#and the fact that it's a party song so it suits the scene

[aishien-the-aishien]

To the people responsible for putting Ace of Base's "Happy Nation" in "X-men '97", episode 5, "Remember It": I want to give you a big hug. I also want to give you a loud angry scream because I am now addicted to the song, but I'm mostly grateful for this perfect choice

[dollypopup]

bridgerton season 3 part 2 spoilers

I want to preface this with saying that I have loved Polin for two years. Two years, hundreds of thousands of words, and almost 50 stories. I have loved this couple through fan edits, through fics, through rereads, through songs. I have loved this couple so deeply and earnestly and endlessly

And so my disappointment in Part 2 stems, predominately, from the fact that I just wish it had been better.

I wish it hadn't been as cut through with plotlines that went, ultimately, nowhere. Will and Alice with the tension of 'I don't want to give up the club' 'Well, you should to suit the status quo' 'Oh, okay'. Benedict with his 'I love being free. Let's shag freely!' 'I may have feelings for you' 'I still just want to shag freely, but now I'm opening up more options' (tho, congrats on the bisexuality!) Violet and Marcus who are just being set up for the final season. Cressida, who's story tugged my heartstrings so much, and ended up in the dirt.

But more than anything, I wish Colin had gotten more. There were so many moments where he could have been expanded upon, where his character could have shined, and I truly want to commend Luke Newton, he did a phenomenal job with the crumbs he was given, but was ultimately shoved to the wayside for the Lady Whistledown plot.

In truth, this is a writing problem. The actors are phenomenal. They have chemistry, they have passion, and they are all believable, but the writing fell flat. They gave too much time to side plots and, frankly, to Debling, who was such a nothingburger and didn't even return that it was evident he only existed because the series was afraid to lean fully into Colin's complexities. You know what is more compelling and more worthwhile to explore than 'Oh, I could lose her to someone else?'

Losing her to herself.

Colin spent part 2 ultimately SAD. And he had every right to be. But instead of fully exploring that, he was relegated to the sidelines to support Penelope's storyline. And I understand completely that this season was for the Pen stans, but damn, I wish he got SOMETHING. Kanthony's advice to him was useless, Colin started the series knowing he couldn't open up to his brothers and still not doing so by the end. Colin saying that his ultimate purpose was to support and love Pen was a horrific cop out and a disservice of his character. It's a bad plotline when a woman says so for a man, and it's a bad plotline when a man says so for a woman.

I love these two so much, and I feel like they could have had so much better. Penelope now writing the same gossip, tying herself to Mayfair, but under her name now, thus ensuring that people are aware and being different around her for the sake of her publication is bad. To imply that her dreams are Lady Whistledown is lazy- Lady Whistledown is a plot device the writers are unable to let go, not Penelope's ultimate dreams.

You want me to believe that this woman's biggest dreams are to continue writing gossip? Not novels? Not stories? Not an autobiography? Not to travel? Not to make more friends? But to have a baby and write about parties? They tried giving legitimacy to gossip as if Penelope ever had any peer review, as if she is the be all end all of what is and is not true- she cannot possibly know fully.

I wanted more for her than to be a teenage mum tied to a gossip blog. I wanted more for Colin than to publish a book offscreen and take over an estate until his son comes of age. I wanted more for POLIN. Their beautiful moments were truly BEAUTIFUL. That first time scene was lovely- but how much lovelier would it be after he knew who she was in full and accepted all of it? Their reconciliation felt hollow because he was not truly given the time to process it. The pain of separation, sleeping on the couch as she took the bed, was hardly explored outside of a few quick scenes.

No montage of their letters, no Colin standing beside her, and that Lady Whistledown reveal where everyone clapped? I don't understand it. I wish so much that this show took a good story and made it better, and that's where my bitterness lies. Not because I'm a hater, but because I'm a lover. I wanted to love it so, so much.

And I know it could have been better. My couple is better than this. My couple is better than Penelope's ultimate goal being independence and Colin's ultimate goal being an accessory. My couple is a pair of equals. My couple is a pairing of two people who love one another so damn much they can't even stand it. Where is my Penelope who fights for him? Where is my Colin who announces to the world he loves her?

I guess that Polin ended up on the cutting room floor in the edits, because what we got wasn't enough for me

[lordsukunas]

songs made by black artists that i think would suit jjk characters. oh my god this took forever to format n link songs. anyway, happy black history month yall!!!! i hope yall like this bc im sick of seeing taylor swift pop up in the list of artists gojo would listen to <33

gojo – starboy the weeknd, daft punk + ghost town kanye west, partynextdoor

for starboy it just gave im that nigga vibes, and for ghost town it's just the entire ‘i alone am the honored one’ scene. but mayb it could also be applicable to current gojo? idk.

geto – like a tattoo sade

fun fact: this is actually the inspo for my user!! the whole ‘broken by the burden of his youth’ and ‘hungry for life, thirsty for the distant river’ reminds me of his whole reason for defecting. he's hungry for life (wanting sorcerers to not have to risk their life to protect non-sorcerers & actually live a long, fulfilling life) and thirsty for the distant river (remember when they kept with the race/hallway analogy? yeah, and geto's goal was always going to be unattainable for him simply bc he didn't have the strength)

yuuji – adorn miguel + crooked smile j. cole, tlc

UGGHHH he's just so lovely. the most supportive boy ever i love my son sm, and that is my only justification for my song choices.

megumi – alone willow + nineteen pinkpanthress + answer tyler, the creator

tbh… idk bros been goin thru it this entire series, but esp recently. for answer, i rlly liked the first couple of verses (idk what to actually call it, but it's before the first chorus) bc it aligns well w papaguro n megumi. ig the stepdad could be gojo…?

nobara – no scrubs tlc + conceited flo milli + apeshit the carters + on my mama victoria monét

she takes nobody's bs n i love that for her!!! i feel like she'd absolutely love flo milli + megan thee stallion.

nanami – lotus flower bomb wale, miguel + i love you more than you know black party, childish gambino

sorry i rlly like him y'all... there's no angsty reason for these songs! n for i luv u more than yk, it's just nanami if/when he goes to malaysia :3

choso – do you like me? daniel caesar

i actually dk for this one... i just thought it suited him! yk since he wants to live as a human n when he loves he loves hard (shown by how determined he is to be the best older brother to his lil siblings)

toji – she will lil wayne, drake + foe tha love of $ bone thugs-n-harmony, eazy-e + crack rock frank ocean

i am a firm believer toji would like 90s + early 2000s rap. it just makes sense idk, also i once saw a post that said he died just a bit b4 no hands by waka flocka came out and... hey! for crack rock, it's just post-mamaguro him n instead of crack, it's his gambling addiction

sukuna – hater's anthem infinity song + hit ‘em up 2pac, outlawz + king’s dead jay rock, kendrick lamar, future, james blake + unbothered ski mask the slump god

he's a hater just for my son. bum ass nigga... and for hit em up: ‘don't one of u niggas got sickle cell or sumn? u fuck around n have a seizure or a heart attack’

maki & toji – worst behavior drake

self explanatory! them n their rebellion against the zenin clan <3

gojo & geto – oui jeremih

cause if weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! sorry but this is fueled by geto saying ‘we are the strongest’... thats it :p

[fuckthemforthis]

Maribor recap or long rambling, some pics and trying to make sense in my head:

1. Thank you @chibi-chellist again for reaching out, it meant a lot not to be alone! Rambling about the boys is so much better in person and when it's not one-sided. I enjoyed meeting you and sharing experiences! 💕

2. Kaj pa Ester? is one of the cringiest things I've recently seen, especially dialog wise haha BUT it is also funny and kinda cute. Very teenage-y I guess, with too much lots of kissing and parties for which scenes they used some terrible modern cajke music (like use the good old soul ripping ones that don't mention Elon Musk... teenagers today smh). Anyway, I wouldn't mind it being longer and better developed in the emotional areas which you see they scratched but need deepening to give an actual sense of plot and sense to the movie. Could be due to the fact it was supposed to be a show first tho. However, I couldn't see Bojan's personality, mannerisms or gestures so in that sense I feel he did a great job acting 👏

And THE SCENE. Oh boy. Less sad and more frustrated bojerking. Putting shame aside to admit I would love to have it available on demand, especially for some ragged breathing appreciation...

3. Bought and tried Jan's fav cookies, yaay! They're really soft and don't crumble so I approve and will enjoy. I'm sure sentimental reasons are definitely a big part of why he named them as favorite and when I think about it they really suit him but there are better Slovenian cookies like almost any from Težak bakery in Zreče.

4. Half the venue were teenagers or parents with anything between 4 to 12 year olds. I was surrounded. And since I sat a few rows above the backstage entrance, kids all tried reaching for them as they were going off stage and among all the girls there was an 8 (?) year old boy who reached out and Bojan gave him a high-five... and lemme tell you I very much dislike kids but the way that boy turned and excitedly smiled melted my icy heart.

5. Third concert of theirs, third time on Jan's side. And I think Kris somehow knows & takes revenge by not singing NGVOT whenever I'm in the audience 😔

Well Krisko, princess dear, no photos of you 😝

6. Found it adorable how as ASTP was starting, Nace went to drink some water, took his bottle and clinked it against Jure's 🥂

7. Love that Maks was there again, I like the guy. At some point during the concert he was leaning on the fence above me taking pics and I missed half a song watching him work 🙈

8. As I was behind the loudspeakers, I heard Bojan's singing fine, but talking barely because it was often too distorted. What I did hear was him saying we came there for a workout to burn all the cookie calories from the last few days... and boy are you on the wrong track because I came back home with four different packs of cookies 🍪

9. Band dad Niko's daughter was with him watching the concert from next to the stage and he danced with her and it was adorable. The existence of good dads baffles my poor unloved ass...

10. We all know how in the setlist there's a connection between Padam and Demoni because Bojan even sometimes said "and when we fall they come", but I realised the chain starts with Dopamin. First you get a dopamine rush and feel like flying but soon you experience a crash because your body used up all the good stuff and then comes the falling and the demons (and then you go back to someone so the demons would go away but that someone just plays you again - if I wanna extend it to Katrina). Yes it's kind of a concert - post concert sadness - concert rinse&repeat metaphor

11. Janči had problems with his pedalboard for the first two or three songs, he and Kiki spent minutes fiddling with it trying to get it to work. Poor guy can't catch a break.

12. So yeah, the last point is based on Jan being sick, but it's actually about the main reason I like them so much - the connection, love and care they share.

I realised Jan wasn't okay during the concert so Bojan just confirmed it for me. He obviously still slayed, and he went to play at the front a lot, but there were telling moments.

A) When Bojan came to Jan at one point and rubbed his back in a very non performative way, squeezing at his shoulder and whispering something.

B) When Jan plopped down during Padam I thought "not when he usually goes down, is he okay?" and then Bojan leaned down to stroke his hair.

C) The most telling of all, when he sat down during Umazane misli. I kept looking at him, ignoring the left-front-right karaoke. He looked so tired and off, put his head in his hands and then Kiki gave him a bottle of water. When Nace turned around and noticed him like that, he smiled encouragingly and told him it's okay three times (yep they were close enough to read lips) and that's when I was 100% sure something was wrong and he was either feeling off emotionally or sick. He then got up, went to the front, played his ass off and only when he was walking back was it visable again for a moment how empty his expression was.

D) Jure coming to comfort him and cheer him up as soon as he could lift his ass away from those drums, leading him to the front where in the end Jan turned out to be the one stroking Nace's back in a "yeah it's okay" kinda way

E) As they were leaving for the final time, someone gave Jan a wrapped present he looked actually happy about and he threw back a pick but it fell where the person couldn't reach so Nace took over making sure the person gets it.

That's it. They are all utterly beautiful. And anyone who knows me, knows I use that word to describe people first and foremost on the inside. Beautiful.

