#it does explain his feelings for el perfectly

[henry-fox-biggest-stan]

He improvised it omg

Bro does NOT like mileven

[marinawolf]

an angsty but somewhat cute supercorp first kiss 😚 fic to make the rest of the week better ❤️

Finally (Supercorp)

by marinawolf

Three times Kara wants to kiss Lena, and one time she does.

-the first time she didn't

The elevator doors slid open to Lena's penthouse, and Kara stepped out, holding a bag of take-out pasta in her hands. She had been looking forward to this evening, to spending quality time with Lena, her best friend. With a hopeful smile on her face, she walked deeper into the penthouse, only to freeze in her tracks as she caught sight of Lena in the kitchen.

Lena, still dressed in her work clothes, stood near the counter where two wine glasses had been set out, a bottle of wine in one hand and a corkscrew in the other. Kara's breath hitched in her throat as her eyes traveled up Lena's figure. The black suit hugged Lena's form perfectly, emphasizing her elegant silhouette. The unbuttoned top of her black button-up shirt revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her collarbone.

Lena's hair was pulled back into a sleek ponytail, emphasizing her sharp features and highlighting the graceful curve of her neck. Kara's gaze traced the lines of Lena's face, the subtle edge of her jawline, and the way her lips parted slightly as she focused on opening the wine bottle. She was captivated by the intensity in Lena's blue-green eyes. Those eyes never failed to leave Kara spellbound.

Unbeknownst to Lena, Kara watched silently. As Lena fidgeted with the corkscrew, her fingers moving with innate grace, Kara's heart pounded in her chest. She was helplessly in love with Lena, and the sight of her like this, so effortlessly alluring, intensified her feelings to an unbearable degree. In that moment, Kara's mind wandered into forbidden territory, as she allowed herself to imagine what it would be like to slip her arms around Lena's slender waist, to press her lips against the soft skin of Lena's neck. But it remained nothing more than a fantasy, a yearning she buried deep within herself.

Suddenly, as if sensing Kara's gaze on her, Lena looked up, and a stunning smile spread across her face, causing Kara's heart to flutter. "Kara," she breathed, "hi." Kara snapped out of her reverie of admiration and smiled back at Lena, holding up the food.

"I got your favourite."

Lena's eyes gaze fell on the bag in Kara's hands, and her smile widened, causing the little dimple in her cheek to show up. That smile always made Kara's heart stop. 

"Kara, L'Ultima Cena is in Metropolis! How did you get this?" Her voice carried a hint of awe.

The truth was that Kara had flown to Metropolis to get Lena's favourite pasta just to see that smile on Lena's face. But she didn't dare tell Lena that. With a bashful shrug, she said, "I was visiting Kal-El today, and I happened to pick it up on the way back."

Lena stepped closer, her eyes shimmering with appreciation, and placed a gentle hand on Kara's arm. "Kara, that means the world to me. Thank you." 

For a brief moment, Kara considered baring her soul, revealing the depths of her love for Lena. But the fear of ruining their friendship held her back, and she took a step back, distancing herself both physically and emotionally. "Oh, it's nothing, really."

They settled in for dinner, as Lena poured the wine and Kara unpacked the take-out, carefully transferring the pasta to plates. The atmosphere was warm and cozy, yet Kara couldn't shake the undercurrent of longing that pulsed beneath the surface.

As they began to eat, Lena launched into a discussion about work, her brows furrowed with a mix of determination and frustration. "I've been trying to acquire this company," she explained, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "But the board is giving me a hard time. I have a meeting with them later this week, and I'm concerned it won't go in my favour."

Kara listened attentively, always enraptured by anything Lena had to say. She reached across the table, placing her hand gently on Lena's. "Lena, you're brilliant. You'll be fine. And anyway, who can resist Lena Luthor?"

Kara couldn't help but notice that a faint blush dusted Lena's cheeks, though she quickly dismissed it, not wanting to read too much into the fleeting moment. Lena squeezed Kara's hand, a gesture of appreciation.

Their conversation shifted, and Lena's tone turned lighter as she inquired about Kara's romantic life. "So, Alex mentioned that Mon-El has been around a lot. How's that going?"

Kara's heart sank at the mention of Mon-El, her mind filled with the unspoken truth that she longed to reveal. But she composed herself, a smile masking her inner turmoil. "We've been on a few casual dates," she admitted, her voice lacking the enthusiasm Lena might have hoped for. "But I'm not sure if it's what I want."

Lena leaned back in her chair, her expression intense as she regarded Kara. “And what do you want, Kara?”

You, Kara thought I want you. But she didn’t dare utter those words and instead, she shrugged. “I’m not sure.”

She saw Lena’s intensity falter slightly, but Lena quickly covered it up before Kara could really think about it.

"Kara, you'll only know if you try,” she said, taking a sip of wine, “And besides, Mon-El is cute and sweet. He may just make you happy."

Kara's heart ached at Lena's words, knowing that the very thing that would make her truly happy sat before her, just out of reach. She mustered a smile, her voice filled with a touch of melancholy. "You're right."

--

Kara's steps were slow and reluctant as she made her way towards the elevator, not wanting the evening to end. Every fiber of her being longed to stay, to linger in Lena's presence for just a little while longer. 

As she reached the elevator, Lena followed closely behind, their footsteps echoing in the quiet entrance hall. A mixture of reluctance and longing washed over Kara, a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to consume her. Before she could step inside, Lena's arms enveloped her in a tight embrace, their usual goodbye, their bodies pressed together in an intimate closeness.

Kara's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding against her chest. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to savor the moment, to commit it to memory. Lena's embrace felt like home, a place where Kara's heart found solace, if only for a fleeting instant. The soft touch of Lena's face against her neck sent shivers down her spine, and the scent of Lena's perfume filled her senses, intoxicating and enticing.

Reluctantly, they pulled apart, the embrace ending all too soon. Lena's fingers lingered on Kara's arm, and Kara frowned, confused at the lingering touch. She offered a soft smile, her eyes reflecting a longing that she dared not vocalize. As the elevator doors began to close, Kara held Lena's gaze, the ache in her chest intensifying with each passing moment.

The doors sealed their separation, leaving Kara alone in the enclosed space, her thoughts consumed by the desire she dared not act upon. She pressed a hand against her racing heart, her mind flooded with the image of what could have been. She could have closed the gap between them in an instant, but she had stopped herself. 

-the second time she didn't 

The next morning unfolded in the familiar setting of Catco, where Kara could see Lena immersed in the demands of the office, orchestrating the intricacies of her work. Meanwhile, Kara found herself seated at a desk among other reporters, engrossed in the layout for the upcoming issue. Inevitably, her gaze would wander across the bullpen, drawn irresistibly to Lena's presence. And each time their eyes met, Lena would gift her a smile that sent Kara's heart into a frenzy.

Amidst the buzz of the newsroom, Lena gracefully approached Kara, her steps purposeful yet filled with a tenderness that only they shared. As Lena settled on the table in front of Kara, her touch sent a jolt of electricity through Kara's arm. Clad in a mesmerizing white silk shirt, Lena gave off an effortless elegance that rendered Kara breathless.

"Hello, Kara," Lena greeted, her voice carrying a mixture of familiarity and unspoken yearning. The world around them seemed to fade into the background as Lena's presence enveloped Kara's senses. "Have lunch with me?"

Kara mustered a smile in return, her heart pounding against her ribcage as she nodded. She was usually good at keeping up the facade of friendship, hiding her true feelings, but lately, she found it harder and harder to be in Lena's presence. Every time she set eyes on Lena, her feelings threatened to spill out of her.  

They ventured across the street to a quaint café, and Lena surprised Kara by sitting next to her in the booth, instead of opposite her. But Kara knew that it was probably because Lena didn't want to face away from the window. Still, it felt intimate, and did no favours to Kara's heart. 

As they settled in, Lena looked at her.

"So, have you decided about another date with Mon-El?" she asked, her eyes searching Kara's face for answers.

Kara's heart sank again at the mention of Mon-El, realizing the painful truth behind her intentions. She replied, "I might go on another date with him, just to see if there's anything there."

The admission hung in the air, heavy with the weight of Kara's unspoken turmoil. She knew she sought solace in the familiarity of a nice guy like Mon-El, an attempt to bury her longing for Lena beneath the guise of a relationship with someone else. The internal battle raged within her, torn between the fear of unrequited love and the knowledge that she was being extremely unfair to Mon-El.

In that moment, something shifted in Lena's gaze, a flash of intensity that sent a surge of hope coursing through Kara's veins. Lena leaned in slightly, her eyes fixated on Kara's lips, a magnetic pull that threatened to close the gap between them. Kara couldn't resist the urge to close that distance between them. But fate had a cruel sense of timing, as the intrusion of the waiter shattered the fragile bubble they had created. The spell was broken, and Kara instinctively moved away, introducing a physical distance that mirrored the emotional walls she had forced herself to put up. 

They placed their orders, and as the waiter departed, Kara couldn't help but notice his lingering gaze upon Lena's figure, a surge of possessive jealousy coursing through her veins. 

-the third time she didn't 

Kara worked late that night, and was the last of the reporters to leave. Noticing the time, she decided to go upstairs and grab her stuff before retiring for the night. She entered the elevator. The doors opened, and her footsteps faltered as she reached the main floor of the now empty office. Kara's heart sank as she stood frozen. There, in the midst of her own turmoil, she stumbled upon a scene that felt like a dagger piercing her heart. Lena and James stood in Lena's office, their eyes on each other. James held Lena's hand in his own, his eyes soft. Her gaze fixated on their hands, a sight that ignited a surge of jealousy she had long suppressed. The luminous smile adorning Lena's face as she looked up at James was a painful contrast to the ache that consumed Kara's soul. She listened, unable to tear herself away and cursing her super hearing, as their conversation unfolded before her, each word chipping away at her fragile hope.

