hello abby my dear fellow byler swiftie i have an important question for you.

if you had to pick one taylor swift song that, in your humble opinion, is THE byler taylor swift song, what song would you pick, and why?

Andi, dearest, this ask is evil because how on earth do I pick just one?

If I have to pick THE byler song, I'm gonna go with peace. Now, you made the mistake of asking "and why" so I'm gonna go into way too much detail now <3

Our coming-of-age has come and gone

Suddenly the summer, it's clear

Will POV, season 3. Suddenly, this summer it's clear that their coming of age has come and gone. At least, Mike is telling him it has. Telling him it's time to grow up.

I never had the courage of my convictions

As long as danger is near

And it's just around the corner, darling

'Cause it lives in me

The "danger" and the "it" are the Mindflayer/Vecna

No, I could never give you peace

But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

If your cascade ocean wave blues come

Will is the light (fire). If your ocean BLUE waves come? Mike is blue okay yes you get it moving on...

All these people think love's for show

But I would die for you in secret

Will loving Mike secretly, selflessly. As opposed to Mike and El's relationship which is most definitely for show at least on Mike's part.

The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me

Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Friends. Best friends. Will can't shake this supernatural connection. He can never have peace, so he can never give Mike peace. Double meaning here, it's also about his sexuality and the people like his father who would hate him for it, and hate anyone who accepted him. Including Mike.

Your integrity makes me seem small

You paint dreamscapes on the wall

I talk shit with my friends

It's like I'm wasting your honor

This is Mike. Will is honest, earnestly so. Mike is lying to himself. Will paints, and his art covers Mike's walls. But less literally, Will is still creative, still made a campaign, while Mike was distracted with winning El back and hurting Will in the process. And he feels like he's not good enough for Will.

And you know that I'd swing with you for the fences

Sit with you in the trenches

Give you my wild, give you a child

Mike "sitting with Will in the trenches," standing by him through his possession. "Give you a child" doesn't apply literally here, obviously, but it represents wanting to be with someone forever and give them everything, that applies to both of them.

Give you the silence that only comes when two people understand each other

Family that I chose, now that I see your brother as my brother

Is it enough?

Self explanatory, either POV.

But there's robbers to the east, clowns to the west

I'd give you my sunshine, give you my best

But the rain is always gonna come if you're standing with me

Back to Will. He's the light, the sunshine, and he's trying. But he can't shake this connection, just like he can't change the fact that he is gay and there are people who will hate him for it.

But I'm a fire, and I'll keep your brittle heart warm

If your cascade ocean wave blues come

All these people think love's for show

But I would die for you in secret

The devil's in the details, but you got a friend in me

Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Would it be enough if I could never give you peace?

Already talked about how these lyrics apply to Will and his supernatural connection, as well as his sexuality. The idea of never being able to give peace, because he is not at peace. He doesn't want to drag Mike down with him, he doesn't think he's good enough for Mike. Well, Mike feels the same way. Because of his self worth issues (his need to be needed to feel worthy) and his issues with his own sexuality, and the way he's treated Will. He keeps lashing out, keeps pushing Will away, because he's scared, he's so scared of his feelings and what it would mean to accept them. But he loves Will so much, he would do anything for him. Would it be enough, if I could never give you peace?

Jesus Christ, that was entirely Too Much. Sorry. Also, honorable mentions are seven, hoax, The Great War, Forever & Always, It's Nice To Have A Friend.

Okay I absolutely want to take turns and play a little ts st game so.. tag you're it.

(I am also obsessed with you, if that wasn't obvious)

THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE GAME YAY YAY YAY

i'm gonna go with one of my most favorite taylor swift songs (legit this has been in my top 3 songs on spotify since 2019 or 2020 lol): the archer. i constantly go back and forth between whether it feels more mike or will to me because it just... it feels so much like both of them.

(prepare yourself for a loooooooong analysis. bold = mike; italics = will; both)

Combat, I'm ready for combat

I say I don't want that, but what if I do?

Alright, breaking this down section by section, be prepared for a long post, my friend. I think about Mike so much with this lyric, simply because Mike has a more combative nature than Will does. He’s hot-headed, brash, and easily angered, and we see him escalate a lot of situations (not even just with Will) because of that. But it’s so interesting, because while Mike’s nature is to be more combative and feisty, I feel like this also then contradicts other parts of Mike’s personality. Mike wants to be needed. Mike wants to be loved. His biggest fear is losing people that he cares about. He fears being abandoned by the ones he loves so much. So, these two lines to me just capture that internal battle, especially in the context of Byler, where Mike jumps to these argumentative, harsh words with Will (see rain fight, see Rink-O-Mania fight), and yet, he doesn’t want that. We know he wants things to be normal with him and Will again, but he’s using his combative, argumentative mask to hide those true feelings.

'Cause cruelty wins in the movies

I've got a hundred thrown-out speeches I almost said to you

Cruelty wins in the movies. Ouch. This just reminds me of how Mike is trying to put on a facade. He is trying to emulate what a traditional, masculine kind of guy is supposed to look like. Guys aren’t supposed to be sensitive. They’re not supposed to care as much, and they’re certainly not supposed to care about other guys that much, right? Mike wants to be like the men he sees on the screens and that he sees in real life too (see - how he tries to follow Lucas’s example of traditional masculinity). But then, we see again, this other side to Mike. Lettergate theory truthers rise up. Mike has so much he actually wants to say to Will. Words he’s too afraid to say out loud and that are lost on pages he’ll never send or hidden in the back of his mind, where nobody gets to see them. But he wants to say them. He really really does.

Easy they come, easy they go

I jump from the train, I ride off alone

I think I’m gonna talk about Mike’s side of the chorus first, then I’ll talk about Will’s side when the chorus comes back around. God, “easy they come, easy they go” KILLS ME. I just have the images of Mike standing outside of Will’s home as Will (and El) are driven away from him in both the S2 finale (when they’re going to save Will from the Mind Flayer and when El is going to close the gate) and when Will and El’s family move from Hawkins. People keep leaving Mike, and that’s his biggest fear. It’s not just Will and El either; it’s all of his friends. We see these fears spilling out when he’s angry at Lucas in S4 for the basketball thing. 

