#finn’s writing

[tragically-but-finnally-yours]

Mini-Fic: The Cost of Freedom

Words: 2321 | incomplete but unlikely to be continued

Notes: i really did try to write angsty black brothers but i hate everytime about this fic that it literally made me cry. however, i am sharing with you all in hopes that someone out there might like it.

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Sirius Black had always known he was different from the rest of his family. He had never shared their pure-blood beliefs or their penchant for cruelty. And yet, he had always tried to keep the peace, to keep his head down, to avoid their wrath. If not for his sake, then at least for his brother. But as he stood in the foyer of his family's ancestral home, his bags packed and ready to go, he knew that he was making the right decision. Even if that decision was going to bring an end to the only familial relationship he cared about.

Said family member was sitting on the stairs, staring down at him. Sirius had refused to turn on any of the lights in the house. Instead opting to stumble through the dark in hopes of not waking anyone up. He really shouldn’t have been surprised that Regulus had woken up regardless. That’s just how they were. Growing up in the environment they did meant that they had some kind of sixth sense when the other was in mortal peril.

Sirius left his bag by the door, walking towards the stairs but not going up them. From here he could make out Regulus’ face a little better. His brother’s face was blank but the slight puffiness of his eyes suggested he was more effected than he was willing to let on.

“You’re leaving.”

Regulus’ voice wasn’t very loud but with the ocean of space between them, it felt like he was shouting.

“You know I have to. It’s not safe for me here,” Sirius pauses, watching as Regulus wraps his arms around his knees. “It’s not safe for you here either.”

“It’s not safe for someone like me anywhere,” Regulus mumbles. Before Sirius can question what he means, Regulus stands, putting one hand on the banister, walking slowly down the stairs. Sirius winces when he realised why Regulus was taking it slow. Their parents had been mad about something- what it was, Sirius wasn’t sure- but they had taken it out on both of them at dinner. Sirius had tried to mouth off to their parents, in an attempt to focus their anger on him rather than his brother. But in similar fashion, Regulus had used his own tactics to enrage their parents.

It hadn’t ended well for either of them. Sirius had ended up with a black eye and at least 3 new scars on his back. Regulus- from what he had allowed Sirius to see at least- had a dark bruise forming on his ribs that made it difficult for him to breathe and walk. It had also meant that they’d gone without dinner, but going without a meal was something that had happened so frequently to them that it wasn’t quite effective as their parents other punishments.

Regulus reaches the bottom of the stairs and stands in front of Sirius, looking up at him with a mix of sadness and anger in his eyes. "You're abandoning me," he accused, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Come with me,” Sirius offers.

“I don’t need your pity offer,” Regulus spits.

“It’s not- It’s not a pity offer Reggie. I want you to come with me, of course I do. But I knew you would never come.”

“How could you even know that if you don’t even offer?”

Sirius already knows the answer but he still asks anyway, “Will you leave with me? Leave this god awful place behind and go somewhere safe- somewhere where we are loved, like we’re supposed to be.”

Regulus shakes his head, backing way so he’s against the wall. He slides down it with a soft thud, his fingers a tangled mess on his lap. “I can’t come with you.”

“Then why would you make me ask?”

Regulus looks up sharply, “I can’t come with you, because I have to stay here. I have to stay, be the heir, be the pure-blood son they want so you can be free.”

That draws Sirius up short, “What?”

Regulus lets out a laugh that’s slightly maniacal and more than a little wet, “Don’t you get it? If we both go, they’ll come after us. What’s worse than losing one heir? Losing both of them. Their image would be destroyed, and we both know that they care more about that than they do us.” Regulus takes a sharp breathe, his shoulders shaking a little. “But- but if I stay, they won’t go after you. They won’t have a need. They’ll still have their pure-blood heir, and you’ll have the chance at the life you deserve.”

It takes Sirius a moment to realise that Regulus is more resigned than upset. As though he’s thought about it, and already accepted his future.

“You knew I was going to leave.”

Regulus nods, staring down at his feet. “You mumble in your sleep, kept saying that you had to get out. It wasn’t until I found the bag in your closet that I put it all together.”

Sirius isn’t sure if sure if he should be proud or upset with Regulus until he realises what he just confessed, “Why were you in my closet in the first place?”

“I- I was looking for a shirt of yours. I figured that if I can’t make you stay, I could at least have something to remember you by.” Sirius watches as Regulus tugs his Slytherin jumper over his head, revealing the shirt that is clearly not his. It’s a little large and has the picture of a motorbike on the front, something Sirius is sure that Regulus has never even seen before.

“I didn’t even realise that it had gone missing.” Sirius is lying of course. He had gone looking for the shirt a few days ago and had been rather upset when he couldn’t find it. Remus had gifted it to him when he learnt that Sirius was interested in motorbikes. It had quickly become one of the many shirts that cycled between his friends, but Sirius knew it would be better cared for in Regulus’ hands.

“I was hoping you wouldn’t. I don’t think I could give it back, even now that you know I stole it.” Regulus looks up at his brother, gesturing for him to sit down, which Sirius does so immediately. “I have to ask, and I do apologise for it. Is there anything I can do to make you stay?”

Sirius shakes his head, “No. I can’t. It’ll kill me- They’ll kill me.”

“But it’s okay for me to stay here, alone?”

Sirius throws his hands up, frustrated. “I don’t get it Regulus, I thought you understood. You said you knew I was leaving, why are you making it so hard for me to go?”

“Because I want you to stay!” Regulus bursts out, “I want you to stay here with me, to be stuck in this cycle of pain. Because you make it slightly more manageable. But I can’t say that, because it’s selfish and wrong and I know you have to leave. I get it. But accepting something doesn’t make it hurt any less.” Sirius heart aches as he watches Regulus scrub at his eyes. “I want to be enough for you to stay and deal with the pain anyway.”

Sirius feels his heart break a little for his brother. He's always known that Regulus had a soft spot for him, but he didn't know how deep it ran. Regulus was willing to risk his own safety, his own future, just to make sure that Sirius could have a chance at a life outside of their family's abuse.

"Reggie," Sirius starts, but stops when he realises there’s nothing more to say. Not with words anyway. It seemed that they had both made up their minds, accepted their decisions and the results of them, yet still couldn’t say goodbye. “Please, please come with me.”

“You know I can’t. We can’t both leave and be happy.”