James, his voice tinged with anticipation, uttered the words that sliced through Kara's heart. "Okay, so I'll pick you up at eight tomorrow?" he said, his tone carrying an undeniable sense of excitement. Lena's response, a soft affirmation, reverberated in Kara's ears, each syllable like a dagger twisting deeper into her wounded heart. "Yes, perfect."

As James exited Lena's office, he greeted Kara and entered the elevator, a foolish smile etched upon his face. Kara forced herself to meet his gaze. She mustered a strained smile in return, masking the turmoil raging within her. Her mind raced with questions and doubts.

Unable to stop herself, Kara barged into Lena's office, her emotions overriding any sense of reason. Lena looked up in surprise at Kara's sudden intrusion and greeted her with a questioning tone, "Kara, hey. What are you still doing here?"

Ignoring Lena's inquiry, Kara forged ahead, attempting to conceal her swirling jealousy beneath a facade of composure. "You're going on a date with James?" she blurted out.

Lena's smile remained unyielding as she took a step closer to Kara, their proximity sending a surge of conflicting emotions through Kara's veins. "Of course, you heard," Lena replied, and Kara could swear that her words were laced with a hint of challenge. "He asked, and I said yes. Who knows? Maybe it'll be great. He's a nice guy."

Kara's heart quickened, her senses hyperaware of the charged atmosphere enveloping them. Lena's gaze dipped momentarily to Kara's lips. The allure of that moment, the temptation to lean in and close the distance between them, tested Kara's resolve.

But fear, like an unwelcome intruder, seized control, urging her to step away and regain her composure. With a measured effort, Kara composed herself and forced a steady tone. "Yeah, he's a great guy. I'm happy for you, Lena."

Her voice masked the heartbreak that threatened to engulf her, concealing the longing and unspoken desires that lay beneath the surface. Kara bid a hasty retreat from Lena's office, leaving behind pieces of her shattered heart in her wake.

-the first time she did 

Kara spent the entire day in a state of despair, dreading the evening when James and Lena would go on their date. She deliberately avoided Lena, unable to bear the ache in her heart. As the night approached, Kara found herself seeking solace in a bottle of alien alcohol, its captivating blue hue calling to her. She drank alone, feeling a slight buzz as the alcohol coursed through her veins. Thoughts of Lena and James consumed her mind—their hands entwined, the possibility of a kiss at the end of the night, Lena's radiant smile directed at him. Jealousy surged within Kara, the mere thought of James touching Lena becoming unbearable.

In her intoxicated state, Kara couldn't bear the thought of not trying at all. With a mix of determination and impulsiveness, she leaped off her balcony and flew to Lena's penthouse, her heart pounding. Kara landed on Lena's balcony and immediately banged on the door, her emotions raw and unfiltered. Lena, in the midst of putting on an earring, opened the door with a look of confusion etched on her face.

"What are you doing here, Kara?" Lena asked, her voice laced with bewilderment. "Is everything okay?"

Breathless and desperate, Kara looked into Lena's eyes, captivated by the stunning black dress she wore. Her words spilled forth in a rush, "Don't go tonight. Please, Lena, don't go on a date with James."

Lena's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Why not?" she inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity and a hint of challenge. She took a step closer to Kara, their proximity electrifying the air between them, "Why shouldn't I go on a date with James, Kara?"

Struggling to find the words, Kara felt her heart pounding in her chest. Without overthinking, she did what she should have done long ago. In an impulsive move, Kara crashed her lips against Lena's, pouring every ounce of her longing, affection, and desire into that single kiss. It was a passionate, breathtaking moment—an outpouring of emotions that had been suppressed for far too long.

Lena responded immediately, her hands finding their place on Kara's waist, as if they had always belonged there, pulling her closer. Time seemed to stand still. Kara couldn't believe that she was kissing Lena and that Lena was kissing her back, their lips moving in a synchrony.

Lena's lips were a revelation to Kara. The taste of her, a perfect blend of whiskey and sweetness, consumed Kara's thoughts, erasing any doubts or fears that had plagued her. She was lost in the sensation, unable to believe that this long-awaited moment was finally happening.

Every tender brush and urgent press of their lips was an act of longing and release, a culmination of unspoken desires that had silently pulsed between them. 

In that intoxicating kiss, Kara found solace and fulfillment. It was as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, replaced by a sense of completeness she had yearned for but never thought possible. The touch of Lena's lips against hers unleashed a flood of emotions she could no longer contain.

Time seemed to stand still as their kiss deepened, fueled by longing and unspoken declarations of love. Kara's hands instinctively sought the contours of Lena's body, pulling her closer. Kara reveled in the moment, her mind buzzing with euphoria, unable to comprehend the sheer intensity of the emotions rising within her. This was real, tangible, and more beautiful than any dream she had ever dared to imagine.

Reluctantly, they eventually pulled away, their breaths mingling in the space between them. Lena's voice, barely above a whisper, broke the silence.

"Took you long enough," she uttered against Kara's lips, a trace of playfulness in her tone.

[therainscene]

I’m obsessed with @wheelersboy’s theory that Mike thinks Will is in love with El. It’s one of those takes that’s so simple, yet so perfectly explains every odd little detail you couldn’t quite account for before, that you know you’re on to a winner.

I always thought it was bizarre that the Willel reunion at NINA was framed in blatant love triangle imagery:

If this was supposed to be yet another reminder that the sad widdle gay boy has fee-fees for his best friend, we’d expect him to be gazing at Mike or otherwise looking conflicted at both of them. But he isn’t. His steady, adoring gaze is for El only. Yes, he loves her, but that love is strictly fraternal, so why the romance symbolism?

Is it straight-bait? This scene comes after his thinly-veiled love confession to Mike (in the same episode, no less), and the Duffers and Noah both made a point of confirming that Will was gay in post-vol.2 interviews, so making the audience think that Will is in love with El clearly wasn’t the intention here.

The Willel romance-coding isn’t for the audience -- it’s for Mike.

We often joke about Mike being crushed that Will didn’t laugh at his vomit green socks, but follow Will’s gaze -- it’s a little hard to see in the still image, but he’s staring at El, checking to see if she’s going to heed his advice. Mike's discomfort isn’t because he’s upset that Will didn’t like his joke, it’s because he doesn’t understand the weird tension between these two and is frustrated that his attempt to lighten the mood didn’t dispel it.

Mike’s smart enough to correctly connect the dots by the time Will starts sobbing in the van though: Will is destroying himself in his efforts to be supportive of the relationship between his best friend and the person he’s in love with.

But heteronormativity and a severe inferiority complex lead him to draw the wrong conclusion -- he thinks he’s the best friend and El is the one Will’s in love with, and that gets confirmed in his mind when he catches them making goo-goo eyes at each other at NINA.

And not once, after figuring it out, does he get jealous about it -- he guides El into Will’s arms at NINA, he looks conflicted as hell during the “I love you” monologue as Will hovers over his shoulder -- he just wants them to be happy and is prepared to put his own feelings aside to make it happen, even though it would hurt him terribly to do so. Exactly the same fucking thing Will is doing. It’s utterly farcical. I love this theory so much.

I’d like to springboard off this by taking a look at what it implies about S5.

Between Will’s history with Vecna and the Wonder Twins foreshadowing--

--it’s looking pretty likely that Will and El are going to be spending a significant amount of time together next season.

So we can already see that conditions are perfect for Mike to go through a similar arc as Will did in S4: being a third wheel between his best friend and the person he’s in love with and feeling like he can never truly be more than a third wheel, leading him to sacrifice himself in an effort to support what he thinks they have together.

Mike is very much at risk of doing something stupidly self-harming in S5 -- this is the same kid who jumped off a cliff to protect Dustin’s baby teeth, after all. He feels like he has no value if he isn’t needed by Superman. And there’s a goddamn mind-reading despair demon stalking his friend group.

Of course, it’ll all work out in the end. He’ll be saved at the last moment, the truth will be tearfully revealed, and we’ll finally get that big, dramatic, affirming kiss for our OTP.

You might have noticed that everything I’ve said in this analysis so far is consistent with either Byler or Milevn being endgame.

Many Milevns and GA members don’t just believe that Milevn will triumph over Byler -- they believe there isn’t any conflict between Milevn and Byler in the first place. The lack of evidence that Mike isn’t into boys is meaningless to the heteronormative mindset -- he’s the protagonist and dating a girl, therefore he’s straight, therefore Will’s hopes are dead in the water, therefore Mike has no romantic dilemma to solve.

By introducing a misunderstanding in which Mike imagines that his best friend is competing for his girlfriend -- couching his dilemma in relatable heterosexual terms -- the audience will be forced to accept that Mike is experiencing a distressing internal conflict involving Will and romance that won’t be resolved until the queer truth comes out.

The GA felt bad for Will in S4 because they assumed there was nothing he could do about it, but they’ll be tearing their hair out with frustration at Mike in S5 -- “you’re wrongly assuming he’s straight, you idiot! Just talk to him and this will all be cleared up!!”

It would be an absolutely genius way of getting the audience to question heteronormativity without them even realizing they’re questioning heteronormativity.

