#yes its from lonnie

[steveharrington]

can you elaborate more on steve being abandoned by the narrative?

yes <3 so i think there are two very unfortunate circumstances surrounding steve's character that have led to the current state of his plotline: 1. after not killing him in s1 like they originally planned, the duffers have never really had a plan for steve and 2. they are extremely influenced by audiences. when they were conceptualizing steve to fit in among the ensemble cast, the duffers were picturing him as a douchey boyfriend who unceremoniously dies. lonnie was originally going to come back to the byers house to save jonathan and nancy. there was no need to picture where he'd be 4 seasons down the road, so they just didn't account for that. then joe keery charmed them so hard that they literally couldn't bear to kill him, so steve ends season one still somehow alive.

but we've already established the nancy/jonathan plotline, because jonathan was once the duffers' self-insert who must defeat the evil jock and win over the girl. they couldn't just backpedal on that right away, so they needed to give nancy and jonathan a plotline alone, away from steve. but steve only ever functioned as an extension of nancy until this point, so what do we do with steve now? in an accidental stroke of genius that the duffers have admitted was a last second decision, they pair him with the children and make him into a babysitter. it almost instantly boosts steve into being tied with hopper and el for most popular character from the show, potentially even beats them both out. in 2017 when s2 aired, you could not escape mom steve jokes. it was everywhere, steve was everywhere, joe was everywhere, it was arguably the second coming of #justice for barb, which, in netflix business-y terms, was the exact viral meme type situation that the show wanted and needed to sell merch and remain relevant and say "see we still got it!!!"

you know who has the 2nd most lines in the entirety of season three? directly behind hopper? ahead of winona ryder? steve. think for a second about how absolutely insane that is. the character who was written specifically to die in season one. joe keery's name wasn't even in the season one credits, because he wasn't considered a series regular. and now he has the 2nd most spoken lines in the big blockbuster season because he rocketed up in popularity so intensely. season three marketing features the mall so heavily, creates a literal physical shrine to 80s nostalgia, and when the very first promo is released an entire year before the season airs, who's the star of that teaser trailer? and who, pray tell, is featured in the main brand sponsorship ad that plays in movie theaters worldwide? thats right its america's little darling steve harrington.

but here is the issue. the duffers look at what made steve popular and they see: funny exasperated babysitter, heartthrob action hero. they're like oh okay so we should keep putting him directly in the center of the action, bang him up every season to give him his classic bloodied aesthetic, but. he still needs to be funny. we can almost kill him, but we can't actually kill him because he's profitable. we can let him get horrifically injured because it's badass, but we still gotta let him crack jokes. it creates this very weird tone to steve's role in the story starting in season 3 because he's both the action hero and the comedic relief and protected by plot armor, so we get scenes where he's being literally tortured until he's begging for his life and gasping for breath but the tone is still.......fun? comedic? light and goofy? i think the duffers also forgot he's supposed to be a teenager.

now this is partially me making educated guesses but i feel pretty confident about this: once again, like gollum, joe keery uses his big shiny eyes and manages to evade death again in season four by being so likable and charming and marketable that netflix execs or shawn levy or maybe even the duffers themselves were like oh fuck we just can't do it. they were obviously tossing around the idea of taking mom steve all the way by letting him die sacrificially for dustin, so in season four they make eddie, transfer steve's relationship with dustin directly onto him, ctrl f steve's name in the death scene and just type in eddie instead, and once again steve is alive but he's directionless.

so what does he have now, in season four? i think the duffers have a whiteboard somewhere with steve's name and around it are little circles that say "funny" "cool" "DO NOT KILL" and steve is now stuck in this endless cycle of getting beaten up, popping back up somehow unharmed like a looney tune, saying something cute and oblivious, rinse and repeat. because that's what worked, that's what made him popular all the way back in season two. that's what the duffers are obviously keeping in mind when they're writing steve: popularity. not realism, not depth, not growth, just literally how to continue making him popular. meanwhile, other characters get to be part of the actual story. other characters get to serve a purpose other than selling merch. when el is bitten by a monster, she gets to actually feel pain and need help because that's realistically what any human would need. when hopper is tortured, he gets to suffer and ponder his existence and reflect on the relationships in his life. steve never gets any of that, because the writers just don't see steve as the 19 year old boy on his 4th straight year of traumatic events that he actually is.

they literally just see him as a money maker, there for cool viral moments and witty lines and maybe the occasional emotion experienced but only if it's about his romantic prospects. and the narrative that other characters get to have and be apart of just kinda runs parallel to steve. he's there, technically, but he's not really in the story. and it's like actually crazy because you'd think after all the funko pops he sold, he'd have earned an actual storyline!!!

#sorry this is So long im just tb the history of steve...... #know your stevestory #anon #answered

[starsarefire824]

Fic Recs

In honor of things being shitty in the tag right now and everyone in their depression era, I'm offering a few fic recs in these trying times. Hope you discover something new, friends. 🖤

the comforts that make us feel numb by passerine_in_jade.

“No, but really. If I were a girl,” Mike presses on, looking up at Will with red-rimmed eyes through dark lashes. Leaning in. Somehow, fully unaware that this line of questioning has Will's heart climbing up to his throat. “Would you want to kiss me?”

or, Will and Mike get high in the desert.

Well written, almost dreamy quality to it. Author to watch for me! Can't believe I only just discovered their writing.

A Wish For Something More by @waroftheposes

Seven year old Will didn't have a problem with kissing his best friend on a dare. Seventeen year old Will, however, would not do it if someone held his hand over a fire.

Or: Truth or dare at seven and truth or dare at seventeen.

They're silly and sweet and oh so confused. The writing is lovely as well. Great if you're in the mood for fluff.

On the Same Frequency by @oldfashionedmorphine

Ever since his best friend Will Byers was murdered back in 1985, Mike Wheeler wanted nothing more than to leave his hometown of Hawkins, Indiana and never look back—only each and every year he’s forced to make an exception when it comes to the holidays. And when Mike visits for Christmas in 1995, his mom asks him to help clear out some junk in his room and down in the basement before he returns home to Indianapolis. But when he comes across an old trunk containing his Supercom walkie-talkie and ham radio, he discovers something strange that has the potential to change everything…

(or an AU inspired by the movie “Frequency” from 2000)

I'm only just starting this, but Frequency au?? Hell yes.

Fleeting by olliecoddle. @souverian-are-we

Mike liked Will’s art shows, albeit slightly less the higher class they had gotten. Little paintings in the corner of a cafe morphed into white walls and rich spectators poised with champagne and well-mannered criticism. Still, he had been looking forward to it. He wanted to go. But now, walking up to the glass doors, he had to admit he felt jittery.

or, Will's new paintings are a little too personal

This is one of my absolute favorites ever. The writing of course, it's ollie. But the descriptions, the entire buildup of Mike's reaction in the art gallery, the content of the painting? The entire concept is beautiful. And be sure to look up the painting Will's was inspired by. It will tell you everything.

any semblance of touch by anonymous.

“Nothing,” Will says, right into Mike’s ear. “Still feeling good?”

So good. Mike makes sure to not say it aloud this time. “I think,” Mike says slowly, heart pounding, “I need” — Will pulls back just a little, just enough for their noses to bump against each other, clumsy, and Mike bites the bullet — “one more.”

