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marimbles · 7 months

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ok since i’ve really only whined but not actually explained my reasoning lol, here is my take on the s5 finale. (this is long, sorry)

I think we’re all on the same page about the idea that gabriel being seen as a hero, by all of paris but especially adrien, is icky. and on top of that it does not feel good that marinette is supporting that lie, even if it’s out of love for adrien. most people are assuming this issue will be resolved somehow in 6, probably by lila exposing the truth. cool. that’s my hope as well. but even if that’s the case, i still dislike the framing of his wish and what the surrounding context seems to imply about it.

it is not my assumption that gabriel’s wish included green initiatives and a reformation of the parisian school system lol. I assume that his wish was to exchange his own life for nathalie’s. but as we know, wishes literally rewrite reality. the fact is that paris improved after his wish, so it is still related. he remade the world, and the new world ended up better. It all supports the idea that his wish was a good thing—a noble sacrifice that redeemed him in some sense. my impression is that even if (hopefully) he is exposed as hawkmoth, the actual wish he made will still be framed as admirable. obviously marinette found it noble enough to agree to lie to everyone about gabriel’s identity as hawkmoth.

which brings me to another pain point: the fact that gabriel essentially won the long battle against ladybug and chat noir. i’ve heard arguments that he didn’t win because he died and how is that winning? he got what he deserved in the end. but imo, he just put himself out of his own misery, because he was on the brink of death anyway because of his cataclysm wound, and he basically escaped having to face any emotional consequences from his literal terrorism and child abuse. and even if you don’t consider that a win, you also can’t consider marinette’s end of the deal a win either. her goal was to prevent hawkmoth from unifying the miraculous and making a reality-altering wish. which is exactly what happened. so she failed her mission. ladybug lost. and to me it’s sort of bizarre that the narrative seems to be framing that as a good thing? ladybug lost, but the new reality that resulted from it is so much better than the old one, and she is actively choosing to lie in order to protect the seeming goodness of that reality.

marinette is lying, of course, to protect adrien, which does not feel out of character. we’ve seen her do this before. but it is frustrating to me for precisely that reason. the final battle was meant to highlight how much marinette has grown over the past five seasons, but her choice here highlights the ways she has not grown. starting with syren in season 2, she has witnessed how much it hurts chat noir to be left in the dark and how it weakens their partnership. in that case, she convinced master fu to let him be in the know, and trust was restored. but then she continued a habit of keeping things from him, putting more and more distance between them, till it culminated with kuro neko in s4—a total breakdown of the ladynoir partnership, where chat noir renounced his miraculous. i would have thought that marinette would learn from that experience and realize that keeping people in the dark is harmful and that even if the truth hurts, adrien has a right to know it. but she once again made the decision for him, and when he finally finds out, it will be all the more painful to know that the person he loves and trusts most in the world lied to him. i actually really appreciate that marinette as a protagonist has such a good heart but is still such an imperfect character, so i want to respect this choice as a manifestation of her flawed but good intentions. i just can’t help but be really disappointed that after 5 seasons of making the same mistakes again and again, she has apparently not learned from them, which makes me feel she has not grown the way the writers say she has.

her facing hawkmoth alone for the final battle is supposed to be a sign of that growth—and yes, I can see how she has grown a lot in confidence and capability since her shaky debut as ladybug. but i also feel that her flying solo defies one of the central themes of miraculous: that in the fight against evil, good people need to stand together. just think of the difference between the s4 and the s5 finale. in strike back, ladybug is broken and sobbing because she has lost the miraculous and feels like a failure who is all alone. but then she is buoyed up by her faithful partner and all of paris, who express unbreakable faith in her and vow to stand by her side. that was so powerful! showing that she doesn’t have to be alone, and she’s not supposed to be alone, and that part of being a hero means accepting help and working with others to achieve good goals. this message was a major part of marinette’s character arc in s4 and it’s something that was introduced from the very beginning and has been supported over and over in the show. but then in “re-creation,” she has no team, and she doesn’t need one. which … good for her, I guess? But then why did we have 5 seasons of “you and me against the world” if in the end it was always going to culminate with “I'm sure we can figure out a solution if we work together. You … and me”—referring to Marinette and Gabriel, while Adrien is literally locked in a blank white prison hundreds of miles away?

it just really kills me that in kuro neko, adrien gave up his ring under the assumption that chat noir was not needed—that he was entirely useless to ladybug. and then the narrative proved him right. ladybug did not need chat noir to defeat monarch. she just needed his ring. the writers confirmed in their recent commentary that they had planned a bug noire fusion from the beginning, and they intentionally sidelined adrien so that could happen—they even had to figure out an excuse for why he wouldn’t be there. so they traumatized him with nightmares of destruction and fear of akumatization to ensure that he would once again give up his ring and conveniently remained locked away while bug noire faced down monarch alone.

you could argue that it’s better for adrien to have missed the final battle anyway, since facing his own father would just be even more traumatizing for him. i understand that. (that’s the reason i liked that in the owl house, it ended up being just luz vs belos, and hunter did not have to face him again.) but at the same time it feels so narratively unjust that chat noir—who has been fighting against hawkmoth by ladybug’s side since day 1—has zero part in seeing his mission through to the end. even though it’s all about him. because while marinette is the protagonist, adrien is the connecting piece of the whole story. it’s always been ladybug vs hawkmoth, and adrien is in the middle of them, because he’s both ladybug’s partner and gabriel’s son.

you’d think, logically, that as the connecting piece, Adrien’s decisions would be vital to the plot. That he’d have the power to tip it either way. but instead he is completely stripped of his autonomy—literally, because he’s a senti, and also symbolically in the narrative, because he’s simply removed from the equation. Like, he’s still central to the equation but he has no say in it. It’s all about him but he’s not even present. Everyone is fighting for him but he can’t fight for himself. Everyone is speaking for him but he doesn’t even have a voice.

the finale kind of sets up marinette and gabriel as narrative foils of each other, showing how they have the same motivation—to make adrien happy. and they make the same decision to protect that goal. which is interesting, sure, but also kind of effed up to me? i’m not sure what to take from the idea of the protagonist mirroring the antagonist in this way. that’s been done loads of times, but in this context, for a child audience, i don’t know what to make of it. what kind of message that is supposed to send to the children who are the primary audience of this show? ladybug is a good guy, and in the end, she’s just like the villain because they both love adrien and want to protect him. so that’s why she agrees to tell everyone the bad guy was a hero. ????

that gabriel/marinette parallel leaves adrien to parallel emilie, which makes sense and is fitting but also just sort of … depressing and again, lowkey effed up. that adrien ends up with the same narrative role as a corpse in a coffin. almost, like, macguffin-esque—a thing that motivates the agents of the story but has no agency itself. despite him being so central to both sides of the main conflict, his decisions don’t affect the outcome. because he doesn’t have the option to make any. because he’s not even present. both gabriel and marinette made a life-altering decision for adrien, thinking it was best for him, without considering that what’s best for him is to know his own story and make his own choices. him getting the rings was somewhat relieving, but it also felt like kind of a slap in the face. because it’s like, “look, adrien’s free! he has his amok and no one can control him anymore!” but, like, how free is a person who is living a lie? will he ever experience true autonomy, or will his life continue to be dictated by the decisions others make for him? will the narrative give him decision-making power or will his role continue to be symbolic?

one thing that makes this all extra dissatisfying is that Adrien literally does not have the option of getting closure with his father, because he’s dead. maybe a dramatic reveal in the middle of the final battle would not be the best way to go about it, but now he can’t have any sort of closure. in the owl house, it didn’t feel necessary for hunter to be present in the belos takedown because he already had his confrontation with belos in graveyard possession scene. belos tried to physically control him, and hunter broke free, and spoke his mind, and as traumatizing at is all was, it was good for him to be able to do that. it would’ve been so nice if adrien also had that opportunity. if he did break free from his father’s control, either by overcoming akumatization or the control of his amok somehow. or if not that, if he were just able to have one honest conversation with his father about emilie. like he did with his alt self in the paris special. it was so significant for the writers that bug noire detransformed and spoke to gabriel as marinette. why couldn’t adrien have done that? Marinette is the one to tell Gabriel that Adrien wouldn’t want him to make the wish and hurt someone else, that Adrien has made peace with his grief, that he has learned to cherish his mother’s memory without living in the past. wouldn’t that be even more powerful coming from adrien himself? if adrien was part of that final confrontation just as himself, we could even still have bug noire play a primary role.

i get that adrien being part of the battle is a risk, since we saw in chat blanc one option of how it could play out. but we also saw in the collector another potential way adrien might respond to learning that his father is hawkmoth—charging into battle by ladybug’s side. especially if he was given time to process the idea beforehand. it’s not impossible. you’d just have to compose the scene and its buildup a different way. so honestly it feels sort of lazy to just remove him for the sake of ease? and also sort of a waste of narrative potential? the villain being the father of one of the main characters is such an interesting plot element. imagine if luke skywalker did not ever face darth vader. if he never even learned that vader was his father. or if he learned that fact after vader’s death, which was the result of a confrontation he was not present for.

