#also... i have some more jee's but... no before you think it they are not mature content

[chiptrillino]

Not gonna lie. I miss your Jee. I don't suppose you have any incomplete sketches you'd be willing to share with us? 🥹

tbh i miss jee too... okay may i offer... me trying to figure out how he could have looked younger?

[ID: digital illustration of three different busts of Lt. jee from avatar the last aribender. wearing a red cape and black undershirt. frowning, looking to the left side. on the left its Jee in senior age. in the middle jee as teen and on the right jee as baby. text on the right side above the head indicates the age stage. End ID.]

[elvensorceress]

sunday sentences

tagged by @tizniz @wikiangela @messyhairdiaz @eddiebabygirldiaz @confetti-cupcake @bekkachaos @fiona-fififi @spotsandsocks @daffi-990 @diazsdimples tagging @hippolotamus @lover-of-mine @rainbow-nerdss @wildlife4life @frenziedblaze @saybiwithme @monsterrae1 @wh0re-behavi0r @epicbuddieficrecs @watchyourbuck @chaosandwolves @exhuastedpigeon @ronordmann @hoodie-buck @littlerosetrove Unless, Unless, when will we be finisheddddd. BuckleyDiaz family feelings, 3..2..1..

When they pull up to the school, Chris grabs his bag and his crutches like always and pushes open the door to the jeep like always, but for some reason, today, he also turns to Eddie and says, “Love you, Dad,” then looks at Buck and repeats, “Love you, Dad,” then says, “Bye,” and gets himself out of the car and up the walkway into the school. 

As if the whole world hasn’t stopped spinning. 

As if the whole of the universe wasn’t completely rewritten by three tiny words. 

Eddie says something like, “Love you, too,” before Chris was too far out of the car. 

But Buck is back somewhere where the world stopped and his heart stopped and suddenly restarted but nothing is actually moving. He blinks a few times. And maybe breathes? Breathing is important. He should breathe. But nothing else is functioning. 

How— how? Did that just happen? It couldn’t have happened. Buck is hearing things. He’s making it up in his head. It couldn’t have been what he thought it was. That’s just not— they’re —not? Except. They kind of are? Maybe? 

Is there seriously a child— not just any child, his Christopher. Eddie’s Christopher. Who is also Buck’s Christopher? — there’s a child who calls Buck his dad? Buck is dad to someone? 

Okay, yeah, they talk about it. Eddie talks about it. He talks about adoption papers and Chris has told Buck more than once how he loves him and has missed him and how Buck is special and means so much to him. 

But—?  But he’s never—

“Did,” Buck tries but words are hard. Why are they so ridiculously hard. “Did he just? Did he call me w-what I think he called me? Or— or am I—? I’m losing my mind, aren’t I. I’m still sleeping. Right? This is a dream.”

Eddie reaches for Buck’s arm, captures skin and muscle between two fingers, and squeezes. Lightly, but still noticeably a pinch. 

“Ow?” Buck glares at him. Not that it hurts. He just feels like being indignant. 

Eddie rolls his eyes and just smiles at him. “Not a dream. And you already know he’s your son. Our son. Where have you been the last seven years?”

Buck tries not to smile back but can’t help it. “He’s just— he’s never. Called me that. He doesn’t call me that. I’m not— I mean, I am? In a way? But— you’re his dad.”

Eddie’s face goes soft and fond, and he rests his hand on Buck’s thigh. “You’re his dad, too. You have been for a long time. No, not in the same way as me. But biology is not family. Love is family.” 

“Yeah. Yes. I—” Buck knows that. Of course he knows that. His family is Maddie and Chim and Jee-Yun and Hen and Bobby and Karen and Athena and Ravi, and by extension May and Denny and Harry and Michael and David. And of course Eddie and Chris. Always Eddie and Chris. It’s not that Buck doesn’t know. It’s not that this is a revelation. Just—

Buck’s eyes are wet and his heart is bursting, and he rubs a hand over his jaw. “He called me Dad.”

Eddie reaches until he’s cupping Buck’s face and jaw with one hand. “You’re our family. We love you.” 

“See, I know that. I do know that. But— Eddie. Eddie, he called me— he called me Dad.”

Eddie sort of laughs but it’s in a soft, sweet way, and then he pulls Buck toward him until he can kiss his forehead. “Of course he did.” 

[traumabuddies]

"why are you limping?"

This kinda turned into "2 times Buck's limping because sex with Eddie was too good and 1 time he wishes it was the reason"

"Why are you limping?"

Damn it, Buck thinks, closing his eyes at Bobby's question and begging the heat not to crawl too high up his face. He thought he might have been able to hide it, but clearly the hitch in his step is much too obvious to miss.

Buck is just glad he's early and no one else from A shift is at the station yet, because he would have never heard the end of it.

Definitely would not have been able to fool them all.

"Nothing," he says, washing his hands to join Bobby in making lunch at the counter. They've learned that it's better to cook earlier when they have time and reheat the food later than waste time doing it when they might only have minutes to sit down for lunch.

Bobby gives him a skeptical look. "Are you sure? If you hurt yourself on your last shift, you have to tell me."

"Yeah, cap, I'm sure," Buck says, wracking his brain for an explanation. "I think I have a cramp or something, it'll pass."

"Alright, if you say so. Hand me the knife."

Bobby seems happy to let it go, and Buck thanks whatever higher power is out there as he does what he's told.

He does not want to tell his Captain that his boyfriend fucked him so good last night he can barely walk—no thank you, he'd rather die.

—

Walking from stand to stand at the food market is more fun than Buck remembers being, although it might be because the sun is out without it being so hot that he's gonna get sunburned.

And walking isn't the most comfortable thing to do today, but it's worth going through if it means watching Jee-Yun tug on her dad's hand to get to the strawberries quicker—she's been on a strawberry kick lately, or so her parents have said.

Speaking of which, Maddie waits for Jee and Chim to be further along before stopping him with a hand on his wrist and frowning at him.

"Okay, why are you limping?"

Oh, god, no, not again. It was one thing for Bobby to ask last time, in a professional environment where Buck could guess he wouldn't push.

It's another thing for his sister to notice, because she does like to push when she's concerned, and Buck is also never able to lie to her.

"Well, uh," he says, balancing from one foot to the other. He regrets it immediately, hissing as pain flairs up his ass. The worst aprt is, he likes it. He's going to hell. "It's nothing, I think I, uh—twisted my ankle."

"Your ankle, Buck? Seriously?" she deadpans. "If you'd twisted your ankle, you'd have texted me about it to complaining about how stupid it is."

"No, I wouldn't, because I wouldn't want you fussing."

"But you're admitting that's not what it is?"

Shit. Her cocked eyebrow is incredibly annoying.

He huffs, feels his neck grow uncomfortably hot. "Come on, Maddie, can't you just let it go—"

"Evan," she gasps silently, her eyes going wide with the laughter she lets out a second later. Buck freezes. "I should have figured, the last time I was limping like this was when Chimn and I stayed at this hotel and—"

"Ew, Maddie, gross," Buck says, swatting her hand away.

He likes to hear her laugh, always, but she's being a complete menace right now, which isn't fair. He thought that was his job.

"Fine, fine, but you didn't deny it," she says, grinning up at him.

He rolls his eyes, but he once again finds himself victim to his inability to lie to her. "Yeah, well, maybe you're right, okay? But can we stop talking about it, please?" he begs through gritted teeth.

He's not mad, or annoyed, but honestly? Kind of embarrassed.

But Maddie just lights up even more. "Why, you deserve some good things! I should send a gift basket to whoever treated you so well."

It's his time to grin at her. "Well, you know Eddie's address."

He pats her shoulder, watches in real time as her brain short-circuits with that information, and then walks away to join his niece.

"Wait, Eddie?"

—

The door to his apartment opens and Buck definitely doesn't startle, because he was expecting it.

He just kind of, maybe, forgot that Eddie was coming over this early, and so he jumps where he's sitting on the couch, causing what feels like every muscle in his body to lock up.

"Hey, babe," Eddie says with a blinding smile when he finally comes into view in the kitchen, where he's laying out the take out food he promised he'd come with.

"Hey," Buck says, hissing as he gets up. The pain in his lower back and tail-bone is just as bad as it was thirty minutes ago, shooting up his spine with every step.

He must not be able to hide it, or maybe he's not imagining the faces he's pulling, because Eddie is at his side in a second, concern swimming in his eyes and painting his hovering hands.

"Buck, you okay? Why are you limping?"

Buck can't help the laugh that bubbles out of him, although it's cut short when he takes a last step towards Eddie to kiss his lips with a small peck.

"What's so funny?" Eddie asks, looking at him like he's crazy—he probably is.

"Nothing, it's just that usually when people ask me that it's because you've pounded me into the mattress like you were hoping I wouldn't be able to walk," he says.

He's rewarded with Eddie's rosy cheeks, the ones that only appear when Buck is being overtly flirty or raunchy with his words. He doesn't hdie anymore the way he did at the beginning, but his cheeks? They still flush, and it's always the most enjoyable sight.

And then Eddie frowns, checking Buck over.

"Wait, I know I didn't pound you into anything last night, so unless you got a little crazy with toys, what happened?"

With a grown, Buck lets himself fall into his boyfriend, hiding his face in his neck. "Fell down the stairs," he mumbles, hoping to distract Eddie with a press of his lips.

It doesn't work. Instead, Eddie lets out a soft, sudden laugh, but his hands on his lower back are soothing, like he knows exactly where it hurts. "And how did you manage that?"

"I don't know, I was going a little fast, I guess."

"So you were running. Down the stairs, like a child?"

"Leave me alone, I'm in pain."

"Enough to go to the hospital?"

"No," Buck says quickly, wrapping his arms around Eddie.

Eddie hums. "Well then, I get to scold you for being an idiot."

Every one of Eddie's words is lace with the kind of fondness reserved for him and Christopher, something soft and caring, that says, I'm here for you.

"But I'm your idiot," Buck says.

Eddie sighs, and kisses the crown of his head in the same breath. "Of course you are."

send me prompts!

[lover-of-mine]

Okay, so, time to write the blue and yellow meta: deranged version. Shoutout to @dangerpronebuddie for the thoughts that are helping me in this particular delusion (This is gonna have some copy/paste from the other one just for the context to be all in one post, but stay with me anyway if you read that one already I promise this one has more stuff)

Okay, so I have been going insane trying to figure out what the blue and yellow means.

And now I have a theory. So for this one, I'm gonna use the fact that they are using the sun on a wall and that they completed the blue and green with Buck and Eddie at the gym scene with the bottle and the towel to assume I am right, and they complete these things with other elements of the scene, wall, decoration, everything.

Okay, so, when tracking the blue and green thing so I could make this post, I kept wondering why there aren't a lot of Henren examples of it, this season has given us a few more scenes, but I'm pretty sure there are only these 2 before season 7. But like, I didn't think much of it even though I didn't understand why.

But Anna, I thought this was about the blue and yellow, why you talking about the blue and green? Well, I think the blue and yellow is the blue and green for queer couples. Stay with me, I promise I have enough proof to create a reasonable doubt lol.

Okay, so, the other day I saw a henren edit that had their first date and I already had the yellow behind Eddie in my mind and was like, that's interesting, their first date is blue and yellow.

Then, someone is making a Karen in every episode series, and I saw a set of her in yellow and was like "wait, I need to stop looking for answers in the straight couples, buddie is a queer couple, I need to see if this is a pattern that has already been established for the other queer couple, do henren have different rules?" and yes, I think they do.

Going back to the blue and green thing for a second, the easiest couple to track the blue and green is madney. Every couple has worn blue and green, but they have been blue and green since their first scene. And while they do wear blue and green for inconsequential scenes, they are in blue and green for things like getting back together in season 6, finding out Jee is a girl, the date after Doug, the hospital after Doug, the whole Boston episode is blue and green in nature, I talk about that in more detail in my blue and green applied to buddie meta if you're interested.

So, assuming they are establishing the blue and yellow with henren in the same way they do the blue and green with madney, blue and yellow in important henren scenes sounded like a nice bet since the blue and yellow is present on their first date, right? And the same way Boston is inherently blue and green, tomorrow is very blue and yellow.

