#he don’t gotta Downplay nothing about himself

[kiingsroar]

I love that Leona is sexy and he knows he’s sexy.

[kikyan]

Yandere Pomefiore Headcanons

TW/CW: Dark Content up ahead!! Yandere content specifically!! Themes will include but not be limited to, yandere, possessiveness, violence towards reader or characters, manipulation, mentions of stalking, obsession, etc. (I think that should be it but unless I'm missing something please do let me know!!) Please proceed with caution!!

DISCLAIMER: These are my interpretations of his/her/their persona and none of these is 100% accurate. I don't condone any of these actions in real life and all of this is purely fictional and should be taken as such! Underage characters will ONLY be given SFW headcanons, please respect this decision!

Banner made by @herestrish please don't steal my bestie worked hard on it and I love them so much :((

Vil Schoenheit

Beautiful Vil indeed, Vil is one of the characters who I feel relate to the most. His desire to be the fairest is rooted in the ideology that he has to work twice as hard for the praise that comes at no cost for Niege. Vil’s S/O would be someone who can see past that, maybe someone who can see the ‘ugliest’ parts of him but still want to be with him. Someone that can accept Vil for himself. With that said, he’s a manipulative, possessive, and overprotective yandere. 

It needs to be said that Vil is probably the most reliable housewarden here. I feel like he’s the type you should go to for advice because he tells it to you straight. He doesn’t sweeten his tone or downplay the situation to spare your feelings, he’s direct. The best way I can describe Vil and Neige is that Neige is cute, and Vil is hot. Niege is the cutesy persona, the kind and charismatic main character that you can’t help but root for in every situation. He’s literally the one who beats the villain with the power of friendship. Vil is a sophisticated and respected individual, the one who worked hard to get what they have, because of this. . .he’s often made to play the role of a villain. The one who is blinded by greed and stops at nothing to prevent the MC from getting what they want. That’s the role he plays. His S/O would be someone who sees past that, long story short someone who can respect and love Vil for himself rather than some silly persona he’s been pushed to play. Someone who can see Vil in the worst light but accepts him. You see the ugly but rather than shy away from it you learn to embrace it. 

I don’t want to say that he’s manipulative to the extent that Jamil might be, but he’s good with words. Pomefiore is a dorm that radiates beauty, not just physical appearance but how one carries themselves. This makes sense when in book 5 he talks to the others about skincare and even reminds Epel that ballet isn’t exactly a gendered sport. Beauty is how someone carries themselves, what they reveal when facing a tough situation, and how they view themselves and others, that’s beauty. If his S/O ever had a doubt, they would seek Vil’s opinion first. Of course, he knows more and his opinion is highly valued. His manipulation isn’t too complex but it follows the ideology that if a stranger gave an unsolicited opinion you won’t pay too much attention. Still, if a trusted friend gave it, you’d be inclined to trust them more. Under his guidance, Vil will slowly alter your mindset as well as your opinions of others. He’s Vil, he has a keen eye for these things after all. Vil says things straightforwardly so you know he’s being honest, that’s gotta count for something! So while it’s not a big thing at the moment, his words start to weave themselves into your conscious decisions. He’s not someone you would doubt, much less disobey. 

He’s quite possessive. In the way Jamil doesn’t want to give his S/O up, he can’t stand the idea of someone taking you away from him! Vil is quite infatuated with you, you see. The one thing he wants is standing right in front of him, he’s not letting his opportunity go by. He’ll start by conviving you to spend time with him. You’re failing your potions class? Vil can offer to help but it won’t come for free! The occasional fashion advice or skin care opinion, always offering to teach you the ropes and how to accessorize. Granted if you don’t ask for it nor actively seek it, he’ll never push his opinions onto you. If you do however ask for his advice, he’ll make a tight schedule that takes up your time and includes himself in the mix. Would he isolate you from others? No, but he would drop some side comments that might make you reconsider who you should be hanging around with. The choice is yours but he’s quite persuasive. He would never let Neige know of you, he can’t risk you becoming a fan or choosing Niege over himself. He just can’t let that happen. This ties in with his over-protectiveness, he’s by no means a pushover. With fame comes risk and Vil is more than qualified and prepared to ensure your safety. In the event that he does go public with your relationship (which he will), some crazed fan might send something to you! 

Overall, there are no traits that I can use to define how dangerous Vil can be as a yandere. Vil would probably force you to go through some rigorous training, anything that proves your loyalty to him. I think it’s what he values the most. Loyalty to him. Once you prove you can be trusted, Vil might start to expose bits and pieces of himself to you but don’t get your hopes up. Does Vil want to be worshiped? Yes, but he wants you to love him. It has to be you, nobody else can suffice. Nobody else sees Vil the way you see him and that’s what he wants. He wants your eyes to be on him, He’s in the spotlight and you’re the only member of the audience that he yearns for. Don’t let your gaze wander, keep your eyes focused on him. While it���s your attention and affection that he yearns for, he by no means will resort to groveling. He has too much pride (though maybe in extreme feelings and conditions, he may but unlikely at the moment) and I feel like it contradicts his ideology of working to earn. If it’s your affection he wants he’ll work hard and strive to gain. Do I think he may have a moment where he slips up? Yes, like in book 5, that wasn’t supposed to happen but it did. He had the idea of beating Niege at a dance competition but towards the end almost took his ass out. I feel like it starts to be futile, normal means of gaining your affection aren’t working, or keeping your love he may stoop down to using potions. Designed as ‘sharing’ snacks and drinks, he may slip in a potion that will make you agree or idolize Vil to a certain extent. He by no means will buy your love or use cheap tactics to earn it, but he may fall into a fear that you may leave him resulting in a potion to keep your love. 

Also, I realized that with these headcanons I don’t exactly highlight something that makes them unique, but I will start doing that with the remaining characters! Vil, what makes him unique is that he’s as suffocating as the poisons he makes. He’ll slowly start making his way into your life and cloud your senses. Anything and everything you do is for Vil. The air you breathe is for Vil. He demands absolute loyalty (as I’ve repeated countless times but I can’t organize for shit) and that loyalty is slowly woven into your routine. You use his skin care, you style your clothes a certain way because Vil told you. You style and accessorize yourself according to his recommendations because Vil is right. You act the way Vil would appreciate (in your eyes because I'm a huge believer they will love you for being you), and you are dedicated to him. The most unique thing about this is that it’s all according to Vil’s design. He managed to flip the table and make YOU seek him out rather than him doing all the hard work. 

These headcanons probably don’t do him justice but on the scale, he’d be an 8/10. It’s Vil, he would never show such unsightly behavior and I think that is where people would fall for it. If anything I think pomefiore is a dorm that can show multiple faces. They hold themselves to such a standard that at first glance, they could never do that! He excels at potions and poisons so he is quite a danger to others and his S/O. His manipulation is hidden under the guise that Vil is only helping you out. It’s Vil, sure some of the things he says might sound rude but he’s just being honest. His reputation does help him conceal his true behavior. His love is suffocating and overpowering. Surely you can learn to accept this ugly Vil as you would the beautiful Vil.  Not to mention, he’s clouding your mind to the point all you can think about is him (managed to save these headcanons because I thought the song Aishite X3 (I’m typing all that out) and how I personally feel Vil would relate to it on some form.

After editing these headcanons I came to the horrifying truth that this sounds like Nate and Cassie’s relationship in euphoria. . . shit. Oh! Before I forget, on the rope-chain-saw scale I think he would be chain. He isn’t one to restrict you physically, but he would restrict with you magic and potions. As I mentioned before, he’d try to manipulate you to turn the tables around, it would be you seeking him rather than him seeking you which would put him on the rope scale. Since he has a possibility of using magic to keep you obedient (rather than make you because he still wants you to make that choice) he would be placed on the chain, you can win back freedom (basically he has no use for the potions at this point) as long as you continue to prove your devotion to him! Okay, this time FOR SURE I’m done! 

Rook Hunt

This man scares me, he’s horrifying. In canon, he’s probably just a bit off-putting and he’ll be nice to you but as a yandere? That being said, Rook is manipulative, possessive, obsessive, and sadistic. Let’s get into it!

The biggest thing with Rook is that we need to see his reference material, he’s a hunter. That predator and prey dynamic is quite strong as we’ve seen in the beanfest event, he likes the thrill. Normally I’d say to run but he enjoys the thrill of that so start walking slowly. Let’s talk about his S/O, I try not to put too many traits because I truly like to believe that they prefer the personality of their S/O as opposed to anything specific but he’d be interested in his S/O. Their way of thinking and the way they carry themselves. We know he loves beauty and has no problem voicing his admiration, but when it comes to his S/O, his comments increase a lot. He loves the way you dress, the way you carry yourself, the way you write your name, and the way you speak, if you have any anxious ticks they don’t go unnoticed and he loves them as well. He’s very observant of any and all things you do, it’s scary. He’s like Kalim who sees the beauty and the good things, he just communicates them differently. To be honest, right now, Rook would make you love things about yourself that you hate or never knew about. As a yandere, that doesn’t change but his love increases by a lot. Tying this in with his obsessive trait, he knows everything. When you leave class with Grim, his eyes are on you. When you take a test and scratch your head, look confused (stuff you do basically), etc, he’s watching. He takes in any and all information possible. Things that are routine to you, he analyzes and takes great interest. Like a hunter studies his prey, he studies you just as well. Maybe at first, it was just something he does, but then it started to become extreme. If you take walks around Ramshackle and you feel eyes on you, it might be him. He doesn’t do anything other than stalk but that doesn’t make it any better. His eyes are ALWAYS on you. Taking in EVERYTHING. He’s extremely obsessive if you couldn’t tell.

Manipulative and this is also where I want to include his ‘unique’ trait. He will NEVER trust you. I’m like jumping a couple of steps but this will all make sense, promise. His manipulation isn’t like the others where they isolate you and try to make it seem like you only have them. It also isn’t something based on authority where they say, “I’m this so you should trust me” or where they use their fame to get you to comply (AKA blackmail). No, Rook takes on a different route. He’s a hunter and he’s always setting up bait but his reasoning isn’t always to prove your loyalty and love, it’s because he finds it fun. Like the Leech twins, you’ll have to be constantly on edge with him. It’s all about observing you. If you read yandere fanfiction, I’m sure you’ve seen prompts that involve the yandere placing the darling (you) in a situation where they can escape, but it’s secretly a test. With Rook, you’ll NEVER know it’s a test. You could stay put for three hours and Rook comes back saying he was busy. You realize then, you could have gotten help but you didn’t. Sometimes, he’ll leave you for 15 minutes and the moment you turn around to run, he’s there. You’ll either have to try to escape at every opportunity or stay put at every opportunity. He could send you on an errand, running papers to a teacher. Out of the fear that he’s watching even though logically he wouldn’t be in the office, you don’t say anything. You realize too late that it was a perfect opportunity to flee from him. This ties in with his unique trait.

He will NEVER trust you. In fanfiction when the darling has been ‘loyal’ (basically playing into their hands waiting to get the upper hand and flee) for some time ranging from a couple of months to years and the yandere assumes that they’ve finally given in. Yeah no, that’s not happening with Rook. You could be together for 10+ years and with 8 children, but he’ll NEVER assume you’ve given in. He’ll play the role and display signs that make it seem that he has but rest assured he hasn’t. He can be the perfect husband, and doting father, and just be a textbook family. You think you’ve planned well, surely after all these years he would believe your charade but no, Rook still keeps an eye on you. Not to mention, he has an army of 8 kids. He probably taught them to recognize signs and to snitch on you. Imagine you’re planning on leaving him but taking the kids and you tell them the plan but all these fuckers turned on you. Yeah, trust is something that comes hard with Rook (if you ever gain it), but this also ties in with the rope-chain-saw scale. He’d be rope. He enjoys the thrill of the hunt and I don’t see him as someone who tires of it. He’ll have some restrictions but overall, he wants you to be as free as possible. You won’t have any extreme restrictions or anything holding you back other than your fear of him. Funny enough, this brings me to my second point, he’s sadistic.

He doesn’t mean to harm you physically, but mentally he loves it. Physically, maybe but it’s not that common. He’ll find your scared expression beautiful and exciting, it shows how much you’re afraid of him. Of course, he wants your love and honestly, in a non-yandere setting, he’d be the perfect boyfriend. As a yandere, he THRIVES off the idea that he’s the biggest threat in your eyes. It’s the thrill of the hunt that makes that catch so much sweeter. Despite all the opportunities of escape (test or not), you don’t take them because of that fear. Any and all bait (escape or not because it’s mostly used to track your reactions) is meant to cause mental anguish. If you do bite he may inflict some physical pain but it’s not something that happens often. In the commissioned fic I wrote, you ran and Rook used an arrow to stop you. Yeah, he’ll do that again. He’ll treat you very well after (medical sense) but he’s not above harming you temporarily. I didn’t put him on the scale as saw, because he doesn’t want to take away your ability to run. Back to the original point, the mental anguish he causes is so much worse. It’s the way he will pamper you, loves you, gives you gifts, and speaks sweet words that make you melt away in a blissful state. You seem to forget that his eyes are closed on to you, he sets up traps that you may or may not recognize until after he appears to give you praise or punishment based on the result. You can’t read him and you can’t predict his intention so you live in fear. That’s what sadistic Rook loves, he’s the cause of your pain and fear.

Wrapping these headcanons, Rook gets an 11/10 on the yandere scale. I wanted to say 10/10 because he’s a danger but because he’ll never trust you he gets an 11/10. Escape really isn’t an option (unless you want to end it all but even then your snitch children might step in). He’s possessive like most, if not ALL yanderes. You’re his, trust me others will regret messing with you. I don’t think Rook would isolate you so he’s not possessive in that sense (like some of the yanderes) but he still wants you to be his and his alone. I don’t think he’d brand you (this brings up a tiny point how despite what you think he sees you as an equal and not as a pet because the mental anguish he causes is what leads you to make that dynamic) but if pushed to the point, he may and find beauty in something of his on your skin. He’s dangerous because he causes an INSANE amount of mental anguish (cater levels) but he can also be physical if need be. He’s always watching and his love is like an anchor, constantly weighing you down and making it hard to breathe. All eyes on you as he sees everything and anything, not to mention his unique magic? Yeah no, escape has and will never be an option. Honestly, I feel like maybe (since this isn’t canon and a yandere headcanon) the whole Pomefiore dorm might be in on it. I see Rook trusting Epel and Vil with you or knowing about you. They might even be the unsuspecting bait that Rook plants. If you thought one pair of highly trained hunting eyes was bad enough, imagine a dorm full of eyes that are trained to see people in the spotlight.

Epel Felmier

So starting right off the bat I’m gonna say what his unique trait is. It’s his appearance. Book 5 was about Vil trying to get Epel to see that his cute face was something he could use to his advantage rather than a disadvantage. So, he’s going to take what Vil taught him and put it to good use. Overall characteristics would include manipulative and overprotective, with a hint of possessiveness.

Finding a way to tie in his unique trait with these characteristics is simple but let’s get into it! Manipulating you and others is quite easy for Epel. Though he doesn’t like being seen as some dainty and petite individually, he’s more than content using it to get you and others to listen to him. You would probably lower your guard a lot more with Epel because it’s Epel. At first glance, I think most of us could push him away if things ever got physical. Which is why Epel doesn’t seem like a danger at first. Epel's gentle and soft-spoken nature is something so refreshing to be around with (especially after hanging out with Ace and Deuce) and is usually quite calming. Epel is sweet and caring, always minding his manners which are suited for someone in Pomefiore. He doesn’t need to do any extra work because you feel comfortable around him talking about your personal life. When something occurs, you may ask Epel for his advice or maybe just to listen (which he’s always down for). It’s different from the others because sometimes Ace happens to say things so bluntly and Deuce, while having good intentions, says things that just don’t work. Epel is a soft-spoken person who offers advice in a tone that doesn’t mean to criticize or look down upon. Finding ways to effectively get his point across without the need of hurting your feelings. You trust Epel so much and while he appreciates this, he knows it stems from his appearance.

