#otp: at the deep end

[leviiackrman]

A Night at the Oscars;

Happy belated birthday to myself! I’ve been working on this piece for almost a month but I’m so glad it’s finished!! Always wanted to see all my otps in one room together - so why not make them fancy! Is it my best art ever? No. But do I still love it? Absolutely! Give this piece some love... pls...

From left to right: Jordan Parker & Josh Washington, Ciri of Cintras & Una Wattleseed, Katsuki Bakugo & Asami Enatsu, Rin Matsuoka & Mineyo Ginnivan, Kakashi Hatake & Chika Hōki, Saeka Rikihisa & Kento Nanami, Lyna Mahariel & Alistair Theirin, Levi Ackerman & Margot Durand, Asahi Azumane & Hideko Sugawara, Rensuke Kunigami & Kaida Ishimoto, Cullen Rutherford & Yavanna Trevelyan, Rin Kyutoku & Toya Todoroki, Ziri & Iroh, Toge Inumaki & Poko Rikihisa, Rei Suwa & Gigi Olalia, Nymira Lanu & Aloy, Willow Hawke & Fenris, Arthur Morgan & Isla Walsh (full length version under the cut)

Tag list (ask to be added or removed): @carrionsflower @statichvm @risingsh0t @simonxriley @tommyarashikage @jacobseed @lasersinthejungle @unholymilf @florbelles @thedeadthree @shellibisshe @roofgeese @aezyrraesh @faerune @tekehu @jackiesarch @minaharkers @sergeiravenov @carlosoliveiraa @rosenfey @nokstella @queennymeria @heroofpenamstan @mistrias @viktorgf @d-esmond @solasan @bigbywlf @delzinrowe @fenharel @imogenkol @auricfog

[togetherasap]

the serotonin released after reading any ali hazelwood book is unparalleled

[hadesknockedupintheunderworld]

I think the appeal of Teredio to me is that it isn't some special soulmatism "they were destined to be" kind of relationship. Their love wasn't written in the stars. Their meeting wasn't fated so much as coincidence—had Dion not awakened as Bahamut, had he died or been kept by his mother (assuming there's a reality in which she lives longer), there's no guarantee they ever would have met personally or started a relationship.

These two became friends because the necessary pieces were in place. But destiny? Dion's life is a medieval fantasy drama. His destiny, if not to die on the battlefield, is for the blight to take his life. His destiny is tied to the circumstances of his birth, his status, his duty. Amidst magic, people that can turn into powerful beings, endless war, Terence is painfully normal. He's just a mid level noble, with no special abilities or magic powers, no great status, who'd decided to follow the dominant who would be a prince to the end as a servant.

A lack of Terence's existence does not change Dion's duty, it does not change the common end fates of dominants who go to war.

But that also doesn't mean that their love doesn't matter. Far from it. It may not be written in the stars, Terence may not be a uniquely special piece on the chessboard, but it means much to Dion.

Terence isn't special becuase he's Dion's cosmic soulmate or because he's a special being (such as a dominant). He and Dion are together in part because of the lengths he'd go for his love. It was that someone history might otherwise remember as a nobody took it upon himself to work hard enough so that he could follow his best friend, so that he could match him in skill, so that he could show him that there is one person in his corner—someone who truly does love him. Terence became a bit like a rock for Dion, someone who would worry for him, take the effort to understand him, and who he could look to for assurance in making difficult choices. And, on top of that, I think Terence is special because he isn't uniquely remarkable. I like to think that amidst the war, Dion's princely duties, and his identity as the dominant of Bahamut in this world of magic, Dion can find this simple refuge with Terence. When they're alone, especially once they get together, they don't have to worry about social status, reality, duty, magic.

Instead, in those moments, they can just be two men who love each other—simply Dion, and his childhood friend, Terence.

