#the case of the prodigal parent

[rachelkaser]

Masonry Monday: The Case of the Prodigal Parent

The loutish heir of an import business is shot dead, and his hated stepfather, who owned the murder weapon, is the prime suspect -- but far from the only one. The victim's mother asks Perry Mason to represent her ex-husband, then vanishes before the trial.

Who's Who

Perry Mason's client: Joseph Harrison, who returns to Los Angeles from a "health retreat" to see his ex-wife at the worst possible time

The victim: Philip Larkin, a lout who was determined to have his way, especially with regards to his mother's marriage

Suspects: Ethel Harrison, the victim's mother, who divorced Harrison because of her son but later asks Perry Mason to represent him George Durell, Larkin's partner in the import business, whose home life with an unpleasant wife is not much better than work Lorraine Stevens, Durell's secretary, who was the subject of Larkin's unwanted romantic attentions Irene Collaro, Larkin's (formerly Harrison's) secretary, who was trying to keep the peace in a very tense office Claire Durell, the shrill, borderline deranged wife of Durell, who is confined to a wheelchair after an accident he caused Sarah Winslow, the maid in Larkin's house, who is a font of in-house gossip for the police despite her fondness for Ethel

The Setup

At the Larkin Import business, George Durell asks his secretary, Lorraine, to stay late and finish some extra business. He enters the office of Philip Larkin just as the man himself exits and begins harassing Lorraine. They used to date, but Lorraine broke up with him because he made "cruel accusations." Philip waves a paper in her face, saying the accusations were true, and threatens to tell her new boyfriend. Larkin's own secretary, Irene Collaro, enters and distracts Larkin to get him away from Lorraine.

Later that night, Lorraine arrives at Alcorn Jewelers and tells Alcorn that she was instructed -- by an unsigned note left at her desk -- to pick up a package. Alcorn has no record of any order for Larkin Import or George Durell, and says the store is about to close as it's 9 pm. He offers to let Lorraine use their phone to call Durell, whom she assumes wrote the note. In the Durell home, a woman in a wheelchair answers the phone and, as soon as she hears Lorraine's voice, starts screaming at her and accusing her of having an affair with Durell. Durell himself enters in the middle of this as his wife, Claire, hangs up the phone and babbles apologies.

Back in the jeweler's, Alcorn gets a shaken Lorraine a glass of water and lets her use the phone one more time to call the other likely note-writer: Philip Larkin. Lorraine reluctantly calls. Trouble is, on the other end of the line is nothing but the dead body of Larkin laying next to the phone. Another man stands over him, sweating. He initially answers the phone, then immediately hangs it up and wipes it of prints and leaves.

Back at Alcorn's, Lorraine is out of options and leaves. Alcorn confirms with his assistant he took no order from Larkin Imports -- very strange, indeed. Meanwhile, two police officers knock at the Larkin residence. Maid Sarah Winslow answers the door and they say they received a call from the residence, pushing their way in. On the floor of the parlor, they find the body of Philip Larkin and realize he's dead, one officer telling the other to call in Homicide.

The Murder

The same man who stood over the body returns to the house and introduces himself to the police officers: He's Joseph Harrison, former stepfather of Philip Larkin and ex-husband of his mother, Ethel Harrison. He's here to see Ethel, who's sitting in parlor staring into space, but Sarah takes her out of the room. Tragg informs him of Philip's murder and asks when he was last in the house. Harrison says six months previously. Tragg then shows him the murder weapon -- a vintage Mauser pistol -- and Harrison confirms it's his.

It was apparently removed from a case nearby, as Harrison had left it in the house before he and Ethel divorced. Harrison confirms he's been under medical care at a retreat near Salt Lake City until two weeks previous, after which he was at Lake Tahoe before returning that night to Los Angeles. Tragg asks if they can fingerprint him, and Harrison doesn't object. Later, Tragg tells Hamilton Burger that the only fingerprints on the gun case belong to Harrison, and Sarah told them she polished the case the day before. There are no prints on the gun itself.

Burger asks about Harrison's relationship with Larkin: They hated each other, and Larkin was the primary reason for Ethel and Harrison's divorce. He also says Larkin Imports was built by Philip Larkin Sr, the deceased first husband, and Ethel let Harrison take over after their marriage -- Harrison closed his own import business and migrated his staff. Larkin eventually pushed Harrison out with the divorce. Burger tells Tragg to pick Harrison up.

Enter Perry Mason, Attorney at Law

Ethel Harrison is in Perry Mason's office, explaining the whole thing up to Harrison's arrest. She asks Perry to represent him, and Perry is confused considering the victim is her son. Ethel says she realizes now that Harrison was a better stepfather than her son deserved and she's choosing to believe in his innocence. Perry agrees to speak with Harrison and points out to Ethel she'll have to testify -- spousal privilege doesn't apply to divorced couples. She thanks him and leaves.

Perry tells Della to ask Paul to investigate Philip Larkin and his mother. He doesn't fully believe Ethel. Perry meets with Harrison, who tries to say he doesn't know how his fingerprints got on the gun case, but Perry points out there's no other explanation. Harrison eventually confesses he was there, and found Larkin already dead. He didn't kill him, but he left his fingerprins on the case after seeing the gun. Perry says that, like Ethel, he believes Harrison is innocent, and agrees to represent him.

Later, Perry meets with Durell and Irene, who say they're happy to let him look at the company's books if it'll help Harrison. Durell is managing the business now that Larkin is dead. Irene tells Perry she was Harrison's secretary for 23 years, and she stayed on as Philip's secretary after he left. Suddenly there's a shriek from the outer office, and they all rush out to see Mrs. Durell once again berating poor Lorraine. She stops when she sees Durell, who apologizes to Lorraine and wheels his rambling wife out.

Lorraine asks Irene while Durell puts up with his unhinged wife, and Irene says it's out of guilt -- Durell caused the accident that crippled her 25 years ago. Irene tells Lorraine to go home, and Perry offers to drive her as it's on his way, and she agrees. Perry notices Irene staring at Lorraine. Shortly after, Perry has tea with Lorraine in her apartment as she says that she's not involved with Durell at all, and Mrs. Durell is confused because Lorraine called the night before.

Perry asks Lorraine why she called, and Lorraine explains about the note and her visit to Alcorn's. She says she called Durell at nine, and she threw away the note. Lorraine tries to say that someone must have been playing a joke on her, but Perry says it's far from a joke -- being at the jeweler's, she's the only one in the case who has a rock-solid alibi.

The Investigation

Tragg enters Burger's office with a film reel they found in Larkin's closet and a projector. Burger finds whatever is on the tape damning. He tells Tragg to find Ethel, which he's already trying to do. Later, Paul confirms Lorraine's alibi to Perry, and adds that he found out Lorraine and Larkin dated. He also tells Perry to speak with Harrison again, as Burger has some kind of evidence that all but guarantees a guilty verdict, but he doesn't know what.

Paul pretends to be a gas man and attempts to gain access to Irene's apartment. She immediately knows he's not with the gas company -- they just sent someone out -- and accurately guesses that he's trying to find Ethel Harrison and says he won't find her here. In Burger's office, the prosecutor speaks with Sarah Winslow and asks her where Mrs. Harrison is. Sarah claims she doesn't know, and says Ethel left after getting advice from Perry Mason -- an unethical move.

Della fields a call from Burger and reports to Perry, who says he's as much in the dark about Ethel's flight as Burger is. The preliminary hearing starts tomorrow. Later, Paul apologizes for not finding Ethel, but says she's sure she's in Los Angeles. Della says she's confused -- who but the killer would have sent Lorraine to the jeweler's? Paul says Lorraine got her job at Larkin Imports through Irene, and she's been working there 10 months. Before that? Paul doesn't yet know.

The Trial

Burger calls the coroner Dr. Hoxie to the stand, who says that Larkin died between 8:40 and 9pm. He next calls Sarah, who was with Ethel for 8 years, before she married Harrison. She testifies that Larkin opposed Ethel's marriage to Harrison and the relationship only got worse afterwards. She says the gun case was Harrison's, and had been polished the day of the murder.

On cross, Mason asks Sarah where she was at the time Dr. Hoxie testified Larkin died. Sarah was in the kitchen, on the opposite side of the house and she didn't hear a gunshot. She also didn't hear the phone ring as it was a separate line from the rest of the house. Mason asks who opened the French doors on the night of the murder. Sarah doesn't remember and says it could have been Larkin, but Mason says they found her fingerprints on the handle. She admits she must have done it by rote and can't remember when.

