#jonathan get your priorities straight

[driftwoodcryptid]

jonathan, looking down at dracula laying in a box full of dirt, wondering if he’s alive or dead: wow his lips are as red as ever

#jonathan get your priorities straight #like straight as in heterosexual #dracula daily #jonathan harker #dracula #mine

[purpleangelsele]

When Season 5 of stranger things comes out, I can guess how loud certain toxic shippers will get. Because they feel like the show hinges on the basis of queer representation and how it would be such good rep for childhood bestfriends who become lovers and they’re both gay. No sign of bi or pan here just full out gay representation.

And that’s okay to wish for that sort of representation in the media you consume. Especially in a huge show like stranger things. However, considering the genre of the show-good gay rep is not really focused on amongst everything else that happens. There’s multiple storylines that involve themes of children growing up too fast, found family, would die for the ones you love, family dynamics, being a nerd or a freak, afraid of coming out, a positive reaction to a coming out, death, gore, guilt, depression, suicidal tendencies, trauma…you see where I’m going with this.

It’s not the duffer brothers responsibility to also formulate a very hidden gay storyline that only shows one of them having feelings. The show would explicitly show romance between two people like how Robin is shown through dialogue and actions how she feels towards Vickie.

There was also some tension because she doesn’t think Vickie was anything but straight. We saw Vickie being kissed by her boyfriend but the show also pans to the way she reacts to Robin being there.

It reminds me of season 2 when Steve kissed Nancy in front of Jonathan who left like Robin which then left Nancy/Vickie staring after them with a sort of guilt. They were captured in the show explicitly so the audience doesn’t need to form such complex theories on how Jonathan and Robin felt in those situations, they both thought it was unrequited love but the camera panning back to Nancy/Vickie’s face suggests otherwise.

I thought that was good storytelling and ties in with how the show treats romance. They don’t shy away from seemingly unrequited love to actually mutually requited love. It’s clearly shown so the audience can easily make those assumptions.

Now back to the main point. The toxic shippers of a certain ship will most likely label this show as terrible gay rep when season 5 airs. They would have theorized every single frame, lighting, clothing choices, dialogue, “parallels”, and how season 5 would go. Though, all of this will not bode well for them. I’m only saying this specifically about toxic shippers!! They are the ones that will start raging on season 5 for not giving Will a happy ending which means being in a relationship with his bestfriend, (who by the way is in a very committed relationship with the protagonist) forget his mental health and his hopes for the future, forget his sister, don’t even mention the possibility of him being the closeted gay who has an unrequited love.

I know seeing unrequited love can become stale at some point but I feel like it’s good to see how normal it is. Most people can relate to that feeling of not having your feelings returned and that fucking hurts. But it does not dictate your happiness, someone not liking you back doesn’t mean you can not move on. It will hurt like hell but it is achievable with time. Being friends can still be achieved when the other person understands and does not make things incredibly awkward. I’m saying this because knowing the show, Will is not going to be with the one he loves and that will hurt of course, but considering there’s a timeskip…I think he will be happy because his life does not center around this one person. He has other friends, interests, family, hopes and dreams. And maybe he won’t get into a relationship until way later, that’s perfectly fine and should be normalized. His mental health should be the first priority as well, considering all of what he went through in the show.

I know so many will call it queer baiting but Robin and Vickie aren’t. They are actually being built up and Vickie is possibly pan or bi representation. Robin is a legit lesbian and she can actually be herself around Steve who in my opinion is her queer-platonic soulmate. There is good rep in this show but I wouldn’t count on the gay storylines to be 100% fleshed out considering there isn’t enough time for that.

But I’m sure there’s other shows if you look hard enough, that has the actual gay representation that you want. There’s so many shows that center only on the love between two guys or two girls. You just have to find them.

Stranger things might disappoint with that unrequited love storyline but life is just like that, most times things don’t go the way you want, romances are not smooth sailing, your heart will get broken. In my opinion, that aspect is realistically shown in the show. And I know that not all shippers will think this, I’m only saying this to the loud, jobless, chronically online ones.

Honestly, I hope you take away atleast something valuable from this post. I’m not that articulate in my thoughts because my mind goes faster than my fingers. I just wanted to share this and hopefully some people connect to what I said.

-Sel💜💜

#mileven #mike wheeler #el hopper #will byers #stranger things #stranger things fandom #gay representation #jonathan x nancy #vickie stranger things #robin x vickie #robin buckley #robin and steve #jonathan byers #nancy wheeler #my thoughts #was thinking about making a post like this for awhile now #and i really hope I do not offend anyone but this is just what I personally think #if you want to discuss please be civil and respectful please

[is-emily-real]

Bonfire.

Written for Lex’s Spring Spicy Six Fanworks Challenge @thefreakandthehair Thank you so much for the prompt!

He drove home in a daze. He made a beeline for the telephone, unaware of the numbers he entered until he heard her voice. “Hello?”

“Nance, um, hi.” Of all the people his brain could call on instinct, why did it have to be Nancy? “It’s Steve.”

“You don’t sound good. Is everything okay?”

“Listen, I, uh… I just came from the city council meeting.”

“What happened?”

He took in a sharp breath. “They’re not going to demolish the Creel house.”

She sighed. “I expected as much. No one’s living on Morehead anymore. It’s not a priority.”

“Some kids are going to be messing around in there and the place’s gonna collapse!” His heart pounded. 

“Unless we do something about it, it’s going to have to sit for a bit longer. Just… Take a breath, okay? I’m sure it’ll all be fine.”

“Yeah, I’m just being stupid. Thanks. I’ll talk to you later.”

“Bye, Steve.”

He hung the phone back on the hook and slid down the wall. Fuck. He wanted it to be over. He wanted all traces of the Upside Down destroyed, all of his scars washed away, all of the kids’ hurt disintegrated. He wanted Max and Eddie to live normal lives.

But that wouldn’t happen. 

Unless we do something about it. Nancy’s words floated across his head, consuming him until they practically ran through his veins. If the city wouldn’t do anything, he would. He had to. That was his specialty, wasn’t it? He’d take the lead and make the city do something about it.

Almost without thought, Steve jumped to his feet and ran to the garage. He threw a gas can and a few bottles of kerosene in the trunk of his car. Next, he rifled through the kitchen, finding a book of matches and some old rags. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey, just for luck, and sped off.

He turned into the trailer park before he realized, coming to a stop in front of Eddie’s door. As he approached, he heard laughter. 

Steve yanked the door open to a scream. “Jesus, man, can’t you knock?” Eddie asked, setting a joint on the ashtray. He sat with Argyle, the latter wrapped in Jonathan’s jacket and blinking slowly at him. An easy grin disappeared from his lips.

“I need help.”

“With what?”

“I’m gonna burn the Creel house down.”

Eddie scoffed before looking him up and down. Something clicked. “You’re serious.”

Argyle shook his head. “No way, brochacho. I don’t want nothing to do with that. I’ll just hang here until Jon gets back.”

He shrugged and locked eyes with Eddie. “You can help me, or I’ll do it myself.”

He dragged a hand through his curls, huffing. “I just got cleared from a murder accusation. Like just got cleared.”

“So what’s arson?”

“What’s arson?!” Steve would have laughed at his outrage, but he knew he wouldn’t convince him unless he played it straight. “I don’t know, Steve, just setting a fucking house on fire!” Eddie began to pace. “I came this close to jail time, and now you want me to be an accomplice to arson? For the love of God, why?!”

“Because the city’s just gonna leave it standing, and I can’t let it torment Max and Lucas anymore.” Or me.

Eddie groaned. “You had to bring the kids into this.” He paused, turning it over in his head before letting out an exaggerated groan. “Son of a bitch. Fine.”

Steve grinned for the first time all night. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

——

Steve stayed quiet the whole drive, letting Eddie ramble. “Broke into a house, stole a camper, dealt.” He counted on his fingers. “Can’t forget paraphernalia and possession with intent to distribute. Those are very important to the courts... Are you okay?”

“What?”

“You’ve got a look on your face.”

“A look?”

Eddie rolled his eyes. “What are you, a parrot? Yes, a look. You haven’t made that face since the Upside Down.”

He shrugged. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

“Stevie.” It was almost a song, the way his nickname rolled off Eddie’s tongue. “I know you better than that. Something’s bothering you, and it’s not the kids, ‘cause you don’t have the ‘exasperated dad’ air about you.”

The grooves of the steering wheel dug into his hands as he swerved around the road closure sign and came to a stop. The words came out a little sharper than he intended. “I promise I’m fine. Let’s just get this over with.”

“Alright,” Eddie sighed, shaking his head. They grabbed the gear from the trunk, portioning it out and splitting up. Steve walked carefully over the boards bridging the crack in the earth and worked his way up to the house. He pushed his way through a broken window, careful not to get caught on the glass. 

Eddie stepped through the empty door. Steve caught his eyes. “Be careful.”

Eddie gave him a mock salute. “Sir, yes sir.”

He turned, opening the kerosene. The pungent aroma flooded his nose as he began to pour it along the length of the floor. The remnants of the hardwood creaked beneath his feet, and he stalked slowly along the length of the house, wary of any weak spots in the floor.

From the sound of it, Eddie was a little more haphazard in dumping the gas on the remains of the house. That felt more like the man that saved Dustin in the Upside Down than who he saw come out of the hospital, the one that leaned in with a keen observation and sarcastic comment. He was a drama queen, sure, but Steve enjoyed the theatrics. In the calm of the Rightside Up, as Joyce had called it, it never failed to bring a smile to his face.

And if he was avoiding the way something in his chest twinged whenever Eddie smirked in his general direction, well, that was his business.

They regrouped at the door. “You ready?” he asked. 

Eddie gulped and nodded.

He struck the matches, orange light dancing across his hands for just a moment before he gently tossed them inside. When the gas began to catch, they turned tail and ran for what remained of the park across the street. 

Flames began to lick up the side of the building. They watched in silence as the dark smoke billowed into the twilight. Steve flinched at the snapping and popping of the boards, too reminiscent of Nancy’s gunshots echoing around the attic. 

His stomach twisted, breaths coming short and heavy now. He could almost feel the weight coming off his shoulders, his fears drifting away with the smoke. Max didn’t ever have to face this place. 

A little while longer and it would be gone, just a charred shell and haunting memories, locked only in their heads. It had done its damage. It wouldn’t hurt anyone else.

It couldn’t. Not anymore.

Eddie’s voice cut through his thoughts. “That’s a big fucking bonfire. We should have brought marshmallows.”

Steve’s laughter turned into sobs.

He let the tears stream down his face, years of stress bubbling to the surface all at once. Would it actually be over? Would any of them ever actually be safe?

Warm arms wrapped around him. “Stevie.” He felt his name rumble in Eddie’s chest. “Shh. You’re okay. We’re okay. You’re so strong. You are the bravest person I’ve ever known.” His voice wavered. “We’re gonna get over this, baby, I’m absolutely sure of it.”

Steve pulled back with a sniff and a giggle, hands still curled in Eddie’s shirt. A rough hand cupped his cheek, and he leaned into the touch. 

Eddie’s eyes were soft in the orange light. “Eds, I…” There was so much buzzing around his brain, so much he was certain he’d never be able to put into words, so much that scared the shit out of him and thrilled him at the same time. His heart pounded. It was time to take a chance. 

His eyes fluttered closed as he pressed their lips together. It was lightning in his veins, fizzling all over his skin as Eddie pulled him closer. They moved together, almost as one for a long, joyous moment until the rush went to his head. 

He broke the kiss, resting his forehead on Eddie’s. “It is an alright bonfire.”

The laugh that rang out was all Steve would ever need.

#lex's spicy six fanworks challenge #this ended up way different than i planned #but im proud of it #my first steddie fic #steddie #steve harrington #eddie munson #there was planned jargyle but unfortunately it ended up as a breif mention

[therainbowwillow]

Dracula Daily May 16th Thoughts:

SPOILER WARNING! This is my second read through.

