#gonna mention this kid so often if i ever get to season 2 of my rewrite

[mcdbutichangedit]

Wasn't Brian being the spy basically completely glossed over or am I remembering wrong? Is he EVER brought up again? Is it ever clear WHY he was the spy?

I vaguely remember someone saying something about him being an actual different person after going to guard school, like, they straight up replaced real Brian (aka Ryan) with bargain bin Brian (this is how Ive decided to interpret the name changes lol) and I can't remember if that was actual canon or just a theory

[strawberry-shortcakey]

my defense of Caitlyn in wake of season 2

    Defending my wife rn 

    Lets get right into this mind you my spelling and punctuation are like non existent so yk

Starting off with the thing i feel people seem to not really understand is whats happening is shes being tugged in like 5 different directions struggling between her obligations to her family name the kiraman family is matriarchal this rests on her entirely she wants to maintain her mothers legacy yet theres the undeniable rage fueled by her mothers death and her feeling of failing all of piltover the feeling that if she had killed jinx before there wouldnt have been so many lives lost she feels ultimately responsible for everything in her life which makes that rage overpower her i mean most of the council civilians enforcers who she had been around her WHOLE LIFE. she feels all that weight in her heart and on her mind much like vi due to her trauma generalizes the people of piltover and enforcers cait blames zaunites and i feel its unfair to give vi a pass and not caitlyn shes trying to hold onto her morals she fights for avoiding innocents getting hurt until the memorial attack where it turns into more than an attack by jinx now an attack from multiples causing her to lose that part of her morals and the last pull is for vi caitlyn loves vi thats something i have never doubted for even a second i mean seriously she puts so much at stake for vi. People don't seem to see that her bringing vi before the council in season one couldve ended poorly for her it couldve reflected horribly onto her family if the council had decided not to hear her out. And on top of all of that shes trying to hold it together. We see her cry a few times but she doesnt ever really let it out i mean shes putting herself under that pressure part of her character has always been that she hates when things are just handed to her as we see in her scene with grayson when she gets upset at the mere idea of her parents paying off grayson to let her win and we confirm that stayed into adulthood when jayce offers her that job for him and shes offended at the mere idea and i feel part of her feels if she shows that pain shes in things are gonna be handed to her out of sheer pity something that would likely fuel her rage further and further.

Next topic is her being willing to kill isha if it meant killing jinx. Now i understand the shock of this how it feels “out of character for her” but it really isnt yes she has been openly against the idea of people getting hit in the crossfire but in her mind its 1 innocent for multiple innocents including her own mother. she also isnt the first character to directly or indirectly result in a child's death and she didnt even succeed so yk but anyway every single councilor is responsible for countless deaths of undercity children and families heimerdinger honestly the most responsible because yk like 200 years of  ignoring the undercity and can i also just mention vis switch up on her opinion season one jayce kills a kid when fighting at the shimmer lab and vi has the mentality “you did what needed to be done one life for like 100” yet when caitlyn finds herself in that same mindset vis all “whats wrong with you you're evil now” so uh yeah not an attack on vi just trying to expand on it throughout this i will make comparisons on how we excuse vi but attack caitlyn and why i think thats really telling of how people see her as a character only there for caitvi romance plot!! But anyway caitlyn had every fucking right in that moment mind you she also was running on adrenaline something that i feel a lot of people don't understand in that moment its often impulse you do the first thing to come to mind she was just fighting off sevika shes in that do or die mindset its kill jinx or people die people also don't understand how deep caits trauma around jinx runs we don't know what she was put through during the time between her abduction and the like final scene of season 1 also just yk the entire show. jinx is her personal trauma.

Now onto the caitvi argument in the tunnels lets loop back to the state of mind she was in shes pumped on adrenaline rage and fear. She feels a deep sense of betrayal much like jinx does when vi “picks cait over her” its that feeling of “oh so you care more about someone who deeply hurt me and a random kid than me.” that only fuels her rage/pain that is making her less and less of her core values. caitlyn gets on the defensive she makes a generalization Something once again we see vi do to caitlyn earlier with the oil and water speech which no doubt left a hole in caits heart something that will stick with her dare i even say that plays a part in why she no longer sees zaun and pilover as two sides of the same coin the person who helped her learn something so crucial suddenly saying “actually we are different piltover is all the same you're all horrible. We can never get along, you are not an exception” which no doubt shattered that view and helped cement the separation in her mind. The key difference is that vi didnt get physical cait pushed her and hit her with the rifle but like i said she's on the defense. Also ive seen people saying “oh well cait knows how shes traumatized by enforcers” to caitlyn that trauma is equal to the trauma of what jinx has done to her and honestly it is caitlyn has lost almost everything to this for the sake of what started off as her dreams of justice her need to prove herself has been what she feels like is the sole cause of the  downfall of piltover. Which is why i truly believe caitlyn is still herself that the development to her character logical and her actions fully explainable and defendable 

Little added thing it’s after getting compared to jinx that she hits vi I mentioned how that’s literally her main trauma jinx killed her mom and ruined her life I’d hit someone with a rifle over that too.

And thats all ive got for now lmk if i should cover more!! And i will be adding as arc 2 and 3 release!

[mercurytrinemoon]

Astro observations: celebrity edition part 2 aka latest news roundup

⭐️ Dua Lipa announced on her instagram that she's actually a Gemini rising as opposed to Libra. Now my Gemini detector told me that ages ago but I accepted the Libra rising just because it's my default token "plain good looking and polite" sign BUT it actually now makes much more sense in terms of house placements. Her Venus is now cazimi in the 3rd house - house associated with creative writing and thinking. The ever-changing and fast-moving Mercury is now in her 4th house of family and home situation and she's actually been always moving a lot between England and Albania. That healthy domicile Mercury as well as the Sun-Venus conjunction in the 3rd shows her close connection to family overall.

Funnily enough, her discovery took place during Mercury station in her 4th house. Talk about finding out your true roots (astrological, in that instance).

⭐️ We also now have the birth time of Elon Musk, who turns out to be a Cancer rising. Jupiter in his 5th house of children now makes perfect sense with his 11 kids (and probably counting).

⭐️ If you're wondering why Ariana Grande is the way she is, look no further than Moon conjunct Jupiter - aka her 7th house ruler multiply; as well as both being square to the Sun. Usually Sun square Jupiter can point to legal issues and excess while Sun square Moon often points to broken families. Now add that together and you have… a homewrecker, yaaay!

⭐️ I was thinking a lot about Blink 182 and Tom Delonge (his chart resembles mine a bit) due to him rejoining the band last year and now releasing a new Blink album. Natally, he has a retrograde Gemini Mars so I looked at his progressed chart to see the stationary period. Turns out his progressed Mars stationed direct early 2014, followed by progressed Sun entering Aquarius. Early following year the band announced that he left permanently. One of the things he focused on was research on the UFOs and work with the government. Of course, keep in mind progressed Mars stations for quite a while and his issues with the band lasted throughout the whole 2014 so it makes sense that the final split occured a year later. And why Mars? Well it can literally speak about our focus in life and our direction - where we put our energy. Not to mention Mars rules his MC so it brought him a massive turn in his career. So makes sense.

⭐️ Britney Spears just released a memoir book. Putting aside the questionable fact on who really wrote it, it stirred up a lot of drama. Her chart is one big mine but today I'm only focusing on current transits: she just had an eclipse in her first house of Libra. That eclipse landed right on her Pluto, which natally squares Venus (talking about toxic relationships and exposing them). Pluto itself is making last hits to those degrees as well as it's stationing direct in the late Capricorn. Interestingly I think Jupiter being in her 8th house can point to this as well - it lights up all the secrets and talks about working on past traumas. Now, you're also probably thinking, why was she involved with so many iffy people in her life? A lot of things in her chart point to that but what always struck me was her 7th house ruler - a malefic Mars - being in her 12th house of enemies. And it squares Neptune so they're also liars and exploiters.

⭐️ There's been A TON of celebrity breakups during this Venus retrograde season but I'm gonna quickly focus on Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner because their charts are an interesting example. Their synastry is mostly having planets in sister signs but this also means that if one of them gets hit with a transit, so is the other. Involve Saturn in that transit and you get trouble. Saturn is currently in early Pisces, where Sophie has some of her planets in the 12th house (loss, enemies). Her Mars (disputes, cutting) is at 4° of Pisces while Joe's Mars is at 7° Virgo - right opposite that. Saturn transit stirred up some proper drama: and Saturn is also coldness, being restrained and cut off. On top of that they also have their rising signs in the opposite signs of Aries and Libra and we just started having eclipses in those signs earlier this year.

Not to mention Joe's Leo Sun got hit by Venus retrograde and a Uranus square. Among other stuff.

FUN FACT: according to my research they met for the first time in October of 2016 when Jupiter was in Libra. So, interestingly, not only they had Jupiter going through their angles but Jupiter in their Davidson chart is in Libra.

⭐️ Taylor Swift is currently going through her 10th house profection year (Leo). It would make sense then that her career would take a turn this year considering that Venus was retrograding in Leo. Of course as it turned out she had a massive succes with her ongoing world tour, which is said to become the highest grossing tour of all time.

⭐️ A Vogue article popped up about Rita Ora's and Taika Waititi's wedding that took place a year earlier (they kept all the info and date private until now). Jupiter played a huge role in them getting married (as it often does, especially for a couple like them, who have it strong in their charts, which I wrote about HERE). At the time of their wedding Jupiter was at 8° Aries, which for Rita is that sweet spot between her Sagittarius Sun and Venus (4° and 10° respectively) and Leo Jupiter (13°) - as it completed a grand trine in her chart. Transiting Sun was also 12° of Leo, highlighting that trine even more.

Man I love astrology.

For Taika it was pretty prominent as well although his Jupiter aspects were more sign-based. He had a Jupiter return; his Moon is somewhere in the middle of Sagittarius so he received these fire trines as well. Interestingly, at the time of the wedding Saturn was at 22° Aquarius - exactly opposite his Leo Sun but also sextile his natal Jupiter. So for him it had a bit of a Saturnian flavour that called for stability and maturity.

⭐️ Similarly, I just read the other day that Frances Bean Cobain got married earlier this month. She has a Venus-Jupiter conjunction on top of her Virgo ascendant (interestingly Kurt had the trine between Venus and Jupiter - so seems like a family pattern). Also interestingly, transiting Jupiter is currently trining both her Venus and Jupiter (on the day of the wedding it was trining Venus exact), thereby her natal pattern got repeated. Jupiter is also her 7th house ruler.

Her now husband, Riley Hawk is having a nice transit of that Jupiter over his Taurus Moon - and remember, Moon rules the women in your family as well as your wife.

[mrs-johansson]

Strangers in the night - Scarlett Johansson x Fem!Reader

Part 20:

“Today we are joined by an amazing actress, director, and screenwriter. You’ve seen her in films like Red Sparrow, Lady Bird, and the Divergent trilogy. Please welcome, Y/n Cole,” called out James Corden and I walked out from the back.