I can see him slightly being annoyed by this at first until he starts to slip up. Imagine your surprise when Epel is single-handly arguing and fighting the students who made fun of you. Imagine your surprise when the sweet boy starts to act out, saying things you didn’t expect to leave his mouth and just starts acting different. It’s total whiplash. Once he’s gotten your trust and you start to reconsider, his appearance comes to the rescue when you start accusing Epel of things he’s done. Honestly, I can see Vil and Rook stepping in if things get serious but most of the time his good looks do the talking. What do you mean Epel scared you? He grabbed your wrist and left a nasty bruise? That doesn’t sound like the Epel I know. Did he say all those mean things to you? Are you sure? Epel doesn’t speak like that! Suddenly, he’s making everyone turn against you for speaking out against him. How scary is Epel?

I want to include overprotectiveness and possessiveness together because they go hand in hand. Epel loves you and he’d fight for your honor! It’s quite cute, brave, and courageous to see someone of a small stature standing up against the bad guys. He was raised on the principle of treating everyone with respect and you’re no different! His possessiveness ties in when others try to steal you away from him. No doubt looking down on him because of his size and he needs to show them who’s boss! Well, he sounds tame, so what’s the big issue? Ladies and gentleman, it’s a power dynamic scale we have going on. See Epel is so used to being seen as someone small and petite and while he appears that way to his darling, he has the ability to remind them who is in charge. Though I don’t see Epel as being someone to get physical with you off the bat, there are times when he sees it as his last resort (and by last I mean he tried one other option and gave up). Considering he has a short temper, it’s more often than not. He can be like Ace who says some mean things and basically degrades you but no point in telling anyone because it’s not like anyone would believe sweet Epel would say that. He can pose a threat and when all else fails, start resulting to hitting you to keep you tied to him but again no use saying anything because who would believe you? Granted, there is only so much he can hide behind leading me to a small point, I think Vil and Rook would encourage his behavior.

Vil would dislike the way he’s so rough with you but he did gain your trust with that pretty face of his. Rook would find it amusing. Honestly, he’d feel the same when he thinks you shouldn’t be too rough with your darling, but Epel is a stubborn one who doesn’t accept defeat. In the rope-chain-saw scale, he’d be split between rope and chain. Honestly, like Rook, you start to grow a fear of Epel. While most of the time he’s his usual self (the one you came to love), saying the wrong thing could set him off and spell disaster for you. It’s like walking on eggshells for your safety. So at some point, Epel has no need for too many restrictions but Vil encourages him not to slip up. Not to get too cocky and assume he’ll always be at the top because an unssuspecting person came come and steal you away. It’s as if they’re trying to make him worse than he already is, resulting in the border between chain and rope. Depending on what happens and how he feels, he made add too many restrictions and he’s always inconsistent with them, but most of the time he’s a rope. Doesn’t feel the need to keep you caged and away when you already know the consequences that await you.

Epel overall isn’t too dangerous, maybe a 6/10? His behaviors can start to get predictable but do be careful with that face. He may even stage a situation where you’re the one hurting precious Epel and onlookers judge you. How could you come to hurt someone like Epel? Surely he didn’t pose too much of a threat. Though, while he physically is strong and has a quite short temper, his behaviors can become routine and easy to follow. He’s really only a danger more than Deuce because he would have the help of Vil and Rook. I’m sure that over time you could turn the tables on him and either fight back or paint him to be the villain he is. He’s truly like the poisoned apple, beautiful and tempting on the outside but rotten to the core.

[silvershiningtarot]

Pick A Card- When/ Where You Will Meet Your FS & What Type Of Person He Is

*Take your time look at the pile. Breath in and out, relax your mind focus on what pile you feel pulled too. Take whatever resonate with you

Pile 1: you are going to meet your FS at a barbershop or at a coffee shop. Even at a restaurant. I’m hearing already that it’s going to be recognition. He’s the type that he has a lot of stuff to clean up like throw away old clothes, photos, and old energies. You guys are going to have that black Love couple dynamic and it’s like you guys are the perfect match, the power couple get the business done. Your mother in law or his mother in law will welcome you guys to there circle. Y’all are going to be very supportive of each other. You are the light feminine very mature, stable and confident about who you are. This is very mature connection between you and him or her. This union is so close and coming very quick and this is destiny and you are ready. You guys are each other mirrors, I feel like this is your best friend he’s very mature for his age and he does a lot of shadow work and before he didn’t want see the truth. He dealt with a lot of bad energies around him and he dealt with people who said out of sight out of mind. That’s shit sucks, someone used to ghosted him and made him feels unwanted and love. I think that sometimes he can be cold-hearted giving the cold shoulder being super petty. He’s the type that dealt with only one way because again unrequited love and it never got return back to him. Dealt with toxic energy and toxic connections. I feel like he covers up the burning memories by blocking them out. Don’t want to face them at all, those memories trigger him bad. He’s A-List celebrity and he’s higher top list. Everybody knows his name got a lot of followers on social media and he does let the fame get to his head. Your FS does brag about money and what kind of status he got..boo lame 😒 anyways your feminine side still searching, finding who you are and learning about yourself. Your FS goes through personality clashes, because he’s mixed up his energies with different people. He or she gotta sit down and really figure out who they are. He doesn’t feel like he’s smart and maybe his ex made him like shit. Maybe he said a word wrong or it didn’t sounded right in her ears and she had to correct him. So he does downplay himself a lot. This is your true love, he’s your soulmate and your on the right path with him but you have to patient with him. He goes through a lot of shit. He is so damn stubborn very arrogant as hell. Your FS got bad anxiety 😟 get nervous and he isolated himself away from people and even you sometimes. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t love you it just means that he likes his alone time. Again when you guys argue he will ignore those feelings and act like nothing happened. Remember to talk to him about these issues and feelings to open with him because again he is guarded. His ex never appreciated him and he finally realized that shit about his ex girlfriend. You might meet him This month it’s in progress now and it’s fucking happening now!! Take your time and chance. He fucking manifesting you, dreaming about you and missing you like crazy. I told you that he is mature man and I feel like he is balancing his health because I do feel like he got a illness and he does goes in and out the hospital. Your FS has manners like he kills people with kindness. You might meet him in autumn 🍂 season. Oh yeah he will open the door for you, uplifted your heart and energy. Y’all might be friends as benefit having fun and just having sex and that’s it. I sense that he is going to feel like that in the beginning. I was right, in the beginning it will be like a fling just having fun together. Again it’s because he is so guarded up and has been heartbroken 💔 before he’s going to like no fucking way I’m setting the boundaries. He is your soulmate you meant to collaborate with him, whatever business you guys do together I’m guessing is music because lyrics came out so yeah music. This is your husband and you guys are going to get married if you guys decide to go down that road together. He is crave for you like crazy I’m hearing that song in my head “but I’m crazy for you.” This is your true love soulmate.

Pile 2: You are going to meet your FS at a bar, airport or a gas station ⛽️. I see him starring at you at the bar. I can hear his thought saying “you look delicious 🤤” oh wow that’s crazy he came to like that. I’m sensing that he’s very fast with his words and his charms. I can see him sipping his drink just looking at you, I won’t go any deeper than this but your FS got CSA. I am soo deeply sorry for him truly. Your FS is celebrity and he is an entertainer probably a musician, writer or a dancer. I sense that your FS parties hard he got a lot of females as friends and he doesn’t stay home like that. Oh yeah your FS is diva, spoil and brat. You guys have an untouchable bond and it’s been written in the stars ⭐️ because you and him have a soul contract with each other. Oh yess yummy 🤤 you guys might have a lot of outdoor sex. You and Your FS has a unbreakable bond and nothing can’t tear y’all apart. He’s your high vibe soulmate and I won’t mention what type of celebrity he is like name wise, but you know who he is already. But yes he’s your high vibes soulmate and y’all can telepath what each other thinking. Oh unplanned pregnancy, oh girl someone is getting pregnant here. Your FS got rob. People had stole from him like money, car keys, credit cards, and even business. He be like WTF happened and he does bottled up a lot of emotions and have a lot anger issues and he’s taking anger management classes or he took them. He does cover up his anger and his emotions because he may act like he isn’t bothered but he bother by the bullshit. No way in hell he ain’t getting back with his ex or friends and even with family because he is done with that shit. He’s cutting off a lot of people and he has been begging for their forgiveness even from his ex he’s been begging for her or his forgiveness. Your FS is very sensitive he or she is sensitive as hell. he or she blocked out his or her emotions until that shit explode into anger. I’m hearing he or she doesn’t know how to express it. You two will be attracted to each other heavy and he is mature man and healthy man as well. He got standard or she does, friend as benefit oh wow yeah it’s going to be a strong affection you and him. Don’t make excuses finding ways to break up with him or her and he or she is your best friend. You knew them for a long time and this is your past life best friend that reincarnated back into your life. Don’t make assumptions or running away. You might meet him or her this month in the winter time. You guys are going to be working together and you two are business soulmates meant to collaborate and work together. Oh Woah 🤯 that’s why you are going to get pregnant, you are going to have twin girls. There’s a lot of fake ass friends, and fake ass love ❤️ with your FS. Dealt with unrequited love this dark feminine woman ain’t shit, she didn’t love him or her at all. She just used him or her. I heard she had blocked him or her for a lot of business opportunities. Y’all both are going to changed careers together and find something you guys are passionate about. You guys has a fairytale dynamic, Prince/Princess relationship. Again partnership oh yeah this is your husband/wife, best friend and business partner. Your FS loves your energy and this is your true love ❤️ you meant to transform with him or her. FS is bit greedy and very defensive. The reason why I said very defensive because I feel that shit he’s defensive because all of that bottled up emotions. Once he start to end those cycles he will free himself. He’s around a lot of toxic energy and it’s emotionally draining him or her. He lack of faith and he self-doubts a lot. He does want to change those feelings find forgiveness in himself. I don’t think he forgive himself. He want that new begins. He has to back off from technology and social media all these high ass role status he gotta come back down to reality face the real world. I feel like he’s mature in certain areas and situations but not fully mature with his emotions. See yeah he regrets a lot of shit. You meant to have a marriage with your FS.

[thepringlesofblood]

so. i watched the trailers for the A:TLA live action netflix series. i went in expecting nothing, and I gotta admit some parts look intriguing. the casting, the set, the bending, the costuming, all look pretty cool. not a big fan of the cgi or how it always seems to be the dead of night in the fire nation, but i was considering watching the first episode at least, out of curiosity and mild respect.

then I saw Zuko's scar.

I thought well, it is really dark, I should wait to get a better look at it before totally freaking out.

are. are you kIDDING ME?

[important: I know nothing about this actor, this aint a dunk on him, I doubt he had a lot of input into his makeup.]

for reference, here is zuko in the OG show.

zuko’s scar isn’t a fucking bad eyeshadow job. His ear is half-melted. It takes up like 1/4-1/3 of his face. It’s not just his eye - it’s his cheekbones, it’s his forehead, it’s all down the side of his head, boy should not have a second eyebrow! I swear to god if they spend their money animating each individual hair on appa but don’t bother to get something as iconic and central to the series as zuko’s scar right? it'd be like messing up Spock's ears, except real-life people don't have Spock ears and struggle with how they are perceived by society because of it.*

*that I know of. maybe there's a secret Spock ears genetic condition I don't know about in which case I apologize

also... there was this bit. we get a quick flash of this shot

ok, we know this shot. we've seen this shot. it's the agni kai where zuko gets his scar. note the relative positions of the two people, and what the floor looks like.

then a little later, we get this shot

it's clearly the same scene. it's ozai burning zuko. but. why is there fire on both sides of zuko? it looks like he's deflecting it. like he's fighting back.

it. it is so so so important for zuko's arc and character growth that he refuses to fight his father in his first agni kai. he shows mercy when ozai does not. he is a child - he does not think to defend himself against his own father. throughout his whole arc, the whole show, but most especially season 1, it is so important to remember that the last time he showed mercy and humility, he literally got burned. that's why he's so aggressive and angry and scared and defensive.

so. why is he defending himself? is this why his scar is less pronounced? because they decided to mess with established history?

maybe we can give them the benefit of the doubt and say this is a different agni kai, or zuko re-imagining how it could've gone, or something, but like. why choose to show this then?

further rant below the cut bc its very long I haven't felt righteous fury this strong in a while

I just. I personally don’t have a facial scar or birthmark or anything, but when Hollywood sugarcoats or makes them look less “gross” or “obvious” it’s a real fuck you to people out there who do have obvious scars, birthmarks, differences, that don’t fall into the neat lines of what is considered “presentable” by the film industry. It’s important that it’s not downplayed bc then the people who see themselves in the original get betrayed by the adaptation that tells them they’re not pretty enough or that they’re “too much” to be seen on tv in live action.

Excuses I have seen thus far (mostly on reddit admittedly)

“They didn’t want to make it look too gruesome so that kids would want to watch it too" Think about that sentiment for 10 seconds, and tell me what it says to people out there who have scars like this. Are they too “scary” to be seen by children? Is their existence automatically PG-13? Something horrible and uncontrollable happened to zuko, and because of that, his life and body are irrevocably changed. People with scars like his who related to and felt seen by his representation and the way he struggles with acceptance, both by himself and by others, will receive the message that can only happen for people with less “gruesome” scars than that. Seriously.

“Of course it’s going to look different in real life vs in animation” Yes, it will. I’m not talking about the appearance of the burn necessarily, but the extent of it. The new series has it limited mostly to his eye. His ear and eyebrow are unaffected, as are his cheekbones and forehead. That is not the case in the animated show. I’m not expecting a big monochrome pink and purple blotch like there is in the OG show - animated visual shorthand is different from live action. But it should look like burned skin. And it should be as extensive as it was - it goes over his ear and eyebrow, and partway down his cheek. the whole point of it is that it’s big and unavoidable and horrifying, and that zuko was a 13 year old kid who didn’t deserve it, but now is stuck with it. That’s war. That’s what ozai is capable of.

“The makeup would be too hard” It really wouldn’t, especially not for something as important to the series as this. Zuko’s scar is central to ATLA as a whole - a symbol of the cruelty of his father and the fire nation, and more importantly his survival and eventual resistance to it. Even if it did take extra time to apply, which I don’t think it would, I’d say it’d be worth it. I’ve seen cosplays and Halloween costumes [and this excellent fan film] without access to a professional makeup and prosthetics team that looked closer to show accurate than what they’ve currently got going.

Let me also point you to examples of both comparable and much more dramatic makeup/prosthetics used regularly (as in every episode, every week, for many years) on 2 shows with smaller budgets, older technology (as in, from the 1990s), and many more seasons: Star Trek: the next generation & ds9

trust me. they can do it. this is a choice.

“What it if made it hard for him to act?” See above for examples of other actors in much more dramatic prosthetics crushing it.

"Well at least it's better than the other live action adaptation"

that CANNOT be the bar we measure things by. standing still and doing nothing is also better than getting brained with a shovel: that doesn't mean it's good.

"He has darker skin than the animated Zuko. the burn probably blends in more."

that's not how burn scars work. it's not just a darkening of the skin - the skin itself is fundamentally changed in texture and color. and again, even if the burn has a different general appearance, it should at least be as big and extensive as it is in the OG show, and it's clearly not.

“They probably didn’t want to shave his eyebrow” No, really I saw this as a point on a Reddit post. Drag queens and cosplayers have been making their eyebrows disappear and reappear for decades without access to a professional makeup and prosthetics team. He’ll be fine I swear.

