#jb setting: canon

[jtl-fics]

Fluent Freshman - Part 45

PREV

Renee Walker stands next to two of her best friends in the entire world holding up a hand drawn sign. There's an, admittedly crudely drawn, Fox on the sign that Allison had made up.

Renee had seen it and smiled from across the airport as she made her way over to where Dan and Allison were standing waiting for everyone to come. The team had managed to coordinate their flights to land all within about two hours of one another and Allison had exactly zero desire to go back and forth from the airport so her driver was waiting out at a nearby cellphone lot to come and get them once everyone was there.

"Is it nice having a driver again?" Dan asks Allison.

"I sometimes miss driving around in my car but it's a lot easier to do my makeup with him driving." she says with a shrug as they continue to catch up. Renee is holding up the sign since Allison had complained that she had lost so much of the muscle she had previously had.

"Yeah, New York City seems like a major pain in the ass to drive in too." Dan agrees as her phone buzzes. She pulls out her phone and looks at it before a huge smile fills her face, one that means she's talking to Matt, "Oh! They just landed!" Dan says confirming Renee's suspicions.

Allison looks at her watch, "Wow, 20 minutes early. They must have gotten through boarding quickly." she comments.

"Or some good tailwind." Renee offers.

"When are Neil and Andrew due up?" Dan asks looking at Renee who smiles back at her friend.

"Andrew said they're going to take a break halfway here so they'll be here tomorrow morning." Renee says.

"Get it Neil." Allison nods and it had been a wonderful thing last year to watch Andrew and Allison make peace with one another. Their mutual desire to dress Neil up a bridge towards....maybe not friendship but camaraderie.

It warms Renee's heart to see her friends get along.

"The plane got tailwind, Neil's getting tail." Dan jokes.

"I'm looking forward to meeting the new kid that I've heard about." Renee says gently moving the topic on from their friends getting together. It didn't bother her at all, but she knew that Andrew would prefer no one talk about what he and Neil got up to.

"Oh! Yeah, uh..." Dan visibly buffers.

"Dan, you're the only one of us that's met the kid. His name's Smith." Allison says with eyebrows raised in judgement.

"Look, when Coach and I went to recruit the kid my brain was like 90% on the fact that I needed to go to my interview." Dan defends herself.

"So he wasn't that memorable for you?" Allison asks.

"Yeah, I'm surprised that he's getting along so well with the guys." Dan says. "Getting stabbed over Thanksgiving feels more like a Neil move than the quiet kid Coach and I met." she adds.

That had been an interesting phone call from Andrew. Renee hadn't even realized that she had become Natalie describing the best way to get rid of the body until Andrew had clarified that it'd been an accident and Smith was alive. Renee had been a little ashamed.

She was excited to meet the kid who Andrew had spoken to her about. Glad that their strange found family was growing just a little bit bigger.

They wait around continuing to talk about plans for the break together. Allison wants to go shopping and she wants to do it once Neil and Andrew are back. Dan wants to skate at the Rockefeller center. Renee would love it if they could do Christmas Eve Mass.

They're sure that Kevin is going to want to check out an Exy game. They're mostly sure that Matt will want to check out the LEGO store in downtown manhattan and that Aaron will be as excited for that as Matt is but pretending not to be. Nicky wants to catch a drag show and has made it clear that he will be going regardless of what anyone else wants to do. Andrew and Neil will probably just want to be alone when they have the chance though Neil had expressed some prior interest in the EXITES superstore and Andrew will more than likely enjoy the day Allison has planned to go shopping since she wants to update Neil's wardrobe.

The new kid, Smith, will be a mystery, but they're more than willing to be flexible.

Eventually they hear the tell-tale sign of most of the boy's arrival. "Babe!" comes from across the airport and Dan's head shoots up and spots the sight of Matt Boyd approaching his arms out wide almost clotheslining four different families on his way to Dan.

Dan is not much better as she rushes to him arms as wide.

They embrace like they always do whenever they have to spend time apart from one another and Renee knows that part of the reason that Dan took her job as assistant coach where she did is that the Washington State Congress Team had been looking at Matt the year prior to scout him.

She looks beyond the passionate reunion and sees Kevin, Aaron, and Nicky. She frowns brows furrowing...

Weren't they going to bring-

Nicky throws his arm out and it wraps around a kid she hadn't even realized was there. She blinks startled by his sudden appearance and blank expression as Nicky was pointing them out. He points to her and he can see her name on his lips she gives a wave and a smile.

Smith nods back in greeting.

He seems quite nice.

***

Renee is at the end of her proverbial rope.

This kid is a threat and she doesn't understand how she's the only person who can see it.

Being a threat isn't really an issue when you're a Fox. It's almost a given that there's some part of you that can be dangerous when backed into a corner but no one seems to be treating him like a threat.

She watches as Nicky and Matt throw their arms around him. As Kevin pushes smoothie after smoothie into his hands as he blankly sips. As Andrew and Neil sit with him quietly. As Dan pinches his cheeks. As Aaron ribs him for being bad at MarioKart.

She can't feel anything from him, no joy, no anger, nothing.

She can't even track him.

Renee has always prided herself on her ability to keep track of those around her. Spacial awareness was incredibly important when you're in a fight and it had always been one of her strongest points. She always knew where she was in relation to everyone else.

Except Smith.

The kid had given her no shortage of heart attacks as he appeared and disappeared seemingly at random.

She had finally gotten Andrew alone to ask, "Smith's quiet, non-intrusive." Andrew says with a shrug.

There's just something about him that makes the hair on the back of Renee's neck stand on edge and she hates feeling like she's the only one. She hates it even more that there's no real evidence that there's something amiss with this newest Fox.

So she settles in to watch.

They're out shopping and Allison is doing her best to get Neil a proper wardrobe with Andrew's considerable help, AKA nodding in approval when Neil comes out. She's not skimping on any of them but Neil is her main focus.

"Smith, what's a color you like?" Allison asks as she's looking at hoodies.

"I like purple." Smith answers and Renee barely manges to stop herself from flinching as his voice comes from right next to her.

"Pass." Andrew says as Neil comes out in a charmingly orange sweatshirt.

"I like it!" Neil argues.

"You have 10 sweatshirts that are that exact shade of orange." Andrew dismisses. "Try the blue one." he says pushing Neil back into the dressing room.

"Which one?" Neil asks.

Andrew sighs dramatically in a way that lets Renee know that he's doing exactly what he wants to be doing, "I'll show you." he says going into the dressing room with Neil.

"I still don't know how it took Baltimore for me to realize they were together." Nicky says as he's holding up two different purple sweatshirts to Smith's body. "You look good in a more purpley purple." Nicky says putting the more indigo colored sweatshirt back on the rack.

"Pants are coming up next, I'll get a lay of the land. I know everyone else's but Smith what's your height?" Allison asks.

"Five feet, nine inches." Smith answers as Nicky pushes him towards the dressing room. "Nicky it's a sweatshirt, I can put it on out here." Smith says.

"I know but I need an excuse to go back there and make sure Neil and Andrew aren't defiling a dressing room." Nicky says with a grin that implies he'd be more happy if they were.

"Gross." Aaron says as he takes a picture of himself to send to Katelyn to approve of the new outfit that Allison was pushing for him to get. "Wait," he pauses turning to where Allison was looking through various men's pants, "you know our heights? Like you've memorized them?" he asks.

"Yeah." Allison says looking at a pair of black slacks. "Everyone's measurements." she says nodding to herself.

"Even bust sizes?" he asks, voice not as quiet as he likely thinks it is.

"You're such a boy." Allison laughs not even looking up from the very different rack.

"How much longer are we going to be here?" Kevin asks with a sigh.

"Well, at least the time that it took you to ask that longer. We'll be done when we're done Kevin." Dan says long having given up on stopping Allison when the woman is on a spree.

"She knows that EXITES closes at 5 PM right?" Kevin asks.

"More importantly," Matt leans in, "that the LEGO store closes at 8 PM right?" Matt asks.

"How is that more important? The LEGO store is open later?" Kevin asks.

"Because we're not going to EXITES today, but we are going to the LEGO store." Matt says.

"If we don't spend the whole day here we can do both-"

"We're not going to EXITES today Kevin." Dan says with a sigh.

"But-"

"We're not going to EXITES today Kevin." Renee says with an apologetic smile.

"But-"

"Kevin, we're not going to EXITES today. Just sit down and let me find pants that'll make your pin-up days look tame in comparison." Allison says.

"That's not what those posters were!" Kevin argues with a blush on his face.

"Sure." Allison dismisses

***

Renee is quite happy with the sundresses she found even if they won't do her any good here in New York City during the Christmas break. Their next stop on their shopping day is over to the LEGO store where Matt makes no attempt to hide his enthusiasm as Aaron very valiantly does try to pretend like he's not utterly entranced by the sets and builds.

Renee thinks it's all very charming.

"We could have gone to EXITES." Kevin says with a frown as he looks at a build of an Exy racquet. "Can you take my picture with this?" he asks but he's not quite looking at Renee.

