#fun fact! i wasn’t originally going to make billy

[lesbian-space-fish]

Billy Bones!

[id: 5 photos of a custom billy bones doll dressed from season 1 with a white shirt rolled up to the biceps, leather straps around his wrists, beaded necklaces, dark pants with leather patches, a striped sash, two brown leather belts, and knee high leather gaiters over black shoes.

The 1st photo shows billy on a shelf with a nassau beach backdrop, hands on his hips as he faces a custom silver doll (dressed for s2). The rest of the photos are against a white background: the second photo is billy from the front; the 3rd from the back; the 4th is a closeup from the waist up; the 5th is a closeup of his midsection—belt to ankles. End id]

[sp0o0kylights]

Part one here:: link

"oh i dunno if Im going to finish this" I say, right before the plot ate me. anyway this was too big to post in full to tumblr. If you want the full, completed fic (with bonus Fun Fic Facts tm) it is finished and up on A03 here:: link

TW vomiting, drug use

Eddie is good.

Eddie is kind.

Eddie does not run over Henderson’s bike, laying haphazardly in Harrington’s pristine driveway, even if it would make him feel better. 

He does slam his van into park with enough force to make the brakes squeal, which he decides is an excellent way to announce his appearance to the entire neighborhood. 

It’s a move he’s pulled countless times. Charging in and making a scene meant people forgot that he couldn’t actually fight for shit, and equally, took their attention off whatever their original target was.

Which in this case, was Eddie’s too fucking nice freshman. 

The rage pulsing through him is white hot and all encompassing, and it’ll get him through a lot--but the switchblade he carries ensures everyone’s safety in these little matters. 

It makes him brave.

Braver than he should be really, but Eddie spent the entire drive over here chain smoking out the window while prepping for this little confrontation and the more he’d thought it all over, the madder he got.

That a washed up jock thought he could still take advantage of actual children. 

Nevermind Hellfire, or Henderson ditching, or Sinclaire’s ranting. 

This was about their relationship with Harrington. 

A picture has been building in Eddie’s head. One that’s only gotten clearer after today, and one he will be putting an end to, because he doesn’t believe for a second Harrington has a headache. 

Henderson might always be the smartest person in the room, but he’s dumb as hell socially. Too honest, too blunt, and frankly, too goodhearted. 

That makes him easy to take advantage of. 

Sinclair was worse--the guy was too easy to guilt trip. 

It was a noted issue with his ranger, and apparently, himself, and Eddie could easily see how Harrington could have twisted the idea of some ridiculous life-debt to keep Lucas in his clutches.  

Even Mayfield, Billy Hargrove’s former stepsister, was wrapped up in Harrington enough to have a go at her own friends over him! 

She wasn’t even one of his flock, but Eddie was her neighbor. Saw how her mom was barely home. How she was practically raising herself, head down, doing her best not to ever let people see her cry. 

Yeah.

Wouldn’t exactly be difficult for a guy like Steve Harrington to swoop in and take advantage there. 

Wheeler clearly wasn’t a fan and Eddie can only come up with reason after reason as to why--King Jackass had the poor kid’s entire friend group under some kind of--of sick spell.

Well. 

Eddie was here to break it. 

Even if it meant storming into the King’s castle by himself and calling him out on his shit. 

Nobody fucked with his people. Especially not douchebag, washed up jocks. 

He’s up to Harringotn’s ridiculous double doors in a flash, banging hard on the wood with a closed fist, positively fuming and uncaring of who sees. 

Surprise, surprise, it’s Henderson who opens it.

“Eddie?” He says, blinking up at him like he’s not sure of what he’s seeing.  “What are you--hey!” 

Hey, because Eddie’s pushed past him, storming into the house. 

“This has gone on long enough.” He announces, loud as he ever has been. “Where the hell’s Harrington?”

Henderson, frustratingly, does not weep or throw his hands up in celebration of Eddie’s incoming rescue. 

Which is fine--Eddie hasn’t broken the spell yet.

Unfortunately he is bitching, in that infamously annoying tone of his.

“Dude, shut up, Steve’s pills really only work for like, an hour--” 

“Fantastic, he’ll be clear headed for our little talk.” Eddie tells him, head sweeping left and  right as he looks for his target. He’s been in Casa de Harrington a few times before to deal, but it was always at night.

He can now say with perfect honesty that the place looks worse in the bright light of the day. 

“Was that Eddie?” Sinclair calls, and Eddie orients towards him instantly, storming down the hall. 

It doesn’t take long to find the kid. 

 Lucas is standing in a kitchen larger than Eddie’s entire trailer, a too-large pink apron drowning his frame. 

He turns, revealing the front of the thing has  ‘Whisk Taker’ written on it in syrupy white font. 

(Baking puns. Disgusting.) 

“Are you cooking?” Eddie accuses with a sneer, though his disgust isn’t aimed at the freshmen. 

This is exactly what he was afraid of finding. 

Lucas just stares at him. “Uh--yeah?” 

“What did I say about too many people, Munson?” Mayfrield spits angrily. It takes a second to locate her--the kitchen is enormous and far too white--but eventually Eddie realizes she’s perched up on a counter next to the largest sink he’s ever seen. 

For a second, Eddie thinks that’s just where she’s chosen to sit. Then she moves, and he realizes she’s washing and drying a series of water bottles. 

He never in his life thought he’d witness Maxine Mayfield willingly do someone else's dishes. 

“Someone get me Harrington.” He’s not trying for anything dramatic, but his voice must sound dangerous because all three freshmen stop dead, eyes wide as if he's just spoken in tongues.

He zeroes in on Dustin with a glare. “Now.”

Who huffs, throwing his hands up in the air like Eddie’s the one being unreasonable here. 

“Absolutely not--we just got Steve to sit down. He’s been following me around the house insisting I’m causing more problems than I’m fixing!”

“Because you are.” Steve says, voice dripping with calm condescension as he appears like a wraith in the doorway. “And I know you’re all into the whole dungeon game, Munson, but this is a little dramatic, even for you.”

Eddie whirls to face him, already vibrating with fury. “Oh, that’s rich, coming from the guy who’s treating them like his personal minions. What’s next, Harrington? Gonna make them re-shingle the roof? Paint your house? Wax your car?”

Steve gives him a flat, almost disbelieving stare. “Do you seriously think I had Henderson miss your game just so I could lounge around while he’s doing chores?”

Eddie doesn’t bite, too busy unloading. “Oh we can both see it’s more than that.”

He doesn’t notice the way Steve’s jaw tenses, or how his hand creeps up to the side of his head, rubbing at his temple. 

“Anything else you want done, Harrington? Maybe make ‘em mow the lawn?” Eddie sneers. “Or teach ‘em to plump your pillows just the way you like—”

Steve finally snaps, pushing himself upright. “You know what Munson, you're right,” he says, voice tight with barely-contained frustration. “I’m clearly a terrible person they need to be rescued from so--”  

He cuts himself off with a hiss,  eyes squeezing shut as his hand goes to the side of his head, and spits out his next words like they hurt. 

“You can play the good guy and take them all home.” 

Dustin, with an exasperated sigh, steps between them. “No,” he tells Steve sternly, as if managing an unruly child, before spinning on his heel to say the exact same thing, in the exact same tone--to Eddie. 

(Jackass freshman can’t even appreciate when they’re being actively rescued!) 

“Eddie, I promise that this isn’t what it looks like.” 

For anyone else it would sound like a plea, but Henderosn somehow makes it condescending.

“We can explain, alright?” Dustin says, raising his hands as though coaxing a skittish animal. “Will you let us explain? Please?”

Eddie glowers. 

“You clearly do not, in fact, know what this looks like. Because if you did,” 

Eddie can make himself menacing and he does so now, pulling on every single year of drama and theatrics and lying to cops he’s had, pushing his shoulders back and making his body tall.

“You would know that it looks like a guy who peaked in high school is forcing a bunch of fourteen year olds to do his bidding.” 

He takes an aggressive step towards Steve, boots thunking hard on the floor. “And that isn’t happening on my watch.” 

“Aren’t you like an extra super senior?” Mayfield says, arms crossed over her chest. 

“Irrelevant!” Eddie swats the air in her direction, as if to physically bat away her words. “I’m still in high school and I’m not emotionally blackmailing a bunch of kids into waiting on me hand and foot while I fake a headache!” 

“Oh ew.” Max’s nose scrunches in disgust, a mixture of disbelief and fury warring on her face. “That is not what’s happening here.” 

“Were you even listening earlier?!” Lucas says, like he can’t quite believe Eddie is this dumb. 

(His character will be the next to die, so Eddie swears.) 

“I did.” Eddie points a finger at him, triumphant. “I heard all about how he’s tricked you into thinking you owe him a life-debt!”

“A what?” Harrington’s squinting, like he’s struggling to follow along what is happening. It’s a halfway decent sick act, Eddie will give it to him, but he knows the facade will drop in a moment. 

As soon as the asshole loses his temper and decides to try and throw Eddie out, he’ll switch from the Poor Me act into the usual pompous, rich dick on a rampage persona. 

“How he’s saved you all, convinced you and Henderson that you’re in debt to him.” 

“Could we just---please stop yelling?” Steve says in the background, heel pressing hard against his eyes. 

Then winces like his own voice hurts his head.

“What the hell, Eddie?!” Dustin’s cut across the room, stepping in between the two older teens. “Where did this even come from!?” 

“Guys.” 

“The mouths of babes, Henderson. Which you would know if you witnessed Sinclair’s rant instead of missing out because King Dickhead demanded your presence at his castle!” 

“Guys.” Steve’s voice abruptly takes on a weird tone, and it’s only Mayfield’s eyes popping wide that has Eddie realizing something is wrong--right before Harrington shoots past him, noisily hurling in the sink.

“Gross!” Max shrieks, throwing herself off the counter. 

Harrington aims a shaky middle finger in her direction. 

“I just washed those bottles Steve, I'm not washing them again!” Mayfield rants, but she’s not fooling anyone. Not with the way she’s already edging back towards him, like she’s afraid he might fall over. 

(Worse, like she might try to catch him, as if Harrington’s broad, barbarian-like shoulders wouldn’t flatten her instantly.) 

“Al-’right.” Harrington slurs a moment later, still panting over the sink. “Everyone--out. Now.” 

“Steve--” 

“Nope. Making it worse. Out.” 

He manages to stand and turn, leaning hard against the counter and for the first time since this all started, Eddie looks at him. 

Properly, and not through the lens of righteous fury. 

Harrington’s pale.

The shirt he’s wearing is stained with sweat marks, his sweatpants clearly old and worn for comfort rather than style. 

His hair…

Eddie has never seen Harrington without his infamously perfect hairdo, and the messy, slick waves plastered to his forehead is more of a shock then him vomiting in the sink. 

He’s got his hands pressed hard against his eyes again, and there’s a slight tremble in his fingers that belay he’s likely in a lot more pain than he’s letting on.

In short, Harrington looks like absolute shit, and Eddie, maybe, possibly, the tiniest bit believes he actually has a migraine. 

Well, it was that or he was really committed to the bit… 

The tense silence that has befallen them all is ruined when Harrington makes a ‘hurk.’ noise.

“I’m going to throw up again.” He decides after a moment of contemplation, before whipping back around to the sink and doing just that. 

“Steve’s right.” Mayfield decides suddenly, over all the nasty noises. “We should leave.” 

“I’m almost done cooking!” Sinclair protests, as if Harrington isn’t presently throwing up the contents of his stomach. 

“You’re almost done burning things, you mean.” Max mutters, but her words can’t hide the blatant concern written all over his face. “I don’t think he’s going to keep anything down.” 

“He needs us to finish what we started.” Dustin argues passionately. “You know how bad he gets, he’s not gonna be able to get up in an hour!” 

(A clear exaggeration, because Harrington looks like he’s not gonna make it across the kitchen unassisted.) 

“What I need is for everyone to stop talking so fucking loud.” Harrington moans, before appearing to give up on life entirely. 

He sort of sags against the counter, resting his head against his arms while bent double, as if that would help things. 

It was at this point that Eddie had the most unfortunate realization that he might be the asshole here. 

Because Harrington looks rough--and if he actually does in fact, have a migraine, then Eddie has done nothing but make it worse.

(Very likely the freshmen have as well, given Dustin is incapable of talking in anything other than a loud yell, and the smell of Lucas’s burnt food has permeated the air.

Mayfield seemed to have accomplished a small amount of actual work, at least.

…If Harrington managed to miss throwing up on the water bottles.) 

“Look,” Harrington interrupts with an audible, thick swallow.“You guys did great, and I appreciate the uh, help. I’m fine, I promise, you can all go home. Munson,” 

He doesn’t turn, but his voice does change into something that’s half pleading, half demanding.

“Can we please fight about this tomorrow? Or next week?” 

“No fighting!” Dustin shrieks, which has the effect of making Harrington cringe into the counter--and that is what finally kicks Eddie over.

Bows to the instincts that now want to wrap up Harrington in a blanket over the ones that want to strangle him, (though both are very much at odds in his head with each other.)

“We can put a pin in it.” He says, all the venom dropping out of his voice,  already knowing what’s going to happen next and hating himself for it. 

Even at his absolute worst, Eddie has never been able to resist trying to fix a problem he’s been presented with--or turn down someone who needs help.

Harrington, clearly, needs help. 

“You heard him.” He tells his freshman, then immediately holds up a hand when all three try to protest at once. 

“Ah-ah, inside voices.” He himself uses a harsh whisper, and then has to fight not to laugh aloud when all three abruptly eye him like he’s lost his head.

He probably has.

(Fucking King Steve.

No one who is that much of a douchebag should ever look that pathetic without deserving it, it’s against the Munson doctrine.) 

“Henderson, have you done anything actually useful while you’ve been here? Like, say, getting a warm washcloth?” 

“I--oh.” Dustin’s on the defense instantly, but for once actually listens before he finishes his sentence. “Uh. No.”

“Go do that then.” Eddie instructs, making sure to keep his voice quiet and even. 

“Sinclair, toss out the eggs, then take the garbage out so it’ll stop stinking up the place. Mayfield, see if these windows open. Harrington…” 

He pauses, watching as Harrington tries to gather himself, moving slowly and deliberately like even breathing hurts. His entire appearance is grating Eddie’s nerves—not because he doesn’t care, but because he does, and that’s infuriating. 

“Go lay down, man.” He finishes lamely. 

He expects the freshmen to listen to him. Knows they will, in his heart of hearts, even if they bitch back, because that’s just how things are when he decides to take charge. So few people truly want to, that others are often relieved when he does. 

Steve Harrington is not most people.

If he argues, he could very well tip things out of control again, which means Eddie is likely going to have to force the trio of fourteen year olds out of the house. 

Henderson and Sinclair he can manage but Mayfield…

Thankfully, Steve pushes off the counter with a groan, muttering something under his breath, but slowly making his way toward the couch without any other protest. 

The freshmen exchange glances, all of them looking just as unsure as Eddie feels. Like they’re waiting for instructions now that their default leader is down for the count.

He clears his throat pointedly. 

“Hello? Did I not give you marching orders?” He bats his hands at them. “Go march!” 

Mayfield mutters something that sounds an awful lot like “hypocrite” but thankfully, does as asked. 

“Are you gonna give us a ride home?” Henderson asks as he finally starts moving around--hopefully to get a damn washcloth. 

“You got yourself here, you can get yourself home.” Eddie scoffs back, taking stock of Harrington’s kitchen. 

He eyes the line of pain pills laid out on the counter, quickly noting not one of them is anything that would help with a sneeze let alone a migraine. 

Typical. 

“Why not?” Dustin disappeared down a hallway, but the fact Eddie can still hear him plain as day speaks to his ability to keep quiet. “You have your van, don’t you?” 

“Because I’m not leaving when you three are leaving.” 

It’s an absentminded comment, given his mind is elsewhere. 

Weed may be his bread and butter but he does have a handful of more serious things on offer. 

Of those things, one or two have some fun little unexpected side effects, and if Eddie recalls Rick’s yapping right, one of said things was stopping headaches. 

Said magic little mushrooms might even be in a pocket or two, here, if he remembers right… 

“Wait, you're staying here?” Lucas protests, far too loudly. 

"Ssszzhh!" Eddie hisses, drawing out the sound dramatically, mostly for the sake of cutting off whatever protests were coming his way. 

