#and it ends on a shot of rj...

[wassupmygays]

Take an eye for an eye

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all new clips of Justice For Tulsa, on stage and from the album recording session

[twddixonn]

Stay

Daryl Dixon x Reader one shot

part two

part two (alt ending)

desc: If I had asked you to stay, would you have?

wc: 3.074k

warnings/tags: not proof read!!! (I’m so sorry I never have the patience to re-read) very slight swearing, slight(?)angst

‘Everything changed that day.

The day Rick blew up the bridge to save his family, his friends - the other community’s.

We all mourned; for a man that might not even be dead.

The changes were slow at first, no one knew what to do.

I thought our family broke the day we lost Glenn and Abraham, the day we could have lost Daryl. The day that could have been our last.

The day we lost Carl.

But then we lost rick.

Dead or alive.

We lost him.

Michonnes screams still ring in my ears at times, the kind of times where everything gets to quiet and there’s no escape from it.

The expressions that glued on to everyone’s faces like a still image at the front of my mind when I try to sleep.

And then it was over.’

Slamming your diary shut, chucking it in some random drawer on your desk: you leaned back on your chair blowing a stray hair out of your face, staring at a drawing Judith and Rj did of you and uncle Daryl.

Over time, you slowly withdrew yourself from the others.

Nothing was the same anymore, Rick wasn’t around to keep everything in check and keep everyone together and gradually - everyone split for the most part.

Maggie left, leaving with Georgie in hopes of building a new community.

Michonne was mourning the love of her life, whilst bringing up Judith and Rj; the son Rick never got the chance to know about.

Carol and Ezekiel ruled over the kingdom.

Daryl left to go find his brother.

So you kept to yourself and mourned not only Rick, but your family too.

Three knocks sounded outside your room alerting your attention and snapping you back into reality yet again.

“Coming.” You acknowledged whoever was standing on the other side of that door.

Sighing you stood up and walked over taking a grip on the door handle before pulling it open, “What?” You snapped.

Carols eyes gleamed at you as she spoke with a small smile on her lips, “Hm, pleased to see you too Y/N”

“Shit, sorry. I didn’t know it was you.” You gave a thin lipped smile back to her.

“It’s fine. Come with me.” Before you could protest she grabbed your wrist and begun to drag you downstairs, heading straight to the front door and grabbing a backpack on the way.

“What are you doing? Are you going somewhere?” Why did she drag you down and out the house if she was just going to be leaving so quick?

“No.” She stated.

“No?”

“No, I’m not going somewhere. We are. Grab your stuff. Let’s go” Carols little grin never leaving her face.

You’d like to say you’re surprised at her bluntness and secrecy but she’s always had this side to her, she just knows how and when to play it.

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You’d been walking for a while, thoughts racing through your mind on what Carol could be up too: what little plan she’s concocted this time round.

You can’t remember the last time you actually saw her. It was rare for her to visit Alexandria and when she did you were always cooped up in your room or out helping with whatever was asked of you.

She never came to Alexandria unless she was-

“Stop.” You tried to assert dominance in your voice, yet the slight crack as you spoke didn’t seem very convincing.

“Stop walking Carol. I know what we’re doing out here. I need you to tell me why.” It was more of a statement than a question at this point.

She halted the second time round you spoke, muttering something to herself along the lines of ‘shit’ before turning and giving a smile, although it shared more resemblance to a grimace.

The kind of look a child gives to their parent after they’ve been caught doing something they definitely shouldnt be doing.

“Y/N.. I had to do something. You need to see him” She sounded exasperated.

“I had to do something because you haven’t. After everything we all went through.

You shut down on us.

You wouldn’t come out your room unless someone asked you for help with something.

You barely speak.

You just hide away, not letting anyone even attempt to get back in.

You let Daryl leave. You didn’t even try to stop him! You let him continue with these.. these sick delusions that Rick is still out there somewhere. You love him, and you still let him leave.”

Carols never been one to be afraid to say what she thinks: although never with you.

“You think I wanted things to be this way? I shut myself away because you left.

Maggie left. Michonne lost herself. I stepped back because it was the right thing to do at the time, furthermore it was still the right thing to do after the time passed.” Drawing in an uneven breath, you continued -

“I also didn’t let Daryl leave. He left because it’s what he wanted. You know as well as I do, had I of tried to convince him to stay, it would have been pointless. He believes his brothers out there so he went looking for him! Just like you believed Sophia was out there and we went looking for her!” Panic struck you as you realised what you had said in your last sentence, how could you be so cruel to bring up a woman’s dead daughter?

Carol let out a puff of air before placing her hand on your forearm and then dragging you into her arms, almost cradling you.

“I know you didn’t mean it. It’s okay. But we’re going to see Daryl and that’s final.” She backed up slightly, a hand cupping your jaw as she whispered, “You don’t deserve to lose the man you love, not in a world like this.”

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Anxiety.

It’s the only thing you could feel as you neared closer to the river Carol was due to meet Daryl at. You hadn’t seen him in.. you couldn’t even remember how long it had truly been.

All you remember was the day he packed his bag and announced he was heading out to look for Rick, entire belief filled with Rick being alive.

He came to see you before he left.

Explained why he was going: not saying how long he’d be gone.

You can still remember the feeling of his hands on your waist as he pulled you into his body, his head in the crook of your neck as tears lined up on your waterline; you remember making sure he didn’t see them fall.

You remember the way he leaned back to look at you, one hand still on your waist with the other trailing up to the back of your head as his eyes bored into yours before eventually looking all over your face- avoiding your eyes the second time round.

The way his intense stare ended up on your lips for just maybe a couple of seconds too long for this to be considered only a friendship.

You can remember his face inching closer almost as if he was going to stop fighting the thoughts in his head and finally kiss you; but it never came.

His hands left your head, left your waist.

Then he was gone.

That was the last time you saw Daryl.

Carol stopped walking and glanced back at you, noticing the distant stare and she could tell you were deep in thought, thinking of him.

“Why are you stopping? Come on! We’re pretty much here.”

A few more steps forward with your head bowed down, you saw the river edge right before your feet.

Bracing yourself to hear his voice.

It never came.

“Let’s go. He’s not here but he has to be around somewhere, his stuff’s still lying about.” Before you could complain and make the suggestion of heading back, Carols hand had yet again found its way to your wrist and she was dragging you behind her, determined to find him.

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“Hands up. Who are you and what are you doing on my property?”

Carol came to a quick halt, you bumping into her back as she dropped your wrist and slowly raised her hands, glancing at you with her eyes telling you to follow her actions.

You raised your hands right as the woman repeated her earlier questions.

You could practically hear the cogs turning in Carols brain before she decided to take on a familiar role, the role of the innocent helpless lady she’s played many times before -

“Pl- please don’t.. don’t shoot us. We don’t have anything on us. J-just trying to find a friend. We’ll leave, right now.. we’ll go. Just please.. d-don’t hurt us.”

You fought hard to not chuckle at her.

How couldn’t you?

She plays it so well.

“What’s goin’ on?”

Anything that was going to come out of your mouth, whether it be words or just air; got stuck.

He’s here.

He’s safe.

He looks healthy.

He looks.. happier.

“Y/N? Carol?” Daryl couldn’t believe what he was seeing. He’d seen Carol on and off since he left Alexandria, of course he had; she’s his best friend. Who else would care more than his best friend to keep bringing him supplies?

Seeing Y/N however, had him dumbfounded.

The look of rage the lady holding the shotgun at you and Carol had, never seem to let up before she spoke again.

“You know these people?”

“Yeah, s’my family.” He muttered to her.

Maybe this really was a mistake.

You shouldn’t have come.

Raising an eyebrow at you both, the woman whispered to Daryl then turned her back and headed inside, not without shooting you and Carol one last glare.

“Who’s ‘little miss I’m gonna shove a gun in random people’s faces and give relentless attitude until they tell me what I demand to know from them’?” Carols voice taking on a higher pitch as she mimicked the stranger.

This time you couldn’t hold back on the chuckle that left your lips.

Daryl’s eyes shot over to you, making you put your head back down and shove Carol slightly to make her talk as you hoped to just blend into the background again.

“Came to bring you stuff.” She chucked the bag at his feet before continuing on, “You were supposed to be at the river but obviously you had.. better plans. So we just followed the paths that looked most used and here we are. Surprise! Excited?” Sarcasm dripping from her voice the longer she spoke to him.

No one made any attempt to move or speak, so Carol spoke up again,

“I need to go for a pee. I’ll be back.” Her hand landing on your shoulder, her eyes looking into yours practically begging you to at least try and talk to him.

“How-“

“Is-“

You both began to speak at the same time.

You took this as the opportunity to quickly spit out some words, make him talk first to ease the tension.

“Sorry. You first.”

“How’re yer doin’?” It was a murmur, but it was something from him.

“I’m-“ taking a slight pause, debating between telling him the absolute truth or just making up a load of bullshit, the latter being more appealing.

“I’m good. Thanks. How about you?”

“Good. I’m a’right. I’m still searching. I ain’t givin’ up. Not till I find ‘im” Daryl was fiddling with his fingers, a telltale sign to you that he was just as nervous as you were.

He nodded his head towards a little bench, signalling you to sit with him.

Your mind is telling you to run as fast as you can, escape this situation before it’s too late.

