#but i don't... mm... some of that archie stuff just yeah

[fstbmp-a]

I only remember the canon I threw out /hj

[godtier]

random thought but in the context of the mmx universe: what exactly was the benefit of giving reploids any semblance of autonomy or feelings or thoughts or ability to make choices

like I get that it's a trope for media that contains sentient robots. I get it. but like. why.

to use a very obvious comparison, terminator is like "what happens when the robots wanna kill us" but in mmx, that's not even a plot point in any of the games at all. yeah, mavericks are implied to have attacked humans, but most of the damage they cause seems to be infrastructure related or just attacking other reploids... the majority of reploids aren't rebelling against humans at all

so like

again

what the hell was the point in making them sentient? you have this race of robots that are capable of autonomous actions and individuality that are basically, what... glorified appliances?

it's smth that I feel is kinda glossed over purely bc there's a huge lack of human representation in mmx specifically. like classic mm has plenty of instances of humans interacting with the robots etc, but mmx has like... Dr Cain.

like, let's pretend mmz doesn't factor in here bc that came out after the foundation of mmx was created and by a different team (it is also itself an alternate future by virtue of the direction the x series took after x5, anyway)

and then if you just look at mmx on its own, all we know rly is that like... humans had to go underground and such after Eurasia crashed due to the fallout

but we don't rly get much info on how they interact day to day with the reploids? or what their general feelings are about them. and it's just really really bizarre bc narratively, you'd anticipate smth like how mmz rolled out where there's an actual uprising against humans specifically... but mavericks in mmx (aside from sigma and some others) are generally characterized as either "disobedient" or "rogue" or "malfunctioned."

bc remember: sigma was a maverick hunter. mavericks existed before he rebelled and went on his spree about being a superior race. like, that implies that sigma's movement is about reploids being superior to humans, but I'm talkin like... overall. narratively, it's always been an odd thing how it was never really delved into in later games very much.

I feel like maybe it's bc they pigeon-holed sigma too early in the series into being infected by zero (it's implied as early as x2, iirc), which thereby degraded his personality until he basically didn't exist anymore. like his whole movement and motivation, if you think about it, lasted basically one game. the first game. every subsequent entry, sigma is pulling strings in the bg, rapidly declining from "reploids are superior to humans" into purely causing chaos either for the sake of it or to get x and zero to fight him again.

like at its core, it's a very bizarre thing to look at with more scrutiny. most things I have read about mavericks beyond "they're crazy or something" have been from supplemental, non-game canon materials (the manga, the light novel, the Archie comics, etc).

anyway it's just smth I was thinking about randomly when tryna workshop my fic 🥲 a lot of the stuff I come across is basically fanon territory and I just wonder if anyone else noticed how weird the way mavericks are treated from a narrative standpoint or if it's just me being crazy

[addictofsupernatural]

You Can Tell Me Anything

Jughead Jones x reader

Author Note: This is taken place during season one when everything was simpler.

(I don't remember these episodes perfectly so I'm sorry if I miss some things)

Summary: Jughead is trying hard to make sure you don't know that he's homeless, but sooner or later you find out.

Word Count: 1888

Jughead was beyond mad. They were going to close down the drive in, his job. His home. Of course nobody else could know that, especially not you.

Jughead's had a crush on you for a while. You were just always so happy and ready to help. You helped Jughead with the blue and gold, as well as solving mysteries that you guys got yourselves into. You were the only one who understood his references.

The last thing he wanted to feel like was The Help. He didn't want you to see him as a loser or helpless. Not that you would, but Jughead couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

Jughead angrily climbed over you in the booth. All of you stared at him. "They're going to shut down the drive-in."

"What?" You said, the only one who seemed to care. Betty had switched sides the squish in with Veronica and Kevin. The three of them knew of your crush on Jughead Jones, and were reading to help anyway they could.

"Closing down the Twighlight Drive-In is just one more nail in the coffin that is Riverdale, no, the American dream. As the great Quentin Tarantino used to say-"

"Please, no more Quentin Tarantino references." Kevin said.

"What? I'm pissed. And not just because I'm losing my job, but because the drive in should mean something to Riverdale. People should be trying to save it!"

