#also Maxine i can be maxine kind of person too

[nthflower]

I want to be Nadia kind of social reject loser 15 years later can I be please 🥺

[torakowalski]

Continued from here but heading all the way back to the beginning. (Not yet) Olympic Swimmer Steve, Hawkins Public Pool, summer 1986:

Eddie isn't a natural swimmer, but he has to find some way to regain the strength those fucking bats took. So when he finds out that Steve and Max are both doing their physio in the public pool, he blows Wayne's mind by demanding he goes to Melvalds and buys Eddie some swim trunks.

Not that Eddie is a follower. But if the rest of Team Rehab is in the pool, then Eddie is gonna be in the pool too.

The problem is that now Eddie is in the pool. He's wet, he's exhausted, and he's wearing nothing except what's basically soaked, clingy underwear, while Steve fucking Harrington looks majestic and gorgeous, swimming lengths not ten feet away.

"It's better through binoculars," says Max. She's sitting on the edge of the pool, even more tired out that Eddie is. Eddie is half taking a break and half making sure she doesn't slide off the side and drown.

"Hm?" Eddie asks.

"Steve. Shirtless. It's hotter through binoculars."

Eddie has one second of limb-freezing, stomach-tightening terror, the same second he always gets, no matter whether someone is being too perceptive or whether he's deliberately outing himself.

He makes himself breath through it.

"Jesus Christ, Maxine," he says and gets kicked in the back for his troubles. He'd like to think the kick is gentle because she's worried about his injuries, but it's probably just the hardest she can kick, right now. "Maybe I'm looking at his form."

Max laughs. "Well, yeah."

Eddie gives up. He looks over his shoulder at her. She has the expression of a person who is cool about you being queer and also wants you to know that she's cool about you being queer and also is fifteen and doesn't want to have fucked up.

Eddie makes himself be brave back. "Is it me or is he just getting more built, while you and I flounder around over here, just trying to regain any muscles at all?"

"He's here like, all the time," Max says. "Like hours before us and hours after we go home. He says it turns his brain off."

Eddie can kind of see that; it's definitely harder to think about all the shit that went down at spring break when you're busy trying not to get chlorinated water up your nose.

"Doesn't he have his own pool though? I'm damn sure he has his own pool."

Max shrugs. "I think it got earthquaked." She lifts her head, using a hand to shield her eyes. "Hey, who's that?"

Eddie looks where she's looking and sees a middle aged dude in red swimming trunks and a white t-shirt squat down at the far end of the pool, catching Steve's attention when he surfaces after what must be his fiftieth length in a row.

They're too far away to hear what's being said, but Steve pushes his hair back off his face and bobs in place, clearing listening hard. They talk for a while, long enough that Eddie and Max both start shifting, Max - like Eddie - clearly wondering if they need to stage a rescue.

Then the guy nods to Steve and stands up, walking away, while Steve turns, looking around.

When he spots Eddie and Max, he swims over, all long, and golden and wet.

"Who was that?" Eddie asks, when Steve pops up next to them. "Trouble?"

"No." Steve shakes his head, clear drops of pool water flying from the ends of his hair. "No, he's a swim coach here. He says I'm good."

"Duh," says Eddie.

"You know you're good," says Max.

Steve grins. He does know he's good; it's written all over his face. But so is some bafflement and Eddie doesn't think that's faked.

"Yeah, but like, he wants to train me. He thinks I could compete?"

"Like at the Olympics?" Eddie asks, not totally sure where else swimming people go to swim.

Steve laughs, but only a little meanly. "Jumping a hell of a lot of steps there, Munson. But maybe State? I could maybe do State? I was supposed to be at tryouts last year, but." He shrugs.

"But Billy gave you a massive concussion," Max fills in for him.

Steve shrugs again.

Max kicks him, about as hard as she kicked Eddie. "You better have said yes to that guy or so help me I'll crawl after him myself."

Steve rolls his eyes at her, but they're sparkling. He looks excited, pleased in a way that Eddie hasn't seen for months. "Yeah," he says. "I said yes."

(Part three now here)

[dwobbitfromtheshire]

"I found a video tape from when Steve was little!" Dustin said as he burst into the living room.

"How do you know that it's a tape from his childhood?" Nancy asked.

"Because, Nance, Steve refuses to show us any photos from when he was little," Dustin said. "And he's had this shoved all the way into the back of the closet like he was ashamed."

The younger members of the party were all hanging out at Steve's house yet again while the older adults were spending time playing poker. It was a parents only evening. Robin and Steve were in the kitchen while the rest of them were sprawled out in the living room. Argyle and Vickie were out getting desserts with Erica and Holly. Dustin had disappeared early on, claiming to have gone to the restroom.

"Well, you know, it could be a different kind of tape," Eddie grinned.

"What else kind of tape could it be?" Dustin asked.

"You know what? Pop it in and find out," Eddie said.

"Eddie!" Chrissy exclaimed, looking down at Eddie, whose head was in her lap.

"Aren't you curious?" Eddie asked.

"A little," she said. "But we shouldn't dig through Steve’s things without his permission."

"Robin does it all the time," Dustin said.

"Robin's also the only person allowed to do his hair," Lucas said.

"Robin also likes to play with fire now," Max said. "As much as I love her, maybe we shouldn't do everything that Robin does."

"I didn't think you'd have a problem with this, Maxine," Dustin said.

"Don't call me Maxine, asshole," she scowled. "And I learned my lesson from spying on our friends."

Dustin rolled his eyes as she high-fived Mike and popped in the tape. He pressed play. It was Steve’s bedroom and what appeared to be a 16 or 17 year old Steve sitting on his bed. He stared nervously at the camera.

"Are you sure about this?" Steve asked.

"Definitely, Stevie-boy," another guy's spoke from behind the camera. "We both need the practice. We need to be good at this when we finally get girlfriends. Remember? This was your idea."

Steve swallowed as Tommy Hagan came out from behind a camera, holding a long blonde wig.

"Right," Steve said as Tommy sat down next to him.

"Do you want to be the girl, or should I?" Tommy asked.

"I'll be the girl. My idea, right?" Steve asked and took off his shirt.

"You're already wearing the bra. You really do want to be the girl. . .Stevie," Tommy said.

"I like that," Steve blushed. "Stevie."

Tommy put the wig on Steve, cupped his face, and kissed him. Everyone watched the screen in stunned silence as they kissed.

"We should really turn this off," Dustin said. "Yeah, I should not have snooped."

"Yeah," Max said as she continued to look at the TV.

"NO!" Robin shrieked as she entered the room.

She dropped the chips and threw herself at Dustin, tackling him to the ground. Dustin screamed as she wrestled the remote out of his hands. She stopped the tape just as Tommy's hand went up Steve’s bra.

"Well, that wasn't necessary," Steve spoke from the living room doorway. "But thank you, Robin, I love you, too."

"Anytime, babe," Robin said as she pulled off Dustin's hat and hit him with it.

"Dustin, did you go through my things?" Steve asked, his hands on his hips.

"I thought it was a video from when you were a kid," Dustin said. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," Steve said in a quiet voice. "I'm just disappointed."

"No! Yell at me! Call me an asshole!" Dustin exclaimed. "Ground me! Anything but that!"

"Fine!" Steve said, throwing his hands up in the air. "Go stand quietly in the corner of the room or something."

"Sorry, Steve," Dustin muttered as he moved past him to stand in the corner.

"You'll get this back when I say you can!" Robin exclaimed, holding up his hat. "You nosy little shit!"

"Okay, since Dustin is the one in trouble, you guys can ask the questions. Anything at all," Steve said. "I was going to tell you all of this, I just never could find the right time. Yes, I'm bisexual, and yes, sometimes I do enjoy wearing women's underwear."

"How far did you go with that guy?" Max asked.

"With Tommy? Oh, yeah, all the way," Steve said.

"That's Tommy Hagan?" Max asked with raised eyebrows.

"You never met him?" Steve asked. "He became like obsessed with Billy when you guys rolled into town."

"Yeah, Billy was never keen on me meeting any of his friends," Max shrugged.

"Right," Steve said.

"Did you give him your special flower?" El asked.

"Uh, I mean, guys don't really call it their flower, but yeah, we both lost our virginities to each other," Steve said and squinted his eyes at her. "Did you have the talk yet?"

"Uh, Dad started to talk with her about it before Starcourt, and then later, Mom sat down with her," Will said.

"And who called it her special flower?" Robin asked.

"Who do you think?" Jonathan asked.

"Hopper is the most awkward man alive, and coming from me, that's saying something," Robin said.

"So, you and Tommy were a thing?" Nancy asked.

"Well, we were on and off since we were 16. At one point, I did call him my boyfriend until he started dating Carol. He got offended when I broke it off with him. Excuse me, if I didn't want to be the other man," Steve said. "My mom put up with that shit with my dad. I wasn't going to do the same thing. Tommy and I were both hiding that part of our lives but I didn't want to use another person to do it."

"Starting to understand why Tommy hated me so much," Nancy said.

"So, did you always know you liked men, or was that the first time that you figured it out?" Mike asked.

"Well, I always knew that I liked men. I just never thought that I would like women until Nancy came along," Steve said.

"What?!" Nancy exclaimed. "All those women - "

"Yeah, I have no clue where those rumors came from, but I didn't deny them," Steve shrugged.

"So, Wheeler was the first woman you slept with?" Eddie asked.

"Yeah," Steve said.