[lettingthoughtsflow]

season 1: episode 1 (crush, chop, & burn pt. 1)

alright y'all I'm bulletpointing as I watch so let's go!!

the whole "mrs. and mr. davenport" beginning scene is literally seared into my brain from childhood-i think it's funny how clearly i remember it

when we meet the team they're in these mission suit esque things and seeing as all they do is train, is that what they live in????

davenport saying "i don't want to brag, but i am incredibly smart" when introducing the kids is so wild when you consider the fact that he probably didn't have anything to do with making the kids

i love how offended they get when tasha calls them robots

tasha and leo have such a cute relationship i freaking love it

i know we hate donald, and rightfully so, but this episode really amps me up bc dude you are literally introducing them to your wife and you keep talking about them like plants you're growing

when donald is introducing the kids, tasha's the only one recognizing that they're children

"i wanna go upstairs" 😭

they literally never leave the room, it's not just because of filming and set design, they don't even have a place to run THERE'S A RAT WHEEL

@fairytalesociology said that davenport feeds the kids glorified dog food and they're so right

you can't just feed them food??? even preordered????

they eat, sleep, and bathe in their capsules no one can convince me the man was just looking to be cost effective in getting these inventions perfected (they were not children to him AT ALL)

bree is just a girl and i love her for it bc thinking about breaking into song/dance numbers is so real

If you pay attention to the background you can see chase playing with a random locker for a while and I think it’s so funny/cute

Honestly I with it opened and he was just using his bionic hearing to unlock the locker

i just noticed leo has brown paper wrapped around his textbooks and it reminds me of when my mom and i use to make book covers out of trader joes bags and decorate them 💗

baby chase was insterested in chess club and taking med school courses, he deserved more extracurriculars and hobbies in the show

the early heat vision graphics 😅

"i know a chiropractor in the phillipines" is so cute

davenport is awful but the freaking out performances are great

30 grand for a situation to go away is insane bc what really happened??? like yeah the mascot's head caught on fire but it wasn't like they destroyed the building. and even if it was a bribe to get rid of witnesses, you'd have to adress the entire school bc it was a pep rally

tasha being a mom to the kids is so cute like yeah, they're just kids

bree immediately getting excited about the party with tasha is freaking adorable, we deserved more Tasha fr

honestly i think she was more freaked out about the kids than their bionics

lecturing them about how they were designed for missions is so disheartening bc 1. you've probably told them all about how they're top sercret their whole lives and 2. they are superHUMANS

it honestly feels akin to when a parent tells a child they have to be perfect or pushes them into a career they never wanted

yes bc having no contact with the outside world will prevent their glitches and train them for missions (not to mention real life)

obviously it's the perfect solution

honestly if they socialized they would probably have better emotional regulation and control over their glitches. like you could have at least brought them to a company party (and told everyone to treat them as humans) so they have practice talking to people.

chase really was always in blue plaid from the start huh?

"they are not just science projects, they're teenagers" TELL HIM QUEEN

bro you're going to tell me that you can't reprogram your ROBOT FRIEND to like your WIFE

like he can still be snarky but he literally hates her

i really hope someone gets this, but there are a few scenes where Adam feels more like a regular person than just someone who's core personality is being kind of dumb and reckless, and the ending scene before everyone goes to bed is one of those few scenes

[foxes-that-run]

So it goes

So it goes tells the story of the 2014 Victoria Secret After Party: ''All eyes were on Harry and Taylor when they turned up. [...] The drinks were flowing until 3am, when they snuck out of a rear exit five minutes apart to avoid being pictured together." In context of the 2015 timeline 1989 (I know places established they wanted their relationship to go private) and 1D’s Four (with Stockholm Syndrome) had just been released. They were photographed the after party:

This was a pivotal night:

this outfit from that VS Show is also at 3 mins in I don’t wanna live forever (and cardigan refers to this sequin smile) and

In Only Angel Harry says he doesn't have eyes for the VS angels “She's an angel, My-my-my only angel”

Harry wore the coat

So it goes has only been played live 8 times and not yet on the Eras tour. The last time it was played was in the last Rep show in Tokyo, (9:38) with 2 other rare songs for the Rep Tour: I Know Places and Wildest Dreams. Harry Styles was in Japan that month and wrote Little Freak before he left Tokyo.

Timeline

3 December 2014 - Harry and Taylor seen dancing till 3am at the VS After party, where they were described as having "all eyes on them."

6-23 January 2015 - Harry and Taylor break up somewhere between here. See 2015 timeline

14 February - Style music video released, Two Ghosts and If I could fly written.

24 February - Taylor meets Calvin Harris, if she already had lyrics about the muse 'doing a number' on her on the 3rd Calvin could not be the muse. Harry's Winding wheel post

3 March - So it goes was written soon after Oscar Gorres became a father on this date. At that point "Taylor already had the lyrics" Shellback had the melody. Screenshots of the Grammy article:

11 march - Calvin breaks up with his girlfriend.

Taylor met Joe 15 months later.

Fun fact: Taylor's only lyrics "so it goes" are in Haylor songs, the very first night, So it goes, Style and You are in Love.

Live performances

So it goes has only been played live 9 times, ever. For a fan favorite love song this should further confirm it is an emotional song to Taylor at the time. She's also played it at particular times and paired it with particular songs:

June 22, 2018, Wembley. Where Harry lives. First time played was 2 months into the tour. Taylor also had Niall Horan as a guest in an NYC shirt. The same night Harry was very emotional, he sung Still the One in Madison Square Garden. Taylor later had that suit in the Me! video. It’s unclear why this date was so special, though it was 1 year and 2 days after his step-dad passed.

July 10, 2018, Landover, with State of Grace

July 14, 2018, Philadelphia, with Treacherous. Close to State of Grace/Temper Trap arm/tattoo anniversary.

July 22, 2018, New Jersey. End of Live on Tour.

July 28, 2018, Foxborough, news of Harry's break up with Camille broke 2 days later.

August 4, 2018, Toronto, with Come Back... Be Here (1 of 2 live performances of CBBH). Harry left LA for Italy and was seen driving a Maserati (was it a dead end street?)

September 1, 2018, Minneapolis

November 21, 2018, Last reputation show, played with Wildest Dreams. Harry had been in Tokyo and wrote Little Freak in the same period.

November 20, 2023, Eras tour, with Me! wore and made the Stadium green.

Lyrics

[Verse 1] See you in the dark All eyes on you, my magician All eyes on us You make everyone disappear, and Cut me into pieces Gold cage, hostage to my feelings Back against the wall Trippin', trip-trippin' when you're gone

The first verse sets the scene, similar to the articles Harry and Taylor are the focus of many, drawn to each other and wanting to keep their connection secret.

In Hoax, Taylor has a similar lyric to magician "Your sleight of hand"

'Gold cage, hostage to my feelings' refers to being trapped by love. Similar to Stockholm Syndrome, which was released only 2 weeks before the VS party, Taylor is trapped in a gold/gilded cage (a luxurious prison) by love.

[Pre-Chorus] 'Cause we break down a little But when you get me alone, it's so simple 'Cause, baby, I know what you know We can feel it [Chorus] And all the pieces fall right into place Getting caught up in a moment Lipstick on your face So it goes I'm yours to keep And I'm yours to lose You know I'm not a bad girl, but I Do bad things with you So it goes

So it goes is a lyric in Style. In the chorus Taylor lets us know that when they are away from others they have great chemistry. She also refers to lipstick, referred to in many 1989 songs. Taylor is described as a 'bad/good girl often, she talks about it in Miss Americana and also in:

Style: And I got that good girl faith and a tight little skirt

Question...?; Good girl, sad boy

Only Angel: That she's gonna be an angel, just you wait and see, When it turns out she's a devil in between the sheets

[Verse 2] Met you in a bar All eyes on me, your illusionist All eyes on us I make all your gray days clear And wear you like a necklace I'm so chill, but you make me jealous But I got your heart Skippin', skip-skippin' when I'm gone

The afterparty was in Basement bar. The illusionist/magician references are enjoying knowing that she and her muse will leave together without others knowing. 'Make all grey days clear' tells us the muse is British.

[Bridge] You did a number on me But, honestly, baby, who's counting? I did a number on you But, honestly, baby, who's counting? You did a number on me But, honestly, baby, who's counting? Who's counting? (One, two, three)

The bridge tells us more about her relationship with her muse, they have a history, have hurt each other before and are wanting to move on. Though she says she is letting it go she is also keeping score. At this point the events of Red, 1989 and most of the one direction songs about TS had transpired between them.

In Grapejuice Harry starts the song with 1, 2, 3 and ends on 1 (I.e let’s start again) here Taylor also counts 1, 2, 3 after “you didn’t a number on me but honestly baby who’s counting”

[bella-rose29]

episode 6 commentary - You Never Asked

this has been a looooong time coming oops

warnings: MAJOR SPOILERS for the show and the books, I think that's it??? I've been weirdly good this time

DEPRAC vans make me think of lego every time

god I forgot how much I love this show (I haven't watched it for ages oops)

barnes being a Tired Dad gives me life

'be smart' as he stares lockwood in the eyes bc he knows that boy is Silly

awwww he cares about them really

not lockwood hanging back to look at the death glow 😭 and then looking up at the Door 😭😭😭 that boy has seen too much death give him a hug, a cup of tea, and a break

pretty solid bird if it broke the window like that george

I want lucy's cardigan

I FORGOT ABOUT SKULL AND HIS VOICE SCARED ME

I want lucy's hair as well

why does skull remind me of gollum

oh goodness me the rolled shirtsleeves

George is so happy 😭

lockwood is so pretty in that golden lighting like it's really his lighting

'I'm in charge now' babes I don't think you are

protective boys

eugh not the sawing

'it's still technically mine you know' George 😭

'we've just sent her alone into a severely haunted house' *lockwood immediately stands up*

once again angry that this show got cancelled bc we'll never get to see skull and lucy's friendship grow

good lord that whooshing sound was loud

'don't force it there'll be some kind of trigger' *lockwood starts kicking it*

NOT THE HAND HOLD THAT WAS IMPROVISED

'that's the last time you go and do a job on your own' um sure...

god he sounds so sad and tortured

'you're incredible' yes she is

Flo you icon

'save your kisses for whatsherface' FLO I LOVE YOU

George I love you

'I was about to ask the same thing... locky' the way lockwood goes from 😃 to 😐

'we can trust her' um baby no

he's such a posh boy

exshellent

sad wet cat kipps

me when I've been to 35 Portland Row in real life 🤭

lockwood watching from the window like a sad ailing victorian boy

also I love A55 by English teacher it's such a good song

'ooo Pamela is it now' I love their friendship

POOR BABY LOCKWOOD

god she's so pretty

FITTED SUIT LOCKWOOD I REPEAT FITTED SUIT LOCKWOOD

'live life for the both of you' do we think lockwood thinks that to himself everyday in regards to jessica

'thought you might like it' just tell her you're in love with her

we were robbed of George in a tux with a bow tie

this entire kitchen scene where lockwood's stood in the doorway is like George is on a date and his dad isn't leaving

CAMERON CHAPMAN THE MICROEXPRESSIONS WHEN LUCY LEAVES THE HOUSE

'so it's just us?' 'is that alright' uh yeah she's been giving you heart eyes from the moment you met

ME WHEN I'VE BEEN TO THE BARBICAN IN REAL LIFE

'two of my favourite things, posh people and small talk' she's so me

'fhamily's fhamous legacy'

'I think she saw me' *lockwood waves*

there is no need for them to be stood as close as they are

god he's in love

congrats to jack bandiera for being able to make sad wet cat kipps also be James Bond kipps

'you feel safe with him, mr lockwood' WHILE LUCY IS TOUCHING THE NECKLACE

'if you ever need to talk, I'm a good listener' YEAH BECAUSE YOU'RE NOT ACTUALLY PENELOPE

'is that so hard to believe' only the fact that he momentarily forgot that the two of you aren't actually dating and got jealous

god my nerdy ass would have a field day in the black library

peekaboo

the way lockwood is just fixating on the sword is so funny to me for no reason

power couple shit

'this party's dead, wanna ditch it with me?' 'absolutely' good lord I love them

also bisexual lighting is so them

[picaroroboto]

random rambly crossover thoughts under the cut

I talk a lot about the thematic overlap and coincidental lore similarities between FGO and FFXIV, but what I really really like to think about, and need to write sometime, is interactions between Guda and the WoL, because they are so similar: Guda has this strong yet simple kindness, they're a traveler, they've got a reputation for chaos and wierdness but everyone loves them so much that their defining skill is summoning a bunch of guys, they would be another Shard of Azem's soul except for the fact that they're from a completely different universe. Guda and the WoL have a lot of the same problems on the deeper level - the pressure of being the only one who can save the world in this way, the burden of being loved and idolized and put on a pedestal while also being reduced to just your title and your role. And of course the myriad traumas of a life of high-stakes battle and the struggle to put on a brave face for other despite all of this, because so many people are counting on you and a smile better suits a hero.