Once Mike’s queerness is revealed, the parallels between his arc and Will’s will suddenly become clear, and the audience will realize that, despite his straight-passing invisibility, Mike was just the other side of the same gay coin Will was on all along.

[Part 2]

[elainsgirl]

every time i see a gw*nriel whine about how there’s nothing interesting about an elriel book and that elriel can’t move the plot forward i know they’re self projecting, hard.

when it comes down to it, elriel is the only interesting path forward. it would actually be new and interesting, unlike another fated mates story (the third in a row if gw*nriel were mates, fourth since they think el*cien is going to happen.) they cream their pants about it even though it’s literally the most boring thing possible, no matter which way you spin it.

gwyn has no relevance to the actual overall plot of the story. she is nesta’s friend. they don’t even want to admit she could be a lightsinger, which would be the one unique thing about her that would make her more important to the overall plot outside of nesta’s story. the only relevant part of their ship is azriel, which is probably why they constantly try to take things canonically belonging to elain and elriel and insist it actually belongs to gwyn and gw*nriel.

meanwhile, elain is made, therefore can wield made objects, which has clearly been important to the story thus far. she’s the cauldrons favorite; why, and what does that mean? why does it purr in her presence? she’s a seer, which we have never gotten the POV of before. what do her visions look like, how do they manifest for her? she has shown hints at being a spy, and that combined with her visions will be so cool to read about. this isn’t even getting into her connection to koschei, who is clearly being built up as the big-bad. none of these even have to do with az. she’s relevant entirely on her own, unlike gwyn who is currently only relevant in relation to nesta.

elain’s also on a very clear path to the first rejected mating bond, which, again, SJM has never done before, and i cannot wait to read about how it all works and what it means.

gwyn has none of this; she’s just a valkyrie, nesta’s friend, and we already got that story.

anyways, sorry for the long tirade; thankfully i think elain’s book announcement will be here before the 10 year anniversary, and since so many gw*nriels and el*ciens said they won’t read an elriel book hopefully this fandom will finally be free of them and we can all go back to just enjoying the books.

Hey anon 🫶

You explained everything so perfectly. The only people that claim elriel have 0 plot together are the ones that are purposefully ignoring huge chunks of the text, denying the plot points in favour to use it for their own ship.

I was once open-minded about Gwynriel when I first learnt about the ship, their “plot” consists of Azriel healing as he is in such a “messed up”place right now, developing feelings for Elain - another woman he can’t have. So he’ll be at the H.O.W, reflecting and recovering from his disgusting actions in the bonus all whilst Gwyn is going to be there, prancing around - teasing and challenging him. Ofc Gwyn hs no plot of her own so enter the Illyrian saviour plot where for some unknowns reason, Rhys will send Gwyn (not emerie; the actual illyrian) but her white bestie to go with Az to the camps -> there Az will heal (?) and begin to loooovvvvee his illyrian heritage - he will become bestie besties with the same people that mocked and emotionally abused him bcs why tf not. Now, again, this isn’t enough to carry an 800 paged book so enter Nesta, Gwyn for some odd unknown reason will again, help out understanding gwydion which will allow her: unmade, no connection to the cauldron, not starborn - self wield it all because Gwyn is amazing and everyone loves her. Eventually, both gwyn and az will go to the prison and BOOM. Through the power of song, singing a duet together, they will revive the prison. Az will realise “damn I love this girl so much, forget elain who I wanted to beg on my knees for, this is the girl for me, my gwynnie poo” Now ofc, none of this is original. Its plotpoints stolen from other characters and ships - as you mentioned.

I don’t even care anymore bcs gwynriels can yap about whatever gwynriel book they want. Sjm clearly said the spinoffs focus on the sisters and side characters from the og series which, Gwyn is not part off. Therefore to me - she is irrelevant unless she plays a role in the snowwhite retelling regards to elriel. A lot of antis will get a reality check soon and im all here for it.

Gwynriel doesn’t even fit the parallels and patterns sjm has used for Feyre’s and Nesta’s story which again, disproves gwynriel to me. Gwyn will not be a spy. Its Elain. Gwyn has nothing to do with TruthTeller or Gwydion. Elain and Az do. Gwyn has nothing to do with the 8 pointed star. Nesta & the archerons do. Gwyn has nothing to do with the prison. Elain and Az do. Gwyn isn’t needed to smooth things out in the continent with Mor. Elain is perfect for it. Gwyn is not an archeron. Elain is. Gwyn was not part off the og series or even acofas. Elain and Azriel - even Emerie were. Gwyn did not have 2 bonuses focusing on her. Elain does. Gwyn has nothing to do with the cauldron. Elain & Az do.

Its that simple to work out. You just don’t have to be biased.

The fact we are going to get Elains book announcement in the next 6 months(hopefully, I can’t wait any longer) is giving me so much excitement. I’ve been seeing a lot of antis say how boring or uninteresting elriels book will be and how they won’t read it which THANK GOD. Their disrespectfulness and entitlement is showing and this fandom? Is desperately in need of a cleanse. Hopefully elains book announcement alone will wash out the toxic antis 😌

[eddiegettingshot]

i do feel like maybe he avoids conflict in his romantic relationships? or maybe it’s just that with ana and marisol he was just not invested enough to even have that intensity of emotion that leads to conflict. (until the end)

my thing is—is he avoiding conflict or is he faltering because he’s unsure about the outcome? eddie didn’t fuck shannon for two months without having a conversation with her because he was averse to fighting with her (all we really see of them is fighting), he was avoiding having the conversation they needed to have because he didn’t trust her and he didn’t trust Himself. when it came down to it, he told her outright that he didn’t trust her, he never waffled about that—and this makes sense because the consequences of his decision were going to be huge for chris. eddie marches his ass to chris’s school to yell at ana directly (before they’re together obviously) and he hesitates about breaking up with her, again, because he doesn’t want to hurt chris—but once he makes the decision he does it right away and he doesn’t budge or try to soften the blow of the conversation. i agree that with marisol he was avoiding conflict in 7x05 because he didn’t know how to explain to her his hangups around having sex with her, but the issue as a whole was that he wasn’t sure about how to move forward from that because it represented his concerns around the relationship as a whole. but like… again, once he figured out what he wanted (after 12 hours?) he was forthcoming with her.

like, i don’t think eddie is conflict-averse, i think that he’s a guy who’s used to being self-assured and he tends to falter and drag his feet when he’s in a situation where the outcome depends on him confronting things he would prefer not to think about—usually his own wants and needs. naturally this manifests in his shitty love life more than anywhere else. but i don’t think that has anything to do with how he feels about actually confronting people and having conflict in the first place, in which case he’s perfectly outspoken, so long as he’s sure about what he’s saying (and he usually is!). this is what makes the el paso reveal interesting—he tries to hide it both because he probably expects buck to react badly, and because he’s about to do something he isn’t certain about. once buck flips the tablet and takes the choice away from him he’s straightforward about what’s happening, regardless

[gayofthefae]

Let's recap why this doesn't work:

So Mike and El actually parallel their self-doubts pretty perfectly, which is why one outcome will work perfectly for both of them...but not this one.

El thinks that when they met she had her powers so he loved her. Now he doesn't love her after she's lost her powers. She thinks that that's all she brought to the table and now he's just performing his love for her that isn't real anymore.

Mike thinks that when they met he was able to take care of her and love her. Now he can't love her. He thinks that's all he brought to the table and now she'll leave him when she realizes that.

But don't worry! In the end Mike stays with El

After El got her powers back.

And El doesn't leave him! She stays with Mike!

After Mike told her he loves her

They were both scared the other would leave them if they didn't have something. So they went and got it back.

That isn't facing your fears. That certainly isn't treating them.

On the upside! The ideal situation for both of them is the same!

If Mike tells her he's lost romantic feelings for her and she does not leave him as a friend, it will confirm that she values him as more than just someone to make her feel lovable. If Mike tells her he's lost romantic feelings for her while she has her powers back, he can also explain the real originally reasoning - which he has.

[luccksks]

Mike's behavior in season 3

I find Mike's behavior in S3 a little curious and suspicious, as always he is trying to deny some things or his behavior in this season, and it has importance in the next season. I will try to make my thoughts make sense, because I don't know how to explain myself most of the time ghfdsjk

Throughout the third season, we see how Mike does not want to play D&D with Will, or how he says that games are for children, and they are no kids anymore, that they have grown up, and how Mike focuses more on El, because she is his girlfriend. even Will points this out in the rain fight. That Will thought yes, that they were always going to play together, but Mike answers that no, that they are not kids anymore (Which is quite funny, because later in S4 it is seen that Mike wanted to play D&D, that's why he ends up joining the hellfire club with Dustin, and since at the end of S3 he doesn't want Will to put the game in the donation box)

In short, he believes that since he is older, it is normal for you to stop liking games, and to behave less like a child. But still, Mike is desperate to play D&D again, with Will, and other games, and he shows it at the end of the season, both in Hopper's dialogue (I'll show it later) and in the last scene they have together this season

In the last episode, Mike shows his concern about losing Will, thinking Will will join another party, or not playing with Will again (although he has previously shown that he was not interested in playing with him).

And it is a curious contrast, how with Will he is not afraid to show that he wants to continue playing with him, and he is afraid of losing him (Even if he doesn't say it, we can see it) And how with El he has to pretend, and remember himself "That made me sound like a seven-year-old" although he doesn't think that and he's really excited to be able to play, because you can tell he says it with some enthusiasm, but he ends up retracting it, and saying that it sounds like a kid, which is he's been saying all season. And it's not until she says "I like presents, too" that Mike says "Yeah, I like- I like presents too."

