#leo understood the assignment

[hockeyboi]

[the-vegetarian-artist]

Bout time a new iteration came out that I actually cared about stole my heart and soul and actually made my life better while watching it-

[lunar-lair]

@numerousracoons

YOU!!!!! YOU GET IT

the soul is transient and so it lives a moment more and it can live without them but what is a body without a soul and he is the last and he sends himself into the portal alone and . GOD. YOU GET IT!!!!!

i think too hard abt leo being at the center of their little flame in the movie and i go INSANE

mikey may be the heart, raph may be the eldest brother and the protector, and donnie may be the smart one, but leo is the leader.

hes the one who knows them best. hes the one who hypes up the team. hes the one who makes the first move. hes the one who does the background tuning when he isnt leader, and hes the one who puts things together.

he doesnt work alone. hes only a leader because he has a team to lead, only the strategist because he has members to make it work, only the face man because he has a team to back him. and hes not the eldest, not the one they all look up to. not the heart, not kind. not knowledgeable on as much as donnie, not as “useful”.

but what he didnt seem to notice, for so very, very long, leader or not, is that hes their core.

his flame is small, but bright. such a seemingly simple place and simple role and simple existence, but hes the start of everything. the one who said, why dont we not go after a killer? and they met the foot. the one who understood big mama wasnt to be trusted.

and its small. he says, im just the face guy. just the leader. just the background strategist and the jokester and idiot fool who almost ruined everything. but he would do anything for them. he understands them best. hes the one the kraang feared most, the only one capable of pulling it into that portal, the one who lead the resistance and the man who raised the boy who won it all.

like i just..i dont exactly know how to get it across but. he really is their core. he isnt the heart, the brain, the muscle.

hes the soul.

the driving force behind it all. the one who pulls them along, the one who understands, the one who knows.

leo…hes the soul. and what he doesnt seem to realize is that they would fall completely apart without him.

if he wasnt there to run when big mama proved she wasnt to be trusted, theyd still be captured. if he wasnt there to tell them not to go after a serial killer in the first place, common sense and root and ground, they’d most likely be dead, fools that they tend to be. if he wasnt there to brew up this huge plan to get big mama to hand over that collar, they wouldve been toast when the shredder first arrived. and they wouldnt be the same family, the same team, the same people without him.

no ones quite sure hes there at all. the concept of a soul is so transient, so uncertain. but hes there whether he or anyone else knows or not. his smarts and his heart and his care and his unyielding willingness to make sure everyone makes it out alright (of course, except for him).

you may not notice, through his mask and his jokes, through layers and layers of tangible muscle and brain and heart and skin and bone, but hes living there. at the core of it all. a driving force, whether hes seen or not.

[afreakingdork]

You Are My Sunshine, My Only Moonshine - Chapter 12

RotTMNT x Reader

Donnie and grapes were meant to be in this week's chapter art by @matchstique

Rated: Teen and Up Audiences

Relationships: Michelangelo (TMNT)/Reader, Michelangelo (TMNT)/You, Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Donatello (TMNT)/You

Warnings: POV Second Person, Gender Neutral Reader, Anxious Reader, Introverted Reader, Stuttering, Aged-Up Mutant Ninja Turtles, Romance, Love, Love Confessions, Falling In Love, Unrequited Love, Rejection, Aromantic Asexual Michelangelo (TMNT), Bisexual Donatello (TMNT), Pansexual Leonardo (TMNT), Lesbian Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit, Demisexual April O'Neil (TMNT), Implied Cassandra Jones | Foot Recruit/April O'Neil/Sunita, Endgame Donatello (TMNT)/Reader, Romantic Love, Platonic Love, Panic Attacks, Sexuality Crisis, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety, Happy Ending, Fluff

Synopsis:  You’ve lost most of your life to anxiety and fear. Now, in your late 20s, you are desperate to reclaim it and during one such outing you encounter the sun personified. With his and his similarly celestially inspired family, will you finally reach your goal or will you lose yourself along the way?

Also available on Ao3

First 💛 Previous

It felt like tipping cosmic scales that you would avoid concussion only for Mikey to suffer one. The overnight Ice Capades were canceled the moment Mikey was not easily roused. The tone of the evening switched to a dutiful one that was punctuated with prepared scenarios. Each Hamato took their role from preparing Mikey for transport to actually moving him. It was the first time you got to see them as a team and they were surpassingly serious when need be. It was particularly amazing to watch Casey, of whom you had never heard quiet, not celebrate her victory. 

It was only when Mikey was situated in a hospital bed did she grumble something out about not having won fairly. While Donnie prepared a machine for a scan, Leo reassured her that he understood the feeling. The blue brother had won that bet to wipe his debts on the back of Mikey’s loss and you thought one of the others might blame him for injury. You waited for the supposed show to drop, but instead Raph returned from grabbing the rest of the belongings. He had reviewed the scene and found Mikey’s fall was caused by a crack in the ice. Since destruction was the point of the evening, there wasn’t a way to assign blame. Any of them could have caused the break just as all of them had been a source of distraction for Mikey to look away from the ice.

It was all a terrible accident.  

You waited in an adjacent hall as the scan was done. Once it was read and Mikey was cleared, he seemingly heard his positive prognosis and came to. He passed his concussion assessment with a ‘minor’ label. There was a collective sigh of relief and the first non-medical related question Mikey asked was if Leo could take you home.

“That what you want?” Leo ignored Mikey and looked to you for the answer.

“No… If that’s… o-okay…?” You checked with Mikey who looked one step away from crying tears of joy. 

After a mild scolding about sinus pressure and its effects on concussions, the others shared what sounded like parting words with their little brother. They filed out one by one before Splinter came by. He was worried about his little boy, much to Mikey’s chagrin, and, after listening to him drawl on for a bit, Leo returned. You figured this was your actual goodbye and weren’t prepared when Leo then immediately launched in medical jargon. It took a few delirious seconds for you to produce your phone, but you were eventually taking down notes of how to routinely check Mikey’s coherency. 

You were then left alone with your friend and he lazily told you what had been planned for the evening. Donnie had rigged the place for black light skating which Mikey deliriously told you looked like the aurora borealis three separate times. There were also plans for mock ice fishing which would have come around the time when the ice inevitably became busted beyond repair. Then something about hopping ice floats which made little sense to you along with perfect s’mores created by a certain genius' high tech system. The crown jewel of the evening had meant to be lying about and staring up at an aurora holograph which Mikey had hoped to surprise you with.

“I’m sure it would have been amazing…” You squeezed Mikey’s hand where you had been holding it a while.

Mikey hummed, a calculated drowsy from his third rousing. “Did you save that baby bird?”

“Baby… bird…?” You wondered nervously because Mikey had just passed his last comprehension check.

“Yeah the coo-coo… I’m pretty sure…” He squinted against heavy lids. “I heard it right before I fell… Maybe Leo snuck it in? Magicians like that kinda thing… Donnie sounded mad… Maybe an ecosystem thing…?”

You were rushed with the memory. “Turtle dove…”

“Is that the one?” Mikey hummed.

“It… it was Leo…”

A single chuff lolled his head. “That makes sense. Leo learned a bunch of bird calls to mess with Don. Nature walks are a usual thing. Categorizing species… gets boring. Leo’s pretty good. He’d throw Donnie off with all these tweets!”

You lowered your gaze.

“Turtle dove…” He snickered. “Like the song.” With a finger up, he gave a half hearted tune. “Two turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree!”

You couldn’t help but give a small smile. 

“Oh, hey, hey.” Mikey waved for your attention. 

You looked up. 

“Turtle.” He pointed at himself. “Dove.” He pointed at you.

“I d-don’t think…” Leo hadn’t been looking at Mikey when he’d made his bird call.

He’d been looking at you and Donnie.

“Doves are symbols… of peace and love…” He made a heart with his hands and let it sit against his chest. “What’sit…? They like… mate for life or something…?” 

You ducked to bury your erupting blush until you saw a twitch of Mikey’s hands going slack. Glancing at him slyly, you found him dozing off. It felt terrible to blot your brow at having dodged whatever conversation that was, so you offset your guilt by tucking Mikey in to rest. 

-

“The platform goes there!” Donnie pointed.

He was in full directorial mode with his goggles down and a digital clipboard somehow held in his hand. You couldn’t examine how as there was a flurry of movement around you and you were trying your best to stay out of everyone’s way. You had been designated the job distribute blankets, but that only came after the necessary ground coverage was laid. Until then, besides minimizing your existence, you ended up mostly reassuring yourself that your task wasn’t given out of pity. You were only human and didn’t have lifetimes of training like the others. As soon as you were given the go ahead, you immediately rolled out four blankets in what you hoped was a satisfactory way. 

Giving a weak sigh, you hunched on your knees and looked over where additionally softness was required.

Your group had set up on a building across from where they were playing a movie in the park. Apparently the Hamatos had been commandeering this rooftop for years. It seemed like when they were younger, the family used to just lean against ledges, but with age came skill. They now had what was essentially a collapsible theater that they knew how to construct or break down at a moment’s notice. The structure was one that had been perfected to mimic stadium seating so everyone had a view without having to sit right up against the edge of a building. 

Years had also given each member a preferred spot. Raph crowned the top row so he could comfortably sit however he wanted without impeding anyone’s vision. Leo had a bed rest pillow that he’d jammed against the lowest step for an easy front row seat. You and Mikey were sat beside him, manning what was essentially a picnic amongst layers of blanket. On the middle tier, the girls had their own flight with a variety of chairs that they were currently bickering over. 

Since there was some time before the movie started, Raph was regaling you on his specially made pillow. It looked like an oddity with its various soft appendages, but you were assured it was spike resistant and made it so it could tuck his bulky arms in any number of ways. The oldest brother then demonstrated by curling up like a cozy king of the mountain. His lazy posture acutely contrasted Donnie who was now sat beside him on a beanbag throne. He had a cocky attitude, bolstered by a successful set up, and you refused to linger. You asked Mikey to make you a snack of his choosing for the film. Lit by the idea, he cobbled together little toasts with crumbly cheese and some kind of jam all while telling you about their origins.

Nodding, but absorbing little, he ended up making you a tasting tray of treats before the movie began.

Casey hissed a shush despite no one talking and with that silence fell over the roof.

Images on the screen were a little faint from light pollution, but the picture was a classic film that you assumed everyone had seen before. Appropriate for a wide range of viewers, you tried one of Mikey’s snacks and found it palatable in a challenging sort of way. Something that made you think, you snuck the little jars away from him as he gawked openly at the film. Turning your body so you could catch the light for the labels, you read the scrawl while pondering his endearing idiosyncrasies. 

You had been forewarned that Mikey tended to fall asleep during these outings. He asked you to help him avoid it for once so you grabbed a thermos of coffee. You held up the container in a shy turn to see if anyone else wanted on and Leo held up a hand. You nodded dutifully and prepared the cups which you passed off. Mikey took his blindly and sipped it without looking. You watched him nearly miss the lid in the process and chuckled as Leo bumped his little brother while taking his own cup. Tonight would be an evening of cute interactions and you returned to your line of snacks in their adorable row.

