#they're soulmates regardless of how they express it

[lukazade]

In my opinion, when he was younger, after Dick witnessed a little spat/fight between Bruce and Clark that resulted in them not talking for like a whole week, he noticed that Bruce got broodier without Superman to bounce ideas around with, and decided he would help them out in the only way he (a small teen) knows how.

So he buys one of those best friend half-heart charms (yk what I mean, like one side says "best" and the other says "friends" etc) and he gives one half to Bruce who's like omg.. to share.. and then he gives the other half to Clark who's similarly pleased to be sharing a best friend locket with Dick.

But THEN, at a JL meeting or whatever, Batman notices that Superman has half of the same type of locket he has, and Superman notices him noticing, which prompts him to proudly gloat that Robin shared it with him, because they're best friends. But Batman has already low-key clocked on so he just sighs and reveals that he hid his under his glove or something, and he's like, "yeah me too." At which point Superman gets it, too. And they're both like a little embarrassed because Dick (a child) wanted to repair them from their (adults) argument, and it's a little shameful that he felt the need to step in. And they both kind of want to keep the charms because they are actually technically from Dick, and they aren't exactly upset to have a little matching charm either, so long as the others don't find out because there's no way they won't get bullied about it. So they decide to both go and pick out some charms of their own to share with him, too.

Of course, they're just little trinkets, and they break and tarnish fairly fast - but you can find the remnants of them deep in drawers in the manor, shoved in the edges of boxes during house-moves, or maybe sitting somewhere, left in the pocket of an old, out-of-use batman suit, a remnant of the first kid in their lives.

[bump-inthe-night]

Vivziepop handles abuse in her shows horribly. In Hazbin Hotel, she blames Angel for using substances to cope with the beating and raping by Valentino.

Vivziepop acknowledges he's trapped but still wants him to take responsibility and tolerate the abuse because everyone else in Hell suffers too. She prohibits Angel from expressing anger, complaining, or using substances to cope with his ongoing trauma. Despite Valentino continuing to impede his progress, he must get better. Angel's entire character arc in Hazbin Hotel is being insulted and blamed for being an abused sex worker. 

In Helluva Boss, Vivzipeop blames Blitzo for being angry at Stolas for using him as a toy and not reciprocating his feelings. She treats the imp as if he has control over the Goetia prince, and it’s his fault that he relies on the grimoire to keep his business running. Stolas is painted as an “victim” instead of an obsessed creep who neglects his job and his daughter, Octavia. He has all the power in their relationship, but Vivziepop portrays him as the “powerless” one, at Blitzo’s mercy. Regardless of how unhealthy their relationship is, both characters are forced together as if they're "soulmates."

Vivziepop blames victims for suffering at the hands of their abusers and treats them as if they're responsible for the harm done to them.

[babyangelsky]

My Favorite Expressions in Love Sea Ep. 5

I love this show and everyone in it so so much. I know it's going to hurt me at some point but I don't even care because right now it is giving me absolutely everything I want.

Peat Wasuthorn Chaijindar, I truly and genuinely love every single thing you do with your face.

Also! If anyone would like to be tagged in these posts every week, do let me know!

I'll say it again: one of these men does not yet realize what they signed up for and it is not Mahasamut.

Tongrak is a prickly little cactus but he does care for Mut, and I love that he got to see Tongrak get worked up on his behalf.

Hearing Vivi say her name like that shorted a circuit in my frazzled girly Mook's brain.

And Vivi knows it.

I do love Vivi. I especially love the way she looks at Mook when she's venting. She may be a menace, her strategies may be unhinged, and she may like teasing Mook a little too much, but there's so much fondness in her expression when she's with Mook. She never interrupts, she just loves listening to that girl regardless of what Mook is saying.

Also shout out to the craft services auntie who heard Mook venting and brought her a treat. I would've done the same.

"I want to take care of your life," Mut says, stopping Tongrak's annoyance dead in its tracks. Mut's sweetness and earnestness are so disarming for Tongrak and I love the little moments where we get to see it.

"Let me take care of you." I wonder if anyone has ever said that to Tongrak and meant it.

However, I will be taking that "old-timer" personally, Mut. Tongrak and I are NOT OLD.

VIVI LOVES THAT GIRL. Mook could read her the dictionary and she would be enthralled by her voice the whole time and I will be dying on this hill.

"You don't even like women." Kaimook. Be so serious right now. Look at the way she looks at you! I refuse to allow you to join me in the circus, there will be no clown behavior from you, miss ma'am.

I am so very familiar with this look. I'm sure it's been on my face for at least half my life. It's the sort of profound exhaustion only someone with a difficult family understands. Your whole day is about to be ruined by a battle you don't want with a person you despise but not fighting it is not an option. I both love and hate how dead Peat's gaze managed to be because it hit so close to home.

911, yes hello, I would like to report an imminent murder.

Mut:

I could not love these men more. Truly I could not.

This woman really thought she could roll up to Tongrak's house and start saying whatever she wanted. She really thought she could fuck around and not find out. Tongrak and his face said no and also GET A JOB. FIND SOMETHING TO DO.

Unrelated sidenote, I loathe the little tone she uses to talk to him. I hope we never see her again.

The face of a man who has found the adequate weapon in his arsenal. Also, someone actually agreed to be in a relationship with her? I'll send the poor S.O.B. a condolence card in the morning.

Peat really decided to hurt my feelings today because I know that look too. That's the expression of someone who's a hairsbreadth away from a breakdown after using up every ounce of bravery they possess. I'm surprised he didn't start crying on the stairs on the way to his bedroom.

There's so much I want to say about this scene in Tongrak's bedroom but I'll give it its own post.

All I'll say here is that it really is the littlest things, the smallest acts of kindness that end up pushing you even further over the edge. Why isn't it possible to hug someone through a screen?

Mut called Prin a diabolical brat and that's her name in Tongrak's phone and that's why they're soulmates. It's science.

THOSE ARE HEART EYES, KHUN TONGRAK. Mut is siding with you against your shitty family! THAT'S BEST BOY BEHAVIOR AND YOU KNOW IT.

Mut's just like me fr.

[sparrowrye]

Demi Demon || Alastor x Reader, part 17

Synopsis: soulmate AU where you have the same mark on your body as your soulmate, and if your soulmate dies, you die too. Alastor needs to make sure that his soulmate is safe so he can continue his reign - whatever that takes. Though it looks like we have a couple secrets of our own.

Previous part

Part 17: meeting the overlords

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I'm sure you can all imagine why I called you here," Lucifer began. "Humans are starting to put together that Full mages are not from their world. As I've stated in previous meetings, we should be revealing ourselves, not waiting to be discovered."

I scanned the face of every Overlord at the table. They were all in their Demon form, some more terrifying than others. There were eighteen Overlords in total but each one had a second hand, putting the overall count at 36 individuals. 37 if you counted the King of Hell.

"A decade ago we had decided to wait some time before revealing ourselves," one of the Overlords said. She had long white horns and huge, white clawed hands. Her eyes were blood shot red. "Why the change of heart?"

My shoulders stiffened when I realized who sat two seats down from her. The man was wearing his pink hat and jacket. It was the owner of the fighting ring who drugged me. I couldn't tell where he was looking with his glasses covering most of his face.

"We were, but then someone went crazy on the surface." The man who spoke wore a navy blue suit and had a flatscreen TV for a face. His voice sounded familiar. "Tricking them with the whole illusion magic doesn't work when you massacre them with the 'illusion'."

"I do believe you were the one who broadcasted the whole thing, old friend," Alastor didn't hesitate. "What was it you said? You're all in for a real treat, tonight?"

"It was your choice to come out the way you did. I was just doing what I do best."

"I fail to see the problem when your broadcast barely had sight of me. We all know how unreliable it can be."

"How about all the people who escaped to tell the--"

"Regardless of how or why it happened, it did," Lucifer interrupted, "and we need to decide what the next steps will be. I'd like to hear from the surface Overlords about announcing ourselves to the surface."

"Now?!" someone yelled from the other end of the table.