I sat on the sofa and before we started he introduced the other guest. Ellen fucking Pompeo. “Oh my god hi,” I stood up and Ellen spread her arms with a wide smile. “Hi!” She said and we hugged. “I am fangirling, so sorry,” we all sat down. “I’m guessing you’re a Grey’s Anatomy fan, Y/n,” started James. “Are you kidding? I live and breathe by Grey’s Anatomy,” I said and the crowd laughed along with Ellen. “It’s season 15 now, who is your favorite character at the moment?” “Ugh… I looove Meredith,” I glanced at Ellen and she smiled. “I truly think since Derek died, she’s a better character in general. I love Jo, oh Amelia, she’s the best. Alex is one of my favorites too, along with Bailey. I can’t choose!” I sighed and shook my head. “Do you watch the show often?” Asked James. “Oh yeah. Very often. Actually, I made my girlfriend watch it with me, so we started at the beginning,” I said, already nervous about what was coming now that I mentioned Scarlett. James saw the opportunity and with a smile, he started talking. “Now that you’ve mentioned, you just went public with your girlfriend who’s none other than Scarlett Johansson,” he said and the crowd erupted in cheers and I just shyly smiled. “I was genuinely surprised when I saw your post. I haven’t heard any rumors or that kind of talk around the two of you,” he said. “That was a struggle, believe me,” I chuckled, and then so did the crowd. “We did our very best to lay low at all times. And we just shot Jojo Rabbit so it was very important for us not to look like we’re just trying to promote the movie, so we just laid low for a while now.” “But you’re happy?” Asked James and I smiled very widely just knowing how happy I actually am. “I can’t even describe how happy I am. It just feels… right,” I explained even though I could barely put my feelings into words.

***

“Please water them Scar, they're gonna die if you don’t,” I basically whined as she helped me move my suitcases into the car outside. “I will water your plants every day,” she let the suitcase over to my driver who put it in the truck. “Thank you,” I said and he sat behind the wheel. “Have fun and text me when you can. I’ll bring Rose when I can,” Scarlett took my hands. Smiling cutely. “I will. I’ll miss you but it’s gonna be fun when I come home,” I smiled and she nodded. “It sure will.” “Okay, I need to leave. I love you,” I gave her a long kiss before pulling her in a hug. “I love you too.”

I got into the car and we made our way to the airport where I got on the plane and took off to Massachusetts.

On the plane I’ve read the script multiple times, memorizing my bigger parts.

When I touched down I checked into the hotel and because we have a tight schedule, the table read was just 2 hours after my landing.

Getting all my essentials for the rest of the day and I was at the office in no time.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so comfortable going into a new project. I’ve worked with the director before, I’ll have Flo there and Timmy, and the only thing I was nervous about is Meryl Streep. I don’t think I need to explain that.

I walked into the room and I spotted Florence right away, who was speaking to Emma Watson and Eliza Scanlen. There was Greta Gerwig at the front table talking with probably the producers. I didn’t see Timothée anywhere so I quickly texted him but then I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I turned around and I was faced with the icon herself, Meryl Streep. “I didn’t mean to scare you, sorry. I just wanted to say hi, before we start,” she said and I was just standing there, my mouth dry. The next thing I know something just hit me in the back. Like a crumpled piece of paper. Quickly cleaned my throat and answered. “Sorry,” I chuckled. “It’s so nice to meet you. I’m such a big fan of yours, but I’m sure you get this from everyone,” I mumbled, trying to not faint. “Oh well, it’s not the same from everyone, so thank you. But, I must say I’m also a fan of your work. Red Sparrow was amazing,” said MERYL STREEP. I can’t wait to tell my dad about this. “Wow, uhm… thank you so much. It means a lot,” I smiled and with a hand on my shoulder once again she stepped away and went over to Greta. Timmy literally jumped to my side and I’m sure he heard everything because he had a big smile on his face, his eyebrows almost meeting with his hairline from the excitement. “That was siiick,” he whisper-yelled and shook me by the shoulders. “I just can’t believe that happened,” I said. I spoke with everyone a little, and I was really excited about this movie.

After we all got our seats, Greta spoke a few words and we started.

We had such a great time. Everyone was laughing and when something emotional happened we all paid attention to those who were in the scene.

Around 8 pm we finished and it was amazing. We all had great chemistry with each other so I think this is gonna work out really well.

“Do you guys want to go have dinner? I know a great place,” I suggested and most of them accepted the invite.

Timothée, Florence and I got into one car and Emma, Eliza, James and Laura into the other one. Laura needed a little convincing to tag along because she said “I’m too old to go with all of you”, but she’s way too cool not to come with us.

We all fell into conversation pretty quickly as we got to the restaurant. Everyone was talking to someone and I think everyone felt comfortable with one another. “So you get to experience both Noah and Greta’s directing methods, that must be interesting,” I said to Laura who was sitting next to me. “Yeah, it’s so fun. Both of them are so different but I’m sure they’ll have some similarities.” “You guys shot the whole of Marriage Story on film, right?” “Yes, but I’m sure Scarlett told you all about it,” she smiled cheekily. I smiled shyly and nodded. “She did, yeah. I love the story so much, it’s just so full of love and your character just seems so fun and cool,” I said. “It is an amazing story. Noah did such a great job with the script. But let’s not talk about work in off time too, I could barely get Scarlett away from her phone while working,” she bumped her shoulder to mine and I just smiled. “I uhm… we talked a lot that time yeah,” I said and Laura smiled knowingly. “Ah well her smile was different. She was happy and glowing. I think you surprised everyone, but I could tell it’s genuine. I’m glad you have each other.”

***

“Hello?” Heard the voice over the phone. “Scarlett? Baby, hi,” I mumbled as I saw her beautiful face on the screen. “Okay, you’re drunk. First day went well then,” she chuckled adorably. “It was so fun! Oh my God, Meryl Streep is amazing. She said Red Sparrow was amazing. Funny because I’m naked in that one,” I said while taking my dress off, but I accidentally stumbled onto the couch. “Careful there.” “I’m fine,” I threw the dress on the floor and made my way to the bed. “Take off your makeup before you go to bed, baby,” said Scarlett over the phone. “I don’t want to though,” I whined as I sat on the fluffy bed. “You’ll thank me tomorrow.” “Fine,” I sighed and moved to the bathroom. “How was your day?” I mumbled as I fidgeted with my skincare bag. “It was good. We had some reshoots for Endgame so it was fun,” she said. “Oh don’t tell me any spoilers or I’m gonna cry,” I started to take my makeup off. “I won’t, I won’t. I think you’re gonna like it though.” “Yeah? I’m sure you’ll look hot in it so I’m not worried,” I smirked at the screen and she just laughed. “I’ve never seen you this drunk before, how much did you have?” “Just a couple glasses to be honest,” I shrugged. “Aha, I’m not so sure about that.” “I’m telling you, it wasn’t a lot.” “If I text Laura, are you sure she’s gonna say the same thing?” I glanced down at the phone and a smile pulled on my lips. “No.” “Yeah, that’s what I thought, but I’m glad you’re already having fun. I’m sure it’s gonna be a great shoot.” “Oh my god, yeeees. I love everyone so much,” I threw the makeup wipes in the trash and rinsed my face with cold water before going back to the bedroom. “Take a painkiller in case this all goes to hell. And drink a lot of water.” “I’ve been drunk before, I know how this works Mom,” I chuckled. “I just want to make sure you’re okay, baby.” “I know, I know. Thank you for that,” I blew a kiss towards the screen. “Always. What’s the plan tomorrow?” She asked. As I could see, she was just lying in bed with glasses and a big sweatshirt on. The TV reflected from her glasses making it a bit difficult to see her eyes. “Rehearsals for the next week and just after that we start shooting. But I can’t waaaait, I’m so excited for this one. I just know that it’s gonna be so so good and fun,” I laid down in bed and pulled the covers up to my chin. “I’m excited for you and to see it. Have you done a period movie yet, I don’t think so, right?” “Not this old, no. The latest was the Gatsby I think,” I yawned while trying hard to focus on the conversation. “You should go to bed, Y/n,” Scarlett said as she got up from her bed. “I really should but I love talking to my girlfriend, she’s kinda fun you know,” I rolled over to my stomach, trying to get comfortable. “Yeah? Well, your girlfriend is not going anywhere so you can speak to her whenever you’re free.” “I know,” I said slowly, just looking at the screen and admiring how amazing she was. “I love you,” I said, still feeling the booze. “I love you too, you drunk. Go to bed, honey. Text me when you wake up, okay?” She said softly with the cutest smile on her face. “I will. I love you.” “I love you too, sleep well.” “You too.”

***

All the cast members filled up the room as we were waiting for Greta. Florence on my right side and Timothée on the left. Sunglasses on both of their faces, sliding off their chairs, heads tilted back. “How are you not dead?” Murmured Timmy as he pulled the hood of his sweater over his head. “I have an amazing girlfriend who takes care of me. And you crazy people just downed every glass you found on the table,” I gave him a bottle of water. “Thanks.”

“Alright everybody, I hope you had a good night's sleep. Today is like to go through some of the bigger monologues so we can work on those if it’s necessary,” Greta explained and as I looked at my friends, I quietly chuckled. “Today’s gonna be fun.”

[bluecrocss]

Ugh! Unfortunately it feels like this is turning into a PJO cast defense blog...

So, ever since these photos have come out, the tired talking points of "Walker is too old" "he's gotten too tall for book 2 Percy" have returned. And I get that a lot of it was just harmless jokes at first, but now y'all have turned to straight bullying the kid's appearance.

Also, Hollywood regularly has 30 year olds playing teenagers... a 15 year old playing a 13 year old is not the end of the world.

However, now I've seen the convo morph into this new avenue of attack on Leah. How she's "Too short" and "it's not that walker's too tall. Leah just isn't growing". Honestly, I'm blaming the Walker fan girls.

And I'm only speaking on it because it is spilling into the overall convo of why Leah isn't "right for the role", because Book!Annabeth was taller than Percy for the first 3 books. And y'all know I don't play about Leahbeth's casting (check my pinned).

*Head in my hands*

You people will actually give me an aneurysm.

AT THIS POINT, how are y'all still harking on the physical appearance of the actors when it comes to "book accuracy". Nobody looks book accurate. the author has spoken about it. The show runners have spoken about it. The writers have spoken about it. Why are y'all still having the same conversations over and over again? Why are y'all still watching this show if book descriptions are a sticking point for you?

The height was always something that was out of the casting director's hands. You CANNOT cast two pre-pubescent actors, and somehow be able to predict when they will each individually hit puberty and what height they would max at. There was literally NO WAY to ensure book accuracy with height difference regardless of who they cast. Y'all wanted age accurate casting? This was the trade-off.