"Sure." Smith says from beside her, where he had apparently been.

"Thanks Smiths." Kevin says and stands next to the Exy racquet of LEGOs and crosses his arms and leans back.

"Kevin, stop posing like this will be for the cover of a Forbes Magazine." Andrew says with a sigh as he comes to stand on Renee's other side.

"Shut up, it's a picture for me!" Kevin says and continues to stand with his arms crossed.

"Oh, can you get a picture of me next Smith?" Neil asks coming up eyes shining in excitement as he looks at the racquet.

"Sure. As an apology for letting Nicky-"

"Don't talk about it." Neil and Andrew say at the same time.

Kevin gets his picture and then Andrew hands his phone to Smith for Neil's since Neil had broken the lens on his camera ages ago.

They wander around and Kevin finds a set to build the National Court that he grabs without a second thought. Neil and Andrew find a little LEGO man of Kevin that they buy as their 'preferred Kevin'. Kevin of course threatens to buy their LEGO figures once they have them and refer to them as his 'preferred Andrew and Neil'. A threat that neither of them comment on but Renee does buy the little Jean Moreau she finds. She'll paint it Trojan colors and send it over to him as a little gift.

As she continues to browse with her purchase in hand she hears Nicky, "Smithy, if you like it you should get it!" Nicky insists.

"Is it the price?" Allison asks.

"Yeah, I don't want to spend that much." Smith says with a nod expression still worryingly blank.

"When's your birthday? It can just be an early or a late present from me." Allison asks.

"March 1st, but really I'm fine not getting it." Smith shakes his head. "It's not that I'd like it just my little brother liked trains." he says and Renee watches Nicky's face turn from joyful teasing to intense determination.

"We're getting this set." Nicky says grabbing it and marching over to the counter even as Smith followed after him.

Interesting.

***

They finish off their day with some ice skating.

Matt, Aaron, Andrew, and Kevin all fall into the 'challenged' category.

They get on the ice and all four immediately fall. Renee stifles her laughter as Andrew and Aaron scowl. "Are you okay?" Smith asks and Renee almost loses her balance as he skates by her.

"Why the fuck are you good at skating?" Aaron asks scowling even as he takes Smith hand. Renee skates over and offers a hand to Kevin as Matt and Andrew are being helped up by their respective partners.

"Oh," Allison says skating by, "have you been up to Canada or something often?" she asks.

"I've been to Canada a few times. It's more that there was a rink I would go to every once in a while." Smith answers before turning back to Aaron, "I can help you keep balanced." he says offering his other hand.

"Smith, I don't want to hold your hand. That's kind of gay." Aaron huffs letting go of Smith's hand only to immediately beef it again when he tried to move forward.

***

Skating was fun even if Aaron kept blushing as Smith helped him skate since he never really got his 'ice legs'. The rest of them all more or less skated on their own by the end or, in the case of Andrew and Matt, seemed fine to keep skating while holding on.

Renee was warming herself by the fireplace in Allison's home enjoying some hot chocolate as Allison took a seat next to her. There was a lot of commotion in the kitchen as the team was working to make dinner together. Renee had excused herself after Smith had startled her while she had a knife in hand and she'd almost stabbed him on instinct.

She's just relieved that no one seemed to notice the near murder.

"You okay? You seemed tense in there." Allison asks.

Well, almost no one.

"Yes, I'm fine." she smiles and hopes that Allison will believe it.

Allison looks at her and Renee does have the benefit that Allison is slightly drunk since she was told firmly not to help with the cooking since she'd paid for the majority of the day.

"I'm glad I got you alone, there's something I want to hear your opinion on." Allison says deciding, apparently, to let it go for now.

Renee relaxes smiling at her friend, "What's that?" she asks wondering what purchase or thing unpurchased Allison was regretting.

Allison looks at Renee, expression utterly serious. "Don't you think there's something...weird about this kid?" she asks.

Renee straightens up glad that Allison had also felt like something was off with the kid that her friends had brought along. "What do you mean?" she asks wanting to hear what Allison thought.

"Look, he seems really nice. I mean a little too nice to be a Fox to be honest but I mean I guess you're a Fox as well so..." Allison rambles slightly taking another sip of her wine.

"Yes, go on." Renee nods.

"Yeah, he seems nice and Matt said he's got his own stuff even if he didn't wanna go into what that stuff was." Allison continues and it's a good thing Allison is drinking white wine considering the white carpet and her gesticulations. "But...it's just.. okay you can't make fun of me. Even though this is about to sound crazy." Allison says.

"I would never do something like that." Renee swears.

"Promise me." Allison says expression grave as she lifts up a pinky.

Renee smiles despite herself and hooks her pinky with Allison's, "I promise to not make fun of you." she swears other hand over her cross.

"I think he's Justin Bieber."

MASTERPOST FOR ALL PARTS OF FLUENT FRESHMAN AU

[swordmaid]

after this comm batch i think i want to update shri'iia's refs + her wardrobe refs since i finally have a design for lurragath and i want to edit some things a bit...

[jbsummerexchange]

Jamie and Brienne fandom, it’s back! The JB Fic Exchange is slathering on the sunscreen and airing out those bikinis! This time wrangled by Ambitious and winterstale24, our theme is Summer Loving/Loving Summer. Because it’s the season of sun-dappled mornings and lazy afternoons, guidelines are relaxed as a glass of lemonade on the deck of your favorite beach cottage.

We want all the fic! Please share far and wide to every JB writer you know!

Here’s the details:

The sign-up sheet will be available from May 18 – 24, 2025.

Send three prompts for your giftee. To keep things as seasonal as a ladybug skittering up a daisy, one prompt should focus on a location or environment that speaks summer to you. Could it be the bluer-than-blue waters of Tarth? A windswept vista overlooking the battlements at Casterly Rock and the Summer Sea beyond? A sunny hillside dotted with loads of wildflowers and sleepy-limbed trees? Could it be a mossy streamside near Winterfell during the warmest afternoon the North has seen in years? Just plonk our dear, darling dumbasses in a setting as specific or general as you like and see where your gifter takes the words!

Make sure you include your squicks and shudders.

Specify your writing and reading preferences for canon, AU, modern, etc.

Specify your preferred heat-level e.g. Mature, Explicit, All Readers for both reading and writing.

Your giftee and their prompts will be delivered to you on May 31, 2025. Have an icy beverage of your choice at hand and get to writing! All you need is 1k words, but overachievers are always encouraged to word until they can word no more.

The Summer exchange beach cottage doors will open on June 21, 2025 and stay open until July 27, 2025.

Questions? Comments? Favorite Mojito recipes? Contact us at jbsummerexchange@gmail.com

[ovrgrwnivy]

THE WALLS ; JJ MAYBANK

SYNOPSIS ; when an unknown face appears in the outer banks searching for a father she's never met, she's unaware of how her life is about to be completely turned upside down.

WARNINGS ; jjmaybank x routledge!oc, strong language, depictions of violence, afab!reader, sexual content, mentions of abuse, drug and alcohol consumption, strangers to lovers, fast burn to slow burn, canon adjacent, not proofread.

AUTHORS NOTE ; changes are being made! see this post to learn more. to me, this part seems a little like a filler, but i want to explore veronica as a character and develop each relationship with each character as something more than a side character, not just honing in on her relationship with jj, which of course is a huge part of the story also.

part one. part two. part three.

when veronica begins to stir, the sun had long set. there was no way of knowing how long the pair had been asleep, all she knew was the lights of the chateau were off and there was a bright pink post it note stuck to jj’s head.

‘gone fishin’. jb pissed.’

pope signed off on the note, a small smiley face drawn inside the o of his name. veronica knew the pouges hadn’t actually gone fishing, that is was some sort of code jj would decipher when he came to.

in this moment, veronica was content. wrapped in the arms of the most beautiful person she’d ever seen.

what could only be described as a war was ongoing in her head. she wasn’t exactly one to believe in love at first sight, she thought this entire ‘spark’ thing was something made up by male authors to keep women reading their shitty romance books to keep them hooked, waiting for it to happen to them.

but then she met jj, and he was like a magnet. every time veronica was in his presence she was mesmerised, whenever he was gone she felt like all the colour was drained from the world.

there was only two problems.

there was a maximum of forty eight hours that they knew each other, add to that he was her brothers best friend, then add to that said brother made it crystal clear that inter-group dating was not allowed.

oh, and then the whole ‘nobody knows i’m his sister but us’ thing.

“you’re staring, baby” jj mumbled, his voice low and tired as he stirred beneath her “can’t say i blame you”

with a sarcastic scoff, veronica sits upright in the hammock, her legs laid out across the blonds lap “just admiring the drool on your face”

“aren’t you funny.”

comfortable silence follows, jj crosses his arms behind his head and blinks the sleep out of his eyes. even though she was staring off into the water, veronica could feel jj’s eyes on her.

