#clem got the 2 best friends she deserves

[httpiastri]

PERFECTLY FINE – 2023 SEASON SOCIAL MEDIA RECAP

author's note: dropping this off for yall ahead of the weekend bcs i have important sports stuff these next two days and likely won't be on here at all (i won't even have time to watch the races 🙃). just a little cute thingy before the first chapter hehe! the twt pics are unevenly cropped so pls open them to read all 😚 also this is my first social media au so go easy on me <3

author's note #2: you may not notice this if i don't say it but i'll say it anyway… i actually edited out zak from like four pics so that i could post this 😭 lol

series masterlist

MELBOURNE, APRIL 2023

yourusername amazing weekend here down under!! so thankful for my fantastic team for all of the hard work, the car is a pleasure to drive. and shoutout to my lovely teammates, i love being annoyed and pushed around by you all ❤️

show all 86 comments

user icon!!!

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frederikvestiofficial i would never annoy you 🥲

→ yourusername oh fred no, i didn't mean you 💔

→ olliebearman did you mean me?

→ yourusername nooo teddy bear, never 😢

→ dinobeganovic_ did you mean me??

→ yourusername take a guess 😐

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user not her calling ollie TEDDY BEAR ??? im out

→ user right in front of my salad 😪

→ user right in front of paul too

→ user chill 😭 she's allowed to have a nickname for her FRIEND

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paularon_ ❤️🏆

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dinobeganovic_ time for a haircut? paularon_

→ yourusername don't hate on the curls, they're cute 🐑

→ paularon_ i can defend myself

→ yourusername do it then?

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user great drive today!! u really deserved that win 💙

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saacha_fqt thank you for the champagne! 🥳

→ yourusername merci merci 🍾

???, MAY 2023

SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, JULY 2023

paularon_ p3 in spa. thanks to the team for the good work

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user good job paul!! still not sure why prema thought the slicks were a good idea but 🫶

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user why is he looking so upset 😭 mate you just got a podium, celebrate a little

→ user rumor has it he and y/n broke up… so i would understand if he isn't too happy

→ user omg you're kidding

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user that first lap was mega 🔥

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mercedesamgf1 great job all weekend paul. good points to head into the break with. 👏

yourusername had a pretty good time in spa 🤭

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user sprint race win and then 4th in the feature? queen behavior

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jakcrawford_ dino and ollie looking great

→ dinobeganovic_ 😎😎

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redbulljuniorteam amazing work!! 💪

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user y/n rlly is red bull personified omg, she truly loves her team

→ user and they love her back 🥺 always commenting on her posts, aww

ZANDVOORT, AUGUST 2023

yourusername look how happy jackie is for his podium <3 thanks zandvoort!!

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user i love to see ollie being bullied on his bike

→ yourusername me too

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olliebearman adorable jakcrawford_

→ jakcrawford_ 👍😀

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user love to see y/n happy even after what happened with paul 💓

→ user yes yes! she was hanging out in the prema paddock all weekend, joking around with ollie and fred. and then she even went out for dinner with jak and clem 🥺

→ user i didn't know she's friends with clem?

→ user she probably isn't lol but she follows jak anywhere like a puppy 😭

MONZA, SEPTEMBER 2023

yourusername the best season ever 😭 where do i even start? massive massive thanks to the entire team. all of the engineers, mechanics, workers back home at the factory, and everyone else involved, i'm so thankful for you all. and big thanks to my family and friends for supporting me all the way, i couldn't have done any of this without you all. and to my dear, lovely teammates: you're the best, i'll see you all again soon. ❤️ (and congrats gabrielbortoleto_ for the championship! 🏆)

show all 132 comments

user why does it sound like she won't stay with prema 😭

→ user tbh it seems unlikely since kimi will probably move up to f2... and ollie will stay with prema too, so idk where she would go

→ user please :( let me stay delusional

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gabrielbortoleto_ congrats on p2! see you again next year

→ yourusername 😉🤩

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user congrats on a great season!! can't wait to keep following you in the future <33

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redbulljuniorteam you made us proud this season 🫡 let's keep pushing!

→ yourusername thank you!! can't wait to see where 2024 takes us 💙❤️

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user had so much fun meeting you in zandvoort 🥺 hope you have another amazing season 2024!

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user is that her and paul in the fourth pic?

→ user no, it's her and dino from when they both ended up on the podium in hungary!

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user she went from posting several pics of paul in her dumps to posting none… 💔

→ user i can't handle being a divorce child 😭

CAMBRIDGE, DECEMBER 2023

yourusername happy holidays 🤍🤶❄️🎄

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user is that OLLIE in the last slide??

→ user byeeee i've never felt more single

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dinobeganovic_ send me the gingerbread cookies, won't you?

→ yourusername oh we will, don't worry 🥰

→ user WE will ?!??!! 😭

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user kinda icky how she moved on from paul in like a week

→ user it's been months. get over yourself.

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user bearman with a bear plushie 🥺 i'm so soft

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user the matching pjs.... when is it my turn???

???, FEBRUARY 2024

[arcadiabaytornado]

Who are your top 10 misunderstood characters from Life is Strange and Telltale’s The Walking Dead and why?

Kate (LIS) - Kate isn't misunderstood the same way Rachel and Chloe are, but I do think she's often portrayed as much more feeble then she actually is. For example: Kate stands for herself plenty in game. If you tell her to wait for more proof, she'll send Max this text. "Max. Sorry to have bothered you by asking for your advice. I guess I shouldn't do anything but let people enjoy my video all over the world." She'll also bluntly confront Max if you don't intervene when David's in her face. Don't get me wrong, Kate IS an utter sweetheart, but she's not a doormat either. She has a bit of a bite on multiple occasions.

Max (LIS) - Max is similar to Kate for me. I think she's often portrayed as much more feebly then she is. Some people treat her like she's a ...well...doe but she has a very strong bite to her! I mean, she's back with Chloe for 48 hours at most and she pulls a gun on Frank and maybe pulls the trigger. Also, if you don't side with Chloe for a choice, Max is very sassy about Chloe's objections. Chloe will say something like: "If you only you told David it was your joint," and Max will go "Oh, sorry, I was to busy saving your life. 🙄" Max is a very strong character, so I'm shocked that a lot of people see her as being super delicate. She's the furthest thing from a doormat.

More Undercut

Rachel (LIS) - Rachel deserves better. I can't even really get into this fully on this post because I want to keep my reasons shortish (well...short for me) but for a very quick and not detailed recap of my thoughts. 1. We don't even know if she cheated on Chloe, so, no, she's not the devil for sleeping with Frank. 2. Rachel is manipulative to a certain degree, but there's no indicator that she was an evil serpent women who only spoke in lies and manipulation. 3. There's plenty of in game evidence that she cared about Chloe. We can argue all day about whether she was ever in love with Chloe or not, but there's more than enough to back up that she at least cared for her.

Chloe - I'm going to make short points with her like I did with Rachel because this another topic I could make a full rant about. 1. She is mean, but some people really exaggerate the extent of it. 2. She's not evil for being mad that her best friend who ghosted her figured out how to work a phone when Kate called. 3. She's not a bitch for not liking her Step Father who is abusive to her. 4. She's not terrible for having a tense relationship with her Mother, who made it very clear that David is more than important than her. 5. Women are allowed to be flawed.

Ryan (LIS TC) - I will defend Ryan until the day I die. I know it isn't his best moment if he doesn't believe Alex at the end...but of course he doesn't believe Alex in all the endings?? Jed is his FATHER. A father he's close with and has been told his entire life is a hero. Then Alex (rightfully) bursts in and pops his bubble, and in the moment, he doesn't handle that well unless there's a lot of confirmation that his loving father is actually a hidden monster. And yes, I know that Steph backs up Alex no matter what...but Jed isn't her Dad, and she isn't as connected to the town, or it's stories, as deeply as Ryan is. She loses way less if Alex is telling the truth, while Alex's (rightful) honesty destroys what's left of Ryan's family after he already lost his Mother.

Violet (TWDG) - I've always thought it was weird how upset people got when Vi betrayed Clem in the cells. First off...Clem betrayed her first?? Vi spent the entire game defending Clem when no one else would. When AJ killed Marlon she stood in front of them with a cleaver to protect them from the other kids. When everyone voted to kick Clem and AJ out, she was the one shouting from the rooftops that it was unfair. When Clem and AJ came back, she was the one who insured that they could stay. And yet, when Clem saw her in danger, she chose not to save her. It's not shocking that she feels so upset, but it did shock me how fans reacted to it, and I'm someone who saved and romanced Louis! I mean...how unfair is a betrayal really if they stab you with the same knife you stuck in their back?

Louis (TWDG) - It's crazy how much of Ryan's paragraph I could apply to Louis. Of course he gets mad when Clem's murder toddler, who has never been taught restraint, puts a bullet in his best friends head. Marlon had given up. The gun was no longer in his hands. Clem had it handled peacefully, and then the situation ended with a bullet. I totally understand why he was mad, and I even understand why he wanted them to leave and not come back. He was mourning, and his pain is made even worse if you had Clem appeal to him because he helped disarm Marlon and that led to his death. So, in other words, I think his rage in episode 2 is very understandable. Plus, he moves on from his anger and apologizes for kicking them out in...Episode 2. The same episode the anger starts.

Sarah (TWDG) - People complain about her being a burden so much, but honestly that's Carlos's fault. She never really got a chance to be a survivor in the apocalypse because she was sheltered non-stop, and there's multiple moments that imply that she could have made it if things were different. I don't FULLY blame Carlos for sheltering her since I understand wanting your child to grow up in peace instead of surrounded by horror...but he really screwed her over. I think people should be way harsher on him than her. Sarah was doing her best. Carlos was not.

Ben (TWDG) - In the same manner as Sarah, people often complain that he's a burden. And...he kinda is, but also he's also literally sixteen years old. He makes bad choices because he's naive, not because he's malicious. Also, I know he indirectly got Duck and Katjaa killed, but the bandits were threatening to kill EVERYONE in the group if he didn't slip medicine to them. What Ben did got Katjaa and Duck killed, but who's to say the bandits wouldn't have kept their word and killed the entire group if he had refused. He was put in a no win situation, and honestly I just so much pity for him. I'm glad my Lee looks out for him.

Jane (TWDG) - Jane is...weird because she is a bad person but also some people act like she never cared about Clem and had entirely selfish motivations. She cared about Clem enough to teach her how to survive, which is something she never bothered to do with Sarah, even though she needed a mentor much more than Clem. And for as much as I disagree with her of philosophy of "never trust anyone, people are bad," I do think she was genuinely trying to help and giving what she thought was good advice. She also comes back and saves the group during the shoot out for Clem's sake, which proves that her motivations aren't entirely selfish...just mostly.

[controversial-blorbo-bracket]

Controversial Character Tournament Round 2: Dahlia Hawthorne from Ace Attorney vs Clementine Kesh from Friends at the Table: PARTIZAN

(remember that these characters are fictional and your fellow tumblr users are real. i will block you if you harass others in the notes, please consider sending your unhinged harassment to my inbox instead)

Propaganda under the cut, may contain spoilers:

Dahlia Hawthorne:

LOVE:

“People hate her bc she manipulated the protagonist and tried to kill the deuteragonist. Her backstory is pretty fucked and involves her dating a 30 year old at age 14. I straddle the line of loving her as an apologist and loving her as an evil villain bc tbh nobody looks at her with the nuance she deserves”

“brain not working well right now but if i don't do it now i'll forget to submit her sorry”

Clementine Kesh:

LOVE:

“She is a princess of space, she is a war criminal, she uses prison labor, she’s space lesbian robot devil’s chosen one, she is a spoiled brat, she is a witch overtaken by russian sage, she has a crush on her tennis partner, they hate each other, she has so many mommy issues, her mother is head of a spy organization.”