Tragg testifies the gun is registered to Harrison and that his prints must have been left on the case after it was polished. On cross, Mason asks about any fingerprints they found on the gun, and Tragg says they found nothing identifiable. He asks if there were any other prints on the case, and Tragg says there weren't, not even Sarah's.

Burger next questions Lorraine about her relationship with Harrison. She was at his house multiple times before the divorce, and Burger asks if he tried to break up her and Larkin. Lorraine says Harrison thought they weren't suited and argued with Larkin frequently about it. Mason has no questions for Lorraine. After she steps down, Burger asks that the courtroom be darkened so the prosecution can show a film with a projector.

Mason demands to know more about the film, and Burger says it's a home movie taken six months before the murder at the Larkin home, three days before Ethel filed for divorce. Mason objects that they haven't laid a foundation for the film, and Burger shoots back that they'd love to -- but the only witness who can do that is Ethel, who's been missing since the day after her son's murder. The judge rules they'll run the film and he'll judge their admissibility, and Mason reserves the right to voir dire examination.

In the darkened courtroom, the clerk runs the projector. The completely silent film shows Harrison gifting Ethel a necklace when Larkin runs in and confronts Harrison. He makes several exaggerated gestures at both Harrison and directly at the camera, while Harrison tries to get the person filming to stop the tape. Then Harrison apparently snaps at something Larkin says and punches him, sending him backwards into a hedge. Ethel goes to her son and the tape ends. The judge adjourns for the day after the film ends.

The Investigation Continues

Perry speaks with Harrison at the jail and asks about the film. Harrison says he forgot the films existed as Ethel asked him for a divorce that same night. He won't tell Perry what the fight was about, and says he knows Ethel won't say either. Perry says that there was a fourth person there -- the camera operator. Perry knows Harrison, who won't admit who else was there, must be protecting someone.

In the Durell home, Mrs. Durell is frantically piecing together a torn letter and envelope from a wastebasket. She uses the phone, placing a handkerchief over the mouthpiece, to call Perry's office. Playing an anonymous tipster, she says Ethel Harrison keeps writing to George Durell and must be in love with him. She gives him the address on the envelope -- it's Irene's apartment. Perry easily pegs the caller as Claire Durell.

Perry arrives at Irene's apartment and asks to see Ethel, saying he knows about the letter. Ethel emerges from the bedroom and says the letter was innocent. Perry tells Ethel she needs to be in court the next day, and Irene tries to tell her not to go. Ethel says her testimony won't help, and goes quiet when he asks about the film. Irene tells Ethel the information would hurt an innocent person -- and Perry guesses Irene would know that because she was the one filming it. There's a knock at the door -- it's the police.

Perry tells Ethel that she can't hide forever. Ethel opens the door to Lt. Tragg, who apparently got his information from the same source as Perry. Tragg tells Ethel she'll have to come with him. Perry asks Irene in front of Tragg if she'll testify to what was said in the video. She remains silent and Perry leaves. The next day in court, both women will have to testify to this bombshell evidence that will convict Joe Harrison of murder...

In Summation

It's rare that a Perry Mason case involves a piece of video evidence --one of the most charming things about these cases is that there's a certain ambiguity to the evidence as it's set before the days when cameras became so commonplace. As such, the cases against Mason's clients are built around physical evidence and eyewitness testimony, which -- in both the show's cases and real life -- are just the right level of unreliable that he has plenty of opportunity to poke holes in the prosecution's case.

Even so, the video evidence in this case is also fairly unreliable, in that it doesn't have sound recorded. I get that it's admissible in the sense that it goes to motive, at least in part, but I find that a bit strange for two reasons: First, the incident in question takes place several months before the murder, and I think even a cursory investigation would reveal suspects with more immediate motive. Second, without sound, there's no real way to know what it was the victim said -- which means it's as good as no evidence at all.

Most of the victims in Season One have so far been real pieces of work, but Philip Larkin may be the first that not even a mother could love. Actually, that's not quite accurate: His mother does love him, but is under no illusions about what a scumbag he is. After the case is concluded, nobody misses him and everyone seems to think the real murderer did a public service. And I can't say I disagree -- Larkin was running the business into the ground, sexually harassing one of the employees, and forcing his mother to choose between him and her loving husband.

However, there is one thing I'm not so sure he's in the wrong about: The Larkin Import company was started by Philip's father, who left it to Ethel when he died. She later outright handed the company to her new husband, who proceeded to take over the whole kit and caboodle with the staff of his former company. While I don't for an instant believe Larkin would have been a good fit to run the company, I can't really blame him for being mad that his family business went to the new beau rather than to him.

Joe Harrison is a prime example of just how much the average Mason client stupidity gets them in hot water. He's also a case study for why you should always, always just call the police when you find a body, not clumsily attempt to cover your tracks and deny you were there. If Harrison had alerted the police and explained that he'd just arrived, found the body, and checked to see if the gun was still there, he'd have looked way less suspicious -- the police might have detained him, but I doubt they would have arrested him.

Also, unless I missed something, I don't think we ever find out what it is that Larkin has on Lorraine to try and blackmail her into getting back together with him. We know she's got a new boyfriend, but we never actually see him. Lorraine is almost inexplicably important to every single person in this episode, but yet we never find out one of the most interesting things about her: What she did that's worthy of blackmail.

That being said, there are some things I like a lot about this episode: The performance of Fay Wray as Ethel Harrison, for starters. The mother of the victim who's caught between her grief for her son and her love for the defendant is more complex than most suspects in cases like this. The fact that she disappears rather than testify as she knows how damning her testimony is might not be the smartest move legally, but it's to her credit that she thinks of doing it.

I also like the final twist of the episode, because it brings together some clues that have been sitting unnoticed in the background. I won't spoil what they are, but some characters play a much larger role than you think they do on first viewing. It's by no means the most surprising conclusion in a Perry Mason episode, and an astute viewer will probably put the pieces together, but that's cause for praise rather than criticism.

There are times in the show when Perry Mason and Hamilton Burger will be friendly and amicable with each other and show respect for each other's methods. This isn't one of those times, as Burger seems to spend the whole episode under the misapprehension that Perry told Ethel to go into hiding (thanks to Sarah not understanding the situation). While I can understand why he'd think that -- Perry's certainly not above being clever with evidence, including witnesses -- I wish he'd give him the credit to not assume he'd do something out and out unethical.

The Verdict

Judgement: ⚖⚖ (two scales out of four) Neither the victim nor the client are exceptional people this week, and foolish honor hampers Perry Mason's case. However, the final twist is well set-up and the suspects all behave in believable ways to protect their secrets.

[jazzandpizazz]

adjshgskak i love them 😭

[gatogotica]

malcolm bright is female-coded because nobody listens to him even though he’s right 99% of the time. also he is the parent to his younger sister and both his actual parents. hope this helps

[flaggermuser]

Home Is Where His Heart Is

1,266 words || Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Past Trauma, CPTSD, minor spoilers for Season 4 Episode 4, GN Reader, Doctor Reader, Happy Ending, Codependency ||

Sequel to When You Loved Me which contains spoilers for Season 4 Episode 4

Divider made badly by me

Thank you to @theonlymanintheskyisme for being my beta hostage and @homeb0ys for always having the perfect gif or picture

“You should have been raised in a home with a family who loved you.”

It’s 1 am.

The frantic knocking had woken you with a start and you’d rushed to put a robe on, carefully walking down the stairs, concerned about who was at your door this late at night.

Turning on the light in the hall, you slowly advance towards the door, undoing the various locks but keeping the chain on, opening the door enough to peek through the gap only to close it again and remove the chain, then open the door.

“John?”

Homelander stands before you, trembling with red-tinged eyes. He falls forward and you just about catch him, his arms around you tight, being careful not to crush you.

“Oh, John,” you say softly. “Shhh, it’s okay, it’s okay. The room can’t hurt you anymore.”

You knew this would happen.

Underneath it all, he’s still that scared little boy you cared for, the one you held in your arms when he cried, the one you’d tuck into bed when he exhausted himself.

After everything they did and, despite the affection you showed him, it’s no surprise that he had nightmares.

Even the most powerful man in the world isn’t immune to night terrors.

You pull away just enough, managing a smile and cupping his cheek in your hand, wiping away some residual tears.

“Come on, I’ve got a spare room. It won’t be as luxurious as what you’re used to but it’s yours for as long as you need it.”

He doesn’t say a word, he just quickly nods his head so you move out of the way, welcoming him back into your home. You’re not sure if he had anything to bring with him or left in such a hurry that he couldn’t grab anything.