[hiddenn-escape]

This is gonna be a rant so y’all can skip it if you’d like

If you know me, I rarely curse. I physically stop myself when I’m about to say a curse word. I’m also not a fan of violence. But I have never felt the urge this strong to fight a bitch. I have never met her or seen a picture of her before but I will gladly fight her. Being a teacher, you have the power to influence the next generation with knowledge and to make good choices. You teach kids and guide them to be a good person. Never once in your career should you ever make a kid feel bad about themself or cry. What gives a teacher the audacity to make them feel bad and cry? No teacher should ever fucking do this. Like what the fuck is your goddamn problem? Is your life that fucking bad that you gotta take it out on little kids? This bitch pulled my brother aside to tell him that she doesn’t think he has the potential that my family and his teachers see in him. First off, you’re fucking wrong. He is one of the smartest kids in his class. He even does extra homework at home. Secondly, it has been not even a week of the 3 week summer school program so what the fuck allowed her to say this. Third, the work during summer school is all shit. It’s nothing but an activity to pass time when parents are at work and aren’t home for their kids. The school work doesn’t count for anything. It won’t affect his grades at his original school. I don’t know what made her tell this to my brother but he’s fucking 10. He asked her for help a few times cause her lesson activities don’t make sense and she confused him even more when she attempted to help him. Asking for help is hard enough and she couldn’t even do it right. But she pulled him aside at the end of the day to tell him that she doesn’t think he’s smart nor is he trying to learn anything. My brother started crying cause of her. He had to lock himself in the bathroom to calm down before the end of the day bell rang. She saw him crying and just told him to go calm down. One of the teachers from his elementary school saw him crying and knows him personally asked what’s wrong and is meeting with the asshole teacher in the morning for her side of the story. She’s most likely gonna downplay the whole situation or make up a story. But the teacher knows that my brother is smart and hated to see him cry so I know she’ll handle things well. If that bitch tries something with my little brother tomorrow, we’re gladly gonna take him out of summer school and complain about that teacher. If I see her, I can’t promise that I won’t fucking do something. The teachers here have some fucking problem and I don’t know what it is. My other brother had problems with all his teachers during his senior year. I had some of his teachers and I heard nothing but good things about the others that I didn’t know but they treated my brother like shit. He had a mental breakdown in school when he had to worry about colleges, clubs that he manages, academy, and being a state officer of HOSA. He asked his teacher if he can take a test another day and that teacher said why are you causing me problems are you trying to cheat? How can he cheat on a test that he hasn’t even taken yet? After that incident, his teacher emailed all his other teachers to be weary of him for cheating and they all made him take off his hat, jacket, and made sure they could see his phone at all times for tests. All this because of a mental breakdown. He is an A student and is one of the few out of the class of 2022 to have a GPA higher than 4.0. They made his senior year hell from targeting him every single class to answering all questions he was asked and they had to be correct or else he’d be looked down on. All of his classmates realized this and felt bad for him. The only time he felt happy was when he was in academy at another school. I swear all the teachers are shit. I love my brothers and as an older sister I would gladly fight any bitch for them

[dwaynepride]

just like we were kids

pairing: young!gibbs x reader, young!ducky + reader

summary: 5 times gibbs kisses you and 1 time ducky kisses you.

warnings: reader is kidnapped, mentions of rope burns

words: 4,196

a/n: very loosely based off the 400th episode but not strictly

It’s been a very long day.

Gibbs sat next to a crying baby on the bus riding into DC, the hotel receptionist gave him a hard time when he tried to check in, and he was forced into the trunk of a car with a gun pointed to his head.

“He forced you, Marine?”

Gibbs withheld an annoyed sigh; only because this agent was pretty alright. “There were civilians around. Didn’t want to risk it.”

“Noble,” the agent responds. “But a gamble.”

Yeah. A gamble that only sorta paid off because Gibbs knows you’ll give him an earful just as soon as you get here.

“If it wasn’t for that idiot driving on the wrong side of the road, you might be the one in our morgue.”

God, Gibbs hopes he doesn’t say that when you’re around.

In the distance, he hears the elevator ding. And the agent motions toward it. “Now, you got a chance to say thank you. Looks like he’s back from the hospital to give his statement.”

Gibbs turns, spotting the man in a bowtie with his arm in a sling and talking the ear off of the women who brought him up here. The Scotsman was ranting off about American driving habits, no doubt blaming it all on why he crashed. Hearing it makes Gibbs smirk.

“Mr. Mallard,” the agent greets.

“Actually, Dr. Mallard. Well, former doctor,” he corrects.

Without any hesitation. Jethro likes him already. “Sergeant Gibbs. Former trunk.”

That’s when Dr. Mallard finally looks to him, paying little attention to the scrapes on his face. “Ah,” he replies. Gibbs can’t help to notice he looks just a little amused.

“I owe you a drink,” Jethro says.

“Well, that depends,” Mallard intercedes immediately. “How do you feel about scotch?”

“I’d feel better about bourbon.”

“Sold.”

Smiling, Gibbs reaches forward to shake the other man’s hand. They reflect each other’s expression - Dr. Mallard pleased for a free drink, and Gibbs just happy to be out of that trunk. “It’s the least I could do, considering your car was probably totaled-”

“Jethro!”

Oh no. Gibbs and his rotten luck was about to rub off on you.

He hadn’t even prepared anything to say. Hadn’t thought of a special way to ease your worries because Gibbs has been too caught up with the NIS agent and giving his statement. So when he looks over Mallard’s shoulder, watching as you march up to him with wide eyes, Gibbs visibly winces. “Hey. First of all, I’m okay. Second-”

“How could you possibly be okay?” Your eyes were immediately focused on the red scrape on his forehead - right now, he figures you’re expecting the worst. “This is serious, Jethro. How do you think I would’ve felt if I got a call saying you were dead? I know you like to think you’re big and bad, but-”

“Have you met Dr. Mallard?” Gibbs immediately turns your attention to the Scotsman in the bowtie, who immediately greets you with a tight smile once you face him. “He’s the one who saved me. Kind of.”

“Only by sheer stupidity, believe me.” Mallard reaches out a hand, and after a moment, you take his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

You let out a tiny sigh, seeming to Gibbs like you were winding down, now that you’re sure he was okay. “Thank you, Doctor. As you can tell,” you snap your eyes to Jethro, “he gets himself into trouble, a lot.”

Gibbs says nothing, now that the eyes of four different people are on him. He shifts his weight awkwardly, reaching out to grip your arm and pull you closer. And to really suck up to you, he leans over to press a kiss against your temple - he hopes that’ll be enough of an ‘I’m sorry’ for now. “Well, the Doctor’s gotta give his statement so I think we outta let him,” Gibbs says, hoping to turn the attention off of himself.

“Yes, of course,” Dr. Mallard agrees. Gibbs is grateful - up until Mallard faces you again with a smile. “Though, you should most definitely join us for a drink. It’ll be on his tab, and you’ll be there to keep him out of trouble.”

For a moment, Gibbs feels almost defensive. He’s about to speak up, but before he can say anything, he sees you nod your head. Even worse, you’re smiling. As if agreeing with Mallard that Jethro needs watching over.

Though, you’re smiling now. Maybe it’s not so bad.

-

It’s late. And the coffee doesn’t seem to be working anymore.

Gibbs had training for staying up all night. There’s been times when he’d gone three days with only a couple hours of sleep. But even that would’ve been preferable to sitting at a table, staring at files and papers, and listening to Dr. Mallard’s mumbling.

“It doesn’t make any sense...we’ve got to be missing something...”

Yeah. No kidding.

Gibbs rubs his eyes with a long sigh. He’s tempted to just call it a night and try again in the morning when he and Mallard are rested up. But Jethro stays - much too stubborn to walk away, even if it’s past midnight.

He has his chin propped up on his hand, fighting the alluring close of his eyes, by the time Jethro hears the front door close and your footsteps against the wood floor. “You guys are still awake?”

“Yeah,” Gibbs mumbles.

“We’re nearly finished,” Dr. Mallard says - he’s slightly more awake, but not by much.

“Right,” you reply. Jethro recognizes the disbelief in your voice. It’s the same tone you use with him a lot. “Well, are you two hungry?”

Coffee is the only sustenance he’s had all night. At the mention of food, Jethro looks over. And a grease-stained paper bag has never looked so amazing. “Is that…”

“Just some burgers from a diner. Not many places are open this late, so it was a bit of a drive.” You approach with the food, and Jethro stands to take the bag from your hands. And you’re smiling at him - looking tired, but still so sweet and soft and it immediately relieves the ache of exhaustion from Gibbs.

You drove all around town to bring him and Mallard some food. He didn’t deserve you.

“You didn’t have to,” Jethro says. Though, he handles the burgers like an injured puppy. “We got stuff here…”

“Don’t be ridiculous, man.” Dr. Mallard stands as well, taking the bag from Jethro and opening it up to retrieve his burger. “It’s not right to downplay the generosity of your partner. Try thanking her.”

Gibbs narrows his eyes at the other man, but his hunger wears down his stubbornness. The burgers smell fucking amazing, and Dr. Mallard is right.

He looks back to you, steps in closer, and leans down to press a kiss to your cheek. Your skin is cold from the night air - Gibbs feels bad that you went through the trouble. “Thanks. We appreciate it,” he says lowly. If Mallard weren’t here, Gibbs might’ve dragged you to bed. Warmed you up and thanked you in his own favorite way.

He notices your flush. Maybe you picked up on his own personal thoughts, somehow.

So Gibbs looks away, reaching out to retrieve his own burger before the doctor notices anything. And you clear your throat, smiling at the both of them while backing up. “Well, enjoy the food. I think I’m gonna go get some sleep. Try not to stay up all night, you two!”

A smirk comes over Jethro’s lips as he falls back down into his chair, and he doesn’t notice Mallard watching him until Gibbs is just about to take a big bite out of his burger. His teeth are on the bun when his eyes flicker up. “Wha’?” He asks hotly.

Dr. Mallard simply shakes his head, taking his seat and moving his files aside to make room for the burger you brought him. “Nothing. It’s just that...she’s a keeper.”

Jethro didn’t need some Scot to tell him that.

-

“Keep looking out here! I’ll check inside!”

Jethro didn’t bother yelling out an acknowledgement. He took off in the other direction, letting Dr. Mallard make his way into the dark, silent building by himself. Maybe if his heart weren’t pounding so fast or if he weren’t so fucking angry and scared and worried, Gibbs would be smart and think about Mallard’s safety.

After all, if these scumbags had the balls to take you, what’s to stop them from killing him?

Jethro doesn’t think about that, right now. His shoes pound against the pavement, swinging his flashlight around wildly. The parking lot is empty and pitch black - the shine of the flashlight barely does anything to cut through the darkness. He tries to stem his breathing and silence his heartbeat; just in case you’re crying out for him.

He hears nothing. The taunting hoot of an owl, but that’s it.

This is his fault, of course. Everything is his fault. Maybe if he just left the case alone and let those agents deal with it, you wouldn’t be missing and he wouldn’t be running around trying to find you. Dr. Mallard tried calming him down and reminding him that they’re trying to get these bastards off the streets for this very reason.

Doesn’t seem worth it, though. Not when it comes to you.

Jethro takes a few more steps, panting hard, still straining his eyes against the blackness. His grip on the flashlight is so tight, his fingers start to hurt. Maybe you’re not even here. Maybe they got it wrong. Maybe they missed something-

There. On the far end of the parking lot. Something reflects the light of his flashlight, and it’s too big to be anything but a vehicle.

Immediately, Gibbs takes off again. His shoes barely hit the concrete with how fast he’s running, and when he finally reaches the car, he shines the light inside. Finding empty seats, Jethro’s stomach drops.

That is, until his eyes find the trunk.

Jethro calls your name as he comes around to the hitch. His breath is stuck in his lungs, and he barely even registers the light tapping from inside the trunk before he yanks it up.

You flinch at the sudden bright light. Hands coming up to shield your face, balling yourself up tighter. Gibbs immediately notices little red lines around your wrists. Notices the little tears and scuffs on your clothes. He shakes with something mixed with rage and relief.

“Hey, hey, you’re okay,” Jethro breathes out. He tucks the flashlight under his arm to reach out for you. His hand on your arm seems to calm you - it lets you know that you’re safe and he’s got you and everything is okay now. You peek out from behind your eyes, cheeks wet from tears but they’re not wet enough to loosen the tape strapped to your mouth.

Jethro reaches out instantly to pull it off. He’s slow, gentle, and as soon as your lips are visible, you suck in a deep breath. “Jethro…”

“I’m here. You’re okay now.”

He tries his best to hide the tremor of his hands as Gibbs takes his knife out and cuts the rope off your wrists and ankles. These bastards really went all the way - taking you and terrorizing you just to get to him and Mallard. He’d make sure they paid.

As soon as you’re freed, your arms are wrapped tight around his shoulders, face pushed against his chest and sniffling. The flashlight is obscured, but Jethro doesn’t need to see the harsh tears staining your cheeks. It’s bad enough to hear your little whimpers of his name, and the most he can do is hug you back and murmur out comforting words.

Eventually, you pull away. Still leaning on him, not even pulling yourself out of the trunk yet, but wanting to see his face. “It happened so fast,” you tell him, voice small. Jethro frowns as he fits his hand against your cheek - there’s a bruise there that concerns him. “And they were saying how you and Dr. Mallard were getting so close, and I was insurance, and I didn’t know if you’d find me, and-”

“Hey, I’ll always find you, okay?” His thumb caresses over your cheek, mindful of the purple bump there. “I’m sorry. This is my fault. You shouldn’t have gotten caught up in this. I should’ve protected you better.”

Your eyes are wide and frightened, but the way your eyebrows quirk together slightly tells him that you probably had something to say. Probably to negate what he’s said because he knows you don’t like when he says things like that. Blaming himself for things he can’t control.

Instead, Jethro leans in to desperately press his lips against yours. The kiss tastes like salty tears and a hint of blood but you hold onto his jacket so tight that he doesn’t even think about if the kiss might hurt.

He was worried. You were scared. He just wants to kiss you.

And even the sound of Dr. Mallard calling his name from across the parking lot isn’t enough to break it.

-

“She’s fine, right? That’s what the doctors said?”

“That’s what I said,” Mallard tells him, voice tight. But there’s an empathetic look that helps calm Gibbs down a bit. “I assure you, I wouldn’t lie about her condition. I checked her over myself - the worst of it is only the rope burns on her wrists.”

Gibbs breathes a little easier. It’s been a wild couple days and it feels like the first deep breath he’s taken since.

“I assume you’d want to see her.”

Jethro nods his head once, brow furrowing together. He’d done enough waiting.

Dr. Mallard smirks before he turns and walks with Gibbs down to your room. He knows it’ll be hard, seeing you laid up in the white hospital sheets. It was hard enough pulling you from the trunk of the car and sitting with you until the ambulance came. Hard enough having to put you on the back burner to finish what he and Mallard started. The guilt was still there, of course. He knows you don’t blame him, but it’s not enough.

Gibbs feels a nudge against his arm, and he looks over to find Dr. Mallard watching him. “You should be happy,” he points out.

“I am.”

“I hope you’ll be a better liar once we get in there.” Gibbs scoffs and looks away, but the doctor isn’t done. “You’re fortunate it wasn’t any worse. With the men we were dealing with-”

“Yeah, I know, doc. They coulda killed her, or worse. And it would’ve been my fault because I wasn’t smart enough to think ahead and protect her.” Jethro turns back to Mallard, and he doesn’t bother to hide his scowl. “Is that what you want to hear?”

“Yes. It is,” he replies boldly. Fucking of course. Gibbs is tempted to walk off before Mallard's gaze turns more sympathetic. “But that’s not what she wants to hear. So better to get it all out right now so you can’t dump all those guilty feelings on someone who’s already been through enough.”

He hadn’t thought of it that way.

Jethro’s eyes drop. Mallard was right, of course. It pissed him off to admit it, but Gibbs probably would’ve gone in there and apologized for something you didn’t really want to relive. Another case of him not thinking.

