#and she didn't have to do that! she could've just left him! he stole her gosling egg after all!!!

[potato-on-your-head]

Yes! And not only that, but it's also heavily implied that whatever family Fink did have was... not good. His lines about his mom's parenting style are played for laughs, and they're absolutely funny in the moment ("swimming's easy! I can teach him the same way my mom taught me. SWIM!" *drop-kicks the child*) ("My mom used to rock me to sleep. LIKE THIS! *swings a literal rock*). And yet, moments later, when they're addressed in a serious manner, you realize that Fink was actually confessing just how messed up his childhood was.

Right after the rock incident, he tells Roz, "Hey! I turned out just fine." That's the CLASSIC line that (cw child abuse) plenty of people whose parents hit them as a kid will say in response to how you, like, should not hit your kids. The fact that his mom threw him into water and said sink or swim and also got him to sleep in a forceful way is indicative of nature's harshness, yes... but it's also a metaphor for cruelty in real-life parenting. And boy does that resonate.

He reveals it all when Roz asks how he can tell a story about something he claims not to understand: love. Fink's body language shifts to both protective and vulnerable as he's all curled up. Then he admits, "Yeah, well, when you grow up without something... you spend a lot of time thinking about it." Okay, ouch. Major character motivation unlocked.

Once Roz powers down, Fink looks wistfully at her, leaves his comfy bed, and goes and settles in under her arm, curled up close to her with Brightbill above. It speaks volumes about how he admitted something and now finally has someone caring about him - and now that she's not awake, he's free to actually seek out the affection he wants without having to explain it away with a witty one-liner.

We don't get a lot of details. Fink definitely could've lost his family young. And however long he had his mom clearly damaged him and his worldview. Roz is the first one to care about him not just in a long time, but possibly ever. Which makes it all the more poignant when you see him helping raise Brightbill with things he never got.

The story Fink told Brightbill might not have even been something his mom told him. It might have been what Fink wished his mom had told him. A story he thought up late at night, imagining it being narrated by someone who loved him.

An aspect I highly admire about The Wild Robot is the manner they explore Fink’s implied trauma, when he helps Brightbill go to sleep with that story about a loving mother finding her son. Likely a story Fink’s mom shared with him as a child to help put the guy to sleep.

It’s never outright stated word for word, but God you can feel Fink’s underlying solitude, pain, and sadness throughout this film’s run time. Fink clearly lost his own mother, along with whatever other relatives, he had at a young age to nature’s harshness, leading to a selfish loner attitude, until Roz crashed into his life.

One moment that seriously stood out to me is before the winter storm slammed into their island Roz asked Fink about love and he says, “Dunno. I wouldn’t know anything about it…”, as he walked away with a crushed look on his face into the darker part of the forest. Going deep into his lowly nest curled up into a ball alone. It says so much, by doing very little dialogue, about Fink’s life he has led up to now.

Love it when movies have you read more in between the lines on scenes to get an answer.

[blingblong55]

Matilda- Simon 'Ghost' Riley

Photo creds:@ave661^

Based on a request:

Ghost finding out his s/o has a bad family, who she doesn’t keep in contact with but talks shit about and is like. Pretty open about how fucking awful her past was? if it’s too much I get it but like- I used to love your angst posts :3 they were so yummy! --- F!Reader, 18+, angst, comfort, family issues/trauma, mentions of SA/rape, mentions of eating disorders, toxic!family, mentions of child abuse, so...trigger warning!! ---

A/N: this is me trauma dumping so I'm sorry if it isn't perfect

Simon knew, he knew well that you weren't so open to starting a family with him for reasons he knew best to respect. But, one day, without him even realising he asked the question, you sat down and told him the story your teary eyes held for so long. As he listened to you explain the stories, he noticed how he wasn't speaking to his wife but to the little girl, his wife once was. The one who was left in a cruel world to people who shouldn't have had kids. "So, they...abused you?" He carefully asked and when he noticed you pause, he knew the answer you didn't. "I...I don't think so," your soft words spoke. 

Nothing about the way you were treated seemed especially alarming 'til now

"What I know is that they were mean, evil to me. I was a kid...how was I to know right from wrong so easily?" You held his hand, support you failed to have as a child. Then, you told him the story of a young R/N. "I don't remember the exact age, but I could've been 5 through 8. I was there, he took me to his room, I thought we were going to play and he said we would so would I have known, you know?" Your innocent voice spoke the fear he held. "I don't remember much of that day but in glimpses, if I look too deep, I can see his hands between my thighs, and how he...well...you know," you couldn't explain, it was like a knot in your throat prevented to cause your heart more harm. "And you didn't tell your parents?" His voice is soft. You shake your head, "No, I...as a kid, they never believed what I said," you chuckle out of coping with it all.

"There was one time when my older sister tried to suffocate me, I didn't do anything to deserve it, all I did was watch cartoons and she annoyed me but I knew best and didn't feed into what she wanted from me." You pause and wipe some tears away. Your gaze never fell on his, afraid to break down too easily if you stared at the man who became home to you so long ago. He was that, he was comfort and home and you knew that if you stole one glance, you would be sobbing the stories. Your hand held his tighter, he knew well it was for comfort. "She pressed the pillow tight on my head, I was sick and my stupid lungs couldn't take the fact I had pneumonia, so of course killing me would be easier," you chuckle again. His gaze never left your delicate face and even he had to admit he cried as you told him these stories. 

After a long sigh and pause you continue, "I somehow pushed her off me and ran to my parent's room, knocked loud and when my dad opened the door I swore I finally felt safe until I didn't," You know he was ready to ask why but you just laid your head on his shoulder. Looking off into the distance you continued, "My sister told them I pushed her, told her that I hated her, which is not true because hate is strong and she is my sister," you shake your head. "I cried when they didn't believe me, and had a panic attack in their room. and when I backed into a corner as my mother and father yelled at me...that's when they took my sister to the hallway and my mother stayed with me, she tried to hug me but I didn't need none of that...not from her." His hand rubbed your arm, knowing what you needed from him. You wipe some tears away, your breathing hitches and he wraps both arms around you. "I didn't hurt her Simon, I swear I didn't but no one believes me, no one," you whisper the last part. "I know you didn't, my love," he kisses your head and continues to rub your arm. 

"I believe you, I'll always believe you before anyone else," he reminds you. "I...my mother gave me water and sent me to my room, told me to just sleep it off," you stop and cry. "Oh my love," he whispers and carries you onto his lap. The pouty frown broke his heart more and more. The cosy home he and you made for the years of your life, warming up his belief that slowly, he will replace all those bad years. The fireplace radiates heat on the snowy winter day. "In this world, I'll always believe you, no matter what, okay, my love?" He looks down and you nod. "That's my girl," he says and places a blanket over you both. "Do you want to continue, my love?" He asks, rubbing your back with his warm touch. 

"I do," your voice is small. It was best to open about this and then burn it and let the ashes fly away than to keep it locked in for eyes to see. "I...as I grew up, I knew I had no place in that house. My mother shamed me for my body, and so did everyone in my family." Your head nuzzling onto his chest like a cat finding comfort. "So, I starved myself to be the perfect daughter. I did try to be perfect, I tried to get an I love you, a simple smile or hug." He nods, understanding where you came from. "One time, my mother grabbed my stomach, she told me I was fat and looking back at how I was at that age, I...I was healthy, nothing was ever wrong with me, nothing," you repeat in a whisper. 

After a long time of comfortable silence, you speak again. "As I grew older, they made me feel terrible about all of me, how I dressed, if I did my makeup, my hair, my body, the stretch marks that decorated my body, all of it and even I wasn't allowed to have one bad day, not one." He shook his head and in that instant, he understood why all those years of loving you, you always avoided starting a family conversation. You were afraid to be like them, to persist in a cycle of never-ending trauma. He knew you loved him, he knew how much you yearned to be a mum, to watch him and you become parents and do foolish things for and with your child. 

"I never understood why I was so insecure over my thighs or why I hated when people touched them, but as I grew older and noticed that I was...you know... I..um.." You could never be admitted, never say you were raped as a child, not when you were scared to acknowledge it again. "I know love," he responds so you don't torture your heart anymore. "But...when I realised what happened to me, that's when it all hit me and there was a time in my young life that I knew I would never forget," you kept holding onto his torso. "It hadn't been long after what that...person...did to me when my mum and sisters pinned me to the ground, they knew then that I disliked people touching my thighs so they pinned me to the ground and touched them," you shake your head, trying to forget the moment. "They...th-they touched my body as I cried and begged for them to stop and not once did anyone stop or help me. My father walked by and he...he just laughed and kept walking...how...how can you do that?" You cried. "How can a parent do that? I was a kid, Simon...a child," you broke down. 

"And don't get me started on why I felt like Christmas was just not a happy holiday anymore." Your mind went to a past Christmas, your family yelling, your father accused of his cheating, never denying, just lying and yelling at your mother. You hid in a closet, grabbed headphones and played music loudly. Hours passed and your mother saw fear within her eyes as she cried to you, why can he love me? she asked as she cried, you played strong. Your father drove away, leaving his family scared and cornered in a bathroom, crying as they listened to stories. 

"My dad used to hit me, well, my entire family really," you confessed. His eyes widened, he knew they were bad, but not this bad. "My dad had a belt he used to hit me with, my mother and sisters used to watch. One time, they added more fuel to the fire as they told him more lies to get me into more trouble, part of me thinks they loved to watch me cry and get hit." You so innocently say, "When I was a kid and even as I grew older, my mum and dad would hit me and tell me they did it because they loved me." He shook his head, "Never...never in your life do you dare think that way. If I even dare to lift my hand at you, you leave me, my love. Because no matter how much you or I love the other, abuse doesn't equal love," he cups your face. You nod. 

You learned one thing from Simon as he listened, that he was calm after the bad storm. He had his troubles, yes, but never would he be like them. He and you healed the other after all those years of a bad life you lived. You and him, sunshine to the other even in the darkest of the night. He has become light and a new beginning. Family. And as you admire the soul who can tell which smiles you are faking, you know that the little girl in you is finally safe. She has packed her dolls and sweater, moved to the countryside, grew up and fell in love with a man. A man who is home, a man who became the grown-up little R/N runs to when scared. For he is home, he is light and he is love. He is your man, your safe place and the one you find comfort in. 

