#Take the monster AWAY from neil immediately

[notacluedo]

my @aftgsecretsnowflake for @szecretary sorry it’s not very Christmassy 😔

[ihni]

The sound of the doorbell is what wakes him. The morning sun is shining in through the window, hitting the messy curls on the pillow next to him and making them shine like gold. The sight makes him smile, and his first instinct is to reach over and brush the curls away from his boyfriend’s face. There’s nothing better than getting to watch him wake up, after all; watch those blue eyes flutter open and squint against the light.

The doorbell rings again before he can act on his urge, though. It is followed by loud knocking, which rouses the body next to Steve; unfortunately in a less peaceful way than Steve had imagined. Billy’s eyes shoot open and he tenses as he immediately takes in where he is, and with who. Wide, blue eyes meet Steve’s.

“Shit!” he says and is halfway out of bed before Steve can even react, pulling a shirt – Steve’s, not that it matters – over his head. “It’s Neil!”

Steve has just opened his mouth to protest, say that it’s not – it can’t be, Neil doesn’t know about them – when there’s a knock again, and an angry man’s voice drifts up from outside.

And it is indeed Neil’s voice.

Shit.

Steve jumps out of bed too and nabs for the other shirt that’s been discarded on the floor – but no, no, he can’t show up at the door wearing Billy’s shirt, he can’t, so he drops it again before hurrying to his closet. He pulls on an old T-shirt, and then whirls around and grabs Billy’s face between his hands. Billy’s face, which has gone ashen with fear.

“Stay here,” Steve says. “I’ll get rid of him. It’ll be okay.”

He turns and walks out of the room, squaring his shoulders as he goes. In his periphery, he sees Heather’s head peek out of the guest room that she and Robin stumbled into late last night while blushing and giggling, but he ignores her as he makes his way to the stairs.

The knocking and shouting continues, sending equal measures of anger and fear down Steve’s spine. How did the man know to come here? Billy said he’d told him that he was going to a party last night; said that he wasn’t even given a curfew. The man would have had no reason to suspect that the party was in fact a very private affair at Steve’s place, with just him and Billy and Robin and Heather – a safe place, as all of them knew about each other’s preferences by now – and definitely would have had no reason to show up on Steve’s doorstep this early in the morning. As far as Steve knows, Billy’s dad doesn’t even know Steve by name, and shouldn’t know where he lives.

He’s halfway down the stairs when a hand grasps his arm.

“Don’t,” Billy says, voice shaking. Steve turns – he’s standing a step below Billy, so he has to look up to face him – and sees that Billy’s shaking his head. “Don’t open the door.”

He’s scared, Steve realizes. Really scared.

From outside the door, they can now make out Neil’s angry words between the bouts of knocking. “I know he’s in there! Open the door. William!”

Billy is just standing there, still holding on to Steve’s arm. His eyes are big and pleading. He’s obviously terrified, and it feels so wrong. No one who has fought monsters with the same fervor as Billy should ever have to be scared of a mere human.

A calm settles over Steve, followed by resolve. He gently extricates himself from Billy’s grip – ignoring the way Billy trembles – and says, “Don’t worry. I won’t let him hurt you again.”

He continues down the stairs, but Billy shoulders past him and blocks his way. Puts both hands on Steve’s chest and pushes. “I don’t care if he hurts me,” he hisses. “But he’s dangerous.” The man yells some threats from the other side of the door and knocks again. Rattles the door handle for emphasis, this time. Billy flinches and looks over his shoulder before continuing, “I don’t want him to hurt you.”

“He’s not going to hurt me,” Steve says. He doesn’t know that for sure, but he can’t imagine it. This is his house, or, well, his parents’. Neil is the one who’s trespassing. And Steve knows the Chief of Police.

He walks past his boyfriend and crosses the hall. A hand lands on his shoulder again. Not forcing him to stop or trying to hold him back; just there. Imploring.

“Please,” Billy begs, and it pierces Steve’s heart like a knife because Billy doesn’t beg.

Billy, acting like this, is not right. The man on the other side of the door has brought Billy too much pain already. This has to end. And that end starts now. By getting rid of the immediate threat.

They’ll figure out the rest later.

Steve walks on. Stops in front of the door and only then realizes that Billy’s standing there with him, still with a hand on his shoulder. He’s watching Steve with big, wet eyes and shaking his head silently. Don’t do this, he doesn’t say out loud. Please, just ignore him.

But Steve can’t. Not this time. Not when the man is ranting on his doorstep on a Saturday morning, threatening to break in. Not when Billy’s standing here next to Steve, shaking with terror.

Billy is not getting hurt by that man in Steve’s house. If Neil tries to set one foot inside, Steve will kill him.

Steve reaches for the door, and with his other hand, he pushes Billy up against the wall just inside the door. Close enough to touch, but out of sight of his irate father. He can feel Billy’s heart beat frantically under his hand, and silently vows that this is the last time. This is the last time Billy is afraid.

He breathes in deeply and takes a second to slip into spoiled rich-boy mode. Then he opens the door.

“What?” he drawls, unimpressed. He gives the man outside a contemptuous look. The man draws himself up to say something, but Steve doesn’t let him speak. “Do you know what time it is? It’s Saturday, man. Some people are trying to sleep.”

Neil Hargrove is proper; not a hair out of place. It’s the first thing Steve thinks as he sees him up close – he has seen the man from a distance at times and listened in on the occasional phone call between him and Billy, but Billy has never let Steve even get close to the house on Cherry Lane when he knows that his dad is home.

The man is of average build and doesn’t look particularly dangerous from an outsider’s point of view, but there’s something cold in his eyes that sends shivers of fear down Steve’s spine when he’s pinned under Neil’s gaze. He doesn’t let his discomfort show, though; just lets the man take in Steve’s appearance fully – his messy hair, the way he’s just wearing a shirt and underwear, and how he’s obviously just got out of bed – and waits for him to speak.

“I know he’s here,” Neil growls – actually growls, like an animal. Steve sees movement out of the corner of his eye but doesn’t dare glance to where Billy’s huddling up against the wall. Instead he leans against the side of the door, placing himself more firmly between Billy and his dad.

He has seen the bruises on Billy’s skin and he has hated that he has to let Billy go back to that house time and again, but this is the first time he truly sees what Billy faces at home. He thinks, idly, that he won’t be able to let Billy go back there again.

“What are you talking about?” he asks, and tries to make it sound as if he thinks the man isn’t all there in the head. By the way Neil’s face turns darker, he succeeds.

“My son, William. I know he’s here.”

“William,” Steve deadpans, as if it’s a word he has never uttered before. He raises one eyebrow. “Look, there’s no William here, man. You’ve got the wrong address. Go yell at someone else’s door. Or don’t, I don’t care. Just go away.”

He starts to close the door, but Neil’s hand shoots out and stops him. He doesn’t move to go inside, but he’s holding the door without letting it close, and staring at Steve with narrowed eyes. A challenge. A threat.

“I’m not leaving without my son.”

So that’s how it’s going to be, huh?

Steve draws himself up and narrows his own eyes as he stares back. He manages to dial back on the disgust, but some of it must shine through because he can feel himself sneering. “Who are you again?” he asks. Flippantly.

“My name is Neil Hargrove,” Neil says, pronouncing every syllable with obvious annoyance. Good. “And my son, William –“

“You mean Billy?” Steve says, letting surprise color his voice. “You’re Billy’s dad?” He doesn’t let the man answer, instead he lets out an incredulous laugh. “You think Billy is here?”

“His car is parked down the road,” Neil seethes, and oh. “You’re on the basketball team with him. And I know what he’s like. He’s a dirty little faggot who –“

Steve lets his face shut down. Slips on the mask that he has seen on his parent’s faces on many occasions during boring parties and work functions. The ‘do you know who I am’ persona. His voice is ice cold when he speaks.

“I’m not sure what you are insinuating, Mr. Hargrove, but if I were you, I’d stop talking.” Something like uncertainty flickers in Neil’s eyes. Steve drinks it in. “I don’t know if you know my parents –“ He nods to the brass plaque next to the door with ‘Harrington’ etched into it ���– but I’m sure they won’t be too impressed when they hear that some lunatic showed up at their door on a Saturday morning, accusing their only son of being …” He holds Neil’s eye. Can’t – won’t – say the word the man used, not with Billy behind the door. “… a deviant.”

Disgust is dripping from his voice – disgust over this sorry excuse for a human, disgust over the fact that he has to deal with this at all – but that lends him credibility in this particular instance. He sounds just like an offended rich boy. An offended rich boy with influence.

As if on cue – which it most likely is, since Steve suspects that the girls have been listening in for some time now – there are soft steps behind him on the stairs, and Robin’s voice drifts out from behind him, “Steve? What’s going on?”

He lets the door open just a little bit wider under the guise of turning around, allowing Neil Hargrove to see Robin. Robin, whose hair is also sleep-mussed, and who is wearing an oversized button-up shirt. It’s not Steve’s – she must have taken it from his dad’s closet – but Neil doesn’t know that. She paints a perfect picture of a confused girlfriend who just woke up to the sounds of yelling, and Steve is so grateful that he’s friends with her.

“Nothing, baby,” he says, softening his voice. “Go back to bed.”

Robin hesitates with one more look at Neil. Licks her lips, as if she’s worried. “Should I … call someone? The police, or …?”

Perfect. Thank you for the assist, Robin.

“No, there’s no need to bother Jim this early in the morning,” Steve says, making sure to use Hopper’s first name, and turns back to face Neil. Neil, whose face has paled. Who has possibly started to realize that he may have messed up. Steve gives him a stiff smile and lets his voice go cold again as he continues, “Mr. Hargrove here was just leaving. Isn’t that right, Mr. Hargrove?”

Too proud or too angry to say it out loud, the man just gives a jerky nod and steps back. Steve will take it, as long as he leaves.

Starting to close the door again, Steve sneaks one glance at Billy’s pale face an arms-length away, and adds, in a sudden bout of inspiration.

“Oh, and if you’re looking for Billy in Loch Nora –“ He gives Neil, who’s half-turned to leave, a slow once-over, showing just enough disdain to make it clear that someone like Neil Hargrove doesn’t belong in this part of town, “– then I suggest you try the Holloways next. I think I saw him with their daughter Heather at the party last night.” He gives a sardonic little smile at the way Neil Hargrove’s face shutters. Everyone’s heard of the Holloways, just as everyone’s heard of the Harringtons. “I’m sure Tom and Janet will appreciate being disturbed on a Saturday morning just as much as I have. Who knows, it might get you a mention in the Post.”

With that, he shuts the door in Neil Hargrove’s face and locks it, and turns to his wide-eyed boyfriend. Who hasn’t moved from his space behind the door.

He ignores both Robin running out into the kitchen on silent feet – probably to make sure that Neil Hargrove actually leaves – and Heather coming downstairs, in favor of putting his hands on the sides of Billy’s face and lean in so their foreheads are touching. Billy is shivering and his breaths are uneven, but he reaches up and grabs at Steve’s wrist and the back of his head with something akin to desperation.

“I can’t believe you,” he whispers. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy about you,” Steve says, and is rewarded with a shaky little laugh.

“Shit,” Billy breathes. “I was so scared, Steve. I thought he was gonna –”

“But he didn’t.”

They stand there for a little while, just looking at each other. Holding each other and breathing each other’s air. Gradually, Billy’s tremors subside. His heart rate slows.

Eventually, Robin comes back into the hall and announces, “He’s gone. Got in his car and left.” She adds, pointedly, “Didn’t look like he was heading for the Holloways’, either.”