Dr. Mallard pats him on the shoulder. When Gibbs looks up, he motions to your room with his head. “Well, let’s get a move on. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.”

And Jethro will be glad to see you, too.

He wastes no time reaching your door, and he carefully opens it but can’t help poking his head in just as soon as he can. Gibbs doesn’t quite know what to expect, and even with Mallard peeking in from over his shoulder, he feels like he should be walking on his toes.

But the image of you sitting up in bed with a smile proves him wrong.

“Hey! You’re here!”

Jethro doesn’t reply. He just smirks and revels in his relief that you’re actually okay.

“Of course, we are!” Mallard replies, moving past Gibbs to approach your bedside. “We wanted to tell our partner about the outcome of our little investigation, didn’t we, Gibbs?”

Jethro’s eyes move away from your bruised face, glancing to the doctor before nodding once. “Yeah. Bastards got caught trying to leave the state. They got ‘em at the border,” he tells you. Though, he can’t keep his eyes from wandering. Your arms, once so soft, are marred with bandages and bruises. Jethro reminds himself to breathe.

“But obviously, we were also worried about you,” Dr. Mallard adds on. His tone is softer, this time. And as Gibbs moves past him to take the seat by your bed, he continues. “You’ve got nothing to fear. They can’t ever hurt you again.”

Jethro reaches out to take your hand, and you squeeze his right back. Dammit, Mallard was so good with that heart-to-heart stuff. It never really occurred to Gibbs to put your mind at ease, like he had. He’d just been so angry and guilty and worried - well, it goes to show how much more you deserve than him.

“Yeah, I know.” Your voice is light. A little hoarse. The sound of it makes Jethro tighten his grip.

“He’s right,” Gibbs speaks up. And when you turn to look at him, he makes sure his face is hard and determined. Not as shaky as he feels. “I’m never gonna let something like that happen again. I promise.”

“Yeah,” you respond. “I know.”

Your smile grows. Just a little, because of the bruises. But it prompts one on Jethro’s face, and as his chest gets a bit tight, he softly lifts your hand up. The bandages cover up the ugly rope burns around both your wrists - they’ll go away in a few weeks. Still, he places a soft kiss on top the bandage. Just to help you heal a little faster.

-

If it were up to Gibbs, he would’ve taken you right home and let you rest. And personally, after all the bullshit, he really just wanted a quiet night with you and a couple glasses of bourbon. And no Dr. Mallard.

Things never usually go as planned for him. A night at the bar is in order to celebrate.

Though, Jethro can’t complain much. You’re seated on his lap, and he’s free to wrap his arms around your waist and tug you close and glare at anyone giving you a second look. Call him protective, but he’s just being safe.

And he let you and Mallard chat away about the case. Mostly about how the NIS agents took all the credit for bringing them in.

“It’s unfair,” you say crossly, glancing back at Jethro before looking to the doctor again. “Do they know how much danger you guys put yourselves in? Or what I went through? And they get the credit?”

Jethro’s grip on your waist tightens. He smirks when he feels your hand settle on his arm.

“It’s not really about the credit,” Mallard replies, leaning back in his chair with a shrug. “For me, I’m just happy those bastards won’t be out terrorizing any more innocent people. I looked into some of their victims - poor unfortunate souls who wouldn’t have been missed by anybody. No friends. No family. It’s a real shame.”

The table grows quiet, even as the bar ambience around them is still as loud as ever. You end up leaning back against Jethro; likely needing his comfort.

And he readily gives it. Because you so easily could’ve been one of those victims. Not unknown without friends or family, like the others. But still gone. Still ripped from Jethro’s arms.

“Would’ve missed you,” he finds himself mumbling.

Gibbs didn’t intend for you to hear. He was counting on Dr. Mallard keeping your attention. But it seems like the music and the chatter wasn’t enough to keep his mindless words from your ears. Because as soon as he presses a light kiss against the ball of your shoulder, you’re twisting your head around to smile at him.

His eyes immediately dart away, because he knows the kind of smile you’re wearing.

“Have a little too much to drink, Jethro? You’re getting all affectionate.”

“Yes,” Mallard speaks up, happy to change the subject. “I think he’s gone on to his third glass of scotch!”

-

It’s one o’clock in the morning. Gibbs kept checking the time.

He wouldn’t say anything about it, though. Not when you were having fun and relaxing after that whole ordeal.

Still, Jethro couldn’t help a little sigh when he finally stepped out of the bar. He holds the door open for you and Ducky - a nickname you’ve given the Scot that took the hold of liquor to stick.

“Well, that was a jolly time. Been a while since I’ve had a sip with companions I could tolerate a conversation with. I’ve found there’s very few people in America who want to sit down for a drink in a pub…”

“Bar,” Jethro says. He hears your soft snort of laughter from behind.

“Bar,” Ducky repeats with a smile only a drunk man would wear. It brings to mind when the doctor had been teasing Gibbs about drinking too much. And just as he goes to sit down on the curb of the street, you’re right there to help him down. Preventing the intoxicated doctor from falling straight on his ass and patting his shoulder once he’s leaning against a stop sign.

Jethro smirks at the sight, shaking his head lightly as he approaches the street to flag down a taxi. Yeah, it was late. It’s been a trying couple of days. But he can’t admit that he didn’t have a little fun. Ducky attempting to teach you some Scottish drinking songs was surely a highlight.

His hand waves up at an oncoming taxi, and thankfully, it notices him and veers over. “Alright, doc. Time to get you home. You know the address of your hotel?”

Gibbs comes over to help you pull Ducky back up, but the other man just regards him with a huff and a frown. “Of course I do, Marine. I’ve got a very good memory, you know. Like a Bottlenose Dolphin. Do you know it’s theorized that dolphins have an even longer memory than elephants?” Ducky stumbles a little over his own feet, almost falling into the street in front of the taxi. But Jethro catches him before he can fall. “Imagine that: a whole metaphor undone because of a single study…”

“That’s very interesting, Ducky,” you tell him lightly, a giggle edging your voice.

Jethro pulls the door open, intent on helping Mallard in so you don’t strain yourself doing it. But the doctor puts a hand on the roof of the cab, balancing himself so he can turn to face you. He’s reflecting your easy smile, and Jethro can’t help but narrow his eyes as he watches the doctor lean over to take hold of your hand.

Is Mallard some kind of drunken flirt? Gibbs fixes his jaw.

“You’re a very charming person, and I do look forward to working with you again. I pray it’s sooner rather than later,” Ducky says. And with no hesitation, he presses a chaste kiss against your knuckles - still a bit tender, but you don’t look as if it bothers you.

Which is why Jethro is tempted to just shove Mallard into the taxi and send him on his way.

Granted, the kiss was brief. He releases your hand and turns to Gibbs, whom he gives a brief nod to. “Same to you, Marine.” And with that, Dr. Mallard ungraciously climbs into the backseat of the taxi, and Gibbs can tell he’ll be chatting the driver’s ear off the whole way. His voice fades as the car drives off.

“That was fun.”

Immediately, Jethro’s eyes leave the cab to look at you. “The drinking, or that kiss?” He asks maybe a bit too sternly.

Your eyes go wide in surprise, lips slowly quirking upward as you gaze up at him without a word. And Jethro winces inwardly at the can of worms he likely opened without even meaning to. He turns away, intent to find another cab for the two of them. But you’re not ready to drop it. “Well, I don’t know. Which did you enjoy the most?”

“Geez,” he mumbles. “Ya know, we should’ve just stayed home. You’re really in no condition to be out and about.”

You don’t reply. Instead, your arms appear right around his waist, closing tight and leaning up against his back. He’s thankful for the position, at least, so you couldn’t see the smirk on his lips. And when Jethro places his hand on your arm, he’s careful to avoid the bandages. He wants to touch your skin, anyway.

“Y’know, Jethro, if you wanna kiss me, you don’t have to wait until after Ducky does it.”

[onesheeptwosheepandachicken]

26 Reasons why Qrow is not Ruby’s father and why Taiyang is Ruby’s father

In response to the toxic aspect of the fandom attacking CRWBY and demanding that their desires for Qrow be chosen over canon, or how they feel their theory is more valid than the show itself? I have researched RWBY to make this 26-point Discussion as to why Canon is valid, and fancanon is not when it comes to Qrow Branwen, Ruby Rose, Taiyang Xiao Long, and Summer Rose.

 1.       “Monty said NO”    Most obviously. Monty Oum.

   He said in this tweet that ruby and yang are half-sisters…half-sisters,  which means they share the same mom or dad…in this case Taiyang….

  https://twitter.com/montyoum/status/492070189731565568

Now people have claimed “he obviously meant step-sisters or cousins” Why is it that every time we show the English dictionary to you people or ask you to read it, that you claim you are being attacked or that you claim Monty was misleading us?

 2.       The writers said NO

   Miles Luna debunked this theory on Reddit…

   He pointed out that Ruby sees Qrow as a Role model, so she adapts her colors to be similar to his.

   And you don’t need somebody to be blood to be your role model.

https://www.reddit.com/r/RWBY/comments/7x3w4s/crwby_ama_w_miles_luna_kerry_shawcross_and_paula/du5d67g/?

 3. “Rooster Teeth said NO” Rooster Teeth even said that Qrow is "Ruby and Yang's Uncle" They also said “Ladies, he’s not your man”

https://twitter.com/RoosterTeeth/status/1067205612331782144

 4.  “But what if Summer had feelings for Qrow? Why does Qrow Serve Ozpin?” Qrow said in Volume 6 " No one wanted me... I was cursed... I gave my life to you because you gave me a place in this world... I thought I was finally doing some good... " So he was saying he wasn't wanted, so no relationship with Summer. SUMMER DID NOT WANT HIM. And he was literally saying he served Ozpin because Ozpin gave him purpose. It’s pretty sad how people think Qrow can only be a complex character if he obsesses over another person’s wife and child. What , you wanna make him Severus Snape, the Lilly Potter stalker who insulted a girl’s face and tried to poison a boy’s pet and publicly outed a teacher?

https://rwby.fandom.com/wiki/Qrow_Branwen/Quotes#So_That.27s_How_It_Is

5, "But Qrow could be lying" Except in volume 6 Qrow literally said "Don't lie...we're better than that"

And in volume 7?

" Long time ago. I just found working alone tends to be for the best "

" Gotta say, I���m still not really used to working with other Huntsmen in the field. "

And finally World Of Remnant on Patch.

" Nice place to raise a family, if you're into that sort of thing. "

https://rwby.fandom.com/wiki/Qrow_Branwen/Quotes#So_That.27s_How_It_Is

  6.  “Qrow fans claim that Ruby and Summer form a core part of Qrow’s character and backstory.” WRONG! The main accusation for demanding Rooster Teeth / CRWBY change the backstory for Qrow would accomplish nothing.

Raven already pushed Yang onto Taiyang to raise on his own.

Qrow forcing Tai to Raise Ruby alongside Yang while Qrow could regularly visit, and while Summer lived with Taiyang, Yang, and Ruby?

It would cheapen Qrow’s character….blood isn’t everything.  Neither are cliches.

 7. “But what if Qrow gave Ruby to Tai to raise after Summer’s death?” Volume Chapter 6, Burning the Candle.

Yang tells Blake that she (yang) and Ruby were raised together by Summer and Taiyang…not by Taiyang on his own, but by Summer and Taiyang.

Yang clearly had memories of being raised by Summer and Tai both,  which meant that Summer and Taiyang lived together raising Ruby and Yang for Several Years.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZkN-53h5Os

  8. “Does Taiyang care about Summer or Ruby?” Taiyang was noted to have shut down when Summer didn’t come back…. Yang noted this in Volume 2 Chapter 6, and Ruby mentioned in the first episode of Volume 3 that Taiyang missed Summer. Qrow also said that Ruby is Taiyang’s “Special Angel”…. Ruby has also pointed out numerous times that Taiyang is Overprotective of Ruby. In fact, Ruby's conversation with Penny about overprotective fathers.

 9. “Qrow knows Taiyang is Ruby’s Father. Taiyang knows Ruby is Taiyang’s daughter. Qrow has referred to Taiyang as Ruby’s father during volume 3 and 7. Taiyang referred to Ruby as his daughter in volume 3.

 10. “Why didn’t Taiyang train Ruby in Martial Arts?” Taiyang is a martial arts fighter.   Ruby has neither the build nor the personality for ruthless hand to hand combat like her sister… Taiyang would trust Qrow, despite his semblance.   Remember how bad Ruby was in v5?

 11. “Qrow’s semblance is not what his fans exaggerate it to be”

Speaking of Qrow’s semblance? He was playing video games with his nieces,   taught at Signal Academy,   and could train Ruby… Clearly,  his semblance is not what theorists make it out to be.

 12. “Why doesn’t Qrow treat Yang the same way he treats Ruby?”

Yang is the daughter of Qrow’s sister,who abandoned the team.

During a one on one interaction between Qrow and Yang after yang vs mercury, Qrow called his own niece crazy, after she had been framed.

Qrow was not empathetic to Yang.

Qrow may not like Yang’s resemblance to Raven.

Ruby is the daughter of his two closest friends, so of course he’d prefer Ruby over Yang.

 13.  “Examples of Taiyang caring for Ruby.”

Volume 2 Ruby was excited when Taiyang sent a package in the mail, not even knowing it was Zwei.

Taiyang was at Ruby’s bedside in V3, and gave her a kiss on the forehead.

He also tried to bring her breakfast in bed.

Taiyang said he wanted to chase after Ruby, but had to nurse Yang back to health.

During the V8 broadcast, Taiyang was upset when the broadcast was cut.

 14. “Genetics research”

Black hair is the subtype of the pigment for blonde hair…

Also, Ruby’s got the same hair strand that Yang and Taiyang have.

Finally, black hair is more dominant.

So Ruby doesn’t need blonde hair to be Taiyang’s kid.

https://askinglot.com/is-black-hair-a-dominant-or-recessive-gene

https://www.quora.com/If-a-jet-black-haired-parent-and-a-blonde-parent-have-children-what-color-hair-would-the-children-likely-have

 15. “The STRQ Photo”

The photo....Qrow was with STRQ for four years...do you really think Qrow is not allowed to cry on the photo unless he was romantically involved? Can't a man grieve over the death of a female friend that he was NOT in a relationship with? Or are men not allowed to have female friends? Ichigo and Rukia from Bleach for example...friendship. They were his friends, his family. People seem obsessed with the idea that Qrow cannot care about a woman unless he was romantically involved or unless he's their bastard father.

 16. “Men and Women…as friends, platonic” Harry Potter as a book showed that a boy and a girl can interact and still be friends…

Why can’t Qrow be Summer’s friend?

Why does he have to be her lover?

We’ve seen Qrow talk about Innkeeper’s skirt lengths and leer at Barmaids who flirted with him.

Also, he’s shown to be bonding with both Clover and Robyn.

People act like he doesn't flirt with anyone , and yet he does.

 17. “Bad Luck Charm” Qrow has spent his whole life with his semblance, named after a Crow.

Raised by the Branwen bandit tribe.

“You and I are not the same, you don’t want the burden of my name” Both Branwen and Qrow are names that Qrow hates due to his semblance and past…

People may think of him as cool, but Qrow suffers from self-loathing.

So NO, the Bad Luck Charm song does NOT in fact allude to Qrow being Ruby’s father, but that Qrow hates himself, hence a major part of why he’s alcoholic.

Proof of which is his volume 6 exchange with Ozpin about being useful, which Qrow disagrees with, leading him to drink further. Yang literally said that she had never seen qrow so drunk before in v6.

And Ruby encourages his self-worth leading him to try giving up alcohol….

His alcoholism is tied to low-self-esteem, not relationships.

