#while emotionally neglecting and abusing their child

[bogreader]

i also find it so funny when radfems/terfs are like "women are just inherently more emotionally intelligent and empathetic than men" because i can barely name one woman in my life who isn't/wasn't emotionally immature lol. i think we're all kinda fucked on emotional maturity bc capitalism doesn't want us to really have feelings or empathy or emotional connection with each other because if we did we'd all be on board to overthrow capitalism already

[theautisticjedi]

Love how every father in fnaf is awful. We got:

-Child serial killer who neglects and (probably) abuses his children emotionally and physically, ignores safety concerns and only cares about money. (William)

-Never around for his kid, makes an ai to copy his dead wife and uses it to try and pretend she's still here, which his own son is scared of and doesn't like, then replaces said son with another ai robot thing when he dies (Edwin)

-Makes robot of dead daughter and ignores/neglects his son, violates hundreds of OSHA regulations and laws while making his death trap animatronics. (Henry)

Scott Cawthon for 5 whole dollars I dare you to make a fnaf dad who is good for an entire book/game 🎤

[canine-economy]

Daisuke’s Death and the Invisible Abuse of “Privileged” Children

tw: extensive discussions of child emotional abuse

Another mouthwashing text analysis before I post any polished art? Shocker. But I really really appreciate the reception on my Swansea post, especially as a new account! This Daisuke-centric analysis is gonna be a quick one (< this was a lie. long read ahead!) but he is a character who resonates deeply personally with me as a victim of childhood abuse that resembled some of his experiences. I do plan on doing a larger analysis of his character, but the abridged version necessary for this piece goes as follows:

Daisuke’s treatment in the narrative—both his implied home life and Jimmy’s taking advantage of him to go into the vent—is another one of this game’s excellent portrayals of normalized (and thus invisibilized) abuse. Children are often cited as one of the most vulnerable classes of people, if not the most vulnerable (I acknowledge that Daisuke is not a child, but Mouthwashing implies that this narrative of his inadequacy has persisted throughout his upbringing and, to this day, he is dictated tasks and lacks independence, treated like a dependent. His youth is also an undisputed feature of his character and, most importantly, the cast treats him like a kid). Children’s dependency on adults and our willingness as a society to accept that the adults in their lives provide the most objective perspective on these young people renders them particularly prone to abuse easily swept under the rug or “justified” by wardens who possess the power to dictate the narrative. Jimmy’s engagement with Daisuke is an extension of the latter’s vulnerability. The co-pilot’s assertion that “he’ll be fine (…) mommy and daddy have him covered” at the birthday party represents a deference to Daisuke’s parents as adequate caretakers who will ensure his longevity and comfort on the basis of their wealth. And we know that Daisuke’s parents think the same—the Q&As reveal that they believe they are doing the best to secure their son a good future. However, the same Q&As indicate that they don’t actually engage with or understand Daisuke’s interests and that their approach to parenting him is entirely understood through their personal beliefs, not those of their son. And Daisuke clearly carries that quite close to his heart. He seems to struggle with identity and acceptance, seeking validation in the form of praise. Daisuke is defined through what he can do for others and not what he independently brings to the table, because that has never mattered where he grew up. The consequences of his parents’ failure to meet his emotional needs ultimately conditioned Daisuke to be perfectly available to be taken advantage of in a corporate setting defined by capitalist attitudes and hierarchies.

While it’s not concrete to say that Daisuke grew up in an emotionally abusive household, it is most important that we cannot dismiss the possibility and that his behavior as the outcome of some obvious degree of neglect is well-aligned with this theory. Moreover, the young man who comes out of that household is easily targeted by Jimmy’s abusive tendencies as a direct result of what he internalizes growing up. Daisuke is apparently financially well-off (contextually we can’t be sure if Daisuke’s family is upper class, middle class, or somewhere in between), and with that comes privilege. Even the way he packs—multiple personalized outfits, entertainment devices, etc—reveal that he’s used to certain comforts and hasn’t yet acclimated to the harsh expectations of companies like the Pony Express. But, especially where young people are concerned, it is all too easy to allow this privilege to act as a curtain between abuse and the outside world. We can acknowledge the privilege that he undoubtedly enjoys and also recognize that it benefits his parents much more than it benefits him as a young person.

Emotional abuse is complex and extremely damaging and Daisuke *does* show symptoms of at least being constantly verbally accosted and emotionally neglected by his parents to the point of permanently warping his sense of self. It also generated his overreliance on authority figures to tell him how to keep himself safe in their world. His mother apparently insulted him to his face (“such a slacker, she said”, and being reprimanded for being too talkative [from the Daisuke teaser]), and a lot of his negative self talk (“total screw-up”, “fuck up”, etc) is reminiscent of how people define themselves by parroting what they are called after internalizing consistent externally-imposed definitions of their identity. While these are not surefire indicators of abuse and I am not willing to diagnose a situation as abusive purely predicated on these factors, the behaviors Daisuke exhibits as a result share many commonalities with those of victims of childhood abuse. In fact, just about every time Daisuke speaks about himself in Mouthwashing, he mentions his failures and his work. It’s not lost on me that the teaser for the whole character is him pondering his mother and how she might not recognize him if he isn’t noisy and obnoxious. He personally puts a lot of stock in their assessment of him as lazy and annoying, but nevertheless tries to accomplish learning through the internship. Furthermore, Daisuke takes on a lot of his mother’s pain, hoping she doesn’t blame herself for the negative things that happen to him (even though in the same scene he reveals that she’s the reason he’s on the stranded Tulpar at all), indicating that he has taken responsibility for the feelings of people in his life even when those people are not his to care for and even bear responsibility for his pain.

Now in young adulthood, Daisuke rarely seems to have any sense of self beyond his parents and his work aside from one-off quips about baseball and babes. It suggests that he has always had to prioritize his parents’ desires growing up to avoid being treated unfairly and even cruelly, stunting his self-discovery. In abusive situations, your understanding of safety and your pursuit thereof are radically impacted and we see this manifest in Daisuke’s continuing willingness to accept those in command as the pinnacle of safety over what one might consider logical, personal acts of self-preservation. He equates safety with obedience, and I contend that that equivalence suggests a lot about how his parents reprimanded deviance from their plans. And not to be that guy, but it is kind of outright cruel to dump your utterly inexperienced teenager-to-early-20-something on a 1 year, no contact, unsafe space voyage in a failing industry knowing that he doesn’t have the necessary skillset yet. That’s what his parents do when they aren’t satisfied with his progress, and it’s intense and disproportionate and alarming! Especially for the dependent! They toss him into the deep end of the corporate machine and insist he learns to swim in such an oppressive, stifling atmosphere. It’s no surprise that he drowns, especially when he himself can’t recognize this as an unrealistic expectation and tackles it with everything he’s got because his parents are theoretically always right about what he needs. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that normalized emotional abuse from the home and how it maps onto a victim’s adult life is a topic Mouthwashing would endeavor to touch on, because visibilizing invisible abuses of power in heteropatriarchal capitalist schemes is arguably the central undertaking of the game.

I don’t think Daisuke has evil parents or anything, rather that what we accept as “good parenting” and “good mentorship” is often negligent with regard to emotional needs and can easily become a source of heavy trauma for the children and mentees if that emotional aspect is stretched too thin in the pursuit of success. Not all abuse is intentional, and the dev Q&As imply that Daisuke’s parents thought they were sincerely investing in his future. They cared, just not in the best way for his wellbeing. Because capitalism emphasizes the individualistic pursuit of success above all else, it’s no wonder that a parent would think that the best thing they can give their kid is an avenue to prosper financially. But in doing so, Daisuke’s parents deny him the opportunity to define himself, to experience agency, and to build up confidence. Effectively, they create a young man so vulnerable to abuse by higher-ups (a manifestation of abuse that is often intentional at the systemic level) that he decides to climb into that vent at Jimmy’s discretion under the pretense that he will make somebody proud. Because that’s how Daisuke has been raised to understand himself and his place—the presumed screw-up boy as a default, making you proud by doing the right thing, who has learned to pursue that achievement to avoid the condescension and disproportionate backlash (e.g. the internship itself) that comes with failure. Everything circles back to his parents’ expectations that he makes for a good worker. When the cocktail knocks Swansea out, Daisuke makes an offhand comment about getting a bad reference—even in the most dire of circumstances, he can’t stop thinking about their capitalistic expectations for his “good” future.

I find that Daisuke really is such a good subtle portrayal of how parents with resources can get away with emotionally stunting their children because we perceive their ability to put a roof over their heads, food on their plate, etc as adequate parenting and even a privilege for the child when it should be the bare minimum. Jimmy certainly buys into it, and even some of the fandom parrots that, really and truly believing Daisuke is some good-for-nothing kid who doesn’t try hard when all we see is him working, including climbing into the vents to try and help despite not being assigned the work (foam scene, not his death). I find this reception shows how inclined we are to accept those narratives of the privileged child’s inadequacy before we address the parent for not fulfilling a child’s emotional needs, which are just as important if not more than the material.

To wrap this up with a quick discussion of the symbolism of his death in the context of the emotional abuse of children (which is the reason I made this whole post but I can’t talk about this guy without going off): Daisuke getting so badly injured trying to do what’s right is a very physical manifestation of the suffering he was already going through. It is the pain of constantly people-pleasing and of holding it all in when he’s lashed out at. He gets injured at all in the pursuit of appeasing Jimmy and (theoretically) Swansea, both of whom he blindly trusts despite how they treat him because he has always been expected to just adhere to the adults with authority in his life. Being talked down to by them is not new and has never been a reason to question their judgement. Daisuke sees this as a product of his own inadequacy as implied by other people, and not of external cruelty. He was raised not to question the system for fear of repercussions.

Jimmy is perfectly situated to coerce him into a dangerous situation because Daisuke has never been taught to say no. The safest option for a scared child is to trust their mentors, and an adult Daisuke does just that. Even Swansea’s teachings of safety are dismantled by Jimmy’s tactical use of captainhood to break the camel’s back. Authority. Daisuke must always listen to authority. Jimmy knows the vent isn’t safe. Swansea tells him directly and he observes the foam incident (if from a distance). For as much as he acts like he cares about taking responsibility for Daisuke’s safety, his individualistic pursuit of “fixing” things manifests in Jimmy again taking advantage of a vulnerable person on the ship. Jimmy doesn’t reconcile Daisuke’s eagerness to help with lessons on safety like Swansea does, but rather uses it only when it benefits him. Daisuke is taught by his upbringing to accept this kind of treatment—for safety, defer to the leader in the room even if it hurts and you don’t want to do it (just like he didn’t want to be on the Tulpar in the first place).

Then, once the intern is out of the vent and mortally wounded, Jimmy applies the mouthwash (a product to be sold, hauled in the interest of the corporation) to “help” sanitize the wounds. But the sugar content negates medical utility and only worsens the pain. We can interpret this as the application of material privilege, “sweetness”, that wasn’t actually any help at all to solve the deep wounds left by emotional pains. Mouthwash rids you of the bad taste but doesn’t kill all the underlying germs. One could argue further that in this scene, the mouthwash is specifically representative of the Pony Express internship: a rare stepping stone in the corporate hustle gained through privilege and presented as a boon. Like the mouthwash, the internship is imposed on Daisuke to try and “help” him succeed and be better, but it only elevates the pain by irritating the wounds and ends in his agonizing demise. However, this fine-tuned comparison isn’t necessary to my point. I find the broad implications of the mouthwash as an antiseptic immensely representative of parents and caretakers who don’t seem abusive to the outside world but who are actually subversively hurting their children and ultimately conditioning them to be victimized by capitalist attitudes. Our deference to material comforts and corporate opportunities as indicators of wellness renders us blind to where caretakers fail to address the emotional needs of young people. At the end of the day, Daisuke is still killed by the values his parents have instilled in him. It’s always the “captain’s” (literal or figurative) orders that seal the deal and cut off any of his autonomous doubt or dictation (for example, his desire to listen to Swansea and not go in the vent). His parents’ symbolic and saccharine gestures mean very little in the scheme of creating a person who can survive the pressures of the “real world” when malicious actors (JIMMY.) and the capitalist enterprise as a whole bear down on the cracks of an emotionally taxing youth.

