#but also love Branch being sad and traumatized

[ineffablelara]

I'm aware I'm being extremely annoying and bitchy right now but I'm so bothered by the way some people treat Loki as a delicate little baby instead of the badass, powerful and ancient God he is

Like, I get it, his ending in the show was sad but no, I don't think Loki spends his days crying about his situation, I don't think he's scared and desperate, I don't think he'll be traumatized when he leaves the tree, I don't think he's having the time of his life there either, it's a hard and lonely job but he knows someone's gotta do it, just like he knows he's the best person to do it

He spends s2 trying to explain to Sylvie that she can't just give people free will and walk away because that's not how it works, he knows that if you want to give people freedom you also have to make sure they'll be safe to fully enjoy their freedom, you can't just leave them to fend for themselves when you know full well they're powerless to stop the horrors that may come with their newfound freedom

When he explains to her that they can reform the TVA so they can protect the people living on the timelines she says they would be playing God if they did that but Loki says that they are indeed Gods and walks away frustrated by her lack of understanding of the situation

The more mature Loki we see in the show doesn't view his Godhood as something that puts him above other people, he views it as something that gives him the responsability to take care of those who can't defend themselves, there's no arrogance in his voice when he says that they can protect the new multiverse with a reformed TVA, he doesn't say "I can protect them" he says "we", he's not separating and positioning himself above the TVA workers, he wants to work with them, he genuinely just wants the best for everyone: for the people on the timelines to be safe and for the agents who feel at home in the TVA to keep doing their job

All this to say that Loki doesn't view his fate as a punishment, he's doing what he wanted to do from the beginning, OF COURSE he didn't want it to be like that, he thought he could just stay in the TVA and help them fight the HWR variants by going on misisons and stuff, OF COURSE he wishes he could have a more "ordinary" life (I mean, is it really ordinary when you're living inside an organization where time doesn't pass and constantly traveling through time?)

BUT

We have to keep in mind that Loki isn't a stupid little human like the rest of us, his perception of things is not like ours, we are limited and weak, he  wields infinite power and wisdom now, for all we know he can project his mind and consciousness into any timeline he wants and interact with people if he wants, I kinda HATE when I see people writing Loki in fics as if he's this helpless pathetic thing after he leaves Yggdrasil, like, the man can create portals to ANY place he wants to go (let's not forget that he conjured the portal to the citadel while holding the branches and also materialized the stairs that lead to his throne), he can sustain entire countless universes with the touch of his fingers, I promise you he's not the helpless babygirl we all love to call him

I just...

It's so frustrating to see people acting as if Loki is just a random scared human who was tossed in the center of the multiverse tree instead of being the God who fucking created it, I think that's bc some people relate to him and they kinda start forgetting who he actually is, maybe it's just another way to woobify him but idk, it realy annoys me

Anyway, I’m sorry if I’m being annoying, but I really needed to get this off my chest. I’m not saying that Loki doesn’t feel sad at times or that he doesn’t miss his friends—because I absolutely believe he does. I just think that, deep down, he’s proud of himself for being able to take care of everyone. He understands that it’s his responsibility as a God, and he accepts it without trying to make things easier for himself, unlike HWR. After all, that’s the difference between a human playing god and an actual God fulfilling his role as a protector of people in need.

[lyshasgf]

Trolls 3 Spoilers!(I think? Not much spoilers in this but just in case)

I swear if trolls 4 (If there is one) doesn't talk about the family issues with Poppy and Viva + The brozone WITHOUT humour in it i will cry

Also with all of them singing together pls

Almost every Trolls scene where they talk about dark issues is always covered up with humour and i find it annoying lol

The second hand embarrassment i got when Branch confronted Viva about being scared to go out of her comfort zone!?!?!? "But i was living...without pants.." was so unnecessary😭

And when Branch told the bros that grandma Rosiepuff was dead and Clay just said "Grandma was eaten?" That's definitely everybody's response to hearing their family member is dead!/sarc

If you're gonna add sad stuff in a child's movie, there's no need to sugarcoat it to be "family friendly" might aswell not add it in the first place ig? I'd be okay if it was only ocassionally but it's almost in every sad scene in the trolls franchise

In trolls 1, when Branch revealed his past to the snack pack, Cooper said "My uncle broke his neck tapdancing once." Obviously to sugarcoat the scene

(Idk about trolls 2 lol)

And the same thing happens in trolls 3

Anyway, why they keep traumatizing my son Branch😞

Like he lost his grandma in the 1st movie and almost died, legit got left behind by Poppy and almost died again in the second movie, and now he got abandoned by his brothers(and almost died again lol)!?

How am i supposed to watch the first movie now that i know his true backstory😭

Anyway

Me asf eating up all the trolls 3 fanfics:

Anyway, PLEASE REQUEST ART IDEAS!!

Preferably trolls or maybe TADC i'm js having artblock rn lol

Also maybe asks about the fandom above!!

Look at my last post for more info!(or not, this basically sums it up lol)

Remember to eat, drink and that people love you!!

Til next post<3

-Dolly♡

[alicerosejensen]

Where It All Began

Warning: a little angst, fear for the loss of a partner, caring, open final, fem/reader.

Synopsis: He will always be afraid of losing you and will not forgive himself if something happens to you.

A/N: I don't know what it is. It's just necessary to throw out these emotions somewhere. I like to write such lyrics to sad melodies that make me long for someone who's gone… (I am the queen of drama)

Leon never wanted to let anyone get too close to him. Long-term scars respond with pain and fear that at any moment a zombie will appear behind his back, clutching his shoulder with its jaws, tearing off the flesh, so he was always calmer alone. Perhaps of course not always, before Raccoon City he was less traumatized, even loved the girl with whom he naively thought to spend his life until she left him before leaving, but now Leon thinks that it was for the best. That rookie cop has been gone for a long time. He remained buried under the ashes of the destroyed city.

In his eyes there remains a lost light and not dead nobility. The desire to save every innocent life that is being taken away by corrupt corporations. There are few like Leon, but… he never fully appreciated his life. It wasn't even modesty, he just considers himself an instrument of the government. An ordinary pawn and never denies it.

Love is disgusting and causes pain when the object of your adoration is not around. Leon ignored that dull ache in his chest just like he ignored his feelings for you. He couldn't even figure out exactly when it started with him, you were one of those he saved and who didn't haunt him in nightmares, but you appeared in others and brought fleeting comfort, making him want to feel warmth and affection, You made him be so needy, but when he flirted with you, you only responded to a minor flirtation with your friendship.

Perfect love comes softly

Do you know all these poets beautifully praising a deep light feeling that also becomes a sweet poison that drives you crazy? Beautiful words will come to mind, the heart will want to do things for the sake of a loved one and Leon really wants to hold you in his hands and his heart. At the same time, he is afraid of being tied down, but this feeling grows in him like a branching tree that he gently cherishes looking at you, helping to do some little things.

No matter how much his soul broke into pieces after all the encounters with bioweapons, it was you who arranged it to blossom with renewed vigor with your beautiful inner light.

It was as if your hand was always outstretched for you to take him home, and he could heal all wounds and dispel longing by pressing his head against your rhythmically beating heart.

But Leon is not going to say "I love you." He is so afraid of these words, as if after their utterance there will be another outbreak that will take the lives of thousands of innocent people. He doesn't want to bring you to tears, he doesn't want you to worry about him, and he knows that he has nothing to offer you, so why then does this feeling that you evoke in him so much choke him, causing tears in his eyes when he sees that someone else showing romantic interest in you?

To his angel, who each time leads him out of the darkness to the warm light. For which he is still fighting.

Actually, this guy is cute, he doesn't hurt you, but Leon can't be happy. Only time after time he asks himself why, out of many saved, it is you, an ordinary civilian, who arouse such a feeling in him?

The storm clouds melt with you when you walk with him along the snowy sidewalks with a cup of hot coffee in your hands, discussing some everyday things, and Leon again catches every word, suppressing the desire to take his beloved by the hand, running his thumb over your knuckles. He looks into those lovely tired eyes that shine for him like a monument to the hope of something else worth fighting for. Then these tales of eternal pure love no longer seem so cloying and fictional.

And if something happens to you again, God forbid, he is ready to dig one grave for two.

Some new kind of love and Leon doesn't care at all that your boyfriend looks so enviously at how you dance with him, laughing joyfully, hugging him as a friend. Let someone dare to touch you - he can be rude not only to the bastards of the zombie creator.

Once you told him that despite the monsters living in the world, this world is not bad at all.

"Only you will never be mine in this world,"

Leon did not say it out loud, but clenched his jaw, lowering his gaze. From this thought, the world really became more and more terrible.

You were his angel even though he has big problems with religion.

Paradise could be found in your arms. You were more reliable than any honest words when you stroked his back hugging him in a difficult hour while he was not ashamed of his helplessness squeezed you in his vice. You've never manipulated him. They broke him, beat him, and you healed him. It was possible to be silent with you without feeling awkward. It is when Leon finally breaks down that he finally comes to you because his love poisons him. It hurts even when it becomes difficult for you to breathe and your lungs can't inhale enough oxygen because of this steel grip.

"I've lost so many people, but I can't lose you…" his head was buried in your neck and you could feel warm lips on your skin.

He could have hidden you from everyone, but he didn't let his selfishness get the better of his mind. That's why Leon doesn't want to leave, grabbing your face, staring intently into your eyes, leaning against your forehead. He wants to make tender love to you, forcing you to grab his shoulders, shouting a long "Leon" so that the sheets crumple to hell and your cheeks turn red from the heat while he takes possession of you. he wants more than anything to cover every inch of your body with kisses, grab your hands, interlacing your fingers and tell the stupid guy to get off you.

Leon loves to kiss this nose, although he does it for the first time being afraid of what is happening in it. The world will stop being so disgusting again because there is a house in which there is love….

And yet Leon is afraid. He allows himself an acceptable amount of destroying the fragile edge of friendship by laying you under him, whispering various pleasant epithets promising how you will feel good with him but then… You know yourself that this person is afraid of attachment and in the morning your heart will break into a million pieces when he leaves. Therefore, with tears on your cheeks, your palms are on his chest when you push him away from you, looking away.

"I'm sorry," Leon whispers, holding his hands on your waist when he realizes that this is the end.