"Wait, hold on," Nancy said, standing up and moving to stand in front of him. "When I said - when I didn't mean to say that - "

"Yeah, I thought you were right for a while, that I was bullshit, and I was trying to be something that I wasn't with you. After a lot of late nights, I realized that it was absolutely real for me. How I felt about you was real," Steve said.

"It was real for me then, too, Steve," Nancy said softly. "I want you to know that and it still is."

"I'm sorry for not telling you," Steve said.

"You don't have to apologize for not being ready to say anything. You understood that I wasn't ready to celebrate that milestone in my life when Barb died," Nancy said. "I can't imagine keeping that all in, though."

"I didn't want to make it about me when you were still grieving for Barb," Steve said, blushing. "I was just as confused as you were."

"When did you know for certain that it was real?" Nancy asked softly.

"When I finally realized that I would never be with you again, the pain was very real," Steve said.

"I'm sorry," Nancy said softly.

"I'm not. The pain was worth knowing that what I had with you was real. I needed to know for sure. You're here now. That's all that matters," Steve said.

"So. . .that dream you had as a kid?" Nancy asked.

"Oh, yeah, I totally pictured Tommy there, too, and then for a long time after, all I could see was you drop-kicking Tommy out of the RV," Steve said.

"Hm, I definitely wouldn't have drop-kicked him," Nancy said and smiled, "I would have shot him, though. That spot definitely belongs to me. I won."

Nancy leaned forward and kissed him. He smiled against her lips, pulling her in closer. She ran her fingers through his hair, tugging on it gently.

"Woohoo! Looks like we're getting a live show!" Eddie exclaimed.

"Gross! That's my sister!" Mike exclaimed.

Steve pulled away with a laugh, wrapping his arm around Nancy.

"So, you're all okay with this?" Steve asked.

"Yeah, none of that made us uncomfortable," Max said. "Well, except one thing."

"Yeah, you look terrible as a blonde, man," Lucas grinned.

"Okay, so, two things made us uncomfortable," Max said, rolling her eyes.

"It's okay, tell me. We can talk about it," Steve said as Nancy squeezed him.

"Plaid on plaid?" Max asked. "Gross."

"What? Is there something wrong with it?" Steve asked.

"You actually like it?" Chrissy asked.

"Yeah, don't you?" He asked.

They all groaned and threw pillows at him. Eddie got up and actually started beating him with the pillow. Steve laughed and dodged him, moving away from Nancy. Finally, Eddie pinned him to the floor and hit him over the head with the pillow.

"I'm going to beat some good taste into you if it's the last thing I do!" Eddie yelled.

El giggled and used her powers to knock Eddie off of Steve with all of the pillows. Eddie shrieked, and pretty soon, there was an all-out pillow war.

"Aw, damn it! That sounds fun!" Dustin exclaimed.

"You stay there!" Nancy yelled at him. "And you think about what you've done!"

After several minutes, Steve finally decided that Dustin was punished enough and threw a pillow at him. Dustin grinned and picked up a pillow. Eddie over the couch and ran at him, attacking Dustin with a loud roar. Chrissy jumped onto Eddie's back to stop him. Max was on top of Lucas, hitting him with a pillow. El and Mike were going after Robin together while Robin chased after Jonathan. Meanwhile, Nancy and Steve were circling each other, each holding a pillow.

"Come on, Steve, hit me. Don't be afraid just because I'm a woman," Nancy taunted. "Hit me."

"I feel like this happens a lot for them in the bedroom," Robin said.

"Agreed," Max said.

"Again! That's my sister!" Mike yelled and hit Robin.

They heard the front door open, but the fight continued. Argyle, Vickie came in with Erica and Holly after them.

"Oh, hell no," Erica said when she saw Lucas about to hit Max.

Erica dropped a bag and picked up a pillow. She immediately knocked her brother over with it. Holly shrieked with excitement as she jumped on Mike's back.

"I got you, El, I'll save you from Mike!" Holly yelled.

"Vickie, my love!" Robin exclaimed.

"Aw, hi, babe!" Vickie grinned. "We'll put these away, and then we'll join you!"

Argyle and Vickie immediately dove right in when they did return to the living room. Vickie defended Robin and Argyle dove right in front of Jonathan when Max threw a pillow his way. Argyle took it to the chest and fell dramatically to the floor.

"Jonathan, babe, don't forget to feed our plants," Argyle gasped.

The room was filled with shouts and then laughter as they all collapsed on the floor. Nancy pulled Steve to her, letting him tuck his head under her chin.

"Thank God, Erica and Holly wanted to go with the others," Steve said.

"Yeah," Nancy smiled.

"Erica would have been a lot meaner about my room," Steve said.

"It's not that bad," Nancy said.

"Yeah, right," Steve scoffed. "This is it."

"What?"

"This is my dream. Right here, right now," Steve said with a happy sigh.

"So. . .," Nancy said casually. "I don't suppose you still have that wig, do you?"

Steve laughed.

[allastoredeer]

I just found some Hazbin Hotel leaks, pre-being pick up by A24 and, do you know we could have had an episode where Charlie meets all the Deadly Sins? We were absolutely robbed of a pretty good filler episodes before the big finale with heaven.

Here's link to the leaks: https://imgur.com/a/nCorcZq

In case the link doesn't work, you can also look at this tumblr post: https://www.tumblr.com/hellaverse-critical-confessions/727383242254204928/hello-the-pre-a24-leaks-anon-again-heres-link?source=share

I really hope they use some of this old concepts on the next season cause they seem quite funny and interesting. Those ideas could help flush the characters out a bit more and the worldbuilding. What do you think?

Me writing notes while reading the leaks:

OOOH HOO WE GOT SOME WONDERFUL CHARACTER INSIGHTS! Especially with Husk!

“Angel and Charlie drag Husk out to a carnival show to show him the not-so-sleazy side of life. This proves difficult with Husk being raised to know nothing but crime and no experience with innocent fun.”

Husk has no experience with innocent fun. He only knows the sleazy side of life T.T Also he has mob connections 👀That is good to know. I find that so, so interesting. It explains it grim outlook on life. Why he's hardly every smiling or having fun. I think one of the first times we actually see him smile is after fighting those shark demons with Angel Dust in "Masquerade."

Now that I'm thinking about it, he smiles a lot more after that. Or, at least from what I remember. I might need to rewatch the show (for the dozenth time, LMAO). But, that kind also goes to show how much this guy needs friends. Good relationships. Connections outside of crime, which is all he's known all his life.

I WANT HUSK TO HAVE PURE, DUMB FUN AND TO LAUGH AND SMILE AND IM SOBBING JUST THINKING ABOUT IT

Also love delving more into Vaggie too. How she's incredible responsible, but controlling. After reading through a few of the episode description about her, my personal headcanon/take is that she still has a bit of that "angels are superior" mindset in the way that when she challenges Maxine, she's quickly reminded of her own limits when she's defeated "very easily." It's like what Carmilla was saying in the show. The angels are arrogant in their fighting. They leave themselves open, they're brash, and uncoordinated because they're not used to fighting demons who can actually fight back.

As far as we've seen, all of their victims are regular demons. None of the Overlords. Well, except Carmilla that one time, and she'd taken down the Exorcists with relative ease because she knows how to fight, and she's powerful. Given that this is the first time an Exorcist has been killed, and the first time we hear about an Overlord being attacked during the Extermination, I assume not a lot of Exorcists come face to face with the Overlords.

So, this kind of brash arrogance still lingering in Vaggie, who see's a demon talking down to her and automatically challenges them to a fight, only to lose immediately. Then her falling back into her insecurities that if she's not able to protect/fight for something/someone, than she's useless (which is ANOTHER thing she's learned from her time as an Exorcist angel--if she's unable to fight for the cause, what use does she have?). It's like this double-edged sword, and I'm rahhhhhh I'm gnawing on it.

ALSO ALSO, getting not only one annual event held in Hell, but TWO! "Hells Weapons Exo," (which I like to think Vox co-hosts with Carmilla, as she is a weapons manufacturer, and Vox is the guy to go to if you're looking to sell/buy something. Also, Vox HAS to have a showmanship side of him. Like, a legitimate showy, entertainer side--which I also like to think is what brought him and Alastor together before their, uh, falling out.)

Their second event being "Challenge Day" where lower tiered demons can challenge higher tiered demons for control over souls? I interpreted this in two ways, 1) challenging a higher tiered demon for the souls they already own, or 2) challenging the person who owns your soul as a way to get it back - both of which I really like. It actually fits really well with some of the world-building I've been doing for the last few days, so I am eating it up.

ALSO THE FACT THAT THERE'S A ROYAL BALL HELD AFTER "CHALLENGE DAY." My RadioApple brain LATCHED onto that so quickly. Imagine Lucifer taking Alastor to the royal ball as his date T.T I wanna see them all dressed up fancy, and I want them to dance, and dsofslknjljblkjbj FUUUUUUCK

Thank you SO Much for sending me this! I am soaking up these lore pieces like a sponge.

It also mentions Angel and Charlie taking Husk to a carnival show, which makes me wonder if there are places like carnivals open in Pentagram City, or if it's similar to the traveling circus thing Blitz grew up in. Like, do hellborn demons who doing travelling circus/carnivals just go through all the rings, one-by-one, including the Pride Ring? That way the Sinners get to get in on it too? AH! I just love thinking about it.

Thank you thank you I am feasting so much right now.