“can i help you?” veronica quipped, a teasing lilt to her words as she face the boy in question “use your words, you’ll get there.”

unexpectedly, jj sighs and lets his head fall back “what am i doing?”

veronica knows he didn’t intent for her to hear him, but she did. she would be lying if she said she wasn’t disappointed, but she was even more disappointed in herself at the pang of sadness that hit her.

before she can say, or do, anything, jj is sat up a little straighter and speaking again.

“listen, you’re a really cool girl,” he pauses, shaking his head and starting again “you’re hot as shit, damn it!”

barely, veronica manages to mask her giggle with a cough.

“don’t ask me how or why, but i gotta tell you i’m super into you.” he blurts out “yeah, makes no fuckin’ sense, we barely know each other, no pouge on pouge macking, you ain’t feeling me like that-“

her body is moving before her brain can even comprehend what she’s doing, chipped nail polish framing blond hair as she held his face in her hands and pressed their lips together.

then, her brain kicks in, and veronica jumps back like she’d just been burnt.

“fuck, jay i’m so sorry. i wasn’t thinking,”

seconds pass agonisingly slow and veronica can’t help but think about just how badly she had just fucked up.

but she doesn’t get to overthink for long.

a calloused hand tangled in long, brown hair. the other gripping her waist like it was a lifeline, helping her into his lap as his tongue makes its way into her mouth.

the kiss is messy, it’s desperate. like two people drowning, taking in the other like they were air. hands cling to whatever they can, afraid if they let go it would all be over.

any reservations veronica may have had about ‘the spark’ were discarded, undermined even, this wasn’t a spark, it was fireworks.

but fireworks don’t last forever, and when the sound of john b’s rickety van can be heard drawing closer. the newfound excitement being dulled by the shadow known as a protective older brother, a protective best friend.

by the time the missing pouges pour out of the twinkie, veronica and jj are in much less compromising positions, now sitting beside each other trading menial conversation about the earlier events of the day.

“welcome back to the land of the living,” kiara teases, a yellow vape coming up to her mouth as she took a hit “you two were out cold.”

instinctively, veronica’s hand shot out, wordlessly pleading for a hit of her vape. with a groan, kie handed it over.

veronica lets her head fall back against the hard oak of the tree behind her, relishing the feeling of her first hit of nicotine in two days. she had a vape when she left home, but it died before she even made it to the outer banks and being broke meant she couldn’t even go buy a replacement.

“you could’ve woke us up, y’know” jj defended, trying his hardest to act as if nothing happened, reminding himself to stop staring.

pope scoffs, not missing the longing stares sent the brunettes direction but purposefully ignoring them “we tried, it nearly cost us our lives.”

unamused, john b walks past the rest of the group in silence. when he gets to the door of the chateau he looks over his shoulder and nods for veronica to follow.

the girl is suddenly more attentive, climbing over the human embodiment of a golden retriever and padding her way into the house behind the older of the two.

“does the name redfield mean anything to you?” john b questions, passing a beer from the fridge and getting one for himself “like, the surname.”

veronica is quiet, her finger tracing the rim of the can as she goes through every crevice of her brain in search of any name even remotely close, there’s only one.

“chris redfield.” she answers with a nod, popping the tab of the can and taking a swig “but i don’t get how he’s involved.”

“why not? who is he!?”

“a video game character.”

with a huff of annoyance john b drags a chair across the kitchen to sit beside veronica, unscrewing his compass and placing it down on the table. the name ‘redfield’ is carved into the metal.

“we went back to the boat, found a motel key, whatever.” john b shrugs off the rest of their findings, more invested in whoever this redfield person was. “then i remembered when you showed me that note, the one in the compass. then i found this, figured you would know more than i do.”

veronica gently traced the carved metal, it was definitely their fathers scrawl, she’d memorised it from the note she read over and over and over.

it couldn’t be a coincidence, her fathers note asking her to meet, the matching compasses. now this?

“if i’m going to help you, i need to know..” she trailed off, biting at the edges of her nails as she wondered how to phrase her next question “does this have anything to do with dad dying?”

“he’s not dead.” john b’s voice is louder, stern. then his face softens and he tears his gaze away from the compass and to the floor “sorry, just, i know he’s out there. and this? this is proof.”

“john b, i get it.” the younger routledge speaks slowly, trying not to tread on any toes “you’re not the only one who wants him to be alive, that needs to see him. but i don’t see how this—”

“dad found the royal merchant. four hundred million dollars in gold, and he found it. he’s trying to tell us where to find it.”

veronica sighs, fingers rubbing at her tired eyes as she once again tried to think of any connection to any redfield. when it came to family, she only knew the bare minimum, her fathers name and her mothers maiden name.

what she did know, however, was the royal merchant. as a child her father sent her maps and books on birthdays and christmases without fail, until one day they stopped.

“you’ve got books and stuff, right?” she finally asked, not wanting to get either her or john b’s hopes up. a nagging feeling was telling her their dad was alive, but she knew he wouldn’t just up and abandon his son.

the walls of her fathers study feel like they’re closing in on her, john b let her inside and left her to it. veronicas hand ghosts over the framed maps and dusty books. blueprints of ships with her fathers messy scrawl written randomly around the paper.

there’s pictures of john b littered all over the office, all different life stages, a few feature jj and veronica can’t help but smile at the photo of two little boys holding a fish between them.

on the desk there’s a picture frame, immediately veronica recognises her mother, years younger and a gentle hand placed on her tummy. in the same frame, there’s an ultrasound that veronica almost bypassed as john b, but when she looked at the date it was a long time after he was born.

it was her ultrasound.

it was her in her moms tummy, framed and proudly placed right on her fathers desk.

everything comes back at once. finding the note, and in turn the years worth of letters her mother had hidden from her. the dateline special with john b pleading for information about his father, their father. the fight with her mother, packing a bag in the middle of the night and making her way to the address stored safely inside her compass.

the tears don’t register until they hit the glass of the frame, the last few weeks of pent up anger, sadness and hurt bubbling over from the flame that single photo sparked.

her dad loved her.

for years she’d heard about her absent father, then the absent father that passed when she was a baby. the father who didn’t want the responsibility of a child and ran away once he found out.

but the letters, the compass, this picture? john routledge loved the daughter he was forbidden from seeing, from the second he knew about her he loved her.

and now he was dead.

a sudden wave of anger rushes from her head to her toes, glass shattering when she throws the dusty old frame against the wall with a scream. papers fly and maps fall from the walls as she turns her fathers office into her own personal rage room.

the racket coming from the small room shakes the chateau, so it’s no surprise when the pouges come crashing through the door.

the pouges eyes briefly flash with fear when their eyes land on the destruction caused by the newest arrival, but it’s quickly replaced by a familiar sadness when veronica crumples to the ground, screaming as loud as her lungs would allow for them to get out.

they don’t know what’s wrong, but it doesn’t matter. veronica was now considered a friend, and they gathered that’s what she needed right about now.

jj is the first to enter, drawing closer slowly as if he were being cautious “it’s okay, ronnie.” he mutters softly, dodging shattered glass as he knelt beside her “we’re here, we got you.”

kiara, john b and pope are close behind, wrapping veronica in what could only be described as a group hug until her tears subsided.

taglist!

@ren-ni @marleymarleymarleymarley @miidollaasignnn @rainingcecilias @tanyaherondale @xspideyhollandx @sluterainterlude @loverofmarsss @xoxo-ada @gigistalked @genderlessmenance

[kastlenetwork]

On a positive note didn’t JB walk away before the rewrites because DAW/Karen wasn’t involved? And he’s co-writing the Punisher special so maybe… 🤞

Can’t hurt that the actors ship it! And the showrunner is giddy over them and even the official Disney+ account posted a Kastle clip when they could have posted anything. I don’t expect much this season but I think even if we never get canon Kastle, they’ll slip in some good Kastle moments for us.

He definitely said something of that nature, but I don't know if he was being hyperbolic. He's been vocal that he believes Karen is an essential part of his Frank Castle, so I think he wasn't happy with her being killed offscreen before the season started and I do believe he said a version of that (I've got a bit of brain fog tonight, sorry lolol). But, he seemed to overall not like the direction they were taking Frank -- which was a sentiment that was shared by basically everyone who mattered, for their characters (Charlie/Vincent).

But, yes! One of the best things about all of this is that Jon and Deb, both, are very much on board. They've both talked about their character loving the other, so in terms of kastle captains, we're all set. Definitely doesn't hurt!

I've said from the start, though, that I'm going in with low expectations, so that if it's not all that much I'm not disappointed. And if it's more than I thought, I'm thrilled! 💃🏽💃🏽 lolol. Whatever we get should be good, though. They're dynamic together in even the smallest scenes and we've waited, like, six years since TP2 😩🤞🏽

[rosestormwolf]

On Aelys: Worldviews, Morality, and Autism

(Note: this entire post is influenced heavily by my personal brand of the ‘tism. I relate heavily to Aelys, especially her struggles to understand this particular moral debate. However, my opinions are coloured by personal experiences, so this is just one AuDHD person’s take. Your mileage may vary etc etc.)