I never grew up, it's getting so old

Help me hold onto you

This line is so freaking ironic to me, because Mike is just the opposite of that, right? He forces himself to try and grow up. He tries to push his childhood away in S3, and in doing so, he hurts Will and the rest of his friends too. He’s trying so hard to ignore all these confusing feelings and repress them, but in the end, it just hurts Mike more too. He feels like he has to grow up, but he doesn’t actually want to. That’s getting old, and Mike just wants to go back to when things were okay—back when he could still be close to Will, could hold on tight to Will, could do things that weren’t looked down on because they had the innocence of youth to hide behind. And so, I read these lyrics as almost like… Mike’s inner child quietly asking if he can go back to that, begging to return to how things used to be?

I've been the archer

I've been the prey

Who could ever leave me, darling?

But who could stay?

Again, going back to the theme of Mike’s fear of loss and abandonment. “I’ve been the archer” - Mike has hurt people with his harshness and the words he’s said. He’s hurt Will before. But God, don’t other people realize how much Mike has been hurt too? “Why am I the bad guy?” Mike literally asks Will, because God, doesn’t Will get that he’s hurt Mike too? That Will didn’t reach out and didn’t answer his calls? That Mike feels like he keeps getting left behind, that everyone else is moving on and moving forward, when he just feels stuck? When he keeps losing the people (the person) who means the most to him?

Dark side, I search for your dark side

But what if I'm alright, right, right, right here?

Alright, moving on to some Will lyrics now! I can interpret this a couple different ways… But when I think about these lines, I just imagine Will in the aftermath of S3 and before S4, hurting and thinking about Mike. Because Mike has been his best friend for years now, and Mike did hurt him. Mike said harsh words and cruel things to Will, and maybe there’s a part of Will that is angry and hurt. That wants to leave their friendship behind, because Mike did it first, right? For what was probably the first time, Mike showed Will his “dark side” which is so shocking to Will, who has only ever been able to see Mike’s light and his love. 

But that’s the thing that Will gets to learn about love and friendship—that you don’t just sign up to love the goodness someone has. You sign up for the good, the bad, and the ugly. And yeah, he’s seen the bad parts of Mike, but he’s also seen so much good. The bad does not discount all the years of love and friendship he and Mike have shared with each other, and Will wants to return to that friendship. He misses Mike. He’s not planning on leaving anytime soon. 

And I cut off my nose just to spite my face

Then I hate my reflection for years and years

Okay I couldn’t decide who I wanted to analyze this set of lyrics more for, so I decided to do both. God, I love these lines so much, because when you think about that phrase “I cut off my nose just to spite my face” and its meaning that, “Hey, I’m going to do something that’ll hurt somebody else, but surprise? It hurt me just as much too,” I just think it’s so Byler. I don’t think either of them intentionally try to hurt each other, but when they do hurt each other, they end up hurting themselves just as much.

So, with both of them, I think about that time between S3 and S4. How neither of them really reached out all that much. How many they didn’t quite know how to be around each other anymore. How a little bit of resentment built up in their hearts, even if they didn’t want it to. How there were probably moments when Mike called Will and got no response, so he decided to be a little stubborn and not try again—until it just hurt too much not to try and reach out. How there were probably moments when Will saw letters coming in from Mike to El and how he thought about his own letters to Mike that he stubbornly decided not to send, because Mike couldn’t reach out first. How both of them wanted to reach out, but how both of them were hurt that the other wasn’t initiating. God. They’re so stupid, and I love them!

I wake in the night, I pace like a ghost

The room is on fire, invisible smoke

And all of my heroes die all alone

WILL WILL WILL WILL WILL. Literally this section of lyrics is so Will coded, like? I can’t. I love this song so much, Abby. I love that it’s a discussion of anxiety/mental health issues and how that then affects the way we love people. Because now, with Will’s perspective, I just… I think about how much Will has gone through. How he’s suffered from PTSD and probably still struggles with nightmares, even years after his kidnapping and possession. How when we see him in S4, he’s still trying to hold onto his past and his friendship with Mike, because of how much stability and comfort Mike once brought him.

Rewinding a little bit because if I’m gonna talk about Will’s mental health, I’m gonna talk about S2 because I love S2 with my whole heart? Literally all of this just reminds me of Will’s struggle with adjusting after S1 and then how he was targeted by the Mind Flayer in S2. He knows he isn’t the same, and everyone keeps reminding him of that. “The room is on fire, invisible smoke” - just reminds me of Will seeing the Mind Flayer and feeling his presence, but being told by Owens that it’s probably just all in his head. “Invisible smoke” like he made it up… all in his mind. Not to mention, “All of my heroes die all alone” excuse me. Bob. Dying because of something that’s indirectly Will’s fault? Ouch.

Help me hold onto you

Look, this little line gets its own paragraph because I’m not done talking about S2/S4 parallels yet. Again, thinking about how in S2 Will was struggling so much with adjusting and with being stalked, and who was there for him? Mike. Mike was this steady, constant presence, and he was the one person who didn’t treat Will with kids gloves or like he was broken or different for what had happened. He gave Will the courage to keep fighting! So, now in S4, especially at the end, we just see that struggle of Will knowing his and Mike’s friendship isn’t what it used to be, but God, he’s back in Hawkins, and he can feel Vecna’s presence again, and when will this end? Is Will going to be alone in this, this time around? God, he hopes not, and maybe that’s part of why he’s trying so hard to stay close to Mike too. Mike is his best friend, but Mike is also the one who most helps Will keep fighting. And sure, Will “ripped the bandaid” off, but then sitting on the couch next to Mike and quietly telling him these things—that One is back, that he’s not going to stop, that they have to kill him? It all just reminds me of this simple, simple lyric, and how Will is trying to return to that S2 dynamic. “Help me hold onto you,” is what he feels, even though he knows he shouldn’t.

I've been the archer,

I've been the prey

Screaming, who could ever leave me, darling?

But who could stay?

I mean, come on. “I’ve been the archer” in the sense that Will has done things he regrets. He was used by the Mind Flayer/by One to hurt and to kill people. But then, at the same time, “I’ve been the prey” because Will was One’s first target. He was abused and had his autonomy and control ripped away from him. One used Will to then perpetuate more destruction and harm. And that’s terrifying to Will, especially knowing he can still feel One and still is connected to him. But then, it’s just so beautiful to me, because in all of that, who stays with Will? Mike does. And Will knows it. Through the worst parts of his life, Mike stayed. The year before that, Mike moved heaven and hell to try and find Will. So, now, as they’re moving into S5 and into the fight of their lives, it’s just that question of… will Mike stay with him this time? Can they go back to the people they were and the relationship they had?

