#Keef Brands

[grinchwrapsupreme]

not to be a Youngest Child but pre-kiss Kelvin Gemstone actually makes me feel physically ill with sympathy like

this guy was the favourite as a child but peaked when he was 12 and now he is desperate for his father's attention and approval, something he'll never get in a way that will satisfy him

he lives in a huge house all alone, a house that other people call lonely, and he is the only member of the family to live alone until his mom dies and keefe moves in

he spends 40% of his time around children, 40% with his family, and the remaining 20% begging keefe to hang out with him to avoid that giant empty house

even without the age gap, he's the outlier amongst his siblings being the only one like their mom instead of like their dad, not to mention the sexuality he's been repressing all his life

when he's kidnapped he cannot think of a single person who will miss him when he's gone and his siblings have to remind him about keefe, neither of them knowing that keefe is gone, kelvin not knowing that keefe will come back

his father hit him so much that the first thing he says after hitting back is "how does it feel to be on the receiving end?" only for his dad to break his thumbs and remove what little power he's managed to scrounge up for himself that wasn't inherited from that same father

like that guy is fighting tooth and nail for a life he can be proud of and for people to notice him as more than just one of the Gemstone Siblings and at every step he keeps getting knocked right back down again and all along the way keefe is the only person who notices him, recognizes him, and keefe is the only one kelvin cannot allow himself to get close to in the way he wants

[flibbetygibbetsbro]

No one knows how Fintan survived the Everblase that killed Kenric, but he also survived the Everblase that got his ability banned. 100% think he figured out how to control "the unstoppable blaze" and that's how he managed to escape death twice.

[crymeariveronceagain]

River did you know Brant literally branded Keefe while he was in the Neverseen????

*screams in why the heck this boy has more trauma*

wtf

thats so fricked up omg

i just realized a great and amazing angst opportunity here

branding someone leaves a very distinct, very visible, very marking scar.

*evil author chuckles* oh this kid is gonna be in for a whirlwind of trouble when i get my hands on his emotions and self identity next hehehe

[ca-dmv-bot]

Customer: FAVORITE RAP ARTISTS SLOGAN/CLOTHING BRAND NAME. HAS NO ACTUAL RELATION TO GANG ACTIVITY. JUST A NAME TO THE CLOTHING BRAND FOR MY FAVORITE ARTIST "CHIEF KEEF" DMV: GANG Verdict: DENIED

[ermesskiss]

what music I think jjk students would listen to

✧ ft: yuji, megumi, nobara, maki, todo, yuta, haraki, kirara ✧ a/n: been thinking about this for a minute, and I decided to write out my opinions/hcs

jjk adult version here + jjk character playlist works here

reblogs and comments are always welcomed!!

· · ───────────── 𖥸 ────────────── · ·

✦ yuji

➥ he definitely listens to pop music with overall good vibes. I also think he would listen to R&B and rap, but nothing that is too vulgar, he is the stereotypical sunshine character so I don't think it would be in character for him to listen to music that is highly explicit

➥ I feel like yuji definitely listens to music from the 2000s and 2010s, the type of music you would hear on the radio as a kid during that time, the nostalgic type stuff,

➥ I feel like he's a big fan of some of the old Drake music and Kanye's graduation album. I also think he would love Tyler, The Creator

songs

♪ Stronger: Kanye West ♪ Loving Is Easy: Rex Orange County ♪ Games On Your Phone: 24kGoldn ♪ Glitter: Tyler, The Creator ♪ Headlines: Drake

──────────────────────────────

✦ megumi

➥ my favorite emo, he for sure listens to dorky music, such as Weezer (hence, gege made Island In The Sun his theme song), probably some alt and rock

➥ though everyone calls megumi emo I don't think he would listen to sad/depressing 24/7 unless something horrible happened to him (the recent manga chapter) I think overall for somebody as grumpy as megumi, he does listen to more upbeat, positive music

➥ I think that he would listen to older music, stuff from the late '90s and early 2000s; I honestly think he listens to a little of everything in regards to the era. honestly whatever he does listen to relates to him or has some kind of story or meaning to it, if yk what I mean

songs

♪ You Get What You Give: New Radicals ♪ QUEER: BROCKHAMPTON ♪ Time to Pretend: MGMT ♪ I Want A Dog: Weezer ♪ Wake Me Up When September Ends: Green Day

