#like I'm just not invested in any of that relationships! especially the one she has going on with her boss rn

[piracytheorist]

I'm the type of Spy x Family fan that sees so much angst potential in Identity RevealsTM, so I'm thinking about the heartbreak Yor will feel after it, when she'll realize that Loid is not as kind as she thought he was.

When she meets him, from her point of view, he's just a widowed father who wants the best education of his daughter, at the same time honouring his late wife's dying wish. Investing in a child's good education is something Yor greatly relates to, seeing how hard she worked to provide one for Yuri. Point one.

She asks him to play the part of her boyfriend, and he immediately accepts; he asks for a favour back, but he's satisfied with only Yor's promise to keep her end of the deal. He's showing trust in her and kindness by being willing to fulfill his end of the deal first, thus risking Yor walking out on her promise. Point two.

Despite being injured - something that Yor fully trusts is an occupational hazard for him (I mean, it is, but not because of the occupation she really thinks of) - he still fulfills his end of the deal, albeit messing up and saying he's her husband (though this doesn't count as much, because it came to Yor's advantage in the end). Point three.

(Remember, at this point Yor doesn't know of Loid's plan to convince her to marry him officially, and that this was why he mixed up his introduction. She just thought he made an unrelated mistake out of rush and being wounded)

Taking the opportunity from Loid's mistake of calling himself her husband, Yor asks him to marry her (again, she has no idea of his actual plans; she only knows he wanted her to pretend to be his wife for the interview and only, and that then they'd part ways). He immediately accepts and actually vows to be there for her in difficult times. Point four.

He welcomes her into his family and home, even giving her her own bedroom and her privacy. He has no demands of her regarding to household chores, praises how clean she keeps the apartment - even in front of a misogynistic guy who has power over them in the interview (and we as the audience know that was not For the Mission, as Twilight immediately goes like "Wait why am I getting worked up over this") - he trusts her input when it comes to raising Anya, shows genuine happiness and praise when she makes a tasty meal for them, all of that culminating in the bench scene where he openly and emotionally praises what she fears is a deal-breaker flaw of hers, her physical strength. Point five.

He accepts her eccentric brother that she adores, and after the messy meeting they had with him where said brother left cursing at Loid left and right, Loid is not only understanding, he also opens up about how he envies her relationship with Yuri (and again, we the audience know it's an honestly vulnerable moment for him; not a For The Mission thing). Point six.

So overall, she gets the image of a kind, trusting fellow who is willing to help her despite there not being any (obvious) gains for him outside having a wife stand-in for the interview. To her, Loid had no reasons to keep up their agreement after the interview, especially after Anya got in the school. But he still gladly keeps it on while doing his best to be a good and supportive roommate... and friend.

Like, we joke how gullible Yor is, and not only when it comes to him. But from her point of view, what with especially hiding from him that she's an assassin of all things, he's just as much if not more gullible.

Through all that, Yor genuinely builds feelings for the Forger family - and unlike Twilight, she's much faster in accepting and embracing them. She has no reason to act motherly towards Anya; heck, she has no reason to even spend time with them when they're indoors. She could just stay in her room all the time and never take part in dining together, helping Anya with her homework and activities (like how she helped Anya train for the dodgeball game) and being by their side in general. In only a few months' time, she's already invested in them emotionally so much that the thought of leaving them terrifies her. She's been truly kind and open with them, and now wishes she can keep her place in the family, and not for her job - but because she truly cherishes that place.

So... yeah. Think how all that will come breaking down when she finds out what Loid's original plan was :)

He wasn't trying to get Anya into Eden to provide for her future, nor honouring his "late wife's" dying wish; it was for the mission, after the end of which he fully intended on abandoning Anya.

He didn't agree to play her boyfriend out of kindness; it was to have a leverage over her so that she'd keep her end of the deal - and god I just thought how she might think that him introducing himself as her husband was intentional so that he'd back her up into a corner later to actually marry him (something we know isn't true, but maybe in a very emotional aftermath of identity reveals Yor could very well consider a possibility).

He didn't accept to marry her because he was being helpful towards her - he was simply advancing his own mission.

Now, we know that a lot of the things Loid praises her for come from the truest depths of himself, but Yor does not have the audience's point of view to see that - when she learns that he's a spy and that he's told her so many lies, she'll have no reason to believe anything of what he's told her is true.

His interest in Anya's future, the trust and acceptance he showed her, his supporting words, his efforts to be a good roommate, the vulnerability he showed her... those are all things that Yor would've admired him for, and from a romance perspective, fell in love with him for. Those will all be doubted by her when she finds out what he really is and it will be devastating.

As many other people do, I doubt Yor will be upset by him having lied to her about his job, because she did the same. The heartbreak will come from her knowing she showed her true self as the wife and mother of the Forgers, while when the truth comes out she'll have no idea who the real man behind Loid Forger is. She trusted him, supported him, protected him, opened up to him, fell in love with him... and then that "him" will be pulled from under her feet to reveal a guy who has been using her from the moment he first laid eyes on her.

Of course, like the next twiyor shipper, I want that to resolve into Twilight proving to her that the feelings he grew for her and Anya, the trust he showed her and the connection he built with them were genuine, and the family staying together by the end. I JUST WANT THAT ANGST FIRST.

(No manga spoilers please 😁)

#Spy x Family #sxf meta #Yor Forger #twiyor #500 #1k

[suzukiblu]

I know it's totally wrong for what you're shooting for but your stories make me feel bad for Clark. All these folks judging him, when as far as he can tell Kon doesn't even want to be around him. And honestly, he's had clones before. No one expected him to mourn when a Bizarro degraded

. . . okay, friend, first off I apologize, because I def got carried away with this response and it turned into a bit of a rant, hah. Please don't take any of this the wrong way or get the impression I'm annoyed by this ask or anything, I just fundamentally disagree with SO many things about how Clark's relationship with Kon has been handled in canon and apparently I had to word-vomit a lot of that out here and now in explanation of why I tend to write Clark as being Objectively Wrong about Kon/how he treats Kon.

A) There's no convincing reason I can think of that Clark should think Kon doesn't want to be around him, and if he DID, why would he have given him permission to wear the El crest to begin with, much less offered him either the name "Superboy" or "Kon-El"? Especially Kon-El, because that's a name that originated from a specifically ADOPTED member of his birth family, and Clark offered it to him while CALLING him family, but also . . . lying to him about having a secret identity? And whole-ass other life??

and also

B) I actually WOULD expect Clark to mourn a Bizarro degrading. That's like his whole deal, in my experience of him across various media: Clark Kent is a person who thinks that every person matters and is undeniably the kind of guy that would be upset by someone suffering from genetically-inevitable degradation. Especially if the people suffering that degradation only exist to suffer it because HE, Clark "I Am Personally Responsible For This Whole Damn Planet, And Yes That IS A Threat" Kent, exists.

Like, Clark always takes way too much on himself. So it doesn't really make sense to me that a dude like that would take one look at a kid with his own face who is actually at best about a month old and just decide "yeah, this person doesn't need me ever involved in their life at all" and STICK with that assessment even through repeated problems, near-death experiences, and straight-up disasters. ESPECIALLY because Clark already knew Matrix, and she was ALSO a genetic experiment who'd been made in his image by someone he didn't have any reason to trust. But he still took Mae to his parents' farm and let her live there pretty much immediately, trusted her with SO many of his secrets and even trusted her living with his parents without, again, having to jump through ANY of the MULTITUDE of hoops that Kon did to earn a similar level of trust, and she eventually started dating literal LEX LUTHOR and Clark still trusted her after THAT!

( I mean, I think everyone thought Lex was his own son at the time or something weird like that, Because Comics, but still! STILL!! )

Shit, Clark still trusted Mae after she had a mental breakdown ON HIS PARENTS and tried to attack him and had a severe enough psychotic break that she thought she literally WAS him! Mae very quickly proved herself to be WAY more dangerous and hostile than Kon has EVER been outside of being directly mind-controlled, but from the jump Clark is way more invested in her and her life and CARES way more about her and her life. And later he responds to Kara just as differently as he did Mae, despite her ALSO debuting as both a more dangerous and more hostile person than Kon. So like . . . there's a bit of a double-standard going there, it kind of feels like? Like, at least on a meta-level. And I'm sure most of it's editorial nonsense and the kind of narrative problems that lie inherent in like . . . what, thirty-plus years of comic history and about eight bajillion different writers and the like, obviously, but it just is REAL hard to justify that behavior in the actual narrative when Clark Kent is meant to be the moral paragon that the entire damn rest of the DC universe is meant to set its metaphorical watch by.

Either way, though, I'm usually trying to write Clark as either sympathetic or at least understandable in his logic, even when it's flawed, so I wouldn't really say it's "wrong" if you feel sympathy for him while reading my writing. Like, I'm not saying he's in the right in those specific fics, but I do still want to be empathetic to his point of view. It is again just REALLY hard for me to explain a lot of Clark's canon relationship with Kon in any way other than "benign neglect due to just deliberately assuming that all Kryptonians are always Perfectly Fine, Thanks due to his own personal issues about what 'Superman' represents", and that's the KIND option.

Long story short, I really just don't care what DC says, It is NOT on the brand-new teenager with zero life experience who Clark deliberately LET put an S-shield-shaped target on their back to single-handedly foster a relationship with the perfect superhero idol that most of the damn world looks up to. I genuinely cannot think of a single significant occasion where Clark ever does anything for Kon that involves CLARK having to put in any kind of recurring effort, but we're supposed to accept that KON has to earn scraps of Clark's attention and the right to be considered a part of his family over and over again--while Clark, again, doesn't have to do anything to earn Kon's attention or the right to be considered a part of HIS family? Ever? Even ONCE??

Relationships are two-way streets, DC! That's just how relationships are, DC!! Otherwise it's just parasocial bullshit or someone taking advantage of someone else, DC!!!!