Oh, and they're both sort-of psychic, with the WoL's Echo visions and Guda's shared Servant dreams so probably not long after meeting they'd be thrown headlong into each other's worst memories: the WoL watching Guda's toughest battles in Camelot and Babylonia and the Temple of Time, the destruction of Chaldea at the start of Part 2, maybe flashes of Aphrodite's song and the Garden of Lost Will; while Guda picks up on scenes like the Bloody Banquet, Haurchefant's sacrifice, the battle with Ardbert in Soul Surrender - "One life for one world - you of all people should understand!"

(the WoL doesn't tell much of their past because they're enjoying the feeling of being somewhere where nobody knows their name, while Guda doesn't give much specifics of the Lostbelts because it would be hard to reveal to a hero from another world that saving your world involves destroying others)

So the WoL, summoned to Chaldea or some Singularity, does understand what Guda is going through and wants to help, but - Guda's not so different from an Ascian. The WoL knows what it's like to fight to protect your broken world, they've fought against and killed those who would return their world to it's proper course. Maybe they'd be allies for a while, good friends as well, but still oppose Guda at some point - not really a betrayal, maybe more of a trial, or just a sort of inevitability, because just like they can't not help Guda they also can't ignore the fact that Guda has defeated many heroes just like them, just like Ardbert and his party, like any Warriors of Light of the rejoined Reflections.

Leading to super sugoi summoning versus summoning battle, overlapping chants of "My will creates your body, your sword creates my destiny..." "Let expanse contract, eon become instant..."

[cadybear420]

Rating, Replacements, and Additions for LI Wardrobes: Aiden Zhou, OG HSS Book 3

Sort of a spinoff of my Cadybear's MC Wardrobes series, I've decided to do a similar thing for some LI wardrobes. The wardrobes for LIs tend to be very limited compared to that of MCs, so a large portion of this series will be dedicated to making new outfits for LIs in events where MC gets to have a new outfit, or any special events.

First up is the one and only Aiden Zhou!!! I'll be submitting this for @aidenzhouappreciationweek! For the Day 2 Prompt Fashion/Design!

Directory for the other parts will be included in the reblogs after I've completed the posts for all books!

Canon Outfit: Spring Casual

I like it. Formal-ish, but still casual. A lot more casual.

Verdict: Keep it as is.

Of course... I think it might look good as a shorts outfit too...

:DDD

Event: Hearst Kids Tour

I feel like Aiden might wanna have a distinguished look when giving the tour. So I gave him the "spring fever" outfit from m!MC's wardrobe. I also think either of his spring casual outfits would work. All 3 of them sort of match the color scheme of Evie's tour guide outft.

Event: Caleb's beach party

He! Deserves! A! Cute! Little! Outfit!

I imagine soon after starting to date Evie is when he becomes a lot more open to experimenting with more revealing/risque clothing. The first of which is this romper.

Event: Open Mic Night at Pindarus

I feel like he might go with the semiformal Maria's birthday outfit for this one. Something tidy and distinguished because he's playing one of his songs, but also not overly formal.

Event: Punk Concert Premium Scene

Arguably his most daring outfit in this series. I totally have a headcanon about Ezra and Myra taking him clothes shopping in preparation for the concert. (And yes, I know there's this whole bit where Aiden's worried that he and MC are dressed too normally, but I renounce it. Aiden must wear the cute outfit.)

Semi-Canon: Promposal

In the CG, he was basically just wearing his homecoming suit but without the boutonierre. So I thought I'd make a sprite of it.

I was tempted at first to give him a new suit for the promposal, but A) I don't wanna have to edit or remake the CG and B) him wearing his homecoming suit can be a signifier of how when he first asked her + made a song and played it for was for homecoming

Canon: Spring Band Concert

So cute! So sharp! And Evie is DEFINITELY checking him out in that.

Verdict: Keep it as is.

New: Topless Spring Casual

As per that one truth or dare scene where our favorite repressed bisexual Max Warren dares Aiden to take his shirt off. Except I can not for the life of me see Aiden having defined abs (which is why all of the outfit edits where Aiden's stomach is bare has two versions: the in-game abs sprite for people who liked that and also guys with abs can still rock crop tops + the smooth tumby sprite for my headcanons), so that scene happens differently IMO.

I'm still working out the details of how that scene would happen differently, but I do know that Zoe will still say Evie is one lucky girl.

Canon: Prom

Fun fact, when I did a "best Aiden outfit" poll some months back, this one one. And rightfully so. He looks so sleek and sharp.

Verdict: Keep it as is.

Of course... I think we all deserve to see Aiden in that f!MC's premium dress again. But with a few extra versions...

The orignal one, of course. A version that's more purple. Some green ones, because his canon suit is green. A silver one, because the outfit is named "Silver Goddess" in the game and Aiden deserves to look like a silver goddess (or really just a goddess in general). And a black one because black suits him.

[schrijverr]

I Found Myself a Cheerleader 20

Chapter 20 out of 28

Bumped to the lowest step on the social ladder after his fight with Billy, Steve gets roped in with the cheer team. What starts as a favor to help them out when one member breaks her leg in turn for protection from the brunt of the bullying, sets the universe on a different path.

In this chapter, seeing Chrissy attacked has them all on edge, which isn’t helped when they return to the cabin and find it completely ransacked. Eddie missing from the scene. The search for him only sets them on the path to more danger.

On AO3.