“No arguing. Your beloved King clearly needs a nap, and that means you’re all off duty. Unless," he adds with a raised eyebrow, "you intend to watch him sleep?"

Dustin looks torn, but mutters a quiet, "No," his eyes shifting sideways like he's weighing the logic.

"Good. Then if you’re all finished…?”

He waits for the nods he knows are coming. 

“Excellent. Now leave." Eddie says, pointing towards the door. 

They hesitate for a second, but then finally begin to shuffle out, the door clicking quietly behind them. 

And just like that, Eddie’s left standing there, watching Steve breathe shallowly on the couch--with a washrag over his eyes.

(At least Dustin managed that.) 

He could leave now. 

Should leave, really. Giving out drugs for free is not exactly a good business move and Steve will no doubt sleep the headache off without it. But Eddie’s feet don't seem to agree with him, rooted in place as his gaze lingers on the sharp line of Steve's jaw, the slight twitch of his brow every time a muscle aches.

Feels the pull, deep in his gut, to provide the relief he knows he can give. 

Before he knows what’s happening, he’s moving, crossing the room toward him.

“Munson?” Harrington squints up at him as he registers his presence, washcloth nudged upwards by shaky fingers. “Why’r you still ‘ere?” 

“Because I’m stupid.” Eddie mutters, right before realizing he actually said that outloud. 

“What?” 

Thank God for Harrington’s headache. 

“You look terrible, man.”  Eddie says slightly louder. “That hair of yours is so flat I think your crown’s gonna fall right off.” 

He’d meant it as a joke--spoke it like one, but it seems to snap Harrington out of his pity party. 

The sigh that blasts out of him is a whole body affair, and gets his feelings across better than his words do. “I get it. You thought this was something else and it wasn’t. Not the first time that’s happened.” 

He turns, cheek scraping against the fabric of his shirt, red rimmed eyes squinting against the light to look at Eddie. 

“You got your laugh in, so you can go.” 

There’s defeat in his voice. Like he’s accepted this might as well have happened. 

(Like he’s just as beaten down as anyone Eddie has ever saved.) 

“I didn’t stick around to laugh.” Eddie keeps his voice soft, and that somehow, makes the next part easier to say.  

“I honestly thought you were messing around with Henderson and Sinclair, and I uh, I’m used to being the only person who gives a shit. When that kind of thing happens.” 

Harrington grimaces. 

“It’s okay.” he mutters, eyes sliding closed once more. “Most people still think I’m an asshole.”

His tone has gone odd again, wrecked and rasping, migraine clearly trumping whatever strong feelings he had on the matter. 

And the stupid thing was, Harrington himself was never really an asshole. 

Sure he went along with the assholes, and he definitely egged them on if not outright participated in some of the lower tier shitty activities, but he wasn’t the guy slamming people into lockers. 

(Eddie, in fact, has a hazy memory of Steve telling off Hagan for doing said locker slamming.) 

It didn’t make him a good guy--he’d had slung too many insults around to get that label--but in the rankings of assholery, his was of the average variety. 

Which means that Eddie cannot logic himself out of his own stupid desire to help.

Even if he really, really wants to.

“Yeah well, even assholes need assistance sometimes, and since I kicked your help out, it’s on to make up for it.” 

“No offense,” Steve slurs tiredly, “but I don’t think you’re any quieter than Dustin.” 

A smile ghosts over Eddie’s face. 

“I live in a tiny ass trailer, Harrington. Trust me,  I know how to be quiet. I simply choose not to be.” He moves, slow and careful, until he’s seated next to the fallen King on his stupidly huge (and very uncomfortable) couch. 

Steve’s eye follows him over, staring up as he white knuckles his sweatpants, washrag sitting crooked on his forehead. 

“I’m not sure I’m not gonna throw up again.” He admits after a moment. 

“And that right there is one of the things I can help with. Provided,” Eddie waggles his eyebrows, “that you don’t mind taking a more recreational route for your recovery?” 

“....are you offering me drugs?” 

“I am indeed.” Eddie confirms with a real smile, plucking the offending baggie out of a pocket. 

“You ever done shrooms, your majesty?” 

Steve huffs a quiet noise that might have been a snort, had he put any effort behind it. 

“How is that going to help?” 

“Be-cauuuuuse,” Eddie draws the words out, still a showman even if he is doing his level best to talk as quietly as possible, “shrooms are what we call a psychedelic, and those are pretty well known among certain circles as the headache healer.” 

Provided one took the medicinal amount and not the down-the-rabbit-hole amount. 

Harrington’s eyes are back open, only this time they’re looking at Eddie’s fingers the same way a dog looks at a nail trimmer: concerned and not entirely unsure it wasn’t going to bite him. 

“I’m not…” He cuts himself off, frowning. 

“You’ve bought plenty of my weed, Harrington. Trust me this isn’t any different.” Eddie tells him. 

Isn’t offended in the slightest--this reaction is pretty typical for people who have only smoked the ganja. 

Even the ones who asked to try for something with a little more ‘umph.’ 

“S’not that.”Steve admits quietly. “I uh. Had a bad trip. While back.” 

“Ah, gunshy.” Eddie says it without a lick of judgment, because Eddie’s been there.

Or rather in the shower, at two am because he accidentally spilled LSD on his hand and promptly tripped balls for 48 hours after.  

 “I’ll hang around a bit, if you like.” He offers casually. “Make sure things don’t go sideways.”

He gets another huff-snort as Harrington’s watery eyes return their attention to him. 

“And what are you going to do if they do go sideways?”

“Put you back together again.”  

Eddie knows his grin is crooked, but can’t help it. He’s thinking about Humpty Dumpty and the King’s Men.  

Somehow he doesn’t see Steve Harrington cracking that easily—at least, not without putting up a good fight—but drugs did worse things to better people. 

“It really helps?” Steve asks, voice quiet. Doubtful.

Eddie presses his hands to his chest. “Scouts honor.”

“You were not a boy scout.” Steve tells him, but he’s struggling to sit up anyway, looking game. 

“Alright, so how do I do this?” He asks, though he’s already halfway down again, propped up on his elbows.

“First, you lay back down, and I’ll brew it into tea,” Eddie explains. 

“Tea?”

“Well, you could eat them straight, but I don’t think they’d taste too great. Not that I wouldn’t mind watching you try.”

Steve scowls. “Sadist.”

“Guilty,” Eddie replies, biting back the urge to sing-song it, keeping his voice down and steady. “Just a heads-up: they kick in fast, but I’ll go light on you—nothing like the ‘fun’ dose for the usual crowd.”

Which is how he ends up back in the kitchen, this time making tea and humming to himself, before offering the final brewed concoction to Harrington.

Who downs it like a shot, because he’s a fucking frat-bro at heart. 

“I didn’t find a teacup for you to do that.” 

Between a full-body shudder and a dramatic grimace, Steve chokes out “Not gonna lie I didn’t think we owned a teacup.” 

“What, do you think I just have them in my van?”

“Honestly? Yeah.” 

Which is kind of hysterical, and something Eddie may be doing--not that he’s telling Harrington that. 

“And now we wait!” He announces instead of rambling about teacups, nearly clapping his hands together before he remembers the migraine Steve is soldiering through with surprising grit. 

Eddie himself would have turned into a whiny mess, so he can’t help but admire the guy’s restraint.

“Waiting to see if I hurl again, you mean?” Steve mutters, flopping backward onto the couch. “That tasted like battery acid.”

“Think it’s coming back up?”

“No clue.”

They sit in silence for a second, then Eddie pokes, “Maybe it’s best if you crash in your room, man. You look like death warmed over, and this couch sucks.” 

An understatement, if there ever was one. The fucking thing didn’t seem to be made for people to actually sit on. 

Reluctantly, Steve pulls himself up, heading toward his room. Eddie tags along, snarky grin covering the way he holds his hands out in case the jock ahead of him slips on the stairs and takes them both out. 

(Unlike Mayfield, Eddie does not pretend Steve doesn’t outclass him weight wise. The man was built like a brickhouse, and he has to fight to keep his eyes up toward Steve’s hair instead of on his ass.) 

Thankfully, he’s saved from all R-rated thoughts by the sheer horror of Harrington’s bedroom. 

“Harrington, I’ve found the source of all your migraines.” Eddie tells him, tone as serious as he’s ever been.

“Ha-ha.” Steve deadpans, stepping into his plaid fucking room. 

“I’m not kidding, I’m getting a headache and I’ve been here less than five seconds.” 

The whole place truly is a nightmare--like someone took one of those plaid hunting jackets and themed an entire room around it. 

Fucking rich people. 

“Trust me, it’s not the wallpaper.” 

“Given how you’re weaving on your feet, I think it’s safe to say I don’t trust you at all.” Eddie tells him, half helping half dragging Steve towards the bed. 

It’s a comfy looking thing and Harrington falls into it gratefully, immediately crawling under the covers. 

“You know where to find me?” Eddie asks him, refusing to think Harrington snuggling up in his bed is something cute. 

“Yeah?”

“Good. Hit me up next time your head gets bad. I’ll make sure to keep some of this,” He shakes the little baggie, “on hand.” 

Steve’s pulled the covers all the way up past his chin, but he moves it down a little to properly cock an eye at Eddie. 

“Dare I ask what you're gonna charge for that?”

“Let’s call it a fair trade for all those times you’ve driven the freshman home from Hellfire.” 

If Steve even recalls this conversation, that is. Eddie hadn’t exactly given him the “fun” kind of dose, but then, he himself has never tested out what dose is needed to cure headaches rather than simply having  fun destroying one's own ego. 

He supposes that’s something he and Harrington both will have to test, between them--because Eddie meant it when he offered the drugs for free.

No one deserves to suffer from the kind of migraine Harrington clearly had. 

“Think you’re good to drop off.” Eddie tells him, after making sure Steve is happily content in his bed. 

Checks his watch to make sure enough time has passed to safely call it, before beginning to attempt his way out of Steve’s god-awful bedroom. 

Which of course, is when Harrington reaches out, looping his fingers around Eddie’s wrist. 

It freezes him in place. 

In a moment that is so utterly selfish and stupid that Eddie will loudly insist it was a hallucination should Harrington ever dare ask about it, he turns his palm and moves so that he’s clasping Steve’s fingers with his own. 

“Thanks. For all this.” Steve whispers, as they hold hands for a moment. 

Eddie squeezes his fingers against the younger man’s before he moves to make his retreat, flashing a peace sign over his shoulder as he goes.  

“Anytime, big boy.” 

Anytime. 

xxx

The thing no one tells you about creating a doctrine, is that at some point or another, someone’s going to hold you to it. 

In Eddie’s case it’s four very pissed off teenagers.

He has a gold medal in mental gymnastics and a silver in denial. Left on his own devices he could easily excuse everything that happened yesterday. 

Reclassify the fallen King as pathetic, and the kids' weird loyalty to him as a holdover from his babysitting days. 

Blame their nosy-ness on them being involved in Harrington’s life, and happily go back to mocking their relationship with renewed vigor because now he’s not going to handwave their behavior as being afraid of Harrington. 

Nope, they clearly and willingly, have attached themselves to the King, which means Eddie gets to make fun of them for life. 

Pity they don’t leave Eddie to his own devices. 

In fact, the little shits hit him up first thing in the morning, early enough that he's’ a little suspicious that the boys slept over at Max’s trailer. 

“We’re not done talking about Steve.” Mayfield tells him and given the determined (Henderson) angry (Sinclair) and put out (Wheeler Jr.) faces glaring at him from over her shoulder, Eddie figures his chances for getting out of this conversation are slim to none.

“Good morning to you too.” He snarks, voice gravel-deep with sleep. “What do you little shits want?”

“I literally just said.” Max rolls her eyes so hard he thinks about commenting that they may stick back there, only to decide that makes him sound too much like a teacher for his liking. 

(Besides if they get stuck, he’ll have an excuse to whack her on the back of her head without getting murdered for it.

…well. 

An attempt at an excuse, anyway.) 

“And who says I have anything I want to talk about?” He fires back, leaning a shoulder against the old metal doorframe. 

Just because he understood what they wanted didn’t mean he was going to make it easy. 

“Would you just let us in?” 

“No.” 

“Eddie.” Dustin whines, and Eddie redirects his frown his way. “Come on.” 

“Well I suppose if you say it that way,” Eddie hums thoughtfully. “No.” 

“Steve’s sick, you asswipe.” Max snaps angrily. 

“I know,” He volleys back, brightly sarcastic. “I saw him yesterday.”

Because it’s Mayfield, she matches him tit for tat, a mimicry of his sarcastic drawl entering her voice. “Good! You get to see him today too.”

And just like that their little ambush makes sense.

(He’s got to find a new way to get the damn kids to fear him, clearly his usual menacingness  just isn’t cutting it anymore.) 

“And why would I do that?” 

He’s done his good deed. He helped Harrington out, and even offered free drugs to help him get his migraines under control. 

Checking up on the guy was overkill.  

“We were gonna do it, but someone let it slip that Steve was sick.” A cutting glance is given to Henderson, who makes a face but otherwise holds his ground. 

“And his mom called everyone else's parents with instructions that we leave him alone until he feels better.”  

“So now if we go over there,” Sinclair finishes for his girlfriend, “we get grounded.” 

Which neatly answers every question that just popped into Eddie’s head. 

The threat makes sense for the boys--Eddie’s met Claudia Henderson and though she has that bubbly, easy to confuse nature of suburbanites everywhere, there was an undercurrent in her eyes of someone who knew more than she was letting on. 

Or perhaps, someone who simply knew what they wanted, and was happy to settle and wait for it. 

 Likewise the Sinclair and Wheeler parental units seem to want to keep in her--and Steve’s, no doubt, given he carts their kids around--good graces. 

Given Mayfield’s mom wasn’t even home last night, her participation in this farce does not make sense and Eddie narrows his eyes at her in warning. 

“I fail to see how this is my problem.” He says instead of directly calling her out.

She knows he knows, and he’s smart enough to figure out how to relay that without saying it directly. 

(An action taken out of respect for surviving a bad home life, and absolutely not because he’s terrified she’ll crawl through his window to enact revenge in the middle of the night.) 

“It’s your problem because you owe him one.” she tells him firmly. “And us.”

Oh no he does not. 

“How so?” He challenges with a snorted laugh. 

“You did kind of storm into his house and yell a lot.” Sinclair points out. He’s doing better at speaking up, Eddie realizes with a twisted sense of pride and dread. 

Not quite so easy to steamroll after his outburst yesterday. 

A part of him hopes that sticks around--Sinclair needs a spine, and not just because Mayfield will keep running circles around him until he grows one. 

The rest of Eddie is pissed off that he decided to get one now, when it directly impacted Eddie’s Saturday morning sleeping plans.  

Leave it to these dickheads to use a good deed against him.

“Look--we can’t make sure he’s okay. You can.” Mayfield steps up to jam a painted fingernail in Eddie’s chest. “He won’t let us do anything that will actually help him. You, he can't stop.” 

He does not take a step backward and thus lose all the cool points he has left in the eyes of the younger Hellfire members, but only because he’s already leaned up against the doorframe. 

He bares his teeth at her in a silent snarl instead. 

“We made it worse.” She admits, voice sharp. “And I don’t know how to make it better, but you seem to be able to, so congrats Munson--you get to go again!” 

Which gets Eddie’s back right up. 

He pushes off the doorframe, ready to tell Mayfield--and all his little dipshits--right off, except this is when Wheeler Jr., of all people, decides to add in his two cents. 

“If you don’t go, no one else will.” He looks off to the side while he says it, arms crossed tight across his chest and spitting the words out like he's admitting to a crime. “Robin’s not coming back until Monday and Nancy's got some stupid thing, so you’re literally the only person who can go.” 

Well just stab him in the heart, why don’t you. 

“What are the chances of you fucking back off to whatever hole you crawled out of if I refuse?” He asks, already knowing that he’s done for.

Accepted his fate, because he knows what it’s like not to have someone to rely on, when you need them the most. 

“Zero.” Sinclair and Henderson chant as one. 

“Well then.” He tells them with the biggest, most put upon sigh he can manage. “Guess you got me in a box here.” 

Mayfield grins at him.

It reminds him vaguely of a shark. 

A bloodthirsty, slightly demonic, mean shark. 

“Good. Go get dressed.”

“Oh I’m doing this right now, am I?” He complains, but he’s already moving to go back into his trailer. 

