#i feel like Sparks would be everybody's friend tbh

[forthedancingandthethriving]

A gentle knock on the front door has Sparks blinking, confused. It was well past the closing time, so who would even be at his establishment this late?

As he leans to peer over the drinks station he is clearing, he sees a sheepish Abyssal leaning to peer through the window. She smiles small when she spots him, and Sparks expression turns to one of concern. He sets down the rag he was holding and makes his way over to the doors, unlocking them.

"Abyssal?" He questions, looking up at her. "What are you doing here so late? Shouldn't you be at the Adminspace?"

".. didn't feel like it." She shrugs, rubbing her arm, and Sparks sighs. He floats back over to the bar area, gesturing for Abyssal to follow.

"C'mon. Shut the doors and lock 'em, kid."

Abyssal does as the older Program says, walking in and shutting the doors behind her before locking them. She makes her way over to the bar area before seating herself on a stool and slumping against the counter.

"What do you mean by you "didn't feel like it"? Abyssal, that's your workplace." Sparks remarks as he picks the rag from before back up.

"It's not like I've been doing much." Abyssal admits, looking down. "I've just been.. I've been locking myself up in my office lately. I can't handle anything right now."

The green and red Program snorts softly. "Look at you, sounding like Database."

"Sounding like who?" The pink Admin tilts her head.

"Database, the fusion of the first Moderator, Administrator, Virus, and Program." Sparks explains, not missing the way Abyssal's eyes seem to shine a bit. "They're a bit of a shut-in, honestly. Stay in their dimension and just do things from there."

"Du- ClearAll didn't really speak of them." Abyssal frowns. "And when he did, it wasn't really highly of them. It seemed like they had bad blood."

"Ah, you met ClearAll?" Sparks tilts his head. "Never thought he'd make a return, hm.. Well, with the whole Worm situation, it makes sense."

"You knew?"

"Kid, I can bet you every coin I have in this cash register that I am one of, if not then, oldest Program in this world. There's not a thing I don't know or hear about." He jokes.

"Right.. well, did you know ClearAll?" She asks.

"Mm.. not as well as I knew the other Four. Everyone feared ClearAll, as he was Death, Destruction, something everyone feared. I didn't fear him, though." Sparks chuckles. "First time I saw him, I had no clue what I was looking at, though. So I just started chatting him with him. He was a good fellow despite all the hate he got."

"Then.. why did he leave?" Abyssal glances down. "He never really mentioned it in detail."

"Mm.. I'm sure it was a combination of things. People fearing and hating him, not understanding his role. But if you want my opinion? I think the straw that broke the camel's back was that.." Sparks sighs. "He probably realized that his siblings would always fear and hate him. I think that's what made him leave."

"Siblings?" She parrots.

"They came from the same place." He explains, shrugging his hands. "I think I'm entitled to at least believe that they're siblings in that sense."

"Do you miss ClearAll?" Abyssal asks, voice soft. She makes a point not to ask about where they came from.

"Of course I do." Sparks nods. "I like to think that, at the very least, he enjoyed my company whenever we met. He made for a good conversationalist, and he seemed to have an eye for arts as well."

"Hm.." Abyssal hums, crossing her arms under her head and resting her head on it. "And Database?"

The Program pats her head. "Oh, I pissed at them for days! I swear that the whole world heard my lecture." His laugh and her laugh, while different, while joined was a perfect combination of soft yet amused.

"I didn't talk to them until they would admit they were in the wrong." Sparks hums softly. At not hearing a response, he glances to see Abyssal sleeping away on the counter, soft snores coming from her mouth.

He chuckles softly and shakes his head. He'd just shoot a message towards Buffer or someone else. She needed her sleep.

[whocaresstillthelouvre]

Down Bad - A Joel Miller Drabble

Rating: Explicit. 18+ (Minors DNI) Pairing: Pre Outbreak Joel Miller x Female Reader Word Count: 800 Summary: You get ghosted after a one night stand with your handsome neighbor. Warnings: Drinking, smut remembrance, angst. A/N: Happy Tortured Poets Department release day! Thank you to @beskarandblasters for the amazing Taylor Swift Drabble Challenge AGAIN. I previously wrote Paper Rings for it. TBH, I stayed up until 3:30 AM listening to TTPD last night with @ohheypedrito and your girl is STRUGGLING TODAY, but well worth it. What an album.

Masterlist

One night out with your friends, one shared glance, one half smile, one opportunity, one drink bought, one phone number drunkenly tapped into his phone. 

One date, one heated make out session in his truck, one moment of being heaven struck, one naked body left alone in your bed as he quietly leaves without a word. 

One text telling him you had a good time, one week since you’ve heard from him, countless hours of yearning for your neighbor. 

Across the street and two houses to the left, Joel Miller lives. Well manicured lawn, cute daughter who goes door to door selling Girl Scout cookies, large truck parked out the front dinged and well used. 

You’ve been down bad for him since you first moved in, a quick introductory hello and wave one early morning as you took your dog for a walk, how could you be so attracted to a total stranger?

That stranger ignoring you from that moment on, leaving you feeling nuts. Sometimes you’d take your dog for a walk when you’d notice him mowing the lawn, sneaking a glance under your sunglasses, watching the sweat make his skin glisten. Teenage crush vibes, teenage petulance coming out because you can’t have him or his attention. 

You never see him with another woman there, only his loud, precocious brother Tommy who stops to talk with you whenever you’re outside. You know he likes you, but you’re too drawn to his older brother’s beam to even want to lead him on. 

That night shared between the two of you, it almost feels like an evil experiment. He fucked you, fucked you hard, stared into your eyes as he came all over you, devoured your cunt as if he was starving, made you cum so hard it felt like you were floating in a cosmic cloud of sparks, then he left you naked and alone. He owned your body, like it was some sort of hostile takeover. 

You’re barely even sure it happened, like if you speak about the existence of that night, everybody will tell you it never happened, that you’re nuts.

Why did he leave you like that? Why did he strand you the way he did? Why can’t you have him? Why cant you have an us? 

Doesn’t he know what you would do for his attention? How you feel like you could just die when you think back to that night? You’re pathetic for him, isn’t it romantic?

You replay the words he uttered against your skin as he fucked you. “You feel so fucking good, like you were made for me.” 

The taste of your sweat against your lips makes you almost want to cry as you try to run the thoughts of him away on the treadmill at the gym. The last time you sweat like this his cock was stretching you, his hand holding your cheek, his tongue languidly licking into your mouth. 

——

After a night of staring at the ceiling, sleep not visiting you, tossing and turning not being able to get the thought of the weight of his body against yours, you decide to sit out on your porch with coffee in hand, staring at the sky as dawn approaches. A door slamming across the street startles you. He’s outside. This is it, you live in the same old familiar town, he can’t escape you, you can’t escape him. You trudge across the street, only clad in your shorts and your old Rangers shirt. You wave at him to get his attention as he finishes lifting his tool box onto his lift gate. 

You see him swallow as you stand at the edge of his driveway. 

“G’morning,” he nods. “Quite early.”

“It is. Could’t sleep.” 

“Happens to me too.”

“Mm,” you tap your foot, arms folded across your chest. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then why are you ignoring me?”

“S’complicated.”

“Try me, it’d make no difference.”

“Alright,” he runs a hand through his hair, “you’re too good. I don’t think it’s smart… for me to be with someone right now. Too much going on, ’n it’s safer if we just leave it at that. It’s better for you.”

“So, you fuck me, whisper all those sweet things in my ear, make me feel like I’m the chosen one, then just leave? How romantic Joel.”

“Never said I was the romantic type.”

“No, you’re just the fuck ‘em and strand ‘em. I guess.”

“Listen,” he looks down at his watch, “I gotta get goin’, got an important job to start. I really would like to talk more, I respect you too much ’n I really like you, I just think it’s better if you find someone else.”

“Right, well, see you around neighbor,” you bite.

Fuck it, you can’t have him. 

[br1ghtestlight]

random late night thoughts on my famous jimmy junior concept (specifically w/ tinimmy)

jimmy jr moved away in his sophmore year of high school because his mom got him accepted into a really good and well respected performing arts school in california. mom moved to california to live with him while he auditioned and studied and dad stayed behind with andy and ollie (they both missed their mom and jimmy jr SOO MUCH but they'd get to visit during the summer and spring/winter breaks)

tina and jimmy jr continued on again off again dating thru 8th 9th and 10th grades but they were always friends so tina took it super hard when jimmy jr moved away </3 she dated a few guys after him but honestly despite being a hopeless romantic she never felt much of a spark. i think she just missed him too much & never got over her first love. she vowed off dating until after high school

she definitely cried everyday for WEEKS when he actually moved away and stopped hanging out with her friend group w/ tammy and jocelyn. she still kept in contact with zeke but he had a pretty busy life at that point too yknow how it is

jimmy jr would call and text with tina and their friend group sometimes but he got really busy w/ school and life so they eventually fell out of contact. the type of middle school friend you only keep up with through their occasional facebook status updates

jimmy jr got his big break and became a famous teenage heartthrob type when he was around 17 years old and he did NOOOT take it well at all lol he got a huge ego and made so many terrible decisions <3 bless his heart <3 maybe he even thought he was too good for seymour's bay or his friends back home even though i think secretly he missed them. basically stopped talking to his family around this time. super weird for everybody who knew him in seymour's bay that he was now famous and totally idolized but he became something of a local legend to their town like "the birthplace of jimmy pesto jr omg" which was probably good for tourism

jimmy pesto's also got more randos visiting his restaurant because they wanted to see where jimmy jr grew up and harass his family basically lmao which jimmy pesto HATED especially since he became estranged from jimmy jr

it probably settled down after a few years when everybody realized jimmy pesto doesnt talk to his son and also he's an asshole

tina was always very proud of jimmy jr even as his friend because she knew how important dancing and attention/fame had always been to jimmy jr and his passion for it (she'd known him since kindergarten obviously!!!!) so she was always cheering him on like yay ^_^ she might attend an event he was doing locally but ngl he did stay clear of seymour's bay feeling like he had unfinished business there he didnt want to think about. tina was genuinely just happy for him & mostly over her feelings for him

she DID buy all his merch even the cheesy shirtless posters that were definitely made for 12 year old girls to kiss at night. she's LOYAL OKAY!!!!!!

because jimmy jr never came around to seymour's bay and avoided the area he kind of got a reputation with the locals that he thought he was "too good to acknowledge where he came from" so their opinion of him is slightly negative tbh. which isnt UNTRUE but it was less about the town himself and more about the people he left behind

jimmy jr found it really hard to make genuine friendships at his new school bcuz everybody was always trying to compete with each other and eventually he just stopped trying so he's been very socially isolated for a long time which DIDNT help his mental health. he never had another close friend like tina or zeke it was mostly just random party buddies and one night stands but nobody he could be himself around :(

jimmy pesto's relationship with jimmy jr in this fic is much too complicated to describe in a tumblr post lol but its very. uhh. they both want the best for each other and jimmy pesto truly isn't a horrible dad. andy and ollie adore their big brother though and they'll always ask him about his fancy life in hollywood when they go to visit

when jimmy jr first became famous there was some slight attention from younger fans directed @ andy and ollie who were like ooooh they're like jimmy jr but our age and single/not famous?? boyfriend maybe? a few stalkers but that pretty much died immediately when they realized andy and ollie are actual literal Freaks <- they never realized this is also true of jimmy jr though!!!!

he is bisexual. he never told anybody he's bisexual and nobody knows he's bisexual but he is bisexual of course. there is no universe where that kid is straight sorry

[dukesmebby]

summer child (s.h)

a/n: this has been the only thing on my brain for the last two weeks<3 this is based off of the song summer child by Conan Gray so please give that a listen if you'd like! I just couldnt stop thinking about this song is made for him. HUGE thanks to @translatemunson for being the damn reason this got done. also thanks to @munsonswife for helping convince me to post<3

warnings: i dont think there should be any but lmk! just steve being kinda in his feels tbh

You see all the flowers in the weeds

You're scared of the dark when you sleep

You cover up your arms with your sleeves

Even in hundred-degree heat

Your father was awfully mean

Steve doesn’t always trust easily, you know that, but he hasn't stopped trying to trust the people he meets these days. Always trying to see the good as a way to give him hope. You know the man standing across from you is not proud of how he has always treated people and that bothers him. You also know he would fight tooth and nail or even die for you and any of his friends in a heartbeat. You wish he knew you'd do the same thing for him. You know that he can hardly sleep unless he has his lamp on and the windows closed and curtains drawn. You don't even remember the last time he slept for more than three hours in a night. You also know from your years spent together he wouldn't dare try sleeping like that when his father is home. He doesn't usually sleep most of the time when his parents actually are home. To him the house doesn't feel like home unless Robin or the kids are there with him. What you don't know is that he doesn’t ever feel at home anywhere without you.

Your favorite color is green 

It reminds you of the summer you turned three

Runnin' through sprinklers on your street

And you laugh and you dance in the wind

And you sway and you hug and you kiss

He often thought about when he was a kid, spending summers with his grandparents while his parents were off on some business trip. A time when he was allowed to run around and have fun and honestly just be a kid. No stuffy cocktail parties that he had to dress up for and act like he wasn't a ten year old boy. A time when his Grandpa would practically have to drag him inside after a full day of playing in the sprinklers with you. The summer breeze blowing through the trees the two of you would climb, and inevitably you would fall out of. After he made sure you were alright and kissed your scraped up knees better the two of you decided no more climbing trees, at least not for you. He thought about how when you guys were older you would sneak out to Lovers’ Lake just to get away from it all together. After Vecna, he didn't think he would ever feel that happy again. He stopped believing that he might get to feel like that.

But there's darkness behind those eyes

Even when you smile

Oh, summer child

You don't have to act like all you feel is mild

You don't really love the sun, it drives you wild

You're lyin', summer child

You know that Steve doesn't like to let people see that side of him anymore, his softer side coming out in bits only you and the gang would see. When he would smile it never went all the way to his honey brown eyes. He wishes he could be like that all of the time but he gets so tired of pretending in front of everyone. You're just grateful to see him happy in the small flashes that you do. When you get to see the flash of excitement spark all the way up to his sweet doe eyes. You know he is still the same man behind all of the walls he has built, you just wish he knew that if he wasn’t he was allowed to be the new version of himself around you. You wish he knew it was safe to be vulnerable like that with you no matter what. You hope he knows he can be angry that his childhood was stolen from him. You hope he knows he is allowed to be sad that his parents were never around. You hope he knows he is allowed to be loved by you, he deserves it even. 

Aren't you way too busy

Taking care of everybody

To take care of yourself?

When the sun goes missing

Aren't the flowers just as pretty?

Aren't the oceans just as deep?

The trees as green?