You slide over your plate to Jughead, and he starts eating your fries. "Well, in the new age of Netflix, who would go to drive-ins anymore?"

"People who want to buy crack." Kevin bluntly says.

"Kev." You say, nodding to Jughead.

"And cinematics and car enthusiasts!" Jughead argues. "Am I right y/n/n?"

"Yup." Nodding your head.

"Also, you guys should come to closing night." He says sadly. "I was thinking American Graffiti, or is that too obvious?"

"Oh, I would love anything starring Audrey Hepburn." Veronica said, with Kevin nodding in agreement.

"Y/n, what do you think?" Kevin asks.

"Mm, maybe Rebel Without a Cause?" Jughead smiles at you.

"I'll be right back." Betty says, getting up when seeing Archie, his dad, and the music teacher.

"Betty wait!" You said, knowing that it was about the weird relationship of the two. You and Jughead shared a look. He knew too.

Betty said something, and her and Archie went outside. Jughead slouched as he stared out the window to watch, and you leaned on him, putting your hand on his chest to watch as well. Veronica then went out to see what was going on.

"What was it like before she came here?" Kevin asked. "I honestly can't remember."

"Huh." You say. Kevin nodded his head.

You and Jughead were passing out flyers for the closing night at the drive-in. "Why didn't you guys give me a heads up?" Archie asked.

"I am, by nature, an objector." Not saying anything to neither you nor Betty was the most moral decision I could make."

"And you?"

"I try not to associate myself with stuff like this." You explain. "Don't get me wrong, I'm nosey and I like to know things about other people, but I physically stay out of drama."

Jughead smiled at that. "And that's what keeps the blue and gold running." You smiled back.

"Could you guys just please let me know if Betty does anything crazy?"

After school you both went to the mayor's office. "I'm sorry, but the Twighlight Drive-In has become a hangout for gang members and transients. The deal is done. Andrews Construction is scheduled to destroy it on Monday."

Jughead was beginning to panic. It was happening too fast, and he didn't know where he was going to go if the drive-in really would be gone. "Mayor McCoy, when I was a kid my family and I would always go. We couldn't afford tickets for everyone, so Jellybean and I would hide in the trunk, then come out when the car was parked. It's like my home."

Jughead felt hot under your gaze. He shifted in his seat, wanting nothing more than for you to have not have heard that. "That's a sweet sentiment, Mr. Jones, but the future of Riverdale is at stake here."

"And isn't Riverdale the town of warm, fuzzy memories?" You spoke up. "I mean, might as well get rid of Pop's for the 50's theme. Riverdale thrives on the fact that it's a place where people build times to remember with their families."

"Look, I'd love to help you both, but the deal is done. You should find out who they are to get some answers."

"Thank you for your time." You said.

Next was Andrews Construction site. "Mayor McCoy says that you have a contract to tear down the drive-in." Jughead said quietly. There was something about Archie's father that made anyone, especially Jughead, calm down. Fred Andrews was a respected man.

"I do. Look, I'm sorry guys. I love the drive-in too."

"Mr. Andrews," you said. "Just give us one week to track the man who bought the land."

"And convince them not to demolish this holy house of cinema." Jughead said angrily.

"Jug, y/n/n, this is a big contract for me and my guys."

Jughead was staring intensely at Fred, before softening his features. He didn't move. "Y/n could you wait outside?" He asked quietly.

You looked at Jughead, confused, then at Fred. He nodded his head for you to go. "Okay." You responded.

"You put one Jones out of work, and now another, huh?"

He sighed. "Jug, your dad was stealing equipment. I had to let him go."

Jughead scoffs. "Right. You're just doing what you had to, just like now. Later." He averted eye contact. Although he was mad, he knew it wasn't Fred's fault.

He found you sitting on the steps waiting for him. "You okay?"

He kept on walking. "He's not gonna do it."

You caught up to him and grabbed his hand, bringing him to a halt. "That's not what I asked." You quietly said. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. It's whatever. I gotta go get everything ready for closing night. See you tomorrow." And with that he walked off.

You then went from gift store to gift store, trying to find Jughead something that he'd like. You wanted to make him feel better. You knew that his sadness wouldn't completely go away from the Twilight Drive-In, but it could probably lessen. And that was your goal.

