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sokkastyles · 3 years

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I was thinking about the moment when Aang burned Katara's hands. It's funny that there are people who blame Katara for her injury (because she was standing too close to Aang), although it is obvious that Aang is to blame for this. And only now I realized that Aang treated firebending as a game just like he treats his airbending, which is why he couldn't stop in time and burned Katara. It seems to me that this is the reason why fire became the last element that Aang had to study, for his full growth as a character, to start taking things more seriously and responsibly than before. While Zuko is learning on the contrary to be more free and liberated, like air.

I agree. I've said in the past that I feel like a lot of the hate Katara gets is because of the way the narrative positions her in opposition to Aang, both as a love interest and as the no-fun caretaker who is always trying to get him to take responsibility, and that's exacerbated when the narrative won't hold Aang responsible for things, such as the kiss in "Ember Island Players," which is why even people who like Katara argue that she really actually secretly wanted to be kissed (blegh), but Aang burning Katara is actually a place where I feel the narrative does do a good job of holding him responsible, and it's actually a huge part of his arc, so people who try to argue that it was Katara's fault for "standing too close" are not even paying attention to the show. There are other problems with the way that situation is addressed, and plenty of people have pointed out how Katara is the one who ends up having to comfort Aang over him burning her, while her pain is just magically healed, but it is something the show holds Aang accountable for and a big part of his development.

And you are right about him treating it as a game, just like he does with airbending, and this is an aspect of Aang's character that I feel is often overlooked. This isn't a criticism of Aang, it's very understandable that he is this way. He's a kid who grew up in peacetime. There's a tendency to idealize Aang's pacifism that I've seen in the fandom, and to portray him as someone who hates fighting, but that's not the case. He's a martial arts master, for Pete's sake! And he was just as hyped to learn firebending as any twelve year old boy would be. He thought the freedom fighters were super cool and didn't believe Sokka when he told them that Jet was dangerous. Even in "The Avatar State," which opens with his nightmares about the violence at the North Pole, he was totally into General Fong's plan and wouldn't listen to Katara when she warned him of the danger until Katara got hurt.

And this makes sense, if you think about it. Because Aang is a kid who grew up in an idyllic setting and was raised by pacifist monks, because airbending came easy to him, and because he wasn't there for the genocide of his people, he doesn't quite understand the real consequences of violence the way the other characters do. I'm not saying he takes violence lightly, because of course he doesn't, but he hasn't experienced things the way Katara and Sokka have, particularly how dangerous the Fire Nation can be, so it's more of a game to him until it becomes serious in a very real way, and by then it's unavoidable.

Look at when they go to the Fire Nation festival in "The Deserter:"

Katara: Aang, hold on! Where are we going?

Aang: I don't know, but there's a big crowd so it must be good.

Sokka: [Sarcastically.] Knowing the Fire Nation, it's probably an execution.

Aang: I gotta learn that trick!

It's not that Aang is naive, it's just that he doesn't have the same experience with the Fire Nation that Sokka and Katara do. Katara is cautious and fearful, and Sokka assumes the worst, while Aang is excited. Katara and Sokka grew up fearing violence from the Fire Nation, and lost their mother to that same evil, while Aang, despite the trauma of losing his people and witnessing the devastation at the Southern Air Temple, still remembers having Fire Nation friends. He's excited to be part of the firebending show while Katara is clearly terrified.

Aang didn't grow up in constant fear of raids like Sokka and Katara did, and he didn't grow up in a violent and abusive environment like Zuko did, so it makes sense that the consequences of violence aren't as real for him (this is also an aspect of what Zuko says to him in "The Southern Raiders" and why it annoys me when people say that Zuko was in the wrong to say what he said). And because Aang is also twelve, his initial feelings about firebending are more "fire cool" than anything.

That's why he's impatient with Jeong Jeong, and also why he's so shocked and upset when he does accidently burn Katara. And because of this he does a complete 180 and is afraid to ever firebend again. I also think that both Katara and Sokka's reactions were unexpected for him. Katara's terror and hurt is so palpable and Sokka's reaction towards Aang, tackling him to the ground, becomes horribly tragic if you think about how much Sokka wanted to be like his dad and was raised to be a warrior and protector of his tribe and family, and the flashback we get later of Hakoda running towards Kya, who he will find dead.

It's also made clear by the narrative that it was Aang's fault. I mean, I'm not saying Aang should be blamed, because of course it was an accident, but the reason Aang lost control of the fire was because he was being reckless, and playing with it. Part of it is also Jeong Jeong's fault, because Jeong Jeong has the opposite problem, and I do blame Jeong Jeong largely for Aang developing a complex around firebending. Both of them, because of their bad experiences with fire, become so afraid of hurting other people that they don't know how to handle it. And Jeong Jeong was actually the last person who should have been teaching Aang, because of his fear of his own fire. Aang disobeys Jeong Jeong and is too reckless, but Jeong Jeong also is way too timid and doesn't teach Aang, who is eager to learn more, how to keep his fire from going out of control. He teaches Aang to be afraid of the fire because he is afraid of it.

(I actually also think this is tied to why Aang is afraid of Katara's desire to face Yon Rha in "The Southern Raiders" as well. When Aang is exposed to situations where he is confronted with the reality of violence, he becomes incredibly fearful and loses control. That's why he's afraid of Katara losing control and falls back on Air Nomad aphorisms that land on deaf ears to Katara and Zuko.)

This is ultimately why Zuko ends up being the perfect firebending teacher for Aang. Zuko had a lot of the same problems, and had to learn the hard way how to control his fire, but because he's had those experiences and learned from them, and decided that he wanted to become better, he's able to teach Aang how to have a more balanced view. Zuko had to learn how to be more like air, but one of the things I love about "The Firebending Masters" is how Zuko and Aang's roles are somewhat switched, and Aang is constrained by his own fears while Zuko is more free than we've ever seen him:

Aang: [Scared.] Zuko, I think the past is trying to kill me.

Zuko: [Kneeling down to inspect the spikes.] I can't believe it. [He picks the tripwire up and examines it.] This booby trap must be centuries old and it still works.

Aang: There's probably a lot more. Maybe this means we shouldn't be here.

Zuko takes two steps back and runs toward the wall adjoining the path. He runs on the wall before jumping on the other side of the spikes.

Zuko: [Dusting some dirt on his shirt.] Where's that up-beat attitude you were talkin' about?

(This is also a rare scene of Zuko bending air.)

Because in the end, it's all about balance. Aang learns to have more confidence and Zuko learns to be more wise. There's a great message there about learning from your mistakes. Yes, you should be careful especially when you are in danger of hurting others, but if you're too hesitant then you'll always be held back by your fear, and you might end up hurting others more in the end.

#the firebending masters #atla meta #katara #aang #zuko #the deserter #jeong jeong #the southern raiders #sokka

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xaibaugrove · 3 years

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Everyone in the Krew is Problematic

I was inspired to go on this rant by someone who recently brought up a question in a server I’m in, asking why so many people in the fandom seem to hate Mako and Makorra and why. This wouldn’t be the first time I defend Mako and it most likely won’t be the last, but it might be the first time I tear him and everyone else in the Krew down in the process, only to bring them back up. Hear me out though.

I think I’ve totally accepted that a lot of people in this fandom will always hate Mako and that I will have to perpetually defend him, I understand that this is the relationship I’ve chosen with this world. But what I still will never understand are the reasons why people hate/dislike him because compared to how much they love other characters in the Krew who honestly aren’t that much better than him (in some cases, even worse!), it doesn’t make any sense.

Let me also preface this by saying, I love these characters with all my heart and soul, probably more than I should love fictional characters, but this is the life I live and with that being said, I am going to tear them apart just to prove a point. Okay, here we go.

MAKO

Most of his detractors list the usual criticisms, which are valid when isolated. He cheated on Asami, he lied to Korra, he was a terrible boyfriend and essentially he treated the women he claimed to love or care about horribly. Gee, it’s almost like the man was a teenager with no experience in having long-lasting, healthy relationships and was raised in the streets by gangmembers while doing anything to survive and provide for his younger sibling after seeing his parents killed right in front of him and suddenly being orphaned…

I think Mako has been torn down enough, so I won’t get too deep into the tearing down part for him. It really does baffle me how someone can claim to be woke and not comprehend how someone coming from poverty could possibly be a product of their environment. Like, does everyone think that poor people automatically have hearts of gold and turn out like Little Orphan Annie? Why are people surprised that when someone has a shitty life, they might do shitty things?

Also, sooo many people love Zuko, who actively tried to cause harm to Aang, Katara and Sokka numerous times, and sympathize with his troubled past. But like, sure Zuko had an abusive father and his mother peaced out of his life for whatever reasons but at least he had his uncle. Mako had his parents for maybe 8 years before they were murdered in front of him and then had...no one for the next 10 years? Except for Bolin, sure, but no other parental figure in his life. Dude literally had to become him and his brother’s own parent and joined a gang to survive, and after all that, the worst he does is acts as a bad boyfriend toward Korra and Asami and he is instantly thrown to the wolves. Something doesn’t add up. It’s just...I don’t get it.