Don't get me wrong, I really love Clark, I think he's a great character in a lot of fascinating ways and that he is VERY interesting and affecting when he's done well ("you can do anything you want, and all you want to do is help people" HELLO CRYING IN THE CLUB RN), but like . . . come on, DC, what the fuck and WHY?

#confusedguytoo #meta ecetera

[tumbleweedsthesecond]

I hc topher as achillian so I'm always open to him having a crush on Joan being genuine in some way but half of me thinks it is half of me thinks it isn't. It could be either I was kinda looking forward to him liking her(I think he does kinda). I think when he has crushes its usually not out of genuine falling head over heels in love which is especially weird when everyone else in the show is basically like that. But I also like interpretation that he's just trolling Abe in a way because lets be real that arc was nothing but a plot device. Even if he did like joan I don't think he'd be so invested in it, he literally smiles when he tells her she isn't in the group and when they set lose snakes(these are highschoolers they don't have to be head over heels in love I wouldn't even say he loves her). I wanted to add the lyrics but couldn't cause it kept crashing when I tried. Its just one interpretation I have of it cause he's a satire character basically.(how he's written not the way he views himself I think he'd try to make his crush seem more than it is its ironic he never really interacted with her before much in s2) Its not supposed to be that he faked everything to her I think he's genuine when trying to be nice to her letting her in the group which is funny cause he says stuff like 'you're clearly craving companionship you have no friends!!' And stands there afterward smiling like he's genuinely helping her. I think the love part is where he'd be faking most of it cause he can fight his attraction to that white woman. Either way he'd probably just lie and say he never liked her if he really did. Flew over your head part is cause she doesn't know about it anyway I read way too into this I love yapping

Their relationship isn't too romantic to me that doesn't mean he doesn't like her in a way canonly. Anyway maybe grayromantic

Or maybe he doesn't like her I mean idgaf any interpretation could work really

#clone high #clone high topher #topher bus #clone high joan #joan of arc #clone high bleacher creatures #achillian #joanpher #I guess???????? Unsure if this would be in the ship category #Just tagging it #Please don't flop

[brainrotallthewaydown1312]

I need to talk about this right here for a second.

When I first got into Lockwood and Co, it was cot3 propaganda that convinced me to actually watch it. Specifically, I saw a lot of people talking about the subtext and some people debating if there was some intentional coding. I knew very little about the show except that it was ghost detectives and that there were a lot of people talking about this polyship. And as I watched, I definitely saw it. I quickly got invested with the ship too, but I realized early on that it was not purposeful subtext. It was definitely there if you wanted to read it, but it hadn't been written in on purpose and it wasn't really canon. Which is okay. I don't need all my ships to be canon, and I really enjoy the dynamic the characters all have either way.

But then I got to the last episode. And listen. I'm ace and arospec. I am all for big professions of platonic love and platonic love saving the day. And I'm also all for multiple readings of everything being valid, especially when it comes to the readings of character relationships and dynamics. But the way the whole catacombs sequence plays out first with just Lucy and George and then with Lockwood when he gets there, I legitimately can't understand how to read that besides them being in romantic love.

First you have Lucy's speech. And this one I do like multiple readings for. I get seeing this as relating to romantic shipping, but to me, it feels like someone who is stating their love for someone and that love could be any context. But the way she does it is so important to me. She gets right at what he felt bad about and told him why it was wrong and asserted that he is important to her, and then reinforced it with logical context instead of more emotional details. Because he needs evidence to believe something, and she knows that about him. She knew exactly how to say it to him so he'd hear her.

For me, the next important thing for what I'm talking about is when George runs to her after she passes out from ghost visions. He is still bound, but he gets to her so quickly, and he gets so close to her. He is so desperate for her to be okay. The way he talks to her. The way he huddles into her space like he wants to scoop her up and hold her. How he says “it's me, I'm here” showing that what she had said sunk in because he wouldn't have thought that a comfort before and now he does. How when her eyes pop open, he visibly relaxes for a moment before remembering where they are. The way they huddle together, shielding themselves from the danger. There is something in all of that that just feels like there is something unexplored that they are finding between them. It feels like this is a moment where the stakes shifted from where they had been. Not higher or lower, but different.

This feels reinforced by the conversation they have when Bickerstaff is ghostlocking them. The way they both apologize. How desperately they both mean that apology. How they are accepting their fate, grateful to have their lives tangled together. How they are still so close together. Again, I can still see multiple readings for this bit.

But then Lockwood gets there.

And he saves them. Because of course he does. And he has his dramatic moment because he's Lockwood, and he can't get by without one. And this happens

The way they both run to him as he falls. The way he catches them. How they all slide together perfectly.

The way they crowd into him. The way George is crouched below Lockwood even when he falls. The way Lucy is purposeful but careful with his arm. How she leans into him and her hand on his stomach.

The way Lockwood is so defeated here but still looks at Lucy like she is his hope. How she says “we won't let you” not “I won't let you” or anything else. We won't let you.

The look on George's face. George's ragged breath and the way he is crouched against Lockwood. The way he is staring into Lockwood's soul.

The way Lucy looks at George here. The way she confirms the decision to make this a moment for all of them. The way George's eyes shift, but not away from Lockwood. The way his voice tears from his throat when he says “never.” The way he pushes up into Lockwood, trying to get even closer, even when they were already pressed together. The way Lockwood looks like he is accepting something new in this moment as he understands how much he is cared for by both of them.

I just don't understand how this could be read without the implication of that shift happening. All the other moments of subtext are passable with other reads. But something about this specific moment with the three of them on the ground in the catacombs. I don't know how this could be anything but them being in love and sort of each realizing for themselves the extent of that.

I think what makes it so difficult to wrap my head around other readings for this moment is watching George here. At his desperation and fear and the way he shoves into Lockwood at the end there. Because it's an obvious locklyle moment, but Lucy made the effort to include him. And he was ready to be included. And he was so desperate for them all to make it out so that it wasn't too late for him to realize he was loved too. And that little push really sells it for me.

And I know that it makes sense for the character beat that George is at and as follow up for the scene leading up to it between George and Lucy. But even with that context, it feels like this specific moment only makes sense if there is something non-platonic growing between all of them.

And like I said, I know that cot3 is not canon. And that it wasn't being written for in either the show or the books. And I'm okay with that. But I have no idea how to categorize this scene in my head knowing that, because I am incapable of seeing this scene any other way.

#Lockwood and Co #cot3 #cot3 analysis #they are so special to me #someone needs to give george karim a hug stat #im off to go write fic about it because i have Felings about these three

[pinkrelish]

I know many people though the romantic relationship aspect in FOI was unnecessary, and whilst I partially agree with that, I also kinda liked it because it was some of the only time in the book we got to see Eddie happy.

As you said this actually a pretty sad book and Eddie spends most if his time in it anxious or angry, so seeing any happy moments weaved in there made me happy too.

so, i'm gonna use this as a jumping point to talk about my take on the paige plot line. this is just my interpretation, and if you read the book differently, then that's your take. our views are shaped by our individual life experiences, and those factors influence the lens which we digest media in the context that it is given. if you don't agree, then that's your experience.

that is to say—

i felt bad for paige for most of it. eddie kinda sucks lol.

i hesitate to even call it romance because that has a certain connotation, and as someone who almost exclusively reads and writes romance, very little about their relationship comes across as romantic to me.

to build context, at the beginning of the book schneiderhan makes a nod* at a popular fanfic trope: girls using eddie because they want to know what it's like to 'get with the freak'. he says he doesn't mind this because "he's not looking to be anyone's boyfriend anyway," and this self-reflection rung true to me.

eddie's initial attraction to paige stems from 1) her being pretty, 2) she treats him like a person and not a "munson," and importantly, 3) she could get him infront of an important record producer.

in his monologues where he's visualizing his future and what he's looking forward to: being a rock hero, hellfire, getting money from his dad's scheme, california... he never names her. in fact, there's several opportunities for him to think about her, but he doesn't. she's a vehicle for two of those dreams, yet he forgets her. i'm a big romantic softy, so there were two times in particular it felt deliberate he didn't mention her when he thought about what he was excited for in the future, and it kind of stung ngl. he describes how happiness washes over him from the way she looks at him, and when they're together (in a sexual context) he remarks in his head about how he wants it to last forever, but it's like once she's off the page, she's gone.

at one point he runs inner commentary about how he never saw a future for himself where he'd do the whole meeting-someone's-parents thing, so he defaults to what he sees in romance movies. he opens the van door for paige and helps her inside. he gets flowers and expensive chocolates for her mom when he's invited over for dinner. but he rarely like... talks to paige about anything that's not related to the record deal, or what she's doing in town lmao. we as an audience barely learn anything about her. and maybe that's because it's the plot line in the book the least, or because the book itself is short, but *shrug*.

they clearly both like each other, that much is clear. he gets nervous around her, it's sweet. but it was equally clear from my interpretation that she likes him more than he likes her, and while they're both using each other (him for the record deal, her to move up in her industry's hierarchy by proving to her boss that she can provide him with a rockstar in the making), their relationship is very shallow and just sex, especially on his part. "not looking to be anybody's boyfriend."

i don't know if all that sums into it being unnecessary because i personally appreciate and pour over any context we're given in how he would treat potential romantic partners, but it did make me feel bad for paige since by the final reveal at the end of the book, it comes across like she invested more into the "relationship" than he did, and his last interaction with her probably felt extra shitty, even if both of them hesitated referring to each other as anything more than a friend or future roommate.

if anyone's not reading the book because they don't want to read about eddie falling in love with another girl, don't worry, it's not that deep for either of them lmao.

/* i don't know if the nod is intentional, but i've also used popular fandom tropes ("reader comes to eddie wanting weed, but is out of money and pays for it with sex") in my own work and thought it was a neat inclusion.