But you don't really think I'm telling you I established a pattern with only one episode, right? Using other elements of the scene, considering the way they are using the sun a lot with buddie, I have quite a few examples, going back down to when they accept that the IVF didn't work and that they'll be okay. I also really like the way the club in fomo is lit in blue and yellow. (I'm trying to stay within the image limit so, tiny images, sorry lol)

But Anna, you are using the wall a lot. Yes, I am using the wall a lot. Why am I using the wall a lot? You know how madney is the guide for the blue and green? Their house is blue and green. Like decorations and stuff. Mostly the kitchen, but still. The detailing there, the pans, the blue chairs, the blue couch. Even Jee's room is greenish and blueish.

So, henren's house being yellow works, I think. Another point towards that is the way that Buck's bi awakening episode is blue and yellow.

So, I'm gonna be insane and say the blue and yellow thing is the blue and green thing but queer.

Here's where I'm diverging from the first post I made, why? Well, considering my main point of reference was henren and the earliest conclusive example I could find was in 3x04 when they are talking about the IVF, I didn't look in season 2.

But thanks to Maggie (💜) I went to look in Buck, Actually. To check Thomas and Mitchell.

We have the blue and yellow shirt, the blue and yellow lighting, the blue cake with the shirt. They also use the sun in their happy contemplating life moments.

Unrelated but I love the blue and green thing too much not to point this out and I just noticed it lol they have a lot of blue and green details too, the car, the driveway, the transition from a green cake to a blue cake, I just love that.

But, since the blue and yellow exists in the couple that is supposed to show Buck what love looks like, I'm gonna go full crazy here with buddie and blue and yellow, because we are starting at Eddie's introduction lol just another nice little day in the they cast Ryan with a plan delusionland.

Let's move past shirtless Ryan for a sec (yes, I could've used a different screenshot, but why would I lol) the bag above Eddie's head is blue, and there's that yellow thing behind Buck (Hen is also in yellow in this scene and everyone else is in the darker uniform so 👀)

But this is nothing yet, in terms of crazy. How about the way that Hector's call is blue and yellow? And the blue and yellow lights in the ceiling of the ambulance?

What if I told you the dialogue here is "Practice rounds have blue caps, gold caps are live."? Are you feeling insane with me yet?

I personally view the "you can have my back any day" as inherently blue and green, but Eddie's side does have that yellowish light in the middle there so, something else to consider.

But moving on, there's a lot of blue and yellow lighting during the earthquake, but even I will have to admit that's because of emergency lights, so I will keep moving, I am crazy but I also know when to admit that this show likes warm lights and sirens are blue lol

Next up, we have the fountain. And the elf happening right after this, like 👀👀

I couldn't find any other examples in season 2 tho.

I will admit that my season 3 examples are a really big stretch but, the grocery store, has blue, green, and yellow elements, mostly behind Buck.

Them making up the station, also has the yellow light element.

Other cutesy things I wanna point out are the summer camp talk and the cup thing, with the blue chair and the building.

And I kinda have to add the recovery conversation because of the oven and the light behind Eddie.

Also, they usually drink the genuine beer, that has a yellow label and the coming out scene has a beer with a blue label.

Okay, but I skipped a bunch of shit here in the middle. Well, season 5 doesn't have anything that stands out to me all that much. Season 6, has the poker date.

I'm kinda obsessed with the way that the coming out scene has Buck in blue and the yellow behind Eddie while he's dressed in black and the end of the poker date is the other way around. This one feel more on purpose to me than anything else that I pointed out, since this happens after tomorrow, where we see that in play with henren a lot.

But my question here is, if this is something that has been played with since season 2, what does this mean for buddie and survivors?

This scene has some blue and yellow elements and it is the lead to the will reveal.

And, well, the will reveal is undeniably blue and yellow. Their shirts are blue and yellow. And this scene reads as a love confession. It was talked about as Eddie's way of saying he loves Buck to the core. If you add this, and the elements of the shooting and how not platonic the they're in situation is, if any of this is true, then, well, what does it mean for this scene?

I kinda wanna go full conspiracy theory for a second, so bear with me. Buck coming out scene, Buck matches the lighting, everything around him is blue (in contrast to the kiss, where he is in a blue shirt but he has the yellow light behind him), kinda like what's happening with Eddie in the will reveal, but obviously, since Eddie doesn't really match, it's just in the same color palette, we can make an argument about him not being ready yet. Not like Buck is when it comes to his bisexuality now. Especially with the way this scene screams aborted love confession. So, since I'm already using this to fuel my Ryan got cast with a plan madness, I will also use this for my Eddie has been aware since season 4 madness.

This is long and kinda completely deranged but I think there is an actual argument to be made here, at least from season 6 forward, so this is my current theory, let's see how the rest of the season plays out 🫶

As always, if you read this I love you 💜

[starlightshadowsworld]

Words of the Reaper

(Or the ending of Beast but Atsushi is absolutely fucking done.)

There was a silence as Dazai, Port Mafia Boss or "The Man in Black" as Akutugawa called him, finished his monologue.

Akutugawa was confused, so much of this didn't make sense. Could a book like this even be exist? He was about to voice his disbelief, when someone beat him to the punch.

"All of this, was because of that fucking book?!"

Akutagawa jumped in suprise, looking at Atsushi. Atsushi Nakajima also known as the Port Mafia's White Reaper, stood beside Akutugawa. And was staring at his boss (ex boss?) with nothing but anger.

It caught Akutugawa off guard. Despite his profession Atsushi was quite kind. Akutugawa knew the sweet kid he'd met at the cafe hadn't been a facade in the slightest.

But right here and now, Atsushi looked like exactly like the man his moniker represented.

Akutagawa noted he wasn't the only one suprised. Dazai himself seemed to have been completly caught off guard.

Akutugawa felt a bit of satisfaction at that, seeing the Man in Black's confusion at his subordinates anger aimed at him.

No, not anger.

Akutagawa had seen just a glimpse of Atsushi's anger. But it looked nothing like this. This was like watching fire itself burst to life.

He was livid.

"You know about the book?" Asked Dazai, trying to regain his composure. But even he couldn't mask the suprise in his voice. This wasn't what he expected at all.

And quite frankly it was jarring to see Atsushi like this. Atsushi who had only ever disobeyed him once, who was as meek as a kitten in his presence. Now glaring at him with the rage of a tiger.

If it wasn't directed at him, Dazai would've been quite proud.

"Of course I do! What, did your other self not tell you?! I'm it's fucking guide!" Asked Atsushi, eyes blazing.

Akutugawa looked at him confused but didn't ask. Probably because he didn't want Atsushi's wrath aimed at him.

See, Dazai had known.

It had just maybe not occurred to him that his Atsushi was aware of it. Apparently he had been very wrong about that. "And you didn't think to bring that up?" He asked, not bringing up his own mistake.

Atsushi of course saw right through him and looked unimpressed.

"Oh jee, maybe because you've never bought the book up, ever! How was I supposed to know you knew about it?!" Said Atsushi, the sarcasm in his voice practically tangible.

Well at least he'd stopped swearing at him. As much as Dazai would love to blame that on Chuuya's influence. He knew better. It was just rare for Atsushi to ever get this angry.

"I suppose you're right on that one. However, that doesn't answer why you're so angry at me Atsushi?" Sue him, Dazai was curious as to what he'd done to earn his mentees ire. Atsushi simply rolled his eyes, but Dazai wasn't having it.

"Atsushi" he said warningly, but Atsushi completly ignores it. He hisses, glaring at him once again. "No, no you don't get to Atsushi me. Punish me later if you wish and I'll take it.

But you don't get to dump all of this information on us and than try to swan dive off the fucking building."

His gaze was cold and piercing. But Dazai saw through his anger. He saw the saddness and the fear in Atsushi's eyes. And suddenly he felt like the biggest idiot around.

Of course, of course Atsushi was broken up about him trying to kill himself.

Atsushi cared about him, that much was obvious. Of course this whole thing had him rattled, it made Dazai soften at the realisation.

Atsushi took a deep breath, letting his anger fade.

"Dazai... Are you high?"

Nevermind, that softness vanished and was replaced with confusion. "High?" Repeated Dazai, confused. Why would Atsushi think he was high?

He hadn't come to work high before... Okay apart from that one time but still.

Atsushi nods, completly serious. "Now why would think think that?" Asked Dazai. "You're usually a lot more methodical than this. Your plans calculated and well thought out, so I can only assume you've taken some kind of substance." Explains Atsushi.

Dazai wasn't sure if he should feel insulted or complimented... Both, he settled on both. He ignored Akutugawa trying and failing to hide his laughter in his sleeve.

"Atsushi, I assure you I am sober." Says Dazai and Atsushi seemed to relax a little at that. Before the anger came rushing back. "Than what the fuck were you thinking?!" Yells Atsushi.

And the swearing was back.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing? The world isn't going to fucking cave in because more than 2 people know of the book.

If these threats are the ones you speak off, they fucking know. And they've known for a long time, the universe is fine." Atsushi rubs his head, like he's dealing with a misbehaving child and not the Port Mafia Boss.

"Akutugawa" Akutugawa turns to Atsushi, prepared to feel the wrath of the White Reaper. But Atsushi suprises him again by sighing softly.

"I apologise for the actions of my mentor. He means well but he doesn't think how his actions affect others. I know simple words will not fix the pain he's caused. I am sorry for hurting you on his behalf, I will talk to Gin. And once again I am so sorry."

Akutagawa nods slowly "you're right, words will not fix this. You can't apologise for something you're not responsible for. You were just following orders, I don't blame you, just your Boss. And... Thank you."

Atsushi nods, smiling and to his suprise Akutugawa gives a small smile back.

Atsushi notices Dazai starting to tip toeing away from them. He grabs the the back of his coat, stopping him. "Not so fast, I'm not done with you." Says Atsushi and Dazai huffs, much like a child.

"But Atsushi" he whines but his mentee merely stares at him, unwavering.

"I am not leaving the Port Mafia... You may have picked me simply to be your pawn, and that's fine with me. But this is my home, and I refuse to leave it. That is my choice." Says Atsushi, he's not looking at Dazai now.

Tears are in his eyes and Dazai feels himself soften again. He knows he's done wrong by Atsushi. He wasn't a kind man, that much was obvious. But he cared for Atsushi dearly.

He knows that he should tell the kid to leave. But he can't because he knows Atsushi. Knows Atsushi has been abandoned by everyone. It dawns on him that Atsushi was afraid he was abandoning him too.

Maybe he wasn't as sober as he thought he was. This wasn't usually something he'd miss. Or maybe it took being about to kill himself infront of Atsushi to realise that.

How did he get so lucky picking such a good kid.

Dazai wraps an arm around him. "I know, I'm sorry Atsushi." That suprises Atsushi, he didn't think he'd get an apology from Dazai ever.

"I don't appreciate you swearing at me" he smiles, voice gentle in a way to let Atsushi know he won't punish him for it. It's sweet seeing Atsushi duck his head sheepishly.

"But you are right. My plans will have to change. But I will keep you all informed." Atsushi nods "that's all I ask, Boss."

Akutugawa glares at Dazai but he also nods. He doesn't appreciate being roped into this, but he'll figure it out. The Agency won't leave him to fight this fight alone. And Akutugawa knows Atsushi will be a formidable ally.

Atsushi let's Dazai go and he straightens up. "Atsushi, escort the Agency members out the building. We can hold a joint meeting at some point to discuss this."

He looks at Akutugawa "because I'm sure you're going to tell them everything?"

It's rhetorical but Akutugawa nods anyway. Dazai sighs. "thought so. Ah well, I trust that Atsushi knows best." He pats Atsushi's head "I'll be waiting for you in the Archive area, given that's still intact."

Atsushi smiles "alright, I'll see you than. But you might want to get moving." Dazai tilts his head "hm? Why?"

The smile on Atsushi's face turns into a smirk. He pulls out his phone from inside his coat and shows it to Dazai. Who goes horribly pale seeing the ongoing call...

... To Chuuya.

