#success is the best revenge amiright?

[the-cookie-of-doom]

In estranged , what if claudia took Mitch with her? What would their dinamics be like? How would Mitch feel about Noah stilinski? What is his reaction when he finds out he's about to have a baby brother? I just need Mitch being ruthelssly protective of stiles. I need stiles being spoiled by Mitch and them having the cutest sibling pair ever. I need Claudia teaching Mitch how to control his powers and teaching him about ✨magic✨. I need Mitch being the most famous lacrosse player in school and little stiles, Noah and Claudia cheering for him across the field. I need Mitch taking over his father's company ( he's still the heir) fixing it up the same way , but this time he has actual support. I need Mitch having real friends and family 🥺💔

Oooh this is a Good Ask, I love talking about the What Ifs 👀 (Edit to add: Also, not many people realize, but Estranged really is a tragedy. And seeing it side by side with how things could've been just makes it worse.)

The central mystery of the AU is why Claudia didn't take him with her (and there was a reason! She didn't just abandon him like everyone assumes), so I can't tell you much about that without spoiling the whole thing! I promise I'm going to write the sequels some day. But let's just say that she was protecting him, and the Nogitsune is involved.

I can also say that had they actually been raised together, they would've been a platonic pair. They only end up together in Estranged because they're strangers to each other, and their respective abandonment issues react interestingly, shall we say xD

But aside from that, it would pretty much happen exactly as you think! Mitch has no love for his own father, so I think he would respect John bc he makes his mom happy, and that's all Mitch wants. But John would treat Mitch just like a son and before long, Mitch would love him like a father.

I think in this case, rather than casting Mitch aside, Robert (his father), would have sued for custody. He would see it as Claudia not only leaving him, but stealing his heir, and he can't have that. And Mitch knows it; his father only wanted a legacy, not a son. There's also the fact that a lot of men sue for custody as a way to hurt their partner, by taking away her children. Robert is spiteful enough to do that, given their divorce reflects badly on him and his reputation.

In the beginning Robert might be more active in Mitch's life than he was in Estranged. Might try to bribe him with materialistic things, giving him a lavish life to make Mitch choose him over Claudia, but it never works. Because on one hand, you have a rich life that's cold and hollow with a father who doesn't care; or you have a more modest life with a family that loves you. Mitch is the kind of person to choose family every time, at least in this AU.

When he's old enough (I think it's 15, but it could be younger), Mitch would choose to stay with Claudia full time. At that point Robert would likely fully cut him off, aside from what he's legally required to pay, and give up his parental rights. Maybe Mitch should be hurt that his father is throwing him away, but he's really just relieved that it's finally over. And it means John could adopt him and officially, legally become his father. But until then, Mitch would have to live with being jerked around between two parents, which only gets harder when Stiles is born, because he doesn't want to leave his little brother behind. (Maybe it's every other month, given the distance.)

Also at some point, Mitch definitely tries to create credit fraud, probably when he's like 13 lol. He's just a kid but the financial differences are obvious. Claudia thinks it was very sweet that he was trying to help, but makes him give everything back. (In "canon", Mitch does steal his dad's credit card and buys a plane ticket to California when he's I think 14? But he gets caught before he can make it.)

Mitch would probably be so excited to have a little brother, but also Worried bc his childhood was so emotionally Rough, so he promises to always make sure Stiles is loved and cared for ;_; I think there's the opportunity for jealousy bc Stiles has both of his parents to unconditionally love him, meanwhile his are divorced, but honestly? Claudia raised him better than that. Mitch just wants to be a Good Brother.

Since a lot of his problems with his powers come from Claudia locking them until she died, Mitch would have a way better time growing up with her. She would teach him how to properly use and control them, and keep them from overwhelming him. In Estranged, the telepathy is actively killing him, but she would be able to protect him from that. And then when Stiles gets his powers, Mitch would get to help teach him, too.

Mitch would likely also have a tie to the Hales, since he'd have gone to school with Derek and Laura. Given he's psychic, he would've been able to protect Derek from Kate, and the Hales never would've died. (And bc I can't help myself: Mitch would probably end up dating Laura, and Stiles would eventually become Derek's mate/the Hale emissary. I like what I like, okay!)

Mitch would absolutely be a lacrosse star. It's American Assassin canon, and it's one of my favorite things about Mitch. He would still get the scholarship to Syracuse, but where he turned it down in Estranged bc he didn't need it, this time he would actually accept it, and go on to have a great college sports career. Or maybe he takes a smaller partial scholarship to a school closer to home.

I just reread the ask and see you want him to still take over the company, but I was actually thinking that in this AU, it would take a different direction. Robert lives bc Mitch was never there to kill him; his company is run into the ground and he doesn't know he's been betrayed by his partners until it's too late. That legacy he worked so hard for, destroyed his family for, turns to ashes right in front of him. He lives, but for a man like him, it's worth than death.

Meanwhile he gets to see Mitch's success grow. He's making headlines in college, and Lacrosse is much bigger on the east coast so of course his father would hear about it. He's got offers to go pro, but Mitch has lived the high life before, and he doesn't want it. He chooses a modest life with his family, in a career he loves, over money and fame. Works in a few different restaurants in San Francisco until he has the experience to open one of his own. He names it Orion, as a final fuck you to his father. (And, on a more sappy note - Orion is one of the main constellations to navigate by. It's what guides him home; to his real family, and the life he's built, not the one his father wanted for him.)

