#harry/erica

[fuji09]

Stiles Stilinski isn't as... UNCARING as you think.

Part 1 of my "[character] isn't as..." series.

There are many things Stiles has said that gets used against him. Stiles uses humor and sarcasm as coping mechanisms.

We all know he has severe trauma like:

Losing his mom to an illness that made her not herself anymore and think her own son was trying to hurt her as she slowly wasted away.

Being physically attacked by his mom during a moment where she swore he wasn't her son and was trying to hurt her.

He watched her die in her hospital room while alone with her because his dad had to work.

The constant fear of losing his dad and trying to control anything he can, like what his dad eats to try to keep him healthy and alive for a long time.

The constant fear of losing his dad while he's on the job so he listens in on his dad's police calls, not only to be nosy but to know what his dad is dealing with and if he's in danger.

Living with his dad drinking too much after his mom dies and feeling like everything is his fault.

Seeing a dead body and thinking it was his dad for a minute until the sheriff finally appeared.

The constant fear of losing his only best friend Scott.

The fear in the back of his mind that he might get the illness that killed his mother.

Almost being killed by Scott multiple times when he first turned. (Not bashing Scott, just stating a fact)

Almost having to cut off Derek's arm.

His relationship with his dad slowly deteriorating because he has to lie and keep the secret about the supernatural, not only to protect Scott and Derek, but to try to keep his dad safe.

Finding Lydia bitten by Peter and when he tries to help her, Peter won't allow it and forces Stiles to go with him (abducting Stiles) to use him to find Derek.

Having Chris shove him against the wall and antagonizing him and Stiles mouths off about how the Argents killed Derek's family.

Being paralyzed twice by the Kanima and the first time it happened he was having to see and listen to a guy slowly die by being crushed by a car lift that his jeep is on.

Holding Derek up in the pool for 2 hours when Derek was paralyzed.

Almost drowning with Derek in the pool.

Erica bashing him on the head with a part from his jeep and he wakes up in a dumpster.

Feeling guilty when his dad is forced to stop being sheriff for a while because of all the supernatural shit which made him look incompetent.

Having to punch Derek awake multiple times.

Constantly harassed by Mr. Harris during class.

Abducted by Gerald and taken to the Argents basement where Erica and Boys are being tortured. Gerard beats the shit out of Stiles.

Almost losing his dad to the Darach.

Trying to keep Cora alive while she's dying from mistletoe poisoning.

Having reality slowly slip away from him, not knowing whether he's asleep or not, and having night terrors.

Thinking he got the illness that killed his mom (he literally had to live for a bit thinking he was going to die within a few years!) when it was really the nogitsune.

Being chipped away at and possessed by the nogitsune.

Living with the knowledge of what really happened with Scott's dad leaving and never telling Scott.

Committing himself to Eichen House to try to keep his loved ones safe but putting himself in danger and in a very toxic environment.

Being put into solitary confinement and sedated when he was trying to stay awake to keep the nogitsune from getting full control.

His first time having sex and it's not even really him doing it but the nogitsune, so he didn't really get to truly consent.

Almost having a hole drilled into his head in the Eichen House basement by his roommate.

Having guns and various weapons pointed at him.

Thinking Derek is dead multiple times.

Seeing multiple dead bodies.

Being infected during their SATs with some unknown illness.

Having a gun shoved against his forehead as his teacher counts to 3, saying if he doesn't tell him where his friends are he's going to pull the trigger and kill Stiles. Stiles stands there refusing to give in.

Stiles' teacher was shot right in front of him, blood splattered on his face and he thinks for a moment that he was shot. Then he sees Scott's dad who killed the teacher.

Taken hostage with Lydia by the Eichen House orderly Brunski and tied up in the basement and was almost murdered.

Stiles seeing Derek is dying in Mexico and he wants to stay with him but Derek insists he go save Scott, Stiles is trying to choose which to do but Derek tells him to go so he does, knowing Derek will be dead before he gets back.

Donovan attacking Stiles in the school parking lot and bites his shoulder. Then chases Stiles into the school library, trying to kill him and threatening to kill the sheriff once he's done with Stiles.

Stiles accidentally killing Donovan. It wasn't even self defense, it was an accident. Stiles pulled a clip to release polls to keep Donovan away from him but ended up with Donovan getting impaled.

Feeling guilty and scared about Donovan's death and worried someone will find out.

Theo blacking mailing Stiles.

