#Season 1 Spoilers

[themaidenofwords]

Do y'all remember how at the end of season one when Martin and Jon were hiding from the worms and their conversation went along the lines of,

"Why the fuck do you keep acting all skeptical when there's a literal half-dead worm woman outside?"

And Jon sort of breaks a little and says, "Because I’m scared, Martin!. Because when I record these statements it feels… it feels like I’m being watched. I… I lose myself a bit. And then when I come back, it’s like… like if I admit there may be any truth to it, whatever’s watching will… know somehow. The scepticism, feigning ignorance. It just felt safer."

Now, I know I am taking some liberties here, because Jon does explicitly state that the Watcher's presence was the main reason he tried to avoid believing the statements, but I think there's something else to be seen here.

Jon's reaction makes me think of why people are sometimes scared to get a diagnosis (mental or physical). Particularly when it comes to mental diagnoses, there seems to be a general feeling that if you ignore it-- if you can just pretend that the warm breath of something just behind your shoulder isn't real-- then it can't bite you. There's a fear of putting a name to problems as if by naming it and acknowledging it is a problem, you give it the power to hurt you.

I've seen this in people struggling with mental health issues, but more commonly i've seen it in the families of the struggling person. Sometimes it comes from a place of good intentions, but there's a type of gaslighting that occurs when everyone close to you refuses to put a name to the thing you all know is there. If you admit there may be any truth to it, whatever is there will become more real.

"It just felt safer."

"Well... it wasn't"

"No. No, it wasn't."

Am I a professional in mental health? No.

Could I be talking out of my ass? Possibly.

But I believe we should acknowledge the fact that being scared of identifying what may lurk in the dark makes it no less real. Illuminating the harmful problems in your mind or trying to identify the cause of the suspicious pains in your body can only help you understand what needs to be done to help yourself. The face of the creature you uncover may be ugly and terrifying, but if it's illuminated, it can be fought.

Don't let yourself or anyone else make you afraid of putting a name to what you feel. Seek a diagnosis. Research for a self-diagnosis. Talk to friends or a therapist. Find the name of your monster, because ignoring it does nothing but let it draw closer to your door.

[frannyssquare]

Funny things I noticed in my 3rd (probably more like 10th) rewatch in The Show Must Go On, and boyyyy Lucifer with his duckie lookalike has got me rolling and then the picture of Alastor with Vox torn from it is a really cool detail. But also-

You can tell it’s an old photo cause Vox lookin like a Panasonic TV fr 😭

I’d like to think that as the decades progress he upgrades to the latest model. Full head swap type deal

[h-a-unted]

Reacher + Clark Bars

[duckies27]

Just listened to episode 61 of season 1

Ron deserved so much better, I want to kill Willy even more then

[oldcf]

major tohc season 2 spoilers!!!

SO i have a lot of very complicated thoughts and feelings about tohc, which i will hopefully one day combine into a single cohesive binder, but for now: i ramble!

so right off the bat, julian establishes (and will later go on to reinforce the importance of the fact) that he likes to believe that we are there which is already just. so. like ‘you are there. i hope you are there because you being there to listen means what i say is worth listening to.’

and i think it loops back into the way the story works because the big idea is that julian is scared. scared and alone. and the story, as well as us as the audience, is his retrieve. furthermore, the narrative follows his will. it doesn’t have to be cohesive and you can just stop it whenever you need to. and then come back to it (something julian does several times and something we also do in the middle of the story, to go be a person at work or around other people before coming back. it’s like a bit of a loop, a mutualistic relationship even).

and. sure. he only really started telling this specific story for coco but julian’s use of escapism as a coping mechanism has always been there. like, julian’s experience with loneliness, his feeling of being an outlier even in his own narrative? there’s nothing that hits harder than that. being so used to the idea that you just don’t fit that even in your own story, you’re content being the observer, sometimes (most times, in julian’s case) the catalyst for chaos.

julian was ready to live in his head because he was scared of growing up, of people not having a good reason to love him. it’s easier in his head if he already knows what everyone’s going to exactly say. it’s predictable. it’s easy.

but doing the things that scared him like talking to coco and leaving the tower are small monumentous moments that have changed him as a person, and he still gets to live in this world with his narrator and he still gets to tell coco his stories. it’s not either or. it’s just about finding the healthy balance.

but that’s not what got me here in the first place. there’s something very important the story tries to convey, and you’d have to be listening to the show with earplugs on to miss that the end of season 2 is julian learning change is possible. but it’s not just that! and i feel stupid for not thinking about this much before but— julian is proving that it’s never too late to see the world through the eyes of a child.

it’s only really julian’s isolation in the eiffel tower that makes him appreciate the small things in our everyday life so much, but we don’t need to do that; we just sort of need to understand that

it’s never too late to be bewildered that the sun is bright and the grass is green and that soup tastes really really good. it’s never too late to walk the streets knowing no one literally cares you look weird, and it’s not too late to learn to sing for someone out of love.

and so i conclude my essay by stating that irl Julian Koster is definitely my number 1 hero. he had an 8 year old saw child that he told the extensive life story of!!!