You went to the back of the drive-in, where Rebel Without a Cause was playing from. You knocked on the door. Jughead poked his head out of the door. "Y/n, what're you doing here?"

You smiled. "I came to see if we could watch the movie back here together."

"I would, but there's a lot of tapes and equipment to organize. Sorry." Jughead hated the words coming out of his mouth. Of course he wanted to watch the movie with you. Of course he wanted to be with you alone, especially right now. He wanted you to make him feel better. But he couldn't have you see the bed.

Your smile faded. "Oh. Okay. Well, could you come out here for a second then? I want to give you something."

He went outside and closed the door. He gave you a teasing smile. "Is it the deed to this place?"

You laughed. "I wish. It's, uh," you raised your hand, showing a Bates Motel key chain with the circular chain around your index finger. "Tada."

He stared at it. He didn't know how to react. You knew him so well. "What? You don't like it? I'm sorry, I was just trying to make you feel better and-"

"What? No! Uh, no, it's not that." He put on a tiny smile. "It's just, thank you. It means a lot."

You went up to him and hugged him, loving the warmth resonating off of him. He was shocked for a second, before coming back to his senses and wrapping his arms around your waist.

"Course Jug. You're my best friend." You pulled away and out your hands on each cheek. "Alright. C'mon, where's that smile I love so much?" He looked away and did his dorky smile that made your cheeks heat up. "There it is." You then slipped out of his hold. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." And with that you left.

Jughead watched you leave, then looking down at the key chain in his hand. As he went back inside and packed his things, he hooked the key chain onto his backpack zipper, sighing as he looked at it.

The next three days Jughead was sleeping in the janitor closet at Riverdale High. It was perfect. He had his sleeping bag, and they had showers and bathrooms. You just couldn't find out.

That was until the fourth day. Archie had caught him. "Jug, what are you doing here so early?"

He put on a fake smile. "Just using this school's amazing state-of-the-art facility."

"No, seriously, what are you doing here?" So he showed his where he was sleeping. He explained that this was his living ever since the drive-in was closed. "I'll be back. I'm going to talk to my dad about you staying with us."

After some arguing, Jughead reluctantly agreed. "But Archie, you can't tell anyone about this. Especially not y/n." Knowing of his friend's crush, he nodded his head. He then headed out of the school, getting his phone out of his pocket to send you some texts.

The was a knock on the closet door. Jughead let out a laugh. "Archie you don't have to knock, it's not like this is my room or anything."

The door opened, you leaning against the door frame with a bag in hand. Jughead's smile immediately came off. "Can I come in?" You quietly asked.

"He told you?!" He stood.

"Please don't be mad at him!" You quickly said, going in and shutting the door. "I'm glad he did. Why didn't you tell me about this Jug?"

"You think I'm proud of this? I'm living in a closet. I use the school showers. I'm pathetic y/n."

"No you're not, Juggy. You You should've just told someone. You could've gotten help!" You huffed, putting the bag in your hand down. "I really didn't think you had a big ego. You should know that I don't care about where you're living, or if things are going bad. You just need to talk to me."

He scoffed, then looking at the bag. He was still angry, but curiosity got the better of him. "What's in the bag?"

You breathed out a humorless laugh. "Pop's. Eggs and bacon. I also stopped by a liquor store and got chocolate milk."

"For me?"

"For us." You looked back at him, his expression still looking angry. "What? Getting drinks separately was cheaper, and I like YooHoo okay? I figured I could make you feel better and save some money at the same time but I guess I was wrong and-"

He cut you off with a kiss. It surprised you at first, but you soon returned it. You cupped his face with his hands finding your waist. When he pulled away for air he kept your faces close. He looked downwards, and you smiled wide. It happened. It finally happened. You had just kissed Jughead.

"Aw, c'mon Jug." You stroked your thumb at his cheek. "Where's that smile that I love so much?" He looked to the side and gave you a big goofy smile. "There it is."

The door then opened and Archie saw the both of us in each other's embrace. "Oh. Sorry should I have knocked?"

Author Note: In case you were wondering this is what I pictured Jughead's goofy smile would be like.