I know this is not new information, but I've seen a fresh wave of people confused about what the fuck Andrew planned to do as a 5'0 man with a knife against the literal mafia, so.
I think the fact that neither Neil nor Kevin lost their faith in Andrew’s ability to protect them after he was attacked by Drake (unable to stand his ground against a single man with a bottle, let alone the Yakuza/Nathan with their guns) is the best proof we have that the deal was never about physical protection. This is confirmed by the way Neil never expects Andrew to save him from his father, in fact cuts him loose before Baltimore as soon as danger is truly near.
Andrew is a pretty self-aware character, and he wouldn't make promises he knows he can't possibly see through, so I think he knows what Kevin and Neil also know: what they need from him, and thus what he promises, is not physical protection.
To Kevin, he promises safety from the Moriyamas, and the way we see him enact that safety (at Kathy's show, at the banquet) shows exactly what it's about: when Riko starts getting into your head, when he makes you doubt yourself, makes you think maybe you should go back to Evermore, I won't let you. I will get you away from him, I will treat him like he's just some dude to remind you that you can face him without kneeling. I will be your spine until you find your own, I will stand my ground for you until you can do it yourself.
That's why the scene when Kevin gets to the dorm with his tattoo and Andrew's eyes show so much feeling is huge not just for Kevin but for Andrew: because that was the whole point of their deal, Kevin has found his spine, Andrew bought him the space and time to do it.
To Neil, he promises safety from the people hunting him down, and that means: I will give you something to build a life around (keys, drives to nightly exy practices, someone to lean on, someone who will listen without flinching). When you feel like running, I will be someone you can call to come pick you up. When you forget, I will remind you who you are: Neil Abram Josten.
Andrew stands between Kevin and Riko and between Neil and his father not as an impenetrable wall but as an obstacle in their vision: not shield but focal point.
(Makes me think of that scene in The Haunting of Hill House, Hugh holding Steven's neck to keep him from looking at the ghosts, saying, Look at me, just look at me, keep your eyes on me. That's what Andrew’s constantly doing --even literally, when Kevin is spiralling after Wymack tells the team about the district change and Andrew makes him look away from his broken hand and up at him).
4K notes
·
View notes
i love sansa "i wish for more kindness in this world but regardless i entertain irrepressible thoughts of murder for my enemies" stark
875 notes
·
View notes
As the weather changes and the world grows colder, it will be warm here. I will make blankets and soups, bake pies, and fresh cookies. My home will smell of love and there will always be a fresh pot of coffee or a warm kettle of tea waiting. My home will have a comforting heaviness that keeps you rooted in the plush chairs as you stare at the snowfall from the ice-frosted window.
2K notes
·
View notes
so this one scene altered my brain chemistry, actually...
maybe it's cause despite his own frustrations and ashlyn literally grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, ty doesn't fight her back. he doesn't go out of his way to grab her arm or her collar. he just lets her say her piece and they move on from it. i think it's such a nice detail about how he treats others, and it further solidifies how much he differs from the stereotypical asshole character (who in this situation would not have hesitated to grip ashlyn's wrist and fight back)
100 notes
·
View notes
one of my favorite ways to look at zolu is nicely captured by that one line toki says to oden during the wano flashbacks, being around you makes me feel like I've already reached my destination. despite lacking the specific backstory and romantic intent toki/oden were written with in canon, yeah, it's still such a lovely sentiment. not in the context of luffy and zoro's dreams per se, because they haven't fulfilled those yet - more in a true north kinda way. zoro left shimotsuki village in search for mihawk but due to his comically terrible sense of direction, he lost his way back and ended up resorting to bounty hunting as a means to survive. on the other hand, luffy set out from his home village to start his journey as a pirate but mostly drifted around since he lacked any sort of navigation skills. koby insists that he find a navigator first after they meet... but it's zoro he seeks and finds instead. then their adventure truly starts, gathering those who'd become their friends and family, who'd become crucial to achieving their dreams, along the way.
175 notes
·
View notes