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✦ nobara

➥ listens to more women artists than men (a true girls girl) regardless of the music genre, she's going to be more interested in women singers

➥ since nobara is very confident in herself and her abilities, she listens to music that makes her feel confident. Seeing her listening to sad music as she self-loath isn't in character for her

➥ a large majority of the music she enjoys is queer-coded (she's a lesbian, fight me about it)

songs

♪ Brand New City: Mitski ♪ Cherry Bomb: The Runaways ♪ Silk Chiffon: MUNA ♪ Broken Clocks: SZA ♪ Just A Girl: No Doubt

──────────────────────────────

✦ maki

➥ I get the vibes that she listens to rock music and also likes pop and some R&B; it’s a mix of all three tbh

➥ similar to Nobara, I can see her listening to music that makes her feel powerful, little music that is self-loathing; she’s trying to keep up with her stern and strong appearance

➥ is a Megan thee stallion fan, listens to her while training

songs

♪ Conceited: SZA ♪ I’m So Sick: by Flyleaf ♪ Did It On’em: Nicki Minaj ♪ Cocky Af: Megan Thee Stallion ♪ Hard Times: Paramore

──────────────────────────────

✦ todo

➥ All upbeat music, not a single sad or depressing song on his playlist

➥ Because it’s all upbeat music, he usually listens to rap and R&B. His workout playlist is the only playlist he listens to

➥ Also listens to music from female artists that are his type (Megan Thee Stallion, etc.), and he tends to listen to music that is explicit about women

songs

♪ Baby Got Back: Sir Mix-A-Lot ♪ Started From the Bottom: Drake ♪ Faneto: Chief Keef ♪ You Better Move: Lil Uzi Vert ♪ DOGTOOTH: Tyler, The Creator

──────────────────────────────

✦ yuta

➥ I think Yuta's musical taste combines Yuji’s and Megumi’s. On the one hand, he’s a lover boy, sunshine MC, and on the other hand, he has an emo/self-loathing part of his personality

➥ Given the genres, I would say he would listen to rock, alternative, bedroom pop, and Indi

➥ I think that yuta is open to listening to any type of music, he's interested in hearing other people's favorite music and he's also a bit of people pleaser so even if he doesn't like he'll agree so the other person doesn't get upset

songs

♪ Can’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me: Weezer ♪ Creep: Radiohead ♪ Day ‘N’ Nite: Kid Cudi ♪ Television/So Far So Good: Rex Orange County ♪ Bad Habit: Steve Lacy

──────────────────────────────

✦ hakari

➥ Listens to rap and R&B, without a doubt, and maybe some rock music from time to time

➥ Knowing that it is canon that he is a rebel and doesn’t like following the rules, I can see it fitting him also the fact that he’s a bookie and a player

➥ he's a drake fan

songs

♪ Baby Keem: Baby Keem ♪ Bad and Boujee: Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert ♪ I Don’t Know Dem: Chief Keef ♪ F**kin Problems: A$Ap Rocky ♪ Crazy Story: King Von

──────────────────────────────

✦ kirara

➥ Based on their appearance and fashion style, they listen to alternative, rock, and dance/electronic

➥ kirara definitely giving off 2000s emo type music

➥ Since hakari and kirara are always together, kirara started to like hakari music more

songs

♪ freak show: Punkinloveee ♪ Ginseng 2002: Yung lean ♪ Helena: My Chemical Romance ♪ GOOD LOYAL THOTS: Odetari ♪ Hands Up!: 6arelyhuman

──────────────────────────────

✧ a/n: I had a hard time with a few characters; you would think, since I have over 1.9k liked songs, it would be easier lol. Anyway, feel free to comment your opinions and/or if you agree or not

[sophiefostersno1stan]

i completely forgot that keefe gets deadass BRANDED by a ruewen pin in lodestar (it was brant btws)

[dragoncookies]

About Chapter 43

So, this just a quick little comment I have about the “you kissed him, you didn’t even kiss me!” statement Fitz made. 

