#sky was treated weirdly anyway

[srslylini]

I think the funny thing is that the writers not agreeing with each other who Sky is in that universe setting translates into the show as well.

Cause they build Viktor's and Sky's relationship and they show how Viktor likes talking with her and then when she disappears he says something along the lines of "I'll miss talking to you" and she suddenly and randomly says

"No you won't"

??????

HUH. like what was the indicator of that? like someone explain her line to me how does that make sense I'm so serious

[zapreportsblog]

Hi, so, I'd like to request a one shot with Billy and Stu x Reader who looks cute and innocent, she can even trick them into thinking she's a sweet lamb, they are kinda friends? Like, the boys like to hang around her house, since she's almost always alone, and they watch horror movies together and all, Billy being creepy as always and Stu weirdly cute. Anyways, she looks so sweet and innocent, but, in reality, she has some dark thoughts and when a guy from school treats her bad or something like that (I'm think of her bing like a hidden Pearl) she kills him, but no one knows, after that she starts to go into a killing spree and the boys get worried she'll be a victim of this new killer, until they catch her killing, being stained with blood. I'd love if you could write it, so thanks ❤️ (English is not my first language, so sorry for any grammar error)

Oh no this was perfect so even if English isn’t your first language I got what you had in mind

↳ devil in disguise ↲

✭ pairing : billy loomis x reader x stu macher

✭ fandom : scream

✭ summary : billy loomis and stu macher befriend the new girl, there something about the innocence in her that has them wanting to keep her close, but what they don’t know is that underneath all that innocence is a psycho killer watching and building up.

✭ authors note : this will be pretty fucking long let’s be honest but I hope you enjoy :)

Appearances can be deceiving, a truth that resonates throughout the intricate tapestry of human nature. In the complex dance of life, the most innocent of individuals often harbor the potential for both light and darkness, a duality that echoes the very essence of existence.

Beneath the gentle facade of a kind smile, the spark of laughter, or the softness of a touch, lies a spectrum of emotions and desires that can lead down paths both virtuous and treacherous. Each person is a canvas painted with shades of morality, their choices a brushstroke that can create beauty or chaos, depending on the journey they choose to undertake.

The predator lurking within, the shadow of primal instincts, is a reminder that human beings are products of evolution, shaped by eons of survival instincts and genetic predispositions. In the heart of every individual, there exists a part that craves power, control, or fulfillment, a yearning that can manifest as ambition, passion, or even obsession.

Yet, it is important to recognize that the coexistence of light and darkness within us is not inherently sinister. It is a reflection of the human experience, a reminder that every choice is a crossroads, offering the potential for change, growth, and transformation. The predator within can propel us forward, driving us to achieve our goals, protect our loved ones, and forge our destinies.

In a world where appearances often mask the intricacies of the human soul, it becomes crucial to acknowledge the duality that resides within each of us. By embracing both our capacity for kindness and our susceptibility to darker urges, we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and those around us. The predator lurking within can serve as a cautionary tale, a reminder of the importance of self-awareness, empathy, and the conscious choice to channel our instincts toward the betterment of ourselves and society.

Ultimately, the dichotomy of light and darkness within us mirrors the complexity of the world we inhabit. It is a testament to the richness of the human experience, the endless potential for growth, and the ever-present opportunity to shape our narratives, whether we tread the path of the predator or harness the power of our inner light.

The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting its golden rays over the idyllic small town of Woodsboro. In the heart of the town, the high school's courtyard was a hub of activity, a place where friendships were forged and teenage dramas played out against the backdrop of lockers and laughter.

Stu Macher and Billy Loomis, the quintessential charismatic duo, leaned casually against the fountain. Their respective girlfriends, Tatum Riley and Sidney Prescott, stood nearby, laughter and conversations weaving a tapestry of youthful energy.

"Hey, ladies," Stu greeted with a grin, his bleached-blond hair catching the sunlight.

Billy's dark eyes sparkled as he echoed the sentiment, "Looking good as always."

As the quartet exchanged banter and shared glances, a figure caught their attention. Randy Meeks, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of horror movies and his perpetual enthusiasm, approached with a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. At his side was a girl who looked almost ethereal—a new face in a town where everyone knew everyone else.

"(Y/N), meet the gang," Randy said with exuberance, presenting the girl to the group.

(Y/N) stood shyly, her presence an aura of innocence and warmth. Her eyes were like open books, wide and filled with curiosity as she took in her surroundings. A white dress, loose yet gracefully hugging her figure, accentuated her delicate beauty. The boys, Billy and Stu, exchanged glances that spoke volumes—here was someone who radiated innocence and gentleness.

"Hey, (Y/N)," Tatum greeted with a friendly smile, extending a welcoming hand.

Sidney's eyes held a soft kindness as she added, "Nice to meet you."

"(Y/N)," Stu's voice was friendly, his grin never faltering.

But it was Billy who couldn't tear his gaze away. In his eyes, (Y/N) appeared as if she could do no wrong—a portrait of purity in a world where darkness often lurked. Her eyes reminded him of Bambi's, wide and open, untouched by the harsh realities of life.

"Hi," (Y/N) responded, her voice soft and sweet, as if her words were a whisper carried by the wind.

As the introductions and pleasantries continued, a sense of intrigue filled the air. The new girl was like a breath of fresh air, and the boys found themselves captivated by her presence. Billy's heart stirred, his curiosity piqued by the enigma that was (Y/N).

As the days stretched into a week, the dynamic between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) began to evolve. To the casual observer, it seemed like the boys were constantly bothering her, popping up unexpectedly and causing her to jump with exaggerated "scares." (Y/N)'s jumpy nature only seemed to fuel their amusement, and they reveled in the opportunity to tease her.

"(Y/N), you really need to work on your reflexes," Stu teased, a wide grin playing on his lips.

Billy joined in, smirking, "Yeah, seriously, what are you so jumpy about?"

Inside, however, their thoughts took on a darker undertone. Each little expression that flickered across (Y/N)'s face was dissected in their minds, and they toyed with the idea of involving her in their sinister games. But deep down, they couldn't shake the notion that she was different, that her innocence was genuine, and that she deserved more than the fate they had planned for their victims.

One night, as they lounged around in Stu's living room, the topic of their potential victims came up, their voices hushed as they spoke of Ghostface's next target.

"You know, man, I've been thinking," Stu mused, his tone contemplative.

Billy's eyes met Stu's, curiosity gleaming within them. "About what?"

"(Y/N)," Stu replied, his voice surprisingly serious. "I mean, yeah, we've joked about her being our next victim, but... I don't know, there's something different about her."

Billy's brows furrowed in thought, his expression mirroring Stu's. "Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing. Her innocence... it's real, isn't it? I mean, it can't be faked."

Stu nodded, a somberness settling over them. "She's the only one in this school who doesn't put on a facade. I mean, just look at her. She's not trying to impress anyone or play games. She's just... herself."

As the two friends contemplated (Y/N)'s genuine nature, a decision began to crystallize within them. The idea of involving her in their deadly plans felt wrong, as if they were tainting something pure. The darkness within them seemed to clash with the light that (Y/N) exuded.

"Maybe she's the exception," Billy mused. "Maybe she deserves something better than what we had planned."

Stu's gaze was resolute. "I agree. We can't touch her. She's... untouchable."

And so, in the midst of their twisted games and hidden motives, (Y/N) emerged as a beacon of authenticity, a figure they couldn't bring themselves to tarnish. Their dark thoughts and desires were held at bay, overruled by the recognition that some innocence was too pure to be tainted.

As the days continued to unfold, the bond between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) deepened, shaped by unspoken understanding and the realization that appearances could indeed be deceiving. In the shadows of their minds, they grappled with their own darkness while protecting the fragile light that (Y/N) represented—an innocence they couldn't bring themselves to shatter, even in the midst of their sinister games.

The bond between Billy, Stu, and (Y/N) deepened with every passing day, an unspoken connection that drew them together. As the days grew longer, they found themselves gravitating toward her house, seeking her company whenever they could. They had adopted a role of self-proclaimed bodyguards, protecting her from a danger she didn't even know was real.

"(Y/N), you seriously need to upgrade your horror movie tolerance," Stu laughed one evening, sprawled on the couch as a horror movie played on the TV screen.

"Yeah, seriously," Billy chimed in from the armchair, his eyes fixed on (Y/N) with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

Despite her jumping at some of the movie's more intense scenes, (Y/N) laughed, trying to play it off. "Hey, don't judge me. I'm just not used to all this scary stuff."

Stu grinned, an idea forming in his mind. "You know what would be fun? A horror movie marathon. We'll toughen you up."

Billy's eyes gleamed with a sinister amusement, his gaze lingering on (Y/N) as he added, "Yeah, that's a good idea. Get you ready for the real thing."

Unbeknownst to (Y/N), their intentions were far from innocent. In their twisted minds, they envisioned her as the ultimate victim—the damsel in distress they could play out their darkest fantasies with. Billy's creepy stares and Stu's vivid imagination blended seamlessly with their supposed role as protectors.

As the marathon continued, (Y/N) did her best to keep her composure, laughing off her jumps and enjoying the company of her friends. She glanced at Billy and Stu, both absorbed in the movie, their expressions revealing something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Hey, you guys aren't actually planning to scare me for real, are you?" (Y/N) quipped, a playful glint in her eye.

Billy's lips curled into a charming smile, masking his true thoughts. "Of course not, (Y/N). We're your protectors, remember?"

Stu's grin was genuine, his gaze softening as he added, "Yeah, we're not gonna let anything happen to you."

Despite the odd tension in the room, (Y/N) felt a genuine warmth emanating from them. The camaraderie they shared was precious to her, and their presence was a comfort amidst the backdrop of uncertainty.

As the days turned into weeks, (Y/N)'s interactions with Billy and Stu continued to deepen, their friendship a blend of innocence and darkness that seemed to mirror her own conflicted thoughts. Beneath her sweet exterior, a hidden pearl of darkness lay dormant, waiting for the right catalyst to awaken it.

One day, after school, (Y/N) found herself crossing paths with a guy from school who had treated her with disdain. His words had been sharp, his actions cruel, leaving a lingering bitterness within her. As she walked away, her fists clenched and her thoughts turned dark. Anger simmered beneath her surface, and a newfound resolve began to take hold.

That night, the moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the town. (Y/N) moved with a determination that belied her innocent appearance. Her actions were swift, her thoughts cold and calculated as she carried out a plan that would forever change the course of events.

The next day, news of the guy's death spread like wildfire. Whispers of foul play and shock resonated through the school corridors. Nobody suspected the innocent new girl, the one with wide eyes and a demeanor that seemed incapable of harm.

As the days turned into weeks, the incident faded into the background, but (Y/N)'s newfound darkness lingered within her. She grappled with the conflicting emotions that surged within, a duality that remained hidden from the world.

Billy and Stu watched from the shadows, unaware of (Y/N)'s secret but sensing a shift in her. They continued their roles as her protectors, the twisted bond between them growing stronger. Little did they know, they were not the only ones harboring darkness.