I don't believe that time will change your mind In other words I know they won't hurt you anymore as long as you can let them go

"No more," he told you, you looked up at him in confusion. "No more?" you asked and he shook his head. "From this day on, you are not their blood, you are a Riley, you are R/N Riley and never will you be associated with them." He cupped your face. His tone was stern as he tried to make you listen to him. "They are not family, my love. They are strangers you lived with. And me...I am your family, we don't need another shit Christmas, we can...hm...we can have dinner here, or maybe get takeout and watch your favourite movies all day and night. Hey, who knows, maybe that Santa Clause man will come in the night as we sleep and hopefully you've been nice my love because I want him to bring you some good gifts," he chuckles as he cups your delicate face. You laugh a little, "Hey, look who's back, that cute laugh of yours my love," he kisses your lips and pulls you to him, closer than you already were. 

You can start a family who will always show you love You don't have to be sorry for doing it on your own

In this lifetime, you will learn many things and you will meet many people. Most of which will come and go. Those who stay, you may ask? Well, they become a family, maybe not a biological one but it's not blood that relates two strangers. It's memories, it's understanding, growing, living and loving. Family is him, family is the old lady or that professor you bonded with. Family is people who make you feel safe and at home. For if you are lucky, in this life you will find your Simon Riley. The person who wraps you in a warm blanket and loves you a little more when you hate the reflection in the mirror. And if you get even luckier, you will find that not only will it be Simon Riley who heals your old wounds and covers them in kisses and caresses. You will find yourself, maybe in ten years, getting covered in glitter, mud, and stickers and having the walls of your home drawn on by Simon's child. The love child that was created on a warm Christmas morning. The same one that wakes you up at six in the morning to go and see what the big red man brought them for Christmas. 

And if you are lucky enough, you will find peace. The same one you looked for since age 5, the same one you cried for throughout the years. Maybe it won't come this year, but if you are patient enough, you will find it and when you do, appreciate it because you cried for it many moons ago.

You don't have to be sorry, no

A/N: the tears I shed as I wrote this made a river. Anyway, thank you for letting me dump years of trauma with this one, love you all <3

Tags:

@ghostslillady @liyanahelena @sans-chara @siwwayouu @allaboutirem0 @just3rowsing @mothcelestial @blankk3

[a-tiny-thing]

break in // pt.4

burglar!mark x rich!reader

pt.1, pt.2, pt.3, pt.4

a/n: long time no updates hehehe but here it is!

---------------------------------------------------

mark decided not to break his promise and show up to their assigned meeting place for the sake of his wallet.

he saw y/n there already, standing on front of the vandalized wall with a big penis drawn on it behind the building, she's near the dumpsters and the garbages are scattered everywhere, getting swarmed by flies and rats.

he can clearly see y/n scrunching her nose out of disgust, keeping her hands to herself and covering her nose too often.

mark felt bad about her and kind of regrets his choice of location, but all of that disappears when y/n heard his voice.

"hey" mark said to draw y/n's attention to him.

"mark!" y/n said happily before running to him.

mark did not expect her to hug him again, but oh well...

y/n released him and looks up at his face.

"i knew you'd show up..." she said to him, her eyes sparkling at his face.

"well obviously, 'cause you have my wallet" mark deadpanned, and y/n giggled like a damn schoolgirl whenever she sees her crush.

"so...where's our first date going to happen, mark?" she asked sweetly, while twisting her body right and left lightly with her hands intertwined on front.

"follow me" mark said before turning away from her and started walking to another direction.

y/n obliged and follow him, wondering where he'll take her.

---------------------------------------------------

mark lead y/n to a house that y/n thought it was his, he leads her down to the basement to reveal a haechan sitting on his beat-down couch, munching on a pizza while playing video games on his almost broken tv.

it was actually haechan's basement, but she still doesn't know that.

y/n's smile faded when she looks around the setting. everything is all messy.

"yo mark, do you wanna beat the final boss with me?" haechan said before turning around to look at him, but he immediately stood up from the couch when he saw a girl.

a girl in his basement. no freaking way. nice going, mark. you broke our bro-code.

"uhh hey, what are you two doing in here?" haechan asks cooly, glancing at you before shooting daggers at mark's face with his eyes, asking why is there a girl in his basement.

"uhh excuse us for a minute" mark said to y/n before grabbing haechan's arm and dragged him to the other side of the room.

"yo, who the fuck is that girl, didn't i tell you that n-"

"dude, that's the girl i was talking about before. the girl that ran up to me and hugged me, remember?" mark said.

"girl that you were talking about be- oh shit, wait" haechan's eyes widen, literally stops talking for a moment when he realized that you're the girl that mark kissed.

"dude, oh my god" haechan gushes quietly. he couldn't believe he brought her here.

"yeah yeah now shut up, she could hear you" mark slapped his arm to silence him, glancing at you to see if you heard them.

"what is she doing here tho?" haechan calmed his excitement, before he continues speaking.

"yeah well, my wallet's gone missing, i went back to their house to see if she stole it and turns out, she did. and now she forced me to take her out on a date so i could get my wallet back" mark explained to him.

"okay but, why here tho? you could've taken her to a nicer place like a diner, café or something" haechan asked.

"i'm trying to make her fucking hate me dude, so she could leave me alone" mark whispered-shouted at him.

"well clearly, you're not doing a great job at it 'cause she's still happy as hell" mark and haechan turned around to look at y/n, who's smiling prettily while looking around the messy area.

but deep inside, she's utterly uncomfortable right now, she just doesn't want to show she's weak.

"i just want my fucking wallet back" mark sighed before going back to y/n.

"hey, you could just sit down there on the sofa and eat some pizza if you want" mark said as he pointed at the ugly beat-down couch from behind and lead y/n to it.

"oh okay, thank you" y/n said before she sits down on the ugly couch. she felt herself dip down a little on her seat.

mark took a seat beside y/n on the couch, while haechan decided to sit down on the floor instead and continue playing.

"hey dude, are you still up to defeating that final boss?" mark suddenly asked haechan.

"yeah, why?" haechan smirked at him.

"can i join you?"

"yeah sure, just get the controller over there" mark got up from his seat to get a controller.

Minutes later, they're already playing together. screaming and talking each other's ears off while you go die from boredom.

you're currently getting ignored by them, your half-closed eyes blankly stares at the loud and crazy effects from the video game they're playing on the tv.

"WOOOOO!"

you jumped up from your seat due to the loud noise, the two boys seem to be dapping each other up and complimenting themselves.

"dude, i obviously killed that, i'm the top master of this game"

"nuh uh, i absolutely carried you through"

the two boys continued to talk, while you on the other hand, are getting sick of being ignored longer.

"can i play with you guys?" y/n suddenly asked, making the heads of those two turn to you.

"uhm, we only have two controllers here, so-"

"i'll let you borrow my controller" haechan cuts him off as he gives the controller to you.

"dude what, she doesn't even know how to pla-"

"she can learn, there's like a tutorial on how to play the game" haechan cuts him off again.

"and if she's finally a pro with it, maybe you two can go on a pvp" haechan smirked at him.

"what, no--"

"omg, yes!" you agreed, holding a big smile on your face while looking at mark.

"ugh, fine, whatever, we're gonna have one game only, and after that, it's over. this date is over and you give me my wallet back, okay?" mark stated.

"okay...but if i win, this game is over and we finally go out to the city for our real date..." y/n smirked at him.

"deal"

"deal it is" y/n says confidently.

meanwhile, haechan watched the whole scene unfold on front of him. excited to see who's going to win.

Couple of minutes later, you felt like you know already all the basic controls in this game. it's now time for you to shine and fight mark lee.

"i think i'm ready now..." y/n said, before haechan sets up the game.

mark stayed quiet, trying to focus on the screen and quietly trains his fingers on the controller to prepare himself.

1...

2...

3...

FIGHT!

y/n started quick and pressed random buttons on the controller, already forgetting what she learned. but somehow, it's making mark lose.

mark was obviously distracted by the way she's playing.

"wait what, you're not even playing it rig--woah wait!" mark said before turning his head to the screen to see his own character losing.

haechan was amazed on how mark's healthbar became so low that quickly.

just a few more pressing then...

K!O!

"yay! i won" y/n exclaimed, throwing her arms out in the air due to happiness.

"dude, she wasn't even playing it correctly, she was just smashing random buttons" mark complained.

"but game is game though" haechan says before congratulating you for your win, giving you an applause.

"i deserve a rematch"

"but didn't you say it's one game only?" haechan rebutted, and smirks at him.

mark's head dropped down out of defeat, his own feet coming into his view.

"what's wrong, mark?" y/n asked due to his sudden action.

"just take me out of here" mark mumbled.

---------------------------------------

and so it happened, you dragged mark to wherever you wanna go, ate ice creams and rented some bicycles.

you totally enjoyed the date, but you're not sure about mark.

after the date, mark accompanied you back to the front of your house.

"can i have my wallet now?" mark immediately asked.

"okay" you said before putting her hand inside her pockets to pull out his wallet and reach it out to him.

mark was about to take it when suddenly, you pulled it back.

"oh my fucking go-" mark sighed frustratingly.

"before you take this wallet, i just want to ask something..."

"what?" mark asked.

"how's your family doing?" y/n smiled and looked at his eyes.

"did you just go through my wallet?" mark ignored your question.

"yes, now answer mine" y/n said.

"you're crazy" mark told her with his eyes opened with shock.

"you break in other peoples' properties so we're just the same, now answer the damn question!" y/n rebutted.

"okay, i don't know! now can you please give me my wallet back?" mark shrugged before extending his hand out.

"you don't know? why do you not know?" y/n's grip on the wallet loosened as her smile fades due to his unexpected answer.

she thought that she's going to get some details about them and his life.

"i don't go home to them anymore, okay?" mark said before grabbing his wallet from her.

"thank you, stay safe..." mark walks away, not looking back at y/n, while she stays silent and watches him leave.

when she couldn't see mark anymore, y/n also decided to go back inside her house.

little did she know, mark succeeded in escaping from her vision and hid behind a large bush near your house.

he stayed until you finally stepped foot inside your house, he then leaves when he knows you're now safe.

he had a feeling this "thing" wouldn't be staying for a short time.