"... Atsushi how long?" Asks Dazai, quietly. "The whole time. I got worried because you were acting off. So I called Chuuya ahead of time to listen in, just to make sure you were okay."

At that all the blood drains from Dazai's face. "... He heard everything didn't he?" Atsushi nods, not even trying to hide his amusement. "Yup, you might wanna move. He'll be here any second." He pats his bosses shoulder in mock sympathy.

Before taking Akutugawa's hand and running down stairs. They are barely down the stairs before a high pitched scream echos through the building.

"DAZAI!"

"He's on the roof, Chuuya." Calls out Atsushi, ignoring Dazai's loud hush. "Thanks kid! I owe you one!" Calls Chuuya, somehow managing to hear him over the chaos.

"Is he... Gonna be okay?" Asks Akutugawa, not that he cares for the wellbeing for the Man in Black.

But he is curious.

Atsushi chuckles "Oh he'll be fine, Chuuya won't kill him. Maybe?" He shrugs "ah well, let's go find your friends."

Oh yes, Atsushi was absolutely going to be a formidable ally.

[mandowifey]

For your match up requests can you surprise me? 🥰💙

Of course I can, you lovely bean you. Once again I am a cheater and I know who n' what you like, so with that being said...

I assign you; Bo and Vincent Sinclair!

Note: This is NSFW. Strictly because of gore, blood, violence, and mentions of sexual activities. There are allusions to non-con, as well as dub-con, some domestic violence, and forced relationships. Just overall dead dove, stay safe kiddos! This was also not proofread or edited, and my first time writing for them!

Be gentle.

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There was something deeply unsettling about the smell of burning meat.

When coagulated fat boiled and broke down it released a nauseating odor that permeated the humid Summer air. Sometimes it could take on the smell of barbecue, which was dependent on what animal was chosen.

You didn't care much for it either way.

Lester tosses a lopsided smile in your direction, using one bloodied hand to wave at you before focusing on dragging the decomposing deer toward the burn pile. You offer a tight-lipped smile in return, not wanting to give the impression you didn't have manners. Those were the most important thing to have around this place.

"Jee-zus Christ, why the fuck are you doin' this so close to town?"

The sound of a slamming truck door made you jump, and that familiar voice had you frozen in place. Your fight or flight instincts always had you ready to bolt, but over time and many failed attempts you had learned it was best to stay put. Boots crunch in gravel and you struggle to stay still.

"Ain't got nowhere else t'do it, Bo." Lester retorts before turning his head to spit.

Bo came to a stop beside you and sucked his teeth as his arms folded. You stare forward without looking. Your vision is tunneled now, and all you are aware of is the chirping of birds and crickets. There is a silence that lulls between you, and you've stopped breathing.

"What do you think, firefly?" Came the dull drawl of Bo's voice as his head turned to face you.

Aside from the regular torture, it seemed that Bo enjoyed antagonizing you with biased questions. Always putting you in the middle of things and forcing you to pick a side. The illusion of choice, as you knew agreeing with anyone but him, got you punished.

Both brothers were staring at you now. Bo, with his arms folded and Lester with a fist on his hip. Of the two, you knew Lester handled disappointment far better. That made things marginally easier, though disappointing him still left you uneasy. Aware that you were expected to respond, you begin blinking the sting of smoke out of your eyes. Finally, you cast a gaze upwards, daring to look at the more imposing man beside you.

"T-the breeze c-carries the smell," your voice was a squeak. "S-should try to f-find a different spot, m-maybe-"

A large hand claps your back and makes you gasp.

"Y'see, even she knows better." Bo grinned into his words while his brother scoffed. "Next time find a better spot." He warned, his expression tightened and some of that southern charm lifted, revealing just a glimpse of what he really was under the veil.

Lester waves his hand dismissively and mutters to himself as Bo leads you to his truck. You are silent as you climb into the passenger side, and do not look at the older man as he settles behind the wheel with a grunt. The old engine sputters and then rumbles to life, rattling the frame of the truck.

"Why're you lollygaggin' around with him for?"

The glass of the window cools your forehead as sweat beads along your temple and upper lip. After such a short period outside, the humidity sapped your energy and most of the moisture inside you. Leaving you with a dry mouth and some fatigue. You wanted a clever answer for Bo, something smart and witty that'd appease him, but nothing came to mind.

Impatiently, Bo grips a fist into your hair and yanks your head in his direction. The pain causes you to wince, but you don't fight it. You knew better. Instead, your glassy eyes stare up at him as your face contorts into something apologetic.

"Did the heat fry your fuckin' brain, kid? Answer me." His eyes flick from the dirt road to you.

"I think he gets lonely." Your voice was quiet. "He asked if I wanted to tag along, n' I said sure. That's all."

Blunt nails stung your scalp, his grip relenting only marginally at the answer. Bo snorts and shoves your head away from him.

"Well aint you just a bleedin' heart as always." His large hand fell to your knee, callouses rubbing over the smooth skin before slipping under the hem of your dress. "You wanna fuck him too?"

You knew where this was going. The same thing happened when it came to Vincent. Bo was a confident man with a sizeable ego but got sore as hell when the topic of his brothers came up. He wanted to be your favorite, but he also felt entitled to you, like he owned you. There were impossible, silent conditions he imposed upon you that left you guessing what the right thing was to say.

The trial and error wove itself as scars in various places on your skin. Cruel reminders of what failed attempts got you. Bo liked to caress them, kiss them, tell you what a shame it was to mar that lovely derma and how he wished you hadn't made him do it. Vincent was the opposite. His hands traced along marks while holding you close, remembering which ones he had meticulously stitched together.

When Bo's hand encroached on the junction of your thighs, you were tensing. "No, I don't wanna fuck him." His fingers curl into the yielding flesh of your inner thigh. He said nothing because he was waiting for more out of you. "I-I only wanna fuck you, Bo. P-promise."

He sucked his teeth again and tapped his thumb against the steering wheel, his hand no longer moving. "You sure 'bout that princess? I've seen how you look at Vincent." The words soured on his tongue, causing his brows to vex and his fingers to bruise into your thighs. To call him territorial was an injustice.

"That's a good girl." His palm clapped your leg twice before withdrawing from your dress and back to the wheel. "You're gonna show me once we get to the house."

Nausea settled in your stomach like a bowling ball. Between that and the unbearable heat, you felt certain you were going to puke. You nod because you have no choice, and unless you wanted to be strung up in the dungeon below the station, you had to play the part.

Left to ruminate in your thoughts, Bo drove silently up towards the old home. When he parked, he caught your wrist as you were climbing out. "Straight to the bedroom." His voice lost its pleasant southern twang and had become something angry. His eyes were dark, focused pools staring at you from below the line of his cap.

"O-of course, right away." The power behind his grip would leave your wrist decorated in finger shaped bruises.

Traversing the incline to the front door, you nudge inside and wipe sweat off your face. Before you could move up the old steps, something touches your shoulder and makes you jump.

"Vincent!" You whisper.

Vincent stood tall and silent, staring down at you through black holes in his mask. It had taken quite some time for you to adjust to, but still, the emotionless face could be quite uneasy. More than once, you had seen it from your peripherals, when in the shower or hanging your clothes up to dry. You knew Vincent had a fascination with watching you and often played into being oblivious to indulge him.

The hand on your shoulder withdrew, and he upturned his palm. Your eyes soften, and you offer your wrist. This was routine when you returned from Bo, and while Vincent was no gentle saint, he was far more kinder to you than the latter. His fingers close around your wrist in a gentle but encompassing grip as he begins to look you over.

"No new ones today."

He turns your other arm over, then tilts your chin and checks your throat. Inside the house was much cooler, yet you felt your body getting hot. You couldn't say if he cared out of compassion or pity, though you assumed it was the same care a farmer had towards their livestock. A press to your lips made your eyes widen and warmth bloom across your cheeks.

Your lips part for him as he presses over your bottom teeth and part of your tongue. With your jaw opened wide, you felt fear. Bo had always mentioned how terrible it would be if they had to remove some teeth for bad behavior. While Vincent had a softer touch, he had no problem bruising and taking from you what he could.

Heavy footfalls made you jump, and your eyes go wide. Vincent released your jaw and shoved you up the stairs knowingly. You don't hesitate or look back as you clamber the stairs and round the corner as the front door swings open. Bo's muffled voice emanates up through the floorboards below, and you silence your steps. Tip toeing into the bedroom, you flail your hands out in the dark, your memory of the layout serving you well as you navigate blindly to the bed.

Slipping your dress to your ankles, you step out of your shoes and climb onto the bed. His smell lingers there on the pillow beside yours, which prompts you to turn your head away. In the silence, you hear your pulse and nervous breathing. Your heart sounds like a frightened animal beating against a cage. You also hear Bo asking Vincent to do something for him. Perhaps he was sending him away from the house, back to the museum, where he wouldn't be nearby to listen.

Maybe he was asking him to come watch, to humilate you further by fucking you in front of him. You wouldn't put it past Bo to taunt his brother in such a way. It was no secret Vincent was charmed by you, and while that was no comfort in its own, you delighted in the fact it pissed his brother off.

Everything fell silent as your heart settled to a slower pace. Then, you could hear the steady climbing of stairs and a low whistling tune. Your throat was dry and head pounding from lack of water. If you could spare the moisture, you would have shed tears. After so many weeks trapped in Ambrose, you had hoped that the fear would go away. Instead, the fear had turned into uncertainty; how long would they keep you alive? You wondered if they would grow bored and discard you in the burn pile, or perhaps Vincent would cherish you as one of his figures. You tried to avoid those thoughts.

The whistling and footsteps came to a stop outside the door. "Honey," the knob twists and light cascaded across your bare form. His silhouette was massive and imposing in the doorway. There was a jaunt to his tone now, almost sing-song.

"I'm home "

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Costume meta 6x14

Its like one extreme to the other with costumes from week to week on this show!! Last week I had so many to talk about and somehow managed to sneak 42 pictures into my meta. This week however, everyone was mostly hanging out in uniform so I have far fewer costume to talk about (but probably just as many words to say knowing me!!!)

So theres no Buck or Bobby this week as we don’t see either of them out of uniform, but I am going to talk about some background characters because they’re relevant in relation to costumes being worn by out mains!

As always the reest is under the cut to save your dash!

The Buckley-Han’s

Starting with Jee in her light teal top with a rainbow on. Like i’ve said a million times before the imagery they use on the kids clothing is very intentional and always says something about the scene/arc. The rainbow on Jee’s top is telling us that the Buckley-Han’s are in harmony (and not just with the singing) - that rainbows come after the rain - its signalling they are in a good place and are connected. they are a sign of new beginnings and hope. But it also takes both rain and sun to make a rainbow, so its a reminder that the rough times are a part ofwhat got them to the good times they’re now in. 

Maddie is wearing a black top

and so is Chimney.

I’m pretty sure this is the first time we’ve seen them wearing the same colour at the same time. its showing us they’re in balance - that they are strong (black is a colour of strength), it is also a colour of security and protection - after last week, we see that they (and Jee by virtue of being in-between them) are feeling secure and protected in their family. I do also think there is a bit of foreshadowing going on here as well - for Death and taxes - Black can be a colour of mourning and I think that we might be about to mourn the loss of this innocent time. How that plays out remains to be seen, but this moment captures the moment before things change for Madney. 

The Wilsons & Athena

Here we have Hen in an acid yellow top with orange and blue sections that also have some purple in them. Blue and orange are complementary colours, as are yellow and purple. complementary colours create the strongest contrast - making each other appear more intense, but they also cancel each other out if mixed together - creating black or white. This gives us a hint of where Hen is mentally - especially in relation to Nathaniel. They sit at opposite sides of the parenting spectrum - established and legal and unestablished and technically with no legal rights. the fact that we have hen in a black tee underneath and later see Denny in black establishes the idea of the complementary colours mixing together and creating black - it is suggesting that the issues will be ironed out and that Denny will remain at the centre of any decisions Hen (and Karen) make. Its just an indicatior of good parenting by them and I love that

Athena in red - the colour of passion and intensity. interestingly she also sits in the colour wheel with Hen - just without the opposition of a complementary colour. So Hen is the yellow and blue aspects of the colour wheel while Athena is red - thats all three primary colours in one scene and with the green behind her in the glass (red’s complementary colour) making all three of the secondary colours present as well. This is all about creating harmony - that goes for Hen and her family as well as Athena and hers. 

