#the real thing is that i have him as a father figure

[lexirosewrites]

So I put this together for the backstory of a fic I'm working on. And figured since it's Slick Sunday and I actually have something for once I'd send it to see your opinion on it.

Jacqueline and Elizabeth (Eddie's mom) were omega/omega sapphic childhood sweethearts in this au. However, when Jacqueline's parents caught them together on the night they tried to run away together. She was quickly mated off to Richard Harrington, one of her father's business partners, who lived in New York. Jacqueline had no choice but to go with her new alpha as she now carried his bite. She was forced to leave behind the girl who held her heart. Elizabeth meanwhile is falling to rejection sickness as she was unaware that her beloved Jackie didn't leave of her own volition as Jacqueline's parents lied to her and since Jacqueline had already been dragged to New York to be mated and wed she was left with no choice but to accept this as the truth. Al Munson finds Elizabeth mere weeks after Jacqueline was taken and uses Elizabeth's declining health and mental state to manipulate her into sleeping with him resulting in Eddie.

Jacqueline avoids sleeping with Richard as often as she can and uses heat blockers to try and prevent conception in the hopes that one day she can escape him and return to Elizabeth. However, Richard finds her blockers about a year and a half into their marriage and replaces them with sugar pills. Sending Jacqueline into heat with no real choice but to sleep with him. This results in Steve.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Al, have moved out of Hawkins and to Indianapolis and Elizabeth has given birth to Eddie. And she loves her little boy. Her sweet darling little boy who happens to remind her so very much of her darling Jackie when they were kids. Of the Jackie that Jacqueline learned to hide and only ever seemed to show to Elizabeth in the privacy of the Alden (Elizabeth's maiden name) house. The Jackie that the Lancaster (Jacqueline's maiden name) hated to see. The Jackie that Elizabeth still had never truly gotten over. The Jackie that when news of Steffan Ezra (Jacquline's small form of rebellion to give him a part of Elizabeth) Harrington-Lancaster was presented to the world on his fifth birthday ended up making the rejection sickness that had never truly gone away come back with a vengeance. Taking Elizabeth's life with it this time.

Jacqueline, unaware of both Elizabeth's move, death, and child, had finally managed to convince Richard to take her and Steve back to Hawkins in hopes that she might be able to see Elizabeth again and figure some way to be with her. It's not till she's picking Steve up from school one day that she sees Eddie (who had since been sent to live with Wayne) that she learns of her first and, only love, death. Richard uses this devastation to Jacqueline to manipulate and practically break her. Dragging her away from Steve and away from Hawkins under the ruse of it being too much of a crushing reminder of Elizabeth for her to stay as he drags her around the globe.

Eventually, Eddie and Steve meet. Steve (who is an omega like his mom much to Richard's displeasure) recognizes Eddie's mother as the woman his mom loves and tells Eddie the truth about what happened with Jacqueline. Eventually, Steve gets to introduce Eddie to his mom and she gets this small part of Elizabeth back and they manage to get her away from Richard. Nancy drags his name through the mud for what he did to Jacqueline too destroying the man's reputation. Especially when he tries to do the same thing that was done to Jacqueline all those years ago to Steve when he finds out he's dating not only a man but a poor one and the son of Elizabeth Alden.

Figured I'd ask your opinion on it. I hope you like it. 💜

that’s so tragic and sad😭 i love it but i’m devastated for Elizabeth and Jacqueline💔

[atimesfeeler]

Love the idea that Wade will just accidentally say some traumatic thing about his cancer, chronic pain, mental health issues, disabilities, traumatic childhood, or being tortured, and Logan reels in shock every time bc he genuinely just thought Wade was an annoying idiot when he first met him and the more he gets to know Wade the guiltier he feels about the things he said to him.

“I mean you are a ridiculous, immature, half-wit moron.”

Wase was terrible in school. His combined ADHD and neglectful mother and abusive father made it pretty hard to focus on grades. He didn’t even graduate and signed up for the army/ special forces bc they’ll take anyone.

When Logan notices Wade struggling to spell or taking a long time to read or genuinely trying to focus but having a hard time not getting distracted or feeling like he’s going to die if he doesn’t fidget then Logan understands. Maybe Logan once makes a joke about Wade’s schooling after Wade says something about the X-Mansion and Wade jokes about he didn’t even graduate and how the army didn’t need someone smart as long as he had two thumbs to shoot a gun. Maybe Wade snorts if Logan ever compliments Wade for a smart plan and tells Logan that he’s never been smart and genuinely thinks he’s dumb because of how often he’s heard it said to him.

“I have never met a sadder, more attention-starved, jabbering little prick in my entire life”

Yeah he’s pretty attention starved because he definitely didn’t get enough attention when he needed it growing up and making everyone laugh was a sure way to get positive or negative attention. Wade didn’t care what kind as long as he wasn’t invisible like he was to his mom. And after his skin scarred up and he didn’t have his pretty boy looks anymore Wade gets even more negative attention and even less positive. He starts to realize he doesn’t like negative attention but it’s what he gets even when he’s trying to be good and do the hero thing. He’ll take anything he can get really.