And I don't know, it just seems to me that Mike is trying to behave in a way that is not him, when he is with El (Beyond the most obvious), since all the times that Mike has tried to be funnier she didn't like it, like in episode 1 when Mike is singing and Eleven tries to silence him, or in episode 4 when Mike takes the mannequin to try to make a joke and Eleven makes a bad face, but anyways

Mike is afraid of losing Will, he is AFRAID that things will change between them, and Hopper's dialogue (Which is very important here) is VERY them, and is made to show the emotions of Will and Mike, but above all Mike, perfectly reflecting Mike's feelings throughout this season and next, and, perhaps explaining his behavior this season

In this scene the focus is on Mike, the camera focuses on Mike, because they are Mike's feelings towards Will, Will even says that, in the painting scene, I don't have a photo of that, but in 4x08, minute 17:25, Will says "Or she[I] seemed like she[I] was pushing you away is because she's[I] scared of losing you, like you're scared of losing her" they both feel like they're pulling away from each other

"I was worrying too much about El" This is what Will what he said to Mike in the rain fight, and Mike admits it, he was worrying a lot about Eleven, and he was leaving his friends aside, a parallel to Nancy, in the first season, that when she was dating Steve, she left Barbara, her best friend, alone. "I feel I lost you or something" Mike felt like he was losing Will, who is also named in Hopper's dialogue, taking into account that during those 6 months they spend apart, Mike calls Will, but Will almost never answered. + the whole season 3 theme, Mike worrying a lot about El, and feeling like he was losing him

Honestly, in their heart-to-heart there are many references to Hopper's dialogue, and they are always referring to pulling away from the other, feeling lost, or losing the other.

Continuing with Hopper's dialogue, just after saying "You're pulling me away or something" he says:

"I miss playing board games every night" D&D is a board game, and in S1, you can see that the party played at night, but they don't play as much as before, because they have grown up, and Mike misses that, just like many other things

The dialogue then continues talking about other things, referring to El, to Joyce, but suddenly it focuses on Mike, when he says "Changing" Mike is changing, he knows it ("Mike is trying to be as normal as possible"), but he is afraid of changing, and that things will change too

And then, when he says that he doesn't want things to change, because he's afraid, the focus is on Will, that means that he doesn't want things to change with Will, he's afraid, he's afraid of losing him, and taking into account that before he says " You're a pulling away from me or something", so Mike has felt a change, and it scares him. There has been a clear rift between Will and him since S1, and that is why season 4, he says "I feel I lost you" and "I think it'll be easier if we're a team. Friend. Best friends" he corrects himself, remembering Will's words at Rink-O-Mania when Will told him "We used to be best friends."

I really don't know what it is referring to here, other than that Mike wants to stop that change, and make things go back to the way they were between him and Will. It reminds me of the scene where Mike goes crying to his mother after seeing Will's "dead body", and his mother hugs him to comfort him.

Now, let's talk a little about the songs at the end of the season

In this scene The First I love you plays, when El says I love you to Mike, and they kiss. But can we see Mike with a slightly... confused face? He doesn't return the kiss, he stays with his eyes open, Mike is in front of a closet (in Will's room) And with a light in his head, I don't know. And we could say that the title of the song is romantic and this song is made for them, because El tells him I love you and they kiss, but that song also appears in a scene that is a coming out of the closet...

The First I love you (The "love you" is not in capital letters, considering that all the song titles in Stranger Things are in capital letters, which I think the song does not have such a romantic meaning) It also plays when Robin tells Steve that she is a lesbian, and that in reality she didn't like him, but rather the girl who kept looking at him. And it's even more curious, because The First I love you, is a remix of The First Lie, which plays when Jonathan and Nancy kiss for the first time, after saying that they were just friends, and they didn't like each other (a Lie ). And in the two scenes where The First I love you plays, there is a lie, and a confession, or a truth that comes to light, I wouldn't say it's entirely like that, because Mike doesn't say it with words, but with body language, as I said before, not kissing back (in front of a closet) and then looking confused

(Here the songs, at least to me, they sound almost the same)

And taking this into account, we can say that The First I love you is more platonic than romantic + a lie

Steve tells Robin (who at that moment has a crush on Robin) that he likes her, and Robin tells him that she is not like the other girls, because she likes girls, and that is the first lie, when she implied that he was the one she liked, but in the end she ended up being honest with him.

Mike doesn't kiss El back when she kisses him (who at that moment has a crush on Mike) He doesn't even say anything, but Mike implies that he likes El, but that's Mike's first lie, he doesn't like girls, he doesn't like El in that way, because he likes boys.

And honestly, the fact that the one song, called The First I love you, plays in a coming out scene, and in another where Mike doesn't kiss El back and then gets confused is very… well, and taking into account that it is a remix of The First Lie…

But well, that's it for my analysis, thank you for reading it and sorry if it was too long, or it was not understood as I wanted it to be understood, but hey, Byler Endgame :)

[teambyler]

"Byler Endgame, One Episode at a Time" - s5e1

Plot beats and scenes leading to a Byler endgame, one episode at a time, for Season 5 of Stranger Things. (This is just for fun! I have no insider knowledge!)

Also see Part 0, where I explain what I think a Byler Endgame has to address.

s5e1

Since we’re going back to s1 themes, a shadowy U.S. government organization is involved. It wants to contain and study the hellscape in Hawkins. People are ordered out of parts of Hawkins. The Byers don’t have a home in Hawkins. Joyce stays at Hopper’s, with Jonathan too probably (Ted wouldn’t let Nancy’s boyfriend sleep in the house. He’s perfectly fine with “Mike’s friend Will” though!)

When Will arrives, he asks to stay in Mike’s basement. Mike says it’s cold and uncomfortable and he doesn’t have to. Will says he’s fine, he prefers a quiet place to do art, he likes that it’s where they played D&D... “We get to play D&D again, yes?” “Of course!��� Mike insists on putting a bed in there, etc. Will is fine with the couch. The whole time Will is trying to be cool, trying to get over loving his straight best friend.

Will walks into Mike’s room, to see that Mike has framed the D&D painting and is hanging it on the wall. Mike: “This is a really nice present you gave.” Will’s in shock… does he know? It becomes clear Mike just thinks Will and El talked about what to put in a gift they were both to give Mike, while things were still good between him and El. “It’s too bad things went south so quickly…” Mike shares that he and El aren’t seeing each other. Will looks at the painting, thoughts racing… Mike says he doesn’t know what’s going on with El because after the pizza shop he thought they were official again, but she’s still being cold toward him.

Will sleeps on the basement couch, remembering their "Crazy together" conversation. He cries quietly.

After coaxing Lucas who’s spending time at the hospital with Max, the Hellfire Club play D&D in Mike’s basement. Dustin is the dungeon master. It’s a very feel-good, “the party is back together” scene. Will’s so happy to be playing D&D with Mike and is sitting next to him. In the game, Will risks his life to cast prismatic spray and save the group. The spell fails. In the game, Mike risks his life to protect Will. Will is blushing and it feels kinda romantic.

“A PLOT” SHENANIGANS. Will is rubbing his neck a lot and this is a Will-focused season. (There’s a million ways the A plot can go down so I won’t even try!)

School was disrupted by the events of s4. Bullies with nothing better to do target the Hellfire Club members, blaming them for recent events. Bully #1 lost a loved one when the hellfire opened. The party has to split up to get away from them. Bully #1 corners Will and says he hopes he gets AIDS. Will is terrified and once he’s alone starts crying.

Jonathan senses Will is really down. He invites Robin over. She arrives and kisses Vickie goodbye in front of Will. Will is shocked. Jonathan leaves the room, and Robin and Will connect. Will asks what it’s like to come out. Robin says some people shunned her, but others like Steve and Jonathan didn’t. She found out who her real friends were: “I got to have friends who love me for being me.” Will cry-smiles and thinks about this. Robin says to tell the people you trust the most.

Joyce and El are at Hopper’s cabin. Will looks like he's ready to tell both of them. But he waits for El to step out. Will sits down next to mom and comes out to her. Will: “Do you still love me?” She goes into Mama Bear mode: “Of course I do!” She hugs him. She's heartbroken to think Will didn't know how she'd answer. “Look at me Will. I’ve GONE TO HELL AND BACK FOR YOU WILL. I’ll do it again! I will always, ALWAYS love you.” They have a big ugly-cry hug.

FOLLOW ME for the next part of “Byler Endgame, One Episode at a Time”!

Part 0 (what a Byler endgame needs to address) Next episode

-teambyler

[burning-academia-if]

How would each of the ROs react if they heard their assigned song (crush stage)?

This got a lil long (can you tell today was a coding day?)

Rook:

Is this the end of the moment/ Or just a beautiful unfolding of a love that will never be or maybe be?

He takes a breath. He doesn't pay attention to lyrics, usually. For him it's the sound, a way to drown out the world, his thoughts, anything. But it sticks to his chest, a deep longing he'd promised to never speak out loud. To take your hand and run. Does he really exist, in space your not in?

He exhales. The thoughts are shoved aside again. He changes the song.

Beck:

Aquí estoy a tu lado/

Y espero aquí sentado hasta el final

He vaguely recognizes the song. It's something one of his older cousins used to listen to. The moodiness of the instruments, paired with the declaration of love the song is about, fills up a specific space in his heart. He's also been seen as the sun, but maybe you are, too. If only to him. If it's you, he thinks, everything will be ok.