Feeling like his worst fear of losing Scott was happening during the confrontation when Scott thought Stiles murdered Donovan and Stiles thought Scott saw his self-defense (technically accident) as murder.

Almost losing his dad when he was shot.

Being forgotten by everyone because he was taken by the Ghost Riders. Which was made even worse by him calling Scott and Scott had no idea who Stiles was and then Stiles finds his dad, thinks for a moment his dad remembers him, then his dad asks him who he is.

Being stuck where the Ghost Riders took him, some train station, and he's stuck with Peter.

Being shot in the foot.

I'm sure there's more I'm forgetting, but clearly Stiles has been through way too much in such a short period of time.

Stiles cares, he cares deeply, kinda to the point of too much. He neglects himself, his wants and needs, to take care of his loved ones. The guy would literally die for his dad, Scott, and Derek.

He lets himself hurt to protect his friends, he goes into fights when he is a human who has no powers but he doesn't hesitate to fight with his friends. He never tells Scott about Gerard kidnapping him and hurting him because he refused to be a message to Scott.

Stiles jokes about killing or letting Jackson, Derek, and Peter die. He doesn't actually mean it (except maybe a tiny bit with Peter, which is fair). He doesn't want anyone to die. He doesn't want to actually kill anyone. He jokes and is sarcastic as a coping mechanism.

He also keeps everyone at arm's length. Even his dad and Scott. He's got abandonment issues and he protects himself by not letting anyone in too much. He talks a lot but he doesn't actually say much. Gives the illusion that's he's an open person but he's really not.

Stiles says inconsiderate things, yes that is true. But what better way to keep people from getting too close than being a dick sometimes? Stiles isn't an asshole, but he can and does act like an asshole sometimes.

With his loved ones, he's loyal af too. Even when he doesn't agree with the plan, he stays loyal. Stiles cares a lot about the people he loves. He wants to protect them and keep them safe. He may not care about everywhere, which is fair, but he does his best to protect people. He will even stand in front of werewolves to try to protect them even though he is the squishy human.

Stiles has a lot of feelings that he shows, but he also has a lot of feelings that he doesn't show. He puts everyone's feelings before his own.

Stiles seems to always feel guilty about something. Usually stuff dealing with his mom or dad.

I see people saying how callous Stiles is but he's really not. Yes, he can be cruel if he wants to be, if someone really hurts him, but he isn't an uncaring person. He's a pretty sensitive guy who puts on an uncaring front.

[lgbtqreads]

Most Anticipated LGBTQ+ Adult Fiction: January-June 2025

Due to the delightfully large volume of titles, Romances will be getting their own post later this week! Mothers and Sons by Adam Haslett (January 7th) At forty, Peter, an asylum lawyer in New York City, is overworked and isolated. He spends his days immersed in the struggles of immigrants only to return to an empty apartment and occasional hook-ups with a man who wants more than Peter can give.…

[womeninfictionandirl]

Professor McGonagall by Nathanna Erica

[hemlocksandfoxgloves]

WIP list!

Originals

Twin Flames Series:

Twin Flames 2/42 Jake and Clay are soulmates. One soul split down the middle, waiting to reconnect. Clayton Jones finds out he has a soulmate when he is 7 years old, months before he meets Jake Phearson. Complete opposites, the two become fast friends until one day Clay has to move. Clay is 12 when he sees Jake again, just starting middle school. Fast forward to now, Jake and Clay are 15 and just starting high school. The two boys have always been teased by their peers for their close relationship, but Jake has gotten tired of it and starts to push Clay away, straining their bond even further. Crimson Scars 0/45 After Clay’s mom lands a record deal she moves them to California where Clay will attend a prestigious school for the talented and arts. It’s a school Clay’s been wanting to go to, but this means he’ll be apart from Jake. Not wanting to bear it, Jake — with the help of his dad — enrolls himself in the school, surprising Clay. The new school year comes with new faces, a new school, and new drama. Soul Shock Outline/70 After graduating high school, Jake and Clay start their new lives as adults. Clay begins attending University while Jake gets a job. Jake meets an old friend who introduces him to a dark world of drugs and chaos. Not wanting to get Clay mixed up with trouble he leaves him, causing a ricochet of problems starting with Soul Shock. Soul Shock is an intense depression that leads to death if left untreated. This happens when soulmates are forcefully ripped away from each other. Clay, unable to deal with the outcome seeks solace in parties and alcohol until he meets Lily, a free spirit looking for love. In Jake's absence, Clay grows closer to Lily but does not quite fill that hole Jake left behind. Something Cosmic Outline/5 After dying in Jake's arms, Clay's soul gets lost into the Void and unless Jake succumbs to the emptiness, he must search for Clay's soul so that they can reunite once more while also running from the Void itself.