(I see right through me, I see right through me)

'Cause they see right through me

They see right through me

They see right through

Can you see right through me?

They see right through

They see right through me

I see right through me

I see right through me

Obviously, a lot of repeated lyrics here, but I just like thinking about how both Mike and Will are hiding parts of themselves—their sexualities and their feelings for each other. For two people who have built a friendship on the idea that “friends don’t lie,” it’s heartbreaking that they now find themselves in a place where they have to keep secrets from each other. And I just imagine, as they stumble close to crossing that line, as the walls fall down ever so slightly, if they’re wondering if people can see through their lies. Surely, somebody sees through their lies—Jonathan did with Will’s van monologue. And Mike’s fear is someone seeing through his lie in the monologue he gave to El. Because they both are well aware that they lied in these moments; they can see through their own lies and I’m sure they regret it. So, is it only a matter of time before somebody else sees through the lie too?

All the king's horses, all the king's men

Couldn't put me together again

S2 Will right here. I think about Will, feeling lost and feeling different and feeling broken, after his experiences in the Upside Down. He’s always felt like a freak, but now, he can’t run away from it. And it’s getting worse. The doctors are trying, and he knows it. Owens is a nice enough man. But nothing is helping. Maybe Will can’t be fixed. Maybe he’ll always be different and always be the freak, and there’s no running away from that. And it sucks… but even in spite of all of that, he still has Mike. His best friend. And Mike’s not going anywhere.

'Cause all of my enemies started out friends

Ouch ouch ouch ouch ouch, whatever you do don’t think about both Mike and Will feeling like the other one hates them now or is disgusted by them in the aftermath of their S3 fight. Nope, no, don’t do that. Mike feels so guilty; he’s hurt Will and said things that he regrets. And now Will isn’t reaching out to him. Will already feels different because of his sexuality and feelings for Mike, and now, he feels like Mike must know and must look at him differently. They used to be best friends, but now, they can barely even call themselves friends.

[Help me hold onto you

I've been the archer

I've been the prey

Who could ever leave me, darling?

But who could stay?

(I see right through me, I see right through me)

Who could stay?

Who could stay?

Who could stay?]

Lots of repeated lyrics, which I think I covered already. :) 

You could stay

You could stay

You

Combat, I'm ready for combat

And this… this right here. I love this. Because after all of this, after this song is a massive confession of anxiety and of the worst parts of yourself, after the vulnerability of asking the person you love to please stay, please don’t leave again, I interpret this as a bit of a hopeful ending. Who could stay? … You. You could stay. So with Byler, I view this as just that moment of understanding that I hope they’ll get in S5, where they realize in spite of everything that has happened, in spite of what they’ve said to each other and the mistakes they’ve made, in spite of the negative ways they view themselves… Mike is choosing to stay there for Will. And Will is choosing to stay there for Mike. They’re not planning on leaving each other’s sides. They will face whatever comes next together, as a team. Neither one of them is going anywhere. It’s Mike and Will, up against the world.

Reasons (Donny x Fem!Reader)

@owba-chan @war-obsessed @inglourious-imagines @tammykelly @struggling-bee @frozenhuntress67 @kwyloz @sodapop182 @marlenemarauders @what-the--curtains @taikawho @spookybearlandtaco Let me know if you wanna be added to the IB or OUATIH taglists! :)

*TW: Single mother, war/violence

Requested by @redrosewritingsstuff

********************

You'd been working with the basterds for a while now as a nurse, though you were an agent for the MI6 once. There was a botched mission, and in order to keep yourself alive, you had to leave the MI6. But, your department also happened to owe a favor to the OSS. For all intents and purposes you were considered a ghost. You did not exist in either organizations' paper work. Anything that could hint at your transfer was heavily redacted. Your aliases and IDs were burned, and you were on your way. You stayed behind the scenes as much as possible. Your mission was now  to be the basterds' saving grace.  

You didn't talk much, but you weren't quite on the same level as Hugo. But, if any of the basterds could get you to laugh a little, it was Donny.

You were sitting on your own, looking intently at a locket, enclosed in your fist. Donny sat by you, "What'cha got there?" You looked away for a moment, smiling, but shook your head.

Donny's voice was softer when he noticed the locket. To him, (and most people) a locket like that meant there was already someone out there with your heart. He respected that, but he couldn't take seeing you upset. "Shoulda guessed." He chuckled, trying to soften you up a bit. "He got a name?" You shook your head, smiling a little. You were amused. "No. It's not like that." You didn't say anything else, and for once, Donny didn't either. You just sat there together, and he wondered what that meant. In war, most of the possibilities were grim. *********** Time went by, you marched through the forest with the basterds, near the edge of a village. Things had been too quiet lately, especially knowing there was a patrol you had been looking for. You found them, as you always did. The nazis had cornered a family, threatening the life of a child, who was maybe three or four years old. You heard the mother's screams, saw the father being beaten. You didn't think twice, you jumped in between them all, blowing your own cover and that of the basterds. You acted while the boys still hadn't realized what was happening. You were nearly killed, but Donny and Hugo rushed in to help. In the end, you saved the family. Aldo had the nazi scalps to prove it. But, he wasn't happy. You had jumped in without a loaded gun, and no knife. You were the nurse, but you were also a basterd. You could not be replaced. None of them could. "Of all the stupid, wreckless shit I seen done by soldiers, this is damn near at the top of the list. And if there's one thing we ain't need way out here, L/N, it's goddamn impulsiveness." You sighed, lowered your head, and rested your hands against a dusty table top in your hideout. He was right. But you couldn't help it. You had to save that family. That kid had a whole life ahead. You couldn't stand by and wait for Aldo’s orders. Aldo sighed, knowing perhaps he had been a little too hard. After all, you did save a family, as the basterds should, granted, you could have been a little more prepared. "Y/n, there ain't many nurses out here we can trust. We lose you, we lose any chance of us makin' it to the end. Y'understand?" "Perfectly." You murmured, still not fully willing to analyze what had happened that day. *****