 18. Manga Anthology

Taiyang was shown in the Manga Anthology to have shut down upon Summer’s Death. That impacted his relationship with Ruby and Yang. Qrow? Is relatively unaffected. The good Uncle helping around the house. Taiyang haters and Qrow stans took this to demand that Qrow is entitled to Ruby, despite Taiyang recovering and doing his best to be a father. Anything Qrow does is worshipped like Mother Teresa, while anything Taiyang does, good or bad, is downplayed and smashed. Taiyang loved Summer so much he was devastated by her death. Qrow was unaffected. Think about that.

 19. “I like Brats” Why does Qrow spend time with kids he’s not related to? Because he likes kids. You know how there are adults who enjoy being around brats? That’s Qrow. He didn’t have romantic feelings for Summer, he liked being around her because she was like a kid. Similar to how Blake likes Ruby’s idealism? And trusts her leadership?

 20.  “Taiyang the 2-timer accusation”

A woman on youtube claimed that Taiyang was a 2-timer who cheated on raven with summer, as there was, in her and her friends’ minds, “no way that taiyang could be with half his team” When asked about TaiQrow as a joke, she was angered that people even ship TaiQrow.

But let me ask you this. Are you the same person you are now that you were 10 years ago? People claim that Qrow was somehow cool in beacon…because he’s cool now. But Taiyang, who raises two kids, and holds a job and a house…cannot be ruby’s father…because he’s not cool? And that somehow he was never cool? I’m sorry, I didn’t know you had to be cool to be a parent. I also had no idea people were only allowed to be in one relationship per lifetime. Raven freaking abandoned Tai for the tribe. Summer chose Taiyang over Qrow. People literally make Qrow out to be either an OC in a shipping fanfic, or a Naruto fanfic where Naruto is written to be fawned over by a girl whose canonical spouse, boyfriend, or male friend is somehow rewritten as evil.

1 year…..in 1 year since Raven abandoned Taiyang and Yang, Summer Rose the friend of Taiyang’s who he had known for 4 years, became more than a friend.

So no….Taiyang is not a two-timer…he moved on from Raven.

 22. “Why can’t Taiyang talk about Summer?” To WHO? He’s barely got 15 minutes of screentime, and the writers did NOT do him any favors when they had Qrow demand he leave so Qrow could tell Ruby a secret Ozpin trusted him with, before telling Ruby to run away from home leaving only a freaking note. Terrible daughter. Even Yang was prepared to do the same! To a man whose first wife abandoned him! At least Weiss has a legit reason for acting as she does against Jacques, several at least. Ruby? No. Now why would Taiyang talk about Summer’s fighting style to Yang when trying to get her to stop acting like Raven in her fighting style and semblance? Sure if there was more time…but RT at the end of the day isn’t some money-hungry political entity, it’s a startup at the end of the day, they don’t have the ability to do a full anime episode. Also, Taiyang cannot go out on these active missions…he was a schoolteacher who did not do missions until only recently…he was retired, remember.

 23. “These fanworks make more sense to me”

Qrow fans have tried using fanworks to justify their theory or ship, the same way Blacksun fans or Adam apologists make similar claims, and even Raven fans try to claim Raven is somehow a good mother. What do these fanworks do? Hate on Taiyang. Dismiss Ruby and Yang being half-blood siblings. Ignore multiple elements of the show or scenes. Occasionally shit-talk the writers.

Every time somebody tries to make a “rwby rewrite” or “rwby alt” or “Qrow is ruby’s father au” they cannot do it without completely rewriting the characters in so many forms and even the show, till Qrow, Raven, Taiyang, and Summer are NOTHING like they are in the show…And ONLY how a shipper wants qrow to be.

Or rewriting qrow to be nothing like he is in the show.

Most Alt or Rewrite consists of making Taiyang abusive, a cheater, or refusing to allow him to interact with Summer, while regularly pushing qrowxsummer at each other.

So no…it’s not that it makes sense to them through some fanart….a headcanon that has been debunked is no longer headcanon. A theory that is shut down is no longer a theory. There’s a reason anti-vaxxers and flat-earthers still exist. Because to them, their theories make more sense than reality. Which is why people still believe Qrow is Ruby’s father the same way people believe vaccines cause autism. Neither are true, and no amount of facts will shut them down, but they’re both popular theories.

 24. “Qrow Rings and Cross”

People claim that Qrow was married to Summer or that his cross represents him mourning Summer. Did the STRQ photo, in v3, the same volume as his appearance, not show Qrow with his rings, his cross, and angrily scowling, while Summer was right next to Taiyang?

 25. “What about Summer Rose’s choice?”

Remember how I said making Qrow’s character based on solely Ruby and Summer, ignoring everything regarding the tribe and ozpin giving him hope, and the grimm reaper…was bad writing? There’s a reason people hated v5. Raven was proven to be the deadbeat, Qrow was shown to have friends, and that Taiyang knew about Salem, and of course it was confirmed that Yang and Ruby again were sisters by Raven.

Now how about Summer? Team leader….took a man and a daughter who were abandoned by her friend…and made them her own. Yang calls Summer Rose “Supermom” and “Her Hero”…was literally willing to storm a bandit camp so Raven could use her portal to take Yang to Qrow, so she could get to Ruby. And yeah, I know the RWBY critics scream “why didn’t Yang just look for Ruby in Mistral?” It’s a bloody kingdom, and Yang was pursuing a lead, that Tai had given her, and Qrow told Yang he’d look after her sister. Remember that? Oh wait, RWBY Critics forget, my bad. Anyway, she’s more of a sister to Qrow than his blood sister Raven, she’s more of a mother to Yang than Raven, and she’s more of a spouse to Tai than Raven. Good Stepmother. Non-married couple. Relationship built on trust. Blood is not the same as family. (Example Weiss’s remark to her father) (Or Dom Toretto)

So making Summer into a throw-away character who dies so that a brooding jerk of an alcoholic can claim character development? Making a woman nothing except a throw-away for a man to get development is BAD WRITING. For God’s Sakes, even Pyrrha was written better than that! She interacted with team rwby, nora was always helping her out, and so was Ren (though those shakes are a crime against humanity” But when Qrow fans try to demand he’s ruby’s father? Their fanworks make Summer as much of a flat character as Preston Harvey from Fallout 4, where they make Summer unable to do anything but be obsessed with Qrow and having his child, similar to how Preston cannot think of anything other than “Another settlement needs your help, I’ll mark it on your pip-boy”

 26. Finally, the accusations that CRWBY are lying.

“You have to be ****** if you believe CRWBY when they say Qrow isn’t Ruby’s father” “CRWBY is lying, it’s what writers do” “It’s okay for writers to lie, it’s good for plot” “I’d prefer it if CRWBY was lying to us” “Monty is dead, the writers should change it now” “Monty is dead, nothing else in the writing matters” “Monty was hiding the truth from us” “CRWBY is hiding the truth about Qrow being Ruby’s father” “It makes sense for CRWBY to lie to us” Look at this…Twitter, Youtube, Facebook, Tumblr, Reddit, instagram…. The first quote? Was a woman who was using an anti-autism anti-disability slur defending the theory. Never have I ever seen people so obsessed with a  theory that they would deny reality and be rude to the very writers and original creator. But the QrowxSummer and Qrow is Ruby’s Father fandom group has made countless cases of this. THIS is how they defend their theory? And people upvote, like and support these remarks? SHAME SHAME SHAME

 Conclusion:

I get how people desire qrow to be Ruby’s father for ships or fanfics.

Even to where they make Taiyang a hated character just for the sake of making sure nobody disagrees with them.

But the attacking of RWBY and CRWBY, claiming that “this needs to be fixed”, or getting angry at RT for not giving you the non-canon ship you want? Claiming that just because you want it to be so, that somehow your ship/theory has “validity?”

That reflects poorly on the fandom and critics.

But then again…. It’s easy to ignore what’s real and what’s a fact that when theorists and ship-pushers and CRWBY Haters on youtube tells you to stop listening to monty and the writers, and instead believe whatever you want and claim whatever you want, Because surely you know what’s better for the show than the people who worked on it, right? Ha ha ha, no. THAT is the ULTIMATE disrespect somebody calling themselves a fan could ever give. And if you think or agree with that type of logic, you should look in the mirror.

I looked for backup sources to defend CRWBY and RWBY, you’ll find them below.

Backup sources include:

 https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/qrow-is-not-rubys-dad/422o_0rbCYuoXj36VoB7obK3MXPZRbPKkz5

 https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/why-the-qrow-is-rubys-father-theory-is-wrong/z668_nQlIxu0dmRdRpEPxqE3qlWlZEmoE2

 https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/qrow-cant-possibly-be-rubys-and-heres-why/8BB5_LPVCmu2bonkw8eEP3Yokg8m8zJlgNV

 https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/why-qrow-isnt-rubys-father/lXXx_5QoUQuPVGo3Wgko3wJ52mMBl7644P

 https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/is-qrow-rubys-father-short-answer-no/422o_0rbCYupDKezxPxpdje7dRn3nB8YvZ

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPbft3KJd6o

https://aminoapps.com/c/rwby/page/blog/qrow-is-rubys-dad-theory-debunk/d33g_pQEcbu1NKQoMEv0kmDpP6N8bmowkkq

[fictionadventurer]

Oh no, there are a lot of good reasons to write a Northanger Abbey Superhero AU.

Henry Tilney is squarely in my wheelhouse of sarcastic, cynical, flippant narrators. He could be the POV character!

Henry has a whole character arc! I could even condense the story into a relatively short piece.

I was wrong--he doesn’t meet Catherine by rescuing her. That’s how his arc ends. Showing that he’s learned to live up to Catherine’s ideals of superheroism.

At their first meeting (they’re both students at Northanger University),  Catherine finds out about his powers and is a bit star-struck, and he teases her by poking fun at all the common superhero tropes, while insisting that real-life superhumans are nothing like the legends.

The sheer fun of watching him react to innocent homeschooled country bumpkin Catherine--moving from mild amusement and a sort of brotherly pity to genuine respect.

Instead of teasing Catherine about writing about this night in her journal, he teases her about being an intrepid girl reporter looking to tell the world about the latest exploits of the newest superheroes.

I was wrong again: Henry’s powers don’t include telepathy. Because not knowing her thoughts gives him opportunities to misjudge her before realizing that she actually is as sincere and innocent as she seems. 

Henry Tilney could have electricity powers??? I’ve already got a P&P character with those abilities, but somehow it seems fitting to have sparks flying while he’s revealing his abilities to Catherine at their first meeting.

And as the story goes on, we can casually reveal that he’s much more powerful than he lets everyone believe, as he absentmindedly does Thor-level things like calling down lightning.

But he could also maybe have some speedster or teleportation type abilities on top of it? He seems like the guy who’d race into the battle and baffle bad guys by never being quite where they expect him to be.

I kind of love the idea of playing up his Shawn Spencer vibes by having him put on this act that he’s a barely competent goofball whose greatest talent is for the sarcastic quip, only to prove himself in the final battle as one of top titans of this universe in terms of sheer power.

Of course Catherine assumes that General Tilney is a supervillain and expects to find a lair in the hidden portion of the house. Henry would be more offended by these assumptions than the book version was, because he’d wonder if her suspicions were tied to stereotypes about superhumans.

(Henry quickly calms down and admits that Catherine was right, because his father may not have an evil lair where he masterminds all the recent crime sprees, but he is a villain because of his complete indifference to anything except his own desires).

General Tilney somehow got the idea that Catherine was connected to a wealthy family of powerful superhumans and that she just hadn’t come into her powers yet, and when it turns out that she’s an ordinary person, he kicks her out with extreme prejudice.

Which of course puts her in a dangerous part of the city at a dangerous time of night where she can fall into the clutches of the real supervillains.

(Who are probably John and/or Isabella Thorpe).

And Henry has to stand up to his father for the first time in his life, refusing to stay in their comfortable, self-serving world and finally revealing the full extent of his powers as he rushes to the rescue as a fully-fledged superhero.

Catherine is grateful and helps to save the day with good common sense.

And she’d be so proud of him, and he’d try to downplay it by making self-deprecating jokes, and then he’d very seriously give her all the credit for giving him the courage to stand up to his father.

Henry would be kicked out of the house after that and living on campus. He and Catherine could be a power couple--quite literally. Catherine already has designs in mind for improved costumes.

Like, Henry isn’t going to make a career out of superheroism (gotta finish college first), but he recognizes that heroes can exist and he can be one of them.

There’s an actual character arc! The P&P doesn’t have a character arc. It’s a superhero ensemble story. But this is a full-on origin story!

I could give Catherine her due as someone who helps Henry to grow as much as he helps her grow.

But I already have a sprawling P&P superhero AU underway and there’s no reason to start another WIP when I can just write these bullet points.

They’re fun bullet points though.

[ilkkawhat]

"How long have you had this planned?" "Since the moment I fell in love with you."

(For MacDalton)

[two things: one, this is like the first time I've written them in over three months so I apologize if I'm a bit rusty and two: I just straight up invented a new music venue for the sake of plot. I hope you enjoy Nade!!!]

If there’s one thing Jack’s learned in all of his years of knowing Angus Macgyver, it’s that for certain anniversaries; be it birthdays, deathdays, randomly constituted holidays mostly created on Jack’s behalf such as Bruce Willis’ birthday or the day Die Hard premiered in theaters, it’s that Mac is very...picky when it comes to his sentiments.

He loves a good party, sure, but doesn’t necessarily enjoy birthdays—at least his own, because he still always puts forth effort for others’ to ensure they have a good time.

He believes in Santa Claus, with what he thinks is irrefutable scientific proof, but doesn't believe in the other innocent childish entities such as the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny, agreeing with Jack that the Tooth Fairy is nothing more than a unwanted home invader in the form of a lying parent and the Easter Bunny is just downright made to terrify children with mall photos.

Hell, he at times even downplays the importance of Cairo Day, willing to work instead of lazing around the deck with a six pack and bags of takeout delivered by Jack himself—and while there really was an emergency this time around that left both of them bruised and battered and shaken with the sight of a gutshot Bozer, it ended up being the perfectly bided time for something he’s had planned for, well...for a long while, now.

That, and he’ll be able to kill two birds with one stone, embarking on a road trip to find a long lost father that he already knew Jack would join him on before he even said a single word, and in turn take Jack on a trip he never quite expected to have. One without any hiccups, not even an improvisation. Perfectly planned and tailored to the man he both owes his life to, and wants to devote his life to.

He asks Jack to take a pit stop on their cross-country road trip—immediately dispelling Jack’s insistence of hitting up the casinos in Vegas with teasing argument that he’d lose all of their money for food and gas no matter how many times Jack explains that he knows the “system,” but once their banter fades back into the comfortable silence, he directs Jack past the state of Nevada and into the southerner’s own home state—the Lonestar state.

“Texas? You really think Daddy Mac might be hiding in a hole in Texas?”

Mac shrugs coyly and Jack grins.

“Don’t matter anyhow, been wantin’ to take you back down here anyway. Mama’s missed having a scrawny kid to cook for,” Jack teases with a wink.

“Well good, cause we gotta swing by your casa and pick somethin’ up real quick,” Mac puts on a faithful imitation of the Texan’s accent, and Jack beams.

“Going native, huh, hoss? What do we gotta pick up?”

“Your guitar.”

“My guitar?” Jack’s eyes narrow behind the large yellow lens of his aviators and gives up trying to ask why because Mac keeps his lips sealed.

They just keep driving instead, down a long country road with the appropriate tunes to accompany this feeling; Mac’s hair flowing in the wind, Jack casually driving with one hand on the wheel and the other on Mac’s knee, a wide grin on both of their faces as they watch the sun set and the beautiful unseen stars in the sky rise out to greet them.

And a robot in the backseat, but he’s smart enough to know when to stay quiet and just enjoy the moment.

They make it to Jack’s home, an intended short visit turns into almost an entire day and while Mac is never the one to make excuses to leave, he tries to come up with as many as he can to make it to their destination on time.