However, you were prepared for this.

There was always going to be an attachment, you’d followed his life, unable to let go of the little boy you left behind. It seems now that the attachment goes both ways, not that you mind.

The prodigal son has returned home.

You’re making up for lost time, repenting for your sins.

“I doubt that’s very comfortable to sleep in,” you remark about his suit, only for him to silently agree. “I bought some things for you, just in case.”

“Thank you.”

It’s a whisper, barely audible.

“Come on then.”

It’s nice.

Homelander is used to the opulence that comes with being the Leader of the Seven but somehow, being in a simple bed in a room barely the size of his bathroom is the most comfortable he’s been in years, dressed in simple cotton pyjamas.

It didn’t seem to matter to you that he was a grown man in his 40s, you’d still tucked him in and kissed him on the forehead.

Whether that was a conscious or subconscious decision, he doesn’t know and he doesn’t care, it makes him feel safe, just as it did when he was young. However, instead of being alone in a sterile room, he’s in a spare room in your home and you’re just down the hall if he needs anything.

But he has everything he needs.

His eyes slowly drift close and he begins to fall asleep, his mind going to a place of peace. It’s been some time since he’s been able to sleep soundly since he wasn’t plagued with horrendous memories.

The last time he felt this safe, this secure, was when you were there.

“It’s okay John, you get some sleep and I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Even in his sleep, he can feel the smile spreading across his lips, feeling his body melt into the bed. He's never felt this kind of love before, the love of a parent, of someone who truly cared about him to the point they ruined their career.

Of course, once he found you, he did some digging into what happened between you being fired from Vought and when he showed up at your door.

You were blacklisted from scientific pursuits - Vought was determined to keep you silenced.

So you took up a job as a science teacher in a nearby high school, just barely making enough money to afford a comfortable life yet it didn’t seem to have bothered you. After all, you’d managed to buy a nice enough home in a remotely good neighbourhood.

Plus without a partner or children to support, you didn’t have to worry.

Yet he feels bad for you, after all, he’s the reason you’ve spent most of your life alone, atoning for your guilt over abandoning him. In his dreams, he imagines what life with you may have been like; waking up every day to pancakes, going to little league games, getting an A on his test and putting it on the fridge.

You would have made the fake childhood real.

However, now you’re more than making up for it.

“I want you to know, John. I need you to know, that you’ll always have a place here and in my heart."

And for once, he can believe it.

Morning comes.

Light peaking in between the curtains stirs him awake.

For the first time in a long time, maybe for the first time he can ever remember, he’s slept through the night unhindered by nightmares. All thanks to a cosy little bed and a kiss goodnight on the forehead.

For a childless person, you’re incredibly nurturing.

As he trudges down the stairs, still half asleep, he manages to find the kitchen where a big stack of pancakes with bacon, accompanied by a glass of milk, sits on the table, on a place setting almost hastily put together.

It seems as if you don’t get company often.

He’ll be more than happy to change that.

“Good morning, John. How are you feeling today?”

He knows the words before you speak them, he’d heard them from you often enough, in the months when he saw you daily.

Before they made you leave him.

“Did you sleep okay?”

I don’t remember the last time I slept better.

He nods, taking his seat, eagerly digging into the breakfast you’ve made him. The parental domestication of it all warms his heart and his soul, enough to keep a small part of his humanity alive.

“Good?”

Vought has access to all the top chefs in the world, able to make anything his heart could desire but nothing they’ve made tastes anywhere as good as these simple pancakes.

A premade mix or made from scratch, they’re a damn sight tastier than anything he’s had before.

Maybe there is some truth behind the saying ‘made with love’.

“Yes, thank you, Tawny.”

You still, and he can hear your heart beating a little faster as you press your hand to your mouth. You’re trying to hold back your tears, but it’s clear that you recall the same memory, one they tried so hard to erase in his mind.

“What’s your favourite animal?”

“Well John, I like owls because, just like me, they’re awake at night. I like tawny owls the best.”

Tawny.

It’s a simple nickname, one he came to associate with you as a parent, as his parent.

He remembers back when he was reading a book on Roman mythology, one of the many books on history that he read, where owls in ancient myth were described as symbols of wisdom and knowledge.

It also represented foresight, intelligence and the ability to see what others cannot.

Where they all saw an experiment, you saw a little boy in desperate need of love.

“You’re welcome, John.”

[murdrdocs]

implied stepcest; suggestive content; MDNI

luke castellan who finally returns to his mothers home to find her name hyphenated, and two new people living under the castellan roof; his new stepfather and stepsister.

his stepfather is fine. nothing remarkable. just some guy who is eager to please and desperately wants to get on luke’s good side. and then completely opposing the mundaneness of your father is you.

pretty, interesting, all smiles and engaging anecdotes and generosity as you offer to show him what he’s missed in the past 10 years.

unfortunately, luke can’t prevent his mind from going straight to the gutter, anticipating you showing him the sexual things he’s missed. but he refuses to let himself go that route. you’re his stepsister for gods sake.

so he hides his attraction to you when you show him your favorite places. he tries not to let his eyes linger on your legs when you curl up on the couch a little too far from him during “sibling movie night”. he plays the concerned brother role when you mention crushes or other guys a little too well, hoping it comes off as over enthusiasm instead of jealous.

he feels pathetic. back at camp, he had more glory than he knew what to do with. he was the prodigal child, the camper people envied and lusted after. and now here he is, trying to shut out images of his new stepsister while he’s in the shower jerking his cock with images of someone who looks nearly identical to you in his head, save for a few key features that were different enough to satiate his guilt.

eventually, his longing has to come to a head. he needs just one touch, one moment, one something, and he promises himself he’ll move on. maybe get with one of your friends you keep trying to set him up with.

he offers to train you in hand to hand combat upon subtle suggestion from your parents, worried claims that you needed to be able to protect yourself just in case.

he teaches you the basics, walking you through ways to escape a hold from an attacker. then he works it out with you, fighting you enough to get you in the hold, and not letting up when you try to get out.

“a real threat won’t go easy on you,” he reasons when he has you pulled to his chest, arms wrapped around your body in a way that prevents everything but limited movement from you.

he has you, he knows that and you know it too. usually he would gloat. but he can’t focus on his ego whenever your ass is pressed right to his crotch, the thin fabric of your shorts leaving nothing to the imagination.

you tell him to let you go. he doesn’t.

you tell him again. he doesn’t.

“luke,” eventually your voice is a small whisper. your hips push back into his, your nails dig into his forearm. luke holds you a little bit tighter. he expects you to ask for more. to tell him to keep going.

“let me go.”

your words sting. they punch luke in the gut harder than your fist did.

he does as told, convincing himself that he’d imagined it all. all the while, he remains completely oblivious to the way you look at him. how upset you look for a split second when one of your friends flirts with him. how you choose the shortest shorts you own when you’re around him at night, and how you scoot closer and closer while you watch movies. how you barely tried to escape his grasp that time, instead letting yourself enjoy the warmth of his body against yours.

how you moan his name just a little too loud while you fuck yourself, hoping that the thin walls between your rooms won’t block any sound you make.

[luveline]

Omg please kbd uncle Eddie:’)

dad!steve x mom!reader, 1k

“Hi, Uncle Eddie.” 

Eddie rubs his hands together, holds them out in front of himself, and summons the prodigal child forward. “Bethany. Quick, give me a hug.” 

Bethie walks into his waiting arms, her giggle infectious as she says, “That’s not my name.” 

“Bethie,” Eddie says with a sigh. “You know my full name is Edward. Full names are nothing to be ashamed of.” 

“It’s Bethie.” 

She pushes the hair off of his shoulders. He smiles at her and her little hands. If someone told him ten years ago he’d be carrying Steve ‘King of Hawkins High’ Harrington’s babygirl around like a treasure he’d laugh in their face, but he loves Beth. She’s hands down his favourite Harrington, and he’s allowed to have favourites as an uncle, though the other clingers are cool too. Beth is Eddie’s favourite because she’s an underdog, and because she’s so clearly infatuated with him. They’re best friends. 

He gives her a pat between the shoulders and slips down into a seat in front of the TV. There’s no signs of the other babies nor their parents; Eddie always lets himself in when he’s coming around and he doesn’t expect wait service, but a hello would be nice. “Where’s mom and dad?” he asks, setting Beth down into the seat beside him. He zeroes in on a plate of pretzels and snags a few for snacking. “You’re downstairs by yourself?” 

“No! They’re in the kitchen.” 

“Really? What about Ave and Dove, then?” he asks through chewing. 