-Sanity is a major theme for Jonathan’s character and in this book as a whole. It’s important to him that he’s sane in order to be taken seriously and the book affirms that this is a completely valid priority. Renfield, who is also hospitalized (well… institutionalized) and suffers from Dracula’s abuse (whether or not he sees it that way) is ignored. His opinion is less worthy of consideration that Jonathan’s, who does manage to maintain appearances and come across as fairly normal to his society. The Hamlet connection also makes sense, seeing as the play shares this central theme.

-It’s particularly awful that Jonathan fully recognizes that Dracula is the only person he can turn to for “safety” even though Dracula is the cause of this whole situation and is absolutely imprisoning him intentionally. Since Jonathan is an orphan and not in the upper class, I expect this isn’t the first time he’s dealt with this kind of abuse. It’s a familiar situation, someone taking advantage of a disadvantaged person who only has them to turn to and it’s sad to me that Jonathan is so keenly aware of his predicament.

-Ah, the misquoted Hamlet line. Jonathan quotes it as “My tablets! quick, my tablets! 'Tis meet that I put it down," etc.” which, regardless of Doylist context, makes sense for someone who doesn’t have the play in front of them. (The correct quote is “My tables- meet it is I set it down…” which I did apparently have memorized. Jeez, Jonathan, where’s a 2+ year long hyperfixation on Shakespeare’s Hamlet when you need it?)

-I love how much the connotation of the word sleepy has changed since 1897. Jonathan is clearly using it to mean just “tired” but the modern connotation of “sleepy” feels much… softer? Like a young child is sleepy, or I, lying in the sun, am sleepy, but not a guy in a prison-castle. That’s more like exhausted.

-I like how much time Jonathan spends describing the world beyond the castle. It seems like it’s a good way for him to hold on to hope but also says something about him that he’s still able to see beauty right now.

-“…whilst their gentle breasts were sad for their menfolk away in the midst of remorseless wars.” Future Mina, I’m sorry you have to read your husband’s prison-castle-induced men-writing-women moment. Jonathan, for future reference, the tits don’t need to be personified. Guess who forgot the gender-neutral term “breast” could be used in the plural? (Thank you, commenters!)

-imagine being the brides right now. This guy just fell asleep on your couch unannounced. Maybe don’t drink his blood and forcibly vampire-seduce him, but whispering about him seems like a reasonable response, yeah? Maybe you should stick with that.

-Do we ever get an explanation for this? “ I seemed somehow to know her face, and to know it in connection with some dreamy fear, but I could not recollect at the moment how or where.” Has he seen her before in a book? In a dream?

-ah, the return of voluptuous

-This is a strong analogy for sexual assault and I appreciate that it never feels for a moment like it was Jonathan’s fault, regardless of how he describes feeling in the moment.

-I fucking hate Count Dracula. I hate him! His use of this “rescue” as an opportunity to claim Jonathan as “his own” is disgusting and abhorrent and I wish I could just get Jonathan an Uber straight back home!

-The brides are awful but I do also feel a little bit bad for them. They are also victims of Dracula’s overbearing control (a fact which does not and cannot justify their victimization of Jonathan, but is proof that he is abusive towards everyone, not just Jonathan.)

-Now we know why the locals are so “superstitious”… poor unnamed kid :(

-And there we are… he’s figured out the vampire thing in full!

#dracula daily #jonathan harker #dracula spoilers #the brides of dracula #dracula

[howtobecomeadragon]

Tbh I think the show won't spend much time showing Byler's romance, it will most likely be similar to Nancy and Jonathan's 'romance' in S2, where Nancy realized she liked Jonathan and they got together. I think they'll give the same situation to Mike's character where after the break up he'll realize that he likes Will and that he and El were not meant to last 🤷‍♀️. I doubt it's gonna take a huge screen time, and tbh I think Will's plot will be tied more to the supernatural stuff so Byler would be more in the background and would not be a priority.

All they really need to do is to show Mike's confusion more and his realizing his feelings for Will like the way Nancy realized her feelings toward Jonathan in my opinion. I also think it's most likely to happen in ep7 or even in the last ep like the other couples.

hello hello anon! thanks for sharing your thoughts!!

I don't agree with you, though, for a few reasons.

byler will be a huge plot twist for most of the audience. by the end of s1, most people knew that Nancy liked Jonathan and that they were probably going to end up together, so getting the storyline and the audience to that point for jancy in s2 wasn't very hard. the same is not true for Mike and Will. there will need to be a lot of fleshing out about Mike's thoughts and feelings and exploring how he came to like Will after what we've seen in s1-s4.

which of course leads to needing an exploration of Mike's self denial of his sexuality, his internalized homophobia, etc. and making sure the (mostly straight) general audience can understand and empathize and ROOT for byler. which IS going to be harder than getting the audience to root for handsome, sweet Joanthan. that is much more nuanced and will take longer to explain than just the fact that Nancy waited around for Jonathan to make a move and just moved on when he didn't. it takes more nuance, more skill, and more time. this is also in contrast bc we just needed to go back 1 season to explain and understand Nancy's thought process for being with Steve in s1 and going to Jonathan in s2. byler will require showing us enough evidence for Mike's feelings for Will that the audience cannot just day "yeah but he was with El for FOUR seasons." they need to show strong enough evidence to withstand four seasons of Mike's relationship with El.

additionally, there will be exploration of El's feelings on the matter, and making sure that El ends up in a happy place (much more so than needed to happen for Steve in s2, with several more seasons for him to come to terms with Nancy not loving him). that will also require an exploration of Mike explaining how he feels or El finding out how he feels, how El feels, and likely a discussion about how homophobia affected Mike and why it led him to act throughout the seasons so that she can get some closure and understanding.

now I'm not saying that the byler storyline is going to take up a huge portion of s5, but I think it deserves and necessitates a more in depth exploration (than s2 jancy or s2 lumax for example) for the storyline to be satisfying for the general audience. the duffers aren't going to half ass a gay romantic plot twist between the main characters and risk a ton of the audience just calling bullshit on the whole thing and not going back to rewatch. the fun and payoff of the plot twist is the rewatchability, and the duffers will want to fully flesh out everything going on in Mike's head throughout the seasons to make the ga want to go back and pick up on the clues like bylers have been doing since s4 and earlier.

those are my thoughts and thank you for sharing yours!!

#anon ask #byler #s5 speculation

[like-rain-or-confetti]

Memory Test (The Riddler x Reader x Scarecrow)

Jonathan heard frantic pounding on his door. When he opened the door it was you. "Hi. Can you hide me?" "From...who?" He looked you over as you panted, clearly out of breath. "Riddler." You breathed before doubling over and panted, trying to catch your breath. "Fine, come in." Jonathan sighed. "What have you done now?" He asked. 

"Got my revenge." You grinned between pants. "Hm?" He tilted his head. "Okay, so here's the story." You managed out. "Let me get you water. I'm listening." Jonathan said before walking to the kitchen. "So you know how Edward is being an ass as he always is and made me do those stupid riddles?" You began. Jonathan hummed. "I got the bastard back and he's hunting me down. This is what I did." 

It started off with tiny things. You took random sticky notes off of his walls. Just one. The next time you were in his apartment you took another. You waited to see if he'd notice. He never said a word. Then you started taking things like pencils and pens. A green highlighter. None that were on the desk or the Riddler would notice. Given his photographic memory, he'd remember where he put things so it couldn't be objects he'd notice straight away and used regularly. Three pens, one highlighter and seven sticky notes in and Edward began to take notice. Confusion struck him and then he figured that he must be remembering but getting the time wrong. Plus these weren't anything of real value so theft wouldn't immediately come to mind. 

Then you began to spice things up a little by replacing things with others. His green pen you took was now replaced with a black one. His highlighter replaced with a green marker. This was when he began to get very confused. "What on earth?" Edward picked up the marker. "What is it?" You called from the next room. "I lost my highlighter. I could have sworn I put it in this jar but now I have a green marker in its place." You peeked your head around the door. "Don't look at my plans!" He yelled and you squeaked, backing away. "Sorry! Well you must have put it there!" "I couldn't have, I'd remember doing that." He huffed. "You don't need to think that hard over putting a pen down, Ed. Plus you don't sleep much. You must have done it whilst tired. Either way, I wouldn't worry about it!" Edward sighed. "I suppose. He didn't see your smug smile from behind the wall. You began switching two keys on his computer keyboard. Seeing he didn't look down as he typed, he didn't notice. You switched the colour of a paper clip holding documents you couldn't understand. It didn't take long for him to start screaming about how those paper clips are colour coordinated and someone must be doing this. You gaped at him perplexed. "Stop gawking at me like a fish!" Edward snapped, startling you out of your stupor. "Get used to it. This is what he does." Penguin sighed, sending you a look. "Ed, when did you last sleep?" Jonathan asked. "Three nights ago! That has nothing to do with this!" Edward exclaimed. "Get some sleep, Edward. You're making silly mistakes and too tired to even realise it." Jonathan sighed. "I'm telling you! I don't make such errors! Even if sleep deprived!" Edward argued. "So your alternative is someone broke into your apartment and switched your green paper clip with another different coloured paperclip and left?" Penguin deadpanned. Edward sputtered. "Get some sleep tonight, Edward. Consider it an experiment. If the errors continue then you can be suspicious." Jonathan drawled. 

The second you heard that Edward slept you left everything alone and untouched long enough for him to come to the conclusion it was him. You waited until it wasn't on the forefront of his mind. Until things such as sleep weren't so much as a priority to him before you started again. 

You took a battery. Another sticky note. A random piece of paper with scrawls on it.  That was when he was back to his hysterical state. "Where the hell could it possibly have gone! I put it in this book!" Edward screeched. "Edward, your place is a mess. Do you really think you wouldn't lose things in this?" Jonathan drawled. "It is organised...!" Edward retorted, tapping his temple. "...in here!"  Meanwhile you popped a button off of one of his remotes and dropped it on the floor. "Oops." You whispered before sneaking away. 

Two days later, he noticed the button missing. "I think I'd know when a button comes off, Crane!" He screeched and Jonathan sighed, couching down and picking the small bit of red plastic off of the floor. "Found it." He said dryly. "I'm telling you, I don't do this!" Edward cried out. "Maybe you have a brain tumour." Jonathan replied. "Not the time, Jonathan!" Edward glared. 

The Riddler had been scribbling away on a bit of paper, jotting down equations as Two-Face and Penguin spoke, the three creating a plan. "Damn it!" The Riddler threw his pen away. "What's wrong?" You asked. "My pen ran out of ink." He grumbled. "Anyone got a pen?" "I do. Hang on." You smiled to yourself, digging out his green pen and handing it to him. He did a double take on it and gave you a questioning look. "What?" You asked. "Is that my pen I lost?" He asked darkly. "Uh, no? I bought this." You looked at his quizzically. "Let me see that." He frowned, snatching the pen. "Hey! Don't snatch!" You flapped you hand at the feeling of his nails. "It's chipped at the same-" Edward was cut off by the door slamming open. 

"Start praying now!" Ivy glared daggers into him. The Riddler scoffed. "I don't pray. Nothing is superior to me. Religion is for fools." Two-Face leaned back. "Um, Ivy, what's up hon?" He asked warily. "I'm about to splatter this thief over the walls!” Ivy lunged and The Riddler jerked out of his seat. "Thief!? What are you talking about!? Have you become even more crazy than you were prior!?" He remarked, keeping the table between both him and Ivy. "Ivy, explained yourself!" Harvey said quickly. “I couldn't find my Liverworts anywhere! Where do I find it!? In your apartment! You rotten-" "Woah, woah, woah, stop. One second. Why the hell would I steal your plant!?" Edward snapped. "I don't care why you did it!" She snapped back. "You will pay with your life!" "No, use some damn logic, what use do I have for a plant!?" "It was in your apartment!" She seethed. "Why would it be in my apar-" Edward cut himself off, his eyes on the pen once again before a dark look crossed his features. It had just occurred to him that you were always around in one way or another. You shivered under his gaze. "Well...haha...I best be off- bye!" You said loudly. "Hey!" The Riddler yelled but you were out the door so fast, you could have been that flash fellow they hear about every now and then. 