The trio continued to spend time together, their connection both genuine and unsettling. (Y/N)'s thoughts were a storm of conflicting desires, her actions a reflection of the hidden Pearl within her—a darkness that had tasted blood and now hungered for more.

In a town where appearances were often deceiving, (Y/N) navigated the delicate balance between innocence and darkness. The lines between right and wrong blurred as her hidden thoughts and actions remained shrouded in secrecy, while the world continued to see only the sweet, innocent new girl who could do no harm.

As (Y/N)'s dark inclinations grew, so did the trail of bodies left in her wake. The once-hidden pearl of darkness had been fully awoken, and her actions took on a chilling rhythm. Each victim was carefully chosen, their lives extinguished with a methodical precision that sent shivers down her own spine.

Billy and Stu, the twisted duo who had unknowingly played a role in (Y/N)'s descent into darkness, began to notice the change in her demeanor. Their concern grew as they realized that the one they had deemed untouchable was now capable of unspeakable acts. The irony was not lost on them—the protectors were now the ones who feared for her safety.

"(Y/N), are you okay?" Billy's voice held a note of unease as he approached her one afternoon.

She smiled sweetly, her eyes glinting with a hidden intensity. "Of course, Billy. I'm fine."

Stu's eyes were sharp as he added, "You seem... different lately."

(Y/N)'s laughter was almost melodic, a stark contrast to the darkness that seemed to dance within her eyes. "Oh, just exploring new aspects of myself."

As the bodies continued to pile up, news of the new killer on the loose spread throughout the town. Fear and paranoia took hold, and Billy and Stu's concern for (Y/N) grew exponentially. They watched her closely, trying to discern the truth behind her smiles and the shifting shades within her gaze.

One evening, as they gathered at Stu's house, the topic of the killer came up once again. "(Y/N), have you heard about this new killer?" Stu asked, his tone casual.

She feigned innocence, her voice dripping with sweetness. "Oh, I've heard. It's terrible what's happening."

Billy's voice was strained as he pressed, "You haven't seen anything suspicious, have you?"

She met their gaze, her eyes a storm of hidden secrets. "Oh, nothing suspicious. Just a town gripped by fear."

The tension in the room was palpable, a silent recognition passing between them that (Y/N)'s dark thoughts were far more than they could have imagined. In their quest for power and control, they had inadvertently unleashed a force they couldn't fully comprehend.

As the days turned into nights, the town continued to reel from the new killer's actions. While the trail of bodies grew, (Y/N) remained a step ahead, her innocence a perfect mask for her true nature.

Billy and Stu's worry for her safety intensified, their twisted roles as protectors becoming a desperate attempt to shield her from a danger they were unaware she posed herself. In a chilling dance of fate, the lines between predator and prey blurred as (Y/N) navigated her dark path, leaving those around her to grapple with the realization that appearances could indeed be deceiving.

The tension in the air was thick as the night sky hung like a heavy curtain over the town. Billy and Stu's concern for (Y/N) had reached a fever pitch, each body that dropped heightening their anxiety. Their roles as protectors had been twisted beyond recognition, their concern evolving into a fear they dared not admit.

In the midst of their own murderous pursuits, the two boys stumbled upon a sight that shattered their perceptions. Moonlight cast an eerie glow on the scene before them—their sweet, innocent friend standing amidst the remnants of a fresh kill, her hands stained with blood.

Frozen in their tracks, Billy and Stu stared at (Y/N), their breath catching in their throats. A palpable tension hung in the air, a silent acknowledgment of the darkness that now bound them all together.

Stu was the first to break the silence, his voice a mixture of confusion and desperation. "What... What the hell, (Y/N)?"

(Y/N)'s gaze remained steady, her eyes holding a mix of defiance and something deeper, something that Billy and Stu struggled to grasp.

"Billy, Stu," she said softly, her voice carrying a weight that belied her innocent exterior. "I know you've been worried about me. But you don't need to be. I've always known what I am."

Billy's voice trembled as he managed to speak, but it wasn’t from fear. No, it was something else he was feeling his heart pounding in his chest. "What are you talking about, (Y/N)?"

A knowing smile tugged at the corners of (Y/N)'s lips, her eyes glinting with a chilling clarity. "Predators and prey, Billy. It's the natural order of things. Carnivores feed on herbivores. But there are also omnivores—predators that feed on both."

Stu's confusion was etched across his face as he demanded, "What does that have to do with anything?"

(Y/N)'s gaze turned piercing as she took a step forward, her presence exuding an aura of both danger and inevitability. "I'm an omnivore, Stu. A predator that feeds on everyone and everything. It's just the way I am."

The stand-off continued, a twisted tableau of secrets, revelations, and darkness. The boundaries between their roles as predators and protectors had blurred, leaving them all to confront a reality they had never anticipated.

Stu's hand trembled as he reached up and pulled off his Ghostface mask, his expression a mix of vulnerability and confusion. "Why, (Y/N)? Why are you doing this?"

(Y/N)'s smile was haunting, her words carrying the weight of centuries of history. "Because, Stu, it's survival of the fittest. The world is full of predators and prey, and I've chosen to be a predator."

Billy's fingers gently grazed (Y/N)'s cheek, his touch sending a shiver down her spine. His eyes were filled with mischief as he moved her hair to the side, tucking it behind her ear. With a smirk playing on his lips, he leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You enjoy that, don't you?" he said, his words dripping with anticipation. "The thrill of killing."

(Y/N) stared up at him, her Bambi-like eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement. She nodded slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. It was a dark secret she had kept hidden from the world, a part of herself she had never fully embraced until now.

Stu, having observed the exchange, stepped forward after a moment of contemplation. He moved silently, his presence sending shivers down (Y/N)'s spine. As he stood behind her, his body pressed against hers, an unexpected warmth spread through her veins.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. The embrace was both comforting and electrifying, a mix of tenderness and danger. (Y/N) found herself leaning into him, her breath catching as she surrendered to the darkness within.

Together, the trio began to explore the depths of their twisted desires. A newfound bond formed, fueled by their shared secrets and the thrill of the unknown. They reveled in the chaos they created, leaving a trail of darkness in their wake.

As the nights grew longer and their actions more audacious, (Y/N) realized she had found her true family. In Billy and Stu, she had discovered kindred spirits who understood her in ways no one else ever could.

Their connection went beyond the realm of friendship. It was a dark and wicked love, forged in blood and mayhem. They would stand together, united in their pursuit of chaos, forever entangled in each other's embrace.

And so, (Y/N) embraced her dark side fully, relishing in the exhilaration of the hunt, and finding solace in the arms of those who shared her twisted desires.

[thefailedabortioon]

The string that holds us together || Byler

WARNINGS: internalized homophobia

short summary: where mike finally spills the beans. and meanwhile on an ordinary night in november, two boys depart in a garage

requests are open!!

a/n: hai another flickergate fic to add onto the other 18 already existing fics. ^_^

heres the link to the og tumblr post (well, i think its the og post 😭) anyways i’ll stop yapping enjoy!

Will Byers had finally made a fascinating discovery; Mike Wheeler was an asshole.

Honestly, he didn’t know why he defended the guy for so, so long. Mike treated him like shit, why would Will feel like he should be the one begging for forgiveness to him?

Like, take for example, he didn’t even bother apologizing to Will after their argument in the rain. After he’d lost Will again when he biked away. The rain drowning his tears rolling down his red cheeks away. Even after he and Lucas had found him near Castle Byers destroyed by Will’s own hands, his lips never uttered a singular “Sorry.” Oh, but him and El? Those two made up quick. Next thing Will knew, Mike was professing his love for her and how he “couldn’t lose her again!” Has he ever said that about Will? His own best friend?

Or maybe, how Mike probably never even dared to pick up a pen and start inking down a letter for Will. He could write down El letters no problem. Hell, he could write her an entire book! But to Will? Someone he’s known since he was six years old! He couldn’t even call? Then, of course, to make up for the no contact, he decided to give Will the most half-assed hug to ever exist at that airport.

Or how about when he forgot his birthday. March 22nd. His best friend. Someone who Will considered the most special person he’s ever met. Someone who Will wants to spend the rest of his life with, forgets his own birthday. Who the hell does that? I mean, what? They’ve friends for seven- eight years?!

But right now, right now he has to pretend none of that ever even happened. He has to shrug all of that away. Pretend his heart wouldn’t ache at how he was slowly losing his once best friend.

Because some shit is more important than how his old tight-knit relationship with Mike is literally hanging on by a thread at this point. Like how they needed to save the world. Again.

The Upside Down was dark. And cold. It didn’t look like it changed at all, but even so, a chill ran through Will’s back with every step they took in this twisted dimension. Then somehow, by some Satan-blessed miracle, he got lost with the last person he wanted to be with; Michael Wheeler. Just peachy.

“I-I’m just saying, it’s a fucking wonder how Steve Harrington managed to survive in this shithole for so long, you know? Like- My sister, she’s a fucking badass, right? And Eddie, that guy’s got survival instincts, he could thrive in an apocalypse for years. And that uh- what’s her name- Robin? Yeah, she’s- she’s cool. But Steve? The same guy who got absolutely shitfaced by your brother?” Mike scoffed.

“Uh-huh.” Will was only partially listening, trying to keep up behind Mike and his weirdly long legs.

They were navigating themselves towards the Wheeler’s house, but it’s literally (and figuratively) hell trying to look for it in the Upside Down’s dark atmosphere and clouded skies. The only thing lighting their ways was the bolts of lightning that would occasionally crack and thunder in the crimson red sky. Oh, and the continuous flickering of the streetlights.

Mike continued to ramble on, wanting to at least make small-talk, Will knew that this was just another way to try and cope with the fact they had gotten themselves lost in a completely different dimension. Another way to try and convince himself that everything will be fine. Will knew too well.

As they neared the neighborhood, a vine cracked around the two.

“Mike, shut up.” Will raised his shotgun, cocking it, the latter only nervously chuckled before gripping his pistol.

An eerie quiet fell between the two, it was suspenseful. Anxiety struck Mike between his ribs after every second that passed by that the silence didn’t break.

A loud screech played from the distance, and the two let out a deep sigh. “Holy crap.” Will exclaimed, lowering his gun on the ground. He sat down and brought his knees up to his chest, holding his head in his hands.

Mike’s breathing was all over the place, his heart was racing. (Because of his anxiousness. Not at all because of the way Will looked holding that gun.) Whatever that thing was hadn’t even attacked them, yet he was a rattling mess. To be fair, it is his first time in this hellhole.

“Are you okay?” Mike finally spoke, still trying to catch his breath.

“Fine.” Will swallowed a lump in his throat, “Let’s get going.”

Mike nodded, holding his hand out for Will to hold. Surprisingly, he didn’t refuse it, using it to get back on his feet. “Yeah, let’s go.” And just for a split second, Mike had given Will that look again. Where he just looks so mesmerized and smitten. As if Will had hung the stars in his dark horizon. It didn’t last for any longer than just a split second.

After a while of walking, they finally reached the Wheeler’s residence. Where everything happened. The house where Mike himself couldn’t even call it home. “Come on, follow me. I’ll lead you there.”

“I’ve been to your house a thousand times, Mike. I know where your garage is.” He wouldn’t let Mike see it, but in the faintest of all smiles, was a grin plastered on Will’s lips.