A/N: Maybe I’m thinking about all of this too hard, but the beauty of Mouthwashing is that I’m never quite sure that’s the case as this game feels so deliberate. Based on my experiences, I’ve long found this to be a really important analysis to posit and I finally had the time to put it into words. I feel like Daisuke as a symbol is often overlooked by the fandom. He’s enjoyed, yes, but not really broken down like the others are. That diminishing of his importance and his feelings about the situation also feels like a symptom of his age. But that’s neither here nor there—like I said, I believe I could do a much more in-depth analysis of Daisuke as a victim of subtle abuse but this will have to do for now. A lot of my major points have been made, anyway! Perhaps video format would be best for something longer-form. 🌺

[carto0ncritter]

People are so desperate for LGBT representation, (specifically gay and lesbian couples), that they're willing to accept literally any homosexual ship regardless of the concerning elements.

Let's see, we have ass ships like

1)Stolitz - Stolas is an abuser, a r*pist, a racist man who has so many powers yet is emotionally fragile, passive and wimpy, a man who victimizes himself over and over, a man who emotionally neglects the child who desperately needs him for his sexual fantasies with his victim, a man who is the creator's pet, a man whose actions aren't wrong according to the writers, a man who can just blame everyone else around him but himself with no consequences

2) Catradora - Catra is an abuser too, but was treated like a cute kitty cat in s5 despite having done atrocious things, she was instantly forgiven with no consequences, and she ended up dating her sister and the biggest victim of her abuse

3) Huskerdust - I haven't talked about this one so far, but Angel sexually harassed Husk and never apologized, Husk himself sang "Loser, Baby" and as a SA survivor I felt like he was trying to say this to Angel: "Oh, you've hit rock bottom because of SA? It's your fault lol, accept that you're a whiny bitch and a loser even tho the problem is extremely serious and out of your control and just suck it up, I'm a loser too despite not going through the same thing you have, you're not alone in being a loser BUT YOU ARE STILL A LOSER BABYYY A LOOOSER" Like, ik the message was supposed to be how we're not alone in our struggles and how there's always someone who will understand and make us feel less alone, but the way this was handled rubbed me the wrong way. Also, I'm not sure whether or not to mention this as well (screw it, I will), but Husk is described as "the old bartender," his voice sounds like it belongs to an old dude too, and he apparently died when he was like, 70, while Angel died in his 30's. I'm not gonna calculate their ages based on how it works in Hell because personally I feel like it doesn't matter. What matters is how old they were when they were alive. But however you decide to look at their ages, it's not just the implied enormous age gap that bothers me, no... it's more so the difference in maturity between Husk and Angel. Husk is described as a dude who has seen and experienced a lot of stuff. On the other hand, Angel is clearly immature and there is this weird... emotional imbalance between them? It's like a mentor dating his apprentice, at least that's how I see it. I'm not saying dating someone who's 40 years older than you is morally wrong (if you're both adults) but IT IS WEIRD imo, especially since Angel & Husk are not on the same page when it comes to life experience and maturity. Oh yeah, I also don't think Angel should be in any kind of romantic relationship... for his own good

[hypothermiatapes]

Sometimes I randomly think about how much Harry’s childhood probably affected his personalities and relationships.

We know Harry was abused as a kid—it glaringly obvious in the books—, but my question is what exactly did this abuse do to him in the long run?

I think for Harry it wasn’t as obvious as it could have been, but to me he seems like a wonderful example of an abuse victim in a way. When he gets angry it’s usually cold and calculated, Harry usually not being too loud as not to draw attention but to let his anger be known. He doesn’t like attention, usually avoiding it if he can and getting uncomfortable from it, I think it could be traced back to attention usually having negative consequences.

While he may go to an adult first when a problem arises (McGonagall and the Philosophers Stone) if the adult proves incompetent he will take matters into his own hands and not bother getting their help again. He also doesn’t respect them like he could and treats those who treat him badly the same, Snape a wonderful example of this. To him he is on the same level as them and thinks lowly of them at the same time.

When Ron and Hermione are bickering it annoys him and often causes him to blow if it goes on too long or he’s pulled into it. I think raised voices or arguing are a type of trigger, not one that’s very strong but can makes him feel more on edge and slightly more antsy. I also think him being treated as “less than”—or like a child—is also a slight trigger because that’s how the Dursleys would treat him.

He also usually is very unaware of the people around him that don’t make a difference in his life, failing to know the names of kids he’s gone to school with for years. To me it seems like someone that’s always only relied on themselves is too busy caring for themselves that they don’t have time to care about people that don’t matter. These people also fade to the back because they don’t pose a risk in any way nor do they bring him any joy. At the Dursleys he wouldn’t have had time to care about kids at school because he’s too busy thinking about how to escape Dudley and his gang and not get on his aunt and uncles bad side.

The sorting hat also mentioned how Harry had a thirst to prove himself, something that’s common among abused kids because they want to be treated better. His risk taking behavior could have been mixed with this because a subconscious part of his mind thought it the only way to be liked due to him being a celebrity.

I also noticed how he doesn’t really branch out when it comes to meeting people, simply going with the flow. It could be because as a kid if he went up to Petunia, Vernon or Dudley for attention it never ended well and the kids at his primary school probably shied away because he was a target for bullying. The logical decision is to let people come to him and prove they want to be around, so he let Ron and Hermione come around without really reaching out.

Emotions also make him uncomfortable, seen with Cho crying around him. He doesn’t understand them likely because he was forced to push his away because he wasn’t allowed to ever be upset or too happy. Something that’s common in emotionally neglected children, it also points to his lack of empathy. While Harry may seem to care he does not come across as very empathetic for the average person unless it’s people he’s close with.

Harry is a wonderful example of an abuse victim in a way, but only if you look really closely.

[botanical-garden-system]

Some of the people I have seen say they have non-disordered plurality have a lot of extreme dissociative symptoms from what they post. System conflicts, huge memory gaps, inability to control switches, extreme depersonalization/derealization symptoms.

This is not to deny someone’s experience, but more of a gentle reminder that if your experiences with plurality causes genuine distress? You may want to learn more about how dissociative disorders impact functions.

I don’t really understand any labels outside of traumagenic and maybe endogenic. I can’t even begin to really wrap my head around plurality not causing dissociation—it’s just not my experience at all. It’s a big reason why I decline arguing in any debates, but I have a pretty good idea of how my DID has impacted me.

I will feel like shit and not understand why because my emotions are highly fragmented. There could be something wrong, I could feel it occasionally, but I have no clue at all why I am experiencing this level of distress.

I know of a major traumatic experience in my childhood that could have caused my DID, but I genuinely remember little to nothing about my life and the factors are endless. When I do find stuff talking about my experiences, it sets me back and almost “triggers me” back into a state where I was during that time (I have no recollection still even after these triggers happen).

Skills and knowledge are somewhat distinctive between parts. Some parts have had full blown meltdowns because they didn’t understand an assignment, and when someone else switched in, they knew exactly what to do.

“Wishing to be a system” played a huge part in my formation, but it wasn’t wishing to be a system. It was wishing I had someone to talk to/had friends surrounding me because I was emotionally neglected as a child—this was around ages 6-10, so this thought process had a lot of impacts. I verbally talked to these parts and they often knew information I never remembered learning, and they often came around the most when I was lonely.

I don’t have a stable identity, and I haven’t had one for the entirety of my life. If I try to sit and think about it, my head will turn to TV static and shut off any chance of understanding my situation. I spend about 80-90% of my time going through the motions of life without any acknowledgment of my identity, thoughts, feelings, sensations, or perceptions in life.

Trauma doesn’t have to be a serious case of SA or physical abuse, it is possible it could be years of emotional neglect causing you to turn inward. Bullying, oppression, poverty, disability, physical illness, messy divorces/parents NOT divorcing, war, and many other issues are extremely taxing on a child.

This disorder is covert and nearly undetectable in most cases. Sometimes this means that it’s nearly impossible to see in ourselves. The whole point is to hide and make sure we “function” correctly in society, even at the expense of ourselves. It’s a coping mechanism our brain decided was the safest route to survive.

Identity disruptions, memory gaps, and all these things are not stable, concrete experiences. They are fluid. They can be wildly inconsistent, and you don’t have to be on the far end of the spectrum to experience these issues.

I’m not saying this as a genuine diagnosis of “You MUST have DID” because there are many different aspects that could impact this. I know that there are also like- labels that encompass different aspects that include trauma. However, this is just something I have noticed while scrolling through tumblr recently. This also isn’t targeted in any way, but if it resonates with you, I think learning about DID in medical contexts isn’t a bad idea (or at least learning of dissociation).

I have seen that a big reason many people get nervous to interact with traumagenic spaces is because of how aggressive and toxic they can be, which I understand is definitely a problem we see. It’s definitely a product of how DID is and what societal hatred does to marginalized communities. I take a very chilled and laid back approach to pretty much anything, so if you feel too scared to interact with the traumagenic community, I don’t mind trying to help!

[sleepystargaze]

Why You May Not Relate to Vi's Choices in Season 2

Vi is an adult who was parentified as a child, and her actions are largely influenced by the lasting psychological effects.

If you aren't familiar, parentification is when children become caregivers in their families and take on responsibilities that are inappropriate for their age. These responsibilities are often beyond their capacity, either because they lack the knowledge or the emotional maturity to perform these adult roles.

In Vi's case, she was largely left to care for the well-being of her siblings in the place of a consistent parental figure. And likely even before they lost their parents, Vi was left to care for Powder when her parents could not. The show literally starts with Powder in the care of Vi. Which can also explain why Vi was very deeply affected by the loss of their parents, while Powder was not, since Vi would likely have been her primary caretaker.

In adults, this generally can results in:

difficulty functioning independently

a greater risk of anxiety, depression, and substance abuse

difficulty setting boundaries: generally neglecting oneself to satisfy the needs of others

trouble relinquishing control

feeling a need to be a peacekeeper

tending to be a "fixer"

There are other things, but the ones above are the ones relevant to this discussion and they constitute a significant majority of the signs in adults. So, with this context in mind, let's take a trip down memory lane.

Inmate 516

Humans don't exist in a vacuum, but Vi lived in the closest mental equivalent of it with her time in Stillwater. I don't think it's a stretch to assume the Vi that Caitlyn meets is much more emotionally grown than the young teenager who was dragged off by Marcus.

The one thing I've gleaned from the show about Vi's time here is that she has this Schrodinger's Powder thing going. She tells conflicting stories to Caitlyn and Jinx, but neither seem like a lie. She believed, or "knew", her sister was dead but persisted with the thought that she'll get out and return to Powder some day.

So, to survive her years at Stillwater, the only thing keeping her going is this idea. Her own self-preservation is reliant on this feeling that she could return to not only Powder, but also the way things were. She still wants to take care of her sister. And honestly, it's only further reinforced by Vander's last words, "Take care of Powder."

Enter Caitlyn from stage right, detective extraordinaire, bearing the sole evidence that Powder is, in fact, alive. Vi's daydream becomes a reality and she wastes no time shooting any shot she can to get out of Stillwater.

A Little Walkabout with a Piltie: Part 1

Gather round ladies and gentleman, here we have our top hits under the "trouble relinquishing control" category, featuring:

"Too risky": a tale of avoiding bathyspheres.

"Don't you wanna blend in?": There are easier ways to get people out of their clothes, but I guess forcefully throwing clothes you just stole off a stranger 5 minutes ago works, too.

"We're here because I'm hungry.": Not the best first date, but at least the food was good.

And a fan favorite, "You're hot, Cupcake."

Jokes aside, all of these actions are meant to maintain control over Caitlyn. This is Caitlyn's investigation, Caitlyn released her, and Caitlyn is an enforcer. All things that should give her control, but Vi is not having any of that knowing Powder is out there. Thing is, though, the result would likely be the same if she did let Caitlyn have more agency. Afterall, they are looking for the same person. The only thing she is gaining by doing these things is the control itself.

A Little Walkabout with a Piltie: Part 2

Well, our favorite redhead runs off to get stabbed and has to be nursed back to health by Caitlyn. Here, we have a significant dynamic shift. Caitlyn tells Vi she has a "good heart." Right before Vi passes out, she hears Vander telling her the same echoing in her head. When she wakes she sees:

Vander and her mom, Felicia, were Vi's major caretakers growing up. When Vi becomes conscious to her surroundings, she's met with Caitlyn caressing her face. Suddenly, Vi is associating these people's care for her with Caitlyn. It is exactly at this time that Vi begins opening up and allows Caitlyn to act as a caretaker.