[clinquaant]

12 DAYS OF GIFMAS / Day Ten: A Gifset of Your Favorite Couple: Alice Kingsleigh and Harry Potter from Deep End

If nothing else, I hope you know that I love you with every ounce of my being. I hope you realize your importance not only to me but to everyone who has been lucky enough to know you. I hope you know that when you’re feeling down, I only ever strive for your happiness. I hope you that remember no matter what, I’m here for you and I fully intend on staying in your life for quite some time. I hope you recognize the fact that I appreciate and adore you without restraints, and that this will never change.“

— Unknown

[utilitycaster]

I don't begrudge anyone their campaign preferences, and I think there's plenty of valid reasons to like Campaign 3 the best and this is not directed at people who are genuinely having a great time with it, but it feels like virtually all the nostalgia and wishful thinking I see surrounding Campaign 3 is screaming "you guys want Campaign 2." You want more slow travel and downtime and interparty conversations and slow-burn romance? You wish their main focus was fighting governmental corruption? You want a party that only semi-settles down at the end and keeps adventuring and remains very close? You're frustrated by how everpresent and overarching the moon plot is? You miss when they were just fucking around in a city? I genuinely believe you want Campaign 2, or at best you love a specific ship or a character from Campaign 3 but aren't happy about basically anything else, and would vastly prefer the tone and events and plot of Campaign 2. And I don't really care if you watch Campaign 2, or if you think I'm being annoying here; I simply genuinely believe you'd be happier watching Campaign 2 than Campaign 3 and are so deep in a sunk cost fallacy well you can't see it.

[random-autie-fangirl]

Sorry, for giving geno run Charisk romantic subtext, it will happen again...

The jokes you can make calling them "LOVEsick" or "LOVEstruck"

The codependency that comes when you've killed literally everyone else you could have had a connection with. (...It also means there's more time for the two to be alone together)

"we'll be together forever, won't we?"

...and they were partners (oh my god they were partners)

Also you know the trope of Frisk/Chara taking Papyrus's scarf, well here? it's Chara who picks it up but specifically tells Frisk that it's a gift for them, a gift for their beloved partner for doing so well so far...I think they might do the same with Asgore's cape or Sans's hoodie

I also also like the idea that the Sans fight takes so long that they have to go back the inn (or Asgore's house) to stay the night (almost definitely Frisk's idea, Chara's always like surely you can continue a little longer despite not being the one actually fighting), or breaking into another rando's house to get an actual proper meal sometimes and isn't that a kinda date

[timothyslucy]

okay but just based off that millisecond clip of them kissing and the love and the tenderness.... whatever's going to happen to lucy to end her up in the hospital is gonna be so much more devastating than any of us could ever expect. we are so FUUUUCCCKKED!!!!!!

[queen-scribbles]

"You definitely needed the sleep." Would be the PERFECT Shenko prompt :3

You are correct! Have some Emily/Kaidan fluff. ^^ ---

Emily woke with a heartbeat in her ear.

She lay still, face down, warm and cozy, as she pieced together where she was and whose heartbeat she was hearing. On the couch, in the living room, to the first. Kaidan's, of course, to the second.

She was laying with her head on his chest, their legs tangled together and his arm loosely draped over the small of her back. One of her hands had dropped to brush against the rug, and she could feel the warmth of Mo nearby even if the dog wasn't touching her.

The vid. It hit like thunder and Emily muttered in annoyance at herself as she jerked fully awake.

Kaidan was watching her. "Hey, sleepyhead."

"Sorry," she mumbled, letting her head fall back against his sternum.

"Hey you don't need to apologize." He kissed the top of her head.

"We've been tryin' to watch this for weeks and I drift off the first real chance we get?" Emily tipped her head, resting her chin on his chest so she could meet his eye. "Seems like it might be warranted, Kay."

Kaidan chuckled. "Nah, if you were tired enough to go out that fast, you definitely needed the sleep." He rubbed her back. "Were the girls that much of a handful this morning?"

"Not in a bad way," she said with a sigh. "But they're always excited about going to stay with Meema and Papa-Tom. And no one who warned me about three year old energy levels included the addendum that it compounds rather'n just adding or multiplying when you have more than one who are equally excited."

"Infinity times infinity?" he asked with a sympathetic smile.

"Mm. I love 'em with all of my heart, but those two can be more exhausting that N7 training some days." She grinned. "Best of luck to your parents, along with my heartfelt gratitude."

"You know they love it, Em."

"Mm-hm. And I love the chance to relax." She smiled sheepishly. "Even if I relaxed too far and missed the vid."