“-shitty imperialist that uses other player characters as prison labor -princess of the empire the entire show is about fighting against -even her player thinks she sucks -got pushed off a fort and it was the best moment in the season -despite this she is staunchly beloved by awful woman enjoyers -the robot devil god at the center of the universe was like "nah she's funny" and resurrected her (other best moment of the season) -she's my favorite woman of all time i want to push her down the stairs -people legit stopped listening when she got resurrected -you either love her or hate her and there's not really anything that can change your mind, fandom calls it the "clem yummy" gene (like the opposite of the cilantro soap gene) (the clem yummy gene is mostly just being a lesbian)”

[spacedlexi]

Question, what made you ship Violentine? I personally liked how Violet was rightfully suspicious of Clem and AJ but still accepted them, and grew to like them. Along with the fact, no matter what, during the Marlon confrontation, she will stand up for Clem and Aj. Also her making a pin for clem, dancing with her, and star gazing (just off the top of my memory) was really cute, she is also just really badass.

yes to all of that 🥺💕 i liked violet in the first episode and the little development we get between her and clem is nice, how they can both relate to each other about their losses and how they are seeming to find comfort in each other during their talks in the dorm and while fishing (especially if you mend her relationship with brody she really relaxes). but i think what really solidified the actual relationship for me was in the beginning of episode 2 when violet realizes everyone is about to Jump this Child and immediately without hesitation stands in the middle against her friends and community to protect this little boy who just killed their leader, because he is a Little Child and everyone needs to Calm Down, and marlons hands werent so clean either. for the rest of the episode she stands against all of her friends to defend clem and aj and she does all of this regardless of your choices up until this point so it wasnt like it was determinate based on how nice to her you were

then she falls into the open leadership position, that she doesnt even want, because no one else steps up to do so and Someones gotta do it because otherwise the group will fall apart and it is already splitting at the seams. she quickly becomes someone clem can rely on (she'll even shoot lilly if you fail to pick an option), and clem becomes someone violet can rely on as well as she helps violet with keeping the group together and trying to smooth things over after marlons death. violet goes from being a loner who has dreams of leaving the school because she just never felt like she belonged there, to becoming its leader and does her best to keep everyone safe (and beats herself up hard about it if she fails), and then ending with leading the school side by side with clem. co leader badass girlfriends

i left s3 Very Opinionated that i Did Not Want ANY romance options for clem because i didnt think theyd ever be able to pull it off. so i had the bar set Pretty High. but violet ended up being exactly what i wanted in a love interest for clem. theyre very evenly matched. similar attitudes and goals and maturity level, their ability to relate to each other and what theyve been through (vi is very s3 clem at the beginning of s4, feeling like shes lost the only people she cares about and has walled herself off to other connections), violet stands up for both clem and aj without hesitation because its the right thing to do, and shes tough as nails. she grows a lot between the beginning and end of the season she really comes into herself as a leader especially if you friend/romance her. she is also So in love with clem and cares about her so deeply. hearing her plead if you tell lilly youll join her if she lets everyone else go you can hear in her voice how much the idea of that hurts her because she Cant Lose Clem like shes lost others (props to gideon adlon for doing such a great job voicing her)

ALSO one of my favorite scenes where minnie and clem are fighting and vi shoots minnie to save clems life i love it. the Gay Drama of it all shooting your ex to save your new gf but still not having the heart to leave her (again) makes me go like this every time

also their romance lock in scene is Incredible....Perfect...Spectacular.. their entire romance from that scene on is just so cute they are such a good match for each other. they both make the other feel like they have someone they can rely on without hesitation. AND shes so good with aj. treats him with respect, is kind patient and understanding with him, tries to make him feel less scared and more confident. like when theyre putting the walker guts on and she kneels down to be eye level with him and tell him hes doing a good job and she looks up at clem reassuringly and clem smiles back AUGH!!! thats what im TALKING ABOUT!!! clem needs someone that not only She can rely on but also someone she can trust that aj can rely on as well and vi is that person!!! AAHH

[clemkruckinnie]

bette davis eyes-chrissy cunningham x reader

request: Hey Clem so I haven’t seen anyone do this yet I think. But it’s a Chrissy x Reader fic.So Chis is datin a older “party” member. And Chris is with the reader when she’s gets taken by Venca. And later on when Reads finds out that music saves said victims, they kinda goes off on themselves. It’s a stench for this

a/n: gotta give my first imagine to my underrated angel <3

relationships: chrissy cunningham x f!reader, mild robin buckley x f!reader if you squint

The Wheeler household is almost never entirely quiet. Even when no one is talking, there’s always something in the foreground-the buzz of the heater, a forgotten game left on the TV. This rings true for your current situation-everyone spread out on the basement floor, exhausted from the day’s events.

You had come close to losing Max—too close. Here she was, though, fast asleep in your arms, Kate Bush’s muted voice leaking from the headphones of her walkman. Being first up for “Max Watch”, it was your job to watch over her. You had practically jumped at the opportunity, citing your resistance to sleep as a qualifier. Even though she’s been through hell, Max looks peaceful as she sleeps, head tucked under your chin. As horrible as it is to admit, you sort of envy her. You haven’t been able to close your eyes without seeing the love of your life, eyes glazed over, bones snapped at angles incompatible with life.

To the town of Hawkins, you and Chrissy Cunningham were the best of friends. Never one without the other, connected at the hip, practically at the very soul. You treasured that closeness above everything else, because no matter how bad things got, there she was, ready to hold you in her arms until you had cried the pain out. It flashes in your brain that she’s gone forever, an obnoxious, flickering, neon motel sign amongst the darkness in the rest of your head.

They had cracked some sort of code today, funding out that music could pull someone away from Vecna’s hold, giving them the strength to fight back and get back to their bodies. That’s why you’ve been listening to Kate Bush secondhand for the past 2 hours-it had saved Max, for which you couldn’t thank the same invisible forces you had been cursing enough. Through the several years of trauma before, you had grown closer to the young girl passed out against your chest. You already felt as if part of your soul was missing, with Chrissy gone. Losing Max would have killed you.

You’re pulled from your thoughts by a soft rap against the wooden table by the couch, looking up into Robin’s eyes.

“Shift switch.” She tells you.”I mean, you probably won’t be able to move, since Max is-“

You smile softly down at her again, then look back up to Robin, nodding. “She’s earned it.”

Robin sits across from Max and you, in an uncharacteristic bout of silence. “I’m sorry, by the way. About Chrissy. I know she just passed, but it already feels, like-overlooked, in a way?”

“Yeah.” You mutter softly. “Out of all the people that could have happened to-she didn’t deserve it.”

“She was an angel.” Robin concurs, “one time, one of those basketball shitheads threw chocolate milk on my favorite shirt. She didn’t even know me, but she stayed in that bathroom with me trying to get it out, then gave me her sweater to wear instead. She never even asked for it back.”

You blink back tears, again, because of course your Chrissy did. Of course she spent an hour of her own time helping out a classmate she barely knew, because that was her-an angel among humans.

“I never told her about any of this.” You start, “but for every bad memory day, every nightmare, she was there. Just ready to help me through something she didn’t even know about.”

There’s another pause, but you speak up again, unable to stop talking about Chrissy, now that you’ve been able to share these memories of her with someone. “I’d have played Bette Davis Eyes.” You tell her, “to save Chrissy, I mean. That was our song.”

You’re too wrapped up in the memories that had made it your song-dancing in Chrissy’s bedroom, illuminated by her string lights, promising to each other you’d make it out of Hawkins, to somewhere where you two could just be. You snap back to the present day when you realize what you had just told Robin.

“I mean-shit, I-“

You rub at your damp eyes with your free arm.

“Y/N.” Robin prompts you softly.

You’re able to bring yourself to look up at her, and there’s no sign of the disgust you were expecting.

“Were you two just friends?” She asks you. You shake your head “no”, biting back the sobs so you don’t disturb Max.

“I loved her.” You cry. “And she loved me. Not in the way that you love your best friend.”

You look back at Robin, and not only is she not disgusted-she’s crying, too.

“Oh, shit, Robin-“

She waves you off, wiping her eyes.

“Wasn’t expecting you two to be like me.” Robin shrugs.

“Like you??”

Robin nods, “Yeah.”

You smile tearfully, grabbing Robin’s hand with your free one, unable to hug her like you wanted to.

“Bette Davis Eyes was so us.” You gush, opening the floodgate. “Cause Chrissy-she had those big doe eyes that looked through your soul, you know? She and I would dance to it, and laugh at the “all the boys think she’s a spy” part, because we both liked to think of guys we talked to as like, covert operations. She loved the references, too- to the old movie stars, she loved old romance movies.” Robin nods, smiling wistfully as you go on.

“She just loved, and cared, so deeply about everyone and everything. She barely even knew Max, but if she were here, she’d be crying happy tears right along with me for her.”

There’s another pause, where you look down at Max again, rewinding her walkman so it’ll keep playing Running Up That Hill.

“That’s why i’m persevering.” You tell Robin, “because she loved me so much.”

And she did.

Your golden girl, your sunshine, the love of your life.

Your motivation to keep fighting-your angel, watching you from somewhere, with those Bette Davis Eyes.

[stop-breaking-my-heart-telltale]

Top 5 Best Executed Deaths

A few weeks ago, I did a list talking about the Top 5 Character Deaths That Made Me Side-Eye the Writers and I thought it was only fair that I talk about some of the character deaths that I thought were actually done well. So consider this like a companion to that list. 

Like I said in that T5F, this is TWDG, a game series all about people surviving in a world overrun by zombies. Naturally, characters are going to die. Some of these characters get pretty shitty deaths that only happened to fill a quota, some had effort and thought put into them and how they were going to effect the story and remaining characters. These are deaths that served their purpose, progressed the story, or are an understandable conclusion to a character’s arc. 

Do keep in mind that when I say that I enjoy the way these were done/handled/portrayed/whatever, this isn’t me taking joy outta watching these deaths play out. Hell, I kinda hate most of the deaths on this list, but just because I don’t want this character to die or I wish they stuck around longer doesn’t mean I can’t recognize when it’s executed well, y’know? 

5. Larry and the meat locker incident

So.... Larry’s an asshole, y’know? He made it on another T5F because he sucks. No one likes Larry. 

He treats Lee like garbage, treats his own daughter terribly, and is overall just a piece of shit. That being said, he played his role well. He did what he needed to do which was be a antagonistic character within the group who posed a threat to Lee by threatening to expose his past. He creates a lot of tension within the group, he puts all this pressure on Lilly, you can’t even attempt to show any kindness to him because he doesn’t care about anyone but himself and Lilly. 

That being said.... his death scene is pretty good. Y’know, you play through ep2 for the first time and you’ve just discovered that these people are cannibals and they have you locked in a fucking meat locker so they can butcher you later, and Larry is freakin’ the fuck out because he’s pissed. Lilly is sick in the corner, Kenny is desperately trying to find a way out because they have his family, and Clementine is terrified, and Lee is just waking up. 

You go over and try to calm Larry down because he’s pounding at the door and this dude.... this bastard has the gall to be like “Fuck you, you must really hate me! I’m plannin’ on bein’ around waaaaaay after you’re dead! I’ll be the one to put you down!”

Then he has a heart attack. 

And you’re stuck in this meat locker with him. You don’t know if he’s alive or not-- Kenny immediately deems him dead, Lilly is desperately trying to resuscitate him, and they’re both yelling at you. You gotta decide if you’re gonna help Lilly try to bring him back, or if you’re gonna help Kenny make sure he doesn’t turn. 

Not matter what you do, Kenny smashes Larry’s head in with a damn saltlick because I guess he missed the opening of the episode where they remind you that your actions have consequences. 

Larry’s death has lasting effects on your relationships with both Lilly and Kenny, though more so Kenny since no matter what, Lilly loses it a little and ends up murdering Carley/Doug and leaving the group. But boy, Kenny will never forget the time you didn’t wanna play hero with him and smash a guys head in right in front of his daughter. 

It’s a damn good scene, I gotta hand it to ‘em. I hate Larry and I can’t say I miss him, but I can definitely see both sides of the argument on what to do there. Plus it’s... I dunno, a creative death? and I kinda like that? No one else is out here getting their heads done in with a saltlick, y’know? 

Anyway, Larry sucks but his death? Well done. 

4.  Minerva and the tragic showdown on the bridge

Oh man, I really am digging my own grave with the Minnie crowd lately, huh? Ah well, I’m sure it’s fine. 

Listen...okay, look. I have a lot of feelings about the bridge scene. On one hand, I hate it. On the other hand, I kind of love it? 

Like, does it piss me off that Tenn dies here because I trust AJ? Yep. Do I still wish they had maybe put Lilly here so that she could actually do her job as a villain? Sure. Does it upset me that AJ ends up shooting his best friend in order to save Louis? Totally. Does it annoy me that Minerva just won’t fucking die even though I shot her and the walkers keep nom noming her? Absolutely. 

That being said, I can’t pretend that Minerva’s death isn’t pretty great.... which I know will upset the Minnie crowd who always talk about how it’s bullshit she died here and she deserved a redemption arc... but lemme explain. 

Looking at the game itself, the text and story progression, Minerva was never going to get that. She was never set up as someone we were gonna “fix” or as someone who would have a change of heart and switch to our side. From the moment we meet her, she’s too far gone. The delta have their claws sunk deep within her, they brainwashed her, forced her to murder her own sister, and she has completely given up. She never expresses any desire to go back to the school. Nope, the delta is her home now. Her family. And it’s tragic. She and Sophie proof of what would happen to the Ericson crew if the delta go ahold of them-- “which twin will you be?” y’know? 

She fucks us over instead of actually helping us, we escape, the boat explodes, but Minerva doesn’t go down with the boat. Nope, she makes it to land and well... she fucking loses it. She sees her delta family get taken out by walkers and she goes nuts with her gun and gets half of her face chewed off by a walker.

So yeah..... she’s dead. Almost. They try to act like we’re supposed to believe that she’s really dead after she gets surrounded by walkers and throws the grenade at Clementine and all that but c’mon.... unless I see a body or a walker version, I don’t believe shit. 

Which brings me to the bridge.... there’s a lot of dread building up to Minerva’s final appearance, and you just hear her singing the damn song and bringing a bunch of walkers with her. Not to mention that she already looks dead. She looks like a walker who can talk, and not gonna lie, I like it. It’s freaky and sad and fucked up and adds so much to her character at this point. I mean, she’s here to kill Tenn so that they can all be a family again. She’s smiling and relieved that she’s dying and boy she just can’t wait to take Tenn with her and it’s not great.