[arcturusmsc]

So i’ve become obsessed with Transformers. so it’s time to info dump (Part 1)

Starting with Prime since it was the first show i’ve watched (and so far have only watched season 1, as Netflix only has the 1st seasons of all the shows i’ve watched i’ll just bullet point these: Bulkhead: Absolutely love him, giant metal himbo with a heart of gold, and Miko makes for a FANTASTIC foil to his personality, i love the chemistry he has with Wheeljack Bumblebee: I love the sort of protective big bro energy he has towards Raf... absolutely love the fact he was ready to go absolutely fucking feral at the send of season 1 Optimus: I mean he’s optimus prime hes kind of exactly what i expected but i also kind of wish they gave him a bit more personality beyond: I am the leader of the autobots and follow my orders... Ratchet: This old bucket of bolts is somehow both the voice of reason, and in one episode, absolutely batshit crazy (when he tests the unstable synthetic energon, i love the duality and it makes me wish i could see what Ratchet was genuinely like in his hayday, no synthen required. Arcee: Honestly.... maybe my favorite aside Bulkhead. she’s got baggage but she doesn’t actually let it impact her actions, she’s impulsive, but her heart is always in the right place and honestly i love that for her... I still think she should have absolutely WRECKED Starscream’s shit though. Now for the human characters Miko: Aboslute icon, we have a winner, metal enthusiast, spunky, super aggressive. she makes for a great troublemaker but she shows so much compassion and concern for bulkhead when he almost loses his memory. just... like... honestly iconic Jack: A very solid “protagonist” (im not sure if he’s technically the protagonist in prime? deuteragonist(?) but he pairs really well with Arcee... and honestly... i feel like he should have gotten a bit more screentime in season 1 talking with the other bots. i know they’re all paired for a reason. but Jack seems to just blend in well with all of them Raf: Brains of the human team and we love him for it... i just wish he got more time to shine

[genvgayby]

I’ve been thinking about the end scene of season 1 and keep thinking it’s a dream. For one, everyone in the room is unbothered. In the episodes leading up to this, every character was getting more and more stressed by what they uncovered. So it seems highly unlikely they would all be calm after all that. Most importantly, in The Boys, when supes were held in detention, they were all detained alone. The only time I saw detained supes together was when they were trying to test the transmission rate of the virus in “the woods.”

[lycorogue]

Latest Story: Scott's List Item

Welcome to my foray into the Hailey's On It! fandom.

I thought of this story WAAAAAAY back in November and just kept sleeping on it. Buuuut then the finale aired and I KNEW I had to get this out into the world.

There were definitely some major tweaks that I had to do after getting some new info in the back half of the season. Then, after sorting all of that out, life got away from me and it kept me about a month to write this little story… followed by about 2 weeks of just trying to edit the darn thing.

But! Much like Hailey, I have to learn to give up control sometimes. So. I'm done editing. This story is yours now. I hope you enjoy it.

(also, please excuse the uninspired title. I tapped all of my creativity when I wrote the actual story. 😅)

Summary: When Hailey offers for them to try to cross off one of Scott's list items he knows exactly which one he wants to try. It's one that he's been itching to complete for a little while now. Hailey suspects a plot afoot, however, and her suspicions may implode the whole thing. **WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE SEASON 1 FINALE** Rating: General Audience Word Count: 4,802 Estimated Read Time: 20min Status: completed one-shot Continue reading below, or find this story over on AO3, on FFN, or on DA.

Scott's List Item

Hailey leapt into Scott's arms with a squeal. Her armband beeped and turned green.

"I did it, Scott! I can't believe it! I did it! Me!"

He swung her around to mitigate the momentum of her glomping him; keeping himself on his feet.

"That's great, Hails!" He put her back down, but kept his hands on her waist. "I knew you could."

"Yeah, well, it was mostly because of you," she sheepishly said.