Fitz was so mature during this scene. He was completely under the assumption that Sophie still liked him romantically, and thought they were working to make the relationship work. Then, surprise! Sophie comes out and says she not only has feelings for Keefe, but kissed him and now has an arguably more defined relationship with Keefe than Fitz did for 3 books. (no sophie hate here, just Fitz’s perspective). Sophie herself still wasn’t even 100% sure she was completely over Fitz in this chapter, so her starting something with Keefe was NEWS for Fitz, to say the least.  

Personally, I would be flabbergasted. The situation is almost comical. It feels like Fitz got pranked. So when he went,

“I mean...you kissed him? You didn’t even kiss me!”

The notion that it could be perceived as immature went right over my head.

I actually laughed when I read him saying that because it’s true. It’s so realistic and on brand for Fitz’s character. It was kind of, to me, a funny way of writing Fitz reaction to the news. It felt light hearted and made the scene a little less grueling to get through. It just makes me chortle for no reason every time I think about it.

I don’t believe it was immature to say, either. I believe it was just a genuine reaction. Fitz is characterized as VERY blunt, to a fault, and speaks whatever is on his mind. So, this statement was probably just him trying to make sense of what was happening. I don’t think it was meant to be taken very seriously, or have actual meaning behind it.

Honestly, it was what I was thinking during the chapters following the kiss scene up until this point. Maybe that’s why I brushed over it. Could it be perceived as trying to guilt Sophie a little? Yeah. But what else was he supposed to say after Shannon described the hurt and devastation in his eyes? “That’s unfortunate, but I definitely don’t care about how quickly you moved on from me to Keefe”. NO. Fitz was so true and real for making that goofy little comment. 

Fitz is just so real. End of story. Stop bagging on his character. 

[voltrohgodwhat]

Lance: Keith. Keithy! Keithers. Keef. Keet? Keeve. Keep. Keir. Kiki-

Keith, immediately: If you ever call me 'Kiki' again, Allura's gonna have to find a brand new Paladin for Blue.

[frizzle-mcshizzle]

Sokeefe headcannons?

*rumages through my brain* haven’t thought about these two in ages

Sophie brings Keefe books on famous artists, his favorite being Vincent van Gogh because of his battles with depression

they go on a date to the lego batman movie dressed as batman and batgirl

Keefe and Sophie will bake in the kitchen trying to make Sophies’s favorite desserts getting into flour fights

this song is more them than any of the Taylor swift songs (sorry swifties) i wasn’t even in deep fandom brain rot when i listened to it, but it screamed sokeefe to me always has always will.

instead of having widow sleep overs they’ll call late at night and just leave their imparters on to try to fight nightmares

they make a club called genetically modified child club, they have tee shirts

they rock out to MCR and Fallout boy together when they are having hard days

Keefe obviously takes her last name when they get married, thats a given

they sometimes go on alicorn rides, no destinations in mind they just go fly, and forget about their problems and responsibilities just for a moment

sometimes Keefe will stare at the brand from the Ruewen pin on his hand and Sophie will kiss his palm

they decide to leave the black swan and move to a small cottage somewhere where they’re not the moonlark and the Sencen boy they’re just themselves and they can finally live a normal life.

[bropunzeling]

i know you love a fantasy au so i'm going to prompt you with leon/matthew, "who did this to you" :))

:)))

They find running water on their fourth day, far enough into the woods that Matthew’s fairly certain they've shaken off anyone still in pursuit. The river is small, but it is a river, and the water is clean.

Cold, too. Matthew yelps when he dips a hand, and hears Leon snicker.

They have to take turns bathing---someone has to keep a lookout. Matthew expects to have to fight to go first, but Leon denies that assumption with a snort. "Go ahead," he says, eyes flicking disdainfully up and down Matthew’s body. "You need it more."

"Thank you for that," Matthew mutters.

Still, despite the cold water, and the way Matthew can feel Leon glaring at his back, it's a blessing just to be clean. Just to wash off the layers of dirt and blood and his own stink that have followed Matthew ever since he and Leon made their grand escape in the middle of the night, with hardly enough time to find their swords. Matthew never thought he’d be traipsing through the woods with one of McDavid’s men, but then again, he never thought Keefe would have the balls to send cutpurses after diplomats in lieu of negotiations. Only luck that he found Leon, equally trapped, and for once willing to let bygones be bygones so long as Matthew could get him west.