“Yeah, but it’s dark.” Mike retorted.

No shit, Sherlock! Was what Will wanted to say, bitterly. But he kept his mouth shut for the rest of the time. “Fuck. It’s locked.”

“Great.” He sighed, “Could you lead me to the keys as well?”

Mike hesitated to answer, as if he was debating if Will was being sarcastic or not, “It’s gotta be here somewhere.” He finally replied, pushing himself between Will and the door.

The two split up, despite how dim it was, Will at least had common sense. So he started to look for bowls that could hold the keys. Maybe they were hooked against the front door? He continued searching, flashing his light on for the darker areas of the house, such as the basement.

“Will!” Mike called out, running back to where he left him. “Found the keys!” He beamed, and Will literally felt his heart skip a beat at how much he missed seeing that smile.

“Don’t shout so loud! Remember, if any other creature hears you, so can Vecna.”

“Right. Sorry. Hive-mind.” He swung the keys around before twisting it in the door. “Open sesame.”

Will snorted, trying to keep his guard up for anything that could lunge at the them at any second. He shone his flashlight against the shelves on the wall. “Mike, crowbar.” With no question, Mike ran over and took it from the toolbox.

He stuffed it inside his backpack along with his other materials. As he tried to make it fit, a pair of longing eyes bore into the back of his head.

Will grimaced, when did they get so distant? Physically, they were close. But emotionally, it feels like he doesn’t even know him anymore. As if they haven’t known each other since kindergarten. As if he hadn’t replied ‘yes’ to him that day on the swings. It’s felt like eons since they last had a conversation without a thick cloud of awkwardness floating above them.

If El had never came along would their relationship remain the same? But then again, if she had never saved him, there would be no relationship at all. Will used to be so confused why he had so much hope in Michael Wheeler, but these past few years made him understand why. It’s just so hard to say it out loud and a guilt would rise in his throat every time he thought about it.

“Mike?”

His friend perked up at him, “Yeah?”

“Are we… still friends?”

“What?” Mike scoffed, confused.

“Yeah, why wouldn’t we be?” He paused, thinking it over. Were they? “You don’t- You don’t think of me as your friend anymore?” He asked, voice faltering in worry.

“No! No, I- I just..”

“What?”

“I dunno… we were just so close. But it feels like there’s this huge gap between the two of us now.”

“I…”

“It feels like you’ve been pushing me away.” Will finished, his brows furrowing.

“I’m not pushing you away.” The tallest out of the two stated, Mike looked dejected, like he was trying to convince himself of that more than Will, who broke through his lies easier than everyone else. Because Mike always kept his walls thin and easier to break whenever it was Will. Because it was him, and not anybody else.

“Then why does it feel like I can’t even say anything to you anymore?! Like, you just turned into everyone else? You didn’t even-“ Will cut himself off, tears burning the back of his eyes. He took a deep breath, wiping his hands on his pants.

Mike’s chest tightened, has he been neglecting Will? All this time? Something inside of him wanted to beat himself up for letting his friend- best friend deal with everything, his own inner conflicts all by himself.

Will let out a laugh, though there was no humor behind it. It was dry, flat. “Couldn’t even call?”

“What- What do you mean!?” He stuttered, “I did call, Will! I tried! But you never picked up! You’re acting as if you haven’t been pushing me away as well! Ever since- Ever since I arrived in Lenora you’ve been weird—“

“Weird? Really? Really, Mike?! I’ve been the one acting weird?”

“Yeah! Just-“ Mike sighed, “You know what? Forget it. It’s stupid.” Mike threw his hands in the air, trying to mediate the situation yet failing miserably. He grabbed a bike, removing its brakes, twisting the handles in his palm.

He wanted the fighting to just stop altogether. He couldn’t face Will. He couldn’t face the effects of the conflicts he caused. Because if he did, then everything would crumble. The Earth would crack and break in two while he tried to balance himself on both sides above the split made. And eventually, he’d fall. And fall endlessly into the scars of his mistakes. The scars that run deep into his veins, his soul. Everything hurts.

“No. No, Mike, you can’t keep doing this to me. You’re- you’re doing it again! You’re pushing me away! You’re shutting me out!”

“I’m not! Please, can we just stop?! This is meaningless okay? Where are you even going with this?! You want me to say sorry? Apologize?“

Will didn’t move or say anything, his brows furrowing further, his mouth pulled into a deep frown.

“Then I’m sorry, Will. I’m sorry! I’m really fucking sorry. I’ve been a selfish dickhead and I’ve just been scared. Okay?! So fucking scared.” He screamed, panicked. The first tear that dropped fell from Mike. The waves hit the walls hard, and it was as if a dam had finally broke. He finally broke. “I didn’t want to see- acknowledge you, I couldn’t even stand looking at you anymore! Because something in me would ache, like- like something burning in my fucking soul! And it hurts, Will. It hurts so much. And I’ve felt so guilty for everything that I just… I thought the best solution was to just push everyone away! Push you away…” His voice cracked at the end, tears falling endlessly against his rose tinted cheeks.

He huffed out a breath, “I’ve been going crazy because of it. And I just… I don’t want to keep lying to you anymore. Wasn’t that our number one rule? ‘Friends don’t lie.’ If- If you could even consider me as your friend anymore.” Mike wiped his tears away, ridding the blurriness in his eyes keeping him from seeing his best friend.

Will stood before him, mouth agape. He didn’t realize it, but at some point, he’d started crying as well. Everything, every word Mike said, it felt like boulders finally crashing down from Will’s shoulders, freeing him from the weight of his guilt.

“Mike…”

“I’m sorry. I’m so, sorry, Will. I shouldn’t have said anyth-“

“Stop apologizing for one fucking second, Mike!” Will cut him off.

And there was this moment. A beat.

Then without any thought or reason, driven by pure impulse, Will threw himself against Mike, colliding their mouths together. His lips were soft, and wet. Will had waited for this for so, so long, it became maddening and impossible for him to stop himself from lunging towards his best friend, his crush for basically nine years, the love of his fucking life. Will kept his hand against the low of Mike’s back, the other cupping his cheek. His thoughts scrambled, unable to make one coherent thought because he was kissing Michael Wheeler , (who he once thought was as straight as a ruler, but he’s been wrong about a lot of things.) Kissing Mike was like finally letting go of all the suppressed tension bottling inside of his stomach. Kissing Mike was freeing his soul from the chains of his insecurity and hopelessness. Kissing Mike felt so fucking good.

Fireworks exploded in Mike’s head when he finally got to taste Will Byers, or maybe that was just lightning thundering behind them. The piece of string that wouldn’t stop pulling at his heart had let go. And all the yearning, and hoping, and wishing came true. Everything became so confusing, he hadn’t imagined Will to even look at him with that same look of longing he’d always give him. And so God help him, if this was another cruel trick by Vecna, he’d rather just get it over with. Like ripping off a bandaid. He grabbed Will’s hands, intertwining them into his own.

Will finally pulled away, lips pink. Sometimes he wished human beings didn’t need oxygen to live, because then he could kiss Mike for longer than eternity. “If you’re… going crazy, then we’ll go crazy together. Okay?” He said firmly.

“Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Crazy together.”

Will tittered, “Asshole.” He held his best friend close, not wanting to let go.

A loud buzz rung above the two, the light in the Wheeler’s garage started to glow. And faintly, you could hear an echo of a voice from the other side.

—

Meanwhile, on a seemingly ordinary day in November, were two boys giving their final goodbyes to each other for the night.

“It was a seven.”

The other turned.

“The roll, it was a seven. The demogorgon, it got me.”

“Oh.”

“See you tomorrow!”

As Will biked away, a flicker of the ceiling light buzzed in the garage.

[pseudoartistpostsstuff]

ok so I saw your recent Lu post and what can I say except I'm a sucker for how you write sky, so would I be able to request reader taking him up on that date he offered? (and perhaps Yan! wars or time trying to sabotage it out of jealousy?)

I'm happy you liked it! Anyways, thank you for requesting :]

Notes: This took a while, I know. The year is restarting thus my time is running thin, I'm still working on asks on my free time.

I really want to use the nickname 'sugar' but the song from beemovie starts playing at the mere thought of it.

This is a part two of the Kabedon Challenge but it can be read by itself as well.

TWs: Yanderism.

LU! Sky, Warriors and Time x Reader

Mollis; soft, gentle, tender [...]

The team was supposed to leave the village to get back on the road right after breakfast. 

That was, before a villager came running down the street, screaming.

“Monsters! There are monsters outside my house!”

Obviously, the men who you were traveling alongside with went to check what all the ruckus was about. 

Most of them did at least, Wild just calmly finished eating breakfast with you before going over to where they had run off to.

Turns out the villager lived just little ways away from the village, not only being in danger himself but also endangering the village. He was a farmer, there was a monster camp right outside his farm, and it somehow hadn’t been aggravated until now.

Beating the monsters wasn't hard, there weren’t many and everyone was rested enough to do it easily. 

Other villagers, seeing what happened, insisted on paying them back somehow. Staying at the inn another night for free? You got it! Rupees? Didn’t even have to ask!

After staying a few months with The Chain you learned that those types of things just happened every once in a while. It was pretty nice, although you felt slightly uncomfortable every time some villagers shot you displeased looks, sometimes you could even hear the whispering. Questioning how come you were with them if you couldn't do anything useful, like fighting or magically healing.

As tiring as it was, things like those just happened, and it wouldn’t be the first nor last time someone questioned your worth. Those villagers proved to be very bitter, too, it upset you a lot more whenever a Link would come to interact with one of them just to receive rudeness in response. It didn’t matter which Link, either, ranging from Sky to Time, they would all receive the same treatment. 

It was unbelievably satisfying seeing said villagers get shut down by Time’s glare or Twilight’s ominous aura, or even by Legend, Wind and Four who liked to be rude back to them. Warriors, Hyrule, Wild and Sky don’t even need to glare at them or say anything (Even though Warriors and Wild easily would), normal villagers will stare at them weirdly for treating the heroes in such a way. 

Because of the villager's insistence, you ended up staying another day at the village. It was also hard to say no to another night under a roof and on a cozy bed in your current conditions.

As the villagers took up all the attention from the heroes after the fight, you spent your time cleaning the bowls and cutlery used by the men and you during the short breakfast. As much as you'd rather spend your time doing nothing, those simple chores made you feel more useful for them, even more so because for the most part they just didn't know how to do most of those things, having spent a big chunk of their lives on the road and not doing normal things at home.

Really, the best ones at doing normal chores were Time and Wind, Time having done it a lot to help Malon out and Wind to help his grandmother. Those two turned chores into something actually fun, normally being the ones to do them alongside you whenever Wild was busy with anything else. It made you a bit upset that none of the three could be there now, but that feeling was soon forgotten when you felt a presence near you.

"Hey! Do you need any help? I know how cleaning oily bowls can be annoying, I helped Lady Henya in cleaning these things whenever I could back then." Sky scratched the back of his neck sheepishly while sending a closed eye smile your way, sitting down with his legs crossed next to you, watching as you cleaned the dirty dishes left by them.