Beta loudly cleared his (non-existent) throat.

"And, of course, Beta as well."

"That's what I thought!" Beta huffed.

"Nah. You would have figured it out even without us. You're kind of amazing like that."

Scott smiled, and Hailey melted at the sight of his dimples.

"No, Scott." Hailey's voice got serious and a bit softer. "I really couldn't have done this alone. Actually, I wouldn't have completed nearly as much of my list if it weren't for you. Thank you. Truly."

Scott awkwardly laughed. It was so rare that Hailey heard Scott laugh when it wasn't fully genuine. She cocked her head to the side and studied him.

"That's just what best friends do," Scott said. "They're there for each other and help each other through challenges. No matter the challenge. Right?"

"Right."

Hailey turned to head home and realized that Scott still had a hand on her waist. She was going to ask him about it, but the moment she shifted he tucked his hand in his pocket.

"So, how should we spend the rest of the day?" Scott was back to his normal chipper and carefree tone. "Another list item?"

"I could calculate-" Beta started.

"No," Hailey interrupted. "I need to recoup after that last one. I want to forget my list for the rest of the day."

"I'll allow it." Beta shrugged, then climbed back into Hailey's backpack.

"Alright. What's the plan then?" Scott asked.

Hailey slung her backpack over her shoulders, and pondered as they walked. "Well, we do have a lot of daylight left. Shall we try another of your list items, Scott?"

"Are you kidding me?" Beta yelled. "What kind of buffoonery do you think we could possibly cross off of his list?"

"We've already crossed the kaiju-battle and sandwich-named-after-him ones off his list. I'm sure we can find another one." Hailey pivoted to face Scott, and saw that he had lagged slightly behind. "Scott? You... okay?"

"Hmm? Oh! Yeah! I'm fine. Why?"

Hailey shook her head. She must have been overthinking again. "No reason. So? Got a list item for us?"

"A list item?" He slowly pulled out his stack of stained napkins, loose paper, and sticky-notes; anything he had on-hand when he had thought of a new item. He regarded them with a reverence Hailey wasn't expecting, and he tenderly stroked the pile with his thumb.

"Scott?"

Beta groaned. "Oh, what is this moron doing now?"

"Can I pick any item, Hailey?"

"Um." Most of Scott's list wasn't very realistic. Then again, Hailey wouldn't have thought that a real-life kaiju battle would have been a complete-able item, and yet, it was the first one they managed to cross off. Between her, Scott, and Beta, Hailey felt like just about anything was possible. "Yeah! Yeah, pick anything you want, and we'll give it our all to make it happen!"

"Speak for yourself," Beta grumbled.

Hailey elbowed him before turning back to Scott. "It's the least I could do to thank you. So. Which item should we try? Cooking pasta in a hot tub? Counting every grain of sand? Playing a game of pickleball with an actual pickle as the ball? Finally figure out the mystery that is a ghost sandwich?"

"Hailey, do you hear yourself?" Beta rolled his eyes and slumped deeper into Hailey's backpack.

"Well." Scott fidgeted with his list, staring a hole into it. "There has been a list item that I've been wanting to do for a while now."

"Great! What is it? Let's. Make. It. Happen!" Hailey slinked up next to Scott to peer at his list. He shifted so she couldn't see.

Looking around them, he shook his head. "Not here." He paused, again staring at his notes. "I know where, though. Come on."

"Oh-kay? Lead the way, then."

Scott was unusually quiet as they hiked through the woods. He kept checking where they were, nodding or shaking his head as they advanced further.

"You... gonna tell me what we're doing?" Hailey ventured after a couple of minutes.

"I will. But it has to be the right spot. Becker told me about this one place Kennedy had taken her. It should be just a little further."

"Do I at least get a hint?"

They quietly walked for another two minutes. Scott never answering Hailey's question.

"Beta?" Hailey whispered, "Does Scott seem like he's acting a little weird to you, too?"

"That dingbat always seems weird to me."

"Yeah, but-"

"But does he seem to not be his usual bumbling self? Yeah."

"What do you think his list item could be?"

"This is it!" Scott shouted ahead of them. "Hailey!" He jogged back to her, a huge grin plastered on his face. "Do you trust me?"

Hailey blinked, instantly disarmed by the absurdity of the question. "Of course I trust you, Scott. You're probably the person I trust the most."

"Great! Then could you close your eyes and let me lead you the rest of the way?"

Hailey looked past Scott. "That path seems kind of rocky. You sure it'll be safe?"