“Dove is napping and Ave, um, went somewhere.” 

He raises his brows. “Dad took her somewhere?” He imagines Beth would tell him Avery’s run away with similar nonchalance. 

“To Grandma’s. They’re going to watch a play.” 

“Oh,” Eddie springs up off of the couch. “Stay here, sweetheart, I’ll just go make sure they know I’m here.” 

Eddie is scared to open the door. Why is it closed? He supposed parents are deprived of one another but he doesn’t wanna see you kissing. Then again, if he does see you kissing, Steve will die of embarrassment. That’s worth it. 

“Hello!” he shouts, throwing open the door. 

He makes you both jump hard, Steve’s head thwacking a cabinet and your hand thrown to your chest. You almost fall on your ass where you’re kneeling by Steve’s leg. His pant leg is pushed up to the knee, and you have a tweezers in hand —Eddie frowns abruptly. 

“What the hell are you doing?” he asks. 

“Steve has a tick, you fiend. When did you get here?” 

Steve groans. “The door was locked,” he says, rubbing the back of his head. 

“Not well. Just stuck my credit card in there and wham. You guys should slide the chain in if you’re gonna leave poor Bethie all by her lonesome, don’t you think?” 

“Eddie, the door was locked,” Steve says. “You’re the only weirdo in Hawkins willing to break in. Plus, I still have that baseball bat in the garage.” 

“Sure. Come on, sweetheart, get off the floor. Let Eddie have a stab at it.” 

You laugh and pull Steve’s pants down over his shin. “It’s fine, I already got it. He might get Lyme’s now because you scared the fuck out of me–”

“Language.” 

“–but I heated it up and I think I got it.” You look up with a smile. Steve pauses his pained head rubbing to beam at you lovingly. 

“I’m sure he’ll be fine. Or he’ll turn into a zombie, and that would make him cooler. Win win. So, dinner?” Eddie asks. “Should I go get something?” 

“Nah, I made ravioli, you rude idiot. Where’s Beth?” 

“I told her to stay put in case you were making out.” 

Steve helps you up from your kneeling to dust you off. “Thanks for saving my life,” he sighs tiredly, kissing your cheek. 

Eddie rolls his eyes and turns away. Steve should love and appreciate you, you’re awesome, but he’s also a loser and Eddie’s entitled to thinking such disparaging thoughts about his friend from time to time. 

You and Steve made a kid as cool as Beth, so Steve can’t be too bad of a loser.

“Uncle Eddie?” 

“Yes, my lovely sweetpea angel?” Eddie asks. 

She stares at him, adorable in all her chubby-cheeked, sugary-eyed sweetness with her hands held up for another hug. Eddie leans down, says, “Daw, I can’t say no to you,” as she giggles into his hair. He strokes the top of her shoulder with his thumb. “So what’s happening? How did that painting go with mommy, did you put it in the contest?” 

Steve nudges you forward with a hand on your shoulder. “He’d make a good dad, right?” 

“For sure,” you say, “not as good as you, though.” 

“Oh, you’re flirting with me, that’s cool… Are you free Friday night?” 

“Probably gonna be pulling ticks off of some other guy's leg.” 

“Oh, that’s fine, I was busy anyways.” 

Beth giggles as Eddie tips her backward, a mixture of nerves and excitement that kids experience so much more than adults. 

“I always expected him to just end up with a kid. Like, one night stand style,” Steve says. 

“There’s nothing wrong with that. At least then he doesn’t get stuck marrying somebody he doesn’t love.” 

Steve glares at you as you laugh, dragging you into his arms to smush kisses into your cheek. “Don’t even joke about that.” 

“Sorry, honey. I hope Eddie gets as lucky as me someday.” 

Beth begs to be put down through giggles. “I don’t know,” Steve says, resting his cheek on your temple to watch her laugh, “I don’t think Eddie has luck, just sheer force of will.” 

“He’d totally get a baby in a basket on his doorstep.” 

Steve mulls it over. “God, he totally would.” 

[foursaints]

fanonwise i sometimes feel that we don’t treat barty crouch jr’s relationship to his father with the amount of nuance that it’s given in canon.

i see more evidence for their dynamic as one of a prodigal son‘s unexpected betrayal, rather than him being openly defiant from the beginning. barty jr disdains his father more than he fears him.

barty’s character is more about being Stifled than it is about being Penalized, if that makes sense. he is a docile thing on the outside. for a counterexample: sirius continuously rebelled against his parents and was punished for it, over and over. barty is more the case of a child dutifully abiding with something spiteful and ugly growing underneath his surface, larger each passing year.

barty’s revenge, and his anger, and his suffering, are all quiet things: the secret burying of a bone, the forced muteness of imperius. barty doesn’t react when he speaks about his father or sees him in disguise. he admits to never truly considering him a father, seeing more of himself in tom instead.

this is more compelling to me than casting him as a sirius-variant!! it’s a slow type of resentment— leading to torture and ending in revenge— and i like the idea of barty as someone in Waiting. he’s the deferential mirror of a man he doesn’t respect (but never truly, not inside). barty jr was a son raised to take the place of his father: obeying to the letter until he suddenly didn’t, and finally usurping him in the most violent way possible with patricide. his father wanted an heir to replace him and he created a perfect one, in the most tragically ironic way possible!! this will always be more interesting to me than a barty who is plainly defiant from the outset— it flattens him!!

[qcomicsy]

Hi

Can you recommend me Bat-family comics to read? Which ones do you like?

Heyyyy

I would love it!

DISCLAIMER Keep it in mind I'm a casual reader so my recs might not be the most "this is every issue they are together" or the longer ones!

Let's go!

Nightwing Annual (2021)

Dick & Jason focused

This is one of my favorites ones, it focuses both on Dick's and Jason's relationship as Nightwing and Robin and Nightwing and Redhood.

The dialogue is great, it has both it's really funny bits but also it's really wholesome ones too and it's full of heartwarming moments.

I absolutely adore the way they handled Jason's Robin and acknowledges his violent tendencies without judging him for it.

He's not portrayed as overly violent and reckless, but as a normal teenager having normal reactions given the things he had to deal in his past.

My only criticism is Jason still using that damn crowbar and how they kept drawing Jason shorter the Nightwing for some reason. I think it was to accentuate the "younger brother" feelings so I forgive the artist.

But it's pretty funny.

He looks like short king

Robin & Batman

Dick and Bruce focused

Oh this one, this one it's so good, so good that almost got me crying on main. It's really beautiful, I wasn't the happiest about how Bruce behaved in the comic but it sat in a fine line between Batdad and Bruce being a terrible father/person.

He is too hard on Robin, but it does show how he is trying.

The art is goddamn beautiful, it has this watercolor look and Dick looks adorable on it.

It also goes deep in Dick's feelings about being Robin and what the whole jig means to him, it respects Dick's relationship with Bruce but without forgetting the love and the moments he had with his biological parents.

It's just really, really beautiful a goddamn gem between the many mistakes DC made with them two over those years.

For Tim and Dick I really recomend

Batman Prodigal (1997)

Note: The whole Kightfell series is great for a Bruce, Dick and Tim read. But for the Batfam feelings you can just focus on the prodigal parts.

Dick & Tim focused

The only thing you have to know to catch up is:

1. Bane broke Bruce's back and dignity, so he couldn't still be Batman.

2. Bruce found this guy called Jean Paul to fill for him.

3. Jean Paul is really fond of punishment and violence and the good ol' catholic guilt and goes a little bit too rogue as Batman for everyone's liking.

4. Bruce takes the mantle from Jean Paul and Nightwing fills in as the new Batman.

I wouldn't call exactly brotherly, because Tim wasn't adopted yet in the timeline this was published but they have their moments.

New talent show case DC #2017

Duke and Jason focused

This is also a favorite. It's a short story (unfortunately) but every single panel is worth it.

It's basically Jason and Duke bonding moment between fighting some baddies and trying to clown each other on the way. 10/10 will always recommend.

Robin War

Jason & Duke & Tim & Damian

This one I've read recently (thanks for the asks people send to me y'all are fucking great) and it's a fucking gem!

It shows a lot their chemistry on the battlefield and how fucking insufferable they are around each other. It also shows how Duke fits as a glove in this family of misfits even before he was an "official member".

Red Hood and the Outlaws Annual (2016)

Another Dick and Jason focused!

Oh this one is a blast! It's also short but so goddamn worth it.

Basically Jason and the Outlaws take a gig in a circus to track a Russian bad guy (gotta love how comic books have unresolved beef with Russians until this day) and well it's a circus so how can you not call Dick Grayson?

