#ratman and ratson

[myrddin-wylt]

I like depicting Alfred as charming, but not really in an obvious way. you meet him as a stranger and he's very friendly and considerate and polite; he helps you move your luggage or offers to his hand to help you up or holds the door open. he calls service workers "sir." you're not used to chatting with random strangers but you're clearly not going anywhere anyway and he seems so interested in you personally, what your life is like, what do you like, just little details no stranger really cares about. he's a little loud, sorta- it's more like he doesn't mind if anyone overhears him, so it's clear he doesn't make a habit of gossip, nor does he expect anyone to shame him for his opinions, as evidently it would be equally unthinkable for him to shame anyone else.

I just really like an Alfred who's charismatic and draws people in with nothing but courtesy and good manners. It's funny, too, comparing Alfred's courtesy and politeness against Arthur's. Arthur is every bit a gentleman but he is not kind, nor does he pretend to be. Arthur is courteous, but in an obviously imperious way. to Arthur, good manners are a sign of sophistication and good breeding- status, essentially. to Alfred, good manners are a sign of kindness and, oddly enough, ambition. opportunity. resourcefulness. a person who scoffs at everyone and declines to build bridges is not a person who wants to go very far in life.

in any case it's particularly fun to imagine Alfred like this at various points in history, because the newly independent, ultra-polite farmer and political philosopher comes off very differently than the generous and courteous Gilded Age business magnate. and both come off as a stark contrast to Arthur, for whom manners are sometimes the only thing keeping his temper and arrogance in check.

late 19th century Alfred in particular is great because he's such an openly ambitious, selfish piece of shit but he's also so damn charming and polite that most people simply don't notice. also he's found out that the more generous he is, the more wealth and power think he has and the more they want to work with him, so it becomes a self-feeding cycle.

side hc: during the Gilded Age, Alfred personally becomes hella fucking rich. it just makes his interactions with the 'old rich' Arthur and family so interesting. Lord Father may be the one with the empire, but it can't be denied that Mr. Jones does just fine for himself, and in fact does apparently better than his aristocratic family members.

#hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #historical hetalia #hetalia headcanon #hetalia hc #ratman and ratson #tldr: Alfred is polite because he's a good boy but also an ambitious shit #Arthur is polite because if he weren't he would've killed everyone in this room and then himself already #hws america #aph america #alfred f jones

[mrsblackruby]

I just want it 2 be known before I make my final post in my case 4 my ratson Billy Hargrove! That the reason I was able to get through it was because I found it absolutely hilarious (I mean it was the funniest shit in the world) when I saw people calling me inherently racist for liking him as a character. I’m embarrassed to say that I busted out in laughter When I saw people call me a racist asshole for liking Harringrove. It’s the best form of comedy and that’s not up for debate. Because from over here you can tell people who say that and believe it have a very flawed understanding of how the global system that is racism works. And Oh boy, don’t try and tell them that. Because the hostile reaction they put on when you say they might struggle to understand how a complex global system like racism might work... is astonishing! So, I took joy in outlining my arguments against those extremely lack luster claims. I took peace in bringing discussion to the fans who cared about my argument. I know it may not mean much to the large fuck up that is the mistake called the internet. But it shall forever be my darling project. I hope you appreciate a chapter that has come to a close because I know I will when I post the last part in my case 4 ratman. Btw if you see this Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk, Bitch!!! U are appreciated!

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

#ACLA24 #ACLA24Leaders #youtube #youtube video #climate leaders #climate solutions #climate action #climate and environment #climate #climate change #climate and health #climate blog #climate justice #climate news #weather and climate #environmental news #environment #environmental awareness #environment and health #environmental #environmental issues #environmental justice #environment protection #environmental health #Youtube

[myrddin-wylt]

3yro Alfred, following Arthur around the house: pwease daddy? pwease? pweeeeeeease?

Arthur: please what? what do you want, lad?

Alfred: space!

Arthur:

Alfred: wanna go to space! pwease?

Arthur:

Arthur:

Arthur: space in the sky???