of course, i know adrien is not the protagonist. marinette is. and of course i want her to be empowered by the story. but i’m getting a little tired of what i see as kind of cheap feminism in ML. like, girl power for the sake of visibility so the writers can pat themselves on the back about it, if that makes sense? this show does have so much good feminist power with a strong female lead who has realistic flaws and a big heart, who overcomes self-doubt and other struggles, and who has proven time and again to be a smart, capable leader who has earned the trust of everyone on her team. but all of that sometimes feels undercut by the narrative treatment of adrien—like he has to be put down somehow to elevate marinette. ML has subverted gender roles in a lot of ways by having ladybug lead with her brain while chat noir follows with his heart. and adrien has a lot of other strong feminine associations—the focus on his physical appearance, the expectation of perfection and obedience, his soft and gentle nature, his romanticism, etc. And one of the biggest ones is all the ways he is trapped, all the ways he is pushed down and made to be submissive. they even depict him as a princess locked in a tower, with marinette as the knight in shining armor to save him from the evil dragon (his father). with adrien in that traditionally feminine role, it would have been empowering to see him to take a leading part in his own liberation. instead, he was locked away both literally and symbolically in favor of a solo bug noire confrontation, so marinette could look like a girlboss in her cool new outfit, taking on the bad guy all by herself, even when it would (imo) fit better with the themes of the show and her own character arc for her to fight alongside her partner. but as Thomas Astruc said, “She's Barbie, he's Ken. You don't like it. I get it. It won't change. Anything else?” (X) it just makes me feel that the writers cared more about the cinematic value and feminist brownie points of that battle than its narrative significance—which i feel could only be increased by adrien’s participation. “all that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good people do nothing” … and that is all adrien was allowed to do.

i think a lot of fans at this point are just assuming that whatever feels dissatisfying/off will be fixed in s6. they’re trusting that the writers have a brilliant master plan that we just have to be patient and wait to see come together. idk, maybe i’m just tired. or a little jaded. i think there will be a lot to enjoy in s6, but i’m also prepared for disappointment. i honestly did not love many elements of s4 as well as s5, and i had expectations that weren’t fulfilled there either. i’ve felt let down by the writers many times now, so i expect that many of their future choices will not resonate with me. but i still love ML, and I am eager to see how everything will unfold. i’ve also read a lot of other analyses of the s5 finale, and there are great points being made on many sides. this is just my personal interpretation and opinion. i did not like the finale when i first watched it, and after sitting on it for months and trying to evaluate my feelings and look at it logically, i still do not like it lol. if you do, great! this isn’t intended as a personal attack on anyone—just me expressing my two cents, which ended up being more like $20. thanks for bearing with me if you read all this ✌️

#ml #mine #ml meta #ml re-creation #ml s5

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sneakyboymerlin · 6 months

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If no merwaine, then why…

Transcript and analysis below ⬇️

Transcription:

Gwaine: Thanks for everything that you did for Eira.

Merlin: There’s no need to thank me, it was the least I could do. And you seem to care for her.

Gwaine: I could hardly leave her for the Saxons, now, could I?

Merlin: [teasing] Was that your only reason for rescuing her?

Gwaine: [lying] Of course.

[Saxons attack. Gwaine fights them off, but one knocks Merlin to the ground. He curls up and shields his face, completely helpless.]

Merlin: [screaming] Gwaine!

[Gwaine turns his back on the man he’s fighting and saves Merlin. He finishes off the last Saxon without even looking, eyes still on Merlin. He helps Merlin off the ground.]

Gwaine: Are you okay?

Merlin: Yeah, I- I think so. Thank you.

Gwaine: There’s no need to thank me, Merlin. It was the least I could do.

aaaaaaand END SCENE!

To start off with, we have a self-aware parallel in Merlin and Gwaine’s dialogue. We’re going to be examining the subtext of this conversation.

Subtext is simply what can be inferred without direct statement or revelation. It is not, as fandom is wont to believe, inserting any meaning you want between the lines: it is a cohesive message expressed by indirect means. Here’s an example:

A student goes to turn in his paper. After looking through two pages, his teacher asks, “Are you sure you want to turn this in?” The subtext of this question is the intended clue to the student that the paper is not ready yet to be turned in and he should edit through it again.

Moving forward… The repetition of, “There’s no need to thank me, it was the least I could do,” is a deliberate allusion to a core theme of Merlin and Gwaine’s relationship through the years: helping another soul—soon to be friend—in need, with no expectation of a reward.

The subtextual reading of this parallel, of course, is that Merlin does not owe Gwaine, and vice versa, because that is not why they help each other. They do it because they care about one another. As a result, they’ve both helped each other innumerably. Gwaine alludes to the help Merlin’s given him as a way of saying that there is no need to return the favor, because 1) he didn’t do it expecting a favor in exchange, and 2) Merlin has more than repaid the favor already.

Another instance where we see this kind of exchange between them is in this deleted scene from 4x07 The Secret Sharer (scene 47 at 15:10).

youtube

Transcript:

Gwaine: We’ll find him.

Merlin: I won’t forget this.

Gwaine: I haven’t done anything.

Merlin: One day I’ll repay the favor.

Gwaine: Considering the trouble I get into, that may prove to be a rash promise.

[Gwaine offers Merlin some food]

Merlin: I’m full.

Another deleted scene (they really did just delete every meaningful Gwaine scene in s4 huh) which we have only a script for (though it’s possible it was recorded and the audio edited out) is when Gwaine and Arthur ride out to find Merlin in 4x06 after he’s been captured by bandits. Although this scene did not make the final cut, it is referenced again when Gwaine calls Merlin “Bog Man,” so it clearly has a place amidst the canon material.

(Find the transcription here.)

I think it speaks for itself here, but, “And finding him will be reward enough?” truly captures the selfless devotion that Gwaine feels for Merlin.

Fandom generally accepts the idea that Gwaine would do anything for Merlin, but that Merlin never seems to do the same in return. However, this is likely a misconception of what counts towards a returned favor. Merlin is a physician, not a warrior. Or, as Morgana puts it, “a lover” (not a fighter). We cannot expect Merlin to help Gwaine in the same area of expertise that Gwaine helps him in. He applies himself in other ways.

When they meet in 3x04, Gwaine offers Merlin and Arthur aid in a tavern brawl where they’re clearly outnumbered. Gwaine is injured when his opponent pulls out a knife in a fistfight, and Merlin rushes to tend to his wound. Already, a favor is given and returned between the two.

And, while Gwaine does intend to help both Merlin and Arthur, not to mention the tavern employees, he takes a special interest in Merlin. Merlin is the only one who Gwaine takes the time to introduce himself to mid-fight, even as Merlin shouts for him to watch out as he is being actively attacked. And then, of course, Gwaine does fall to an attack. Merlin treats his injuries both on the spot and back in his own chambers.

One could argue that the introduction of Gwaine to Eira follows a similar format, with Gwaine coming to her rescue, only for her to save him when their attacker knocks him to the ground. Perhaps Gwaine even takes on Merlin’s role as caretaker from 3x04 when he brings Merlin in to treat Eira in 5x12, as opposed to receiving the treatment himself. Then again, it might be more similar to the scene in 4x07 where Gwaine jumps in to battle against Alator’s guard. Like Eira, Merlin also rescues Gwaine when he’s knocked to the ground (though Gwaine doesn’t know it).

As we can see, though, Merlin is not lying when he tells Gwaine, “I’d do the same for you,” in 3x08, nor when he tells Gwaine, “One day I’ll repay the favor,” in the deleted scene from 4x07. Merlin and Gwaine have different services to offer, but they offer to help all the same.

The next portion of the aforementioned 5x12 scene on our to-dissect list is the actual subject matter of the conversation, followed by a visual representation of the very same act.

After Gwaine thanks Merlin for helping Eira, Merlin mentions that Gwaine “seem[s] to care for her.” Gwaine, in an effort to avoid the sexual and romantic implications, diverts to the chivalrous explanation: “I could hardly leave her to the Saxons, now, could I?” Merlin teases him with no relent, though, and asks, “Was that your only reason for rescuing her?” Gwaine responds with a curt, “Of course.”

The subtext of this conversation is that Gwaine’s hurried involvement to protect/take care of Eira stems from a crush on her. This is true, as there were many enemies around, but Gwaine chose the one attacking the pretty “damsel in distress” to fight. He then takes one long look at her and decides to forgo the battle to take her to safety.

Merlin can’t help but notice Gwaine’s feelings for her. She is, after all, staying in his bed even after her wound has been treated, so there is a connection between them… much like Gwaine stayed with Merlin for the remainder of 3x04 until he had no choice but to fulfill the demands of his banishment. This is especially interesting, since the wound that Merlin treats Eira for is on her leg, which is the same spot where Gwaine was stabbed when they first met. Merlin similarly wrapped his wound at the time.

But the main point is the fact that Gwaine rescued Eira from the Saxons with a single-minded fervency, in part because he was attracted to her, and then quickly grew attached.

Gwaine then proceeds to rescue Merlin from Saxons a matter of seconds after this is established.

Allow me to remind you of Gwaine’s sudden change of course in saving Eira.

Now compare this to his rescue of Merlin.

Let’s take a closer look at their dialogue:

Merlin: You seem to care for her.

Gwaine: I could hardly leave her for the Saxons, now, could I?

Merlin: [teasing] Was that your only reason for rescuing her?

Gwaine: [lying] Of course.