"Seriously, don't worry about that, we can try again later if watching it means that much to you." Kaidan's eyes glinted mischievously. "Far as I'm concerned, there's much worse ways to spend a couple hours than watching my wife sleep."

Her face heated. "Hours?! Babe, why didn't you move? You know I sleep like the dead."

"First of all, who says this isn't right where I wanna be?" He arched a brow and shifted to settle even more into the couch cushions. "Second, you've done the same for me through more migraines than I can count. Third," he rolled on when she opened her mouth, "I did think about it, but I drifted off, too." His dimple showed when he smiled. "I guess we both needed the sleep."

Mollified by the fact he hadn't been awake and trapped the whole time, Emily stretched up to kiss him. "I think I could stay awake through the vid now, if you wanna try again?"

Kaidan laughed softly. "You sure, sweetheart?"

"Mm-hm." She nuzzled in against his chest. "Or we could just snuggle some more."

"Ooh, I like that plan."

I knew you were a smart man. "Good, me, too."

The vid would keep.

[secretly-a-catamount]

Serafina and Braeden Vanderbilt.

His love softened her, connected her to her humanity in the way she had never been before, drew her from her world of night and blood and moonlight into his world of elegance and sunlight and warmth. He taught her to trust, taught her that not everyone was an enemy.

Her loved sharpened him, connected him to his darker side in a way he had never been before, drew him from his world of elegance and sunlight and warmth into her world of night and blood and moonlight. She taught him not trust blindly, taught him that not everyone who said they were his friend were.

[leviiackrman]

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY;

Mineyo x Rin [at the deep end] || Asami x Bakugo [boom boom pow]

Saeka x Nanami [take me with you] || Margot x Levi [give your heart]

I was tagged by my wonderful friend @statichvm to use this valentines meiker for some pairings! Thank you gorgeous, happy galentines🤍

Tagging: @carrionsflower @statichvm @risingsh0t @simonxriley @tommyarashikage @jacobseed @confidentandgood @unholymilf @faithchel @thedeadthree @shellibisshe @roofgeese @aezyrraesh @faerune @tekehu @jackiesarch @minaharkers @sergeiravenov @carlosoliveiraa @rosenfey @nokstella @queennymeria @heroofpenamstan @tethrras @viktorgf @d-esmond @solasan @bigbywlf @delzinrowe @fenharel @imogenkol @auricfog

[togetherasap]

things to feel infinitely giddy about in whet:

- use of the terms "orgo" (the only correct abbreviation for organic chemistry btw) and "great british bake-off" (because this is the og title so treat it with respect) and "anoxic events" ('cuz this is how i will forever feel when reading about lukas and scarlett)

- "...oxygen and glucose and... porn?" IYKYK

- the best combo of science aka my job and swimming aka my favorite sport

- "it's just us. you're safe with me." CRYING.

- "i think dr. carlsen is the husband." CACKLING.

and last, but not least, the phrase I want my future partner to use to describe me:

- "shut the fuck up, you brilliant, beautiful genius." (affectionate)

[anghraine]

I don't teach on Thursdays, so I spent a good hour today contemplating the ways in which the foundations for Elizabeth's escalating mistakes with Darcy are laid not only in her previous interactions with him but in her relationship with Charlotte Lucas.

(Then I played GW2 for another hour, and then I thought about whether Charlotte/Elizabeth/Darcy would appeal to me. V-shaped polyships are often a hard sell for me personally and it would have to be that, IMO, unless Darcy is genderbent. Obviously I have no objection whatsoever to f!Darcy after writing three different variations on the theme, but I was curious about how it would work without a change like that... idk.)

[dancing-dawn]

Reblogging this as a little thanks shoutout [and extensive rant of my thoughts and feelings in the tags] to @gothicmatter for incidentally introducing me to the song that inspired this whole thing and which I listened to for 2 days straight on repeat. They deemed it as the "sskk bsd 121.5 wedding anthem" and I unironically couldn't agree more:

london after midnight – sacrifice

And if you're in need of extra SSKK self-sacrificial feelings, I shall provide some more music to go with the poem (that I also listened to while writing):

I'll cry at night (post-rock, indie-rock, alternative playlist) by nagashiナガシ

The heartless cur, with heart ablaze

a sskk psychoanalitic canonical angst poem by yours truly!