Yes, the way he treated people was bad, but people can grow? That’s a thing humans can do. And he was a teenager, my god. No, we cannot allow our past to be an excuse for how we treat others, but we have to be aware that there is a growth process to being human. And being human in and of itself, isn’t pretty. You think Mako is problematic? Don’t get me started on your fave.

KORRA

Ok, I love this woman to death but she is ridiculously problematic. She pursued someone in a relationship and essentially forced Mako to cheat on Asami by kissing him against his will, that’s already pretty awful and shows a lack of empathy on her part, also kissing people without their consent is no bueno. But also I just have to say it for the people who might not know this. One of the fundamental reasons why Makorra didn’t work was because KORRA WAS ABUSIVE. Okay? It wasn’t just that Mako was inadequate at relationships and didn’t know how to people, it wasn’t that she was secretly confused and wanting Asami the entire time (biphobia at it’s best) one of the main problems in the pairing was that Korra was crazy abusive towards Mako. Seriously, why don’t I see this more often in those discussions??

If we need examples, I have dozens. Honestly, it’s really easy to see how terrible Korra was to Mako, I’d actually argue that she treated him worse than he treated her. I mean, they were both terrible to one another, but in Korra’s case she went through the motions of being completely infatuated with your first teenage crush, getting with said crush, then crashing and burning once you realize that you have no idea how to treat a romantic partner so after the butterflies wear off you subject them to all the wonderful aspects of your anger issues. Not only did she scream at Mako during every argument they had, she also threatened him with bodily harm if she got really angry. Remember how their relationship crashed and burned in Book 2? Here are the things that Korra did during that time. Let me reiterate, this was not okay.

Mako is visibly shaken by this!

This woman burst into her boyfriend’s place of work and violently kicked his desk out from in front of him with all his coworkers present. That is not normal behavior. That is a red flag. And after she came back, had amnesia or whatever and forgot they broke up after that scene, let’s not forget that Mako was legitimately Afraid to break up with her again. Korra made her partner frightened that they might suffer bodily harm if they upset her. Again, and I can’t stress this enough, this is not okay!

The little scene in Book 3 when Korra is lifting Mako like 100 feet off the ground with airbending while he’s screaming in fear just to make Asami laugh is cute, right? I’ll admit, I loved that little moment too, it’s one of the only instances of Korrasami development that we got, but also, there were sooo many things wrong with that scene lol. Not only does Korra terrify Mako for literally no reason, it’s also sort of just her continuing to exercise some degree of power over him for her own amusement. Almost like a subtle reminder to him saying, “I am stronger than you in every way and I can break your femur like a twig if I wanted to… but I won’t, so look how much fun we’re having!”

Now of course, there are reasons why Korra acts like this. She was isolated for almost her entire life and never learned how to treat people and be around people. The Avatar is human because they must live amongst the people they protect and that helps them develop empathy and cherish life. The White Lotus deprived her of that fundamental aspect of her duty as the Avatar and it showed throughout the beginning of the series. Clearly, she was young, didn’t see how her actions could negatively affect others and hurt the feelings of not just her partner but also friends and family (she was really awful towards a lot of people in her life!). But as the series went on, we see her having less outbursts and learning to control her temper more.

One can only assume that she does not have the same behavior with Asami because for one, I don’t think Asami would play that shit, she seems like she would electrocute a bitch in a heartbeat and not hesitate if needed, but also Korra is not the same shitty partner she used to be as a teenager. Again, kids do stupid things. Adults do stupid things. And we learn and we grow. Korra will probably make some more mistakes in her relationship with Asami. I don't think anyone can have one bad relationship and suddenly learn all the lessons they can from it and have a perfect one the next go around. I can totally picture Korra losing her temper and raising her voice at Asami if she gets frustrated and forgets who she’s dealing with. Managing anger issues is hard, I know this from experience, and it doesn’t magically get easier. Of course, if Korra does pop off, Asami would definitely put her in her place because she’s a bad bitch who doesn’t take anyone’s shit, next character.

ASAMI

You know her, you love her, you fantasize about her and you probably have her on your list of fictional characters you would totally bang if you had the chance (I know I do), yes, even your best girl is problematic. It’s interesting to me that a lot of people sympathize with Asami and very few openly criticize her (so few that I’ve never seen anyone say a bad thing about her). What’s there to criticize though? The poor girl was cheated on by Mako, had her feelings disregarded by Korra, who claimed to be her friend but pursued her then-boyfriend behind her back and then made up for it by simping for her for the rest of her life? Also her mom was murdered when she was just 6 years old, her father threatened to kill her once and physically abused her, then died right after they started repairing their relationship, essentially making her an orphan at the ripe age of 22. Suffice it to say, Asami has been through it.

So, how could she be problematic, you ask? Why, of course, through the classic Bryke technique of romance progression in storylines called Kissing People Without Their Consent

To be honest, I did gloss over this with Korra, simply because there were sooo many other issues with that woman and I just couldn’t go through every single one in as much detail but that doesn’t negate how serious this whole sneak attack kissing thing is. Sure, Asami is very emotional and lonely and sort of desperate too, (it's a little sad, really) but Mako is clearly uncomfortable and completely caught off guard by the kiss. This is also the second time this happens to him in the series! There are a couple factors that might contribute to why Asami does this and acts this way, maybe Korra’s general awfulness rubbed off on her (don’t make a dirty joke) but this is still wrong.

AND that’s...pretty much it. Kissing people without their permission is a big no no, though. Not wanting to gloss over that, but Asami really is a good person who just did a not-so-great thing. Getting burned by Mako twice probably made her a little less inclined to be as forward with anyone though, and it looks like she now takes her time and is patient in her relationship with Korra. It even seems like Asami is the only person Korra is afraid to upset, as Korra does seem more gentle and calm when around her. And who knows? Maybe Asami living a life where a majority of the time she got whatever she wanted when she wanted it might have also influenced her to be more assertive or even imposing within her relationships.

If anything, those three fools getting into relationships with each other just showed how not ready they were to be in relationships in the first place and also how not okay they were.

BOLIN

Originally I titled this as “Everyone in the Krew is problematic (except Bolin)” but then I remembered that Bolin totally kissed a woman without her consent so I deleted the shit out of that!

This asshole looks genuinely pleased with himself after essentially assaulting Ginger. Not a good look.

Sure, Bolin is baby. He will always be baby to me. But that does not erase the fact that he also actively supported a fascist dictator. Not only was the kissing without consent thing bad, but there’s also that. No matter how many times people around him warned him about the fact that he was on the wrong side of things, that he was helping someone who was putting people into concentration camps...Bolin wanted to believe the best of Kuvira. He ignored obvious signs that the woman was a dictator committing human rights violations like crazy and you know, there’s gotta be a reason for that too.

Maybe Bolin wanted to feel like he was doing something good for once. When you think about it, with his role as the comic relief in the Krew, and sort of constantly being infantilized by his older brother, I wouldn’t be surprised if the man developed some insecurity in his ability to do anything good or useful for anyone without screwing it up in some way. In Kuvira’s army, it seemed like he was actually taken seriously, he felt like he was doing something that mattered. Korra had being the Avatar, Asami had her business and mindblowing philanthropy (honestly, her ability to be as charitable as she is profitable is insane) and Mako had his police work (ACAB, tho). Bolin had...the role of being a joke. A superficial actor. A former pro-bending meathead.

Bolin lived his entire life following after his brother that once they were adults and Mako finally decided to live his own life for once, it left Bolin completely lost. And lost young men are perfect recruits for fascists.

So, in conclusion, my whole reasoning behind destroying the integrity of my favorite characters is to prove a huge point. All of these characters are problematic. They have flaws, some bigger than others (looking at you, Korra. Just...wow), but ultimately, even if your fave is problematic... that’s okay. A lot of people, mostly younger people it seems, are really obsessed with being right about everything that they do and stan. And that’s a wonderful thing, so much change has come about by the younger generations calling out people who do fucked up shit, don’t want or try to improve, and get away with it. But it’s also caused a lot of people to be unforgiving and completely unwilling to acknowledge when people do improve and try to be better.

Personally, I love my problematic Krew because having issues that you’re constantly working on internally is human. It’s human to make mistakes, it’s human to grow from those mistakes. And it’s inspiring to me, who is wholly imperfect, to see myself reflected in fictional characters who aren’t perpetuating unrealistic ideals of human nature, characters who are messy, crazy and ultimately human.

As one of my favorite manga artists and queen of impeccable character creation Rumiko Takahashi once said:

“I think that perfect people are not very interesting.”

And I will always wholeheartedly agree.

#long post #rant #tlok #the legend of korra #korra #asami sato #mako #bolin #avatar: the legend of korra #back on my random bullshit i guess

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jinmukangwrites · 3 years

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Whumptober2021 - October 4th - Taken Hostage | Pushed

Gift fic to @fidothefinch <3

Fandom: Nightwing, Batman - All Media Types

AO3

Warnings: Near death experience, hostage situations, implies Bruce as a shitty dad but I don't go into detail on it.