When applied to Gwaine’s rescue of Merlin, the conversation about Gwaine rescuing Eira takes on a more powerful meaning. After all, Eira is a virtual stranger who ends up being the traitor in the court. Gwaine sends her to her execution on Merlin’s word (via Gaius as the messenger), whereas Merlin is someone Gwaine has known for nearly a decade. There is a consistent history of Gwaine acting as Merlin’s body guard, which is being enacted again now as Gwaine escorts Merlin through the Valley of the Fallen Kings.

This is also one of the last ever scenes between Merlin and Gwaine. In truth, we are being shown a brief summary of their relationship as it comes to its narrative end—one last hurrah, if you will. And what they choose to show us is Gwaine protecting Merlin in an act of unconditional love.

Eira, like any character, is a plot device. Her interference leads to Merlin being trapped in the Crystal Cave, and Gwaine being tortured for information on Merlin and Arthur’s location. However, her presence as a person Gwaine wants to protect is meant to evoke the memory of every time Gwaine has protected Merlin. The chosen method to imply this was by creating a parallel between Gwaine’s protectiveness over the woman he’s currently sleeping with to his protectiveness over Merlin. Take that as you will.

#bbc merlin #merlin emrys #sir gwaine #merwaine #mergwaine #merlin meta #my meta #merlin and gwaine #bbc merlin deleted scenes #video #audio #transcript #long post is long

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therainscene · 1 year

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I’m obsessed with @wheelersboy’s theory that Mike thinks Will is in love with El. It’s one of those takes that’s so simple, yet so perfectly explains every odd little detail you couldn’t quite account for before, that you know you’re on to a winner.

I always thought it was bizarre that the Willel reunion at NINA was framed in blatant love triangle imagery:

If this was supposed to be yet another reminder that the sad widdle gay boy has fee-fees for his best friend, we’d expect him to be gazing at Mike or otherwise looking conflicted at both of them. But he isn’t. His steady, adoring gaze is for El only. Yes, he loves her, but that love is strictly fraternal, so why the romance symbolism?

Is it straight-bait? This scene comes after his thinly-veiled love confession to Mike (in the same episode, no less), and the Duffers and Noah both made a point of confirming that Will was gay in post-vol.2 interviews, so making the audience think that Will is in love with El clearly wasn’t the intention here.

The Willel romance-coding isn’t for the audience -- it’s for Mike.

We often joke about Mike being crushed that Will didn’t laugh at his vomit green socks, but follow Will’s gaze -- it’s a little hard to see in the still image, but he’s staring at El, checking to see if she’s going to heed his advice. Mike's discomfort isn’t because he’s upset that Will didn’t like his joke, it’s because he doesn’t understand the weird tension between these two and is frustrated that his attempt to lighten the mood didn’t dispel it.

Mike’s smart enough to correctly connect the dots by the time Will starts sobbing in the van though: Will is destroying himself in his efforts to be supportive of the relationship between his best friend and the person he’s in love with.

But heteronormativity and a severe inferiority complex lead him to draw the wrong conclusion -- he thinks he’s the best friend and El is the one Will’s in love with, and that gets confirmed in his mind when he catches them making goo-goo eyes at each other at NINA.

And not once, after figuring it out, does he get jealous about it -- he guides El into Will’s arms at NINA, he looks conflicted as hell during the “I love you” monologue as Will hovers over his shoulder -- he just wants them to be happy and is prepared to put his own feelings aside to make it happen, even though it would hurt him terribly to do so. Exactly the same fucking thing Will is doing. It’s utterly farcical. I love this theory so much.

I’d like to springboard off this by taking a look at what it implies about S5.

Between Will’s history with Vecna and the Wonder Twins foreshadowing--

--it’s looking pretty likely that Will and El are going to be spending a significant amount of time together next season.

So we can already see that conditions are perfect for Mike to go through a similar arc as Will did in S4: being a third wheel between his best friend and the person he’s in love with and feeling like he can never truly be more than a third wheel, leading him to sacrifice himself in an effort to support what he thinks they have together.

Mike is very much at risk of doing something stupidly self-harming in S5 -- this is the same kid who jumped off a cliff to protect Dustin’s baby teeth, after all. He feels like he has no value if he isn’t needed by Superman. And there’s a goddamn mind-reading despair demon stalking his friend group.

Of course, it’ll all work out in the end. He’ll be saved at the last moment, the truth will be tearfully revealed, and we’ll finally get that big, dramatic, affirming kiss for our OTP.

You might have noticed that everything I’ve said in this analysis so far is consistent with either Byler or Milevn being endgame.

Many Milevns and GA members don’t just believe that Milevn will triumph over Byler -- they believe there isn’t any conflict between Milevn and Byler in the first place. The lack of evidence that Mike isn’t into boys is meaningless to the heteronormative mindset -- he’s the protagonist and dating a girl, therefore he’s straight, therefore Will’s hopes are dead in the water, therefore Mike has no romantic dilemma to solve.

By introducing a misunderstanding in which Mike imagines that his best friend is competing for his girlfriend -- couching his dilemma in relatable heterosexual terms -- the audience will be forced to accept that Mike is experiencing a distressing internal conflict involving Will and romance that won’t be resolved until the queer truth comes out.

The GA felt bad for Will in S4 because they assumed there was nothing he could do about it, but they’ll be tearing their hair out with frustration at Mike in S5 -- “you’re wrongly assuming he’s straight, you idiot! Just talk to him and this will all be cleared up!!”

It would be an absolutely genius way of getting the audience to question heteronormativity without them even realizing they’re questioning heteronormativity.

Once Mike’s queerness is revealed, the parallels between his arc and Will’s will suddenly become clear, and the audience will realize that, despite his straight-passing invisibility, Mike was just the other side of the same gay coin Will was on all along.

[Part 2]

#stranger things #willelmike #byler #willel #elmike #mike wheeler #will byers #el hopper #my analysis

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bibylers · 4 months

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Byler vs Mileven

So, I haven't ever really "actually" thought about this question before. Mileven or Byler?

Byler, of course! But that's just what I think. What if we just think about it in general.

I decided to split this in three different questions.

1. Which one is better written? (long answer)

2. Which one is most likely endgame? (medium answer)

3. Which one has more fans? (short answer)

So, let's start with the first one!

WHICH ONE IS BETTER WRITTEN?

Let's start with Mileven.

Mileven has been canon ever since season 1, and is still canon in season 4. Let's think about how Mileven started.

A very original "love at first sight" scene. Mike, Lucas and Dustin are in the forest, searching for Will, but instead of finding Will, they accidentally find El. The camera right away starts zooming towards Mike instead of the other party members, which at least gave me the "oh okay so they're gonna be the main young couple" thought when I first watched s1.

I have personally never liked the idea of "love at first sight", which is one of the main reasons I do not like the way the writers started Mileven.

But, thinking in general, a love at first sight start is a normal and basic way to start a relationship.

We through st get to see how Mike and Elevens relationship escalate quickly from friends to lovers.

Now - what l'm about to say is of course very according to the writer, but as a (non professional ofc) writer myself, I don't enjoy writing a fast burn love story. And this doesn't just come from me, but many other writers too. A slow burn adds way more to the tension than what a fast burn does.

But, of course again, thinking in general, many people enjoy fast burns too.

Mileven in s2 is very well written in my opinion. I love how they made a long exhausting wait before finally letting Mike and Eleven meet again, after a year of not being able to even see eachother. They did not get a lot of time together, but they still got the emotional, slow motion reunion.

Season 3 Mileven is where Mileven were in their "honeymoon phase". Mileven shippers LOVED it, meanwhile, others did not. It started getting a little boring almost, with the same repeating cycle.

S1: Mileven get together, Mileven gets ruined (El "died")

S2: Mileven aren't together, Mileven get together (reunion)

S3: Mileven are together. Mileven break up. Mileven get back together.

Were the duffers EVER going to let Mileven just be together for a whole season?

Season 4 proved that the answer was definitely no.

S4: Mileven are together, they "break up", they get seperated, they reunite, and still do not officially get back together, despite Mike's love confession to El.

So, the basic compilation of Mileven:

Very healthy from s1-s2, got a little confusing in s3, getting completely ruined in s4.

Now, Byler time.

S1 Byler gets barely any screentime together, yet we still get the understanding that Mike and Wills relationship is very different from the other relationships (for example Dustin and Lucas.

Were shown that Will cannot lie to Mike & that Mike is the most concerned from the party about Will's missing.

S2 Byler on the other hand, has a lot of screentime together, and a lot of adorable moments.

For example, these:

Crazy together scene (2x02)

Mike coming over to take care of Will (2x04 & 2x05)

Mike tells Will that meeting him is the best thing that's ever happened to him (2x08)

Of course there are many others, but those are my favorites by far.

S2 was a great season over all for Byler. A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E.

Not yet generally thought as anything but platonic, but still, adorable.

S3 for Byler sadly wasn't the best season for them. Of course, Mike had ALOT of queercoding in this season and so did Will, but the Byler scene amount in particular were not even close to the same amount of Byler scenes in s2. We of course get the "It's not my fault you don't like girls" Byler rain fight (3x03), but that wasn't a very positive scene either.

This scene was the definition of Murray's "curtain explanation". The general audience does not usually try to look that deep under the curtain, meanwhile, hard core fans, st theorists and Bylers in particular LOVES to look behind the curtain. Search for clues everywhere.

And that search of course lead to this statement.

The duffers are building up a romantic plot between Will and Mike, specifically a Will Byers "gay plot" and a Mike Wheeler internalized homophobia plot.

