#at least as something with any actual Romantic Coding. has the kind of rivals > friends > lovers plotline as well which is always fun.

[starflungwaddledee]

Hear me out…Meta Knight and Starstruck

✧˖°.✧ gravity ✧˖°.✧ ɡravɪti (noun) 1. the force that attracts a body towards the centre of the earth or towards any other physical body having mass 2. the degree of intensity of gravity, measured by acceleration 3. extreme importance; seriousness 4. solemnity of manner

[metalandmagi]

Winter 2021 Anime Worth Watching!

Since 2020 basically sacrificed itself to give us the most stacked anime season of all time, I’m currently buried under the weight of almost 20 shows airing per week. So for anyone who’s looking for some anime to watch this winter, here’s some first impressions! I’m speed running my list this time by only talking about the new shows...because otherwise this would be my great American novel. 

If anyone’s interested, I have master lists for both 2020 anime and 2019 anime, because there’s no shortage of fun things to find. 

New Shows!

And before anyone asks, So I’m A Spider, So What? isn’t on here, because CG spiders freak me out.

Cells At Work Code Black: This...less comedic spin off of Cells At Work (made by a different studio) takes the wholesome concept of Osmosis Jones meets cute anime girls and turns it on its head. In this much more depressing version, we follow a rookie red blood cell who works in the body of an overly stressed, alcoholic smoker who puts every strain on the body imaginable. I love Red Blood Cell AA2153 and his co-workers, but man am I glad we get the regular Cells At Work airing this season too, because I need something fun and uplifting after seeing my sweet son go through hell every episode. 

*Heaven’s Design Team: Have you ever wondered how God came up with some of the weird ass animals that live on this planet? Like, what’s the deal with giraffes? And why can’t we have dragons and flying horses? Well this is a comedy about the engineers and designers in heaven creating the new animals that are going to inhabit the Earth. That’s it, that’s the show. It’s kind of in the same vein as Cells At Work, having comedy blend with a surprising amount of educational information. If you want something light and funny, this is the show for you (though I don’t think it needs to have full length episodes). I’m just hoping there’s an episode about how the hell the platypus was created. Also it’s the only new one available on Crunchyroll.

Horimiya: A romantic comedy about a girl named Hori who fits the image of a perfect queen bee and a quiet bespectacled boy named Miyamura who never makes an impression at school. When the two meet by chance outside of the classroom, we see that Hori is practically raising a younger brother by herself, and Miyamura is actually a sweet guy who happens to be covered in tattoos and piercings. This show is an exercise in breaking down the images people have of others in their minds, and it’s a concept that really hits home in a fun and meaningful way. Honestly, this has become one of my immediate favorites. The characters have great chemistry, and I can’t wait to see more of them!

Monster Incidents (Kemono Jihen): When big shot Tokyo detective Inugami is called to a rural town to investigate a series of strange animal deaths, he finds a mysterious boy with the nickname Dorotabo who has been shunned by the other children in town. As the detective gets closer to Dorotabo, he discovers that there may be more...inhuman secrets to the boy than he realizes...and Dorotabo discovers that Inugami has some secrets of his own. This is a hard show to sell without spoiling the first episode, but it had twists and turns that kept me engaged from start to finish. I’m really interested to see where the plot goes, because I thought this was going to be something totally different just from the PV and series summary. If it plays its cards right, this could be a great paranormal detective show!

Wonder Egg Priority: A psychological drama about a girl named Ai who starts having dreams about a mysterious egg that promises to give her what she wants most in the world...a true friend. Before long, she begins to see how the dream world and reality are tied together, and trippy antics ensue. It’s hard to say more without spoiling anything, but I had to go back and add this one in because I made the mistake of thinking it was an OVA when it’s actually a full series. And what a series it’s starting out to be. This anime has all the psychological discomfort of a Satoshi Kon product with the beauty and style of something from Kyoani (even though it’s made by Clover Works). It’s really one of those anime you just have to see to understand.

Sk8-∞ (Skate the infinity): An original skateboarding anime from Bones, featuring a typical sports anime protagonist who takes a new transfer student who has never skateboarded in his life under his wing. Together they compete in dangerous races and take the skating community by storm. The character designs rival Appare Ranman’s in outlandish creativity, and I can smell the main characters’ ship dynamic a mile away (considering they’re exactly the same as the protagonists from Robihachi). If you’re looking for some wild and crazy fun with top notch skateboarding animation, don’t skip this!

2.43: Seiin Koukou Danshi Volley-bu (Seiin High School Boys Volleyball Club): Yes, it’s another volleyball anime. And no, it’s not just a clone of Haikyu. This story follows Yuni Kuroba, a physically built but emotionally weak teenager who finds out his childhood friend Hajime is moving back to their hometown for high school. Yuni discovers Hajime has become an exceptional volleyball player and they join their school’s volleyball club hoping to turn the unknown team into a rising star. If anything, this anime is much more like Stars Align or Free, where the sport is a backdrop for letting the characters explore their personal problems. Or at least it seems that way after the first episode. I went into this show ready to throw it in the trash because how could anything compete against my beloved Haikyu, but I found myself really enjoying the dynamics of the main duo and I’m curious to see what the rest of the team is like.

And speaking of sports anime rip-offs…..I can’t believe I’m including this but…

Skate Leading Stars: The show where the animators clearly wanted to design another throw away idol anime but saw how popular Yuri On Ice was so they decided to make whatever the hell this show is instead. It revolves around a fictional team sport called skate leading, and we follow the world’s most insufferable main character, a former figure skater named Kensei who wants to return to the ice and join his school’s skate leading team after he finds out his childhood rival is going to compete in the sport. Look, this show is just trashy enough to get a certain type of audience hooked, and it mainly has to do with the best boy of the winter season, Hayato Sasugai, the aspiring team “coach” who pulled most of us into watching this show with his punk appearance, snide comments and smug personality. He’s basically the lovechild of Izaya Orihara and Shizuo Heiwajima in a high school sports anime setting. The show treats itself with the perfect amount of sincerity to get away with being absolutely ridiculous most of the time without making you feel like you’re watching it from a dumpster...like Try Knights. You will know after one episode whether this show is for you. All I can say is, Hayato is worth the watch, and I haven’t seen any 3D animation used for the skating scenes (yet) so that’s a win for me. 

Honorable mention:

Jobless Reincarnation ( Mushoku Tensei): Yet another isekai where the main character is hit by a car (big surprise) and gets reincarnated into a fantasy world...but he happens to remember his previous life and narrates himself growing up as a jaded adult. I’m only including this because it looked amazing animation wise, and I love the opening where getting hit by a car and dying is actually traumatic. And I love the protagonist’s parents (who are retired adventurers who just want to bang all the time). But honestly...the main character is the fucking worst, and I don’t know if I want to keep watching it because of how creepy and weird he is. Like...he’s the hit on your fantasy mom as a baby kind of creepy and weird. But for anyone who wants a cool looking isekai that had an amazing PV, it’s worth checking out. 

Continuing Series!

Because the real gold of the season is in all the established anime getting their next seasons, I’m just going to list some of the things that are also amazing and definitely worth checking out if you haven’t already (because I’ve already talked about most of them at some point and don’t know what else to say).

Attack On Titan season 4

The Promised Neverland season 2

Beastars season 2

Log Horizon season 3

That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime season 2

Re: Zero season 2 (second cour)

Dr. Stone season 2

Cells at Work season 2

Osomatsu-san season 3 (second cour)

Higurashi New (second cour)

Jujutsu Kaisen (second cour) 

Not to mention all the shows I don’t watch that everyone else loves...like World Trigger (which I have seen quite a bit of, but long shounen shows are too much for me now) Quintessential Quintuplets, and Non Non Biyori. 

So there’s just some of all the anime airing this season. Hopefully, someone can find something they like. Here’s to a great year...well, of anime at least...

[randomsnakesimp]

Day 11 - Friend

Seeing that this turned more into a rant, it's basically all one big "what I would have done different" section.

The girls being friends is, in the beginning, written beautifully, portrayed as a realistic, deep connection with ups and downs, disagreements and understanding. However, they appear incredibly isolated, more so since the one person we do see being friend with some of them yet not be a guardian turns out to be a major plot point. Not only do none of the girls have their own friend groups, almost every other female is portrayed as a rival or a mean girl their friendship has to overcome.

Also also any other friendship appears shallow as fuck. As I already stated in some post WHY on earth, if an older, larger, probably stronger person invited your friend on a date AND she said she wanted support because he made her nervous, and you show up and get bodied by monsters, HOW is the logical conclusion NOT "holy crap my friend got eaten/attacked, I need to use my sick new guardian skill to save her"?

This is even more drawn into attention when there is not one, but at least two stand alone comics later on in which one of the girls meets someone they bond with and that person is never seen again despite them having been a major plot point for one issue.

And don't get me started on outside friendships. The first comics were okay, I guess, with at least Cedric and Vathek, later Caleb and Vathek, Uriah's gang and Martin's scout group. But...how is the friend group of every love interest the love interests of the other girls? Why aren't any relationships between other major characters USED in the plot? Let Cedric be more aggressive toward the rebels after they cost him his only friend. Build tension between the girls because the guardian life isolates them from their former friends. If all love interests have to be friends, let them talk about their partners and discover their secret.

This bothers me so much because it makes the accidental message kind of be "friendship is something super exclusive and average people only have partners and family", especially since every deep connection besides the main girls has to be romantic. Cedric couldn't just like Orube, he had to fall in love. That guy from the fast world couldn't have been a dear friend or the girls sister, he had to be her lover for the excuse of "he works for the bad guy to save her" to be valid.

In addition, as the series progresses, the arguments dwindle and the characters, and by that their relationships, appear more shallow. There are no longer any disagreements on how to proceed with multiple angles, just lame discussion to explain to the reader that, no, the writer did not forget the thing they're thinking of, it's just actually impossible for this reason, see?

Overall, I just wish the message of the power of friendship had been more of a focus, instead of shifting more and more toward romantic love. Not only do I feel it to be more fitting with the fact that the girls need to be friends in order for the heart to work, I also feel it offers plenty of opportunities to show how different friendships can be, how they can be empowering or toxic, how they can end and new ones can form, how they can be unlikely - maybe have one of the girls be good friends with a much older person like Galgheita or the janitor, or let one of the girls bond with Cedric on earth - or show how someone (autistic coded? I mainly bring them up 'cause I felt connected while reading and wanted to see more of them, but I'm not autistic, so I'm no qualified person on that) like Orube or Maqi, had he not been magically "healed" of being a non-verbal child and instead become every poorly written fanfiction cutesy child, makes friends.

[letmetellyouaboutmyfeels]

I have my own small pile of headcanons but I kinda wanna hear your past!Eliot/Moreau meta if you have any :D Like, I wanna just bundle Eliot up away from the angst but at the same time, how the show approaches NOT TALKING about that part of his life always made me more curious. :D

Okay you literally caught me at the BEST/WORST moment for this because I was JUST screaming about a new Eliot and Parker headcanon to a friend so OH BOY OH BOY AM I IN THE MOOD TO TALK ABOUT HEADCANONS.

I JUST FINISHED REWATCHING THE ENTIRE SERIES BY THE WAY SO IMAGINE ME HOPPED UP ON SUGAR THAT’S WHAT’S GOING ON HERE

*ahem*

Because you’re absolutely right–to know Eliot, you have to look at what he’s not saying. Nate is known for keeping secrets re: his plans and holding stuff back with that, but his actual backstory and personality are an open book. Multiple people read him like an illustrated children’s novel. Hardison’s backstory is remarkable in its simplicity and lack of trauma compared to the others, which is refreshing in a person of color. Not that Hardison hasn’t struggled or doesn’t have issues, as we all do, but as the backstories of the group unfold it becomes clear that Hardison’s backstory is one of triumph in spite of odds.

Sophie’s backstory, on the other hand, is about what she lies about, not about what she doesn’t say. Sophie’s backstory is like Hardison’s only more amusing, because Sophie’s backstory is her stories on the cons she’s run. And Parker, well, Parker’s backstory is about what she doesn’t want to tell you that you end up finding out anyway. Her brother, her father, her Christmases, her foster home experience, her apprenticeship to Archie. Parker’s backstory unfolds just as her development unfolds and it’s all dragged out into the light.

Eliot’s backstory is never dragged out into the light. You have to look at the dark patches to understand. Because what Eliot doesn���t say, that’s what speaks, that’s what’s important.

For example, we don’t learn about Eliot’s falling out with his father until season five. But throughout all five seasons we see him unusually protective of children, especially when it comes to their relationships with their fathers. And he never mentions his mother. All that he doesn’t say about his parents speaks volumes and tells us, long before we learn about the falling out in The Low Low Price Job, that Eliot had a hard childhood, probably without a mother, and that his relationship with his father could be frustrating and strained.

We see this in The French Connection job as well. We don’t know until season five why Eliot is so into cooking and so intense about it: it literally gave him back himself. Eliot tells Parker, “Y'know, I didn’t feel anything for a long time. And Toby taught me to cook, and after he did, I started to feel stuff again.”

But even before we hear this, we already know it, because we see Eliot taking care of Hardison and Parker through food. He loves cooking so much that Hardison buys Eliot a brewpub as a sign of romantic affection. Eliot never says how he learned to cook or why or when, but we the audience are supposed to read into the fact that he never talks about it because for something so important to him, it’s pretty damn significant that he never talks about how he came to learn how to cook. Ergo, learning how to cook was a pretty damn important and emotional thing for him.

With Eliot, read the silence.

And with Moreau? Eliot is silent. He never mentions Moreau, not all season, although if you watch the season again after you watch the finale, you start to see pretty obvious emotional signs that Eliot knows Moreau, which, kudos to the crew and Christian Kane on that (this is a great example of why you tell your actors plot twists instead of springing it on them at the last minute). Every time Moreau is mentioned, Eliot warns the team, or specifically Nate, against him. He cautions Nate. And he gets very stiff and angry. Watching season three knowing what’s coming, it’s clear that Eliot spends the whole Moreau chase on tenterhooks.

By the time we hear Eliot say, “I did things for Moreau,” the audience should already know that whoever this guy is, he’s a big deal to Eliot, and specifically to Eliot emotionally.

Then let’s look at the timeline. When Moreau meets Eliot again in the pool he mentions what fun they had in Belgrade.

…which is the same city where Eliot met Toby Heath, the chef who turned him onto cooking and gave Eliot back his sense of self. This is also incidentally the same location as the flashback in the pilot that shows Eliot’s skill set–which takes place in a restaurant/café.

The implication, therefore, is that Moreau was the reason Eliot so lost his sense of self and why Eliot was in such a bad place. Which then brings me to what Eliot says when he confesses he knows Moreau:

“You think you know what I’ve done? The worst thing I ever did in my entire life, I did for Damien Moreau. And I… I’ll never be clean of that.”

Eliot has only twice demonstrated his ability/willingness to kill in the series–with Parker and with Hardison. When the fake psychic exposes Parker’s brother’s death, Parker says she wants him dead, and Eliot straight-up offers to kill him. This is after Eliot tells Hardison early on in the series not to ask him to kill, because if he asks, Eliot will do it. Eliot’s relationship with Parker and Hardison is coded by the writers as romantic and sexual. So if Eliot is willing to break his moral code for them, two people with whom he has a romantic relationship, the implication is that the one other person for whom he broke his moral code (Moreau)… he also was in a romantic relationship with.

This is further implied in the Parker/Eliot interaction that accompanies this. Parker asks him, “What did you do?” and Eliot, tears in his eyes, begs her not to ask him, “because if you ask me, I’m gonna tell you.” Eliot cannot deny the people that he loves, and that’s part of what makes him so wonderful but it’s also part of why he is such a danger to himself because he will give until it hurts and then keep giving past that point, to the point where he can be exploited by those he trusts.

…y’know what I was going to talk about this later but since I mentioned that let’s just dive into it here real quick.

Another thing to keep in mind about Eliot that the audience should have figured out by the end of season three is that Eliot has very submissive behavior. Despite his repeated refrains of, “Dammit, Hardison!” he actually prefers to follow orders instead of give them. I joke about him being a bratty sub with my friends but in all seriousness, it becomes clear pretty quickly that Eliot’s love language is acts of service.

This is a wonderful thing, but it also opens Eliot up to being abused and manipulated, because all the person he loves has to do is hint that they would really really love it if, say, they could have that one delicious risotto for dinner… or if y’know that pesky rival arms dealer would just… vanish… and bam. Eliot takes care of it.

Eliot might not be big on the whole “saying I love you” thing, but he will cook dinner, he will go after the bad guys, literally anything Parker or Hardison say they want, Eliot finds a way to do it for them. A good comparison to this is Hardison, whose love language is gift giving.

(Note: This is all the love language they give, not necessarily the one they receive. Hardison likes to receive words of affirmation i.e. “Good job, Hardison,” which is why he butts heads with Nate because Nate SUCKS at words of affirmation. But Hardison gives in presents.)

Hardison gifts Parker the little Parker II robot. He buys a building in Portland with high ceilings and brick walls and all the structural stuff Parker likes but with a brew pub for Eliot. He gives high-tech earbuds. He gifts Parker the parachute to go with her weighted boots so she can sail to safety. He gifts everyone with state-of-the-art tech to keep them safe.

Parker, on the other hand, gives in physical touch. She scoots right up next to Eliot on the couch and pokes Eliot constantly. She climbs all over Hardison like a jungle gym. She snuggles them.

Eliot doesn’t go out of his way to touch anyone, and he doesn’t buy anyone anything, but he finds ways to serve them. Which is why, when Eliot says “the worst thing I ever did in my life” was for Moreau, that should be pinging alarm bells to any alert viewer. It should tell you two facts. One, I served this man, and he took advantage of it, and two, I served him the way I serve Parker and Hardison now, and that means we had the same relationship.

And this is all ignoring actual Eliot-Moreau interactions!

So even if we IGNORE all of the interactions Eliot has with Moreau, we’re building a pretty damning case here. Eliot’s telling silence, the timeline, and the fact that he admits Moreau had a hold on him, an ability to break Eliot’s self-imposed code, which does not happen easily and is intrinsically tied to Eliot’s love for someone… all of this screams that Moreau was not just a boss but someone personal, and important, to Eliot.

Then Moreau actually saunters into the picture (a moment of silence so we may all drool) and it all dials up to eleven.

Let’s start with the sex angle. Or, rather, the lack of a sex angle.

See, we find Moreau in the middle of a “party” in a hotel pool. There’s plenty of scantily clad women around. But Moreau never once looks at them or touches them. They might as well not even be there. Every other mark who is placed in a similar situation is shown interacting with the women or at least looking at them appreciatively. Moreau straight up ignores them. They might as well not be there. They’re window dressing.

Interesting, non?

This gets even more interesting when you line Moreau up along with all the other marks the team has gone after and realize that Moreau is one of the few marks, possibly the only male mark, that the team doesn’t try any kind of romantic/sexual grift on.

Often when there’s a woman involved you’ll see Eliot slide in and briefly grift her, the biggest example being The Stork Job where Eliot ends up grifting almost the entire episode, aided by Sophie. When it’s a man, though, when have we not seen Sophie charm him? Moreau stands out because he and Sophie don’t even meet until the team gets to San Lorenzo. He’s not grifted… except by Eliot, who lies to him about who Hardison is.

Then consider Moreau’s wedding ring. Now, yes, I know, the costume department was probably just like “yeah okay keep your wedding ring on who cares,” but the writing team is usually good about having the Leverage team bring up any family connections. Especially when the team gets to San Lorenzo, Moreau’s home turf. Moreau has an expensive villa and a wedding ring and, what, the team just conveniently decided not to go after his spouse? When a spouse is probably the easiest way to get to someone?

