#he may not have shown it well but he loves his son very much. without his cane he can't do much to protect him D:

[truly-fantastic-me]

Holy shit I have never made an OC so quickly!

I am aware this is most likely not going to be canon, so, it's more of an AU than anything. But I like the idea of Alastor being a father and what that entails with his character.

This is Andrew "Andy" Altruist, son of Alastor. In life, he followed in the footsteps of his father by becoming a radio show host, although he had to change his last name to avoid association with a serial killer. He was a newscaster and would play the latest popular rock hits of the time. His favorites were surf rock, motown, and a little bit of psychedelic rock. He didn't like hippie culture very much, but their music was a guilty pleasure of his.

He had lifelong issues with alcoholism that he couldn't overcome. In August 1969, he died of alcohol poisoning just after attending Woodstock. He wasn't found dead until a few days later, once things settled from the whole event.

His relationship with his father was a rather... complicated one. He didn't find out Alastor was a serial killer until he was nearing 18. He recalled feeling uneasy around him at times because of his almost constant smile. But he also looked up to him. Alastor was someone who kept a cool head when things got tough, composed and in control. He helped Andy a lot with his early learning and taught him various ways of defending himself, including with a gun. Alastor made sure to make time for him as often as he could.

But Alastor was also verbally abusive towards him, always pushing him to be stronger and more 'manly.' At his worst, he would tell him, 'keep crying and I will give you something to cry about,' with an unexpectedly wide smile. He discouraged any sort of vulnerability, including crying. He would tell him to 'always have a smile,' a skill he never could pick up on. As a result, he grew up with complex feelings about his father, resenting him for making him so afraid and thankful about the good memories they've had. This was the one (1) thing Alastor eventually came to regret in his life.

Andy kept to himself while he was in Hell, avoiding Alastor like the plague. It wasn't until he saw Vox's recording of the battle with Heaven that he decided to visit his father. He wanted to make sure his father was okay, or at least, didn't die.

There's a lot more to him, but I'm a bit tired right now. I think he's going to be one of muses on my RP blog, @very-important-muses

[brucewaynehater101]

I have a vent fic wip that I may or may not finish so I just need to tell someone that I am...feeling so many things all the time about the consequences of the 16th birthday but...

primarily, right now, at this moment. without Robin/Bruce, Tim thought he would lose Dick and everyone else he knew through Robin. and then a little bit later when he quit for Jack, he got radio silence for Months until he became a potential victim, and even then it was just Cass stopping in to give the message and be like "I'll watch you to keep you safe 👁️👁️ ok bye" and he had actual Proof that without Robin, he would lose everyone.

and then. Dick "you're my equal (even tho I'm drastically changing your life without your knowledge or permission), you're my closest ally (even tho you don't even have a name to go out in the field to assist me as backup), I need you (even tho, as mentioned, I made a huge decision without your input because I didn't need it because I know best actually)" Grayson.

skipping over the fact that Dick didn't even have the time to say "you're fired" or anything resembling that, when Tim lost "Robin" to Damian, he felt like he lost everything else too. it didn't matter what Dick said about "equals" or "allies" or "needing". he already had Concrete Proof that it was all false. cheap words that are easily disproven do nothing in this situation, Dichard!

(disclaimer: I love and respect Dick Grayson, I just also think Dick Stopped Existing as soon as he made Damian his Robin for the most pathetic stupid illogical risky-ass excuse he could ever give for making anyone Robin (or a vigilante in general). "because he'll kill someone again". who the fuck says that?? who thinks "oh no oh god oh fuck this kid is gonna go off the rails he's gonna kill someone, I need to Put Him In A Place Of Power Over Oblivious Innocent Untrained People Who Are Expecting A Kind And Empathetic Hero To Save Them" hUH???? ok sorry, I just wanted to rant about what Tim "losing Robin" meant)

I agree with ya. Dick Grayson is fantastic, but it seems weird that he nuked his entire relationship with Tim (a very strong one that other fans have referred to them as "The Brothers") for the new kid.

Yes, Damian is a ten year old traumatized kid who just lost the dad he didn't really have the chance to get to know. Yes, Damian needed guidance, boundaries, and compassion.

But DC spent so much time and effort building up Tim and Dick's rapport only to obliterate it once the "blood son" came in (I also love Damian. This is not hate on the kid. This is confused commentary on DC's choices). It's just a strange idea, but that's also why it hurts so much when Dick does that to Tim.

Then you tie in Tim losing Robin by Dick to Tim's experiences before? Fuck. You are so right for that.

As far as the RR run, Dick could've handled Tim believing Bruce a bit better. I don't necessarily blame him for that one. I get why he wasn't supportive in the way Tim wanted, even though I would've chosen differently for my siblings.

Dick taking Robin, though? That was fucked up. I, honest to the gods, do not see how that was a justified course of action. I can understand his perspective, but it's still not okay. At all.

There's your very adequate analysis:

Robin, for Tim, is his tie to his loved ones. He has proof (twice) that without it, he does not have access to the people he cares about and his support system.

Dick said a lot of pretty words about "equals," but his actions were precisely contradictory to his "intentions."

Tim has had Robin taken from him before or had to give it up. He chose to go back despite this. He obviously feels strongly about being Robin

Damian has not proven, at this point, to be trustworthy as a vigilante (someone in power without oversight). He has instead shown use of excessive force

This isn't even going into the way he found out. That's just an extra layer.

The way Tim has repeated lost and regained Robin (even after RR) as well as his title as Red ROBIN are, to me, a sign that he's still trying to hold on. It's my belief that he would have moved onto a new title, like his predecessors, if it hadn't constantly been an unsure role.

His start was rocky as hell due to Bruce not initially wanting it. Tim had to prove himself and put himself into the costume.

He "quit" twice before it was taken from him in a traumatic way (nothing like being instilled with the fear that the position you've held for four years can suddenly be yanked out from under you without warning)

Damian and Jason both vehemently protested to him being Robin

It would make sense if all of these factors combined to Tim's unwillingness or inability to just let Robin go, especially when we factor in his reason to be Robin. Since Bruce never really gets "better" and continually falls back into bad habits, Tim needs to maintain his task of pulling Bruce back from the edge. We could also throw Jean Paul into this to further how Tim is forced to play as the barrier between a grown adult and their desire to harm others in the name of good.

So, Tim's time as Robin is marked by consistent instability while contrasted with his inherent position as Bruce's leash and the batfam fixer. While the other Robins did have times of doubt, the predecessors of Tim did not have the pervasive role insecurity with regards to Robin.

They had their big moment at the end and some smaller moments in-between, but not quite on the continous scale of Tim. Tim had three big moments and was still sucked back into Robin when Damian quit.

To be Robin is to earn Bruce's love and the ability to be part of the Wayne family. To lose Robin is the risk of losing that (at least to the perspectives of the Robins if not 100% the reality).

I'm not sure I'm articulating this accurately. Regardless, no wonder Tim clutches the title of Robin with bleeding hands no matter how much it cuts him and costs him.

[starstruckmiraclekitty]

What would the relationship between the reader and Ghost be like if they knew one another before he became Ghost?? Like they met in the military and reader met his family when he finally introduced her to them. Then the aftermath??

Awe, I love this one. I hope this is along the lines of what you're looking for! Thanks for the request🥰

Before He Was "Ghost," He was Simon.

Warnings: mentions of death, family trauma, angst, swearing, fluff

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

□You and Simon met when you both enlisted shortly after 9/11.

□The two of you worked well together and were constantly being sent on the same deployments.

□ It took a bit, but you grew incredibly close to one another, and you were one of the lucky few who Simon actually considered a friend.

□ Both of you just "got each other." You grew to love Simon's dark, dry humor, and he grew to appreciate your bubbly attitude, always wanting everyone around you to smile.

□ You found yourselves constantly in each other's company, whether it be partnered of missions or during downtime on base.

□ Even off duty, the two of you spent nearly all your time together. He was a tough nut to crack even back then, but you had made it seem so easy.

□ You had shown each other your hobbies and interests and spent a lot of your time together trying new things.

□ He was very reserved about his family, only giving bits of information about his childhood. You knew better than to press on it, as it seemed a sore spot for him.

□ It has taken a little over a year of being friends for him to want to introduce you to his mom and brother. He'd arranged the meeting so that his father wouldn't be there when you went over.

□ His childhood home was small but cozy. His mother was a quiet, kind-hearted woman, and you could tell she loved her sons dearly.

□ You got along well with his mom, and were subjected to relentless teasing from Simon's brother, constantly telling you to "just date my brother already." Much to Simon's embarrassment.

□ The four of you were having a wonderful time, his mom telling you of the few cheerful memories of Simon and his brother as children and asking you about your life.

□ Unbeknownst to the two of you, Simon's dad came home earlier than expected.

□ Simon rarely went into detail about his father, but the few snippets he'd given you in the past led you to understand that his father was a piece of shit.