"I'm already done, don't worry." You smiled at him. It was funny how this world worked, Links had the tendency of wanting to help while people around them had the tendency of wanting to be helped. "Aren't you supposed to be with the villagers? They seem to be especially chatty today."

"They have eight other heroes with them, I doubt they'll even notice the lack of one" 

"Alright, that makes sense. Did you want something or did you just come here to stare at me while I finish washing these?" You put the now clean dishes aside in a towel, and got up to take them back to the bag they were supposed to be in, holding the ends of the towel in your fist to act as a makeshift bag. Sky scrambled to follow after you as you walked back to the village, you made sure to slow your step as he catched up rather clumsily, this forced a smile onto your face, since you were usually the one in his place, not the other way around.

Sky was, currently, by far one of your favorite Links. His gentle way of being could force a smile on anyone's face, if the magic of friendship could ever win a fight Sky was undoubtedly the closest to accomplishing said feat. Hurting Sky was probably equal to stabbing an electric wire, it would hurt you just as much as it hurt him.

The dirty blond sent you another of that angelic smiles of his, his fingers intertwined with one another, turning and rolling as he silently followed after you, when you looked at him, his eyes were anywhere but on you, whenever you looked away his eyes fell back on you. Sky was never good at hiding his nervousness, it showed in his body language. You thought he had already forgotten your question by the time he answered, the silence around you made you capable of hearing his quiet words, the already slow pace slowing even more to a full stop. You turned to him, patiently waiting for him to find the words he needed.

"The village here… They have a shop that sells your favorite food, or at least, the one you said you really liked when Wild made it that one time." The ends of his mouth still curled as he spoke, clearly hinting at another smile, or the same one from the start, a constant smile he couldn't seem to be able to avoid whenever you spent time together. But it's not like he wanted to, he had to avoid this type of things most of the time, to be a knight, a hero, meant being someone tough. Maybe that is why being around you, specially alone, when people couldn't see this side of him, felt so refreshing, you didn't mind his soft way of being, even encouraged it sometimes.

The others were loud and intense. It was nice, for the both of you, to have calm, soft, moments together. These moments felt like being alone but not lonely, being together felt safe for the both of you, like you're allowed to be yourselves without having to keep a front to prove anything to anyone. He felt like he was allowed to be himself around you without it making you doubt his capability in any way.

"You still want me to go on the date with you, Link?" The man's smile seemed to brighten at the mention of his name. Being alone with you meant he was just Link, he wasn't "The Hero of the Skies", neither of you needed to address the title when you were by yourselves. He yearned for these times, to be able to hear his name coming out of your mouth, meant only for him and none of the others.

You observed the way he smiled, it was funny he was nicknamed after the sky when the sun was the one his smile challenged, pure as the light coming from the old star. The thought made you want to giggle but you refrained from doing so, not wanting him to misunderstand the gesture and think it was directed at his proposal. You wished to be able to remember the new nickname later and come up with a few for the others as well, it would be nice to vary a little. 

"If you want to. It- it doesn't even need to be considered a date if you aren't okay with that!" He tripped over his words to answer you. In return, you shaked your head.

"Of course! I'll be happy to go on a date with you, Link." You smiled, moving to take his hands into yours slowly, doing it so that he could pull away at any time if he wasn't comfortable with the gesture. You felt his hands release their grip on one another as you took them, seeing as he chose to intertwine his fingers with yours instead. 

His hands were like the rest of his being, they were softer than Wild's, but still hardened in the places he had a grip on the handle of his sword. They were a little bigger than yours and had a slight tremble which ceased the moment your hands took his.

He let out a breath, looking up at his face proved it wasn't out of displeasure in any way. You found him looking down at where your hands linked with his, his head tilted to the side as he smiled in a relaxed way, not showing teeth, he barely lifted the corners of his mouth.

The moment was prolonged for a few more seconds, enough so that it was slow, but not awkward.

"How about tonight? If there is no other time you were already planning on, of course" You proposed. He chuckled.

"Honestly, I didn't think I would be past this point in the first place, so yeah, afternoon is good."

You two laughed, resuming walking towards where everyone was, unaware of the two pairs of eyes watching you.

"You see that shit, old man?" A certain Link with a blue scarf watched the two of you with displeasure in his gaze, a displeasure named jealousy.

"Of course I do, I'm not completely blind yet." Time groaned from behind a cross-armed Warriors.

"Hey, hey! I'm not the one here you're supposed to be directing that towards!" Warriors exclaimed, defensively, referring either to Time's glare or salty remarks, maybe both. The older man only sighed in response, looking over to where the duo they were watching was last seen, having just gone around a corner their line of vision didn't reach.

"I know. I'm not directing anything at you."

At this, silence took over the two once more. It wasn't hard to tell what the two were thinking about, as immature as it was, jealousy could go a long way.

"Do you want to help me stop them?"

"That may be one of the stupidest things I've ever heard coming out of your mouth, cap." Warriors still didn't look away from him, watching as he made a decision in silence, Time looked away from his gaze. If Malon was here she would beat his ass for this.

"I'm in."

A few hours later it was finally mid-day, just around the time you and Sky had agreed to go to said shop.

Everything was going smoothly, the day had gone normally despite Warriors acting a bit weirdly. When evening finally came, you two were walking towards the shop when Time himself strategically called upon you two to dinner.

"Sorry guys, we're eating over there today, we can eat together tomorrow." Sky spoke through his teeth, trying to keep a calm facade despite his furrowed eyebrows. He had caught on to what their strategy was about an hour before this, when he heard Time unpretentiously asking Wild to make one of your favorite foods for dinner.

"Yeah, sorry guys but we are going to eat out today." You denied, pointing to the shop in which your date would happen, going to grab Sky's hand when he catched yours first.

Wind lifted an eyebrow, looking up to the starry sky and around himself, seeing as they were right outside the inn you guys were going to stay tonight for the last time. "This is out though." He looked back at the both of you, a confused look in his face.

"Oh, you mean out as in that shop over there right?" Said Warriors, dramatically pointing over to where you had just pointed to. Your expression changed to a bored one, knowing that whenever he acted dramatically it could only mean something stupid was about to happen. Warriors sighed. Dramatically. "That's too bad, Wild had just made this great food with extra love and care while thinking about you and now some of it is going to waste." He shaked his head, smiling deviously when he saw you look curiously at the food Wild had just finished. Wild had a confused expression of his own, he himself wasn't aware that he was thinking about you while making dinner.

After tries and errors Wild had become a great cook, and you just generally liked his cooking, but there were a few of them that held you in an iron grip, one of them being the one he had made tonight, by Time’s request.

Not only did you love his cooking but you were also very weak when it came to them, it wasn't hard to make you feel guilty and in Hylia did they try their damnedest bests to exploit that weakness.

Sky's irritated face became increasingly sad as he saw yours become guilty. His grip on your hand weakened, realising you were about to give up your date night.

"Sorry guys, I promised and I'm not someone to go back on promises." You shrugged and pulled Sky's hand, not seeing as his face regained it's brightness, a giddy and slightly corrupted smile taking over his face. Time and Warriors stared at your retreating backs in shock, the others having displeased and jealous looks in their faces. You surprised everyone, even Sky, seeing as you hadn't promised anything, you lied for his sake. He didn't think he could fall deeper in love with you, but that moment he fell even deeper.

He was being selfish and he knew it, taking you away from the others like that.

But... Sky refrained from being selfish his whole life, just as the others did, always giving up everything he had and even what he didn't have for the sake of others.

Maybe it was okay to be selfish.

Just this once.

It's not like the others had given up on you either.

They were just as selfish. And now the duo had 6 more people to help sabotage your date.

After all, it wasn't finished, was it? This battle wasn't over yet.

[autumn-sweet-fae]

Minish Cap takes place Before the Tears of The Kingdom flash backs.

My proof? The wind tribe of Minish Cap.

Their story is eerily similar to what we learn of the Zonai’s:

A tribe of people who master a rare magic that allowed them to leave the ruins of their old home behind and ascend into a palace in the sky.

For the Zonai’s it was the technological advancements using zonite ore, for the Wind Tribe it was a mastery over wind and cloud magic.

And the other major difference? The zonai are clearly a race of dragon people, while the wind tribe all appear to be the same as hylians, but all with red hair. Jut like the Gerudo.

Now, the Gerudo are obviously very different from the Wind Tribe in allot of ways. Most obviously is the extreme rarity of male births among the Gerudo people. There’s also the darker complexions and the cultural difference of the Gerudo being a warrior people, while the Wind Tribe are stubbornly peaceful to the point of leaving hyrule to avoid conflict.

And yet, the Gerudo are notably absent in Minish Cap just as they were in the previous Skyward Sword.

So my my theory is that the Wind Tribe unwillingly became the Gerudo.

It begins gradually, with male births becoming less and less common, until a midwife’s take notice and bring attention to the issue. Try as they might, nothing seems to stop this strange phenomenon.

It’s possible they might have begun to struggle in other ways around this time too, whether it be a scarcity of resources, or the weakening of their own magic over wind.

The people become faced with the choice of either allowing they people to spiral into destruction, or break their secrecy and reconnect with the world below.

But, unlike the Zonai when they returned to hyrule, they were not seen as powerful gods bestowing gifts, but struggling refuges in need of aid. And so they were given just enough to survive, and when they’re palace above finally crumbled, the only lands available to them were the barren deserts.

There the centuries of adapting to their environment results in their change of appearance and culture. This injustice would also change a people, from peaceful isolationist far above any harm to a fiercely defensive isolationist distrustful of others.

It’s also interesting to see how there secrecy of their people from outsiders evolved into a ban against men who are now considered the outsiders.

Also, the Wind Tribe having been treated this way would beautifully explain the animosity between the Gerudo and the Zonai who were welcomed and given the right to rule hyrule. Animosity that the ambitious king Ganondorf happily took advantage of to rally his people to war.

It was in this moment that I remembered that Rauru is canonly the first king of Hyrule and thus must predate the Minish Cap royalty. But I got this far and the Rito somehow already weirdly exist this early so Fuck It! I was so proud of this!!

Anyway!! We’ll just pretend that the monarchy fell out of fashion a century or two after Minish Cap but the hyrule family kept power as souly religions leaders.

Back to my point. My final bit of proof to my theory are the Twinrova sisters Kotake and Koume, the elderly sisters who raised Ganondorf Dragmire of Ocarina of Time.

If you look behind TotK Ganondorf durring the thrown room memory, you will see two identical Gerudo wearing a teal and crimson skirt respectively. I believe these two to be the younger selves of the twins. Standing right behind Ganon as his top supporters and perhaps his sorcery protégés.

These two are confirmed to be over 400 years by the time of Ocarina of Time, so it’s no surprise if they are the same woman as seen in the memory. Plus this gives Ganondorf Dragmire a new spin, having been purposely raised to fill the shoes of TotK’s Ganon.

But yeah! That’s my rant. Rauru being the confirmed first king kinda takes some of the air out of its tires, but also that could start a convo on conquering and imperialism. Like say hyrule did have rulers that came before but due to it being long ago and so ‘primitive’ compared to the zonai, they weren’t counted.