“We’re not leaving until you do!” Mayfield yells at him.

Eddie slams the door in her face. 

(He’s never adopting freshmen again, as long as he fucking lives.)

[absolutebl]

This Week in BL - it was a pretty darn good time, frankly

Organized, in each category, with ones I'm enjoying most at the top.

Feb 2024 Wk 4

Ongoing Series - Thai

The Sign (Sat YT) ep 12fin - Everyone looked like they were having a lot of fun in the fight sequences. I’m very happy for them. I’m not surprised they shot Khem and Chart. A little shocked it wasn’t also Yai, TBH.

I found this final episode rushed. According to rumors, The Sign was originally slated to be 14 eps, and it probably should’ve been. And I don’t say that often about Thai BL. But we all knew it was getting too bloated for its britches, so I'm not surprised they fumbled the ending. For me personally, it just wasn't that bad. It was fine and I was fine with it.

Tho, Billy does not look good with facial fur, messes up those gorgeous angles.

I was ultimately amused that the solution to the mythology thread was simply to talk to the river god and persuaded him to give up... off screen. It felt very old school wuxia. Or like Aeschylus or something. I did adore the stinger, Saint was basically like “I want wings too”. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

This show is literally everything (except straight) all at once. It's BL, queer, band of brothers, romcom, erotica, PNR, fated mates, police procedural, fantasy, mystery, suspense, and slasher. It’s the king of genre mash-up chaos. Sure, it's madness but there is genius in it. Was it a crazy unhinged mess +1 roll for damage? Yes. Yes it was. Did it manage to hold all those tangled threads together? No it did not. Was it also a charming, sexy, engaging, non-stop piece of entertainment? Sure thing. I think this show is basically my KinnPorsche, and frankly I’ve been chasing that dragon naga since KP aired. Is it perfect? No. But it was balls to the wall FUN and that gets a 9/10 from me.

I'm thinking of doing a full recap review (partly because I have so many great screen shots.)

Cherry Magic (Sat YouTube grey) ep 10-11 of 12 - Since this series is following the yaoi so closely, I knew these were the separation eps. (Also I knew with would be a soft non-doom ep 11, Japan rarerly does these.) I like that they used it to show improve communication and development in all relationships, but, frankly, TayNew are just best when they are TayNew together on screen. So yeah. Let’s keep them back together, please?

Meanwhile, TayNew gifted us a gorgeous loving sweet sex scene. Thanks OG for doing us a solid. 

I wanna add, it sure is fun to see New play as soft and vulnerable character, I feel like he hasn’t done that since SOTUS. 

(Read all about distribution issues here.)

Cooking Crush (Sun YT) ep 12fin - 1/3 of this is a sweet romance about a student doctor falling in love with a student chef, and the rest of it is utter dross. Look the OffGun bits were GREAT.. In fact, I think they’re better AS A PAIR in this show than in any of their other BLS. And I'm a hard sell on any OffGun being better than PickRome. Saying that, how can I review a show where I could only tolerate 1/3 of it? Because I didn’t like any other aspect of this show, no other pairs and no other plots. That gives me: 9/10 for the OffGun bits, 5/10 for everything else. Frankly it probably should be an 8 but I gotta go with my gut and it's upset about this so 7/10. Sorry boys. It’s GMMTV’s fault. Your heart was in this show, mine wasn’t. 

City of Stars (Fri iQIYI) ep 4 of 12 - These two are so good at making heart eyes at each other. It’s ridiculous. They don’t need any cartoon images or noises. Moot crush but "I wanna flirt and court more" is so flipping awesome. I love this for them… and us. 

1000 Years Old ep 2 of 12 - It’s very silly and we have been gifted with the dorkiest vampire ever. But... the smell thing makes me so happy. And I like that the vamp uses chan/nai or tan = v old fashioned. Nahlak. I love our ghost girl. Did you notice she wasn’t in the room with them but they left an empty chair for her? Also nahlak.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Perfect Propose (Japan Fri Gaga) ep 5 of 6 - Kai was pretty much just “you're a workaholic but I basically married you whether you like it or not.” SMOOCH. What can I say? I'm a sucker for this dynamic.

AntiReset (Taiwan Fri Viki/Gaga) ep 5 of 10 - How is this show so cute? How do they both love and hurt each other so much. They are both just scared of loosing each other. Gah.

Unknown (Taiwan Sat Youku YouTube) 1 of 12 eps - Youku dropped the first ep to their YouTube channel but I doubt we can expect that to continue. Still, it was nice to be able to watch it in a convenient way. I enjoyed it. But I am cautious about it. Of course this is possibly two of my favorite tropes of all time (stepbrothers or a variation + hyung romance). So I’m looking forward to the romantic thread, but from the gritty style, it feels a lot more like a Taiwanese short. Which means it could go very dark and may not end happy. 

Although I Love You and You AKA Sukiyanen Kedo Do Yaro ka (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 7 of 10 - I just don’t know if the main couple should be a couple. But when they finally get around to talking to each other, they sure are lovely. Also how great is it to see a uke initiate a kiss? Even if it’s not a very good kiss. 

My Strawberry Film (Japan Thurs Gaga) ep 2 of 8 - I am still not sure about this one. I am not contesting its quality, just saying it’s not for me. Also I’m not wild about what amounts to basically a redo of everything that already happened in the first episode from a different perspective. I know it’s a tall order with Japan, but I would like (when it’s a short series) for each new installment to actually move the plot (such as it is) along in someway. Am I asking too much?

It's done but I have no time

What Did You Eat Yesterday Season 2 AKA Kinou Nani Tabeta? Season 2 (Japan Gaga) 10 eps - will binge when I have any spare time. 2024 is crazy busy for me so far.

The Servant and the Young Master - from Vietnam, it's on YouTube. I will give it a try when I have a window of time.

Began Beginning (Myanmar YouTube) - A Burmese BL? @heretherebedork vouched for it, so I will give it a watch.

It's airing but...

Dead Friend Forever (Thai iQIYI) - rumors are it's interesting but full of unlikable characters. I'm waiting to know how it ends.

Ossans Love Season 2 (Japan Gaga) - 5 years later, will anything have changed? This is Japan so… probubly not. I won't be watching this. I disliked Season one and actively hated the follow ups. No thank you.

Playboyy (Thurs Gaga) 14 eps - Dear Playboyy, it's not you, it’s me… I hate you. You’re about as deep (and as palatable) as a shot glass of cum. While I'm sure you’re someone’s kink, you're my weakest link. Goodbye. I DNFed this at ep 5. Frankly I'm impressed with myself for getting that far. Ends next week TF.

Time the series (Tue Gaga/YT) 10 eps - dropped it at ep 4.

A Secretly Love (Thai WeTV) - I tried but I can't get into my WeTV account anymore and I'm way too lazy to figure it out. Should I bother to go grey for it?

To Be Continued (Thai C3 Thailand YT) - High school sweethearts who had a bad break up reunite when both of them have full time jobs but coming out is still a problem. You can watch this on YT but it has no Eng Subs.

Next Week Looks Like This:

We're light on content right now, but frankly I'm so busy with work I don't really mind.

3/6 Born to be Y (Thai ????) 10 eps - 14 contestants who audition to compete in Born To Be Y, a program that searches for the best couple of the year to work together on a giant project. Described as semi-reality series. So I probably won't bother.

3/7 Deep Night (Thai iQiyi) 10 eps - Multiple romances set in a host clubs. Nice to see First back on my screen but this is not my favorite setting.

Upcoming BLs for 2024 are listed here. This list is not kept updated, so please leave a comment if you know something new or RP with additions.

THIS WEEK’S BEST MOMENTS

The eyes have it.

Your random BL moment brought to you by my ult-bias being a hyung smartass to his maknae.

(Last week)

[nburkhardt]

Somebody Loves You, You Got A Friend.

Hello! This is my abo teenage parents steddie fic I talked about a few times. Wrote it a while ago for myself, never felt quite confident for sharing. But after sharing the few snippets, here’s the start! There’s real no end to it, it’s mostly slice of life with nearly no real plot. (Title is from Spaceship by Andy Grammer)

Some info you should know: it takes place in season 2. Originally wasn’t going to include the upside down but switched it to have it. ANYWAY, enjoy the start! It’s mostly Steve angst and only a hint of Eddie lol.

So, here’s the thing… Steve never keep his secondary gender a secret. In fact, he was quite proud of it. Mostly because it pisses his dad off to no end, and well, pissing off his dad is one of his and his mom’s favorite past time.

With that said he was definitely proud to take after his mom and for being a male omega. He knows it probably pisses more people off than they let on and really, that makes his fucking day.

Sometime around the time he entered high school, his status went sky high. He didn’t mind, though finding true friends was rough. Especially when Tommy and Carol glued themselves to him within a few hours of knowing him. Since he didn’t keep his omega status a secret, they thought he was weaker and needed to be protected. With Tommy being an alpha and Carol a beta, they decided to be best friends. It pissed him off, but at the time he didn’t have many friends. But of course, he’s not weak. He knows how to protect himself and even others.

His life gets flipped upside down, shortly after Nancy Wheeler calls him ‘bullshit’ in a bathroom at a dumb Halloween party.

It’s been months since Will Byers disappeared, thought dead and found alive. Also months since Nancy’s best friend fucking died while sitting at his pool. All while he and Nancy were in bed, they only found out in the next morning at school.

Nancy’s words send him spiraling down immediately, because unlike her, he does or did love her. So in a blind panic, he leaves the room and then the house and straight into the forest behind. Freaking out and sobbing as he went.

He didn’t know how long he was there, all he remembers of the night is panicking and then someone that smells of smoke, rain and freshly cut grass, helps him to his car and on his way. With only a matchbook with a number on it sitting on his passenger seat as who helped him.

In the morning, he gets ready for school, kisses his mom on the cheek and goes on his way. Only pocketing the matchbook as he parks in the school parking lot.

The day is simple only because he avoids Nancy as much as he can and then nearly get his ass handed to him by the new big alpha in town, Billy Hargrove.

“Should plant your feet, pretty boy”

He rolls his eyes, “shove the fuck off, Hargrove”

Billy is about to do another shove, he can’t figure out why to be honest. His scent is currently covered by scent blockers, the one thing his mom told him to take. When he notices Nancy waving him down, so he goes willingly to that danger instead.

It’s nothing but anger from her, it’s rolling off her in her scent even with a blocker, “Why didn’t you pick me up?”

He scruffs, “because I’m apparently bullshit?”

She at least flinches at that. But doesn’t apologize, at least, not the way he’d like. She does try to excuse it all by saying she was drunk and if there is one thing he took to heart from his asshole dad; drunk words are sober thoughts.

The final kicker of the whole conversation: her not saying “I love you” after he pleads her to.

He decides after that, Nancy Wheeler is someone he refuses to be with.

—

If you made it this far great!! Because after this the real fun begins 🥳 meaning Eddie is actually there and you get to meet my favorite person, Janet Harrington… Steve’s mom! This was just getting things mostly set up. I hope it doesn’t seem too weird with jumping around or weird phrasing lol.

(Btw, I don’t necessarily keep to everything everyone does in abo fics. I go with whatever I like and easy to work with. So there’s scents, mates, pack easy things. Nothing too explicit either, I’m definitely not confident enough to post smut hahaha.) OH AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANNA TALK ABOUT THIS AU MY MESSAGES AND ASK BOX IS ALWAYS OPEN!!!!!

Permanent Tag List: @spectrum-spectre @itsfreakingbats @mysticcrownshipper @artiststarme @thereindeerlady @justforthedead89 @ronniescontinuum @freyaforestafay

Also those who liked my snippet: @zerokrox-blog @callme-keys @maya-custodios-dionach @rajumat @yellowdevilkitten @munsonfamilyband @steddierthings

[bugeyedfreaks]

2, 5, 12, 23 for each of the Gangreen Gang, and each of the Amoeba Boys

Oooof, that’s a lot! 💀 [cracks knuckles] Well, okay, here we go…

2. Favorite canon thing about this character?

Ace — I loooooove his sexy leotard! Kidding! I guess in general I just really admire his canonically chill attitude and fine leadership skills. If he wasn’t a wanted criminal he would be a really cool guy to hang out with.

Snake — IMO, one of the funniest scenes in the series is in Buttercrush, when Ace hands Buttercup a bat while Snake is in a junkyard car, and he pleads and begs her not to hit it, fear in his eyes, but she does, and he gets launched into (presumably) the stratosphere. The fact that he canonically survived that is very impressive to me.

Big Billy — The gang needs muscle, and Billy is it, but it’s adorable that he’s such a sweetheart. It really feels like he just goes along with whatever the gang’s doing because, at the end of the day, he doesn’t really know any better. It’s less about doing crime for crime’s sake and just more about having fun with his homies. Despite being so big, he’s the little bro of the gang.

Also I love that he is a cyclops, very cool. 👁️

Li’l Arturo — I love that he can be tossed around like the football or the basketball. His talent is being smol and aerodynamic and I love it (I also love his pride for his deadly comb Maria!).

Grubber — You have to respect a hunchbacked boy who likes horsie rides. That whole sequence with him on the horse at the arcade in Schoolhouse Rocked is so cute and wholesome. …weirdly enough, as strange and gross as he can be (affectionate), there are many other wholesome Grubber moments in the show.

Bossman — His VOICE is just so iconic. Rest in peace, Chuck McCann, and it’s so sad he had to be in the awful reboot before he passed because I’m gonna miss hearing that amazing gangster voice in the future, see?

Slim — 😳 Uh… I…… love that…….. he is…… canonically….. skinny! (Phew! 😮‍💨)

Junior — I love his BOTTOMLESS STOMAAAAACH he has like the Mary Poppins neverending bag of innards. It may be gross, but you have to admit, it is quite the talent.

5. What's the first song that comes to mind when you think about them?

I don’t think of specific songs for each of them, but for the Gangreen Gang AND the Amoeba Boys, they both have very iconic theme songs (the GGG’s one is VERY funky, I love it… plus the gloopiness of the Amoeba Boys’ one is veeeeery gloopy and fits them well).

12. What's a headcanon you have for this character?

Okay, I know you asked for one for each of them, but I truly do look at both gangs as, like, whole units when I think about headcanon stuff. One that I like to think about with the GGG is the origin story I have in my brain of how they all met. I imagine at some point they were all total strangers, just happened to all be green, all happened to wander into the dump on the same day, said, “Hey,” and immediately decided they were gonna be best friends for life and were cool chilling with each other. It’s really stupid, but it makes me laugh thinking about it. 😆

With the Amoeba Boys… I dunno! Never really thought about one for them before. Maybe a headcanon could beeeeee that they’ve been wandering around the Townsville area since the dawn of time, constantly splitting/reproducing/reforming to survive (which is why in modern times they’re almost as big as humans), attempting to cause mischief because they’ve always thought the people they saw doing it were really cool (of course, they’ve always inexplicably had their gangster accents and hats, too). Perhaps back in the day they would bug the Ministry of Pain to let them join in on their chaos so they could help fight Captain Righteous and Lefty. Who knows!

23. Favorite picture of this character?

Again, I dunno if I have the strength to pull from all of my screencaps for ALL of them (because if I do I will never finish this to post it), so I will round it down to two of my faves to represent each gang, inspired from my canon favorites list:

[phantasmicfish]

General thoughts on Daisy Jones & The Six based on episodes 1 - 6:

- love love love all the Daisy/Billy interactions. The immediate hating each other’s guts which transitions to slowing getting to know each other and yet still constantly fighting… yes

- Warren being a super chill guy in both past and present. I love the way he’s just seen hanging out on his boat and laughing in every interview

- Daisy’s comebacks and quips. I wasn’t really feeling her feistiness in earlier episodes, but now I think it’s coming in hot just like book!Daisy was. “It’s not my job to not turn you on, you know that?” yes yes tell them off

- Really liking the way they’re building up Eddie’s resentment of Billy. The fact that Eddie literally auditioned to fill Billy’s role during Billy temporary hiatus, Eddie being in love with an eventually fucking Camilla… these are all details we don’t get in the book, but I think having them in the show along with all of Eddie’s little side comments really sell it. When Billy dropped out of the band and wanted to play Honeycomb for everyone and Eddie was like, “fuck no you can’t play it,” was a great snippet to have

- Eddie blowing off some girl to sit with Camilla at the bar. The conviction in his voice when he says: “I’d chose you before everyone.” Just. GHR. Praying the show deviates from the book so that Eddie ends up with Camilla and Billy ends up with Daisy, but I’m pretty sure they won’t…

- Anytime Billy stares at Daisy and Daisy stares back. They have such chemistry with just their gazes alone I’m going insane

- Not really liking the way Camilla treated Billy when he came back from rehab — making them sleep in sep beds and acting sorta weird when he was around Julia. Her actions are totally justifiable but I think it deviates too much from book!Camila personality-wise

- the Billy/Daisy kiss.