She’s here to die and to take someone down with her, and she’s not leaving until she does. Hell, if she can take Clementine out, that’s just a bonus at this point. 

ALSO can’t forget that if AJ does shoot and kill Tenn, Minerva is still alive as she’s being eaten by walkers and she looks so damn happy as she reaches out and says, “Yes, come with me...” 

Like..... it’s so fucked, and I hate that I love it. From a storytelling standpoint, it’s a fitting death to conclude Minerva’s character and it impacts everyone there in more ways than one. 

3. Duck and incredible emotional impact

Oh, Duck... poor, poor Duck. 

This one has stuck with me and I hate it. I was never one of those players who hated Duck from the beginning. It’s interesting to go back and see how people reacted to him in the first couple episodes because a lot of them didn’t like him. They found Duck to be annoying, loud, stupid, and would even wonder “yeesh, when can I kill this kid?” 

Which is yikes but not gonna get into that right now. 

But from my understanding, Telltale got wind of this and knowing they were gonna kill him off, were like “Okay, y’all dumb, so here--” and they added in that little segment with Detective Duck where he helps Lee figure out what’s been going on with the stole meds. It’s a cute scene where we get to hang out with Duck and he proves that he’s not stupid, he’s just... y’know, a child. 

Then the motor inn gets attacked, shit goes down after they escape, and it’s revealed that Duck was bitten. 

Oh man, let me tell you about emotional impact both on the characters and the player because wow. 

Duck’s death is slow, drawn out...and since it’s early in the series, there’s a lot of denial, mostly from Kenny. They find the train and Kenny fixates on it because to him, if he gets it working and they can just get away, Duck can recover. Duck isn’t like the others, he’s just a little sick and everyone is making a big fuss about it. 

Then you have Katjaa, who starts out in that denial stage but she moves into acceptance a lot quicker than Kenny does and well.... that might be because she made up her mind about what she was going to do, which that is a whole other layer of fucking despair to this situation. 

They also do something that I like with Kenny by adding that depth of him believing he had something like this coming after what happened at Hershel’s farm. Y’know, when he grabbed Duck and took off, leaving Shawn to die? Yeah that. 

He’s been so adamant about protecting his family to the point where he doesn’t have anything for the rest of the group, aside from Lee if he helps kill Larry. He did what he could to keep his wife and child safe and in the end, it didn’t matter. Duck still got bit, and now everything is shit. 

Then when you thought it couldn’t hurt even more, you find Katjaa dead in the woods and you still have to take care of Duck, whether you have Lee shoot him or have Kenny do it, or even just leave him to turn. Either way.... Duck’s death is just one big ol’ despairing oof.

It’s really good, guys. The music, dialogue, scenery, the pain....They really nailed Duck’s death in such an emotional way and it doesn’t just end there. This sticks with Kenny all the way through S2 and changes him as a character. It impacted Clementine and Lee greatly because this kickstarted Chuck telling them that Clem would end up just like Duck if things didn’t change. 

S1 just... knew how to kill off its characters... well, for the most part. 

2. Marlon and the death that had to happen whether we like it or not

Sigh.... okay. 

So... Marlon. Lemme tell you some things about Marlon’s death. 

First, I hate it. Nothing new there. If you know anything about me, you know that I am vocal in my desire for the Marlon redemption arc, for the “Marlon lives” AU’s and the “Marlon lives longer but dies differently” AU’s. I like Marlon as a character, I find him to be a fascinating character study. Ray Chase’s performance as Marlon brings so much personality and I love it.  So naturally, I wanted more of him in TFS. 

Here’s the thing. I may want all of those things, I may take a lot of joy from discussing these ideas with you guys and coming up with different scenarios,  theories, AU’s about him, and I’ll always be the first one to be like “I hate that Marlon dies in ep1, I wish AJ hadn’t shot him! Woulda liked for him to stick around longer!” 

But with the story TFS is trying to tell, Marlon has to die. AJ has to shoot him. I don’t like it, you don’t like it, no one likes it.... but that’s just how it is. 

Marlon is presented to us as this chill and genuine guy trying to keep his group safe and together. He feels the pressure of being responsible for all the lives in this school and that’s a lot to put on a teen growing up in the apocalypse. 

Then we learn that hey, the twins didn’t die. No, last year they ran into Abel and Marlon made a deal with him where he traded the twins in order to save himself, Brody, and the rest of the school. He wanted to plan a rescue mission, but he was too scared, so he and Brody kept it to themselves. They made up a story about the twins dying and moved on, but that continued to weigh down on them. 

Then Abel comes back, Brody freaks out, tells Clementine the truth, and Marlon hits her so hard that it kills her. 

And it gets worse. 

You go through the whole confrontation with Marlon trying to cover his ass and blame Clementine for Brody’s murder, he’s waving AJ’s gun around and threatening to shoot Clem while everyone is gathered around watching. It’s raining, it’s super dramatic and tense and I love it. 

In the end, Marlon gives up and he just wants to leave. Let him become a bad memory, he’ll never come back, just let him go. 

Then AJ shoots him in the head unprompted. He just.... he just does it and then wonders why everyone is looking at him like he’s a murder baby. 

Marlon’s death is crucial, not just to kickstart the plot but also for AJ’s character arc. His death affects everyone in that school. It makes Clementine question herself and if she’s raising AJ right, it breaks Louis’ heart, it pisses off Mitch, it sets Violet off on her bullshit. Everyone is hurting and confused because they don’t know what to do. Marlon is dead and AJ, this tiny toddler, was the one who pulled the trigger. 

From the beginning, we’re told that AJ is always listening, watching, and what we do will affect him for better or worse.... and maybe you don’t think much when you tell him to always aim for them head, but when he says exactly what you taught him after murdering Marlon...? Yeah, you’re sitting there like “Well, fuck.” 

But if this didn’t happen, if AJ didn’t kill Marlon, then.... there’s not a lot left. Sure the raiders are still coming, but AJ no longer has to go through what he has to or realize how much he hurt everyone. He’s no longer on that path that made him such an interesting and layered character. 

Sure, you coulda made him shoot someone else, but the fact that it was Marlon is what made it impactful.

Ugh, it’s good and I hate it. I hate it so much. 

1. Lee and the death that broke all our hearts

.......Just-

-y’know?

What else is there to say?

Well, alright, I’ll explain. 

We play as Lee in S1, we go on this whole journey with him and develop him as a character, establish relationships, and care for Clementine. He’s a great character. I did a list on why he’s great, too, if you wanna check that out but all you really need to know is that we all loved Lee.

Lee’s got a lot of baggage, given that he was on his way to prison for murdering the dude who was sleeping with his wife. But then the apocalypse happened and he got a second chance to do some good... or I guess bad? if you do a scumbag Lee run? 

Anyway-- no matter what, he cares for Clementine and it’s nice to see them bond over the course of the season... so when shit hits the fan and Clementine gets kidnapped by the Stranger, we’re just as upset as Lee is.

Then Lee gets bit.... and we realize that even though he’s our playable protagonist, he was never safe either. He gets bit and I can still remember the feeling of like... a bowling ball dropping in my stomach and my heart hurting because no... no, no, not Lee. I basically became Kenny like “No, he’s different! Lee isn’t gonna die! Being bit doesn’t mean death!” and while that is technically true.... had to face it: Lee’s going to die by the end of the season. 

Ep5 of S1 is a whole journey... We’re dealing with trying to save Clementine while seeing Lee get worse and worse-- he’s passing out, he’s growing paler and slower and it’s hard to watch. You maybe get a little bit of hope if you decide to cut his arm off, but that’s just... it’s too late for that. 

Not only is he fighting this, but then you got Ben who gets impaled and Kenny “dies” putting him outta his misery and Lee’s powerless to do anything. So great, that sucks. 

But at least he’s got Christa and Omid.... until they get separated at the Marsh House and Lee’s gotta get through a herd of them by himself. 

This slow burn is so good. His condition gets progressively worse but he’s so determined to get to Clem that it doesn’t matter. He doesn’t have time to think about what is inevitably going to happen to him, even if the player does. 

And just.... the final scene... y’know, the actual death scene? 

It’s so good. It’s a beautiful, emotional punch in the face. Like, way to end your game like this... Lee is trapped her with Clementine and he can’t walk, he can’t get up no matter how much Clementine begs him to try, he just- he can’t. He knows it’s all over for him and so he has her handcuff him to this heater so that no matter what, he can’t hurt her and just.... their final moments together where Lee is minutes away from death but is struggling to tell her as much as he can and I’m crying.

Then of course, the final choice-- Do you shoot Lee, or do you leave him to turn?

Both ending hurt my soul, but they’re both great in different ways. Shooting him is so heartbreaking... seeing little Clem sobbing as she points the gun at him and closes her eyes, then it cuts to black as the shot rings out and you hear Lee’s final breath....

BUT THEN YOU HAVE THE LEAVE HIM ENDING WHICH-

Lee manages to tell her more when you choose not to shoot him, but just watching Clementine get to the door and her little “don’t go” before Lee closes his eyes and falls over limp... falls over dead, I just--

Ouch... I am applauding this through my ugly sobs. 

It’s the best death in the series. It has everything and then some- emotional impact, works to progress the story and characters, amazing dialogue and performances.... It still gets me to this day. 

---

Honorable Mentions

-Mark’s death technically happens off screen, but I mean, c’mon... Mark wasn’t the most compelling character, but everyone remembers what happened to him. Everyone remembers walker Mark. What happened to him showed us just how fucked the St Johns were and it’s excellent.  -Brody’s death is pretty good, too.  -Abel’s death is an interesting one. He’s a garbage can, but they managed to humanize him just a bit by the way he hands his soon-to-be demise.  -Badger when Conrad kills him. It’s super good.  -I’m looking over this list now and it’s kinda funny that not a single S2 death made it here... it’s almost like all the character death that happened there was because a quota needed to be filled and who cares about complex character development when you got Kenny and nothing really matters I guess... ugh. The best deaths would probably be Carver, and Kenny when you shoot him but they’re not good enough to be in a top 5 so.... good job.

---

So... that was fun. What do you guys think? Do you agree with my choices or nah? Do you have a favorite death I didn’t list that you thought was well executed? Let me know, I’m curious. 

Have any suggestions for future T5F’s? Feel free to send ‘em in! :D

---

Next week’s T5F

[writingsweetroll]

Past - 6

We ran out the building as fast as we could. We caught our breath as we made it back to the courtyard. "Maybe that wasn't something we should have heard.." AJ said in a hushed tone. He looked at me with curiosity. He noticed my silence. "Willow?" he asked. "AJ- what happened with Marlon?" I asked slowly. "I don't know who Marlon is and dad said you killed him. What..." I sighed in the middle of my sentence, there was a lot happening today. "What happened AJ. Tell me, please." AJ straightened his back, with hesitation he agreed.

We walked to my room, and sat down on the separate ends of the bed. "About 14 years ago, we crashed at the train station area. This dude, his name was Marlon, he saved us and took us in." I could tell to everyone this was a sensitive subject, but still, I needed to know why. I let AJ continue, with a comforting face to let him know I'm here if he needs me. AJ fiddled with his fingers. "Soon, we found out some deep shit about him. First Clem found out what happened to Minerva and Sophie--" I cut him off. "Minerva and Sophie...Minerva is Violets ex right. I have seen her visit the graves every now and then?" AJ nodded then continued. "Turns out he actually sold them to The Delta. And was gonna sell Clem and I next. After....Brody, she exposed him she was beaten to death by Marlon. And in fear Marlon locked Clementine in the basement where it all happened." I got chills in my spine, thinking about the times Carson and I played board games down there during winter days, not knowing such tragic things happened there. "Clem escaped obviously, but Marlon pinned the murder on her. And basically it was back and forward, until Clem turned to Louis for help."--"Well did he help?" I asked, knowing my dad was very loyal to Clem, but sometimes he does get lazy. AJ sighed. "Yea, after some convincing. He stopped her from being murdered. After that everyone was calming down and then I-" AJ chocked up. "I shot him in the head...I will never forget Louis's face. The pain I caused him."

I scoffed in annoyance. AJ looked at me, almost appalled at my response. "Louis has no reason to be upset! He shouldn't have treated mom or you like that at all. Marlon was a murder! He almost killed mom and sold her off with you, and betrayed the whole group. If Louis couldn't see that, then he's the fool." AJ straightened his back up in a more defensive manner, "Willow-" I cut him off. "Is that why you guys got kicked out? For giving that murderer what he deserved? That's not fair AJ! I love dad but seriously, is he just a--just a-"--"Willow! Stop!" I was cut off by AJ yelling at me. Startled, I look at him with wide eyes. AJ began to slouch again. "Willow, you still don't know the full story. That was from our shoes, not his."