If the team doesn’t go after Moreau’s spouse, then that means that he’s not close enough to his spouse for there to be any leverage there (ba dum tish). That plus ignoring the women–again the only mark to do so–and the only male mark Sophie doesn’t in some way try to grift…

…I’m just saying.

There’s also the fact that Moreau comments on Eliot’s haircut (“I like the new haircut”), the “delicious five course meal” look he gives Eliot the entire time they’re at the pool together, and the fact that he actually seems pleased to see Eliot, and furthermore, relaxed around him. And we can’t put that relaxation off to just thinking he has the upper hand. Moreau thinks he has the upper hand with Nate in San Lorenzo, but he never relaxes around him the way he does around Eliot.

Speaking of which, rather interesting that Eliot tries to avoid being alone with Moreau in San Lorenzo… but we’ll get to that later.

So. Moreau and Eliot meet in person. And hoo boy is that a doozy.

Immediately Eliot is completely different from how we usually see him. He tucks his shoulders in. He makes himself small. He postures to the new head of security but with Moreau, Eliot’s careful. Measuring his words. Darting his eyes down.

Moreau, on the other hand, is amused and almost delighted. He looks like he’s been waiting cheerfully for this day to arrive, the day Eliot walks back in through the door. We’ve never seen Eliot so out of his element, and Moreau has all the cards. This is the moment where the audience realizes just how dangerous Moreau is, because we see Eliot’s reactions to him. Eliot is walking the razor’s edge.

This is all just in reading body language. This doesn’t include the actual dialogue. The dialogue… well. See for yourself.

“He prefers beer.” (Note that Moreau doesn’t give the girl a once over, he looks her in the eyes dismissively, every single other male mark would give the girl a once over.) Moreau knows Eliot’s personal tastes.

“Whose Snoopy lunchbox did I take?” This isn’t a random object. Snoopy lunch box? That’s pretty specific. “Whose school lunch did I take” or “whose lunch box did I take” would get the same condescending joke across, but Snoopy lunch box. Moreau’s referencing a specific event between himself and Eliot, reminding Eliot of their past.

“I don’t know you [Hardison] but I do know you [Eliot]. We could talk.” This is accompanied by a smile. Moreau then immediately removes Hardison from the equation by kicking him into the pool so that he is, essentially, talking to Eliot in private.

“Let’s keep it short.” “I already have international buyers so it’s not an issue.” Moreau is toying with Eliot and Eliot is letting him. Eliot is speaking quietly. Barely moving. Shut down, almost, like he’s scared of showing Moreau too much.

The casual behavior that Moreau is showing throughout suggests that even if he knows Eliot’s trying to double cross him, he doesn’t care. The words he’s saying remind Eliot of their past. Both of these indicate that they have, or once had, a deep trust between one another.

“What else you got?” After Eliot has given Moreau his information, Moreau waits a full thirty seconds (thirty seconds he knows the drowning man in the pool can’t afford), even though Moreau has clearly already made up his mind. Again, toying with Eliot. Here we’re seeing Moreau’s ability to manipulate people, and especially his ability to manipulate Eliot.

This entire scene, it’s like he’s pushing Eliot towards a particular something, trying to get Eliot to give him something specific that Moreau wants, and already knows that he wants. This scene right here shows us Moreau and Eliot’s entire relationship and it’s a bone-chilling one of manipulation, coercion, and power plays where Eliot is submissive and scared, poker faced, holding his cards close for fear they’ll be ripped from him.

Now, no relationship starts out this blatantly abusive. Moreau’s behavior shows that he’s clearly fond of Eliot, especially compared to the rest of this episode and the next (The Big Bang Job and The San Lorenzo Job) where we see how Moreau manipulates and treats people of whom he isn’t fond. 

“I like this one. Just like old times. Reminds me of Belgrade.” All said while Moreau is laughing, speaking in a low, amused, intimate voice, staring Eliot right in the eyes as Eliot struggles not to flinch away. Making his like of Hardison more disturbing and threatening than his dislike would be, implying that Moreau liking Hardison is bad news for Hardison, activating Eliot’s protective instincts.

Also please tell me I’m not the only one who heard “we have a deal” and was like that sounds like he wants Eliot to do sex stuff.

If Eliot was a woman, or if Moreau was a woman, I don’t think anyone viewing would be in any doubt that there was a sexual undercurrent to this entire exchange, especially in those last few sentences. And Eliot just stares back, not defiant the way he usually does, but like he’s silently begging for this whole thing to be over.

In fact, the only time Eliot starts to become himself again is when Hardison says he sucked the air out of the chair and complains about Eliot not diving into the pool after him. Now, Hardison couldn’t hear what was being exchanged up there, but Hardison is the most emotionally aware of the OT3, and arguably the most emotionally aware of the entire group (it’s a toss-up between him and Sophie). Hardison, even before he was kicked into the pool, knows something is horribly wrong here not just with the situation but with Eliot. Which leads me to believe that Hardison is berating Eliot for not going in after him not because Hardison genuinely cares (by season three he trusts Eliot in these matters) but because it gives Eliot something to snap him out of it.

And Eliot does snap out of it. He banters back at Hardison, comes back to himself and becomes the Eliot we know and love, which highlights his previous behavior with Moreau even more sharply. Eliot always snarks back. Always. And yet not once did he do that with Moreau. They’ve gone up against guys were were just as “bad” as Moreau is, so why is Eliot scared of this one, why is Eliot not snarking back, why does Moreau hold all the cards, relaxed in a bathrobe, while Eliot stands with his arms folded like a shield?

Because there is something personal, and painful, at play here for Eliot.

Which leads us all to my final belief, which is that Eliot fled Moreau and never actually properly ‘quit’. That is, he gave his resignation over a phone call or letter, and never actually did it face to face.

Why?

Because Eliot’s behavior all suggests a huge lack of closure.

Eliot avoids Moreau at all costs, especially in San Lorenzo, Moreau’s home turf. He never confronts Moreau alone. Never speaks to him alone. In fact he seems loathe to speak to or about Moreau at all. Eliot casually mentions a lot of the other shit he’s done, but he never mentions Moreau or the shit he did with Moreau, which suggests that he can’t talk about it–because he hasn’t faced it and therefore can’t accept it.

Given how Moreau handles his business associates (“you’re either an asset or a liability”), I think we can assume that anyone who wanted to a) quit his employ or b) break up with him had to do it by running for their lives and leaving a Dear John letter. And if we think back to the timeline, Eliot learning how to cook, then we can assume he was hiding out with this chef instead of doing actual work.

And remember–Moreau is happy to see Eliot. He’s amused and cheerful. He establishes his authority by kicking Hardison into the pool but he’s not angry. If Eliot and Moreau had a big falling-out fight, I doubt he would’ve been so jovial.

Which means that instead of confronting Moreau and saying “hey you’re an asshole and I’m leaving you,” Eliot fled. Which means that Moreau thinks he still has some kind of hold over Eliot because he knows Eliot operated out of fear and didn’t have the guts to confront him, and which also means that Eliot never got to face down the man of whom he was so scared. Which means a lack of closure.

Which Eliot finally, finally gets by locking Moreau up. He literally gets to put his asshole ex in jail himself, how many people get to do that? 

MY CONCLUSION:

Eliot and Moreau started out as hitman and boss, respectively, but developed a romantic and probably also sexual relationship. It was emotionally manipulative at best and outright emotionally abusive at worst. Eliot’s love language, as we discussed, is acts of service and so out of that close emotional bond he ‘served’ and did things that he wouldn’t otherwise have done, things that haunted him and fucked him up emotionally. But you can’t always see the forest for the trees when you’re in an abusive relationship, and when you love someone it’s hard to let them go and walk away, and so it wasn’t until Eliot met Toby that he was able to start to rediscover himself and his independence.

Eliot left Moreau, probably by just leaving a note or voicemail, since if they’d fought, I a) doubt Moreau would’ve been so indulgent at the pool and b) doubt Eliot would’ve made it out alive. If Eliot just straight up says “we’re done, bye,” and flees, this also explains Moreau’s amused and commanding presence at the pool–he’s assuming that somewhere, deep down, Eliot left without a proper goodbye because he would’ve stayed if he tried that, would’ve fallen for Moreau’s manipulation again, and Moreau believes he can therefore still manipulate Eliot.

And he’s partially right. Moreau reads Eliot like a book and it’s thanks to the smarts of the rest of the team that they manage to force Moreau to flee to San Lorenzo. Eliot himself is, well, compromised.

Eliot is now in a much better and healthier place, with himself and with the people around him, but yes, Moreau is the asshole ex-boyfriend who rears his ugly head, and in putting him in prison, Eliot is also able to lay his past bad relationship to rest and get closure.

And that is my Eliot/Moreau meta, someone please wrap this poor sweet boy up in blankets, please and thank.

[classified-bluerose]

put me back together v || quentin beck x reader

chapter five: i’ve always liked to play with fire

a/n: chapter title from ‘play with fire’ by sam tinnesz ft. yacht money. i’m also working on a playlist for this work! this is unedited and unbeta’d so if there’s any mistakes i apologise, and do point them out to me so i can fix them. hope you all enjoy!

warnings: none, i don’t think?

(GIF is not mine)

—

finally.

after years of painstaking planning, of finalising every minute detail, quentin finally has what he wants.

peter stops by early the morning after his night with you, breathless and excited.

‘’ mr. beck! ‘’

quentin chuckles. ‘’ what did i tell you about calling me that? ‘’

the kid grins bashfully. ‘’ sorry, quentin. i have something for you! ‘’

and just like that, he thrust those seemingly innocuous glasses into his hands.

quentin plays it coy, of course, insisting no, no, these were not for him. but peter insists too, that yes, they are. so the man accepts, and peter, poor, trusting, peter, runs back off to rejoin his school trip, light as a feather and happy.

things really, really could not have worked out better. quentin has even more than he could have hoped for - he has edith, and he has you.

but there was one other thing quentin hadn’t counted on. how smart you are.

after prague he’s so caught up in both his victory and upcoming masterpiece that he hasn’t paused for a moment to think. he begins to plan his trip to london and hopes you will come with him. he’s beginning to wonder, should he tell you the truth? or is it too soon?

he wants to tell you so badly. he wants this to be a joint effort now; the idea of what you could achieve together has him near drunk with euphoria. your powers, though momentarily muted, are both real and incredible. once the true force behind them returns you could be unstoppable. no one would dare stand against the one who can control fire. who can bench a double decker bus without breaking a sweat.

his technology. your abilities. together you could snatch the world in your hands.

it’s almost perfect. (almost.)

you’re still healing from the last big fight, in more ways than one. you’re clearly still figuring out how to put the pieces of your life back together. where to start again, and how. and why.

he wants to be the reason why. wants to be the place where you start again.

you had left early, even before peter called by. your phone buzzing, you had sighed and told quentin fury had called you in for something to do with berlin. with a final few kisses you left him in the hotel room. feeling every bit the champion he truly believes himself to be.

—

truth is, fury did not text you. prior to your arrival in prague, you called in a favour with a friend of yours in SHIELD data collection.

search for ‘’quentin beck’’ and note anything peculiar that came up beside his name. turns out, there’s a lot. your friend sent you through the files and you left quentin to delve into them.

quentin, whose kisses brought you back to life in a flash of light. whose hands traced every single inch of your body with something akin to reverence. who held you tight but gentle in the afterglow, kissing you slower though with no less passion.

surely this quentin, your quentin... can’t be the same man from these files.

a cold feeling sits in the pit of your stomach, throat getting tighter and tighter the more you read. you tap out a message to fury in a code you hope he can decipher, then try to call peter, in vain as it goes straight to voicemail.

you swear under your breath and lock the tablet in your hands, slipping it back into your messenger bag. hoping and praying you’re not going to end up being too late.

—

‘’ parker! ‘’

the kid turns, as you jog up the street to stop in front of him. he greets you pleasantly, though his expression conveys his surprise.

‘’ what’s up? ‘’

you pause for a moment. how to play this without arousing peter’s suspicion.

‘’ um, can i see edith for a minute? ‘’

peter frowns slightly and you curse yourself.

‘’ i don’t have it. ‘’

wait, what?

‘’ i gave it to quentin this morning. ‘’

‘’ you - why? why, why would you do that? ‘’

‘’ because he’s the next iron man! ‘’

your stomach lurches, and your heart breaks. peter is desperate to believe it; that much is obvious. you count to five silently and crack the joints of your knuckles.

‘’ peter. tony left edith to you for a reason, ‘’ you remind him, fighting to keep a calm tone.

‘’ yeah, because he trusted me to find the one who would know what to do! ‘’ he explains, eagerly, ‘’ he knew i wouldn’t be ready for that kind of responsibility, no way! so he trusted me to find the person that was ready. and that’s quentin. ‘’ peter offers a small, excited smile.

‘’ don’t you see? now i can just be peter. for a while, at least. so i’m gonna go, i’m gonna enjoy the last day of my trip. i’m finally gonna tell mj how i feel, ‘’ he admits shyly.

you’re struck, for the millionth time, by how young peter actually is. before the snap, he wasn’t much younger than you. but now there’s an extra five years in the difference, and those five years never even happened for him. peter has regular teenage problems. girls he likes and romantic rivals. simple, normal things.

you can’t be the one to take that away from him.

you smile. ‘’ good luck with mj. you’re right. go. enjoy your trip. make the most of right now. ‘’

‘’ thanks, ‘’ he says, relieved of his duty for the time being. he runs off into the crowd and you swallow thickly, before turning and disappearing in the opposite direction.

okay, you think to yourself, new plan.

—

AHH I KEEP FORGETTING ME TAG LIST SORRY LADS!!!

tag list: @djjffkd @kellzogg @bucky4cap45 @tuliptx @evee550 @stargeek727 @hrrykim

[alias-b]

Without The Lights~ Billy Hargrove x OC Camille Harper

Chapter 3: I Think We're Alone Now

A/N: Listen, I wrote this chapter and really fell in love with these two. Developing friendship ahoy. Warning for mentions of past rape, abortion, and //sigh// we meet Neil and he’s gross so also light antisemitism & homophobia from him.

  Camille pulled up to a smaller house the next day, parking behind Billy’s Camaro out front. She climbed a few stone steps and knocked three times, backpack clutched over one shoulder. The redhead from the other day pulled open the door and Camille smiled.

  “Hi, I’m-”

  “Camille. I’m Max.” She’d nodded. “You’re popular, the kids in my grade talk.”

  “Right, you’re in Mike’s group.”

  “Thought I was,” the younger girl shrugged and stepped back to let her in. “Billy! A girl!” She echoed.

  “Give me a damn minute, Max!” He’d bellowed at the other end of the house.

  “Like Hawkins so far?”

  “It’s not so bad, I guess.” Max tucked hair behind her ear. “What’s up with Mike and them? You know his sister, right?”

  “We don’t hang out like we used to.”

  “It’s like one moment you’re friends, the next, they start acting all weird and secretive.”

  “Hate to break it to you, that’s been my entire high school experience.” Camille offered a sobered grin and cocked her head. Mike and his friends were acting off as well. She’d definitely missed something. “Give it time. People come to their senses. Not always.”

  “Got that right.”

  “Hey,” Billy came around the corner, buttoning up a shirt that was half tucked and leaving the top three open.

  “Thought the girl last night was your project partner, that’s what you told Neil.” Max relished the awkward beat that followed.

  “You met my stepsister. Mad Max. She was just leaving. Beat it.” He pressed his teeth, eyebrows lifting because he couldn’t say much else with high school royalty in front of him. “Goodbye, Max.”

  “Whatever,” she picked up her skateboard and left out the door.

  “Nice to meet you, Max.”

  “Same here.” The door shut and Camille lifted her lips.

  “I like her.”

  “Take her.” Billy was colder, rubbing his head.

  “So...what girl? I’m not naive, I know you’re making rounds. The ladies love to gush about you.”

  “Not all good things, I’m sure. But, that’s part of the appeal.” Billy shifted, hands on his hips before he gestured. “Drop your bag wherever. Take your shoes off or don’t. I could care less.”

  “Still get the tour?” She set her backpack on the couch.

  “Shithole living room. Ugly kitchen. Garage.” Billy gestured. “My least favorite place: the family dining room.” She followed him down the hall. “Bathroom. Basement. No secret attic. No pool. Dad and Susan… Closet. Max. And me. Not much to it.” He opened his bedroom. A small space that was intimately his. Smelled warm like his cologne. “I skimmed more of the book.”

  “Main character’s name?”

  “Hester.” He set his hands out. “Do I get my medal now?”

  “Mmm, the bare minimum. Only way to my heart.” She entered the space. “Love the posters. Classy.” Bands and scantily clad women. Her eyes drew to a stereo smashed in the corner and kicked off to the side. “What happened there?” Billy almost lied but she was so soft about it like she already knew.

  “I failed the chemistry quiz and fucked up a math test.” He was matter a fact. “Dad found out. He always does. Likes to keep tabs.” Camille clasped her hands with the slightest nod.

  “And your head the other day.”

  “His important lessons in respect usually go over it. Not always. Aim gets better with age.” Billy was hard and sarcastic, opening his window to light a smoke.

  “And this has been going on a long time.”

  “Does it matter?” His eyes lowered. She didn’t hesitate.

  “Yes.”

  “He’s an asshole. Most parents are.” Billy picked up the book and set his cigarette in an ashtray upon the windowsill. “I didn’t like it. The ending.”

  “You actually read it?” She chuckled but sobered when he met her eyes. “Why specifically?”

  “All that shit and planning to run away only for the poor fucker to just die in her arms. Felt like a waste. Pissed me off."

  "Think so?"

  "And this chick didn’t really spit in anyone’s face for the hell she went through. That shit just seemed unfair.” He shrugged and Camille was amused again. Billy offered it and lingered when she closed the distance to take it. Fingers brushed and the book dropped. Instead his head lowered to touch hers. Camille inhaled and he didn’t try to kiss her. It was peculiar, the way he closed his eyes and breathed her in. His usual manner of seduction went over her. Every single time. Not sure if it was by force or not. Billy had to know now. He’d be lying if it didn’t jar him to bits. Foreheads touched and his lips opened. “I want you.” Shivers sparked out from her spine to cover her body in heat. His husky voice reverberated and Camille had to come up for air before she drowned in him.

  “Typical bad boy. Huh? You bat your pretty eyes and drag slowly on smoke. It usually works on us.”

  “You’re all perfect posture and angels singing. When was the last time you relaxed? Let those angels scream it out for a few beats?” He was so fucking close and she didn't leave his space.

  “Been awhile.”

  “I can fix that.” His head tilted. He was so certain too.

  “You only want me now because I’m teen royalty to you and our school. Pretty Knight on a conquest. Have to claim the queen. It’s your favorite brand, I can tell. You can’t get enough.”

  “What does any of it matter?” Billy read her with ease. “Not like we both don’t have flings. I know about you, Harper.”

  “I know… I can’t.” Her whisper sent him reeling back, head lifting. “Year ago, maybe. I can’t do relationships. Even flings. I don't do sex. Not right now.” Those blue eyes flickered at her face. “And Billy, if you must know, I don’t ever date boys from my own school. Personal Queen Bee Code. They should have told you that about me. Rival schools are fair game.” Rejection was an old friend but not from his romantic pursuits. “I was all about your shit a year before. Things change. It’s me. I’m...complicated.” He realized all at once that her angels never sang. Neither did his.

  “I’m not?” He hitched a quick breath.

  “No, you absolutely are. But, that isn’t the problem here. Color yourself surprised.”

  “First time in my life I’ve heard that.” Not being the problem.