This will be a long post, so if you’re interested, keep reading under the cut. Proceed with caution, as the main issue discussed will have spoilers for Ch 44.

So I keep thinking about that debate that the party had in Ch 44, about whether to go to the Lighthouse or to go to Calanthus for the Summit. And I keep thinking about why Aelys’ confusion and take on the matter stuck with me so much. Then I realized that it’s because of her being heavily autistic-coded (mayhaps even canonically autistic), and that she and I tend to think in the same ways. I recognized and found kinship immediately in her being confused and frustrated by her friends seemingly going against the moral code that they themselves taught her.

This got me thinking about the comparison that she makes, that the way her friends (namely Synnove and JB) are talking about the choice is very reminiscent of the choice that Era’Harel has and is making, to “sacrifice thousands to save thousands more”.

Yes, the scales are different, yes JB is correct in saying that it’s not really the same thing at all, yes we don’t know yet what the outcomes of this choice will be, HOWEVER. That’s a whole different moral debate (to save the people in the present, or to save the future). That’s not what I want to focus on here. The choice itself is not the point, but rather the WAY Synnove and JB argued for their side. Because Aelys IS correct in saying that when it comes down to it, those are the same arguments that Era’Harel makes.

(“Do you not hear yourself? How are they different from the words [Era’Harel] spoke?” Ch 44)

Which brings me to the point of my post, which is that Aelys has, historically, looked to the people she trusts and respects as moral anchors. We see this in her confusion and frustration at her friends in Ch 44; the friends who, she believes, are trustworthy and reliable and have always set a good moral example in the past. We have also seen this in the aftermath of the Finn’el incident, where she learns from Karator (Era’Harel) that her behaviour was unacceptable.

She views (viewed) these people as good moral anchors, trustworthy leaders, so I absolutely understand her confusion, frustration, and pain when those same people turn around and act in ways that go against what they themselves demonstrated or taught to her. She’s seeing, twice over, the people who she trusts to guide her and be her moral anchors flip the script and go against what she thought that THEY thought was correct. It’s very easy to imagine that Aelys might feel, in this moment, like everything is spinning out of control without a lifeline right now.

Unmoored, lost, alone.

We have already seen one moral anchor (Era’Harel) be broken and her worldview changed because of it. In Ch 28, Aelys says to Bathriel: “He’s the one who taught me what he’s doing is wrong!”. This particular line is reminiscent of what she says to JB and Synnove in Ch 44.

(“What happened to you since I last saw you? I say this now because of what you both taught me! I’m confused. You taught me what mattered was the people. (S: “Yes”) Then why aren’t we doing everything we can to protect them?” Ch 44)

Personally I found this whole thing incredibly relatable. “What do you mean, you demonstrated this one thing to me, told me it was correct, then turn around and not stick to that”. “Okay so I was doing this thing wrong, got it. So I’m going to do or think this other way now, good good, I get it, I understand. Wait but why do YOU (or other people) get to now not do that or not follow that rule? But you’re the ones who said that this was The Rule to follow in the first place??”

In my own experience, and in reading and hearing about other autistic people’s experiences, this seems like a common dilemma that many of us face. Small examples include innocuous unspoken rules in the workplace, and large examples include questions of morality like the ones posed in Dark Age.

This is why I find it super interesting that it seems, based on the debate in Ch 44 and on the words spoken there, that Aelys became the one person in the party to care about ALL people. Not just a hypothetical future people, not just the general broad strokes of “all people on the Prime”, but ALL people (see: her defense of the innocent people that may be caught in the crossfire at the Summit) (“It is not their choice to die just because their captain wills it so!” Ch 44).

Comparing this to the Aelys we met at the beginning of Dark Age, the Aelys who seemed to think that only elvhen lives matter (see: the Train Incident), this growth and change is quite fascinating. And I would argue that this change in mindset was only possible through her growing friendship and bond with the party, who throughout the campaign have demonstrated to her that her previous mindsets were incorrect, were unhealthy, and were perhaps morally wrong.

Is she having her worldview changed once more and her faith in her friends shaken because of this? Perhaps, I don’t want to speculate.

Personally, I’m sensing some rejection sensitivity dysphoria vibes from this whole thing, but that may just be me HEAVILY projecting.

(That’s also a topic for a whole different post, but all I’ll say for now is: Rejection sensitivity + black and white thinking = catastrophizing = “There must be something fundamentally wrong with me, that I’m not able to make the people I care about see my truth” = “Am I or my beliefs the problem, AGAIN”)

[melrosing]

What are yours “NO” in jb fanfics? Like u see it in the text in the story plot and immediately understand it’s not for you

I actually have too many and some of these aren’t even the writers’ fault they’re just me and my dumb tastes so no one should listen to me really but

AUs where Jaime hasn’t really done anything wrong/they don’t have that enemies to lovers shit going on. for me that stuff’s crucial to the foundations of jb

also AUs where Jaime and Cersei aren’t twins lol like I do make rare exceptions on this but most of the time I prefer fic that just fucking goes for it w the JC relationship

kid fics where they have like a gazillion children. also family comedy fics generally

show fics

and as a combination of the above, fics where jb are like honorary parents for the stark children like my god. are we forgetting Jaime has literally tried to kill three of them

i don’t really like office/corporate aus. for me it just feels the wrong setting for JB but again personal taste

how the fics manage Cersei as a whole is kind of important for me like if it’s a TWOW onwards fic and they avoid mentioning her entirely it feels a really conspicuous absence to me. I also don’t like fics that just feature her as a dragon to be slayed before jb can get on w their happily ever after. basically I’m interested in fics that engage w the twins’ relationship as part of JB’s story and do so without simplifying Cers herself BUT respect that not everyone wants to bother w that

soulmate AUs

also magical realism etc idk why I just can’t get into it. this is the same for literature generally I groan every time it comes up

high school AUs I can’t get invested in teen romances I couldn’t even get invested in these when I WAS a teen

Jaime’s either A) too snarky or B) too soft. like I think this is at least partly a ‘just me’ thing bc there’s nothing wrong w exaggerating certain characteristics in a fic if that’s working for the writer but I prefer Jaimes to have a bit of bite and also not be dropping a quip literally every other line. like ok yes there are some scenes where he does do that in canon lol but I find it draining when he’s literally incapable of sincerity

and this is really really just me but I can’t stand Declarations of Love Monologues that go on too long or read too rehearsed or when characters talk in language that’s just a bit too flowery and metaphorical. I way prefer sparing dialogue where most things go unsaid - especially w JB who aren’t the kind of characters to over explain themselves

fics where Brienne is a bit of an ‘everywoman’ like I think Brienne is a really interesting character by herself but sometimes ends up getting way less characterisation than Jaime does in fic

also I think a symptom of this is characterisations of Brienne where she’s like. at the club having copious one night stands bc she’s just being adapted as a Modern Woman

and Jaime getting adapted similarly as some kind of playboy type lmao

Quiet Isle fics where Jaime marries Brienne whilst she’s unconscious….. nah

oh yeah and fics where JB live London or Paris or whatever it’s like there’s a whole canon universe to fuck around with here why are they in NEW YORK

and probably lots more but really no one should listen to me bc i can’t even please myself. be free

[gingergofastboatsmojito]

Facts/Math

I've been hearing so much noise lately around ages that I figured I could maybe offer my help.

Here's my reasoning:

Syd's age:

Her resume has the unequivocal answer and it has been in plain sight since 01x01. She worked at Alinea the year before she joined The Beef. Assuming she graduated HS at 17 and knowing that CIA is a 4 to 5-year deal, we need to do basic math here to figure out her age: 17 + 6 = 23/4. Let's give it a 1 year-ish error margin. Even rounding it up, she couldn't have been older than 25 y.o. when she started working for Carmy in S1 (2022).

Carmy's age:

We know for a fact that Carmy's age in S2 was the same as Claire's because they were classmates and when Carmy gave her the wrong number she was in her last year of residency:

So that makes her 29-ish in S2 (2023) -again, if she graduated HS at 17, that is. Or even older, but not much, let's say 30... Thus same for Carmy.

So in S1, when Carmy and Syd met, he was 4 years her senior, approximately. Give or take 1 year. In S3 they both still have the same age, because it's still set in 2023.

Can we all agree that the issue is settled now and move on pls?

PS: IK the original Pilot script said something else and Syd was older than Carmy yatta, yatta, yatta... Actually, it doesn't matter because from the page to the screen the director (in this case Storer himself) can take creative liberties that give them total leisure to change the script, as long as the EP approves and since we're talking about the same person, I don't see how that could have been a problem. What counts is what's canon.

Summing up: We are talking about a 30 to 31-year-old Chef who reached the "most excellent CDC of the most excellent restaurant of the USA" status before the age of 30 and his mirror business partner who is clearly following his same footsteps, and I don't mean this as mentor/mentee, I mean this literally because Syd's gonna be the most excellent CDC, JB award winner, Michelin Star winner (not retainer) under the age of 30, by his side, so in a sense she will 100% smoke him. And he will love it.

