#I could be a mother of 2 in 83 days

[doulayogimama]

My Oura just messed me up real good with this information…

83 days?! That’s not enough time😅

[citrusandrottefruit]

Diagnosed with Hanahaki, a genetic autoimmune disease, as a child, Steve has learned to live with it. Along the way, he finds a family and falls in love with Eddie. He is never cured, but he lives.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Some thoughts on this

The conversation with Jonathan and Nancy couldn't be called easy, but it was manageable enough for Steve to do it at a time that wasn't even planned. Maybe it was the lack of planning that made it easier, maybe it was the practice he'd been getting over the last few weeks. 

Jonathan apologized profusely, for the pictures he'd taken in '83, for the punch, and for having gotten together with Nancy before she and Steve had actually broken up. Nancy was a little more complicated. Her apologies only came after a lot of pointing out, about all the times she hadn't noticed what was going on with Steve, and she ended up feeling so bad and guilty that Steve almost had to console her.

Luckily, Jonathan had the good sense to try to hold back their emotional response for later, and they both tried to act normally. The next time they met, it was impossible for Steve to help but notice how worn out they both looked, with even bigger bags under their eyes than usual. So, they had to talk a second time, just to make sure that no, Hanahaki didn't start because of either of them and with everything related to the Upside Down happening, they were far from having caused his health to worsen.

It was a lie, but there was no point in wanting them to blame each other after all this time, especially just because of Hanahaki. Steve wished things between the three of them had been simpler, but the illness had nothing to do with it. And after all, compared to everything that had happened, it wasn't that important.

In the midst of all this, he kept talking to Eddie. He shared the fact that his parents' marriage seemed to have improved after his mother was diagnosed and he had never been able to understand that.

He told her how his mother seemed like the protagonist of a dramatic movie, always suffering with such elegance. He remembered one week, when she was bedridden at home, he had to get up very early to get her makeup and help her brush her hair, even though a nurse would come in later and do exactly the same thing.

When he asked about it, his mother said, “I don’t want to be seen like that, Steve.” 

At the time, he didn’t understand, but he was happy to be of service. Months later, when he was diagnosed, he remembered that day and was even more confused, because it was so tiring just to exist, how could he care how shiny his hair looked? When his cheeks were flushed and his lips were soft? 

It took him years to realize why it felt so good to try to take care of his appearance when there was so little he could do for his own body. It was comforting.

But he didn’t share that memory with Eddie. Not yet. 

He just kept talking about his parents. About how Mrs. Harrington liked to have romantic dinners regularly and she had mentioned about ten honeymoons. It was one of her favorite topics of conversation, and she especially loved trying new hobbies or even sports during those trips. His father was okay with it, just so she would be happy.

“I don’t think she wanted to be a mother, just my father’s wife.”

“Absurd!” Eddie exclaimed, anger hidden under theatrics. He let go of the steering wheel for a moment before gripping it tightly, pulling the van into the center of the correct lane. That day, Steve had his monthly checkup and Eddie asked to accompany him, promising a movie afterwards, in a neighboring city. “How could anyone choose your father over you?”

And there it was, once again, Eddie’s ability to make the wounds that Steve hadn’t even mentioned hurt less.

“It’s just that she’s always been in love with him. When I was a kid, I thought it was the most romantic thing in the world. I even wanted to have the same thing.” He laughed thinking about the absurdity of it. “To love so much that even if that person made me feel so much pain, they would also make me very happy.” Steve sighed, serious again. “But I still want someone who would stay with me on a romantic night or sleep in an uncomfortable chair in the hospital.”

Before Eddie had time to say anything, he turned up the volume of the music.

A few hours later, he confessed that Mr. Harrington was that person to his mother, but not in the right way. Because he indulged in his illness almost like a hobby, very involved in it until he was not around Mrs. Harrington and something else caught his attention. 

Steve noticed this when his father called and informed him, very casually, that she was in the ICU. He would spend a fortune to make her live well, yet he seemed barely able to realize that her life was in danger.

A few days later, with the test results in hand and feeling stronger, he invited the kids over for a movie night at his apartment. Hopper offered to help tell them and was so worried that he decided to spend the night at a diner when Steve refused. Joyce, less extreme, promised to be just a phone call away. 

Jonathan and Nancy weren’t there, because they all figured the kids would be less upset if it wasn’t obvious that they were the last ones to find out. 

Guys.” Steve clapped his hands together, then put them on his hips, standing in front of the TV. “I have an announcement to make.” 

“Are you serious?” Mike yelled. “We’re here for the movies!” 

“Shut up, idiot.” 

“We’re here for the movies,” Dustin interjected into the fight that was already starting to form between Max and Mike. “But we’re going to listen to Steve.”

“You’d hear it anyway, you know, we have three adults here to keep you brats in check.” Robin stood next to Steve and began clapping her hands until everyone was quiet. “Steve.” 

Then she went to join Eddie, who was standing behind the kids, silent and watchful. 

It was good to have them both there, someone to look at without letting himself be consumed by terror.

“This has nothing to do with the Upside Down, but it’s very important, so I’ve already talked to Hopper and Joyce too and I don’t want you to get upset, okay? I’m going to talk to everyone about this in the way I thought would make this easier.”

At this point, no one seemed more scared than Max or Dustin. Even Mike, who was trying to keep his expression irritated, looked worried and was the only one who had the courage to speak up.

“Why make such a mystery? Just say it.”

“I’m sick. Hanahaki.”

There were no more movies for the rest of the night, just tears, screaming and hugs. Max barely left Steve’s side and Dustin kept checking his pulse, as if he couldn’t see with his own eyes that Steve was alive. They also had to explain Hanahaki to El and she was so upset that she joined Max. Lucas did too, after a few minutes. He and Will were the quietest, looking too shaken to know how to react.

Dustin got irritated and started talking nonstop about the health care system. Eddie, finding resonance in Dustin’s feelings, also started roasting the pharmaceutical industry.

They all slept together, huddled together, in the living room.

In the middle of the night, Mike, having the same thought as his sister, asked if Nancy had anything to do with it and after being assured that she didn't, Steve realized that he would once again need to educate the people he loved about how Hanahaki really worked and about his family.

When everyone finally left in the early evening of the next day, he only had a few hours before he realized that he would probably need to have a walkie-talkie on him at all times, because everyone wanted to make sure he was okay.

The next time he and Eddie were alone together, Steve continued to talk.

It was a little embarrassed that he confessed that, although he had always wanted his parents’ love, he was relieved by the huge distance between them, because he wouldn’t have to worry about being the cause of his mother’s downfall. Because he couldn’t even imagine what it was like to be so loved by someone who had a disease so influenced by emotions. It seemed terrifying.

“I must be very selfish.”

“For wanting to preserve yourself? Everyone wants that, it’s not selfish, it’s human.”

“I didn’t give you that option.”

Eddie grabbed Steve by the shoulders so they were face to face.

“You did. You practically put a warning sign on your forehead. We all chose to stay here. Because you’re part of our lives and we love you, Hanahaki isn’t going to change any of that.”

Careful with every move he made toward Steve, Eddie leaned in until he could put his head in the crook of Steve’s neck, for the first time in a long time looking like he was the one who needed comfort.

Steve couldn’t describe how happy he was that he could still provide that and tightened his arms around Eddie.

“If it were up to me, you know where we’d be right now. You’re the one being so careful about this, so I don’t regret it. Don’t ever insinuate that you’re selfish for allowing us to feel the joy of being in your life.”

Steve didn't know if he could ever stop feeling guilty, but he would try.

One afternoon, when Steve came home from his shift at Family Video, he found Eddie standing at his door, a folder full of papers in his hand. He didn’t say anything, just waited for Steve to come in and followed.

“I did some research,” he announced and waved the papers. “Dustin helped me a lot, because he’s much better at research than I am.”

And Eddie launched into a somewhat confusing monologue about how 4.4 out of every 500,000 people had the Hanahaki gene and only a few of them actually had a real chance of developing the disease, and even in those cases, environmental factors were very important. In conflict zones, for example, the chances of acute and fatal manifestations were up to 300% higher than in other patients. 5 to 10% of carriers would be lucky enough to only have mild symptoms even under periods of intense stress, but without proper treatment, even those people would be at very serious risk.

Almost all of Hanahaki’s patients who survive the first two years require at least one transplant at some point in their lives. He talked about the complications, the lacerations of internal organs, the blood clotting problems, the cirrhosis, the hypertension, the encephalopathy.

“Steve, I said I’d do my research, and I did. I’m not a smart guy, not that smart.” He held up a piece of paper at random. “I’ve never been interested in medicine, and I’ve never been good at science, so there are some things I may not have understood that well, but I’ve learned a lot. I’m not going into this blind. I know what the expectations are here, I’m a grown man and I can make my own decisions. And I want you. I’ve wanted you, somehow, since high school, I wanted you when I saw how the kids adored you, I wanted you when you came to me even though everyone thought I was a murderer. I wanted you when I saw you take off your shirt, when you jumped in the lake, when you fought the Demobats, when you walked with me through hell. When you pulled me out of there. I’ve wanted you constantly, all the time, for all these months.” He took a deep breath. “I want you. I love you.”

Steve knew that no matter how happy he was, there would always be things that would hurt him. He would always have scars on his lungs, roots tangled in his ribs, internal bleeding, shortness of breath, injuries… There would always be a million problems, one after the other. Maybe he only had a few years left.

But Eddie knew that too. He knew that sometimes he would need to take care of Steve, and that he would need to learn to control his anger better, that he would always have to be careful when he communicated a problem, that he would need to offer reassurance and remind Steve that he was loved. He knew it would be hard. He knew the risk of coming out of this with a broken heart.

Even knowing the potential disaster, Steve kissed Eddie knowing it would be worth it.

[alonetimelover]

Could I request a dadrry instagram blurb?? That other one was amazing!!! Doesn’t have to follow on from the last one❤️

pairing: Harry Styles x famous!reader

summary: A little instagram blurb with dadrry, a new pleasing drop, and babies' drawings.

masterlist taglist

famous!reader 1 2

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pleasing

liked by harrystyles, yourinstagram, annetwist, harryupdates and 1 028 302 others

pleasing Fancy Friends are here and presented to you by our littlest ambassadors - Andy and Franny.

Behold and wait for the posts about all 8(!) new colours straight from our ambassadors' painting room, made specially for this occasion.

Find your pleasing.

view all 89 302 comments

harrystyles All smiles ♥️

yourinstagram My smiley baby!!!! 🥹

harryupdates whhhhaaaaaatt??? ambassadors???

ynupdates some cute babies

hArrysbtch oh my gooood

harrysmoustache i waited months and months for a drop that would cave me... I'm so buying all of the colours

user49 babies for ads?

user84 im conflicted now

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yourinstagram

liked by harrystyles and 7 202 403 others

yourinstagram rocking that farmer fit

view all 99 302 comments

harrystyles My two favourite girls

⤷ yourinstagram which ones exactly?

⤷ harrystyles No answer will be good

harryupdates weren't they just born?