□ The tense silence that ensued had you feeling wickedly uncomfortable, and you could tell Simon was doing his best to stay composed. The atmosphere had changed significantly, and from the looks on everyone's faces, it was clear his dad's presence wasn't a welcome one.

□ After regarding you and Simon with a sinister sneer, his father gave a pathetic attempt at a dry conversation, clearly not caring to put any effort into it. Simon's hand found yours and squeezed it gently, signaling to you that it was time to go.

□ You'd only saw his brother and mom a few more times before they were killed.

□ You and Simon had been separated a few months previously, as he went off to do his own thing, and you'd missed him terribly.

□ You'd heard about it through the grapevine that they were murdered, and tried to reach out to Simon in any way you could, to no avail.

□ You were so worried about him, and the longer you went without hearing from him, the more concerned you got. You missed your best friend terribly and wanted to comfort him in any way you could.

□ He closed himself off to you, and you were worried you may never speak to him again.

□ It wasn't until a few years later that you saw him again. But this wasn't your Simon anymore. This was Ghost. The much feared, yet respected Liuetanant who's past was just as much a mystery as what laid behind the mask.

□ You'd heard of the callsign a few times through chatter amongst the soldiers, and the name was gaining much notoriety.

□ You hadn't really not thought much of the name until you'd seen the man in person. In your heart, you knew it was Simon.

□ He was a part of the freshly created task Force 141, and you had been tasked to accompany them on a search and destroy mission.

□ The first time you laid your eyes on Ghost, you were beyond intimidated. His eyes held no trace of the man you once knew.

□ The only interactions you shared were brief and professional. Simon gave no indication that he even knew who you were, and if you were honest, it nearly tore you apart.

□ You had an internal struggle for days after seeing him again. You didn't know if he even wanted to talk to you, but you were so desperate to see him again and tell him you missed him all these years.

□ Deciding to just go for it, you found yourself walking into the weapons room and saw him cleaning his weapons at the nearest table.

"Ghost?" You asked meekly, slowly approaching the masked man.

"Y/N." He replied, not lifting his eyes from the gun in front of him.

"I um.. I wanted to say h-hi." You felt your cheeks heating up, and were embarrassed that you were stuttering. With our without the mask, this was still Simon. It had to be.

"Don't gotta act scared Sargeant. I won't bite." He looked up to you through his mask. You relaxed a bit, holding his eye contact.

"It's been awhile. I didn't.. I didn't know if you wanted to talk to me. I tried reaching out so many times.. I was…am worried about you." You looked down at your hands, growing nervous again as you awaited his answer.

He didn't say anything in reply, only grunting while he returned to cleaning his weapons.

You knew better than to push him. In your years of knowing him, if Simon didn't want to say anything, he wouldn't and nothing could change that. That's not to say you couldn't feel your heart slowly shatter, you now realized that perhaps this was no longer your Simon, and there was no chance of ever seeing him again.

"Well it was good seeing you. And if you ever want to talk, I'll be around." You smiled at him trying to mask the hurt you were feeling, and turned for the door.

"I couldn't lose you too." You heard him say softly. You could barely make out the words, but you whipped your head around to meet his eyes. "I lost my whole family, Y/N. I couldn't lose you too. The man that I've become since then, is not one that deserves someone like you."

"Oh, Simon. You could never lose me. No matter what I'm always here for you. You will always be Simon to me." You cooed as you moved to crouch in front of him. "I am so sorry that you had to go through that. I don't know what I could ever say to make up for that pain."

You could see Simon blink away tears in his eyes, and he moved to pull away his mask, leaving his face bare to you.

"There's my guy. I've missed seeing that face." You smiled as you slowly placed your hand on his cheek, stroking softly. "Simon, if you'll have me, I'll always be by your side. Can't get rid of me that easily."

He chuckled at your comment, and moved his own hand to your cheek, copying your movements.

The two of you sat like that for awhile, before he spoke up. "I've missed you all these years. I thought it best to push you away so you couldn’t get hurt from my actions. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if the woman I loved got hurt because of me."

His words shocked you. You'd loved Simon since the moment you met him, but you truly thought he'd only ever seen you as a familial figure. In the decade or so you'd known each other, he'd given very few hints away that he'd seen you in any way than more than just a friend.

"You love me?" You asked, meeting his gaze once more.

"I've always loved you. Why do you think I took you to meet my my mom and brother?" His eyes softened as he spoke, and his gaze flickered down to your lips.

You chocked out a small sob before crashing your lips onto his. The kiss was better than anything you could've imagined, as it was years in the making. All of the yearning, sadness, longing and love was all poured into this kiss.

You pulled away slowly and pulled his chin down to meet your eyes. "I love you too, Simon."

A rare smile formed on his face, as he moved to kiss your forehead. "Why don't I finish up here, and we can take a walk, yeah? Have a few years worth of stuff to catch up on."

He finished up, and grabbed your hand leading you out to the barracks. He gave your hand a squeeze as you fell in step beside him. As the two of you walked together, telling stories of your escapades the last few years, Simon finally allowed himself to grow happy again. He was beyond excited to start this new chapter with you, the woman he loved, and catch up on everything he'd missed.

—---

A/N: Hope you enjoyed it!☺️ as always thanks for reading!

[thevelaryons]

I love how GRRM always positions various Velaryon brothers as having a close bond with each other. Although not much is known about some of the sibling dynamics in the family, when GRRM chooses to write about them, it is with a sense of brotherhood and unity.

Even in such instances where the relationship is only implied in the text, it is as a positive one. Aurane is a bastard and yet he integrates himself amongst the highborn without any issue, suggesting a somewhat polished upbringing in a castle. He also served in the Velaryon fleet, led by his trueborn half-brother Lord of Driftmark, Monford. It's mentioned in the books that bastard children are usually kept away from the family because they are viewed as a source of shame. It is considered very unusual for a bastard to be raised in a castle with their trueborn family (re: Jon Snow). But that could certainly be the case with the Bastard of Driftmark. His moniker does suggest a close association with house Velaryon which means he was not a bastard that was hidden away. Especially when you consider that Aurane, despite being very treacherous and self-serving, never once does anything against his brother's family. When he sets his sight on a castle he wants to claim, it is not Driftmark, but another castle. He sails his powerful fleet past Driftmark thrice and makes no move to attack the seat governed by his late brother’s son even though house Velaryon is in service to the rebel Stannis and Aurane is trying to ingratiate himself with the Lannister regime. Despite the commonly held belief that bastards will seek to harm their trueborn siblings, Aurane is not once shown acting against Monford or his remaining family at Driftmark. All his treachery is reserved for the Lannisters, who are more or less responsible for Monford’s death at the Battle of the Blackwater.

Addam & Alyn's relationship is a prime example of Velaryon brotherhood. Although the narrative presents their identity arcs as Velaryons differently (in relation to their parents), it’s done so in a manner that still connects the brothers to each other. Alyn’s actions are often framed in the text as a "what would Addam do in this situation?" way. They participate in the Red Sowing together and they clearly remained close enough to each other for the duration that Addam was quickly able to save Alyn's life. They get physically separated afterwards only because Alyn is bedbound from his burns. Alyn openly laughs in the face of a King who calls him brother and says that a "brother by blood" is the only true form of brotherhood. Years after Addam's death, Alyn still honors his brother with a touching memorial.

There are several instances of brotherly love shown between Jace/Luke/Joff as well. From defending each other from a bully to all three echoing each other in upholding their mother's claim, they are always in sync. The loss of a brother is expressed openly and the desire for vengeance too.

The more minor instances of brotherhood in the family further showcase this.

Sometimes it's as simple as hanging out together to serve as royal escorts:

Though Daemon Velaryon, as the Crown’s lord admiral and master of ships, was in King’s Landing with the regents, that did not prevent Jaehaerys and Alysanne from flying their dragons to Driftmark and touring his shipyards, escorted by his sons, Corwyn, Jorgen, and Victor.

Other times it's plotting together. The Silent Five may be committing treason, but they do that as a united front:

When they took their case before the sick and failing Viserys, they made the grievous mistake of questioning the legitimacy of his daughter’s children. Viserys had their tongues removed for this insolence, though he let them keep their heads.

.

Three of the “silent five” had died during the Dance, fighting for Aegon II against Rhaenyra…but two survived.

[...]

“Lacking tongues with which to make their appeal, they preferred to argue with swords,” says Mushroom. However, the plot to murder their young lord went awry when the guards at Castle Driftmark proved loyal to the Sea Snake’s memory and his chosen heir. Ser Malentine was slain during the attempt; his brother captured.