#based on my friend's daughter again #much funnier in a colonial context though #ratman and ratson #hetalia hc #hetalia hcs #hetalia headcanons #hetalia headcanon #hws england #hws america

[myrddin-wylt]

broke: portrayals of pre-independence Alfred that are only ever set in the thirteen colonies.

woke: portrayals of pre-independence Alfred that are occasionally set in Britain, or wherever else Arthur takes him.

coke: young, pre-independence Alfred navigating major historical events in England like coronation of King Charles. or the beheading of King Charles. or the Great Fire of London. or the Treaty of Union. really just any acknowledgement of the fact that Alfred was English and experienced English history with his English father in England. ty.

#apparently I've used up all my social battery or I'd answer asks #hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #historical hetalia #hetalia hc #hetalia headcanon #ratman and ratson #hws england #hws america #kirkland brood

[myrddin-wylt]

not me thinking about how Alfred must’ve actually been a very obedient and easy teenager for Arthur to parent, at least until the end of the Seven Years’ War. like Arthur would’ve been immensely proud of him??? the Thirteen colonies were the center and world leader of Enlightenment/Western political theory, the colonial colleges were respected institutions of learning, a surprising amount of the (white) population was literate -- just in general, it’s easy for me to forget that the US was a major epicenter of law, political theory, and to a lesser degree science in general before it became the US.

like Arthur spends the mid 17th century unable to spend much time with Alfred until the Restoration, but every time he does get to sit down with Alfred for a few hours or so he’s always greatly impressed by how much Alfred reads and writes and debates and experiments. maybe he does or doesn’t realize Alfred is trying to impress him, but either way he’s got a lot of reasons to be very proud of his prodigy of a son, and he’s especially pleased to see him living up to his eponym’s love of learning.

like the English colonists were a bit unique in how they saw themselves and England? like the English colonists considered themselves Englishmen, not, you know, Americans or English colonists. they expected the same treatment from English regardless of which side of the Atlantic they were on. so imo Alfred was actually a very loyal and obedient kid, and he sorta ended up parentified if only to parent himself because Arthur was so busy. I just [clenches fist] love hcs where Alfred is genuinely the Dutiful Son and heir growing up, he manages the businesses of the Kirkland household (because Duncan sure as fuck ain’t doing that at this point in time) and the administration of the colonies in father’s absence and he does a damn good job at it. he’s resourceful and self-reliant enough to take care of himself and of anyone Arthur trusts him with. Alfred being his father’s right hand man is just so special to me.

also I like this characterization a lot because it makes their later relationship more interesting. Alfred goes from heir and trusted lieutenant to the family disappointment no one talks about to eventually Arthur is his right hand rather than the other way around. Alfred is the golden scapegoat personified lol.

I also like the dynamics it makes with his siblings since he’s so aloof that he doesn’t... really even see them as siblings all the time? not maliciously, but he just didn’t grow up with them. prior to the 20th century, the most time he spent with any of them was a single decade with Matt that was honestly pretty antagonistic at points. Successful Eldest Son/Golden Scapegoat embodied, man.

#kirkland brood #hetalia hc #hetalia hcs #hetalia headcanon #hetalia headcanons #URGH i've lost track of which tags I use #ratman and ratson #myrddin's hcs

[myrddin-wylt]

the inherent hilarity of nations aging much, much more slowly than humans so you get a situation where Arthur is watching baby Alfred trying to learn to crawl and someone asks how old he is and Arthur isn't sure whether to tell them that his baby is 15 years old or what because he can't remember the human age equivalent so he's just "Uh, well, he's not crawling yet, so." very helpful, Arthur. the descriptor you were looking for is '10 months.'