(THIS ALSO MAKES ME SO UPSET ABOUT STUDIOS LIMITING SERIES DOWN TO 8-10 EPISODES A SEASON, WE COULD'VE GOTTEN SO MUCH CONTENT AND WORLD BUILDING IF THEY'D GIVEN VIVZIE AND HER TEAM A PROPER SEASON TO BUILD IT ALL UP AND GRRRRRRRR)

Oh, also, I just realized I didn't answer your original question about the Sins, GOD I wish we got that. I want to see Charlie interacting with all the Sins so badly. Though, I suppose with Amazon not really owning Hazbin Hotel, where all the Sin's have been showing up, I wonder if they'd be able to do an episode like at all.

I don't know. Things to think about.

But to sum up! Thank you so much for this! I know this answer kind of went on long LOL, but you have given me so much brain food and I am eternally grateful 🙏

[misty--nights]

Episode 5, here we go! This episode is a roller coaster. It has some of the funniest gags in the series, but also some of the most heartbreaking scenes. I'm surprised at how many thoughts I had about the characters with this one.

The editing of the recap has me dying! Who decided to cut from Niko asking if Edwin wanted to kiss Monty to that shot of Charles from when Edwin was enraptured by him and then back to Edwin saying "I don't know"? I gasped when I saw that. Fantastic

Charles is leaning in for a kiss when before Crystal says they need to talk. No, my boy, someone give him a hug

I said it before in episode 4, but it's wild to me that there was apparently like no real investigation done into Brad and Hunter's deaths

The envelope with Niko's letter has the same stickers as her envelope with rent from last episode. As someone who also finds every excuse to use cute stickers, I find this amazing

For all of Maxine's glaring problems, she actually makes a pretty good librarian. Love that she greets Niko by asking if she's done with her reading. Also love that apparently Niko borrows at least some of her manga from the library (we love supporting libraries in this house)

Charles looks genuinely intrigued when Niko mentions having her own case. I really wish we had gotten to see more scenes with these two because they'd make an amazing team. Just imagine the chaos and good vibes of the two of them combined

I know the eight ball is supposed to be predicting her imminent death, but the "outlook not so good" fits really well with the outlook of the date. And it shows right after she says she's feeling lucky about her case, so, I think it applies to that as well (in a way, you could say it's predicting Maxine's death in the episode? Maybe?)

When they go to the dragon's den, Brad says people don't go there anymore because they miss him and Hunter too much, which is an interesting way to put it. Like, I understand why he'd interpret it like that, given the kind of people the two of them are, but still. It didn't click until now that that is most likely not what other students think when they imagine going to the dragon's den

Edwin looks so concerned about what a hand job is. Especially after Charles reaction, I'm dying

There is a genuine record scratch after Maxine mentions the nightshirt thing. I rarely pay attention to the background music in shows and music, so this one took me by surprise. It works really well with the scene, though, I like it

I know part of the reason this case affects Charles so much is because he's trying to tell himself he's not this terrible person because of his trauma and anger. But do you also think Brad and Hunter remind him of the guys he used to hang out with when he was alive? The ones who killed him? He looks really hurt when he tells them "you were cruel just for the shits", and I think it would make sense for him to be remembering his own friends' cruelty. Towards that other boy they were kicking and that he tried to defend, and towards Charles himself when they killed him. I think maybe in that moment he's remembering the way they laughed as they hurt him, how they cheered as he froze in the lake and tried to avoid their blows

Did they put eyeliner on Charles just so that his eyes would look all smudged every time he cries? Because it's devastating seeing him like that each time. And that hopeful smile he gets right before hugging Edwin? Ugh, my heart

Also in that scene, the way Charles nuzzles against Edwin's face during the hug, I swear!! Someone needs to give this boy like a thousand hugs right now

"I could smooth everything out again." This line breaks me knowing Crystal's backstory. Can you imagine her, letting David posses her because he promised to dull out all of this rage and hurt that have festered inside of her for years? And he does, he takes all of that and the memories and everything, but she's left trapped inside of herself, unable to do anything but watch him do as he pleases with her body. I think she should also get like a thousand hugs right away

Is Monty's ring a bird skull? Because that's adorable and very on brand

[beesmygod]

today is webcomics day. i am bea and i make "A Ghost Story" - part 3: sketch 1

ed note from the future: this got long. its going mostly under a readmore for everyone's sake. and i didnt even finish sketching, just trying to explain what is going through my mind while trying to sketch. look, if i write down my process in exhausting detail people will realize im completely insane. this is a net benefit to anyone trying to interact with me in the future who thinks i can be reasoned with. community service. thank you for allowing me to post this shit lol

hmmm. giving up on the first few panels for right now. here's what i'm thinking about as i sketch this:

too many of my panels were talking heads or constantly relied on one point perspective. i have been trying to work against this for a while with mixed results. sometimes the result is so bad i have to scrap what i did and start over but sometimes it's "good enough for TV"* and i hit publish on it. no risks, no reward after all. can't get better if you don't try.

in this first panel, i have two people having a back and forth conversation through a weird magic hole in the floor/wall. maxine is laying on a couch with hole right above her head. homestar runner will demonstrate what i mean:

however, there are logistical problems with maxine that homestar runner doesnt have. maxine's right shoulder is dislocated, so she can't lay on that side, or any side that would put pressure on the joint. im realizing i don't actually know what position would be most comfortable in her situation or how she would instinctually arrange her body to avoid pain. i start looking up videos from physical therapists on how they recommend patients sleep for some ideas.

also i start looking up what women look like sleeping on couches. how does the human body fold up. because this isn't it.

anyway, this was my first effort with the first panels.

for reference, the last page ends like this:

the top left of the sketch would have been the hopi clown back on the shelf with the "camera" tilting above it to reveal maxine. while this keeps the relevant object from the previous page in frame as a piece of connective tissue between updates....i'm struggling to fit the second character in. the one talking from the hole. maybe there's still hope for this? it's not terrible. initially i nuked it but maybe i can make this work.

fuck! she needs a pillow or two to make this work. this video is right, that DOES look naturally comfortable compared to the standard fetal position that would pull the affected shoulder inward. i didn't draw any pillows into the stupid establishing shot of the office bc its not the kind of couch you are expected to sleep on!!! this is a man's business office!!! i thought i was so smart!!

basically every couch comes with decorative pillows though, and the shot of the room didn't include the wall the "camera" was up against. my 2-point perspective failure might have paid off here lol. if i can establish that the second character is talking through the hole, he can use his rayman hands to reach across the room and get the pillow for her. it can be part of his personal campaign to show maxine he means her no immediate harm. the pillows were just out of frame. lurking. ok let's try it again. uhhhh after i eat some lunch

---

*my friend kelly had an anecdote from working in animation that im going to retell badly from memory. her boss would take the work she labored over to meet by deadline and would laugh at it, saying "ah, its terrible! but good enough for TV". and while extremely mean, he had a salient point: it never has to be perfect. it just needs to be good enough to be seen. sometimes i seriously think about this anecdote when im dissatisfied with my own art. it's bad. but it's good enough for tv.

[imagines-by-a-typical-fangirl]

The One I've Been Waiting For {Part 04 of 13}

Pairing: Billy Hargrove X Older!reader

Word count: 2 K

Summary: Billy Hargrove is just one of the many students you're supposed to help. The last thing you expect from your interaction is that he'll start flirtt with you... Much less that Billy would stir up feelings you'd rather keep hidden. Despite the mutual sentiments that soon enough start to grow, there are a lot of reasons for whatever it is to be left alone, and one of them is your age...

<- Previous part (03)

Next Part (05) ->

{Stranger Things Masterlist}

A/N: In this story, reader is 5 years older than Billy, who's 18.

•••

The Heart and the Mind

Billy's mind is a chaotic place. But this time is for a whole different reason. It's been a while since he got together with a girl, and he doesn't even miss it. He did think about it more than a few times, but every time he considers it... All he can think about is her.

“Billy!” Max suddenly yells, snapping him out of his thoughts. With an angry face, he glances at her.

“What the hell, shitface?”

“What's wrong with you? Why are you acting so weird?” Max asks, and he rolls his eyes, focusing on the road.

“I'm normal.” Shrugging his shoulders, Billy checks his face through the review mirror. There's nothing wrong with him.

“No, you're not. You're more stupid than usual. And less angry.” She goes on, and Billy runs a hand through his head before hanging an arm on the open window. “It looks like you have something in your head.”

“Max, shut the hell up.” He mutters, taking a deep breath. “Care about your own business and leave me alone.”

“Fine, whatever.” She mumbles.

He was just about to lash out at her again when he remembers what (Y/N) said. Billy was never too fond of Max, and he doesn't want her to be one more thing he has to care about. But they were both forced into each other's lives, and she also has to deal with Neil. Of course, she doesn't see the worst side of him, since she's Susan's daughter. But part of Billy, a tiny little part is happy she's not the one being beaten up. Thinking about it now, imagining Neil hitting Max, makes him angry. Furious.

“What about that shitty boyfriend you have?” He asks, eyes on the road.

“What about him?”

“Damn it, Maxine. Is he treating you ok? Because if he ever does anything I'll have to end his miserable life.” He's finally at the Elementary School, stopping the car. “We're family now, it doesn't matter how we feel about it, so if anyone screws up with you, it's my business too.”

“You're going crazy.” She mumbles before opening the door.

