#it's why he keeps making them he CAN'T live with out caleb but he KNOWS they're all their own people they're not caleb

[group-dynamic]

Abbott Season 4 Episodes 7 & 8 Analysis Because I'm Losing It

These past two episodes were masterpieces, and I could talk about them all day, because I was deeply affected by them, but I'll pick one thing:

I love how these past two episodes skewered toxic amatonormativity and promoted the benefits of non-traditional, non-restrictive families and holidays.

Like, yes, there's a hilarious sitcom premise, but Barb making a mission of inclusion by reworking their holiday pageant to be a winter pageant so her student who is Muslim won't be excluded or Janine and Gregory making space for Ava with them, while the show allows Ava to deliberately choose who is family to her. Jacob and his brother becoming family again outside their parents. Melissa choosing not to invite the firefighter to dinner because she is valuable as an individual, unattached woman whether her family sees it or not.

But what I think really drove this home for me was the scene in the kitchen and the parallel set up between Jacob and Melissa. They are two roommates from different generations who have both failed to fulfill the heteronormative, amatonormative ideals their families wanted from them: Jacob--presumably--due to his queerness and Melissa through her divorce. (Though this reading is also very friendly to queer!Melissa interpretations, too.)

The moment this struck me the most is Melissa in that kitchen upset and stressed and occasionally teary while holding it together (because that's who she is and that's how she does this) trying to convince Jacob that they need to keep the uncle dying a secret because she's been working so hard to pull off this dinner for weeks and she needs to impress her family who do nothing but insult and diminish her and her individual value.

Like, keeping up appearances is genuinely more important in that moment than the death of a family member. Even if he is a bigoted prick, Melissa knows they'll be mad she "ruined their holiday" more than the familial death itself, suggesting that the very idea of the family is a sham. A performance.

And Jacob remains obstinate because this is a really Big Deal and stressful and he always dislikes the holidays anyway so he can't understand why they won't just call 911 and get the big deal over with, because that guy is dead on his bed. But then Melissa says, "They're going to blame me" and Jacob is aghast, "What, how?" because of course that's incomprehensible, why would Melissa ever think someone would do something that mean and illogical? Especially to a great person like her? And she answers, "You've seen my family. They'll find a way." And then we hear the insults and petty you're not good enough commentary from the other room. And slowly it sinks in.

Because Caleb, Jacob's younger brother, who last episode revealed he completely understood how toxic their family was for Jacob and how proud he is that he made it out-- this goofy, himbo-esque tiktok personal trainer just stares at his brother, until finally Jacob gets it and looks over. Because they've lived this. And, of course, Jacob couldn't see it in the same way, because to some extent, Jacob's desperation to be liked and accepted has always suggested that he maybe still believes that he deserved to be the least favorite. (He couldn't even imagine his brother looking up to him, or having anything nice to say about him , or wanting to see him just because he values him. His "I lift people's spirits!" is a performance we've seen him carry out for four seasons. (Worthy of note is that Caleb's job is also a performance. He's a personal trainer, but not one with any actual training. He couldn't find a pulse. He just acts as a trainer on tiktok.)

Now, of course, the plot has to roll on, so Jacob continues to secretly object, but he takes part in Melissa's performance, now, despite his objections, because while he doesn't agree with the charade, he gets why she's doing it. (And maybe, in some way, seeing how a great and likable person like Melissa can be targeted and bullied by her family, is some proof that he might not actually be a bad and unlikable person after all. Maybe he's not the problem.)

And then when Barbara shows up to that kitchen and the first words out of her mouth are "How can I help?" Like I'm sobbing!! Her IMMEDIATE concern is Melissa. First and genuinely, and that's even before she hears her uncle "died" and then Barb is instantly ready to support her with whatever she needs and her first instinct is to hug her and when Melissa says she needs something else (the bread) she goes and does what Melissa says she needs because THAT IS FAMILY!! aahhh.

Anyway: while there's defeat in Melissa's face when her firefighter shows up and her family behaves exactly as expected (Ooooh, you're good because a man has made you good. It all makes sense.) It's tempered by Barb and her husband coming up and reassuring and complimenting her, acting CLEARLY as better family to her than blood or her current fling.

I don't know if I have a conclusion to this. I just want to shout out that the show also says that you don't NEED to go full speed into found family, either, to combat the loneliness caused by the nuclear family model. Sometimes you can also go on the party bus or to the strip club and that's valid, too, haha.

[sepublic]

Jokes aside, I’d argue Belos isn't openly homophobic because there's no point to it; There's no point in trying to 'redeem' witches and demons by changing their lifestyles if he's convinced himself they're all going to Hell anyway, so the only thing he needs to do is kill them. "Why bother teaching them anything if you can just wipe them out?"

Belos only changes aspects of witches' lives that are directly necessary to his plans; In this case, applying sigils by justifying the lack of them as 'wild magic', and then keeping magic divided with different covens so they can't easily rebel against the system that's applying sigils, thereby allowing it to keep doing that and marking as many targets as possible for the draining spell. It's really quite simple. That's why he'll refuse to replenish the Palistrom forests but then promote women like Hettie and Terra to coven heads; Because Hettie and Terra will be killed by the draining spell anyway, but Palismen won't be.

And let's be real... He's a Puritan white guy. He absolutely believes that queerness is inherently a threat to society not just on a spiritual level but a biological one, because it discourages people from making babies because they're more focused on partners of the same sex they can't reproduce with. He probably thought Boiling Isles queerness was contributing to an inevitable decline that he merely hastened and that's why he allowed it. And Belos can't be openly bigoted because people wouldn't listen to him that way.

He's also definitely racist. Belos making an 'exception' for Luz is totally meaningless because white racists make exceptions for brown and gay folk all the time, while still clinging to their beliefs. Luz just happened to be the only human around since centuries, and that's better than no humans because the lowliest one is still above the greatest demon. And he still tried to murder Luz when she didn't flatter his white savior complex, and didn't adhere to his idea of what a proper human should be.

Even if Belos didn't try to kill Luz... Genocide isn't just murdering people. It's also erasing a culture, such as when white people assimilated Native American children, forcing them to convert to Christianity and dress like white people and speak only English, under the claim that they were 'civilizing' them. So even if they were alive, it was still genocide and it was still racism in the form of the White Man's Burden.

He was a white boy raised in a colony, everyone would've taught him that the indigenous people were 'savages' and Philip not only devoted his life to exterminating an entire culture he deemed evil and demonic, but actively enjoyed it too. Why would he stop at brown humans, unlike Caleb who already unlearned one major prejudice of his. If he never learned of the Boiling Isles, he'd have gone after women in Gravesfield (which would've been misogynistic in practice regardless of Philip's intentions), and probably Native Americans too because his witch hunting games are no different than Cowboys VS Indians.

Like I dunno man these white racists do have fellow white people they care about, and are willing to make exceptions and humor brown women too. But they're still racist and will refuse to listen to those people when called out over their bigotry, and ultimately choose that. Any argument that Belos wouldn't be guilty of other human prejudices is purely wishful thinking, and fairly contradictory to his characterization and whole narrative.

And we can wax poetic about why Belos doesn't openly disparage Luz for being brown, queer, and/or a girl, but we know the real reason why; It's because Disney censors would throw a conniption over portrayals of bigotry, and the show was already shortened for 'not fitting the brand'. Look at how Texas banned critical race theory. They think discussing racism is inherently racist, kinda like Twitter users. But with the added difference that they know it's a callout of the people running corporations and the government and investors (AKA themselves) and they hate that.

This kinda gets me back to an earlier point I made; I think the fundamental disconnect fans have with the show over Belos is that Belos stans (not necessarily fans) recognize their character's backstory and motives are something gross that can't be romanticized, and that's why they work so hard to reframe the focus towards Philip's dynamic with his brother Caleb, emphasizing codependency, and religious suppression and guilt. Because they can romanticize that, but not the intentionally pathetic core of Belos' character (itself a satire of certain subgroups).

They're seething over the reminder that their sexy aesthetic will always be second-banana to a 4channer complex, and salty that the crew chose to discuss something topical instead of making a sexyman villain, because their complaints can be boiled down to tastes and preferences, not actual objective critique. That's also why they claim the finale 'retconned' Belos and stripped him of nuance, because all the show really did was just frame and acknowledge his desire to be right as cowardly and selfish, instead of flattering him with tortured abandonment angst over a brother he never cared enough for. As if we didn’t have the ghosts in the previous episode for that purpose.