---

If there’s anything in the world that Dick hates more than being restrained, it’s being held hostage. Especially if he’s being held hostage as a threat against Bruce or Batman. One thing they don’t tell you in the foster system is that if you’re adopted by a rich and famous to the Kardashian level man, is that you’re often the target of criminals who think snatching a kid on their way home from school is a surefire way to make a million bucks. It’s no better in the vigilante business either, because often any hero in Gotham is only seen as a stepping stool to getting to Batman.

Honestly, at this point Dick’s used to it. It doesn’t mean he enjoys it, though. Not so much because of the initial kidnapping part, but because he’s worked hard to become his own person, his own man with his own life. He moved to Blüdhaven to be anything other than the son of Bruce Wayne; to be his own hero that villains learn to fear. And then the second he sets foot back in Gotham, for whatever reason, suddenly it’s all about the reclusive eldest Wayne child returning home! Suddenly, when villains see him at night, it isn’t “Oh shit, it’s Nightwing!”, it’s “Shit, it’s a Sidekick! Where’s the Bat?!”

Anyway, long story short, Dick came back to Gotham for one weekend to visit family, and now he’s dressed as Nightwing, standing on a roof with duct-tape keeping his wrists together behind his back and a knife to his throat belonging to a shady businessman who’s finally caught the attention of Gotham’s heroes.

And it’s sorta pathetic how Dick ended up in this situation. It wasn’t like this was going to be a particularly difficult mission. Just sneak into the building, grab the evidence he needed to get this bastard behind bars, and then get out. Unfortunately, someone tipped the man off without Bruce knowing about it. When he went into the main office, he was met with a very strong guard hiding behind the doors, and after a hefty blow to the head and a few concerning minutes of blacking out, Dick opened his eyes—thankfully still masked—to find himself kneeling on the rough cement of a skyscraper’s roof, completely stripped of any of his useful tools. He has a small knife in one of his gauntlets, but it’s not exactly in an easy to reach position. It would take time to grab at it, and that’s not counting the high probability he’ll be spotted by Jerome McCoy--Gotham’s latest shady businessman--or any of his goons.

Besides, Tim is already up here listening to their demands to get Batman up here or Dick dies. It shouldn’t be long before Bruce gets here and kicks his ass. That’s not even accounting for the facts that Jason, Steph, Duke, Dami, and Cass are all in town.

These idiots have no clue how close they are with dealing with close to every single bat if something bad happens to Dick tonight.

And everything was going fine until Tim suddenly stopped mid sentence in reminding McCoy that Batman was on his way and brought his hand to his communicator in his ear. When Tim paled ever so slightly, Dick knew something had gone exactly NOT according to plan.

“What is it?!” McCoy demands, pressing the knife against Dick’s neck with worrying pressure. Dick leans his head back slightly to lessen the risk of his neck being cut and meets Tim in the eyes through their masks.

Tim swallows. “Batman is being held up-”

Dick resists sighing in both disappointment and lack-of-surprise as McCoy practically explodes.

“What?!

“Only for a few hours,” Tim rushes to explain. He’s lifted his hands in a placid manner and softened his voice, which can’t be good. “He’s… met an unexpected complication along the way that he cannot ignore. Please, just tell me what you want, and I can take my partner and be out of-”

“I don’t have a few hours,” McCoy practically screeches. “Either Batman makes it his priority to get here, or Nightwing gets it!” to make a point, McCoy lifts the knife from Dick’s neck and waves it in front of him. Dick slides his eyes over to the other goons on the roof; there’s only a few. Maybe… if Dick plays his cards right… “That was the deal!”

“I understand-”

“Tell Batman to get here now, or Nightwing’s blood is on his hands!”

“He’s busy- I can’t just-”

Dick slams his body back, pointing his elbow the furthest he can with the way his arms are bound and jamming it into McCoy’s stomach. McCoy lets out a startled, breathless gasp as Dick uses his surprise to escape from his grasp and jump to his feet.

“’Wing!” Tim yells at the same time McCoy wheezes “Get that fucker!”

Dick has just a second to notice Tim’s shock at Dick’s sudden attack before Dick’s having to defend himself with his hands literally tied behind his back. Sorry, kid, Dick thinks, ducking around a pair of beefy arms, but we’re out of options.

It was going well until it wasn’t. Tim was even about to step in. However, while waking up from his lovely whack to the head, Dick failed to assess just where he was on the roof.

All it took was for the back of his heel to tough nothing but air for his heart to jump to his throat. Instinctively, he tried to wave his arms to catch his balance, but was quickly reminded of his predicament when the tape tugged against his wrists. For a moment, pure panic filled his entire body, here, wobbling backwards off the edge of a roof dozens of stories above the ground. He could feel his heart pound, hands shake, breath catch, hair rustle in the wind, but he couldn’t do a thing to stop himself from falling backwards. He’s pretty sure he hears Tim scream his codename, but he’s not totally focused on anything other than his pending doom right now-

A heavy hand wraps around his upper-bicep, stopping his almost-promised journey to pancake town. Everything is silent on the roof for a solid moment, as Dick practically hangs over the ledge of the roof with his feet just barely still on solid ground, a goon holding him juuuuuust enough to make sure he doesn’t fall. Tim looks even paler than before, looking like he really did watch Dick go over the edge. McCoy looks a constipating mixture of smug and outraged while the other goons stand nearby like useless props.

Then, McCoy speaks with anger as heavy and level as stone. “Tell Batman I want him here in ten minutes.”

Tim meets Dick’s eyes, and Dick sees everything that he needs to. Whatever is holding Bruce up, it’s more important than Dick, and Tim knows it’s useless to even try.

“Please,” Tim says, voice wobbly. He’s a detective. He knows what’s about to happen. “Just give us more time-”

McCoy snaps a finger, and that’s that.

The hand on his arm pushes Dick away and opens it’s grasp. It doesn’t matter anymore that Dick had his feet on the roof, because the rest of his body is falling.

Falling.

Dick’s completely off the roof in a blink of an eye and he’s falling.

The air is rushing past his ears and through his hair, so loud he can barely think. That’s if he’s thinking at all, as story after story passes him by. He’s falling, and for the first time in a long time, he’s afraid of falling, because this time there’s nothing he can do to stop it. He doesn’t have any tools… he doesn’t even have his hands, nor enough time to even try and get his hands free. He’s falling, rushing to the ground. He can already see in vivid detail what his body will look like when it hits the pavement.

He’s falling. He’s standing at the top of a beam, watching his mama and papa fall. He’s falling. He’s screaming as the sound of their bodies landing and snapping reaches his ears. He’s falling and he’s going to die in the most Grayson way possible.

He’s going to die the same way his parents did, a way that he’s worked hard to not be afraid of ever since he first moved in with Bruce, but was always secretly terrified.

He closes his eyes. He doesn’t want to watch. He’s afraid, and Tim will watch from above and blame himself and he never wanted any of his siblings to blame themselves for his death like how he blamed himself for his parent’s for decades and-

And the wind is knocked out of him, but not from his body slamming on the ground. A strong arm wraps painfully around his stomach, and suddenly the world turns sideways and his eyes shoot open in shock.

“Fuck,” Jason grunts, holding Dick with one arm and the other wrapped tightly in a grappling line. “Fucking hell.”

And Dick… doesn’t know what to do. He feels muted, like a YouTube video playing at 144p and buffering still. The adrenaline is pumping so loudly through his entire body that the fact that Jason’s caught him doesn’t register until Jason’s landing roughly on the ground and lowering Dick to the asphalt.

“Started heading over the second that bastard said he wasn’t coming,” Jason explains. Dick nods numbly, his eyes locked on the oil covered road below him, his mind still trying to process. “Said he ran into some bastard working for Two-Face holding some rich family hostage. Said we could handle it. I can’t believe I got here just in time. Fucking fuck-face fucker.”

There’s a splash of two feet landing on the permanently puddled street beside them, and Dick can hardly contain his flinching at the sound, but thankfully Jason doesn’t notice. He just stands up and faces where Tim has landed quite suddenly from where he must have grappled down from the roof. Dick continues to look at the ground, wringing his knitting together in front of him. He… hasn’t noticed Jason undid the bindings.

“What happened to McCoy?” Jason demands, and Tim takes a gasping breath and shakes his head.

“They ran into the building while I… jumped after N.”

Jason growls, taking a step forward but Tim stops him. “Orphan said she’ll handle it, she sounded pissed.”

Jason backs off, but anger still curls in his stomach like an old friend. His fists clench to his side. “Once I see B, I’m gonna punch his teeth up to his brain.”

And it must be proof of how shaken Tim is, because he doesn’t argue.

Then, like a pin hitting tile, a small sound catches Jason’s ears. He looks down to where Dick is still sitting in the grime of Gotham’s street. His heart sinks to his gut.

“N?” he asks, and Dick doesn’t respond. “Nightwing, you’re… crying.”

That directs Tim’s attention down where tears are certainly streaming down Dick’s cheeks from under his mask. His lips are wobbling, and the second Jason kneels down to put his hand on Dick’s shoulder, a wounded sound escapes his lips.

“Dick?” Jason asks, his voice sounding shocked and unsure.