⤷ yourinstagram that's how it feels! and now she walks

hArrysbtch i hate kids but i love all the clones from yn and harry

⤷ yourinstagram you make us look like a factory or smth

⤷ harrystyles or mad scientists

⤷ hArrysbtch im gonna take a social media break, you're right

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harryupdates

liked by hArrysbtch, ynupdates and 10 303 others

harryupdates HARRY and his older daughter at the Pleasing facility today in London!

view all 920 comments

hArrysbtch CEO!harry having a premiere in real life???

⤷ harrysmoustache weren't you supposed to take a social media break?

⤷ hArrysbtch shhhh

ynupdates ceo and ambassador are having a meeting

stylesbabie yeah. I'll be the one to start talking about his back, won't I?

⤷ harrysfan92 i mean, its right there

ynsmybestie taking care of business

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pleasing

liked by harrystyles, yourinstagram and 2 002 202 others

pleasing Andy and Franny present you first three drawings that inspired Fancy Friends collection. Pieces are called respectfully: 'Mummy and Daddy', 'Daddy('s) house' and 'You and me'.

'Just, just tell them that they, they all can paint nails. It's funzy!' said Franny while incorporating her work.

Find Your Pleasing.

view all 83 302 comments

harrystyles yourinstagram I love your hand

⤷ yourinstagram it's called perspective

yourinstagram My two artists!!!

annetwist ❤️

hArrysbtch MoMA is waiting for them

harryupdates This. Is. Art.

ynupdates well hello you

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harrystyles

liked by yourinstagram and 10 302 202 others

harrystyles 'Daddy I did you on paper.'

view all 103 302 comments

yourinstagram 1:1 perfect drawing with full details

⤷ harrystyles Perfect.

hArrysbtch that's the same picture!

ynsmybestie these babies are spending days and night at that painting room

⤷ yourinstagram I wish. It was a 5 minute drawing cause 'i love daddy and kiwi'

⤷ ynsmybestie ohhhhhhh

ynsmymama melting

harrysfan82 this pleasing promotion is going HARD

⤷ harrysmoustache everything is sold out

⤷ hArrysbtch those babies are making more money than i do, man. that's unfair...

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yourinstagram

liked by harrystyles, annetwist and 4 302 202 others

yourinstagram here's to the best father i know

(yes, i was terrified for the joints to stay in place. yes, babies found this as the best play in the world and repeated ten times. yes, his back looks gooood.)

view all 89 302 comments

harrystyles That's a lot coming from the greatest mother in the World.

⤷ yourinstagram your mum is right there

⤷ harrystyles Obviously, you're sharing the No. 1

⤷ yourinstagram ObViOuSLy

hArrysbtch 'yes, his back looks gooood' girl, you don't need to shout it to our faces

⤷ yourinstagram HIS BACK LOOKS GOOD

⤷ ynsmybestie i love her

harrysmoustache still not used to the fact that he is a dad

harrysfan82 I've never asked: do your kids know you're the Disney Princess?

⤷ yourinstagram they watched Tangled and didn't notice even after my live performance

[lovelyatomicpeace]

List of prompt:

1. "I can't do it without you."

2. "Why did you lie to me?"

3. "I need to talk to you."

4. "It's not what it seems."

5. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

6. "That place is dangerous."

7. "I miss you, you know?"

8. "Promise you'll come back."

9. "I thought you were different."

10. "It was a mistake, I know."

11. "We are stronger together."

12. "I can't let you go."

13. "Please be careful."

14. "I've missed you."

15. "Can I help you with something?"

16. "What would you do in my place?"

17. "Life is short, live it."

18. "We are destined to be together."

19. "There is something you need to know."

20. "I wish you were here with me."

21. "The truth may hurt, but it is necessary."

22. "Don't let the past define you."

23. "I trust you this time."

24. "When will I see you again?"

25. "I have a plan, listen to me."

26. "I cannot imagine my life without you."

27. "Please listen to me."

28. "I will always respect you."

29. "Maybe one day you will understand that."

30. "I wish it was always so."

31. "You can count on me."

32. "I love you, you know."

33. "I don't want everything to end like this."

34. "I hope you will forgive me."

35. "I'm here to stay."

36. "There are things you can't understand."

37. "I don't need an apology, just the truth."

38. "The fear of losing him was greater than the joy of becoming a mother."

39. "The positive test had changed her life in an instant."

40. "She was not ready for this responsibility, but fate had other plans."

41. "How would he react? This question haunted her every night."

42. "The fear of telling him was paralyzing, but she knew she could not wait any longer."

43. "Every smile she gave him hid a world of worry."

44. "She couldn't stand his arrogance, but she couldn't help thinking about him."

45. "Every clash between them was a spark that ignited something more."

46. "The hatred she felt for him was slowly turning into something different."

47. "Each squabble was a step toward a deeper feeling."

48. "She could not believe that her heart beat faster every time she saw him."

49. "Hatred was just a mask to hide the real feelings."

50. "Every time they fought, he felt his heart beat faster."

51. "Every sharp word hid an unmentionable desire."

52. "She could no longer deny the attraction she felt for him."

53. "She never thought she could love someone she detested so much."

54. "Every night, the nightmares came back to haunt her."

55. "The darkness brought with it her worst fears."

56. "She could not escape the nightmares that haunted her."

57. "Every dream turned into an endless nightmare."

58. "Fear kept her awake, fearing the next nightmare."

59. "She hid her feelings behind a smile."

60. "The love she felt for him was a secret she could not reveal."

61. "Every unspoken word was a burden on her heart."

62. "She could not confess her love, for fear of losing him."

63. "Every glance was a reminder of his unmentionable love."

64. "Every day she struggled with the desire to tell him the truth."

65. "She could not reveal her feelings, for fear of ruining everything."

66. "Don't you understand how much you make me suffer?"

67. "I love you, even though you drive me crazy!"

68. "Why can't you see how much I care for you?"

69. "Why can't you see how much you mean to me?"

70. "Why can't you see how much you hurt me?"

71. "Why didn't you choose me?"

72. "Every time I see him with someone else, my heart breaks."

73. "Can't you see how much you hurt me?"

74. "It hurts me to see you with someone else."

75. "Why am I never enough for you?"

76. "Why can't you understand how much I love you?"

77. "I can't believe you chose her instead of me."

78. "Her hands were delicate, as if she was afraid of breaking me."

79. "Our hearts beat in unison in the rain."

80. "Her gaze was full of sweetness and desire."

81. "We approached each other slowly, as if time had stopped."

82. "His lips were soft and warm against mine."

83. "Each caress was a whisper of love."

84. "The world around us disappeared, it was just the two of us."

85. "His embrace was my safe haven."

86. "Her breath was a sweet song in my ears."

87. "Her smile was all I needed."

88. "I can't find peace with them."

89. "Why do they never understand me?"

90. "Their words hurt me deeply."

91. "Through the window of his car, he saw her sitting alone and offered her an alternative evening"

92. "She did not have a date, but he kept her company in the parking lot, under the full moon"

93. "While everyone was dancing, he found her alone and asked her to spend the evening together, away from the crowd"

94. "I can't go on with this marriage. I need a way out."

95. "I'm not ready for this life. Take me away from here, please."

96. "I can't marry him. Help me find another way."

97. "I need to get away from all this. Can you help me?"

98. "I can't do that. I need someone to take me far away."

99. "I can't continue with this marriage. Take me away, please."

100. "I can't marry him. I need to escape, and you are the only one who can help me."

[im-out-of-it]

season 2, episode 4, part 3 “day of wrath” continued (long because I went on a bitchfest so sue me)

66. I always love watching Magnus’s expression when they’re about to summon Camille. this is not something that is easy for Magnus to do but he’s doing it because it needs to be done (I don’t know how to flip it but whatever) (I don’t have a degree or common sense in IT but I tried) (so be nice to me )

67. Magnus looks so devastated knowing he will have to betray Camille

68. ah shit, my poor alec

69. now Alec looks so devastated. okay but Alec couldn’t have known. anyone would have done what he did. Valentine may be a hypocritical bad villain but he is good about making sneak attacks and using his resources. you can bet your ass that anyone would’ve done the same especially jace and clary. they would be too busy ogling each other. (how they are in charge in the books always baffles me) how was Alec supposed to know that a demon sneakily got into the institute? he doesn’t have eyes and ears all over the place

70. Simon, some people get excited about dirt (I couldn’t resist- also don’t like small gifs so I used them both AND I CANT BELIEVE HE IMPROVISED THIS SHIT)

71. yes clary, the institute loves to gossip. it’s boring waiting around for demons to show up

72. Izzy: be fucking grateful for once bitch

73. Izzy is way toooooooo nice to clary. Clary is one of those people that just suck the energy right out of ya

74. Izzy: not everyone can be Isabelle Lightwood

75. too be fair, she makes it look easy 🥰

76. “so maybe you should be glad you have one who wants to try and make things right.” MY GIRL IZZY LEFT NO DUST!!!!!! no because clary is one of thee most ungrateful people around. she’s allowed to be upset at her mother for lying, but Jocelyn does anything she can to protect clary while Maryse has been a cold hearted cunt to Alec and Izzy so just be appreciative for once clary

77. Lydia, I would suggest being nice

78. YEAH THATS MY MAN ALEC

79. meant to post these before (Alec investigates and jace has dreams of ugh clary)

80. Lydia gave it her all so maybe raj will watch his mouth next time lmaooo

81. I don’t see why they didn’t have Alec shoot the smoke but I guess they need Alec to keep suffering and enduring for no reason

82. I also want to point out from a recent discussion I had that Alec did not need to endure all of this. he’s gone through hell from season one and now. he’s almost died twice, sorted through complex feelings, almost got married, and is having my boyfriend is immortal crisis and I’m not. like did Alec really need to go through this? I feel like they wanted it to be almost payback for Alec not wanting clary around and all of the stuff he’s said

83. I’m on board for Jocelyn dying but let’s remember, alec didn’t choose to kill her. the demon finds anger and hurt and it chooses its victim. Alec didn’t go on a plan to kill Jocelyn no matter how tempting it is. and remember, Jocelyn would have been fine if Alec died all for finding clary. she didn’t seem to mind giving him that stone. so I’m just saying, at least Alec wasn’t being intentional about this. and Jocelyn knew what could happen with that stone but she didn’t care as long as clary was protected 🙄

84. I can’t stand this episode for many reasons but it felt like a smear Alec campaign. has this man not been through enough? Maryse practically disowned him, he had all his shit in season one, almost lost Izzy, was constantly betrayed by someone who is supposed to be his brother and bestie, and almost died twice. and I’m no way trying to play the gay card but Alec is in the top five people who go through the most shit but also why is the gay man going through some of the worst possible shit???