When Logan sees the way Wade lights up at positive attention, he also sees that sometimes Wade will poke and prod to get any attention even if it’s bad and starts to notice the self destructive tendency.

“I’ll tell ya, that bald chick was right about one thing. You will never save the world!”

The funny thing is that Wade never wanted to. He was a mercenary and a bad guy in his mind, but he couldn’t help but try to help others when they need it. It got him in trouble and he rarely ever got a thank you, but Wade never called himself a hero. He wants to be. He tries to be. But he doesn’t think he is, not a real one anyway. He already can’t die so Wade figures that he should do something with his powers even if nobody thinks he’s capable of it.

When they get back into mercenary work, Logan sees just how clear Wade’s morals are. He will fuck up a child abuser and kill a mutant hating scientist before you can tell him to be the bigger person. He won’t hesitate to take jobs from people who can’t afford it who really need his help getting rid of their abuser or stalker. Wade gets hurt relentlessly in horrific ways doing the boldest shit without a care for how it would hurt him. It would be impressive if it didn’t stress Logan into getting more grey hairs.

“I wish I could say you die alone, but it’s one of god’s best jokes that you can’t die except it's on all of us!”

When Logan figures out that Wade has tried to kill himself over and over again in colorful ways, this is the line he regrets the most.

A fic I wrote about it (bc I too crave attention)

Wade: “If I talk enough the voices can’t get me.”

Logan: “The fucking what?!”

[aspoonofsugar]

Some Millie and IMP Thoughts

I love Helluva Boss's new episode for all the reasons everyone else does! In particular, my favorite part is Millie getting fleshed out more.

I have always liked Millie and I disagree with people saying she is badly written. That said, the focus she got this episode adds a ton of depth to both her, her role in the series and the dynamics within IMP.

BLITZ AND IMP

Blitz is the titular character and protagonist of the series. He is the boss in Helluva Boss. As a result, everyone else is in the story for his sake. In particular, IMP is Blitz's found family:

Blitzo: Look, the point is, Loona is a valued member of our family, and we don't get rid of family. Moxxie: We aren't a family, sir! You are the boss! We are the employees!

Through them (and Stolas) Blitz gets to explore his ghosts and to heal. How is that so?

Loona and Moxxie seem to me two sides of the same coin:

-Loona is like Blitz, as she is told by the world she has no real value:

Adoption Center Lady: Oh, her? That's just Loona. What a nightmare. Serious attitude problems. She'll be out of our hair next month when she ages out. Good riddance, if you ask me. She'll never amount to anything much.

So, Blitz latches on her and adopts her. He showers her with the love he never got from his father.

-Moxxie is like Blitz, as he is abused by his father and loses his mother. As a result, he grows up unsure of himself and in need of love and approval:

Blitzo: Well, I'm glad everything ended up okay. Good to know we both have daddy issues, Mox.

However, Blitz often treats him poorly, downplays his abilities and mocks him.

So, Loona and Moxxie are Blitz's mirrors, as he projects on them in opposite ways. He treats Loona like he wishes his father treated him. He treats Moxxie similarly to how his father treated him. Obviously, Blitz isn't an abuser like Buckzo. He loves Moxxie and more importantly he is not his father. However, he and Moxxie do have a mentor-mentee dynamic and it is clear as day Moxxie wants Blitz's approval:

Blitzo: Gonna be honest, Moxxie- Not too bad for your first solo mission. Moxxie: Reeeeeally, siiiir? Blitzo: Nooo, no, not really. You're a fucking disgrace.

Still, Blitz is often unable to give it to him, despite the fact he clearly cares. This is also why Loona and Moxxie get often on each other's nerves:

Loona: How am I supposed to smell anything in this city? Moxxie: Can't you even do one thing right? Loona: Can't you finally do something about how fat you are?

Moxxie is the most critical of Blitz's favoritism towards Loona and is the one insisting Blitz calls her out on her poor attitude towards clients. This is not by chance. They are just like bickering siblings :''')

In a sense, this episode even subtly confirms this foiling:

Blitz: Loonie's perfect, and Moxxie's… probably got some good traits too and I'm sure we'll figure them out eventually.

Loona is perfect and Moxxie has no good traits. What about seeing the world in black and white?

So, where does Millie fit in all of this?

Blitzo: So I'm your best friend, huh? Millie: What do you think? Blitzo: I think…I- I've never had a real friend that I didn't wanna fuck.

She is the only one Blitz does not project over, so they grow into genuine friends. They are equals, value each other and love each other. So, Millie freely states what Loona and Moxxie also think, but can't properly convey:

Millie: He (Blitz) gave me so much…A career, a husband, a future. And now…He's my best friend. Blitzo: You… you don't hate me? Millie: Naw, never.

Blitz gave her, Moxxie and Loona a better future. He is their precious boss and a treasured family member.