Ships: steddie & buckingham

Warnings: general season 4 shenanigans, child abuse mention, hate-crime, homophobia, f-slur, bullying mention

~~~~

Chapter 20: The Escape

Steve screams Chrissy’s name loudly and shakes her, despite the fact he knows it won’t do anything to save her.

Behind him, the others get there and see what has happened. Max is rushing forward, already pulling off her own headphones to give to Chrissy, but she is stopped by Lucas, who yells: “Are you insane? Vecna is looking for a target right now.”

“Do you expect me to let her die for me?” Max screams back, an again going unspoken. “She needs music.”

A part of Steve wishes Lucas hadn’t stopped Max, but he knows that wouldn’t have solved anything. Right now Chrissy needs music and Steve knows how to get it. He quickly scoops Chrissy up, hating how light she feels as he yells: “Get out of the fucking way!”

The party scrambles to let him pass as he carries Chrissy down the stairs, relieved she isn’t floating yet. Robin is at his side, Nancy at his back. Nancy asks: “Where are you going?”

“She needs music, I’m bringing her to music,” Steve replies.

“You’ll never make it to the car,” Nancy argues. “It’s too far.”

“We don’t have to make it to the car,” Steve tells her.

“The piano,” Robin exclaims, picking up on what Steve is saying as they hustle down the stairs to the now abandoned piano where once a happy family sang.

Right as he crosses the threshold, Chrissy floats out of his arms, hanging there in that horrid, ominous way. She always loved flying, but not like this. Steve wants to pull her back to earth, but knows music is more important to get right now.

So he lets Robin tug helplessly on Chrissy’s shoe as he takes place at the piano. Steve is the only one who gets to make Chrissy fly, not this Venca creep, and he is the one that knows how to get her down safely. Always there to catch her.

It’s been almost half a year since Hopper’s funeral, when they broke into his house to steal a suit to wear. However, the song still comes to him, having been burned into his memory. He thanks god for the strict French nurse, who had taught him.

Everything around him disappears as he starts to play. Hands gliding over the keys as the notes of We’ll Meet Again float through the air. The piano is a little out of tune, but it adds to the charm, well, Steve hopes so at least.

He doesn’t know all the words, but he knows the chorus, so he sings: “We’ll meet again. Don’t know where. Don’t know when. But I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.”

After that Robin takes over. She’s a decent singer and Steve wonders when she learned this song or if she has always known it. However, as long as she keeps singing Steve doesn’t care. The two of them keep on creating the music, hoping that Chrissy will come back to them, instead of leaving them behind.

The room is filled with the haunting piano and Robin’s surprisingly nice voice.

It seems to take a life time.

It only takes a minute.

Steve thinks it will never end.

The moment never really begins.

Then Chrissy is collapsing down to the ground, limp for a second, but seemingly still breathing. Of course Steve gets up immediately to check on her, right behind Robin. However, he is pushed back to the piano by Max, who demands: “Keep playing! He’s still here.”

Naturally, Steve plops back down on the bench without question as he starts up the notes again. It is harder this time, because he keeps trying to look back to where Chrissy is gasping, trying to come down from her encounter with Vecna.

He hears Robin ramble in that concerned comforting way of her and when he glances back Max is next to Chrissy too. The only one, who can know what she might have gone through.

Dustin, however, has disappeared outside with Lucas, but soon returns with a recording device, so they can tape Steve’s playing. It has proven effective, so it’s their best shot for Chrissy. Especially since the other tape is broken. Robin singing again just in case that’s important.

Once they get the tape, they put it in the backup walkman Steve brought and by god is he relieved as they hand it to Chrissy, meaning Steve can leave his bench.

Steve doesn’t waste a second, sliding out of the piano bench and running to where Chrissy is clinging to Robin. Though she lets go in favor of falling into Steve’s arms when he drops to the floor next to her.

“Oh god, Stevie, she- she was there,” Chrissy sobs and Steve holds her closer, knowing she is talking about her mother.

“You’re okay, you’re okay,” he assures her, as he strokes her hair, not wanting to give too much of her private details away to the party around them. “She’s not there. You’re not with her. You here with me and Robs and the others. You’re safe. You’re alive. I got you. I always got you.” He kisses the top of her head.

Chrissy cries a little more, hiding into Steve’s chest as Robin rubs her back, obviously unsure about what else to do.

When they have all come down from the crazy experience, they go to the Wheeler house. All of them collapse on the couches, not having been spotted by Karen or Ted. The exhaustion after the adrenaline drops makes that all of them forget about anything but sleep.

The next morning, they go by the grocery store. They’re all stuffed into Nancy’s car, probably looking a little insane as they pick a six-pack and some snacks and stuff to make dinner. If they need to hide Eddie for a little longer, Steve can cook for him. A good home cooked meal can do wonders for the soul.

But as they get to the cabin, Nancy gasps and hits the break in a way that tosses them all around in the car.

Steve is about to make a comment to her about safe driving, when he notices what made her react like that. The door to the cabin is open, the glass broken and on the walls is smeared in red spray paint the word FAG next to it is MURDERER.

His blood runs cold as he stumbles out of the car, aware of the kids behind him, who now see what has been done to his cabin. There has always been the sense that the cabin still belongs to Hopper in a way, his presence felt in location, security measures and room. However, looking at it now, Steve has never felt more like he owns it.

His cabin is his home. His safe space. He loves living there, finally having a place of his own that he can exist in without judgment or prying eyes, only letting in those that he wants there. And now that has been violated.

In his horror, he hasn’t even realized what that could mean for Eddie, who had been hidden there, until Dustin is running past him, calling out: “Eddie? Eddie!”

Without thinking, he snaps his arm up and grabs the back of Dustin’s sweater. Dustin looks back, frowning and looking offended as he exclaims: “What the hell, dude! Eddie might be in there. We need to find him.”

“I know,” Steve replies. “But maybe there is someone else in there too.”

That gets everyone’s attention as they look from Steve to the cabin, its open door now looking like a gaping maw instead of a welcoming entrance beckoning.

So far no one has commented on what is painted on the cabin, but Steve feels the words’ judgment as he takes the lead. When there is danger, Steve knows what to do. When they might get hurt, Steve is in the front.

Inside, the whole cabin is overturned. His couches are shoved to the side and blankets are strewn around. In the kitchen all the cabinets are open. Looking into the bathroom, he sees the shower curtains have been pulled down.

The doors to his own room and Hopper’s room are cracked open. His own room is better for hiding, so he pushes the one open first. His heart beats in his chest and he hates that he does not have a weapon as he waits for someone to jump him. The door creaking slightly.

Empty.

His closet is open, clothes tossed around. His bed is a mess and the window is open. But the room is abandoned, no one is there.

Hopper’s room has met the same fate and Steve curses whoever has done this. How dare they invade Hopper’s place. El’s last memory of her dad. Her one wish for this cabin in which she found kindness and love. He vows to clean up everything to how it had been when all this is behind them, so El can still come home properly.

“It’s abandoned,” he calls out. The words a relief as well as a mystery, a terrible mystery. The cabin might not have a threat, but Eddie has disappeared to and none of them know where he might be and what might have happened to him.

“Where is Eddie?” Dustin asks, sounding scared. Steve immediately hates how he sounds. Hates how he doesn’t have an answer. Hates how he is focusing on keeping himself from panicking so he can’t focus on finding an answer.

“I can’t see his clothes anywhere,” Nancy says. “Maybe he took them and ran.”

“Why would they even come here?” Robin asks.

“Who came here?”

“The basketball team,” Lucas speak up and they all look at him. He explains: “It must have been them. They’re on a war path. They think Eddie killed one of their own. They want his blood.”

“But Eddie didn’t do it,” Dustin points out.

“Well they don’t know that, do they?” Lucas snaps. “All they know Patrick died in his trailer with only him there. They hate his guts, Dustin. Just like they hate yours and now mine and Steve’s and everyone who has ever dared to not be cool and popular.”

It’s quiet, Dustin looks as if he’s been slapped in the face, staring at Lucas as they both breathe heavily.

Lucas then looks away and says: “And I wanted to be part of them, just so I wouldn’t be hated by them. They’re hunting us right now. I’m- I’m sorry, I should have listen to you and Mike. I was just so tired of the bullying.”

Steve readies himself to step in if Dustin makes a wrong move. He knows how Lucas has been struggling and he doesn’t want Dustin to ruin this. But he is pleasantly surprised when Dustin replies: “Hey, I get it. If I had more hand eye coordination I might try your method too.”

That gets a huffed laugh out of Lucas and he holds out his hand that Dustin shakes, before pulling Lucas into a hug.

Right when they let go, the radio that has been left by the party so Eddie could contact them, which has now been abandoned on the table, crackles to life. Eddie’s voice says: “Dustin, can you hear me? Stevie? Wheeler?”

Dustin fumbles for the radio, clicking it on with a breathless: “Eddie! Holy shit. Are you okay? Over.”

“Nah, man. Pretty- Pretty goddamn far from okay,” Eddie replies. He sounds rough, shaken up, but not hurt. Steve hates that he is relieved by the emotional devoid tone, because it at least means that Eddie is safe.

“Where is he?” Nancy asks.

“Where are you? Over,” Dustin repeats.

“Skull Rock,” Eddie answers. “Do you know it?”

They do know where that is, so they tell Eddie they’re coming. Steve slips on a comforting sweater, needing something soothing right now. He also grabs his nail bat from under his bed. Something made Eddie flee, it cannot be good and he wants his bat with him.

The walk is silent at the start. Steve keeps thinking back of his cabin, on how they knew to look there, knew to target him. That the kids saw what had been spray painted on the front.

Robin must feel his gloomy mood, because she slides up next to him and takes his hand. She squeezes it and he squeezes back. A gesture of silent support. She knows what is going through his head, she gets his fear and she is here for him every step of the way.

Chrissy also catches up with them, bumping her shoulder against his as she takes off one of the headphones. She quietly asks: “Are you okay?”

He looks at her, concerned eyes looking back. Chrissy has always been too kind for her own good honestly. So caring. He smiles at her and says: “I will be. This isn’t the worst that happened this week.”

“I know, but you can still be upset,” Chrissy tells him.

Steve hadn’t fully considered that. Sure, he is upset, but they have to move on. The town is getting worse and Vecna is still on the loose. They have to stop him and clear Eddie’s name without anyone getting hurt, so they don’t have time for Steve to mope. Chrissy makes it sound easy though, like of course he is allowed to be upset.

“Thanks,” he nods. Then is quiet for a beat, before he says: “I just don’t get why they always have to come back when I think I’ve gotten rid of them. I haven’t even done anything.”

“Well, you did house Eddie, you know. I think they don’t care about anything else you might have done,” Robin pipes up, then winces. “Bad comment.”

“It’s okay, Robs,” Steve laughs. He doesn’t mind her off the cuff comments. They can be quite funny and are a quirk of her. He doesn’t get annoyed, he only snaps if he feels under stress or hurt and she often knows when not to push.

“I also don’t think it would have mattered,” Chrissy adds. “I know those guys, if they’re convinced of something, they won’t stop chasing it. You’re just collateral.”

And Steve has been part of that crowd for years, witnessed them from Chrissy’s perspective for half a year and has been their target for a while now. He knows how they can be. How they don’t need evidence that it’s true, just the knowledge that it hurts. He sighs: “I know.”

“It’s gonna be okay, dingus,” Robin assures him with a soft grin.

“Yeah, I’m sure they won’t do anything with that weapon on you,” Chrissy says, nodding the nail bat he has been swinging absentmindedly.

He looks down at it and laughs, a bit surprised, he had forgotten he is carrying it and that is registers as scary. The nail bat for him is protection, not something to be afraid of. He smiles: “Yeah, I can take them.”

“Like that Russian guard,” Robin pipes up and Chrissy raises her brow at them when Steve nods in agreement.

“But I don’t want to kill anyone,” Steve amends. The bat is for non-human monsters, the kind that don’t stay down after a hit. Steve doesn’t think if he can stomach it if he’s responsible for someone seriously getting hurt, or worse.

“Yeah, yeah,” Robin waves him away. “At some point you gotta stop pulling punches, dingus. I am not capable of saving you if you throw yourself in danger like a dumbass. Look at these arms,” she shakes her arm in his face, “noodles! Incapable of fighting a grown man.”

Steve starts to laugh at Robin. Then Chrissy comments: “I think you could fight someone. You’re pretty strong, Robs.”

The look on Robin’s face is incredible. She turns entirely red and splutters a bit. Steve is now fully laughing at her and she shoves him away with a loud: “Shut up, dingus.”

“Okay, okay,” Steve laughs, putting his hands up as backs away. He wants to laugh a little bit at Robin’s expense, not out her.

He realizes that with them there, he has forgotten a little about why he was in a mood and now he can pay more attention to where they are. He calls out to Dustin: “Hey, we’re going in the wrong way.”

“No we’re not,” Dustin stubbornly replied.

“Dude, I’m telling you, you’re taking us the wrong way,” Steve says, walking a bit faster to catch up with Dustin.

“It’s North. I’m positive. I checked the map,” Dustin tells him in that way that tells Steve Dustin thinks he knows best.

A little annoyed, Steve points out: “You do realize Skull Rock is a super popular make out spot?”

“Yeah, so?”

“Yeah, well, it wasn’t popular, until I made it popular, alright? I practically invented it,” Steve informs him. “We’re heading in the wrong direction.”