The Velaryon brothers who act within the law are also depicted taking action together each time. Interesting how it's not specified which of the two wishes to claim Driftmark for himself, over the other. They are partners in all that they do and that's all that matters:

All came forward now, insisting that they had more right to Driftmark than “this bastard of Hull, whose mother was a mouse.” Ser Vaemond’s sons Daemion and Daeron took their claim to the council in King’s Landing. When the Hand and the regents ruled against them, they wisely chose to accept the decision and be reconciled with Lord Alyn.

I just think it’s neat that regardless of the circumstances of the characters’ upbringing, whether trueborn or bastard, there’s a supportive bond between Velaryon brothers each time.

[kindaasrikal]

Garmadon is probably my favourite example of how intrusive thoughts are like.

Is he a little yellow (black?) lego man with cup hands? Yes

Is he also someone whose suffered from intrusive thoughts and desires that he does not want to do since young, and due to suffering through them for so long his resolve eventually broke to these thoughts as he became the one thing he never wanted to be? Yes, yes he is.

For decades upon decades he had to sit with thoughts and desires he knew was bad and had to actively resist against. Dealing with intrusive thoughts is not easy, seeing as it depends on a persons will power, their own self acceptance and awareness on who they are, and how persistent they can be.

With Garmadon, he had to deal with the shame knowing that everyone most close too him knows he has these thoughts and desires and that can way down on a persons self esteem and will/resilience, especially when you seem to be surrounded by someone seemingly ‘perfect’. No one actively shamed Garmadon for having these thoughts (from what i know, though Wu definitely hasn’t) but he probably had more thoughts about how everyone must be mocking him. With the intrusive thoughts getting worse as he grew older, and as his responsibilities grew heavier, there were a few times where Garmadon’s morals and resolve wavered.

Now remember, Garmadon probably already was a grey character (light grey) without the venom strongly influencing him because of the world he grew up in as well as having horrific thoughts since young, which could lead to a sense on normalcy of the content of them. Which could’ve led him to his actions and overall personality being incredibly light grey. The times he wavered were few in between, and i can’t list them all off since i haven’t read the comics, but the most notable one was when he went to go train under Chen.

The reason he might’ve done so could be a few. Due to Chen’s evil nature, he might’ve thought that it might help him in easing and handling these thoughts better. Or it might’ve been a lapse in judgment, or his morals tipping slightly to the darker side.

After all these sort of moments where he almost tipped to the darker side, something just had to give and push him over the edge of finally breaking his already weak grip on his will power to resist against these thoughts, and whatever it was broke it well. He attempted to steal the golden weapons, Kill Wu, and unlock his Oni side, despite having a baby and a wife at the time. And thats not to say Garmadon doesn’t care for those three. He’s shown time and time again that he does. He cares for all three of them and loves them as family. Yet, that doesn’t stop the grip of his intrusive thoughts, nor the easing of suffering mentally once he stopped pushing it down. He’s shown he cares for Wu like how a brother would (like a little shi, though i would say that Garmadon is much more willing to kill Wu then the other two), and he’s shown interest in Misako as a lover (no, i will not forget that straight up grin of his) and how he hasn’t actively sought her out to harm her, and how he has held back against Lloyd, only ever grew and broke free of these thoughts and desires because of Lloyd, and only ever found his true self and freedom and acceptance because of Lloyd.

Garmdon is very much capable of capable of holding back his evil desires and wants when he is given the right reason too, and that reason has always been his family as his SON. His BABY. THATS HIS KID.

But, Garmadon may have special genes and magic powers, but his brain is like any other humans. He was no longer able to fully resist the venom in his veins nor the thoughts in his head as strongly as he used too, because he is no longer young. He is an old man whose whole life was spent resisting a side of him he was horrified at, yet a side of him who he would never be able to truly hide nor resist, when that terrifying demon in his head is still a part of him.

I would like to say though, that while the intrusive thoughts themselves were evil and horrible and straight up terrifying, Garmadon himself never was that kinda person. Theres a reason why Lloyd is his son and why Misako chose him, and why Wu still respects his brother so much. Garmadon is a good person, in a situation he cannot control and a brain he cannot stop. Intrusive thoughts are not things you willingly think, they’re like a stampede of people running up to the microphone to give their own bright ideas all at once, all of the time, and you’re the only audience they talk to. Garmadon was subjected to that since he was a child, and that isn’t easy. The fact that he lasted so long, so many decades, resisting against them and holding himself true to his ideals and true personality is mesmerising to witness and think about. And to think that he can still resist, and then understand and grow with that side of him into a healthier and happier person who is trying, is definitely something he and everyone he ever grew close too wished for, for a very long time.

[bimyself06]

Ok so here's the thing many Green Fans need to understand. Every single time there's been conflict between the Greens and the Blacks in the show (I would say F&B too but I haven't read it so if there are instances of this happening in the books let me know) it's because the Greens instigated the conflict.

During Rhaenyra and Laenor's wedding Alicent wears her "iconic" green dress and interrupts the king in the middle of his speech taking the spotlight away from the bride and groom(whose wedding let's remember is happening because she married the king and he needs to make amends with the groom's family for snubbing their valyrian daughter in favor of the daughter of a second son) and then Sir Crispin attacked a knight under House Velaryon's employment who is also a member of nobility, killed him and put the Royal Family and their guest in danger.

(This one is going to have many people coming for my throat pointing out how Daemyra were literally having sex during this event) During Laena's funeral none of the Greens are wearing the proper mourning color, black. I've Googled and zoomed at the scenes were they appear and all of them are dressed in green, a very dark green but still green. Sir Crispin I can excuse he is(as much he really should have lost his job if not his head a long time ago with his actions and attitude) in active duty as a member of the Kingsguard and is in uniform, therefore he cannot wear black and kids are well kids, Alicent and Otto have no excuse however. It would have been like Rhaenys and Corlys dressing themselves and their kids in blue at Aemma's funeral. Then later that night Aemond sneaks out to where Vhagar is resting to claim her after just attending the funeral of the dragon's last rider, without asking for permission or the deceased rider's family's blessing or letting Rhaena try to claim Vhagar. This and his taunts are what causes the fight that leads to him loosing his eye. Then hours or minutes later it's Alicent who attacks first, not Daemon (who just found out that the grandson of the man he hates claimed his late wife's dragon and attacked his daughters), not Corlys or Rhaenys(just buried their daughter, her dragon has been claimed, and their grandchildren and heir attacked in their own home), not Rhaenyra (who's sons have been attacked and who just recently lost a man she loved as well as a good friend(the directors may not have shown this in favor of rhaenicent friendship but Laena and Rhaenyra were friends possibly lovers in the book) and currently has her former friend demand the eye of her child who was your defending his brother and his cousins).

During the dinner scene it was Aemond and Aegon who started things, or well Aegon tried to start things. Yes Luke was laughing as the pig was brought in, but has it ever occurred to anyone that he may have been talking to Rhaena and Baela or maybe even Daemon and his mom and one of them told a joke he found funny enough to laugh; literally everyone was laughing in that scene but Aemond and Aegon. But no Aemond didn't stop to think for a second and instead decided to insult his nephews and by result his sister.

The war is self explanatory. I have seen many green stans say how the greens never wanted war, but let's all remember that they were the one's who started everything by killing all of Rhaenyra's supporters who didn't bend the knee to Aegon, killing Luke while he was acting as a messenger which I'm pretty sure is taboo and considered a big no no in Westeros with out considering the whole kinnslaying thing.

Literally everything that goes wrong for the greens is brought upon them by their own actions and decisions. Jace and Luke's "bullying" of Aemond is also instigated by a member of team green, Aegon. Alicent is fully aware yet she does nothing to stop it just let's it continue.

[mazzystar24]

how would having buck/eddie be more powerful?? yeah i get that having a queer latino man would be awesome (and i support whatever direction they want to go in w eddie’s sexuality bc i think there’s a lot of options there) but it’s kind of embarrassing that people are making buck’s entire coming out about a ship. a bisexual man coming out in later life has his queer realisation with someone who also came out in later life, they’re both in a line of work that’s pretty “boys club”-esque (as shown by hen and chimney begins episodes, and it’s a shame that hen’s queer identity isn’t recognised enough in the fandom). Buck’s storyline is just as meaningful with or without an endgame of buddie. Tbh I hope they make eddie queer as well but don’t put buddie together because the only way they get together without violating workplace relationship rules is if one of them leaves, which is arguably less meaningful because we lose a main character. Sorry if this comes off as rude but y’all have had your shipping brains on for too long because you can’t recognise how much this means to bisexual fans and it’s honestly exhausting.