MILLIE'S THEME

Helluva Boss has two main themes:

Relationships

Classism

Moxxie is linked to Blitz's unhealthy way to build relationships. Their bond is a complicated mix of friendship, family love, professional interest and a little bit of possessiveness on Blitz's part. That's why it is so complicated and contradictive. Millie ties into this as Moxxie's wife, since M&M's relationship is Blitz's ideal one.

Still, this episode makes clear Millie's true thematic relevance is for the topic of classism:

Millie: We… heh. We don't deserve this. We're just Wrathians, Blitzo. Muscle. It's all we're good for, all I'm good for. It's why you hired me. Any demon good at making a buck is welcome in Lust or Greed, but here? Demons like us ain't cut out for this.

Classism permeates Hell, which is built on a strong hierarchy. All characters have suffered the consequences of this, while being influenced by it at the same time. For example:

Blitz is an imp, who has been looked down and victimized by society. However, he also embraces classist prejudices and uses them as an excuse to push Stolas away.

Stolas is a Goetia, who has been a prisoner of his family's expectations and of his role in society. However, he is also unconsciously discriminating towards imps. He has no ill will towards them, but he calls them silly names and belittles them

Millie is the same. She is a wrathian imp of humble origins. In a sense, she is a stereotypical imp. She is incredibly strong, was born and lived the majority of her life in Wrath, aka imps' original ring. She fits the expectations of both her family and society. However, she deep down wishes for more, which is why she leaves the family ranch to become an assassin. This choice is already seen as subversive by her family, who expected her to stay home, so she could help with the family business. However, Millie herself has no high expectations for her future:

Millie: Bullshit! Who sent you? Millie: Who are you working for?! Blitzo: What? You don't believe me? Millie: Imps don't work for themselves, asshole.

She still sees herself stuck in Wrath. She will be one of many underpaid goons, who work for higher ranking demons. A life a little bit more adventurous than the one at the farm. Still, nothing extraordinary. Then, she meets Blitz:

Millie: Who's that? Your boss? Hah! Blitzo: HA he fucking wishes. No, I work for myself, lady.

Blitz is the first one, who recognizes her potential and who believes she can become more than what she is. He gives her the chance to explore the world outside the Wrath Ring and brings her up to Pride. When Millie doubts herself and her role in society, he is the one to reassure her:

Blitzo: Millie, I have spent too much of my time, energy, and holes into setting this up for us to entertain your bullshit. I brought you into this company for a reason, okay? You're tougher, smarter, and frankly more capable than anyone I've ever met in any ring.

Blitz gives Millie a new life, where she is free to be herself and to choose a husband she would have never chosen, if she had stayed home with her family.

Thanks to Blitz and her work at IMP she is by this point a different person than the one she was. She does not completely fit in Wrath anymore:

Sallie May: Heh, yeah, I mean, with so many exciting things here, it's no wonder you never make your way back home. SHIT! That slipped out. Millie: ..What? Sallie May: You know… the Wrath Ring, all that dirt and rust and boring nothingness. Not much of a thriving club scene down there, why visit that, right?

Which is why she is now slowly overcoming her prejudices:

Millie: Oh yeah! Y'all haven't met my boss Blitzo! And his hellhound! Loona: I'm not just his hellhound.

It is not by chance Millie is the one calling Loona Blitz's Hellbound, as if she were a pet. Moreover, it is not by chance she does so, while talking with her family. It is probably normal for wrathian imps to see hellbounds as property. So, when she visits home, she goes back to a familiar language and mindset, without even realizing how offensive it is. That is why it is relevant this episode has Millie share a bonding moment with Loona, where she calls her by name:

Millie: Thanks. Loona.

She is not only overcoming her self-insecurities, but she is also starting to see other demons differently. She is growing not only more happy, but also more open minded. All thanks to Blitz's impact on her life:

Millie: Most of my life I bought into the idea that all I could ever be was a simple farm girl. Or best an underpaid goon. Until I met some knucklehead who never gave a fuck about what anyone else said he could or couldn't be. He made me believe he could be anything. And that made me feel like I could be anything, too.

CHARLIE AND BLITZ

Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss are twin series. They are complementary stories, with different focuses and a shared heart. This is shown in Charlie and Blitz, their respective protagonists. They are opposites.

Charlie is a royal demon, a young rich girl, who is optimistic and idealistic. She is obsessed with seeing the good in others. Blitz is instead a humble imp, an adult man, who is cynical and genre-savy. He sees only the worst in people to protect himself. However, both disrupt the status quo:

Charlie decides to completely change the hierarchy between hell and heaven. She is breaking the system the world is built on and re-writing the laws of the universe.

Blitz changes things in little ways. He is not trying to reform society, but he still acts in ways society does not expect, so he subverts hierarchies and transforms people around him.

That's something that comes up several times:

Striker: Boss, huh…? Ohhh, so YOU'RE the bold imp to start his own killing biz? Blitzo: Yeah, well if you're good at somethin', you should probably capitalize. Striker: Not many Imps start businesses on their own. That's pretty impressive, sir.