#flight of icarus #flight of icarus spoilers #eddie munson

[a-libra-writes]

Hello! Just wanted to request if you can do another Mordecai and Reader. Maybe like a part 3 lmao cause I'm kinda curious on how his relationship with reader will progress after Atlas's death and he joins the Marigold gang. Will he leave and watch over them from afar (basically murder anyone who does anything to them) cause he now feel even less deserving of their relationship? Or will they be like a double agent couple who pretends to join the marigold gang just to learn the truth of Atlas's death. Really just wanna see this murder cat double down on the protective instinct especially when the Savoys are involved. Like, I can see Mordecai practically growling at then lmao. Thank you!

Yes YES part 3.... I still keep thinking about this.... Continuation of Part 1 and Part 2, PLUS all the stuff surrounding Atlas' death and afterward.... GN reader, angst ahoy!

So, uh. cute things first, yes?

After years of this slow build-up and burn, and you two are finally Something Of an Item (tm), you might slip up and be a little physically close and affectionate in front of others. Mordecai will never talk about it, so anyone with suspicions would have to go to you with questions (and really, that's only Mitzi because she's been invested in this for a while). Because your partner is so private, it's probably best not to get into details. If he could blush he'd be burning red when Mitzi pats his shoulder and says she's so happy he found such a good person.

If you have a fur pattern that's aysmmetrical, or have odd-eyes, birth marks/beauty marks or just. Any really distinct appearance like that, sometimes Mordecai just stares. At first, years back, it was a stare of annoyance. Now that you're closer it's still intense, just, uh ... a different kind of intense. Unfortunately while most people have a cute doe-eyed look when looking at their partner, Mordecai's is consistently a little creepy. Oh well. He gets easily flustered when you look right back and stare him down, though.

He's never really celebrated his birthday, especially once he fled New York city. Once you figure it out, you won't make a big deal of it, but you do get him a nice meal and something practical he'd enjoy. A new pair of gloves, a nice plant, good quality shoes, something like that. It's a little present that he isn't sure how to react to at first. After doing it year after year, he finally accepts them with quiet appreciation and will do something similar for your birthday. His gifts are much the same, practical, well-made and simple. He prefers to leave them at your apartment rather than give them face to face.

When he gets into his wound up and irritated moods (probably something Viktor said), all you need to do is sit next to him and rub your face lightly against his, or just put your head on his shoulder to settle him down. Mordecai outright deflates, and struggles to hold onto that anger. You can only get away with this once you both are romantically attached and, seriously, you are the only one apart from maybe his sisters (who you probably don't even know about). This is a culmination of years of trust slowly building up; now he can finally start to show shreds of vulnerability.

(Tho if you purr on him he's going to get SO embarrassed he just shoots up and walks away and you flop back on the couch).

As much as you make him lose his composure, he's just as good as giving it back, though totally unaware of it. There's the rather intense staring as mention before, but Mordecai may also just grab your shoulders to keep you still as he adjusts some of your clothes. He's ... surprisingly strong when he wants to be. When you're both on a job with guns drawn, he has a habit of standing in front of you or jumping in front once trouble starts. When you're wounded he sits you right in front of him so he can bandage it up and do what he can and, yes, he will drag you to Elsa even though he's an absurdly difficult patient with her. She tells him as much.

(And he waits right by your side as you slowly wake up from the morphine).

Also ... if you're a lighter-haired cat, esp a long-haired one, he starts finding your hair all over his damn clothes and there is. Not enough lint brushes in the world. Love the mental image of him and Atlas having a discussion, when Atlas just reaches over and pulls off a long, lighter-colored hair off Mordecai's normally impeccable black coat.

Intimacy will still be tough; you almost have to walk him through it. He isn't ignorant of the mechanics, he just dislikes the whole ... business of it. Mordecai will do a little for your sake, and again, it's a lot of building up and easing him to be more comfortable with prolonged touching and intimacy. It's tough to say if this is easier depending on your gender, but regardless, he has to be the one whose more in control and setting the pace (even if you're encouraging him along). And of course, plenty of reassuring that you two can stop at any time.

(This has been stated many times before, but you are the exception. The thought of him being this close and vulnerable and intimate with anyone else makes him nauseous.)

Afterward he almost seems small and skittish in his tall body. Mordecai always has to shower and clean immediately, though it's no insult to you (and he doesn't mind if you join, though he gets very quite and embarrassed). He's just repulsed by filth and sweat in general; you know this, once he's washed up he's a lot more relaxed and even willing to cuddle for a while.

The first few times he had to remember the last time he'd been so close to someone, or even hugged them this long. The best he can remember is when he had to share a bed (more of a mattress) with his sisters when they first came to New York. Rose was still a baby and always cold, while Esther was scared of the noise of cars in the street and rats in the wall. The three kittens would pile up together and tremble until they fell asleep; sometimes their mother would join them, exhausted from work and cold herself. Even when they moved into a slightly less dilapidated apartment, his sisters would sleep in his bed during the frigid winters.

So it while it may surprise you that Mordecai is so close and clingy in his sleep, to him being that close is a very comforting warmth and sense of nostalgia. It's a toss-up with whose the big spoon. This is also one of the only times you'll hear him purr; it's quiet and only lasts a few minutes before he drifts off. Because he wakes up at the crack of dawn, you rarely get to see him sleeping unless you stay up after he falls asleep.

So ... moving onto the whole. Atlas business.

When it all goes down, well. He considered Viktor a good friend, and that friend ended up kneecapped so Mordecai wouldn't have to cross guns with him. An incentive to leave the life that was ruining them. Make no mistake, Mordecai would - while still bloody - warn you about leaving, too. He'd raise his gun at you, hoping the scare would be enough, knowing each second he does is actively tearing down the closest thing to a "other half" he had. His green eyes are cold and frighteing but mentally he is the one begging you to just listen to him and run. Don't make call his bluff, because he can't do it. The very closest he'd get is if you actually tried to stop him, or tried to talk him down, or took the gun - and the nerves would snap, and he'd give a warning shot. A piece of your ear is torn off, and there's a ringing in your head. It could've been your head; he's an excellent shot. He only missed because he wanted to.

It was a warning, but even that makes his hands shake. He's in disbelief that he did it. It was a sort of out of body experience when he shot Viktor, but for this he is vividly, painfully awake. Mordecai retreats from there, unable to make himself do anything else, hoping that's enough to destroy any shred of love you had.

If you stick around with Lackadaisy ...

Well. You and Viktor have a sort of ... awkward, unhealthy bond of being betrayed, with one of you having paid far more dearly than the other... though one could argue while he paid physically, you're paying in feeling like a piece of your heart was ripped out. You wouldn't be blamed for thinking he holds some resentment toward you, but that isn't the case at all. He feels sorry for you, and anger toward Moredcai for what he did to the two of you. There's still the resignation and guilt, but it's tinged with far more anger. Mitzi thanks god one of her best triggermen is still in good form, although - well, you're a little ... different than before. Your hearing still hasn't recovered from that shot, she knows, and the stitch-job wasn't ... the best.

The real problem is when - not if - you and Mordecai ever cross guns again. Mitzi is terrified of that inevitability, and to be fair, Mordecai does his utmost to avoid it. He wants no confrontation, not ever. If you two ever meet again, it's painfully obvious he wants to escape. For many nights, he thought you may hunt him down and shoot him - he'd deserve that much. As much as he's obsessed with the truth behind Atlus' death, if you chose to stop him dead in his tracks, wouldn't he deserve it?

If you left Lackadaisy, all the better. Mordecai may never hear from you again, and he tells himself that's for the best, even if there's a hole where his heart used to be. His mother, his sisters, you, Viktor, Mitzi, Atlas - he's failed many, many people. This is a new feeling, an emptiness, and that is what goads his frantic investigation on what truly happened to Atlas. It may be the only thing he has left.

Regardless if you stay or leave, Mordecai is more irritable and cold to those who knew him before ... though, considering he cut ties, that isn't many. He's a little thinner, and doesn't sleep as well. Asa Sweet couldn't tell the difference, and while the Savoy siblings can tell something isn't quite right, they don't know the history. They've heard stories and rumors, sure. Perhaps Serafine even hears a morsel of some former Lackadaisy gunman he was chummy with... it's all so intriguing. The first time she brought it up, he gave her such a venomous look that it only encouraged her curiosity.

Asa brought you up one time when talking with Mordecai, and holy shit he's never joking about that again. He broke into a sweat.

(Hell, even Mitzi tried to bring you up when she and Mordecai had that private conversation in her car. He shut her down so coldly, it frightened her.)

And yes, that means if you're still doing Lackadaisy operations with Rocky and Freckle, he has to hear about it. He's in the room when Asa gives the order to the Savoy siblings going after you, or worse, if Mordecai is brought onto the job. He makes it clear that he'll take care of you, and they can deal with the rest. Although it always seems like you're able to get away before it comes to that ...

If you two ever had to meet again for an extended period of time, yeah, the ... year of isolation and guilt and hurt (it feels like its been five years) is just palpable. Serafine and Niko quickly piece together that there was some serious history, more than they initially thought ...

Remember those silly photos Mitzi took, and she shared? Maybe you threw your's away, or lost them, but ... Mordecai keeps one in his wallet. If he anticipates trouble (as it always is with the goddamn Savoys), he moves it to his bedside for safekeeping. He's careful about preserving it. The corners are already starting to wear. There's fleeting thoughts of putting it in a picture frame, but - no, that'll just draw attention to it, and what right does he have to keep a photo of someone who hates him? When he thinks of you, he feels that picture burning a hole in his breastpocket. Any photos that have the two of you - even the blurry, distant ones Mitzi took while trying to get used to her camera- he blotted ink on himself, leaving only you there. Back when you had a smile.

Long story short, he's a mess. He's mentally frayed and physically he's not doing great; you're probably just the same. Mitzi worries about your health often, Rocky knows that some days he just shouldn't talk to you. Ivy remembers when she used to chatter away with Viktor, Mordecai and you, but she knows she can't bring those days up anymore. There may even be an odd wall between you two, whereas before you often spoiled and doted on the little Ivy.