Your feet move before you can take notice of your mind.

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The silence was beginning to grow deafening. Carol was yet to return, you knew she wasn’t going to though.

Not until you and Daryl had a somewhat decent, somewhat truthful conversation.

She was probably crouched down in one of the many bushes surrounding you, eavesdropping on everything you’re yet to say to one another.

“Are you any closer? To finding him? Finding anything?” The question slipped out before you could stop it.

Truth is, you weren’t certain you wanted to know.

Either way it would end in shit creek somehow.

A grunt left Daryl, “Nah. I ain’t gonna stop till I do tho.”

All you could do was nod in acknowledgment to him.

“How’s Alexandria? Michonne ‘n the kids? Yerself?.”

How were you expected to answer this?

He’d already asked you about yourself before, why again?

You stammered over your words before sighing and deciding you may as well be honest,

“It’s fine.. I guess. I don’t really see Michonne much nowadays. The kids are great, they come see me every so often usually with a new drawing or some fun new fact Judith read in one of her homework books. Sometimes they come to see me just to see if I’m okay.” You couldn’t help but sign again.

“Tha’s good. Least the kids are okay. Y’self? Y’never answered me.”

Daryl adored those kids so much. You could only imagine how much he must miss them. Miss his home, though you’re certain he doesn’t class it as that anymore.

“Fine.” What else could you say?

“Jus’ fine?”

“I’m alive, aren’t I? That classes as fine in my books.”

“Missed yer sarcasm, missed ya.”

Daryl’s confession of missing you made your heart thump the strongest it has in a long time, before it plummeted to your stomach and presented itself as a nauseous feeling.

“You seem like you’re doing well. Got a hot new girlfriend huh?” God, you tried to crack a smile and seem like you were happy for him but the words seemed to burn your throat as they rose up and scorched your lips the minute they left.

Daryl instantly noticed the disdain you had to the words that came from your own mouth.“Nah, s’not like tha’.”

His accent came out thicker in just that short sentence. Was he lying to you, to reserve your own feelings from getting hurt? To stop you getting upset with him?

“Oh. Keeping your bed warm then.”

Once those words left your mouth you began to doubt yourself.

Perhaps you should have adjusted your tone as you spoke; made it more of a question.

“No. It’s.. s’complicated s’all.”

Daryl found his mind wandering, stirring up all the things he wishes to say.

He used to see you every morning, go on a run for supplies and come back with numerous different stories to tell you.

Even made some of them up just to have an excuse to talk to you for longer.

Now he hasn’t seen you in so so long and he’s completely jammed up. Can’t find anything to say that will make this situation better.

“Can I ask you something?” It was now or never for you. You knew you’d most likely not see him again for an incredibly long time, if at all. So it seemed like the right time to ask him what’s been playing on your mind.

He hummed at you, edging you to continue with whatever you wanted to ask me.

You were so sure of what you were about to say, but hesitation still snuck in on you from every angle.

“The day you left. When.. when you held me at my door. Did.. were..” you trailed off, you felt so fucking stupid asking him, regret for even bringing it up.

“G’on”

Now or never. “Were you going to kiss me?”

He stayed silent. Just like that day, his eyes went everywhere but your eyes.

Fidgeting with his hands again, trying to figure out what he wanted to say.

“I thought ‘bout it.” He thought about it every minute he was with you; every minute he wasn’t with you.

“Wanted to.” Wanted it like nothing else.

“I ain’t think it was the right thing to do.”

It was the right thing. He knows that.

“Why?” It’s all you could manage. You were so thankful to be sat, your knees felt weak and you’re half convinced your legs turned into literal jelly.

“Knew ya’d follow me. Couldn’t have you out ‘ere. S’not safe, ain’t wanna risk yer safety.”

“Oh.” It was all you could manage. You should have said more, you *know* you should have.

And yet you couldn’t bring yourself to.

“Makes sense. At least I know now.” You couldn’t add anything further at this point.

You wanted the conversation about this over with.

You wanted him to kiss you now to make up for it. For him to come back with you. Despite you knowing it would never happen.

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“Phew. Such a long journey for such a short toilet trip.” Carols way of announcing she was back - she had never left - broke you and Daryl out of what ever trance you were in.

“What did I miss?”

You stood up abruptly, losing your balance slightly as you did so. Daryl’s hand made its way to your waist to steady you, just like it did the day he left.

“We need to go. It was good to see you.”

You pulled away from him, grabbing your bag and chucking it over your shoulder.

Carol raises a brow at you before saying a short goodbye to Daryl and giving him a hug, telling him when she’d roughly be back with more supplies.

You began to walk off, wanting nothing more than to get back to your own personal safe haven in Alexandria.

Also before you opened your mouth and blurted something out yet again.

“Y/N”

Turning around, Daryl took a couple steps closer to you, pulling you in for a hug.

Head in the crook of your neck, you could have sworn he inhaled the scent of your hair, your skin; something.

“Be safe m’kay? Y’can come whenever ya wanna.”

Your heart throbbed. You nodded at him, despite knowing the truth yourself; you wouldn’t be back.

You both stepped back, maybe it was more on your part because you needed to escape this situation.

Carol walked ahead. You went to follow in pursuit.

“Daryl?”

“Mhm?”

“Back then. If I had asked you to stay, would you have?”

“Y’never asked. Guess we ain’t ever gonna know.”

He knows.

He would have stayed.

Times like these he thinks he should have.

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authors note!: hi! If you made it this far I hope you enjoyed it!:) I got more into this one compared to the first fic I posted (hence why there’s a bit more effort with a banner photo and such!) feedback is welcome, I’m always looking for ways to improve! Thank you all :-)

[whateverisbeautiful]

Richonne in Retrospect - The 💋 List

(every Richonne kiss ranked)

#21: The Family Hug Kiss (1.06)

Richonne's final (for now 🤞🏽) kisses. 🥹 TOWL's final Grimes family hug shot is absolutely perfect. And the kisses Rick and Michonne exchange add to the perfection. Had this just been a family hug I’d still have loved it but getting two more kisses from Richonne just felt so true to them and further spoiled us to the last second. 😌 What makes this kiss so loved by me really comes down to Michonne's smile, those signature magnets that have Rick leaning in for a second kiss, and the way this is filmed with Rick having the arms of the three people he loves most wrapped around him as he holds them all too.

I adore anytime we get to see Michonne smile, but especially here as you can just tell she feels so much joy knowing her family is officially back together and that Rick finally gets to see their lovely kids for himself. She's been a mom and leader for so many years, and as Rick kisses her here I love knowing Michonne will now get to enjoy being an adored wife again too, by the best man and the only man she'd ever want as her husband.

Another thing I love about this kiss is how it feels like this is the moment during the family reunion where Rick and Michonne get to acknowledge with each other that RJ is the baby they made together. Rick kisses her here like he's communicating how grateful he is to her for giving him his son and for keeping their family going so that he can now be here embracing them all. I think about how Rick missed being by Michonne's side during the pregnancy, birth, and first few years of RJ's life and how he would have been so supportive during every phase of that time. But as he kisses Michonne and holds his family close at the end of TOWL, I appreciate how this kiss just makes it clear that he's going to be so present and intentional in showering his family with love now that he's back.

Rick and Michonne had been through hell and back on their years-long journey together and this kiss feels triumphant as they've overcome everything thrown their way and now get to enjoy their much-deserved happy ending and happy new beginning together. ♥��

[flutterbyoz]

And we are here at the finale of The Ones Who Live. An episode that aired a year ago today that may, or may not be, the final time we see this beautiful family.

As with each and every episode of TOWL, I loved 'The Last Time'. Lots of Richonne being the power couple we all know them to be but also being the loving and devoted husband and wife and parents we adore.

From the very first scene, a very hot, sexy, romantic, intimate and gorgeously shot scene where Rick placed the ring on Michonne's finger to Rick voicing his regret at missing out on so much over the years and then promising Michonne they wouldn't be apart again to the amazing family reunion at the end, I was captivated.

I know there are some people who felt this was rushed, that the CRM was taken down too easily but I have to disagree. TOWL was never about the CRM, they were never the focus, this spin off is about Rick and Michonne, its about their love, their connection, their fight to reunite and get back home to their children. And also the CRM isn't gone completely, it's still there and could still be a threat.

I thought this episode completed these 6 episodes perfectly and their reunion at the end, wow! I had a feeling it was coming but to see it actually happen, to see Michonne reunite with Judith and RJ and then to watch Rick see his daughter again after so long and finally meet his son was just so beautiful. It was perfect and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

As for whether this is the last time we see the Grimes, I have to say I'm perfectly fine with whatever happens. If this is the end then I couldn't be happier, they got their well deserved happy ending and I'd be more than content to say TWD ends here for me. But, it would also be wonderful to see them again, as long as Andy and Danai have control once more. They are the only ones I trust to continue their story.

I want to thank Andy, Danai and Scott for giving us the perfect continuation and possible end to the Richonne story, we have been truly blessed with TOWL and we are so lucky to have such dedicated, caring, respectful and talented ship captains at the helm.

Whether or not we see them again, they have given us everything and I'll forever be grateful and feel so lucky to have found such a beautiful once in a lifetime ship.