[proudfreakmetarusonikku]

The rain soaked Tommy, and it felt as if it had gone past his skin and the cold wetness eked it’s way into his very bones and nervous system as he shivered.

The sky was dark and empty, no stars and a sliver of moon. It wasn’t a pretty sight, as dull and static as Tommy felt. Merely a black, endless void.

He chuckled quietly to himself, the sound lacking in humour. Fitting that sky would be the last thing he’d ever see. Well, that and the neon lights in gaudy colours, burning at his eyes, and the faint playing of muffled music from the casino, but he’d wanted his last sight to be of the stars.

Fitting that he couldn’t even be allowed that luxury.

With shaking hands, he nudged himself closer to the edge of the observation deck, legs hanging off the edge with just the pull of gravity ready to send him tumbling. Instinctively, he closed his eyes and let go.

And with a sudden tug, he was dragged back onto the tower by his hood.

He screamed, images forming in his mind of white masks and axes. He knew he wasn’t allowed to die, he wasn’t, he was going to be in so much trouble, it was stupid of him to even try and take that agency, so stupid, he'd broken out already and Tommy needed to accept that he was just a fucking plaything, and-

“Tommy?” Oh. Quackity. Her voice, unsteady and exhausted sounding, brought him back to reality as she let out a string of Spanish profanities under her breath.

Tommy mumbled some incomprehensible mess of syllables under his breath, only to be distracted when he was pulled into a tight hug. He could feel half-soaked lace, and realised Big Q was probably still in her pyjamas. His face flushed red in shame. That was all he could do, fucking ruin everything.

“Why are you up here all alone, especially in the rain?” Quackity's voice was weirdly soft, and Tommy got the vague sickness in his chest being treated like a child gave him. “I'd- I'd thought-“

“I was going to kill myself.” The words came out emotionlessly, numbly. “The fuck did you think I’d be doing?”

“I don’t know! I thought he'd got you!”

“Well, maybe I wish he would!” Tommy shouted, before covering his mouth in shock. “I- I mean-“

Instintively, Quackity shrunk away from him, curling up. The confident facade of maturity vanished, replaced with a familiar, primal fear, for just a second. “I… is it that bad? Staying here? I just wanted to keep you safe, after that- after he-“

“I just. I don’t like being treated like I’m made of glass. I guess.” Tommy looked at the concrete. “I mean, Dream would treat me like a fuckin' little kid, but he at least didn’t treat me like I was some fucking precious china that'd break if you looked at it wrong. ‘Course, that was because he preferred to beat the shit out of me, but… honestly? I just- I really just wanna be treated like a person. And- Big Q, you’re almost like a sister, right? I mean, you've got that thing goin' on with Wil-“

“What thing? The only “things” Wilbur has ever done are invent new methods of abandoning people without a second thought.” Quackity seethed.

“I mean, y’know, but like- it’s like, I mean, you basically are like an older sister, right? And you’ve always been, ‘cept for when you weren’t a girl yet.” Tommy furrowed his brow. “Though, I mean you were a girl, we just didn’t know it I guess? Anyway, I mean. I just. When I left that bunker, when Tubbo- well, he’s busy now, but- fuck, I just thought, you knew what he was like. And you wouldn’t- you’d understand, and you’d treat me like a human being if I hid here.”

Quackity looked at her hands for a long, long time. “I'm… I'm using the people I love again, aren’t I? I'd thought…”

“You’re not using me, you’re just being a prick. You haven’t made me do anything.”

“I don’t mean, like, fucking making you work the casino or whatever, God no. I’ve got employees to underpay.” The crooked grin she gave after that made Tommy unsure whether she was joking or not. “But… fuck. I’ve been using you to make myself feel like a better person. Like I’d- I'd-“

“It’s fine, big woman.”

“It's not! Like, Tommy, man, you tried to kill yourself! You shouldn’t be the one consoling me, that’s fucked up. That’s- I- I-“

“It’s fine. It’s not like I’m gonna ever get to die properly anyway.” The words came out much more bitter than he meant it to.

They sat there in silence, neither managing to soothe the other after all.

[pigeonwhumps]

Taglist: @extrabitterbrain @wolfeyedwitch

So. I desperately wanted to write Phoenix being kidnapped for the first time with Kai in the picture and actually being rescued by a hero for the first time in their life, except I can't think of Plot and I don't have time to write a full chapter anyway. So, here's a long drabble of Phoenix's first ever rescue by a hero (and wow their life sounds bad when I put it like that). I will hopefully eventually write the whole chapter as well!

CWs: past kidnapping and imprisonment, past abandonment, implied past torture, implied abuse

Phoenix is very, very confused when they come to.

There's the night sky above them twinkling with stars, and that doesn't make sense, the last thing they saw was the inside of a cold, dark cell. This... is certainly not that.

They shift the arm that isn't in tremendous pain, moving their hands apart for the first time in days, and soft fabric falls off them with a flump. The murmur of voices stops and a blue hair-topped face appears above them.

"Phoenix! You're awake!"

Phoenix winces. Kai's voice is loud after so many days and Phoenix can't tell how angry he is. He must be, right? After Phoenix went and got themself kidnapped. Their skin prickles as their camouflage activates weirdly, sensing their fear, turning different colours and patterns like disco lights or something, and they tangle their hands together.

"I'm sorry, sir," rasps Phoenix. "I didn't– I mean, it's not– um–"

"I think you're scaring them," says Aaron. Aaron? What's he doing here too? What are either of them doing here?

"Yeah, I worked that out. Hey, Phoenix, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you, or punish you for something that's not your fault." He drapes the fallen jacket back over Phoenix, taking their hands between his large warm ones and drawing circles on the back of them. "What did you think I was going to punish you for anyway?"

"My powers are, um, messed up. They're coming out and they shouldn't be." They don't try and demonstrate, Kai can see their skin changing colour.

"I wouldn't punish you for that."

"You haven't before but, um, I thought you might. What are you doing here? Not that I'm not grateful, I am, but I don't understand. How did you find me? How did I escape? I don't, um, remember that."

"You didn't," answers Aaron. "Can I check your arm? It was pretty bad when we got you out of the cell but I expect it's started to heal now." Phoenix nods, still confused, and Aaron peels back a bandage.

Phoenix almost retches at the sight and the memory and turns to Kai for a distraction.

"We rescued you, Aaron and I. You don't remember escaping because you didn't. The suits have built-in trackers since that incident with The Chosen Ones."

Phoenix shudders. They remember that time vividly, and they did know about the trackers, they just entirely forgot. Their mind is whirring around on steroids. "You rescued me? But... why?"

"You're our friend. And even if you weren't, one of the reasons for having a team is to have someone to help when you're in trouble. We will always come for you, Phoenix."

"Oh," they breathe. Kai smiles sadly, one hand moving up to run through their hair.

"Yeah. Oh."

"Your arm's healing nicely," says Aaron tightly. "I have some painkillers, if you want them."

"I–"–Kai looks at them, and they change direction–"yeah. Yes, please."

Aaron looks... relieved when they take the pills, gulping them down with a small bottle of water he hands them. The whole bottle. That relief is an unexpected expression to see on someone.

"Thank you."

"It's not a problem," says Aaron, too stiffly. Are they angry?

Well, nothing Phoenix can do about it now. At least they're treating their injuries, that's more than most people would do.

"Can I give you a hug?" asks Kai quietly. Phoenix jolts and nods, sinking into the older hero's arms as he wraps them carefully around them.

In Kai's warm, protective darkness, with the pain in their arm diminishing, Phoenix closes their eyes and lets long-held tears leak out. This is the first time they've ever been rescued by heroes, and the relief is overwhelming. Having someone come for them, not having to escape and get home and start making up the time they were away almost immediately if they're not being punished, having injuries treated and friends who worry... it's something they've never had before. It feels weird but they snuggle into Kai's arms.

They don't want to let go of it any time soon.

[declanowo]

Weekly Random (horror) Film - Bonus Review! - Krampus

8/12/23

I have a distinct memory of when I was younger; I sat at christmas, lamenting on a classmate of mine, he was the so-called “bad kid”, however, I couldn’t name anything in particular he ever did at that time that stands out to me. Regardless, I thought about all the presents I had, and considered the piles of coal he must have received - it was distressing to say the least, because what use would he have with coal, and furthermore, did he really deserve such a terrible lot? However, I later learnt he did not receive coal, shocking I know, but learning this brought an unusual sense to me, the concept of punishment made sense to me, yet it made me feel so awful. Still, I struggle with such thoughts, of retribution, punishment and how far one should go, however I always manage to arrive back at a single image in my mind, of that boy riding around on a bike, instead of cradling a sack of coal. The dichotomy of wanting punishment, but hating watching it is so integral to me, and had I known about the titular subject of today’s film then, I imagine it would have shaped me similarly into a fearful person. 

My experience watching Krampus was delightful - my boyfriend and I were wrapped up warm, shielded from the bitter chill of the winter wind outside, drinking tea and having a great time. Later that same day, he quickly brushed past a Christmas market, and it further created this sense of winter within my mind - as a child, I had loved Winter so much, envisioning it in my mind as a flurry of snow, coating the frosty sky, all the while the sun continues to shine to ensure we can see. Now, I see a more cynical, albeit, realistic depiction of Winter - the sky is eternally midnight, filled with clouds not of snow, but of drizzling rain, wind blows relentlessly, yet, I still love this. The market was an embodiment of that, however, the warm glow of the lights is what makes it so much more festive, creating what could be misery, and bringing hope to it. That and of course, I was with someone I love. All this is to say that I loved Krampus, and the company and day itself aids this tremendously. 

Much like my last bonus review, I did sit down and try to do some research, however much of it was not publicly, or readily, available to me; I enjoy making the bonus reviews a bit more slender anyway, they are of course extras. Besides, there was enough to learn about the titular entity, who has a really interesting history! So while this review will likely be somewhat unstructured, I do intend to make it an enjoyable read! 

Krampus was directed by Micheal Dougherty, a director and screenwriter who I know best for Trick ‘R Treat, and Urban Legends: Bloody Mary, a film weirdly sandwiched between two huge Marvel movies. It follows a family as they settle in for Christmas, however when the hope of a child dwindles, the pagan deity arrives. 

For this review, I’ll move through the film chronologically! Starting with the opening vignette, which essentially sums up the film's messages and ideas. To start, it focuses closer on the comedy aspect of the film, which is often its main goal! I used to hate horror/comedies, but I think this just came from me watching 2000s movies, which were just mean. While the opening does set up a later argument, it also highlights the contrast between the supposed cheer and happiness of Christmas, and the rampant consumerism and fighting that is dominant. Nobody here is happy, a stark juxtaposition to the music, and festive font. I think it perfectly embodies the problems that summons Krampus!

This film's main family is endearing, the extended family is where things grow annoying, a purposeful act to demonstrate that Christmas joy of spending time with people you secretly can’t stand. I enjoy the main nuclear family, with them all having faults, but never growing overbearing. They feel realistic, they argue, but they still love each other. I was reminded a lot of Home Alone to this end, a film I do not care enough about to bring up in every bonus review so far, but alas. Their bond is the cement of the film, and therefore, I’m glad they are so likeable! This shines through in our protagonist, and catalyst, Max, played by Emjay Anthony, and of course, Toni Collette as Sarah. 