He needs to take a break, you know it and he knows you know it. He has been running himself ragged trying to do it all. He's been picking up more shifts to distract himself while also agreeing to take robin to and school and helping Hop get his place put back together. He feels so much guiltier about trying to be Superman when he realizes he hadn't called you all week, and it was already Thursday. You don't even remember the last time he slept for more than three hours in a night. You know Steve has been trying to distract himself lately and frankly you'd had a lot of coursework to catch up on so you don’t mind that he hadn't called. That doesn't mean it didn’t have you worried. You don't remember the last time you saw him eat a real meal which just wouldn't do for you. You know he doesn't stop long enough to eat, you are usually the only person that can get him to hit pause and actually take care of himself. You need him to understand that we all love him even if he wasn't the hero everyday.

And as for me

I'll watch you weep

Oh, summer child

You don't have to act like all you feel is mild

You don't really love the sun, it drives you wild

You're lyin', summer child

Steve notices you acting a little bit different around him. He notices the fact that you start bringing him lunches on his breaks so that he's actually eating something. He notices when you offer to pick up robin or the kids so that he doesn't have to. He notices you hanging onto his arm for longer than usual on date night Sunday. He also starts to notice that when you're over hanging out with him and he falls asleep before you leave he doesnt wake up in a dark room. He wakes up with his lamp on and the curtains closed. It makes his heart ache and his stomach churn. He is starting to feel alot like a kid again, because of you.

[tabl3]

Lab Rats Ask Game

by @texanmarcusdavenport (your name and bio made me spit water lmfao)

⛵️ Favorite ship? Least favorite ship? (Doesn't have to be romantic.)

Romantic:

-Chase/Kaz, Bree/Skylar, Leo/Logan, Tecton/Megahertz, Horace/Bridges

Platonic:

-DAVENPORT SIBLINGS (love their dynamic. I have three siblings of my own and it’s too accurate lol)

- MM trio (nuff said lmao)

- EF (done correctly)

Least Favorite:

- Incest (obviously)

- Kaziver/Chaziver (no hate to those who ship it :) just not my cup of tea)

👀 Characters whose relationship you wish was more explored?

- Leo, Logan, and Taylor (next gen spinoff fr)

- Leo and Kaz

- Kaz and Skylar

- Kaz and Bree

- Chase and Oliver (literally the copy homework but change it up a lil bit meme)

- Skylar and Chase

- Adam and Skylar (bff material fr)

- Jordan with literally anyone (love she)

- Techertz (gay old men. the end.)

- Chase and Taylor (I have a comic in the works of them setting up Leogan. they 100 percent would meddle lol)

- Bree and Taylor

- Adam and Logan

- Horace and the trio

💥 Favorite crack ship / characters that never met in canon but would've been best friends if they had?

- Spark and Reese (idk why. I cannot remember who did the incorrect quote that implanted the brainworm but)

🐀 Favorite season of Lab Rats? Least favorite?

- 1 and 2 :) (1 was so cute, and Douglas/Marcus as antagonist were really entertaining in 2)

- 4 (said almost everyone lol)

🏥 Lab Rats or Mighty Med?

- both

🏳️‍🌈 Favorite LGBT+/neurodivergent headcanon?

Idk tbh lol, so here’s a few of mine:

- Chase: bi disaster, trans, autistic, OCD, insomnia

- Bree: pan, ADHD (hyperactive)

- Kaz: gay, ADHD (switches between hyperactive and inattentive), dyscalculia

- Skylar: lesbian

- Oliver: trans, OCD, monophobia

- Adam: aro/ace, ADHD (inattentive), dyslexia, dyscalculia 

- Leo: queer

- Tasha: bi

- Douglas: bi, OCD (maybe schizophrenic. not sure on that yet)

- Marcus: aro/ace (some form of nd lol)

- Daniel: also nd in some way (it’s genetic lol)

- Taylor: lesbian

- Logan: gay

- Horace: ADHD

- Alan: aro/ace, OCD

- Jordan: aro/ace

- Gus: omnisexual, autistic

- Tecton: bi

- Megahertz: gay

- Solar Flare: lesbian, nonverbal

- Gamma Girl: lesbian

📖 An AU/fanfic idea you'd love to see but don't have the motivation to write?

- literally my whole rewrite lmao (i have the motivation but this timeline is murder help)

💭 Favorite headcanon overall?

- soooo many. one that’s fun is Oliver literally never being spared from walking in on horrors lol

🔥 Hot take/unpopular opinion?

- not sure how unpopular this is, but Bree is written poorly. she can have more personality than just “girl”

❤️ Favorite character? Least favorite character?

- EF (in character), Horace, Adam, Leo, Tasha, Jordan (Wallace and Clyde are fun too)

- not sure on the least fav

- actually EF Oliver lol

⏱️ When did you start watching Lab Rats?

- 10 years ago (I’m an og baby let’s goooooo)

🟢 Any crossover ideas? Are there any shows you think would've made a better crossover than Lab Rats/Mighty Med?

- okokokok, hear me out.... how about a crossover between two hit sitcoms: Mighty Med & Lab Rats, BUT we don’t ruin the characters? I know it sounds like madness

🎼 What songs do you relate to the characters/ show?

- Bloodpop (Davenport Family)

- Feel Invincible (MM trio)

- Waiting for the End (EF)

- start//end (for my Decimation work)

- Dollhouse (Davenport Family)

- Training Wheels/ Line Without a Hook/ Sweater Weather/ I Like Me Better/ Mirrors (Chaz)

- Tongue Tied/ Everybody Talks/ Falling For U/ she/ sofia (Brylar)

- Gasoline (Adam, Bree, Chase)

there’s like a billion more but I’m tired atm lol (drawing and writing causes one to make playlists haha)

🟠 Which character is the most like you? Which character is the least like you?

Most:

- really when I write I heavily project to all of them lol, but probably Chase in canon. I’m the thirdborn, autistic, OCD, and super sensitive to light, sound, smells, etc. (I’m also the “smart one” too lmao)

Least:

- Idk really lol

[amazingphanisnotonfire-imagines]

Reggie//everyone loves a cliche

Request: Can I request a reader/Reggie with sort of the cliche footballer/cheerleader stereotype sort of fluff plot wise

hey! i hope this is what you wanted! i had a lot of fun writing this!

- At first, you and Reggie don’t like each other 

- Which is kind of a cliche in itself 

- He’s too arrogant 

- You’re to ‘preppy’

- Whatever the hell thats supposed to mean

- But its not like you hate each other

- You never go out of your way to make the others lives miserable 

- Just if there’s a mention of one of you, the other will roll their eyes 

- Any other time, you just try to avoid each other.

- But that becomes a bit more difficult when your best friends start dating

- Veronica and Archie become a thing 

- Meaning there is literally no escape from each other 

- Queue an endless amount of third and fourth wheeling

- ‘you’re the fourth wheel’ 

- ‘isn’t that better than third?’ 

- ‘no because you’re last’ 

- ^Just a snippet of the arguments you would have while Veronica and Archie shove their tongues down each others throats 

- So now you’re forced together regularly

- And because you usually have to spend time at Pop’s, you either have to sit next to or opposite each other. 

- God help anybody who thinks you’re a couple

- Or even just friends tbh

- ‘you think we’re dating?’

- ‘you think i would go anywhere near him?!’ 

- ‘exactl-hey! if anyone is rejecting anyone. its me rejecting you.’

- ‘you keep telling yourself that.’ 

- ‘i just asked for your order...’

- But one day something changes

- Archie and Veronica are late 

- How? You don’t know because you left practice at the same time

- And she’d specifically told you during practice that you were all going to Pop’s straight after. 

- So now you and Reggie have to be alone for a while

- As soon as you walk into the diner and see Reggie sat alone, your smile vanishes

- You’d already had a rubbish day

- And now you have to drag yourself over to sit opposite him

- ‘hey pom-poms. i thought cheerleaders were supposed to be happy all the time.’ 

- ‘i’m not in the mood reg. where’s veronica?’

- ‘probably wherever archie is.’

- ‘...’

- ‘whats up?’ 

- ‘do you actually care or do you just want something to gossip about in the locker room?’ 

- ‘do i look like cheryl blossom to you?’ 

- You’d crack a smile at that which would spark something unfamiliar in him

- ‘no...thank god’ 

- ‘i’ve heard a problem shared is a problem halved’ 

- ‘and where exactly did you hear that?’

- ‘its just something my mom used to say to me’ 

- ‘used to?’ 

- ‘we don’t really talk much anymore. but come on, tell me whats wrong.’ 

- ‘i’ve just had a bit of a crappy day. everything just got on top of me and then i ended it with a really rough practice.’ 

- ‘well, good news is that you’re crappy day is over, and you survived it. plus, i’ve seen you practice and you’re great.’ 

- ‘you’re just saying that.’ 

- ‘when do i ever just say things...especially nice things...and especially about you.’ 

- ‘true’

- ‘don’t tell cheryl, but i think you’re the best on that team.’

- Both of you would blush and look away, not really sure of what to say and praying for Archie and Veronica to turn up soon.

- A few minutes of some very awkward silence, they eventually turn up

- And both of you would be extremely thankful. 

- After that you start to look at him differently 

- And he starts to notice small things about you 

- Things shift between you ever so subtly

- Instead of rolling your eyes, they would light up at the mention of the other 

- And instead of avoiding each other, you found yourselves looking for the other 

- If one of you told a joke, you’d look at the other to see if they were laughing 

- And small looks would be shared between the two of you whenever Archie and Veronica were doing something gross

- Both of you would start to look forward to being the third and fourth wheel 

- Because now it doesn’t really feel like it anymore

- And slowly your friends start to notice the changes

- Subtle and not so subtle 

- Especially when you start hanging out with each other, without the need of anyone else being there 

- So now its just a matter of time 

- Which thankfully isn’t that long

- A month later...

- Veronica and Archie are late...yet again 

- But you don’t mind 

- Sometime you and Reggie go to Pop’s early so you can spend some time together before they turn up

- By the time Reggie gets there, you’ve already ordered his food and he feels his heart skip a beat because you actually remembered his favourite 

- ‘archie text me and apparently something has come up.’

- ‘i don’t want to know whats up.’ You’d reply with a scrunch of your nose.

- He’d chuckle softly and your mind would go blank for a few seconds 

- Because you made him do that! 

- You could happily hear that noise every single day for the rest of your life and never get sick of it

- Oh crap

- Do you like Reggie Mantle?

- Like more than a friend???

- Maybe even love him?!?!

- ‘y/n? are you okay?’

- ‘what? yeah...just thinking.’

- ‘remember, a problem shared is a problem halved’

- ‘i’m good, really.’ 

- But you’re really not good 

- Not at all

- You’ve fallen for Reggie Mantle

- Arrogant footballer

- But also so much more

- He’s got the kindest, purest soul ever

- He’ll do anything for his friends 

- And he’ll do anything to make you laugh

- Little do you know

- As you’re having your small freakout 

- Reggie is doing the exact same 

- He’s just realized how in love with you he actually is

- All it took was a crude joke and a scrunch of your nose 

- Now what does he do?

- He’s always so confident 

- Thats what made you dislike him in the first place

- But right now, he isn’t sure if he’s able to say hello

- So he blurts out the next best thing

- ‘goodbye’

- ‘what?’ 

- ‘i mean i love you’ 

- ‘what?!?’

- ‘what?’ 

- Now he’s standing up and trying to figure out the best escape route 

- ‘reg? where are you going?’ 

- ‘away. i don’t love you. i like you. i mean not that i couldn’t love you. i could definitely love you...very easily. maybe i do love you. can i kiss you? wait what?’ 

- ‘yes. you can kiss me.’ 

- That surprises both of you 

- But he doesn’t waste anymore time and leans over the table to kiss you 

- Its awkward because of the position he’s in and definitely a little embarrassing

- But its perfect 

- After a few dates you’d make it official 

- And then the real cliches would start

- Quickly you’d become the couple of the school

- Everybody knows who you are

- Probably because he gave you his letterman jacket after your first date and you haven’t taken it off since

- ‘it just looks better on you babe’ 

- Speaking of ‘babe’

- The nicknames...

- So many

- ‘babe’

- ‘baby’

- ‘sweetheart’

- ‘my love’ (which is a personal favourite)

- ‘darling’ (another favourite)

- And your nicknames for him where just as cute

- ‘reg’ (obvious, but he likes it because its the one you called him before you even liked each other)

- ‘mantle’ (for when you wanted to tease him)

- ‘love’

- ‘babe’

- ‘sunshine’ (his secret favourite. he pretended to hate it but you noticed the soft smile on his face whenever you said it)

- You definitely won prom king and queen 

- ‘you’re by far the prettiest queen this school has ever seen’

- Your Pop’s dates would become more and more frequent 

- Now its Veronica and Archie’s turn to share looks when you kiss

- He’d walk you to class every chance he got 

- And he’d always carry your books for you

- If you had a class together, he would always sit beside you

- And days were assignments were given and you could pick your partners were his favourite.

- When you didn’t have classes together he’d leave cheesy notes in your notebooks 

- Or even just in your locker 

- He’d always kiss you goodbye 

- He’d also pull you into empty classrooms/corridors to make out

- Even if you were going to be late to something

- Mainly Bulldog/Vixen practice 

- Much to your coaches annoyance

- Sorry Cheryl 

- If you were free while he was practicing, you’d watch him from the bleachers 

- And if he was free while you had practice, he’d definitely sneak in to watch 

- Again, sorry Cheryl 

- And at games you would always cheer the loudest 

- Sometimes you’d come up with your own cheers that were just about him 

- ...sorry Cheryl

- You were a constant distraction to the other

- Everybody would act so annoyed 

- But they secretly all thought it was cute 

- Because everyone loves a cliche 

- And this one was by far your favourite 

[whocalledhimannux]

@peregrer the What. 👀👀👀 *insert John Mulaney gif of "say more right now"*

ok so when I say "the extent to which I've fleshed out the QT GBBO AU in my head is getting to be embarrassing," I truly and deeply mean it, please enjoy 1,900 words of utter ridiculousness.

first, our competitors:

Legarus - performs so poorly that viewers are a bit confused how he got on the show in the first place, a la Jamie (series 10) or that one guy who made a lime and chocolate cake in the first week.

Chloe - nice flavors and good ideas for decorations, but pretty sloppy. was up for elimination in the first week but came back with a great showstopper.

Melheret - good but not as good as he thinks he is (hence his bread week elimination because of sloppy technique), heavy-handed with the alcohol flavoring

Agape - solid competitor, not flashy but tasty + pretty results. I haven't worked out exact week-by-week themes (that would indeed be Too Much) but I imagine this is something like "Dairy" or "Caramel" or "Vegan," some particular element she just happens to not be strong on. viewers are disappointed by her early elimination

Teleus - Dad contestant. brings in a bunch of weird pans and gadgets he made up himself, does pretty well until it comes to Fiddly Foreign Foods he doesn't know (probably eliminated in French or Patisserie week)

Laela - typically has good flavors and pretty designs but technical knowledge is a bit lacking, so there are usually some flaws in the execution and she's often in the bottom half of technicals

Phresine - Grandma contestant. nails the classics but ultimately isn't creative enough to make it further.

