#these are in no particular order of course

[mamawasatesttube]

on the note of yj in owaw im also thinking about this bit of tim narration from yj98 #36...

tim is feeling betrayed and frustrated (understandably), but what stands out to me is how he thinks of "that whole guardian fiasco". in the earlier yj owaw tie-in, he and the others express disapproval of kon for "stealing government property":

they let it go at the end to move on, but...

but like, the baby in question is a cadmus clone (just like superboy himself), cloned from a man who expressly wished that he not be cloned and forced back into the fight after his death.

as an aside, clone baby guardian arc is possibly the BEST in sb94 - it's about bodily autonomy and the humanity and personhood of clones, and the dignity that should be afforded to all people vs the way waller & spence etc want to treat them as property and disposable, reusable weapons.

so i think overall tim and the rest of yj talking about that situation like this... well, those plot threads overall got dropped in the general aftermath of owaw, but it feels like a real missing scene to me. because realistically, given everything kon stands for and everything he went through for baby guardian's sake, to give him the right to choose, i think tim and the others all talking about it like "it's the government so they must be right" would not sit well with kon. (and frankly, would be a pretty solid in-universe reason for kon to further mistrust their orders re: rescuing the suicide squad members, leading up to him disobeying and trying to save steel.)

owaw is arguably the most serious conflict anyone in yj has been involved in up to this point (kon and bart were both present for genesis, but genesis wasn't... Like This, imo. kon was also involved at the destruction of coast city, but this is kind of a tangent.) my point is, up until this point, they are all kinda operating under the assumption that the government is generally on the side of the good guys. this is partly bc of how comics are written, of course, but also makes sense as an in-universe stance for most young heroes to take; tim in particular is definitely a lawful good, and at this point he doesn't understand that his personal rules don't always 100% line up with what the greater authority of The Government dictates.

kon is a contrast to this, because kon does not have the whole "grew up with a family as a part of normal society" backstory like tim and cassie do. kon's involvement with cadmus, a government-funded organization, generally is written such that cadmus are good, except that the closer we get to owaw, the more questionable their intent seems. we see the agenda and their push for eugenics. we see guardian being treated as a tool and not a person. we see waller taking over.

anyways, all of this is kind of to say - i think it's a real shame we don't actually see a big conversation between tim and kon in the aftermath of this. i want to SEE tim get that first real big crack in his worldview that makes him start to think that huh. maybe if lying to small time authority figures for the sake of doing good, like me lying to my dad about being robin, is justified... then maybe directly disobeying the law in the name of doing good is also justified. like, i want kon to look him in the eye and ask "do you think i'm government property, too, then, jackass?" and i want tim to have to really sit back and think on it. i wanna see that character development.

because like - it is a flawed viewpoint, that tim and the rest of yj were written to treat kon trying to free a baby like this. but it's also not an unrealistic one when they're all teenagers who haven't really necessarily had to face moral quandaries of "what's right vs what's lawful" with such high stakes before. i wish this plot had actually gone more places with everyone.

[sxcret-garden]

ღ Ateez Mingi x fem-bodied!reader ღ words: ~1k ღ genre: smut (dom!Mingi, semi-public (they fuck backstage), oral (idol receiving), unprotected sex) ღ warnings: none ღ prompt: "Say my name."

Author's note: As you can probably tell, this was totally not inspired by Chella Mingi....

You're anxiously awaiting the end of the performance, watching each of their movements from backstage and having your eyes glued to one of the guys in particular. You don't know why you still get so nervous whenever they're on stage - by now you've been with them long enough to know they'll do well, and even more than that. They'll do amazing.

Today as well the crowd cheers loudly, and you can see exhausted but content smiles on their faces as they come off stage one by one. And then there's him. His shirt open, the writing on his chest still flawless despite the pearls of sweat dripping down his skin. And the expression on his face is different.

Mingi smirks at you when he approaches you, one corner of his mouth raised up higher than the other, and then he licks his lips, hungrily, the excess adrenaline from the performance still coursing through his veins - you can tell he needs an outlet, just like he always does. Wordlessly, you turn around and you walk towards one of the empty rooms backstage, closely followed by him, and the way he's breathing down your neck like a starving animal is only fuelling the excitement deep inside of you. The door is shut behind you, you don't know if he locked up but you sure didn't, and in the same moment he already has his lips attached to your neck, arms thrown around you and you can feel him digging his fingertips into your flesh. Your hand ends up placed on his stomach, you can feel it rising and sinking along with his still heavy breaths whenever his lips leave your nape for a second, and then suddenly he pulls away.

"I want you." He says it matter-of-factly, and yet his words burn like fire. You gulp. Mingi leans against the wall behind him, there's not much space in the room, merely a small table and some chairs, and with a look to the ground he signals to you where he wants you. You earn yourself a hum of approval as you drop down on your knees and you start by unbuckling his belt, soon having made way for his cock to spring free. "Suck me off," he orders, like he still has to tell you at this point, and as you peer up at his face and at the way he's devouring the sight in front of him, you get to work.

You know better than to tease him in this state, and yet you just can't help it. Swirling your tongue around his tip once, you withdraw, shoot him a cheeky glance, go back in for a few chaste licks that could not possibly be satisfying in any way.

"Hey," Mingi warns you, and the dark look in his eyes makes you shudder. You don't get to see him like this often, and it surprises you time and time again how much he affects you when he gets like this - demanding. With his large hand placed on top of your head as a warning, he doesn't need a single word to make you do what he wants you to. You take him into your mouth, and you start to slowly bob your head up and down, your hand at his base moving along with it. As always, it takes you a few repetitions to get used to his size, and he grants you that short amount of time, and soon enough you have him hitting the back of your mouth repeatedly as you suck him off, and everytime you gag a bit, a moan falls from his lips.

"Fuck," he curses loudly, seemingly not concerned about whether someone could hear you two from outside of the room. He throws his head back when a strained groan escapes him, and then suddenly, he pushes you away, making you almost tumble over and land on your ass. With urgency behind his actions, Mingi pulls you up to your feet, and when your eyes catch sight of the small table he's steering you towards, you unbutton your own pants. You bend over the tabletop, both your and his hands tearing at your clothes until your core is uncovered enough, and when his tip impatiently prods at your entrance, Mingi hisses another curse.

