My Restless Brain At A 6 Pm: Shizuo And Izaya Were Literally Made For Each Other. Shizuo Was Created

lil screenshot redraw (sort of) bc im insane about them (again)

apprehensive shark would like 2 remind u of a thing

cleric's radio au 18!!!! we are nearing the end, folks...

all other installments here :)

elected fic of the year

bared fangs by sapphicjasper

Byler doubt has seeped into my mind and the thing about it is I see an argument for Mileven and Byler.

I will briefly mention that the fact we hardly see Will and Eleven interact onscreen kills me. These two understand the Upside Down and supernatural crap in a way the whole group does not and it kills me we don’t see them talk about it. Not only that, but they are among the most selfless of the group and they have received nothing in return.

Anyway, here’s my reasoning for both:

Originally I was like “Y’know what? Yeah, Will hasn’t got a single good thing going for him like the entire show, he deserves something good and Byler canon would be perfect.” But couldn’t the same be said for Eleven? She’s suffered just as much if not more. If anyone deserves someone romantically I’d argue it’s her over Will.

However, I am not saying Eleven needs a man. What Eleven has always needed most was a sense of belonging and an exploration into who she is. In support of Byler it would make the most sense that she needs to explore her autonomy and figure out who she is and what she wants. Her whole life has been for everyone but her. As much as Hawkins needs Eleven’s help, I hope we can spend some time for her to discover herself and gain control of her life in Season 5. Her best future would be without Mike romantically, it would be with Mike and the party platonically. She needs support and love from friends and family. She needs to know she has value beyond what she can do for others and beyond her powers. She needs to know she matters.

Eleven wants to feel like a normal teenage girl and doesn’t want to feel like she’s wrong or a mistake. Max gave her the chance to be a normal teenage girl and Eleven’s happiest memories are from time spent with Max. I’d also like to add that these moments with Max subvert the makeover trope because she wants Eleven to discover what she likes rather than Max choosing for her. Max has always wanted to give Eleven exactly what she wants: autonomy and normalcy.

Will needs romantic love. Eleven needs support and platonic love from those around her, and while Will needs support as well, him receiving romantic love would help him justify his existence. He feels like a mistake and that his love for Mike is wrong. Will gave up on Mike’s love in an attempt to save Eleven’s relationship. Will needs to feel like he matters, especially to his best friend and possible love interest Mike. Will receiving Mike’s love would complete his arc with him understanding he’s not a mistake, his love is normal and natural. He has been pushed aside for too long and the boy needs some serious love, care, affection and attention. At this point in the story Will must feel incredibly hopeless and without a future. His friends no longer have interest in his interests, he doesn’t appear to have any friends in California, he’s given up on his crush on Mike and the world is quite literally ending right before his eyes.

Mike’s love saving Will from Vecna and the end of the world and finally understanding what has really been going on between these two best friends would be a gorgeous choice narratively. “Yes we can play D&D and Nintendo in my basement for the rest of our lives, I love you.” This narrative would disprove his idea that he would never fall in love. It would be a beautiful message to all gay people, you’re not a mistake, you’re worthy of love. It would also explain to Will it was never about wanting to leave “childish” things behind, it was always about fear and internalized homophobia.

Now, let’s talk Michael Wheeler. Will and Mike have a falling out over Mike and Lucas not wanting to play D&D with him in ST3. Then Will leaves and suddenly in ST4 the remaining core four members are playing D&D again? My theory is that Mike playing D&D was his way of connecting with Will. D&D was their medium to be their true selves and when they stop playing D&D and Will leaves, Mike feels like he lost Will. I think Mike was the first to show interest in the Hellfire Club and by playing it with his friends he hoped to recreate the same feelings of happiness when he used to play D&D. However, it doesn’t work which is why Mike doesn’t appear happy in early ST4. When they beat Eddie’s campaign we don’t see him celebrating with his friends and that’s when he begins to realize what’s wrong: It doesn’t feel the same. He doesn’t miss playing D&D, he misses Will. It was never about the fantasy role playing game, it was always about how he was able to spend time playing with the boy he loves.

Anyway, here’s some honorable mentions and details I’d like to talk about:

Max and Eleven the duo you are 💗☹️ I really wish we had more moments for them as friends, I feel like Eleven would’ve really been there for Max while she was depressed following the events of ST3.

I feel like Eleven’s supernatural plot for ST5 should be focused on Max, it would make more sense that she and Lucas are trying to free someone who meant so much to them. Max was the most positive influence on Eleven next to Hopper. Beyond that, Eleven should have some time to discover her wants to some extent this season. She’s more than a weapon.

I think it’s so interesting how Will and Eleven are almost foils. In ST1-2 it’s almost like they cannot be on the same place at once (Will gets taken to the UD, Eleven has to save him, Will is saved, Eleven replaces his spot in the UD, Will is possessed, Eleven returns to help him, Will is freed and Eleven must return to hiding until the Snowball. It’s a very interesting choice), they need the opposite forms of love and Eleven is empowered to fight while Will is only able to flight.

There are a few parallels between the two, such as Mike’s “love” hurting both Will and Eleven and strangely enough the love they need from Mike is the opposite of the love they’re receiving from him. They also both feel like monsters or “othered” because of things that they aren’t in control of.