It's a love story. And every second counts.

Remember to follow my tag #Gingerpovs 💋

[gingerjolover]

Imagine giving JB a little telecaster ornament for your first tree together 🥹

omgggg okay wait this is SO CUTE

little hc for ya

first off we all know how jb feels about christmas but I think if you liked christmas she would lit do anything to make you happy even if that means the entire house is covered in glitter and bows and christmas lights

im changing this slightly and saying this is the first tree in the new house! (canonically jules and soft!gf have moved to LA from Nash)

i feel like the house is still in slight disarra like its all ogranized chaos and munagenius has been helping as best they can get the two of yall settled yall moved right after tour so it was just one thing after another

i feel like julien was so revered this year but feels a lot of stress at home because she wants to make sure you're feeling appreciated and happy bc of the move and just how distant (geographically) shes been this year

yall have a big fake tree that you used to put in the front room of the nashville house that made its move to LA with yall

and julien has tried to decorate the house outside to the best of her abilities like her tiny ass was up on a ladder before naomi was like "okay dude get down and let me do it"

and once the outside is covered in lights and bows she moves to set up the tree

and you're a sight for sore eyes when she on a step stool wrapping the tree in pretty warm white christmas lights

"hey sugar," she says looking down at you, smiling widely as you approach

she steps down, planting kisses along your hairline as you nuzzle into her

"'got you somethin'" you mumble against her cheek, kissing her gently

"oh yeah? what's that?" she smiles, eyes twinkling as the lights reflect in her (baby cow) eyes\

and you're cheekily handing her a box as she leans against the stair railing, one ankle behind the other as she starts to unwrap the small box

she opens it and her jaw drops slightly, not because its an unusual gift, shocking, or even super extravagant

she just LOVES being known

and for context, i dont think your tree is ever super decorated, maybe there's some ornaments from your childhood or yall have pics of the dogs made into ornaments, there's definitely a queer joy one or some type of pride one, and your friends have also gotten you joke-y ones over the years

but this one is a beautiful mini telecaster ornament

and maybe you got it handmade so julien can lit feel the quality and weight as she holds it

and the back has like the two of your names or the year carved

and youre just smiling nervously because christmas is not the vibe for jb

stammering you're like, "it's just the first tree since being engaged and i thought you'd like it and its one that's just your own and its handma-" and julien is cutting you off pulling you into a deep kiss, dipping you slighty

her hand on the back of your neck, the other pressed against your lower back still holding the ornament

"it's perfect, you're perfect, i love it," she says pressing her forehead against yours

and youre still breathing heavy from the kiss being like "okay, yeah, cool..."

and jb is giggling before putting it back in the box, her hand resting on your ass to push you up onto the step stool

"okay its you're turn to do the wrapping im sick of this shit, im gonna hand the lights to you, yeah?" she says grabbing the line of lights

and you both just laugh, finishing the christmas decorations before the rest of the house is even finished

and then during your little holiday/housewarming party, people walk in and your house is so cozy and warm and beautifully festive, and julien is stoked to show her little telecaster ornament hung at the front of the tree

[shadthchan052-blog]

Masterpost

Hello! I'm Bumblebee, the youngest child of Optimus Prime, Elita-One, and Megatron! These are the people you're able to ask questions to:

(This is set for post-season 3. It will be post-season 4 if and when it's been released. Any fics I write are canon to this au)

(Mod speaking)

Bumblebee, Wasp, Rodimus, Zipper speaking | Siblings

Optimus, Elita-One, Megatron speaking | Parents (@ask-megs-op-and-elita & @prime-and-megatron)

Twitch, Thrash, Jawbreaker "JB", Hashtag "HT" (@hash-of-the-tag), Nightshade, Robby, Mo, Dot, Alex speaking | Maltos (@maltobots-roll-out)

Grimlock "Grim", Arcee (@ask-tf-earthspark-arcee), Ratchet "Ratch" (@ask-ratchet-the-medic), Wheeljack "Jackie" (@ask-tf-earthspark-wheeljack), Prowl speaking | Extended Family

Breakdown (@ask-earthspark-breakdown) speaking | Lover

Sari speaking (@sari-but-not-sorry)

Inter-dimensional sibling: @malewiferprowl25

The "Drones": In order from oldest to youngest and their alt-modes + ages (subject to change while i figure out the timeline)

Carpenter: Carpenter Bee | He/Him |

Cotton; Shiny Skiddo | She/Her |

Mothra: Lunar Moth [wings], Silk Moth [looks], Frosmoth [fluffiness] hybrid | They/Them |

Pollie [read Polly]: Rollie Pollie | He/They |

Noche: Lunar Butterfly | She/Her |

Joltiey: Shiny Joltik | He/They/It {Rarely} |

Viral: Viral Bug [living anti-virus] | She/Her \

Midnight: {Root-mode: Anthropomorphic Bunny with Raccoon marking} TBD (Protoform) | TBD | 6 months

Ursa: {Root-mode: Anthropomorphic Black Bear} TBD | TBD | 6 months

Relationships:

Bumblebee and Wasp: Youger Twins

Rodimus and Zipper: Older Twins

Bee and Breakdown: Lovers

Bee, Breakdown and the Drones: Parents and children

Bee, Grim, Ratch, Jackie, Prowl: Uncle and nephew

Bee, Arcee, @femmebotjazz24: Siblings

Extra Information:

Bee and Wasp are Insectoids.

a) Insectoids are Insecticons with a vehicle form. They're basically triple-changers

Rodimus is on the Lost Light

Zipper is on Caminus

Wasp is in Peru living with the Maximals and Dinobot

Ratchet and Drift are in Philly.

a) Ratchet works at a hospital

Bee is an archer and a blacksmith

Bee can copy fantasy concepts: abilities, magic, creatures, etc.

Bee can produce anything he consumes: Energon, Cave water, metals, etc.

Bee and Wasp used to perform as trapeze artists in a circus

a) Bee can no longer fly in his insect form due to an accident while performing and now has a ripped left-wing.

b) The circus is basically Cirque Du Solie but on Cybertron.

Bee is a songstress/sirenoid

Bee and Twitch have ADHD

Jawbreaker has autism

Roles:

Bee: Queen of the Hive/The Insecticon Queen

Optimus: Prime: Leader of the Autobots | Pupu

Elita-1: Co-captain of the Autobots | Mama

Megatron: Former leader of the Decepticons | Dad

Roddy: Captain of the Lost Light

Grim: Leader of the Dinobots

Ratchet: Cheif Medical Officer

Twitch: Leader of the Terrans

[maaskuline]

today has been crazy lol so i decided to write out a list of Johnny's dynamics with other JB characters 👀 mostly just rambling abt concepts i have for my own story ideas for Johnny and such ..

Tumblr would only let me upload so many photos so maybe i'll do more posts like this with other characters in the future too hehe 😌

BUNNY BRAVO — If you're familiar enough with Johnny's character by now, then you're probably already familiar with his "Mama's Boy" nature. He loves his mama! In my story, Bunny sadly has a pretty bittersweet character arc—in which she learns she has a terminal illness, initially tries to keep it a secret from Johnny, and has to grapple with the fact that she has limited time with him. And throw in a whirlwind romance with Dr. Raul Montoya into the mix, bringing in a 'step-father' figure into Johnny's life, you can imagine Johnny is going to have a very rough time adjusting to all of that.

CARL CHRYNISZZSWICS — Best friends to lovers trope my BELOVED. If there ever was a "canon" or "endgame" ship for Johnny on this blog, it'd be Carl. By the end of the story I've got for them, they even get MARRIIIEEED! And if you're wondering, Carl's the one who proposes lol. They actually do break up while they're dating at one point, go a few years very distanced from each other, become friends again later, and THEN eventually decide to give it another shot, and then later get married! Doomed toxic yaoi, except they do actually work it out and come out of it as a healthier couple. Also lots of gayass nerd/jock ship tropes with them <3

RAUL MONTOYA — As mentioned before, Raul enters Johnny's life as a sort of "father figure" character due to his relationship with Bunny! And despite Johnny's resistance to having a new step-father, Raul absolutely adores both Johnny & Bunny, and comes to consider both of them family by every sense of the word—even after Bunny sadly passes, Raul regards Johnny as his son, whether he wants to be or not. He also happens to have two adult children of his own, named Sonny & Leo, and a granddaughter named Toni. Particularly after Bunny passes, Johnny gradually becomes more integrated into the Montoya family, particularly during one chapter in particular where he has nowhere to stay and ends up living with Raul for a time!