And was that statement correct, 3 years later when S4 came out?

Oh yes it was.

S4: the Byler season

Bylers took over the whole fandom. (I'm not even joking).

S4 was of course mostly known for Max's plot, but secondly?

The byler plot.

Now, Byler compilation:

Very healthy from s1-s2, not at it's best in s3 (if you don't look behind the curtain), shining bright like a diamond in s4.

FINAL ANSWER TO QUESTION NO 1:

Byler.

Byler is better written.

There, I said it. Please do not MURDER ME.

Now, question NO2.

WHICH ONE IS MOST LIKELY ENDGAME?

Starting with Mileven, let's think about how s4 ended.

Broke up, seperated, never got back together.

Adding to this, El hadn't even spoken much to Mike after his love confession.

Now, that might sound a little strict, but the fact that all l just said was completely true, not even from behind the curtain, makes it just so clear how Mileven is obviously not at it's best, and most likely at it's end.

So, as a quick answer, I say: Mileven is most likely not becoming endgame in s5.

Now, Byler.

Awkward -> strong -> romantic.

Realize the buildup?

Their bond in S4 was absolutely adorable and strong.

Mikes face expressions towards Will:

I mean, do I even have to say anything?

So incredibly in love.

So, once again as a quick answer:

Byler is almost 100% becoming endgame. Reasoning to why some of the general audience doesn't realize this is once again, because of the curtain. But, looking behind it, you realize right away how incredibly endgame they are.

Final question!

WHICH ONE HAS MORE FANS?

Well, basic explanation to this:

Yeah. Byler it is.

So, FULL WRAP UP!!!

QUESTION 1: WHICH ONE IS BETTER WRITTEN:

Answer: Byler

QUESTION 2: WHICH ONE IS MOST LIKELY ENDGAME:

Answer: Byler

QUESTION 3: WHICH ONE HAS MORE FANS:

Answer: Byler

There you go everyone. Mileven vs Byler, who wins?

Personally: Byler

Generally: Byler

Answer?

Byler!!!!

#byler #<<target audience #will byers #mike wheeler #anti milkvan #milkvan is bones #platonic elmike #stranger things #byler st5 #st5 speculation #byler theories #byler endgame #stranger things 5 #byler is real #byler tumblr #byler is canon

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illogical-fallacy · 2 years

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been thinking about a couple of screencaps that @will80sbyers posted of what looks heavily implied to be h*omosexual activity at rink-o-mania not in the closet:

and it's got me thinking: throughout all of s4, we really don't get any introspection into how much personal growth Will has undergone during his year away from Hawkins

we of course know he's torn up about his relationship with mike and is hurting watching his half-sister be bullied at school, but we don't know much about what HE is going through.

what we know contextually:

the fictional town of lenora hills is somewhere roughly between bakersfield and LA metro. even in the 80s when california was overall more right-leaning than it is now, it still would have been leagues more progressive than hawkins, indiana at this time

2) Will clearly feels comfortable enough in his new environment to do research projects and presentations on openly gay individuals in history

3. Will feels empowered enough to paint a very emotional gift for a girl he likes Mike.

4. (admittedly minor) king has a little shop of horrors poster in his room, literally flooded with queer subtext. considering the film had JUST come out, too, this was something he was eagerly anticipating, not hopping onto the cult-classic bandwagon for after the fact

(unrelated note: if you haven't heard m.j. rodriguez, a BIPOC+ trans actress, sing suddenly seymour, you should do that now).

all of these things together indicate: Will has been put in a position that's allowed himself to slowly begin coming to terms with his sexuality in his time away from Hawkins. He may not be vocalizing it yet, but his actions indicate he's probably seen couples like the ones at rink-o-mania already this year. Something that very possibly could have given him the courage to approach Mike about it over Spring Break.

of course, this goes in the trash as all of Will's insecurities hit him full-force the moment Mike steps off the plane in Cali. The rest of s4 depicts this breakdown very well, but it takes understanding just how far Will has come to appreciate how heartbreaking his emotional deterioration is.

We can also support this by considering Jonathan's POV in the van and pizza cooler. Traditionally a loner who has the same kind of reserved life as Will, he also wouldn't have had a lot of exposure to queer people just existing prior to moving to California. He's evidently experienced enough to be able to pick up on Will's (admittedly obvious) subtext and deduce that his brother may be hiding something.

why would the duffers go through the effort of so subtly building up Will's growth arc to not have the payoff be one that completes the hero's journey?

not to get bogged down in mythology: the hero's journey is a very common framework found in thousands of works. it has three main sections: 1) when the hero has to leave home and venture into the world, 2) the ordeals the hero undergoes to realize their full potential, and 3) the hero's return home with whatever they've gained from their trial in order to complete their adventure.

to me, this suggests heavily that Will's journey of self-actualization and facing his inner-demons (both extra-dimensional and homosexual) is going to conclude in Hawkins as he enters the final third of his journey.

notably, a section of this Journey Will hasn't gone through yet:

RESURRECTION) One final test is required for the purification and rebirth of the hero. Alternatively, it may be a miraculous transformation.

all i'm saying is that transformation better involve him getting Mike to shut up and admit how he feels about his best friend.

#byler #overly long analysis and rambling and i'm not sure if that made any sense oh well #byler is endgame #byler is real #mike x will #will x mike #mike wheeler is not straight #will byers #byler rights #will is gay #byler is canon #byler tumblr #byler theory #be gay make byler canon #will byers deserves better #byler s4 #byler hope

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perexcri · 10 months

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fic recs!!

i woke up to being on a couple of fic rec lists and really appreciated it, so i wanted to capitalize on the nice energy and make a list of some of my own favs that i've read recently that i didn't necessarily see on the other lists :D check these out because they have some of the best prose/plots/characterization that i've read in the fandom :] 💜

one soft infested summer (M, 18k+, 3/7 ongoing) by @wheelersboy - this one is perfect for all the highler fans out there! it's got stoner byler of course, a music festival, lots out camping, and some really amazing writing! i started it just for the fun stoner vibes because Why Not, but i'm staying for the beautiful writing and the really complex and delicate relationship mike and will have in this one

Light Sleepers (T, 15k+, 2/6 ongoing) by @helioleti - WillEl-centric fic set during the time gap between the end of s3 and the beginning of s4 that explores their dynamic and their respective problems with mike, all while trying to cope with moving across the country from everything they know. each chapter is meant to reflect a certain stage of grief, which fits so well with all the complicated emotions everyone is going through!

drank my poison all alone (T, 4k, one-shot) by silverluminoqity - mike gets vecna'd and has to face his past self who's ashamed of who he's grown up to be, and my dudes the writing goes SO HARD. by far one of the best mike gets vecna'd fics i've read with such a good take on his character

star eater (T, >1k, one-shot) by @lowlightt - another fic where the writing does not play. honestly if you have a few minutes, READ THIS FIC. it's mostly just a confrontation between will and vecna, but it's so so powerful and impactful. and again, i cannot state it enough: the writing is AMAZING

tell me again (you said yes) (M, 32k, 3/3 complete) by @willow-lark - hey remember when cleradin was like a Thing for a brief second a few months ago? well if you miss those vibes, or if you just like great writing and some of the best weaving of canon into a fantasy au i've ever read, please look no further than this fic (and it's first part, fireball him! (cast protection)). i love this one dearly and enjoyed the wonderful ways Lark wove canon (specifically s1) into such a different setting, plus it was nice to see many of the other characters play a role in the events. beautiful, astounding, heart-wrenching - and did i mention there's an elopement 👀

In Undertow (M, 17k+, 3/6 on-going) by @souverian-are-we - this and one soft infested summer have become my summer byler reads~ when i say i love this fic, i mean you will have to pry it from my cold, dead hands 🥰 we've got estranged byler, jancy engagement with some stoncy going on in the background, and most of the characters still reeling from the consequences of their final battle with the upside down. it's all set at a lake house, which provides some breathtaking/atmospheric writing that this author uses to their advantage. it has some of my favorite scenes i've ever read in fic too, ones that have literally taken my breath away

california show your teeth (T, 77k+, 10/19 on-going) by @fireflywitch - what if the Byers and Hopper families were from Lenora and moved to Hawkins? this fic takes this one simple premise and turns it into one of my favorite fics i've ever had the pleasure of following along with. it essentially functions as a retelling of s1 and s2, gives almost every main character that's been featured in the show thus far a lot of time and space for their own plots, all while culminating into one larger story underneath. i don't think i've read a fic quite like this one in terms of its scope, plotting, and characterization, because there are a lot of moving parts, but this author goes above and beyond. i cannot recommend it enough

all i know is pouring rain (and everything has changed) (T, 3k, one-shot) by @willelfanpage - i think i read this one at the beginning of my workday while i was running some report on my computer and had to go about the rest of my day as if everything was fine ahah :'D seriously though, it's 3k words that pack an emotional punch all while examining will's relationship to rain. the writing is just gorgeous, and it's a character study that i haven't really seen done before, which was quite enjoyable~

Chasing Heartlines by (T, 7k+, 1/2 on-going) @cherryisgone - if you liked Tip-Toeing on Lilypads then may i direct you to its sequel, which features so much pining mike that he might as well be a tree? again, if you like cleradin/fantasy aus, then Cherry my beloved has you covered 💜 it fits so neatly with Lilypads and provides some fun contrast between will and mike~