You didn't accept his love and it's his fault that salty tears flow down your sweet cheeks that he loved so much. His wounded heart begins to bleed and if you understood this, you would never turn away from him. It wasn't worth destroying this fragile friendship because now that he realized that you don't have feelings for him, everything collapsed like a house of cards. Despite the fact that his soul screams from injustice, Leon does not dare to accuse you, so he calmly lets go of his love, knowing that he will look for a ghostly trace in the beloved place where you most often met.

Every day.

His beautiful love that still burns in his chest. He wanted so much to know the desired happiness with you, but you can't force someone to love, so he leaves, closing the door behind him and not understanding the reason for your tears, because you, just like him, were afraid that your heart would break…

[atopvisenyashill]

Killing Jaehaera off was completely unnecessary and it would've been better if she was the mother of Aegon III's kids.

I personally would have loved it he had married Jaehaera and Daenaera because I think there's room in the narrative for both girls.

I think the reason George changed it (besides getting invested in the Velaryons as he wrote out the backstory) was because he wanted some sort of commentary on the lasting legacy of the Dance - Aegon usurps his sister and kicks off a whole violent war for the throne, only for his line to end with a mad little girl, and then die off completely. Rhaenyra lets revenge color her actions during the war and adds to the death, misery, and escalation of violence all so her line can descend from her only for the history books to record that they descend from Daemon, and there’s nothing Aegon III can do to change it. In a way, despite everything, the lines of both Rhaenyra and Aegon end with them. This war that claimed the lives of their children, their lovers, their families, was completely fruitless and useless; all that's left at the end is orphans, and history books that will call Aegon and Rhaenyra both usurpers. It's very sad commentary, for sure, but I get why it was so important to George to kill Jaehaera off (to a certain extent). It's just he did it in the most George way possible lmao and it doesn't hit the way I think he intended it to.

But it could have! Which is so frustrating! He could have 100% had them both in the narrative easily - just have Daenaera be a lady of the court and a friend of Jaehaera's! Jaehaera can take in Daenaera as a lady to help smooth things over with that branch of the Velaryons (who are probably still pissed off because Alyn is a bastard and everyone in Westeros hates Baela for doing #HotGirlShit). Jaehaera is mother to Daeron, Baelor, and Daena, and kills herself/is murdered right after Daena is born. I think having a daughter of her own is an interesting trigger for her trauma - like, your husband having the same cursed name as your father who died miserable and alone, with only you for family, and then watching your husband hold your first daughter? More than enough to trigger an episode, and leave it vague as whether she threw herself onto the spikes or someone simply took advantage of her being scared and alone & pushed her.

Maiden’s Day happens and there's a lot of nerves because the last time the King got remarried, the Dance happened. Different circumstances because Aegon has two sons, to be sure, but I'm positive half the realm is thinking "what if he chooses wrong and we get another Otto Hightower." Baela and Rhaena present Aegon’s new bride, then point to the beautiful but quiet, also grieving Daenaera Velaryon, and Aegon just accepts it because he knows Daenaera won’t oppose Jaehaera’s children (they were friends, also Daenaera is now scarred by the violence of Jaehaera’s death). Daenaera is as uninterested in him as he is in her; the twins present a way for him to remarry without forcing him out of his comfort zone (which neither Aegon nor Jaehaera ever liked to be) while backing Daenaera into an offer she can’t refuse. Continuing on the use of traumatized women as pawns, the twins clawing for their own power and relevancy as the Regents, Small Council, and now even Aegon’s sons steal it away from them, a move that is as “girlboss” esque for them as it horrifying for Daenaera. This way, you still get the Blackfyres descending from Jaehaera (and the Greens), you get the Velaryons in there more, you get Maiden's Day and Daenaera.

I think this scenario - where Jaehaera is mother to Daena and the Blackfyres, and Daenaera to the two youngest girls - doesn't make a huge difference in the grand plan, BUT it does make some things more interesting. It adds a really interesting echo from Viserys I and Rhaenyra’s children to Aegon’s - how easily these bonds between half siblings can be turned sour if only their lives are just a bit different. Daena, daughter of Jaehaera, falling to the generational Targaryen curses of dying young, of accidentally kicking off a succession crisis simply because she desired sexual agency. Elaena, daughter of Daenaera, escaping these curses through her politicking, her skill, siding against the nephew she adores and helped raise to try to escape Daena and Jaehaera’s fates. Not to mention having Aegon II’s line end with his daughter, then morph into the usurping Blackfyres is a great narrative choice!

It’s all right there!! The themes!!! It all goes back and back, this family enacting continent destroying violence against each other all for the privilege of sitting on that ugly, spiky chair. But no we get Daenaera the hot six year old instead. SmFh.

[ilikelookingatthings]

Anyone else kind of hope in the next Trolls movie they might properly adress the trolls becoming Grey thing?

because in the first movie they make a point that Among all of the trolls in the village Branch is the only Grey one due to the trauma of feeling like it was his fault his granny died and he felt it was the music's fault because he lured the Bergans over because he wasn't paying attention. He avoided hug time and seemed to put up a front to push the others away...but by the end of the movie he was okay with hug time and was able to bring back everyone else's colors and got his colors which were much brighter back.

and we saw all the trolls go grey and demoralized when poppy got sarcastic and felt hopeless....but Branch was living in a relatively peaceful settlement for ages and wasn't doomed to be eaten and was atcvely doing his best to prepare and fight against those type of scenerios...so its not just the hopeless factor right?

but what I don't get is Branch goes from super grey to super bright blue...but then in the following movies he was bright but then got darker?

like on one hand in the second movie he felt a bit off to me because he was supposedly more positive due to not being grey anymore so felt like he had more difficulty calling poppy out..but what I don't get is he is clearly much darker in this third movie then he was before? what happened to his colors? why did no one bring it up?

like does it come and go? can he shift his colors now depending on how he feels? but we also saw how there WAS a bias about him being kind of weird and grey so why does him being greyier not get adressed by anyone if those bright colors f his were so hard won in the first movie?

also what about his brothers? I know its been a while since they've been around branch so they don't know the specifics about him being grey before(which feels odd they never brought up) but do they not think his colors aren't as bright as they used to be?

also his brothers' colors (aside from bruce/spruce and maybe clay's hair) seemed to be not as bright...like their bods seem to bathc but werent they all bright colored before on the body? did they just naturally fade?

did his brothers turn Grey at all?

cuz honestly it seem difficult to get a troll sad enough for them to be grey..let alone stay Grey...and considering all of troll villaige went through the trauma of having been systematically eaten for a LONG LONG time and the only Gray one was Branch...like maybe its because he was a impressionable child it stuck harder? but I have questions...

like they make a clear point that princess/queen Viva has strong similarities/paranoia to Branch but she also clearly hasn't lost her colors...is it because she was forcing herself to stay positive and be strong for the other trolls she was protecting? but what about Clay? he has bright hair but has his odd sad hut he was choosing as his room and is the one who seemed to be doing the fire exits and the like..and Viva seems way more traumatized....but they at least seemed to semi listen to him...

so is it a socialization things? like everyone in viva's kingdom still seemed on edge so Clay got to actually feel more listened to and included unlike how all of the trolls kind of brushd off all of branch's warnings due to his 'the red coats are coming' vibe and his dismissal of their choice to cope with trying to forget and move on?

Bruce/Spruce has the love of his life and his family with the muppets so still seemed pretty bright....but i'm definitly stll curious.

especially about John Dory...because he was the eldest child and he left but when he came back he literally thought EVERYONE had died...and he had no way to know if his other brothers were alive either. He seems to be pretty upbeat honestly with some similar vibes to Poppy...but he definitely seems duller...but we know branch turning grey definitely was connected to seeing the grandma die/be taken...but also since most of the trolls had to deal with the bergens they all must have lost someone at sometime to the Bergens but they weren't Grey....but if Branch turned Grey over the grandma...its hard to imagine John Dory NOT turning Grey afetr thinking every troll he knew was dead including grandma and bitty B and most probably his other brothers...

but did he get his colors back recently after hearing about branch and teh pop trolls after they were discovered in the second movie after complete isolation? or was it earlier due to taking care of his catterpillar bus?

like...I'm kindof curious about how they can adress the grey aspect.

though I am applauding the implication of them showing the hug time aspect isn't just for socialization and care...it seems to be a biological need as basically having all his energy sucked out/talent...floyd came back to life after they were all around him giving him a hug...it wasn't even a 'spray my talent on him to see of it would bring him back' thing...it was literally hugs that saved flyod which gets so interesting thinking about all the other hug times as well as the affects on branch who avoided hug times as much as possible when he turned grey...also...how come we don't really see the other genre's of trolls with the hug time braclets...

also was it just me or were the trolls using their hair less in the third movie?

[chipmunkfanno1love]

Branch and Floyd brotherly duet

Branch and Floyd definitely are my favourite sibling duo out all of the sibling duos in the Trolls franchise. Their brotherly love for each other is so tender and sweet, and their moments as youngsters were particularly adorable. I can't wait to see more moments with them as adults later in the franchise. I'd love to see how their relationship has grown now that they're both adults.

One thing I would really love to see in future films and/or shorts is them singing a duet together. Not only because I think their voice actors Justin Timberlake and Troye Sivan would sound amazing together, but also because I believe it would show how tender their relationship is through music.

I could see it either as a flashback with them as youngsters and/or a duet of them as adults. Both is my preference.

Branch and Floyd brotherly duet settings:

1. Maybe we could have a scene with Floyd comforting Branch (or vise-versa) and begins to sing to him. Branch joins in and the two sing a heartfelt duet.

2. Teenage Floyd singing Baby Branch a lullaby and Baby Branch joins the song in duet. Adult Branch later starts singing it to Adult Floyd to help him sleep after his traumatic experience with Velvet and Veneer.

3. They sing a duet in dedication to their late grandma. That or they do the lead solos in a group number with their brothers.

4. They share a playful riff-off over coffee much like Branch does in Trolls Holiday (0:19 to 0:42):

One song I think would make a great cover for Branch and Floyd is the song Space Between from the Disney Channel movie Descendants 2. I personally think the lyrics really suit the characters e.g. Branch as Mal (Dove Cameron) and Floyd as Evie (Sofia Carson). The soft, bittersweet tune would also go beautifully with their actors voices. I definitely imagine Justin Timberlake and Troye Sivan singing a slow song with a sad or at least bittersweet tune to it. I can also see room for some powerful high notes.