He gives a soft smile, and let's the song play.

Rhea:

Taking my time to be perfectly honest/ I can't explain all the reasons I'm stuck in love

She doesn't automatically associate the song with herself. It's a cute song, something to listen to while she works. She keeps her head down, typing away, headphones in. Stuck in love? An image of you flashes across her mind. Her hand stills for a moment. Is she? Truly?

She shakes her head, not wanting to let her thoughts drift. She has to focus for now.

Zoe:

I wish I was/ Brave enough to love you

They've never done well with people, or feelings. Their solitude meant more to them then a connection outside of it. You, who exist outside the world as well, yet still entrenched in it's chaos, makes them hesitate. They stand on the edge, lingering on the space between.

They groan and lean back. What are they doing? It's just a song. It isn't that deep.

Lars:

I hate your touch, I hate your mouth/ I can't stand every single word that falls out/ But you're all that I've been dreaming of

He changes the song immediately. It isn't his vibe, and it's easy to move on. Even only half played, a flash of your face crosses his mind. Of all the people to have an ounce of feelings towards, the source of his current problems, wasn't ideal. Still, as much as he wanted to turn away at first, he can't. He'd rather deal with your problems then not have you around at all.

He presses his lips together, and ignores the implications of that.

???:

Was it me you wanted when you said/ You wanted something more than what you knew

Music is a novelty sometimes, and they have a fondness for dissecting it sometimes. This one, though, it's hard for their thoughts not to stray towards you. The two of you shared thoughts and sights and lungs. Their is no joy in the circumstances between you, but how can they feel sorrow when it's the reason you two found each other?

They close their eyes, and pray for a flicker of hope.

Obligatory joke bonus since I mentioned it: F!???

I could be a better boyfriend than him/ I could do the shit that he never did/ Up all night, I won't quit

"Hey MC, you know what this song reminds me of?"

"What?"

"That [RO] sucks and you deserve someone better. Like me-"

[cinnamoncitric]

It all starts with Robin.

In truth, if one might get technical, it starts with Billy Hargrove. Then, in due time, it restarts with Russian spies and a fortress underneath a mall. But neither of the parties was there for the result, so: in all the ways that matter, which is to say, in all the ways that help, it starts with Robin.

In all things Steve Harrington, there are two authorities other than the man himself, and, though he has known him longer, she doesn't think Dustin has noticed. Steve himself doesn't like to talk about it, has only ever opened up to her on the subject under scrutiny and prodding. But avoidance doesn't change the fact: Steve's hearing has suffered.

He tells her this exactly once, both sitting side by side on the bed in his room. He says it looking down, ashamed, one hand tightly pulling at his hair, the other holding Robin's in a tight knuckled grip. His voice is small. He does his best to suffocate the anguish and the fear that flood it when he says, What if it gets worse?

There's no reason to believe it will, for now. At least, that's what the doctor tells them once she bullies Steve into a visit. As long as there are no other injuries, no other blows to the head, he isn't in danger.

But the thing is, there might be. That's just the life they lead – never knowing if the danger is truly over. So Robin sits her ass down and picks up a book on sign language because she knows he'd never do it on his own.

Come on, she tells him, months of secret classes in Indy later. I'll teach you. We can just use it to talk in secret in front of everyone whenever we want to.

Which is, of course, not how it goes down. They go maybe a month into sneaking awkward signs behind everyone's back until Dustin gets wind of it. And when child prodigy Dustin Henderson decides he wants in, there's not much they can do to stop him. And he gets all the other genius gremlins to do it, too. Imagine how useful it would be to communicate without alerting demogorgons, he tells them, when Steve explains he doesn't want to talk about the real reason for it. They all figure it out anyway.

Mike learns it like he'd much rather not. His only argument for doing it is that it might be good for his college application and that Nancy took an interest in it and is now forcing him to learn with her as "sibling bonding."

Will is shy, Lucas is earnest, El is curious. By some point, all of them pick it up. All the older kids, all of the adults – Hopper, Joyce, Murray, Claudia Henderson – and Steve feels like he could cry. They all took the time and effort to learn a whole different language, just for him.

He does cry, and it's all because of one Max Mayfield.

Hey, loser, she calls out one day when the two of them are waiting for the others, searching for him with her cane so she can stand in his direction. Are you looking at me?

Steve twists so that's she's perfectly in his line of view and then confirms.

Good, Max says in sign with a shit-eating grin, pose triumphant, Guess what I fucking learned how to do.

Just like that, there are tears streaming down his face. He tries his best to control his breathing while Max goes on.

Lucas showed me, she continues in sign. It was a pain in the ass because he had to keep moving my hands himself every time I got it wrong, but I wasn't about to let you guys have one over me.

When he doesn't answer, when he can't answer due to the huge lump stuck on his throat and the tears streaming silently down his face, she pauses. Then starts again, this time out loud, Hey, you know you have to speak to the blind girl, though, right? I can't see your hands.

Steve laughs wetly. Shut up. Language, Mayfield.

She laughs at the unintentional pun. Yeah, language. Oh, man. Are you crying?

Shut up, Steve says again. I'm gonna hug you now, okay?

She huffs. Sure, if it's to get it out of your system.

[greenfiend]

I've always been kind of skeptical of Will-with-powers theories that give him these grandiose reality-warping powers -- like, that ability does sort of vibe with the Stranger Things universe, since we already have a little girl who can rip open portals to another dimension -- but creating entire universes or people out of nothing still feels a little over-the-top compared to what the show has established as possible.

But I do think the manifestation theory is a good fit for the show, thematically -- Will summoning a girl into existence who perfectly fits the role he thinks he isn't good enough for, both as a hero and as a love interest for Mike.

So I'm thinking... if this is El's true origin, then the power Will used to create her isn't likely to be reality-warping so much as time travel.

Time paradoxes are perfectly capable of creating whole new realities out of nothing -- my pet theory is that this is where the Mind Flayer comes from -- so what if whatever happened to Will in the Upside Down was the origin of the time bullshit that created El?

In regard to the skepticism, I feel you. It does seem very over the top, especially at first. I mean, this is God-level abilities! (Though the Jesus symbolism does exist for Will…) I imagine if I told a GA this theory, they would look at me like I have two heads! If this is what they’re going for, it will need to be executed well and a lot of things will need explanations.

But yes, narratively and big picture-wise… it does have some merit. Will is, and always has been, a major player in the story. Even when they hide him in the background, he’s still important and significant. Plus, there is something more to the connection between El and Will that has yet to be discovered. They are compared and contrasted FAR too often for it to be merely a coincidence. I think the major problem we face when theorizing is often we lack the ability to combine small details with the big picture stuff. Some theorists are exceptional at finding small hidden clues within the show, but miss out on the big picture stuff. And vice versa. But the fact that this show is difficult to predict makes theorizing so much fun. We can run wild with different ideas here!

Ahhh yes time! Time is so important in the story. I like this idea. Time paradoxes fascinate me. I think you’re onto something here. Altering time can definitely create new realities (and people). This can definitely explain the creation of an entire human being. Like in Back to the Future, Marty’s existence was threatened due to the alterations in time. A lot to think about here!

Love your theory post! The mind flayer being a reminder of Will’s future is brilliant and SO fitting! It’s so tragic how much damage homophobia does. The fact that Will is probably worrying he’ll become a monster is just… heartbreaking. 💔 We all know he won’t though. He’ll be able to embrace his true self AND be the hero!

Thanks for the ask. 💕

[welldonekhushi]

Words Unspoken

Pairing: John "Soap" MacTavish x Samantha "Scarlet" Wright (OC)

Note: Wishing you all a very happy Valentines Day! And on his occasion, here's a fic I wrote over our fave couple! I hope you like it! <3

Summary: Scarlet tries to gift Soap something precious on the special day of love, with some unspoken feelings. How would it go?

Warnings: A bit of angst? But fluff and comfort in the end!

If I had to add a song that fits this fic, it'll be Words Unspoken by Leroy Sanchez!

"What are you getting for Valentines Day?" Roach asked the petite, woman, sitting beside him, as Scarlet blushed at the thought and rubbed her hair nervously.

"Well, to be honest, Gary.. I don't think it's possible. I mean, Valentines Day is celebrated when you're having a couple, right?"

Roach widened his eyes at Scarlet's response, and then he raised an eyebrow. "Then who's Soap to you?"

"He's my best friend! Please, get your mind together, Gary. Yeah, we do talk often but that doesn't mean we.. we have.. something between us?" Something made Scarlet flinch a little in her sentence and was not letting her speak confidently about it.

"I like how you're defending yourself so bad even if you admit you do have something for him." Roach was deadpanning for a while and then burst out in laughter, making fun of Scarlet. She rolls her eyes and knocks his arm with her elbow.

"But come on Scar, look at him and yourself. Everyone in the compound, who I know or not, they feel you act like you two know each other so well. They literally get so jealous of not having a woman like you with themselves, because of how perfectly you match with the Captain." Roach explained. "Heck, the way your personalities merge together and the two behave the same, it feels like.. you two were meant to be each other. Tell me, don't you think anything about your friend?"

Scarlet carefully listened to the Sergeant, trying to make her believe if she truly had feelings for him or not. For the fact, Roach wasn't wrong, at a point. Ever since her time in the SAS, with Soap's unexpected presence, everything changed. For her, and for him. Evaluating all the moments she spent with John — from the day they met when they were kids, to high school, to getting separated and finally reuniting in the SAS.