  “Look, Billy, I can be a friend. But, that’s all I got in me right now. If that isn’t okay with you...tough. It’s not you or what they say at school. I’m just not in a place to be that with you or anyone at the moment.” She frowned, hands running her stomach before they crossed.

  “I can get used to tough.” He relented. “I don’t know how to be a friend.”

  “Maybe not.” Her head cocked, eyes lifting to his again. “But, what a time to be alive and try it though.” She could have left right at that moment. Yet, she didn't.

  “What exactly do they say about me at school?”

  “Steve has a lot to say. Might want to back down there.” She peered aside.

  “Still waiting to see this mighty King Steve I hear about. Harrington turned bitch but there’s something there.”

  “Will bringing out the worst in someone else make you feel better?” She asked when he returned to finish the end of his smoke. Camille read him to filth. “Fight Steve. Fuck me. High school’s a game. You’re a great player. I knew that quickly.” Billy’s eyes snapped to her again. “Look. You don’t have to tell me what goes on in this house. But, if you...or Max…need a place to get away once in awhile. Lots of school projects to come, I’m sure… I have absent parents and room to spare. Consider it an act of friendship since you’re new to that.”

  “Care about Max already?”

  “Why don’t you?”

  “We’re not close.” Billy was tense.

  “Hawkins in a small place. Guess you have time to work on that.” Her judgment set him on edge. “She’ll get older. Start seeing more. Might be nice to have someone standing with or between her and an angry stepfather.”

  “Not like I had that.” He shot back, standing taller. Felt too personal to say that. Guess they're passed it already.

  “Might feel good to give it to someone else. Not to say it's obligatory. Basic kindness. But, what do I know? I’m the rich bitch. Ever notice we’re the first to go in scary movies? Shitty thing too. Bitches and sluts. Your brand. Easy to be rid of. We all move on.” Camille dropped her arms. “C’mere.” Her hand extended and Billy raised an eyebrow. “Just, trust me. We’re trying something. No funny ideas or I walk.”

  “What happened to your perfect student wrath?”

  “Fuck it, it’ll take two seconds to write the paper. Just...” She waited until he observed her and took her hand. A slow, sparking beat pulsed between them. Skin slid against skin. Billy let her lead him to the bed and was surprised when she got atop the covers on her back and tugged him to get in next to her.

  “And this is…?”

  “Two possible friends. Two complicated fuck-ups with angels that wail. Just...enjoying each other’s company. Nothing sexual. Can you manage that?”

  “Not sure anymore,” he mumbled, eyes on the ceiling. “This isn’t like foreplay to you, is it?”

  “In your dreams, beach boy,” she laughed, hand slipping from his so she could adjust and clasp her fingers upon her stomach. Hair splayed around their crowns while they relaxed, she turned her head and peered at him. Something about this all amused her.

  “What?” He caught her expression.

  “Last year, before the whole mess...I was so absorbed in my own shit. Blinded. I don’t know, it’s like I’m awake for the first time in my life.” Camille blinked at him. “Does that make sense?”

  “No. Not at all,” he was laughing and she followed. Billy fiddled with the tiny silver pendant around his neck on a long chain. She’d not seen him without it. “All I see is red still.”

  “Gotta get out, enjoy the night sky for once.” Camille sighed, eyes back on the ceiling. “Saint Christopher. Your necklace.”

  “Yeah.” Billy was near silent, hesitating. “Was my mom’s. All I have of hers.”

  “No pictures?”

  “Not anymore, dad made sure.” Billy cleared his throat. Debated it.

  “What happened to her?”

  “They fought. Got bad. Got worse. One day, she just...didn’t come back… She didn’t come back for me.” His tone grew thick at the correction.

  “I’m sorry, Billy.” Camille offered slowly.

  “Maybe I’ll wake up another day.” He gave a bitter laugh.

  “I hope that you do.” It was cruel. How soft she was against him. “Saint Christopher. Martyr. Protector of travelers, right?”

  “Think so. Guess she liked all that shit. Even made it my middle name.”

  “William Christopher Hargrove.” She mused. “Not terrible. My middle name sounds like some hippie shit.”

  “Hate my fucking first name.” Billy smirked, distant. “Now you have to tell me your hippie ass middle name.”

  “Sage.” Camille rolled her eyes when he laughed at her. “Shut up. It’s worse because my mother’s name is Rosemary.” His laughter hitched again, hand touching his lips. “Sage was my grandmother’s name. She also picked Rosemary. Real funny.”

  “Fucking is actually,” he quieted himself and gave a lengthy sigh. “Never done this before. Whatever it is,” Billy observed then. Camille chewed on her bottom lip, gaze flickering before she gave a shrug.

  “Kinda like it.” She turned again. His advances were small candles compared to the fireworks she set off. Like it was nothing. “What’s California like?”

  “Better,” he was frank. “The air. The beach. The food.”

  “Truly the beach boy type. Hard to picture.”

  “Long, long time ago,” his fingers drummed along his stomach. “Don’t fuck my image here.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it but, you have to do one thing.”

  “What’s that?” He peered over.

  “Say, cowabunga dude, in your best surfer accent,” she gave a bright smile that resonated before he was laughing again. They pushed at each other when her hand touched the warm skin of his arm. It stayed there.

  “You’re something else, Camille.” It was the first he’d really offered her name in that velvet tone. “You know that?”

  “I get that a lot these days. Queen Bee changing up the hive. School can’t stand it. Can’t read me anymore. I don’t want them to either.” She admitted.

  “Drives you mad that I’m skimming the pages, huh?”

  “If you say so.” She changed the subject. “I’ve never been to the ocean or seen a real beach. I’d like to. My parents were never ones for trips. Not with me, at least. I barely really left Hawkins… Never left the state for sure. You...You ever feel like everyone around you is lying most days? Like something isn’t just off, it was missing the whole time and you didn’t see it.”

  “What would they hide from you?”

  “That’s it, I have no idea. Nothing ever happens in Hawkins. Not until last year.” Camille huffed and shook her head. “So, tell me about your fake project partner last night?”

  “Jealous?”

  “Skipping the question much?” She rolled over and crossed her arms to lean on them so she could meet his eyes. “Friends talk about girls and boys.”

  “I am not your damn girlfriend.”

  “Not with that attitude.” She teased. “Come on, who?”

  “Tammy Foreman.”

  “Oh? She’s pretty. We did gymnastics together the last two years. Great routines but she never could stick the landing.”

  “She did last night.” Billy chuckled when she smacked his arm. “What? That was on you.”

  “I know that. Ass.” Camille rolled her eyes, disbelieving that this was her day. Pillow talk with the new keg king.

  “So, did that shithead really write you a nasty letter?”

  “Tommy? Oh, yeah, he wanted me bad. I’ll let you read it next time you’re at my place. It’s certainly...something to behold.”

  “Already a next time?” Billy mused, blue eyes alight at her.

  “Easy,” she turned to fall against her back again.

  “What’s your dad hiding in that attic?” He wondered aloud.

  “Hell if I knew.”

  “Ever thought of picking the lock?”

  “He’ll kill me,” Camille joked. “Yes. A lot though.”

  “I could pick it.” Came the offer. “Friends or whatever.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she shook her head. Billy looked at her face again when she was distracted. This was almost too intimate and they barely touched. “Have anymore dates coming up?”

  “Like to play things as I go.”

  “Ah. Sure… Smooth keg king, always lands the girl.” Not always.

  “Took time to perfect the method. Timing and all.”

  “Hm, method. I’m sure that did take careful practice. Alright, I'll bite. Tell me about your first time.” Camille turned her neck and studied his profile. The slight twitch of his lips didn’t quite reach his eyes. Billy shifted around to see her after a beat, lips curling further with more amusement.

  “I told you about Tammy. So, you first, Harpy.” His brow quirked. "In detail."

  “Not fair.”

  “Hm, is it? Have to give to get, sweetheart.” He earned a long sigh before Camille propped her arm up to rest her chin there. Billy wasn’t letting down so she caved.

  “I was fifteen.” She huffed, eyes rolling when triumph crossed his expression, causing him to twist and mirror her position. Blue eyes direct, he gave a nod so she continued. “He was not.”

  “What? Seventeen? Eighteen? Catch the attention of a senior?” Billy watched her exhale again before she mumbled. “Huh?”

  “He was twenty.” She saw him sober up at that. “College boy in a frat. Gorgeous. Charming. He had a method too. Met him at a new years party. He was visiting the family for winter break. Well off family. I was a friend of his little sister at the time, she moved for college in New York. No one knew about us though and I...I loved it. He told me I was beautiful and mature for my age. Turns out there’s another word for what he was. We were together for months.” Dark brows twitched up and she gave a sort of half smile, sparkling eyes lowered to his chest.

  “Shit.” Was the only sentiment Billy could offer but it resonated even still.

  “A big pile of it, yeah. We kissed at that party and...I kept seeing him. He’d invite me to big college parties and show me off to his friends. We’d go upstairs and...admittedly, he was okay with his hands. Quick everywhere else.” Camille smiled again with a scoff. “After the first time, he said...tell me you love me. And I did. I realize now that he never really said it back. He just wanted me to validate that he’d taken something of mine. That it would always belong to him somehow and I couldn’t take it back... And that wasn’t the half of it.”

  “How’d it end?” He almost took that back when her eyes snapped up to his again.

  “I...I asked him to use a condom and he spun that bullshit, ‘oh babygirl, it just doesn’t feel as good’ crap every single time. ‘Oh babygirl, it won’t fit. Don’t you trust me?’ Excuses. But, I was stupid and I was so mature and dating a college boy. Real badass. Until, something changed and...I was late. I knew instantly. I fucking knew. He reeled back so fast, I thought he might get whiplash. And I made the choice for us...to take care of it. I never asked for money. All I wanted was a ride. Just...support. I was terrified and too fucking young.”

  “He go with you?” Billy knew the answer.

  “I never saw him again. I wish I’d told him to eat shit at least. Left that in a lengthy voicemail later. But, I was so scared and upset...I started walking. I looked like shit and...ruined my shoes after a good thirty minutes. So, I’m determined and a car pulls up along side me. Barbara Holland pokes her head out and asks if I’m okay. You know her story by now.”

  “Yeah. Wheeler’s missing friend.”

  “They were both my friends once until I decided I wanted to be popular and dropped them. Was a real bitch and here Barb was...she just got her permit. I didn’t even have mine. So, I get in and I just...cried. I’ve never cried like that. Not in my life. She doesn’t say much of anything, just nodded occasionally and drove me to the clinic. Walked in and sat there. Waited till it was done. Drove me home...this girl that had every right to let me walk was there for me. So, I get out. Say thank you. Barb gets out...knowing when we get back to school that nothing is really going to change. We drifted…”

  Billy watched her trace a line into his blanket. A melancholy washed over her skin. Camille went on in an even tone.

  “…She came around the car and hugged me so tight. I wish every day that I’d said something more. But, I didn’t. She took my secret with her and I felt it linger in the air at school but we never...acknowledged it. Just slight nods in passing. You’re actually the first person I’ve told since Barb.” Camille stopped to sniffle and blinked several times to still anything else. “My parents can never know. No one can.” They locked eyes and she waited for him to share. Billy fell against his back, arm behind his head.

  “I was fifteen too. She was the most popular girl in our school and she was also the girlfriend of our school’s star quarterback. Both seniors. Older than me. He was a real dick. You know the type.”

  “I do.” Camille smirked when he did before he looked at the ceiling.

  “They were hot and cold. Drama and all, always breaking up. So, she decides she wants to make him jealous and sets her eyes on me for the first time. Hargrove trash. Ate that shit up. We’re at this party and she’s never paid me any mind. Always stuck her nose up. Prissy thing. But, I don’t know, something changed. She’s handing me drink after drink. Smiling. Next thing, we’re upstairs and she’s tugging my pants open. Gets into my lap and starts bouncing like a wild animal. I was fucking wasted, I didn’t try to push her off. She bragged about it after and I sucked up the attention from that. All these girls wanted me. Word got around quick, which she wanted too.”

  “Of course, she did. So, it worked?”

  “Too well. Quarterback and his band of merry assholes dragged me to the field and beat the living shit out of me. I laughed in his face the entire time about it too. I already had her. I was hot shit now. Fight got worse and I managed one good kick. Snapped his knee cap like a twig. Bye bye dick scholarship. Couldn’t even blame me for it. She got what she wanted. A fucking place next to his hospital bed. Dad started plans to move after that. Moved me schools first but, fuck, it’s all red. It never stopped, it just got worse.”

  “Billy, she...” Camille searched for the words. “Got you drunk...and forced you to…”

  “Yeah.” He admitted, swallowing a hard lump in his throat. "Was a real clingy bitch. Half my size and left bruises all over me. Smacked me awake when I closed my eyes because I was shit hammered. Not even sure I got off fully. And I laughed in that fucker's face like it was my idea."

  “That’s awful.”

  “I consider myself lucky.” Billy shrugged. “Put a rubber on me first.” He smiled again, all that Hargrove charm fluttering back. It grew infectious and she followed, falling back next to him. Billy didn’t want to see it that way. So, he reframed. It was just easier.

  “How can that many shitty people gravitate toward us at once?”

  “Hell if I knew.”

  “Can I tell you a secret?”

  “Hm?”

  “I don’t feel like working on the paper today.” She whispered. He chuckled at that.

  “Couldn’t tell.” Billy paused. Remembered. “Head still bothering you?”

  “Little.” Came her confession. Camille sighed and tipped her head toward his shoulder. Billy fell silent and she didn’t mind. This moment was unlike anything he’d experienced before. Deliberate and lacking in forced bullshit. Nice. Peaceful. Almost too easy. He realized the terrifying reality that he’d made a friend in Hawkins. Like he'd fallen into a trap she set. Not a challenge or fling. Not fully. Didn't lessen how bad he wanted to have her. They didn’t speak until the pull of sleep threatened. For the first time, the world seemed a little less red.

** ** **

  Max flipped her skateboard and caught it with ease when their mother’s car pulled up. Susan smiled and grabbed a bag of groceries from the back seat.

  “Hey, Mom.”

  “With your friends again?”

  “Yeah, Billy had a girl over for some project.” Max shrugged and reached for the second bag to help her mother in the house.

  “A girl?” Susan cleared her throat while she unpacked the food into the fridge. She knew what that usually meant. “Are they still here?”

  “Not sure, her backpack is still here but, his door’s open.” Max wandered down the hall and stopped in her tracks. Her stepbrother was breathing softly, wheezing tiny snores while the Harper girl lie burrowed in his side. Both clothed and atop the covers. Her head pressed to his bicep. “Weird...” Susan crept behind Max to see and smiled at the unexpected scene.

  “Come on, we’ll let them rest. I’ll start dinner before Neil gets home.” Susan whispered and left the door a few inches open before she ushered Max off. An hour or so later, the scent of food roused Billy as a hand shook his shoulder.

  “The fuck, Max?” He jerked to see her standing over him. She shrunk back when he rubbed his eyes. “Hell’re you in my room?” Sleep covered his voice.

  “Neil’s almost home and dinner’s ready. Might want to wake your girlfriend.”

  “She’s not my fucking-” Billy realized Camille was sound asleep next to him. “Shit. Harpy, rise and shine.” He gave her arm a pat and she moaned. “Scram, Max. Stay out of my damn room. Don't make me say it again.” He pointed so she rolled her eyes, leaving.

  “Billy? What are we… Hell, we fell asleep.”

  “Paper isn’t magically done, is it?” He got up to stretch and she followed, joining him at the mirror to fix her hair into place.

  “I should get going. We’ll work on it in study hall. Easy.” She put her shoes on and noticed Billy peeking outside. Neil wasn’t around yet.

  “C’mon.” He cocked his head so she followed.

  “Billy, who’s your friend?” Susan was readily waiting with a bright smile and Billy exhaled, annoyed in an instant. As if he’d been caught doing something actually dirty. Camille came to her.

  “Camille Harper, we share a few classes. Sorry, I stayed here late.” The teen reached out to shake her hand.

  “No, it’s nice to see Billy in...good company. Would your parents let you stay for dinner?”

  “Christ, Susan, she’s-”

  “You both haven’t eaten yet.”

  “I couldn’t impose.” Camille smiled sweeter.

  “Nonsense, we have more than enough. Meatloaf night.” Susan shook her head.

  “Yippee.” Billy muttered to himself and both women ignored him. Max had that smug look on her face so he narrowed his eyes to glare until she moved to set the table.

  “Ah, sure, I’d like that. Thank you. May I use your phone to call my parents, Mrs. Hargrove?”

  “Of course, and call me Susan.” She pointed. Camille went around Billy, eyes locking so she could go check in at home.

  “Why did you do that?” Billy hissed.

  “Your father is coming home.” Susan whispered, wiping down the counter. “Might be nice to have another person...a sweet girl, sitting at the table during the conversation.” She was protecting him. Drawing it out before Neil could tear into him tonight. How the fuck could he see it that way? All it did was give Neil more fuel to burn him with. Billy set his jaw and Camille returned.

  “May I help with anything?” She was cut off by the door opening. Billy shrunk behind her. For the first time, she saw his eyes change. Neil Hargrove stepped in with a steely expression.

  “You’re early,” Susan smiled and let him kiss her cheek. “How was work?”

  “Fine,” he spotted Camille, “and who is this?”

  “She’s-”

  “I was asking Billy.” He cut over his wife. Eyes glued to his son. Magnifying glasses held over burning ants.

  “Camille. We have a paper due.” Billy’s gaze hit the floor so Camille stood taller and marched up to Neil with purpose.

  “Camille Harper, Billy and I are classmates.” She reached out and he seemed surprised but shook her hand.

  “Firm grip, you could teach my son something.” He remarked.

  “Dinner’s ready,” Susan came between them to set the dish on the table. Neil turned on a sort of routine. Father and provider with company around.

  “Allow me.” He held out a chair for Camille before Billy could take it, forcing his son to sit by her so Neil could put himself near him at the head of the table. Max sat across from them with Susan at the other head.

  “Have you always lived in Hawkins?” Susan scooped up plates.

  “Thank you...and yes. All my life.” Camille shifted in her seat and eyed Billy. “Billy tells me you moved from California, must have been beautiful.” She took a bite. “This is delicious.”

  “You’re sweet.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” Max added. Billy caught his father’s eyes and sat straight.

  “Thank you, Susan.” He was quiet.

  “Where do you live, Camille?” Neil cut into his food and Billy barely touched his plate. Like he had to force it.

  “Loch Nora.” Camille met his eyes and didn’t let down.

  “They give out the full size candy bars at Halloween.” Max added and Camille smirked at her.

  “You should see the houses at Christmas time. Everyone drives down to see them and we hand out hot chocolates and cider. My family decorates but we’re Jewish so it’s more for the parties.”

  “Jews,” Neil scoffed; gave a tight smile. “Huh. That’s nice.” Billy cleared his throat when Camille’s eyes drew wider.

  “Neil.” Susan cut in, careful as she could.

  “And your parents, what do they do?” He peered at Billy and took a bite of food.

  “My father is a scientist up at Hawkins lab. Mom is a fashion designer.” She replied, sipping water. “Harper Sixx.”

  “Your mother is Rosemary Harper?” Susan cut in and Camille nodded. “Her stuff is lovely, I wore one of her blouses on our first date. Didn’t I, Neil?”

  “Sure did.” His eyes were on his plate now.

  “She’ll be excited to hear that. She did more high fashion and runway when she first began. Celebrities and all. But, she wanted to start seeing her stuff on all women. Think she’s happier with that.” Camille sat back and peered at Max. “I’m jealous, I see you skateboarding all the time around school. I was on one once and broke my arm when I was ten.”