Steve looks at her and then drifts his eyes over to Heather, who’s sitting on the second to last step on the stairs, looking at them with one eyebrow raised. He winces. “Yeah … uh, sorry about that, I guess. I should have asked first.”

“You should,” Heather agrees. “But you didn’t, which means that you owe me one.” She looks between Steve and Billy and says, “I would have agreed if you’d asked, but you know. You still owe me.”

Steve laughs. Heather turns to Billy and points one well-manicured finger at him. “So I guess we’re dating now, you and I. I hope you know that I expect to be wooed.”

After Billy gives her a little salute, she nods and turns to Robin. Smiles lewdly as she takes in her appearance in the oversized shirt. “You look good in that,” she says, biting her lip. “Let’s see what other fun clothes we can find in that closet.”

The girls disappear up the stairs, giggling. Steve has a suspicion that his parents’ closet are going to be in complete disarray soon, but can’t bring himself to care. It’s a small price to pay.

“Do you want to go back to bed, too?” Steve asks, and belatedly realizes what it sounds like. “To sleep some more, I mean!” he adds. Because a Neil Hargrove scare first thing in the morning is probably not exactly a turn-on. “Or do you want breakfast? I can make breakfast. We have –“

“I want to go back to bed,” Billy says, thankfully cutting off the rambling.

“Okay,” Steve says and reaches out for his hand. When Billy’s hand slots into his, is it perfectly steady. No more tremors. “Okay, let’s do that.”

But Billy shakes his head. “I don’t wanna sleep, though.”

“… no?”

Billy’s looking at him through his lashes – his ridiculously long lashes, which he knows is Steve’s Kryptonite – and gives a small smile.

“Not gonna lie, babe. That was a terrifying experience. But …” He takes a step closer, brushes the lightest of kisses against Steve’s lip before leaning in and whispering in his ear, “… the way you shut him down like that, that was the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Then he abruptly turns and sashays away, but not before giving Steve’s butt a quick squeeze as he passes.

He stops at the bottom of the stairs with one hand on the bannister, and looks over his shoulder all seductively. “You coming?”

Oh, Steve is coming, all right.

He chases Billy up the stairs. (And this time, when he catches him, he’ll hold onto him and never let him go back to that house again.)

[thespineoftherighteous]

more more bloopers (p. 3)

it's a huge group scene of both the Foxes and the Ravens and Nicky's actor says something to crack everyone up and Riko's actor puts the back of his hand up to his mouth to cover his chuckle and it's the most out of character thing ever

Matt's actor is supposed to glance up at someone coming into the room but makes direct eye contact with the camera

Dan's actress trips on this one line so many times to the point where she throws up her hands and goes "just recast me"

remember that Andrew's actor has to smile manically for a huge chunk of the show. so there are sooo many times when- especially in like very tense/aggressive situations- he turns to someone with this massive dead grin on his face while dropping the most intimidating lines. if you think there aren't SO many bloopers of the others breaking because of that...

Neil's actor is doing a scene in a classroom where he's supposed to be zoned out staring out the window and you can see the shift in his face when he goes from acting zoned out to actually intently staring out the window. and he squints outside for a good second and then whispers: there's a pigeon fighting a dog out there.

Andrew and Kevin are supposed to be in a heated conversation in which Andrew uses Kevin's full name. but Andrew's actor accidentally says "Kevin DAD" instead and cracks everyone up

then from somewhere in the background one of the others goes "more like Kevin DADDY" and everyone groans and Kevin's actor goes "hush up now"

Andrew's actor has his exy racquet slung over his shoulder (as per Andrew) and in the scene he turns away from someone after a conversation but in one take he accidentally smacks his brother in the face with the racquet

one of the monsters commenting on how squished the four of them are on the couch and the other three collectively push against him together to make him as uncomfortable as possible

Seth's actor has to swear a lot and after one particularly profanity-laden line, Nicky's actor raises his eyebrows and looks down, shaking his head, and goes "naughty naughty boy"

it's a group scene and it's all serious and shit but then Reene's and Dan's actors happen to look up at the exact same time and make eye contact but because it's so unexpected and their faces are all furrowed they immediately break (and then pointedly avoid eye contact for the rest of the takes)

the camera's rolling but they're just fooling around and Matt's actor (who can beatbox) and Neil's actor (who can't rap but does so anyway) put on a little performance and wrap it up with a "much love *finger hearts* album dropping next month checkity check it" (Renee's actress applauds)

and from then on it's a (very serious) running gag for the rest of the show that the two of them are a hip-hop duo. the entire cast plugs them in interviews and on their social medias and on set etc etc

just. Andrew's actor pretending to stab everyone all the time (he admits at one point that he very frequently is threatened with having his prop knives confiscated)

it's a scene where Neil's actor jogs over to join Andrew but on his way he trips. badly. properly eats shit. but it's fine, he just pops back up very professional and makes it to his mark. neither actor cracks up but then they're also? not saying their lines? their faces are straight but you can tell that they're putting their entire energy into not laughing and it's pure silence for like ten seconds and then both them and everyone behind the camera start dying. Andrew's actor is in tears

Katelyn's and Aaron's actors are making out and her hair gets in his face so when he tries to say something he starts plucking at his mouth and he's like "hair" and she's like "oh shit sorry sorry" and then they're both trying to help him and he's like "don't worry about it. tastes like strawberries"

Allison's actress pretending to give the camera a tour of the girls' apartment but it's in character so she's just lightly roasting Dan and Renee

also. it's not a blooper but a few of the actors giving a tour of the photos wall (most of which is real pictures of the cast) and they end up getting lost in the memories and forget to actually address the camera. it turns into them just pulling each other and other members of the cast around going "look look do you remember this day" and wow that's cute as shit

coach's actor is in a scene with the monsters but he forgets which twin he's supposed to address so after he says most of his line he stops abruptly because he doesn't know which name to finish his sentence with and there's a pause until Aaron's actor goes "...Aaron..." and Coach's actor goes "YEAH. Aaron"

Dan's and Neil's actors just finished having a heart to heart and the scene is supposed to end with her giving him a small reassuring smile while he looks conflicted but appreciative. except there's no "cut" so they're looking at each other for a good minute until they both slowly look over to the camera in sync with their eyebrows raised and start giggling

the twins' actors are Canadian and regularly make fun of each other when they accidentally put an "eh?" at the end of their lines

Matt's actor is always moving or dancing and there's. plenty of footage of him going from serious to goofily breaking out into a dance the second someone calls cut

(the edits.)

it's a running gag that Dan's and Nicky's actors are cursed so that when they have scenes together props break. pictures fall off the walls, racquets fall apart, buttons pop off costumes etc etc

it's a scene where the monsters are having a conversation outside, right next to the car because they're about to leave somewhere. and after they've shot the conversation Aaron's actor jokingly goes "SHOTGUN" and proceeds to scuffle with Neil's actor in the parking lot over the seat

a scene of Neil's actor doing homework in the dorm but the notebook he's "using" has been around for months and has acquired scribbles and doodles and shit from the whole cast. after they call cut he holds up the notebook to the camera to show all the nonsense and, in his normal accent, says "can you believe this kid. what a slacker" which becomes a meme

Allison's actress powerwalks into a scene but once she gets to her mark she completely forgets to say her line and then goes "oh- shit. i was so focused on not tripping in these fucking heels. forgot to talk" as she goes back to redo the take

Renee's actress is Australian and there's this one blooper where she's sparring with Andrew's actor and he accidentally trips over her foot. she plays it off like it was intentional and goes "yeah bitch. Aussie power"

Andrew's actor leaning on his racquet and then his brother kicks it out so that he falls completely

they're shooting outside and a truck passing by in the background honks its horn, ruining the take, and Dan's actress turns in it's direction and goes "do you WANT TO FIGHT? HOLD ME BACK, [Matt's actor], HOLD ME"

God bless

[jeanmoreausautismstickers]

tsc spoilers to share the brainrot but just a few small moments for you that are just sitting in my head that I NEED to talk to someone about

- jeans promise to Kevin

- Jean hurting Jeremy during practice “Away, Jean. You’re hurting me.”

- “Now I am not safe with you, Captain” because jer asked about Riko

- jer calling Kevin and asking if Riko broke his hand

- just fucking RIKO oh man we knew he was bad but lordy lordy lord he’s a monster

What do you think of it? How do you feel about Jean? Or Jeremy?

I need you to know that all of things you've noted made me cry. okay anyway

tsc spoilers under the cut xx

Jean's promise to Kevin? I fucking threw up brother. like it just. that whole scene and all the complicated feelings has about Kevin (and Neil) but he's still not breaking Kevin's promise. he still makes promises with Neil. like just that small, almost childish hope in him. he doesn't hate Kevin nearly as much as he wants to say he does now that he's gone and I'm so obsessed with it

oh the "Away, Jean" scenes broke my heart because I have a feeling Nora might use Jeremy saying Jean hurt him in the future. be it Jeremy finally Losing It about something and snapping (unlikely) or Jean using it as an excuse as to why he shouldn't look at Jeremy (very likely). they both break my whole heart with this scene, but I loved watching (well reading) Jean grow as a player and as a person, and start to understand that he can change his little habits. it'll just take time and watching his coaches and captain give him the grace he needs for that learning curve has me nawing on the bars of my enclosure

on top of that, Jean telling Jeremy he didn't feel safe? gagged. the fact that Jeremy, despite KNOWING it was a bad choice, stepped away and respected Jean's (slightly self-destructive) boundaries? screaming and yelling and crying my eyes out. that scene hurt me in so many ways, but the biggest one is the fact that Jean knew Jeremy would respect him if he said it. I mean it was like a punch in the throat, but it created a lot of trust between them based on Jean's boundaries and I cannot be normal about it

I'm not gonna lie, I giggled a bit at Jeremy's absolute rudeness on that phone call. like it was definitely heartbreaking and I want to give Kevin a hug. and Jean. and Neil. but the gall to call someone and immediately ask for their traumatic backstory is crazy. anyway, that scene was sad but other than giggling a bit at Jeremy's word choices, it didn't evoke a ton of emotion in me? i already knew about Kevin's had from TFC-TKM so it didn't surprise me, but I did feel terrible for Jeremy and how he found out. he will be making GOOD use of his therapist in the future I just know it

I HATE RIKO. OH MY GOD. the whole book everytime I say his, or Grayson, or Zane's name I had to say a quick prayer for the murderous thoughts running through my head. I hate him I need to hurt him even though he's already dead

i loved this book so much. once the mental illness about it dies down and I can think of it without my heart crumbling I'm going to reread it. I loved all the characters (minus all of the Ravens of course) and I cannot wait for tsc2 to come out. I'm sooo excited and I hope we get a bit more on Jeremy's family and how he thinks he ruined it. it was such a beautiful book and it makes me so sick to my stomach (in a good way) and I love it like my firstborn

I loved loved loved Jean and Jeremy, both separately and together. the parallels of Jean's family giving him up as a child but Jeremy's family not letting him leave even though he's an adult? Nora is fucking insane and i love her for it. her brain is just so good. I hope they get more of Jean accepting he has a family with Cat and Laila and Jeremy. I hope he starts referring to the house they share as HIS house, instead of calling it Laila's. I know he already called it home but I need him to take personal possession of things other than his notebooks. he and Jeremy deserve the whole world and I trust Nora whole heartedly to give them that after she torments us first ♡♡♡

[moonydustx]

can you do an imagine where reader and pedro bring there newborn to the last of us set to meet everyone

Hey! First of all, from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for the delay. Life has been tough, but I'm getting back to writing now. I hope you like it and if you have more requests, I'll do my best to answer them. I adapted the idea a little, hope you don't mind.

masterlist | requests here

Fears and Monsters

Pairing: Pedro Pascal x F!Reader

Warnings: You are the parents of a baby, mentions of the clickers, no spoilers for the series.