[isca-rambles]

chenford prompts/ideas

I hope it's okay to just throw prompts out like this. I'm still very new to this fandom but very invested in Chenford (being caught up with a show is the worst, why do I fall in love with these types of ships until I know how it ends?), so much so I dusted out an old tumblr account and posted a ramble on ao3. I'm down bad for these clueless fictional idiots. * What if Armstrong didn't take Caleb's deal in 2x11? As in, he arrests Caleb instead of going with him. It wouldn't change them finding Lucy, I don't think, but could give some very nice (and by that I mean angsty af) interactions between Caleb and the others. Namely Tim, of course. * Tim is the one who goes to the prison with Nolan, so he's the one who goes with Nolan to the house to confront Caleb. Does Caleb still die in the same way? Does he live? Does Tim have to sit and watch the video feed for those agonising seconds while he waits for the rest of the team to touch down, after realising Lucy isn't in the barrel in the house? * What if Tim didn't give Lucy the 'Bradford special' back in 1x09, and she still gets shot? Any excuse for feral/protective Tim, especially since he'd be even more feral after Isabel's shooting. * What if, to help Jackson, Lucy offers to switch places and become's Stanton's rookie for that last month. What's the worst that could happen? * Lucy is exposed in 1x20 instead of Tim. * Lucy has serious thoughts about breaking the door down in 1x20 when Tim is attacked * Both Tim and Lucy are exposed in 1x20 and have to quarantine together * Not so much Chenford, though obviously Chenford, but just people supporting Lucy after Jackson's death. Give Lucy all the hugs please. * One of those 5 times fics but revolving around Lucy's moonstone ring. * Lucy gets greenlit instead of Nolan * Tim helping Lucy to wash her hair after she'd been injured in some way. Not sexual, not necessarily platonic, just helping. Either as friends or established lovers, post break-up or pre. Even a fully clothed over the basin 'don't expect me to dry it too, Boot' because he felt guilty. I just love a good bit of non-sexual TLC sometimes. * Honestly, same as above but with Jackson. So definitely platonic but just something sweet and soft. Lucy needs TLC, okay? I have feelings about this. * Overprotective (not necessarily 'I have feelings for her' but, ya know, we love a clueless Tim) Tim looking out for Lucy (in that weird way of his) with some of the more asshole officers/civilians they meet through her training/time as P2. Especially if she pisses off an asshole cop (akin to Stanton. If not Stanton. We hate Stanton) for some mundane reason, and Tim has to have her back when it escalates. * Lucy accidentally pisses off a very high ranking criminal. Cue everyone protecting Lucy even though she doesn't need protecting. * Tim and Lucy chat after the Stanton confrontation. * Lucy's ill or mildly injured but pushes through/stays in work. Tim keeps pushing her and she makes a mistake and/or gets hurt. Angela, Bishop, Harper, or Grey talk with him, and make him realise he has to know when to stop pushing sometimes. * Lucy's had a particularly bad day with some shitty criminals/civilians/officers. Tim thinks he gets it but he can't, not really, so his brand of tough love isn't working as he wants it to. Lopez/Harper/Bishop and/or even Lucy try to get him to understand he'll never understand what it's like to be a woman (and one of colour) on patrol. * Lopez/Harper/Bishop etc take Lucy out after said bad day. Tim can be there with Nolan if he wants. Jackson too. Jackson gets it more but everyone needs to hear how difficult it can be. Mainly ladies supporting ladies. * And if anyone wants to take a proper shot at the long-form disjointed ramble fic I did, or take ideas from it, please do. Basically post-break up, Lucy's in a bad place and Tim goes to comfort her and I have a lot of feelings about Jackson being gone and Lucy not having the support network she should with Tim and Tamara leaving her - ao3 ramble here

That should be it for now, at least while I keep working through episodes properly (also, ugh, watching these early episodes with Nolan/Lucy stuff is just...ick after binging all the Chenford stuff first ^_^). Thank you to anyone who takes these, you're a very talented fandom with some gorgeous writers! I'm working my way through Chenford fics on ao3, but if any of these have been done before please spread the love and share some links/reccs <3

[potato-frenzy]

Excuse me while I get emotional about my own damn AU for a minute. Essek reappearing and setting for an arc with him at the side of Bell's Hells is sending my brain abuzz.

In the timeline of the story, Essek is in hiding for max a few months before he's given sanctuary by the Cobalt Soul and is expatriated to the Empire. He is no longer a citizen of the Dynasty and he's dealing with it as best he can, Caleb makes it easier to cope. He lives part time in Rexxentrum with Caleb and the rest of it in Zadash with Beau and Yasha, basically working at the Cobalt Soul as a researcher. This lasts until some circumstances force Caleb to suggest marriage so that he has some protections as a citizen of the Empire.

Essek takes the proposal, very easily accepting it as an arrangement of convenience and necessity. That is until the wedding itself, because Jester insists on planning one. It's modest, much to Essek's relief. Essek suddenly has to confront how they've sort of danced around their affections and the exact nature of their relationship. Essek tells Caleb that he wants this to be more than a marriage of means, he just wish it hadn't happened so soon. Caleb confesses that he had hoped to spend more time courting before this but that he never thought he'd be worthy enough to be anyone's husband. It's a dream come true and to know it's not just an arrangement to Essek makes it easier.

They're married six months before Safira falls into their laps. Essek is asked to accompany a caravan of refugees from a remote part of Xhorhas, I haven't figured out why for the life of me. He spends a great deal of time with a young drow girl who is heavily pregnant and cagey about where she's from. Essek doesn't get time to coax answers out of her before a freak landslide decimates the caravan and he ends up in a pocket with the girl who has gone into labor. He has a concussion and a crushed wrist and his components were torn off him somehow. He can't cast anything to get them out and by the time they're dug out, the girl has bled out and Essek is struggling to stay awake while he clutches the baby to his body.

No one can get the baby away from him, he hisses at those that try. Healers have to tend to him with the baby fussing in his arms. He manages to get debriefed and then immediately books it to get everything together to take care of this little girl. Caleb comes home to find him speaking with their neighbor, who happens to be a midwife. He's confused and hesitant but Essek is so set on keeping her, it's an unspeakably primal urge and it's terrifying but even worse is the idea of letting go of her. Caleb relents and there is a bit of a process to taking custody of an orphan, made easier by the fact that she's a refugee. Caleb makes a few suggestions of names, Deirta among them. Essek names her Safira, a tribute to Jester who was the first to so aggressively pursue his friendship.

They settle into parenthood messily, Caleb's work to undo the Assembly and his teaching career. Essek's work at the Cobalt Soul and the struggles of being a drow in the Empire. There's pain, there's nights where Essek thinks he might've been widowed. Essek almost kills someone for knocking his daughter's pram over in the market one afternoon. He keeps her strapped to his body until she learns to walk.

Things get even more complicated when a town near Zadash is razed by gnolls and Caleb happens to be in town and assisting the survivors when he finds a small human boy around Safira's age, about two by now. A child alone in the husk of a burnt building wrapped around the charred corpses of his parents. Caleb takes him right then and there, bringing him home to Essek and Safira. Another orphan with no relatives that is simple to adopt.

His name is Leonidas, he and Safira get on like eggs on toast. They love each other and see no differences. He learns to call Caleb 'Vati' quickly but can't quite manage the words that Essek tries to teach him but latches onto 'Muti' when Caleb makes the joke. They both call him 'muti' for a few months until Essek tries to teach them 'mother' and Safira lisps it into 'mavver', to which Leonidas insists on 'Mavi'. No one can stop them from chanting 'Mavi' for an hour. Caleb finds Essek weeping that night because of how close it sounds to 'Umavi'. In the eyes of these children he's perfect, no matter what. They get used to 'mavi' and 'muti' being used interchangeably.

Leonidas comes with challenges, between night terrors and the fact that Essek cannot be seen alone with him in public without people thinking he's been kidnapped. Versus Caleb being seen alone with Safira and being asked where he 'bought' her. Or someone implying that he knocked up a nasty 'crick'.

They spend more time in Zadash and Nicodranas when they can. But within their home it is paradise for them, they're a family. And one day Caleb comes home from school to find Essek in the kitchen with the children when they're about four. Stirring a pot of jam with Safira on his hip and Leon on the counter while they sing counting songs. Caleb has only one thought as he embraces his family. "Let's have another one."

Essek makes a hair brained suggestion that Caleb recklessly agrees to and they set things in motion to facilitate having another child purposely that is fully theirs. Essek does not struggle with the long, gruelling process of bringing this about like he expected he would and has much to consider throughout. There is joy to be had in it all as they share it with the Nein. Though telling them that Essek is pregnant is as and involved as you would expect and Beau points out they wanted another kid and were wizards about it.

I include a lot of my own headcanons regarding drow traditions surrounding pregnancy and childbirth and that's a whole post on its own. But eventually they have their son Rua. A little half elf that is both of them. But for whatever reason, maybe due to how he was conceived, he very obviously has albinism and is very frail.

It is not long after that Caleb has to join Beau on the mission surrounding the Malleus Key and then the events of the Solstice and Trent. Caleb returns to Essek long enough to spend a short time with his family before he has to go on another mission. Essek has to keep his family safe, moving them to a safer location. Travelling a ways to do so.

And then Essek receives the request to accompany Bell's Hells.

[zalrb]

PLL 1x19 Review - As Per Anon Request

Honestly, I feel like the opening theme would be more effective to play after the recap and before the actual episode starts.

Shay. Can't. Cry.

What IS this?

"He told her to come closer ... ... and she did." LOL, Great dialogue there.

There is no tension in these interrogation scenes it's so funny.

What is Spencer's jacket? Is she a nutcracker?

"Whoever said 'the truth will set you free' never met A." "Jesus. Jesus said it. It's from the bible." Emily, WHY was that necessary? Like ... what kind of contribution to the conversation is that? They don't actually need to know WHO said it.

"You know, sometimes telling the truth does more harm than good." "Who said that?" Not Jesus. "Alison." Clearly the opposite of Jesus.

"Hey, Emily." "Garrett??" "You're a cop now??" Who is this person.

I don't have siblings but beefing with your 16 year old sister is insane. You're a grown ass woman, Melissa.

"I don't want to go home until my parents get back." WHY WOULD THEY LEAVE? THEIR SON WAS ARRESTED ON SUSPICION OF MURDER AND THEIR CHILDREN HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP UNDER THEIR ROOF. WHAT IS GOING ON?