"Shit, you're that wet just from having my dick in your mouth?" You whine at his words and at the way he's teasing your folds, arching your back prettily in hopes he'd hurry up and fill up your aching cunt already. The rush of adrenaline sure took over you too, and when he pushes up inside you, you groan at the stretch. He holds still so you could adjust to him, but soon enough his patience runs out, and he grips onto your hips when he starts fucking into you at a relentless pace. Blood rushes to your head as the pain of his nails clawing at your flesh mixes with the pleasure of the way he hits that perfect spot inside of you over and over again, and already you know it's gonna take him a ridiculously short amount of time to have you falling apart under his touch.

"Say my name," Mingi growls behind you, and as your head starts to spin, you do as told.

"M-mingi..." you mewl. "Mingi, please... f-feels so good, Mingi..." You begin to stutter along with his hips, and you know he isn't going to last long anymore either.

"Fuck, babe, that's right..."

"M-mingi..." you hiccup, your voice higher with each time you repeat his name, while his only seems to be getting deeper.

"Fuck..." he growls, and as your high crashes down on you, making your legs shake while your walls contract around his thick cock, he's thrown over the edge too. The warm feeling of him releasing inside of you has you moaning his name once again, and then finally his movements cease, and he lets you catch your breath for a few seconds before helping you up.

"Shit, you're perfect," Mingi mumbles as he can't but pull you into a soothing embrace, his fingertips running down your body once - it's his way of checking that you're okay. 

"You too..." you answer, and it probably comes out slurred, as you have yet to fully recover from your high.

[whencyclopedia]

Draco's Law Code

Draco was an aristocrat who in 7th century BCE Athens was handed the task of composing a new body of laws. We have no particular clues concerning his life and general biography and the only certainty is that, as an aristocrat and an educated man, he was in the right place at the right time in order to take his opportunity and legislate. During the infancy of the Athenian legal system Draco composed the city's first written law code with the aim of reducing arbitrary decisions of punishment and blood feuds between parties. Ultimately, though, the laws aided and legitimized the political power of the aristocracy and allowed them to consolidate their control of the land and poor. Famously harsh, the laws were ultimately replaced by Solon in 594 BCE.

Historical Background

Αfter the creation of city- states (πόλις - κράτος, polis - kratos) in Greece, around the 8th Century BCE, sovereigns in major cities like Athens started losing power. The king, in order to maintain power and safety in his city started sharing the land with various noblemen, that in the first place, had been members of his council of war. Later, these noblemen created the hoplite phalanx (οπλιτική φάλαγγα, oplitiki falagga). The phalanx was not only a military group of men but gradually shaped into a political body and eventually gained power from the King. Thus, an aristocracy was born. In Athens, the aristocrats controlled the land and they had most of the privileges, the political rights, and, of course, the money in the polis. The law was held by them and was only written for their own purposes and from their own perspective. Most Athenians had to live in relative poverty and under this regime simple workmen and farmers had no choice but to be ruled by the aristocrats. Gradually the Athenians found themselves in a city where very few held political power, money, land and, most importantly, control of the (unwritten) law.

Justice has not always been dispensed by judges operating under a written or common law equally applicable to all. In early Athens, justice was not a matter of applying a written standard to any situation or dispute. There were no explicitly written sentencing guides or judicial precedents on which to call. Rather, the victims themselves were responsible for exacting retribution or compensation for any crime. If the victim was dead, the family was left to take revenge or seek compensation. These blood feuds could last for generations as families sought to avenge a loss, rarely admitting fault and always seeking absolution. (Salowey & Northen Magill).

Continue reading...

[gauloiseblue]

Every Day, You'll Hear Me Say

(Kyle Garrick × Reader)

[Fluff | No Warnings Apply]

On the day of their marriage, when the newlyweds were asked about how they met, their stories would be touching. Some loves bloomed at the first sight, some had existed long before they even realized it.

Yours, however, began with a comedic story.

It was early in the morning on Thursday, just one day after you moved to the new place. You were exhausted from all the cleaning and moving boxes, and you'd sleep the whole day if not for your growling belly. You couldn't possibly go too far, so you settle with the sandwich bar near your apartment.

You didn't pay that much attention to your surroundings, moreover to the other customer beside you. So when you heard your name being called, you grabbed the order without looking. It's not until you took a bite that you noticed the mistake.

"I didn't order this." You told the staff, and she furrowed her brows.

"You're Reese, right?"

You nodded.

She looked just as confused as you, before the other staff came and flusteredly explained the situation.

"I'm sorry, we got your order mixed up with the man here. His name is also Reese."

You turned your head to the side, and saw the man she referred to. There was a trace of surprise in his face, but it's been replaced with amusement, for an obvious reason.

You felt your face heated up, as you covered your mouth.

"Oh my God." You stuttered, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know—"

"It's alright, you look starving." He chuckled, before he reassured the staff when they apologized.

"Let me buy you a new one."

"No, it's really ok." He smiled, "My treat."

You tried to pay him back, but you ended up with two sandwiches. And one drink.

At the table, you apologized to him once again, but he shrugged it off.

"Don't worry about it, it's just a small thing." He told you, "You should worry about yourself, you look like you could faint at any time."

You rubbed your neck as you looked away, "I haven't slept since I moved here, so…"

"No wonder you look unfamiliar." He said, "So, your name's Reese?"

"No, that's my Starbucks name." You sheepishly smiled, "I assume yours is Reese?"

"No." He softly laughed, "It's also my Starbucks name."

"Really?" You said in surprise, "It's not Reese?"

He shook his head. "Why? Does the name suit me?"

"Kind of." You replied, "You look rather sweet."

You slapped your hand on your mouth as you realized what you just said.

"No, I mean—it’s not like that—I didn't mean it that way or whatever—" You groaned, "This is embarrassing."

"That's alright, I used that name for that reason.” He said, “My friend once did an experiment by asking strangers if I looked like Reese or my real name, and most of them answered Reese." He grinned as he quipped, "One of them even told me that he wanted to “eat me up” because I reminded him of Reese's."

"What," Your eyes widened at his story, before you burst into laughter, "Wait, did someone really say that?"

"Why would I lie?" He smirked as he took a sip of his drink, "What about you? Why did you use that name?"

You scratched your cheek, "It's for a boring reason, really."

"Tell me anyway."

Just like that, your story began with a simple talk.

You'd laugh whenever it’s being retold—either by you or by him. Because your version was different from his, and both of them were amusing. For you, it was an embarrassing day. But for him, it was the best day of his life. You’d kick him under the table for saying such cheesy things, yet a wide grin would betray you as you scold him.