There are probably moments in the past year where Mordecai just ... something gets ahold of him, and he goes out to where you live - if you left the city entirely, this would be difficult, but if you were still in St. Louis or stayed with the Little Daisy - he'd just stand out in the street where your home is, feeling incredibly creepy and exposed. Debating if he should write a letter, or leave something or - no, he shoots all those ideas down. He doesn't know if he stays a few minutes or an hour, but eventually the nerves get the better of him and he hurries away, feeling like a rat.

Well, you two were like peas in a pod for years ... it was a bond that neither of you had before, so it makes sense that just a year isn't enough to heal or repair much of it ...

#sorry to end on that note but YANNO how it be #mordecai heller x reader #lackadaisy x reader

[famwhy]

Realization has such a unique story line. I love it. And especially the version in which they both go to ada.

This is not a request (ik ur busy lol) I was just curious to how Dazai would react when the reader gets spoiled by how nicely she gets treated by ada and started rebelling.

Like it starts with noting serious, just her staying emotionless around Dazai and thinking about how nice ada it towards her. And then get hope that she would be able to get out of the toxic relationship.

Don't feel pressured though.

And I'm going to stay until Realization is over, I'm invested.

I am indeed busy and I have SO MANY requests to get through but this one looked short so I decided to quickly get it done (sorry for everyone else who's waiting! You've probably either requested something I don't have ideas for or something I don't have time to fully write, I will get to you eventually though)

♧ You had been getting... thoughts lately. Dazai could tell.

♧ Call him paranoid but he couldn't help but notice the increasing lack of response he got from you lately.

♧ "Hey, Y/N, what do you think of this? Cute, no?"

♧ Not a word came out your mouth.

♧ And- do correct him if he was wrong, but...

♧ ...were you staring at Ranpo?

♧ Oh no, no, no. Silly girl, your love is right here, right next to you. Your love is Dazai, not that man-child who can't even take care of himself over there.

♧ Usually, all it would take is one finger under the chin to guide your head his way - this time, though, it didn't work.

♧ So, left with no choice, Dazai roughly grabbed your chin and yanked your head his way, forcing you to look at him and not that other wretched man.

♧ There, much better.

♧ "I mean this, Y/N, don't get any ideas."

♧ But you just had to go and do it anyway, huh?

♧ Spend more time around the members while avoiding him every opportunity you got?

♧ Did you really think he wouldn't notice?

♧ Awh, what a cutie pie.

♧ It's adorable, really; that you think you could get away from him.

♧ But it seems as though the little kitten has forgotten all the discipline lessons she was taught.

♧ No matter, Dazai didn't mind reminding you.

♧ Because - of course - at the end of the day, you were his.

♧ ...whether you or the ADA liked it or not.

#yandere x reader #yandere male #yandere #x reader #yandere x you #yandere male x female reader #female reader #yandere dazai #bsd dazai #dazai x reader #yandere dazai x reader #yandere dazai headcanons #bsd rampo #bsd #.realisation

[sarasade]

Claudia, Viren & The Very Real Parent-Child Dynamics of The Dragon Prince

Sometimes I wonder if I come across like I try to defend Claudia too much. That's not my intent at all. I just think she deserves more and better critique.

The Point I guess

Personally, I really connect with Claudia's brand of messy, unflattering and even pathetic rage and grief much more than the dignified and mature ways Callum and Ezran handle things (More on that later). Maybe this sounds unflattering but Claudia being also kind of an asshole really speaks to me. Like that's the kind of teenage girl I'm the most familiar with and we don't have enough media that has nuanced takes on this sort of troubled character. Exploring negative or even anti-social traits and impulses in fiction, especially in women, is kind of undervalued in my opinion. Those are part of humanity and therefore part of us and this impulse to completely reject them doesn't benefit anyone really.

Finally, some wholesome father-daughter relationship rep in media!

My way to view fantasy media is about how it can artistically portray something true to real life. That's why I'm the most invested in this kind of reading of the text. Fantasy media is often dismissed as mere escapism even by the fantasy fans themselves (*side eyes the dude bro Witcher fandom*) which ignores the emotional depths it can reach by approaching difficult subject matter more metaphorically.

Inject Viren & Claudia's Father-Daughter Dynamic Straight into My Veins

There is something viscerally real about Claudia and Viren's relationship. I've seen this kind of father-daughter dynamic play out in real life many times where the child gives and gives and gives yet the parent takes it all for granted until it's too late and the parent-child relationship is just a mangled corpse of its former self, way too damaged to ever be truly repaired.

Like if you've had a difficult relationship with your parents it can feel similar to how s4-5 Claudia struggles to keep Viren alive while Viren hesitates. The child is the one who tries to fix things in the relationship while the parent is in denial or completely oblivious. Viren doesn't really try to connect with Claudia further in s4-5. It almost seems like he's completely emotionally unprepared to have that conversation and oh boy if you know any boomer parents that's pretty damn realistic. He just sort of gives up and acts completely passive because he's so out of touch with his emotions.

There is also this aspect of your parent aging and then one day you realise that you, the child, are the one who has more power in the relationship. It's a universal experience. These are just some of the ways I can see Viren and Claudia's relationship in seasons 4 and 5 metaphorically portray real life parent-child dynamics. There is a lot of emotional truth to how TDP approaches these relationships even when the story itself is an over the top fantasy romp.

How much Viren relies on Claudia is revealed little by little: She got the unicorn horn for the spell that killed Avizandum, she got the dragon horn that helped them cross the lava to Xadia in s3. It's set up really subtly how there is almost this parentification of Claudia like she's the one who took her mother's place as the emotional center and caregiver of the family after Viren and Lissa divorced. It's a lot of pressure to put one a child to say the least. This extends to Soren and how he is treated as the scapegoat of the family when Claudia is the Golden Child. This sort of treatment of Claudia and Soren by Viren is probably the most common analysis of their family dynamic as far as I can tell.

You ever heard of the thing called "eldest daughter syndrome"?

Eventually Claudia's most admirable and positive traits get corrupted (insert here an analysis of the corruptive nature of the dark magic as a plot device). It's like this perversion of feminine nurturing instinct society values and enforces in girls. Claudia's love is not domesticated but something that's so all consuming it destroys everything in its way. In s 4 she insists Viren has to live. She does everything in her power to keep her family together even against the wishes of her loved ones; first it was healing Soren in and then it was bringing Viren back to life in s3. Claudia has fully internalised her role as the caregiver to the point of self-imposed victimhood.

All The Characters Have a Part to Play

Since TDP is meant for an all-age audience (And later for teens and up since they hiked up the age rating) all the younger characters Callum, Ezran, Rayla, Claudia and Soren collectively represent the kind of different and difficult feelings parental abandonment and neglect can cause. A real person most likely feels all of these emotions at some point of their life but in fiction they need to be spread out among different characters or the story wouldn't work as, well, a story.

"she was a mage girl committing warcrimes, he was an elf boy vibing in the woods, can I make it anymore obvious"

I'd gladly read some more critical takes on Claudia's character. There is something very interesting there about Claudia and Terry's relationship for example. Terry is clearly very enamored with Claudia whom he perceives as someone very vulnerable and in need of help. Terry isn't wrong exactly but it does get problematic when he goes to great lengths to protect Claudia to the detriment of his own wellbeing. While TDP itself doesn't draw attention to it there are also the racial and gendered elements, both implicit and explicit, because of Claudia's fantasy racism and because of Terry being a non-white trans boy character as well. Claudia is the most powerful dark mage in Xadia when Terry is just a normal guy. Given the context of the show there is a power imbalance there.

tHÖ END

Why I'm laying this all out is that I think the Internet would be a better place if people didn't try to constantly find an objective "right" way to view a piece of media but instead were somewhat transparent about what they personally got out of it. I think this Viravos meta is the most popular thing I've written so far and I tried to explain my approach in detail because I don't want people to go "look this person says Viravos is canon!". Jokes are fine of course but taking it too objectively ignores the fact that analysing subtext is valuable on its own.

Idk how to end this. Here, have this meme.

#help! I've gotten stuck in the hermeneutic circle and can't get out! #Viren & Claudia have the most interesting relationship in this show and it just keeps getting better and better #I think this is literally all that I've got to say about Claudia so far #the dragon prince meta #tdp meta #sarasade text

[zzzzzestforlife]

🦋 Falling In and Out of Love 🧡(with your job)

a.k.a. how to recover from burnout in 3 steps~ 🍰

My job has taken me on an emotional rollercoaster lately and it got me thinking about how much I invest in my career the way I invest in my personal relationships. The advice I've gotten to address the stress/anxiety I feel has always been to detach and disconnect more, but the more I try (and fail) to do that, the worse I feel and perform. So instead of fighting it, I reflected on my relationship with my work as I would a personal relationship and implemented some of my realizations. It seems to be working well, so of course I wanted to share~ 😉

🏇 Do more of what you're good at

People tend to naturally take on certain roles in different relationships. The mom-friend, the mood-maker, the hype-upper, etc. Being the person you naturally gravitate towards being anyway can make you feel more needed and appreciated because you're using the specific talents and skills that make you unique.

You might not know what you're going to be good at. It might even be something you think you're really bad at. For me, despite being an introvert, I was given the opportunity to take on an incredibly rewarding project coordinator role. So if you're willing to push yourself, be sure to communicate that.

🍊 Communication is key

No one is a mind-reader. And the tendency when having a hard time to shut down and clam up is very strong. A good partner (or friend or boss) may notice and take action to help you, but you can make both your lives easier by speaking up. It's not complaining, it's just taking responsibility for the relationship.

I was very daunted at first because work doesn't seem like the right place for "feelings" to exist, but the fact is that you're a human, your colleagues are all human. Talking things out can help make sure that no one (me) takes feedback on the project personally, and that everyone (me) has clearer guidance on how to take their careers to the next level.