Not long after, you were all sharing a drink together in your hideout. After everyone had gone to bed, you hung around on your own, with your locket in your hand. "Y/n?" You needed to say it. You didn't know why. You didn't care if you sounded like a coward, or like a cliche. "I've got to get home, Donny." Donny was caught off guard. From what he knew, you were one of the best basterds. It never crossed his mind that you'd ever say something like that. But he understood. You were all only human, at the end of the day. "We all do, kid." You were silent again, and he said, "If it's about today...you did what anyone would have done. Aldo didn't mean it. We just can't afford to lose ya. We lost Andy, Simon, and Michael. We can't lose any more basterds. That's all he meant by it." You shook your head, "You don't understand..." "Let me." His hand rested on yours, and he looked into your eyes. "He was just a baby, Donny. Three, maybe four at most. What was I supposed to do?" "Y/n." He kept his voice low, warning with his eyes that there were unkind ears around. But, he was also trying to calm you. "You did the right thing." You sighed, your grip around the locket loosened, and you set it on the table. "Go ahead." Donny raised his eyebrow for a moment, then reached for the locket. The moment he looked at the tiny, oval, black and white photograph, his heart broke. It was a picture of a baby. "She'll be four years old in a month." You smiled softly, though your heart was breaking, "She ain't seen me since. This is the only picture of Abby that I have. If I go back at all...she won't remember me." "What? No! Y/n, don't say that, she will! She's...your..." Donny was still processing it, but he managed to say, "You're a fucking hero, Y/n. You're unforgettable..." Donny meant every word. "How can I be when I was never there for her at all? They took her from me, they said I was an unfit mother." You looked down, "I was young. I wasn't married. Her father was killed in the Pacific, he never had a chance to know. I had nothing. Our town was bombed, I couldn't take care of her the way she needed. I couldn't keep her safe, Donny." You looked at him with teary eyes and he shook  his head, "Hey, don't say that," as he wrapped his hands around your shoulders. "You did keep her safe. You did the hardest thing a mother could do! She's safe because of that. She's waiting for you. You'll get her back. I'll make sure. I promise." "Don't say things you don't mean." "I don't." When you looked at him you knew he meant that. You couldn't help but cry into his shoulder, and he didn't mind. As the years went on, you became closer to all the basterds, but in Donny you confided the most. You realized then, it was because  you loved him the most. It was 1945 now. Wicki and Hugo had been hurt. Bridget hardly had any hope in any of the basterds, but she asked if any of them could speak a language other than English. You spoke Italian. (A lot better than Aldo did, at least.) Donny turned around. He was going to volunteer himself. He didn't want to lose you. He couldn't imagine a life without you. He couldn't lose you, and he knew he wasn't the only one. "Y/n, you can't." "It's the only way, Donny." "No, it's not." "You promised," you didn't have to remind him. You were their only clear chance at pulling off the Italian charade. If the basterds failed operation Kino, the war would go on, maybe even for years. Donny knew that. He knew how much was at stake. So the mission went on. You went with him, Bridget, Omar, and Aldo to the cinema. Things didn't go as planned, but with the basterds, they never really did. "Donny. Don't do this." He looked at you with wide eyes, his  voice was soft for a moment, "I'm sorry, Y/n." At the very last second, he locked you out of the theater. You pushed against the door as Donny gripped it, "Y/n don't make this harder than it has to be." "Donny let me in." "You know I can't do that." He looked you in the eyes, but he couldn't bring himself to say it. "Don't..." You couldn't say goodbye either. "Donny don't do this." "I promised." He pushed you and locked the door as he ran back through the inferno to find Omar. When smoke rose to the sky and ash and glass covered the street, you thought it was the last you'd ever see of Donny. But it was only the beginning. When you gave up, you tried to force back tears as your knees grew weak. Then you saw the impossible. Omar and Donny limped out together. "Donny!? Omar!" "Promised I'd make sure, didn't I?" He chuckled as he sat down by you, as the three of you watched the war end right before your eyes. ***** Donny couldn't wait to see his family, but he figured he'd waited so long, he could wait just a little longer. It was the day the basterds were receiving the medal of honor, but Donny was standing with you in a train station somewhere in the countryside of England. He refused to be there if Hans Landa was receiving the medal of honor. Hugo was 100% planning a million ways to get rid of Hans, and a million more to get away with it, but...well, once a basterd, always a basterd. 

 Anyway, Donny figured he'd get his in the mail, though he did hope his little brother didn't open it before he got home. You wouldn't get one at all, because, well, for all intents and purposes, you were a "ghost,". You didn't mind. You didn't care for crowds.

Besides, you just couldn't wait another day. You called in every favor you could to make this happen. Donny was there for you every step of the way, just like he said he would be.  

This should have been goodbye. You were all flown from France to Britain when some of the injured basterds had healed enough. From there, they'd go to Washington D.C for the ceremony, even Archie and Bridget were going. After that, they would all go home. Hirschberg hadn't really thought things through and asked, "What could be more important than a medal of honor right now?" He figured you could at least be there one last time for them. He wasn't really that good at saying goodbye. He never had been. Omar rolled his eyed, and "Dumbass." "What?!" Hirschberg turned in confusion, and Smitty said, "Her kid, that's what!" "Ohhh..." He nodded, finally realizing as he hugged you. "At least promise to visit?" "I will," You smiled. You figured you could make it to a basterd reunion every once in a while. Besides, you'd already promised all the other basterds you would. You watched them all go. Then it was just you and Donny. He looked around excitedly at the city, "Where we headin', kid?" He grinned in excitement. There was not a hint of regret. He really wanted to stay by your side no matter what, and it broke your heart to love a man so much. He'd have to go eventually... "I thought you were just going to stay to say goodbye..." "Well....I could walk you to the train station!" You smiled, "But you have a flight at noon!" "Ah, I can just run back." He shrugged, "Come on, doll." He walked you to the train station, but then convinced you he could stay with you till you got to the country side. He convinced himself he'd just fly home some other day.