Crimson: Oh, I'm sure. You got to be Blitz, with the silent "o", right? I've heard a lot of good things about you and your work. Blitzo: Really? What kind of shit has Moxxie been spreading about me? I'll fucking kill you Moxxie, don't you fucking test me! Crimson: No, no! From all over. Looks like you're building a bit of a name for yourself here, kid.

Both Striker and Crimson comment on Blitz's business, in two moments that are to be seen as parallels:

-Striker says so, as the group visits Millie's family. Millie's family is a relatively happy one, as they all clearly love each other. However, it is an economically struggling one:

Joe: We lost our old farm hand to one of them terrors last week.

Millie's parents are loving, but traditionalists and stuck in the old ways.

-Crimson says so, as the group meets him and discovers he is Moxxie's father. Crimson is an imp, who built an empire. Moreover, he is not scared to go against the hierarchy and to challenge even the deadly sins:

Crimson: You probably just asked if I know who I'm dealing with. And, oh yes, I know. The weakest and most non-threatening of the Sins. The king who will do whatever it takes to save the worst-kept secret in all of Hell. We both know you won't risk anything happening to the clown. So be a good little bitch boy, and do the thing. My lawyers will be over shortly with the contract of demands. You have until the witching hour to sign it. Hueheheheheheheh!

Still, he sacrifices everything else to greed. In order to climb up, he destroys everyone around him. He killed his wife and abused Moxxie, so his son leaves him the first chance he gets.

In other words, Blitz offers Millie the opportunity to social climb and he offers Moxxie true friendship and comraderie. He gives them what they miss and want.

STRIKER

Finally, this episode indirectly adds a new layer to Striker's character and his role in the series. So, Striker is clearly everyone's dark foil.

Specifically, he is Blitz's jungian shadow aka what Blitz represses:

Striker: Blitzo, come on. You know, the two of us are superior than most of our kind. And you were so above suckin' on a disgusting, rich, pompous Goetia, only to sneak topside for scraps and work for bitter sinners, who could care less who you are, when you could be slaying Overlords.

He embodies Blitz's darkest side and tempts him to give in to it. For example, he backs Blitz up in his fight with Fizz over Royal Demons:

Striker: As far as I'm concerned, you two are BOTH embarrassments to our kind for meddlin' with blue-bloods to begin with. But at least loud-mouth here has the sense to only fuck his rich bitch, instead of bein' a little purse dog. Blitzo: Oh, great. The fuckin' supremacist is on my side, wonderful. Fizzarolli: Neither of you filth bags know what you're even talkin' about. If you think you're superior to ANYONE, then you're no better than any royal— Striker: DON'T. You. Dare… Finish that sentence, clown…

And let's say it is not by chance Striker is burnt and probably gets some scars the same episode it is revealed Blitz accidentally set his family circus on fire:

He is clearly meant to embody the anti-theme, both when it comes to relationships and classism. He is who Blitz might become, if he gave in to his worst instincts. That is why he is the character physically threatening Stolas's life and calling him out on his privilege at the same time:

Striker: YOU. Don't get to talk over me! I don't have to listen to your bullshit! All you royals ever do is try to talk over us!

He challenges Stolas to see the darkness in Blitz he keeps ignoring. Moreover, Striker's attempt on Stolas only works because Blitz himself does not warn Stolas, believing that with his powers the goetia can easily survive an imp's attack:

Blitzo: Stolas got what? How?… He can get hurt?

In short, Striker is a key character for both Blitz and Stolas. That said, he does foil also Moxxie and Millie. (Which is why they get to fight him twice, just like Blitz - they lose the first time and win the second).

In his debut episode, he is openly juxtaposed to Moxxie. He is the ideal imp, the one Millie's parents would have liked their daughter to marry. He is a great farmer and an even better fighter. He is strong and charming and easily defeats Moxxie at everything, even music. That said, it turns out Moxxie is a far better person and husband and gets to call out Millie's parents on it, gaining their respect in the process:

Moxxie: Y'know, she protected me. And maybe I'm not a strong beefy dickhead, but Millie has the strength enough for both of us! You two are getting on her case about being hurt by a psychopath you hired?! Shaaaaame on you!

Ghostf***ckers instead makes Striker and Millie's foiling obvious. Both are wrathian assassins, who work as goons for others:

Millie: Not exactly a shortage of imp assassins in Wrath. Reputation is everything.

Here lies Striker's contradiction. He keeps saying he hates the hierarchy, but in the end he acts exactly as society expects him to:

Stolas: Well, you seem to be forgetting; you are working for a royal right now!

He hates royals, but takes orders from them. Even when he decides to leave Wrath, he goes to Greed, so exactly where "imps able to make a buck are welcome", according to Millie:

Crimson: HEY! Hick-for-hire! I said watch 'em, not fuck 'em. Keep ya hands off the merchandise!

See? Striker acts like some big shot, but in the end he operates within the system, rather than subverting it. Both Fizz and Blitz are far more successful at overcoming the hierarchy than he is. Fizz does not take orders from royals, but becomes a romantic and business partner to one. Blitz does not resort depending on royals or imps for his job. Rather, he takes orders only from himself and invents a new business.