"You never talk about your parents." OK but does he actually have any??

ooooooooh the convenient and contrived revelation of 214.

Hanna, why would you tell Caleb to come upstairs when you know your mother is home? And would it not make more sense to bring him food to the basement and collect dishes?

And Caleb really does act like this is house.

"I know guys like Caleb. He's a tough guy." HOW? HE JUST WEARS A BEANIE AND THEY ALL DO, IT'S THE 2010s! You are the actual criminal here, get a GRIP.

I swear to god if a plot twist is that Jenna actually isn't a high schooler and has been lying about her age I would be like, that is the one thing in this show that makes sense.

"What's her story about?" I know that Ezra is already crossing every boundary that matters but don't talk about another student's work to your child bride, you dick.

"I'm waiting for a manager to call me back." Are you not the police?

"Mr. Fitz isn't seduced by controlling characters" Aria, please. Also what the fuck kind of English teacher is Ezra? 1984, Animal Farm or Brave New World should be on that reading list.

20 dollars? You didn't even haggle.

"Jenna's glasses. This is her room." She just has a standing room at a motel she doesn't stay at or live at?

Hanna, you and your mom just had a conversation about Caleb because he left the toilet seat up in a house he's squatting in because he acts like he actually lives there and you don't even think to check to see if your mom is home first? Because she probably is. The plot's gotta plot.

"Mom?"

Remember when you stole money?

I don't even remember what Emily's side quest is.

Emily just deciding to move on from Maya is lol. Because she sounded happy in one phone call?

Maya was nothing like Alison. Alison is a psychopath.

"Welcome home, honey." I don't know if I just think Aria dresses more childish than the others because she's with Ezra and the clothes themselves are just regular clothes but the whole dynamic of them is like, she's clearly a teen, she dresses like a teen and you're an adult, or if it's that plus the fact that they just give Aria more girl-like clothes and by girl-like I mean, like, little girl-esque. It's obviously not Lolita fashion but you get it.

"But out here you're Dora the Explorer? You have any other personalities that I should know about." Her personality didn't change, Caleb, she just has other skills and interests.

Neither Hanna nor Caleb are good enough actors for this scene to be as poignant as it should be but it works better than anything else, so.

Are you two going to have sex in that tent.

I love that they probably couldn't afford a Pink song so they just have Paige butcher it in karaoke.

Spencer and Toby scrabble scene is my favourite scene of theirs so far. "Thanks for the 'g' I was waiting for it."

They need to keep it at that energy of meeting your match. The intense longing stares don't work imo.

So Maya gets cut off because she sounded happy one time but Paige tries to drown you and it's makeout time?

Spencer being the big spoon tracks.

"We might see people we know there." You're on a picnic in the woods everyone goes to, Paige. Caleb now lives in those woods.

Gossip Girl (and AtS) is the only show I can think of that takes place in a city, like a big city like New York. Can you think of any others?

"I like you too." Even though you tried to drown me.

If I ever did what Hanna did, the door would be locked if I tried to come back. Oh, the lives of teenagers in teen dramas. The freedom. The audacity.

"There's a chance that you'll never look at me the same way again." I like how his response is just "Aria..." like he didn't commit one way or the other, girl.

Also, he's a predator.

I hate how Toby speaks: It wasn't ... ... ... a complete wash. *speeds up* Tobehonest ...

Oh wow, the kiss happened way sooner than I expected.

Idk make up your mind. Is Toby awkward and hesitant or is she assertive?

Also, I feel like Caleb is supposed to have some kind of charisma and charm and if that was the case, instead of asking if he could take a soda, he would warm himself up to Hanna's mom by offering to help her cook dinner. Like, all of you can say whatever you want to say about Dean in Gilmore Girls but he learned the traditions of Rory and Lorelai, he knew Lorelai was important to impress.

Ezra and his serial killer eyes.

"Thank you for looking at me tonight the same way you did yesterday" You're sixteen, Aria.

I keep wanting to call Hanna's mom Melissa even though her name is Ashley.

*gasp* CaLeB wOrKs fOr A????

"Honey, they know that you were seeing Ian" so then why is SHE being questioned? SHE'S THE MINOR. Jesus Christ. And why would she be a person of interest just because she was "seeing" Ian? That has nothing to do with Alison if they don't believe that he was seeing Alison.

[jess-the-vampire]

To be fair, the whole mind reading thing with Belos in canon isn't necessarily unheard of, seeing how Odalia could do the same with her Oracle magic.

Then again, she specifically needed an enchanted amulet in order to communicate with Amity telepathically, so we're back to square one here.

i think i mentioned it before in the past, but belos's powerset is a little wonky, i'm not really convinced he wasn't rewritten between seasons because of some of these detials.

he has this artificial magic, something that is kinda neat and was a dead giveaway he wasn't a normal witch, but the show never really explains what artificial magic is and how it works exactly. Toh has rules for it's magic so it is a wonder exactly how one creates a "Fake magic" on the isles. (Like at one point they maybe imply it's coming from his arm glyphs but that doesn't explain his staff or hunter's staff)

Collector claims he taught belos magic, but outside of the draining spell....we don't really know what he means by that specifically.

and then you have his curse, which is a whole mess in itself, he's got several abilities, some of which just kinda....happen. Not to mention the rules of his curse aren't really clear to an audience member who thinks about it in more detail, like how much control he has over the curse for example (He has scenes where he clearly has control but there are others where he clearly doesn't), or why he was cursed and for what reason, or if the palisman are an extension of life or just to keep the curse at bay (Maybe both? but why would he do this before even seeing caleb again?) ....and also....what the glyph arm is even about. Heck, i'm not quite sure why belos can talk to the palisman in his head, but hunter can't communicate with flap in his own if we're to believe both are being used for a similar purpose of giving the other magic and life. (I mean maybe you can say the fact Philip forced them to give up their lives puts them in some kinda limbo, and not flap who chose to move on, but Philip can also apparently remove them from his head so like-)

(I've heard a LOT of people go on about belos's curse being played for sympathy from the other characters, that he's faking it and it's another addition to how bad of a person he is. And i'm not saying he never faked it, he probably did in some of these scenes, but there's also a lot of scenes where he's clearly in pain and not in control of the curse, so it's clearly not something he's faking for sympathy all of the time. I get the impression this is just because the show really didn't do the greatest job making how his curse functioned clear to the audience that a lot of people are now convinced he was never in pain when he clearly was since he has scenes where it makes no sense to fake it.

Like my best interpretation that makes the most sense is he does have outbursts and he does get hurt but he takes advantage of them, weaponizing his own pain and curse to his benefit where possible)

and then.....we got this power from season 1, which never comes back and is never explained. It could be arguably an oracle power, but oracle magic might be the most underexplored magic covens in the show next to healing, so i genuinely have no idea if that was the intent or even what oracle magic does in this world. I would think if it had use like this belos would use it more often, would of avoided a lot of future issues had he done so.

This might sound a bit nitpickey, it's just i spent a lot of time trying to decipher his abilities to use in my work and i ran into a lot of walls trying to figure out how any of this works in the universe of the show.

he feels like he needs a character bible, there's just a lot here that doesn't quite make sense and i would of loved to have explained in better detail.

and the show usually (Mostly) makes sense with it's magic (Trust me, belos isn't the only character in this show whose magic abilities drive me nuts), i think eda's curse is actually well handled and well explained to the audience. You really understand how her curse works, how she controls and works with it, and it remains consistent in it's abilities.

belos just has way too many abilities, some of which just kinda happen, a lot that aren't entirely explained, and half the time i wonder why he never uses some of these powers at other points in the show.

this fact might not bother some people, but if you're someone trying to study his powers for your work, like me, it's really noticeable.

i think what happened is they needed belos to be able to do several things for plot reasons (He needs a fake magic to hide the human twist, he needs to possess hunter for reasons, he needs to pretend to be human for one scene at the end so now he suddenly can shapeshift, he needs to find out about luz stealing from him so sudden kinetic powers) and then it just became way too much.....i think they should of kept it simpler and less vague if you ask me.

the man has far too many abilities, and too little explanations for why he has them or how they work.

Having some proper limits to his powerset and being able to go from A to B To C on how he works would do miles for him.

[whattheshock]

⭐️ STAR TREATMENT (miguel o'hara band au)

summary: miguel's still pissing you off, but maybe he's different than he seems... wc: 1117 cw: use of y/n, harassment

⋆part 3⋆ masterlist

"ugh, where is he?" you asked in frustration. "this is the second time he's missed rehearsal this week & the tour starts in 9 days!" you slid down the wall, sinking to the floor, your head in your hands.

it'd been a little over 2 months since the record exec showed up at a show & offered spider sense a record deal. the band was so excited, but miguel seemed like he couldn't care less. he argued about every detail on the contract, stormed out of the recording studio as fast as he could as soon as their sessions ended, & seemed to dread going on tour more & more by the day, telling you he'd 'rather die than be cooped up on a tour bus with these pendejos for months.'

"just ignore him, if he wants to be an asshole & not participate, there's not much we can do." dean said as he packed up his bass in its case.

"seriously?"

"we would do something but no one wants to get into it with that guy..." aiden said as he slung his guitar case over his shoulder.