Of course, it’s not the only story worth telling, since it’s just the beginning.

The next story is much less interesting, but memorable still.

On a particular morning, you bumped into him in the hallway. He's in his sportswear, with sweats still forming on his forehead. He had a thin hoodie on him, and kept his hands inside the pocket. You wouldn't look at him twice if the bump in his pouch wasn't bean shaped.

It didn't take long before his pocket whined, which, that itself was impossible. Unless something else was inside that pouch.

"I, uh—I have to go." He quickly fumbled, "See ya around."

"Wait—"

Before you could stop him, he already disappeared behind his door. Leaving you in the hallway, dumbfounded.

Though it didn't take long for you to figure out what it was. Since the smuggled item was quite vocal.

A few days later, as you took a shower, you heard a high-pitched howl from next-door. Along with the lecture from your neighbor.

"I wouldn't do this if you didn't roll in the dirt, Lou."

A loud protest soon followed, as well as a splash.

"Alright." You could hear him sigh, "I'll give you a treat after this, yeah? How's that sound?"

From that moment, the fuss slowly died down, as gentle coos replaced the argument.

"Good girl."

You quietly chuckled, as you washed off the remaining bubbles. While you reached out to grab the towel, the thought of treats came up to your mind.

Maybe the pup would love blueberries.

The next day, when you made your way to your door, you slipped a bag onto his door handle, with a sticky note attached to it.

You could remember exactly what was written in it, but you received the reply not long after. "Thank you for the gift." He told you, as you both retrieved letters from the mailbox, "She likes it very much."

You raised a brow at him, before you caught the context.

"Oh." You muttered out before you smiled, "I'm glad to hear it."

You both stared at each other, and would continue to do so if he didn't chance it.

"Do you want to meet her?"

The question rolled out with a slight tremble, as if he's both eager and hesitant about it. You studied him for a moment, before deciding on the answer.

"Yes," You said, "If you don't mind."

Which seemed to hit the mark, since his doubts were quick to disappear.

You couldn't get why he was unsure at the beginning, but you later found out that pets weren't allowed in the buildings.

The little pup is a mixed breed, with dark eyes and 4-colored furs. She wagged her tail when she saw you, and he had to scooped her up to quiet her down.

As you both settled back, he told you the story of how he found her, while you played with the pup.

“When I saw her on the side of the road, I knew something was off. She was too young to be left alone, and even if she was left unattended, she wouldn’t have strayed too far from the rest.” He said as he scratched her ear, “My only guess is that she’s left there by her previous owner, for whatever reason.”

“That’s so cruel.” You frowned, “Why couldn’t they put her into adoption or something?”

“I don’t know.” He shrugged, “But I suspected she came from an illegal farm, which means she had no birth certificate.” He explained, “Most adoption centers won't accept dogs from unknown sources, and sending them to the shelter would be a lot of work, since you’d have to write the admissions.”

“So they just threw her away?”

“Maybe. But I wouldn’t think about it too much. It already happened, and there’s nothing I could do to change it.” He chuckled when she started nibbling his thumb, “Besides, it’s more important for me to give her home. That’s the least I can do for her.”

You looked at him as you quietly observed how he stroked her cheek. If he’s the one who cared for her, then there's no doubt she’s found her home.

There’s a saying that a simple gesture could mirror someone’s heart, and it’s not hard to see when it comes to him. At that time, you couldn’t explain why you had the urge to help him, all you knew was you wanted to. At least for Lou.

Negotiating wasn’t your forte, but after many bribes and sweet talks, you managed to convince the landlord to allow him to keep the pup. You arrived at his door right after you got the written permission, in which you showed him with a proud grin.

“You don’t have to play hide and seek anymore.” You told him, “You have the permit.”

He read the letter carefully, before he turned to you, wide-eyed.

“How did you get this?”

“Pure luck, I guess.” You scratched your cheek.

“Come on, you expect me to believe it?” He chuckled, “How am I gonna repay you for this.”

“You don’t have to.” You added when he’s about to protest, “Think of it as my way to return the favor.”

“Still, it’s too much.” He muttered, “Let me buy you dinner.”

The automatic response that you thought was to refuse him, but something stopped you from doing it. You stared at him in silence, with your mind running miles an hour.

“Please?”

It’s still curious how a single word could slap some sense into you. Because at that very moment, you understood your own feelings.

Oh, You thought. That’s why.

Without further knock-back, you accepted his offer.

The details of what happened during that night are fuzzy in your memory, since your head was swarmed with the thought of him. But you remember walking into your room, with a slip of paper and a loud heartbeat on your hand.

It wasn't hard to see how you'd struggle with a simple message that night. But it all paid off the moment his reply popped out.

Since that day, texting him would be a part of your routine. Whether it's a long conversation, or simply a good morning. Sometimes he asked you to keep him company on the evening walk, sometimes he asked you whether you're up for dinner. On weekends, you'd join him in the park—where Lou could run freely. He'd bring the sandwiches from the bistro, and you'd giggle when you read the name 'Reese' on the wrap.

Months would pass, and all the moments you shared would come to a pause.

It was 9:34 PM when you heard a knock on your door. You smiled as you thought of the suspect, and while you got it right, the mood that's reflected on his face was far from what you expected.

"What's wrong?" You asked.

It took a moment for him before he uttered a few words.

"I need your help."

It was a simple request, take care of Lou, but the way he said it was dreadful. As if he'd be gone for long.

"I can't take her to the dog care because I have to leave now. You can drop her off tomorrow, but please, keep her for tonight." He told you, "Here's my spare key, you can find whatever you need for Lou. I've put the money on the table, you can use it for her daycare."

"Where are you going?" You frowned, "When will you be back?"

"Airport." He looked away, "Got a call from my boss, saying it's urgent. I don't know when I'll be back, it can take a month or so." He shook his head, "If I don't come back… No, forget it. I'll leave it to you."

That night, you could only watch him as the elevator door slowly closed. Despite the haste in his steps, his face didn't mirror the same eagerness.

When you entered his place, you found Lou on the tousled cover. She curled up by the empty space, where the owner was supposed to be. For a moment, you thought of moving her to your room. But you decided against it.

You spent the night on the couch, reading the message he left on the table. He had given you an address to the pet care, along with the money he mentioned. It's still puzzling how he could entrust everything to you—so easily, that you could take it for granted.