Will is still in Mike’s lap, which is maybe not very platonic of him, and the joint has smoldered its way down to the end, nearly over, all eaten up by the fire. Will swallows thickly, then leans closer, a perfect imitation of their positions from earlier. Mike isn’t sure how long it’s been, but fire has been eating away at him too, this whole time, leaving him on the brink of going up in smoke, slow and burning and so good.“Yeah?” Will murmurs, realization dawning on him, eyes wide. “One more?”

or: Mike’s still new to this whole smoking thing. Will has a few ideas.

Utterly depressing this is anonymous because the writing is phenomenal. So alive and vivid. Not sure where this fic was hiding, but I'm glad I found it. Highlights: Mike’s inner dialogue, the playfulness between them, the lowered inhibitions finally letting them relax into the moment.

nosebleeds from epiphanies (i took full in the face) by wheelersboy @karenchildress.

Hawkins, Montana, June 1988. When Lonnie Byers catches his youngest son in the arms of another boy, he calls in that favor owed to him by rancher Jim Hopper in Lenora: Will must work as an unpaid ranch hand and learn to "man up." Mike Wheeler follows him to the creepy ranch with electrical problems, like any best friend would.

jo's writing is always fantastic. she has such a unique voice and mike's struggle in this just does things for me.

When The Sun Runs Out by olliecoddle @souverian-are-we

On a dreary day in March, 1989 the population of Hawkins, Indiana dropped to four. Will Byers watched as the final family left, the bed of their truck packed to the brim and tied down with a tarp. Furniture stuck out at odd angles, and the corner flap flailed in the breeze as they turned onto the highway. Will followed the vehicle with his eyes until it disappeared as a dot on the long stretch of pavement. Then, he got in his car and went home.

Or, Will is burning out, and Mike is mesmerized by the flame.

This was sexy as hell and all I'm gonna say is tattoos. I really enjoyed this little rougher around the edges, let down by life, closed off Will after being left in Hawkins alone with El, Hopper, and Joyce to wait for the end of the world that never seems to come.

dirty rain by henrycreel

mike wheeler is an average alpha teenage boy working on keeping tight control of his raging hormones in the wake of being seventeen years old, unmated, and a virgin who's never spent his rut with anyone before. when one of his teachers makes an innocent request of him, he finds himself spiraling almost right away. the omega sitting next to him in class is going to be his omega one way or another even if it means employing some traditional and unconventional means to show him who he belongs to.

will byers is an omega with a tendency toward anxiety and outright fear, marked by years of abuse at the hands of his father. high school should be a chance to open a new chapter for himself, but he only truly finds comfort sitting next to mike, an alpha whose presence seems to keep the usual mocking and bullying at bay. but when mike starts to cross the line from friendly classmate into so much more, will has no time to decide if he's ready to move on to a relationship of his own, to finding a mate to settle down with like his big brother already has.

mike is making the decision for both of them.

A solid Omegaverse fic! <3

#byler #fic recs #byler fic #stranger things #will byers #mike wheeler #if you are not @ here would like to be just dm me!

[aemiron-main]

emotionally devastating jonathan and hopper realization

ok so im rewatching s1 and while watching the scene where jonathan asks hopper about going to tak to lonnie, i started thinking abt hoppers lack of interpersonal/parenting abilities in early s1 and how he grabbed jonathan in this scene vs how lonnie later grabs jonathan.  and how jonathan was imo definitely scared of hopper in that scene (like for example you can see his eyes flicking back and forth across hopper like he’s panicking and trying to predict what hopper’s going to do). and how hoppper imo definitely realized that jonathan was scared of him, because you can see it in jonathan’s face in that scene, AND because we see him be way gentler with jonathan later, at the morgue, and reach out to him in a gentle and reassuring way instead of a scary way.  like, hopper looks so annoyed/very much bordering on angry and takes his meds right before this interaction (which we see him do in other scenes where hes stressed out/angry in s1) 

like its hard to see in a still screenshot, but jonathan literally jolts/flinches backwards from hopper when hopper reaches out to grab him, right before hopper actually grabs him. 

and hopper literally like. punches him in the shoulder here, and i know its not meant to be like a violent punch but theres still a fair bit of force/’authority’ behind it

and then jonathan looks like. scared. after that. and just sort of stands there frozen.

like this scene with jonathan being scared of hopper happens in the SAME EPISODE as the lonnie-jonathan scene, and jonathan’s mannerisms with lonnie are similar to his mannerisms with hopper, except he actually seems *less* willing to confront hopper head-on, he almost seems to shy away from him a little bit more, probably because he’s used to lonnies bs by now, and used to trying to predict what lonnie would do so that he could defend himself, and trying to defend will from him, but hopper’s a whole new ballgame and he doesn’t know how to try and predict his actions yet. like jonathan physically pushes lonnie off of him and glares at him when lonnie grabs him, and even pushes lonnie off and tells him to get off when lonnie tries to hug him/tries to force jonathan to hug him, but with hopper, jonathan just sort of freezes and flinches and stares anxiously, since again, hopper is more unpredictable (i dont mean that in a ‘hopper is more of a loose cannon than lonnie’ way, but in a ‘to JONATHAN, hopper is less predictable simply because he doesnt know him very well’ way), and is also physically larger/stronger than lonnie. imo the jonathan-hopper scene and the jonathan-lonnie scene are meant to parallel eachother and lonnie and hopper are meant to paralell eachother, ESPECIALLY since lonnie hits jonathan in the chest in almost the exact same way that hopper does, except hopper’s is actually harder. (but yknow lonnie also did the whole extremely agressive wall grab thing)

But unlike lonnie, who realizes that he scares jonathan and terrorizes him for that reason, because he wants to scare him/assert authority, hopper doesn’t seem to quite realize that he scared jonathan until after, like he doesn’t put the pieces together initially, but once he does, there’s a night and day change in his demeanour towards jonathan, because unlike lonnie, hopper doesn’t want jonathan to be scared of him. like yes, hopper still  has his moments of being intimidating tm with jonathan (specifically that scene where the cops find the bear traps in jonathan’s car), but even then, his tone is deep/firm in that scene, but not as agressive as it was in the s1 ep2 scene, and he doesn’t grab jonathan or do anything other than just vaguely lean in- and that’s a much more serious situation than “jonathan asking politely if he can be the one to go talk to lonnie”. and then once we see this scene at the morgue, a couple episodes after the s1 ep2 scene, hopper is way, WAY gentler towards jonathan not only physically, but also with how he speaks to him

i just think that jonathan byers deserves a father figure who treats him nicely and can shoulder some of the emotional weight and responsbility that jonathan’s been forced to shoulder his whole life + provide some emotional support for jonathan too because god knows jonathan needs it. 