Denny in black...

with Hen in this blue and green shirt.

remind you of another parent child combination at all????

yeah - they are gong hard with the parallels - very very hard. The choices here place Hen in a similar situation to Chris and Denny in the same place as Eddie and the two scenes have similar over arching themes. Themes of children seeking some independence from parents, but also the establishment of new boundaries and it is about the loss and reforming of trust. We see Chris continuing to keep doing the sneaky things he’s been doing - making it clear that he want’s to do things his way and  that (to a certain extent) Eddie is going to have to be the one to fall into line here - That it was Eddie who was being too rigid in his behaviour/ way of parenting Chris. Hen is similar to Chris - in that she is going to do things her way when it comes to Nathaniel - she isn’t going to pander to him and she is going ensure that both Nathaniel and Denny fall into line. This is about her setting a clear boundary - especially in light of Nathaniels behaviour (as the adult who should’ve known better) with both of them. 

We see Eddie come round to Christophers way of thinking - understanding that Chris wasn’t acting out of character because he’s going to become a troublesome kid/teen, but it was out of a genuine desire to want to start to have some independence. Denny is in a similar situation - realising that his expectations are un reasonable - that Hens (and Karens) boundaries are reasonable (like Chris’s were with Eddie) and therefore he will have to adjust to them.

The Diaz’s (and co!)

Okay so I don’t normally comment on the decor in the houses in costume metas, but I actually think the choices made in the decoration of Tia Pepa’s house was very important and intentional so we’re gonna have a little look at it.

There is just so so much blue going on! In a season where the blue and green theming has been very noticeable and especially in connection with Eddie and Buck. To choose to have so much blue present in a scene with Eddie wearing green - when Eddie is being set up - is very literally meant to ensure we’re subconsciously making connections with Buck - the choice to have him in so much blue, especially paler blues this season has always been deliberate and now we’re seeing pay off for it beyond just what the blue can tell us as a colour - its so loud I’ve gone deaf!!

Tia Pepa’s family portrait on the wall - looming behind her right shoulder is also very loud - its presence - the presence of extended family, it as important as Pepa and Eddie in this scene. Pictures/ portraits etc are not something i tend to focus on, but all burgundy and black of their outfits is telling a very loud story - especially in combination with Eddies and Pepa’s later outfits. Its also worth pointing out the olive tree in the background - the symbol of peace and friendship! The family in burgundy is sowing us unity - Eddies later date outfit being the same colour way also envelops him in the family fold. 

Pepa’s own outfit, includes burgundy, but also the yellow of communication and the calmness of beige. its about establishing her as both the voice of reason and the communicator of important information!

Sorry Eddies face in the above pic gets me every time I see it 😂 

Eddie himself is wearing his trademark black and army green. his wearing it here is a symbol of his being ambushed and signifies him feeling at war - with himself and with his family wants. We’ve actually been seeing Eddie in less khaki green this season than previously, so its use now is more impactful - Eddie has been feeling less and less at war - with himself, with life etc. Now we’re seeing the use of this green in moments that appear to be playing a part in his moments of panic or repression. The brighter more sagey green from last episode is a clear contrast to this - more yellowy its a warmer colour while this one is more aggressive. I wrote in more detail about Eddies khaki jackets here 6x04 

Vanessa’s introduction is a pretty loud and telling one - it combines nicely with all the blue in Pepa’s home and only serves to remind us of a certain firefighter who is wearing A LOT of blue this season. In an episode where we don’t see Buck out of uniform this choice is even louder - it puts Vanessa directly into the shoes of Buck - so that the green and blue theme continues its presence and continues as a connection between them specifically - I talk about it later on, but there are some very intentional thngs being done with costumes as a way of connecting Buck to Eddiee - 6a was about establishing a theme and 6b is about using that establishment to further the agenda. we are very much meant to recognise the link to Buck and therefore recognise his absence - in the same way Eddie was absent from the coma dream - they are very much playing on the absence of things being louder than their presence and the presence of other things in the same colour being a reminder of that absence.

Vanessas not date night outfit is super interesting now I’ve managed to get a good look at it! The bouquet of flowers on the front of the dress (not her impressive cleavage but feel free to look if you want 😂) has me feeling a lot of feelings about the insanity of the costume department and the lengths they go to to tell a story! So the bouquet is made up of wild flowers and grasses. They are cow parsley, poppies, daisies and the grass itself. 

Grass in bouquets is symbolic of growth, health and abundance, the fact we have grass heads - with seeds on is also relevant - its about germination and new beginnings. 

Daisies are a symbol of new beginnings and innocence (but even that connection with innocence stems from death - Celtic legend has it that when a child died, God would sprinkle daisies over the grave as a way of bringing comfort to the family. Medicinally they are used in the soothing of coughs, colds and breathing difficulties. 

Poppies are very heavily associated with sleep and death - it is why they have become a symbol of armistice and peace after war. All of this is relevant to Eddie as a character - a man who has fought a war in the literal sense, but also one who has been fighting a war internally - repression is an active form of fighting agains ones self - against ones truth - it is also connected to sleep - repressing something is suggestive of it lying dormant or asleep - waiting to be woken up. this types in with the Hollywood meaning of the poppy - forever connected with the wizard of Oz - a story very literally about a coma dream (and one the show has referenced before with the lady in the earthquake hotel - with her red shoes and paisley the dog!

The cow parsley is very interesting - there are two meanings at play with it - firstly cow parsley is said to represent sanctuary and refuge - due to the fact it was commonly grown in monastery herb gardens - and its use was for the treatment of breathing difficulties (panic attack reference anyone?!!). then there is the greek myth connection, it is associated with Archemorus - the herald of death - the translation literally means the beginning of doom and that feels like a sign regarding Eddies future relationships with women. At this point Vanessa is the manifestation of Eddie dating women - past, present and possibly future is going and the dress is just helping the story along. Eddie is growing and learning and figuring out that women are not his future - that path only leads to doom!

Eddies not date outfit is doing some heavy lifting - it’s emphasising the tie into family - linking his tias family with his own, Eddie being dressed in the same colour ways as the family portrait tells us that he is here on this ‘date’ as a ‘duty’ to family, he’s not here from his own free will. Of course there is also the connection to Buck from last episode - at the poker game. I’m truly fascinated by this choice because there is the obvious parallel of Buck thinking he was on a date only to find out that he wasn’t in the same way that Eddie here thinks he’s on a date (even if he intends to let her down) only to find that he isn’t isn’t. But there is also another interesting theme at play here, I’ve already said how Eddies suit matching Pepa and her family’s portrait outfits is symbolic of family ties, well that theme therefore also applies to Buck -  that he is family, because if it only referred to one of the two themes then it would’ve been easy to make use of a different colour for one o the themes so that only the one connection was made - if it was only about dates not being dates then you change the colour choices for Pepa and her family, or if its about family then you change the colour of Bucks suit. What this does is strengthen the idea that Buck is family, but not just to Eddie (and Chris), but also to Tia Pepa and her family, its perhaps a hint at the familial connection going deeper that we’ve been presented in canon thus far. 

Tia Pepa’s last outfit only further strengthens the arguement about both metaphors/themes being at play. the entire conversation centres around her previous failed relationship and getting back out there, we get a link to work colleagues as well. but Tia Pepa is happily married to her second husband Tio Paco - who is dressed in the same colour way in the portrait - making the suggestion that the answer for Eddie is in someone we’ve seen wearing the same colour way as him *cough* Buck *cough* 

Ok last costume - Eddies dark grey denim shirt. So Eddie wears denim shirts at key moments with family - 2x04 visiting Abuela in hospital, 2x07 when he reconnects with Shannon so he can get Chris into Durrand, 3x03 dropping Chris off with Buck post tsunami, 3x15 in flashback when he decided to move to LA with Chris, 4x08 when he introduces Ana to Chris as his girlfriend 6x11 when they visit Buck in hospital and now this one. This one is a bit different to all of his other ones though as its not a western style shirt, but that in and of itself tells its own story. All the shirts are  connected to family - but that comes with the proviso of it being about whichever member of family is also involved in the scene and not for Eddie himself- usually Christopher! So Eddie reconnecting with Shannon is about Chris, introducing Ana (and the conversation with Carla about following his heart not Christophers)  - about Chris, dropping Chris of at Bucks post tsunami - about Chris and Buck (its bringing him into the fold of family) etc etc. This new shirt - the non western one, is Eddie recognising and accepting something for himself - this is not about Chris or any other member of his family, this is solely about Eddie himself and that ties in very nicely with the journey we’ve seen Eddie on since his breakdown in 5b. For me it is a marker of Eddie actually starting to focus on his own feelings rather than Christopher (or anyone else’s).

Thank you as always for reading  - it really does mean the world to me that you're interested in the costuming of our wee woo show and I love reading your thoughts in the tags and notes!!! I’ll shut up now and let you have your lives back. 

As always, tag list below! Until the next episode! 💜💜💜

@mistmarauder @theladyyavilee @loveyourownsmiilee @leothil @girldadbuddie @kitkatpancakestack  @buckscurls @lemotmo @trashendence @elishareads  @clipboardsandstethoscopes @comfortbuddie @fiona-fififi  @callanee @calyssmarviss @pbandjeremiah @batgrldes  @spotsandsocks @livingwherethesidewalkends  @idontshitpostbuttheolympicpark @diazboysbuckley @sweettsubaki @shortsighted-owl @sherlocking-out-loud @dickley-buddie  @favouritealias @hearteyesdiaz  @ktinastrikesback  @princesschez75 @bucksbuddie @oneawkwardcookie  @leatherati @moniquekatie @wanderingwomanwondering  @trickster-archangel @outrunningthedark @asharadaine​ @ajunerose  @talespinner230​ @pop-kam​ @swiftiebuckleys​ @xxfiction-is-my-realityxx​ @butchjerry​ @mandzuking17​ @yelenascowboys​ @copyninjabuckley​ @name-code-black-widow @rogerzsteven​ @bi-moonlight​ @usercowboy​ @inthecarwithaboy​ @inandoutoffocus-blog​ @toboldlynerd​

[base-and-co]

spoliers for Ahsoka ep7!!!

I'M CRYING GUYS I'M IN TEARS

THEY ARE SO COZY

THE WAY EZRA SMILED WHEN SABINE APPEARED OUT OF THE POD AND HE MOVED TO MAKE ROOM FOR HER, THE WAY THEY ARE COMPLETELY COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OTHER

He literally let Sabine sleep in his room i'm dying

And that "I missed everything". Jee, boy, you don't even know about Jacen. THAT'S gonna be news. And when he asked "She what? Why?" MY DORKY HONEST BOY I MISSED YOU I LOVE YOU and look at him looking at her. you guys have so much chemistry it's about to turn into a nuclear reaction.

Sabine's acting comfortable, but she is still Sabine, so of course she's closed when it comes to things she doesn't yet want to think about. Ezra knows that. He doesn't push too much. It's the same way it was back with the Darkaber in s3 of Rebels. He just lets her process it on her own and he's just there to support.

Ten years and they still work. They know everything about each other and nothing - 'cause you know. It's been a while. But Ezra's willing to learn more, and Sabine doesn't quite on this level yet. It was always hard for her to accept change. Ezra's still Ezra, yes. But some things are not the way like they were before, and she knows it - but she needs to accept it.

And this moment, when she tried to return Ezra's lightsaber to him. Oof. I felt her confusion in my bones. (also I cried "PLEASE DON'T MAKE MY BOY A CLOWN" but thank GOD Ezra's still a badass. what kind of spidey-sense he has? it's cool)

Back on Lothal, in this battle against Empire, he didn't just gave his saber to Chopper so he could give it to Sabine like "hold it until i'm back". He gave it away. He wanted Sabine to have it. It's hers now. At least in Ezra's eyes.

Ma boi was surviving on his skills in combat and his connection to Force alone for ten years. Of course he doesn't remember shit about saber-combat. He literally used Force to stop Shin's saber.