He starts walking in the right direction, Dustin might be smart, but Steve knows he’s right here, so he doesn’t listen as Dustin complains: “Steve. Where are you going? Steve!”

“Stop whining,” he just tells Dustin as he waves everyone to come with him. “Let’s go. Trust me.”

Reluctantly Dustin follows as do the others as Steve leads them through a familiar forest. He turned Skull Rock into a make out spot when he was still King Steve, before Nancy he kissed many girls there, wondering why it never really felt like the movies.

Dustin is now walking next to him, looking a little sulkily down at his compass. Steve knows he’ll get over it if he gives him a moment, so he lets him stew as they walk side by side.

Sporadically he turns back to check on everyone. Lucas and Max are seemingly having a good conversation, Chrissy and Robin are joking around as well and Nancy is diligently watching the rear. He makes eye contact with her and she sends him a smile, he smiles back before looking ahead again, wondering why that made him uneasy.

Before he can think too much about it, Dustin suddenly says: “Was Lucas right? You know, when he said the basketball team hates you for not being cool and popular? That doesn’t make sense. You are cool.”

Steve’s heart constricts at that. He knows that Dustin has always looked up to him and he loves the blind faith the boy puts in him. It’s one of the few things he has never wanted to take from any of the kids; their trust in him.

“I’m glad you think so, dude,” Steve says as he scrambles for what else to say.

Dustin shoots him an annoyed look and complains: “Steveee,” obviously realizing how Steve is deflecting.

“Henderson,” Steve counters snappily, before taking a breath. He doesn’t want to fight with Dustin right now, he is too worried about Eddie and being a target himself, so he amends: “It wasn’t the worst, I just lost a fight against Billy and the results were very publicly visible. There isn’t really a social recovery from that.”

“But you’re Steve,” Dustin says, like that means anything. And to Dustin, it probably does.

“I am,” Steve smiles, unable to help the sadness that clings to his voice.

“You are like the coolest guy, I remember Mike yammering on about it when you and Nancy got together,” Dustin replies. “And Billy should have left you alone after Max’s threat.”

“He did, he did,” Steve lies. “Rumors just fly and I was loosing popularity long before that. It just happens sometimes, no big deal. Didn’t you say yourself that popularity is just a construct for high schoolers.”

“I mean, yeah,” Dustin agrees and Steve is glad he is seemingly letting it go, though never entirely of course. “But the basketball team are high schoolers. We need to get into their heads.”

“Dustin, you’re also a high schooler,” Steve points out, faintly amused by the turn this conversation has taken, but feeling the fear creep into his chest as well. He doesn’t want Dustin to press about the basketball team, doesn’t want to lie to him, doesn’t want to think about telling him the truth either.

“It’s different,” Dustin protests.

“Sure it is, buddy,” Steve tells him, going for condescending in the hope Dustin will get offended and defend himself instead of asking further.

“It is,” Dustin insists, taking the bait. “Because I am a mature person, who is above popularity contests, while basketball players by the virtue of being a basketball player, obviously do care, therefore are susceptible to those sort of things. In order to get into their minds, we have to understand that.”

“Lucas plays basketball,” Steve points out the flaws in Dustin’s logic. It’s hilarious that the kid is calling himself mature when he is so clearly kid-like on some fronts.

“He doesn’t count.”

“How so?”

“Well, he came to his senses and saw he was wrong.”

“And what about me?”

“You are on thin ice, but you also distanced yourself – I’m proud of you for that by the way.”

“Oi, don’t get cocky with me now, you little shit!”

“I’m not!” Dustin squawks, then immediately amends: “Well, maybe a little bit. But I’m almost always right.”

“Really?” Steve raises a brow.

“Yeah, like right now,” Dustin replies. “I checked the map and compass a thousand times, Steve. We need to head North and right now we’re not going North. We’re never going to find Eddie like this, I mean it.”

In a twist of beautiful irony, they come up on Skull Rock. Steve doesn’t answer Dustin directly, just exclaims: “Oh boom. Bada bing, bada boom. There she is, Henderson. Skull Rock. In your face, man, in your stupid, cocky little face.”

“It doesn’t make sense,” Dustin frowns, because he is a know it all, who can never be wrong.

“Yeah, yeah,” Steve waves him away as he scans the place for Eddie. “Even with it staring you right in the face, you can’t admit it. Can’t admit you’re wrong, you butthead.”

“I concur,” a voice says behind them and they whip around, only to be filled with relief when it is Eddie, unharmed and well. He grins: “You, Dustin Henderson, are a total butthead.”

Steve shouldn’t find his little breath and the way he hoist up his jeans hot, but he does, so he just stares dumbly at Eddie for a second, as Dustin says: “Jesus, we thought you were a goner.” He pulls Eddie into a hug while Steve pulls himself together.

He watches as Eddie hugs back and hears the exhausted tone in Eddie’s voice as he replies: “Yeah, me too, man. Me too.”

His heart aches for Eddie, who is obviously going through hell. He just had to flee from Steve’s cabin, a place they thought he would be safe. A place Steve thought, he would be safe. And now that is gone.

It is gone and all the emotions that he had managed to forget while bickering with Dustin come bubbling right back up. He doesn’t know what has happened, but he will never forget arriving at the cabin and seeing it like that, just like his car at graduation. The image is something that will stick with him forever and he can’t imagine what it was like for Eddie to be present as they did it.

Needing to remind himself that Eddie made it out okay, that Steve isn’t alone in what happened and that they’re both shaken up, but have each other, he lets his bat fall and reaches out and pulls Eddie into a hug.

The action is a little clumsy with Eddie stumbling as Steve pulls him in, needing to steady himself before he is able to hug back. But when he does, it’s soothing. Steve can feel parts of his shoulders unclench as he feels Eddie’s warmth under his hands, his breaths against his skin, the way Eddie holds on to his sweater.

“I am so glad you’re okay,” he whispers fiercely. “I- I got so scared when I saw the cabin. They- they graffiti-ed it, broke my front door. Fuck- Eds, they got in.”

Eddie rubs a soothing hand down Steve’s spine. Steve feels kind of guilty, because he should be comforting Eddie right now and instead Eddie is comforting him, but it’s too nice to step away from. Especially when Eddie whispers back: “I’m okay now, sweetheart. We’re okay. I’m sorry about your cabin.”

Steve lets out a laugh, it’s a little hysteric and a little too close to a sob, but it’s a laugh. He steps back before he can get emotional in front of everyone and tries to play it off. “I do not care about my cabin right now, dude.”

He catches Eddie’s eye, heart fluttering when Eddie grins at him the moment their eyes meet. Eddie pats his pockets with a twinkle in his eyes as he says: “I’m glad about that, don’t think I can pay you back right now.”

“You’re a fucking idiot,” Steve informs him.

Before Eddie can reply to that or defend himself, they are interrupted by an indignant Dustin, who demands to know: “How long has this been going on?”

“What?” Eddie asks, like he honestly has no fucking clue what Dustin is talking about, something Steve knows is a lie, because the edge of a dimple is showing.

“This- this canoodling!” Dustin exclaims and Steve has to bite the inside in his cheek to not laugh at the kid.

“Don’t be dramatic, Henderson,” he tells him, aloofness always coming easy to him. “My house has just been broken into, I’m allowed to be worried about the fugitive I was housing there. Maybe instead of being weird catch Eddie up on that Vector creep.”

“You-” Dustin starts, pointing at Steve in an accusing manner, before dropping it in favor of recounting all their discoveries and the absolute mess that has been the last 24 hours.

As Dustin talks the others chime in with additions to what they experienced to create a full picture for Eddie, who isn’t looking like he has much faith in the operation. Steve can understand that, especially when they move onto how to kill Vecna, for which they would have to go into the Upside Down. Something that isn’t really possible right now.

Their options look pretty bleak.

However, something in the conversation must have triggered Dustin, because he starts to pace up and down as he mutters to himself. Both Steve and Eddie track his movement with curiosity until Eddie leans in and asks: “Hey, uh, Henderson’s not, uh, cursed, is he?”

“Cursed?” Steve repeats. “No, no, he’s fine. Mental? Absolutely.”

That gets a smile out of Eddie again, though Steve can’t feel satisfaction at that, because they both startle when Dustin suddenly yells: “Boom! Bada. Bada. Boom. I was right! Skull Rock was North.”

“Seriously? You’re serious?” Steve asks. He knows Dustin is a cocky little bastard, but this is a little extreme. But Dustin hums as he nods. Steve gestures around them: “This is Skull Rock, okay?” Again that stupid little hum and nod. “You’re totally, absolutely, 100% wrong! Right now.”

“Yes,” Dustin agrees. “And no.”

“Oh my god,” Steve mutters to the sky. He can’t with this kid sometimes. Next to him Eddie snorts at his misery, the traitor.

“This worked correctly when we left the Wheeler’s house. Correct when we got in the car on Curly, but it started to slip the further East we went. Now it’s way off,” Dustin explains. “When I was leading us here, I wasn’t wrong. The compass was.”

“So you’re using faulty equipment. You’re still wrong,” Steve argues, feeling a little silly, but also annoyed. He is right, goddammit. He found Skull Rock. He won’t let Dustin take that from him. He needs the win.

But then the conversation quickly devolves into something Steve can’t follow and he is reminded of just how smart Lucas is as well when the kid easily catches Dustin’s drift. Steve can barely follow the first part, but he does get that there might be another gate.

“Snack sized gate,” Robin nods, also understanding and Steve loves her and her wonderful, dorky mind. Chrissy obviously does too with the way she snorts at that.

“How? Why?” he asks instead, because those are valid questions. Portals are never good news. The only times Steve has seen portals is when monsters crawl out them.

“No idea,” Dustin answers honestly. “All I know is that something is causing this disturbance and the last time we’ve seen anything like it, it was a gate. And I hope it is, because then we’d have a way to Vecna. And a shot at freeing Chrissy and Max from this curse.”

With those words, he starts to walk away and fear grips Steve immediately. He calls out: Where are you going? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.” Dustin stops and looks back at him. “Eddie’s still a wanted man, who got attacked, I might add. We can’t just go hike in the woods.”

“This little steel capsule,” Dustin holds up the compass like the dramatic nerd that he is, “might be the key to saving Chrissy, Max and Eddie.” He focuses his attention to Eddie, who has been disappearing a little into the background, which is unlike him. “What say you, Eddie the Banished?” Dustin asks him.

“I say, you’re asking me to follow you into Mordor, which – if I’m totally straight with you – I think is a really bad idea,” Eddie tells Dustin and Steve nods, glad the other isn’t letting the kid run towards danger. “But, uh, the Shire- the Shire is burning.”

Steve feels his insides plummet at that, he vaguely recalls this from one of Eddie’s rambles and it sounds like he is going to agree with Dustin. Something that is confirmed to Steve when Dustin starts to jump excitedly like an idiot. Eddie gets up and it feels like the beginning of the end as he says: “So Mordor it is.”

Everyone takes that as a sign to start moving and Steve picks up his bat as he mutters: “What’s Mordor?” to himself, watching Eddie forget his stuff and run back. A little bitchily he says: “Get your stuff, dude. Let’s go.”

He feels like he’s allowed to be annoyed with Eddie for agreeing to Dustin’s bullshit.

During their walk through the forest, Dustin drags Eddie along with him, excited about the prospect of adventure. Eddie doesn’t look wholly convinced, but Steve isn’t saving him either. Eddie dug his own grave, let him lie in it.

Steve, meanwhile, is watching the rear of the group. The bat swings casually, the weight comforting in his hand. If anyone tries anything, he at least won’t be unarmed.

Eddie never really said what happened at the cabin, but that only makes Steve worry more. Eddie is never quiet. Whatever happened, Steve won’t mind making Jason loose a few teeth.

It’s dark by the time Dustin has lead them to the edge of the lake, right to where Fred must have died. Nancy looks a little green and clings to Steve’s arm, who supports her. After Barb this can’t be easy on her.

“There’s a gate in Lover’s Lake?” Max asks, voicing their confusion out loud.

“Whenever the demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening,” Nancy says, having pulled herself together into her mask of professionalism. “Maybe Vecna’s the same way.”

“Yeah, only one way to find out,” Steve says, not liking where his night is going, because if there is a gate on the bottom of that Lake, Steve knows who is going to check it out. And that is him. He’s not letting anyone else do it, even if he hates the idea of doing it himself.

They go look for a boat unearthing one near the docks. Eddie and Steve carry it to the water, it’s not a big boat, can fit maybe five people, max. Not all of them can go.

It’s clear the others have noticed too, but no one comments on it as Robin steps in, before helping Chrissy aboard as well, then Nancy. Steve wants to protest that, but is distracted by Eddie climbing past him, who is followed by Dustin.

Well, Dustin attempts to follow him. Eddie, however, stops him in his tracks with: “Hey, hey, hey, are you trying to sink us? This thing holds four people, tops. Okay?”

“It’s better this way. You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble,” Nancy explains and Steve realizes they mean to leave him behind there. Just the babysitter again.

“You keep an eye out,” Dustin snarks back, not wanting to be left behind. “It’s my theory.”

“They’re right, Dustin. Leave it,” he speaks up, already thinking about he is going to get aboard as he stealthily puts his nail bat in the boat.

“Since when are you on their side,” Dustin exclaims.

“Since they’re talking sense,” Steve rolls his eyes at Dustin.

“Yeah, listen to Nance,” Robin tells Dustin from where she is making Chrissy more comfortable on the boat.

“Who put her in charge?” Dustin asks, indignantly.

“I did,” Robin replies cheerily and Steve has to work not to laugh at that bitchy comment.