[raven-at-the-writing-desk]

Cater, Ruggie: The Secret in a Smile

Caycay, bestie… I am so sorry that SSR Crowley stole your spotlight 😭 (Is that why Cater looks so Mean Girls in his groovy... He's seeking petty revenge against Crowley/j)

Some cute stuff from the vignettes that I wasn't able to include in this fic: Cater makes a reference to TsumTsums! He mentions being into this mobile game with cute round creatures. Cater also tells a story about a 5-year old girl giving him a flower after his club's performance at a cultural festival (omg, do they mean the one in book 5?!). Ruggie teases him and says Cater must have been that little girl's first crush 😂

A Tale as Old as Time.

“Ne, ne, Ruggie-kun! Check this one out~ It's all the way from the Queendom of Roses!"

Cater jabbed a thumb at a painting of a young blonde girl dressed in a modest sky blue frock and apron, a small black bow in her hair. She couldn’t have been older than 10 years of age, still petite enough to squish inside a glass bottle with a narrow neck. The bottled child was adrift in a sudsy sea, her face frozen in an expression of slight worry.

Ruggie took one look at the artwork, then wrinkled his nose. “Sure sucks to be in her shoes. What’s this even supposed to show us, anyway? Doesn’t make a whole lotta sense to me.”

"Not a lot from the Queendom does if you aren't already familiar with its topsy-turvy stories~" Cater placed a hand on his hip and leaned forward, grinning. "This one is pretty popular! It's about a girl that wants an audience with the Queen of Hearts. She gets lost on the journey there, meets strange people and experiences even stranger things on the way. This is just one leg of that trip!"

"Wouldn’t the castle be further inland? How'd she end up in the middle of the ocean?"

“It’s about the perspective of the shot.” Cater formed a frame with his hands, catching his underclassman in it. He pulled back, creating the illusion of sizing Ruggie down. “She drank this bottled liquid she found and that shrank her down—so really, the ocean isn’t that big.”

A grimace.

“Man, talk about no sense of self preservation. She just chugged an unlabeled bottle without a second thought. Must’ve been real desperate.” Ruggie paused. “Weeeell, not like I’m one to talk about being desperate. You really can’t afford to be picky sometimes. If it fills your stomach, it fills your stomach.”

“You’d drink it too, huh… I don’t think I could do that. I’d at least want to see how the menu describes it before I order—though I guess it also depends on how ‘cammable the drink is! And hey, think about all the cool pics I could grab from a worm's eye point of view!”

"Heh, you don't seem too pressed about living life as an ant."

"Cay-kun likes to look on the bright side of things!" he declared with a wink and a peace sign. "The lost girl... she worried so much about finding her destination, she forgets to stop and smell the roses. She overlooks a lot of the fun people she could have spent time with."

Hopping from place to place, missed people—familiar elements, resurfacing a childhood of being uprooted and dragged about. Never to fully settle.

A tea party here, a brief convo there. Just enough to keep him placated, but not enough to see beyond the surface of the looking glass.

His curiosity still left wanting.

She got into so much trouble, but didn't have any real friends to come and help her.

Sadness tugged at his heartstrings, but Cater's smile didn’t waver.

"... I can’t help but kinda pity the poor thing," he said quietly. Then, brightening in the next moment, "All her issues could've been avoided if she just looked before she leapt and made some connections."

“Yeah, she definitely should’ve played smarter, not harder. Maybe if she kissed up to the locals, they’d have come to her rescue." Ruggie shrugged. "It works for me and Leona-san."

“Right? A smile goes a long way to getting what you want!” Cater poked the corners of his mouth. “You totes get me.”

“Cuz it takes a trickster to know another one on sight.”

"Wow, it sounds so mean when you put it like that. We're not tricksters, we just know how to use our smiles to problem-solve~"

"Giving a word a fresh coat of paint doesn't make it any less shady. At least be honest with yourself," the hyena smirked.

“Eeeh, I’m always honest!”

They shared a laugh—Ruggie, a snicker. Cater, lighter, more bubbly, like a carbonated mystery drink. When the effervescence died down, he cast another glance at the painting.

Too big for her small world of the sea, too small for the big world that loomed beyond it. Trapped within glass walls. Curled into herself in her delicate chambers.

Her perspective and his, one and the same.

Poor thing, poor thing, poor thing.

Cater summoned his strength and bore the full brunt of his smile.

“I’m sure she’ll find what she’s looking for… one day.”

[rogueddie]

The entire group hadn't been back to Hawkins, all at once, in nearly 20 years.

The last time they were truly all together was the Christmas before Eddie left for Chicago and Nancy left for college, back in 87, the first to 'escape'. Though, it didn't take many years for everyone else to follow their lead.

Steve is the only one who stayed behind. But he didn't think it was all that bad. Robin had moved back to Indy city once she finished college, so she visited often. He's not truly alone, even if it does feel like it... most of the time.

2007 is a good year though. It's the first year that Eddie comes back to Hawkins. They've been having little reunions with as many of the group as they can, every Christmas. But there's always a few people too busy- Eddie is always one, always on tour or writing or recording.

Not this year though. And Steve is finally excited, looking forward to something so much that it buzzes under his skin.

The others are already there once Eddie arrives, the last to arrive. Steve reluctantly hangs back, trying to downplay his excitement as he watches Dustin and Erica shove their way ahead of the others, trying to greet him first.

He looks great, Steve notes. Healthy.

"And Harrington," Eddie finally greets, already saying his hellos to everyone else. "I see the crows feet only add to your charm, shame on you."

"Yeah, it's good to see you too."

Eddie laughs, eyes scrunching up, dragging Steve into a hug. Steve is happy to note that he lingers, forehead pressing down against his collar for a moment before he steps back.

"Come on, it's Christmas Eve! We're all together, at long last! Put some music on, get the alcohol!" Eddie snaps.

Everyone does as asked and, soon, Steves usually cold, empty house is full of music and laughter. The burn of cheap alcohol warming his stomach and the smell of Eddie and Argyles weed filling the air are an old but familiar comfort that he hadn't realized how much he'd been aching for.

Steve sits in the corner, on his own.

For a moment, he just wants to watch everyone else. To look around his living room, so full of people that Mike, Robin, Argyle and Lucas are sat on the floor. So full of people that Max had grabbed El with shaking hands, pulling her onto her lap, coaxing her into sharing her wheelchair.

As soon as Eddie wiggles out of the corner he'd squeezed himself into, Mike and Lucas are fighting for the space. Mike only wins, sitting down on the sofa with a smug grin, before Will helps him.

Eddie sits down on the little side table, next to Steve.

"How've you been holding up?"

"I've been good. Not as good as you, though. The Rolling Stones, huh?"

"Oh, uh, you saw that?" Eddie smiles a little sheepish. "Yeah, it's... it's been getting crazy. I don't know how it happened. One day we're a small, underground thing and the next, we're almost mainstream."

"Underground," Steve parrots, snorting. "Your first single was played on the radio. You guys have always been big."

"You listen to us, Harrington?"

"Of course. And, you know, I have a first name."

"Really?" Eddie gasps, throwing a hand to his chest. "By the Gods!"

"I know, crazy!"

They fall silent, watching the new little fight breaking out. By the yelling, Steve guesses that Dustin stole one of the pieces of candy that Mike is eating.

"I missed this," Eddie quietly admits. "I'm sorry I didn't come back sooner."

"Nah, you were busy with-"

"I wasn't. I wasn't busy. I lied to just... avoid this. Avoid Hawkins. And it's... it's not good being back, I won't lie. But it's... seeing the kids again, seeing- seeing you... it's..."

Steve waits a moment. "What?"

"It makes it worth it. It makes me wish I never left."

"You had to. Corroded Coffin was your dream and you made it happen."

"I know, I just... sometimes I wonder. You know, maybe I could've been happier here. Maybe I could've... I don't know."

"Maybe. But you're happy now, right? And you're so successful! You're doing everything you said you dreamt of doing."

"Mhm..." Eddie hesitates again, for another long pause. "Robin said that you... you're bi."

"Yeah?" Steve frowns, turning to face him a little, wondering where he's going.

"I keep thinking that, I don't know... maybe if I'd stayed..."

Steve nearly presses a hand to his chest, so sure that his heart must have missed a beat. "Wh-what? We... we could've..."

"Yeah, maybe," Eddie whispers. He tugs a strand of hair in front of his face, eyes peaking out at him. "It's just a thought. Or something. I don't know."

"I mean... you're here now."

"What, you wanna give it a shot?" Eddie laughs, shaking his head. "We're going on tour again, in a couple weeks. There's no point in-"

"There is. I mean... if you want to try, I'm willing to, like, put in the effort. We could make it work."

Eddie laugh turns into more a sigh, an almost dreamy look taking over his face. "You're sure?"

"I am." He reaches over, grabbing his hand. "I really am."

"Steve Harrington... Merry fucking Christmas to me, huh?"

[curious-shadow-cat]

...

Out of all the characters in HH I hate the most (Aside from Val) I hate Charlie.

She may be nice and caring but it's not enough.

By that I mean she doesn't care enough about other sinners...this is some weird project to Charlie and sinners are her lab rats.

She didn't do shit in season 1, Vaggie and Alastor did. For better or for worse.

Charlie keeps goofing off in la la land while Angel dust is going through hell with Valentino. The one person she's been working with to redeem the most was Pentious and instead of using him as an example she picks....angel dust. The one guy who's been neglected through out season 1 and what does Charlie do? Cries because she got yelled at by Angel dust after he was beaten by Val. For a Princess of hell she sure doesn't act like it at all.

Then she becomes hypocritical to her own belief and starts trying to defend Alastor when he starts killing everybody after Mimzy stole from them and brought them to the hotel and tried using it as a hide out, IN FRONT OF HER DAD, the one person she's been trying to prove to over the years that every sinner can be redeemed.

THAT scene should've been what made him snap and yell at Charlie, being prideful and bragging about how right he was that she couldn't handle sinners and then NOT allow her to go to Heaven because there would be no point in talking to them about redemption when she hasn't gotten a single soul in her hotel to prove that they could change. And then he leaves. This could've been her moment to think about it and then actually take charge and tell off Alastor and Mimzy. The hotel is a place for redemption and no one will be going there if Alastor's going to be allowed to kill other sinners. They could've taken the time to actually use Katie to film that and be like "BREAKING NEWS! IS CHARLIE A LIAR?? Is the Happy Hotel really a Horror Hotel??" And all that. And then she could've kicked him out because he just doesn't care.

What exactly was the point of her going to war with Heaven immediately in season 1? That didn't make sense at all. Not in a funny way either...