**** He looked around at the blue sky, the fluffy white clouds scattered. The incessant hum of overhead planes and military engines was replaced by the chirps of birds and wind in the trees. "Thought England's always gray and rainy," he laughed, and you said, "Not always," You smiled, but your breath escaped your reach,   "Not now..." You saw her.  You walked toward her, through the crowd. She wasn't the tiny baby you had to give up years ago, but she was still your little girl. You knew that smile anywhere. She saw you before the social worker did. "Mama!" The tiny toddler ran to you before you could even process it all. How she knew you? Well, you'd later find out she slept with a picture of you under her pillow. That picture and a teddy bear you gave her when she was a day old were the only things in the world she could call her own. "Y/n?" Meanwhile, Donny turned around searching for you. He ran through the crowd, and slowed down, and walked with a smile when he figured out what had happened. Abby was basically a tiny version of you, though her eyes were a different color than yours, they had the same light in them. Donny had told himself he wouldn't stay. You had a family to care of. You had a whole life in England. He had a life to get back to in Boston, too. He told himself that for years. It had some truth to it, but you quickly became his world when there were days the sun refused to shine. But, now that the war was over, how could he forget all that you were to him? Just like that? He told himself he'd just walk you to the station. Then he told himself he'd just stay for the train ride, remembering England being nice on the brief time he had been there before being sent to France. But now that it was time to go, he was out of excuses. "Donny, this is Abby. Abby, this is Donny." Abby giggled and saluted him, like she'd seen so many do on newsreels. Donny laughed as he saluted her back, "Cutest soldier you got there, Y/n." You chuckled as you picked Abby up, never wanting to let go, though you realized you couldn't let go of Donny's hand either. "Miss L/n." The social worker waited with a patient smile with a stack of papers. "RIght then," You explained to Abby you would only be a minute, then looked to Donny. You didn't even have to ask. He was a natural, after all, he had  a little brother and plenty of little cousins. He had Abby laughing and takling in no time while you signed the papers.

"Donny..." He was sitting on the ground with Abby sitting by him, watching the trains go by as he told her a story that had her laughing and your heart melting. He looked up at you, and his heart felt heavy. He was out of excuses to stay. "Would you like to come over for tea?" You smiled as you picked Abby up. "Tea?" He was caught off guard for a moment, but he smiled and nodded. It was a long trip back to London. Even longer counting the cab ride to your place. The war had gone by in a moment with you by his side, but he wondered, what was wartime to a lifetime with you? "That would be nice," He smiled, taking your hand, seeing a lifetime in your eyes. London, Boston, it didn't matter. In that moment, he knew if he went he would never run out of excuses to stay. You and Abby were all the reasons he ever needed.

Olympic Roster

Okay since I keep getting asked, this would be my guess for Vlatko’s olympic roster (+ my irrelevant opinion) assuming there are no r*tirements/injuries. I’m including like the rotation pools too.

GK (2): Alyssa Naeher, Ashlynn Harris (but I have a gut feeling AH might change by next year 👀dont @ me)

Pool: Aubrey Bledsoe/Adrianna Franch/Jane Campbell

Decision if AH out: Out of the 3, I’d take Franch. Just haven’t seen Bledsoe play on NT at all so idk her under that type of pressure; the times Jane played, Jill royally fucked her confidence 🙄

Def (6): Kelley O’Hara, Abby Dahlkemper, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn

Pool: Tierna Davidson/Emily Sonnett/Ali Krieger/Midge Purce/Casey Short

Decision on last 2 spots: little t is a fucking savage when she is alive and well, but has been screwed by injuries I need to see her back fit again to properly analyze; Sonnett is bulletproof like never gets injured, so that’s a huge plus; AK I just don’t know, she hasn’t had any play time in forever, I’m less likely to take her; Midge is my wild card since they’ve been trying to convert her here. She has mad potential, I’m here for it and she can obv play forward, so versatility, which is vital in the olympics; Casey is such a strong defender and is FAST getting up into the attack and creating plays, but fucking INJURIES. Same situation as little t). 

If I had it my way? Leaving for the olympics rn w/o injuries + full form I’d take Tierna and Casey or Sonnett (hot take? idk. t and short play on the same team, adds chemistry, Casey is underrated af)

Mid (5): Julie Ertz, Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle, Sam Mewis

Pool: Andi Sullivan/Morgan Brian/Allie Long (nope not happening)/Jordan DiBiassi

Decision on last spot: Andi oml poor bb. Her injuries have been absolutely wack. She is such a smart mid and if she can stay healthy, I’m taking her out of the options; Moe is so injury prone and it’s just not realistic in the olympics. Barely feel like I’ve seen her play over the past couple years ugh; Allie nope the end; Jordan has potential, but she was only called in once and idk if she’ll break in.

If I had it my way? Leaving for the olympics rn w/o injuries + full form I’d take Andi

Fwd (5): Tobin Heath, Christen Press, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd (I hate it sm, but I think US soccer is gonna let her have it, the hoes)

Pool: Mal Pugh/Jessica McDonald/Lynn Williams/Sophia Smith/Midge Purce (I know I put for def too, but throwing her in here as well)/Ashley Sanchez (I know she’s not in the current pool, but I’m adding her lol)

Decision on last spot (if Carlos somehow goes away and leaves a spot open): Mal has been wrecked with inconsistent form for a while now and I hate it bc the potential is strong, I think Jill messed her up what’s new; Micky D I don’t see it happening, no way there are just better options; Lynn... I still don’t think she’s NT material. Consistency is everything, especially in the olympics, which is fast paced and there’s no time to develop form, you gotta be on point asap; Sophia is a biiiiit too new I think still. There’s no way she would be in Tokyo rn and I don’t think she’ll quite break in by next year. Promising tho!; Midge. I. Like. Midge. She’s versatile (vital on an 18 woman roster) and just has that fire in her where she wants to get things done and does them well. She played really well for pdx during the WC. Needs a bit of polishing here and there as sometimes she’d hold the ball and try to play hero, but by next year, I think she could contend; Sanchez. I’ve always liked her. She was a bright spot for the U-20s and UCLA and I liked what I saw in the Challenge Cup so far. Keeping my eye out.