"Marlon and him had always been close. Ever since they were kids, before the apocalypse even started; they had this brotherly relationship. Kind of like our relationship you know? What Louis didn't know was that Marlon had so much anxiety, and stress on his shoulders. And he did something stupid, then he murdered. Louis came out to see what was going on. And before he could fully grasp what was going on, Marlon was dead. Marlon, his best friend, his brother died by some strangers who had just come." The room became silent. Only white noise filled the area. AJ broke the silence as he spoke again. "What if you were in that position with me or Iris? What if some random stranger came in here, exposed my secrets and then before you got to ask me or tell me anything, I died. Was shot in the head...by some stupid fucking kid." AJ looked down now, obviously hurt by what he had done.  I sighed and make my way over to him. "I get it AJ, it was hard on dad. Now I know. But still, it was hard on you guys to. He shouldn't be blaming you for this."--"He doesn't Willow, I mean I don't think he does." AJ interjected. "But you heard what he said earlier AJ." AJ stood up off the bed. "I know Willow. I know. It's just, after he let us back into the school he apologized. And even years after that he still does. In the moment he was angry. I said some shit to, shit I'm not proud of when I was angry." AJ the went to my closet and grabbed his art box. He rummaged through a lot of papers until he found a drawing. "Look." He pointed to the picture. It was a picture of AJ and Louis, they were holding hands and smiling. He scribbled at the bottom of the page, "I get sad when Lou gets sad about Marlon. I wish I could stop what I did last year. But he tells me that he loves me the way Clem loves me and nothing will change that." I smiled at the innocence scribbled on the page. "Clem taught me when people have trauma, they do things differently and I think that can apply to anger to. Louis was angry but I know in my heart that he wouldn't love Clem if he truly felt that way. Let alone have a child with her."--"And no Willow, you were planned not an accident." The atmosphere became lighter as we gave into hope. "Don't worry about them. 14 years and a kid isn't going down the drain because of an argument." AJ told me as her was about to leave my room. "Thanks for checking up on me, I had some fun all things considered." I smile and wave him off.

-2 days later-

"Good morning sweet pea." I wake up to being gently shook awake by Louis. "What? What's going on?" I asked. "Well, I know this is short notice but we're going to Richmond! Get up." I got up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, before I could ask why, he left my room. I get up and put on my hiking clothes as usual. Confused, I make my way outside. "Alright, here's your packs, you two have yours as well?" Violet and Ivy nodded, holding each others hands. We put our backpacks on, AJ and I gave each other a confused look. We could have swore Clem and Louis were just fighting about this. Even more confusing, he seemed giddy?

Soon we are on the road. He didn't seem upset like the other day. Eventually the questions got overwhelming and so I said, "Ok this is weird." We all stopped walking. "What's up Willow?" Louis asked. I sighed and made my way to a tree and sat against it. "Don't be mad but, I maybe snuck around 2 days ago when you got mad and heard a not so friendly conversation about me?" Louis looked at me with wide eyes. "You, what? Willow you know that's not right-"--"I know, I know. It was stupid and I never snuck around before that! But, I was scared you know? I didn't know what was up with you to. I knew you weren't going to break up or anything but still, there was this lingering thought that I was gonna be the cause of your breakup.." Louis sat next to me, and pulled me in for a hug. "Willow, we love each other. You know we barely fight. And it wasn't you, it was our past trauma that made us say things we didn't mean. We have been built around it; but when you love each other you can also work around it. Besides Willow, we talked things out last night and things had worked out. We agreed on a plan together and that's why we're going to Richmond." He released me from the hug. I felt a heavy rock leave my shoulders as he helped me up off the ground. It good to have some closure.

"Seems like yall did more then just talk from the way you walked out all happy this morning." Ivy said with a smirk. Violet elbowed her signaling her to shut up. Ivy being used to being around Willy, Carson, and Brent apologized. "Sorry," she wheezed while holding her arm. "Forgot this was the wrong crowd."

With that, we all started to walk to Richmond again.      

[ivory-haired-queens-blog]

I just played ep 3 and you wanna know what things fucking ripped my heart out and fucking stomped on it and tried to shove it back in with scotch tape and glitter glue? SPOILERS, DUH.

*Also this might be the most in-depth and analytical thing I've done so... it's long.

A) When Louis picks up Minnie's crossbow and fucking accidentally shoots that woman and he's like "i..I didn't mean...fuck" or something like that. That fucking voice acting shredded me and I will never be over that. Louis, Louis of all people, the lighthearted jokester that just wants everyone to be happy was forced to shoot a woman in the skull! In one of the most grisly deaths in the season at that! Skybound can throw hands with me for that one. Also when Clem goes to get Aj Louis, even as broken and torn as he is at this point, he still tries to come with her. The best boy honestly.

B) Look, I know Lilly is the villian of this season. I'm fully aware of this. But she obviously still kinda cares about Clementine, as in ep 2 she said, and I quote "this SHOULD be easy." But it's not. It's not easy to shoot clem. But then she just fucking takes Aj? And then tries to strangle Clem on the side of the boat? And then when I mercied her and tried to let her live, she just???fucking kills James??? Like, I already didn't like James (I'm sorry James stans) but he didn't deserve that. And then the bomb goes off and we don't even get to Aj in time??? Like, 👊👊👊 throw hands.

C) When Aj talks about Clem getting bit and how he'd want her to bite him. Like, fucking James just had to say something. This boy is 6, maybe 7 at the absolute latest. He's impressionable, he learns from what he hears. You can't just tell him that walkers are still kinda human. If they had any shred of humanity left, they would not kill people. Especially those close to them, like Lee's brother tried to kill Lee when he was under that lamppost. Just fucking stop I'm crying.

D) LOUIS' STORY. If you did the Violet path and didn't hear Louis', basically he was rich. Like, filthy rich. But the only thing his dad wouldn't buy him was singing lessons. Louis got so mad at what his dad said to him, "You can either be happy or you can be rich," that he wanted to teach his dad a lesson. He started buying things on his dad's credit card that eluded to his dad having an affair (jewelry, hotel rooms, etc.) And when this worked, his parents got the divorce, he came clean. He told his dad "You can either be rich or you can be happy." A week later he was at the school. And just fucking??? How much his character has grown in the 8-9 apocalypse years??I'm so proud of him. Sure, younger Louis was a little shit, but he knows how fucked up what he did was. If you watch the scene, it's so....heartbreaking. like it's his biggest regret, even with all the Marlon shit thrown in. I love Violet with my whole heart, but I fucking love Louis' storyline.

E) VIOLET WHAT THE FUCK??? As I stated before, I love Violet. She's my favorite gay/gal in the whole apocalypse. But what the fuck? Like, you...I get it. I saved Louis instead of you, but wait a fucking minute I made it blatantly obvious that I love Louis (my son) and when you see me in the prison cell you're like "fuck you I'm staying here with my psychotic gf." Like??? I think the writers made a huge character mistake with that because there's no way Violet would have actually done that to me. Also especially after Minnie admits to killing Sophie, which I'll touch on later. Like, her character would NOT do that. Idgaf if she still loved Minnie or not, she'd be fucking pissed.

F) We have to talk about Minnie. Just....ugh. Props to telltale/skybound because holy fuck. That got me. That got me good. She just??? Is completely brainwashed by the delta and lilly? She killed her own sister, and despite me telling her what Tenn told me to she still locked me in the cell? Also she doesn't say one loving thing to Violet, who literally is willing to get herself blown up just to be with her. And when that woman tells her her family is the delta and to forget about Tenn she just fucking accepts it? Like??? Fuck off bitch?

G) Louis' date was the cutest shit

H) I'm sorry but at the party that first bio sounded a fuck ton like Marlon and Idc what anyone else says you cannot convince me that my love Ruby ever did such things.

I) I hate that the story is so compelling that, even after all she's fucking done, I still care about Lilly. I call this "the Kenny effect." We have history, and that matters a lot to me. Even if I don't agree with her ever, I still don't want her to die. (Like with the Kenny/Arvo thing) I see her as family, which is why in s1 I let her stay after she shot carley and in ep 2 of this season I told her we were family. I do care about Lilly, and then she just kills James??? Like, ugh. I wish she would just fucking stop and I could hug her and everything would be fine and Lee isn't actually dead and Christa and Molly and Kenny and everyone's alive and AAHHHHH.

J) The scene where Minnie has clem's knife against clem's chest and is pushing down is so fucking similar to the Kenny/Jane situation is s2. Minnie is Jane and Clem is Kenny, this time all of the kids from the school is clem. Both Minnie and Clem want them to be safe, but they have very different ideas on how they'll be safe. Clem wants to protect them at all costs, and Minnie wants to protect them by getting rid of clem. (Like how Jane wanted to get rid of kenny) I'm crying in the club.

K) James fucking making me walk in the barn full of walkers to touch the wind chime. I was literally so anxious during this and I knew that it's a game but just??? That would have been a pointless death.

L) ABEL. NO! Look I don't like this guy as much as the rest of ya'll, but they way he just breaks down??? I refused to torture him, and I put out his cigarette. He begs to be killed because he doesn't want to turn. This is so visceral and raw that I almost cried when my knife went through his head. Then the screen thing told me I tortured him in front of Aj?? Hello? When did I do that??? I gave him mercy, I gave him peace.

M) Louis toasting to the fact that he thinks he's gonna die at the boat just fucking destroys me.

N) Rosie is the goodest girl and didn't get enough screen time.

O) Louis helping clem up when she gets pulled under water by a walker is cleansing for my soul

P) Omar and Aasim got like 4 lines between them and that's fucking breaking the law

Q) I literally only found 1 collectible where the fuck where they all???

R) I was legitimately going to not kill any of the walkers when James was getting his mask, but I honest to God kept dying over and over so I literally had to kill one of them.

S) the fact that James kept bringing up how much of a heartless bitch I am for not caring about dead people that are walking and killing the living and everyone I've ever cared about.

T) The sheer genuis of the dialogue option that asks James if he knows the names of the walkers and he's confused and clem is just like "Omar, Aasim...Violet." like, he doesn't know the walkers. They're killing machines that he has no attachment to. Clem's friends are alive, and she cares about them deeply. Like fuck off m8.

U) Aj is so broken and confused and scared I don't know how to fix him he's a murderer but he's trying to atone and I just hope to God Lee would actually be proud of Clem and I just wish he was alive and Clem and Aj and him were a family and he could meet the boarding school kids at then Louis would learn about history, something I hc him as never being good at in school, and Louis teaches him how to play the piano and he teaches Violet how to actually map the stars and she teaches him all the fighting skills she's learned and Lee takes a liking to Tenn and makes sure to thank Omar for cooking and appreciates willy and mitch and what they do and supports and learns medicine from ruby and stops Aj from killing Marlon and talks him through the bad shit and helps him atone for his sins and then he meets Rosie and when he sees Lilly again she stops being a hateful cunt and we kill all the delta people and go back to the school and everyone, including mitch and James and Minerva and Sophie is alive and this is getting way to long aahhhh.

V) When Louis is freaking out about the responsibility of planting the bomb, and it gives you to either slap him or kiss him and that's the fucking cutest shit

W) the fact that it never let's me hug Tenn or Willy, nor have a funeral for Mitch. Like I know we were crunched for time, but it would've taken 10 minutes tops.

X) to my knowledge, Tenn and Menerva never see eachother. Maybe she would have changed if she saw him? I don't know...

Y) I don't have the option to cuddle with Rosie and that's an actual crime.

Z) When the kids are talking about all the people they've lost. 34 people. 34. We've lost a lot, don't get me wrong, but I don't think it's 34. It might be close, but some of those people we weren't close to nor knew for very long. Also the fact that they've lost 34 but only have like 5 graves. Wtf?

*) AND THE BIGGEST THING THAT TORE MY HEART INTO PRICES WAS THE LEE SCENE, AND THE DIALOGUE OPTION OF TELLING LEE HE'S NOT REAL AND HE TELLS CLEM THAT IT'S OKAY TO BE A LITTLE NUTS AND THEN THE HUG AND THE "LOOK AT YOU..." FROM LEE AND AAAHHHH I MISS HIM SO FUCKING MUCH.

*Edit: I'm not saying I love Lilly as much as I do Kenny, I could never like her that much, even if she had a change of heart and died protecting clem or Aj. I'm saying "the Kenny effect" because he was being an asshole, however you try to defend him. He wasn't in the right, and harmed an innocent kid (Arvo) just like Lilly does. Cool? Cool.

[yellowsugarwords]

When you have time could you do head canons based on something I saw on tumblr where it said Gabe's biggest fear is becoming like dad and hurting those he loves and he's with Clem so he does the whole 'you and I must stay away from each other bc I might hurt you absjfbj' thing and clem has to convince him it'll be fine

part 2:

Ayo a while back I requested this headcanon set and wanted to add/modify the request? If it’s not too much trouble? It’s the request of Gabe worrying he’ll hurt Clem bc his dad hurt kate and javi. I was wondering if you could make it into a sequel to that high school au gabentine set you did. If you’ve already written the headcanon set/already started than you can ignore this lol I don’t want to make fic writing hard for you… Anyways, stay blessed xx

here’s the first one!

Gabe’s family didn’t have a lot of money.

That had never been a secret to Clementine.

Clem knew from the get go.

Sliding him granola bars from her lunch.

But what she didn’t know was why.

Or that there even was a why.

She didn’t think there needed to be.

But she knew there was after they continued to hang out.

Day after day.