Flash Forward to Tragedy

Well, we all know what happens, but the major takeaways here are Caitlyn has suddenly lost a parent and Vi has realized she can no longer help Jinx, she cannot "fix" her.

Caitlyn is no longer in a position to care for Vi in the way Vi needs, and Vi needs someone to care for. The roles in their relationship have suddenly been reversed. When Caitlyn opens up about the void her mother left, she says, "It's all coming apart."

Vi tells her "We won't let it."

If Caitlyn needs to keep things together and needs to feel control in her life again, then that is now also what Vi needs.

The Grim Truth of the Matter

Honestly, the most harmful thing for people who were parentified as a child is the fact that it becomes extremely difficult for the person to prioritize themselves over others, especially the ones they love regardless of if those loved ones treat the parentified adult fairly or not. You would be amazed the degree to which a parentified individual will let themselves turn a blind eye and forgive and sacrifice themselves.

I think a lot of people found Vi's story arc dissatisfying in season 2, because a lot of it relied on other people and her making seemingly uncharacteristic choices. Like her purpose in the show was solely to help other storylines. The sad truth is, parentification creates a severe lack of sense of self, and I think this is the biggest hidden battle for Vi throughout season 2. Who is she when she isn't acting in the interest of others? What needs to happen for her to let all of that go? How do you show that?

It doesn't feel great, because at the end she's only at the beginning of her healing journey. And if you have trouble relating to her struggles, you probably can't relate to the struggles of parentification, yourself. It's hard to understand the effort required to let go, and by the end, Vi has. I think my favorite representation of this change is how she has less bindings as the story progresses until, by the end, she has none. She has finally unburdened herself and is learning to prioritize her own needs, and now she can finally begin to properly heal.

No, it's not the most satisfying ending for a character arc, but not all major wins end in thunderous applause and fanfare.

[momo-minomo]

Fic Fairy Friday: Civilian Tim Giving The Batfam Heart Attacks

I know, I know, this week's theme is weirdly specific but I was originally going to theme this 'Tim Joins The Batfamily Early' but like half of the ones I wanted to rec has him joining them late but fit the vibes I wanted so… ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

BTW: Consider this a general TRIGGER WARNING. Jack and Janet Drake in the comics are, at best, neglectful parents and at worst vaguely emotionally abusive and physically threatening but no actual physical abuse. If the fic makes them more abusive than this canon baseline I will add a trigger warning. Feel free to let me know if you think I need to add an extra warning for something!

The Fic Fairy Friday Masterpost

Puzzles Made of Broken Glass by thatcuriouscat

Summary:

Sherlock Holmes retreats to his Mind Palace to think, to problem-solve. Superman has his Fortress of Solitude, reportedly. 9-and-five-sixths-year-old Tim Drake has his Blanket Fortress. Timmy Drake’s parents go missing. He’s the only one who notices.

Momo's Notes: I usually prefer to only rec fics that are complete but I occasionally make an exception for one that's exceptionally good and still regularly updating. thatcuriouscat is one of those authors that knocks it out of the park every single time and the characterizations are perfection so this fic is a must read. Tim's parents go missing so Detective Drake starts investigating even as his entire life, precarious emotional stability, and distressing lack of self-preservation is crumbling down around his ears. I love fics where Tim and Robin!Jason meet and become friends and the chapter where Tim and Dick meet had me squealing and kicking my feet.

One Smart Magpie by Marbles_and_Sweetpeas

Summary:

Tim Drake likes to think he's your typical 12 year old. Well, except for the sneaking around at night and doing detective work. And figuring out the Bats' identity. But that's it. Really. Except everything seems to be spiraling out of his control. Something serious is going on in Gotham, and Tim might be the only one who can put all the pieces together in time to stop it. Or: Tim is a crazy little detective who just wants to help in any way he can. Of course the Bats are going to adopt him.

Momo's Notes: Another fic for baby detective Timmy and joining the batfamily early! Tim is wandering around Gotham at night knowing the usual secrets he shouldn't know but also running his own investigations. He's trying to figure out the mysterious happenings in the city at the same time Jason, Dick, and Bruce are aggressively trying to adopt this sweet kid with zero self-preservation instincts or supervision. Timmy is seriously badass during this one while still being a kid overwhelmed with being in way over his head.

Holy security breach, Batman! by destiny919

Summary:

Janet finally shoos him away towards the hors d'oeuvres or drinks table with the tacit understanding that she doesn't want to see him again until the end of the gala. And probably not even then, it wouldn't be the first time the Drakes forgot to take him home with them and Tim had to discreetly call an Uber before the host noticed and made Tim embarrass his parents. For this gala, however, he almost hopes they forget him again, because tonight Tim has a plan. They're at Wayne Manor, and Tim is going to find the Batcave.

Momo's Notes: Short and sweet! Precocious 8 year old Tim decides to put his detective hat on while at a Wayne gala and manages to find and sneak into the batcave. Cue the distressed bat and bird noises!

A Brief Interview by Miss_Lazy_Tuesday

Summary:

When Damian finds a small child with an expensive camera on a rooftop in the middle of Gotham, he decides to follow in his father’s footsteps and take the boy home. After all, why should Bruce be the only one who gets to add to the family? Damian and Tim age swap fluff.

Momo's Notes: Short but hilarious. A version of a "Tim Joins The Batfamily Late" trope where he's the 8 year old fanboy to Damian's 14 year old Robin. Damian decides he's had enough of being the baby of the family and proves he's his father's son by picking up a new little brother while on patrol and bringing him home with no warning to the rest of the household. The others will surely marvel at his generosity and brilliance. Tim is mildly alarmed but mostly starstruck.

Boom, Boom, Pow! by LilaVaporizer9000

Summary:

If anyone asked the Batfamily which Robin had the funniest ’joining the family’ story? Well, everyone would start with, “Well it seemed like Jason had the spot taken for good after having the audacity to try and jack the Batmobile’s tires and hit Bruce with his tire iron.” And then they’d say, “But then tiny Tim decided to try and steal the whole thing.” Or: When Tim is 11 he figures it’s not hurting anyone if he. Ya know. Takes a picture in the Batmobile. But then the power goes to his head and all of a sudden he’s hacking the Batmobile and tearing through Gotham on a rescue mission.

Momo's Notes: Gearhead baby Timmy takes the Batmobile on a joyride and the Batfamily was never the same. Dick and Jason's budding rivalry has delightful Wayne Family Adventures vibes. If you've read WFA you'll know the chapter I'm referring to when you get to those scenes lol. They are such total goobers. Bonus points for the author including a link to a playlist they made for Tim's cringe car music. I love it when authors include a fanmix for the story.

bitty batty baby vigilante crew by deargalileo

Summary:

There were two kids up on the roof. They couldn’t have been older than ten, but frankly, they looked like babies. The boy had dark hair and a red jacket, while the girl was dressed in all purple with blond hair poking out from under her hood. Jason was pushing himself over the ledge before he could really think about it. What were two kids doing on a rooftop, in the middle of the night, in Gotham? the story of two kids conning their way across gotham, and (mostly) inadvertently into the batman family.

Momo's Notes: There aren't nearly enough stories of tiny Timmy meeting Stephanie early. The chaos and shenanigans those two get up to as teens are legendary. I don't know if Jason's nerves can handle them as kids with WAY more recklessness and distrust of authority.

Surveillance by smilebackwards

Summary:

Tim knows antagonizing Lex Luthor wasn’t exactly his safest move but the point is really driven home by the bullet to the shoulder. Or: The AU where Jason never died and Tim is a civilian who contributes to crime fighting by taking surveillance photos and leaving them on the desktop of the Batcomputer.

Momo's Notes: Here's an awesome 'Tim Joins The Batfamily Late' trope fic! His casual disdain for dangerous rogues who'd happily squash him like a bug combined with his careless disregard for his own health make for an especially stressed Batfam, especially Bruce and Jason. This one is actually part of a series and has TimKon! Score!

Northern Attitude (I Was Raised on Little Light) by theskeptileptic

Summary:

It's not Tim's fault Batman slept with his mom sixteen years ago, or Tim's fault that Bruce Wayne regrets signing away his parental rights fifteen years ago, but Jack Drake sure thinks it is. Now Damian is bugging him about cows and family and Jason and Dick won't stop kidnapping him and Bruce is acting like court orders don't matter, like he doesn't have a huge bat-shaped secret to protect from literally the whole freaking world. Why is Tim the only functioning adult in this situation? This was supposed to be coated in angst, but it fell in the fluff bucket instead. (So, update, some people are saying this may not be as fluffy as I am advertising it. I plead the 5th.)

Momo's Notes: TRIGGER WARNING for incredibly abusive Drakes here. That "fluff bucket" claim in the summary is definitely false advertising. This story is really good tho with some quality Tim and Damian bonding! The number of stress and panic induced heart attacks Tim gives the Batfam in this one is truly off the charts lol.

cards on the table by wesslan

Summary:

Tim's parents faked their deaths and fled the country years ago, but neglected to take him with them. He spent some time on the streets, and now at 16, he makes a living as a fortune teller, stalking and hustling the shit out of Gotham's elite by telling them eerily accurate fortunes based on the information he gathers about them. His life is peculiar but he wouldn't change a thing. When he gets booked for the big Wayne Halloween party, however, he finds himself getting all tangled up with the Waynes, and the more fortunes he tells, the tighter the snare becomes. or: Tim just wanted to scam Gotham's elite, not end up on the Batfamily's watchlist. But it seems they just won't leave him alone..

Momo's Notes: Another 'Tim Joins The Batfamily Late' fic! Despite Young Justice not appearing at all in this fic it still gives me the YJ98 vibes with all the insane plans and shenanigans Tim has up in the air, here. He's stalking half of Gotham's rich, famous, and dangerous so he can scam them all into thinking he's a legit psychic.

Latchkey by goldkirk

Summary:

or, How Tim Drake Found A Family, Became A Photojournalist, Learned To Love Coffee, and Grew Up, not necessarily in that order. Tim Drake is thirteen, runs the famous BatWatch blog that has spiraled hilariously out of control, has absentee parents that suit his purposes just fine, is training himself to run the streets at night, and is doing absolutely peachy, thank you. Alfred and Jason disagree, and get Dick and Bruce involved in figuring out their weird nextdoor neighbor kid’s life. Everything goes uphill from there.

Settle Our Bones by motleyfam, justbeyondstars, batmoniker

Summary:

Tim is good at galas. No, scratch that—Tim is great at galas. He’s been attending them ever since the age of three, when his parents first stuffed him into his little Gymboree tuxedo and gave him a stern lecture about ‘sitting quietly’ and ‘speaking when spoken to.’ He knows all the rules: what to wear, how to stand, when to smile, what to say, what not to say. He knows how to come across as polite and intelligent and charming, and on absolutely any other day, he would be rocking this. --- Or, my take on a ‘Tim Joins the Family Early’ AU, told through a series of sleepovers, most of which are unplanned. Featuring pre-teen Tim, Alive!Jason, and a whole lot of hurt/comfort.

Momo's Notes: The chances you haven't already read Latchkey and Settle Our Bones is slim if you're a Tim Drake fan but they are classics within the 'Tim Drake Joins The Batfamily Early' trope for a damn good reason so I had to include them on the off chance someone hasn't run across these amazing fics yet! TRIGGER WARNINGS for abusive Drakes! Also both of these series do a great job of depicting trauma recovery but that can also be triggering for some people so be careful.

PLAYLIST

Tim Drake Joins the Batfamily Early AU Spotify Playlist

[beeboopneep]

:)

I firmly believe that the batfam would be a half-decent family to be adopted into while not knowing about their Nighttime Activities TM... at least in the beginning.