Since your overnight stay in the med bay, you and Mikey had been closer than ever. It made the swimsuit debacle almost seem worth it, if only so the two of you could work out your relationship kinks. You felt more assured than ever in where you stood with him and that was a place of comfort. Previously, you had always felt that there was some kind of surprise coming with the way Mikey spoke of wanting to see how things panned out, but it was becoming clear, at least you thought, that his phrasing had been hyperbolic.

You were also beginning to realize you might not have heard everything he’d said the night he pitched you his feelings because you had been spiraling quite a bit at that point.

Either way, you found yourself thinking of your friendship with Mikey in the long term. You could easily imagine the two of you meeting up in your golden years. It was with that level of trust that the two of you were discussing an international trip. Nothing immediate, but also not a pipe dream, Mikey wasn’t rushing as you thought me might. He, at some point, had found your speed and was becoming more adept at it by the day. You could now push back when he said travel would be a breeze with Leo’s portals. You didn’t want to take advantage of his older brother even if Mikey’s mutant status would make airport security difficult. It had brought up an interesting discussion on what something he called cloaking brooches were. You learned about the Hidden City and it became yet another destination you would one day visit.

Mikey had impressed upon you that he considered that one further down the line than Japan.

Something about it being a little too mind blowing if you still had trouble with the subway.

His understanding was another little marker of how far you’d come. You liked to think yourself content with your current trajectory. Not plateauing by any means, but also not having intense growth, you had fallen into a pattern of small victories. The more you went out, the more the daily treks became easier. Going to work rarely proved to be challenging anymore and even grocery shopping was now something you thought more of as a task to knock out instead of something to dread every week.

You could maintain a quiet life and still live it.

The lead actress spoke a quintessential line and you felt the weight of a support system.

Something nearly as cozy as the blankets you were perched on, they were all around you in a literal sense. They were people who welcomed you and asked what you thought no matter how little you imagined you brought to the proverbial table. You hadn’t doubted him, but when Mikey mentioned Sunita had asked if you were coming to this event, you’d thought you might combust from excitement. It was a foreign emotion that had you pumping your fists into the air. Mikey had teased you about it, calling Sunita with video right then to capture your live reaction, but in doing so you felt he was reassuring you. Sunita exclaimed that she couldn’t wait to see you again and that was Mikey’s way of cementing that it hadn’t been his idea.

It was her. 

It was the way Leo had given you the blanket task before you had to ask. 

It was the way Donnie felt comfortable touching you. 

It was the way Raph had approached you to talk about his pillow.

I was the way April clapped your back.

It was the way Casey would give you a curt nod of acknowledgment.

You felt it. 

You would get closer to the others. 

You weren’t sure if you were an honorary Hamato, but they all wanted you around. 

Head bowing, you could only thank Mikey more.

He’d not only shown you a path, but he’d paved it too.

You had friends.

You had plans.

You had palpable growth.

The little throb in your heart wondered.

Selfish.

A little control and suddenly you thought you could ask for more.

You hated it.

In all the events following skate night, you had skirted Donnie. Not in a literal sense because you were nowhere near stealthy enough to actually avoid him, there simply hadn’t been a time where the two of you were alone enough to communicate. From being jammed in a karaoke box to the bar of some tiny improv show that someone’s friend of a friend had needed to fill the few seats with, none of the outings allowed interaction. For you it had mostly been a test of maneuvering foreign spaces without messing anything up and in that regard you’d done fabulously.

You were also hyper aware of the purple turtle.

Something you despised yourself for doing, you could find yourself carrying a bouquet to an unknown comedian and knew exactly how many steps Donnie was away from you at all times. His voice found your ears in a crowd no matter how mundane and you could nearly sense the second he decided to leave an event he was no longer interested in.

He’d been the first to exit every time.

You bet tonight would be no different.

Forcing yourself back to the screen, you tried to ignore the weighty purple aura behind you and actually watch.

You rewatched movies.

You had never had a problem before.

It shouldn’t be one now.

You would watch this movie.

You would pack up the set.

You would go home.

It would be fun.

You weren’t supposed to get close to him.

This was how it was supposed to be.

You were Mikey’s friend.

The others knew the distinction.

They asked you to come along, not out themselves.

It was attention you reveled in, but you knew your place.

Missing another exchange in the movie, you tried not to sigh at the spiral of your thoughts and turned to Mikey with the intention of asking him to pass the basket. Working out exactly which silent gestures would work, your eyes fell on his slack form. Coffee tipped and clearly empty in hand, he was fast asleep with a hanging jaw.

You covered your mouth to stifle a giggle and unearthed your phone.

Imagining this was what the sun did at night, you took a few quiet pictures until you heard a voice above you.

“Send me those.” April whispered with a wide grin.

You nodded before realizing you didn’t have her number. You meant to translate it, but April whipped out her phone and held it up in a knowing hand. Trading with her and exchanging contact information, it was ducked in close that you both heard a creak. Something faint, almost like cranking wood, you watched a single nervous bead of sweat drip down April’s brow before she was flung backwards.

Your hands flew to the step that separated you and you found her legs up and her chair broken.

Beside her Casey arched her whole body out of her own seat and it garnered your attention. The woman’s top teeth tore into her bottom lip and her leg came up for a blurry flurry of movement as she held herself back. Tears forming in her eyes, you were caught wondering over who you should check on first when Sunita poked her head out, last in line.

“Casey, stop. It’s not funny.” Sunita held a hand above Casey’s head so a blob of green dripped and swallowed her up.

You thought the woman might suffocate, but instead you watched as she took the cue to burst out into laughter that was completely silent from within the goo.

“Aps, you alright?” Sunita crawled around Casey’s spasming form.

“Pride. My pride hurts most.” April shoved an arm behind her.

Donnie snorted once and turned his head as soon as April shot him a death glare.

Beside him you watched Raph’s tail flick with amusement, but he kept his eyes off the scene.

“You know…” Sunita led, taking on an odd flare to her usual bubbly nature. “We could share mine…”

April’s rage turned to the semi-translucent direction.

“You only have to admit my hammock chair is the most comfortable.” The slight menace disappearing, Sunita clasped her hands sweetly.

“Oh, hell no!” April flew onto her knees and glowered. “This was a technicality! You know how old my shit was!”

Sunita pressed a sticky finger to her lips. “Huh? I thought you took great care of it.”

“Cut the cuteness!” April ripped the goo off Casey’s face just as the woman was starting to turn a shade of dark teal within the green slime. “I bet you sabotaged it! You’ve been trying for months to get me to sit in your dumb ice cream scoop or maybe ugly miss soccer mom ‘it has an umbrella attachment’ here finally got tired of us ragging on her!”

Casey tried to show her resentment even though she was desperately siphoning oxygen.

Leo gave a single sharp shush.

Sunita continued to beam. “Guess you’re stuck then… Shame! We could have gotten so cozy...” With that the slime yokai retreated and rocked down with a comfy wiggle back into her seat.

April sat in a dark shade of humiliation that rivaled Casey’s.

The latter of which got back into her own chair and made only the sound of clearing her throat as she returned to the movie.

You stared helplessly at April, not wanting to add to the injury, but also concerned.

She eventually felt it along with the loss of her other options. “I’m fine…”

“Y-You… um… i-if y-you wanted… you could… sit with us?” You gestured and scooted over to show you could easily make room on the blanket.

There must have even more chair based conflict you missed because the downcast gaze April gave your option had a sharp bitterness to it.

“S-sorry…” You shrank down though the step was nowhere near tall enough to hide you.

“Nah, you’re good. It isn’t your fault…” She sighed heavily before her next inhale seemed to give her an idea.

You watched with growing curiosity as she calculated the wattage of a bright smile and sent it behind her. 

“Hey, Donnie…” She cooed saccharine sweetness.

“No.” He didn’t look. 

“But you haven’t heard-”

“I’m not getting on Sunita’s bad side again.”

“Again?!” April spun to check with the slime yokai and found the jelly woman eating gummy candy.

Your lips turned down at the thought of the pseudo-cannibalism.

“She put googlyschootz in the tank’s gas tank after I sided with you in the koala debate.” Donnie glowered down.

“They’re dumb!” April huffed.

Leo turned around with a vein popping out of his head.

April gave him a pleading smile.

He narrowed his gaze with a threat that said she was on borrowed time before turning back to the screen.

April turned silent desperation up at Donnie.

He offered only a flick of his gaze before he went back to listlessly watching the screen.

It felt like ticking seconds before April climbed the step with renewed vigor. “Move over!” 

“No! No, no, no!” Donnie squabbled as she tried to shove him out of the bean bag. “No touchie!”

You tented your hands over your mouth as you watched the two try to silently slap each other.

Leo gave a loud groan. “What’ll it take to shut you both up!?”

“Halve the debt.” Donnie spoke without missing a beat.

“Get out of here!” Leo spun around.

“It’s still more than you owed me!” Donnie seethed.

“You’re a grown ass man! Learn to share!” April tried to wedge her way in, but Donnie butted her out with his hip.

“Joke’s on you, having brothers only made me creative!” Donnie edged mania.

Leo tapped a weighty finger before giving a growly exhale. “Third.”

“Two-fifths!”

“I only work with real numbers.” Leo’s lip curled.

“That is-Would you stop!?” Donnie kicked April off the bean bag.

She landed on her ass and Casey hunched forward with the threat of another cackling fit.

Other than little spurts of Casey trying to contain herself everything quieted for a moment until April rose up with her head hung. Looking almost like she’d thrown in the towel, you got a front row seat as an evil glint appeared in her eye.

You resisted the urge to pull the blanket over your head.

“Enough!” She shouted and threw out her arms. In a flash of ghostly green energy, a bat appeared in her hand. In an audible squeeze of the handle, she then turned with it ready to swing at Donnie. “Wanna talk about debts, D? Let’s chat!”

The fear that ran across Donnie’s face was palpable.

You could feel the similar terror rip through Raph and Leo.

You were sure Mikey had once said April was a true-blue New Yorker.

“How about the summer school I had to take after you blew the science lab every-” She rolled her neck. “-single-” She flexed her grip. “-semester!?”

Donnie’s hands meekly began to lift.

“Or the Vomitello incident of ‘22? The zombie food awakening during my Channel 5 internship?! Throwing away my signed Warren Stone lavalier!?!? Hmm!?!?”

In a crawling inch, Donnie slid out of his seat until he sat at the base of it.

“That’s what I thought.” April’s shoulders fell with an eerie calm and her bat disappeared. “You know I hate pulling rank, but you were being a real jerk.”

Donnie’s legs fell over onto the middle platform and his feet skirted the wreckage of Aprils’ chair. April happy snuggled into his beanbag and everyone else went slack as the tension passed. The sounds from the film returning, you watched Donnie openly sulk. April’s legs tucked to one side which game Donnie room to use the front of the beanbag as a backrest. He refused to slouch and instead hunkered forward were, every so often, he would toe broken chair bits. He was the picture of sadness and your heart squeezed.

There was nothing you could do.

You slithered, your own sorrowful, back to your spot and found Mikey now curled up on his side. His snoozing form gave you a bubble of happiness, but it wasn’t enough to buoy yourself. You moved his empty coffee cup away just for something to do. It led to you cleaning up a few other things and adjusting the basket until he had a more than enough space to toss and turn if he wanted. Reviewing his slack form, the thump of your heart beat a sad drum and you tried to will your gaze up to the screen.

A something rattled not unlike maracas to your left.