Okay gonna address that bottom part first just to clarify real quick that I am in fact a bisexual fan 🫡 so that assumption was 😐

As for the rest:

If you look on my page or my previous asks or anything you’d see that I’m over the moon ecstatic over finally getting bi buck

At no point did I make buck being bi just about his ships, in almost every ask about bucktommy or buddie me and most of the anons are constantly reiterating how much we value canon bi buck even if it wasn’t EXACTLY how we wanted it

At no point in any of my previous posts nor in the ask response that I’m assuming you sent this ask about did I imply that bucks coming out arc is of more value when connected to buddie

The post/ask was about bucktommy as endgame or buddie as endgame and my opinion on it and my opinion is that it would be more powerful and meaningful to have buddie

To answer your question on why- buddie yes have a lot of in common with bucktommy but the thing that makes it for me is that

1. Queer slowburns done right are practically unheard of in the media

2. As you’ve touched on yeah Eddie is a Latino man but also we got to see Eddie grow as a person get into therapy, deal with his issues with his father and being a man of the house, be a widow and raise a son

Can you name a single character who we see on screen go from this all American soldier perfect boy to seeing him breakdown, get therapy understand comp het, fall in love with his best friend and navigate how he balances coming out in his 30s while having very mixed and complicated feelings about his dead wife who I genuinely believe he loved in some way but also having to come out to his son who is bound to have his own complicated feelings about it?

3. We’ve had so much history and so many powerful scenes between these two that to me and many of the fandom nothing can measure up to, like if they do become canon like it would mean a lot because their story and scenes over the years have been so amazing and powerful

4. Theyd be listening to what the fans want/have wanted for years!! That’s huge because so many shows never make characters queer because the fans saw them as it or shipped them and when on those rare occasions they do they take the easy way out and make one half of them queer to get fans to shut up (cough cough a certain cw show)

Also I never trashed on bucktommy because I don’t ick someones yum all I said is i agree and I don’t get those who want them to be endgame and I do make jokes about my own shipping goggles but seriously I am self aware and I do keep being VERY conscious that some may misunderstand me as not valuing bi buck just because we didn’t get buddie when that couldn’t be further from the truth

[dr-futbol-blog]

Trinity, Pt. 1

So, Trinity (S02E06). The title of the episode refers to the triune godhead of the Christian religion, being the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, but that seems to have little bearing on the plot. Much more relevant is the fact that Trinity was the code name of the first nuclear explosion created by man which was a major step along the path our species has taken toward self-destruction, and in fact the Manhattan Project is mentioned in the episode multiple times.

The name of the test is likely a clever way of referring to TNT (TriNiTy), the yield of nuclear explosions enumerated in kilotons of TNT (Trinitrotoluene), albeit J. Robert Oppenheimer later waxed poetic about having named it after John Donne's Batter my heart, three-person'd God.* Given that the nuclear test and the fallout that follows is an obvious metaphor for what happens in the plot of the episode, the poem may hold some insight as to where Sheppard and McKay are left after the resolution of the episode. It is a definite turning point in their relationship, and while it takes a long time to mend what is broken here, this also allows them to reach a deeper understanding of who they are in relation to each other. What happens is heart-breaking but very necessary down the line.

But at the outset of the episode, everything seems fine. Everything is normal. The team is in the jumper out on another mission, and again we find McKay and Ronon getting to know each other, McKay trying to make nice with the new guy. And as they did in the previous episode, food seems to be their common denominator:

McKay: I'm just saying as a team veteran to the new guy, heavy lunch before mission departure: bad idea. I mean, even with the inertial dampeners, this whole flying thing is best done on an empty stomach. Dex: Yeah, well, I've got a pretty strong stomach. McKay: Hey, I can eat frozen dinners without thawing them. It's not as if it even affects me.

Now, McKay may come across as a bit of a know-it-all here, as though he is trying to assert dominance and secure his own spot on the team by offering to show the new guy the ropes. But his tendency to use his knowledge and experience to lord over others stems from his poor self-esteem. Because he thinks that his ability to do things for others is the only thing that people appreciate about him, why they want to keep him around, in sharing his knowledge he is trying to offer people the only thing about him that might be worth something. It is easily misunderstood as having an ego, thinking that he is better than everyone around him, when it is trying to mask the fact that he thinks the exact opposite of this is true. He is worthless, and it is only if he can do something useful for someone, like giving Ronon hard-earned advice about away-missions, that he may gain a modicum of acceptance.

Food is frequently a metaphor, symbolic of love and sex. McKay boasts of his ability to eat frozen dinners without thawing them out but this is actually pretty concerning. This is precisely the kind of thing he occasionally mentions offhand that (unintentionally) reveals some rather dark aspects of his past that he seems to think are perfectly normal. The fact that one would even have needed to try this out speaks of worrisome times in his past when he has either been working so hard so as not to even have time to microwave food or that he has been so poor so as not to be able to afford electricity, either as a student or some part of his childhood. The way he says it, he has eaten more than one frozen dinner without heating it up in his life. It seems as though there has been some food insecurity in his past and given that he is a hypoglycemic that needs to eat regularly, there must have been some tough times in his past. And it makes it understandable that he tries to make sure that he receives regular sustenance now that he is in a place in his life where it is possible. His need to feed himself is shown in a comedic light multiple times when the root of the issue may be nothing of the kind.

But at the same time, that is just what a frozen dinner eaten cold is: sustenance. It sustains but gives no pleasure, to flip what the wraith told the Magistrate in the previous episode. It is enough to live by but it is not much of a life. A frozen dinner is a quick and emotionless handjob here, maybe getting some head there, and one may think that their needs are being met but it is a far cry from having sex with someone you love, from making love. That is a multiple course dinner at a nice restaurant. That is a sandwich lovingly made by someone that cares about you. They are very different, and it is sad that McKay has had to resort to this. It is sad that it appears so familiar to him as to seem normal.

We see Sheppard listening in on this discussion going on behind him, and he seems rather upset. It is unlikely that he is upset about McKay and Ronon chatting, as that is probably something he likes to hear and may even have encouraged. He wants McKay to get to know Ronon and he wants Ronon to get to know McKay. And while it is true that eating frozen dinners without thawing them out must be very alien to his own history, there should be nothing upsetting about the concept as such. His upset is more likely directed at the implications of what McKay was saying. It is possible, even likely, that he knows enough about McKay's past to understand just what he is referring to, and it may even be that he is able to put two and two together better than McKay himself can. He may be able to see aspects of McKay's past clearer than he can see them himself just because he is too close to the events of his own life and hence is unable to look at them as a neutral observer. And while Sheppard is far from a neutral observer, it does upset Sheppard that McKay's past is so clearly one of the things that he knows he can't protect him from. And so he sounds gruff as he finally engages him:

Sheppard: McKay. Are you reading anything? McKay: Nothing. Life signs from the planet are negative.

In spite of the appearance of everything being normal, it seems as though again something has changed since the previous episode. Sheppard called him Rodney almost throughout the entire episode, only switching to McKay by the end. And now, he again seems to feel the need to put some distance between them by calling him by his surname. Not only that, but Sheppard seems to interrupt McKay in the middle of his discussion with Ronon as though he is either impatient or annoyed by what he is listening to. But it is difficult to determine whether his apparent attitude is caused by the present situation or whether there is some underlying reason for him to interrupt McKay in the middle of his rather relaxed chat with Ronon. Of course it is possible that he just wants to draw the man's attention back to the mission at hand but that is not something Sheppard seems to have ever felt the need to do previously. Much more likely he cannot handle the fact that McKay's attention is on someone other than him. It is also possible that he feels jealous of the easy and relaxed way McKay seems to be talking to Ronon, when everything between the two of them is so complicated.

Of course it is possible that something has taken place between the episodes but it may also have been his almost complete failure of keeping McKay safe, in spite of all of his efforts McKay being saved from wraith bombardment by only a hair's breadth, that makes him feel like he needs that distance. Another reason may be the presence of Caldwell on Atlantis during this time which would probably also have made him feel like he needed to keep a distance to McKay. If he seemed to feel more free among his own people during the previous episode, having a superior officer on base was certainly enough to warrant feeling more cautious, would make him feel more unfree, and referring to McKay by his surname across the board while the Daedalus was on Atlantis was a safe bet. But it isn't just Sheppard, either. The way McKay responds to him is very professional and to the point, cool to the point of almost being cold. He is merely giving Sheppard the information he requested and nothing more, using military parlance to do it. If it is Caldwell's presence that has made Sheppard withdraw anew, McKay certainly seems to feel some kind of way about that.

The team appears to be exploring a planet that they have found in the Ancient database on Atlantis and upon approach through the space gate, they come across debris in the upper atmosphere of the planet. We get some exposition to set the mood:

Teyla: Then it is a shame. From what we read in the Atlantis database, the Dorandans were a wonderful race of people. McKay: Well, the database is over ten thousand years old. You can bet things have changed around here. Sheppard: OK. That's not something you see every day.

Like he did in the previous episode, we see McKay leaning over Sheppard's shoulder trying to see out of the window. But their disposition toward one another is very different. Where on Olesia it seemed like their attention was at least as much on the other man as it was on the space craft they were watching, it now seems as though both of their attention is squarely on the space debris before them. Now, for Sheppard it is reasonable to keep his focus on flying through the debris (although we frequently do see him do unreasonable things when it comes to McKay) but again it is perhaps even more noticeable that McKay seems to give Sheppard very little attention, to give him the proverbial cold shoulder, really turning his attention on Sheppard for the first time only as he starts talking about holes.