Lets say that Kiddo gets dropped off after the death of their last guardian (mother, most likely) and somehow the cops get their hands on a letter or something that says that Kiddo is Bruce Wayne's biological child. CPS wouldn't DNA test a child otherwise, but with some sort of evidence they may. Either way, something tells me that as soon as Bruce was notified of the possible child he would get the test done lol. While that processes the kid would end up in foster care (yikes! Gotham foster care is def rough af) whether Bruce is a foster father or not (that sounds like a problematic placement and he'd probably have to pull strings if he wanted to take care of them during this time). So, for 3-14 days an already traumatized, possibly orphaned child waits in limbo in a cesspool of a foster system. Trauma on top of trauma. And then the results come back and Yay! You've got a daddy!

So they pack up everything and go live with the People's Billionaire who they have definitely seen scandals of on the news before. Can you imagine the thoughts going through their head at the time? Are the other kids gonna bully me? Does he even want biological kids? Is he abusive? Neglectful? Pervy?? Does he really drink that damn much and fall in that many damn fountains?!?

And then they'd meet him and he'd be... stoic? And awkward and kind of cold? Which they could definitely take wrong (Bruce is emotionally inept, not malicious) and assume he hates them off the bat. They withdraw, straining themselves and the barely-there relationship more. The ink's still fresh on their adoption and they already want to leave.

Anyway, lets say things pick up. They meet Dick, the emotional center of the household, and then Jason, their caring (if abrasive) older brother, and so on. They start to find their place. Maybe they still struggle to warm up to Bruce or really feel like on of his kids, especially since everyone else seems so comfortable.

But Dick invites them to get ice cream and burgers and whatever else just as an excuse to spend time with them and make sure they're adjusting well (or enough to be expected). Jason teaches them to punch and how to finally get A's on the English assignments, and how to actually like their English assignments. He buys them fancy bookmarks and they pretend not to notice that he has the same one (they match!). Tim comes to them whenever he finds out a new fact he thinks they'll like and lets you pull coffees out of his hands without too much complaint after he's surpassed his daily limit (he only gives a grumble and an affectionate look) Cass teaches Kiddo all the best places to hide during hide-and-seek and pulls you into her side during movie nights. Cass makes sure you always have someone to eat with if them want it and brings back food whenever she's out. After some work, Damian even lets you help him train Titus!

But they still can't quite settle in because... where did everyone go at night?

If Kiddo's home situation before wasn't exactly ideal then they'd be a light sleeper, which is how they'd wake, and if not it's because they go down for a glass of water or something and see way too many bedroom doors open and beds empty on their way. Either way, after living with people for so long they'd catch on.

They notice that every single person in the household had been unaccounted for at some time. Every single one of their siblings plus both adults in the house were getting together every night to do something without them.

The realization was like a stone at the bottom of their stomach. And so, they start to pull away.

And everyone notices.

[cloversnstrawberries]

"palentine" parental!platonic yandere!supervillian & gn!neglected!hero sidekick!reader [oneshot] ! !

intro | masterlist

description; You and Malpractice spend your first Valentines day together. You just don't know it's Malpractice you're really talking to, and not local college student Jenny Schüler.

additional notes; hi!!! happy valentines day :)) since malpractice seems to be the most popular, he gets valentines day special privileges. don't mind how I have an actual cupid character I could use. you're getting terrifying plague man and his inherent desire to adopt reader on the spot.

warnings; Child abuse, neglect, and generally immoral conduct involving reader (done by the agency), possessive behavior, violent thoughts/plans to kill, overprotectiveness, corpses, talks of decomposition processes and dehumanization(?) (involving Malpractices 'puppets'), manipulation, mentions/plans of kidnapping, and if there's anything else I missed, please let me know!! the moment i write something, i'm afraid it disappears into the void :[

w/c; 2.8k

Malpractice has never been one for holidays.

Of course, nowadays holidays were a much bigger event then they were in his time. Especially Valentines day, which had morphed into something nearly unrecognizable (from his point of view) than the minor holiday he once knew it as.

Before he was... well, what he was now-- when he was still lesser than, still human; he'd get the occasional card with a silly pun on the front every one in a while, usually given by a co-worker out of self-imposed societal necessity.

But other than that, there was never much stock put into the occasion. Personally or otherwise-- as compared to now, where it was practically impossible to walk into a store and not see some sort of gaudy display. Full of red, white, and pink-- hearts and glitter that transfers to your skin.

At least, that's what Malpractice observes from afar. He's not much for stepping into your run of the mill Pharmacy these days-- not even with his macabre sort of puppets, made from some of the more in-tact cadavers he can snag from the local Morgue.

He tried not to let them be seen by anyone besides you-- there was always a chance that someone who knew who the cadaver had once been, who knew of their death; would be around.

Besides, there'd be no need for it-- unless he simply wished to spark terror. It's not like he had a prescription to be filled, after all.

Which, at the moment, he was actively avoiding-- he was avoiding making himself anymore known than necessary. Because if he did, than he's sure he'd scare you half to death.

You were such a delicate thing in his mind, and he often likened you to that of a baby bird. Because, in his mind, you really were. Fragile, even if you could sustain quite a beating out in the field.

The field you shouldn't be anywhere near, if he had it his way.

But, as it was, the agency had their claws stuck deep into you. Not emotionally wise, but legally; with you being in a sort of... ward of the state position, was the most comparable term he could manage.

Malpractice wished to dig his claws deeper, deep enough to rip whatever influence the agency had over you and take you for his own.

Metaphorically, of course! Oh, Lord knows he'd never hurt you. He'd find a way where you don't get sick with being around him-- get to a point where you won't be afraid of him afterward.

That wasn't quite in the immediate future, sadly. He had to stand by and wait, be patient-- he'd never been one to rush, but something about you made him feel an uncharacteristic amount of restlessness.

Maybe it's the fear that, if he waited too long, you'd slip through his fingers. You weren't made for the work you were being put through-- even if you weren't as young as you are, if you were of an adequate age for this sort of career,

You were still much better suited as a medic, maybe like he had been. Stay back in the medical ward-- you didn't have a flashy sort of power. But, then again, maybe the agency wanted to keep you as beaten down as possible;

Hoping that the little aches and pains that kept you up at night would make you less of a threat than they perceived you as. All because you had such a unique ability; he'd treasure it, just as he'd treasure you once he got you safely into his arms.

Unlike that blasted agency, that made you feel less than. That put you under a strict curfew, only allowing you waltz around on your own for a few hours at time-- even then, you'd have to alert them at least a week beforehand.

It was that controlled sort of 'freedom' that you despised, and had told him on multiple occasions.

...Or, to be more specific, had told various different 'puppets' the same complaint over the few short months he's been visiting you personally. You never knew it was the same sort of mind behind all the bodies, but with how you told every single one-- that was enough to rest his case that you hated it.

You hated how the agency tried to make you feel like you had a choice in the matter, when you really didn't. When your ability to go outside unmonitored and 'off the clock' was dependent on either how well you'd be preforming, or if the person reading the request had any semblance of empathy left in them.

Recently, you've been using all the time allotted to visit these puppets. You believed each to be a different person, unless you were a better actor than you caught on. Each having a different story-- to both enter, and subsequently leave your life before another cropped up shortly after.

Oh, how he hates to see you saddened by your 'newfound' friend having to skip town... but he'd try to wait until the very last minute until he did so. To the point where spots of necrosis were beginning to appear in more visible areas.

You never commented on the smell of death that'd follow the puppet during your 'last' meetings, maybe you'd become used to it-- with how you were, how your life had turned out.

But today, it was thankfully overcast; Malpractice was able to guide the puppet directly to the secluded, forested grotto he usually meets you in. That cut the commute about by about 10 minutes, since he didn't have to try and weave the puppet through the most sunless path possible.

When the puppet got to the grotto, you were already sitting on the crumbling stone bench in the middle of it. You didn't notice him-- until the puppet cleared its throat, and your head swung around to face him.

It was adorable, seeing how your face lit up. He'd thought that with all your 'new friends' coming and going, you'd become bitter. Develop a hardened shell, like he thought you'd already have by now--

However, with every new puppet, you were still as friendly yet disbelieving as you'd been while meeting the last. Like you just couldn't believe someone would want to be friends with you.

This puppet had been a jane doe, around her early to mid 20s. Due to the colder weather, this one had lasted longer than most; and it almost hurt him to know that eventually, the puppet would begin to rot despite his precautions-- and he'd have to find a new one.

You were rather attached to this one. Despite himself, he hopes he'll be able to keep this puppet until he can reveal himself-- only a few weeks more, and you'd finally be safe.

"Sorry for making you walk in this weather..." You started with, a sheepish, apologetic smile on your face, as the puppet sat beside you. "Not a problem, I'm more than willing to risk a cold to see you. I know how... rigid your routine can be."

With a little nod, you hummed before casting your eyes down and saying "Oh-- uhm, thank you." You always got flustered, whenever Malpractice-- or his puppets, he supposes-- shows you any sort of care.

Like you weren't used to being a priority-- because from what he'd seen, you very much were not. He'd even read parts of your intake records made shortly after the Agency took you in; they'd considered euthanizing you like a dog. That caring for you might've been too resource heavy-- until the sick bastards realized they could find a use for you and your unique ability.

It made him ill-- emotionally speaking, he obviously doesn't get physically sick anymore. He's practically the physical embodiment of it, it'd be silly if he could catch a cold like your normal, every day joe.

The unintentional stretch of silence was broken, as you jolted slightly-- as if remembering something. You swung around and grabbed something sitting by your other side--

Then, you turned to the puppet, and held your hands out. In them, was a little mesh bag of tin-foil wrapped chocolate hearts. The kind that'd be sold near the checkout lane at a grocery store during Valentines.

"I didn't know what you liked, so I just got you this." And-- oh, you looked so proud. He knew you didn't get much freedom at all, and you must've sneaked by to get this.

You may have have even stolen it-- there was a little bit of guilt lingering in your eyes, along with a strange sort of fear. Fear of rejection, he supposes. That whatever you'd gone through to get this wouldn't be worth it.

The puppet's hand reached out, before retracting slightly-- immediately, you noticed. Your little smile fell "Do-- are you lactose intolerant? I'm sorry--" And Malpractice laughed--

Not the puppet, so much. He's sure that, if you were a little older; better trained in your position, then you'd realize something was off with it. Some strange, uncanny value to it.

It wasn't cruel, he made sure of that. It was endeared, of course it was-- but he could never manage to quite quell the madness inherent to his tone. Not while he was laughing, at least.

"No, no not at all." The laughter died down, and the puppet gently took the bag of candy in its hands. He held it like it was the most precious thing in the world, and in his mind, it truly was.

A gift from you. He always treasured these sorts of things, but the previous gifts had been things you picked up off the ground-- pretty rocks, little knickknacks, an unordinary plant...

But this, you must've gone far out of your way to get this. And to just give it to him... he wonders, had you gone out with the intent to get it? No matter what, to just have something to show for valentines day?

After a few moments, Malpractice remembered that he should probably respond. The puppet looked at you-- fear and concern obvious in your eyes, deathly afraid that he'd reject the gift.

A soft smile broke out on the puppet's face, before he sighed and looked down. "Well, I don't have anything for you, is the problem--"

It wasn't a regular occurrence, you cutting him off. The Agency had all but tortured that possibility out of you, trying to make you into a perfect little cog more than the child you were.

Despite all that, your true nature shone through. You could never truly smother a children's light, he supposes.

"No!" You waved your arms frantically, shaking your head. You calmed down quickly, looking a little embarrassed from your own outburst. "No-- Uhm, I mean... well, you don't have to get me anything. I just wanted to do this for you,"

Malpractice went to respond, but it didn't seem like you were quite done just yet. He waited patiently, as you continued "Oh, and-- and I have something else." You dug into the pocket of your bland, practical gray coat; part of the few pieces of civilian clothing the Agency was willing to provide you with.

When he has you safe and sound, away from those (soon to be dead, if he had his way) maniacs; he'd be sure to let you express yourself however you'd like with your clothes.

He wouldn't force you into generic garments, given to you out of pure necessity.

You fished out a piece of paper from your main pocket, handing it to the puppet. It was an envelope-- handmade by the looks of it, held together by staples and closed with a small piece of scotch tape.

He turned it over to the flat side, finding it addressed to this particular puppet, written in shaky and inexperienced cursive. Jenny, he'd had you name it-- he did this often, with puppets. He'd have the puppet ask something like "well, what name do I look like?" And the first name you said, he'd take it-- the puppet would always respond with something like "Wow, are you psychic? That's actually my name!"

