels exasperated around her. I won’t blame him for that because I get it.

Before I move on, let me talk to you about something that absolutely breaks me and I want others to feel sad too. Haru Character song broke me the day I actually read translation. Haru really was like I’m okay with being the shadow woman because she loves him. I will cause multiple counts of aggravated assault on a pillow.

Because I’m upset about it, here are a few memorable quotes from the song “Kita no Dangerous”

I love you, Tsuna-san When I'm awake, when I'm sleeping To think that this heart will break It's a very horror everyday

"Aa~ I don't care if I am only a shadow woman I'll follow you wherever Because because Haru loves you, Tsuna-san

But our school is different It's a very lonely everyday Even if you take advantage on this love weakness I want you to rely on it on trouble times

LITERALLY DON’T GET ME STARTED ON HOW MUCH THIS HURT ME THE DAY I FINALLY READ THE TRANSLATIONS. I WILL SMITE!!!!!!!!!!!

GIRL. Where is your self-love. Your self-worth? EXCUSE ME? You’re okay if you’re only a shadow woman because you love him? You’ll follow him because you love him? It’s okay if he takes advantage of your love? HAH!?!!?!?!?!

There is a reason why I am not a fan of this ship. Look at what this love has done to my girl. THIS! IS. WHY. I. WRITE. HARU. OLDER. I don’t want to write her as she’s still in love. I don’t want to write her when she’s in a one-sided love lying to herself that it’s okay if she’s a shadow woman. Kill me, actually.

[Does this mean you don’t think Tsuna and Haru would make a good couple?]

LOLOLOL I didn’t say that. Despite how it sounds, I don’t think they’d make a bad couple. I just think it would require a LOT of work.

I have a lot of random thoughts here and there but I won’t go into that. I will instead focus on what circumstances need to happen for me to accept a Tsuna x Haru ship. I will literally not accept a suddenly Tsuna decided he liked Haru back one day and they just instantly became a ship. NAH. After all the suffering she’s been through? All the times her efforts weren’t appreciated or went ignored? I won’t tolerate that for a second. As long as Haru is my muse, if Tsuna ever came up to her randomly and say that he liked her back, she’ll believe that she’s being lied to. Something happened. The first two things she’ll ask is: Is this a joke? Or ‘Did you finally confess to Kyoko-chan and she rejected you? Is that why you like me now?’ Haru has no chill sometimes, and I love her for it.

Like sure, I’m sure if he was like I’m not kidding, she would probably believe him and probably be okay with it—but I’M NOT. This is the one thing that I will fight Haru on. She may say okay but I’ll say no. After everything she’s been through? I’m not having such an anticlimactic ‘oh, you actually like me? Okay! Great!’ NAAHHHHHHH We’re not having that.

As we all know, I default Haru to being 18 and that she’s already gotten over Tsuna. The only way I’d accept Tsuna and Haru being a thing is after she stopped liking him, he for whatever reason decided/realized that he liked her. Then it’s his turn to try to court Haru. It probably won’t be that easy considering she gave up on her feelings for him, and that likely didn’t come without significant thought and emotionally sorting through her feelings. If Tsuna was willing to actually court her and try to get her to love him again while also understanding the fact that she’d been hurt for a long time because of him- I can agree to the ship. I’m not about to have Haru be the only one who got hurt in this ordeal.

You can suffer a little bit too, Tsuna. That’s the bitter Haru-mun talking.

Phew, now for the part you actually came here to ask for lol.

Tsuna spent a lot of his childhood being a dame-Tsuna. Even his mother would talk down on him sometimes, but Nana has also said herself that she didn’t need Tsuna to be special or amazing. She just wanted him to be happy. Knowing that he didn’t have many friends growing up, his sociability is a bit lacking. He needs time to really come to understand how to really interact with people and we do see him struggling with that throughout the series, but he learns! Quickly, at that.

Tsuna can also be a bit on the timid side, someone who can be a bit indecisive, but when it’s important, and the stakes are high, he’s able to make decisions based off instinct or what he thinks is right. I do think he needs someone that could compliment that, where they aren’t so timid, and may have a secret softer and hurt side that they don’t show others. He would do well to be paired with someone who is very supportive and is patient with his timid nature. Someone who would understand that he may struggle to say somethings because he doesn’t want to hurt people. Honestly, that’s probably the reason why he never really outright rejected her. He didn’t want to hurt her and maybe he feared that in doing so he’d lose a friend.

For a person who didn’t have many friends, losing one is a scary concept, so I get that and can sympathize with it. (I still get mad on Haru’s behalf though) Anyways, I do think that Haru is a nice kind of opposite to him since she’s very honest and open. She speaks her mind and she’s very open to talking out if someone is doing something bad. She’s not afraid to simply speak up and smack someone if need be. That said, she’s mostly that open and bold when it comes to others. If it comes to talking about herself, she’s surprisingly pretty quiet and to herself about it. Tsuna would probably be able to pick up on some of that.

So in some ways they could help each other. Tsuna being that person who would support him every step on the way, remind him that he’s capable of doing many great things, and to just be there for him. He can also be there for her when she’s struggling with something and be that quiet personality who will silently support her. If she wants to talk, they can, but if she’d prefer to sit in silence and mope, he’ll be there in silent support.

Haru just appreciates effort and intent, so as long as he was trying to do something nice for her or what, she’d always appreciate it. She wouldn’t look down on Tsuna for being to be cool and then failing. She doesn’t care if he’s not the smartest. She doesn’t care if he’s not the tallest, the most athletic, etc etc. She cares for someone’s sense of morals, their integrity, and their personality. She’d appreciate him and his intentions, and I think that would do him well, knowing that she loved him for who he was.

She doesn’t love him because he has power. She doesn’t love him for superficial things like his looks, or anything like that. Haru, I feel, is very good at showing people that when she likes them, she likes them for THEM. There is very little room to doubt her affections, and for Tsuna who (in canon) has shown a lot of self-confidence issues, it’s a good thing. We do see that he improved on that a lot through the course of the series, however.

Basically, if they were to be a couple, they’d be a sweet and caring one. They’d be very supportive of each other, they’d simply love to be together and just be wholesome and sweet.

I’ll stop it there because I don’t write with a TYL Tsuna (male) and so I’m not sure how one or the majority choose to write him. It’s hard for me to say how they’d be as a couple in TYL. Bottom line, if they were to somehow be a couple, I think they’d make it work. They’d be a nice couple.

You just gotta convince the squinting mother in law (ME).

#signorinavongola #Meme answered #Answered ask #Thanks for the ask! #Neo speaks #((I took breaks to work on other memes in between writing this one))