  “I rode into a thorn bush a few years back and got stuck,” Max smiled this time, relaxing.

  “So, what project are you two working on? A paper?” Neil spoke over Max before she could go on. “Can’t write one yourself, Billy?”

  “It’s a collaborative thing for class, two minds equals more ideas.” Camille cut in and felt Billy nudge her thigh under the table. “Large book report but, I’m optimistic, we picked a good one.”

  “Which one?”

  “The Scarlet Letter,” Billy prodded at a piece of meat.

  “Little advanced for you.”

  “Billy actually finished the novel before I did.” Camille gripped her knife and fork on the table. Billy’s leg touched her own again in warning.

  “Sometimes I forget you can read anything outside of Playboy. Or was it Playgirl?” Neil pointed at Billy with his knife and laughed at his own joke, he nudged his son’s shoulder until he forced a tight grin. Eyes watery. Camille felt herself tremble. That headache pounded and then it released completely when a photo jerked from the wall to crash into the floor. Neil whipped around and cursed, standing. “Piece of shit,” he mumbled, going to shut the window beyond it. “Damn wind blew it off the wall.” Camille was dazed and Billy jerked to force a napkin against her nose.

  “Jesus, Harpy. Again?” He pulled her to focus and her hand covered his. Eyes locked, pupils dilated. She felt his fingers shake.

  “Are you okay, dear?” Susan offered another napkin. Max was silent and wide eyed.

  “Yes, sorry, I have this thing. I get them easily. Pardon me.” She held the paper and quirked her brow to save Billy more embarrassment.

  “Yeah,” Billy pulled her to her feet and guided her off. Didn’t think too much of it. Camille shot one last look at Neil and wished that photo crashed into his head. They shut the bathroom door. “Can’t keep doing this, yeah?”

  “Nosebleeds are a Camille Harper special,” she joked, angling her face up. “Your stepmom seemed nice.”

  “She chose him.” Billy was tense. "Just fucking makes it worse when she tries to help." Trembling. Susan tried to defuse the tension. Tried.

  “Sometimes you don’t know a person until they’re already drowning you.” She whispered. He wet a rag and without asking, moved the tissue to wipe her nose. Camille let him, eyes flickering over his while he stared at her lips and edged the rag over them. His thumb came up to trace them before she ran her tongue there. Oh, did he fucking want her.

  “Better?” She watched him nod. “I should go.” Billy was silent again, eyes on his feet before he sniffled and nodded once more. “Walk me out?” She went first and clasped her hands. “Mrs. Hargrove, dinner was great but my parents will want me home. Thank you.”

  “Come over anytime, hon.”

  “Yes. Bye, Max. I’ll see you around.”

  “Sure,” Max lifted her lips.

  “Mr. Hargrove, thank you for having me in your house.” She pushed her hand out with a hard look and dared him to refuse. Tightly, he shook it. They’re all better than you, you son of a bitch. Billy watched this girl stand up to his father without fear, challenging him somehow. It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen.

  “Maybe my son’s grades will go up with you...around him.”

  “Credit would be all his.” She smiled her sweetest smile and picked up her backpack. “Billy.” The teen peered at his dad, watched him fume, and purposefully crossed in front to follow Camille out. “My house for next time? Yes, I said next time, keep the excitement down.” She offered, earning a silent scoff of agreement. Hands shifted and she pulled a pen from her backpack, grabbing for his hand to write her number along his wrist. “Need anything, call. Now you.”

  “Forgot your book inside,” he remarked, inking his number into her arm next.

  “Ah, get it to me tomorrow.” Camille lingered when his hand didn’t release her wrist. Slowly, she came up and didn’t kiss him. She did something far worse. Arms slipped around his shoulders, shifting his hair aside when she hugged him. Brief. Not long enough. Nothing else could be done or said. “Take care, I’ll see you at school. I liked it...the talking and all. Felt needed.” He lifted his hands but she slipped away too quick. “Goodnight, Billy.” Camille turned and he watched her get into her car to drive off. One friend. In fucking Hawkins. Didn't seem too bad.

** ** **

  Camille observed Steve at lunch the next day, seated two tables away from Nancy. Sighing, she approached Nancy first while she packed up to go.

  “Hey.”

  “Hi.” Nancy looked ashamed. “Steve told me I said some stuff to you at the party. I don’t really remember it. But, I’m sorry.”

  “Nance-”

  “No, it was gross. I tossed that in your face.”

  “We all say shitty things,” Camille shrugged, “are you and Steve done?”

  “I’m not sure anymore. Maybe.” She watched her friend sit. Friend. “Last year...I think it messed me up. I love Steve, I do, but...”

  “You’re not in love with him?”

  “I thought I was. It’s not fair. I care about him and I hurt him because I couldn't....” Nancy sighed. “A lot happened and it changed me.”

  “What really happened to Barb, Nancy?” Camille pushed the words out and her lip trembled. “I missed something and it’s eating you.”

  “I’m going to make it right.” Nancy got up in a hurry to go.

  “Nancy,” Camille stood in a huff. But, she was gone. Annoyed, she marched over to Steve and plopped down, appetite gone. “You know something.”

  “About what?”

  “Barb, last year, all of it. You know."

   "Cam-"

  "You've been my friend as long as Nancy has. Two rich kids with absent parents make perfect wingmen. And you're lying to my face, Steve. Why are you and Nancy lying? Does Jonathan know too? That why they’re acting weird?” Camille watched Steve frown, sympathetic to her anger. “She’s dead. Isn’t she? She’s not coming back, what happened to my friend?” Camille smacked the table and above her, the light fizzled, crackling before glass broke and rained down. Gasps echoed. She and Steve jumped under the table to avoid sparks. Every light followed and teachers began to usher kids out in the chaos.

  “You’re bleeding.” Steve grabbed Camille’s shoulder and her head just burned beyond any belief.

  “Ah,” she pushed from him and slid away to go. Lights erupted all over. Students cried out while the power blew. Camille was racing down the hallway when the fire alarm went off then cut. She fussed with her locker and grew enraged when it didn’t budge. “Piece of shit!” She gave one pound and it jerked open. Breathing heavily, she stuffed items in her bag and whipped around as a hand grabbed her shoulder.

  “What’s the matter, Queen Bee? Get scared?”

  “Fuck off, Tommy.” She hissed, pushing him hard to go.

  “Hey, you bitch,” he grabbed her arm and jerked. Camille felt her body lose control. She dodged under his arm and spun once, leg gliding out to kick him in the head. Tommy lost his footing when his nose busted, dropping. Fists up, she blinked and stared down at her hands. “My nose, what the fuck, you stupid slut!” Camille looked up to see Billy Hargrove stunned at the end of the hallway. He took one confused step, eyes unblinking. Behind him, students raced out the doors as teachers ushered them. Frantic, Camille turned and sprinted the other direction. He caught up with her once she got out the back door.

  “What the fuck was that Karate Kid shit?” He snatched for her wrist.

  “Not now, Billy, I have to go home.” She was crying, bloodying her sleeve to wipe her nose. Camille pushed at him to let go and he tossed his hands out.

  “Camille! The fuck?” He yelled but she was already getting into her car to speed away. She didn’t get pulled over by some miracle.

  “Mom!” She echoed to her house once inside. “Mama!” Camille dropped her bag and fell to her knees on the stairs. Sobs ripped from her while her head burned. Hands grasped her shoulders.

  “Milly, what’s happened?” Her housekeeper shook her, gasping when she saw her bloodied nose.

  “I don’t know! I don’t know! It hurts,” she wailed, inconsolable. "Make it stop!" Edna heaved her up the steps and got her into the guest room. Camille’s sob subsided when pills were shoved into her hands.

  “Drink up, there we go. You need to rest, I’ll call your parents.” Edna cleaned her face and helped her undress. “Lie down there. Good. Go to sleep, Camille.”

  “But-”

  “Sink.” The harsh tone caught Camille, frosting her spine.

  “What...did you say?” She fell back in a daze.

  “I said, sleep, honey.” Edna watched the pills work quick and shuffled down the hallway after locking the door. She picked up the phone to dial.

  “Harper.”

  “Sir, she’s getting worse. It’s happening again. Same as when she was younger.” There was a beat and sigh.

  “I’ll be home in twenty.”

** ** **

  “Power goes nuts, half day is nice.” Steve remarked, leaning against his car while students dispersed and Heather nodded next to him.

  “I called Camille’s house, her mother said she was sick. I’ll grab her homework tomorrow if they don’t cancel it.” They stopped talking when Billy Hargrove marched up, poking Steve in the shoulder.

  “What the fuck was that?”

  “Man, not now. Any other day but, I’m not in the mood for you today, got it?”

  “What the fuck happened to her? Harper?”

  “She gets dizzy, I don’t know. She doesn’t talk about it. The hell do you care?” Steve turned with Heather. I don't, Billy almost said. Sick curiosity was ending him. “Go away, Hargrove. Bad enough I have to deal with you in gym.” Billy pushed past him to go to his car.

  “Max, get in now!” He raged so she scrambled. Billy slammed the door and sped off, too many questions rang. Better to just toss them aside and see all in red.

[charminglatina]

Riverdale Couples and Ships as Romantic Tropes (Part II). 🌹

Here is Part II of the list!

#11. Bughead (Jughead Jones & Betty Cooper; ROMANTIC TROPE: CHILDHOOD FRIENDS ROMANCE)

Childhood Friend Romance

Childhood Friend Romance is a part of romantic plots, when characters develop romantic feelings for someone who they spent their childhood years with. Often the pair will see each other as Just Friends (and may even deny accusations that they might have a different type of relationship); then, when puberty hits or when they meet again after being apart for some time, they will realize that the other is all grown up. If the pair goes through a Puppy Love phase from the very beginning, a Childhood Marriage Promise may be involved. Resistance to see a childhood friend as a potential romantic partner is known as the "Westermarck effect", a theory that claims that people who grew up together before the age of 6 are likely to become hardwired to think about each other Like Brother and Sister, with a Stupid Sexy Friend squicked reaction to the notion of romance. (Other studies question this on the basis that though few of the people they examined had major romantic relationships with childhood friends, many had crushes and romantic feelings that just didn't make it.) Subtrope of Childhood Friends. See also Patient Childhood Love Interest, a subtrope common in Harem Series. Compare also with High-School Sweethearts. Often benefits from First Girl Wins.

#10. Veggie (Reggie Mantle & Veronica Lodge; ROMANTIC TROPE: SLAP-SLAP-KISS)

Slap-Slap-Kiss

"[Punches Hiccup on the arm] That was for kidnapping me. [Kisses him on the cheek] That was for everything else."— Astrid, How to Train Your Dragon

This trope is nothing but universal in romantic stories. It frequently brings to a close the Will They or Won't They? phase of a Romance Arc. When a male and female character spend a lot of time bickering, it is all but inevitable that sooner or later he will interrupt her in mid-rant by suddenly grabbing her and kissing her. (Less frequently, she grabs and kisses him.) The kissed one rarely resists, and usually responds wholeheartedly. Usually this is triggered by their hostilities reaching a climax that results in an exchange of slaps, followed by a moment where both stare at each other in combined confusion and shock, after which they dive into the kiss. Either way, the kiss prompts both to realize that they've been in love all this time — the rationale being that they wouldn't argue so much if they didn't give a damn about each other. Normally results in some kind of permanent change in their relationship. The concept is related to the theory that hate is not necessarily the opposite of love so much as its twisted twin; its opposite would be apathy. Ergo, lots of contained emotion towards a person might be translated into lust given the proper catalyst. Pulled off successfully, it can be... quite satisfying. Otherwise, not so much. This trope is a major factor in Foe Yay shipping, since such arguments between those characters in the actual shows are often similar to examples of this trope (or even get Why Don't You Marry It? reactions). It should be noted that in Real Life it's not exactly a sign of a healthy relationship, with the exception of a little roleplay between consenting adults. Note that this trope is mostly Exactly What It Says on the Tin. If there is no kiss, that's Belligerent Sexual Tension. Dating back at least to William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. Compare "Shut Up" Kiss, Love at First Punch, Belligerent Sexual Tension, "Take That!" Kiss, Vitriolic Best Buds, and Destructo-Nookie. Often considered in similar terms to Foe Yay. Tsunderes are often involved on at least one end. Kiss-Kiss-Slap is this in reverse (kissing, then fighting).

#09. Jarchie (Archie Andrews & Jughead Jones; ROMANTIC TROPE: HO YAY)

HoYay

Homoeroticism, yay! Those moments of plot, dialogue, acting, etc., that fans delight in interpreting as homoerotic. It probably originates from the old days, when the homosexuality taboo was serious enough that every gay pairing was considered a Crack Pairing, so when authors wrote same-sex characters as very intimate with each other, audiences largely accepted that they are just very good friends, and moved on, or when authors wrote outright references to homosexuality, most just laughed at the sheer absurdity of the thought. With the gradual dissolution of homophobic moral codes, more and more writers have been able to publish and share their work uncensored, changing media forever. Nowadays, Yaoi Fans and Yuri Fans willingly interpret any interaction as potentially gay, for characters without canonical orientations and even for those specifically stated by their creators to be straight (in which case the author may be very annoyed by the fans' insistence otherwise). Cultural differences also have their say here. The level of accepted physical intimacy between close friends and adult relatives is hardly constant across various eras and nationalities, so, for example, the hugs and kisses which seemed mundane for an antiquated reader may appear blatantly erotic in the eyes of a contemporary one. In particular, the concept of Romantic Two-Girl Friendship — and Romantic Two-Guy Friendship — highly intimate yet platonic, only began falling out of use in the latter half of the 19th century. When this is done intentionally, it's Homoerotic Subtext, or possibly Implied Love Interest or Ship Tease. In the related trope called Foe Yay, even rivals or mortal enemies can get this treatment by fans and writers alike, especially if they have a more friendly past together, or one is inordinately obsessed with the other. In Fan Fic, this is the direct cause of many a Slash Fic.

#08. Choni (Cheryl Blossom & Toni Topaz; ROMANTIC TROPE: OPPOSITES ATTRACT)

Opposites Attract

"Strange extremes meet in love's pathway."—The Scarlet Pimpernel

Strong relationships, in both TV and real life, thrive on how each member compensates for the other’s weaknesses with their own strengths, and vice versa. A Motor Mouth just isn’t as funny if he doesn’t have the Straight Man to torment. Similarly, only when a sweet, shy person is paired up with an equally jerkish one is their kindness and shyness made all the more noticeable. It is all but guaranteed that the characters’ differences will cause more friction than harmony between them. That’s what gives the Odd Couple its fuel for Slap-Slap-Kiss, Will They or Won't They?, and Aww, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other situations. Bickering and mushiness in one package. What’s not to like? The Odd Friendship also has elements of this, but tends to focus on how the differences make them see each other, and maybe the world, through new eyes. Perhaps the serious one is Not So Above It All, or the Shrinking Violet has an inner strength they never knew they had. A Moe Couplet also does something similar to this, focusing on how each half of the couplet brings out the other's endearing or nurturing traits. Opposites attract has become so widespread in buddy cop shows, in the form of Serious White Guy meets Loud Black Guy, that it branched off into its own subtrope. About the biggest challenge in creating a day-and-night dynamic is to keep the attract and repel cases relatively balanced. When the pendulum swings too far toward the repel side and the characters seem more interested in torturing each other than helping out, it’s no longer cute to watch; it’s just masochistic. The key (both in fiction and in Real Life) is to watch the pair's goals. If they want the same thing but use completely different methods to achieve it, it's this trope. If they want different things entirely, it's a divorce waiting to happen. If you add a third-party mediator for balance, you get a Power Trio. Contrast Birds of a Feather. Compare Too Much Alike.

#07. Cheronica (Cheryl Blossom & Veronica Lodge; ROMANTIC TROPE: VILLAINOUS CRUSH)

Villainous Crush

"Just fear me. Love me. Do as I say, and I shall be your slave."— Jareth the Goblin King to Sarah, Labyrinth

This trope applies whenever a villainous character has romantic and/or sexual feelings for a heroic one. If this crush takes a turn for the perverse (and most such crushes tend towards this), this can lead to tropes like I Have You Now, My Pretty, Forceful Kiss, Bathe Her and Bring Her to Me, And Now You Must Marry Me, Scarpia Ultimatum, and Go-Go Enslavement where the villain tries to force their desires upon the character, although none of those require a Villainous Crush. Additionally, the villain may become a Stalker with a Crush. If the crush itself is a motivating factor in their Start of Darkness, then it's Love Makes You Evil. This trope isn't always negative, though. This trope can conversely be a very humanising trait for an Anti-Villain. The heroic character may become a Morality Pet, and can be fairly certain that their villainous admirer will never harm them or allow harm to come to them, barring certain exceptions. They may even step in to protect them from other villains who have fewer compunctions. Taken all the way, it may become Love Redeems. If the feelings are mutual or an actual relationship develops, then it's Dating Catwoman instead. When this is purely subtextual, see Foe Romance Subtext. The specific variant when the Evil Empress captures the hero to seduce him is Villainesses Want Heroes. Not to be confused with Foe Yay, which are purely audience reactions.

#06. Archosie (Archie Andrews & Josie McCoy; ROMANTIC TROPE: BIRDS OF A FEATHER)

Birds Of A Feather

Grace: My mum always said opposites attract. Rich: That's magnets. We're people.—Skins

Relationships, particularly romantic ones, tend to thrive when the people involved are similar. People are simply more likely to get along if they share common interests, values, beliefs, and goals. Thus people with similar personalities will often flow together easily, whether romantically or not. The dynamic of this pair differs widely from Opposites Attract pair. Their personalities can often be interchangeable and both of them can have a same role if they are a part of a group. However, their common obstacle is having a harder time to compensate for each other's weaknesses. Be warned, writers: while often Truth in Television, this trope can sometimes be seen to create a poorly written Love Interest who just happens to be a Gender Flip of the main character. When the commonalities are much fewer but still create a bond, see Commonality Connection. Contrast Too Much Alike.

#05. Beronica (Veronica Lodge & Betty Cooper; ROMANTIC TROPE: ROMANTIC TWO-GIRL FRIENDSHIP)

Romantic Two-Girl Friendship

"It was perfectly acceptable at Baker & Inglis to get a crush on a fellow classmate. At a girls school a certain amount of emotional energy, normally expended on boys, gets redirected into friendships."—Middlesex

At the beginning of adolescence, there is a time when friendship is emphasized, usually junior high/middle school. These friendships can have very strong emotional bonds, and, when two girls develop a close bond, it will almost appear to be a romance. They hold hands. Getting together to do something is a "date." Fights are treated as a "break-up." They're willing to sleep next to each other in the same bed (and maybe even cuddle). They're also sometimes capable of moving and speaking in perfect unison. They may not actually be in a romantic relationship, but it is emphasized in such a way that if they were, you'd assume it'd look this way. In the Western world, this was far more common up until the late 1800s, and applied to both men and women, even into adulthood. It was referred to as "romantic friendship." This practice waned at the turn of the 20th century as adults, particularly men, did not want to be mistaken as homosexual. Note Generally, it still only occurs between young girls, where it is more socially acceptable and not indicative of sexual orientation. In Japan, this is known as "Class S" and is far more common than in the West. Due to the influence of Western female literature,Note the Japanese developed a belief that young girls are expected to have friendships with each other that emulate boyfriend–girlfriend relationships. This is considered a temporary but wonderful part of adolescence, which they can later "graduate" from to "real" relationships with boys. To remain in a "Class S" relationship past middle school is seen as a sign of immaturity, although it is expected that these friendships will continue into adulthood without the romantic elements. The possibility of one or more of the girls involved in a "Class S" relationship being truly invested in the other romantically is usually ignored. If the romance starts to become too passionate, parents may try to intervene to separate the girls. This should never become physical that way; it would "corrupt" the Incorruptible Pure Pureness, which is then traded in for marriage. If the girls do cross the line into sex (or even passionate kissing), they are no longer this trope, instead becoming Schoolgirl Lesbians, and are treated differently. Compare Heterosexual Life-Partners, where it just doesn't seem as romantic but remains a tremendously important personal bond, above and beyond a genuine romantic relationship. Also compare Experimented in College.