A shame, it was addressed to this false sort of person. This walking cadaver he took control in order not to scare you-- one in a line of many, but hopefully one of, if not the, last one.

Maybe next year, he'd receive an envelope addressed to himself. Maybe he'd even let you use his human name. He could help you with the cursive as well, even if it'd result in him basically addressing it himself.

He hasn't used the name in so long, hasn't felt attached to it for even longer; but with you, he doesn't think he'd mind you knowing him by it. To have an envelope handed to him, addressed to Maxwell S. in his own handwriting.

The puppet hummed, and flipped the envelope back over. He took his time, trying to use the puppets limited fine-motor skills to avoid ripping the handmade envelope.

Even if it was plain in nature, and not perfectly done by formal measures-- he'd still hate to mess up your handy work. It took some time, but eventually the tape was pried off and he could open it.

Inside was an index card, something you must've nabbed from the office section of the Agency; probably like the rest of the materials, if he had to guess.

It warmed his heart, to think that you'd risked so much-- even if they were meager supplies by most's standards, you'd really done a wonder with what little you had.

On the blank side was a little drawing, of a tiny cartoon version of you-- hugging this particular puppet. When he flipped it to the lined side, the words 'be my pal-entine?' were written in bright crayon, the letters alternated between green, yellow, blue, and red.

The puppet stayed quiet-- you were getting antsy, afraid of upsetting your friend. You leaned forward a little, Malpractice catching the movement out of the corner of the puppet's eye. Your brows furrowed, as you hesitantly asked "...Do you like it? It's not weird, is it? I've never really had a friend to do this with--"

You made the most adorable little squeak when, suddenly, the puppet surged forward and threw its arms around you-- it was cold, freezing to the touch; no way to retain body heat, but you didn't mind regardless. You leaned into it, despite the obvious shiver that ran through your entire body.

Sad, how he couldn't really feel what the puppet was. Oh, how he longed to hold you in this way, truly-- to feel your warmth, hear your heart beating and the blood rushing through your veins.

To know you're alive, you're safe within his arms. That you're far away from any wretched creature that dares to try and hurt his little bird.

Something annoying, something nagging that he thought he'd long since killed-- whispered in the back of his mind, telling him to just have the puppet pick you up and carry you back,

The impatient, quick-to-act sort of thought process he was known for when he was first reborn. It'd been hard to control the urges then, to act on every little whim just because he could. Just because nobody could feasibly stop him, not in a way that mattered.

The puppet held you a little tighter, and you said nothing of it. He presumes that you hold may have tightened as well, with how the puppet shifted in such a way as it did.

"So..." You said, muffled slightly as you pressed your face into the shoulder of the puppet. "Does this mean.. you, uhm, accept it?" Oh, you were so adorable that Malpractice felt like he might die right then and there, if it was possible for him to die at all-- of course.

The puppet didn't retreat, simply held you there as you melted into its cold, unnatural embrace. You must've felt it, how strange the skin felt due to the chemicals used to keep it fresh-- you either didn't want to upset them, or just plain old didn't care. Seeking any sort of comfort, not caring if anything seemed amiss.

Almost as an afterthought, too caught up in the moment-- Malpractice remembered to respond. You must've been so relaxed, so touch-starved, that you didn't notice the sudden shift in your friends speech patterns. How Malpractice didn't bother to keep up the facade of modern speech.

"Why ever would I not, especially when you've gone through all the trouble you have?" and you hummed, a soft laugh muffled by the fabric of the puppet's functionally useless coat. "...So you like it, then?"

The puppet, almost robotically, guided their fingers over your hair-- a comforting gesture to you, but it only made Malpractice feel anguished-- that he couldn't truly be here, couldn't feel you held within his embrace.

"Of course, little bird."

[tedwardremus]

Do you think Harry is emotionally abusive or neglectful of Ginny? What kind of husband would he be?

I’m pretty confident that the boy who had an endless well of compassion and understanding, even for his worst enemies, would never be neglectful or abusive toward his wife.

That said, I do think Harry would have a lot of growing to do. He’s not an easy person to be around all the time. He keeps things to himself, he can get hyper-focused to the point of shutting others out, he carries the weight of complex grief, and he was an abused child himself.

He’ll need to learn how to be more open and communicative. He’ll need to develop patience. He’ll have to figure out how to separate his work from his home life and truly be present. But while I think he’ll struggle with all of that, I also believe he’ll work hard to overcome those habits. Especially with Ginny by his side, and with Arthur and Molly there to help guide him toward a more stable emotional space. And he loves Ginny. He’s always had an easier time connecting with her than with almost anyone else.

Harry will be attentive. He notices the small things. He’ll be supportive. He’ll bring home flowers because he thinks they smell like her. He’ll write her funny notes when she’s away at matches. He’ll learn household charms, and they’ll cook and clean together and build a life full of domestic, shared joy.

Harry will mess up. He’ll retreat into himself. He might get too angry or too quiet. But he’ll keep learning, keep working to understand his triggers, because he finally has the space and safety to do that kind of healing.

Harry will be a good husband to Ginny, not because it comes easy, but because he wants to be. Because he’ll put in the effort. Because he loves her.

Harry has always been at his best when it comes to understanding and giving love. That’s kind of his whole thing.

[auren-zagarra]

not sure if this counts as a analysis or kink analysis??? But what do you think about Riddle "mom issues" becoming a "mommy kink"

To me I personally dont see it but curious about your take on it

Riddle Rosehearts: Maternal Attachment and Fetishistic Dynamics

Disclaimer: Although this post is written by a professional psychologist, it is not intended to serve as a formal diagnosis. Rather, it is a character analysis of Riddle Rosehearts, created out of personal interest and passion for world-building. In psychological practice, accurate assessment should never be based solely on external observation. Also, just to clarify—I am not a sexologist. My area of expertise is in clinical psychology. While I don’t professionally endorse Freud’s Oedipus complex theory, I’ve included it here given the nature of the ask and its thematic relevance - discussing both the maternal fetish and the "mommy kink". MDNI.

Riddle Rosehearts is a character who epitomizes authoritarian rule-following. His profile emphasizes that he has a “strong commitment to maintaining order,” enforcing even trivial rules and punishing any infraction. He is highly perfectionistic and devoted to his studies, becoming irritable when challenged.

In his backstory, Riddle was raised by a single, unnamed mother in the strict Queendom of Roses. From early childhood she taught him how to be a powerful magic user and “controlled every aspect of Riddle’s life” – dictating his clothing, diet, friendships, and study schedule. This upbringing made Riddle extremely obedient to authority (mirroring the Queen of Hearts’ edicts) and left him with few friends or free-time experiences. In short, Riddle is characterized by rigid self-discipline and a harsh maternal influence from a young age.

Maternal Relationship and Childhood Trauma:

Riddle’s relationship with his mother can best be described as authoritarian and emotionally harsh. As the Twisted Wonderland biography notes, his mother “controlled every aspect” of his life and insisted on constant study, even forbidding simple pleasures (like sweets). On one documented occasion, Riddle ate a strawberry tart while sneaking out to play with friends – only to be caught by his mother and “dragged back home.” She “harshly scolded and reprimanded” him for disobedience, crying and begging notwithstanding, and then further restricted his freedom (even banning his friends from visiting). These episodes illustrate a childhood of emotional abuse and neglect: Riddle had no privacy or autonomy, and any small deviation (like playing or tasting a treat) was met with severe punishment. Such chronic maternal control is a form of developmental trauma. Psychological research shows that childhood emotional abuse and neglect can have profound long-term effects. Trauma studies report that maltreatment – especially persistent emotional abuse – is associated with a “wide range of long-term adverse health and developmental outcomes”, including anxiety, depression and other psychopathology.

In Riddle’s case, growing up under fear of his mother likely produced chronic stress and anxiety. Furthermore, attachment theory suggests Riddle’s maternal bond was insecure. Bowlby’s theory and decades of research indicate that when caregivers are inconsistent or harsh, children often develop insecure attachment styles. For example, if a parent is physically present but emotionally hostile (as in Riddle’s case), the child may become anxiously attached: perpetually worried about abandonment yet fearful of displeasing the parent. Indeed, Cleveland Clinic reviews note that infants whose caregivers are “less attentive” tend to have difficulty forming healthy relationships later.

In Riddle’s behavior, we see echoes of an anxious/resistant attachment: he urgently seeks his mother’s approval, fears punishment (crying and begging for forgiveness), and later in life he rigidly seeks order (perhaps to preempt any disapproval). In sum, Riddle’s childhood under a domineering mother was psychologically traumatic and would foster an insecure, anxious attachment style

Fetish: Definition and Psychological Theory

In psychological scholarship, a fetish is not a general obsession but a specific type of sexual fixation. Encyclopedic sources define fetishism as a sexual interest focused on an inanimate object or a body part that is not normally considered sexual. In other words, a fetish involves requiring a non-genital object (such as clothing, shoes, or a particular material) or a non-sexual body feature (feet, hair, etc.) for sexual arousal. According to clinical nosology, fetishistic behaviors qualify as a paraphilic disorder only when they cause significant distress or impairment. Otherwise, a mild fetish (e.g. a shoe or foot fetish) may be a benign sexual preference.

Common fetish objects cited in research include shoes, lingerie, rubber or leather, and specific body parts (notably female undergarments or hair). Historically, sexologists Krafft-Ebing and Ellis noted in the 19th century that fetishistic interests often arise from learned associations in childhood.

Fetish vs. Kink: Definitions and Distinctions:

The DSM‑5 defines fetishistic disorder as recurrent, intense sexual arousal from nonliving objects or specific nongenital body parts, to the point of causing distress or impairment. In common usage, a fetish often implies that the person needs that object or scenario for arousal. By contrast, a kink is a broader, colloquial term for any non‑normative sexual interest or practice – especially within BDSM or role‑play contexts. Kinks include a wide range of activities (bondage, power exchange, role‑play, etc.) that go “beyond conventional sexual practices” and are not inherently disordered. Importantly, modern clinical views emphasize that neither kinks nor fetishes are pathological unless they cause the person significant distress or harm.

Fetish (sexual): a focused sexual fixation on an inanimate object or body part (e.g. shoes, feet) that may be necessary for arousal. DSM‑5 regards this as a disorder only if it persists for at least 6 months and causes serious psychosocial problems.

Kink (sexual): any consensual, unconventional sexual behavior or fantasy (often involving power dynamics or role‑play) that enhances pleasure but is not required. Kinks are not defined in diagnostic manuals and are generally considered normal variants.

Overlap/Distinction: A given behavior can be both a fetish and a kink depending on its role for the person. One clinician notes that fetishes are kinks that an individual finds indispensable, whereas kinks in general are optional interests one can “take or leave”. In short, fetishes tend to be more specific fixations while kinks describe a broad spectrum of atypical sexual interests. (Both are considered non‑pathological forms of sexual expression unless causing dysfunction).

Psychoanalytic Perspectives on Maternal Fetishes:

A “maternal fetish” – i.e. an erotic fixation on the mother – is not a standard category in modern psychology, but it can be discussed via psychodynamic theory. Freud’s classic Oedipus complex is directly relevant: it posits that during the phallic stage (about ages 3–6), a boy develops unconscious sexual desire for his mother and rivalry with his father. Normally this Oedipal phase is resolved by the boy identifying with his father and repressing incestuous impulses. However, if the Oedipus complex is not fully resolved, one could imagine a lasting maternal fixation. Britannica succinctly defines the Oedipus complex as the child’s “possessive sexual desires for their opposite-sex parent,” which are supposed to be overcome in healthy development. In psychoanalytic terms, an unresolved Oedipus might leave a man with an enduring, possibly unconscious, erotic attraction to the mother.

Freud also formulated theories of fetishism in general: he considered fetishes as defense mechanisms against castration anxiety, often involving overvaluation of a substitute object. In this framework, a fetish functions symbolically (e.g. the fetish object represents the lost phallus). Some analysts have suggested that a fetish might grow out of an intense early attachment; for instance, if a boy unconsciously equates a favorite maternal item (like her shoe or dress) with sexual pleasure, that object can become fetishized. More broadly, fetishistic interests usually originate in childhood or adolescence when sexual feelings first emerge. A “maternal fetish” specifically could be viewed as an extreme case: the mother (a human figure) becomes the focus of erotic fantasy. Psychoanalytic literature warns that such incestuous fixations are outside healthy development; some older theories even regarded fetishism as a way to disavow uncomfortable aspects of the maternal image. While mainstream psychology lacks empirical studies on “mother fetishes” per se, theorists would typically interpret them through the lens of unresolved Oedipal conflict and early conditioning.