Summary:

A question, rid of doubt, Met a spirit most devout. “Just the two of us?” he pondered, Yet conviction never faltered.

A poem from Knight Akutagawa's POV, a dive through his mind and heart during the events of chapter 119 onward, until the post-credits scene of S5.

Read on ao3, here clicky.

Or if you prefer here:

A knight reborn with purpose clear,

To rid the world of death and fear.

He strikes with newfound resolve,

For the sins of man to be absolved.

Until he hears a panicked voice,

Begging him to make a choice.

To save himself from slaughter

And protect his treasured daughter.

And his hand shall not be reckless,

If he wants to free the helpless.

But his prowess would be bested

By a creature most detested,

A mortal turned a god,

A truly wicked fraud.

In the vile vessel’s grasp,

With a faint and muted gasp,

He falls a pray to beast

Who’d relish in his feast

Of cursed souls, corrupt;

A pure world to construct.

A sudden slash would catch his eye,

The strangest phrase, perhaps a lie.

Till he’s pinned aghast in place

By an almost tender gaze.

Eyes that have entrapped the sunset,

Bearing not an inkling of regret.

Familiar words, a recognition

Of a far forgotten mission.

A sacrifice, his heart ablaze

For companion he couldn’t chase.

A scream tearing through space,

Through time and pain’s embrace.

A heartless cur.

Mind a blur.

In need to be stronger -

Mayhap no longer.

Trust. Sincerity.

Become a Singularity.

Shared affection, 

Mutual protection.

A feeling unnamed,

That couldn’t be tamed.

But now left fractured and torn,

For he just lost half his soul.

. . .

The fight was cruel, frightening, 

Enough to send him spiraling,

Grasping at the memory

Of a long forgotten enemy.

A shadow of the past,

That wasn’t meant to last.

But now a close companion

He wouldn’t dare abandon,

Not until his cursed lungs

Have sung their final verse. 

He swore he would protect him

From the fate forever grim - 

To be a weapon of destruction,

Devoid of human function.

The knight revealed his shield

Amidst the haunting barren field.

Soft-spoken words of reassurance,

To preserve his friend’s endurance.

A question, rid of doubt,

Met a spirit most devout.

“Just the two of us?” he pondered,

Yet conviction never faltered.

“Do we need any more?”

To win this godforsaken war.

They were bonded as a pair

In a world most unfair.

But through love unshaken, trust,

The devil shall be turned to dust.

[sturnioz]

about the one where fratboy!chris doesn't let shy!reader meet his family I THOUGHT ABT SOMETHING

sooo imagine chris's mom otp while he's with reader then reader gets her hopes up thinking chris would somehow mention who he's with right now but he doesn't and it ends up into reader with hurt feelings and chris just being an asshole like it's no big deal

i lowkey wanna be hurt rn GIMME ANGST

you're staring wide eyed at chris, completely captivated at the voice he uses to talk to marylou on the phone — his tone soft and gentle, almost childlike, and he grins at the words she speaks, his eyes twinkling with warmth, causing a smile to creep across your lips.

it's a side of him you've never seen before, and you can't help but feel a flutter of admiration in your chest.

as he walks around his room, his phone cradled in one hand and a pile of clothes in the other, you're stuck watching how tenderly he engages with his mother. his expression constantly shifts between playful to genuine care and adoration.

"yeah, ma. everythin' is good," chris hums softly, placing his phone on the desk and pressing the speaker icon, allowing his mother's voice to fill the room. "classes are good too."

"and how is nick? has he been over recently?"

"y'know nick would rather die than come into the frat house—"

"oh, chris, you know i don't like you saying things like that to me. don't say that."

"sorry, ma," chris apologises sincerely, and you're taken aback by the softness in his tone. it's a complete contrast to the condescending way he usually speaks to you, often laced with sarcasm and mockery. the apology feels so genuine that it makes your heart flutter once more. "he doesn't like it here. prefers to meet up some place else."

"as long as you're seeing each other, that's all that matters," marylou says softly. "'cos your dad and i were worried that you wouldn't spend much time with him with your new living arrangements and all."