“Maybe I am.” He whispers to himself, ignoring how she pushes the door close.

Driving fast, he makes his way to Hawking High School for more endless hours of bullshit. Billy can't take this anymore, not here at least. He was never into school, but back in Cali, at least he was home, in a place he loved. But here, he has nothing.

Nothing but a girl stuck in his head. A girl whose smile is burned in his memory, that he plays back all the time. Billy acts like he doesn't have a heart, but (Y/N) certainly makes him feel as if it's beating again. Maybe for the first time in his life.

—————

You've been quite off the whole morning, not paying attention to anything. Lucky for you, today's class is just about the presentations of last month's projects, and since your group was the first one, you had the privilege of sitting in the back and letting your mind float away from this place.

The thing you don't want to think about is the only thing you think about. Or better said, the person.

Billy has been going through your mind on a daily basis, ever since you last met him when you went to the quarry. You did cross paths with him at school, and he was nice, asking how your day was. With kind eyes and a beautiful smile.

And now, the man has been constantly in your head. Night and day, even though you've been struggling not to. And you like thinking about him. You even miss him, looking down at you with those blue eyes.

“(Y/N),” Tanya calls, and you snap out of your thoughts, noticing that the class is over. “Where are you? You didn't even pay attention to the project's presentation.”

“Yeah, I...” Gathering your stuff, you follow Tanya outside. “I was just thinking.”

“About what?”

“Nevermind, Tany. It's stupid.”

“Well–”

“How is my beautiful girlfriend doing?” The voice is quickly followed by a sudden hug. Liam has one arm around Tanya and the other around your shoulders. He kisses her before placing a kiss on your cheek. “And my beautiful bestie?” You wrinkle your noise at his word and the high pitched voice he usually uses.

“Your bestie has a boy in her head.” Tanya singsongs, and you roll your eyes. “I have to go to the restroom. Be right back.” Kissing Liam again, she waves at you and walks away.

“So you finally met someone you're interested in?” Liam asks as you move to one of the wooden benches set near the walls.

“Let's sit there.”

The wind is stronger than earlier today, making the tree's branches bend over. The campus is beautiful, and as you sit down, pulling your legs up, you watch as people come and go. The exposed skin of your shoulders makes you feel cold, but you ignore it. You like it here, it's far better than the one in Indianapolis. There's more nature, and the campus is full of trees and bushes, and even a garden on the East side. Things move slower here in Hawkings, but you like it.

“So? Who's this guy?”

“Liam, I need a guy's opinion on something.” Crossing your legs, you turn towards him.

“Bring it on.”

“How would you feel if Tanya was older than you?”

Liam furrows his eyebrows, getting a thoughtful expression for a while. He seems quite surprised by your question. “Well, if was still Tanya, I'd fall for her anyway.” He says, nodding to himself. “I mean, the dynamic would be different. Let's say that by her age she could have children or even an ex-husband. And the years of experience would probably make a gap in between us and if we're from different generations we'd like different things but–”

“Children and ex-husband?” You cut him off, not able to follow up with whatever he's saying.

“Yeah. The probabilities are that she'd at least have one past long-term relationship.”

Closing your eyes for a few seconds to gather your thoughts, you take a deep breath. “Liam, let me rephrase that. What if Tanya was, let's say... Five years older than you?” That's way too specific. “Would you still like her? Or even consider dating her?”

Liam gives you a look, raising one eyebrow. “Here I am, analyzing every aspect and challenge of a relationship with an age gap and you were speaking about five years?” You silently nod. “That's not even a gap. That's just a couple of years, no big deal.”

“It's just that... When the guy is older everyone finds it hot.” You start, looking down at your hands. You shouldn't even be talking about this, since Billy Hargrove isn't even a possibility. But this is just something you need to know, something you need someone else's opinion on. And Liam, being a guy, gives you a better perspective. “But when it's the other way around... People find it weird.”

“(Y/N), age is just a number.” He's still speaking when Tanya comes back, sitting next to him. “Correction. After eighteen, age is just a number. You're both adults and it doesn't matter what people say, only what you feel. And you don't even look your age, people wouldn't even spot the age difference.”

“What makes you think I'm talking about me?” You're quick to defend yourself, stuttering a little.

“Because you were way too specific for this to be a hypothetical situation or about someone else.” Liam exchanges a look with Tanya, who smiles.

“You know you don't have to hide things from us.” She says, reaching out a hand, which you hold. “We're here to help and support you. And if something happens between you and Billy we'll be happy for–”

“Nothing will happen.” Cutting her off, you sigh. “I just needed Liam's opinion on it. I was curious, that's all.”

“Look, the only problem I see with you getting into a relationship with Billy is his reputation.” Tanya starts, and Liam nods. They don't have much contact with Billy, but, like everyone who lives in Hawkins, they heard about him. “He's a bad boy, gets all the girls he wants, and throws them away when he's done. You're not into that kind of thing.”

“You're a hopeless romantic,” Liam adds.

“Exactly. So be careful.”

“I will.” You whisper, running a hand through your hair.

After another class, Tanya drives you to Hawkins High School where you attend this girl, Clarissa. A quick rain came and passed during the time you were with her in the classroom. But by the time you're done, the sun is trying to win over the thick, grey clouds taking over.

You're walking through the halls next to Clarissa, chatting. She's kind, and despite not being that good at Biology, you can see she's trying her best. “I'm way too nervous for this test. I need at least a C.”

“You'll do fine. I can make you a quiz if you want, to help you go over the topics again.” You offer as you move outside, the cold wind making you shiver.

“That would be amazing, thanks!” She cheers, giving you a quick hug before waving and heading to her car.

You go to the public phones since you need Tanya to pick you up. But after calling twice, you're almost giving up.

“Hey.” The sound makes you turn around, putting the phone back in place. Billy smiles, and you can't help but do the same.

“Hi.” You shyly say. “How have you been?” Talking to Billy is different now. You have ideas in your head, ideas you know you shouldn't have. “What are you doing here so late?”

“Basketball game.”

“Did your team win?”

“Of course.”

“That's great.” Taking the phone again, you try calling one more time. But she doesn't answer. “Shit.”

“Something wrong?”

“No, it's just–” Putting the phone back, you start walking, bracing yourself. “–Tanya was supposed to come for me but her telephone must be broken again.”

“Here,” Billy says, and when you look at him, you find the guy taking off his jacket.

“No, you don't have to–” He's already handing it over to you. “I'm alright, really.”

He doesn't say anything, and when it takes too long for you to move, Billy puts the jacket around your shoulders. You're immediately surrounded by warmth, and also his scent. It's familiar now, even though you don't spend too much time around him. But it makes you feel... Odd. In a good way.

“Thanks.” You whisper, stepping back and clearing your throat. “I gotta go now. Before the rain catches me.” With a little wave, you start walking again.

But Billy is quick to grab your arm, gently. “Do you really think I'll let you walk home with a storm coming?” As if to make his point clear, a distant thunder echoes.

“Billy...” You don't want to go with him. Being around Billy is dangerous, it brings out feelings you don't understand. Feelings you don't want to think about.

“(Y/N), C'mon. It's just a ride home.” The grip on your arm slips until he's holding your hand. It sends some kind of wave through your arm, like electricity.

You're moving before you notice, following him.

“Hey, Billy boy!” Someone shouts, and you give the guy a quick look before going for the passenger door. “Saturday at my place! It's gonna be wild, don't forget.”

“I won't.” He answers as you get inside, putting the seatbelt on. Billy is quick to settle down, turning the ignition. “Party on Saturday. Wanna come?”

“I can't. My group will come to my place to work on some papers.”

“Is it true or you just don't wanna go out with me?” Billy hits the street, and you struggle to deal with the anxiety. But it doesn't take much until you notice the... Normal speed. A lot different from last time.

“It's true.” You simply say, feeling yourself relaxing.

“So... Does that means you'd go out with me some other time?” Billy glances at you, and you feel your cheeks blushing.

You're supposed to say no immediately, make it clear this is just a ride home. That you're just... Friends. But why didn't the words come out? It would be so much easier... “Billy, you know we-”

“Mhmm, the age thing.” He cuts you off, a smirk in his voice. “Why don't you do the most simple thing?”

“Which is?”

“Ask if I care about it.” He's already staring when you look at him.

“Eyes on the road.” You warn him, and he smiles before complying. It's getting hard to deal with all this. Billy doesn't get out of your head, and you were hoping whatever this is, it would fade away. That time would help. But here you are again, with him, and all the walls separating between you are crumbling down... And you like it. You want to take them all down. But you are a thinker, and you're scared. None of the guys you were interested in before made you feel this way. But why now? Why Billy?

You just want to get home and stay the hell away from him and all the feelings he causes.

“Alright, Princess.” He sighs.

“Don't call me that.”

“Why not?”

“Well, do you?” You burst out, almost involuntary. Your heart and mind are at war, and both want to win.

Billy smiles, slowing down for the red light until he stops completely. Then, he looks at you, those blue eyes almost hypnotizing you. They're powerful... Or are you the one who's too weak?

“You're the only girl I ever met that I really want to know.” He says, voice low and deep, sending shivers down your spine. “So no. I don't give a damn about your age, Princess.”

You're frozen, still looking at him when someone blasts the horn, and you snap out, seeing that the light is green. “Some other time then... Maybe.” You whisper, clearing your throat and running a hand through your hair.