“But we can’t both stay here together and be miserable.” Sirius responds softly. They were at an impasse, they both knew it. Both desperate to help the other without shattering their own heart in the process.

“There isn’t a way for us to stay together and be happy, is there?” Regulus already knows the answer by the way Sirius’ eyes tear up.

Sirius wraps his arms tightly around his brother, “I’m afraid not.”

Regulus sinks his teeth into his bottom lip, refusing to allow the sob desperately crawling up his throat to escape. “I love you,” he whispers into Sirius’ shoulder.

He feels Sirius’ chest heave and concave a little. His own chest hurts but he refuses to give into it. Not now, not when Sirius is so close to leaving. He knows, deep down, that if he were start crying, Sirius would do everything in his power to make it better. Even staying. “You’ll always be my brother.” He isn’t sure if Sirius says the words out loud or his lips just mouth the words into his skin, but either way, Regulus feels them settle into his bones like a burn. He knows that the words with be carved into him until the day he dies, perhaps even longer.

They don’t say anything, simply sitting in silence, knowing it’s the last chance they’ll get to do it. Sirius never once removes himself from Regulus and Regulus takes the chance to bask in his brothers warmth for as long as he’s allowed. He knows that it’ll be a long time before he feels warm- truly feels warm again. The bruise in his side is becoming unbearable but he’d rather stop breathing than let go of Sirius.

Sirius’ hand brushes against his side and with the way they’ve been sitting, the pain is a lot strong than Regulus would ever admit. Regulus involuntarily jerks, pulling away just enough for the brothers to be separated for a brief moment. Sirius gasps, and from the way he immediately pulls away, Regulus knows he’d completely forgotten about the bruising on his side. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” Sirius says the words so gently, like he’s scared that his voice could do more damage.

“I’d harm myself a thousand times just for you to be okay.” Evidently it’s the wrong thing to say because Sirius’ expression crumbles and a fresh round of tears flow down his face.

“I hate myself for not being able to say the same.” Sirius shakes with his words, but Regulus just smiles.

“I know. You have a whole world out there and mine whole world is sitting right beside me.” Regulus runs a hand through Sirius’ hair. “Can- can I ask? What is your plan? Where are you going to go when you leave here? You can’t just stay out on the streets, they’ll find you in an instant.”

Sirius pulls away, but doesn’t bother wiping his tears. Neither of them mentioned them, nor the dark patch they left on Regulus’ shirt. “Andromeda‘s place. I know she’ll take me in a heart beat.”

Regulus shakes his head, “That won’t work.”

“You don’t think she’ll take me in?”

“No. But it’s the first place that they’ll look for you. When a Black runs away, or gets disowned, their response always seems to be to go to another Black who has done the same. It’s quite literally what Andromeda did as well. She ran to Uncle Alphard’s place and that’s how they found her the first time. You need to go somewhere they won’t think.”

“What about that Lupin boy you hang out with? He’s a halfblood, is he not? Sure, their heir running away would ruin their image, but why would they taint it further by allowing themself to associate with people they view as lesser?”

Sirius shakes his head, “I don’t want to put Remus through that. Or his family, for that matter.” He glared briefly at the full moon he can see peaking out from behind the partially shut window in his view. “They’ve already got enough to deal with, without adding the horrors of our family into the mix.”

Regulus nods, accepting the answer for what it was.

“What about another Pureblood family?” Sirius says after a long moment.

Regulus scoffs, “I’ll be surprised if you can find another Pureblood family that’ll want to go against the Blacks.”

“What if it’s a blood-traitor family?”

Regulus’ face goes a little slack, “You’re talking about the Potter’s aren’t you?”

Sirius winces, trying to approach the subject delicately without entirely dismissing the plan slowly forming in his mind. He knows that Regulus has a hatred for the Potters and while it’s unjust, Sirius knows where it stems from. Regulus- despite Sirius’ many reassurances- has always viewed the Potters as Sirius’ “replacement” family. The idea was fuelled by jealousy and a painful dream of being loved by a family. He refuses to feed Regulus’ delusions but he knows that he doesn’t have another choice.

“They’ve always told me that I can go to them if I ever need to.” Regulus looks pained, but his silence causes Sirius to ramble on. “Effie and Monty wouldn’t mind if you came too. In fact, they’d probably try to come get you if you didn’t. They’re just that kind.”

“Do you really think that they’d take you- that they’d take us in?”

“In a heartbeat.”

Regulus sighs, “I think that they’ll be your best option. At least until you’re back at Hogwarts for the new year.”

Sirius can’t help but notice the way that Regulus says “you” rather than “us”. The silence envelopes them for so long that he thinks Regulus has fallen asleep at his side.

Sirius sits there, pain and anger stirring slowly in his stomach. This wasn’t fair, life wasn’t fair. Here was his freedom and happiness, dangling right in front of him and the only thing in the way was his brothers own happiness.

[biskiko]

couple of ranpoes

[jinxthejubilee]

Yes, my friends, I did, in fact, draw an Adventure Time Twst au version of my Yuu before properly introducing her beforehand. The perfectionist in me won't let me post the intro yet, but as soon as I saw @pestorik make this au, I had to jump on it.

I know Silver is supposed to be the only human in this universe, but I couldn't think of another species that quite fit her. Plus, there's a few other humans in the AT series anyway, so I went with it. Maybe they could be buddies.

I figured a cave house would make sense for them to live in, so Grim wouldn't burn everything he walked on. Though, I imagine the staff would keep his magic in check so he couldn't do that. Idk.

And lastly, my friend told me that All-Fire Grim reminded her of Calcifer from Howl's Moving Castle, so I had to deliver. I mean, this is probably the greatest thing I've ever drawn. So thank you, @pestorik, for the inspiration!

[thehopefulquotes]

Right now I feel absolutely nothing, and I’m not sure what scares me more. The feeling of emptiness or how incredibly intoxicating it is.

Michelle Finn

[angelsbless]

I absolutely love your mashle content! Could you do orter x readers headcanons? 🥺

Yes yes ofc sorry i made you wait i'm busy with my exams. Here you go hon i hope you like it 🤍.

Note : I love him sm ah, i'll do part two about the dating headcanons i couldn't help myself i wanted to write this ahhh i hope you don't mind mwah!

.

Orter madl x reader (hcs)

Orter will most likely deny his feelings and try to ignore them but deep down in him he knows it.