My boy's Force-abilities have always been strong. It's basically the reason Kanan was so worried back when he first started training Ezra, it's the reason why Ezra was so close to falling to the Dark Side. But he mastered them. He mastered that ocean of power and sails it like an experienced captain. I was so afraid they would make Ezra too weak, but all I see checks out.

He left his saber behind, he gave it to Sabine - he doesn't want to take it back, it's not his now. He has been alone in a different galaxy with only Force as his only familiar companion - he mastered his ways in it. And let's just say, Ezra has always been an outgoing and amiable dork, so it's only natural he would be taken by peaceful people of Noti as one of their own. It's only natural he wants to protect them - it's what he has been taught to do, by his parents and by his master.

The finale is next week. I sure hope they won't KARABAST it up.

[chaoticly-shy-dragon]

so I am working - dragging my feet - through natla (1 episode left) and I thought I would share some of my thoughts and commentary:

Iroh: You must use your tact, your empathy-

Season 1 Zuko: [looks back at him]

*

Canon s1 ep3 Zuko: You... are working with Zhao. Willingly.

Show s1 ep3 Zuko: Yes? What's the problem? He is annoying but that's mostly it.

Canon!Zuko: UNCLE! DID YOU PUT SPIRIT MUSHROOMS IN MY TEA AGAIN?! I'M HAVING LUCID NIGHTMARES!!

Other random thoughts:

[Suki proceeds to defy gravity with her fan to impress Sokka]

Me, exasperation incarnate: Suki, I didn't know you were an airbender!

and

[Previous incarnation avatar bashing sesh]

Me: [...] But I love Zuko-Iroh interactions

[The one scene. Zuko is shouting how they can't just ask around. Iroh is offering advice until he gets distracted by street food.]

Me: The fact Zuko stood there for a few seconds trying to figure what this proverb means before he realizes its very much not a proverb - cackling

Second-hand long-suffering friend, who is at the end of her wits after hearing me talk about the butchering of Kyoshi's character for 20 minutes: XDDDD He legit thought rice had sth to do with it XD

there is more but it's more of

Oh no, he is hot.

And oh no he is also hot

Why is every extremist hot?!

Bumi is very bitter. Very.... Jaded.

Aang has no situational awareness: He did not just ask Zhao (Zuko too) to let him go so he can go save other enemies of the Fire Nation. He didn't.

Also. Why the firebender this, firebender that. Are the Fire Nation non-benders saints or something??

Mai casually says Ozai sucks for not thinking Azula is perfect <- Me: I mean she is absolutely right but she would not say that.

Azula's whole. Thing. I felt the narrative was trying very desperately to make her seem competent and clever but the fact that Iroh's thoughts insinuated the frontal attack on the Northern Water Tribe was her idea left me in stitches

But yeah. They nerfed Azula

Zuko - feral, bloodthirsty, a loser. <- Me: Oh my god they captured his essence! Minus the honor thing!

ZUKO NOT SAYING HONOR

THE TRAVESTY OF SOKKA NOT WEARING A DRESS

I WANT SOKKA IN KYOSHI WARRIOR UNIFORM

Katara not having any emotions ::: Aang walks all over her saying he can't support her in her fight against the patriarchy that is actually just Pakku and Yugoda or whatever was happening in the 7th episode: Katara doesn't blow up at him. Sokka calling her a little girl and never actually apologizing about the whole Jet accusation especially when he did the same with the Mechanist. : Katara doesn't blow up at him

Me: sounds fake but okay

At this point when Toph comes along Katara will let her not be a part of the Team (no Gaang just Team Avatar) and not contribute and not bond and NO FOUND FAMILY TROPE

Aang teaching Katara waterbending, Aang not goofing off, No Kataraang (not even a smidge) - something in me shriveled up and died.

Why is Azula soft??????

And why is Ty Lee assertive and forthcoming??? Just?? Why????

And finally, my second favorite:

Azula, trying very hard not to mention Zuko's ludicrous tenacity: Commander Zhao is a great asset... Maybe he needs better resources to showcase his true potential.

Zhao who barely passed his exams according to Jee the gossip queen: Yes, I do need the best resources. Give me all the 'sources.

[sokkastyles]

ATLA LA Ep 6 Thoughts:

I feel like Iroh is more defensive of Zuko than he should be. In the original, Iroh does explain Zuko's side to Jee, but I don't like the implication that Zuko understands sacrifice MORE. OG Iroh never felt like he was justifying Zuko's actions.

I do like the parallel with Zuko disrespecting a superior officer, which is got him banished in the first place, and Zuko disrespecting Zhao, while Zhao uses his past as a earning, and Zuko bullying his crew in the same way he was/is bullied. All because he thought war would be honorable.

Liked the fire sages and Roku but Aang going there to ask Roku for help in saving Katara and Sokka feels strange when he's supposed to be talking to Roku about the actual plot.

Aang: you can't always have been like this. *cue flashback*

BLUE SPIRIT BLUE SPIRIT

I can totally believe Zuko keeps exhaustive notes on everything Avatar related, but of course he never wrote about what happened to him.

The problem with Aang and Zuko having a prolonged conversation here is that it saps the tension out of their relationship.

"Compassion is a sign of weakness" / "I didn't mean to hurt you." The ways we hurt people when we've been hurt.

People talk too much in this show about what they're doing / going to do.

I get the feeling they were trying to make Iroh seem more proactive here, but it kinda has the opposite effect because instead of being paralyzed by shock/horror/guilt, he just like, makes one protest and then steps aside on cue.

"He's your son." "We'll see." It's a test.

It's a test but it's still not one Zuko can pass. Ozai accuses Zuko of holding back but the literal moment Zuko matches his ruthlessness, Ozai gets his excuse to hurt him.

And listen, I've seen some discourse about Zuko fighting back. But one, Zuko is not a skinny little kid here. I do wish they had cast a child actor but at the same time, Liu is so good that I can forgive that. So we have to accept a Zuko who is a little older and does not look as visibly like a child. Two, it doesn't matter whether Zuko fought back, nothing Ozai does to him is justified, but Ozai was absolutely looking for an excuse. The only thing that changes here is the excuse itself. The end result is the same, that Ozai deliberately hurt his son.

Azula's look of fascination is pretty perfect.

Aang's actor is good here. This is the scene between Aang and Zuko in the OG. Not sure why it was necessary for Zuko and Aang to have that talk before if they were also going to keep this scene. Again, this show has a problem with the pacing because characters keep stopping to give unnecessary exposition. I know we all want more Aang and Zuko but it doesn't quite work.

I still don't think Ozai's justification works.

The idea of Zuko's crew being the 41st is compelling. The idea that Ozai punished Zuko for having compassion by making him responsible for the people he refused to dehumanize, perhaps in the hope that he would eventually come to hate them. And it seemed like it was on its way to working. What I hate is the way the show frames things here by making it seem like it's the crew's responsibility to understand Zuko, and then suddenly they all worship him. The original showed us that Zuko still had compassion, and that was what earned the crew's respect, more than Iroh's story. It's also weird to have this happen after Zhao commandeers the crew, because Jee was right, that he, especially, knows the penalty for not following orders, and knowing Zuko's story only emphasizes how little autonomy the 41st actually have when up against someone like Zhao.

[fagbearentertainment]

The William Afton rant is complete. It’s barely proof read bc I’ve been writing it on and off all day so if I contradict myself at some point woops :p

It’s also written exactly how I would be talking about it irl so it’s the authentic infodump experience

Just know that y’all asked for this

So through the first 3 games William is like the PERFECT villain for the series. Knowing next to nothing about him or his motives makes him TERRIFYING, to me at least, and how he’s portrayed in fnaf 1 and 2 sets him up PERFECTLY to be the big bad in 3.

Speaking of Springtrap i fucking love him. Such a cool concept, William being stuck suffering in that suit like his victims is *chefs kiss*, and imo he’s executed great in fnaf 3. I swear if the jumpscare wasn’t shit the fandom wouldn’t hate it like they do the game really isn’t that bad (comparing it to everything that came after at least)

Also Springtrap is actually the best animatronic design in the whole series so my guy wins /lighthearted

Anyway William, solid 8/10 antagonist, very interesting and I’d love to learn more about him

So all of that might have you thinking “jee after all that you must’ve LOVED Sister Location!” well…

It’s complicated. Like I don’t hate William in this game or even the books. A sci-fi villain obsessed with cheating death at all costs is really fucking cool I like that

the real problem I have with it is that. Given what we know about the other games, the world set up in them, and the fact that Sister Location probably happened before all the other games, it just seems really outta nowhere

Honestly I could rant all day about my other issues with Sister Location but this is about William not whatever all that was so we’ll move on

Anyway all that aside I can enjoy what Williams got going on here because I really enjoyed Pizzeria Simulators ending and hey at least William wasn’t something stupid like a computer virus who mind controls people to keep killing kids for some reason!

*stares at Help Wanted*

Anything I say here is something y’all have heard a million times by now so just know I do not like William being a computer virus, it’s stupid even for fnaf standards and makes Pizzeria Simulator basically pointless. Also Glitchtrap should’ve been called Malhare the pun was RIGHT THERE

Ok that’s enough of the games let’s talk about the movie! I’m so fucking excited to see William and Springtrap in the movie y’all don’t even know. Can’t say much about him yet because the movies not out yet but I’m very excited to see where they go with him, whether they expand on Remnant and the sci-fi approach or go back to just a regular serial killer it’ll end up 10x better than what’s currently happening *stares at Security Breach*

Anyway long story short I love William Afton, he’s a very interesting character and a great villain (for the most part) very excited for the movie and Matthew Lillard was a great casting choice

[useramor]

buckleys, am i right? rated: G | wc: 1.5k

what eddie and chim talk about when they go to the diner after 6x02

also on ao3

Eddie and Chimney don’t spend a lot of time just the two of them. Not for any particular reason, but Chimney usually spends his downtime with Maddie or Hen, and Eddie does his best to keep his heart from crawling into his throat every time he’s away from Buck.

But Hen’s been in a weird space with her finals, barely enough energy to stand without swaying, and Buck’s reeling from the loss on the scene, so Eddie and Chimney get a table for two at Larry’s Diner and try to ignore the awkward stillness.

The waitress comes by, a small girl with blue glasses and a chirpy demeanor. Eddie gets eggs and bacon, sunny side up and the strips extra crispy. 

Chimney, because he is who he is, gets a large stack of pancakes.

They’ve been to this diner a few times, usually with more people. Typically, Eddie’s fondly smacking Buck’s hand away when he tries to steal Eddie’s bacon, despite having some still on his plate. Hen and Chim have their silent eyebrow conversations, which usually ends in Hen rolling her eyes and giving Chimney a slice of her french toast.

At least he asks. Even if he does it silently. 

“So,” Chim starts, folding his hands on the top of the table. “We don’t really do this,” he points out with a tilt of his head.

Eddie chuckles, leaning back in his seat, mug of coffee in one hand. “No, not really.”

“Is it weird?”

Eddie considers it for a moment.

In a way, it sort of is. Eddie’s seen Chim at some of his lowest moments, and Chim might not have been in the room while Eddie desperately clutched a baseball bat between his white-knuckled fists, but he knows. He’s the heart of their station, of course he knows, but it’s one thing to have Chim rush over to him after a well collapses on top of him, and it’s another to make easy conversation over breakfast.

Though, in another way, it really isn’t. 

“It doesn’t have to be,” Eddie settles on, taking a sip of his coffee. “How’s Jee-Yun?” he asks, because kids are safe. Eddie could talk about Christopher for days on end, and he knows Chim can do the same for his daughter.

Predictably, he lights up, adjusting himself in his seat. 

“She’s great. I mean, she’s so big now, it’s kind of crazy. It feels like just yesterday I was holding her for the first time, and now she can say words and walk and—man, it’s probably the best and worst feeling in the world at the same time.”

Eddie shakes his head, smiling down at the table before meeting Chimney’s eyes.

He gets it. Gets it down to the bone, down to the blood in his veins. Christopher is eleven and six and a newborn, and it’s scary. It’s scary, but it’s the best thing he’s ever done. The only thing that matters.