Striker says not everyone gets the chance to live in Pride:

Striker: Look. Not every ring is some fancy-ass city, with some fancy-ass mansion, that only fancy-ass royals get to live in. Some of us have hard lives to live.

And yet, he is offered it by Blitz, just like Millie:

Blitzo: Isn't this guy great? It's gonna be nice workin' with him. Yeaaaah! I asked him if he wants to join I.M.P.

If he had joined IMP, he could have found a family, a strong business partner and could have embraced a new life. He did not and became IMP's enemy instead. On the contrary, Millie did and is now a happier and better person.

WHAT ABOUT LOONA?

Personally, I think Loona is gonna be key in Blitz's development, as both her past, arc and relationship with her dad are very well set up. If Moxxie focuses on relationships, whereas Millie on classism, Loona will probably offer a synthesis of both themes:

Loona is Blitz's adoptive daughter and the first member of his new found family.

Loona is a hellbound, so a demon even lower than imps.

I am very curious to see how her story develops and I am looking forward to discover more about her past and to see if her foiling with Bee gets explored more. After this episode I am more curious than ever!

[gothamite-rambler]

Jason meets Deathstroke in an odd exchange.

Rose Wilson (on the phone): Jace?

Jason: I’m a busy!

He fired his gun at his assailant, but the figure nimbly avoided the shot.

Rose: Sorry, but I have good news-

Jason (screaming at the assailant): Quit dodging! Damn, I sound just like Batman. Rose, what’s up?

Rose (giggling): I found that vape juice you like! There’s a smoke shop near my place that carries it, so I picked up a couple of packs for you.

Jason (surprised but pleased): Oh… wow. Thanks.

Rose (coyly): You can make it up to me later. Sorry for interrupting your mission, but I wanted to let you know that Raven wanted to take me to a club tonight. She’s trying to set me up with some guys—

Jason: Why the hell does she keep doing that? Oh, she doesn’t approve of you dating me.

He kicked the attacker back, when he started laughing at him.

Rose: Pretty much. I mean, the place has amazing wings, and I wanted to go for that, but if you’re not cool with it, I won’t go. I know we agreed to keep our relationship open, but I’m just not in the right headspace for it right now… I want to be with you because you're like the most stable boyfriend I've had since I was 15.

Jason paused, taken aback and pleased by her admission; he felt the same way about her. A smile spread across his face as he swiftly kicked Deathstroke in the jaw, preventing the man from firing his weapon.

Rose: Jace?

Jason: Sorry, I just remembered why I like you so much. I… I don't want to force you, but could you… not go if Raven’s going to do that for the sixth time?

Rose (sincerely): Sure, I’ll be at home waiting for you. I just want to chill and smoke.

Jason: Sounds good, but I might be late.

Rose: That’s fine; I’ll be ready to rip those clothes off you whenever you get here. Stay safe, stud.

Jason: I will. Bye.

Rose: Bye.

He ended the call, turning his attention back to Deathstroke, who had a gun pointed right at his chest.

Deathstroke: What the hell was that?

Jason: What do you mean?

Deathstroke: I know that was my daughter on the phone. What were you talking about? Where’s she going?

Jason: You're not exactly a good father, so I’m not telling you anything.

Deathstroke (enraged): Do you want a hollow point in your chest? You think you can dictate her life? That’s my job!

Jason: You’re the kind of parent that treats their kid like garbage and then wonders why they can’t stand you when they grow up, aren’t you?

Deathstroke: Stop judging me! I'd rather she be with Nightwing than you. See what you've made me say?! You have no respect for authority.

Jason: Respect is earned.

Deathstroke: And yet, you work for Batman!

Jason (counter argument): You slept with a teenager.

Deathstroke (running out of insults): Your helmet looks ridiculous!

Jason: Your wife stabbed your eye out when Rose's brother died, and your other son is mute because of the enemies you made. I’ve done my homework on you, jerk. I could do this all day. Not exactly how I wanted to meet her dad, but I'm strangely enjoying it.

Deathstroke: You remind me of Nightwing and Batman combined. I will not let my daughter date some bat brat.

Jason: Sure thing, champ.

Deathstroke (glaring): It’s too bad. You could have been a loyal ally—

Jason: Not to a pedophile.

Deathstroke (doubling down): Last I checked, 15 is the legal age of consent in most states.

Jason (mocking): Last I checked, it’s pretty creepy for an adult man to know that or say it out loud.

Deathstroke: Hey, the girl wanted me!

Jason: The mentally troubled 15-year-old? Oh yeah, victim-blaming real nice. You see, when I was a crime lord, I eliminated scum like you, those who exploit and manipulate children. But you’re not worth it. Rose told me that when the time comes, she’d be the one to kill you, so I won’t pull the trigger today.

Deathstroke (keeping his gun pressed against Jason’s chest): Isn’t that generous? Another reason you’re pathetic, and why you’ll never be with my daughter.