"So that was you, hm?" Jonathan smirked. "Yup and now I'm screwed." You nodded. Suddenly there was a kick to Jonathan's door. "Jonathan! Open up!" You're eyes grew wide. "Time to go and hide." Jonathan grinned. "Don't tell him I'm here!" You squeaked before taking off into his room. 

Jonathan opened the door and Edward pushed past him. "Have you seen (Y/N)?" Edward demanded. "Yes." Jonathan replied. "Where is the little menace-" Edward scanned the room. "I don't know." Jonathan answered. "What!? What do you mean!?" Edward frowned. "You just said you saw them!" "Correct." Jonathan said with a nod. "Stop messing with me and tell me where they are!" Edward snapped. "Edward, you asked me if I've seen them. I have seen (Y/N) before." Jonathan replied. "I mean recently! Today!" Edward snapped. "Then say what you mean." Jonathan remarked coldly. "No I haven't seen them today. Why?" "You! You thought it was me! It was (Y/N)! They've been taking my things and now that crazy woman is on my tail about a stupid plant they put in my apartment!" Edward ranted. "Then I suggest you move quickly and go elsewhere before Ivy catches up." Jonathan said crisply. With a huff, Edward stormed out just as quickly as he came in, not seeing Jonathan's smirk as he left.

#batman #batman villains #the riddler #scarecrow #edward nygma #jonathan crane #reader #oneshot #one shot

[manicpixiedreamcurl]

i dont even like stranger things that much, but eddie has a grip on me like noooo other lmaooooo

he reminders me of a lot of rotties ive met who look like scary dogs, like they dont know their own weight/play rough, but are also the single goofiest dogs you'll ever meet, super dramatic if theyre not getting attention from their favourite people, only rough with people who can handle it but very gentle with those who cant, super protective, eager to please and so so sweet (so yea thats basically eddie)

he reminds me so much of that, like he just wants to be loved for who he is, and openly love someone else without being seen as just a casual one night stand, or an interesting couple dates, or too scary and different to even be approached yknow. i bet he daydreams about commitment ahkshdkjflfj

i think thats why i like your eddie so much cause he's protective of others and knows how to use his image to protect himself, but is also the silliest, sappiest, sweetest person ever and you write that side of him so well!!

i dont know where im going with this qukdhdkgd i just really like how you write eddie!

Thank you!!! Show opinions and rambling about my sweetest goofy feral boy Eddie under the cut 💖💖💖

Stranger Things is a questionable show, that's the truth of it. I think the first season was brilliant and part of the reason I liked season 4 so much was because it got back that sort of scooby doo vibe that was so fun about the first one, that the Hawkins gang were trying to work everything out and getting into hijinks ahaha. But the whole Russia storyline? Simply could have done without it. There was a post going round a while ago that was like st 1 was good because it was about things but now stranger things is just about stranger things and I think that hit the nail on the head.

I think it benefits from interesting characters and very good casting all round. The young people in the show are (or were now?) uniquely good child actors (Gaten, Caleb and Sadie in particular imo). Also think Joe Keery was an inspired choice for Steve. He brought such brilliant vulnerability to Steve, so great to watch the scene of him seeing Nancy and Jonathan through the window and just before Nancy slaps him how sad he looks when he's trying to put on a tough front; 'I was worried about you.' My god. I DIGRESS.

Eddie <333 EDDIE <3333333 I think I've established I could talk about him for a million years. He haunts me. First just the thought of somebody being treated poorly by God knows how many people, and ending up as someone who collects bullied kids and gives them a safe place 'we showed you that high school didn't have to be the worst years of your lives' JESUS FUCK IF ONLY. Would have been nice. Idk if I've mentioned but I'm PRETTY SHY irl so...yeah. Would have been nice.

And THEN I think about the fact he used his last words to make Dustin promise to look after the group...to tell him that he loves him!!! Can't think about it too much but my God. That's so important. That's his priority in that moment. His little group having somebody to look after them fuck I'm crying.

AND that he tells Dustin to never change!!!! This little bullied boy!!! Like Eddie himself was when he was young!!!! AaaaaaaggggggggghhhhhhHhhhhhHHhhhhHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

And also he's so sweet to Chrissy. Just like the sweetest. Sees this girl silently screaming for help and puts the effort into making her feel SAFE!!! Giving her a little GIGGLE at HIS EXPENSE. FUCK.

So yes I think you are exactly right. I think he plays up to what people think of him when he knows he's not going to be able to change their mind and he thinks well fuck it hate me more then. I think he could swing a punch if he had to and if he was being hit he'd keep being provocative but I feel it in my BONES that he flirts with straight boys who are bullying him to make them wildly fucking uncomfortable I JUST KNOW IT cause I think he loves pushing buttons.

But yes, the sweetest around people who need it. And desperate to be loved and accepted. I think you're right I think he might have a go at one night stands cause he's a horndog it can't be denied but he thinks about somebody just adoring him and wanting him all the time and doing things for eachother and them not being ashamed of him or wanting him to change him and man...I must stop.

In summary, anon. Agreed. And thank you very much. Thinking about how kind and wonderful a relationship with him would be makes my chest pang. Sweetest goofiest boy, owner of my heart.

#i once again am psychoanalysing eddie munson #i wrote you a fucking essay anon sorry about that ahahahs #ask #anon

[dailyaudiobible]

01/29/2023 DAB Transcript

Exodus 8:1-9:35, Matthew 19:13-30, Psalms 24:1-10, Proverbs 6:1-5

Today is the 29th day of January welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian and it is fantastic to be here with you today and to be here together to greet a brand-new sparkly week together and step into it together. It's all out there friends, the whole week. We’re gonna live into it and it's gonna tell a story and whatever story it tells us where we are or what we’re doing. And, so, may we choose the path of wisdom as we navigate this week. And a wise move is to be around the Global Campfire taking the next step forward together and just allowing the Scriptures to speak for themselves and wash their way into our lives and seep into our hearts. And, so, let’s dive in. We will read from the New English Translation this week, picking up the story where we left off yesterday in the book of Exodus, where it seems as if quite a confrontation is brewing. Moses and Aaron are telling Pharaoh, the Pharaoh of Egypt, the supreme power of Egypt, the one who believes he’s descended from deity to let his people go. And Pharaoh's like, I don't know who this God is, I don't care who this God is, I don't know this God and I'm not letting these people go. And there's been some little skirmishes, some little dialogue back and forth and some signs and wonders that have been replicated by the...by the Egyptian magicians, but things are moving to a whole new level. And, so, let's pick up that story. Exodus, chapters 8 and 9 today.

Prayer:

Father, we thank you for your word. We thank you for a brand-new shiny sparkly week out in front of us to engage with the Scriptures. We thank you for life itself, moment by moment, a gift given from you. Each inhale an inspiration, a gift of life. Each exhale trust knowing that the next breath will be given to us. We love you. We thank you for your love and involvement in our lives and we thank you for the power of the Scriptures in our hearts to transform us. And, so, as we begin this week we look to the Psalms and we see characteristics of those who dwell in your presence, those whose deeds are blameless, whose motives are pure, who do not lie, who do not make promises and have no intention of keeping them. Such people are rewarded by the Lord and vindicated by the God who delivers them we are told. Make us these people. Make us like this. Make us blameless and pure and true and honest, we pray. In the mighty name of Jesus, we ask. Amen.

Community Prayer and Praise:

Hey DAB family this is Jonathan from Denver it is 5:43 on Tuesday January 24th 24and today I'm actually calling in to ask for some prayer for myself. I am a student. I'm a college getting a music education degree and this semester. I am student teaching in a choir classroom, a high school choir classroom which is fantastic, and I really am enjoying it but I am just so tired and I have so much stuff I need to do and so many things that are pulling and vying for my attention and it's just…oh…I feel like I can't even think straight right now. So, I'm just asking please that you would send up your prayers for focus, for energy, for good priorities and smart time management just so that I can do all the things that I need to do, that I can do them well, and that I can make a difference in the classroom and in all the places I find myself. Thank you, family. Thank you for your support and your prayer. I'm praying for all of you along with you. Yeah. Thank you all very much. I love you. Hope you have a great day. See you next time.

Hey fam it's Sparky. I just wanted to give some encouragement. Anybody who's struggling. Lord, I ask that you help me to guide this. You're looking at a kid that was troubled all the way through his childhood who never had a sense of who he was or we were he was gonna be. You’re looking at somebody that was having a baby at 20 who had the girlfriend at 18 who was about to graduate high school. She already had one which is now my oldest. You're looking at somebody that was in and out of jail constantly. And Bruce, Clarence, Sampson I pray for you because I should have been there. You’re…you're looking at somebody who just constantly seemed to fall and mud every turn he took, but you're also looking at somebody that has defeated all of the negative thoughts of people that they thought of them or thought in God. There's people that I meet every day that think I'm a really good person and then there's people that I run into that they new me what I really wasn't. No matter what you're going through God is right there. He just wants you to talk to Him no matter what you're going through. It's not all daisies and roses when you invite God into your life but there is a Father that you get to lay with and He helps you make your decisions. I just want you to know it gets better with God and I love you and I'm thinking about all of y'all tonight.

Hey DAB brothers and sisters this is Byron out in Florida. I am calling for my beloved daughter Ashley. Ashley I heard your call and you're asking to be called what Naomi wanted herself to be called when she came back from being away and she wanted to call herself Mara which means bitter because she had lost so much and it hurt so much. And it seems you too have lost a lot and have hurt a lot in your 51 years and my heart just goes out to you. I know you already know this because you know Naomi, but her story doesn't end with her being called bitter. It ends with her being called blessed. We know her in the Bible because her story ends with blessing and not just blessing for her but blessing for all of us who through her line comes our savior the Lord Jesus. And the reason Naomi in the end was able to call herself blessed was because she did not lose faith in her kinsman redeemer, that she knew that he was going to do the right thing once he saw what the problem was. And, so, my prayer for you is that your ending is as Naomi, that while you may be called bitter now you'll be called blessed in the end because your kinsman Redeemer sees you and will take care of you, will finish what he started in you. Blessings over you sister.

Good morning DAB family this is Bridget from New York City today is new January 25th and I wanna pray for some of the DABbers that have lost children that shared yesterday on just their brokenness, your brokenness. My God Lord I just lift up every person Lord that hears my voice God that has lost a loved one that has lost a child. My God those that You have blessed us with Lord whether it was to drugs to alcohol to disease to trauma to, you know, whatever method my God. Lord, I know that You are greater God than these situations, great enough to help us carry these burdens Lord So, Father as I think about Jesus. I think about how He walked wounded in His heart knowing that the very creation that loved Him would be…I mean the very creation that He created that instead of loving Him would crucify Him God. And yet, you know. He still walked in a love that was beyond our understanding. And I just pray that these people that are hurting because of loss from their children God that Lord, You will fill them up with love, with a love that is deeper than the love for their own children God, with Your love Jesus, the love that You have for us my God. I just ask You to overwhelm them with comfort and to give them the exact words and the scriptures that they need that will help them to continue to walk this path my God. And bless them all I pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen. I love you guys. God bless you.

Hello DAB family this is Texas Grandma calling to encourage you. I've been part of this family since 2010 and you've encouraged me so much every year. And, so, I'm here today because the beginning of this year I just realized this heavy spirit of sadness was settling over me and I hear that from so many of you. Now family, we know that's not from our loving Father. So, let's say no to the enemy who came to steal and kill our joy and cover up our light. And every day let's read some scriptures out loud. Even though we love to hear Brian read them, say them out loud. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. And then sings praise songs because the enemy scatters when we sing praises to our God. Why don't you…why don't you just sing along with me right now some little praise songs. [singing starts] Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong we are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so. This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine. This light of mine I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine [singing stops]. I love you family. Now have a blessed day and let's claim victory over this enemy. We have that victory. Thank you Jesus.