You were the type of person who's his complete opposite, you were radiant like sunshine and you didn't mind breaking rules or putting others before yourself.

He was so mad at the fact that someone like you is a competent mage and a really great one, so he started observing you more waiting for you to only mistake once so he could lecture you about law and feel like winning.

But as time went by, he started to be captivated by your actions and the whole YOU. Because of his strictness he never really paid attention to many things, yet while observing you h learnt many things that he almost forgot about.

He'll watch you smile brightly from distance and feel something tucking his heart but will try to ignore it. Until you two met at the library one day and it happened that you were searching for the same book, so you smiled at him as you guys were speaking about the book.

HE BLUSHED yet he smiled without realizing it! You were stunned. Orter madl is SMILING? Also BLUSHING?

After a few discussions, Orter was searching for you in the library only to find you talking to a student, he didn't think about it, he just took your hand and pulled you close." you're mine" he said and you just chuckled at the situation and at his red ears and asked "why, do you love me?", "i you mean the annoyance and discomfort i feel when you're not around, yes i do, i love you"

You smiled at his confession and teased him a bit ( he was regretting his life choices) then confessed back ( man was so happy) which made him smile, a really soft and beautiful one, that you'll never forget.

You smiled back at him, he was mesmerized by it, he never thought he would be this happy, and never thought he would try to change his perspective for someone. BUT HE'S DOING SO!

PART 2 DATING HCS SOON <3

[ayoogirlie]

Before I start writing angst, let's go with something pleasant. I just recently started reading and watching MASHLE which is why I don't knowe many characters well.

MASHLE MAIN 5 X GN!READER (separated)

Main 5 falling in love with you!

Mash

This one is oblivious. He doesn't realise he holds special feelings for you. I believe at first he could have though of you as sibling.

You're just as important as his father so why not? The three of you could be a fine family.

He would share creampuff with you... just like with others. Honestly, it would be difficult to notice he likes you in that way. This man is so indifferent or more like he forgot to train his face muscles.

The thing that betrayed his feelings is the fact that he has been following you everywhere like a little duckling his mom.

Whether you have classes together or not. If you had them together — he would sit with you or at least close to you. Some rather prefer to sit alone, which helps them focus. On the other hand, if you have separated classes, he would always escort you to the class and only leave after making sure you sat down.

Mash's main love language would be act of service. I don't find him as a touchy guy — he would respect your personal space. The most he would do is grab the snip of your sleeve to not possibly lose you in crowd. (I find it cute honestly, like he would be to shy to grab your hand, so he would be happy with bare minimum.)

Going back to act of services. I think you would have a special privilege — flavoured creampuff. Coffee, chocolate, strawberry, etc., whichever you want. This guy would take you to kitchen and make you bake them together. Unless, your cooking is hopeless and you can set the kitchen on fire, then you're simply watching him work and talk about the silliest things.

Mash would definitely listen to your rambling. Well, at least he will try to. At some point, he would pass out, if he was overflowing with many new information. Please, go slow with him.

When asking others for help with you, he first would try to figure things out himself. Only if he had no more ideas, would he ask his friends for love advices (most likely Lance or Finn).

This guy is so sweet yet so clueless. He loves you so clumsily and as a boyfriend he doesn't change his attitude much. He already treated you in special way. Well, maybe he'll get more intimate with you. I'll leave it to your imagination.

Finn

I simply adore this boy. His love is as innocent as he is. Literally, he would be all red and shy when he realised his feelings for you.

He would get nervous around you and every possible physical contact would make him explode. He's too focused to not make any mistakes in front of you, that he forgets to relax.

Well, it's not like he's always like that. His heart would explode at this point. There are some moments, when he is even sweeter than he is now. It's when you simply sit somewhere and do nothing, just enjoying your existence. He feels so calm that he wish those moments would last forever.

Finn likes DIY. So I bet he would make some for you, it might be jewelry, plushie or something more practical. Whatever you'll ask for he will do. (If it's in terms of his skills.)

If you ask him to teach you how to make some, he would be more than happy. Who wouldn't be happy to spend time with their crush?

He would carefully explain everything and help you if you have any difficulties with the project. Sometimes I wonder where he gets all this patience from. Whether you would get discouraged or curse how hard it is, he would try to calm you down and explain your mistakes.

When I'm still talking about teaching. Study session. I just see with my eyes of imagination. The two of you sitting in library beside each other and bending over books. It depends on you — whether he's teaching you some subject or you just enjoy your company.

Finn loves animals. I think, he would always tell you many random fact about them and won't stop talking, until he gets a hold on himself.

When he finally remembers himself, he will start apologising and feeling bad about being the only one talking. Then you kave to reassure him that you really don't mind and he can continue.

As a boyfriend, he treats you very well. People might say he's a perfect boyfriend material, but you can see how much he tries and I hope you do as much for him as he does for you.

Lance

Honestly, I can't imagine him giving someone else attention than his sister. Like this sis-con on has Anna in his head. So you can imagine how everyone was surprised when they noticed his unusual behaviour towards you.

And it wasn't some big change. No. It was more subtle. He was less strict with you than he is with others. Whenever you seemed sad because of his, sometimes mean, comments, he would apologise. (It took him a lot of courage to say this simple words.) He was more careful with his act to not sadden you.

I believe that after some time of knowing each other he would tell you about his sister and maybe if he happens to trust you a lot — about her illness as well.

He strikes me as a gentleman at some point. He would hold the door for you, help you with school work and follow you almost everywhere as if it was his duty.

Unfortunately for you, his sister will always be his number one, so unless you accept this fact, I don't think he will try to do anything with your relationship.

As well as it was with Finn, you two would have study session together. This guy is so clever that it would be stupid not to ask for help with the subject, spell or other thing you have difficulties with.

He truly admires you. You saw him in numerous embarrassing situations, for example when he was talking to Anna's pictures etc. Everyone' else would already start avoiding him. Maybe that's why he finds you as a perfect match for himself. Someone who wouldn't judge his behaviour and just accept his 'imperfections'.

Lance would respect your personal space and it would have to be you who initiates physical contact (mostly before your relationship). But he would place his hand on your waist with excuse not to let you bump into others.

He looks like the guy who would give other people, who are talking to you, nasty glare, when you don't look. It's not that he doesn't believe in his charm, it's just the fact that he doesn't like others being to close or touchy with you.