"Yeah! We'll take it slow. Just follow my directions and you'll be fine."

"This isn't some sort of 'blind leading the blind' kind of list item, is it?" Hailey's face scrunched up in worry.

"No!" Scott pulled back with a start. His face was pained, like Hailey had just slapped him. "What is this? I thought you said you trusted me."

"I do," she drew out the words, "but..."

"Hailey Banks. I, Scott Denoga, promise that I will never knowingly allow you to get hurt." He puffed out his chest and gave a scouting salute.

"I can be your eyes if you need, Hailey," Beta offered.

"No." She scanned Scott. He was serious. He was focused. His eyes were pleading. How could she doubt him? "No, I said I trust him, and I do. I'll be safe." She held out her hands and closed her eyes.

Scott took hold of both of her wrists, and gave a slight tug to direct her forward.

"Slowly. There's a rock in front of you," Scott directed. "Step up. Higher. Perfect. Now step forward. Good. The ground slants slightly to your left here. Easy. I got you."

Hailey was amazed at how good Scott was at this. Within seconds she had complete faith in his instructions. She didn't hesitate as he told her what to do and when. She lost track of how far they had walked or for how long her eyes were closed. Scott Denoga had complete control, and Hailey didn't necessarily mind that.

"The ground is going to shift again as we step off of the grass."

Right on cue, Hailey stepped onto loose dirt or sand; she couldn't quite tell which. Her foot lost some traction, but Scott instantly gripped her forearm to keep her from slipping.

"Three more steps like that."

A warm wind whipped at Hailey's ponytail and caressed her face. The smell of salt filled the air more than it did a moment ago. Nothing was blocking the ocean breeze as it blew into the shore.

"Okay." Scott shifted to Hailey's side. His hands kept constant contact with either her arm or shoulder as he rotated around her, as if he was rock climbing on her and needed to ensure he had a grip at all times. "You can open your eyes now."

The Pacific Ocean stretched out before them on the small, tucked-away overlook. The waves crashed soothingly below. The overlook – which was barely even the size of Hailey's bedroom – had been buffed by the salty ocean winds over the centuries, and the surface was a mix of dirt and sand. Soft, but not so bad as to be difficult to walk on once you got your footing. Someone had rolled a log out into the center of the cliff to act as a bench. It was also worn down by the winds; softening the bark. The wood still seemed sturdy enough to sit on, though.

The whole place was like a dream. The only thing that would have made it better was if they were there at sunset.

"Scott! This is gorgeous!"

"I hoped you'd like it."

"I do. But, we're supposed to be doing one of your list items. I don't understand why we're here."

"Is your list item to backflip off that cliff?" Beta jumped out of Hailey's backpack and ran over to the edge. He looked down and then gestured to Scott. "After you."

"Beta!" Hailey scolded.

"No. As cool as that idea is – and maybe I should add that to my list–"

"You most certainly will not!" Hailey interjected.

"–I actually had something else in mind." Scott pulled his list back out of his pocket. Sliding off the paperclip holding it together, he shuffled the top item to the bottom of the pile. He glanced up at Hailey, took a deep breath, then passed her the new page off the top of the stack. His toe dug into the loose dirt, and his ring finger aimlessly riffled through the rest of his list.

"Scott? Are you... nervous?" Hailey mindlessly accepted the paper from him. When he didn't answer - outside of fidgeting more - she glanced down at what he wanted to do.

The rest of Scott's list was sloppy. Rushed writing. A hodgepodge of scrap paper and napkins. Stains. Bent or ripped edges. Crumpled, wrinkled pages. It was literally any writing surface that Scott could scribble on and swipe for his list the instant he had an idea.

This one was different. It was on a pink index card, carefully cut down with straight and even sides so that it would fit easily into his pocket. It was pristine and still as stiff as a fresh card. Not a wrinkle or stain in sight. The list item was also written in the neatest penmanship that Hailey had ever seen Scott produce. This item was clearly important to him. This wasn't something that he came up with on a whim because he thought it would be fun, like he did with the rest of his list. Scott had thought hard about this task and took great pains to include it among so many items that could have been impossible to complete.

Hailey stared at the crisp handwriting. Her eyes welled up slightly. Her lungs stopped working. Her mind went blank.

Kiss Hailey 'Alohilani Banks

"Scott?"

He shrugged and gave her an awkward half-smile. Exactly the same way he did when he was selected to kiss her at her party.