Twin Flames Companions:

Anchors Between Us: Lyla and Kayla's Story Outline Kayla and Lyla are soulmates, but when Lyla’s father finds out he forbids her from seeing Kayla for not only being a girl but being poor, too — despite being soulmates. Lyla has never disobeyed her father, which angers Kayla to the point that the two stop talking to each other. Seeing each other at school makes it hard for the both of them. The distance becomes palpable so Lyla proposes that they remain friends. Things become almost too easy sneaking around Lyla’s father. That is until Lyla starts dating the captain of the basketball team. Lily Rose Outline Lily Rose was born on a Monday. Her momma used to say she was a gift from Heaven. If that were true then why didn't her daddy stick around long enough to sign the birth certificate? Lily learned from a young age that if you wanted something then you had to grab it by its ears and run. Then she met Clay. She never wanted anything more.

Two Worlds Outline/6

Roni and Maya are best friends. Have been their whole lives. Roni has had a crush on Maya's brother for years. He's older, cooler, and doesn't treat her like she's just one of Maya's little friends. When Maya finds out about Roni's crush she accidentally lets it slip to her brother. When he starts showing an interest in Roni, she suddenly finds herself having to choose between her best friend and the guy of her dreams.

Thiam

Anchor Series:

I Hear You're Looking For An Anchor Part I 11/44 When Theo is forced to move back to Beacon Hills he just wants to make it through his last year of high school. But then he meets Liam. All he wants to do is get his attention, but in doing so he sparks a fit of anger in Liam he didn't know was there. A rage that interests him all the more. The closer he gets to Liam, the more he feels like he's hiding something underneath all that anger. I Hear You're Looking For An Anchor Part II Outline/44 After Scott bites Theo to save his life, Theo turns into a werecoyote. Not understanding what's happening to him, Theo hides in the Preserve. After finding the newly werecoyote, Liam is hellbent on keeping his ex safe, even if that means staying away from him for his own good. It'd be a lot easier if Theo wasn't constantly finding himself in dangerous situations. I Could Be Your Anchor Outline/18 Liam is struggling with filling Scott's shoes, but at least he has Theo by his side. His first big bad comes in the form of a Phoenix disguised as a new student. Rivals (Prequel) Outline/6 Liam and Brett hate each other. At least that’s what Liam thought. After making the lacrosse team, Liam and Brett are suddenly co-captains and have to figure out a way to get past their fighting long enough to win the homecoming game. What Liam thought was fighting turns into something more when Brett corners him in the locker room one afternoon.

I Don't Believe... In Love Outline/12

Every year Theo is forced to attend this lame party his dad makes him go to to promote his campaign as mayor. This year goes about the same way. Put on a fake smile. Ignore whatever prejudice things his dads coworkers say with a tight lip. Then he sees him. Theo’d be lying to say he wasnt enchanted by his radiant beauty. Their eyes meet and Theo is just gone for him. They spend the night talking about everything and nothing at all. Theo couldnt believe this was real. The next morning Theo wakes up to his world in shambles. The blonde beauty he met last night was the son of Jenna Geyer. The woman who’s been after his dads job for years. The two were spotted together causing an uproar for both boys. Of course it was too good to be true.

A Chimera & His Monster 🌹⛓️

can't help myself (red looks beautiful on you) 15/20 On the night of the Supermoon, distraught with the grief of losing Hayden and Scott, Liam kidnaps Theo, holding him captive. What happens when Liam starts to care a little too much for the Chimera? what is freedom if i can't have you 0/25 “What? Love me? You think this was about love?” “What else would you call it?”