Lifting to look at it by instinct alone, you found Leo was holding out a box of candy with a reach that spanned over Mikey’s form.

You blinked a little straighter at it before tracing up Leo’s arm to his face.

The slider had a tilt to his lips and only flicked his gaze behind you before returning his pupils to yours.

You understood. 

It was for Donnie.

Leo was trying to pass on a gift for his guilt.

You had a feeling Leo felt bad for not accepting the bet splitting offer.

He felt responsible for Donnie getting kicked from his spot.

It wasn’t the best peace treaty offer, but it was one all the same.

You shifted your weight, preparing to reach for it when you remembered a certain someone.

You did you own pupil flick toward Sunita who was sat behind Leo and very much able to see exactly what was occurring in front of her.

Leo only shrugged and gave the box another faint shake.

You guessed he was taking his chances with upsetting the slime yokai. 

You had a feeling as the messenger, you would be spared.

You grabbed the candy with careful attention so the contents wouldn’t shift and glanced back to Donnie’s crestfallen form. He hadn’t moved in the slightest, let alone noticed what had just transpired. It made you feel worse for him as you crawled up the little step. The moment the rubbish before him was disturbed by something other than his own feet, he shot his gaze up with wary concern.

He caught you mid motion, with one leg hoisted, and you felt like an intruder crawling in through a window. Scrambling for it, the box slipped between your grip and rattled loudly which garnered an irritated click from Leo. Donnie moved to help, doing a sweep with his leg to kick away the rest of April’s chair, and knelt down in the new space afforded. You met him in the middle where he caught the other end of the box and you both leaned in for a hushed exchange.

“From Leo.” You told him. 

Donnie rolled his eyes. “If he thinks this makes up for…”

“I’m not… sure? He didn’t say anything. He only asked me to pass his.”

“Oh.” Donnie’s lips rounded.

“Do… do you like these?” You wondered. 

Donnie’s lids lowered as he looked at the box. “They’re my favorite movie theater snack.”

“Not your favorite usual snack?” You tilted your head at his distinction.

“Occasion is of the utmost importance.” He gave a version of a smug smile.

“True…” You ruminated over the snack Mikey had given you. “Something not too loud for movies.”

“Exactly.” His eyes shone as you understood.

You nodded and felt the alarms in your head that you were prolonging the exchange. “I…I hope… it helps…”

“Are you not enjoying the film…?” He asked, having not properly taken the candy yet.

You also hadn’t let go. “It’s… fine… I’ve seen it before…”

“I see…” Donnie’s gaze shifted as he seemed to think of something.

Let go.

You willed your fingers to release.

“Want… some?” Donnie tapped a waiting finger to the box.

No. “I-it’s y-yours, I c-couldn’t-”

“I don’t mind. Seems like you do.”

You didn’t. “W-well…”

“Come on.” With a tug to his end, he used the candy to pull you over.

You haplessly followed and sat behind him on the top step.

Finally letting go, your heart raced out of your chest as he opened the box up. Once he peeled back the cardboard to his liking, he then offered you the first pick. You grabbed a few pieces and held them close to your chest.

“How many times?”

You jarred and looked at him.

“Have you seen it?” He used gesturing to the film as part of his movement to toss some candy into his mouth.

“A b-bunch… I guess…?”

Donnie hummed with faint interest before offering you the box again.

You shook your head and revealed you still had your first handful.

“I told you, it’s fine.” Even though his voice was turned down low, you could still hear the scoff to him.

Only feeling worthy because of it, you took a single piece and put it in your mouth. The sweetness tickled your tongue and for the first time in you couldn’t remember, you saw the screen. “Oh…” You slurred a little around the treat you hadn’t bitten yet. “That’s parmesan cheese.”

“What?” He leaned closer to you with an incredulous air.

Your blood pressure noticed. “N-Not t-the c-candy! T-the… dandruff… I-n the m-movie! It’s…It’s a fun… fact?”

Donnie bobbed with a bit of laughter and ate some more candy. “A bunch was not hyperbole. You must be a big fan.”

“I’m not… I don’t know… I g-guess I find, um… behind the scenes… interesting?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah…” You confirmed and ate another sweet. “Seeing…” The swirl on your tongue seemed to help loosen it.  “… what they decide… to keep or cut… how creative they get… it’s an interesting process…”

Donnie nodded. “I’ve got my own encyclopedic knowledge of something similar.”

“You… do?” Usually people got fatigued after one or two facts.

He had a hum to him that seemed to think you already knew. 

You searched your mind hoping to place it.

For a moment, you had nothing. 

Then you were struck with a sharp memory that also happened to be about movies. “Jupiter Jim and Lou Jitsu.” 

Donnie grinned brightly. “Not common knowledge, but it’s the masses' loss and my gain.” 

You blinked as if forcing a shutter to go off so you could remember him like this always.

He offered you the box again.

This time you took a few more pieces.

“Tell me another.” He urged. 

“T-the… d-drugs they smoke… it’s actually oregano…” You looked away toward the screen to hide your embarrassment.

“They actually smoked it?”

You gave a tight nod.

Donnie swallowed a chuff and leaned back against the beanbag in what looked like an uncomfortable contortion of his body.

“I…”

He waited with a lazy smile.

You wished you had debated as you pressed your head to the cushion beside him. “I’ve… always wondered… d-did it smell like pizza? When they l-lit it…”

This time a little of his laugh leaked out. “Sounds like an easily testable theory.”

“Mikey’s going to miss his spices.”

“If he notices.” Donnie wiggled his brows and rolled onto his side to face you with the beanbag propping up his body. “Keep going.”

You mirrored him, but curled your hands up beside your cheek. “Each actor took a piece of the set home.”

“Which parts?”

You told him that and more. After exhausting what you knew about this movie, you started telling him about others from this director. He filled in spaces, knowing some factoids himself, but otherwise continued to prompt you. Before you knew it, you had both run off on some sort of tangent and were talking about crash test dummies when Leo stood and stretched loudly.

“Dinner? I’m craving biscuits and gravy!” Leo rumbled with desire. 

“You’ve described a breakfast dish and it is night.” Casey flattened her hand out in the air as if watching Leo commit some heinous act.

“There are no brinner haters. Only people who haven’t had good enough brinner.” Leo smirked in return.

“Sausage, bacon, eggs, ham…” Raph swooned and rolled over to squeeze his pillow dreamily to his chest. “We’re going with or without you Case!”

“With!” She protested with her hackles up. “I’m already here!”

“Of course you are…” Sunita patted the other woman on the shoulder.

“Traitor says what?” April rushed.

“What?” Sunita blinked before it set in and she gave a burst of laughter. “You got me!”

April smirked and jumped straight down to Mikey’s level. “Hey, Chef. Time to wake and bake!”

“B-bake?” He roused, blearily. “I leave the oven on again?”

“Nah, we’re getting artery clogging diner food.”

“Biscuits and gravy?” Mikey rolled over with purpose to glimpse Leo.

The blue brother gave a thumbs up and looked skyward with the promise of grease.

“Let’s go!” Mikey cheered and went to look for you.

“Up here.” You waved from where you had stood up to put a little distance between yourself and Donnie.

He squinted at you for a long moment. 

The scrutiny had you feeling dizzy.  

“April wasn’t your chair right there?” Mikey blurted out. 

Your eyes rolled back with relief. 

“I’ll catch you up.” She tucked her hands under his arm and yanked him up before he was ready.

Mikey squawked and got to his feet before scolding her.

She took it in stride and Donnie stepped into his directorial position. “Alright people, let’s get this packed up!”

You lingered until he was done giving a few instructions. “Thanks… for listening to me.”

“I asked.” He said simply and you couldn’t tell where his gaze was due to his goggles.

You gave a faint nod and meant to step away before you threw something over your shoulder at him. “I’d… love to hear what you got about your movies...”

Fleeing the scene, you nearly tripped over a step.

Mikey chuckled below you as he picked up the basket and asked how you liked the snack he’d made. You barely remembered and offered your best vague descriptions. Doing part two of your blanket-related job, retrieval, you helped pack up and Leo sliced a portal that he promised held decadence in the form of a truck stop bathroom. He was bemoaned for his description and you were eventually ushered through where you emerged outside a 24-hour diner. Something classic, the family flowed around you until you were inside.

A smart looking pig mutant in an adorable waitress uniform took your order and had Raph openly stumbling as he bit back on ordering his meaty delights. She openly teased him for it and dismissed the discrepancy about pork products. Writing his meal down for him as he was a ‘biggun,’ she moved through taking others’ decisions down. You meant to peep out something small, but Mikey cut in asking if you’d share with him. Nodding as it helped alleviate your choice, he ordered, and you sunk into the booth you’d shoved into.

Without a big corner seat to sit the whole group, the gang had split up between two booths, back to back. With you squished into the middle, Mikey flanked you and April had dragged Raph with her across the table. It meant immediately behind you sat Donnie with Leo and Casey and Sunita were in a tactically advantageous position as far away from April as possible. Knowing you were in the middle of some cold war zone, you listened to Leo and Mikey yak about what kind of gravy it was and if it ruined their New York heritage.

“Firstly, there are 80 titular films.”

Your eyes shot wide as Donnie’s voice coaxed your ear.

“If we start in order-”

“There’s no way.” You turned to find the purple brother’s chin resting on the backrest that separated you two.

“Pardon?” He brought up a brow that regarded your challenge as a weak one.

“Godzilla has like 30! There’s no way this… space guy I’ve never heard of has more than twice that!” You sent huge eyes at him. 

“The Godzilla franchise has its merits, but it’s not Jupiter Jim.” Donnie grinned deviously. 

“Show me.” You straightened to see him better.

As if knowing you’d ask, Donnie’s arm slunk over the back of the booth with a wiki up.

You scrolled up and down it. “How…?”

“Anything is possible with a low budget, which brings me to my first fact…”

Buckling up in a very metaphorical way, Donnie began to tick off movie facts one at a time. Keeping the plot vague as there seemed to be an implication that you would soon watch the movies, you became enthralled with the many little details. A true work of passion, the story spanned a scripted galaxy until Donnie began to piece in what they found out was real. There were actual yokai who the sometimes delusional Marcus Moncrief would confuse for aliens and it turned out several of his films had mistakenly captured true events.

Your food arrived and you only snuck bites of it in order to continue to listen to Donnie’s spiel. Asking your own questions or positing your own thoughts gave him a chance to eat. Finding a good balance, you often caught Mikey in some of your backswings. He seemed to be openly enjoying the conversation which broadened your sphere of consciousness. Now realizing the entire group was quiet and listening in, you flushed at being the center of attention and poked at a complimentary bowl of fruit.

The lull prompted Donnie to taper off where he was explaining something about a Pluto Vacation.

Moving a honeydew around, you heard him give a faint huff. “If you’re going to play with your food, give me your grapes.”

You offered them up and tried not to look at him.

He plucked only one when he’d mentioned plural and you were forced to glance as he left you holding the bowl.

His profile was waiting and only when he was sure he had your eye did he bring the morsel to his lips. A contrasting shade of purple to his own, he bit only the tip of it and in a quick suck, shriveled the berry.

“W-what?” The syllable popped out of you.

He extracted the rind and it disappeared over into his booth to be disposed of. “Problem?”

“What was that?” You giggled and tried to see where he’d put the grape husk.