Dick looks up at Tim, looking one breath of the wind from falling apart. “You jumped after me?” His voice is small and brittle. When Tim nods slowly, Dick whimpers, dropping his head into his hands and letting out a sob. “You almost watched me die,” is all he says before he finally breaks down into mournful cries.

Jason looks up from where Dick’s now shaking and gasping into his hands and meets Tim’s eyes. Neither of them… has ever seen Dick get like this before. It feels wrong, like something in the world has shattered and can never be replaced.

“Lets… get him home,” Jason says, breaking the silence.

“Yeah,” is all Tim can smartly bring to his lips while Jason scoops Dick into his arms and stands up.

Dick’s so out of it with his sobbing that he hardly reacts, just curls against Jason and continues to cry.

“You know,” Jason says quietly, “the scariest way to die, for me, is to overdose.”

And Tim understands.

“I… see.”

Jason nods, swallowing hard. “Yeah. So let’s just call it a night, get him some Alfred cookies, and just… let him take this at his own pace, okay?”

Tim nods, knowing that after years of Dick always going out of his way to help them with their trauma, their issues, and never asking for anything in return… it’s now their turn to return the favor. Dick looks so much smaller than Tim swears he’s ever seen him, curled up in Jason’s arms, trembling and sobbing. He silently promises to himself that he will do whatever it takes to make sure Dick gets through this, just like what he’d do for them, always. And Tim’s positive the rest of Dick’s siblings will do the same.

#dick grayson #nightwing #batman #whumptober2021 #no.4 #taken hostage #pushed #near death tw #fanfiction #jin writes

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ordinaryschmuck · 3 years

Text

What I Thought About "Echoes of the Past" from The Owl House

Salutations, random people on the internet who most certainly won’t read this. I am an Ordinary Schmuck. I write stories and reviews and draw comics and cartoons.

What probably gets debated the most in the fandom is the legitimacy behind King being the King of Demons. Some believe that there's truth to his statement, while others, like me, like to think that he was just some stray Eda picked up off the streets. Either option seemed likely, especially since Season One never gave an answer that leaned one way or the other.

Then here comes the writers finally answering the question of who King is in episode THREE of Season Two! Because, again, they don't waste time on giving fans exactly what they want.

Fans wanted answers behind King, we got 'em, and analyzing what those answers mean requires going deep into spoilers. So if you haven't checked the episode out yet, I highly recommend that you do. Trust me, it's worth seeing.

Now let's review, shall we?

WHAT I LIKED

Luz Experimenting with Spells: Hey, look! More proof that Luz isn't an idiot like some people flanderize her to be!

But, seriously though, this is a perfect little thread to introduce into the story. Luz collecting knowledge from Lilith's old books and past work she and Eda made adds to Luz's intelligence while also providing a believable explanation for how she gets new spells. It's also nice to see that she has this little notebook (or spellbook) to help see what works and what doesn't. It's a level of experimentation that proves her dedication to becoming a witch while also exemplifying how she isn't stupid. Occasionally reckless, sure, but you can't say that the person who figured out an invisibility spell through showing her work is also an idiot.

Francios with a Knife: How did Francois get a knife? I don't know. But the fact that a random knife plopped out behind him with little to no explanation is funny, and I will not hear otherwise.

I don't make the rules. I just abide by them.

Luz’s Invisibility Spell: I breezed past this, but I honestly love this invisibility spell. More specifically, I love that there's a limiter. It can turn you, objects, and people you're in contact with invisible, but only as long as you can hold your breath. It helps make the spell something the characters can't always rely on, which is appreciated. Because if it works as long as they concentrate, what's stopping them from sneaking into Belos' castle and assassinating him in his sleep? It's a smart way of explaining why they can't always rely on something, despite how insanely useful it is.

Luz: Let's gush about Luz some more, shall we!

"Echoes of the Past" is another episode that has Luz on top form. She is constantly supportive of King, even if Lilith has a point in the dangers of indulging his fantasy as a powerful tyrant. Doing so would cause more harm than good, especially when King finds out Luz doesn't believe him, but her going along with it was all done with the best of intentions. Luz doesn't want to hurt her friend, and even if she did in the long run, she still makes up for it by helping King learn more about his past.

And, as another reminder, Luz isn't stupid. She's the first to say they should leave when it's clear how dangerous the castle is and is quick to figure out there should be more at the top. Luz is a loyal and caring friend who's also guarded and intuitive when the situation calls for it. This episode understood that, so here's hoping other fans will too.

Lilith: Yeah, she's still growing on me.

I feel like this episode shows a better idea of Lilith's place in the group more than the past two. She's a person who's obsessed with knowledge and learning but considers herself above the jovial nature of King, Luz, and definitely Eda. Therefore, she acts as the perfect catalyst for what jumpstarts this week's adventure. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest that she almost instantly dismisses King's claims due to considering herself more knowledgeable than everyone else. Still, I like how she's willing to believe King once she finally sees evidence that seemingly proves he really was the King of Demons, to the point of referring to him as "her lord." Hooty does the same thing, but it comes across as him fearing for his own life and choosing to be friends with someone who could maybe kill him in an instant. For Lilith, her newfound respect comes from the desire to learn more, and it's that desire that makes Lilith an enjoyable character to me. It's adorable to see, and it has some comedic flavor in moments like when she dismisses everyone else and their emotional revelations to take pictures of the carvings around her. I'm sure she'll cause some controversy like other characters with rushed reformations, but for me, I'm more than ok with her addition to the main cast.

More of Lilith’s and Hooty’s Friendship: HOW DOES THIS WORK!?

ON PAPER, IT SEEMS LIKE IT WOULD BE A BAD IDEA, BUT IT F**KING WORKS!

HOW?!

WHAT BLACK MAGIC DID THESE WRITERS USE TO MAKE A RELATIONSHIP SO UNEXPECTED COME ACROSS AS SO ENDEARING AND ADORABLE?!

And where can I get some for my stories...just asking.

But seriously: HOW?!

Hooty Making Himself Portable: Ah, yes. The classic bit where a character does something horrifically grotesque off-screen, and we have nothing but character reactions and sound effects to imagine what happened between shot A and shot B. It's an oldie, but given how hard I was laughing (mostly because of Luz's gagging), it's still a goodie.

Eda’s Portable Bathtub Boat Thing: I mean...I was expecting Eda would use something to catch up with the others, but...that thing...well...I mean, I'm still laughing just by thinking about it. That should tell you how well executed this joke was.

John Luke: ...I'm gonna go ahead and add him to the list because HOLY S**T was this guy disturbing! From his design to his movements to even the sounds he makes when moving, everything about John Luke screams as something that will stay in kids' nightmares for a while. Now, this might seem like a complaint, but to be honest, I'm more than alright with how creepy John Luke is. I highly doubt adult viewers will consider John Luke scary, but I guarantee he'll terrify some of the youngins that this series is aimed for. And that's fine. It's good to creep kids out a little bit with something somewhat scary, as it might introduce them to more good horror stories later in life.

Plus, the reveal that John Luke was only a guard for King is pretty solid narratively speaking. You can see how John never really meant to hurt King aside from one accident when Eda escaped with him. If you want to read into it, I guess it might be questionable to tell kids that something that looks dangerous is secretly nice, but that's really nitpicky, in my opinion. John Luke was a fantastic threat that is designed and animated well, with a solidly executed twist. Some might hate what he presents, most will fear him, but we can all agree on one thing: His theme is awesome (can I get the track for that, please)!

King’s Backstory: Finally, at long last, we know who King is, thus putting an end to a year-long debate. And I fully mean it when I say that the writers gave the best possible answer. Because in a way, everyone was right. Yes, King was just an animal that Eda decided to adopt, like the nature-loving hippie she is inside (She's got the hair for it). However, while he may not be the King of Demons himself, he is still the son of someone who deserves that title. So while he isn't the King, there's a chance he might be the Prince. Once again, there's no direct answer, but given how the writers came up with something that pleases everyone while still providing more questions for debate, it acts as a brilliant move, in my opinion. So whatever answer we get next, I'm sure it will be just as perfect.

Baby King:

My heart was not prepared for that level of cuteness!

King’s Breakdown: NOR WAS IT READY FOR THIS LEVEL OF SADNESS!

But in all seriousness, a HUGE round of applause to Alex Hirsch for his performance in this episode. He expertly captured the raw emotions of shock, anger, betrayal, and sadness that King must have felt when finding out that everything he believed he was is a lie. It's one of those moments where I don't hear a person voicing lines in a booth (or wherever the hell VAs are voicing characters nowadays), but instead hear a living person being emotionally torn apart. It was heartbreaking seeing King so vulnerable as he's so guarded with his emotions. Seeing him like this adds so much more layers to a character that many would mistake him as a cute, comedic animal sidekick. But just like with Luz, there's more to him than people will tell you.

“I don’t even know what’s real or fake anymore!”: I'm just pointing out this line because I believe it's what convinces Luz to help King learn more about who he is. Hell, not knowing what's real or fake is the main reason why Luz got sent away in the first place, so I feel like she can relate to King when he's in a similar predicament.