85. Magnus izzy Maia Simon also Raphael are included but Alec is constantly getting judged for other peoples decisions, the blame goes on him, he almost dies thrice for someone who wouldn’t save him given the time of day, and he’s got so much hurt and anger inside him. I’m honestly upset they never let Alec process anything. literally he doesn’t marry Lydia and dates Magnus but there’s no time to process because jace leaves so let’s make it all about jace!!!!!!! I love the show for putting Alec first but I’m hurt that he hardly gets to process anything. it’s an upgrade for sure from the books but no one really talks about all he endures

86. and clary does say she’s not upset at Alec but she still blames him in a way. Alec didn’t seek Jocelyn out but she did seek alec out with the stone in episode 2. they never processed Alec’s dark side and I think that’s a shame because Matt is a very gifted and talented actor and I think he would have excelled at that. y’all can fucking quote me- Matt would have killed a more dark serious role. and after all the shit Alec goes through, his villain arc would’ve been warranted and justified at this point. he’s very good at the comedic timing, being serious, changing his character up but having alec go dark alec would have been very fun to watch. I have full confidence that Matt would’ve pulled it off EASY

87. speaking of Matt, I always love his interviews so let’s take a breaky break

88. HE JUST GETS ALEC

89. I’m done gushing for now BUT I CANT HELP IT!!!!!! Matt talking about Alec’s arc because he is summing up how a lot happens in season one and it’s not the books and basically how Alec doesn’t matter in the books. he just really fucking gets Alec more than CC understands Alec. after all, she wanted to kill him off first book and the way she treats the lightwoods shows how much she can’t stand any of them. Matt is a hardcore Malec and Alec and Magnus shipper and I love him for that. he gave Alec the potential he so needed!!!!!!!!!!

90. where the fuck was I?????? oh that’s right, alec just saved Lydia AGAIN but she saved him too

91. trial by mortal sword ⚔️ 🗡️ ah shit

92. I’m going to post the video of Magnus talking about Camille in the next one 🫶🏼

93. poor Magnus having to make one of the hardest choices in his life. Camille saved him and has been an old friend of his. it’s going to be very painful for Magnus to do this. he’s not someone who willingly betrays an old friend and lover but Camille has gotten out of hand. I wish they didn’t get rid of her

94. I mean Magnus is still a human being with thoughts and emotions and who goes through challenges and hardships but valid Simon

95. well last time you’ll see your mother clary, say bye (also forgot this one, slay Izzy)

96. I wonder if Jocelyn knew that clary was desiring jace romantically before she had her heart yanked out (THANK YOU ALEXANDER)

97. because it’s very obvious to us

98. I’m still mad we were robbed of more Alec

99. like imagine a dark Alec arc. instead of seeing jace be saved or clary like a dark Alec or Magnus would have been ten times more fun to see plus Matt and Harry would have killed it but what do I know I’m totally fucking biased

going to stop at 100 and will start part four tomorrow and it should probably be the last one since there’s about 13 ish minutes left

[broadraiwrites]

If You Should Feel My Gloom Whumpuary Day 11: "I didn't ask for this." Verse: All Elite Wrestling Characters: Brianna DiBiase (oc), Brandon Torres (oc) Pairing: None Mentions: Angel Michaels (oc), Ted DiBiase Jr, Cody Rhodes, Cassidy Cabana (oc) Warnings: Depression, Internalized Ableism, Divorce Word Count: 1,257

Sitting in her chair at the island between her kitchen and living room, high schooler Brianna DiBiase looked down at her Algebra 2 textbook with a piece of pull and peel Twizzler hanging from her lips. Four pieces set on top of a blue folder for her sister while the remaining pieces sat in the spine of her book, marking the page from her homework problems to the lesson they had worked on in class that day. She slurped up her snack like a spaghetti noodle, typing the problem into her TI-83 calculator before using her Twizzler bookmark to flip back to the lesson to make sure that she had put the problem together correctly.

Bri had been a straight-A student for as long as she could remember, but the last few months had been difficult. Even she could see her grades slipping since she and her mother had moved back to San Antonio. She was grateful that she had been doing high school online in the first place so that there wouldn't be an adjustment to a new school in a new area. It just made things easier when traveling with her mother, going from city to city with AEW or country to country with the Eras Tour Her life was anything but that of a normal teenager. That's not even counting the lack of normalcy caused by internalized ableism, but she wasn't going to talk to anyone about that.

She heard the squeak of the screen door, though she hadn't heard the main door open before it, but maybe she was just too focused on her problem to notice. Having thirty algebra problems due by midnight could do that to a person, but that was just honors algebra 2 for you. She didn't quite recognize the footsteps headed in her direction and hadn't heard her mother talking to anyone when the door came open, so she wasn't sure who exactly was in her home, but she had more important things to worry about. That was until he spoke to her.

“Bri?” Brandon Torres sat down in the chair at the end of the island, two seats away from her, giving the teen her space but making it clear that he was there to see her.

“So now you remember we exist?” She scoffed with a heavy dose of venom in her voice, blending with the usual teenage snark. She wasn't the young girl that Brandon had once done math problems with her stuffed animals before her doctor's appointment. In fact, she seemed angered by his presence.

“I deserve that,” Brandon admitted. “I get that you're mad at me, and I can't blame you for being mad at me. I promised you when I and your mom split up that I would be here, and I haven't exactly done that, and for that I apologize.” He paused for a minute, trying to gather his words, trying to figure out how to talk to a girl who was so much different than the one he had originally met with so much anger in her heart for so many different people. “You obviously don't have to accept that apology, and I'm not here to ask you to forgive me. I know things must be hard for you right now—��

“You have no idea how hard things are for me right now. Don't pretend that you do. Don't sit here and try to pretend let you know how I'm feeling.” She looked up at him for a moment, tears brimming in her eyes, but then returned her gaze to her textbook. “He walked out just like he's done before, just like he'll probably do again.” She paused for a moment, her voice smaller when she spoke again “just like you did.”

Brandon considered his words for a moment, understanding how much Angel's separation from Cody must have hurt her daughter, how much his returning to her life in this moment must have brought up old wounds, even if he was there to try to fix them. “I never wanted to walk out on you, Bri. When your mom and I separated, it was a mutual thing. I wasn't trying to walk off and abandon you like your dad or Cody have done. I got caught up in my own shit, and maybe a part of me lost track of things; maybe I didn't want you or your mom to get pulled into things. The point is, I'm not like them. I don't want to sit here and give you excuses; I'm sure you've had plenty of other adults do that lately. I know you and your mom used to tell me that you blamed yourself for the fact that Ted left, but I want you to hear from me that the fact that I wasn't here isn't your fault. I don't want to be another adult you blame yourself for pushing away.”

A few tears fell on the pages of the textbook as Bri reached to wipe her eyes. “I just want people to stop leaving. I just want people to stop breaking promises, to stop saying that they're going to be there when they aren't.” She gestured to the wheelchair that she sat in. “I know this thing is the reason my dad left. I know he couldn't handle a disabled kid, but I didn't ask for this. I didn't ask to be unlovable. I didn't ask to be too much, to take up too much space. I didn't ask to be easy to leave, but apparently I am.”

Brandon reached over to place his hand on her arm and took a deep breath as he shook his head. “You were never unlovable; you were never too much; you never took up too much space or any of that. You were never the problem. I know you want to blame yourself for the things that your mom has gone through, the things that you and your sister have gone through, but it was never any of your fault. I was an ass. Cody has turned into something I don't even recognize anymore, and your dad was an idiot for walking away in the first place. These are not your burdens to carry. If you'll let me, if you could tolerate being around me for more than five minutes after everything, then let me carry it for you and your mom. I can't promise that I'll be perfect, but I do want to be a better friend to you guys than I have been. I want to be better at keeping that promise. You shouldn't be caught in the middle of any of this and neither should your sister I just want to make sure that you aren't. Let the adults be idiots, and maybe one of these days you can play me the plankton rap you are always so excited about.”

Bri sighed, pulling another piece from her candy bookmark and popping it into her mouth. She wasn't sure if she wanted to trust him just yet. If he was just another adult giving her empty promises. If this was just another chance for him to walk away and leave her wondering where things went wrong, but for now he was here, and the thought that he remembered something like their conversations about the SpongeBob musical did make her happy to think about. With him and Cassidy around again, maybe she could finally make sense of things, and maybe all of this wasn't her fault after all.

[lindsaywesker]

Deaths In 2023

January

1: Fred White (67, American drummer, Earth Wind & Fire)

3: Alan Rankine (64, Scottish musician/producer, The Associates)

6: Gianluca Vialli (58, Italian football player/manager)

10: Jeff Beck (78, English guitarist, The Yardbirds/The Jeff Beck Group/Beck Bogart & Appice)

11: Yukihiro Takahashi (70, Japanese singer/drummer, Yellow Magic Orchestra)

12: Robbie Bachman (69, Canadian drummer, Bachman Turner Overdrive)

Lisa-Marie Presley (54, American singer/songwriter, daughter of Elvis, mother of Riley Keough)

16: Gina Lollobrigida (95, Italian actress)

18: David Crosby (81, American singer/songwriter, The Byrds, Crosby Stills Nash & Young)

27: Sylvia Sims (89, English actress, ‘Ice Cold In Alex’)

28: Barrett Strong (81, American singer/songwriter, co-wrote ‘I Heard It Through The Grapevine’/‘Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone’

Tom Verlaine (73, American musician/songwriter/producer, Television)

Lisa Loring (64, American actress, ‘The Addams Family’)

February

2: Calton Coffie (68, Jamaican singer, Inner Circle)

3: Paco Rabanne (88, Spanish fashion designer)

8: Burt Bacharach (94, American songwriter, co-wrote ‘Walk On By’/‘Anyone Who Had A Heart’/‘A House Is Not A Home’/‘Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head’)

10: Hugh Hudson (86, film director, ‘Chariots Of Fire’)

12: David Jolicoeur a.k.a. Trugoy The Dove (54, American rapper, De La Soul)

15: Raquel Welch (82, American actress)

16: Chuck Jackson (85, American soul singer, ‘Any Day Now’/‘I Keep Forgettin’’)

18: Barbara Bosson (83, American actress, ‘Hill Street Blues’)

19: Richard Belzer (78, American actor, ‘Homicide: Life On The Street’/’Law And Order: Special Victims Unit’)

Dickie Davies (94, British television personality, ‘World Of Sport’)

23: John Motson (77, English football commentator, ‘Match Of The Day’)

March

2: Steve Mackey (56, English bassist/producer, Pulp)

Wayne Shorter (89, American jazz saxophonist, Weather Report)

3: Carlos Garnett (84, Panamanian jazz saxophonist)

Tom Sizemore (61, American actor, ‘Saving Private Ryan’)

5: Gary Rossington (71, American guitarist, Lynyrd Skynyrd)

8: Topol (87, Israeli actor, ‘Fiddler On The Roof’/’Flash Gordon’)

10: Junior English (71, Jamaican reggae singer)

12: Dick Fosbury (76, American high jumper)

13: Jim Gordon (77, American drummer, Traffic/Derek & The Dominoes)

14: Bobby Caldwell (71, American singer/songwriter)

15: Greg Perry (singer/songwriter/producer)

16: Fuzzy Haskins (81, American singer, Parliament/Funkadelic)

17: Lance Reddick (60, American actor, ‘The Wire’/’Oz’/’John Wick’ films)

23: Keith Reid (76, English songwriter, Procol Harum)

Peter Shelley (80, English singer/songwriter/producer, ‘Gee Baby’/��Love Me Love My Dog’)

28: Paul O’Grady a.k.a. Lily Savage (67, English comedian)

Ryuichi Sakamoto (71, Japanese musician/composer, Yellow Magic Orchestra, composed theme to ‘Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence’)

