#but I still deserve respect

[red-n-ded]

Charbee Prompts Part 9

(inspired by a Barn Husbands Earthspark post by @sonderblade)

Charlie drives to Witwicky when she sees the beam that shut down all the cybertronians temporarily. She assumes that’s where Bee, her old best friend went. So she roommates with Tess Yeager, who’s attending Indiana Pennsylvania College, and takes up an automechanic job to investigate.

She stays for a couple months but is stuck with nothing since everyone in town is oddly secretive about Transformers and she's always prevented from reaching the rural areas by some accident or bad luck (or is it??"

After months of no luck or sign of any Autobot, she ends up meeting Twitch. Twitch was severely damaged while trying to train by herself and out of desperation to maintain her pride, she went to Charlie's autoshop as she was closing. Charlie was disappointed when Twitch states that she's not an Autobot but an Earth-born Transformer (plus Twitch refuses to expose any of the identities of her family and friends) but helps regardless. She’s not allowed to go out by herself so Charlie decides to be her personal medic when she gets hurt to drive off suspicion about her secret training sessions.

One day, Charlie decides to give up the search for Bee when her mom calls that she misses her. She goes to pack but Twitch comes crying to her because she got into an argument with her family. Tess catches Charlie comforting the sobbing Transformer and promises to keep her a secret and, ever the rebellious young adult, offers to drive her far away from Witwicky, taking a road trip to Texas to stay at Cade’s farmhouse for a while. Cade often drives to Witwicky to sell some of his inventions to an online buyer by the name of D.E Malto. He's quick to take Twitch in as a single father and a fan of the Transformers, especially Optimus which Tess teases that he has a celebrity crush on him.

Twitch finds Cade's father's presence comforting and talks about her stresses and learns that there’s a chance she might be the next prime. Charlie says that she needs to learn to appreciate her childhood and talk to her elders. Twitch is ready to go home but asks Charlie to come with her for support. Cade drives Charlie and follows Twitch.

They arrive at the farm and while Cade is parked from afar, Charlie and Tess walks with Twitch, who trusts the humans enough to introduce them to her family. The Maltos were all worried for Twitch since she was missing for five days with her location turned off, instantly hugging and crying when Twitch arrives and apologizing. Twitch introduces her family to the girls, assuring that they are nice and kept her safe. Alex and Dot are thankful that the girls kept their daughter safe and embraces them as family as well.

Charlie is happy that they know each other but her mood instantly shifts when Optimus, Elita and Megatron arrive, relieved and apologizing to Twitch. Charlie is in shock that Twitch is being trained by the Autobot. Twitch is afraid that Charlie would have a changed opinion on her.

"Charlie? Is something wrong? I promise I didn't lie to you. I really am not an Autobot. Are you mad?" "No, of course not. I just-" "Is that Twitch?! Oh thank Primus. You really scared us... Charlie?"

Bee arrives at the sound of Twitch's voice and is frozen when he sees Charlie standing next to her.

The two don't say anything but just stare. Everyone around them are confused and concerned, especially Twitch, until Bee breaks the silence.

"It's you. You're here and alive! I can't-" "B-127! WHAT ON EARTH WERE YOU THINKING! MAKING A CHILD A PRIME?? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND??"

Everyone is left shocked as a complete stranger scolds a 16-foot Autobot like he's a guilty husband who left the toilet seat up again. Bee tries to calm her down by crouching to her level but Charlie storms towards him and slaps him in the face, scolding him about putting pressure on young kids. (at this point, everyone is slowly backing away, afraid of witnessing a murder while Alex watches the one-sided argument with terrified recognition in his eye. "Godspeed Bee.")

The Maltobots are all concerned and asks what's going on since they never seen Bee being scolded like this before, not even from Optimus. "YOU FAKE YOUR DEATH AND THIS IS WHAT I HEAR?? YOU TRAINING A CHILD- A CHILD! TO BECOME A SOLDIER! I FIXED YOUR VOICE BOX WHEN IT GOT RIPPED OUT OF YOUR WHEN YOU WERE A FEW CENTURIES OLD! YOU HYPOCRITE!" At those words, Optimus, Elite and Megatron to recognize her as Charlie Watson, Bee’s first human friend and savior when he crashed onto Earth after holding back the Decepticons.