Hooty and Lilith vs John Luke: This was just a cool scene with some epic moments of dodging John Luke's attacks and some funny ones, like how Hooty said the word "pain." It's a ten out of ten that I would rewind to watch again.

King’s Other Horn: I'd question the logistics of how a horn that got broken off when he was a baby still manages to fit perfectly in the present...but it is neat symbolism of King accepting his past and letting it be a part of him, so who cares?

(The fact that the colors of the broken-off piece don't match the rest of the horn is nice attention to detail as well.)

WHAT I DISLIKED

It's a Little Too Predictable: I pretty much figured almost every little twist the episode offers. But, I'm willing to say that's because I'm in my twenties, and I've seen enough stories similar to this one, so I'm more likely to know what will happen. The little monsters watching this will see it for the first time, so they'll most likely get more surprised than me...And that was my only complaint about the episode...which is more of a personal problem than an actual issue...I guess that means it's perfect.

IN CONCLUSION

"Echoes of the Past" is an easy A+ in my book. It gives lore and backstory that furtherly develops the characters that episodes like this should. It also tells a tragic story about King that still sprinkles in a few good jokes every now and again to lighten up the mood. Sure, there are some nitpicks I could mention (how did King remember his own birth?). But when the good stuff is done so well, what's the point of dwelling on small, insignificant issues? This is still a phenomenal episode that flew past all expectations I had for it, and it continues the winning steak this season is having so far.

(But that's still three home runs in a row. Meaning that a stinker is coming. Ooiee, is it coming!)

#the owl house #the owl house season 2 #king of demons #luz noceda #lilith clawthorne #toh hooty #the owl house reviews #what i thought about

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imagine-your-love-story · 3 years

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hey penny!! This is kind of a big one, but you're my absolute favorite f/o blog and I trust you to maybe help with this a bit. I've been struggling a lot with having an f/o lately in a deeper way that's nothing but shame and guilt and jealousy. I'm in a really difficult transition in my life rn and have been struggling in a way I haven't for such a long time, and my f/o's source media has been my incredible safe space for a while now. I love it. It makes me feel excited and like myself and motivated to one day make great art like it. but lately my brain has twisted it (and my relationship with my f/o) into this terrible thing to be ashamed of. I tend to be a fandom jumper, delving into a piece of media for about 6 months at a time, before it fades and I find something else. and I'm TERRIFIED that I'm starting to feel disconnected from this piece of media I feel like I kinda need right now during this time? it's not as long as other pieces of media and I'm scared I've kinda drained it dry of its magic and have kinda experienced everything, and that the honeymoon period is over, and I so desperately want it to go back to that. I want it to be okay to keep enjoying this thing I love, and honestly feel like I need at times (I swear sometimes I'm in full baby needs her bottle mode). but I've been having STRIKING jealousy over other people liking or writing fanfic for him. Not to mention he's canonically married and everyone ships them like crazy-- I personally don't that much, and she kinda looks like me anyway (at times I just pretend she's my s/I and he whispers a combo of her name and mine and lets her hair down so it looks like mine bc he secretly knows she's just my own s/I ;) -- but I still get bothered and hate myself for the first instinctual emotional and physical response to seeing them and seeing other people like him. It's so weird and turns this experience into something I hate, but can't step away from either. I have my own canon a year after the events of my source that I think is super cute and make things work for both my f/o and his (ex- ;) ) canon love interest (and I personally think is super cute, I totally ship her with his brother) but it's hard not to feel like that's wrong or stupid or out-of-character or disrespecting the original canon or experiencing this art in the 'wrong' way or whatever, especially considering how much content there is for them. I told my s/o I needed a break, just a step back, and he was very sweet about it and understood ("I'm here when you need me"). but needed him sooner than I thought, and last night we were just able to cuddle and hold each other without talking or putting a label on it or jumping to a big conclusion about any of it. it was nice. lol maybe I just need to step out of the fandom part of it and just enjoy it for myself in my own special way, and get back to why I enjoyed it in the first place. there's so much self-judgement about it all (I've been here before with a lot of things I love, the fear of obsession, the shame of needing, feeling like I should be more rational and adult about everything, feeling like I HAVE to step away even though my brain instantly fights against it-- and none of those fears have ever come to fruition. I guess it just saddens me that all this deep love will fade eventually. it makes me sad. I just want to make it a happy place for me while it lasts. and I'm sure it'll come back into my life eventually, with only the happy stuff and none of the bad, which is what usually happens) I know this is a lot (my mini novel!! hope you've enjoyed!!) and I originally thought of just messaging you for advice, but thought that maybe even one person out there might relate and need the advice too. your blog and your heart (it shines through even just in your writing) are amazing and I appreciate you being willing to read. even just writing about it helps, especially to someone who I feel might sympathize or understand. escapism and media we relate to are so important, so it breaks my heart when it becomes this overcomplicated, depressing beast--

especially when I feel it doesn't have to be. again, thanks for reading this WALL of text and I hope you have the best, most peaceful, wonderful day. <3

Hello lovely darling!! Thank you so much for feeling comfortable to share with me!! ♥♥♥ I'm so sorry you're struggling and swamped with these emotions! They sound like a beast to bear! ♥

A number of things stood out for me so I'm probably going to write a mini novel in return so buckle up for some reading! :)

Fandom

You mentioned that your f/o and his canon love interest are a popular ship. Because of that, you see a lot of material that makes you feel jealous.

Fandom can be GREAT in many ways, but it can also be a lot to process and/or pretty horrible, depending on the situation.

For one of my f/os, the fandom likes to write really rough explicit fics It doesn't fit his personality AT ALL but it's now the norm for about 95% (if not more) of the fandom to write this content. And A LOT of it.

So of course people assume everyone accepts it as canon. Then they stop tagging things because why bother? EVERYONE likes it! (allegedly) Which makes it really difficult to blacklist.

I couldn't get away from it. Every time I tried finding new blogs to follow, it was one graphic fic after another.

At least three times in the course of the past year, I have fully removed myself from my f/o and his source material because I was getting so anxious, I was edging into panic attack territory.

He didn't make me feel safe anymore. He made me want to run away.

I have *carefully* eased myself back into my f/o's material again. But I do NOT go into any tags related to him. I follow about 2 blogs that I trust and that's it.

Sometimes I think fandoms can form these unwieldy mobs. It can be fun to find other people to share your enthusiasm with!

But the catch-22 is that you can also encounter people who may throw a wet blanket on your enthusiasm and ruin the fun for you.

I believe it's perfectly normal to take a break from fandom. It helps you get back to what YOU liked about the show, rather than constantly assessing what OTHER people think about it and getting overwhelmed with the fact that it seems you're the ONLY person who thinks X while everyone else is all about Y.

I've noticed other self-shippers have mentioned similar problems - feeling overwhelmed and outnumbered by the general majority of the fandom. Feeling like they shouldn't enjoy what they do because a large portion of the fandom hates it.

If you weren't on tumblr, would you still enjoy the thing? Probably!

It might feel lonely and weird at first to take a break from fandom. But try to enjoy yourself and remember why you fell in love with your f/o in the first place! :)

If it would make you feel more comfortable, you could set your blog to private so only a handful of people you trust can see it instead of the fandom at large!

Fear of fading love

You mentioned that you're scared your love for your f/o's material will fade at some point. And it might. Everything in life has a cycle - things shift because we've outgrown it or we want something fresh or we need new horizons to explore and that's okay!

But that love has been a crucial and defining part of your life for a LONG time. That love is permanently etched into you like a tattoo. It helped you grow. It helped you learn to love yourself in a whole new way you never would have had otherwise!

This love has shaped you and given you confidence and support. It has created a safe haven for you, granting you the comfort and freedom to be yourself.

That will stay with you forever. Every time you employ that confidence, you're exercising what that love has taught you. You're drawing on the well of strength it created in you. You're revisiting it and saying thank you and I love you always.

Maybe you won't love it as deeply in the future. But the love will always remain :)

Feeling disconnected

I can DEFINITELY relate to this feeling and it suuuuuucks omg.

There could be any number of reasons why you're feeling this disconnect but unfortunately, the only way to move past it is to hold on and weather the storm.

Maybe it's real life problems creating stress that make you feel blah.

Maybe it's just a "change of season" and you're in the transition mode into something else. But the in-between time is turbulent and a generally yucky feeling.

About 4 years ago, I was crazy in love with Star Wars and super active. I wrote fic like a madwoman (300k words in 1 1/2 years). But the fandom was very heavy on the toxic drama. And too many people were demanding/rude with their "feedback" on my fics.

Eventually, I stopped writing and disappeared because I was completely burned out. I didn't enjoy Star Wars anymore.

No matter how hard I looked, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find anything to replace Star Wars. And it left me feeling so listless (and kinda bitter, tbh).

I'm finally starting to touch on a few media sources that I'm really nuts about now and it feels amaaaaazzzziiing to get into that groove again.

But it took FOUR YEARS.

I tried to go back, revisit my old stomping grounds, pick up my old username but it felt...off. I wasn't that person anymore. I had expanded into something else that needed more room to breathe.

Looking back, I've realized that I had to sort through a few things before I could reach where I am now.