Because Mitch is with Claudia, fully trained in his magic, she never dies. There are other conflicts and close calls, but they're able to protect each other, and a young Stiles. But she never gets FTD, bc in Estranged, that not even what she had in the first place, and they survive. Not unscathed, but it's not they can't get through together ;_;

And then, the day Mitch is finally able to open his own restaurant (Either the same age he is in Estranged, or a little older, but definitely still Young for the industry), his family are all there to support him. John and Claudia and Stiles, and it will be absolutely packed (haha) with the Hales opening night. It's one of the proudest days of his life.

[stevecanmakeanythingnerdy]

RANDOM RECORD WORKOUT SEASON 5 Battle 2 The Rubinoos: Back to the Drawing Board (Side 1) Vs. Morrissey: Your Arsenal (Side 1) The Rubinoos: Back to the Drawing Boad (Side 1) Despite their catchy knack and penchant for the pop laden hook, The Rubinoos remain in relative obscurity. The Rubinoos are an American power pop band that formed in 1970 in Berkeley, California. They are probably best known for their singles "I Think We're Alone Now" (1977, a cover of the hit by Tommy James & the Shondells on their first album), "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" (1979 on this album), and for the theme song to the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds. Although "I Think We're Alone Now," reaching No. 45 in 1977, has been their only charting hit, the group has a significant enduring cult following among fans of the power-pop genre. They did release some material in the late 90's as well, but may be in recent memory for a law suit involving them. In 2007, two members (Dunbar and co-writer James Gangwer) sued Canadian pop-rock singer Avril Lavigne, claiming that her hit song "Girlfriend" had too much in common with "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend". I believe it was settled out of court, but I am not a Lavigne fan, so I hope she paid through the nose. Anyhow, this album is full of sugary sweet harmonies. "Operator" is a poppy, hoppy song designed to fire a warning shot. It sounds like one of the Rubinoos got their heart broken. "I Wanna be your Boyfriend" is the next song, and single for the album. Ramones cover? No. Simple coincidence in title only, But equally as well done! Contains a nice solo too. "Promise Me" is pure ballad salad. All leaf, some cheese and dressing to boot. There has to be at least one of those, amiright? "Hold Me" sounds very much like a Grease outtake. It just has that vibe. I can't explain it, it's just automatic. Systematic. (#seewhatididthere). The last two tunes are " Ronnie" and " Drivin' Music"- the latter being a good mid tempo tune. Good...well, good driving music! Cruise the charts. This is the Cars, but without keyboards and totally devoted to pop. Maybe mix in some Cheap Trick (very Robin Zander-like vocals) Morrissey: Your Arsenal (Side 1) Oh the Mozz. I would hope for your sake you need no explanation of just who this gentleman is or what he has done to the music industry. Get ready for some intense and brooding lyrics. Honest and biting words that you can both relate to and hate to. Born in Davyhulme, Lancashire, to a working-class Irish family, Morrissey grew up in Manchester. As a teen, he was involved in Manchester's punk rock scene during the late 1970s, and he fronted the Nosebleeds. It was met with little success. Beginning a career in music journalism, he authored a number of books on music and film in the early 1980s. With Johnny Marr he established the Smiths in 1982, and soon they began attracting national recognition for their self-titled debut album. The Smiths burned out quickly in 1987 due to personal differences and Morrissey went solo. He has much success with that and because of it has become a cultural Icon. Highly influential, Morrissey is widely credited as being a seminal figure in the emergence of indie rock and Britpop. He has been acclaimed as one of the greatest lyricists in British history, and his lyrics have become the subject of academic study. Often taking the road less travelled, he has courted controversy with his forthright opinions – endorsing vegetarianism and animal rights, condemning royalty and prominent politicians, and usually unabashedly questioning issues of British national and cultural identity. In short, he's still that snotty little punk rock kid, but better dressed. Not to understate it, but he really is a genius. I 100% believe everything he does is with true, accurate and pure intent. Morrissey does NOT bullshit. Case in point, "You're Gonna Need Someone on your Side" is one of Morrissey's most rocking songs. Almost surf-a-billy and with a very heavy guitar riff. "Glamorous Glue" contains a hard edge as well. It's almost as if Mozz was pissed when he wrote this album. Maybe at Johnny Marr. Next he turns to a semi introspective acoustic number with "We'll Let You Know". I guess you could say that about every Morrissey song though, truly. A concert staple and another popular favorite is " The National Front Disco" pop radio friendly and sounding probably most Smiths-like from this collection. "Certain People I Know" is a country twanger (oh Mozz, you genre bender!) written in a lounge style. I feel like this may be a alternate version of something...I am not a Morrissey expert because I don't cry about stuff. Just kidding. I just wanted to make that distinction because he has some RABID fans. The one thing I think we can ALL agree on are that Morrissey is a lyrical poet. Rarely repeating and always poignant. Venomous and critical, caustic and satirical truths intertwined with reality. A true independent as he often takes on crusades of things others will not and a modern wordSMITH (#seewhatididthere). So who takes the proverbial cake? The Rubinoos clocked in at 19 minutes, 138 calories and 6 songs. That is 23 calories burned per song and 7.26 calories per minute. They earned 5 out of 18 possible stars. Morrissey took 21 minutes to croon out 5 songs and unburn his soul while burning 159 calories. That is 31.8 calories per song and 7.57 calories per minute. Morrissey earned 8 out of 15 possible stars. Looks like the king of Emo wins a ticker tape parade! Listen for yourself! Check out the links: The Rubinoos : "I Wanna be your Boyfriend" https://youtu.be/JZdMNt8Bz5E Morrissey: "You're Gonna Need Someone on your Side" (Also his live video does a good job illustrating his rabid fan base...enjoy his nonchalant sidesteps of the people rushing the stage) https://youtu.be/VffzcFOgPH4 #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUTSEASON5 #RANDOMRECORDWORKOUT