[ihopesocomic]

I know this is a long shot and *probably* just wishful thinking but it would be very interesting if this situated ended with Fade having to travel with Hope’s group for a time and start the beginnings a begrudging redemption arc as he slowly realizes what his family is doing is wrong! I do love that “villain forced to join the main party and slowly earns redemption through it” trope.

That being said, I mainly just hope he doesn’t die :’)) RUN, FADE, RUN!

Interesting theory. c: - RJ

[xoxo-sarah]

Not Leaving

↝pairing: Daryl Dixon x fem!reader

↝warning:age gap ( not disclosed), angst, suggestive?? Not really, not proofread, Daryl's abandonment issues, reader has lived in the Commonwealth her whole life

|| Disclaimer: I do not own Daryl Dixon, or any character from AMC's The Walking Dead. I only own y/n and any characters I create with my own brain. ||

↝⎙ 1.2.24

It took a while for you two to actually consider what you have a “relationship”. You and Daryl began talking, sharing stories, and it turned into more. Sleepless night on the rooftop of his apartment building in the Commonwealth just chatting about anything and everything. He was a tough cookie to crack, but you did it. The way his eyes lit up when you brought up something he had talked about before, it always made your heart flutter. No one had ever made him feel this way. The feeling had Daryl a little on edge the first few times he was around you. He had never had time to feel before. He tried, but it didn't work out. He had time at the Commonwealth. He could walk around without the heavy feeling of having to look over his shoulder for walkers. Now he had to look for people who could switch on you any second. But he still had time to relax. And he didn't know if he enjoyed that or not, until he met you.

"Judith!" You yelled towards her room. The kids were running late for school and you woke up before Daryl. Usually, he'd leave you in bed when he helped the kids for school in the mornings. You'd come out of the room and tell the kids goodbye before they walked out the door, you and Daryl getting ready for "work". It still felt weird to have to get the kids ready for school instead of teaching them how to shoot and defend themselves against the dead.

Judith came running out of her room, hair brush in her hand as she slung her backpack against the kitchen table. "I fixed lunch for you two."you smiled. RJ grumbled in return, rubbing his eyes as he stood in the kitchen door, backpack hanging off his shoulder, zipper open.

You were quick to brush Judith's hair for her-with how long it was getting, while she ushered RJ over. Putting his lunch in his bag, fixing it on his shoulders, and zipping it all the way, she was proud of her work.

"It's raining." Daryl's morning voice grumbled, his eyes set on you and your own work. He went to the rack by the door, getting the kids' jackets.

RJ was leaning against the counter, eyes closed, tired body slightly swaying. "Here, buddy." Daryl kneeled, which wasn't the best idea. His knees popped as he sunk to the floor, helping the kid's arms into the jacket, zipping it up and putting the hood up. His knees popped again when he went to stand. You couldn't help but find it amusing.

Judith reached for her own jacket, putting it on as you put the hairbow in the end of the braid. "Lunch?" Daryl asked.

"Got it."

Daryl looked at you, "they brush their teeth?"

"Yep." Judith answered for you and slug her backpack over her shoulders.

"Homework?"

"She helped with it last night. Bye, love you!" Judith was walking out the door, waving while leading her sleepy brother out by her side. As the door closed, you huffed, leaning against the counter.

Daryl watched you for a while, not knowing what to say, until he opened his mouth. "They really like ya."

You look up at him, smiling. "I'm glad. They're good kids." You began walking over to him, putting your arms around his shoulders. "You did a good job with 'em."

On the outside, it was hard to see how much he was proud of those kids. It was especially hard to see how you and your praise affected him. It was scary sometimes.

It was a few days later, heavy rain beating down on the roof, boots soaked from walking from your own apartment all the way across the town to Daryl's. He hadn't talked to you- at all. If anything, he was ignoring you. While cleaning out walkers for Mercer, he didn't spare you a glance, buddying up with Rosita-who shot you a confused glance. The only other person who seemed to know what was going on was Carol. Who just so happened to open the door when you forcefully knocked against it. She was quick to cover up her surprise at your presence.

"Is Daryl home?"

"He's busy-"

"I need to talk to him." You weren't about to budge. You deserved an explanation.

"Daryl!" Judith yelled towards the room you and Daryl usually shared. Daryl poked him head out, spotting you.

Carol looked back at you, smiling and moving aside to let you in.

Daryl turned, a silent understanding for you to follow him.

"So," you pulled the dry shirt- that Daryl gave to you when you walked into his room, shirt soaked- closer to your body. "You're scared."

He huffed swaying as he looked at his feet.

It was a reasonable thing to be scared of, especially with everything that has happened to him so far.

"I'm not leaving," your voice was firm. "Not unless you give me a reason to." Daryl didn't spare a glance at you, counting the chips in the old wood that creaked under his weight. "Or you want me to."

"that's what they all say." You managed to barely hear his words with his mumbling.

Your heart squeezed in on itself. You having lived in the walls of the Commonwealth for almost all your life, you were sheltered. People who came into your life stayed until nature took its course or things took a quick turn in town. You still had friends who you smiled and laughed with, with years of friendship and knowledge of each other. You all were sheltered. That doesn't mean you don't have issues. Daryl didn't think about that. He was focusing on his own issues that made him feel unlovable.

He heard you walk over, standing right in front of him. For the first time since you stepped foot into his apartment, he looked up into your eyes. His eyes watched your lips mold into a saddened smile.

You lead him over to his bed that was held off the floor by wood pallets, your legs were crouching over his before he knew it, your hands dropping to his shoulders. A popping sound made you smile change to an amused one, instead of sad. "Sorry, old man. Forgot your knees are weak and fragile."

"aren' ya jus' hilarious."

After a moment of silence, you were back to being serious. "I'm here to stay. You're not getting rid of me that easily."

He nodded, not so scared that you leaving-that would shatter not only him, but the kids that grew so close to you- was not happening anytime soon.

���2021-2024 by xoxo-sarah on Tumblr•

•My work is not to be translated, copied, modified, and/or reposted on any other site without my permission. [I don't give permission!]

[xariarte]

happy for you that both rockets/raptors games tonight ended up being fun watches <3 i've been rooting for tor since they got iq and rj and was so sad about their injury luck this season, they're such a tough team to play when everyone's available, i'm glad their season is trending back up! lowkey need a team to root for in the west what is your rockets sales pitch/what got you into them?

hi anon!! sorry for taking eons to answer this one! i thought a lot about this ask and honestly i have no idea how to sales pitch the rockets on Tumblr.com because the Houston Rockets are a main rival of the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks, two of the BIGGEST sections of NBA Tumblr 😂 and also with the upcoming potential opponent for the seventh seed...well...

anyway i’ll do my bestest 😎

how i got into the rockets (link here for a longer answer): after vanvleet walked away from the raptors, i was like, “i wonder how that old man jerk is gonna fare with a bunch of early twenty year olds when he couldn’t even handle scottie b” and then the younger core got me with all their fun personalities + lots of overlap from team canada dbrooks so i stuck around lol

my sales pitch: listen every single team in the league is lovable, so yes, the houston rockets are also super lovable (unless you’re a fan of one of the teams i listed in the first paragraph lol) BUT if you like defense, if you like a good underdog who wants to prove themselves after so much heartbreak (tanking), if you like trash talking, if you like up and coming youngsters, then the rockets are a good team to look into!!!

a brief summary of the younger core players

alperen sengun #28 (i like to call him alpey but the correct spelling is alpi): the turkish delight center of the team, he's always happy, learned his english through jalen green, the most affectionate rocket, is the hype man for the team, likes to be coached extra hard, and one of his shots is called the flamingo (because he shoots it with one leg off the ground)

amen thompson #1 (i call him demon puppy but his nickname is twin): the best youngest player on the team, he used to bully ausar when he was younger so god gifted him with coach ime udoka and veteran dillon brooks

tari eason #17 (nicknamed tari): the funniest rocket on the roster, besties with jabari, defensive beast, was a little held back from injuries over the years, and grew up watching documentaries

jalen green #4: the star shooting guard of the team but can kind of be inconsistent, the prettiest on the roster, has flourished underneath fred vanvleet's leadership and will never leave the house without black nail polish on

jabari smith jr. #10 (i call him jaba or bari): used to bake when he was younger, loves strawberry flavoured desserts, his father played against lebron james, gets affectionately bullied by tari constantly, and constantly yaps to dillon on the bench

reed sheppard #15: is the rockets newest young core member, was the best shooter in his draft class, has been adopted by steven adams (and they went to the houston rodeo together)

cam whitmore #7: may be the second prettiest young core rocket next to jalen green, likes to trash talk a little more than the others, has crazy dunks, and hasn't gotten that many minutes this season

the beloved veterans (not as important but provide support)

dillon brooks #9 (i call him rat bastard no apologies): he brings the defensive energy, gets out scuffled by his own team, is somehow canadian, is somehow from my city, is somehow still alive, xar be nice to dillon challenge (mission failed), um…oh he's having the best 3pt shooting year of his career (ok fine i guess we need him)

fred vanvleet #5 (i call him milf gnome or old man jerk give or take): the grumpy mother hen, udoka's right hand man, all the younger core rockets loves him, is a sengun merchant, and pays for everything (he earns $43M per year so he has to)

jeff green #32 (or unc jeff): has a pre-game handshake with jalen, bullies everyone on the team, sometimes gets called grandpa, is JG squared with jalen green, is a part of the stay ready crew with jock and aaron and tate

jock landale #2 (nicknamed the saucy aussie): has a really thick australian accent, bullies everyone on the team, has mother hen vibes, is our backup backup center, rarely shoots threes and likes red frogs candies

jae'sean tate #8 (called tate): god's strongest soldier bc he's the one veteran who has been on the team throughout the tanking years and is close to bari and tari

aaron holiday #0: is jrue holiday's brother, is the backup point guard, and usually shoots the three pretty well

steven adams #12 (nicknamed stevo): a beloved beautiful kiwi center, run into him on the court and you will die because he's so strong, and combines with alperen for a double big lineup

[thewalkingthread]

Space - D.D.

daryl's pov

pairing: daryl dixon x reader

summary: things aren't the same between you and daryl.

warnings: sad

a/n: Heard a devastating song on Tiktok and it inspired this little one shot

You can't remember the last time Daryl held you while you slept. Or the last time he whispered sweet nothings into your ear as you drifted off to sleep.