You turned your head to the bedroom, where the pup slept soundly on his bed. She had no clue that he had left, and you doubted that she's prepared for it. And if you took her to the care, would she understand it? Would she know that it's only for temporary?

With your fist tightened, you chose to let her stay.

It's not for a noble reason, rather, you couldn't bring yourself to leave her in an unfamiliar place. You scolded yourself for being sentimental, but you’ve been with her long enough that you’ve grown fond of her. One month shouldn’t be long, you could handle it just fine.

And it’s true. One month wouldn’t be a problem for you. Alas, he didn’t come back on the supposed day. The marked number on your calendar had been crossed, and still, no news from him. The messages you wrote were sent, but never received. You’d stare at his profile, as you read the word ‘OFF’ on the status.

Each day, you worry would grow as you glanced at the date. What if something had happened to him? And if he doesn't come back, what would become of Lou?

As you turned your calendar page, you felt the apprehension when you saw the month. Twelve more days, and it’d be exactly three months after he left.

The pup sensed it too, as she whined whenever she passed his door. You tried to overlook her cry, until you couldn’t. You retrieved the spare key from your safe, and headed over to his place.

The room was still the same as you left before, though it felt a little bit colder. You brought the pup down and closed the door behind.

Lou dashed to his room with a wagged tail, as she followed the lingering scent of him. You followed her behind, and stopped on your track the moment you saw her pawing at his wardrobe.

“You shouldn’t open that, Lou.” You stated as you lifted her up, “It’s impolite.”

She writhed around in your hold, before letting out a low whine.

“I know.” You murmured, “I miss him too.”

You plumped down on the sofa, before you rested your head on the arm pillow. The scent of him still lingered on the fabric, and you curled up against it. Lou snuggled closer to you, as she slipped under your arm. You smiled when she began to yawn, you glanced at the clock and caught the arms in the shape of a tilted V.

It’s almost midnight, and you should’ve gone back to your room. But something tempted you to stay, lulling you to rest. To close your eyes, even for a moment. Like clockwork, you slipped into nothingness when you gave in.

At this point, with all the past tense that you’ve used, it shouldn’t be a surprise when the story will come to an end. As cliché as it might sound, he really did come back that night. Although much later, near the dawn.

When you rose up from your sleep, you felt the weight on your body that wasn’t present before. You tried to shift away from it, but it seemed to be on top of you. When you peeked through your lashes, a mass of grey came into your view.

You leaped from the couch as you recognized the cover. It was a blanket, and you’re one-hundred percent sure that you last saw it in his bedroom.

“Good morning.”

Until now, nothing could beat the speed of your stare as you snapped your head towards him.

He was standing by the table in comfortable sweats, with Lou nestled in his arms. There were plates on the table, and you were hit by the delectable smell of food.

“Are you hungry?” He put a metal plate down, before lowering her to the ground.

Still dazed, you ended up answering with another question. “When—” You gulped, “Since when did you come back?”

He turned to the clock, then back to you, “2 hours ago.”

“Oh.” you rubbed your face, and brushed your hair to the back. “Um, sorry I didn’t hear you.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

He offered you a glass of water, and you took it while you murmured a small thanks.

“You didn’t take her to the pet care.”

You lowered the glass after a few gulps. “Um.” You scratched your neck, “I felt bad leaving her by herself, so I took her with me. Besides, you didn’t tell me how long you’d be away.” You muttered the last part.

He chuckled when he caught it. “I’m sorry, I should’ve informed you beforehand.”

The two of you exchanged a look, which you couldn’t look away from. The heat started to rise, as it painted your cheeks in red. There’s something between you and him, something vague but palpable at the same time—

“Thank you.”

You blinked, as the thick air dissipated from you.

“For taking care of her.” He added, “I owe you one."

At that time, you didn't quite catch the underlying meaning of his words. Only years after that—as you laid beside him, with a new ring on your finger—you finally found the answer.

"You told me that the day you realized you like me was the day I gave you my number." He started, as he stroked your cheek tenderly, "And when you asked me the same question, I said I've loved you ever since you took my sandwich. But I only realized it the moment I came home to you sleeping. I was beyond exhausted that day, both physical and mentally. I thought I'd collapse when I came back, but as I walked through the door, all my tiredness just disappeared. In my mind, I was expecting to see an empty home. So you can imagine how surprised I was when I saw you there.

"You might not know it, but your presence means so much to me. I wasn't brave enough to say thank you, for being there for me, so I said whatever's appropriate at that time. But in my heart I knew; you're the one I'm gonna marry."

[rachelsfav-queer]

There’s one particular mischaracterization of Wednesday and Enid that just really annoys me and that’s the whole “Gomez-ification of Wednesday Addams” trope. Cause it just clearly doesn’t fit their relationship?

Okay first, obviously Wednesday would gladly both kill and die for Enid. And she’d sooner die than break Enid’s heart. Obvious Gomez traits.

But I think that Enid fits the role of Gomez so much better. And there’s plenty of evidence to prove this in the show, but one particular example I think shows it better than any. And that’s of course the scene where Enid wolfs out to save Wednesday. Let’s break it down, shall we? So first we have Enid and Ajax making out 🤮 (and btw, Wednesday would absolutely love for Enid to wolf out on her in the middle of making out, just saying) and Eugene calls, suspecting something may be wrong. Now at that particular point, they don’t necessarily know that Wednesday is in certain danger. And yet, Enid is already willing to forget kissing Ajax, her boyfriend, in order to make sure Wednesday is safe.

THEN! Thing comes in and confirms that Wednesday is in real, life-threatening danger. And after meeting with the Nightshades, Enid fully abandons Ajax to go out on her own, with no backup beyond a disembodied hand (no offense, Thing) and no weapons beyond her claws and no idea she would actually wolf out. And then, she does wolf out, for the very first time, purely because Wednesday is in danger and she needs to save her. Now THAT! is Gomez Addams behavior and you cannot convince me otherwise.

(And don’t even get me started on the proud puppy face she had when she looked back at Wednesday. If she could talk in that moment, she’d be rambling, asking Wednesday if she could see that she wolfed out. And it would’ve been adorable, okay?)

So in reality, both Wednesday and Enid have tons of Gomez traits, but Enid is far more Gomez-like in how she acts. Enid would totally dote on and be obsessed with Wednesday in much more Gomez-like ways.