Season 1 just showed how immature, hypocritical, annoying and spoiled rotten she is.

"Oh but there wasn't enough seasons--"

No...? I'd say it's the writing mostly. She focused so much time on Pentious, Alastor, Vaggie when they're not even important to the story at the time. This was about Angel Dust and the V's. Who gives a shit about Vaggie's love for Charlie?? LATER TIME AT A LATER SEASON. Who cares about Alastor and his rivalry with Vox?? LATER TIME AT A LATER SEASON. Who gives a shit about Pentious and his crush on Cherri?? LATER TIME AT A LATER SEASON. This is about Dust and what he's going through with Val. It's not even taken seriously.

She also should've just never made it into a musical to be honest...probably should've left that with HB. NOT trying to be mean I'm saying that it wouldn't have taken so much time if there wasn't any musicals in HH....

[ice-cream-writes-stuff]

It's Not Over, Is It?

{Where a silly game of blooming romance, becomes tangled in a spiders web of jealously and rivalery.}

Cast: (Y/N) (L/N), Bruce Wayne, Talia Al Ghul [Rule 63], Catwoman [Rule 63].

Au Synopsis:

(Y/N), having been chosen as Bruce Wayne's manager/secretary for his "playboy act". Controlling over the media and press that had anything to do with Bruce Wayne or Batman.

(Y/N) is in love with Bruce and is a mother figure to Dick. But Bruce has never once tried to express his love for the reader. Afraid to ruin the little peace and normality he had in his life with you, Dick and Alfred.

So, he finds "comfort", in other's embraces unknowingly.

(Y/N) knows everything about Bruce, to his coffee, to the names that he slept with or fancied when in his "playboy persona".

Has helped create every file and notes or each vilian or other in his rouge gallery.

-

Talia Al Ghul, the son of the Demon Head: Ra's Al Ghul.

Knows of the little game of "hopeless lovers" when he sees a pair. Instead of waiting for the other to fall, he instead makes his move. Finding (Y/N) under the guise of friendship and a random civilian that happened be at the right place and right time.

Yet. He toys with the Detective, that he and his father had found quite intriguing.

Though he is not seen as a worthy enough successor in his father's eyes. He doesn't mind, finding Batman much more of a worthy advisory and leader.

Ra's sees you as the perfect bride for his son. Along with carrier for the perfect successor.

-

Catwoman: Selina Kyle

Selina adores poking fun at the Bat when knowing somewhere you could be listening. Often stealing Batmans communicator to converse with you.

He too plays the civilian card with you, wanting to charm you with his real self instead of the sleek cat burglar he dressed as.

He found you gorgeous, more precious than any jewelry he could've stole.

But you know his true intentions (?) and identity.

So often leading him astray with words of formality and obliviousnsss.

-

"You know, I think it's weird.." The young Grayson started, watching you clean up Bruce's wounds carefully as he stares at you. Doing his best not to flinch or show any signs of pain. Failing terribly, but you didn't seem focused on it. More wrapped up with placing bandages over his ribs.

"What is odd to you, young master Richard?" Alfred questions the little Robin.

Dick looks away from the two, giving Alfred a stern look.

"Mom's been busy as of late..." The sidekick kicks his legs back and fourth on the small chair.

"In what way?" Alfred rose a eyebrow.

"I've noticed she's been getting flowers or little notes. I think, she thinks, there from Bruce." Dick sighs, "but I know there not. But also, I saw this guy follow me and her to the nice bakery she takes me too when I get a good grade on my tests."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, the desserts are good. But not as good as your's Alfred."

"Why thank you, Master Dick." Alfred smiled at the young lad. "But I must say, a strange fellow following the two of you around sounds concerning."

"Don't worry, I kept glaring at him and told mom about it. So we left in a hurry. I made sure they didn't track us!" Dick said pridefully.

-

[Just a small idea I had at 3am, hope you like it!]

[sp1rit-realm]

༻¨*:· 𝐈 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐖𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐍𝐨𝐰 ·:*¨༺

༻¨*:· summary ·:*¨༺ you and steve can never get a second alone.

or

3 times you and steve get interrupted, and 1 time you're alone.

༻¨*:· notes ·:*¨༺ 𖦹 idiots in love 𖦹 probably grammar errors 𖦹 fluff 𖦹 dustin being a little shit 𖦹 rushed ending 𖦹 first time writing for steve. biting my nails 𖦹 i did not proofread this⎝(ˊ0ˋ)⎠

༻¨*:· word count ·:*¨༺ 𖦹 951

"So, Steve," Your father cleared his throat, "What exactly are your intentions with my daughter?"

You groan; Steve nearly spits out his water, "Pardon?" His face was bright red.

"Honey," Your mother pointedly scolds your father, "Not the time." She continued, voice strained.

He puts his hands up, "Sorry! " He looks at Steve, then at you, "I want to keep my sweetheart safe."

You groan again, "I'm eighteen, Dad. I can take care of myself."

"You're still my sweetheart," He sings.

"Behave, you two!" Your mother calls up the stairs. "And keep the door open!" Your father adds.

"This couldn't get any more embarrassing," You murmur, pinching the bridge of your nose.

"Oh, c'mon," Steve nudges you, "It's sweet. They want to make sure their sweetheart is safe."

You glare at him, "Harrington, don't ever call me sweetheart again."

He clutches his chest dramatically, "We're back to last names?"

You roll your eyes, "Only if you keep it up, Steven."

His eyes go wide, "Steven!" He parrots.

"Steven," You confirm.

"I think they've left." You scoot closer to Steve. 

Nodding, he faces you, "Yeah." He murmurs.

His lips are inches from yours, and all you can hear is his heartbeat. Your eyes flutter closed.

"Harrington!" You hear.

Your first thought is: 'I was just about to kiss my boyfriend. Can whoever is here leave?'

Then, you think: 'There's an intruder, and we're going to die.'

Steve sighs, "How the fuck did he get in here?" He mutters, and your heart is beating so fast you swear it's going to burst.

"Who?" You ask worriedly.

"How the fuck did you get in here, Dustin?!" He calls, standing up.

"Door's unlocked!" You hear him ascending the stairs.

"Dustin? What are you doing here?" You ask, "And when did anyone say it was okay to come into my house?"

Dustin crossed his arms, "Steve said that I could call him if I ever needed him. I called him, and he didn't pick up." Shooting a sharp stare at Steve, he continues, "So, I went to the only other place I thought he would be. Here."

Steve throws his head back, "What do you need?"

"I need a fiver."

Steve scoffs, "You came all the way here on your tricycle just for a fiver?"

"I need money for the arcade, and I don't have a job." He shrugs. Steve flicks his forehead, pulls out his wallet, and hands him a five-dollar bill, "Now, scram, twerp. Lock the door on your way out, and do not bother me again."

Dustin salutes Steve, then leaves.

When he's sure Dustin is gone, Steve turns back to you, "That ruined the mood, didn't it?"

You grimaced as you nodded.

You stared at the pink bear in awe, watching as the claw finally picked it up. It dropped the stuffed animal on its way to the slot. You frowned.

"Dang, Harrington." Of course, because why would you be left alone on your date?

"Buckley," Steve turns to look at her, "What're you doing here?" 

She slides in front of Steve, inserts coins into the slot, and effortlessly wins the pink bear, "Being better than you, once again." 

"C'mon, Robin," Steve pleads—it's a good look on him, "I was trying to win that."

"I know. That's why I stole it." She shrugs.

"It's for my girl," He slings his shoulder around you; you smile.

Robin tosses you the bear, "Keep it."

You were eating bread and cheese, sipping at some shitty boxed wine. Steve could've easily mistaken you for an angel as the sun illuminated you.

"Have I ever told you that you're beautiful?" Steve says it with so much sincerity that you want to cry.

"You have told me that, handsome."

He blushes at the name, "I think I need to tell you one more time," He leans in, "You're beautiful," He whispers, and you can feel his breath on your lips.

"And they call me the freak," You see a head of shaggy hair and pull away from your boyfriend.

You should've figured someone would interrupt you at the park, but you just wanted a nice picnic with your boy.

"Munson," You deadpan, "What do you want?"

"You," He smiles, boops your nose, sips your wine, and grimaces at the taste, "Bad wine."

"Yeah," You shrug, "Why do you need me?"

He sighs, "Gareth is bailing for today, and I need someone else," He kneels and presses his hands together, "Please, spare generosity?"

"No," Steve answers for you, "We're on a date, doofus."

Eddie falls to the ground and sprawls out, groaning in agony, "I have been mortally wounded."

"Critical hit," Steve murmurs. Eddie laughs

"Well," Steve swung your arms as you held hands, "I was thinking ice cream, then dinner, then ice cream again, then a romantic walk under the stars."

You laugh, "Ice cream twice?"

He shakes his head, "Nah, scratch that, dinner, ice cream, candle-lit dinner. Wait, no. I said dinner twice. Here, let's do this one more time. Dinner, ice cream, then a romantic walk under the stars."

"I think that's the one," You giggle, face heating up.

One burger, one basket of fries, and three scoops of ice cream later, you're walking around the park. You can see the stars—one of the only good things about a little town; there's less light at night, just the stars and your beautiful boy to keep you company. 

You stop at a bench. It's quiet as you sit. One of the best things about Steve is that you can just exist with him; no need to talk.

"I think we're alone now," He whispers, leaning in. It's stupid and cliché, but the kiss feels like sparks.

𐦖 duck

my lovely mutuals: @sw34terw34ther @queerpumpkinnn @lucasnclair @forourmoons @innerloverpainter @nyxxxxxxxx @maddipoof @mad-elia

[hellomynameisghostface]

Defending Ethan Landry...Kirsch? Whatever is real name is!!

Hello again. I wanted to do a post defending Ethan Landry like I did with Amber because he's another Ghostface that's looked down upon and in my opinion, he's super underrated.

Firstly, I want to begin with the fact people think he's not capable of being as brutal as the Ghostface is in the sixth film. When you take a look at Jack Champion, the actor who plays him, he works out and is in very good shape. He's more then capable, in my opinion. I've seen a lot of people in reaction videos say "if it's that nerdy guy I'm going to be so mad because there's no way he can do that" when watching the scene where Ghostface picks Anika up by the throat and slams her against the wall, which is a crazy thing to think. As I mentioned before, Jack is pretty fit and Ethan has Jack's body physique since he's playing him and Anika is a fairly tiny girl. Why is it so crazy to think he could pick her up the way he did? Especially when she was gripping onto his hand making it easier to pull her up.