Something shifted in your relationship around the time Michonne left. You chalked it up to him having more responsibility. Daryl's always put a lot of pressure on himself, but it was a lot worse this time around. With Michonne and Rick gone, the people have looked upon the two of your for guidance and leadership. Not to mention taking in RJ and Judith. There was a big shift in your life, but you didn't expect it to create a rift between you and Daryl.

Every night you would laid down on the bed, your body turned to it's side. Your hand always reached out and rested on the empty space that Daryl will occupy much later in the night. You never went to bed at the same time anymore. Typically, you'd go to bed first once the kids were asleep and the house was clean. Daryl would sit outside on the porch, smoking a cigarette or sharpening knives. No matter how tired he was, he'd do anything that make sure you were asleep first before he tiptoed into the bedroom to get ready for bed. Sometimes you'd pretend to be asleep, you've gotten really good at it.

You would lay completely still, keeping your breathes at a calm and slow pace. You'd listen carefully as he hummed to himself in the bathroom, the sound of his toothbrush tapping against the sink, his deep sighs as he examined himself in the mirror. You knew his routine all too well from the years you've been together.

Then he'd slowly sink into the bed, careful not to wake you. It wasn't a sweet gesture of him wanting you to rest and get good sleep. He didn't want to wake you because he didn't want to talk to you, he didn't want to argue.

Just like clock work, Daryl woke up extra early today. He slipped out of bed before the sun even peaked onto the horizon. The sound of the shower turning on woke you up. You couldn't stop yourself from scooting closer to his side of the bed, pulling his pillow close to you. You close your eyes, trying to imagine it was him you were holding. Your fingers grazed the sheets, hoping it would provide you any sort of resemblance of your lover. It didn't.

The sound of the bathroom door creaking, makes your freeze in your place. The soft pads of his footsteps approach the edge of the bed. You know he's right behind you, you know he's looking down at your "sleeping" body.

You feel his finger graze your skin and you do everything in your power to be still, not to flinch at his touch, not even twitch. Daryl gently moves a strand of hair out of your face. Your heart is racing inside of your chest and you think he might even press a kiss to your head.

All that he does is breathe out a deep sigh before retracting his hand. Your skin, where his calloused hands just were, now exposed to the cold air. His footsteps shift away before disappearing down the hall.

You let out a breathe you didn't realize you were holding and you opened your eyes. The sun just started it's ascent and the room was a soft yellow tint as the light snuck its way through the window.

You wanted to cry.

You wanted to scream.

How did you go from real love to roommates?

You wanted your lover back. You wanted your Daryl back.

You missed the nights when you and Daryl would stay up late talking. You'd sit on the porch, looking up at the stars in the sky. Neither one of you cared if you had to be up early for a watch shift or for a supply run. You'd stay up to talk and spend time with each other because that was the only time you'd be able to.

"Reckon this shit will ever end?"

You glanced up at him before looking back out at the dark sky. You shook your head.

"Don't think so." You mumbled. "But if it weren't for all this shit... I don't think we'd have met."

Daryl let out a grunt, with a small nod of his head. "I suppose that makes it all worth it." He mumbles, pressing his lips to the side of your head. "You make it all worth it."

You grip his pillow close to your chest, letting the tears slip from your eyes.

When did this bed get so wide?

[markantonys]

I watched the new analysis of the Mat promo from Unraveling the Pattern, which I really shouldn't have, because bookcloak speculation that drives me nuts:

1) "Mat will be going back to the White Tower to deliver the horn and HOPEFULLY be healed of his connection with the dagger" that's done!!! it's over!! let it be!!!

2) "I think maybe Rand starts the season thinking he has defeated the Dark One, as in several early books" WHY WOULD HE THINK THAT??? He knows Ishy isn't the Dark One. Now granted he doesn't know that the rest of the Forsaken have been freed in one fell swoop, and I'm sure that when Lanfear reveals that in an early ep it will be a bombshell. But come on.

3) ????????????? suggests Aviendha may be going with Perrin to the Two Rivers instead of to the Waste with Rand, to continue her taking Gaul's role and because "the show seems like it may be deemphasizing Aviendha and Rand's relationship." lmaooo no we're still getting polycule, they've broadcast it pretty clearly, and they've got to start developing it SOMEWHERE

oh man, i feel your pain reading all this secondhand!! mat's dagger arc was concluded in beautiful fashion by him being faced with it a second time at the end of s2 and this time choosing to resist its pull and turn it into a weapon for good instead of succumbing to its temptation like he did the first time. that's it! that's the narrative conclusion of that storyline! we don't need to have him get a second healing at the start of s3, not least because he was clearly in good health throughout s2 and not on his deathbed. plus, i maintain that the original narrative purpose of his book tower healing was to be some kinda weird magicky experience that triggers his old tongue knowledge and fighting abilities, and then in TSR RJ pulled a soft retcon by claiming mat has only just now gotten those things from the finn and trying to gaslight us into thinking we did not see him already speaking the old tongue and displaying unusual fighting abilities in the previous book. so, on all fronts, there is no narrative need for that healing scene in the show.

take #2 made me laugh out loud djkfjg do they think poor show!rand is the highest degree of idiot? he knows full well that defeating ishy is only the start and he has a whole lot of shit still ahead of him! look at his face at the end of the tower battle! that is not the face of someone who thinks his work here is done.

as for take #3, if the show wanted aviendha to take on gaul's role for the entire story instead of ever doing her own story, they would've just used gaul and cut her out! why would being perrin's sidekick (when he already has two other less narratively important aiel to fill that role) be a better use of her screentime than getting her own arc going to the waste and wrestling with becoming a wise one? foolishness!

"the show seems like it's deemphasizing aviendha and rand's relationship" aka "they haven't met yet and the show doesn't want to spoil their connection in the marketing materials and give the whole season away to show-onlys" lmao what exactly do they expect to have seen for avirand at this point? i think some readers just.........forget that show-onlys exist and make up the lion's share of the audience and that the vast majority of promo stuff will thus be catered towards them (and also forget that promo stuff only reveals a small fraction of the season and there is SO much left that we haven't seen any hint of yet in any trailers, images ,etc). so, of course josha has only been talking about randfear and randgwene, of course promo materials have only shown shots of randfear and randgwene - those are the only Randmances that are relevant for the majority of the audience at this stage. they teased show-onlys with a quick hint of a new romance for perrin in the teaser trailer, but i won't be surprised if they continue to only show randfear and randgwene and keep avirand as a total surprise for the season itself. and, like you say, all the time spent on Establishing Polyamory with alanna & co + the randlayne meetcute makes it incredibly obvious to we readers with media literacy skills that they are setting up for the polycule!

[mymanreedus]

"There was a scene that we had shot, but when it was decided to put the coda in we felt like it would conflict with the Rick and Michonne bit. So we took it out," Nicotero told Insider over Zoom.

An individual close to the series later told Insider the "cut scene" was actually the finale's original ending, which would've jumped forward in time. A second individual familiar with the series, who asked to remain anonymous, but whose identity is known to Insider, corroborated the below.

After Daryl rode off, we cut forward to the Freedom Parkway, outside Atlanta — where the iconic shot of Rick rode down from the pilot. See an ethanol-modified van, with a young woman and man in the front seats (in their twenties). And through the scene, we come to realize it's adult RJ and Judith. Other adult versions of the kids are in the back — Coco, Gracie, etc. They're out there, looking to escort any survivors back to their communities. Continuing the legacy of their parents. As RJ speaks over the radio, he finishes with: "If you can hear me, answer back. This is Rick Grimes." (Which, of course, is his name — and the line Rick said in the pilot.) Then we end with the voice of a survivor answering back: "...Hello?"

Insider

photo by duane_charles_manwiller

[rcbertsugden]

Songs released post 2019 I've added to my robron playlist:

Overpass Graffiti by Ed Sheeran - very much prison era but also a general ode to their undying love even after all their break ups, I consider it an ode to fandom as well

I Can See You by Taylor Swift - affair era, baby! A horny ode to secret meetings imbued with youth.

Illicit Affairs by Taylor Swift - affair era, pretty much for all the same reasons but goes into the messiness of it all too.

Cardigan by Taylor Swift - sorry to those that aren't swifties but she hits! "Playing hide and seek and giving me your weekends" and also the entire "to kiss in cars" onwards. Tentatively a post break up to reunion 2.0 era song.