Touch Me Like You Know Me (M, 15k, 4/4 complete) by @starsarefire824 - this exists in the rare pantheon of fics that actually made me cry. imagine an estranged byler reunion with all the emotions turned up to an eleven, and lots of lingering on lost time and how life sometimes takes us places we never thought we'd go. it's absolutely beautiful and is a classic to me :]

come back to me and forgive everything (T, 78k, 18/18 complete) by @howtobecomeadragon - i saw a lot about this one when it was on-going but am only just now getting around to reading it, and all i can say is why did it take me so long to get to it :') this author does such a good job of writing will and mike's relationship with a lot of nuance and complexity while still managing to make them feel like the teenagers they are. basically, will has to spend every july at lonnie's house in indianapolis, and for this summer in particular, the event is a lot more emotionally impactful for both mike and will. there's lots of emotional depth, the complexities of coming out and/or realizing you're queer, and, at the heart of it, how two friends try to mend things between each other. it's so soft and sweet

that's all i've got for now!! i'm quickly running out of time on my lunch break :'D also haven't been writing as much, but it's been fun to read more and relax a bit. hope you guys enjoy these because they're genuinely some of the best stuff i've had the pleasure to read in a while 💜💜💜

#fic recs #actually that last paragraph is a threat everyone had better read these now or i'll. blow up tumblr #byler #(< intended audience)#stranger things fic

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starbylers · 1 year

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Can we talk about how Mike ‘not being able to say he loves El because he’s scared she won’t need him one day’ makes no sense when you consider that for Mike this conflict spans two whole seasons, and there needs to be a consistent character motivation throughout.

Mike struggling to tell El he loves her has been, on the surface, his main conflict since s3.

In season 3, after blurting out he loves El, Mike brings it up again at the store. He tries desperately to get his point across, to make El understand ('I've never felt like this before', 'blank makes you crazy, like the word'). But no-one can deny that in this scene Mike is doing everything he can to avoid actually saying love. Now, what is the Mlvn excuse for this again? 'He's not good at expressing his emotions’. That's their running narrative post s3. (Let's ignore how that's not even canonically true of Mike's character and continue).

We come to season 4, and Mike is still chronically unable to use the word love, even when speaking about El and not to her. (Like this is clearly a deeply ingrained thing but I digress). Pre vol. 2, the Mlvn excuses are still related to Mike basically being emotionally unintelligent (his parents, his age, blah blah). But when Mike himself finally reveals the big reason, it's...'I didn't want to tell you I loved you because I was scared you won't need me one day'? Okay. Theoretically, out of context, that could make sense. So this becomes the new Mlvn narrative.

Here's the problem: both of these things cannot be the root cause of the same issue. It's one or the other: either he can’t say he loves her because he’s bad at expressing feelings, or he’s scared El one day not needing him would hurt more. This two-season dilemma is part of one series-long character arc for Mike. Mike in s4 is the same person with the same struggles as Mike in s3. Whatever his motivation for avoiding it in s3 (which was never addressed, it’s not like we got closure for that and then they just came up with a new reason he can’t say it) must logically be consistent continuing into s4.

Can anyone seriously tell me that Mike, here in this scene, was struggling to say the word 'love' because he was 'scared one day El wouldn't need him':

No. Of course not. He was specifically avoiding the word, and the most plausible explanation for his aversion (if we're ignoring Byler) is that Mike's just a kid and love is a big scary word. Bad at emotions etc. Which is why Mlvns and GA subscribed to that narrative, it seems obvious. But it cannot be right because Mike reveals the 'true reason' in 4x09. This is the canon explanation, finally—he's been scared she eventually won't need him. Except, that cannot be right either, because that reasoning does not align with his obvious (again, ignoring Byler) s3 motivation (love being daunting for a young teen) for the exact same behaviour. Like he literally uses the exact same pattern of avoidant wording from s3 in s4 (‘I care for you so much') and like I’ve said this is all meant to be one singular, overarching conflict.

If the initial 'bad at feelings' reading of Mike was correct, you'd expect the monologue to be more along the lines of 'I find it really difficult to express myself but I do truly love you, so this is me being vulnerable and brave'. Personally, I would've somewhat bought that. As a Byler I would've been like okay, it's kind of boring cliché storytelling but I'll admit defeat. But that’s not what happens. Basically what I’m getting at is:

Neither of these explanations can account for Mike’s inability to tell El he loves her in both seasons, so then by the logic of Mike having consistent motivations, neither can be true.

Which leads to the conclusion that there must be a different, all-encompassing, underlying cause for his heavy avoidance. Something that connects all the dots. I wonder what that could possibly be.

#byler #anti mileven #also I do believe that Mike is scared of El not needing him #but his reason for this fear is rooted in unhealthy codependency and his insecurities not because he’s just so in love

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katsu28 · 2 years

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sweet

part 2 - starry skies

pairing: Steve Harrington x reader

summary: finally mustering up the courage to talk to the cute boy at Scoops Ahoy turns into something much sweeter than just the ice cream

warnings: set during s3 so no s4 spoilers, light swearing, just hella fluff

a/n: i actually squealed writing this. multiple times. enjoy <3

masterlist + taglist

(gif from pinterest!)

“You really need to go talk to him.” Your friend’s voice knocked you out of your daze, cheeks growing hot at being caught staring at the cute boy with the fluffy hair behind the counter.

“Huh? Sorry, who?” You knew your answer was absolutely see through as soon as it left your mouth, but you’d been…distracted.

“Uh, the guy you’ve been obviously ogling every time we come here?” They raised an unamused brow at you that you rolled your eyes at.

“I haven’t been ogling him—”

“You’ve definitely been ogling him. Every time.” They snorted, popping the cherry from their banana split into their mouth smugly. “But lucky for you, he’s been checking you out too.”

“Really?” You might’ve sounded a tad too hopeful, not being able to help letting your gaze drift over to the boy yet again to find that he was already looking back at you, both of you smiling sheepishly at one another when you locked eyes.

“Oh my god, go talk to him, Y/N!”

You had to dodge another kick to the shins before climbing out of the booth, brushing any residual waffle cone crumbs off your clothes on your way to the counter.

The boy was slouched over at the register, mindlessly twirling an ice cream scooper between his fingers, but straightened up instantly when he saw you heading his way.

“Ahoy there!” He blurted, a little too loudly for your close proximity, but you didn’t seem to mind. “What can I get for ya?”

“Oh, nothing right now, we’re still working on our from earlier.” You jerked an aimless thumb back towards the general vicinity of your friend. He glanced over your shoulder to see said friend ducking behind the booth partition guiltily, an amused grin quirking his lips. “I, um, I just thought I’d come over and say…thank you. For the ice cream. It’s really good.”

You had to fight to keep from smacking yourself at your awkwardness. Thank you for the ice cream? It’s really good?

Of course he knew the ice cream was good, he worked here for god’s sake!

But he just smiled good-naturedly, bobbing his head. “Good. That’s—I’m glad to hear that. Strawberry’s my favorite too.”

“It’s so good, right?!” You exclaimed, your eyes lighting up in excitement. “My friend always rags on it and says it’s too sweet, but I keep telling them that ice cream is supposed to be sweet!”

“That’s exactly what I say!” He slapped the counter with a gleeful laugh, pointing at you with his ice cream scooper. “I’m Steve, by the way. Steve Harrington.”

“Scoops Ahoy, strawberry, Steve—how fitting,” You teased, nose scrunching as you giggled at your own joke. “I’m Y/N.”

“Nice to meet you, Y/N.”

“Likewise.”

Steve just smiled at you for a few seconds, then opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, but before he could, someone cleared their throat from behind you. Glancing over your shoulder, you caught a glimpse of a very annoyed looking mom with two young kids, both of them looking about five seconds away from a temper tantrum.

“I should get back to work—”

“I should let you get back to work—” You blurted at the same time, sharing a chuckle with Steve right after. “Thanks again for the ice cream, Steve.”

With that, you stepped aside, offering him one last smile before making your way back over to your booth.

Steve watched you go, his brain willing him to call you back, to say something, anything, to get you to stay, but his mouth refused to cooperate. That, and the pissed off looking mom with her two little gremlins glaring at him like they wanted to kill him.

He got them their ice cream as quickly as he could, trying (and failing) not to look over at you too much, and Robin noticed, smirking at him from her position behind the partition in the back room.

“Should I add that to the ‘you suck’ side, or…?” She asked nonchalantly, hovering her uncapped marker over the whiteboard.

Steve furrowed his eyebrows, tearing his eyes away from you to look at her. “What? Oh, screw you. She was into me. I think.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t ask her out.” Robin pointed out.

“Should I?”

“Do you wanna go out with her?”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “Yeah, I do.”

“Then go ask her out, dingus.” She shooed him away, but beckoned him back a split second later, rummaging under the counter before brandishing that stupid Scoops Ahoy sailor hat at him. “You gotta wear the hat.”

“I’m not wearing the hat.”

“It’s company policy, you gotta.”

“Screw company policy, I’m not gonna wear the goddamn hat—”

“Wait, wait, she’s leaving! Never mind the hat, go!”

Steve’s eyes widened as he turned to see that you were tossing your trash in the garbage can by the parlor’s entrance, and he called your name, panicking.