Teyla: There was a great battle here. That is a hive ship. Dex: That was a hive ship. Sheppard: Something put a lot of holes in it alright. We should check it out. McKay: Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa! What if whatever put the holes in it wants to put holes in us? Sheppard: Well, you just said, a lot's changed in ten thousand years.

The fact that something has changed is lampshaded here. Something between them has changed. Here, Sheppard does not respond to McKay's amusing way of phrasing his concern for their safety, and given that McKay being McKay and McKay's safety are usually some of the main attractions for Sheppard's attention, this also is somewhat curious. There is no reason to think that both have suddenly vanished without a trace, so this can be explained by Sheppard purposefully distancing himself from his emotions and his instinctual behaviour or as the result of him feeling supremely tense for some reason. If in the beginning of the previous episode he seemed relaxed and at ease, not unlike a man that had recently had sex, here he seems almost the opposite of that. They are both pent up and irritable, even though they are trying to remain neutral.

McKay: That would explain the lack of life signs. Dex: This is what usually happens when you fight back. Sheppard: These folks took out a fleet of wraith ships. I'd say they did a pretty good job of fighting back.

There is a lampshade here also: there is a distinct lack of life signs that have an explanation. We see barely a hint of their connection here but there is a reason for it. This episode is using negative space to tell us things about Sheppard and McKay. If there is any meta commentary here, it may be that there had been some resistance to pursuing this storyline between them behind the scenes which is further commented upon toward the end of the season, and as discussed previously, on episodic television there is often a chance for course correction toward the mid-point of the season where we do see another change in how the narrative is approached. Meta meta aside, this episode is also that "first fight" about which they learn to laugh much, much later that is referenced in Harmony (S04E14). And such fights can lead to near total devastation because there is so much emotion involved.

It seems as though the mystery that is unfolding around them is enough for both of them to start getting excited about the mission, and they are able to put what ever it is that seems to be chafing between them temporarily on pause. They are professionals, after all. And in his excitement, McKay again leans over Sheppard's shoulder, getting very close to him as he points at where they should go.

McKay: Hold on. I'm picking up faint energy readings coming from... there. That would explain how they were able to put up such a good fight. Sheppard: How? McKay: Because... they were Ancients.

And as McKay leans over Sheppard, the tone in which he speaks, almost in a whisper in reverence of the scene before them, does tell us that there is still definite sexual tension between them. What McKay says and how he says it are so divorced that he might have said anything at all to Sheppard in this tone and had an effect on him. And it is unlikely it was McKay's intention to be seductive here, his excitement over having discovered an apparent Ancient outpost merely made him forget that he isn't supposed to be like this around Sheppard, that they are not this anymore. As he whispers, he even turns toward Sheppard, speaking the words into his ear. And hearing McKay's tone, Sheppard also does finally turn to look behind him at McKay having starved himself from looking at the thing he most wants to look at up until this point, although even here he is definitely trying not to react to McKay at all. But McKay is not making it easy. There appears to be a scent of something cooking that is drawing him in, and it is not from a frozen dinner served unthawed.

Continued in Pt. 2

-*

Batter my heart, three-person'd God

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend; That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new. I, like an usurp'd town to another due, Labor to admit you, but oh, to no end; Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend, But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue. Yet dearly I love you, and would be lov'd fain, But am betroth'd unto your enemy; Divorce me, untie or break that knot again, Take me to you, imprison me, for I, Except you enthrall me, never shall be free, Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.

[callmethehunter]

Oh dear Anon, you have made my day! These are great questions about my favorite subject in the world: Robert Plant.:D And as far as that goes, I could (and will) go on and on about this forever, I’ve got so much to say!!

I’ve been obsessed with Robert’s music as well as with his personal life for years. I find him to be a multifaceted, highly talented and intelligent person who embodies traits that one would think were mutually exclusive, yet are somehow at home in him. He is without a doubt, totally outrageous and extroverted, he wants to be the center of attention, yet he is also reclusive, a deep thinker who is keenly aware of the world around him while also being introspective and self-aware. In his own words he has said

“It's part of me to get off on those moments where... well, what people would call attention. Obviously, that isn't the be-all and end-all of life, but at the states of creativity that I've reached, well, it helps the lyrics along a little bit.”

“ I’m pleased with how ridiculous I am. I like me. Though I’m not a huge fan. I know when to switch me off.”

I do think he has a very warm heart. He is genuinely interested in other people, in experiencing the most out of any given situation.

In my opinion, he loves the idea and the feeling of falling in love. He gets off more on that than on the longevity. It’s like he’s got ADHD in the aspect of love lol!! I say this because of the number of serious relationships (and not so serious relationships) that he has had in his life. I’m sure he was saddened when they ended, but then he’s moved on to the next great infatuation and adventure. He’s quite capable of starting again, as he has shown multiple times both in his personal and professional life. But I also think it’s a testimony to his heart that he’s been able to continue to be friends with his past loves. “There have been people I've warmed to over the years but, as the situation I'm in is so fleeting and transient, I've always known it's going to be over kind of real quick.”

I mean think about this: after having children with two sisters, Maureen (his exwife) and Shirley, they have been able to raise their children in what looks like a loving extended family. His sons, Logan (with Maureen) and Jesse (with Shirley), are half-brothers as well as first cousins. Just think on that for a moment. In a recent picture, there’s the entire family on vacation: Maureen, Shirley and their children with Robert, as well as Robert and a previous girlfriend, Jessica something or other (don’t remember her name). He’s not confined to societal conventions. He could give a flying fuck. I love that free spirit and he himself has said (and I paraphrase) that he may come across as being a good mate, but in reality he’s out to do whatever the fuck he wants. (And it shows!! )

He says, “...if you do what you think is right for the benefit of everybody and everything and you make decisions, then to go back and regret them afterwards - it's a futile experience and it's not worth thinking about. Because life just unfolds. Provided you do your best and you think you're on the right track, you can only be right or wrong. But to regret it - I don't think there are any huge errors or misdemeanors.”

In the area of friendship, however, he is fiercely loyal. He and Bonzo were like brothers till the end, and even still, Robert honors his dear friend. He’s also been able to maintain friendships with so many people from his hometown- people he knew before he was famous. He puts away the trappings of fame and fortune to be the good old Black Country boy, riding horses and playing with goats, walking around in the forests and enjoying nature.

“I think I could sing and shear a few sheep at the same time.” He is the picture of the word “earthiness”. Able to be the rock god on stage as well as the humble farmer on the farm or at the local pub. He’s loyal to his soccer team and to the sport itself which has been a lifelong passion. And I love that in him.

Is he a hedonist? Absolutely, he has tasted every pleasure there is to taste. His every material wish could be a reality in an instant...He has done drugs, had hundreds of one night stands. He is a highly sensual man. IMO the sexiest man that’s ever walked the planet. His sizeable bulge perpetually stands* as a symbol (no pun intended*) of his virility and lust (and I like it!!) He exudes charisma and raw sexual energy. He’s done it all to the highest level, partied and cavorted around the globe. What a life he’s lived!!

But in his lyrics there is also a deep spiritual side of him: I think he is a modern day troubadour and philosopher. His lyrics touch on that, “it is the springtime of my loving” ….“In the light you will find the road” “when all is one and one is all” “Then as it was, then again it will be, though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea” and I could go on and on with other examples. These are just what popped in my head. “I am a reflection of what I sing. Sometimes I have to get serious because the things Ive been through are serious” He’s had moments where he is the “golden god” as well as tragic moments such as the loss of his 5 year old son and the loss of his dear friend Bonzo. These are definitely reflected in his music.

All in all, in his own words:

“I'm like one of those firecrackers that goes off in your pocket occasionally. I'm not really struggling with it as much as the people around me. But at least I'm not doing too much damage to anybody or to myself. It's just the condition I'm aware of.

And he’s still got a twinkle in his eye.

Thank you for letting me go and on about this man, he holds such a special place in my heart. He is a beautiful and joyous old hippie full of wisdom and talent.. He has created a lasting legacy and I hold the deepest admiration for him, despite his human frailties or shortcomings.