- And then immediately followed by Billy staring at Daisy like he wants to fuck her right in that recording studio right there right now

- the songs! I know the lyrics are v diff from those in the back of the book, but I’m in love with More Fun to Miss Than be With and whatever song was playing in the background when the cast was getting their photos taken

- Camilla presenting Billy with the photo that will probably end up being the cover of Aurora. It’s like she hates the fact that Billy and Daisy have such chemistry together but recognizes that that’s what makes their songs so great

- Also not liking how show!Jonah Berg is shaping up to be more of an asshole than book!Jonah Berg was. Him causally slipping in “by the way what was the name of that rehab clinic” was a low blow. I think it’s more due to the timeline the show has with his character— book!Jonah was supposed to be the catalyst that got Daisy to join the band (The Six That Should be the Seven)

- Billy lying to Camilla about the origins of Please. Like, why is he being so cagey? I just don’t get it. It feels really out of place for Billy to outright lie to her like that… he could omit things sure but like why lie about who wrote the song? Unless Daisy was also lying to ferment chaos or something lol

- I love the band’s dynamic in the early episodes, how close they seem! Loved the blackout scene where they were all singling together, I thought it was nice to show that the band members were actually friends before all the drama love triangle stuff went down

[aloneinthehellfire]

hii I loved ur Billy x reader fic you did and I sort of have an idea for another one?

Something where Billy goes to the reader after his fight with Steve in season 2 and she helps him clean his wounds etc. I don't mind if it's established relationship or not, I just thought it would be cool to see his thoughts and stuff after the fight and maybe a lil redemption??

here we are, i hope it sounds good i kinda rushed to finish it during my uni work break oops

GREATEST FEAR

Billy Hargrove x Fem!Reader

Masterlist

Summary: After his fight at the Byers household, Billy Hargrove has only one place to go; to your trailer.

Word Count: 2.3k

Warnings: swearing, mentions of abuse (from parents), neglection, mentions of blood, like a really long intro for no reason, fluffy stuff

[A/N: this was definitely something different than i usually write so it was kinda fun but i apologise for it being awful]

set in ST2 (in this fic, Billy has been in Hawkins for at least a month longer than he is originally because I said so)

GREATEST FEAR

Billy Hargrove’s worst fear wasn’t predictable.

In fact, it would probably be the last thing someone would guess considering his reputation. And, after the fight at the Byers house, that fear was hitting him like a brick.

His greatest fear? The only person he loved seeing him for who he truly was. That person, being you.

It was true that Billy was far from reaching even the possibility of perfect. Not since his mom left. And certainly not since his dad took it out on his only child. For the longest time, he blamed his actions as a repercussion of his father’s treatment, validating these violent urges he had. And then he met you.

You were kind, and unbelievably smart, and you didn’t have a violent bone in your body. Billy remembers the first time he saw you, walking out of the school with a boy that Billy thought was too out of your league to be believable. You had worn a smile, laughing away as you shared something you found exciting. It wasn’t unusual for Billy to check out girls, but this wasn’t the same. He was utterly and completely mesmerised by you.

And all at the same time, he immediately decided who you were; some promising young girl that her parents prided on, growing up in a little cul-de-sac and practically having opportunities presented to her on a dish. In fact, he had presented his opinion to you after a partnered project forced you both to sit together during lunch. And, to say the least, he severely misjudged your situation.

“I’m sorry, what?” You raise your eyebrows at him, confusion flooding your face. Billy expected you to be defensive, angry even. Instead, you looked slightly amused.

“You’re telling me I’m wrong?” Billy chuckled, a little uncertain already.

After a few minutes of making notes on this biology project you were both meant to create, he had assumed you were judging his lack of knowledge in the area and decided to let burst his own thoughts on you.

“Uh…” You appear to stifle a laugh, looking back down at your page, “Yeah. Pretty much.”

You let out a laugh just as the bell rings and you quickly pack up your things. Looking back at him, you bite your bottom lip before laughing once again, walking away before Billy could even react to your response.

Billy had thought about that conversation for days. It became unbearable to a point where he had blurted his question to you one day, hoping you would shed some light on your amusement.

Rather than spill all your secrets to him, however, you had opened up over time. First, he found out you lived in a trailer with your dad rather than a cul-de-sac. And he thought you were joking about it for a while, constantly asking to visit your home for the project rather than his. When you finally granted his wishes, he was only half-surprised to see you were telling the truth.

Going inside the trailer let out the second truth, one that hit a little too close to home for Billy’s liking; your dad was an asshole. Right from when he stepped foot in that trailer, he was met with a drunken shout from the other side of the hallway, you tightening your lips and sending an apologetic glance at him before disappearing towards the noise. When you had come back, you simply smiled away whatever pain hid behind your eyes and led him to your quiet room to study.

One reveal came after the other and Billy finally realised just how wrong he was about you. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to admit anyone could have any kind of life he did, that they couldn’t possibly understand his pain. But you did. Your mom left when you were young, too tired of her husband’s abuse to care for her child anymore. Which led to putting you in your father’s spotlight, bruises appearing on your skin instead. After a while, he had stopped and taken to drinking, but that didn’t heal any of the scars. And now you lived in a trailer with a drunken parent, having to take two jobs to keep the roof over your head.

All of that pain, and you were the sweetest person Billy knew. And Billy couldn’t use his background as an excuse anymore, not around you.

Which made knocking on your trailer door this particular night so much scarier.

The door swings open and your silhouette is revealed in the glow from your living room, hair a little messy, your work clothes still clung to your body. Billy winces; you clearly had only just gotten off from your night shift at the diner.

“Billy, what-” Your voice stops and your eyes widen, staring at the boy in front of you.

Billy’s lip was swollen, blood smeared across his mouth and cheek. His eyes were slightly droopy, making him look drunk as he swayed faintly on the step, curled hair clung to his sweaty face.

He had clearly been in a fight.

“Shit.” You mutter, gently pulling him inside and shutting the door behind you.

You turn around to see Billy has his head down, avoiding your eyes. From down the hall, the faint sound of the TV blared through the trailer and you sigh. Your dad always fell asleep watching TV, thankfully.

“Okay, we need to be quiet.” You tell Billy, guiding him to your room and softly closing the door behind you.

Glancing back as he sits on the edge of your bed, you furrow your brows. He didn’t look well enough to go home right now. So, you grab the chair from the corner of your room and prop it under the door knob, ensuring you were locked in. It was only a precaution; if your dad caught Billy in your room, you wouldn’t want to know what he would do.

Wordlessly, you fish the first aid box out from under your bed and place it on the bed next to you, sitting cross legged beside Billy and gently reaching to cup your hand under his chin.

“Can you please look at me?” You ask softly and slowly, but surely, his head shifts towards you, eyes never meeting yours. “What happened?”

You usually didn’t ask that question. It was almost an expectation for Billy to come to you with some kind of bruise he had gotten from a fight at high school. He would always greet you with a cheeky grin before apologising in a way that said ‘I’m sorry you have to deal with it, but I will probably do it again’.

But this look was different. This look held guilt. And that scared you.

“Harrington.” Billy finally spoke and you frowned. He and Steve clearly had it out for eachother; you’d witnessed it enough times at their basketball practices. But there was never an actual fight.

You quickly pat his hand, slipping off the bed only for a moment to dampen a cloth with warm water before quickly returning to your spot.

Gently wiping away the blood stains, Billy let out a breath, shaking his head.

“I fucked up.” He whispers out and you freeze.

“Fucked up how?” You question and he hardens his jaw. Your eyes widen, suddenly panicking. “Okay, Billy, I need you to answer me because fucked up can mean anything between ‘I said something I didn’t mean’ to ‘ I literally killed a man’.”

“I didn’t kill anyone.” He grumbles and you slowly nod, silently releasing a relieved breath. You never thought he would be capable of it, but you’ve noticed how he’s been acting lately. His sister, Max, has been making new friends and Billy can’t seem to accept that. You couldn’t tell if he was being protective or something much worse. It couldn’t be a coincidence that the only problem he had was with Lucas Sinclair.

“I lost it.” He admits, hissing when you apply a dab of alcohol onto his lip.

“Sorry.” You wince, pulling back and tilting your head at him when he shifts his body away. “Billy? What did you do?”

He lets out a groan before letting his back hit the mattress, staring up at the ceiling. You do the same after a moment, turning your head to his and waiting for his response. He still seemed a little dazed and you wondered if he had drank before the fight.

Billy was terrified to tell you the truth. In actuality, the last words Max spoke to him were haunting. And it wasn't because they were the same as his father's. It was because he did that to her. To his sister. He had let his anger take control of him, and it turned her against him. He should have been protecting her, not scaring her.

“I went looking for Max.” Billy sighs, running his hands down his face and ignoring the burst of pain from his bottom lip, “My dad made me, said I should have more responsibility with her. Got me so fucking mad.”

As he started to explain, he was allowing himself to feel more than he usually did. Before he met you, he had no one to go to after a fight with his dad. A year ago, Billy would never imagine to feel so understood, let alone feel.

“I’m guessing you found her.” You say quietly and Billy takes a breath, moving his head to finally meet your eyes. He hated that he had to tell you what he did.

He knew what he was doing was wrong, even after every punch. But knowing he was the one in control was what kept him going, what gave him that thrill. Billy didn't want to admit that too you, yet.

“She was at the Byers house.” He suddenly let out a spiteful laugh, clicking his tongue, “Harrington was there with some kids Max keeps hanging around. And the dude lied to me about it. I- I was already angry and riled up, I would have hit anyone that ticked me off, ya know?”

He knew you didn’t know. Whenever anything happened with your dad, you would blast it out with music from your Walkman. You didn’t go around picking fights for relief.

“Finally got in the house.” He nods slowly, turning back to stare at the ceiling. He couldn’t bear to see your face when he told you this. “Saw the Sinclair kid with her. And I know. I know we talked about it. I know how fucking wrong it is. But I- I just… snapped.”

“Please don’t tell me you hurt him.” Your voice was small and he squeezed his eyes shut, remembering how he threw the boy against the wall.

“I hope not.” He whispers out. “Harrington stopped me before anything else. God, then it was all some stupid blur. I lost it, Y/n. I really lost it. Max had to literally stick me with a needle to get me to stop. I-I don’t know if Harrington’s okay.”

There’s a silence and Billy thinks he’s done it. He thinks his greatest fear has finally claimed the room and he will never hear from you again.

And then he feels your hand sliding into his, gently squeezing. It wasn’t until he moved his head to meet yours that he realised he was even crying.

“Why don’t you hate me?” Billy asks with such confusion, you almost laughed.

“I really wish you could see just how much you could achieve if you didn’t let that asshole into your head.” You finally speak, your words catching him off guard. You let out a breathy laugh, “I hate what he’s doing to you. And I hate what you did. But I don’t hate you.”

Billy just stares at you for a while, eyes searching yours for any hint that you’re lying. But you’re telling the truth. He couldn’t see why you put up with him, lord knows no one else has. Each day he spent with you, he was starting to feel more human again, a little more like the boy he was before his dad ruined his perfect life.

“I don’t deserve you.” He whispers out with such sincerity, you frowned.

“Billy.” You start, shifting closer to him, so close you could feel his breath against your nose. “You deserve to feel loved. Everyone does.”

“I don’t know where to go from here.” He admits, shaking his head against the duvet beneath his hair.

“Well,” You sigh, laying your head down and staring at where your hands were clasped, “We’re gonna fix you up, wait til whatever drug Max shot into you wears off… and then we’ll talk about it.”

“Sounds good.” Billy yawns and you smile, making his own face light up. God, he loved your smile. “How the hell do you put up with all my shit?”

“Maybe I just like having you around.” You shrug, sitting up and finally letting go of his hand.

He props himself up on the bed, smirking. “Is that right?”

You walk over to your bedside table, rummaging in the drawer for one of Billy’s old shirts he had left behind before.

“Yeah.” You nod, glancing over your shoulder, “It’s for entertainment purposes.”

“Ah.” He laughs, shaking his head. He was starting to feel the bruises now, the drug obviously losing its power.

“Here.” You hand him a new shirt and finish tending to his busted lip, making sure it would heal with no problems.

“Thank you.” Billy says and you look up at him, a soft smile playing on your lips.

“Anytime.” You reply with a kiss to his cheek, kicking off your shoes and climbing under the sheets of your bed.

He changed his shirt slowly, trying not to show how much pain he was in, and threw the old one to the floor before glancing behind him. You had claimed your side of the bed and opened the covers out to allow him to lay down next to you. He didn’t have to be asked twice.

As soon as your beside lamp was switched off, Billy slipped an arm around you and you snuggled in, careful of his bruised skin.

Billy Hargrove would never admit it, but he didn’t mind moving to Hawkins. Especially since Hawkins had you.

[zippy-reacts]

Sonic the Comic Liveblog: Issue 3

This issue’s cover depicts a truly rare sight: Sonic swimming. Not jumping infinitely underwater, not the life-jacket assisted ‘underwater running’ he does in the Olympic Games, but actually swimming

The intro page also shows Sonic and Tails posing next to Chris Evans. No, not Captain America Chris Evans, but rather the UK tv presenter and radio host. Fun fact, he used to be married to Billie Piper, of Doctor Who fame

As this issue’s Sonic story starts, can I just take a moment to say how much I love Marble Zone from an aesthetic standpoint? I would love for a modern reimagining of this stage at some point.

Here we have a rare example of headphones that actually make sense for Sonic’s ears. But also… Sally Acorn huh? Unless the name originated from something else, but that has to be a SatAM reference right? To clarify, this is very clearly not the same character, but the identical names are definitely curious

And then this seems to suggest that Sonic’s shoes can somehow store energy? Possibly just referencing the speed shoes/power sneakers item from the game.

In the panel after this Sonic ends up in a Special Stage which is what you’d expect from jumping in a big ring in the classic games. So was Sonic expecting to be teleported somewhere else? Are rings used as a transportation method in this universe? Little bit of Movie universe vibes from that.

Kitty!

Well, that was a story. Once again nothing much to it. Also I can’t tell for certain because there doesn’t seem to be any credits for this story, I think there’s a different artist this issue? I don’t really like this art style as much; although the backgrounds are nice, Sonic just kinda looks a bit glassy-eyed and stiff in every panel.

Meanwhile in the Shinboi comic for this issue, we have some very nice artwork, lovely colouring. I’m curious what the Japanese text says, but alas, google translate wasn’t helpful.

Ok, that's pretty cool

The Golden Axe comic has a lot of crazy shit going on, but if I have to show off one thing, let it be this lady who decided to stand atop of not one, but two dragons

[spicysagittarius]

you’re a little bit just like me

chapter two: you wanna sing with me tonight

He didn’t mind them now, not with the way Michelle couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off of them. The look in her eyes was causing his jeans to feel tight, and he was about two seconds away from asking her if she —

“Do you wanna get out of here?” Michelle asked bluntly. Before he could even register her question, he was nodding furiously and taking her hand to lead her out the door.

*this chapter is nsfw: further warnings under the cut!!*

warnings: explicit sexual content, dom/sub undertones, choking, light degradation, manhandling, rough sex, facefucking, explicit language

chapter one / chapter three

Peter grinned as he watched his best friend who was currently across the room with his fiancé singing along to Billy Joel on the jukebox. They’d originally gone to this nice restaurant near the beach, but then Betty had one too many glasses of wine and insisted that they go to a rundown bar near the hotel. And who were they to disagree with the bride?

Michelle currently sat next to him, sipping a gin and tonic. They’d ordered the same drink at the same time and watching her get tipsy but remaining completely sober himself - when they’d had the same amount of alcohol - was stressing Peter out. Rightfully so. Michelle might be tipsy, but she was now eyeing him suspiciously over her glass.

Please don’t say anything, he thought. Please don’t say anything. Please don’t —

“Your tolerance is high.”

Fuck.

He shrugged in a way that he prayed came off as casual. “I-“

“Too high.”