"Yes, now," he answered firmly. "Thanks to Alastor's incident--" radio static caught in the Radio Demon's throat "--we'll need to reveal ourselves soon. We need to set our historic record straight and keep it that way."

A moment of silence fell over everyone's head. They looked between each other with various expressions, no one quite sure what to say next. I looked at the Demons standing behind them but most of them had blank stares, revealing nothing about their own thoughts.

"Why do we need to do anything if they're going to figure it out anyways?" someone finally asked.

A woman with large pigtails sitting beside the ring owner laughed. "Do you want to stay an Overlord on the surface? Humans are notorious for killing anything that poses a threat to them."

"We have to show that Demons are more than just humans with more-than-average magic," the TV added. "If we don't, they'll hunt us down for sport. There's more of them than there are of us by a large margin."

"Why are we worrying about being hunted? Humans with Slight magic are no match for Demons." The Overlord was a huge humanoid wolf with neon colors all over.

"Humans together under a common cause are a match for Demons," the woman in white said. "It's important to set a precedent before they realize they can outman us."

"How does thy propose to accomplish such a feat?" This Demon had two sets of bright green eyes and his cloak wrapped tightly around his body.

Demons started looking between Alastor and the TV.

"A television broadcast wouldn't be a bad idea," the TV man smiled.

"Aren't we expecting to reach the entire surface? You barely cover a continent as is," Alastor challenged.

"I advance more with every passing day. It would take less than a month to have a reach all over the surface. Something that can be accomplished if your highness provides proper resources." He nodded his head to Lucifer.

"Yet I've been broadcasting to the entire surface for centuries," Alastor said. "Since the Great Collapse, radio has been the only reliable source of communication."

"Who would believe the word of a Demon who's been tormenting them for hundreds of years?" he snapped back. "People can see a Demon for themselves instead of taking your word."

"Television can be fabricated."

"A radio host can lie."

"They're both important," Lucifer interjected, "and having both can solidify what we're trying to do. Vox, I can provide the resources you need to expand. Alastor, you'll wait for my word before you broadcast." The Radio Demon's eyes narrowed in response.

"What exactly are we broadcasting?" Vox asked, seemingly bored now. He scratched at his bright blue claws. "Humans know Demons as Full mages. Are we merely changing our name?"

"Humans," Lucifer explained, "use the term Full mages to mean anyone who can control more than just the basic elements. But Full mage Humans and Demons are two different species."

"What is the difference?" the neon wolf asked. I was surprised to notice a collection of nods from the rest of the Overlords. How much of their own history did they not know?

"The main difference is that we have control over Existence magic. So dark, chrono, and cosmo magic. Humans have no control over such magic. Demons can control various advance magic, even bending and expanding it, such as technology magic." He gestured to Vox, who casted a smirk in Alastor's direction. "Humans can control very few advance magic. The most I've seen a Human control is four. Demons have access to all, though many of you know it's best to pick a few to master."

"You don't expect to share this information with Humans, do you?" the woman in white questioned. "Giving up such crucial information could lead to our ultimate downfall."

"You're right," Lucifer agreed, "That would give them too much information about us. But we need them to be aware of the difference between Human Full mages and Demons. Aside from appearances of course." He looked down the eighteen frightening faces.

"I say we tell them we can control everything," Pigtails suggested. Well, more like declared. "They'll never know. If we scare them into thinking we can master any and all elements of life, they couldn't imagine fighting against something so powerful. And appearances would just confirm it."

"What happens if they develop the technology to rival our power?" the woman in white asked.

"I don't think you'd be around to see that day," Pigtails shot at her, "And besides, we'll just keep them from getting to that point. They're all about advertising their new inventions. Riding of it and its inventor is easy."

"Thou would be foolish to not prepare for thy future." The man dressed in black with neon eyes spoke before the woman could.

Lucifer nodded. "It's something to be concerned about, but it's something to discuss only after we've revealed ourselves."

"Sooo." Vox ran his long claw across the table so it made a screeching noise. I clenched my jaw and dampened the noise. "We're telling the Humans that we can control any and every element. What happens if they get angry?"

"Surface Overlords have been up there for quite some time." Lucifer crossed his arms. "How would you handle an uprising?"

"Same way as down here," the ring owner beside Vox answered, "Fear, manipulation, and manpower."

"I would advise surface Overlords to maintain and increase this manpower." Lucifer stood from his chair. "I will contact all of you when we are ready to reveal ourselves. As for you two," he looked to Alastor and Vox, "we will speak privately about what exactly you will be broadcasting. This meeting is over."

Everyone filed out of the room within minutes. Rosie casted a smile and a small wave in my direction as she left. As she did, another woman walked in. She wore an all red suite and had long, gorgeous blonde hair. She was followed by a shorter woman who had a lot of silver hair and large red X over her eye.

The pair quickly made their way over to me, the blonde energetically introducing herself as Charlie Morningstar, daughter of Lucifer. I was speaking to Princess of Hell.

"Are you really Alastor's soulmate?" She got really close to my face. Alastor casted a glance over his shoulder at me.

"Uh, yeah."

"I can't believe it! I never thought he would have one."

"Doesn't everyone get a soulmate?"

"Demons never had soulmates until they could go to the surface. Once the portal opened they started to get them, so a lot of the old Overlords don't have one." She spoke so fast it was taking an extra effort to comprehend it all.

"Oh, I didn't know that."

"It's pretty cool if you think about it. But you have to tell me what it's like being his soulmate. Ever since I met him he's always bragged about not being chained down to a soulmate."

"Oh uh..." How do you answer a question like that? I noticed Alastor had cocked his head a little to hear better. How was he paying attention to both his conversation and this one at the same time? "He's uh...how long have you known him?"

"Well I've personally known him for only about a century, now."

"Oh. Uh...and how long have you known of him?"

"He's been a nuisance for everyone for centuries," the other girl mused.

"Interesting." I played off my sudden realization.

"So what's he like?" Charlie pressed. "He's always going on about everything just being entertainment and not getting attached to anyone."

"Oh, well, he hasn't really changed then. I didn't think I had one either, quite honestly."

"Were you really a ring fighter?" the other girl abruptly asked.

"Vaggie—"

"What?"

"I was," I answered. "Why do you ask?"

"It was just really cool to watch you fight. I saw the whole thing online. You were amazing!"

"Oh." My face grew warm. "Uh, I really didn't do well."

"Sure you did. Were you taught how to fight or did you learn it from the rings?"

"I learnt it."

"How many rings did you take down?" Charlie asked.

"I think seven? But I didn't really take them down. They started back up a week later." I folded my arms together, drawing in on myself.

"Oh, I'm sorry." Charlie put a hand on my shoulder. I looked between it and her, surprised at how friendly she was being toward me. "I know a thing or two about failure."

"Charlie..."

"It's okay Vaggie."

"What do you mean?" I gently pushed.

"I tried saving my people awhile back and it didn't really work out. I tried to redeem sinners and Demons so they could go to Heaven but...it kinda fell through."

"How come?" I turned to face her completely.

"Well, it was going alright but then the portal to the surface opened. And what was the point of being redeemed when they could relive life on the surface?"

"Oh, that's really bad timing." I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that there was a Heaven and Hell in the first place, and that the Princess of Hell was telling me she was centuries old. She seemed more like my age.

"Yeah. But I figured I would wait and try again in a different way. Reimagine it!" Her eyes widened and she looked like a little kid with a gloriously bad idea.

"I think you totally should," I agreed. "What's the harm in trying again?"

"Exxxactly!" Her smile widened even more. "And you shouldn't give up taking down those fighting rings. Who knows what kind of Demon children are stuck in them? You're the only one giving any of them hope."

My mind started to wander. "Yeah...I guess so."

"We've got to keep in touch." Charlie pulled out her phone.

"Oh, I don't have one," I said nervously.

"Pfft, of course not," Vaggie sent a glare into Alastor's back, "Someone's still in the dark age."

"Yeah, well, Husker is the only one who's got a phone. And it's a pretty old one too."