Secondly, people think Ethan didn't get any kills because he had an alibi for the apartment attack but Dr. Stone's killer was never confirmed and quite frankly I believe he was still the one to kill Quinn's hookup and Anika. We obviously know this can't be Quinn so let's move on to Wayne and Ethan. After they reveal themselves Wayne says, "I just made sure I was first on the scene so I could switch her body out with a fresh one." Quinn and whoever was in the Ghostface costume (Ethan, in my opinion) were the only two in the apartment after the attack. If Wayne was already there he wouldn't need to be "first on the scene." On top of that, I'm pretty sure Quinn was on the phone with her father when Ghostface was behind her. As for Ethan's alibi, a few scenarios could've happened. Since his father is a detective and it's not known to anyone he could've easily lied for him. I know Wayne mention's they took him off the case but guess what? That could've been a lie too. For all we know, to the other cops that showed up, that wasn't even his daughter that died. While lying to the core four and convincing them his daughter is dead, he could've just as easily lied to the cops and said it was just one of their random friends. Another possibility is he showed up for a few minutes to econ, left to do the Ghostface attack and then went back. I know some people don't like determining who's under the costume this way but Jack was actually under the costume when Ghostface was behind Quinn while she was talking on the phone and honestly that's confirmation enough for me. Otherwise, what's the point of him being under there?

I've also seen people just flat out complain about Jack's performance which I don't understand. Sometimes I think people hate on the fifth and sixth movies just because it has new writers/directors because going into this movie I had no idea who he was nor did I have any expectations for him or any new characters for that matter but his performance after he was unmasked and went absolutely batshit crazy was so good and he easily because one of my top five Ghostfaces. He had that crazy in him that I love in a Ghostface. I left the theaters wanting to see it again specifically for Anika and Ethan. They stole the show, honestly.

[tanimuradefender]

I'm coming out of my Yakuza burnout to say that yeah, based on Majima's popularity a Majima game was bound to happen at some point. He has been on the top of the popularity polls multiple times and the reason why he was such a major player in Yakuza 0. But I'm somewhat hesitant about the fans who haven't played through Yakuza 5 and don't know what information is revealed about Majima. But I guess it's my time to actually talk about my thoughts regarding Majima and how he's involved with the plots in game and Park aspect.

Spoilers below for Yakuza 0 and Yakuza 5 mostly but references from Yakuza 1-4, vague and not in detail.

these content warnings are ALSO spoilers so CW: abortion, underage marriage, domestic abuse and character death

Yakuza 0 was of course my first introduction to Majima and the series as a whole. I don't really need to explain how fantastic his story in that game is, and how he stole the spotlight from Kiryu in numerous ways. However, something that bugs me is that there is absolutely no reference to Park or being in a previous relationship when it would've been fairly recent. Majima only remarks on how he would enjoy someone calling him "daddy" during a substory (in a non sexual context, it was from a child). it always felt somewhat odd to me that there wasn't a single reference to it. In hindsight we can assume he didn't pursue Makimura because of how poorly his previous relationship was but that somewhat ignores what actually happens to them in the game. it would be a grave simplifying of Majima's character arc.

From Yakuza 1 to Yakuza 2 (ignoring the Majima saga and Majima everywhere), Majima is lightly used throughout the story of these games and is mostly used to play off Kiryu which does make the scenes he's involved in enjoyable, but I don't understand how small his involvement is got him so unbelievably popular. His appearance is even more hollow in Yakuza 3.

I also personally don't believe that the transition into his Mad Dog person made all that much sense in Yakuza 0 but that's something else I could go on a tangent about. regardless we got plenty of references to Saejima throughout Yakuza 0 and it shows how important his brother was, what about the woman he was previously married to?

edit: someone let me know I got the timeline wrong, so it would actually make sense there's no reference to Park here. adding it here so the main post is intact but this criticism is inaccurate. that is my fault.

In Yakuza 4 we actually see the writing that makes me enjoy Majima. In Kiryu's absence he drops his Mad Dog persona and acts aimless and doesn't seem to really seem to enjoy what he's doing. his dynamic with Saejima is also revealed in this game and it's probably my favorite part of Majima - it just has to involve a character I prefer significantly more. something something rubber bullets. but overall his appearance is to help Saejima's scenes and his character arc.

So, finally Yakuza 5. the main plot drive here is Majima's believed death. but there's also something I've left out about Park and Majima's relationship. revealed by Park in Haruka's part, she explains how she was an idol married to a man who beat her after she had an abortion. so, about this:

Majima, at his youngest, would've been around in his 20s when he married Park, who would've been under the age of 18.

Majima beat an underage woman who he impregnated after she received an abortion to keep being an idol.

if your instant response to this is "Park could've been lying" or somehow blaming Park, she didn't have a reason to lie to Haruka. there is no single benefit to lying to Haruka, the whole scene where she tells her is framed as an quiet moment between a mother figure and her daughter. also she was in a relationship with an adult man that should be able to control his anger enough not to physically assault his wife.

ultimately, both Park and Majima did not do the best thing they could have in this situation. however, it reveals two character traits for Park and Majima: that Park is willing to sacrifice anything for her own career or the career of others, and that Majima has the potential to be physically abusive.

btw Park dies after she reveals this information.

Yakuza 0 was released after Yakuza 5. So even with this detail revealed amongst the public, Majima still maintained being a popular character.

I'm not here to say that we should completely ignore this information involving Majima or that it should suddenly make you hate a character you love. canonically this event happened multiple decades ago, but something that makes me nervous is that idea that this information will be erased or retconned or changed if we get a Kiwami 5. RGG knows of Majima's popularity, why else is he getting his own stand alone video game? this information was already omitted from Yakuza 0 and is only within Yakuza 5, it would be as simple as removing that line from Park or even changing Majima into a whole other character.

I'm not "Anti-Majima" or a Majima hater or hate Majima fans, I just want people to be aware of this and the possibility of it being retconned or edited.

At the end of the day, I do care about this series but this is just really connected to a greater issue I have with the series in that it's the really strange and creepy age gaps between characters. This is just one of many.

regardless, play Yakuza 4.

[lucifersresources]

taylor swift // the tortured poets department : the anthology rp meme. part one. part two here.

edit/alter/change pronouns etc as you see fit!

fortnight.

i was a functioning alcoholic.

i hope you're okay.

no one here's to blame.

but what about your quiet treason?

for a fortnight there, we were forever.

i wanna kill her.

all my mornings are mondays stuck in an endless february.

i took the miracle move-on drug.

the effects were temporary.

i love you, it's ruining my life.

my husband is cheating.

i wanna kill him.

the tortured poets department.

i think some things i never say.

you're in self sabotage mode.

i've seen this episode and still loved the show.

who else decodes you?

who's gonna hold you like me?

who's gonna know you, if not me?

this ain't the chelsea hotel.

we're modern idiots.

you awaken with dread.

i chose this cyclone with you.

i wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me.

everyone we know understands why it's meant to be.

who else is gonna know me?

that's the closest i've come to my heart exploding.

my boy only breaks his favorite toys.

here we go again.

my boy only breaks his favorite toys.

i'm queen of sand castles he destroys.

i should've known.

we could've played for keeps this time.

i know i'm just repeating myself.

he runs because he loves me.

i knew too much.

there was danger in the heat of my touch.

he saw forever, so he smashed it up.

once i fix me, he's gonna miss me.

i felt more when we played pretend.

he stole my tortured heart.

told me i'm better off, but i'm not.

down bad.

did you really beam me up in a cloud of sparkling dust, just to do experiments on?

i was the chosen one.

this world is bigger than us.

i knew cosmic love.

for a moment, i knew cosmic love.

now i'm down bad.

everything comes out teenage petulance.

fuck it if i can't have him.

fuck it if i can't have us.

they'll say i'm nuts if i talk about the existence of you.

for a moment, i was heavenstruck.

i was heavenstruck.

i loved your hostile takeovers.

how dare you think it's romantic.

fuck it, i was in love.

fuck you if i can't have us.

so long, london.

i kept calm and carried the weight of the rift.

i pulled him in tighter each time he was drifting away.

my spine split from carrying us.

i stopped tryna make him laugh.

how much sad did you think i had in me?

you'll find someone.

so long.

i didn't opt in to be your odd man out.

i founded the club she's heard great things about.

i left all i knew.

you left me.

i stopped cpr, after all, it's no use.

the spirit was gone.

i'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free.

two graves, one gun.

i'll find someone.

you say i abandoned the ship, but i was going down with it.

my friends said it isn't right to be scared every day of a love affair.

every breath feels like rarest air when you're not sure if he wants to be there.

how much tragedy did you think i had in me?

just how low did you think i'd go 'fore i'd self implode?

you swore that you loved me.

you swore that you loved me, but where were the clues?

i died on the altar waiting for the proof.

you sacrificed us to the gods of your bluest days.

i'm just getting colour back into my face.

i'm just mad as hell coz i loved this place for so long.

but daddy i love him.

i forget if this was ever fun.

these people only raise you to cage you.

these people try and save you coz they hate you.

they slammed the door on my whole world.

but daddy, i love him.

you should see your faces.

floor it through the fences.

no, i'm not coming to my senses.

i know he's crazy, but he's the one i want.

growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all.

he was chaos, he was revelry.

stay away from her.

the saboteurs protested too much.

i'd rather burn my whole life down.

i'd rather burn my whole life down than listen to one more second of all this bitchin' and moanin'.

i'll tell you something about my good name, it's mine alone to disgrace.

i don't cater to all these vipers dressed in empath's clothing.

god save the most judgmental creeps who say they want what's best for me.

they think it can change the beat of my heart when he touches me.

you ain't gotta pray for me.

it's just my choice.

scandal does funny things to pride, but brings lovers closer.

we came back when the heat died down.

fuck em, it's over.

time, doesn't it give perspective?

no, you can't come to the wedding.

he's the one i want.

fresh out of the slammer.

i'm running back home to you.

he doesn't understand me.

handcuffed to the spell i was under.

it's gonna be alright, i did my time.

now that i know better i will never lose my baby again.

my friends tried, but i wouldn't hear it.

he kept me going.

i swirled you into all my poems.

ain't no way i'm gonna screw up.