#stranger things #jonathan byers #jim hopper #hopper byers family #lonnie byers #byler

[candyskiez]

a thing I wanna take a moment to appreciate is catra's arc of being there for adora more. because like, yeah. she can be self centered at times. that's the point. thats one of her major character flaws that we see her grow from. that's the point of having a flaw. and I really like how she grows from it.

one of her main issues is how personally she takes everything and how centered everything is on her and adora. when adora leaves the horde, she only sees the war as a conflict between THEM. not between the rebellion and the horde. it's all about her and adora. that focus on taking everything personally is the thing that bites her in the ass so many times. that's what holds her back so hard for so long. she's her own worst enemy in that sense. and in season five, we see her unlearn that. we see her realize, no. seriously. adora never stopped caring about her just because she liked lonnie too. love doesn't work like that.

a thing I wanna point out is I think catra was lying when she said she wasnt doing it for glimmer. we see her look upset at the thought of glimmer being hurt. she cares about her. a lot. the realization of just how serious this is, this isn't just distant harm anymore. she learns to see the bigger picture. she learns to show other people compassion. not just for adora, but for herself. we see her worried about scorpia, about entrapta, even if her focus is still on adora. and she learns! she learns to be healthier about it! to have relationships with people who aren't adora so they aren't dependent on each other! she becomes friends with glimmer and bow, genuinely. she starts working on repairing things with entrapta and scorpia. she makes friends with melog. she forms connections outside of adora, not just for adora's sake, but *for herself.* she learns how to love people healthily. she learns how to look out for herself while also looking out for others.

a thing I really love is her line "I promised her a long time ago I'd look out for her. it's time I made good on that." because it's so huge for her development. she realizes she can't keep running away anymore. her running has an impact on people. her leaving has an impact on people. even if it's easier to think that nobody cares when she disappears, nobody's effected by this. yes, there is. and she's finally realized that. and she's terrified of staying because it feels like she's just inviting disaster by letting her guard down for even a second. they could leave at any time. why give them the chance to?

but maybe they won't. maybe leaving them so they don't leave her hurts them just as bad as her being abandoned. maybe she leaves for no reason. maybe...maybe she has to be better. THATS why her saying she'll stay is so big. "I can't keep doing this. I'm hurting adora by doing this. it's not me protecting myself. its me self destructing and hurting everyone around me in the process. it's not fair to them. adora needs my help, and I need to be there to give it. even if she doesn't survive this, she needs someone to be there when she goes. because knowing her, she's trying to handle this all by herself. I'm going to try and fix this. I can't keep running."

so she goes back. she can't keep running, because that's not fair to adora. and she's there. she's there when adora needs her, when shadow weaver dies, when she's weak and injured, when she's breaking down. she's there. two big things I wanna point out.

• "no, I'm not leaving. whatever happens, I am staying with you."

this. this is HUGE for her arc. she runs away whenever things get hard. that's one of her big flaws. and here she has the strength to stay. to stick with it. she stays even when shit gets bad. because she's finally realized, adora needs her here. she sees her self destruction for what it is. adora is being a self destructive bastard right now and she needs someone here. this isn't adora playing the hero, this is adora having serious issues. and she's there. she's there, because adora needs someone there. and she's finally seen that for what it is.

• she doesn't think her love is requited, yet she tells adora she loves her anyway.

she thinks adora sees her only as a friend. this is big because she's realized. adora needs to realize how much people want her. not when she's she ra, not when she's useful. but as adora. she needs to hear that someone wants her at her lowest. even if they can't save the world, please wake up. please keep going. because I want you in my life, at least for a few more seconds. you didn't make anything worse. you tried your fucking best and I see that and I see you. I love you, even if you don't love me. so please. don't die on me. if this is the end of the world, then let's take it on together. this isnt your fault. you deserve to live. not because you're she ra but because you're adora. because you're brave and a little over dramatic and can't act to save your life and loyal as shit and love with your whole heart and *you* deserve to live. so keep going. please. I love you.

season one catra would die before she admits she cares about someone. here though, she can. because she's realized it matters.

she tells adora she loves her because she sees the bigger picture now. because she understands adora now. what adora desperately needs is to realize shes worth more than a weapon. she deserves the world. she doesn't think adora feels the same but she tells her, because shes realized adora needs to hear that. that even at her worst, adora makes such an impact on peoples lives. not because she's a hero, but because she's adora. because she wants things. because shes her. and she wants ADORA to live. even if she doesn't feel the same. even if things are awkward and tense after this, she wants adora to finally realize that she's wanted. because adora helped her realize that, and she wants adora to realize it too. she's willing to show her all the messy shit inside her head even though it hurts, because she cares about adora more than she cares about hiding. am I making sense? no. but have these disjointed ramblings anyway. live laugh catradora baby.

#trying to do the thing of create something positive instead of negative #woo #catradora #she ra spoilers #spop spoilers #shera spoilers #she ra #spop #shera #catra #catra she ra #catra shera

[luvring]

hellooo nia ^^ congrats on 4k!!!!! big milestone fs fs :flushed:

could I rq a couple relationship hcs for Vere from Touchstarved with an easily flustered s/o who (haha) secretly enjoys it? orrr some jealousy hcs from the fluff alphabet with him 👉👈 whatever u wanna do if its one or both or none idk TwT

he's been wracking my damn brain the last couple weeks istg-- anyway I hope this isn't too much to ask or anything. thank you sm if you end up writing for this one, have a good dayy :]

gn!reader, suggestive | HELLAUURR!!! i did both. mwahahaha. & thank u very much i love any opportunity to see 420(0) so that was quite fun. i hope U have an awesome day/week ^_____^

i'd say don't let him figure this out but that's quite impossible. he's Going to pick up on how you lean into his touch and how you never have a serious tone when you tell him to stop and how your eyes always seem to flicker over expectantly, searching for his next move.

he's going to have a field day. like eventually. Eventually he calms down but for the first few days he won't stop seeing how much he can fluster you

will walk up from behind and wrap an arm around your waist, casually tapping his fingers against you.

gets sauce or something on his fingers and licks it off a little too languidly to be normal while catching your gaze. will do this if you get something on the corner of your mouth. obviously.

you're not looking at him while responding or explaining something and he gently tilts your chin up with his index finger and says something about the Importance of Eye contact. he rests his chin in his hand and watches you flounder for 3 seconds before continuing

vere lets his gaze linger as he looks your outfit up and down and when you're covering your face and telling him to stop looking at you like that he goes Like what?

would let his top slip off his shoulder as if it isn't already unbuttoned and smirk when you notice. he won't move to fix it either. obviously

someone tells him to chill out because you look like you're going to explode and he gives them and you a look / knowing smirk. "Stop? i think they're enjoying it though. Aren't you, hon?" he purrs. STOP!! GAH...

Jealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?

hahaha. i haven't played in a long time so my characterization is fuzzy. i'm teetering between vere not getting jealous easily because he knows you're together and he's incredibly confident the person you're talking to is nowhere near his level v. him being more on the possessive(?) side because you're one of the only people he's close to What is that person doing.

i'll land on that i don't think he gets incredibly jealous,,, at least not easily! he Is confident in himself and your relationship,, plus he can tell when 1) you're trying to rile him up 2) genuinely oblivious to whatever the person's trying to do or 3) uncomfortable with the situation

no matter what i can imagine him coming up to you and getting your attention again, maybe sparking an introduction while he doesn't drop eye contact with the person in front of you.

vere doesn't have to try hard to be very menacing, and he casually gets you away from the situation. the ease he has facing the person is telling enough that Yes you're in a relationship and Yes he Is better and more important than them and No he isn't afraid to start shit if they do so Back off

if you were just trying to be a Brat. well. you've got his attention and you'll face some consequences for sure!

in a more lighthearted situation where you realize ?! omg were u jealous. omggg.... he deflects and says of course not. he just thinks that person was annoying and you had better things to do. he Will swoosh his tail at your face if you bring them up again (he is pouting a little bit.)

serious situation he checks to make sure you're feeling fine and gets you Out of there! will say the day is free for both of you to do whatever you like, and he stays closer for the rest of your outing

@lost-lonnie @mitskiologist

#touchstarved game #touchstarved x reader #touchstarved vere #nia goes to school #i have so many vere asks imcrying im so sorry #throws vere content at all of u while sweating #nia + touchstarved

[megaaceofspades]

Hi its me again the anon who talked about Tim and Duke's privilege also influencing their narrative arcs. First of all- thank you so much!!! To be honest i kinda hesitate to analize dc comics because i am not well read on them at all, most of my info comes from wiki, and fandom (sources i know are NOT reliable at all) and that ask was based on what i know about them and my 2 cents on how their race, economic status, religion, and sexuality would have affected. So it really means a lot to me that you liked my idea!! Also on second note- another Timlonnie shipper! Same hat! God if dc had let me be incharge (they shouldnt) i would really like to make a sitcom style Tim and Lonnie college roommates au where yes they know who the other is and yes they do fight each other in their vigilante identities and yes they are still roommates cause what else to do? Move out? Find a new dorm? For Gotham Uni? Lmao

omg it has literally been eight months i got a weird explicit message one day and just stopped checking my inbox until now i’m so so sorry. look i’ve been a comic reader since i was a kid (inherited, my father was a big fan as well) but i love however people get involved with narratives and what not.