It's so goddamn funny and it has no right to be, it still very close in the timeline where Dick and Jason were definitely not in good terms, so their interaction it's all so awkward it's a joy really.

We also got a flashback from Dick and younger Jason as Robin and even the flashback is goddamn hilarious, I had such a good time reading it that it's a must read!

Now If you're here for the angst and general feeling's™

I would highly recomend.

- Nightwing Year One (Dick & Bruce)

- Death in the Family (Jason & Bruce & Dick)

- Red Robin (Tim & Dick / Tim & Damian / minor Tim & Cass / Minor Bruce & Tim)

Note: They don't interact much in this run but when they do it hurts. It also can help you understand the beef between Tim and Damian better.

- DCeased (Damian & Steph / minor Damian & Jason)

Note: It's one of the many, many DC aus but this one it's 'pretty' good (it's decent). Definitely not Batfam focused but it has one one of my favorite Damian & Steph and Damian & Jason moments. It's also one of my favorites interpretations of Damian, he gets so sweet and mature over the years that passes in the comic and his reencounter with Jason rewrote my entirety brain chemistry.

Also unfortunately it's the only time we get to see Damian and Jon growing up together :')

- DC vs Vampires ( Batfam (except Duke because the author is a coward) specially Tim & Damian / Tim & Bruce / Dick & Almost everybody )

Note: Okay this one is a fucking car ride, a rollercoaster if you will. And it's ANOTHER DC au but with yeah VAMPIRES so buckle-up.

It has major Batfam moments in the beginning and one of my favorites Damian and Tim interactions ( I'm going to reblog this with photos because Tumblr is homophobic and isn't letting me add more photos in this shit >:( ). Then it goes hard on betrayal (trying not to add spoilers) and feelings so get ready for that.

I unfortunately haven't finished (casual reader remember that) but the much I've read was really, really good.

It gets very silly very quickly as anything made with vampires generally get (unfortunately they butchered a lot of characters in the process) but if you go head empty no thoughts you're going to get a lot of fun and maybe cry a little if that gets to you.

So this is it. I'm sure it has more of it, and oh I'm sure I forgot a lot of it but those are the one's I could get from the top of my head, so I hope you and all of the people who want to follow it have fun!

Also if someone has more recommendations feel free to add on the Reblogs, I'm sure I will eat it up anyway.

[popponn]

things about sae.

it's sae's turn in my brain microwave. i want to understand you, underlashes senior. headcanons +observation+ rambling. spoilers, will be updated as time goes on.

scathing, mean af vocabs. pretty rude even as a child. but compared to rin, his cursing seems to be much tamer.

is REALLY focused on soccer. but also said in the character interview to not "only be able to/focus on soccer like him".

but in his introduction to u20 shows that he seems to value someone who goes all in to soccer. and it's kind of in line with the things he "admits" and chided. example a: shidou and isagi being individuals who are undeniably soccer obsessed (though on isagi's case as they haven't even talk, if i remember correctly, this might be more because of isagi's way of winning through "making use of luck"). example b: things he said in the u20 introduction in response to sendou.

headcanonish but this guy is giving me "burnout gifted child" vibe with all the prodigal status, expectations, and being hit in the face by the world. like what are you. are you satisfied by marina??????

there are few moments where he displays something that is pretty close to 'praise', but say it not to the related person/group himself. (i.e. his thoughts of blue lock in locker room, his comment about "dont switch out any of the u20 member".)

like is he being not nice on purpose????? honestly probably. headcanonish, but if seeing his way of giving comments to rin pre-spain, it's been like that since he was little. (i will check rin's ln again later)

in contrast to rin having "natural luck", this guy seems to more " making/seeking luck". but idk yet, with only ice cream sticks as clues. sae backstory and ln spin off when.

his eyes during the confrontation with rin in that snowy night are pretty expressive. but since visual cues leave a really wide room for interpretation + bllk tendency to subvert things, i will not comment. but honestly i really agree with the sentiment that sae was hurt by rin's words, but in the end the discouragement seems to come more from a place of "i don't want you to get hurt so just go home and don't play soccer anymore" (very very hc and more of an interpretation, as sae's pov is still non existent)

aka yeah, this guy is shit at displaying concern and any sort of care. headcanon but. do you see the vibe??? with rin???? like it's similar. what is this genetic.

simple fashion, but pretty trendy and chic(?).

this guy seems like a family guy who misses his family a lot. (please make up soon with your lil bro)

watches chibi maruko chan. has habits that genuinely reminds me of old people (drinking tea, looking at sea, thinking of family).

people at blue lock think of him as someone who seems to be good at study, but looking at the pattern of hyperfocused people in blue lock it either goes two way: a) his skill at everything else is questionable at best, abysmall at worst ; b) he is an all-rounder indeed.

but then again there is also the third type aka "good at football, still functional at everything except communication and emotional management skill".

his way of talking in jp is, to put it simply, pretty casual like guys his age. the thing that are the rudest part of it was his choice of words and the fact that he seems to talk like this to everyone. even his elder. and also the way he is very blunt in expressing his opinion.

but somehow that bluntness is gone when it came to showing vulnerable emotions. talk about emotional constipation.

if his character interview is reliable and unbiased, as it is from sae's own pov, his relationship with his parents seems okay.

genuinely wondering about his parents' canon response to his and rin's cold war.

does he even have friends. no like seriously.

his brother and him are really similar in many ways. rin is probably copying him in some ways tho—that, or rin's own issues. or sae's own issues.

please just make up with your brother. (2)

after spain his bang is gone. as in he just pushed them up. in u20 it still went down sometimes in a few panels.

he likes numbers. maybe he really is smart.

genuinely looking at him like "please get a hobby" not even as an insult but out of genuine concern. this dude has so many issues and the burnout child prodigy vibe is real strong with this one.

but not fully his fault. pretty much live alone overseas, probably with no friends his age and just a manager as his support system, went through a crisis, is a (probable) family loving guy with his family far away from him, then came home to his beloved lil bro he spoiled and dotted on and shared a dream with saying hurtful things to him on his lowest point. and not supporting his new decision and dream. from sae's pov, it's brutal.

i can defend rin on this too tho. honestly please talk to each other, itoshi bros. or acknowledge that maybe neither of you were in not in the best state of mind during that confrontation.

seems logical and he does likes numbers. but honestly, he just acts as he wants—look at how he talks to journalist, how he has 0 hesitation to leave an ongoing match.

went to spain at 13 according to rin's spin off novel. also mentioned to "hate to lose" and seems to be a strict perfectionist.

must be noted however that how rin sees him seems to be very biased. a bit of rin analysis/hc, but there seems to be "putting nii chan on a pedestal" going on there. how their childhood truly is from sae's perspective is still unknown. on rin's part tho, seems to be a very nice period.

is rich. so the snobby rich condescending guy aura is probably not that far from the truth. his sense of money seems to be a mess, as a few hundred millions is a small amount for him.

this guy seems to be picky with who he respects and he really doesn't hold back in disrespecting someone he doesn't. even higher ups and older people.

does skincare canonly.

doesn't seem to have friends so far...? (nel arc, before pxg match) but if we look at how rin is now, unsurprising.

in rin's novel, rin's physique is mentioned to be "better" than sae's actually. with how "rin wins in luck" while sae "loses" motive exist through the ice cream sticks, probably this motive will come up again when sae appears again.

[remembrancer-of-heresy]

The Emperor's Children and Fulgrim's Daughter. Before and After the Heresy* (Headcanons)

*Because this is Slaanesh, be careful. There's a lot of darkness here

Author's Note: was inspired by this anon's idea

If we talk about how Fulgrim got a daughter, I can assume that one of his wives (his favorite) unexpectedly became pregnant. Whether Fulgrim knew about it or not, but in any case, the outcome is the same. The Emperor takes her to study. He is afraid to destroy her because she is part of the warp and it is unknown what kind of reaction will follow.

In the end, he comes to the conclusion that she does not pose a threat. And decides to return her to his son. Perhaps he kept her in stasis for many years and controlled her age. But in the end, Fulgrim is reunited with his daughter, who, consider, did not have time to see the world (and not with a 150-year-old independent and self-sufficient girl). This is just one of the scenarios, but it is from this I want to analyze.