I had been juggling a number of stressors that were taxing my mental energy, including: family responsibilities, job stress (BIG one), Covid (another BIG one), self criticism (i.e. "this is a waste of time and you should do something more productive, stop being childish"), and burnout.

Eventually something will *click* again! But for now, it sounds like you're sorting through something and until you come out the other side, it might be a bumpy ride for a while (HUGS). It WILL sort itself out eventually though, promise! ♥

Feeling guilty/shame

This is only a matter of how you are treating yourself and speaking to yourself, my lovely!

Everyone has needs. That's not something to be shameful for. When you bury that need because you think, "I shouldn't feel this way!", you only create MORE anxiety.

If you NEED your f/o's source material right now to bring some joy into your life, that's okay!

If you NEED a break from fandom because people won't shut up for god's sake about shipping your f/o with your canon love interest, that's okay!

The best way to battle feelings of shame is be kind to yourself. Talk yourself down from the brink of these volatile emotions that are upsetting you.

DON'T beat yourself over the head and say, "WTF IS WRONG WITH YOU. BE AN ADULT, YOU NOODLE."

DO try acknowledging the way you feel and alter your activity to something that makes you feel better, like, "Hey, I'm not in a great headspace right now. Fandom doesn't seem to be helping, making me feel worse. I know it's fiction but my feelings are valid. I'm going to listen to some music that reminds me of my f/o because I enjoy doing that."

***

Anyway, um, WOW that got much longer than I expected! I hope a little of that was useful, lovely! Fingers crossed that things start looking up for you very soon!!! ♥

#asks #lilsnatch #penny chats

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fairydust-stuff · 2 years

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Griffin Callenreese’s life sucked!

Griffin as viewed by the BF narraitive/ fandom annoys me. He basically exists to be this perfect brother figure to Ash who dies tragically so Ash can feel bad be motivated. Yoshida has all these characters even Abraham talking about him as the basis of human perfection

My HC of Griffin his life sucked! Maybe not as bad as Yut Lung’s mom but still pretty freaking horrible. Jim was an neglectful drunk and fooled around on his mom with Ash’s teenage mother. (Read the art book) it was hinited Jim was neglectful at best and it seems Griffin’s mom either walked out on them eventually or something else happened.

Either way Griffin grew up with no mom a father who’d drown himself in booze and ended up raising his own brother. And when he did have parents they seemed to hate each other.

Griffin must of at least been a teenager when he raised Ash and suddenly when he’s supposed to figuring out his own crap, he’s responsible for another human being. Griffin did love Ash but he might of been resentful sometimes.

Then he’s bearly out of high school when he gets drafted into the Vietnam war. Though honestly I think he was secretly relieved to get out of that house. Considering everything that went down.

And then Griffin feels bad for this red headed guy about his own age the other guys keep giving crap. He see’s his younger brother who he misses. Both Abraham and Ash were smart nerds who weren’t very big. So that’s why he most likely watched Abraham’s back.

Then he finds out about Abraham’s creepy experiments and tries to tell someone because Griffin is most likely very freaked out!

So his buddy BF’s him and Griffin is kept in a broken state where he does nothing but have terrifying nightmare visions of his worst fears until he’s shot and killed.

#griffin #banana fish #jeeze this kid had the worst life #don't think he was even twenty was he?#maybe early twenties?#ash's family life was a crap show #even before little league gate #and Ash getting kidnapped #Jim really was the worst!!!

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zhaozaipalooza · 3 years

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A Not-So-Weekly Insight

Hi all, crooked here. Just going to take a moment in between posts about our villains / their love interests / the cultural influences that we can view them through, and talk a bit about the other side of things. The side that all of us occupy, on the back-end of the screen.

Having a thing for the bad guys -- whether simply wanting to know their backstory or secretly wishing it was you (and not the hero) who gets kidnapped and tied up -- is an experience as old as fandom itself. It’s not universal, as we all know, but someone somewhere is always more interested in the antagonist than they are the character(s) they’re actually supposed to root for. And when you find someone who shares those feelings, who is just as enthusiastic about asking why a villain turned out the way they did, who writes or reads the same kind of fics you do... just, wow. What a wonderful feeling that is.

When it comes to rarepairs, especially ones involving lesser-loved characters within the fandom, sometimes you really need that sense of community and support, because there are always going to be folks who take their disagreement or disapproval further than necessary.

When fellow mod and literal ray of sunshine @ohmygodtheywereparabatai pitched the concept of mini-themed weeks leading up to the event, I was thrilled by the notion and also filled with dread at the fact that Zhayu had been included. Oh, I thought, we better not. We’ll turn off a lot of participants, and I don’t want that. People might think it’s me abusing my position of mod for the purpose of self-promotion. Worst of all, though, I didn’t want an increase in exposure to lead to another wave of anonymous hate for the chief producers of this content, given that they’d be so prominently featured.

Ray assuaged my fears when I expressed them, and so here we are, with Zhayu week coming to a close and no apparent calamity as a result. Maybe some of you are intrigued by the ship, maybe some of you are just counting down the days until we move on, but for me, this week has been a reminder not only of my love for this ship and its various possibilities, but for the incredible support that can be found within fandom communities. Ray has championed what I would otherwise have been too cowardly to, and the experience of that -- of the enthusiasm, the passionate bolstering, the eager camaraderie -- is something I hope you all get to feel at some point, ideally as part of this event.

There’s irony of course, that a pair of the most divisive and contentious characters in a fandom might bring folks together, but that’s part of what makes Zhaozai great.

#zhaozai palooza 2021 #i have been in one of two states this entire week #unbridled joy at getting to revisit my favourite ship #and the horror of being perceived #ray i will never deserve you and all the work that you do for this event #you are the patron saint of rarepairs #if everyone had even just one person like you in their lives i think the world would be a better place #consider this an OMGTWP appreciation post #rarepairs

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fiction-fun · 3 years

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A Hidden History

Fandom: The Simpsons

Pairings: Monty Burns/Waylon Smithers

Words: 4363

Warnings: Suicide mention, child abuse, spousal abuse

The young woman stood outside of the doors to the large mansion clutching a few files in her hands.

'So many people have told me not to come here, but he deserves to know the truth. That’s all I want, is to share the truth.” She thought before squaring her shoulders and knocking on the large doors.

She heard the quick tip-tap of footsteps coming from the other side and smiled gently. The door swung open and a man with a purple bowtie stood there looking at her.

“Yes? How can I help you?” The man asked.

She took a deep breath and held out her hand, barely managing to keep the files from slipping out of her grasp.

“Hello, I’m Kaleyanna King, I was hoping Mr. Burns could spare a few minutes to hear of an old….uhm…acquaintance of his.” Kaleyanna said trying to word it right.

The man paused before sighing and waving her in.

“I can’t guarantee he’ll meet with you, and I also can’t guarantee that he won’t release the dogs on you, but I will go ask him.” The man said turning away from her.

“Don’t worry, I wore shoes I can run in, I’m well used to dogs being released on me.” Kaleyanna said a small bit of self-hating humor in her tone.

The man paused briefly before continuing on. It took a few minutes before he returned.

“This way, he says you have five minutes from when you enter.” The man said as they walked quickly.

She nodded.

“That’s longer then I thought I’d get.” She responded.

He didn’t reply just pushed open the door.

“Smithers! Who is this?” asked the hunched back form sitting at the desk.

The newly identified Smithers took a breath.

“Kaleyanna sir, the one who is here to share details of an old acquaintance of yours.” Smithers said watching him.

Kaleyanna's face softened seeing the love in Smithers eyes.

“Right, Right. You’ve got five minutes, wow me.” Mr. Burns said sitting up.

Kaleyanna stepped closer placing an old dated picture in front of him.

“I believe you knew her as Celeste and then Galaxy. But that is my Grandmother, Marianna King. Years and years ago she used to dance in clubs, back when that was still a new thing.” Kaleyanna began.

Mr. Burns held the picture delicately in his hands, his face softened slightly at the image.

“Yes, I remember her. It was many years ago.” Mr. Burns said voice soft.

Kaleyanna nodded, not looking away from him to see his reaction, but she still noticed Smithers standing faithfully next to him.

“Yes, well this story is a bit long and winding, so I apologize if it takes a little longer than expected. Anyways, my grandmother only danced in one club, and she had nightly conversations with a charming dark-haired man who she never got the name of.” Kaleyanna said voice soft.

Burns nodded.

“I only knew her as Celeste back then, names weren’t important.” He said filling in a small gap.

Kaleyanna took a breath.

“One night, things went beyond conversation and they shared a passionate night together. Unknowingly that night they created a child, a boy she named Morty.” Kaleyanna paused briefly to set down another old photo along with a copy of a birth certificate.

Burns picked each up to look it over, before returning his attention to her, hand resting gently on the photo of Marianna.

“I fail to see what any of this has to do with me.” He said face turning hard.

Kaleyanna nodded.