Fortunately, he also got Mama Dalton and Jack’s sister in on it too, which does make it just a little easier and Mac promises that they’ll come back on the way home after nearly having to drag Jack out of the beloved ranch home.

He won’t be so grumpy once he sees what I got planned, Mac has to remind himself, because his light layer of deception does hurt him as much as it hurts Jack.

Another reason he wasn’t a fan of the “surprise” element of having a birthday. There’s an almost malicious level of teasing to making sure the birthday boy or girl doesn’t suspect a thing.

But he knows Jack, and knows he has to be suspecting something, evident by his sudden bitterness in their usually laid back banter.

“You’re just getting tired of driving is all,” Mac tries to reason with him.

“Me? I ain’t tired. You’re the one who’s tired, want me to tuck you in the back?” Jack sneers.

“How am I supposed to give you directions then?”

“I got Spanky back there—”

“Sparky.”

“Whatever. And where is it that we’re going anyway, Mac?”

“Up there,” Mac smiles when he sees the building in the distance, the GPS on his phone indicating they’re only mere minutes away.

“Wuh—No. No!” Jack gapes and Mac burst out in glee. “What are we doing at the Armadillo II?”

The Armadillo II, being a freshly renovated bar and music hall was built as an homage to the Amradillo World Headquarters, which Jack often talked about having gone to as a young kid, wishing it had lasted longer before being turned into an office building—something he often compared to the transition of childhood to adulthood itself.

“Beer and music, what else would you do?”

“Yeah, but I mean, how does this relate to…”

“It doesn’t. It’s just for you. For us,” Mac grips Jack’s hand and gently kisses him on the cheek. “Making up for Cairo Day.”

“Aw, gee, Mac,” Jack’s eyes are glistening, his teeth shining under the bright moonlight in the brightest smile. “You shouldn’t have!”

They’re greeted by a bouncer who holds up a hand to Jack’s chest as he was ready to strut his way in.

“Tickets,” the bouncer grunts.

“Ah, damn, don’t have ‘em on me, but I know the owner—” Jack starts to ramble, ready to sneak their way in but surprisingly, Mac has two ticket stubs.

“Where’d you get those?”

“From my pocket,” Mac says simply and pushes Jack into the building.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the concert will begin in fifteen minutes, please fill you drinks and take your seats!”

“Concert, what concert?” Jack shouts as he takes in the room, taking the chair closest to the door at the table that Mac directs them to.

“See that banner?” Mac nods up to the stage.

Willie Nelson.

Jack knew of course, that Willie Nelson would occasionally come out for a concert or two, usually to fundraise for his acts of activism—and even if he couldn’t attend he’d always try to send some money for the cause, but never, and he really means never in his right mind did he ever think this would happen.

“I love you, Mac,” Jack breathes, and the concert begins.

A few songs in, Willie slows down to a gentle strum on his guitar, and the lights dim to match an intimate, romantic atmosphere.

“Now, this next song is called ‘A Song for You,’ although, it is my honor to make a slight alteration to the title for one of our country’s greatest unsung heroes. A guy with a name that sounds like it’d be on the menu at Carl’s Junior came up to me on the street the other day—”

The crowd laughs at the name joke, and so does Mac but Jack’s jaw is hung open, no sound coming out which makes Mac laugh even harder because he knows it’s all coming together.

“He told me his story, their story and well, now it’s my turn to tell y’all that story too. This here is a song for you, Jack Dalton.”

“No. Fucking. Way!” Jack breathlessly gasps, his fingers shaking, his eyes watery and red. Mac puts his hand on Jack’s knee, and Jack sandwiches it with his own. It’s not until the song is over that he’s able to speak again, wiping the tears from his eyes as the crowd applauds.

“When the hell didja manage to talk to Willie Nelson?”

“On my way back from Siberia. Made a pit stop.”

“And now, it’s my greatest pleasure to welcome onto the stage, the man himself—”

“Mac…” Jack starts slapping, clawing at Mac is if to bring him back to life because this sure as hell feels like he’s died and gone to heaven—though he knows, and Mac knows, that will never happen.

Jack Dalton will never die.

And even if he did, he’d never go into that light without Mac by his side, and because of that, because they’re alive, they both feel unstoppable, almost youthfully immortal in that sense—if they were going to die, they would have kicked the bucket by now, surely.

“Come on up here, Jack!” Willie calls and Jack just cannot believe it, especially not when that same bouncer comes up behind him holding his own guitar that he had stashed away in the back of his GTO.

“How long have you been planning this?” Jack asks wildly as he rises from his seat.

“Since the moment I fell in love with you,” Mac replies, and rises with him, sending him to the stage after a good luck kiss. “Which was basically when you played Willie Nelson every day in the Sandbox.”

[mcustorm]

DOAFP Season 2 (It was chill!)

It’s here! After what was definitely too long a wait, Season 2 finally came and it did not disappoint at all. Thoughts below!

I gotta say the humor felt like it ratcheted up this season. After the constant barrage of jokes from the Miami play situation, I realized that the show had a very Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt/Tina Fey-ish style of humor, at least sometimes. 

The supporting characters were all great. Claude was funny and I liked the way he handled the play situation with Elena. Melissa’s heel turn to being a nice girl was a welcome change, and hooray to them lifting up black girls in STEM. Sasha and Jessica felt like their characters were more downplayed but it wasn’t too bad, they could’ve been Ziggy. Danny had a much stronger screen presence and I wasn’t mad at that at all, dude’s funny.

The only recurring character I could’ve done without was the one played by that woman but it’s only because she gives me the heebie jeebies.

On the whole I liked the story they were telling with Elena and Gabi. Elena’s growing up, she’s in the awkward teenager phase, so her relationship with her mother is growing and changing. *But* watching 8 episodes back-to-back, and later the other two, the pattern of “Elena does something dickish and then later makes up for it” and/or “Gabi/Sam feels insecure about this aspect of their relationship/family and then later they make up” was very....wearing.

The show makes up for it because it’s so darn heartwarming, but still, in that regard watching the show week to week wouldn’t have been a problem.

Bobby, on the other hand, had a much more linear story arc and it should probably come as no surprise that I enjoyed his arc the most. Watching him become just a little bit less panic-y and a little more confident in who he was, in no small part because of his family and friends supporting him...that’s the kind of stuff I am soooooo happy kids of today can see. And also adults, there were gems in these episodes that we all could’ve learned from.

Now for the messy part, which is these ships. The easy one is Elena/Emilio. I figured they were gonna be a thing from minute one but then the show kept that off the radar till practically the very end so here’s to them ig. Oh, and Joey Feldstein sucks, but we knew that already.

Imma just go right out and say it: I’d rather ship Bobby/CJ. Bobby has grown a lot, and I think a lot of that was because of him building up the comfort to put himself out there to CJ, and also a lot of that was because Liam put their friendship on the back burner for Jada. No shade.

And Liam is a good *friend*. But now that Bobby’s in a relationship with someone that he genuinely likes, and who genuinely likes him, I don’t see the immediate need to burn that for someone that he’s spent months atp trying to appreciate as just a friend and nothing more (or so he thinks).

But the show threw a Cartero curveball at the end there, and that was another good scene. Danny decides he’s just gonna tell ALL of Bobby’s business, and the truth is written all over Bobby’s face. And Liam knows. And in that moment Bobby knows Liam knows. Matter of fact, a lot of Bobby’s scenes had some damn good subtext. 

So the million dollar question: Assuming Liam now knows that Bobby liked him, how does he feel about that information? He did seem a little jealous earlier. I would say....I’m not too pressed about that answer, because to be honest I’m very scared about this show’s survival chances and the show ended with Bobby being where I’d prefer he be. 

I enjoyed this season more than the first, which I’m happy about because it seems that everything sophomore slumps these days. But in case Disney drags their feet with this renewal, I would have those petitions for Paramount Plus on the ready. That is the service to direct your energy towards, CBS production and all. OR maybe Disney actually won’t play games and we can see Elena’s first political office/Cartero messiness/GabiSam proposals/DaniCamilla weddings/ElenaEmilio.

[normal-thoughts-official]

I always wondered why is Alec always the one to make the first move? And why magnus is suprised by that? Is he waiting for Alec to reach out first?

imo? yes. or rather he's not waiting because he kinda doesn't expect displays of affection. but yes i do think magnus is holding himself back

there are many reasons i believe that. first one, magnus canonically thinks that he's too much to handle, he's said so himself, both as a joke and in seriousness when he told alec that he knows he's a lot to deal with. second one, alec was in the closet five seconds ago and he is a shadowhunter, which makes magnus second-guess himself regarding touch and PDA because it feels like it's not going to be welcomed. this reason has two subsections as well: one, we know that magnus pretty much never touches people without permission and hates being touched without permission (think the way he wouldn't even touch alec's lips when he was flirting with him and how he never ever touched alec or even flirted with him with others around once he witnessed the demon fiasco, as well as the way he glared at jace when jace touched his shoulder). two, magnus has good reason to be wary of getting close to shadowhunters. those are the people who kill his people. and even though he knows alec is not going to like, try to murder him for no reason, it's still hard to ignore all that trauma and not fear initiating contact in that way, you know, especially when you know in shadowhunter culture they aren't very big on touch.

third reason, which i think is the most important one: magnus has been abused

both by his father and camille, so at least twice, and that's a very powerful thing. i have no doubt in my mind that camille's abuse rethoric in particular was very focused on him being needy (think her telling him that he doesn't do well losing those he loves, think her telling him that he would choose her because she could be with him forever. a lot of her rethoric relies on the idea that magnus needs her because he's too demanding and she's the only one that can give him what he needs, for one reason or another. and while she at the time was using it mostly to convince him to stay with her/take her side, abusers usually use their rethoric both to prove to make you stay and put you down. in my experience, abusers often paint their partners as needy, both to say "no one else would put up with you" and "i don't even know why i put up with you". only they will love you, but also, you are never fully deserving of their love, it's never enough, and you need to do better) and so planting this idea that he needed too much, asked for too much, was a lot to deal with. and - albeit in a different way, especially due to the different nature of that relationship - asmodeus wasn't much different. who else would love magnus, with his demonic eyes? anyone else would call him a monster and want nothing to do with him. he needs asmodeus, so he better be grateful for whatever asmodeus throws at him

that's another important point: abusers teach you that wanting anything at all out of a relationship is bad. either because it will be met with violence or because it proves that you are selfish, demanding, insecure, dependent, self absorbed, disrespectful, childish... take your pick. the reasons/rethoric vary, but the point they drive towards is always the same. that's what characterizes abuse: making you put aside your own needs/wants in the name of the other person's

so i think in general magnus was just kind of untaught to ask for what he wants or initiate that for himself. it's a trope we've seen many times in the show. when magnus is sad, he hides away. when he has a problem, he tries to deal with it on his own. he never asks for help, not once. he never initiates contact. he never admits he needs help. he never even asks for company. and he consistently puts other people's needs before his own, sacrificing himself way more than would ever be healthy, etc etc etc

and we gotta remember this is magnus' first serious relationship after he broke up with camille. he had been very deliberately avoiding opening his heart to anyone else, he said so himself. and seeing him with alec, it's pretty clear why. like, don't get me wrong, i think he's ready for a relationship, and you can't really start to learn to build better relationships post-abuse without having some problems and false starts and that's okay. but like you can see the way that he is always putting alec's needs before his own, assuming that that's how it would be, not expecting it in return - remember his genuine shock when alec came to rescue him in hell? after magnus had gone to hell for him and his family without thinking twice so many times? like bro... - being afraid of telling him about his history and even who his father was, canonically because he was scared alec would think less of him

it's pretty clear to me that magnus has that feeling in the back of his mind that he's going to get to be too much and at the same time he's not really enough. i also think he's a little scared of giving him weapons to use against him - like letting him know of asmodeus or his past. like, of course he is scared of being judged for the obvious reasons, but if you tell me that camille never used that against him... i have to laugh. and of course magnus knows that alec is not camille, but this isn't really about alec, it's about what camille has taught him, because one thing about abuse that i think people who haven't been abused downplay the importance of is that abusers make you think that abuse is normal. and it takes years of building better relationships to unlearn certain things. after i broke up with my first abuser, i was genuinely shocked every time my partners realized i was in pain without me having to say anything or ask them to stop. and i know they weren't anything like my first abuser who either didn't care or was too self absorbed to notice. but my experience with my abuser made me think that my partners not realizing or not caring that they hurt me was normal, when it obviously wasn't. and it's not that different with magnus and alec. magnus knows alec isn't camille. magnus knows alec wouldn't use his past abuse history against him. magnus knows alec isn't just playing with his feelings. but that doesn't matter, because his mind is just set to believe that he needs to hide his feelings, be afraid of vulnerability, and never, ever ask for anything if he can avoid it

so yeah that's why i think magnus doesn't go for kisses and love declarations or anything of the sort. it's not that he doesn't want it or feel it, cuz we know he does, but i think he feels like he's imposing on alec, that he's gonna scare him off, that he's too much, that he's just setting himself up for disappointment when alec inevitably doesn't feel for magnus as strongly as magnus does, etc etc. there are like, so many elements, honestly

i think he's learning and growing tho! i mean he has been for a long while, of course, it's why he was ready to start a new relationship in the first place. but like by the end of the seasons we got to be magnus being genuinely surprised that alec would dump him just like that, initiating more kisses, proposing (granted he already knew alec was gonna do it, but still), and even breaking down in front of him, although it wasn't really by choice djahdsah

but like either way i think he's slowly realizing that everything he's come to think of as just facts (like him being unlovable or too much or whatever) were really not. and i'd like to see him growing more confident in that sense, although i just love and am so glad that he gets to be with someone who feels just as intensely as him and isn't afraid to express it at all and who just... is right with him at every step, you know? i just really love that about them, even if obviously magnus needs to learn to express himself and be as emotionally open with alec as alec is with him

[atmostories]

Johnny Lawrence x Reader

Tags: Angst, Gender-Neutral Pronouns, Alcohol Abuse, Depression Matter - Chapter One The first few weeks after you broke up with Johnny, you were a complete mess. Even though you had made the right decision it didn't make it any easier. The days were a vague blur, where you muddled through your daily routine without really experiencing it. You couldn't stop thinking about that night, it was the anniversary of his mother's death. You'd found him unconscious and sprawled out on the floor by the sofa. A strange sound was coming from him as his body convulsed slightly.

When you crouched down beside him, you'd realised that he was choking on his own vomit. Immediately you turned him onto his side and lifted up his chin to open his airway. He started to cough only a couple of seconds later as the vomit spewed out of his mouth.

He noisily wheezed in air, but he still didn't come to as you called out his name over and over. After accepting that he wasn't going wake up anytime soon, you wiped his face clean and laid down beside him. You tried not to shake in fear as you placed a hand on his chest to make sure he was still breathing. He'd almost died right in front of you.

You didn't sleep. You were wide awake the whole night watching over him. It wasn't until the morning when he finally woke up. His first instinct was to grab a bottle of beer on the table and down its remaining contents. When you told him what happened, he didn't even bother to apologise before downplaying the whole thing. You should have been angry, you should have told him to try to get sober, to go to therapy, to go to AA, but you'd said that all before. Every time you'd try to suggest him getting help, he'd shoot you down, saying that he didn't need any of that pussy shit and he didn't have a problem in the first place.

You just couldn't do this anymore.

After he stalked off to work, you packed up your stuff from his apartment and left. He called later that evening, asking where the fuck you were, demanding to know why your clothes were missing from the closet. You told him to meet you at a diner, it wasn't a conversation to have over the phone. You were waiting in the parking lot when he turned up. Rather than going inside, you got into the passenger seat of his Firebird.

Johnny didn't say hello, he didn't say anything for a while. He must have realised what was happening. Fuck, you really didn't want to do this. You'd been contemplating it for months, always managing to convince yourself to give him another chance, to respect that his addiction was a very complex and difficult thing.