He blocked you with his body. “I don’t like the texture.”

“Then why eat it?” Your features scrunched in smiling confusion.

“I like the juice.”

“Then order juice!” More laughs leaked from you.

He looked to be near gloating. “I dislike the sugar content.”

“Grapes are sugary!” You covered your mouth.

“Added sugar.” He clarified, now smarmy.

“Make your own.” You offered the bowl.

He plucked another single grape. “There’s a process that includes straining the pulp.”

“Of course, you’ve tried.” You shook your head, hopelessly.

“Even the finest sieve did not catch all the particulates! This is truly the only way.” He held a purple bud up high and tipped his head back ready to suck another’s juices.

“You’re a grape vampire!”

“You know there were color sucking creatures in Jupiter Jim and the Sepia Chase…”

“Trying to save money on color film?” You stole the grape back from him as he was distracted.

He turned with a faint leer. “Nice catch, but no…” In a sweep he caught the other two from your bowl. “There is more to it!” Biting the end of both at the same time, he expertly drained them.

“You desecrate fruit’s good name!”

“And he’s not even caught up on the comics.” Leo mused.

“There’s comics?” You glanced at the blue brother, on too much of a high to even notice he had butt into the conversation.

Leo’s eyes gave a similar glint to Donnie’s.

“We’re discussing film!” Donnie hissed.

“I don’t know…” Leo swirled his head. “I was hearing mostly fun facts and I’m chock full of ‘em!”  

“Leo owns every single Jupiter Jim comic.” Mikey added.

“No, back to the movies! We do sing-a-longs to the musical ones every year. You should come!” April offered.

“Oh, oh! Does that mean I’m allowed back?” Sunita bounced in her seat.

“Did ya learn the words?” Raph folded his arms. “I may not be much for musical theater, but three strikes you’re out on the lyrics is a pretty good one.”

“Pretty sure they don’t kick the performers if they mess up Rose's Turn too many times…” Leo pointed with his fork.

“They should! What’s the point of studious practice if there isn’t the threat of torture?” Casey grumbled.

“Yeah, yeah, we’ve all seen you cry at Carmen.” April remarked.  

A gasp heard round the dinner, everyone lit up with debate and you were left blinking at what happened.

Suddenly alone amongst a crowd, you turned to find Donnie staring at Leo with an odd expression.

It brought your eye from studying him to the grape you’d stolen and something in you urged you to reach out to touch him.

He animated with a silent startle and you offered him the berry in your outstretched palm. “Do… the color suckers come before or after Star-Gazer Chacón?”

Donnie’s gaze oozed affection as he both took the grape and your detail-oriented attention in. “Before…” You butted up close against the back of the booth where he pressed to meet you and continued his facts.

💛 NEXT 💛

Thank you kindly to my betas @tmntxthings and @thepinkpanther83

[natureismynature]

I wanted to talk about qJaiden and qFoolish's trust and friendship with each other because it means so much to me!!!!

So, initially, when they first started to make a real connection, Jaiden was in a middle of a heavy conflict. She was getting... persecuted, for a lack of better words. She was the first who got tasks from the Federation (aside from Cellbit), she became suspicious to everyone for unfortunate coincidences, and everyone started to become wary of her when she all she wanted to do was protect all the eggs and be alone while she mourned her son.

But then, Foolish came into the picture. He didn't treat her differently, his opinion on Cucurucho was basically the same as hers, and he was never judgemental of her getting and doing Federation tasks. He was the second person she ever showed the Bobby Fields willingly (with Leo), and she explained everything; why she built her home so far away, why there was a room filled with paintings, why there's a tree house, why she placed the chairs like that and she was so surprised when he said he liked the room dedicated to Bobby. And, after all that, as they sat on the tree house waiting for the sunset, with Foolish refusing to sit on any of the chairs because he knew who they were for, all he asked was "Doesn't it make you sad?" she said no and he said "Well, now I'm sad."

Then, when things finally calmed down and Jaiden was no longer suspicious to everyone, it was Foolish who got himself into a situation. A situation that Jaiden understands very well. He was basically isolated, he was singled out of the group. She knew how it felt and she made sure to be there for him. To defend him just as he defended her.

Jaiden didn't want any conflict between her loved ones, so she tried to play all sides by helping Cellbit get information but being truthful to Foolish as well. But Foolish lied to her because he knew what she was up to. Despite all that, in the end, they both admitted to each other what they did. And I think that's where their trust in each other became what it is now.

They became each other's safe place. Jaiden swore her silence to Foolish, and Foolish already did that the moment he kept his silence about the Bobby Fields.

Foolish took Jaiden with him when the Federation assigned him as detective, it was his choice whether or not he should let her in the know, and he didn't even hesitate. He put his full trust in Jaiden that moment. And after that, he kept telling Jaiden everything he knew when people used to keep things from her a LOT. And Jaiden, in turn, told him everything she knew.

And now, Jaiden's the one with a huge secret. Something she swore she would never tell anyone. But she chose to tell Foolish without prompt anyway. Because he trusted in her first. He's her confidant as she is his. She knows he won't judge her. She knows his image of her will never change. She knows he will stand by her no matter what happens because he understood her the way no one else does.

Yes, Roier would never hate her for it, but he's different. The way I see it, Jaiden would never want to put Roier in a situation where he chooses between his family with Cellbit or her. Jaiden knew how much Cellbit hated Cucurucho, if she told Roier about her true connection with the Federation... well, we can only imagine what would happen. And she would never even consider telling Cellbit himself because, well, as I've said, she knew how negative Cellbit sees the Federation and Cucurucho. She cares for them both very much, she would never want them to think ill of her because of what really happened.

With Foolish, she can be honest. Because she knew where he stood and she knew Leo was going to be on her papa's side no matter what too.

Tldr: Jaiden and Foolish are each other's safe places. They are each other's confidants. They know each other's biggest secrets and they are willing to take it to the grave. And I think that's beautiful.

[xixovart]

assigning my favorite pjo characters songs based on vibes :))

ignore the lyrics in these. it’s vibes. all vibes. rythm, melody, motifs, instruments

this somehow (unsurprisingly, because it’s me) ended up becoming a psychoanalysis of certain characters but the motif is essentially the same so enjoy!!

NICO DI ANGELO

my all time fav. love him so much.

there’s somehing so gentle but real about the melody in this. the way it feels like early winter at dusk. the way it feels like gentle solo dancing in the kitchen to a melody stuck in your head. the way it feels like braiding a loved one’s hair and talking.

WILL SOLACE

my beloved underrated child

now this one feels like a summer in the suburbs. like puzzles and cheap juice from the market. like the sun blazing on your skin and you’re laughinh and running. like playing that game on the road with chalk. it feels like nostalgia, like longing for an infantile giddiness that is long gone.

ANNABETH CHASE

the woman you are 💗💗💗💥💥😍😍

there are probably better options, but this one can be interpreted as either calm and nostalgic or melancholy and painful. “everything reminds me of you” but do the memories hurt or heal?

HAZEL LEVESQUE

please show this woman some love. she really deserves it

i have no idea why. maybe it’s the way it’s so upbeat? not saying that hazel is a “sunshine character” as the fandom usually puts it, cause she isn’t, it just reminds me of how much she overcame and how much happier she is now than before. she got her happy ending despite literally every single odd. ugh i love her so much.

JASON GRACE

stupid little amnesiac. gotta love him.

again, i dont know why??? maybe it’s the instruments. it’s probabl6 the instruments. but jason is just such a beautiful and kindhearted soul and i think this song embodies that. this song reminds me of every time jason told leo he was important. every time he somehow made reyna laugh before everything happened. makes me think of how he was the first person to unconditionally support nico and the first to make him feel like he’s not the person he’s made out to be. makes me think of how he and leo were the first to actually see and recognize piper. how he made temples for every minor god(dess) he could think of because he understood what it’s like to be forgotten. im not sorry that this turned into a jason grace appreciation post btw.

KAYLA KNOWLES

pls talk about her more plsplsplsplspls

you know im right. you know im right. i dont think i even have to elaborate. this song was written for her. the beat? the instruments??all her

REYNA RAMIREZ-ARELLANO

she. 😍

the feeling of letting something—maybe a person, an era, maybe your whole life in her case it’s all—pass you by because you took it for granted. a melancholy and quiet regret and longing something that is burned and can never be rebuilt, no matter how much you try. it won’t feel the same.

ALEX FIERRO

el mapache humanizado

i have no idea why i said that in spanish but alex is latino so it stays

it’s so? alex?? pls tell me i make sense. becuase like some parts of the song are like just pure teenage dirtbag shenanigans and the prime of your life, but others feel like screaming underwater and pleading for help. ykwim?

anyways yes i never shut up and i love all these songs and i really should go to sleep now because it’s 12:15 but i’m gonna continue reading the odyssey because time is an illusion. see ya losers. love ya.

[littlemoonastrology]

All About: CANCER ♋︎ - The Zodiac Signs

This post will cover all the basic information needed to understand Cancer, the fourth Zodiac Sign!

Take a look at my other posts to see more information on: Aries, Taurus and Gemini!

Lights... Camera... Action... Because Leo is coming next, keep a look out!

If you feel like this post has helped you feel free to Follow, Reblog or Repost (as long as I'm credited! I'm relatively new to Tumblr so I'm still learning about how all this works)!

~

Cancer ♋︎

Date (Only applies to Sun Signs): June 21 - July 22

Symbol: ♋︎ - The Crab

Associated House: Fourth

Associated Degrees: 4°, 16°, 28°

Associated Energy: Feminine

Planetary Ruler(s): ☾ Moon (Modern and Traditional)

Element: Water

Modality: Cardinal

Keywords: Observant, Protective, Strategic, Expressive, Caring, Nurturing

If you ever need a friend who has always got your back, a Cancer is the right one for the job! Natives of Cancer placements are naturally quite protective, caring and observant people, wanting to nurture the things they care about. When you first meet a Cancer, it may be a somewhat awkward or comforting energy as they tend to be shy when first meeting people, but once they open up and show you who they are that is when you know a Cancer trusts you. On the other end of the spectrum, a Cancer may be friendly to everyone and displays their nature a lot more. This placement, whilst they may enjoy self-improvement and be blunt when giving advice, what they really need is someone who understands them, validates their emotions and cares about the friendship/relationship just as much as them.

Contrary to popular belief of Cancer placements being lazy, they can be extremely hardworking, strategic and put their all into something if they care about it enough. Although this can end up in burn-out if they don't monitor the amount of effort being put in, then the rewards being received.

However, as strong a Cancer may come across - when threatened by something which they view as having lots of control over them they may hide away and become extremely passive, looking for ways to escape. This could be something like a parent, responsibility or an environment where there is a lot of change taking place (examples!). At first they may bottle things up, but if it brews long enough then comes resentment, bitterness, saltiness and it needs to be let out. This can cause a Cancer to act out in anger or upset, maybe become somewhat self-absorbed in the way they view things because it just feels like "no one gets it". Sometimes instead of acting out, they may become passive aggressive instead and continue harbouring resentment. Unless this placement learns healthy communication and has a mode to express themselves, it is possible for these negative emotions to become a cycle.