The only thing that even comes close is loving Buck.

Not that they’re ready for that, but Eddie knows they will be. Buck went from hating him to being his best friend in the space between a breath, but it’s easy to trust a friendship. Your entire heart isn’t sitting on a platter, you’re not giving anyone ammunition to put another bullet through your shoulder.

But, god, it’ll be worth it. When they get there—because it’s a when, not an if, Eddie’s sure of that much—it’ll be the low simmer of homemade caramel, it’ll be the quiet sizzle of butter on a hot pan, and it’s a good thing they’re at breakfast, because Eddie’s clearly only thinking about food. 

“I get it, man. I wasn’t there for a lot of Christopher’s early milestones, but I remember the day he was born. The sterile smell of the hospital, the harsh lights—you don’t forget it.”

Chimney laughs, their conversation pausing so their waitress can drop off their food. 

“I don’t want to forget it, honestly,” Chimney says, picking up right where they left off. “She’s growing up so fast, the thought of forgetting any of it feels like a punch to the gut.” 

“It does. I wasn’t there, but I still remember Christopher’s smiling face on the other side of the screen. He was so small…sometimes I can’t believe I wasn’t there, but I gotta remember I’m lucky I get to be here now.”

“You should talk to Maddie. That was almost freaky, that’s basically exactly how she feels about her PPD.”

Eddie doesn’t know what to say to that, if he’s being honest. He knows Maddie because he knows Buck, and her impact is in everything he does. He loves her for that, has considered sending her a gift basket for raising Buck to be the person he is on more than one occasion. 

But he doesn’t know Maddie.

He doesn’t think he’d mind it, though.

“Honestly? That might be nice.”

Chimney's smile is a little shocked, clearly not expecting the answer.

“Really? That’s awesome, man, I’ll let her know.”

“How is Maddie, by the way?”

The glint in Chimney’s eyes is dangerous and all too knowing. He takes a bite of his pancakes, moaning far too loud for a public setting at the maple syrup. 

He doesn’t bother swallowing before he asks, because when does Chimney ever?

“How’s Buck?”

Eddie splutters, and feels his face turning bright red. He’d blend in with the ladder truck if they were back at the station. He takes a bite of his eggs to distract from the way Chim’s eyebrows keep climbing. 

“No way,” he says, fork clattering against the plate. Chimney laughs incredulously. Eddie sits frozen, unsure of how to react. “I didn’t think—”

“Buck’s good,” Eddie interrupts. “He, uh, he’s helping Chris with an art assignment, so my house is currently littered with art supplies. And–and he’s been trying to cook more elaborate dinners, which. Is really nice, actually. He made Bobby’s lasagna a little while ago, and it was, y’know. Good.”

“That lasagna takes hours.” 

“Chris and I helped,” he says sheepishly.

Eddie doesn’t think he’s ever seen Chim look so bright eyed and mischievous in his life.

“I mean—I thought, y’know? Because Buck only talks about you and Chris when he comes over for dinner, and Maddie’s been suspicious for a while, but he’s never been anything but straight.” Chim takes a bit of his food. “Or, at least, that we know of. Is he?”

“Um, we haven’t talked about it? And I wouldn’t out him, either, but I think so? I hope so, at least.”

“But you are. Not straight, I mean. Because you’re in love with him.” 

And it’s not like Eddie could deny it if he tried.

And trust him, he’s tried.

“Yeah,” he breathes out, tilting his head back. The lighting in Larry’s is warm and soft, but the morning sun shines bright through the window, and Eddie has to blink away little black spots in his vision when he turns back to Chim.

“Buckleys, am I right?” Chimney offers when it’s clear Eddie’s at a loss for what to say. He hasn’t admitted it out to anyone, but it feels right to admit it to Chim.

“God, you really are. Something about them.”

Chimney points a syrup covered fork at him. “Don’t go getting any ideas, though. Maddie’s mine.” “I have my own Buckley, thanks.”

Chimney hums. “You sound pretty sure about that.”

Eddie is. He and Buck were doomed, destined, fated to fall in love from the start. There was a lifetime of obstacles, but Eddie’s at the fucking finish line, and he can see Buck coming up just behind him. 

They’ll get their happy ending. Eddie’s not doubting that.

“I am. I mean, he’s already basically Christopher’s second parent.”

Realization dawns on Chimney’s face.

“You baby trapped him,” he says, his laughter bordering on a cackle.

Eddie laughs, too, floaty and bubbly and so happy to be able to have this conversation out loud.

“Not on purpose? One day he was my best friend, the next day I was falling in love with him and making him my son’s other father.” 

“Therapy’s really working for you, man. That was more honesty and vulnerability than I think I know what to do with. Especially from you.”

He grins, smiling down at his plate.

“Yeah, well.”

“You know,” Chim starts, looking at him pointedly. “Someone once told me tomorrow isn’t promised to anyone, and if you love someone you should tell them.”

“Didn’t I say that?”

Chimney shrugs, “Someone’s gotta give you your own advice.”

Eddie rolls his eyes with a smile, finishing the coffee. 

Soon, he figures, thinking of inviting Buck over later so they can watch a movie to get his mind off the call. Thinks of Buck smiling in Eddie’s kitchen, beer bottle pressed against his lips. Thinks of Buck’s shoulder brushing against his as they cook, the look on his face when Chris gives him a hug like he hasn’t been his parent for years.

Yeah. Soon. 

[elvensorceress]

fuck it friday 

tagged by @dickley-buddie @spotsandsocks and @monsterrae1 💕

since I've been working on this Thing I posted Wednesday ( @alyxmastershipper darling and @imeasyeitherway 😘) have some more

tagging @fleurdebeton @eddiediazisascorpio @masterminddiaz @megslovesbooks @loveyourownsmiilee @eddiediass @messyhairdiaz 💕

Eddie closes the fridge and turns toward Buck. They’re so close, so in each other’s space, and it doesn’t feel like enough. He takes hold of Buck’s shoulder so Buck will look at him, focus on him. It has to be that Buck’s feeling lonely. Like he doesn’t belong anywhere, to anyone. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Hey,” Eddie says gently. “Talk to me? What has you worrying about this?”

Buck sighs and for a moment, it seems like he wants to lean into Eddie. He starts to reach out, and Eddie is completely ready to pull him into a hug, if that’s what he’s needing. But Buck pulls away. He steps backward. 

“I don’t think you’d get it.” Buck shakes his head at himself. “It doesn’t matter though. It is what it is.”

Eddie frowns. “You could try explaining instead of being cryptic. What wouldn’t I get?”

Buck looks around, likely debating with himself if he’s not trying to decide what to say. His gaze lands on the fridge. The photos Christopher picked out and wanted hung up. Eddie and Chris. Shannon and Chris. A silly one of just Chris. Buck stares at all three pictures, and Eddie should have found one with Buck in it. They should have pictures of Buck. Everywhere in their home. 

“You don’t know what it’s like,” Buck says softly, still focused on the photographs. “You love Chris. More than anything. I know exactly how much he means to you. I know he’s everything to you. But you never had a chance to…”

He sounds so defeated. So lost. Like he’s given up. It makes twisting uneasy worry flood through Eddie’s stomach. “To what?” 

Buck rubs the center of his chest like it hurts. Tears shimmer in his eyes. “To want a child. And not have one. To want so badly to be a parent that it hurts. It hurts so much you can’t breathe because you know it may never happen. Adoption agencies prefer couples and conceiving requires two people, and I know everyone would tell me the same damn thing — that being a donor isn’t the same as being a father and how could you walk away from a kid who is biologically yours? But it’s not about me or what I want. It’s that I know what it’s like.” His voice breaks and his breath hitches. 

Buck quickly wipes at the tears leaking from his eyes. “I know how it feels to ache for a child and not be able to have one. When I was with Taylor, I was sure she never wanted a kid. And I would rather give up on the idea of ever being a father than even think of having a kid with someone who didn’t really want one. Because the only thing worse than never having a family is knowing that my child wouldn’t be wanted by their other parent. I couldn’t do that to anyone. I just… I keep thinking. About my friends wanting kids and about how all the people closest to me are parents. And about how Jee-Yun is perfect and so fun to be around and how I could spend weeks doing nothing but taking care of her. And then I think about Chris. And— and how much I love him. I love him more than anything, too. And how there is a scenario where I would end up his father. And it would mean… it would mean losing you.” 

Buck covers his face with both hands and sobs, and Eddie can’t think of anything else. He closes the distance Buck put between them and wraps Buck tightly in his arms. 

It feels like it’s been a century since they were this close, since they’ve held each other — have they ever held each other? For longer than a second? — but it also feels like they’re never supposed to be apart. He rubs a hand over Buck’s back and cradles Buck’s head against his own shoulder. 

He knows Buck loves kids. He was convinced Buck wanted to be a father long before he ever brought it up. He’s heard the stories about how Maddie always gave little Evan the baby dolls she didn’t want or had grown out of, and how he would cuddle with them when he was especially lonely, how he wanted to take his favorite little pink girl with curly brown hair everywhere when he was six years old. So much so that his parents took all the dolls in the house and donated them somewhere because he wasn’t supposed to have them. 

Eddie’s changed his mind. He wishes he could give Christopher to Buck all over again. He wishes they could share custody. Christopher should have Buck. And Buck should have Chris. And Eddie would have ten more kids if he and Buck were raising them together. 

Okay, maybe not ten. But more for sure. 

He strokes Buck’s hair and whispers to him, “There is kid, at a park across town with all his friends, who is without question your son. He talks like you sometimes. He dances like you. He’s goofy and way too smart for his own good. Just like you. And when he is all grown up, he is going to remember you as someone who raised him. He knows you’re someone who loves him like he’s yours. You saved him, you protect him, you take care of him. At some point, he probably won’t remember his life before he met you. He’s going to look at you for the rest of his life like you are also his father.” 

[hippolotamus]

For the fic title ask: Buddie, ‘Save the last dance for me’

Dearest Owl, I know the title doesn't match, but I hope you love it anyway 🦉🚒🦛

for the record | 2453 Words | Rated T

Happy birthday again, sis.” Buck gathers Maddie in a tight embrace as long as she’ll let him. Since she came home from Boston, it’s been more difficult for him to keep these moments from stretching out. “Tell Jee I’m looking forward to seeing my favorite girl next week.”

“No worries about that, little brother. She cannot stop talking about it. Well, at least, as much as a toddler can. Which is a surprising amount, even if I can’t understand it all.” Maddie notes with an affectionate, sleepy smile. “Thanks again for tonight, Evan. I really did not see this coming.”

Warmth floods his chest, spreading outward across his limbs. She looks tired, but that’s to be expected. It’s late, she’s back working at dispatch, all while attempting to reconfigure a life that includes her partner and child. Beneath that Buck can see her usual radiance. The sunshine he recognizes from an otherwise lonely childhood. It’s been far too long since he saw her this way. Smiling, pleased, laughing. Living.

“Anything for you, Mads. I, uh, figured it might be better luck to surprise you here instead of Bobby and Athena’s place. Y’know, after what happened last time.” Buck involuntarily winces, recalling the details people told him afterward about collapsing on the Grant-Nash patio, nearly choking on his own blood.

He hates the instant frown on Maddie’s face, part of her classic ‘Big Sister’ look. The kind that says she already knows he’s suffered enough for that particular error in judgment, but is never going to let him forget how worried she was. How much she still prioritizes his well-being.

“Anyway, you only turn twenty-nine… how many times is it now?” He tries to lighten the mood again, wanting to end the evening on a high note.

“And that is why we don’t let you do math, Buckaroo,” Chim interjects, taking Maddie’s hand, threading their fingers together. “We need to go home and get some rest. Unfortunately, Jee still hasn’t learned the concept of sleeping past 6 am.”

“Ohh, that is rough. Now get out of here, both of you.” Buck loves kids, but he also values sleeping in. He makes a shooing motion with his hands, playfully pushing them into the hallway.

“Goodnight, Buck! Goodnight, Eddie!” Maddie and Chim exclaim in unison, already halfway to the elevator.