🔥 What motivates you

Working for the next promotion is like studying for the grades or getting close to someone for superficial reasons. But if you're motivated by wanting to learn (about the topic or the person), the promotion (or grades or deeper, more fulfilling relationship) will follow naturally.

Sometimes talking to someone about your motivations can help crystalized them. Feeling like I had no motivation to work, I gave my manager a very honest five minute word-vomit that she, with absolutely no judgement, distilled into simply: "Oh, so you value human connection and feeling useful." Being able to put names to what I'm looking for means I'm better equipped to actively seek them out, especially when they sometimes goes missing in the busyness of the work day.

💌: Like any relationship, how I feel about my job will ebb and flow with time, but viewing it within this framework of "a relationship" helps me better accept that somehow. Hope it can help you too! ☺️ How do you like/tend to see your job? How do you stay motivated? (Genuinely asking because I never know how long these little strategies of mine are going to last due to my novelty-seeking nature 😅)

#workblr #self improvement #career advice #life advice #good advice #career growth #self development #codeblr #progblr #motivation #tips and tricks #life tips #adulting #life hack #life skills #burnout #leadership #lifestyle #life hacks #how to #that girl #it girl #inspiration #pinterest girl #becoming that girl #studyblr #lifeblr #zesty's life #advice #career

[unhelpfulfemme]

Halt and Catch Fire is the best show ever and you should watch it if you haven't.

It has amazingly deep and three-dimensional and tender characterizations and a plot that's structured kind of like a spiral, in that you observe the characters over the course of ten years where they keep ending up in similar situations and you can see how much they have or haven't grown since the last time they had to face a similar thing.

It gives you a new appreciation for the wild west days of IT of the 1980s and 1990s, which is something I keep seeing people mention but have actually never experienced on my own unless you count searching for pictures of the W.i.t.c.h. on dial-up and playing some kind of pop the bubble game in 1999.

It has amazing female characters that aren't perfect but also don't have flaws that are sexist stereotypes. The two female leads are an angry punk girl and a hyperfeminine Southern girl and they are both presented as equally competent and given equal importance, even though the hyperfeminine girl gets underestimated a lot in-universe (she has a STEM degree and is as good with computers as the other one, but gets relegated into a "team mum" role a lot).

There is A LOT of focus on friendships and business partnerships and found family - it gives these relationships equal focus to the romances, and they are all realistic and grounded in the characterizations of the leads. In fact, the last episode focuses on the two girls' partnership, not their respective romantic lives. But the romances are amazing too, I have never been invested in a pair so hard the way I currently am in Joe and Cameron, if I weren't bi already they'd be my bisexual awakening. They seem like total opposites but have so, so, many parallels between them, and they have realistically sad backstories that aren't the stock "I was beaten by my mean dad" type. And they have amazing chemistry. And I love how the show is aware of the fact that they need to go outside of their relationship to grow and address their shortcomings because they kind of have the same flaws too, and even though they're still kind of pining after each other they only come back to each other when they're capable of having a stable relationship. This is especially good beacuse the girl is in her early 20s at the beginning and it was so so good to see the show let her grow into her own, on her own, rather than leaving her stuck in an endless back-and-forth with a messed up guy who's her boss and 10 years older than her, but then also respecting the connection they have.

All the characters are realistically flawed, and their flaws come back to bite them in their asses in the end, and the setups for this are strewn across several seasons. And it all makes sense for the character as a whole - for example, the punk girl is rebelling against pretty controlling parenting, but she obviously never learned how to handle relationships except in terms of the dominant person and the one who obeys, so she'd rather live in anarchy and never form any kind of power ladder in the first place. However, when she is forced to do so in order to handle the people who work for her punk IT startup she becomes very autocratic and controlling, and when people try to give her ideas she replies with, "Well, I'm the boss so we'll do what I say."

Why does she do that? Because she obviously doesn't know how to argue constructively. She knows how to a) aggressively overwhelm you, b) get up and leave (as she did to her family) and c) submit (unacceptable).

She does b) to her smarmy yuppie "it's complicated" man who is also one of the main leads - he does something to break her trust, she just abandons him and that's it. But then she gets into a fight with her next boyfriend, and she just assumes that that's it, and he says, "Woah, we're not breaking up, we're just arguing, have you never done that before in your life?"

At the same time, she forms a partnership with the girly girl and the girly girl starts just going around her whenever she hears the "I'm the boss so we'll do as I say" thing because she's frustrated that she has no say in things. This leads to several fallouts because spiral plot structure, and they're all mostly over one of two things: Cameron (punk girl) is being autocratic or Donna (girly girl) is being manipulative. Eventually they run the company into the ground because they can't listen to each other, and the plot always varies which one of them is right and never paints one of them as the 100% villain because they're both being kind of assholes but also deeply sympathetic.. But over the course of all this Cameron kind of learns how to be more functional in her partnerships, which then helps her with both her love interests AND her career. And then other things happen to address and highlight other flaws of hers, and this happens to all of the characters - three marriages fall apart in the course of this show, several companies with really good ideas are run into the ground and a guy commits crimes and then commits suicide because he bought into a Steve Jobs-type bulshitter's cool aid too much.

It has what I'd call great queer rep because one of the leads being a bisexual man is treated very casually and yet the rare instances where homophobia is touched on fit into the rest of his character and backstory so well (he insults a homophobic business partner at some point, and he also has an AIDS scare, and he recalls being bullied at school and how it affected him, and he makes friends with a queer teen because he notices she's like him and that's it). Like, there's an episode where his ex boyfriend comes into the picture and the plot doesn't revolve around them both being men - the plot revolves around his current girlfriend feeling insecure about the guy still having feelings for his ex and coming off as flaky and untrustworthy. The genders of the characters are incidental.

Like seriously this is the best show ever and I don't know why people don't talk about it more, current stuff like The Bear and Succession can only wish to be this nuanced.

#halt and catch fire

[a-reader-and-a-writer-for-all]

Headcanons on One Bad Day… please! <3

Hi anon!!!! 💖 These seem very popular! I'm so glad you all are so invested in this world, and story I've created! Thank you so much! 🥰 I love doing these and am always up for more!

The Rumors About Batmom and Bruce's Relationship:

It was no secret how the people of Gotham viewed Batmom, especially Bruce's wealthy contemporaries. No one could accept that they were just two young people who had fallen in love. All sorts of rumors surrounded their relationship, the most popular being:

Batmom was using a love potion or loved based power to enchant Bruce into loving her so she could have access to his money

Batmom was a prostitute that Bruce hired to avoid the tabloids finding out about a secret relationship with someone else

Batmom was a prostitute who Bruce knocked up so he agreed to pretend to be in a relationship with her

Batmom was a prostitute who had found out some scandalous dirt on Bruce and she was blackmailing him to keep quiet

Batmom was a prostitute who convinced Bruce he loved her so they would get married and she could kill him and inherit all of his wealth

Batmom was a charity case Bruce was pretending to date in order to improve his public appearance and boost stocks in Wayne Enterprises

It should be noted that at no point in Batmom's life was she a prostitute. Just a woman from the poorest neighborhood in Gotham who was orphaned at a young age and forced to care for herself.

Batmom Adjusting to Life with Bruce:

Besides just the scrutiny of the public, going from living in the slums of Gotham to Wayne Manor was a huge adjustment for Batmom.

For the first year, she got lost in the maze of doors ad hallways at least once a week. Bruce finally tried drawing her a map, but his lack of artistic ability just made it more confusing.

Having never lived outside the city before, the quiet stillness of the land outside the Manor was unnerving to her. She never imagined she would miss the noise of sirens, gunshots, and yelling all through the night but it had become almost like a calming white noise to her over the years. She had a lot of trouble sleeping at first because of the silence.

Batmom is used to having to beg, barter, or steal almost everything in her life. So when Bruce just throws money, jewels, clothes, and gifts at her all the time, she doesn't know how to handle it (she also doesn't really want most of it). They eventually come to an understanding that necessity items can be purchased without a second thought (this includes crimefighting-related items), but anything purchased specifically as a luxury or gift item for her has to have a specific meaning or relevance behind it. This would eventually include things like a first edition of The Princess Bride signed by the author for her birthday (it is the one she reads to Jason), a simple silver necklace Bruce tracked down that had belonged to her mother, and a custom-made dress which was identical to the one she was wearing when they first met as a present for their 10 year anniversary (this was also just over a month before Jason was killed).

Batmom didn't only have to adjust to living with Bruce. She also had to adjust to living with Batman. The first night he came home covered in bloody wounds, she nearly moved out. She had seen him hurt a hundred times before (she had even caused a few of his scars), but it was somehow different that time. Maybe it was because she loved him so much deeper at that point or maybe it was because their home was supposed to be a safe haven for them and now it was drenched in blood. But whatever the reason, she pulled it together and stayed. She didn't go on patrol very often, but almost every night she monitored Bruce on the Batcomputer, ready to assist in any way should he need it. She also used less-than-reputable connections she had made from her time as Night Watch to gather information that Batman couldn't.

HC’s Part 1, HC’s Part 2, HC’s Part 3, HC’s Part 4

One Bad Day.... Series Masterlist

#thanks! #anon ask #one bad day.... #hc #batmom #batman #bruce wayne #bruce wayne x batmom

[scarrabear]

QUOGAN HEADCANONS PART 2

hi again!!! I'm back with part 2. I honestly expected to finish my thoughts but yeah I talk a lot and just have so many thoughts soooo I'm still not done!

College Years

Logan and Michael helped Quinn and her family set up her dorm room (she has her own room but has communal bathrooms)

Logan buys his first condo to live in for college years with the plan of using it as an investment property in the future. (This could be the apartment we see Quinn at in Zoey 102??)

Logan gifted Quinn a gold necklace of his name and Quinn got him a (vegan) leather bracelet with her name on it before move in day!