If I had it my way? Leaving for the olympics rn w/o injuries + full form I’d take Midge

tldr:

GK: Naeher, Harris

D: KO, Abby, Broon, Dunn, Tierna, Short (Sonnett if short injured)

M: Linds, JJ, Rose, Sam, Andi

F: Heath, CP, Alex, Pinoe, Lloyd 🙄(Midge if CL somehow blesses us and retires)

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There is no doubt about it, a first date is a game of psychological warfare. Before the date even begins you are over-analyzing every worst-case scenario and driving yourself around in circles. “What if he’s the one?!” “What if he lives at home with his mom?” “What if he has a weird nose twitch?” or “What if he thinks I’m ugly?” and “What if he hates dogs?!” Sometimes the first date sets the tone for the entire relationship—is this going to be a platonic relationship, a one night stand, or are there going to be eventual wedding bells? Studies have shown it only takes seven seconds for someone to make an impression. Seven seconds! That is not a lot of time to make a good first impression. You are either reading this because you want to know if your thoughts are normal, you want to know what your date is thinking, or are just looking for something to read–that doesn’t pertain to politics. So don’t worry, unlike many bad first dates, this list won’t disappoint. Without further ado, here are 15 thoughts every woman has while on a first date.

#1 What Would Our Kids Look Like? In the 2003 romantic comedy starring How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Andie Anderson (Kate Hudson) makes a scrapbook of her and Ben Barry’s (Matthew McConaughey) future children. The scrapbook is a little over-the-top but it’s not too far off from what women really think on a first date. Yes, women do envision what their future children will look like on the first date. Does he have sparkling blue eyes? A receding hairline? Larger than average ear lobes? Women notice these things, even if they aren’t aware they are noticing these things. The brain will store this information in a file cabinet towards the back of the brain. Just when she’s about to fall asleep she’ll be reminded of his impeccable cheekbones or that his index finger on his left hand was longer than his middle finger.

#2 Who’s The Ex-Girlfriend? Was he dating Alessandra Ambrosia or Mila Kunis? Did she win the Noble Peace Prize for her international humanitarian efforts or serve in the Peace Corps? Does he show reluctance or is he uncomfortable bringing her up? If he does seem hesitant in discussing his past relationships, does it mean he is still not over her or does it mean he is simply respecting this potential new relationship? As soon as she gets a name she will be searching Facebook. Are there any old pictures of the two of them together? Does her profile picture still have him in it (that would be a huge red flag! That means one of two things: She either doesn’t know she’s an ex or she’s having a hard time accepting their break up.)? She will want to know about all of his past relationships but will be most curious about the most recent. Why did it end? When was their last encounter? When was their last sexual encounter? Are they still friends on Facebook? If he isn’t upfront and honest—women will smell this a mile away. This will doom any chance of a real romantic relationship ever getting off the ground.

#3 How Will He Treat the Waitress? Did he just whistle to get the waiter’s attention? Um. So not okay. The way someone treats a waiter, bartender, or taxi driver is a good indication for what kind of person they are. If the guy is being condescending or arrogant in front of his date, chances are he is ten times worse when he’s around his friends. Speaking of friends, if she gets a chance to meet his friends–maybe run into them at the bar. If they are as*holes, she should just assume her date is an a*shole as well. The quote by author Jim Rohn, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”, couldn’t be more true. He obviously has something in common with these guys in order to be friends with them. And, chances are the things he has in common with them aren’t baking cakes or volunteering to visit the elderly. If she is smart she better Usain Bolt-it out of there!

#4 New Guy Versus Old Guy Does he physically resemble her ex? Is his personality like her ex? She will definitely be comparing the new guy to her ex. She won’t be able to help herself especially if she wasn’t the one who ended the last relationship. Yes, thoughts will naturally go towards sex. Is this guy any good in bed? Does he seem like someone who isn’t interested in a relationship but wants something else instead? No strings attached sex? Nope. Sorry. For women, this is a no go. There might be a woman or two out there who can pull off no strings attached sex but for the majority–it would only result in hurt feelings and confused emotions. If she slips up and calls him her exes name—she’s definitely not over him. Same goes for him. If the guy calls her his exes name–he’s not over her.

#5 Is He Confident? If he has first date jitters–that’s one thing. If he has major self confidence issues that’s an entirely different ball game all together. She doesn’t want to be anyone’s mother or psychotherapist. She wants to date a confident guy. Why do you think women are so turned on by 50 Shades’ Christian Grey? Obviously he’s got a hot body but what else does he have? Mr. Grey might need a psychotherapist for other issues… but definitely not confidence. He has a tremendous amount of confidence. He walks into a room and you can just smell it on him. There is a fine line between confident and overconfident. Overconfidence can sometimes be used to mask someone that’s incredibly superficial. It’s pretty easy to see through that superficial mask of bulls*it. Once someone has experienced dating an overconfident, superficial a*s, she’ll be able to recognize one as soon as he speaks.

#6 Am I Talking Too Much? “Am I being interesting or interested?” She wants to come across as interesting but also wants to show interest in him as well—if there’s an attraction there. If she goes on and on about herself without asking about him–she’s either completely uninterested or a bit too into herself to want a real relationship. Sometimes whenever there is a lull in conversation, she thinks she has to fill it by talking. Silence and pauses in conversation are good things! They are voids that don’t need to be filled. They allow both parties to absorb and process information–as well as to eat or drink. There is nothing worse than awkward, forced conversation. If she’s having a hard time getting him to talk and it’s harder than pulling teeth, that’s not a good sign. His mind is elsewhere. If she shuts down and doesn’t want to talk, she could be super shy and afraid of saying the wrong thing, or thinking about the hot guy sitting over at the bar.

#7 To Eat Or Not to Eat? If she wasn’t on a date she would be getting actual food to eat (e.g. bacon cheeseburger?) but this is a first date. A woman can’t eat on a first date. She flips her menu over to the salad selection. “Oh, yum. Romaine lettuce, green pepper, and a tomato slice.” Every female does it. She goes out on a first date and doesn’t eat anything or pretends her favorite food is romaine lettuce. This needs to stop! It makes him feel awkward as he digs in and eats his filet mignon or chicken parmesan. He has to stare as his date nibbles on a piece of lettuce. She needs to show confidence by getting something absolutely delicious! This is a date! It’s supposed to be a fun time. Enjoy yourself! Life is not a dress rehearsal! You only get one shot at it–so order the deep-fried calamari and triple fudge sundae with extra hot fudge! To eat or not to eat? EAT, girl! Be yourself!