29: Charles Sherrell a.k.a. Sweet Charles (80, American bass player/singer, The JBs, ‘Yes, It’s You’)

April

5: Booker T. Newberry III (67, American singer, Sweet Thunder, ‘Love Town’)

6: Paul Cattermole (46, English singer, S Club 7)

8: Michael Lerner (81, American actor, ‘Barton Fink’)

12: Jah Shaka (75, Jamaican sound system operator)

13: Dame Mary Quant (93, English fashion designer)

14: Mark Sheehan (46, Irish guitarist, The Script)

16: Ahmad Jamal (92, jazz pianist)

17: Ivan Conti (76, jazz drummer, Azymuth)

22: Barry Humphries a.k.a. Dame Edna Everage (89, Australian comedian/actor)

Len Goodman (78, English TV personality)

25: Harry Belafonte (95, American musician/actor/civil rights leader)

27: Wee Willie Harris (90, English rock & roll singer)

Jerry Springer (79, English-born, American TV host)

28: Tim Bachman (71, Canadian guitarist, Bachman-Turner Overdrive)

May

1: Gordon Lightfoot (84, Canadian singer/songwriter, ‘If You Could Read My Mind’)

3: Linda Lewis (72, English singer/songwriter, ‘Rock-A-Doodle-Doo’)

18: Jim Brown (87, American football player/actor, ‘The Dirty Dozen’)

19: Pete Brown (82, poet/singer/lyricist, ‘Sunshine Of Your Love’/’White Room’/’I Feel Free’)

Andy Rourke (59, English bass player, The Smiths)

24: Bill Lee (94, American jazz musician/composer, Spike’s dad, scored ‘She’s Gotta Have It’/‘School Daze’/’Do The Right Thing’

Tina Turner (84, American-born, Swiss singer/actress, ‘River Deep Mountain High’/’Nutbush City Limits’/’What’s Love Got To Do With It?’)

26: Reuben Wilson (88, American jazz organist, ‘Got To Get Your Own’)

June

1: Cynthia Weil (82, songwriter, ‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’’/’Here You Come Again’)

6: Tony McPhee (79, English guitarist, The Groundhogs)

12: Treat Williams (71, American actor, ‘Hair’/’Prince Of The City’)

14: John Hollins (76, English football player, Chelsea/Arsenal/England)

15: Glenda Jackson (87, English MP/actress, ‘Women In Love’/’Sunday Bloody Sunday’)

27: Julian Sands (65, English actor, ‘A Room With A View’)

29: Alan Arkin (89, American actor, ‘Catch 22’/’Little Miss Sunshine’)

30: Lord Creator (87, Trinidad-born, Jamaican singer/songwriter, ‘Kingston Town’)

July

3: Vicki Anderson a.k.a. Myra Barnes  (83, American soul singer, Carleen’s mum)

Mo Foster (78, English songwriter/musician/producer)

5: George Tickner (76, American guitarist, Journey)

16: Jane Birkin (76, French/English actress/singer, ‘Je t’aime … moi non plus’, banned by the BBC in 1969)

21: Tony Bennett (96, American singer, ‘I Left My Heart In San Francisco’)

22: Vince Hill (89, English singer, ‘Edelweiss’)

24: Trevor Francis (69, English football player, Birmingham City/England)

26: Randy Meisner (77, musician/songwriter, Poco/The Eagles, ‘Take It To The Limit’)

Sinead O’Connor (56, Irish singer, ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’/songwriter, ‘Mandinka’)

30: Paul Reubens a.k.a. Pee-Wee Herman (70, American actor/comedian)

31: Angus Cloud (25, American actor, ‘Euphoria’)

 August

4: John Gosling (75, English keyboard player, The Kinks)

7: DJ Casper (58, DJ/artist/songwriter, ‘Cha Cha Slide’)

William Friedkin (87, American film director, ‘The French Connection’/’The Exorcist’)

9: Robbie Robertson (80, Canadian musician/songwriter/singer, The Band)

Sixto Rodriguez (81, American singer/songwriter, subject of 2012 documentary ‘Searching For Sugar Man’

13: Clarence Avant (92, owner of Sussex Records/Tabu Records, film producer, ‘Jason’s Lyric’)

Magoo (50, American rapper, Timbaland & Magoo)

16: Jerry Moss (88, music executive, the ‘M’ in A&M Records)

17: Bobby Eli (77, guitarist, MFSB/songwriter, ‘Love Won’t Let Me Wait’)

Gary Young (70, American drummer, Pavement)

19: Ron Cephas Jones (66, American actor, ‘This Is Us’)

24: Bernie Marsden (72, English guitarist, Whitesnake/songwriter, ‘Here I Go Again’/’Fool For Your Loving’)

29: Jamie Crick (57, English radio broadcaster, Jazz FM)

31: Gayle Hunnicutt (80, American actress, ‘Dallas’)

September

1: Jimmy Buffett (76, American singer/songwriter, ‘Margaritaville’)

4: Gary Wright (80, American singer/songwriter, ‘Dream Weaver’/’Love Is Alive’)

Steve Harwell (56, American singer/rapper, Smash Mouth)

8: Mike Yarwood (82, English comedian/impressionist)

13: Roger Whittaker (87, Kenyan-born English singer/songwriter, ‘Durham Town’)

16: Sir Horace Ove (86, Trinidadian-born, English film director, ‘Pressure’)

Irish Grinstead (43, American R&B singer, 702)

25: David McCallum (90, Scottish actor, ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’/’N.C.I.S.’/musician)

28: Michael Gambon (82, English actor, ‘Harry Potter’ movies)

30: Russell Batiste Jr. (57, American drummer, The Meters)

October

2: Francis Lee (79, English football player, Manchester City/England)

8: Burt Young (83, American actor, ‘Rocky’)

11: Rudolph Isley (84, American singer, The Isley Brothers/songwriter, ‘That Lady’)

12: Michael Cooper (71, Jamaican musician, Inner Circle/Third World)

14: Piper Laurie (91, American actress, ‘Carrie’/’The Hustler’)

19: DJ Mark The 45 King (62, DJ/musician/producer, ‘The 900 Number’)

20: Haydn Gwynne (66, English actress, ‘Drop The Dead Donkey’)

21: Sir Bobby Charlton (86, English footballer, Manchester United/England)

24: Richard Roundtree (81, American actor, ‘Shaft’)

28: Matthew Perry (54, American-Canadian actor, ‘Friends’)

November

12: Anna Scher (78, founder of the Anna Scher Children’s Theatre)

19: Joss Ackland CBE (95, English actor, ‘White Mischief’)

22: Jean Knight (80, American soul singer, ‘Mr. Big Stuff’)

25: Terry Venables (80, English footballer, Chelsea/Tottenham Hotspur/England manager)

26: Geordie Walker (64, English guitarist, Killing Joke)

29: Sticky Vicky (80, Spanish dancer and illusionist)

30: Shane MacGowan (65, English-born Irish singer, The Pogues/songwriter, ‘Fairytale Of New York’)

December

1: Brigit Forsyth (83, Scottish actress, ‘Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads?’)

5: Denny Laine (79, English musician, The Moody Blues/Wings, songwriter, ‘Mull Of Kintyre’)

7: Benjamin Zephaniah (65, English poet/writer/actor, ‘Peaky Blinders’)

8: Ryan O’Neal (82, American actor, ‘Love Story’/’Barry Lyndon’/’Paper Moon’)

Nidra Beard (71, American singer, Dynasty)

11: Andre Braugher (61, American actor, ‘Homicide: Life On The Street’/’Brooklyn Nine-Nine’/’Glory’)

Richard Kerr (78, English singer/songwriter, ‘Mandy’)

15: Bob Johnson (79, singer/songwriter/musician, Steeleye Span)

16: Colin Burgess (77, Australian drummer, AC/DC)

17: Amp Fiddler (65, singer/songwriter/producer)

[melis-writes]

i know that this is a tired topic, but i can’t stop thinking about it. there is also a pretty horrible possibility that she’s lied about being on birth control(( the pregnancy thing shook me, because i remember reading something 10 years ago, when al was with lucila, about him saying he is too old to have kids. which is pretty consistent, al always said he loves kids. in 80s whenever someone asked him about marriage he practically broke into hives, but on the topic of kids he constantly spoke with tenderness. and, apparently, his friends say he was a good father. so, all of this didn’t gel with the pregnancy announcement in my head – al seemed too responsible for that. now there is a possibility he did not want it to happen at all and the baby is just a collateral for the mother. pretty sad stuff.

i hope the baby will be well cared for.

This is exactly what I was thinking once some more reported details came out, anon. 🫤 I know a lot of people were upset and grossed out by Al in particular but then again like just 2 days ago we were all kinda assuming it was IVF or planned naturally and now it looks like none of that’s true either, apparently? To me this seems like a very selfish, controlling tactic and it lowkey freaks me out. 😬

Anyway, if what the gossip/news is saying is true and whatnot, the kid is most likely bound to really find out about it once they’re older. Who knows? 😶 Either way, I think it would be sad for a child to be born just so one of their parents could secure the bag.

I don’t think I can blame Al very much in this case, based on what I know so far. I think some people are still grossed out and feel weird by the fact an 83 year old and a 29 year old may have slept together which makes sense, but we do have to remember the fact that this is a private relationship between 2 adults. I get that 29 versus 83 is a ginormous age gap but like one other anon mentioned, it’s not like she’s 19, and she has made the choice to be with other older men before too apparently.

[ace-for-eddie]

Part 2

July 5, 1986

Overall the week had been going well, Eddie was feeling a bit better, starting to feel more like himself each day. It took time to recover from the blood loss and multiple surgeries it had required to patch him back together from the attack in the UpsideDown. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on who you asked, Eddie had given up smoking after being in the hospital so long and literally needing surgery to repair his injured and collapsed lung. Demobats be damned.

But it was early on a July morning and Eddie was happy to have a new place, government issued for him and Wayne to live. It was certainly cleaner than the trailer had been. 

So when he received a knock on the front door early on a holiday weekend, he was a bit perplexed, but figured it was probably one of the kids coming to ask for a ride or something. 

He did not expect to see a young woman around his age on his porch. A burgundy 4 door vehicle sat still running in the driveway. He recognized her of course, but hadn’t seen her in a good 3 years. 

“Uh, hey.”

“Eddie.” The young woman scowled, smacking her chewing gum. She had lost weight. She looked unhealthy, her soft light brunette hair was frizzy, and unkempt. Her skin was an unnaturally tan color. While this was concerning enough, Eddie noticed that on her twig of a frame she held something, no someone on her hip. The girl who could be no more than 2 or 3 hung to her mother’s shoulder. 

The toddler sported a curly mop of dark auburn hair pulled back into two ponytails on either side of her head. Her huge brown eyes looked to Eddie then back into her mother’s shoulder. She looked shy and possibly frightened. 

“Uh, H…hey, what are you doing back here?” Eddie asked. 

“You grew it out more.” She said still staring at Eddie like he’d just thrown an insult rather than asking a simple enough question. “What?” Eddie’s faux smile faded. “Your hair.” She huffed. “Are you gonna let us in or not?” she sassed.