"so you guys do do anything? you just let him treat you like shit just because he can drum?"

they all looked at each other. "yeah..." they all said in unison as the continued clearing out their studio.

you scoffed & rolled your eyes as you approached caleb. "why haven't you guys just kicked him out? is there no other drummer for your band?"

"look, [y/n]..." caleb stopped packing up his bag & turned to face you. "we don't exactly like dealing with him, but he's the most talented drummer i've ever met, he makes our band sound the way it does... as much as i wanna swipe those drumsticks right out of his big, stupid hands & snap them in half & smash his skull into his bass drum... i can't... i don't expect you to get it-"

"no, i get it, i do... as much as you don't want him, you need him..."

"right... oh, do you need a ride home? i know your car's in the shop & all..."

"nah, it's fine."

"but it's raining-"

"it's fine, caleb, i'm not gonna make you drive all the way to the other side of town just for me..." you said with a smile. "see you soon." you gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek & left the studio.

thankfully, the rain was light, but this part of new york was always to gloomy when it rained. it was late, the buzz of barely working neon signs filling your ears.

"hey..." a breathy voice said, it was coming from the alleyway. the voice belonged to an older man hiding in the shadows, his face illuminated by his cigarette. you kept walking. "oh, c'mon, won't you give me a smile?" he said as he walked out on to the sidewalk. you continued walking faster. "c'mon..." he reached out, grabbing your bag, pulling you back with it.

"hey! let go!" you grabbed it back from him. suddenly, there was a loud honk & a cherry red sports car pulled up next to the sidewalk. it was an older car but still ridiculously nice. the tinted window on the driver's side rolled down, a few raindrops falling into the car.

"get in," miguel said. you looked back at him in disbelief before taking his offer & quickly getting in the passenger seat before he drove off, splashing the man with rain water, probably on purpose.

"sorry, i'm getting your nice car all wet..."

"whatever, it's fine." miguel grumbled, keeping his focus on the road.

awkward silence filled the car. finally, you spoke up. "why did you help me?"

"excuse me?"

"why did you help me?"

he rolled his eyes. "what, was i just supposed to do nothing? what kind of man would i be if i just left someone out in the rain to keep getting harrassed, especially someone i know?"

"oh, so you just helped me because you would've felt guilty," you scoffed. "i thought you actually cared for a second there..."

"what makes you think i don't?" he stared at me intensely as we were stopped at a red light. "whatever... where do you live?"

"excuse me?"

"can't exactly take you home if i don't know where your home is." he said a bit sarcastically.

"oh, right, uh... 2099 north avenue..."

the light turned green he started driving you home. the rain was loud against the car, so you put your headphones on to drown it out.

"what are you listening to?" miguel asked. you rolled your eyes & leaned against the cold window, ignoring him, so he lifted them off of your ear.

"hey!" you said as the sounds of arctic monkeys spilled out of your headphones. you slapped his hand away & adjusted your headphones back onto your ear.

"you have good taste..." he said, a faint smile crossing his lips.

you were shocked. "did you just... smile?" a smile of your own appearing on your face as you teased him.

"what is that supposed to mean? am i not allowed to smile or something?"

"no, it's just... you never smile, you've got serious resting bitch face."

"resting bitch face?" he asked with a laugh.

"yeah, you constantly look pissed, & you act like it, too... you're an asshole, y'know..."

"really? so you really think i'm some massive asshole who doesn't care about anyone or anything?"

"yeah, basically... that's the impression we're all getting from you."

"hm..." his grip on the steering wheel tightened. "i'll keep that in mind, because that's not who i am, & that's not how i wanna be seen..."

silence filled the car as he pulled up in front of your apartment building. "thank you... i don't know if i thanked you before..."

"it's fine, it wasn't any trouble... do you need me to walk you to your apartment or-"

"no, i'll be fine, thanks again." you smiled & without thinking, gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. your eyes went wide, realizing what you'd just done. you quickly opened the car door, awkward yelling "bye!" before closing the door & running inside without looking back.

you hurried up the stairs to the 5th floor, finally reaching apartment 505, unlocking the door & slamming it after you went inside. you pressed your back against the door, listening to the faint sounds of rain against the windows & your pounding heart. there was a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach & you gripped your shirt tightly. was it anger? anxiety? embarrassment? no, it was butterflies.

you were falling for miguel.

an: tysm for reading part 3 of star treatment! i'm so sry this chapter is late i was having srs writer's block... lmk if u have any questions (my inbox is always open!) or wanna be tagged in new chapters! reblogs r greatly appreciated :)

credit to @benkeibear for the dividers

taglist: @freehentai

part 4 coming soon...

[adalwolfgang]

Howdy! I was wondering if I may request some Yandere Severen content, pleaseeeee ? Two seem to go kinda hand-in-hand, haha. Cheers, friend!

I am so sorry it took me this long to post this, I've been busy with personal life and hadn't had a chance to sit down and write. I know this is short, which is why I will most likely create a part two, so feel free to message me if you have any ideas on what I should add.

Yandere Severen Van Sickle

Summary: Severen is a manipulative type of yandere and has no problem playing the long game, making sure that you can't ever get rid of him.

Characters: Severen, Diamondback, Jesse Hooker, Homer, Mae, Caleb Colton.

(Future) Warnings: Blood/Gore/swearing/violence, Manipulation, Dubcon, Stalking, Ooc for Severen?, Reader smokes, not proofread

Credit to @cafekitsune for the banner(s)!

Severen and his family saunter into the bar, all taking seats at a booth close to the exit. Severen looked around the bar before his eyes landed on you. Playing pool with some other patrons in the bar. Your scent hitting him like a truck. Immediately, he didn't want you to be a part of the menu. He wanted you alive, and most certainty didn't want you to witness the horrors and blood bath could commence, Severen sauntered over to you. The jingle of his spurs echoing through the bar with each step he took. He grabs ahold of your arm, leaning to whisper in your ear.

"If I were you darlin', I'd get outta' here as fast as yer legs can take ya."

You give a look of puzzlement, staring between him and the patrons you were playing with. At first you thought the stranger was just messing around but the stern look on his face said otherwise. Different scenarios ran through your mind on why he wanted you to leave but you didn't want to take any chances and quickly left the bar.

After Severen and his family had their fill, he quickly exited the bar, sniffing out your scent which didn't take him long. Jesse shouted after him when he took off in the direction of your scent. Still covered head to toe in blood, his clothes stained. His eyes scanned around every direction, desperate to see your face again.

He raced by an alleyway before halting in his tracks and walking backwards to the opening of the alley. There you were, pressing your back against the wall, smoking a cigarette. He smirks to himself, ducking down behind a nearby dumpster before peering over it to watch you. If it wasn't for the fact he was covered in dried blood, he would've loved nothing more than to trot right up to you and introduce himself. He would have to figure out where you were staying and come back later once properly dressed. For now, watching you from afar would have to do. After getting a few more puffs from your cigarette, you toss it to the ground before stomping on it with your shoe, placing your hand in your pockets and walking out of the alleyway.

Severen followed you all the way back to your apartment, keeping himself hidden in the shadows. His eyes trained on you like the apex predator he is. He was closer to you now. If he stopped himself from holding back, he would have been able to reach out and touch you. Your scent and proximity were driving him crazy as you kept walking, oblivious to the danger that walked behind you. All the more reason Severen had to have you. You weren't safe out here alone, and who all to protect you other than him?

When you started making your way inside an apartment building, Severen halted in his tracks. He nipped the inside of his cheek, looking toward the rising sun then back at the building you just walked into. His brow knitted together as he finally decided that he would come back the next time the sun fell. He will take you with him to meet his family and live on the road with them. In time you would learn their ways and adapt. Then, he would turn you. Even if you didn't want to be a vampire, he wouldn't take no for an answer. He had all eternity, so patience was fine by him.

In the end, you would be his forever. No matter what.

[echoweaver]

Like a bunch of others have said, I have been nervous about making a simblr gratitude post because I'll almost certainly leave someone out, and that hurts. I guess I'll start with the disclaimer:

I read everyone I follow. I can't read every post, but I don't keep anyone on my dash who I haven't made a conscious decision to put there. If you've seen a like or a comment from me, I'm reading you, and I'm doing it because I like what you post.

And I appreciate a lot of simblrs I don't follow too. I've had to choose not to follow several who I'd like to follow, simply because of the above -- I read the folks I follow, and I can't let my follow list get too big for me to handle.

I also have a long list of story tags I follow specifically for stories that have a chronology that matters. I use XKit Rewritten on my browser to keep a list of unread posts by tag so that I don't miss posts from long-running stories.

OK, that said, and in no particular order...

@anamoon63 I have enjoyed the heck out of Alan Wilson's wild life. You're one of the reasons I'm poking at TS4 now. I also have gotten attached to Dale Cho and Kelly. They have so much personality.

@treason-and-plot I was intimidated by the complexity of your story for quite a while before I really started to dig in, but I couldn't stay away. You have so many characters! And so many plot threads! And they all weave together into a tangle of personalities that feel all too real.

@kimmiessimmies I'm still just getting to know your characters, but they're so vivid. As I've said in the comments, I really appreciate that Sadie and her entourage are mostly emotionally mature people who are working through their problems in reasonable ways. Characters don't have to be shallow or dumb to find themselves in drama, but it's a challenge to write mature ones.

@bearphase I got sucked in by Clem. Orange has got to be one of, if not the most challenging NSB generation, and you aced it. I've been invested ever since.