AS FOR TIMLONNIES. they can pry the idea of tim and lonnie living together during tim’s i-have-a-fake-uncle era even though they’re fighting in the streets out of my cold dead hands. genuinely am obsessed with their potential and chemistry can’t believe more people don’t see it.

#batfamily #dc #tim drake #robin #batman #lonnie machin #timlonnie

[kanzakurawrites]

Random Thoughts I Had While Rewatching Wicked World S1:

(yes I am fully aware its a kids show with limited time but I will still yell about things XD)

They REALLY had to make Mall's eyes gray? brown? seems to change but still, her eyes are GREEN

"At my birthday parties" You had ONE birthday party Evie. One.

And evil minion bakers? Really?

Wait, so Miss "Give Your Spellbook to the Museum" D2 Evie is here, sixish months before or whatever the timeline in, begging Mal to use magic to help her?

Why is Evie so shallow in this?

WHY IS SHE SO DITZY? Stop, Evie would know not to eat chemicals DX (Actually, I bet most Isle kids would know that)

WHAT IS BEN'S OUTFIT! None of that goes together. Bring his suit back. Or goodness gracious, why not a simple button down and slacks? Blue and black. What is this?

pffft, Ak's making up words

so Audrey also has a single dorm.

It took Jane FOURTEEN YEARS to realize she has magic? No, I refuse.

at least Audrey and Ben are still friends

Seriously, there is no timeline in this world

Sustainable urban planning. You know, for someone who wanted nothing to do with the Isle in D2, Evie sure is invested in making it a better place

"Thanks to my dad" *gasp* Is Ben throwing shade at his father

I'm sorry, I can not get behind Aurora's daughter afraid of some mud

The fact that Mal loves it is hilarious

I wonder when Evie finally donated her mirror

I know that a lot of people headcanon Freddie and Uma being sisters since China voiced Freddie, but tbh I think it would be interesting if they're cousins.

(Yes i like the hc, I just have Uma's dad as someone else and then came up with the cousins thing XD)

"retract your claws" "But I just had them sharpened!"

Seriously, yo mama battles?

So how old IS CJ? I'm guessing 13 or 14, but they almost imply she's around Mal's age... but unless she and Harry have different mom's that doesn't work.

Jordan, WHY are you doing a southern belle accent?

I want to see Beast's funny birthday dance

a two hour exam on SMILING?

so it definitely seems canon that the VKs were dragged online, and always end up on there even if they had no clue their pictures were being taken. Could factor into Mal's D2 transformation and breakdown

are we SURE this is the same Lonnie in the movies?

The fact that the Auradon Girls are singing "Good is the New Bad"

so whatever happened with this whole cheerleading thing for Evie and Mal

That doesn't sound like Jay either!

"You lied to keep him from bugging you" I like this Ben

But Evie WASN'T AROUND WHEN YOU WERE KIDS

HOW does Carlos speak dog? This makes no sense

the fact that Audrey is hanging out in Evie and Mal's room

I am getting fed up with all the made up words

I wonder how many people just randomly brush Ruby's hair

"I want to go from the one who lost the crown to the one who won!" Highly doubt that was intended to be D3 foreshadowing, but it makes good foreshadowing

The fact that they are fighting over the color of purple Mal wears

And here's Jane, accusing Mal of stealing

The fact that everyone keeps accusing Mal of things. Seriously, no wonder the poor girl thought she had to change her appearance and herself to the point of breaking down

but why didn't she TALK TO BEN

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised if Jay still struggles with stealing sometimes. Same for even Aladdin and Eugene.

Mal being so supportive of Jane is adorable

The fact that Jane is still suspicious of the VK's

They're accusing her of KIDNAPPING her own BOYFRIEND

and WHERE IS THE SECURITY?! THE HIGH KING IS THERE! AND OTHER ROYAL CHILDREN

#thisisnotmyLonnie

CJ liking Mal is interesting considering how Harry feels about her.

#again #I know its a show #i just poke fun #there is still no excuse for bad characterization #or Ben's outfits #disney descendants #descendants

[mothrite]

Dating Vance Hopper HCS (AU VER)

This is what it’s like dating Vance Hopper in my Ultim Hawkins AU (AKA an AU that’s just a whole bunch of AUs stuck together [plus OCs])

Warnings: None!<3

AN: Not proof read!! Was this an excuse to write about my AU? Oh yes absolutely. Will I regret it? NEVER. Don’t be afraid to send in a request! I don’t really have much to write so I can do more AU headcanons for like Robin or something

To start with, Vance has A-LOT of siblings.

Though he only grew up with his older sister and sadly had to watch as their younger sister passed, he now has two more sisters and three more brothers

If you decide to spend the day at his house expect ZERO privacy from Roxy barging in to ask for cash to Will gently knocking on the door asking to borrow some pencils for him and El

You two barely get a moment alone

I can also imagine one day Roxy invites you over for a family dinner and Vance is begging you not to go, but you go anyways cause you’re curious to see what’s it like when all his family is together

Btw his family consists of his father Jim Hopper and his step-mother Joyce Byers. His siblings are Leo, Valerie, Jonathan and Will Byers and Roxanne and Jane Hopper :) [Jane is adopted]

When you finally sit down it’s utter chaos

Will and El are gossiping about kids at their school and judging them

Roxy and Leo look like their about to get into a fist fight (Which Jim is betting 10 bucks Roxy’ll win)

And Joyce is talking to Valerie trying to figure out what Jonathan and Argyle’s relationship is

Needless to say you just end up eating and listening to the different conversations with your hand intertwined with Vance’s, hidden under the table

And if you’re lucky some other guests will be there! Like Murray and his daughter Noelle, Jonathan’s partners Argyle and Nancy, Will’s boyfriends Lucas and Mike, El’s girlfriend Max, Valerie’s friend Bonnie and Jim’s friend Dmitri

Luckily Joyce threatened to take Lonnie to court for mental and physical abuse towards the kids so she got enough cash to buy a big enough house for her seven children

I’d like to imagine that Jonathan brings you two places and will always remind Vance to stay safe and stay with you at all times due to the situation that happened when Vance was in Denver with his birth mom

Joyce is the best mom ever, she supports you two sm and absolutely adores you. Vance loves her more then his birth mother and it shows.

Roxy is also super cool and will dye your hair if you ask since she did her own

It’s 100% canon in this AU that Vance is a punk metal head. You can and will be forced to listen to that kind of music, but if he’s feeling nicer then usual then he’ll let you put on what you like.

Vance most likely struggles in some subjects so you’d offer to help him study, and when you get to his place and tell Joyce she just nods her head like “ya sure. Study.”