“Good… night?” Eddie sprints to the doorway, his heavy boots thudding against the floor, but isn’t able to catch them in time. “Okay, then,” he mutters, seemingly to himself.

Eddie disappears back to the living room. Or was he in the kitchen? Buck isn’t exactly sure as he closes the door, turning the lock before sagging against it and letting his eyelids fall closed. When he agreed to host Maddie’s party at his loft he hadn’t realized what an undertaking it would be. Even with all the planning and help from the rest of the team.

Bobby, Athena and May brought side dishes. Hen, Karen and Eddie hung decorations, brought the cake and chipped in for drinks. Between himself and Sue from dispatch, Buck made sure none of it got back to Maddie or Chim. He ultimately doesn’t feel too bad about the hushed discussions and occasional awkward excuses – however necessary – if it meant not burdening Chim with keeping a secret. Especially from Maddie.

“Does this thing actually work?”

Buck forces his eyes open at the sound of Eddie’s voice, pushing off the door to seek him out. He only has to take a few steps to find him casually tracing the edge of the record player. Buck would be lying if he said it didn’t immediately make him imagine what it might be like to have Eddie’s calloused fingertips brushing over his skin. Or leaving bruises on his hips from gripping him just this side of too much. Or any number of other things Buck definitely shouldn’t be thinking about with Eddie right in front of him.

“Uh, yeah. Of course, it does,” Buck says, choosing to sit on the opposite side of the kitchen island instead of drifting next to Eddie like he wants to. He figures a little distance, and privacy to adjust his pants, can only help until his body calms down. “Why?”

“I’ve just never heard you play anything on it. Not even tonight. I guess I just… wondered,” Eddie replies quietly, as though he’s inquiring about more than the functionality of the player.

Wondered what? Buck wants to ask as Eddie rubs his thumb along the corner of the protective cover. Instead he answers the not-quite question.

“I used to. When I first moved in. I stopped after the whole leg getting crushed under a ladder truck incident. Seeing as it was a literal pain to switch tracks.” Buck huffs out a humorless laugh. “After that I’m not really sure why I didn’t start again? I guess it didn’t seem worth it when Ali left, and Taylor found it, uh, distracting.”

“Hmm,” Eddie hums, pointing to the cabinet below. “This where you keep your collection?”

“I don’t know if I’d call it a collection, but yeah.”

It’s rude to stare, Buck knows that, but he can’t seem to stop. Not when Eddie slides the top drawer out, smooth and easy, gingerly lifting the stack of LPs, setting them upright. He handles them with care - like Eddie does with everything he touches. He flips through one by one, his tongue poking out between his lips as he inspects front-to-back then back-to-front again.

“God, I haven’t heard some of these since I was a kid,” Eddie comments. “Abuela would play them when me and my sisters stayed at her house.”

Buck smiles to himself, picturing a young Eddie listening to records with Abuela, maybe dancing in her living room or pretending to sing along. Perhaps both.

Like he knows what train of thought he’s interrupting, Eddie looks over with a hint of something bright and playful and curious. “Which one should we listen to first?”

Without even seeing the album covers Buck could list off which ones are there, and in what order. Still, he leaves his chair to peruse the options. And maybe because he’s always been drawn to Eddie, unable to stay away for too much time. Either way, it’s been a long day. An enjoyable one, but still lengthy, and Buck simply doesn’t have the willpower to maintain the distance anymore.

Eddie wordlessly presses their shoulders together while Buck pretends to reacquaint himself. Something they’ve done hundreds of times before, but manages to feel more intentional and weighted. Like Eddie wants Buck to be aware of his presence. As if Buck could ever not be.

Finally, Buck points to one near the back of the pile. Something loosens in his chest when he touches it, tapping it gently. As if the record had asked to be chosen and was now letting Buck know he chose correctly.

“This one.”

“This one?” Eddie repeats, his voice a bit huskier than Buck has ever heard before. He already wonders if he’ll get to hear it again. Eddie’s hand trails across the thin cardboard ridges, until the tips of their fingers meet.

“Y-yeah,” Buck stutters softly, pulling the neutral-toned square from the stack, trying to pretend his insides aren’t quivering like jello and his heart isn’t threatening to beat out of his chest. “I, uh, got this one at a thrift store. It was in a box with some others I really wanted, and the owner wouldn’t sell them separately. So it kinda came along for the ride.”

Buck proceeds to slide the disk out of the paper sleeve to place it on the spindle. “It all worked out, though. One day I put it on, just to know if it was worth keeping. I really liked the sound. It’s… different,” he says, carefully setting the needle at the edge of the vinyl.

Soft pops and crackles begin to play through the speaker, a sound he hasn’t heard in ages. It curls around him, soothing him down to his bones. Maybe that’s what possesses him then, what gives him the courage he’s never had before. It could also be a complete lack of filter from playing host all evening, or the tranquil melody of the music itself. Maybe all of it. Or maybe just Eddie, familiar and devastatingly handsome, who smells like the woodsy cologne Buck said he liked once.

“Dance with me?” The words fall out in a breathy, rushed request.

Eddie’s eyes widen for a beat, warm and brown and reflecting the Edison bulbs hanging overhead. He stares long enough that Buck begins to think he’s crossed a line. That he’s read everything all wrong and this perfect moment is about to come crashing down on him.

“I’m– I’m sorry. If you don’t want to-“ Buck cuts himself off, starting to withdraw. He can feel himself blinking rapidly, his legs becoming shaky as he attempts to take a step back.

“Buck.” Eddie says his name like maybe it’s not the first time. Buck is certain he hears a sharp intake of breath — whether it’s his own is questionable — when Eddie reaches over, encircling his wrist.

“Buck.” Softer this time, like a plea. Eddie skims over the thin skin and delicate bones until he laces their fingers together, pulls Buck to his chest. Their eyes meet again and Buck can’t tear himself away. He can’t see anything but Eddie, who’s swiping his tongue across his lips and tentatively winding one arm around Buck’s waist. “I do want.”

“Eddie,” Buck breathes, mirroring Eddie and letting one of his palms rest on Eddie’s shoulder.

Kiss me once, then kiss me twice

Then kiss me once again.

It's been a long, long time.

On the rare chance Buck has a dance partner these days, he’s used to being the one leading. The thought doesn’t even cross his mind when Eddie does so, guiding them in an easy, unhurried rhythm.

“You’re a surprisingly good dancer,” Buck blurts out.

“I may have done this once or twice.” Eddie’s teasing grin softens to something that Buck can only describe as fond before he adds, “You know, I’ve been trying to lead all my life, keep everything moving in the right direction. Maybe I just needed to find someone who doesn’t mind that I won’t always get it right, or if I step on their feet once in a while.”

Oh. Buck can feel his cheeks flush, the tingling heat licking up the back of his neck. It sounds a lot like Eddie’s saying that Buck might be that person. He’s not entirely sure what to do with that. But he knows he wants to be that someone for Eddie. In all ways. Not only at their job, or as a co-parent for Christopher.

Haven’t felt like this, my dear

since I can’t remember when

It’s been a long, long time

They continue swaying gently, filling Buck with the sort of optimism he would normally try to shove down before Eddie can say none of this means what he thinks it does. That he’s only imagining Eddie seems to be holding him closer. Or how simple and uncomplicated it feels. Like this moment – perhaps the most intimate and cared for he’s ever felt – is one more way he and Eddie are meant to be touching. Another level unlocked that could be something more. Something real.

You'll never know how many dreams

I've dreamed about you.

Or just how empty they all seemed without you.

The song comes to an end, leaving the needle drifting to the center and skipping on the inner ring. Buck bites the inside of his cheek, steeling himself to pull away if only because there’s no true reason to continue holding Eddie. Not like this, like someone Buck can keep. Except his body doesn’t appear to get the memo. Their hands stay linked and one of Buck’s remains fixed on Eddie’s shoulder. So he waits for Eddie to let go first, or move, or remind him to do something. But Eddie stays, too, lips parted and flicking his gaze down to Buck’s mouth, just for a moment. Just long enough.

Buck decides he can hate himself later for the words that tumble out next. “Eds, I– if I got this wrong can we promise to just forget it ever happened?”

Eddie blinks once, twice, looking like he might bolt as the implication of Buck’s question hits him. Buck nearly corrects himself, ready to play the question off as a joke. Because this – slow dancing with his best friend and feeling like they are on the precipice of something – all has to be the product of his love-addled brain. Until—

“I don’t think that’s possible,” Eddie whispers, sliding his palm around the back of Buck’s neck, pulling him in and claiming his mouth for a kiss that is everything Buck’s been hoping for. There are no traces of hesitation or doubt, only Eddie sighing, soft and content, like he’s been wanting just as much. Not that Buck only wants the physical connection. He’ll take any piece Eddie will let him have, but, truthfully, he wants all of them.

“Thank you for understanding where I was going with that,” Buck murmurs when they separate, feeling ecstatic and giddy because Eddie just kissed him. Finally.

Eddie‘s lips curve up in the private smile he only ever uses for Buck or Chris. “I guess you’re not so bad at leading either.”

“Maybe. But, uh, I have been, too. Waiting for someone. Because I am gonna mess up the steps sometimes.” Buck swallows around the nervous lump in his throat, looking at Eddie with a mix of hope and fear and anticipation. “I just really wanted to get it right this time. With you.”

“I know the feeling. I think we did, though. I know we did. Get it right this time, I mean.” Eddie presses a kiss to his birthmark that’s so tender Buck thinks he might cry.

There are so many things Buck wants to say, but can’t find the correct words for. Things that have been living in his head for years at this point. But if Eddie’s going to insist on being so casually goddamn romantic, it’s going to take Buck a minute. He cradles Eddie’s face in his hands, thinking maybe he can ask for the next best thing. At least for now. “Kiss me again?”

Eddie leans in, until their lips brush together when he speaks and Buck can taste every word. “For the record, always assume I want to kiss you. Once.” Eddie kisses the corner of his mouth. “Twice.” He kisses the other corner, then centers himself once again, murmuring against Buck’s mouth. “Forever.”

[lizardlicks]

one vague ATLA idea I have in mind for AU stuff is less specific but more of a broad AU spectrum and the general point is that instead of Team Avatar being a fairly small central group, they pick up people as they go along so that the folk who join them in the Zuko Friendship Arc and flee at the begining of the Southern Raiders stick around since their introduction; Haru, maybe a few members of Jet's crew, perhaps Jee from Zuko's crew following the end of Book Water, Chit Sang after the boiling rock, maybe even Iroh throughout Book One as a more extreme AU where Aang accidentally incapacitates Zuko and takes him hostage early on and Iroh and Zuko's crew go 'oh nooooo you have captured us and we're with you now I guess' while Iroh low key attempts to provide Aang perspective on the Fire Nation for dealing with them and some basics on Firebending philosophy, but anyway who else do you think would be interesting to see in this kind of AU joining up with Aang and his mission to free the world

Answering this TEN DAYS LATER OOPS

Personally I haven't thought about anyone else joining the gaang outside of Zuko joining the gaang early plots. First, I wouldn't include any of the adults. While yeah, there's something wrong with their world in the fact that actual teenagers have to save it from a century of war, if we actually stuck one of the adults into the group dynamics, they would alter the story and themes in a way I don't find satisfying. Too many of their own motivations and personal hang ups. Iroh works for Zuko because Zuko doesn't really have friends or any other social support, but even so to get to the core of Zuko, we have to separate Iroh's direct influence on him.

So for the other kids: NGL I think Haru as a character is boring. he's dry wheat toast. He exists only as a vessel for katara's hero complex. Teo could be a lot of fun; him and Aang play off each other really well, and it would give us more non-bender rep.

Jet I could not see willingly giving up his leadership role and joining the gaang. He might butt heads with Sokka first, but eventually he would piss off "everyone works together and does their fair share" katara, "I don't respect any form of authority" toph, and even "we're all friends and equals here" aang when he won't give any slack to the reigns-- metaphorically but also possibly literally. Similarly, I don't think smellerbee or longshot would willingly leave jet.