Magus - the "Ian (series 6)" flavor of Dad contestant, often brings in foraged ingredients or eggs from his own chickens or whatnot and revives old recipes/flavor combinations no one else knows about. one week, some of those turn out to just be too weird, leading to his elimination.

Sophos - pretty elaborate decorations and good flavors (on the border of classic and new), but he tends to try a million different embellishments on everything and struggles with timing, occasionally to the detriment of technique.

Kamet - always has really interesting and different flavors and tends to do well in technicals especially, assuming he doesn't get overwhelmed. which is... an assumption (Finalist)

Costis - leans towards classic and indulgent flavors, although sometimes a bit sloppy--the kind of contestant where the judges look at his dishes and say "it's a bit of a mess" and then Paul Hollywood starts laughing because it still tastes delicious (Finalist)

Irene - absolutely stunning visually, queen of the technicals, occasionally gets the "style over substance" warning (Winner)

more details below the cut

I've gone back and forth on whether Eugenides should be in it but ultimately I decided no because I wanted to maintain a pre-show relationship between Laela + Kamet (I thought otherwise at first but then I realized I hadn't left Kamet any longterm friends or family for his finalist video and that's depressing af) and Irene and Sophos which to my knowledge hasn't happened once on the show so far? so having a married couple on top of that seems like it would be a stretch, and also then I think I'd need to make Eugenides the winner on principle and you know what? he can stand to be second fiddle to his wife for a little bit. My alternate backstory for him is that he was actually the winner of MasterChef one year (good with knives), so in the first episode Irene's first little chat to camera is something like "my husband's been bugging me for years to try out and I keep telling him he's got a skewed perspective on cooking competitions, finally I applied just to shut him up... and here we are." Her little video introduction is about how baking is a stress relief from her bigshot job. Her decorations tend to be abstract and gorgeous rather than cutesy.

Kamet, likewise, was nagged into applying by Laela, but she very cleverly framed it as she wanted to apply and wanted him to do it to for moral support. both were confident the other would get in and surprised that they did themselves. This is one of those series where everyone's friendships are immediate and obvious and super adorable (cast of series 10 my beloved...), and in particular these two are holding hands in episode 1. Laela's deep blue robe from TaT sticks in my head for whatever reason so I imagine her making an elaborate blue peacock cake or something one week that wins her star baker. somebody always does a peacock something and it's always impressiev.

Phresine is cool as a cucumber under pressure, always has lovely things to say about everyone else's bakes, and is the go-to last-minute helper because she usually comes in under the time. Irene starts out similar but as the weeks go by she starts to feel the pressure a bit more and cuts it a bit close. Sophos is the worst on timings, and mentions his wife at least once an episode. (I also played with him being single on the show and meeting Helen later through Irene and Eugenides, but this idea is too cute to pass up tbh.) Teleus lives with Relius, a fact that isn't mentioned until a few weeks in when he comments that Relius likes a recipe or gave him an idea for a flavor or something (Relius does not bake himself but will happily sample practice bakes), to the surprised delight of every viewer whose favorite contestant is the oldest gay in any given series (me, me, that person is me).

Costis tends to use a lot of chocolate and, as I said, pretty "classic" flavors--one of those people who makes a full English savory bake at some point. He's usually in the top half of the competition but doesn't get the top until one of the later weeks in the competition, which is a Honey themed week, and he absolutely nails it. The delicate decorations of his honey nut cakes and his use of honeycomb are particularly praised and that's the week he gets star baker. One of those bakers who flirts with elimination the first few weeks but noticeably improves over the course of the show.

My most, like, plot-y ideas are about Kamet (SHOCKER). I imagine he was born in Setra (I usually make Setra a non-autonomous region in my AUs) but arrived in Britain as a child due to [Unspecified Crisis] and ended up with foster dad Jeffa, who was roughly from the same region but not Setra itself; whenever Kamet wanted Setran food as a kid, Jeffa would take him to the library to find recipes and that was what sparked his love of baking. He's well-read on the subject and knows about foods from a lot of different cultures, so he's usually heard of the technical challenges even if he hasn't made or eaten them. He does a lot of fusion flavors, and is ALL ABOUT bread week.

I don't usually make the his-relationship-with-Nahuseresh-is-romantic leap in modern AUs but I think it works for this one because of the nature of the format--Nahuseresh doesn't actually appear on camera but is alluded to once or twice, ends up being Very Displeased that Kamet is doing something for himself, and during the week following Laela's elimination they have the fight that makes Kamet realizes this is actually a terrible relationship and he needs to leave now. He calls Laela to let her know what's up and mentions that, since he'll need to stay in a motel and has presumbly lost his job as a secretary (yeah working for your boyfriend is Bad, he's realized that now), he's going to have to drop out of the show. Laela, despite living in a studio flat without room to host him, immediately thinks "um fuck that" and calls Costis, and within an hour Costis and Aris and a few rugby buddies have moved all of Kamet's things into Costis and Aris's flat, where Costis insists that he'll squeeze into Aris's room (they've shared before, it's fine) and that Kamet gets first dibs on the kitchen for all bake off practices.

None of them actually reveal any of this to the show's producers. Kamet gets a little overwhelmed the following week and nearly walks away from the tent, but Costis jumps in to keep his bake from being ruined, and some soothing words from Irene + the hosts calm him down and he returns to finish. The only mention of the Drama comes in the finale, during the longer video clips they do on each of the contestants. Kamet is deliberately vague about the details of the situation, but Aris shows up in both Costis's and Kamet's videos and references the fact that having TWO flatmates in the bake off is a bit difficult because they only have a standard size kitchen, so he hasn't cooked for himself in a month and has been living off cake and savory breads. one of the hosts talks to Kamet in the tent after that clip is shown and he still won't talk about it in more detail, but says that he wanted to tell people so they could appreciate why Costis hasn't practiced as much the last few weeks (the judges scolded him for winging it a couple of times), and admits that he totally copied some of Costis's techniques for honey week based on watching him at home.

I imagine the finale task is something like an illusion cake--probably with a bunch of additional required elements because the show has been going bonkers with the finale showstoppers in the newer seasons--and Irene wins with a jewelry box containing, among other things, ruby earrings made out of candy. Kamet does a stepwell, and Costis does something architectural (I was thinking castle but something visibly Greek-ish so maybe a temple or a megaron? idk). Irene wins but they're all BFFs and that's obvious, so everyone's delighted for her. The little montage at the end reveals that Irene + Gen are expecting twins, that everybody hangs out all the time, and that Costis + co recently helped Kamet move into his own flat where he's now working on a novel (Immakuk and Ennikar inspired, obvi, leaning heavily on the honey-shared-on-the-road thing and including some recipes that actually work in the narration, albeit still written in an ancient-novel-like-way).

[Obviously not part of the show, but when Kamet mentions that it's time for him to look for his own place, Costis tries to v awkwardly invite him to stay forever and Kamet is like "nope I've got to try this on my own but yes we will go on a date once I've moved out and see how it goes from there."]

[This is so far beyond the scope of the show but also several of them go on to have more baking-related careers and have active social media presences and at one point they're all hanging out and Eugenides pulls out a camera and demands they all produce baking pick-up lines. Teleus refuses and also doesn't believe anyone knows baking pick-up lines off the top of their head or could make them up on the spot. Sophos sort of proves him right by coming up with "you're the apple of my pie," which Eugenides instantly mocks because Sophos's three greatest loves are baking, Helen, and poetry, and that's the best he can do? Helen comes up with "I like my cake the way I like my men--rich, sweet, and bright red," to which Sophos blushes on cue. Irene's is "when I'm with you, I feel like chocolate heated to 50 degrees--I struggle to maintain my temper." Eugenides protests this is more like an anti-pickup line. Irene insists this is the most accurate marriage-related baking pun anyone could ever come up with.

[Laela's is "You and I are like custard--I hope we never split." Kamet's is "You remind me of bread, because I knead you." Costis freezes for a minute and finally comes up with "Fancy a cream horn?" which produces a lot of giggling and makes Kamet slap his arm in such a way that, hen Eugenides posts this video to instagram, fans of the show all go WAIT ARE THEY DATING NOW] [by this point, yes they are] [I didn't even have to google baking pickup lines for this, guys, I legit came up with them on my own, please clap.]

am I obsessed? I might be obsessed

[whatiwillsay]

off topic - let’s talk about gaylena 👀

selena gomez is one of taylor’s oldest and bestest friends and given that she is in the 22 liner notes, a huge part of taylor’s life, and maybe fruity herself it seems like possibly we don’t talk about her here at the blog enough!

i don’t want to do a timeline of selena and taylor’s friendship - you can read more about that here, but they met back in the day when they were both dating jonas brothers and to me this idea of finding a real friendship in the midst of these contrived promances is pretty adorable.

ofc most of y’all think taylor is a fruit basket but i think there’s a good chance that selena is too!  i’m not saying she is for sure but y’all know me.  i’’m here to make a compelling case that everyone and their dog is gay so let’s gooooo! 

Part I - At least one fake rs!  

Selena “dated” Taylor Lautner in 2009 and he’s definitely gay.  Of course, that doesn’t mean she is, it could just be PR, but y’all know I gotta note everything!  We stan our fruity bffs dating the same gays 😍

Part II - Selena x cara delevingne

i feel like there’s a chance they met through taylor but everyone in that squad adjacent circle knows one another.  cara dated michelle rodriguez for the first half of 2014 and then got with annie clark in March 2015 but it feels like it’s possible something has gone on between her and Selena from summer 2014 - early 2015? ...maybe something casual on and off a bit?

August 2014 - Steamy pics surface in Saint-Tropez, France

Selena and and a freshly single Cara vacation together in part to celebrate Selena’s 22nd birthday.

They party together and look cozy!

Pictures such as this surface and spark rumors around the two:

Selena apparently loves the rumors and gushes about being shipped with Cara.

Quote:

You say Selena drag queens were the true measure of success for you. But isn’t it true that you’re not truly famous until you’ve been the subject of a gay rumor? And last year, the tabloids had a field day with photos of you and Cara Delevingne. I’ve made it!

How did you react to those rumors? Honestly, I loved it. I didn’t mind it. Especially because they weren’t talking about other people in my life for once, which was wonderful. Honestly, though, she’s incredible and very open and she just makes me open. She’s so fun and she’s just extremely adventurous, and sometimes I just want that in my life, so I didn’t mind it. I loved it.

Notice she doesn’t deny them?  Now of course she could just be being cool, if she freaked out about it that might be even weirder but hey, it’s still kind of interesting.

Then she admits to questioning her sexuality???

Have you ever questioned your sexuality? Oh, I think everybody does, no matter who they are. I do, yeah, of course. Absolutely. I think it’s healthy to gain a perspective on who you are deep down, question yourself and challenge yourself; it’s important to do that.

(Selena btw, this is cool and all, but not everybody questions their sexuality, maybe you’re just gay 👀)

November 1 - LACMA Art + Film Gala 

they even left the event together 👀

and they hung out earlier that day as well:

They were seen the next day partying for Kendall Jenner’s bday singing to her:

a few weeks later Cara tweets Selena’s lyrics!

In December 2014 they are travelling together in texas:

in january 2015 they get cozy at the golden globes together!

and they leave together again:

January 19th/20th a bunch of gay nonsense happens

They post this gay shit with matching shoes and linked fingers:

then they say this to one another:

Enty says they were hooking up!

then we don’t get any more content that i can find for about six months! perhaps they had a fling from summer 2014-jan 2015 and then it ends, Cara gets with Annie in March?  Then after half a year apart Selena and Cara resume a friendly relationship?  Perhaps!  Selena is seen with Justin a bit off and on during this time but this was in their Style/Heat Death Era imo (tbh i probably shouldn’t give a hetty pairing including Justin that designation 🤢but y’all get what I’m saying - it’s fully possible Selena was hooking up with both of them!

Now I’m not super familiar with Selena’s discography so y’all lmk if I’m missing anything major - lyric wise that point to her not being straight.

Selena’s album Revival that comes out after this relationship has a few songs with some vibes, even though I get the feeling a lot of it is probably about Justin, allow me to reach.  The title track could be translated as someone coming to terms with their sexuality (among other things):

I feel like I've awakened lately The chains around me are finally breaking I've been under self-restoration I've become my own salvation Showing up, no more hiding, hiding The light inside me is bursting, shining It's my, my, my time to butterfly

Good for you, imo, is too sexy to be about a man even if it’s not super queer lyrically it’s a vibe ok?

Me & My Girls might be a bestie anthem a la 22 (oh wait, no 22 was gay too) but I mean...could be about a girl gang of lesbians too!

And if we want it, we take it If we need money, we make it Nobody knows if we fake it You like to watch while we shake it I know we're making you thirsty You want us all in the worst way But you don't understand I don't need a man 

Quinn Fabray indeed!

Nobody feels probably like a retrospective on Justin 🙄but...there is a hint of sapphic craving in there!  Saying this particular lover loves them differently than everyone is a bit 👀 plus this stanza:

No oxygen, can barely breathe My darkest sin, you've raised release And it's all because of you, all because of you And I don't know what it is, but you've pulled me in No one compares, could ever begin To love me like you do And I wouldn't want them to

Is Perfect about some bitch Justin started dating?  Probably but bear with me here this song is actually pretty fucking gay.  Gay enough that I’m gonna add it to one of my gay playlists.  Could this song actually be about Cara moving on to Annie?

Ooh, and I bet she has it all Bet she's beautiful like you, like you And I bet she's got that touch Makes you fall in love, like you, like you

I can taste her lipstick and see her laying across your chest I can feel the distance every time you remember her fingertips Maybe I should be more like her Maybe I should be more like her I can taste her lipstick, it's like I'm kissing her, too And she's perfect And she's perfect

Part III - Selena x Julia Michaels

Julia Michaels is a singer/songwriter known for her song Issues.  I don’t know her sexuality but she at the least has gay vibes!  It seems they met around this time perhaps because Julia wrote on Revival.

They have a friendly enough friendship for a few years, liking one another’s posts on IG from time to time, posing for a photo a time or two and then they seem to get swept up into this very intense friendship in 2019.  They write some music together and Julia goes whole hog in promoting the shoe brand Selena is hawking this time 😭

2019 - The Superior Sapphic Jelena Timeline:

It starts, for some reason with a lot of shoe promotion:

chill, chill

more shoes

but more gayness?

this homo shit

ok...

Then we go into the REALLY GAY NOVEMBER OF 2019:

Then they perform together:

And...actually kiss...on the mouth on stage???

Sure it’s just a peck but still...if that were a guy people would say they were dating.  

Somehow kissing on the mouth isn’t the gayest thing these girls do over this period because these fucking dykes got matching tattoos.  I’ve read enough Larry blogs to know this actually means they’re secretly married.  All jokes aside this is fruity behavior. 