@rebouks You sucked a character all the way to rock bottom, and then he climbed out with hope and integrity and took everyone nearby out with him. I'm still not sure how you made such a dark story so warm and friendly.

@zosa95 I always smile when your characters show up on my dash. You're a warm presence in the community and a good storyteller. And your screenshots somehow manage to be extra endearing.

@greenplumbboblover I've never seen someone try to tell a soap opera of all of Sunset Valley. I'm getting a fresh look at characters who almost never get the spotlight. It's so much fun.

@mosneakers What can I say? I'd snatch Coraleye away from her boy if I had a chance.

@danjaley I can only imagine the kind of work that goes into the McCarrics. Reading their story makes me feel like a fly on the wall of real moments of a Scottish landed farmer's life. I've also snatched up a lot of your cc for my own projects.

@declaration-of-dramas You have such a beautifully staged historical setting, and your characters are so wild. I miss Lady Prilly, but this new story you're telling in San Pineda has already caught me.

@natolesims Your NSB has so much personality. Grey is a lot of fun. I hope we'll see Tiana soon. Ella's story really gripped me, and Tiana's was shaping up to be just as intense. Plus, your Disney simalikes are spot on.

@oasislandingresident You're a big reason why I discovered I like longer lifespans! I fell into the all-to-common trap of assuming everything had to be generational. You can discover very different stories when you give sims more space to live.

@pudding-parade You make some of the prettiest sims I have ever seen. I've downloaded about half a dozen worlds from your world reviews, and I'm not even sure what I'm going to do with them.

@queeniecook I can't wait to meet Vera and Caleb's baby. You've got us all in suspense. Your story is such a fun combination of adventure, intrigue, and domesticity. Also, so many pregnancy photo shoots. 😆

@nocturnalazure Last on this list but not least, I think your story is the first one I found on tumblr that I became a passionate fan of. I honestly think in another universe it would be a great TV adventure drama. I jump whenever I see something new on the tteot tag. Thanks for the story.

Thanks to everyone, and to the folks I've forgotten and will feel guilty about later. 😅

[golden28s]

Let's talk about why Blank Space by Taylor Swift is an Ian Gallagher song.

The ironic tone of the song is so important and key for this, Taylor presents herself as this serial dater that makes men fall in love with her by being exactly what they want, makes that relationship a living hell because it seems, according to the narrative that the media spreads, that she's the problem and then they leave her. She's embracing the character that the media built for her and she's doing it with irony and sarcasm, like "oh, yeah I'm so crazy I even have a list of all the men I've dated".

So keeping this in mind, let's see the connections to Ian. In my mind this song encapsulates his character from s4 to s10 but specially in s6 and s7. What do we see him doing in those two seasons? Dating men that aren't Mickey. And he tries, he tries really hard to be what they want, what they need. He even, specially in Caleb's case, tries to separate them from his family so they don't know he's not this well put together persona he's trying to be. But that's his nature, a nature that he also embraces with irony and sarcasm every time he talks about his bipolar. He keeps that tone every time he thinks or insinuates that any of those relationships could end because of that, because it seems like he's the problem, like he's the one being what everyone needs until the worst comes. Until this nature he can't stop manifests itself and the relationship ends.

He views himself as a mess, as a problem, as this fucked up thing no one can't fix because there's nothing to fix. He thinks he’s this thing that can lie and pretend to be okay, to be fine until it's not, until it breaks and it hurts you leaving you with a nasty scar. Obviously this comes from the idea that he could end up being like his mum, being destructive. He feels that being in a relationship with him is just waiting for the fatal final mess that at some point will come, you could even say he thinks he's a nightmare dressed like a daydream. He can be what you want, you can fall in love with him but the end is right there waiting. The destructive nature he thinks he has in him it's patiently waiting.

It feels like he started those relationships knowing they would end, that they would be a name on that list the song mentions and maybe the rumor would spread and "they'll tell you I'm insane". Though that line could also be a reference to the reputation that having the same mental illness as his mum builts for him.

But then, Trevor. He lets Trevor know some stuff about his family and this time it's not only him the destructive element, it's his family at least in s7. And he lets him know probably because he has seen other complicated lives because of his job, so he could understand and not judge unlike Caleb who had a very stable and normal life. So he tries, he tries to be everything Trevor needs, he listens, he nods and smiles and understands. He tries to be better and know better and tries, he tries so hard to fit in Trevor's world, in Trevor's life. But it happens again, he's just dressed as a daydream because he wants to be loved so bad that he would be anything for that, he would be that boy for a month. But once again, never forgetting the irony and sarcasm of it all, the worst is yet to come. And of course, everything ends but Trevor couldn't say he didn't warn him. Ian told him about his mum, about his bipolar so he should've seen it coming, right?

Turns out boys don’t want love if it’s torture even if that's what he has seen in his parents, even if he has seen destruction being part of love. But he will take those relationships way too far, because he's young and reckless and will watch them end knowing it was gonna happen, knowing everyone knew it would because this is what he does, this is what that nature he understands as his, does.

This is why Blank Space is an Ian Gallagher song, because in an ironical and sarcastic way, he embraces the idea of him being the problem, the reason why his relationships don't work.

[innytoes]

make more dark fantasy AU. please. pretty please. sugar please. there are children crying. Its me im children crying

I mean same, anon.

-Caleb just being completely obsessed with the jazz beat Alex showed him. He's pretty sure that's why it took so 'long' for the fairy to turn on him, he loved jazz.

-Alex was supposed to learn the drums to play in a nice, wholesome, Christian marching band and do the military drum beats for the army parades and scouts stuff but he learned the Fun Cool Music on the sly.

-The first several years Alex was in the fairy realm, he and Willie never exchanged a word. Like, when he was still having a good time, he'd spot Willie from across the room and think he was pretty, but he was always whisked away by a fairy who wanted to dance with him or Caleb who wanted him to play drums.

-Once he realises he made a big mistake, and it's too late to run, and his feet keep moving without his permission, his face in a smile that isn't his own, that's when he and Willie finally make contact. Every time he's nearing his breaking point and thinking he's going to go insane, Willie is there, whisking him out of someone else's arms, feeding him honey cakes, dancing with him to a song he hums in Alex' ear, slow and sweet and not at all what the music around them is, and he's practically holding Alex' body up, letting him rest.

-It's not until Caleb and the faeries disappear on some kind of hunt, who knows how long after, and he finally has control over his own limbs again, that Willie speaks. And then it's only a "come with me" as he leads Alex away, gently holding on to his fingers. And what is Alex going to do, not follow?

-They end up in some kind of room with a bed made out of moss. One of the musicians he saw was also there, already asleep, and oh god, there's more humans here? Willie just urged him into the bed and gently tucks him in and curls around him, and he's not sure how long they sleep but when he's woken up it's frantic and the boy with the lute - Luke, he introduces himself hastily - is dragging him up and away because its best not to keep Caleb waiting and he shouted he wanted music.

-Over the months, years, decades, he can't tell, he slowly learns more about who Luke and Willie are. Other humans come and go, and Alex sees just what can happen to the ones who do not stay on the fae's good side.

-Let's just say Caleb does Not like disco.

-Willie gets away with a lot more than the other humans can. And some of the lower ranking fairies seem to be almost afraid of him. Alex can never figure out quite how Caleb sees him though. Sometimes he acts like Willie is his child - usually when he wants affection or admiration - sometimes like Willie is a pet, and sometimes, the worst times, he takes his anger out on Willie in a way that is sometimes subtle, sometimes overt, and always terrifying.

-Once they live with the Molinas, Reggie is just dying to introduce the guys to things like Pizza and Poptarts and poprocks.

-The boys have very fucked up sleep schedules. Sometimes they don't sleep for days. Sometimes, worryingly, they do. Sometimes they sleep for 12 hours, raid the fridge, and go nap for another four.

-Willie biting into a pear and realising pears and pixie pears taste VERY different: excuse me but what the fuck is this?

He makes Reggie taste it and Reggie is like: yeah sorry buddy that's just what pears taste like here.

-On the other hand, pineapple is a new and exciting thing. For Luke, too, honestly.

-Carlos introduces him to Pixie Stix which have nothing to do with actual pixies but are Really Good and if you have 15 of them you have So Much Energy!!!!

-Willie being a Disney Princess. He can talk to birds. He makes friends with neighbourhood cats. Ray has a long conversation about how animal friends are outdoor friends after he came downstairs to find Willie on the sofa petting a raccoon in his lap and sharing a carrot with it.

-Look, Ray isn't saying now that he knows his kids have some kind of fairy changeling lineage that he's noticing things but... sometimes they are weirdly lucky, just like Rose was.

-And he's never had a green thumb... Rose's plant wall in the studio was close to death, until Carlos started going into the studio again. And they didn't truly perk up until Julie started playing music there again.

(Or maybe that's because Ray stopped overwatering the plants after Willie talked to him.)

-Reggie knows that he's not the only one with nightmares and trauma, okay, he knows that, but none of the other boys were hunted for sport and none of them have his weird aversion to horn sounds and bows and arrows. It makes things really awkward when Julie tries to show him nerdy movies he missed, like Lord of the Rings or the Hunger Games.

-Ray reads a lot of books and guides and studies on trauma informed parenting and how to help the boys, because he's pretty sure telling a therapist 'I was kidnapped to the fairy realm' is not going to give the kids the help they need.