Hits Different by Taylor Swift - Robert's POV of the post break up era but mostly the night out before the reunion.

All the Way Over by Sam Ryder - pick a break up, honestly. Mostly prison era Aaron POV but definitely applies to Robert in 2017, too.

Good Luck, Babe! by Chappell Roan - this one is my guilty add because it isn't close to the subject matter even slightly. It still works as Robert seeing John as nothing and begging Aaron to remember what they had. Bonus for it working with affair era too.

One Touch by Steps - this era! The pining and missing the other person leading to one touch bringing all their history and love back.

To the One by Steps - prison era. I used to cry to this on the regular, honestly. "Would we still make sense, will time have changed you?" hits differently now.

Taste by Sabrina Carpenter - this era and also just the John era generally. Robert was haunting Aaron and John's love even before he came back. Every time Aaron kisses John, he thinks of Robert <3

Down Bad by Taylor Swift - when has rjs ever not been, honestly? A suitably dramatic love song for a suitably dramatic insane man.

Fresh Out the Slammer by Taylor Swift - this era. We know exactly who Robert's first call was gonna be the second he got out of prison. I just wish he'd remembered "I did my time" wasn't quite correct for him and made his damn probation meeting.

imgonnagetyouback by Taylor Swift - the push and pull of affair era and their break up era. You were never not mine, indeed.

Logical by Olivia Rodrigo - Aaron's POV during the affair. Speaks well to Robert's manipulations and blowing hot and cold and Aaron's guilt.

Happier by Olivia Rodrigo - Robert's perspective on the Alex era. I'm probably giving him too much credit for this one but he did seem genuinely supportive if sad about it by the end.

Favourite Crime by Olivia Rodrigo - the crimes of affair era!!! The messiness, the angst, the heartbreak. And yet, Aaron would still have him back in a shot.

[whateverisbeautiful]

Richonne in Retrospect - The 💋 List

(every Richonne kiss ranked)

#17: The Utterly Adored Kisses (9.03)

This is my favorite Richonne scene from TWD for so many reasons and one of the many things I love about it is the kisses that just ooze with the utter adoration Rick and Michonne have for one another 🥰...

It's great that this 9.03 moment gives us multiple different kiss moments all in one scene and each one comes after such a special exchange of dialogue between Richonne. The first kiss in this scene arrives after Rick says one of my absolute favorite things he's ever said to Michonne as he thanks her for everything and thanks her for her. It warms my heart to no end the way Rick so effortlessly and earnestly expresses gratitude for Michonne - for both the many wonderful things she does and has done as well as the wonderful woman she is.

I love that after thanking her, he kisses her, and then I always really love that Michonne then leans in for another kiss, showing she adores him just as much. There's just something so moving about Rick and Michonne having gone through so much hardship in this life and yet they're thankful because through it all they found the ultimate gift in finding each other. And y'all, after Michonne leans in to kiss him I always note their body language that follows. Because the way Michonne slides her hand down him and the way Rick looks at her...it makes sense Rick swiftly starts moving Michonne's books and pencil so that they can "take a break" lol.

Rick kisses her again after he reveals he wants to have a child with Michonne, which is gold. And then it's just so sweet and intimate to see Michonne then want to really lock in and look at him as she sits on top of him and takes his face in her hands to confirm that creating a new life is something they're going to do for the future. Rick is so certain when he looks right up at her and says "Yeah." RJ truly is a product of such genuine, powerful, and assured love. Having a baby is such a big decision in any world, especially this one, and I love that Rick and Michonne were on the same page at the same time about this. They're ready for this largely because they have so much love, trust, and belief in each other as partners.

And then the scene ends with such a gorgeous kiss shot. 🤩 This is Richonne's last irl kiss in TWD and it is a fittingly beautiful illustration of Richonne's absolutely beautiful love. I adore the way this ending kiss is filmed with the sunlight bathed over them and Rick looking up at Michonne truly as though she's the sun, moon, and stars. There's so much passion coming from both of them in this kiss and what always makes me emotional and touched is thinking about how Rick and Michonne don't know this will be their last day together for years. So truly, this beautiful and utterly romantic moment is just how they operate. They adore each other on the highest level daily, and every kiss in this top ranked scene affirmed that. ♥️

[itsmymeaningoflife]

I’m just trying to figure out timelines for everyone across the spin offs (and further series of spin offs) so correct me if anything here is wrong

S9ep5- Rick blows up the bridge and is presumed dead by everyone. Jadis is seen to “save” Rick and take him away in a helicopter to the CRM.

S9ep14- we see a heavily pregnant Michonne and Daryl searching the river for Ricks body. Judith gets kidnapped and Daryl and Michonne both get scarred by the group that took her and the other kids.

S10ep18- set across the 6 year time jump. Daryl lives in the woods looking for Ricks body. Every now and again Carol comes and checks on him. We learn about Leah and how he got Dog.

S11e24- we see ricks failed CRM escape where he throws his bag/ phone/ boots into a boat (presumed to take place somewhere within the 6 year time jump)

TOWL Ep1- we see Ricks other escape attempts over his years of being captured and his slow acceptance of his new life in the CRM. Rick loses his hand in this time. (Also presumed to have taken place within the 6 year time jump+ the rest of twd timeframe)

S9ep5 ending- We are “introduced” to older Judith.

S9ep6- We are introduced to RJ, Rick and Michonnes son.

S9ep7- Carol is taking Henry to Hilltop, and stops off at Daryl’s camp in the woods where he has remained over the 6 years of Rick being missing. She convinces Daryl to come with them back to the communities to keep an eye on Henry for her. Daryl reintegrates back into the communities after his long stretch in the woods with Dog looking for Rick/ Ricks body.

End of s9 through s10- Daryl is fully settled back into the communities and has stepped up to a more leader type role. He’s shown to build a good relationship with Judith and RJ through these season. They call him Uncle Daryl.

S10ep1- Judith and RJ share the story of “The Brave Man”

s10ep13, Michonne leaves Alexandria, leaving the kids in the care of “uncle daryl”. She communicated with Judith and RJ via walkies. Michonne is captured by Virgil, finds Ricks boots, sets off to find Rick and helps the people we see her with in the beginning of TOWL. Michonne tells Judith that she’s going to find Rick.

Early TOWL Ep2- we see Michonne formally joining Nat and his people, Michonne goes out of walkie range and can’t contact Judith anymore.

Twd s10ep16- Judith tells Daryl that she hasn’t heard off her mom in a while and is upset that if Daryl found out that Michonne was in contact with her, he would leave too.

Twd s11ep10- we see Daryl taking guardianship of Judith and RJ in the commonwealth. Carol has also relocated to the commonwealth. Judith says she will stay in the commonwealth as long as Michonne knows where to find them.

S11ep15- Carol is looking after Judith and RJ in the common wealth while Daryl is away. They call her Aunt Carol. She’s seen to be taking care of them in her home, cooking for them, and taking them to school.

S11ep23- judith is shot

S11ep24- Judith tells Daryl and Carol that Michonne left to find Rick because she found something that belonged to him while trying to survive her gunshot wound

TOWL Ep2 later - Michonne and Nat survive a mustard gas attack but spend (presuming a) year phiding out recovering.

S11ep24 finale post time jump- Time jump of about a year (presuming to line up with the mustard gas time jump in TOWL ep2) Daryl says goodbye to Carol, Judith and RJ. Daryl tells Carol they’ll see eachother again. Daryl tells Judith that if he sees anything “out there” he will bring Rick and Michonne home. Daryl leaves the kids with (presumably) Carol while Daryl goes out looking for Rick and Michonne.

TOWL Ep1 and ep2 endings- Michonne and Rick reunite

TOWL ep3-6- Rick and Michonne escaping the CRM and coming back home. Rick and Michonne reunite with their children

DD e5 (flashbacks)- Daryl runs out of gas for his motorbike out on the road trying to find Rick and Michonne. Seems to be in frequent contact with Carol via radio. He’s in Maine trading with a group that rounds up fresh walkers. Daryl goes with the group to trade walkers for gas in order to get home. He uses the groups radio to talk to Carol and promises her he will be home soon. Carol tells Daryl over the radio “(….) came back” but the interference meant he didn’t hear who “came back” (at this point we are assuming that Carol is trying to tell Daryl that Rick and Michonne came back). Daryl ends up captured by this group and in his attempt to escape them, he jumps off the boat into the sea, hoping to land on a lifeboat.

DD ep1- It is revealed that Daryl has ended up stranded in France.

DDep1-6- Daryl meets Isabelle and Laurent. Laurent was born to a freshly turned Walker (Isabelle’s sister) and is thought to be the saviour of humanity. Daryl eventually but reluctantly agrees to help transport Laurent to “the nest” in Paris on the promise of being able to find a boat to get him back to America. He gets Laurent to the Nest, and Isabelle tells Daryl that he’s bad for “abandoning” Laurent when he attempts to leave and go back home. Despite this Daryl prepares to leave and goes to the beach where he prepares to board a boat to take him home, but then sees Laurent has followed him and is surrounded by Walkers. Daryl goes to save Laurent, and misses his boat, leaving him still stranded in France.

DDep6 ending- Carol is out on the road (presumably) trying to track down Daryl after he hadn’t been in contact with her when he said he would. She runs into a man on Daryl’s motorbike and demands to know where he got it, fearful of what has happened to Daryl. She locks the man in the trunk of her car, taking Daryl’s motorbike and driving to the port in Maine to try and find Daryl.