[thestobingirlie]

Exactly like you said like you don’t have to like characters but why make shit up? It’s also even more bizarre considering that st is a very popular show so everyone has seen it and it makes no sense to just make shit up about Steve. And yep especially considering that it’s serious fucking topics like it’s just so gross to be typing that he did this harmful stuff when he didn’t!!!

Ngl that stobin thing also pissed me the fuck off that they said that!! Like Robin loves Steve and wants to be around him. I can’t believe that people were claiming that Steve encouraging Robin was about him not understanding. Because like you mentioned he put the time and fucking effort into seeing if he should encourage her in the first place. He invested whether Robin was going to be crushed by vickie being straight and he personally takes it very heavy when they find out that Vickie does have a boyfriend. They were literally going to war with vecna and he was prioritizing her feelings about vickie and etc over the battle coming.

I fr get so pissed whenever people forget that Steve was just worried about the government intervening when in the first season the government framed Will’s death despite Will being alive. Like they can do anything he wanted and he’s terrified of that! And despite this he’s just trying to keep Nancy safe and help her out. It’s just that his methods are not the same as her and it’s fine! Cuz like you said: neither of them are wrong.

(i figured i’d just answer both in one post)

yeah, it’s so insane how prominent it is to just make shit up when you don’t like a character. it’s also insane when it’s clear the only reason they don’t like this character is because of a love triangle. like, you don’t have to hate one character and love the other! it literally doesn’t matter that much.

i just find it so funny that all these people hate steve, then love robin/dustin/nancy/max etc. like all these characters love steve, and he’s saved them so many times. like if those characters heard the shit they were saying about steve, they’d hate them.

and steve literally was in the middle of preparing to go to his death and fight vecna and was literally more invested in robin’s love life than her! like he wants her to be happy so badly. it is literally his top priority!

steve is very explicitly afraid of the government, and the fact that they could just kill him whenever they want to. he’s trying to protect nancy! because he loves and cares about her! like, he’s not doing a bad thing, nor is he harming her. he doesn’t force her to forget about barb, or stop her from getting revenge. if nancy hated steve’s attempts at helping her that badly, she wouldn’t have been with him for a year. not to mention, it isn’t on steve to help her in that way. he’s doing his best, but he’s 17 and nancy has other people around her that can help. you shouldn’t rely solely on your partner to be your therapist or whatever. it’s especially weird because nancy never actually seems that upset by it. like yeah when she’s drunk she calls him bullshit, but she never brings up to jonathan that she’s pissed steve didn’t come or something. she respects that steve doesn’t want to involve himself in the government, and so finds a new way to deal with it.

and yeah, it’s so disgusting that people are taking nancy’s first time and making it into assault. nancy had a lot of opportunities to not have sex with steve, but she chose to. just because they don’t ship stancy doesn’t mean they have to make everything about the relationship horrific.

#stranger things #steve harrington #asks #kat tag

[z0mbi3b0ng]

bruh can we please talk about why argyle is still alive. i don’t get it he’s literally the most annoying useless character who has nothing in common with any of the mains. and i’m livid that they killed off EDDIE INSTEAD OF SOME RANDOM DUDE WHO SMOKES ONE STRAND OF WEED AND SELLS SHITTY PIZZA. PLEASE.

and the fact that argyle had more ‘important’ plot driven scenes than even WILL did baffles me completely please duffer bros get your priorities straight before i lose my goddamn mind

ALSO WHY WASN’T THE FACT THAT WILL IS GAY EVER ESTABLISHED OFFICIALLY???? WILL GIVING MIKE A SPEECH WHILE MIKES DUMB ASS SAT THERE DROOLING NOT RETAINING A WORD? AND THEN WILL SOBS??? THATS ALL WE GET?? HE’S BASICALLY SHAKING WHEN JONATHAN TRIES TO HUG HIM LIKE… ITS OBVIOUS HE NEEDS SOMEONE TO FUCKING TALK TO BECAUSE HE FEELS SO ISOLATED

bruh mike wheeler literally said my life started when i met you el. bruh. what. anyway

#stranger things #FUCK this #FUCK argyle #will deserves better my baby #and mike is. dumb. point blank period.

[yallemagne]

lol i like your grinning jonny. a missed opportunity was to read about his hopeless evil grin changing when mina tells them when the next train comes (and then dubs herself train fiend).

Yeah, exactly. Jack, get your priorities straight. Tell us how the malice in Jonathan's expression just melts away when Mina the Train Fiend speaks up.

#damn so many comments on this art #i feel famous #update #dracula #dracula daily #people ask me things

[misterghostfrog]

[IMAGE ID; a digital drawing of Martin Blackwood carrying Jonathan Sims from The Magnus Archives. Martin is a fat freckled white man with curly ginger hair that is shaved close at the sides. He has a pair of round framed glasses in a bright red, under the glasses he is wearing eyeliner, and a navy eyeshadow. He has black lipstick, two black snakebite piercings under his lip, and a small black nostril piercing. His ear has a large black piercing that cuffs a chain to a small black piercing higher up his ear, and one final black piercing in the middle. He has a black choker, and then a looser chain necklace with an eye ornament on it. He has a studded lather jacket on that is covered in multiple patches and pins, mostly hidden by Jon: of the visible pins there is a trans flag patch on his chest, and on his shoulder is a large dark colored patch that has A-C-A-B on it in white. Under the Jacket is a black shirt that he has partly tucked into his pants, the shirt has a large anarchy symbol drawn on it in red. Under that he is wearing jeans that are significantly ripped as far as we can see. On his right hand he has several black rings, and his nails are painted black. Jon is a skinny Jordanian man with brown eyes and shoulder-length grey-streaked dark brown hair pulled back into a messy ponytail at the base of his neck. He has a beard beginning to grow that appears to be the product of forgetting to shave. He is covered in a series of small round scars that vary in exact size. He is wearing a pair of rectangle-framed glasses, a plain t-shirt, a pair of jeans that are ripped at the knee, and converse. Martin is carrying Jon bridal style in his arms, and is looking away, he is blushing, though his expression is concerned and appears to be speaking. Jon has his arms wrapped around Martins neck, his cheeks are darkened and he is staring at hte ground with an expression somewhere between fear and the face one makes when they’re having to retrace every step they’ve taken to get here. END ID]

Punk Martin but make it Jonmartin.

Also I wrote a lil thing to go along with this under the cut, its only barely edited because it was mostly for fun so be warned its a big ol mess! But its s2 jonmartin nonsense with Martin being very cool and attractive and Jon being seven layers deep in denial (Also I may have written Jon as a touch autistic because its projection hours tonight i’m too sleepy to mask and that goes for writing too babey)

(Mentions of worms, past injuries, and Jon dealing with some internalised ableism and general foolishness)

Jon forgot his cane.

It’s a relatively regular occurrence, for a multitude of reasons. For one thing it’s something of a recent addition to the list of things he needs to keep track of when he leaves the house. Another lovely parting gift from Prentiss, a worm in his left leg that went just quick enough to start burrowing into the bone before it was removed. 

For another, he really has other things to worry about. And if it doesn’t hurt, it shouldn’t matter. Most days he can get by just fine without it- it hurts of course. But not so much he can’t support himself, and really, does he need it otherwise?

Martin and Tim don’t seem to agree, though Sasha has kept respectfully to herself on the whole business. Martin, of course, he trusts. Albeit only recently. But that doesn’t make him right, his priorities are warped. Naturally. He doesn’t see the bigger picture.

(or at least that’s what Jon tells himself)

Which is what leads to this moment, sitting on a bench outside the shop, single grocery bag by his feet. He’d only run out to get a few things, but somewhere between the his flat the the shop his barely visible limp had become more pronounced as his hip began to throb, then he was halfway through the frozens when he realized he wasn’t going to be able to finish the trip. After that he’d barely made it through checkout to the nearest seat before all but collapsing into it.

And now he’s sitting, stuck. An insurmountable walk from home, without his stupid cane. Which, he notes, he wouldn’t need if he’d brought in the first place. Funny how that works.

“Jon?” A familiar voice jolts him out of his thoughts. Jon jolts upright. Martin. 

He knows Martin lives in the area, a side effect of his... investigations. Though he was unaware he used the same shop. He looks up, a greeting or perhaps a question on his lips that dies as soon as he actually lays eyes on Martin.

Martin is wearing a leather jacket. Not just a leather jacket of course, but that’s the first thing Jon can process. He’s wearing a studded leather jacket covered in various patches that advertise various opinions and identities that Jon doesn’t have time to think about. His  jeans are about as much rip as they are Jean, and he’s got piercings- and eyeliner. he’s dressed like he should be riding a motorcycle, not the beat-up red bike he’s got beside him.

“Are you alright?” Martin says, and Jon realizes he’s been staring.

“Are you going to a costume party?” Jon blurts instead of answering. A costume party would make sense, of course. Martin doesn’t dress like this, he dresses like- like-

It occurs to him dimly that he’s never encountered Martin outside of work, at least never in a scenario that would allow him to change out of his work clothes. And some part of him has always assumed that sweaters and khakis were simply how he dressed. It suited him, really. Or Jon had assumed, but then again he assumed anything familiar is suiting.

“Wh- A- no?” Martin answers, looking vaguely offended. Jon flushes.

“I- sorry, I just- I’ve... I didn’t think you seemed the type to dress... like that...?” Jon fumbles, pathetically trying to salvage the conversation. Judging by Martins expression, he’s failing.

Martin opens his mouth to say something, and Jon realizes there’s likely no coming back from this particular mortification. He snatches the bag by his feet and moves to stand. Some excuse already tumbling out when the reason for his sit-down, which had dulled to a shockingly forgettable throb, decides to remind him of his place in the world.

He lets out a cry of pain, and crumples. Only stopped from hitting the ground by a pair of arms that wrap around his chest and under his shoulder. 

“Oh my god, Jon. Are you alright- what- is it your leg? Where’s your cane-” Martin babbles, Gently replacing Jon on his bench as Jon breathes through gritted teeth.

“It’s fine- i’m fine Martin I-” he sighs, studiously avoiding Martins gaze. “My cane is at home.” He tries not to sound chastised as he says the last part- he shouldn’t have to after all. He’s still Martins boss. He shouldn’t be looking away like he’s been caught at something.

“Jon” Martin sounds exasperated, and Jon crosses his arms. Once again, nothing like someone being scolded. He’s not being scolded. He’s an adult. “How long have you been sitting here like this?”

“I...” Jon begins before trailing off, he’s not actually sure. The period between sitting on the bench and the pain dulling enough for him to think through the fog is something is a blur. He is pretty sure someone asked if he was alright at some point. His lack of answer seems to be enough for Martin though.

“Just give me a moment.” He says, stepping away from Jon over to his bike- which has fallen over onto the ground -pulling it upright and over to Jon on the bench. He pushes down the rusted kickstand with a hearty kick- and Jon briefly notes he’s wearing steel-toed boots -and sets the bike gently upright.

“Okay, so! If you sit on the bike I can push it, and you can get home and rest that leg without jostling it too much by trying to walk without your cane.” He says pointedly. Jon makes a face,

“This... this really isn’t necessary Martin- I’m perfectly capable-” He grumbles, waving a hand dismissively. But a glance at Martins expression shuts him up quick. 

“Do you think you can stand?” He asks. Jon pauses, the memory of the white-hot flash of pain still fresh in his mind. He grimaces, shaking his head. Martin hums thoughtfully. “Alright, would you be alright if I picked you up? Just for a moment to get you on the bike” He asks carefully.

Jon hesitates, looking between Martin and the bike. And weighs his options. After several seconds he nods. Martin smiles, and Jon feels something in his chest flutter. Anxiety at his decision most likely. Or perhaps nerves in relation to sitting on a bike, he’s never ridden one- of course Martin will be doing all the work but surely there’s some sort of balance required isn’t there? Really he shouldn’t be riding a bike like this-

Those thoughts are all swept away at the feeling of large warm hands gently scooping him off the bench. He instinctively throws his arms around Martins neck for support as he’s lifted into the air. 