“DNA testing wasn’t a thing back then. So, my grandmother not knowing the name of her son’s father, couldn’t do anything about it. She stopped dancing for a few years but when her son turned five, she had no choice but to go back to it. At a different club with a different look and name. Once again, the same man found her but didn’t seem to recognize her, and she never worked up the courage to tell him about their son. After a few months, the two started secretly seeing each other, and once her son turned 25, she thought all was clear. The man and my grandmother spent one more night together, as he was leaving in the morning. And unknowingly created yet another child. Her name was Corina, and she was my mother.” Kaleyanna said setting down a few more documents and photos.

Mr. Burns picked up each one looking it over, allowing Smithers to look as well.

“I still don’t understand, why you’re telling me all of this.” Burns said but his face was slightly more open.

Kaleyanna sighed and nodded pulling three pages out of one of the files.

“When DNA testing was new my grandmother had both my mother and uncle tested just to confirm her suspicions. Then she locked away the findings, hid them deep in a safe. They were written into her will when she passed about ten years ago.” She said laying down the oldest document.

Burns picked it up, and read over it as Smithers looked at her.

“I’m sorry for your loss.” He said voice soft and gentle.

She smiled gently and nodded in thanks.

“We weren’t very close, but it was still rough.” Kaleyanna said by way of return.

Burns sat the paper down.

“How do I know this isn’t falsified?” he asked, face twisting slightly.

Kaleyanna pointed to the stamp.

“That’s the original notary stamp. I have copies for my personal files but I brought the originals for you.” She explained.

Burns nodded and waved for her to continue.

“When my grandmother passed, mother refused to allow me at the will reading, I believe she feared my grandmother would be harsh and wouldn’t leave anything to me although I cannot be certain. I did get a small monetary inheritance from her and a small house in the end. However, I didn’t know about that until recently. My mother died about 5 years ago in a horrible traffic accident, a drunk driver ran her off the road.” Kaleyanna said and laid out the newspaper article, and a copy of her grandmother’s will.

Burns picked up the will and scanned over it before reading the newspaper article.

“My condolences.” He said simply.

Kaleyanna nodded and turned back to her files.

“My uncle never cared who his father was so he never had a second DNA test done, my mother did although I only gained access to the records after receiving a court order to allow me to have the records. My father had me blocked from my mother’s will. My father believed he was doing the right thing, as my mother would have only listed him and I since her brother was already, and still is, in a nursing home, according to the doctors he’s only got a few years left, old age and all. However, my father, 3 years ago succumbed to his depression after my mother died and, he killed himself. Leaving me to take care of my younger sister, Christy.” Kaleyanna said pulling out the second DNA test the nursing home patient record and the news article about her father along with both of their Will’s.

Burns read through them all as Smithers looked at her.

“You still have a few more pages there.” He said drawing Burns eye.

Kaleyanna nodded and opened the last file.

“That’s right, this sad tale of tragedy and loss continues. I was the 5th child of 7 my sister Christy being the 7th and youngest of us all. However, three of my siblings died as children from various things and 2 were either stillborn or miscarried. My little sister is currently attending Yale Law and despite all of the tragedy is pulling a 4.0 GPA. I did do another DNA test as well, perhaps I was beating a dead horse as the saying goes but I wanted to be absolutely certain before I approached you and technology is always getting better. The last line of this tale so far is me telling you that myself and Christy are your granddaughters, and we don’t want anything other than for you to know of our existence.” Kaleyanna finished and handed him the last few pages, detailing her siblings passing and Christy’s success, along with the third and final DNA report.

Burns read over them all before sitting up straight and looking at her.

“You understand my…. hesitance on this.” He said watching her.

Kaleyanna nodded.

“Of course, I do. You’ve got every right to be cautious. You’ve got a lot to protect, but I promise everything I’ve told you Is the truth as I know it to be. And we don’t want anything from you, just letting you know of us.” Kaleyanna said as the papers where shuffled back into the files and left on the desk.

Burns steepled his fingers in thought before turning to Smithers.

“Escort her out. I need a few days to think this over.” Burns said as he pulled the files closer again.

Smithers nodded, moving away from him.

“Of course, sir, this way.” He said turning to her.

Kaleyanna nodded and moved to walk with him. They reached the front door and before he opened it, she placed a hand on his arm, pulling a sheet of paper from her bag she quickly wrote down her number and address, handing it to him.

“In case he wishes to contact me. Or you, as well could. Not many people like him, but spending those few minutes with the two of you, I see how much you both care for each other. Keep caring for him, I feel hardly anyone has in a long time.” Kaleyanna said softly.

Smithers looked at the paper before looking back at her.

“I’ll always care for him, even though he doesn’t seem to feel the same.” Smithers said sadly.

“Don’t forget, acceptance is still something new, and he’s from an older time period. A time when it was easier to lay with the opposite of what you truly wanted. Don’t count him out yet, let him realize his love for you in his own time, besides I can see it in the way he moves.” Kaleyanna said softly.

Smithers watched her.

“You sound like you speak from experience.” Smithers said not really in question.

Kaleyanna sighed softly and nodded.

“My sexuality is still being erased and denied even in the community.” Kaleyanna said voice soft.

Smithers looked at her for a few seconds.

“That’s not right.” He said voice distant.

She nodded.

“That’s the life of a Pansexual though.” She said shrugging.

She looked at her watch and sighed again.

“I’ve kept you to long, I should go. It was lovely to meet you, Mr. Smithers.” She said as she walked out of the house.

Smithers caught her arm and passed a card into it.

“It’s Waylon. And it was nice to meet you too.” He said before closing the door.

She walked to her car and climbed in before looking at the card. On one side was Mr. Burns information and on the other was Waylon’s. She smiled softly and started the car. She drove away from the mansion, with a deep sigh escaping her.

‘Now just to see how it all goes.’ She thought passingly, knowing she had left the biggest secret of all out of her conversation.

After a few minutes she pulled up in her driveway, seeing the other car gone she breathed a sigh of relief and climbed from the car. She walked inside and moved to the kitchen where she began on dinner.

*Two weeks later*

“STOP DESMOND! LEAVE THEM ALONE THEY DIDN’T DO ANYTHING!” the loud frantic voice was heard from outside.

“Smithers, you’d best go see what that is.” Mr. Burns said from the limo.

Waylon Smithers nodded before climbing out and walking to the door where he knocked. The crashing and banging stopped immediately.

“And who the hell is that!” a loud angry voice shouted.

“I... I don’t know, Desmond, let the children go answer it. Please just let them go.” A soft voice said carefully.

A sharp sound was heard followed by a thud and a small scream.

“P-please, Desmond.” The voice came back weaker again.

Smithers raised his hand to knock again.

“Fine! Go you little turds.” The angry voice came again.

Rushed footsteps where heard and the door opened a crack to show a small girl holding a baby and a boy next to her.

“H-hello?” the little girl asked, as a loud slap was heard.

Smithers looked at the children before pushing the door open more, gasping at the sight he saw.

“RUN KIDS!” the desperate voice came screaming from the kitchen.

The two children jumped and went to bolt out of the door, Waylon reached down and grabbed the children carefully.

“Come with me.” He said leading them to the limo.

Once there he helped each child into the back, where Monty Burns sat.

“What is the meaning of this, Smithers?” Burns asked him.

Waylon gave him a look and turned to the second door on the limo, opening it he let out several large dogs.

“Get them!” Waylon called stalking after the dogs.

Monty watched them before turning to the children who watched him fearfully. He looked between them before realizing what was going on. He took the baby from the girl and passed both of the older children Kleenex.

“it’ll be alright children.” Monty said turning to look at the house worry filling his face.

*Inside the house*

“How dare you!” the angry voice called again as the owner reached out and struck the shaking woman on the floor.

Just then growls from the door way made the other person pause.

“And who the hell are you!” the attacker said standing up straight.

“W-Waylon?” came the soft worn voice.

The purple bowtie clad man nodded.

“That’s correct. I am Waylon Smithers and I am your worst nightmare.” He said adjusting his glasses.

The tall grouchy person stood up, fists clenched and took a menacing step forward.

“You and what army, Nerd.” Came the angry hissed tone.

Waylon smiled at that and let out a sharp whistle.

“The dogs. GO GET THEM!” Waylon called as the dogs chased the large imposing figure.

Waylon walked over to the woman, where he crouched to help her up.

“Come then Kaleyanna, let’s get you up and out of here.” Waylon said as he helped her up.

Kaleyanna nodded and leaned heavily against the man as he helped her to the limo. Waylon carefully helped her slide into the backseat across from Monty.

“Mommy!” the little boy said and wrapped his arms around her.

The little girl was quick to follow. Kaleyanna pressed kisses to each of their heads before looking up at Monty, who still held her youngest.

“Thank you.” She said softly.

Monty rose a hand and shook his head.

“You are family.” He said quietly.

She nodded and looked to her children.

“In that case, I’d like you to officially meet your great grandchildren. This is Tori and this is Shane and you hold Cameron.” Kaleyanna said smiling at him.

Monty looked at them all and offered a small smile.

“Let’s go home, Waylon.” Monty said with a soft smile.

“Right away.” Waylon agreed getting into the driver’s seat.

It took a few minutes before they arrived at the mansion. Waylon parked the limo before coming to the back and helping Monty out.