But she’s pleasantly surprised when she walks past Vance’s open door to see you and him sitting at his desk with you explaining different aspects that go into solving a two step equation for math

Before you and Vance started dating, Will and El would be with you in their living room watching some program and Vance leaves to go grab some drinks from the fridge when El turns to you and says

“You know Vance has been talking about you ALOT lately. I think he might like you.”

And as your face is turning red Will is interjecting “YOU MEAN THEY AREN’T DATING? Shit. I owe Max 10 bucks now.”

Once Vance gets back he’s confused as he sits down next to you who’s face us flushed scarlet and El who’s mouth is painted with a smug smile

Cat person. If you have a cat expect him to lay on your couch with the cat on his chest as he gently strokes its furr while talking to you

#don’t worry I’m still a brance truther #vance hopper x reader #vance hopper #the blackphone #stranger things #jane hopper #will byers #jonathan byers #stranger things oc #the black phone oc #joyce byers #jim hopper #mothymilk ultim AU

[spopsalt]

Ayo it's me, the Anon with the long posts and short memory of what to write next.

This time I have a question for you: How long do you think that the stans are unironically going to say that the whole conflict of the Horde conquering the universe as well as Hordak starting the war on Etheria pre-Despondos release was both indirectly 𝘢𝘯𝘥 directly Adora's fault for existing (aka taking chipped Catra's opinion of her during the lash out to heart).

Still confused of why they'd make that logic? I'm glad you asked 'cause here are the steps for the stans' potential bashing:

The First Ones didn't stop the Horde and simply went "welp, we lost, might as well die" even though we don't know what caused them to mostly disappear when Etheria came back to the universe from Despondos.

2. Light Hope was continuously going for Adora when Hordak was pulled so 𝘢𝘭𝘭 of Etheria's plight, and more specifically Catra's pain, is because Adora was born to be Adam's twin and therefore having the prerequisites to transform into She-Ra. How dare she (Adora, that is).

3. Similar to point 2, how dare she live a life of peace and privilege in the Etherian Horde while the universe outside of Despondos is being depopulated by Horde Prime due to him being a despot that had no-one try to kill him via light magic until Etheria was able to be properly placed back into the universe it originally belonged to before being transported to Despondos so that she would have the means of seeing him face to face at all.

The tl;dr? Adora existing in Etheria and not first destroying its Horde (and specifically Shadow Weaver) and then the galactic version after pulling the planet from one dimension to another even before she was old enough walk and therefore understand the situation she was in is enough reason for SPOP stans to take chipped Catra's words e.g. "this wouldn't happen if you didn't exist" to heart and take umbrage at her (Adora) for not doing enough in their eyes to be worthy of being called a predestined heroine of the series' universe.

Hopefully my ramblings made sense and not seen as the words of a fool losing their marbles.

Welcome back! Don't worry, it made sense and I agree. Even when Catra was normal she still took advantage of Adora's guilt complex, in the words of corrupted Catra (Yes I'm counting it as normal Catra since there's no confirmation that her being corrupted changed her personality at her) "Let's be honest, all of this is your fault" "If you hadn't gotten captured, your sword wouldn't have opened the portal" "Admit it, Adora! The world would still be standing, if you had never come through that portal in the first place" "You broke the world and it is all. your. fault." if that isn't enough proof for you, even regular Catra said "It won't be over until I see the look on your friend's faces when they find out that you failed! Because you were too weak to save them." "You're good enough at hurting your friends without my help." Catra just love manipulating Adora, and she even brags about it to Lonnie "She's (Adora's) slow, and easily manipulated"

#spop salt #anti spop #spop critical #anti catra #spop crit #anti c//a #anti catradora #antic//a #spop criticism #spop discourse

[tiredflowercrown]

I had like 5 seconds of Harry Potter brain rot so idk if this gonna happen again but

AKs in Hogwarts houses

Why AKs you may ask. There's more to argue for and about.

Slytherins

Audrey and Ariana Rose

My Reasoning? The Roses come from a very traditional family and they uphold these very traditional values. We also see this heavy idea of upholding in order to survive whether it be their reputation or even their place in nobility standings.

Chad Charming

Now Chad, at first, the easy argument is Hufflepuff due to stuff like Cotillion and him joining Audrey in D3. However, while he is loyal, we again see these more traditional beliefs, especially in the family day scene in D1. We also see a very strong sense of cunning, primarily on his use of Evie to continue his academic career. We see it as an abuse of power and Evie's current naivete towards princes, but we are viewing this interaction from a lense that has mostly followed Evie and not Chad. He is seeing someone naive but either extremely smart or good enough at cheating that it doesn't matter.

This use of cunning leads into his own self preservation, he wants to succeed academically either to continue in extracurriculars or impress his parents. We then see this self-preservation when he joins Audrey in D3. Yes, he's easily distracted and vain, but Audrey in this scene is immediately recognizable as not being ok. His response, however, I want to be on your side, in any way, shape, or form. From there is when he starts to try and negate damage to the whole kingdom while still keeping himself safe. Once he realizes that talking her down isn't going to happen, he tries to leave saying he will find the VKs, when that doesn't work he again tries to calm her down which leads to him in the closet.

Gryffindor

Lonnie

Lonnie has an understanding of the traditions, which is needed in order to step side them. While this is typically seen as a Slytherin trait, the difference lies in the execution and reasoning. Lonnie reveals herself too early and then is stumped by Chad breaking out the rules wording. We see this impulsiveness again when she insists on returning to the Isle with Jay and Carlos. This action to her is just another way to prove herself instead of being one grounded in helping others.

Jordan

Even when trying not to be, she still is very impulsive and willing to do whatever it takes to succeed.

Ravenclaws

Ally

Is she not just Luna Lovegood but in Descendants form?

Jane

A lot of Jane's motivations come from a need of knowledge. D1 in its entirety is about Jane struggling with the magic ban and a separation of herself and the knowledge that should've been given to her that wasn't.

A major plot point of D3 is Jane's quick on her feet thinking, in her remembering of the lake.

Doug

While Doug may seem a little too dopeish to be in this house, (ha ha ha /s) his strength more so lies in his creativity and ingenuity. He plays multiple instruments as well as being the accounting and business minded person in Evie4Hearts.

Hufflepuff

Ben

I don't know what to tell you, he's a stereotypical Hufflepuff. He's kind, extremely loyal, very hardworking. He's a textbook example.

Yeah so I did that. Let me know if yall want VKs. If yall want it, it might happen

#disney descendants #chad charming #audrey rose #ben descendants #jane descendants #jane daughter of fairy godmother #ariana rose #lonnie descendants #jordan descendants #doug descendants #ally descendants #listen i just really love chad charming #if yall read this far into the tags and want to see the extent to which i love chad just let me know #harry potter #hogwarts houses

[descendantofthesparrow]

Just curious, I’ve heard your opinion on the D1 and D3 outfits, but I’ve never heard your opinion on D2

cuz half the time i dont have anything to say about them lol, i like em honestly, the only outfits that feel 'fake' are the main isle gear stuff but its a believable upgrade from the d1 isle gear and i love how it all looks (jays gear is just so good! Harry's is obvs the best-being such a good mix between pirate and actual outfit) i even like Mals! though i think it would be real cool if she had a small bit of loose within all her tight-lilke a big ol jacket or something (cough cough*old art)

i honestly LOVE all of the lady of the court outfits Mal has!!! like-they're all so pretty and feel so real and mal does look very good in them-but its also clearly something she doesn't feel real in them and aoishdiaushda D2 designs were honestly top tier right below D1.

like-look at these-SO CUTE! i love them so much, honestly they lowkey reused these for D3 but just made them more 'mal' and less princess so i wouldn't be cursed with-that pink purple wrap dress thing.

i even like the cotillion stuff!(minus Janes and Dougs outfits-gold is NOT Doug's color, and also lonnies-SHES CHINESE NOT JAPANESE) like-i LIKE Mal's dresses! even the yellow/blue one! it just feels off because its SUPPOSED to look bad on her-its not supposed to feel right on her because its not HER. THERES LORE PEOPLE, LORE. (note, hate her dragon dress tiara, ITS FOAM-YOU HAD A GOOD LOOKING TIARA 2 SECONDS AGO)

anyway yes i like the D2 stuff thank you for coming to my podcast.