He can feel Martins chest warm against his side as Martin holds him close, one hand on his shoulder and the other supporting his legs. He’s being cradled by his subordinate, carefully as so not to jostle his leg. And all he can think about is how warm Martin is. He’s large and soft despite all the sharper accessories and he smells a bit like leather and tea on top of whatever soap he uses. Probably something that Jon wouldn’t be able to name with a gun to his head. And Jon can see the freckles on Martins cheeks and neck close enough to count if he wanted to even as he looks away, saying something Jon can’t quite parse because he’s too busy reeling from the realization he’d be happy to sit in Martins arms like this for the rest of his life.

His face goes hot and he forces himself to look down at the ground. The pain is clearly messing with his head, or perhaps the sleep deprivation. Or perhaps he’s still riding the high from that moment of realization that Martin isn’t trying to kill him, that he can trust him. 

Either way he’s not thinking straight, which is why he’s dissapointed instead of relieved when Martin gently places him on the bike with the exact amount of care he took in picking him up. Which shouldn’t make him feel so oddly jittery but it does.

The ride is quiet, aside from awkward instructions from Jon on where to turn as Martin guides them carefully along the sidewalk. They miss a turn once because Jons too preoccupied with the feeling of Martins arm bumping against his shoulder as he guides the bike.

And then they’re at Jons flat, and Jon once again feels that misplaced disappointment. He wonders if perhaps Martin will carry him up to his flat, and his face burns again as the silliness of the thought hits him.

Martin does very, very briefly lift him to help him off the bike when he stumbles. But his leg has recovered enough that he can make it up to his flat without assistance, or so he tells Martin. Who looks unconvinced.

“Let me at least walk with you, yea? That way I know for sure you got home safe.” He insists, and Jon forced himself to be displeased with the situation.

It ends up being a good thing Martin came along though, a partway up the steps the railing is no longer enough to support Jon, and he ends up half-carried the rest of the way. Martins arm under his shoulder, his own loops around Martins back, gripping the jacket for support. He can feel his head drifting at the contact- Martin is just so damned warm and safe and Martin it’s impossible not to get distacted.

He forces himself to think about something else, anything else. The jacket- he can feel the leather under his fingertips and it’s as good distraction as any.

It’s a nice jacket, really. Clearly well-worn. And it does suit Martin, in an odd sort-of way.

Jon winces internally, remembering the conversation from earlier. He hadn’t meant to come off so... well. It doesn’t matter. Except that it does, even though it doesn’t, but it does.

Once they reach Jons door, he pushes off of Martin to lean on the wall while he fumbles for his keys. Martin lingers as he does so, twiddling his thumbs awkwardly in the silence.

Jon finds his keys and sighs in relief as the door swings open.

He nearly wanders inside and shuts the door before remembering basic human etiquette. He pauses in the doorway, turning to Martin. Who smiles awkwardly.

“Thank you.” He says stiffly, still leaning heavily on the doorframe. “That was... very kind. Of you.” Martin shakes his head.

“It’s nothing, really. Couldn’t exactly just leave you there, could I?” 

Jon shifts awkwardly, wincing at the brief weight on his leg. He’s right of course, morally at least. If not logically.

“I... I suppose not.” He says, hesitating before adding “I’m sorry.”

“Look, Jon. I already said it’s fine-”

“No-” Jon grimaces “not for that. I- I meant... for what I said. About your clothes. They don’t... I just- I didn’t expect it, and I may have come off as... rude.” He mutters

“Oh.” Martin says flatly, Jons sure he’d forgotten about that until just now, and he wishes he could have kept it that way.

“they do suit you, though.” He says, after an awkward pause. “Your clothes, I mean. It looks- you look nice.” he finishes as genuinely as he can- he does mean it. Of course, he just doesn’t know how to make it sound like he does.

“Oh” Martin says again, brightening slightly, his cheeks going blotchy red in a blush. “I- er- thank you...? I suppose?”

“Yes. Well. Your welcome, I suppose.” There’s another awkward pause, Martin isn’t quite smiling at Jon, but there’s something soft in his expression Jon can’t quite parse. “ Have a good day, Martin.” He says finally, after a long pause. Martins cheeks redden again.

“Oh- yeah, er. You too Jon- and take care of yourself. Alright?”

Jon nods, and Martin smiles. And Jon thinks he’d like to see Martin smile a bit more.

He waves as Martin heads down the stairs, he can hear Martin humming as he goes.

#tma #the magnus archives #jonmartin #jmart #jonathan sims #martin blackwood #punk martin #fic #art #fanfic #fanart #ghostly doodle #ghostly doodles #Jons a mess! #and Martin has cool fashions #ghostly scribbles

[unmaskedagain]

Ladybug in Smallville

           You can’t fix a broken heart, her grandmother told when Marinette was young and had ask why the older woman why she never remarried.

“You can forgive here,” Gina Dupain had pointed to her head. “And you can tell yourself every day that you forgive him, that all is well. And maybe you do. Maybe not right away, like you tell people but eventually… you do. You move on. You find some kind of peace. But that doesn’t mean your heart’s forgotten. Especially during the worst of it, when it’ll remind you every day just how much you’re still hurting.”

           The silver haired woman had look so dejected, so cynical compared to her usual chipper, charming self that it left the little girl stunned.

“Until one day, it doesn’t,” Gina continued. “And yet, your heart’s not the same. You’re not the same. No matter what you tell yourself. Sometimes, you’d swear it’s just a giant scar on your heart. Because at least that means it’s healed; beaten up, bruised, and permanently disfigured but healed.  Other days when you think too hard about it, and you are walking through memory lane; you can just barely admit the truth. That you can still feel every jagged edge, sharp angle still there from a shattered heart. And once on a very blue moon, you admit to yourself the truth; you can’t fix a broken heart. It’ll always be broken. Love has consequences.”

           She looked Marinette deep in the eyes, “The trick is learning to live with it. Learning that a broken heart doesn’t mean it doesn’t work.”

“Broken… but still good,” Marinette quoted Lilo and Stitch.

           Her grandmother beamed, “One of the hardest things is the world, sweetie, is to not let that broken heart stop you. You can cry. You can be angry. You can vengeance on the entire world. As long as you never let it stop you from living.”

“And loving?” Marinette asked. “You learned to love again.”

           There was a pause. A thoughtful look. And then a sigh, as Gina finally answered, “No, I never fell in love again. I could never trust the same as I did before. Never managed to figure out how to love with all of my heart like I used to when I was young. And it always felt wrong not you; but that’s just me. I learned to love myself, though. And that is the greatest thing you can ever learn. Love yourself.”

           Marinette had been nine-years-old at the time and hadn’t quite understood what her grandmother had been talking about. But she never forgot, the cold look on her grandmother’s face and the sorrow in her eyes.

           It was only years later, when the biggest liar to ever walk the planet proved that not all villains are easily defeated, when her friends had all turned their backs on her, when the boy who she swore she was going to marry someday was more of a cowardly frog than a prince, when even her parents bought the fabrication of Marinette being a bully, a thief, a jealous liar that Marinette finally understood. Because not only had her heart been broken, but it had been shattered.

           Marinette couldn’t even go to Fu as the man had used the last of his power in a fight against Hawkmoth because Chat Noir never showed up and Fu refused to give out Miraculous to people Marinette didn’t trust so the turtle had to fight. They had won but Marinette swore she’d never forgive Chat Noir for not showing up and costing a good man his life, and Marinette her mentor.

           Master Fu’s last act had to strip Chat Noir of his ring and name Marinette the new guardian. Before he faded, he warned Marinette that some people weren’t worth fighting for. Sometimes, a hero’s first priority has to be to save themselves.

           However, even then, Marinette had refused to give up. She kept trying to get her friends to listen, even when they made it clear they weren’t her friends anymore. Most didn’t reply to the texts anymore. And the ones that did, Alya mostly, ridiculed her; scorned Marinette’s very existence.

She tried to get Adrien to stand up and help her like he’d promised, only for him to ignore her calls, texts, and have Nathalie tell her that he didn’t want to be involved.

Despite the furious silent treatment from her mother and her father’s disappointed looks, Marinette still tried to convince them of her innocence. She had begged for them to listen to her, to trust that they raised her right, to believe her.  It was only after two weeks into her expulsion, when Marinette found luggage waiting by the door that Marinette understood. Nothing would change their minds.

They explained quickly that Marinette was going to be sent to live with her father’s godmother, one of his mother’s best friends. A good woman who promised to set Marinette straight. Or at least keep her out of trouble.

Marinette was on a plane an two hours later to a little old Kansas and then to a small town rightly called Smallville.

A kindly older blond man name Jonathan Kent had met her at the airport. Marinette had given him a polite, quiet, greeting and when mute for the rest of the ride to their farm. She hadn’t known what to expect. Feared the worst. Feared that they thought she was the bully her.

As soon as they arrived at the farm, a rather pretty greying redheaded woman walked out of her house with a mixing bowl in one hand and a sturdy wooden spoon in the other. Marinette steeled herself as she got out of the car. She raised her head up, “Bonjour, Madam.”

“Well, aren’t you the sweetest little thing,” The woman had greeted. “And I swear, you look just like your grandmother. It’s that spark in your eyes. Every time I saw it, I knew there was going to be trouble. Particularly, for the fools that messed with her. That’s how my cheating ex boyfriend’s dorm accidently caught on fire.”

           Marinette blinked once. Then twice. What?

“Accidently, Martha?” Jonathan chuckled as he got Marinette’s bags out of the car.

           Martha shot him a smile, “They could never prove otherwise.” She looked Marinette over, “Gina said your parents have their heads in a place sun just can’t seem to reach. Wanted to me to look after you. Get you away from all that drama. Get you with family. And the lord knows, that woman doesn’t know how to sit her butt anywhere long enough to leave an imprint. So come on inside, let’s get you unpacked and some food inside you.”

           Aunt Martha, as Marinette had been instructed to call her, had led her to an empty room that was just a bit bigger than the one she used to have and had a desk by a large window, a twin bed covered in a plaid blanket, and a few other standard amenities. Plus an old sewing machine on the desk. Marinette’s eyes lit up at the sight of it.

“Your grandma told me you like to design,” Aunt Martha smiled kindly. “I don’t use old Bertha myself anymore but I’d thought you’d like her. You can decorate your room anyway you’d like. Let me know if you need any help.”

           Marinette nodded and couldn’t stop herself from hugging the woman. She hadn’t been able to take much with her (Clothes, phone, laptop, a stuffed animal or two, the guardian box) but she made sure to bring all her sketch books and had just barely enough time and money to drop off a few boxes of her designing equipment and supplies at the local mail service carrier to be shipped to the farm in the upcoming weeks. The fear had been weighing on her of what ifs. What if it all got lost in the mail? What if Marinette couldn’t design anymore?

           Martha simply hugged her back, no probing questions. When Marinette let go, Martha said, “Now Kara and Conner’s rooms are either side of you. Conner’s mostly here on the weekends. Kara visits enough to still have room. They can be a… little nosy. But ignore it. My son, Clark, is visiting next week. They just can’t wait to meet you. I wouldn’t be surprised be any of them suddenly drops in.” She laughed, and it sounded a little like jingle bells.

           Then suddenly, Martha straightened up and gave Marinette a soft look, “You let me know if you need to talk or… Anything really.”

           Marinette felt her throat close up a bit and nodded stiffly.

“Dinner will be on the table soon.”

“May I help, Madam?” Marinette asked.

           Martha looked her over, “You don’t have to if you don’t want to. You can go ahead and get settled in.”

           Marinette blinked again. No one ever turned down her offer to help before. “I want to.” And so she did.

           Cooking with Aunting Martha was different that with her parents. While, she knew her parents loved to bake. It always felt like a job with them. One more responsibility Marinette had. Cooking with Aunt Martha was relaxing. They shared stories with each other and Marinette got more insight of her grandmother’s past than she ever had before. And even when it got silent, Marinette didn’t feel the need to fill it for once. And neither did Martha. It was nice.