Since this song is owned by Disney (DreamWorks' rival company), I doubt that DreamWorks will be able to do a cover version of this song 😕, but I definitely would use it as inspiration for an original song for these two cuties. 😁💕 Here's my idea below:

Space Between by Dove Cameron (Mal) and Sofia Carson (Evie):

Space Between "Male" Cover (I don't who the artists are. For all I know they could have simply made the original singers voices deeper):

I could see the song being set after Floyd learns of their grandma being eaten. I imagine that Branch tries to hide this fact from his favourite brother (under the guise that she's away at a rummy competition with her girl friends), partly because he doesn't want to upset him but more because he feels ashamed as Floyd asked him to take care of her and he feels like he failed his brother as well as their grandma. Eventually one of their other brothers (I'm thinking John Dory) accidentally let's it slip that their grandma got eaten. Floyd is heartbroken and very disappointed in Branch for lying to him as they were always open and honest with each other. Branch runs away and hides in shame.

Eventually Floyd comes to comfort Branch, much to his surprise as he thought Floyd was mad at him. Floyd says that he isn't mad at him, only disappointed that he didn't tell him the truth sooner. He's also heartbroken to learn of Grandma Rosiepuff's death and that Branch was alone for so long. He asks Branch to forgive him for leaving him, blaming himself for not being there for Branch when their grandma died. When Branch tells the story of how their grandma died he says it was his fault but Floyd reassures him it isn't his fault and it was just an accident.

The two grieve their grandma and comfort each other, leading to a sad yet soft and sweet duet between them. They are later joined by the rest of their brothers and they decide as group to have a memorial service for her (which Poppy and Viva also attend). Branch and Floyd write a song in commeration of their grandma and do the lead solos in the Brozone performance

As for Young Floyd and Baby Branch singing together I could see it happening like Instagram artist, goldietheoreo's animatic "A Million Dreams".

Maybe Young Floyd could be writing a song and Baby Branch joins him for it. I think that would be cute. 😊💕

What are your thoughts and headcanons for Branch and Floyd duet? I'd love to hear them.

[kkpaaw]

FOR REAL Branch and the rest of his brothers have known each other barely any of their lives. Really they know nothing about Branch, and Branch only knows what little he can recall of them. I want more of that explored in fics so bad, and the fact that really they STILL don't know each other by the end of TBT- No way they were gone any longer than like a week, and that isn't enough time to really get to know someone, especially when they've got other things to think about (And of course, the fact they don't know what Branch's childhood was like, always love people making content of his bros discovering that)

My first ask! Hello Anon! Nice to meet ya!

YES EXACTLY! I truly wish more fanfics covered this sad reality of the broz cuz its heart wrenching and also very interesting!

I love seeing people make fanfics about them discovering how fucked up Branch's childhood was cuz he truly did go through alot when u stop and really think about it.

Honestly It's a part of their story that, while not said in the movie, is always there. No matter how much they ignored it, the reality of them being strangers to Branch is something that's always gonna be brewing In the background until it gets addressed, if it ever gets addressed

Cuz Branch couldn't have been older than what? 2? 3? Maybe 4? I don't think he was that old cuz he was still in diapers and majority of kids don't develop long term memories until they are around 4 and if we wanna be very generous to say he WAS 4 then means Branch only has like what? A year worth of memories of them of his current age? Maybe not even that? That's literally nothing.

It's honestly a miracle Branch remembers them at all and he prolly only does because the day they split was traumatic to him and trauma memories tend to stick around even at a young age.

If that day didn't have as big of an impact as it did, he prolly would have completely forgotten he even HAD brothers other than a faint feeling of familiarity. And honestly? A part of me WANTS to see a fanfic exploring that possibility where Branch just completely forgot he had brothers and their reaction to it. How angsty it would be. How different would the story of TBT had played out? That kinda of stuff always gets me thinking

[imsparky2002]

Barbie as the Island Princess: First Thoughts

The intro gives me Little Mermaid vibes for some reason.

Man I know this is only five years from Rapunzel, but they really improved in the cgi! The designs look really pleasant!

Ok, the dolphins look a bit plasticy but still!

I’m glad they also have enough confidence to let the tale stand on it’s own without having to establish this is Barbie telling a story to her little sister.

Is it wrong that I’m shipping the peacock and panda? They feel like a middle aged/eldery gay couple and I love it.

Aww! Weeby was right! They totally are Barbie’s gay dads!

Yeesh… I do NOT like the elephant’s design. Why can I see her realistic human teeth? And those eyes!

Overall a very pleasant opening musical number that shows off the island.

Pleasant scene of Ro comforting Tikka during a nightmare.

This goodnight song is making my brain feel weepy.

I love how this is a male love interest who is full of life and isn’t afraid to be in touch with his feminine side. Love the bow on his ponytail.

I love how Antonio’s first instinct when approached by a crocodile is to risk reaching for a branch to put in its mouth.

OMIGOD SHE KNOWS THE ALLIGATORS NAMES!

I love how they go "aww" because they're sad they can't munch on him.

Wait a minute... one of the crocodiles is called Fang. Holy crap, this is the origin story of Jagged Stone’s pet!

I love how Azul found out he’s a prince and is immediately like “fuck this island, come on Sagi, let’s take Tikka and live it up!”

I'm loving the lyrics in this song about Ro being befuddled by Antonio's tech and clothes.

Gerard is a zaddy, not gonna lie.

I’m giggling like a fool at hearing Azul ranting and raving in peacockese.

I wonder if Barbie will try speaking to any of the land’s animals.

WTF is that thing the queen is holding? Is that a monkey or a very unfortunate looking baby?

The king looks pretty young, more like his late 20s instead of 40s. Honestly though, he’s really hot.

Aww, the royal monkey has a posh accent!

Queen Ariana is honestly not that bad looking at all. If I wasn’t gay, I’d find her kinda cute.

It’s nice that the rival love interest is actually a sweet girl. A good subversion of expectations.

The vocals of the villain song reminds me of ABBA. Which is always a good sign.

Great contrast between Ariana’s powerful belting and Luciana’s quiet tone.

Omigod I am loving Ariana’s lyrics in this song, diabolical and hilarious.

LOL AND HER RATS ARE DOING BACKUP CHOREOGRAPHY

Aww, the girls dressed Tikka up!

They really captured the awkward yet respectful dialogue between enforced couples with Antonio and Luciana.

The backing score for the ballroom dance is divine.

Get yourself a man who would abdicate from the throne just to be with you.

Ah, I see Tikka hid the letter, I assume due to attachment issues.

I feel like the Cheese song is kinda unneccessary. A few lines of dialogue would have got the message across.

I do find it kinda ridiculous that nobody can pick up on Ariana’s evil vibe.

Seems that traumatic events are the key to regaining Ro’s memories.

Dolphin ex Machina has arrived.

So this new queen is obviously Ro’s mom, right?

I feel like Ariana would’ve been smarter to not attempt poisoning Antonio and his family so that she can remain in her daughter’s good graces.

Luiciana saving Ro and proving her mother’s the criminal warms my heart.

Ok, I’m happy Ro and Antonio are together, but isn’t marriage rather quick?

Huh… the sudden reveal of Rosella being a princess all along kinda ruins the message of “Love doesn’t care about status”.

Overall, a massive step up from the previous films. The first two were decent flicks, but this one takes time to flesh out each and every character. Also the score was wonderful and I found the animation to be a pleasant upgrade. The ending was a bit of an ass-pull but a enjoyable film nonetheless. @artzychic27 @msweebyness @nerd-chocolate

[xxnomadsxx]

The Nomads AU !!The Grey Trolls Explained

The village eventually gets called the Gray Village due to the ENORMOUS amount of gray trolls. The grey trolls consist of basically a bunch of different types of trolls, funk, techno, classical, rock, and very few pop trolls (they were some that got lost in the tunnels not being found by either Viva or Peppy) Usually being gray means giving up a lot of hope, depression, a great accident happening, loss, basically some big traumatic event. The grey trolls in the village range from just having their  colors dulled down to look less colorful or just being gray completely! (I have said before that branch is the darkest in the village) Honestly, they look basically the same to most trolls, except they have more wilderness themed outfits you know stitched up pants, cloaks, missing buttons, outfits made from torn fabric , basically DIY outfits made from garbage, they’re also very messy looking, messed up hair, wrinkles, bodies littered in scars and bandages.

There are some classical trolls with broken wings who just walk everywhere some funk trolls that have droopy necks. Basically, everyone is sad.

A lot of people are basically just Branch. BUT one of the big differences between first movie Branch and the gray trolls is they still have a love of music. It’s just that their music has become a lot sadder. Classical trolls with sad symphonies, funk trolls beats are always low and slow, rock trolls only play music that reflects their sadness, country trolls stay the same just more depressing lyrics. the grey trolls don’t sing often but they still do. It’s not like they all have the same trauma as Branch.

(Ask questions if you like)

[pettytiredandjewish]

Are you pro-Israel or pro-Palestine?

I honestly don’t think it’s any of your concern but if you really want to know my “stance”, I’ll tell you. You may or may not like my answer but I’m at the point where I really don’t give a flying F. So here we go-

A little background about me-I’m not Israeli, I’m from the states but my great-grandparents on my mom side left Germany sometime a little before WW1 due to antisemitism (they were Ashkenazi Jews.) Not everyone left and the ones who did stay ended up in the concentration camps/ghettos during WW2. Honestly if my great grandparents didn’t leave Germany- well there is a high chance that I wouldn’t be here and that this family tree branch would be non existent.

I’m gonna be honest I’m a “zionost”. There is no safe place for Jews. A lot of countries made it known for many years and they are still making it known to this day. Not only is the land of Israel is considered holy (I’m not super religious but I do recognize and respect that it’s a sacred and holy site) but it is also considered a safe place for many Jews who had to leave their own homes due to all the antisemitism/hate/etc. I’m not an “anti-Zionist”. Did you know that one of Russian’s leaders during- I believe the Soviet Union created that term as a way to help destroy Jewish culture during that era? That term just rubs me the wrong way.