Almost constantly.

Almost always.

“I feel like an ass.”

“Why?” Clem asked, passing him a granola bar.

At lunch, they sat together on the front steps.

Clem with her packed lunch.

Gabe with nothing.

“Because I’m always taking your shit.

She rolled her eyes. “You’re not.”

“That’s what I’ve always done,”

“I brought it for you.”

Gabe hated how sweet she was.

She was too sweet for him.

For someone like him.

She deserved better.

That’s why he hated it.

“Are we still going to the arcade later?”

Gabe closed his locker to get a better look at her.

She blinked when he didn’t respond. “My Mom says she can drive.”

Gabe gulped. “Maybe.” He said.

Clem frowned.

She had been looking forward to it all week.

“I’ve been feeling down lately,” Gabe said.

Clem nodded. “We don’t need to go.”

“Yeah.”

They both felt crushed.

Gabe didn’t show up for lunch the next day.

Clementine ate alone.

Heartsick.

“Gabe?”

Gabe tensed at his locker.

“Are you avoiding me?” Her voice almost cracked when speaking.

Gabe was her only friend.

Her only real friend.

Gabe gulped again. “No,”

Clem blinked, brows tense.

“Maybe,”

Her shoulders sagged.

“I don’t think you should hang out with me,”

Clem could feel her heart crack.

“What?” She could hardly force the words out.

Gabe slammed his locker closed.

Clem didn’t jump.

“I only ever hurt people.” His gaze fell over her. “I’m not good for you.”

Clem wanted to argue but he left before she could.

Clementine tried her best.

Slipped granola bars through the gaps in his locker.

Smiled at him in math.

Passed him in the halls.

He looked away.

Avoiding her.

Clementine left school late a few days later.

Some of the longest days of her life.

She missed him.

Terribly.

More than anything.

Gabe was sitting on the front steps.

In the darkness.

Just as Clem came out to wait for her mom.

“Gabe?”

Her tensed.

And turned.

And felt his heart flop.

There she was.

Her.

His her.

“What are you doing here?”

Gabe looked away.

Feeling sick.

“Killing time.”

He could hear her sit down beside him.

He could feel his warmth.

He missed her more than he ever had.

And she was right beside him.

“Why can’t you go home?”

Gabe gulped, staring straight ahead.

“It’s not safe there.”

His Dad was in a mood.

One of his darker ones.

Where he yells.

Screams.

Throws things sometimes.

He felt as if he was thinking about it.

But it was when he turned to Clementine.

Her jaw dropped.

Her face broken.

Did he realize he had said it aloud.

“Gabe…”

“I don’t want to be like him.” he said.

Turning away.

Heart churning.

“It’s…it’s what I hate the most about myself.”

He could hear her heart crack with her voice.

“Your Dad?”

“No,” he said. “That I’m a part of him.”

He could feel a warmth on his arm.

And he knew Clementine was reaching out.

Touching him.

Then, he felt something warmer.

A soft press to his cheek.

Something that made his face flush.

His body go hot.

His ears heat.

A kiss.

The softest, sweetest touch.

“You aren’t like him,” Clementine said.

Her hand slid down his arm.

Gently. Softly.

“Nothing at all.”

Gabe couldn’t remember the last time he was touched so gently.

Treated so sweetly.

Treated as if he was a gift.

A blessing.

Something worth cherishing.

He looked at her.

Didn’t bother hiding the flush in his cheeks.

And stared at her.

He had missed her so much.

In only the past few days.

He couldn’t avoid her anymore.

He needed her.

He wanted her.

He grabbed her neck.

And brushed his thumb across her cheek.

And kissed her.

As softly as she had with him.

He treated her as gently as she had him.

And she melted.

She dropped her books to cling to him.

To grasp his arms.

To stay close to him.

When they pulled away, both breathless, they sighed.

Lost in each other.

Rekindling their spark.

The one they both feared they had lost.

“See?” Clem smirked. “Nothing like him.”

Gabe laughed. “How?”

“Because,” she brushed his fingers across his palms. “You’re soft and gentle with me.”

Gabe couldn’t shake his grin.

Not when Clem offered him a ride home.

Not when her mom asked him how he was doing.

Not when Clem squeezed his hand before he got out of the car.

He was his own person.

Not like his father.

Not anything like him.

Because he had someone like Clementine to prove it.

[its-clementime]

That Something : Part 2

Title: That Something: Part 2

Pairing : Clementine x Louis

Word Count: 1897 words

Summary: Clementine has a chill day with AJ until some unexpected news causes her to make a decision.

Previous Part Next Part

A/N yes Lee ughh I love him :)

Part 2:

Clementine woke up to the sound of sirens instead of her alarm. Rubbing her eyes, she sat up in her bed. She saw AJ, still sound asleep. “At least he can get his beauty sleep,” she thought, smiling to herself. She got up and shuffled around the tiny apartment, going to the kitchen. As she was putting toaster waffles in the toaster, she heard a little voice. “Clem?”

She turned around to see AJ, in his disco broccoli pajamas.

“Hey, AJ” She stopped for a second to embrace him and ruffle his lil’ afro. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping in? It’s summer after all.”

“I want to be up with you. Can we go to the park today?” He gazed at Clem

“Hmmm,” Clem faked thinking about it, putting a hand to her chin “I’m not sure.”

“Pleeeaase?” AJ went up on his tippy toes and pouted his lips.

Clementine giggled, “Okay, I’ll ask Lee, and if he says I can we’ll go after you finish your breakfast.” She got a plate and laid out 2 toaster waffles for AJ. “Bon Appetit, Goofball.”

Lee opened the door to his room, “Ya’ll know I can hear you, these doors aren’t that thick.” he took a seat at the tiny table in the kitchen, still in his Janitorial uniform.

“I thought you would’ve been asleep, you had a long shift yesterday.” Clem added.

Lee sighed “Well, I have a longer one today. But you guys enjoy yourselves, go to the park.”

Clem looked to AJ, “Get dressed, we’ll go soon then.”

“Ok!” AJ excitedly went into their room.

Clem looked at Lee. “I’ll make some coffee.” She started scooping coffee grounds.

“Thanks, Sweetpea.”

“Lee,” Clem took a breath, “I know you don’t want me to, but I know I’m old eno-”

“You’re not getting a job.” Lee cut her off, “You’re young, you need to focus on school. And you do have a job, you take care of AJ.”

“AJ is going to school soon. I just want to help out.” Clem admitted, “I feel bad, Lee. You took us off the streets, for no reason! I mean, we’re not related but you cared for us anyway!” She sputtered. “I just want to earn it.”

Lee sighed, “Clem, you deserved to be adopted and you deserve to be cared for. You don’t have to do anything to deserve it.”

Clem hugged Lee, “I guess you’re right. I’m sorry for arguing, it’s just- I wish you wouldn’t be exhausted over us.”

Lee patted her head. “For you, it’s all worth it sweetpea. Go out and enjoy the park.”

Clem smiled at Lee, “I will.” She turned to her and AJ’s room. “AJ! C’mon it’s time to go!”

“Coming! AJ popped out of the room and darted to the front door.

“Let’s go then.” Clem said while ushering AJ through the door, putting her hat on as she stepped out the door. “Bye Lee!”

The city of Galeview was huge. Clementine and AJ lived in the rough side of town, while only a few short miles away, the city’s elite lived in luxury. Galeview was also where Ericson Prep was located.

Clementine loved her city, but since AJ was with her today, she’d stick to the safer streets. Usually, when she was alone after school, Clementine would explore a different part of the city; she’d roam the streets just because she could. Visiting her favorite hole in the wall places, such as a rooftop with an abandoned greenhouse with the best view of the city, or a skate park hidden inside a junkyard. She loved the city because she knew everyone, but was always a stranger. Everyone was going through a struggle, and there was a type of unity with the people in these derelict places.

There was one place that she found where she was actually known, and that was the Garcia Family Restaurant, where she had visited every day after trying their burgers. Eventually she became buds with the staff, the Garcias were just people she genuinely liked (she would secretly work there from time to time, waitressing or flipping burgers). She especially hit off with Gabe, playing cards in the back with him sometimes. They walked past the small, yet well maintained building, Clementine waving to Mariana and Javier who were cleaning the windows.

Eventually, they made it to the richer side of town, where AJ’s favorite park was. It had a nice swing set that even Clem enjoyed using, one in a while.

Clem was pushing AJ on the swings when he asked her, “Clem, is kindergarten fun?”

“Yes, it is AJ, and you’ll get to make new friends.”

“Why do I need new friends? I have you.” He grinned.

Clementine giggled, “AJ, you can have more than one friend. Some people say it’s good for you.”

AJ turned his head, “Clem, do you have a lot of friends?”

Clem stopped pushing AJ, letting gravity do its thing. “I have friends when it matters.” In all honesty, Clem had been a loner until she met AJ, who was for the most part her only friend. It’s not that she couldn’t make friends with people, she just never found it necessary. People at her school were cordial and all, but nobody really made an impression on her. She had other things to focus on anyway.

Clem and AJ walked home, taking a minute to stop inside the Garcia Restaurant. Javier waved them to the bar seating, where he was cleaning glasses. The restaurant was a nice Cuban/American food joint, with burgers and fries plantains and everything in between. The store was a classic diner design with Latin flare, little lights and Cuban flags around the store. A baseball game played on an old-school block tv in the back.

“Hey Clem, AJ. Coming back from the park?” Javier asked, putting his towel over his shoulder

“Yeah, AJ here wanted to see the new tire swings they put in.” Clem replied, helping AJ sit on a stool.

“Wow, must be nice to have improvements in their neighborhood. We have more craters on this street than Mars I’m pretty sure.” Javier pulled out 2 glasses. “You guys want a drink? It’s on the house.”

AJ nodded, and Clem replied, “Thanks.” It was a hot August day and even though the park was fun, it was pretty hot after a while.

Javier poured their drinks, “Apple juice for AJ and classic H2O for Clem.”

Clem asked with a suspicious smile, “Javi, why are you being so particularly kind to us today?”

“Okay, you got me.” Javi admitted, leaning onto the bar “I need a favor, Gabe’s gotten through summer school okay, but he really needs a tutor for math.”

“Oh?” Clem swirled her drink with her straw “Why do you think I’m smart enough to do it?”

“Don’t play dumb, Clem. We know you were in the top 5 percentile in your class. Gabe’s in your class and he sees you getting all those accolades.” Javi replied. He wasn’t wrong, Clem was extremely gifted in math and science. It was something she kept to herself though, she preferred to spend her time skateboarding and exploring instead of doing homework.

Javi added “Gabe’s a good student, and we’ll pay you.”

Clem thought for a minute, “Sure, that sounds pretty cool." This could be a job Lee might be okay with, since its school involved.

AJ, finishing his apple juice, asked Javier “What are accolades?”

“It’s another word for rewards, like trophies and ribbons, you get an accolade when you do something right; like for Clem, she got the highest match score in her class.”

“Oh.” AJ thought “Can I get one?”

Javi smiled, “Yeah, here’s an accolade, just for you.” He turned around and gave AJ a chocolate bar from the register.

Clem smiled “Thanks Javi, get Gabe to text me the tutoring details, but it’s about time me and AJ got home.”

Clem opened the apartment door, AJ running under her arm to their room to go play with his disco Broccoli. She saw Lee at the kitchen table.

“Lee. Aren’t you supposed to be at work?”

He looked up to Clem, almost startled. “I stopped by for my lunch break.” He looked confused. “Clementine, did you apply for a scholarship to Ericson Prep?” He showed his hand, holding an envelope with a fancy emblem, addressed from the office of scholarship admissions.

Clem’s jaw dropped, she remembered filling out a little application in her email, but she sure as hell didn’t think it would mean anything. “I totally forgot about that. What does it say?” She didn’t understand why she asked. As if it mattered.

Lee’s hands had a slight shake as he opened the letter, his eyes scanning the paper as he murmured, reading it to himself. Suddenly his eyes opened to the size of dinner plates.

“CLEMENTINE! YOU GOT IN! WITH A FULL SCHOLARSHIP!” Lee yelled, with enthusiasm and vigor Clem hadn’t seen in a long time. AJ peeked out the door from curiosity.

“That’s great, but that doesn’t change anything.” Clem replied nonchalantly

“What do you mean? You’re going to Ericson. Do you know how many doors this opens for you Clementine? You could be able to pursue anything you want!” Lee embraced her. “I’m so proud of you sweetpea, you’ve worked so hard.”

Clem shrugged of Lee’s embrace. “Do you think I could even survive with all those spoiled brats that go to Ericson? I’d be crucified. Plus, I don’t think I could keep up with them.” She had a tightlipped expression. “I’m not a part of that world.”

Lee looked at her seriously, “Clem, this could change your life forever, don’t let reasons like those hold you back.”

AJ came out of his room to find out what was going on. Clem looked at him, she saw his cute little curious expression; she noticed the tears in his jeans and how worn his little shoes were. She then looked around the kitchen, the bleak wooden cabinets, the half-working AC unit in the window, and that’s when she realized.