With that Dustin gives in and hands over the compass to Nancy, though he obviously does not want to and will make that clear to everyone. Steve doesn’t care if he complains about it for the rest of his life, as long as he stays away from the danger.

Steve pushes off the boat and quick steps aboard. Eddie has left a space open for him, obviously anticipating this while Nancy frowns, which Steve ignores in favor of apologizing to Dustin, whom he is leaving behind, much to Dustin’s dismay.

Nancy is less annoyed with his presence on the boat when he and Eddie start paddling so the three girls can investigate the waters to look if they see anything.

After a little bit, the compass starts going wild. They have found the gate. Well, probably. They still don’t know for sure. Robin is checking in with Dustin in the most Robin-like manner, informing Dustin that: “Your compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital ‘ahh!’”

She hasn’t realized what that means yet, but Steve has, so he is already taking off his shoes and socks, wanting to get ahead of protests before anyone can notice. Nancy, of course, notices: “Steve, what are you doing?”

“Somebody’s gotta go down there and check this out,” he informs them, hoping he sounds authoritative enough for them to let him go. “Unless one of you four can top being a Hawkins High swim co-captain and certified lifeguard for three years, then it’s gotta be me. No complaints, alright?”

“Hey, I’m not complaining,” Eddie backs him up, though Steve thinks that is more out of fear, which he can’t blame the guy for, especially as he watches him fumble with his pocket, probably looking for a smoke.

“I do not want to go down there,” Chrissy agrees, looking anxiously at the blackness pooling all around them.

Steve takes of his sweater, hearing crinkles behind him. When he turns around, Eddie is the source of the noise. He is holding some cigarettes like Steve suspected, but he has also tied a plastic bag around a flashlight so Steve will be able to see down there. Eddie offers it to him with a soft: “Hey. Good luck.”

And it hits Steve that what he is about to do is dangerous. He might not come back, he might not see any of them again.

With lead in his heart, he takes the flashlight from Eddie, letting their fingers touch. Then he looks at Robin, imprinting what she looks like in his mind, before doing the same to Chrissy. He turns back to Eddie then, decides to be a little bold, since it might be the last time.

So, he gives Eddie a one over, getting stuck on his lips between which now is a cigarette, before looking in those deep, dark, beautiful eyes. He winks and says: “Thanks,” before diving into the cold water.

Steve swims down, muscle memory taking over as he searches for the gate. He finds it looking gross and glowing. Sickly in the lake bed. He reaches out to touch it, feeling oddly compelled to do so, startling back when it seems something is trying to reach back.

He needs to get away from it, he thinks wildly, as he kicks off from the bottom and breaks back out on top. He holds on to the side of the boat and reports: “I found it.”

The four, who he must have startled by his sudden appearance, lean back towards him and ask: “You found it?”

“I found it. Yeah, I found it,” Steve confirms, still panting slightly from his time without air, his heart beating fast after the scare. He wants to get out of this water. And soon.

He is about to ask for a hand back onto the boat, needing to tell them to get out of there, because the gate looks out of place. Dangerous. When he feels something wrap around his leg. His eyes grow wide and he catches Robin looking back.

Her excited exclamation to Dustin dies on her lips and she reaches back out to him, the question about whether he is okay never reaching his ears as the something yanks him down.

Steve struggles and fights, but it’s no use. The water around him turns into a slimy feeling as Steve is dragged through the gate. Into the Upside Down.

~~

A/N:

I love conversations between people too much, which gets in the way of plot, but we are getting there, no matter how slow!!!

[smilingformoney]

Hiyaa. 11, 22, 33, 44 for snape asks game plz

11. Your favourite scenes with book/movie!Snape?

Gah I can’t pick one. Aesthetically I think Alan was most on fire in his DH1 scene, mostly for the fluffy hair. In the books, the occlumency scenes are just brilliant, and we can’t forget the excellent Goblet of Fire pyjama party which we were robbed of in the films. In my fic, I love all the scenes but if I had to pick one it’d probably be him saving Abbie when she gets sectumsempra’d.

22. Do you think Lily was a good friend to Severus?

It’s hard to tell, because we don’t see much of the day-to-day of their friendship - we see it bloom, then we pretty much jump to the end. But I’d say she was, because she saw good in him, she liked him, and they were friends for a whole five years before it broke down. We also know she defended him to her friends, so that shows she must have been a good friend, and although she fucked up by laughing at his sexual assault, he fucked up too and overall they were, until the end, good friends.

33. Top 3 songs you think will show up in Snape's most played?

I’m not sure about specific songs but I think he would like classical music and the Beatles.

44. What mode of magical travel would suit Snape the best?

Jkr got very little right (she thinks he died? What a bizarre interpretation) but she did get right the fact that he flies unaided, and he looks like a bat when he does it. It is so very much on point for him. Imagine if he’d been able to do it earlier and he’d just swooped down on misbehaving kids?

[bookgeekgrrl]

My media this week (13-19 Oct 2024)

this show is so, so dumb and so watchable (gifs by @livelovecaliforniadreams)

📚 STUFF I READ 📚

😍 Lost Vocabularies that Might Express (The Memory of These Broken Impressions) (dorian_burberrycanary) - final in A Man Takes His Sadness Down to the River (The Consolation of Philosophy) series (111K out of 151K total); a marvelous stucky post-EG/TFATWS fix it (knowledge of TFATWS canon not required) - this one is an exquisite road trip fic

🥰 we shut ‘em up, and then we shut ‘em down (greatunironic) - 41K, Steddie, street racing AU - absolutely in love with this version of babygirl Steve Harrington. a very fun street racer AU. Steve's lewk is impeccable; he is 'street racer Barbie'. filthy in the best way, makes me understand the appeal of spit kink (tho not bringing me into the fold entirely)

😊 ice cream before dinner (cloudydaisies) - 58K, buddie - cute, fluffy, very domestic Eddie-POV getting-together fic

💖💖 +71K of shorter fic so shout out to these I really loved 💖💖

No Vacancies (darter_blue, the1918) - MCU: stucky, no powers, 6K - reread - co-working annoyances-to-lovers, only one bed, very hot

Complications (LearnedFoot) - Suits: harvey/mike, 12K - different meeting AU with fake dating

Carried Away (LearnedFoot) - Suits: harvey/mike, 9K - canon-divergent, sort of 'didn't know we were dating' vibe

📺 STUFF I WATCHED 📺

Dimension 20: Behind the Scenes - Starstruck Origins with Elaine Lee; Starstruck Post Season Talkback with Elaine Lee

Seas The Day: Life Lessons From Cephalopods With Dr. Sarah McAnulty - Part 1

Handsome - Pretty Little Episode #9; Nikki Glaser asks about compliments

D20: Misfits & Magic 2 - "A Place of Knowing" (s23, e3)

D20: Adventuring Party - "You Had a Bad Day" (s18, e3)

D20: Misfits & Magic 2 - "A Change of Plan" (s23, e4)

D20: Adventuring Party - "The Funny Season" (s18, e4)

Elementary - s2, e20-24

Dr. Odyssey - s1, e4

Only Murders In The Building - s4, e1-4

🎧 PODCASTS 🎧

The Allusionist - 201. Singlish

⭐ 99% Invisible - Brilliantly Boring

⭐ Imaginary Worlds - To Seek Out New Life

Twenty Thousand Hertz+ - The Sound of… BLUEY!!!

Hit Parade - With or Without U2 Edition

Morning Edition - Going deeper into some claims in legal filings against TikTok that NPR uncovered

Morning Edition - The U.S. gets a new national marine sanctuary, the first led by a tribe

Throughline - The Union That Shook New York City

The Sporkful - Ed Gamble Is More Than A Diabetic Comedian (Live)

Shedunnit - Book Club Fact File: Death in Fancy Dress by Anthony Gilbert

Shedunnit - Book Club Conversation: Death in Fancy Dress by Anthony Gilbert

The Curious History of Your Home - Wallpaper

Short Wave - 5-Year-Olds Asked Us Science Questions. We Answer

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - A Visit to the Reptile Super Show with Jacob Wysocki

Re: Dracula - October 15: Hear it in the Shrouds

All Songs Considered - The most terrifying film scores of all time

Switched on Pop - The last decade of pop explained

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society - The REAL Charles Dickens with Miriam Margolyes

Welcome to Night Vale #256 - The Book of Lost Things

It's Been a Minute - Sasha Colby takes us to Drag college

Outward - What Arabic LGBTQ+ Slang Tells Us with Marwan Kaabour

Outward - Bonus: New Additions to the Gay Agenda from Marwan Kaabour

Outward - Bonus: New Additions to the Gay Agenda from Frankie de la Cretaz

Vibe Check - If You See Us, No You Didn’t!

The Atlas Obscura Podcast - Skinny Houses

Re: Dracula - October 16: We Shall Be Ready

Short Wave - Europa Clipper And The Search For Life In Space

Pop Culture Happy Hour - The Pop Culture That Scared Us As Kids

⭐ Song Exploder - Pharrell Williams "Piece By Piece"

Shedunnit - Mysterious Knitting

99% Invisible - Trompe L'oeil

The Curious History of Your Home - Laundry

Happy Place - David Tennant: Internal voices, LGBTQ+ activism, and 80s nostalgia

Ologies - Momiology (MUMMIFICATION) Part 2 with Salima Ikram & Kara Cooney

Re: Dracula - October 17: Fall Into Dust

Monét Talks - Orville Peck Talks Shortening His Masks

Short Wave - New Frogs Just Dropped

Dear Prudence - I Love My Family. My Husband Doesn’t. Help!

Dear Prudence - Prudie Plus: Am I Toxic?

It's Been a Minute - The false promise of climate havens; plus, the 'help' in horror

Morning Edition - A company says it created a milk protein that could revolutionize dairy-free cheese

⭐ The Atlas Obscura Podcast - The Hogs of Ossabaw Island

Today, Explained - Reconsidering the Menendez brothers

Storylines - Hana's Suitcase

99% Invisible - The Power Broker #10: Clara Jeffery

Welcome to Night Vale - Bonus Episode: Behind the Scenes (October 2024)

The Sam Sanders Show - Pop Culture Can Help the Climate w/ Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

The Curious History of Your Home - The Fridge

🎶 MUSIC 🎶

Soundtracks Radio • Upbeat

Teenage Werewolf Rock

'90s One-Hit Wonders

Duran Duran

Presenting Bruce Springsteen

Stereophonic (Original Cast Recording)

Soft Rock Ballads

[parkitaco]

hi!! i just wanted to say i love your fics and i love you so so much for writing them and i hope you’re having the best day ever if it isn’t too much of a bother can i ask for 19, 22, (taylor swift reference fr) 27 and 55 for the touch prompts?? i’m sorry 😭😭 that’s so many but thank you!! have the best day ever!!

thank you so so much <33 ficlet below the cut :-))

Will has long been adamant that school dances are pointless and boring, and prom is no exception, but he has to admit, this one is maybe slightly less so.

This fact is mostly to do with the fact that he’s here with Mike Wheeler, aka the cheesiest, sappiest person on the planet, who also happens to be Will’s boyfriend, and that’s- that in and of itself is probably enough to turn any typically-shitty experience into something magical. 

They can’t dance together, of course, not in the way Will wants to, because this is Hawkins and two boys dancing together is basically a death sentence, but he can lean into Mike’s side, and he can shoot him small, secret smiles when their friends aren’t looking, and it’s not a lot, okay, but it’s more than he’s ever had before so he’s willing to take it.

They argue mindlessly with the Party about something, and when the two of them ultimately win out over Dustin and Lucas, Mike holds his hand up for a high five that lingers a beat longer than strictly necessary. If they were alone, Will thinks, locking eyes with Mike and shooting him a small smile, he’d lace their fingers together, maybe tug Mike in for a kiss, tuck his face away against Mike’s shoulder. But they’re in public, and it’s prom night and their friends aren’t even supposed to know about them, so he settles for the glancing contact of Mike’s palm against his, and everything is okay.

They dance to bright, poppy music together, arms brushing as they jump around with their friends, and Mike sings along in a loud, obnoxious voice, and Will rolls his eyes at him, and it’s okay.

They chat with classmates side-by-side, arms bumping, and Will wants to wrap his arm around Mike’s waist, but he can’t, so he presses his elbow against Mike’s instead, and Mike presses back, and it’s okay.

Then a slow song comes on, and Lucas and Max pair off, and El and Dustin arrange some sort of platonic dancing deal, and suddenly it’s not okay. There are couples everywhere, boys in stuffy suits and girls in flowing dresses, and they’re dancing, and Will doesn’t care about prom, he really, truly doesn’t, but there’s a lump in his throat anyway, and he mumbles an excuse about needing air before fleeing the scene.

Will slips outside quietly, the cool night air welcome against his reddened cheeks, and takes a deep breath as he leans against the outer wall of the school. It’s been months of this, the secrecy and the stolen glances and the sweet moments behind closed doors, and some part of Will almost doesn’t mind it. He likes having Mike all to himself, likes having such a wonderful secret to share with him, but there’s a big difference between having a secret for the sake of having one versus having a secret because you don’t have any other choice.

And Will’s lucky, he knows - his family knows the general idea of the thing, even if maybe not so much the Mike aspect of things, and they support him. Will knows that, eventually, when he and Mike tell their friends the truth, they’ll be supportive too. He just- he gets tired sometimes, of having to question that support in the first place.

“Hey.”

Will jumps, leaning away from the wall as Mike appears in front of him, hands tucked into his suit pockets and smiling sympathetically at him.

Will huffs out a breath, managing a small smile back, and Mike steps closer, in the safe darkness of the outdoors. “Hi,” Will murmurs, as Mike reaches out and links his pinky finger through Will’s, just lightly enough that he could play it off if someone walked out here right now. 

“You okay?” Mike asks, because he is sweet and kind and perfect and Will- Will wants to shout his love for him from the rooftops, in all honesty. It kills him a little that he can’t. 

He takes a shaky breath. “Yeah, I’m fine,” he gets out, and feels it when Mike’s eyes narrow at him, seeing through him like always, “I- sorry, I’m being stupid.”

Mike presses his lips together, glancing back at the gym doors, unmoving and solid, and all at once he’s lacing his fingers through Will’s properly and pulling him close, public environment be damned as Will’s chest bumps against his lightly. “You’re not stupid,” Mike says, with a quiet sort of conviction that leaves no room for argument, “This sucks.”