"We'll connect through him then. I already have his number in my contacts."

"You already know him?"

The two of them laughed. "He and Alastor were a part of my hotel before it went under."

I nodded slowly. Alastor was in a heated discussion with Vox and Lucifer. They were all sending shots back and forth at each other, only Alastor remained in his seat while the other two were on their feet and pointing fingers.

"Maybe give it a break and meet another time?" Charlie quickly walked over. She put a hand on her father's shoulder.

"Charlie is right, per usual." Alastor half bowed his head to her.

"Of course she is," Lucifer crossed his arms. I didn't realize how short he was until Charlie stood next to him. She was my height and yet he was shorter than her shoulders.

"Come dear," Alastor said to me as he stood, "let us go home. This has been quite a productive meeting." It sounded more sarcastic than anything. Vox tried to say something but he was glitching all over. I was shocked I didn't see any smoke coming from his television head.

Charlie and Vaggie both waved as we left. I was close on Alastor's heels until we left the palace. I took the opportunity to look around at Hell. Everything was red but it looked like a normal city. The only give away was its inhuman inhabitants.

Alastor wrapped a hand around my shoulders as we teleported back to the house. I was shocked at the temperature difference. The night had been warm when we left but now the wind was like an icy chill that went right through my bones. Alastor walked ahead but I didn't follow.

"Alastor," I called. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "I um...I'd like...I'd like you to teach me magic, again."

"Why's that?"

I wasn't expecting him to ask why. He's been pushing my training so much, why wouldn't he want me to accept it? I struggled for a response and he let the air hang silent for several moments.

"Because that's how I want the next hundred years to go," I finally said. It was true, to an extent, but I had other reasons for wanting it. Reasons I didn't want him to know.

His eyes narrowed, as if trying to detect the lie. He smiled wide so his yellow teeth showed. "A wise choice, my dear."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Author's Note:

Lots of dialogue and information but much needed! Looks like things are going to start turning around for us. Feel free to ask questions or leave any comments. I love interacting with you all!

[the-lark-ascending69]

How would Nancy and Steve protect Robin from homophobic attacks?

I love this question. I love the idea of Steve and Nancy being kind of her... "protectors" in a way? The way she cried out their names and they both rushed to help her when the vines caught her... something in my cold heart melted. She's their lil soft bby lesbian, they must protecc (particularly love this in omegaverse AUs in which they're both alphas and Robin is an omega... ik it's not everyone's cup of tea but I adore it). I love the idea of Robin having two soulmates who recognize the danger she's in and how everyone will come after them if They Know so they promise to themselves (!! or each other!!) that they'll keep her safe.

Specifically, I'm thinking of a scenario in which Nancy and Steve kinda don't like each other. Maybe there are still hard feelings after their breakup, and they kinda give each other the side-eye, feeling uncomfortable when they need to share a space or when they're alone in a room without everyone else there making plans and stuff.

But every now and then, they find Robin being cornered at school, her head low, trying to make herself invisible and small as boys taller than her make horrible comments about frigid little dyke needing to see what she's missing, and Steve and Nancy don't even think. They walk up to where she is and push the boys away, eyes dark and voice severe, warning them to never come near her again if they know what's good for them. Boys often reply with something along the lines of "careful, Harrington, seems like your dyke girlfriend's got a hard on for Wheeler here", but they leave nevertheless. Robin remains silent, hugging herself, and mumbles a quiet "can you take me home?" or "can I stay over tonight?" She doesn't like being alone when these things happen, and she's reached a level of trust with Steve and Nancy in which she's comfortable seeking comfort from them, so she'll end up having dinner with both of them (because neither of them want to leave her, even if it means enduring each other's company). Steve will cook something while Nancy sets the table, hesitantly rubs her back and asks if she's okay, and then they'll watch a movie - Robin nestled between the two of them, playing with Steve's fingers or with the sleeves of Nancy's cardigan - touch and hand-holding has always been one of her love languages, especially when it comes to fear and comfort. Whether she falls asleep on Steve or Nancy's shoulder depends on the night, but regardless of it, Steve will carry her to bed and Nancy will tuck her in. They have this little routine, in that way. Nancy will lovingly observe her, kneeling before her bed, and very softly she'll tuck a strand of hair behind her ear while she sleeps. And Steve will stand nearby, arms crossed, watching both of them, a question in his expression, and heartbreak in Nancy's. They share a look - they can't let her face this alone. They can't let her get hurt. The entire world will be after her, and she needs them. Both of them. Because predatory jokes and insinuations are not her biggest problem - Jason Carver had given her a black eye a few months back because he saw her having a chat with his girlfriend (he attacked her in the way you'd attack a man, not a woman), and Billy Hargrove had made his intentions clear with her when she made the mistake of going with Steve to a party, and he saw her, and licked his lips, and he'd grabbed her by the back of her neck and told her he could help her with her problem. Robin's dark, self-deprecating jokes nowadays always hinted at something somber in her future - "okay, but don't cry when they find me dead in a ditch" or "Steve and I share the whole 'possibly becoming moms agaist our will' curse", and it always makes Steve and Nancy uncomfortable.

They might not get along nowadays, but they both adore Robin with their entire hearts. If it meant Nancy had to start keeping a gun in her glovebox, or that Steve had to make sure to never take his eyes off her at social gatherings, they'd do it. If it meant spending time together just to be with her, so she'll always remember she's not alone, they'll do it. Anything for her.

Safe to say that they always drive her to and from school and work, especially at night. Nancy has started cycling again just so she can be with Robin when she misses her bike. She always sits with her during lunch, and glares at anyone who dares to look at her. Rumors spread, of course, but people are much more afraid of Nancy than they are of Robin, and they rarely dare to do much more than whisper. Steve makes sure people see her with him whenever possible, as a reminder that she has people looking out for her and others should think twice before messing with her. Robin almost feels like a child, and she hates that she needs her friends to do this for her, but she's also so deeply thankful to have them. Truly, she loves them. She loves them both so much. She doesn't know how she's even going to make it up to them.

For now, she enjoys curling up in the Wheeler's basement couch with a blanket around her shoulders, a mug of hot chocolate in her hands, watching Steve and Nancy fight over which movie to watch. It's familiar. It's warm and safe and so full of love.

[thanatologie]

i guess it's just my life now that Deep Thoughts About Emmrich™️are some of the first things to brain worm me after regaining consciousness (waking up), but hear me out okay-

emmrich has, really, four - no, sorry, five - paths his story can take, right.

mortal and romanced

mortal and unromanced

mortal and dead

lich and unromanced

lich and romanced

it's the first and last two i really wanna talk about, and mostly the last, but let's consider:

the implication is, i think, when you choose to romance emmrich, it's an in it to win it kind of romance. it, more than the age gap, is why harding brings up how fast he and rook are moving (i'm sorry i love her and calling her lace is going to forever feel weird, forgive me), she gets that he's in deeper probably than intended, way faster than intended. like lich or mortal, it doesn't matter, it's very much implied rook becomes his Person™️in a way, say, an unromanced emmrich going out with strife doesn't have happen. that's just a date. but as a romanced emmrich progresses through the story, after the big fight he and rook have, after they kiss and make up post-fade prison and leading up to the last push for elgar'nan, there's a chance to have an interesting piece of dialogue with him where he talks about how he has so many plans he wants to share and talk about once everything's over and they're back home.

i don't think it's a stretch to assume where those plans lead, is what i'm saying, right. like...maybe more so than another of the other companions, emmrich finds his soulmate with rook. guy's just been handed everything he's ever longed for on a silver platter, especially in the mortal and romanced path, because he has manfred, and he has rook, and that's it. he's gotten his family. and i'd be lying to you if i didn't say he was probably terrified going into that last fight, because he could lose it again, just that quick, either by his death, by rook's, by something happening to manfred.

but this ain't about him.