With a visit to The Last of Us set, you find out a little more about your daughter's fears.

Translations: Amor - Love / Princesa - Princess

No beta and english is not my native language, so please be nice!

Aurora's little legs were bouncing restlessly as soon as you got her out of the safety seat, if she could talk she would surely be thanking the heavens, a short four hour drive seemed like an eternity for a five month old baby.

The weekend was too boring, Pedro had spliced ​​some footage, which made him not see you for a little more than a week. You had talked to Neil, asking for a little time to visit the set and as he already knew who would be your companion, he accepted immediately.

"No way!" Bella's voice, still dressed as Ellie, echoed before you could actually see they. "I can't believe you two came."

"Just a quick visit, we couldn't stay home any longer." you replied, already handing little Aurora into Bella's arms, who seemed to be more anxious than the baby.

"And you... You've grown!" your daughter's laugh when she was squeezed by Bella made you laugh together, your presence already attracted some looks. "Are we going to find your old man?"

"Please." you asked, following the path. "How has the reshoots been?"

"Very calm. Well, they are simpler scenes, in Jackson, there is very little left to finish."

"This is great, I heard you saw a giraffe these days."

"My God! You should have seen it, she was so beautiful and calm, I swore their necks weren't even that huge."

"Pedro was also impressed, I needed to hear about it for a few days." even though Bella held Aurora tight, you kept a close eye. "I confess that maybe I got a little jealous."

A few meters walked and you were already entering Jackson's set. Most of the things there were practical effects, the little wooden houses, the horses in the stable. A handsome man in a shabby plaid flannel with disheveled hair. You could swear that the environment became even brighter when you saw him smile in your direction.

"My girls!" he came towards you, giving you a hug that took your feet off the ground. You could feel him bury his face in your neck and smell your perfume. "I missed you, amor."

"We miss you too." you replied as soon as he released you. It only took seconds for him to take Aurora from Bella's arms and shower her with kisses, barely pausing to breathe. Aurora was in that adorable phase where every gesture was a reason to laugh.

"You look so beautiful, my sweetheart." Pedro had entered a universe of his own, lost in love with his own daughter. "What do you think about taking a walk with Dad?"

"And then he says he's not a silly daddy." Bella commented to you, who immediately agreed, but it didn't go unnoticed by him.

"I'm not. She's just too cute." you could have sworn Pedro would melt right there when he saw the little girl put her little hands under his cheeks. "See? She agrees with me."

"This time we let it go." you replied, still with a silly smile watching the two. "So, shall we go for a walk?"

"Sure. Let's go see Jack!" Pedro reached out one of his hands, taking yours and giving it a quick kiss.

You and Bella followed him, laughing at all his excitement. Jack, whoever he was, seemed miles away, as Pedro made a point of stopping and saying hello with Aurora to everyone along the way.

When you get close to one of the stables in the scenario, you finally understand that it was Jack. A completely brown and beautiful horse that was there. Bella went ahead and called him, Jack with meek steps placed himself at the edge of the fence.

"Look princesa, a horse. Just like in that book daddy showed you." Pedro approached and you can see Aurora's face close. Foreseeing what would happen, you moved even closer to the horse. "Don't be afraid, my love, it's just a pet."

"Look at Mommy." you got her attention by petting Jack. He promptly licked your face, making you laugh. "See? Want to try?"

Pedro barely took her little hand and it was enough for Aurora to show the power of her lungs. The cry echoed throughout the set, making Pedro immediately move to the opposite side of the horse.

You even thought about going to him and trying to help calm her down, but you were no match for Pedro, who managed to calm her down just by talking to her. Since the little girl was born, he had taken that role for himself.

"Okay, someone really doesn't like horses." Bella spoke, petting Jack. "Maybe she likes Olivier."

"Who is Olivier?" you walked towards Pedro and Aurora's cry was no longer heard.

"10 bucks she won't cry with Olivier." Bella arrived announcing, attracting Pedro's worried look.

"20 bucks for you not to make that up." he replied, with the little girl lying on his shoulder.

"30 bucks to see him from afar."

"What do you think amor?" Pedro turned to you, who shrugged.

"I have no idea who it is."

"You promised that when she came we would show her." Bella interrupted, thrilled to see Pedro relent.

You made your way back to the inner area of ​​the set and it didn't take long for you to understand what it was all about.

"You are not going to show my daughter a zombie." you made a move to pick her up, but the little one remained firm in her father's arms.

"Only from afar." Pedro warned, turning his daughter to face Olivier. "I promise if I see her threaten to cry, we're out of here."

"Aurora, look over there." Bella tried to get her attention, she seemed to understand exactly what they were saying.

Aurora glanced in Olivier's direction and then at her own father, babbling something. The little eyes, still red from crying, no longer had any tears. Again she turned to the man who was made up and pointed her little hand, trying to reach.

"I think... Hold on a second." Pedro took a few more steps towards Olivier.

At that point, everyone around was already paying attention to the girl's reaction, who still looked curious. A few more steps and you were around Olivier, who, despite his hideous make-up, was looking curiously at the girl.

"She's definitely not afraid of him." Neil, who accompanied the recording, said in surprise.

Aurora cooed excitedly and stretched out both small hands towards the man who was dressed as a clicker. He lowered himself to her height and she started to play with him, trapping her little hands on the ends of the makeup she had made.

"No way!" Bella mumbled as disbelieved as the two of you.

"She hates horses…" you started, still baffled by her toothless smile.

"And she loves Olivier" Pedro's voice was as surprised as yours.

"Unbelievable!" Neil placed himself between the two, asking permission to take Aurora in his arms, which, as he was even closer to Olivier, he accepted immediately. "Hi Miss Pascal. Do you want to play with the clicker? Oh dear, Uncle Neil will get you a job next season."

"Unbelievable." Pedro muttered, still disbelieved. "Did you see? My little girl isn't afraid of zombies."

"That she certainly didn't get from me." You watched Neil distract Aurora with the rest of the staff dressed up as infected.

"My fearsome." Pedro caressed your chin, stealing a quick peck from your lips. "You made my day, coming here, bringing our girl."

"Too bad we're already going home." You said, just to tease him, but you saw his smile disappear immediately. "By home, I mean room 42 of a certain hotel near here."

It took a few seconds for him to understand, which drew a sincere laugh from you.

"Are you staying all week?"

"Yes, my love, we couldn't take the longing anymore." he didn't hesitate to hold you in a hug, distributing several kisses, just like he did when he saw Aurora.

"Well, then I guess Aurora would love to meet all the other Olivier's in the series."

[squeezysreservoirofcookies]

random athf hcs

i know characters dying but reviving next ep/no continuity is the norm, but when it comes to steve, it would not surprise me if dr. weird had a large collection of steve clones that he just goes through for the lulz. he never has to hire new peeps so it's just convientient

plutonians purr like cats do and for the same reasons, but the purr sounds like a combo of a cat, a dove's coo, and a gutteral rattle

Carl: 6', Frylock: 5'3", Shake: From bottom to cup lid 5' but to the bend of the straw it's 6', Meatwad: 2', Oglethorpe: 5'9", Emory: 7', Ignigknot: 3', Err: 1', MC Peepants (Big Spider Mode): 8', Dr. Weird: 6'6", Steve: 5'9" for some heights

shake's pistachio milkshake power works like snake venom in that he can only shoot out a certain amount of it until he empties out, and that it takes a lot of energy/nutrients to regenerate it. not that it changes anything bc he'd still be a depraved omnivore of a sentient milkshake w/o the setback but uh. OH yea and it is edible, enough to fill a route 44 from sonic to the top, but you'd have to ask REAL nice or be hyper sweet to him if you wanna get it but no guarantee. plus hed prolly spit in it or immediately toss it to the ground

frylock's fries are also edible but it genuinely hurts him if you eat it bc while it is sorta like his hair, some also have bones in them and are basically like our hands/arms. maybe if he shoots his fries at you like in the movie it would be ok, but you'd get hurt af and it's the same w shake in that he cant use it too much bc it takes a lot of biological resources & energy to regenerate. if he wants to cut his hair he can take certain pain mediation for it.

DO NOT EAT MEATWAD. 1.) if u do ur a monster but 2.) it may be ground meat but it's got garbage, sand, broken down bits of food, dirt, poop?, pee, parasites, the whole 9 yards so unless ur a animal or if you want to shit ur organs and skeleton out bc ur that desperately hungry then go ahead ig

meatwad works through slime logic in that he can't actually die unless hes been atomized/obliterated completely/eaten whole then yea hes dead. he just needed some time to recuperate dw abt it. not to mention he can also eat just abt anything in any amt. also he knows every aspect of the skibidi toilet lore, but only some major details on the fnaf lore but do NOT ask him abt reminant and fazgoo cuz he'll just stare at you blankly

the mooninites used neil armstrong's footprints on the moon as their restroom

carl doesn't know what an anime is but if he did knew what it was he would absolutely be a fan of it (even if he'd hide it in shame). you dont wanna know what else.

shake sucks at sports in general and anything that requires physical activity, he prefers to watch it on his seat instead. he is physically strong when he's prepared to fight, but if you catch him by surprise he's a complete bitch. actually hes a complete wuss in general when it comes to trying to fight anyone bigger/aggressive than himself. if him and his girl get mugged while walking in the middle of the night he's tossing her at the robber and running (jumping) away. but anyone weaker/smaller/meeker is fair game bc ofc

frylock has misophonia (hates the sound of people chewing). anytime he tries to explain it, shake makes a mesothelioma joke. but also it's so intense he will straight up blast you if you dont listen to him, shake had to learn that the hard way

mooninites can only comprehend music in 8 bit/midi. like ignignokt can listen to regular classic rock and be like "fuck yea bro" but through his ears(? head??) it sounds like an 8 bit/midi rendition of it. idk if this is making any sense but the closest i can come up w is that its more like a translation thing

plutonians do poop/excrete?? waste that does act like all purpose cleaner from earth but it smells highkey like rotting eggs and aged cheese, maybe even worse depending on what they've ate

[taciturnpoet]

part of me always finds it a little funny when people write Neil as the really affectionate one and everything when he and Todd start dating because something tells me it wouldn’t necessarily be 100% true???

i mean there is the fact that Neil is already more openly touchy and vocal about his love—platonic and otherwise, this boy is a sweetheart—so it’s not wrong, that’s for sure but consider:

they’re both new to this whole dating thing, much less dating each other, so there is the lingering awkwardness of a new relationship where you know you don't know what you’re doing and you don't want to embarrass yourself.