Moving onto the inlaws quickly, none of them stood out to me as enjoyable or fun, unless Omi is counted! Yet, they never grated on me enough to stop enjoying the film, I think an issue I have with a lot of 2000’s horror, and media in general, is to make us want a character to die, they make them entirely insufferable, they make us beg for their death, hoping that this will make it all the more sweet. Yet, all this does is make me hate the film - when all the audience wants is the release of these characters' deaths, there is nothing more to enjoy. Here, it works better, once again, they feel real, annoying sure, but with genuine problems that can be empathised with. Their scenes of terror were enjoyable, however I wanted them to escape this peril, because they feel so human. 

I found the dinner sequence to be the accumulation of this irritable feeling, where the twins are such large bullies, that it makes it difficult to ever return to their sides. Of course, it comes from insecurity, but they are never given a redemption in any way, whereas some other characters are. While I did enjoy the realism again, having a dysfunctional family attempt to force a pleasant evening, wow does it become tough to watch when this poor child is so upset. 

Although mostly a single set film, the following sequence where Beth leaves into the blizzard sets up nicely the concept of how the house is not at all safe, yet the safest place they can be. In a sense, they are already trapped inside a snowglobe, unable to escape from the oncoming creature. 

This leads to our first meeting with Krampus, who is such a fun villain - shown here through silhouettes as he jumps from roof to roof, his presence is instantly felt. He is half goat, half demon, his historical role being to punish bad children. I find his links to Satan, through the use of the goat, so interesting, especially because the dichotomy becomes demon vs magical human. Regardless, the design in the movie is incredibly cool and memorable, blending the more traditional goat design, to incorporate more of Santa’s imagery, such as making him hunched to provide bulk and wearing his garments. Overall, he makes the film as good as it is. He is terrifying and scared me when I saw the poster in 2015, merely the hand was enough to send a shiver down my spine. 

Here, we are also introduced to the first of Krampus’ helpers, all of whom I will cycle through now! Firstly, we see the Jack in a Box, his initial appearance is scary because of what we don’t see as Beth is killed beneath a van. The whole sequence is one of my favourites in the film, honing in on how cold it is, and the isolation that the family are experiencing. However when we later see the creature’s full appearance, he is similarly terrifying for the opposite reasons - his mouth is segmented, fangs raised from its gooey gums. This is my favourite of his helpers, and is somewhat evocative of a creepypasta to me! 

Cycling through them quicker, the dark elves are an enjoyable and scary twist, and work perfectly alongside Krampus, they are instantly recognisable, and their sound design makes them even more enjoyable! I don’t mind the gingerbread people, but they were definitely the least interesting to me - I do enjoy how all of the creatures work with the central christmas theme, but these guys didn’t do much for me! In contrast, both the cherub and bear are more great twists, that make them conventionally creepy - the bear especially reminds me of all the cool horror themed bears you can find online, with huge bloody mouths lined with fangs, which is super cool and I have always wanted one! The scene where they all invade the house later is amazing, and another favourite of mine - likely, this comes from the amped up horror, the blending with Christmas is such an enjoyable aesthetic that the film carries perfectly! 

By now I have moved all over the place, so I will try to steer back on course for the final things I have to discuss! I found the animated sequence to be a delight, giving the appearance of stop-motion (which is by far my favourite medium!). Also, it just feels christmassy, it’s a style I think several adverts have adopted, so maybe this is why! All of this is perfect, from the narration to the animation; especially, I adore the shadows of Krampus! 

From here, we arrive at the aforementioned invasion sequence, forcing the family out of the house as a result of the snow piling inside from the frost - the house feels so central to the film, and I think that it embodies a spirit of Christmas that exists, it is so common that the holiday is symbolised through a warm house, I think that the destruction of it shows the family being torn apart entirely, demonstrating how such an act is far worse than spending a day with annoying inlaws.

Finally, I shall discuss the ending, which is bittersweet, it’s a perfect encapsulation of the film, I think. The perfect, happy moment is suddenly cut short by the audience's realisation that they are trapped within a snow globe. What this means, and shall entertain for the family is difficult to tell, but this only makes it more scary - whether or not this can be deemed a happy ending is similarly unclear, which also adds to the ending, making it so much more interesting! I adore it, and that moment was so fun to watch unfold! 

Krampus feels like such a perfect Christmas movie, I love the way it blends horror and the holiday seamlessly, also done in Trick ‘r Treat, which I undoubtedly prefer, however the films are so very different that it’s difficult to compare them! Once again, this film means more to me having watched it with my boyfriend, however that is to say that whenever I watch it, or think about it, I shall have a happy memory captured, a snowglobe of a lovely time that I can return to eternally. That image alone would be enough to make Krampus content. 

8/10

[officeobject]

I Trick Or Treat when the sky is dark, and everyone says it's late, and there is barely any candy left, and that's because that's how I've done it for years, as I am epic, and proper, and not a COWARD ... like the 6 year olds ... I guess ... I don't know what my thought process is, but yeah, and then I don't like going alone, so I've taken my mom with me at least once (she gets offered candy too), and every adult looks at me weirdly, thinking I'm way too old for this, or look amused, but give me candy anyway, and don't say anything.

I've went as Jebediah, who is a character of mine I cosplayed by wearing jeans and a green shirt, and that's because he's actually just some guy, and his favorite color is green and he likes wearing clothes, and he wears jeans.

My mom has gone as gas prices once.

I have gone as Netflix, and also as HBO.

My process in choosing a costume, is that it has to be cheap and easy and stuff, enough, but I don't want anyone to be STEALING my very epic and original idea! WHAT DO I DO?! Well, I make a back-up plan. I tell everyone I'm going as Back-up Plan, which is the inferior plan, and tell NO ONE, what I'm going as, UNLESS IT'S 100% NECESSARY, and then after Halloween, ONLY AFTERWARDS, do I tell everyone that I have fooled them, and actually went, as the plan I never mentioned to anyone (except sometimes, I have lied, and told them THAT'S my back-up plan in case things go wrong, but the truth comes out AFTER Halloween).

You see, if someone steals Back-up Plan, I have the superior plan up and ready to be! I've even considered a third plan, but here's the thing ...

After Halloween, no one really reacts to the fact that I fool them, and tell me that no one would have stolen my costume idea anyway, and also, I do this, like, every year, so ...

Anyways, today I'm going as darkness, I say.

[symphorine]

right. did the bellara recruit quest! pausing before going to D'Meta's Crossing

i did do a headcount for VJs in the camp and found 19 (20 with Bellara). that said it looked like more in the cinematic just before, and we obviously dont see the whole encampment, like where they sleep, which is also presumably where all the wounded got taken.

plus this line from Irelin: "Eleven wounded, sixteen on bed rest, and some of our most experienced fighters are still missing!". I think we can estimate VJ numbers to be around 60-70? assuming all wounded have been taken away that's 20 + 11 + 16 = 47, "some of your most experienced fighters" probably less than ten, let's say 55 bc its a nice number, and adding some for people not at camp but with the injured. not counting jumpers who might have died in the chaos.

EDIT: looked aorund again and actually found 25 veil jumpers, including four that seemed injured and were on beds under the staircase. its clearly not all the wounded so i think the math is still mostly correct, but for accuracy's sake.

also we have a definite timeline for things here based on conversation in the quest: bellara says the sky opened a couple days ago. so that's when the ritual was happening, and we slept for a little less than that.

Bellara: Protocol is to wait a full week before they send anyone out to look for me. I've only been gone three days.

Not super notable but gives some insight on veil jumper expeditions. Bellara was sent alone and is considered one of the most capable, so maybe she gets a longer time allowance before assuming trouble? but there IS a protocol in place.

Bellara: The surge of raw magic in the area. These artifacts started waking up a while ago, but in fits and starts. One here, a couple there...

Bellara: Then a couple of days ago, the sky split open. And now? Raw magic, thick as fog. Only a god -- or gods -- could have done that.

I'm taking so may goddamn screenshots. I need to start organizing them after this. ANYWAY.

so confirmation that the artifacts had been starting to wake up before this. "A while ago" can mean... kind of anything. Arlathan had a reputation for being an area where magic behaves weirdly before now. My personal hc here is gonna be that it started when inquisition happened and the breach presumably started weakening the veil on a scale large enough to reach arlathan forest (+ despite the inquisitor closing the breach, we know rifts continued appearing, so instability was not resolved entirely), but there's not really anything definitive here. could have started thirty years, fifty years ago or longer. or been more recent.

Fade bubble! New phenomenon. Seems confined to Arlathan, I don't think we encounter any anywhere else (or... again, actually?). The floating water kind of anomaly has its own name, "whirlpool", so does happen in places other than the ruins we visit here.

A BARELY LEGIBLE NOTE Construct broke my leg. Veradan took a blade to the gut. We can hear them above us, on the bridge. Once they leage, we'll make a break for it. They can't wait for us forever, right?

Note found under the bridge that leads to the first set of ruins. thank you dead NPC for writing this for some reason. bellara says a little before that the constructs are animated by spirits, and attuned to the artifact to protect it (the artifact here being the important thing at the middle of the ruins, not something random). we also see a little later how artifacts can still be running now despite being thousands of years old. interesting - and with the knowledge now that the elves started as spirits - that these binds on the armors 1) kept the spirits as spirits (bellara does make the distinction clearly between it being spirits and not demons) and 2) lasted all this time despite the elven empire having been destroyed long ago. i wonder, how did the ancient elves treat the spirits they were living alongside? this was pre-veil. we know solas, as one who used to be a spirit himself, treats them with affection and respect, but was it the case for all elves, especially the ones born further down the line, of physical bodies? the empire was large, did the way elves treat spirits vary much from place to place? from evanuris/forgotten one/other "warlords" to another? did the spirits volunteer to do this?