-When Luke and Julie start dating, he's happy for them, though he does do the strict dad routine. Even though Luke is very old fashioned in a way that is charming and a little hilarious at times, given that his perception has been warped by hundreds of years of fae revelries. (Orgies? Eh, whatever. Getting to hold Julie's hand? Life changing, huge step.)

-The other guys seem happy for him. But the first time Luke falls asleep in Julie's room - innocently song writing, but he hadn't slept in two days and Julie's voice was so pretty and her bed was so soft - and she lets him stay, he wakes up to find the other boys demonstratively piled up on the floor around Julie's bed.

-Because Willie can't sleep without Luke there, so he bodily carried an already sleeping Alex to Julie's room. He was just about to go back for Reggie, but Reggie doesn't like sleeping alone either so he followed, dragging one of their blankets with him. And yeah, Julie has some explaining to do to Ray when he finds them like that the next morning. (The door was open! Luke was on top of the covers and she wasn't! They weren't even facing each other, dad!)

-Willie not quite knowing what to feel because on the one hand, relationships were very fluid among the fae and it's not like he has issues sharing. He never minded sharing Luke with Alex or Reggie. But then they were all together, and now, Luke and Julie keep disappearing together.

-And he's had Luke in his life the longest, and he doesn't know what to do with this new feeling inside him that makes him want to grab Luke and keep him away from everyone except his boys. And then he has a realisation that he's just like Caleb and he maybe hides out in the loft of the studio until Alex and Reggie find him and coax him down.

-Alex soothes him that he's nothing like Caleb, that being a little jealous when one of your friends pulls back because he's head over heels for someone is normal. That's the word for his feelings. Jealous.

-Reggie is very silent, and Willie flops on him and stares at him until Reggie starts petting his hair. And he realises that maybe Reggie is also jealous of Luke and Julie. And then he thinks back at how many times he and Alex have gone off on their own and thinks maybe Reggie is jealous of him and Alex as well. There's no more revelries where they are all together anymore. He should fix that. He doesn't want Reggie to feel what he's feeling.

-He makes extra sure to cuddle Reggie during that night's 'watching the tellyvision'. It also distracts him from wanting to hiss at Julie when she snuggles up to Luke and pull him away.

-Asking Ray about hosting revelries goes badly. He's pretty sure the modern human word for it is 'buzz kill'.

-As a compromise, Ray hosts a 'pizza party' which Willie is pretty sure is not comparable. He wants to pout, but then Ray mentions you can put pineapple on pizza and he's distracted.

-He talks to Alex about it all, because Alex is better at feelings and thinking. Reggie says he's better at Overthinking but Willie is pretty sure he's just jealous Alex can think of all the bad outcomes of their plans before they do them. (It doesn't stop them, but sometimes Alex does get to say 'I told you so', which is funny.)

-Alex tries to explain that things are different in the human world, that romantic and sexual relationships are between two people, usually. Alex is very cagey about answering Willie's question about whether or not he misses the other two boys, but finally Willie drags it out of him that yes, he does. But he also wants to be normal, and being with four people isn't normal, and he loves Willie and what they have.

-In response Willie pushes him through a wall, just to remind him they're Not Normal, and says they should kiss Reggie and Luke at the pizza party.

-Alex splutters and says they should ask first. He is also very insistent that there will be Nothing More Than Kissing at the pizza party, and Willie pouts. Ray already had that talk with him, thanks. Humans were so weird, they invented the most amazing ways to have fun (skateboards! Tellyvisions! Dubstep!) but were so boring in other areas.

-The pizza party was a success. He and Luke were Very Excited about the Pineapple Pizza. Reggie looked in heaven. Even Alex seemed to forget he was nervous about tonight as he stuffed an entire slice of pizza into his face. Alex was so talented.

-So around the last slice he asks Reggie if he can kiss him, and Reggie splutters and is confused, and Willie says he misses him, and Ray won't host any revelries and he wants to kiss him and Alex said he had to ask first.

-And Reggie looks at Luke and Julie and he looks conflicted and for a moment Willie is scared that Reggie doesn't actually miss them at all, he just wants Luke and Julie, and he's ready to teleport away and hide when Reggie says yes.

-The kiss is sweet and tastes vaguely of pizza. They have a very long talk and Reggie admits he'd missed them too but didn't want to intrude. He'd come to them last, he understood if Willie chose Alex, and Luke and Julie were clearly meant to be.

-Willie cuts him off and pulls him close and is like: you're ours and we're yours.

-Luke is looking very, very conflicted, and Julie looks like she's trying to understand, like when Willie tried to teach her a fae dance. He knows he should not anger their hosts, that's like the first thing he learned, but he can't help it and pouts over Reggie's shoulder: "Julie, you need to share."

-And Julie paused, and then nods. "Okay."

-And Luke is shocked, and Reggie and Alex seem shocked, but Willie is just pleased, and he leans over so he can kiss Luke as well, and finally the tight, sour feeling in his chest goes away and all is well.

-And if a few weeks later, Julie comes into the studio holding Reggie's hand and declaring Willie has to share, Willie is fine with that.

[mac-lilly]

Arranged marriage Juke AU

Let’s start the week with a juke au: An arranged marriage/enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to-friends-to-lovers au for juke. (Inspired by this whiny post.)

Won't be around for Juke Jeudi this week. So happy Lulie Lundi! (I blame @thedeathdeelers for that term.😛)

☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆.。.:・°☆

Setting: ~18th century

The two kingdoms of Los Feliz and Hollywood have been at war for decades, and recently, Queen Rose's life fell victim to the armed conflict.

To end the war, King Caleb makes a shady proposition: A marriage should tie a bond between the kingdoms.

King Ray strictly opposes the idea, of course. But to his utter horror, his daughter, Princess Julie, accepts. After her mother's death, she's become a ghost of her former self. Since her mother's death, she's barely smiled and has banned music from her life. If this deal spares the lives of the innocent, she's happy to sacrifice herself by marrying the Prince of the enemy kingdom.

But since Caleb does not have an heir, he picks one of his minions to fill the role. For whatever reason, he chooses his most rebellious soldier.

At the age of 15, Luke runs away from home to pursue his dream of becoming a musician. As King Caleb has a reputation for valuing and supporting music, he travels to the capital.

Surprise ... It's a trap to lure in young people.

Upon his arrival, he's immediately drafted into Caleb's army.

Over the next three years, he attempts to desert multiple times. But he gets caught every time. And when he gets summoned to the king after his latest failed attempt, Luke's convinced that this time his punishment will be much more severe.

It is ... kinda. Luke isn't thrilled to become a pawn in Caleb's plan but ultimately has no choice. Either he plays along and marries the Princess, or his friend Bobby will be hanged in his stead.

So, the wedding happens. And it's an awkward and strange wedding with the atmosphere of a funeral. Nobody is very happy to be there – except for Caleb, who is sickeningly cheerful for the entire ceremony.

Afterward, both kings announce a truce, and to celebrate the fragile peace, the newlywed "couple" gets to tour through both kingdoms.

Which is even more awkward than the wedding because Julie and Luke can't stand each other. Even after volunteering, Julie still despises Caleb and his actions and believes Luke must be as bad as his king. Plus, his constant guitar playing and singing irritate her because it stirs up painful memories. (After her mom's death, she's banned music from her life.)

Meanwhile, Luke's too worried about his friend to care much about a moody and (presumably) snobbish princess.

However, despite their mutual dislike for each other, in public, they delinquently play their roles.

Until they get attacked.

Soldiers set an inn they were staying at on fire. However, Julie and Luke manage to escape the death trap and flee.

They argue about whose country is to blame. (Although Luke already has a sinking feeling regarding the identity of the real mastermind. But keeps his mouth shut.)

The duo proposes a temporary truce as they try to figure out what to do next. After all, the assassins are probably still after them.

The usual road trip stuff happens from here on.

As they travel aimlessly around the country, they get to know each other and eventually build trust. Julie confesses that she hates hearing him play because she associates music with her mother's death, and it hurts. To her surprise, he respects her feelings and doesn't play when she's in earshot.

Luke, in return, tells her bits of his story – that he left home to become a musician but then accidentally joined the military. He omits the real reason why he agreed to the deal, though.

As time passes, their alliance slowly morphs into a friendship which then evolves into a much more complicated and deeper bond.

Julie's fascinated by his personality. His charisma and charm, his passion for music, his untamable energy -- it's highly infectious, and suddenly she finds her heart filled with so much life and joy again. His support gives her the strength to enjoy music and eventually sing again.

And Luke's awe-struck by her voice. And her beauty. And her intelligence. And her bravery. And her kindness.

In short, he is totally SMITTEN with her.

Especially after she helps him write down his songs since he never got much education and his reading and writing skills are rudimentary. 

And at least once, they pretend that Julie's pregnant to hitch a ride to the next village.

While they travel, they make plenty of new friends who tag along: A runaway lord, a wannabe trickster, a badass huntress, and an ex-soldier.

They escape death a few more times, btw.

And every time, they celebrate their success.

And it's during one of these celebratory gatherings (and maybe they are a bit tipsy when it happens) that Julie and Luke share their first (real) kiss under a starry night sky.

And then they never talk about it …

There's also some betrayal happening because Willie and Bobby need a plot too. (Willie is a spy; Bobby is brainwashed, and Carrie leads a group of female bandits.)

Anyway, they eventually come across a small fishing town, which happens to be Luke's hometown.