where it really has interesting implications - and by interesting i mean horrible - is if emmrich's gone the lich and romanced path. because the tone changes in...a lot of stuff. the fight is different, because while both boil down to his fear of losing rook - which i will argue is actually greater than his fear of dying himself - a lich emmrich is very much kind of...overbearing? in a way? trying to get rook to hang back because now he's no longer as easy to kill (and i don't even know if kill is the right word there, either for me to use or emmrich, destroy might be more accurate). it's no longer an issue of his fear of death - if they've been all aboard the bone express with a lich emmrich, it's now all about rook. losing rook. how he's now afraid he'll mourn rook forever. and now he no longer has manfred.

so, my thought on this is - and not to make it dramatic, because emmrich's got enough of that nonsense for the both of us, dude just feels things incredibly deeply and 0/10 shows it - romanced and liched out is the worst possible ending for him. worse than a mortal him dying in the battle - that's quick, it's over in the blink of an eye. a lich emmrich...sure, he's got someone that loves him no matter what, that's nice. who supported his choice in becoming something more. but he has immediate buyer's remorse about that decision, because for all his talk about keeping rook safe, etc etc, the truth is, he's going to end up mourning them forever regardless. he's still lost manfred, and it clearly hits him harder than i think he would like people to think. i think the crushing weight of the certainty that, no matter what, he's going to lose rook regardless also comes crashing down on him.

all ground i've stomped on before, i know. but consider the implications of that. people like rook - heroes, is what i mean, i've got a lot of experience with heroes - don't die easy in their beds, you know? some people can settle down after something like this and live a quiet life forever after, but those types are going to be rare, because the types of people who answer the call to be a hero can't leave shit alone once they've been bitten. they see trouble and run toward it.

i think....a romanced lich emmrich goes bad. i don't mean a mwoo ha ha kind of bad, i don't mean...i don't know...a corypheus kind of bad (is that even going bad, though, considering- you know what, never mind). i think all those oaths he's taken as a watcher, and all those he probably had to take as a lich lord go out the window. i think there would be a lot of line crossing. a lot of big flashing no nos. mostly because no, i don't think emmrich is equipped for eternity. i don't think he can handle others passing through death when he can't. he might get, hell, forty+ years with rook, but what's a handful of decades with the love of your life when eternity stretches like a yawning void without them in front of you, right?

what that looks like, i don't really know. does he do what others have done before him and try to bring them back from wherever they go after death? i don't know, maybe. he's a necromancer, play to your strengths, i guess. whatever it looks like, i do think there's a distinct possibility for him to get pushed over some edge. like...it's hard to imagine, i guess, because he's so damn kind, but he's also not built for what he's asking himself to do, and i think instead of his (trauma-induced anxiety disorder) fear of death very quickly could become replaced by an all-consuming dread for the inevitable which could take him down some very, very dark roads.

[pizzaprompts]

Scar Headcanon Prompts

A series of prompted asks to get you thinking about your muse's scars, what they look like and how they impact their life!