#04. Varchie (Archie Andrews & Veronica Lodge; ROMANTIC TROPE: UPTOWN GIRL)

Uptown Girl

"She's a rich girl, she don't try to hide it, Diamonds on the soles of her shoes. He's a poor boy, empty as a pocket, Empty as a pocket with nothing to lose."—Paul Simon, "Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes"

You know the story. It's a love story. Our lovers are from different worlds — one wealthy, one not. The poor girl has fallen in love with the Gentleman Snarker, or the Unlucky Everydude secretly courts the daughter of the richest man in town. And she loves him too. Maybe it was Love at First Sight. Maybe she has a habit of slipping out to the seedier side of town for a night of fun. Maybe they've been friends their whole lives and the difference in status never really mattered. Will their love be enough to let them be happy together?

In any case, this is usually played out in one of three ways:

The poor guy and rich girl mutually fall in love, and neither one cares about their differences in wealth. People around them, however, do, and conspire to interfere with True Love.

The poor guy falls for the rich girl, even though he knows that she's out of his league. Undaunted, our hero engages in some Zany Scheme to get her to notice him or be impressed by him. This usually ends with the girl revealing that she doesn't care if he's rich or poor, and that she loves him for who he is.

The poor guy and the rich girl fall for one another, but he doesn't know she's rich at first. When he finds out, he's either intimidated by her wealth once he finds out, or else doesn't think he's good enough for her. As before, she doesn't care about such things, and has to convince him that he's the one she wants.

When the rich girl wants nothing to do with the poor guy, but slowly warms up to him, it's a different trope entirely. Note that the roles aren't locked by gender: a working-class girl who loves a rich boy also fits this trope, as do two lovers of the same gender. A relationship variant of the Odd Couple and quite often overlaps with Nobody Thinks It Will Work. Also often leads to cases of I Can't Believe a Guy Like You Would Notice Me, either with severe case of insecurity (like the third type above), or simply the poor guy being constantly feeling lucky and appreciative that someone so rich could fall for him. If it's not just the fact that she comes from money, but that he feels like she's above him, she's a Peerless Love Interest. Compare with All Girls Want Bad Boys, which often follows the same socioeconomic groups (or the inverse, if the girl is The Ingenue and the boy is an Gentleman Snarker or Spoiled Brat). Can overlap with Single Woman Seeks Good Man as it is the guy's personality that wins her heart (as is the case mentioned above). Not to be confused with the Brittany Murphy film Uptown Girls, which doesn't use this trope. Not to be confused with City Mouse either. This is transitioning into Dead Horse Trope territory, since interclass marriage is no longer shocking, and the expectation that men should be the breadwinner in the family is much weaker today than it used to be. On the other hand, it may become an Undead Horse Trope with the emergence of culture wars and new waves of social stratification. For the non-romantic variant, see Interclass Friendship. For the version endemic to India, see Type Caste, although that trope is not restricted solely to marriage and relationships.

#03. Falice (FP Jones & Alice Cooper; ROMANTIC TROPE: UNRESOLVED SEXUAL TENSION AKA UST)

Unresolved Sexual Tension (UST)

"To repress one's feelings only makes them stronger."— Yu Shu Lien, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

Two people are obviously attracted to each other, but some element of the story is keeping them apart. This tension is frequently referred to as UST in fandom, where it is pronounced "oost" or Yu-Ess-Tee. Also known as "Long Unresolved Sexual Tension". Belligerent Sexual Tension is a way to keep the UST by having the couple fight each other too much to actually get together. They Do is when it gets resolved (Literally Falling in Love might help). Shipping Bed Death and Strangled by the Red String are when it gets resolved badly. Compare All Love Is Unrequited, Will They or Won't They?, Just Friends, Moment Killer (a staple of a UST relationship), Maybe Ever After (a more uncertain version), Cannot Spit It Out. Contrast Official Couple, when the couple is already together, and Friends with Benefits, where the primarybond in the relationship is sex.

#02. Barchie (Archie Andrews & Betty Cooper; ROMANTIC TROPE: WILL THEY OR WON’T THEY?)

Will They Or Won’t They?

"Pam is very attractive, no question. If I didn't have an award show to host, I could easily see having two or three seasons of will-they-won't-they sexual tension that ultimately goes nowhere."—Conan O'Brien, Emmy 2006 opening skit, after crashing, The Office (US)

Two characters, often combative but with obvious Unresolved Sexual Tension, resist going into a full blown relationship for a rather long time. Usually the two characters will be presented so that "they will" is the conclusion to root for; only rarely is the question of whether the writers think they should in any real doubt. Actually ending the dance is a tricky business. It is difficult for shows to recover from the loss of a major source of dramatic tension represented by an unrequited relationship. Many shows Jump the Shark or suffer Shipping Bed Death when the two characters finally get together. A common problem is that the show suddenly becomes about the relationship rather than remaining true to its original premise. Sometimes an attempt is made to introduce a new source of dramatic tension, but it is frequently cheesy and lame. To avoid this, many shows choose to answer the question and end the show nearly simultaneously via a Last Minute Hookup. Of course, the opposite can also occur. Shows can go out of their way to avoid resolving the relationship, making ever-more-desperate narrative leaps. In longer-running shows, they may even have the characters hook up for a little while, only to split up over and over again, until by the time they finally let the characters get actually, technically married, the show has lost its viewership anyway. Belligerent Sexual Tension is often a victim of this. Sometimes a Love Epiphany can be used to have a character realize his/her feelings, but still not resolve the question, just add a new dynamic to it. A fundamental Shipping-inducement strategy. See also Almost Kiss, Held Gaze, Relationship Upgrade, Moment Killer, Everyone Can See It. When a series ends without even a hint of resolution to will-they-or-won't-they, it's No Romantic Resolution. If it's more ambiguous, it's Maybe Ever After. Contrast Friends with Benefits, where they definitelydo it, but without the emotional baggage. Compare Just Friends and They Do. Contrast Platonic Life-Partners and Ship Sinking — they won't. See Just Eat Gilligan if it's a major plot point. See also Break-Up/Make-Up Scenario when they separate for some dramatic reason, spend a time apart, then reconcile (usually with a kiss, which breaks the Will They Or Won't They)

#01. Jeronica (Jughead Jones & Veronica Lodge;  ROMANTIC TROPE: BELLIGERENT SEXUAL TENSION AKA BST)

Belligerent Sexual Tension (BST)

"Wonderful girl! Either I'm gonna kill her, or I'm beginning to like her!"— Han Solo about Princess Leia Organa, A New Hope

There's a couple, usually a sometimes sweet, sometimes grouchy female (Tsundere) paired with a secretly-kind jerk (Jerk With A Heart Of Gold), who are not able to admit their feelings. At the top of their lungs. Despite the conflict, there is an attraction. This is usually obvious to everyone around except the couple. Confront them with the obvious, they'll deny deny deny. Sometimes they will progress to admitting their friendship but insist they are Just Friends. Eventually, they can admit their feelings to practically anyone except their loved one. It ends up where both characters dance around admitting their feelings as if the words "I love you" are some sort of death curse, much to the frustration of the audience and the other characters. Older Than Steam, since this is used in Much Ado About Nothing, and has varying degrees of popularity at different times. If there is a Love Epiphany with one of these characters, expect it to change nothing, at least in the short term. This can even be true in established long-term relationships; see Like an Old Married Couple. If the whole relationship is defined by the belligerence, it can become The Masochism Tango. If a pair of outright enemies has this sort of attraction, it's a case of Foe Romance Subtext and when it ultimately goes from subtext to text, then it's Dating Catwoman. See also Slap-Slap-Kiss, No Accounting for Taste, Well, Excuse Me, Princess! and Defrosting Ice Queen. If we're lucky, at the end we may get to see a moment of Aww, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other. Expect this couple to be either extremely popular or completely hated by the fandom. For the platonic version, compare Vitriolic Best Buds and With Friends Like These.... Not to be confused with Hate at First Sight, although it may overlap.

[noddytheornithopod]

So it’s chapter 4, and things are heating up.

Very eerie Rantaro message. He says there’s something important about the rule to the two people left rule, and that this isn’t their first something (their first killing game?). Whoever finds out who they are will come for them, and that they apparently wanted this. I assume Rantaro is talking to the students... what does it all mean? I mean, the wanting the game definitely ties into that memory of Shuichi wanting to die. All in all, this is all pretty weird.

So what’s up with that writing on the rock? Who’s writing it?

Gonta also apparently keeps seeing bugs, weird.

Okay so Kokichi is REALLY getting into the killing game now. He’s no longer just an annoying brat, but he’s actually starting to show his Ultimate Supreme Leader side. I still can’t help but wonder if he knows something the others don’t. And of course, the Mastermind could STILL be one of the students. I feel like Kokichi would be too obvious to be the mastermind (as said, it feels like he’s a Byakuya/Fuyuhiko type, though him getting more serious and manipulative is very Nagito too, plus like Nagito he has a major link to the story’s central themes), but I’m still keeping an eye on him.

Kokichi steals one of the items you need to unlock new areas... and it just so happens to be a card. I have a feeling it might be the library card for the hidden door. What’s really in there?

Tsumugi gets her lab, nice. Also turns out she was a bartender as a job to get money before sponsors, cool. You’re back to being adorkable instead of a creepy cult follower, Miss Shirogane.

Shuichi gets his lab, huh. I thought it would be the checkered one downstairs, but I guess we get this one. Whose lab is it down there then? Rantaro? Or maybe Kokichi... maybe his checkered scarf is a clue.

Keebo gets a lab... and doesn’t like it. Monokuma tailored to everyone except him, of course. :v

So they get another memory flashlight and we see the meteors. We also hear about something called the Gofer project to save humanity which supposedly failed... and we also got some weird culty group saying mankind deserves damnation. Sounds kind of Ultimate Despair-like if you ask me.

Wait... this is the crisis Kirumi was overseeing wasn’t she?

More training. I’m enjoying the Shuichi, Maki and Kaito trio. Also Maki weirdly asks a question about whether Shuichi had feelings for Kaede, and if it’s rational. TBH it’s like she’s asking if she has feelings for someone. :v My guess is Kaito, lol.

That bonus I got with Himiko and Gonta training was fun. Seeing Himiko try to live her best life possible and move forward is pretty cool... even if she’s trying too hard sometimes, lol.

Okay this Monotaro and Monophanie subplot is REALLY weird. Monotaro malfunctioning is one thing... but the weird incest thing too? And domestic violence? What even is this? And there’s an ending??? Wow.

So we get Maki’s tragic backstory with training... ouch. So the Ultimate Child Caregiver cover has some truth to it, being something that happened at her orphanage. But then she was forced to be an assassin so she could get the money to keep the orphanage running. It sounds like that life really took a toll on her, huh. Amazing how she went from the most invisible character to TBH one of my faves. I like this main trio we currently have, as said.

Also got another bonus event with Shuichi bringing a practice katana to train with Kaito and Maki during the day... but unfortunately it makes Maki remember her failed mission. Turns out she failed the assassination because they thought she was cosplaying as a character and everyone loved it... and the attention meant she was almost discovered and couldn’t do her job. It’s kinda cute, but Maki is pretty upset by it because of the aforementioned backstory. I have to admit even if it’s a bit cliche with her kind of character, seeing Maki warm up to the others like this is nice.

Okay so free times... I finished Tsumugi’s since she’s now un-cancelled, and it actually got really sweet in the last one where it turned out Shuichi really liked a show she not only adored, but also inspired her to cosplay. Also wow, they get a bit awkward at the end, in a bit of a romantic tension kind of way. First character I completed too.

Also did some more Kaito free times. He’s really talking himself up, huh? I don’t even know if I believe these stories about having a pirate rival out at sea and running into an anaconda that guarded some ancient empire? IDK what to make of it, but it seems like he really has a taste for adventure and that’s why he wants to explore the Universe (gosh I hope he’s not blackened and that’s his Monokuma execution). Best part though was when Shuichi was really fondly of Kaito but then was like “WAIT I SHOULDN’T BE THINKING ABOUT A GUY LIKE THIS!” Shuichi Saihara is not straight confirmed, honestly this makes me ship him and Kaito even more.

Speaking of Kaito, he seems pretty unwell. It’s interesting that even though he’s trying to push and inspire Shuichi and Maki, he’s afraid to admit his own weakness (even as he encourages the others to talk about what’s bothering them). That end of chapter 3 thing implied he was dying, but from what?

Kokichi, what are you up to? I don’t trust you. It’s implied he’s somehow using the card for the second Neo World Miu was working on, but IDK how that works, especially if it’s the library card. Unless there’s something IN there he’s using, or the card is something else completely (like it has code or something)? And again, I feel like he might know something the others don’t. Also wow, his sprites get progressively creepier.

I guess Chapter 4 is the “callback to last game’s setting” chapter now, lol.

They do make a good point about wondering why Gonta feels such a need to be useful and protective to everyone.

So it also becomes apparent that even though Miu was working on the Neo World, she’s up to something with Kokichi. Miu decided she wanted to use it so they can all escape, but it seems like Kokichi has conspired something with her, or at the very least is manipulating her into doing things that he’d want. Is there really a secret in the Neo World, or is that all just an assumption that Kokichi wanted the others to make?

Miu, with vegetable and the R word, enough with the fucking ableist slurs.

Wow, so this Neo World has them all looking like weird funko pop things. Miu is as crass as ever (and there’s some odd exchanges about Tsumugi being sensitive on her neck and Kaito being a perv WTF), but also using her authority as the one who developed this version of the Neo World to steer things in her (or Kokichi’s?) direction.

Wow, Kaito is pretty excited about snow, lol. Maki says he’s acting like a puppy. Also when they split into groups to search Maki sounds disappointed she wasn’t with Shuichi and/or Kaito, and later comments that Shuichi really is cold for not checking the roof of the mansion to see if Kaito was there when he goes missing.

Miu gets rid of the bridge for the mansion group, which is pretty suspect even as she (really badly) pretends it’s an accident.

So they hear the chapel side even though it’s far away from them... is there some circular aspect to the loading of the world? Like you can travel between the supposed ends to reach the other world and not just the middle loading point?

Keebo makes a peculiar comment wondering if the world’s borders here with nothing beyond them reflects the academy they’re in right now. Huh.

Alright Kokichi, just spill the beans already. You asking Shuichi to basically join you is pretty suspicious. I have no idea what you’re planning, but it’s clearly not good.

So they exit the Neo World and... Miu’s dead. This is intriguing, since it seemed like she was planning something (or Kokichi was and using her). Kaito being missing makes him an obvious suspect, but even if it is obvious, I do think they’re setting something up with him dying and all that. Maybe he discovered the plan and at the last minute killed her to stop it, whatever it may be (I mean, chapter 4 IS the “super tragic sacrifice” chapter... gosh Maki if you have any feelings for Kaito say them before it’s too late)? Kokichi is also suspicious of course for seemingly orchestrating everything, but I feel like he’s too smart to be the killer directly right now.

[krys-does-otome]

Week of Otome, Day 5: Favorite and Least Favorite Character Tropes

I haven’t gone wrong yet with a Kuudere character.

People might have heard of character tropes known as tsundere and yandere, but for me, if a game has a known kuudere, chances are that’s going to be my favorite character.

To define it, a kuudere character can come off as cold and standoffish at first. They tend to be the quieter and more serious type characters. In comparison to the first two, a tsundere will outwardly express their feelings, but often times feel embarrassed when expressing these feelings, so it more often than not comes off in a negative way. IE: “It’s not like I like you or anything, baka.” Meanwhile, the yandere typically loves their targets to the point of obsession. They likely know almost every subtle detail of their love interest and often insert themselves into the love interest’s lives in a way that pushes out any sort that could be considered ‘competing’ for love interest’s attention, anything from love rivals to even normal people in love interest’s life.

A kuudere won’t do this. They tend to stay on the edge of social circles, the quiet loner type that keep mostly to themselves and most seem to prefer it that way.

Not to be confused with the shy type that stutters and is flustered when confessing feelings (Dandere), a kuudere is more likely to assess the situation logically and tell you straight out if they like you or not.

Think of it being the difference between an introvert and being shy. An introvert tends to be (but not always) quieter, preferring their own company and quieter spaces to the company of others, because being around noisy people is mentally draining, yo. Someone who’s shy tends to stay away from others because of their fear of being rejected or being made fun of, but still wants to interact with others. This type is the dandere. A dandere wants to interact but can’t because of their fear. A kuudere can interact normally with others without that fear, they just find the interacting part exhausting.

Examples of kuuderes include: Hajime Saito from Hakuoki, Jieun from Dandelion, Kent from Amnesia: Memories, Aiji Yanagi from Collar x Malice, Yukiya Reizen from Wizardess Heart, Byron Wagner from Midnight Cinderella, and Mason from Hustle Cat.

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A special shoutout also goes to my second favorite type, The Obnoxious Flirt and/or the Womanizer.

Just like the kuudere, I’d prefer it in games if a potential love interest straight out tells me they like me instead of dancing around the issue with backhanded statements or mixed signals.

Guess what the Obnoxious Flirt does.

Makes it known, in no uncertain terms, that they wants to get in your pants. They always DTF.

Admittedly, this trope can go wrong in a lot of ways (can come off as creepy, especially if the love interest doesn’t take no for an answer), but when it’s done right, it can be a pretty magical route for me.

My Favorite Obnoxious Flirts include: Erik from Seduce Me the Otome, Yuri from Nameless, and Shingen Takeda from Ikemen Sengoku.  (Technicality points also go to Impey Barbicane from Code: Realize and Rumple from Cinderella Phenomenon as they are both obnoxious flirts, but they are also complete dorks, so they don’t have the coolness/smoothness factor of the previously mentioned baes.)

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My least favorite trope is actually a pretty common one. I believe the trope can be done well, but there haven’t been many instances where I’ve seen the trope in a good light.

I know that the yandere trope can be done well. The trope exists for a reason. There is something to gained from it, but more often than not, it’s done at the expense of a lot of characters.

The yandere trope has two commonalities within it that I see too often and it’s the two things that piss me off about the trope that makes it a general turn off for me: ‘Surprise Yandere’ and ‘The Yandere’s Thoughts and Feelings Superseding Their Love Interest’s Thoughts And Feelings.’

I’ll break these down.

1) The Surprise Yandere

A character that had previously given little to no indication that they were such a character, but all of that changes like the flip of a switch once the player/MC starts on this character’s path. A previously kind older brother type soon becomes a obsessed maniac that puts his love in a cage or gets violently aggressive towards other people in MC’s life when he literally has no reason to be this aggressively jealous. A new colleague that was previously mostly emotionally distant from others suddenly is holding MC hostage, holding her prisoner while making excuse after excuse to try and keep her there longer.   

It’s not like a surprise twist can’t be good or, well, a surprise. It can be done well, but not through a huge sticker that just suddenly appearing that says YANDERE that slaps you in the face.

From my experience, the best I’ve seen done with the Surprise Yandere trope was Saint Germain from Code: Realize.