“Uh… okay, sure. Come on in.” Eddie shook himself again. “Wayne here?” she asked, dropping a duffle bag on the couch. The little girl started coughing, and whined softly.  She looked tired, they both did. “No… he’s at work.” Eddie closed the door. “Can I get you something to drink?” “Beer if you have it.” She stated like she’d been here a thousand times, and was just a typical part of the scenery. The girl sniffled then coughed again, tucking her head into her mother’s shoulder. 

That doesn’t sound good. Eddie thought. Poor kid.

“What’s her name?” he asked, turning to the fridge to grab two beers. 

“Evelyn Brooke.” “That’s pretty.” Eddie handed her the beer and sipped his own as he sat on the chair beside them.

“What are you doing in Hawkins? Thought you flew this coop right before Senior year.” 

“I didn’t have a choice. Got pregnant didn’t I?” She glared at him with intensity. “Oh yeah, I heard you’d gone to live with your Aunt.” “Yeah, ‘cause I was pregnant Eddie!” She snapped. “My parents kicked me out.” 

The little girl startled and huddled behind her mother. 

“Okay, wow, I’m sorry. That sucks.” Eddie was confused at this chick’s anger, he took another long swig of beer. “She’s your’s, dumbass.” Eddie choked on the beer, which he turned his head to avoid coughing it out onto the couch and guests. He coughed for a solid minute before he recovered still in shock.

“Excuse me?” “Evelyn Brookie, this is your Daddy.” Her voice was sugary sweet while simultaneously having a bitter tone to it. 

Evelyn peeked out from her mothers side, looking through a curtain of curly hair, still quite uncertain of the situation.

“How old is she? And what do you mean, mine?” He crossed his arms across his chest and examined her expression closely.

“She just turned 2 in February. February 14th actually. That party 4th of July weekend in ‘83. Remember that?” She sighed. “Oh my god, you don’t even remember.”  

“Uh…okay, when were you going to tell me? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” “Well, I was busy trying to figure out where I was going to live.” “I would have helped.” Eddie insisted. 

“Well, I didn’t really think you’d be up for it. I didn’t get a choice. It wasn’t like I could just call you up. Long distance calls are expensive?” 

“Okay, so why now?” Eddie really looked at the girl. He couldn’t deny that her hair and eyes matched his own much more than her mother’s. He swallowed hard.

“Well…” She took an exasperated breath, “Because I’ve got some other things to go take care of right now Eddie, and I just thought that you could maybe step up and learn about being a father.” “Step up? I literally found out 2 minutes ago. I would have helped if you’d told me.” “Sure whatever. But I didn’t. You weren’t. And here we are.” She said, smacking her hands on her knees, and moving to stand. “Well, Kyle’s waiting on me in the car. All her stuff is in the bag. Birth Certificate is in the pocket.  There’s some cough syrup in there that puts her right to sleep. Good luck.” She kissed Evelyn on the head. 

“Mommy’s going out for a little while. But you’re gonna stay with your Daddy.” “What?!? Where are you going?” Eddie couldn’t process all of this, his breathing picked up. Is she serious?!?

Evelyn looked confused from her mother to Eddie. She had tears running down her face, but she only whimpered quietly as the tone in the room had shifted and her mother took a step away. 

“It’s your turn. I’ve got a life to live, Eddie. New opportunities.” “Wait. I’ll be here for her, but you’re not just leaving. Are you? When are you coming back?” He stuttered out then followed her to the kitchen.

“I said it’s your turn. You’re her daddy and you get to take care of her now.” She made for the door. 

“Are you…are you high or something?” He stood and tried to block the doorway. “That’s none of your damn business.” She was fast and surprisingly strong, throwing an elbow to his ribs and into a tender spot where he’d been bitten, knocking the wind out of him. 

“Wait… we can…” he wheezed out, struggling to get air back into his lungs from the blow. 

She jumped into the car with who he guessed was Kyle and they drove off.  

Catching his breath, Eddie watched the car turn out onto the main road. What the hell just happened? 

He turned to see the small child sitting on the couch. He considered chasing after the car, but couldn’t just leave a baby in his living room. What if something happened? 

The girl sat quietly sniffling and hiccuping, as tears still dripped from her dark long eyelashes.

“Uh…hey… Evelyn…ummm… it’s okay.” Eddie took a step toward the couch and reached out for her. She didn’t flinch and let him pick her up but she held her tiny body stiffly in his arms and continued to pant through tears. He instinctively rocked them both gently. “It’s okay little one.” He swallowed hard. “You’re okay. We’re gonna figure this out.” 

As he ran a hand up and down her tiny back she began to melt into him, curling up still hiccuping and coughing occasionally. 

“Okay Munson, Get it together. What the hell do I do with a baby?” Then an idea popped in his head and he walked over to the phone, dialing the number listed on the sheet on the fridge. 

After two rings a cheerful voice answered.

[idiotcurls]

The Woods of Indiana ficlet

I love to think about the “outsider perspective” of what happened in Hawkins. This sort of covers the first 2 Seasons. 

It’s very general and I added a headcanon of a hunter who got attacked by a demodog in Season 2. I love how eery the whole thing must be from the outside. 800 words. xo 

The woods of Indiana were vast. Old trees on old hills, rivers parting them. Lakes embedded, like scattered silver pearls. The wind brushing through the tree lines felt like the forest was breathing. Sometimes it whispered, sometimes it's breath rattled, like the last breaths of a dying deer. One could only wonder, what the trees witnessed over the years. They’re standing tall and dark. During storms the forest seemed to shout, the rain coming down on it soft but relentless, as if to appease the anger it displayed. During the day, especially in the spring months, the forests were a popular spot to hike and enjoy the bird songs and the reverent elegance of the forest. 

But at one point other, strange noises filled  the woods during the nights. Screams echoing. And sounds that didn't quite seem human. There was barking, snarling, screeching. Low rumbles. They sounded like a big predator. But not quite animal either. It sounded like things hunting and things dying.

At some points, the birds would just stop singing, residents of the trailer park noticed. It became silent. Eerily so. Like the calm before a storm, but there was no storm. 

Some residents of Hawkins had an uneasy feeling about the woods. It wasn't strictly because of that young girl who vanished. It also wasn't the kid who died and came back. It was more like some sort of raw instinct, that clawed its way into their bellies and left shivers on their spine.  A feeling, like something wasn’t quite right. 

They had a funeral for the boy who vanished, back then in autumn. His body was found in the quarry one night in 83′. Yet, the boy somehow returned to the living, after people cried at his grave. He was pale and disturbed and just...different. “Mistakes like this can happen.”, said a police statement.

It was another kid's body they found in the quarry, or so they say. Another kid, dead. Nobody ever found out who the other dead kid was. The Byer's kid got lost in the woods and found his way home, all by himself, they said. The kids a queer, they also said. And afterwards he became more weird. His mother and brother always on the edge. Father a deadbeat. 

Some people joked, that he really looks like he came back from the dead. The jokes were usually followed by uncomfortable silence. The mother lost her marbles somewhere in the process of grieving and regaining her youngest. But some say, she never was quite alright anyway. The good people of Hawkins followed that statement with “but who am I to judge.”

The way the news reported, made sense, at first. Everyone likes to learn about a tragedy but then go back to their own uneventful lives. Poor Holland's. Poor Byer's kid, all pale. A tragedy.

Apparently Macy Anderson's husband, who was a dedicated hunter, came back from the woods one night, trembling and stuttering. He had a peculiar bite wound on his right foot. Whatever he was hunting, hunted him right back. And he also knew, it wasn't an animal. He'd recognize any bitemark. When someone asked him about it, he'd shake his head, his voice was trembling. “Nah, that's aint no mountain lion bite or nothing...it was different. And I’ve been in these woods all my life.” He'd stare into the middle distance while talking. 

In the beginning Mr.Anderson said, demon dogs ascended from hell, came home to haunt him, for what he did in the war. But he changed that answer, after people started laughing at him. He started staring into the middle distance more often. Haunted. Eyes empty. 

“I’ve seen awful things. Terrible things, in the war. But this is something else.”, he’d say. 

His wife said, something changed about her loving husband. He had this incredible fear, every noise made him twitch. His eyes looked like he was a deer in the headlights, about to get hit.  When his wife tried to talk to him nothing made sense. Dogs from hell. In the end he was obsessed with the thought, that the hell hounds were the cause of all the pumpkins rotting, drawing in thousands of flies. Healthy, living trees decaying out of nowhere. The stench filled the air. He was hell bent on it. 

“That wasn’t Eugene poisoning Merrill’s farm. No human could do something so sinister.”, he’d tell everyone who would listen. People laughed. 

In the end Mr. Anderson took his own life, with his rifle. That was a tragedy too.

Soon after, a story broke the news. There was a chemical spill from Hawkin's lab. It killed the Holland's daughter. Apparently they tried to cover it up. That also explained the change in the environment. The news made sense. The police statements made sense. Maybe Mr.Anderson, had a dose of that aswell. It was no consolation to the widow.  The Holland’s were crushed. The cold certainty of death drowned every bit of hope they worked so hard to keep up during the last months, looking for their daughter. In the end they even fell for a Quack called Baumann, who pulled money out of their pockets, promising to find Barbara. 

Most residents were shocked, but somehow relieved about the news of the chemical leak. It was something easy to understand.  But the eery feeling about the wood stayed.

After all of that, an urban myth started to make the rounds through young people. About tunnels under Hawkins, that were a direct gateway to hell. Mr.Anderson didn’t kill himself. One of the hellhounds came back and ate him alive. 

Later, people wouldn't laugh about it anymore. Something was happening in that town. In 85′ the stench of death filled out the town once again. This time around it was harder to ignore. And it became harder to ignore after that. 

[almaqead]

"The Honored Delegation." From Surah 19, Surah Maryam, "The Mother of the Dawn."

I still don't see an announcement that the US Government has acknowledged the fact Donald Trump cannot be the President again or that the Republican Party is being dissolved for its sponsorship of Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which are terrorist organizations. I feel very strongly America should become a provisional government, supervised by an entity that is willing to obey the law and withdraw from terrorism on a permanent basis.

The reason we read the Torah, the Gospels, and the Quran is to prepare for pre-emptive strikes against child molesters, cheaters, murderers, terrorists, and transvestites before they harm other living things or the environment, but people living in the USA do not seen to want to understand.

Surah Maryam "an ocean of myrrh" implies nations of persons should act one and all like the mother of Moses or the Christ, and stand for something:

 the nouns מר (mor) and מור (mor) mean myrrh, a bitter and fragrant spice that was originally used to mark the tabernacle, but which came to be used to proclaim, olfactorily, the consummation of marriage. Hence, despite its links to words that mostly describe hardship, myrrh oil was known as the "oil of joy."

Verb מרה (mara) means to be contentious or rebellious, particularly against God. Noun מרי (meri) means rebellion.

The verb מור (mor) means to change. Perhaps the connection between the previous is coincidental but perhaps these words are indeed linked, as change is often reaction to bitterness or opposition. The noun תמורה (temura) means exchange.