Todd with all of his anxieties and insecurities would obviously be struggling through this, but i feel as though the moment he realizes that Neil is just as inexperienced as he is and just as shy, he’d relax more. it would take the pressure of being perfect away from him because it’s not like either of them know any better!

it takes a while into their relationship for both of the boys to get completely comfortable, but Todd is like a whole other person when he gets there. he’s comfortable, so he’s more confident, and he is such a flirt with his boyfriend oh my god

after Neil realizes that Todd is like this because they’re both so new to it, he relaxes too, which leads to a whole ordeal of them both just. trying new things. Todd is always immediately open to trying something and Neil is a little convinced that he’s created a monster but the monster compliments and kisses him often and Neil is weak to that

[wuzeio]

i keep brainworming over your recent zombie au piece [kicks feet in air] tell me more 🫶 (if you wanna)

OUGGH GHDJFG IM SO GLAD 🫶🫶🫶T___T i think the AU fits AFTG especially really well!! My fav zombie apocalypse media is the Telltale Walking dead games so ... lots of inspiration drawn from that (and ofc Last of us for that good ol "oh they have immunity against the virus" trope") (also train of busan/TWD show for outbreak origin inspo)

How the virus outbreak starts in this AU: honestly have not thought about the specific details but the gist of it is that a deadly mutagen accidentally gets developed in a biotech lab while conducting experiments on animals >someone gets bit > starts to show signs and turns into zombie > more people get bit > everybody has the virus now, turns into a global pandemic

some char background/

Andrew and Aaron would have already been living together before the outbreak, and Nicky only lives likes 10ish minutes away from them. When all hell breaks loose, Nicky's parents get killed by a zombie hoard and he immediately goes to Andrew and Aaron to join up for safety. Andrew realizes that remaining where they are is only going to get them killed, so they drive his car out of the state in hopes to find a safer place (smart!).

I don't think Drew's group encounter Kevin and Neil until a few years later, when the apocalyptic world has become the norm and its all about survival now (maybe around 3-4 years?). The monsters have joined forces with different groups and even joined a few settlements in the past, but they find that they work best alone, just the three of them. Fortunately they have enough connections to make supply trades if its ever needed; Nicky's the interlocutor and peacemaker.

Kevi ... he would've still grown up in the Nest and played Exy in this AU. When the outbreak occurs there, the Ravens are trapped with the infected and it's basically a brutal death for all of them. Kevin and Riko manage to escape (with Riko ruthlessly killing a few teammates-turned-zombies on his way out, no hesitation!) Kevin and Riko have a very close relationship during the first few years of the apocalypse, but its more of Riko putting a leash on his brother and demanding him to do certain tasks. Kevin is strong and has lots of stamina, so he's incredibly reliable in an abundance of duties. Riko is also not above betraying groups they "befriend", and does not hesitate to kill or sell someone out when he thinks its better for their survival. Near the 3rd year mark, tensions between the two brothers begin to rise as Kevin starts to express his discomfort towards Riko's actions. They start to fight more often, and Kevin starts to rebel a little more. In turn, Riko gets increasingly paranoid about their dwindling supply stock/the fact that Kevin might betray him, so he ends up making a trade with a group of nearby raiders: Kevin for 6 months of supplies. Kevin, obviously, is horrified when he realizes this betrayal and deception. On the second night with the raiders, he manages to fight 4 of them off and runs off into the night. He meets Drew's group 3 months later. (btw kevin running off means that riko is now after him, because those raiders were not happy about what happened)

Neil!! He's in his last year of HS (still plays Exy for their team) when Mary convinces him to run away with her from their abusive father. In this AU she also steals a shit load of money from him and they take a plane to Georgia. The zombie outbreak occurs whilst on their run, and they manage to survive together for the first year. They make their way to South Carolina, but Mary gets killed during a crossfire started by bandits and...Neil is left alone now.

(note: I changed somethings regarding Neil/Kevin's relationship. Scratch them having past family connections!) He desperately tries to join up with a few groups, but all of them result with him either being assaulted or robbed from. The one group he finally finds and begins to feel a kinship with, he ends up being betrayed. Guess who the group is!! It's Kevin and Riko! After a near death experience with that, he's jaded, wary, and untrusting towards anyone. He's learned that staying alone gives him the highest rate of survival— that it's not the zombies that are the most dangerous. Those are easy to kill. A few smashes to the head and they're dead. But people, they're capable of doing the most evil, heinous things. (cue : " “It’s not the world that’s cruel. It’s the people in it.") oh also. he finds out hes immune after getting bit in the hand. He freaks out, introspects for a few days, and comes to the conclusion that he's going to kill himself before he turns. But it never happens.

3 years later, he's a seasoned veteran when it comes to surviving on his own. However, from a stroke of bad luck, he ends up getting hit by crossbow arrow in the forest while scavenging. This is how Drew finds him.

uhhh there's a lot more ideas in my head but I'm gonna wrap it up here because this got wayyy too long hehe thank you if you read it all... honestly this ask was very helpful because it helped me work out this AU in detail a lot more >:D

[inadvisablebutinevitable]

hellooo how would you rank the aftg characters personally? like in order of favorite to least favorite?

bestie I actually wrote a whole thesis essay response before realizing how unhinged it is so here is the abridged version: (note this is all for the canon versions of these characters, fanon ratings would probably be different)

Neil Josten

David Wymack

Nicky Hemmick (I know I know but it will take me 1000000 years to explain all my Nicky thoughts)

Kevin Day

Matt Boyd

Andrew Minyard (WHY IS HE THIS LOW?? Guys I don’t know I do love him I promise I would do anything for him)

Allison Reynolds

Jean Moreau (once again should be higher I love him I do)

Danielle Wilds (her and Allison could also swap places and I’d still be like “yeah that’s right” bc I love them both)

Catalina Alvarez (my fave tsc character besides Jean she means everything to me you don’t understand)

Jeremy Knox (I love him I do I just know nothing abt him)

Renee Walker (it physically hurts me to put her this low I love her so much I would die for her)

Laila Dermott

Aaron Minyard (don’t come at me pls I like him and I love fanon Aaron I just wasn’t Aaron’s number one fan in canon but I still have so much love and respect for him I swear)

Seth Gordon

I don’t really hate any of these characters I swear (except Riko he’s ranked so low he didn’t deserve a spot on the list) ((he’s a compelling villain tho)) (((Tetsuji is ranked like -100000000 I will never forgive Tetsuji ever)))

if you really want my never ending thoughts here they are under the cut:

warning for a long ass post I’m so sorry because sometimes even I can’t focus enough to read my own long posts

I have spent so long staring at this ask and trying to figure out how I can pit my children against each other but here is my best try: (this is in order of how much I enjoyed their characters personally when I was reading. The list would prob be different if I was ranking them as people and not as characters):

Neil Josten. It’s always gonna be Neil I’m sorry. Recency bias means that I’m currently thinking (and posting) abt Jean 24/7 but Neil Josten will always take the cake for me in ways I can’t even articulate. His dry humour and narrative choices always have me in stitches. He’s got so much trauma but he doesn’t want to do anything about it but push it down until he meets people he cares about and they found family him into actually healing. He cares so deeply and loves in such a subtle but incredibly strong way. I don’t know how to even express this without saying that the reason I can’t put aftg down every time I pick it up is because of Neil. He tells the story in a way that makes me want to know everything about literally every scene. It’s all Nora ofc but the personality between the lines is how I define “Neil” and I will never not love it. You’ve got me going and now I’m not gonna stop. I can’t even apologize for the length bc I will never apologize for yapping about Neil Josten I say that shit with my FULL CHEST

David Wymack. Do I even have to explain myself here? Those are his fucking KIDS and he would do ANYTHING for them while being a SASSY LITTLE SHIT about it the whole time plus he’s a DILF I would kill and die for him.

Nicky Hemmick don't shoot me pls LOOK do I think what he did to Neil in Edens was at all ok? Absolutely not. When I first read tfc I was HARDCORE hating on Nicky and then trk and tkm made him one of my favourite characters. I don’t think he’s perfect but I love the way he loves. It isn’t hard for him, none of the monsters had to prove themselves to Nicky, or even try to be a decent friend for Nicky to automatically decide that these were his people and that he cares about them. When we meet him Aaron is a homophobic dick to him and Andrew literally pulls a knife on him and yet we immediately find out that he willingly dropped everything and moved an ocean away from his home and his boyfriend to raise them both in the US and not ONCE does he act like he seriously regrets it. Me? I would be holding that shit over their heads every time they act disrespectful but for Nicky loving them despite the shit they put him through is not even a question. It’s not even just the twins too. That one scene where Neil asks “are we? Friends?” And Nicky is SO SHOCKED that Neil didn’t know and goes “oh kiddo of course!!” is my Roman Empire. Plus he’s hilarious obviously.

Kevin Day guys I love him ok, the first two books he compelled me but TKM he POPPED OFF. “I’ve never been skiiing” BANGER “I’m gonna be the deadliest piece on the board” GOOSEBUMPS, “My father comes to all my games” HAD ME IN TEARS. Don’t even get me STARTED on that sexy ass racquet hand switch at championships I’m going to combust. I love that he’s literally obsessed with exy and has the most complicated relationships with the mc’s of every book and yet steals the show every time. Kevin Day I love you.

Matt Boyd. I love him because he would love me for putting Neil first and kill me for not putting Dan before him. He loves his girlfriend and his homies and his sport and cars in that order. He’s a golden retriever who saw a team full of scary-ass wolves and still tries to be friends with them. He wasn’t a part of the “clique” that Neil was in but he did not let that affect his perception or love for Neil in any way. He’s been to hell and came out with just as much love in his heart as he did when he came in. He told Neil that he didn’t know if Andrew would be good for him but then he saw that Andrew fought Kevin for him and decided that he approved bc all that mattered to him was that Neil had someone who would defend him the way Matt would. Then he immediately becomes the #1 wingman right before the shower scene bc he would rather die than cockblock his homie. I love him so much

Andrew Minyard. Like Nicky, I was absolutely a HATER in book one and then he became one of my faves. I like that he’s brave and determined, standing despite everything when the world tried to put him down, but not without his flaws. I really appreciate that Andrew isn’t perfect, he struggles, he’s violent when it’s necessary and sometimes when it’s not. I love how he was always willing to protect Neil, despite everything in him telling him that Neil couldn’t be trusted. He’s a flawed man, but at his core, a good one.

Allison Reynolds is that girl. She reminds me of Andrew (both of them would kill me for saying that) because she takes no shit and gives no fucks. She’s who 16 year old me wanted to be when I grew up. She goes through every emotion in these books and comes out full of righteous anger and uses that to kick the raven’s ASSES and I’m so here for that

Jean Moreau. It’s weird to me that he’s so low because I love him he’s my special boy. I thought that he was interesting in TRK but Riko was a more compelling villain to me. Then ofc we learn that he was never meant to be the villain and he was ranked just below Kevin for me because I just wanted him to be happy. Then tsc happened and he became my hyper fixation. He has a VERY similar sense of humor as Neil except for Neil his jokes were directed at abnormal behaviour, and for Jean he just gets so appalled at the most normal things. I digress about his humor I love Jean and if u want to know why just read literally any of my posts

Danielle Wilds is my GIRL. Her story compels me so much and I really wish we got more backstory for her (obvs we got plenty considering the cast of characters is so huge but still… I want more). She loves her team so much despite everything and she works so hard to keep them together I wanna give her a hug and a kiss. (That scene in TKM right after Andrew breaks Riko’s arm Dan was the FIRST one to find Neil and she was so concerned about him she cares about him so much STOP they’re FAMILY I LOVE THEM)

Catalina Alvarez was my favourite character in tsc (aside from Jean) because I love her so much. @theresalwaysafiresomewhere said that cat reminds her of me and it was still to this day the best compliment I’ve ever received. I cannot name a single thing abt cat I don’t like so I’m just gonna keep going.

Jeremy Knox is only this low bc I still know nothing about this man. Reading his pov and seeing him thru Jean’s eyes was helpful in securing him a spot in my list of faves tho, I want to know everything about him please Nora please

Renee Walker also should not be this low it physically hurts me to put her here but like most other characters in this half of the list, she didn’t compel me as much until tkm. Just a personal thing I guess. I do love her though and I wish she got more time with Jean. It still bothers me that she loved Jean but was the bigger person about it and knew that they weren’t at the right place in their lives, and yet we don’t get to see how making this decision affects her. I think she deserves to be loved more. I hope she gets a happy ending the same way Jean does.