As a boyfriend Lance becomes more possessive and clingy. He would hug you from behind and gets touchy when you least expect it. Well, at least you're never bored.

Dot

It's easy to captivate this hot-headed guy's heart... if you're a woman of course. Male readers have it harder. But now we are talking about the stage he is already in love.

He would always boast to his friends about how he's going to marry you with no shame. Of course, always when you're absent. If by chance you will witness him saying it. He would want to hide under ground.

He would always scream at the person, you would give too much attention. He gets easily jealous, but he act like thata with every male that gets too much attention from others.

That's why you don't realise he holds any special feelings towards you. He still acts like he act towards women, so you don't think any special of the way he treats you.

I believe Dot would be touchy with you. Like put his arm over your shoulder or surprise you from behind. Honestly, if he would have ever touched you in a way that would make you feel uncomfortable, as a man he is — he would never forgive himself.

In his eyes, he gives you special treatment. He doesn't play pranks on you and even with Lemon in room, he always focus on what you're saying and so on.

After some time, he gets more obvious that others notice his strange behaviour. He always stares at you, daydream about you two being together. His eyes are always following your person.

When you're close, he catch himself on enjoying your fragrance. Later of course, Dot will blame himself as well call himself a pervert. But you cannot be mad at him. He just can't get enough of you.

If he only could he would almost always hold you in his arms and never let go, while being too scared you might run away from him.

He is energetic, so as a boyfriend he would take you to many places. Date? Let's go to amusement park, if not, we have many other options. Of course, sometimes you two have home dates, where you just cuddle and enjoy eachother company.

Lemon

Congratulations. You just won over Mash and captured Lemon's heart. This turn of event surprised everyone, like literally everyone, even Mash.

Lemon would act similar like she did while having crush on Mash. She would be so delulu and talk about how the two of you are engaged and all (in fact you aren't... for now).

She would randomly grab your arm and hug it. People got used to seeing you this way. The two of you walking through the corridor, you look like those couples who always stick close to eachother.

She gets easily jealous of other people you're close with, expect for Mash, Lance, Finn and Dot, since she knows they won't try anything with you. When she feels threatened by someone, she would get closer to you or (in most cases) panic.

She would definitely share Cupid Gummies with you. Like she would buy it and almost immediately run to you only to give you some. She thinks of it as a special bond between the two of you.

Lemon blush a lot around you, that's for sure. You get too close? With red as tomato face, she would slap you. She gets a little violent when nervous, it's the fact you have to accept. But who can blame her? She's so happy to have you around that she cannot control her actions.

She's like a ray of sunshine, which is why whenever you're sad, she will try to make you feel better. Sometimes when words won't help, she just sits next to you. She wants you to know she will be always here for you.

You would get a lucky charm from her. One reason is that to keep you safe, other is to have her close to you. While making a design she would try to match with your taste. Like when she made Mash creampuff plushie, she would make something similar.

Whenever she would have problems with spells, she would go to you. Perfect excuse to spend time together! In exchange, she would teach you theory you would have problem with.

As a girlfriend, Lemon is very sweet. She wouldn't have to find excuses just to spend time with you. You would be often seen together eating lunch or walkings around while holding hands.

[perfectfeelings]

Right now I feel absolutely nothing, and I’m not sure what scares me more. The feeling of emptiness or how incredibly intoxicating it is.

Michelle Finn

[tangents-within-tangents]

Hot take:

Crosshair does not have the Imperial disillusionment and redemption arc of The Bad Batch

Emerie does.

Crosshair has an arc for sure yes but it's not that.

I was thinking about this scene:

and how it got right what this scene kinda didn't:

(It was so close but then bad writing decided to undercut the moment with a joke rip)

And I think it's really interesting that these characters who were more or less raised into the Empire/First Order and chose to leave it are all directly asked why.

But take a look at Crosshair's answers in comparison:

Different context for the asking, yes, but still, compare that to clones like Howzer, Cody, Slip and Cade who left or turned against the Empire because they knew what the Empire is doing is wrong and they weren't just going to blindly follow orders:

Crosshair - Loyalty, Purpose, and Survival

Crosshair didn't choose to join the Empire (though the show isn't very clear or consistent about how much control the inhibitor chips have) but he did, for whatever reason, choose to stay. By the end of S1 we know his chip has been removed and as he definitively says "This is who I am." There were likely still other influences on his decision, but listen to how he talks about the Empire in the S1 finale:

Hunter: Crosshair, I've seen what the Empire is doing. Occupying planets and silencing anyone who stands against them. You know it's not right. Crosshair: You still don’t see the bigger picture, but you will. Hunter: Can't you see they're using you?

Crosshair: We’re not like the regs, we never have been. We’re superior. The Empire can’t protect the galaxy without strength, this is what we were made for. Think of all we could do, together!

Crosshair: You all are meant for more than drifting through the galaxy. It’s time to stop running. Join the Empire, and you will have purpose again.

Hunter: They destroyed an entire city! Crosshair: They did what needed to be done. Kamino, regs, the Republic, that time is over. The Empire will control the entire galaxy, and I am going to be a part of it. Hunter: Don't fool yourself. All you'll ever be to them is a number.

He undeniably knows what the Empire is doing, but he does not care. In fact it sure sounds like he actually supports it and finds self-meaning in it. Hunter spends those episodes trying to convince him it's wrong, he doesn't change his mind. In the end they offer him an out and he doesn't take it.

Wrecker: You coming with us? Crosshair: None of this changes anything. Hunter: You offered us a chance, Crosshair. This is yours. Crosshair: I made my decision.

The next we see Crosshair in "The Solitary Clone" (S2:E3) he follows orders and shoots the Desix governor, right after Cody heartbreakingly tries to do what's right and find a peaceful solution.

Cody: Tell me something, Crosshair. This new Empire, are we making the galaxy better? Crosshair: We’re soldiers, we do what needs to be done. Cody: You know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions, our own choices. And we have to live with them too.

After this (glorious!) conversation, Crosshair stays. Maybe this began to seed some doubts, but he actually smiles a few scenes later when Rampart assigns him another mission. It seems like for him it truly is as he said in S1:E1 (chip not enhanced yet but still influencing him enough for his brothers to notice he's acting strange):

Crosshair: Republic, Empire... what's the difference.

Crosshair: Orders are orders.