Double fuck.

Peter just laughed the comment off, wondering why he was even sweating. It’s not like she should be suspicious. He supposed his nerves had to do with the fact that he’d only known Michelle a day and he could already tell she was incredibly observant.

Being Spider-Man, his tolerance went from about three drinks to around ten. It didn’t completely erase his ability to get drunk, but it did make it pretty difficult. He’d only ever gotten drunk once. And that’s what he told Michelle.

Not the Spider-Man bit, of course.

“Ten drinks?” Her eyes widened and she furrowed her brows incredulously.

“Ten drinks.”

“I’ve never been drunk.” Michelle quietly admitted. “Just tipsy.”

“Me either. I mean, there was this one time that—“

“We should get drunk, loser!” Her mood visibly took a 180 as the mischievous grin on her face nearly split it in half.

Peter, embarrassingly enough, found himself giggling at her excitement. God, she was so much more fun when she wasn’t sober. Not in, like…he didn’t mean that in a creepy way, of course. He just meant that her not being an asshole was kind of nice. “My wallet’s gonna take a hit, but, like, deal!” He grinned back.

And so, they got drunk.

Well.

Almost.

Because of Peter’s tolerance, they remained at the bar much longer than they’d originally planned. Betty and Ned, giggling off their asses, had gone back to the hotel an hour ago. Ned had shot Peter the same look he’d always give him when he was around a girl - that ‘way to go man, you got this, go get laid!’ kind of look. He would care if he wasn’t determined to somehow beat Michelle at this unspoken challenge of theirs.

A game with, truly, no real winners.

He watched Michelle as she sipped on her fourth gin-and-tonic, slurping up the remaining alcohol at the bottom of the glass. Glancing down at the cup in front of him, he realised that he’d just finished his tenth drink. And god, was he feeling it.

“God, I’m like.. I’m like DRUNK drunk.” Michelle grinned, giving him a little eye roll to imitate the dizziness that overtook the both of them. “Wooooow.”

“Wowwww,” he mocked playfully. To no fault of his own, of course, he found himself giving her constant once-overs, noticing that she’d removed the flannel she’d arrived in and now sat before him in a white tank top. She’d spilled a bit of cocktail on it about two drinks ago, and for some reason, the damp fabric added to how sexy she looked already. Not that he thought she was sexy. He was drunk. He had an excuse.

Throughout the last half hour or so, he’d also noticed Michelle checking him out every so often. With each drink, the look in her eyes appeared more and more hungry, more wanton. But maybe it was a trick of the light.

To be fair, he had taken off his own jacket, and the t-shirt he had underneath just so happened to be from high school, so it stretched across his chest and biceps just enough to show off his toned torso without being overtly small on him. When they’d first arrived, he’d cursed himself for not looking as put together as he would have liked - not only with the shirt, but since he didn’t have time to run gel through his hair, his curls sat messy and free.

He didn’t mind them now, not with the way Michelle couldn’t seem to keep her eyes off of them. The look in her eyes was causing his jeans to feel tight, and he was about two seconds away from asking her if she —

“Do you wanna get out of here?” Michelle asked bluntly. Before he could even register her question, he was nodding furiously and taking her hand to lead her out the door.

Time had passed since they’d left the bar, but Peter was unable to figure out how much. Honestly, he couldn’t process anything besides Michelle’s hands in his hair, the feel of her soft lips against his, and how smooth her skin felt under her tank top as he gripped her hips tightly, forcing her against the door of their hotel room.

“Fuck me,” She whined, kicking the back of his thigh with the leg he’d positioned around him.

“Say please,” he teased drunkenly. The look on her face, though, didn’t match his humorous tone. He watched her gulp, looking down at his lips again.

“You gonna make me earn it, or something?” The question sounded unintentionally husky, exposing her need. Trying to sound more nonchalant, she tried chuckling. “Kinky freak.”

Her sarcastic insults had never sounded weaker.

“That’s right.” He replied, smirking. “You gonna be good for me?”

He’d forgotten how cocky, how irreverently filthy large amounts of alcohol made him. Shit.

She squirmed desperately against his crotch before nodding. Peter smirked, raising a thumb to her mouth. Obediently, Michelle wrapped her lips around it, hollowing her cheeks for him.

“Such a good girl.”

That made her moan around his thumb. He ground the bulge in his pants against her, then withdrew his thumb to grab her wrist. He led her to the bed before reaching unprompted for the button on her jeans. Michelle watched him quietly undo them, lust fogging her eyes so visibly it nearly pushed him to the edge after one glance.

“Take them off.” He ordered.

She did.

“Get on your knees.”

She did.

He wrapped a hand around her loose curls, pulling them into an unruly ponytail. Such a gentleman.

“Suck my cock.”

Oh, she did.

He quickly undid his jeans, forcing them along with his boxer briefs down to his knees with one hand, the other pushing her head towards his recently freed cock. Michelle didn’t hesitate — she never did, so he didn’t know why it surprised him when she took as much of his length as she could in her mouth in one go. Peter grunted, watching her deepthroat him as best she could, tears springing to her eyes at the struggle of it.

“Good fucking girl. Yeah, take more of it. There you go.” His words were clearly a turn on for her, and she grew more and more enthusiastic with each filthy, condescending sentence he spat at her.

“Take it, baby. Take it, take, it, yes! Fuck!” Peter now had both hands knotted in her hair as he bobbed her head for her on his cock. Michelle would moan around him every so often, thighs squeezing together. The sight made him snicker. “Does me fucking your face get you wet, Michelle?”

She did her best to nod as he kept up the pace. Squeezing her thighs together again, she made eye contact with him, and Peter groaned loudly at the pleading look she gave him.

He pulled out of her mouth and helped her off her knees. Michelle looked fucked out, to say the least, and he ran a few fingers across her lips to collect some of the precum and saliva that had gathered there. “Did so good for me.”

Beyond the lust and want she displayed so visibly, a blush formed on her cheeks at the praise. Noted, Peter thought.

“Want you,” she murmured, licking her lips. Fuck. “Want you in me.”

Peter may have been drunk, but god, if those words didn’t make him feel both completely sober and more euphoric than he’d ever felt in his life.

“Me too,” he admitted. Regaining his momentarily lost cockiness, he shrugged. “Gonna have to wait, though.”

“Why?”

“I wanna feel you cum for me first.”

“Oh, okay.” She grinned. He grinned back.

“Just like that? No objections?”

“None, your honour.” She was giggling. Did he just make her giggle?

Still smirking, Peter tapped the bed. “Sit.”

She did. Ever his obedient toy.

Peter grasped her forearms and forced her back against the mattress, her legs still hanging off the bed. He leaned over her, making sure he could see her face as he dragged his fingers from her ankle up to her hip, torturously slow. Swiping three fingers through her heat, he wasted no time before working them inside her, watching her gasp as she held eye contact with him. “Peter…” She keened.

“Yeah?” His fingers began to fuck into her, picking up their lazy pace to a more insistent one.

“God… oh my god, Peter.” Her hips jerked off the bed after a particularly angled thrust, and his free hand moved to hold them helplessly to the mattress. That way, Michelle was no match against his enhanced strength as he consistently curled his fingers inside her.

“You like that, baby?”

“God!” She gasped. “Don’t call me baby.”

“Oh, yeah? What should I call you?” He was fucking into her at a rough pace now, his thumb reaching up to torture her swollen nub.

Michelle turned her head away from him, squeezing her eyes shut.

He didn’t like that.

“Hey — uh uh.” Peter tsked, the hand on her hip moving upwards to wrap itself around her neck instead. He rearranged himself between her legs so that his body kept her pinned to the bed — rendering her unable to escape the onslaught of blinding pleasure. So much pleasure it bordered on pain.

The hand around her neck moved her head to face him again. “Open your fucking eyes, Michelle.”

She did.

Good girl.

“What do I call you instead?” Peter asked, the question presenting more forcefully than he’d intended. She didn’t seem to mind.

“Dunno,” She moaned weakly. His fingers, now at four instead of three, grew even more persistent.

“Doll? Angel?” The suggestions earned quick shakes of her head.

“What, then?” He fucked into her even faster, hearing her cry out in shock. “Want something dirtier? What if I called you my little fucktoy? Told you how wrecked you look right now?”

At that, Michelle cried out, and he could feel her clench around his hand.

Jackpot.

Feeling how close she was, he decided to egg her on a bit more. “Fuck, Michelle. Look like a mess, all spread out for me, yeah? And you’re so fucking wet… making such a sloppy mess between your legs. Needy little slut.”

Jackpot again.

Michelle hit her high with a gasp, eyes rolling back and hips fighting against his strength, begging to buck up instinctively. Peter felt a gush of fluid around his fingers, and the grip on her neck tightened slightly as he watched her squirt all over his hand and lower torso.

He worked her through her orgasm, knowing it was over when her thighs shook and collapsed, spread open for him. Fuck, she was pretty.

So pretty that his cock had leaked more precum than it ever had, and Peter found himself humping the bed on instinct. Like a damn animal.

God, he was going to fuck her up.

Michelle’s eyes had shut through her orgasm, and they remained that way until he dragged his cock through her sloppy cunt once, then twice. He watched her eyes flutter open and a whimper leave her swollen lips. “Peter.”

“Still want it?”

She nodded immediately. “Fuck, yes.”

He shot her a smile, trying not to make it too personal. Deciding to watch his cock instead of her tempting, pleading eyes, he grunted as he slid inside her deliciously. She was so incredibly wet, so goddamn flooded, that his entire length was enveloped immediately, something he’d never experienced before. The spiderbite had enhanced a lot of things, but one that he’d found particularly helpful in regards to his sex life was the… growth, per say, that it’d given him. Muscles, yeah, but he’d gotten used to giving girls a necessary amount of time to adjust to his size before being able to fuck them.

Not Michelle, and not after that stunning orgasm.

Peter remained standing as he began to fuck into her, watching her eyebrows furrow and her jaw to drop. Through her drunken and fucked out state, she managed a, “how are you so… fuck! so hung?”

He just smirked before pounding into her, shutting up any further inquiries. He gripped her calves, in the air on either side of his muscled form, and held them fast to each bicep. As he leaned forward to fuck into her from a better angle, her knees bent and he found himself admiring the fact that he’d practically folded her in half. He was the reason she looked too fucked out to form words; the reason she couldn’t do anything but lay there and take it, spread out and messy for him. His little toy.

“Feel good?” He asked, half for his ego and half for continuous consent.

“Yeah.” The small whine, paired with another clench of her inner muscles around him, satisfied Peter enough to lean down and devour her neck with open mouthed kisses as he hammered into her harder still.

“So fucking sexy,” he muttered into her ear between kisses. “So tight. So needy. You’re so fucking hot, Michelle.”

Her eyes fluttered open as she watched him, the only sounds leaving her being stuttering breaths and the occasional loud shriek if he changed the angle. “Did I fuck you quiet, Em? Fuck you dumb and speechless? Don’t tell me you’re one of those sluts who gets all helpless and whiny when you got a cock in front of you. You are, though, aren’t you?”

She let out a loud gasp as he gripped her hips to angle them completely off the bed, hitting her spot with every thrust.

“Gotta be the tightest pussy I’ve fucked. Most obedient one, too. Fuck — so obedient. Needy, though. Shit!”

He lifted her even further off the bed, her body tilted firmly downwards as her head and shoulders remained uselessly on the surface. “Peter,” she panted weakly. “Gonna cum,”

Thank god. He’d been holding off his own orgasm since the second he slid home. “Do it, Em. Cum for me. Right now.”

Oh, she did.

She was so fucking beautiful.

Barely any noise escaped her, but he could tell her silence was due to an overwhelming climax rather than anything else. Her orgasm triggered his, and Peter found himself experiencing the most intense high he’d ever felt in his twenty-one years of life.

Fucking unreal.

After he’d summoned the strength to lift himself off and out of her, he was quick to find one of the hotel’s washcloths and wet it with warm water. The first thing he saw upon reentering the bedroom was Michelle, who’d turned on her side and continued her heaving breaths.

“Michelle,” he whispered.

“Mmm.”

“Gonna clean you up. Get you ready for bed.” He’d sobered up a bit, but since her tolerance didn’t match his enhanced one, it was obvious she remained drunk.

“‘Kay.” She sighed, turning back over for him. Peter smiled softly as he ran the cloth over her, and if he was completely sober, he’d probably wonder why he was putting so much care into it.

But he wasn’t. So he didn’t.

Once he was satisfied with his work, he carefully picked her up and moved her up the bed; onto the expensive sheets before tucking her in. Throughout the process, she watched him with softened eyes, and Peter almost wondered if she wasn’t as drunk as she seemed. Almost.

“Thank you, Peter.” The whisper left her almost silently.

He smiled, nodding and collapsing next to her.

Another thing sober Peter would’ve done, let it be known, would be to torture himself with the mere thought of the consequences that came with sleeping with someone like Michelle. But alas, sober Peter was a night’s sleep away, and he passed out without another thought.

[robinrequiems]

hey any1 want some superman jon and batman Damian hcs? too bad cause you’re getting them

• damian realized why no one wanted to be batman when he turned 18 and Bruce decided to give him batman when he was 22.

• jon realized why jon didn’t want to be superman when he also turned 18

• oh and right, by gave, I mean bruce sorta can’t be batman anymore. medical reasons…

• damian sorta uh. persuaded clark into giving jon superman.

Damian: look. I don’t wanna be worlds finest with you, old man.

Clark: im- im not old—

Damian: listen here, jon and i? we are gonna surpass you and my dad. so give it to jon and let me prove it.

Clark: this doesn’t seem like a good idea— you aren’t ready— neither is jon

Damian: wait- wait, you don’t believe in your son and i??? wow. WOOOW. okay. i see.

Clark: that’s not it!-

Damian: sure. sure. don’t worry. I see now.

Clark: wait I do!

Damian: no, no you don’t.. it’s— it’s okay, I get it, it’s me, huh?

Clark: no!

Damian: I get it

Clark: please i do! I’ll - oh my rao, you’re playing me

Damian: i am. i cant do this without jon though. please, Clark.

Clark: *sigh, how did he get manipulated by a kid he used to babysit* okay.

• okay so now jon may be a little overwhelmed because one day he’s flamebird, the next, he’s becoming superman? huH. it’s extremely uh. worrying. and really just? wow.

• does Damian feel bad? oh yeah. he does. so bad. but he really can’t do it alone. they always dreamed of being their parents. or being better than them. but they grew up and realized that they really didn’t want to be their parents.

• but here they were, getting fitted for their suits and adding their own details to it.

jon: hey, you look hot

damian: please. shut up.

• they could do this. they could do this. shoot they can’t do this.

• damians own anxiety was going 50 mph. look, okay? remember before heretic when Bruce thought that Damian would become a satanic batman and basically rain hell all over gotham? yeah. that’s what is going on in damians mind.

• he doesn’t want to be that. ( “you won’t be like that, cmon, d, we’re gonna be better.” ) and how Damian wants to believe jon so bad..

• he doesn’t want to become obsessed with Batman like his father did, he still wants to have a life. he doesn’t want to isolate himself away and adopt kids as a coping mechanism. that’s why he needs jon to be superman. jon helps him, he helps him not go off into his own little world and stay there. he believes that with Jon, he’ll be okay. he has to be. maybe he uses jon as his own coping mechanism, but that isn’t the point.

• together, they will outshine their parents. the supersons can do this. they are the next generation, and it’s not like they are alone. they have so many other people to help them. they’ll be okay.

• they have been preparing for this their whole life, but they both feel like they got it too soon. they thought they had more time. Damian does feel guilty when he hears jon talking about how stressed he is about superman and not living up to whatever the hell he has to live up to, but Damian does fear what would. or could. have happened if he didn’t have jon with him. becoming batman took a lot out of him, more than he would like to admit. he just got constant flashbacks to heretic and that whole fiasco he thought he put behind him a loong time ago.

Jon: are you sure you’re okay?

Damian: yes idiot, quit worrying.

Jon: I’ll always worry about, d.

• jon somehow becomes MORE sappier when he becomes superman.

• okay, also, funny story. ( Clark and Bruce don’t find it funny AT ALL ) superman and batman? yeah they sorta kissed after an almost alien invasion. in their suits. uh. in front of an alien who they were arresting for the green lanterns. most people believe that when people say it, it’s a lie, kidding. no they don’t. there were pictures.

bruce: you want to explain this?

damian: not really, no.