Book of Carol teaser- Carol arrives at the port with Daryl’s bike, asking the group about the man they got it off. They seem reluctant to reveal anything about what’s happened to Daryl. She spots Daryl’s crossbow and takes it, threatening the men and demanding to know where Daryl is. Daryl is shown to still be in France.

Book of Carol (DD.s2)- TBC

Dead City is presumably set a good few years in the future with Hershel being aged up? Not sure exactly where this falls

Edit- I’ve not actually watched Daryl Dixon OR Dead City so this is all just from what I’ve followed plot wise on here. I could be completely out so please let me know if I’ve missed anything vital

[lacontroller1991]

Fluff/WhumpTOBER Day 31: RJ MacCready

Day 31: Make a Wish/Asking for Help Mastelist Warnings: 18+, alcoholism, Duncan died and Mac can't cope, unhealthy drinking habits, Mac is a huge ass mess when drinking, gun violence Word Count: 634

MacCready groans as he wakes up from a restless slumber, head pounding and room spinning as he sits up. Just how much has he had to drink? Sure he has the tendency to go overboard, but he can’t recall the last time he’s had a hangover this bad. 

“Oh good, you’re awake.” He hears your voice comment from a corner, leg crossing over your other, his gun in your lap, rag in hand. Wincing at the light shining in through the window. MacCready swallows thickly, saliva doing little to satisfy the thirst in his throat. “There’s water next to you.” Discombobulated, he lowers his gaze and notes the glass of water on the bedside table, taking it in his hands and downing it greedily.

With the glass empty, he turns his gaze to you, a frown on your face. “What happened? What’s wrong?” He watches as you stop cleaning the barrel of his rifle, setting it down on the table and standing up, walking over to the bed before taking a seat next to him. 

“What do you remember from last night?”

“Uh, nothing?”

“Nothing? Seriously Robert?” He gulps at your tone. He’s seen what you can do and say when you’re mad and he never wanted to be on the receiving end of it, but apparently fate decided differently. Whatever he did was clearly enough to upset you. “You shot a person. You shot Hancock. In the leg.” 

“I did what?” Oh this is bad, really bad. He might as well kill himself now. 

You let out a sigh, running your hand through damp hair. “Hancock was trying to help you get up off of the floor, you got pissed off, grabbed your gun and shot him. I managed to get him a stimpak, but I had to knock you unconscious and drag your ass out of there before someone shot you. Then you decided to puke all over me.” 

His mouth drops. Holy shit. “Sh-shoot, this is bad. Is he ok? I didn’t seriously hurt him, did I?”

“Mac, he’s not happy. We’ve been trying to be understanding, given the news. We’ve only been trying to help you, but this has got to stop,” you comment, rubbing his back. You understand how losing a child feels and you’re allowed to grieve, but under no circumstance is it ok to go on serious alcohol benders and shoot at your friends. “He’s forgiving you, but that was the last time he’s going to help you out. He’s done with you until you get your shit together.”

“I’m really sorry, (Y/N). I didn’t mean to hurt anyone.” He tries to hold back tears but is unsuccessful. At the sight of him in tears, you drag him into your body, holding him close and rubbing soothing circles onto his back. 

“I understand your pain, Robert. I do, but you need to stop drinking. It’s solving nothing and only making things worse.” His hiccups rack through his body as he holds onto you, burying his head into your neck, dragging you into him in a way that you’re practically on his lap. 

“I just want the pain to stop,” he manages to whisper out against your skin as you try your best to comfort him. 

“I know sweetie. I know.” You stay there in his embrace as his sobs quiet down, replaced with sniffling, trying to ignore the snot on your bare chest. “Why don’t we get you cleaned up? Grab our things and head back to Sanctuary. Or maybe you and I can go to Spectacle Island and just take some time to ourselves.”

Nodding his head, he pulls back, eyes puffy and red, wet with tears, but the blue still shines through. “I need help, (Y/N).”

“I’ll get you help, Bobby. I promise.” 

-fin-

@unrepentantweirdo

[chasingshadowsblog]

"A man of contradictions. A man of many moods." - An analysis of three characters played by Kurt Russell and directed by John Carpenter.

Throughout their long careers and friendship, John Carpenter and Kurt Russell have collaborated no more than five times together. Those five times, however, produced an array of memorable films and performances, turning Kurt Russell into an iconic cult hero and solidifying John Carpenter as one of the most unique and influential directors of his time. Such was their stamp on the movie world that the characters they created together remain among the most beloved of film-goers both old and new, and their films the subjects of frequent re-watches and special screenings. This essay focuses on the strongest of those collaborations and analyses three of their most iconic characters - Snake Plissken, Jack Burton, and RJ Macready. The analysis will be based on a trilogy of factors: their competence in their environments, their likability to other characters and the audience, and their arc throughout their films. After which they will be scored by an arbitrary scale based on their success in each factor and, let's be honest, vibes. What will the results conclude? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. But I had a good time doing it.

(Disclaimer: I opted not to include Elvis or Escape From LA because the first is about a real person and the second is a sequel and I didn't want Snake Plissken to have an edge.)

Snake Plissken

"SD Plissken, American Lieutenant. Special Forces Unit, Black Flight. Two Purple Hearts, Leningrad and Siberia. Youngest man to be decorated by the President." After establishing that Manhattan island has been turned into the most tightly secured prison in the country, Snake Plissken is introduced to us as one of its prisoners and with crime rates up 400% in this version of 1997 New York, you'd have to be a special kind of person to end up here.

Competence: "They sent in their best man…" In his first conversation with commissioner Bob Haulk, Snake's military background is revealed showing just how highly skilled he already was before turning into a criminal. This conversation also reveals to Snake what we witnessed at the beginning of the movie: after an emergency landing the President has been kidnapped and is being kept somewhere in the city while in possession of a tape that holds the key to international peace negotiations and the government needs Snake Plissken to get him back. This decision isn't so much using a criminal to catch a criminal as it is based on Snake's history as a highly skilled and decorated military man. For this world, and this task, Snake Plissken is the best option and he has ample opportunity throughout the movie to display his skills. The first stage of his mission is to fly into New York and land on top of the World Trade Centre without being detected - a feat made all the more impessive by the fact that he only has one good eye. He lands successfully and, using a tracker, follows the President's trail to an old theatre. It turns out the tracker was attached to someone else, but here Snake meets Cabbie, a denizen of the city who is excited to see him and wants to help out. Snake leaves the theatre on his own but ends up meeting Cabbie again while being pursued by a gang of the "crazies" that roam the streets and sewers. He jumps into Cabbie's cab and watches the old man toss a Molotov cocktail out the window at the coming horde (without missing a beat of their conversation - a great scene). Cabbie tells Snake that the President is being held hostage by the "Duke of New York". Cabbie takes him to the Duke's headquarters where they meet Maggie and Brain, who eventually agree to bring Snake to the President after he threatens to kill them both. Snake easily infiltrates the base and finds the President, killing one of the guards with a knife throw to the head (it's all in the reflexes), but gets shot in the leg in the process. As the two men try to sneak away they are captured again by the Duke. After being knocked out, Snake wakes up at the Duke's base and is forced into a gladiator-like wrestling match while Brain and Maggie rescue the President. As they do so, Snake, on his injured leg, wins the fight and the admiration of the crowd and leaves to find Maggie, Brain and the President. Following Brain's map, they attempt to leave the city, pursued closely by the Duke. After losing Maggie, Brain and Cabbie in the chase, Snake and the President make it to the perimeter of the city; from the top of the wall, the President shoots the Duke, allowing Snake to climb up after him, mission accomplished. For the nature of the world and the task involved, Snake Plissken is undoubtedly competent. Although there are times when he couldn't have moved forward without the help of Brain, Maggie or Cabbie, these moments by no means belittle his own capabilities. With their help, Snake completes the mission assigned to him, while frequently proving himself capable of surviving in both worlds. 10/10 for competence.