Laila Dermott I love her I just don’t really know enough abt her

Aaron Minyard I like him I promise I do he’s got some of the best one-liners! He killed drake did all that in college with an gf and all the power to him but really I think that fanon aaron just appealed to me way more. Canon Aaron just annoyed me because— gunshots actually you know what maybe it’s once again because unreliable narrator Neil hated him and Neil’s my fave so I had to be a hater too 😔

Seth. I know some fans love him and I respect that but I just… idk I don’t see the appeal. Fanon Seth is great tho I’m a fan.

Canon Thea is somewhere on this list near Laila again bc I love her but I don’t know enough about her to be like “yeah she’s my fave”. The version of Thea I created in my head based on the crumbs the books and the ec gave us, on the other hand… she’d probably be somewhere up there with Kevin

[mythicamagic]

Sukuna's Roommate (Sukuna x Reader) Chapter Seven

Summary: The rent is cheap, that's the only reason you're moving into apartment 167 on such short notice. The rent is cheap, you remind yourself again, staring up at the four-armed monster you would be living with. (Female reader x Sukuna)

Warnings: some dubcon moments and general Sukuna stuff i.e: murder. Will eventually feature smut.

Previous Chapters: One, Two, Three and others can be found on Ao3

--------

There was something distinctly depressing about break time on college campus. Groups of people tended to flock together, coffee in hand and chatting merrily away.

I wasn't accustomed to being a loner. The truth was that I'd always been in the thick of it with people, wanting to please, to entertain. 

Now my days were better spent people watching rather than participating. A funny feeling twisted low in my gut as another round of laughter came from the table opposite mine in the cafeteria. I looked down at my sad little sandwich, swallowing with difficulty. It wasn’t as though I’d been excluded by my new classmates, more like I’d taken a deliberate step back on purpose. 

When the laughter came again, I set down my barely touched food. Standing, I quickly strode outside. An unnamed, strange kind of panic beat in my chest, forehead beading with sweat. The air fanned crisp and fresh over my face the instant I stepped out into the open, immediately soothing frayed nerves. I took a few deep breaths, drawing away from the dining hall and continuing to walk until my steps threatened to take me over the campus border. Only then did I feel my panic abate, a hand resting over my chest. 

“Fuck,” I sighed, wetting my dry lips. 

Not to be a downer but friends made me think of loud music, the taste of beer and smell of weed. They reminded me of partying, and partying led me to think of-

"No way…is that-" a voice muttered, far too close for comfort. Ice froze my veins. I stilled, becoming completely rigid and unable to move. No. Nope, nien. This was just a dream, it couldn't be real. Any moment now, Sukuna would walk by naked, as he often did in my fantas- nightmares. Suddenly bright green eyes were peering down at me. A guy with short dark hair automatically smiled out of habit rather than affection, a complicated look passing over his face.

"Virago! Wow…shit, I didn't expect to see you here. They'll let anyone into this place, huh?"

I wish he'd drop that nickname. Not like it applied to me anymore. I felt far too meek these days. Probably because I had some damn perspective now. My hands curled into fists at my side. The small, circular cigarette burns on my upper arms and collarbone thrummed. My mind might’ve been fogged that day but my body remembered. 

"Why are you here?" I asked tightly.

"Not much of a greeting. Aren't you happy to see me? You could use a friendly face right about now."

He'd heard about the DUI of course, but I wasn’t expecting him to know I’d moved away. Not surprising, I guess. Maybe my parents had broadcasted it. Severed the tumor from the family and all that. Word had traveled fast in our small hometown. I was glad to be rid of the constraints of quick gossip. Cities were so much easier to live in if you wanted to achieve anonymity. 

"Not in the mood to greet an ex, Neil. Let alone be happy about it."

My head ached and the sunlight felt too bright. That newly familiar panic was rising up again. 

"Come on, you're still thinking about that?" He dismissed in his usual amiable tone. The kind that downplayed anything you might be feeling. "It was said in the heat of the moment- I forgive you for losing your temper. I broke up with you for the right reasons."

My heart lurched. White hot rage flew up my throat. "I broke up with YOU!" I snapped. “What are you even talking about?!”

Neil winced and glanced around, as if embarrassed I was causing a scene. Several people lounging around on the campus shot us curious looks. Shame heated my cheeks but I soldiered on. He opened his mouth but I cut in, lowering my voice. I’m ashamed to recount that it trembled. "You…y-you spiked my drink."

"Are we back to that old chestnut again?"

"It's the truth!"

"Yeah yeah, and look how well that worked out for you last time,” Neil sighed. “Not like you got drunk on your own and made your own mistakes, nah. It always has to be someone else's fault. Everyone got sick of your shit long before that accident, you know?"

When achieving maximum anger- nay- full throttle rage, it left me unable to speak. I could only tremble violently, fingers dug tight into the meat of my palms. 

"Listen. I didn't come here to fight,” he held up his hands magnanimously, flashing a pretty-boy smile I yearned to break. “I'm just in town for a few days visiting a friend. I'll be out of your hair before long. But…" he trailed off, reaching out. 

My brain short circuited. Those long fingers tucked a few strands of hair behind my ear, brushing the skin of my cheek as they drew away. I recoiled, arms instinctively raising to curl protectively around my body. "I still wanna catch up,” he murmured. “Come grab a bite to eat, for old times sake?"

That anger that had been buoying me along the majority of this conversation felt like it had been well and truly stabbed with a pin- all that hot air leaving me at once. I felt cold and vulnerable in my deflated state. 

"I don't want to. I'm- I'm busy,” I said lamely, softly. Where was my bite? Why did I feel so damn powerless?

Neil remained unconvinced, even appearing slightly mocking. "Uh-huh. What, you gonna make up a pretend boyfriend next?"

"There's no need to fabricate a lie when it's the truth, now is there?"

That deep, sonorous voice wrapped around me before the length of his arm did. I felt rather than saw a sharp grin press against my flushed temple. Sukunas unique scent swallowed my senses. Copper, baked meat, incense and smoke from a kiseru pipe all blended into one. A heady, sweltering cloud. Despite myself, I felt a complicated sense of relief in having him step close, my shoulders relaxing slightly. 

Sukuna sized Neil up, poised and at ease, a kind of laziness in his gait. He didn't draw himself up to stand taller or puff out his chest, one hand remaining slung half heartedly into his pocket. No voices were raised. All that needed to happen was a slight upwards tilt of his chin. To me, the effect felt instantaneous. Sukuna looked down from on high. 

And ultimately what he saw was not impressive enough to engage with. Whatever curiosity Neil inspired for half a second dimmed into a laissez-faire attitude. 

"Who are-"

"...I'm bored, come entertain me," Sukuna turned the full force of his attention on me. "You’re on a break now, right?"

He knows my schedule?

“Y-yeah,” I managed, bobbing my head stiffly. His large hand curled tighter around my shoulder, pressing me harder against the heated slab of stone that was his body. 

Sukuna smiled, sharp teeth flashing. “Good. Hurry up then,” he turned, drawing me along with him like I really was a stray buoy left out at sea, wrapped up in the storm that was Ryomen Sukuna.

"I-I guess I'll see you later, Virago."

I heard the confusion in Neil’s voice but could no longer see his face, too preoccupied with Sukuna all but spiriting me away from campus. My legs worked automatically to keep up with his long strides- and it was too late to throw a snide comment over my shoulder at Neil, the slimy ex long gone.

"I just remembered, you still haven't received sufficient praise for showing loyalty to me the other day."

I blinked, glancing up at Sukuna’s unreadable expression. His silver ear-cuff and chain caught the warm sunlight, making them shine white. 

"There's really no need-"

"Rejecting my goodwill? Heh, bold move."

When faced with Sukuna’s full, toothy smile- the kind that promised kinky violence- I clammed up, too dazed after the encounter with Neil to be appropriately bantery. 

Sukuna sighed, as if sensing my mood. The sound was a surprise. I checked his expression again, but it quickly became shadowed by the heavy shade of a building. The fact that he’d all but dragged me into an alley in the heart of the city should- most definitely- have inspired some terror. Too bad my stress batteries had overloaded.

"Tell me what you'd like,” Sukuna grunted, finally stopping to release me from his grip. “If it's not too annoying, I might be generous enough to entertain your wishes."

I stared.

What?

Where was this coming from?

Sukuna’s bored expression was impossible to dissect. I could only grasp at straws and conclude he was either fucking with me or operated on a bizarre sense of honor. He’d said he’d reward me, so the honor system demanded he follow through?

Too bad I was exhausted enough to let slip a tired giggle and think- fuck it. 

"Honestly I could use a nice spar or something along those lines right about now," I smiled wanly, running a hand through my hair and trying to shake off the echo's of Neil's touch.

He tilted his head. "A spar?"

"Yeah, like a massage, a nice long soak in an onsen or uh…something along those lines,” I nodded, picturing the kind of fancy establishments my mother had used to traipse back from, smelling of soap and hairspray.

"Ah, that kind of spar…" Sukuna tsked, gazing up at the narrow gap between the buildings between us. He gave a chuckle, rolling his shoulders with a gleam in his eye I definitely did not like. "Lucky you- that can be easily arranged! Ever the thoughtful pet to your owner, huh?” his large, weighty palm patted my head. “Hold still,” the words purred out lowly, the red of his eyes gleaming as he made a strange hand-sign.

My stomach dropped- seconds before my feet followed suit- and I plunged into deep, dark nothingness. 

-----------

For a long moment, there was ceaseless, endless black. A void. It swallowed me whole, silent and yawning. During this time, I knew I was falling, but no breeze tugged my clothes and hair. No wind kissed my face. It was like being suspended between time and space.

As if having enough of that potential existential crisis- a sudden flash of red rushed up to greet my legs- and I plunged feet first into water a moment later.

I floated, stunned, before regaining my senses and quickly kicking- breaking the surface a moment later.

“Hah- hah,” I panted, blinking. Steam lapped around my face, curling lazily in the air like kiseru smoke. It was enough to obscure my vision, for a moment- but there was no hiding the red liquid I was treading water in for long. The smell of copper soaked the air. I squinted, brain leaping to horror-struck conclusions- but no, the liquid was too clear to be blood. Upon tilting my chin up, I noticed the black nothingness spreading out above my head like the abyss had constructed a dome. Strange, white things on the ground level had been piled high into what I assumed were sloppy towers, but they were too far away to see clearly.  Noticing the black rim of what I assumed to be a pool edge, I swam toward it, gripping the edge soon enough and preparing to pull myself up. 

The moment my eyes peered above the rim-level, a skinless skull met my gaze.

I shrieked, and lost my grip. 

Sputtering to the surface in a tangle of limbs a moment later, I found that the eerie silence of the red hot-springs had been broken by sharp, rumbling laughter. 

“Still flailing around and fretting about every little thing. You’re supposed to be relaxing, pet.”

Gripping the smooth edge of the pool-wall, I turned slowly, losing my voice all over again. 

Words dried up in my mouth. 

There, wading casually into the other side of the hot-springs, stood Sukuna. The four armed menace, the grinning tormenter. And, apparently- the two-dicked monster, very much naked and on display for all to be seen.