Jason (waiting for Roy to get a clean shot): The daughter who almost lost her mind being around you? Who sacrificed an eye hoping to earn your approval?

Deathstroke: Proving her loyalty to me? Yes, she’s smart. A child of mine knows better than to date a former Robin.

Jason (tight smile): I thought my biological father was terrible… and he is, but you take the crown for the worst dad. And while I’d love to keep this debate going, you have an arrow in your leg.

Deathstroke: What are you rambling about—

Deathstroke suddenly felt a searing pain in his leg as the arrow struck, and he screamed, collapsing to the ground. Jason quickly delivered a swift kick, knocking him unconscious, and seized his gun.

Roy: Got him!

Jason: Took you long enough!

Roy: I couldn’t get a clear shot! Is he down, or do you need me to shoot him... five more times?

Jason: Nah, he’s out cold. Thanks.

Roy: Yeah, it's on sight for child abusers!

Jason (yanking the arrow from the man’s leg): Agreed.

[rottingchapel]

I think there's a very real argument to be made that the baby part of Franco's sexual dysfunction was likely a result of his relationship with Angelina. She was his first actual partner -- all the working girls before her were killed because he couldn't perform and had to compensate with his shotgun.

The thing that set her apart was that she humiliated him. She was his stepmother. What would be more humiliating than being treated like a baby by a stepmother only a few years older than you, a grown man?

Keep in mind there's no mention of other interactions between him and his father's other wives. He didn't have a mother, so Angelina making that connection for him by being the first positive relationship he had with a maternal figure be sexual would explain a lot of. That.

[autumnmobile12]

Finishing Touches on Malicious Compliance

Fanart for the Endeavor Agency Annual Christmas Party because I just felt like it.

It's kinda weird them drawing with the height differences in mind and showing how tall Touya is compared to the women in his family. We know Fuyumi is 5'3" and Touya clocks it in at 5'9". Rei doesn't have an official height listed, but we can see in the family shot she is a little shorter than Fuyumi. So I put her mother Grandma Himura's height about the same at 5' exactly.

Also, I don't know if there was an attempt to contain Touya's fluffy hair, but if there was, I think the ladies gave up pretty quick.

...

With Touya wearing a woman's kimono, this seems like a good time to bring up gender identity. In the Ambush Sim AU, he does identify as male, but he is not opposed to wearing feminine clothing for comfort/practicality purposes, or in this case, pure spite. So I suppose that's a characteristic that skews more demi-masculine(?) orientation. Except I think if anybody tries to pin down exactly how Touya identifies, all they're gonna get is a shrug because he is long past the point of caring about labels. When it comes to gender identity and which public restroom to use, Touya is very much in Camp 'Just Wash Your Hands When You're Done And We'll Get Along Fine.' So while wearing a woman's kimono may have started out as malicious compliance against his father, it may also have served as some self-realization for him. Here, he's a teenager who missed out on three years of mental/physical/emotional development and figuring himself out. And he has a very encouraging and understanding grandmother.

In any case, I hope I'm using the demi-masculine term correctly. I know someone in real life who identifies as demi-feminine, and she said this was accurate, so I'm trusting her opinion.

...

You would not believe the amount of research I put into drawing their kimono accurately according to situation/season. Because kimono do have seasonal patterns/colors and are varied by formality, age, and sometimes marital status of the wearer.

So breaking down the kimono in the fanart to the best of my understanding:

All three of them are wearing homoungi, a semi-formal to formal kimono that is typically worn by guests to formal parties, such as a wedding, graduation ceremony, dinner party, etc. Since the Endeavor Agency Christmas party is a company event, I figured it would be considered semi-formal. Homoungi are generally characterized by having a pattern along the hem, sleeves, and over the left shoulder seam.

The kimono colors:

With winter colors, shades of red are popular, but otherwise, more neutral colors work just as well. Since Grandma Himura is an elderly widow, I thought dark green would be a good choice since it's not flashy and more what you'd expect a dignified older woman to wear. (That's a cultural thing, not my personal opinion!) The pattern on hers is bamboo stalks and leaves. Fuyumi's kimono is white with bare branches and camellia blossoms. Touya's is a wintry blue (actually, that's same color as the rindou flowers) and has a roughly drawn yukiwa motif. Yukiwa is a Japanese pattern made to resemble snowflakes or flowers.

Obi:

Again, neutral colors/patterns. Or at least ones that complement the kimono. Fuyumi's scarlet one matches the flowers. Touya's is black lacquer (urushi) with abstract silver embroidery. Grandma Himura's obi is white for snow with abstract flowers in silver embroidery.

Kanzashi:

Again, winter-themed hair pieces, so Touya's is a carnation arrangement hana-kanzanshi and Fuyumi has a camellia. Touya's also wearing a wisteria kanzashi, which I don't think are considered winter flowers, but I like the look of them, so they were included. If you look closely, they also have little bells. Grandma Himura's is mostly hidden because of how she's standing, but she's wearing a tama-kanzashi and a kushi.