From their IG stories:

Selena gets Julia a very nice christmas gift:

Covid sets in and content drops off but god damn!  It’s possible they just had an intense friendship but if a man and a woman collabed on music together, kissed in public, and got matching tattoos everyone would say they were dating!

Selena, as far as I can find, didn’t have any public boyfriends around this time so who are some of these love songs about?

Rare comes out in January 2020 and perhaps has some gayish songs?

Don’t tell me why but boyfriend lowkey, has a gay vibe.  Don’t ask me to explain it but it’s just the musicality of it.

Crowded Room could be a love song for Julia?  (or by Julia for Selena, since they’re collaborators?)

Baby, it's just me and you Baby, it's just me and you Just us two Even in a crowded room Baby, it's just me and you, yeah

These are general gay vibes, our secret moments in a crowded room tease

It started polite, out on thin ice 'Til you came over to break it I threw you a line and you were mine

It would have started out polite between them, since they worked together for years before whatever 2019 was happened.  And throwing someone a line first of all makes Selena sound like the aggressor but also “throwing someone a line” could be a reference to writing songs together.

Yeah, I was afraid, but you made it safe I guess that is our combination Said you feel lost, well, so do I So won't you call me in the morning? I think that you should call me in the morning If you feel the same, 'cause

Lots of people are afraid at the beginning of a gay rs.  Treacherous tease 👀

In summation!

Selena does gay stuff like fantasizing ab kissing other women in her music, getting very touchy with famous dykes on vacay, hangs out with Taylor Swift, has chronic mental health issues, dated a jonas brother and a twilight gay, has admitted to questioning her sexuality, and loves being shipped with women.  Is she gay?  I don’t know!   But all she’s missing from her celesbian bingo card is a suspiciously intense friendship with a Glee Cast member! What do you guys think?  Selena fruity or just weird?

Edit to add: so apparently I missed an entire ship and Selena supposedly acted really gay all the time with her backup dancer Charity Baroni.  Exposing SMG has posted a lot about all that.

Also Selena has been cast in a gay role! edit to add: @bisluthq went and found this for me - julia is indeed a fruit queen

[catrasredemption-moved]

What would you say to refute those who insist that Catra’s redemption arc was “rushed”, and also solely focused on Adora?

That they didn’t watch season four.

No, seriously, I know season four is Catra’s most villainous season, but it’s also the season that completely breaks her down, which is a really important part of redemption. You don’t just wake up one day and decide to be good, it’s a process. And part of that process is realizing that the path you’re on now isn’t right, isn’t good for you, isn’t good for the people around you. Catra’s always thought known she’s the bad guy in Adora’s heroic story, but when she really and truly committed to the role, she realized it wasn’t what she wanted, and that began the process of breaking down every single thing she thought she knew.

By the end of the season she was mostly a broken mess, which carried into season five, where she did the only thing she knew how to do - played the villain to stay alive. But she’s clearly not that into it - sure, she puts on her little villain swagger after the dinner with Horde Prime and Glimmer, but she buckles the minute he calls her on it.

Catra: Neat trick, with all the footage of her friends in danger. These princesses are so predictable with their feelings.

Prime : As were you.

Catra:  ...What?

Prime: Elevated heart rate, dilated pupils... Adora means something to you.

Catra: No. She doesn't. She chose her side, I chose mine. ...She means nothing to me.

Yup, veeeeeeeeeeery convincing, Catra. Totally believe you. She couldn’t even hold out when Glimmer was going at her.

Glimmer: Don't pretend you're any better off than I am right now. You might be on the other side of this force field, but you're as alone as I am.

Catra: The Horde's the Horde...even in space. As long as I'm of value to Horde Prime, I've got a place in this world. I can work my way up here, just like I did before.

Glimmer: Is that really what you want? We both saw what happened to Hordak. Do you really think you can come out on top?

Actually watch Catra through these scenes. You can tell her heart isn’t in it. Not like it was before, when she was fighting Adora, crashing Princess Prom, taking over the Crimson Waste, etc. People who think she’s actually a villain in the first episodes of season five are really not paying attention.

“But she told Horde Prime about Adora coming to rescue Glimmer!”

Be absolutely real for a minute. Prime knew it was Adora. A ship taking off from Etheria while he has their queen held hostage? Of course Adora was coming. It wasn’t a matter of if, just when. If Catra could figure out it was Adora, then Prime certainly could as well. Catra played her part to stay alive, talking to Glimmer, confirming what Prime already knew, and so on. She was already on the edge - realizing that all she wanted was Adora was what drove her over, pushed her to save Glimmer and Adora and sacrifice herself in the process.

And to her, that’s where her story was supposed to end. “It doesn’t matter what you do to me. Glimmer is gone, and you will never get your hands on Adora!” That, for probably the first time in a long time, wasn’t an act or false bravado. Catra was absolutely convinced that sending Glimmer away would keep Adora safe. And once he didn’t have a use for Catra, Horde Prime would just kill her. Because Hordak taught her that useless things were thrown away, and Catra made herself useless by turning on Horde Prime. This was the end of her story, and at least she could say she went out doing one heroic thing.

Except.

Horde Prime didn’t kill her, and Adora came back for her, and suddenly Catra had this entire life in front of her that she didn’t know what to do with. She had no focus. She didn’t care about survival, and there was no one to impress. How was she supposed to care about her life when there was nothing left in it?

And that’s where Adora comes in. Adora made her want to live. Adora gave her that spark of life, figuratively and literally. Adora made her want to be better.

And there’s nothing wrong with that! No one in this show ever changed for a selfless reason, except maybe Adora. Scorpia left the Horde because she wanted to rescue Entrapta (and sooth her own guilt in the process), Entrapta left the Princess Alliance for Science, Glimmer used the Heart of Etheria because she wanted to prove she could win and she was powerful, Shadow Weaver left the Horde because Hordak (and Catra) turned on her, etc. etc. People need motivation to change. Being a better person for Adora was Catra’s motivation.

Adora also wasn’t Catra’s only focus. She took tentative steps - she jumped in front of Glimmer and Bow on Krytis to protect them when she thought Melog was a threat, she approached Netossa to reassure her about Spinnerella, she lowkey let herself be vulnerable for a minute with Perfuma, she offered help and advice where she could.

Another thing I think people forget is that Catra wasn’t exactly comfortable with the Rebellion because she didn’t know her place in it. She hangs back during the reunion scene in An Ill Wind and is surprised when Adora tells her to come meet everyone, because she’s currently surrounded by people who hate her and that’s nerve-wracking after living in a state of pur paranoia for at least a year. Adora is familiar. Adora is her comfort.

So yeah, a lot of Catra’s redemption arc is focused on Adora, but there’s nothing wrong with that, and it doesn’t change the fact that she came out a far better person on the other side - someone that everybody could, in theory, like. Hell, Frosta and Perfuma even hugged her when Scorpia was holding her.

Honestly, I don’t think Catra’s arc is done. I mean, I know the show is over, but it ended with her at a very important point in her life - a point where she had a chance to prove she was better, to earn forgiveness (if people wanted to give it, and they would be absolutely justified if they didn’t), to find her new place in the world as more than a tool for someone else to use and throw away. Viewing her redemption as having a definitive beginning and a definitive end is kind of a disingenuous way of seeing things, tbh. Catra’s still changing and learning to be a better person even at the very end. That’s okay. And it’s okay if she leans on Adora to help her through it while she tries to find her footing in the new world. She doesn’t have to do that alone - or anything else alone, ever again.

[the-hilda-librarians-wife]

Wife’s Hilda Rewatch - The Black Hound

Girls, gays, and goths. The time has come for my last rewatch post months after the official hilda rewatch was done lmao! Also the moment I’m writing this I literally just came out of my last exam for this trimester, so I’m super happy and in the mood for taking a look at The Black Hound!

First off I think it would be a shame not to appreciate that the opening frame has the bisexual flag colour scheme. Bisexuals chose such pretty colours for their flag that Hilda keeps using it and it’s amazing

“you’re not a crazy rumor after all! You’re real!” Hilda sweetie there’s a giant dog looking at you like you’re a full course meal, please check your priorities

Okay hold up. Kelly pushed Frida to the Hound and said “last to join, first to get eaten”. And then they all disappeared. Why the hell did they have to use a bait instead of just disappearing? Like, they didn’t have to throw a kid to the Hound, they could just go away.

Talk about true friendship, huh?

Bless the Raven leader for being such a competent leader, because were I in her situation I’d just run around screaming “WAKE THE FUCK UP CHILDREN, OR WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE” and reck havoc on the camp.

It’s so surprising to me that telling Hilda that if she went to look for Tontu she wouldn’t be allowed to go on future camping trips… from what we know about her personality, she usually risks it all to help defenseless creatures. And although I’m not blaming her for not going after him that instant (there was A GIANT DOG on the lose, I wouldn’t even have thought about leaving the camp) I wonder if she chose that so as not to disappoint her mother. I mean, Johanna has shown that Hilda’s experience with the Sparrow Scouts is important to her (and even though Johanna only cares about her enjoying it, the way she talks about it makes Hilda think that she wants her to have a good performance), and if she wasn’t allowed to go to future camping trips, not only would Johanna know, but in Hilda’s mind she’d also be disappointed. Just something to think about.

“It’s never a good idea to throw away your real friends” Wow. Frida called Kelly a fake friend to her face and I’m very proud of her. But this scene also gives me a spark of sympathy for Kelly?

Ya know, a little piece of tmi, I still have my equivalent of a “fluff bun”. And it kinda says something to me that Kelly is still attached to hers. It shows that there is still some innocence and child-like happiness in her. She did terrible things just in these last two episodes (and tbh she annoys me), but maybe if we get more of the marra in season two we’ll find out what made them all so bitter when they clearly aren’t all bad.

Kinda reminds me of how my father says “if everyone still walked around with their sleeping plushies, the world would be a better place”. I’m not sure where I was going with all this, but uhh never let anyone make you feel bad for having a fluff bun of your own, listen to my dad and keep being childishly happy about things for as long as you can.

Hold up

… do with this information what you will

____________________

STOP for a few seconds. This is the “let’s appreciate the Hilda colour pallete” time

Thank you for your attention. Now back to the episode.

__________________

I feel so sorry for Hilda here. We all know Johanna is an amazing mother, but really the way she put things here makes it sound like Hilda doing well on Sparrow Scouts activities is a condition for her being proud. And it really must weigh a lot on Hilda, because she was took from the situation she was familiar with, living in the wilderness, and thrown into this completely new scenario and now she feels that not only does she need to adapt well, which we saw her do during this season, she also must excel in activities that are typically done by people who grew up in that environment. Good thing this gets resolved quickly.

Imagine being Johanna… and coming home to find the monster everybody’s been looking for… and your daughter tells you “this is Jellybean :)!”

I mean of course I ship sketchbook, who else could handle a witch girlfriend?

I know I shouldn’t but I’m very 👀👀 at that hunter in the background, the one with an eye patch. More pretty evil woman in season 2? 👀👀👀

This scene is my everything. Honestly, every single parent in the world could take a lesson from Johanna. Get on this woman’s level, guys.

Why

Why was the Woodman just casually looking at Hilda’s destroyed house? Like… he was just… there… whistling…

But at least he was the reason why we got one of the most beautiful (if not the most) scenes of the show. This ending NEVER fails to make me emotional. It carries such an important message. You won’t get a reward for it. Sometimes it will even bite back at you. But never let the world stop you from being kind. That’s the most powerful message of this show and whatever comes out of season two, at least we had these 13 masterpieces of episodes.

Now let’s go for one last

Wife’s Hilda Rewatch

+2 for David being the voice of reason when they’re running away

+2 for Frida apologizing

+10 for Johanna/Hilda relationship depth

+2 for“This is what I look like when I’m grateful”

+2 for Tomtu reading books in the trash bin… and turning… the wrong page (as in left to right)

+2 for “So… I guess he sort of ate them.”

+5 for that gorgeous ending

Yep, that’s 25 unless exams fried my brain too hard!

Also one last time because I Haven't done this since The Bird Parade!

Background wlw count:

1

2!

Come on, y’all knew I had to make that joke. If I was worse I’d get a picture of Johanna and the huntress as well

Yep, that’s it! Now we sit around and wait for season two I guess :’)

[dayas]

1,3,20 and 25 for the writing ask, I wanna know it all!

First off, I wanna say thank you for giving me this ask because now I have something to think about instead of just being in a sad cloud ❤️ it’s nice to have a little break 💞

1. Tell us about your current project(s)  – what’s it about, how’s progress, what do you love most about it.

Not to expose myself but I have like 5 WIPS 😂

War Of Hearts (jiara reincarnation au), a not so secret combination Dimya fic (flower shop + mob au), an angsty gotham/the batman (fc wise djdjsjsn) BatCat one shot (selina meeting bruce after he left in a slightly unexpected way), and I’m trying to draft/spin ideas for a POTC Klonnie au (calypso and davy jones’ story). With WOH, I’m filling in the second chapter which is taking FOREVER (sorry y’all), but I’m actually super excited for it to drop! With the work entirely, I definitely love all the little hints and breadcrumbs. It’s gonna start coming together more in the second chapter and I’m super pumped to see what y’all think! I’m on Chapter 1 of the Dimya Fic and searching for my inspiration but I know how it’s gonna go and that makes me happy. I love the combo aspect of the fic and how it’s a mashup, plus there’s some not so subtle underlying themes that I think are cool to explore! With BatCat, I wrote some yesterday! It’s a songfic and I love that about it, but also just the angst and flashbacks included, I think it’ll be really cool! And for the Klonnie fic, I haven’t even started 😭 Someone was basically like ‘write this!’ so I was like ‘okay!’ but I don’t know them that well yet writing wise so I need to explore 😂 tbh it’s just a concept that I really, really love and I have some ideas for the melody that goes along with it. Unsure if it’ll be a multi chap or a realllyyy long one shot once it drops but I’m thrilled either way! The technical “fifth” wip is for everybody who asked me when Kie would find out JJ is Sarah’s bf’s friend so watch out for that 👀 y’all ask, I answer 😂

3. What is that one scene that you’ve always wanted to write but can’t be arsed to write all of the set-up and context it would need? (consider this permission to write it and/or share it anyway)

GOD! THIS! Okay okay okay I’ve ALWAYS wanted to write a Jiara break up scene but there’s SO MUCH WORK THAT GOES INTO THAT LIKE THE SET UP AND THEN BUILDING INTO AN EXPLOSION SO here’s a no context, cliche, dramatic af breakup scene for jiara thank you for giving me the freedom to write this 😂

“We need to talk.”

That alone stops what she’s doing. JJ and Kiara don’t usually ‘talk’. They can have serious conversations, but they tend to reserve getting deep for when they’re either really really high, or the issue around them has to be resolved. They’re not in high school anymore, but old habits die hard. Still, she shakes off the pause, drying another dish as she says,

“About?”