#hetalia hcs #hetalia hc #hetalia headcanon #hetalia headcanons #ratman and ratson #kirkland brood #myrd's hcs

[myrddin-wylt]

I’m not sure if any of Arthur’s siblings would be present during one of baby Alfred’s deaths. because usually Arthur “Stiff-Upper Lip” Kirkland would rather cut off his arm than show sadness or vulnerability, especially in front of his siblings, but like. sometimes heartbreak and grief are simply not accommodating, regardless of how ‘tough’ a person is. and I don’t think his siblings would be either sad or happy to see him like that? I think they’d be terrified. they have all seen Arthur cry before, despite his best efforts. they have not seen Arthur howl like that before, like he’s physically splitting apart by the nerve endings. it would be frightening to say the least.

#[channels Ari Aster] [channels Ari Aster] [channels Ari Aster] why is all my writing so intense? #hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #myrddin hcs #kirkland brood #ratman and ratson

[myrddin-wylt]

babies are great because they absolutely just rot your brain. I used to be a smart person. now I just like to stare at my niece and let me assure you, there are zero thoughts in my head. head empty only baby.

anyway I think Arthur becomes much more amiable once Alfred is born because he simply forgets that he's usually a prick. like he just has no thoughts, only Alfred. no one wants to have a conversation with him now because all he wants is to chat to or about his infant son.

ftr it's the same with Matthew and the others. Matthew can come running over and reeeeaaach out towards him with both arms and Arthur will swoop him up as his brain goes totally blank. it's like doing a factory reset on him, tbh. Arthur can't remember what he was just ranting about but he's sure it's not near as important as snuggling his boy and listening to his breathing even out as he falls asleep with his face tucked in the gap between Arthur's shoulder and neck.

#I need to write Matthew getting some affection too #kirkland brood #ratman and ratson #hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #arthur kirkland #arthur: I would do absolutely anything for you do you understand me? #baby alfred: buh? #arthur: yes that's right. even that. #two centuries later and Alfred is making him fucking eat those words

[myrddin-wylt]

Arthur trying to raise baby Alfred 😔 staying up all night walking him because Alfred won't sleep otherwise 😔 Arthur getting very good very quickly at figuring out Alfred's different cries, like when he's hungry vs when he's ill. Alfred being a 'chatty' baby, whether it's cooing when he's happy or whimpering when he's the slightest upset, and Arthur 'chatting' back. [Alfred cooes unhappily] "Oh, surely not, surely not. it can't be that bad, surely." [Alfred whines] "No, no, I don't believe that. You just need to sleep. stop fighting it and just sleep, Alfred." [cries] "Now, Alfred. You know better. I'll walk you around but you have to sleep now." 😔😔😔

#hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #ratman and ratson #my baby niece has the hiccups and she's so upset 😔 #kirkland brood

[myrddin-wylt]

I'm sorry for bothering you but do you have any headcanons on how Alfred us very much his fathers son, personally I like them to be different, yes, but with enough glaring similarities in behaviour and the like to give a lot of the old world severe Deja vu for when Alfred does things, like when he genuinely takes control or that look of pure ambition he gets when he's thinking? They're different but not enough, Alfred seems to be stumbling awkwardly in his fathers footsteps and no one present likes that

(.... you sent this a week ago. 🙃)

I'm pretty sure Francis was less than thrilled when he first saw that Alfred was just as much a sailor and pirate as his father (a lot of American pirates/privateers were famous in their own right!), and frankly I can imagine the first time Alfred rolls up to Paris - presumably for the 1783 Treaty of Paris - Francis likely has a moment of realization that now he has to deal with two Arthurs but now they're both sovereign and Alfred is no longer constrained to the Americas and can leave if he wants. just imagine Francis's regret a century later when Alfred shows up at the head of the Great White Fleet, now the most powerful navy in the world second only to the British Empire.

actually, Alfred has a LOT of very similar behaviors to Arthur, and those actually increase once he gets independence because he uses Arthur as his guide and model for doing diplomacy and war and just being sovereign in general. so he uses a lot of similar negotiating tactics (though tweaks them a bit for his personality and situation), he speaks to other nations using Arthur's usual cadence and diction (at least until Arthur's accent changes), and he really, really copies Arthur's general bearing and even a little of his demeanor, or he at least tries to. he also - especially at first - really clings to certain habits Arthur had, whether it was tea-time or whatever. he eventually grows out of constantly imitating Arthur as he becomes more confident, experienced, and starts to really come into his own and use what works for him. at that point, he becomes similar to Arthur for entirely different reasons, which imo REALLY unnerves the other nations. because it's one thing to see Arthur's inexperienced kid trying to imitate his elders; it's another thing entirely to see him behave like that naturally.