Charlie finally stops yelling when she sees that Bee hasn't said anything since she slapped him. "What?? Say something, you-" Bee just stares at her lovingly, mumbling, “You’re as beautiful as the day I left.”

Everyone on the farm freezes, shocked by Bee's words except for the Autobots. The Maltos and Tess on the other hand are appalled. "THEY KNOW EACH OTHER??" "Go get it girl! Dad is gonna flip!" Bee has a girlfriend?" "And she's human!" "Are they dating or married or-" "I never heard of Bumblebee having a partner or losing his voice box in any of the history books." "Well there's no true info on what happened after he held back the Decepticons." "I have so many questions." "Bee is going to have to explain this." But Bee doesn't care. It's only him and her, the girl who held his spark with the same hands that brought him back to life.

Charlie is frozen at the declaration, scanning the familiar lovesick face on Bee's faceplate staring at her like she hung the stars. Suddenly the two are in 1984, hours before the Autobots and the military arrive at her doorstep to take him away from her to fight in a never-ending war. Charlie is a depressed 18-year-old slow dancing to the 80's music playing in Bee's new radio, back when he was a small yellow beetle she bought at her uncle's junkyard. Both not saying word as they soak in the giddiness of the other reciprocating their feelings.

Back in the present, Charlie (now in her mid-50s) smiles out of exasperation, "You can't just say sh- stuff like that and get away with it. Absolute idiot." The two laugh and Charlie pulls him by the faceplate into a kiss. Everyone was rampaged.

After the loud clambering of questions and a quick minute of calming everyone down (plus the kids groaning at seeing two adults, including their mentor/uncle-figure, kiss), the couple is given a chance to explain.

Charlie has housing him for the past few years during his “death”. Charlie explains that she saw the beacon and knew it was Bumblebee so she has been staying with Tess, who weakly says hello and is outraged that Charlie had the ability to bagged such a handsome Transformer. Charlie and Tess explain and apologize to taking Twitch away on a trip. Alex and Dot are oddly forgiving since they suspect that Charlie is the reason for Twitch's sudden upbeat attitude.

Cade then arrives, asking what's taking Tess and Charlie so long since Charlie is going to miss her flight home. Tess and Charlie try to stop him before he sees the Transformers but Cade sees them anyways, absolutely stunned that Twitch knows the Autobots. Twitch explains that they went to Cade's barn at Texas for the trip and that he was very comforting when she needed it. The Maltos welcome him with open arms. Twitch goes to introduce Cade to everyone, including Bee, who is thankful for keeping his trainee and sparkmate safe, and Nightshade, who is revealed to be the secret buyer. Twitch goes to introduce him to the older Autobots but it turns out that Megatron, Elita and Optimus already knows him.

Seeing how flustered Optimus is and how softspoken Cade is, the Maltos scheme to have the three new humans stay for dinner but Charlie declines since she plans on going home but Bee and Twitch convince her to stay. Tess allows Charlie to stay as roommates as long as she wants. Charlie says yes which Bee happily cheers and grabs her to show her around the farm with the Maltobots excitedly following behind.

Tess then asks Optimus if he could show him around, Megatron and Elita playing along and encouraging the idea. Optimus tries to say no, afraid of imposing in Cade's time. "You're not imposing anything, don't worry. I would like to know the kind of stuff my inventions are being used for and... get to know you too." "Really?" "Yeah, you're really cool guy but that's all history books and news. I'd like to know you. The real Optimus." "Oh... I'd...like to get to know you too." "Smooth." "ELITA!" "I knew you liked humans but I didn't think it would be this much." "Megatron, I will cut you." "Have fun you crazy kids." "But not too much!" "ALEX! DOT! YOU TOO??"

(here's the link to the post I was talking about)

[claudia-lioncourt]

Daddy Lou said I had been away from people too long. I didn't know how to behave right anymore. But Uncle Les said I behaved just fine.