Will huffs a laugh, pushing aside and anxieties about being spotted as he lifts a tentative hand to Mike’s neck. “Yeah, it kind of does. I mean, I don’t even care about prom but it’s-”

“The principle of it,” Mike agrees with a grimace, free arm wrapping around Will’s waist, “I know.”

Will hums in agreement, and he tilts forward to rest his forehead against Mike’s shoulder, pushing down the lump in his throat and focusing instead on the sweet scent of Mike’s cologne, the gentle sway of him in Will’s arms as they move just slightly to the music drifting from under the gym doors, not dancing and not not dancing but something in between. Boys like them always have to exist in neutrality, Will thinks bitterly, before deciding it’s not a productive thought and pushing it away. 

Mike releases a quiet breath, hand pressed firmly against Will’s side. “One day,” he says softly, lips brushing the top of Will’s hair, voice soothing every last one of Will’s nerves, “We’re going to leave Hawkins, and we’re going to go to some big city that has way bigger things to worry about than whether two boys are dancing together, and we’re going to be- free, okay? Three more months of this shit and then we get to be done with high school forever, and I know that it doesn’t make up for the bad stuff right now but- one day we’re going to go to some event, and we’re going to wear suits that aren’t hand-me-downs from family members and we’re going to dance together and- and the world is going to be better, so. We just have to make it a little longer.”

Will takes a shaky breath, face pressed firmly against Mike’s shirt, and a few stray tears escape into the fabric as he nods, clinging to Mike’s hand like a lifeline. “Yeah,” he whispers into Mike’s chest, and he’s not going to cry for real, he’s not, but- it just sounds nice, is all. Being free. “Yeah, we’re- we’re gonna be okay.”

“Of course we are,” Mike murmurs, a smile in his voice. “We’ve survived way worse, right?”

“Right,” Will laughs, lifting his face from Mike’s shoulder, and Mike smiles sweetly at him as he lifts their joined hands to his lips, kissing Will’s knuckles as his thumb traces gentle circles over the lines of Will’s palm, and it’s-

-not enough, Will decides, and just for tonight he’s reckless, pulling Mike in by the front of his jacket and, after one more quick scan to make sure no one’s watching, presses their lips together.

It’s short and sweet, because it has to be, but it still feels like a small victory when Mike hums against his mouth, swiping his tongue over Will’s lip before pulling back and smiling at him.

“I love you,” he whispers, hand still in Will’s, “It’s gonna get better.”

“I love you too,” Will replies, quiet in the night, “And I know it is.”

---

Will’s only half-awake to hear the Party’s conversation later, when they’re all curled up in Mike’s basement half-watching a movie and recounting the night. His head rests on Mike’s shoulder, remnants of the bravery from earlier manifesting, and it’s- a good place to be, he thinks. Mike is warm, and his hand rests just beside Will’s knee, close enough to brush his thigh but not quite, not daring. They’re being incriminating, probably, but Will can’t find it in himself to care as he drifts in and out of sleep.

“Are they asleep?” Dustin murmurs quietly, shifting on the floor near Will’s feet, and Will can only assume that Mike is drifting off too, from where his head is resting over Will’s.

“I think so,” Max replies quietly, more somber than usual, “Don’t- let’s not bother them, okay? Not tonight.”

There’s soft murmuring, and if Will were more awake he’d try to parse out the meanings, figure out if he’s been found out, but he’s relaxed, with Mike beside him, and it’s just their friends. He lets this one go.

“-tell us eventually,” El is saying, from where she’s seated beside Will on the couch. “When it is safe, right?”

“Yeah,” Lucas agrees quietly, and then there’s a soft weight being placed over Will and, presumably, Mike, one of the throw blankets that’s kept in the corner of the living room. “Let’s- give them some space.”

Dimly, Will’s aware of the sounds of four people climbing to their feet, switching off the light and heading up the stairs to head home, and the anxious, scared part of him wants to wake Mike, to tell him that they know or maybe we should tell them or something along those lines, because he wants to tell the Party, actually, he realizes. He wants them to know for certain. He shifts, Mike’s breath warm against his face as he readjusts into Mike’s side, scooting closer now that their friends are gone, and he’s about to speak when Mike’s arm wraps around him, and he draws him in closer, and Will forgets what he was so stressed about.

“Love you,” Mike mumbles, half-asleep.

Will can stress in the morning, he decides, and settles more comfortably into his boyfriend’s side. 

“Love you too, Mike.”

[mrsfrecklesmarauders]

The Moment She knew

Lily still remembered that night with clarity. Lily remembered everything. The conversations, the laughs, the jokes, the shy touches. Their first kiss.

It had been magical. Lily remembered everything around her had a shade of pink. Lily's house had been wonderfully decorated. With lights and flowers of all colors.

Lily was wearing a dress. It was purple and it reached to her knees. And he looked absolutely handsome in that suit.

"I want to dance this song with you" Lily said.

Her boldness came with the glasses of wine she had been taking. Petunia and Vernon looked happy and in love. And wow. Even Vernon was smiling. Lily was so glad her sister had found love. The song was the most romantic tune, Lily had heard. Something about eternity. And Lily wanted to dance with the boy next to her. Just pretend a little she could have that romantic fantasy for a while.

Even if the boy in question was none other that James Potter.

James stopped chewing. He was finishing Lily's piece of cake because she couldn't have no more sugar. Nothing really. She was completely full.

"This particular song?" James asked after he swallowed.

"Yes sir..." Lily teased.

James smiled, looking at the dance floor. Only couples were dancing. It was that kind of slow dance song. The one you dance with that special someone.

"We've been dancing the whole night anyway"  Lily added, trying to hide her blush.

James looked at her amused.

"I would love to, Lils" Just for tonight they stopped calling each other by their surnames "But I don't know how"

"You had been dancing other songs"

"Not slow songs..." James giggled.

"You've never slow danced with a girl?"

James shook his head smiling.

"Have you?"

Lily chuckled.

"Not with a girl"

"With a boy?"

"Only with my dad" Lily sighed "He taught me all I need to know"

James looked at her in that particular way. The one that made Lily shiver.

She cleared her throat and stood up. She ignored she was kind of dizzy for the booze and extended her hand for him.

"Come on... I'll teach you"

"I really don't want to make an embarrassing scene in front of your family, Lils"

"Come on, you twat!"

Lily grabbed James' hand and dragged him to the dance floor. He didn't have time to protest. He didn't want to protest. He was smiling the whole time.

"Right... So..." Lily said, facing James "You have to grab my waist"

James' cheeks went pink. But he tried to hide that fact. James swallowed but stayed still.

Lily was losing patience so she grabbed James' hand again and put it on her waist. She was definitely drunk.

"Like this..." she said "I put mine on your shoulder... And we come a little closer..."

Lily took a step closer. She laughed because she was having so much fun watching James get redder and redder each time.

"Then we take a step to the side..." They did that "And to the other side..." They did that.

James was too nervous to move smoothly and he kept staring at his feet.

"And you have to look at me"

She made him face her.

"Hey..."

"Hey..."

They giggled a little as they swayed side to side. Lily was having the best time. When she was little and she danced with her dad, she imagined that dancing with a boy would be magical. But here with James, everything was easy and funny. It was better.

"Am I doing it correctly?"

"Apart from the fact you have two left feet?"

James gasped "Excuse me?"

Lily laughed.

"You're doing it okay..." Lily added "Now to spice it a little..."

Lily spinned herself around and landed grabbing both of James' hands.

"I can do that..."

James spinned her around this time. Lily let out a soft giggle.

"That's the one thing my mum taught me at parties... To spin her around" James explained "Now imagine seven year old me spinning a grown woman so much taller than me..."

Lily laughed imagining it.

James pulled her closer, grabbing her waist again.

"I like dancing with you"

They weren't only swaying. They were turning slowly.

Lily smiled in response.

They were silent after that, they were listening to the music. James pulled Lily closer, like the way Vernon was doing with Petunia.

Lily put her chin on James' shoulder. Just like Petunia was doing with Vernon. James smelled nicely. Lily liked his cologne. And it felt nice to be held by someone like that. Even though they were only friends. They weren't even friends. The relationship was complicated.

But they were miles away from Hogwarts. And no one from school was around. Lily could let herself go. She could have her sappy romantic dance. The one she always wanted.

"I asked my dad to teach me to dance, because I wanted to do it like every Disney Princess has done in every Disney Movie..." Lily said, she was still leaning on James' shoulder "Have you ever noticed that's how..."

"That's how what?" James asked.

"Princesses fall in love with their princes" Lily smiled "It is the most romantic scene in every Disney Princess Movie... Cinderella... Beauty and The Beast... Sleeping Beauty..."

Lily didn't see it. But she knew James was smiling. 

"I wanted that..."

"Be sure, Evans. I am the closest to a prince you will get"

Lily smiled at first. But then she noticed the mischievous smile her mother was giving her from the other side of the room. As if she was happy Lily finally had a boyfriend. But James was not her boyfriend... James was... Oh God! This was James Potter.

Lily pulled away. And hit James on the chest.

"You're more like a frog, Potter"

James chuckled. He spinned Lily around again. And pulled her closer.

"Until the princess kisses me" he whispered in her ear.

Lily snorted.

"Only in your dreams, Potter"

They dance a bit more as another song started. Since it was a bit more upbeat, they had fun making fun dance moves. James did his best impression by moving her around spinning her around the dance floor. Lily let herself be guided. Just like she did with her father.

It wasn't until James spinned her three times in a row that Lily got dizzy.

"Woow..." she steadied herself with James' chest.

James wrapped his warm arms around her. But Lily was fine. She was more than fine. She looked at James with a new light. Was Lily that drunk or James Potter was handsome as fuck? Look at those shinny eyes of his. His hair was wild buy sexy. And he looked so good in a suit, God dammit....

"Are you okay?"

"Too much wine"

Yeah... That was the explanation. She had had too much wine.

They were too close now. Lily was too intoxicated by this moment. The song talked about love and how beautiful the world was when you are in love. Lily wanted so badly to be in love.

When Lily leaned closer, James grabbed her chin. And he leaned closer as well. James closed his eyes first. And Lily did it as well mostly immediately.

Their lips touched slowly. Then they took a quick breath before kissing again. James kissed her slowly, taking his time to taste Lily's lips.

It felt warm and welcoming to kiss James. Not awkward at all, like had happened with other boys. Lily felt her chest burning. She was actually enjoying this.

They broke apart after a while. And they both couldn't believe what they just did. James' cheeks were red and he seemed in shock. Lily's cheeks felt red too.

Then they both smiled at the same time. They couldn't hide how happy they were. Lily bit her lip and James giggled a little.

Then James pinched his arm.

"Ouch!"

"What are you doing?"

James gasped "I'm not dreaming... That actually happened!" he exclaimed "I just kissed you.... I just kissed Lily Evans!"

The last part he screamed it outloud.

Lily laughed covering his mouth. Luckily no one heard them because the music and chatting were too loud.

"Shut up, James" Lily giggled. She was so happy. Oh my God.

James put Lily's hand away. James touched her cheek, looking at her like he couldn't believe she was real. Then he leaned slowly to kiss her again.

This time, Lily responded eagerly. She even wrapped his arms around his neck. She felt how he delicately placed his hands on her hips. Yeep this was heaven. Their second perfect kiss.

******

Now everything was ruined. Lily had been so stupid to fall for all of that. Why did she kiss him? Why did she started having feelings for him? James Potter had been only playing with her.

Severus was right. James Potter had only changed his stragety. All he wanted was prove his friends he could have the impossible. That he could have Lily, just like all the other girls. That was all Lily was for him. A little game.

But Lily was not going to show weakness. Not even if her heart had been broken into a million pieces.

Severus had had the brilliant idea of telling Potter it had been the other way around. That she had been the one playing in the first place. That she invited him to that wedding, dance with him and kissed him only to have a little fun. To see James' reaction when he found out it had only been a lie.

It hadn't been a lie. None of it. At least not for Lily.

James had been furious with her ever since he found out. He stopped talking to her entirely. Completely. Like that morning when he greeted Marlene and Mary with a smile. And then passed over her like she didn't exist.

Couldn't he see that that hurt like hell? That twat! Why did he do that? And why did Lily care so much?

"You know what, Potter? I am a human being! I exist! At least say hi to me!"

And Lily sounded like maniac yelling at James in the middle of the hall. She should be happy that James was finally leaving her alone. That he won't bother her saying: "Hey gorgeous" or flirting with her like an idiot. Lily could finally get rid of him. Then why did she feel so miserable?

James turned slowly. But he didn't look at her. He was looking at everything except her.

Lily came closer.

"Just leave him alone, Ginger"

"Shut up, Black!"

Lily turned to James, trying to find his gaze.

"It is not fair that you treat me like that! I mean what I did is not a big deal... Did I hurt your ego? You still got to kiss me! And brag to your friends about it!"

James frowned at those words. Like he couldn't believe what she was saying.

"Lily, that's not what..."

"Leave it, Remus" James spoke to him and only him "It is not worthy"

Lily felt a strong knot on her throat. She didn't know if it was sadness or pure rage.

"Maybe it was for the best, you know? I get to realize or rather remember the asshole that you are!" Lily hit his chest because she couldn't take it anymore "I can't believe I kissed you!"

She hit him several times.