I love The Duke and Toph's relationship. I would have thought of anyone in the gaang for him to latch onto he would have gone with Aang or Sokka, but him looking up to and becoming really good friends with Toph is just really good. And him and Pipsqueak are more non bender rep too!

Suki joining the gaang earlier than canon would be great, especially if she brought a couple other kyoshi warriors along with and we got to see more of their dynamic as a group! Plus more sukka, and Sokka in the kw outfit.

Yue. Alright I apparently lied above, Yue is definitely one that I've thought about joining the gaang. In AUs where Yue lives, her getting out of the North and coming into her own as a person who can assert her expertise and authority is a big deal for her. Might also add some fascinating conflict: did she leave with Arnook's blessing or did she see an opportunity and leap??

Thousands of words have been devoted to the "zuko joins the gaang early" tag, but here's mine:

Zuko knows Azula. He knows not to trust when she puts her hands up and claims defeat. It's an old, old trick, not even a clever one, and they both know it. When her smile falls on uncle, Zuko doesn't even think twice. He's burned before. He knows how. Sinks into that familiar pain like an embrace from an old friend.

Iroh is horrified when Zuko drops like a stone (sick with guilt that he has to see this again, again, it never seems to end). Zuko stays down. His nephew never stays down. He begs the gaang for help, pleads for a mercy he knows neither of them have yet earned. They hesitate, but Toph also insists; Mushi, Iroh, whoever he is, he was kind to her. Whatever his nephew did, the other kids are alive and whole enough to bitch about him, so it couldn't have been so bad as to deserve a slow, painful death.

Katara pulls back his clothes, revealing the burns, the deep purple-black bruises from his fight with the earthbender soldiers, his starvation and exhaustion. It's abundantly clear to everyone that Zuko needs more help than they can give just standing around in an abandoned desert town, and the kids are exhausted. Iroh asks one more favor, a big one: watch over his nephew and keep him out of trouble while Iroh tracks down some old friends who will help find someplace safe for them to hide.

It's only supposed to be temporary, but now the gaang have to deal with wrangling a cranky, ornery firebender who's ass much a threat to himself as he is to them.

[stagefoureddiediaz]

Costume Meta 6x16

Thank you costume department for giving me an easy ride this week after a couple of weeks of epics!!!!

So there aren’t a lot of costumes to talk about this week (only 9) and only for 4 characters - Jee-Yun, Maddie, Chimney and Hen. Everyone else was in uniform the entire time. There wasn’t even all that much going on with the uniforms to talk about either - they didn’t single anyone character out as separate from the rest!

In more general terms we got to see check and stripe theory at play again on the characters in peril or trouble. We continue to get children in peril foreshadowing going on and I was obsessed with the choice to put Jayden in an army green zip up top an a tee with hand prints all over the front. It wasn’t only a nod towards the many voices making light work of locating him when he snuck off, but it also would appear to be foreshadowing for the idea that it will take many hands to rescue Chim (and whomever else needs saving) in the finale.

As always its below the cut to save your dash!

Jee-Yun

Baby Jee why you have to be so cute? Ok so other than the adorable way she kept staring at Bobby in the scene in his office her little denim jacket was very cute. I’m intrigued by the fact that we had Chris in a denim jacket last week and we’ve got Jee in one this week, I think I’ve talked about it in one of my previous costume meta’s, but Denim jackets are a symbol of rebellion, freedom, change and comfort. To me the use of these denim jackets (and we can include the sort of one Maddie wore in this as well) are a form of foreshadowing - telling us that change is coming/happening. For Chris last week it could be symbolic of the Diaz boys moving on from Shannon and while still honouring her and including her in their lives, they are in a place to make change and move forward. While For Jee it is being connected in with the engagement ring and so represents the change in family dynamic that is upcoming reenforcing the engagement (and subsequent marriage) of Madney. In both cases the suggestion is that the change will be a comfortable one.

these pyjamas are just so lovely - I want grown up sized ones please!! They do however have some super interesting potential meanings attached to them. Firstly I would not be surprised if the choice of floral pyjamas (again attached to the ring) are foreshadowing Jee-Yun flower girl duties at the Madney wedding. Secondly the choice to have ones that are only partly coloured in is interesting - it suggests there is still ongoing work and that things aren’t finished yet - its a work in progress - here telling us the engagement isn’t a foregone conclusion in the way we perhaps think - there are lots of ways this could be read - Maddie proposing before Chim, Jee handing the ring over, the ring being found, them both proposing to each other - lots of possibilities - the unfinished nature of the pyjama print is likely telling us things are not going to go as we expect them to! then there is the types of flowers on the pyjamas and wha they mean in relation to the arc of this episode, but also more widely with Maddie. There are two main flowers on these pyjamas - gerbera daisies and sunflowers. Gerbera’s mean cheerfulness and loyal love, while the sunflowers represent happiness, loyalty, resilience, hope, endurance and enduring love and if you are not seeing how those meanings perfectly describe Madney then I don’t know what to tell you! Sunflowers are also closely connected with hidden disabilities and especially with mental health, this is where the resilience and endurance comes from - I think they are supposed to further highlight Maddie’s mental health struggles which were discussed in the episode, but their appearance on Jee show us the bright side - the hope that comes from fighting on and coming out the other side - it ultimately connects into the ‘I got out of the ocean for you, for both of you’ of it all - the idea of following your own personal sun!

Maddie

Fascinated by the choice to have Madde in black and purple for both her costumes this week. The first is a black top under a black jacket with a yellow and purple check pattern as well as a cat, skull and wing logo dotted across the jacket. Black is a power colour, but it is also about concealing vulnerabilities, while purple can be a colour that encourages self knowledge and deepens our understanding of our innermost self. I think their use in both costumes here is not so much about Maddie in the scenes we see her in, as much as it is reflecting on the amount of growth and work she has done on herself to get to where she is right now - how she concealed how vulnerable she was from everyone including Chimney back in season 5 when she was at her lowest with PPD. Then the presence of purple shows us how much Maddie has learnt and how far she has come - it is an indicator of her current state - she is in a good place and has a good understanding of both herself and of her relationship with Chimney. That isn’t to say that Maddie isn’t still concealing vulnerability - we have seen her talk with Josh about not wanting to change the status quo because they are in a good place so there is still an element of underlying tension etc which will need to be resolved before the engagement can become a reality.

Then we get this black shirt worn with bright purple sweats. The two heart necklaces are worn in both scenes this episode, the smaller heart necklace is a new one, the larger one has been around all season and has seemingly been used interchangeably to represent different characters at different times. What I find interesting about Maddie now having two hearts rathe than one is that idea that the large heart was much more about family - this included Buck. It still does mean family, but now with the smaller heart it suggests there is a division between familial love and a different type of love - romantic love. To me this diviion at this moment is important. it tells us that Maddie has previously kept Chimney in the box of family - so while she loves him and is in love with him and fully committed to the relationship they have, it has always been a whole - a part of her familial love. This has been a self preservation tactic for her - she still bears the scars of her marriage to Doug and keeping Chimney in the box alongside family is a way of her protecting herself. Now though, now we have it separated - it is smaller, not because it is lesser, but because it is a tentative step - testing the waters as it were - a representation of Maddie deciding that it is safe enough to set that love free properly, that she is ready to take that leap again and have a marriage not just a family.

Chim

Chim being almost entirely in grey this week (with a blue marl tee under the grey zip front hoodie) started wit the grey shirt we see him in at the jewellery store. this shirt is a cleaver piece of costuming because it has both a horizontal stripe and a check pattern on it. the white horizontal stripes play in to stripe theory - change is coming for Chim, while the darker grey vertical lines help to create a check pattern which continues the Chim in check theme we’ve seen all series and is very much foreshadowing his being in danger and impending injury.

Chim’s grey zip front hoodie is a waffle knit which gives it a subtle check pattern, so here again we have more check on Chimney - all building up to whatever peril he is going to be in in the season finale. Grey is a conservative colour and is associated with being unemotional but also compromise. It is also a colour of  stability and control, so I found it especially fascinating for him to be wearing it throughout this episode where he appears to be anything but unemotional, stable and in control! 

I do however thing the grey is an intentional call back to his father - who we saw in a lot of grey. It makes me think of the conversation Chim had abut his father with Myung-Soon about him not being able to make his first relationship work, or his business, however his relationship with Myung-Soon has workd - well as has his business - when he was in the right place. 

With their being a loud call back to Tatiana and Chim not being able to make that relationship work because ultimately they wanted different things, whereas his relationship with Maddie has worked despite all of the obstacles they have faced and Chimney is successful in his career (hello very pointed visual of Chim in the captains chair and office!). I’m also amused at the choice to have him wearing a head torch - a nod to the ring box having a little light in it and it being empty - in the same way that Chim’s search for the ring in the garbage heap is also coming up empty.

Hen

This Celtic knot jumper is my favourite outfit of the episode. the red white and blue hints at patriotism, but in this case I think the patriotism is code for being supportive towards your friends and family - as we see Hen doing here - supporting Chim even though she has reservations about him proposing to Maddie. 

The use of Celtic knots - specifically the Solomons Knot is a really cool choice. Celtic knots in a general sense mean infinity or eternity - and can be attached to various concepts such as faith, friendship or romantic love. The Solomons knot specifically has connections to wisdom and knowledge as well as having a connection to the endless cycle of time and the concept of setting things in motion. These are all meanings that connect with this scene so well, the other thing to consider though is that these knots aren’t just found in western culture. they are commonly found in African culture - the knot is often found on the clothing of the Yoruba people where it denotes royal status, and on the people of the Kuba, it has a very different meaning, it is known as the Kramo bone symbol and means "one being bad makes all appear to be bad"

The duality of meanings is fascinating to me - I think the jumper is signalling Hens unending love for Chimney as her friend, but also hints at her reservations about Maddie - that idea of one being bad makes all bad is pretty interesting in the context - the idea that Hen isn't convinced about Maddie because she 'abandoned' Chimney and Jee once. It hints at Hen making sweeping decisions or forming an opinion based on one thing rather than seeing the whole picture - its about Hen not being in the relationship and therefore not seeing all the parts of it - its a direct call to The speech Eddie made on Bucks balcony in season 5 about Buck not being in Maddie and Chim’s relationship and Buck loving Maddie in a different way to the way Chim loves her because he knows her in a different context. 

Yellow hoodied Hen my beloved! Its just such a good colour on her! It does of course (as always) represent communication - and in this instance, a representation of the fact that Hen and Chimney are communicating properly once more - they had their talk and are now back on the same page and back to getting themselves into trouble together! The white trousers we definitely a choice! Although I think what the costume department were trying to do here was show Hen getting her hands dirty in a physical way - in a visual representation of penance - undertaking a mucky and unpleasant task asa way of making up for her not talking openly with Chim about her concerns. 

“Oh what a tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive!” The Walter Scott quote appears apt on the surface for this hoodie Hen wears at the end of the episode, as it looks to be a web like design. I however didn’t think the web metaphor fit here - if we’d seen her in it at the beginning of the episode, it absolutely would as she tangled herself up in a web throughout the episode. 

To me it looks more like shattered glass or broken ice (interestingly enough the pattern is described as sea ice on the designers website!) both are perfect analogies for Hen at this moment - her preconceived notions and her illusions and worries have been shattered. The broken glass could represent the image she saw of how things were in Madney’s relationship have been shattered - it can represent her dismantling the image she saw - the reflection (which is never the actual reality) and recognising it as false enabling her to move on and forward. The broken ice metaphor is both playing into the concept of ‘breaking the ice’ like those silly office team building games etc that get played - Hen breaking the ice post her and Chim’s big conversation from earlier. But the broken ice metaphor can also be about being trapped in a way of thinking and without obvious escape without help. It’s a nod to the fact that Chimney offering his forgiveness to Hen is an act of breaking the ice that had covered their relationship - Hen being the one wearing it is a representation of the person who created the ice in the first place. 

I didn’t manage to get this out as quickly as I’d hoped this week, real life decided it wanted me to be very busy!! But I go there in the end! hope you enjoyed reading it and let’s see what next week brings us (I think it might be a case of normal service resuming and there being a million costumes to talk about!!

As always, tag list below! Until the next episode! 💜💜💜

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