Every day you'd worry about him, fearing that he might have gotten into a fight with someone again, panicking that he'd blackout at the wheel of his Firebird after coming home from a bar. He wasn't just putting himself at risk, but everyone he came across. You had numerous arguments with him about the drunk driving. He'd say that he hadn't had too many and he was perfectly fine to drive. He would then apologise and say he wouldn't do it anymore, and then a week later he'd do it all over again.

You knew he was a good man. That was the problem. It was buried underneath decades of shame and guilt and regret and hurt. You were not equipped to deal with it. You'd tried, you had tried so fucking hard. It had become such a burden that your own problems didn't matter, what you felt was always inconsequential.

But now what you said was going to matter.

“Look about last night,” Johnny mumbled, his fingers tapping on the steering wheel. “Things might have gotten a little out of hand. . .”

“You almost died, Johnny,” you told him numbly. He looked at you then, his eyes searing into you and making your heart ache profusely. The tears welled up in your eyes. “You almost fucking died.”

Guilt bled across his expression before he looked away. The reprieve from his gaze gave you the chance to suck in an unsteady breath. You were still for a few moments before you pulled the key to his apartment from your pocket and held it out to him.

“I can't be with you anymore.”

“What, so that's it? You're just gonna leave because of one fuck up?” He asked angrily, his arm resting on the wheel as he turned to face you. You scoffed out a curt laugh, he was unbelievable. “You think this is funny?”

“You know that's not true,” you replied calmly, not wanting to get into an argument with him. He didn't reply. You let your arm fall into your lap, not bothering to keep holding the key out for him. Rather than wait for him to take it, you opened up the dash to put it inside. Before you could put it on top of some receipts, he snatched hold of your wrist.

“That key's not on loan, I gave it to you,” he snarled, he was deeply offended by the gesture. It was an insult to reject his gift, but you knew he didn't mean just that. You were rejecting him. Staring down at his hand, you waited until he loosened his grip and let your wrist go.

“When I told you that you're always welcome, I meant it,” he spat at you. In his eyes, what you had said to him didn't matter, when you had told him you loved him you didn't really mean it. You were nothing but a worthless liar.

“I'll always care about you,” you replied, hoping that he would understand you were telling the truth.

“Bullshit. You're just like the rest of them.”

“Johnny-”

“I thought you were different, but you're gonna leave like everyone else.”

“You don't understand-”

“No I get it. You know what? Keep the key, throw it in the trash, I don't care. Just get out of my car.”

“Please I-”

“Get out!” He shouted, your body jolting at the sound of his rage. You barely managed to swallow down a sob as you scrambled to leave the car. He started up the engine as you closed the door and he gunned it out of the lot.

You watched him drive off, not quite believing what had happened. But he was gone, just like you wanted.

- - -

It was almost a month since you'd last seen him. You got a call from Sid, that mean old bastard, as he explained how he graciously bailed out his step-son for the last time and that Johnny was no longer his responsibility. He managed to throw in a couple more insults as he told you to deal with Johnny from now on, suggesting to try payday loans or hustling the next time you had to pay for his bail. You hung up right after that, infuriated that Johnny had to grow up with someone like him.

Though your first instinct was to go straight to his apartment, you gave him a call instead, not wanting to cross any boundaries.

“Hello?” Johnny answered, he obviously hadn't checked to see who was calling him.

“Hey, Johnny.” The other end of the line was silent for a beat too long, you hurried to say something else before he could hang up. “I wanted to make sure you're okay. Sid gave me a call, he said that he bailed you out of jail.”

He huffed and hummed in displeasure. “Of course he did.”

“A-Are you?”

“What?”

“Okay?”

“I'm fine.”

“I was worried, I-”

“Yeah well, you don't need to do that anymore, do you?” Before you could say anything else, he hung up. The pain in your heart was the same as when he had driven away from the diner. Why wasn't it easing, even a little?

You missed him so much.

- - -

The new apartment you were living in was worse than Johnny's. You had to work extra shifts and overtime to pay the rent, and you were still struggling. It hadn't been as bad when you'd lived with him, he'd split the bills with you.

You were on a lunch break, thinking about going to the grocery store to buy some dish detergent. There weren't any clean dishes left, you'd gone through everything. You'd already used a mug as a substitute for a bowl several times. Your phone started ringing, distracting you from the thought. Seeing that it was Johnny calling made your chest twinge in discomfort.

“Hello?” You answered hesitantly.

“You left some of your stuff here,” he said bluntly without preamble. You were so shocked that he had called that you didn't manage to spit out a reply.

“Are you gonna come pick it up?” He prompted.

“Uh yeah, of course. What um. . .when do you want me to come over?”

“Anytime past eight.”

“Okay.”

“I've gotta go.” He didn't you a chance to say goodbye, or to ask whether he meant tonight. That must have been what he was saying, right? The rest of the day you were a wreck of nerves, unsure of how badly the next meeting with Johnny was going to go. Hadn't you taken everything from the apartment? What if he thought you had purposefully left it to give yourself an excuse to see him again?

Ten minutes past eight o'clock, you were walking up to his apartment, worrying that you might be too early. Should you have come at half eight or nine? You tried to stead yourself before knocking. When he opened up the door, you were surprised to see that he was clean-shaven. He looked good. . .healthy. The last time he'd shaved was when he saw Robby a while ago. The two of them had gotten into an argument. Johnny didn't take it well. After picking a fight with you, he went on a two day bender.

From the way he was looking you over, it was like he wasn't expecting you at all. Did he not mean tonight? Before you could tell him you'd come back another time, he opened up the door fully, gesturing for you to come inside by tilting his head.

After he closed the door behind you, he walked over to the kitchen. You didn't know what to do with yourself. The place felt so familiar, but at the same time there was now an underlying hostility to it. Sitting down would be too presumptuous, you didn't want to upset him. He opened up the refrigerator, you wondered how much stuff he had in there but you couldn't quite see from this angle. Johnny had a tendency to be forgetful about the groceries, but not the beer though. He never forgot the beer.

“You want something to drink?” He asked, you weren't sure if he was actually offering alcohol.

“No, thanks.”

“I've got orange juice,” he clarified.

“I'm okay.”

“Are you?”

“Yeah.” He shut the refrigerator and walked up to you, his finger pointing at your face.

“Those bags under your eyes say different.”

“I've worked a couple long shifts, that's all.”

“Sure,” he replied, with a hint of irritation to his tone. He always could see right through you. Rather than bothering to ask you for the truth, he picked up a box and put it on the coffee table. “Your stuff's in here.”

He migrated back to the kitchen, giving you a chance to take a look at what was inside. There were some toiletries, a toothbrush, a couple CDs, a tupperware box and an old Metallica shirt.

“This shirt is yours,” you told him, folding it up and placing it onto the table.

“The amount of times you've worn it. . .pretty sure it's yours.” There was a weak smile on his face. He was trying to break through the tension, ease up the conversation. You almost breathed out a sigh of relief, appreciative that he was trying to make this easier.

“It's really comfortable. Couldn't ever fault your taste in classic band shirts,” you responded in kind in an attempt to keep things jovial.

“Just everything else, huh?” He retorted, his eyes flicking away, his mouth twitching like he hadn't meant to say that. Awkwardly, you shuffled the items around the box, wondering how to recover the conversation without it degrading into something unpleasant. A knock on the front door pulled you from the thought. He had a grimace on his face as he went to see who it was. There was a kid the other side of the door.

“Sensei! I forgot to ask earlier, are there some exercises I should be doing in the morning? I was reading this article about metabolism and-”

“Now's really not a good time,” Johnny told him, trying to gently dismiss him. The kid then spotted you, his eyebrows raising in surprise. You gave him a half-hearted wave, wondering why he was calling Johnny Sensei.

“Oh, is that your friend?”

“What part of not a good time don't you get?”

“Sorry I uhh. . .guess I'll come back tomorrow?”

“Mmmhmm,” Johnny hummed. He answered the kid's question as he began to close the door. “Fifty crunches, forty lunges, thirty push ups.”

“Is that forty lunges per leg or-” The door was shut before the kid could finish. Johnny turned around, shifting his weight uncomfortably like you'd seen something you weren't meant to. You wanted to ask what the whole Sensei thing was about, why some kid was asking him about what exercises he should be doing in the morning.

“He seems like a good kid.”

“Yeah, when he's not being annoying.” There was no insult to his words, you could tell that Johnny liked him.

“What's his name?”

“Miguel. He lives in the apartment opposite.”

“Oh right,” you replied, unsure why he was making friends with the neighbours. He hadn't ever done that before. You turned your attention back to the contents of the box, fingers running along the edge of a CD case. It felt so strange being removed from Johnny's life, being unwelcome to the facets of his life. You had asked the most polite and unobtrusive questions you could think of, but you couldn't come up with anything else.

“I opened up a dojo,” he told you, his hands hanging awkwardly by his side.

“A dojo? You're doing karate again?”

“Yeah.”

“I thought you hadn't done karate since you were in high school?”

“I haven't. Not until now.”

“Oh,” you muttered, mind replaying everything he had told you about Kreese. Sometimes he had nightmares about his old Sensei, he'd wake up shaking, struggling to breathe. One time he accidentally elbowed you in the face because you were too close. You had an arm around him, you had been pressed up against his back, spooning him. That was the last time you'd slept like that.

“But after everything that happened with Cobra Kai, I thought. . .” you trailed off.

“It's going to be different. It's not going to be like how it was before.” With Kreese, you finished wordlessly, understanding what he meant. Was it really a good idea for him to be doing karate again? You remembered the fights he'd gotten into, he was proficient enough as it was. It would give him direction though, something to focus on, something to work towards. He needed that.

But where did he get the money to open his own dojo? It must have expensive. Was it Sid? Was it part of his final pay off to get rid of Johnny for good?

“Miguel's your student then?”

“Yeah, he's my first one.”

“That's great, Johnny,” you told him honestly, knowing that this could get him back on track. “I'm happy for you.” He stared for a few moments, there was something off about his expression. Did he not believe you? He nodded non-committally in response.

You pointlessly shuffled around a few things in the box to give yourself something to do. The silence hung heavy in the air. You didn't want to leave, but you didn't feel welcome anymore.

“Was there anything else?” You asked, after you refolded the Metallica shirt and carefully tucked it away into the box. There wasn't anything more you could do to prolong your time with him.

“No, it's all in there.” Picking up the box, you slowly approached Johnny as he stood by the door.

“Thanks for calling me.” You pressed your lips together in a polite smile. “I hope everything goes well at the dojo.”

“Me too.” Johnny didn't move to open up the door, you wondered if he was expecting you to go around him. You took another step forward, shifting your grip on the box. Another few seconds passed until he finally opened the door. He brushed his hand along your arm as you moved past him. The sensation of his touch was a harsh reminder of how much you missed the intimacy you once shared with him. You were nothing but acquaintances now.

“Maybe take it easy with work, hmm?” He suggested gently. You must have looked worse than you realised. You nodded your head, you couldn't tell him that you would take it easy, that wasn't a choice you had.

As you walked off, you were perturbed by the thought that that was the last time you'd ever be in his apartment. - - - Hope you enjoyed it! I’m currently writing the next chapter and will share it when it’s finished. Do any of you want me to start a taglist for this? I’d be more than happy too. 

[pfreadsandwrites]

Hello! I love your writing so much. I was wondering if I can request for headcanons of Kakashi with an s/o who is an overthinker/worries too much on things? Thank you. :D

thank youuuu :) cuz i gotta say, it feels like i’m writing into the void sometimes. also an overthinker/worries too much haha did you mean me people usually comment on how calm/patient i am but they don’t know the truth ANYWAYS

Kakashi with an s/o who is an overthinker/worries too much

So, Kakashi is quite the pragmatist and a rational, logical thinker. But at the same time, he is quite understanding of anxiety/and thinking too deeply to the point where it’s detrimental (more so when it’s about himself/his flaws/his mistakes/failures/past), and he’s actually pretty forgiving and perceptive when it comes to other people so I think he would still find it in him to be empathetic about your penchant to overthink, instead of just brushing it off 

Despite that, Kakashi might take a very practical approach to helping you when you’re worrying too much. Maybe you’re worrying about all the little details on a mission or what you’ll have to do. Kakashi will calmly pull apart everything, helping you understand at every step why it’s not a big deal/what your strategy will be/be very realistic about your abilities (and shortcomings) and how it’s not as bad as you may think. He also doesn’t judge you or get frustrated with you for feeling the way you do. In general, Kakashi is an extremely calming presence. Not just because of his demeanour, but because he’s patient and understanding of why you think the way you do. You feel a little stronger and safer with him at the same time. He’ll do all he can to ease your worries and fears with his words. 

Still, maybe Kakashi’s approach of talking you down and explaining your thoughts away doesn’t always work. Like sometimes all the logic and rationality in the world doesn’t erase your feelings. In that case, it might be a bit of a learning curve. Maybe you need to find something that stops you thinking so much. Like, for example, working out/yoga/meditation are really great for me, and he might be supportive/encouraging of you doing these things. If what you need is some affection and comfort, he’s happy to provide that too. It just might take him a little time to figure out how best to deal with you, and some communication goes a long way. Because he’s a problem solver, and so there’s a chance that he might focus too much on solving your feelings instead of helping you work through them emotionally. But I think he’s emotionally intelligent enough to not do that too much, but it’s something that you might have to watch out for. Like instead of a long explanation why actually the thing that’s bothering you is nothing to worry about, sometimes you need him to just hold you close and whisper nice things to you or tell you it’s going to be okay and that there’s nothing to worry about, or sometimes you need a space to just express everything you’re worried about, everything that’s going on on your mind without judgement, and there’s a chance he might need help figuring out what it is exactly you need. 

Doesn’t like making you worry. He understands that you will, just because of his life and his job etc but he’ll feel guilty about it. He knows that being with a shinobi, and if you’re a ninja yourself, then being with a shinobi like him, really will add to your worrying and your overthinking x100. So that makes him more determined to help you and assuage your anxieties wherever possible. 

Buuut that could mean he might not tell you things because he doesn’t want you to worry or start overthinking or panicking. Like, important things. Like, maybe he almost died. He’ll maybe downplay something that happened to him or if he has to go on a dangerous mission. And maybe it’ll take him seeing you freak out 10x more over learning the truth that maybe he should be a bit upfront. But still, I think when it comes to things like that, you might find you actually have to prise these things out of him. Because he really doesn’t want to make you worry. Which is annoying, because, you know, you’d like him to be able to lean on you sometimes, even if only emotionally. But honestly? That’s probably something you want from him rather than something he genuinely needs. Whether it’s because he’s used to it or if that’s just who he is, he’s not in the habit of sharing his fears/anxieties etc. but still, it’s no fun being kept in the dark just because he’s worried about you worrying. So that might be a point for contention. But like I said earlier, learning to communicate goes a long way. You guys will have to get good at that, even if you both are quite thoughtful, understanding people. 

Overall, I do think you’d be a good match because Kakashi’s not one to get wrapped in overthinking/worrying too much himself, and if i see anyone being able to help you/soothe your emotions even a little bit, it’s him. His aura would be like, that kind of chill, calming blue, you know? I think he’d be great at getting you to relax and not worry so much. It’s a nice complete-each-other kind of situation. 

[spandexinspace]

Revelations

In which Querl tells Ayla something she already knew.

Ayla stepped forward and kicked at Querl’s ankles, narrowly missing them as he stumbled backwards at the last second and almost lost his balance in the process. He’d never been an amazing sparring partner; Apparently all the brains in the world couldn’t stop you from telegraphing like a nass day time holo-actor and missing every opening you got, but this was sloppy even for him. She took another step forward and swung out towards his face. He raised his guard just a little too late and caught her fist with the upper part of his wrist, wincing at the impact.