[dorkydegeneracy]

7x10 thoughts

This episode did not scream season finale to me (7x09 definitely delivered in this aspect. Very GOT like) but I found the episode to be good. Had we not nailed the theories and had the spoilers along the way it would have been much more satisfying, but I'm a sucker for spoilers so... I can't complain. Here are some key thoughts about some of what happened this episode, at least about stuff that I want to talk about! In no particular order...

I found Tommy to be repulsive this episode. And I don't have a problem with Tommy (I mean obviously Buddie is endgame, but we can dabble in this BuckxTommy era) but the writers yet again put blatant signs that this relationship will reach it's end soon. There is no way it lasts through the first half of season 8.

Ryan Guzman DELIVERED when it mattered the most this episode. NGL, some of his big dramatic scenes can be a bit cringe to me (him explaining the Kim situation to Buck, his Kim/Shannon soliloquy) but honestly this whole situation is cringe so I can overlook it. But the more heartfelt, emotional stuff where the drama is down and Eddie is just gutted is Ryan's bread and butter!!!! Him saying bye to Chris and letting him know he loves him! 😘 His parents telling him that Chris wants to go with them to Texas! 😘 It's gut wrenching but this sets up for a great Eddie storyline in season 8!

This should really be 2.5 but I absolutely loved Ramon in this episode! The change in his and Eddie's relationship has come full circle and when Eddie struggles to come to terms with the bed that he made, his father is the person who convinced him that this is the right thing to do. And he managed to do it with this brash quippy honesty that I love. "Father's are human. Son's don't always handle this news well." "Your son is trying to tell you what he needs. Don't wait 30 years before you listen. You'll regret it." GOD this kitchen table scene was SOOO GOOD! Like top scene in the whole series good! I ate this shit up.

That Mara work around is going to work well, I am just still upset that Hen and Karen can't complete their family. It hurts, but I guess that's what Tim wants me to feel so...

Buddie is far from over. Y'all were grasping on straws if you really expected much more than what we got. And truly we got sooo much! The parallels! Buck being THE definition of a co-parent. Literally only Buck could have had the conversation that he had with Chris. Eddie was absolutely relying on Buck and Buck continues to be Eddie's person. I am eating it up and so should y'all! I'm smelling realizations in season 8 and I cannot wait!

I feel pretty much the same as everyone else about the rest of what happened. Overall, I think season 7 was VERY GOOD! Yes the season was definitely affected by the last minute writing and filming, but I think that the storylines that developed over the course of this season were compelling, interesting, different, and leave us with a great place to continue to tell the story of the 118 in season 8!

I'm pretty full. Hbu?

[altruistic-meme]

Young Royals Fic Rec List

hello!! it’s been a while since i’ve done a rec list and this is my first one for yr and im very excited to share!! i know several of these are some of the more well-known fics in the fandom but hey, if there’s someone who hasn’t heard of them then i’d be glad to help direct people there!

i tagged as many of the authors as i could, but there were some who’s tumblrs i couldn’t find so if you know any of the ones im missing, let me know and i’ll add them!!

this got infinitely longer than i meant it to, so it’s going under a read more. please enjoy <3

One-Shots

Simon Eriksson: Just Some Guy From Biology by fandom_commitment_issues @zee-has-commitment-issues (5k, oneshot, general audiences)

The girls in Simon's biology class are obsessed with Wilhelm, but they seem to have no idea that Simon is dating him. If he finds himself in a study group with them... well, he's only having fun. There's no harm in that.

or

Simon is a little shit, but it's a whole lot of fun.

[absolutely the funniest thing ever. There is a sequel and it’s the BEST]

The Thing In The Mirror by fandom_commitment_issues @zee-has-commitment-issues (3k, oneshot, general audiences)

Wilhelm stares at himself in the mirror on the morning of his twenty-second birthday and fights every thought that comes into his head in a losing war. None of them are particularly helpful. None of them make him feel good. He’s pretty damn sure nothing would. Not at this point. They collect in his head and tighten his throat and make him feel sick.

-

-

-

Wilhelm turns twenty-two.

[#1 on fics that made me cry and have a crisis. 10/10 spent an entire shift at work thinking about this fic specifically]

summer feelin’ by willesworld (romanticalrj) @willesworld (2k, oneshot, general audiences)

If Wille were to summarise his entire life in one word it would be disaster.

His hair is crusty and sticking to his face from the pool water Erik just dunked him in, and he’s sunburned and peeling and fucking red as a tomato, and he’s a disaster.

Because there is a boy sitting on the edge of the pool. The sun is beating down on Wille’s freckled (red) shoulders and the sky is blue and his mother is glaring at him from over her sunglasses, and there is a boy sitting on the edge of the pool.

 Or: The all too relatable moment when you fall in love with a beautiful stranger that you will never see again while you’re on vacation.

[incredibly soft and silly, absolutely can relate]

bloom where you are planted by cloudymilk @cloudywilmon (13k, oneshot, teen and up audiences)

Hi Wille, I hope you’re doing well!

I hope you don’t mind but I saw sometimes you give plant advice and I think I might have killed mine

- OR -

Wille is a plant boy, Simon has a black thumb. They both run semi-popular Instas.

*Update: Now with art! (Ch. 2)*

[i need about 10 million more fics like this]

Second Chances by embracedthevoid @ungaroyals (9k, oneshot, explicit)

Wilhelm and Simon don't like each other, everyone knows that. Their ongoing feud has basically turned into one big inside joke amongst their friends. The catch? No one knows that Simon and Wilhelm hooked up in their first year, where Simon ditched the next morning without so much as a note. Three years later the boys still hate each other, secretly harbouring their true feelings about a night they pretend never happened. While at Madison's start-of-term party meant to kick off the gangs last year of university, Wilhelm and Simon are chosen to play Seven Minutes in Heaven, but things don't go according to plan.

[👀 absolutely was waiting for this after s2]

Crown Prince Wilhelm’s Facts Sheet by Piebingo @piebingo (1k, oneshot, teen and up audiences)

“What’s this?” Simon asked.

“What’s what?”

“Crown Prince Wilhelm’s facts sheet,” Simon read, a stack of paper in his hands.

“Oh, it’s just the list of facts about me. I need to learn it by heart before the next set of interviews.”

“You need to learn facts about yourself?” Simon asked confusedly.

“Well, they’re not facts about Wille, they’re facts about Crown Prince Wilhelm.”

***

Simon finds Wille's facts sheet about himself. Or rather about Crown Prince Wilhelm. They play a little game for Wille to learn the facts.