"HOW WILL THEY HAVE THE CHEEK KISS IN S2??!" Why do y'all insist on creating non-issues. You think "mixed-height" couples don't have pda? She can lean up. He can lean down. She can pull him down. They can have her standing on an upward incline. What even is this topic? omg

Reminder: Adaptations will often omit/change plot elements for a smoother transition from one medium to another. the height difference was never that important to the story (yes, I know percy mentions it once or twice. All 5 books were in his POV and he was kinda hyperfixated on Annabeth... so?). I need y'all to stop showing your ass and nitpicking every single issue you can think of as these future seasons are coming out or you're gonna make this a miserable experience for all of us.

[besttropeveershowdown]

The Most Annoying Trope Showdown: Round 2, Poll 5

All Just a Dream

The reveal that a certain plotline was all a dream.

Propaganda:

It immediately kills all stakes, breaks audience immersion, and basically makes the case 'you should never have been invested in that plotline'. An incredibly unsatisfying ending.

It's just so lazy and makes everything pointless! What changed? Everyone is exactly the same as before the story. Not to mention that's not how dreams work, unless you immediately write it down you're gonna forget the vast majority of the dream really quick, if you even remember it at all. And dreams are messy and don't make sense, they jump from location to location and don't follow a coherent plot. If a character is dreaming, it should be very obvious because they're so different from reality.

Babies Ever After

Ending trope in which to show a couple is happy, it timeskips to them with children

Propaganda:

Trope voted most likely to be approved by the leader of the Mormon church. The most banal seeping of patriarchal standards into otherwise benign media. No matter what the characters have achieved, no matter what their lives have been like, getting married and reproducing must mean they're happy and their lives are fulfilled, right? Please don't ask about their friends or careers. Extra points for when the characters in question have never expressed a fondness for children or a desire for a family, which is often.

To be fair, my main ire is when it happens to like ALl of the cast but also like. Can we not equate having babies with something you need to be happy. That's already a mindset pushed way too damn much on women irl and I don't fucking want it in my fiction. Let me at least imagine some of my faves also woudl be happy without kids.

It's twee. It's aggressively heteronormative. And it invites terrible sequels about the next generation learning the exact same lessons their parents did but less interesting.

not always the worst but it can be annoying esp on a grand scale that everyone's happy ending is only the happiest with some babies

It's cowardice. It's getting scared of your own story and running back to the safe and easy option of nuclear families. Plus as someone who always knew I didn't want to be pregnant, seeing so many stories end this way just never sat right with me, also because I'm gay and these are almost always done by pairing off characters in neat straight relationships. I'm also going to acknowledge that a lot of my favourite media is fantasy/supernatural stuff, so it feels more ridiculous when it's set in a different world

[absolutebl]

Hi ABL!

I was wondering if you had any posts about the use of sound effects in BL - the slide whistle for checking people out/boners simply gets me every time.

Perhaps it’s because I’ve watched so much American produced media and tuning out the same concept / soundscape since I’m so used to it.

I’m also always surprised that with this love of sound effects, there hasn’t been the classic echoing noise that’s heard across oceans when they open lube!

Anyway I love your blog! It’s been an incredible resource in appreciating BL in all its glory :)

Hi!

Why All those Sound Effects in BL RomComs?

I don't have a specific post. I mention it in some of my guidance and warning posts about Thai and Taiwanese stuff in particular, in general I am not wild about it... but I have grown accustomed to it. It can certainly be off putting to new watchers.

One of the worst offenders was Lovely Writer. I think I docked a whole point off that show because the sound was SO intrusive and jarring within the context of the drama.

These days the more comedy and the more pulp, the more likely and frequent the sound effects. Also Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Japan are the biggest offenders.

It's simply a comedic tradition. I think of it as similar to panto or commedia dell'arte. It's certainly true that a lot of ancient Greek and Roman plays likely had sound effects, as indeed would have Shakespeare. No to mention Kabuki theater. In fact, it's like throughout the history of stagecraft, sound effects were more common than not.

However, it's not particularly common or popular in American modern cinema out of Hollywood because it's associated with children's performances and clownishness. Like the voice overs, cartoon sound effects now are seen as somewhat clumsy and childish, not to say old fashioned.

There is an element of mistrusting the actors not to convey the correct emotion. Like the actors need audio help to do their jobs properly. But also like the audience can't be trusted to understand and so we feel "talked down to" by the sound effect. At least I do.

Yes I am aware this is a personal hang up.

Instead I think it's meant more as a communal nudge, like "we all together are responding in a certain way to this." Isn't it funny?

I also wonder if it's the influence of anime et al. (I'm really not an anime person partly because of the soundscapes. But then I don't like cartoons. Or Disney. Just not into kid's stuff. Never have been. Even when I was a kid.)

Here's someone else's perspective on Thailand's use of sound effects.

And Japan's.

I would say I'm accustomed to it now, but I still don't ever enjoy it. In fact, I often appreciate the "gritty" drama BLs like The Eighth Sense or I Told Sunset About You or Eternal Yesterday BECAUSE at least high angst means no sound effects.

Also less likely to sing.

All hail dark BL's good side? The silver lining.

For the record and to show my "history of BL creds" I'm gonna give a shout out to the SINGLE best use of a sound effect in a BL-adjacent piece of media....

THE BEST BL SOUND EFFECT EVER AWARD!

drum roll please

THE POP SOUND

Made by Pree pulling out of Ram's ykw just just after railing him.

Series: What The Duck

(can't remember if it's season 1 or 2, and I will never rewatch that cray cray)

Country: Thailand

I am aware I am being crass but this moment was honestly, truly, hilarious. It's a very sexy scene and then that sound. So funny.

I expect a comment from those few of you who remember this moment.

(source)

[verdantcrimson]

Preparations for the Future - 2

Writer: Suika

Season: Autumn

TL: verdantcrimson

Proofread: Saki

1 | 2

Nazuna: Ah, Anzu. Good work out there.

Nazuna: I’m here at the office for a work meeting. I don’t have any college lectures today.

Nazuna: Oh right, Kuro-chin might be in the lounge. Do you want me to go get him?

Nazuna: “How did you know that?” I know everything about you, Anzu ♪

Nazuna: … Just kidding. I actually talked to Kuro-chin earlier and he mentioned that he was going to have a meeting with you about the Feature Live.

Nazuna: Ahaha, you were a little caught off guard, weren’t you~? Did I sound like a psychic?

Nazuna: I always spot Kuro-chin whenever I drop by the office these days.

Nazuna: He’s usually doing some research for his job, and I often see him talking to the staff.

Nazuna: I’m guessing that all the work he’s doing is for that job on the cooking show.

Nazuna: I can tell that Kuro-chin wants to make this show a success, and I can’t wait for it to air ♪

Nazuna: Seeing Kuro-chin like this makes me feel motivated too.

Nazuna: Though I’m not sure if it’s just motivation, it feels something more like a ‘Fresh Start’?

Nazuna: “That’s something you’d be able to discern”, you say?

Nazuna: Of course. I’ve known Kuro-chin for a while now.

Nazuna: Tell Kuro-chin I’m looking forward to his Feature Live! ♪

Kuro: ………

Kuro: ……I see, so that’s why you have to add the seasoning at the right timing.

Kuro: I mean, I was preppin’ this earlier too……

Kuro: Woah!? ……It’s little miss Anzu. If you were here you shoulda said somethin’.

Kuro: You’re sayin’ ya did call out to me, but I was so focused I didn’t hear ya? I see, I’m sorry for not noticin’.

Kuro: Ah, this? This is the information packet for my next cookin’ show.

Kuro: The show staff were real considerate of my participation circumstances and put together a detailed document for me.

Kuro: I’m glad it’s so easy to understand and all in one place ♪

Kuro: Right. I was a little worried about somethin'. Could I get your opinion on it, little miss?

Kuro: Haha, thanks. Then, look here……

Kuro: It’s this part here… The staff was havin’ trouble with it.

Kuro: Didn’t ya have a similar issue a while back, little miss? In the end, what’d ya end up doin’?

Kuro: I see. Might be better to do it this way, yeah.

Kuro: As expected of the little miss, I can count on you.

Kuro: I’ll make a proposal usin’ that idea. It’s up to them to decide if they wanna use it in the end, but it doesn’t cost me anythin’ to pitch it at the very least.

Kuro: “There’s more detailed information sources mentioned on the right side of the page” you say?

Kuro: Yeah I see. I’m not too sure I’ll be able to explain it well all on my own.

Kuro: It’d be easier to understand if I had those documents. Could I ask ya for them?

Kuro: Thanks. That helped clear up one of my worries.

Kuro: ……Hm? You’re sayin’ I’m not the same as the person as usual? You heard Nito sayin’ somethin’ similar?

Kuro: Well, I was a delinquent a while back, so I can’t blame you guys for thinkin’ that.

Kuro: That ain’t it? You feel like I’m takin’ my work more seriously than ever?

Kuro: ……I understand. If even the little miss sees it like that, then I guess that means I’m doin’ things right this time.

Kuro: You’re curious about why I’m so motivated?

Kuro: You wanna know why I decided to take on the cookin’ show job all of a sudden?

Kuro: It’s true that I don’t really get requests for this kind of job often.

Kuro: I usually leave it up to danna to figure out the kind of job we’re gonna do.

Kuro: …… That’s why, I don’t wanna keep relyin’ on him.

Kuro: I’ve been doin’ whatever I can for AKATSUKI, actin’ only as a member of AKATSUKI.

Kuro: That’s why I never thought it was necessary to try anythin’ that wouldn’t suit the image of AKATSUKI.

Kuro: Danna considers AKATSUKI as a ‘unit’, and Kanzaki is its axis.

Kuro: Everythin’ I’ve done as an idol has been based on what their idea of AKATSUKI is for a while now.

Kuro: If danna decides to do somethin’ I’ll give it my all. If Kanzaki’s heart desires somethin’, I’ll do my best to make it happen.

Kuro: That’s how it’s been…… I’ve never done any thinkin’ for myself.

Kuro: What kind of idol does Kiryu Kuro want to be? I’ve never really answered that question.

Kuro: Now I’ve been payin’ the price. I feel sorry for the trouble I’ve been causin’ this past year……

Kuro: I kept turnin’ a blind eye to the issue, which is probably a part of the reason why.

Kuro: ……So, I figured I had better change that first.

Kuro: This cookin’ show is a defiant first step. It ain’t a job I’d typically take up as a member of AKATSUKI.

Kuro: That ‘Kiryu Kuro knows how to cook’ is absolutely true. I don’t think I can write it off by sayin’ “I don’t need this” from the start.

Kuro: In fact, I started studyin’ cookin’ for this job and ended up learnin’ a bunch of things I didn’t know before.

Kuro: Naturally, I ain’t smart enough to memorize everythin’ I studied immediately…… But still, I think to myself and realize, “There’s a way I can do this.”

Kuro: I could find a cookin’ method I’d like to try.

Kuro: Guess that’s the fruits of takin’ on work in my own style.

Kuro: And so…… That’s why I looked like I was tryin’ my best. Was that convincin’?