• the public knows there’s a new Batman and Superman since yk. Jon’s face is public and was seen as superboy flamebird and now superman, and batman was slightly smaller and had some different moves

• but here’s their main line up: batman ( dami wamie, obvi ), superman ( jonnyboy kent ), nobody ( maya:)) ), green lantern ( tai pham, my baby boy ), lace ( wallace west 2, he goes by lace instead of flash because i said so. ), and shazam ( billy b ).

• fun fact, they have a den mother even though they are all in their 20s. poor dinah.. yeah black canary is their den mother. ( stole it from from yj )

• dinah makes sure they get their injuries checked out, train regularly, and you know. don’t blow up a building.

• again.

• ( when damian and jon were younger, in their teen years, they stupidly accidentally blowed up a building. in their defense, the building was owned by the penguin. and there were no civilians in the area. but they also got a lot of men sent after them.. oops. )

• they are very chaotic. they are the definition of dumbass energy sometimes.

• damian tries to keep the pda down whenever he’s batman, BUT JON DOESNT KNOW HOW TO DO THAT

• hence the amount of photos of jon hugging Damian or kissing him

• damian has never once initiated one in suits

• ( that one time jon almost died does not count )

Damian: thought you were gonna be batman.

Tim: nah, i don’t wanna be bruce. i saw what it did to dick. I would’ve became just like him.

Damian: am i like him??

Tim: god no, bruce would never kiss superman or date him or spray paint the new justice league logo— nice logo, by the way— onto villains bases

Damian: is that a good or bad thing?

Tim; good, that means you probably won’t be a total emotional stunted person using crime fighting as an outlet for unresolved childhood trauma.

Damian: you do realize why i became Robin right

Tim: .. not the point im trying to make. I mean now, brat.

• sometimes you can see some of the heroes dropping by to surprise kids, they heard that their old mentors used to go to children’s hospitals to visit sick kids, so they did that too. on a rare day where there isn’t any crime, which is really rare, they go to a school and talk if it’s a weekday, or they drop by an orphanage to hang out with kids.

• they have gotten into a lot of trouble though. they’re still learning how to work as a team. jon and damian are used to being solo and working with each other, Tai had tagged along a few times when they were younger and knows how they work, along with maya, but billy and Wallace do not.

• they often all get into arguments.

• damian lacks a filter and will criticize everyone if they mess up. and he often goes off alone or is too blunt.

• it takes a long time before they all realize that Damian is just: Damian, he doesnt mean to be mean. ( surprisingly )

• billy is used to being the big kid stuck at the kids table, it’s funny that he’s actually the second oldest when he used to be the youngest. ( lace is like.. 27? shazam is 25.. nobody 24. & the supersons 22. pulled all those ages outta my ass. you’re welcome. )

• dinah is also their therapist. poor dinah.

• like really giving pity to dinah. but dinah loves those kids, she has known some since they were kids. she used to take damian out for ice cream and train with him, and also babysit him. ( AUNT DINAH IS MY FAVORITE GOODBYE ). and she did the same with Jon.

• dinah actually does help a lot of them get over their trauma, not completely, but most have finally spoken about it. they began talking after they all got hit with fear gas.

• that was a bad night.

• they had almost disbanded before when they thought lace had died by the hands of captain cold. they had been arguing all day, and if they didn’t, they might’ve saved him:

• but turns out he wasn’t dead.

• but the argument was still there, and it was strong. it took a while for them to actually work together without dinah forcing them.

• then soon came another new member after maya left to go do some undercover mission for the justice league regarding some alien tech being distributed some place. it was a sad goodbye, but she would be back and she would have a place here.

• welcoming: yara flor. yara was a bit headstrong and wild. damian has screamed at her a lot and almost got into a fist fight with her before being dragged off by his boyfriend 💋

• but she settled in fine. minus the fact damian really wanted to shove a batarang up— anyways. she just had to learn teamwork and shit, she was used to being a solo and she was somewhat new. so they helped her out and she became a solid member of the team.

• sometimes damian and jon just go and sit on a rooftop like they did as kids togeyher. just alone with each other. thinking about how their life changed so quickly.

Damian: i thought we’d ruin our fathers’ legacies and plummet to the ground.

Jon: *he coughed* ..what?

Damian: yeah. i didn’t think we’d get this far, but here we are.

Jon: of course we got this far, and we’re gonna get further.

Damian: i know.

• oh yeah. so. superman. fucking proposed after they defeated darkseid. ( the battle was long, so many people were left injured and on the brick of death, Damian and jon had been separated when it all started. Damian had stayed on earth at first before going to apokolips. Damn he hadn’t seen it since he got resurrected.

Darkseid: oh. I remember you.

Damian: mhm?

Darkseid: ah yes, the little boy who was resurrected here.. the chaos share, your father used it on you.

Damian: i know. i remember what happened. I was there afterall.

Darkseid: I wonder if you are as smart as the original batman.

Damian: i am.

• damian was buying time. he was waiting for reinforcements, namely the people who had powers and could take him down. damian wasn’t stupid. he realized darkseid liked to talk. his friends were fighting off the female furys or whatever they were called. he just had to wait and entertain.

Darkseid: quite the ego there.

Damian: i saved the justice league when i was 13, i deserve to have an ego.

Darkseid: oh, you are by far more talkative than the original.

Damian: thanks.

Darkseid: not a compliment, you fool.

• yeah so. darkseid tried to kill damian, with a beam thing. Damian was about to flip away like the baddie he is, but. jon. went out and yk. took the hit. dumbass.

Damian: you have such a big hero complex.

Jon: wow I just saved you and that’s what you say?????

Damian: yes.

• anyways, after they defeat darkseid, jon pops out a ring from his pocket and asks damian to marry him on apokolips.

Damian: you seriously couldn’t wait til we got on earth?

Jon: dames you almost died. what if- what if something happens, I’ve been putting this off for so long. cmon please?

Damian: you’re seriously asking me to marry you here where, I’m pretty sure, a lot of shit happened to our parents here.

Jon: no time like the present.

Damian: fair. okay.

Jon: just okay???

Damian: im sorry, do you want me to cry or something?

Jon: ughh, you can be so extra and petty sometimes.

Damian: i am not being petty.

Jon: just because I ask you to marry me here you wanna be like “okay” and that’s it

Damian: you’re so dramatic. I’ll marry you. I wanna marry you. Better?

Jon: yeah:)

[corruptedscarlet-archive]

You break the rules and become a hero, I do it and I become the enemy. That doesn't seem fair.

► GENERAL INFORMATION

FULL NAME & ALIAS: wanda maximoff / scarlet witch CURRENT TEAM(S): none PREVIOUS ALIASES: none AGE: 31 SPECIES: human sorceress / witch MULTIVERSAL ORIGIN: earth-199999 ( mcu )

GENDER IDENTITY: cisgendered female SEXUALITY: bisexual NATIONALITY: sokovian ETHNICITY: white

► APPEARANCE

FACE CLAIM: elizabeth olsen SPECIAL / RECOGNIZABLE FEATURES: blackened finger tips on occasion HAIR COLOR: dyed auburn ( formerly brown ) EYE COLOR: green ACCENT: sokovian CURRENT COSTUME: now that she’s no longer corrupted, she’s returned to the wandavision finale costume

► BACKGROUND

CURRENT HOME: a tiny apartment in new york, new york PAST OCCUPATION: multiversal terrorist  CURRENT OCCUPATION: sorceress  SNAP STATUS: blipped

► RELATIONS

SIBLING(S): pietro maximoff ( twin / deceased ) PARTNER(S): vision ( partner / husband / deceased ) CHILDREN: billy & tommy ( alternate reality ) PARENT(S): oleg & iryna maximoff

► HEADCANONS/FUN FACTS

a part of her fears that everyone who loves her is doomed after what happened to the vision, her parents and pietro

growing up she was incredibly co-dependent on pietro. he was a security blanket and emotional crutch. losing him meant that wanda had to find herself and she’s still learning to do so

until peter came around, wanda was the youngest avenger. they helped her get us citizenship and her ged

being on the run wasn’t bad for wanda as edinburgh was nice and the vision visited. she still has the apartment but doesn’t often go there because of the memories. she just can’t bring herself to get rid of it.

steve was one of her favorite avengers because he was always there for her despite her mistakes. clint is the one who feels like family, and while she’s welcome on the farm wanda likes to give him space

when she can, wanda sends aid to sokovian refugees

she misses westview and the life she had there

wanda still dreams of her boys every night but knows they’re out of her reach

it only took wanda a few months to be corrupted by the darkhold

she was so focused on tommy and billy she didn’t think about finding white vision much, but now she wants to

is trying to make amends for her actions while corrupted

despite wundergore falling on her, wanda was not killed and spent a few months in solitude trying to find herself once more

► WANTED CONNECTIONS

none.

[mythicaldemigoddess-of-deltarune]

Blossom x Dexter In The Friend Zone Ship (2021)

------------------

Credit for Dragon Ball Series goes to Akira Toriyama

Credit for Samurai Jack Series & Dexter's Laboratory Series goes to Genndy Tartakovsky

Credit for Invader Zim Series goes to Jhonen Vasquez

Credit for The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Series goes to Maxwell Atoms

Credit for The Powerpuff Girls Series goes to Craig McCracken

-------------------------

I’m glad I finally got around to posting this, I had to edit it a bit

to add in my new tumblr name as well as the other name I go by.

and also add in my first tumblr name too, just to be safe.

I will post this at the other place I post fan art too.

in this drawing Dexter is holding a Yellow Rose,

which has a meaning to it.

I had used a type of love calculation thing,

and I was inspired to draw all this....

the reason why Aku isn’t in this is well, just because.

plus it works better with Ashi, who (in theory and Fan Headcanon)

both her and Jack might be Professor Utonium’s Parents and The Grandparents of the Powerpuff Girls....

the ship of Dexter & Blossom in  Powerpuff Girls Doujinshi

is very adorable and sweet, but like what if in the end the two might not end up together as Boyfriend and Girlfriend.

I love that comic series, and it was around before Powerpuff Girls Z.

Other Versions of Blossom being ship with Nergal Jr., Goten and Red.

are the different type of ships.

Red isn’t in love with Blossom, but has a fondness for her and becomes really protective of her (but the feelings could grow into the romantic love years later.)

not all ships will start out romantic right away, and love the romantic kind, takes time and like a flower, it takes time to grow and bloom.

Goten x Blossom ship would be like in the Romantic Ship,

where it is still in the adorable early stages.

Blossom x Nergal Jr. is in the OTP Level,

and besides shipping Dexter x Blossom together...

the ship between Nergal Jr. x Blossom would be my Alternate OTP.

I guess that even if re-reading the PPGD Comic from the start,

did make me start to like the Blossom x Dexter ship again.

but I can’t help but think that Blossom could do better,

even if Deedee wants those two to be together,

and it does happen in the Timeline of the Comic series

Grim Tales From Down Below.

but the Grim Tales From Down Below, is a Alternate Future Timeline.

who’s to say that Blossom might not end up falling for someone else?

also I hope that someday there will be another PPG Reboot,

even if some parts in the last one wasn’t my favorite,

but some of the episodes were still good, well to me they were.

and yeah it is kind of not right that the original series of the Powerpuff Girls, is always seen as 100% perfect.

but there were hidden innuendos in a few of them,

like when the PPG wanted to join that club full of Super Heroes.

but at least it is the type where the jokes went over the head.

and I will agree that the whole twerking thing that happen in the Powerpuff Girls 2016, wasn’t right.

and I hope that they keep Bliss, and keep the whole friendship between Blossom and Princess.

how Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup handled the situation with Princess when they first met her....wasn’t right.

same with that episode in MLPFIM where nopony tried to see from Gilda’s point of view.

it is pretty obvious the reason why she stole that apple, is because the pony selling them wouldn’t sell to her.

and Fluttershy was in the wrong because she was facing her back/tail towards Gilda, and if it was anyone else besides Gilda,

like a Colt or Filly, and they were just crossing the street

and Fluttershy bumped into them, then the colt or filly could of gotten seriously hurt.                

plus then there was that time when Trixie first appeared,

she wouldn’t of had to lie or show anypony up,

if it weren’t for the fact that Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity were being big flanked jerks.

Trixie’s show was suppose to be fun and for entertainment.

so what if she seems a bit full of herself, but deep down she is a good person/pony.

she didn’t become corrupted until Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity heckled her and bad mouthed her.

I don’t really blame Trixie for the Alicorn Amulet Incident.

it was the ponies that hurt her and made her feel she had to lie to impress everyone.

I still love MLPFIM, but even if the last episodes were still good.

what happen with Chrysalis, Cozy and Tirek wasn’t right...

they could of just I don’t know, banished them to the Human World.

it wasn’t right that Discord did end up scapegoating them.

I still like the episode where Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow turned to stone.........but the part with them being turned to stone is my less favorite part in that episode.

Pinkie becoming the Goddess of Chaos was awesome though.

and the episode with Luster Dawn was awesome as well.

I don’t believe that it is right for the “good guys”

to keep scapegoating, I mean the only reason Bradford Buzzard became the way he did, was because of his insensitive Grandmother.

who I believe gave Bradford some pretty bad trauma.

and yeah Magica was a bit bad from the start, but she only got more worse because of Scrooge.

the last episode of Ducktales 2017 was awesome,

but I think that the reason why Bradford transformed by that sword,

was because of all the anger, trauma and hurt inside of him.

even if there are some Villains that can’t be saved because they lost the goodness in their hearts or never had it from the start.

I just can’t agree with the “Good Guys” when they pull a Anti-Hero move.

Discord, Celestia and Luna turning Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy to stone.

a Anti-Hero Move.

Star Butterfly deciding to destroy the realm of magic,

that was a big Anti-Hero movie, even if I still love SVTFOE.

I know that Magic was never the problem, it was Star and her family’s misuse of it that was the true problem.

the very end where Mewni and Earth Merged was Awesome.

plus the whole placing Cozy in a Prison with Tirek,

was a Anti-Hero move....she is still a filly, there is such a thing as juvenile hall, and could of just send her to Sunset.

don’t misunderstand me, like I said before I still love those shows.

I even love the last episodes of the last seasons.

but I can’t agree with the Anti-Hero actions, even if the other scenes in the same episode (that has the Anti-Hero Actions) was still amazing.

and it’s like you got to take the good with the bad, even if the rest of the episode was awesome, there can be that one part in it that you don’t love as much because it ends up having you see the worse side of the good guys.

anyway like I was saying before all that,

I hope that there will be a new Reboot of the Powerpuff Girls,

maybe have it like how it was in the original but a bit more animated like how that new Johnny Test show but slightly different.

I still love the original and the other PPG series...

but like I mentioned before, Powerpuff Girls Doujinshi

is my number one top favorite. 

and the ship of Dexter x Blossom in the comic is still very sweet and adorable, but I do wonder if Blossom might end up falling out of love with Dexter, and she might end up falling for someone else.

which might end up causing a Love Diamond.

cause of Dexter having feelings for Olga and Blossom,

and Blossom loves Dexter, but she might end up falling for someone else too.

I guess that it’s like how Blossom and Dexter’s love started,

is still sweet and really amazingly adorable.

but the love between them might end up becoming more platonic,

but could start out as estranged because of something that happen between them.

they don’t start talking to each other again and starting over as just friends, until some time later after the fight between them.

this would show to Blossom that there is more to a relationship than just having the same interests.

in one timeline Blossom and Dexter do end up married in the future.

but in the other timeline they don’t,

and Blossom ends up with someone else.

if Blossom had to end up with anybody besides Dexter...

I would like her to end up with Nergal Jr. or even Goten.                             

[billiewena]

top 5 spn characters

helllll yeah.

5. ruby

her impact!!! BEST villain ever! she’s so evil that she earned by sam’s trust by….genuinely caring about him!! keeping him from drinking!!! saving his and his brother’s life multiple times!!! training him!!! making him stronger!! she also just has such a cool story, from her past as a witch to her history with alistair & lilith to her time in hell. she may have fallen for the target a little but she got her job DONE and waited until after the reveal to make her epic speech. she served cunt and died, fr.

4. bobby

BOBBYYYYY. his dynamic with the brothers is just so important to me. he’s seen them at their highs and lows and supported them all through it. and then once you learn HIS story??? he was so sure he’d never be a father or a good one…and yet!! death’s door is a guaranteed cryfest every time I watch it.