[dwellordream]

thoughts on HOTD, episode 4, season 2 (spoilers below)

enjoying the continued focus on daemon's dream states. i like that the show is not afraid to focus on the underlying darkness of the daemon/rhaenyra relationship, and that it even names his actions as predatory. not because i need the show to moralize to me about it, but because it makes daemon a more nuanced character for him to have subconscious guilt and self-loathing over his relationship- he realizes he did take advantage of rhaenyra's naivety and idolization of him, and while he doesn't regret it, he does fear that part of him loved rhaenyra *the most* when she was young and easily idealized as the charming, impulsive princess, not a wife and mother with real world worries and mistrust of his intentions.

aemond stunting on aegon by flaunting that cole trusts him more, and that he has superior knowledge of valyrian- thus implying he is the more 'fit' heir, was pretty well done. that said, i think the rook's rest plan is dumb in canon and dumb here. hoping to corner rhaenys (or any dragon rider) specifically at a castle surrounded by open air and the sea just seems silly. i acknowledge that the writers could likely only change the circumstances of the ambush so much, it just irks me.

all the harrenhal scenes in this episode are fantastic. the sheer atmosphere and the spectacular set design go a long way to contributing to the gothic thrills. i wish the show could always be this openly fantastical. and gayle rankin's alys is excellent- i love her slightly nasal accent, her kirtle, her long hair- just everything about her. an actress with less charisma could not sell her blatant manipulative attitude or the snippets of dry humor. i'm excited to see her and aemond in a scene together.

i'm curious to see how long alicent's apathy and nihilism lasts. a lot of people have compared her to GoT's cersei in this episode, and i can see it, although i don't think cersei was ever quite so blasé about her son's reign. i suspect we may see her 'snap out of it' when she is confronted with the extent of aegon's wounds, though i hope she doesn't revert straight back to self loathing and blaming herself for it.

jace's reaction to rhaenyra's return is essentially that of an exasperated father confronting his teenaged daughter after she returns from a party at 2 am. i do think it is silly that rhaenyra confesses to her council that she made a last ditch effort for peace- it makes her look impulsive and naive in front of them. i think the writers are attempting to show that yes, it was foolhardy and that jace is right to be horrified, but i did laugh out loud when rhaenyra admits that she, just now, has decided to fully commit to the war.

the show's reliance on the prophecy of ice and fire is stupid- but i do like the idea of House Targaryen having a narrative they constantly reinforce to themselves whenever they need a justification for their actions. i'm not railing against rhaenyra using this as an excuse at this point- i just wish the show leaned less on this 'chosen one' narrative.

the scene of Vhagar lurking in the woods was some fantastic framing- very Jurassic Park, and the initial entry of Vhagar into the dragon duel is very well done. the entire fight scene, i thought, was fantastically choreographed- it truly was like a dance between first Meleys and Sunfyre, then Meleys and Vhagar. a lot of people were furious that the show depicts Aemond deliberately waiting to enter the battle when he realizes Aegon has shown up unexpectedly, and then having Aemond choose to attack while Meleys and Sunfyre are interlocked- but Aemond attacking without concern for Sunfyre and Aegon is what happened in Fire & Blood.

additionally, while some people have claimed that Rhaenys had 'ample time to flee' from the battle, the scene makes it clear that Meleys was badly injured, even before Vhagar gets her jaws around Meleys' neck. Rhaenys was either going to be hunted down and caught by Vhagar, or turn back and go out fighting, and that's what she chose to do.

overall, i'd say this episode was a solid 8.5/10. the last 20 minutes were amazing, especially the evocative 'dance' of the battle, and the harrenhal scenes were great as well.

[lyranova]

Can I request Acier & Nozel for your slots? But not too angsty if possible, more fluffy 🥰

Hiya Vilandel! Of course you may! This fic is very, very fluffy and is just a small drabble showing the two “working” together for the first time, and I hope you enjoy 🥰!

Word Count: 597

Warnings: None

————

“ Nozel? What are you doing down here?” Acier asked curiously as she looked underneath her desk.

Sitting there, with papers and books around him, was her young son Nozel. He looked up from the papers and smiled at his mom.

“ I’m helping you!” Acier tilted her head.

“ You’re helping me?” She repeated with a small smile, kneeling down on the ground beside him.

“ Mhm! You’re always really busy with work, so I thought maybe I could help you so we can play more,” He told her sheepishly as he looked back down at all the paper, Acier smiled sadly before reaching out to pat her son's head.

Hearing him say that he wanted to help her so they could play more broke Acier’s heart. She thought she had been balancing her work and family life really well; but it seems that she was very mistaken. The last thing she had ever wanted to do was make her children feel like they were ‘second’ to her job as Captain…

“ But all of this work is so hard~,” Nozel whined as he looked back up at his mother. “ I don’t understand what any of this is saying, and there’s so many papers and books I need to read. It’s all just really hard!”

“ You must be really, really smart to be able to do all of this, mom!” He exclaimed with a smile, his face beaming with pride. She blinked in surprise.

“ I…wouldn’t go that far-,” She began sheepishly, but he quickly shook his head.

“ But you are! I don’t think there’s anyone else in the world that could do this,” Nozel began, his tone still excited but holding a serious edge to them. “ I hope I’m half as smart as you when I become Captain someday!”

Acier, once again, was taken aback by her sons words.

“ You want to become Captain of the Silver Eagles?” She asked, her voice full of surprise.

Nozel nodded firmly.

“ I do! When I grow up, I want to be a Magic Knight Captain, just like you!” He announced proudly.

For a moment, she just stared at him in bewilderment. His eyes were full of emotion; pride, excitement, passion, love, and determination. All the same emotions she remembered herself having when she had finally decided on becoming a Magic Knight.

She immediately pulled Nozel into her arms and hugged him tightly.

“ M-Mom?” Nozel stammered in confusion, it wasn’t unusual for his mother to hug him without warning, but this time felt…different somehow.

What Nozel didn’t know was that he was one of the only people in Acier’s life to have ever been proud of her. Her family fully expected her to reach the heights she did, and her husbands family only saw her achievements as a way to boost their own family’s interests. But none of them had ever once said, or even shown, how proud they were of her.

And Nozel telling her how much he admired her and showing her how proud he was of her…just warmed her heart and made it light up in joy.

After Acier pulled away she softly apologized to her son, saying that she had just gotten carried away due to how proud of him she was. She then proposed an idea: the two of them would work on the paperwork together as part of his ‘Magic Knight Training’, and once they were done they would take the day off and go play.

Nozel quickly agreed, and Acier made him a steel desk, gave him a few pieces of paper, and the two did “paperwork” together.

————

Thank you all so much for reading and I hope you all have a good day~!

[liam-summers]

Just thinking about the way that Buffy and Angel are each other’s touchstone throughout both series. When they’re together, they find comfort, companionship, understanding and love in each other even when they’re going through bad times. And then when they break up, they both have their own lives but every time they make it through a rough patch, they run to see each other and it helps them get back to center. 

In the Yoko Factor, they come together after a few failed attempts at navigating a post-breakup dynamic. They establish a new phase in their relationship, defined by understanding, respect, and friendship.  

In Forever, Buffy needs someone to lean on after her mother’s death and Angel shows up for her, offering her a safe space to talk about her inner thoughts, which she often hesitates to share with anyone else, out of fear of being unable to shoulder her responsibilities if she allows herself to break down, because she has so much on her plate that she doesn’t know if she can put herself back together after. Having him there allowed her a moment to express her grief, her guilt, her fears, without having to worry about burdening him because he’s the only one she knows can shoulder those responsibilities as well as she can. I believe her when she says that she wouldn’t have been able to make it through the night without him and I believe that her breakthrough with Dawn at the end of the episode happened because of the relief that she got out of her night with Angel. 

Angel also had just gone through a very dark period in his own life and was still trying to put the pieces back together with his people but he shows up because he knows how important Joyce was to Buffy and he knows that she needs him there by her side to help her get through this. I truly believe that that reunion centred him just as much as it did Buffy. His first act of kindness after his epiphany was showing up for the first person who had ever shown him kindness and the person who taught him that “Strong is fighting. It’s hard and it’s painful and it’s everyday. It’s what we have to do and we can do it together", a concept that he himself had just rediscovered when he realized that “If nothing we do matters then all that matters is what we do”.

And then their post resurrection meeting. We may not know what happened during that meeting, but we do know that they both dropped everything to see each other because Buffy died and Angel mourned and they both needed that touchstone after she came back because they’re still so important to each other. 

Finally, we have End of days/Chosen. This was the longest period of time they had gone without seeing each other, almost 2 years. During that time apart, they had both gone through some pretty horrifying things, so it was only right that they come together after to center themselves. This reunion actually makes so much sense, contrary to what people might say. Angel had just given up his son, his friend was in a coma and he had just signed up to run an evil law firm. But he still went to Sunnydale to help Buffy. He went back to do the one thing he knows how to do best: fight by her side, shoulder to shoulder. He put all of his issues aside for a moment and went back to the feeling that Buffy has always brought out in him: inspiration and hope. As for Buffy, she has the weight of the world on her shoulders once again in the fight against The First but when Angel arrives we see her light up for the first time in a long time. She laughs and quips. She talks about her inner thoughts and feelings in ways she hasn’t talked about in a very long time. We find out more about her feelings for Sp*ke, her feelings about herself and her future from her one conversation with Angel than any of the conservations she’s had with her friends and family. He’s always been THAT person for her and that has never changed.