#8 Dog Or Cat Person? The movie The Ugly Truth starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler has Katherine Heigl’s character Abby Richter, completely infatuated with her neighbor–the orthopedic doctor–because he is a cat person. Does he like dogs? Who knows. But, as soon as she finds out that he is a cat person, she starts hearing wedding bells. If she has a cat, the guy better be a cat person. If she has a dog, he better be a dog person. There’s really no way around this. A relationship whereas one person is a cat person and the other person is a 100% dog person will not work out. Can you imagine an avid Trump supporter being married to a loyal Clinton supporter? They would be fighting like cats and dogs (pun intended)!

#9 Living With Parents?! If her date piques her interest and there’s some initial attraction but then she finds out he still lives with his parents. Ladies and gentlemen, game over. The alarms will start going off in her head until she can no longer hear the words coming out of his mouth. She might start swallowing a little more frequently. It goes back to the caveman days—women want a hunter, someone who will protect and provide for them. If her caveman is still living in a cave with his mom and dad—not in his own cave—she’s going find a guy with his own cave! No cavewoman would want to live in a cave with her in-laws! Exceptions do exist. One exception would be if he has just graduated from medical school and he has moved back home in order to finalize purchasing a house. Another exception would be if he just returned from serving in the Peace Corps.

#10 Did I Learn This From FB Stalking? Everyone has done it. You see someone in real life and congratulate them or ask them about something only to realize that you probably only know this information from Facebook. Before saying ‘Yes!’ to going on a date, a woman must do some detective work. She will scour his social media accounts. Are there any public posts? The worst, most irritating thing is when he has his social media accounts set to private! Not one public post?! How can this even be allowed? Photos? Only two? Is there something wrong with him? If his Facebook is set to private, start digging through his friends. If more than half his friends have profile pictures where they are throwing up gang signs or holding up beer–might be a slight cause for concern. If more than half his friends are female, might be a slight cause for concern or just might mean he is a really good listener.

#11 Is He A Serial Killer? During certain times of the month or other emotional times (e.g. a breakup) a woman will throw on some comfy yoga pants, grab some ice cream or chips, click on the television and binge watch Lifetime movies. This can often turn into an entire weekend binge watching Lifetime. Lifetime movies are made for women– to make them cry and/or feel scared. They are sappy and generally starring D-list actors. Women love them. Unfortunately watching so many Lifetime movies has skewed her perception of men. Is he going to turn into a raging asshole? Is he abusive? Does he secretly dislike women that resemble his mother? These crazy thoughts will pass through her head–hopefully not spending more than a millisecond hanging around. With the abundance of social media channels and everything online these days, paying for background checks is kind of a thing of the past. She undoubtedly has googled his name on the various search engines.

#12 How Much Eye Contact? He’s talking. She’s talking. He’s talking. She’s listening–or is she really listening? If she’s looking up at the ceiling or down at her vibrating cell phone–then she’s probably not listening. Eye contact shouldn’t be fleeting or jumping around the room. She should be looking at him straight in the eyes with occasional glances down or to the side. If he is giving too much eye contact, she will either be turned on by his intensity or turned off by his intensity. She doesn’t want to feel like he wants to devour her, but she also doesn’t want him to feel like she’s picturing him naked.

#13 Flirty or Creepy Smile? She catches her smile in her spoon or the reflection on her iPhone case. Oh dear God. She looks like a total creeper. She tried sexy but sexy just seemingly turned into weird. She hasn’t really mastered flirty yet. She might try the half smile with her hand slightly obscuring the other half of her mouth. Scarlett Johnasson? Well, not quite. What about if she does the slightly open mouth Victoria’s Secret smile? Nope. It looks like she’s waiting to take a bite out of your neck. If she concentrates too hard on mastering the flirty smile she’s going to fail. The more relaxed she is, the more natural her smile will be. Hence, more attractive.

#14 Was That Too Much Wine? She doesn’t want to be seen as someone who needs to drink in order to have fun but she doesn’t want to seem like Miss Goody Two-Shoes. So, how much is too much? If she sticks with one glass, that seems pretty reasonable. She’ll be relaxed enough to stop picking at her fingernails and will put the coaster, menu, or whatever else she’s fidgeting with down. She won’t be face plant drunk, which is always a good thing, but she’ll hopefully be relaxed enough to carry on a conversation. What if she’s drinking something other than wine. She should tick with two drinks max. After two drinks she should switch to water. This is a first date. This isn’t a college fraternity party where the goal is to get as drunk as humanely possibly before trying to stumble your way home in the most uncomfortable heels possible.

#15 Who Will Pay The Bill? The bill comes to the table. Does she reach for it? What if he lets her take it? If he lets her take it or suggests going dutch, this relationship is over even before it started. If he takes the bill from her and insists on paying–he’s had a great time and this relationship may be heading in the right direction–if she feels the same way. If she doesn’t offer to pay, yes she will be coming across as a bit of an entitled snot. The polite thing to do is offer to pay. There is only one exception to this rule and that’s if he was a disrespectful a*shole. If that was the case, stick him with the bill… after ordering a nice glass of cabernet sauvignon 1988.

Source: TheRichest

Forever & Always by Taylor Swift x Byler Lyrical Analysis

Forever & Always is one of my all time favorite Byler coded songs. To me, it perfectly captures Will’s feelings both in seasons three and four.

For an angry time, listen to the regular version. For a sad time, listen to the piano version.

Now, because I am insane, here’s a detailed analysis. (@andiwriteordie this is your fault)

(Lyrics)

[Verse 1]

Once upon a time

I believe it was a Tuesday when I caught your eye

And we caught onto something

Will referencing Mike asking to be his friend and subsequently becoming best friends.

I hold onto the night

You looked me in the eye and told me you loved me

This line refers to “Crazy together.” Enough said. But also, even though we’re not sure whether Will remembers it, consider: “It was the best thing I’ve ever done.” 

Were you just kidding?