“Sir, perhaps you should give young Cameron back to Kaleyanna.” Smithers suggested when Monty stumbled lightly.

Burns shot him a look before sighing and carefully passing the baby to Kaleyanna. Kaleyanna smiled gently and leaned against the limo as Tori and Shane climbed out carefully.

“Welcome home.” Monty said raising his hands to show the mansion.

The kids gasped and looked around; Kaley carefully reached a hand down to rest on Tori’s shoulder. The young girl looked up at her, and Kaleyanna passed her Cameron, as she swayed. Smithers rushed to her side.

“Let’s get you inside and have the doctors come take a look at the 4 of you.” Waylon said helping her up the steps.

Kaleyanna nodded and watched as the kids and Monty walked ahead of them. After a few moments they settled into a nice sitting room.

“Kids behave ok?” Kaleyanna called voice soft.

Tori and Shane nodded settling onto the carpet and looking around in wonder. Monty gave off a gentle version of his evil laugh.

“They’re children, let them play. Go on, explore! Have fun!” Monty said shooing the children, carefully taking Cameron from Tori.

Both children looked towards Kaleyanna, she smiled gently.

“Alright, just be careful.” Kaleyanna nodded.

The kids stood and raced off. Waylon reentered the living room, looking around before his eyes settled softly on Monty.

“The doctor should arrive in half an hour.” Waylon said.

Monty nodded and slid to the side, leaving room on the couch beside him.

“Excellent, come have a seat.” He said quietly as he marveled over Cameron.

Waylon moved to sit beside Monty and looked over Cameron with him. Kaleyanna smiled softly at the obvious devotion they each held for the other, she allowed her eyes to slip closed knowing her children were completely safe for once.

“Kaleyanna?” A voice called to her a while later.

She blinked open blurry eyes and looked up at the face of Monty.

“Yes?” she asked sitting up a bit.

Monty backed a few steps revealing a doctor waiting patiently.

“We would have let you sleep longer but the doctor is here and your health is more important currently.” Waylon said from beside her.

She nodded and adjusted.

“Of course, thank you.” She said moving to stand.

Her and the doctor moved to a different room, so he could look over her wounds.

“I don’t know how you did it, but that’s the nicest I’ve seen Burns ever.” The doctor said a while later while wrapping her injuries.

She smiled gently and shook her head.

“Have you checked the children?” she asked instead of answering not willing to risk Monty’s reputation.

The doctor sat back and nodded putting his supplies away.

“Yes, and all three are fine, nervous but fine.” He said moving to stand.

Kaleyanna nodded and stood as well, still feeling a bit tired but feeling better overall. The two of them walked back to the living room to see Waylon sitting on the floor playing Malibu Stacy with Tori while Shane sat on the couch with a few comic books, Cameron safely held within Monty’s arms. When they entered Monty stood and passed Cameron to Kaleyanna, who smiled gently and pressed a kissed to the top of the baby’s head.

“What’s the verdict, doctor?” Burns asked looking at him.

The doctor laughed a bit and shook his head.

“A few scrapes and bruises along with a minor sprain in the wrist. The children are just fine, a little skittish I’ve seen but alright.” The doctor replied, handing Burns a piece of paper.

Monty looked over it and nodded.

“Yes, yes anything to make sure my family is as healthy as they can be. You’ll be paid, extra to keep your mouth shut. Now leave.” Monty said turning his back to the doctor, moving to sit beside Shane.

Kaleyanna settled down in a chair and watched over her family, seeing Waylon with Tori made her smile softly. Her eyes shifted and she smiled as she saw Monty helping Shane to read over the comic books, her eyes slid down and she saw Cameron sleeping happily in her arms. She let out a soft sigh and let her eyes close again, letting the peaceful happiness of her family wash over her.

*6 months later*

“Tori! Shane! Your lunches! Have a good day at school I love you both!” Kaleyanna yelped as she raced around helping the kids get ready.

She held Cameron close as she handed the other two their lunches and pressed kisses to their foreheads.

“Bye mom! Bye Momma!” they called running out of the house and towards the bus pickup.

She closed the door and sighed softly. Looking down at Cameron, she smiled gently.

“Now time to feed you my little man.” She smiled as she tickled him lightly.

She walked into the kitchen, seeing Monty still sat and eating. She placed Cameron in the highchair.

“Good morning, Grandfather.” She said wrapping a hug around him as she moved passed.

He reached up and patted her arms.

“Good morning, my dear. Another rushed start today?” he asked looking at her as she prepared a small plate for Cameron.

Kaleyanna laughed and nodded as she took the plate and her coffee to a chair by Cameron.

“Yes well, you know children. Always five more minutes.” She said as she fed Cameron.

Monty watched her for a few seconds.

“You know I could help you out and hire a nanny.” Monty suggested and not for the first time.

Waylon walked in and took a seat beside Monty, who slid the cup of coffee closer to him unconsciously. Kaleyanna shook her head.

“Oh grandfather, I don’t need a nanny. Ten minutes of hectic rushing around with the kids in the morning is the best way for me to wake up.” Kaleyanna said with a smile.

Monty nodded as he slyly slid another scone onto Waylon’s plate. She smiled softly at his actions.

“So, any plans for today?” Waylon asked sending a small smile towards Monty.

Kaleyanna smiled at them.

‘One day they’ll stop dancing around each other.’ Kaleyanna said smiling softly.

She shook her head, looking at them.

“Not today, just spending time with Cameron, maybe reading a few books or working on my degree. I may call and see how Christy is doing. How about you two? Going to the Nuclear power plant?” Kaleyanna said smiling.

Monty nodded his face darkening momentarily.

“Yes, we have a few meetings with some of the staff and a few heads of other power plants. Should prove to be a busy day.” Waylon surmised.

Kaley smiled and played with her coffee cup a bit.

“What is it? You act like you have a question.” Monty said drawing attention to her.

Kaleyanna shrugged and looked up.

“Well you mainly spend your days dealing with disgruntled staff, and trying to figure out how to deal with issues in regards to the crew. Why don’t you have someone to handle that kind of thing for you?” She asked.

Waylon looked from her to Monty and back. While Monty sat back, thinking it over.

“Except that would cost me money and require a new position, with a new salary.” Monty countered.

Kaleyanna leaned forward and nodded.

“True, however if you created the position you could probably find someone to take the position for less than what would normally be acceptable. Just find someone qualified who’s new to the business, and needs a quick job. It’ll be years before they actively ask for any kind of raise and at that point 10 years down the line you could give them a 10 percent raise and it would maybe amount to another dollar at most.” Kaleyanna said tossing a full plan out onto the table.

Monty sat back and steepled his fingers looking at her.

“You make a compelling argument.” He said before standing up and walking from the room.

Waylon watched after him with a surprised look on his face.

“Wow, that’s the first time he’s listened about a new position in years.” He said turning to her.

Kaleyanna smirked and sat back a bit.

“I may not have a mean streak but I am still related to him. Meaning I have his cunning. It also doesn’t hurt my degree is in Psychology and Business, so I have a way with words when it comes to salaries and the like.” Kaleyanna said sipping her coffee.

Waylon looked at her and laughed shaking his head.

“You two are more alike than either of you believe.” Waylon said moving to stand as well.

Kaleyanna nodded and turned to Cameron.

“Not a bad thing at all.” She mused lightly.

*8 years later*

“Tori! Shane! Cameron! Your lunches!” Kaleyanna called as she raced to grab the bags from the kitchen.

She looked around frantically when they weren’t where she left then.

“Relax Kaleyanna, we have them.” Waylon said as he and Monty stood up with the bags.

She breathed a sigh of relief. Each of them held a bag and moved to the front door, a routine well established over the last few years. Each child ran into the room, grabbing a lunch and hugging and kissing their mother and great grandfather’s.

“Bye mom, bye Grandpa’s! Bye, bye mom, see you later Grandpa’s! Later mom, see you Grandpa’s!” the three kids called running out.

The three adults laughed slightly before moving back into the kitchen, and settled down with their coffee.

“So, what’s on the agenda for today?” Monty asked looking at them.

Kaleyanna groaned and pulled her planner to her.

“I have several meetings with Plant staff, including…three with one Homer Simpson of 7G. Why he wants three meetings I have no idea. I think he just wants the donuts in my office.” Kaleyanna said.

Waylon nodded pulling out his own organizer.

“I have no doubt that is the only reason, as for us. We have meetings with several other plant owners and foreign dignitaries in regards to the plant, and then several personal meetings.” Waylon said looking up.

Monty nodded.

“Well it seems all of us will have a long day. What of the children?” He asked.

Kaleyanna smiled.

“All taken care of. Tori has gymnastics with Kira and Kim, and Shane is going over to Dustin and Blake’s to ride bikes and Cameron is going to spend time with Bart and Millhouse. I hope those two don’t corrupt my little Cameron.” Kaleyanna said looking up for a while.

Waylon and Monty nodded in agreement with that. After a few more minutes, the three headed outside and climbed into the limo, heading towards the plant.

#fanfiction #oc #the simpsons #waylon smithers #monty burns #tw: suicide #tw: abuse #tw: child abuse #i dont know what else to tag this as

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