When a Cancer placement finally feels supported, validated, understood and like they are being nurtured they form an attachment and become a lot more confident, wanting to share themselves with the world. In some cases, this may breed some kind of codependency or over-reliance and this placement may forget to nurture their other responsibilities and interests.

~

Notes/Keywords/Phrases

Zodiac Sign

Each of the Zodiac Signs are a constellation. The Zodiac Sign shows how a Planet/Asteroid/Fixed Point/House is being represented and expressed. Once a Planet/Asteroid/Fixed Point/House falls into a Zodiac Sign, it adopts the energy of it.

For example: if Mercury falls into the constellation Sagittarius, Mercury adopts Sagittarian traits. If the 6th House falls into the constellation Aquarius, the 6th House adopts Aquarian traits.

Associated House

The Houses in Astrology are dependent on the time and location of birth in a Natal Chart and there are 12 different ones. Each of these 12 Houses are then assigned to a Zodiac Sign and 1 or 2 Planetary Rulers. The Houses in Astrology show you what area of life the energy of the Zodiac and Planets/Asteroids/Fixed Points is appointed to and helps provide depth into the chart.

For example: Capricorn's Associated House is the 10th House.

Associated Degrees

When a Planet/Asteroid/Fixed Point/House falls into a Zodiac Sign constellation, it will be appointed a Degree. This Degree shows how far along the Planet/Asteroid/Fixed Point/House is in a Zodiac Sign. Each Degree is also associated with a Zodiac Sign, meaning when this Degree comes up it can nuance the way the Zodiac Sign of a Planet/Asteroid/Fixed Point/House is being represented.

For example: Mars is 6° in the Zodiac Cancer, 6° represents Virgo - therefore the Cancer Mars also takes on Virgo traits. The 2nd House is 23° in the Zodiac Scorpio, 23° represents Aquarius - therefore the 2nd House in Scorpio takes on Aquarian traits.

Planetary Ruler(s)

This phrase refers to the Planet(s) that rule a Zodiac Sign. When a Planet falls into the Zodiac Sign it has rulership over, the energy of both the Planet and the Zodiac Sign is amplified.

For example: Pisces' Planetary Ruler is Neptune.

Modern / Traditional

These words are associated with two kinds of Astrology: Modern Astrology and Traditional Astrology. Traditional Astrology refers to Astrology that was practiced before the 19th century, whilst Modern Astrology refers to Astrology that is practiced now. Some people choose to practice Traditional Astrology, some people choose to practice Modern Astrology, whilst some others might practice both types or combine them together.

Element

Each Zodiac Sign/Planet/House/Degree is associated with an Element and this covers certain traits which are unique to the Zodiac Sign/Planet/House/Degree they correspond to.

These Elements are: Fire, Air, Water and Earth.

Modality

Much like an Element, each Zodiac Sign/Planet/House/Degree is associated with a Modality. The Modality describes what the focus of a placement is and how the energy is expressed.

There are 3 different Modalities: Cardinal, Mutable and Fixed.

[plastikstarz]

I headcannon Apollo/Lester as trans- hear me out-

So you know how twins of opposite genders are usually pretty hard to find in mythology?

What if Apollo was born as female, but 1 second in he decided "ew no" and changed into the form he felt most comfortable in? In the beginning, he enjoyed taking more effeminate and androgynous forms (see old statues of him), but then maybe someone made a comment about it and he became self conscious of it and dysphoric, hence the change to performative masculinity (see book decriptions of him, his obsession with having abs, his fashion style).

But then Zeus makes him mortal. And this time around, he decides to toy with him some more.

So he assigns Apollo to an afab body, to truthly torture him mentally and to make every second of his mortality nightmarish.

At first, he tries really hard to pass, because he's terrified of the validity of his gender being questioned. And he succeeds for a while. Maintaining a low voice hurts. And he knows running around, fighting, and even sleeping in a binder 24/7 will wreck his mortal body. He doesn't care. He keeps doing it. He runs behind everyone, he struggles to breathe, he has to deal with horrid pain. But he considers it worth it. He loathes his body. He loathes the extra fat that gives him feminine curves. He wants it all to end. He desperately wishes to get his godly form back as soon as possible.

Eventually, he collapses. His ribs are badly bruised, and he can no longer pretend to be cis. As terrifed as he was of his peers' reactions, most of them don't really care. Meg calls him a dummy, punches him, and proceeds to tackle him in a hug and punch him again. Leo tries to crack a joke to lighten the mood. Calypso reminds Apollo back in their days nobody would have given a crap.

Lester tears up. Weirdly, he feels loved. He feels accepted, he feels understood for the first time in millenia.

Maybe being a mortal isn't so bad

[wrongcaitlyn]

I HAVE RAMBLINGS ABOUT TYT

Nico and Apollo def have geek out sessions over greek mythology like they are NERDS and Apollo def grew up having snippets of the Iliad and Odyssey read to him so the moment Nico showed even the slightest of interest in Greek mythology as a kid, best believe Apollo used that to warm up to him 😭🙏

ALSO I can just picture little Apollo curled up next to Leto as she read him all these different poems (I'd like to think she read to him in Greek and while Apollo wasn't completely fluent in Greek, he def understood it very well but then he lost it 😞)

Also, Leto definitely called Apollo sunshine, and that's why he calls his own kids that. Every time Apollo would ask why he was named Apollo, Leto would scoop him up and say it was bc he was the light of her life, and Apollo is the god of light, so ofc she named her pride and joy after the god of light

Anyways whatever u do don't think about sixteen year old Apollo drunk (and probably high) out of his mind, curled up in a hotel room that he hardly spent any time in wishing he could've spent more time with his mother before his father whisked him away and into the spotlight :(

UGH AND DON'T THINK ABOUT APOLLO READING THE ILIAD TO HIMSELF WHENEVER HE MISSES LETO

clearly I have very strong feelings towards the relationship Apollo has with his mother and the fact that he should've had more time with her but bc he was in the spotlight all the time as a kid he didn't get to :(

Wait, oh my god, did Apollo go to his own mother's funeral?? Bc like Will was in middle school when she died, right?? So would have he trusted Will enough to be alone in the house for a few days, or did he just not go?? And how many times did Apollo look at his sixteen year old son and realize that the neglect Zeus put him through (ignoring Apollo's very clear addiction in favor of making him famous ofc) was definitely abuse. HOW MANY TIMES DID APOLLO HAVE TO REALIZE THAT HE GREW UP TOO FAST EVERY TIME HE LOOKED AT WILL??? 😭😭😭

ALSO ALSO IDK IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL BUT HAVING APOLLO, THE PROTECTOR OF YOUNG BOYS, BE THE ONE TO RESCUE NICO FROM AN ABUSIVE SITUATION AND GAVE HIM THE RESOURCES HE NEEDED TO HEAL???? AMAZING

I think Kayla def tried to teach everyone that Will was friends with archery. Just bc archery is severely underrated 😞

(Only Piper managed to actually hit the target, and Jason somehow sliced his hand open??? He has a very faint scar now, and if someone asks about it while he's with Leo, then Leo will come up with the most ridiculous stories instead of telling them the truth 😭)

Also, I think you've mentioned it before, but did either Darren or Kayla try to teach him archery? Idk but the mental image is very funny and it probably took him a plethora of tries to hit the target and Kayla was probably so proud

ANYWAYS IM SO SORRY THIS IS SO LONG IM DOING THIS INSTEAD OF WRITING MY CREATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT (I love that class but also UGHHHHH)

HAVE A GOOD DAY 🫶

FIRST OF ALL THIS JUST MAKES ME SO HAPPY TO SEE LIKE AHHSDFHLSDFJ OMG TYT RAMBLES

the whole part about apollo and leto... YES YES YESLKJDSFASDF AHHH apollo was 100% raised on greek mythology and he does have various copies of the iliad and the odyssey and other myths, an old worn-down version from his mom which had been passed down to him in her will, and a bunch of fancy pretty ones bc if he ever sees a pretty copy of the iliad or the odyssey he WILL buy it.

i think that he did go through a phase where like,,, he was just completely uninterested in that sort of stuff, considered it childhood and whatever. but i think that eventually, esp when taking in will, he went through what i'll call the "dumb and poetic try-hard intellectual" phase where he actually did read through the whole thing, read through various translations, annotated some copies, attempted to learn greek (modern greek, not ancient greek lmao), and just in general getting in touch with his heritage bc he realizes, watching will who's so small and resembles him so much, that those memories of him and his mom were actually some of his happiest moments of childhood, not annoying ones. and so he does try to replicate that, despite having not left his family on the best of terms *cough* really bad onesSLKJDF

and as someone who had a parent speak to them in their language, knew how to understand that language, but refused to learn it themselves bc it was boring, there's gonna be such an intense regret there from apollo, thinking that he should've taken the opportunity to learn when he could. he definitely would still understand bits and pieces, maybe a few quotes that were his or his mom's favorites, but it's just a lot harder to learn a language once you've grown up ://

as for the funeral, he did not go, because he still wasn't on speaking terms with his father, and well,,, yeah. he didn't want to cause a scene, also didn't want to tell will much about it, but i do think leto left some things to apollo in her will that apollo had to fight pretty hard to actually get sent to him

and GOD the emotions of apollo watchign will grow up... AHSDFJ ILL NEVER GET OVER IT like its hard to accept but he eventually does recognize it. and it's painful but it also feels good to know that that'll never happen. to watch his son at 16 spend his afternoon doing homework, and at 17 having a healthy relationship with his best friend, and at 18 applying to colleges... it definitely makes apollo proud, but it also breaks his heart a bit. because he couldn't imagine ever forcing the childhood that he had on his son, and he has to admit that his father hadn't felt the same sense of protection or care, and that even though his mom did, she wasn't in a position to do anything that would truly help :/

ALSO ALSO IDK IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL BUT HAVING APOLLO, THE PROTECTOR OF YOUNG BOYS, BE THE ONE TO RESCUE NICO FROM AN ABUSIVE SITUATION AND GAVE HIM THE RESOURCES HE NEEDED TO HEAL???? AMAZING

KSDJFLKASJDFSD PARALLELS AHHSDHFHDSFJ no bc that actually just makes me so happyyyyy like yes apollo is a good father yes he always has been and yes he always will be!!!! to literally anyone who needs it. i love him so much. can you believe when i was first outlining this fic i was like "hm, yeah, he plays an important role, but like i'll make sure not to make him a major character or anything"

now we're here. apollo is probably like. the third most major character after nico and will. in greatest of luxuries, at least.

kayla absoluTELY tried to train everyone in archery, and apollo's trying to avoid it bc he's trying not to think back to 2002 when darren tried to teach him archery, and kayla has the exact same instruction style bc darren had taught her, and hes actually better than will and will's friends bc he's learned before, but he fails on purpose bc the memories are too painful because THEY WERE HAPPY-

sorry pollen is possessing me! it will never leave

ANYWAYS IM SO SORRY THIS IS SO LONG IM DOING THIS INSTEAD OF WRITING MY CREATIVE WRITING ASSIGNMENT (I love that class but also UGHHHHH)

this is SO real bc i am responding to this to avoid doing my lit essaysdlkjf

THANK YOU FOR THE ASK

[talonabraxas]

The Solar Trinity The sun, as supreme among the celestial bodies visible to the astronomers of antiquity, was assigned to the highest of the gods and became symbolic of the supreme authority of the Creator Himself. From a deep philosophic consideration of the powers and principles of the sun has come the concept of the Trinity as it is understood in the world today. The tenet of a Triune Divinity is not peculiar to Christian or Mosaic theology, but forms a conspicuous part of the dogma of the greatest religions of both ancient and modern times. The Persians, Hindus, Babylonians, and Egyptians had their Trinities. In every instance these represented the threefold form of one Supreme Intelligence. In modern Masonry, the Deity is symbolized by an equilateral triangle, its three sides representing the primary manifestations of the Eternal One who is Himself represented as a tiny flame, called by the Hebrews Yod (י). Jakob Böhme, the Teutonic mystic, calls the Trinity The Three Witnesses, by means of which the Invisible is made known to the visible, tangible universe.