Slight TW for self-harm, injury, abuse, and a few other associated scar-related things.

~~~~~~~🍕~~~~~~~

SH1 - Does your muse have any scars? How many? Are they aware of all of their scars? Do they have marks on their body that they assume are scars that are not?

SH2 - What kinds of scars does your muse have? Fine line scars? Raised scars? Burn scars? Pitted scars?

SH3 - Does your muse have any scars from surgeries? What did they receive surgery for? Were they optional surgery, cosmetic, emergency? Was the surgery something they consented to? How healed are the scars now?

SH4 - Does your muse have any scars from fighting? Were they caused by a specific type of weapon? How severe were the injuries when they acquired them, and what kind of treatment did they require?

SH5 - Does your muse have any scars that impact them to this day? Scars that inhibit mobility, still cause them pain, are so visible as to impact how they feel about themselves or how others treat them? How old are these scars / how long have they been dealing with this impact?

SH6 - Does your muse have any scars with unusual properties? A unique shape or color? A scar they can't explain? A scar of a magical nature, or that links them to someone else (a soulmate/sibling/master/lover)?

SH7 - Does your muse have any scars from former body modification? From old piercings they no longer wear, from scarification, or branding, or perhaps where they otherwise attempted to remove a mark or tattoo?

SH8 - What are your muse's most visible scars? Are they visible because the scar is still fresh and vivid, or because they're located somewhere where anyone can see them?

SH9 - Which scars are the hardest for your muse to talk about? Is it because of a traumatic experience? A loss of memory? A fear of judgement? Is there a situation in which they'd be able to open up about them?

SH10 - Does your muse have any scars that have healed enough to be practically invisible, but that your muse feels so strongly about that they'll never forget the location or circumstances of their acquisition? What makes these scars so meaningful? Are they recollected fondly, or with fear, distaste, or hatred?

SH11 - Does your muse have any scars that are, in their opinion, funny or silly to talk about? Scars they got showing off for a crush, or from a prank, or from doing something really ridiculous?

SH12 - Does your muse have any scars that they talk about a lot? Maybe a scar they lie about to seem more mysterious or dashing, or dangerous? A scar they tell the truth about because the story is entertaining? A scar they talk about as a way of flirting?

SH13 - Are any of your muse's scars a byproduct of their job? If so, was this because of neglegence on their part or on the part of others? Was this something they were compensated for in some way?

SH14 - Does your muse have any scars that are self-inflicted? Were they intentional, or unintentional? Does your muse struggle with self-harm, or do they use this as a form of self-expression?

SH15 - Does your muse have any scars that are due to abuse? If so, were these at the hands of a family member? A lover? A friend? Is that person/Are those people still in their life?

SH16 - Does your muse have any scars that make them look objectively hotter rather than detracting from their appearance? Do they have any scars that make them feel more attractive in some way, regardless of objective opinions?

SH17 - Does your muse have any scars that they're fine to talk about, but other people seem uncomfortable talking about or avoid discussing? Is this because it's related to a potential disability, or a traumatic event? Is this a scar they used to be uncomfortable talking about, but got over feeling that way?

SH18 - Does your muse have any scars that they got during their childhood or teenage years? How severe might they have been? How visible are they now?

SH19 - Does your muse have any scars that they actively do their best to conceal? Something they use makeup, clothing, accessories, or magic to hide? How effective at concealing these scars are they? How would they respond to someone discovering one of these scars?

SH20 - How does your muse feel about their own scars in comparison to the scars of others? Is it different depending on which of their own scars they're considering? Is it different depending on what person's scars are showing, or how those scars were acquired by that person? Do they find scars on other people sexy, or sad, or off-putting?

[charcolor]

1, 9, 14, 23, 25 for the oc ask meme for cherry valentine (+ whoever else you feel like talking about for each question but mainly cherry)

yayyyy thank you :) cherry

(quick disclaimer the story is not fully, uh...i guess, planned? at the moment so some of this may be retconned in the future)

What memory would your OC rather just forget?

what immediately comes to mind is murdering violet. she was always very conflicted about it but because of her strong belief that it was her duty as alicia's soulmate, she went through with it regardless. the fact the violet explicitly gave her permission to kill her, thus basically turning the murder into an assisted suicide (which, violet has always had suicidal tendencies and cherry knew about it) doesn't help. unfortunately violet haunts her for the rest of her life and there's nothing either of them can do about it

also: cherry's parents had a very ugly divorce and fought a lot in front of her as a child. cherry's mother (who ended up with sole custody of cherry) tended to use cherry to make her feel better about herself, and "prove" (since cherry chose to live with her mother) that living with her would always be better than living with her father, despite the fact that cherry's mother rarely paid attention to her. so remembering the pre-divorce era makes cherry feel bad about herself for not choosing her father (even though he's not any better) and for failing to earn enough of her mother's attention

Do you have a specific lyric or quote which you associate with your OC?

not really but i do think the song anatasama by kairiki bear is kinda cherrycore. it is also lucycore though, and i guess aesthetically it's more suited to her.

the song love me like your victim by charcolor has aged poorly, not just in terms of quality but in terms of "this is not entirely canon anymore." but i still like the line "i know it's unforgivable / but no one truly loves the evil" (even though i think lyrically it sounds kinda awkward lol). but even though this song isn't fully canon anymore that's kinda cheating right

How does your OC want to be seen by other characters?

cute and smart and not a murderer. fortunately for her this is already ⅔ true

in alicia's specific case, she wants alicia to see her as a savior, a guardian, someone who will always protect her. alicia has a tendency to believe either she doesn't need help or protection, or others are not capsble of doing things on her behalf. cherry knows this, and so it makes sense to her why alicia hasn't realized they're "soulmates" yet.

What emotion is the hardest for your OC to process? How about express?

probably anger. rejection is what hurts her the most despite it happening to her so often, but she reacts more out of sadness and despair than rage. even around people she openly dislikes (namely aiden and lucy) she doesn't get more than irritated around them.

anger is what she was exposed to the most as a young child, and while that anger turned into pettiness and borderline neglect after her parents were fully separated and divorced, it still frightened and shook her enough that she was afraid to express it. she doesn't think about it like that anymore, but she got so used to forcing herself not to be angry that it's hard for her to let herself be angry anymore. even the classic yandere anger trigger of seeing alicia be close or even romantic with other people wouldn't necessarily make her angry, just very passionate about "fulfilling her duty"

What is an alternative life path your OC might have gone down? How different would their life be if they'd made those decisions?

well, not killing people, for one thing. alicia is actually totally accepting and tolerant of cherry's obsessive tendencies (though she is unaware of cherry's crush on her until toward the climax), so if only cherry didn't kill people alicia might have a chance with her.

also, neither cherry nor violet would be in their current mental states if they'd gotten proper therapy. both of them had parents that didn't care enough about them to notice or consider anything was wrong with them (and in violet's case, any problems she brought up with her parents were never taken seriously). so they never learned to properly move past their unhealthy coping mechanisms and tendencies, and ended up enabling each other (cherry's obsessions and constant desire for attention, and violet's self-destructive and suicidal behavior). so in that case, cherry would probably be aware that murdering people is not really helping anyone. and violet would probably not be so willing to let anyone murder her.

edit: SORRY i copy-pasted the wrong question. the REAL question 25 is:

What is your favorite thing about your OC?

so...cherry began as a faceless, stereotypical yandere. she was conceptualized as a nameable playable character in an interactive VN where you (as Yandere) would investigate and deduce the best way to eliminate your rivals. i scrapped this because i am not a game developer and instead want to make a vocaloid song series (with a mostly kinetic VN possibly on the side). so i started making cherry a Real character and eventually wanted to make her Not Like Other Yanderes. unfortunately i can't remove the murderer thing without reworking the entire story so i instead want to make cherry sympathetic and interesting while still letting her kill people.

so this sounds weird but my favorite part is developing her character, and trying to set her apart from other yandere characters but not to the point where she's not, yknow, a yandere character. she kills people, but from her point of view it's not because they're romantically interested in alicia (in fact, only 1 has a dedicated romantic interest in her, and another very specifically does not, and cherry knows this), but because they will obstruct her happiness or be insufficient in protecting her. she didn't immediately obsessively fall in love with alicia at dirst sight, but responded to alicia's friendliness toward her by wanting to desperately cling to it and not lose her chance at someone caring for her, which evolved into infatuation. i'm not trying to brag about how good my Yandere Representation is, she still kills people after all, but characterizing her this way makes her so much more interesting for me to think about and imagine in various scenarios. i hope that makes sense.

[doublerainbow-if]

SFW Alphabet

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?)

M

M is an odd case in regards with affection. When they were growing up, they were bit more free with how affectionate they were with people. But they severely closed themselves off after their soulmate sever their bond. They do more subtle gestures, brushing their pinkies against yours or using you like a pillow if they feel more bold. But it can be seen as more nostalgic between the two of you since these were normal when you were younger.

L

They are seen as the social butterfly with how friendly and outgoing they are. L seems to have no reserves with getting close to somebody, especially if they react to their goofiness. But even they need to recharge their social battery, which lands on you, their best friend, having to deal with their little jokes and playful affection on full blast. They say that seeing you smile helps them recharge, but you just think they like making you laugh.