She realised she feels comfort when she is near Soap. She feels comfort when he hugs her by wrapping his strong arms around her back. She feels comfort when he laughs. She feels comfort when Soap protects her. She feels comfort.. when Soap really means so much to her. How does that not prove that they two have nothing in between?

"I.. do think about him. I just want him to be okay, I don't even want anything else from him." Scarlet looked at Roach, with her eyebrows furrowed.

"Then what's stopping you from reaching out to him? There must be a reason. Okay, let's assume, you're not actually in love. Fine. But what's the reason that's making you feel it's not possible, according to you? You can talk to me about it, Scarlet. I promise."

If Scarlet had to reveal that one thing that was preventing her from doing the action, it would be — being scared. Scared to believe if everything she thought about wasn't true. What if, it's just the friendship? Friendship means to protect their best friend, make them feel loved, never leave them behind and stay together in the hard times. What if Soap really means something to her? Or it's being one-sided?

What if Soap didn't have any hard feelings for Scarlet? And his heart already belonged to someone el—

A sudden wave of emotions flowed through Scarlet's body, and maybe more in her soul, at the slight thought of that. She didn't like that at all, and she didn't want to face it further. She lets out a sad sigh, as she casts down her head, trying to calm herself down while she responds.

"I just.. don't know if he's just being nice.. or he really means it." She turns to face the Sergeant, while he slowly listens. "We've just seen ourselves as.. friends. Since childhood. No wonder he might have the same fear as me, but we can't trust it. I can't trust it. I'm scared of breaking our friendship or making him change his thoughts on me if I did the wrong step."

"Wrong step? You're crazy or what, Scar?" Roach made a disgusted face. "It's NOT true. You're not destroying anything, at all. Neither your friendship, or making him have a different view on you. You're just expressing your feelings, and I know it. I'm your friend, Scarlet. You're like a sister to me. Heck, a brother knows her sister way better than anyone else." Roach puts a hand over Scarlet's shoulder in an assuring way. "Believe me, it will be okay. Just go, and let everything go according to plan."

After the motivation she receives from Roach, there was no turning back for her now. It was time where she would finally confess her feelings, to the one whom she held for so long. She stands up, takes a deep breath, and nods. "Yes.. I can do it."

Roach smiled, and stood up too. "I know you can. Wait, wait! You can't just go in his room like this, innit?"

Scarlet raised her eyebrow, since she had no idea what Roach wanted to do next. They went to a local flower shop to buy a bunch of roses, with chocolates, cause duh.. how do you celebrate Valentine's Day without these two? Also, Roach thought of an excellent idea for a more touchy look so he suggests Scarlet about it. She did blush at the thought of that, but it felt nice and decided to let it work accordingly.

Walking in the halls, the corridors of the dorms to the offices, Scarlet nervously makes her way to Soap's place, with the gift in her hand. She was revising all the lines during her journey, mustering up all the courage and confidence to speak up her feelings and finally confess them. She approached at the door, as she sighs and almost tries to knock on his door, but the insecurities hit her again. Because everything changes by just a knock on the door, and either she leaves out with hope.. or getting shattered.

Forgetting everything, she forcefully opens the door, and sees Soap already standing on his desk, trying to wrap something but immediately hides it away from her. She raised an eyebrow but gave a salute to him anyway. "Captain."

"Sergeant." Soap responds, plastering a soft smile on his face while looking at his beloved friend. He was more conscious of hiding the thing behind him, since it wasn't ready to be shown yet to her. Scarlet approached Soap, the height difference clashing. She might have looked shorter than him, but it never had been a barrier between their relationship. A lot of things Scarlet wanted to say, and so does Soap, but the nervousness in the two was at its peak.

Fear of being rejected. Fear of being forbidden and broken forever. It was the only chance they could have, to finally confess what they think about each other. Taking a deep breath, Scarlet looked at Soap, her eyebrows furrowed and the grip of the gift in her hand got tighter.

"You know you can call me by my regular name when we're alone, do you lass?" He chuckled.

"I know, Johnny but.. sometimes, we have to maintain a decorum. I believe in discipline somehow." She replied. "You're still my Captain no matter what.

"What if you didn't have to, anymore?" He bent himself slightly to face the Sergeant more clearly, that somehow made her blush a bit. The closeness between the two was also not helping her. Gulping, she tried to maintain her posture and body language, clearing her throat.

"I didn't get you, Captain." In light of confusion, Soap chuckled and pulled away from the Sergeant. "It seems we do need more time to get things right, because I think.. one of us isn't sure who's going to make the first move." He rubbed his head nervously, adjusting a bit to hide the thing behind him.

Scarlet heard a crumple of paper behind Soap's desk, that made her curious to know what it was. "What were you doing?"

Soap looked behind, and then realised what he was doing. "Oh, it's nothing lass. I was just.. uh, packing something. Wait, do you have a gift too?"

He glanced at the gift in your hand, and you hid it behind. "U-uh, no? I mean, it's.. it's uhm?"

"It clearly looks like a gift, Scarly." He rolled his eyes. "Is it for.. me?" He points at himself and grins.

"Uh, well.. it belongs.. to someone who I think about the most." She smiles. "Now.. tell me, what are YOU packing for?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. Soap sighed and thought to reveal it.

"Well uhm, it's.. it's a gift too for, someone special. The one who owns my heart." He smiled and slightly shook his head in embarrassment, to hide his blush. "Who do you think it could be for?"

".. oh." Scarlet could only let out one word from her mouth, the grip of her gift slightly loosening. "Well.. I don't know, do you know them? For how long?"

"A long time." He leans on the desk, folding his arms. "Even staying away from her, we never broke contact. She worried about me, cared for me.. she wanted me to come back home soon too, to start a new life." Soap started to think about the woman in her dreams, but at the same time, Scarlet's smile disappeared and her emotions were going on a turmoil when Soap was describing how the love of his life looked like.

"She's so special, like.. she always lights up my life whenever I see her. I miss her. I need her. She misses me too." He sighed sadly. "I can't wait to go back and see her. I'm just about to deliver this gift to her."

Scarlet could feel her grip losing onto her confidence sooner when Soap talked about where his heart belonged, much to Scarlet's dismay. Her fear came true, she dropped her head, with her eyebrows furrowed with the gift in her hands that no longer showed meaning to her or him. Whatever Roach said didn't become real, even if he was hopeful about it. It was proven that these years of friendship had always remained a friendship, not progress to something new. Because Soap had moved on, made a new life with another woman.

That brief separation in their childhood maybe could have been a sign that now it was time to be different from each other, and follow their goals. Even after everything.. the fate was sealed. Scarlet had no problem being now just a colleague for Soap, but the painful spear that stabs her heart in the revelation of Soap's feelings would always haunt her. Always make her undeserving for any love.

She felt.. she was too late for everything now. She got her answer to everything. She might have to spend Valentines Day all by herself now.

"What about you? What is your gift about?" Soap looked at her, smiling. Scarlet looked back at him, hopeless but tried to maintain her positive nature. "Oh, well.. it's.. just a gift. Nothing else. I thought I'd give it to the one who I felt I had feelings for."

Soap raised an eyebrow. "And.. who is it?"

Scarlet's face became a sign of worry, regret and upsetness, trying not to get into more pain if she continued into this. "I.. don't know. But I know it belongs to him." She tried to contain her emotions in front of him, and pursed her lips. Soap noticed something was wrong with her, and it made him concerned. Walking towards her, and lifting her head with her chin, he made her face him.

"Are you alright, lass?"

"I think I will be." She replies, smiling half-heartedly. Soap's eyes furrowed, thinking something was wrong.

"I-I think I have to go, I'm getting late, I need to deliver this gift. Thank you for everything, Captain. See you—!" Before Scarlet could leave, Soap grabbed her hand, and didn't let her go. It left her shocked, as her eyes widened.

"You didn't answer my question, lass." Soap said, softly. Scarlet's emotions spurring out the moment Soap prevents her from leaving. She didn't turn back, but she just shook her head in disappointment.

"Whom does this gift belong to? I want to know who you love." Soap pleaded with her to answer. Scarlet finally broke down, and looked at Soap with her eyes already stinging, ready to release tears. "It's nothing. It belongs to the one who I care for the most."

"You don't care for me then?" He said, making Scarlet shocked.

"What? No!"

"Did you even realise whom I could have been referring to this whole time?" Soap asked, but Scarlet wasn't ready to admit if it was actually the one she thought, or it's not what it looks like. "Don't give up on me, would ya?"

"How would I know about who you truly love, Soap? It isn't even possible.."

"But I thought after years of everything we've gone through.. you'd finally realise it.." He said, sadly. "I thought it would have already created an idea in you that we do have something in between."

".. something between us? What do you mean?" She raised an eyebrow.

".. Scarlet, this is where I realised you're the biggest muppet ever that passed selection."

"What, hEY!" She raised her voice and folded her arms. "What was that supposed to mean?!"

"You thought I was talking about someone else?" He raised an eyebrow.

".. of course. I thought, after all this time, you could have been made for someone else, too." She sighed and rubbed her arms, casting her head down.

"And this is why you weren't happy about it?"

Scarlet still kept her head shook, not able to face him. She pursed her lips and tried to control herself, and tried to calm down, sighing. "Look Soap.. I'm.. happy for you. I always have been. I guess, it wasn't fair for me to barge in your personal life because, I know.. we had a lot in common but, I realised.. you have a life too, right? You can't just.. stay bound to me forever, because we're just.. friends. Nothing else. I care for you, I do want you to have the best. Let it be.. a good life, a good relationship with a family. I just want you to be happy."