"no, no. we're good, we see each other a lot," chris reassures her as he pulls his jeans up his legs, threading his belt through the loops. "you don't need to worry, ma. i promise. we're actually goin' to get dinner tonight. nate's comin' along too."

you knew about the dinner tonight — though you weren't invited of course, you were all too aware of the plans.

"oh, nate," marylou coos softly at the mention of him. "and how is—"

her words are cut off when the book resting in your lap slips from your grasp and falls to the ground with a loud thud, causing chris' head to snap in your direction, momentarily pausing mid-motion.

he then grabs his plain white t-shirt, glaring at you as your lips form a tight-lipped, apologetic smile as you reach down to retrieve the book, your neck and cheeks burning with embarrassment. chris shakes his head at you with a quiet scoff, clearly unimpressed.

"is anyone there with you?" marylou asks curiously, her tone riddled with warmth and inviting.

your heart races as your head shoots up, a mix of nerves and excitement bubbling up inside you. you take a deep breath, ready to introduce yourself properly, hoping to make a good first impression.

"no. just some dumb frat kid next door makin' noise." chris immediately shuts it down, his tone dismissive, and your smile immediately drops from your face, a wave of discomfort twisting in your stomach and chest.

the disappointment stings more than you expected, and you can't help but feel small under his words. you tune out chris and marylou's conversation now, the warmth you felt just moments ago fading into an ache deep within you. mindlessly, you flip through the pages of you book, the words blurring together as your interest in that simmers too.

you don't even realise chris is saying goodbye to his mom, using a sweet tone that would have definitely made you swoon if you were paying attention. you completely miss the heartfelt 'i miss yous' and 'i love yous' shared between them too.

it's only when you feel the bed dip that your attention snaps back to reality, and you raise your gaze to see chris sitting on the edge, pulling on a pair of white socks before reaching for his black converse.

"m'gonna get matt to take you back to your place," chris announces nonchalantly, as if his earlier words hadn't left an impact. "gotta go that way t'get nick anyways."

"'kay." you reply, trying to keep your tone light.

chris twists his head to peer over his shoulder at you, his fingers busy tying his laces. his brows furrow in confusion as he stares at you. "what?"

you murmur back, "what?"

"whats the matter with you?" he asks, annoyance creeping into his voice. "actin' all weird on me. quieter than usual—"

"why didn't you tell your mom i was with you?" the question slips out before you can even think to stop it, a mix of hurt and vulnerability lacing your words.

chris gives you a look that makes you feel foolish, as if you've just asked the most ridiculous question. "why would i?"

his bluntness stings again, and you feel a flush of embarrassment wash over you. it's not just the question that bothers you; it's the slow realisation that he doesn't see how much you wish to be acknowledged, to be part of his world in a way that feels meaningful — more than a casual hook-up, maybe even as a friend.

you swallow hard, trying to gather your thoughts. "i just thought... maybe it would be nice, is all."

chris shrugs, turning back to his shoes. "s'not a big deal, kid."

"it is to me." the words slip out before you can hold them back again, a somewhat desperate plea for an understanding.

"why?" he asks immediately, looking back at you once more. "it shouldn't mean shit to you."

"you know my mom," you state. "you... you've spoken to my mom before, and—"

"'cos that was your choice, kid. yeah? 'n this is my choice," he points to his chest to emphasis his words, the intensity in his eyes making your heart race. "y'want me to tell my mom that i've got some girl in my room? have her question shit? nah... i keep my family life separate to what i do here."

his words hit hard. you understand his need for boundaries, but it hurts to feel so easily dismissed, and the ache in your chest deepens. you want to argue back, to make him see your side, but the words catch in your throat and you fall silent,

[taevescence]

Shooky’s Arrival | MYG

Author’s note: OMG, okay, sooo I totally wrote this tiny drabble for MFL because—even though I don’t even have the first episode yet—Yoongi’s got me all in my feelings and I just HAD to write about him or I’m legit gonna lose it 😭😭 Soooo, here’s a little sneak peek into their whole vibe (plus, Shooky being the adorable chaos with both of them lol) hope y’all love it as much as I do 🩷 OMG I ALMOST FORGOT!!! You totally NEED to slide into my asks with any requests for these OTPs or just hit me with the wildest, random HCs ever! I’m gonna be here 24/7, spilling all the juicy HCs ‘cause I’m obsessed with them and Yoongi? Like, he’s legit my everything, my ultimate bias wrecker, my heart!!! 🫦🔥