Alfred is actually extremely like Arthur in most ways imo: very ambitious, thrifty, obsessed with legal procedure, highly independent and stubborn, very concerned with efficiency and productivity, and both are actually very cynical and suspicious of other people and as a result end up surprisingly aloof, but they do have a shared optimism and confidence, too (it's not like Arthur fueled his imperialist ambitions by being a defeatist). they're significantly different enough in demeanor and temperament that their similarities can be hard to notice a lot of the time, but a lot (not all) of their differences are superficial.

#I'M SORRY THIS IS A WEEK OLD #BRAIN HURTY #hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #hetalia hc #hetalia headcanon #the-heaminator #ask #ratman and ratson #THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE MUCH LONGER BUT BRAIN HURTY AND IT'S BEEN A WEEK #myrd's hcs

[myrddin-wylt]

having a very entertaining time imagining Arthur bringing Alfred to Europe for the first time. it’s 1617 and King James is struggling to rule two kingdoms who refuse to be unified despite his best efforts. Duncan can be a stubborn bastard, sure, but Arthur is just fucking mean, as well as arrogant and vindictive and generally as unpleasant and combative as possible toward the king and his new arrangement. it gets to the point that, fuck it, when Arthur asks to be allowed to go to the colonies in the new world, the king immediately jumps on the opportunity for a having a little bit of peace and quiet without feeling Arthur’s glare boring holes into his back all the time.

at first, Arthur’s absence is a relief. it’s quiet, more or less. the English are still as uncooperative and murderous as ever, but that wasn’t going to change just because Arthur went on vacation. and then a year passes, and another, and another and still Arthur isn’t back, Parliament is completely unmanageable, James’s court is hated as a pit of corruption, depravity, and murder that will take more than a commissioned Bible to forgive, they always seem to be out of fucking money, and then-

and then Arthur comes back with two things he’s never had before: a baby, and a smile as wide as the horizon.

“the new colony lives,” he reports happily, cradling the sleeping infant against his chest, “despite nature’s best efforts.”

Morgen doesn’t need to be won over - she immediately falls in love with baby Alfred, and Arthur only needs a little convincing to allow her to hold him. Erin and Duncan, on the other hand, aren’t so sure how to feel. it doesn’t help that the moment they approach, Arthur turns from happy and genial to overprotective, paranoid, and angry - he doesn’t even let either of them get close enough to look at the baby, much less hold him, before puffing up like an angry cat, hissing and spitting at them to back the fuck off.

“you’re such a vicious little cur, you know,” Erin complains. “I’m not going to eat him.”

“well,” Arthur growls, “I can’t be sure with you.” (”you’re the one acting like a beast!”)

ah, Duncan realizes, his eyes briefly meeting that of the king’s and a few other courtiers. this is going to go poorly.

#historical hetalia #kirkland family #aph england #hws england #arthur kirkland #hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #aph scotland #hws scotland #aph ireland #hws ireland #aph wales #hws wales #british isles siblings #baby alfred #ratman and ratson

[ecoamerica]

Watch the American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 now: https://youtu.be/bWiW4Rp8vF0?feature=shared

The American Climate Leadership Awards 2024 broadcast recording is now available on ecoAmerica's YouTube channel for viewers to be inspired by active climate leaders. Watch to find out which finalist received the $50,000 grand prize! Hosted by Vanessa Hauc and featuring Bill McKibben and Katharine Hayhoe!