The noun ים (yam) means sea, and was also used as synonym for west (sea-ward) or the future (as "east" corresponds to "past"). Its plural form, ימים (yamim), is identical to the plural of the word יום (yom), meaning day.

Hence, the name Miriam also means Bitter Waters or Waters Of Strength.

Jerome (4th century AD) suggested relations with the word מאור (ma'or), meaning star, from the verb אור ('or), to be light or shine. Combined with the word ים (yam), sea, the name Miriam would translate to Stella Maris (star of the sea), but that strikes as a very free interpretation, but like to believe that these names have to do with מר (mor), meaning myrrh.

The name Miriam could be construed as a regular plural form, which thus means Myrrhs or rather Wedding Nights. It denotes a people that consists entirely of Christs or anointed ones (1 John 2:20)."

The Surah says God created the Messengers to give us rays of hope when people like those in America start churning the depths looking to do evil to the rest. We are supposed to be incited and insightful as a result of their messenging and so far, there has not been a trace of this. Myrrh is called the Balsam of God because it requires a wound in a sacred plant, the tears must be collected, distilled, filtered and finally a medicinal perfume that wards off evil results.

This is how the life of a spirited person is supposed to "simmer down" even on a troubled world like ours:

19: 83-95:

"Do you ˹O Prophet˺ not see that We have sent the devils against the disbelievers, constantly inciting them?

So do not be in haste against them, for indeed We are ˹closely˺ counting down their days.

˹Watch for˺ the Day We will gather the righteous before the Most Compassionate as an honoured delegation,

and drive the wicked to Hell like a thirsty herd.

None will have the right to intercede, except those who have taken a covenant from the Most Compassionate.1 

They1 say, “The Most Compassionate has offspring.”

You have certainly made an outrageous claim,

by which the heavens are about to burst, the earth to split apart, and the mountains to crumble to pieces

in protest of attributing children to the Most Compassionate.

It does not befit ˹the majesty of˺ the Most Compassionate to have children.

There is none in the heavens or the earth who will not return to the Most Compassionate in full submission.

Indeed, He fully knows them and has counted them precisely.

And each of them will return to Him on the Day of Judgment all alone."

Commentary:

Without a doubt, all righteous men and women on the planet must stand against the origins of evil which are rallying within the United States of America. There can be no delusion about this; the sophistication and expense and secrecy out in the open of the terrori tunnel network prove an effective and deadly response is needed.

In Dar al Islam, we must promote the values named in the Quran and perform the pillars, the greatest which is called Zakah, "which purifies the world like glass."

Adjective זך (zak), meaning pure or clean. This word is used to describe olive oil that is free from foreign substances (Exodus 27:20, Leviticus 24:2) or frankincense of that same quality (Exodus 30:34, Leviticus 24:7). The same word may describe a man (Job 8:6), a man's ways (Proverbs 16:2), conduct (Proverbs 20:11), philosophy (Job 11:4) or prayer (Job 16:17).

The feminine noun זכוכית (zekokit), meaning glass. This noun occurs only once, in Job 28:17, where Job prizes it next to gold but both as less valuable than wisdom (see our article on the name Hochma).

The Surah says God cannot make a child like a Christ that is a purifying balm like frankincense or Myrrh, but we can. Zakah is the way.

We must stop the corruption, the violence, the manufacturing of weapons, the razing of the planet. But if we are to have any chance at doing these things and enter into God's prescribed glories one day, we must stop dishonored delegations; we have got to prevent corrupt persons from participating in fucked up elections.

The need to resist is the bitter part of the Mor, but when it works, when revolution forces the righteous to act, that is the sweetness.

[eazy-group]

Quila lost 83 pounds

New Post has been published on https://eazydiet.net/quila-lost-83-pounds/

Quila lost 83 pounds

Transformation of the Day: Quila lost 83 pounds and reclaimed her health. At 25 years old, she faced several serious health challenges, including Fibromyalgia, Lupus, and two autoimmune diseases – Lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome. What kept her motivated? “My kids, God, and Dr Sebi.” She shares how she took action.

Social Media: Facebook: Quila Germany  Instagram: @Divine_Healing_Coach TikTok: Transforminglupus/Divine Trinity Shop

I started my natural weight loss journey after I had my son in December 2018, but my weight journey didn’t begin until after March 2019. I tried to stay on a calorie deficit diet (1500 calories) or sometimes just count my calories to make sure I don’t go over 2000 calories a day. 

I got this far by renewing my mind in Jesus Christ. – Nutrition 80%, Exercise 20%, and Prayer 100%. I’ve been beating all odds in the name of Jesus! And by his stripes, I am healed.

What was your motivation? My kids, God, and Dr Sebi. At the age of 25, I was diagnosed with two autoimmune diseases, Lupus and Sjogren’s syndrome. I was also diagnosed with Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia, Endometriosis, Ovarian Cyst Syndrome, Sciatica, Neuropathy, Chronic Pain, Chronic Fatigue, Sclerosis, Scoliosis, IBS, etc.

Going back and forth to the doctors was making me depressed. The medications were making me depressed, and I started to have a dependency on them.

I got tired of going to the doctors back and forth about high blood pressure, heart disease, and having to get injections in my joints. My joints were locking up and hurting very badly. I could barely hold or carry my baby. Being a single mother, I had no choice but to figure it out.

Now I don’t suffer from High Blood Pressure anymore. My pain level decreased, and I’ve learned to manage my symptoms without taking medications.

How did you change your eating habits? I started to get rid of everything unhealthy in my kitchen cabinets, refrigerator, under the bed, etc. I didn’t remove everything in one day but weekly. I would remove one thing at a time and replace it with fresh fruits, like watermelon, which helped a lot! 

I started doing intermittent fasting for different reasons (physically, mentally, and spiritually). I also started eating a whole foods diet, eating fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts. Then I began to remove pork, beef, and dairy products. (I just ate chicken and turkey the majority of the time.) I also used to make veggie omelets. 

Then I started to take breaks away from meat by practicing intermittent fasting. In 2022 I removed all meat from my diet. I also stopped eating eggs. I just stuck it out with Salmon, fruits, veggies, whole grain, coffee, and smoothies with the natural herbal supplements I make. 

Since I’ve changed my lifestyle, I have incorporated a variety of herbs and sea moss. I learned to make my own herbal supplements and elderberry syrup. 

What is your workout routine? I practice yoga for exercise (not spirituality). I do it for low-impact exercise and to build strength. I only went to the gym for about two months in 2019. I lost my transportation, but that didn’t stop me. I bought an Air Elliptical Machine, Ab ProCircle, weights, and more equipment over time. In 2023 I started going to the gym for a little while since I lost most of my equipment when I moved. 

How often did you work out? 2-3 times a week. 

What was your starting weight?  205 pounds

What is your current weight? I got down to 122 pounds, and now I am around 127 pounds.

What is your height? 5’2″

How long did your transformation take? It took me less than 11 months to drop 83 pounds!

Is weight loss surgery part of your journey? No, it was not. Surgery was not an option for me because of Lupus. It could have caused me major problems.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far? If you mess up, don’t give up. Just start back over. Also, don’t listen to negative feedback. 

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight? Pray, surround yourself with great support, and join Facebook weight loss groups. Get away from toxic people, and always prepare your food before you go out.

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[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

20th March >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Solemnity of Saint Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

(Liturgical Colour: White: A(1))

First Reading 2 Samuel 7:4-5,12-14,16 The Lord will give him the throne of his ancestor David.

The word of the Lord came to Nathan: ‘Go and tell my servant David, Thus the Lord speaks: “When your days are ended and you are laid to rest with your ancestors, I will preserve the offspring of your body after you and make his sovereignty secure. (It is he who shall build a house for my name, and I will make his royal throne secure for ever.) I will be a father to him and he a son to me. Your House and your sovereignty will always stand secure before me and your throne be established for ever.”’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 88(89):2-5,27,29

R/ His dynasty shall last for ever.

I will sing for ever of your love, O Lord; through all ages my mouth will proclaim your truth. Of this I am sure, that your love lasts for ever, that your truth is firmly established as the heavens.

R/ His dynasty shall last for ever.

‘I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: I will establish your dynasty for ever and set up your throne through all ages.

R/ His dynasty shall last for ever.

‘He will say to me: “You are my father, my God, the rock who saves me.” I will keep my love for him always; with him my covenant shall last.’

R/ His dynasty shall last for ever.

Second Reading Romans 4:13,16-18,22 Abraham hoped, and he believed.

The promise of inheriting the world was not made to Abraham and his descendants on account of any law but on account of the righteousness which consists in faith. That is why what fulfils the promise depends on faith, so that it may be a free gift and be available to all of Abraham’s descendants, not only those who belong to the Law but also those who belong to the faith of Abraham who is the father of all of us. As scripture says: I have made you the ancestor of many nations – Abraham is our father in the eyes of God, in whom he put his faith, and who brings the dead to life and calls into being what does not exist.

Though it seemed Abraham’s hope could not be fulfilled, he hoped and he believed, and through doing so he did become the father of many nations exactly as he had been promised: Your descendants will be as many as the stars. This is the faith that was ‘considered as justifying him.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Gospel Acclamation Psalm 83:5

Glory and praise to you, O Christ. They are happy who dwell in your house, O Lord, for ever singing your praise. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.

Either:

Gospel Matthew 1:16,18-21,24 How Jesus Christ came to be born.

Jacob was the father of Joseph the husband of Mary; of her was born Jesus who is called Christ.

This is how Jesus Christ came to be born. His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph; but before they came to live together she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph; being a man of honour and wanting to spare her publicity, decided to divorce her informally. He had made up his mind to do this when the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because she has conceived what is in her by the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and you must name him Jesus, because he is the one who is to save his people from their sins.’ When Joseph woke up he did what the angel of the Lord had told him to do.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Or:

Gospel Luke 2:41-51a Mary stored up all these things in her heart.

Every year the parents of Jesus used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual. When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it. They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances. When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions; and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies. They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for you.’ ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied. ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’ But they did not understand what he meant.

He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[riality-check]

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4

Steve glares at the two of them. For a long moment, he doesn’t say anything. He just lets the weight of his stare settle over the room, and it’s really heavy.

Nancy feels four years old again, like she just got scolded by her mother for waking up the baby. Only this time, there’s no baby to glare at with all the malice a four-year-old can muster.

There’s only Eddie, and Nancy knows that if she looks at him, she will, bizarrely, start laughing, because that’s just the kind of night this whole shitshow has turned into.

Finally, Steve takes a breath. Lets it out. Says, “This is what happens when two smart people make a plan with zero common sense.”

Neither one of them open their mouths to argue.

“What the fuck, guys?” he whispers. “Are you kidding me?”

“Wish we were,” Eddie mumbles.

Nancy elbows him in the ribs and fights back a smile when he tries to elbow her back and misses.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” Steve asks, but Nancy doesn’t know who he’s asking.

Eddie answers, “We didn’t want to worry anyone.”

Nancy fights not to roll her eyes. That answer sounded stupid the second it left Eddie’s mouth. 

Not that she has a better one.

Steve is speechless. He opens and closes his mouth before finally saying, “I’m gonna correct myself. You’re both fucking stupid.”