SUZY BAKER — Johnny's little neighbor, Suzy! She's always coming over to pester him, much to Johnny's annoyance. In my story, Johnny dates her mom, Sandy, which basically sets Johnny up to be a sort of "father figure" coded character to her! Even as Johnny & Sandy's relationship doesn't last, Suzy still looks up to him greatly, following him around and looking to his guidance on things. Also in my story, she has a fascination with mystery novels, and often plays games of "detective" in which she goes out all over the city to solve various crimes. Which is actually sort of a problem because she's, like, 6 - 8 years old, and definitely shouldn't be roaming an entire city on her own, but somehow she keeps managing to find ways to do it anyway without getting caught!

SANDY BAKER — In my story, Sandy is little Suzy's mother, and Johnny's off-and-on girlfriend! They've even known each other since high school, so they've got a lot of history between them that allows Johnny to connect with her a bit more beyond just flirting and romance. In a way, Sandy is essentially like a personification of many of the women Johnny is seen to flirt with in the show, even having the signature red hair! Their relationship is far from healthy, however, leading the both of them to gradually drift apart and become bitter exes... which is awkward for them, since they also happen to be neighbors! After Johnny later figures out that he's gay, Sandy begrudgingly gives him lots of tips on what to do when dating men. She's got lots of experience with men herself, many of which were not so great, and so she tends to worry about Johnny's safety when it comes to his new dating life—for instance, inviting herself along with him to the gay bar because, "Don't you know? You're NEVER supposed to go to a bar all alone, you should always have a friend with you!"

[fayedartmouth]

oh god! JJ being left with Luke! I’m so interested to read more about that when you release it. also this storyline of kie essentially baiting herself has got me nervous. she’s really not concerned for her own safety whatsoever. thankfully JB is

Okay, so if you don't like spoilers when you read fic, skip this snippet. But if you're here asking for snippets, I'm guessing most of you don't mind? Because I have no self control whatsoever.

The start of the fic gives depth to all of it, making the Pogues and JJ more likable in S4 (while sticking to canon) and then showing Luke's actions in a parallel storyline, the idea being that his actions at the town council make him realize some things and some choices are made.

Luke's eager for a second chance when it comes to doing right by his kid, especially since he highly suspects JJ's emotionally lost it after losing Poguelandia and that Groff is probably not to be trusted.

(JB ends up being seriously at odds with the rest of the Pogues in Lisbon, and Kiara is the driver of a very questionable plan involving Finch. Her main ally is 100% Rafe.)

The critical turning point is in Morocco when the Pogues have to leave JJ behind. So, here you go. That turning point is below the cut. Again, if spoilers are not your thing, skip it! Because this is a pretty key plot point that the first half of the fic builds to:

The thing about John B was that he and denial?  They went way, way back.  Back when his father had first gone missing, everyone had tried to talk sense into him.  After enough time passed, even his friends believed Big John was gone, even if they were too afraid to say it out loud.

But John B?

He had never doubted.

He had never allowed himself to believe it.

He had refused to sign the papers.  He had refused to let the cops close the case. He clung to it with such desperation that he’d dragged his best friends on a treasure hunt that nearly killed them.

All for denial.

All so John B didn’t have to accept what everyone else told him was true.

With his dad, there hadn’t been a body.

With JJ—

Well, what was it with JJ?  It wasn’t that John B thought they were impenetrable.  It wasn’t that he didn’t fear for JJ’s safety often.  It was just, JJ never believed in himself.  JJ always thought it was his destiny to die, like he didn’t have a future.  Like he didn’t matter.

It was just that JJ Maybank had given John B everything he had.

And the least John B could do — the very least — was deny all those doubts for him.

JJ mattered.

JJ had a future.

JJ was worthy of living.

So, damn the fates. Screw what everyone told them.

JJ wasn’t going to die here.

JJ wasn’t going to die at all.

As Pope sat back, dejected, John B felt the familiar hardness in his stomach.  This was the determination that found the gold.  This was the certainty that had cleared his name.  This was the blind, desperate belief that had brought his father back from the dead, proving everyone around him wrong.

Denial and John B?  They went way back.

And John B turned to it today.

“Come on,” he said, reaching down.  He picked up one of JJ’s slack arms, pulling him up.  He slumped back, head falling back as Sarah squawked, her hands still on the wound.

“Wait,” she said.

“Should we get help?” Cleo asked.

And then, from behind them, Rafe appeared.  “People are coming—“

John B pulled JJ harder, wresting him into his grasp.  JJ’s head lolled against his shoulder, hair falling in his face with his body limp and heavy.  He adjusted his grip, trying to reposition himself to get JJ up–

“John B, stop–” Pope said, grabbing JJ’s other arm to hold him back.

John B didn’t cede control, though.  JJ jostled lifelessly between them.  “We need to get help–”

“Seriously, people are coming–” Rafe said, sounding pressed.

“JJ, wake up!” Kiara said, flinging herself on his legs again, utterly inconsolable.

Pope shook his head.  “John B,” he said.  “It’s over–”

“JJ needs help,” John B said.

Pope’s face flushed, setting hard.  “He’s dead, John B.  We can’t help him, JJ is dead.”

And the denial flared – into anger.  He reached across JJ’s body, shoving Pope away.  He jerked JJ away, even as Kiara clung.

This time, though, Pope fought back.  He lunged forward, shoving John B back, and JJ slipped, falling slack between them, sprawled on the ground once more.  

“Guys – stop,” Sarah said.

“Should we be getting help?” Cleo asked again, voice rising.

He grappled with Pope, who was pushing back, and he hit the ground on his backside, turning his head to look at JJ.

JJ pale.  JJ lifeless.  JJ bloody.

John B and denial went way back.

But was it enough?

Was any of it enough?

If JJ was–

If <i>JJ was</i>--

“Stop!”

He blinked, startling at the voice he didn’t recognize.  On the ground, he was in no position to defend himself, and his heart constricted in his chest.  He looked up, blinded by the sun – blinded by his grief – and nothing made sense.

“You have to stop now, you hear?”

Rafe looked ready to intervene, but stood frozen in the spot.  Pope stared up, uncomprehendingly, and Cleo just looked confused.  Kiara was still on top of JJ, and Sarah’s hands were bloody as she gaped at John B instead.

And John B couldn’t make sense of any of it.  How they’d gotten here.  How they’d found the crown.  How his best friend had ended up bleeding out in a Moroccan ally.

And how the hell Luke Maybank was standing there in front of him.

Offering to <i>help</i>.

Seeing him there didn’t make sense.

Seeing him offer to help made even less sense.

Sarah moved first, pressing down on the wound again.  Kiara finally sat up a little, slumping dangerously as Cleo caught her, and Pope grunted.  “How the hell are you here?”

Luke wet his lips, eyes darting frantically at JJ.  “It’s a long story,” he said.  “I’ve been trailing Groff since the OBX.”

“Why are you trailing Groff?” Pope asked, face darkening.

“Because he’s a bastard, and I’ve known it longer than any of you,” he hissed.  “Let me help–”

He reached down, as if to pick JJ up, and John B’s defenses flared.

And <i>hard</i>.

He was on his feet before he could think about it, charging at Luke and driving him back.  He had him around the shirt collar until they both stumbled back several paces.  “You don’t touch him!” he seethed, shaking him.  “You don’t freakin’ touch him!”

He could have strangled him.  He might have.

But Luke’s face went blank and his hands were up.  

In surrender.

“I know, okay?  I know how it seems to you, but I’ve been following Groff to help JJ, ever since the riots back home,” he said.  “And that’s what I want to do.  I want to help JJ.”

“Oh, like you helped him all your life?” John B said, refusing to relinquish his grip.  “Like you helped him every time you beat him into the ground?  Like you helped him when you told him he was a worthless piece of shit?  Like that?”

He shook Luke again, almost spitting in his face as his emotions pitched dangerously.  He was already pissed and scared and <i>everything</i>.  He didn’t know why Luke was here – why he was really here – but he was an easy target right now.

Because all the times JJ had been bruised and bloody?  Most of them had been Luke’s fault.

“I know,” Luke said, offering no defense.  His hands were still up.  “But I didn’t do this.  I didn’t–”

“Then who?” John B said, and he was screaming now.  “Who?”

From the ground, Kiara finally looked up.  “It was Groff,” she said brokenly.  “It was his father.”

Because Luke was his adopted father.  And Groff was his biological one.

Both assholes.

Both killing JJ.  Luke did it nice and slow over the years.

And Groff had just gotten to the point.

Luke’s face was set hard, jaw working while John B felt his anger falter.  The grief sparked in him, and suddenly, he wasn’t sure denial was enough.  Not with the blood.

He looked at JJ, who still hadn’t moved.  Who hadn’t opened his eyes.

Who might not have a pulse.

Luke drew a shaky breath.  “It was Groff,” he said, like the words hurt him as much as they hurt John B.  “I was too late, okay?  He got the crown – and he got JJ – and I was too late–”

John B’s hands fell away, and he turned, pacing back.  “This doesn’t make any sense.”

“Groff has the crown?” Pope asked, clarifying it.

“And he stabbed JJ?” Cleo asked, just as confused.

“All of which means, we have to go,” Rafe said.  “So if Maybank is dead–”

“I can’t change what happened,” he said.  He stepped forward, just a step as he visibly swallowed.  “But I can fix it now.”