The “Mommy Kink”:

A “mommy kink” generally describes a sexual role‑play in which one partner assumes a dominant, maternal persona (“mommy”) and the other takes on a younger, more submissive or childlike role. Psychologically, this can be seen as a form of eroticized caregiver/child dynamics. People report various appeals: nurturing comfort, authority, or even gentle humiliation under a maternal figure. For example, some participants say that playing the “mommy” role provides a “sense of safety” and allows the submissive partner to feel “small and cared for” while also experiencing the dominant’s authority. Others describe craving the “nurturing nature” of a mother figure they felt was lacking in childhood. In academic terms, mommy kink is related to age‑play or parental roleplay within BDSM, and is not inherently pathological when practiced consensually by adults. Psychological theories that might be invoked include:

Psychoanalytic (Oedipal) Roots: Freudian theory posits an unconscious desire in early childhood for the opposite‑sex parent (the Oedipus/Electra complex). If an individual’s psychosexual development were fixated at that stage, they might later eroticize maternal images. While modern psychology does not treat Freudian complexes as literal determinants, the idea suggests that early maternal bonds can influence adult eroticism.

Attachment Theory: John Bowlby’s attachment framework emphasizes that early mother‑child bonding shapes later relationships. Individuals with insecure attachments (anxious or avoidant) to caregivers often carry those dynamics into adulthood. For example, someone anxiously attached to a cold or neglectful mother might subconsciously seek out maternal figures to fulfill unmet emotional needs. In lay terms, “mommy issues” can involve an adult seeking partners like their mother. Thus, an adult might fetishize a caregiver role if they yearn for a maternal sense of safety.

Dominance/Submissive Dynamics: In BDSM psychology, the “mommy” figure is usually a form of Dominant or caregiver, while the “little” is Submissive. The appeal can be partly power exchange: the submissive feels guided and disciplined by a maternal dominatrix, which some find erotic. Participants report that dual feelings of comfort and intimidation under a maternal dom (as noted by a professional dominatrix) can be especially potent.

Coping and Role‑play: Some theorize that such kinks may serve as a coping mechanism or fantasy to replay childhood dynamics in a controlled, consensual way. If someone lacked nurturing or experienced trauma, the role‑play might symbolically provide care. However, systematic studies show that kink practitioners do not generally have higher rates of childhood abuse than others, suggesting that mommy kinks are not simply “trauma responses” but rather complex fantasies or preferences.

In summary, a “mommy kink” is best understood as a form of consensual role‑play or fetish involving maternal imagery. Its psychological underpinnings draw on attachment needs (seeking care), developmental imprinting (unconscious attraction to parental figures), and BDSM power dynamics. Notably, participants emphasize emotional themes (care, praise, discipline) rather than literal sexual abuse of minors. Therapists today view such kinks as within the spectrum of normal adult sexuality when consensual

Likelihood of a Maternal Fetish in Riddle Rosehearts:

Assessing Riddle’s profile against these theories, a maternal fetish seems unlikely. On one hand, his intense upbringing did center on the mother, and Freud might note the absence of a father could leave maternal attachments unchallenged. However, all available evidence points away from any eroticizing of the maternal figure. Riddle’s experience of his mother was predominantly negative (she punished him for play or treats), instilling fear and guilt rather than comfort or sexual attraction. For example, after Riddle was caught with the strawberry tart, he “begged and cried to his mom to forgive him” – a response of submission and anxiety, not of romantic longing. His emotional bond is anxious/dependent rather than affectionate or erotic. Moreover, Riddle’s own behavior shows no signs of unusual sexual interest in his mother. He has internalized his mother’s moral code so strongly that he “considers his values to be morally right no matter what”. In other words, his psyche is dominated by duty and fear of wrongdoing, consistent with a highly punitive superego (internalized maternal voice). Paradoxically, such a rigid conscience is more likely to suppress taboo fantasies than to foster them. Empirical trauma research supports this: children raised by punitive caregivers typically develop anxiety and hypervigilance, not fetishistic arousal. Studies show that early emotional abuse leads to anxiety, depression, and relationship difficulties – outcomes congruent with Riddle’s anxious demeanor, but not with any erotic preoccupation. In fact, Riddle channels his fixation on rules and study rather than sexuality. In summary, although psychoanalytic theory allows for the possibility of lingering Oedipal feelings, the content of Riddle’s childhood suggests a maternal fetish is not realistic. He lacks the nurturing, affectionate context that might give rise to erotic fantasy; instead, his memories of his mother involve domination and punishment. His attachment appears anxious and fearful, which typically produces compliance or rebellion, not erotic fixation on the caregiver. Thus, based on his personality and history, Riddle is far more likely to carry an exaggerated superego and social anxiety than to develop a maternal fetish. In evidence-based psychological terms, the hallmark features of fetish development (positive early associations with the object of desire, sexual conditioning) are absent in Riddle’s case, so a maternal fetish would be a highly improbable outcome.

Assessing the “Mommy Kink”:

Given this background, several points argue against Riddle having a mommy kink as well:

Lack of Maternal Nurturing: Riddle’s mother was a disciplinarian, not a caregiver who offered affectionate comfort. The typical “mommy kink” fantasy emphasizes feelings of being comforted or praised by a mother figure. Riddle’s lived experience was the opposite – he begged to be treated kindly and was rebuffed (his tears and pleas in childhood went unheard). Psychologically, one would expect that a fetish or kink develops around what was missing (e.g. idealized care) rather than what was unpleasant. There is no indication Riddle idealizes maternal kindness; instead, he mimics maternal strictness.

Role Identification: Rather than remaining in a submissive “child” role, Riddle grew up aspiring to be an enforcer of rules. He essentially became a smaller version of his mother – a young authority figure himself. From a psychoanalytic perspective, Riddle may have resolved any Oedipal tension by identifying with the parental role (similar to how he became a “little Queen” in effect). This suggests his erotic or relational scripts would favor dominance and rule‑making over submission to a maternal authority.

Attachment and Autonomy: An adolescent who has internalized a fear of his mother’s disapproval might develop an avoidant or anxious attachment style. Riddle exhibits anxious‑compliant behavior (studying obsessively to please her), which later translates into a rigid work ethic. Such individuals often crave acceptance but may express it through achievement rather than dependency. In adult relationships, Riddle might seek admiration and deference (his way of earning “approval”) rather than comfort. In other words, he is less likely to seek maternal care and more likely to demonstrate maturity and control.

Alternative Interpretation: Psychological Indicators Supporting a “Mommy Kink” in Riddle Rosehearts:

While Riddle Rosehearts canonically exhibits traits of rigidity, control, and internalized authoritarianism, there are also plausible psychological arguments that could support a headcanon of him developing a “mommy kink” in adulthood. This interpretation draws on psychodynamic, attachment, and trauma-related frameworks to assess how early childhood experiences may influence erotic preferences later in life.

Unresolved Childhood Yearning for Affection: Although Riddle’s mother was cold and punitive, he demonstrably longed for warmth and acceptance. His emotional reaction to small pleasures—such as secretly eating a tart or crying when scolded—suggests deep emotional deprivation during critical developmental years. In psychodynamic theory, unmet needs can be eroticized later in life as the mind seeks symbolic compensation. A maternal role-play could offer a controlled environment where Riddle re-experiences the maternal presence—not in its traumatic form, but reimagined as warm, validating, and affectionate. This aligns with concepts from object relations theory, which propose that individuals internalize both idealized and punitive images of their caregivers. A “mommy kink” might thus emerge from a fusion of unmet longing and power dynamics—a way to reclaim control over a past that once left him helpless.

Kink as a Mechanism of Psychological Reversal:  In trauma psychology, erotic reversal is a concept wherein individuals transform distressing experiences into controlled, pleasurable ones. Clinical literature in BDSM studies suggests that role-play involving dominant parental figures may serve as a reparative fantasy. For Riddle, consensual maternal-dominant role-play might allow him to process and symbolically “re-write” his childhood narrative: he is now choosing the maternal figure, receiving structured affection, and experiencing rule-enforcement in a safe, affirming way. This theory also draws on mastery repetition—the idea that people sometimes repeat early traumas in new contexts in order to master them emotionally. A maternal kink might thus offer Riddle an outlet to safely engage with the themes of discipline, love, and approval that once hurt him.

Submissive Traits Under Control-Oriented Mask:  Despite his authoritarian behavior, Riddle frequently displays signs of underlying vulnerability and fear of rejection—hallmarks of an anxious-preoccupied attachment style. His need to follow rules, gain recognition, and suppress emotion may be defense mechanisms against feelings of inadequacy instilled by his mother. In adulthood, such individuals may be drawn to caregiver-dominant dynamics in which they can temporarily surrender the burden of control. A “mommy kink,” in this case, would allow Riddle to engage with a nurturing-yet-structured authority figure who guides and praises him—precisely what he was denied as a child. Research on kink communities confirms that submissive individuals often seek emotional containment through structured power exchange, especially when they come from high-control or emotionally deprived backgrounds.

Regressive Coping and the Desire to Be Cared For: Another explanation comes from the idea of regression under stress. Highly rigid, perfectionistic individuals—like Riddle—often experience psychological exhaustion or breakdowns when they can no longer meet their self-imposed standards. In adulthood, this can manifest as an intense desire to temporarily surrender control, sometimes through erotic or emotional regression. The “mommy kink” can fulfill this need by allowing a controlled, adult-safe form of being cared for, disciplined, and forgiven.

Conclusion:

Based on his canonical profile, Riddle Rosehearts does not fit the pattern of someone with a “mommy kink.” His strict upbringing under an authoritarian mother seems to have instilled in him a desire for control and perfection, not a craving to be cared for or disciplined by a maternal figure. His psychological development emphasizes rule‑following and self‑discipline rather than maternal submission or infantilism. In summary, Riddle’s personality and history suggest he would be highly unlikely to manifest a mommy‑role sexual fetish; instead, he embodies the authority he once feared.

However, while canon Riddle Rosehearts internalizes his mother’s strictness and presents as a rigid authority figure, a psychological reading allows room for a nuanced alternative. Based on established psychological theory—including attachment dynamics, trauma repetition, and kink psychology—it is plausible that Riddle might develop a maternal-dominant kink in adulthood as a way to fulfill unmet emotional needs, explore repressed desires, and process early emotional deprivation.

Simply put, I don’t personally think Riddle fits the criteria—but that doesn’t mean the headcanon comes out of nowhere. It can be justified; I just find it a bit unlikely in his case.

[libellule-ao3]

Solomon Sallow & his relationship with the Sallow twins

While working on a chapter, I felt the need to organise my thoughts about Solomon Sallow’s role in Sebastian’s downfall, and how his rigid worldview ultimately led them all to tragedy.

⚠️: dysfunctional family, toxic relationships.

Solomon embodies a rigid, disillusioned authority figure, marked by his past. A former Auror, he has been so close to darkness that he became tainted by it, resorting to Dark Arts himself =>"fighting fire with fire". Traumatised and disgusted with what he became, he withdrew to Feldcroft.

After the death of his brother and sister-in-law, Solomon suddenly found himself with two orphans to raise, when he was neither prepared nor emotionally equipped for such a role.

Above all, he lacks the temperament needed to raise a boy like Sebastian: impulsive, curious, and provocative. From the outset, there is a fundamental incompatibility of character, and Solomon shows neither the emotional flexibility nor the maturity to adapt.

In truth, it never even occurs to him to try. Solomon's method of parenting is rooted in prohibition, discipline, and resignation which manifests in:

- A total disregard for Sebastian’s emotions (and Anne’s, too).

- The constant repression of Sebastian’s attempts to heal Anne, which he deems naïve or even dangerous.

- Subtle, yet persistent guilt-tripping, making Sebastian believe his efforts are not only futile but harmful.