Up until the official start of his route, he gave no indication of being the yandere of the group. He was the kind yet mysterious lord of the house, offering kind words and advice to Cardia and the others when prompted. He was funny, teased Impey quite frequently, and loved a quiet chat over tea. 

When his route officially started, however, the heel-turn he does when he’s truly alone with Cardia, away from the protection of Lupin and the others, luring her into a false sense of security with the intention of killing her, is so great. What followed after that was a back and forth of Saint G fighting between his duty to Idea and his love for Cardia. He knows that he has to kill the her because she’s a homonculus abomination created by a man trying to become God, but he’s come to care for the girl that was under his wing, a girl he watched grow from an emotionless doll into someone so independent and strong in her own way that the thought of hurting such a lovely creature hurts him beyond words. 

It’s not a traditionally yandere role, as he’s not obsessing over the MC in an overt way; he’s just upset that he has to destroy a person that has become dear to him because of what she is and not being thought of or acknowledged as the person she had become.

Saint G is also a special yandere to me because, unlike a lot of yanderes (and various other tropes), he also steers clear of the other reason that I don’t like yanderes, which is:

2) The Yandere’s Thoughts and Feelings Supersedes the Love Interest’s Thoughts and Feelings

If there’s something that pisses me off in otomes (and in RL in general), its when the MC loses control of the situation and is unwillingly forced to follow along with a bae’s wishes. This extends to all of the tropes, but the yandere trope has this the worst, in my opinion.

Note the ‘unwillingly’ mentioned above. If the MC was going to be treated fairly and competently, this wouldn’t be a problem. Always remember that consent in any situation is important. 

It’s when an MC isn’t treated fairly and competently is when things start to get a little dicey.

This can be anything from MC being forced into a cage, under house arrest to keep from being kidnapped, drugged, chained up, being repeatedly told that she can’t hang out with other guys because ‘it makes him jealous’ even after repeated reassurance that there was nothing romantic going on between her and the other guys, etc. All against everything that’s sensible and fair to the MC. 

It’s like the MC’s opinion stops mattering once the yandere is in control, and she can’t say ‘No,’ anymore. 

What makes this even worse is when the MC just... starts going along with this. That’s she’s suddenly now okay with having all of these things happen her, doesn’t question it, doesn’t try to talk to her bae about how she feels about this kind of behavior, she just kind of... gives up.

This is probably the scariest part of a yandere for me, that free will is taken away from the MC, and the player is expected to sit there too while terrible things happen. What’s even worse is if there is an option for the player to make the MC speak up or fight back, it usually results in a bad ending. Like, if you want to progress any further, you have to sit there and take this abuse until the end. 

It’s very, very much not cool.

I do have one glimmer of hope that this trend is starting to change.

Enter one Kenshin Uesugi of Ikemen Sengoku.

His official route barely released a month ago at the time of this posting, the Dragon of Echigo is quickly climbing up the ranks as one of my favorite characters (then again, all of the IkeSen guys are treasures, but that’s just me).

If there’s nothing more that Kenshin loves more, it’s a good fight. Given him even the slightest inch, and he will fight you to the death. He loves everything about it from highly technical battle tactics and strategy to light conversations about what a dictionary is and questioning if it can it be used as a weapon. 

Admittedly, I have not played his route as of this posting, nor is it looking to be done in the near future (Nobunaga’s Bae in Review needs to be written and I need to finish both of Hideyoshi’s endings, not to mention LITERALLY EVERYONE ELSE, AHHHHHH), but I have been mildly spoiled for the route, at least to get the basic gist without anything really major getting spoiled.

I’ll try to keep this as vague as I can so I can keep others from getting majorly spoiled.

From what I’ve seen, it does contain the inevitable kidnapping of the MC (because MC originally allied to the Enemy Oda Forces, and Kenshin is on the opposite side, so of course she needs to be kidnapped at some point).

But, the difference is what would normally happen in a yandere route... doesn’t happen.

Kenshin actually respects the MC. He never does anything to really mistreat her. While technically speaking she is a prisoner of war, the two had met before he knew she was with the Oda Forces, and he was intrigued by her. Rather than using her as a bargaining chip, however, he keeps her locked away so that he could protect her. Because she intrigues him.

Stay with me here. 

While this might be considered typical of a yandere route, and though Kenshin is dramatic in just about everything he does, he never intended to intentionally hurt her. If @otome-obsessed‘s tweets are anything to go by, Kenshin is willing to listen to the MC as she tries to help him figure out his feelings. To let him know when he’s doing something that’s very much not okay, to put a stop to the bad behavior and helps him to better himself for it. (And thank God that it didn’t turn into a Stockholm Syndrome situation as I’m sure I would have vomited. IkeSen MC is too powerful to be Stockholm Syndromed).

This, this is something I want to see more of, not just in yandere routes, but probably in otomes in general. In life in general, really. That you can take no for an answer and no one is upset by it, maybe even learn something from it. Because consent is sexy as hell, y’all. And that you can work through your problems in a healthy, adult manner, such as talking to each other. Everyone has their flaws, but a willingness to grow and change is a great thing to have.

/end soapbox rant

[georg-prime]

Why do you think Allurance is gonna be end game? I'm just curious.

Though you would better ask an Allurance shipper, I’m sure they have all the screenshots and meta ^^” I suppose I may at least try to explain why I keep saying I’m 100% sure they’re endgame. And as usual, I’m sorry in advance for any mistakes as I’m not a native English speaker, and for this big mess of a post, if I try to make a better structured one I’d never finish it...

So, short answer is: tropes? When you get used to see movies/shows/cartoons and reading books, you can tell? Idk but it just seems very obvious to me. And I’m saying that when I’ve thought from day 1 that Allura deserved better, so I’m pretty sure I’m objective enough here, and well at least now I’m more okay with it because the development I knew they were going to give to Lance was actually - waaaay - better brought than most stories with the same kind of situation (awesome girl ending up with the straight big flirt ‘loser’ kinda situation). But I’m digressing.

So like, when this happen with a boy and a girl at the second of their meeting:

usually you can bet they’re endgame. It’s a common trope (literally called “Falling into his Arms” it was so ridiculously an obvious “hey look, these are the two straits you should be rooting for”, I rolled my eyes super hard at that, good thing Allura is not the passive kind of princess, her next reactions were fun).

I’m pretty sure you could check a lot of the common straight pairings love tropes for those two. The biggest one being The Lady and her Knight.

They are also colour coded in their paladin armour. Red and Blue are the rivals (no offence to KL shippers, even if in this case it was a mostly one-sided rivalery), but Blue and Pink, that's a hint especially in a cartoon, it's the most obvious you can come with for children because of our societies gender roles to tell them 'this is a boy this is a girl and they're gonna get married', I guess?

Lance’s character development began after he became Red’s pilot, but it was especially increasing in parallel to Allura and Lotor’s relationship: he is Allura’s love interest and his acting all jealous was something you found regularly in stories too, and then realizing in s6 that the reason she could never take him seriously was his own fault - as he wasn’t respectful to her, was even basically sexually harassing her - and from there on it was very obvious he is to become a more serious and responsible person, the kind of person she could be interested in ; it was all done on purpose presenting their relationship as a slow burn (there is a lot of slow burn pay off in this series imo, which what Josh Hamilton was talking about, and it’s not just about romantic relationships).

Also the fact that she didn’t seem to find it repulsive and ridiculous when the mice told her that he was in love with her, is a big good point for him: she would not have reacted with just a bit of surprise and a smile before, she got the time to become at least friend with him since they met, and she could see that he wasn’t just some rude idiot, that he was smarter than he seemed and that he had potential not just of greatness (which he already proved as a paladin) but also of nobility of heart, by sacrificing himself for her in 6x01 and by having his bayard turn into the same Altean sword King Alfor was using, very symbolic:

(also side note, Lance was the only one to get a glimps of ghost Alfor without counting Allura, when the ship and his IA got infected that time in s1).

His love and the importance he accords to his big family is something I can see playing a role in the development of their relationship too. Not only as making Allura feel welcome with them on Earth maybe, but also to show that he would make a good consort, one who would have the same sense of responsability and care toward a whole people, something the last Altean will need from Allura and anyone she would choose to share her life with. The ruler of a people (Allura) would need someone who seeks stability (Lance the family guy) rather than someone who wants adventures (or universe domination).

Which also brings the fact that the way Lotor treated Allura, then the way he treated the other Altean, was, is and will be opposed to how Lance is with her, classic love triangle (hey kinda like how they opposed Adam’s reaction to Shiro’s choice, to Keith’s unconditional love for him...).

And talking about Sheith, Allurance is also the only other relationship that has symbolic and or meaningful/deep moments at least once per season if not more (again, lots of tropes in those scenes).

I've seen people calling Lance "the rebound" which I find super weird, I personally see Lotor being the bad experience, but experience nonetheless, she’ll know better now than to give her heart to the first charming dude I suppose, and Lance the better choice now that he realized the difference between a crush and real love and that women deserve to be treated respectfully, and not just as sexy things, and that he could at least offer sincere and unconditional support if he really loves her.

I’m sure there are other things we could add, really there must be some good long meta out there, I’m just gonna finish here by saying that Voltron is indeed a cartoon about a group of hero forming a giant robot to defend the universe, but their relationships (all kind, friendship, family and romantic) all play a big role in their development - especially because they are young people. Which then plays a big role in their confidence about their abilities, their will to fight for what they believe in and what they want to protect, their bond with their lions and Voltron’s strength itself. It’s also a cartoon for teens rather than little children (like idk, Pokémon), so I do believe that at least one main pairing will be explicitely canon endgame, and the most logical would be the straight obvious one Allurance (and if they have the guts to defy the dudebro fanboys, at least subtily, Sheith). It would be appropriate to finish such a story with a hopeful joyous note, with super friendships between not just the paladins but also different species accross the universe, families reunited, and new families being formed.

[chuuyasvoicecracks]

Optimistic klance things

Ok so I've been in a pessimistic mood lately (weak I know smh) so here are the main things that always keep me believing

In the drawing of the race, gender and LGBT sign, Lance had both hands on the sign and a nervous expression whereas Shiro had one hand on his shoulder and a relaxed expression. Why draw it like that if Lance isn't LGBT?

According to JDS, their relationship is the most developed (I mean, we been knew lol, they went from rivals to friends in mere episodes) and romance would be a natural progression for them. I don't know about you but if I knew that a large part of my fanbase loved a particular ship and were hoping for it to be canon, I definitely would not say this if it wasn't going to be canon. Or at least I'd say at the end 'we have no plans to make it canon in the show but fans can see it like that if they want to', you know, to not get peoples' hopes up

They've paralleled Allurance scenes so often? The hand on the shoulder thing in S3E3 (or was it 2 idk), the bonding moment has been paralleled twice in s4 and s6, they've also paralleled Lotura and Hunay aka every romantically coded pairing in the show

That one scene where Black is drifting towards Red and red and blue merge together in the background? yeah

The way Keith looks at Lance and the way Lance looks at Keith when he can't see (pause here for a sec because I see a lot of people claim this is a reach and it CAN'T BE. This is animation. If it was real actors, you could say it doesn't mean anything. But the writers and animators are completely in control, they decide what expressions the characters will have, plus we have that quote from Lauren 'if we know that there's something coming up down the line that maybe hasn't been revealed, but would make that character feel a certain way, we try to insert in there a nod to it', therefore the facial expressions are solid evidence)

Apparently the endgame romance is a slow burn, and Lance will be a part of said romance. A/L doesn't qualify as a slowburn, but I don't trust het writers so let's assume they consider it a slowburn: It still can't be A/L. S6 is evidence enough- Allura still shows no romantic feelings for Lance, seems sad and disappointed when she discovers his feelings are serious, also during their hug scene and after that Lance doesn't show any kind of attraction to her so he may well be already trying to get over her and heal his heartbreak. But we can also see from evidence outside of the show that it won't be Allura. Lance apparently needs someone self assured, which Allura definitely isn't right now. He'll also end in a different place from where he started (this could point to allurance since he started by just wanting a princess but now appreciates who she truly is, but that's a less likely explanation since it's deeper and needs interpretation and this was an interview so I doubt the writers put THAT much thought into what they said)

So if Lance has an endgame, and it's not Allura, who else could it be? Maybe someone who he's had a lot of development with, someone who he's had scenes with that parallel his scenes with Allura?

 //If you disagree with this post, please don't reply with 'these are all reaches', actually explain to me why they don't point to klance instead of being annoying because I swear klance could kiss onscreen and people would say we're delusional. God forbid I have hopes for an lgbt couple who've had romantic scenes together and make sense as an endgame

[that-curly-haired-lesbian]

An analysis of you belong with me like you mentioned would be awesome! Ps your angelina analysis was so good:)

*Waves at anon* Hi!Thank you, it makes me super happy that you enjoyed my analysis of Angelina; I have so much fun writingthese things 😊

Sorry this is a little late, by the way, the family dinner ran long, but here it finally is, You Belong With Me: Queer Edition! 🌈🌈🌈

Before we go any furtherI’d like to give my usual disclaimer that everything I express below isspeculation or my opinion andeveryone is free to interpret music in whichever way they want.

At its core I personallybelieve You Belong With Me is a songabout a queer girl (Taylor) hopelessly in love with her straight friend (possiblyAngelina from the song of the same name) the problem? Angelina is already inlove with someone else (probably her boyfriend Steven, also from the song Angelina.)

I obviously don’t wantto get sexist or stereotypical here. Believe me, as an afab non-binary lesbianwho grew up with exclusively male friends I am very well aware that girls and boys canbe friends. That being said, I do feel that the friendship described inthis song between Taylor and her love interest seem very female-coded. I’d alsoargue that the song relies heavily on heteronormative and stereotypical genderroles. Of course I’ll explain more thoroughly what I mean by that as the analysisgoes on.

Lyrics credit toAZLyrics as usual.

Now, let’s put ourqueer googles on and look at the song.

–

You’re on the phone with your girlfriend

She’s upset, she’s going off about something that yousaid

‘Cause she doesn’t get your humor like I do.

–

She’s #NoHomo:ing right out of the gate here, by puttinga pronoun to the partner of “You.” They’re on the phone with their angry girlfriend who didn’t appreciate a joke“You” has made. Taylor seems to think said joke was hilarious though and claimsthis is because she knows “You” better than their partner and thus understandsthe joke better.

Taylor’s trying to sell the song from a heteronormativeperspective by, right away in the song’s opening line giving “You” a GIRLFRIEND. This supposedly makes “You”a boy. After all, boys like girls, right? So, if we were to look at this song’scast of characters the way Taylor wants us to the cast list would look asfollows:

Steven – You

Angelina – the girlfriend of “You”

Taylor – The heterosexual girl who’s secretly in lovewith her friend who is A BOY

But what if it’s really like this:

You – Angelina

Steven – the BOYFRIEND of “You”

Taylor – The gay girl in love with her straight FEMALEfriend

 I’m in the room, it’s a typical Tuesday night.

I’m listening to the kind of music she doesn’t like.

And she’ll never know your story like I do.

–

For the next few lines Taylor keeps #NoHomo:ing by continuouslycalling her romantic rival “she” but she’s still gender-neutrally referring totheir mutual love interest simply as “You” and keeps insisting she knows (and presumablyalways will know) her friend better than their supposed “girlfriend” does

But she wears short skirts

I wear T-shirts

She’s cheer captain

And I’m on the bleachers

Dreaming about the day when you wake up and find

That what you’re looking for has been here the wholetime.

–

Thehetero explanation for these lines is that Taylor wishes she could be pretty,feminine and athletic like Steven’s girlfriend so that Steven would beinterested in her (Taylor) instead of in Angelina.

In truth though, here is where the first interestingthing from a queer perspective really happens. You see, I no longer think thatthe female pronouns refers to “Steven’s” girlfriend, it would seem there hasbeen a shift and the pronoun are now referring to a female as the true loveinterest of the song.

If we look at these lines it looks to me as if Tayloris describing this “she” as the typical straight girl, while Taylor herself is describedas the typical gay girl. Where do I get that impression?

Well, Angelinadresses femininely, (sometimes in short skirts, sometimes in high heels) shecaptain of the cheer squad, she’s a “typical princess” if you will. (A term weknow Taylor likes to use for straight girls, I’m actually a bit surprised that doesn’tcome into play here.)

Meanwhile Taylor dresses “like a boy” (sometimes int-shirts, sometimes in sneakers) something that is a common stereotype forlesbians.  She also doesn’t participate inschool activities besides watching them from the sidelines, (something that wasalso mentioned in the song Angelina, “Just watched Stephen run across the fieldWatched him catch the ball”) she’s a bit of an outsider, a bit odd (orshould I say queer?) and someone as popular (and straight) as Angelina likely wouldn’tbe interested in her (romantically) even if they are friends as the songsuggests.

I did warn you when I said I feel like the song reliesa lot on stereotypes in order to tell its story (both about LGBT+ peeps andabout how girls and boys “should act”) it is obviously not true that everylesbian dresses “like a boy” or that every straight girl only ever wears heelsand is a cheerleader.

However we must remember that Taylor is writing onlyform her own experiences here and we do know that she largely used to dress abit more “masculine” (clothes do not have gender, people!) back in the day (noton stage, but privately, check her oldvlogs for instance, if you have no idea what I’m on about right now.)

Like I said I believe this song is about a gay girlfalling for her straight friend and Taylor’s using clothes as a metaphor. Tellingus the story by using stereotypes for how people of a certain sexualorientation supposedly usually dress. It’s her way of saying “I’m gay, she’snot.”  

Anyway, in the last few lines the switch occurs again and in order to #NoHomo-proof the song thelove interest’s pronoun is back from “she” to “you.” Thus supposedly referringto “Steven” again. Under the protection of heteronormativity and brilliant useof pronoun Taylor expresses how she wishes the girl of her dreams would justrealize that they belong together already!

–

If you could see

That I’m the one

Who understands you.

Been here all along.

So, why can’t you see

You belong with me,

You belong with me.

–

It’s pining time, people! Taylor puts into words thethoughts that have at some point run through the mind of every lesbian in lovewith a straight girl and especially if she’s their friend. An approximatetranslation of what Taylor is saying here: “That stupid boy will neverunderstand or be there for you like I can. Why can’t you just dump his ass forme already? Dammit Angelina, why do you HAVE to be straight when we’re so clearly meant to be together?!” (Poorlittle Tay, few things hurt as much as a straight crush!)

–

Walk in the streets with you in your worn-out jeans

I can’t help thinking this is how it ought to be.

Laughing on a park bench thinking to myself,

“Hey, isn’t this easy?”

–

We’ve already had it explained for us that Angelina isfeminine, so obviously she’d never wear anything as tomboyish as worn-outjeans, right? Nope, so it HAS to be Steven Taylor’s hanging out with in thisverse. There was a purpose in telling us what Angelina likes to wear, it was sowe wouldn’t think she was “You” because #NoHomo everyone, #NoHomo.

However I do believe Taylor’s talking of the momentsshe spends alone with Angelina, without Steven around. The moments where shecan just look at Angelina, sitting there on the park bench in the sunshine, tellingher friend Taylor something funny about her day.

As they laugh together Taylor notices just how prettyAngelina is and she’s allowed tolook, she’s allowed to laugh at Angelina’s jokes and she’s allowed to just bearound her crush and appreciate that. The moments they’re alone are easy, Taylor can almost pretend thatAngelina like-likes her back. Those moments don’t hurt like when Steven isaround and she’s is reminded that she isn’t in fact, allowed to like Angelina like that (or as she phrases it in Angelina “run across to Angelina”) becausesomeone else already does and he’s a boy.