3. rowena

it's a miracle a female character as complex and flawed as her got to be a part of this show, but boy am I glad she was. she never hides who she is and in fact celebrates the fun & evil parts of her, but there’s so much more to her than meets the eye. centuries of hurt, pain, and trauma that only motivate her to be stronger and better. she thought she was beyond redemption but got it anyways. all while being a hot, powerful witch MILF? no one’s doing it like her. I…I love her. <3

2. billie

LOOK YOUR HONOR. as the lawful neutrals of spn, the reapers are just my favorite in general (they’re just trying to do their job!!!!) but billie changed the GAME. she's so fun but also has such a respect for the rules. she never lets the winchesters forget she can yeet them into the empty at any given time. she makes dean sing a password to get into hell. she calls them "mario and luigi." she gets killed and simply comes back with a promotion. I also genuinely love how she changes and evolves as Death. while she remains dedicated to the natural order, she becomes less harsh about it and even sympathetic to dean and rowena. it’s so fun to see them go from openly hating the winchesters to being amused and begrudging to them to understanding their part in the bigger picture. it leads to so many good moments, i.e. realizing dean WANTING to die makes it no fun for her especially since it wasn’t even his time

(sidenote and this probably goes without saying but the fact that they tried to retcon everything she was about to make another “manipulative” villain in s15 is my villain origin story. especially when the point she was trying to make all along ended up being the final theme of the show: that the winchesters need to stop the resurrections and stop making exceptions for themselves. they were the ONLY true neutral character and it should’ve stayed that way)

...ANYWAYSSSS they're just such a fun "tell it like it is" character and the fact that their actress headcanons them as she/he/they is just the perfect cherry on top. they deserved to reap god and run the place <3

1. castiel

hannah was right! HE’S the reason!!! like I don’t even know what to say about him without sobbing and I'm sure many other people have said better but like!!! he’s possibly my favorite fictional character just…ever!!! he's this ancient being who's seen the dawn of time and creation of man...but he loves guinea pigs and Beyonce and is a dad and is a GAY dad and I just!!! there’s so many weird layers to him and he just became more lovable and endearing as time went on, and truly became the heart of the show.

honorable mentions: like so many but eileen, rufus, crowley, kevin, all the waywards, garth, charlie, jack, jo, naomi, etc. come to mind first. oh and sam and dean I GUESS (kidding kidding I love them too I swear <3)

also, shout-out to my boy Death too because tbh he is basically is a tie for billie's spot for me. iconic entrances, iconic lines, iconic actors…I love them both so much. this IS a reapers and Death stan account.

put “top 5” anything in my ask and I will answer

[sl-walker]

All right, since I’m in the middle of a flare and have to work manual labor for the next four days despite it, I figured I would make myself -- and hopefully other people -- laugh by talking about one of my favorite OG Captain Marvel stories. Namely, from Whiz #50, with a cover date of January, 1944, meaning it was probably produced sometime in late 1943.

I want to share it because why not, this is some absurdly charming stuff.

I’ll get more into why it’s one of my favorites as we go, in the form of running commentary. So, full story (with said commentary) under the cut. If you wanna just read the story without my commentary, stick to the pictures. XD

First, let me say that the cover and splash page definitely live up to the story, though the cover’s a bit more sensationalized. But the premise is pretty damn simple: Our intrepid hero and his newsboy alter ego are on vacation. Cap decides to go swimming. It goes hilariously wrong and thus ensues a bit of a madcap adventure, no puns intended.

Second, the fact that Cap and Billy are depicted as essentially different entities makes what Billy does next the ultimate trolling:

Gee, airing out the stolen laundry on the radio? Really? I’ll leave it up to you, gentle reader, whether Billy actually was trolling his own alter-ego for ratings or whether he was just innocently sharing the story while his other-self winced quietly in whatever ether-space he exists in when not front-and-center.

Either way, I love it.

Continuing on...

I get a kick out of the fact that Billy’s monologue is that he’s no dare-devil. One, because that’s so obviously not true in any way -- (that kid is awesomely, sometimes recklessly brave on the regular even without Cap) -- but two, because the bridge is actually named Dare-Devil Bridge. We aren’t given any reason why this dangerous potential death-trap is there, hanging without so much as a gate or a warning sign or anything, because we don’t need one. It’s there specifically for what happens next.

Which, of course, is Billy calling in Captain Marvel, who does some light complaining about the situation Billy left him in. There’s no bite to it, which I find adorable -- Cap actually does get frustrated once or twice in other issues with Billy calling on him for mundane stuff, though he’s never mean about it -- but there is a bit of the sense of being put-upon there that’s just-- I dunno, cute. It’s something I miss a lot in the various post-crisis takes on the character: That duality, that difference in personality, and the way each of them responds to different situations. Often, they’re on the same page, but notably, sometimes, they aren’t.

Someday, I promise, I need to sit down and write how I think that works between those two without being a truly frightening mental illness manifested, what with them being the same person but not the same person. Because I have so many ideas, and I’ve only had since the early-2000s to percolate them. LOL! But until then, just enjoy this.

Here is another reason why I love the Golden Age Captain Marvel books and why I love this specific story: This is an absolutely normal, mundane thing to do. It’s the human thing to do. These aren’t the actions of some super-serious superdude. These are the actions of a pretty shockingly normal guy doing something mundane. And a whole story is built around that normalcy.

It’s cute. It’s funny. It’s the reader already knowing that he’s getting himself into a situation that he absolutely could have avoided, but also completely understanding how it happened anyway. It’s pretty brilliant writing: I say this as a pretty damned good writer myself.

So much of the reason why, I think, Cap was so endearing as a hero is that humanity. He’s got pretty much god-tier power in the Golden Age, once his powerset is established. He’s utterly invulnerable to all physical harm while powered up. But-- he’s human. He knows he’s human. He acts like it, and decides, “You know what? I’m going skinny-dipping.”

He and Billy are both characters it’s so easy to empathize with.

Also, a reminder that the art under Chief Artist C.C. Beck is really, really good. (He had a whole stable of artists to help produce this stuff!) Ignoring registration issues on the printing press, the actual line art is amazingly good; proportion and perspective and consistency.

But anyway--Cap does get to enjoy his swim. But, then, oh no.

I love the idea of a world where the prime hero -- and he definitely is in that world -- can take off his suit and go swimming, and where someone else is bold enough to steal the damn suit off of him. The first time I read this, I started laughing here. Not at him, but at the situation he’s found himself in. At the idea that some random passer-by saw Captain Marvel’s costume and went yoink!

Another thing I love about this particular story is how much Cap and Billy have to work together, just by necessity. Like-- it’s just really good. But anyway, thank everything Billy Batson is on the ball, coming to the rescue.

Sheer bad luck via the weather keeps this story rolling along in hilarious misdirections. Realistically, that uniform probably wouldn’t be all buttoned together (we see Cap take off pieces of it aside the pants in other issues, including socks!), but who cares? The point of the story is that giant bear rug on the floor’s gonna get put to use.

Man, when have you ever seen Superman creeping naked through some stranger’s house wearing nothing but a random polar bear because he went skinny dipping? No wonder these comics sold so well. This next panel is when I start wheezing, though, and pretty much keep wheezing.

“A lady, too! I’ve got to get away from here!”

I’m dying at this point. That’s such a characteristic response, and yet, I think that’s why it’s funny.

Anyway, because this is an excellent story (I mean this without an ounce of irony, too), our dynamic duo stumbles across a plot in play to rob the hotel they’re staying at.

Here’s a big part of why this is such a good tale: Everything fits. Even when it isn’t explained, like Dare-Devil Bridge, it still fits. Why is the tree down? Because there was just a thunder storm, the same one that blew Cap’s suit into the room with the gangsters.

I don’t know if this is Otto Binder’s story, but I wouldn’t be surprised in the least. It’s a complete story told in relatively few pages that accomplishes everything it’s meant to.

Anyway, using foliage as cover, Cap gets to be heroic----then Billy gets to get back to the business of trying to stop the robbery of the hotel and get his heroic alter-ego dressed again.  Which leads to a rather adorable and funny scene of Billy not only trying to describe what Captain Marvel wears, but what size it would need to be tailored in.

(Cap is supposedly a 44 for a suit coat, we find in some earlier appearance, which would refer to his chest size.  So, an XL for shirts and suit-coats.  He’s a big guy, but he’s actually not a hulking huge guy.  But more on that later.)

I love the fact Billy tries to like-- use himself as a model.  Maybe in another ten years, kiddo.  Billy’s actually pretty buff for like a 12-14 year old, he’s not a scrawny kid at this point, but yeah, no.  LOL!

Another thing I also really, really love about this style, though, is that they draw Captain Marvel as being strong, as having a powerful build-- but not as a dehydrated body-builder with deep cuts. He’s got human proportions, regardless of his strength; he’s got a human build, not a superhuman one.

C.C. Beck had a lot of things to say about superheroes who were just muscles on top of muscles, all clearly defined, and he didn’t like it.  As someone who first got into comics in the early 90s with Jim Lee’s X-Men--

I do get Beck’s point.  I not only get it, but I really highly approve of it.  He maintained to the end that he drew (and oversaw) the Marvel family to look like high school and college athletes, and I can see that.  I think the one person who’s gotten it right in the modern era is Evan “Doc” Shaner, who did Convergence: Shazam!  He not only nailed that strong-but-not-hulking build for Cap, but also how young he looked.  College-age, in fact.

But anyway, enough digression into art and why I like this better than most modern takes on the character.  Also, that’s just a cute set of panels.

I also like that there wasn’t an easy fix there.  Cap’s still in his not-birthday suit, and Billy’s still stuck running around trying to solve the issues at hand.  Next comes some other really good panels:

-snorts-  He’s locked in.  Yeah, that’ll hold him.

Anyway, what I really liked here was again that tandem working; Billy can’t punch through a wall, but Cap can.  Cap can’t crawl out while he’s au natural -- well, he could, but he’d probably rather die first -- but Billy’s got no such issue.  It’s just fun when you get to see them doing something like that.  You have to really think for a minute about the trust each of them must have in their alter-ego.

ANYWAY, we get the rare treat then--

--of Captain Marvel not only yoinking a dude into a dark room, but then stealing his clothes.  Except, not his underwear.  Because that’s nasty.  LOL!

I love that in this series, you do actually get to see him wear other stuff.  Go incognito.  Get his red suit messed up enough to take it to a dry cleaner’s, wherein he ends up dressed like a musketeer after.  Jerry Ordway’s series is, I think, the only other time we see Cap not wearing his famous suit, but it happened enough in the Golden Age that it wasn’t a shock.

Like, I hate to be the one to say this, but I do think DC drops the ball often on just how much you can do with Captain Marvel (or Shazam, depending on timeline, but that’s the wizard’s name to me so mostly I’ll stick with the original name) if you unbend enough to.  It’s not just the costume change, or the duality of him and Billy being the same but not, but also his inherent, essential humanity.

But I am digressing again, sorry. XD  I just feel strongly enough about these versions of these characters to spend hours writing this.

Anyway, only a single panel later:

And that’s that!  Billy Batson has just outed his own alter-ego’s most embarrassing moment to whomever’s listening to WHIZ radio -- thank everything podcasts and the internet weren’t available then, ha! -- and we get to see a recounting of a very fun story.

Like I said earlier, I love this one for its essential humanity.  The hero got himself into this mess, he and Billy got him out of this mess, and stopping the criminals was actually just kind of a lucky stroke thrown in there.  But even though Cap got himself into this, the story never treats him like he’s stupid.  It never treats him like he’s some kind of idiot.  You’re laughing, but-- not in a mean way.

I love how human it is.  How complete it is.  How genuinely funny it is.  It’s a thousand times more funny when you genuinely love and respect Captain Marvel and Billy Batson, too.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this dissertation on a skinny-dipping hero.  LOL!  I enjoyed sharing it with you.

[jadoue1999]

The X-Men and the member they lost - Chapter 4

Summary: This chapter references the 6th episode of WandaVision and the events from Wanda's point of view in my previous story in chapter 2-3-4. I recommend reading those before continuing, but the best would be to read the entire story. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Previous parts: Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, Chapter 7, Chapter 8, 

Chapter 4: Regrets

The episode continued with both the twins talking directly to the camera. Erik frowned at this unusual situation, was this how television worked past the eighties? Billy was dressed up as some sort of magician and was talking about Halloween. The two brothers argued about the true meaning of the holiday, one saying something about being someone else for a day and the other one saying it was all about candies and scaring people. Erik smirked, from the little time he had been with Peter, he, too, would have probably said the same thing had he been asked. Speaking of him, he had yet to appear. Thankfully, he didn’t have to wait long as the twins moved to the living room, where he was laying on the couch, sleeping. The metal bender was still feeling uneasy about the blonde hair. The boys talked, the one wearing the cape seemed suspicious of him. They argued about waking him up, but he beat them to it.

“Blood is thicker than water, I show you!” Peter screamed as he sped off the couch. The twins yelled and started pacing around the couch as Peter used his speed to circle around the sofa. Erik smirked despite himself, it might have been a pretend, but the speedster really did seem to have a good time with his fake nephews. The scene cut to Wanda going down the stairs wearing a costume she qualified as a fortune teller. Peter watched her, unimpressed.

“Wow, that is so...”

“Rad!”

“Lame”

He frowned, that was a little strange, and rude. Charles probably felt his confusion since he turned to him. His gaze was enough to inform him that he too found the line strange. It switched to a reference to their childhood to which the redhead seemed confused about. But that didn’t make sense, she had casted him as Pietro; surely, he would have his memories as well? The husband walked down the stairs wearing a frankly ridiculous costume. Peter also made fun of him by trying to guess what he was dressed as. Vision walked to his wife and seemed to challenge her authority once again. He quickly moved on and pointed out how Wanda hadn’t really talked about her brother before. The scene cut to him and the twins playing games. Then the android decided to go off on his own, to which Peter stepped in.

“Don't sweat it, sis. I got the old XY chromosome. Uncle P to the rescue, uh?”

Raven spoke up at the strange line, “is- is he referring to the X gene? I know it doesn’t make any sense since it doesn’t seem to exist in this universe, but it’s so specific...”

Erik agreed with the shapeshifter, while it technically made sense in the sitcom word; it was way too specific to just be a throw away line. Was Peter conscious to a certain degree? He secretly hoped not, he must have been suffering greatly if he was.

Peter then asked about balloons and shaving cream, something that had apparently happened at the manor before because Charles sighed suddenly in exasperation. He was vaguely whispering about the clean up it took after one of his pranks. Peter and the long-haired twin sped off at Wanda’s complaint about their lack of costumes, coming back with matching ones and spiky hair. From what Erik could gather, they were probably dressed as runners, their hair up perhaps meant that they were going fast? He had no idea; he had never really dressed up for Halloween before.

The scene cut to the neighborhood where everyone was out and trick or treating. He had never seen so many town resident active at the same time, and now there were children. Erik noted with curiosity that the ratio parent to child didn’t really make sense; not enough kids were out for the number of adults present. He suddenly had an idea.

“Charles,” he said, turning to the man, “with that many residents, perhaps Wanda’s hold is weakened; can you read any of their mind?”

The telepath put a hand to his head in concentration and stared at the screen for a few seconds. His gaze didn’t falter as he desperately tried to make contact with the poor townspeople. After a moment, he shook his head.

“There’s something blocking me from seeing into anyone’s mind; I’m betting Wanda has something to do with it.”

Erik sighed in defeat and turned back to the screen, the children were off, and the redhead was questioning Peter.

“You're testing me.” He told her accusingly, she widened her eyes at the accusation, apparently not fond of being so easily read.

“No, I'm not.”

Peter raised his hand in surrender, showing he didn’t blame her. “Hey, it's cool. I know I look different.”

“Why do you... look different?”

Erik stared at the screen anxiously, Wanda was definitely aware that something was wrong. How could Peter answer anything that wouldn’t sound suspicious? He had always been quick to find something to say, hopefully he would still have it, even mind controlled.

Peter tilted his head, acting nonchalant. “You tell me. I mean, if I found Shangri-La, I wouldn't wanna be reminded of the past either.”