Deepest apologies for any inaccuracies above. I am not a kimono expert and I did the best I could with what I had to work with.

...

I realized something rather sad while drawing this. In The Summer Camp Ambush Simulation, it's mentioned Grandma Himura died a few weeks after Touya's eighteenth birthday, so he can't be any older than sixteen or seventeen in this fanart. Since I don't think he made any public appearances so soon after returning home, he's more likely seventeen years old here.

Seventeen years old, it's Christmas, and he has a January birthday. So Grandma Himura dies in maybe two months after this, and I swear I did not intentionally set it up to be that tragic!

[hatterladz]

Ok now my actual thoughts

Spoils for 357

I'm gonna focus this on the fight. Now as much as Oswald completely INFURIATED me this chapter, I can't just walk away saying he's the worst. Listen I analyze problematic characters for a hobby I can't just wash my hands and walk away because someone did something that made me mad.

I can see why it spiralled so quickly on both parts, Fanny is struggling to get a foothold in her life [god the part of her wanting to cry about getting actual support bc she never had any is so SO relatable]. I mean she left her husband the previous night, is now being bodyguarded by the brother of the person she barely gets around to apologizing to, got fired got hired again at the Quester's House and is watching and seeing how unique every one of the sick are when her ex walks in out of nowhere.

She's reeling, I imagine her emotional regulation is shot to hell and back and then Oswald tells her hey you know this super nice good thing that JUST happened to you? You don't deserve it.

Now onto Oswald. Oswald walks in trying to help Felix. And I mentioned it before reading the chapter, Oswald has the worst habit of assuming and acting on his preconceived sense of justice before actually figuring things out. He has good intentions just the WORST way of acting on it

And to him, the Fanny he knows is the one from his toxic relationship with her. The Fanny he remembers wasn't ever a nurse, hadn't gone through the same recent events that she just did to make her the very slightly better person she is now. As absolutely rage enducing that he was, there wasn't a sign of him trying to start something.

He was trying to avoid other people being hurt. Through terrible means. Because he remembers how much Fanny hurt him.

Fanny, after having everything happen to her that just did and then her ex walking through the door and saying "You're too bad of a person to have this good thing" AFTER Cup just tried to assure her she just had to do better AFTER Red offered her a job because her friend knows and AFTER she just got invited to this warm family dinner. And the more Oswald pushed the more he emphasized that point.

And the more he said it the more Fanny fell back on both of their old patterns. Snapping back over and over until Oswald threatens to bring in her awful father and until she also brings up Felix.

Now I'm going to be honest while the threat is there along with the intent, I'm sure Felix and Oswald will be fine. There's a good chunk of zanies, who won't care, people who live with zanies who will be forced to get over it and the questers maybe not without knowing from the others, have long since grown past being homophobic [asides maybe Boris but I don't see him being homophobic] or weren't in the first place

The house will keep the gossip under control, there might be a slip but I doubt Red or Oddswell will let that fly. But I could be wrong we'll see. At the very least Bendy won't be and we've already seen how much sway he has over the household.

Now onto the respective parties reactions. Felix running out isn't surprising and I doubt it's just because he's bi. He just watched the man he brought into the house to come support him start harrassing this woman seemingly for no reason, and then got outted and told he looks like Ortensia. Because let's be real, although Felix is told he is REMINDED of Oswald's wife he's never been told he looks IDENTICAL to her. And he just watched said man try to hit this girl.

Now I'm going to give Fanny some credit here, she's dealing with her toxic ex but not ONCE does she let Cup get involved. Every moment it looks like he's about to prior to Oswald's attempt to hit her, she sees it and cuts Cup off. And I'm happy for her for that, she really does care about Cup's wellbeing that when she sees him about to get involved in her mess she prevents it from happening.

Now what took me by surprise is it wasn't Oswald that left, it was Fanny. Fanny was the one who left out of shame [who could blame her], and Fanny was the one who tells Cup to leave since she's in a toxic mindset. I was also curious as to why Mugs didn't try to follow her out instead of Cup, since Mugs is her bodyguard and seemed pretty insistent on keeping Cup uninvolved. Something tells me he's sticking around for the Oswald situation, or maybe that's wishful thinking.

Still maintaining my love hate relationship of Cup getting further and further involved with Fanny. He's trying hard to be a good friend to her, he cares a lot and he wants to help because Fanny's situation is one he can try to understand and help with. However it does mean it can get messy, especially with the divorce and people see the two together.

[gingergofastboatsmojito]

May I share my different interpretation about that last frame pls?

IMO it’s actually the look of fear/insecurity, not of a 💔. The “be careful what you wish for” kinda fear, the fear she spoke of under the table, the “I fuck things up” fear.

Which is the SAME fear Carmy faced inside the walk in, btw…

Because love is an act of mirroring.

She knew that she had just barely made it out alive that night (via team effort, not just bc of her own doing), as she made it clear to Carmy shortly after.