[deadsetobsessions]

Tim Drake, Danny’s human identity in this universe, is a boy trapped in an empty manor with absentee parents a low socialization.

Danny Phantom, on the other hand, is Gotham City himself. He could fly, he could interact, he could be the heart of his city like he needs to be. From the lowest of the lows to the highest of the highs, Danny loved the people that were his. Well, most of them. Child molesters often found themselves crossing paths with a vengeful, mostly recovered Robin.

He is the city, he is Gotham. And with his status came more changes, ones he welcomes more readily that the changes that came with his title of Ghost King.

Being a city couldn’t change him as much as it would have, had he gained the title before becoming King. But now, his shadows are dark, curling around his shoulders and curling away what little light he allowed into his city. His skin, having once glittered green with stars and galaxies and black holes, clouds over just a bit. It gives him a misty quality. His hands become sharper, stronger. Gargoyle-like. He wonders what he looked like to Batman, holding his broken son cradled safely to himself. He’s crueler, now, but that’s easily balanced by his years of being a vigilante himself.

He loves these changes. They are loved in a way changing into Dead Danny Phantom and Ghost King Danny Phantom will never be loved. And even though his human features are different in a way he never had to deal with as Danny Fenton, because it was his body that he died in, Danny finds himself enjoying the distinction. And he enjoys when they combine, because in the end, they’re just facets of who he is, now.

Gotham flies through his city, and enjoys it as a whole. A bigger picture.

Tim Drake walks through his city, and enjoys it as an individual. The smaller picture.

Being Gotham reminds him of what he had to protect as a whole. A duty he gladly bears.

Being Tim reminds him of the people he’s meant to help, the stories he doesn’t get as Danny. A connection he gladly encouraged.

Gotham is power. He is duty, he is fierce love. But for the good of the whole.

Tim is kindness. He is choice, he is gentle devotion. But for the good of the individual.

He’s both.

Danny. Danny Phantom.

Phantom glides through the smog.

The ebb and flow of people is his life blood, the thrumming of life and death and fear and hate and love and everything the city is sung through him and Danny sung back with everything he had. Danny is the gargoyles perched high, watching everything. He’s the stone curves of the sewers, sheltering his rats and mutant murderous crocodile man. The is no love comparable to a city’s mutant rats and their sewers. Ancients, he loves his city.

It would be nice, Danny thinks wryly, if they’d love me enough to stop blowing up buildings.

The sting of destruction to his city would hurt much more, had he not also been King. Regardless, every time there’s an explosion or general large scale property damage, he feels a stab of mild pain. Catching sight of his Bats, Danny stays invisible while following them. He wills the shadows to cradle them, to hide them further. He softens the stone, the mortar, the steel, just a hint. Their footsteps, silent and aided by the city himself. The wind steal away the noise of the grappling guns, so when Danny’s favorite vigilante duo (a fascination he shared with original text!Tim) broke into the building, not a single soul aside them are aware of the intrusion.

Batman skulks across the support beams, Robin following with an anticipatory grin. Danny floats, invisible, undetectable, besides them.

“C’mon!” A goon grunts beneath them. Danny tilts his head. A… Dresden Aberthy. Wow. That’s one hell of a name.

“Hurry it up! Boss said Batman’s going to get here soon!” Another goon- Robbert- said, waving around a gun like a moron at the terrified hostages. Danny could tell half of them were part of a tour bus, mostly because the other half were his Gothamites, bored and unfairly used to this kind of thing. The tourists… He’s fond of them, having kept track of their progress through his city. He doesn’t care for intruders on his haunt, but tourists like to appreciate his city and its doubtlessly Sam-approved architecture. Most of them. Rude tourists get pigeon shit on their heads and food stolen by his lovely rats.

He’ll have to make sure none of the bullets hit the tourists. He likes this group, even if he has enough awareness to question their sanity in choosing his city to sightsee. He knows it’s a mess. It’s Danny’s mess though, so whatever.

——

All said and done, Batman whoops ass and Robin rescues the hostages just fine. Danny grins proudly as Robin knees a guy in the crotch and punches a lady’s throat in order to incapacitate them.