“... stuff.”

“Stuff. Real eloquent there, JJ.”

His eyes are practically heating the soapy water up themselves. The kitchen at the Chateau isn’t exactly prime real estate as far as cleanliness goes, but since they’re around here more often than not, Kie decided to make an effort to spruce it up a little bit and dragged JJ into it.

Something’s wrong. He’s fiddling with his rings underneath the water at a faster pace than normal, leaning heavily against the lip of the sink.

“Dude, are you okay?”

Her voice is soft as she dries her hands off, coming up to him and slipping her arms around his chest, cheek pressed into his back. He tenses underneath her, shrugging her off and backing away.

“JJ,” Kiara’s voice is concerned now, “What’s going on?”

“Weneedtobreakup.”

His sentence is a blur that knocks into her, rattling around her brain as it spins like a top. As all tops do, the spinning eventually stops, leaving her with the capacity to space out the miniature word flood that left his mouth a few seconds ago.

We need to break up.

“What?” Kie says, panic creeping into her system, “Why?” She begins to think of what could have gone wrong, what could have prompted this.

“It’s not you, it’s — ”

“If you try to feed me one of your bullshit lines that worked on the ghosts of hookups past, don’t.”

He has the decency to shut up then and there, turning instead to lean back against the cabinets, hands gripping the edge of another counter.

“Is this about what my cousin said?”

A few weeks ago, they’d been invited to a formal family gathering on her mother’s side. Some crazy expensive week in Hawaii. Well, Kiara had been invited, and she brought JJ for two reasons. One, he’s her best friend which legally obligated him to help her out in a spot. Two, they were getting pretty serious (or so she thought), and she couldn’t hide in the OBX forever, so why not kill two birds with one stone? At an extremely over the top event, one of Kie’s drunk cousins approached JJ and started spewing some nonsense. Kiara intervened, of course, but later, she remembers, another one approached. Completely sober. She hadn’t been paying attention to that conversation, occasionally glancing over to make sure JJ wasn’t floundering. He’d been restless the entire night and a few days afterwards. But when they’d come back home, all was well. Or, again, so she’d thought.

She should’ve just chucked the damn stone at herself.

He grimaces, and it’s to her horror that she realizes it’s true.

“What the fuck did she say?”

Her voice is low and dangerous, a tiny sliver of a hint as to what’s hiding behind her eyes.

“Doesn’t matter,” JJ shrugs, eyes everywhere but her.

“Of course it fucking matters, JJ! What did she say?”

“Nothing!”

“That’s a lie.”

“I already told you it doesn’t matter.”

“If it doesn’t matter then just tell me!”

“Fine!”

They are two powder kegs on the verge of an explosion. Kiara lit the spark, jumping the gun to shouting. He followed, and and now they’re at a precipice.

“You really wanna know what she said? Fine. She said that I’ll never be good enough for you, and you know what? She’s right.”

They tilt on the edge, still caught in the middle, unsure of where to fall.

“No. She’s not.” How can he even say that, let alone believe it? Kie isn’t always a fan of the cheesy, but it’s a cold hard fact that the man standing before her is one of the best things in her life.

“She is, Kie. You know she is. You’re not a Kook, but your family... they can give you so much more than I can. Opportunities and shit, the chance to get out of here. What do I have going for me?”

“Everything! You know I don’t want any of that bullshit or the baggage that comes with it — I want you.”

“I’m not gonna be enough. One day you’re gonna look up and realize that you want out of this place. Or I’m gonna look up and realize I turned into my dad.”

A bitter laugh leaves him, slicing them both to ribbons in the process.

“You’re not him, J. You’re not your dad and you never will be your dad.”

“You don’t know that! I don’t know that!”

They step closer at the same time, spark relit on the fuse to destroy them.

“JJ — ”

“No, Kiara. We can’t keep doing this. I’m stuck, and I’m not dragging you down with me.”

“You’re not dragging me down if I want to be here!”

Four more feet and they are two steps away from each other. They’re both tired, oh so tired, yet neither one is willing to give up the fight for their cause. The frustration builds, coiling tightly around them as JJ steps forward and shouts,

“I’m gonna ruin your life!”

“Then ruin it!”

Kie’s scream is passionate, every emotion inside of her escaping in those three words as she steps up to meet him.

“Ruin my life, JJ Maybank. Because I’d rather be in ashes with you than anywhere with anyone else.”

He takes one look at her and the pause between them could stop a train. Then, his head ducks down and his lips crash against hers. She reciprocates, sinking both hands into his hair. He picks her up and she wraps her arms around his waist as he sets her against the counter. Dishes crash onto the floor but neither of them are even remotely half assed to care. His lips attach to her neck and she exhales sharply.

“Stay,” Kiara whispers. And she wishes he did. If she would have been controlling their story, they would have taken this to Big John’s room and the breakup talks would cease. But she put everything in his hands, as he’s making the decision here. So when she tells him to ruin her life, she watches him grapple with himself. For a second, she sees his head tilt ever so slightly forward. He reels himself back in a second later, and the fire in his eyes burns out.

“I’m sorry,” JJ whispers, shaking his head and backing away from her.

“JJ,” Kiara calls after him, “JJ!” She’s immobilized, feet stuck to the floor.

This isn’t happening. This is not happening.

Something inside her breaks and she runs, tearing through the house. He’s already on his bike as she gets to the front porch, and curse him, he looks back. He puts the helmet in his hands on (she bought him that for his birthday — “You’re not getting fucked up on my watch. Put the damn helmet on.”) and drives away.

Kiara doesn’t know what happens next. When her faculties return her knees are scraped up, blood trickling down. She’s still on the porch and her face is wet, cheeks marred by liquid pooling in her eyes. Someone is crying, loudly, like their heart was ripped from their chest. No, she thinks, like someone else’s heart was ripped from their chest, someone the person crying loved. Because if her own heart was ripped out, she would not be able to feel. What Kiara wouldn’t give to not feel a goddamn thing right now.

She calls Sarah. Her friend comes and picks her up, and they go to her place. Kie can’t bear to be in the Chateau or her own room. Sarah’s is devoid of memories, for the most part. She explains what happened through her tears as her friend holds her, gently carding her fingers through her hair comfortingly. They light up, and then get a little tipsy and Kiara doesn’t know if it’s better or for worse. But it’s something. She’s reminded of after the Phantom went down, that night on the beach when she discovered the freedom to be. In this moment, Kiara’s free to be something. Anything. Whatever she wants. But the one thing she wants removed himself from her life, so she settles for being a mess instead. Sarah settles in with her when they’re all worn out, falling asleep quickly. Kiara’s vaguely aware that the person next to her is not who she wants it to be, that this is wrong in the sense that someone else should be here. She’s too cold, unraveled.

“Stay,” she whispers, but this time to herself. If she can stay for tonight, she can stay for tomorrow, and the day after that until she eventually finds her way back to who she is without him in her life. She’s not the same Kiara as she was this morning. She’ll be a different Kiara when she wakes up tomorrow. The Kiara she is wraps her arms around herself to keep whatever’s left from pouring out. She will do what he refused to. When the morning comes, she will face the world. While the moon is out, she is free to dream.

She dreams one last dream of him.

20. Tell us the meta about your writing that you really want to ramble to people about (symbolism you’ve included, character or relationship development that you love, hidden references, callbacks or clues for future scenes?)

Okay LOOK 😂 there’s so much I wanna say on this but it would be so spoiler-y BUT for War Of Hearts, do some scanning! There’s a lot to unpack there, some obvious, some not! It becomes more evident in the chapters to come. I wish I could say more and I totally would if all of it was published 😭😭😭 OOO but I do enjoy referencing my works in other works (literally did that in the mini scene above lmao) so there’s a good chance that I riff off of previous concepts or something else across the stories/one shots that I write! There’s so many references I throw in too. For example, the ‘I hope you care to be recalled to life’ part in It Wasn’t Special Til I Met you is from A Tale Of Two Cities. I definitely love exploring concepts in my work, which I guess is why it kind of reads as flowery when I dig into it 😂

25. What part of writing is the most fun?

To me, I really love when I’m able to come up with good dialogue or a good scene and I’m like ‘OOO YES THIS IS IT!” It’s super fun to explore the underlying themes and symbolism in pieces; I totally love and live for weaving stuff together like Blues Clues 😂 I also adore dropping references to various works or songs because people will catch them and be like ‘wait is that xyz?’ and I’m like ‘yeah! yes it is! you get it!’ And that’s just a wonderful feeling 😊🥰

That’s all for me! Thanks for asking!

[ghostsofmemories]

Ocean In the Woods: Character Portraits/Profiles

I hope everyone enjoys this because this has taken Forever™ and it's the reason I haven't gotten anything done all week. I drew some portraits in my comic sans presentation but I'm not very happy with them anymore so here's some better ones!!

Arthur Benz, he/him (MC)

I've already posted his portrait once, but it wouldn't be right to ignore him here! Arthur is 17, a trans guy, and a little impulsive. His family is very supportive of his gender identity (because I literally never see that in stories ever) and he has been on testosterone for just over a year. He has a tendency to feel guilty over things out of his control, is extroverted but distant, and is observant in terms of detail but oblivious in terms of emotions. He's not really a school kind of guy and can't wait to get out of there.

Anne Benz, she/her (older sister)

Anne is a 24 year old woman who still lives at home (by choice because she loves them). She's a programmer, family genius, considering giving her a secret girlfriend. She's extremely caring and closest to Arthur out of the rest of his family. Takes her responsibility as the oldest Very Seriously but still knows how to be a cool badass.

Aiden Benz, he/him (little brother)

Aiden is 14, in 8th grade. He is my baby, small and soft and even though he's a bit of an asshole at times, I still love him. He gets very good grades and listens to Bach and sort of thinks he's above Arthur because of that, but he's going to grow a lot over the course of the story. He's just an adorable child and deserves better.

Maya Bright, she/her

Maya is Arthur's best friend, who is also 17 but 12 days older and will let you know. She is absolutely fucking wild, and still manages to keep straight A's. Chaotic bisexual. She and Arthur feed each other's impulses. Would get into an ivy league school but get arrested for rioting and throwing bricks. I love her.

Lance Fisher, he/him

The other best friend! 18 and the only straight white person in the group, but he's still rad. Has gotten suspended from school and (temporarily) kicked off the soccer team because someone was messing with his friends and he was not having it. He's kind of an all brawn no brain at times, but he's not actually stupid and it hurts is feeling when people make fun of him (but he'd never tell them that).

Ollie Cook, they/them

Local freshman at 15, and basically got thrown into the friend group after coming out in the fall. They are feminine and Do Not Care what people think about it. Loud, fun, go-with-the-flow kinda friend. Unsure about their sexuality. They're always there for everybody but kind of insecure about their place in the group due to being younger and new to this whole thing. Very sweet, 100/10.

Vanessa Pierce, she/her

16, a sophomore amongst many juniors and a freshman. Dating Ollie, and the two of them are a very cute couple. Local lesbian (listen I don't wanna get into the gatekeeping stuff about nb people and sexualities, yeah? Let them exist) and lover of all things in shades of red. Probably secretly a goddess.

Ocean, she/her

Possible love interest from a parallel dimension (it's basically our world but set back 20 years and with monsters? I don't really get it either tbh. I'm just going with it) who accidentally brings a very scary monster/demon/whateverthefuck to our world. She's very desperate for approval in most things she does, as she's very unfamiliar with the technology and social dynamics here. She's very homesick and misses her family, but the portal back home won't open until the physical world is as it was before she got there (AKA no monster). Idk how old she is yet, but between 16 and 18. Mysterious. Unpredictable. Nervous wreck.

The Benz parents also play pretty big roles in the story, but I didn't include them here as I don't really have a clear picture of what they look like yet, so here they are (I basically just made some Really Awesome Parents because I don't think we see enough of that in fiction, especially YA):

Denise (mother) is very nurturing and careful. She wants to do everything as perfectly as possible with the fewest amount of repercussions. Her father is of Nigerian descent and her mother was born and raised in Mexico, but died when Denise was a young girl. She's trying to learn spanish as a tribute to her mother and heritage, but she's also juggling a career and her children, so it's a process.

Richard (father, who will always be Richie to his wife and in my heart) is also a programmer, and sparked Anne's interest in the job when she was young. He tries to spend time with all his kids and struggles to accept the fact that they're growing up. He does whatever he can to make them happy. He owns up to the mistakes of his past (spent some time in rehab when Anne and was a kid and Arthur was a baby), but does his best to move forward.

Overall, this is my favorite cast of characters ever!! I might have to slightly pair down some of the stuff I've got going in my head for them because frankly, there is Too Much Subplot (but. I love them so much) and there is not room for all their development and characteristics.