Turns out Leon isn't so bad once you get him away from the jousting lanes. Smart, strong, and that quick temper is much more manageable when the alternative is getting your guts hung up on tree branches. Johnny would find it hilarious to see Matthew now, relying on the loathed Sir Draisaitl to watch his back.

If Matthew sees Johnny again.

Matthew shudders, and not from the river water. He will see Johnny again. He has to believe that.

"Who did this to you?"

"What?"

A finger prods at Matthew’s back, not painful, but hard. Right where there’s a fresh new scar, barely four months old, slicing along the top of his shoulder. It bled everywhere, but somehow the muscle stayed intact. A small stroke of luck, the healer said.

"You," Matthew says, turning his head to look at Leon. Leon, who has one foot in the river, fingers still brushing Matthew’s naked shoulder. "At that tournament, for Duke what's-his-face's wedding. Thought you'd remember."

Leon's expression flickers, exposing something raw, almost pained, that Matthew isn't sure he should see. His thumb grazes the bottom of Matthew’s shoulder blade. Despite the cold river water, Matthew is warm, feverishly so. "It looks newer than that."

Matthew shrugs. Wishes, for a moment, that he hadn't, because then Leon’s hand falls away. "It was a bad cut." Then he nods at the trees. "Shouldn't you be on watch?"

As soon as he says it, he regrets it, because now Leon is his normal self---stepping back, disdainful, annoyed. Nothing remains of that openness from before. "Go back to your bath," Leon says.

Matthew does. Even so, he imagines he can feel Leon touching him, fingertips branding his back with a new scar.

[lazybakerart]

the other side of this is keefe seeing kelvin as more than just the youngest gemstone boy, more than a man of god, the man behind the face of the brand, sees the kelvin gemstone who's desperate to do good, who's funny and silly and insecure and big-headed and self-centered and isn't without some faults of his own, who's so full of love he'd reach out to someone like who keefe had been and find the good in him and help keefe see it too, the type of man with the courage to have his very first kiss in public in front of his older siblings.

[elwin-at-your-service]

what did you even do before Sophie? Did you just eat prattles and patch up the occasional scratch or minor burn?

Yes, minor burns and scratches were definitely among my duties. Along with treating Fitz for Keefe’s pranks gone awry at least once a week, and reattaching a finger every once in a while (refer back to a previous post about whether or not it is possible to fold Bullhorn!).

There were also various call outs for the nobility, very occasional obstetric check ups, and a lot of alchemy and research. In Foxfire term breaks I would often go on expeditions, sometimes but not always with Livvy, to source rare or even brand new medicinal remedies. Nowadays I don’t get out so much, what with being On Standby for our dear Sophie.

[bookwyrminspiration]

Sotam headcanons please? Platonic or romantic whichever you prefer atm. I just love them haha

I love them too! Their dynamic is among my favorites of the series. I tend to be more canon adherent, but I can certainly try my hand at headcanons!

They've talked via shadowwhispering and telepathy so much that at this point they can near seamlessly read each other's faces

Entire conversations via facial expression without a word passing between them. It drives Keefe mad

Their height difference is perfect for Tam to rest his arm on her shoulder, or his chin on her head. Sophie's indignant about it at first, but has softened with time

What hasn't softened is their humor. It only gets more sarcastic and teasing with time. Everyone else they know always tells them off for their brand of dark humor, so they fully indulge each other

This is sometimes done via facial expression

They frequently do homework together, partially because Tam despises it and Sophie is trying to be a good role model so he has a good reputation with his teachers and the grades they give will be in his favor. Homework's worth is an ongoing debate between them, Sophie's argument being that the fact he's at Foxfire at all after everything is incredible, so he shouldn't waste it

Tam's argument is that homework sucks

He's winning the debate, Sophie just refuses to admit she's wrong

They're the first person the other hails in the middle of the night when they can't sleep. They're more likely than anyone else to still be awake, and they long ago stopped feeling bad that they might wake the other

Those late night hails are something between just the two of them. They can talk about anything and everything, no judgement, no expectations, no regrets

Sometimes those hails end in late night visits, going to one house or the other to sit in quiet comfort, or to continue their conversation face to face

Maybe instead of a house, they'll end up somewhere outside. A beach, a mountainside, a forest, a meadow, anywhere in the world where they can be alone and forget about their troubles

It always a little easier to sleep after they've talked, or visited. Though it can be confusing to their parents when they wake and find an extra kid in the house, but they never have the heart to mind

I'll stop there, but these can be interpreted as any kind of relationship. They're have other people and supports in their life, but they occupy a certain kind of dark, secret content space. They rely on each other, support each other, make each other worse (in a good way). They're so so special to me <3

[silveny-dreams]

Keefe seeing the Pyramids, Niagara Falls, and Walt Disney World is actually so on brand for him

[random-writing-shit]

Chapter 1: The Beginning of Everything.