Likability: "God, I hate that guy." Snake may be skilled and capable but when he jumps into to Cabbie's cab to escape the crazies, he ignores the fact that the man wants to help him and that he might need that help, "Why didn't you ask me? I know everybody." Cabbie tells him something he didn't know - that the President was being held hostage by the Duke - and shows that he isn't all that well-informed about the politics of this world; in this territory, he may sometimes need the locals to guide him. Snake is begrudging in his times of need and responds to these situations by threatening those he asks for help, like holding a gun to Cabbie's head even though he was willing to help without being asked, "You don't have to put a gun to my head, I'll tell ya", and threatening to kill Brain and Maggie if they don't bring him where he wants to go. Snake is a loner by nature and it is difficult for him to accept help, so when he does, it needs to seem as if he's ordering it rather than accepting it. Of course, being a loner doesn't make a person unlikable, it is Snake's rejection of people that makes me wonder why so many were excited to see him. Snake Plissken is something of a legend in New York, though it is never specified how. Everyone he runs into is happy to see him so we can assume they think of him as a hero especially since they ask him for help each time. Cutting to the bone, Snake's appeal to these people is his usefulness. The only person Snake knows in New York is Brain and after meeting him for the first time in four years, he immediately throws the man's past betrayal in his face. We know Brain doesn't like Snake either and only helps him to ensure his and Maggie's escape, later calling Snake an asshole after he drives over the mine that causes Cabbie's death, "I said jog left, you asshole". The only time Snake really engages with another person is when Brain himself steps on a mine and Maggie can only stare at his mangled body. Snake tries to get her to move but Maggie only silently stares back at him, then lifts her hand. Sensing her resolve, he hands her his gun and leaves. Snake doesn't exactly offer her compassion in her silent grief, but he does offer her understanding and when he realises that she isn't going to move he doesn't push her to go on; he hands her a gun so she can shoot at the Duke's car in a futile attempt to avenge her husband. In this world, among these people, that's about all they can give each other. So, Snake Plissken is likable by convention. Watching a character be good at the things they're supposed to be good at is very attractive to a viewer. As well as that, he dislikes the right people; the President proves at the end that he is as uncaring of the lives lost as the criminals that roam the streets of New York, "A lot of people died in the process, I just wondered how you felt about it." Right after this, Haulk offers him a job which Snake refuses. By referencing the deaths of Maggie, Brain and Cabbie, then rejecting the advances of the cold, manipulative authority figures, Snake shows that, while he is still for himself, he is for himself on the right side, the side of the characters we do like. It doesn't hurt that he's the lead character of the movie, the first person we are programmed to root for, and that he's played by someone as charismatic as Kurt Russell, who can channel the fun bravado of characters like Snake rather than their arrogance and apathy. Snake gets 4/10 for likability.

Progress: "It's about the survival of the human race, Plissken. Something you don't give a shit about." Snake's character changes very little from beginning to end. The most notable difference is how he refers to himself in the presence of Haulk. In their first scene, Haulk refers to him as ''Plissken'' and Snake insists on "Snake"; at the end, Haulk calls him by his first name and Snake says "Plissken" instead. At the start, he doesn't want to be talked down to by the likes of Haulk, someone he doesn't like or respect, and insists on his first name being used; by the end, possibly even more disillusioned, Snake doesn't want to be spoken to familiarly by these people. If anything this shows a small change in Snake's feelings towards others. He may not have shown it when they were working together, but Snake was, ultimately, loyal to those who helped him. The fact that he sabotaged the President's speech by giving him the wrong tape shows a sense of solidarity to Brain, Maggie and Cabbie and their memories. Had the President responded some other way to Snake's question, it's possible he might have handed over the correct tape. As it was, after the things he experienced in New York and the callous treatment by the President of the people who died helping him, Snake chooses instead to give the world the middle finger in their honour. 2/10 for character progression (he basically just focuses his dislike for other people from 'everybody' to 'particularly these ones').

RJ MacReady

"I know I'm human. And if you were all these things, then you'd just attack me right now, so some of you are still human. This thing doesn't want to show itself, it wants to hide inside an imitation. It'll fight if it has to, but it's vulnerable out in the open." I would argue that nobody could be prepared for what happened to Outpost 31 in The Thing, so, unlike Snake, who is built for his world, and Jack, whose modus operandi is that he's the bumbling sidekick, MacReady really shines in the group as a normal guy surviving an absurd situation.

Competence: "Mac's really taking it up, huh?" "He knows what he's doing." MacReady is also different in that among a team of scientists researching in Antartica, he is the helicopter pilot. Which is still no mean feat in the face of Antartic weather, and Mac is always willing and able to take his helicopter out even when warned otherwise. Mac, as a pilot, must be cool under pressure, have the ability to think himself out of a situation, be adaptable, and confident in a position of control. Early scenes try to set Mac up as the callous dumbass of the group; our introduction to him shows him losing to a computer at chess then pouring whiskey into the drive to kill it, "cheatin' bitch,", and not long after this he frequently refers to the Norwegians as Swedes despite being corrected twice. In great contrast to this image, Mac ends up being the figure that the others look to. When the shit hits the fan, MacReady keeps his cool while the rest of the group grow angry and paranoid. Although Blair figures out what the Thing is trying to do it is Mac who takes action; he calls for the flamethrower when the Thing erupts from the dog; he organises the group to take out Blair and locks him in the cabin afterwards; he comes up with the blood test when their first method is destroyed; he burns Bennings' assimilated body with no hesitation. None of these things are pleasant and he certainly doesn't want to do them but they are necessary tasks and, as proven by that first trip to the Norwegian base, when there's a job no one else wants to do, Mac can be relied upon to do it. As soon as the Thing makes itself known he only wants to come up with ideas to stop it, even if it means they won't get out alive, "We're not gettin' outta here alive. But neither is that thing." Blair, faced with his discovery, lost his mind; Garry, after the loss of his friend and the trust of the team, cedes his position willingly; Childs reacts in anger, and the rest of the group in fear. Only MacReady is able to deal with the situation by applying to it every skill he already has from his normal life and adding a flamethrower. He only grows reactive when other characters accuse him of being an imitation. He is so confident in himself that this is the only thing that can get a rise out of him and he is beyond unwilling to put up with such nonsense. MacReady rules the roost with a steady hand and comes out on the end as one of two survivors. The other is Childs, his opposite in many ways yet the only other character that could have matched his competency. Mac recognises Childs' power when he asks him to take the lead in taking down Blair, showing another smart quality in Mac's leadership abilities. Still, despite recognising Childs as an equal, only he could be the stand-in leader. When Garry offers his gun, Childs jumps at the chance before anyone else can and must be stopped by MacReady who points out the need for a less reactive candidate. Whatever the nature of this research trip was before, it must be believable that Mac is the only man who can get them out of this mess and the story does a good job of letting him prove himself even without the other characters already deferring to him. 6/10 for competence, he did his absolute best with the skills and resources he had.

Likability: "Yeah, fuck you, too." This is another aspect of Mac I find fascinating because at no point do we ever see him wanting to be liked, trying to be liked or being likable, but almost everyone in this movie really likes Mac. We don't get to see the relationships build between these men only what is already established followed swiftly by the fallout as the alien invades their base and the group turns on each other. In the midst of this we see Mac approached by members of the team with their concerns, we see them trust him and follow his orders even when there are higher ranking members around. Mac cuts an impressive figure - he's cool and confident and this group of nerds flock to him like moths to a flame. He appears to have some rapport with Blair, "How you doin', old boy?", is trusted enough by Fuchs that he confides in Mac, and is commanding enough that they all agree to be tied up as he carries out the blood test. Mac strikes a good balance between the silent assuredness of Snake Plissken and the over-eager chattiness of Jack Burton. Mac is never quiet but never wastes his words. He doesn't speak to fill silences or to narrate whatever comes to mind, when he speaks it is to communicate information. The more Mac tries to get them out of the nightmare they're all stuck in the more we believe him to be the reliable guy the scientists already know. Up to a a certain point (Bennings' immolation) the film has only exuded fear and confusion, Mac's emotionless handling of events anchors us and provides us a character we know we can look to as leader. Once the Thing gets loose, Mac cuts off his emotional ties with the group, locking Blair in a cabin, not having time for Garry's emotion after Bennings dies, nor having any inhibitions about tying people up and possibly needing to burn them alive. His lack of emotions is what keeps him alive in the end, of course, but wins him no points on the likability meter. 2/10 for being played by Kurt Russell.

Progress: "Anyone messes with me… and the whole camp goes." The events of this movie offer limited space for character progression and unfortunately MacReady is going to suffer for that. Based on his introduction, I wouldn't think of him as the stupid hot-head of the group but nor would I have expected him to take the lead; MacReady exudes an air of I don't care, which acts in contrast to his active desire to rid the base of the Thing. He frequently seperates himself from the group - when he's playing chess at the beginning, getting a beer in the kitchen while the rest are in the rec room and his cabin is separate from the main building, while the others appear to share rooms - and when Fuchs wants to have a private talk with him Mac initially turns him down, "I'm tired of talking, Fuchs, I just wanna get up to my shack and get drunk." So, it's somewhat of a surprise that Mac takes the lead so swiftly and confidently; it seems to go against our initial impression of him that he would be so willing to take control and keep the group together (this is the same guy who didn't drop his bottle of whiskey when they were being shot at by the Norwegian). It is only when they decide to take a trip to the Norwegian base that Mac begins to show what he's capable of. Despite being well-liked by most of the group, Mac prefers his own company; the fact that he had the skills in him the whole time to fight the Thing as best as anyone could does not necessarily indicate character progression, it's just another part of him. The minimal amount of progression we get from Mac comes from the fact that he goes against his solitary nature to take up the lead in this situation. 1/10 for character progression.

Jack Burton

"You leave Jack Burton alone. We are in his debt. He showed great courage." Jack Burton is a great one to analyse for this piece as he was never the intended lead of the movie - that role belongs to Denis Dun's Wang Chi - so his strengths fall into different categories than the other two. The first scene, in which Egg Shen is interrogated by the FBI, was added at the end of filming at the insistence of the studio to make Jack Burton appear more heroic. There's no doubting Jack's bravery, but I do wonder how much the people of Chinatown really owe him. Don't get me wrong, I love Jack Burton; he has a lot of heart and he tries to help his friend, but Carpenter always intended for him to be the side-kick in his partnership with Wang Chi and, comparing the actions and motivations of the two men, that isn't difficult to see. Wang is more proactive, his motivation is love; Jack wants his truck back. His truck is the thing that keeps him focused and, despite some amount of care for his friends, he really sticks to these guns until the very end. Jack as the hero doesn't make sense; Jack as a reactive side-kick who regularly freaks out and needs everything explained to him is perfect.