B

B is very shy about showing affection due to how the world operates. They did try using more subtle methods to express it but even those backfired on them. So it's a matter of making them more confident and comfortable with themselves to fully release the inner romantic in their heart. They are sucker for hand holding or hand kisses. They still blush regardless if they are performing or receiving though.

J

J keeps a firm but fair persona in and out of work. They do make sure to show they still care as the facade gets a bit tiring for someone who's not used to it. If they could, they would give everybody a hug or at least a treat. Just little reminders that someone's in their corner. But that's a HR violation or media scandal waiting to happen, so they will stick to simply kind words and enacting pay raises when they can.

V

V is a an oddball. Their competitive personality and aggroant tendencies doesn't leave much room to express affection to most people unless they're a deeply closed companion or one of their idols. Which a switch is flip inside their brain and they will drown said person in mountains of praises and encouragement. But this is rare as they try to keep it on the downlow. They have a bit too much pride to show off such a soft side especially with their reputation.

C

They're the opposite of their best friend since they give out affectionate words and gestures like it was free candy. But they appear disingenuous and shallow with easily they give it out. They didn't get a reputation as a flirt for nothing. You know that you are close to them though when they start to notice personal things about you. Actively remembering your interests and personal favorites so they know how to make you truly happy.

Avery

Due to their upbringing, they are the perfect image of a gentleman/lady of class. Simply expressing polite and kind gestures, not to over the top, to grow their gratitude or happiness. However once you are consider their person, they will, J can testified to this, snuggled you to death with their words and gestures. Maybe they feel a bit touch starved from their distant family not really being there and that's why they tend to go overboard with their affection with their true friends and partners.

Kahula

K is kind of similar to C in regards to how easy they give out affection. Their fans love this about them since they are willing to hug and get close to them with a big smile on their face. But they are always mindful on how they do it, their manager beating into their head to not get too close with anybody in fear of a scandal. So when they are away from paparazzi or reporters, they tend to smother the people they know and like with praises. Especially singing made up anthems to express how truly amazing the recipient is.

[wewebaggit]

"El never had romantic feelings for Mike"ers 🤝 "Mike had romantic feelings for El"ers

Y'all think y'all are arm wrestling bt it's actually called a handshake in most parts of the world.

Both come from some weird desire for romantic miIeven to have meant nothing/something for both.

Cuz everything has to be just right and fair and neatly tied in a bow. God forbid the gay boy have struggles with his sexuality or the straight girl get her heart broken in the process. Evil evil things. To have your feelings unrequited. Unless it's Will. Cuz he's single and has to stay single and pure and loyal and what not, and it's only temporary. Soon in a few years after the time skip at the end of the series he'll be rewarded for being reduced to a pathetic little sap with no social life beyond Jonathan, Mike and the horrors of having spidey sense for 2 seasons.

And yeah there will be cirque du soleil levels of acrobatics being performed to show why this story and narrative makes sense. And I'm not opposed to it for being that but just that on show that prides itself for show don't tell it neither shows nor tells and then there's outside the show telling by cast cuz inside the show showing was less subtle and more in the realm of not there at all.

MiIeven is NOT a "plot device" for Byler any more than Mike being revealed gay is a plot device for independent El. They're both self contained arcs for the respective characters. MiIeven thoroughly exploited the BSY dynamic with how their interactions were framed and played and okayed and filmed. It's incredibly condescending to fault the GA for buying into the self insert fantasy of nerdy boy gets supergirl when the show didn't shy away from profiting off of it. Regardless of Mike's impending sexuality. Especially because of the super ambiguity of Mike's sexuality it cannot be classified as anything but trope exploitation. Subversion where? Leaving some visuals here.

El initiating the kiss in S1E6

And I'd love it if anyone explains them to me that's not the tired af "El's idea of romantic love comes from her watching soap operas" cuz she was shown watching it once. She was stuck in a cabin with a TV so she watched TV most of the time and daytime is soaps. You know what she (also) watched regularly? Westerns. Miami Vice.

Also El did make the first move in s1e7 to kiss Mike. Before Mike ever kissed her in s1e8. And before the soap operas n all other things. Point being. The BSY has always been BSYing.

Poor babies being forced by Lucas, Nancy and daytime TV into making out and enjoying it. Tsk tsk. (S3E1)

A forced to be flustered and blushing El after talking to her boyfriend.

Time to make out some more. It hits different at 4:20. - Mike & El probably. Dunno it's on mute.

Naive but powerful fawn rebelling against father for nerdy boyfriend. Ya. White American thing cuz Mike would be pissing his pants if he were anywhere else or maybe anyone else. (Can you imagine Lumax this way?)

For God's sake your platonic soulmate and so called lesbian awakening's brother is dying there.

Don't even understand the point of this shot. Since Mike never looked Billy's way. Or comforted Max. A glance at El that, idk what it meant, no mike crow expressions to guide me.

Scenes from a Marriage (1973) dir. Ingmar Bergman

Scenes from a Marriage (2021) dir. Hagai Levi

There's an intentional way in which the MiIeven scenes (not just the kisses 🤮) are filmed in a more "adult" way as opposed to the "cute teenaged romance" way that some people purport it is in contrast to Lumax and Duzie. (I guess they didn't go through puberty.🤷‍♀️) Heck even Jancy, Stancy never looked this weird even though sex was shown/ implied. (Because they were played by actors born in the 20th century and even then they weren't 13 🤷‍♀️.)

MiIeven is not a plot device for Byler. It is fan service. The adults shipping them and comparing them to various other adult couples isn't outta nowhere. Please compute. Which is why it was stretched for 4 seasons.

As of NOW Mike's sexuality is still plausible deniability and the breakup too is neither here nor there. It's NOT straightbaiting. Lmao. Not at all. It's fan service. Leaving the OBVIOUS BSY aside, the point neither party were forced into anything nor were they doing it to keep appearances cuz canonically NOBODY cared. Not Dustin, not Lucas, definitely not Will and I'm sure neither did Max.

El was a willing participant and initiator and Mike was also not opposed to it until puberty monster/feelings caught up with him. El has shown her attraction to guys and it is okay. There's no need to take that away from her cuz that is also an experience of girlhood. She barely has any experiences anyway. Let her have that.

It's the same for Mike. He's not some evil monster for being gay. Not anymore than Joyce was for being with Bob out of convenience and the fact that she liked him n didn't hate him. Mike does love El and cares about her deeply as all of S4 shows.

So to sum it up. Yes I smooshed 2 posts cuz I couldn't be arsed talking about these 2 AGAIN. But Mike and El were independent agents when they decided to embark on their disastrous romantic journey and Born Sexy Yesterday is REAL.

P.S. If you find this shit cute and y'all roll your eyes over byler kissing n what not (even in fics goddamnit). Hit your head against a spiked wall till you can't no more. Piss and love. 💙💛

P.P.S. Mike's the clingy one. NOT Will.

[essayofthoughts]

for the DVD commentary ask game, because this made me want to manifest in your house and shake you by the collar, from the soulmate AU:

———

There are days, sometimes, when she almost forgets it exists. There are other days when its strange empty blankness consumes her and she clings to it as tightly as she can, as though clinging to it, tugging on it, pulling it, will pull her soulmate’s attention away from whatever blankness they’re in and back to full life.

If she had not, she later thinks, if she had not clung to them, some days, and tried to pull them back from whatever brink they neared, she does not think she’d have felt them die.

Instead: she does. She feels something from the bond, even faded and weakened as it is, something awful and dark and choking, something like echo-memories of the echoes of pain she once got from them, something like grief and loss and anger and anguish and through it all pain, pain, pain. She clings to the bond now, not because she is trying to pull them back from it but because she has to. The pain consumes the bond but she welcomes it if only because it is something and because she has borne worse, that week-and-change two years ago.

She clings to the bond and it chokes her, like thick smoke, like ash, like tar. She clings to the bond and clings to her soulmate and tries to find the words and the right emotions to send but all she can find is something pleading, begging, praying, holding tight and wishing she had Trinket’s strength instead of her own.

She feels it start to fade, start to weaken, and maybe it is her imagination, refusing to fully face this all but she swears she feels that dreamlike presence reaching out, uncertain and unsure, some soft questioning tendril in amidst the pain and horror.

She knows, now. She cannot turn from the truth of it. Death has come for them and there is nothing she can do however much she might wish it.

The tendril reaches, unsure and uncertain and fading.

She reaches back. I’m here, she tries to send it. I’m right here, darling, I’ve got you. It’s all right.

It’s all right.

———

especially the ending. i was so choked up and teary eyed and i love vex so much. i’m going to throw you. <3

So uh. In good part I was aiming to express the kind of numbness that depression and dissociation can cause? Because that's all that Vex is getting from her soulmate here, and she can feel that the bond is there, it's just... hollowed out and empty, because her soulmate is.

But precisely because she's paying such attention to it - she notices when something is wrong. It's likely she'd have felt something of the bond's end regardless, even just as an influence in her own dreams, but because she's paying attention to it she can pick out more nuances of it - the smoke, the pain, the anguish - ... and kind of because of that she draws incorrect conclusions? Like she'd believe them dead regardless, because the bond is gone and she has no reason to believe her soulmate has their shit together enough to obtain a means to break or block a bond, but because of how it goes here, she specifically think they were so just... out of it, that they were sleeping and their lodgings caught fire and they choked to death on the smoke (possibly not unlike Elaina's own demise) and so.