Pairing: Producer!Yoongi x Fem!Reader

AUs: BOTN!AU

Taglist: @thunderg @minjianhyung @queenv1997 @yoongtism @lizzymizzy-blogg @superbbananananana @drpepperobsessed @themwordsblog @taekritimin123 @bluecloudss @yooglefics @tan-veee @angellekookie @madussthougths @meadowsweetskoo @amarawayne @loopychick @chimmchimmm-blog @irishhbamb

"Sunshine"

"Yoongi."

You looked at each other in silence for a few seconds—you, beaming from ear to ear, and Yoongi, raising an eyebrow as his eyes moved from your face to your arms.

“Why are you holding a cat?” he murmured in that soft, raspy voice that made every inch of your heart melt and your hands want to rip his clothes off until there was absolutely nothing between you.

But you controlled yourself.

Because there was a baby in the room now.

“Do you like him? I named him Shooky! I saw him on the street and thought ‘Oh! He looks just like Yoonie,’ so I brought him home,” you spoke so fast that anyone else probably wouldn’t have understood a word. But Yoongi wasn’t just anyone. He was your Yoongi, the same one who knew every little gesture you made when you were about to panic, the one who could guess what you wanted to eat just by looking at your expression. “Can we adopt him? I want to adopt him, he’s just a baby! We can’t leave him all alone.”

“I don’t think he wants to be adopted, sweetheart,” he sighed heavily as he noticed the horrible scratches on your arm. Some were just little scrapes, but most were marked with thin streaks of blood that—while not life-threatening—definitely looked painful.

“He’s too young to know what he wants,” you replied, lifting him again in your hands, totally ignoring the furious meows and complaints little Shooky let out as he was picked up.

Judging by Yoongi’s face, he didn’t believe that cat wanted to be anywhere near the two of you. But you were sure that deep down, he would love his new home someday.

“Look at him, Yoonie. He’s just a baby, a tiny baby who could easily end up as dinner for some fierce stray wolf—”

“There are no wolves in Seoul, Y/N.”

“Wolf, dog, same thing!” You brought the tiny black kitten close to Yoongi’s face, hoping his cute kitty eyes would melt Yoongi’s cold heart and convince him to stay.

To both of your surprise, Shooky suddenly stopped moving once he was face-to-face with Yoongi. No scratching, no fierce meowing—just silence as they stared at each other.

Yoongi reached out and picked up the kitten in his arms. No struggle, no claws, nothing. He simply let Yoongi cradle him with a gentleness you didn’t even know he was capable of.

You frowned.

Shooky started purring.

“Hey! Why doesn’t he scratch you?” you whispered accusingly, moving closer to the two of them to see how Shooky looked perfectly content, curled up in Yoongi’s arms like it was the comfiest bed in the world. You got it—you’d do the same if you could.

“He’s got good taste,” Yoongi shrugged, eyes fixed on the small cat now snuggled against his chest. Its black fur reminded him of his own hair, and its eyes…

He pressed his lips together. Swallowed.

“What did you say you wanted to name him?”

“Shooky!” you replied quickly, grinning from ear to ear, realizing you had just won this battle. The cat was staying.

“Shooky…” Yoongi whispered. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched you pacing around the apartment, searching for things to make an impromptu home for your new baby. On any other day, he’d think it was cute. On any other day, he’d help you. But today, it was hard to focus when one thought kept repeating in his head.

Shooky’s fur was the same color as his hair.

Shooky’s eyes were the same color as yours.

And just for a moment, Yoongi wondered… is this what his child would look like if he had one—with you?