I just believe that at the end of the day, these are two people whose bond is a vital part of who they are, whether they’re together or apart. So it’s really not surprising to me that they would pick up where they left off every time they come together again and that they would be each other’s touchstone over the years, even when their lives couldn’t be more separate, they always somehow find their way back to each other. 

[howaboutcaptainwesker]

On Jake Muller's mother

Anyone else think way too hard about her and Wesker?

Before I begin this I would like to apologize for the way that I write despite English being my primary language 🔥

RE6 introduces Jake Muller, Albert Wesker's stupid son. I'm sure the thought "omg Wesker fucked" crossed everyone's minds when this plot point was first revealed

I personally had the thoughts "RE6 was dumb as hell and the whole thing with Wesker having a son probably wasn't thought out very well. This is a detail that doesn't matter." and "It was probably a quickie with a stranger - someone he sought out specifically to have sex with. Someone he didn't care about."

We don't have a lot of information on Jake's mom, except:

[These are from the RE6 files Jake's Family Situation / Written Report on Jake Muller]

She was born in Edonia

She was in her early 20's when she immigrated to the USA from Edonia and had the chance to meet Wesker

She returned to Edonia and gave birth to Jake without telling Wesker

She was mild-mannered and did her best to raise Jake

She loved Wesker

She died from an illness that she couldn't afford to treat

and

Wesker is described to have "abandoned" her and Jake

Just the fact that she was still in love with Wesker as Jake was growing up gives the impression that they had something a little more than a random quick fuck. Like, please read this letter to Jake from his mom.

"I love you, Jake. I'm so sorry to have to leave you like this. Please forgive me. And please, don't hate your father. I'm sure he loves you and is thinking about you, and I know you two will find each other someday. Stay strong."

RE6 takes place in 2013, and at that time Jake was 20 years old. If he was born in 1993, that means he was conceived in 1992-1993. According to Wesker's Report II, Wesker left the Arklay Laboratory in 1991 and transferred to Umbrella's intelligence division/information department.

(I refuse to believe that Wesker was in the army. I cannot find a reliable source for it beyond the '96 BIO HAZARD guide book published by Kodansha, a 1994 bio image from when he was still named Hustler, and this bio image that I cannot for the life of me find the source for.)

Wesker was absolutely not immune to attraction. Upon inspecting his desk 50x in a row in the original RE2, you can take an undeveloped roll of film from it that turns out to be a photo of Rebecca in an R.P.D. sports bra + shorts set.

(You could argue that he was simply keeping tabs/info on everyone while he was Captain because he was sooooo careful like that. But I'm not seeing an undeveloped film of Barry in a skimpy little outfit hidden deep within his desk, so... 🤨)

You know what? Sorry for pointing this out, but it's been weighing heavy on my mind. This is the only time I'm ever gonna get to talk about this. In 1998, Rebecca was 18, and Wesker was 38. Jake Muller's mom was described as being in her early 20's when she immigrated to the US. Wesker was 32-33 when he impregnated Ms. Muller. Every fiber of my being thinks he may have had a thing for sweet, young brunette women.

...Anyway, I'm sure Wesker was at least somewhat nice to Jake's mom, especially considering how much she loved him even years later. Wesker is an arrogant bastard, but he's shown time and time again that he's very capable of playing nice with others. (See: S.T.A.R.S. and Excella.)

I mean, every time he played nice it was because he had ulterior motives, but I don't think he had any reason to manipulate Jake's mom. If he wanted quick sex, he could've gone out and had it with anyone. He wasn't working at the Arklay Laboratory in the middle fuck-ass nowhere anymore. And he wasn't in S.T.A.R.S. yet, so he wasn't in the public eye. If he wanted to get his dick wet and be done with it, he could've done exactly that, but he stuck around Ms. Muller long enough for her to develop strong feelings.

As for the abandoning part... I'm just grasping for anything at this point, but I'm sure that after a while Wesker realized that this (relationship?) wasn't something he could, or wanted to keep up. Nothing was more important to Wesker than his plans. Everything he did was to further his own goals, and Ms. Muller didn't fit into them. Plus he never had issues cutting ties.

The fact that Jake's mom left without a single word about her pregnancy makes me think that he gave her a very good reason not to contact him. I mean, maybe he just up and disappeared one day, but the way that things are worded in the RE6 files gives the impression that Ms. Muller chose not to contact him, not that she couldn't.

Maybe he said something along the lines of "I can't see you anymore." As for a good reason, "I'm not someone you want to associate with; I'm not someone you're going to be able to see in the long run." And then for good measure, "Please do not try to reach me."

--- Stop reading here I accidentally wrote fanfic ---

I can't stop thinking about all the possible ways they could have met, and what Wesker saw in her, and what she saw in him in return.

This is cheesy and overdone, but maybe they met at a coffee shop Wesker frequented. Ms. Muller saw him regularly, and thought he was a little funny in the way he ordered the same thing every day and never seemed to take off those dark sunglasses.

Small glances and acknowledgements of his presence turned into greetings and smiles. Each of them became a part of the others' daily routine, until one day Ms. Muller decided to strike up a conversation.

Wesker, who is usually too caught up in his own ideas and goals to care about anyone but himself, finds that he doesn't particularly mind the woman's presence. Wesker finds it easy to speak to her - refreshing, even. These interactions are not an inconvenience.

Ms. Muller, in my head, would be the first one to suggest that they hang out beyond their little coffee shop encounters. I don't think the thought would have even occurred to Wesker - and he'd surprise himself by saying yes.

Wesker ends up taking nice, long walks with her. Talking with her but mostly just listening to her speak, because although he finds her to be foolish in her naivety and kindness, he also finds her charming for those exact traits. I don't think he'd tell her a damn thing about what he does or what his main interests are.

Maybe he even spends a bit of money on her. He doesn't splurge, of course - money, although he cares not for it, is a tool he could use at a later date. But that necklace she saw through the shop window, or a small lunch when they've both got the time... spending money on those things is harmless enough. Just this once.

I doubt Wesker would want anyone over at his place, even if it does lack many personal touches because all he uses it for is to shower and sleep. He hates the thought of anyone touching, or worse, looking through his things.

But he'd be fine going over to her place, and he ends up doing just that, saying 'yes' to her invitation and...

--- End fanfic ---

TL;DR Wesker caught feelings for a nice young woman from Edonia, engaged in some terrible missionary with her maybe once (maybe several times), and then probably cut things off because he remembered he's evil

[sunnyrosewritesstuff]

yes im not done but whose fault is that??

#7 #9 #17 for 'the twelve transformations of bilbo baggins' cuz that fic is filled with gems and i wanna know about your favorites<3

LOL KEEP THEM COMING! Gives me something to do since my students haven't shown up yet. 😂 Okay going over to The Twelve Transformations of Bilbo Baggins for this set.

7. What is your favorite scene you have written so far?

Okay so this used to be the firefly scene! I absolutely adored writing Baby Bilbo and Thorin having that conversation about fireflies in their respective families and cultures. But...I think I just wrote a scene in this next chapter that tops it.

“And what is my life without you in it?!”

Bilbo felt his breath hitch at those words. Partly due to the sheer romanticism of the sentiment, but mostly because a thought occurred to him. His life was limited if he did not choose a transformation. In just a few short cycles, he would be nothing but dust on the wind. Was a dwarf’s One truly that vital to them? Could Thorin not go on to be the king he deserved to be because heartache would drag him down into a lifeless husk? Bilbo had to hope that wasn’t true. He had to believe that the love of his nephews, his company, his people would be enough for him to carry on in Bilbo’s absence and that Thorin was merely being dramatic at the moment.

It was so hard though. Especially with Thorin’s piercing blue eyes boring into him, demanding from Bilbo. Demanding his attention. Demanding his understanding. Demanding a promise to never act so rashly again. And damn him that it was on the tip of Bilbo’s tongue to grant it all to him. To give himself over to the worry and misplaced protection and cuddle himself up in Thorin’s arms to never emerge. Yet, Bilbo’s pride was a curious thing. Nowhere on par with what he has seen from this Son of Durin, but enough for him to push back. To be argumentative for the sake of argumentative. And Bilbo has never hated a trait about himself more.

“Yet, in a few short days, you send me to the den of a dragon.” He hissed, very careful to keep their words between them. “You don’t get to demand my life and offer my sacrifice in the same breath.”

9. What is your favorite line of dialogue so far?

You know what? We're going back to that firefly scene. 😆

“You know, I never liked the dark.” He admitted. “I could make up so many monsters that had somehow appeared in dark corners. So when I was little, my mum and I used to spend the evening catching lightning bugs and putting them in a jar. We would then place the jar next to my bed before I went to sleep, and the glow would comfort me. However, I’d always wake up the next morning…and they’d be gone! I figured out later in life, my mum would come in and let them out through the window. Much too kind to let them die overnight, but… I always just thought they turned into dreams.”