Kuro: What’s up, why’re your eye’s sparklin’ like that….. It’s cool? You think I’m cool?

Kuro: It’s the opposite, actually. I’ve done a lot of live shows, and many jobs, but I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to realize somethin’ so obvious.

Kuro: I ain’t like I’ve been half-assin’ anythin’, I did my best……

Kuro: But everyone else had already become aware of these sorts of things and had been workin’ on them for a while. I’m way behind the trends, ya know?

Kuro: …….Still, you think I’m cool for trying to move forward anyways?

Kuro: Little miss, you’re talkin’ like how Tetsu does now. ……It’s a bit of a relief though.

Kuro: ‘Cause I’ve spent so much time with Hasumi and Kanzaki in AKATSUKI. I still feel nervous about takin’ this new step.

Kuro: But if I don’t try, then nothin’s gonna change.

Kuro: I’ll try stuff out for myself, and I’ll make everythin’ I learn entirely my own.

Kuro: That’s right, the Feature Live. I’m gonna tackle it sincerely, more than any other live show I’ve ever done.

Kuro: ……“What kind of idol do you want to be?” It’ll probably be a little more time before I can answer that question.

Kuro: Even if I do figure it out, it might be somethin’ completely different from the AKATSUKI we know.

Kuro: That’s why, each and every one of us in AKATSUKI will risk it all to figure out what kind of idols we wanna be.

Kuro: By doin’ that, I think all of us will shine even brighter as idols.

Kuro: So little miss, from now onwards…… You’re gonna have to watch over us.

[ravenwitch45]

Just read a Hazbin/Helluva x Owl House fanfic you made and IT WAS AWSOME!!! Honestly I like seeing Amity, Edric, and Emira adopted by M&M, who we know are better parents than Odalia even though Alador is trying to be better, but it's still an amazing idea. Is there still some fanfic ideas based around it, if so could you share some details about the AU?

Ah those fics, it's been a while since I thought of them but I'm glad some people still stumble across them and enjoy them so much. I must admit though that the original asker for those fics @beastkeeper91 gave me that idea even though I took my own spin and wrote em, as well as a few others, but yes I suppose there are a few other ideas I didn't explore in either, some theirs, some my own and I'm happy to share a few.

But first since you just said fic, I'm gonna be safe and assume you only read one, and put both here, please read both before you go further cause I'm going to assume you've read both as I discuss the new stuff

(Note those are their reblogs of the fics, cause they were kind enough to send them to me so I could find them easier since this was a while ago, now the new stuff!)

First of all, since the Owl House has since wrapped up I guess I'll speak on M&Ms status during season 3, most likely they'd end up collected like everyone else, sad but that means Amity gets three parents to lovingly greet after everything is done, and Odalia isn't just the third wheel now, she's the fifth wheel! Cause she deserves it :3

Also Stolas and Blitz would probably be right with them, a little bitter but the whole crew gets the collector is a child and all, and if Amity thinks there okay, they'll listen to their daughter/niece. Speaking of daughters I still don't know what to do Octavia and Loona, sorry ladies XP

And since this is a somewhat M&M centric AU, I certainly can't just not mention the episode that most focuses on them and their relationship, Yep Exes and Oohs.

Crimson exists in this AU, but luckily Moxxie has of course cut ties with him, he still sucks essentially, and I don't hate Moxxie enough to have him dragged back. Not sure what he runs in this AU, cause I don't think the boiling isles has a straight up mob, but it's something Moxxie wants no part of. He's aware of his 'grandchildren' and I'm only air quoting that cause this man hardly deserves children, let alone grandchildren, he's never met them though, he is a little impressed with Amity after the brawl so he's intriqued.

Now that I think of it imagine the tension if while he's taking over running the company, Alador get's involved with Crimson, unaware of his shady dealings, and Moxxie just wants to explode right there when seeing him again. Oh lord the drama... And the possible bonding with his kids when they find out that just like them he had a bad parent like they did in Odalia

On a lighter note, how about we talk about some funny scenarios with the funny shark man?

Chaz in this AU, is on much better terms with his exes, and kinda acts like an unwanted uncle to the blight kids, often joking he might just get back together with M&M to become their dad. Ed and Em find him amusing, and kinda get their sense of humor from him at times, and Amity can't stand him one bit, though she is nicer in this AU to start so she's at least cordial with him, agree with who you like.

Moxxie and Millie however, kinda keep him on a short leash when around their kids, none of his usual horn dog behavior as you'd expect, and Moxxie says he'll just steal Chaz's voice if he ever does it in front of em. Which is usual successful, so the kids just see him as the weird uncle, who just acts very awkward round their parents.

Speaking of magic, Chaz is a bard, just like Moxxie in this AU, though Chaz uses his voice for his magic, while Moxxie and say Raine use instruments, his magic looks like green and teal sound waves. Not sure what or if he'd branch off into other stuff after the sigils removed, maybe illusions for like stage effects but that's just me XP Still figuring stuff out for him.

Now this is an idea completely given to me by good ol beastkeeper. Now in this AU I.M.P doesn't exist as we know it, which I felt was for the best not only cause portals are a much more serious thing in TOH, but also not exactly a great career to have when your daughter ends up with a human girlfriend. XP

My original idea was that they kinda had a club during their hexside days and that's kinda how they got so close, but after graduating they all kinda ended up doing different things while staying in touch, Moxxie became a Bard, Mille an Abomination expert, and Blitz a beastkeeper, but then Beastkeeper proposed I used an idea there using in their own Helluvaverse/TOH AU, check it out, it's a little dark but still neat I think.

Anyway they proposed a new company, I.A.S. Imp Appreciation Soceity, essentially activists for equal treatment, now in my AU Imps are just a type of biped demon, same with Goetias, Shark Demons etc. But I reason that Belos, in his puritan head, ended up getting Imps considered lesser and more "wild" then other types, mainly cause they resemble classic ideas of demons the most, cause Belos is an asshole, no surprise there.

Anyway that means they still technichally work together. That's about as much as I've explored it in my head. Either way I find it cool.

The last thing I wanna mention is a few miscellaneous ideas I have thought up but don't feel have enough layed out to say much about, I want a little plot of Blitz and Luz working together and bonding, protagonist solidarity and all. Also of course figure out what Loona and Octavia are like in this.

Also figuring out a ton of hexside time stuff, how they all met, how they interacted, how the parents possibly did. tons of stuff, but I hope for now this is a good bit of information for this AU, maybe ask later and I'll say even more who knows XP

[sunflowertarlos]

Five Fave Tarlos Scenes

Thanks for the tag @whenshereads

I literally mentioned to an irl how picking my top 5 fave scenes is so difficult but I'm gonna try anyways

1. The Wedding

We have been waiting for them to get married for a while now and we finally got to see them get married and become husbands!! Although I still have mixed feelings about the finale and how they did it with giving us no time to prepare between Gabriel and the wedding

2. Soulmate scene!!

The "hi, you're TK. I'm Carlos. And we're soulmates" has become one of my faves ever since I watched it. Like I have not left that scene actually. I am still there!! I probably memorise it by how often I watched it after the episode aired lmao

3. Wakeup scene

The wakeup scene in season 3 after TK's hypothermia coma? Yeah, I have not moved on from there actually. I remember crying at the parallelism from his speech earlier with "the worst part about this is I can't even hold your hand, or run my fingers through your hair, or kiss your head" AND PROCEEDED TO DO ALL THOSE WHEN HE WOKE UP HSHAJSH (I mean he kissed his cheek and not his head, but still!!)

4. Proposal

I cannot tell you the amount of times I have watched the proposal scene since the episode aired last season, and now we got another one with Carlos asking??? When I tell you I nearly cried when that happened. Ho estly both of them need so many hugs I swear. They have been through too much :((

5. The talk about kids ep

Am I cheating by not specifying which scene in particular? Maybe. But I loved this episode. Also Carlos making jokes like "I'm also good with horses" 😭 but then the end!! And then getting Lou II !! and the "is that TK's by my side" "is Carlos is my person" I love them so much actually

Tagging anyone who wants to be tagged because I am too shy to tag anyone on this app since I don't really know anyone here because I just started being active again recently

[helioleti]

If Will has powers, theory:

I'm not the biggest theory person but if Will does have powers then his powers are probably gonna have to do with the Upside Down exclusively. Maybe he can manipulate the UD to look, or be constructed like he needs it.

Think about it: After El opened the portal, Will was the first (known to us) person to get abducted into it, and we know for a fact that the UD Hawkins is stuck in the day Will went missing. Ever since then, Will hasn't gone back into the UD (except for s2, but we'll get to that later). These three facts are too specific to be coincidental.

Next questions we ask ourselves are: How was Will able to call Joyce through the telephone? How was he able to put on a very specific song on the recorder from another dimension? How did the Byers house apparently change in real time when Joyce put up the lights and letters on the wall, so that Will could properly communicate with her?

And most importantly: How in the world did Will survive in there for a whole week? We've seen other characters (Barb, to be specific, but we know of others who went missing) get abducted by the Demogorgon, but none of them were found alive. They were immediately trapped or eaten by the Demogorgon. How could a twelve year old boy of all people, be the only person who survived long enough to be rescued?

Here's where a line mentioned very early in the series comes back into play: "He's good at hiding," Jonathan says to Hopper (s1, ep2). This is too good of a quote & characterization to never be touched upon again. But it really hasn't been of any significance within the series yet, except maybe when El said (also in episode 2 in s1) that Will was hiding in the Upside Down.

I doubt that it was just Will's throwaway mentioned skill to be "good at hiding" what saved his life for a week. Not to mention Will has been insanely close to the Demogorgon at least three times when he was trapped in the UD (first time when he was taken [ep1], second time when he put on "Should I Stay or Should I Go" on the recorder and the Demogorgon almost morphed through the wall right after [ep2], and the third time when Will told Joyce through the lights that he was "RIGHT HERE" and to "RUN" bc the Demogorgon was coming [s1, ep3]). This is too insane to just be dumb luck.

It's only that one time nearing the end of s1 (forgot the episode number, sorry) when Will cannot escape the Demogorgon anymore and he gets trapped. This kind of makes sense because we see him weakened, freezing in the UD Castle Byers and telling El to "Hurry" when she tells him his mom is on the way. It's been a week and he hasn't had water or food, and it's just natural that there'd be a limit to his ability to "hide", powers or not.

My guess is that, until then, Will had always (accidentally, maybe) shaped his surroundings so that they make a good hiding spot for him, or to fight the Demogorgon off somehow. (This is still a very vague theory, but maybe at the time, Will's power relied mostly on his emotions and fear, and he wasn't controlling it in any way whatsoever. Meaning the way that he used any powers was also sort of "vague")

Next up: Will's behaviour in the UD in season 2

Here's how the theory that Will might be able to manipulate the UD gets a little wonky. Because this time around, we do see him in there, and we see how he acts in there (unlike in s1, when it was all hidden). There are no powers shown.