[just incredibly fluffy. in love with this]

Multi-chap on-going

heavy is the head by oforamuse @prncewilhelm (63k, incomplete, general audiences)

At 8 years old, Wilhelm and Simon are inseparable. When Simon abruptly stops showing up to play, Wilhelm just wants his best friend back.

At 16, Wilhelm is sent to Hillerska to find himself and instead finds Simon—but Simon wants nothing to do with him.

 a childhood best friends to strangers to somewhat enemies to lovers au.

[this has changed me as a person. i cannot explain. you HAVE to read this fic istg]

finding home by Elin98 @ishotforthestars (12k, incomplete, general audiences)

Simon's about to close the magazine, throw it in the bin, when a headline catches his attention.

WHERE IS WILHELM?

The words curl their way inside his chest, bounce around in there along with the familiar ache. Wilhelm. He hasn’t thought about him in a while. Has tried to keep himself busy, his mind on other topics. Where Wilhelm is? Simon doesn’t know. Wishes he did.

Two years ago Wilhelm disappeared. Leaving behind a title of Crown Prince, a family in shambles and a tentative friendship built with a boy he used to love. No one has heard from him since.

What Simon doesn't know is that Wille might be closer than he could ever imagine.

[so sad :( i have so many feelings about this story]

dancing with our hands tied by embracedthevoid @ungaroyals (21k, incomplete, explicit)

Prince Wilhelm hates dancing, but he absolutely loathes ballroom dancing. And he's spent his entire adolescent life avoiding it at all costs, something that's become increasingly hard to do when his mother assigns him a tutor in hopes of shaping him into the perfect suitor. Claiming the key to finding a wife and securing the royal line is ballroom dancing. All Wilhelm needs to do is complete his classes, then he'll be free from the hell his mother is determined to put him through. A task that seems tolerable... until it isn't.

or...

Kristina hires Wilhelm a dance tutor in hopes that with a little more skill on the dance floor he'll find a wife. But she and Wille get more than they bargained for once Simon enters the picture. Basically, Simon's hot when he dances and Wille struggles to keep his hands to himself.

[i absolutely love this concept and the execution?? OUTSTANDING]

Like Because, Love Despite by cali-chan (girls_are_weird) @girls-are-weird (61k, incomplete, teen and up audiences)

Simon let out a huff. "For our plan! Remember? To get Englund and August to do business together so we can get them to cut us some slack?"

Wille frowned, confused. "Wait, I thought that was a joke."

"It was," Simon conceded. But then he leaned closer, conspiratorially, and lowered his voice, making Wille's traitor heart start nearly beating its way out of his chest. "But... what if it wasn't?" he asked, pronouncing the words very slowly.

Wilhelm and Simon are a pair of overworked, underpaid assistants who team up to gain their supervisors' favor by bringing them together for a joint venture. It might be the best worst idea they've ever had. PG-13, Set It Up AU, Wille/Simon, romance/fluff/slight drama.

[i love silly rom-coms. i love this. it’s just so !!!!!!!]

Completed

Can I Take Your Order? by littlefandom @little-fandom (207k, complete, mature)

“Okay,” the boy retorts, still eyeing him a bit curiously “can I take your order then, Wille?”

Wilhelm feels the blush on his cheeks deepen upon hearing his name on the boy’s lips. He can’t seem to find his voice again, his mind going blank. Felice did him what she wanted to order, right?

The waiter must have noticed he’s struggling but he only smiles a little, almost like he’s holding back a chuckle. Which does not help Wilhelm, because if his neutral, slightly tired expression was attractive before, now he’s just… wow, Wille’s brain shuts down again."

Wilhelm and Simon meet at the pizzeria in Bjärstad.

[words cant express how obsessed i am with this fic. currently rereading it and dying all over again. also one of the first fics i ever read for the fandom and WHAT an introduction!!]

The Full Prom Experience by littlefandom @little-fandom (18k, complete, teen and up audiences)

"Being a prince, he tends to forget about the normal parts of life sometimes.

So the perspective of prom seems… nice? Normal. Something he’d like to experience. Especially with his amazing boyfriend by his side"

The senior year prom at Hillerska is approaching and Wille finds himself more excited about it than he thought he'd be. Unlike Simon, who remains indifferent to this whole thing. But Wille knows his boyfriend deserves the best, so he settles on giving Simon the full prom experience... he just may not be sure what exactly it includes yet.

[this makes me wish i had ever had a date to prom ;;; also just so cute, let our boys have normal teen experiences please]

The Boy and the Bartender by Spidaya @simons-purplehoodie (82k, complete, mature)

Simon is a bartender at a local bar with a sunny smile and confident attitude that hide the darker side of his life he wishes to keep hidden. Wilhelm, the prince of Sweden, is a lonely boy with too much love to give and not getting much love in return.

After they meet at a bar in not the most Prince-Charming way, their hearts are forever intertwined with each other, but not before going through the hurt, trials, and love that come with both of their lives.

[yES i love this. the writing is just aaaaaaaa]

the sound of our hearts by littlefandom, Spidaya @little-fandom, @simons-purplehoodie (93k, complete, teen and up audiences)

“What if we don’t have any shared experience that we can use?” Wilhelm asks. Simon’s only reply is a tired sigh. “That’s why you should just write the lyrics and I should do the music.” He states again and it makes Simon see red.

“We talked about this,” he says, forcing on a calm tone “a song is something whole. Also, do you really think I wouldn’t want to have any say in the music to our song?”

Saying our song makes his skin crawl.”

Wilhelm, piano prodigy and son of the owners of Royal Records. Simon, an aspiring performer with big dreams. The best and brightest students of the Royal College of Music competing for the same scholarship of a lifetime. When they get paired together to write a song that is crucial for the scholarship run, both of them are ready to do whatever it takes to make it perfect. The problem? They can’t stand each other.

[misunderstanding enemies to lovers my beloved]

did you see the love in my eyes, oh were you gazing through this disguise? By millie_cheesesteak @tooindecisivetopickaurl (67k, complete, mature)

“What if you pretended to date someone else to show Victor you’ve moved on?”

Simon considers this for a moment, then shakes his head. “Who would agree to that? I’m not exactly known for my social standing here. The only people I hang out with are you and Sara and her friends, who are all girls.”

“So I’ll do it then,” Wille offers, like that should’ve been obvious. Simon’s his best friend, and he’s upset. This seems like a no-brainer to him.