ain't no way i'm gonna screw up now that i know what's at stake here.

florida!!!

they said i was a cheat.

this city reeks of driving myself crazy.

your home's really only a town you're just a guest in.

can i use you up?

me and my ghosts, we had a hell of a time.

i'm haunted but i'm feeling just fine.

i did my best to lay to rest all of the bodies that have ever been on my body.

i need to forget.

tell me i'm despicable, say it's unforgivable.

love left me like this and i don't want to exist.

guilty as sin?

this cage was once just fine.

am i allowed to cry?

what if he's written 'mine' on my upper thigh only in my mind?

i keep recalling things we never did.

without ever touching his skin how can i be guilty as sin?

there's no such thing as bad thoughts, only your actions talk.

we've already done it in my head.

i've screamed his name.

they're gonna crucify me anyway.

what if the way you hold me is actually what's holy?

they don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly.

i choose you and me religiously.

who's afraid of little old me?

you don't get to tell me about 'sad'.

if you wanted me dead, you should've just said.

nothing makes me feel more alive.

who's afraid of little old me?

who's afraid of little old me? you should be.

the scandal was contained.

at all costs, keep your good name.

you don't get to tell me you feel bad.

is it a wonder i broke?

i was tame, i was gentle, till the circus life made me mean.

don't you worry folks, we took out all her teeth.

they didn't do it to hurt you.

i wanna snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me.

you wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me.

i'm always drunk on my own tears, isn't that what they all said?

i'm fearsome and i'm wretched and i'm wrong.

you caged me and then you called me crazy.

i am what i am coz you trained me.

i can fix him (no really i can)

the jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud.

i can fix him.

i can fix him, no, really, i can. and only i can.

he had a halo of the highest grade.

good boy, that's right.

i'll show you heaven if you'll be an angel.

trust me, i can handle a dangerous man.

loml.

who's gonna stop us waltzing back into rekindled flames?

we were just kids.

i thought i was better safe than starry-eyed.

i felt aglow like this never before and never since.

you and i go from one kiss to getting married.

we're never quite buried.

you told me i'm the love of your life.

you blew in with the winds of fate.

you took me to hell too.

you shit-talked me under the table.

i wish i could un-recall how we almost had it all.

should've let it stay buried.

our field of dreams engulfed in fire.

you're the loss of my life.

i can do it with a broken heart.

she's having the time of her life.

i can show you lies.

i'm a real tough kid.

i can handle my shit.

you gotta fake it till you make it.

lights, camera, bitch, smile, even when you wanna die.

he said he'd love me all his life.

he said he'd love me all his life, but that life was too short.

all the pieces of me shattered.

the crowd was chanting 'more'.

i was grinnin' like i'm winnin'

i was hittin' my marks.

i can do it with a broken heart.

i'm so depressed i act like it's my birthday every day.

i'm so obsessed with him but he avoids me like the plague.

i cry a lot, but i am so productive.

you know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart.

i keep finding his things in drawers, crucial evidence i didn't imagine the whole thing.

try and come for my job.

the smallest man who ever lived.

was any of it true?

now you know what it feels like.

i don't even want you back.

i just want to know if rusting my sparkling summer was the goal.

i don't miss what we had.

could someone give a message to the smallest man who ever lived?

you hung me on your wall, stabbed me with your push pins.

you didn't measure up in any measure of a man.

were you sent by someone who wanted me dead?

did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed?

were you a sleeper cell spy?

in fifty years, will all this be declassified?

confess why you did it.

good riddance.

it wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden.

i would've died for your sins.

i would've died for your sins, instead i just died inside.

you deserve prison, but you won't get time.

you said normal girls were boring.

you were gone by the morning.

in plain sight you hid.

you are what you did.

i'll forget you, but i'll never forgive.

the alchemy.

this happens once every few lifetimes.

what if i told you i'm back?

i'm coming back so strong.

i'm the one to beat.

the sign on your heart said it's still reserved for me.

who are we to fight the alchemy?

clara bow.

did you know you'd be picked like a rose?

i might die if it happened to me.

this town is fake, but you're the real thing.

the crown is stained, but you're the real queen.

you're the new god we're worshipping.

beauty is a beast that roars.

it's hell on earth to be heavenly.

[babsggordon]

A white rose fell into the pit where the coffin was now. A white rose that left her hand, after that she turned her back at the place, as another man started pouring dirt in it.

There were 6 feet of dirt to fill in the place that once were her dreams and hopes. Every step she did a piece of her heart shatered even more. There wasn't anything that she could do and that sincerely was killing her.

Death was weird, a few weeks ago they were receiving Sebastian, and now... she couldn't talk to him anymore, she couldn't hug him anymore, she couldn't feel him anymore.

This moment of her life felt like she needed to pick up the pieces of her that were sparkled anywhere, far from her. How could she recover from something like this?

She looked at Jacyn who was already far from her in the distance, carrying Sebastian. He was only 30 weeks and already was an orphan. Even if she didn't want they were a reminder, that she could've done more, she could've done better.

Being there as she always did, and now, the only answer she had was a "missing in action, declared death". Because fucking Gotham, not even a body to give clousure to the matter, they had to buried a empty coffin.

Oh, how she wished that he lived, that his eyes never have closed and be able to watching them now more than ever that she needed it. Once again she had to face it alone again. Struggling to put a hard face and hiding momentarily her feelings.

He was always there, he would always be there and— now those words that once were a reality felt so distant.

A hand touched her shoulder as soon as she arrived to the car, she looks up, it was her Dad. And her eyes watered. Jim pulled her into a hug.

It wasn't the first time Barbara faced death, and as much she hated her father once, he was her father, and as much as she hated her Mother once she'll always love her too. What a coincidence now that Dick and her parents were buried in the same cementary just a couple of feet away.

And in the same way her Dad was there when her parents died, Dad is here when Dick also died. That simple embrace, made her feel like that thirteen year old who felt hopeless. That simple embrace allowed her to bury her head in her Dad's shoulder and break.

With a very loud yell of pain. Because it hurt, it hurts and will always hurt. But this five minutes of herself and her feelings were probably the last in the rest of her life, for her for their kids, now her kids.

But only, for this five minutes, she will allow the pain take over herself. Just this time.

Just as she says her goodbyes and tries to convince herself all the plans and hopes will die with him. All the words and acts are dying with him, all their future together was stole from their hands. Even a small part of her died with him now.

She realized something, Barbara can't stand changes. She wished everything stayed as it was a few couple of weeks ago. And she's forced to move, to leave the secure place once again.

She started trembling, this was fucking scary. When will the pain stop? Cause for the next months it was like that.

Shaking and crying at random moments, everytime someone mentioned him, every time she was reminded of him. Sleepless nights crying without a single rest.

And when she started therapy, her main concern was to forget what was causing pain. It was impossible, on the contrary, the solution was embracing it.

Barbara did for a long time, still crying, still feeling guilty, still feeling useless. Slightly hating herself for not possibly doing more. But with the time she reached at the point where she found it that lead to nothing.

Now that Sebastian had his first birthday, she needed to start moving, start getting exposed to the world. But oh... if only she knew how life got for her...

[wearelondonhq]

Happy Meme Day!!! If you want to take part all you have to do is reblog this post. Remember if you reblog to send them out to EVERYONE who also does. Meme lasts from today until the next Wednesday (may 1st).

FORTNIGHT

I was supposed to be sent away, but they forgot to come and get me.

I was a functioning alcoholic.

Nobody noticed my new aesthetic.

All of this to say, I hope you're okay.

No one here's to blame.. what about your quiet treason?

For a fortnight there we were forever running.

You're in my backyard turned into good neighbors.

I want to kill her/him/them.

All my mornings are Monday stuck in an endless February.

I took the miracle move on pill, the effects were temporary.

I love you, it's ruining my life.

I touched you for only a fortnight.

My husband is cheating... i want to kill him.

I call you up but you won't pick up.

Another fortnight lost in America.

THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT

You left your typewriter at my apartment.

i think some things I'll never say.. like who uses typewriters anyway?

You're in self-sabotage mode.

Who else decodes you?

Who's gonna hold you like me?

Who's gonna know you if not me?

We'rе modern idiots.

I chose this cyclone with you.

Sometimes I wonder if you're gonna screw this up with me.

Everyone we know understands why it's meant to be.. because we're crazy.

At dinner, you take my ring off my middle finger and put it on the one people put wedding rings on.. and that's the closest I've come to my heart exploding.

MY BOY ONLY BREAKS HIS FAVORITE TOYS

Here we go again.

You should've seen him when he first got me.

My boy only breaks his favorite toys.. i'm queen of sand castles he destroys.

I should've known it was a matter of time.

There was a litany of reasons why we could've playеd for keeps this time.

I know I'm just repeating mysеlf.

He runs because he loves me.

'Cause you should've seen him when he first saw me

I knew too much.

There was danger in the heat of my touch.

He saw forever so he smashed it up.

Once I fix me, he's gonna miss me

He was my best friend.

I felt more when we played pretend than with all the Ken's.

He took me out of my box, stole my tortured heart, left all these broken parts.

Told me I'm better off, but I'm not.

DOWN BAD

Did you really beam me up?

Tell me I was the chosen one.

For a moment I knew cosmic love.

Now I'm down bad, crying at the gym.

Everything comes out teenage petulance.

Fuck it if I can't have him.. it's like i lost my twin.

I might just die, it would make no difference.

Come back and pick me up.

Fuck it if I can't have us.

I might just not get up.

I might stay down bad.

Did you take all my old clothes?

They'll say I'm nuts if I talk about the existence of you.

For a moment, I was heavenstruck.

I loved your hostile take-overs.

I'll build you a fort on some planet where they can all understand it.

How dare you think it's romantic leaving me safe and stranded?

Cause fuck it, I was in love.

Fuck you if I can't have us.

SO LONG, LONDON

Pulled him in tighter each time he was drifting away.

My spine split from carrying us up the hill.

I stopped trying to make him laugh.

How much sad did you think I had?

Did you think I had in me?

You'll find someone.

I didn't opt in to be your odd man out..

I founded the club she's heard great things about.

I left all I knew.

I stopped CPR.

Thе spirit was gone.

We would never come to.

I'm pissed off you let me give you all that youth for free.

Two graves, one gun.

I'll find someone.

You say I abandoned the ship, but I was going down with it.

My white knuckle dying grip holding tight to your quiet resentment.