Well. What else can she do but try to offer comfort? If they're going to die, at least they can know they were cared for. And if they're dying and they're hers, then 1. Of course she's going to do what she can for them and 2. It's not a risk to care so much or so openly because they're dying and can't ever use it against her. The only one that can use her kindness here against her is herself, and obviously she'll be upset and grieving, but it's a choice she can make for herself.

And so she clings. And so she hopes. And so she says goodbye. And so she thinks her soulmate is dead, because she felt the bond die, full of pain and choking smoke, and what else can she conclude but that yet another person in her life has burned to death?

Send me ~500 words from a fanfic I’ve written and I’ll give DVD Commentary-esque explanation of why I wrote it like that

[wrenrogue]

I really like how kuroken are seemingly opposites in a lot of things, especially in appearance and first impressions, but they're very much alike at their core, I've said it multiple times, but krkn really embody their team's motto: connect; that's the theme of their relationship

I say this because kuroken have been together since they were children, and at first, people might wonder why that's so, since they're so different when they're first introduced. A common theme in early kuroken works was exploring why kuroo, the louder more sociable of the two, would hang around kenma, the quieter more disinterested one and vice versa. What would make them come together and become friends and ultimately lovers when their personalities are so different, how would they work out?

Now we know for sure it's because they're both inherently the same in a lot of ways, as in they both met as quiet introverts in need of connection. They're also both intuitive, analytical, competitive, supportive and have a passion for a type of game. However, all those traits manifest differently in both of them, but they are the same traits at their core, the heart of it. Put another way, it's as if Kuroo and Kenma's heart was the same, while their brains were different.

By this I mean, if you would to strip down Kuroo and Kenma to their bare essentials you'll find the same thing, but they're both dressed up in all these differences we see at first, such as Kuroo being more expressive with his actions while Kenma's are quieter. They share a heart (motivations, core traits, needs, etc) and that pumps blood and oxygen to their individual brains (actions, outward persona, material interests, etc), but regardless of that divide, they're still connected at the heart, if that makes sense.

I love that Furudate introduced Kuroo & Kenma as complete opposites in the beginning and then as we continued the story we were given hints of how they worked together and all their similarities. Then when 318 dropped it connected all those hints revealing that the root of their connection was metaphorically their heart. It's like a string of fate situation where we found out kuroken were soulmates by following the string of hints leading up to 318 that's deliberately titled "Partner," which effectively confirms that kuroken is connection.

Anyway, I'm not sure if any of this makes sense as I'm currently *vague hand gestures* and I'll probably come back to it, but I'm having some thoughts right now and this is what I have so far lmao

[zmediaoutlet]

Hi, would you be willing to talk a bit about what you mean by Dean "looking at Sam like he looks at those random men"?

hey bud -- sorry this is days later, I've been busy -- and it turns out this is in response to the tags on this post: https://zmediaoutlet.tumblr.com/post/719589059524280320/acecroft-oh-thats-right-i-forgot -- and I guess specifically the... 6th gif.

Sam's acting pretty s4 right here and it's Not Good Times for the Winchester brothers. Dean doesn't trust Sam and Sam doesn't trust himself, to be frank, although he's also deeply resentful of the fact that Dean doesn't trust him even if he knows intellectually -- blah blah. It's a whole delicious tangle, it's what makes s4 and 5 fucking superb. In the context of this particular episode they're being more aggressive and tense because of War, but all those things are simmering under the surface anyway (what always makes the Hard Truths episodes so great), and in that face there's just this little moment where...

Dean does this thing when there's a man/monster in front of him who's going to hurt him. He's not even necessarily afraid -- it's more that he's realized that pain is coming and he goes through this rapid-fire emotional calculation: shock and then understanding and then he... lifts his chin in this particular way, this way that says, yeah? Go ahead. I don't respect you and I don't give a fuck. Often with a smirk. Can't let the bad guy win.

This expression isn't all the way to that but it's... real close. Sam who has just done the absolute worst thing (regardless of his complicated intentions) and might at any second step onto the path to do more and then he shoves Dean out of misplaced aggression and Dean thinks -- what? Is Sam gonna take a swing, next? (Is it going to be the scene in the hotel room where Sam nearly killed him, all over again?) Sam protests that he would never but of course they both know that's not true, and Dean goes... maybe not all the way to his facing-a-monster glass but to some kind of opaque unwanting metal.

It's why the last bit of the tags are about how great it is that they break up after this ep (even if it only lasts a few weeks). This Sam and this Dean are Not communicating, not with all that still churning in them like ground glass. Christ, it's amazing that they manage to actually like each other after all this. Soulmate shit, man.

[expectiations]

I love you more than you love me.

That is nothing compared to giving you up!

River is just as sacrificial as her dad, just as head over heels in love with the Doctor as Rory is with Amy. But I think it has made them both a little blind to just how fiercely and equally they're loved in return.

Amy is ridden with insecurities. A lonely girl that has lost her whole identity to a crack in a wall and a strange traveller that no one believed even existed. And yet she has always chosen Rory, has always put him first since 'Amy's Choice'.

But because Amy's way of expressing her love isn't as loud as Rory's, it gets lost in translation. Two people who have found their soulmate, both giving their love to another unashamedly and yet both convinced they're not deserving of being loved in return. Sounds familiar?

The Doctor is like Amy. Larger than life (literally in many ways) and incapabale of committing to a partner after having lost too many people to the relentlessness of time. And he fought his feelings, he ran away from River just like Amy ran away the night before her wedding.

Of course the Doctor wasn't just running from commitment issues but from the haunting image of having seen the one he's falling in love with die and knowing that it was his fault. And yet he fell victim to his emotions and chose to love her regardless.

He proposed to her.

He married her.

He has expressed his love countless times just like Amy has expressed her love countless times but both Rory and River, with all that passion they carry inside their chests, don't always see what's right in front of them.

There are many differences between these marriages as well. But I find it so fascinating just how much River takes after her parents and her father specifically and how alike Amy and the Doctor are and how much that feeds into their relationships.

Forever my favourite family.

original tweet

Parallels between Amy/Rory & River/Doctor

More important than the whole universe.

Always.

Kissing and crying (in front of an unwilling audience)

The guardian.

Getting married on the brink of a dying universe.

Giving up older Amy to save young Amy.

Giving up Melody to save River.

(with Amy and River making the sacrifice and the Doctor having the burden to carry it out)

Doting husbands.

[astroangel23]

Good morning, lovely souls! New Pick-A-Card: 'What Physical Attributes Do People Notice About You??👀💭' Let me know how your pile resonates with you in the comments; I love to hear how it uniquely fits to different people 🌍💚

If interested in booking a personal reading with me click the link in my bio! 🃏🔮

One question reading: $15

Two question reading: $25

Yes or No Pendulum question: $5

Yes or No Pendulum + Oracle Card Pull: $10

Pile 1 💓

With just one glance, people see you carrying the physical attributes that anyone would be drawn to. You are gold inside and out! This high quality energy you carry makes others want to come towards you to shoot their shot, regardless if they're confident or not. You may have very long, thick, and luxurious hair that exudes feminine energy. You have a very symmetrical face with a beautiful shaped nose and lips. You wear unique jewelry and head pieces that catch people's eyes. Your eyes are very welcoming and warm but at the same time you look through other people as if you're reading them to a t. You may attract people that are fixated on your physical attributes; you stay in their day dreams 🌸 - Astro Angel 💚

Peaches and Cream - 112

Pile 2 🧝

You look otherworldly to people you come into contact with. You have very dreamy eyes that are unreal and mystical; they may be a unique color, multicolored, or you could wear colored contacts for fun. You stand out of the crowd with your colorful and unique clothing. You may color your hair in bright colors to match your bright personality or I'm also getting another energy of being a natural beauty. You may be very tapped into your spiritual side and have absolutely no fear of expressing that side of yourself to the world. People admire that you are wild and free; they love watching you express yourself from a far because they don't want to damper on your happy parade. People may feel that you are unreachable because you are in your own world, walking your own path, happy in your own company. Because of the mystic energy you exude, a lot of people may believe you are their ultimate soulmate even if you feel no connection towards them lmao. People also notice that you are physically fit and you nurture yourself, as you should 👑 -Astro Angel 💚

O.M.G. - Usher

Pile 3 🔥

Okay okay, I see you heartbreaker! People immediately pick up on the energy that you could shatter their hearts in a million pieces because you are so secure in yourself AND you exude sex appeal, a double threat. Since you already have what you need, people think to themselves "how could I fit into this person's life?". People just want a chance with you regardless if you stay or leave, regardless if you ruin their life or not. You have many sides to you that make you multidimensional and this pulls in people towards you like a magnet. You can just be chilling in your sweats and the next day you're rocking your favorite fit, makeup on fleek, hair on fleek, looking like the baddest around town. People love this about you. You see no competition around you because you're focused on your damn self and that's beautiful. You pull people in with this piercing stare of "are you gonna come my way or not?". INTIMIDATING! 🥵 - Astro Angel 💚

Rich - Megan Thee Stallion

"I'm the hot girl, I'm the it bitch (it bitch) probably got your favorite ------ on my block list, uh (ay, hey, yeah) Ain't no upgradin', where you goin' after me? (goin' after me) your bitch ain't in my bracket, stop comparing her to me (comparing her to me)"

[elekinetic]