#the only outfit i dont like is Evie's lil-tutu one #it just makes her feel like a toddler I'm sorry #its such a weird siloute

[threewaywithdelusion]

I truly don’t understand people who think Byler is going to be canon. This is nothing against people who ship Byler, because I absolutely see what would draw people towards that ship.

But some people genuinely think it’s going to happen in season 5 and that’s what I can’t wrap my head around. Stranger Things is a show written by, as far as we know, two straight men. It’s a mainstream show and it’s target audience is everyone from teens to adults. A large portion of this audience is going to be straight.

The Duffer brothers are probably patting themselves on the back for their excellent queer rep. They have two whole queer characters in the main cast. I think there’s a decent chance Robin will end up with Vickie, in which case we have three characters who are confirmed gay and one gay couple ending up happily together. The Duffer brothers have been at least exploring the fact that Will could be gay since season 1, when Joyce said that Lonnie used to call him gay slurs. They committed to it in season 4, but also in a very subtle way. Queer audiences saw this coming years ago. I rewatched season 4 with my parents and had to explain to them that Will was crushing on Mike. (I straight-up said those words and they said, “you mean… he likes Eleven?”). Straight audiences are not picking up on some Will/Mike love story. And yes, I don’t think Mileven was super well-written in Season 4. But that’s a problem with the writing itself, not proof that the Duffer brothers don’t intend for Mileven to be endgame.

Also, Mike is arguably The Main Character. Especially with how he was framed in S1. Modern shows might make one (or several) main characters or series regulars queer to show how inclusive they are and appeal to queer audiences. But I truly don’t believe we’re at a point where you can make the main character queer without alienating straight audiences (especially if your fan base is not just younger people). Maybe that’s cynical of me, but I think people want to watch shows with queer representation but that aren’t Queer Shows. And that’s what Stranger Things would be if Byler happened, because both Will and Mike (two of the main leads) would be queer and together.

Even if the Duffer brothers wanted to make Byler happen from a creative perspective (which I seriously doubt), it would be a terribly marketing move. I just don't believe we live in a world (at least yet) where predominately straight audiences want to watch shows with large gay casts. (Of course there are exceptions, but I'm speaking in generalities). So while I totally think there's space for Byler in fan fiction and that it's a fascinating dynamic to explore, it bewilders me that people think it's going to happen for real. I think this comes from being in fandom spaces and/or interacting mostly with queer people.

The majority of the world isn't the fandom and also isn't queer. We're still years away from a time where a hugely successfully, mainstream money-maker like Stranger Things can make two of its main characters queer and in love.

I adore the world y'all are living in though. I don't think we're there -- but I hope some day we will be.

Addendum because I wrote this quickly: I also think Mike/Eleven are a really important relationship that is central to the show. That's not to say that Will and Mike aren't, because I do think they have one of the closest friendships on the show and that there's something special about their bond. But the show, from the beginning, has centered around Mike and El as the protagonists for the kids' generation. Their love for each other and trust in each other has been a huge characteristic of both Mike and El and a huge driving force for the plot. They haven't adequately set up a pivot from that central relationship, and I don't think they could do it in the final season without doing a disservice to the past four seasons, but especially to El, who is the center of this whole show.

#stranger things #someone is going to yell at me for tagging this but #byler #will byers #mike wheeler

[bluejaysandblackbats]

Library of Ashes

Fandom: DC Comics, Batfam

Summary: Jason takes an interest in the family business (Gotham’s oldest library) when he stumbles upon a secret collection of journals, photo albums, and a book written by his mother.

Chapters: 1/?

Characters: Jason Todd, Kate Kane, Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson, Bruce Wayne, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, Lonnie Machin, Original Character(s)

Relationships: Jason Todd/Original Character(s)

Additional Tags: Library AU, No Capes AU, World Travel, Jason Todd-centric, Third Person POV, Hurt Jason Todd, Jason Todd Has Issues, Angst, Mystery, Mentioned Catherine Todd, Mentioned Willis Todd, Mentioned Sheila Haywood, Claustrophobic Jason Todd

Chapter One: Fresh From Belize

The car hit a bump in the road, and Jason took a sharp inhale, removing his glasses. He ran a hand over his face, staring out the window at the foggy city. “How long ya visitin’ for?” the driver questioned.

“I live here,” Jason mumbled as he checked the time on his phone. “I’ve been abroad for the past five years.”

“Oh yeah?” the driver questioned. “Where’d you go?”

“Costa Rica, Madagascar, Italy… You name it,” Jason answered, “I fished for a few months in Iceland, worked in a restaurant in Northern Italy, and taught a salsa class in Japan.”

“Sounds like you lived a full life,” the driver replied. Jason nodded.

The air smelled the same. Piss, water, and chemicals. Jason wrinkled his nose. “You got a home to go to?” the driver questioned as he pulled in front of the Gotham library. It was a four-story building as ornate as it was tall. Its stained glass windows, large doorways, and a garden that seemed unphased by time itself.

“Unfortunately, yes… Thanks for the ride,” Jason replied as he unbuckled his seatbelt. “You mind popping the trunk for me?”

The driver popped the trunk, and Jason stepped out, grabbed his bag, and thanked the man for picking him up from the airport. Stretching his arms and legs as he entered the library, he took his glasses from his pocket, pushing them up the bridge of his nose. Jason hadn’t told anyone he was back in Gotham. Not that he expected a warm welcome. Bruce stood in the children’s area, mingling with parents over hot cocoa and cookies. He wore a turtleneck and almost looked like a family man. Almost… If he hadn’t been flirting with one of the single mothers in the group. Jason scoffed as he attempted to sneak past the front desk to the staircase. He nearly made it to the staircase before Bruce sped over. “Jason? Is that you?” Bruce questioned. Jason stopped in his tracks, his back turned to his father as he nodded solemnly.

“Can I get settled in upstairs before we fight?” Jason mumbled. Bruce grabbed his arm.

“I don’t wanna fight, Jason… Can we-? Do you wanna talk?” Bruce asked. “Where’ve you been?”

Jason sighed. “Can’t we skip the niceties and fight, so I could finish unpacking and get something to eat?” Jason questioned. Bruce held on. “Okay... We can talk, but I’m gonna unpack and order in.”

“Okay,” Bruce replied, following him to the fourth floor. “Nobody’s lived here in over a year… So, it might be a little-.” Jason knocked on the bricks in the wall until he found the loose one. He pulled it out and took the key to unlock the door.

“I bet you didn’t change anything… You even kept the key in the same-.” Jason turned the light on, and his heart dropped into his stomach. “What the fuck is this?”

Jason walked straight toward the pegboard in the center of the room. “Jason, I needed to know you weren’t-. I-.”