Your heart is beating fast, cheerful to know how he feels about it. But your mind... It tells you otherwise.

@aunicornmademedoit @alexa4040 @goth-cowgirl-03 @nyctophilic0vitnir @minispice-1

[suekreandtheidiots]

Some quick first headshots of two ladies from the Foster Boys spin off!

Maxine "Max" Kelly (*1992)

The Foster boys' sweet and bubbly neighbour (and friend). Loves drawing, sewing, clubbing and bringing Kip leftovers from her baking and cooking sprees. Keeps forgiving and going back to her shitty on-and-off-boyfriend Kevin. Hooks up with our leading man any time she feels lonely, though. Dreamed of going to art school but couldn't because she had to take jobs from an early age to help out the family. Is currently a Tesco cashier. Bonds well with Kip and made him a Halloween costume once. A girl's girl and a gentle soul.

Max helped the Fosters settle in after their move in Summer 2019! She's lived in the neighbourhood for a while already and I think she's the first friend Kip made. He was 11, about to turn 12, and still a little pissed at his dad for taking him away from his friends. I think that Max sensed that sadness and she really just wanted to cheer the new little neighbourhood boy up, which is also why she surprised him with a Halloween costume in October.

Max is one to show random acts of kindness, too. She stops whatever she's doing to help an old man cross the street, she carries old ladies' grocery bags… she's that kind of gal. Painfully loveable.

Abigail "Abby" Shaw (*1991). Kip's teacher. Wants to like Kip but thinks of him as impertinent and rude. 😂 Teaches maths and biology which Kip shows zero talent for, so that doesn't exactly help their relationship. 😂 Abby (aka Miss Shaw) is often over-zealous and desperate to maintain her ground (especially with the older kids at school), which can make her appear pretty feisty at times. Is very dedicated to her job and takes pretty much any responsibility she can get, even if it's not within her expertise ("Someone has to do it?!"). Hates asking for help. Engaged to a guy called David.

Abby isn't actually bad or super feisty. She just has this desire to prove herself (and everyone around her) that she's a capable person and teacher so she sometimes gets carried away a little. She hates not being in control and wants to be taken seriously. She does her job just fine, though, and honestly, Kip IS annoying. 😂 She gets along better with other students! Anna, for example, is one of her favourite students! (I personally love the thought that Kip and Anna keep "arguing" about that.)

--- I liked the line art so here it is:

[alice-the-brave]

“I don’t know,” she hums, licking at a stray drop of melted ice cream running down her hand, “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it seems like you want to see Steve.”

He pauses, bottle halfway to his lips, still staring down the road. He turns slowly, stares at the side of her head where she’s intent on her ice cream, innocent and unbothered. Pretending she didn’t say something that even just a few months ago would have turned this all ugly. Still might.

            “Good thing you do know better,” he says, voice low and warning.

She frowns at her ice cream, glances up at him, something defiant and stubborn in her eyes.

            “You’re allowed to be friends with him, you know.”

He flinches at the weight of her gaze, at the knowing look in her eyes.

It had been her fault they’d moved. Because Dad hadn’t liked her dad being so close. Hadn’t liked another man having any kind of claim on his wife, or his daughter. But also because Max had always been too smart. Had always seen Billy a little too clearly. She had looked at him, and the people he hung around, the company he kept and had asked questions. Had asked Susan. Susan, who as always, had asked his Dad.

Neil Hargrove hadn’t ever made a habit of asking Billy anything.

            “I don’t need you to tell me what I’m allowed,” He spits, slamming the bottle down on the roof of the car hard enough that she jumps, eyes wide and surprised, as if she’d forgotten what he was like, “You need to learn to mind your fucking business or I swear to God, Max, you’re going to regret it.”

            “You think I don’t?”

That draws him up short.

            “What?”

            “You think I don’t know that half the reason your dad moved us out here was because of what I said?” She aska, crunching the ice cream in her hand into sad, wet crumbs on the gravel. “I didn’t think – I mean. I didn’t know what was going on. I didn’t know he’d – that he’d do that. Any of it.”

She doesn’t look at him as she says it, turns to frown at the gravel below them, like the dirt can hide the way she looks afraid.

It had been the first time Max had really seen how bad his Dad could be. She’d seen him scold Billy before, seen him threaten things, seen him slap him upside the head or push him around. But until then he’d been careful to never really let her see how bad it could get.

But that night, Max had seen it all. That night, Neil had been so incensed by the very idea of what she had inadvertently implied about his son, that he’d forgotten to pretend to be a decent fucking person.

Billy remembers, vaguely, hearing her crying, hearing her yelling something, and Susan dragging her away. He remembers her face in the waiting room of the hospital, the pale, wide-eyed look she’d given him. The way she flinched away from not only Neil but Susan too.

            “I didn’t think mom would say anything to him about it,” she says, fists clenching in her pasty freckled lap, “I didn’t think she’d let him do it.”

He stares at her for a moment. Tries to think past the rushing of his blood, the immediate anger in his gut.

            “Which part?” He asks, and she turns to him quickly, brow furrowed. “You didn’t think she’d let him do which part?”

            “I didn’t think-” she stalls out, looks away, clenches her sticky hands on her thighs. “I didn’t think she’d let him hurt you like that.”

He stares at her, baffled.

It had never occurred to him that Susan might try to stop him.

She tried to diffuse things, sure, tried to head off arguments before they got past stern words and threats, but Billy had always thought she just wanted to avoid the ordeal of it all. Thought that she was scared of breaking her façade of peace.  

He had never expected her to really step in. He’d only ever wondered at her staunch witness to it all. Her refusal to walk away, even as she stood in the corner like a pale-faced wraith, unmoving unless it was to get Maxine out of the room. 

He'd never expected her to step between Billy and his Dad, never expected her to speak against a single thing that he decided to do. 

Neil Hargrove got what he wanted, always. 

But for the first time it occurs to him what that must have looked like to Max. 

Billy’s Mom was the only good thing he’d ever had in this life. She’d tried to defend him from his Dad, tried to stand against him. She’d bit and spit and screamed and hadn’t let him get away with it, not without a fight.  

She’d been his only defense. Right up until the day she left. 

Max had Susan, who had been her confidant, her safe place. He remembers the way Max used to hide behind her when Neil came around, remembers the way she would tug at her hand and whisper.  

He doesn’t remember when she stopped. 

Can’t pinpoint the day she realized her mother wasn’t safe. That she wouldn’t protect her from Neil, wouldn’t keep her secrets, wouldn’t fight for her. Susan never bit back, she never screamed in defiance. She never shielded Max with her own body, never told a soul what happened behind closed doors. She had thrown away both of their lives and torn Max away from the only people who could have saved her from the prison they all lived in. 

Which is worse, he wonders, staring at her glassy blue eyes, tears all dried up. Which is worse, really, being abandoned and left to the wolves, or being abandoned and having her stick around to watch you die? 

He at least could pretend that his Mom might come back for him, that she was bidding her time, that she hurt as much as he did. When he was small and angry and terrified he could pretend that she had made a mistake, that she hadn’t meant it. 

Max had to stare Susan in the face every day and reckon with her betrayal. She didn’t get to pretend.  

“You never think,” he says, turning away, staring up at the cliffs again. 

The birds are loud here, the forest alive in a way that belies the ominous air it exudes at night. Here, in the sun and the chirping of birds, the rustling trees and animals seem serene. It’s enough to make the midnight gloom of it seem like a dream. Enough to make the memory of Harrington standing in the shadows holding a bat caked in dried blood seem false, imagined. Enough to make the memory of Maxine, trembling and fierce and drowned in the blood of his Father seem like a hallucination. Like the strange, dark dreams he has on fever nights, when the sickness and the broken bones stir dark things in his sleeping mind. Impossible things. Things that make him shake and shiver with fear, with horror. It doesn’t seem possible. Seems like a nightmare. She’s getting sunburnt, sitting there on his car, hair up in a scrunchy, wearing his sunglasses. Her hands are sticky with ice cream. Little girl hands. Like they ought to be. 

“Sorry.” She clenches her hands in her lap, fiddles with the hem of her shorts. 

He stares at her for another moment. Breathes. Thinks. Doesn’t let himself spit and snarl, though the urge to is choking him.  

How many times are they going to do this? Wander in circles, biting and snapping and begging for forgiveness, back and forth, forever. He thinks it might drive him crazy. That they can’t just get past it all, that even though his Dad is gone – even though they aren’t going to have to step on each other just to breathe the clean air anymore – there’s still so much rot between them. He wonders why she bothers. Thinks, maybe, that she won’t leave, no matter how vicious he is, just because she’s just as bad. Just because she’s never known when to drop it. Never thought anything through. 

Mad Max, the daredevil, fearless and headstrong and going nowhere fast. 

“Put on your sunscreen,” he says, instead of any of that, reaching into the passenger seat through the open window and tossing the bottle at her. 

She catches it clumsily and tosses back the bitchiest look a fourteen-year-old can muster. 

“You sound like Steve,” she sneers, not as harsh as she usually might.  

Like she’s still testing the waters. 

He snorts and snatches his sunglasses off her face, slipping them on and leaning back against the car as if he’d never gone tense in the first place. 

“Fine, get burnt for all I care, just don’t bitch at me about it later.” 

She huffs and rolls her eyes, but she opens the tube without a word and he can see the edge of a smile on her face even though he isn’t looking. 