Julie visits his parents for him and later assures him that they are alright, although they do miss him and are worried. Luke promises to return and talk to them one day.

Then they learn that Caleb is using their disappearance to justify another attack on Julie's kingdom.

Julie's mad at Luke, believing he's been in the cahoots with Caleb all the time. So, Luke tells her the truth. He also tells her about his rising suspicion that this has been Caleb's plan from the beginning: Kill Luke and put the blame on Julie. Then execute her for murder to break her father's will.

At first, Julie's furious that he withheld the information from her. But she understands that his intentions were noble. They decide to return to Julie's castle.

There, they get separated, and a very, very angry Ray is about to sentence Luke to death for kidnapping his daughter until Julie intervenes.

They explain the story, and Ray apologizes.

He also announces that the marriage will be annulled once the war is over, which shocks Julie and Luke because they've never talked about their feelings.

They FINALLY confess their love

JUKE KISS

Ray is super-duper proud of his daughter.

The marriage won't be annulled.

In fact, there'll be another wedding because Caleb's presence totally ruined the first one.

MORE JUKE KISSES.

AND FOREHEAD TOUCHES.

AND NOSE RUBS. AND HUGS.

And then, they develop a plan to get rid of Caleb.

(More plot happens here that's not really Juke-relevant)

They defeat Caleb, the war ends, and they all live happily ever after. 

(And maybe they travel the lands after they exchange vows again, and maybe this time they do not have to pretend that Julie's pregnant to hitch a ride.)

The end.

[cellard0ors]

For @falsemortal!

"What's this?" Laura holds up an old photo and Travis snatches it from her, the apples of his cheeks red, "Where did you get this?"

"...from your bag." Laura doesn't understand why he's so worked up, it's just a photo. It is, however, one of his family, so, while she technically knows what it is, she can't help but ask, because he's been oh, so careful not to mention any of them since this...thing began.

This 'thing' being them on the road, roaming from place to place, hunting the unknown, the supernatural.

It's a tenuous partnership between them, one based not so much on trust as on the loss of their previous lives. Travis couldn't go back to being a sheriff and Laura certainly couldn't go back to being a vet student.

So, here they are.

Laura doesn't mention Max. Travis doesn't mention his family. It's part of an unspoken deal. So, finding the photo was a surprise and why she asked and now he's embarrassed.

... it's -? Surprisingly a good look on him.

But his normal gruffness returns as he grumbles, "Why were you going through my-!"

"You asked me to." Her eyebrows rise high, "Remember?"

She's sure he does. He'd wanted her to find a flashlight he had - not this. Travis must have forgotten about it and Laura, while knowing she doesn't need to, offers him an out, "Look, it's none of my business-!"

"No. It's not. But when has that stopped you?" He says it not in the tone of one ready to start an argument but more...fondly.

Travis? Fond of her? Not possible. Still, the warmth of his reaction makes her blush even as he shakes his head and sighs, "It was a good day."

Laura frowns, confused, but then he clarifies himself by holding up the photo again, "The day this was taken."

He looks down at the photo, one that shows the entire Hackett clan together, smiling, happy, "It was July fourth. Couple years ago. Long before the mess with Silas."

He runs both of his thumbs along it, "Whole family was together. Had a big feast, fireworks - Caleb and Kaylee chasing one another around with water guns. Soaked Bobby a couple of times. Chris too. I avoided getting hit... narrowly."

Laura's lips twitch, fighting off a smile, because the picture he's painting is rather nice. His voice more so, soft as it is, "Even Ma was in good spirits. Didn't ride my ass, didn't make any snide off handed remarks...just kept to herself, spent time with Pop..."

Travis shakes his head, taking the photo in one hand so he can smack it on his other open palm, "It's all a lie though. A good one. But a goddamn lie "

Laura absorbs that, her face blank of expression. From what she knew of the Hackett family, that's right - the picture, the happy family facade...it was a lie. And yet...

Laura carefully takes the photo from him. He turns to her, his expression open... vulnerable. The word 'handsome' also flashes in her mind, but she rigidly ignores it as she demurs, "Maybe. But it's a nice picture. You should keep it."

Travis is flabbergasted, "Why?"

"Because..." And now Laura feels vulnerable, "Family means something to you. You-you like the idea of it. And...and even if this family, the one pictured, wasn't the way you wanted it to be, it doesn't mean that someday...someday you won't have the kind of family you do want."

She looks at the photo herself, "The kind of family that loves you."

There's a long, heavy beat of silence.

Then, in a near quiet rasp, he asks, "Do you think you'd ever want that?"

The question shocks Laura to the core.

More so when he looks at her, "A family?"

Laura looks at him and her throat feels tight, her heart thudding thickly, because if he's asking what she thinks he's asking...

Travis looks away, "Never mind, I shouldn't have ask-!"

"Yes." Laura interrupts quietly, very quietly, and his gaze swings to her quickly.

She meets it.

Laura meets his gaze and holds it as she repeats, "Yes," she edges closer to him, "I do."

They're sitting side by side, but now? Now their hands meet. One of his hand to hers. The fingers lace. It's slow, tentative, but it's a start.

[jessicas-pi]

paint bombs, pixie cuts, and elopements........

hehehehe

This is my Sabezra Medieval AU! (it's the sequel to Matchmaking, Mad Science, And Accidental Child Acquisition, which is a TCW/JFO/SWR Medieval AU.) PBPCAE has gone through SO many variations and plans and ideas and four or five times I've thought I might actually have the story 100% figured out until I stumbled over a plot hole and got stuck, but I finally went back to the beginning and thought it out, and i've actually got an ACTUAL plan now, so I'll ramble about it instead of sharing a snippet!

So, the backstory of it is this: Sabine is Viscountess Wren, heiress to Clan Wren. Ezra is an orphan who was found, rescued, and eventually adopted by Kanan (aka Prince Caleb Dume of Jedha) and Hera! Ezra and Sabine meet as children (she's 7, he's 5) in book 1 and get along like a house on fire. After the events of book one, they keep in touch--I haven't decided for certain, but Sabine might actually live in Jedha for a while.

Fast forward in time to the beginning of PBPCAE. Sabine is a young woman, just old enough to marry, and Ursa is discussing potential political matches with her. Now, up until this point, sabine had never ever considered marrying ezra, but then her mom goes and says "Sabine, I may as well be clear from the start. You will not be permitted to marry that Jedhan boy you're constantly running around with."

Sabine's response?

After some confusion, embarrassment, hilarity, and a trip to Jedha, Sabine manages to convince Ezra that This Is A Great Idea Actually. But there's a problem.

Jedha and Mandalore both have very complicated marriage customs and requirements. And Sabine knows her mother will use any objection she can. So Act 1 of the story is Sabine and Ezra doing a deep dive into Jedhan and Mandalorian law (with the assistance of Cal Kestis, Resident Nerd) and kind of go on a bunch of quests to make sure there can be no nitpicky legal objections whatsoever (i.e. they have to convince kanan to adopt ezra the mandalorian way as well as the jedhan way so that ezra would be considered actual royalty and therefore a good political match), while also keeping it a total secret so Ursa can't step in and stop them. The secrecy leads to some comedy due to Sabine and Ezra both being very bad at making up excuses as to where they've been sneaking off to.

Finally, they've settled every objection, and are preparing ye olde powerpointe presentatione on "Why You Should Approve Of This" for Ursa when a visiting Mandalorian with a bit of a grudge against Sabine sets her up, resulting in an Incident that nearly ruins Sabine's reputation, and causes Ursa to summon her daughter back home.

War breaks out in Mandalore.

Sabine and Ezra don't see each other for two years.

Enter Act 2.

The war ends, and Ezra and his family (which includes young Jacen!) are invited to Mandalore's Winter Court as part of the celebrations. (I haven't decided what plot reason there is for them to be there lol.) Ezra is ecstatic to see Sabine again, though he's a little nervous that two years will make things awkward, especially with their secret marriage plans between them (and the fact that, during their time apart, he came to terms with the realization that he had feelings for her. His friends Luke and Han, who know about the secret, have been giving him (extremely bad) advice on How To Woo Your Future Wife.)

'Tis not to be.

The first news Ezra gets upon arrival is that Sabine is engaged.

To be specific, Sabine is engaged to Carthage, the philandering slimeball son of Gar Saxon---and the same guy who set her up and nearly ruined her two years before. She's not happy about it, but it was part of the conditions of the peace treaty, and so she can't call off the engagement without a mutual agreement.

(Ezra is, understandably, heartbroken. He can't even be happy for Sabine because her fiance is a lousy person!)

Then yet another Incident happens and suddenly the whole Winter Court is convinced that Sabine is carrying on with Ezra behind Carthage's back. Carthage is mad.

Wait a second, Sabine thinks. This could be my ticket out of here.

So, in an attempt to make Carthage upset enough that he willingly agrees to cancel the engagement, Sabine and Ezra play themselves up as a starcrossed romance between a noblewoman in an arranged marriage and the peasant boy who became a prince and who also happens to be her childhood friend---basically they use all the dramatic tropes they can. Half of the Winter Court is scandalized by their behavior, and the other half is like it's the romance of the century!!!!

And when even that doesn't work?

Well...

There's always elopement.

[utilitycaster]

Re: Wizard Stupid

As you outline it, i definitely believe its a thing. However, id like to object that Ludinus exhibits it in earnest. Absolutely its what he projects (ie. the absurdity of hating clerics for being gifted magic while working alongside SORCERERS), but i think he projects it knowingly and deliberately, which disqualifies him from Wizard Stupid.