Whatever that place was, he had never heard of it, but the context made it seem like a perfect place without remorse. The children came back, asking for more candies and Peter suggested to use superspeed to be more efficient. That was... strange to say the least. He was running with the boys without worrying about whiplash, they were holding on to his belt. They really seemed happy, like any uncle and his nephews. Slight worry crept into his chest as he noticed that his speed now showed up on camera; something it never did before. Was he slowing down for the sake of the show? Also, there was a little blue lingering behind him. Raged filled Erik as he realized that Wanda had changed the aspect of his speed to match her late brother’s. She had erased his name, his hair and now his speed; was there something this woman couldn’t and wouldn’t do to fulfill her fantasy world? 

She went to talk to the neighbor on the left, Herb if he remembered well. It turned out that Vision wasn’t actually on duty, which meant he had broken out of her control for now. That assumption was right, the next scene showed the android walking through the neighborhood, feeling uneasy about his surroundings. He smiled to some passerby as he noticed a couple putting up decorations. Except they were not.

“Is this a common occurrence?” He questioned his friend. Both adults were stuck in a loop, the woman was in the process of hooking up a ghost, but she lowered her arm before she ever reached the fishing line. The husband in the back keep picking up and putting down a bucket.

“No, it isn’t,” said Charles. He frowned as a tear rolled down the woman’s cheek, ”they are trapped in their minds, but unable to do anything. Wanda is sidelining them because they’re not useful to her right now, but they have to keep acting as they would be if she were there.”

Erik stared at the wall, deep in thoughts. They were all suffering, that meant... “Is Peter stuck in his mind as well?” The telepath was silent, but it was enough to confirm his fears. “I wish he could have told me earlier, perhaps I would have been enough to save him from this fate.”

Charles shook his head with a serious face. “Don’t say this, old friend, even I did not sense anything amiss the night of his disappearance. As for knowing earlier, Peter didn’t tell anyone other than Raven. She’s the one that told me.”

He looked at the screen where Vision was still observing his surroundings with discomfort. “Watching this woman puppet my son on her show just serves as a reminder that I missed nearly thirty years of his life. And even now that I’m aware of his existence, I can’t do anything to save him from this nightmare.”

Charles stopped him from saying anything more as he put a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Erik, Peter is a very secretive person. And as much as he rambles like his life depends on it; we never knew his real name or the fact that he had a twin sister.”

He had to give it to his friend, Peter hadn’t really spoken much about his past to anyone. But had he been aware that he had a son, could he have made a difference?

The screen now showed Vision walking away and it cut to a commercial. Erik didn’t watch much as he was contemplating what the episode had been so far. He had seen horrible things in his life, but Wanda’s little perfect life was unsettling. There was no record of how she made it in any of the files, it just appeared out of nowhere. The only other person he had seen displaying a power that was close to what the redhead was doing was, ironically, Jean; the other redhead he knew at the mansion. He had seen her unleashing hell to destroy En Sabah Nur back at Cairo and had been impressed since.

He was pulled out of his thoughts as Kurt panicked at whatever was going on at the television. The little boy was slowly decomposing. He wasn’t sure was had happened previously, but he watched in disbelief as the boy’s cheeks hollowed out and his eyes slowly disappeared. Then all that was left was a skeleton as the screen showed a picture of a yogurt brand.

‘Yo-Magic! The snack for survivors!’

What was that commercial? What did it even mean? Was there a threat looking to consume Wanda’s magic or was it a metaphor for what was happening to all the citizens? Everything in this show seemed to have a double meaning. He really should have paid attention. The screen switched to Wanda, Peter and the boys. They were walking in front of a theater that showed movies that hadn’t come out yet. Well, except maybe parents trap but he doubted it was the original one. Peter was complaining about having to return the candies and Wanda was teasing him about being a bad influence. The speedster turned to her, offended.

“I'm just trying to do my part, okay?” Erik frowned, his part? Could he be aware about his predicament? If so, why not try to escape? Or perhaps she wasn’t able to completely subdue him, and he ended up being casted as someone that knew too much for his own good. There was no telling what was going in the speedster’s head. Peter continued his rant, explaining his purpose, “Come to town unexpectedly, create tension with the brother-in-law, stir up trouble with the rugrats, and ultimately give you grief. I mean, that's what you wanted, isn't it?”

His remark earned a general frown from the viewers in the room, what did she want?

Wanda narrowed her eyes at him in suspicion, “What happened to your accent?”

Peter didn’t let her get to him as he snapped back, “What happened to yours?” That caught her off guard, though Erik couldn’t think why. Perhaps she was supposed to have an accent? Her files did say that she was from this Sokovia place in Europe.

Kurt suddenly spoke up, “I know Peter can be sarcastic, but he’s being very rude. He’s never like that normally; is that his role or is it him being conscious and trying to hide it?”

The teen had a point. The speedster was hyper and excited, but he wasn’t rude. The lines he was forced to say definitely didn’t sound like something he’d just blurt out at someone he was supposed to consider family. Peter continued talking about being shot for no reasons and hearing her voice calling to him. That was definitely the other brother’s memories, that was for certain. Erik wasn’t sure how to feel about this. Did it mean that his son would now be stuck with a double set of memories trapped in his head? Was he torn between two versions of himself? He couldn’t dwell on his questions as the children came running back. “They've got full-size candy bars a few blocks up. Mom, can we go?” Tommy was suddenly gone in a blur and back in an instant, with candy bars in his hand. He looked proud as he exclaimed, “Next stop, Cavity Town!”

The excitement on Peter’s face was something that made Erik smile. He found himself wishing that the circumstances were different, perhaps Peter could have reacted the same way to a student. The way his eyes gleamed up and his mouth turned into a wide grin seemed so genuine, so much like Peter. “Right on, little dude! Chip off the old Maximoff block. You've got super speed!”

Wanda and Peter looked at each other with pride in their eyes. If Erik hadn’t known better, he truly could have believed that they were siblings. They simply felt right together. He watched as Tommy broke into superspeed, running all around the place as Wanda slowly began to get more serious. Peter, though, was grinning like a mad man and repeatedly nodding in approval as the mini speedster raced through the street. Their fun was cut short as Wanda grabbed her son, stopping him abruptly. He frowned at her movement, if there was one truth about Peter, it was that once he started, he couldn’t be stopped by anyone. He was simply too fast. It was because of his superspeed, no one could touch him. It had to be the same for Tommy. How could she even see the young speedster in the first place? Let alone being able to grab him without any whiplash. Wanda then warned them to not go past Ellis Avenue. From her tone, he had to assume that it was the end of the barrier.

Raven turned to Charles, “he has superspeed, is he a mutant?”

The professor continued to look at the screen. “By how it manifested so suddenly, we have to assume that they are. The real question is, did Wanda steal mutant children from our dimension or are those children her own?”

The next few scenes were unexpected to say the least. Vision had found the dreaded Avenue and realized that no one was moving. He switched to a futuristic looking suit and flew in the air. The voices of the residents were echoing in the screen. Vision spotted a lone car, which ended up being Agnes’. She wasn’t moving either, that was unsettling since the woman usually was always so full of life. The robot did his best to question her, but she seemed barely aware of her surroundings.

“How can she even move at all? No one else is,” chimed in Raven.

That... was a valid question. Perhaps the fact that she was usually so close to Wanda gave her a slight immunity against the end of the barrier? He didn’t have time to tell his idea, Vision suddenly woke up the neighbor. It didn’t help much though, she confirmed that it was Wanda who controlled them and then started freaking out. He put her back under the spell and she drove away. The scene cut away as he was nearing the barrier.

Peter and Wanda were walking through the straw maze and sat on one of straw bundles. They talked a little about their parents and how she truly was living her best life. Then Peter pulled a face that was very unlike him and started questioning her. That made no sense, he was pushing for information Wanda should have known. Was there something else in this town talking through his son? She looked frightened for a moment, but Billy ran to her, screaming about their dying father. He was a telepath. Both twins apparently had mutations.

‘Don’t sweat it, sis. It’s not like your dead husband can die twice!’

This remark greatly angered Wanda and her eyes glowed red as she blasted him into nearby decorations. She turned to her son and made him focus on his claim. Judging by the screaming outside of the base, Vision had gone outside the town and the twin sensed it.

The broadcast suddenly cut off.

An alarm blared through the base, ringing loud enough to feel the vibration. Shouts outside of the bunker quickly made them aware of the situation. The barrier was expanding. The three other people with him were quickly picking up their stuff, but Erik couldn’t move. She had blasted his son away, like he was nothing. Was he dead? He hadn’t moved at all, he hoped he was just unconscious. Charles was grabbing his arm, telling him to snap out of it. The world suddenly caught up to him, they were in danger, the barrier was expanding. They had to get away.

He got to his feet, trying desperately to not think about Peter and the pain he had to be in. They ran out of the bunker; the barrier was already beginning to move towards the base. Soldiers were scrambling around, trying to get into cars and escape their upcoming fate. No one was paying attention to them, so Charles turned to the teenager.

“Kurt, you have to get us out of here,” the young man was frozen in place, staring at the approaching red wall. The professor pulled his arm, “Kurt!”

The blue mutant snapped out of his trance and told them to hold on to him. He closed his eyes in concentration, but they didn’t move. He opened his eyes in fear before closing them and trying again. “I- I can’t!” He panicked, “I’m sorry. This is my fault; I can’t do it!”

Raven gave him a reassuring smile and encouraged him to try again. He nodded and concentrated once more. After a few agonizing seconds, the world melted into a puff of smoke and they reappeared a mile away from their previous spot. Erik felt a nausea similar to the one he felt back when Peter broke him out. He looked around with a smirk. They had done it; the boy had succeeded. They looked at each other and laughed in relief, Kurt had saved them. They would live to fight another day, they were- they were-

Not far enough.

The red wall was still moving towards them with increasing speed. There was no escape now, the teen was too exhausted to try moving them again. He grabbed Charles’ hand and braced for impact. The telepath warned them to try to hold on to whatever they deemed was their story. Perhaps they would be able to remain unaffected if they could block their minds from Wanda’s control. He quickly followed his friend’s advice and focused on his life and the reason he was here.

His name was Erik Lehnsherr, he was a mutant, he had lost his family because of the Nazis and he had traveled to a different universe to find his son, Peter.

The wall crashed over them, he felt everything around him pulsing.

His name was Erik Lehnsherr, he was a mutant, he had lost his family and he had traveled to a different universe to find his son, Peter.

He felt Charles slipping away from beside him.

His name was Erik Lehnsherr, he was a mutant, and he had to find his son, Peter.

Raven kept calling for him, telling him to hold on.

His name was Erik Lehnsherr, and he had a son.

The teen he had been traveling with kept apologizing, but he wasn’t sure why.

His name was Erik Lehnsherr.

The woman had gone silent.

His name was... Erik.

He was alone, had he always been alone?

His name was...

It was...

What was his name?

***

Notes: Props to anyone who can tell me what was my reference for Erik going into the Hex (Not Marvel) Thank you for reading, reviews are always appreciated! Next chapter: Charles the Xtraordinary has a visitor

[riverdale-retread]

Riverdale S5 E8 Lock & Key

5 Things I loved/ 3 Things to Consider

I loved this:

1. THE KEY PARTY was excellent and ultra high stratospheric camp, that you can only appreciate if you really know the show.  Achieving this tone- ‘this isn’t how things are but wouldn’t it be so amusing if it was?’ -  is very difficult,  and I felt rewarded for the close attention I’ve paid to the show.   Further, at this sex party they have a heavily pregnant lady, and the only person who is in any way apprehensive that he might get paired with her is Reggie - everyone else is like, It’s fine.  And also? The majority of the invitees have ALREADY had sex with each other, and almost all of them are also currently cohabitants and/or coworkers and/or doing joint projects, in various states of married, long-term relationship, casual hookup and courting.  Just, absolute catnip I tell you!  

Sidebar: Again CHADWICK FUCKING GECKO being SANE, and objecting to Veronica drawing Archie’s key with - NOT WITH YOUR EX.   I mean, why does this always happen to me??? Why am I *Chad*?

2.  I loved Betty in this episode. Just fell in love with her like I am flippin’ Jughead.  

 #1:  Betty  is so very sexy.  Wow I was so not ready.  Her in the FBI T shirt & him in fire fighter gear! Yeah it’s good looking people in actual Halloween costumes, but what makes it work is Betty's reaction -  electrified, then amused and looking forward to a good time.  Love this for grown Betty.

 #2:  Betty is so very wounded and vulnerable, and by her estimation lovers / boyfriends will never stand by her, but friends will. I love me a character in romantic anguish.  

And related, #3, and yes, this may be wishful thinking, but there are hints that Betty actually feels the impact of what she did to Jughead and Veronica in her Senior year.  Why else would Betty think that engaging in an actual adult romantic relationship with Archie for real will cause the light to go out and the haven bubble to collapse?   Oh Betty.   She’s so accepting about Archie abandoning her immediately after she told him she wasn’t mentally/emotionally well because she feels both ruined and like a ruinous force.

Finally #4, the kindness and care Betty shows to her mother, who does not deserve it, made me respect her a lot.

Sidebar to give Archie Andrews a Demerit:  Betty has a single emotion in front of Archie (waking up from a trauma nightmare) and Archie (who woke up from a trauma nightmare first thing after the time jump) is just unwilling or unable to provide the necessary commitment. He in fact decides RIGHT THEN that Betty needing extra support (of the kind he needs, in fact) means Veronica is the answer. (Archie, please redeem yourself. Tell me what’s happening with you soon).

3. The only reason the high camp works though is because there’s a grounding in reality, with believable human emotions providing a solid foundation, and boy this episode really delivered!  

The  shaky breath Jughead lets out after he says Billy (character in the novel he’s teaching) might be crazy right after he sees MOTHMAN.  Love this detail.  The shame and pain Jughead goes through, writhing with his whole little face, while confessing that he’d been a reckless drug user and drinker to Tabitha, who sweetly feels some of that pain with him, was heartrending.  

The ‘you are a jackass’ face that Archie makes at Chad while also SMILING (because that is how he looks handsomest)  in reaction to Chad dude-bro-ing him with ‘females’ and ‘podunk town,’ without even bothering to reply to his dickhead question, is wonderful. 

And most heartbreaking -  Fangs’ laughter that presages a dawning realization that Kevin really intends to implode (his words) their whole life and his gentle tone in trying to figure out what the hell his boyfriend is doing was very upsetting and wonderful.  Apparently, over the past 8 years,  Fangs has been trying to give Kevin everything he wanted - monogamy, non monogamy, the baby, the marriage - only to have it go up in smoke.

4.  Now that the characters are older, they can meet a wider array of adults and I really appreciate this - the expansion of the world of the show.  Who knows if she appears again, but I very much liked this anthropology professor who has segued into creating a support group for the disturbed people she meets while she pursues her very esoteric interest in alien encounters.  Minerva the campy lesbian art collector who wants an Original Cheryl Blossom and Rick the gay trucker who is like, the most sexually easy going man in the history of humanity are really fun additions too.

5.  And this last one is going to sound mean spirited but I love what is happening to Alice Cooper.  She was so horrendous and monstrous to both her daughters -  I mean between Betty and Polly it’s really hard to tell who had it harder from Alice - and she is having to atone for the damage she did to her smart, resilient girls by the peril that Polly is now in.  Polly, despite being born in Riverdale, could’ve been another Betty in terms of accomplishment -  academic and career - but Alice just bashed her head in, basically, and now look where we are.  So, suffer for your sins, Alice Cooper.

3 Things to Think About

a) Toni has “a medical condition that makes it harder for her to get pregnant the older she gets.”  This is called BEING A HOMO SAPIEN.  I was so amused by this that I actually looked up the production notes and this episode was written by a woman (!) and directed by another woman (!!) and the scene is acted out by two women (!!!) one of whom was actually pregnant at the time in real life (!!!!) so now I’m like, Wait, is Cheryl…an immortal?  Is Cheryl somehow not 100% homo-sapien and that’s why Toni says this?

b) I gathered yet more evidence that Archie is a Riverdale-HS-Sexual.  Archie is in the teacher lounge at Riverdale High  talking remodelling plans with Veronica, who says she needs big changes, and he immediately switches into Let’s Fuck mode.   When Jughead innocently asks what the blueprints are for, Archie TOTALLY acts  like he got cockblocked.

c) The long pointy-nailed manicures on the lesbian couple’s fingers REALLY bother me.  More than 20-something almost-perfect-SAT scorers Cheryl and Toni not understanding that human fertility wanes with age.  I will just say that.