This wouldn’t just change her life. This would Change AJ’s life, and Lee’s. If she was able to work her way out, she could make it so that AJ could have a Christmas, and Lee could stop working himself to death. Heck, she could finally get a proper haircut instead of having Lee as a stylist.

Clem turned to Lee smiling, “I guess I’m going to Ericson Prep.” she had tears in her eyes after realizing her opportunity.

She hugged Lee and pulled AJ into it too.

AJ looked to Clem with a quizzical expression, “What’s going on?”

She wiped her tears. “We just got the best accolade a person could get. We’re getting a second chance.”

Clem went to her room and pulled a suitcase out from under her bed, it had been a while, almost ten years since she last used it. The same suitcase she had when she finally left her foster home, she was bringing to Ericson.

Clem took a deep breath and pulled out her phone. “Hey, uh Javi? I won’t be able to take that tutoring job after all, I’ll be occupied.” “What will I be doing?” She smiled, putting her hat in the suitcase.

“I just got my second chance.”

A/N Thank you for reading! If you liked it, please reblog! :)

I’ll update soon

[spanimator]

The Walking Dead: Final Season; Take us Back thoughts (major spoilers) 

please let me know your thoughts!

So I plan on writing an actual in depth review sometime later but I just wanted to write down my thoughts on the episode with what i loved about it and what i think could of been improved or changed! Its been 2 days since Take us Back came out so I’ve had time to better process things.

pros:

-the narration by AJ at the start is really neat and made me feel both scared and worried especially when he said “I don’t think she’s always doing the right thing, we’ve been doing a lot of bad things to save our friends..” its a spicy start to the episode

-most of the action sequences ESPECIALLY THE BARN SCENE are really cool this episode! 

-the james scene in the cave is really wack and i love it a lot! i know a lot of people liked angry james near the end of ep 3, well here’s 10 minutes of it! but really the scene was intense all around, i used to really dislike james in the scene but i have grown to understand why he acts this way, although some shots like that creepy smile is?? questionable haha.. the other branch where james is dead is intense aswell too! good job on this scene! 

-the talk in the woods with violet/louis is really nice, its much needed after all the drama that just happened! the scenes made me laugh a lot too like “texas 2″ or “thanks dad!” i love these characters so much guys. 

-WOWOW minerva and the bridge scene is really great!! i felt really bad for her its so tragic. but yeah the way she sings, limping and bitten everywhere but still pushing through is so messed up and terrifying. she looked so scary and i love the gore to it, truly is a horrific moment! however one thing, during the fight it seems like the walkers never seem to make it across the truck to you so you can literally just chill hidden the whole time.. 

-tenn’s death: i think it was handled quite well, its a very shocking moment, and very very sad.. and louis and ESPECIALLY violet’s reaction to it are really heartbreaking! voice acting was amazing. its even more messed up when minnie is happy about this (made me think of carol peletier from the comics) i also like how his death is not forgotten at the end too and its brought up. i do have some things to say about tenn’s character in general though../contrary i also enjoy what they do with him if he is kept alive, its a very heartwarming moment! 

-thinking about it just makes me teary but the scenes where clem gets bit and is slowly starting to accept it once they get to the barn is just so scary and depressing. i’m not gonna get too much into it but the barn scene is really great and the music and switching between clem and AJ is even more alarming, making the player think its over and AJ is taking the torch. also “gotcha” as clem bops aj’s nose made me crumble STOP 

-ranch flashback is really underappreciated but yeah its really great and quite traumatic. the burn victim gave me chills and Eddie’s short cameo is great! aj and clem’s moment in the car is really sweet.. and made me cry even more. i also thought the placement of the scene is perfect. 

-THE ENDING: So yeah apparently quite a few are mad about the ending but honestly I say piss off to those people, i thought the ending is a really great end to clem’s journey! i had a feeling clem would make it but prior to the scene i really thought she was dead. when i heard her speak i YELLED, got up, woke up my family and hugged my mom, i’m serious! Clem is a badass whom we’ve ventured with for YEARS, she fucking deserves the happy ending and i just get confused with those who wanted her to die?? like wtf; also the take us back scene and the dinner is just wonderful thank you so much to the team. i loved it all. also i love how aj can interact with all the collectibles what a treat! i love how aj’s thoughts were all jumbled too he’s fun to play as!

TL;DR: emotional moments are well done, ending is near perfect, visuals, colors, cinematography, voice acting and music are all great! also thank u for all the romantic moments 

cons: 

-im mixed about lilly’s portrayal this season. i expected more i guess. they kinda built her up to be kinda redeemable but at the same time its lilly.. i got kinda mad at first when you only see her for a minute! compared to james who gets more than 10 minutes of screentime. but i think i’ve grown to accept it. the way she floats away like a fucking loser is what she deserves. in a way i think its better to have her alive so she can live with all the horrible shit she’s done. and you can sorta tell she feels somewhat bad about it. BUT.. at the same time i think she’ll never learn which just makes me mad i let her get away on my main. what do you guys think of her? because at this point idk how to feel but its certainly not great. 

-i don’t like the way captured violet and louis got over their trauma so easily. Louis was visibly traumatized and shaken in the cell and soon after he’s just seen smiling. Violet feels abandoned and betrayed but soon after she’s just like “uhhh about what i said in the cell...” I think it would of been better to save that line for the ending only so violet has more time to think and heal. and while it was really sweet to see louis still being flirty and sweet i can’t help but feel there should of been an extra scene where their traumas are discussed better.

-Violet and Louis’ deaths are not good. the problem with their deaths is that they don’t feel  important, they feel like a game over death! they get eaten for 6 seconds, clementine yells “NOOOO” and AJ gets mad and slaps tenn. Then they run. I think the emphasis on their deaths and a better reaction would improve the scene a lot. Its especially frustrating if Clementine has a close or romantic relationship to these characters. there is no difference in reaction at all. She doesn’t even cry. This is why so many people restarted the episode! As cute and lovable Tenn is, the player has spent many more scenes interacting with Violet and Louis (the most important characters of the season besides AJ and Clem). Its sucks but I understand why people would wanna restart and save their lover or best friend. At the end you get a conversation with AJ and Tenn about their death (which i thought wasn’t so bad) but nothing with Clem. We get a short shot of the grave with a drawing and nothing else. I really didn’t like that.. It felt like something was really missing. Its too bad because ya know i really like the outcome if Tenn lives but i always find myself to rather have my SO live instead as bad as it sounds.. What do you guys think? 

-i feel like certain characters like mitch, aasim and omar etc. could of had more chances to shine. Mitch shines in episode 2 and dies but that’s it. I wish in episode 1 he had more screentime.. Its really too bad since he’s big favorite of mine. Aasim aswell was interesting in ep 1 and 2 but unfortunately barely got any lines in ep 3 and 4. christ’s sake omar of all people had more lines than aasim in ep 4! im very glad he got mentioned many times and romances ruby but i think more lines from him would of been nice. idk like maybe have louis tease him about ruby at the table.. something! 

-i thought the pacing and length of the episode was a little strange. this episode significantly feels shorter than the others. obviously it depends on your play style but from what i noticed this episode is about 30 minutes shorter than the others. i feel like some extra scenes could of been put in to fix some character development issues and such. 

TL;DR: character development is flawed in some spots, pacing and length issues can be bothersome 

i’ll have more to say another time but i really enjoyed this episode and i think its a great end to clementine’s journey! i know the whole caravan thing is left to be ambiguous so i think it would be so cool to have a little dlc. i’d definitely buy it. i recommend getting this season and instead of just watching let’s plays i hope some can invest in an actual copy, the team really deserves a profit! this entire season has been very solid and its my favorite of the series! not sure which episode is my favorite yet but they’re definitely all worth playing!

[the-walking-memelords]

Allegiances: Chapter 15

Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 |Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 16

Series is rated M

Word Count: 1879

Clementine visits an old friend to vent her fears.

Read it on Ao3!

Read it on Wattpad!

A/N: Hey sorry for the short and late update. Life threw me through many loops the last couple weeks and I'm still not really 100% I hope to get back on track soon now that the semester is over and things are calming down. Love y'all and thanks for putting up with me lol

Clementine stood in the shadows as she felt the rumble of the train below her feet. Soft golden sunrays flooded in through the boxcar door. The breeze caused her cream-coloured skirt to flutter around her legs as she stepped closer to the open door. The air was a sweet smell. Wildflowers and autumn leaves.

A blur of gold and blue flashed by as the train looped endlessly, travelling without a destination. This train wasn’t heading to Savannah, which was good since that was the last place she ever wanted to be again. Cities were terrible, that’s all that place had taught her. Thousands of the dead hunting for any unfortunate soul who remained; the rotting stench suffocating every bit of air.

Ben, Molly, Chuck… nearly Kenny as well…

Any lost name was one too many. The names of those who tried to keep her safe only piled higher.

Katjaa and Duck.

Those who didn’t make it to the city.

Not to mention those who were lost from the start.

Mom and Dad.

The soft, kind smiles they always wore upon seeing her were replaced with the hungry grimaces of the dead at their final meeting with their daughter. Their dull skin ripped and riddled with bites. The sight searing into the young girl’s eyes.

Clementine grabbed the brim of her hat holding the unstained cap in front of her as she sat on the edge of the cool metal, her legs swinging freely off the side.

She traced her fingers over the seam of the D, the insignia showing no signs of wear. The surrounding white showed brightly. Her fingertips moved to the blank location of the one stain that never came out. The blood of the man who was by her side since the beginning. The stain was a reminder of her stupid, childish mistake, and the man who died trying to correct it.

Clem hugged the hat close with one arm, the other feeling through her tied-back hair. She let her fingers catch in the knots as she raked her hand through.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that, Sweetpea.”

Clementine’s heart jumped at the familiar nickname. She looked over her shoulder at the smiling man, so real in front of her it was as if the past eight years had not occurred. Same blue button-up over a long-sleeved white shirt.

Lee.

“Helps me focus.” Was all she could mumble out as her hand fell to her lap, replacing the cap on her head.

She focused her eyes on the weeds flying past, unable to look up at him as he joined her on the edge.

“The train again…” He stated.

“You always pick the train.”

The train where everything changed.

“This is where it all started. Where I learned to be a survivor.” Clem pointed out.

“Where you taught me to shoot and cut my hair.”

Clementine knew she’d let him down. Lee taught her better than this, but she still became just another monster.

“I’m sorry.” Her voice caught in her throat.

“You say that every time.” Lee let out a small laugh.

“And I still don’t think you have anything to apologize to me for.”

She glanced over at him, his kind eyes looked at her with a pride she didn’t hold in herself.

“It’s happening again. My friends are dying because of me, because I’m a liar.” Despair in her words as they rolled off her tongue.

“This group… I’ve been with so many, but this one is different. I want to stay with them. I’m sick of starting over.”

She just wanted to stop, even for just a moment. A moment to rest. A moment without a war. A moment without thinking about the next fight. A moment of peace.

“I’m scared, Lee. The others are counting on me, and I don’t know if what I’m doing is right.” Clem picked at the hem of her skirt.

“I don’t know where AJ is, or if he’s even still alive. And Louis… he doesn’t know what he’s getting himself into.”

“I don’t know what I’d do if I lost either of them.” Clementine bit her lip hard, taking a deep breath as she held back the tears.

“So Louis is your boyfriend, huh?” The man teased, trying to cheer her up.

“Shut up.” Clementine felt her face grow warm.

“It’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Sweetpea.” Lee chuckled as he patted her head.

“Finding love in a world like this, that's something worth fighting for.”

“He doesn’t even know AJ, but he still wants to help me save him.” She crossed her arms tight as a familiar fear crept up her spine

“If he got hurt or worse because of me, I couldn't live with myself. He doesn’t know what he’s up against. If he did, he would understand why I have to go alone.”

Her words hung in the air for a moment. Clementine’s frustration and fear hanging over her like a heavy fog, blocking her senses from all else.

“He understands that that boy means everything to you, and to him, that’s enough of a reason to fight.”

“Do you think AJ will like it at the school?” The physical conditions of the boarding school were rougher than at the Delta, limited food and no power or running water. But they’d be safe, and together. That would be enough, right?

“I don’t think that kid would care where he goes if he gets to stay with you.” Lee assured.

“How was he, the last time you saw him?”

God, it was so long ago.

“Okay enough, I guess.” But there was a worry that had been bothering her for some time, like an itch that couldn’t be scratched.

“I’m worried that Lilly’s been trying to get into his head.”

Lilly wasn’t exactly a positive influence on the boy. She was a master of manipulation, Clem feared it would be all to easy for her to shape AJ into whatever tool she wanted him to be.

All the more reason to kill her sooner.

“Lilly.” Lee’s voice was low, almost like a growl as the words passed his lips.

“I knew the day we kicked her out that she was turning into a monster. I just wish I’d noticed it a few seconds sooner.”

Carley.

“To think of all the trouble I might’ve saved you if I’d just gotten payback then and there.”

“You’re not the revenge type, Lee.” Clementine couldn’t imagine Lee gunning down Lilly on the side of the road for what she’d done.

“I didn’t think I was either until you got nabbed.” The man’s hands clenched into fists at the thought of that stranger.