The origin of the Trinity is obvious to anyone who will observe the daily manifestations of the sun. This orb, being the symbol of all Light, has three distinct phases: rising, midday, and setting. The philosophers therefore divided the life of all things into three distinct parts: growth, maturity, and decay. Between the twilight of dawn and the twilight of evening is the high noon of resplendent glory. God the Father, the Creator of the world, is symbolized by the dawn. His color is blue, because the sun rising in the morning is veiled in blue mist. God the Son he Illuminating One sent to bear witness of His Father before all the worlds, is the celestial globe at noonday, radiant and magnificent, the maned Lion of Judah, the Golden-haired Savior of the World. Yellow is His color and His power is without end. God the Holy Ghost is the sunset phase, when the orb of day, robed in flaming red, rests for a moment upon the horizon line and then vanishes into the darkness of the night to wandering the lower worlds and later rise again triumphant from the embrace of darkness.

To the Egyptians the sun was the symbol of immortality, for, while it died each night, it rose again with each ensuing dawn. Not only has the sun this diurnal activity, but it also has its annual pilgrimage, during which time it passes successively through the twelve celestial houses of the heavens, remaining in each for thirty days. Added to these it has a third path of travel, which is called the precession of the equinoxes, in which it retrogrades around the zodiac through the twelve signs at the rate of one degree every seventy-two years.

Concerning the annual passage of the sun through the twelve houses of the heavens, Robert Hewitt Brown, 32°, makes the following statement: "The Sun, as he pursued his way among these 'living creatures' of the zodiac, was said, in allegorical language, either to assume the nature of or to triumph over the sign he entered. The sun thus became a Bull in Taurus, and was worshipped as such by the Egyptians under the name of Apis, and by the Assyrians as Bel, Baal, or Bul. In Leo the sun became a Lion-slayer, Hercules, and an Archer in Sagittarius. In Pisces, the Fishes, he was a fish--Dagon, or Vishnu, the fish-god of the Philistines and Hindoos."

A careful analysis of the religious systems of pagandom uncovers much evidence of the fact that its priests served the solar energy and that their Supreme Deity was in every case this Divine Light personified. Godfrey Higgins, after thirty years of inquiry into the origin of religious beliefs, is of the opinion that "All the Gods of antiquity resolved themselves into the solar fire, sometimes itself as God, or sometimes an emblem or shekinah of that higher principle, known by the name of the creative Being or God."

The Egyptian priests in many of their ceremonies wore the skins of lions, which were symbols of the solar orb, owing to the fact that the sun is exalted, dignified, and most fortunately placed in the constellation of Leo, which he rules and which was at one time the keystone of the celestial arch. Again, Hercules is the Solar Deity, for as this mighty hunter performed his twelve labors, so the sun, in traversing the twelve houses of the zodiacal band, performs during his pilgrimage twelve essential and benevolent labors for the human race and for Nature in general, Hercules, like the Egyptian priests, wore the skin of a lion for a girdle. Samson, the Hebrew hero, as his name implies, is also a solar deity. His fight with the Nubian lion, his battles with the Philistines, who represent the Powers of Darkness, and his memorable feat of carrying off the gates of Gaza, all refer to aspects of solar activity. Many of the ancient peoples had more than one solar deity; in fact, all of the gods and goddesses were supposed to partake, in part at least, of the sun's effulgence.

The golden ornaments used by the priestcraft of the various world religions are again a subtle reference to the solar energy, as are also the crowns of kings. In ancient times, crowns had a number of points extending outward like the rays of the sun, but modern conventionalism has, in many cases, either removed the points or else bent: them inward, gathered them together, and placed an orb or cross upon the point where they meet. Many of the ancient prophets, philosophers, and dignitaries carried a scepter, the upper end of which bore a representation of the solar globe surrounded by emanating rays. All the kingdoms of earth were but copies of the kingdoms of Heaven, and the kingdoms of Heaven were best symbolized by the solar kingdom, in which the sun was the supreme ruler, the planets his privy council, and all Nature the subjects of his empire.

Many deities have been associated with the sun. The Greeks believed that Apollo, Bacchus, Dionysos, Sabazius, Hercules, Jason, Ulysses, Zeus, Uranus, and Vulcan partook of either the visible or invisible attributes of the sun. The Norwegians regarded Balder the Beautiful as a solar deity, and Odin is often connected with the celestial orb, especially because of his one eye. Among the Egyptians, Osiris, Ra, Anubis, Hermes, and even the mysterious Ammon himself had points of resemblance with the solar disc. Isis was the mother of the sun, and even Typhon, the Destroyer, was supposed to be a form of solar energy. The Egyptian sun myth finally centered around the person of a mysterious deity called Serapis. The two Central American deities, Tezcatlipoca and Quetzalcoatl, while often associated with the winds, were also undoubtedly solar gods.

In Masonry the sun has many symbols. One expression of the solar energy is Solomon, whose name SOL-OM-ON is the name for the Supreme Light in three different languages. Hiram Abiff, the CHiram (Hiram) of the Chaldees, is also a solar deity, and the story of his attack and murder by the Ruffians, with its solar interpretation, will be found in the chapter The Hiramic Legend. A striking example of the important part which the sun plays in the symbols and rituals of Freemasonry is given by George Oliver, D.D., in his Dictionary of Symbolical Masonry, as follows:

"The sun rises in the east, and in the east is the place for the Worshipful Master. As the sun is the source of all light and warmth, so should the Worshipful Master enliven and warm the brethren to their work. Among the ancient Egyptians the sun was the symbol of divine providence." The hierophants of the Mysteries were adorned with many. insignia emblematic of solar power. The sunbursts of gilt embroidery on the back of the vestments of the Catholic priesthood signify that the priest is also an emissary and representative of Sol Invictus. --Secret Teachings of All Ages: The Sun, A Universal Deity

[pyxaperson]

I am procrastinating on my uni assignments so here’s the 2012!TMNT main cast ranked on who would be homophobic/transphobic

1 being the most and 6 being the least

this is my opinion and my interpretation. i will fight people for one of these rankings if they disagree with me

6 - April

You cannot convince me she isn’t a 2012 Tumblr girl like… look at her. She spent most of her teenage years debating with homophobes on the internet. She would 100% watch supernatural and 100% ship Castiel.

"Would she fetishise mlm relationships?" NO. She would also watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer and ship Fuffy. She reads yaoi AND yuri in her spare time.

If she swoons over a mutant and an alien getting together, she will 100% do the same for a gay couple.

Probably taught the others not to be homophobic (mostly the top 3).

If you believe she hates the LGBT+ community, I am sorry but you are objectively wrong I will be hunting you for sport right now. I am outside your house with the episode "Karai's Vendetta" playing loudly on my laptop.

5 - Donnie

“Erm actually, homosexual behaviour has been heavily documented in animals such as penguins, bats and hyenas. It’s very much natural.“

While I cannot imagine him ever being homophobic, I can imagine him being transphobic when he was younger.

BUT I only think that because the primary school biology textbook was his bible when he was five.

As soon as he had access to a more “advanced” biology book, he learnt his mistakes.

Had a deep understanding of gender before his brother understood the differences between them as a result of this.

4 - Mikey

Thinks LGBT+ people are awesome, however his only exposure to gay people is rupaul drag race so his views on them are stereotypical.

He would probably be taken aback if you introduced him to a gay man who isn’t flamboyant, but he would adjust after a bit.

He would definitely say “You don’t look gay” though.

Aside from April, he would be the most angry when hearing homophobic/transphobic comments.

3 - Leo

The middle point between homophobic and not homophobic for the group (even though she's seconds lmao, the group is just not really homophobic).

I headcanon her as a trans lesbian so any homophobic/transphobic thoughts she would have are a mixture of her sheltered life and internalised issues.

Nothing extreme though, but her mind would get hung up on two girls holding hands on the street for multiple days.

She would also go through the 5 stages of grief for every unprompted homophobic thought she gets.

Everyone helps her overcome this, especially after she discovers herself and comes out.

2 - Raph

I am sorry, but he would probably use homophobic language before meeting April.

However, that’s due to him not understanding what he was saying. He probably thought gay was a synonym for stupid.

Once he understands who LGBT+ people are and what they face (AKA being scolded by April), he would probably feel really bad about it.

He wouldn’t really apologise for it verbally, but he would 100% kill a homophobe after that so everyone understands he’s changed.

Mikey would then make fun of him for being homophobic which would get him really mad. It's revenge for Raph calling him gay to insult him and brushing his genuine anger off.

“At least I’m not-“ “I’M NOT HOMOPHOBIC MIKEY!”

1 - Casey

I am not sorry, this dude was definitely homophobic before meeting the Turtles + April. Like, actually homophobic.

His dad is homophobic so it comes from that.

He called Donnie the f-slur behind his back to the rest of the group. To put it lightly, they were not impressed.

The first moment where he questions his behaviour is when April rips him to shreds over it, but it’s not until Raph pulls him aside to express disappointment that he realises how bad his behaviour is.

Probably goes MIA for a couple of days undergoing serious reflection on his life and beliefs. He then comes back to apologise for his behaviour.

He takes some time to truly overcome his bigotry, but he gets there eventually. Like Raph, he'll kill a homophobe after the ordeal.

[twinkleallnight]

Isle of Misfits

Chapter 10: Dealing with the Paparazzi.

Fandom: TRR x Platinum x OH x CoP x TNA x ?

Series: Isle of Misfits, Round Robin 24, hosted by @choicesprompts

Characters:

TRR – Liam Rys, Leo Rys, Olivia Nevrakis, Madeleine Amaranth

RoE – Katie Rys

TNA – Sam Dalton

Word count: 1240

The phone pinged.

‘1 new message’

Leo sighed and picked up to read. He was tired of explaining himself to Katie. The world never understood him or his desire to live a care free life. The paparazzi won’t let him breathe. But he thought Katie would understand. She would always know. He had tried to be honest with her, always.

He was struggling to stay abreast sailing through the rough waters when his brother decided to take the corrective action for Leo’s deeds . He was forced into this PR stunt of a circus with his childhood friend, Bertrand, playing the ring master. And as if Gods had not had enough of entertainment, he was paired with his ex, Madeleine! Just perfect!

Coming out of his reverie, he tapped his fingers on the home screen to check the new message .

‘Meet me at the beach restaurant in 10minutes to collect your dossier .

Countess Madeleine .’

“Better than having Sam Dalton as a mentor” he consoled himself. “His brains function through that Rocket in his pocket. At least Madeleine has her head over her shoulders.”