I constantly worry about my friends and family. I worry about mine and their safety. I have to keep looking over my shoulder when I leave the house or when I go to the store, it to work… I know my parents worry too and I know my mom is secretly happy that I attended Shabbat services via online. I don’t want to think about what would happen if something happened to me or to my family/friends. But I don’t hide my “Jewishness”. I love being Jewish- I’m not ashamed of it. It’s a beautiful culture but it also is sad too. The history is not all butterfly’s and rainbows. We (Jews) have suffered for generations but we also overcome everything that people throws at us. Are we traumatized? Probably yes, but we don’t give up. We work hard to keep our culture alive so that we can keep passing it down.

The situation in Israel and Palestine is/has always been messy. It’s like a pressure pot- every little issue and conflict has been cooking up for some time. And every once in a while someone will let some steam out- to help let out some pressure but if you keep it covered and not let out the pressure, well it’s all going to build up and explode. And il that’s what’s happening here. That’s what we’re seeing now. This is the aftermath.

So to answer your question- I’m “pro Israel”: I think that Israelites have the right to live there. It’s their home. They did not colonize it. It is also not an apartheid state. Really people- please read a dictionary to understand these terms that you keep throwing out. Gaza’s government has been unstable for some time and it did eventually fell to hamas control sometime earlier 2000’s(?) for those who don’t know and or still in denial about what they really are- hamas is a terrorist organization. They’re not a resistance group of freedom fighters “fighting to save their people” cuz they don’t give a damn about their own people. They a literally using their own civilians as human shields. They’re stealing resources that’s mental for the civilians and using it themselves.

Also quick question(s) but why is Israel getting blasted for defending themselves after Oct 7? Is anyone gonna call out the other neighboring countries for how they are handling the situation- why aren’t they opening up their borders for refugees? Also why are most of y’all blaming Israel citizens and well- Jewish people in general- i mean I know the answer to this (*cough* most of y’all hate Jews and are using this as a reason to unmask yourselves).

I honestly could keep going- I’ve mostly kept this to myself, so it’s building up, but to be “nice” I’m gonna stop there for now. I don’t know what your “stance” is and I really don’t care per se- the whole situation has been stressing me out like crazy. If you don’t like my answer to bad so sad- I’m no one’s “good Jew”. If you or anyone have any questions you can ask but if you say some antisemitic crap I will block you and depending on my mood- call you out on it too. Have a happy holiday.

Am Yisrael Chai

[cromakas]

tails is so cute Mmmmy sweet sweet dear darling daughter. ,,,,i am sick. no one will ever understand tails the way i do. the world may see past her neglected-by-adults-former-homeless-orphan-bullied-and-beaten-for-deformity-forced-to-grow-up-too-fast-only-sees-herself-as-a-burden bpd autistic charm but i Do not. i see it. I was her once .😢 aBut forreal eeeeu tails is so well written and makes me so sad i love him more than anything she’s so important to me . augh………. i’m always 4ever thinking about every single line from tails in sonic frontiers. about feeling useless and a burden who only drags down sonics good name. how he is so scared all the time of everything and can’t handle it well. how he feels so useless when he shuts down whenever bad things happen and can’t help. and how he hates needing help from sonic all the time. and when sonic reassures him that he’s done and helped with so much her response is that she’s “wildly inconsistent!” baby you are 8 Years old!! ☹️☹️ sonic fans always shit on tails for being scared and not doing anything in more recent games especially in forces….. And how frontiers quote on quote fixed his character…. but i think Uuuuu people forget that tails is a CHILD!! who is gonna have child like aspects. SHE DESERVES to have Child like aspects. he knows literally everything there is to know about the world EXCEPT being a child. and forces Was SCARY, there was a war going on. sonic was universally presumed dead. tails was all alone and defenseless again. sonic was the one who showed him that he Can be strong, but sonic being gone is going to be insanely traumatic Man idk what to tell you…. that’s his big brother and literal care taker and like his reason for being alive ! i’m glad that they wrote tails like that in forces even if it Was ‘inconsistent’ to his character,,, tails is inconsistent! he is messy! because he is a KID! the fact he willingly wants to go off on his own in frontiers is so so big for his character and it makes me so emotional. he’s CHOOSSSSINNGGGG to branch out from sonic, hes doing it for himself. which is something she never/rarely does. she puts everyone first, tails does not care about himself in the slightest. every time he says something worrying n Almost opens up in frontiers he IMMEDIATELY shuts himself down. because Sonic is in danger and needs help. he’s being a burden. stop It. and sonic is So worried about his baby brother. and even says so and Again and again tails says it doesn’t matter right now😢 that they’ll talk later 😢 andhow can he be useful right now!! but she’s hurting So bad and more than anything just wants to be someone reliable enough to not be abandoned by sonic, The first person who has ever been kind to him 😭him wanting to leave n work on himself , BY himself Is so. important. to me. bc for the first time he sees himself as SOMEONE. instead of just sonics partner… and sonics Response. oh Im getting nauseous typing this out thinking about it. GODDDD. “you’re free to go your own way. i guess you just grew up on me a little faster than i expected.” AANYONE else hear that ominous bell tolling???😂😂😂 boats & birds by gregory and the hawk js sonic and tails’ song God i am seriously going to HUR.TMYSELF Bad auaueueggGGEGRBRBRB AND . and you are my baby by kimya dawson. heh iWas😅 really into both of those songs when frontiers came out and the damage it did to my psyche has Never left me! hwoooo boy let Me tell you… i am Also always thinking about the fact tails was literally homeless all by herself living outside before sonic found her☹️that’s the reason she is so afraid of thunder and lightning,,, bcuz she was always outside 😢 and now she is extra jumpy and sensitive 😢😢😢 tails is my absolute favorite (and most personal) character of All Time. i don’t think there’ll ever come a time when that changes. i don’t even see him as a Character he is really like family to me…. or a little extension of my soul that i’ve grown up alongside with

STORY TIME this is kind of funny to think about in retrospect Something was wrong with me. but before i got my tails plushie as a kid at Likeee… i couldnt have been older than or 3 or 4? i was already very obsessed with tails! i wasn’t old enough to play or Understand how to play sonic games(i watched my dad for hours while he’d play the games for me & i also was really into the 90s cartoons) but i was IMMEDIATELY so So incredibly attached to tails. he was my little buddy! i was him for halloween once , i had this pair of white shoes that i Never took off because they made me feel like tails and i remember when my mother had to throw them out bc they were Raggedy and falling apartBC I NEVER TOOK THEM OFF ohhh. Man i cried. mom was really controlling about my clothes and outfits and would pick out everything i wore and forced me to wear make up and do my hair all crazy it was An overstimulating nightmare for a toddler anyway she coordinated all my clothes and would get reallllly mad CUZ ALL I WANTED TO WEAR WAS THOSE GROSS SHOES 😭 then when i was at the age when kids had “imaginary friends” my undiagnosed UNCREATIVE little autistic ass was like Hmmm.. I think i’m going to make myself hallucinate tails to fit in with other Children of society! and so she was my… imaginary friend for a little while 😊 AND THEN! One fateful day i got my little tails plushie.. and she’s never been more than a room away from me ever since. i carry him absolutely everywhere he is probably Soaked in almost my whole life’s worth of tears and drool,,, i’ve had him through All of it. everything that happened 2 me he went through it all by my side. he took care of me when my parents wouldn’t and i know how Silly and delusional that may sound.. but i’ve truly personified him my whole entire life and he is my family and my best friend!!!! i was a very lonely Only child and i wanted a sibling or just Normal parents ssoooo bad😢 he’s always been that role to me. ive also always related to tails’ character so much too and he was the exact role model + just. the Representation of how i was feeling that i needed so So bad as a kid. little basil watching the episode from taosth that was about tails never having parents and Wanting them so bad, n sonic kept searching and searching to find him a home (even tho it made him So sad.) to no avail til Eventually tails gets tricked by eggman into finally thinking he had found his REAL home with his BIOLOGICAL PARENTS who Loved him and Wanted him. but they were evil frrrreeaakinf ants AND JESUS CHRIST THAT TRAUMATIZED ME AS A KID the Ants Did. and after sonic saves him the Cutest interaction i think tails and sonic have EVER had in the Entire franchise. was from the 1993 cartoon. sonic apologizing saying hes sorry for all the trouble he caused , that he just wanted to find tails a ‘real’ family N tails just goes “i’ve already GOT a real family! i’ve got the best! a family is just people who care about each other more than anyone else, right? you’re it!! you’re my mom, you’re my dad, and you’re my picket fence” 😊😊 and sonic goes “woah, You’re not gonna use the L word are ya? then i will!! cuz it’s a great word! i love you little bro!” then he noogies him and the episode ends with tails sayinf its Great to be home. guys. guys. Can anyone hear me i’m SEIZING IM SSIITNG HERE BAWLINF MY EYES OUT CYZ I JUST HAD TO REWATCH THAT CLIP TO QUOTE IT Oh my gooddddddddddddd

sorry vince if U read all of this.sitting here on a nice friday night cry typing about sonic the hedgehog autism is Truly a super power 🌈♾️

[ineffablelara]

I'm aware I'm being extremely annoying and bitchy right now but I'm so bothered by the way some people treat Loki as a delicate little baby instead of the badass, powerful and ancient God he is

Like, I get it, his ending in the show was sad but no, I don't think Loki spends his days crying about his situation, I don't think he's scared and desperate, I don't think he'll be traumatized when he leaves the tree, I don't think he's having the time of his life there either, it's a hard and lonely job but he knows someone's gotta do it, just like he knows he's the best person to do it

He spends s2 trying to explain to Sylvie that she can't just give people free will and walk away because that's not how it works, he knows that if you want to give people freedom you also have to make sure they'll be safe to fully enjoy their freedom, you can't just leave them to fend for themselves when you know full well they're powerless to stop the horrors that may come with their newfound freedom

When he explains to her that they can reform the TVA so they can protect the people living on the timelines she says they would be playing God if they did that but Loki says that they are indeed Gods and walks away frustrated by her lack of understanding of the situation

The more mature Loki we see in the show doesn't view his Godhood as something that puts him above other people, he views it as something that gives him the responsability to take care of those who can't defend themselves, there's no arrogance in his voice when he says that they can protect the new multiverse with a reformed TVA, he doesn't say "I can protect them" he says "we", he's not separating and positioning himself above the TVA workers, he wants to work with them, he genuinely just wants the best for everyone: for the people on the timelines to be safe and for the agents who feel at home in the TVA to keep doing their job

All this to say that Loki doesn't view his fate as a punishment, he's doing what he wanted to do from the beginning, OF COURSE he didn't want it to be like that, he thought he could just stay in the TVA and help them fight the HWR variants by going on misisons and stuff, OF COURSE he wishes he could have a more "ordinary" life (I mean, is it really ordinary when you're living inside an organization where time doesn't pass and constantly traveling through time?)