Sorry, didn’t mean to go into fanfic-territory there,but this is exactly why I think YBWM issuch an ANTHEM for all the gays in love with their straight friend, because atleast to me, it so perfectly captures that feeling.

–

And you’ve got a smile

That could light up this whole town.

I haven’t seen it in a while

Since she brought you down.

You say you’re fine I know you better than that.

Hey, what you doing with a girl like that?

–

I think that something we can all relate to regardlessif we’re gay or straight is our friends (who we may or may not be in love with)dating horrible people, right? You’re just like “Dude, your partner is horribleand you deserve so much better!” and they’re like “Shut up, I likeeeee them andI’m fine!” and you sigh and try againin a few months, the next time their partner does something questionable. You knowthem so well you can just see yourfriend’s happiness being sucked out of them and yet they insist on dating someonewho’s causing this. “What are theydoing with a person like that?”

Well, that’s pretty much what’s happening in thisverse between Taylor and Angelina, of course Steven is the “she” here and theverse should be:

I haven’t seen it in a while

Since HE brought you down.

You say you’re fine I know youbetter than that.

Hey, what you doing with a BOYlike that?

But #NoHomo and all that.

–

Standing by and waiting at your backdoor.

All this time how could you not know, baby?

You belong with me,

You belong with me.

–

Angelina and Taylor have been friends quite a whileand hang out so frequently that Taylor has even started using the back door forvisits instead of the front door. She’s in other words pretty familiar withAngelina’s house on account of hanging out there so much and the girl still doesn’t freaking realize theyshould be dating? What the heck is wrong with her? Oh, riiight, she’s straight

…Is basically what these lines are telling us.

–

Oh, I remember you driving to my house

In the middle of the night.

I’m the one who makes you laugh

When you know you’re 'bout to cry.

I know your favorite songs,

And you tell me about your dreams.

Think I know where you belong,

Think I know it’s with me.

–

Remember when I told you the friendship described inthe song seemed female-coded? Yeah, here’s what’s up with that…So. you’retelling me, Taylor-No-Homo-Swift, that the dad who in Picture To Burn was supposedly gonna show a boy who scorned youJUST how sorry he should be for hurting his little girl, or that in Love Story yelled at Romeo to stay awayfrom you is gonna be letting A BOY into his house in the middle of the night tohang out with his daughter? Nah, a girl though, sure! (At least if we assumeTaylor wasn’t out to her parents in her early high school days when I think wecan safely assume the crush on Angelina was happening.)

You know what’s a huge stereotype about femalefriendship? That they tell each other EVERYTHING, all of it, from trivial stufflike favorite songs to deep and personal stuff, like their hopes and dreams.  All the things they don’t tell theirboyfriends, just like they don’t tell their boyfriends everything they alsooccasionally are upset with him and when they are they have someone else theyrun to for comfort…That’s right,their best female friend who somehow manages to make her laugh in the middle of all the hurt and upset feelings they’reranting to her about at 2AM.

Because Taylor knows all of this about Angelina and isalways there for her when Steven somehow screws up and hurts her Taylor knows that the two of them are theperfect match and belong together, but when she’s done crying Angelina will dryher tears, give Taylor a hug and run back to Steven. Taylor is left alone,wondering one thing.

–

You belong with me.

Have you ever thought just maybe

You belong with me?

You belong with me.

–

What is Taylor wondering? The same thing every gay haswondered about the straight they love.

Has Angelina ever thought, has it ever even for a singlesecond crossed her mind that perhaps she should be with Taylor, the one wholoves and supports her instead of with Steven?

–

As always, thank you so much to everyone for reading and feel free to send me Taylor songs to analyze or just asks in general!

Tomorrow’s analysis will be New Romantics 😊

[kalinara]

Top 10 Ships that include Rip

Sorry it took me so long to answer this one!  I’m not really a ‘shipper by nature, so it was surprisingly difficult to think of ten.  But here we go:

Rip/Gideon - “Time Ship” -  I like Time Ship a lot.  Especially now that the show has gone out of its way to address at least some of the ethical concerns I had with regard to Gideon’s capacity to consent. (Gideon helping Sara remove Rip’s command codes in Return of the Mack is a pretty clear indication that she could have done so at any time previously.)  It’s not a pairing that I ever really expect the show to follow up, to be honest.  They barely remember Gideon’s a character at all.  As evidenced by the way that Gideon and Rip never got a goodbye in Aruba, and Gideon’s never got to clearly express ANY kind of opinion regarding the Time Bureau or Rip’s actions.  (It’s not as cute as calling Ava a bitch, I guess.)

My favorite version of the pairing involves Gideon remaining an AI rather than miraculously obtaining a human body.  As an aroace person, I am very drawn to relationships that are strictly cerebral in nature.

Rip/Jonah - “Time Hex”- Time Hex is my other OTP in this fandom.  I like it because I feel like Rip is one of those characters that’s so heavy with baggage that he would benefit from a romance that is separate from all those issues.  (Jonah too, based on what I remember from his comic book.) 

As a pairing, they remind me of Duncan and Amanda from Highlander, a reference that dates me considerably.  Duncan is the main character, a stand up dude who has a pretty stable life when he’s not getting attacked by rival immortals or getting involved with helping his friends.  Amanda is a friend of his who is a thief, constantly involved in low level, or sometimes high level, mischief.  She pops into his life occasionally bringing chaos in her wake.  They love each other dearly, though they’re definitely not suited to romantic monogamy with one another.  They would never be happy trying to live one another’s life.  But that doesn’t mean they won’t have some fun sex and romance assuming that they’re both unattached when they meet up.

That’s generally how I see Rip and Jonah.  Rip is the Amanda of the pairing.

Rip/Sara - “Time Canary” - I was big into Time Canary for a while, and I admit, I would probably still enjoy it if the show took that route.  Though I do think that there are a lot of issues, from both of them, that would need to be addressed.

Their dynamic, platonic or otherwise, is one of the main draws of the show for me.  Rip’s respect for Sara is very satisfying.  And I still get wrapped up in his unconditional support of her in Blood Ties, when she’s dealing with her bloodlust, or Left Behind, whenever I rewatch.  Likewise, I love to see her call him out in episodes like Star City 2046 and River of Time.  He needs that.

Rip/Ray - “AtomicTime”?? - It’s always made me sad that Rip and Ray don’t get paired that often, because I’ve always thought that their dynamic was sweet.  Ray was one of the first people that Rip confided in and seemed to respect.  And Ray was always good at being emotionally supportive.  That scene in Leviathan when he gets Rip to talk about his family is lovely.  And for all that Rip tends to get exasperated at the whole team, he seems to have more patience toward Ray’s enthusiasm than a lot of other quirks.

Also, both characters have lived with a lot of loss, and I tend to think Rip admires Ray for being unfailingly upright and positive despite that.

Also the size difference is hot.

Rip/Kendra - Does this have a ship name? - This is a dynamic that I always wished was explored more, considering how their storyline and losses were constantly paralleled in season 1.  They didn’t have a lot of direct interaction, but what they did have was unfailingly positive.  (His focus on getting Carter’s body back for her, his pairing her and Sara to help them deal with respective issues, the way that she will actually tease him a little, particularly in Last Refuge…)  Sadly I feel like Kendra’s role in the main quest got sidelined by romantic drama a bit too much, but I still really like their dynamic.

Rip/Jax - TimeStorm! - I might be the only one who ships this.  But I think their dynamic is fascinating, especially in season 2.  We saw a lot of interesting development with their relationship, despite the fact that Rip was only in a few episodes as himself.  But somehow those interactions really speak to me.  Rip is the one who named Jax chief engineer to begin with, giving him a way to contribute that’s completely separate from being Firestorm, and I think Jax really valued that.  The Jax and Rip interaction in Turncoat was amazing and painful, and I think it’s significant that of all the characters, Jax is the one who had the most face to face contact with the man that Eobard created.  And the jellybean scene is still very sweet.  Pun somewhat intended.

I still wish the show had done more with the fact that Rip and Jax were the two youngest of the men, and considerably more mature/focused than Ray or Nate.  I would have liked to see that explored more, especially once Rip was no longer isolated by his Captaincy.

Rip/Mick - Did this one ever get a name?  Hunterwave? or Rip/Snart -??? - I admit, I’m not much of a Rogues fan now, but a few betrayals ago, I was really interested in the way that the show set these three characters up as parallels.

Rip, like Snart, had a criminal past.  Interestingly, at around the same age too.  At five years old, Snart was helping his father crimes.  At five years old, Rip was stealing on the streets to survive.  Like Snart and Mick, Rip comes from a background that is clearly abusive, both before and with the Time Masters.  (The Orphanage was nice, sure, but look at what happened in Marooned, or well, the series as a whole.)

Last Refuge added a whole fascinating level to the conflicts between the characters, by showing us that Rip sees his past, and his similarity to the Rogues as something to be ashamed of and overcome.

And of course, there are newer parallels between Chronos and Evil!Rip, as both characters have been violated and transformed by their enemies.  There are the things that Mick learned as Chronos that allow him a greater understanding of certain aspects of Time Travel, which we saw explored a little toward the end of season 1.  I would have loved to see the show deal with this more.  (with regard to fanfic, @darkestsight has a few lovely Mick and Rip vignettes, and Mick has a fairly prominent role in both of my fanfics as well.  You can be the judge as to how well I write him.)

On a ship level, I think either pairing has some interesting perspective.  Mick seems to be at his best when he’s protecting someone more vulnerable, and there’s that edge of conflict that makes it a bit interesting.  Snart is clearly attracted to enigmas and puzzles, and Rip’s squirrelly nature would make him interesting in that respect (see Last Refuge.)  I’m not sure either pairing would end well.

Rip/Savage or Rip/Eobard - my darkships.  Feel free to mock me for my rampant hypocrisy.  I’ve blogged about both of these before.  It’s the obsession I find fascinating, the way both villains are so incredibly focused on defeating Rip.  Savage is more brutal, but also more dramatic: even before he knew Rip was a time traveler, he’d kept his pen and set him up as the Satan figure of his cult.  Eobard is colder, more personally corruptive: taking a specific glee in transforming Rip into a tool, and then displaying him as a trophy.

In both cases, the villains are concerned with other goals and heroes more than they are with Rip of course.  I won’t pretend that he’s as important to them as Kendra or Barry respectively.  But it’s still a darkly interesting dynamic.

Bonus:

Rip/The Crew as one giant OT9/10/whatever - At my heart, I still pretty much believe that Rip is lowkey in love with his entire former team.  Possibly his Bureau as well.  I don’t think he expects anything to ever come of it, but I am positive that he’s composed drunken sonnets to them all on really bad nights.  Gideon has the footage.

If it ever did get to a physical stage, like in a giant ship orgy, I fully expect them all to mock him endlessly with “Oh, look, the British are coming.”

[willfainder-a]

something i would like to point out; tho it’s written in my rules & i’ve already said it a lot of times but this is why i don’t ship kat.sud.ek.u & i don’t like this ship at all.

ka.tsu.ki x i.zuk.u is just WRONG. of course i won’t “ judge ” anyone about this ship ‘cause you are free to ship whatever you want, but if you follow me i expect, at least, you to tag this properly, moreover if you think you can ship your bakugou or throwing any kind of “ gay ” plots / ideas at me, please unfollow & block my ass already. i won’t tolerate a person who will FORCE me into this shitty ship. that being said i’ll tell you why i can’t see these two chracters in a romantic way.

it doesn’t matter if katsuki will change his own personality through the manga; it doesn’t matter if katsuki will have another type of vision of izuku himself. KATSUKI BAKUGOU will always hate izuku ( before their last fight in the manga katsuki would just hate izuku purely, but right now, after our last fight, his concept of HATE changed. he doesn’t see izuku as an ENEMY anymore but as a RIVAL. a RIVAL he wants to SURPASS & BEAT just like izuku who now considers him as a person he can approach to & talk, since bakugou is finally trying to put his pride & emotions aside, growing up & learning to control his own feelings ). katsuki can’t but see izuku as a teen with a BIG power in his hands who sitll has to LEARN how to control it well. so bakugou is still questioning : “ why, why someone like you have that power ? what’s so special about you ? ” / i want to point out that bakugou is NOT jealous of IZUKU’S ONE FOR ALL. NOPE. he is NOT, he is just surprised & confused by the “ what’s so special about you ? ” question he had since he discovered izuku had a quirk. / now special, it’s the keyword here. a quirkless nerd like him, getting bigger, stronger & smater day by day while katsuki always thought he already achieved his “ bigger / stronger / smarter ” being. so, what was the point of growing up when katsuki already possed all these ? that’s the thing here guys, katsuki sees himself as the best, he always saw himself as the latter, so seeing a quirkless nerd like izuku, CHANGING & getting to his level, pissed him off & turned him the way we know. before their last fight he felt nothing but RAGE, HATE against our protagonist because every time he was looking at him, he would noice his develop while he, himself, remained the same. now i want to point out a thing : during their last fight these questions faded a little, tho at first when he BEAT izuku, he wasn’t HAPPY nor PROUD about himself. he kept feeling INFERIOR to izuku ( katsuki’s inferiority complex ). HE STILL FEELS WEAK in front of izuku ( tho he won’t even admit it, nor he won’t even point it out aloud ) & this is one of the main reason he wants to PROVE izuku he’s WAY stronger than him & his quirk. he wants to PROVE izuku he CAN BEAT him tho izuku is special, tho izuku has THAT BORROWED STRONG POWER in his hands. this is why he can’t but see izuku as a RIVAL, a boy he will one daySURPASS. this is why he can’t but FIGHT against him, FIGHT & TREAT him in that “ aggressive ” way we know ( tho now he is way calmer with izuku, but this won’t change the fact he will consider izuku more than a RIVAL or a CLASSMATE ).

bakugou has such a good chara develop & we all know that bakugou is gonna end up HELPING izuku in the future chapters ( the same goes for izuku since they relationship is changing besides we are talking about izuku & he wold help even his worst enemy if they needed it since this is his HERO CODE learned by all might, his IDOL. ) i kinda see a FRIENDSHIP blooming between them, but HOLD ON now their “ friendship ” is very different from the “ FRIENDSHIP ” of kirishima & bakugou. izuku & bakugou would SHARE an “ ADMIRATION FRIENDSHIP ”, something like ADMIRING each other strength keeping anyway their rivalry as the central hub of their relationship. besides i see katsuki admiring only izuku’s power since that quirk was indeed all might’s quirk & we all know how katsuki ADMIRED him when he was a child ( & he still admires him, bc tho kacchan is a tsundere we all know he is the same nerd when it comes to all might as izuku ). 

BONUS POINT about this. KACCHAN is NEVER, EVER, EVER gonna apologize for his actions nor for what he did to izuku. hell we all know how proud this dude is, now, do you think he would go to IZUKU & apologize ???? this is so out of character to me & it goes against everything katsuki did / made till this point. so guys, please, NO, katsuki will never say “ sorry ” to izuku, like never. besides i wanna say something about izuku, like, okay, yes i kind understand izuku “ kind ” / “ open ” character, okay, but I DON’T THINK izuku wold easly accept those apologies, especially made by someone like kacchan. it’s not easy forget & passing over years of abuse by a simple sorry, just fucking saying.

that being said i want to point out one last thing. actually the most important thing about this relationship & about how this ship is JUST WRONG. izuku got a TRAUMA from katsuki. izuku has been bullied for YEARS, guys, YEARS by katsuki. izuku FEARED him & i want to remind you that TRAUMAS can’t be replaced with something like “ LOVE ” & especially “ FORGIVENESS ”. we all know izuku is a kind character with a big heart BUT THERE IS A LIMIT. katsuki has been an ABUSER to izuku & yes i’m not proud of this & tho i love kacchan with all my heart i won’t forgive this or step above what he did to izuku. katsuki TRAUMATIZED izuku for years, punching & kicking him every single time. also i want to REMIND you that katsuki literally TOLD izuku to commit SUICIDE by telling him to “ jump of the school’s roof ”. guys let’s be honest here HOW CAN THIS BE FORGOT by a poor boy who lived in fear for most of his childhood ( & still he fears katsuki ). how CAN this be REPLACED by LOVE ??? EXACTLY U FUCKING CAN’T. there will never be something DIFFERENT from the “ admiration friendship” i told you later. ( besides FRIENDSHIP is already a big word for these two & A BIG step ).

to sum up, guys i’m not judging you for shipping them, just , ship whatever you want, but FOR ME, for me this ship is hell & i won’t let people that tell me this ship is good & precious to come closer my ass. you got your opinion, i got mine, fine but don’t force your idea of “ ka.ts.ku.dek.u is lovely ” in me because i’ll fucking go. peace out.

[tobiologist]

sincerity

Keith/Lance // canon divergent // 4.3k // sfw

Summary: "If not for the alien symbols etched into the spines of the fortune teller's books, Keith might have thought he was back on Earth.

'Why have you come here?'

And that’s the real question, isn’t it?"

or: Keith revisits the space mall to have his fortune told and gets more than he bargained for.

Keith is far from a skeptic.

 From a young age, he’s believed in most things the general public deem ‘unconventional.’ Aliens, ghosts, Mothman—conspiracy theories are Keith’s guilty pleasure. And, after the Garrison lied about Shiro’s disappearance, Keith put an even greater stock in government conspiracies than he used to.

 Does he believe in magic? Maybe. Okay, probably. Werewolves transform under the full moon, and fairies have the power to become invisible, some even heal people. Allura and Coran are always telling stories of abnormally strong Alteans or aliens with witch-like abilities, casting spells and changing form. And, of course, there are the Druids. Magic seems to stretch to every corner of the universe.

 So it comes as no surprise when Keith glimpses a fortune teller at the infamous Space Mall.

>> READ THE REST ON AO3 <<

 Keith spots the shop, only a few booths over from the knife salesman. Purple curtains hang down in front of the entrance. A massive wooden sign is fixed overhead, but the name is scrawled in an indecipherable alien language. The crystal ball situated alongside the text is the only indication of what’s inside.

 Keith dismisses it. There’s no time and no reason that he can think of to stop .

 (At least at that time.)

 Months later, when Shiro has disappeared for the second time—Keith hates having to acknowledge the fact it’s the second time—Keith finds himself in the worst possible position. Shiro brought up the issue for what felt like the thousandth time back when the two had been isolated from the rest of the team, cast away on an alien planet.

 “Keith, if I don’t make it out of here…” Shiro hesitated, and Keith couldn’t divert his gaze from the bags under his eyes. “I want you to lead Voltron.”

 The sentiment sent a chill down Keith’s spine. There were many occasions Shiro alluded to Keith taking over his position as leader of the team. But never before had the need felt so real, so immediate— like Shiro could die at any moment.

 When he vanished without warning, Keith felt obligated to honor his request and appoint himself as the new leader.

 Well, co-leader if Keith is being totally honest with himself. Recently, Lance had really stepped up to the plate. Whenever Keith needed a second opinion, Lance was there to chime in. During battle, he carefully watched Keith’s back, and, during mission briefings, Lance clung to his side and helped explain parts of the plan Keith didn’t quite understand himself.

 Considering the previous state of their relationship, it was… weird. But not totally unwelcome.

 It isn’t a problem. Except for the fact Keith can’t ignore his stupid fucking crush on his right-hand man and former rival.

 Yeah, it’s pretty awful. Keith can hardly be in the same room as Lance anymore without wondering what kind of beauty products he uses to maintain his appearance. On the rare occasions they’re relaxing, Keith closes his eyes and listens to Lance speak, savoring the sound of his voice and the underlying passion. On the nights neither of them can sleep, they sit near a particular porthole with the best view of the stars, sometimes in comfortable silence and sometimes exchanging stories from Earth.