Soap blinked his eyes and his eyebrows furrowed at what you were saying. He understood everything that you were saying, but what was creating a barrier in between your feelings.. was the misunderstanding. The misunderstanding that the two DID have something for each other, but couldn't express it properly. The fear, the hopelessness, the regret.. of being too late was eating them up and something had to be done.

Soap looked at her, her body already smaller than him, but never felt so vulnerable. His eyes went to the gift, and slowly his hands went to the wrapped paper, and took it from her hand. She looked above to see Soap unwrapping it. It reveals an album that he opens, the moments they had when they were kids. All happy, without worries, fear, just.. pure happiness. Scarlet wanted to devote their long friendship through this book, and confess her whole feelings for him, by this gift wrapped with love.

It made Soap chuckle heartedly, grinning at Scarlet for this sweet gift. Every page was filled with nostalgia, and love. He closed the book, and felt more glad.. he extended his arms and hugged Scarlet lovingly. He rubbed her back, and never wanted to let her go. At all. He was scared to lose her, forget her..

"Thank you. Thank you, and God for letting this be just a misunderstanding.." Soap suddenly started to shed a few tears from his eyes, much to Scarlet's surprise. What was going on?

"Everyday, I hoped that I wasn't the undeserving one. If I was, I couldn't forgive myself. My life would have been truly meaningless, like how it was before." He sniffed, and kept hugging Scarlet. "I didn't want to celebrate Valentines Day alone too, ya know?" He chuckled, and cupped her cheeks.

"Huh..?" She was still in constant shock. Did.. Soap didn't love anyone else but always..

He brought the gift that he was wrapping, and asked Scarlet to open it. It was a box, and when she opened the lid, her eyes widened and the lid in her hand dropped. She slowly dragged the thing in her hand out of the gift, revealing it to be a blanket.. a piece of fabric, that held so much significance. So much that made Scarlet fill with so many memories..

"Whoo, it's pretty darn cold out there!" A young Soap was shivering inside his room, with a young Scarlet also shivering in the same manner.

"Wrap a blanket around you, laddie. You need it." She replied, trying to find a warm blanket around the room.

"Jokes on you, we only have one. And I think one of us would have to sleep in the open." John rolled his eyes.

"Come on, Johnny! What's the point of a sleepover if you don't have blankets? Bollocks, mate."

"Well, it's not my fault you didn't bring your own."

"My own? I was expecting that you'd keep some with you as spare. I'm not wrong either."

"I'm the only child in this house, Miss. One blanket exists with each member of this family. Stop being dramatic."

Scarlet rolled her eyes and just stole the blanket from him. "Hey that's mine, daft!"

"Sorry, now it's mine." She smiles and wraps it around her body, keeping her warm and letting John shiver in the cold. "Well, I won't mind if I give it to you, instead. You can't stay like thi—"

"Don't worry, I'd be good. You shouldn't catch a cold."

She was cosy in her blanket, but at the same time she couldn't see him like this. Seeing the blanket around her, she got up with a plan. "Uhm, Johnny?"

"What?" The young boy spoke in his Scottish accent, his words a little shuddering because of the cold.

"Let's do something new. We should name it as.. glue."

".. what kind of name is that? You mean pasting shit or stuff?"

"No you idiot." She rolled her eyes. "It only needs a blanket, but this time, we'd be in it together. So that we won't feel cold anymore." Scarlet opened the blanket a little to give him access to enter. "Come on, it'll be fun!"

John without hesitating, stepped into the blanket and wrapped himself around with it, sharing warmth with each other. It did feel better, especially in the blanket they were cuddled in, being comfortable and all cosy. John felt good. Warm. Safe, like nobody ever gave. Looking at Scarlet, he was really surprised that an idea could bring them closer like this. The two looked at each other, smiling and then stayed in the same spot, with the blanket "gluing" you two together.

And this is where.. it all connects. The same blanket Scarlet gave to Soap when they cuddled inside of it. Soap never forgot what they used to do when they were all young and free. She never believed he'd keep it with himself this long, much to Scarlet's regret of thinking he might not care for her. She pressed the blanket on her face, breathing in the fabric, the same scent she smelt back then, which made Scarlet cry too, soaking her tears in it. She couldn't believe it at all.

It proved that the two actually cared for each other. They had something in between. And it was time to let it all out.

"How was the surprise, shortie?" He grinned, caressing her hair gently.

Scarlet looks at Soap with teary eyes, and then hugs Soap tightly too. "I'm so damn sorry, John. I thought you were no longer mine. I was so scared.." She sniffed.

"I was scared for a second too, lass." He replied, hugging her back and comforting her. "It's just that we took a while to understand everything."

"We sure did. But now, I'm so glad.. that my feelings weren't just feelings.." She let the tears stream down her cheeks, crying in relief.

Soap gently shed tears too, glad that Scarlet wasn't taken too. "Me too, lass. But now.. this is where it all begins, love."

Soap and Scarlet looked at each other, ever so lovingly, intertwining their fingers with each other and shared a giggle and laugh, something which they couldn't live without. Soap pulled Scarlet's chin towards him to kiss her forehead, as she blushed. He was so beautiful in her eyes, but she was more in his eyes.

After the two calmed down, they were now talking about the gifts they received, while Roach in the meantime saw the two, being ever so happy in their space, makes him more relieved. It made him glad that Scarlet's doubt no longer existed once she opened up her feelings to him.

"I told you, Scarly. It will be okay." Roach said to himself, curling his lips into a soft smile, looking at the two being themselves, and being happier than ever.

[hnbka]

What's one of your favorite bylergates??

yay! anon, i love you

okay, so i'm a lettergate girlie forever, it just makes too much sense to me for it not to be true ngl, and it would literally perfectly encapsulate byler and how hard it contrasts milkvan.

thoughts on other byler gates

-> birthday gate

ngl, i feel like it would have been subtly hinted at as something will was bitter about, or at least joyce and jonathon would have remembered. so i actually do think that it was a collective accident.

however! it is a possibility to me that the duffers will maybe retcon it into the script. i am not against that right now, but it depends on how well they pull it off.

-> flickergate

i don't know much about this one but it seems so sweet to me like i want to know!! if anyone's passionate about flickergate, lmk?? it's just that the lights flickered right? i think it does provide ample opportunity to do a flashback in s5

-> my most hot take - will powers gate

will won't have powers in s5, or at least i hope he won't. i think it's so important that will and el are different in fundamental ways, and i think from a byler standpoint it doesn't make sense to mix up such a defining part of mileven's relationship (not a good thing!) with byler's relationship.

as for the sci-fi lore, i'm not too aware of how it would impact the story, but i don't think it makes sense. will is a victim, yes, he has been a victim. but i don't think he needs superpowers to break himself out of it, and i think it would tell a better story if he doesn't have superpowers when he finally reclaims his role as not a victim.

again, i come from a storytelling and byler perspective NOT the sci fi lore. maybe will having powers ties up every thread, and will make sense.

-> phonegate

faves!!!! its so cute and i do think it makes enough sense for it to be real. mike was also really defensive in the roller rink fight but not in a damn i SHOULD have called, but in a this isn't just my fault but i don't want to let you know why way.

-> new coke gate

this makes a lot of sense when you explain it to me, but i was 80 percent sure that it was just a sponsorship (a very long one) when i watched the lucas mike scene originally. i did my research once and i believe that no one really knows, but they have partnered. i don't know that partnering with a brand, (aka NO MONEY) warrants the excessive use of coke, so i do see this being just one of those things that the duffers would do to us.

on the other hand, it is strange to use coke as such a huge part of byler symbolism.

-> any sort of number gate

i'm obsessed with number gates because they always come back to seven and i love seven symbolism with byler. (mainly because of seven by taylor swift and HOW MUCH IT FITS THEM but still)

-> my babies, mikhailgate and localvillagegate

faves 🤞🤞 too good

[brionysea]

soooo vale of shadows on mike's playlist

Type 6 and insane

this line made me wonder if they were talking about the enneagram personality types and if that one specifically applied to mike, so i looked it up and...

yes. i'm gonna take that as an immediate yes

like. these could literally be from the personality section of a mike wheeler wiki page

i'm lowkey convinced that the duffers must have looked at enneagram types when making these characters just like i do

and then there's this bit...

which, if the manifestation theory is true (which the rest of the song heavily supports but that's a different post), explains everything

They are often filled with a nameless anxiety and then try to find or create reasons why.

do you ever notice how much better mike is in situations where he has something to fight against? he's not drifting. he's solid. he has purpose, he has the necessary intelligence and strategic capabilities and leadership skills, he has constant opportunities to prove his own bravery and importance to the people whose opinions he values (and therefore himself)

in normal life, he flounders. he can't convince his parents to let them play their game for 20 more minutes. he doesn't have anything productive to channel his grief into. he avoids his friends. he caves in on himself

that's just an interesting contrast, isn't it?

the annual tragedy coming to hawkins every year also serves to make him feel more like the person he wants to be - a brave knight, fearlessly fighting against the forces of evil - and he can carry that reassurance with him back to the mundane, suburban life that never makes him feel anything but trapped and worthless

but it never sticks, because his insecurities keep getting ripped right back open again, so the monsters keep coming back

this exchange from "the source" (👀) is also particularly interesting in this new context

Mike: They're conspiring against me.