My recent obsession has been Mike Wheeler edits with “Like Him” as the song

I need Stranger Things 5 trailer now right now please please pleaseeee

This was written way better but I was outside the app too long so my progress was lost 😭🤚

Them❤️

My final piece for Xichengclipse 2021: Marriage

Our love. Our life. Our future.

"A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people, who refuse to give up on each other."

@alkalinefrog suggested that I publish the headcanons I wrote with her in response to her escape room ask. I didn't wanna postjack but I thought I might as well share.

Including some of Alka's own thoughts and contributions, stylized like this! I copy pasted her words directly from the chat we shared, but some of mine have been elaborated on because they were my own statements and I had some other things to add!

It takes a little while, but eventually, L mentions that there might be a way to beat this without resorting to asking the Taskforce. Nobody knows of their shame except, of course, Watari. Once L explains his idea, Light is completely on board.

The three, even Misa, come back with Mello, Matt and Near for some support and area coverage. Misa was determined to see this through when she saw how much this meant to Light!

"Besides. This will be an excellent learning experience for them -" "Round two motherfuckers let's go." "Light, do not curse in front of the children."

"Fuck yes let's do this." "Near, do not encourage him."

It's pretty much canon that Near is a worse pottymouth than Mello is. Chickenshit President.

Mello drops like a solid loud F bomb here and there, but Near sprinkles it into his regular speech completely nonchalant lolol Oh man, Mello would be ON BOARD with Light's aggressive haunted house redemption arc I love the idea of L calmly chiding his boyfriend for being a bad influence on the kiddos All three of them take to Light like ducks to water tho 😭♥️

It's a matter of pride to Light and he's not afraid to let that show. He thinks that's an important lesson to instill in the children anyway - take pride in your abilities and if someone insults you, come back twice as hard.

L disagrees with this as a lesson. Mello points out the hypocrisy of that.

"Yes, but that means I have firsthand experience."

"If you don't think we should be learning from this, why are we here?" Matt asks at one point. "Oh, I read that these make for excellent teambuilding exercises. Aside from that, I just don't think you should be learning from Light's aggressive grudge keeping." Mello stares for almost a solid minute.

"Aight imma head out." "Mello come back here." "Nope." "You must get over your feelings with Near." "Bottlin' it." "Mello please."

"where's the door" "Mello that's the point, we have to find it together" "GODDAMMIT"

L's like "don't worry, this will be great practice for when you collaborate on cases---- Light you're doing that wrong" "Screw you L" "Please" All three kids "..."

"Mello, you must learn to put your emotions aside for the good of a case. It's an invaluable skill." "Like when you let a man be killed cause it made Kira react?" "Did it work?" L actually allows himself a smug little smile as Mello fails to come up with a response to that.

Near notices how Light is quietly fuming at that statement. Interesting.

Near goes "Light, what do you think about the Lind L-----" "Let's go kids, this room isn't gonna escape itself!" Near: side eyes

It's a journey of Self Discovery for all of them!

Matt learns that he can hide behind anyone and get some sort of comfort from them because he has the Saddest Face when he's scared. Light gives this most easily, because he already has experience as an older sibling. He lets Matt grab onto the back of his shirt and puts his arm over his shoulders. They could pass for half siblings, L notes.

AWWW

Near gains a whole new vocabulary of Japanese curse words following Light around

Near learns that ghosts are, in fact, quite frightening when they're in front of you. They were never nervous or worried about stories or even movies, but seeing them in person is quite different.

Near also learns that they're not good at figuring out where the clues have been hidden, but once they have them they're good at figuring out how to use them.

Mello learns that he could make a better escape room because God these hiding places are so obvious. They're also good at figuring out motives and profiling people.

Mello knows People, Near knows Application. Analyze and utilize. L decides that they must be better advised on how to work together.

Misa learns that when kids are clever and well behaved, she actually quite enjoys their company. She thought she didn't like kids because she's used to them being loud and obnoxious and poorly behaved from her time in America, and she didn't really observe children in Japan because their quiet and proper manners let them slip under her radar.

Misa ends up bonding most of all with Near due to their being odd ones out in their trios. Mello is very confused as to why the goth chick is so fond of Papercraft Child. For all of their differences, they end up quite good friends, and Near even gets Misa to help them with the puzzles as a second pair of hands and willing ears.

Mello ends up ignoring a lot of Near's advice outwardly, but when nobody's looking, he tries what Near suggested because it does make sense. "Hah! Got it!" "Well done, Mello, what was the answer?" "..."

Upon exiting, Light throws his arms up in the air and lets out a bellowing cackle that leaves everyone mildly concerned. Except for Matt. Matt's still clinging to him. Matt does not care that his new Big Brother has mildly concerning habits.

Okay seeing the orv drama club au... I agree that yjh could never in his life act properly, but hear me out.... Any scenes that involve him being In Love™ with his love interest are always amazing. As long as the other actor is Dokja of course. And of course Dokja wouldn't make the correlation because he is very very dense

Ahdhsjsh. Yes! Yes! I love this! This has my hc stamp of approval.

---

KDJ: Is it me or is Joonghyuk-ssi getting better at acting?

HSY: Oho? What do you mean?

KDJ: Particularly on the romantic scenes. It felt... real. As if he were really in love and confessing to his feelings.

HSY: *sigh* For someone so observant, you can be so dense sometimes.

KDJ: Huh??