[bitterrobin]

tiny appreciation post/insane rambling about Tom Bronson

re-re-re-reading JSA 2007. Tom Bronson is a good character, fight me. Everyday I claw at the air in rage for the many characters introduced into the JSA and then never given any more detail. There's just too many people in the '07 JSA, man. Too Many. Tom is unfortunately one of those comic characters that has a super niche fanbase and nothing to follow up on outside of JSA.

so, in light of me inserting him into the TAXONOMY!verse and putting the guy smack dab into the Battle for the Cowl and Bette Kane's radar - I'm just gonna gush a little bit about his first appearance. (and include some headcanons for the au).

Putting aside my favorite Old Man Trio, can I just say that I like how pretty the art makes Tom look? The first time I read this comic, I got a very James Dean/1950's bad boy vibe from Tom. I'd like to think it was a little bit intentional in order to parallel Ted Grant and his eternal Old Americanism. At least it's something I'll keep in mind.

Getting into the main post though, throughout his first appearance and the later fight with Vandal Savage, its made clear that Tom is surprisingly knowledgable about superheroes and the surrounding goings-on of them. He knows who Wildcat is (though obviously Ted is canonically an old hero, he has to be somewhat well-known) and he instantly recognizes Vandal Savage.

(sidenote: Ted looks like a stiff Barbie doll being thrown into the kitchen there)

I take the fact that he recognizes and correctly identifies heroes/villains as a point towards my "Tom is an observant and analytical person" hc.

Earlier on in issue #3, we see that Tom gets right to heart of things when talking with Ted and that he's quick to reach (somewhat right) conclusions.

Despite this, he doesn't really show it anymore as he quickly drifts into a side character spot as the comic run goes in. I choose to believe that Tom doesn't voice his thoughts to the JSA bc he doesn't know them well and he prefers to make snarky remarks in conversation instead of inserting himself into anything personal.

Later on in the series, Tom is reluctant to learn how to box and is shown to dislike fighting in general.

Given the whole estranged-dad-is a famous boxing champ thing, Tom probably doesn't like boxing specifically because of Ted. He says that he doesn't like fighting because of his were-cat form, which it's assumed that he would unconsciously shapeshift into whenever he got into conflict.

(sidenote: why is this the only time I see his inner monologue in comics *sob*)

This distinct trait of disliking combat, at least the personal fist-flying kind, is definitely something I'm including in the au.

Both Tom and Bette are chosen for the au partially because I like them, but also because they have distinct personalities and philosophies that clash with baby Damian Wayne who's coming fresh into the Bat-scene. There will be conflict as Damian will dislike and mostly abhor Tom's personal disdain for fighting. Tom doesn't seem to fight unless necessary and he canonically prefers to rely heavily on his powers to get out of fights. He's only shown getting more violent than usual after Grant Emerson's death, which is pretty reasonable. They were clearly fast and close friends.

Hooo boy Grant should not have died. Especially in Blackest Night, of all things. Despite my personal dislike of it though, I'm still flip-flopping between leaving him dead and then resurrecting him in the au - or just ignoring his canon death altogether. On one hand, I like Grant and I like their friendship so I want him to appear in the au somewhere (alongside Maxine). On the other, his death allows for a just a little bit of dramatic character development/detailing for Tom that lets me explain why he's not with the JSA and instead is in Gotham. Choices.....

Ending the post here with the final smorgasbord of headcanons and blurbs for the au.

he is Mexican-American, but distant from his roots because his mom raised him single and cut-off from her larger family.

he and Bette will enter a relationship. It came to me in a vision and I decided to implement it bc why not. Tom/Bette is bi4bi.

they start dating bc they both strike me as "why not?" type of people, but it develops relatively quickly after Damian enters the picture and they have to co-parent/watch over him as Gotham collapses in slow-motion around them

its shown in the background of some of the panels above that he's into music, specifically guitar and piano

so he will be in a band at some point

bc Alfred does not have the same relationship with Damian in the au, Tom is one who gives him/lets him keep the kitten

(also bc I don't subscribe to the "League of Assassins hate/kill animals" idea - Tom bonds with Damian over a mutual care for animals/cats)

Tom and Damian are a rocky pair, and it takes them longer to get along than Bette does with Damian

He treats Damian as the annoying little brother he never had, and their sense of humor kinda lines up

Tom fully encourages Damian’s sarcasm and rude comebacks

Believe me, there will be a scene where Tom unconsciously purrs in his werecat form and Damian definitely notices

adding to the maybe Grant stays dead part, I'm still iffy on whether to include a one-sided crush on Tom's part that adds to the angst

unlike Grant though, I'm definitely keeping Yolanda Montez alive

Tom and Yolanda have a semi-distant sibling relationship that's a little awkward bc of the age gap and differing experiences with Ted

Might also resurrect Jake Grant, I need the Wildcat family reunion

Ted and Tom still talk, and even though Tom doesn't stick with the JSA, he's still regularly invited to whatever gathering they have

Tom still keeps up with working out/a bit of training - but he focuses on defense and avoidance instead of out-right conflict

Tom got into heroism bc of Ted, but he stuck with it bc of Grant and Maxine

he does not have strict ideals or a drive to save the world, but he likes to focus on the small things and helps where he can

[henrysglock]

but then, if Henry isn't vecna, then when does the switch happen to Edward ?? And whose time are we in, Edward or Henry?? Or are they both parallel to each other, intersecting cause of him?? Or are there 2 vecnas, one being Richard Brenner and the other Edward creel?? What if Edward creel is Richard Brenner ?? Why are there so many variations of the upside down?? Cause the tunnels were different from the og will going missing ud, which were both different from s4 ud?? what if there are 3 variations instead?? Is each variation related to the ud??

Therein lies the question, huh. Where the hell is Henry?

I can say pretty concretely that we've been swapping between viewing Henry and Edward during NINA. I'd bet that at least the plinko scene and the chess scene are Henry scenes, but that's as far as I've gotten at this point so do with it what you will. The timelines seem to run in parallel, but personally I think certain events were crossover/contact points of some kind (i.e. 1959, 1979, 1983, etc). NINA is especially fucky because we never see that part of the lab outside of NINA, so we can't exactly say what, when, or where it is. We can't even say without a doubt that it physically exists, especially given how oddly time and space move in NINA. The whole thing is extremely bizarre and difficult to track (Trust me. It's a mindfuck).

I'd give an estimation of 75% certainty that the massacre sequence is entirely Edward based on handedness. I can say for sure that one of them became Vecna and another became the Mindflayer. We can track one particular Scorched Edward to the Mindflayer shaping event, so that one is definitely responsible for ST2 and ST3. Vecward is ST4 at least. ST1 remains a weird outlier that I'm not certain on yet.

As for Brenner...god, it's hard to say. Based on the Vecna transformation from 4.07, where he looks just like Brenner, and the "it wasn't supposed to end like this" line...I'd say there's a chance that he's Richard, Vecna, and the Mindflayer. I'm staring at Nick 8flix saying that Brenner was "part demogorgon" and wondering what, exactly, he meant by that...And if he was right about that, then he may very well have been right about Will recognizing Brenner in the desert. The whole thing is super messy and I'm not able to give too much concrete evidence about it.

However. If I was to speculate...

Jumpsuit JC is our main Vecna. JD is the Mindflayer guy.

JA and JE are still unaccounted for.

JA is the gauntest Henward (compared here to JC), which has me staring at the weird thickness swap for Vecna's face.

It also has me staring at the difference in Vecna's speech pacing/syllable emphasis/use of contractions/etc.

i.e. "Max" vs "Maxine", which never swap within a continuous sequence:

If Max and Maxine are going to swap, they're always split up by cuts to other storylines. This is true in both 4.09 and 4.04.

JE doesn't show up again after that one weird mirror shot, so I have no idea what happened to him in the end. Where did you go, JE??

He doesn't show up anywhere else in the rest of the massacre sequence, which means he was stuck in there to deliver a specific clue. They wouldn't put a whole new jumpsuit in for one singular sequence unless it was meant to convey something.

Something about this one has me chewing cement. Because Martin is Martin, Owens calls him by name multiple times. He has a specific hair part, which is not the Season 1 hair part:

But the Season 1 left side part does show up here...

the beginning of which happens drectly after Vecna kills Patrick. It's a direct cut from Vecna's face to this scene, which is a direct parallel to this:

It's really fucking suspicious.

Season 1 Brenner/ST4's Season 1 Brenner lookalike is often posed incredibly similarly to Vecward, regardless of his jumpsuit pattern:

Massacre-Henward in general is styled very similarly to Season 1 Brenner, particularly JA, JC, and JE (NOT JD/Mindflayer Henward):

Which we can confirm as intentional via this BTS pic:

Also, JE specifically has direct parallels to Martin Brenner in the sole sequence that jumpsuit exists in:

So, if I had to guess, and this is purely based on paralleling, styling, and gut feelings: JE may be our Richard Brenner, JA might be our gaunt Vecna (Max Vecna or Maxine Vecna, I'm not sure which goes with which yet).

Imho, it seems like the ST1-ST3 UD changes are based on whether or not there's a mental component, but I can't say anything for certain yet.. I have a full analysis of the UD coming, though. That's what my insanity web is lmao.

As for which timeline we're in right now...fuck if I know. It really is hard to say atm. So. Sorry, nonnie, but I just don't know 😭💔

[beastsovrevelation]

Reasons why I motivate myself to work on my Good Omens fanfictions:

So I can take a certain hyper popular ship everyone loves, but I despise, and tear it apart, smash it with a hammer, and set it on fire for my own entertainment. 😊 It's not like someone will do it for me.