My friends said it isn't right to be scared.

Every breath feels like rarest air.

Just how low did you think I'd go before I'd self implode?

You swore that you loved me but where were the clues?

I died on the altar waiting for the proof.

BUT DADDY I LOVE HIM

I forget how the west was won.

I forget if this was ever fun.

I just learned these people only raise you to cage you.

What a mess.

I just learned these people try and save you 'cause they hate you.

Too high a horse for a simple girl to rise above it.

They slammed the door on my whole world.

But, daddy, I love him.

I'm having his baby... no, I'm not, but you should see your faces.

No, I'm not coming to my senses.

I know it's crazy, but he's the one I want.

Growing up precocious sometimes means not growing up at all.

You're this chaos, he was revelry.

Stay away from her.

Lord knows the words we never heard.

I'd rather burn my whole life down than listen to one more second of all this bitchin' and moanin'.

I'll tell you something 'bout my good name, it's mine along with all the disgrace.

God save the most judgmental creeps who say they want what's best for me.

Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I'll never see.

You ain't gotta pray for me.. it's just my choice.

There's a lot of people in town that I bestow upon my fakest smiles.

Scandal does funny things to pride but brings lovers closer.

We came back when the heat died down.

Went to my parents and they came around.

All the wine moms are still holding out.

Fuck 'em, it's over.

Even my daddy just loves him.

I'm his lady.

Oh my god, you should see your faces.

I know it's crazy but he's the one I love.

FRESH OUT OF THE SLAMMER

I'm running back home to you.

I know who my first call will be to.

He don't understand me.

Handcuffed to the spell I was under.

But it's gonna be alright.

I did my time.

Toss the ashes off the ledge.

I will never lose my baby again.

My friends tried, but I wouldn't hear it.

Watched me daily disappearing for just one glimpse of his smile.

All those nights you kept me goin'.

Swirled you into all of my poems.

Now we're at the starting line.

No matter what I've done, it wouldn't matter anyway.

Ain't no way I'm gonna screw up, now that I know what's at stake here.

FLORIDA!!!

You can beat the heat if you beat the charges too.

They said I was a cheat, I guess it must be true.

My friends all smell like weed or little babies.

The city reeks of driving myself crazy.

Your home's really only a town you're just a guest in.

I got drunk and I dared it to wash me away.

Well, mе and my ghosts, we had a hell of a time.

Yеs, I'm haunted, but I'm feeling just fine.

Well, no one asks any questions here.

So I did my best to lay to rest all of the bodies that have ever been on my body.

I've got some regrets.

Tell me I'm despicable, say it's unforgivable.

At least the dolls are beautiful, fuck me up, Florida

I need to forget, so take me to Florida

What a crash, what a rush.

Love left me like this.

I don't want to exist.

GUILTY AS SIN?

I hadn't heard it in a while.

My boredom's bone deep.

This cage was once just fine.

Am I allowed to cry?

I dream of cracking locks.

Crashing into him tonight, he's a paradox.

I'm seeing visions.

Am I bad, or mad, or wise?

What if he's written "Mine" on my upper thigh only in my mind?

Oh, what a way to die.

I keep recalling things we never did.

Without ever touching his skin, how can I be guilty as sin?

There's no such thing as bad thoughts, only your actions talk.

We've already done it in my head.

Why does it feel like a vow we'll both uphold somehow?

What if I roll the stone away?

They're gonna crucify me anyway

What if the way you hold me is actually what's holy?

They don't know how you've haunted me so stunningly.

I choose you and me, religiously.

WHO'S AFRAID OF LITTLE OLD ME?

You don’t get to tell me about sad.

If you wanted me dead you should’ve just said.

Nothing makes me feel more alive.

Who’s afraid of little old me?

You don’t get to tell me you feel bad.

Is it a wonder I broke?

Let’s hear one morе joke.

Then we could all just laugh until I cry.

I was tame, I was gentle till the circus life made me mean.

Don’t you worry folks, we took out all her teeth.

So tell me everything is not about me, but what if it is?

Say they didn’t do it to hurt me, but what if they did?

I wanna snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me.

You wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me.

All you kids can sneak into my house with all the cobwebs.

I’m always drunk on my own tears, isn’t that what they all said?

I’ll sue you if you step on my lawn.

I’m fearsome, and I’m wretched and I’m wrong.

Put narcotics into all of my songs and that’s why you’re still singing along.

You lured me and you hurt me and you taught me.

You caged me and then you called me crazy.

I am what I am 'cause you trained me.

I CAN FIX HIM (NO REALLY I CAN)

The smoke cloud billows out his mouth like a freight train through a small town.

The jokes that he told across the bar were revolting and far too loud.

God, help her.

I told them he's my man

I can fix him, no, really, I can.

The dopamine races through his brain on a six-lane Texas highway.

His hands so calloused from his pistol softly traces hearts on my face.

I could see it from a mile away.

A perfect case for my certain skill set.

He had a halo of the highest gradе.

He just hadn't met me yеt.

Good boy, that's right.

Come close.

I'll show you Heaven if you'll be an angel, all mine.

Trust me, I can handle me a dangerous man.

LOML

Who's gonna stop us from waltzing back into rekindled flames?

We were just kids, babe.

You said I'm the love of your life.

A con man sells a fool a "get love quick" scheme.

I felt a hole like this, never before and ever since.

What we thought was for all time was momentary.

Mr. Steal-Your-Girl, then make her cry.

You shit-talked me under the table.

I wish I could unrecall how we almost had it all.

You're the loss of my life.

I CAN DO IT WITH A BROKEN HEART

I'm a real tough kid, I can handle my shit.

They said, "Babe, you gotta fake it till you make it" And I did.

Lights, camera.. bitch, smile.. even when you wanna die.

He said he'd love me all his life, but that life was too short.

All the piеces of me shatterеd as the crowd was chanting "More".

I was grinnin' like I'm winnin'.

I can do it with a broken heart.

I'm so depressed, I act like it's my birthday every day.

I'm so obsessed with him, but he avoids me like the plague.

I cry a lot, but I am so productive, it's an art.

You know you're good when you can even do it with a broken heart.

I can hold my breath.

I've been doing it since he left.

I keep finding his things in drawers, crucial evidence I didn't imagine the whole thing.

THE SMALLEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED

I don't even want you back.

I don't miss what we had.

Could someone give a message to the smallest man who ever lived?

Were you sent by someone who wanted me dead?

Did you sleep with a gun underneath our bed?

Were you writing a book?

Were you a sleeper cell spy?

In fifty years will all this be declassified?

You'll confess why you did it and I'll say, "Good riddance".

It wasn't sexy once it wasn't forbidden.

I would've died for your sins, instead I just died inside.

You deserve prison, but you won't get time.

You said normal girls were "boring", but you were gone by the morning.

You kicked out the stage lights, but you're still performing.

You are what you did.

I'll forget you, but I'll never forgive.

THE ALCHEMY

This happens once every few lifetimes.

These chemicals hit me like white wine.

What if I told you I'm back?

The hospital was a drag.

Worst sleep that I ever had.

I circled you on a map.

I haven't come around in so long.

I'm coming back so strong.

Ditch the clowns, get the crown.

Baby, I'm the one to be.

The sign on your heart said it's still reserved for me.

Honestly, who are we to fight thе alchemy?.

Hey, you, what if I told you we'rе cool?

That child's play back in school is forgiven under my rule.

I'm making a comeback to where I belong

We've been on a winning streak.

There was no chance trying to be the greatest in the league.

Where's the trophy? He just comes running over to me.

BONUS! BELOW THE CUT, FIND MORE OPTIONS FROM A MIX OF THE ANTHOLOGY TRACKS!

credit goes to @perspectivestarters !!

I move through the world with a heart broken.

I may never open up thе way I did for you.

Six weeks of breathing clean air, I still miss the smoke.

I can tell when somebody still wants me.

Once you fix your face, I'm going in.

Whether I'm gonna be your wife, or gonna smash up your bike, I haven't decided yet.

I'm gonna get you back.

Whether I'm gonna curse you out, or take you back to my house, I haven't decidеd yet.

You'll find that you were never not mine.

Even if it's handcuffed, I'm leaving here with you.

Pick your poison, babe, I'm poison either way.

A touch that was my birth right became foreign.

Are you gonna marry, kiss, or kill me?

You know how to ball, I know artistotle.

Everyone knows that my mother is a saintly woman, but she used to say she wished that you were dead.

When I count the scars, there's a moment of truth, that there wouldn't be this, if there hadn't been you.

One day, your kid comes home singin' a song that only us two is gonna know is about you.

[carylerxsecretsanta]

Christmas Reminisce

Written For: @lola-andheruniverse

Title:  Christmas Reminisce Author: @theresnosafeharbor4myships Rating: G Summary: Daryl and Carol spend a quiet night in France missing and reminiscing  A/N: Happy holidays, @lola-andheruniverse!! I hope you've found some joy, moments of peace, and pockets of rest this season. Merry Christmas, and I hope you enjoy this quiet fic with your requested moment of tenderness. :D 

Daryl bolted upright, heaving breaths through his nose as his dream world slipped away. He turned immediately to his left, but the spot beside him was empty.

“You okay?”

On his right, Carol stood at the window, the blue-white moonlight filtering in, lighting up her face just enough for him to see the concern written on it. She'd wrapped her too-large, calf-length sweater around her, her arms crossed to help ward off the cold seeping into the monastery walls.

“Mmm,” he hummed noncommittally, throwing the covers away from his legs, grateful to leave the nightmare that haunted him behind.

The chilly air immediately stole the warmth of the bed from him as he moved to stand behind her, and he wrapped his arms around her, hugging her back into his chest. They stood in silence for a few minutes, slightly swaying to a slow rhythm and staring out at the frigid night, the frosted ground, the icy waters.

He'd never intended to stay in France, but he was grateful it'd turned out the way it had or he'd be fighting off the winter elements in parts unknown, and Carol...well, she wouldn't be in his arms right now, he knew that much.

On a good day in the Before, he never could've imagined visiting France. And while it wasn't home and it'd been a treacherous journey through the country, being here in a once-famous monastery was something he and Carol would forever share: the two of them—having separately traversed an ocean—found each other and ended up here. Together.

“Wanna tell me about your dream?” Her voice came softly, quietly, and without demand.

He dropped a kiss into her hair just above her ear. “Some other time.” Another kiss. “Same thing got you up?”