“I sent a postcard on your birthday,” Jason interrupted as he took the sticky notes off the board.

“Once,” Bruce replied through clenched teeth.

Jason took his backpack off and set his things nicely on the table. A silk cloth, a toothbrush, a bar of soap, a hairbrush, a new box of toothpaste, a pocket-sized journal, a pen, and a portable cassette player. “Cool, so are we fighting now?” Jason snapped. Bruce shook his head.

“I missed you… For half a decade, I agonized over your loss-.”

Jason pulled a single pair of pajamas from his bag. “I ran out on you… I didn’t die. Don’t think I could’ve made that clearer in the postcard,” Jason mumbled.

Bruce sat in the easy chair, staring at him. “You’re parting your hair there again,” Bruce whispered, “Like when you were a little boy-.”

“Uh-huh… Well… I’m not a little boy, Bruce. Does the phone up here still work?” Jason questioned. Bruce nodded. Jason stood up and grabbed the house phone from the kitchen. He stood at the kitchen island, dragging the numbers in the old rotary phone.

“Welcome to Pretty Pauletta’s, where the pizza’s always perfect and the party never stops. Can I take your order?” a woman answered.

“Uh, yeah… Can I get the special with everything on it, a side of fries and a Coke?” Jason replied.

“Diet? Cherry-?”

“Regular, thanks… Bruce, do you want something?” Jason asked casually without making eye contact.

“No, thank you, Jason,” Bruce whispered. Jason could hear the defeat in Bruce’s voice. It wouldn’t be long before Bruce walked out. Jason recited his payment information and thanked the woman before hanging up. “Where did you come from?”

“Belize. I was only there for a few months,” Jason replied.

Bruce nodded, staring intently at Jason. "You look good," Bruce complimented, "You've got color in your cheeks again…"

"Did I ever have any color in my cheeks here?" Jason asked. Bruce chewed his lip. "Are you gonna have a problem with me staying up here?"

"On the contrary, I want you to stay… On one condition," Bruce replied.

"I don't give a shit about this library, Bruce-."

"You work here, and I'll let you live here for free as long as you like. And I'll unfreeze your trust fund-."

"I don't give a shit about my trust fund," Jason interrupted as he hung his jacket up. "There's nothing you could say to convince me to work-."

"I won't call or visit unless you ask me to," Bruce replied. Jason screwed up his face. "Do we have a deal?"

"Not so much as a pleasant hello?" Jason asked. Bruce shook his head. "Fine." Bruce shook his hand. "Deal starts tomorrow. You look like you've got questions." It was his attempt at being cordial.

“Why’d you come back?” Bruce questioned.

“I don’t know… I got stabbed in Belize, and somewhere in between the two weeks I spent in some random hospital fighting infection and coming home to find out a water pipe burst in my apartment, and I was fired from my job while at the hospital,” Jason answered. “I don’t think I’ll stay, though.”

“How long were you in Belize?” Bruce asked.

Jason opened the cabinets. “A few months,” Jason replied, “Three. Maybe four…”

“TV works… Sometimes I come up here to watch the news,” Bruce mumbled. Jason turned the tv on.

Bruce leaned forward and ran a hand through his hair. Jason couldn’t relax to sit down, so he unpacked his suitcase. After ten minutes of uninterrupted silence, someone rang the doorbell. “Sure, you don’t want any pizza?” Jason questioned. Bruce shook his head. Jason tipped the delivery man and took his food to the coffee table.

“Why didn’t you call home when you got stabbed?” Bruce questioned.

Jason shrugged as he ate. “It wasn’t the worst thing that’s happened to me in five years,” Jason replied, “I hope you don’t mind. I haven’t eaten since yesterday.” He devoured his pizza and fries before tidying up.

“I should let you get to sleep,” Bruce whispered. Jason nodded. Bruce stood up and reached to mess up Jason’s hair. Jason flinched away. “Right… Goodbye, Jason.”

“Bye, Bruce,” Jason replied. Bruce let himself out, and Jason hid his face in his hands. “I shouldn’t have come here...”

He allowed himself to breathe before unfolding a blanket from the linen closet and setting up a hammock in the corner of the living room. After his shower, he curled up in his hammock and let the gentle rocking of the hammock lull him to sleep.

#fic #library of ashes fic #batfam #Jason Todd #Kate Kane #Barbara Gordon #Dick Grayson #Bruce Wayne #Tim Drake #Stephanie Brown #Lonnie Machin #Original Character(s) #Library AU #No Capes AU #World Travel #Jason Todd-centric #Third Person POV #Hurt Jason Todd #Jason Todd Has Issues #Angst #Mystery #Mentioned Catherine Todd #Mentioned Willis Todd #Mentioned Sheila Haywood #Claustrophobic Jason Todd #Jason Todd/Original Character(s)

[aemiron-main]

Bruh what if Henry is really gay just like Will. I mean the parallels between the two aside, that whole deal with the lab and Virginia seeking Brenner to 'fix' Henry has some conversion therapy vibes. And we already know Virginia and Lonnie parallel each other and Lonnie was homophobic. So what if Henry is really gay?

I mean people are like ''wdym the big bad is gay, isnt that homophobic?'' and I'm like... sure it is but do you guys honestly think he is straight? Aside from the fact that he is paralleled to Will and is his narrative foil, Henry's whole deal and character is him hating normalicy and normal things, bigots etc. Henry being straight is weirder than him being gay. Also mostl likely Virginia was homophobic towards him Lonnie style.

Oh I completely think that Henry is gay. Like genuinely I 100% believe that Henry was written as gay and that’s it’s a core part of understanding his character and how it folds into the narrative and metaphors of ST + how queerness has been interwoven into this show from the very start.

I’ve seen jokes about about “Henry draws the line at outing a gay kid and that’s why possessed Will hesitated so much when saying “that’s my friend, Mike” because Henry, who was controlling the mindflayer, was trying to sort out the relationship between them, realized that Will was gay and hand feelings for Mike, and didn’t out him.” but I actually completely unironically believe that WAS the case. Henry is absolutely awful, yes, but he believes that he is in the right, he has a plan, he HAS his own, albeit deeply skewed, moral compass. I genuinely believe that henry is fine with murdering teenagers but draws the line at outing a 12 year old. Why do I believe this? Because Henry’s attacks are rooted in getting people to “join him,” OR to relieve them of their suffering, because he sees existence in the world as it is as being inherently painful and awful + he sees himself as freeing them from that. He’s still wrong and terrible, don’t get me wrong, but he’s not just killing people for funsies/because he’s awful. He’s doing it for a reason. He HAS his own fucked up moral compass. And his whole schtick is about being upset that the world treated him so badly for being different, that if he outed Will, it would go against his own morals because then he would be just like the people who treated him badly for being different- he would be exposing Will to the very pain of society that he claims hes trying to save kids from.

And I don’t necessarily think it’s homophobic for the big bad to be gay because the hero is also gay. That’s the thing. Will is also gay, so it’s not just “all the bad characters are gay,” because the majority of the bad people in the show/antagonists (lonnie, Jason, the bullies, etc) are homophobic or otherwise bigoted in some way. I don’t think that having gay villains is inherently homophobic because I think it boils down to the way it’s approached (ie are they evil BECAUSE they’re gay and “gay people are bad” or are they gay and happen to be evil OR are they gay and evil because the world treated them horribly for being gay?) that last option seems to align with Henry the most, but imo that storyline only works if you have another gay character to balance it out, to show that not all gay people become vengeful and evil towards the world despite how its treated them. And ST has that! They have Will! I don’t think Henry being gay is homophobic in the slightest. In fact, I think that it strengthens the ST narrative as a whole and demonstrates that people of all kinds are capable of terrible things but also capable of good things, and plays into the parallels but also the differences between Will and Henry.