           Eating dinner had been the same. Enjoyable and lovely with promises of teaching Marinette all about the farm. Uncle John laughing at wide-eyed Marinette reaction to idea of her milking a cow. It was a relief not to deal with her mother’s stony silence and her father’s blatant disapproval.

           Marinette knew from just one night that the Kents were good people and if she let herself, she could enjoy her time there. That didn’t stop Marinette from crying herself to sleep for a few nights.

           During her first week, Marinette didn’t hear a word from her parents. Or the second. Marinette knew they were more than likely waiting for her to make the first move like she always did.

           But unfortunately for them, Marinette was done. She was done with fake friends and disappointing crushes. She was done with being made out to be the bad guy. She was done always being the one to fix everything. Save everyone. Because she knew, without a doubt, that this time. Her first priority had to be save herself. Marinette had to fix herself. (Of course, Marinette still had to use the horse miraculous to go save Paris nearly every day but innocents needed her help.)

           So Marinette let herself be immersed in the smallville way of life. She helped out of the farm. She competed with Aunt Martha over who had the best pie recipe. Blinked in confusion when Martha wrapped a plate of Marinette’s special double chocolate salt caramel cookies to be delivered and muttered something about “Alfred finally getting his” and the Kent family reigning victorious. Marinette had just been happy to be considered family.

           Speaking of family, Marinette had become rather fond of her new “Cousins”. Jon was the youngest and reminded Marinette of a very hyperactive puppy. He constantly dragged Marinette away to play games and pretend. Connor was a bit sullen but had turned out to be a giant teddy bear once he opened up. He loved to talk about his friends; particularly someone named Tim. The beautiful blond Kara loved girl talk and arm wrestling Connor. She raved about Marinette’s designs and over her pictures with Jagged Stone. Clark, the oldest of her cousin, was a sweetheart; a geeky reporter who was married to a man named Bruce, worked mainly out of Metropolis, and had somewhere between five to seven kids. There was a lot of names and nicknames that left Marinette’s head spinning.

           None of them had taken kindly to Marinette’s story of how she ended up on the Kent farm. Wondering who could bully such a sweet angel?

           Though Marinette decided he wasn’t ever going to be her favorite after the blueberry scone incident.

           Over the next few months, Marinette learned what her grandmother had meant about letting herself be angry and getting some vengeance. Because was allowed to be angry. And she was allowed to get payback.

           After a rather nasty Akuma, Ladybug had taken the time to do an interview with Nadja. She had confirmed that Chat Noir was never returning, that the Ladyblog and its journalist had lost her trust forever after Ladybug had learned about the lies the blog was posting.

“What lies,” Nadja had asked, glad to finally stick it to the girl, Alya, who had been so mean to her honorary niece.

“Well for example, who the hell is Lila Rossi?” Ladybug asked when Nadja pulled up the website on the blue screen behind them. They scrolled through the website pointing out lies and inaccuracies. “That girl is not my best friend. I saved her from her own akuma save five times now. That’s it. I don’t know the girl. I don’t like the girl. What was written would only serve to put Lila in danger. And what’s this about Lila saving Jagged Stone’s cat? From a plane? Which airline was this? Who could be so careless?”

           Nadja nodded and looked quite stunned herself at what was on the blog. “I highly doubt Clara Nightingale stole Lila’s dance moves. Or strictly guarded Prince Ali invites random girls, even Ambassador’s daughter, to discuss his country go green intuitive. Or that she came up with the entire plan herself. This is just ridiculous! And what this about you curing Tinnitus?”

           Ladybug quickly shook her head, “That’s not possible. And it gives people false hope.”

“So Lila’s lying,” Nadja had to fight to keep the smugness out of her voice. She had told Sabine she was wrong. Had been absolutely furious that Marinette had been sent away. Some journalist should really learn Check Her Sources.” She said the last part with a smirk. “And what’s this about Gordon Ramsey?”

           It went on from there, with brief intervals so Marinette could recharge. Ladybug had blasted her former school, its’ principle, and her old teacher Bustier to shreds. For allowing bullying of students, victim blaming, and sheer negligence. Reciting how many times Ladybug had to deal with akuma from that school, particularly from Bustier’s class.

“I heard one poor girl even got expelled,” Ladybug shook her head. “From what I’ve heard, there was no investigation, just word of mouth, easily planted evidence, and then expulsion. I’m surprised I didn’t have to deal with her Akuma.” Ladybug’s sad tone was clear to hear. “I looked into the incident a bit. A rather brilliant Robot name Markov had been recording the room at the time.” Marinette nodded to the screen. “I had them blur the students faces for security reasons. The girl with the short hair is the victim in question.”

           The video played. And it was clear that a long haired girl had stolen the answer and planted them.

“I’m just sorry I couldn’t fix the issue,” Ladybug sighed. “By the time, I heard of it girl was been sent away by her parents. Not even they believed her.”

“I know the girl you’re speaking about,” Nadja frowned. “She’s stronger than she looks. Still, she deserved better. I swear to you that I’ll be leading the charge in investigating the wrongful expulsion.”

           Ladybug smiled.

           It took less than an hour after the interview to air for Marinette’s phone to start blowing up. Her ex-friends, her old classmates texted up a storm of apologies.

           The call from her parents had come in no longer after. Her father had full of apologies and swore to make it up to her. Her mother had been in tears.

           They were met with silence from Marinette. A forgive didn’t come. Marinette made it clear she still loved them but she was staying with the Kents. She would not be returning to Paris. It was her father’s turn to cry.

           Marinette would forgive them in time. But that wasn’t her priority was herself at the moment.

           While the Kents, Marinette was free to just be Marinette. Not anyone’s “Everyday Ladybug”. And was finding that she liked who she was.

           She liked designing clothes for Kara and dresses for Aunt Martha. Doing everything possible to get Clark out of plain. (She would be victorious!) She liked hanging out around town with Connor and being someone’s little sister, as he called her. Though she wouldn’t mind if he lost the overprotective streak. She wasn’t some damsel in destress. There was no more panic attacks. No more dealing with pushing best friends. No more waste time on crush on a blond loser.

           The only near heart attack she had was the blueberry scone incident. Marinette had gotten an akuma alert. She had yelled to Aunt Martha that she was going on a walk, hid behind the farm, transformed and portal’d away.

           Unfortunately, Uncle Clark had heard that Marinette had made her famous scones and had been FLYING overhead to the house at the time and had saw her.

           Uncle Clark had been waiting for her when she got back, with crossed arms and a stern look on his face. Before Marinette could open up her mouth to give a multitude of excuses, Clark held up one hand to silence her. Then he spun around faster than she’d ever seen anyone do before. And then Superman was standing in front of her.

           Marinette’s heart had stopped, she’d swear.

           After that they both de-transformed. Uncle Clark had led her inside where the entire Kent family was waiting.

           Turns out Uncle Clark was a tattletale. And he was never going to be her favorite.

“Snitch,” She told him simply before anyone could say anything.

           Clark blushed a little but shrugged.

           After that everyone introduced themselves. Or rather their superhero identities. Each taking turns to tell their story. Marinette had shed a few tears about the loss of Krypton. Marinette had introduce the Kwamis’ to the Kents. Jon had let out a squeal of joy at the sight flying creatures.

           Aunt Martha had only laughed when Plagg flew up to her face and said, “Cheese.”

           Marinette told her story from when she first got Tikki to then. There was no happy faces in the room.”

“You’re a superhero?” Kara was the first to burst out. “Ladybug the Parisian hero.”

“You work an entire city?” Connor asked. “I’m now even allowed to do that yet.” He shot quick glare at Clark. “Even the Teen Titans has league supervision.”

Clark raised an eyebrow, “The Justice League doesn’t usually tread on other heroes’ territory. Ladybug had always managed well.” He then gave her a look. “However, we were unaware that Ladybug was a teenager. I think its time we took a closer look at Paris.

#ml salt #ml salt fic #batman #clark kent #connor kent #smallville #Marinette deserves better #marinette dupen chang #saltinette #adrien agreste

[tabloidtoc]

Us, May 3

You can buy a brand new copy of this issue without the mailing label for your very own at my eBay store: https://www.ebay.com/str/bradentonbooks

Cover: Pregnant Meghan Markle: My Baby, My Way

Page 2: Red Carpet -- rufflemania -- Hollywood style stars are tier-ing it up in this flattering design with feminine flair -- Tracee Ellis Ross, Kaitlyn Dever, Margot Robbie, Logan Browning, Nicola Coughlan

Page 3: Lizzo, Maude Apatow, Lucy Boynton, Jessica Alba, Lily Collins

Page 4: Who Wore It Best? Anya Taylor-Joy vs. Isla Fisher vs. Regina King in Stuart Weitzman Nudist sandal

Page 6: Loose Talk -- Shonda Rhimes on the intense backlash she received over Rege-Jean Page's exit from Bridgerton, Kelly Ripa on her most embarrassing interview, Luke Bryan on his mother LeClaire's Instagram fame, Blake Shelton on The Voice's new coach Ariana Grande, Reese Witherspoon joking about wearing bottoms that aren't sweatpants

Page 8: Contents

Page 10: A Final Farewell to Prince Philip, his four children Prince Charles and Princess Anne and Prince Andrew and Prince Edward were among the loved ones who participated in the emotional ceremony, feuding brothers Prince Harry and Prince William (and his wife Duchess Kate) put their differences aside after the intimate service, due to Covid-19 protocols the grieving Queen Elizabeth stayed socially distant from the other 29 people who attended the funeral for her husband of 73 years

Page 11: ACM Awards 2021 -- Maren Morris teamed up with her husband Ryan Hurd and won Female Artist of the Year, Thomas Rhett won Male Artist of the Year, Carrie Underwood took the stage

Page 12: Hot Pics -- Rosie Huntington-Whiteley wore an orange coat during a visit to NYC, John Stamos plays a coach on the TV show Big Shot, Zach Braff goofed around on the set of Cheaper by the Dozen in L.A.

Page 13: Eva Longoria on her trampoline while aboard a yacht in Miami, Howie Mandel arrived to the set of America's Got Talent dressed as a bug in Pasadena

Page 14: Jon Hamm and his rescue dog Splash strolled around the neighborhood in L.A., Heidi Klum in all white in Pasadena, Sara Gilbert and Linda Perry take a stroll in L.A.