“You were just protecting me. That’s why you kill, to protect people. That’s why I shot him, to protect you.” The second she’d pulled the trigger the gun felt as if it had grown a hundred times heavier, slipping through her shaking fingers as his body hit the floor.

“I’ve hurt so many people since then. People who didn’t deserve to die.”

She told herself it was what had to be done. But no amount of self-justification could take away the crushing knot in her stomach whenever she did it.

“I want Lilly to be the last. I don’t want to hurt any more people.” It was the closest Clementine felt to James’ pacifism. Yet killing walkers left no burden on her.

“Lilly dies, and I bring Violet and the others home.”

Hopefully, their rescue would make up for all of her lies. The sound of Violet’s screams as she was dragged away echoed in her head.

I hope you’re okay, Vi.

“I know it’s hard, Clem, but having people you care about? That's a good thing.” Lee’s soothing voice gave her a sense of calm.

“You’ve got a little boy who thinks the world of you, and he’s waiting for you to go get him. Another boy who loves you, and would fight for you without hesitation. A best friend who risked her life to save yours. And all the other friends you’ve made. You’ll all be home soon, I promise.”

“You can’t promise that.” She knew Lee had no sway in the events to come.

“You’re not even really here.”

The man who stood before her was nothing but a wishful dream.

“I wish I was, Clementine. I guess we’ll just have to make do with pretending.” His smile fell as he let out a sad sigh.

“The last thing I wanted to do was leave you alone in the middle of this mess.”

“The world turned to hell, and you got stuck taking care of a little kid.” How long would Lee have lived if their paths hadn’t crossed? Surely longer than a few mere months.

“And it seems you followed right in my footsteps.” He jested. Lee had a point, circumstances be damned their situations had played out eerily similar.

Clementine glanced over at the man as he rose from his spot, catching his balance as the train rumbled beneath him. Lee stepped away from the light, the shadows of the dark car nearly obscuring his facial features.

“I’m so proud of you, Clem.” His voice caught with emotion.

“Don’t you dare forget that.”

Clementine couldn’t hold back anymore. The little girl jumped to her feet and flung her arms around him. She hugged him tightly as if he might disappear into the wind. A sob escaped her tiny body as her tears stained the blue of his shirt.

The train’s whistle cutting through the silence signified that their time was coming to a close. It took a lot for Clementine to force herself to let go of him, but when she did, Lee’s eyes filled with amazement as he saw his little girl all grown up.

“Wow…” He gasped.

“Just look at you.”

Clem took a step back as she blinked tears from her eyes. Her worn denim jacket and mud-stained cargo pants replacing her innocent summer dress and tights. Dark curls fluttered around her face no longer held back by her hat or hair ties.

“I’m done running, Lee. I have a home now. A family.” She promised him she’d always keep moving, but now she’d found something better.

“I have one more battle, then I’m done fighting as well.”

“Then I guess you’re off the hook.” He laughed.

“A home and a family is more than I ever could have hoped for you.”

The train whistled again, a rude reminder that it was time to go. Lee shook his head disapprovingly, seeming just as annoyed by it as she was.

“There are people that need you, Clementine.” He reminded with a soft smile.

“Come see me again once you bring everyone home. Okay, Sweetpea?”

“Okay, Lee.” Her heart felt like it was being ripped apart as she watched him disappear into the shadows

“Goodbye.”

The shadows swarmed around her, blocking out the golden hues until they were replaced with the overhead bars of her cold bunk bed.

Clementine sat up, stretching her arms over her head as she looked around the empty moonlit room.

A knock at her door made her jump.

“Clementine?” She heard Mitch call from the other side.

“It’s time to go.”

One more fight.

[mysticpenguincreation]

Louisentine/Clouis (spoilers for those, who haven’t played/haven’t got spoilers and still cares about them)

I’ve been in love with Louis since the moment we met him. He is gorgeous, funny and still has this optimism in him, which would have done Clem good, because she was through so much shit for her entire life (which is not much, by the way).

I think Violet is a wonderful choice for Clem too. She is strong, stoic, sarcastic (which is as charming as Louis’ charm by the way) and, the most important thing, takes no bullshit. I love and respect this in people, which is why I kinda liked her more than Louis and was a little bit disappointed in him in the Episode 1. (However, he is beautiful charming motherfucker and he had my heart at “Oh, my darling Clementine” instantly).

I was insistent on not pursuing Violentine relationship since it was not confirmed that Minnie was dead. I think it would have been so romantic, if Violet had hope and waited for her and was her knight in shining armor eventually. (I know, I know this is not how it works in real life, but this isn’t a real life, it’s a game, and I’m playing third person, and I know that Minnie might be alive, so shut up).

I was not sure I wanted to pursue relationship with Louis either, because for all his charm and carefree attitude, he was too childish for my liking (Piñata walker with Chairles as weapon? C’mon, Louis). So I thought that I want Clem to stay free of romantic relationships and take care of AJ, but Episode 2 blew this all up!

Serious Louis is a seriously hot Louis, like no joke, he grew so much more in my eyes. Yes, he was hurt and he was being a dick to Clem and AJ, but he regretted it almost instantly. And he still backed them up when Lilly and Able attacked. He got shot for them. He carried AJ in. He cared for him. He did not hold a grudge as much as it could be possible, considering they killed his cowardish best friend. He apologized for how he treated AJ and Clem. And if you chose to go with him, this piano scene is like OH MY GOD!!! (Though in my opinion stargazing is more romantic. Stargazing is more romantic than most of romantic stuff, honestly). He is such a goofy sexy charming dork, I can’t. (It feels REALLY weird to gush about cartoonish game character, but whatever).

In the end I was torn apart between saving Louis and Violet, because even if I don’t date Violet, I WANT TO KEEP THEM BOTH GODDAMIT. But this is not how Telltale Games work, who am I kidding 😅 I’m just glad that they are both ALIVE, because we were so worried that someone will die.

I wanted to save Louis because:

1. He is my boyfriend. Attacked Lilly to save me (it was fucking hot, btw). I should protect him at all costs.

2. They took Minnie, so if she is still alive, this way they can take Violet and she might reunite with her.

But I was also tempted to save Violet, because:

1. She is a tough badass and sertainly deserves better.

2. This way Clem and Louis would have been separated and she would have done some heroic shit to get to her babe. I’m a dramatic bitch. Fight me. (Did Bellarke and separating soulmates teach you nothing?!) (No. It didn’t).

In the end I couldn’t risk it. But look how proud he is. He is so smitten with her. Doofus.

And I also got this badass family look. I couldn’t ask for more. My children LIVE.

(Yes, yes, Pewds. You’re a part of the badass family too, apparently).

[piximiplays]

Take Us Back “Review” ig

Wow that episode was just... wow 😭 That was actually a really good ending (at least the one I got, I'm not sure about any other endings there might be) to an amazing series 😭😭

Also, if you haven’t blocked the twdg spoilers tag, I’ll put a break here but if you haven’t played the episode and/or don’t want major spoilers for Take Us Back, don’t read the rest of this long ass post. You have been warned. (That sounded super serious sksksksks 😂)

Ok so I’m just gonna start off with the beginning when AJ voiced the “last time on The Walking Dead” like damn that entire sequence put my anxiety (which was already super high because I was literally freaking out about possibly getting Clem or anyone else killed) through the roof. He was listing all the things I’ve taught him in the past and that shit honestly gave me ten different types of anxiety.

So, I got James killed in the last episode so I have no idea what he says in this episode or anything like that, but I’ve heard that it’s not great sksksksk

Anyway, the fact that we literally saw James as a walker broke me so much I was literally crying at that point.

And then when AJ said he wanted to be a firefighter damn that shit was lowkey kinda cute. At that point I was a little more relaxed because we were somewhat safe in the cave.

But then shit went so south when we left the cave and after we met up with Violet.

Of course I had to mention the tree house and omg I almost cried again just thinking back to season 1 when we met Clementine in her tree house 😭 (Even though I’m pretty sure she said she hated her tree house in season 2 abgsfhj)

And of course I had to rename Ericsons to Castle Violet who do you think I am

But the bridge OOF

Fuckign Minerva akajsfkjh I’m wondering if there was a way where she could have lived I highly doubt it but damn I wasn’t expecting her just die like that wow I was lowkey kinda hoping maybe she would get some kind of redemption but wow that whole dragged out death was so gruesome but not necessarily in a bad way, at least not for this series sksksksks

And damn Minnie just had to fucking slice Clem’s leg that shit looked like it hurt askdjashdg

AND THEN TENN FUCKIGN DIED WHAT THE FUCK

I think if I hadn’t told AJ to make the tough calls then he wouldn’t have shot Tenn, and Violet probably would have died instead (or Louis if you saved him at the end of episode 2) Fucking hell

And when we split up and Vi went back to the school goddamnit that scared me because I had a feeling something was gonna go wrong  AND I WAS FUCKING RIGHT WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK

At this point I was fucking crying my goddamn eyes out because CLEM GOT FUCKING BIT WHAT THE ACTUAL SHIT JFHJKSGHJGF

I was such a mess at this point there was honestly no saving me

The entire time I was shouting at Clem to just chop her leg off at that point because there was no way that Clem was gonna die in such a stupid way like damn. wait fuck that's how Lee died AKSFJKG IM SORRY LEE I DIDNT MEAN TO DISRESPECT YOU LIKE THAT FUCK

Anyway

And then when I got that fucking achievement after that at that point like, first of all fuck you game, second of all fuck you. But seriously, I was genuinely wondering if there was any way to avoid her getting bitten but idk at this point it’s almost 1am I have school in the morning and I am way too tired to replay the entire episode even though it was a lot shorter than I thought it was gonna be tbh probably because I didn’t look around for collectibles as much and because I probably didn’t pause the episode as much as I usually do while making hard decisions sksksks

And then when we made it to the barn and we fucking started playing as AJ I was freaking out at this point

But when Clem was literally dying I was sobbing the entire time and just fuck, the parallels between that and season 1 when Lee died goddamn that shit hurted

I literally had to pause the game at this point because AJ was crying right in my ears and I couldn’t focus because I was also crying and only one of us can cry at a time buddy

Originally in episode 3 I told AJ to leave Clem if she ever got bit but fuck I didn’t think it was actually gonna happen so I changed my mind and told AJ to kill her because god damn I’m not gonna let her turn into a walker fuck that (even though that’s exactly what I did with Lee fuck) (Also I just looked and I’ve literally used the word fuck in this post like 23 times so far sksksksksks 😂)

And when it cut to black after that, literally all that was left was the sound of my sobs goddamn. And the achievement “final lesson” that shit just made me cry even harder

And the fucking ranch flashback right after goddamnit I was still mourning Clem you can’t just have me play as her again like that, shit. Also damn poor AJ 😭😭

And then when AJ was fishing and Rosie showed up damn she actually put a smile on my face somehow. I didn’t think that was possible at that point

Clem’s hatttt 😭 I was so scared I wouldn’t get it because I kept missing the quick time events but then Rosie got it thank god

And omg when we got back to the school and Take Us Back started playing I was even more of a mess I thought the episode was gonna end there but boy am I glad it didn’t

Also omg Ruby and Aasim holding hands damn that shit was adorable

When the music faded out and shit, I was like ok I think there’s still a little more to the episode but then FUCKING CLEM STARTED TALKING AND AT FIRST I WAS LIKE WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING IS AJ IMAGINING THIS BUT NO CLEM WAS ALIVE AND OH MY GOD I LITERALLY STARTED CRYING AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY WERE HAPPY TEARS AJHAFSGF

I was so fucking glad that Clementine was alive I didn’t even care about the fact that she was missing a leg I was just so glad to see her oh my god I really thought she was dead

And they all lived happily ever after

Jk except for Tenn GODDAMNIT HE DESERVED BETTER

But seriously, I was so glad Clem wasn’t dead and that mostly everyone was alive I seriously thought I was gonna get a shitty ending (But I’m also a little confused on how Clem survived the bite. I know she obviously cut her leg off and she did say something to AJ about she was glad he didn’t listen to her in the barn which I’m assuming was referring to when she told him to kill her, but if that was where Clem had her leg chopped off, I feel like the bite would already have spread to the rest of her system at that point? Idk I’m not gonna question it I’m just extremely glad she’s not dead)

And the very ending where we walked through the hallway and it showed all the names from the Still Not Bitten Team damn I loved that so much

And omg when we went into the room and were able to look at Disco Broccoli and his friends, I noticed that the option to look at Disco Broccoli kept popping up so I kept selecting it and ALKHASDFJKG I FELT LIKE I ENTERED ANOTHER DIMENSION WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT I don’t wanna spoil it but y’all need to see that if you haven’t already skskskkssk whether you replay the episode and see yourself or if someone makes a video of it on YouTube (which I feel like someone will eventually)

But omg the very ending with the “thank you for playing” that shit hurted 😭 I literally started crying again but not nearly as much as I thought I would tbh I thought I would be bawling my eyes out for hours but at this point I just feel kinda numb 😂 Like it hasn’t really set in that The Walking Dead just ended. Maybe because I can immortalize it forever in my Steam library and replay it however many times I want (and by reading fanfiction sksksksksks) 

(Also this post is gonna be put into my queue until more people play the episode so it probably won’t be posted until later tomorrow. So just know that this post was made at 1 in the morning a few hours after the release of episode 4 and I have to go to school tomorrow morning. Wish me luck)

Long story short, that entire episode was amazing (even if it did fuck with my head a little and was a little emotionally scarring sksksks) and I am so glad I was basically able to grow up with Clementine and this entire series

Also here are some screenshots because why not 😂

sksksksk AJ’s face 😭😂

This shit hurted 😭 (But it’s also a really pretty picture and I highkey want this framed on my wall or at least as my wallpaper on my phone or some shit)

What the fuck when did I ever say it was okay to try and kill someone if they try to steal from you alskhjags (Update: I just realized that this was referring to when I attacked Abel aksjdhkhg AJ THATS NOT WHAT I WANTED YOU TO TAKE AWAY FROM THAT)

This was actually really cool and even though it made me feel a little guilty because some of these choices I made weren’t the best, oh well

And here are my choices because why not 😂

And lastly, I want to thank Skybound from the bottom of my heart for saving this incredible game. If it wasn’t for this company these last two episodes wouldn’t have ever come out and Clementine and AJ’s story wouldn’t have gotten a proper ending. So thank you so much Telltale for starting and creating this amazing game and thank you to Skybound for giving it a proper sendoff.