#ACLA24 #ACLA24Leaders #youtube #youtube video #climate leaders #climate solutions #climate action #climate and environment #climate #climate change #climate and health #climate blog #climate justice #climate news #weather and climate #environmental news #environment #environmental awareness #environment and health #environmental #environmental issues #environmental justice #environment protection #environmental health #Youtube

[myrddin-wylt]

I go to bed now but I am in love with Arthur's fucked up family dynamics because they're the most frustrating, tragic kind? like okay, you were a shitty parent, no excuses, and your adult child cut you off for your shitty behavior, as he should - but damn, you never had a chance, huh? who could expect anything better? you had no examples, no family or friends to help, no money or resources, you were scared and completely unprepared and it's not even your fault - but it's still not okay.

you know, that kind of immensely frustrating relationship where no one is malicious but because of ignorance and personal baggage, hurt was inflicted, damage was done by a parent onto a child, and that damage is serious and valid and deserves to be addressed with respect, and the relationship can only continue if it happens on the adult child's terms. but at the same time there's that little voice going 'but holy fuck, he was set up to fail from the start. he never had a chance, but he made sure I did have one. even though that means I'm healthy enough to know he has to be cut off. but man, he never had a chance.'

ah, the Greek tragedy of relationship dynamics: totally avoidable but horrifically inevitable.

#hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #kirkland family #ratman and ratson #arthur kirkland #goodnight! #myrddin hcs #kirkland brood

[myrddin-wylt]

delightful things the toddlers in my life have done that I am now projecting onto hetalia characters: one of Arthur’s favorite memories is of when Alfred was a toddler just learning how to communicate, because anything and everything he said was either fascinating, cute, or both, especially since Alfred was a very vocal and finicky toddler. some fun examples of baby Alfred’s repertoire of English (well, the modern English equivalent, I’m not doing hcs in fucking Early Modern English) include:

conveys his deep displeasure about Arthur waking him up in the mornings by stubbornly hiding in the bed and insisting “night-night!” tantrums have included shutting the wardrobe Arthur is getting their clothes from and sternly insisting “night-night!! night-night!!”

will occasionally banish someone from the room by marching them to the door and announcing “bye!” but in like, the angriest, most petulant tone you’ve ever heard. this is also how he moves people from whatever spot they’re in if that’s not Their Designated Spot. no, Duncan, you cannot sit in the chair to Arthur’s left, that’s Auntie Morgan’s chair! go back to your chair!

is bizarrely good at clearly pronouncing words like ‘notebook,’ but words like ‘please’ still elude him.

in fact, ‘please’ sounds more like ‘bees?’

“baby? hold baby? baby?”

[sits on rocking horse] [whispers intently] go. go. 

has seemingly confused ‘up’ and ‘down,’ because he rarely wants uppies but always begs for them by saying “down?? down????” which is incredibly weird since that’s not one of the easier words for a toddler to pronounce.

only asks for ‘up!’ when he specifically wants someone to pick up him in order to move him somewhere else.

there is no such thing as ‘dog’ or ‘puppy.’ they are all ‘woof’s. but owls are owls for some reason?

his first clear words - like clear pronunciation and intention - are ‘no’ and ‘uh-oh!’

I will return once I recall more from my Baby Observations.

#myrddin's hcs #hetalia hcs #hetalia hc #hetalia headcanon #hetalia headcanons #ratman and ratson #kirkland brood

[myrddin-wylt]

love reading about the Great Rapprochement. Arthur spends 1895 to 1915 metaphorically kneeling on the ground going pspspspsps in Alfred’s general direction mostly getting ignored but occasionally getting an increasingly half-hearted “go fuck yourself” in response. it’s fantastic. look at this.

German Ambassador Bernstoff, a shrewd observer, reported in 1911, “The British efforts [to cultivate America] are meeting with a certain return of platonic affection. The old rooted dislike to England is gradually vanishing... But it is not accompanied by any wish to offer anything in return.” In hard diplomatic coin, the Americans took but they did not give. British ministries from Salisbury to Asquith made important concessions of substance and form to the United States. These statesmen gained not alliance nor even true reciprocity, but the elimination of grounds of conflict, occasional and essentially “platonic” or negative support in world politics, and above all a transformation of American attitudes which would pay immense dividends after 1914. While other factors propelled America in the same direction, British policy from 1895 to 1914 was the indispensable element.