Fulgrim: Whatever one may say, the story of the Primarch with his own daughter is extremely sad. Fulgrim suppressed the love for his adoptive parents and wives, because he considered it a weakness. And then, decades later, he learns that he has a daughter. The Emperor was wise to take her. So, is it not, that he returned her, a manifestation of a higher plan? Fulgrim tries to provide her with the best, to show her all the wonders of the Galaxy. But as a stranger. And in the most vulnerable moments, he always leaves, afraid that a little more and he will give in. Love for his father and brothers is boundless. But his own family... a daughter... that's different. That's a weakness.

A weakness that he gladly accepts after Laeran. His daughter thinks she's in a fairy tale. Finally, her father acknowledged her, opened up to her. But with each passing day, she is horrified by his strange behavior. How he is slowly becoming corrupted. The Primarch himself is becoming more and more obsessed with his daughter. At some points, he wants to cause her boundless pain. At some moments, thoughts of a... different nature appear in his head. Those for which he would be condemned. But the fall into Slaanesh clouds common sense and Fulgrim is sure that the love of father and daughter can reach a new level.

At some point, she escapes and he is not even surprised. After all, she is a half-primarch. And finally ascended, Fulgrim indulges in eternal pleasures in the realm of Slaanesh. While his servants and daemonettes scour all corners of the Galaxy, hoping to find the fugitive and present her to her father. Fulgrim is in no hurry to reunite with his prodigal daughter. The meeting will definitely take place. And then he will show her all the gifts of the Dark Prince.

Eidolon: Even before the Heresy, Eidolon behaved extremely arrogantly, even in front of the primarch. He would certainly admire Fulgrim's daughter, but in his look of boundless love there would still be more conceit and feigned importance. He would have thought that only he was worthy of seeing the girl and interacting with her in any way.

After Laeran, the man became even more brazen with the Primarch's daughter. However, he did not allow himself to cross the line for a long time. Not only because he did not have time to realize such a possibility. But also after Fulgrim cut off his head in a fit of rage. Nevertheless, after Terra, having created his own band, Eidolon intended at all costs to make Fulgrim's daughter his consort. He will receive recognition from the other Emperor's Children. Besides, no one else is worthy of her.

Julius Kaesoron: The first Space Marine with whom Fulgrim's daughter would truly have a wonderful relationship. Built not on hierarchy and her origin. But because the man enjoys discussing books, music, philosophy and other arts with her. He is inquisitive and kind. How can one resist such a thing? Julius sees Fulgrim's daughter as a small perfection that he cannot become, but must protect.

After Laeran... Fulgrim would hardly give his daughter to any of the Emperor's Children. But he will tell his beloved son, almost with tears in his eyes, that he wants him to fuck his daughter. The First Captain will only happily fulfill such a request. Having succumbed to the lust of Slaanesh, Julius sees no boundaries and is ready to receive pleasure and pain from anything. And the very thought of enjoying the girl's body, experiencing the sweet pain of her tears and feelings of betrayal only excites him even more.

Marius Vairosean: He was always Fulgrim's faithful dog. Like a true soldier, he carried out all the orders, wanting more than anything to get his attention. Therefore, for him, Fulgrim's daughter occupies an almost divine place. He tries with all his might to get her attention as a dog. But at the same time, his soldierly and menacing attitude does not go away. Partly, Fulgrim's daughter likes him, but on the other hand, she cannot get close to him.

After Laeran, Marius turns into not just a degenerate and a sadist, but a Noise Marine. A crazy lover of deadly music. Now he causes her only fear and disgust. His attitude towards her has not changed at all. But now, at every opportunity, Marius follows the girl like a terrible shadow as a protector from carnivorous glances. Without admitting that he enjoys her fear.

Lucius the Eternal: Quite an interesting situation. Before the siege of Laeran, Lucius was an ordinary legionary, not a captain. He had no opportunity to even approach the Primarch's daughter. Let alone talk. However, this did not stop him from looking at her from afar. He always wanted to become the best swordsman. But also to advance in his career. To earn honor, respect, adoration. Recognition from the Primarch himself. And Fulgrim's daughter was on this list.

When the Heresy began, he enjoyed her company to the fullest. And even though the girl was not enslaved by Slaanesh, everyone continued to love her. She did not oppose the newfound temptations of the Astartes (or simply could not). And she had to come to terms with the fact that when Lucius was not training with a sword, he sought her attention. He despised his brothers, but the girl was a special case.

After Terra, his attitude towards her did not change at all. He continues to seek out new pleasures that the Galaxy offers him. But he does not forget to search, hoping to find Fulgrim's daughter. His Primarch left his Legion. The girl too, but she was forgivable. And he was ready to forgive her. Just let her illuminate him with her half-primarch soul again. Perhaps someday she will even look at him not with contempt, but with lust.

Fabius Bile: Purely scientific interest. The Apothecary has already been honored to examine the primarch and at least slightly touch the Emperor's creation. And despite the fact that Fulgrim's daughter is theoretically weaker than the primarchs and even the space marines (while possessing eternal youth and phenomenal health), he is sure that her potential can be increased.

When the Heresy begins, various irrational and rather perverted thoughts also enter Bile's head. About causing pain, the desire to receive pleasure. However, not by conventional methods. Suddenly, mental psychology comes into play and now Bile begins to act not as a doctor. But rather as a mentor.

After Terra, he finally becomes her adoptive and named father (the most disgusting Slaanesh heresy). Oddly enough, the girl herself wanted it, trusting him more than Fulgrim (which is not surprising). He hides her from the Emperor's Children and introduces her to his "children". Meeting Fulgrim's clone was the strangest thing in her life btw.

[arsonmurderandjaywalking]

notes for the Jack and Janet get divorced instead of going to Haiti au that I have been ruminating on

We get to avoid the Obeah Man arc (misogynistic and extremely racist. I’m glad to be rid of it)

Ultimately I see Janet getting custody, but I feel like there’s also the question of if she would want to be a single mom, and how she would feel about being one. She’s already doing most of the parenting between the two of them, but there was still some divide of work. She was a working mom in the 90s when she didn’t explicitly need to be. Her career is probably important to her. Suddenly not having the fallback that Jack provided would be pretty daunting

Another question irt custody is how hard Jack would fight it. He’s a typical conservative dad. He thinks that child-rearing is mostly a woman’s job, but also I can see him having issues at the thought of a single-mother household. Additionally, he hasn’t really had any revelations about his parenting yet, so he would be even more insulted than canon Jack about anyone implying that he wouldn’t be able to properly care for Tim, and he’d probably fight it on principle

I have no idea what would happen with the company, actually. I am not a business person. They’d probably still have to work together though, since they’re both described as heads of the company, and I imagine they’d both be reluctant to leave

Google is telling me that divorce proceedings tend to take 3-6 months when there aren’t any significant issues, which is certainly not the case for these two, and potentially upwards of 14 months when there is a lot of arguing. Which. Is so long. That’s such a time sink I don’t want to do that. But they have so much to argue through. And they’re probably both bitter so they’d be trying to undermine each other. But this is very much affecting Tim so maybe they’d want to wrap it up as quickly as possible. But also you know Tim would be hiding that from them as much as he can. Why must I be so concerned with verisimilitude in this specific aspect

FINE it lasts a year but no longer. I don’t care. They can sort out their shit in a year or not at all we have a canon timeline to stick to, however nebulous it may be

Tim is not doing good. Assuming this all starts at the same time the Drakes went to Haiti in canon, Tim hasn't really developed that closeness he has with the others yet. He and Dick only really get close during Knightfall/Prodigal, his relationship with Alfred only really develops after he starts going out as Robin (source: his second? maybe? Robin mini. The one where the Joker breaks out of Arkham while Bruce is out of the country. Where he says he doesn’t know Alfred that well) and he hasn't even met Barbara yet. He doesn’t even have his civilian friends because he's still attending boarding school right now and he’d be home on winter break. The only person he could go to for emotional support with this is Bruce

Tim wouldn't tell Bruce that that's what he's doing, I doubt he'd even tell him about the divorce without prompting, but he does definitely start spending as many hours as he can get away with in the cave. For no reason in particular

I’m beginning to run out of ideas. On further thought, I think Jack and Janet would want Tim to have a say in deciding who he stays with, or they’d at least want his opinion on it even if he doesn’t have the final say in it. 