Logan was very intimidated at first and didn't think he was smart enough for UCLA but Quinn and his group of friends helped encourage him.

Quinn was nervous about making friends and was one of very few girls in her class at Caltech. Logan and the gang (especially Zoey and Lola) helped boost her confidence and help block out any sexism she would endure as a women in STEM.

Their first semester there was some uncertainty on both ends on if their relationship would last, plus people kept telling them "oh high school relationships fail just dump them". Scheduling time to speak to one another on the phone and in person meet ups was hard at first but the two realized how worth it their love was.

Quinn realized a month into her first semester that no guy compared to Logan in terms of attentiveness. Logan realized how truly lucky he was to have Quinn after only spending a few weeks in school listening to his classmates *try* to sound smart.

After the first year, Quinn got a summer internship at a TekMate (currently in a crisis competing with the iPhone) and this began her working her way up the company. Logan worked as a producer's assistant for one of his father's films aka this being one of the most humbling experiences for him.

^^ that summer, Quinn lived with Logan in his condo that first summer and yeah the two had lots of sex but also learned what being in an adult relationship consists of (budgeting, grocery shopping, chores, etc.) Quinn was also saving up to rent her own place.

During Logan's 3rd year at UCLA in my mind is where he meets Jared (a new character in Zoey 102 and one of his groomsmen), the son of fellow rich/successful movie producers and Malcolm asks him to help adjust to UCLA. The two become close immediately and Logan introduces him to Quinn like a week after knowing each other.

Jared and Quinn are both gleeks. Quinn only started watching because of the character Quinn Fabray and they get Logan on board too. Quinn dresses up as a cheerio one halloween and Jared and Logan are Warblers.

In 102, Jared is confirmed gay and has a longtime partner. Back in 2010-ish, Jared was probably scared shitless to come out to Logan but wanted to because he started seeing someone, presumably his partner. Logan was the one to ask Jared "so are you and (insert name)..." to which jared opens his eyes and Logan interrupts trying to calm him down saying "its totally cool if you are! Quinn is from Seattle you know so she's cool with it too!" this causes Jared to tear up and the two share a bro hug.

Logan and Quinn start becoming more and more comfortable in his own masculinity/femininity respectively and their sexualities.

Every summer up until graduation Quinn worked at TekMate, eventually being offered a position as an invention consultant at age 23. Logan threw her a huge party.

Logan dealt with accusations all through college that he only got in because his father bribed the school...he ended up graduating with a solid B+ average.

Quinn graduated top of her class wow who's shocked not me

Post College Years/Before Engagement

Logan continues to buy up real estate as investment properties but mainly lives in one "starter" home in The Hollywood Hills. Quinn lives in Logan's first condo (rent free) and the two have sleepovers quite literally every night. Their friends and family keep harassing them about why they don't just move in together but the two are adamant about it not feeling "the right time" yet, ie: Quinn establishing herself and wants to be financially steady and Logan respecting her space but also building up his producing credentials.

Logan proposed for the first time not long after they graduated to which Quinn said she wasn't ready yet. This prompted them to have the discussion about living separately for a while. Not only did this make their relationships stronger, but helped them grow as individuals. (Logan kept the engagement ring)

Like in the movie, Logan was openly stating he wanted to marry Quinn but respected her needs. She probably wanted to establish her own name in the tech world before being known as JUST "Logan Reese's wife". Quinn always reassured him though she would eventually say yes and would let him know when she was ready.

They buy their first home together after 10 years of dating (age 27). Around this time as well, the CEO of TekMate announces they are stepping down from the position and they suggest Quinn be one of a select few to begin the training process to take over. Quinn is eventually chosen as the new CEO a year later at age 28, the youngest and first female in the company's history.

Shortly after Quinn becomes CEO, Camille (new character from Zoey 102 and one of her bridesmaids) is hired as head of marketing for TekMate. the two become fast friends and Quinn immediately introduces her to Logan who is just ecstatic. Camille also gets along great with Lola, Michael, Stacey, Mark, and Jared.

Logan entrusts Camille to text or call him whenever Quinn is stressed at work.

The idea of of developing the unbreakable see-through phone comes when at a party, Logan randomly wonders what would happen if he ran over his old iPhone with his new car (one of his new cars I should say).

on their anniversary every year, they take a trip to a different area of the world.

Logan and Quinn go all out for decorating their house for Halloween, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Valentines Day.

Lyric was the one who asked the couple the most on when they would get married.

When the unbreakable see through phone was getting closer and closer to launch, Forbes magazine cover, etc. is when Quinn felt she was truly established as "Quinn Pensky, the inventor" and when she told Logan she was ready to get married, he cried. He also told her he still wanted to propose to her to which she anxiously anticipated it.

Yeah Part 3 coming soon!!! Thanks again for reading you lovelies <3

#quogan #Quinn pensky #logan reese #quinn x logan #logan x quinn #zoey 102 #zoey 101 #nickelodeon #paramount+

[agaypanic]

I don't know why there isn't, but I need more Bimbo Reader who love to give hugs. Well, at this point it's about Malcolm having a bad time? things just don't work out for him? ( I'm sorry, I'm not good at ideas ) so he goes around complaining a lot more than usual and well it's almost all the time, then Reader has no idea because she's busy with gymnast competition so she has no time for almost anyone, at some point Malcolm ends up exploding over everything or reaches his limit ( He suffered an ulcer FOR keeping his complaints to himself, HOW BAD MUST HE BE TO GET TO THAT LEVEL?????? ) so Reader when she finds out everything ends up giving him cuddles and hugs trying to help him look for the good things in the situation ( One of us must be the sunshine of the relationship )

Just FLUFF, PURE FLUFF UNTIL I GET DIABETES. By the way, sorry for putting so many brackets, I'm an imbecile and I can't explain shit

Sunny Days (Malcolm Wilkerson X Reader)

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Summary: Busy with competitions, you have no clue about Malcolm’s current sour moods and bad days. But when you hear about your boyfriend reaching his limit, you know just how to help him feel better.

A/N: i know nothing about gymnastics so any mentions of it in this is pretty vague

***

Malcolm was having the absolute worst week of his life.

In reality, it was probably just a bit below average. But Malcolm was known to be dramatic and to have a sucky life. He thought that if there was a God out there, he was totally out to get him.

It was just one crappy thing after another. Getting put on the graveyard shift with his mom and Craig, being roped into signing up for loads of extracurriculars to impress colleges, getting stuck with taking care of his baby brother when it was one of his brothers’ turns. Pile minor inconveniences on top of that, and Malcolm was starting to become a ticking time bomb.

“Damn it!” Malcolm shouted, throwing his pencil somewhere behind him before slamming his fists on his desk. Dewey turned the page of his comic, not even looking behind him to see his distressed brother.

“What now?”

“The stupid lead on my damn pencil broke!” In frustration, Malcolm crumbled up the piece of paper he had been working on.

“We have pencil sharpeners, Malcolm,” Dewey replied calmly. “Why are you so moody all the time? Well, more moody than usual.”

“Everything! Everything sucks! The only time I have to sleep is right now because I have to work at night, and I can’t sleep because I’m behind on three different assignments. But I can’t complain about it-”

“Too late.”

“-because no one will listen, and no one can do anything about it! Never grow up, Dewey; your life will just suck more.”

“Why don’t you tell Y/n? Isn’t that what girlfriends do, listen to their boyfriends complain about every little thing that goes wrong in their life?” Malcolm sighed, rifling through a desk drawer for another pencil.

“Y/n is at a gymnastics competition; it’s like a whole week. Whenever I’m free, she’s doing stuff. Whenever she’s free, I’m doing stuff.”

“Wow,” Dewey said, getting up from his bed and leaving for the kitchen. “Your life really does suck.”

***

As the days passed, Malcolm became more and more sensitive to every little thing that would go wrong. He’s had to hold his tongue in class and at work, especially in front of his mom. But one day, it all boiled up to the top, and he exploded.

Malcolm was eating lunch with his friends, trying to tune them all out. It wasn’t anything personal; he just didn’t have the energy to listen to some scientific rant when he was trying to focus on not falling asleep right on the table. His friends kept getting louder, clearly very invested in whatever debate they were having.

“Malcolm?” Cynthia tried getting the boy’s attention. “What do you have to say about this?” Malcolm ignored her, which was strange to everyone because he always seemed to have an opinion on everything.

It felt like everyone was suddenly badgering him, wanting to hear his thoughts when all he wanted to do was not think about anything anymore. Stevie pushed Malcolm’s shoulder, just trying to get his attention, and Malcolm lost it.

Malcolm just started shouting, immediately making his friends flinch back. There were obscenities and insults and just pure anger. The group was positive that this all had less to do with them and more to do with something else that was going on in Malcolm’s life. But they couldn’t ask about it. One, because they were a bit scared to do so. Two, because Malcolm grabbed his backpack and stormed off.

Malcolm was lucky that his mom wasn’t home when he got there, because he didn’t know how he’d explain why he was home three hours early. Plus, he had only cooled off a tiny bit while he walked home, so there was a chance he and Lois would have a conversation that was similar to a nuclear bomb. Malcolm figured a nap could do him some good, but he just couldn’t seem to fall asleep when he lay down. Instead, his mind raced a million miles an hour, riddled with guilt and exhaustion.

He lay in bed for what seemed like forever when he faintly heard the front door open. It was either Lois coming home from wherever she was or his brothers coming home from school. Either way, he didn’t find it in himself to care, so he rolled over to face away from his door.

A hand landed on Malcolm’s shoulder, but before he could say anything or slap it off, he heard a voice he had been missing all week.

“Hey, Malcolm.” You greeted softly, climbing onto the bed to be closer to him. “Feeling better?” Malcolm turned over to lay on his back, looking up at you as you hovered over him.

“What are you doing here?”