Nancy bites the inside of her cheek to stop herself from saying something cruel along the lines of “pot, kettle,” even though she doesn’t mean it.

She gets it. Steve is concerned. This is why they didn’t want to tell anyone.

“So is no one going to worry when they find Eddie dead? When Nancy starts acting differently?”

“I don’t-”

“You do,” Steve says. “You go quiet. It’s scary. And I know it would be worse if you killed a friend.”

Nancy flinches at the word. Killed. It sounds so personal. Barbaric. Cruel.

But she doesn’t have another word for it.

“Sorry,” Steve says, and then he softens. “You should hesitate, Nancy. None of us ever should have had that beaten out of us.”

“But we did,” she argues.

“We don’t have to stay like that!” Steve shouts.

Nancy looks at Eddie for some sort of help, but he’s staring up at the ceiling. She knows he’s trying not to cry. She doesn’t say anything about it.

“I can’t lose you,” Steve says softly. He takes Eddie’s hand, and Nancy can’t help but feel like she’s intruding.

“Sweetheart,” Eddie says, and yeah, not Nancy’s proudest moment, but she almost rolls her eyes at the pet name right then and there, “if he gets in my head, it’s better that I’m not around.”

“He’s gone,” Steve pleads. “We saw the body. We fucking burned the body. He can’t get inside your head anymore.”

He turns to Nancy. “You know that, too, right?”

The truth? Nancy doesn’t know that. Not at all.

Logically, she does. She watched the flames go up. But she hasn’t slept right since ‘83, and she’ll never be that girl again, the one who was worried about popularity and grades and writing about pep rallies.

Some days, it’s harder to put the gun down. It’s easier to justify it being in her hands if there’s a threat. If there’s someone who needs her to pull a trigger without hesitation.

It seems like that’s gone now, too.

But she doesn’t answer Steve’s question. She just curls tighter into herself, sitting on his bedroom floor, and tries not to let the weight of that realization crush her tighter.

She’s only half successful.

Eddie puts his arm around her, pulls her close to his side. She lets him.

“It’s not better if you’re not around,” Steve says, looking away from Nancy.

“I could hurt-”

“I don’t care,” Steve interrupts, and god, now he sounds choked-up, too. “I don’t give a shit. We need you. The kids need you, and Robin needs you, and Nancy needs you, and I need you. Our lives are better with you in it.”

Eddie swallows. “I can’t go through that again, Steve.”

“You won’t,” Steve says. “You won’t ever have to. But if you did, we’d figure it out. You, neither of you, get to make that decision without talking to someone. I can’t lose either of you.”

Nancy looks up at Steve. Sees that he’s definitely crying now. Wonders how he can do it without his voice shaking.

She knows she could probably dredge up an answer. She knows she would hate it.

“Please,” Steve says, and his voice finally cracks. “I can’t lose either of you.”

“I know,” Eddie murmurs, and he hauls Steve in for a hug, squished against Nancy, too.

The three of them sit for a while, breathing, finally calming down after way too damn long, until Steve loosens their little circle.

“I think talking to someone might help you two.”

Nancy doesn’t want to admit that he’s right, not now, sitting on his bedroom floor at nearly four in the morning, but he is. He is right. She’s been thinking about it for a while, more so since she wrote down Eddie’s favor on the List.

She settles for a nod, rather than admitting anything, and it feels pretty good to see some of the tension leave his shoulders.

But this, of course, is the moment Eddie chooses to fight. She can see it before he says anything, sees the way he completely shuts down.

“No,” he says firmly. “I’m not crazy.”

“I didn’t say you were,” Steve says.

“You insinuated it.” Eddie gets up and starts pacing. His arms fly so wildly as he talks that Nancy is afraid he’ll smack his hand into the wall. “Shrinks are for crazy people, and I’m not crazy, Steve. I know what crazy is, and I’m not it.”

Nancy has heard this spiel before, on the floor of Eddie’s bedroom while he got high and she sipped on the vodka she snuck over. 

I know what crazy is, he had said then, just like he’s saying now. Crazy isn’t me. Crazy isn’t dealing with what I dealt with. I’m not crazy.

Crazy is moving states multiple times to follow delusions of grandeur. Crazy is planning a trip to Disney World with money you don’t have, only to not leave the house for a month. Crazy is complete and utter instability. Crazy is shrinks that break the bank and pills that aren’t good for anything except for when you take a whole bottle of them and then a social worker takes you to live with your uncle. 

That’s what crazy is, Drew.

“Will you go if I go?” Nancy asks, quiet in the midst of Steve and Eddie’s growing argument.

Both of them stop talking, hands frozen in the air.

“What?” Eddie asks.

“Will you go,” Nancy says slowly, “if I go?”

Steve raises his eyebrows, and, after a glance at Eddie’s face, has the audacity to look something close to smug.

Nancy didn’t realize how much she missed seeing that expression on his face.

Eddie frowns, and Nancy can read his face like a book. He’s thinking about it. Hard. Weighing out the options, weighing his pride against the possibility of getting better, weighing his pain against whatever consequences Steve would otherwise impose on him.

Steve’s boyfriend privilege is really working in his favor. No wonder he looks so smug.

“Well,” Eddie says, smiling in a way that looks like it hurts, “I can’t let you go alone, now can I?”

Steve huffs out a laugh, and Nancy rolls her eyes.

“Of course you can’t,” she says. “It would be-”

“Bad manners,” Eddie finishes, making her laugh. 

It feels good to laugh, even though it’s nonsensical. Nancy hasn’t let herself be nonsensical in a long time.

But then Eddie is laughing at her laughter, and Steve looks, confused, between the two of them.

“Inside joke,” Eddie tells him.

Nancy remembers when Eddie first told her the story when he got told he had “bad manners” for not walking a girl home as a kid and how he started being overly chivalrous to try to make up for it.

Since then, “bad manners” has applied to all kinds of exaggerated chivalry.

Eddie not letting her do this by herself probably doesn’t count. Neither of them care.

Steve groans. “Are Robin and I this annoying?”

“Yes,” Eddie and Nancy say in unison, which makes them laugh again, and for a second, for the first time since she got out of her car, Nancy feels a little lighter.

final part

ao3 link

tag list: @ashwagandalf @novelnovella @ladyapplejackdnd @silentiumdelirium @resident-gay-bitch @brassreign @starrystevie @henderdads @greyhoundsgirl @thegingerrapunzel @seths-rogens @questionablequeeries @miss-hit @edmunsn @readbythestarlight @scooby-dum86 @deehellcat @missarte-beltane @theysherobinbuckley @tillystealeaves 

[erikiara80]

ST analysis/S5 theories Part I: Will and Henry - parallels and differences

I started making theories on S5 the moment I finished S4. It was so good! Of course, theories should be fun, and they come from my immense love for this story and its amazing characters. If what I speculate doesn’t happen, no problem. I just hope the story is good. That being said, let’s have fun! 

There are so many theories to discuss and analysis to make. Where the powers come from, Will and Eleven, the parallels between the two Byler relationships (Nancy/ Jonathan, and Will/ Mike) and so much more! But today let’s talk about my favorite character, Will Byers. He didn’t have much to do this season, but his scenes were among my favorite. Some of them were so beautiful and heartbreaking. Noah Schnapp is such a talented actor. But more importantly, some of the most shocking reveals of the show that we got in S4 involve Will directly. That’s why they had to send him to California, imo, or it would be even more obvious. This proves his fundamental role in the story and in the last season of Stranger Things. I’m talking about Henry and Will’s parallels, the Upside Down being stuck at 11/6/83, the day Will went missing, Dustin telling they needed Will, and Nancy mentioning how he found a way to communicate with his mom with the lights. They really wanted us to think about the mysterious week he spent there alone. And for good reasons.

1. Parallels between Will Byers and Henry Creel

They’re obvious and very deliberate. From the words to describe them (sensitive kids), to their clothes and love for drawing. The writers went out of their way to make us notice how similar they are. Of course, it’s important for the story.

Two sensitive kids who love drawing

Almost the same clothes

They both drew the Mind Flayer.

Both Vecna and Will are called wizards. The password to enter Castle Byers in S1 is Radagast, the name of one of the wizards in The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings. Also, notice the flames on Will’s cloak. Flames, fireballs. The only thing that can hurt the creatures of the UD. Coincidence? I think not.

Hopper, in S2, asks if they can kill the Mind Flayer with fireballs

Even the littlest details show the clear connection between them.

Will in his classroom, in Lenora. Behind him, the name Henry

Henry’s infamous grandfather clock. The name of the manufacturer: Williams The clock was important in S4 and will be even more important in S5 (the theory on why is here )

So yeah, we get it, Duffer brothers. Will and Henry are similar (cough, and they both have powers, cough)

2. Differences

Henry didn’t have a loving family. His father seemed to at least care about him, but they didn’t seem close. Henry calling him blind and dumb could mean that he didn’t see many things, not just that he lost his eyes. Henry’s mother despised him and wanted a doctor to lock him up to fix him. And I’m sure he didn’t have a bond with his sister, who probably considered him a freak. Henry was a lonely, kid, like he said, deeply misunderstood, and when he realized he had powers, he didn’t have anybody who could guide him or stop him. So he started to use them to hurt others. He became a predator. He said: But for good. So he didn’t just kill for fun. But that doesn’t change the fact that he chose violence. 

Will has an awful dad, but he has a loving mother and brother. He has friends he loves fiercely, especially Mike. People who would do anything to protect him. And Will’s so selfless that he was even worried about Jonathan’s hand, when he was the one who’d almost died in a scary, alternate dimension.  

So why showing us how similar Will and Henry are? Some people think it’s foreshadowing of Will becoming like Henry. I disagree. We know that in S5 Will will have a huge role, but it’s going to be, to quote the Duffers, “the beginning of his coming of age”. I doubt they want him to be possessed again and start killing people. He’ll be a hero, not a villain.

Anyway, I think it is possible that Will only has vague memories of what happened to him in the UD. I’m sure people told him what he did, about the lights, the cassette player, the phone calls, and he was just like, hm, yeah, I did those things. It wouldn’t be too strange. In S2, Lucas told Max that Will didn’t want to talk about his experience. And let’s be honest. Has anyone ever asked him how he was able to almost open a gate in his living room? Or how did El recognize him from that pic? They never answered those questions. So maybe the answer in S5 will be something like: We were so focused on saving you, that we never really thought about it. Or, you always said you didn’t want to talk about it. And Will could say that it was all confused and he just remembered he was always cold and scared. 

Maybe he can’t remember because of the trauma. Like El forgot about Henry and the massacre. Or it could be something that was done to him. To let him stay dormant until Vecna or the MF needs him, once the UD starts to merge with our world. Will literally said that to Max and Lucas in S3, when they were talking about the Flayed people: “It’s like you’re dormant.”  The actor who plays Henry said that Vecna and Will have history. So, in S5, Will could realise that he knows more than he thinks and will need to remember every detail about those terrifying days. And in doing so, he will find the answers they need to win.

S5 SPOILERS

From some bts photos, we know that someone will get targeted by Vecna, or will have visions, or will have to reliving memories. 

Noah posted this pic on IG. He wears the same harness used when Max got Vecna’d in 4x04.