BUT

We have to keep in mind that Loki isn't a stupid little human like the rest of us, his perception of things is not like ours, we are limited and weak, he  wields infinite power and wisdom now, for all we know he can project his mind and consciousness into any timeline he wants and interact with people if he wants, I kinda HATE when I see people writing Loki in fics as if he's this helpless pathetic thing after he leaves Yggdrasil, like, the man can create portals to ANY place he wants to go (let's not forget that he conjured the portal to the citadel while holding the branches and also materialized the stairs that lead to his throne), he can sustain entire countless universes with the touch of his fingers, I promise you he's not the helpless babygirl we all love to call him

I just...

It's so frustrating to see people acting as if Loki is just a random scared human who was tossed in the center of the multiverse tree instead of being the God who fucking created it, I think that's bc some people relate to him and they kinda start forgetting who he actually is, maybe it's just another way to woobify him but idk, it realy annoys me

Anyway, I’m sorry if I’m being annoying, but I really needed to get this off my chest. I’m not saying that Loki doesn’t feel sad at times or that he doesn’t miss his friends—because I absolutely believe he does. I just think that, deep down, he’s proud of himself for being able to take care of everyone. He understands that it’s his responsibility as a God, and he accepts it without trying to make things easier for himself, unlike HWR. After all, that’s the difference between a human playing god and an actual God fulfilling his role as a protector of people in need.

[eclecticopposition]

what do you think about thalia (from upstairs, downstairs)?

hello!! thank you for the ask :}

short answer: we love them and we want to see more of them. has anyone done art or writing about thalia? we'd love to see.

(2983 words and counting answer: we're writing a fic about them. it's slow but lovely.)

but let's get to the long answer. (and it is a long answer.) road to palisade spoilers below!

there's a lot to unpack with thalia. let's start with who they are.

based on the discussion, at least to our memory, this is a person who predates the war and might have even been a factor in how it started. which raises two really interesting and sad points.

one, for however long the war has been happening, thalia has existed outside of it. they're a branched who isn't shaped by a war of extermination and what that means. or they might be. did the war actually start after or because of their capture? how much do they know about it? were they a witness to important discussions in the manor, military matters? were they cognizant enough of this to hear things going downhill?

which means, for example, thalia might not have a war form. an envoy form, yes – we saw them in it – but that makes sense, given the need for diplomacy with other cultures. they might just not have a war form. they were definitely from a world where needing to have one was not normal. what does that mean, for relating to their own people? they are a prisoner who is also effectively a time capsule from a world that just doesn't exist anymore.

two, how long have they been a house? god, how long have they been a house? this character might have been a house for longer than every other branched we've met has been alive. centuries? a thousand years? how do you stand being made to hold a shape for that long? how do you grapple with the isolation, the humiliation? we're told that branched can be coaxed into changing, if they're convinced that they want to be something else. what did that machine kesh put them in do?

so, a branched who is removed from the war, probably kept in a state that is pleasantly dissociative and inactive. completely without agency and still horrific whenever they process it, but more effective than just torturing them until they stay still. (which we can't rule out.) a branched who is deeply traumatized, and who will return to a home that will love them fiercely even as it can no longer understand them. that's what we think, at least.

or, put a different way...

(we sometimes read "all force and fuss and brummagem kitsch" to the tune of Bubblegum Bitch. just a fun little tidbit.)

anyways. let's talk about their rescue.

what are the odds that phrygian was involved in getting them out? because we could go either way. they absolutely were involved indirectly. millennium break does not launch a mission to free a branched without phrygian's continuous efforts to improve their reputations, and people seeing them as more than just a horrible monster without a respectably human-shaped face. we actually think there's something lovely about millennium break deciding to free thalia without prompting. it speaks to the realness of their commitment, to the fact that this is a person and they are trapped, and we are going to get them out. the branched are people we look after as much as anyone. this is what we do.

but also, we love the idea that when this was brought to phrygian's attention, it suddenly became their project. they were running this shit behind the scenes. phrygian is almost never in a position of leadership in canon, preferring to follow someone else's lead, but we would love this to be one big exception – maybe even the thing they were doing right before they go to palisade with brnine. people report to them on this. they have subordinates, and isn't that weird. literally a thing we have been dreaming of is a visual novel from guliford gain's perspective, getting ready for the mission, including a scene of her talking with phrygian in front of a huge starry window, alone in the middle of the night.

because this is a big deal, right? phrygian would have heard of thalia. they'd have heard of a person who was stolen from them that eventually led to outright war. saving thalia means something. phrygian was captured and imprisoned themself for an indeterminate amount of time, but certainly nowhere near that long. this is huge for the branched, if they pull it off. it's definitely huge for diplomatic relations. and it's the sort of thing you can do that's just good.

maybe the reality is somewhere in between the two. we think that an essential part of compassionate care for freeing any branched is ensuring that another branched is there when they get out. maybe phrygian was involved. we hope they were at least consulted. it sure would help in convincing thalia to go with them if all of the soldiers had, say, a handwritten note in their own language from a fellow branched. we think that phrygian not being on the mission proper was a given because they are keith's character (from a watsonian perspective it was probably a matter of it being covert, and not the place for a branched) but we do like to think that wherever thalia ends up, phrygian, or another branched we don't know, was waiting for them with open arms.

(we would also absolutely love vivian exler, gardener and millennium break wannabe, taking their getaway vehicle and being detained, waiting for hours in her cell, and then having a branched show up. and politely interrogate her on why the fuck she has that. and where the people who are supposed to have it are. welcome to the team!)

of course, that raises another question. did thalia go home?

we'd be interested in the world where they stayed, but honestly, we think they must have. they were a house for a thousand years. they don't even have a war form. let them rest.

now, in the world where this happened lightyears away, and phrygian maybe never even heard about it, that's that. millennium break freed the oldest captive branched in the galaxy, almost right next to the front lines, and they sent them home. one of those Ws that are to be treasured. but what about in the world where phrygian was involved in this? what about the world where phrygian came that close to being with the branched again, literally, in physical space?

that means that thalia went home and phrygian didn't. there was an actual opportunity and phrygian didn't take it. they met another branched for the first time in years, spent however long they had together, and then watched them leave. and that just twists the knife.

(this is why we need that visual novel so bad.)

so yeah, we're on the phrygian/thalia train. if you're on the phrygian/thalia train we are sitting across from you looking you directly in the eyes. come be on this train with us. draw us something. talk to us. what are we going to do, not be on board with sad branched hookups? please.

and then there's thalia, back home. welcomed back into a world where, odds are, everyone or almost everyone they'd ever known are dead. trying to find their place in a world that is utterly unrecognizable. trying to find their identity after an act of dehumanization so profound that it turned their own ability to choose their own shape into a convenience for their enemy. coming back to a place where they're a historical figure, to people who never thought they'd ever come home. back into a society that is suffering from the war it has been forced to engage in, but that has learned, one way or another, how to tend to those who come home.

we think there's grieving, and celebration, and there's a long, long period of figuring out what comes next. we think it's quiet. we think it's hard. we think it depends on how rare it is for branched to live a thousand years. alienation on top of trauma is a painful, difficult thing.

we think that when they come home, they sleep for a very long time.

[eatbrick]

assurance.

note : hello! i’ve never written before publicly and never posted anything like ever bcuz i like my privacy (lol) so this will be my first! plz no hate! i love alejandro gillick with my heart (he’s  babygirl) and it’s sad to see there’s not enough fanfics! i guess this is gonna be the start of my writing for you gals and also, this isn’t edited yet! 

hope you lovelies enjoy! :)

summary : your father assigns a cia assassin, alejandro gillick, to be your bodyguard. after countless nightmares, alejandro figures out a way to take your mind off things. *wink* *wink*

pairing : bodyguard!alejandro gillick x fem!reader

warnings : 18+ mature content. explicit. smut. just pure smut. 

    (cursing. being a virgin (mentioned). vaginal fingering. praise kink. etc.)

—

You sprinted faster by the minutes just as Alejandro instructed you to do after he killed all the men in the house one by one. When you both left the house, you and Alejandro parted ways quickly. He ran in a different direction to distract them in a different direction so you could run away as far as possible. You can feel your throat on fire from the harsh air as you breathe it in quickly running through the woods while some branches skimmed past your arms, possibly revealing blood by then. 

“Run as fast as you can towards the village. Don’t run towards the woods. Got it? I know you can.” He said. 

However, you noticed that you–instead—definitely ran to where the woods were located. You could’ve sworn you knew the directions to the village.

“Apparently not, you dumbass.” You said to yourself. 

You can hear the voices closer than you expected them to have. Tears immediately ran down your cheeks; afraid of what could happen to you if you were to be killed in such a traumatizing way here in Colombia. But how could you hear them so close to me? Did that mean Alejandro didn’t make it? 

“Fuck!” you exclaimed out loud. Frustrated at the thought of Alejandro getting killed was the only beginning to fuck up in any way. 

As you can hear the footsteps of men screaming at each other in Spanish—probably about you—it was easy to say that you needed to hide somewhere at the time they caught up. From their tone of how pissed they are at not being able to find you alive, some of the men had started to randomly shoot everywhere that you could be. Your body jumped, alarmed by unexpected gunshots in the distance from where you hid—under a small cliff where water was falling down into a little stream. Moss covered most of the cliff as bushes and trees were thick enough to cover most of the yourself that seemed visible. 

So suddenly, your eyes grew wide as someone stood above you. Slow footsteps begin to walk comfortably into the water. Terrified as you were, you quickly covered your mouth with both hands, canceling the noise of your shaky breath even if it couldn’t be heard from the water. It felt like hours as the stranger contemplated your whereabouts silently. Little did he know that you were hidden right under where the water falls downwards. 

‘Please. Please, go away.’

The eerie beauty of the woods were enchanting as the bright moon shined past through the clouds. Only if it weren’t so scary as it was for now. You can see the man's shadow–somewhat of it–walk nearer to the edge of the leveled cliff. But soon enough, he takes his chances of defeat to departure. You feel your head become dizzy and eyes disoriented; it seems that you have forgotten to breathe after holding it in unintendedly-minded. 