Thorin hummed appreciatively, and Bilbo thought that may be the end of share time when the dwarf opened his mouth once more.

“We didn’t have fireflies, as my people call them, inside the mountain when I was a pebble. But we had glow worms that would cling to the stalactites in the deep caverns. Their light was more blue than green. Still after Smaug came, and we were spending so many nights camped out under the stars, I would see the fireflies and think…the glow worms sprouted wings and followed after us. Because even they couldn’t stand us not being back in our mountain home.”

This may in fact be my favorite scene/lines that I've every written EVER.

17. Share the previous 5 sentences.

Okay so from exactly the last point I wrote on this WIP, these are the previous 5 lines:

Bilbo couldn’t help but give him a wide grin. There was something about the way Thorin never truly relented. Even on the idea of retaking Erebor, that managed to fill Bilbo’s heart up with hope. He made Bilbo want to be braver. 

“Well then, let’s kick out your dragon, then.”

Ask me about the WIPs I'm writing.

[edgyandoverzealous]

Hot take(possibly??): most of the demigods in pjo/toa/hoo are villain coded. Not all but a lot of them and the best part of this is they're villain coded but they're known as untouchable heroes which is incredibly interesting for me.

For example, the cliche, the obvious, Percy. I love him don't get me wrong but that man's fatal flaw is canonically his loyalty, his personal loyalties specifically. The reason he went on his first quest initially was to bring his mom back from the underworld, essentially back from the dead because his mom is extremely important to him more so than his dad who was absent most his life, not retrieving the lightning bolt though he did end up doing that and Hades had Sally safe and well. The common saying is "a hero will sacrifice the one he loves to save the world. a villain will burn the world to keep the one he loves safe." You cannot look me dead in the eyes and tell me Percy Jackson, the man who while angry and bitter about his mother's "death" and this quest sent Medusa's head in a box to olympus, who after falling for Annabeth couldn't forget her even when Hera wiped his memory, would EVER let anything happen to her. He went to literal hell with her has killed monsters in brutal dark ways while in said hell and even before that jumped into siren infested waters to save Annabeth personal safety and quest be damned. He has turned down immortality for her. The gods could give him an ultimatum and he would choose Annabeth every time over anything, except his mortal family, but even then Percy would save everyone and then burn Olympus for daring to make him make that choice.

Additionally another one of my favorites who is increasingly more complex or at the very least somewhat the opposite to Percy in his villain coding is Nico Di Angelo.

For starters he's lost so much and has failed to save whoever was most important to him, twice. His fatal flaw is canonically, that he holds grudges, which is specifically noted to be dangerous for kids of Hades. Probably because demigods have shown on multiple occasions to have their powers connected to their emotions. IE: Percy through the entire first book and Nico in his first battle with Percy where he essentially summons an army in a panic. Or possibly because of their connection to death, the afterlife, and creatures from the underworld. Luckily this son of Hades is in control as he gets older so it's most likely the ladder in this case. Anyways after Percy got his sister, the only person Nico had left, killed Nico started running and using avoidance as a coping mechanism. Which in itself is a classic villain backstory set up because once someone has nothing they can be pushed to risk everything. However, my personal hypothesis is he spent that time running to avoid a violent outburst and act out on his grudge to cause Percy harm or put him into harms way, on top of the crushing guilt he must've felt for having a crush on the one who got his sister killed. To gain control over his emotions and come to terms with his new reality without his sister and with his new lineage and powers associated with. When he first comes back he is untrusting and distant. Then there was the whole "I have a friend who fully accepts me and I may be able to learn how to love again, trust again, and have friends" thing with Jason and then Rick killed him. That alone gives Nico more than a right to be angry and start fucking shit up tm. But he didn't and now he has Will. Classic case of the fooled me once shame on me fooled me twice shame on you imo. The set up for the same to happen again is underway as well. So at the very least three strikes you're out because I genuinely believe if anything happens to Will, Nico will no longer follow the heroes path. I believe the world would crumble and quake beneath his feet as the most guttural scream escapes his mouth. The dead will rise as he storms Olympus for giving him a story so cruel despite how hard he's fought and how good he's tried to be. I believe he would raise hell so intensely that the gods themselves would resurrect Will in fear of being overthrown by the wrath of the prince of darkness.

[cottagedreamy]

I am bored, so let me make a list about my favorite random things about Quack Pack (or small things that i notice and i found interesting that i remember at the moment):

The triplets see Donald not only as an uncle, but as a full literal father for them. This is explicit in the 3rd episode, where they go to a medieval kingdom and in their analogy, if Donald (their uncle) is a king, that would make them princes! But well, you know that the lineage of the royal crown is passed from father to son, so as much as we know as viewers that Donald is a father figure to them, it's great to see this being reinforced by the triplets theirselves :) Another occasion, is that they don't seem bothered when Donald introduces himself for the others as their father (made very clear in episode 31)

Huey has PTSD and Black Cat phobia (and cat allergy as well)

The boys took a lot more habits from Daisy than from Donald, like the facial expressions, the skincare routine and filing the nails (those last two is shown by Huey), and this proves that Daisy is very present in their lives :)

As mentioned by Daisy, they can't have a normal travel without someone ending on the jail

Louie is coded neurodivergent!

I really like how Dewey's Middle Kid Syndrome is written in QP. Yeah, i know it's something showed in all the duckverse versions of Dewey, but i love how QP introduces this. Dewey loves his brothers, but sometimes he feels suffocated and his own space is being invaded, but his brothers don't do that on purpose and he knows it, so while he fights the urge to open up to them (something he can't do well), he also doesn't want to make them upset. He thought that his desire to want his own space is to want to be alone, but then he realizes that he doesn't like being alone, but that he just need a moment alone sometimes. And so, Dewey's lack of communication about this issue ends up making his brothers mistake that he's stressed, and they try to cheer him up and show support (in a hyperprotective way) that ends up leaving him more suffocated. And then when Dewey finally speaks out and walks away, it makes Huey and Louie realize that they never had a personal space, because their personality during their childhood was based on the fact that they were triplets, that they complemented each other, that they had to share things, and that meant they didn't have their own personal space. Huey and Louie get into an argument about each other's bad attitudes that might have upset Dewey, but then they realize that some of the other's habits actually really bother each other. I love how they end up resolving this issue, and how their relationship improves from there on through the episodes.

Dewey has sweet tooth!

Many QP episodes makes a lot of references to others disney tv shows and rock music hits in 90's (Dewey, Louie and Huey are into rock!)

Louie is an environmental activist and opposes trafficking and wild animals

Louie is a multi-instrumentalist! He is shown to know how to play drums, harmonica and violin.

Dewey has a strong artistic connection. He writes texts, poems and paintings!

Dewey is also the "teatral kid"

Dewey is shown to be interested in physics, aliens and halloween.

Apparently, one of Dewey's hobbies is building and inventing things! This is shown in some episodes.

Although the triplets don't work directly for Kent Powers, they often help Daisy and Donald with work, like doing the recordings and giving them script ideas (and it's funny, because Kent himself forgets about it and thinks they are his employees)

This is shown MANY times during the show. The triplets have their own code language. They use a specific word to represent an idea that must be executed like "haircut", "special treatment" (and others that i can't remember right now)

Huey is the only one of the triplets who knows how to drive (implying they are around 16 years old)

Huey have trouble at sleeping, and have a tendency to have nightmares

If you watched Quack Pack, you may have noticed that Louie started to guard his thoughts more after being constantly scolded by Huey, and became more audacious and rebellious episodes later

Louie has trouble understanding sarcasm and identifying danger. It's also notable that he doesn't understand some common social situations.

Huey is quite superstitious, especially because he defends the idea that nothing happens by chance and that everything has a purpose, and that the universe always seems to conspire in his favor

Dewey's full name in Quack Pack is Deuteronomy

As much as Huey, Dewey and Louie are the triplets nicknames, they nickname their own nicknames LOL some exemples are Hueson, Dewman/Dewis and Lou-Lou

In Episode 11, Dewey admits he likes the idea of ​​being a woman.

I think it's cute that despite Huey's gruff personality, he is constantly worried about the well-being of his family, like disapproving of the amount of candy Dewey eats and worring if he doesn't feeling well, or when Louie gets into trouble (Huey always gets desperate because he knows Louie's tendency to be in danger) and when Donald ends up being the victim of scams (which makes him furious with whoever is messing with his uncle)

As stated by Louie, Huey has a "trying to take over the world mood"

I love Daisy's dynamic with the triplets. She is always encouraging them, protecting them, worrying and listening to them. This makes her a true mother figure for them, and I am happy to see that they reciprocate that affection and respect for her.

Louie and Dewey communicate by looking constantly

Huey is extremely sarcastic

Dewey is into photography!