He dragged himself out of his bed. Sharp after 10 minutes he presented himself in front of the Countess.

“What do you plan to do with this?” He lifted the heavy bundle of papers filed into a folder neatly. ‘Prim and proper. So much like Madeleine.’

But Madeleine’s reply was totally off beat. “why you have not shaved?”

Leo shook his head as if trying to decipher. “What?” He moved his fingers through the over grown messy beard.

Madeleine scoffed, “ Let me make it clear Leo. You are constantly under lens.”

“That’s exactly what I don’t want.” He cut her off.

“You were the crown prince.”

“And I abdicated.” He tried to prove his point.

“Doesn’t matter. You can’t change who you are born as.”

“Why?” He pulls his fingers through his sandy blonde hair In frustration.

“Prince Harry abdicated too. But he is always in news.”

Leo scowled, “For heavens sake! Can’t they let me live in peace?”

“Only if you don’t give them chance to rip through your peaceful personal life.” She air quoted.

He nods in agreement. “And I can see, you are here to tell me, how.”

“Now you are talking business.” Madeleine smiled.

Leo closed his eyes for a moment. He had to do this for Katie, for his children. He took a deep breath. “Okay. Tell me what am I supposed to do?”

“You need to look perfect when you walk in public. It shows that you are leading a perfect and happy life.”

Leo smirked, “Yes it’s a very happy life.”

“Make it look like one and I can tell you, they will stop chasing you.”

“Fine! What next?”

“I have appointed a valet for you. He will help with your attire, hair and your over all appearance. You will not leave your room before he checks you.”

Leo rolled his eyes. He had no other option but to accept what was thrown at him.

For the next hour he went back and forth over the plans Madeleine had laid out for him.

******************************************

Bertrand’s office next day

Olivia was seated across Bertrand, discussing their next modus operandi. Olivia had successfully completed her task with Raleigh Carrera and was now assigned to the case of the exiled crown prince, Trystan Thorne, of Drakovia.

An urgent knock on the door brought them to a halt. They both looked at each other. Bertrand voiced, “Come in” , wondering who was their uninvited guest for the meeting .

Leo stormed in and slammed a tabloid onto the desk in front of Bertrand. Olivia stared back at Leo’s fuming face while Bertrand looked in confusion, “ What does this mean?”

“Open and see for yourself.” Leo pointed out his finger.

As soon as Bertrand picked the newspaper and unfolded it, his eyes went wide with shock. Olivia leaned towards him to peer into the news.

The newspaper had images of Leo and Madeleine sitting in a cafe. The first one had Madeleine gleaming at Leo and the second one showed them shaking hands near the exit. The tag line read ‘Former crown prince Leo Rhys, spotted with his ex, Countess Madeleine, at leisure on a private island. Do we smell something burning in Katie Rhys’ sweet home?”

A smile played on Olivia’s lips.

“Seriously?” Leo asked looking at Olivia’s reaction.

“It’s not about you.” She fanned away with her hand.

“From what I can see, it’s definitely about me.” He turned to Bertrand angrily, “This is how you were going to help me save my image and my marriage?”

Olivia spoke instead, “Its not his fault. Madeleine should have been more discreet while planning her meetings.”

Just as on clue, Madeleine stepped inside the office. “Speak for yourself. I know my job well.” She snatched the tabloid from Bertrand’s hand and glanced at the pics, dismissing it in an instant.

She focused on Leo, “ This is the reason I insisted you need to dress up properly. Had you been in a formal attire, this would have been ignored by the media as just another business meeting.”

“Great ! So now it’s all my mistake? You know what my mistake is? Trusting you guys with my future.”

Bertrand replied in a calm note, “I think you are over reacting. It’s just two pics, we can change the flow of events. My PR company can assure you, we are good at turning the waves in your favour.”

Before he completed his sentence, the doors to his office opened with a bang. Drake barged in raging in anger. “The hell you turn things only in your favour. You Beaumonts are the most mean and selfish men walking on this damn planet.” His voice echoed across the halls outside the office.

Bertrand’s eyes roamed behind Drake to check if there were any audience at his doors. He settled his gaze back on Drake. “May I know the reason for this intrusion?”

Drake sneered, “You call yourself CEO of a PR firm yet you don’t have updates of the newsflash on TV channels across Cordonia?”

Bertrand gave Drake an irritated glare and picked up the remote to switch on the flat screen hanging on the wall across his table. The screen brightened up with flashes of red haired lady bouncing on a dance floor. All of them in the room knew that was Olivia but the next few moments left everyone’s mouth hanging open.

Bertrand came into the frame trying to dance. He made some lewd gestures and then grabbed Olivia into a smooch.

Leo and Madeleine jolted back at Bertrand. Even Olivia had shock written all over her face. Definitely she was drunk that she didn’t remember this incident.

Bertrand gulped and fumbled with the remote to switch off the TV. He didn’t want to listen or let others in the room listen to the reporter’s remarks.

“I... I ... I can explain”, he said nervously.

Drake sprinted to him in two steps and held him by collar. “How many times are you going to explain? First my sister, then your back stabbing brother took Riley and now you target my girl friend?”

“Riley is with Max?” The baritone voice from the entrance of the office brought everything to standstill. They all turned to see Liam standing in a thunderstuck state.

Tags : @angelasscribbles @alj4890 @tessa-liam @lizzybeth1986 @3pawandme @annabellewynter @bascmve01 @bebepac @busywoman @dcbbw @choicesficwriterscreations @harleybeaumont @iaminlovewithtrr @karahalloway @kingliam2019 @lovingchoices14 @nestledonthaveone @neotericthemis @mom2000aggie @phoenixrising0308 @princess-geek @sazanes @secretaryunpaid @sfb123 @sillydg @tinkie1973 @txemrn @walkerdrakewalker @rubiwalker @703cowbarn @kyra75 @likealotus @kskvb20 @marietrinmimi @aussiegurl1234

[horizon-verizon]

I've got some things to say abt the latest episode of Tell Me Lies, as well as some fans of the show.

Firstly, I just want to say that Stephen IS Shakespeare's Iago.

1) I really hope Bree finds out Lucy was the girl Evan cheated on her with in the future storyline, bc this group of friends needs to just never be together anymore.

2) Oliver was always an opp, from day one, no matter how hot his actor is (and trust I have been both side eyeing and involuntarily gushing at their scenes for a while). "Boys" are the worst at any age; he's a prime example of that but Bree doesn't know that yet. 45x19 is never the move, esp when the older's married.

The reason why Bree keeps telling people abt Oliver is bc she doesn't want to feel guilty or under a moral pressure abt it when she's in the affair to feel like she is desirable/worthy of attention when her friends barely do anything to really know/care for her & she felt her relationship w/Evan didn't have enough reciprocated emotional investment. Which is ironic bc Oliver is certainly not giving that despite how she feels he sorta "picks" her over Marianne by choosing to spend time w/her, validating her feelings abt Evan/her friends. Despite him saying he won't leave his marriage for her.

He's playing a push-pull game to keep her wanting more: the ring, "why wouldn't we?", etc. HE travels to some NE "village" for Thanksgiving with rich white folks and she lives in the dorms. He is still using her, this is and never will be an "equal" relationship.

3) idgaf abt the possibility that Diana is trying to swerve Steven by lashing at Lucy, it will always be an amoral, unnecessary, unethical move when Steven PUBLICLY & VISIBLY in front of both their friends was & HAS BEEN trying to rile Lucy/Leo up.

4) Diana thus 100% deserved that slap, esp when Lucy was the one who put her onto to the Steven-Macy and *she* didn't believe Lucy at first. Lucy is the one who's enabled Diana--IF she is trying to get away from Steven now--to plan in the 1st place, & she goes & does this?

Nah, let's hold Diana accountable for her actions as you (a lot of people) have been holding Lucy accountable for hers! She was a coward bc even if she is doing this to get away from Steven and she is as smart as people say she is, if she is actually pretty good at social manipulation, it's still amoral to tell the victim he was the real problem and invited abuse (a girl younger than Diana [20-22] herself, who also took Steven back when he cheated on her and put her down for months and is currently still doing so), is not the NECESSARY move when we see the same dude publicly try to harass Leo and Lucy in front of the friends who will not check Steven.

5) This is also the same reason why I am annoyed & disappointed w/Pippa even though he was the only one to at least say something abt & TO Steven in the situation. How are you going to stand there, witness Steven try to get Leo to go wild on him not once but TWICE, hear Lucy tell you abt Steven getting to her, hear him say she "embarrassed" herself at that lunch table (Steven had been trying to break them up for ages!), see Lucy stay away from Steve the best she could until not only he but his sister criticize her for being "psycho" (against Steven, not her behavior towards others, Sadie thought Lucy was being "crazy" on Steven),...see Diana wrongly assign all the fault on Lucy...then say you can't "believe" Lucy slapped her?

Not only do we know & you saw Steven be emotionally abusive to Diana (& I am sure she wouldn't say the same if Diana slapped another girl saying that), you slapped Steven yourself?!!! Under the guise of a game, but everyone understood what you did! Leo fist-pumped you for it?! All bc you have a crush on Diana, you're willing to ignore how Diana is literally victim-blaming while she herself "makes it easy" for Steven to hurt her time and time again.

6) And I'm red in rage over the Lucy getting blamed and this idea of victimhood or victimlessness bc it's all abt the principle of the thing: yes there are many women who will sacrifice their dignity for male validation (like Diana, not just Steven but her dad), & Lucy was one of them when she had been dating Steven...but this is the point of the show! MANY women are like Lucy and Diana and Pippa. MOST women have at one point in their prepubescence to dating lives have sold other women/girls out, blamed other girls, to believed or vilified women trying to defend themselves in a sea of men-protectors, etc. bc out world has made it very clear that, for a time, these actions will at least move negative male predation away from them or get them social "favors" for it, or some sort of validation the same society denies young girls and women. Gain back what is lost.

It's still women's jobs to reflect and stop that behavior in ourselves as we grow. At least Future!pool-Lucy is not throwing another girl under the bus as she tries to get back at Steven for his wedding speech, even as she is choosing to react to more of his bullshit at the age of 25-27! We hold Future!Lucy accountable for not taking the opp to protect her own peace...but not Diana when she's actively making Lucy out to be the bad guy in a situation where she definitely wasn't?! Making her out to be the "crazy" ex and weaponizing her slapping her against her for her own needs?

This goes to show that our society/the internet still will approve male violence in any form--even encourage it, with Leo vs Steven (this instance is kinda valid, but you should know what I'm getting at)--before they ever let a woman REFLEXIVELY lose some bit of restraint and react/defend herself.

Past!Lucy was not even horrible to Diana nor Steven before epi 6; she was trying to stay away & live her life w/Leo & the others. Yeah, she's emotionally immature before and after Steven, but:

a) she is actually "worse" AFTER Steven and if he didn't exist or had approached her with all his damn negging, she likely could have done better for herself as she grew in this college environment when, once more, bc Steven was so horrible to her she developed a hyperawareness towards possible psychological threats from intimate partners or other kinds...esp with how her mother tried to make her to be the wrong party, talking abt "your dad would be so upset with you" when she slept with his best friend as he died and way before that! Lucy was kinds set up for more ish bc her mother created the expectations for that.

b) Past! & Future!Steven goes/went out of his way, unprovoked, to make her feel she was always the one doing wrong when he creates most of all his own issues: Macy, inviting the freshmen girls he hunted for in the first place, cheating on Diana, telling his gfs their hormones & periods make them insufferable, manipulating Wrigley AND his brother Iago-style , etc.