Like Henry is described as a “sensitive child,” which is the EXACT wording that Joyce used to describe Will specifically in the context of him being gay when talking to hopper + talking about why people like Lonnie thought that Will was gay.

I think the lab itself, especially when couple with Virginia’s intolerance and desire to change him, is DEFINITELY representative of conversion therapy in many ways. I think it’s a mixture of conversion therapy and institutionalization for mental illness, which are two things that often went hand in hand.

Brenner and the imagery surrounding him reminds me quite a lot of Robert Galbraith Heath, an absolutely horrible conversion therapy “scientist” who was active throughout the 70s and 80s, who specifically used brain implants to deliver electric shocks to try and “cure” people of homosexuality (the way that Brenner talks to kids like Henry as if they’re ‘sick’), which reminds me of the shock collars + soteria implants used at the lab, as well as how Brenner electrocuted Terry Ives to prevent her from speaking out against him.

Robert Galbraith Heath also used LSD to experiment on prisoners, much like the LSD experiments tied to MKultra at the lab, although the lab’s lsd experiments were seemingly done by initially willing participants like Terry, the children of those experiments (El) end up becoming prisoners to be experimented on. 

Henry is also somebody who is unable to break the cycle of abuse, unlike somebody like Will- Henry was abused by his mother and by Brenner, and so he goes on to abuse others, killing the kids int he lab, tormenting El and everyone in s4. Henry is representative of people who continue the cycle of abuse. Will, on the other hand, despite being abused by Lonnie, does not continue that cycle, he does not become a bully like the people who have bullied him, he does not become an abuser. Imo he will NOT have a villain arc because he is a foil to Henry, similar but different in the end.

Long story short: imo Henry is undeniably gay, was written to be gay, and we are gonna see gay on gay violence in s5.

#stranger things #st asks #Henry creel #st analysis #queerness and st #st narrative

[tirednerd2012]

Jonathan went over to his abusive fathers house to search for his missing brother and he checked the trunk of the car. I feel like that's a short detail in a scene that hasn't been talked about enough.

Yes!

Okay first off, Jonathan went to his abusers house ALONE (he wasnt going to listen to Hopper and stay put if there was a chance Will was alone with Lonnie) for a shot at finding Will. If there is anyone Jonathan is afraid of, it's most likely Lonnie. Yes, he can fight back now, but he still has every right to be afraid. But Will was gone and there was a chance he was there with Lonnie.

And it terrified Jonathan. He disobeyed Hopper and went looking. He did not give a shit about anything/anyone other than Will. And the idea of his baby brother, the most precious thing in his world (literally his one constant outside of his mother who was constantly working), being alone with someone who could hurt him drove him insane. He shoved past Cynthia and looked through the entire house and the moment Lonnie put his hands on him, he fought back.

The trunk always freaked me out. I have a sad theory that Lonnie did lock Will or Jonathan in a trunk at one point in time. Jonathan to keep him away or Will because he had tried to hide from Lonnie once and when Lonnie found him, he just closed the trunk. And Jonathan found him after covered in sweat, hyperventilating and crying because its a scary ass thing and there are dangers of heat stroke. Either way, Jonathan thought Will was in danger. There's also just gut feelings and they're not usually wrong. Will was in danger, but what were the odds it would be because of a monster? It's also this time that Lonnie probably viewed Jonathan as more of a threat because he didn't fall for his manipulation ("you think I don't want to see you?" "I know you don't") and he tried to assert dominance again, but Jonathan was so fucking done. His brother was gone and that's all he could focus on.

Jonathan faced Lonnie, his abuser, and a Demogorgon for Will. He would face the Mind Flayer alone without a weapon of any kind if it meant just giving his brother a few extra minutes to get to safety. There is nothing in this world Jonathan wouldn't do for Will and that scene is one that isn't talked about enough, but proves it. He loved his brother more than he feared his own safety.

#jonathan byers #we stand with jonathan byers in this house #will byers #stranger things

[aki-draws-things]

I said I was gonna write something...

Steve, Jonathan and some shooting practice.

The gun felt familiar in his hands, more than Jonathan would ever like to admit. The size, shape, its weight.

Sure the aim was still off, and he could almost hear Lonnie's snarls right behind him.

"we stay here until you get it right."

The bullet missed the can again.

He felt a wave of shame, and guilt, rise up through his chest. He needed to get better, it wasn't like they had many weapons they could use against Vecna, no matter how much he could go down on it with a nailed bat. He could always make a new one, in case Steve lost his. But the gun--the gun was faster. Deadlier. If only he could hit the right spot.

Hell, his brother was better than him. Nancy was better, but it wasn't a surprise. It had been, not anymore.

The can was still up, not even grazed, and Jonathan could feel his heart hammering fast, he could feel his arms begin to shake as he frowned and tried to take aim again. Shaking so much. Like he was a fucking rookie. Like he never held a gun before and was now scare---

They stopped shaking, suddenly. And Jonathan froze. He felt heat rose to his cheek, he hoped he didn't just turn bright red. He could blame frustration.

"you shake too much, you'll hit one of us instead."

Thank fuck.

He could blame the burst of anger. Still shaking. Except for his hands, covered by Steve's, so close he smell him. He readjusted his aim, slightly. Jonathan fired before he had finished.

The can was down.

For a moment they didn't speak, for a moment longer Steve didn't let go.

Then--

"see? You can do it." the flash of a smile, he let go of his hands, turned around. Jonatham felt like he could breath again.

What were you thinking?

Steve thought, taking a step away. He looked down at his hands.

you can do it. Yeah, great pep talk. Of fucking course he can. Jesus.

Jonathan's hand felt... Nice. Soft. A bit cold perhaps.

Should I get the gun and warm them? No. No, wait. Fuck. Wait--- oh, come on. You're not a teen at the forst crush.

He passed hands through the hair, turned around at the sound of more firing, more cans falling in rapid sequence.

Well, something good you did.

Yeah... Besides holding his hands.

To make them stop shaking like a--

I want to hold them again.

On that we agree.

Steve blinked, finding himself staring at Jonathan. At the back of his head, longer hair then last time. And... We're his shoulders-- well, it's not like Jonathan was weak, he remembered his punch. He knew how to fight. And he knew how to shoot.

And now he was staring at him, his head slightly tilted.

"uuuhm... Nice shooting."

Oh, yes, Steve. Really smooth.

"... Thanks?"

Silence. A beat. Another.

"do you want to try?"

"I'll shoot my foot before taking aim."

Even smoother. Jonathan smiled.

"you corrected my aim."

One thing was that, another thing was actually taking a gun.

"I'll guide you."

Steve blinked. He nodded.

Reversed.

Jonathan's hand wrapped around his, he kept the finger away from the trigger.

"relax."

With you there? That's a bit hard...

No, Steve, something else is hard here.

"there."

So close. His breath warm against Steve's neck.

His mind went blank.

He fired.

Missed.

Hit the trailer's window.

Blinked.

"well, at least it wasn't my foot."

#Stonathan #jonathan byers #steve harrington #Gun practice #Steve gets flustered soooo. Easily #It's cute #Now they have a window less in the trailer tho #Stranger things fanfic #Aki writes