You turned at the sound of his voice, lips turning up in a soft smile at the sight of him jogging towards you. Your friend just smirked knowingly, muttering something about waiting outside.

Steve came to a stop right in front of you, propping his hands on his hips in an attempt to remain casual. “Hi.”

“Strawberry Steve!” You greeted him cheerfully, making his heart skip a beat. When he looked like he wanted to say something, but didn’t, you tilted your head curiously. “Everything okay?”

That seemed to snap him out of his daze.

“Yes! Yeah, everything’s great.” Steve nodded rapidly, licking his lips nervously. “I just wanted to tell you that…I think you’re really pretty, and I was wondering if you wanted to go out. With me. Like, on a date.”

God, he sounded so stupid right now. He used to be so good at this, why was he so nervous now?

He was half expecting you to turn him down, but when your smile only grew bigger, he was hopeful.

“I’d really like that, Steve.” You replied earnestly. He perked up at that.

“Yeah? How bout later today? I get off work around five.”

“Five works.”

“Okay, good! Great. I’ll see you at five then.”

“See you at five.”

Steve made sure you were safely out of sight on his way back to Robin before fist pumping, a stupid grin on his face that she would definitely roast him for, but he didn’t care. He was back on his game.

“Seems like a point for the ‘you rule’ category, I’d say,” He smiled smugly, hopping over the counter smoothly.

“Yeah well, we’ll see about that.” She hummed, returning the bird that Steve flipped at her.

-------

Your nerves were a jittery mess when five o’clock rolled around, because a guy as cute as Steve surely had to be messing around with you, right?

Honestly, you weren’t sure if you wanted to find out.

But you pushed the thought to the back of your mind as you hovered outside Scoops Ahoy waiting to meet up with him, instead deciding to focus your attention on counting the leaves of the very fake looking potted plant beside you. It wasn’t until you heard your name being called that you looked up, seeing Steve waving at you.

He’d changed out of his tacky sailor’s uniform, instead sporting a very soft looking yellow sweater and a pair of very fitted blue jeans (not that you were complaining) as he made his way to where you were waiting for him. As he got closer, you saw that he was clutching a paper cup of strawberry ice cream in one hand.

“Do you ever get tired of ice cream?” You asked, tilting your head at him curiously. “Because you’re around it all day?”

“I don’t think anyone could get tired of ice cream,” Steve shrugged, taking a casual bite. “I definitely don’t.”

“Well, how could you? You’re strawberry Steve, after all.” You teased, voice lilting.

“Funny. Here, get in on this,” He whipped another spoon out from behind his back with an exaggerated flourish, offering it and the cup out to you. “I know it’s your favorite.”

“Ah, I’m good, thanks. Ate a lot earlier.”

“Come on, you gotta have some! It’s Scoops policy.”

“Policy, really?” You arched an amused eyebrow. “And what policy might that be?”

“Always share your ice cream with pretty girls named Y/N.”

A burst of laughter fell from your lips that Steve couldn’t help but feel proud of himself for being the reason for. “Pretty specific policy you got there.”

“Oh, it’s super cutthroat, the ice cream industry.” He bobbed his head, eyes wide in mock seriousness.

“I’m sure it is.”

“Hey, so I saw on my way in this morning they just opened the, uh, the arcade on the other side of the mall, if that’s something you’d be interested in checking out? Maybe play some games?” Steve offered nervously. When you didn’t answer, he faltered. Were arcade games too childish of him to suggest? Did he just ruin his chance with you?

To his relief, a wicked grin stretched your face, accompanying the mischievous glint in your eye. “I’m so gonna beat you at Dig Dug, Steve Harrington.”

“Oh, I’d love to see you try, Y/N…last name that I don’t know,” He responded, trailing off dumbly.

“It’s L/N,” You chuckled, falling into step with him as he started to head in the direction of the arcade.

“Y/N L/N,” He hummed, like he was testing your name out on his tongue. “Pretty name.”

You just laughed again, bumping your shoulder against his playfully, and Steve decided that your laugh was his new favorite sound.

The giant flashing neon letters of the Time-Out Arcade sign greeted you both as you made your way inside, as well as the sound of clinking coins and electronic beeps from the games.

“I haven’t been to an arcade in years,” You said breathlessly, taking in all the games around you in child-like amusement.

Steve just dug around in his pocket, procuring a handful of coins that he held out to you with a smile. “Let’s go nuts.”

He honestly lost count of how many games the two of you played, but he didn’t even care that you were beating him in every single one of them if it meant you’d keep smiling at him the way you did afterwards.

“Not to brag or anything, but I’m kind of a pro at Dig Dug,” He shrugged, hands up in mock surrender as the two of you approached the blinking game machine.

“Okay, so that’s how it is?” You snorted. “Why don’t you go first then? Just so I can see what score I’m gonna blow out of the water.”

“You’re so on.” Steve smirked playfully, feigning cracking his knuckles and rolling his shoulders before popping a few coins into the slot and taking his place at the controls. The game’s startup music poured from the speakers, not leaving any more room for your teasing banter.

Steve’s tongue poked out between his teeth as he was hunched over the joystick, long fingers slamming down on the buttons with the utmost engrossment in the little animated digger on the screen. It was cute. Steve was cute.

“‘Mkay so, not my best performance, I will say.” Steve clicked his tongue disappointedly when he finally got caught, frowning at the ‘game over’ message blinking across the screen, then meeting your gaze sheepishly. “I might be a little bit out of practice.”

“Sure, yeah, blame your sucky score on lack of practice,” You teased, bumping him out of the way with your hip. “Scooch, and let a real pro show you how it’s done.” With a playful wink sent in his direction that rendered him speechless in the best possible way, you started your game, determined to beat his (kind of shitty) score.

Meanwhile, Steve was leaned up against the machine, one arm bracing him as he watched you play with an idiotic grin on his face, because fuck, you looked so cute when you focused. Your nose was scrunched adorably, eyebrows furrowed in intense concentration as you expertly handled the controls with ease. Along with the lights from the game washing your face in a breathtaking glow that sent his heart into an Irish jig in his chest, Steve wouldn’t be surprised if there were hearts in his eyes right now.

“Yo, Steve, what the hell are you doing here?” An annoyingly familiar voice sounded out from a few games away, and Steve cursed inwardly, knowing full well that whatever good impression he’d hoped to make on you today had just been ripped away because of the untimely appearance of the one and only Dustin Henderson. “Dude, Earth to Steve? Hello??”

He turned to see the younger boy and the rest of friends staring incredulously at him, pressing his lips into a tight smile. “Yeah, I heard you, Henderson. Hi.”

“Since when did you come to arcades?” asked Dustin, wrinkling his nose in confusion. “I thought you said they were for kids.”

“I only said that because I don’t wanna drive all your asses here everyday,” Steve huffed, planting his hands on his hips. He cast a wary glance your way to make sure you were still enveloped in your game before aiming a pointed look back at them. “Get out of here, you little shits, I mean it. Go away. Now!”

“What’s your problem, dude?”

Max suddenly swore from where she was hovering at the back of the group next to Lucas as soon as she connected the dots, her eyes flicking from Steve, to you, then back to Steve, and widening the slightest bit at the realization. “Guys, he’s here with her. On a date.”

Steve rolled his eyes, shooing the kids a few paces away so you were out of earshot. He could tell that they had questions, ones that he really didn’t want to answer right now.

“Beat that, Steve—oh.” You glanced up from your high score to see a group of teenagers gathered near Steve, gawking at him, then you, like you were animals in a zoo. “Uh…hi there.”

The curly haired one was the first one to react, shoving past Steve to shake your hand enthusiastically. “Hi! I’m Dustin. We’re friends with Steve.”

“All of you?”

“Yep!” He chirped, shooting you a toothy grin. Your eyes drifted to the rest of the kids standing a little ways away, offering them a meek wave that only the redhead girl returned.

“Nice choice in game,” She jerked her chin approvingly at the Dig Dug machine. “Steve sucks at it.”

That brought out a snort of laughter from you. “He really does.”

“Alright, I think it’s time to go before you start ganging up on me.” Steve blurted, clamping his hands on Dustin’s shoulders and all but shoving him back to his friends. “Get lost, children. Scram. Skedaddle. Leave.”

“Jesus, fine, we’ll leave,” huffed Dustin, brushing the nonexistent dust off his colorful shirt before aiming a glare at Steve. “You’re still coming by to help me fix my bike later though, right? Because I really need those gears turning by tomorrow night if I’m gonna make it to D&D at Mike’s!”

“Yes, Henderson, I’ll swing by in the morning! Now go!”

Dustin looked like he wanted to argue, but one of the other boys started to steer him away. “It was nice meeting you, Steve’s date!”

You went to return the sentiment, but he was ushered away by his friends before you could, leaving you with a thoroughly embarrassed Steve.

“I’m so sorry about them. Particularly the annoying one.” He gave a weak chuckle, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

“Are all your friends that young?” You asked curiously, tilting your head at him.

Steve’s cheeks flushed pink, visible even in the dim arcade. “No! No, they just—they like to hang around.”

“They’re cute.”

“Oh god, you better not let Dustin hear you say that. I think the little shit thinks you’re cute. He’s not wrong, though.” Steve meant that last part to just be in his head, but when your lips curved into a smile, he knew you’d heard it. “I didn’t mean to say that! I’m sorry, I—”

“It’s okay,” You said softly, shifting a little closer to him. “I think you’re cute too.”