"Scott, what is this?" Her hand shook as she held up the list item for Scott to read.

Beta poked his head around the log to take a look. As soon as he read the card his eyes snapped over to Scott.

Gulping hard, Scott brushed his hair out of his face in an attempt to look more suave. "It's the list item I'd like to do today. If... that's okay."

"I get that, but... why... is it a list item?" Hailey glared at Beta. He defensively shrugged back at her and shook his head.

"Because." Scott scooped up Hailey's free hand, his voice low. "It's something I want to make a point of doing."

Hailey ripped her hand from Scott, slapped the index card against his chest, and pushed past him. She turned to address Beta directly. "Yeah, but why is this list item so important, hmmm?"

"Hailey, I promise I had nothing to do with this!" Beta flailed around in a panic.

"Yeah, why would Beta have anything to do with my list? He hates my list."

"Indeed I do."

"You told him! Didn't you?" Hailey stormed up to Beta. Her face red with rage and embarrassment.

"Told me what?"

Hailey scooped up Beta and shoved him in Scott's face. "My list item!" On cue, Beta showed Scott item number 143: Kiss Scott Denoga.

"Well..." Scott couldn't keep eye contact.

"I knew it!" She roughly put Beta down and stormed to the other side of the log. "Beta was mad that I wouldn't follow through with my list item to save the world, so he told you about it, and you included it on your list. That way crossing off your list item would also cross off mine!"

This was wrong. It was all wrong! This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Hailey was supposed to have this grand gesture to tell Scott how she felt. Then he was going to tell her that he felt the same way, and they would kiss and be together and everything would be magical.

Maybe not centaur magical, but still.

An arbitrary obligation to try to save the world was far from magical. She regretted ever including kissing Scott on her list.

"Scott, I don't want to just kiss you to cross off a list item! I never wanted it to just be 'a thing' and not mean anything! I would have kissed you during that game if that's what I wanted. But... it's not!" Fighting back tears, Hailey plopped down on the log. It really was a cozy bench.

"Hey," Scott cooed. "Hailey, I don't want that either." He cautiously approached her.

She huffed and pivoted to keep her back towards him.

"Hails." Scott looked at the index card with his list item on it. Glancing sheepishly to the side, he tucked the card back into his pocket. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm just... so embarrassed," Hailey admitted. She hugged herself tight and pulled her knees in close.

"Why?"

"Because you know that I wanted to kiss you. For a while now."

"And wanting to kiss me is embarrassing?"

"Definitely."

"Beta!" Hailey hissed.

Beta held up his arms defensively as he made himself scarce.

Hailey huffed disapproval at Beta. She then shifted and stole tentative glances up at Scott. "No. Wanting to kiss you isn't embarrassing. But also, yes? I mean, you're Scott Denoga! My next-door neighbor and best friend since forever! We spend nearly every waking moment together. We like the same things. We don't question each other's crazy ideas (for the most part). You're always there for me. I mean, just look at my list! You're down for anything. You always know how to cheer me up and make me laugh. When I'm spiraling you know how to calm me down and get me to refocus so I can fix the problem. When I can't see a solution you do. I-" Hailey blushed as she turned away from Scott again.

"You?" Scott prompted when Hailey didn't continue.

"I just feel so vulnerable. And exposed and," she paused to find the right word, "scared, I guess?"

"Of me?"

She shook her head. "Of getting my heart broken. As long as you didn't know how I felt you couldn't reject me. You wouldn't give me those big, puppy-dog eyes full of sympathy as you told me we'd always be best friends, but you just didn't see me that way. I could just rationalize that you were with Kristine or Destiny because you didn't know, and that you'd be with me if you did."

"Hails." Scott sighed her name, and Hailey wanted to crumble.

"I know. This is dumb." Hailey's eyes stung and her throat started to close. "Look. You didn't know for years, right? I can hide my feelings again. Nothing needs to change."

Scott sat on the log, leaving precious inches between them. He scooped up Hailey's hand, and waited a moment to see if she'd take it back. When she didn't – she couldn't, despite herself – he tenderly brushed the back of her hand with his thumb. "What if I want things to change?"

Hailey's eyes shot up to meet his. "What?"

"What if I didn't need to know that you like-liked me before I decided that I want to be with you?"

Hailey's heart jumped.

"Wait! Wha-what are you saying, Scott?"

"That I like-like Hailey Banks. Like. A lot."

Hailey felt faint. "You do?"