There is no physical abuse shown in the game, but we are undeniably looking at a case of psychological violence and emotional neglect.

It’s an oppressive environment, where Sebastian is denied recognition, support, and autonomy, despite being a sensitive boy, driven by emotion, by love and hope, and trapped in an unbearable situation: a twin sister condemned, and drifting away from him.

To this is added a patriarchal model of boyhood, typical of the time: masculinity equated with endurance and blind submission to authority. But Sebastian is suffering and he's not allowed to say so. Nor is he allowed to contradict his uncle, as that would be deemed improper for a well-brought-up young man.

To make matters worse, Solomon projects a deep-rooted resentment onto Sebastian. He recognises in him certain traits inherited from his father —recklessness, stubbornness, and a tendency to drag others along in his passionate pursuits. These are the very traits he holds responsible for the Sallows' tragedy and, by extension, for the fact that he now has two children to raise.

(Note: in the game, Ominis refers to their recklessness, and I’m convinced he’s merely repeating Solomon’s words. Neither Sebastian nor Anne would ever have spoken of their parents in such terms.)

My HC is that Solomon resents his brother all the more because he was secretly in love with his sister-in-law =>a situation not unlike that of Severus Snape, burdened with the duty of protecting the child of the woman he had loved in silence. A woman who died after marrying another.

As a result, Solomon doesn’t see Sebastian as a grieving teenager. He sees him as an extension of the brother he had unfinished business with and he tries to crush him.

This projection renders reconciliation nearly impossible: Sebastian can only fail to be loved by an uncle who, deep down, resents him for being his father’s son.

In contrast, his relationship with Anne appears more peaceful... at least on the surface. Where Sebastian embodies rebellion, Anne embodies submission.

She remains dignified in her suffering, deferential to male authority, quiet and unobtrusive. She endures her curse in silence, never attempting the impossible or challenging her fate. This ‘virtuous’ resignation aligns perfectly with Solomon’s worldview and with societal expectations of women.

But I don’t think he loves her for who she truly is; he loves what she represents: a quiet, obedient, morally irreproachable girl, a flattering reflection of his authority, of the care he believes he provides.

He repeated so often that all he could offer her was the gentlest end possible, that there was no hope of recovery, that she eventually came to accept it as truth. And since the Dark Arts are unthinkable to her, she gradually surrendered to that imposed vision —a vision carefully sustained by the isolation Solomon maintains, all in the name of protecting her. But honestly, it’s just another form of toxic behaviour.

One thing must be acknowledged, however: for all his bitterness and severity, Solomon never abandoned his responsibilities. When the twins’ parents died, he could have sent them to an orphanage, and some might argue that would have been kinder, but he chose to keep them. He gave them a home and an education, despite being wholly unprepared. It even appears he continued to tutor Anne, as her magical skill suggests.

Finally, by destroying the relic, Solomon didn’t just destroy an object. He destroyed Sebastian’s last hope. The fragile thread to which he clung in order to save his sister. For Solomon, it was an act of authority, but for Sebastian, it was above all a denial of his suffering, his efforts, his belief, and his love. That's cruel!

Cornered, consumed by grief and rage, Sebastian lashed out. There were no words left. And so he brought a brutal end to years of tension and misunderstanding. But that act, far from freeing him, sealed his downfall.

🙏Thank you for forgiving any possible grammatical errors. ESL writer.

[24kmagiic]

The Masters of Good & Evil: A Detailed Meta of Klaus Mikaelson & Bonnie Bennett (Klonnie)

Hello Saints & Sinners!

I’ve shipped Klaus and Bonnie since Season 2 of The Vampire Diaries. While this ship was brutally snatched out of my cold, dead hands, I can still say today that Klaus and Bonnie were destined to be together, and if you stay a little while, I’ll tell you why I think so.

Grab a snack, I plan to yap for a minute.

Objective:

Summarize their backgrounds and explain how it shaped them.

Point out their similarities, differences, strengths, & weaknesses.

Explain how and why these work for and against them.

Remain on topic while being as concise as possible.

Origin Stories & How They Shape Them:

Klaus: Born in the 10th century to Esther and Ansel, Klaus believed Mikael was his biological father for the entirety of his human life.

After the death of his younger brother, Henrik, Esther stole a spell from Ayana Bennett’s grimoire and turned the entire family into vampires so that none of them would suffer the same fate.

Once turned, Klaus’s hybrid nature emerged when he triggered his werewolf curse, thus revealing Esther’s transgressions. He learned that she suppressed his werewolf nature for years with a spell, making him a target for Mikael’s abuse.

Seeing that her son was now a true abomination, Esther cursed him by binding his werewolf side. Klaus then killed Esther and framed Mikael for it before running away with his siblings.

Mikael’s relentless pursuit of Klaus for centuries compounded his trauma, fueling his paranoia and desire for power to protect himself and his family. This event became a foundational wound, fostering feelings of rejection, inferiority, and rage.

Bonnie: Born in the 20th century to Rudy Hopkins and Abby Bennett-Wilson, Bonnie was abandoned by her mother at an early age and emotionally neglected by her father, who traveled relentlessly for work.

She remained in the primary care of her Grandmother, Sheila Bennett, the alleged ‘town drunk’. While Grams did her best to care for Bonnie, she failed to teach her granddaughter about her family’s ancestry.

Bonnie descends from the oldest magical bloodline in the Vampire Diaries universe. Her heritage, initially believed to date back to the Salem Witch Trials, extends much farther and can be traced back to the 1st Century BC. Her ancestor, Qetsiyah, created the first Immortality spell, sparking the events of the series 2,000 years later. Her ancestors have been the catalysts in every supernatural plotline throughout the TVDU, and their magic and blood are often responsible for breaking curses, creating alternate dimensions, and creating creatures.

After discovering she was a witch, Bonnie was thrown into the supernatural and experienced the death of her beloved Grams early on, marking her hatred of vampires and the destruction they cause. She often received backlash from other characters, including the spirits, for her moral and magical obligations.

Her absentee mother briefly reappears, and Bonnie discovers that not only did her mother live a state away, but she was also raising another child who was not biologically hers. Abby's return reopens Bonnie's old wounds, and after being turned into a vampire, Abby disappears again, triggering more suffering and loss for Bonnie.

Bonnie is isolated from her friends and family while left to deal with the supernatural burden of being the only witch in a town that’s a magnet for destruction. As a result, she is burdened with responsibilities, selfless and loyal to a fault, has a martyr complex, and is often placed on a high moral pedestal. She is reserved, and though she is known to be ‘judgmental’, she is actually understanding when it comes to her friend’s decisions.

Whew. That was a lot, and I haven’t even gotten started. Brew some tea and meet me back here.

...Intermission...

This next part is partially borrowed from another Klonnie Meta I did, but this one is more in-depth.

Similarities:

There are so many commonalities between the two of them that make shipping Klonnie so fun.

Similar to how two siblings can grow up in the same house and face the same trauma but end up polar opposites, that's how I view Klonnie's commonalities (minus the sibling bit, obviously). They both faced similar traumas, but how they processed them turned them into different people. Klaus is the Yin to Bonnie's Yang.

Shared Traumas:

Parental Negligence

Bonnie: Rudy was negligent after Abby left and thus, Bonnie grew up alone with Grams, who failed to teach Bonnie about her heritage. (I'm aware it was against Rudy's wishes but I'm still side-eyeing lol.)

Klaus: Esther was negligent in keeping his father's identity from him and allowing her husband to abuse him. Also, she created the spell to weaken him for her own selfishness, thus putting the target on his back when it came to Mikael.

Abandonment

Bonnie: Her mother walked out on her for no legitimate reason. Her father was always gone, and Grams was an alcoholic (so they say). Even the people in her life were emotionally absent. Then you have her friends who left her to deal with the consequences of magic alone. Their absence, be it emotionally or physically, has taught Bonnie that love is very conditional and that if she can control the circumstances, she can minimize the pain their abandonment causes her.

Klaus: After killing their mother, he developed a deep fear of his siblings finding out and abandoning him for it. Therefore, he became obsessed with loyalty. His biological father was nowhere to be found until a thousand years later. Klaus’s abandonment issue shows up in the form of narcissism. If he can guilt his siblings and make them fear him, he’d never have to worry about them leaving him. (Spoiler Alert: It doesn’t work for either of these walruses.)

Internalization, Narcissism, & People Pleasing

Bonnie: Each time her friends are in trouble, she takes up the mantle to fix things. No one has ever asked, but she’s in-tune with those around her, so she thinks she knows exactly what they want. She then responds by ‘earning her keep’. This links back to her abandonment. To Bonnie, creating comfortable lives for those she loves directly translates to them staying in her life (not the case, but she believes it). She’s uncomfortable with others’ discomfort, and that is a major character flaw. She’s a grade-A people pleaser.

Klaus: This man sees every decision his siblings make as a direct threat to his person. He mistakes their boundaries and their desire to create their own identities outside of him as betrayal. Again, his abandonment issues make him respond with force, as he would with his enemies. And though he would never ‘kill’ them, he’ll cart them around in boxes for 900+ years. If Bonnie is a people pleaser, Klaus is the narcissist who can sniff her from miles away.

Shared Personalities:

Deep Emotional Capacity & Fierce Loyalty

Bonnie: Highly empathetic, Bonnie feels everyone’s pain and will prioritize it over her own suffering. We see this countless times with The Gilberts and The Salvatores. Because of this, she will go against her own morality. For example: The Gilbert Device debacle in which she risked the entire town’s jugulars because of Stefan’s love for Damon, she was willing to destroy the other side to bring Jeremy back for Elena, she tried to stop Elena’s transition at the expense of her Gram’s spirit being destroyed with aether.

Klaus: Despite his cruelty, Klaus loves his family and will destroy heaven and earth for them if necessary. Because of how deeply he feels for them, he looks for that same level of devotion in them and is often let down when they don’t return it with the same level he brings it. In his eyes, he gives more than he receives and this makes him paranoid about whether they truly love him or not. Mikaels abuse and manipulation causes him to second guess their loyalty often and so he does what he does best. Lashes out.

Klonnie: They both feel so deeply that they often suppress it to protect themselves. However, they both tend to ‘explode’. Klaus with his overreactive anger, and Bonnie with her willingness to sacrifice her life for the Mystic Falls Gang. They both make extreme sacrifices to protect those they love, even crossing moral lines to do so. Klaus will hurt his siblings to keep them safe, and in a way, so does Bonnie when she decides to die for them without their knowledge or consent. (Example: Klaus killing Elijah and Rebekah’s love interests, Bonnie telling Jeremy over the phone that she won’t survive the collapse.)

Survival & Isolation

Klaus: The World’s Only Original Hybrid (‘Life’)

Bonnie: The Last Surviving Bennett Witch (‘Death’)

Klonnie: I’ve touched on this earlier, but they’ve both experienced great pain and loss. They carry deep emotional scars, shaping how they see the world and interact with those they hold close. But let’s switch gears and talk about how their survival and power work against them. Their power alienates them, and because of it, they’re isolated. How poetic would it have been to have one of the world’s oldest creatures hook up with the last survivor of the very bloodline that created him!! The possibilities are endless. Klaus is isolated by fear, while Bonnie is isolated by duty. Them trying to kill each other is so romantic! My personal opinion: As much as Bonnie would try to destroy that bastard, Klaus would keep her around just because he’d like the idea of flirting with death. Being alive means nothing to an immortal creature. Throw in the threat of death, and life becomes so much sweeter. He’d never be able to get enough of her. Bonnie is often seen as life, while Klaus represents death, but the roles would be reversed in this scenario. Bonnie would be his cute little grim reaper. In conclusion, people either depend on them (Bonnie) or fear them (Klaus), but rarely do they understand them.

Growth & Redemption

Bonnie: People see Bonnie as a moral beacon that's full of light (and she is), but if you dig deep, Bonnie is a very dark character. She is the antithesis of evil, which does not always equate to what we define as 'good.' Bonnie's goodness is rooted in the way she masters evil, and she knows how and when to tap in (For example: Trying to kill Damon by fire). Most "good' characters we see in media today aren't actually good, they're harmless. Elena is a perfect example of this. Just because she was physically unable to hurt a fly doesn't mean she was a good person. Her selfishness placed Bonnie in ugly situations plenty of times, but it was brushed off because she ‘meant well’ and as a fellow black person, that is a very dangerous sentiment for our white friends to have. Additionally, our girl could learn boundaries, confidence in who tf she is, and how to put her desires over her sense of duty sometimes. She doesn’t always have to be the one to fix everything and everyone, and she could learn a lot from Klaus’s ‘selfishness’.