Gently, you lift your hands off from covering your mouth, taking soft, quiet and short intakes of oxygen into your weakened lungs. The relief you had felt was desireful. You wanted more. However, you needed to pay attention to the men who were after you. You hear all the commotions from the men clear out as they go away into the opposite direction where you had been hiding. Everything seemed to have calmed down a bit as the lights–that the group of men have used to see–had become distant, swallowed by darkness. 

Shocked to see you somehow survived this close encounter, you shed tears and sighed from your escape. Whether from crying tears of joy or out of a near death experience, shortly afterwards, you wipe your tears away with your hands and begun to get yourself together to find an escape of this fucked up, loathsome paradise. 

As soon as you get out of your hiding spot, a hand reaches to grab you. Roughly. 

—

You gasp harshly, sitting up from your slumber. You notice that everything was fine. Nothing seemed to have happened like it did. It was all a nightmare. Feeling something heavy, draping over your waist, you turn your side to whatever was holding you–Alejandro. 

Alejandro was still awake as he put his arm over you from whatever he was doing before going to bed with you. After countless nightmares that had kept on bothering your sleep, you had asked one night for Alejandro to sleep with you. Since then, he had been sleeping with you for comfort and reassurance of protection. 

“Sorry. Did I wake you?” You look up at Alejandro after he apologises. His weary eyes that were filled with past trauma softened at you and his hair had looked so fluffy which screamed to be touched–in many different ways. 

You shake your head (as if you now dirty thoughts weren’t just in your head a few seconds ago) that it wasn’t him that had awoken you, but it was the nightmare that had. You take a deep inhale before saying, “A nightmare was what had woken me up.” He sensed that you were in a very uncomfortable state after. 

“I see.” He replies back shortly. “Is there anything I could do?” 

“I wish there could be anything in the world to help me right now to take my mind off of things.” You whispered softly looking away from his attention. 

It was silet afterwards as Alejandro lets you have your moment of quietness to help calm you down. But suddenly it didn’t help you calm down as your heart speeds up after Alejandro says, “What can I do to take your mind off of things?” 

By then, you couldn’t even remember what lead you to this moment as he felt closer to you than before. Like, really close. You felt like there was no oxygen in the room as your face begins to heat up quickly. Your breath hitched as his hand rises up to hold your face gently to kiss you–and to mention also, that you’ve never been kissed or had sex.

“I-I’m a virgin!” You blurted out, embarrassed and ashamed to what's to come after as you stopped Alejandro from kissing you or to lead any further. Now, you just felt terrible. Kissing your bodyguard who your father assigned was messed up. Secretly, you always thought of Alejandro in a different way. Pleasuring yourself many nights as you thought of his hands replacing yours, roaming in different areas that were very inappropriate but felt amazingly good otherwise. 

Now it’s obvious that you were upset. But for Alejandro, he was smiling in his head. Alejandro tilts your chin up with his thumb and index finger for you to look up at him. You can see that he was smirking. “I know, sweetheart,” He said knowingly, with such confidence. “We can take things slow.” 

Before you could say anything to Alejandro, his lips were on yours by the second. Your eyes widened in shock. They felt so soft and tender. You felt warm all over as your lips began to move in motion. As the kiss began to deepen, you felt an opening for your tongue to touch his. Alejandro answers back with such power as you both explored each other’s mouth as he moves his hand down to your waist. Your sweaty palms grab up to clench his navy-blue, buttoned up shirt and the other to touch at his hair. 

Jesus christ, you thought. His hair was so soft than you had ever thought. Your fingertips ever-so softly touching at it. You wouldn’t ever change anything, if you were to have a hot makeout session with Alejandro. You felt a sudden rush of anger as Alejandro paused from kissing you. He rises up from kneeling and reaching over to you after so long. As he moves outwards, you could see that saliva had dripped off from your lips to his as he licked it so sexually. It was hot enough as he did it so intentionally as he stared at you while doing it. 

You can feel that one spot between your legs become very warm and wet. In Alejandro’s eyes, he sees your disheveled appearance, yet eyes filled with lust. 

“You’re my best first kiss.” You said, so out of it.

He chuckles at your response. “I’m glad I was,” he pauses, “I’ve been wanting to do that since.” You blush harder as if you weren’t even blushing before. He notices. 

“I-I want to finish what we’ve started–if that’s alright with you?” You ask so gently, not knowing how to process what you’re wanting. If Alejandro could die from your soft, angelic voice, he would. You were so innocent. So vulnerable. He would kill the world for you. He wanted to take his time with you if he were to take your mind off of things as said before. 

Alejandro gets up from the ruffled bed. As he does so, he opens up the buttons from his sleeves to roll up..slowly.

“W-what are you doing?” You asked. You wanted to know so urgently that you clench the blankets that covered you. He looks down at you. “I want to take things slow, since it’s your first time.” he slowly replies, “I want to make it worthwhile so you can remember it as I explore your body with my fingers first.” 

After he got done rolling up his sleeves, he comes over to you and reaches for the blankets to pull it away from your petite body as you let him willingly. You were very nervous as it’s gonna get very intense later on. But in honesty, you were very excited–well, very horny in other words. As the blankets pull away, you rub your thighs together from the cold breeze that was roaming around in the room. You had only worn your pajama shorts and tank top to sleep–not to mention that you weren’t wearing a bra under it. 

“Don’t worry,” he assures, “I’ll be gentle.” 

You nod in understanding as your soft, doe eyes began to look up at his , “I’ve trusted you from the start. It’s not any difference as to what we’re doing right now.” Shortly, you guys begin to kiss again. This time, the kiss was hungry. You both had wanted more. Alejandro’s hand suddenly roams under the tank top to sofly grasp your naked waist. 

When Alejandro meant by being gentle and taking things slow, he meant it. On the other hand, you were touch-starved. You wanted to him to touch you–anywhere–from the moments you had met him. Suddenly, he moves to where your back was leaning against him as he lays against the headboard of the bed. Your head begins to fall back onto his shoulder as he softly pinches your nipple through your tanktop. You moan as he twists his thumb and middle-finger whilst he pinched your nipple in such a slow rhythm and the other massaging your other breast. 

Alejandro repeats the action over and over as your nipples perk up through your shirt as you incoherently say words that he can’t make out. You arch your back so suddenly in a jolt, as you feel his hand that was on your breast lead down to touch your covered sex slowly moving up and down. You’re panting harder and your face so flushed, desiring the sinful touches from Alejandro. ‘This is way better than my dreams’, you had thought.

As it it couldn’t get any better, Alejandro then moves up and down into your sex under your underwear. “Oh my god!” you moaned. Your hand grabs at his hair from behind to hold onto as you feel his fingers move in circles of your pussy, making it wetter than it was before. 

Alejandro chuckles to himself, loving this sight of you as you bite your lips from being too loud hopefully not causing any noises for neighbors to hear as the windows are opened for the Colombian breeze coming into the bedroom. “You’re doing so well for me, baby.” He praises. His voice was so deep, yet husky, making you melt like butter. You would’ve never imagined him calling you that ever. 

“Did you ever thought about me in this way? Me touching you in so many ways that your father doesn’t know about?” 

You could only nod as you couldn’t think straight. You moaned again as he speeds up his movements. “I need you speak up for me. Can you do that?” He gently asks you. You whimpered as you feel that knot in your stomach from Alejandro rubbing your pussy at a pace. 

“Yes, Alejandro.” You whimpered out. 

“Good girl.” 

Feeling so close to your climax, his middle-finger dives into the opening of your pussy fingering you with only one at the moment. Your eyes roll back as your back arches more than it possibly could as Alejandro grunts from the sudden impact as you grind yourself into his hands and the bulge that begun to show in Alejandro’s pants. “I’m so close!” You cried out as you start getting closer to cumming. Seconds later, Alejandro inserts another finger and thumb rubbing against your clit to add more to the max. 

Alejandro smiles. “There you go. Good girl.” He kept on praising you as you clenched around his fingers and were beginning to cum. You felt like you were seeing stars on the ceiling; seeing a whole different universe beyond. His hands felt so amazing. “F-fuck, Ale-Alejandro. Please.” You whimpered softly, hand still roaming at his hair and the other reaching down at his. Alejandro hums in compliance. He nips at you earlobe and down to your neck. You couldn’t take enough of the pressure as he didn’t stop fingering you. You were trying your best to wiggle yourself away from the hot pressure that had kept on repeating, but you couldn’t as he grabs your thighs quickly stopping from closing in. 

“Uh-uh.” Alejandro uttered in disagreement from your actions. “I’m not done just yet. I want you to remember this.” 

—

After cumming twice on his fingers, it’s no surprise that you had actually squirted for the first time on the bed (and on him) as he pleasured you with his delicate fingers. It was very dreadful for you as you apologized profusely, but for Alejandro, he was so pleased and delighted at the thought of what could happen if he replaced his fingers with something very much larger. After Alejandro cleaned you up with a warm, wet rag and gave you a different pair of clothes–that were actually his, but you didn’t question it–you effortlessly fell onto the now changed bed sheets and blankets that Alejandro had put on. 

“Umm..” you began to say to stop the silence in the room. Alejandro tilts his head towards your direction as he gently places a glass of water on the counter of your side of the bed. “I just want to say thank you.” You say not knowing what to do as you play with his hands as he sits beside you to past time. 

“You’re welcome.” He responds back instantly, responding back to your touch. He could see that you were exausted from the session not too long ago.

It was like you couldn’t look at him, as if you felt ashamed. But in action, Alejandro carries your attention by pulling your face into another gentle kiss in a sense to assure you. You answer back by smiling into the kiss and holding his cheek and the other around his neck, kissing the night away.