[bloody-wonder]

assuming you've read tsc, what are ur thoughts?

mixed feelings, anon!

on the one hand, tsc is just another confirmation that nora is a talented writer - i think the dialogue especially is where she really excels. the reading experience was overall very fun, i did enjoy seeing my faves again. neil is an icon, obviously. the culture clash between jean and the trojans was Comedy Gold. and it was interesting to see an exploration of a different trauma response than we've seen in aftg in jean.

on the other hand, i feel like jean's story in tsc mirrors neil's story in aftg - a troubled youth joins an exy team where he will make new friends and get better mentally - but is like. a simplified and less compelling version of that. it's good that jean is his own character, i don't need him to be a copy of neil, but i gotta say - neil's cameo appearances totally stole the show and made me wonder why i wasn't reading a book about him instead. however, it's all the other characters who were the real problem - it felt like i'm reading a version of aftg where a less fun iteration of neil joins an exy team consisting just of the upperclassmen and nicky hemmick which uhhh,, if you've read some of my old posts you know how i feel about him so there was no chance in hell i'd like cat alvarez and her whole shtick. the foxes felt good for the soul bc there was a balance between the upperclassmen's and the monsters' type of care for neil - and crucially neil chose the latter group to be his close circle, among other things, bc he felt they could understand him better. by constrast, jean is alone with the trojans who don't give any credibility to his claims that they just can't understand what he went through, don't respect his right to keep his trauma private and just keep trying to force his "recovery". aftg felt like a bunch of freaks with various but equally fascinating issues put in close quarters and you watch them sometimes butt heads, sometimes uplift each other in the most unexpected ways. tsc however felt like a bunch of normies bullying a traumatized kid - so basically one of those obnoxious fics where the upperclassmen are all in neil and andrew's business.

jean's bisexuality was a double-edged sword too: on the one hand, i felt very smug reading about how his attraction works bc 1) it's so obviously different from neil and 2) wow turns out years of psychological, physical and sexual abuse do not in fact take away your sexuality! le gasp! surprised fucking pikachu!! crazy how through all of this jean is still bi. the human spirit is unbreakable. (unless your mom hits you for kissing a girl, then it's breakable). so i did feel vindicated but at the same time this was not relatable to the point that i can't see myself getting invested in jean and jeremy's developing relationship. nothing is more of a turn off for me in fictional romances than when both of them are immediately attracted to each other and let the reader know in no uncertain terms. where are the mind games? where are the intricate rituals? it feels like a lazy shortcut. but good for them, i guess?

sooo idk. i didn't hate tsc by any means but i'm sad i didn't enjoy it as much as my mutuals😭

[mymisfitsbabe]

Harringrove - The Book

This is the fourth chapter of the @harringrovestorychallenge

1st Chapter by @harringrovestorychallenge

2nd Chapter by @lorifragolina

3rd Chapter by @medusapelagia

Chapter 5 coming soon @dragonflylady77

CHAPTER 4

TW: Blood, gore, abuse. Explicit 18+ only!

Two weeks, it had taken two fucking weeks for things to spiral so far down that Billy couldn't find a way out. Monsters in the woods. If Billy was being honest with himself, he'd always thought it would be his dad that killed him. Not some mutated bastard from another dimension but now Billy was starting to wonder.

Three days after Billy had nearly been mauled to death in the woods, someone else was. It was a boy, he was on the paper at Hawkins high and was trying to get home. Hopper found him in pieces. 

They found another set of bodies four days later and Billy was panicking. Neil and Susan hadn't come home from their date. Billy had tried to stop them from leaving, he'd had Max locked up tight for the whole week he'd known, but the adults wouldn't listen. 

Neil had clocked him once, real good across his jaw, told Billy they were going to the city over and they'd be back. But they didn't come home. Max was asleep on the couch, her feet slung across Billy's lap as he watched the news, waiting for an ID on the bodies they'd found last night. 

It wasn't them. It was cheerleader Chrissy Cunningham and her boyfriend on the basketball team… Jason Carver. Billy knew them, he'd known them and now they were being buried in semi empty closed coffins. But the parents still weren't home.

Steve's brat called an emergency meeting, and Hopper issued a dusk curfew. Max dragged Billy over to the Wheeler's house where the dork squad gathered and immediately started screaming over each other. A plan, the idiot children came up with a plan. 

“Not on your fucking life!” Billy snarled, he grabbed Max's arm and started to haul her out of the basement.

The kids swarmed him and Billy was one breath away from shoving them out of his way and driving back to California. But Steve interjected, he stepped in front of Billy hands up in a playacting manner. 

“Hey, hey come on. Relax. I know it's hard, I know it's terrifying, but we've handled worse.” Steve spoke slowly, trying to soothe Billy. 

“No, no. This is insane. I'm taking Max and we're getting out. People are dying! Chrissy is dead! Jason is dead! I'm not letting my kid sister get eaten because you all think you're super heroes or some bullshit!” Billy raged.

“I agree, I say we all get the hell outta this shit hole.” Lucas’ little sister said from her spot on the couch. “Fuck the rest of the people in this town, our friends and family. Let them get eaten while we run and hide and hope the things eatin them up don't come find us in California.”

Billy stared at her, he swallowed hard knowing she was right. What was to keep these things in Hawkins? Max grabbed his arm, he looked down at her, she gave him a reassuring look and Billy groaned.

The plan was to go out into the woods, with some superpowered kid (Billy did not take finding that out well.) and either take the monster out or capture it. Hopper, Joyce, Johnathan, Nancy, Steve and Billy were on guard duty for Eleven who was going to kill the thing. 

“I don't think this is a good idea, pretty boy.” Billy whispered as they walked into the woods. 

It wasn't. They managed to kill three of the 7 foot tall monsters and more than a few dogs, but they'd been quickly overrun. Jonathan was the first to go down, one of the dog things bit into his leg. Then Nancy was tackled to the ground where she hit her head on a rock. Joyce's arm was bitten and Hopper called for a retreat. 

El had kept them from being killed but she couldn't hold them all back by herself. Steve had used his bat, he freed Johnathan from the monster on his leg and helped El take out one of the big ones. Hopper was keeping the dogs back, and helping down the tall ones so El could finish them.  Billy kicked the dog off Nancy before it could sink teeth or claw into her, and bashed in the skull of the one that clamped onto Joyce with his tire iron. But Billy had almost shit his pants when two of the tall things stalked toward them. 

El had crushed them before Billy even had the chance to swing on them, feet planted and adrenaline running so rampant inside him Billy thought he'd throw up. Billy carried Nancy's unconscious body, Steve slung Jonathan's arm over his shoulders and the rest of them ran on their own out of the woods. 

Once they made it into the bronco Billy started tying off Jonathan's leg, then Joyce's arm, he didn't know what to do for Nancy other than hold pressure on the gash in her scalp. Billy thought he'd been through the worst his short life had to offer, but that night proved him so wrong.

Jonathan, Joyce and Nancy ended up in the emergency room while Steve and Billy ended up back at Steve's house with all the kids. They set up a huge pallet on the floor in the basement, piling in blankets and pillows till all the kids looked comfortable. Steve and Billy brought down the TV and a stack of movies to keep the kids entertained. 

“I don't wanna talk, pretty boy.” Billy whispered, knees to his chest and arms wrapped around himself. 

Steve just sat next to Billy on the couch in the empty living room, he slumped down and let his head hang off the back of the couch. Billy noticed the thin black sweatpants and a new loose fitting shirt. They stayed like that for a while, just letting the terror of the night fade from their system. 

“Showers free. Waters hot too, and I have your clothes from the last time. Nice and warm, they'll be out of the dryer in ten minutes.” Steve spoke softly, his voice tender and calm. 

Billy turned to look at Steve who stared back, freshly scrubbed clean from his shower Steve looked so… Billy leaned over and kissed Steve. 

Soft lips turned feverish, tongues sliding into each other's mouth as Billy moved to straddle Steve. Frenzied hands worked to pull off each other's clothes, Billy's blood stained fingers making a dark contrast against Steve's pale beauty marked skin. 

Steve rolled them so Billy was laying face up on the couch. Billy lifted his hips to help Steve strip him. Steve's weight on top of him made Billy feel safe, the kisses making his body warm and the press of Steve's cock inside him making him feel full. 

It was slow, and sensual, a tender contrast to the quick brutal terror of the woods. Billy sighed softly as Steve left feather light kisses across his neck, jaw and lips, while rolling his hips up into Billy causing an orgasm to crest. 

“I love you.” Steve whispered into Billy's ear, making him moan in pleasure. “I love you, I love you” 

The words were repeated and signed with a kiss across Billy's skin and in the morning Billy could still hear the words repeating in his head.

[ihni]

It's @weird-an's birthday, so have a little Argilly (!) (yeah I know!) piece inspired by this post.