I would say because Lady!Crowley deserves more love, but horrific things happen to her, so, I'd be a hypocrite (spoiler alert, she's fine in the end).

Anathema and Newt's family keep a raccoon named Shovels, that they dye black, and pretend is a cat.

I have four ideas put down, so far. One's an actual detective story. Two of them are crossovers with... Legion, of all things (one came to me in a dream). All involve my Antichrist OC, who wasn't supposed to have anything to do with the GO universe, until I had that damn dream.

Another motivatior - so I can work with Maxine (the Antichrist OC) more. After a long consideration, I decided to pair her up with War (in non-crossovers, in those she's with Michael), which is problematic because they're cousins (War's mother is Satan's sister)... You know, whatever. Nobody from Earth knows. It isn't anything uncommon for royalty, either. 🤣 Besides, they're both women (offspring from donors, so no biological threats), and they didn't grow up together. I just... I adore my Antichrists. They're everything to me. Max, forgive me for getting you involved in this madness of an universe, the fanfiction gods compelled me.

Honestly, my other OCs, too. Max's best friend, Cthylla (daughter of Dagon, and... You can guess. He has a habit of oversleeping), her cat Squid, Madonna Maria (a literal jackal with vile temper and a fondness for whiskey, Maxine's biological mother;), Titan the Hellhound, Agnes Device-Pulsifer, Francisco Rossi (the Second Beast, who loathes Aziraphale even more than I do, for absollutely no reason)...

Off with Pollution, Pestilence is being reinstated to his rightful place.

I'm eager to work with canon characters like War, Michael (Legion and GO version), and Hastur - all of who, I adore

I am kind of a hater in this fandom. In the end, I've realized, fanfiction must be written for oneself, not the fandom. I will not apologize for doing what I want, with characters (and their genders) in a fic. Nor for heavily focusing on my OCs (even making them the main focus - it's something that I love doing).

The only thing I do feel some guilt for? I remember Neil Gaiman saying he likes stories where women saves themselves, which I completely agree with, yet Lady Crowley gets saved by others, most of the times... I guess, she's just in situations nobody could save themselves from. Now, her healing is another can of worms maybe that could be counted as her saving herself).

Oh... I hope no one who reads this took it as me attacking them, or mocking them, for liking what I don't. I kind of sounded like someone's evil grandma, threatening to throw their favorite toys in the trash can. 🤣 I'm just writing down my thoughts in an edgy manner. Think of this as a literal angsty, but hopeful diary page.

When I said I'm a "hater", I meant I personally have a very odd, unconventional relationship with Good Omens and it's characters. It's a... "I don't like how you're portraying biblical mythology, but I will always love you". I love Neil Gaiman. I don't know anyone im the fandom anymore, but I all the hearts to them, too. I'm just the designated class contrarian. My stories, like all fanfiction, are seperate universes from canon (and I mean no disrespect to it; the fanfiction wouldn't be here if canon wasn't).

Why do I keep hurting Crowley? I don't know, my relationship with the character is very complicated also. I find him annoying, but I named my stuffed snake after him. 🐍

Why did I write this down and post it? Because I've noticed I'm more likely to get something done after I get on a barrel, and anounce I will. These stories are so fun to write... Fine, that was kind of a lie. I'm picking at Ch. 1 of the dream storyline, and it makes me want to cry.

P.S. - I didn't see season 2, and I have no intention to (though my mom is badgering me to watch it; she's also scolding me for hurting Crowley).

[arc-angel-o]

At first I assumed Rabbit was out to Natalie, but I've been going back and forth whether or not he is in my head.

"So you don't like anyone?" "I try not to think about it."

That is not an entirely confident response. I think he knows he's asexual, but he isn't sure the specifics, he thinks might be at least some degree of aromantic too.

Realizing you're aspec while dating someone is very mortifying, all the more reason to avoid your partner when you're also trying to figure out other things (ie addiction recovery).

Kyle Prue said Maxine is the first person Rabbit's opened up to in a while. Does this mean she's also the only one who he's come out to as asexual, the only one who knows?

I know we were all praising this scene for not being a big deal, but I don't think it would be out of character considering "I'm the kind of person who has to be okay", for him to be deliberately playing it cool. I'm sure a lot of people who've had to come out can relate to having to project confidence, because you're always going to get someone who questions if you're sure because they don't want you to be lgbtq.

As you can see, I'm very excited to see Rabbit's asexuality expanded upon in future episodes.

[starscribes]

Find the Word Tag Game

Out here catching up with two Find the Word Tag Games from @card-queen so this post will be a tad longer!

I'm tagging @card-queen back and also tagging anyone else who wants to play, say I tagged you so I can know to tag you in the future and have more people to play with! Your words are: Image, Imagine, and Intrigue

Snippets under the cut! Somehow, I found none of these words in my current WIP, so I'll have to fix that, but on the bright side I get a chance to share a glimpse into my other projects!

Star from The Peculiar Adventures of Michael Mallory

Michael joined Andrew at his station as the holoscreen showed an image of the transport pod leaving the ship. Once the transport was out of range Michael turned his face up to Andrew. “I have you on a game card,” Michael grinned, “Actually I have two of you. One that I play the Star Trading game with and the other in a laminated folder, to keep it safe, a lot of my cards got things spilled on them and shorted out the power. But not yours.”

Spike from Otherworld

Now that Maxine could see it properly, she was even more terrified. It was dark out, but the sun was beginning to rise and her vision was back to normal. It was a vaguely humanoid-shaped hole in the world. Just a mass of blackness, the edges of it were tiny spikes, which seemed to move up and down and around one another. Its head was shaped like a triangle, the point balanced on its body and connected by a neck, one of the points acting as the chin. Its arms and legs ended in a mass of sharp, black claws and it stood on its hind legs.

Spare from Otherworld

“It used to be that all the castles were the same,” Emogen continued lightly as they walked through the maze of armor. “But of course, each Great Prophet has put their own personal touches on each one. Take my father Semias, he fills the spare rooms of the Castle of Murias with the hungry every night.”

Despite from Otherworld

“Do you even know where we’re going?” Maxine called after C.J., she still hadn’t caught up with him despite how fast she was walking.  “The portals may appear at my mother’s command, however, there is no sure way to know where exactly one will place you on the other side,” C.J. explained.  “So that’s a no,” Maxine decoded.

Inspire from The Peculiar Adventures of Michael Mallory

As Nick went back over his story of how he escaped an attacking group of pirates and fled safely away on The Stove - an old favorite of Michael’s which he had heard at least five times - Michael imagined how glorious it would be if he were to grow up and be a captain of a team of space explorers like his brother. Shrouded by his thick black bangs, Michael’s chocolate-colored eyes gleamed with imagination and dreams of that bright future. He could see himself in Nick’s spot, retelling his wonderful adventures to his brothers and sisters who were yet to be born, painting a masterful picture of words just like Nick did and inspiring them to achieve their own dreams like he had.

Stride from God of Smoke

They wore those strange clothes, they had strange tools, they talked to one another so casually and didn’t act at all like angels were supposed to. And they didn’t know the guardian language? What kind of angels were these? Ky’tus seemed to notice too and he looked up cautiously when they didn’t respond in the right language. The older man licked his lips but smiled and used both hands to gesture towards the site. He seemed to take all these surprises with such stride. Em’het wondered how he could be so calm. 

Peek from Otherworld

It took most of the day for the three of them to make it to the City of Finias. However, the city was clearly seen once the forest began to thin out and the sun brightened. There was a low, thick mountain in their path. It was quite a strange sight, it looked like something had cut the mountain at the middle because the top of the mountain was entirely flat. And upon that mountain top was a city. Or Maxine assumed it was a city, she could see the towers of what must have been a castle peeking above the tall white walls that served as a perimeter. 

[reineyday]

ppl who think billy hargrove not being racist means he's ooc either 1) dont understand how writing a consistent character works, or 2) believe that being racist is strictly a personality trait, and dear god i hope it's the former.