"Of course! Why do you think I added kissing you to my list?" He chuckled, like she had questioned the most obvious thing in the world.

Hailey glanced towards Beta pouting by a bush. "So, it wasn't because of my-"

"I realized I liked you before I found out about that."

"You did?"

Scott nodded and gave Hailey an awkward lopsided smile. "You're right. Beta showed me after you refused to keep going with your list, but I had already decided that I wanted to be with you earlier that night."

Hailey's eyes went wide and her mouth slacked. "That's why you were out in the rain with the bouquet of flowers?"

Scott nodded again. "I just wasn't having fun at the dance with Destiny. After talking to Kristine, I realized that it was because I wanted to be at the dance with you. I missed you, and I just don't have as much fun if you aren't there."

"So you ran all the way to my house in the rain?"

"Well, if I wasn't going to have fun at the dance without you there, why wouldn't I want to go get you? Besides, I knew I needed to tell you how I felt as soon as possible."

Hailey winced and finally pulled her hand away. "But then I screwed the whole thing up with that dumb Sanjay stunt!"

"Hey, you didn't know."

"I should have figured it out, though! You were drenched and alone on my front porch with a bouquet of flowers and told me you had something important to tell me! How did I not figure it out from that?" Hailey hid her face behind her hands and groaned. "And then you were just there, alone again, on the bleachers. Clearly, things didn't work out with Destiny. Why didn't I just end things with Sanjay then?"

"Because you were happy with Sanjay."

"Yeah, but-"

"Hailey, an attractive guy that you were having fun with asked you out, and you had no clue that I liked you that way. What were you supposed to do? Say no?"

Hailey's eyes narrowed questioningly. "Why are you doing this?"

Scott blinked in confusion. "Doing what?"

Hailey scooted further down the log, away from Scott. "Trying to cheer me up. I-I screwed up and I clearly hurt you. Why are you still trying to comfort me?"

"Because it wasn't your fault. Yeah, it hurt, but you didn't do it on purpose. Like when I went out with Kristine, or went to the dance with Destiny to begin with. I didn't mean to hurt you. And you didn't mean to hurt me with Sanjay. Besides, I'm fine now. I get to sit here and enjoy this view with my best friend." He gestured to the ocean lapping at the shore below them. "No Sanjay or Destiny or Kristine in sight."

Hailey watched Scott for a moment. There truly was no hurt or malice there. He lounged a little on the log, kicking his legs out in front of him, and leaning on his arms behind him. The ocean wind played with his hair, and Hailey felt a twinge of jealousy towards a breeze.

"Scott?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you." Hailey shifted closer to him.

"You've already thanked me tons of times today." Scott lightheartedly laughed.

"I haven't yet for this." Hailey tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thank you for being so patient with me. And, well, for not making a big deal about my feelings for you."

"Hailey," Scott chuckled, "Did you miss the part where I have them too?"

Hailey blushed. "No." She mindlessly played with her nails.

Scott scooched closer so his hip was bumped up against Hailey's. She didn't retreat. She just kept playing with her nails.

"Are we cool then?"

Hailey stole a glance up at him. "You promise your list item isn't just some elaborate plan to get me to cross it off of my list?"

"I promise. I added it because it was something I wanted to do. That's all."

"Yeah, but you knew it was on my list. You didn't need to add it to yours."

"Nuh-uh! Your list item was to kiss me. My list item is to kiss you. They're totally different."

Hailey chuckled. "They really aren't."

Scott leaned in a bit more. "Sure it is. For your list item, I have to wait for you. For mine, I get to make the first move."

Hailey's whole body burned as her face flushed. She bit her lip, unsure what to do. This was the moment she was waiting for. Why was she still so nervous?

"I'm sorry I lied to you. About the whole Sanjay thing. I'm sorry I made him up in the first place. Also, I'm sorry that I hid that list item from you for so long. I just- I wasn't ready to let you know that I liked you that way, and then Kristine saw the list item, and-."

"Hey." Scott placed a hand on Hailey's shoulder. It stilled her instantly. "It's okay. None of that matters."

"It doesn't?"

"No. What matters is that I wake up each morning excited to see you. I want to spend my free time with you. I have so much fun when we're together. Way more than when I'm with anyone else. If I'm somewhere without you, I wonder what you're doing. Or I think about how much you would love doing whatever it is that I'm doing and how much I wish you were there with me."

"Really?"

"Yeah! Hailey, you're my person. I have a blast when we hang out. Plus, you get me like no one else does."