“Competition’s finished, silly.” You grinned, and Malcolm realized that from all his irritation, he had forgotten that today was the day you were coming back from your big meet. He felt horrible for forgetting the day he had been looking forward to, but the guilt washed away as you started playing with his hair, giving him that sweet smile you always do. “And Cynthia texted me about your little… thing.”

Malcolm groaned at the mention, squeezing his eyes in embarrassment.

“Wanna talk about it?” You asked softly, repositioning yourself to mold yourself into Malcolm’s side, hand still running through his hair.

“Everything just sucks,” Malcolm muttered, leaning into your touch.

“Oh, things can’t be that bad, honey.” Your boyfriend gave you an unimpressed look that made you giggle. You could see him trying to hide a smile from it.

“I’ve been working the graveyard shift for like two straight weeks.”

“At least you don’t have to work right after school.” That was true. Despite his memory, Malcolm would probably have forgotten about his homework if he had left it until late at night.

“Mom and my friends made me sign up for like a dozen different extracurriculars because-”

“-It’ll impress colleges.” It sounded so much better coming from you, even though he had heard that same thing repeatedly. “Anything else?”

Malcolm tried to think of something else, but every little problem seemed to have melted away.

“You weren’t here.” You grinned at the response.

“But now I am.” You leaned over to give Malcolm a kiss before speaking again. “You gotta remember to take it one day at a time, Malcolm. Even if you have a cloudy day, there’s still a sun waiting for you.”

“That was so cheesy.” Malcolm couldn’t help but laugh, but you knew it wasn’t in a mean way. “But thanks, Y/n.”

“No problem.” You kissed Malcolm again. “Wanna take a nap?”

“Please!” Malcolm bundled you in his arms and buried his head in the crook of your neck, quickly starting to doze off.

#malcolm wilkerson x reader #malcolm wilkerson #malcolm in the middle x reader #malcolm in the middle #agaypanic

[aceredshirt13]

We'll never get a third Ritchieverse Holmes movie. But if we somehow did, this is what I like to think should happen.

I would absolutely love for the inciting incident to be that, since the reason Holmes faked his death was because he wanted to keep Watson and Mary safe, the reason he has returned from faking his death is because that backfired and Watson and Mary are very much not. Why aren't they safe, you ask? Well, because Moran is on the revenge trail. Typically, he didn't have much personal investment in the killing of his targets, but we all saw how absolutely furious he got when Watson nearly killed Moriarty and escaped with Holmes. Now Moriarty is dead, and Moran has no job, no purpose, no one in the world - nothing, save for anger and grief. He cannot kill Holmes, because he does not know Holmes still lives. But if Holmes took the life of the only person Moran ever cared about, then even if he's not around to suffer for it, he will do the same to him.

Except, naturally, Holmes is around to suffer for it, and this cues the ending scene of the movie where Holmes coyly reveals he's alive, and would pick up right from there. There would be action! There would be shenanigans! Holy hell there would be character drama! Watson and Mary are absolutely going to beat Holmes's ass within an inch of his life, but also Watson is so, so very glad to have him back... Mary's not forgiving him ever for what he put Watson through, but how can she - how can they - bring themselves to be fully angry when he went through this to the end in an attempt to ensure their happiness? Especially when, if one considers the reason he closed his eyes to be for Watson to be the last thing he saw if he died, Holmes wasn't even completely sure he'd successfully fake his death... And they can't just unpack that while sitting in a house somewhere talking about their feelings, because Moran and the remnants of Moriarty's wide-reaching organization are very hot on their heels.

How does the movie progress? Well, I'm not entirely sure. I would love for Moran to get betrayed by those he conspired with, and be forced to work with Holmes and Watson (and Mary, who is adamantly refusing to let these two do all this on their own when her life is as endangered as theirs) on some level, thus forcing everybody - including Moran - to actually talk to each other. I also want to show that Holmes is beginning to get tired of all this - he loves the adrenaline, he loves to exercise his genius, he hates being bored, but he's also tired of the people he cares about constantly being in danger because he knows he can't always protect them. He knows that, because of what happened to Irene.

How does the movie end? Well, I can certainly tell you that. As a significant portion of the fanbase and Jude Law himself will tell you, the Ritchieverse Holmes movies come off very, very strongly as romances. In most cases, I am not the sort of person who advocates for any given ship in a medium to be acknowledged as canon just because a lot of fans like it, especially since that can often lead to disastrous results... but Christ alive, these movies are leaning so ridiculously hard into Holmeswatson vibes that I can't imagine it was an accident. And, well, part of the reason I want Moran to figure so heavily into this movie is because I think there was quite a bit of potential exploration of what exactly his relationship was with Moriarty just in the few tidbits you saw of them together... perhaps through a few flashbacks sprinkled in after Moran confesses what they really were to each other. Because if there's one thing I love, it's parallels. Watson and Moran, the military veterans and crack shots who are so very attached to the often-difficult genius masterminds they love. Unlike the singly-devoted Moran, Watson's affections are torn, because he adores Mary with everything he is, and is constantly fighting himself and pretending he can give up Holmes for her even though he can't imagine a life without both of them in it - but he is no less devoted for it. In different ways, they both cannot see a way forward - Moran cannot without Moriarty, Watson cannot because he cannot choose. So, in terms of an ending, I want Moran not to have to be killed by our heroes, or die in some sacrifice, or take his own life. I want him to have to live, without taking revenge. To figure out some kind of life, now that he's been spit out by the Queen's Army, and has lost the new life he was given now. It's more interesting, and less cheap, especially if this movie serves to build up and add depth to his character. And as for Holmes and Watson, well, it's not 2009 or 2011 anymore, so what's to stop your loose action movie adaptation of century-old, now-public domain stories from just going ahead and having them admit they love each other? (Or, potentially, having Mary admit it for them, to one of them, because she is sick and tired of their bullshit?) Why not let them, after all this is over, finally, finally share a kiss?

And as for the epilogue, I think it would be super fun and endearing if it cuts to Watson and Mary finally moving into that country house in Sussex together. He and Mary love each other, they're happy, they'll do so very all right. Then they get a knock on the door to find that the old woman who lives in the house next door has come to bring them a housewarming gift.

Except it's not an old woman. It's Sherlock Holmes dressed as an old woman. He has gone into early retirement to keep bees, and he just so happens, by pure coincidence, to have bought the house next to theirs.

Watson and Mary are exasperated. Then they probably think it's really funny, while still being exasperated. And ultimately, what Watson needs to realize is that there is something in this world that is insistent upon keeping these three together. If all of them can put up with each other - as they have shown they can just manage to do, this whole movie - and if all of them care for each other - as they have shown they undoubtedly do, for this whole movie - then no matter what he was sure was the "correct" and "right" thing to do before, he does not, and has never had to choose. Holmes doesn't have to steal him away from Mary any more than Mary has to steal him away from Holmes, because the great lesson of the Ritchieverse Sherlock Holmes movies ought to be that sometimes, polyamory is the best solution. And they all live in Sussex together, and quibble incessantly, and remain there for the rest of their days.

P. S. The number one thing this movie is absolutely, positively not allowed to do is kill off Mary. I don't care if she dies offscreen in the books, these movies did not have so much of their character conflict be Watson's inability to choose between her and Holmes for that to conclude with the immensely cheap act of offing her - not to mention that that would mean killing the only remaining major female character left in the series, and that these movies are so far removed from the ACD canon anyway that they can literally do whatever they want.

P. P. S. I don't have anywhere else to put these since I'll certainly never finish an entire screenplay concept for this without help, so here are a few disconnected, inaccurate-screenplay-format snippets using this idea that I jotted down on my phone way, way, back. Enjoy?

~~~

Opening shot: pigeons.

It’s early morning, and a man sits on a bench with a small bag of birdseed. He takes a handful of it, and reaches out to them. They flock around him with enthusiasm, some perching on his arm and hand.

The pigeons know him, clearly. It is SEBASTIAN MORAN.

He turns to look over his shoulder.

Moran: Hey, Professor, do you -

He stops. There is no one beside him.

Something hardens in his face.

He continues sprinkling birdseed. But his movements are listless, and it is clear the act no longer brings him much joy.

~~~

Holmes: It appears that Moriarty’s death, while ultimately a public service to the human race, has unleashed a far greater and more unpredictable danger to you than I could have imagined.

Watson: A danger?

Holmes: Indeed. And so long as I was believed to be dead, I was sure you and Mary would be entirely safe from it.

Watson: What - ?

Holmes: But I am now very much aware that that isn’t so, and so I have returned.

Watson: What danger, Holmes?

Holmes: Sebastian Moran.

Watson: Sebastian Mor- What, Moriarty’s right-hand man?

Holmes: The very same.

Watson: But why would he come after us? His superior is dead, he hasn’t got any orders -

Holmes: This has absolutely nothing to do with orders, Watson, and everything to do with the precarious and emotional nature of the human condition.

Watson: For the love of God, Holmes, can you just explain -

Holmes: I mean to say that this is entirely personal. Moran did not just work for Moriarty, he cared for him. Though to what extent, I haven’t the slightest idea.

Watson: For Moriarty?

(A disbelieving chuckle.)

Watson: Delusional bastard. I can’t imagine Moriarty cared for a soul in the world.

Holmes: And he may not have. How fallible man is, hm?

Holmes: Nevertheless, I believe that the colonel is seeking revenge. And if he cannot get it on me, then he will not stop until he has slain everyone I have ever cared for.

Holmes: Thus, my return from the grave. But I’ve already said that, haven’t I?

~~~

Holmes: No. No more deaths. No more lives lost because of me.

Holmes: …Not after Irene.

~~~

Moran: You should have died like the dog you are.

Holmes: Perhaps I would have, if I hadn’t known that Moriarty’s dog still lived.

Holmes: I had - foolishly, perhaps - thought that were I to die, Watson and Mary would be safe. A life for a life - my life, for Moriarty’s. No more.

Holmes: But you weren’t content with that. Were you?

Holmes: You wouldn’t stop until you’d killed everyone that meant something to me, even though I wasn’t there to see it.