 (aka the fake dating/roommates AU you never knew you needed)

[100% needed it and i love it]

home is where I want to be (but I guess I’m already there) by millie_cheesesteak @tooindecisivetopickaurl (19k, complete, mature)

Wille knows that being in Madison is supposed to be a punishment for his “unseemly” recent behavior; he knew that there was never a chance that he was going to enjoy any part of being marooned here. But as he lies on the frozen sidewalk, head throbbing and a warm weight on top of him, he has to admit that he didn’t expect it to feel so punishing so quickly.

[undercover wille is something i wasn’t expecting but fell in love with]

you and me, meant to be by makeamends (20k, complete, mature)

For clarification, he asks “Prince Wilhelm? Simon, did you just say you used to be in love with Prince Wilhelm?”

Simon doesn’t hesitate to answer.

“Oh yeah, I wanted to marry him and everything. I had one of his posters on my bedroom wall for like a year when I was 15, right before I started high school. I took it down before I started Hillerska, but I’m sure it’s still in some box somewhere. His hair is so shiny, have you ever noticed?” He asks, as if he’s not just upended Wilhelm’s entire existence.

He knows he shouldn’t let this continue, Simon’s drugged out of his mind and doesn’t know what he’s saying and none of it might even be true, so he responds with “Simon, you know that I’m Prince Wilhelm, right?”

 or: when Simon has to get one of his wisdom teeth removed, Wilhelm doesn't hesitate to offer his help. It definitely has nothing to do with the fact that he's been in love with Simon for years.

[so sad and so funny at the same time. brilliance]

guess this could be worse (walking out the door with your bags) by tobuildahome (24k, complete, teen and up audiences)

With fumbling hands, he quickly types into the site’s search bar, i love my homie but homie got a bf and i feel uncomfy what do i do help me?

His index finger hovers over the [enter] button, before he pauses, adding a pls at the end of the question.

Hey, he might potentially be a homophobe, but he has manners, okay?

(or; in which simon gets a boyfriend, and wilhelm is an idiot)

[Willhelm is so dumb here i love him so much]

Screwed by fandom_commiment_issues @zee-has-commitment-issues (174k, complete, teen and up audiences)

Erik lived, but things are still Royally screwed up.

 (beta reader appears at around the chapter 7 mark and it gets considerably better from there)

[if you haven’t read this Why Not. Go Read It Now.]

We Left Footprints When We Passed By by This_time_its_just_me (132k, complete, explicit)

Wilhelm broke Simon's heart twice.

He really should hate him considering everything he's done. Simon has tried for so long to push this thing out of him, sever this connection and burn it away. He's tried to rip it out of his heart until his fingers are bloody and his chest is open and raw. But it always finds a way to pull him back in. Wilhelm is a deep, vast ocean, and Simon is caught in his current. Caught in the swell of his inner storm. He is a planet in some dark expanse of galaxy and Simon is a moon trapped within his orbit. They continuously circle each other, again and again until one of them breaks. An endless cycle of wishful thinking that always ends the exact same way. Wilhelm turning his back and Simon left to pick up the pieces.

................................................................

It has been eight years since the video. Five years since Hillerska. Three years since Wilhelm disappeared from his life as quickly and as intensely as he had returned. Simon has done his best to move on from his past, but old ghosts are the hardest ones to exorcise.

(Written Pre-Season 2; The Cheating Fic as dubbed by Twitter)

[I Cannot Express The Many Levels In Which This Story Fucked Me Up. i literally think about it way too much]

“That’s my seat.” by YoungRydbergs (85k, complete, explicit)

"Oh, sorry, Prince Wilhelm," he said, "we have arranged seats."

Wille straightened again and looked around.

"Do you know where there is a free spot?" he asked, watching as the earlier empty seats started to fill up more and more as more people arrived.

"Yeah, the one on the fourth table over there," Alexander said and pointed at a table where both seats were still empty. "I think the chair by the wall is taken, but the other one should be free."

---

This is basically all of season 1 but with one small twist: Wille and Simon have to sit next to each other in class. Wille is still very much a prince, and Simon still hates the monarchy.

[ehhehe i love the smallest little changes and how much the effect the story]

arrhythmia by pysanky @pysankywrites-updates (75k, complete, mature)

“Do you have the patient file for 223?”

Simon rifled through his papers and found it, extending the file out toward Wilhelm, who took it but remained there, lingering. Madison and Simon both looked at him, waiting.

Wilhelm cleared his throat again, opening his mouth and closing it before opening it again, but then someone was calling for him and he was gone, shoes squeaking against the linoleum. Simon sighed when he looked around the edge of the station and realized that the other was wearing Crocs.

(or: in which Simon and Wilhelm work together as medical residents at the same hospital)

[wilmon as nurses is so shfkdhfs i never knew i needed it]

Fever Pitch by Scissorsandstone (101k, complete, explicit)

It's the Christmas Holidays and Simon can't seem to get into the festive spirit after what happened between him and Wilhelm a few weeks before. In fact, he's downright falling apart while trying to keep a brave face in front of his family. One night it all gets too much and he ends up revisiting an old haunt of Wille's and his and, unexpectedly, Simon is suddenly forced to confront his feelings head on

[this STORY man. its got a hold on my brain in the best way possible]

You feel like the perfect escape now (just like the sun on my face) by LoveIsGolden @sunshine-rudberg (51k, complete, mature)

“Then I guess we’re both going,” Simon concluded, although he sounded anything but pleased at the idea.

“What? Together?” Wilhelm asked, letting out a humourless laugh. “On their honeymoon?”

“I mean, from what I’ve seen about the honeymoon plans, they have booked a suite, a huge room. There are so many different activities offered and already paid for, we don’t even have to see each other except in passing,” Simon explained.

“Yeah, whatever,” Wilhelm agreed with a shrug. “But you better keep to your space, and I’ll keep to mine.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

 Or, when everyone – except Wilhelm and Simon – gets food poisoning at Erik's wedding, they decide to go on the non-refundable all-inclusive honeymoon to paradise together. The only problem is they hate each other – or at least they think they do.

[ABSOLUTE HALLMARK MOVIE VIBES meant in the most positive possible way]

you’re the cats meow by melsj98 @allthefakepeople (43k, complete, teen and up audiences)

Meet Simon. Simon, who is an animal-lover. Simon who works at his local shelter with his best friends Ayub and Rosh. Simon who loves what he does and takes pride in making the shelter a safe space. Simon, who wants to take care of his family while also juggling college classes, his job at the shelter, and his tentative music career. Simon who can’t afford any distractions right now and definitely is not looking for a relationship after his last few disastrous attempts.