Keefe felt paralyzed as his heart beat faster than a mad horse, while his ankle felt like the hottest flames of hell due to him spraining it a mere 15 minutes ago.

Screaming would be useless as he were in an abandoned wing, consequently leaving the only voice to reply being his own from an echo. 

Screaming would, additionally, cause him a quicker death, which was the opposite of what the young prince wanted. 

Either way, he couldn’t; his fear stopped him.

For months, raiders had been stealing and attacking the kingdoms of the West. Raiders were, unfortunately, a common occurrence in their nations. However, these raiders were a united force, leaving a single symbol to indicate their presence. 

Each kingdom had tried assembling a pattern, but the raids were random– none had surfaced in either number, merchant, time, date, or order; nothing. Just a menacing symbol of an eye hidden where the stolen object used to be or graffitied where anyone passing by could see it.

The raiders never seen, never heard, never found, always merciless.

The rare times a witness caught a glimpse of the raiders, the unfortunate witness was found dead with the symbol of the raiders burnt into their forehead like a brand they had to bear unwillingly.

Despite this, the monarchs of each kingdom facing these raids and their advisors had managed to cooperate. They noticed that the more these raids happened, the other crimes decreased, such as arson, murder (those unrelated to the raiders), robberies, riots, everything you could name.

It seemed that this organization of raiders was hiring or killing every last criminal free from the law.

And soon, Keefe would be killed by one of those raiders.

The raider’s footsteps had stopped– and Keefe’s heart stopped as well.

Was that an indication that they were sneaking up on him?

And the door-

Perhaps the raider locked it.

Why was the raider here?

Would anyone care to save him?

Would anyone care at all?

Would anyone care if he died?

The raider’s footsteps stopped-

No. 

No-

It couldn’t be the end.

It couldn’t be the end of his bloodline.

He would be the first Crown Prince to die from a raider, but not the first noble.

He started praying for the salvation of some kind.

The door creaked.

“Your Highness?” A voice called into the hall. 

Keefe held his breath out of fear for this new person.

“If you’re hiding, it isn’t funny!” The defiant voice continued as he heard footsteps approach his hiding spot; those of the raider or this bold person, Keefe was unsure. “Your father wishes for your presence in court and told me to drag you by the ear if I have to.” 

The voice got closer to Keefe’s hiding spot with each word until the owner had found him: a girl with small braids in her blonde hair and ice-blue eyes.

Keefe faintly remembered her from a ceremony, but which one he couldn’t recall.

“Your Highness, this is no time to play foolish games. Surely, you know that!”

“O- of course. I- I was merely playing a game! A- a jest or a trick, if you will,” the baffled prince stuttered through his answer. 

The blonde rolled her eyes. “As I said a few seconds ago, if you were listening, your father demands your presence at court now.”

“I- of course. Let us depart now. I know my father doesn’t like waiting when he summons me.”

The guard pulled him to his feet, and they left the wing. 

Keefe quickly shut it and started limping away from it as fast as he could with the guard’s aid. 

As soon as Keefe knew he was in a safe space (or at least one with more guards), he stopped and breathed in relief.

“I cannot thank you enough. I was afraid that I was on the door of death.  My heart felt like a mad horse.”

“It is simply my duty, your Highness. You are the only heir to the throne, and my duty as a soldier and citizen is to serve the kingdom in any little way I can. I saw you run past my station with a raider in tow, and I couldn’t stand by knowing that you were in danger.”

“Even then, I owe my life to you, er…” he trailed off embarrassedly.

“Marella. Just Marella. No nicknames.”

“Well, in that case, I owe my life to you, Marella.”