Will: That's what you're concerned about right now?

Mike: It's not my main concern. It's just a sub-concern.

the implication is that mike's being ridiculous for worrying about the made-up idea of max "corrupting" el, but wouldn't it be fucked up if the main problem that he's supposed to be worrying about was made up too? if he's been the titular source the whole time?

idk, i think about the character consequences of a reveal like this all the time. and how obvious it would be in hindsight

but back to enneagrams:

once they establish a trustworthy belief, they do not easily question it, nor do they want others to do so

and this just. makes me a little bit crazy. intelligent late-comer characters like robin and erica aren't allowed to work with mike when he's making those bizarre leaps in logic that match up perfectly with how the UD works and what its weaknesses are, because their tendency to ask smart person questions -> "hey, how the fuck does he know that?" -> the whole game falls apart (and crushes mike with guilt in the process)

seriously, imagine a research scene like the one robin had in the library with nancy, but with mike instead. there wouldn't be an "i don't know" response to what they're looking for, there would be a dead-on response that turns out to correlate exactly with the magic answer they find half an hour later - if they even need to do research in the first place, because mike tends to just make shit up on the spot that's immediately accepted as the show's lore. robin would find that so weird and she would not keep it to herself, especially if it's backed up by a million other instances of mike knowing things he shouldn't like he does every season

the lack of familiarity with mike and how he operates is exactly what would lead to those weird patterns being questioned, because there's no instinctive "well, that's just mike" response to fall back on like there is with the core cast

this paragraph pretty much single-handedly convinced me that the show will end when mike's internal world comes into balance (that or when he dies, which i do and don't like thinking about in equal measure)

think about it: if this whole thing has just been one teenager's insecurities unknowingly being brought to life so that he can beat them back with a stick, when will it stop? when will it end? when he gains the type of self confidence that naturally comes with growing up and growing into himself, or when they die with him

mike might be okay with his death in those circumstances, because he thinks everyone else will be better off without him on an objective level of "the horrors will leave my friends alone forever", but characters like dustin and will and lucas wouldn't let that happen in a million years, no matter what their reactions to mike creating the horrors otherwise are

this makes me even more convinced that the season 4 threat - the one that's the perfect opportunity to tell the internal voices that don't think you have what it takes to make it in the real world to go to hell, if you have the kind of danger-induced determination and self-belief that he does - came from, and was meant for, mike

it would be interesting to determine what level he's at each season, with 1 being the healthiest and 9 being the unhealthiest, but i can't wrap my head around it. if anyone else wants to, please go ahead!

[rickie-the-storyteller]

One Song for Every OC Tag!

I was tagged by @gummybugg to do this (thank you sm <3).

Rules are simple - Assign a song that fits the vibe of your OC.

I've actually made playlists for my OCs already lol... you can find them on my Spotify!

Here's the link:

If I were to pick 1 specific song for each character, though... then these would be the ones:

Stephanie - Wings (Little Mix)

This song perfectly captures Steph's strong confident independent bad B personality lol. She seizes every opportunity, lives in the moment, and makes the best of every moment. That's what this whole song is about!

The only thing is... it makes a point about mothers giving their daughters life advice, and that doesn't exactly fit Steph as a character lol. She doesn't even know who her biological mother is... but the general message of the song fits nicely, so who cares?

Bret - Iris (The Goo Goo Dolls)

This song just screams Bret to me, I can't explain it.

Also, fun fact - a friend/follower of mine actually suggested that I put this on his Spotify playlist! So it isn't just me lol. I've actually put it on the Brelise playlist instead of the Bret one.

It's deep and moving, and beautifully written. Perfectly encapsulates his more vulnerable, sensitive side - the part of him that is hurting and looking for peace and solace and understanding (even if it's from just one person in the whole world). He wants someone to know who he is. He wants acceptance. And luckily, he does get it!

As well as healing. That's what he needs more than anything else, imo.

Elise - Idk lol. It's between two options...

I feel inclined to say "Für Elise" by Beethoven since that is where I got her name from. That's why I made this piece so important to her character.

Also, it is classical music, which I think suits El quite a lot... pretty, expressive, structured and classy. Plus, she's the studious one, and it is recommended to listen to classical music while you study!

Personality-wise and character-arc-wise, I feel like this song suits her a lot, though - it's called "Keeping Your Head Up" by Birdy!

I don't want to explain it too much... just listen to the lyrics. Elise's character in a nutshell, definitely.

Dylan - Beautiful Day (U2)

I love this song <3

I feel like Dylan would love it too. It's optimistic, while also reflective.

Gives off strong Dylan vibes to me. Very upbeat, but with a surprisingly rich inner world.

Alice - Underdog (Alicia Keys)

And finally, we have Ally. I'm giving her Underdog, 'cause that's what she is. The one people tend to overlook/underappreciate... but is actually a force to be reckoned with.

And that's all, folks!

I'm pretty sure all these songs appear in their playlists that I made for them on Spotify (apart from Bret's one). Check it out and follow for more!

This was great! I'll tag these people to try it next:

@wordbinge, @elizaellwrites, @writingalterras, @amugoffandoms, @flowers-2006, @mysticstarlightduck, @hollyannewrites, @clairelsonao3, @rubywrite, @winterandwords, @sam-glade, @scorpiolight, @ryns-ramblings, @yourlocalcryptidinthewoods

[samglyph]

If you want a space to rant about ST season 4 and its horror flaws I would love to hear your thoughts---i just rewatched seasons 1 and 2 so I'm in the thinking about it mode

Ohhhh I’m vibrating with all I have to say but I’m going to stick to the horror flaw theme and leave out most of my other non horror related thoughts. Ok so starting off: I actually like most of the first three seasons of Stranger Things. I think season 3 is flawed in a lot of ways but there’s enough that I like there that it’s watchable for me. I know a lot of people feel differently so I’m just putting that out there first.

Season 4 starts strong. The first episode? Good! The dnd/basketball scene? Fantastic! The scene with Eddie and Chrissy? Adorable, great character building. I think one of the strengths of this show has always been the acting, especially from the younger actors, and I think that remains true. And in terms of horror, Chrissy’s death scene is super spooky.

Episode 2 is where it falls apart. The reason I said ‘horror rule number 1’ is because while it might not be a general hard and fast rule (there are plenty of things that don’t do it and are still good and scary), it’s generally accepted, especially in creature features (which ST TECHNICALLY IS) that you shouldn’t show off your creature right away. Jaws? You don’t see the shark until the climax. The Thing? You see people transform and mutate early enough, but you don’t see the full spider body horror monstrosity until well through the film. And Stranger Things season 1 does this perfectly; people are taken/killed left and right, but aside from a blurry photo we don’t see the demigorgon until the LAST EPISODE. Now, yes this is often done for budget reasons, but it’s a good technique! Not being able to see what you’re running from makes it scarier. Showing us Vecna in the second episode? His whole body? With his tentacles? It’s a cool shot sure, but it’s unnecessary and immediately makes him less scary. He’s just a weird dude! They’re trying to do like. Power scaling. But it doesn’t connect well to prior seasons and the world building is really finicky at best.

I know it’s season four and they’re trying to explain stuff because we’re coming to the end of the show and they want to wrap up the mystery, but here’s a thought: sometimes things…. Should stay mysteries. The upside down, as a concept, is very cool and scary, and in trying to explain it they just opened more cans of worms and it’s still a mystery but now it’s almost more fantasy/eldritch sci fi then the grounded sci fi that it was and so some of the believability falls away. Also adding magic glowing dust is a retcon and ridiculous we know that’s not how the lights work. And I LIKE alien eldritch horror ok you know that but that’s not what stranger things IS it shouldn’t BE HERE. Also making your villain just the “weird spooky probably neurodivergent child” trope? Don’t like it, I think they could have had Henry find a small portal to the (already existing I don’t think El should’ve made it) upside down and that corrupted him and mind controlled him and given him some base power (kinda like Will in season 2) would’ve worked just as well, but that’s just an idea.

Another issue with the horror: it’s rushed! Why is Max’s Possession scene in episode 4! It shouldn’t be there! It’s a great scene, but it’s WAY to great and climactic to be happening BEFORE THE MIDPOINT OF THE SEASON? There’s another climax with max but it almost feels less important despite the fact that she basically dies. AND WITH BARELY ANY OF THE CAST THERE? That’s a separate issue but really quick: horror partially comes from the awareness of the characters, and then the audience being aware of the characters awareness. Either the character is aware of the horror which can create stress, (ie. Watching Will in season 1 as he tries to avoid the monster in episode 1) or the character is unaware (shouting ‘he’s right behind you! In scream) which can also create stress. But in the latter section, the film/tv show/whatever has to emphasize that lack of awareness. Meaning if for instance, one of your best friends is about to die, and you’re a MAIN CHARACTER and you have NO IDEA, it might behoove the writers to nod to that somehow to twist the knife a bit. Like El is so important in the second Max climax but isn’t even remotely important in the first scene. Cmon. But that’s just my opinion and a little off topic anyway also the Russia stuff slows down the plot and I don’t care about it and they used a nazi prison and then tried to monetize it as a hotel experience Ls all the way down.

Tldr a lot of the horror was ruined because things were rushed/shown to early and overcomplicated. Something needed to be cut so that other things could flourish.

This is no where close to all my thoughts on season 4, trust me I’ve got a whole like. PowerPoint/video essay locked in here and also I have a head cold right now so apologies if this isn’t coherent. Or if I’m wrong I’m not watching the season again to check.