[elpeadro]

If the writers wanted CaitVi to be their canon OTP so damn bad, they had two ways of going about it:

THE GOOD ENDING:

Caitlyn doesn’t turn to fascism in her grief and rage. Ambessa still takes advantage of the council bombing to goad Piltover’s elite toward supporting martial law, likely installing Salo as her puppet as she originally planned to, but Caitlyn is one of the few who protest and refuse to be swept up in the authoritarian fervor Ambessa stokes. Because:

1) there’s no way she wouldn’t notice how fishy the attack on the memorial was. This is the same person who pieced together the conspiracy surrounding Silco and his criminal empire without ever stepping foot in Zaun. She’s a great detective who has been shown to see through the surface level cover-up. Not to mention the list of potential suspects with both motive and means is very small. Add on Mel’s insight, who she would interact with as one of the other Piltover characters who resists Ambessa’s scheming, and they would definitely pin Ambessa as their prime suspect. The problem is that they have no proof. All of the attackers are dead. Ambessa covered her tracks well, a nod to Noxian subterfuge in the wider lore. 

And most of all, and most horrifyingly, Piltover doesn’t care. They’re angry. They’re outraged. Their bigotry is being preyed on by Ambessa, but they hardly need a push to go from the indifferent oppression of Zaun to active, overwhelming oppression. They already saw Zaunites as a monolith: criminals, street scum, dirty people who need to stay out of Piltover’s golden streets.

That Jinx is the lone guilty party is irrelevant. Her attack threatens their status quo. It has disrupted the utopia of Piltover living in its ivory towers without a care in the world, and they will bring back that false sense of security by crushing any possibility of Zaun fighting back ever again.

and 2) even with the grief of losing her mother fresh on her mind, this is still Caitlyn Kirammen we’re talking about. The woman who gives up her rifle - not just a prized possession, but her means of self-defense and safety when she’s deep in the worst parts of Zaun - without a second thought to save Vi’s life. The woman who hugs Huck, a homeless drug addict with a cancerous-like growth on half his forehead, of her own volition.

Because she cares.

As we are reminded time and time again in season 1, while Caitlyn is an incredibly naive, privileged, idealistic woman with an exceptional ability to put her foot in her mouth and say the most tone deaf things, she has a good heart, and more importantly, is willing to learn. It isn’t easy at the start, but when confronted with the irrefutable proof of how awful Piltover’s treatment of Zaun is, she listens. She feels sympathy for Zaunites, even if they are drug addicts (Huck), convicts (Vi), or gang leaders (Ekko).

That same Caitlyn, the one we see a small glimpse of in episode 1 when she protests that innocents will be caught in the crossfire, would not stand for Piltover’s martial law and mass imprisonment of Zaunites. She would try to fight it alongside Mel, using her position and influence in the enforcers as Mel uses hers as a politician.

(While she still develops an obsession over Jinx and getting justice for her mother’s death, she doesn’t see collective punishment and chemical weapons as acceptable costs of achieving said justice.)

And if the writing stayed true to the themes of class conflict in season 1, then she would quickly be forced to confront the horrible realization that there is no fixing this. The faults are systematic, not individualistic.

It doesn’t matter if it’s Marcus or Salo or Ambessa or whoever. The enforcers and Piltover will always be corrupt institutions stepping on the necks of Zaun. Piltover’s society is rotten from the inside out. And if she isn’t going to stand by and let it happen (because she refuses to compromise her morals and enforce martial law, because she cares - not just about Vi, but about Ekko and the Firelights, Huck, all the innocent people who will be swept up in Piltover’s thirst for blood), then the only way forward is to fight against Piltover.

So she becomes a class traitor. She fights alongside Vi and Ekko in repelling enforcers and Noxian soldiers from Zaun, protects the innocent. 

Her relationship with Vi develops healthily compared to the canon season 2 - or as best it can in the midst of fighting a war and given their personal issues (Caitlyn’s grief and rage; Vi's self-loathing and guilt) - and they are good for each other.

It becomes a loving, supportive relationship and a wonderful piece of queer representation.

It would be beautiful. Not just the love and trust they have in each other, but that such love can flourish even in dark times. That people are capable of being defined not by their class and the systems they are born into, but by their actions and morals.

(Would such writing be too radical for the higher-ups at Netflix, Riot, and Fortiche (i.e. writing a class traitor and class war)? Most likely, but that discussion is for another time.)

Part 2: The Bad, Tragic Ending

Part 3: The Disjumbled, Tonal Mess of an Ending We Got