This unethical mission that finally pushed Cody over the edge does not change Crosshair's mind about the Empire, at least not enough for him to take action.

But what does?

Mayday: And here we are, the survivors. Combat troopers stuck babysitting cargo shipments. Crosshair: Mission’s a mission. Mayday: Yeah, I used to say the same thing.

Mayday: After all the clones have done, all we’ve sacrificed. We’re good soldiers, we followed orders. And for what?

This mission has nothing to do with how the fascist Empire treats the galaxy, it's about how they treat their soldiers. It's about how Mayday loyally fought and served his whole life and Lieutenant Nolan let him die

Lt Nolan: He served his purpose as a soldier of the Empire. Crosshair: You could have saved him! Lt Nolan: Perhaps you didn’t hear me, he is expendable, as are you.

Crosshair thought he could find purpose within the Empire, and Nolan shows him exactly what that will be.

His turning point is accompanied with this powerful visual of the ice vulture, a symbol (and threat) of death, and also set up within the episode a symbol of survival:

Mayday: Vicious creatures, but you have to admire ‘em. They find a way to survive.

This critical moment (that gives me chills, oof this episode is a masterpiece!) comes right after Nolan calls him expendable and directly threatens him:

Lt Nolan: And if you speak to me again with such disrespect I'll see to it you meet a similar fate, clone.

then Crosshair sees the vulture's shadow and turns to Mayday's dead body (ahh visual storytelling my beloved) then makes his decision:

Crosshair turns against the Empire not because he believes Hunter was right about this:

Hunter: I've seen what the Empire is doing ... You know it's not right.

but because he was right about this:

Hunter: All you'll ever be to them is a number.

Redemption (both in fiction and irl in my humble opinion) comes with making amends and reparations (which is why death 'redemptions' bother me so much but that's a rant for another time). Unlike Emerie, Crosshair never explicitly denounces the Empire or his own actions within it. He never says anything to specifically show if and how his views have changed from what he said on Kamino. He makes amends with his family (sending the warning message, helping Omega escape, making up with Hunter) but that's about it. The most we get in terms of acknowledgement is this:

Crosshair: I thought I knew what I was getting into with the Empire. I thought I was being a good soldier. Hunter: Nobody really understood what was happening back then. Crosshair: I’ve... done things. I’ve made mistakes. Hunter: I have regrets too, Crosshair. All we can do is keep trying to be better, and who knows there just might be hope for us yet.

Which is nice and all but it's more about them making up as brothers so it's way too excusing tbh ("no one knew what was happening back then" ummm? "The Empire will control the entire galaxy, and I am going to be a part of it" remember? And even if at first Crosshair was being controlled by the chip, the fact that he chose to stay after it was removed* means he condones and is therefore still accountable for those actions).

There's also a bit of self-destructive guilt:

Crosshair: Omega, don't risk anything for me. I belong in here.

Crosshair: Omega needs you both. So I’m doing this alone, it’s what I deserve. Hunter: Don’t even think about plan 99, Crosshair. Omega needs all of us.

(which thank you Hunter for pushing back on the death redemption bs and oh look is that a wrap up for the purpose thing?)

But there's no action taken on his part to make up for what he's done or to stand against the Empire (aside from the bare minimum of help with Tantiss, only after it became personally relevant, which like yeah he had trauma to deal with but still).

While I do think the implications/follow-up of Crosshair's turn should have been handled better in S3 (like rip Howzer! he deserved an apology, but that's a rant for another time), I don't necessarily** think this arc is a bad writing choice. It's just saying different things than we expect:

Maybe Crosshair's story is not about standing up against an unjust system, like we see with many other characters (who deserved more screen time but that's a rant for another timeeee). Maybe his story is about how even those who are loyal to the Empire, who actually believe in it, still suffer under and within it's rule. Not to garner sympathy, but to show that there is no winning.

Crosshair has another 'so what changed' convo in S3:E14 with Rampart, in which they draw parallels to each other:

Rampart: You used to believe good soldiers followed orders. Crosshair: Depends on who's giving them. The Empire betrayed us both. Rampart: And you think you can fight them? That's not you. You're like me, loyal to no one but yourself. Crosshair: I've changed.

(note how he says who's giving the orders, not what the orders are)

"Loyal to no one but yourself" describes Rampart much more than Crosshair, since we often saw Crosshair pride himself as a loyal soldier of the Empire whereas we saw Rampart abuse power to be self-serving within the Empire (like when he killed Wilco to save face). But they were both betrayed either way. Vice Admiral Rampart, snively Imperial opportunist through-and-through, shouts "I was following orders!" as he is arrested for the Empire's purposes. (Edit: and where Crosshair rejected the Empire and found new purpose fighting for his family, Rampart was still self-serving in the finale. He still tries to gain power for himself and he gets his comeuppance).

Even Hemlock, the final boss immoral Imperial scientist, who has to be benefiting the most from this system, echoes the expendability idea:

Hemlock: What I am working on is beyond your understanding. Something so vital to the Empire it makes me indispensable.

Then there's CX-2, also set up as a parallel/foil to Crosshair (fight me), who in the end is discarded as no more than a weapon, a tool that served it's purpose, showing us what would have become of Crosshair if he had stayed.

There is no winning in the Empire. Loyalty is not rewarded, it "doesn't go both ways." Everyone has to fight for their value. Even high ranking individuals** who for a time benefit from the injustice, in the end are just pawns to be used up and cast aside at a whim for the Emperor's gain. Even people who are motivated by self-interest alone cannot survive within this system, the only viable option in this galaxy is to fight the Empire and dismantle that system. (unless you conveniently find a magically safe island to hide away on but that's a rAnT fOr AnOtHeR tImE)

Which brings us back to...

Emerie - Cooperation, Compassion, and Choice

(Okay this post has already gotten away from me but I still want to talk about her to show the contrasts.)

Emerie may not have been given a lot of screen time to really flesh out her development, but there is a lot that is pretty clearly implied with her:

Crosshair: They’ll never turn her [Omega] over. Hemlock: They don’t have a choice. She is a clone, and therefore Imperial property. *Camera cuts to an angle more centered on Emerie’s face*

Crosshair: Give me your access card! Emerie: It won’t get you outside!

Emerie: I tried to warn him what would happen if he did not cooperate with the Doctor.

Emerie: Prisoner? Omega, you are no such thing. It will take time to adjust, but you will acclimate. It is far safer in here than out there.