Neve: Do you know what this place was? Bellara: Could've been a temple. Could've been where they stored food. Bellara: But judging by the sentinels? It's probably something more important. Bellara: It almost feels like an armory. Or something like that. Neve: Why would there be an armory this far out? Bellara: Warlords. Ancient elves had a lot of them.

the tidbit that made me add "warlords" above. no idea what period those warlords would have existed: when the elves became a more numerous people? when the evanuris emerged - as the most powerful warlords? after the evanuris' fall and the veil was created, before the humans took over? when fighting humans (the tevinter imperium) conquering people and territory? possibly at all those points in different forms? i think for this we can discard the last 2 actually, as we're exploring and talking about the ruins and their location, and we know for sure they were built pre-veil (in universe, i would assume architecture pre and post veil would be distinct enough to mark the difference, but also the archive we find was built by anaris, so definitely pre-veil time).

actually the fact that this is where we find anaris' archive spirit is interesting in itself as well. we're in arlathan forest, where arlathan used to stand, ruled by the evanuris, and anaris was an enemy of theirs. did the archive get seized during a fight and they brought it to a location (the ruins we are exploring) that was evanuris controlled? was it moved here by followers of anaris after solas trapped the evanuris (and according to legend, also the forgotten ones - drives me insane they're barely mentioned in conjunction with this)? or was this somewhere anaris lived? if it was, he lived really close to his enemies' strongest position. if these are the same ruins we visit during bellara's later companion quests, it's definitely somewhere anaris spent time. I know we find some codex entries that he wrote as well, but i dont remember the exact locations (the ones talking about the mystery substance - the final one is signed by him and found in what seemed like a hidden office iirc). just food for thought. tbh even if it's not the same ruins, we're still running around in arlathan forest during those later quests, so either way anaris seems to have been hanging around close to arlathan, and running for his life at the same time (that last entry mentions he's escaping the evanuris iirc).

bellara and neve banter :> i love bellara

Bellara: So you're really Neve Gallus? The detective from Minrathous? Neve: Last time I checked... Bellara: I've read about you. You've gone after some powerful mages before... but Fen'Harel, the real Gen'Harel? Neve: And now, Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, apparently... Bellara: My actual gods are out there trying to end the world and Neve Gallus is on the case. Bellara: I just... I can't believe it!

just think it's a cute banter. also gives us some idea of how known neve is! obviously bellara seems to be paying particular attention, and heard about neve from reading minrathous papers, so it's not like neve is. you know. batman levels of famous detective. but enough to make the papers, including in cases against powerful mages. I think that's pretty notable in tevinter!! that she was able to bring them to public justice or expose them, and papers were able to report on that.

next i entered the part of the ruins that were blighted, and we met our first darkspawn. noted as incredibly unusual to see them there, this deep in arlathan forest, and also that they look odd (so bellara has had encounters with darkspawn before, and in general it's something that does happen around arlathan it seems. we know from previous games that the darkspawn are around even when it's not a major blight, so it's not surprising, but still a tidbit to note).

there were two wolf statues at the entrance of this part of the ruins. is this just assets reuse or should we infer that whoever built this place was involved or allied with solas? from dalish legends we know that he seemed to go between evanuris and forgotten ones with ease, but i wouldnt say they all considered him enough of an ally to have his statues there. mythal would, and possibly some of the forgotten ones, though we don't know which. elgar'nan def wouldnt lol. he didnt seem to get along with ghilan'nain after her ascension to the statute of evanuris, so prob not her either, and i dont think he's been linked to anyone else in particular.

A WEATHER-STAINED NOTE We have found the usurpers' archive spirit. It is not the Dread Wolf's creation as we surmised, but another's. You can guess whose. Removing it could be risky, but leaving it equally so. I await your orders, Lord Elgar'nan. -- Captain Athnarel

Note found a little off this wolves-flanked entrance, next to a skeleton face down on the ground. Accompanying banter when arriving in that corner (not when reading the note):

Neve: Someone met a bad end here. Bellara: Even mages have trouble with the artifacts here. They expect them to work like, you know, normal magic. Bellara: But they're different. The magic's... more alive. Somehow.

i'd say that this confirms these ruins were anaris', and where he left his archive spirit (since the note doesnt seem to have been sent, if the skeleton is the author). the wolf statues would then indicate he was pretty close with solas in some way. interesting is that this is the usurpers', plural, archive spirit, created by anaris. later on it seems to basically just sing anaris' praises (so like, its creator is not explicit, but it's either anaris or someone who was seriously into him. or into kissing up to him). imagine being one of anaris' allies and what's supposed to be your collective archive just talks about how this dude is amazing. he seems like a delight (no).

Neve: So if this is an armory, what sort of artifact are we finding? A weapon? Bellara: An archive spirit: Rook: A what? Bellara: A creature of the Fade, bound to a crystal. Ancient elves used them to store knowledge - and to help them dream.

don't really know what to make of the "help them dream" bit but found it interesting! especially pre-veil! and knowing that what they did to the titans, rendering them tranquil, is also described at taking away their dreams, or severing them from dreams.

after that, met the darkspawn, eating a dead halla. bellara confirms that it's very literally unexpected to see them there ("Darkspawn. Here. I would never have believed it. Until today.") plus this exchange:

Bellara: I've never seen darkspawn this deep into Arlathan Forest before. As far as I know, it's never happened. Neve: Could the elven gods be commanding the darkspawn? Solas did say they were blighted. Bellara: You saw those darkspawn, though. Something was different about them. Rook: And we'll stop them. Once we get out of this bubble.

this is the first area we find that's seriously blighted - or blighted at all, actually. bellara remarks that where the blight tendrils and boils are makes it seem like it's feeding on the magic.

plus this note, found in a side room in this portion of the ruins:

A CRACKED SCROLL ...the stench of decay fills the air. The Evanuris now wield power beyond anything I've seen. Their magic is fueled by corruption and death, and creeps even now into the stones. We cannot outlast this siege.

so the darkspawn seem to be new in terms of recent years, but the blight itself is probably old? did it birth the darkspawn as soon as ghilan'nain and elgar'nan came back?

not much of note until we get to the central room. except i did find this staff in it:

A staff called Flamebranch. The description reads: "Create by Andrastian mages, this staff illustrates both the destructive power of fire and its life-giving, cleansing nature.

why am i finding an andrastian staff deep into unexplored eleven ruins... im gonna rule out lore reasons and say this was just an oversight but if anybody wants to play with that. it's there.

we find the nadas dirthalen and it's broken, so bellara will spend some time with it. it does talk first in elvhen and then in common (common? trade tongue? whatever it is we're supposed to be speaking) (i think its the native language in both ferelden and the free marches? just based on like. accents. maybe just in ferelden. anyway, off topic). we'll see more of it later on. bellara does explain how the artifacts are powered up: through a crystal that "focuses the ambient magical energy". pretty neat, although i wonder if it would be able to work anywhere else. since she said they only started waking up "a while ago" and now suddenly more rapidly, there probably wasnt enough ambient magic to keep them truly powered on for a long time. it makes sense, since they were designed with the pre-veil world in mind - magic was a lot more present and integrated. i wonder when and how the veil jumpers realized that's how it worked, when the artifacts started to "wake up" or before then - or if they even were the first ones. it's very plausible for other dalish elves (or even human mages, since we know tevinter in particular took ancient elven tech and tried to recreate it) to have examined elven artifacts and found the battery, and maybe even how to activate it, in the thousands of years between the fall of arlathan and this. it's not common knowledge among everyone, but is it amongs dalish elves/people who study elven history?

i think that's it for this bit of playing. still, lots of stuff haha.

[officeobject]

So, I chose a random window to focus on so I wouldn't look around a lot at people (I basically hosted a dating show in my head except it was a befriending show), didn't really think about it for many some months or days or barely did, somehow got interested again, and uhm, not sure how it happened, but months later, this person and I, watch each other, and they've shown signs of liking me back, and I personally love them, and also, they act similar to me, seem to have "the same species of brain", move like me (plus mirror me), and I had a character years before I saw them, who they act and move exactly like (and yes that means the character is similar to me). They've even shown signs of preferring me over their co-workers, even though they can smile at their co-workers, but always looks at me like THIS: 😐.

Also I once put a pride flag at my window and they still kept treating me the same and didn't look at me weirdly.

We haven't met, but I hope we do, and even though we don't have much time together, I enjoy being an overly intense friendship creep with them, but anyways, that was the context, and I wanna get interpreted the motifs that often occur in relation to our seemingly-destined friendship:

- Offices and office stuff and work/working (they're an office worker, I've always liked office stuff and how it looks even though I don't know crap so this one's obvious),

- The number 2 (I mean, I do often think about us so yeah), the number 3 (maybe), the number 1,

- Crows (always just 1 crow at a time but I keep about multiple or about us, or mis-remembering it as multiple crows or even misreading "crow" as "office")

- Birds (sometimes 1, sometimes multiple)

- The sky

- Windows (that's how we can see each other, duh)

- Dogs (typically brown - that one's because my fursona is a dog and stuff, and I have a dog doll who my subconscious registers as me for some reason, and stuff)

- Nepo babies (I just call myself their nepo baby for fun, so that's why)

- Songs and dancing (I just often listen to music and I do dance)

- Clothes (I enjoy wearing clothes though, and they seem to do too - we're both oddly specific about what we wear and I love their style and judge their outfits, meanwhile, they only see mine if we "match" or if I'm weather-inappropriate, or not even then)

- Our dynamic, with them as the adult and me as some kid or something (well that's because that's LITERALLY our dynamic - I'm the more openly emotional and childish one who can't keep myself too put together and whatnot, and they're the office worker who ISN'T as often a nervous wreck - their window is also higher than mine, which basically further reinforces that dynamic, and 30 year olds see me as a kid due to how young I am in comparison, but none of this has any negative effect on our friendship ... well, besides what people might say if we met and exchanged phone numbers) ...

- The color blue (they wear that a lot and it's the favorite color of the character they're like, and presumably also themself)

- The color white

- White feathers (one at a time only - at least seen once)

- The cherry tree outside that keeps being in my view when I see them

- Rain/water in general

And then that's all, I guess. Please send interpretations. This is more than I normally would ever write about them on Tumblr, but this is important enough. And yes, I'm sure everything is platonic.

Anyways, also, not sure how much I've impacted THEM, but they've significantly impacted me - like, making it easier to choose clothes in the morning, making me accept myself more, giving me motivation to do stuff and even to exist, and they didn't even DO anything, and even when that's not happening, they make me feel like EVERYTHING IN THE WHOLE WORLD, will be okay, if we just met and became friends forever and stuff.

There's also this one maybe-common smell, that I associate with them - like, this perfume or whatever, and I even have phantom smells/smell hallucinations of it (not OFTEN), but someone some months ago, began using that perfume or whatever, every day, so that kinda fecking bothers me -

Anyways, hopefully this is enough context and stuff. Also, is it obvious that I'm weirdly intense and weird, with friendship?

[pretty-house-pretty-garden]

Queerplatonic (media) Partner Appreciation!!

Hehehe I was feelin silly!!

Giggles!!

I loooove love love Krow so so much! So much!

I neeeed to see my husband (krow canonmate) again grrr

But anyways! A few memories and art i wanted to share

One time in B clearing we were all making bracelets and other crafts around the campfire.. we used a few pretty rocks and such for them too, and it aproached me with a shiny smooth-ish rock.. vaguely shaped like a heart. It said it had found it there while looking for other stuff to use.. and thought I should have it :)! I put said rock on a bracelet and wore it all the time <3

We started "dating" in B clearing aswell. Back then we didnt really have the right terms but kinda confessed and explained to eachother how we felt and how it was like weirdly not romantic but also not like friends and everyone just agreed "ah yes secret third thing!" ... it was queerplatonic- lmao. Also we had more of a situationship than a relationship cause how we behaved around eachother really depended on our situation n such..

It wasnt big on PDA. Actually it hated it... and I respected that honestly! But there was the occasional hand holding... sometimes it just defending me verbally was enough. Yes, it was quick to violence which I didn't agree with, but I honestly felt genuinly safe around it. It would always stand up for me and defend my name with tooth and nail. (Pun intended..) Made me feel really appreciated :]! So loyal <3

It was such a good friend, too. Super fun to have around! But specially can always trust it with things, it was super helpful and made all my duties as a leader so much more easier! It was rlly community oriented and I really appreciated it for that. Specially cause I could tell it put the efford into being so nice to others, and it really liked our friends.