Enter Wille. Wille who just wants to get through college without too many problems, Wille who only really has three true friends in his life, Erik, Felice and Maddie, anyone else who says otherwise is lying. Wille who got into a minor fight, the details of why aren’t important. Wille who has a semi famous family and whose face is now plastered across magazines labeling him as “jealous” and “violent” and “attention-seeking” and all these other labels that don’t represent him at all. Wille whose mother sends him to work at an animal shelter to “clean up his image”. Wille whose life begins to change the second his eyes fall on Simon.

[included in “fics that make me want to change my job” its just so cute]

I hate the way I don’t hate you. by embracedthevoid @ungaroyals (21k, complete, explicit)

"So, what do I have to do?" Simon concedes, knowing that neither boy will give it up before he at least pretends to play along with their weird cult-like boarding school traditions.

"You know Prince Wilhelm is arriving at the school next week?" August questions with a sly sort of smile that has Simon's skin crawling. "Well, it's simple really, we dare you to sleep with him by the end of the month."

_ _ _

or where Simon is a first-year boarding student at Forest Ridge, gaining himself a special sort of dare for his initiation. Sleep with the Prince of Sweden by the end of the month or suffer the consequences.

[this fic is so so so stuck in my brain]

the way you look at me by strummerjoe @strummerjoe (33k, complete, teen and up audiences)

After spending his whole life in Bjärstad, Simon is excited to go to university. He wants to embrace all aspects of student life and he's ready for anything.

Anything, except finding a disgruntled crown prince in his new bedroom.

[dumb university boys in love]

i hate accidents except when we went from friends to this by cloudymilk @cloudywilmon (59k, complete, explicit)

Simon is Wilhelm's best friend, so when he confesses that he's insecure about his lack of experience Wille offers to help him. After all, it's what any good friend would do, isn't it?

[what could possibly go wrong amirite? 👀]

[emily-mooon]

Did an album redraw of Neil as the cover for Get Ready by New Order

(Colour version ↓)

The original album cover for the curious cats

[moiraineswife]

Lan and Moiraine: "Door"

1x06 / 2x01 / 2x01

[bumblingbabooshka]

Janeway in 'Nothing Human' vs Tuvok in 'Resolutions' There's something here I know there is I can almost wrap my teeth around it.

[here-comes-the-moose]

I feel like Aziraphale would be the one to speak up and say that Crowley asked for no pickles.

[hephaestuscrew]

The most dramatic action that Minkowski takes towards Eiffel in the finale (sending him back in the Sol) is going against Eiffel's choices in an attempt to prevent him coming to harm. In contrast, the most dramatic action that Hera takes towards Eiffel in the finale (the memory-wipe) is causing him to come to harm in order to enact a choice that he's made.

In a sense, these actions are conceptual opposites. But they are both taken with love and respect for Eiffel. They are both extremely selfless actions which Minkowski and Hera find painful to take.

They are also both actions which could be considered to be harming Eiffel. Both of these actions involve doing something to Eiffel that Minkowski/Hera would hate to have done to them. And both of those actions are taken with the awareness that they are fairly likely to result in losing Eiffel in a sense (either because he's headed back to Earth while Minkowski is on the Hephaestus, or because he's losing part of what makes him him). That's part of what makes those acts painful and complicated and significant.

Minkowski and Hera both care about Eiffel so deeply, and their care often expresses itself in contrasting ways because they are very different people. The finale emphasises these different manifestations of their care. Love can be 'I will do whatever I can to keep you safe, even when that's not what you want'. Love can also be 'I will support the choices that you make to bring about our common goal, even when that causes you harm'. The way Minkowski's care for Eiffel manifests is tied up in her sense of responsibility for her crew's safety. The way Hera's care for Eiffel manifests is linked to how she's had to fight for her own autonomy.

Neither of their actions in the finale are perfect or typical expressions of love, but in their very different ways, they both act with love, and that's important to me.

[wickedcriminal]

🥔🥔🥔

The Great Potato Expedition happens late Riders of Berk when Little Fish and Big Tooth get vorpentitus! When Younger tries the Mission Impossible route and fails, Elder takes more drastic measures to get into the great hall. That is-- tricking Norbert the Nutjob into believing Elder is Heather's twin brother and always has been.

Meanwhile, the twins split off from the main group to cover more ground in looking for the potato. They take advantage of the entire tribe throwing a party in the great hall by pilfering through Norbert's empty house. One of these things is a Weird-Ticking-Thing. Wonder what that's good for.

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

top 5 favorite fob lyrics :-3

oh my gosh Atlas how am I meant to answer this... I don't want to put these in any particular order, but:

it's not gossip if it's the truth

I'm sick of always writing songs for you to slit your wrists to

- Hand of God

are you ready for another bad poem? one more off-key anthem

let your teeth sink in

remember me as I was, not as I am

- Rat A Tat

so roll the highlights

got-too-high life

mix the low, low lowlights with the low, low lowlifes

on the bright side

got the wrong insides

mix the low, low lowlights with the low, lowlifes--

- The Kintsugi Kid (Ten Years)

love is in the air

I just gotta figure out a window to break out

buried alive inside my dreams

but it was all a fake-out

I don't care

I just gotta figure out a window to break out

buried alive inside my dreams

but it was all a fake-out, fake-out

- Fake Out

a teenage vow in a parking lot

'til tonight do us part

I sing the blues and swallow them too

- Hum Hallelujah

[cactuseri]

yeah yeah i know richard siken is woefully over-quoted on this site but “there’s a part in the movie where you can see right through the acting, where you can tell that i’m about to burst into tears, right before i burst into tears,” hey what if i walk into traffic. idk why that line rips my heart out every time but it does

[joys-of-everyday]

I love characters who are broken and insufferable and tragic and beautiful. I love characters who are morally fucked.

I also love characters who are good. Shining symbols of the greatest bits of what humanity offers. Compassionate and authentic. Brilliant, and uses all of that brilliance to make the world a little bit better.

Characters who are good and struggle against the brutal realities of the world, over and over until it destroys them. Characters who refuse to bend their principles and break as a result. A spark smothered, innocence destroyed. But in those final moments, burning brighter than the sun.

And also too, characters who are good and struggle against the brutalities of the world and fucking win. Who show that life can be good, can be better, can be everything you wish and dream it to be. Characters who show that people can be kind. People can endure and forgive and be wonderful.