—

another note : wheeeww! that took very long! i hope you enjoyed reading! feedback would be amazing as this is my very first fanfic i’ve ever    published on tumblr!  

thank you! :D

[phxntomsdusk]

Past life - Klepto!Wilbur x GN!Reader

note: it’s pre-death klepto!wilbur !! this is gonna def make someone sad so i apologize in advance- i can’t let my bursonas live in peace, they always gotta be traumatized. Also relationship between Wilbur and the reader could be platonic or romantic, whichever you want :)

summary: you finally figure out what had turned the poor boy into a soul snatcher.

warnings: hella angst, mentions of death, swearing, self hurting thoughts/actions, comfort at some parts, parents fighting, divorce, alcoholic father, details of death, you probably will cry if you love this character

tags: @ax-y10 , @joviepog , @pheliiaa , @idontreallyexistyet , @rqvii , @haunted-headset , @ivvees-blog , @average-vibe , @lillylvjy , @toastyliltoasts41 (ask to be added!)

word count: 3K

You never expected to get close to the very man who was meant to take your soul, but here you were, comforting him as he cried to you about everything that led up to his very passing. He never told you any of this before, let alone trusted you knowing any of it.

You had found out so much. About his sister, his parents, his death, his first love. It was so heartbreaking.

Him and Wilma barely got along. The two were polar opposites, with her having many friends and constantly at other people’s houses, and him only talking to one person and spending most time in his room. He had tried his best to get on her side, but they just never saw eye to eye.

His best friend was Ryan, also his first love. He always thought something was wrong with him for loving a boy, but couldn’t help it. He was beautiful, perfect, everything you would want in a partner.

His parents got divorced when he was young, his mother taking custody of Wilma while he got stuck with his dad. Him and his father had a rocky relationship, while his mom completely stopped visiting after so many weeks.

During the summer Wilbur always found himself sitting atop the hill behind his house, sitting under the old oak tree and reading books his mother had gifted him. He always loved dark themed stories, ones that left readers confused and disturbed. His sister never understood his liking for these books, always finding herself reading romance and cliche teen girl stories. She would sometimes join him under the tree, but their calm and peaceful moments never lasted long.

He could hear the crunching of branches behind him, glancing around the trunk to see Wilma approaching in her sundress. She awkwardly sat down next to him, leaning her head back against the tree and sighed. “They’re fighting again.” She mumbled quietly, moving her head against his shoulder. He quickly nodded and began to read his book aloud to her, making sure she could also follow along, he tilted the pages in her direction.

It was moments like these that made him grateful for his sister, a smile always stuck on his face as she embraced him, even if it was just for a source of comfort.

“I loved her for her silence. Or maybe I just understood it.” He read the words out loud, before being interrupted by Wilma. “Do you ever feel that way?” She raised a brow, sitting up straight and brought her knees up to her chest. “Feel like what?” He placed his bookmark on the page, putting the book down in his lap. “Silent.. just wanting to be quiet. Maybe it’ll fix whatever the hell is wrong with them.” She gestured towards the house, where you could see two arguing and yelling figures in the kitchen window, to which she frowned.

“I get what you mean. Don’t worry, they’ll stop.” He placed a hand on her shoulder, watching as she hesitantly nodded and sighed. “Hopefully. I honestly can’t wait for the day they divorce and send us off to Aunt Tiff’s.” She chuckled lightly, earning a laugh from Wilbur. “Doesn’t sound too bad, actually. Then we can visit the sea each morning and stare out at the horizon.” He smiled at the idea, to which she scoffed and rolled her eyes. “You and your bloody daydreams.” She laughed and nudged his arm, before their mother shouted for her to come back inside. “I’m, uh, gonna go. Bye, Wil.” She quickly stood up, dusting off her skirt and rushed down the small hill.

If only they had more time, Wilbur thought. More time to actually treat one another like a person. More time for him to finally feel loved by someone in that dreadful house.

He sighed and opened his book again, picking up where he had stopped with a sorrowful expression, trying to ignore the tears that welled up in his eyes the second she had walked away.

That following spring, just as Wilma predicted their parents filed for a divorce. But instead of being sent away to their aunt’s home, Wilbur was dragged away by their father and taken to a small shitty apartment downtown. He hadn’t even gotten the chance to say goodbye to Wilma before he was on his way to a new home.

Of course he had her number, but he doubted she would even answer while with their mother. He simply stared out the window with a hurt expression, sniffling quietly but was told to shut up by his father.

Arriving at the apartment wasn’t any better. It had one bedroom, leaving him to sleep on the small futon placed in the living room that merged into the kitchen. His father didn’t seem to care and walked past him, heading into the bedroom with his bag and slammed the door shut.

“God damnit.” He groaned and grabbed the bag his dad packed for him off the ground, making his way to the futon and tossed it atop, before sitting down and frowned. He could feel each and every spring poking against his legs, causing him to quickly stand up and look for a blanket or pillow to lay down over it.

He knew his dad was a loser, but this was a new all time low. Leaving his only son with nothing but a small duffle bag with a few shirts and pants, no self care or anything. How would he manage to survive this?

“Wil! Get me a drink!” The shout from his dad made him internally cringe, clenching his jaw as he obeyed his words and walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge, of course only filled with beer and water. He figured which one his dad wanted, grabbing the coldest one he could find before walking towards the bedroom.

He didn’t bother to question how his dad already had this place, stocked the fridge with only two types of drinks, and didn’t even bother to get proper furniture. He simply entered the room with a blank expression, putting the can on the bedside table before walking out, sighing quietly to himself.

“When will this shit get better?” He ran a hand over his face, before checking the time on his watch and saw he should at least try to sleep. Of course the futon was extremely uncomfortable, leaving him to use his bag as a pillow and he just slept in the clothes he wore all day.

As before he had mentioned Ryan, the very boy he had fallen in love with, the boy he hoped to confess to on this dreadful day. It was the first time in months that Wilbur had been back at his original home, mostly visiting his mom and Wilma, but when talk of Ryan coming over came up he couldn’t resist.

He was waiting at the hill, reading his book, but had himself facing the residence so he could see when his love would arrive. When the sudden sight of blonde hair and a red shirt appeared, he knew it had to be him.

“Ryan!” Wilbur shouted happily, rushing to stand up, leaving his book to sit wide open in the dirt. He rushed down the hill, stumbling slightly off the sidewalk and into the road, looking up to meet Ryan’s gaze. “Wow, Wilbur, be careful.” He chuckled lightly, glancing back and forth before he was about to cross.

But that’s when everything had changed.

Within only a few seconds a car horn could be heard, causing Wilbur’s gaze to divert to his right, seeing a white light nearing him. It was as if in the blink of an eye he was there, and then he was gone.

“Holy fuck! Wilbur!” Ryan quickly rushed over to him, holding up his head and placed a hand on the back of his neck, inspecting the wide gash he had just gained. The rushing footsteps of Wilma and his mother could be heard, a terrified shriek escaping his sister’s mouth as she knelt down next to him.

He could barely comprehend anything happening, he just felt so lightheaded and groggy, barely able to keep his eyes open as the taste of metal filled his mouth. He stared up at Ryan, tears filling his eyes as he weakly lifted a hand, only to be turned down and handed off to his mom, while he heard the tapping of a phone and soon the dialing of a call.

He didn’t understand what was happening. Was he dying? Was this really how his life was going to end? On the side of the road at 15 years old, just days before he was meant to turn 16. Just days before he could spend the day with his family again. Why did this have to happen to him?

Of course, that’s the last moment Wilbur remembered being alive. The next thing he knew he woke up in the hospital, his family crying around him as he stared in confusion, only to glance back and see his own lifeless body in the bed. A large gash across his neck, nearing his face.

The emotions he felt were difficult to explain, he was glad he didn’t have to deal with his father anymore, but seeing the pain he caused everyone hurt. Seeing his sister slowly spiral into a moment of depression and pain, his mother sobbing her eyes out to the point she couldn’t stand, and his father.. nowhere to be seen.

It was all so overwhelming, with him quickly leaving the hospital and rushed down the street. Though he didn’t notice the locket that somehow appeared around his neck, not until a sudden shadow seemed to be following him, reaching out for it and trying to drag him back to where his body lay.

All he could do was try his best to ignore this feeling, instead tearing the locket off himself and throwing it behind him. His biggest mistake ever.

He furrowed his brows as he slowly stopped in his tracks, watching as his surroundings only became darker and more grim, colder and more dull. “What the hell..” he mumbled under his breath, turning around and trying to walk, only to bump into something.

He didn’t even know what he was getting himself into, not until he felt the sudden paint returning to his neck, his surroundings becoming visible again, except there were so many more people. So many people he knew had passed in that town. He recognized an old shopkeeper who had lost his life during a fire, the burn marks still on his face and hands. He quickly walked over to the man, hoping he would have an answer.

“Mr. Williams?” He spoke in a quiet tone, watching the man turn to face him with a warm smile. “Wilbur? Is that you? My, you’ve gotten big.” His tone was welcoming, until he had taken notice of how young Wilbur was. “Aren't you quite young still? You shouldn’t be here.” He frowned and walked closer, taking note of the large gash on the side of Wilbur’s neck. “My, my. Such a shame.” Without another word he was gone, leaving Wil more confused than before.

Of course it didn’t stop here, how could it? He had become the Grim Reaper’s assistant after all.

It all started when he was simply walking past the hospital again, taking notice of a young boy outside the building, a locket around his neck as he stood there, always like he was waiting for someone.

“Hey, kid.” Wilbur approached him, raising a brow as he slightly bent down to meet his height. “Who are you waiting for?” His voice got quiet, watching the boy shrug and fiddle with the necklace around his neck. “I don’t know. I’m just here.” He pursed his lips, looking away from Wil.

He felt bad for the kid, he was dead and didn’t even know it. He quickly looked around the area, before crouching down and gestured towards the locket. “Let me see the locket.” He reached a hand out, watching as the boy hesitantly took it off and placed it in Wilbur’s hands. Engraved in the small emerald gem was an ‘H’. “What’s your name?” Wilbur looked back up at the kid, before standing up straight. “Henry.”

Before Wilbur could even speak again he was gone, causing him to state in confusion and disbelief. Where had the kid gone? He couldn’t easily disappear like that, could he? It was like Mr. Williams all over again.

He didn’t know what to do with the locket, and simply pocketed it, saying to himself mentally that he’d find a proper grave for it at some point.

But of course he didn’t. And he kept helping those lost souls finally rest in peace. It started with random people he found who looked lost, simply suggesting they give him their locket, to which they did. But once they got stubborn he took it upon himself to find their bodies and lead them to it, showing that they needed to hand over the locket so they could properly cross over.

He didn’t know he was truly helping someone this entire time, he simply thought he was doing the right thing. But with each locket he collected, he felt more power hungry for more. He wanted to fill his coat pockets, his drawers in the small house he claimed, the walls that had so many puncture holes from pins being pushed in and out.