"And you get to do cool things while helping me save the future." Hailey playfully elbowed him in the ribs.

Scott scratched the back of his head nervously. "I mean, yeah, that's cool too, and I can't deny that the list helped me realize my feelings. But it's not because of the things I get to do."

"It's not?"

Scott shook his head. "It's because of how it's transformed you. You're bolder now. More confident. You know how to set boundaries or ask for help. Plus, you're just more open to experiences and people now."

"Really? Have I changed that much?"

"Well, kinda? But also, not really? I mean, you've always been amazing. That's why you're my best friend. You're just... more amazing now. I think you finally see it as much as I always have. And it's been so cool to see you shine."

"Scott." A tear spilled out of Hailey's cloudy eyes. She rested her head on his shoulder, looking up at him through her lashes. "You're kinda awesome too, ya know."

"Yeah," Scott sighed with that playful confidence that he has.

Hailey poked him in the side, making him wince and giggle. "You could be a little humble about it."

"Ugh!" Beta groaned behind them. "Could you two just kiss already? I could make syrup from all this sap!"

The teens nervously laughed before staring at each other. Looking to the other for the first move.

Scott, always fearless, scooped up Hailey's hand in his own. His thumb traced across each of her knuckles as her fingers tightened around his. His other hand slid across her back, wrapping her in an embrace. His eyes closed, and his chin lowered, waiting for her to meet him halfway.

Hailey's heart raced. She and Scott had hugged before. They used to use their fingers to draw doodles on each other's backs when they were younger. Scott had physically supported her by bracing her back, or catching her in his arms. Nothing he was currently doing was objectively a new sensation. That didn't stop the chills and goosebumps from forming wherever Scott's hand touched. Despite Hailey trying to rationalize it to calm her nerves, this was definitely different. This was big. This had a new layer of tenderness and vulnerability that Hailey hadn't experienced before. Not even during her stunt with "Sanjay".

As if they were in a movie, Hailey could practically hear music swelling into a crescendo; driving her towards Scott with newfound courage and calm. Her free hand slid to his knee. She leaned in, and tilted her head back slightly. Instinct clicked on, and Hailey's eyes fluttered shut, trusting her mouth would be drawn towards Scott's like a magnet.

Scott's hand slipped up to cradle her shoulders as Hailey leaned further into him. In kind, Hailey squeezed his other hand and tugged him a little closer.

Then their lips connected. A soft brush at first. Followed by the full velvety, supple, pleasantly moist cushion of each other's lips. Hailey's heart rocketed into her throat. Her skin tingled as a wave of heat flashed over her. The RomCom music climaxed with a plucky guitar riff. This wasn't anything like how she had imagined this moment.

It was somehow better.

Hailey's armband beeped for the second time that day. She had done it. The hardest item on her list. And it was surprisingly easy.

Of course it was. Things were always easy with Scott. Hailey wasn't sure why she ever thought otherwise.

With a bashful giggle, the teens pulled apart from each other.

"About time!" Beta said. The RomCom music abruptly cut out, and Hailey realized it wasn't just in her head.

"Beta! Were you playing mood music?"

Beta heaved an exasperated sigh. "I couldn't let that drag out any further. I had to do something to get you two to finally kiss!"

Both Hailey and Scott blushed.

"Well, that's one more item off my list, too." Scott stood up and pulled the pink index card back out of his pocket.

Hailey grabbed his wrist. "No. Wait." She looked to Beta, who had no clue where she was going with this. "You-your item clearly says 'Kiss Hailey 'Alohilani Banks', but- but I was the one who kissed you just then. Which is why my band went off." Hailey held up her still green armband, and puffed out her chest with a false bravado that she hoped Scott would take at face value. "You still need to initiate the kiss for your list item, if I recall."

Scott tucked the card back into his pocket, and ruffled his hair as he bashfully looked away from Hailey. She didn't realize how adorable he could look when flustered.

"You know what? You're right." Scott pulled Hailey to her feet, purposefully tugging a touch too hard and throwing her off balance. He caught her against his chest. As the teens giggled out their nervous energy, Scott left his arms wrapped around Hailey's waist.

Hailey had no clue what to do with her hands. First, she ran them across his chest, but that felt too weird and intimate and mature and- nope! Around his neck, maybe? She took a step closer to him so she could link her wrists together behind his head. This still didn't quite feel right.

Eventually, she settled on running one hand through Scott's fluffy hair, and the other tugged at his shirt by his waist. She hoped her indecisiveness didn't ruin the mood. She meekly looked up at Scott, and caught him with the softest smile she had ever seen.