Steven is out here literally trying to ruin people's day bc he has never had one himself. How is Lucy mean to be so perfectly composed 100% of the time?!!! No, things will always give, plus she is 19/was 18.

7) Which is why I don't fuck w/Max even though Leo also cites how Lucy uses people's worst things against them (which, again, is her doing reactive mistreatment bc she, form Steven, now reflexively anticipates people using/lying/manipulating her).

Leo at least HAS to stay away from toxicity bc of his own anger issues & abusive past form his dad & his reliance on the only thing that made him relatively safe...ironically, very similar to Lucy. I wish he had clocked both this AND how Lucy is more reacting in the face of having not much support form the peanut gallery, but I get it, it simply isn't their time. I loved them together, and despite him not telling Lucy about his ex cheating w/Steven when he knows she is so triggered and afraid of any scenario like manipulation, saying that its "unimportant" I also think there is a chance that they could have tackled it with how good they were communicating otherwise. How good he was at that aside form this thing.

Max, however, has no background to be telling Lucy to "forget" Steven kiking up with him in the 4th or 5th episode, I forget. Esp when she herself asked him why he is doing said kiking knowing what she told him abt Steven...talking abt "people changed". Also we have seen no real consideration of what I have described all along: that Steven is the issue, and that maybe instead of "forgiving" him and giving him a pass, just suggest she stay away from him and not engage with Steven yourself for her to be able to actually "forget" him, as YOU say!

No, we don't dismiss our partner's upset bc we're upset they haven't "forgiven & forgot"; that in itself is not very "mature".

And no, I don't think that her FUTURE/present!pool-move licenses Past!Steven, present/future!Max, whoever, to give her past-self flack.

Yes, at the older age you must realize that sometimes you've got to be the one to make an end of things or have built up some thicker skin to generate some peace as you're not even in the same spaces anymore like you were in college when the guy truly was making life hell enough for you to drop a class.

Yes, the pool scene shows she has little progress than she should. That in no way negates how Steven hasn't either, he's just now even better at hiding his crazy...I mean that damn speech?

Yes, we the audience know that Steven is slighting both Lucy & Diana with his whole "find the right one to do the work for"; but people like Max don't.

Steven also says he was the idiot (notice how he makes it abt him), there is enough for some inattentive, inexperienced, distracted, or ignorant people to take it as if he's being self-effacing...but no, he *ended* his speech w/that dig. This and the sales comment abt her "as long as you're happy" (when we already heard him say to Diana that he basically thinks working in sales is "beneath" him). HE hasn't changed, not one bit. He will always try to get his lick in, as present/future!Pippa says he will and has not ever "changed".

Again, I can't exactly "hate" Lucy for the pool scene even as I am exasperated with her for it. I hate discrepancies like these where one ends up "hating" the wrong person the most, makes me misanthropic (not just misandirist).

Last Notes...

So, real life-wise, yeah, Future!Lucy, stop, just remove yourself from those group of so-called "friends" AND Max and get some therapy. Otherwise, you're just choosing to be toxic. Yes, the letter about Drew was much, but that is more misguided defending a dead girl who shouldn't have died. The way she went about it was concerning, but not unfoundly malicious. Yeah, her telling Steven abt Lydia's personal shit was terrible of her and maybe it's bc she had many experiences from Lydia actually doing as she did with that stupid poop comment to embarrass her. That was shitty, but I am also not going to remove the described possibility abt Lydia when we know Lydia is perhaps the biggest pick-me to ever pick me in this entire cast and is def jealous of Lucy. I think it's important to note that Lucy one time punched Lydia's ex when he basically cheated on her publicly or something along those lines. And, as Lucy says, she was trying to take care of Steven the way she thought she was (as some people will say Diana might be trying to while getting back at Lucy).

Perhaps Lucy and Steven are a pair who drag everyone around them, with Lucy sending that letter (Wrigley's accident, Drew's mental dive) and also having slept w/Evan & that also having lead to Bree getting w/Oliver but Bree wasn't forced to sleep w/Oliver even as she searches for validation form him she's missing from Evan and her friends. And Wrigley having allowed his mates to harass Pippa, having joined other boys/men in inviting only freshmen girls who he later says are a "curse", when he's the one who suggested this stupid ass game for this group of people (we don't nearly give enough flack for tis when this basically set up the entire evening along w/Steven's bullshit, but apparently we will give Lucy flack for the pool scene above all else)...Evan not only cheating but making Bree feel she's crazy for questioning his overcompensation, then getting mad when she wouldn't give him the time of day when she's really just distracted, then him stringing along the girl I don't remember the name of. All of these people are quite capable of creating their own drama without Lucy, esp with how they refuse to let Steven go or pay attention and hold him accountable, go ALL the way with him.

I think that a present popular audience feeling that Lucy is somehow "close" to Steven's level and type of toxicity are themselves serving to protect mal predation and bad acting. Something these "friends" are doing, ironically.

So I will always have the most smoke for Stephen & the other men THE MOST. As I also ream Lydia Pippa, Bree, Diana....not just Lucy, as it appears people have and continue to do. Stephen is the un"fix"able provoker.

I love this damn show so much. i wouldn't be friends or even acquaintances with any of them, yes inclu Lucy & Wrigley.

[ghostofashina]

the sluttiest thing a man can do is have long hair:

LEO SUTER & SAM REID understood the assignment

[miss-yrrosa]

"Willed to live."

----

"Master Leonardo?"

"Hmn."

"Is it true you all were ever scared when captured long?"

Leonardo leans down to face Casey's level, but Casey is quicker and takes it as an invitation to climb on his lap instead. Like he had done so many times before.

Leo understood his assignment. It was story time.

"Sometimes, Casey, some of the people here were held prisoner in situations not quite as fair as they should be. Places with mystic bars and chains. So dark, and so cold, and dangerous with the unknown to follow, there should not have been a single spark of hope of ever making it out... alive. And in these moments, many who went through this were only driven to keep breathing, with the knowledge that they were not yet alone. They willed each other to live. To keep on living." Leonardo says, a smile on his face that carries high, yet is filled with hidden sadness.

Sadness he knows he can't hide from Casey, even if he tries. But Casey only seems more curious now.

"Woah... So... Master Donatello... And uhm... Commander O'neil... They... willed each other to live too? When they were held in mystic medieval prison?"

Leonardo was taken aback. The knowledge of this kid was amazing. This had happened years ago. He was so little, how did he even know? Had he remembered?

"They did... When all they could do was reach out to confirm each of the other was still there. Could only touch nose to nose and demand the same in silence... "Don't disappoint me. Survive. Because in this place of darkness, you are now my only light." No matter how hurt, or scared, or cold the other was."

"Is that what love is? Never giving up for each other, even if it's hopeless?"

Leo laughed a little at the innocence of his question. Nothing but curiosity. But he knew what he was hinting at.

"That is more than love, Casey. Even if they didn't fully know it yet. That is love... with pure devotion."

----

This deserves a fanfic at some point, I like the idea.

[happyinjection]

♠️♥️High Card Short Story 1 “Mint Soda and Cafe au Lait Float”♦️♣️ (1/3)

When the black phone rings, it’s a sure sign of another mission. Today’s mission is...?

Original: https://twitter.com/highcard_pj/status/1529296246149550082

Author: https://twitter.com/poipheno

Artist: https://twitter.com/ebimoji3

I was organizing the documents on my desk when I heard the black antique phone ringing again today.

“Bernard speaking.”

Not even a greeting came from the other end of the line, as the caller went straight to the requirements. “...understood. Leo, Wendy, and Vijay are out on other businesses, so I’ll let the other two go on this one.” It’s likely that the CEO is contacting me more often because the situation is becoming more dire. “Please do not worry about it. Everyone starts out small... and they are growing better everyday. We shall continue watching over them for now.”

After being chastised for having such a naive belief, I hung up. 

“Well... sometimes even I do wonder if they are being serious about their job.”

♠️♥️♦️♣️

“Chris-san, Finn-san—” As I came out of the office and entered the showroom, I was immediately met with an abundance of playing cards shooting through the air and scattered all over the place.

“C-close! Finn, that was really close, what a pity!” “Whoa, Bernard-ojisan! Did you see that? I think I’m gonna nail it for real this time!”

Lately, Chris had been keen on teaching Finn card tricks. I can’t help but let out a small sigh.

“Leo-sama will scold you if he caught you fooling around just because there are currently no customers around. I can’t guarantee that I would keep my mouth shut.”

Batting his mascara-thick eyelashes, Chris straightened his crimson suit. Meanwhile, Finn picked up the cards from the floor then climbed on his feet. I walked over to help fix his crooked tie.

“This is a direct order from the president. The two of you are assigned on a new mission together.”

“What, now? Like, right now? Why are we always given directive on such a short notice~?”

When Finn raised an eyebrow, Chris added,

“From the president’s perspective, we’re nothing more than mere labor force. Once he no longer needs us, we would be no different than pawns to be discarded. But the truth is we are valuable players. That’s why I want us to be treated with more respect.”

“Now, now, let’s not speak too harshly.”

Chris gave a half-hearted grunt in return as he brushed his charcoal gray hair back.

“Anyway, jii-chan, what’s the objective this time?”

Finn stood up with his back straight like a child getting dressed for school, staring directly into my eyes. I adjusted the knot of his tie and tapped at the final result. He wiggled his neck as if he was still getting used to the suit, as though it was still a tad too tight.

“We’re dealing with a mafia transaction. There’s a possibility that a card is involved, so please go and investigate.”

“Is it the Klondike family?”

“No, not at all. They are not a very well-known mafia organization, but they have been active as of late. That said, please be on guard.”

“Gotcha, gotcha. Finn, let’s stop at a cafe on the way there. Today I’m in the mood for a caramel latte float.” He twirled the car keys with his finger.

“Whatever you say, I guess.”

“Hey, what’s up with that attitude?”

Gently, I nudged Finn toward the exit door. 

“Chris-san. You are Finn-san’s mentor, so please take a good care of him. And then, Finn-san, what was the promise that you made before?”

“Um, let’s see... ‘don’t immediately charge forward without permission’!”

“That’s right. You remembered it well, didn’t you.”

I chuckled, and he gave me a boyish grin over his shoulder in return.

“Come on, let’s go, Finn~”

“I’ll send over the details and the map of the location to you.”

“Alright then, jii-chan, I’m off!”

“Have a safe trip. It’s only a nice little detour.”

With his back turned at me, Chris waved his hand, walking away. I watched as Finn ran to catch up with him.

♠️♥️♦️♣️

TL notes: I’m in no way a professional translator so if you find any mistakes, please do not hesitate to inform me right away. I love the High Card gang and I found it very unfortunate that while it is meant to be a multimedia project, I can’t seem to find the translated versions of any materials (beside the anime) anywhere (if this is against copyright, I will take it down). Hopefully this small TL would help international viewers gain better understanding of HC universe and characters. The author of these SS himself said that he hoped fans would have their “so that’s what it is!” moments when they watch the anime after reading his short stories. So with that in mind, let’s enjoy High Card together~