Silence for a few beats, then she murmured a 'no' on a sigh. “Just thinking about home. Hoping Jude and RJ aren't giving Aaron and Gabriel too much trouble.”

He waited for her to continue, and when she didn't, he asked, “Sure that's all?”

He saw her quirk one side of her mouth up in the window's reflection. “Remember our Christmas at the prison?”

He nodded. “Yeah,” he answered, an unusual sense of nostalgia washing over him. He didn't often let himself think about what had been—either the good or the bad. Both hurt too much, and he had enough on his plate on any given day without the added weight of memories. But for a few moments, holding Carol and remembering together, he let himself reminisce. The tree Carl roped Glenn into cutting down. The ornaments the kids made to decorate it. The songs the others had sung in hushed tones that echoed throughout their cell block. The smiles and laughter that accompanied them more on that one day they'd chosen to celebrate as Christmas than any day that'd come before for their group. How he'd felt like an actual part of that group of people.

“We barely had anything to make it an actual Christmas celebration, but it worked somehow.” Carol paused, and he wondered how she remembered it, which moments had solidified in her mind. “Those ugly ornaments the kids made,” she chuckled. “That bitter chocolate Hershel found in the warden's desk drawer that we made into hot choco-yuck.”

Daryl huffed a laugh, remembering Carl's name for the silt water they'd all pretended was cocoa.

Carol didn't continue, and he waited, the cold seeping through his pajamas along his back a sharp contrast to the warmth he felt with her against his chest.

“I wonder what the kids are doing this year.”

He felt more than heard the heartache in her words and wished, like she did, that they slept at home, with the kids and the rest of their family nearby.

The Nest leaders had been promising the kids in the commune a Christmas celebration, albeit a simple one, for the past week. Daryl had ignored the hype, much like he'd done with Christmases in the Before, but he'd noticed Carol's contemplative nature earlier at dinner. He'd sat next to her, deftly fending off the few attempts at conversation others threw their way. He hadn't asked her what was on her mind as they'd readied for bed, instead waiting for her to reveal what bothered her. It didn't surprise him it had to do with the kids. He missed them too.

“Hey,” he said softly, unwrapping his arms from around her and gently turning her to face him. “We're gonna see 'em again.” He cupped one hand along the side of her neck, just below her ear, his thumb running back and forth along her jawline. “Soon as the snow melts and it's safe to sail again, we're goin'.”

She peered up at him, her eyes full of trust and tears. “I know. Just feels like forever away right now. We've been gone so long...”

“Sorry I got caught up in stuff I shouldn't have. I didn't mean—”

She raised a finger to his lips. “I'm not sorry I came looking for you. And certainly not sorry I'm here.”

He nodded, believing her even as guilt sat heavy in his gut.

With a hand to the back of his neck, Carol drew his face toward her until his forehead touched hers. He closed his eyes for a minute, listening to her breathe, feeling her fingers ruffle through his hair at the nape of his neck.

“I'm so glad I found you.”

Daryl felt the breath of her words against his face and tangle in his heart. “Glad you came lookin'.”

She eased away from him a few seconds later to look into his eyes. “It's a miracle we didn't miss each other.”

“Oh, I missed you plenty,” he stated, feathering her hair away from her forehead with one hand. A smile lit up her face. “More'an you know. Never shoulda left you.”

“Now's your chance to never do it again,” she teased.

“Yes, ma'am.”

Carol shivered, and Daryl rubbed his hands up and down her arms to lend her warmth. “Head back to bed?” he asked, head nodding towards the large bed with layers of blankets on it.

She took a final glace out the window at the cold night and nodded. “Yeah.”

She waited for him to settle into the mattress before sliding under the covers and pressing her back against his chest. He draped his arm loosely around her waist as she tucked the edges of the blankets around her body, sealing the frigid air out and cocooning them in warmth.

“G'night.”

“'Night.” Daryl dropped another kiss into her hair and closed his eyes contentedly, the best Christmas present he could ever wish for wrapped in his arms.

[fellow-nerd]

Time to go crazy about the characterisation changes in the new atla cuz oh boy do I have thoughts

The main thing I noticed for all of them is that this show is focused about telling a story about a war torn world and how that affected everyone first and a coming of age hero story second, which is a choice considering the source material which balanced them both extremely well.it never had to be so heavy handed for the audience to get it but that also could be because it's a kids show at the end of the day 😅

Aang: where is my adventure loving kid. He just wants to ride the Elephant koi and show his new friends cool things. Yes, his past weighs heavy on him and expectations press down, but he's still just 12. It takes him time to work through his grief and his reluctance to save the world and that is literally his big arc. Learning to grow up and save the world (becoming THE avatar ya know). This Aang gets with the program quick and is only concerned with helping people and stepping up, like little dude ur telling me u don't want to go penguin sledding. I dunno it just feels so off. Love the stuff with gyatso too.

Katara: she's actually the most true to her og character I think. I just wish there was more focus on her like there was in the og. She was my first favorite charcter, put some respect on her name. It was criminal to give the opening to kyoshi, like girl u have ur own novels to be in! ALSO WHY DIDNT SHE BREAK THE ICEBERG!!! UGH SO MAD AT THAT.

Sokka: look I get it It's the year of lord 2024 misogyny has no place. So why don't we tell the story of how a guy learns that those views are wrong and how to change ur views rather than pretending that it never existing, like erasing it. As much as it can be critiqued Sokkas misogyny was the catalyst for Katara to hit the iceberg and free Aang. Narratively this gets them both invested in Aang and just shows Sokkas growth on every rewatch. They could've toned it down but it's a big part of his character growth and what are the gonna fill that with, if anything at all.

Suki: now her in live action I can get behind. She ate and left no crumbs. She put Sokka in his place and stole the episode for me. Also I loved the addition of her mom, honestly goals. Can't wait to see how they utilize her throughout she's the best. No comment.

Jet/freedom fighters: pretty much the same, I didn't love the condensing plot lines all into omashu tho

Teo/Sai: same as above but I loved the Way the two interacted it had so much depth.

Iroh: not sure how to feel. It feels wierd hearing iroh not voiced by Mako ya know. Like his dailougue was fine but it lacked that inflection Mako had which really Gave iroh all his character. It's big shoes to fill and it comes so close. I did die for the line where he says he's the one who owes Zuko. Like. Ugh. The implications of that. How Zuko made him wake up and gave him a reason to keep going. Its enough to make a girl cry.

Zuko: oh zuko, zuko, zuko, zuko. Again tough shoes to fill. I think that the characterisation is all there the challenge comes later on when we get his redemption arc. I do love the seeds they are planting especially in his relationship to Iroh.

Azula: now I called it as soon as I saw that girl, knew it was her who else could I have been. Just as evil, just as lustful for power, definitely in character for her to be doing what's she's doing this early on. Will definitely keep tabs on this one.

Bumi: now he about WRECKED ME ok. It was rough. I loved this recharacterisation. If ur gonna give us a war torn world, give me the war torn ruler, whose been carrying all that trauma and burden on his back for 100 years. Of course he's gonna be mad at Aang of course HES gonna BE MAD himself. So yeah it was rough to watch but because it was so hard hitting to see how war destroyed Bumis mindset, and then so wonderful to see Aang give his oldest friend a piece of himself back

In conclusion I care about Avatar way too much and will be ranting about this even more as I continue watching

[ebbing-terror]

"It seems your friends enjoy dropping you off with me as though I am a glorified babysitter." Mortem chuckled, seeing Junpei was abandoned in her presence once more. The other two yelling in the distance, as excitable couples tended to do.

She looked at him, "What do you want out of life, Junpei?" Mortem inquired, no one to shy away from the thoughts that arose.

Junpei dropped his head against the cold steel of the gate he and Mort were left at, watching as Lynn frolicked off with her monster.

It was fine, he assured Lynn...And tried to assure himself....He was too tired to do all that running around...

He was always tired, Lynn often complained....

But, Junpei had never been the energetic sort...Even before Mahito Junpei would just sit, watch and sigh as Lynn pranced about, prefering to stay dry while she splashed in the rain...

Now she had someone who could keep up with her, someone who encouraged her recklessness instead of trying to correct it...

If he had pushed himself to act more carefree maybe he'd be the one by Lynn's side instead....

If only...

These days he was little more than a stick in the mud, a cold, wet blanket trying to put out fun flames just as they were kindling...

It was easy before...He could take Lynn's hand and reel in her chaos. It had become second nature for Junpei to make excuses for Lynn, apologize for her antics...But she was just being loud before, too energetic...

Keep quiet, don't make a scene, it just wasn't Lynn.

Now she was free and it was dangerous, her bad behavior was spured on by a delusion of near- invincibility and it gave rise to worse habits. Lynn had quite the penchant for shoplifting lately...And that wasn't something that Junpei could talk her out of...

Unconscious people couldn't argue, though...

He was tired...So tired of it all...At least he got a reward for his hand in the scehemes. At the end of the day, when they were home after a successful heist Lynn would ramble and show off her haul- then she'd finally plop down and they'd watch horror movies together...

And, for a few fleeting hours when it was just the two of them and the t.v, everything felt how it used to be...All the torment and everything wrong with his life and himself melted away and Junpei could feel at peace, taken back to simpler times when it was just him and Lynn and nothing else mattered...He didn't realize how happy he was then...How lucky he was until cursed, stitched hands stole it all away, holding what could've been just out of his reach....

Junpei's expression dimmed as the witch made light of the situation, of him being left behind like an old dog and he sighed like one, his lungs oh so heavy when they weren't filled with smoke...And in the midst of poking fun a sudden, cryptic question sprung out. If he wasn't so used to dealing with Mahito's capricious nature and Lynn's sporadic-ness he might've been caught off guard by the shift in tone and subject.

Junpei's eyes drug over to the woman and they stayed there for a moment...Was she digging into him just for the hell of it, because it was funny...? Well, he was used to that too...And so very tired of it...

What did he want out of life...?

As much as Junpei liked to alienate himself from others, wrap himself in the idea he was nothing like the brainless masses, at the end of the day he was still human...Even if he didn't feel like it...

Junpei's gaze shifted back to Lynn, the radiant sunet nowhere near as bright as the smile on her face, nor as warm as her laughter.

"I want the same thing everyone else wants, I guess...."

His voice was a desolate murmur, full of hopless longing.

"What I can't have....."