After they tied the goons up, and interrogated them for Two Face’s plans- explode a quarter of Gotham to distract the Bats from his diabolical plan to murder half of Gotham’s judges and lawyers that have been going after him and his people- the duo retreats to the rooftop.

“Didja think Gotham saw that?”

Batman goes to reply, but Danny beats him to it, coming back to visibility with a wind touched laugh.

“I did, little Robin.” Danny smiles, fangs and shadows on display as his vigilantes startles and whips around to face him. “You did well.”

Robin- Jason!- gapes at him.

“I see you’ve recovered, little bird.”

“Gotham! Oh. Wow. People always said Gotham was a lady, but you’re a guy!”

“It was a Lady,” Danny confirmed. “It’s complicated, little bird.”

“So, you’re really… you’re really Gotham? The city?”

Danny looks at Robin with the weight of the city behind his gaze.

“I think you know the answer to that. But yes, I am your city.”

“Constantine,” Batman starts. “He said that city spirits only appear in times of grave danger.”

There is deference in his words. Batman is Batman for Gotham, after all. Danny just wishes he could… well, be friendlier with his knights. May this is a good place to start.

Are you in danger? What threats do we need to handle? How can I help? How can I protect? Please, let me help.

His Knight always felt more than he ever says. Danny smiles.

“Was Robin’s wellbeing not in grave danger?” Danny floats closer. “I am your city. You protect me, it is only right that I protect you, no?”

“Thank you for saving me, Gotham!” Robin’s grin is a touch more sincere than usual.

“Of course, Robin. You are loved.”

“Is there… a reason you’ve shown yourself today? Gotham.”

Danny chuckles, understanding the awkwardness that was Batman addressing someone with deference.

“I wanted to tell you that you did well tonight. Those tourists weren’t harmed in the slightest. Well done.” Danny gave Robin a playful but sincere thumbs up.

“They weren’t a match for us!”

“No, they weren’t.” Danny ruffles Robin’s hair, noticing how still he grew at it. “Robin was too fast for them. That maneuver at the end was masterfully executed.”

Batman clears his throat and Danny resists the urge to laugh at him. It would be mean.

“Thank you, for the… praise.”

Fuck it. He’s played well behaved for too long.

“Yes. I read in child rearing books that positive reinforcement is necessary for healthy development. You did well, Batman.”

Despite trolling Batman- and somehow holding a straight (and hopefully wise face)- he meant every word.

Allowing a small smile to slip at Robin’s chortles and Batman’s quiet sputtering, Danny moves on.

“Where is Nightwing, Batman?”

“He’s still on a mission...”

“If it is awkward to refer to me as Gotham, Phantom will do.”

Batman dips his head once. “In space, with the Teen Titans.”

“I see. Please tell him I request his presence,” Danny barely waits for Batman’s oddly acquiescing agreement before summoning a pigeon.

“Follow her,” Danny instructs the duo. “She’ll lead you to the places with explosives. I will guide you through her, to Harvey Dent.”

Danny winces as another explosion rings out.

“Your face is cracking!” Robin exclaimed, worried. He surged forward to stare at the hairline cracks appearing on Danny’s jaw.

“That would be the explosives. Any damage to the city will be shown on me.”

“Well take care of it.” Batman growled, shoulders straightening once more into an imposing symbol.

“Yeah!”

“I know you will. Stay safe.” Danny disappears, spreading his awareness and directing his Birds to the explosives that will go off the fastest.

Batman and Robin share a glance and leaps off the roof, ready to save their city once more.

——

Tim Drake wanders around Crime Alley, and meets a blonde nine year old trying to throw hands at her absentee Riddler knockoff of a dad. He dodges the brick en route to his face and kicks the guy’s knees out.

“You okay?”

The girl blinks. She stares at her dad, groaning on the dirty street of crime alley, and flicks her gaze back up to Tim, who waits casually.

“Yep. I’m Stephanie. We’re gonna be friends now!”

She grins at him, a baby tooth missing, and Danny melts.