Taglist: @brooklyn-etc @coffeeandcalligraphy @my-lifes-one-big-critical-fail @kozyisa-tries-to-write

[psqqa]

by the time i stopped to consider why the fuck i was putting this together in the first place, i’d already typed most of it up. idk i guess i just like throwing my joy into the void, where the void can either choose to ignore it or derive some joy from it itself. either is fine.

anyway, i’m never going to have enough of these in any one category to put together a proper FST or anything, nor am i capable of imprinting on a song for reasons that aren’t like “feathers.......hawks”, because really this is all driven by my terrible sense of humour, but what i have collected so far Sparks Joy, so into the void it goes. 

psqqa’s list of songs applicable to bnha in some way, shape, or form

No One Is Alone - Into the Woods - this is a vibe i’ve been getting from the manga for a while but then the my villain academia arc just totally cinched it (while we’re seeing our side/maybe we forgot/they are not alone/no one is alone)

Falling - Haim - this one is a bakugou song for me, which probably says something about me because i’m fairly sure it could almost equally be a midoriya song if you wanted it to be. yes, both could be good, but the brain doesn’t always work that way. (they keep saying/don’t stop/no it’s never enough/i’ll never look back/never give up/and if it gets rough/it’s time to get rough)

Ice and the Storm - My Brightest Diamond - inatodo. i did warn you. (darling we’ve accumulated/too much miscommunication/in the beginning everything is soft/not defensive/perhaps we begin again/shining)

Sacrilege - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - feathers.......hawks. probably dabi/hawks given the options so far, but that’s pretty immaterial tbh (fallen for a guy/fell down from the sky/halo/round his head/feathers in our bed)

Girl - Anouk - listen i’m not going to lie, i’ve never fully been able to figure out what the hell is going on in this song. like, i would say it’s just straight up anouk being in love with the titular “Girl”, but then there’s the “him” in the first verse so who even knows. i’ve settled on polyamory, which makes this my jirou highkey got the feels for yaomomo and lowkey got the feels for kaminari and she needs yaomomo to understand this so they can work on a frankly totally unnecessary because kaminari is already all in baby Wooing Plan (still got my hands/they’re clinging/so i just keep going/i don’t know where i belong/could i belong to you)

Electric Feel - MGMT - electric..........kaminari. i like to think of it in terms of kaminari/jirou/yaomomo. idk maybe he gets bored waiting for them to plan their Wooing Plan and just takes matters into his own terrible pickup line hands. or perhaps it’s just aimed at yaomomo and we can take these two songs jointly to be The Wooing of YaoMomo. which actually now that i’ve typed it out i am quite fond of as an idea. (i said ooh girl/shock me like an electric eel/baby girl/turn me on with your electric feel)

the three song stretch that runs Slow Show-Apartment Story-Start A War - The National - The Soul-Crushing Weight Of Being In Your Early-To-Mid-Twenties!kiribaku. this would be like triply the case if i were reading this manga in 2012 instead of 2019. (i wanna hurry home to you/put on a slow dumb show for you/and crack you up - be still for a second while i/try and try to pin your flowers on/can you carry my drink i have everything else/i can tie my tie all by myself - do you really think you can just/put it in a safe behind a/painting lock it up and leave/walk away now/and you’re gonna start a war)

Fireproof - The National - also kiribaku. look man idk what to tell you. it just be like that sometimes. (you’re fireproof/nothing breaks your heart/you’re fireproof/it’s just the way you are)

The Man of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts - Sufjan Stevens - man of steel, man of heart...............tetsutetsu. pick your tetsutetsu ship of choice. it doesn’t matter. all parties equally applicable because only a steel man can be a lover/if he had hands to tremble all over/we celebrate our sense of each other/we have a lot to give one another

New Shoes - Paolo Nutini - kirishima song!! (hey i put some new shoes on/and suddenly everything’s right/i said hey i put some new shoes on/and everybody’s smiling/it’s so inviting)

Dance Apocalyptic - Janelle Monae - mina song!! what can i say, it’s got mina energy. also i feel like ‘dance apocalyptic’ would a great hero name for mina. (but i really, really want to thank you/for dancing ‘til the end/you found a way to break out/you’re not afraid to break out)

Whoo! Alright – Yeah...Uh Huh - The Rapture - kaminari song!!! do the lyrics even work for him? who knows, i’m just in it for the cowbell. and so is kaminari. (people don’t dance no more/they just stand there like this/they cross their arms and/stare you down and/drink and moan and diss)

Invincible - OK Go - now i could, and i guess sort of do, think of this as a bakugou ship song generally, but to be quite honest, i think it’s probably just the song his brain plays on a loop whenever he does anything (when they finally come to destroy the earth/they’ll have to deal with you first/and now my money says they won’t know about/the thousand fahren/heit hot metal/lights behind your eyes/invincible/oh oh oh/you’re invincible)

Daniel - Bat for Lashes - tododeku - don’t @ me (daniel/when i first saw you/i knew that you had/a flame in your heart/and under wild blue skies/marble movie skies/i found a home in your eyes/we’d never be apart)

Gekommen um zu bleiben - Wir sind Helden - BAKUSQUAD!!!! i mean, also like 1-a generally, but for me it’s really the bakusquad.....also i literally just realized that the band name itself works really well here (wir gehen nicht/aber wenn wir gehen/dann gehen wir in scheiben/entschuldigung ich sagte/wir sind gekommen um zu bleiben)

Don’t Call Me Baby - Madison Avenue - the kacchako song. why? because i was reliving the turn of the millennium. next question. (don’t think that i’m not strong/i’m the one to take you on/don’t underestimate me boy/i’ll make you sorry you were born/you don’t know me/the way you really should/you sure misunderstood/don’t call me baby)

You Will Not Take My Heart Alive - Joanna Newsom - All Might. although i think this entire album is one he would Have Feelings about. and tbh it’s impossible at this point for me to consider any one song off this album entirely on its own. it’s always within the greater context of the album as a whole. (and i won’t come round this way again/where the lonely wind abides/and you will not take my heart alive)

Don’t Wanna Fight - Alabama Shakes - bakudeku. i didn’t actually think any song would ping me as bakudeku at any point, but here we are. (what you like/what i like/why can’t we both be right?/attacking/defending/until there’s nothing left/worth winning)

Mrs. Robinson - Simon & Garfunkel - hawks/dabi-hawks/endeavour melodramatic clusterfuck. no i’m not taking questions. (DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE/DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO DOO/DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE DEE)

Riot Rhythm - Sleigh Bells - riot........kirishima. but yeah kirishima and bakugou are bros and that’s Good. they might also be more than bros, but that’s up to you i guess. (because my best friend/she's okay/carve you out/all the way/straight A kids/like a treat/she stands up/takes the heat)

In The Shadows - The Rasmus - tokoyami. i feel like i’m virtually incapable of talking about tokoyami without also mentioning this song, but like, you’ve seen the video right? (i've been watching/i've been waiting/in the shadows/for my time)

The Hero - Queen - this one is probably cheating, given that it was written for the actual soundtrack of an actual superhero movie, but it’s not like there’s any rules to this and i’ve never seen the movie......or anything else with flash in it i guess, so whatever. anyway, not so much All Might as like every character in this manga when they were 4yo watching All Might. (he’s for every one of us/stands for every one of us/he’ll save with a mighty hand)

Impossible Soul - Sufjan Stevens - this wasn’t on this list until sometime around 2:30 AM last night when i was lying awake because i didn’t take my nightly melatonin and something something i can’t even vaguely remember the train of thought but it ended in me deciding this was a good bakudeku song. not so much the first part, but like ‘do you want to be afraid’ onward. maybe the eight minutes of “boy we can do much more together” will be enough for bakugou to get the message. (boy we can do much more together/better get it right/get it right/get it right/get it right/boy we can do much more together/it’s not so impossible)

to be updated if further song pinging happens, i guess?

[amazonpoodle]

all right it’s my turn to express my feelings about the magicians finale

what had happened was, the week of the finale was NOT A GOOD WEEK for me to watch something that would upset me that much, so on the recommendation of multiple friends i had people spoil me for the episode, for mental health reasons. i’ve read a bunch of meta and yelled in public and in private, and finally actually watched the episode this past saturday.

in conclusion, i think the thing that plain frustrates me the most is that THERE WERE GOOD BITS! there were really interesting lovely bits! which were almost completely mangled by the egregiously bad bits!

i don’t know if i have anything to say that you haven’t already read or heard from other people who are more active in the fandom, possibly more eloquent, and probably used capital letters, but here we are!!! oh well!!! 

okay first i don’t even know what the fuck to say about julia. every! single! season! so far! has involved depriving her of a REALLY MAJOR CHOICE about her life or her magic or her autonomy or her fucking BODY like! what! why! 

i am not clear on why we couldn’t just WAKE HER UP and ASK HER WHAT SHE WANTED, so like -- if the show explained that they didn’t explain it well enough, and if they didn’t FUCK THEM tbh.

second, one of my most significant grievances with the show as a whole is I DON’T CARE ABOUT JOSH HOBERMAN. i don’t!!! care!!! to me he is everything i hated about dawn summers and jonathan levinson COMBINED into one boring gary stu, like. what the fuck is josh/margo? why am i HERE? sure, people of disparate hotnesses can hook up and fall in love, but i know whose fantasy josh/margo is and it’s for sure not margo’s. anyway, now i’m mainly just mad at JOSH THE FISH for sidelining margo in the previous episode. although her eye does just keep getting awesomer and awesomer.

now, the real meat of the thing. the death of q. i’m gonna say something, and you might not like it, and we’ll all just have to figure out how to handle that:

out of context, I’M NOT MAD ABOUT QUENTIN’S DEATH.

like... if the whole thing had been done right? if jason’s exit from the show hadn’t been a secret for no fucking reason? if time and consideration had been given to multiple quentin storylines in a way that made sense? i would be okay with how quentin died. (not what came after. i’ll get to that.)

i kind of have the feeling that all the people involved in writing q’s death were just. trying to recreate buffy’s death from the s5 finale but like, newer and shinier? and hey, i grew up in buffy fandom, the gift was DEVASTATING and beautiful and SHOCKING, i’m not mad that someone would want to create something like that!

and credit where it’s due -- the moment of quentin’s death was, imho, really, really lovely. like. understated, in the eerie quiet greyscale of the mirror world. q didn’t yell, he spoke, quietly, “minor mending” -- the subtle color of the seam within the mirror, the light healing the cobwebbed cracks in the glass, the shower of sparks, just. it was a lot. visually i thought it was incredibly moving and effective. it for sure made me cry. and i don’t know exactly what i was expecting, but. IGNORING THE STUFF THAT CAME AFTER, quentin’s death did not read, to me, as a(n excuse for) suicide or a waste. it seemed, to me, to be brave and sad and necessary. 

storywise -- and again, for now, putting a pin in the crap that came after -- quentin’s death would have been WAY! MORE! IMPACTFUL! if we’d gotten any goddamn lead-up about his discipline. it was BAD WRITING to make us wait until mid-s4 to tell us what his discipline was. it was BAD WRITING to only let us see him mend, in that particular way, one (1) model airplane and one (1) mug. like???? HELLO???? WHAT???? in a just world, the showrunners would have been laying the groundwork for q’s discipline reveal since, like, the start of s3. they should have shown him repairing things, regularly, ALL ALONG, and everybody thinking it’s no big deal. FIFTY YEARS IN FILLORY, he never had to fix a broken window or re-hang a door or darn a sock? the revelation of “repair of small objects” should have felt like an explosion of OF FUCKING COURSE. we should have been able to spend time with quentin while he came to grips with how small that felt to him, we should have gotten to see him looking for things to repair, to practice, on purpose! we should have gotten to see him attempt to mend something that was too big for him! 

and the biggest thing of all, that makes me tear the fuck up every time i think about it too hard, is that REPAIR OF SMALL OBJECTS or MINOR MENDING is honestly the most exquisite, most appropriate discipline for someone suffering from significant depression and anxiety. SPEAKING AS A PERSON WHO’S BEEN DEALING WITH DEPRESSION FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS, OKAY, dealing with mental illness is best done in small steps, with small gestures, with small requests for help. you can’t fix your entire life in one fell heroic swoop. trying to do all the things at once, perfectly, without getting messy, without dealing with little details, is a fucking TRAP. it can’t be done. that’s not how you live. you’re never DONE.

it makes 100% perfect sense that quentin coldwater, who has always wanted to be a hero, keeps learning, over and over again, that sometimes (usually!) his role is SUPPORT. to get someone else to the finish line. THE HARDEST THING IN THIS WORLD IS TO LIVE IN IT. minor!!! mending!!!

fuck.

okay.

now we address quentin AFTER his death. we stuck a pin in it, let’s take it out so we can really SCREAM, eh?

sigh. i’m not mad that quentin asked the question. “what did i do? did i finally find a way to kill myself?” like. you’ve been dealing with suicidal ideation all your life, you’re allowed to wonder, honey! that’s okay!

WHAT PISSES ME OFF IS THE ANSWER. or the non-answer. whatever. this whole thing was handled so goddamn hamfistedly, like. again -- why. also -- and perhaps this is nitpicky of me, but -- this is the office of secrets taken to the grave, right? this isn’t the time for quentin to ask questions or get answers himself, it’s time for him to answer them! to confess things he hasn’t told anybody! penny-40, i love you the best, but i feel like you’re not doing your job!

other people have said more about this than i will, more thoughtfully, but basically i thought quentin watching his own funeral was bullshit. the whole thing sucked. the only part that didn’t suck was eliot and alice holding hands. oh, and julia’s revelation afterward. why should it be more meaningful to watch people mourn you than to have people tell you, to your face, when you’re alive, that you are loved and important and interesting and life-changing?

let’s fucking avoid fantasizing how appreciated we’ll be when we’re gone, shall we? that’s really the main thing. 

i’m running out of steam, clearly. that was mostly everything. i also agree with the people who’ve said that, in retrospect, the writers thought that escape from the happy place was a story JUST about eliot, not about eliot AND QUENTIN. the writers were wrong! they didn’t know what story they were telling! but that perspective explains a LOT.

i don’t really know what i’m going to do next season. probably i’m not going to watch? i truly didn’t realize how serious my depressed bisexual disaster self had imprinted on depressed bisexual disaster quentin coldwater until. you know. they killed him. but i am interested in the fix-its -- and imho this finale (this whole season) lends itself very easily to being fixed. so i think, despite the fuckery of canon, i’m not done with the fandom.

if you’ve read this far thanks for sticking around this long??? er. that’s all.

[franklyshipping]

Marshmallow Jim ~ A Markiplier Ego Fanfic

WOOOOOO FINALLY I'M BACK OFF HIATUS! I AM WRITING SOMETHING WITH THE SWEET SWEET BOY WHO IS ERIC DERICKSON AND I KNOW IT'S WHAT PEOPLE HAVE WANTED AND TBH I'VE WANTED TO WRITE THIS FOR A LONG ASS WHILE! THIS IS BASED OFF OF THE CUTEST PROMPT FROM @amazingmsme SO LET'S DO IT!!!

TAGGING: @ericleederekson and @erik-lee-derekson

As someone who has no siblings, nor have had anyone in my life whom I would consider ''sibling-like''....I don't quite understand the relationship siblings have. They're not like parents or other family members who you may feel awkward socialising with, and yet they may neither be like best friends who you can share absolutely everything with....and yet they know everything about you anyway. The only way I have ever really understood the concept of siblings....is through the Jims. Always having each other's backs, having an unexplainable synchronicity in thought and intention, whilst still having some degree of individuality. A comfort, and safety, an obligatory love that you WANT to fulfil because they're just understanding in a person, and they're someone who can understand you. This is what the Jims are, I can't speak for all siblings, but of course not all siblings are as perfect as the Jims.

'Your editing, as ever, astounds me Jim, you must show me how you do it all so smoothly!'

Camera Jim bore the most enthusiastic expression as he grinned to his younger brother, of whom he was in awe of currently due to how he'd undergone the realisation of how completely multi-talented he was. Not only did he provide the perfect auditory commentary for their documentaries, but was also the best formatter he thought he'd ever met in his whole life. Said younger brother, Reporter Jim, had a pink hue of bashfulness on his cheeks before he elected to retort with similar awe-inspired praise of his awesome older brother.

'I surely will Jim, but only if you teach me the secret of how you're able to carry a hugely heavy camera on your shoulder for extended periods of time without getting achy!'

The young reporter grinned....and stuck out his pinky finger. It had always been their thing when it came to making promises. None of this crossing your heart or swearing on life malarkey, just a good old pinky finger shake promise. Camera Jim giggled, extending his pinky finger and sealing this new solemn promise. 

'Deal Jim!'

I think we can agree that this is just a wonderfully pure, lovely thing to witness, and it's certain to light up the day of anybody who sees it, right? Well....I'm mostly right. The other person witnessing this would agree that it's pure and wonderful....but deep down, it would end up offering more darkness to his day than light. Eric Derickson is the person here. He was currently concealed in the living room's window seat that was hidden behind a thick curtain, and had been daydreaming of his, unfortunately now deceased, brothers. He'd been trying his best to keep good, happy memories in his mind, it was meant to help with the grief apparently.