“ I agree that I  have saved your life, but your ankle seems to hurt. Shall I take you to the physician for treatment?”

“Yes, please. I do not wish to be named the lazy heir,” Keefe joked with a grimace..

[=]

Once his ankle healed and he could walk without a limp, he requested a court audience with his parents.

His parents had heard of their son resting in the physician’s wing, but they had yet to learn about what happened to Keefe and accepted the requested audience as quickly as Keefe had sent it. 

His father was King Cassius, the sixth of his name, while his mother was Queen Gisela, the youngest daughter of the Nightfall kingdom. The king and queen never made time for Keefe amidst their royal duties, leaving Keefe to his own devices.

He had regularly spent time with his twin cousins, that had grown up alongside him when his uncle and aunt, King Adalius and Queen Violet of the Moonfire kingdom, passed away. 

Currently, his cousins were in their kingdom, preparing for their coronations as they settled political and economic problems. Keefe missed them dearly, yet he knew it was for the best.

The rare times his parents cast a single glance at him, it concerned his education and royal duties. In this time of rebellion, Keefe was lucky to get an audience when his father and mother were busy dealing with the losses of the raids.

The guards to the throne room had been reluctant to allow Marella to enter the room with Keefe as she had grown loyal to him ever since she saved him. Keefe, unwilling to let Marella leave his side, told the guards that Marella was a valuable witness.

The guards were reluctant as ever but pulled back their spears blocking the entrance to the throne room.

Without waiting for them to open the doors or announce him, Keefe pushed them open and barged into a chaotic court. 

Multiple ladies fanned themselves furiously as their cakey makeup ran down their faces for reasons Keefe couldn’t tell. 

The ladies that weren’t fanning themselves were in four categories: bored, gossiping, attempting to calm the men down, or arguing.

His mother closed her eyes as if she were staying out of this while his father argued with the lords next to him. They both looked like they had headaches.

“Is the court always like this?” Marella whispered to him.

“I assume,” Keefe whispered back. “I’m never invited to court frequently enough to know.”

It took approximately 20 minutes for his father to notice him, but it took another 10 for the court to calm down until his mother gave the signal for silence.

As soon as the room was utterly silent, Keefe wasted no time in telling what had happened to him. 

By the end of his story, his father’s eyes were stormy and forming a plan.

[=]

A month and a half later, Keefe was ready to set sail.

The timing was perfect; his father and the other monarchs had been ready to send their heirs to sign treaties of unity ever since they discovered the symbol of the Neverseen, the name the kingdoms decided to give the rebels.

As far as Keefe was concerned, the treaties stated that if the kingdoms suffered a loss in this period of raids, the other nations would send aid of some sort. 

Lumenaria was the agreed rendezvous for the treaty signing with no protest. 

Pre-dating the birth of written records, Lumenaria had been a sacred ground for signing treaties of all varieties.

Despite that, Keefe worried that he would accidentally cause a war rather than make allies for a battle if it happened. 

Keefe was famous in gossip circles for provoking pranks and aggravating certain people that didn’t have the shortest tempers, as reported by Marella, who was well-versed in gossip circles of that sort.

A voice cleared behind him, chasing his doubts away.

He turned, saw Marella in royal bodyguard apparel, and his jaw dropped in shock.

In a short time, they formed a familial bond. However, if she’d mentioned this, Keefe had forgotten.

“Marella! What- when? You didn’t tell me!”

Marella rubbed the back of her head nervously, which was also a new sight as Marella had always been confident around him, and laughed humbly.

“It was a last-minute promotion. Your parents saw it fit that I was to accompany you as my training has concluded. Plus, any bodyguard you have had in the past quits almost immediately. My father panicked when royal guards showed up at our door.”

Keefe laughed, not unkindly.

“Well, congratulations! You deserve it. It seems like I don’t have to stow you away in one of the crates anymore,” he joked. 

Before they boarded the ship, Keefe took one last look at his homeland and future kingdom, praying to any deity that would listen that he got back home. Preferably unscathed with all limbs intact instead of his body scarred from war and a scowl on his face. Preferably with his people still loyal to him and his bloodline. 

He took in the towering spires of the castle he called home and turned away, praying for safe passage.

Keefe deeply breathed in the sea air and didn’t look back as soon as the sails were let loose. 