He could think himself in circles forever trying to find a good answer, or at least one he can make himself say, but none of that would change the fact that what he really wants is to stay with them both. He wants this to not be happening. He wants them to not be getting a divorce. He wants to actually live with them, not just spend 9 months a year in a boarding school and only see them on weekends and holidays

[olivegardenhunter]

The sannin as normal childhood friends who have sleepovers and play games in the forest and bond over liking "gross" animals

anon thank you SO much for this mental image. you have made my very miserable assignment-filled day. I have many thoughts about the sannin and baby sannin being inseparable best friends who were just normal kids make up about 90% of them. here's some hc I have about that (sorry for the massively long post, I'm a yapper at heart)

yes absolutely. I like to think of the sannin as misfits who never fit in anywhere else except with each other. there's so many different reasons for this. we know they became genin at age 6. if this makes them the exception, rather than it being the normal practice for a village in tumultuous times, then this must have meant each of them were prodigies in their own rights in the academy (yes, even Jiraiya I'd say, though I'd suspect his was more a case of recognised potential rather than showing any obvious prodigal talent from the get-go). this is further reinforced by the fact the third hokage became their sensei. I doubt the hokage would've taken up any random group of genin as his students. if this is the case, can you imagine how difficult it must've been for them to make friends with others, their age or otherwise? not only would it be hard to relate to their other peers cause of the age and probably ability gap, but I'd imagine people would've found them downright intimidating! all this, along with all their individual personality which, if their 6 year old selves were anything like their 50 year old selves, would've meant the little baby sannin would not have been anyone's first choice of friends.

so I'd imagine each of them being a bit of loners in the academy. then they get put in a team together. recognise they each stick out like a sore thumb from everyone else, but have all of the above common ground. their personalities are difficult for each to get used to initially, but once they do, these three super super super quickly become absolutely inseperable. to call them family would've been a serious underestimate of their relationship imo.

anyway this is all a long winded way of saying YES they're absolutely those regular childhood best friends who have sleepovers and hang out and play games. I imagine that tsunade grew up with a massive family in a massive loving home. direct contrast to orochimaru who's an orphan and, I imagine jiraiya is an orphan too (hence no canon last name). therefore, the senju compound is typically the designated sleepover venue.

the senju compound has mito, and nawaki, and depending on what your hcs are, would have tsunades parents, and I'd think they'd still effectively live like royalties even if the first and second are dead. (hashirama and tobirama wouldn't be around anymore by the time the three became genin I think, because (and someone correct me if I'm wrong) hiruzen would've already been hokage when he took on the three of them as his students, meaning tobirama would have already passed)

jiraiya and orochimaru just being at awe at the way tsunade lives and just how lively her house is and tsunade is just happy to have kids her age at home with her that just gets her cause her parents always nag her about training and chores, mito still treats her like a baby even though she's already a Shinobi that can take care of herself damn it!, and nawaki is so young he's so boring and sometimes gets annoying. so she always convinces her fellow teammates to come over to her house to practice and train, to babysit nawaki with her, to be the test dummy for try out this new jutsu or technique she's learning, and anything else that she insists she cannot do alone and needs them to be there with her

until suddenly it's already dark and oh her teammates can't possibly walk home all alone at this hour and besides my mum's making dinner and it's your favourite jiraiya and she'd scold me if I didn't offer some to you guys and orochimaru, mito found some sort of old scroll that uncle tobirama wrote about a new jutsu that she wants your thoughts on and besides, we have to meet sensei soooo early tomorrow for our mission and the training ground is closer from my house anyway, and you guys are just trying to get out of the bet we made and that's cheating y'know! and and and suddenly the senju compound just so happen to always have a few sets extra clothes and pyjamas that just so happened to be orochimaru and jiraiya's size and hey oro, raiya, look! it's got toads and snakes! and it matches mine! and the adults always just so happen to have two extra plates set at the table during meals, and the house just so happens to always be stocked up with both her teammate's favourite snacks, and orochimaru and jiraiya can suddenly enter the senju compound at any time of the day, with or without tsunade, and are greeted joyfully by the household's residents who had started nagging at them about training and chores and picking up after themselves, and mito is treating them like babies even though they're fully trained shinobis! and nawaki is being sooo annoying today and damn it, why isn't tsunade home yet? we agreed to train at 3!

(the three of them never quite notice that jiraiya or orochimaru's unannounced visits to the senju compound never trigger any of the seals that are activated by the presence of non-senju, non-family chakra in the compound. they never quite notice that the anbu guards at the front never give jiraiya and orochimaru any of the trouble or scrutiny that any visitors or guests to the senju compound are always subjected to, and the guards merely let them in with a slight bow of their heads, the same way they would to tsunade, or mito, or her parents.)

the only other times the sleepover isn't at tsunade's place is when there's a thunderstorm and orochimaru insists he needs to spend the night at his apartment because he tells them that last time the storm was this bad, lightning had struck a branch that smashed through his apartment that, if he wasn't already there and was even a little slower, would have destroyed the very few things his parents had left him that he so carefully keeps in a chest and he cannot ever take the risk that that would ever happen again he lost his power and his food went bad in his fridge, and c'mon tsu, you know oro not-so-secretly has a fear of thunder! don't you remember what happened last time at that mission where we were camping? we can't possibly let him spend the night alone at his house!

(later on when they're older, they'll come to find that jiraiya's new jonin apartment will become the new designated sleepover venue as jiraiya begins bringing back questionable sake from his missions that they were definitely too young to be having that he could not have possibly obtained that legally, and mito started banning them from playing card games at the senju compound when she noticed her granddaughter's tendency to lose her entire pay packet in a single game was becoming a bit too familiar to her... like a certain husband of hers' gambling habits that she had tried so hard to make sure wouldn't get passed on to the grandchild who the man had unwittingly taught said card games to at the age of 4. jiraiya started to call his apartment the degenerates' club then, much to the other two's dismay. though they couldn't quite protest when he correctly pointed out they were absolutely behaving like degenerates, even if princess tsunade and the leaf's once-in-a-generation prodigy felt like they were above those sort of disreputable behaviour.)

jiraiya and orochimaru fight tooth and nail that the massive forest that makes up the backyard of the compound, created by the shodaime himself of course, is the only reason they choose to hang out with tsunade at the senju compound, because princess tsunade (dammit oro stop calling me that!), the shodaime hokage seemed to have left so many fascinating things in this forest, there's so many secrets to discover. I don't think I've seen any of these species anywhere else in Konoha. I believe the secrets to some of his jutsu or techniques lie in this forest... oro you're such a nerd. and besides, Princess, the snakes here really seem to like oro for some reason and I think the toads are about to make me their king, I'm sure of it! and also, me and oro are the only people who don't find the fact you use the slime from those slugs in your potions or whatever absolutely disgusting, so we're the only friends you have to play in this gigantic forest with in the first place (it's not potions, it's a new medicinal gel I'm creating! and can you two just shut up? hide and seek is supposed to be a SILENT game and right now, you both really suck at it! I can literally locate you without even moving!) ...hey tsu, is mito-sama going to make those cookies she made last time again? she told me yesterday she would cause hiruzen-sensei told her we did a good job on our last mission.

the three of them knew everyone in Konoha had started calling them the 'Hokage's brats' behind their backs. but none of them realised that, particularly among the elders, this didn't seem to just be in reference to their sensei... there were other, more hushed whispers going around that if they had tried to listen to, would've sounded something like the adopted senjus... or lord first and second's legacies...

(these rumours may or may not have started when people started noticing tsunade's parents went from talking about their two children they adored, to their three rascals plus sweet little nawaki. or when mito kept comparing jiraiya's antics and personality to hashirama or orochimaru's brooding nature and hunger for knowledge was like tobirama's, or how tsunade's own hot temper and tenacity but also mischief was like her own's and the many Uzumakis that came before her, and that all three of them together balanced each other the way she, hashirama, and tobirama had. or when hiruzen constantly raves about his students and how much he sees his senseis in each of them and how the will of fire burns so brightly in them that he knew lord first and second would be extremely proud to see. in the end, though tsunade may have been the only one who shared a name with the senju founders, everybody couldn't help but see hashirama and tobirama and everything they had been and everything they had stood for in all three of the legendary sannin.)

[incorrectprodigalsonquotes]

What Could've Been For Prodigal Son Season 3

Okay, so I already made this post by reblogging to one of my other posts but I thought I'd make an official post for it so I can make more for the "other future seasons" lol:

Version 1:

Martin dies and things happen more or less the way they do in my fic "Carved in the Cradle" (yes, this is a shameless plug lol)

Version 2:

Martin is in a coma for most of the season.

Malcolm goes on a spiral and locks himself away from the world for months.

Dani and Gil, maybe with Jessica, go to have a real talk with him and Malcolm just looks disheveled. Not like he's been attacked, but he's just numb and self-loathing.