hey team. buckle up. this is gonna be a long one.

aka let's break down my byler playlist cause i put way too much fucking thought into it

here's the complete playlist. i highly highly recommend listening while you read, but it'll make sense regardless <3

let's dive in.

1. i can't be with you by the cranberries.

we open with the line "lying in my bed again, and i cry cause you're not here." you're in the upside down, you're possessed, you're spending all your time with el, you're in california. they're ALWAYS separated, there's always something pulling them apart. they can't be with each other. "put your hands inside my face and see that it's just you," cause their existence is so informed by each other. constantly on each other's minds. "thinking back on how things were and on how we loved so well." i mean. C'MON. "i wanted to be the mother of your child" ok that's not byler EXACTLY but listen listen listen, dreaming of a future together? playing nintendo and dnd in their basement for the rest of their lives? "put your hands in my hands and come with me, we'll find another end…my head on anyones shoulder cause i cant be with you": basically they are dreaming of a world where everything is easy, where they can be together, but they know that's not the real world. they'll seek other comforts (el, losing yourself in your art, etc) to try to fill the hole in their hearts (y'all know there's more nuance to the el situation but i don't feel like typing all that out lol) dolores o'riordan's wailing is a great expression of the despair of seemingly unrequited love, while the upbeat fast paced drums invoke that teenage-first-love genre feeling through the song, we have dolores assuring herself that she cannot be with this person. its almost like shes trying to convince herself that there's no point to feeling this way bc they're NEVER gonna be together. but she ends with "but i'm still in love with you." there's nothing she can do about it. she can try to deny it all she wants, but its a simple truth. she loves them. they love each other.

2. wicked game by chris isaak.

this is the most stranger things ship coded song ever imo. doomsday love? soulmatism? reluctance? disbelief? wanting something different? HELLO? byler?? lumax?? jopper?? jancy?? "i've never felt this way... i don't wanna fall in love...the world was on fire and no one could save me but you, its strange what desire will make foolish people do, id never dreamed id love somebody like you..." is this song about being upset that a relationship is over? yes. which works for byler! but i think its also about loving intensely. its about looking at the tragedy of existence and saying, your love saved me. i feel so much, and i feel so sad because you mean so much to me. it says, without an ounce of real resentment, how dare you make me care so much? thus we establish from the jump JUST how much they care about each other. how important they are to each other. the song end's with "this world is only gonna break your heart" over and over again, which sets up the tragedy we're abt to be feelin through the rest of this playlist. all aboard the angst train!

3. fade into you by mazzy star.

we're back on that hand holding imagery shit we say in i can't be with you. "i wanna hold the hand inside you." i miss how close we used to be. "i look to you when i see nothing, i look to you to see the truth." -> you have always been the grounding presence in my life. there's a double meaning here of looking to the other person to see the "truth", being that they're never gonna love you like you love them. "fade into you, strange you never knew." its strange you never knew i was in love with you. how much i cared for you. (and if we're talking mike pov, strange you never knew before i fucked it up so bad.) "a stranger's light comes on slowly, a strangers heart without a home" we're strangers now OWWW. i am a stranger to you now, and my heart doesn't have a home.

4. does anybody know by jade bird. do i even have to explain?

pre s4 separation. very sad. california sunshine + s4 heart to hearts in the sun + the colors in you can hurt someone? something something will's painting and the rain fight and their ability to hurt each other.

5. graduation day by chris isaak.

a reflection on what used to be, and an attempt to move on. an attempt that will fail (see: further sad pining songs later in the playlist) "driving slowly, watching the headlights in the rain" - rain fight, will biking away. "think of the good times, wishing you were still with me, the way it used to be.... a million dreams have all gone bad, think of all we had...thinking of a time with everything was right...with only you and i..." HELLO??? once again, the theme of "i miss the way we used to be" makes a reappearance. "i knew it all then, thought you loved me, i was wrong.... learned my lesson now there's nothing left to say." what if i committed mass murder. i knew it all? hello michael. we've also got the theme of growing up. graduation day. they're getting older. on one hand, this could mean them graduating to the big leagues, the final fight. the end of everything is coming. they're almost at the finish line. on the other hand, they could be reflecting on "graduating" out of their childhood feelings and comfort, making peace with the fact that they're older and they don't get to go back to when everything was right.

6. please, please, please, let me get what i want by the smiths.

this song is so simple, and so direct, and so. so. so. sad. its a reflection of how much they love each other. this....this is all i want. he is all i want. my life has been so hard. i could've become a bad person, and i didn't. and that doesn't mean im owed anything. i know that. but can i please get what i want. this is the only thing that i want.

7. there's no need to argue anymore by the cranberries. just....just read it.

highly recommend listening to this song because all it is is vocals and an organ. it is so reflective and soft and introspective. its simple. a simple truth. (i mean you should listen to the whole playlist but yk)

8. boys dont cry by the cure, but covered by I DON'T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME.

yall already know the drill lyric wise cause. you know. it's boys don't cry. so, im just gonna talk abt why i picked this particular cover. it feels younger, a little less professional, a little more intimate. i love the cure version, but this one just feels...i don't know. it feels like the emotions of a teenage boy.

9. i know its over by the smiths.

this one... oh god. the first verse is "oh mother i can feel the soil falling over my head // and as i climb into an empty bed // oh well, enough said // i know its over, still i cling // i dont know where else i can go." something abt will's relationship with joyce and mike's relationship with karen. something about knowing their relationship with each other is over, knowing that and still not being able to stop thinking about each other. we get a sweet little nod to mileven in verse 2 "sad veiled bride, please be happy, handsome groom, give her room." yeah. if we're talking will's pov and substitute "she" for "he", this line is fucking killer: "loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly. [talking to el now] though [he] needs you, more than [he] loves you" OW and then this whole part.... mike's self hatred is just so chefs kiss.

anyway. this song is mostly just there for vibes. its sad. most of the playlist is sad. yk. it doesnt fit perfectly but pls tell me yall understand the vision.

10. electric indigo by the paper kites.

[this section was previously posted on its own here. there are a few details i left off of that version bc they referenced the playlist, this is slightly different.]

this song is the most mike pov to ever pov ITS INSANE. i'm sorry i didn't see you before. i love you and i'm sorry i hurt you. how do i fix this? how do i get you to come back to me? you're getting line by line annotations, fuck you. "never meant to cause you trouble with my coloured lies" hey. hey remember back during does anybody know when we talked abt "the colors in you, they can hurt someone"? "but you holding me with something locked behind your eyes [real love], you're setting me right // cause you got something that i need [real love], something i can't find" "distance never made me stronger, it tore us apart [hello california], i'm calling, im calling to you [BYERS BUSY PHONE LINE THEORY RISE] // and i know i left you questions and a lonely heart [do you even care what i have to say mike? you called twice! etc etc.]" "but you've been waiting long enough to let it go [i've put you through so much for so long, i get that you are probably done with me at this point, i know i would be] // i'll do you right [im gonna make it up to you, i swear], cause time is just a remedy covered in disguise [i grew up, okay? im better, i know more know. im not like that anymore.]" "and all i know is that i want you so heavy on my mind [i think about you all the time. i want to think about you all the time]" "and the feeling grows, when youre dancing slow. i see your fire go electric indigo [i watch you in your element, i watch you paint and be around our friends and argue with your brother....i see you be unapologetically you, and i just... i love you. i love you.] "what's it gonna, what's it gonna take? what's it gonna, what's it gonna take? what's it gonna, what's it gonna take? (x4) [how do i fix this? how do i show you how much i love you? how do i show you how much i love you?]

11. iris by the goo goo dolls, but covered by chris lanzon.

it's iris. do i even need to explain? i chose this cover the same reason i chose IDKHOW's boys dont cry cover. "it feels younger, a little less professional, a little more intimate. i love the cure version, but this one just feels...i don't know. it feels like the emotions of a teenage boy."

12. lover, you should've come over by jeff buckley.

our penultimate track. its about letting go of expectations, thoughts of who you should be and what you should do, and realizing how much you love someone who you let yourself lose. realizing that you're young and you've really messed up, but realizing what you want and seeking forgiveness. it's mike's realization. its a healthy reflection on how he's hurt the people he loves, and what he really wants. who he wants to be. it's mike growing up. he's willing to give up the trivial shit, the judgement of others and himself, to be with will. not even to be with will, just to let himself love will. there's this line, "maybe i'm just too young to keep good love from going wrong //...you should've come over ... well i'll wait for you." he wants will to come back. he knows he's lost will, and he knows its his fault. but he's telling will, "listen. i know you don't owe me anything. but im here. im here, okay? if any part of you still wants me, or even if you don't, im here."

13. time after time by cyndi lauper, but covered by iron & wine.

like boys don't cry and iris, i chose this cover because it feels softer, subtler, and more masculine. its acoustic, youthful, lighter. stronger. do you guys remember the opening line of the playlist? the first time of i can't be with you? "lying in my bed again, and i cry cause you're not here?" our final track, time after time, opens with "lying in my bed, i hear the clock tick and think of you." full circle moment, but time after time is different. those final thoughts are resolute, sure. i know how i feel, and i am here for you. wherever you are, whatever you need, whoever you were and whoever you become. i'm here. i love you. i love you. i love you.