So her biggest fear kicked back in because after that night it was real showtime. That’s the look on her face. Because it was no longer about getting her father’s approval, she could cross that off her list now, but after that night the race for the 🌟 had officially begun, and that scared her shitless. She was not blaming Carmy for having left her alone, she was not disappointed in him at that time (she was later during S3). She was just SCARED because the realization had just hit her:

Shit had just gotten real.

That’s what I think that last frame shows in her. And knowing now what S3 was all about, I confirmed this theory. Shit did get real in S3, too real actually. The Star was killing them because they fell right into its trap.

Many people remember this as Sydney's mood at the end of season 2,

Feeling proud of herself for being able to step up and do an amazing job in spite of the circumstances that plagued the day. And she did feel very proud of her success and being able to be a leader and prove herself to herself and others.

But this was the shot that ended the finale:

This is the face of a woman who kicked serious ass and still got her heart broken. It's the reality hitting her that she allowed herself want something she couldn't have and getting the other things she wanted didn't take the pain away.

[megumismo]

[dragzo]

oh Red Son no-

[jrueships]

WHOEVER THE FUCK IS RECOMMENDING MED PPL TO GO INTO RADIOLOGY JUST CUS IF THE MONEY, IM GONNA FUCKING gET YOU

[bunisher]

i need all future comics writers of frank (and anyone on DDBA) to stop trying to write him as a guy who had a normal childhood and was always just kinda Like That. or that he was simply destined to become the punisher, but that’s kind of a separate topic.

people who go into the military at 18 rarely have normal childhoods, they are often raised in abusive environments that are normalized. the urge to go into the military typically does not come from people who aren’t used to some form of abuse, because why would you willingly want to go into that? unless you are susceptible to indoctrination toward having faith in a system from a young age and aren’t able to discern the red flags? the military system preys on poor young men in particular by scouting them and offering all these bells and whistles (free college, healthcare, community) and feelings of importance, but then just forgets about them afterward.

side note: it’s actually such a disservice to many veterans to forget about how the military is an abusive system. it literally strips you of everything with no help in reintegrating back into society (other than by members of the same community). i get TPS1 tried to do something with this but dropped the ball. it feels like many writers just use his marine background as some sort of fun fact that only comes into play with certain things, but it very much shapes who you are and changes your identity. it’s a very cult-like system.

many people who want to serve are related to others who have prior. many people (especially men) who want to serve at that age have an underlying need that they think can be met. many people are brainwashed by military propaganda and believe it is the right thing to do. especially when it comes to religion, there’s this idea of men using their bodies to protect the innocent that goes back hundreds of years, and this idea of serving god, which we see young francis try to do in two ways. (side note: why do they keep removing his religious background? i liked the nod to it in the nmcu but it seems modern comics writers (looking at you jason aaron) just forget this?) besides, the functions of religion for people are very similar to the functions of the military as far as members go, namely community and a sense of greater purpose.

to me, as a reader/watcher, threads of probable abuse history are present in frank’s character, and i wish we had a writer brave enough to write about it. why else would he care so much about innocents and victims? why else would he become suicidal and guilt stricken when he hurts an innocent? it makes you think: was there no one who protected him or someone else he knew?

and this may not mean anything but idk i think he’s so much more tragic and juicy if you look at him like someone who is not the perfect victim (and maybe doesn’t even recognize their abuse) but someone who instead of healing and becoming soft, becomes angry and violent afterward. trauma, especially repeated trauma, does not effect people all the same way and i really wish they would just be bold enough to work with that. i get trying to piss off the alt right but completely changing the character to fit the same stereotype of a ‘psychopath’ (which is an outdated term) as they do in horror movies about killer children is just poor writing. again, talking about punisher 2022, but this was kinda in nmcu too. and sure yeah they’ve retired his character (but not the punisher….? ok) in the comics, but for when he inevitably does come back, yeah.

[quietwingsinthesky]

Very strange to me that the longer supernatural went on, the kinder it was to John Winchester and the uglier it made Chuck.

There’s something very. I don’t know. “Don’t blame your father, your father never did anything wrong. Blame God. Blame this thing that’s been secretly making your life worse this whole time, pulling the strings, controlling you and everyone around you.”

And the further we get into the show, the more Chuck becomes a Writer, rather than it being about God as a Father. (Never completely losing that aspect, obviously, just like Chuck was always a writer, but one of these parallels clearly superceded the other in terms of importance to the story.)

[dutybcrne]

Kaeya has a habit of stealing and hoarding little things from people he loves. Small seemingly innocuous items going missing at random? Chances are, Kaeya is behind it.

[dirt-str1der]

Do you consider any of the non protagonist yakuza girls well writen?

I think none of them had rights

[desperatepleasures]

im like honestly obsessed with that last scene in the desert with maxine where he reunites with jason and freddy and he's just like well i guess i'm a father now. like even if you put aside the fact that these children were formerly his slaves like. sir five minutes ago you were rolled up inside an area rug and adalbert was carrying you around and hand-feeding you. at what point do you think you're in a position to raise children