'Cause it seems to me

This thing is breaking down, we almost never speak

Will doubting whether Mike ever meant what he said because there is distance between them now. To me, this is both seasons three and four. In season three it refers to Mike pulling away from Will and the party to spend time with El, and “This thing is breaking down” refers to their rain fight. Additionally, it refers to Mike not reaching out when Will was in Lenora. “Seems like you made it super clear that you’re not interested in anything I have to say… You called maybe a couple times…”

I don't feel welcome anymore

This line. Oh god. This line belongs to season three Will. I don't feel welcome anymore. Will used to find his safety in Mike, now Mike isn’t his safe place, Mike is abandoning him, Mike is hurting him. Will had the rug pulled from underneath him when Mike suddenly turned all of his attention to El. Will went from Mike paying special attention to him and being so attentive and caring, to having him pull away almost completely. So Will doesn’t feel welcome in his relationship with Mike, which was his safety, but that’s not all. Will doesn’t feel “welcome” anywhere, because he doesn’t feel like he belongs or fits in anywhere. (Willel parallels my beloved.) Because of the fact that he still wants to do the same things they did as kids while his friends seem to have moved on, he feels isolated. Because of his sexuality, he feels isolated. He already felt this way, and then, enter rain fight. Mike basically throws all of Will’s insecurities back in his face. “We’re not kids anymore… It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.” Finally, something something Will knocking down the sign on Castle Byers, “All friends welcome.”

Baby, what happened? Please tell me

'Cause one second it was perfect

Now you're halfway out the door

This refers to the same as above section, about Will feeling like the rug was pulled out from under him. “One second it was perfect,” refers to Will being okay with being just friends with Mike, even though he loves him. As long as Mike is his person, he doesn’t need anything more than that. They were friends, best friends, and to Will it was perfect. This section can also refer to Will in Leora, and the fact that he and Mike were on good terms when Will left, and yet Mike hasn’t reached out.

[Chorus]

And I stare at the phone, he still hasn't called

And then you feel so low you can't feel nothing at all

Will in Lenora, obviously. Waiting for Mike’s phone calls. For extra pain, you can imagine the chorus from Mike’s perspective as well, both of them waiting for calls that didn’t come.

And you flashback to when he said, "Forever and always"

“Crazy together,” and/or “It was the best thing I’ve ever done.” From Mike’s perspective, “I guess I did, I really did,” and “Not possible.” As well as just the fact that they were so close, it felt implicit that they’d be together forever, even if that was just as friends.

Oh, and it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong

Everything is wrong. Will feeling “so lost” without Mike in Lenora. Mike feeling the same way. “It’s Hawkins, it’s not the same without you.”

It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone

It rains when you’re here refers to the rain fight and destroying Castle Byers. Obviously it was literally raining, but figuratively it refers to the pain Will felt as Mike distanced himself and as Mike said such hurtful things. The previous line “it rains in your bedroom, everything is wrong” associates the ideas of “raining” with sorrow and with everything being wrong. Therefore, “it rains when you’re here” = you’re here, but everything is wrong. Everything is wrong because Mike is distant, and Mike is hurting Will, and that is the exact opposite of what Mike has always been to Will. “It rains when you’re gone,” obviously refers to Will missing Mike in Lenora. Even though Mike hurt him. It rains when you're here and it rains when you're gone. Can also be from Mike’s perspective. “It rains when you’re here,” I was messing things up when you were right there in front of me, “and it rains when you’re gone,” and now I still can’t reach out. I don’t know how to fix this. I miss you.

'Cause I was there when you said, "Forever and always"

(Already explained.)

[Verse 2]

Was I out of line?

Did I say something way too honest, made you run and hide

Will’s perspective of the rain fight. One one level, he’s calling Mike out on the fact that he’s been ignoring his friends to spend time with El. He’s being honest, and Mike isn’t taking it well. On another level, wondering if he revealed too much about his feelings. “I guess I did, I really did.” He has to be wondering if Mike suspects something, especially after, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.” 

Like a scared little boy?

A little bit of spite, as a treat. Seriously though, Will is feeling spiteful, he’s feeling abandoned and betrayed. And Mike is a scared little boy, he is scared of Will and his feelings for Will, which is why he’s pulling away, which is why he’s throwing himself into his relationship with El. Throwing himself into his relationship is Mike’s way of “running and hiding.” There’s also something to be said for Will calling Mike a “little boy” while Mike is trying to tell Will he’s the one acting childish. When in reality, Will is being honest with himself, while Mike is playing pretend with his girlfriend, so really, who’s the immature one here? On another level, there’s also something to be said for the idea of Will projecting a bit with this line. He sees himself as a scared little boy, running from the demogorgon, or the Mindflayer. Or, like Mike, from himself. He has always been a scared little boy.

I looked into your eyes

Thought I knew you for a minute, now I'm not so sure

All I can think of with this line is the look on Will’s face when Mike said, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls.” 

So here's to everything coming down to nothing

God, this line. Here’s to everything. Here’s to years of friendship. Here’s to the “best thing you’ve ever done.” Here’s to risking everything to bring me back from the Upside Down, for never giving up hope that I was alive. Here’s to standing by me while I was possessed. Here’s to sleeping on my bedroom floor and by my hospital bed. Here’s to being my everything. And from Will in Lenora’s later perspective, here’s to “Not possible,” and the smile you gave me when I said it, like maybe you cared as much about me as I do about you. Here’s to all of that, coming down to nothing. Distance and fighting and “You called maybe a couple of times.” Nothing.

Here's to silence that cuts me to the core

Mike ignoring him for El in season three. The awkwardness after the rain fight. The silence of the phone never ringing. Little to no communication when Will is in Lenora. 

Where is this going?

Thought I knew for a minute, but I don't anymore

Will doesn’t know where they stand. He used to be able to read Mike, their relationship used to be simple. Not anymore.

[Repeat Chorus]

The chorus repeats, but with an added line at the end, “You didn't mean it baby, I don't think so.”

Will questioning whether Mike ever meant what he said, if Mike ever really cared that much. 

[Bridge]

Oh, back up, baby, back up

Did you forget everything?

Back up, baby, back up

Did you forget everything?

Will asking Mike to back up. He wants to go back to what they had.

[Chorus Again]

[Outro]

You didn't mean it baby

You said, "Forever and always," yeah

Will asserting that Mike didn’t mean what he said. How could he have meant it and then turned around and abandoned Will? Maybe it would hurt less to lose Mike if Will's convinced himself that Mike never meant it. Easier to rip off the band aid.