Little Mermaid au

Prince Theo is expected to take crown soon but first he must marry a princess. The entire kindgdom is expecting him to marry Princess Tracy in a month’s time. One night aboarding ashore Theo lost in his head ventures too far out to sea. It was dark when his small boat was flipped with him in it. A lock of blonde hair and a flash of red and gold is all he sees before darkness envelops him. It was the melodic voice that he couldn’t get out of his head. Washed up ashore Theo wakes up on the beach. Eye to eye with his savior, he hears that melodic voice of his again, but also his long beautiful and scaly tail. His father always said they were mythical wretched creatures, but there was something about him. There was nothing wretched about him, but something beautiful.  Day after day Theo would visit the beautiful merman. He couldn’t talk but Theo was learning how to communicate with him. One day he wasn’t there though. Coming back to the castle Theo couldn’t believe it. His father had captured his dear friend. Theo had to save him and protect him. Going against his father, Theo rescues the merman from the poor fisherman and keeps him in his private quarters. As Theo’s wedding comes to a close, he and the merman grow closer. Theo learns that the merman’s name is Liam. Though he sings it with a hushed tone. It sounds beautiful coming from his lips. Theo knows he can’t keep Liam here forever and that he belongs in the sea. Liam seems quite content staying with Theo, though.

The Plastics 🩷 Outline/8 (Nett, side Morey and Thiam)

Nolan is new in school and struggling to make friends. Nothing could compare him for The Plastics.

Saving Theo Outline/3

Hayden’s gone, Scott’s in college, Corey and Mason are going to the same university. Liam feels like all his friends left him and becomes a shut-in, with nothing to do in town. Then he runs into Theo and makes it his mission to save him, even if that means from himself.

Once Upon a Time... au

It's been 10 years since the Enchanted Forest was cursed. Liam, lost with forgotten memories in the real world, is bombarded by a daughter he didn't think he would ever see again.

Trippin' Over You Outline/1

Liam gets a text from Theo one night when he’s out with Mason. They’d been broken up for a while and it’s the first time Liam has heard from him. Mason tells him not to fall for it but he does anyway.

Puppy Pack fic Outline/8

It's Liam's senior year and Scott's away at college. Luckily, he has all his friends here to help him get through the school year.

Fairytales Outline/32

Anthology of fairytales starring Thiam

It's Always Been You Outline/1

Theo joins the lacrosse team to get Liam’s attention.

Playing with Fire Outline/5

Liam's heard of Theo's bad reputation and after getting into a fight with his mom about him not being adult enough, Liam shows just how adult he can be by dating Theo. Liam knows his parents don’t like Theo already so he thinks he's perfect. Mason warns him not to but who is Liam to listen?

The Bounty Hunter Outline/7

Theo was already having a bad enough day, but that all changes when he learns he has to arrest his ex-husband, Liam Dunbar.

Untitled thiam fic Outline/1

Liam is dating Theo. Everyone is still trying to get used to it.

Malacy

Paint Me Like a Canvas 1/1

Malia has a crush on Tracy. One day after school the two collide in an explosion of colors.

Destiel

The Family Business Series:

CLAIRE Outline/12 Claire remembers a time when she was safe. Safe from monsters, demons, and ghosts. But most importantly safe from her dad. After her father disappeared when she was young, her dad was never the same. She lived a life crossing state lines and fighting anything in between, chasing a ghost that didn't want to be found. DEAN (Prequel) Outline/3 After getting caught stealing, Dean's dad sends him to live in a group home to teach him a lesson. There, he meets Castiel for the first time. CASTIEL A long time ago, angels were sent down to Earth to mate with humans and witness the birthing of the first Nephilims. These babies are then to be sent to Heaven where they will train to defeat Lucifer at the End. That was always the plan with Castiel. Mate. Witness. Return to home. But he fell in love with Dean Winchester, and with that their daughter Claire. JACK When Jack's powers begin to manifest, the Winchesters are at a loss for what to do. Especially when they start to notice a darkness in the boy. It all comes down to this, the End. Is Claire strong enough to fight her own brother, though, much less kill the evil that penetrates his soul?

Rickyl

The Fall series:

Before the Fall Outline/34 It takes Daryl about 3 months to start realizing his feelings for Rick. By that time Rick finds out the truth and Daryl's never felt like more of an asshole than he does right now. After the Fall Outline/31 The dead are walking about and Daryl can't accept his husband is really gone.

The Flash

A Manipulation in Love and Violence

ma·nip·u·la·tion noun 1. the action of manipulating something in a skillful manner. 2. the action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way. Manipulation. Is that what they call it? I always thought it was called love. No one could’ve guessed that the man who killed my mother was the same man who I let not only into my sheets, but into my heart as well. Certainly not me. Eobard Thawne. Only, I didn’t know, he was a man behind a mask. A mask my heart forbade me to look past.