I remember in one timeline where admitedly halo boy was way more okay than in other of my canons- I was still mad at him for being rude and an asshole to my sister... He treated Graecie so horrible and she didn't even realize cus he acted all "nice" and stuff afterwards.. grr... ANYWAYS but about Krow.. Yeah so I was mad and taking my anger out on a training dummy Owen had outside his house. Krow found me and offered to go into the maze to kill some monsters and get my rage out for real!! So we did :D! We were okay dw. But erm yeah I hope Owen doesnt see this (we legit went in w/o telling anyone or flipping our levers.. oops..) BUT I HAD SO MUCH FUN!! It was a great way to let out my emotions without harming anyone :]

I remember watching the stars with it.. specially back in our clearing, but even in A we sat down sometimes together and would cuddle with a blanket and hot cocoa outside and just watch the night sky, away from everyone else..

We were one of those more "rom looking" qprs... cus in our more private and affectionate moments we'd hold hands, hug, cuddle and even kiss.. yes on the lips... it was so soft tho<3 hehehe

Owen, even before going crazyyyyyy, didn't rlly like Krow... he didnt want us to hang out too much at times cus of how violent and opinionated Krow was.. oh boy who's gonna tell him... giggles!!

Anyways look! Art i did of us!!

Also have art of Krowella (i call her Ella). Cause i also have a canon where she existed and I met her.. giggles! Oh and also a canon where both existed? Which is rlly funny cus I was a bit sad but kind of accepted Krow didn't care about loosing me as much as I cared about it.... and then Ella showed up and started being all flirty with me and bro was like OH GIRL ITS ON SIGHT. Giggles...

+ last picture is a doodle i did of krow and I for yuri day! And my silly lil bracelets hehe, including the one with the rock krow have me :]

[loveletterstothevoids]

Dear J.

Am I not a peculiar person? I always come around to thinking that when I think of you. Although I try to ban this thought because I know that as soon as I question what you think of me and whether you like me, I will become this carefully curated porcelain thing in front of you. Easily shattered, easily hurt and so far from my living, breathing self of skin. No, I do not want that because you make me feel so foolishly beautiful and centred in myself. The doubt only ever arises later. And anyway you keep me around, don’t you? Hell, you’re even nice to me.

So maybe you don’t see my peculiarity. Maybe you don’t mind it. And maybe, just maybe, you might like me for it?

I think you a bit weird too sometimes. And I like you for it. So I hope that how you treat me isn’t just extended kindness.

But anyhow, you’ve been away sometime now and there is so much to tell you! I cannot wait to tell you, I fear I might chew off your ear. You cannot see me smile cheekily while I write this…too bad. O, I can’t wait too see your smile again! And to see how much I’ve already forgotten about your face. I know your eyes are blue, but are they breathtaking like the sky, unruly and wild like the sea or coldly enigmatic like ice. And it does matter when you smile, because I am pretty sure your eyes crinkle when you’re amused. Please bring me back to earth when we meet, I can’t keep imagining things like this!

All jokes and possible infatuation aside, thanks for making me just a bit happier in my wake by passing through. As always, I hope that our paths will keep on crossing.

You know what, today I am thankful for the world!

Yours in a weirdly giddy mood,

E.

[nebulapaws]

So, I kind of want to talk about this, because I’m mentally ill about Four, and I’m sorta squicked out about how the fandom treats Four. I wanna preface this with no hate on Bokokettochild, a lot of this information is completely buried under provably false canon and :skull: the lack of archives. I’m a rambly man, and I know no one’ll see this but slaying

But, Tdlr: Four is not an adult, and definitely not in his 20s. He’s the same/near the same age as Wind. He’s intended to be a child. We can’t really consider him a reliable narrator over the creator of the comics--especially, when we know that aging conventions are different not just in Hyrule in general, but in each Hyrule. (For example, OOT’s adulthood being 17, but WW’s being 12).

Read below the cut for the full ramble:

Jojo has specifically mentioned age rages for all of the Links in one of her posts, where she groups Four and Wind. They’re both intended to be minors, as much as the fandom likes to contest it. I hear a lot of times “well, Jojo said--” she was. Quoting what Four would say. Besides, literally no one ever takes into account that Hyrule might have (and does have) different concepts of adulthood than we do.

For example, Wind Waker--while it does also say that Link is a child in it--the ceremony where he has to wear the hero’s garb is specifically a “coming of age” garb. He is 12 years old, yet he’s going through his coming of age story.

Incase you wanna know what coming of age means, as well.

With that in mind, Legend is also not an adult, either. He, Hyrule, Sky and Wild are all bundled together within the catigory of “older teen” and Jojo has specified in an interview that they are, in fact, very close in age (17-18 years old age range). Wild’s age may be subject to change, depending on whether or not she decides to make Tears of the Kingdom canon to Linked Universe.

Actually, addenum, this is kind of important; the tag that you mentioned:

You do realise that Twilight is 20/22 years old right? 16 (which is the age that Jojo mentioned during the interview) is...four years from 20 and six from 22...that’s not :sob: not that far in age, yeah it still tracks.

anyways, I had to find the specific post about all their ages, if you’re curious about them you can read here: https://linkeduniverse.tumblr.com/post/179635073049/i-had-the-ages-set-but-then-i-asked-my-sis-to

It’s way hidden in the blog, and not in the archives at all, but I would like to correct you in that Four is not an adult. Legend could be--I don’t have the interview on hand, so I can’t confirm that one--but Four is not an adult. The fandom treats him really weirdly :sob: when he’s literally nearly the same age as Wind.

The Chain's Ages

Well, @crazedart107 I will most certainly try!

Most of the chain do not have set ages according to the comics, and only Wind and Wild do:

And while it's not Wild saying it

The way Legend says this, to Wild, tells us that that's the champion's approximate age.

The only other person we have any knowledge on an age for, is Time.

Time is less than sixty years old, as Malon tells them, but we actually can find a hint at how old he really is! Epona!

Epona was a filly when she and Time first met, and since horses rarely live past thirty in good health, we can deduce that Time is, in fact, most likely in his mid to late thirties himself!

Hyrule also has some hints to his age. Officially, he was 10 on his first adventure and 16 on his second, so most people generally assume that he is most likely 17 now in LU, although some will go a little higher for 18 or even 19.

The rest of the Links don't have cannon ages though. Twilight, Warriors and Sky are generally agreed on to be in their early to mid twenties, usually with Sky being just over 21. He was still a school kid when his adventure started, so we can guess he was likely 18 or so, and it has been a bit since his adventure.

Legend and Four are perhaps the most widely debated over, age wise. Four has made it very clear in a few comics that he is just short, and not in fact a kid (Wolf and the smallest hero & another I do not remember the name of). Legend also is likely not an actual child, although Warriors' comments in the most recent arc do imply he's one of the younger heroes.

Generally, Legend and Four get lumped together in the 16-20 age range, where they're younger than Sky/Warriors/Twilight, but older than Hyrule/Wild/Wind. Some people do like to switch it up though and make Legend all sorts of ages, from late 20s to just barely older than Wind. His age is the most unclear, since nothing much is said to indicate one thing or another, and his height is pretty lacking.

But yeah! That's basically all that we know about the ages. that I can find in the comics and JoJo's notes. I hope that helps you!

[brujasturiana]

WTF did I just see?

I finished "The Lovers" Sky Showtime series today and I haven't been that confused in a while. I like both main actors, I think there is something magnetic about Janet's character, I love the setting in Belfast. But the show asks me to root for an affair and I get that it happens and I'm not really judging Janet here but I am judging Seamus. We meet the other woman and you can see she cares about him and they know and support each other. In the same episode he says they will probably marry and at the end of it he declares his love for Janet - when did that happen? What was the stupid "don't fall in love with me" bs if it doesn't last even a full next episode, did they love each other before or did it take a few days and one night of sex for him to get from affair and probably marrying the other one to deciding he will leave her for Janet? And then he is angry at her about the terrorist thing cause he wouldn't broke up with his girlfriend but the way you're treating her, you shouldn;t be together anyway my man. On top of that the whole terrorist plot is so thrown in. I have no idea if it's a weird joke on a very serious matter or if they're treating it seriously but were absolutely unable to correctly translate it onto the screen - the conversation on the bench where they trauma dump on each other in a span of a minute is the most tonally weird thing Ive seen in years. Why, why, did someone think its a good idea to get into a very heavy and recent historical issue in this way? And to what purpose? The season (first and hopefully only) ends with Seamus getting weirdly moved by common people and leaves him job live on air to profess his love to Janet and run to her supermarket in the rain. I get the point of him being too focused on being famous, I get that the politicians offer points out the fakeness and dirtiness of the whole field but wasn't he supposed to love it. Is really the best thing to drop his dream job and screw his whole team? One more thing: did they make up "LUV" group Janet was supposed to be a member of? I couldn't find anything about it online and I could understand not wanting to use a real one but if they created the name only to tie luvers to the shos name than its another example of how untactfully the show uses history. Okay I feel better after this rant but honestly this was an absolutely confusing TV experience and I can't believe that's what came out of mixture of ingredients that I should all love on paper.

[snowshinobi]

I have so many Thoughts about big sister Mitsuri. She meets Senjuro after a training session w Kyojuro and she instantly adores this shy, friendly kid. And Sen instantly adores her too, which confuses and delights Kyo bc Sen usually needs to warm up to ppl. RIP to everyone else, Mitsuri is built different.

I think she shows up at the Rengoku estate whenever tf she wants (Mitsuri is an agent of love and chaos she cannot be confined to a schedule) and always brings treats. Kyo and Sen always let her in and the three of them hang out on the engawa for hours. Senjuro teaches them how to ID birds. They find out Mitsuri is like weirdly good at imitating birdcalls. Kyo spends way too much time exploiting his hashira reflexes to catch lightning bugs. The sky is black by the time Mitsuri makes her way home.

Often she shows up with a basket of produce at lunch or dinnertime and helps make a meal with them. She even brought Shinjuro's portion to his room once (Kyo had a real bad fever, Sen was checking on him every 5min, and Mitsuri could tell Sen is afraid of his dad. So she's like uh yeah ok Sen you go put a fresh towel on Kyo's forehead and I'll bring the food to your dad ok? And Sen let her bc he trusts her).

Sometimes she tells Obanai to come over for lunch and once he gets to her place she's like "ok great you can take the lighter bag, I'll get the heavy one. We're walking to Kyo and Sen's place 💕✨"

Sen figures out, within the first like 2min of meeting the guy, that the way to talk to Obanai is to greet and ask after his snake first. So Obanai is thrown off guard in a good way? And he's weirdly docile for the whole meal. Mitsuri definitely makes fun of him later. Anyway after that Obanai happily joins Mitsuri on her randomly timed visits to the Rengoku residence. Not that he shows it. It's a pretty house and the food's not bad, that's all. Mitsuri stop looking at me like that, I don't CARE about the KID (Obanai absolutely cares about Sen's happiness and well-being).