Now, I'm not a fan of amnesia or memory loss tropes in stories to hide information that'll be revealed later, because it often comes off as lazy writing (looking at you, season 4) but I do think it would be somehow plausible for Will to be oblivious to any powers he has. He was a 12 year old boy, scared to death, and maybe according to him he really did just go from hiding spot to hiding spot in the week that he was trapped. I doubt that a weeklong exposure to a traumatic life-or-death situation leaves a little kid with 100% memory of it, or how he managed to survive. Plus, I don't think that Will would fail to mention any potential powers he has for three seasons straight.

But how come he was able to hide and survive the UD in s1 (possibly with the help of powers) but didn't truly in s2?

We can be almost certain that the Mind Flayer did not yet play any role yet in season 1. Will is just now seeing this spider-shadow-figure-thing for the first time. It's not shown to be in UD Hawkins in s1 when Joyce & Hopper go in to save Will.

But now it is there, and it's very likely that it overpowers any of Will's potential powers by far. Either Will was way too scared ("Frozen," as he calls it) to use his powers, or the Mind Flayer took control of the UD, or both.

Another thing that is never really explained is: Why does Will shift from our dimension into the UD after being rescued?

We don't see any of the other characters who have been to the UD shift between the two dimensions after they get back. We could say maybe it was the extended amount of time in which Will was inside, or the way he entered it. And maybe that's true, but that wouldn't disprove, but rather enhance the fact that Will has a special connection with the Upside Down. Not just with the Mind Flayer, because he starts shifting between both dimensions already before he gets possessed. This is proven even further when we consider that UD Hawkins is stuck in the day he got abducted.

Also: Why does Will still feel the connection to the Mind Flayer (& Vecna, perhaps)? He got exorcised out of him. But somehow, a connection is still there.

Why? And why him, of all people?

I guess that's for Season 5 to reveal. I have a few ideas, but I don't want this post to get longer than it already is.

But to recap the theory:

If Will has powers, and he most likely does (if we don't want to believe his survival in the Upside Down in s1 was pure luck and "hiding skill"), these powers are probably very different from El's in that they ONLY might work/affect the Upside down. Will has a special connection with both the UD and the Mind Flayer, and I really hope it doesn't all come down to Will having to sacrifice himself so that the Upside Down can be permanently destroyed. If it does, I'll be in the Duffer brothers walls

[mune-writes]

HI 😊

I am back again to put in a song request fic thingy. And I saw that you mentioned that you feel like you've been neglecting the ever so lovely Robin Buckley, I have a fic idea for her 💞

Ok, so the song is Sidelines by Phoebe Bridgers. Specifically the lyric, 'then you came into my life, gave me something to lose.'

And it's just so angsty and they're in love and the whole mess of the lake gate upside down thing happens and they think they're gonna die 😭 but then they get out and they have a really emotional moment in the kitchen of Eddie's trailer

I hope this made sense lmao

r. buckley || sidelines

A/N: anon, I love u and that amazing brain of urs but good god how do you expect me to write something inspired by a phoebe bridgers song without collapsing to the floor and crying?????? also i tried like,, not to make it too angsty bc im not trying to manifest any character deaths :'D

Robin x wlw!Reader

tw: slight mentions of throwing up, mentions of death (nothing too intense tho), slight angst to comfort, spoilers for stranger things s4 (and season 1, 2, & 3,, but tbh why are u reading this if u haven’t seen any of them?)

...

You had never been afraid of death.

After all, you had stared death in the face and simply flipped the grim reaper your middle finger as you survived time and time again along with Steve, Dustin, and the others. You were right there with them from the very beginning, from the day Will Byers had gone missing, you were the only person who gave Joyce the benefit of the doubt when she revealed to you the lights and the letters she had painted on the wall, telling you that Will was somehow communicating to her. Then came the demogorgons in all their unholy wrath, that you fought off fiercely; you remembered the way your body had reacted before your brain did, soaking a machete with gasoline before setting it on fire to ward off the borderline demonic creature.

You were there for the demodogs, the dark dust cloud that had somehow possessed Will, fighting yet another hoard of monsters while simultaneously keeping a watchful eye over the kids, and the new addition to your team: Max. You were there when Billy showed up, brass knuckles you had stolen from your father decorating your fingers as you threw him a punch to the gut, causing him to keel over in time for Max to inject him, knocking him out.

You had begun working at a JCPenny when Starcourt opened, using your job to your advantage as you listened to people’s conversations while you organized and laid out clothes, running to Scoops Ahoy to feed Steve and Dustin any intel.

That was when you met Robin, Robin Buckley, with her short strawberry blonde hair, pretty blue eyes that you swear you could get lost in; like lying on your back as you floated in the ocean, relaxing at the sound of calming waves. The way she often rambled made you smile, the simple way in which she just talked with that raspy, upbeat voice of hers sent your heart aflutter, she was too cute.

In those initial days of knowing her, giggling at her sarcastic, snarky jokes that always seemed to be directed at Steve and his inability to get any action, pacing around the back room of the ice cream shop during your lunch break as the two of listened to the Russian recording in an attempt to decode it, you couldn’t help the growing affection you had for her.

What started out as a soft spot for her turned into fierce protectiveness as the three of you were strapped to chairs by Russian military. You remembered how you screamed at them when Robin and you were taken to a separate room away from Steve, how you kicked and strained at your restraints whenever they had attempted to do something to her.

“Don’t you ever fucking touch her!” You yelled so intensely that your throat felt rough afterwards, momentarily stunning the Russian officer.

Once the three of you had escaped, you sprinted to the bathroom first, throwing up your insides. As you heard Robin barf, despite your own nausea, you needed to ensure she was okay, so you stood up and walked over to the stall she was in, you knelt beside her on the floor, held her hair up as she vomited, and rubbed her back soothingly.

The three of you had sat on the floor, after the heart to heart the three of you had when you had been captured, another one was set to ensue as Robin asked you and Steve if you had ever been in love before. You remember Steve’s answer, obviously: his ever lasting love for Nancy Wheeler. Meanwhile, you couldn’t help but fidget with your clothing, shrugging at your words: “I don’t think I’ve ever been in love before, but uh, there’s this girl—“

Robin’s eyes widened at your words, while Steve had remained neutral, he was the first person you had come out to, after all, he was your best friend, and he was there for you as your cried about your fear of being unable to find love in the conservative town of Hawkins.

That was when it was Robin’s turn to speak. You couldn’t help the feeling as your heart sank when you had discovered she had a crush of Tammy Thompson. You spirits were immediately uplifted as Steve joked about her, calling her a muppet.

Soon, the battle of Starcourt had ensued. You looked on in horror as Billy had sacrificed himself, turning your gaze away at the terrifying scene before you.

And for while, you were at peace, despite the nightmares and images from the past haunting your mind at night, it all faded away whenever you hung out with Steve and Robin. For once, the three of you could act like normal teenagers, using the jobs you guys had at Family Video to rent out the best movies to watch at either of your houses, curling up next to Robin as you feigned fear whenever you watched a horror movie. You were most definitely not a scaredy cat, of all the things you had to endure the past three years? Bitch, please. But you found any excuse you could just to be next to her.

In spite of your feelings for her, you couldn't help but keep it all in, too afraid to ruin the wonderful friendship you had with her. So you stood on the sidelines as you watched her snicker with Vicki during the basketball game, swallowing the lump in your throat when you saw her smile for someone else.

Now, things happened as they always did: they took a turn for the worst, as news upon students’ murders overtook the once quiet town of Hawkins. Yet another mystery for you all to solve as you had made it your mission to prove Eddie Munson’s innocence. Amid curses from an evil, grotesque being called Vecna, you had somehow managed to go through it without a hint of fear.

Until you had managed to find yourself in the Upside Down along with Steve, Nancy, Eddie, and Robin.

As soon as Robin jumped off the boat, you dove straight right in after her.

While you fought the demobats, you swung your weapon just in time before it had attacked Robin. In that moment, for the first time in your life, you had felt fear crawl up your spine. That was when your head filled with countless thoughts, anxious and worried about what would happen to the five of you, to Robin, in a place that was neither here nor there, a place that only feigned familiarity to mimic a darker, more dangerous version of Hawkins.

As the group traversed through the darkness, you couldn’t help but lace your arm through Robin’s, a gesture that would ensure her safety with her next to you.

Robin had noticed this, glancing in your direction with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, just—just stay next to me, okay?” You say, holding her closer.

As your thoughts swarmed your head, one thought stuck out in particular: what if Robin would be Vecna’s next victim?

You pushed the thought away, shoved it to the very recesses if your mind, but for some reason it always managed to make its way back to the front Your eyebrows furrowed as you chewed on your lower lip, running your mind through what Robin’s favorite songs were, god forbid it would ever come to that. Through any and all danger that came your way, you vowed to yourself that you’d be the one bleeding on the ground before anyone or anything so much as harmed Robin. You would be there for her, protect her as much as you could, even if it was the last thing you would ever do.

Another quake has the five of you struggling to stand, the force of the shockwave caused Robin hurtling towards the ground—curse her inept coordination—but you moved just in time, wrapping your arms around her head, twisting yourself around so that she fell atop you and not the hard ground below you.

“(y/n), thanks, but um, you—you can let go now.” She had stuttered, only for you to realize you had been holding her longer than you should have, even after the tremors had ceased.

“Sorry.” You mumble as you release her. She held her hand out towards you, helping you up.

Her fingers interlace with yours, and she doesn’t ever let go even when the group continues their way towards Nancy’s house.

You weren’t scared of death. You weren’t scared of anything.

But as you glanced around the hellish world the five of you were stuck in, eye peeled for any impending danger as red lightning flashed through the sky, with Robin squeezing your hand whenever she heard even the faintest noise that could signal trouble, you felt adrenaline course through your veins.

Now you had found out your one and only fear: losing her.

After you had made contact with the others on the other side, the five of you biked towards Eddie’s trailer.

You can’t help the grin on your face, relief washing over you as the makeshift rope Dustin and the others had created drops down into the world you were trapped in.

You gestured for Robin to go first, ensuring that she would be safe, even in what seemed to be the last leg of your journey. You watched her fall on the mattress, exhaling in solace that she was finally out of this hellhole.

It was your turn to heave yourself up, and as soon as you reached the other side, landing on Eddie’s mattresses, you got up and made your way towards Robin who was by the kitchen sink, staring blankly at the wall.

Anxiety takes over your senses, you feel the hairs on the back of your neck prickle with panic. “Robin? Robin!”

She snaps out of her thoughts as you called out her name. Another wave of relief hits you as you run into her, enveloping her in your arms.

“Woah, (nickname), you alright?”

“Don’t scare me like that.” You mumble against her shoulder, tears brimming your eyes as all your anxieties make their way up the surface.

“Hey, I’m okay, see? I’m fine, it’s okay.” She says comfortingly, stroking your back to soothe you.

You pull away from her, but your arms never unwrap themselves from her waist.