Throughout this whole period of time, these months upon months, turned years of waiting for a change. He got one.

You watched as he got choked up on his words, causing you to hold his face in your hands and hold him close. “Wilbur, take your time. What changed?” You spoke softly, furrowing your brows at him.

“It.. it was Wilma. I found her.”

Just like he said. He found her. Wandering around the streets with a confused look on her face, her body hidden away in a baggy hoodie and sweatpants, her tear soaked cheeks shining in the dim moonlight.

“Wilma?” His voice called out, rushing over to her with a confused look. His eyes locked in on the locket she wore, trying to ignore the intense urge to snatch it from her. “How are you here?” He placed his hands on her shoulders, watching her look up and get choked up on speaking.

“I wanted to see my brother again, Wil. It’s been years.” She quickly pulled him into a hug, crying heavily into his shoulder, her arms wrapping tightly around his torso. He instantly hugged her back, a hand on the back of her head as he held her close. “How old are you, Wilm?” He spoke quietly, listening as she struggled to answer. “20. It’s been 5 years since you passed.”

He knew she couldn’t have passed from natural causes, suspecting one thing that he didn’t want to assume. “Did it hurt?” He spoke quietly, feeling her shake her head against him, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. “Thankfully no. I just.. it’s hard without you, y’know.” She pulled away from their hug, frowning slightly as she placed her hands on his face, smiling at the sight of him.

“Still young as ever. I’m jealous.” She chuckled softly, watching as he smiled at her words, nodding and nervously looked down. “Listen.. Wilma.” He sighed and gestured towards the locket she wore, biting the corner of his lip. “If you wanna fully pass over, you’re gonna need to hand over the locket.”

Her face somewhat dropped, clutching the green gem in her hands as she shook her head frantically. “What? No! I just got to see you again after 5 years, how could I leave so quickly?”

“Wilma, you have to. It’s not smart to stick around for so long without crossing over.” His tone became much more demanding, staring her down as he tried to get her to just agree with his words. “Do you do this to everyone you see? What the fuck has gotten into you?” She took a step back, glancing down at his coat pockets, seeing a shine through them. She was quick with her actions, reaching forward and snatching a few, before running off in the other direction. “Wilma! What the fuck?!” He quickly rushed after her, trying his best to catch her before she did the worst thing she could think of.

She had found her way to a graveyard, letting out a shaky breath as she thought quickly. She picked one of the lockets and dug a small hole in a grave, shoving the locket inside before packing the dirt down, watching as the green gem glowed through the brown muck. “Holy shit..” She muttered under her breath, before crawling towards another grave, doing the same thing as before, hearing as Wilbur’s footsteps got closer.

“Wilma, what are you doing?” He panicked as he saw the glows through the dirt, staring at her with a look of betrayal and hurt. “How.. how could you!” He rushed over to try and unbury one of them, but before he could, it was gone. “Wilma, what did you do?” He stared at her with confusion, watching as the glow of the other’s died down.

This was the moment he knew the two of them would probably never see eye to eye again. He had spent years collecting lost souls, and now all of sudden Wilma is back and somehow managed to return souls to earth. He didn’t understand, simply staring down at the empty dirt mound, feeling his stomach drop.

“So, that’s why you and her don’t talk anymore?” You quirked a brow up, watching him note and fiddle with the small locket he had in his pocket. “Yeah. Ever since then I haven't seen her again.” He sighed and looked over at you, leaning his head on your shoulder.

“It’s harder for lost souls to cross over now. She’s constantly searching for them.. burying the lockets in the graveyard. Before I can ever get them they’re back to earth.” He spoke quietly, an annoyed look forming on his face. “It doesn’t always work out sometimes..”

You looked down at him with a confused look, lightly wrapping an arm around him. “What do you mean?” You spoke quietly, leaning your head on his.

“Staying silent.”

[pikatrainer99]

Branch mental health character analysis part 2: Trolls World Tour (SPOILERS FOR A FOUR YEAR OLD MOVIE BUT JUST IN CASE 😅)

(Part 1 is right here in case you missed it or need a refresher)

Hey everyone! I'm back with the second part of my Branch character analysis! This time, we're gonna go over his character in the second film, Trolls World Tour, so without further ado, let's get started!

This time around, Branch still lives in his bunker, but he's got more color to him now and he is able to enjoy singing and dancing with Poppy and the others, which is good character development for him. He also wants to confess his love for Poppy, but really struggles to do so. After hearing about the history of the different Troll tribes from King Peppy, as well as Queen Barb of the Hard Rock Trolls' world tour, Poppy decides to set out to unite the other Trolls and prove that differences don't matter. Branch tries to talk some sense into her with his logical thinking as well as his trauma-induced anxiety and trust issues, but to no avail, and he ends up joining Poppy on her quest…but not without sneaking some weapons on board the balloon they're traveling in…because his need to be over-prepared is still clearly there, especially when facing something new. He is clearly anxious, he doesn't know anything about the other Trolls and he feels the need to be hyper-vigilant just like in the first film, never letting his guard down. Poppy kicks the weapons overboard, and Branch is clearly upset by this, saying that he "whittled those for hours", referring to the sharp stick spears among the weapons he had brought.

When they reach Symphonyville, where the Classical Trolls lived, Branch, while feeling empathy for them, is still on guard upon hearing Pennywhistle the flute's voice in the destroyed town. Upon being asked if they're nice or mean, Poppy says they're nice, and Branch says, "Yeah, but not too nice…so don't even try it!" This, to me, is Branch's anxiety and fear of the unknown mixing in with his already established issues, particularly his paranoia. After their talk with Pennywhistle, Poppy finally realizes that Barb and the Hard Rock Trolls want to destroy all music except for Rock, and Branch panics and says that they need to make sure their string is safe, to which Poppy says it is as she pulls it out of her hair, causing Branch to freak out more at the fact that she BROUGHT IT WITH HER. He then says they need to go back home to Pop Village and get everyone in his bunker where they'll be safe (again, his bunker is HIS safe space, but his character development has led to him actually wanting to protect the rest of the Pop Trolls by keeping them safe in there…good job Branch!), but Poppy says that they need to keep going, completely invalidating Branch's concerns and worries (Poppy WHY…?!) and they head off towards the Country Music Trolls' territory.

When they reach Lonesome Flats, where the Country Trolls live, the Country Trolls' leader, Delta Dawn, is singing a sad song called "Born to Die" which Poppy dislikes because of how sad it is. Branch, however, seems a bit conflicted on how he feels about it, saying that he agrees that it's really sad, but then pointing out that life is sad sometimes…so he kinda likes it. This makes sense as Branch has been through so much in his life up to this point that he is depressed and traumatized. I didn't used to like sad songs either until I started really struggling with my own depression and trauma as a teenager (I've had these issues since I was a very young child but it really took over my life as a teen), and then I started finding a weird sense of comfort in them...which I was also confused about at the time, just like Branch seems to be here. After getting thrown in jail by Delta Dawn after performing an impromptu pop medley planned by Poppy to "cheer the Country Trolls up", Branch is once again, prepared for anything as he already has a plan and a shovel in his hair which he starts to dig them out of the jail so they can escape, but then they're rescued by Hickory, who Branch immediately is suspicious of and doesn't trust. His guard is up for a good portion of the time they spend traveling with Hickory, and when he says something about it to Poppy, she twists his words around saying that it's not Hickory Branch doesn't trust, but her. Branch immediately denies that (and rightfully so, he didn't say anything like that at all), and tries to get Poppy to understand that that wasn't what he meant, but she doesn't listen to him.

It's not until after the incident in Vibe City where the Funk Trolls live, that Poppy and Branch have a big fight. Poppy is so one-track-minded, so focused on being a good queen that she can't bring herself to focus on anything else, and Branch is desperately trying to get her to listen to reason. Poppy wants to continue their journey to help the other Trolls but Branch wants to go back home and protect their friends and family. Poppy accuses Branch of giving up and Branch is frustrated that all of this is all because Poppy feels the need to prove herself as a good queen, he tells her that good queens actually LISTEN, which she is not doing. They talk about how different they are and how they're too different to get along, causing Branch to leave, incredibly upset by it as he loves Poppy and cares about her more than anyone else, as his depression hits again (seriously, look at his face, he looks so sad the entire time while he sings "Perfect For Me"…he actually looks like he's close to tears at times in that scene too). When he gets captured by the K-Pop gang (who btw, actually call him "crybaby" before saying anything else to him) and the Reggaeton Trolls, he declares that all music should be saved, opening up to and accepting the two groups of Trolls in front of him even though they're bounty hunters trying to capture him and Poppy and bring them to Barb. They do end up working together as at the end, as Barb prepares to play the ultimate power chord, they show up in the balloon to help stop all music from being destroyed. This is a BIG step for Branch, as his trust issues were on alert 24/7 in only just a few scenes prior!

Branch jumps in front of Poppy, taking the hit from the ultimate power chord for her, getting turned into a rock zombie in the process. This shows how much Branch really loves her, as he didn't even HESITATE to sacrifice himself (he gets turned into a zombie controlled by Barb…I'm counting that as a self-sacrifice) to protect her, which is really sweet but also kinda sad…that kind of self-sacrificial behavior usually means (from what I've seen anyway) that the character puts others' lives way above their own, usually it's a self-worth issue, they don't care what happens to them, as long as their friends and loved ones are okay. We know that Branch has been through A LOT, so this kind of mentality actually makes sense…it's heartbreaking but it makes sense that he'd struggle with self-worth issues and low self-esteem (spoiler alert: we'll definitely get more into that when we get to the third movie). The guitar is soon smashed by Poppy, destroying the strings, but they all realize that music really comes from them, and they sing "Just Sing" (my personal favorite song in the film). Branch finally confesses his love for Poppy, she reciprocates, they high-five, and that's pretty much it for Trolls World Tour.

I hope you all enjoyed the second part of my Branch character analysis! I didn't put images or GIFs in this one because finding them takes a lot out of me, and since I'm struggling mentally right now, I didn't wanna put anymore stress on myself. Again, if you think I missed anything, please feel free to let me know what I missed in the comments below! This isn't the end of Branch's journey though! There's still one more movie to cover, so I'll see you guys hopefully soon for part 3: Trolls Band Together! Catch ya later! 👋