An Allegation of Fire and Ice

al·le·ga·tion /ˌaləˈɡāSH(ə)n/ noun 1. a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof. Leonard has been chasing after Barry for months now, but when Barry stops giving into his taunts, he thinks something must be wrong. One night Barry comes asking for Leonard’s help. Of course Leonard was going to say yes, anyway, but he wanted Barry to beg. And beg he did. Of course Barry keeps Leonard a secret, not wanting to admit the truth even to himself. But is he somebody he could love or is he just a distraction from what’s really going on. Can he trust his heart with another? Or is it too soon?

A Misconception of Truth and Chaos

mis·con·cep·tion /ˌmiskənˈsepSH(ə)n/ noun 1. a view or opinion that is incorrect because based on faulty thinking or understanding. Harrison Wells was everything Barry could ask for. He was the guy of his dreams. Of course, it had to be too good to be true. Nobody was that perfect. After everything with Eobard, Barry is confused when he meets Harry. He doesn’t want to but he ends up falling for Harry. Barry has to learn how to separate the face from the person.

Shelnard

When Sheldon Met Leonard

The story of how Sheldon and Leonard fall in love.

Buddie

Deployed at 118 Outline/4

If Buck and Eddie were already married. Eddie is on a tour in Afghanistan while Buck is left alone to care for Chris.

Buck's Story Outline/5

When Buck is 18 Eddie breaks up with him. He spends his tuition money on a motorcycle and drives it to Boston. From there he just keeps running from the heartache, never seeming to escape the one that got away. He doesn’t see Eddie again until he’s face to face with him at the 118. Then Buck meets Chris and suddenly they were this little family he never knew he needed.

Buddie Bachelor party fic

The morning after Chimney's bachelor party Buck wakes up next to Eddie, who claims he doesn't remember a thing that happened the night before.

Tracy/Erica/Allison

ain’t it funny how i’ma have the last laugh? (co-written with @thiamsxbitch) (side Thiam) 1/3

After a prank gone horribly wrong, Tracy comes back from the dead with a thirst for blood and vengeance.

Jasher

Are We Just Fucking or Do You Love Me?

Jordan and Asher have a one-night stand the summer before Junior year.

[erictuah]

would you still Rape eric if he was a girl or is pussy too stank

No i wouldnt rape him ❌ only because id never rape a girl because im a really nice guy😄😄

[criticalbeauregard]

i'm rewatching grey's anatomy

[mikyapixie]

Dave The Barbarian premiered 21 years ago today on Disney Channel!!!

This Show Was Hilarious & I Swear To God I Still Have Dave The Barbarian Toys That Came From A McDonald’s Happy Meal!!!🤣🤣

[everybuddiewantssome]

with how the ghosts track him down, definitely not

[boardchairman-blog]

**Shots of the Episode**

Ted Lasso (2020)

Season 3, Episode 9: “La Locker Room Aux Folles” (2023) Director: Erica Dunton Cinematographer: Vanessa Whyte

[womeninfictionandirl]

Professor Sprout by Nathanna Erica

[bartlomiejkurela]

Erica & Lindsey Foulkes

[stargaterevival]

Saving hope 4.9 Shattered

I love this look, on both of them. #fashion watch

After kissy face, sublime #looking

Cheeky Charlie #no one does it like Charlie

Who is this guy? #trick question. It's Jeremy

Ooh, this guy is gonna be Trouble 🔥 #Jer-oh-my 🔥

Spoilers

Maggie!!! Baby!!! #everyone's babygirl

[white-cat-of-doom]

An assortment of questions answered and a few backstage photos from Allyson Duarte's takeover of the CATS the Musical Instagram account yesterday (04 March 2023) in US Tour 6 (Waterbury, CT).

She shares her experience and love of her Jellylorum character.

With Nora DeGreen as Demeter, Ellie Chancellor covering Demeter, John Anker Bow as Gus, Erica Lee Cianciulli as Bombalurina, and Tayler Harris as Grizabella.