She brushes your hair from your forehead, furrowing her eyebrows with concern.

“What’s wrong?”

You shake your head. “It’s just—with everything that’s happening, I’m, I’m just,” you stammer, taking in a deep breath to prevent your tears from spilling. “I’m scared, Robin. I don’t want to lose you.”

Robin’s eyes soften at your words and cradles your head so your face is tucked into where her neck and shoulder meet.

“It’s, it’s scary, I know, this isn’t like anything we’ve ever seen before. But hey, aren’t you the badass gal who fought a demogorgon with basically a flaming sword? The same person who tore through the Mind Flayer’s flesh, I mean, you literally just took down three demobats on your own, you’ve got this.”

You shake your head again, holding her closer to you.

“It’s different now, Robin.” You mumble against her skin, taking in her scent, memorizing it, in case of the worst case scenario.

“How is it different?” She mutters, smoothening out your hair.

You pull away slightly, a single tear makings it’s way past your cheek.

“I have so much more to lose now.”

“What do you mean by that?”

You sigh, through everything that was happening, it was not or never.

“I have you, now, Robin. And I never want to lose you.”

At your admission, Robin’s eyes widen slightly before going back to their original shape. Throwing all inhibitions away, she leans her forehead on yours, wiping your tears away with her thumbs.

“You’re not going to lose me, I promise.”

“And I’ll make sure of it,” you say with conviction before swallowing. “Even if it’s the last thing I do.”

Her eyes fill with sadness as she takes your hand in hers.

“Don’t say that, (y/n), we’ll be fine, we always end up fine.”

“But this isn’t like those last times, the odds are stacked against us and if we have to face those odds I am more than willing to die for you—“

“Screw the odds!” Robin exclaims. “I’m not losing you, either. Never. So please, stop thinking like that, it hurts me when you do.” Her voice shakes, cracks, as she utters out those words.

You lick your lips, nodding silently, you would never want to hurt her.

As you stare into her blue eyes that you swear you could get lost in each time you looked, she closed the gap between the two of you, placing her lips softly on yours, and you return the gesture.

In that moment, your mind finally quiets, your worries cease. In that single moment there is quiet amongst the chaos, there is light in the darkness, because Mindflayer or Vecna be damned if they ever came between the two of you.

As her lips gently move against yours, there you two are, just two teenagers holding each other lovingly, illuminated by the kitchen light. Not fighting for your lives, not risking it all for the greater good, just you and Robin.

Your Robin.

[emwritesfootball]

Dirty Little Secret | Dominic Calvert-Lewin

It's midnight PST which means I'm so far past the deadline for @footballffbarbiex's Summer Writing Challenge but I don't really care. Please enjoy the millionth version of 'sneaking around with a rival' but with DCL. This one's for the babes: @sweetlikesugar9 @dclsbaby @domspeach

Word Count: 3,610

Warnings: light mentions of smut, sneaking around

- - -

Your phone felt heavy in your pocket. You wanted so badly to pull it out and reread the text you’d been sent an hour ago, but then Jordan would be suspicious and you didn’t want to try to cobble together some half-assed explanation that would ultimately end in disaster.

“Are you listening to me?” Jordan asked, huffing your name in frustration. “I swear, you’ve been spacy for the last week. What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” you lied, rolling your eyes. Jordan gave you a disbelieving look, so you elaborated, “Work has been kicking my ass and I’m annoyed, okay? I know it’ll pass, but I’d just like it if you let me handle it on my own.”

Jordan’s face softened. “I’m sorry. And I won’t, alright?” When you nodded, he continued, “But you know that if you ever need me to step in and use my name, I will.”

“I know,” you said, giving him a teary-eyed smile. “You know how much I don’t want that, but if it comes down to it, I’ll let you know.”

“It’s just...you’re my little sister, and I worry about you.” Jordan wrapped his arms around your shoulders and pulled you into a hug.

“Yeah, yeah - I appreciate it.” You paused, finally remembering the conversation from earlier. “Wait, you were saying something about England?”

Jordan smiled, launching into the conversation. “I just got the call from Southgate today. He told me I’ll be part of this upcoming England squad.”

“What?! Jordan, that’s incredible!” You squealed, wrapping him up in a tight hug. “I’m so proud of you!”

“Thanks. I was hoping I’d get the call-up, but with each camp, you never know. And I get older every year and-”

“I don’t wanna hear it,” you scoffed, waving him off. “You’ve done so much for the club and you deserve this. Take the win and move on.”

“I hate it when you’re right, you know.”

You giggled, shoving him playfully. “It feels weird to be the one dispensing life advice to my older brother, so don’t worry, it’s just as weird for me, too.”

You left Jordan’s place a little while later, promising to help him plan an England get-together once the rest of the squad was announced.

Once you were back home, you finally pulled up the text you’d been both excited for and dreading about replying to.

Dominic: When can I see you again?

Just as you started typing, the three dots on his end popped up and you couldn’t help the rush of excitement that pooled in your belly when his latest text came through.

Dominic: I just got good news. Come over and celebrate?

You: I’m on my way

***

The moment Dom opened his front door, his lips were on yours. He pinned you against the door, kissing you hungrily as his hands slid up your shirt. You moaned into his mouth, loving the way his body fit against yours as he swallowed the sound.

“What…” Your thought was cut off as Dom sucked on the sensitive spot on your neck. “What was the good news?”u

“Later,” Dom hummed, nibbling on your earlobe. “I wanna celebrate first.”

“That doesn’t make any sense!” You giggled, the sound quickly turning to a breathy whimper as one of Dom’s hands slid between your legs. “Fuck, Dom! It makes sense - please just take me to bed.”

Dom smirked, grabbing your hand and leading you to the bedroom. He threw you down on the bed, kneeling between your legs as he started to undress you. It had only been a little over a month since the two of you started sleeping together, but neither of you could get enough of each other.

Your name was on his lips as he sucked a mark into your hip, watching as you dug your heels into the mattress while he kissed his way up your inner thighs before sucking on your clit and making you cry out. “You’re always so responsive for me,” he praised, chuckling as he slid two fingers inside you. “So sexy.”

“Please, Dom!” You whimpered, burying your fingers in his curls. “Please make me cum already!”

He responded to your pleas, flipping you over onto your stomach and driving his cock into you. One hand was around your throat, the other smacking your ass as pure filth spewed from his mouth with every thrust. Dom made you feel dirty in the best possible ways and it wasn’t long before you were cumming around his cock, feeling his cum coat your inner walls as he released his own orgasm inside you.

“So, what’s the news?” You asked as you cuddled with Dom, your head on your chest with one hand tracing patterns across his forearm.

“I can’t believe I almost forgot - I got called up to the England squad for this upcoming run of matches.”

He said it so casually that you almost didn’t register what he’d said. “Wait, what?”

“I got another call-up!”

Your stomach bottomed out and you thought you were gonna be sick. “Dom, that’s amazing!” You said, hoping he didn’t notice how preoccupied you sounded.

“Thank you!” He pressed a kiss to your forehead, a much more intimate gesture than the two of you usually did, but you didn’t question it. “You’ll come see me play, right?”

“Of course,” you promised, hoping you sounded sincere.

When he drifted off to sleep, you were still up, your mind racing as you tried to figure out how you were going to tell Dom that you were Jordan Henderson’s baby sister.

***

Anfield. Last Spring.

You flashed your Friends and Family pass to the staff, feeling a bit awkward as you looked for Rebecca and the kids. It wasn’t often that you used the ticket Jordan purchased, preferring the season tickets you’d gotten with friends ages ago on the off-chance you were recognized. The only time you did was for Derby matches, and today was no exception; the ‘Henderson 14’ burning a hole in your back as you took your seat.

The whistle blew and the match began. You were as nervous as you always were during Derby matches, your heart in your throat every time Jordan got the ball. You were always worried something would happen to him on the pitch, what with the countless injuries he’d had over the years.

You cheered along with the rest of the spectators when Mo put one in the back of Pickford’s net a couple minutes outside of the 20th. Richarlison scored moments before the end of the first half, tying it up before the start of the second.

There was a penalty call early on in the second half and your heart stopped as you watched Jordan step up to take it. He hadn’t been in good form to take a pen all season, having missed three of his four pens so far, and you peeked through your fingers, hoping the ball would slot right into the back of the net.

...

It didn’t.

It didn’t, and you were devastated. Suddenly, you didn’t want to be wearing your brother’s jersey anymore. You felt sick as all the friends and family of your brother’s teammates gave you sympathetic pats and hugs while the match wore on.

When Mo scored his second of the night, you screamed until you were hoarse. It wasn’t long after that and the final whistle was blowing and the match ended 2-1 in favour of Liverpool. You hugged Jordan tightly when he finally appeared, giving him a small smile. “Sorry about your pen.”

He stiffened and you instantly knew you’d hit a nerve. Sometimes, he was able to laugh these things off, but tonight apparently wasn’t one of those nights. “Fuck off.”

“You’ll get the next one, I’m sure.” You winced internally as the words came out of your mouth and Jordan’s expression darkened.

Your name was an angry growl on his lips as he said, “If you’re trying to make me feel better, just don’t. I don’t need your sunshine and rainbows opinion - if I want it, I’ll ask, got it?”

His condescending tone ignited your own nerve and you got in his face. “Go to hell, Jordan,” you hissed, your eyes involuntarily welling with tears at the angry confrontation. You turned on your heel and stormed off, ignoring Rebecca’s pleas for you to come back.

You sat in your car, waiting for the tears to subside. It wasn’t often that you fought with him, and to make matters worse, you’d been staying with him for a bit while you looked for a place of your own, so you couldn’t even avoid him at home.

Instead of going home, you headed to your favourite pub. It was low key, and you knew there probably wouldn’t be too many people in there so you could drink in peace. You changed out of the jersey, throwing on a t-shirt you found in the backseat of your car, not wanting to draw any more attention to yourself than usual.

“Can I buy the next?” A man’s voice asked, and you turned to find Dominic Calvert-Lewin sitting on the barstool next to yours.

“Sure,” you said, giving him a small smile. “As long as you let me buy the one after that.”

“You’ve heard, I take it?” Dom gave you a sheepish smile, ducking his head and looking away.

“I was there. Thought you had it for a minute there when that pen didn’t go in.”

“Me, too. I had a couple good shots in there, but none of them ended up going in.”

“I saw.” Dom gave you a look at your comment and the two of you burst into giggles. “Sorry, I just had to say it.”

“Clearly, you know who I am,” he started, his gaze raking over your body. “Can I at least get your name? You look so familiar...”

You debated giving him your middle name or a fake name altogether, but ultimately gave him your real name, conveniently leaving out your surname. He rewarded you with a full-blown smile that you felt all the way down to your toes; a smile that made you think about what it would be like to kiss those lips.

A couple hours later, and you didn’t have to wonder what it felt like to kiss him. His lips were on yours in the back of the Uber as the two of you headed back to his place. Another hour after that, and you were discovering all the other things his mouth and hands could do, loving the way his body felt against yours.