Page 15: Eddie Cibrian and LeAnn Rimes held hands after dinner at Il Segreto in L.A., Patrick Dempsey shot a scene for his show Devils in Rome

Page 16: Rachel Brosnahan in a blue dress and carrying a clear umbrella on the set of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in NYC, Lin-Manuel Miranda at the opening of a vaccination center for Broadway workers in Times Square, Trisha Yearwood feeds one of her rescue pups

Page 18: Gen Z Has Spoken -- these celebs are making the young kids proud -- Baggy Jeans -- Hailey Bieber, Tracee Ellis Ross, Bella Hadid

Page 19: Middle Parts -- Busy Philipps, Lizzo, Jennifer Lopez, Kourtney Kardashian, baguette bags -- Dua Lipa, Elsa Hosk, Irina Shayk, Kendall Jenner

Page 20: Seeing Double -- stars bear a striking resemblance to their famous counterparts -- Elizabeth Banks and Chelsea Handler, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Nina Dobrev, Betty Gilpin and Jodie Comer

Page 21: Rob Lowe and Ian Somerhalder, Jaime Pressly and Margot Robbie, Isla Fisher and Amy Adams, Rupert Grint and Ed Sheeran, Kyle Richards and Kacey Musgraves

Page 22: Clueless Crew -- stars are totally buggin' over Cher Horowitz's style in yellow plaid -- Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, Katie Holmes was rollin' with her homie beau Emilio Vitolo Jr. in NYC, Vanessa Hudgens, Dianna Agron

Page 23: Gabrielle Union

Page 24: Stars They're Not Like Us -- Jay Leno took one of his vintage automobiles out for a spin in L.A., Chrissy Teigen and John Legend took a selfie with a fan while grocery shopping in Beverly Hills, Kylie Jenner has custom vending machines

Page 25: Carrie Underwood in her massive walk-in closet, Denzel Washington signs autographs for fans in NYC, Megan Thee Stallion on a private plane, Drake and his bodyguard in Beverly Hills

Page 26: Stars They're Just Like Us -- Sarah Jessica Parker catches a yellow cab after working at her shoe store in NYC, Brad Paisley picked up five pizzas to go in Montecito

Page 27: Kelly Osbourne handed out goods at a drive-thru food distribution event at the Islamic Center of Southern California, HGTV's Egypt Sherrod transformed her closet into a meditation space in Atlanta, in between filming Law & Order: SVU's Mariska Hargitay and Ice-T take a selfie

Page 28: Hollywood Dads -- Scott Porter on parenting his two kids McCoy and Clover

Page 29: Jonathan Tucker on life with twins Hayes and India, parenthood is a lot tougher than Jovi Dufren imagined, Maksim Chmerkovskiy can't wait to show son Shai his work

Page 30: Love Lives -- Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are showing no signs of slowing down -- the pair enjoyed a night out in L.A. hotspot Delilah where they were holding hands and laughing and they're not hiding the fact that they're dating but they just don't want people in their business -- they're a good match and are each other's best friend

Page 31: Justin Bieber and Hailey Bieber may look like the picture-perfect couple, but Justin admits that their first year of marriage wasn't what he expected, saying it was really tough and there was just a lack of trust and he blamed the strain on his own personal struggles and said before he didn't have someone to love or someone to pour into but now, more than two years after exchanging vows with Hailey, he has that

* Kacey Musgraves' romance with Dr. Gerald Onuoha is giving her butterflies -- the pair are so happy they found each other and while Kacey, who split from her husband Ruston Kelly last summer, is trying not to get too ahead of herself, her connection to the Nashville-based doc is off the charts and it's got the potential to go a very long way

* Today's Savannah Guthrie is thankful to have husband Michael Feldman in her life, especially given the demands of her early morning work schedule

Page 32: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker are getting serious -- all the details on their whirlwind romance

Page 33: Adapting to parenthood has been a breeze for Emma Stone and she's soaking in all the precious moments of being a mom for the first time -- she and husband Dave McCary welcomed their baby daughter in March and Emma is super protective and a very hands-on mom and Dave is also hands-on and helps with their daughter -- thanks to the little one, Emma's marriage with the comedian has also gotten stronger and having a baby has brought them closer in a way they never expected -- Emma is looking forward to getting back to work; she's taken this time off to embrace motherhood and her number one priority is to raise a healthy baby so that's what she's focused on right now

* Britney Spears is setting the record straight -- despite her ongoing conservatorship battle with her dad, Jamie Spears, she is doing totally fine, assuring fans that she's extremely happy and she has a beautiful home, beautiful children and she's taking a break right now because she's enjoying herself -- although the legal drama with her father is heating up, Britney is staying strong and she has this wonderful ability to see the positive even when the odds are against her

* Keeping Up With Us -- production for the Downton Abbey sequel is underway, Mossimo Giannulli is a free man, Chrissy Teigen returned to Twitter 23 days after announcing that she was leaving the platform, Vanessa Bryant remembered her late husband Kobe Bryant on what would have been their 20th wedding anniversary, Helen McCrory lost her battle with cancer at age 52 according to her husband Damian Lewis

Page 34: A Day in My Life -- Whitney Port

Page 35: Colton Underwood is ready to live his truth -- during an interview on Good Morning America, the former Bachelor came out as gay, saying he's run from himself for a long time and he came to terms with his sexuality earlier this year and he's the happiest and healthiest he's ever been -- now that he feels like he can finally breathe, Colton is excited for his next chapter, which fans will get to see on an upcoming reality show with Olympian Gus Kenworthy -- a huge weight has been lifted off of Colton's shoulders and he is looking forward to being his authentic self

Page 36: Moms Tell All -- Happy Mother's Day! From milestones and manners to rules and nanny-bans, celebs and insiders talk about raising kids in Hollywood

Page 37: Bindi Irwin says life at home with her daughter Grace Warrior has been positively blissful and her family with dad Chandler Powell is so full of love, adding that the newborn has already met some of the wildlife at the Australia Zoo where Bindi and Chandler live and work and of course she's seen some crocs and really lit up when she saw them -- while the Aussie conservationist is sad Grace won't get to meet her late dad Steve Irwin, Bindi's brother Robert Irwin and mom Terri Irwin have been by her side constantly and Robert is obsessed with Grace and has been helping out so much and her mom has been the biggest guiding light and she's already taught Bindi so much about being a mother, both in how she raised her and by showing her things day by day and Terri is quite the baby whisperer and she's so great a calming Grace down when she's crying -- first-time father Chandler is also a natural with Grace and he's been the most supportive and involved dad and together, he and Bindi make such a great team -- for now, Bindi, who stars with Chandler in Crikey! It's a Baby!, is hoping Grace will follow in her animal-activist footsteps, saying having three generations of strong women working as conservationists is a dream come true

* Jennifer Garner said teaching your kids is a lifelong job, and certainly values are something you have to show them -- Jennifer, who shares kids Violet, Seraphina and Samuel with ex Ben Affleck, is staying true to her word and has led by example when it comes to things like kindness and patience and she won't let anyone in the house to judge or speak ill of people, and she enforces the same wholesome, traditional values that she was raised with and the kids have been taught to be loving, hardworking and fair -- Jennifer has always taken a kids-come-first approach to parenting, and it shows as they bake together, enjoy movie nights, read books and have very active lives and it's a very healthy, happy household filled with laughter and love

Page 38: Gwen Stefani has her hands full with her sons Kingston, Zuma and Apollo with ex-husband Gavin Rossdale, but she wouldn't want it any other way -- Gwen's a tomboy, so having three boys wasn't daunting for her at all, plus she has fiance Blake Shelton by her side to pitch in with parenting duties and Gwen and the boys have a blast at Blake's ranch in Oklahoma where they enjoy riding their ATVs, and they play baseball and football -- it's not all fun and games, though because Gwen is big on boundaries and manners and she doesn't want to raise Hollywood brats and it's important to her that her sons be gentlemen

* Meghan Markle's pregnancy with Archie was no walk in the park, as she revealed during her bombshell TV interview with husband Prince Harry, the couple had concerns over whether or not the royal family would provide security for their son and claimed there were conversations about his skin color -- but this time around, as Meghan and Harry gear up for baby No. 2 at home in L.A., she's doing everything her way, without the royals and Meghan and Harry feel blessed that they're able to raise their daughter in the U.S. and can live by their own rules and make the decisions they feel are best for their children; having independence is the most important thing for Meghan and she's got free rein to be exactly the kind of mom she wants to be -- her parenting style is really like most mothers out there, and she's been craving pasta and doing yoga two times a day as her due date nears and she keeps a lot of art supplies out to foster creativity and healthy snacks around and she's a devoted mom and wants the best for her kids

Page 39: Kate Hudson has a lot on her plate, so the mom of three, who shares son Ryder with former husband Chris Robinson and son Bingham with ex Matt Bellamy and daughter Rani with boyfriend Danny Fujikawa, knows when to put her foot down as things can get a little overwhelming at times for Kate, but when she says no, it absolutely means no, and the kids respect her very much because of that

* Gigi Hadid, who shares daughter Khai with boyfriend Zayn Malik, wants to spend every waking moment with her precious little girl -- Gigi could easily afford to employ a team of nannies but chooses not to and she prefers to do everything herself and besides, she can't bear to be away from Khai for more than a few hours

* Candace Cameron Bure's three grown kids are flying the coop, but she's still super involved in their lives, despite slowly becoming an empty nester -- the mom of Natasha, Lev, and Maksim with former hockey player Valeri Bure says it's been a very transitional time and she's been trying to help them make decisions they feel good about and it's challenging, but they're figuring it out

Page 40: Oh, Baby! Meghan Markle's due date is just around the corner, and here are all the details

* Bump Brigade -- Halsey, Gal Gadot, Shawn Johnson East

Page 42: 10 Years of the Cambridges -- a look back at Prince William and Duchess Kate Middleton's solid marriage for their anniversary

Page 44: Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez: What Really Happened -- cheating and lies? The truth behind J.Lo's split from fiance A-Rod

Page 45: Friendliest Exes -- these former couples managed to stay close after going their separate ways -- Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin, Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, Lisa Bonet and Lenny Kravitz

Page 48: Gifts for Mother's Day

Page 54: Entertainment -- Ben Barnes on Shadow and Bone

Page 58: Fashion Police -- the most daring Oscars looks -- Bjork, Whoopi Goldberg, Charlize Theron

Page 59: Rachel Weisz, Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga

Page 60: 25 Things You Don't Know About Me -- Julia Michaels

#tabloid #grain of salt #tabloid toc #tabloidtoc #bindi irwin #chandler powell #grace warrior irwin powell #jennifer garner #gwen stefani #meghan markle #prince harry #kate hudson #gigi hadid #candace cameron bure #the cambridges #prince william #duchess kate #kate middleton #catherine duchess of cambridge #jennifer lopez #alex rodriguez #ben barnes #shadow and bone #general kirigan #fashion police #julia michaels #colton underwood #whitney port #britney spears #emma stone

[yourfavewriteress]

rocky road | jonathan toews

Teaser: “We gotta figure this out because I don’t want to keep fighting you every single day.”

Jonathan and I were currently in the middle of a rough patch. The Blackhawks weren’t doing as well as expected this late in the season. The transition from winter to spring was having its effects on my mood and migraines. Work is killing me everyday to the point where I hardly do anything once I get home except shower and get in bed. To top it all off, Jon and I have barely talked in almost two weeks, aside from the frequent bickering.

We have never been the couple that fights excessively. Jon isn’t the type to go back and forth over something small and petty. He doesn’t like to argue, he likes to talk. Whenever we crossed the line from having a conversation to bickering, Jon always suggested a pause to refocus the conversation and come to an agreement. Yet, lately our fights have been getting less conversational, and more unproductive. 

The one thing that attracted me to Jon the most when we first met was how quiet and driven he was. He was a man in all aspects of the word and I loved that. While I dealt with the stresses of my job, Jon knew that I couldn’t be the trophy wife that many guys in the NHL desired. Although his job is a priority for him, my own job is a priority for me. I never felt like I was taking care of him, or him taking care of me. We were partners who have mastered scheduling their lives around each other, and the condo we had moved into seven months ago. 

When I brought up our current relationship situation with my friends, they assured me that we were simply going through a phase “and, yes, even perfect couples like you guys have them.” I wasn’t unhappy with Jon at the moment, but we have definitely been better. 

As I prepared myself for another day at work, I made my morning coffee and checked over the day’s schedule. While I would be gone until around 7 today, Jon had a busy day until 9:30. My coffee was barely finished before Jon appeared, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

“Hey,” He mumbled, walking towards the refrigerator.

“Morning,” I responded. As I waited, all that could be heard in the kitchen was the coffeemaker and Jon’s movements. I poured my finished drink just as he spoke again.

“Did you turn the thermostat down last night?”

“Is it too cold for you?” I watched as he looked over at me.

“I’m kind of used to it at this point,” He responded.

“I did turn it down before I got in bed, why are you asking?”

“Can we compromise and keep it above 60?” 

“You live here, too, so if that’s what you want,” I shrugged.

“You really don’t have to be like that,” He sighed. “I’m just asking.”

“I’m not being like anything, Jon. Maybe you’re reading into things a little too hard.”

“You hog the blankets, which I don’t mind because I know you don’t do it on purpose. But it felt like the North Pole last night and I don’t want to get sick.”

“Oh, trust me, I know. We cannot let the star captain get sick when he has hockey to play,” I mumbled.

“Y/N,” He ran his hands over his face. “We gotta figure this out because I don’t want to keep fighting you every single day.” I didn’t say anything and Jon closed the fridge and looked at me. “You have to realize we can’t even talk to each other without arguing, right?”

“Mhm.”