[myfairkatiecat]

Kate Wetherall, Katherine Pulitzer, and your Keefe boy :)

Aaaaaahh yes yes yes these are really good ones ahdkdhsnbdjshssj

Kate Wetherall:

Ok so. The reason I say she works best as a part of a dynamic is because while she’s awesome on her own, she is MOST compelling with the rest of the mysterious Benedict society!!!the four of them together are so special to me

Also I’m a Kate apologist, she’s never done anything wrong and I stand by it :)

(And yeah if you see the way I write Kate you may see me projecting. It might have something to do with me being in sixth grade when I first read the books and going “omg we have the same name!!!”)

Katherine Pulitzer:

Look I relate to this girl SO MUCH you don’t even understand 😭

And the fandom has a tendency to villainize her or make her seem problematic simply for being complex, which… is a problem I’ve been seeing a lot of lately, actually.

I love her SO MUCH. She’s kinda scary but also she’s me

AND FINALLY

Keefe Sencen:

Once again flattered by your interest in hearing me talk abut my interests that you don’t share 🥹

Okay look. I LOVE KEEFE. And I initially colored in “they’ve never done anything wrong” cause I have tendency to be a Keefe apologist, but if I’m being real here he’s definitely done stuff wrong 😭 @phtalogreenpoison has heard me talk about his character in detail and knows EXACTLY what I’m talking about.

Why the tiny scribble on “too much screen time”? Well…….it’s technically true. He does get too much screen time, and for not being the MC, he’s started getting a lot of his POV in Sophie’s story. However, I EAT IT UP cause I’m a pretty standard basic Keefe girlie. So while I understand the side of the fandom that’s beginning to want more of some other characters, and I think that’s soooo valid, I also am totally eating up all the Keefe screen time. SO EXCITED for the Keefe book that’s coming out this fall. I love this boy. So much.

Also would I marry him irl?? uhhhhhhh if Sophie didn’t exist then YES he’s mine. But I’m a girl’s girl and he belongs to Sophie <3 they’re so cute together, too!!

Somebody is gonna come at me for saying he’s deeper than he seems cause we actually get quite a bit of insight into his character depth, but I think even what we do see doesn’t fully cover it. Keefe is more open with his friends than he’s ever been with anyone else… but he definitely has a LOT of defense mechanisms in place, which is why he has that cool-kid-doesn’t-care-doesn’t-work-only-flirts vibe going on in the first book, and the first time we REALLY get slapped in the face with “haha you knew he had a facade but here have a GUT PUNCH” is the quote in the beginning of book three when Sophie suggests they stop by Keefe’s house and he just sorta looks down and says “I…don’t bring friends home.”

Like. We knew his parents sucked. But something about seeing him vulnerable like that. Ahdkfhdjshdjdshs

I think the mischief making and flirting is also a real aspect of his personality, but a lot of the sorta bad-boy-ish reputation he’s got going on at school in the beginning books is a front to cover his ✨issues✨ and I don’t think we even see the full depth of how much the reveal of his mother as a villain and her constant attempts to make him “embrace the change” and have a “legacy” tied to her evil thoughts impact him. We know it’s hard for him and we totally see that, but even in Keefe’s POV he avoids thinking about it, and… honestly it’s up to us fanfic writers to really delve into that angst. Shannon sorta tells us it sucks for him, but doesn’t really show us (not fully, at least) cause Sophie is the main character, not him.

And do I project my issues on him? …maybe a little…his particular brand of the “using humor to cover up my problems” trope hits very close to home for me. I deflect with humor in the exact same flippant way, and just like with Keefe, sometimes it works and sometimes it gets me in trouble with my friends when I need to be serious.

(Yes I want to carry Keefe in a hand a like a tiny dog. Not elaborating.)

Wasn’t sure whether or not to say he gets done dirty by the fans. Historically, this fandom is head over heels in love with him, but right now there’s been a bit of a turn towards combating Fitz hate (another character that often gets pitted against Keefe unjustly bc of shipping discourse) with Keefe hate and saying he’s problematic when he’s really just complex.

So yeah I’m not normal about Keefe at all, if you couldn’t tell.

I managed to talk for a very long time about him

You can tell where the brain bees are buzzing rn can’t you