When you left in the morning, you felt like you had a secret that was only yours to keep - and Dom’s, of course - but this was you sticking it to your brother by sleeping with one of his rival club’s players while also getting some much-needed sex.

A week later, you were grinning down at your phone as you read Dom’s latest text.

Dom: So, when can I see you again?

***

Jordan’s House, Present Day

“We’ve got everything we need, right?” Jordan asked, frantically looking around his kitchen. The counter was fully-stocked with all the alcohol he could possibly need, there was enough food to feed an army, and everything was as it should be.

“Yes,” Rebecca confirmed, wrapping her arms around him and giving him a kiss. You shut your eyes and made a face, still not used to seeing your brother be intimate with his wife. “Everything’s going to be great. The team should be arriving in about an hour, so don’t go too crazy waiting for them, okay?”

Jordan nodded and you laughed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to do that. “Well, if neither of you need me, I’m gonna go nap in the guest room,” you announced. “Wake me if I sleep through my alarm?”

“Sure.”

You went up to the guest room, setting your alarm to give yourself half an hour to get ready for the party.

***

The party was on by the time Dom walked through the door. Someone put a beer in his hands and he made the rounds, catching up with players he hadn’t called teammates since the last call-up.

“Hey!” Hendo shouted, waving at Dom from his lounge chair by the pool. “Calvert-Lewin, as I live and breathe. How are you?”

Dom brought it in for a hug, laughing. “I’m good, I’m good.”

“I’d ask how you’re coping with losing to us yet again in the Derby, but I’m sure you had no problem finding some willing girl to console you.”

“Now that you mention it, I’ve been seeing this girl for a few months now. Hooked up with her the night we lost to you and haven’t really looked back.”

“Good for you. She coming to the matches?”

Dom shrugged. “Not sure yet. Haven’t really done much talking, if you know what I mean.”

Hendo smirked. “Nice.”

Just as Dom was about to say more, Rebecca came running over. “Jordan, have you seen your sister? I think we’re running out of drinks and she said she’d run to the store if we needed her to and well, we need her to.”

“Is she not up from her nap?” Hendo asked, his brows furrowing when Rebecca shrugged. “Okay, can you go see if she’s awake? I’ve kind of got my hands full.”

“Yeah, I-”

“Mummy!” One of the kids ran up to Rebecca, drawing her attention away. “Dom! Good to see you! Can you go wake my sister-in-law?”

“Sure. Where is she?”

Hendo gave him directions and Dom was off, searching for the guest bedroom.

“Hello?” He asked, lightly knocking on the closed door. When he got no response, he turned the handle and opened the door. “Hendo’s sister?”

***

Shit. You’d slept through your alarm and now someone was waking you up. And to make matters worse, they were calling you ‘Hendo’s sister’. “What?” You asked groggily, shifting.

“Your brother needs you.”

The voice sounded familiar but you were too tired to figure out why. “Okay. Can you turn on the light?” The sound of the switch being flipped and the light hit you. “Oh, fuck, that’s bright!” You covered your eyes, blinking rapidly to try to get used to the light.

You heard your name being whispered incredulously and you realized it was Dom standing in front of you.

***

Dom couldn’t believe it. Here you were, standing - well, technically sitting in bed - in front of him and you turned out to be Jordan Henderson’s little sister. “You’re…” He trailed off, unable to say the words.

“Yeah.” You looked down at your hands, not wanting to see the look on his face. “Jordan Henderson is my older brother.” You heard the door shut and you looked up, not expecting him to still be standing in front of you.

“Why didn't you tell me?” Dom asked, his expression blank as he crossed his arm and leaned against the door. “You’ve had plenty of chances to tell me and you haven’t. Why?”

“I just… I don’t know.” You sighed, looking up at the ceiling as you struggled to find composure. “Everybody treats me differently when they find out who my brother is, so I don’t exactly go around telling everyone I meet that my brother is… who he is.”

“But we’re sleeping together! Hell, I’ve got you in my bed more than half the nights of the week and you still didn’t think to tell me?!”

“Dom!” You hissed, fear coursing through your veins. You didn’t want anyone to overhear him even though you knew they were probably too busy with the party. “I didn’t think to tell you because I didn’t think we were that serious!”

Dom looked furious. His jaw clenched and he stormed over to you, kneeling on the bed and taking your face in his hands. He kissed you hard, pinning you underneath him and all you could do was loop your arms around his neck and kiss him with everything you had. “How’s that for serious?” He asked, breathing heavily as he pressed his forehead against yours. “I’m here, kissing you in your brother’s house where anyone could discover us, and you don’t think I’m serious.”

“I-I get it now,” you stuttered, smiling at him. “Can we just wait a little while before we tell Jordan about us?”

“Just as long as we tell him before we have to go back to being rivals, okay?”

“Okay.” You gave him one last kiss. “Now you’re really gonna have to leave because I’m pretty sure Jordan didn’t send you here to come into the guest room and kiss me senseless.”

Dom chuckled at that. “He definitely didn’t. Pretty sure Rebecca was saying something about needing you to run and grab more alcohol, too? But the point is that we need to get you out of this bed and to the right people.”

***

You couldn’t stop staring at him. Dom was right across the room, chatting it up with Rice and Mount, laughing with the two footballers. He caught your gaze, giving you a subtle wink before turning back to say something to Rice. You watched him pull his phone out, your own vibrating in your back pocket moments later.

Dom: Meet me in the guest bedroom… Five minutes

You tried to keep the smile off your face, but it was impossible. “Who’s the guy?” Came Rebecca’s voice over your shoulder.

You gasped, hoping she didn’t see Dom’s name at the top of the contacts list before you shut it off. “Uh, nobody? Just a guy I’m sleeping with.”

Rebecca gave you a look. “Just a guy?” She rolled her eyes. “Not with that lovey-dovey look in your eyes, he’s not.”

“Okay, fine,” you sighed. “He’s not just a guy, but I’m not ready to introduce him to you and Jordan, okay? He’s just...not someone I would usually date and I don’t want Jordan to lose his shit, especially with these matches coming up.”

“I see,” Rebecca said wisely, giving you a knowing look. “Just don’t wait too long, because Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks like the kind of man who won’t wait around forever.”

“How did you-?” You asked, incredulous. “Nevermind, I don’t wanna know.”

Rebecca laughed. “Don’t worry - I won’t tell Jordan. That’s something you’ve gotta do.”

***

Two Weeks Later

“We can’t keep doing this,” Dom murmured in-between kisses in one of the empty rooms of Wembley. “Tomorrow’s the last match in this run of friendlies and I wanna catch Hendo on his good side when the two of us aren’t rivals.”

You giggled, the sound morphing into a moan as he kissed your neck. “After the match tomorrow, okay? I promise.”

Dom pulled away, a serious look on his face. “I’m serious. If you don’t tell him after the match tomorrow, I’m not sure I’ll be able to continue this.”