When the Jims had entered the main room however, a pang of want for company had made Eric stand up....but then they'd started talking. Sometimes talking, just the action itself regardless of words, can stop people for different reason. He'd frozen up, and stayed that way. Body half-curled in his seat, fist clenching his raggedy, yet soft, handkerchief as he listened and peeked at the Jims....who talked so in sync. It was amazing to hear. So amazing in fact, that the thought of barging in and including himself in the scene made Eric feel sick right in the pit of his stomach. That sickening pit of anxiety....was just the start.

'Howdy Jim was on form with his advertisement work wasn't he Jim?'

Eric flinched at the sound of the young reporter's exclamation...the Jims never did have a good volume control. It might be a sign of being a rambunctious sibling, there's always a hint of wildness if you're raised in that kind of free for all family. Like the Jims...or....like the Dericksons. Eric's brothers were just the same...they were so much....the same.

'Oh agreed Jim! As was Flirty Katana Jim with their dating advice Jim!'

Camera Jim replied with a wide smile; a hobby of the Jims was crediting and greatly admiring all their friends behind their backs. Eric could feel his eyes getting hotter and hotter. The happy memories of his siblings were being poisoned, poisoned by his anxious grief that made him clutch his hanky tighter and tense what little muscle he had. What really got to Eric though, and in fact made him softly gasp....was what our dear Reporter Jim said next.

'Oh their confidence is unrivalled Jim....I....find myself being jealous, since I get nervous so easily and end up rambling which makes people think I'm a good reporter when in fact I'm just speaking nonsense in order to get past it more quickly so that it's done and there's a lower risk of people finding fault and being disappointed with me-'

'Jim....sweet baby brother, the most talented of us all. You ARE a good reporter, because you handle the truth unlike every other reporter in the existence of the Planet. And you're adorable, viewers like that!'

To hear Reporter Jim have that insecurity struck a chord in Eric....but it was his brother's words that made his first silent tears roll down his cheeks. There's something about being a sibling, when someone sees you at your best and at your worst...it means that they have this gift; an ability to have the perfect words to get you back to your best. Eric didn't have that anymore. He used to have that...but he'd lost it, and it hurt.

'J-JIM!'

Reporter Jim squeaked bashfully, and as the Jim's embraced happily, Eric covered his mouth with his handkerchief to muffle his sniffles. He didn't even have the energy to chastise himself about being weak, the sorrow inside him was just bubbling up and boiling to a point where he just didn't feel in control anymore. Eric felt weak. He'd relied on others being there to help and look after him all his life....but surely that meant he wasn't actually strong like his brothers used to say? Surely if he was strong he would be able to calm himself down and gain control over any panic or surge of anxiety, right? That's how things worked, right?

No.

Yes, you may have people in your life with soft eyes and soft voices who can say all the right things to get you to listen....but they're not the ones who have your lungs. No one else can get you out of hyperventilation and wheezing, that's all you. Yes, someone may be gentle and wipe the tears from your cheeks, but who's the person who stops them coming to yours eyes? You. Yes, your loved ones can take your hands and guide you to places of comfort....but it's your legs that you walk with your brain that convinces you to get up and move those legs. It's you..... but not ONLY you. Yes, you can contribute to getting yourself out of unpleasant states...but it is ALWAYS the people who love you who are there to light that spark and clear the path, to make things easier. They are at the first, middle, and final stages side by side with you. You just have to let them listen....they need to hear you.

'W-Wait....Jim can you hear-?'

'A new noise nearby, yes Jim....'

Reporter Jim whispered in quick succession of his brother as they parted from their hug, both bearing expressions of curious confusion. Neither of them were sure of what they'd heard at first since the noises transitioned through sniffs, hics, gasps....until they both understood that what they were hearing was sobbing. They both looked around the room....before freezing, with the veiled window-seat alcove in their sights since it was the only place that someone could hide in the room. They glanced to one another.

'Investigate?'

'Investigate.'

Camera Jim nodded resolutely at his brother's reply before they stood simultaneously and carefully made their way over, being slow; if someone was upset, the last thing they wanted was to startle them. Eric was holding his breath, he knew they'd heard him and he had absolutely nowhere to go, they were going to see him in his stupid, weak state. He was scared....what would they think? What would they do? He was about to find out. Reporter Jim drew back the curtain carefully as his brother peered into the alcove, and both the brothers' eyes widened as Camera Jim whispered.

'New Jim....'

They hadn't come up with their own nickname for him yet, since they hadn't talked to him all that much. The things they did know however, was how the only family he had was his bully of a father, and that the anxiety he suffered from was intense and COMPLETELY undeserved. They knew that his anxiety was in full effect now from his tear stained face, tense frozen form, and look of utter shame on his face. Eric was silent, so Reporter Jim spoke up, but still quite softly.

'Hey....New Jim....why are you....so sad?'

Eric gulped....he could see their concern, but in his mind it was human nature that made them ask him such a caring question. Obligation by nature. Eric therefore did NOT have the confidence to answer, for fear of them not actually caring and in fact seeing him as a burden with whom they talked with out of politeness. Obviously, that is not the case. The brothers knew that they had to be gentle, careful, and patient, much like medical professionals with any other kind of disease. Both brothers took a few little steps towards him, offering him gentle smiles as the eldest murmured.

'You can tell us, we won't tell anyone else....we want to help....we like helping people who are sad, we make sure anyone who leaves us has a smile on their face....'

Eric looked between the two of them nervously, hunched up with nervousness as thoughts pricked his brain....they seemed like they really meant it, and out of everybody, he figured that they were the least likely to deceive him. So Eric decided to try and tell them.....everything. That meant that all of his words came out as this fast, stuttery babble of speech as all his feelings tried to come out at once.

'W-Well I-I-I was g-going to say hi but y-you guys were ch-chatting so I d-didn't want to i-interrupt, th-then you were gossiping a-and b-being caring a-a-and it m-...m-made...me...th-think of m-my own brothers a-a-a-I-uh....'

Eric was shaking and hyperventilating as his coherency just diminished, his sobs returning to him at full force as he held his hanky to his eyes. The Jims only saw one course of action....hugging. They both surged forwards and put their arms around him, and since Eric was the sort of person who needed a lot of physical affection, this was the perfect thing to do for him in that moment. The Jims were in shock....they never thought that one person would ever have to deal with such a great degree of grief....and yet here he was in their arms. And by the gods they were going to help him.

'Hey now it's okay it's okay, we're right here for you aren't we Jim?'

Reporter Jim crooned softly, rubbing in-between Eric's shoulder blades as he and his brother led him slowly to the main couch; standing in of itself was probably draining Eric of energy. Camera Jim had nodded at his brother's words, and kept Eric's non-hanky hand encased in both of his own as he kept eye contact with the distraught man.

'Definitely. Don't worry, if you need to keep doing the crying then we can cuddle you through it all.'

'Cuddling is a cure for all problems.'

'We've got you, you don't need to hide away and do it by yourself....'

They may have spoken in quick succession, but the lowered tones of their voices along with the caring words they spoke made it all just seem soothing for Eric. Soon enough they were all on the couch, with Eric half-nestled limply into Camera Jim as Reporter Jim rested/snuggled into his back.....and there Eric wept. All I can tell you regarding how long he cried for is that it was the amount of time that he needed, and you can't put a numerical value on need. When he did manage to get his breath back, his eyes were flicking over the squiggly patterns on Camera Jim's shirt, and his voice was a whisper.

'I-I-I m-miss them....I-I n-never knew th-that I could hurt th-this much, I didn't think a p-person could f-feel like nothing...'

The Jims thought they were going to tear up....he just sounded so broken.

'But you're not nothing, not really....all the nastiness you feel just shows how much you loved them. I bet all your brothers were so wonderful and loving...'

Camera Jim murmured soothingly, running his hand through Eric's hair as he looked down to him. To the Jims' joy, Eric nodded at Camera Jim's words...and they felt this hope that if they helped Eric focus on happy memories, it would be less painful. Eric sniffled softly, his watery eyes flicking up to Camera Jim as he snuggled more into both brothers, getting more comfortable as he replied.

'They w-were....'

Eric looked like he wanted to continue, so Reporter Jim spoke encouragingly as he kept rubbing the man's back.

'Hey....if you'd like to, we'd love to hear about them. Talking about the happy things might make it hurt way less.'

Eric blinked a few times, turning his head behind him as he hummed softly at the light massage....and a ghost of a smile appeared on his lips.

'.....th-that s-sounds....nice....'

Both Jims smiled as Eric resumed carefully cuddling and getting comfy, and the Jims both made sure to be attentive as Eric spoke.

'W-Well they um.....th-they were all kind of wild and rough, a-always playful and h-having competitions and mini-fights. But....th-they never tried to...m-make me do that s-stuff. They knew I g-got anxious easily s-so they looked after me, they d-didn't care that I didn't like fighting...they l-loved me for me....'

The Jims kept smiling as they listened to Eric....just talking about his brothers in a happy light seemed to make him perk up more; Camera Jim ruffled Eric's hair a little as he whispered.

'They sound so sweet and kind, I bet they loved looking after you, their little Eric...'

Eric's cheeks turned pink, and the Jims withheld gasps when the man suddenly became all smiley and bashful...he was so adorable.

'M-Mhm....th-they u-used to c-call me that when they t-teased me....a-and s-sometimes babied me because I w-was the youngest....'

Okay now the Jims' hearts were truly melted because the thought of fifteen people constantly being there to baby and care for Eric was the purest thing they could possibly imagine. Seeing Eric so bashful too was a sign to the Jims that they were helping Eric onto the right track, so they decided to try and keep it that way. Reporter Jim giggled a little.

'Awwww, to be fair you are really adorable!'

'I bet all your brothers loooved cooing at you! What else did they do?'

Eric felt his breath catch in his throat at the teasing from the Jims....and for the first time in he didn't know how long....he got butterflies in his tummy. Actual flutters and tingles of happy flusteredness that he used to have so much that the butterflies became as normal for him as breathing was. Eric hadn't fathomed feeling them again...but he was....and he loved it. He wanted to feel more. He was eager to tell the Jims more, he could feel that they were honestly interested, so he spoke; it was still in jitters, but that was normal for him really.

'W-Well, uhm...ohgosh-heh....well...th-they a-always said I l-looked cute....b-but I always d-disagreed with them. S-So...t-to get me to agree they'd um....wr-wrestle me down an all take turns....t-t-tickling me...'

Eric had his head bowed in embarrassment as he trailed off breathlessly, mind racing at how he was actually telling people this, about how he was frequently gang tickled; he was shocked he even got that word out of his mouth. The Jims meanwhile...felt a mix of things. Amazement that Eric had survived frequent gang tickling from FIFTEEN STRONG BROTHERS! Awe at how happy Eric was becoming as he unloaded more and more, plus honour at how Eric trusted them with all these personal things. Their main shared emotion however....was mischief. Mischief and delight. Mischief and delight at the fact that Eric had just told them something of great value; something, that could keep Eric's smile in place for a good while. The Jims shared a look, grinned, and confirmed their intentions via some secret Jimmy telekinesis which we will never understand.

'Wrestle you down you say? All of them against you? Why you would never had stood a chance, poor thing....'

'You must have been utterly defenceless, say....did they wrestle you like this?'

Reporter Jim crooned after his brother, before sneakily gaining a grip on Eric's forearms from behind and bringing them above his head as Camera Jim lightly pushed Eric into a lying position, sitting on the confused man's shins in the process. Eric was mightily confuzzled. He let out a soft whine as he struggled amidst their movements, not feeling too nervous since their kindly smiles reassured him that playfulness was what was on the table here. Eric tugged gently at his arms, wiggling as he stuttered.

'What-u-u-uhm....y-yes I s-suppose....b-but why are y-y-you d-doing it? L-Let me up....'

As Eric's speaking went on, he became more and more soft spoken, especially when it came to him making his meek little request. Why you ask? Well, that would be due to how the Jims were subtly looming more and more over him as the seconds passed, eyes glinting as they relished in his cuteness. The Jims shared a glance for a few moments, and Eric gulped as he tried to interpret what they were thinking....but it was impossible. He only understood, when they spoke.

'Well we wanted to get a really good picture of how your brothers would wrestle you, and you also said that they did it because they cared for you-'

'And you were smiling when you talked about it!'

'So really it makes sense that we re-create it for you.'

'So that we can keep you smiling!'

Reporter Jim finished the brothers' spiel with a growing enthusiasm in his voice, and it was then that Eric realised. He went over in his head what he'd told them.....and there were those butterflies once more. Eric....was so happy. He was too happy to even be embarrassed. He knawed on his bottom lip as his watery, hopeful eyes flicked between them with a growing excitement....wondering.....wondering if this was going to happen to him...after so long.

'B-B-But....d-does that mean y-you're gonna....?'

Eric's evident joy meant that the Jims were just itching to get started, so much so that no sooner had they nodded to Eric to confirm his suspicions, Camera Jim had set his fluttering fingertips under the nervous man's chin. And boy was he rewarded.

'AHA! D-Dohohon't s-s-stahahart thehehere!'

My. God. His. Giggling. You're not even ready. The Jims sure as hell weren't ready, and let me tell you, they were shook. You're aware of the phrase 'tee-hee' in reference to laughter right? Well, that's how Eric laughed; or rather, giggled. After a spluttery start, he descended into this high-pitched stream of preciousness as he tried to tilt his head in an attempt to hide his ticklish chin. He couldn't believe this was happening....he'd missed it so much.

'Awww but why noooot? It's making you so giggly and cute!'

'VERY giggly and cute in fact....'

Camera Jim followed on from his brother's giddy remark with a purr as he kept up his fluttery, scratchy technique whilst smiling down at Eric fondly. Camera Jim was getting this odd feeling that he didn't just have one little brother anymore....and Reporter Jim was half-thinking that in the future he'd get to tickle a sibling for once rather than be on the receiving end. Eric was thinking that he was flustered and their successive teasing was very, very evil.

'Nohoho dohohon't sahay it dohohon't sahay ihit!'

You might think that if someone gets called cute nearly 24/7 in their life, they'd get used to it eventually.....nooo. If anything, the constancy just made Eric more easy to fluster. The very apples of his cheeks were lovely and rosy as he squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head, wiggling about and whining at how he couldn't fight back. So, what did the Jims do? Why, tease him even more of course!

'Uh ohhh, I think someone's getting flustered Jim.'

Camera Jim cooed with a smirk as his fluttery tickly digits founds the backs of Eric's ears, making him squeal extensively whilst Reporter Jim lightly rubbed Eric's forearms.

'Oh deeefinately Jim! Look at his little blushy cheeks, they look so cute and squishy!'