“And, you don’t see that as a problem?”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “Are you seriously asking me that? I asked you a week ago to talk yet here we are.”

“I had a game that day,” He defended. “I had to focus on that.”

“I’m happy that you so boldly point out that hockey comes before me, especially when we’re both going through a tough time. But, what about the next day? I’m pretty sure you had two days off and we still haven’t talked.”

He looked down at the counter, “Hockey doesn’t come before you, you know that.”

“Say that to me when it’s actually true. Other than that, don’t lie to my face,” I grabbed my cup, moving towards the hallway. “I have to get ready for work.”

I walked back to our bedroom, going straight to the bathroom and closing the door behind me. I turned the shower on, beginning to get undressed. I sipped my coffee slowly as I let the water heat up.

As mature as I was, I knew I had my moments where biting my tongue would have been the better option. I would absolutely be respecting Jon’s wishes about the temperature of our room, because it was our shared space. But, he didn’t have to know that yet. Especially when I have already told him he could change the thermostat whenever he was uncomfortable.

I showered and brushed my teeth quickly, wrapping my towel tightly around my body. I exited the bathroom to see Jon buttoning his shirt. He looked up when I entered the room.

I moved to my walk-in, grabbing my clothes for the day. Rushing myself to get dressed, I stumbled around the closet for a few minutes. When I walked out, Jon was fully dressed, reaching into his bag.

“I’m not gonna be back tonight til after 8,” He said.

���I know,” I responded, brushing through my hair.

“Make sure you actually eat today,” He said, followed by the zipping of his bag. “I’ll see you later.”

“Bye.” I did my best not to frown as Jon walked out of our bedroom. 

In the past two weeks, I could count on one hand the amount of affection that we’ve shown each other. We used to kiss or be touching each other in someway at all times. But now, the only time Jon was within three feet of me was when we were in bed. I guess that’s a plus, that we still sleep next to each other. I would be lying if I didn’t notice the deliberate space between us under the covers, though.

As the front door closed behind Jon, I continued getting ready for work. Until I had to stop. 

Washing my coffee cup in the sink, I felt the familiar sensation in my eye and head, signaling the migraine to come. I groaned to myself, pausing to down a full glass of water. 

At the on-site of migraines, I always had a decision to make. I could either one, power through it and continue on with my day or two, call it and get back in bed. The frequency of my migraines increased with stress so I wasn’t surprised as my left temple began to pulse. Looking at the time, I had over an hour before I had to be at my desk and thirty minutes to leave our condo. Already feeling nauseous, I decided that today would be the day that I called it. I would have all day to recover, with Jon being gone, and I could get a much needed break from work and the world. 

After calling my boss and explaining the situation to her, she agreed before I even finished. Annoyed at the fact that I was already dressed and basically ready to go, I changed back into sleep clothes. I didn’t realize until I walked past the mirror that my sleep clothes consisted of one of Jon’s shirts and a pair of his boxers as shorts. 

Forcing myself to eat, I made a small breakfast of eggs and toast before climbing back under the covers in our dark room. In the past, I made sure to tell Jon when I was experiencing a migraine so that he knew. I wasn’t sure if it was anger towards him or my sleepiness but as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out. No message to Jon. 

I spent the day in bed, slipping in and out of consciousness. Other than to use the bathroom, I stayed under the comforters as the sun set that afternoon.

I assume I slept through the entire day as I awoke to movement in Jon’s closet and the light on. I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my eyes after them being closed for basically over 12 hours. Jon walked out his closet and I watched as he looked around the room, his eyes landing on me.

“Hey,” He said, noticing that I was now awake. He moved closer to my side of the bed, crouched down so we were at eye-level. If my head hadn’t of been hurting, I would have noticed how close he was for the first time in awhile. He searched my face, “Are you okay?”

“I have a migraine,” I mumbled. 

“Did you eat?”

“A little,” I responded.

“You know you have to eat more than a little,” He said, standing up. “I’m gonna change and then I’ll make you something.”

“You don’t have to,” I sighed. “I’m sure you’d probably prefer to not be around me right now.”

“Not responding to that,” He called from his closet. “I always want to be around you, no matter what’s going on.”

I turned over in bed, pulling the covers back over me. “That sounded like a response, Jonny boy.”

The nickname slipped out before I could even think about it and when I looked back at him in his closet, he was smiling softly. I looked away just as I felt a smile creep onto my lips. It was the first time in a few days that our expressions towards each other were anything but annoyance or indifference.

“Can you see okay?” He asked after a few moments.

“Yeah, the aura went away a couple hours ago.”

“And, your head?”

“Pounding,” I said, simply. I heard Jon sigh before I felt his hand on my leg.

“Do you want to come downstairs to the couch?”

I nodded, moving to sit up. “How was practice?”

“Fine,” He shrugged. “Can we talk later though? I’ve been thinking a lot today.”

“I was being a bitch earlier, I’m sorry,” I admitted. “It was a simple request.”

“I’ve been an asshole for two weeks,” He responded. “This morning was nothing compared to that.”

He moved so that he was sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Hockey is tough right now, I get that. We’ve been through this before, Jon. Work is kicking my ass, too, and it’s overwhelming,” I said. “I don’t know why we’re clashing so much but we know how to communicate. I know how to talk to you and you know how to talk to me, but…”

“...But, we're still fighting,” He finished, nodding.

“I know I can be a lot, and you have to worry about not only me but your team, too. I can’t imagine how much stress you’re under right now but you have to let me know what you need or want from me. I can’t just keep walking on eggshells while I’m stressed myself. It’s not fair.”

“I know,” He sighed. “I didn’t realize how much I was pushing you away. I don’t ever want you to be walking on eggshells around me. You live here just as much as I do and I’m sorry for everything. I know I can forget to stop bringing hockey home with me every night and I’ve clearly been doing that. I’m not gonna make excuses for it because we already talked about this. I’m sorry.”

“I don’t care if you bring hockey home. Obviously, I would like it if I didn’t have to sit through hours of guys slamming into each other on the ice, but I would do it if it’ll be helpful for you. I don’t mind watching hours of hockey. I know it’s a priority for you right now, and I don’t expect that to change. But, we’re a team. I want to help so you’re not beating yourself up every single day.”

He smiled, “I know.”

“It’s not just you, I know I can be better, too. When I’m stressed, I know I can be a handful and a half and you’re an angel for dealing with it. I’m not easy to talk to and you still take care of me. I don’t deserve you.”

“You deserve the world,” He said. “But, I don’t care how much of a handful you think you are, I love you and that’s not gonna change.”

“I’m just sorry,” I mumbled, looking down.

Jon moved closer, pulling me into his chest. “I think you’re just being nice because your head hurts. I’m equally at fault for this, if not, more.”

I laughed against his chest, immediately regretting it as I was reminded of my migraine.

“I mean it,” I said once he pulled away.

“Okay, so we’re both sorry, and we’re both gonna do better, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Good,” He kissed me and I sighed against him.

“I missed you,” I said. “Even though we’ve both been here.”

“I missed you,” He smiled, pecking my lips again. “But, your head still hurts so dinner first.”

He helped me out of the bed, wrapping his hand around mine as we walked downstairs. 

“I’ll get you some water and bring it over,” Jon said as I sat down on our couch, leaning against the arm. I watched as he dimmed the lights in our apartment, looking over at me to hold up his thumbs in question. “Is this good for you?”

“Yeah,” I laughed softly. “Did you know the lights did that before you showed me this place?”

He nodded, smiling. “Thoughtful, eh?”

“I guess you could say that,” I shrugged. He walked over to me, handing me a glass of water.

“You don’t think I’m thoughtful?” He raised his eyebrows in question.

“I think you’re a sap when you want to be,” I laughed, making my head throb. I flinched, leaning back slightly.

Jon leaned in, pressing his lips to my temple. “Stop laughing at me, you’re making your head worse.”

I puckered my lips to him in response. He smiled, shaking his head while standing up straight. “You’re trying to distract me. I have to get you something to eat and then I’ll kiss you.”

“That’s unfair,” I whined.

“Once you eat, I promise you’ll have my full attention, baby,” He laughed. “So needy.”

“Hurry up, Jonathan. We have a lot of making up to do.”

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[recentanimenews]

Here's Your Full Girls und Panzer Das Finale Part 1 English Dub Cast

  Now that Sentai Filmworks' release of Girls und Panzer Das Finale Part 1 is out in the wild, it's time to take a look at the full English dub cast. The first in the six-part OVA series is available on Blu-ray, so dig in below to see who's playing who and the staff making it all happen in the English language version.

  ADR Script

Mike Haimoto

English Mix

Ricardo Contreras

Lead Engineer

Jonathan Rodriguez

Audio Engineers           

David Lascoe

  Matt Mittmeyer

  Ricardo Contreras

    Miho

Margaret McDonald

Yukari

Rebekah Stevens

Hana

Caitlynn French

Saori

Jessica Calvello

Mako

Molly Searcy

    Anzu

Christina Stroup

Yuzu

Serena Varghese

Momo

Elizabeth Maxwell

    Isobe

Genevieve Simmons

Taeko

Kalin Coates

Shinobu

Cynthia Martinez

Akebi

Carli Mosier

    Caesar

Shannon Emerick

Erwin

Luci Christian

Saemonza

Joanne Bonasso

Oryou

Elissa Cuellar

    Azusa

Allison Sumrall

Ayumi

Savanna Menzel

Karina

Monica Rial

Yuuki

Maggie Flecknoe

Aya

Juliet Simmons

    Sodoko

Tiffany Grant

Gomoyo

Shelley Calene-Black

Pazomi

Emily Neves

    Nakajima

Juliet Simmons

Suzuki

Brittney Karbowski

Hoshino

Chaney Moore

Tsuchiya

Luci Christian

    Nekonya

Natalie Rial

Momoga

Olivia Swasey

Piyotan

Amelia Fischer

    Ogin

Dawn M. Bennett

Rum

Sarah Wiedenheft

Murakami

Morgan Berry

Flint

Amber Lee Connors

Cutlass

Alyssa Marek

    Marie

Cat Thomas

Andou

Alexis Tipton

Oshida

Avery Smithhart

    Darjeeling

Kara Greenberg

Orange Pekoe

Christina Kelly

Assam

Joanne Bonasso

Rosehip

Emily Neves

    Kay

Emily Neves

Naomi

Shelley Calene-Black

Alisa

Brittney Karbowski

    Katyusha

Hilary Haag

Nonna

Olga Jankowski

Klara

Sarah Natochenny

    Maho

Kim Prause

Erika

Katelyn Barr

    Anchovy

Kira Vincent-Davis

Carpaccio

Christina Stroup

Pepperoni

Christina Kelly

    Nishi

Alexis Lee

Tamada

Chaney Moore

Hosomi

Joanne Bonasso

Ikeda

Genevieve Simmons

Hamada

Monica Rial

Teramoto

Mai Le

Kubota

Emily Neves

    Mika

Allison Sumrall

Aki

Melissa Molano

    Taiga Ou

Christina Kelly

Azumi

Melissa Pritchett

Tokata

Christina Kelly

Baba

Kara Greenberg

    Additional Voices

Allison Sumrall

  Brittney Karbowski

  Carli Mosier

  Chaney Moore

  Christina Kelly

  Christina Stroup

  Kara Greenberg

  Monica Rial

  Sentai's synopsis:

Momo needs to get her priorities straight! Too much tankery and not studying for her entrance exams lands Momo in the hot seat. Luckily her friends won't let her flunk out without a flight, and they've hatched a foxy plan to put her back on top… literally. Miho's stepping down to let Momo take up the mantle of commander, because if she can lead the team to victory in the Continuous Cup, Momo will earn a second chance to retake her exams. The stakes have never been higher for the team as they fight for tank supremacy both on and off the combat field!

  Source: Sentai Filmworks via Anime News Network

    -------

Joseph Luster is the Games and Web editor at Otaku USA Magazine. You can read his comics at subhumanzoids. Follow him on Twitter @Moldilox.

By: Joseph Luster

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