[boricuacherry-blog]

Of course I'm not saying all trans people are predators. I'm a straight female and I know not all men are predators. But I also know that all a predator wants is access, and to open the doors of changing rooms, rape centers, domestic violence centers- to open the door to any man who says, 'I am a woman, I have a right to be here,' It will endanger women and girls. It's with no pleasure that I say this has happened. Karen White, a man in England, used a trans persona to violently attack and rape women in a female jail. He had not physically transitioned. Predators can and will exploit any loophole that they can. And for someone growing up during the rise of British feminism, TERF sounds like just another way to silence women. People like to say it's not 'up for debate,' the stock phrase, 'no debate.' That alarms me. I can't think of anything more authoritarian than, 'no debate.' In fact, that is the argument of the fundamentalists: 'I am righteous, I don't have to explain my righteousness. And I am entitled, therefore, to bully you, to harass you, to silence you, to take away your livelihood, all the way to attacking you. Like when Dr. Erica Anderson, a trans clinical psychologist, voiced her criticism and was herself shut down, or Maya Forstater, a researcher who was fired because of her critical thoughts on the issue. Because of things like this, people are terrified of speaking up. I joined the public conversation because I saw women being shut down. It seemed there was always a way to shut down womens' voices. There are tons of women who are forced to not speak because they literally won't make rent. I wanted to speak earlier than I did, but there were women begging me not to, as they saw what happened to other public figures. But I feel a sense of moral obligation to speak, especially for the women who don't have the insulation I am privileged to have. The attempt to intimidate and silence me is meant to serve as a warning to other women. I've written a whole series of books that had a central theme about bullying behavior and how authoritarianism is of one of the worst social ills perpetuated on people. And I feel protective of those people. If there is one thing I stand against more than any other, in my books and in my life, it's authoritarianism - and that cuts through all political persuasians.

-JK Rowling

[redheadedbrunette]

Cool so I reread the series and I noticed a lot more than I did the first two times I read it which is fun. The relationship between Ben and Erica is more explored than I remembered which is good and I can definitely see her character arc a lot clearer.

X is still my least favorite book and there’s absolutely a corner that Gibbs wrote himself into on that one unless he’s entirely giving up on the idea of having Ben and co. be secret agents.

Ben’s a lot more of a competent spy than I remember too, which is refreshing.

I also completely forgot that all 10 of these books happen in the span of like a year and a half which is hilarious.

Oh and the age gap seems like something that would be a lot more of an issue if there weren’t only like 300 people in the world they could have contact with. Even Erica and Josh had a bit of a gap since she had to have been 14/15 or so while he was 17/18. A gap of 2.5 years would be problematic for normal kids but I think different rules would apply.

I'm so glad it was clearer on a second go around! Honestly, I didn't even really see it all that clearly until I reread the series a couple years ago (SSAS came out my first week of college) and had a lot more experience with how stories work on a fundamental idea. Erica's development is very much in the background, but when you're looking for it (excluding SSPX, but that's a different rant) it's so clear and interesting and I love it.

SSPX bothers me for SO MANY REASONS the biggest of which is that Mr. Gibbs puts the message before the overarching plot of everything, and then! It's not even a relevant message! Like, what twelve year old is hardcore believing QAnon (it's pretty obviously meant to be that or something similar). I feel like something could have been achieved and a message about privacy, like Murray makes getting a video of Ben part of some TikTok knockoff challenge, because that seems like a much more likely thing kids would do, but gotta make fun of people who remember what the news said two years ago and comparing it to what they say now! Can't have people with good memories! But yeah, it does shoot the series in the foot kind of, and I understand the reasoning behind why things were done the way they were! I just don't agree with it most of the time.

It's even funnier when you realize that it's not a year and a half evenly spread out, it's one mission his first year with five months before summer, one that summer, and seven his second year. Eight if you want to count SSGS and SSBI as different missions (I go back and forth as to whether or not I do). It's so funny. Please give poor Ben a break.

And yes! Ben is actually so much more competent than people seem to give him credit for sometimes. It's just that his skill set tends to be less flashy and useful in battle scenes, but he's very much the chess master of the group. He's the one planning and strategizing, and all the karate moves in the world aren't going to do you any good if you can't actually foil the plans.

My reasoning for why I'm okay with the age gap is because the narrative treats them as equals who are more or less in the same place in life. Like, yes she's two classes ahead of him, but for all intents and purposes, they're teamed up together constantly with others in Ben's class and I think Erica is the only one we really know about in her class (can't remember Chip's age, but he might be? idk, doesn't really matter). It's never dwelt on, and it bothers me when people try to make a deal about it! Like, they're not going to be in the same place in their lives forever. It's high school. Almost no one marries the person they dated in high school. I've long held that they'd break up sometimes after Erica graduates and starts her adult life while Ben is still in school (or something similar depending on how Mr. Gibbs decides to do things moving forward).