Klaus: If Bonnie is the antithesis of Evil, Klaus is… evil. One of my favorite sayings is “to be good, you must master evil”. I applied that to Bonnie’s character in the section above, but when applied to Klaus’s character, it’s so poetic and symmetrical to Bonnie. Klaus masters evil because he used to be good. Mikael and Esther showed him the worst in humanity, and because of their transgressions, they created a filthy, dark creature who, at his core, was a kind human being. The best villains once gave a fuck and Klaus is an example of that. Centuries of fear and persecution at the hands of Mikael created this dark, twisted, beautiful being, and if you flip Bonnie’s coin over, there you have Klaus. Additionally, this man could stand to be a bit more tender in his approach to love, and I think Bonnie would be the perfect person to remind him what tenderness feels like. His passion is overwhelming and suffocating, and while Bonnie can benefit from that, it would cause major roadblocks in their relationship. His control would stifle her and push her away, while Bonnie’s moral high ground would get on his absolute nerves. Especially when he knows she can be morally gray when necessary.

Klonnie: A fun little theory I’d like to mention is how their isolation makes them two of TVDU’s most touch-starved/deprived individuals. And Mwah. Imagine them in the sack. Their chemistry would be explosive because they both have what the other needs. Bonnie needs someone who wouldn’t play about her, and so does Klaus. Klaus needs someone whose loyalty he’d never have to question, and Bonnie is the perfect candidate. With a LOT of work, they’d both finally get the love they deserve and naturally, redemption (Klaus) and growth (Bonnie) would come to them, easily or hard won.

Take a nap. Tomorrow we fight another day.

...Intermission...

Or eat a sandwich and come right back...

Differences:

Strengths & Weaknesses

Moral Compass

Bonnie: Bonnie has a strong and almost fixed moral code. She is so rigid that she can’t bend it; therefore, she breaks it. She went from hating vampires to becoming best friends with one and even considered becoming one herself, which seems out of character, but again, she’s so rigid in her beliefs that she doesn’t always see when she’s… being a hypocrite. This is where I can see her and Klaus bumping heads because he’s more adaptable than she is, and her rigidity would annoy him and trigger his inferiority complex. Klaus, as fixed as he may seem to be in his anger, there is a method to his madness, and he has a reason for everything he does. He bases his reactions on past experiences, which I’ll highlight next. Bonnie does the same; only she doesn’t wait for evidence sometimes. She confronts you before the problem even occurs. She also uses her morality as a means of control for both herself and others. For Example: Planning to kill Klaus before the sacrifice (duh but, they could have attempted to come to an agreement our found a better solution), distancing herself from Caroline before seeing what kind of vampire she’ll be (though that had more to do with guilt than anything), and warning Damon that she’ll take him out if he steps out of line (assuming, correctly, he’ll fuck up soon).

Klaus: Regarding his family, I’d say he’s morally gray… on specific issues. Is he overbearing? Yes. Has he done things that I think they should disown him for? Also, yes. But he also goes to the ends of the earth for them, and that kind of devotion is rare (which is why they keep coming back to him). One of my favorite things to point out is how Klaus despises every man Rebekah brings home. In the beginning, it seems like Klaus is controlling, possessive, and at times, even incestuous lmao. But I always remember the flashback where he discovered he was immune to the daggers because REBEKAAAAH decided to fall in love with a hunter and nearly got them all killed/immobilized due to her incessant need for love and her incompetence when it comes to vetting her suitors. After seeing that, you understand why he is the way he is. His wickedness is his self-preservation, and his paranoia is what’s kept him (and his family) alive for a millennium.

Klonnie: These two are night and day, which is why they work. By the end of the series, Bonnie’s moral compass was frantically spinning while Klaus’s… well. His compass is pointing North-West (ish), and smashed into pieces beneath his foot. I think Klaus could learn how to make inclusive decisions regarding his family from Bonnie, and in turn, she could learn how to relax and realize her morality isn’t a weapon to wield.

Approach to Power

Bonnie: Sees Power as a burden and responsibility.

Klaus: Sees Power as control and longevity.

Klonnie: Klaus weilds power aggressively, and Bonnie wields it as a defense. She only operates in her power when she’s on the defense and never on the offense. This is the case with most “good” characters, which is annoying because so much could be prevented if you head off the problem before it becomes one, but… that’s when things become morally gray. Enter KNEEklaus. Though chaotic, he tends to play offense, which gives him the advantage in 90% of situations (like most villains). I haven’t figured out how yet, but these two could find a way to balance this perfectly. With many arguments and make-up...

Confidence & Self-Loathing

Bonnie: Underestimates her importance due to emotional neglect. Klaus is very self-loathing, and while Bonnie doesn't initially appear to be that way, she is too. Her strong moral code is just that, her way of torturing herself. For example: Constantly sacrificing herself for 'good' simply because she has the burden of wielding magic.

Klaus: Overestimates his importance to cope with rejection. Klaus is so used to being rejected that he expects it. That said, he’s spent his entire existence making sure that he is the answer to everyone’s problem… despite creating those very poblems.

Klonnie: Klaus hides his inferiority with arrogance, and Bonnie hides hers with humility and loyalty. Time and time again, we see Bonnie undervaluing her presence within the group by taking herself out of the equation because she was taught that her presence in her parents’ lives wasn’t necessary for them. (I want to bawl right now.) Klaus feels the same rejection from his parents, but he hides it with false bravado by wielding his status as the original hybrid who can’t be killed. They are both the ‘center of attention’ for completely different (negative) reasons. In conclusion, the confidence level for both of them is in hell, and while I think they could find a way to build confidence in each other... they’d need some serious help.

Interpersonal Style & Communication

Bonnie: Empathetic, supportive, and emotionally stable. She is exceptionally good at making connections with even the worst characters (Damon) and building trust. She has a way of growing on you even when you don’t want her to.

Klaus: Manipulative, controlling, and emotionally volatile. He isolates people through fear or force. He has a way of getting under your skin because, contrary to what most believe, the most manipulative people are also skilled at reading people, much like empaths. Klaus needs to control everyone around him to keep himself from getting hurt, while Bonnie refuses to be controlled.

Klonnie: Klaus pushes people away to protect himself. Bonnie pulls people closer, even when she’s hurting. That may sound false, but think about it. The more her friends distance themselves from her, the more she does for them. Because if she feels you pulling away, she sees that as you abandoning her, and if she thinks you’re abandoning her, she goes into full people-pleasing mode. For Example: When Elena wanted to stay behind on the other side while it was collapsing, Bonnie panicked and grabbed her to pull her to the other side. When she thought Elena would die as opposed to transitioning, she risked pissing off the spirits at the expense of her grams because the thought of losing anyone else terrified her. Klaus is the same way. Each time Rebekah tried to run off with a man, Klaus daggered her. He pushed Elijah away by doing the most amoral, irredeemable thing. For example: Telling the witches to kill Hayley and the baby and killing Gia (something I’ll never forgive!!!!!) In conclusion, Klaus lashes out, and Bonnie People-Pleases.

Romantic Expression

Bonnie: Can we call Bonnie’s canon relationship love? One was a ‘here damn!’ relationship and another was stockholm syndrome. (In my humble opinion, sorry Bonenzo girlies. Also, I recognize I stole a Bonenzo photo to make the edit above. So you can clock me for that.)

Klaus: It’s hard to peg since we haven’t really seen this man in love-love but I imagine it’s possessive, intense, and seductive. His romantic gestures would blur the line between devotion and obsession.

Klonnie: Klaus would use his love as a way to possess someone and anchor them to him while Bonnie awards her love like a hard-won gift. Even if it costs her something in return. For example: She gave up her love and freedom for Enzo, and revived Jeremy just to get cheated on. (My foot will remain cemented onto that lil boy’s neck.) At first, Bonnie would be disturbed (and fascinated) by Klaus’s possesiveness but as I said before, our girl could use someone that does not play about her. All he’d have to do is show her the man beneath the monster and she’d lowkey be a moth to the flame. They’d start off toxic of course because a people pleaser and a narcisist is never a good combo but in this case it would hurt so good. Because at their core, they’re good people. (Klaus’s is buried beneath centuries of trauma and stoicsism but it’s there)

In Conclusion (Or Denouement)

Klaus and Bonnie are both masters of good and evil, on the most extreme ends of the spectrum, and I think that’s the fun and beauty of this ship. The possibilities are endless, and there are so many different rabbit holes you can go down when it comes to them. Together, they could balance each other: Klaus learning patience and humility, Bonnie learning that power can be embraced, not just endured. As long-winded as this meta is, I’ve still barely scratched the surface so I’d love to hear what you all think about these two. What I’ve laid out for you here are reasons why I personally adore them.

If you’ve made it this far, you are a gem, and I wish you a lifetime of stocked refrigerators and Klonnie fanfics.

Thanks for reading!

-Nia

[consciouslygrowing]

Let it begin.

This blog is honestly going to be all over the place. A lot of word vomit probably? Maybe I’ll get better at that. No promises though. Little background on me.. I hardly remember my childhood. I saw things I shouldn’t have as a child that formed me into who I am today and what I’ve been through.

My parents are alcoholics. Alcohol has been around me my entire life so I never thought of them as Addicts because alcohol has been so normal for me. I’m not a huge drinker, I’ve had my times forrrsureee and socially but it’s never been an issue for me. When I think addicts I think hard drugs not alcohol for some reason? Like your still addicted to alcohol, you still use to it cope, it destroys relationships, causes pain, causes issues, health issues, everything… like drugs do, so like why didnt I put two and two together? Lol. But anyways, it just hit me at 32 years old, my parents are addicts. So you know what comes along with addiction when you have kids? Emotional, mental, physical neglect. Abuse. As you get older you accept the same from friends, family, and significant others/relationships. Why? Because that’s literally all you know. Duh.

My therapist shared with me today a quote that helped change her life.

“ We spend our lives mastering what made us feel powerless. ”

Example;

For me personally, I felt the neglect as a child mentally, emotionally and physically. So what happened to me? I became extremely sensitive to everything, became extremely empathetic and compassionate for others. I wanted to be the exact opposite of my parents and let me tell you, I’ve mastered that. I feel and I love fiercely with everything in me. I show up, I listen, I try to understand. Which has put me in some sticky situations relationship/friendship wise and stuck around a lot longer than I should have, but that’s another story, another blog.

I just want to share my knowledge and help others while holding myself accountable.

[starreyblueberry]

Tbh I think the way the fairly odd parents fandom treats timmy on tumblr vs twitter is extremely different. On tumblr you find more of a analysis on timmy as a kid and how he was abused by the ones he loved, and thus lashed out most of the time with his wishes (aka he never actually got his basic needs met and as a result wishes for outlandish things without thinking of the consequences afterwards). While on twitter people are mainly focused on how timmy stressed out cosmo and Wanda a lot (which I have my own takes on that) and how he was a “annoying” child, especially compared to Hazel who is more level headed/emotionally mature.

I think it’s kinda dumb LMAOO, I’m not bashing the twitter side of the fandom per say but I think it’s lacking the respect and proper analysis of the original show, I see alot of viral tweets that are just kinda calling timmy a nuance with no dimension in him and it really feels like it’s lacking taste. Yea sure it’s a kid show and it’s not THAT deep but it kinda is at the same time, sure alot of the gags are neglect, but it shows how normalized it was for timmy and I feel like a lot of people kinda ignore that. How alot of his life is just normalized to him, when in reality, he needed diff parents stat. Hazel and timmy are different kids with different home lives who I think shouldn’t be compared too, they both have their pros and cons to them and I think it’s rather silly to put the other down for the sake of the show. Timmy is my favorite and I have alot of opinions on who he is and what his impact was, but demeaning that and only saying “he was a bratty kid” misses the whole entire point of his character!!

It’s kinda why I prefer tumblr more over twitter on the FOP side of stuff LOLL (tho there are a lot of Timmy fans on twitter as well which makes me happy)