Dani is the one to ultimately bring him back by just saying the specific phrase, "Defending yourself against a serial killer doesn't make you a bad person" because she separates the fact that it was his father and focuses on the fact that father or not, Martin Whitly is a serial killer who tried to kill Malcolm.

Malcolm returns to work, and we get a couple of normal case episodes, maybe some focused on the rest of the team like Edrisa and her firefighter guy, JT struggling with being a tired new dad, maybe an episode about fathers and daughters and we get a flashback episode about the day Dani’s father died (I'm convinced it was an unexpected death), and of course, a Jackie episode.

All the while, Martin is in a coma but is completely in Malcolm’s head, like in 2x09.

We definitely get a Christmas episode this season, we get Brightwell moments until they have a cheesy kiss under the mistletoe moment and that's when they unofficially get together.

I say unofficially because they don't talk about how it changes things between them until the episode that would come after.

Malcolm also comes clean to her about what happened to Endicott. At first Dani is rightfully upset about being lied to but tells him to continue with the rest of the story because she knows it's been eating away at him. She gets legitimately angry when she finds out about Ainsley’s stunt with the pig's blood because messing with someone in that way is never okay, especially when that someone was just trying to do what they could in the moment. Malcolm tells Dani that he understands if she doesn't want to be with him now, but he felt wrong starting anything with her without her knowing everything.

And of course, Dani says that she still wants to be with him, to try this out between the two of them because all she's ever really wanted from him that he wasn't already giving was full honesty. She's still a little miffed at him for lying but she does understand why he did it, doesn't condone, but understands.

There would be revelations that call back to Season 1 and how perhaps Jessica, assuming that Martin was having an affair, wasn't completely off base.

An episode with Edrisa’s parents involved in a case or having useful info about their victim, but we also learn how she became who she is.

We have a theater episode and find out JT's mom is actually a successful Broadway actress and she's even more bombastic than Jessica. It makes Malcolm more confused when JT says that Malcolm’s mom has a good calm energy but then he meets JT's mom and understands.

A beauty pagent case episode for sure, and Dani and Malcolm both go undercover. They've been keeping their relationship under wraps (maybe only Gil knows because if they didn't tell him, he'd figure it out). There are a lot of Brightwell heavy moments, and Malcolm is reminded of his dream he had a year prior. Both Dani and Malcolm experience jealousy for the first time. It was different when they were just friends because neither felt like they had reason to be jealous but now that they're taking things slow, neither like the idea of someone else trying to get romantically involved with them.

Where is Ainsley in all this, you might ask?

She's taken up a six month job overseas to just get away from it all. She doesn't want to come to terms with the fact that Martin tried to kill Malcolm, she's mad at Malcolm for stabbing their father (again), and she's mad at Jessica because no matter how much she loves her mom, she always has beef with Jessica.

When she gets back after the New Year, she still will not talk to Malcolm and Dani can see that it hurts him.

Ainsley tries to get between Malcolm and Dani because how dare he even try to be happy when their father is still in a coma. It doesn't work, of course. This isn't the end of it.

If you were wondering about Gil and Jessica, no worries, they've been smooth sailings the whole time, even with the Jackie episode. It's revealed that Jessica never disliked Jackie but the reason she didn't go to her funeral was because she didn't want to see them put her friend and her son's second mother (the only one who could get him to actually eat anything when he refused to) in the ground, it was selfish but it hurt too much. She also stayed away from Gil because she had feelings for him and out of respect for both him and Jackie, she didn't want to seem like she was going after him immediately after Jackie passed but then the weeks turned into months and the months turned into years.

Gil and Jessica have a really healthy relationship now and that's what matters.

The season ends with an episode of a case of a young woman (can't decide if her name should be Lorelai or Katherine) who was almost murdered. She was raised by a single mother and she's also recently married, having married someone in the Whitlys rich circle of society. She's a bit of a social outcast because of her past (or her mother’s past) and she never knew her father, she doesn't even know his name.

They catch her attacker but not before they try killing her again but she does land in hospital. She's in need of a blood transfusion and Malcom happens to be the same blood type so he offers to help.

They find out a few important things.

The girl was born in either late 1999 or early in the early 2000 (I haven't decided yet lol), and she and Malcolm happen to share more than a bloodtype, they share DNA. The reason she never knew her father was because her mother never wanted her to know that dear old dad was arrested in 1999... for killing 23 people.

The season ends with Martin's eyes shooting open and man, he looks pissed!

[gatogotica]

malcolm bright is literally like if the eldest daughter/sister was a man

[fredricwertham]

The fight in N52 Nightwing 30 is pretty much ground 0 for cynical interpretations of Dick’s relationship with Bruce and it wouldn’t have gone over nearly as poorly as it did if happened in the preboot era. In preboot, Bruce & Dick were equals. This was established through Dick’s time as Batman during prodigal, which ends with him chastising Bruce for his emotional immaturity [picture of Bruce’s face superimposed over the Robin costume in the good soldier memorial], and re-established during Reborn, which ends with them cohabiting the cowl [picture of a Bruce & Dick standing next to each other in the same costume]. Everything that takes place between Dick & Bruce after Dick was reclaimed by Bat editorial takes place in the context of an egalitarian relationship in spite of the fact that Bruce had previously played a parent, mentor, whateveryouwanttocallit role in his life. This is true no matter how bad it gets between them. Dick had also established strong relationships with other characters in and outside of Gotham, including ones who matter outside of his solo title, meaning that Bruce wasn’t his only option. It was his choice to stick with him.

However, the underpinning rationality of N52 Gotham is that editorial wanted to put Bruce back in the role of undisputed patriarch/sole protagonist of Bat-stories. Technically, this is a trend that started during War Games (the first big Bat event after DiDio took over, and which removes both Dick and Babs from their leadership positions among the group) but was disrupted by Bruce’s death & Dick’s subsequent stint as Batman.

In any case, N52 stripped Dick of his post-crisis accomplishments in order to reinstate the Bronze Age status quo. He’s younger, we never see him achieve much of anything concrete, and most importantly he doesn’t have any of the social connections that defined his predecessor. The only person N52 Dick was close enough with to be shown mourning his death on the page is Alfred. And there is just… an enormous difference between that fight scene taking place between Batman and an almost-but-never-quite 30 year old who’s lead his own team (critically, the NTT Titans were a deliberate counterpoint to the Justice League as opposed to a JLA Jr.) and is more respected (or at least better liked) than Bruce by many of their peers, and the same scene taking place between Batman and a socially isolated 20-ish who’s only recently moved away from home, hasn’t done much of anything with his life, and seems to have trouble forming close relationships.

And then there’s this tertiary aspect where the audience can’t pretend it’s taking place in the same continuity as preboot (although King et al. reference and rely heavily upon preboot events throughout Grayson) because the whole plot depends on the people not being able to connect Dick to Bruce’s, whereas preboot trained its audience to understand that knowing Nightwing’s (or DickRobin’s) secret identity was as good as knowing that Batman was Bruce Wayne. Eg. in the first Batman/Deathstroke crossover, the comic establishes that Slade and Wintergreen are on friendly terms with Dick in order to explain why they know Bruce is Batman.

[friendlynbhddevil]

Yes!!! Prodigal son was soooo good! Malcolm Bright deserved better. And Ainsley too. The dynamics were so good I’m actually getting irritated again because I had heard the show could have been picked up by Netflix but it never happened😭 so much unresolved plot😭 I’m heartbroken again lol

IT WAS GOING TO BE PICKED UP??? WHAT HAPPENED???😭😭😭

I want my unhinged boi backkk😭

Gil stepping up as a parental figure, like I can't even begin to describe how much I adore found family or in this case the family that chooses you and you love them back. And the dynamic that he shares with his team, especially Edrisa, is very veryyy dear to me like I would fight for them. They are just sooo *incoherent mumbling and crying*

I think this is one of those shows where I genuinely loved the mother, because Jessica Whitly is not a plain character. She has her fears and yet she's just as unhinged if it's about her children or anyone she genuinely cares for. She's sassy too, I love that. I think being sassy and unhinged is a genetic thing in the Whitly family.

As I'm writing about them now, I miss them more. I remember watching it daily when it aired. What made it stand out from most shows, for me, is that it has a protagonist who is utterly haunted but it does not stop him from being absolutely hilarious. In fact, any other show would've made him stoic and something stereotypical. Distanced, so to speak. But everytime he's on screen, it feels like he's alive; we are not mere spectators. We feel his grief, his desperation to be his own person, his love, friendship, everything.

This makes him and every character on this show special.

I'm sooo happy that you decided to talk about this showww😭😭💖💖💖