“He’s dead,” Pope said.

And John B closed his eyes.  He couldn’t; he wouldn’t.  All the voices of reason, and the one he was going to listen to was the only one telling him what he wanted to her.

What he <i>needed</i> to hear.

“I can get him help,” Luke said.  

It was such an impossible thing, that optimism.  That optimism from <i>him</i>.

That it was Groff that stabbed JJ.

That it might be Luke who saved him.

“Talk fast, old man,” Rafe said, stepping into the fray with an ominous look.  “Because I’m about to decide for all of us before we all end up bleeding out.”

Luke’s gaze flicked to JJ again, and he visibly bucked himself up, looking at John B.  “I know you don’t trust me – you shouldn’t trust me – but the mercenaries?  They’re on their way,” he said.  “And if they find you – if they find him – they will kill you all.”

Kara shook her head, getting to her feet now.  Her face was twisted in a primal rage, something he’d never seen from her before.  “Let them find us.  JJ–”

“They ain’t going to ask questions,” Luke said.  “They’re going to put bullets in all your brains.  You need to get the hell out of here.”

“We’re taking JJ with us,” Cleo said, like it was obvious.  

Sarah looked up from the ground, hands coated in blood.  “Guys, we have to hurry.  I don’t – I don’t know–”

“Let me get him out of here!” Luke said, almost like he was begging now.

“Take us all,” John B said, unable to tolerate the dissonance anymore.  “Tell us where to go.”

“I can’t,” Luke said.  “Six American kids in this place?  How the hell am I going to pull that off when J needs a hospital?”

“This is bullshit,” Rafe said, shaking his head.  “Maybank’s already dead.  We should split–”

“We’re not leaving him,” Kiara said, turning on Rafe.

Pope just barely intervened.  “Guys–”

“You guys go off, draw the bad guys after you, create a trail,” Luke said.  “And I’ll get JJ to medical help. I will.”

There was a noise – voices closing in from the street.

“I know it’s a shitty choice,” Luke said, looking at John B now. 

“It’s not shitty,” John B retorted.  “It’s impossible.  How can I trust you?  After what you’ve done to JJ–”

“That’s why you have to,” Luke said.  “Why the hell else am I here?”

He looked at them each in turn, and looked at JJ.

He swallowed hard.  “Dalia won’t leave the city unattended, and there will be an investigation – cops or military or whatever – with all the bullshit you guys just pulled.  If you stay, you’re all dead – JJ, too,” he said.  He looked at John B, suddenly steady.  “If you leave, he has a chance.  I promise you that.  I’ll give him a second chance.”

It was the worst, wasn’t it?  All those years, he worried that Luke would be the one to kill him and now he wanted to save him.

And his real father was the one who put a knife in his gut.

It wasn’t fair.  None of this was fair.

He looked at JJ, feeling himself hesitate.  The only thing that they couldn’t salvage was JJ’s death.  Everything else – they could work with.

As long as JJ was alive, they could fix this.  They could show JJ he mattered.  They could make JJ believe he was worth it.  They could make sure – beyond all doubt – that JJ knew he was loved.

They couldn’t fix shit if he was <i>dead</i>.

So he nodded.  He looked Luke in the eye – the man who had abused JJ all his life – and nodded.  “Okay,” he said.

“What?” Pope said.  “John B–”

“He’s dead anyway–” Rafe said.

“We’re running out of time,” Cleo said.

But Luke looked back at John B, nodding.  He dug into his pocket, pulling out a set of keys.  “This is to a boat in the marina,” he said.  “We came in on it, but my guess is that they won’t leave on it, not if they want a fast route after Groff.”

Cleo stepped up, taking it slowly.  “I know this boat,” she said.  She looked at Pope.  “It’s Terrance’s.”

“Also, this,” Luke said, digging something else out of his pocket.  The paper in his hand was dirty and creased.  “I nabbed this from the mercs myself, intending to follow after Groff.  But if I can’t–”

John B was reluctant, but time was short – and the stakes were high.  He unfolded it, blinking at it blankly.  <i>Montgomery Finch; 656 Silva.</i>  “What is this?”

“The name of the buyer,” Luke explained.  “I took it to go after Groff myself – but if I can’t–”

It settled in his gut, hard and suddenly certain as the blood on his hands.  Justice was a powerful motivator.

Revenge was even more so.  “Then we can,” he said.

Luke’s face was pinched with worry.  “Just be smart – and be careful,” Luke said.  “These guys are serious.”

It was funny.  At the start – all those years ago – he’d told JJ  he didn’t care who was trying to kill them.

It was still true.

But it wasn’t that they had nothing to lose.

It was that they had everything to lose.

“And you’ll take care of him?” he asked, looking at Luke one more time.

Luke didn’t flinch.  He didn’t flicker.  “With all I have left.”

In the end, denial was a funny thing.  It made you stupid.  It made you desperate.

It made you take the worst chances.

Sometimes they didn’t pay off.

He looked at JJ, willing himself to believe.

Sometimes they did.

“Okay,” he said, rallying the others.  “Let’s go.”

“But–” Sarah started, even as Cleo dragged her up.

“No,” Kiara protested.  “I’m not leaving him!”

“Kiara, we have no choice,” Pope said.

“No!” she screamed.

“Screw this,” Rafe said, gritting his teeth as the voices closed in around them.  He wrapped his arms around Kiara, hefting her up off the ground as she struggled.  “I’ll get her.  Who’s leading?”

“Come on,” Pope said.  “I can get us out of here.”

And he started off, one last look at JJ.  Cleo dragged Sarah behind them, and Rafe all but hauled Kiara over his shoulder while she sobbed.  John B looked one more time at JJ – one more time at his best friend – and promised himself this wasn’t goodbye.

JJ was going to be okay.

JJ was going to come back to the OBX.

JJ was going to be the godfather to his baby.  He was going to marry Kiara and run the charter and live happily ever after.

He <i>was</i>.

Because, as John B turned and ran, leaving JJ with Luke, denial was a powerful thing indeed.

[swordmaid]

in the post canon jb ai I’ve been consumed with for the past few days I am thinking hyle is still alive and I think he deserves to witness these shenanigans and I also like the idea that he’s grown fond of brienne in his own way and he’s formed a reluctant camaraderie/loyalty to jaime (maybe he ends up saving him in the long night at some point bc jayle is real to me too) so now he’s watching these two being fools about each other and watching jaime woo her is physically painful PERSONALLY he would not have done it like that and hyle is so much better and has more rizz than he’ll ever have so he laughs at his attempts. then when brienne is starting to get into her head enough that hyle notices he’s like 👀 actually you know what maybe I’ll help out so in the end when they do end up together he can gloat that he’s the reason why they’re together. so, he gets pod and maybe peck and maybe pia and they try to set up little moments for jb and it’s this whole other C plot happening in the background bc they can’t stand to watch jaime, the golden lion of the lannisters, fail miserably in wooing his lady wife bc she can’t take a fucking hint

[justr3adin]

I need something to post cos I really don't feel like drawing, so here take my head canons about the personality of each of the Henry paths.

I am also not a shipper (personally shipping people is heckin weird)

Triple Threat- Mr Cheerful, goes along with Charles's plan, likes to chill, best buds with Ellie and Charles, but has a serious side you really shouldn't touch.

Valiant Hero- Mostly depressed since Charles was really his only friend, and is very sensitive about him. Breathe one bad word about Charles and TT may give you a glare, but VH will knuckle punch you in the face and demand you apologise.

Cleaned 'em Out- Friendly and laidback, he doesn't worry much at all, and a master tech Wizz because he was bored one day, doesn't flaunt his riches much, but clear signs of wealth.

Special Brovert Ops- The cheerfullest guy, can do some crazy stunts with Charles, enthusiastic as hell, everyone else mildly dislikes him as he can be really annoying. Surprisingly(or not) VH likes him.

Toppat King- Smug Rich Guy™ No.1, likes annoying R and T4L, but is really good with guns (aimbot on?). Is surprisingly good at negotiating when not actively being annoying.

Toppat 4 Life- Smug Rich Guy™ No.2, is very cold, can come up with killer comebacks. TK ignites his cold heart and they argue needlessly about the dumbest things. Secretly very smug that he runs the clan by himself. Don't bring it up because he can drone on and on and on.

Revenged- Severe anger problems, is no stranger to threats, cold and stoic. Had a mental breakdown when he was revived, but otherwise shows little emotions other than anger. Secretly a sarcasm master, but doesn't show it much. He is very aggressive towards the Toppats.

Toppat Civil Warfare- Is the mediator because no-one else is. Calms down R when he has his bouts of anger. Is the definition of 'when a therapist needs therapy'. Also is a little terrified that Ellie may be brought up.

Stickmin Space Resort- Smug Rich Guy™ No.3, is cocky, but is a master at pleasing others. Lives in his uniform. He often deals with Karens and so hides his anger very well. He has a strict bar, that which you cross, say bye-bye.