EDIT: It seems that the harness was for the van scene, for safety. But the other pics are still proof that something weird is going to happen, for sure

This is a flying harness.

In the S4 read table we see the actor who plays Lonnie. But we didn’t see Lonnie in S4, so either they cut his scene or they’ve already filmed a few scenes of S5. 

And here another bts pic of Noah and Millie at the Rink-o-Mania. Noah wears the same brown shirt. In the actual scene he doesn’t, so this happens later, in a vision. Whose vision? Who knows? Will's? Mike's, if he gets Vecna'd? Look at Millie’s dress. Yep. That’s the milkshake.

But even tho we don’t know what these pics mean, the hints throughout the whole show are clear: Will is important and has a deep connection to Henry, the Mind Flayer and the UD, because he has powers too. And this is one of the biggest surprises of the show. 

3. Will wasn’t just a random victim and the kidnapping scene proves it 

How:

The Demogorgon’s attack is different

The door opened with telekinesis (no creature in the show has ever used that power. Not the Demogorgons in S1 and S4, nor the demobats or demodogs. They could include that element in other seasons, but maybe they didn’t because they decided it could actually mean something)

The shed’s light (this detail comes back in S4. In the Creel House)

1)  It really seems that the Demorgogon specifically targeted Will, because after the kidnapping we learn that the monster chases preys that are bleeding: Barb, the deer, Jonathan and Nancy, the government men (at the school, Mike even says twice: “Blood! Blood!”) But the monster never really attacks Joyce. Imo, because she wasn’t bleeding. The Demogorgon just didn’t want her to help Will. And Will wasn’t bleeding either. We have confirmation from Hopper. When he finds his bike, Joyce explicitly asks if there was blood on it and Hopper says there wasn’t.

We also know that, despite the fact that he wasn’t bleeding, the Demogorgon followed Will for a mile. We know it was a mile because at the funeral Jonathan shows Nancy a map of Hawkins. The writers started the show with Will’s kidnapping, when we knew nothing about this world and this monster, and then spent the rest of the season showing us what the Demogorgon does and doesn’t do, how it attacks its prey, and what attracks it (Mike at school: “Blood! Blood!”) The Duffers never openly told us there was something weird about Will’s kidnapping, or that Will was somehow special. They showed us that his kidnapping was different from the other attacks.

Will’s kidnapping was important for the plot so they made it as mysterious as possible. True. But it’s also what they did AFTER S1 that, imo, confirms that what happened to Will was actually different. They could add information, details in later seasons that made that scene more like other attacks. But it never happened. 

On the contrary. At the end of S1 Will dies. So it seems he was just a random victim, right? But then in S2, when the Duffers said they planned out the rest of the show, suddenly Will tells Owens that this evil he’s seeing in the sky wants to kill everyone but him. Maybe, since he survived, Henry/Mind Flayer thought wait a minute, can we use him again? Sure. Or maybe Will’s “death” means something else. Because we know for sure that he wasn’t just a random victim like Barb or the other people. The very world he was trapped in apparently is stuck on the day he went missing (and not when he was intubated) That means that whatever being was in control there, the MF or Henry, they knew that something big had happened. And I refuse to believe they didn’t know it was Will. So, simply killing him and let him rot... Nah, not possible. Even if they wanted to kill him, it was for some specific reason. Stealing his powers, turnng him into an undead (He’s not breathing!) a creature of the UD. A... Zombie Boy the MF could control. We’ll see.

All of this, of course, makes me think that the Demogorgon showed up in the middle of the street to kidnap Will. 

He was targeted because he too is sensitive to (the Force) powers. He had the potential. Like Henry when he was 12. Will’s not an experiment or the child of someone who was part of Brenner’s experiments, like El. I think Henry and Will’s abilities were directly activated by the source of the powers itself. The UD/Mind Flayer. Henry’s in 1959, in his house. Will’s in the UD, on November 6th, 1983. That’s when his life changed, in many ways.

2)  I read the theory that it was El who opened the Byers’ door with telekinesis. That the Demogorgon was actually chasing her, she saw Will, (the reason why she later recognized him in the photo), but didn’t help him because she was scared. I disagree. It wasn’t her at the door. It was the monster. Will saw its tall shadow in the door’s glass. He heard it growling and on the phone when he tried to call 911. Plus, there was no reason for El to open the door in that moment. 

But it’s interesting that no other creature has ever used that power again. Not even Billy and the Flayed. My theory is that the Demogorgon in S1, as the only creature El touched when she opened the gate, kinda absorbed her powers, like Vecna did when the MF bit her in S3. And that’s also why the monster was also able to temporarily open small gates. Something we’ve never seen again. Also, in S2 and in S3, we see El opening a lot of chain locks (the Byers’ too, in 2x08. Same shot!) imo to make us make the connection that the Demogorgon was in fact using her powers in S1. But the point of this moment, imo, is that the monster could smash that door and grab Will. But it didn’t. And I find that detail very interesting.

3)  More thoughts on the Demogorgon. I know that it first killed a scientist in the lab, so it may seem that it wasn’t there for Will. Well. We already knew it was there to kill people. It also attacked Barb, two hunters... It wasn’t always at the Byers house in the UD during that week. But the Demogorgons in S1 and S4 we saw were always ferocious. They growled and screamed. Only the one that got Will was quiet. Also, the bike light flickered just a moment before Will saw it. I think it’s because it had just opened a small gate in the middle of the street. It totally makes sense to think that it knew Will was coming. 

Oh, one more thing. Nancy saw the Demogorgon at Steve’s and the monster was so close that she noticed it didn’t have a face. But it didn’t attack her. Maybe because she wasn’t bleeding? Or because it wasn’t hungry? But it did chase Will for a mile even tho he wasn’t bleeding. And if it was hungry, I bet it would’ve been much more aggressive.

The only season that seems to imply that Will was a random victim and is not special at all is S3, the season when he feels ignored and says that the MF has found “another me”. Billy.

Now, of course possessing Will again would be too risky anyway. He knows what the MF is and they could try to stop it again. But also, in that season Henry just wanted to get El’s powers and killed her. And he needed the Flayed’s bodies to build the Mind Flayer. So imo, Will being ignored doesn’t mean that he’s not important. 

Then, in S4, we got some big surprises. The introduction of Henry, who has many parallels with Will, the huge reveal that the UD didn’t always look like that. And that is even stuck on the very day Will went missing. And not just when El opened the gate. But the exact moment Will vanished, at 8:15 pm.

We know that’s when the Demogorgon got him, because Karen told Mike he had to go to bed at fifteen after (eight) And when Joyce calls her the next morning, Karen tells her Will left just a little bit after eight. So, at 8:15 he was in the shed with the Demogorgon. And the UD being stuck at that moment is definitely important (also Will keeps have visions of the MF at 8:15 pm, even tho when he was filming Mike it was actually 8:04)

So.

The only way I could accept this coincidence is if they explain it as a parallel with Henry, who also happened to move to a town and into a house where the veil between our world and the UD is probably thinner. And that’s why he was able to sense the UD and draw the MF, and how his powers were activated. If that’s the explanation on how Henry’s powers were activated, because he moved into the only house where he could develop his hidden abilities, then, maybe, I can accept that Will was going home that night, and since the lab was near, he just met the Demogorgon. And then, when he arrived in the UD and had a direct contact with it, like Henry with the MF when he was a kid, his powers were activated too. But that’s the only coincidence I could accept, kinda. And I still prefer the idea that the Demogorgon followed him for a mile because it knew it had to get that kid. After all, there IS a big difference here. When Henry communicated with the MF there was no open gate. In 1983 there was, plus at that point Henry Creel was in the UD with the MF. So we’ll see...

But back to the it wasn’t a coincidence theory

To sum up: the kidnapping scene breaks the pattern of the Demogorgon attacks, suggesting that Will is not like the other victims. The Demogorgon being a bit too quiet, almost “delicate” with him. The door opened with telekinesis. The clue of the light in the shed getting brighter and not flickering, like the lights in the Creel House’s attic where Nancy and the others find Vecna. So they only broke the pattern with Will. And after S4 I believe that the vanishing of Will Byers was different because someone in the Upside Down wanted him specifically.

I think there have always been hints that Will has powers, but every time the writers gave us plausible explanations for the things he could do, like Truesight and the neck tingle: him surviving in the UD for a week in S1, and being possessed by the Mind Flayer in S2. Sure, it was strange that he’d managed to survive alone, for six days, in the Upside Down and that the Demogorgon didn’t kill him immediately. But with what we learned about Henry and the UD it all makes more sense...

Bonus:

S2 - Owens talking about the “virus” that was infecting Will (aka the Mind Flayer)

S4 - Here he was talking to El

Hm, but at the very beginning of the season we have this. Look at the poster in Will’s room. What could it mean? It’s a mystery!

[joruni]

I woke up with an epiphany of an idea for Vol.2 Eddie lives AU!

You know what kind of low-budget prompt/costume would a DnD nerd with a lot of time on his hands make? Chainmaille!! You can make it out of super-cheap garden wire with only wire cutters and two pliers. Eaaasy!

So before Eddie hops into Upside-down he grabs a shirt from his closet and he already had it in ‘83 so Dustin gets one as well! Metal!

Demobats still kind of tear him apart, mostly on his legs and arms; he gets a nasty scratch on his neck, which bleeds a lot so he still passes out in Dustin’s arms, but his abdomen is almost completely fine! A claw or two managed to pierce through, but bats were unable to bite.

And Steve kind of gets an idea from it. He has a boring ass job, which has a lot of free time in between customers and they know that Vecna is coming back. They are getting prepared this time and he is putting some extra protection on his kids! So he visits Eddie after he is released from hospital, to ask him how can he make one (or about dozen for everyone). They raid shops for supplies, take it all to Harrington residence and get to work. Eddie shows him how you coil the wire and then cut it into individual rings. Its an easy process but it takes a long time to build a useful length of chainmaille.

So they round up the whole party. Eddie as he already has a shirt tailored to his measurements makes rings for everyone and they make a tradition of piling on floor in front of tv with a movie playing while everyone does some crafts on the side.

And Eddie then one day shares fun-fact about silk armour used in Asia. And did you know it can actually stop like an actual knife or arrow because of how tightly it is vowen? And the real protection comes from using layers. Leather, fabric, metal, silk…as long as you have several layers.

Huh, Steve’s mother has some silk shit in her closet, they could totally raid. And there are some leather jackets in second-hand shops. And Dustin totally drags Eddie and Steve on a medieval fare in next town and they buy anything that seems even remotely useful (they got a whole ass sword and real shield from one! Steve gave them to Eddie who is in heaven and little but in love!) And Robin comes with an idea of piercing some leather belts with nails and trimming them into chokers, because so many of them got choked by vines, or bats on their last adventure.

Slowly but surely they convert one of Steve’s garages into an DIY- armoury. (Btw, that ridiculous mansion has 5 of them! Eddie almost chokes with laughter when he finds out because why? He basically lives there alone!) Every member of the party has their own stash there, tailored to their needs, preferences and abbilities. Armour, weapons, supplies for travelling or trips into danger zones.

They are not getting surprised this time!