Emerie: You should go back to your room. Crosshair: You mean her cell?

Emerie: Why children? Hemlock: Children are easier to attain and more agreeable to the subjugations. They are unaware of why they are here and what they possess.

Emerie: They're children. Like I was... Was your plan to discard them too? Nala Se: The Empire will keep them in order to control them.

We don't know a lot about Emerie's background, but it's clear that she had a lot less choice than Crosshair and less opportunity or ability to leave. Unlike Crosshair, we never directly hear Emerie's views of the Empire (and she was most likely 'taken under Hemlock's wing' before the Empire even came to power), but lets look at how she talks about the Tantiss:

"Remain calm. Cooperate and you might survive."

"Don't make this worse, Crosshair! There is no escape!"

"All of us serve a purpose here."

"The Doctor will inform me, if it's necessary."

"It's best not to ask questions."

"Escape is not possible, Omega. This is for your own good."

She honestly does the best she can within the system she is also trapped in. She tries to help Crosshair, Omega, and the vault kids in the only way she knows how (warns Crosshair about the hounds and security, tries to protect Omega from Hemlock, tells Scorch his "actions were extreme" with Jax, insists on overseeing Bayrn's retrieval, double checks his m-count (to give him an out), and tries to find out where he came from). When she gives Omega, and later Eva, the doll, I think it shows just how little she really is able to do here (and it's kinda heartbreaking imo).

The framing of this shot especially (after Jax's escape attempt) visually shows how Emerie herself is trapped/imprisoned:

Despite the fact that very little of this is Emerie's fault, she has very little power and she is doing all she can, the narrative does not excuse her role in the Empire:

Nala Se: What will you do, Emerie? Emerie: There is nothing I can do. I don't have that kind of power. Nala Se: Don't you?

Emerie: I- I was doing my job. Echo: Yeah, I’ve heard that before. You’re a clone. How can you be part of this?

These fighting-the-Bystander-Effect conversations parallel these exchanges:

Hunter: We made a choice, and so did you. Crosshair: Soldiers follow orders. Hunter: Blind allegiance makes you a pawn.

Crosshair: We’re soldiers, we do what needs to be done. Cody: You know what makes us different from battle droids? We make our own decisions, our own choices. And we have to live with them too.

which did not change Crosshair's mind. And honestly, all respect to Echo's disappointed mom glare™ but I think it's clear Emerie had already made her decision, she just needed help to actually be able to do anything about it. When she stopped Echo, with her voice wavering on the verge of tears (ahhh v good voice acting), she clearly had no intention of turning him in. She's on her own in the Empire's most secure facility with very little resources, if she had tried anything on her own she most likely would have failed and been killed

Omega: Emerie, you don't have to do this. Emerie: (sigh) I’m sorry, but I do.

but as soon as she is enabled by an ally, she immediately turns around to help: giving information and getting Echo through security, helping the kids escape, and giving Omega the tablet that allows them to free the other clone prisoners.

Where Crosshair's turn is accompanied by the symbolic imagery of the ice vulture, Emerie's is the removal of her (literally rose-tinted!) glasses:

Symbolizing how she has shed her previous views/indoctrination that altered her perception of the Empire and blinded her to it's wrongs. It's disillusionment.

Emerie's story shows us that even those who are raised and indoctrinated into this system can, should, and will escape (with needed help). Even those who did not choose to be apart of the Empire and are not making the decisions still have the responsibility and ability to act on what they know is right.

Emerie, whose name means 'Home strength' 'Brave' and 'Powerful', and "reflects the importance of leadership and authority in the workplace".***

While Emerie is only in one more scene after her turn, so the wrap up is a bit rushed, she still very simply does what Crosshair does not:

Emerie: Because I was wrong about this place. And I'm trying to do the right thing.

Echo: I’m sure Senator Chuchi would find what you have to say very helpful for our cause. Emerie: I have a lot to make up for. I’d like to help out however I can.

She admits wrong, takes accountability, commits to making amends, and leaves with Echo to go take on the Empire (which hopefully we will get to actually see more of some day).

So, in short, she's showing us how redemption is done right!

---

Notes:

*Whether this writing choice was good/logical/in-character or not is another discussion entirely, but I'm going off of what we were given, what the show is presenting in the canon text and (reasonably inferred/intentional) subtext. Crosshair is pretty multifaceted and I could only touch on so much here. There's a lot of ways to interpret his character/choices, but I tried to avoid the realm of speculation or fanon explanations (even if they sometimes make more sense lol).

**History and political theory are not my area of expertise at all, so I have NO idea how well this aligns with real-world fascism stuff and therefore what implications this storytelling choice could have. I think the message of like 'if you think you could survive or gain power by doing what the Empire/fascist system wants you are wrong' could be good (like how everyone is actually harmed by the patriarchy type of a thing), but I hesitate bc maybe there are those who would benefit, since it's a hierarchal system, right? If anyone more knowledgeable than me has incite to share, by all means

Either way, I do think it works in-story and in-universe though. It's just in the execution. The main problem (even from a strictly theme/character arc stand point) is the lacking follow-up/consequences for Crosshair in S3. Like you gave your character accountability by removing the chip and I think that's great setup for an arc but you gotta follow through with that and actually hold him accountable!

***I'm always curious when clones have 'normal' names, like why did they chose the name Emerie of all things? So I looked it up. Idk how reliable sources are for name meanings so take it with a grain of salt but it's still fun. Fits pretty well, and clones names have definitely had significant meanings in the past (like how Rex and Jesse both mean 'king') so I'm pretty sure it was intentional.

Anyway, thanks for coming to my tedtalk

[thoughtkick]

Everyone who terrifies you is sixty-five percent water. And everyone you love is made of stardust, and I know sometimes you cannot even breathe deeply, and the night sky is no home, and you have cried yourself to sleep enough times that you are down to your last two percent, but nothing is infinite, not even loss. You are made of the sea and the stars, and one day you are going to find yourself again.

Finn Butler, From The Wreckage

[aprill-99]

Assistant: “This whole criminal empire thing takes a lot more paperwork than I thought.”

Boss: “It’s called organized crime for a damn reason Sheryl.”

[fandoms--fluff]

They're Back

Vampire female reader x Mikael (+ the siblings)

Summary: au where Mikael is a good dad and married the reader who has been like a mother to his kids for a thousand years.