The pit of dread grew in your stomach. You wanted to tell Jordan but you’d never shown an interest in or dated any footballers before, let alone one of his rivals. It was going to be hard to convince him that you were serious about Dom, and for the first time, you realized you were serious about him.

~~~

The day of the match, you were in the stands in your ‘Henderson 8’ kit. The ‘Calvert-Lewin 18’ was underneath, your body tense with the anticipation - fear? - of telling your brother that you and Dom were seeing each other.

All your nerves went out the window the moment Dom came on and scored after less than five minutes of being on the pitch. You were on your feet with the rest of the stadium, cheering on your man as he celebrated with your brother.

The friendly ended England’s way and you were celebrating it like they’d won the World Cup. Without a second thought, you launched yourself into Dom’s arms, both of you giddy as he spun you around before setting you down on the ground and kissing you breathless.

“What the hell?!” Came Jordan’s voice, snapping you and Dom out of your own little world.

“Jordan, it’s-” you started, but your brother was furious.

“No, I don’t wanna hear it. The two of you?!” He glared at Dom. “At my party, were you talking about my sister? To me?! You’ve got some nerve, Dominic.”

Dom held up his hands. “I didn’t know she was your sister at the time, I swear!”

“It’s true: he didn’t,” you backed up your man, threading your fingers through his in a nonverbal show of support. “I knew who he was when I started sleeping with him, but he didn’t know who I was.”

Jordan rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what I hate more: that that’s actually believable or that I’m starting to be okay with this.”

“Really?” You asked, your eyes wide. You and Dom shared a look.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to completely love this - at least not for a year or more - but you better not hurt her, Dominic. I’m serious.”

Dom squeezed your hand, nodding with a serious expression. “Yes, sir.”

You held back your giggle at Dom’s response, not wanting to ruin your brother’s good mood. You let go of Dom’s hand to go over and hug Jordan, a bright smile on your face. “Thank you!”

“Don’t thank me; just make sure he doesn’t hurt you so I don’t have to hurt him.”

An hour later when you met Dom, you couldn’t stop smiling, making sure to stop in front of Wembley to kiss him one more time before he took you out on a proper date in public.

[deyondwashere]

Let’s talk Graves (Part 1/3)

Calm down goth kids, I’m not talking about literal graves, I’m talking about one of my OC’s, Graves.

(Purple text means that it has a chance to be changed and or deleted)

Exposition

Okay so a bit of history for you, Graves used to be one of my most problematic characters. For a long time he was just a concept, fun fact he was actually supposed to be a girl at some point but I changed it last minute. Before I tell you what his original concept was, go ahead and buckle up because god was it a ride.

Appearance

Graves is an Amilian. Amilians often have unusual hair color so his is sort of like a dull purple. He has massive eye bags from working late and black marking around his face because of his species (More on that in Those Red Butterflies)

I would describe his body type as sorta frail, but not Disney channel typical nerd frail. I mean, he’s in a Villain organization he can’t exactly he weak, especially since he’s part of the big 3.

His style is basically just “goth theatre kid.” In my rough drafts, he’s wearing black head to toe with a buttoned up shirt and a white sailor scarf. So yeah, pretty theatre kid. Also, he has a small masquerade plague doctor shaped mask that he keeps on his forehead. When he performs surgery he puts it on and looks low key terrifying.

Those Red Butterflies

Butterflies play a important part within his character, whenever you see a red butterfly you’re mind as a viewer should immediately go to him. Here’s a bit of world building for you, there are 2 worlds that are important to the universe, and as far as I’m concerned there isn’t any others. Neither of them really know about each other, but select people from both worlds know about the other. Before I tell you the names of these 2 worlds, please remember

1. I made these when I was 12.

2.My excuse is that the humans are the ones who named the other, but it’s not actually what they calls themselves

3.What do they call themselves you ask? Uhm…

4.Yes I know it’s obvious, yes I know it’s cringe, but you know what chances are it’s probably not gonna change so deal with it. If DC gets to name a big city “metropolis” and a small city “smallville” AND A SUPERHERO NAMED “SUPERMAN”…then I’m allowed to do this.

Anyway they’re called amilians and they live in the amilian world.Ok now I know how absolutely stupid that name is. And yes, they’re basically just humanoid creatures with animal ears. Am I going to keep that name? Yes. Am I going to change the name of their world? probably. Am I ashamed of myself? No comment. Also the other world is basically just earth, I never explicitly state that it’s earth but there’s humans on there with cultures that are on earth so…

Back to the butterflies, the butterflies came from the amilian world, and have since been an invasive species on earth. If you’ve ever watched hunter x hunter, think of it like those butterflies in the first season. They search for blood. On battlefields they would fill the sky like a dark storm cloud and dead bodies would just be a cluster of red. If you’re ever in the forest and you start seeing a lot of red butterflies, run in the opposite direction. These butterflies will also come after you if you have a open wound, even if it’s just a cat scratch. They don’t really do any real harm, but do you really want a butterfly drinking your blood for breakfast? Graves absolutely hates those butterflies. Sometimes he finds them intruiging but those butterflies love to follow him around because he reeks of death. They’re just a general nuisance to him. These butterflies will also follow around the people he has revived.

The Lab

Graves is a scientist. “The Lab” gets mentioned multiple times in the series. The 4 main characters of Crystals grew up there- but 2 of which do not remember their time there. Graves worked there, he was about 14…and probably one of the best workers there. He works as a surgeon and researcher, he really did love all the excitements they did on the kids though. That’s why he worked there, that was his first experience with the transformation. He has made it abundantly clear that if he ever got the opportunity for something more exciting and or benefiting for him he would turn on the transformation in a heartbeat. More on his morals later.

Powers

Once upon a time, I wanted to add immortality to the world of Crystals, however, having a character who's only power is to make people immortal is kind of boring (no offense). And so, I decided to add another trait onto him. He brings people back from the dead. Actually, that's his base power. All he can do is bring them back from the dead. However, he cannot reverse the cause. So if he brought back someone who was shot in the heart, without fixing the damage through surgery and or magic, they would just die again moments later. Thus, he gets his sister to help out for a deal.

You might be wondering, how the fuck does someone who brings people back from the dead make someone immortal. Ah well you see, I have absolutely no idea. He's a scientist, he figured out how to manifest his power to do that I don't know don't ask me I only wrote this guy man. Anyway, another question I had was "How is this guy making people immortal if he can't even heal them?!" Well lucky for me I have an answer for that. You know how in a video game you have a save slot and then when you mess up and or die you just restart there? Yeah that's basically what he does. In simple terms he has a "save file" of their body and then once they die then they respawn at their anchor point in about 24 hours. Honestly I'm not the best at stuff like this so I don't really think too hard about the science and facts about stuff so...

Immortality is still a fairly new thing, only 2 people are actually immortal so far. And even so, immortality doesn't work like how you think it would in this universe. I'm pretty sure immortality is usually just "the person can't die," well in my case, they can and very much will die in the most gruesome of gruesome ways. Ok, maybe not to that extreme but you get the point. As stated, when someone dies they will spend 24 hours technically dead before coming back to life at their anchor point.

Role in story…coming soon

[randomtvpollsjp]

I’ve finished my TVD rewatch and I’ve got a lot to say! And I’m sorry, but y’all are gonna hear it.

***

THINGS I LOVED

Everything To Do With Doppelgängers: I could not get enough of Katherine Pierce in particular. But something about Doppelgängers being magical but not so magical that they’re POWERFUL was very unique. And it made Elena special without making her some type of amazing, overpowered magical creature. No, she can’t defend herself against a vampire. She’s an average 17 year old girl. And the gag of finding out that STEFAN was a doppelgänger too—and the jealousy that made Damon feel—was high drama. Chef’s kiss.

Vampire Lore: Vampires have special abilities that you don’t often find in vampire stuff. Their strength and speed is to be expected. But the rules about turning, their healing blood, compulsion, the humanity switch and dream manipulation were really cool abilities. Not to mention the origins of vampirism coming from witchcraft was really cool.

The Pacing: Specifically as it relates to how they introduce conflicts and villains into the show. Before one villain arc ends, another villain arc begins. It feels very organic and allows for the seasons/chapters to flow from one into the other. It feels cohesive while also feeling like A LOT happens in every season.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE

The Mistreatment Of Witches: Witches are arguably the single most powerful (and useful) creatures in the show. And yet, they’re just a smidgen less disposable than the average human. They have little to no defense against other supernatural creatures (unless they plan for them in advance), which makes them too easy to kill when up against an actual threat. Bonnie especially suffered because of this. She’s had her neck bitten into too many times.

The Mistreatment Of Bonnie: Tied into my first point is just how unfairly Bonnie was treated throughout the show. All the characters are WILLING to die for each other. But Bonnie often does. Or has to make a huge sacrifice. There were whole seasons when Bonnie lost access to magic for doing something good. And she’s rarely ever rewarded for her sacrifices. I was particularly triggered by the fact that Enzo was so brutally ripped away from her as a way to level her up. And the writers knew they were tormenting her (more than once she’s made to put everybody else’s needs above her own, and she acknowledges this) and they never really stopped doing that. Even up to the end. We never find out what her life is like. Did she fall in love again? Have kids? Carry on the Bennett line? Hang out with her mom more?

All Big Bads Were Not Created Equal: Over the 8 seasons, there were a lot of villains. But some were wayyyyy more interesting and powerful than others. Katherine is a standout and recurring antagonist for me. But I also think Klaus, Silas and Kai were exceptional. The others were mostly ok, but lacked depth. For example, Cade was an interesting antagonist. But he was just PURELY evil, which made him less interesting overall. Because he wanted the Salvatores to make good people do evil things. He was irredeemable. Klaus came across as very evil, but we got to see so many layers to Klaus that even if he did awful things, we saw him as three-dimensional. So we came to understand and maybe even LIKE him. I ain’t never liked Cade. I liked Sybil the Siren more than I liked Cade.

Too Many Plot Contrivances: This show doesn’t have a lot of holes. But by GOLLY are there a lot of conveniences. TOO many conveniences. For example: we had never heard of siphoners before meeting Kai. And then by the end of the season, Damon and Stefan’s long-supposed dead mother has a coven of vampire-siphon hybrids as friends?! This was a problem that especially plagued the later seasons. Didn’t like that.

***

Overall, I enjoyed my rewatch. Standout seasons, IMO, are S1 (arguably, the season that stands up THE BEST), 2, 3, 6 and 8. The other seasons are fine and have good chapters. But these 5 are my favorite.

[hvmelander]

I said I would write a headcanon about it, so beneath the cut I'm gonna get into Homelander's sexuality, and how it affects his outing of Maeve in season 2 as well as some other analysis for that scene. There will be mentions of post separation domestic abuse, (internalized & external) biphobia/homophobia, and child abuse so please tread with caution.

First off, I know this is canon divergent from the show. This is where I pull just a small bit from the comics. In the comics, Homelander does have sex with men. In the comics, during Heroism, he lies to Soldier Boy and tells him that sex with him is part of an audition process for the Seven.

I personally take this, and my own inability to make anything heterosexual, to form my own headcanon that Homelander is bisexual, extremely repressed, and this is something he projects onto others due to his maladaptive social behaviour and overall aggression and lack of empathy for others.

In the lab, he was given a very limited education. He had to be taught to parrot a specific set of all American, conservative leaning beliefs that would become part of his brand image. We see scenes of this during flashbacks to Homelander's childhood. Part of this, of course, was a very Leave It To Beaver 1950's style fake backstory, and the ideal of the heterosexual couple and their kids, the American nuclear family. Being gay, or being bisexual in his case, was not something that was ever going to be an acceptable part of the Homelander's identity. It was because of this very limited worldview, that when he began to realize he was interested in women and men he kept it to himself. This was not a supportive environment, not a place he could express any thoughts or feelings beyond what he knew the people around him wanted to hear. He didn't even have the words to describe how he felt until adulthood, and by then he had internalized far too much shame and disgust at himself generally (but especially around his attraction to men) to ever adopt the label of bisexual with pride or even neutrality.

He probably has had some sexual encounters with men, but not often. In the moment it still temporarily fills a need for affection, praise, and desirability that he has, but afterwards shame and guilt settle in and he backs off of embracing his sexuality fully for a long time until the next brief encounter months or years later. He can usually only push away his need for physical touch for so long, as he is extremely starved for physical affection and has been since childhood, before inevitably he seeks to fill that void somehow. Sex is one way to do this, and there have been a handful of times where he has indulged in that element of his sexuality.

Despite this, he is deeply afraid of being outed. He knows it will undermine his public image and threaten his masculinity. It's not his number one fear, but it is tied into his fear of losing praise and acceptance and his fear of being emasculated, particularly in the public eye.

One of the motivations for Homelander outing Maeve and erasing her bisexuality is rooted in his own self hatred. Knowing Maeve is bisexual, has left him, and is able to act on her sexuality with men and women is infuriating to him. He feels he has to constantly restrain himself, hide that part of himself, and protect it from view. To know someone else isn't ashamed, and has had same sex partners without the shame he has, enrages him. It seems unfair to him. He projects his disgust with himself and his fear of being outed onto Maeve in an act of non-physical violence. He also knows that this is a panic inducing, painful thing to do because he's afraid of the same thing happening to him. In some way, it's also a diversion. If he outs Maeve as "the gay one", then he can't be the gay one. It serves to protect himself, punish her, and reinforce to himself and the Seven that he's definitely, absolutely not gay at all.

Despite Homelander's malicious (and erasive) outing of Maeve being partially rooted in internalized biphobia/homophobia that becomes externalized onto others, it is simultaneously an act of post separation domestic abuse. Part of his motivation is to control, humiliate, and hurt his ex-partner and dominate her life. It's an act of revenge for leaving him, for not obeying him. In the show we see how he talks about Maeve potentially finding someone else and how he couldn't cope with that, Maeve telling Elena he killed someone for trying to flirt with her, and then that creepy conversation in season 3 where Homelander tries to force Maeve to parent his child by telling her he's going to harvest her eggs - a very clear act of reproductive abuse, and post separation domestic violence.

It's also not uncommon for bisexual women with abusive male partners to be subjected to jealous and controlling behaviour that is in part fuelled by their partner's biphobia. The idea that bisexual women are promiscuous is not uncommonly used as a way to justify a male partner's jealous and controlling, possessive behaviour towards a bi female partner; there is a fear she will leave for other men and other women, or that the male partner will not be able to satisfy her desires. Then, of course, there is the matter of fetishizing bi women, which can also be part of biphobia as a part of domestic abuse. I think it's very possible Homelander, at least in hindsight, felt emasculated knowing that Maeve was bisexual and thinking she left him potentially to see other women bruised his toxic masculine ego. One way he sought to reclaim control over her, over his masculinity, and over his own feelings of inadequacy was to out Maeve against her will, erase her identity, and make it harder for her to see other men by telling the world she was a lesbian knowing Vought would go along with it to save face.