“Heck yeah. Tim!” He introduces himself for the first time in a long time.

Maybe with Stephanie around, he’ll finally use the name Tim? Maybe he’ll get used to it, finally!

[unpersoniverse]

Skén:nen sá:sewh

as promised, here's Precious boy™ getting kissed by Precious wife™ because he deserves all the love in the world :cc

translation: Get home safe

[sapphic-agent]

I can't believe how mixed-up the fandom (and the LOK writers) get Katara and Zuko's characters.

I want to make this clear, just because she grew up during the war, doesn't mean Katara was forced to fight. I honestly don't know where people get this from. Her cultural norms very blatantly dictate for her not to. It was something she vehemently struggled against to be able to do. It was always her initiative and choice to fight because that's who Katara is; a warrior.

Hell, she's even reveled in dominating her opponents and showing off her skills in battle

But you know who was forced to fight? You know whose skewed concepts of honor dictated him to fight? You know whose society urged him towards participating in war? You know who was the most at-ease and relaxed working peacefully in his uncle's tea shop?

The entire concept of Zuko's character is that he doesn't easily thrive as a warrior and doesn't enjoy fighting if he can avoid it. One of the key things he learns post-redemption is that fire isn't just a force of destruction, it's also life and passion. And that's what allows him to be a better firebender later.

So it makes no sense that Katara gave up on fighting before Zuko. And don't misunderstand, both of them should have been still relatively active (because Zuko is a warrior too and the point of this post is not to claim he isn't). But between the two of them, Zuko would have been the one to embrace peace and retire

[midnight-soulless-system]

Btw if you believe that prisons should be abolished and criminals should be treated with respect, you should also include offending pedophiles, zoophiles, and people who have done hate crimes, people who have torture others, etc.

[the-ships-to-rule-them-all]

the level at which people are misusing the term "Never Again" in the far left absolutely infuriates me.

"Never Again" doesn't refer to the idea of no more genocides -- unfortunately people are evil and corrupt and seek scapegoats and destruction, there were genocides in the years following the Holocaust, there were genocides 10 years ago, there are multiple genocides going on as we speak

"Never Again" means we as Jews will pay attention to the warning signs, will not mindlessly allow antisemitism to fester and take over our communities, we will fight back. it means we will be proud. it means we will not let you hate us without a word of refusal.

"Never Again" is a warning for us, it is a reminder that what happened then can happen now -- is happening now. The Far Left doesn't get to use it against us. You don't get to turn our tragedies into hate-speech and antisemitic rhetoric.

Am Yisrael Chai

[misslilies]

"Who knows why we do the things we do. Somehow bouncing those ideas off the man with sunglasses felt calming. Like you've done it before."

[hopeswriting]

tsuna is the patron saint of the mundane, of the normal and common place, of the average and unimpressive. he's the unshakable believer of that being enough in and of itself, of that being fulfilling and fundamental to achieve happiness. and he's the unyielding protector and defender of the beauty and love and kindness within the ordinary, of the holy and divine and sacred within it, and of them being worth fighting for.

tsuna's the guy who makes the ordinary extraordinary from the sheer way he holds it so very close to his heart like it's the most precious thing in the world, and it's the thing about him i, for one, love him most for

[nessacousland]

Well, I finally finished Dragon Age: Friendship is Magic and that is *my* biggest regret.

[simplykorra]

i'm really here...i'm alive

[thinwhitedoc]

SHERLOCK | Martin Freeman as John Watson

[messiahzzz]

When I came across that "joke" from Tav to Quill and Z'rell's comment (plus Halsin), I had to take a minute to process what happened. Gale might be a bit silly and eccentric but he's the kindest, sweetest and most passionate character in that party. No wonder the poor man has deep insecurities to solve, so many people reduce him to an easy target! Ofc one of the side effects would be overconfidence and ambition as a defense mechanism. He's obv lonely; only Tara and Morena ever loved him for him.

his eccentric nature might be a part of it. he is loquacious, outgoing, and doesn’t see the point in hiding his enthusiasm. he is considered to be the weird one. naturally, wizards in general being seen as somewhat squishy and physically weak might also add to it.