Basically im denying the adage “Never attribute to malice what can be adequately attributed to stupidity”. Id LOVE your thoughts on this but its my belief that Ludinus is weaponizing populist talking points against what are basically ignorant common folk and traumatized people as a shield to hide his greater true desire to become god emperor of Exandria. Especially keeping in mind that us as the audience have a vaster knowledge of the Exandrian pantheon and its inner workings than a regular commoner who’s worked a farm all their life and just wants to make enough money for a meal. If right-wingers get away with this kind of shit all the time, i certainly believe Ludinus does, too.

I would disagree with a few things here; but to address the first point, Wizard Stupid really is just "I think the consequences of my actions will not come back to me, and indeed haven't necessarily thought them through at all", which I believe absolutely applies to Ludinus. While we don't know for sure that teleportation is broken, or that he's fucked the ley network and therefore arcane magic, those are both pretty likely. He activated a machine that had taken damage with his own life force. He also did hire Astrid, who is heavily implied to have been feeding intel to Caleb and would therefore be indirectly responsible for quite a lot of that damage. He stiffed Ira's bill; reneging on a contract with a fey even other fey think is kind of a wildcard? That's Wizard Stupid. I'd also note: never attribute to malice what can be explained by stupidity is much more about assuming that the person who cut you off in traffic is a fucking idiot who wasn't paying attention, not that they have it out for you and want you to crash. It doesn't mean people can't be both malicious and stupid, and we do know Ludinus is, canonically, evil. I am not denying his malice; I'm saying he's also, in some areas, very, very stupid.

In general though, I don't think a comparison to populism is apt. Ludinus and the Vanguard expressly aren't going around doing massive, active recruiting among common people who are, or perceive themselves to be, disenfranchised. Tuldus is actually the exception to what we've seen; the majority of Vanguard members we've encountered have been Ruidusborn. This is a cult recruiting vulnerable people. If it were truly populist, why is it not commonly known among the population? Why recruit Lilliana and not Relvin, who is similarly a regular commoner who's worked on a farm all his life? Why hasn't anyone in the party, many of whom have been living on the fringes of society, heard of it before now? Why are their only allies other tiny obscure cults and a crawler gang? Why are they killing what appears to be random travelers? The Paragon's Call members are honestly pretty apathetic, and the Malleus Key plan wasn't a recruiting tactic when Bells Hells encountered them; I think it's a case of "boss says we're killing god and they're paying well, so, sure, I don't care as long as I get overtime." Killing the gods is not a talking point being used to rally the masses; it's not populism and it's frankly not even popular. All things considered, the group at the Tishtan site is pitifully small.

I will also admit, and this applies here but to a few other posts as well, that I don't find a framing of Mortals vs. the Gods under any kind of real-world political structure to really work for me. The premise is in fact that the gods don't function like mortals, so even if killing the gods were a popular sentiment, which again, it is not, I don't know if it would map well to populism.

Now, I do agree that Ludinus is being deliberately manipulative and hypocritical. With that said this also doesn't rule out stupid for him (nor for real-life politicians). I do, in fact, think that no shortage of right-wing populists believe a decent amount of their own bullshit. Like...generally, a lot of fascists are very effective at amassing short term power, and they don't believe all the bullshit they say but use it to manipulate the population, and we obviously don't want that either, because it does not take terribly long to do a massive amount of harm; but they do often fuck up the long term planning. Eventually, you eliminate everyone you've been scapegoating and you still haven't built a utopia so you either need to, as Ashton said, get down to like 5 people at which point society collapses; or someone else shows up and you now become the target of the population's ire. Basically this is all to say you can be both stupid (and specifically Wizard Stupid, which is about ignoring immediate and possibly lethal consequences, often though not always in the service of pursuing knowledge or a greater vision) and manipulative, ie, Ludinus is not in fact disqualified from Wizard Stupid simply because he also deliberately misleads some people.

I also don't think Ludinus wants to become god-emperor and haven't seen any evidence he does - it's a theory, but I don't agree with it and believe he genuinely is mostly focused on just killing the gods. But, frankly, if he did wish to be god-emperor? Doing so by allying with powerful sorcerers whose powers are believed to come from Predathos? Of whom we know he - one of the most powerful archmages in the world - is jealous? And assuming he'll keep that position? With all the potential fuck-ups to magic? Also, specifically pissing off druids, who might actually (along with paladins) be the group most able to withstand what may go down if Predathos is unleashed given that their magic comes neither from the gods nor is arcane? Now that's Wizard Stupid.

[thisbelongsto-nohbodys]

I know I should just be grateful he's dead, but I can't help but think Hunter should have been the one to kill Belos. Like, I know he abused everyone, but Hunter had to live with him. Plus, it would've been cool if while Hunter was stomping on him, Belos' vision kept flashing between seeing Hunter, Caleb, and the other Golden Guards as if Hunter was letting them all get a shot at revenge.

I’ve seen this argument and imma have ta disagree that Hunter should’ve been there. There’s several reasons as to why and I’m gonna try and keep it as short as I can (as I’m answering this during a lunch break at work).

1.) Luz and Belos are opposites in several ways, while they’re both humans they both approached the Boiling Isles in different ways. Belos sought to destroy all life on the Isles which when we see “the Savage Era” it’s actually pretty peaceful. Luz however embraced the Isles and wanted to be there because she felt like she belonged there whereas Belos wanted to go home after destroying everything. Luz also did what Belos was lying about the whole time after he started his Coven grift, Luz not only actually talked to the Titan but the Titan was talking to Luz through the glyphs and showing them to her freely, while Belos had to hunt down and force his way into finding the glyphs. At the end, Luz calls herself a human witch and Belos calls himself a human while he’s melting away as a pile of goop, a substance that he’s been for decades while pretending to still be human.

2.) Eda is very likely a descendant of Evelyn who was very likely a Clawthorne, which would make her Belos’ great great (insert how many needed) grand niece and from what little we say in Belos’ mind, Eda is the spitting image of Evelyn. King is the last Titan, the son of the Titan whom Belos claims to have been speaking to and tried to use to wipe out the Isles. And finally Raine is a non-binary witch bard (music was even banned by puritans in some parts), who not only was fighting Belos’ Coven system from within but later fought Belos when he tried to possess their toy-form. Those three curb-stomping Belos after Luz rejected Belos’ “plea” for help symbolizing all of the “evil” he tried to wipe out getting the last laugh.

3.) Hunter being the clone of Belos’ older brother Caleb who was a former Witch-Hunter could be nice to have there at the final fight but consider this instead. After Caleb met Evelyn and he learned that witches (real ones) are as evil as he was led to believe, he even fell in love with one and attempted to start a family with her, Caleb did what both Luz and Hunter was able to do. Hunter even breaking from his uncle’s chain through a similar way to Caleb in that firstly he met Luz, a human witch who was using Wild Magic to cast spells and unlike Belos who restricted magic and convinced Hunter that it’s only through the artificial magic that Hunter is strong, Luz is more than willing to teach others and share her knowledge of glyph magic to Hunter. Secondly, Flapjack becoming Hunter’s Palisman. It’s unknown if Flapjack was Caleb or Evelyn’s Palisman originally but either way he was there and remembers Caleb whom Hunter is a clone of. Hunter could’ve easily turned Flapjack over to Belos but instead he kept him around and they became friends, the creature that is made from Wild Magic and who’s essence sustains Belos’ form from the curse, Hunter decided to keep this illegal creature hidden from his uncle. Thirdly there’s Willow and Gus, Hunter’s first real friends (not including Flapjack) and it’s this friendship that he starts to see more of what Luz and Darius have been pushing for with Hunter, for him to learn that the Isles and it’s people aren’t evil and filled with backstabbers. Hunter found within Willow and Gus people whom he can trust without a doubt which is more than any of the Coven heads and Belos can claim.

4.) Hunter’s role in the finale was what Caleb was trying to do with Philip. Since we don’t know the full story behind Caleb and Philip (fuck you disney for canceling the show), we can only speculate on what happened and from what I saw is that Caleb grew up a hopeful Witch-Hunter alongside Philip, but when Caleb met Evelyn and saw the Demon Realm, he fell in love with not just the witch but it’s world and people. So much so that he started a family. Him trying to make peace with Philip was likely him trying to protect the Isles from Philip and other Witch-Hunters, t what do you think would happen had Evelyn not taken the portal and hid it after Caleb’s death? Philip would’ve brought back up and committed genocide of the Isles. Caleb however wanted to try and convince his little brother that the Isles and it’s people where also good. That’s a lesson that Hunter had to learn and him trying to get as many people as he could out of the falling Archive was what Caleb would’ve done in that situation, to save the Isles from evil people like Philip/Belos. The fact that there are so many former Golden Guards, so many attempts by Belos to remake his brother but having to kill each one shows that each new clone continued to try and protect the Isles and it’s people from Belos just as Caleb wanted to do against Philip. The difference is that Caleb/Hunter is willing to show mercy while Philip/Belos does not.

So now we have Hunter with his technically family carving Palismans and helping the people of the Isles. He’s living a good life which is more than enough to get back at Belos (tho’ I wouldn’t be surprised if Luz showed him the spot and Hunter took a few stomps)

Sorry, I tried to keep it short but I failed. I still have thoughts on this but my lunch break is over so that’s all I got so far.