He's never beaten, treated them horribly, or try to kill them. And Esther is the one who forced vampirism and killed all of them.

A/n: I'm experimenting with an idea I had in the middle of the night. Please leave feedback and if you would maybe want a second part.

We're also gonna pretend that rhe picture isn't Balthazar

Warnings: swearing

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You listen in to the conversation taking place inside the mansion and look over to your husband.

"They've been on this earth together how long and they still don't know how to get along" Mikael chuckles as you smack his arm lightly.

You both look back to where Kol is being held back by Finn from trying to pounce on Klaus you're presuming by the way he looks like he wants to charge right at his older brother.

"We should get inside before things go down" you sigh, knowing the kids' antics.

"Definitely" Mikael quickly says as he sees Kol about to get out of the oldest's arms.

You guys vamp inside the house through the unlocked door and just before Kol attacks Klaus, you grab him so he's constrained in your arms. His back pulled against your chest.

"Okay, just breathe. There are many other ways to deal with problems that don't involve attacking your brother" you tell Kol as you slowly start to slacken your grip on the younger one (biologically/physically younger).

The five vampires look at both of you, shocked at your guys' appearance.

"Mother, Father!" Rebekah's the first to break out of the trance and runs over, hugging you guys.

"Rebekah, my lovely daughter" you hear Mikael whisper in her blond hair. You smile at how soft he turns when he's with his children.

"How did you guys find us?" Klaus spoke up.

"Well, people talk when five originals are in a small town, causing havoc" You sit down on the armrest of one of the couches in the room.

You give a pointed look over to Kol, who's advancing towards Klaus. He grumbles about it not being fair, before plopping back into the couch beside you. He leans his head against your side.

"Have they also talked about how Esther is back from the dead?" Klaus more so retorts.

You and Mikael both turn your attention to the hybrid pouring himself a drink. "What are you talking about?" Mikael asks his voice hard at hearing his ex-wife's name.

"She has come back to wipe out the existence of vampires" Finn answers.

"That bitch!" You exclaim. Everyone snaps their gaze on you, not used to you ever swearing. Even Mikael is surprised by your reaction.

"What? You expect me to be calm and stoic all the time?" You raise an eyebrow. "So where is she exactly?" You ask them.

"We have no clue" Kol mumbles into your shoulder.

"Then we'll just have to find out" Mikael says after a couple moment of silence.

[tossawary]

I was thinking about Fandom's Darlings recently because I encountered another case of "Yes, Your Ship Has Become Canon But At What Cost???" in the wild. Which is a mouthful, but I don't have a snappier name for these events in fandom yet.

It's when two characters get together in a story, but... their characterizations get destroyed in the process because the writers apparently 1) can't write solid romance (it's a specific skill!) and 2) also can't fit that romance into the broader story. Often, all of the supporting characters surrounding this shiny couple will ALSO suffer severe characterization damage to make this romance happen. And sometimes the larger plot and even the worldbuilding will also take hard structural hits so the story can focus on this GREAT PASSION that frankly just isn't... executed well.

Like, if a ship I dislike becomes canon, that's one thing, but if the writing for it isn't even semi-competent, that's worse!!! And the really insufferable part is actually the shippers who are not only popping bottles because their ship went canon, but will mock everyone who complains about the bad writing (or tries to earnestly analyze why exactly this conclusion sucks) as "bitter sore losers". I mean, the characters you profess to love have been turned into empty shells of themselves, the canonical partnership here is about as shallow as a puddle, and the integrity of this entire fictional world is on fire, but sure, you "won" this ship war. Congrats.

There is nothing else to do but move on, it's definitely not worth getting into it with anyone. But it REALLY sucks if you actually liked either of the characters involved or maybe even liked the ship itself, because then it's like... "I have been given an enormous cake, but it has been Poisoned. I cannot eat this, for I would choke on it. I have been Betrayed In A Fashion Most Vile." But everyone still sitting at the table tells you that you ought to be happy! At least you got some cake!

[sickwhispers]

eeeee!! yay!! ^♡^ can I ask for finn x reader and/or sprout x reader hcs?? I don't wanna overload u so I'll keep it at those!!! tysm ^_^ -incredibly desperate annon from earlier

Oh my gosh you are such a cutie (/p) don't worry about overloading me, I'm at your service!

WRITE ME LETTERS (hot freaks)

Credits to xx675ehf on tumblr for the finn picture

Pairing: Finn x reader

Relationship: romantic

Warning: he doesn't understand personal space all that much, but he means well

Type: headcanons + drabble

"Whale, whale, whale... look what we have here!" Would be the first thing you hear before he comes barreling towards you at a hundred miles per hour. His body colliding with yours from behind as he brings you in for a tight squeeze

He was never one to really announce his presence, preffering to instead tackle you with affection after a quick fish pun

They never seemed to end when it comes to you

Or, really, they never seemed to end in general

But, if you indulge him just the slightest, it's easy for him to get carried away

He's almost like a dog, in a way

He'd follow you everywhere

To each machine, to each hiding spot, right by your side the second you make your way into the elevator

Every break is spent with him practically glued to your hip, his hands holding onto you in anyway they can

Whether it be by holding your hands, clinging onto your arm, tugging at any article of clothing he could reach rapidly to bring your attention back onto him

He's a Hyper one, and he isn't scared to prove it

He's even been trying to come up with new and improved fish puns

Something that'll impress you

He's self aware, he knows not everyone's a fan of his fish puns

But, even if he was able to score just a tiny giggle from you, he'd be over the moon

"Oh, c'mon! Don't act so koi with me, i dont bite!" His arms wrap around you just a bit tighter, head pressed up right against your side as an proud grin spread across his face.

You had sat on the floor of the elevator, giving yourself a few seconds of peace before having to go back to being tormented once more by the threats lurking around practically every corner. But, of course, there was rarely any moment of peace with finn on your team. He meant well, you knew he did, and he definitely wasn't the malicious type. He just... never seemed to realize when the right time for affection was. And right now, with your chest heaving up and down from a chase you had just endured, you weren't exactly begging for psychical touch.

But at the same time, you couldn't help but find it endearing. Your arm slowly lifted up, shaky from the adrenaline you had just experienced only a few moments ago, before wrapping around him, bringing him just a bit closer. This had caused him to let out an ecstatic gasp in return.