He perked up at that, your soft smile giving him the courage to reach out and take your hand gently, gauging your reaction to see if what he was doing was okay. When all you did was raise an expectant eyebrow, he laced your fingers together, twirling you in a half circle until you were snug against his side, his arm draped over your shoulder. Steve would never admit it, but he liked how you slotted into his embrace like a missing puzzle piece. His missing puzzle piece.

“How very smooth of you,” You laughed airily, winding your arm around the small of his back as the two of you made your way out of the arcade. One look up at the skylight at the center of the mall told you that it was nearly dark, and it made you sigh knowing that you had to leave now if you wanted to get home at a reasonable time. “I have to get home soon.”

Steve’s lips turned down in a pout, shoulders sagging a little bit overdramatically at your words. “I’ll walk you to your car.”

You got to your car in the lot quicker than you would’ve liked, pulling away from Steve reluctantly to dig your keys out of your bag and unlock the driver’s side door. When you turned back to him, his eyebrows were furrowed in thought. “What’s with the face?”

“I do have friends my age, I promise. You know my coworker, Robin, the other girl behind the counter at Scoops, she’s my age. Actually, she’s a year younger than me, but sometimes it feels like we’re the same age. A year isn’t that much,” Steve blurted, shoving his hands in his pockets. He was rambling now, but he couldn’t control the word vomit spewing from his mouth, let alone stop it. “She’s actually the one who pushed me to ask you out, so really, it’s her that—”

“Hey, Steve?” You interrupted politely, making him pause mid sentence. “Shut up.”

“Yep, shutting up now.”

You closed the distance between the two of you, popping up on your tiptoes and pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. The brush of your lips was feather-light against his skin, but it still had Steve’s breath hitching in his chest. “I had fun today.”

“Me too.” He murmured, his thumb coming up to rub tantalizing circles on your waist that had you not wanting to get into your waiting car. “Can I see you again soon? I wanna take you out on a real date. No annoying kids, no game machines eating our coins. Just you and me.”

“That sounds perfect.” You beamed, turning and sprawling out across the driver’s seat to rummage through the passenger seat glove compartment, grabbing what you were looking for before scribbling down something on the tiny notepad. “Here.”

He glanced down at the paper to see you’d written your address and phone number on it, along with your name signed with a heart next to it. “I’ll treasure this with my life.” He was half joking, but also not.

“Good. I hope you’ll call.” You winked at him again, enjoying the way his cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink every time you did. “Bye, strawberry Steve.”

Steve rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his face as he opened your door for you and watched you get settled in. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Y/N.”

“Can’t wait.” With that, you started your engine, waving at him one last time before pulling out of your spot and driving away, keeping an eye on him in your rearview mirror until he became a speck in the distance. Your heart leapt at the thought of hearing from him again soon.

Steve just stood there as he watched you leave, waiting until your car disappeared from his line of sight before looking down at the piece of paper in his hands and feeling himself grin uncontrollably.

Who knew that getting a shitty summer job scooping ice cream would turn into him meeting someone like you, who could kick his ass at Dig Dug and still be sweeter than the strawberry ice cream you both loved while doing it?

(i won’t lie, i’ve already begun planning out the second date in my head, pls tell me y’all would read it)

Taglist!

@milkiane @lurkymurker @pastel-abyss-x @liltimmyst @lilygreennn @nia-um @wittiestrain184

#besties it is 4am and i'm still writing help #steve harrington #steve harrington x reader #steve harrington x you #steve harrington x y/n #stranger things #stranger things netflix #stranger things season 3 #scoops ahoy #steve harrington fluff #steve harrington one shot #steve harrington fic #steve harrington imagine #joe keery

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booksandpaperss · 1 year

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so this post by @theonebyler talking about this (alleged) rack-focus shot—

—really got me thinking about the ending of volume 2 actually giving us the Mike POV we’ve (mostly) been missing all of season 4. This started as a quick reblog of Em’s og post but it turned into its own post and I didn’t wanna hijack the original, so here you go byler tag!

What’s interesting about the last 30 minutes of volume 2 is that we really do finally start to see Mike’s POV more clearly with camera angles.

For example:

At the start of volume 2, we get the van scene, and while we do have some head on shots of Mike that are very incriminating, we also get shots like… this

The focus is on Will, and Mike is BLURRED in the background. We are literally being censored away from how he’s feeling here, probably bc that expression would’ve immediately confirmed that Mike actually did understand what Will was saying. But we as the audience don’t get that confirmation here, we’re kept from really seeing Mike.

But then, at the end of volume 2, we get shots of Mike looking at Will like THIS

just LOOK at that. That is a head on shot of Mike just staring at Will. He seems worried, but he also seems mesmerized. And while Will can’t see Mike looking at him like this, this time, unlike the van scene, we as the audience can. We’re finally being given a real look into how Mike is feeling, and I guarantee you that if we had gotten more uninhibited head on shots of Mike like this in volume 1, those quick glances that we eventually caught him doing after looking closely would’ve been a lot more obvious. There’s also something to be said about the fact that Mike seems to be letting himself look a little longer in volume 2… but that’s another conversation.

And to add to Em’s earlier point in her post, this cabin scene shot isn’t the first time we’ve seen a shot like that… it’s just been reversed:

Look at how similar these are. Even the circumstances are similar in the fact that one of them is clearly stressed and their side profiled at the edge of the frame, while the other is staring at them in worry and also… something else 👀

As Em was starting to point out, all the camera angles that were used in volume 1 to portray the depths of Will’s feelings for Mike were being used towards the end of volume 2 for MIKE while looking at Will. And If those shots were romantic for Will, that absolutely means they were romantic for Mike too. I would even argue that atp saying these shots are showing Mike’s romantic feelings for Will is implied canon, but that would probably start riots lmao

This also all lines up perfectly with the formula for byler that the show has been using so far: show Will’s crush in season 3, then show how deep those feelings actually go in season 4 while simultaneously showing Mike’s crush in the same season, which of course strongly suggests that we will be getting Mike POV in s5 in the same way we got Will POV in s4, showing the depths of Mike’s feelings for Will, and so the end of volume 2 was essentially transitioning into what’s gonna be full Mike POV.

It also matches up with my theory/analysis that Mike’s queer realization arc is exactly one season behind Will’s. I might have to revisit these Mike POV shots in more depth and detail actually for that bc like… wow.

#whew it’s been awhile since I’ve done a post like this #brings me back to when my account was actually mostly analysis posts and intelligent thoughts lmao #byler #mike and will #byler endgame #byler analysis #byler proof #byler s4 #mike wheeler i know what you are #elli talks byler #elli talks mike wheeler

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skayafair · 7 months

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I've just noticed the longest season we had was 12 episodes and it's been 10 in S4. So, are we getting closer to the end of it? Can the whole Scratch situation resolution be the season finale?

Also the pacing this season is so slow - or rather the attention is so dispersed between the Order of the Fallen Star search, the Butcher, Scratch, Daniel and other new characters that there has barely been any progress plot-wise. I'm totally for it, why not, except we've been told there are only 6 seasons planned. Leaving us with just 2, which are about 24 - or maybe 30, if we're lucky, - episodes.

I've reread that post with questions from the previous seasons and I don't believe we are going to have most of them answered. But what's worse, I'm very not sure the story can be ended properly and satisfyingly in a span of just 2 seasons the way it is now.

Especially if John is going to end up as a villain. I can even see a few ways he could, but the 1st one would suck because it's pretty stupid and I hope HG doesn't go down this road, and the 2nd is that John has been growing more codependent over the course of the 3rd season and that may result in some very nasty things. Which I honestly don't like either because this whole character has been about a totally different thing for the most of the show, whatever HG could be saying. So driving him down that path and be done with it would be just bad writing. And HGs writing is often inconsistent, but I wouldn't call it bad. To me it looks rather good storytelling and characters-wise. So I have some hope it'll end... even if not well - with a show like Malevolent a happy ending is the most unexpected, that's what all the fics are for, - but in a satisfying manner.

Then I recall The Deviser and how I hated the ending again and the hope gets unstable.

#malevolent podcast #masked #I'm just worried a bit #obviously I would want one of my fave stories to have a good - not meaning necessarily happy - ending

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raayllum · 2 months

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Re these prior musings / promises but speculation regarding the secret scene possibly being Claudia murdering Sir Sparklepuff got me wondering, so... let's talk about Rayla, Claudia, and symbolic to non symbolic notions of suicide.

Tw because this will mention / does talk about cannibalism, suicidal ideation, and suicide in passing. If you're not comfortable reading about those things in more detail but you still want the gist of this meta, scroll down to the TLDR that will have a couple sentence summary of the idea.

With that out of the way, let's get into it.

For a while now, I've been interested in the metaphorical mechanics regarding Rayla murdering Viren in 3x09. As we all know (even if Aaravos 'pretends' otherwise in 4x04), Rayla did successfully kill the man, retroactively achieving her earlier mission of killing a king of Katolis because he was responsible for both the death of the Dragon King and because he'd killed Zym (which Viren was in the process of doing).

However, Rayla kills Viren in the most Rayla-y of ways, as she does so without her assassin blades, while acting as the Last Dragonguard, and in a way that means killing Viren is not just an act of protection or revenge, but also something that meant sacrificing (killing) herself.