“Pay attention!” She swept at his ankles again and hooked her foot around his left leg, pulling him to the mat in one smooth motion. He did to his credit break his fall properly and rolled as he hit the floor, but the tumble wasn’t graceful.

“Man, what are you doing?” She asked as she took a step back and lowered her arms. “Are you paying attention at all?” They’d been going at it for nearly half an hour and he’d barely been able to keep up with her the entire time, a far cry from his usual attempts at being five steps ahead of everyone and everything.

“I am.” Querl pushed himself up onto his knees, glaring at her as he rubbed at his wrist.

“Doesn’t look like it,” Ayla said. She held out a hand towards him, which he pointedly ignored as he stood up and brushed mostly imaginary dust of off the front of his pants. She shrugged and retrieved her water bottle from the bench behind her, taking a swig from it as he went back to rubbing and looking at his wrist. From where she was standing it didn’t look like there was anything wrong with it, but then again, she didn’t really know how his weird body worked.

“I’ve been preoccupied,” he muttered. She was used to his inability and unwillingness to maintain eye contact, but the way he was focusing on his wrist, gaze unmoving, seemed a little too deliberate.

“With what?” She wasn’t sure if she actually wanted to know the answer, because anything that could preoccupy him this much was either very interesting or so tedious that it might just kill her on the spot. But his behaviour had piqued her interest and she was willing to risk suffering through one of his rants if it meant finding out the cause of it.

He didn’t start ranting though. His eyes flickered to her for a second, then back to his wrist.

“Nothing of importance.”

“Uh-hu, because you like to think about so much unimportant stuff,” Ayla said. “Just spit it out, it’s not like I can judge you more than I already do.” She took another swig from her water bottle and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

He wouldn’t often pass up an opportunity to share his brilliant thoughts with the world, yet there he stood, rubbing small circles into his wrist in total silence. After a moment he looked up at her, brows slightly furrowed and mouth pressed into a thin line. He brushed a stray lock of blond hair out of his face.

"I have come to believe that I, umh, may be romantically attracted to Invi- Lyle,” he said.

"Good grief, you finally figured that out?" Ayla snorted and shook her head. At least it wasn’t a boring revelation, even if it was a long time coming.

"What’s that supposed to mean?" Querl’s eyes narrowed and he crossed his arms.

"Just that you two have been making heart eyes at each other for ages and it's 'bout time you figured yourself out," she said, pointing her water bottle in his direction, shaking it for emphasis. Truth to be told she might not have noticed Lyle’s behaviour if Salu hadn’t told her that he had let it slip to Tinya that he had feelings for Querl. Querl though, she knew a lot of things about him. Like how he looked at people when he liked them just a little too much. And that he didn’t normally kiss people in front of everybody just to spend a couple of weeks trying to downplay it as not being romantic at all.

"We have been doing nothing of the sort." He didn’t quite pout about it, though he kinda did look like he was about to tell her how unfair she was being and maybe even stomp his foot about it.

"Have too. Anyway, congrats, now you just gotta tell him ‘bout it."

Querl scuffed.

"I will not 'tell him about it'. There's no evidence that he shares my feelings and he already has a partner,” he said.

Ayla sighed, feeling like her eyes might just roll back into her head and stay there. Boys.

"No evidence? Dude, he's got it so bad for you, how can you not see that? And Tinya told me that he broke up with his ex like a year ago." Ayla had never been the biggest fan of people who didn’t know when to keep out of other peoples’ business, but she wasn’t about to deny that they could be helpful at times. Querl appeared unfazed by that titbit though.

"Because it's simply not true. If it were he would have expressed his interest by now."

"Yeah, I'm sure the same guy who uses his powers to avoid talking to people in public would do that," Ayla said, nodding and rolling her eyes again. “Just tell him! I’m sure he’ll handle it even if you’re somehow right.”

“There’s no need to put him in that situation when it will inevitably cause him discomfort.” Querl uncrossed his arms and punctuated his words by gesturing towards her with one hand.

“Again, have you seen the way he looks at you? He’s not going to be uncomfortable or whatever.”

“He doesn’t and you don’t know that.” His tone was becoming irritated and short and Ayla knew she’d already lost that battle. Not like it was her job to save him from himself anyway.

“Whatever, suit yourself, but don’t say I didn’t tell ya.” She turned around and walked towards the door, waving goodbye over her shoulder as it opened and she walked out into the corridor beyond . The thought of mentioning the encounter to Lyle crossed her mind, but she didn’t dwell on it for long. It would have been fun to observe the chaos up close, but they were adults and they could unsprock their own personal business without her help.

[chikabika]

Fic ideas I have rattling around in my head that I need to write down somewhere but don’t want to commit a whole doc to all of them (this got longer than I thought):

1. Trans Childe Usopp meeting Kaya through her parents. As a child one of them is his primary care physician (which would make sense with such a small town) and he goes regularly for hormone blockers (trans boy hours).

2. The Hair One (self insert town) THIS incredible image which Usopp looks very attractive in gave me this idea:

Pre-TS: Something something he has to let his hair down because his bandana got damaged or lost. Next island they go to everyone’s like “wow he’s so attractive”. Maybe a comedically large group of girls following him around or something. Sanji’s dying because it’s extremely unfair (in his mind) for Usopp to get all the attention. Has a scene where Usopp is trying to buy a new bandana and the doorway of the shop is blocked by bodies.

I could turn this into an usolu fic where Luffy realizes his feelings once Sanji starts bringing up the idea of dating any of the people smitten over Usopp, but honestly I just want to make a whole town that’s a self insert of how I felt the first time I saw this image. Sorry to folks who don’t think this is a great look but I’m different.

3. The Long One (Luffy’s Response to Realizing Usopp has Feelings) Back before @ruskaina​​ wrote the very cute impossible and self-imposed, they posted some excerpts and were asking for help. The following is my response and some bits from the resulting conversation with @bartolomeo-the-cannibal​​ (natsu)

I think you could definitely go the route of Luffy not being flustered because he doesn’t realize why it affects Usopp so much/that Usopp’s actions have certain meaning. When it’s all fun and games you can go pretty far with friends for the lols. I definitely remember being a teen and like playing the “are you uncomfortable yet” game and stuff. But when there are feelings involved everything gets a little more vulnerable. 

And then once he realizes he could be inexperienced with what to do with someone’s crush on him. Or not wanting to hurt Usopp’s feelings. Or he wasn’t aware that was even on the table and now has to think about it some (which is significant for him since he acts more on instinct. But crew and crushes can be delicate matters and he knows this now.)

I think what I’m getting at is that my answer to “what is something Luffy wouldn’t expect Usopp to do” is Usopp be serious (maybe in a moment of goofing off) about his own feelings.

Luffy cares about his crew and I think someone having feelings for him and being serious about it would be something he’d take seriously.

Usopp’s already so insecure pre-ts, imagine the internal conflict having a crush on your captain/the future pirate king

natsu:  it would be super conflicting cause yea he's the captain but he's also his silly buddy usopp hunts beetles with. it's easy to forget luffy is so important, and the captain.

which is why water 7 happened lol

me:  He would! But I wonder if Usopp would downplay the feelings and kind of play it off to satisfy luffy’s curiosity (because he thinks that’s the only thing Luffy could feel about romance ) And Luffy letting him go but Usopp being like “well fuck guess the cat’s out of the bag and he doesn’t return my feelings”

natsu: usopp: i gotta go immediately

me: I think Luffy’d know Usopp was lying to some extent but let him go because he’s clearly very uncomfortable. And yeah I could see Luffy pushing but maybe he still worries about water 7. Just a lil bit. Or something.

Luffy doesn’t know how romantic shit works! He only knows about the romance of adventure!

Luffy would usually bring something up immediately but this time is different from when like vivi was trying to be a martyr or whatever. And Usopp’s not about to bring it up again!! Luffy clearly didn’t return the feelings! And jeez was he just a fool for getting a crush on Luffy anyway? Like what kind of dream is brave warrior of the sea in the face of pirate king? Luffy was the sun and Usopp was just a normal guy! And yes they were also friends and he knew Luffy loved him just like Luffy loved the rest of the crew. But romance felt different. Or at least, the lead weight in his gut right now felt different. Damn, why had he said anything in the first place?

natsu:  ahhhhhh! ok. get them outta that! how does usopp realize luffy DOES like him

me:  They get over the initial awkwardness some Luffy asks Usopp or other people about romance and what it feels like (Sanji is incredibly unhelpful but is the first person Luffy goes to)

Luffy has a hard time figuring out how a crush/SO is different from a good friend (maybe this is when he asks Usopp because usopp’s the only one he knows who has a crush. It goes....kind of okay)

Usopp starts trying to let go of his feelings. Not read into Luffy’s behavior, not hope. Starts actively countering the thoughts in his head.  Meanwhile Luffy is mulling things over, kind of developing a sense of romance, maybe an appreciation of it. Thinks it could be nice to kiss Usopp (he’s seen robin and Franky do it and they’re married so that’s probably a couples thing).

Usopp practically convinces himself he doesn’t have feelings anymore! It’s fine! It’s not hard at all! It doesn’t hurt at all!!!!!

Something happens. Could be life threatening, could be mundane. But suddenly Luffy’s like “I’ve got a pit in my stomach and I’ve literally never felt this it’s fucking awful” He goes to chopper. Nothing’s wrong. He goes to Sanji. Nothing new with the food for allergies to be a concern. Besides: it’s Luffy. He sees Usopp (laughing, being gorgeous, goofing off, tinkering, whatever. Something that’s like “oh yeah that’s Usopp and something to appreciate about him”) Luffy finally goes to Usopp and is like “hey I think you’re giving me a stomach ache?” And Usopp’s like “oh NO I’ve given Luffy anxiety!!!” But they talk and fumble and realize Luffy has a crush on Usopp and Usopp has one back (still, ofc) and it’s happily ever after.

4. Wedding: They’re getting maaaarried! Born from the same conversation with natsu (in fact it transitioned in almost immediately after the above).

Luffy wants to officiate but Nami won’t let him. Nami is Luffy’s best “man”, Sanji is Usopp’s, Zoro officiates. Franky and Brook bawl their eyes out. Chopper is the ring bearer, maybe with Robin. Nami has a deathhawk and wears a suit. 

Vows:  

Luffy: I’ve got two kinds of stomach ache. One is for food one is for Usopp Usopp, crying as they exchange rings: that’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever said 

Their wedding audience: the fuck?

I’ve just realized I could put this all in one document. Here it is for your enjoyment as well though.

[konboyblues]

On the Spade Arc & Tabata’s Evasion of His Own Story like They’re Taxes or Some Shit

Since catching up on the manga, I been thinking about why I feel so detached from the story for the past eight or so chapters, even though I was fully invested right up until the actual invasion. As the arc progressed (quickly, I might add), I realized that I was experiencing an onslaught of powerups (cool!) and new characters (also cool!).

But in the process, I once again began to note Tabata’s really awful, no good, barely passable attempt at dropping hints that someone somewhere was committing violent war crimes, and then his evasion of his own goddamn plot points by turning the focus back to cool powerups and two-page spreads. Listen - I LOVE a great character design and sick spread, but Tabata, bro... You can’t sprinkle intrigue into the story once in a while, and then straight up run for the hills when it comes time to elaborate on the plot point. One thing I’ve noticed since I started reading the manga is that much of the story is essentially fill-in-the-blank, which is great fanfiction fuel, but does little to help build on the greater aspects of the story.

One of the reasons why I really loved the Elf Reincarnation Arc, despite its mediocre resolution, was the overarching theme of statehood’s responsibility in the face of historical war crimes. The arcs prior to the elves built up to this one major theme, through Gauche’s tale, through Vanessa’s childhood incarceration, through Finral’s exile, through Zora’s backstory, etc. Black Clover, though still a shounen depicting the common boy’s struggle in a world that’s overwhelmingly against him, was also a story about interspecies racism, poverty, genocide, and love. ERA especially encapsulated all those themes by having our MC face off against a villain who had every right to be a villain because he was a product of state-sponsored violence. ERA highlighted historical revisionism and deification. Lumiere death was historically revised from saving-friend-from-himself to king-saving-kingdom, and he himself was deified into an icon when he was ultimately a victim who died because of Clover’s crimes. The arc, through its many layers and staunch character-building, worked through some pretty intense themes while keeping true to the shounen flare.

And in the same breath, the resolution sucked every bit of intrigue from the gravity of the themes discussed, and pretty much reversed some key moments in order to keep the story as dry and non-problematic as possible. Moments that come to mind are Julius’ fake death, Patolli’s easy shift to the “good” side, Pato/Vetto/Rhya/Fana surviving the true death, etc.

When I started the Spade Arc, I wondered how Tabata was going to be able to balance his editors and his own passion for writing bootleg Berserk, because by the time Baby Julius made an appearance, it was becoming more and more obvious that whatever heavy themes he wanted to depict would need to be watered down in their execution, or risk getting wiped altogether. 

When I saw that Spade started with an attempted rape, I was taken aback, because wasn’t this the same mangaka who pussied out with Julius going six feet under? I let it go, thinking he’d eventually explain what exactly was going down in Spade, but here we are several powerups later, Liebe out of his grimoire and Asta with his Demon Union form, and we still don’t know what the actual fuck is going on in Spade, what the fuck the Dark Triad is actually doing, and how it all ties into the overall themes of love, poverty, racism, genocide, and of course, a state’s responsibility to its citizenry. 

Part of it is because Tabata’s done everything in his power to avoid talking about it all this time. We get tidbits here and there, and then it’s on to the next battle, the next powerup, the next spread, etc. I feel bad for the man, I really do, I’m sure he’s experiencing the same creative restrictions that the mangaka of old have had to go through, but it’s exhausting to flip through battle after battle and not get any insight into why the story’s going down the way it is. Why do Dante and his siblings want to sacrifice their own people to demons, why is Lucifero so quiet, why the Spade Kingdom sitting on two ancient demons, how Patolli and Co. manage to sneak into Spade, and so on and so forth. The threads wouldn’t be such a problem if they made sense on a larger scale, but with the Clover civil war and the continent-wide war arcs looking less and less likely, something’s gotta give.

I feel like Tabata thinks it’s gonna be a big surprise when he drops whatever plot twist it is that he’s cooking up, but the arc’s definitely lost its initial luster and I think part of it is because we didn’t get an elaboration on the circumstances of the Spade situation, like we did with ERA, the Witch Forest Arc, even Gauche’s early arc, etc. We still know next to nothing about the Dark Triad, and now that Asta’s finally on his way to Spade, I kind of feel like Tabata lost sight of his own tale in the midst of slapping together some demon designs. 

The only reason I bring it up is because I worry he’s gonna punk out again. Dante is a canonical creep, and Vanica aint that far behind. Unlike Patolli, who became a terrorist because of Clover and foreign interference (Zagred), I don’t know what Tabata could do to apologize for the Dark Triad. Maybe he won’t. One can only hope. I still worry, because now the kingdom knows Julius is a baby, and Damnatio’s witnessed Asta cutting down the big demon, so like, if Tabata were to punk out, he easily could by making Damnatio eat his words for doubting Asta’s loyalty to Clover. 

I dunno. Something just aint right about this arc. It feels like it could be such a big piece of the story, but there are just so many holes. Feel like we need a Turn Back the Pendulum Arc for Spade just so we could get some goddamn detail. I’m tired of filling in the blanks for this twink. Give me the mcfucking lore Tabata, I’m tired.

tl;dr: Spade Kingdom arc, as a whole, has been incredibly mid. Little lore, even less elaboration on key themes, doesn’t really tie into the greater themes in the story, and a lot of the intensity is downplayed or just straight up ignored. Definitely sense that Tabata and the editors aint on the same page with this one. Arc ending has a potential of going either really well or really bad, and I’m afraid it’s gonna go the bad route especially if Tabata goes the ERA resolution route.