Holmes: What will you do, if you succeed? What will you have left? It’s not as if revenge will bring him back.

Moran: You’d do the same if you lost your bloody Watson, wouldn’t you?

(Holmes is, rarely, silent.)

Moran: …And I don’t know how to do anything else.

~~~

Moran: …You’re wrong.

Moran: Nobody was kind to me. Not until I met the professor.

Holmes: But of course. It behooves a smart man to take good care of his tools -

Moran: You don’t know anything! It was real, what we had!

Moran: …It was real. I know it was. Because he told me that he didn’t even want to like me, at first, let alone…

(He trails off, as if thinking better of it. But then he shakes his head with a bitter chuckle.)

Moran: …What’s the point? I’ll hang for all the murders I’ve done. Another felony won’t mean much.

Moran: I loved him. And you’re the reason he’s dead. So I’ll kill everyone you love, and then I’ll kill you, or I’ll die trying.

~~~

Okay, that's it. If for some reason you read this far, thanks for sticking around! And if you have any personal thoughts on a third Ritchieverse Holmes movie, I'd absolutely love to hear them. See ya!

#rdj holmes #ritchie holmes #sherlock holmes #john watson #mary watson #sebastian moran #james moriarty #holmeswatson #holmeswatsonmary #moraniarty #and well i suppose i should tag this the almighty #johnlock #i honestly think all my screenplayish tidbits are waaaaaay too on the nose lmao #but i didn't want them to sit on my phone forever #but man is this a movie i'd love to work on if it somehow existed #even though there's no way it could given how much older all the actors are #i've seen and heard about numerous continuation concepts #but i always thought it a shame that they left out the fact that moran is still alive and kicking #and the fact that moran clearly cared about moriarty is such fun and barely explored territory in the movie #and appeared in none of the continuations that i could see #(sure it's entirely possible to interpret it that moriarty was just using that care) #(but i think that's boring) #(much more interesting to have your ruthless terrifying criminal mastermind villain be capable of genuine care) #(after all he canonically cares for those pigeons doesn't he?)

[acourtofthought]

How do you think Lucien is going to react to having Helion as a father? I know everyone is excited about it and thinks Lucien will be happy to find a different father but I just don't feel like he's going to be happy with Helion. At. All. Not after what his mother has gone through; I know it's not exactly Helion's fault, but I think Lucien will attribute Helion as a major cause for much of his mother's abuse. Also, she waited for him and he didn't come for her. Also, I don't think Helion is going to be a "cool dad;" I'm not sure how he's going to feel about having a son who grew up in the Autumn Court. How do you think Helion will react? Anyway, this is why I'm more invested in Lucien and Eris repairing their relationship.

I definitely don't think Lucien is going to run straight into Helions arms, thankful for a decent father figure at last. I imagine he'd have too many unanswered questions at first (not to mention they haven't been written as having any sort of relationship in the series so far, even one outside father / son).

Did Helion know Lucien was his son? Did he suspect?

If so then Lucien would definitely want to know why he never attempted to have a relationship with him.

Though I can't imagine SJM would write a scenario where Helion knew and didn't have a valid reason for keeping his distance, she has spoken of being weirdly obsessed with Helions character so I don't imagine she'd want to turn him into the bad guy especially when Lucien already has one of those in his life in Beron.

I think eventually, we're going to see Helion and Lucien getting along well. They're too similar in their sassy personalities with a flare to their style not to find common ground and recognize a likeness to one another. But Lucien is grown now, he doesn't need a dad to play catch with, so any relationship that does form isn't going to look the same as what it would have had he been much younger. Maybe there will be a scene where Helion offers him advice on his situation with Elain, about not giving up on hope when it comes to the right female and that will be a representation of their bonding, something Helion personally has experience with and could share his wisdom on. However I think we'll see them connect on a more equal level rather than Helion suddenly morphing into Super Dad trying to constantly guide Lucien without Lucien asking for his advice.

I hope Lucien doesn't blame Helion for what happened with his mother because Helion was no more capable of stopping Beron than Lucien and Eris were.

Lucien is centuries old at this point. Not as old as Rhys and the others in the IC but maybe 300? 400?

The LoA was twenty when she married Beron and had many sons before Lucien. Helion only came into power about 40 years ago while UTM as Amarantha killed the HL of Day and most of their family when they tried to rebel.

That means when the LoA married Beron, Helion had no idea he'd become a High Lord and that means he may not have had the power to stop Beron who already had internal ties to power. It also sounds like neither Helion or the LoA had any chance in what appears to have been her arranged marriage.

I also think it's important to remember that the LOA chose to stay.

The LoA did not reach out for help, she did not request someone free her from Berons shackles.

So who was Helion to interfere in her marriage? What he thinks she should do and what he'd like to do doesn't trump what she herself did.

I actually have had personal experience (not my own but family members) who are victims of domestic abuse and I can attest to the fact that you can't force someone to leave unless they want to. You can offer them all the help and a place of safety but there is truly no interfering and insisting they leave if they themselves aren't ready to walk away.

I do agree that I'd also love to see Eris and Lucien repair their relationship if there is some valid reason behind the years Eris spent treating Lucien cruelly. I think that's the direction SJM is heading, she's laid a few hints that maybe he could have been protecting Lucien in a way that wouldn't raise Berons suspicions but we still haven't gotten a true explanation for it all.

Really, I want all the relationships for Lucien.

I want to see him reconnecting with his brother so he has one decent sibling.

I want to see Helion and Lucien working towards a relationship, in whatever capacity that is.

I want he and Tamlin to find peace with one another even if they don't end up being extremely close.

I would like Az to finally acknowledge Lucien is a worthy male and for the two to move forward as friendly acquaintances.

I want him to be blissfully happy with his mate.

He's spent so many years alone and there would be nothing more satisfying than seeing him surrounded by love in every court.

#pro lucien vanserra

[commsroom]

I'm really glad for all the love you've put into w359 fanworks. every time I see you post about it, my heart glows a little.

I'd originally felt that way while listening to the show, and your interpretation & vision feels so tightly knit to the source material. you even go farther in your explicit discussions about hera, her autonomy, her emotional depth, her treatment by other characters, and her arc as a trans allegory

totally understand why you might feel embarrassed, but I wanted you to know: thank you 💜

oh, that's so sweet of you to say!! i'm honored you think so.

i genuinely think there's a case to be made that eiffel/hera is as canon as the parameters for romance in wolf 359 allow it to be. like: gabriel urbina's policy was always "never confirm or deny 'on-screen' romance unless absolutely necessary" and from the AMAs we know they at least discussed it with regard to eiffel and hera, though we'll never know how that conversation went. it's not really a secret that sarah shachat and zach valenti, at least, viewed it that way. i still think about zach saying (paraphrased) that he thinks his non-answer is an answer, because if he didn't ship them, he could just say so.

and that's kind of how i feel about eiffel/hera within canon. like. anybody at all familiar with shows the wolf 359 writers like (especially things like btvs and farscape) can tell you there are plenty of scenes that mirror and meta-textually reference scenes from other shows. both gabriel urbina and sarah shachat were huge fans of the new doctor who, and whatever you believe the intent was, i find it hard to believe they didn't at least know they were evoking "if it's my last chance to say it, rose tyler, i-" with "and hera. hera, i-" it's what isn't said, the fact it has to be left unsaid, that speaks the loudest.

and anyway, talking about hera and romance / sexuality is especially interesting to me because it's not a given for her. it's not assumed to be something she should want or can have, and the way that intersects with her canon disability and with readings of her as a trans woman re: autonomy and desirability is very interesting (and very personal) to me, especially in the broader context of stories about AI women. but that's a topic for another post.

it's not a new observation by any means, but i think there can be a tendency to treat romance as separate from character analysis, and that's always sat poorly with me. romance isn't unique in either a good or a bad way, it's just... one type of relationship people can have. i think a lot about the unique approach wolf 359 has to romance because, while i understand why a lot of people would find the lack of romantic subplots refreshing, the characters aren't written to be intentionally disinterested in sex or romance (in some cases, textually... the opposite, even), so much as the writing carefully skirts around it. and... i don't know! there's something fascinating there.

obviously, i think you can recognize what's important about eiffel and hera's relationship (that it's the most equal one hera has ever had, that he has no real hierarchy over her or expectations for her other than companionship, how they share values and mutually support each other, etc.) without needing that to be romantic. and i think you can even acknowledge there's some degree of romantic intent without being invested like i am or "shipping" them. but i do think there's some intent there, and i think the the themes of the show can be expanded in some interesting ways to explore that beyond the intentional ambiguity of it. if you want to.

i would also never deny having an emotional bias here!! complete objectivity is never possible because we always bring parts of ourselves to our interpretations of art, and that's only amplified by how close to my heart wolf 359 is as a story. but i do really want to communicate, to the best of my ability, how much love i have for the show and how much thought i put into it. and i definitely don't mind being known for my love of eiffel/hera; they're my favorite characters from anything ever, both individually and together. but i do get kinda embarrassed when i talk about them too much, because it's not that i don't have plenty of thoughts about every other character and aspect of the show, it's just... that they are close to my heart in a particular way. anyway. i really appreciate it, thank you!!

#this still isn't worded as well as i'd like but i can't rework it any shorter without losing something. i hope it's clear enough what i mean #like in my mind eiffel/hera is functionally a canon romance but an unresolved one and i find that very compelling #fwiw i do not think gabriel urbina perceives it that way (nor would he ever say even if he did) but like. in the context wolf 359 created #i am sure he was aware of how that would come across. #anyway. remember how that one track on the ost used to be named 'eiffel and hera' and gabriel described it as the show's tenderness theme #and said their relationship became what that song guided his understanding of it to be. beats my head against the wall. #... you just got a bunch of thoughts that were on my mind and i apologize but i do appreciate it very very much #this was such a kind thing for you to say #asks