 Of course, that’s on the more innocent end of the spectrum. The tiny hormonal Keith residing in the dirty corners of his mind has totally different concerns. Such as what Lance’s lips feel like and the taste of his skin.

 Keith just loves having feelings for someone. Definitely. His absolute favorite.

 In other words, Keith’s life is a mess at the moment. As if the whole ‘new black paladin’ thing isn’t bad enough, the ridiculous fluttering in his stomach whenever he’s around Lance only serves to make the situation worse.

 Lance, totally oblivious to Keith’s emotional turmoil, has been hanging out with Keith more often. And doing horrible things like teasing Keith and surprising him with casual touches and, God, sometimes he even hugs Keith after a particularly grueling battle.

 It’s suffering. The whole damn thing is suffering.

 “Why don’t you just… I don’t know, tell him how you feel?” Pidge suggests. She leans back in her chair, fixing Keith with a withering stare. “By the way, you came to the wrong person for romantic advice.”

 “I didn’t know who else to ask,” Keith admits. “Hunk and Lance tell each other everything so there’s no way I could talk to Hunk. Allura and Coran would probably tell me to be upfront with Lance. And Shiro might tell Lance for me.”

 “He would do that?”

 “Well, in his own, ‘I’m Shiro and this is supposed to be me subtly hinting at Keith’s crush on you’ kind of way.”

 “Oh wow…”

 “Yeah,” Keith sighs. “You and I talk about other stuff so I thought… why not?”

 Pidge groans and turns her attention to the computer monitor. Lines of green code fill the screen, reflected in her glasses. “Fair enough, I guess. I’m not sure what to tell you, though.”

 “Do you think there’s any chance he actually…?”

 “Feels the same?”

 “Yeah, uh.” Keith clears his throat. “That.”

 “I’ve never asked Lance. The only way to know for sure is if you ask him yourself,” Pidge replies. “But, I mean, if you wanna know the truth… I think he—“

 “You know, um. Actually.” Keith jerks to his feet. A flash of lavender gauzy cloth pushes to the forefront of his mind. “I think I have this under control. But thanks for listening and good luck with your… programming.”

 Before Pidge can try and bar him from leaving, Keith darts out of the room. He somehow navigates the tangled web of wires littering the floor without tripping. The door slides shut behind him, and Keith swears he can hear Pidge yelling after him.

 A tiny part of Keith is sorry for leaving Pidge in the dark. But a greater part knows he has to do this alone.

 —

 There’s something intimate about the soft light and tight quarters of the fortune teller’s booth. Slender ivory candles line the walls, arranged on shelves between thick, ornately bound books. A small table sits at the center of the room with a rich crimson cloth draped over it. The crystal ball sits on top, brilliant indigo surface glimmering under the candlelight, encircled by a gold design embroidered into the cloth.

 If not for the alien symbols etched into the spines of the fortune teller’s books, Keith might have thought he was back on Earth.

 “Why have you come here?”

 And that’s the real question, isn’t it?

 Keith shifts awkwardly in his seat. It’s hard to speak to someone when he can’t even see their face. The voice on the other side of the maroon veil is raspy, thick with curiosity. Their hands rest on the table, knobby fingers adorned with rings, nails sharpened to dangerous points eerily similar to claws.

 “My… future?” Keith settles on. Because, Shouldn’t you know why I’m here? would make him sound like a gigantic douchebag.

 “Of course. But there is more to your visit than a simple reading.” They pause, and Keith can practically hear them smirk. “Is that not right, paladin of Voltron?”

 His breath catches in his throat. How did they recognize him? Regardless of how ridiculous Keith finds the space pirate costume, he assumed the scarf, mask, and hood would serve their rightful purpose. The last thing he needs is to cause trouble for the team because he couldn’t put together a decent disguise.

 They probably use magic, dumbass, of course they know who you really are. Keith forces himself not to visibly panic, hoping he can still maintain his cover.

 “I’m sorry, Voltron?”

 “You act me a fool,” the fortune teller scoffs. “The aura of a paladin, especially Red, is far different from other customers. Scarlet clouds surround you like a blanket, young one. It is a shame you cannot see them for yourself. They are breathtaking.”

 Keith is completely and totally screwed. So much for masking his identity.

 ”Please, you can’t—“

 “I do not plan to spread word of your visit, if that is what you fear. Such an announcement would only serve to bring the Galra here.” Another scoff, far more disgusted. “I would rather not deal with those scum.”

 Keith bristles. “They’re not all scum.”

 “Easy, young one.” The fortune teller swishes their hand as if shooing a pesky fly. “I know of your heritage. However, there are few exceptions such as yourself.”

 “The Blade of Marmora?”

 “More exceptions. And not many.”

 “But they’re expanding—“

 “As much as I would love to debate with you, Red Paladin, you are not here to speak of political or ethical matters. You and I both know this.”

 A deeper wisdom than Keith could ever imagine seems to seep out of the fortune teller’s pores. It shrouds Keith, heavy and overbearing. “Yeah… yeah, you’re right.”

 Thin fingers settle on the crystal ball. “The Black Paladin? You wonder if you will ever see him again.”

 Keith stiffens; he hadn’t said a damn thing. Not out loud, at least.

 “I just need to know whether he’s alive,” Keith stresses. “I can’t… the thought of something happening to him…”

 “I cannot say much, but I will tell you this: he is alive.”

 A swell of joy engulfs Keith, and he just barely quells the urge to celebrate, feigning indifference. Shiro is actually alive. That one single bit of information changes everything. Now when Keith pushes the team to keep looking, he knows their search isn’t fruitless. He feels like a dog chasing a car it knows it’ll catch. Maybe not now but… but soon. As long as it keeps trying.

 “On the matter of whether and when you find him, I am not permitted to share. We who hear the universe’s voice have a certain pride to uphold.”

 “Is this how all of your readings go?” Keith blurts. Dammit. “Wow, sorry. That was rude.”

 “It is quite alright. As I said before, you are young. Considerably young.” They drum their fingers on the twinkling crystal orb’s surface and sigh. “Humans do not live long and, even with the Galra blood running through your veins, you will never outlive a creature like me, centuries old… withering away...”

 Centuries?!

 “And yet…” they trail off. Keith watches in silent horror as the fortune teller’s fingers flutter and then freeze, knuckles white with strain. A low growl rumbles up their throat. The noise is grating and inhuman and, oh God, this is where he dies. Sitting in the booth of an ancient fortune teller in the middle of a space fucking mall.

 Then, suddenly, they go quiet. Keith opens his mouth to speak, to maybe try and redeem himself, when—

 Laughter.

 Like tires rolling over gravel, the sound echoes throughout the tiny room. A thunderous laugh, booming, unbridled and genuine. Startled by the outburst, Keith flattens against his chair. His first instinct is to grab for his bayard. Without his usual suit, Keith settled for stowing it in a makeshift holster attached to his hip.

 Keith is seconds away from actually pulling his weapon on the mysterious alien when they raise a hand, signaling him to stop. Slowly, he lowers his bayard.

 “I was… under the impression that—oh my. This is… unexpected,” the fortune teller manages between bouts of laughter. They keep their hand out until their childish snickers eventually die down. “He was not your sole reason for coming here.”

 Shame and humiliation boil up inside Keith, coloring his cheeks. The fortune teller was only supposed to pick up on his fear over Shiro not—fuck, of course, they picked up on that, too.

 “I… well—“

 “The paladins of Voltron certainly are fascinating,” they carry on. “Admittedly, your subconscious managed to keep that hidden from me. I am impressed, considering the strength of such an emotion. So powerful. Very suited to the temperamental Red Paladin.”

 Keith swallows nervously and, yep, his cheeks are on fire. Great.

 “I don’t know what you’re, um. Talking about?”

 “You do not have to play coy with me,” they insist. “The feeling itself is there. I am not sure how I missed it earlier. A dazzling blue, much like the briny waves of the Reustean oceans. How beautiful…”

 Blue.

 “You have felt this way for a while, have you not?”

 “Felt what way?”

 The fortune teller shakes their head, clicking their tongue. Keith pictures it as the forked tongue of a lizard. “These… emotions you feel toward the Blue Paladin. They are far too intense to have been born overnight.”

 “Intense?” Keith’s voice cracks. “Uh, I don’t really know if intense is the word I would use…”

 “And you wish to know if these feelings are mutual.”

 “I mean, that’d be a stupid reason to come all this way to see a fortune teller. Right?”

 “Because you are too frightened by the prospect of rejection to ask the paladin yourself.”

 “Okay, I never said—“

 “His demeanor intimidates you.” They slap their hands over their mouth. Well, over the veil where their mouth likely is. “What an unforeseen turn of events! The hot-headed red, daunted by the outgoing blue.”

 “I’m—that’s not true!”

 “You are afraid he will reject you. And yet—how amusing.” The fortune teller is basically giggling at this point. It reminds Keith of a teenage girl, gushing over the juiciest piece of gossips she’s discovered in years. “I am so glad that you have come.”

 What, so you can laugh at my shitty unrequited crush? Keith crosses his arms over his chest. ”Then I guess you have an answer for me.”

 “You are always watching him,” they mumble, as if they didn’t hear Keith. After a momentary pause, they bounce a little in their chair. “And he… ah yes. Although neither of you are aware—the universe is so very cruel at times. I had no idea.”

 Keith finds himself caught on a single word.

 “Why… cruel?”

 In the blink of an eye, the fortune teller deflates. They sag against the back of their chair. “In regards to this matter, I am not able to impart much knowledge onto you, young paladin,” they explain sadly, “although I would very much enjoy resolving this issue once and for all.”

 The reading has taken a turn for the ominous, and Keith doesn’t like it one bit. “What are you talking about?”

 “Much like with the rest of my prediction, I must remain… vague is not exactly fitting, but it will do. I shall offer you this: pay close attention to his sincerity.”

 “His sincerity,” Keith repeats.

 “The thoughts he voices.”

 “Listen, I know you’ve never met La—the Blue Paladin, but he voices a lot of his thoughts. How the hell do I know which ones to pay attention to?” Keith blanches, realizing his word choice. “I’m sorry, excuse the, uh. Language.”

 To his astonishment, they seem unfazed. “You will know, young one.”

 “I—“

 “Now, I know you have plenty of concerns as the temporary leader of the paladins of Voltron, but I must ask that you leave now.”

 “Temporary?“

 “And you may be very young, but the truth will reveal itself to you soon enough.”

 Before he knows what’s happening, Keith is being hoisted out of his chair and guided purposefully toward the exit. He tries to set his feet, but the fortune teller easily overcomes his strength. There’s more muscle hidden underneath their cloak than Keith surmised. He almost trips when he’s given the final shove out the door, catching himself just in time.

 Did they really just…? Keith swivels on his heel, ready to give the fortune teller a piece of his mind. But all insults escape him.

 The unnervingly cryptic alien has pulled back their veil. Their skin is tinted pink, clear and free of any blemishes or scars. Slits like those of a snake are situated between two round eyes. The irises are a mix of lively greens and reds, encircling inky black irises the size of pinpricks. They have fine facial features, pixie-like.

 Keith can’t help but note how beautiful they are.

 And the jealous side of Keith—a monster, really—heaves a sigh of relief because Lance isn’t there.

 “I have faith in you,” they whisper, gravelly voice dripping with honesty.

 Keith doesn’t trust himself to speak and, instead, offers a nod. As he turns to leave, his mind wanders. What would it be like, seeing the future? Keith thinks, especially after this bizarre encounter, that he would hate it.

 The fortune teller is almost out of earshot when he hears one last thing.

 “Good luck, Keith Kogane of Voltron.”

 --

 When Keith returns, the castle is blissfully quiet.

 It had been the middle of the night, by the castle’s clocks, when he left. The longer he sat with the fortune teller, though, the more he was convinced he’d come back to a confused and angry group of paladins. But, as he climbs down from Red, he notes the emptiness of the hangar.

 Keith crouches low to the ground. With every step he takes, he inwardly cringes at the loud thud of his armored feet hitting the floor. Keith hadn’t seen anyone but that doesn’t exactly mean he’s alone. Pidge would totally hide behind her lion and wait for the perfect moment to jump out and interrogate Keith.

 “Where the hell did you go?”

 ”Just to visit a fortune teller from the space mall. The one where we rode around on a giant cow? Yeah, that mall.”

 “Because that would go over so—“

 “Keith?”

 “What the f—“ Keith nearly collides with the last person he expected to see here. “Lance?”

 “There you are,” Lance cries. One hand goes to his hip, while the other angrily flourishes and gestures at Keith. “What do you think you’re doing?”

 Dread swells up inside Keith. “Going… back to my room?”

 “Okay, and what were you doing before that?” Lance demands. His pajamas swish with every frustrated movement, lion slippers planted firmly.

 “Flying around in Red.”

 “In the middle of the night?”

 “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Lance.” Keith winces; it physically pains him. “I’m going to bed now.”

 Keith fully intends to stride past Lance and back to his room, but the iron grip on his wrist stops him dead in his tracks. Caught off guard, Keith doesn’t even attempt to resist. Flames dance behind narrowed blue eyes, fixed on Keith and totally immobilizing him. Oh fuck.

 “I think you do,” Lance disputes, voice low and dangerous.

 Keith hates how attractive he finds that.

 “I think as the new leader of Voltron and as my”—Lance stutters over the next word—“friend, you have a right to tell me what’s going on. I help you out all the time. Don’t I?”

 “Yes…”

 “So you can’t just… shut me out like this! I may not be the leader-leader, but I’m like, I don’t know, the co-leader? And if something had happened to you, I—“

 Keith waits, ready for a full tirade. He recognizes the flailing arms and running mouth. But Lance’s voice, thick with desperation, is new. The fiery glint in his eyes, the flaring nostrils, and the way he keeps encroaching on Keith’s personal space—all of it is new. Quite frankly, it scares Keith.

 “Take me with you.”

 Keith feels like he’s been punched in the gut. “What?”

 “Next time, take me with you,” Lance insists. Their faces are only a few inches apart now and, wow, how had Keith missed that? “I always watch your back in battle so… why should this be any different?”

 Keith is almost definitely blushing. He feels like he’s burning from the inside out. “Lance… it’s okay. You really don’t have to worry about me.”

 “But I do!”

 “Because of the rivalry, right?”

 “Wh—you’re kidding.”

 “You’re the one who kept bringing it up!”

 “I haven’t in a long time! Not since Shiro left.”

 “It makes sense, though. Since—“

 “Oh my God, it’s because I care about you, dumbass!”

 Silence.

 If one of the mice were to drop a pin, Keith is sure he’d be able to hear it. There’s no way in hell he heard Lance right. For months, Lance went on and on about their “rivalry” and about how “anything Keith could do, he could do better.” Lance seized every opportunity to profess his undying hatred for Keith. And, sure, it’s been awhile since he pranced around spouting insults.

 But this?

 Keep calm, nothing to lose your shit over, Keith silently chastises himself. Then, he remembers what the fortune teller said. About paying attention to Lance’s “sincerity.”

 “Oh God,” Keith blurts and lurches in Lance’s grasp. “No. That would be… no.”

 Anger quickly gives way to worry, and Lance’s features soften. “You alright, buddy?”

 “Was that—would you say you were being sincere? Just now?”

 “Um.” Lance blinks. “Yeah? I thought that was obvious?”

 “Oh. Cool, cool.” Keith’s entire world is falling apart, but, you know, no big deal. Meanwhile, Lance regards him like he's a madman, ten seconds away from snapping and going on a killing spree. “Cool.”

 “You said ‘cool’ three times,” Lance points out. Cautiously, he takes a step closer. If not for their shoes, their toes would be touching. “I’m starting to think you’ve been brainwashed or something.”

 Keith lets out an ugly snort of a laugh. His mouth opens and closes uselessly. It’s like he’s forgotten how to fucking speak, and, with that, he officially wants to die.

 “Why did you ask me that, dude? Not gonna lie, I’m legitimately freaking out over here,” Lance prompts, voice laced with concern.

 “You’re sure you were being sincere?”

 “Yeah, what the hell? I lowkey poured my heart out to you! Of course I was being”—he bends his fingers into air quotations—”’sincere.’”

 “Right, coo—“

 “If you say cool one more time, Keith Kogane,” Lance warns. Another horrifying laugh falls from Keith’s mouth, and apparently that’s it for Lance. He slaps his hands to Keith’s cheeks, resounding smack bouncing off the hangar walls. “What. Happened?”

 “You care about me,” Keith deadpans.

 “That’s been established, yes.”

 “And you’re not lying.”

 “God, you’re making this way more embarrassing than it has to be… No, I’m not lying.”

 “Then please don’t kill me for this,” Keith breathes and, before he can lose his courage, pushes up on his toes and kisses Lance.

 Well, tries to kiss Lance. Their teeth clack, noses bump, and their actual lips only touch for a second or two before Lance squeals and pulls away. He holds Keith at arm’s distance and gives him a quick onceover. The entire time, Keith stares at a random spot on the wall behind Lance’s head and struggles to remember his own name.

 “You’ve been brainwashed!” Lance declares. “I can’t believe our fearless leader leaves for one night and comes back without any memory of his amazing teammates.“

 Spontaneity is truly Keith’s forte. He secures his arms around Lance’s neck and tugs him down into a second, proper kiss. Lance gasps but thankfully doesn’t tug away. For a moment, he doesn’t budge, and Keith considers pulling away himself, maybe sinking into the floor for safe measure. But eventually, something must click inside Lance’s head and shaky hands settle on Keith’s waist.

 Warm, Keith notes when those hands urge him closer, steady but gentle. Warm, when they adjust the angle of their approach to more comfortably slot their lips together. Warm, when Lance smiles into the kiss and warm when Lance trails one hand up Keith’s spine, curling fingers around strands of thick, dark hair.

 They separate for an instant, and Lance has the nerve to laugh as their lips meet again. Keith mumbles questioningly but refuses to stop, not when he’s made it this far. His heart feels like it’s going to burst out of his chest; it’s one of the strangest sensations he’s ever experienced. A heady combination of the rush of adrenaline during a fight, the fear of losing to Zarkon, and the satisfaction of finding something lost.

 Since an accidental smashing of lips during a training session at the Garrison doesn’t exactly count as a kiss, Keith is out of his element here. Breathing is becoming much too difficult. Thankfully, Lance seems to reach his limit at the same time Keith does and draws back.

 Keith craves the warmth of Lance’s touch and can’t bring himself to put space between them. Slowly, Lance leans and rests his forehead against Keith’s. Their breath mingles, swollen lips close enough to come together again if either of them were to move even the slightest bit.

 “Dude,” Lance gasps, disbelieving.

 “We just… and all you can say is ‘dude’?”

 “Better than saying ‘cool’ a million times,” Lance teases. “Oh, and being all cryptic and shit. I still wanna know where you ran off to.”

 “A fortune teller.” There’s no point in keeping it a secret anymore. “At the mall.”

 “Aw, you went back to the space mall without me?”

 “I wasn’t there to shop…”

 “We would’ve had fun, though.” Lance pouts and then freezes, as if he only just comprehended Keith’s explanation. “Wait, wait, wait. Why did you visit a fortune teller?”

 Dammit. “Uh…”

 And Lance—incredible but occasionally infuriating Lance—interjects. “Oh, I get it. You asked about Shiro, didn’t you?”

 Keith hesitates. He could tell Lance the whole truth. For a second, he considers telling Lance every detail about his visit but something advises him not to. A voice in the back of his head discourages him from describing the reading to Lance, at least not yet. Maybe it’s the universe or magical juju or any semblance of logic he has left after the kiss. Either way, Keith listens.

 “Yeah,” Keith whispers, eyes fluttering shut. “Yeah, that’s it.”