"I can't believe I kissed you either" James spat without a trace of emotion.

Lily was taken aback.

"You know what, Evans?" James added "I am sick and tired of chasing after you, of expecting you to like me a tiny bit as much as I like you...." he shook his head "But you don't and you never will..."

Lily swallowed unsure of what to say next.

"And you are not even that pretty..."

Lily blinked away her tears.

"Sirius is right... There are prettier girls out there. And prettier than you... Girls that won't lose any chance to be with me"

"Go with those fucking girls if you want! I don't care!! I couldn't care less!!"

The fact that Lily was yelling, didn't make it believable that she didn't care.

"I am so sick and tired of you chasing me after just to feed your ego or something..."

"Don't worry... I am officially over you, Lily Evans"

James said it calmly. Like it was the most random thing to say. Like he meant it. And Lily didn't like that. She didn't like that idea.

"Enjoy your time with your precious Snivy friend" James added "You two are meant for each other..."

"Fine!!" Lily yelled again. Why couldn't she talk calmer like James was. She was making a fool of herself. And plenty of people were watching.

"I will have fun with him because he is so much better person than you will ever be!"

"Oh yeah he is such a precious friend! Calling you a slut and spreading nasty lies about you... Wow..." James clapped to emphasize.

"At least he is not a bully! Like you!"

James was hurt by those words.

"Go fuck yourself, Lily!"

The fact that he used her name made it official. More serious. Not like he was just joking or something.

"Go fuck yourself, Potter!"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

There was a minute of silence. Lily felt the weight of every emotion in the room. She stared into James' watery eyes. And she saw the mix of feelings he was experiencing. He was hurt. Lily had really hurt him.

But it couldn't be. James was only playing with her. Right? He didn't care. He never meant any of it. Did he?

Lily saw how the way he was looking at her changed. There was always mischief, nervousness, happiness in his eyes. A twinkling spark that he particularly had. That man who was just a playful boy in the inside. Innocent and wondered by everything. Lily used to feel shivers down her spine. Because she had never been looked like that by anyone before.

But right now, that look was gone. Replaced by an empty one. James Potter didn't feel anything for her anymore. It was all emptiness.

It hit Lily like a lightning struck. She wanted to be loved by James Potter again. Because she might have been feeling it as well. And she didn't realize until now. But now it was too late. Fuck.

James looked away first. And he walked away. His friends followed him. Remus felt pity for her. Peter felt pity for her. Sirius hated her.

Oh no... Lily had lost James Potter forverer. Not now.... Not now when she knew she loved him. Not now. God... Lily had fallen in love for the first time. And she had lost it immediately. Just like that. What an irony.

Lily's chest hurt in a horrible way. So badly, she had a difficult time breathing.

"No..." Lily whispered as she grabbed her chest and she leaned on the wall "Shit... Come back... James, come back..."

But James was gone. Not only from the hall but from her life.

Lily started to sob. Dry sobs at first. Then she felt the tears. And she exploded crying. Lily hadn't cried like that. Not since her father's death.

She dropped to the floor helplessly. Until she felt  arms wrapping her, and touching her hair. Mary and Marlene were kneeling beside her. They both looked concerned.

Lily was glad they were there. She needed them.

Lily grabbed Mary's sweater and cried in her chest, while Marlene caressed her head.

"It's ok, Lily.... It is going to be okay" Marlene whispered.

Except it wasn't going to be okay. Everyone was right. James Potter was like sunlight. And now that he was gone from her life she felt cold. So cold.

[fandomanimatic-tournament]

Fandom song animatic tournament: Bracket 2 Side B

Pad Thai - Jack Stauber

"Maddening, it's a regular bad thing! Pad Thai, I'm a normal guy! Saddening, nothing's really happening! That's right, take a big bite!"

How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20

"But I believe the world is burning to the ground Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out Let's see how far we've come Let's see how far we've come"

Remember that we're voting on how Iconic they are for ANIMATICS, not for the song itself. In order to make things fair, the tone and mood of the song should not affect how iconic it is (for example, a serious song should not be considered more iconic than a joke song just because it's serious)

Propaganda and animatic links of the songs under the cut:

Pad Thai - Jack Stauber

Propaganda:

No Written Propaganda Submitted

Animatics with the song:

Helluva Boss

OMORI

Toilet-Bound Hanako-kun mitsukou

TGCF

DSMP

How Far We've Come - Matchbox 20

Propaganda:

Aside from two of my favourite ever animatics being to this (Homestuck and Hermitcraft 8) it’s such a fandom song (genuinely up there with soldier poet king in the “oh my god it’s just like my d&d party” vibe). So many stories are about averting an apocalypse or some other looming threat “I’m waking up at the start of the end of the world” and the whole song is about reflecting back on your life and that of the world around you. It’s perfect for a climatic buildup to the end of a campaign or series finale, or a summary of an entire work. “Say your goodbyes if you’ve got someone you can say goodbye to” is perfect for drawing ships or friends or siblings to, with maybe one solitary person at the end. The percussion and guitar also make it very suited to animatics - there’s perfect parts in the music to switch between frames or scenes. It’s been around since 2007 so it’s nostalgic and from the peak of amvs and animatics. Please this song fucks so hard look at all the lyrics listen to it on loop it’s so quintessential to me

the DRAMA. the STORY. the EMOTIONS. this is a song for an animatic that covers character growth and major plot points, and it does it so well! if i am invested in the fandom and watch a how far we've come animatic i already know it will change me as a person

Dude. It makes the heart swell with emotion and pride at wow these characters sure have come far

It's the OG. I don't even know if homestuck started its popularity in the animatic scene but it was huge and it remains huge. From TAZ to (apparently, from a quick youtube search) hermitcraft, this song will tear at people's heartstrings as they think about blorbos the band has can't even imagine.

this song makes me so emotional ok? i know lots of fandoms use it but the ones that stuck with me are warrior cats, hermitcraft and of course homestuck. sorry for the cringe but im glad to be free. anyways this is THE song for anything that has either ended or had a large amount of time pass and also its just a really fucking good song on its own.

Animatics with the song:

Hermitcraft

The Adventure Zone

DSMP

Last Life SMP

Homestuck

Please be cautious and read the title, description and warning cards on the animatic videos if you decide to watch them. If you've got specific triggers I'd recommend even more caution when watching animatics of fandoms you don't know, since sometimes canon-typical themes don't get warnings.

Please keep in mind that I don't know all the media and fandoms of the animatics provided as examples and I don't have the time (nor the will) to research them all. Don't come into my notes or my ask box complaining about them being included, I will simply block you. If a ship animatic included is about an adult and a minor, do tell me and I'll take it out of the post

ALSO keep in mind that I don't know all the artists submitted; in fact, even if I do know them I do not know absolutely nothing about them as people (I do not have twitter nor tiktok) and I could not POSSIBLY have the time to research ALL of the artists' controversies and what came of them so PLEASE don't flood my inbox with the artists' entire crime list.

[adultswim2021]

Freaknik: The Musical | March 7, 2010 - 11:30PM | Special

Whither That Crook’d ‘Sipp? 

Freaknik: the Musical! A special that I’m ill-equipped to truly go deep on because 1) I am a cracker-ass and 2) I live in a hell of my own making and sometimes it's far too difficult to tune out. Oh well! I’ll give it a shot, yuh know? See what happens! Also: I pledge to not google anything about this, so I will be speaking from my threadbare knowledge of the subject at hand.

Freaknik is based on a real-life recurring block party, or outdoor music fest, or something like that, held, uh, probably annually in, I’m guessing, Atlanta, Georgia. It probably has rap stuff going on and people probably have a lotta fun listening to live music and attempting to find sex partners among it's many attendees. I have gleaned this from the special itself, as well as the fact that when you search for this to see if it’s playing on any streaming services you’ll instead find a documentary called “Freaknik: a big party that happens” or something like that. 

This special follows a likable rap group who are down on their luck. They intend to travel to the big event so they can compete in some battle of the bands type thing. The party is happening because Freaknik, a ghostly personification of the party itself, has sprung back to life. I forget how. He’s a black ghost with money signs all over himself and hes real charismatic. He embodies good times, blackness, and above all, love. We see him going on a publicity tour, while a council of hater-ass black establishment figures (including mostly unidentified-but recognizable figures like Oprah, Jesse Jackson, Bill Cosby, and Al Sharpton) all scheme to stop Freaknik once and for all. 

The rap group have little adventures along the way, such as a memorable stop at a white frat. They tangle with a rival rap group, who look just like them. They meet a car full ‘o bitches and a brand new bong. One of the "bitches" is a character from That Crook’d ‘Sipp, but with a different name. There is almost no continuity between the two specials, just reused assets. That’s probably a best case scenario for That Crook’d ‘Sipp, which is maybe one of my least favorite things I’ve ever watched on Adult Swim. This is far from the worst thing. In fact, it’s fairly solid. 

That Crook’d ‘Sipp felt like it was speaking an alien language, and was borderline incomprehensible. This doesn’t feel that way. But, and I mean this in a non-insulting way, this show doesn’t feel like it’s for me. It’s a flavor I have a bit of a shallow distaste for. This is ultimately a good thing! I like when shows get on the air that are very specific and meant to appeal to a certain segment of the population.

I could quibble with the humor here and there, but I don’t think this special was designed with specifically pleasing me in mind. So why don’t I focus on the positive, instead? In fact, why doesn't everyone do this when faced with stuff that's not specifically for them? Okay , here I go: the characters are colorful! A lot of the drawings are great, funny, and cartoony! Even when it felt like it was about to veer into broad, stereotypical humor, it still pleasantly surprised me by aiming higher! It wasn’t boring, and a lot of the songs were pretty goddamn great! 

I actively enjoyed three moments in particular. One was the bit where Tyra Banks goes undercover as a corpse. This was a parody of the time she went undercover as an obese person utilizing a fat suit. (whoops, I googled this, just because I thought maybe I was confusing her with the episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air where Will did that. Wait, wasn’t she on that show? Aw, geez!)

Moment two: the frat bros, who have their party shut down by the cops (you’ll hear famous white people Andy Sandburg and Bill Hader in this scene). When the cops leave, they lament being targeted by them, but then one says “I kinda like cops though, because they found the guy that killed my mom.” This right here is my favorite line in the show. 

The other part I liked, which I recalled from watching this way back when, was the scene where Al Sharpton is watching the news report that he died in his home after being struck by lightning. He looks around quizzically and then it happens. A lotta really fun cartoon gags like that are in this! I respect it!

Not my favorite thing to air on Adult Swim; not by a long shot. But the more I think about this show, especially its final act, the more I think that this special is pretty undervalued and underseen, and that’s a real shame. I honestly think that Adult Swim really should try to bring this back at some capacity. Maybe repeat it with a special promotion? Maybe a sequel? Maybe there’s a reason for it's absence that has nothing to do with Adult Swim or their parent company. But I think if they pushed this back out into the world and tried to get more eyes on it, only good things would come. 

MAIL BAG: 

From KON:

The funniest thing I ever said in my life was about Freaknik: The Musical. The special aired on the same night as the Oscars that year, the year that The Hurt Locker FAMOUSLY upset Avatar and won best picture. When the winner was announced, at one point they cut to James Cameron looking pissed. I said, "he's mad because he's missing Freaknik." Thank you, thank you

BIG LOL. I really do hope that he DVR’d it. And that he didn’t get it on DVD, because the DVD looks like shit. I hope he DVR'd it, or had a 1080p webrip from cartoonchaos on his seedbox.

THANK you for your neon knome review. As one of five people on planet earth who actually likes the problem solverz I'm glad to see another fan out there. Granted, PS was nowhere near as good as Neon Knome (even one of Ben Jones' own friends said it was 'too shouty'), but it's definitely not like, "Consistently and infamously ranked the worst cartoon of all time among a large amount of people" bad. Most of the hate seems to be from people who hate the brash art style and think the colors hurt their eyes, and from people who think that Alfe is annoying. I'll give them the latter, but like you said the style is very deliberate and I like how... 'visceral', it is, for lack of a better word. I unironically feel it was just too ahead of it's time and aired on the wrong network. This was when tumblr normies were geeking out over Adventure time, so something like this freaked them the F out and it stuck cause of word of mouth. Kinda like how Freddy Got Fingered was called 'the worst movie of all time' until pretty recently. I think if Neon Knome came out 15 years later, on [AS] in it's original form, people would love it. Cruelty Squad has like 10,000 positive reviews on Steam and it's just as visually abrasive/experimental as this is.

Thanks! Hopefully Criterion Channel will add Problem Solverz to it’s line-up so we can properly reassess it’s place in the culture at large. It does feel like if it got deleted by Zaslav that nobody in the world (except you and me, I guess) would stick up for it. People all snarkily saying “at least he got this one right”. The snark would be off the charts. The snark charts.