And this felt notable to me, since unlike either of the brothers, Rayla hasn't killed anyone else. Ezran would've burned people alive with dragon fire if not for immunity spell, and Callum blasted plenty of people off the side of the mountain and presumably to the Storm Spire. But Viren was the sole blood on Rayla's hands, even if the narrative has Claudia (and we'll get to her in a minute) resurrect him. Her one act of murder being something that also, as stated, required her to sacrifice her whole person, and is also in line with her assassin training: "I am already dead."

When Rayla rebuttals Ezran's assertion that "[You spared him] because you knew he was a person, just like you," you can read Rayla's assertion of "That shouldn't have mattered, I had a job to do," solely as her talking about the guard's personhood... but you can also read it, I think, as her dehumanizing her own personhood. She is a weapon and he is the target and that's all that should've mattered.

We can tether this thread all the way up to season four with Rayla's refusal to murder Callum, but put a pin in that, cause now I want to talk about Claudia.

Much like we can read Rayla's attempted dehumanization as twofold, I also think we can read Sir Sparklepuff's mimicry of Claudia as something with multiple layers. The first and likely most obvious one of course is that Sir Sparklepuff mimicking Claudia in earlier episodes is to setup later that he is her (magical, technical?) half-brother and one of Viren's children. Kind of like how we had Ezran and Zym mimicking each other in mid-S2 to set up their mental/emotional bond later that season.

And this implied connection likewise loops back around in the finale when Viren simultaneously refuses to sacrifice Sir Sparklepuff for his own survival while also lamenting that he's led (sacrificed?) his own daughter down a dark path (and perhaps regret that he sacrificed his son once, too).

Arc 2 has also ramped up Claudia's willingness to destroy herself further for the "good of her family" (and her own desires that often steamroll over theirs) in having her take on more and more animalistic forms when doing dark magic, blurring the lines between her de-personalization of magical creatures and also herself.

This reflects dark magic's cannibalism motif quite well, as Claudia carries on metaphorically cannibalizing her own body throughout most of s4 and especially s5: refusing to rest from Terry, using her own blood in spells, etc.

This all reinforces that while dehumanization was something Rayla struggled with for both her target(s) and to a lesser degree herself, it's something that Claudia has only continually excelled at. And we know, thanks to S4 with Rayla walking away from the drake in the woods ("We can't save everyone") that she's gotten better at it as well.

But what does this all have to do with symbolic suicide? Well...

If the secret scene is what a good deal of us have been speculating / that Claudia is covered in Sir Sparklepuff's blood in the teaser trailer, then: if Sir Sparklepuff is a stand in for Viren's innocent, made to be an asset, processing learned behaviour child - if he is a stand in for Claudia - then through killing him, Claudia is symbolically killing herself.

Now, there's no doubt in my mind that Claudia isn't viewing things that way, but we also know just how much she's willing to ruin herself for the people around her first hand, and how persistent that characterization has been: "Are you okay?" "You're going to be better now. That's all that matters." While Claudia also has some selfish, twisted self-preservation in there as well (she cannot or will not cope with the fracturing of her family, even when she really probably should), the self-destructive tendency that's led to her S6 spiral is well established.

This attitude of "it doesn't matter what happens to me, so long as other people are okay/safe" is something we see for many characters, of course, but I think is best embodied in Rayla's continual, emphasized thread of sacrifice / her tendency towards subtle but consistent passive suicidal ideation regarding her own safety and her own wants/desires.

R: Don't worry about my hand. The egg is all that matters. / It doesn't matter what happens to me. / I have to go after [Viren]. / It's agonizing, but I know our mission comes first.

This is important regarding her and Callum in regards to the possession plot line. As long as Callum is Callum (not possessed, or she has reason to believe he's still in there), Rayla likely won't be able to bring herself to kill him. This is from an emotional / characterization standpoint, of course, but from a thematic standpoint, we can see where it stems from Callum and Rayla continually being each other's main connection to their sense of identity.

As long as Callum is Callum ("you're the destiny is a book you write yourself guy"), he's worth saving. As long as Callum is Callum, she can be Rayla ("Rayla's brave. She saves people" / "Rayla. My name is Rayla, and I'm going home"). As long as she's Rayla, he can be Callum. Because if Callum isn't Callum, then he's dead, and if he's dead, she can kill him. And if Rayla kills him, if Callum is dead, then she won't be Rayla anymore. Because to literally kill Callum would be to simultaneously symbolically/emotionally kill herself.

Now of course, some of this is already differing wildly.

If Claudia is going to kill Sir Sparklepuff, it makes the most sense for it to have already come to pass in 6x01, whereas Callum and Rayla's plot line would only come later on in the season. Claudia will presumably succeed at her symbolic suicide, but that doesn't mean she's not still worth saving / unable to be saved in the future (perhaps by her family). Rayla will probably fail at her symbolic suicide and succeed at sparing herself through sparing/saving Callum.

However, it's an interesting symbolic thread and potential foil contrast, and I thought it was worth pointing out. I hope you think so too!

TLDR below:

Due to Claudia's parallels to Sir Sparklepuff, if she kills him it holds a layer of her symbolically killing herself. In contrast, Rayla's symbolic suicide would be in killing Callum, as that would destroy her own sense of identity/life. For Claudia, this means likely being saved later by her family, and for Rayla, this means likely sparing Callum and herself simultaneously, thereby saving and sparing both of them.

#tdp meta #the dragon prince #tdp #tdp claudia #tdp rayla #raydia #tw suicide mention #analysis series #parallels #s6 speculation #claudia #rayla #analysis #multi #arc 1 #arc 2 #theme: identity #this is why im like rayllum has to be quarantined away with each other y'know?

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purpleheartskies · 1 month

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Some thoughts about the trailer and pics from today. (Contains S6 SPOILERS!!!!)

All this talk has ramped up again that Robby's always taking Ls while Miguel always wins. There's a fight with Miguel and Robby vs Shawn(!!!!!) and Kenny. In one moment in the trailer, Robby and Shawn are on the ground, down from the fight, and Miguel and Kenny are still fighting. Everyone is assuming that Miguel will win this fight because he's of course more skilled than Kenny is at fighting. But, (1) we don't know how things will play out in the fight, and (2) this takes place pretty early in the season. If Miguel wins this fight, is it really that big a deal? The win that matters the most is the final ST win.

Why are some Robby fans sooo upset about the potential of Robby losing this fight? Seriously, we are rooting for the underdog in the series! He will have losses leading upto his big win! I have at least 5 posts describing why Robby is the underdog in the story, including the protagonist amongst the teens, so I won't repeat any of those points here.

Even this fight with Shawn and Kenny is meaningful to Robby's story, not to Miguel's. Shawn and Kenny are part of Robby's story. Shawn was a side character who was introduced exclusively for Robby's arc in s3, while Miguel's entire injury arc was really about Johnny becoming a magical physical therapist and healer who chose to save his student instead of his own son from the evil Kreese. Miguel's injury has essentially had no effect on his character after s3, unless it's relevant to the plot or other characters, like him pulling a muscle and then quitting the ST and the main plot in s4. In fact, Robby is the one still dealing with repercussions due to Miguel's injury. Also, in s4, Kenny was introduced to Robby, Cobra Kai, and the dojo war through Shawn. Shawn was also important to the start of Robby's CK arc, and Kenny was important to the end of it. This fight in s6 with Shawn and Kenny has no significance for Miguel, and Miguel has no significance to Shawn and Kenny. This is about Robby and his story, and Miguel is just a side character in it.

Robby is the protagonist, but of course Miguel thinks that he himself is, so he tries to be. It's likely that, whatever tensions arise between the four of them, Miguel will be the spark that ignites the fight. It fits. That's what Miguel does! He instigates shit and later acts like the victim and "good guy" who did nothing wrong. In the s5 finale brawl, Miguel got in Kenny's face, while Robby was trying to talk him down, and that provoked Kenny. Miguel literally had no reason to insert himself into their conversation. Honestly, given how Miguel was watching Robby talk to Kenny before his ST trial match with Hawk, how Miguel inserted himself into Robby's convo with Kenny and provoked him, and how Miguel kept kicking Kenny after that first time in the brawl, I wouldn't be surprised much if this were the scenario. And if there's one thing we know is that, in s5, Miguel was still all about striking first and instigating/choosing the fight, while Robby was trying to "no be there" each time. Of course, wrt the apartment fight, Robby is in an incredibly bad situation with Johnny, where Robby has to comply to Johnny. And no doubt that is Robby's dynamic with Miguel too. After all, Robby did submit to Miguel in that fight and was solidified as the scapegoat for the rivalry Miguel had started and kept going and for the fights and issues Miguel had created between them. That's a reason why, as I've mentioned, Robby's move to go to the CK dojo behind everyone's back was so meaningful.

Also, we don't know. Maybe Miguel gets the upper hand against Kenny at one point in this s6 fight and goes for a finishing strike, but Robby recovers enough to get between them and takes the hit for Kenny. Maybe this fight is yet another situation that distinguishes Robby's traits from Miguel's traits. Robby definitely won't fight back against Kenny, and Robby saving Kenny from Miguel at the end of it could be what leads Kenny to joining Miyagi-Do, which he's shown to be in in the trailer. Something like this could also get Shawn to realize that Kenny can just talk with Robby and hash out whatever issues Kenny has with him.

#cobra kai is robby's story #robby keene

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