"Yknow, Finn... you're really-" you take a pause, avoiding eye contact with him. Although, despite you doing everything you can not to let your gaze fall right back onto him, you could still feel the way his eyes bored into you. You almost didn't want to say it. Your mouth opening and closing a few times as you tried to muster up the courage. "krilling me with the puns..."

There was a pause. Not one long enough to be considered worrisome, but it had definitely been a decent amount of time before you finally craned your head in his direction. And, once your gaze finally landed on him, the first thing that greeted you were his eyes staring right back into yours. They had widened significantly, and along with that his lips parted slightly. For a second you wondered if it was his body that was shaking or the movement the elevator made as it climbed up to the next floor.

"That..." He began to speak, taking another pause. You soon realized it was his body that was shaking, not the elevator. And, as he took a deep breath, signifying that he was ready to finish his sentence, his smile seemed to stretch farther then you've ever seen. "Was fin-tastic!"

It's safe to say that he'd enjoy it if you ever decided to reply to his puns with some of your own

Nothing would make him happier then hearing a fish pun slip from your mouth, whether it be intentional or a complete accident from all the times you've heard him say them

PERSONAL BODY GUARD

Pairing: Sprout x reader

Relationship: romantic

Warning: none!

Type: headcanons + drabble

Overprotective

That single definition was a word you heard thrown every round every now and then when it came to sprout

And, not once was it ever used as a lie

Because he was, in fact, overprotective

A gentle tug of the wrist in an attempt to drag you away from running head on into a twisted, a two hour lecture afterwards about how much danger you could've been in had he not saved you in time

His presence constantly looming over you each floor, never too far away.

It was a natural instict at this point

No matter how far away you were on a floor, the second one thing goes wrong, he's right by your side

Sometimes he could be a little too much

Not that he cares about your complaints when he's grabbing you by the cheeks, twisting your head in every single direction as he inspects you for any sort of wound

"Do you know how risky that was!? You could've lost a heart!" Despite the almost desperate tone behind his movements, turning your head from side to side, his touch was always gentle. He had taken a good blow to the back, his scarf barely holding onto his form as it threatened to slip at any second. You hadn't lost a heart, thankfully, but he sure did.

He kept you huddled behind a few boxes, legs trembling beneath the both of you as you tried to regain your stamina from the chase you had only managed to survive from. His grip was tight, and once he had made sure you hadn't gotten hurt during your little stunt, he slowly let his hands slip from your face.

"Are... you okay?" You tried to reach out, your arms stretching out to check him for any injuries just like he had done for you. And yet, they didn't have to move an inch before sprout's body seemed to slump against you. His head resting against your shoulder as his arms stayed hanging lazily by his sides. He almost didn't want to move, finding too much pleasure in having you pressed up against him.

A sigh slipped past his mouth, the sound drawn out as he hesitated for a second before speaking. "Me? Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine. Well- I'll be fine. But, let's just stay here for a second, okay..?"

You couldn't remember the last time he had ever admitted to not being okay during a run

Typically, he'd brush off your concern with a dismissive wave of his hand

As long as you were fine, he was fine

It didn't take too long before he was reassuring you, smiling as he always did while he stuck a bandaid over a wound too serious for just a simple bandaid.

He always kept the better stuff for you

Did he ever want to admit he put you before himself almost all of the time?

No.

He didn't want you to worry

He's the one who should be worrying about you, not the other way around

He's a bit of a hopeless romantic, it doesn't take much before he's head over heels in love after a simple smile you threw his way

It's always better to be focused and prepared, especially when the people he loves are constantly being hunted down by corrupted versions of his friends

He doesn't like it when the others point out how distracted he gets everytime he spots you from far away, his body freezing up on the spot as his eyes lock onto the way you pick up protein bar off the floor

For a second he wonders if your admiring his picture on the wrapper

But surely that's wishful thinking...

[lumosinlove]

Night Swimming photoshoot 2/3…

[angelsbless]

Hiiiii, I really really love your mashle headcannons!!! They are so cute and on point, and also love the way you write the characters!!! I saw a post from another fandom about how (x) character would react after hearing the reader talk about them (romantically) with a friend and I thought it would be a good idea for the mashle cast (with any characters you'd like but pleeaaaaaseeee add rayne, I am a sucker for that guy) hope you have a nice day and sorry if this is way too specific, you can ignore it if you don't like it 😅😅😅

Hwhsheujw OMG i loved the idea i guess i'm making it into a series hon, and yea i'm also so much into rayne, he's my beloved so here you go i hope you like it and thank you sm mwah 🤍

How would mashle characters react if they heard you talking about them romantically

RAYNE AMES

So rayne was on his way to meet you after he finished his mission, he missed you so much and couldn't wait to see your beautiful smile that brings him warmth inside. Before he can knock the door to your dorm room he overhead you talking to someone which he found out later that it was finn. He just stood by the door not wanting to interrupt your convo as you seemed really into it, he had actually no intention of overhearing until he heard his name.

" just how can rayne be that beautiful, i just can't handle it, every time he's there i feel at home and i feel blessed because someone like him exists in my life, but he's pushing himself so hard, i wish i could make it easier for him, i just love him so much and it hurts seeing him suffering,"

Rayne's heart skips a beat, he felt warmth in his chest and his expression softened, he always knew you care about him but he never knew about that. His ears turned slightly red as he continued to hear your convo.

" i know, i didn't realize you love him that much"

" i thought you knew Finn, i can't help myself but be into him so bad, the way he looks at me, the way he smiles beautifully when he's near me, how he's worried about my safety and always puts me first, the way he effortlessly looks mesmerizing, his beautiful golden eyes following me whenever i go, the way he treats me gently as if i'm made of glass and only shows me warmth. I just can't help but want to hold him close and give him all the love in the world, i just love him so much that it hurts my heart"

"i..."

After hearing you saying this, he became a blushing mess, his heart beat fast, faster than any other moment before, he was so touched by your words, he wanted to go in and just hug you tightly and never let you go, telling you that he feels the same. Only god knows how much your words affected this man, you already had him head over heels for you but this, made him realize that he's loved in such a pure and beautiful way.

" shit she's so cute, i swear she's gonna be the end of me one day.." he said while he was covering his immense blush all over his face.

He would probably just go in the room right after this and kiss you so bad but who knows hehe

I love my rayne 🤍🫶🏻

[disposal-blueeee]

from this thing on twt