I'm surprised that Reporter Jim didn't develop genuine heart eyes given how lovingly he was looking down at Eric, both Jims found that they now had a very strong attachment to him. Eric felt the same for them too...because now they really reminded him of his brothers. He was even getting flashes of memories in his mind of when they would crowd round him and make him giggle his heart out for god knows how long. Eric was soon back in reality when he tossed his head even harder from side to side, the tickles behind his ears feeling unbearable in the teasiest way.

'S-Stahahap the t-t-teheheasihing, shuhuhushy!'

Eric had his face scrunched up, since he was trying to a) dislodge the evil ear tickles and b) try to block out their babyish teasing. Yeaahhh....that didn't work. If anything...he just made everything worse for himself.

'Jim....I think our ticklish little Eric is trying to tell us what to do....'

Camera Jim stroked down Eric's neck as a new expression of sternness rose on him, making Eric gulp and squeak nervously....Eric never thought a Jim could be intimidating....oh how wrong he was.

'Ohhh that's a big mistake Jim.'

'A VERY big mistake.'

Eric whimpered and whined with wide eyes as he looked between the brothers, BOTH of whom were stern now, and he especially tensed when he felt the reporter's grip on his forearms get that little fraction tighter. Camera Jim leant down just above Eric, letting out a few lengthily drawn out tuts, making Eric squirm and try to look at anything but his intimidating expression.

'If anything it's....quite cheeky...'

'The height of disrespect!'

'Such disrespect deserves a punishment...'

Oh god.....punishment. That word. That word that had always meant that Eric was screwed, and I can assure you that it meant the EXACT same right now. Reporter Jim grinned excitedly as he watched his brother's fingers trail down Eric's neck, before drifting to his inner arms below his elbows....before softly....trickling....downwards. Eric was babbling almost immediately.

'W-Wahait waitwaitwait plehease I-I-I r-rehespect you b-bohoth please Ihi dihidn't mean it I didn't!'

Eric's solemnity might have been believed....if he hadn't been smiling like an excited little dumpling. The Jims giggled at his begging, loving it even more when they realised Eric didn't mean a word of it; the Jims realised that when you know someone wants you to tickle them when you've already started....it's very difficult to stop.

'It's too late nooowww!'

The young reporter let out the most evil train of giggles as his older brother winked down at Eric....and then he began. Tracing and scratching and fluttering were what Eric's underarms were subjected too, and that's all that it took for Eric to snort like a piglet and yell to the heavens.

'EEEE NAHA JIHIHIMMIES!'

The Jim's couldn't hold back their happy squeaks at this impromptu nickname....they loved it. Almost as much as they loved how wildly Eric was reacting to such gentle tickling, they figured his sensitivity was through the roof after years of frequent tickles from his brothers; as a result, they kept it gentle, whilst still being taunty.

'Don't think your adorableness is going to make us have mercy on you!'

'Yeah Mr Cheeky Blush!'

Reporter Jim had growled just after his brother as Eric wailed and thrashed about, but even with his real struggles Reporter Jim didn't have to exert too much strength to keep Eric's arms up. Eric gazed at them both pleadingly as shockwaves reverberated from his underarms, through his shoulders as well as his torso, and his back was sharply arched as he exclaimed in his mirth.

'NAHAHT MY PIHIHIHITTIES! IHIHIT TIHIHICKLES SUHUPER BAAAD!'

Both Jims awed audibly at him, which made him wail even more through his laughs and babbles, and they were intrigued by how Eric spoke in such a child-like tone, but of course, it wasn't unheard of in flustered people to react childishly when they were cooed at like a child. That reminded the Jims that Eric was still enjoying himself; he was playing along with their tone of teasing, so they continued with it.

'Does it indeed? Enough to make you a more polite little Eric I hope?'

Camera Jim spoke with a raised eyebrow, to which Eric nodded with utter desperation.

'YEHEHES YESYESYESYES!'

Camera Jim smiled softly as he relented on the poor man, and watched happily as his brother released Eric's arms and started cuddling him from behind; Eric started to catch his breath. Reporter Jim snuggled into Eric's shoulder as Eric mewled, subconsciously trying to snuggle back as he subconsciously craved the affection. So Reporter Jim provided it. He carded his fingers through Eric's hair, wanting to calm him and help replenish his energy as much as possible....since he may still need it.

'Breathe, breeeathe, I've got you, your Jimmies are here....'

Eric smiled and blushed at the affection as he bowed his head, extremely embarrassed that he'd actually called the Jims that out loud. He always changed people's names in his head, like, Ed was Eddy, Host was Hosty, and the Jims were Jimmies; calling people cutesy nicknames in his head like that made him less anxious whenever he talked to them. He shut his eyes momentarily as he nestled into Reporter Jim's chest....which meant he didn't see the mischievous grin that the two brothers shared. Camera Jim...shifted a little, just so that he was resting more solidly on Eric's shins as the care from the young reporter both soothed and distracted Eric. It was the perfect way to set up their finale. After a few moments, Eric's eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Reporter Jim, heart swelling with happiness.

'Thank y-you....th-this really means a lot t-to me-EEEEEEE!'

Wow, way to ruin a sweet profound moment or what? Eric squealed in surprise before throwing his head back in high pitched laughter. The Jims giggled, particularly Camera Jim who was absently swiping his fingers across the tops of Eric's thighs.

'Yeeeaaahhh, we're not quiiiite done, sorry for the lack of warning...'

Eric wailed at the entirely unapologetic tone in Reporter Jim's voice as he tugged at his legs, and of course he couldn't fight back due to the reporter's previously loving hug now being an entrapment.

'THIHIHIS IHIS SOHO MEHEHEEEAN!!'

Reporter Jim giggled in Eric's ear, which made him shudder even more amidst his frantic writhing. Camera Jim now started introducing mini-pinches and squeezes to the flesh, making Eric howl and laugh even harder as his eyes got watery and glazed again....oh the memories he had of his brothers tormenting him here. They would torture his poor thighs until he wept....and guess what's going to happen now.

'Awwww did I find your bad wittle tickle spot, hmmmm?'

Camera Jim taunted, not stopping the tickling for a second as he cocked his head down at Eric, who nodded in the most frantic manner.

'YEHEEEESSS! IHIHIT'S THE WOHOHORSTEHEEEEST!!'

The Jims chuckled adoringly, making Eric cry out in embarrassment as they swiftly spoke....to one another; playfully talking over his laughter so as to fluster Eric as much as they possibly could. Why? Well.....who wouldn't? The young reporter began teasingly.

'The worstest? My, my it must be diabolical Jim.'

'Oh truly evil Jim, I'll tell you something that's truly not evil though.'

'Oooh what's that Jim?'

'How amazingly marshmallowey his thighs ar-'

'IHIHIH CAHAAAAN'T AHAHANYMOHOOOORE!!!'

Eric let out a mighty shriek. Camera Jim's squeezing and pinching of his soft muscles made tears stream down his cheeks as he hid and sniffled and laughed into Reporter Jim's chest, which made both tormenting brothers aww softly; they could tell the poor thing had reached his limit. So, the tickling stopped, for real this time. Eric gasped and shivered when the tickling slipped away, only to be replaced with....intense cuddling. It was intense because of how Camera Jim elected to lie on top of him, thus cementing Eric into what could only be described as a Jim-witch.

'There we go....all good now...'

Camera Jim whispered as he snuggled close, smiling as he peeked up at Eric who had revealed a fraction of his burning face....and the Jims were elated to see him still smiling so damn brightly. Eric took a few gentle breaths as he squirmed to get comfy between them, murmuring bashfully.

'Y-Yeah....all good n-now...'

After he trailed off, there was a gentle silence. Eric felt himself becoming soothed by the sound of the young reporter's heartbeat against his ear as he rested on his chest, as well as from the way the brothers rocked him and stroked his hair and rubbed his shoulders carefully....all of it so loving, and all of it making Eric feel safe just as it had done in the past.

'Y-You don't....h-h-have to b-baby me i-if you don't want to....'

He stuttered drowsily, his anxious selflessness still there even as he drifted closer to slumber. The Jims merely shushed him softly, making Eric hum as they crooned to him.

'Oh believe us, we want to.'

'We want to look after our brother....'

'Our Marshmallow Jim....'

The young reporter finished with a grin as his eyes met with his elder brother's, before they too relaxed and exhaled with contented sighs along with their Eric; and from that moment on, Eric Derickson had a sense of family that he hadn't had for a long, long time. 

HECKING DONE PEOPLE I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS AAAA LEMME KNOW IF YOU DO WOOP LUV YOUS XX

[wings-of-a-storm]

Hello :) I'm glad that some people agree to say that today's clip was rushed. I was actually really annoyed all day because of it. The kiss where everybody can see, and Eliott randomly asking about Lucas' parents. I thought it was poorly written tbh and I'm sad to think that about a season I love so much. But it's not the first time they do that, and I know it's because they don't have much time. But how can they do this to a scene so important in this season?

Hi there! Aw, I know that feeling of frustration and I’m sorry it has been sitting with you for so long.

Looking at the clip on its own, I do think it felt rushed. When I watch it, I have to manually press pause between each line in order to create my own breathing space and keep up with the conversation. That doesn’t seem to be an unpopular opinion either…A lot of what felt rushed for me though, comes from Eliott himself. He had so much energy in the beginning and it was like he was chomping at the bit with every line. I almost took on his hyperactivity when I was watching it and felt exhausted. I’m not saying he was necessarily hypomanic or anything, I’m just saying he seemed very elated, like his thoughts were racing a bit. He launched himself at Lucas for that kiss without thinking of the consequences, then grabbed him to pull him down the corridor in the next breath, and when Lucas stopped him, he didn’t seem to process that was a set back.

Like how do you go literally straight from hearing “Wait-wait, I can’t skip class” to “I told Lucille!” with no drop in smile? I understand that Eliott was really excited and desperate for Lucas to know he’d taken such a big step for them but it didn’t feel natural the way there was no breathing room between the two concepts. There didn’t seem to be any normal cues of acknowledgement or disappointment from Eliott that his plans had been foiled. It was like he only half heard Lucas and just kept on going on with his next thought.

Even when he was telling Lucas he wasn’t sad while burrowing his face into Lucas’ with that massive smile, it felt like he had more energy than normal. If he was secretly experiencing some hypomania or something, that might make sense but I don’t want to jump to conclusions or sound like someone who attributes mental illness to every action someone does. I can only be honest and say that I was a little exhausted watching Eliott in that scene and I don’t normally experience that with him. So who knows. (And it wasn’t Maxence! We know how well he can do subtle.)

If you put Eliott’s energy and elation to the side, the clip did feel unnaturally fast overall. It doesn’t help that we happen to know how crucial and pivotal that scene is for the next arc of the story – you can’t help but feel a little cheated that the lines were being delivered so fast with little room between them to process the enormity of what was happening. Especially when you compare it to the pacing of the cake scene, which felt like unnecessary waffle in comparison (even though I know it was deceptive and the waffle was there for a reason. ie. dropping a few potential foreshadowing breadcrumbs like the ugly mural still being there, the new sofa bed, and maybe the filming of intimate acts).

I’m trying really hard to give the execution the benefit of the doubt though. I’m hoping the scene was deliberately fast for a reason, like we are supposed to feel as confused as Lucas at the sudden 180 from Eliott since we didn’t have time to process what was happening and what effects the words were having on Eliott either.

As a viewer though, the whiplash was a little intense – even if it was how Lucas was supposed to be feeling. I personally think the impact is felt deeper when the viewer has time to anticipate the effect Lucas’ words are having on someone who has shown signs of having a mental illness. That anticipation is a killer! It’s like a slow-motion car crash, and I much prefer the effect of that to a sudden blast that just leaves you feeling disorientated.

I’m wondering if the pacing of this clip will make more sense in the context of the overall episode though. Like maybe the episode is supposed to start off really slow and relaxed so that the building of pace acts as its own foreshadowing that the tidal wave is building and about to upend Lucas’ life? I mean, the cuddling in bed scene was so chill and unrushed, Lucas finding the drawing was also unrushed (but sad), the cake scene was unrushed, and then the pace starts to quicken with the Alex and Gang scene and now the ‘Crazy’ scene. With each scene, more stakes are raised and the pace rises? I guess we will need to check back in at the end of the episode to see if the pacing was a deliberate choice or not. (I mean, assuming we even survive the end of this episode…)

NOW, to the other things you raised…

A kiss where everyone can see them. This choice, I am highly suspicious of. It feels like it was there for a reason. It might play a different role from the og which feels weird to us now but will make sense later. Maybe it will spark rumours. Or maybe Eliott kissing Lucas at school without thinking of the consequences is supposed to be a moment that Lucas thinks back on after learning about Eliott’s bipolar disorder and takes it as a sign that Eliott was always manic and never loved him. It just feels like it was a deliberate choice that might not work as a single scene but will work connected to others? Hopefully, at least.

And maybe Lucas’ 180 was just a confidence game, and he lost himself in the moment when he was feeling more secure with Eliott. I can suspend my disbelief that far at least.

Randomly asking about Lucas’ parents. Oh anon, you absolutely came to the right place for this one! It’s like you knew that line has always been my personal bugbear in every single version! I have always disliked it. It always comes out of nowhere for me. Like, even in og Skam, it only half-worked for me and that was only because there was such a long gap between conversation before Even brought it up, making it feel more naturally random.

I think my main problem with that line is that it always feels like a plot device – like a means to get to the ‘My life is better off without crazy people in it’ line. It’s because Isak’s parents are so in the background, you forget they exist and are even a major factor in Isak’s life. We had never even heard Isak talk about his parents with Even. If Even had asked ‘What would your friends think about us?’ (whom Even does know and interact with) then I don’t think it would feel so jarring while getting the same point across.

I think the other reason the line jars me is because Isak’s internalised homophobia and severely closeted situation is never overtly acknowledged until this scene. It requires sorting through a lot of subtext on the spot to understand why Even is even bringing it up as a barrier to their relationship the way Sonja was. The concept of a girlfriend is very different to the concept of being in the closet. It just doesn’t feel set up right if it takes time to link it to Sonja (ie. a barrier in their relationship). So I am pulled out of their conversation for a moment while I place its relevance.

It was even more jarring in Skam Italia for me but for the same reasons (the internalised homophobia had never been acknowledged between them until this line).

With Skam France, it unfortunately comes straight after talk of Lucille, so the relevance isn’t immediately obvious more than any other version. Like Eliott broke up with his girlfriend and now he’s bringing Lucas’ absent parents into it even though they have never spoken about them before in front of the viewer? I get that it is one of Lucas’s barriers, but his parents seriously feel far less relevant than the stressors of Lucas’s immediate environment (his peers). So the line once again feels like a plot device more than natural dialogue. In my experience, at least… Okay phew, I am glad to have that out of my system.

Not sure if I helped allay any of your frustrations at all but do know that I feel you and I understand them. :)