I love it. Arthur hasn’t been this nice to Alfred since 1754 and Alfred is completely weirded out and has absolutely no idea what to do with this. so he just keeps being belligerent and Arthur just keeps being nice until eventually Alfred is sitting at a table in Arthur’s garden wondering how the fuck he came to the point where he’s having literal tea parties with the old fucker. 

meanwhile Matthew, Jack, and Eliza are just as weirded out. maybe Matthew less so than Jack and Eliza but like. it’s still really fucking weird when Alfred says things that would get Jack sent to boot camp in the most remote part of the Canadian wilderness and Arthur just smiles. Duncan, Morgan, and Erin are much less surprised, since obviously they remember how much Arthur loved Alfred as a child. on the whole, Duncan thinks it’s funny, Morgan is relieved and pleased, and Erin is utterly disgusted lol. like c’mon, Al, don’t listen to him. he’s so full of shit you know he’s full of shit. 

alas, the end of WW1 proves Erin right and Alfred goes right back to belligerent and aloof (though perhaps not near as much as pre-1895).

#historical hetalia #hetalia hcs #hetalia headcanons #kirkland brood #ratman and ratson #jack: australia #eliza: new zealand #duncan: scotland #morgan: wales #erin: ireland ofc

[myrddin-wylt]

absolutely love watching what having children does to the people I know. one friend in particular didn’t change at all, because he always had strong dad vibes, so the baby just completed the picture. and then you contrast it with the people who changed wildly, like my brother, who has been more patient and gentle with his baby than I’ve genuinely ever seen him be in my life. I’m 26. in my 26 years I have never seen this man so tender and every time I’m just ?????????? this is the person who used to suplex me on the trampoline?

in any case I love how Arthur goes from the utter menace the Normans made him - even if the Hundred Years’ War and War of the Roses left him a little less menacing than he was before - to, you know, a dad. a very doting dad at that. like just imagine being Erin and Morgan watching this usually mean, vicious fucker turn into someone so gentle. a man so concerned with his reputation and meticulous about how he carries himself and and what emotions he does/doesn’t show and he’s just like... shamelessly singing silly rhymes or cooing at his baby in public. baby Alfred could throw an apocalyptic fit and Arthur would just find it cute (in a pitiful way). it’s like this man has never felt annoyed in his life. the literal pirate, the scourge of the Atlantic, at one time one of the best and most brutal knights in Europe, an unrepentant and ruthless conqueror, keeps kissing his baby’s forehead and very solemnly asking if he knows how loved he is. the baby that no one really expected to exist in the first place and that Arthur gave zero indication of planning to have, but here he is and good god Arthur loves him more than he’s ever loved anything or anyone. it’s bizarre and no one understands what the hell is happening.

#hetalia hcs #hetalia hc #hetalia headcanons #hetalia headcanon #kirkland brood #ratman and ratson #watching other people have kids turned ME into a different person it's fucking weird #I just... don't find crying babies annoying? or toddlers throwing tantrums? I used to

[myrddin-wylt]

Alfred would've been a chunky baby but like definitely not as a very newborn. especially since my Alfred was born either during or very close to the Starving Time. presumably he was so fucking little and frail that Arthur took it as a challenge. good thing he shows up with three ships of supplies and colonists because he'll need fuckin round the clock nursemaids to help with this one. can you imagine how proud and thrilled he'd be once Alfred did start gaining weight? Alfred becomes the chonkiest little baby and Arthur becomes absolutely insufferable. presumably the first thing he did on returning to London was go door to door showing everyone his new son and they all have to oooh and aaaah appropriately. Arthur has been in London for several hours before the king even hears he's back.

#hetalia headcanons #hetalia hcs #this post inspired by my sister in law very proudly announcing my niece is now 11 lbs #she's genuinely so proud #ratman and ratson