(long post) (seriously, it's like, a short essay lol)

see, the beautiful thing about fanfiction is that you can place your blorbos in a whole bunch of Situations, and if you're a good writer--or at least understand the character well enough--it wont be ooc even if their Situation is diametrically opposed to anything they might ever do in canon.

billy is a metalhead in canon, but you could write an au where he's in a pop music teen boy band with steve and eddie and argyle and jonathan. as long as billy remains loud and proud about his music taste, plays his (pop) music loud enough to drown out anyone he doesnt want to hear talking to him (itd be funny if it was his own voice in the song too lol), is pretty mean on first impression, and still generally has a lot of friction with the people around him, i wouldnt actually drop the fic bc i found it ooc. as much as your music taste can say a lot about you, if you underdstand a character well enough, keeping the rest of the things about that character consistent and giving an understandable background to all the things that might be different at first glance, then it's not really out of character at all.

so if we're talking about canon billy being ooc for not being racist, youd really have to read the fic. a billy who, immediately after the incident at the byers house, gets a stern talking-to from max and/or steve (and/or neil? which, doubtful, but idk how billy haters write fics lol) and then turns around to grovel at lucas's feet and pronounces to the world that racism is wrong and he's learned his lesson once and for all and also he'll never be mean to any of the kids ever again? yeah, i would call that ooc.

a billy that gets dragged through hell and back and sees and understands that his violent actions not only have consequences but reflect those of his own abuser's at home? or a billy that ends up reluctantly becoming fond of the kids as he inadvertently has to shepherd them through tunnels with steve and beat up demodogs so he can bring maxine home safe? or a billy that meets patrick from the basketball team and recognizes the kinds of bruises he sees in the locker room on him bc he has his own, and then learns what it means to see someone as a person? or even a billy who gets called the f-slur consistently by his own father, learning to see bigotry in other forms and recognizing it in himself, gets given the emotional support and physical safety by joyce or jim or steve, and in the end consciously chooses to be different than his father now that he has the safety to do so?

if any of those billy's go up to lucas after everything and looks him in the eye and apologizes and says he's trying to do better, especially if he does it in a way that's rough around the edges--i wouldnt call any of those ooc. it's all hard-won. it's all still billy, but he grows as a character, which i assume is the goal in general when writing characters.

this brings me to the second point. this is the one i personally hc, but i dont think it's ooc to assume billy's less maliciously racist, and more racist as a way to (unconsciosly) parrot his obviously bigoted and domineering father. billy's probably racist in the way most people dont realize they have racial bias (i would say most white people, but im aware this is true for poc of all sorts assuming things about other poc--and even about themselves with their own race and culture--simply through lack of personal experience, knowledge, or being othered by society/their environment to the point of internalized self-hatred), and probably more grievously again bc his father seems like such a bigot. i personally think the racism comes in part and parcel of the way he manhandles max and gets aggressive at first sign of his losing power in a situation: because that's how his own father does things to exert power over billy. he's acting the only way he's seen exemplified in front of him. (let's remember he is a teenager who has been in an abusive environment his whole life, with no confirmed emotional support of any kind.)

i hc billy to be about as racist as he is terrifyingly repressed after being called the f-slur and insulted for being effeminate by his father all his life. all that insulting about being effeminate probably also means he comes off as sexist too. he doesnt necessarily want to be any of these things, and would consciously learn to be better once he's made aware and has people in his life he wants to be better for, but he is these things as an unfortunate byproduct of the way he grew up.

but we saw billy try to protect his mother as a child, and face up to the mindflayer--a monster that possessed him, that he had no clue about or any context for bc he didnt know about the upside down at all--in order to protect el. it's not a far leap to think he would want to change and protect, to stand up and be better, if given the chance and the support.

so i personally hc that while billy might do racist things, he is not, as a trait, inherently maliciously bigoted. my way of viewing billy has always been that anything bigoted he might do or think stems from his father, and if he gets given support and safety away from his father, i think billy would choose to be different from his dad and do the hard work of extracting himself from that bigotry and becoming better as a person. (see also: homophobic steve from s1 turning into robin's biggest cheerleader in s4.)

it's all about the context, and things like music taste or racial bias can change if your context changes. but if most of your other character traits--your aggression and peacocking, your tendency toward sarcasm, penchant for overt flirting, your determination or bravery or recklessness, etc etc--if those stay consistent while some other things change, and you get context for the changes, then it's not ooc.

now, how does this relate to my 2nd point? if you read all that context and decide that it's still objectively ooc simply for the fact that billy's not racist, then you're viewing racism as an inherent personality trait--everyone that ever does anything racist is automatically racist to the bone and cannot change.

i find that worrisome.

okay it's one thing if you're the poc in question being targeted by the racism. ive been talking about billy this entire time, but i also 100p believe lucas has every right to never want anything to do with billy ever again. he can say no to any apology he might receive. he's protecting himself and that's valid. if someone's racist toward you, especially aggressively, you obviously have every right to never want to have to do anything with them ever again. in real life situations, protect yourself first.

but i want to caution those who think that racism is a character trait to remember that you can do racist things and not consider yourself racist. my worry is that people ignore racist microaggressions to preserve their belief that theyre not racist.

taken as an example from my own life: if you're going to insist that a certain food from a certain culture is "weird" and then say over and over that you didnt mean it in a bad way but cmon you have to admit that it is a bit a weird, and then you get all uppity when i express my concerns and unhappiness about the way youre talking about how i grew up and defend the fact that youre right and the food is weird? yeah see that's shitty. all because you dont want to admit that maybe youve said or done something a little bit racist, cuz obviously youre not a racist, it's not one of your personality traits. you might feel better about defending your identity as not-a-racist, but in the end all you did was ignore what a poc was trying to tell you about how they felt, which is so frustrating to deal with as a poc.

yeah, bigotry can be a personality trait, but it isnt always. sometimes it's an action or some words coming from a person who doesnt realize that theyre being bigoted.

billy is a fictional character. you can interpret him however you want, and indeed, you can make him as nasty a racist as you choose to. you can write him as killing children if you want, seeing as how so many antis insist on calling him a child murderer (even though he's been a lifeguard so if anything he's saved children's lives--and this is not including how we see him on screen literally saving el's life, who is also a child).

also, if his racist actions made you super uncomfortable, it's perfectly okay to call him a racist and move on with your life. that's not a problem until you start harassing people for being racist because they like billy--then, like a microaggression, you become the problem because you're unilaterally deciding who is racist based off a fictional character, and youre harrassing a real life person for it. furthermore ive seen plenty of poc billy stans be called a racist by antis who insist that anyone who likes billy is a racist. again, you're just not listening to poc for some sort of fake moral superiority, which is not cool.

after looking at the environment billy grew up in and continues to exist inside, and his actions toward el and the way he used to treat his mother (before she left him), i choose to believe that even though the way he treated lucas was racist, he can step up and change if given the opportunity.

if you still think that it's not possible for him to stop being racist without it being out of character, please re-examine your own thoughts and actions, stay conscious about listening to people of colour, and remember that people who dont consider themselves racist can still do racist things. bigotry isnt always a character trait okay? it's the way you treat other people. it's not in any way out of character to believe--or write--that someone who's done racist things can change.

[doorsclosingslowly]

oh OH OH too many to choooose from aaaaa ok ok can i get the directors cut of sweating off the chest notes cos that’s from before we were friends plssss

So. Cheat Notes.

The central idea was this: Jesper pretends to be much less complicated than he actually is. He desperately wants to be loved but he also experiences his very self as so chaotic that he cannot imagine anyone understanding him enough to actually love him, and so he does the next best thing. He pretends to be a simplified version that can be grasped and thus, embraced, but by that very pretence he’s also denying himself the chance to be actually accepted. A lot of that is conjecture and guesswork and drawing on my experience of being neuroatypical, obviously, but I think I’m right and even details like the way he uses humour support it, like when he plays up his ego and beauty to smooth the conversation. Anyway. Simplifying yourself is a defence because it *hurts* to be asked for who you are and realize you can’t answer because you don’t know the words, or you’re changing quicker than you can process. It *hurts* to have others argue with you about yourself, using your own past answers that now you disagree with. And it *hurts* having someone ask you who you are and then forget again because it doesn’t make sense to them or because the nuance doesn’t matter. I realized that a lot of that is similar to my own experience with gender. So, highlight this thorny identity bullshit, I made Jesper agender! Like me! And, to make me able to write about this shit without cringing in terror, there’s also jokes and a tentacle dildo.

You’re really going for the jugular here because this story is the closest I’ve ever come to writing about myself instead of *about other people but based on my sense of what details matter*. It’s also just me working out the bones of the AU Crows ideas that I started with Undoing and that I’ve used in many, many later fics, most of which is jokes about anarchism bc I think Inej would be an anarchist and bc I’m an anarchist and like making jokes about anarchism.

A ton of the details are just me. The Eritrean food, the spiky stress ball and the articulated brass pill bug, the slightly deformed ribcage from unsafe binding… Some are my personal terrors. The resolve to endure it if Kaz considers himself heterosexual—and therefore stuffs Jesper in the girl box—Maxine’s *arguments* for why Jesper isn’t who they confided they are. Kaz calling Jes out on the fact they’ve never confided what they actually need to anyone, which is both a dream and a nightmare  to me personally bc, obviously, I was only able to tangentially talk about my gender thru the medium of having Kaz bite into a tentacle dildo. Which was not a honesty thing, except I like biting and off-kilter sex toys and I am still doing my private challenge of Kaz and Jesper having sex without touching in as many ways as possible. But to me, writing it, the sex was a way to distract from the vulnerability of Jesper’s dialogue.

Kaz as amateur horror writer: this is kind of a within-story version of what I was doing, writing it, to be honest. Layers of metaphor and distortion mean that you can articulate things you don’t have words for. And Kaz’s attempt to express his own inexpressible insides is one of the ways that prepare him for Jesper’s own inability to express themselves in words. I generally write Kaz as working from what he can see instead of archetypes, ideas, norms though, which both makes him good at manipulation and at meeting Jesper where they actually are. It’s also pragmatic: after all, punishing Jesper for their ADHD is much less efficient than just keeping Jesper’s ADHD in mind when making a plan.

Everything else was a joke.

PS! I don’t know whether anyone noticed that Inej is trans in this fic haha (“You want to—Kaz, have you ever sucked a dick before?” / Kaz doesn’t reply, but the way his lovely sharp cheeks grow an even lovelier, blotchier red is answer enough. /“Damn, congratulations to Inej, the luckiest woman in Nieuw-West!” like. Whose dick was he sucking J )

PPS If I haven’t talked about a thing you’re curious about pls ask!