This piece is written to be read around the time they release season 5, because whatever shit they come up with to happen in Hawkins, our forgotten boys will just be living their best life in Cali.

~~~

Billy wakes up slowly, gaining awareness in increments. The softness of the sheet underneath him, the sounds of the traffic interspersed with voices coming from outside, the warmth of the air in the room and from the body behind him. Taking a deep breath, he stretches until his joints pop and then releases the air in a content sigh as he becomes boneless once again, turning around and snuggling up to the man behind him. Tucking his head in under the man’s chin, still without opening his eyes.

There’s a chuckle. Billy can feel the vibrations through the body he’s clinging to, and can’t help but smile.

“How long have you been awake?” he murmurs, and hums contentedly when a big hand splays out over the back of his head, scratching lazily at his nape.

“A while,” comes Argyle’s voice from close by, and Billy feels a gentle kiss on the crown of his head.

“Why didn’t you wake me up?” he asks, then yawns.

“You’re cute when you sleep,” is the answer.

“I’m cute all the time.”

A laugh, and Billy can feel Argyle move as he nods. “Truth. But especially when you sleep. Also, we’re not in a rush. We can stay here all day, if we want.”

Billy starts to nod along, but then stops. Reluctantly blinks his eyes open. “Not all day. We’re meeting Tommy later, remember? You promised you’d show him all the best burger places in town.”

“Yeah but that’s not until the afternoon,” Argyle argues. “We have hours to go before then.” A pause. “You can go back to sleep, if you want.”

Billy considers. It’s still a luxury to be able to wake up at his own pace, and not have to hurry to get ready in the morning. It’s also not until recently that he has started sleeping through the night, with the nightmares being less frequent the longer he spends away from their source.

Two years. Two years since he clawed his way back to the real world, two years since he stopped having to sleep with one eye open, two years since fate – perhaps as an apology for everything it had put Billy through – brought Argyle to that godawful Indiana town. (No one could tell who was most surprised to see the other; Argyle, who had been told that Billy had died in a fire, or Billy, who hadn’t thought he’d ever get out of that hellish place at all. Their reunion was emotional and tearful and came as a shock to everyone else, who hadn’t even known that they knew each other. But honestly fuck everyone else.)

It has been two years now since Billy sat down in the passenger’s seat of Argyle’s van and went back to California without looking back; his only goodbye being a middle finger aimed at the ‘Leaving Hawkins’ sign as they passed, while Argyle’s hand rested on his thigh, gripping Billy’s other hand in his.

Two years later, and here Billy is, in bed with Argyle; his best friend, his lover, his Aggy. There are no monsters anymore, there is no Neil to be wary of. He is safe, he is warm, and he can go back to sleep if he wants.

Does he want that, though? He frowns. Something tickles his mind, like a half-forgotten memory. He dreamt something, he realizes, but trying to remember what it was is like trying to capture mist in his hands. It slips between his fingers like smoke, but still leaves him feeling vaguely uncomfortable.

Argyle, like always, notices. “What is it, Bee?” he asks, and hugs Billy closer. “Nightmare?”

“I don’t know,” Billy says, truthfully. “I don’t remember.”

Argyle hums. “You were moving around a lot. Talking in your sleep again.”

“Really?” Billy says. It’s been a while since he did that. “What did I say?”

“Just murmurs. No real words. You sounded kinda worried, though.”

“Hm. Well, I don’t remember.”

Billy rolls back a bit and puts his head on the pillow. He immediately misses Argyle’s warmth, but Argyle keeps his hand on the back of Billy’s head, playing with his hair, and at least this way he can look at Argyle’s face.

He’s beautiful. Big and strong and soft, with his sunshine smile that never fails to make Billy feel all warm inside and his long hair that somehow always looks perfect even right after waking, unlike Billy’s. There’s a mark on Argyle’s cheek from a crease in the pillow, and Billy wants to kiss it.

Argyle’s smile – widening at the sight of Billy, which will always be a thrill – is contagious, and Billy finds himself smiling too.

“’Mornin’, Aggy,” he says and leans forward to place a kiss on Argyle’s lips.

“’Mornin’, Bee,” Argyle replies and smiles into the kiss.

They lean their foreheads together and breathe for a while. Then Argyle stretches out too, like a big cat. Billy seizes his opportunity to plop himself on top of Argyle, who just laughs and puts his arms around him, pulling him closer. Chest against chest, Billy moves with Argyle’s expanding lungs as he inhales. It is soothing, and he tries to relax. But he doesn’t quite succeed – the remnants of the dream is still lurking in the back of his head.

Of course, Argyle notices. “Bee?” And of course, he knows what’s Billy’s thinking. “Do you think it’s got something to do with, you know, all that stuff from a couple of years ago?” He doesn’t even say ‘Hawkins’ out loud, because he knows how Billy feels about that town. It is just another reason to love him.

Billy wants to say no. Wants to reject it out loud, because all that is over. But that nagging feeling in his brain stops him. “I don’t know,” he admits. Argyle knows about the nightmares, about the dreams. He has met El after all, and knows what she can do – and he knows about the times, right after they got back to California, when Billy and El’s dreams merged. It has stopped now, thankfully. Or, he thought it did.

“Do you think something’s … wrong?” Argyle asks. His voice is neutral, but Billy knows him well. He knows what Argyle went through, too; what he had to see and live through on his way across the country two years ago.

And Billy decides, then and there, that “No. Nothing’s wrong.” Because they’ve had enough, him and Argyle. They’ve done their part. Billy has served his time; he paid the price, survived, got out and got away. The people they left back in Hawkins – none of whom cared enough about him to try to save him, by the way – could have left too. If they stayed around for the next wave of horror, that’s their choice.

Hawkins can burn to the ground, for all that Billy cares. If something’s about to go down there, Billy doesn’t want to be involved. Doesn’t even want to know about it.

“Okay,” Argyle says and pats Billy’s shoulder. As if he knows what Billy’s thinking. He probably does.

“And if it is,” Billy says, petulantly. Makes sure to say it out loud, so that the powers that be can hear his refusal. “If something is wrong .... If something goes down, back there? I don’t give a fuck.”

“Right on.” Argyle chuckles and kisses his curls. Hugs Billy even closer, trapping him against his chest and making him feel … small, and safe, and cared for. Something that Billy has only ever felt with Argyle, outside of when he was a child and his mother was still around. “Right on, my dude.”

Billy huffs out a laugh, but wrinkles his nose in distaste at the same time. “Don’t call me ‘dude’ in bed. It’s weird.”

“But you are my dude, dude.” Billy tilts his head back so he can glare at him. It’s hard to maintain a façade of annoyance in the face of Argyle’s sparkling eyes, but he manages through sheer force of will. “My little man.”

“Stop it.”

“My bro.”

“Aggy.”

“Brochacho.”

“I will literally kill you.” But despite his words, which are an obvious lie to the both of them, he cannot stop the smile that blooms on his face, or the blush that follows when Argyle laughs and peppers his face with kisses.

“Sure you will, dude.” Argyle sees straight through him. He always has.

That doesn’t mean that Billy will just take this kind of disrespect lying down. He struggles out of Argyle’s grip – only succeeding because Argyle lets him – and rolls and crawls with grunts and mutters to the edge of the mattress. He pushes off the bed and gets to this feet, uncaring of the fact that he’s naked, and cocks a hip to the side while he points at Argyle, who’s still sprawled out in bed, grinning. “Just for that, breakfast is on you.”

Argyle just keeps smiling, even as he leans forward and hooks his own finger around Billy’s, shaking his hand a little. And damn it, Billy is charmed. As always. “Sure thing, Bee. Cold pizza?”

“Leftovers? You call me ‘dude’ in bed, and I get leftovers?”

“Tasty, tasty leftovers, though.”

Tasty leftovers. Breakfast with his Aggy, after waking up in bed with his Aggy, in the apartment he shares with his Aggy.

A look to the window reveals blue skies with barely any clouds. The leaflets on the palm tree just outside moves gently in the breeze. Billy knows that if he opens the window, he will smell car exhausts from the road and Chinese food from the restaurant across the street and a hint of decomposing trash from the dumpster around the corner … and under all that, the salty air blowing in from the ocean, barely two blocks away.

Life is good.

He releases Aggy’s finger and takes his hand instead, pulls him up until he’s standing. Pokes him in the middle of his chest and raises his eyebrows as he looks up at him. “I want garlic sauce on mine.”

Argyle salutes – lazily, and with the wrong hand – and says, “You got it,” before pressing another kiss to Billy’s face – forehead, this time – and walking past him to get out the bedroom. Argyle’s not wearing anything either, and Billy watches appreciatively as his behind disappears around the corner.

Whatever might go down in Hawkins, it’s got nothing to do with him anymore – him or Aggy.

Life is good for them, now. He’s not trading this for anything.

And with that, he files the fragments of the dream away to be forgotten and follows Argyle out into the kitchen for a cold pizza breakfast.

~~~

(And yes, Tommy has moved there too because he deserves some kind of appearance as well, so I'll just headcanon that he and Carol maybe have moved out there and is finding their feet out in the real world. He's gonna become fast friends with Billy and Argyle and become a cook or something.)

[andre-worlds]

I literally just open Twitter and find this. And I just can't with this kind of people who think that all victims of abuse react the same way like Jonathan.

The series literally tried to show us how victims of abuse react different ways with Jonathan and Billy. Plus Billy was abandoned by his mother unlike Jonathan that have his mother and brother. Billy was alone with Neil for a long time, then Susan and Max came to his life but they never see the real monster that was Neil until Billy sacrifice himself.

And they still think that Billy wanted to kill the kids and he just scared them and Max. He'll never run over kids; he was teaching kids at the Community Pool, like Karen watched him and never mention that he was agresive with them.

He didn't wanted to harmed Lucas. Billy just warned Lucas to stay away from her because she didn't listen to him. When Lucas harmed him, he just stays away, threats him, and clearly he wants to get out of there and take Max to their house. Because of Neil's threats all he wanted to do is find Max as fast as possible and go back to home quickly before Neil hits him because it took him so long to find Max.

Even if her sister was dating; for example Mike or Dustin or a white guy, he will still do the same thing as he did with Lucas.

I have to mention that Neil is the real racist here, Billy is protecting Max from him, and when he saw with his own eyes that she was with Sinclair, he immediately knew that Lucas will be a big problem for her and mostly his own safety.

And Steve probably almost killed Billy too if he didn't defend himself when Steve started the fight at that moment.

The antis never mention that Billy save Eleven and the rest of the crew from the Spider Monster. How he suffered even more when he was flayed by the Mind Flayer. The memories that Eleven saw when she enter his mind. How sacred he was of Neil. Cause none of that would care for them because he is "racist and abuser".

Overall, he did somethings wrong but it was the only way he knew. Billy tried to protect Max in his own way, but at the end he save people and it didn't matter the color of their skin.

Twitter is a place where even a 6 years old would agree with you for absolutely everything you said or think, but don't think that real people how have brains and used them to understand the logic will be quiet about your lack of understanding.

You can hate a character all you want, but don't over exaggerate the things that happened in the series and harass people because the things you don't like.

Remember: Billy Hargrove is a fictional character.

[the-elevator-twins]

>[At the prospect of fresh meat, your twin seems to perk up, and point to the door almost frantically. Is he talking about the monsters? Those two are certainly meat of some sort.... though the second he makes that recommendation, he starts shaking his head, and seems to snap out of his daze, still frantic, but much more normal.]

>[He takes in his surroundings and tries to offer you his scissors and talk to you, but when he does, the strings tighten completely, blood dripping from the threads as they cut his skin and render him completely unable to talk. But he seems insistent on staying away from you, not out of fear of you, he'd gotten over that a while ago.]

>[It's like he's scared of hurting you]

>[Though almost immediately his eyes widen and his pupils shrink, and pained, choked, muffled laughter escapes him. The threads loosen and he goes back to his pacing, just more... twitchy, and hyper aware, like an animal. The parallels to how he acted when feeding off of the blonde monsters are striking, but his behavior is almost worse. Probably because unlike you, he didn't get to eat. He's starving]

CW: implied abuse

(i) > Seeing your brother like this... it hurts you in some way. Honestly, you should feed him, but at the same time, you know he really, truly doesn't want to. With a reluctant sigh, you force yourself up, wincing slightly in pain before the door knocks, right on cue. A hook moves to the door, pulling it back as you come face to face with 'them' again.

> "Hey newbie! Wow, looks like you got caught in a trap or something. Got baited to do something reckless?" > "Would you and your brother like to go out for drinks?"

(i) > Lips parted, you were about to decline, but it's already too late as your brother lunged forward. He seems to go after the weaker one of the two, while your manic coworker takes out a lighter and a beer bottle. You react quickly, hooking "Bryce" to the ground as Neil finishes mauling "Bruce" to death.

> "Hey! You think you can get away with this you little brat!? Do I have to punish you again!? You bastard child!!" > "H-Huh. . ?"

(i) > There, Bryce begins to morph, that of your own mother. . . or, what appears to be your mother. Instant dread sets in as you loosen your grip on the other, resulting in the monster to shove you to the ground.

> "If you had only done what you were asked of!! None of this would have happened!! Our prayers to God fell on deaf ears, all because you wanted to be selfish!! Maybe being locked up without any food will do you some good!" > "M-Mom-" > "Don't call me your mother you PIG! You're nothing more than an unwanted animal! Dead meat! We warned you what happens when you stray from God's hand!" > "St-Stop it-- STOP IT PLEASE--"

(i) > Falling to your knees, you cover your ears, it hurts... hurts to listen to the ringing and harsh voices, the meat hooks on your body coil in agitation. Tears threaten your eyes before you feel a hand grip your hair, forcing you to look up. Something in "her" hand frightens you, it's left you unpleasant marks before, a razor blade. There is only one emotion you have at this moment. . . Fear.

> "I'll make you repent, one way or another boy, REPENT! REPENT RIGHT NOW! YOU UNGRATEFUL BRAT!" > "I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY PLEASE DON'T HURT ME!! PLEASE MOM- > "Sorry doesn't cut it!! I'll make you remember my warnings permanently!"

(i) > "She" goes to strike you, only making you flinch and let out a mortified scream. You don't want to be hurt. . . You did the best you could, you tried to bee the best son. . . you tried to be enough to matter to someone, to feel important. . . but even then, the blade never tears into your skin.

> "N. . . Nigel. . ."

(i) > Lifting your head, you see the front of "her" stomach bleeding. the monster collapses in front of you as you only look up at your brother, who's appearance only looks more terrifying. But. . . all you can do is cry, shuffle to your brother's arms and hug him tightly.