It was Hailey's turn to angle her chin and wait. With her eyes closed, unsure of when Scott would lean in for his kiss, the seconds were unbearably long. She gathered more of his shirt into her hand, subtly pulling him closer.

Scott cupped the side of Hailey's face, his thumb lovingly stroking her cheek. He tilted Hailey's head a millimeter more as he gently pressed his lips against hers.

There were just as many fireworks as their first kiss. Hailey's grip on both Scott's shirt and hair tightened. She didn't want this moment to end. The only reason she could think of for breaking their kiss was so she could joyfully Kristine-squeal about this finally happening.

Scott Denoga liked her. He actually liked her. Like-liked her!

She now understood how she could manage to reverse climate change. With Scott by her side, nothing felt impossible anymore. Knowing that he'd be there to pick her up whenever she fell erased her fears of trying new things.

Especially when new things felt as amazing as this.

[chaneajoyyy]

Lemme see more mystery on episode 2 of FROM

[questioningespecialy]

To Your Eternity ep18

forgot how much this series emotionally fucked me up 😭 thought i was ready to make way back to season 2, but naw son this too much right now

[misty-caligula]

Season 1 rewatch continues:

It is amazing to me how consistently people underestimate Misty. They treat her like she’s half a person, a force of nature to be contained and also as if she’s stupid and ineffective. As if she’s not a terrifyingly competent person, capable of achieving almost anything she puts her mind to. As if she’s not profoundly loyal and on board for anything. As if she’s not always always ALWAYS watching.

Underestimating her when she was just a hanger-on to the soccer team was understandable. Underestimating her when they thought she was just a weird kid with a crush on the teacher was understandable. Underestimating her as an adult with everything that’s happened, everything they’ve DONE, seen her do... is just stupid.

I get that it’s like, a core character trait of hers that she flies under the radar. But Tai should’ve known better than to send Jessica after her, she should’ve seen it coming. Misty is who she is and does what she does, and knowing what she knows, it’s honestly Tai’s fault that Jessica died, she created a threatening force and sent it directly at the most dangerous person she knows.

[theoculus124]

SEASON 2 SPOILERS (YOUNG ROYALS) SKIP THIS POST IF U DON'T WANT ANY

Btw this is all my opinion, please don't hate me

One thing that made me really sad is the breakdown of Sara and Simon's relationship, like how heartbroken he was when he found out that Sara knew August posted the video and told him that Simon was going to the police about it, that scene made me cry because I loved their relationship the way Simon called his sister beautiful and reassured her that he loves her personality and the way he was protective over her, and u can see how much it broke him that sara did that too him and I literally just wanted to hug him so bad aaa.. Icl I did love Sara's character in the beginning but I fell out of love with her mainly cause I can understand accidentally loving someone u shouldn't but then going ahead and pursuing that and snitching on your brother and the way that when Simon went to school the day after the video was leaked Sara said "it's just school" and idk, I felt like that rubbed me the wrong way cause she also said that Simon was ruining his own life almost blaming him for the video being leaked when it was the fault of August for filming and posting it. Yh I get she feels bad now and wants to report it to the police but I know that's gonna cause more problems and good lord as cringey and cheesy as it sounds I want season 3 to be one where Wilhem and Simon can be happy together butttt I don't know (tbf it is the last season I think so maybe I hope I really can't afford more tears)

But yh I'm really sad I can't like Sara, I remember at the beginning I compared her to Torii but I take that back there's no way Torii would do that to her bro and I also understand doing dumb shit to fit in (as a fellow autistic I've said dumb shit just to feel like I can fit it) But like, I think what frustrates me the most is that when Sara got really mad at Simon for going to their dad's house behind her back she didn't realise he did that so that she can be with people and socialise and did what it took to make his sister happy, I feel like if it weren't for that he wouldn't have done it otherwise and so it just feels unjustified what Sara did to Simon.

[frannyssquare]

Idk if this has been done yet but this scene frame by frame has me HOLLERING😭 the look of utter terror on Charlie’s face lmao she been spending too much time with Alastor ong

[h-a-unted]

Reacher + Lee Child (author and creator of Jack Reacher) in S1E8: Pie.

[mysdrymmumbles]

Why did Leonard burst into flames?

[edgy-senju]

Episode 8 was so fun!

Also angel Pentious would absolutely complain that he misses his Eggs at least 10 times a day.

[Commissions open!]