Jewel Baron- Smug Rich Guy™ No. 4. He loves to party and is the most obnoxious and annoying out of all of them. But really, he's just depressed, and uses 'party!' to hide it. No-one truly gets him. Can be mature once in a blue moon. Except when there’s a gem involved. He will be dead set on obtaining it.

Pardoned Pals- Has a comfortable life much like CeO, just minus the riches. Best friends with Ellie and is overall very calm. He's the local friend as he is quite neutral and is very friendly.

Toppat Recruits- Mostly friendly but can come off a bit cold, a bit snarky, and very fixated on stealing the ruby and emerald. Respects JB (doesn't know that JB abandoned Ellie).

Master Bounty Hunter- The scariest of them all(R is actually stronger but a machete carried around by a guy whose stare can petrify a criminal is really scary). Has taken up smoking but isn't addicted. Skilled in apprehending people. Has developed a ‘tough guy’ attitude.

Little Nest Egg- The most quiet of the bunch. Despite his riches, he doesn't show it at all. Good at quick decision making and often the most forgotten Henry as he tends to stay back. Also good at surviving in jungles. He does sometimes throw a bag of coins at the Toppat leaders when they argue. PLANT NERD

Capital Gains- Smug Rich Guy™ No.5. Often provides snide remarks, but doesn't speak up much. He makes his connection to Ellie obvious, so TCW avoids him the most. He is also laidback, to a lesser extent.

Free Man- The most 'average' of the Henries. He is extremely good at escaping tough situations. A surprisingly smooth talker once you force him to share his thoughts. He's able to stay calm, even through the weirdest situations, also has probably changed the least out of all the Henries.

[otomes-and-tears]

thoughts on shiloh and jb,,,, theyre so fun to think abt as a dynamic no matter how u choose to slice it

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THIS, ANON!! I want to smooch your forehead. I'm so happy rn.

Okay so-- I like to think that Shiloh initially only agreed to date JB out of self-interest, but eventually developed genuine feelings for her that he's in denial about.

We all know that he chooses to closely associate with people who will offer him something in return, and being with JB is DEFINITELY beneficial for him in the beginning:

First, by going out with her he's setting himself apart from the other jerks. He already acts differently from them, being nice, cheerful and helpful, and dating someone who others would consider desirable would do good for his social standing (and we know that shiloh has a bit of a reputation for being a manwhore, so actually settling down with someone for once would make him appear better) and it would solidify the idea that he's in the jerksquad by mistake and that he's "totally normal you guys" for people who still didn't catch on to him being a snake.

We also know that part of the reason is literally just that JB is the one thing that all the jerks have in common. They're all attracted to her in some capacity, and Shiloh can rub it in their faces in his own way that he "won" by being with her.

I think that JB being physically attractive and fitting his type are just minor points for him. If it was down to just physical attraction he wouldn't have bothered with a romantic relationship. He did, canonically, have a bunch of flings, so we know that for him accept a serious, exclusive relationship meant that there was a lot of incentive for him to do so.

So by all accounts, this is literally the perfect scenario for him: He's with someone attractive and fun, he pisses Pran off, people will see him in a better light and, the best part of all, JB is aware that he has ulterior motives and doesn't care about what they are, just as long he's praising her and being amusing.

There doesn't need to be any actual feelings involved. It's a mutually beneficial relationship that hinges on both parts fulfilling their pre-assigned roles. It's straightforward and uncomplicated, even if their dynamic is kind of fucked up if you think too hard about it.

But... And maybe this is just the hopeless romantic in me, but I do think that Shiloh eventually starts developing actual feelings for JB, and it would be fucking terrible for him.

There's this one post where GB lady talks about Shiloh's loneliness, and I think about it way too much. Even if you choose to see him as someone who just discards and replaces people in his life as soon as they're not of use anymore, he still feels isolated and lonely, because of course he does! Shiloh spent his entire life not letting people in and just following whoever established themselves as a leader, he even admits to it himself in Our life.

Shiloh doesn't have any actual, meaningful relationships because he can't have them and still maintain that same pattern of behaviour that he's used to, and letting go of these old habits would be incredibly difficult for someone whose entire childhood socialization was built onto this foundation.

Like-- I know that is a clichê for people to trace back everything to someone's childhood, but I cannot stress enough how CRUCIAL childhood socialization is for human development. Of course, people can grow and change even if they had difficult childhoods, but you need a good foundation in order to build healthy habits, and while Shiloh did have loving parents who wanted to do good by him, the behaviours and thought patterns he picked up during his childhood are still things we can see he struggles with throughout his life.

Building long-lasting connections with people means that he needs to allow himself to be vulnerable and genuine, It means that Shiloh needs to let go of the safety of the "boss and sidekick" dynamic that he's used to, and that especially, he would need to let go of his habit of entering relationships with the expectation of leaving them eventually.

I don't think these are things he's incapable of doing, if you choose to believe that he was being genuine with Liz during their conversation in OLBA, but these are things that he has resistance to trying because they have outcomes that are difficult to predict, and Shiloh is as his most comfortable when he's able to read someone and be what they need him to be or manipulate them into giving to him what he wants. He thrives on predictability and control.

I believe that actually falling in love with JB would be something he'd be in denial about for a long time. I think it would be hard for him to rationalise having actual, genuine feelings for someone after he spent an entire life avoiding them, and it would be even harder for him to deal with the very real possibility of this relationship having an expiration date, or, even worse, him wanting to be with her past her usefulness.

And it's not like he has anyone to talk to about these things, or that JB would even believe him if he admitted to actually liking her. I do think that Shiloh is the kind of person who would try to bury these feelings inside as much as possible to try and regain some sense of normalcy and you'd never be able to tell, bc he's just acting like normal.

By the prom scene, I think he actually likes her. I think he purposefully takes advantage of the fact that she doesn't take anything he says seriously to say things he actually means. I think him opening up about his manipulation tactics goes beyond him just wanting to manipulate her further (though I do think that keeping her interested enough she doesn't want to break up is a good motivator for him to keep on manipulating her too) and is also Shiloh's way of testing her boundaries and just how much she's willing to put up with if he starts being honest with her.

I don't think he knows whether or not to break up with her by graduation. She's asking him, but he doesn't know what to answer. Being with her beyond high school and putting effort into staying with JB long-distance doesn't really benefit Shiloh like it did when they were both in high school, and staying with JB long-term would mean that at some point he'd have to look deep inside and ask himself if he's willing to change.

And yeah, he's lonely, and he loves JB, but is that worth giving up everything you know?

Buuut if you want my honest opinion, which I'm guessing you do because you read through this mountain of text, I like to think that him allowing Liz back into his life is a good sign. It, at the very least, means that he is willing to maintain one relationship and that he's willing to be at least somewhat honest with someone. That's already miles better from where he was when Xoxo Droplets started.

By the way-- if you agree or disagree with anything I said here I'd LOVE to hear people's takes on this topic! I love talking about them!

[kimberlyannharts]

Kind of venting.

I dont hate JJ but when he was introduced, everyone was like why isnt Tomberly canon and hated him

Now Olivia is here, and people are like GO! JJ!

I mean, as a guy, I dont want to say it, but bunch of the PR fandom is deeply misogynistic. I am telling you if Olivia was Oliver, people would have loved him, but no... They cant handle strong female characters.

Oh, this fandom is totally misogynistic. It's kind of to be expected in any fandom for a "boys' show" but it's particularly frustrating for something like Power Rangers, where both the franchise and fans think that misogyny is solved and feminism is complete when a female character is badass or wears red or whatever.

So yeah, the sudden jump in support for JJ at Olivia's expense was totally fueled by misogyny towards both her AND AJJ. I remember when SotD first dropped and the majority of reactions towards him were lukewarm "eh he's okay, kinda boring" and outright hatred for the Dragon Shield SPD suit. (Also I think his association with the SPD ranking drama soured some peoples' reception of him.) But then the instant Olivia's character sheet was dropped, suddenly people were up in arms about his place in the canon; that he was the superior character with the superior design; that this was a vanity project AJJ was doing out of bitterness that Kim didn't end up with Tommy. (Note that literally all we had of Olivia at the time was her name, design, and the fact that she was Tommy and Kim's daughter, and that The Return's press had been very clear that this was set in an alternate universe.) The revisionist history at play was INSANE. NO ONE cared about JJ that much before this.

It's why I hate the subsequent "why not both????" push or any kind of pitch involving Olivia and JJ going on brother/sister adventures. I think it's intended to be positive towards Olivia, but it just feels performative to me because they can't support Olivia without being like "but DON'T WORRY guys, JJ is STILL CANON TOO, we LOVE JJ TOO" - like okay but JJ isn't the one being attacked here. JB's tweet that JUST HAPPENED to point out how JJ was in MULTIPLE canon productions while Olivia was JUST EU and thus "didn't break anything" is a good example of something that was probably meant to be supportive, but just came off condescending and dismissive