> "I'm. . . here, Nigel. . . Shhhhh. . ." > "Ghhhuuhhhaaa. . . I-I'm sorry. . !! I-I did m-my best. . . I did my b-beeessst. . !! Hhhuuuaahhhh. . !!"> "Shhhh. . . Shhhhh . . . I'm here. . . now. . ."

(i) > . . . Neither of you speak a word, you just embrace and weep together.

[sketchy-scribs-n-doods]

cw: non-graphic mentions of physical abuse, neil hargrove in general being his own warning, and instances of teachers and authority figures failing to intervene/being ignorant to signs of abuse

When Billy was a freshman, his English teacher back in California failed to get him to apply for advanced classes. It was a nice thought, but he had neither the time to worry about extra school shit nor the money to pay for the tests he'd have to take afterwards to make the classes worth it. Besides, it wasn't like college was anywhere in his immediate future.

However, she nonetheless took interest in what he got up to outside of her class. Billy usually resented when adults pretended to care about him. They never did shit about the bruises Neil left on his face and wrists when he got careless and forgot about what patches of skin were more noticeable than others. It was all useless, pretty words like the brittle honey graham crackers they offered students as a snack during lunch. Plans that crumbled and never went anywhere, counselors sticking their noses into his fucking business and leaving him beat to shit whenever Neil got that inevitable call home from a teacher that was 'just worried about poor Billy's home life and checking in, he's seemed so troubled recently, you see.' 

Neil would tear into Billy for not knowing how to act fucking normal for once and making him look like a bad father, and was Billy really so ungrateful that he'd go snitching to his goddamn teachers? Did he want to get his dad in trouble, huh? Was that it? Did he want to get taken away and forced to live with complete strangers that wouldn't tolerate any of his bullshit the way Neil did? Huh? Did Billy want a repeat of what happened in Riverside? Was he just so fucking eager to make them have to move again after another nosy ass social worker came knocking at their door? No. No he fucking didn't. So he'd learn to shut up and keep his head down and smile politely whenever his hippie ass teachers thought they knew something they didn't and tried asking him stupid questions. Most of the time, it seemed they just wanted to feel better about themselves, trying to to accrue Good Samaritan points like the pinging coins in one of Max's stupid arcade games.

But Miss Ortega was different. 

She accepted his refusal to apply for the advanced English class, only ever asked why, and accepted his vague non-answer when he gave it. She never pushed him past what he wanted to do or pestered him to try and get at his secrets. She had an open door policy and offered her classroom to him and a few others that came during lunch and before school. When he wanted to avoid going home, she even let him stay an extra hour after school on days he didn't have practice. Miss Ortega— Marie, he later learned her name was, always had this look in her eye like she knew what monsters Billy kept buried beneath his skin. When Billy got into a fight and tried to stab Kevin Hernandez through the hand with a pencil in her class because he wouldn't stop talking shit about him in Spanish (as if Billy was stupid enough to let himself be the idiot gabacho who didn't speak a lick of Spanish, he at the very least knew what güero pendejo meant), Marie Ortega was the one to talk down the principal into reducing his punishment from a three day suspension to two weeks of detention. This meant Billy didn't even have to mention the incident to his dad, especially after Ortega had seemed to have forgone calling home (and Billy is pretty sure that’s something the school is required to do, but fuck if he’s gonna ask about it). She had saved Billy the ass beating of the century that year, and there was a chance she knew it. It wasn't like he had hurt the kid that badly, he was barely even bleeding. Hernandez was a little bitch who couldn't handle the natural consequences of his shit talking, but sure, Billy was the bad guy because he couldn't handle of a bit of carrilla. Sure. Little Kevin was the victim here. Seemed like no one had taught his stupid ass the meaning of talk shit get hit. Suspension or not, Billy wasn't the one that was getting jumped if he saw Hernandez and his band of idiots after school.

Ortega always looked sad when she looked at him. It pissed Billy off, but not nearly as much as when people tried looking at him with pity. Miss Ortega was cool. He could handle her weird looks and their stilted conversation whenever she tried to gauge how he was doing. She never tried to talk down to him like Mr. Norwood or Mrs. Ramos did whenever they got it in their heads to try and 'chat' with him. At first, he always took off and avoided her when she pushed too hard. But after months of taking daily refuge in her classroom, he had grown to tolerate her occasional questions. It was almost nice, in a way. She tried to talk to him about what was going on when the opportunity arose, but she never pushed when it obviously caused Billy to become agitated, and it made Billy feel just enough that someone cared without feeling like he was losing control over the situation. It was like pressing just enough on a bruise that you feel that sweet ache down to the muscle (pressing on a wound just enough to stop the bleeding, without the pain of peeling back the fabric and debris stuck to it and trying to really see it). It was pressing just enough to feel grounded and real and seen.

It was Ortega that first introduced him to Greek mythology, and later on the concept of the Ship of Theseus. Marie Ortega was an avid reader and tried her best to pass this on to her students however she could. Stubborn and apathetic as Billy was, even he couldn't resist the allure of a good story. The tales of bloody heroes and petty gods and talking monsters were just a plus that Ortega knew would sweeten the pot for a fierce little spitfire like Billy. He remembers devouring the giant tome of Greek myths Miss Ortega kept in the small bookshelf behind her desk, the one full of books brought in from her own personal collection that were only loaned out to trusted students during class. Billy spent entire lunch periods camping out in that classroom reading, careful not to get chocolate milk or lukewarm pizza sauce on the pages that told tales of men punished for trying to feed their children to the gods and monstrous women that turned the men that dared come after them to stone.

Ortega let him be, as she often did, but one afternoon as Billy began packing his things away once his hour after school was winding down, she stopped him. Asked him if he wanted to take the book home. Said nothing as Billy stared at her for a long minute, knowing that she never let students take home books from her private collection. Kindly ignored the thick burning behind his eyes as he realized the trust she was offering him, and how he couldn't accept it because it wouldn't be the first or the last time his dad tore through his room and trashed anything he even slightly didn't approve of. Nodded sadly as he declined and gave a vague excuse about not wanting the thick book to get damaged in his ragged old book bag, but thanking her anyway. Ortega had looked at him for a small, quiet moment after that, both of them taking invisible steps between each other. But she quickly shook off any visible disappointment as she often did and smiled kindly at him, then offered him a piece of candy to take on his way home instead. For always being such a responsible student, she said. Ha. If only his dad was there to hear that.

Another look at Miss Ortega's kind smile, her classroom full of bright colors and forbidden books and the dark curly hair that fell over her warm brown skin, and Billy thought that maybe it was better this way. Better that his dad skipped open house that year and Miss Ortega never met Neil Hargrove.

Billy picked a lollipop from Miss Ortega's treasured box of candy, a little square thing with bright yellow packaging he couldn't read half the words on and a smiling red watermelon on it. Turning it over to the clear side of the wrapper revealed the shape of a candy watermelon slice coated in bright chili powder. "Careful," she'd told him teasingly, "That's a spicy one. Wouldn't want you to get burned by something that's supposed to be sweet." Billy had bared his teeth at her in a broad smile. "I like the burn. Makes the sweetness worth it," he'd said.

Miss Ortega had been his 9th grade English teacher, but to his own surprise Billy had continued to go pester her late into his sophomore year and well into his junior year after that, before they'd once again had to move when his dad- well. Anyway.

Before that though, Billy and Miss Ortega spent hundreds of lunch time hours together, usually just quietly inhabiting the same space, but sometimes allowing idle conversation to come up during the course of the hour. It was during one of these conversations that Miss Ortega had introduced him to one of the classic questions of philosophy. Billy had always been a practical sort of guy. He didn't have time for stupid questions like 'what is the meaning of life?' and 'where do we go when we die?' It didn't fucking matter and he had more important and far more immediate things to worry about. But Ortega had made a reluctant mythology nerd of Billy and by that point he had a quiet sort of respect for the woman, so he'd allowed her to spin her yarn about the Ship of Theseus. He'd let her explain the quandary of the ancient ship with the rusted parts and the rotten wood and how no one could say for certain after all was said and done if the ship they had repaired was still the same as the ship before it'd had all it's parts replaced. Miss Ortega had asked for his thoughts, curious in that way all English teachers are when they see a kid's eyes alight at a new idea and know they've caught their attention. Billy had been deceptively flippant, of course. No duh it was the same ship. It still looked the same, worked the same, sailed the same. They kept the shape of it and it functioned all the same, what did it matter? Ortega had simply smiled. She nodded and accepted this answer with the grace of a woman that deals with bratty 15 year olds on the regular and apparently enjoys hearing all about their shitty literary analysis. It irritates Billy a little, makes him feel like she's just humoring him, but before he can snap and say something he regrets, she asks him about his car. That pulls him up short.

By now, everyone at school knows the sound of his Camaro's engine revving in the east parking lot every morning. He'd fixed her up himself over the course of the last two years, and he was damn proud of it. She was his girl, the only thing he could truly grasp with two hands and know belonged to him and him alone. He had saved up for her, bought her, and fixed her up himself. Neil had no true claim on her, no matter how often he took Billy's keys to make a point during a punishment. Billy had mentioned her before to Ortega, so she knew he'd done more than simply buy the Camaro, knew that he'd spent the better part of the past two summers and every weekend after that fixing her up. Miss Ortega asks him about his car, and Billy thinks he understands what those musty ass philosophers were getting at a little better. It's still stupid, because in the end the ship still sails and his car still drives, but maybe there's something to be wondered about the parts that make the whole.

Even after they move, uprooting Billy's entire life and dumping it in Fuckall, Indiana, Billy still thinks about that conversation. Whenever he pops the hood on his baby or has to roll underneath her chassis to check something, he wonders about it. Is his Camaro the same rusted car with the croaking engine he bought for shit from Big Luis down the block? Technically, yeah. And yet. Billy saw the Camaro's charm when he first laid eyes on her, knew her potential and what she could mean for him, that freedom to run far and go where he pleased. Billy loved the ocean, but he had always wanted to fly as a kid, and that Camaro was his wings. Big Luis must have known it too, because the bastard had definitely undersold on purpose despite Billy's best efforts to make a fair deal of it.

Billy isn't sure if that feeling is something someone could replace like a new hood or set of wheels. But it isn't like he'd built the Camaro back up from scratch, chassis, body, engine and all. She was a fixer upper for sure, but Billy wasn't a miracle worker either. The question asked if all the parts replaced made it new. Billy still wasn't sure about that. And ships and cars and wood and metal aren't people. Broken wrists. Broken nose. Heavy bruises. Heavy heart. All these things patched up and pulled together with duct tape, gauze, and spite but undeniably his. Before, his broken parts and cracked edges had been his. After the Shadow, everything he was had been picked apart and reassembled like a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces and others borrowed from different boxes. A Rubix cube with all the stickers rearranged and others colored in. All of his bits and insides taken and replaced like the rotten wooden boards of that stupid ship.

Is it the same? That ship the same as the one that first set sail? Is he the same? That man he sees in the mirror the same as the little boy that cried when his dad called him a sissy? Billy doesn't know. And just like when he was 17 years old and sitting in Marie Ortega's classroom during lunchtime, he doesn't think it really matters.

(He doesn't know if his beloved Camaro is the same as that rusted half gutted car he bought from the local mechanic his freshman year and fixed with parts from the local junkyard. But now his baby sits mangled to pieces and impounded behind the police station, all those months of work and years of care going up like so much ash floating in air. He thinks it's fitting almost, that they should share such a similar fate. If they are rebuilt now, will they still be the same car, the same man?)