[eddycurrents]

BPRD: The Black Goddess - Chapter Five

Story: Mike Mignola & John Arcudi | Art: Guy Davis | Colours: Dave Stewart | Letters: Clem Robins

Originally published by Dark Horse in BPRD: The Black Goddess #5 | May 2009

Collected in BPRD - Volume 11: The Black Goddess | BPRD: Plague of Frogs - Volume 4

Part Two of the Scorched Earth trilogy.

Plot Summary:

Johann contemplates the joys of murder. Abe, Kate, and Devon contemplate the best ways to get Liz out of her trance, defeat Memnan Saa, and ragdoll physics. The combined might of the monks and the US military contemplate if this is the last wave of enemy combatants. And Lobster Johnson contemplates being a crispy critter.

Reading Notes:

(Note: Pagination is in reference to the chapter itself and is not indicative of anything found in the issue or collections.)

pg. 1 - This is creepy as hell. Johann giving off serial killer vibes here.

pg. 2 - Kate’s reaction to Memnan Saa’s story is hilarious. After being kidnapped herself by the Count, it’s kind of fitting that she’s got a no bullshit rule regarding Saa as well. Also recognizing that despite being loony, and likely telling the truth, they have to be smart about how they approach him.

pg. 5 - The “my followers are happy to sacrifice themselves for my cause” shtick is definitely the sign of a cult of zealots. Also, that is one of hell of a final page on this page.

pg. 7 - The battle with the frog army seems to be winding down.

pg. 8 - I continue to be impressed by Dave Stewart’s change in colouring Memnan Saa since his heel turn at the end of the last chapter. No more soft lighting or brighter colours, it’s all shadow, blacks, and dark blues.

pg. 9 - Johann has been a jerk over the past few arcs, but I’m not sure he deserves this.

pg. 10-11 - Creepy stalker vibes again from Saa. He’s doing the same kind of weird justification and assumption thing that Johann has been doing for most of this arc.

pg. 12/13 - It was an attempt...

pg. 13 - Or she’s handing you enough rope to hang yourself with.

pg. 15 - Yeah...I don’t think attacking Liz’s friends is a good idea. Also, Abe getting smooshed against a pillar is just nasty.

pg. 16/17 - Gorgeous double-page spread here showing the last vestiges of the battle between the fire dragons and the frog army outside the walls. Definitely seems like the frogs lost this one.

pg. 18 - And whatever these frog containment totems were going “SHPOW”. The look of terror on Saa’s face definitely make it seem like something’s happening he doesn’t like.

pg. 21 - I get the impression that neither Liz, nor the energies of the Black Goddess that she may or may not have been channelling, like Saa all that much.

pg. 21 - And it’s great to have Liz back to herself.

pg. 23 - Lots of explaining to do.

pg. 24 - And one hell of a cliffhanger...

Final Thoughts:

This arc has been different, feeling definitely like a second act bridge, integrating bits of information necessary from Hellboy and Lobster Johnson into the Plague of Frogs cycle proper, while again dealing with a threat in a non-standard way. Similar to how the Black Flame was essentially dispatched. Though I am expecting a Memnan Saa: The Great and Terrible series some time in the future akin to how Mignola has been publishing series around other Hellboy villains in recent years.

Also, in terms of picking up on the third part of the Scorched Earth trilogy and the finale to the Plague of Frogs cycle, King of Fear, it’ll be about a month away. There are five collections in between first, including a couple of BPRD tangents like War of Frogs and 1947. If you think the wait is interminable, just think of the wait between issues that happened between The Black Goddess #5 in May 2009 and the first issue of King of Fear in January 2010. Mignola, Arcudi, Davis, Stewart, and Robins are incredible at building up a story and making you want the next piece immediately. Those cliffhangers work wonders.

d. emerson eddy is not the ghost of a crustacean man.

[pixel-playstation]

McCaroll Ranch

Summary: Clementine is forever haunted by the memory of McCaroll Ranch. And after the horrors of the raider attack, Clem finally tells someone about her nightmare...and about an amazing man named Javier Garcia.

Clem sat silently on her bed, rubbing her tired eyes. Glancing at the empty bed in front of her, she released a sigh, shaking her head gently. Fuck.... fuck it went worse than any of them had hoped. Mitch was dead... The raiders took three of their own, Omar, Aasim...and Louis.

God, Louis. She panicked watching them take Violet. The girl had just saved her, she was being dragged away, Clem had to help her! But then they took Louis. The girl had thought of so many ways that she could've helped him...but that didn't matter now...just like it didn't matter with him...

The girl was brought back to a knock on the door, and turned towards it. "Come in." She spoke, half expecting it to be AJ. To her surprise though, it was Violet standing at the door. The blonde girl appeared just as tired as Clementine did. Concerned gray-green eyes looked over to her, a frown tugging on her lips. "Hey...are...are you okay?" Violet asked, folding her arms. Clem rose a brow seeing the blood staining Violet's pale hands, and tilted her head slightly. "How was interrogating Abel?" She asked. A scowl crossed Violet's face, "You didn't answer my question.". "Violet, they have three of our friends. We can't waste time worrying about me, we need to get them back!" Clem snapped.

Violet was caught off guard momentarily, before glaring at Clem, putting her hands on her hips. "You think your the only one worried Clem? They were our friends too, okay?! I'm sorry to say it like that, but we've been friends with everyone for eight years or longer!" Violet exclaimed. "I liked Louis!" Clem blurted out.

The two of them stood in a stunned silence, looking at each other. Fuck. Violet slowly spoke, "Was...did you, when you went with him to piano duty?" She asked. Clem gave a heavy sigh, sitting back on the bed. She lowered her head, sticking her fingers through her hair. "I... we kissed." Clem confessed with a deep inhale. "Holy shit." Violet gaped, looking at Clem, "But...you saved me.". Shit, why'd she have to ask that? Clem wanted to save Louis, but she hated the thought of giving anyone up. She didn't want to lose Louis, but she wouldn't give up Violet to take his place.

Noticing her silence, Violet gave a sigh, pushing her bangs out of her face. "You should get some rest." Violet spoke. "No... I... I can't." Clem uttered out, knowing she'd have that nightmare again. If it wasn't that one, it'd definitely be one about the raider attack. Violet noticed this, walking over to her friend, sitting by her on the bed. "You get nightmares, don't you?" Violet questioned. Clem looked at the girl besides her, and gave a sigh, maybe it was time to tell someone. AJ knew she had the nightmares, but he was too young when it happened. He only remembered the horrors. Closing her eyes, Clem began to reminisce, retelling the story.

"It was three years ago. I just turned 14, and AJ was only 2. We had been separated for a while now, and I was finally going to find him." There was no need to tell her all the old details about the New Frontier, "A friend I had made around that time promised to help me find AJ... his name was Javier Garcia...and I'm the reason he died.".

"Come on Clem, you walk any slower and we'll never get there." The girl scowled at the bearded man before her. "Fuck off Javi." The girl spoke, making the man chuckle. "Come on Clementine, I know you can do so much better than that." Javier smirked as he looked back at her, before continuing to walk. "Your the worst." Clem scowled. "If I was, would I be helping you find your kid?" He asked. The girl rolled her eyes, but a faint smile tugged at her lips. God, he was annoying.

The two of them continued walking down the road, searching for the ranch. "If Linguard's right, it should be just down this conjoined road." Javier stated, pointing at the dirt road leading off to an over grown forest area. Clem rose a brow to the area, folding her arms. "I don't trust it." She stated. "It's best we got." Javier retorted, walking with her down the dirt path.

Trailing down the path, the duo, mostly Clem, was shocked to find a ranch, looking rather intact, there. "It's really here." Clem uttered out. "Told you." Javier smiled, walking forward. The girl glanced around the ranch, getting an...off feeling, but for once she ignored it, just wanting to reunite with AJ already. Javier lead the way, approaching the main house of the settlement. Looking around, seeing no one, the man knocked on the wooden door. There wasn't a reply, and he turned to the red leather wearing girl shrugging. "Knock again?" Clem asked. Javier turned, hitting his fist on the door again, surprised as it swung open. "I swear I did not break it.".

Letting out an exasperated sigh, Clem pushed past Javier, looking into the dark house. Linguard spoke of this place like it was a paradise, but it just looked abandoned. Glancing around, Clem pulled out her knife, walking into the dark home. "Keep your focus up." Clem stated, moving forward, traveling up the stairs first. Javier guarded her from behind, wielding his iconic metal bat.

The two made their way up the stairs, searching for any sign of life. Or even any sign of AJ. Looking around, Clem froze hearing a faint crying. "AJ?" She gasped out, looking around. The girl walked forward, following the noise to the very end of the hallway. Her boots creaked against the wood with ever step she took, before finally stopping at the room. Keeping a firm grip on her knife, the girl twisted the nob, opening it to a nursery. Amber eyes frantically glanced around, until she heard the crying again, and saw the child in the crib.

"AJ!" Clem rushed forward, picking the child up, "It's okay, it's okay i'm here.". Tears ran down her eyes, as she gently bounced the child up and down in her arms, cradling him close to her body.

"You found him, how is that a nightmare? Your luckier than most of us here." Violet interrupted, making Clem frown. "Just wait.." Clem continued.

The girl was so focused on the reunion, she didn't even hear the walker growling as it came out of the closet. AJ let out a frantic whine, pointing, making the girl turn around wide eyed. The walker reached for her, but was knocked back by a metal bat. "Fucking muertos!" Javier growled, fighting off the walker as it latched onto him. Clem went wide eyed, turning to put AJ down so she can fight, when a loud scream made her turn.

Javier's screams echoed through the air, screaming as the walker dug it's teeth into the man's collar bone.

"JAVI!" With a feral cry of anger, Clementine impaled the walker in the head, kicking it off the man. Anger turned into worry as she turned to the man, in complete disbelief. Javier gasped in pain, a hand clasped over the bloody wound. "Oh my god, Javi, i'm sorry..!" She picked AJ back up, going to the man. He hissed in pain, leaning against the wall and looked at her with a pained smile. "You were right, he's a cute kid." Javi gritted out, clasping his injury tightly.

He was doomed, there was no way they could cut it off. Tears ran down the girls face, as she looked at the man. They had become close friends over the short time they knew each other. Biting back a sob, she spoke, "We need to get you back to Richmond.". He deserved to say goodbye to his brother and nephew... Taking a shaky breathe, Clem began walking, not giving the man any time to stop her. Releasing a sigh, Javi began following her, his skin already paling.

Clem stepped downstairs, and froze hearing loud growls. "Oh no." She gasped out. "If there was one walker...there's bound to be more." Javier grimaced, it was a fucking ranch, there had to be more people. Clem held AJ closer, pulling out her knife quivering, listening to the growls.

The girl went silent, staring at the wooden floor. Violet gave her a concerned look, putting a hand on her friend's back. "Clem...what happened?" Violet asked. "Javi...Javi never got out of the ranch." Clem breathed out, shaking.

"There's too many..!" Javier grunted, seeing the walker's swarming into the home. "Their blocking off the front door." Clem hissed out, gripping her knife, ready to fight, when Javi put a hand in front of her. "Go, check the back, there has to be an exit." Javi stated, gripping his bat. Clementine looked at the man wide eyed. "Javi, no..!" Clem pleaded. "Clem go, you got him back, you can't lose him this close!" Javi exclaimed, making the girl tense. Biting her lip, she held the baby the baby close, "I'm so glad I got to meet you." Without another look, the girl ran forward, clutching AJ. Rushing down the hall, she spotted a door in the kitchen. Violently pulling the sliding door open, Clem tensed hearing screams. Shutting her eyes, Clem rushed forward, leaving the ranch.

Violet stared at the girl stunned, in complete disbelief. Clem sat up, taking a shaky breathe as tears streamed down her cheeks. "I ran...and never looked back. I couldn't bring myself to go to Richmond...I just kept AJ...and left..."