personally, i really don’t like the implications of the (widely considered) autistic-coded character being the one who faces the most ridicule by far by other characters and fans (and larian) alike.

some might disagree with me on that, but i don’t find it funny by any means either. mostly it just makes me feel bad. “he deserves it. cocky, arrogant, hubris-ridden wizard needs to be taken down a peg” like he isn’t… y’know… already at his lowest. it also disregards the fact that much of his bravado is part of his carefully curated Great Wizard of Waterdeep™ persona that he has skillfully adopted to mask his general feeling of being defective. being fiercely proud of your skill and knowledge and being doubtful of having something truly worthwhile to offer are mindsets that can coexist. according to fandom, gale is either secret hubris incarnate that is only waiting to be unleashed upon the world or pure baby that can do no wrong. instead of a character that is just as flawed and traumatized as all the others, but no less deserving of genuine love.

to me, the constant ridicule just reads as further feeding into his deep-rooted insecurities and his belief that he (as gale, the person) isn’t someone who holds inherent worth. it really, really doesn’t sit well with me.

[unordinary-diary]

What if I made some super dope fanarts with like, proverbs on them?

Like this sorta. Like a top text bottom text meme but all edgy and cool. What then? Could the world handle it?

[pass-me-the-dilfs]

Hot take but fat people are valid even when they aren't" healthy". Like believe it or not fat people deserve basic human rights and dignity even if they eat nothing but fast food and never exercise.

[topaziraphale]

"Stop saying Crowley won't help Aziraphale in S3 he'd go back to him in a HEARTBEAT and nothing would stop him" I get it no one likes the idea of Crowley being bitter after what happened for a long period of time but like can we at least acknowledge that he's currently going through probably the most emotional pain in his life since falling? Can we agree that he's opened his heart entirely - something you couldn't pay him to do unless the world is literally ending and he's desperate - to Aziraphale, and got shot down? Can we understand that he did it AGAIN only to lose Aziraphale again? Not that what Aziraphale did isn't without Crowley's own shortcomings (hiding the truth of Heaven's cruelty from him) but like,,,,

The appeal here isn't Scorned Crowley Doesn't Love Aziraphale Anymore, or Never Wants To Help Him Again, the appeal here is Crowley learning enough self respect to not just walk back right to Aziraphale like nothing happened after Aziraphale has had a pattern of consistently refusing him. Going years ping-ponging between "We're not friends I don't even know him" to "That's what friends are for right?" and "We're friends, why would you even say anything?" and "Friends? We're not friends. We are an angel and a demon!"

Like I get it, Crowley is a heartbreakingly forgiving person. Of course he's gonna forgive Aziraphale, I'll be surprised if he didn't forgive him by the time he walked out the bookshop door, but gdi he could at least grant himself the luxury of being at least a little irritated for longer than however long it takes to make a globe and some books float and angrily cry out to God in his flat. But due to the change of pace and dynamic that is establishing part of the conflict for Season 3, I just really like the idea of him for ONCE prioritizing himself and being like "Okay, fine. We'll get back at it when you're ready, then," instead of just taking Aziraphale back like his words and actions meant nothing to him, when clearly they have an effect on him.

What is Aziraphale going to learn if Crowley just accepts what he did so quickly, like he always has the entire time they've been friends? Idk maybe I'm just projecting too much darkness on their dynamic but I mean, if the pattern of Aziraphale pushing Crowley away/disrespecting him one day and then being fine with his friendship the next + Crowley never stopping to be like "Hey, that's not cool, at least give me a little credit" or smth was fine all along and will continue to be fine in the future, then why, after 6,000 years of being friends and loving this demon, can Aziraphale still not accept that Crowley is just fine the way he is, and instead got excited to promote him to an angel in a heartbeat once the opportunity presented itself? You can't blame all of it on Heaven when Aziraphale has demonstrated his free will/defiance to Heaven so many times. Or, I don't know, I guess maybe we can? Maybe I'm just craving too much angst to the point where I'm letting it cloud my analysis of canon. Idk.