Competence: "You know what Jack Burton always says at a time like this?" "Who?" "Jack Burton. Me!" In terms of competence, Jack falls short. Brave? Certainly. Successful in his efforts? Not so much. Jack talks a big game and he does fancy himself a heroic figure as seen when he tries takes the lead in infiltrating the White Tiger and David Lo Pan's headquarters even though Wang, Egg and the rest of the group are clearly more capable and usually the ones who get things done. During these moments he ends up falling back, standing ready with his knife, as in the funeral duel in Chinatown, or trying to get his gun to work while Wang fights Lo Pan's henchmen. He knocks himself out in the final battle and, after waking up and stabbing a guy with his knife, gets himself stuck under that same guy. Jack can take out one guy while Wang is taking out six or seven. Jack's actual skills are more down to earth compared to the likes of Wang and Egg Shen - you can't deny he's a good truck driver as you watch him navigate the narrow streets of Chinatown in the humongous Pork-Chop Express. Unfortunately, in a quest to get his truck back from the people who stole it from him, Jack doesn't get to show off this skill for more than a few minutes. He's also good at poker, being the last one standing in the game he plays with Wang and his other friends at the start of the movie, winning at least a thousand dollars from Wang. Not to mention his reflexes, which he gets to showcase at the very end when he takes down David Lo Pan. Jack might be a competent human being under normal circumstances but in this situation he is entirely unequipped. 2/10 because his heart was in it.

Likability: "What does that mean, huh? China is here. I don't even know what the hell that means." While he isn't often successful in his attempts at heroics, there is a bravery and selflessness in Jack's actions throughout the movie that win him the admiration of the other characters and the audience. Egg was telling the truth when he said that Jack showed great courage. It's pretty much all he does in these situations and one of the best things about Jack is that he keeps trying. The fact that he sticks by Wang even though he doesn't understand all of the Chinatown magic and politics is enough. In this world of kung fu, elemental villains, and underground headquarters, Jack is the everyman - he is us. As such, it's very easy to like Jack. As an outsider he needs things explained to him at every turn and like any audience member who dreams of being an action hero, he dives headfirst into the fray despite his lack of knowledge and capabilities. And then he fails. Often. Another credit in his favour: Jack is a good friend. "As two. I said I was coming." While Jack initially joins Wang first to make sure he gets his money, then later to get his truck back, there are many points throughout the action where Jack puts his friend, and other characters he's just met, first. The poker game at the beginning shows us that Jack and Wang have been friends for some time now and that Jack has a history with all of these people, "Is this going to get ugly, huh? 'Cause what I thought we were here, racial differences notwithstanding, was just a couple of old friends, you know, both of us just Californians." When Wang attempts to win back his money, "nothing or double" Jack thinks he's crazy but appears to be enjoying the challenge, "You're out of your mind, Wang. God bless you." Even though he only insists on driving Wang to the airport to make sure he gets his money, Jack listens to him talking fondly about Miao Yin though he clearly isn't interested. After the altercation with Lo Pan's henchmen at the airport Jack volunteers to bring Wang to their headquarters before he's even had a chance to ask, "I can't ask you to-" "Where is it?" "Thank you, Jack" - at this point Jack has no other investment in the situation other than helping his friend. Although Jack's resolve tends to waver when he gets spooked and it's never exactly clear when he is being motivated by his truck or a need to help his friends, there are many moments in which he shows great courage and selflessness. He tries to intervene when Lo Pan's henchmen grab the woman in the airport; when the Storms arrive at the brothel he tries to fight them; while Wang and Eddie are fighting the guards, Jack sneaks past them to free Margot and the captured women "Are you gonna spring us?" "I have no idea!"; as the group tries to escape, he offers to stay behind to distract the guards while the rest of them leave, "Hide! They only saw me." When they get caught he takes the beating from Thunder and actively turns their attention from Wang; facing David Lo Pan for the first time, Jack isn't afraid to talk smack to him. For all of these reasons, Jack is a likable guy and it doesn't hurt that he is played so well by Kurt Russell, who knew exactly what Carpenter was attempting with the dynamic of Wang and Jack. Jack deserves a full 10/10 here for being a good friend and an excellent sidekick.

Progress: "This is Jack Burton of the Pork-Chop Express and I'm talking to anyone who's listening. It's like I said to my first wife, I said, 'Honey, I never drive faster than I can see and besides, it's all in the reflexes'." Jack is introduced to us driving his truck, The Pork-Chop Express, and doling out advice on his radio, and this is also what he's doing the last time we see him. Although his friends take priority for him from time to time, Jack's motivation throughout the movie remains firmly in his desire to retrieve his stolen truck. After those moments when it seems like he's changed his tune he will mention his truck again in case someone gets the wrong idea. When Margot suggests that he's helping them because of his feelings for Gracie, he insists he only wants his truck back. When he and Wang are captured by the Lords of Death and facing David Lo Pan for the first time, he asks about his truck. At the very end, with everything resolved, Jack leaves his friends and heads off by himself, even denying the attention of Gracie, who he had been trying to impress since he first saw her in the airport. As well as this, those times when Jack voluntarily follows Wang (even though he's scared and doesn't understand what's going on) still feel in character for him, as we have seen him be the good friend from the beginning. It isn't here that his progression lies. The little of Jack's character progression that we see has less to do with his actions and motivations than his scepticism about the goings-on in the world of "Little China". The other white characters in the film, Margot and Gracie, both have an idea of who David Lo Pan is and what might be going on, but Jack needs everything explained to him and after it is, he is still disbelieving. Really, he doesn't want to believe, as all of the magic and old curses are too much for him. He just wants to get his truck and get out of there, "I'm a reasonable guy, but I've just experienced some very unreasonable things." When Lo Pan explains his curse and his reason for wanting Miao Yin, Jack makes fun of him and vocalises his scepticism, "You can go off and rule the universe from beyond the grave…Or check into a psycho ward, whichever comes first." It's only when Wang Chi explains the history and the curse to him that Jack starts to believe, "No horst shit, Wang?" After everything he's seen so far, Jack can't but begin to believe. Once he's flipped this switch in his brain, he is able to face all of the odd things he meets with the same unfounded bravado he's displayed thus far, like attempting to shoot the freaky flying eyeball thing, "Hey, you never know until you try." In his final moment with Wang, he is proud of what they've accomplished and salutes him with the gesture only Wang and his friends had been using throughout the film, "We really shook the pillars of heaven, didn't we, Wang?" "No horse shit, Jack." "No horse shit." Jack's worldview is shaken in the few days he spends with Wang, but he still only changes incrementally. His final scene in the Pork-Chop Express mirrors his first one, except now, having gone through what he's gone through, he has more of a right to be giving advice. As he talks the camera pans to the back of the truck where the hairy arm of one of the creatures from Lo Pan's dungeons reaches out menacingly letting us know that even if Jack Burton is finished with adventures, adventures aren't finished with Jack Burton. And now, with his final line, "Jack Burton just looks that big old storm right square in the eye and he says, 'Gimme your best shot pal, I can take it," we know he's ready for it. In terms of character progression Jack stays true to his nature and motivations but still manages to change enough along the way that he's not exactly the same person we met at the beginning. 4/10 for having your world-view completely altered and turning out okay in the end.

Lightning Round!

Because how could we do a deep dive into these characters and not look at their iconic looks.

Snake Plissken

Brown leather jacket. Black tank top. White and grey camoflage trousers. Knee-high black boots. Unexplained eye-patch. Magnificent mane of hair. Suggestive snake tattoo. Exceptional. 10/10 for practicality and commitment to the bit.

RJ MacReady

A hat so lame he's the coolest person in the room. RJ MacReady does not care about how he looks or what people think of him. 10/10 effortlessly cool.

Jack Burton

Double denim combo with a tank top plus shin-high mocassin boots and mullet. Iconic. 10/10.

Conclusion

In Escape From New York, Carpenter launched Russell from Disney star to cult action hero; a year later he pulled him into the horror genre and made him deal with The Thing. In Big Trouble in Little China, they took Russell's leading-man good-looks and charm and applied them to a bumbling sidekick. Together, the two men took the opportunity to stretch their creative legs and trusted each other to try new things. Such is the strength of their work together that they have remained firmly embedded in movie culture despite not having made a film together in almost 30 years. It may be a testament to their friendship that they haven't needed to.

[rjthirsty]

I've been thinking about Deceit and Decay for a few days. That's my dark Gilbert fic I started last year. This year has been so hectic that I haven't written anything for like, five or six months for it, and I want to get back to it. I want to finish my idea for bad end Gilbert.

I was really surprised to see 24 kudos on it on ao3. I honestly thought no one was reading it. I don't check stats often and have everything but comments turned off for notifications. I can't even say when people read it because of that. Lol

Just write it, RJ. If you want to get back to it, do it.

Yeah, yeah. I know. But it's not that easy. I have nowhere to set up my laptop to write comfortably at the moment, so it's all typing on my phone, which is fine for one shots, but I have a hard time doing long fics on the phone. I honestly don't even like writing on my phone but have been getting used to it while bedridden.

Maybe next month.